Comcast Jumps on the Whole-home DVR Bandwagon
Posted by Jesse Ward on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 · 
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As expected, Comcast recently launched AnyRoom DVR. The service allows a customer to view DVR recordings on any networked set-top box in the home, and to finish watching a saved recording in one room that was started in another.
AnyRoom DVR is comprised of one HD/DVR set-top box as the primary outlet — which controls scheduling, deleting and recording settings — and up to three additional HD set-top boxes which can view and navigate within recorded content. The client set-tops connect to the central DVR using the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) specification.
The service is initially being offered in limited markets in Oregon and Washington. The primary DVR ranges from $13.95-$19.95 per month, with secondary set-tops running an average of $8 per month. The service requires a one-time activation fee of $29.95. Read more
FCC Institues a Temporary Delay in the Comcast-NBC U Merger Examination
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, June 25, 2010 · ·
Due to errors in filings provided to the FCC, the commission has halted the NBC Universal – Comcast merger vetting process. According to reports, the paperwork submitted by NBC U and Comcast did not comply with instructions provided by the FCC. This is the second delay in the action that began on March 18.
The FCC requested information concerning organizational structure of the companies, channel line-ups, content acquisition and content distribution. The FCC sent letters dated June 24, 2010, informing NBC U and Comcast that the process would be stopped until they had provided the requested information in compliance with the instructions they had given.
The pause will not affect the the “pleading cycle.” The next group of filings will be due on July 21 and the replies on August 5.
No timetable has been indicated for the revised information to be re-submitted.
Whole-Home DVR: A Necessary Feature of Your Video Bundle?
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, June 21, 2010 · ·
Several video service providers are now offering whole-home DVR services, which leaves me wondering, is whole-home DVR a mandatory feature in order to remain competitive in the video marketplace?
Whole-Home DVR typically lets users record and playback from multiple locations within the household. When users choose to watch the same recording, they can do so in different rooms with the ability to fast-forward, pause or rewind without affecting other viewers. Whole-home DVR also allows a subscriber to pause a show in one room and resume watching in another one. Read more
With Comcast’s Tunerfish, TV Becomes Social
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Monday, May 24, 2010 · ·
Popular tech blog TechCrunch is hosting its TechCrunch Disrupt conference in New York and according to this post, Comcast made an interesting product announcement. Dubbed “Tunerfish“, Comcast’s new product will enable users to share what they are watching on any social network, in real time. While that in and of itself isn’t all that exciting (I could do that pretty easily now by tweeting or updating my FB status), they will aggregate this data with your friends so you can be introduced to new shows you may not be aware of. Add to this multi-platform (will work with YouTube, Vimeo and others) and a rewards based system for people that share, and they may have a winning product on their hands. Look for the public beta coming in 2 weeks.
I’ve long felt that the problem with the growth of channels/content is that there is just SO much of it. While it won’t solve the issue, at least this may help. I wonder if Nielsen is worried…
VOTW:Free Press Releases ‘Comcastaction’ Video
Posted by Steve Fravel on Thursday, May 20, 2010 · ·
The media advocacy association FreePress has released a video on YouTube to help illustrate the facts of the Comcast-NBC Universal merger. While humorous in concept, the video is a serious work and provides details that show just how enormous the Comcast – NBCU conglomerate would be in terms of networks and properties.
Additional information and tools for adding comments on the merger are available via the Free Press website.
FCC Looks to ‘Third Way’ to Regulate Broadband Service
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, May 10, 2010 · ·
Late last Wednesday, the FCC announced a new approach to regulating high-speed Internet whereby the commission will assert its regulation over broadband service similar to its authority over traditional telephony services. The FCC is calling this approach the “Third Way,” as it plans to impose a “lite version of Tile II” regulation on broadband service.
Under the current regulatory regime, Internet services have historically been regulated as Title I or information services. Traditional telephony and telecom services, on the other aside, are subject to stricter Title II guidelines. The FCC was forced to take action and modify its working framework after it lost a key federal appeals court decision last month involving Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company.
This new strategy will establish the commission’s authority to regulate the transmission component of broadband service, but not broadband rates or Internet content, services, applications or electronic commerce sites. Under the Title II “lite” approach, the commission will: Read more
Comcast, Time Warner Expand WiMAX Services
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, May 3, 2010 · ·
Both Time Warner Cable and Comcast announced expansions of their mobile WiMAX service offerings last week, an indication of their ongoing commitment to Clearwire’s WiMAX network.
Time Warner plans to debut Business Class Mobile, a high-speed WiMax wireless data service, in several markets in Texas, including Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, San Antonio and Wichita Falls. The new offering is a part of a bundled solution for Time Warner Cable Business Class customers who currently have or are acquiring one or more of its services: Internet, phone, cable TV or Ethernet. The cable provider plans to expand the service to other markets later this year.
Separately, Comcast revealed last week that it plans to launch its High-Speed 2go-branded WiMAX service in Boston and Houston this quarter, an indication that Clearwire will light up those markets soon. Read more
