[opendtv] Re: Supply chain agrees switchover measures
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:21:56 -0400
At 10:54 AM -0400 9/18/07, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
These arguments work well in European countries where OTA is thriving.
But what about countries where OTA was not, and still DTT products are
available? How do you explain that?
Various versions of the DVB standard are in use in 35 countries -
they claim more than 120 millions receivers deployed. It is quite
easy for manufacturers to offer products in all of these countries
because of the ease with which local versions can be created and the
volume/scale of the market.
Besides which, I'm not limiting the question to DTT. How is it that I
can find long lists of DVB-C recording devices on line, and yet over
here third party recording devices for cable are seen as something that
only an overbearing govt agency could love? Where does that attitude
come from? It seems like a brainwashed buying public to me.
Its not a brainwashed public, but rather brainwashed politicians and
regulators at every level of government in the U.S. that have created
and perpetuated the cable oligopoly. The industry has successfully
resisted government initiatives to open up the market for cable STBs
for nearly two decades. Keep in mind that these are the same
politicians and regulators who reluctantly allowed the break-up of
AT&T by the courts, who have allowed the old telco oligopolists to
rebuild their empire using wireless technology and business practices
with the same old "stink" as Ma Bell...
- Restrictive contracts
- Lack of portability of handset devices
- and outrageous pricing for selected services
The attitude comes from early 20th century "deals" between business
tycoons and politicians to allow for government regulation and
control of "natural monopolies" in the utility business.
As far as I can tell, the differences are minor. In DBS and cable
examples, the STBs are proprietary to one system. Although it's true
that you can buy outright the DBS STBs at any TV retailer, you still get
to pay extra every month for the "privilege" of doing what should be
mundane. I just see collusion between manufacturers, retailers, and the
subscription services here, and not there. This is not ATSC-specific.
Thank goodness for the FCC mandates.
YES there is collusion!
It's all about getting people to pay "extra" for their entertainment fixes.
The truth is that the CE industry was more than happy to saddle the
broadcasters with a third rate DTV system while they have placed most
of their efforts into developing products for subscriber-based
distribution infrastructures where they can participate in back-end
revenue streams.
As the old saw goes...
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Regards
Craig
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