Comcast to encrypt basic cable channels, require set-top box for all content

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" itemprop="text" style="text-align: left;"> <div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Comcast to encrypt basic cable channels, require settop box for all content" data-src-height="267" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/cabletvdigitaladaptercomcast.jpg" /></div>Well, this is quite a blow to basic cable viewers. Up until recently, Comcast has allowed subscribers to access certain channels without adding a set-top box for every TV -- instead, you'd simply connect your TV directly via coax (how quaint!). Now, certain customers have received word that their free ride will soon be coming to an end. The media giant <strike>will begin</strike> is expanding the area where it encrypts basic cable channels, requiring a single STB for each and every television that you plan to use. A Comcast Q&A document only addresses home users, so it's unclear whether enterprise subscribers would also be affected -- though that wouldn't be out of the question.<br /> <span>We think the move could mean a more complicated (and pricey) installation at hospitals, university dorms and even neighborhood gyms, where TVs installed in cardio equipment often plug directly into wall jacks, not to mention the inconvenience you'll be facing at home. This latest setback, of course, follows an FCC decision to allow companies to encrypt their basic cable channels -- the authorization was reportedly granted to cut back on service theft, among other concerns. Comcast will be issuing up to two adapters to each subscriber at no charge for up to two years, assuming you request your equipment within four months of the date of encryption. That's the good news, but encrypted content is quite a bummer, nonetheless.</span><br /> <strong>Update:</strong> Comcast has already implemented encryption in certain areas -- this latest move simply represents a wider rollout. Additionally, Comcast-issued set-top boxes are not required when a CableCard solution is in use. Boxee TV owners can receive a new E-DTA that turns Comcast's encrypted cable channels into IP streams, as specified in an earlier agreement.<br /> </div></div>

Comcast to encrypt basic cable channels, require set-top box for all content

Well, this is quite a blow to basic cable viewers. Up until recently, Comcast has allowed subscribers to access certain channels without ...

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Myriad Social TV brings social networking to your cable box (hands-on video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Myriad Social TV brings social networking to your cable box hands on video" data-src-height="411" data-src-width="619" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtvlead01-1363859057.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The marriage of social networking and television is nothing new, but Myriad recently launched Social TV, a white label solution which allows TV service providers to roll out their own custom social networking platform on your cable box. It complements services like Twitter, Facebook and Google+ by offering a more contextual way for viewers to interact with their friends while watching TV. Social TV provides an integrated HTML5 experience that's consistent across both television and companion devices (phones and tablets). Viewers can chose between receiving alerts on their TVs, mobile devices or both and can create show- or series-specific virtual communities that automatically expire when the program ends. The system is even mindful of time zones and time-shifts messages to prevent spoilers. More after the break.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="Gallery Image" height="425" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv03-1363859139.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="425" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv01-1363859136.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="425" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv04-1363859140.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="425" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv05-1363859141.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="425" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv02-1363859138.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="360" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv06.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="400" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/myriadsocialtv07.jpg" width="640" /> </div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-c1d8dfb8" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/c1d8dfb8/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=73077369&disablebranding=0&view_secret=73077369" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe>We talked with Myriad's Dave Weidner who fielded our questions and gave us a demo of the tech in action. TV service providers can brand and tweak the solution and companion apps to their liking and create content with social networking in mind. In return, Social TV can gather detailed user metrics that enable targeted advertising for additional revenue. The system combines two of Myriad's existing products, Alien Vue (an environment which runs Android apps on non-Android set-top boxes and TVs) and the company's social networking back end (already used by multiple mobile operators worldwide). We saw Social TV running on a Broadcom BCM97425C reference set-top box and Nexus 7 tablet, but it's designed to work with most cable boxes including older models already deployed in the field. Trials are expected to begin by the end of the year, but final pricing and availability will be up to the individual TV service providers. Don't forget to watch our hands-on video. </div></div>

Myriad Social TV brings social networking to your cable box (hands-on video)

The marriage of social networking and television is nothing new, but Myriad recently launched Social TV, a white label solution which allow...

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Xiaomi Box launches in a three-city trial on March 19th at a lower price

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="Xiaomi Box hands-on" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/engadget001es-1363402542.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">The Xiaomi Box has had an arduous road to travel before it could go on sale: Chinese regulations reportedly kept it in limbo until local broadcaster iCNTV stepped in this January to get the ball rolling once again. The end is in sight now that a limited trial is set to start on March 19th. Changsha, Hangzhou and Shanghai will get about 10,000 total units of the Android media hub, whose price is dropping from the originally chosen <span>¥399 ($64) to an extra-frugal </span><span>¥299 ($48)</span>. The price slash could well make the set-top box that much more alluring, especially when it's still poised to give both Android and iOS users some media sharing love. Could you please hurry up your release plans, Xiaomi?</div></div>

Xiaomi Box launches in a three-city trial on March 19th at a lower price

  The Xiaomi Box has had an arduous road to travel before it could go on sale: Chinese regulations reportedly kept it in limbo until local...

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