PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| reply to sansri88
Comcast and the DTV Transition: What We Know So Far
Comcast will, at least in some areas, replace existing Motorola DCT/DCH-series STBs with newer DCX series STBs (also from Motorola). The new DCX series lineup is as follows:
DCX100 - a smaller HD-in/SD-out PPV-ready STB designed specifically for the DTV transition (will directly replace the DCT-7xx/DCH-100). Unlike the DCT-7xx, it supports M-Card pairing, PPV, and even DTV-HDTV tuning (both 64QAM and 256QAM); the latter feature is also lacking from the DCH-100. Like the DCH-100/DCT-7xx, it includes both RF and component-out (component-out is fixed at 480p).
DCX-3200 - Single-tuner HD/SD STB (no DVR features). Directly replaces existing HD/SD STBs on Motorola or OCAP platforms (including DCH-3200/DCT-62xx/DCT-2xxx). Supports VOD (unlike DCX-100), DTV/HDTV in/out (component and HDMI-out).
DCX-34xx (possible DCX-3450 and DCX-3475?)- Dual-tuner HD/SD STB with DVR functionality. Would directly replace existing DCH-3416s (possibly with increased storage capacity; Seagate does manufacture both 500 and 750 GB drives in the same formfactor and with the same interface as the drive used in current DCH-3416) or similar models in Motorola and OCAP systems.
Common features across all models: MoCA support, FollowMeTV support, OCAP support, M-card pairing
All three are due in 3Q CY 2008 from Motorola.
(from CES 2008 press release and exhibit by Motorola)
Why This Matters (Especially In Comcast Areas)
One rather nasty problem (which first surfaced in Chicago, the first major area to go all-digital, as opposed to ADS) is that come 2009, there will be no analog OTA signal to pass along to the customer. That means digital OTA signals will be either HD or SD (depending on the source). That means, given an HD source, there needs to be a downconversion to SD at the STB (since FCC regulations prohibit a headend-based conversion). That problem will be solved by the DCX-100. This box will also enable cable companies in general (and Comcast in particular) to hold on to customers transitioning from older SD-only TVs to HDTVs from 3Q CY 2008 forward.
The DCX-3200 is aimed more at the same customer that has the existing DCT-62xx/DCH-62xx non-DVR STB today (as it has no new features). Ironically, the most likely box this will replace in warehouses is the DCT-2xxx (at least initially) as this STB supports HDMI-out (which the DCT-2xxx doesn't). This STB, more than even the DCX-100, is most likely to go to an existing customer, even if the customer *isn't* upgrading to a higher program tier.
DCX-34xx - The only change vs. the DCT/DCH-3416 is likely to be in capacity (up to 750 GB internal capacity is possible); however, would any cable comapny get that brave and have an STB with even 500 GB internal capacity, let alone 750 GB? |
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bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA
| Is there really a regulation that prohibits downconversion at the head-end? It makes sense to me from one standpoint, but from another, there is a regulation saying that MSOs have to continue to provide some kind of analog service through 2012, and one of the two choices MSOs have is via analog signals from the head-end. Are you saying that two regulations together FORCE MSOs to the converter box option? |
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cypherstream
Build Fios, and I will come.
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs: | reply to PGHammer
Thats cool that the DCX-100 can downconvert HD to SD for the older TV's. Currently you get a black screen (sometimes your lucky and get audio) if you tune to an HD channel on a DCT-2xxx or DCT-700.
Bravo Motorola! |
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RBBrittain
@comcast.net
| reply to bicker
said by bicker  :Is there really a regulation that prohibits downconversion at the head-end? It makes sense to me from one standpoint, but from another, there is a regulation saying that MSOs have to continue to provide some kind of analog service through 2012, and one of the two choices MSOs have is via analog signals from the head-end. Are you saying that two regulations together FORCE MSOs to the converter box option? The original poster used that statement in reference to markets that are shutting off analog completely. Under the FCC regulations, digital-only systems must retransmit the station's OTA format (HD or SD) with no downconversion; those systems must supply downconverting STBs to all customers at no extra charge. ADS systems must transmit two signals--(a) a digital signal in the OTA format with no downconversion, and (b) an analog signal downconverted to SD.
Also note that the regulations only apply to "must-carry" stations, i.e., noncommercial and smaller commercial stations. Except for the "no downconversion" rule for the digital signal, they don't apply to "retransmission consent" stations (usually major-network stations, but depends on the cable system); however, it's highly unlikely those stations will permit anything else. Those stations want HD for digital customers and SD for everyone else; anything else will lose viewers and backfire on them. |
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RBBrittain
@comcast.net
| After re-reading the regulation, it appears that so long as the OTA-format signal is provided without downconversion, along with either (a) digital STBs or (b) an analog signal, nothing prevents the system from transmitting an additional downconverted digital signal. Indeed, the rule specifically says that downconversion is NOT "material degradation" (which is prohibited by Federal law) if it's done to make the signal "viewable" to all customers (as required by Federal law).
Thus, if a cable system decides to carry a separate digital-SD version of an HD signal to serve digital-SD STBs that can't downconvert, that *appears* to be permissible. However, that amounts to two signals on digital-only systems and three on ADS systems; HD is mandatory for all systems, while analog is also mandatory for ADS systems. With current bandwidth demands, that is unlikely to happen; also, Comcast lawyers may read the regulation differently than I do. Either way, eliminating digital-SD feeds may be the more prudent move.
(Note: Non-ADS mixed analog/digital systems will follow the same rules as ADS systems; however, Comcast is now 100% ADS.) |
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bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA | That's not entirely true: Analog and digital are not both mandatory at the same time. It is one or the other, depending on the current operating status of the station. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | reply to RBBrittain
HD is not mandatory. I wish people would get it straight. The digital conversion has nothing to do with High Definition. What it has to do, is changing the signal from an Analog waveform, to 1's & 0's being transmitted. |
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luckykevin
join:2005-04-30
Arlington, TX | also another benefit of the dcx is 1ghz tuners |
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