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Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Obama Signs CableCARD Death Warrant

Say goodby to the HD HomeRun Prime. There won't be much use for a network tuner that can't get cable channels, and Comcast certainly isn't going to give us an alternative.

ARGONAUT
Have a nice day.
Premium Member
join:2006-01-24
New Albany, IN

ARGONAUT

Premium Member

Re: Obama Signs CableCARD Death Warrant

With all the cord cutting now CableCards are a thing of the past.

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Re: Obama Signs CableCARD Death Warrant

I disagree. Most of my HTPC users have kept basic cable, usually because package deals make internet+basic cheaper than internet alone. But also for news and sports on the local channels.
And since Comcast now requires a cable card for ALL channels, they have to have a cable card to get the basic networks.
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina to Camelot One

Member

to Camelot One
Repost of a user comment at Light Reading:
This is a misunderstanding of the legislation. It does not eliminate the support or use of CableCARDS. The CableCARD rules were in effect long before the "integration ban" was adopted. STELAR ends the "integration ban" not CableCARD support. As you note, the theory was that by forcing the cable operators to include CableCARDs even in leased devices that didn't need or use them, that would somehow spur the retail market. It was a total flop. The only thing that happened is that consumers wound up paying more for those leased boxes without getting any benefit. That's the rule that was eliminated. The notion that CableCARDS were somehow a viable retail alternative ended long ago, not by law, but when DBS boxes were exempted and television set manufacturers saw no market for including CableCARDS in their sets. The CableCARD rules themselves, however, live on.
Does anyone know whether this comment is accurate?

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Re: Obama Signs CableCARD Death Warrant

It is halfway accurate. It doesn't technically kill the idea of cablecards, it just eliminates any reason cable companies have for making them available.
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

Re: Obama Signs CableCARD Death Warrant

Reading what the comment says:

IMO, there's a huge difference between ending forced use in leased equipment and ending forced support in customer equipment.

Does this truly end forced support in customer equipment or do they still have to support them?

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Re: Obama Signs CableCARD Death Warrant

Once they are no longer required in the cable company owned boxes, "support" will be 1 guy in asia answering calls 10 minutes a day. And that is if you can get your hands on one to begin with.