TiVo visited with the FCC last week, lamenting the current state of CableCARD and Section 629. And, to reiterate their points, submitted the above letter. While we can’t speak to TiVo’s survey methodology, they report diminished CableCARD support with increased operator-implemented roadblocks – presumably intended to discourage third party set-top usage… such as TiVo and perhaps Samsung, should they stick with it. Some cited examples:
Beyond CableCARD, TiVo wants any successor “to assure the availability of bidirectional video signals to retail devices” put into play… before CableCARD is retired. And, what’s up with all these FCC waivers – why even bother enacting policies in place if anyone can be excused with a polite letter?
Of course, the cable industry most assuredly would present an alternate perspective. They’d probably argue that they do indeed successfully support CableCARD … as TiVo’s existing, tho small, retail customer base attests to. Further, they might suggest these policies were put in place during a very different era and the spirit of agnostic, retail cable content availability is being met via the likes iPad, Xbox, and Roku apps.
(Thanks Sam!)
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Remember that time Comcast got the FCC off the cable industry's back by agreeing to something with Boxee? Yeah, I'm still waiting for a spec that enables third parties to harness encrypted basic cable without leasing a box form the cable company.
And I do suggest reading TiVo's letter - it's worth the few minutes.
For as much as people love to complain about Comcast, I really can't complain about their CableCard/Tivo support. While you do get some people on the phone who don't know what they are talking about, I haven't had too many problems.
When I switched from a TivoHD to my new Roamio, all it took was 1 call to their CableCard support number to move the card. It took a few more calls when my mom did the same. First time was my fault, I hadn't plugged something in prior to calling them, but then the operator took the cablecard off of the wrong Tivo and messed everything up. A 3rd call reconciled everything but everyone I spoke to was helpful and knowledgeable.
Yeah, I wish I knew more about TIVo's methodology and who causes them problems, how frequently, etc. As they're frenemies with the cable industry, I doubt they'd do some sort of public report card as Netflix has calling out the good/bad. The last few times I swapped CableCARDs (twice) was in the fall, I did it all with a stellar FiOS support agent via Twitter DM. No muss, no fuss - very efficient. Wish all FiOS support interactions were that smooth.