AllVid: Dish Power Users & Tecies Killer?

[DishSubLA]

I hadn't noticed this being discussed, but with all the news about the 813 and including the ViP series and how DBS technology provides a number of tuners that can exceed 6 tuners, could the "AllVid" proposal from the FCC be a BAD thing for power users? The last I heard, the proposed specs for "AllVid" would have a maximum of 6 tuners per household. I wouldn't mind those more knowledgeable than I to chime in with some thoughts on if this could mean all DBS subscribers will have to limited to 6 tuners.

(Please no inane posts about how 6 tuners is plenty for you and how others need to get a life. This is a post regarding a serious consumer issue and is for those with situations or desires for more than 6 tuners or any others who wish to enhance the discussion on this issue, not to affirm your lack of a life by posting some puerile post.)

"AllVid" is the FCC's proposal to make MVPD's (cable sat, FiOS, IPTV, EVERYONE) OPEN to any set-top-box, so that consumers can have choice of set-top-boxes by purchasing them from any maker and it will work properly, unlike the Cable Card fiasco. It is proposed to be a gateway device using IP. The boxes are supposed to be able to provide ALL features including VOD or whatever. In other words, access to all content just as the cable or sat boxes. Some big companies have supported it (Google, TiVo). One more benefit of AllVid is that if one changes a provider, the consumer's box will also work using a competitor's service, such as changing from DirecTV to Dish, or to Cable or to FiOS or IPTV. So, no new investment of set-top-box hardware for the consumer.

So, how does this work for those who need or want more than 6 tuners? And how does this fit in with Dish 813 and DBS ability to deliver at least twice the number (perhaps DirecTV even more?)?

 

[nsafreak]

They've barely begun talking about it at the FCC and I don't even recall a 6 tuner limit. I would classify the chances of something like this happening as slim to none, insofar as requiring the providers to use it in all of their installations. They may require that it be an option made available to any customer that requests it. But if they require that all customers have it installed at their households then all of the MPVDs will raise a stink about the cost of replacing all of their subscribers boxes and in some cases installing boxes where a customer previously did not need one.

 

[DishSubLA]

I found there is a Wikipedia entry regarding AllVId that explains it much better than I. And, based upon my Googling, it appears this AllVid is further along, although no final specs, and is vigorously being pushed by the FCC--still seeking comments and input--with a number of very large corporations in favor of it, more than I had realized, and they have officially given the FCC their input, and AllVid has been embraced by consumer advocate organizations. However, I have not come across any official statements from DBS regarding this, no cable, nor Verizon FiOS, nor AT&T, nor have I found their input to the FCC.

The concept of such a device and standard had been talked about for some time, but when the new Administration put in its new majority members on the FCC board (and the whole Cable Card fiasco), it really got momentum and the AllVid proposal is the result. At this point, the FCC is finalizing the spec. and still receiving comments. Implementation may be a bit further down the road, but not that far if this FCC gets its way.

In short, this thing appears to be gaining momentum, and the latest spec proposal does seem to limit up to 6 tuners per household.

 

[Stargazer]

If a standard device could be used by all companies then that would really drop the cost of the hardware since it would be made more in bulk and perhaps even better functionality as well. It would save companies a lot of money as well by not having to swap out the equipment everytime someone is to change providers. The bad news would be support for a different manufacturer's equipment. Does this mean no more DVR and additional tuner fees by companies?

 

[DishSubLA]

If a standard device could be used by all companies then that would really drop the cost of the hardware since it would be made more in bulk and perhaps even better functionality as well. It would save companies a lot of money as well by not having to swap out the equipment everytime someone is to change providers. The bad news would be support for a different manufacturer's equipment. Does this mean no more DVR and additional tuner fees by companies?

You made some good economic points I hadn't considered. In fact, companies like Dish might encourage those to go with a 3rd party so Dish doesn't have to pay for the RMA's. IN fact, Echostar could do well as a major AllVid compliant STB maker, no longer having to try and get (beg?) MSO's to adopt 922 or other Echostar equipment. I'm sure Motorola and Scientific Atlanta have worked hard to keep Echostar OUT of providing cable with STB's. AllVid would open up the market to Echostar on an even playing field.

I think the companies would be free to have their own fee structure, so it probably won't change a fee we now have. The FCC is only addressing the technical matters of requiring a porthole to the end user that would make it possible for ANY MVPD service to function on any maker's box. It would be like how one can buy any TV from any maker because there is a standard.

Now, this doesn't mean that there has to be standard in the delivery, meaning that any method can be used to get the content to the house, BUT the last leg would be mandated to be AllVid. In other words, the SAT signal upon reaching the home would have to be converted to the IP AllVid standard to allow for use of any maker's box.

The troubling aspect is that the current AllVid envisioned has a capacity of up to 6 tuners. Could a second AllVid porthole be technically possible to allow for more than 6 tuners? That's why I was hoping for more knowledgeable people than I could contribute. While nothing has been finalized, the FCC has embraced AllVid (mostly because of the embarrassing CableCard mess) and a massive number of big corporations support it. I haven't heard anything from satellite on this. Any contributions welcomed.

 

[DishSubLA]

OK. I did some digging at the FCC and it seems DirecTV absolutely opposes, while Dish seems to have a qualified opposition, but clearly leans against it. I guess it is predictable that all the MVPD's are against it, while those who stand to profit from it, Best Buy (selling all those new boxes) along with the Consumer Electronics Association (no surprise there), Google, Tribune Media Services (the EPG content for all those new boxes), Intel (chips in all those new boxes) are all for it. The MVPD's, often the bad guys, did bring up some valid points of concern, especially Dish Network. Many of the comments from the MVPD's were within the last few months and even weeks.

Also, the FCC appears to have taken the concerns and altered, somewhat, AllVid proposed specs on HOW "one size fits all" is achieved. However, it may be that the rapid change in technology and how we receive our programming along with market demands may outpace any sort of AllVid proposal. We shall see.

 

[Brussam]

The con is that a "standard", especially a government standard, means the end of innovation.

 

[Tampa8]

There are many against this. This just screams vanilla boxes. I bet the cable companies are in favor of this, helps to level the playing field, downwards..... This is NEVER a good idea. Like having an OTA tuner that can be controlled just as the sat channels are? Say goodbye to that....