[Blue Rain]

Other than TWC.


The wait for the STB from TWC is killing me!


Thanks : >


Blue

 

[Ken H]

The new Mitsu HDTV's have them, as will the Promise Module, when it shows up. But these will still not decode encrypted programing, like I would guess HBO-HD & Showtime-HD would be.

 

[Blue Rain]

Thanks Ken,


Yes i'm aware of the decoder's built into the new Mits set,but i'm

looking for STB that decodes encrypted programing.


I'm paying for HBO/Showtime and i can't view the HD shows or movies without the box.


Is there some kind of restrictions/Law not allowing other manufacturers to build these STB's?




Thanks again : >


Blue

 

[Ken H]

Quote:

Originally posted by Blue Rain Is there some kind of restrictions/Law not allowing other manufacturers to build these STB's?

Yup. The cableco does not want decoding boxes available from anyone except them, so the mgf. only sells them to the cableco.

 

[jerndl]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken H Yup. The cableco does not want decoding boxes available from anyone except them, ...

This is the kind of situation that concerns me if the Dish/Directv merger goes through. Currently Dish is the only provider for compatible STBs. Their attitude seems to be, you'll take our STB and like it. At least with Directv you can choose from several brands of STBs. If the only choices we will have left are cable or the "new" Dish then we may not have much choice at all.


Jay

 

[DaleBarrett]

Quote:

Yup. The cableco does not want decoding boxes available from anyone except them, so the mgf. only sells them to the cableco.

Isn't that one of the things the "OpenCable" standard is supposed to address - i.e. you should be able to get an off-the-shelf generic box from multiple sources? BTW, why should they need to "own" the box - don't they have the ability to turn on or off the decode remotely?

 

[Ken H]

Quote:

Originally posted by jerndl This is the kind of situation that concerns me if the Dish/Directv merger goes through. Currently Dish is the only provider for compatible STBs. Their attitude seems to be, you'll take our STB and like it. At least with Directv you can choose from several brands of STBs. If the only choices we will have left are cable or the "new" Dish then we may not have much choice at all.

Independent of the merger, Echostar has previously announced an agreement with Thomson to make & sell RCA brand stb's for Dish Network.


There are a number of potential issues with the merger, but I don't think the stb's are one of them.

 

[Ken H]

Quote:

Originally posted by DaleBarrett Isn't that one of the things the "OpenCable" standard is supposed to address - i.e. you should be able to get an off-the-shelf generic box from multiple sources? BTW, why should they need to "own" the box - don't they have the ability to turn on or off the decode remotely?

Yup. OpenCable should address this, but not anytime soon.