[opendtv] Re: TV Technology: Aereo Argued, Waiting Begins

  • From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 01:50:49 +0000

Dan, I too am very dubious about these individual antenna claims, so I tend to 
dismiss the notion that each tiny antenna "element" is realistically mapped to 
*a* subscriber. The justices should have asked Aereo to bring one of these 
antennas and prove it can do what Aereo claims. And yet still, Aereo may have a 
point even *without* the gimmick, and your comparison with "equipment rental 
service" may also hold, without that gimmick.

Another, perhaps even more simple comparison, would be apartment building 
antenna distribution systems. (Those that haven't been usurped by an MVPD, that 
is.) One might argue, "Yes, but these building systems don't charge a monthly 
fee." But in fact they do. They are funded by condo fees or rental fees. So in 
a sense, that does qualify as "equipment rental."

How were the old CATV systems financed? I don't know. I'd guess, a monthly fee 
or local taxes. Either way, each user is paying for use of the antenna farm and 
the coax cabling. Perhaps Aereo should demonstrate how their fees compared with 
the way CATV systems were financed.

Aereo SHOULD be arguing why they aren't being compared to these other 
distribution pipes, rather than to the MVPDs. And by extension, Aereo could be 
pointing out that the local OTA broadcasters should be grateful to them, for 
helping make their signal more widely available.

Since Aereo distributes unicast IP streams, how hard can it be to make them a 
Nielsen location? That should make everyone happy (well, almost).

Bert

 
 
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