[opendtv] Re: (No Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 10:30:37 -0400

At 1:23 PM -0400 9/29/04, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
>
>An STB with the combination digital cable and ATSC is
>close to useless. Because cable systems provide their
>own STBs for this purpose.

Why would such a box be useless? Most cable systems are NOT carrying 
the HDTV signals from the broadcast network affiliates. And the 
current FCC regulations on Must Carry/Retrans consent will only 
require that cable systems carry the primary network, not the full 
digital multiplex.

But this ignores a far more important point. Before the DTV 
transition, the FCC was working on regulations to unbundle the STBs 
needed to work with a cable system. The cable systems have been 
resisting the unbundling regulations, just as broadcasters have 
resisted the DTV regulations. But the fact is that you SHOULD be able 
to walk into any retailer and buy a STB that will work with your 
local cable system. And the cable system SHOULD provide a security 
"pod" (actually a smart card) that will allow you to receive 
encrypted content.

The reality is that the cable systems have protected their exclusive 
turf, making the retailing of cable STBs a near useless venture.

>
>However, if built into integrated sets or recording
>devices, the combination makes infinitely more sense.
>It is what makes incorporation of ATSC front end into
>TV sets (and recording devices) palatable for anyone
>buying new equipment.

To you.

The reality is that physical integration is no longer a very useful 
feature. It is easy to provide an integrated user experience, 
regardless of how the components are interconnected. If it makes you 
feel better, it would be easy to duplicate products like the 
Scientific Atlanta  Explorer 8000 HD, which includes a PVR, except 
for one minor problem: the product could only work in one-way mode, 
and would not support advanced cable services like PPV events and 
VOD. By the way, SA shipped about 140,000 Explorer 8000HD boxes in 
the last quarter.


>
>>  The reality is that the HD MARKET is being driven
>>  by stand alone receivers from the cable and DBS
>>  service providers.
>
>The reality is that this isn't the HD market we're
>talking about, except for the short term. This is
>supposed to be the new TV standard, to replace NTSC.
>The HD market you're referring to is just what drives
>digital TV now, until NTSC shutoff. Fortunately, the
>FCC is thinking longer term.

You keep talking about the OTA HD market, which is more of a hobbyist 
infatuation that anything real in terms of an economic market.

But you got it exactly right Bert...the market I am talking about is 
driving the digital and HD transition UNTIL the NTSC shutoff. Problem 
is, by the time that happens the market battles will be over and 
broadcasters will have lost what little opportunity they had to use 
HD to save their franchise.

What the FCC is thinking is largely irrelevant. Any time they do 
something that aggravates the broadcasters, they just run to Congress 
or the courts and cut the legs out from under the Commission 
decisions.

But again you are correct. The FCC is most definitely thinking longer 
term, since they have no power to have any effect in the short term.

>
>>  Like it or not Bert, the "leadership" being
>>  provided by the FCC is mostly being ignored by
>>  consumers, who now expect that the receiver
>>  for next generation services will be provided by
>>  that service provider,
>
>Sorry, but this is only near term. When NTSC is shut
>off, I very much doubt your separate box by the
>service provider will work as a solution for all
>TV applications. If workable integrated sets need to
>exist at very least for portable applications, might
>as well use that solution everywhere. Just like
>NTSC.

Where can I get a portable ATSC receiver?

How much does it cost?

And why does such a receiver matter in a world where I will have 
wireless broadband options that actually work?

Regards
Craig


>
>Got to think long term.

Yup...

I sincerely hope I will live long enough to see the day when NTSC is shut -off.

Regards
Craig
 
 
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