Story Author: Mike Maroulis, mmarouli@iun.edu
Publish Date: November 2004
Source Publication: TechBuzz Report

Do you remember the days before digital cable? The days where there were only 30-40 channels available and you needed a cable box for HBO. Well those days are far behind us. Soon the question will be, “Do you remember when we only had 100 channels and basic digital cable?” Those days are soon going to be over.

Comcast customers in NW Indiana are considered to be in the Chicago Market. Currently Comcast offers HDTV service to this area and plans to offer Voice Over IP service, Video On Demand (VOD) with HBO, and DVR service.

Currently High-Speed Internet service is being upgraded, allowing even faster speeds than before, and soon Digital Cable subscribers will have Video On Demand (VOD) and Digital Video Recorder (DVR) services.

Comcast’s Video on Demand service should be available in our area late this year or early 2005. This service allows you, if you subscribe to Digital Cable to select from hundreds of movies and other programs using your existing Comcast Digital Cable box. You can rewind, fast forward and pause programs, and access selections for up to 24 hours from the time of ordering, so you can watch programs at any time that is convenient for you.

In a phone interview with Pat Keenan, Comcast Vice President for Communications for the Chicago market, I was informed that many cable channels including HBO East, Cartoon Network, Noggin, Speed, and The Golf Channel will be available on VOD without any additional charge. “60% of the programming on VOD will be at no additional charge, 40% will have a pay-per-use fee.”

Using Video On Demand is easy, you will choose programming, just like you would set a reminder, instead of hitting remind however, you would choose the VOD option. You control it just like a VCR with the “Play”, “Stop” “FF”, and “Rew” that are located on your Digital Cable remote.

You may be wondering how this service works. If you have ever watched video on your computer, then you will have an easier understanding of this. What happens is, when a show or channel has been designated for VOD service, that show is saved to a massive server. When you decide to watch one of these shows, the video is sent from the server to your cable box.

In addition to the VOD service, DVR service will also be coming to our area. DVR or Digital Video Recorder is much like TiVo® but uses a digital cable box from Comcast. Comcast also plans to start issuing dual-tuner DVR boxes from Motorola when available, allowing you to digitally record one show while watching another.

Comcast's DVR service is available Digital Cable customers and, unlike many other DVR services, there is no upfront equipment charge. One of the best things about having any type of DVR service is that you are not held hostage by the network’s lineup. You can record what you want and watch it when it is convenient for you.

Think of this, when the finale of FOX’s American Idol was on (if you like American Idol 3, if not, then whatever your favorite show is) anyway, back to the point, imagine watching the show for almost two hours, right before Seacrest is ready to announce Diana or Fantasia the winner, the phone rings, you look at the Caller ID, and it is a call you have to take. Instead of missing Fantasia crowned the 2004 American Idol, you press the pause button on your remote, take the call, and the press play and see Fantasia win and perform. If you wanted to, you could press the “Instant Replay” button and watch Fantasia’s reaction over and over again. This also works well when you are watching, an awards show and someone trips on the stairs going to the stage. This ladies and gentlemen is DVR.

DVR service allows you to create your own TV lineup with shows available whenever you want to watch them. With your DVR/Digital Cable box, you can record and watch 30-50* hours of regular programs.

Using this service is easy. Just highlight a program in the on-screen program guide and press "record", just like setting a reminder. The program is saved directly on the DVR. And Comcast's DVR service does not require a phone line for programming updates and menus, unlike TiVo®.

You might be wondering why you would need DVR service when you have a VCR. Well, for starters, VCR’s require you to load a tape and set a timer. Problem with this is the simple fact that if you want to record multiple shows while you are not home on different digital channels, it is virtually impossible. This service allows you to record as many shows as you want and on as many different channels. Also a great benefit is not worrying if you are going to run out of tape. You may also be wondering if you can take programs from the DVR and put them on tape. The answer to this is yes. As long as you have an output from your DVR/Digital Cable box into your VCR it should not be a problem.

As far as equipment goes, I have been told that if you have Digital Cable now, the current box should work fine for VOD service (Motorola / General Instruments DCT 1000 or 2000). If you opt to get DVR service you will need a new Digital Cable box (Motorola DCT 5000/6000 series). If you do decide to get DVR service it is recommended that you get the Motorola DCT 6412 box if available.

Motorola DCT 2000	Motorola DCT 5/6000 Series

The reason that I recommend this box is that it will be powered by Microsoft’s TV Foundation Edition 1.7 Software. Comcast and Microsoft have an agreement to offer Microsoft’s Software to 5 million subscribers.

The following is a Comcast press release;

"We're very impressed with the Microsoft software platform and its ability to enhance and promote video on demand, as well as its capability to launch other interactive services," said Steve Burke, president of Comcast Cable. "We're excited about working closely with Microsoft to jointly define the digital TV experiences of the future and to continue bringing innovative services to our cable customers." As consumers demand more-advanced digital TV services, including digital video recorders (DVRs), video on demand (VOD) and high-definition television (HDTV), cable companies are looking for software platforms such as Microsoft TV Foundation Edition that continue to provide significant competitive advantages in the marketplace. Foundation Edition is designed to work across a range of set-top boxes, from the tens of millions of set-tops that multiple service operators (MSOs) have in place today to the ongoing deployment of advanced set-tops that enable new services, including dual-tuner DVR, VOD, HDTV, games and more. The software, among the first to support the dual-tuner DVR and HDTV capabilities in Motorola's new DCT 6412 set-top, also helps viewers more easily use these services with an innovative, built-in interactive programming guide (IPG). "Comcast continues to lead the industry in innovation and in the delivery of exciting services that bring new value to its subscribers," said Moshe Lichtman, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV Division. "Comcast's significant commitment to Microsoft TV Foundation is a very powerful stamp of approval. It is another sign that the industry wants cost-effective, scalable software platforms like Microsoft TV to deliver the services consumers want today as well as the future services that have yet to be invented."

Full price lists are not currently available. Another note, customers in parts of Illinois have Digital Phone service. Digital Phone will not be offered in Indiana in anticipation of Voice Over IP service in 2005.

Some parts of the Chicago Metro area, especially the Schaumburg area may already have some or all of these services. The city of Chicago will receive these services last in deployment.

In other news from the folks at Comcast, Comcast owned channel G4, a channel devoted to video gaming has merged with Vulcan Programming Inc. owned TechTV (formerly ZDTV). The new channel G4TechTV premiered on Comcast Digital Cable and DirecTV on May 28, 2004. The headquarters of the new channel is in Los Angeles and is available to 44 million subscribers nationwide. "We are confident that G4TechTV will offer value to the many affiliates; advertisers; content partners; and viewers of both G4 and TechTV," said Charles Hirschhorn, CEO of the merged network. "The combined programming lineup will let viewers continue to enjoy their favorite shows while, at the same time, introducing them to new programming. Additionally, we have begun to develop new, exciting original programming that will premiere later this year." In addition to G4TechTV, Comcast owns channels such as E!, Style, and Comcast Sports Network.

If you are interested in these services, the best thing to do is call Comcast at (888) COMCAST or visit http://www.comcast.com