FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" [Ars Technica]
The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology has released it's report on field testing of white space device prototypes, and while the FCC has decided the prototypes have met the "proof of concept" burden, there's not much good news in the report with regard to the interference the devices cause for cable systems. For those of you new to this issue, white space devices are potential receivers of wireless Internet using parts of the spectrum reserved from broadcast television signals. Here's one excerpt from the report:
"The cable converter (set-top) box was inserted into the signal path and connected to the DTV’s tuner input. The set-top box was tuned to virtual channel 220 (cable channel 77) and a good quality digital picture was observed. The Adaptrum transmitter was tuned to channel 26 and activated at full power (no external attenuation). Interference was immediately observed in the form of a complete loss of picture."This is exactly the type of interference that the NCTA warned about when it filed a letter with the FCC on this issue. The interference from the device test cited previously was so bad that the testers couldn't stop the interference until they installed "laboratory-grade" cabling between the cable box and the wall outlet. That's not the type of cabling found in most homes. If a device like the one above were to make it to market, cable television viewers might as well forget watching television while they (or their neighbors) use their white space device.
Even though it certified the devices as meeting "proof of concept," the report said that white space devices require a second round of testing.
FCC chairman backs use of 'white space' spectrum [CNET News]
The release of yesterday's report on white space devices coincided with a press conference by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, where he announced his support for the devices. Martin also announced that the FCC will be voting on the issue at its meeting on November 4th.
Panasonic Takes Tru2way HDTVs To Retail [Multichannel News]
The first tru2way equipped televisions from Panasonic has shipped. Though they're only in Chicago and Denver right now (because Comcast has tru2way equipped cable systems in those markets), the announcement is significant because there was some doubt that the Panasonic tru2way televisions would make it to market for the holiday season after they failed their initial CableLabs certification during the summer. Tru2way promises to bring two-way cable services to consumers, and after a decade of development and testing, consumers will now be able to buy tru2way ready televisions.
IMDB turns 18 [CNET News]
If you've ever searched for information about a movie or television show on the web, you've likely ended up at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) web site. It's a great resource for all kinds of details about movies and TV shows. Even though the web itself is only 14 years old, the IMDB is celebrating its 18th birthday. How did it predate the web? Some intrepid movie buffs started the IMDB on Usenet news groups in 1990, and later ported it to the web.
I'm thinking about giving up on television and going full online entertainment only.
I've noticed my TV hasn't been on for four weeks and I'm not missing it.
Posted by: ARGO | Friday, October 17, 2008 at 06:30 AM