----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
Richard,
An on-the-clear tuner would allow the PC card to switch non-premium channels
for DVR and viewing purposes, however, as you know, premium content would
require the use of external STBs and switching channels could be restricted
to the burden of manual operation, or, if the HW/SW allows it, handled the
way some VCRs (like JVC) did for years, changing channels on DirecTV STBs
when its saved program needed to change channels. Although not ideal, the
option was and still is an alternative; again if the paired pieces can talk
to each other.
As far as I am concern, unidirectional CableCARD was and still is the
outcome of a failed decision that did not have much chance to succeed, nor
to be postponed without some people going to firing squad, so as we say many
times, choose your poison gentlemen.
We should have OCAP, and/or all the other bi-directional sw/hw solutions I
summarized on my last annual report; we are in a world of bi-directional
cable services, for years already, but as with many things in this industry,
when several bodies with various interests need to be in harmony to move
fast and forward (CableLabs, FCC, cable companies, copyrights, MPAA, and the
three little pigs) everything freezes in panic, look at Hi-def DVD,
blu-laser was already working in prototypes 5 years ago, the MPAA was still
shaking until recently, and still are with the infamous Token of dead.
So what do we have? We have the fabulous UNIDIRECTIONAL CableCARD. We
consumers were forced down the throat to pay for the temp CableCARD decision
without having much choice, and we will pay for all of its trial an error
transformations with various TVs, again, and again, what an upgrade path.
The day when CableCARD came out as an idea and as a prototype idea, several
years ago, the same companies agreed to start working in the real
bi-directional solution, and the FCC clapped and sat back, and sat back, and
sat back. They still playing poker in front of the FCC with our funds, do
not get me rolling on this.
I have written a lot about the history of this flop, with the push of the
FCC, ironically the same cable companies do not support the product, why
would they? no impulse PPV, no VOD, no cable supplied EPG, bye bye revenue.
Plan B, stick to the STBs, they still work, they can keep full control, and
their projected revenue cannot be compromised under the risk of loosing the
income from those services. In addition, although the FCC issued
instructions, show me one cable STB that has a CableCARD slot to permit
programming control and security using that method.
Many TV companies have come back to just install on-the-clear QAM tuners on
ATSC integrated sets, and removed the CableCARD on their following models
already in 2006, some did not even put ANY QAM tuners until a bi-directional
solution is available, one was Brillian, smart move, Vincent knew very well
where to put the coins, the only 120Hz 1080p LCoS with 1080p inputs in
2005/6, look at my 1080p article, they did not bet on the dead-upon-arrival
unidirectional CableCARD.
Sorry, you touched a tired nerve with this CableCARD game the FCC promoted,
they motivated everyone to do something right away, whatever but do
something added to the already expensive tuners into TVs (they mandated as
well), even when they all knew CableCARD was dead upon arrival, and even
when they knew consumers would spend millions and millions on CableCARD TVs
that cannot be upgraded to bi-directional capabilities, but without telling
them at the stores: "get a STB for impulse VOD/PPV/cable EPG" , how
convenient.
Of course, TV manufacturers would have to sell you the next model to get the
magical bi-directional solution sometime in the future, such a difficult
decision from their part, a government supported revenue path, hey, that was
not us.
Look at my calculations and projections over the last 3 annual reports of
the millions of people that would be affected (the CEA never mentions that)
by another miscalculation of the FCC and their poor industry organizational
skills; not to mention the forever mess of HD content protection, while in
bed with the MPAA. All my projections I did for this decade of HDVT are
happening, one by one, look at how hot 1080p displays is now, look at 24fps,
1080p inputs, etc.
Best Regards,
Rodolfo La Maestra
-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
Richard Fisher
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 10:11 PM
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Re: Additional questions/correction
----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> No specification of digital line connectivity (HDMI, DVI, component) was
> made,
better yet, how about a cable card instead... how would the PC card
change the channels on the box for recording purposes? The cable card
will also make it far easier to find the channels since that is the only
way you will get the correct channel map for the QAM stations.
Richard Fisher
HD Library is provided by Techservicesusa.com
Publisher
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/forum/index.php
Rodolfo La Maestra wrote:
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Good eye Richard.
>
> But if you look at the specs of each card it says "Clear QAM Support"
>
> Which might 99% mean "on-the-clear cable QAM" tuner, the standard term
used
> for non-premium cable service obtained from just connecting the coax from
> the wall, no STB, no CableCARD.
>
> In other words, even if the PC card has a QAM on-the-clear cable tuner
into
> it, if the viewer wants premium channels (or PPV, or VOD) then the
question
> would be how to connect the required Cable QAM HD-STB that tunes the
premium
> channels to input to the PC card.
>
> No specification of digital line connectivity (HDMI, DVI, component) was
> made, reason by which I am meeting them at CES, to let them know that if
> that is the case they are loosing a good market by not having digital line
> connectivity (to STBs, and any other device that sends a non-RF HD
signal).
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Rodolfo
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
> Richard Fisher
> Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 2:45 PM
> To: HDTV Magazine
> Subject: Re: Additional questions/correction
>
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Rodolfo,
>
> noted that while the card specs claim QAM not one mention of a cable
> card slot...
>
> ?
