CableCard

CableCard is a spec/device that allows third party devices such as TVs and DVRs to access the digital content served by the cable companies without using a set-top box. Sounds good right? Or is it, a new 2-way CableCard spec is on the way that is physically incompatible with with current CableCards.

The orignal CableCard which is in use only supports accessing and decoding digtal content. It does not support 2-way services such as PPV, interactive program guides, season pass sports, or interactive/enhanced TV services (games, interactive news, etc.). This is were the new 2-way CableCard comes in. While it will support these features don't expect to see such devices until 2006.

To buy or not to buy that is the question. The advantage of third party over a provided set-top box is quality. The third party devices can have better decoders and image scalers to produce better pictures. The only thing I would miss is the program guide. A CacleCard DVR would probably use either the Tivo or Replay service so they would not need the 2-way version. It's the high cost of the new TVs, CableCard or not, that's keeping me from buying right now.

Zodiac

I've had my Zodiac1 pda for a couple of weeks. It's a PalmOS device with some nice gaming enhancments. The only game I've actually bought for it so far is Legacy, an old school D&D type game. I just added an SD card yesterday and moved my games and apps to it. Legacy was even able to use the two expansion packs I put on the card. This is usefull since the few games I have used up most of the Zs RAM, now I'm back to 15MB free. The other games are freejong, acid solitaire, stuntcar extreme, and demos of breakout and paintball.

Waiting for delivery

We've been happy DishNetwork customers for, hmmm, I guess it's been 3 or 4 years now. I just decided to get a Dish DVR. After reading some of the forums like AVS and DBSTalk I decided to go with a dvr508 receiver since it does not have the extra $5 a month charge. Wish I had known that before they were discontinued. Some can still be found online though, so now I'm waiting for it to arrive before I go away for thanksgiving.

Testing testing 1, 2, 3. Is this thing posting again?

Hey, I can post again. Granted I haven't tried in over a year. It's probably just as well that I haven't had anyting to say. I really need to see what changes have been made to blogger.com.

BLogger doesn't feel like updating my site. I've been trying for two days now. I wish it would provide more feedback on what the error was.