cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | User interface designs.
All that up there, vs. this
Just throwing these examples out there. Comcast, time to update your guide!
Come on... |
|
MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal | How many of those guides would run on the DCT 2000 series boxes? |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
2 edits | Keep I-Guide A25 on the DCT-2000, and allow customers to "trade up" or subscribe to a better guide using a more powerful set top box. I'll pay a price premium if they want. Looks like it could be a new revenue generating stream. How about games in the guide where advertisers like Coke can place ad's in the game. Looks like Comcast could get some more revenue there as well. Win win.
Sure the DCT-2000 wouldn't handle the resolution, graphics and transparencies. Maybe the DCH/DCX and Cisco RNG models could with new Tru2Way libraries and toolkits.
 |
|
sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs: | Cypher you make too much sense!
Let those of us that have better STBs get better guides, and those that don't want to swap out for better STBs stick with A25. |
|
Spiderman865
join:2005-12-27
Joliet, IL
1 edit | While all of those guides do look cool, I for one would not want to pay a premium for one. As long as it displays what is on and it is correct, that's what is important and more HD.
--
Who?...Me? |
|
DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
 ·Comcast
| said by Spiderman865  :While all of those guides do look cool, I for one would not want to pay a premium for one. As long as it displays what is on and it is correct, that's what is important and more HD. Well if well could buy our our equipment, that wouldn't be a problem, how many tru2way devices are available for purchase? |
|
MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| said by DaveNJ :said by Spiderman865 :While all of those guides do look cool, I for one would not want to pay a premium for one. As long as it displays what is on and it is correct, that's what is important and more HD. Well if well could buy our our equipment, that wouldn't be a problem, how many tru2way devices are available for purchase? Check for these at Christmas time:
»www.lightreading.com/document.as···d=164948 |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
2 edits | reply to cypherstream
Well if your interested in what Verizon is doing with the Motorola platform, there's a good full screen slideshow at this link:
»www.flickr.com/photos/verzionfios/show/
Also check this for some of their new features:
»www36.verizon.com/fiostv/web/Unp···res.aspx
Time for cable to get on board with some of this technology so they can start climbing back up the ladder in JD Powers and Associates customer satisfaction surveys. I know some of this stuff is probably coming, but lets get on with it now. Roll it out already. I'll beta test if they want. FOR FREE. Can't get any better than that, eh Comcast? People testing your stuff FOR FREE? |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to cypherstream
I know these aren't cable boxes, but the topic is all about the design that could (and should) go into cable boxes.
First the Zune. Pay attention to the quickness and the flow of the UI. Subtle yet graceful transitions between screens and selections. This is how it should be.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzBiGgotUNM
Here you have the I Phone interface. I'm sure you've seen the commercials, or perhaps played with one or know someone who has one. Again, it's smooth, quick and the inter-screen transitions keep you focused where your attention is needed. This is User Interface 101, and Apple does it so well. Microsoft has been doing much better lately as well.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CwTUhs-yN4 |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | reply to cypherstream
[Taken from itvdictionary.com] Things you can do with Interactive TV include:
1. The program credits could be available anytime during the show instead of only at the beginning and/or end.
2. At anytime find out who an actor/actress is that you're watching and more information about him/her.
3. At anytime find out the location of a particular scene and information on how it was filmed.
4. Get scores, highlights and game summaries whenever you want.
5. Customized and localized information (such as news, weather and sports).
6. While viewing one program, you can keep abreast of specifics of other TV program(s), including sports.
7. Home banking.
8. Home shopping.
9. Electronic Program Guides/Interactive Program Guides
10. Polls/Surveys – Make your vote count during a program (or after) without having to pay for a toll call or log onto a special computer.
11. Interactive Game Shows – Play along and/or compete with others.
12. Interactive Sports (which can include the ability to watch an event from your choice of camera angles.) You may also have the choice of different audio tracks.
13. Local/regional/national weather and traffic.
14. Interactive advertising, infomercials, advergaming.
15. Videoconferencing.
16. Distance learning.
17. Interactive betting.
18. Answer trivia questions in real time during a TV show – Prove your knowledge and win prizes by answering questions correctly.
