[mythtv-users] FCC proposal

[jedi]

On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 07:11:45AM -0800, Gary Buhrmaster wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 11:07, Steven Adeff <adeffs.mythtv at gmail.com> wrote:
> > http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/02/let-1000-boxees-bloom-fighting-big-cables-encryption-initiative.ars?src=fbk
> 
> 
> 
> As is typical in such "proposals", both sides have
> chosen to put forward the facts that support their
> position, asserted unsubstantiated claims, and
> dismiss the other side as ill-informed.  And they
> both are right (to some extent).
> 
> I never liked watching sausages being made either....
> 
> 
> 
> For the cableco's, this is really all about theft
> of service issues.  The reality is that there are
> some locations where people will choose to
> try to access basic cable without paying.
> This requires the cableco to roll a truck to
> disconnect the cables every time service is
> terminated (and roll another truck when it
> is reconnected).  Few should dispute

    I will dispute it.

    So what? So they have some minimum wage contractor
in a truck visit your house when service is added or
terminated or even modified. Big deal. How often is that
really? What is the actual cost of that when compared to
the continual revenue stream they get for a customer?

   It's pretty mininscule really if you actually think
about it for a moment.

   Whining about truck rolls is really unconvincing.

[deletia]

   It seems far more relevant that cable operators are
not allowed to be a sort of "common carrier" and just
re-broadcast a television feed intact. The fact that
cable operators are subject to the same problems wrt
to bundled programming also seems to be a much more 
important issue.

   If I could pay the "real cost" of a truck roll and
be able to use only an HDHR for my local cable monopoly
then it would be well worth even what they might try to
overcharge me for it. 

   No boxes. No IR blasters. No USB cables. No cablecard.

   Even for "normal people" it would probably be cheaper
in the end because of the complete lack of any set top
box rentals.