Downloadable Conditional Access System: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:23, 28 February 2007

Revision as of 05:38, 28 February 2007

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The appearance of DCAS as a possible future technology has been used as a reason that the FCC should release cable companies from obligations regarding CableCards. [[Verizon FiOS]] wishes to be released from having to support cablecards at all on its network. Cable companies point to DCAS as a reason that they should be released from their obligation to use Cablecards in their devices, as the FCC directed in 1998. The [[Consumer Electronics Association]] representing major Consumer electronics manufacturers disagrees with these applications for waivers pointing to the insubstantiality of the proposal and that Cable companies are notoriously late and half hearted in their support of their own standards, as evidenced by their behavior with their earlier CableCARD proposal. Detractors of DCAS point out the proposal is being used to sow [[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] in the minds of consumers, CE companies, and the FCC. Consumers are motivated to hold off buying Cablecard devices, CE companies are wondering whether their cablecard technology investments will soon be obsolete, and causes doubt amongst FCC regulators whether they should enforce deadlines and restrictions placed on cable companies regarding CableCARDs. Detractors point to this as the latest in a decade long set of delaying tactics that the cable company has used to avoid compliance with the [[Telecommunications Act of 1996]]. Cable companies counter that CableCARD devices have failed in the marketplace and that it would be foolish for them to be forced to use CableCARDs when the superior technology of DCAS will soon be available.

== ConsumerIn IssuesThe Future ==

The FCC has ruled that starting July 1, 2007, consumers will be able to purchase DVRs and other 3rd party devices to legally view digital cable without having to rent hardware from the cable company.

{{npov}}

Early and present adopters of cable High Definition have seen their cable bills skyrocket. The reason is two-fold. First, HD content has a price. Second, and more relevent to DCAS is because early adopters have been forced monopolistically to rent cable boxes, cableCards, and remotes from cable companies just to view digital content. CableCards v1.0 if used in place of a cable boxes do reduce cable bills, by lowering rental fees. CableCard v2.0 will reduce costs further, along with providing 2-way communication for VOD, PPY, programing information, etc. DCAS will entirely eliminate need for cards.

On July 1, 2007 consumers will be able to purchase DVRs, TVs and, other 3rd party devices to legally view digital cable without having to rent hardware from the cable company. [[OpenCable Application Platform]]. Increased competition gives consumers better price and products. For example, say a cable subsriber is currently paying $20/month for cable boxes/dvr/remotes. On 7/1/07 he has the option to cut this cost, but will have to replace with something else, say a 3rd party DVR. The prior $20 cable monthly rental fee adds up to $240/year or $480 for 2 years. More likely than not, the subsriber will find a DVR for less than $480, and he will obtain more features than what cable offered. Then, and here's the good part, after two years the subscriber will pocket $240 every year because he owns the box.

== See also ==