CableLabs is moving forward on plans to certify multistream CableCards. CableLabs published a new procedure for testing compatibility with the multistream standard, and says it will begin offering verification for devices like personal video recorders starting in January.
Multistream CableCards (or M-Cards) will allow users to receive and decode two digital television signals simultaneously. These are still considered class 1.0 devices, which means you won't be able to receive video-on-demand or other interactive services on a set-top-box with an M-Card. But you will be able to receive picture-in-picture, or record one show while watching another.
TiVo's solution so far has been to roll out its Series3 boxes with support for 2 CableCards, but once M-Cards are deployed, you'll be able to use just one card. TiVo, Motorola, Digeo, Solekai, Digital Keystone and ViXS are all supporting the M-Card project.
1. M-cards from Moto and SA have been approved months ago and apparently are being deployed in the field now (or shortly) .
Are you saying that Cablelabs is going to start to approve devices to use these cards in Multistream mode?
I was under the impression that only 2-way devices were goign to be approved to get M-card functionality.
Will they be appoving one way devices for M-cards too?
Guess I need to go check out tivocommunity.com and see what/s going on....
Posted at 10:19AM on Nov 20th 2006 by Michael K