[opendtv] Power on: Intel's cable TV box could debut at CES

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  • To: "Opendtv" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2012 08:26:33 -0800

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Power on: Intel's cable TV box could debut at CES


The chipmaker reportedly will use next week's electronics extravaganza in
Las Vegas to reveal its cable set-top box and virtual TV service.

 <http://www.cnet.com/profile/lancewhitney/> Lance Whitney

by Lance Whitney <http://www.cnet.com/profile/lancewhitney/>  

December 31, 2012 7:01 AM PST 

Intel may offer a peek at its rumored cable TV set-top box to people
attendingCES <http://ces.cnet.com/>  next week.

An unnamed source inside Intel said that the first working version of the
chipmaker's set-top box will be shown at Intel's CES event
<http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/29/intel-set-top-box/>  on January 7,
according to tips received by TechCrunch. A video distribution industry
source familiar with Intel's plans also told the blog site that the rollout
of the new service will start "soon," but couldn't provide a specific date.

TechCrunch's source further said that Intel is very serious about grabbing a
chunk of this market and has decided to go it alone after attempting to
convince smart TV makers to join the effort. The source added that Intel was
frustrated with "everyone doing a half-assed Google TV so it's going to do
it themselves and do it right."

Rumors about Intel's TV service tuned up this past March following a report
from the Wall Street Journal.

Competing with cable and satellite TV providers as well as phone companies,
Intel would reportedly offer a set-top box combined with a virtual TV
service
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-57395834-266/is-intel-developing-an-onlin
e-tv-service/> , according to the Journal. Available through a broadband
connection, the service would bundle certain TV channels and offer streaming
content.

One rumored feature could cut the need for a dedicated DVR. The service
might let people watch any program broadcast over the past month, avoiding
the need to schedule shows to be watched at a later time.

Intel also plans to avoid the usual problems with license negotiations by
deploying the service one city at a time rather than nationwide, TechCrunch
added.

Such a rollout would give the chipmaker more flexibility in working out
agreements with content providers, especially in areas where those providers
don't already have tight deals with local cable companies. 

Some of this is still in the rumor stage. But if the latest reports are
true, we should know more once CES gets off the ground next Monday. 

CNET contacted Intel for comment and will update the story if the company
responds.

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