FCC Orders CableCARD Reform

As expected, the FCC met yesterday and ordered some short-term CableCARD adjustments in the name of reform. But, while I’m glad to see these issues in the forefront, I’m doubtful this moves the needle in any significant way. We’re still left with flakey SDV tuning adapters, a generation of hobbled S-Card HDTVs, and non-“cable” television providers, … Read more

Retrans Fights Nastier than Ever. Web to Blame?

The retransmission battles between content owners and pay-TV providers typically get covered in two ways. There’s the angle about how consumers might miss an important football game because of corporate bickering, and the one about about how higher programming fees are translating into higher cable bills. What doesn’t get covered as often is why retransmission fights … Read more

Google TV- Looks Fun, Not Sure It’s Useful

Since Dave quoted me in his last post, I figured I’d better weigh in officially on the Google TV debate. First, I’m surprised everyone is so taken aback by the price. Given the amount people are willing to spend on new iPads, smartphones, and game consoles, $300 (Logitech Revue) doesn’t seem unreasonable to me for … Read more

Mirror Worlds 1, Apple 0

A federal jury in Texas has ruled against Apple and in favor of the company Mirror Worlds in a patent case that could bring damages of more than $625 million. The jury found that Apple willfully infringed on three patents related to how files are displayed on iPods, iPhones, and Mac computers. Mirror Worlds created … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs: Spotify Shows Up on IPTV Set-Tops Motorola has been showing off its latest IPTV hardware and software out at IBC, and it looks like Spotify made its first on-screen appearance. New Remote Controls at IBC The big focus at IBC for Motorola was the introduction … Read more

HDNET Coming To New Comcast Markets This Week?

Online rabble-rouser and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced back in May that several new Comcast markets would start carrying the HDNET channel this year. Now, reports on several user forums suggest the launch is likely to happen this week in Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. (The Chicago area reportedly started seeing rollouts … Read more

Department of the Obvious (Blockbuster, Netflix)

This week in Department of the Obvious, we find Blockbuster filing for bankruptcy. The only possible surprise is that it took this long. As chapter 11 was the inevitable outcome after failing to modernize their operation quickly enough and, in my experience, providing years of poor customer service. Fortunately, for them, they intend to emerge … Read more

Verizon’s Take on the Home Management Market

Apparently we should have all eyes glued to the home management space over the next year. Verizon is the latest to jump on the bandwagon saying it will launch a “connected home service” in the near future for controlling functions like lighting, temperature, and home security automatically. Details are scarce, which makes me wonder if … Read more