Any news on Firewire TW HDTV boxes?

[pestario]

FCC requires cable companies to provide Firewire ports on cables boxes as of April. Anyone know when Time Warner Cable will be complying?

Also anyone know of software that could be used as a frontend on a PC to record HDTV programing?

[mhz40]

I understand they will be compliant very soon.

[Joseph S]

18 days of non-compliance.

Any updates?

[mhz40]

No.

[mhz40]

Officially released.  One was delivered in the last day or two...Joseph, I suspect it was you?  Does it work OK?

[Joseph S]

Not me, but I definitely want one and would like to know where we can go to exchange. With the earlier boxes it was a pain to get one without a wait. Will be inquiring tomorrow or Thurs.

[Joseph S]

Gave it a shot today and so far have gotten no further than three answering machines at TWC administrative customer support. Tech support denied the boxes were available in this "sector" and stated they would not purchase one for a customer and advised me to call administration as they don't have the authority to talk to the higher ups to find out what 's going on.

The Mandate info is here on page 50:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-225A1.pdf

(4) Cable operators shall:      (i) Effective April 1, 2004, upon request of a customer,  replace any leased high definition set-top box, which does not  include a functional IEEE 1394 interface, with one that includes a  functional IEEE 1394 interface or upgrade the customer's set-top  box by download or other means to ensure that the IEEE 1394  interface is functional.      (ii) Effective July 1, 2005, include both a DVI or HDMI  interface and an IEEE 1394 interface on all high definition set-top  boxes acquired by a cable operator for distribution to customers.      (iii) Ensure that these cable operator-provided high  definition set-top boxes shall comply with ANSI/SCTE 26 2001  (formerly DVS 194): "Home Digital Network Interface Specification  with Copy Protection" (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602), with  transmission of bit-mapped graphics optional, and shall support the CEA-931-A: "Remote Control Command Pass-through Standard for  Home Networking" (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602), pass  through control commands: tune function, mute function, and restore  volume function. In addition these boxes shall support the power  control commands (power on, power off, and status inquiry) defined  in A/VC Digital Interface Command Set General Specification  Version 4.0 (as referenced in ANSI/SCTE 26 2001 (formerly DVS  194): "Home Digital Network Interface Specification with Copy  Protection" (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602)).  

on page 50.

:bang:

[mrmike]

Yeah, I'm having no luck either.  Half the CSO folks don't even know what I'm talking about it seems.

-MM

[mhz40]

They are in and only compatible with display devices that SUPPORT EAS (Emergency Alert System).  This support allows the set top to change your display's input from 1394 to another port so the emergency information generated by the set top can be displayed.  Don't waste your time trying hard drives or PC connections.  I think you also loose the interactive guide.  Ask for an SA 8250.
Help me out here, I am trying to figure out why these are such a hot item.  Why are these things so important?  From what I understand, audio is integrated into the 1394 and that's about it.  Is it that big a deal to run separate audio and video wires?  Thanks....

[Joseph S]

Help me out here, I am trying to figure out why these are such a hot item.

I would ask the FCC, seeing as they set the mandate TWC is in violation of.

You can get a FW repeater for $25, you have to buy optical at $$$$$$ for distance DVI connections. FW would allow me to schedule timeshifting from my telephone, palm, or laptop onto a DVHS or computer. It would also cut down greatly on the number of wires I need.

[The Law]

"

Help me out here, I am trying to figure out why these are such a hot item. Why are these things so important?

I think mhz40 is asking why the interest.  From a marketing point of view; is this a hot item?  And if so, why?  Is this something that TWC should be focusing on and putting other technologies on the back burner?

Yes, the FCC may mandate something, though customer demand is also a driving factor.  Companies will balance compliance in one area with demand in another - walking a tight rope, so to speak.

So...the question may very well be (for example, "I'm just sayin'", wild guess, here, etc) something like - would customers appreciate TWC rolling out technology "A" (i.e. HD DVR) or technology "B" (Firewire) first.

"I'm Just sayin'"

[Joseph S]

Companies will balance compliance in one area with demand in another - walking a tight rope, so to speak.

:confused:
I don't like this tax, I want to pay Florida's sales tax and NH's income tax.

or

I don't want Pax, QVC, HSN, the community updates stations, the ____ station, the guide... I'm going to pay for the 12 channels I watch.

They must comply, whether or not the FCC is up to the task is another issue. If we even tried this they would call us crazy.

[The Law]

I don't like this tax, I want to pay Florida's sales tax and NH's income tax.

Agreed, a mandate is a mandate, a law is a law, etc., however the less teeth that are behind them, the less incentive a company would have to follow them to the letter.  I'm sure they'll be compliant, that's not the issue - it's just they may be bending it for now.

Will all the rules and regs an operator must follow, this just maybe one that's slipping in favour of another technology for now (again, I have no clue if this is the case - "I'm just sayin'").  I wouldn't liken this to not paying certain taxes but more along the lines of, well they say I'm s'posed to drive 65, but I'll go 70 since the likelyhood of getting busted and fined are not that great.

[Detritus]

mhz40, where can I pick these up? Which branches actually have them?

I had tried calling up TWC and also stopped by at Mayfair Mall, but neither of them had any clue what I was talking about.

[Snard]

Originally posted by mhz40
They are in and only compatible with display devices that SUPPORT EAS (Emergency Alert System).  This support allows the set top to change your display's input from 1394 to another port so the emergency information generated by the set top can be displayed.  Don't waste your time trying hard drives or PC connections.  I think you also loose the interactive guide.  Ask for an SA 8250.
Help me out here, I am trying to figure out why these are such a hot item.  Why are these things so important?  From what I understand, audio is integrated into the 1394 and that's about it.  Is it that big a deal to run separate audio and video wires?  Thanks....

There have been discussion threads on AVS regarding the capture of HD programming from a Firewire equipped set-top box, using the right tools on the PC. If this is in fact possible, then I would think that would explain why they would be a hot item. I would certainly like to create my own HD Tivo-like unit.