[mythtv-users] cablecard

[Brad Templeton]

On Thu, Apr 07, 2005 at 12:53:26PM -0400, Jay R. Ashworth wrote:
> Why do you think the industry is pushing so hard for digital TV?  It
> sure as *hell* isn't the broadcasters pulling for it...

No, but studios, often linked with broadcasters, are pulling for it.

The answer as to why the industry goes along is a sad one.  Big players _like_
regulations that make it harder for small competitors to get into the game,
or put in innovations that threaten them.   The more barriers to entry, the better,
if you are a big player.

If you are a big player, the $100,000 licencing fee to get certified by CableLabs
is not a pain, it's a blessing.   You can easily afford it, you know you plan
to sell a million boxes from day 1.  The 10 cents per box this costs is not
relished, but well worth it if it stops small players (and certainly open source
players) from getting into the game.