said by mbernste:First of all, it will provide for a smoother streaming experience (TV takes a good 30-60 seconds of buffering before the stream starts).
Not necessarily. Most limiting factor in your viewing experience is stability of connection between your house and headend. Installing boxes on CV's network won't change that.
said by mbernste:Secondly, if Cablevision ever decides to institute caps, it wouldn't count against them (similar to what Comcast is doing).
First you don't know if CV will institute transfer caps.
Second you don't know if transfer from within their network will count toward that cap or not. Chances are they will.
Third, Comcast is not doing that with Netflix. They are doing that with xbox360 streaming because MS shoved them a pile of money. You need to read up on what exactly Comcast is doing there.
Forth, this will be one of the most blatant violations of Network Neutrality. Netflix is a big supporter of Network Neutrality and will not stand for that. They will not agree for ISPs not to count their traffic. If you understand Network Neutrality, you'll understand why.
said by mbernste:Thirdly it frees up more external bandwidth on my connection for other activities.
It will not.
It doesn't matter where traffic originates, it will still use your 15/2 or 30/5 bandwidth. You can receive data from your next door neighbor or from China, it will still use exactly the same amount of your bandwidth.
said by mbernste:Fourthly it will empower Cablevision to offer Netflix via its cable boxes for "non-smart" televisions.
It will not. You do not understand what OpenConnect initiative is. Equipment that Netflix installs on ISPs premises are nothing but simply caching servers to stream exactly the same files that they are doing now from their own facilities. It does not enable any additional functionality to any other devices.
Furthermore, CV considers Netflix to be a competitor(even if they say its not). They get a lot more money from TV service. They will do everything in their power to discourage cord-cutting. Partnering with Netflix is not one of those things.
said by mbernste:Fifthly it gives Cablevision another opportunity for generating revenue via revenue sharing with Netflix, thus reducing pricing pressures on their customers.
That will not happen. Netflix will not pay ISPs for this. Netflix's license agreement with studios does not allow them to resell their content through anybody.