FCC extends Cable set-top box support for streaming to 2014
updated 11:12 am EST, Thu December 6, 2012
Rules allow any industry standard IP platform for cable box sharing
The FCC has asked cable operators to add support for HD video streaming into their set-top boxes for a second time, after the initial two-year deadline for conformity passes. A filing clarified rules relating to opening up CableCARD services to other devices, following a lack of movement in the industry to obey the original rule changes that took place in 2010.
The cable industry and TiVo requested an extension to the time offered as well as clarification on required standards for showing HD CableCARD services on other third-party devices. An extra two years have been added, meaning that affected companies have until June 2014 to comply with the new rules, though companies with fewer than 400,000 subscribers get an extra two months to work on the problem.
The rules themselves have also been updated to include an IP interface rather than a physical connection, with Engadget also noting that there is no single defined standard to comply, any industry standard IP interface would be acceptable. The FCC did confirm that the DNLA Premium Video Profile is a compliant protocol, though others could also be classed as such if they support recordable high-definition video, closed captioning data, service discovery, video transport, and remote control command pass-through.” It is up to individual companies to decide what IP interface is most appropriate to use, so long as it allows cable content to be viewed and recorded on other household devices.
