First they came for the TiVos…
The (unofficial) TiVoBlog has a snippet from an e-mail exchange between a Time Warner cable customer and a cable rep. Here’s what the rep said (emphasis added)
Time Warner Cable of Raleigh does not provide support for or allow TIVO devices on our cable network. Time Warner Cable provides DVR service and equipment for customers that would like to record programs and watch them later. Cable Cards will only be installed on Cable ready, Cable Card slot available television sets. This policy is subject to change at the discretion of Time Warner Cable of Raleigh.
I’ve been predicting this for a while. The cable companies have a powerful incentive to delay and obstruct any alternatives to their set-top boxes. If they can do thi with a TiVo Series 3, what’s to stop them from blocking a CableCARD-enabled Media Center PC when those are available next year?
Do the FCC rules that REQUIRE cable companies provide cable cards allow them to choose what devices to provide them too? I thought the whole reason of cable labs certification was to ensure universal functioning. I have a feeling this kind of delay will work for a while, then hopefully the FCC will smack them down.
http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2006/08/04/time-warner-cable-will-support-the-series-3-tivo-apologizes-for-providing-misinformation/
Seems it was a frontline tech mistake as it was assumed.