From: frank.kennedy@u2u.lonestar.org (Frank Kennedy) 
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: FCC Docket           9/15
Date: 4 Jan 93 22:32:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: USER-TO-USER PCBoard (214)492-6565 (USR DS v32bis)
Reply-To: frank.kennedy@u2u.lonestar.org (Frank Kennedy) 

   [ ...Continued From Previous Message ]

           regarding the discriminatory treatment of HSD owners.

               Another way in which the HSD owner is disadvantaged  is that

           the type of discounts regularly made available to cable

           subscribers wishing to view programs on more than one television

           set are not offered to HSD owners.  Instead, HSD owners are

           required to purchase additional decoders at full price and to pay

           full price for programming transmitted to each television set in

           one's home.9

              Many cable systems only charge a small monthly connection

           fee, typically no more than $4.00, for each additional television





           8. Footnote NRTC testimony and petitions filed with FCC

           9. An example of what additional television transmission costs an
           HSD owner: 1 television set equals 1 decoder
           module receiver at a cost of at least $818.00 dealer cost and
           $1,000.00 paid by consumer.  The average annual programming cost
           to the consumer for that 1 TV set is $629.00, bringing the total
           to $1,1,447.00.
               To use a second TV set, the consumer must pay the same amounts
           over again, for a grand total of $2,894.00.
           set in the subscriber's home.  A similar arrangement should be

           offered to HSD owners so that they also can have  the  benefit of

           using additional sets at a reasonable cost.

                CSC suggests that a low cost "slave" decoder be  developed

           that works with the homeowner's master VideoCipher decoder

           module.  The "slave" unit could only be activated with a master

           module that has a Video-Pal or MOM authorized  by  the customer's

           residential phone number, through the  Authorization  Center.  To

           minimize the likelihood of fraud, the same carrier current module

           would be able to identify to the homeowner's  master  module how

           many additional residential decoders were authorized by that

           phone line.


           V.   THE NEED FOR A STANDARD DECODER INTERFACE
                ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION


           A. A  Standard Decoder Interface is Essential

                The Notice suggests that the future for  programmers  is to

           choose from many video encryption technologies the one that suits

           their individual needs.  In addition,  the  Commission indicates,

           there will be an array of hardware distribution and software

           receiving equipment available for sale to the public.

                Yet the choices for programmers  in  encryption methodology,

           at one end, and for programmers and viewers (of cable; TVRO;

           wireless, etc.) regarding hardware at the other end, require the

           FCC to establish a standard decoder interface.  The standard

           interface is essential to protect consumers' investment in

           residential equipment and to minimize  the  inevitable disruption






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From: James.Pallack@wsyd.com (James Pallack)
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