[opendtv] Re: Sony U.S execs: Expect a robust holiday season

They do not use cable card but I currently use 2 different PCHD cards 
(in the same machine) that can tune QAM unencrypted cable.  The Dvico 
Fusion 3 QAM card can mostly do it though its software is somewhat 
flaky.   And I also just bought a MDP-130 card which seems to do it 
fairly reliably.

Neither can do the cablecard thing of handling encrypted premium 
channels.  However I think MSFT just announced some deal with Comcast or 
someone that may allow this in the future.

- Tom


Cliff Benham wrote:
> I bought an AverMedia card for $80.00 based on the spec sheet on the 
> company's website which clearly stated
> that it demodulates ATSC, as well as unencrypted 64 and 256 QAM.
> http://www.aver.com/2005home/product/tvtuner/pci/mcea180wb/mcea180wb_spec.shtml
> 
> After installing it, the only thing it will do is ATSC. Not even NTSC.
> 
> Emails and a fax  to Avermedia finally got a phone call from someone who 
> told me flat out that
> the software for 64 and 256 QAM has not been written yet. 
> Asked whether any of their other products will demodulate 64 and 256 
> QAM, he said no,
> and he didn't know of any plans to write that software for them either.
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Barry wrote:
> 
> 
>>Judging from reports on AVS the government has managed only very 
>>grudging cooperation from cable companies so far on 1-way cable cards. 
>>The darn things cost as much monthly as an STB and tend not to work very 
>>reliably.
>>
>>I don't really expect 2-way cards, STB's, and PVR's to work any better 
>>unless the cable companies become enthusiastic about them for some 
>>reason.  There are just too many ways they can drag their feet and 
>>charging for multiple cards for a multi-tuner PVR is a total deal killer.
>>
>>- Tom
>>
>>
>>
>>Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
>> 
>>
>>
>>>Craig Birkmaier wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>
>>>>Even this is not true Bert. Yes, if you want to buy an
>>>>integrated receiver you can get OTA and ONE -WAY cable.
>>>>But you cannot get TWO-WAY cable or DBS, which requires
>>>>another box.
>>>>     
>>>>
>>>
>>>Not for long. ST already offers a two-way chipset for the
>>>US market (they announced it shortly before NAB 2005),
>>>and the FCC has two-way cable in its sights:
>>>
>>>"The Commission also requested the cable and consumer
>>>electronics industries to provide status reports on their
>>>negotiations for bidirectional digital cable receivers and
>>>products at 90, 180, and 270-day intervals following
>>>release of the Extension Order."
>>>
>>>See
>>>
>>>http://www.fcc.gov/omd/pra/docs/3060-0849/3060-0849-11.doc
>>>
>>>paragraph 10 of FCC 05-76.
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>
>>>>Thus the GOVERNMENT is favoring certain competitors in a
>>>>heavily controlled marketplace, and they are requiring
>>>>people to buy receivers they may not want or use.
>>>>     
>>>>
>>>
>>>No, they are merely specifying standard interfaces for
>>>devices that use, or may need to use, the public spectrum.
>>>
>>>The govt also sets standards for many other consumer
>>>products, to deal with interoperability as well as safety
>>>and environmental concerns.
>>>
>>>I chuckle at those who make a big deal about the wonders
>>>of the combined DVB-T/C/S standard, but cannot seem to see
>>>that the FCC is striving for precisely the same sort of
>>>combined standard.
>>>
>>>Bert
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>
>> 
>>
> 
> 
> 
>  
>  
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
> 
> - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at 
> FreeLists.org 
> 
> - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word 
> unsubscribe in the subject line.
> 
> 
 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:

- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at 
FreeLists.org 

- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word 
unsubscribe in the subject line.

Other related posts: