FCC’s AllVid Specification To Disrupt The Set-Top Box Business

Submitted by agautam on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 2:29pm

June 18, 2010

FCC is taking aim at set-top boxes again after a failed attempt at CableCARD. The proposed gateway or adapter is named “AllVid” and FCC has pronounced it to bridge the gap between broadband connected devices and Telco networks, satellite-TV operator, multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPD) providing a common way to access those services. In April, FCC opened a notice of inquiry (NOI) on AllVid – which should be capable of delivering as many as six different IP video streams to TVs, DVRs and other equipment in the home and wants to offer the equipment to consumers by December 31, 2012. FCC's full NOI can be found here: (hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-60A1.pdf). A research report has pointed out that a ban on the set-top boxes will affect more than 40 million set-top boxes shipment and 4.7 billion worth of sales annually The Concept The AllVid product requires two things: an inexpensive set-back adapter that can be leased by service providers , a sort of a go-between device and a gateway product that will open the gates (no pun intended) for innovation in the consumer electronics industry. The gateway configuration should provide at least six simultaneous video streams and be able to support picture in picture (PIP) in three different rooms according to FCC. Under this requirement, AT&T’s current streaming service for U-verse may fail to meet the criteria. FCC is hoping that AllVid will create a more competitive market space for set-top boxes and is seeking comments on how this can be done as stated in the NOI. The FCC has suggested IP and 100 Mbps Ethernet as the communications protocol and physical-layer interface for AllVid. But, it also wants to hear opinions if MoCA or other networking technologies can serve as a link between AllVid adapters and the navigation devices. For encryption and authentication, FCC has proposed that AllVid devices use the Digital Transmission Copy Protection over IP (DTCP-IP). DTCP-IP is used by Digital Living Networking Alliance (DLNA) standard and approved by cableLabs. FCC’s goal is to have a national interoperability standard just like the Ethernet and IEEE 802.11 have for broadband networks. The FCC commission stated “The AllVid concept would follow the broadband approach.” “It will place the network specific functions such as conditional access, provisioning, reception and decoding of the signal in one small inexpensive, operator-provided adapter.” This means AllVid will handle the tuning and security functions and leave the gateway device to do-navigation, search and interactive program guides. According to one analyst, “The general trend will be that value-adding functions will move from the MPEG decoder to the broadband gateway or to servers on the cloud”. Major set-top box vendors affected by the proposed rule will include Motorola, Cisco, EchoStar, Humax and Samsung. The cost of an AllVid compliant gateway device has not been determined at this time. References: www.multichannel.com/article/451984-FCC_AllVid_Rule_Would_Ban_The_Set_Top_As_We_Know_It_Analyst.php www.lightreading.com/document.asp

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