19. Ability to switch camera angles. (Interactive Multi-Camera-Angle Events, this is most popular for sports).
20. Interactive video magazines
21. Interactive music selection
22. Instant Messaging
23. Email
24. Other Trivia Games
25. Instant Shopping – When you see a product or service you want, buy it or order it immediately.
* Movie tickets
* Pizza from a commercial
* CDs from talk shows and concerts
* Author interviews
Acquire additional information such as:
* Retail locations
* Details on a news story
* Order a brochure or sample |
|
MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| said by cypherstream : [Taken from itvdictionary.com] Things you can do with Interactive TV include: All possible with OpenCable (aka Tru2way) compatible boxes and software...
The common version of the iGuide in use is built to support a proprietary "computing" platform with the power of PCs from almost 20 years ago. Both the Zune and the iPhone have many times more computing and graphics power. |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | Well the good news is CableLabs certified first tru2way Panasonic HDTVs:
»www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/01/ca···c-hdtvs/
So Tru2Way is not a pipe dream. Hopefully advancements progress on a logarithmic scale. A long time up until recently between innovation. Then as developers get comfortable, we see updates and features banged out faster than ever before. (Crosses fingers).
I-Guide A24 is the WindowsME of I-Guide. See my post here about it: »Re: Central PA Updates
A25 is much better. Let's hope the slight changes under the hood snowball into some major innovation. |
|
markofmayhem
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
| Build your own, Cypher: »www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/···for+OCAP
Your just going to have to wait for Tru2Way. Tru2Way opens the ITV, IPG, DVR software, and other UI's within an STB to anyone who wants in. TiVo, Microsoft, Panasonic and Macrovision (new owners of Gemstar (TV Guide) and Aptiv Digital (Passport)) are all on board. This encompasses all of the guides that have broken ground over the last few years with the exception of Verizon's own IPG (except Motorola is on board with them, so it will be Tru2Way eventually, it just needs certified really).
You want this: »www.macrovision.com/products/sys···uide.htm
This guide is only available to STB's. CEA's can purchase TV Guide On Screen or make their own IPG and purchase MyTVGuide as an add-on service. Also, J-Guide can be enhanced with MyTVGuide services as well. J-Guide can run on any OCAP-enabled Moto box (I have no idea about Cisco, so I'm just leaving them out, but there are some really slick Passport Tru2Way guides as well). OCAP-enabled Moto boxes require a complete reinitialization of OS, API, newly added middleware, drivers on top of the OS instead of inside, pre-compiled apps instead of compile-on-the-fly, etc... you know: "Tru2Way". The boxes that can handle it are ALL of the DCH's, DCX's, RNG's, and some of the DCT's (34**, 64**, and some others not mentioned yet).
For YOU to get Tru2Way you need two things:
1. A head-end to support it
2. A product to support it
2 conflicts with 1 when it comes to retail. Once 1 is satisfied to a CEA's delight, THEN we will see Tru2Way products on the shelves of Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, and Wal-Mart. In the beginning, we most likely will only see Tru2Way products being sold THROUGH the MSO's, although that is not yet written in stone, but is the scenario gaining the most traction.
What you WON'T see is some magical "guide update" or "firmware update" on the box sitting in your home today. The box will need removed from the home to upgrade to Tru2Way. A "swap" may be possible, but with the current box shortage I wouldn't hold my breath. Most of us are looking at another 18 months for a new guide on our STB's (box swap). Purchasing your own Tru2Way equipment will benefit you the day your head-end comes online. Said purchase will be difficult until more head-ends across ALL OF THE MSO's (not just Comcast) is realized. While products will be for sale here and there come this holiday shopping season, it in no way means YOU will be able to purchase it. There is great concern to lock down the availability of these products to only those people in activated areas. Sale through the MSO is Panasonic's vision and looks as if Comcast is on board. As spring and next summer roll around, a little more openness should be realized. As next fall rolls around, we SHOULD be at a level where CEA's will be comfortable releasing their product to big-box retail chains. This is when price will plummet and affordability will enter. About this time, the new TiVo is scheduled for release as well. Also, around this time-frame, the Intel Larrabee GPU combined with a new chipset and "Atom2" or "Nehalem" processor that will be Tru2Way certified will also be released (HTPC's: the chipset will include a CableCard slot... this SHOULD be the entry into Build-Your-Own digital cable HTPC.... with AMD/ATI leading the way in CableCard activation, they should easily be able to come up with a product in the same time-frame as well, unfortunately they have no such mention on their roadmaps). This will complete the infrastructure and completely open software development. Look for huge advancements in IPG's starting in 2 years, available to you in 3-5 after all of the hardware is out of the way and the true software development shows financial potential. |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| I'm curious why they can't download a Tru2Way guide. Your saying that I would have to swap out my box, even though it's a compatible DCH-3416. Is this going to be like the Comcast Tivo fiasco where they said "Oh it will just be a download, no problem", but then they still have techs coming out to install it with a bunch of boxes on hand because the success rate is so low?
