Comments on: Comcast introduces open-cable platform

If the cable operator's efforts to partner with leading gadget makers are successful, those set-top boxes could be a thing of the past.
Photo: Comcast's AnyPlay device

[perfectblue97]

New Platform, new catches?

I'm waiting to hear what the catches are.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if this new platform included, built right in to it at the grass roots level, some anti-consumer devices.

For example, self destruct features that kill DRV recordings after a week, or features that stop you from time-skipping over the commercials.

It's cynical, I know, but I'm just so used to these companies doing something to screw the consumer over that I can't help but think that this too will have a hidden payload of nastyness inside it.

[pamnbob97]

new ways

i agree with perfectblue97 this is just anthor way to screw the consumer over ( like there not screwing us now with there prices) but it might come down to you have to buy this new equipment in order to watch cable tv

[Starling#27]

don't forget to add

extra charge for each "extra" device that you will hook to comcast cable directly.

[bschmidt25]

Caller ID

Wow... caller ID on your TV. Novel idea. Most DirecTV receivers have had that feature for about 7 years now. And the catch with Comcast is that you have to have their VoIP phone service for it to work. Big deal...

[gsacks]

It is not Java based

From the live-blog over at engadget, they said the system was open "like java", but they didn't say it actually was java. Considering that Microsoft is supporting this effect, I would say that it is almost certainly NOT java. In fact, the parallel that they drew to java really had nothing to due with being "open". I very much doubt this is open source (again, M$). What they meant, I believe, is that is it a standard api accross different devices, so it is like a jvm, which is a good thing.

[AudioDroid]

OCAP is explicitly based on java

RTFS. Annex G specifies OCAP 1.0 Application API and it's most
definitely java.

http://www.cablelabs.com/specifications/OC-SP-OCAP1.0.1-
070824.pdf

It's possible that Microsoft would prefer a system that doesn't
have to implement 700+ java classes and 200+ java interfaces,
but that's what you need to have in order to support OCAP.

[ericaatnews]

Yes, it is

I double-checked with Comcast just to make sure I didn't hear incorrectly. They said that Tru2way is indeed Java-based.

[tompittman7]

Sounds interesting... and expensive

Love DVRs, love HD, love it all, but I could love it just as much for HALF the price!

The most needed improvement for cable and satellite television isn't more bells and whistles, it is lower prices.

Please, when is the industry going to listen to that?

[Renegade Knight]

My Plain Old Non Digital Cable Just Works

Strange, my regular Cable service just works. MY TV, VCR, DVD, Computer all work just fine. No need for a set top box.

The only innovation is in what services they will be able to offer (the 2 way part) that they can't with something like my current cable.

Still if it's truly universal, then it would solve the biggest problem I'm going to have going to HD. Right now I'm stuck wiht over the air transmissions since that's not propriatary.

[jshale]

What's the Difference?

What's the difference between a CableCard-enabled device and what Comcast is proposing?

[DerWeissEngel]

What's the Difference?

I think this is "CableCard 2.0"; with 2-way (and probably multi-stream) capability added.

[1080iCON]

RE- what's the difference?

Plenty of difference! For starters, you cannot recieve OnDemand or pay per view(PPV) programming with a CableCard. You also cannot access interactive guides with it. The reason for this is that CableCard is not a true 2 way, or as we know refer to as Tru2way device. Also, there is not enough storage space built in to your television to capacitate any kind of recording options. Most likely, tv's in the future will come with internal hard drives for the dvr feature.
That is only scratching the surface! There are many ip based phone applications, and broadband aps. that will be greatly enhanced with Tru2way.

[gsacks]

okay, I guess it is.

I stand corrected, but still somewhat surprised.

[DerWeissEngel]

"Wideband" vs. broadband

any comments on how they intend to implement this "wideband" stuff? Is it true DOCSIS 3.0, or a pre-3.0 kludge?

[libertyforall1776]

Java is a ball and chain... Slow too...

As Steve Jobs said -- Java is a ball and chain... Too slow...