THE CABLE SHOW – WASHINGTON DC. America’s largest cable gathering is but a few hours old, but already some patterns are beginning to emerge. In particular a focus on home networking led by companies including Macrovision that has announced the availability of multiroom DVR (digital video recorder) that wil be capable of carrying its Passport Echo 3.5 and i-Guide A28 interactive program guides (IPGs).
The Macrovision products will be carried on Motorola’s MoCA enabled set top boxes that will allow recorded DVR content to be viewed on a subscriber’s home network. “The game is rapidly changing in the world of digital home entertainment. Consumers now want access to all the content available on the TV that is right in front of them wherever they are in their home,” commented Corey Ferengul, executive vice president of product management and marketing at Macrovision.
Typically three HD programmes could be played over a network while another two are recorded. The technology is being supported by the interactive standard tru2way supported by the US cable industry under the auspices of CableLabs. “Motorola’s tru2way technology is a key enabling component of media mobility as demand for new, broadband-connected devices in and around the home grows,” said Larry Robinson vice president, product management with Motorola’s Home and Networks Mobility business.
Already adopted by industry giant Time Warner, US cablenets are looking towards the new services to differentiate their businesses.