If they INIT the box in DL mode, transfer a binary program that runs an install routine and grabs the *real* meat and potatoes over DSG, perhaps it would be possible for a download. Motorola claims these boxes are "Tru2Way ready", hence they aren't ordered with special Tru2Way option roms from the factory, because it should be capable already. Right?
Thanks for your insight. I love a healthy debate  |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
2 edits | reply to cypherstream
Oh thinking of going to DSG for a better pipe for downloads and interactivity had me thinking. Docsis will most likely require stricter signal level requirements. I think someone should develop a code module/toolset that MSO's can load on boxes that attempt to connect via DSG, and if they fail report it back (via that code module on legacy return channel) to tools that engineers can look at. Tools can report percent connected, upstream/downstream levels, SNR Up and Down, and set top box diagnostics. They could then get a percentage of how many installed advanced set top boxes would have success. Then make appropriate judgment as to the next step. Either proceed with wide scale roll out, or schedule techs accordingly. |
|
markofmayhem
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
| MotoTiVo is OCAP; same procedure will be needed. When the box receives a new O/S, it needs the drivers, frequencies, protocols, etc... to communicate which is why the tech is on hand to "find" the box and "force" information to it. How would an unregistered, non-compliant, uninitiated box communicate over the network on it's own unless the network presented a hole to communicate in? Would this hole not be an EXTREMELY large security risk? Perhaps a truck-roll will eventually be enough in the future, but it's unlikely it will ever be a simple download. Motorola said these boxes were compatible, they never said if you load an older O/S that the software would be. The hardware is compatible. |
|
mikedz4
join:2003-04-14
Weirton, WV | reply to cypherstream
ok, mark. When will the pittsburgh area receive tru2way? I specifically want the 250 gb panasonic or motorola boxes that are coming out this fall, so when will those be available here? |
|
rv65
Trig isn't Sarah's Baby
Premium
join:2008-08-02
San Diego, CA
| The DCX can be ordered with a 250 GB HDD but that depends on the MSO. The Cisco Explorer 8540 can have a 320 GB HDD. The RNG-200 is a reconstituted 8540 in a comcast shell. Cisco consumer products shows an RNG-200 in the Explorer 85xx series case though. As for Tru2way if they support DCH boxes then they have it. They probably use OCAP which is the same thing as tru2way. |
|
cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | reply to markofmayhem
said by markofmayhem :How would an unregistered, non-compliant, uninitiated box communicate over the network on it's own unless the network presented a hole to communicate in? Would this hole not be an EXTREMELY large security risk? The box would simply HUNT for the systems OOB channel. Once found it would lock and start receiving data. Perhaps the OOB will tell it to continue communicating in legacy mode, or perhaps the OOB will tell it to try to initiate DSG mode. When the proper communication is established, the box can be pushed the firmware update via it's M#. You call the Comcast and say "I want the deluxe DVR service with the advanced guide." They send a hit to your M# and it goes into DL mode, retrieving the proper firmware, code modules, drivers, applications etc... from the appropriate server or from the DAC. Again this can be done via DSG through the CMTS or the traditional OOB via ON1000 and RADD (depending on current system configuration).
Why would that be a big security hole? That's how it's done now, and no one's cracked anything. I've poked through I-Guide firmware dumps with a hex editor and deconstructed them into assembly, but I don't understand a thing about broadcom assembly language. It's very complex and without access to the keys there's no way to 'hack' the system and get channels you don't pay for. It's not really a hole either if you 'bought a box from e-bay'. First the M# is not in the system and all communication to it would be rejected, unless you had physical access to the back end systems to inventory the box, initiate it, and put it onto an account. |
|
FifthE1ement
Tech Nut
join:2005-03-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL
|  reply to cypherstream
BAM!
Come on the Comcast guide is 1000x better, Emeril says so!!
BAM!
BAM!
--
John McCain for President 2008! |
|
