It's about time!!! Notice how proposed changes also include the satellite industry.
Source
The FCC's new National Broadband Plan made it clear that the agency has had it with CableCARD's failings and wants to try something else. Specifically, the FCC wants a new "gateway" device that would apply to all TV providers (cable, satellite, IPTV). Like a broadband modem, the gateway device would take its inputs from the different TV systems, but output a signal in a standard format that can be used by DVRs, TVs, and set-top boxes.
The changes start this month. The FCC has just announced plans for its April meeting, and they include these two juicy items:
•Network Gateway NOI: A Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on best approaches to assure the commercial availability of smart video devices and other equipment used to access the services of multi-channel video programming distributors.
•CableCARD NPRM: A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes changes to the CableCARD rules for set-top boxes used with cable services, to improve the operation of that framework pending the development of a successor framework.
The network gateway will get a "notice of inquiry," which is just asking for public comment on how the agency should move forward. The CableCARD proceeding, though, gets a "notice of proposed rulemaking" and we'll get to see exactly what the FCC has in mind to patch the existing program.
CableCARD was an attempt by the FCC to create competition in the market for set-top boxes and DVRs by making it easy for third-party devices to access cable's video streams, even those that were encrypted. In this, it failed. We've noted for years that almost no one used the devices and that nearly all CableCARDs actually ended up in cable's own set-top boxes instead of in competing third-party products.
Full Story
Source
The FCC's new National Broadband Plan made it clear that the agency has had it with CableCARD's failings and wants to try something else. Specifically, the FCC wants a new "gateway" device that would apply to all TV providers (cable, satellite, IPTV). Like a broadband modem, the gateway device would take its inputs from the different TV systems, but output a signal in a standard format that can be used by DVRs, TVs, and set-top boxes.
The changes start this month. The FCC has just announced plans for its April meeting, and they include these two juicy items:
•Network Gateway NOI: A Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on best approaches to assure the commercial availability of smart video devices and other equipment used to access the services of multi-channel video programming distributors.
•CableCARD NPRM: A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes changes to the CableCARD rules for set-top boxes used with cable services, to improve the operation of that framework pending the development of a successor framework.
The network gateway will get a "notice of inquiry," which is just asking for public comment on how the agency should move forward. The CableCARD proceeding, though, gets a "notice of proposed rulemaking" and we'll get to see exactly what the FCC has in mind to patch the existing program.
CableCARD was an attempt by the FCC to create competition in the market for set-top boxes and DVRs by making it easy for third-party devices to access cable's video streams, even those that were encrypted. In this, it failed. We've noted for years that almost no one used the devices and that nearly all CableCARDs actually ended up in cable's own set-top boxes instead of in competing third-party products.
Full Story