>
> Richard Fisher
> HD Library is provided by Techservicesusa.com
> Publisher
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/forum/index.php
>
> Rodolfo La Maestra wrote:
>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Thomas,
>>
>>It might/not work for your purpose but I just received an invitation to
>>attend a CES demo of a card that seems to do what you need, with a coax
>>connection, QAM support, and watch two programs simultaneously, here is
>
> the
>
>>press release:
>>
>>---------------------------------------
>> Schedule your appointment TODAY to meet with AVerMedia at CES to
>
> experience
>
>>the latest in Hi-Definition TV Tuners for your laptop or desktop PC! New
>>analog / HD hybrid and combo TV Tuner solutions for Windows XP, MCE 2005
>
> and
>
>>the highly anticipated Vista operating systems. The ability to watch
>>standard and Hi-Definition TV on virtually any desktop or laptop PC is
>
> here
>
>>with new PCI Express, USB and Express Card TV Tuners is here! Both
>
> standard
>
>>and Hi-definition TV can be viewed either through over-the-air signals, or
>>through a co-ax connection with the now available QAM support!
>>
>>Full PVR capabilities are easy to use though either the MCE 2005 or Vista
>>operating system, or through the all new AVer MediaCenter PVR software!
>>Watch, Pause, Rewind, Replay, Pre-schedule Recording of both HD and analog
>>TV on your desktop or laptop!
>>
>>AVerMedia will have live demonstrations set up in a comfortable Hilton
>>Suite, Central Tower HC 1910! Schedule your appointment today to see the
>>unmatched clarity and easy-to-use AVerMedia Hi-Definition TV Tuner
>>solutions!
>>
>>Featured products will include:
>>
>>AVerTVHD Hybrid USB:
>>* Portable Hybrid analog/HD TV Tuner for Laptop or Desktop
>>* Certified for Windows XP & MCE 2005 and VISTA READY!
>>* Clear QAM Support
>>* Watch standard and HD programs simultaneously
>>* Full PVR Features
>>
>>AVerTVHD ExpressCard:
>>* Easy & portable Express Card analog/HD TV Tuner solution for laptops
>>* Certified for Windows XP & MCE 2005 and VISTA READY!
>>* Clear QAM Support
>>* Watch standard and HD programs simultaneously
>>* Full PVR Features
>>
>>AVerTVHD Combo PCI-e
>>* Combination analog and HD TV Tuners on one PCI Express Card for Desktops
>>* Certified for Windows XP & MCE 2005 and VISTA READY!
>>* Clear QAM Support
>>* Watch standard and HD programs simultaneously
>>* Full PVR Features
>>
>>Also featured in the suite will be AVerMedia's AVerDigi SA6416 2007
>>Innovations Award Winning surveillance solution! See this exceptional 16
>>channel standalone surveillance product in action. Perfect for virtually
>>any home or business surveillance, the SA6416 is a complete system
>
> including
>
>>embedded Windows XP with included comprehensive AVerMedia Surveillance
>>Software, able to connect up to 16 analog or IP cameras!
>>
>>Call me, or reply directly to this email to schedule a meeting time to
>>experience these exciting new products!
>>-------------------------------------------
>>
>>If you are interested, I will try to visit them to verify the specs and
>
> get
>
>>a demo.
>>
>>Best Regards,
>>
>>Rodolfo La Maestra
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
>>Jason Burroughs
>>Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 11:18 AM
>>To: HDTV Magazine
>>Subject: Re: Additional questions/correction
>>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Thomas - the HDTV card is designed to pull in an ATSC signal from an
>>antenna, and is not a 'video capture card'. It sounds like that's what
>>you're looking for - something to take a signal that is normally
>>destined for a monitor and receiver, then save to hard drive. I know of
>>nothing that would do this.
>>
>>jason
>>
>>Thomas B Kemp wrote:
>>
>>
>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>>
>>>Shane/Jason/et al:
>>>
>>>The PS3 is proving elusive to say the least. I avoid eBay like the
>>>plague. Most stores like WalMart (where I did get a Nintendo Wii
>>>bundle for $700+), Gamestop, etc. require you to buy a bundle of games
>>>for the PS3 anywhere from four to twelve plus typically extra
>>>controllers and stuff IF you are lucky enough to find them available.
>>>Those bundles range in price from about $900 to over $1,400 for the
>>>WalMart bundle. I can handle that if necessary but I really don't
>>>want to pay too high a price over list for just the base 60 GIG PS3.
>>>IF it's necessary I would probably pay $1,000 for a 60 GIG PS3.
>>>
>>>Jason - regarding the tuner card for the PC... very shortly I hope I
>>>will have Verizon FiOS video available. I've had their FiOS Internet
>>>at 15 Mb for over a year and it is rock solid and fast as hell.
>>>Couldn't have been better. As far as the video goes, I would like the
>>>ability to broadcast HD from their server throughout my house BUT I
>>>don't think that they will be offering HD wireless broadcast
>>>capability from your home video server at least not initially. I know
>>>that they can do non-HD wireless. So, IF I can't do it wireless I am
>>>going to have to go with multiple STBs with hard wiring throughout the
>>>house. I think that I would be surprised if they had RF/coax output
>>
>>>from their STB. Do you happen to know?
>>
>>>Once last question to everyone... has anyone actually demoed the new
>>>Sony VPL-VW500 from Sony? I demoed the $10K version about a year ago
>>>in a totally dark room but was left unimpressed by its brightness levels.
>>>If you have what are your general impressions? There are very
>>>favorable reviews in the latest issues of The Perfect Vision and
>>>Widescreen Review.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Tom
>>>
>>>Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
>>>moments that take our breath away.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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