ClearQAM could get encrypted soon!

[mbryanr]

http://www.slashgear.com/boxee-and-c...ound-29236454/

[AminB]

Is Boxee working w/ any Canadian company for that purpose ?

[darcilicious]

http://www.slashgear.com/boxee-and-c...ound-29236454/

Interesting update: http://www.multichannel.com/article/...ufficient_.php

CEA [Consumer Electronics Association] Calls NCTA Encryption Proposal Utter Insufficient

The CEA, in a filing this week with the FCC, complained that the NCTA's proposal does not define the devices or interfaces; that the MSOs' licensing and certification commitments are "lacking or insufficient"; and that the three-year sunset makes the options unworkable for competitive device entry.

"CEA recognizes and has no desire to impede the transitions of cable operators to digital distribution and IP-based interfaces," the association said in a July 31 filing. "We continue to insist, however, that the necessary changes to FCC regulations should be forward as well as backward-looking."

[...]

In June, Comcast and Boxee worked out a deal, which served as the template for the NCTA propsal. Under that agreement, Comcast is developing an adapter that would let users of Boxee-based set-tops access encrypted cable programming, along the lines of what the NCTA proposed in the first option. A long-term solution proposed by Comcast and Boxee involves licensing digital transport adapter (DTA) technology into third-party devices.

Boxee, in ex parte comments filed Monday, said it was "pleased" that the six largest cable operators were taking steps to enable access to encrypted programming, but that the commitments "fall short of being a comparable successor to Clear QAM." That's because the NCTA proposal lacks a long-term commitment that the solution be hardware-free and that operators outside the six largest would not be held to the same obligations, Boxee said.

[mbryanr]

The CEA is likely correct in their arguments.

[darcilicious]

I certainly don't disagree with them. The first time I read about that "three year" time-frame I thought to myself that it was hardly worth the effort to get this agreement in place...

[pacomartin]

FIRST POST SO EXCUSE IGNORANCE

I live in Lehigh Valley, PA. I noticed that RCN began offering low cost bundles that include over the air channels along with internet. They seem to be offering these bundles only in Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley (part of Philly DMA) and not in there other markets.

I assume this has something to do with boxee and their lawsuit? Am I correct? In addition they say that these packages are only available to NEW users (you cannot downgrade unless you have not used RCN for 30 days. Is this prohibition legal?

Finally, my brother has RCN internet only. Can he use BOXEE to get the broadcast signals off his cable?

[darcilicious]

Companies often make special offers that are only available to new customers, I doubt very much it's illegal.

Finally, my brother has RCN internet only. Can he use BOXEE to get the broadcast signals off his cable?

Possibly; it depends on if RCN is filtering the tv signals on his cable connection or not. And if RCN is offering unencrypted digital (not analog) channels.

[pacomartin]

Possibly; it depends on if RCN is filtering the tv signals on his cable connection or not. And if RCN is offering unencrypted digital (not analog) channels.

Previous to this year RCN had not been offering an option of just broadcast channels to go with the internet. Suddenly in about March they began offering this choice for Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley only for $40 (25 Mbs) or $50 (50 Mbs +HD converter).

My brother bought in for a deal they offered for only about 6 weeks for $30 (25 Mbs with no TV at all). The price was guaranteed to never increase. RCN quickly removed this option since it was such a good deal.

But OTA is very very bad in the Lehigh Valley. It would be nice if there was some way to test the cable signal.

[darcilicious]

If you have a newer HDTV, it most likely has a QAM tuner built-in. Give that a shot.