Investigative Report: The Death of CableCARD

[mlofaso]

Unfortunately for TiVo Series 3 and Windows Vista HTPC fans it appear that the cable industry isn't happy with CableCARD. All hope is not lost. Good things will come to those who wait.

Story Link:
http://thehtpcrecord.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26[/url]

[Wile_E]

I don't have digital cable. But I know with analog cable, you don't need a cable box. All you need is a cable-ready TV with tuner or a VCR with tuner. What is the difference with Digital Cable? Forget these cards. Make it built-in to the digital TV's from the factory. Renting something like this is stupid. I have enough bills already. If I sign up for cable TV and pay $50-100/month, I shouldn't have to rent ANYTHING!

[ROF]

If I sign up for cable TV and pay $50-100/month, I shouldn't have to rent ANYTHING!

Then you won't be getting digital cable. Most cable providers require the use of their own proprietary equipment. You must rent this from them.

[dphirschler]

From what I understand, cable companies aren't allowed to rent you anything that you could not go out and buy off the shelf. At least that's the way it was five years ago.

Darryl

[ROF]

From what I understand, cable companies aren't allowed to rent you anything that you could not go out and buy off the shelf. At least that's the way it was five years ago.

Darryl

Please tell that to Time Warner and Cox Communications. I would love to save $3 a month.

[BobK]

From what I understand, cable companies aren't allowed to rent you anything that you could not go out and buy off the shelf. At least that's the way it was five years ago.

Darryl

Please tell that to Time Warner and Cox Communications. I would love to save $3 a month.

I'm not sure, but I think maybe he means the cable companies can't force you to rent anything that you can go out and buy off the shelf.

[mlofaso]

From what I understand, cable companies aren't allowed to rent you anything that you could not go out and buy off the shelf.l

That's what the FCC is aiming to do ultimately with cable companies. For now they have to rent you either a cable box or a CableCARD. DCAS is the only implementation where no hardware rental is required. It looks like a sound solution...but a few years off.

Unfortunately some companies with deep pockets have money at stake. They want to make sure you can't steal cable or record protected content with the new digital system. The current CableCARD technology could allow for some hacker to put his own CableCARD into the slot and get everything for free...like people were doing for a while with DirectTV. The FCC is not going to do anything that might allow for piracy.

Mark

[ROF]

I can tune in some digital stations without using the cable box however in order to watch the channels I actually watch I need the cable box. They are static without it.