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The primary lament of CableCard is that it's so poorly implemented that the vast majority of people aren't even aware that it exists. Moreover, things like "On

The primary lament of CableCard is that it's so poorly implemented that the vast majority of people aren't even aware that it exists. Moreover, things like "On Demand" content are baked into the cost of my subscription and I can't take advantage of them through a CableCard. Cable Television, as we perceive it today, is in a steady decline (I'd cite something; but even the most cursory Google search will turn up dozens of articles confirming). While I recognize your concern about the cable company ownership and DRM, I believe that over-the-top services like Sling or DirecTV Now in conjunction with Netflix and Amazon are far bigger threat to Tivo and the like than anything the cable companies themselves can do.

dragonwriter 10y ago
But DirecTV Now is, while not a traditional cable service, something a cable company is doing. And that makes it the biggest threat to Netflix when net neutrality (and particularly the specific prohibition on ISPs favoring their own video services) is killed by the new leadership at the FCC.
- compuguy 10y ago
  I agree that things like DirecTV now is the future. As long as those services are owned by companies that have traditional cable/satellite/fiber services, they are going to try to upsell or limit these services.
CharlesW 10y ago
> The primary lament of CableCard is that it's so poorly implemented that the vast majority of people aren't even aware that it exists. You're inferring that they're related, but I see them as orthogonal. I'll take your word that it's poorly implemented. From my POV it just works—my two experiences are with a TiVo and an HDHomeRun (first with Media Center, now with Plex's beta DVR feature), and in both cases use has been uneventful. That people don't know it exists doesn't surprise me, since the cable industry has always fought this FCC-required concession to consumer choice. If anything, it strikes me that cable was highly motivated to ensure CableCard's failure. I don't have any love for CableCard, but I'll be sad when it goes because it'll mean that kind of interop is gone forever.

dragonwriter 10y ago

But DirecTV Now is, while not a traditional cable service, something a cable company is doing. And that makes it the biggest threat to Netflix when net neutrality (and particularly the specific prohibition on ISPs favoring their own video services) is killed by the new leadership at the FCC.

compuguy 10y ago
I agree that things like DirecTV now is the future. As long as those services are owned by companies that have traditional cable/satellite/fiber services, they are going to try to upsell or limit these services.

CharlesW 10y ago

> The primary lament of CableCard is that it's so poorly implemented that the vast majority of people aren't even aware that it exists. You're inferring that they're related, but I see them as orthogonal. I'll take your word that it's poorly implemented. From my POV it just works—my two experiences are with a TiVo and an HDHomeRun (first with Media Center, now with Plex's beta DVR feature), and in both cases use has been uneventful. That people don't know it exists doesn't surprise me, since the cable industry has always fought this FCC-required concession to consumer choice. If anything, it strikes me that cable was highly motivated to ensure CableCard's failure. I don't have any love for CableCard, but I'll be sad when it goes because it'll mean that kind of interop is gone forever.