Jason Unger
07-25-06, 11:00 AM
[COLOR=YellowGreen][SIZE=4]Multi-Stream CableCard Approved, Microsoft's iPod Killer[/SIZE][/COLOR]
We've previously discussed (http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/14050.html) the impact (or lack thereof) of the CableCard on displays and set-top boxes, with the general feeling that neither manufacturers nor content providers were big fans of the technology. CableCards have gotten a bit of a boost since the news that CableLabs has awarded (http://cablelabs.org/news/pr/2006/06_pr_motorola_070606.html) "qualified status" to a multi-stream CableCard from Motorola, the M-Card.
The M-Card enables consumers of retail set-top boxes and integrated digital television sets to watch and/or record their programming from multiple simultaneous tuners using a single CableCARD (e.g., handling picture-in-picture or simultaneous watch-and-record of multiple digital video channels).
The M-Card device is a key component in the security system between cable operator networks and retail consumer electronics devices. The "M-Card" will operate in a backwards-compatible, single-stream manner when paired with a single-stream device (for example, in a Plug & Play unidirectional device); or in a multi-stream manner when paired with a multi-stream device.
While it's obviously up to manufacturers to decide whether or not to include CableCard slots in their displays, is the technology important to you?
Speaking of televisions, Business Week is reporting that the guys behind VoIP provider Skype and file-sharing program Kazaa are working on new software that will facilitate distribution of TV shows (http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2006/db20060724_713810.htm) over the Internet. The venture, code-named "The Venice Project," could be officially announced this fall.
The report says that TV networks are being asked to get involved, potentially helping to alleviate any usage issues.
For more Tech Today, including why VoIP quality may be suffering, news on Microsoft's Zune iPod Killer, and why there are already haters out there, check out
http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/14286.html
We've previously discussed (http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/14050.html) the impact (or lack thereof) of the CableCard on displays and set-top boxes, with the general feeling that neither manufacturers nor content providers were big fans of the technology. CableCards have gotten a bit of a boost since the news that CableLabs has awarded (http://cablelabs.org/news/pr/2006/06_pr_motorola_070606.html) "qualified status" to a multi-stream CableCard from Motorola, the M-Card.
The M-Card enables consumers of retail set-top boxes and integrated digital television sets to watch and/or record their programming from multiple simultaneous tuners using a single CableCARD (e.g., handling picture-in-picture or simultaneous watch-and-record of multiple digital video channels).
The M-Card device is a key component in the security system between cable operator networks and retail consumer electronics devices. The "M-Card" will operate in a backwards-compatible, single-stream manner when paired with a single-stream device (for example, in a Plug & Play unidirectional device); or in a multi-stream manner when paired with a multi-stream device.
While it's obviously up to manufacturers to decide whether or not to include CableCard slots in their displays, is the technology important to you?
Speaking of televisions, Business Week is reporting that the guys behind VoIP provider Skype and file-sharing program Kazaa are working on new software that will facilitate distribution of TV shows (http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2006/db20060724_713810.htm) over the Internet. The venture, code-named "The Venice Project," could be officially announced this fall.
The report says that TV networks are being asked to get involved, potentially helping to alleviate any usage issues.
For more Tech Today, including why VoIP quality may be suffering, news on Microsoft's Zune iPod Killer, and why there are already haters out there, check out
http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/14286.html