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CableCard
- In the States,
CableCARD can offer an alternative for cable TV users. CableCard is an
interface for digital TV, set-top boxes and other devices such as
specially equipped PCs. CableCard lets you plug your cable line directly
into your TV set without the need for the cable provider's set-top box.
A CableCard can be in the
form of a software and/or it can take a physical form. In its physical
form, it's about the
size of a thick credit card and fits into a special slot built into
digital TVs and other peripheral devices, such as a version of TiVo and
HP's
media "hub".
A CableCARD also might allow users to access all their digital cable channels without having to use the cable box the cable company supplies. CableCARD is often most associated with Security and other conditional access functions. As of late 2005, the cable industry supports more than 370 models of digital televisions manufactured by 22 companies that display one-way cable content via CableCARDs. Because the current CableCARD only supports one-way communications, video on demand or pay per view services can't be activated directly using it. A two-way cableCARD is in the works. Cable providers in the United States are required by the FCC to support the CableCARD standard. As of July 1, 2007, by FCC mandate, cable providers were required to deploy only CableCARD enabled devices. That means if you have a cable connection, cable providers won't have a monopoly on what goes to your TV, as you can rent/buy content from other sources. The CableCARD mainly makes sure that only people that have paid for the content, are viewing it. Televisions that support CableCARD (1.0) should be labeled by the manufacturer as "Digital Cable Ready", or DCR. CableCARD facilities are disappearing from current sets as consumers realize how resistant cable companies are to the concept. (They have to offer it, but they don't have to make it easy). Interactive CableCARD 2.0 features rely on additional circuitry in the CableCARD host device, not on the physical card. CableCARD 1.0 does not offer the same interactive features as CableCARD 2.0. CableCARD 2.0 cards are sometimes referred to as Mcards. CableCARD 1.0 themselves aren't bidirectional (interactive), so you can't get pay-per-view or on-demand type of programming. However if you have CableCARD 2.0 and a compatible system, you can get pay-per-view or on-demand type of programming. Devices that support CableCARD 2.0 are expected to be labeled "iDCR" for "Interactive Digital Cable Ready". Among other requirements, CableCARD 2.0 enabled devices (hosts) will be required to incorporate The OpenCable Platform (formerly named as “OCAP”). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CableCARD http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cablecard-2%270/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cablecard#_note-5 Article http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6344818.html & Vista Media Center CableCARD FAQ http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/3962/vista_media_center <>BOCR (Bidirectional OpenCable Receiver), is being billed as the follow-on to "OCUR," the OpenCable Unidirectional Receiver. OCUR-enabled PCs can support only one-way broadcast cable digital services.  Visit the ITV Institute for more
information. |
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