HDTV

High-Definition Television

Gigi Sohn's Testimony before the House E&C Committee RE: Future of Video

June 26, 2012

President and CEO Gigi Sohn's oral testimony is available as a PDF here. The written testimony, available below, is also available as a PDF here.


 

Testimony of Gigi B. Sohn
President, Public Knowledge

Before the
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

Hearing On:
“The Future of Video”

Washington, DC
June 27, 2012

Let's Get the Future of TV Right

One of the benefits of the FCC's often-laborious process of rulemaking is that it allows new issues to be discovered and resolved. This is what has happened in the Commission's proceeding on a seemingly-arcane issue: "encryption of the basic tier."



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6581 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2130 [status] => 1 [created] => 1328526244 [changed] => 1328544184 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6643 [revision_uid] => 2130 [title] => Let's Get the Future of TV Right [teaser] =>

One of the benefits of the FCC's often-laborious process of rulemaking is that it allows new issues to be discovered and resolved. This is what has happened in the Commission's proceeding on a seemingly-arcane issue: "encryption of the basic tier."

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1328544184 [format] => 3 [name] => John Bergmayer [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2130.jpg [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/lets-get-future-tv-right [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1328198744 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [70] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 70 [vid] => 5 [name] => DTV [description] => Digital TV [weight] => 0 ) [186] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 186 [vid] => 5 [name] => DVR [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [131] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 131 [vid] => 5 [name] => Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) [64] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 64 [vid] => 5 [name] => Plug and Play [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [187] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 187 [vid] => 5 [name] => Set-top Box [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [306] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 306 [vid] => 5 [name] => Video Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 2 [day] => 2 [year] => 2012 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

One of the benefits of the FCC's often-laborious process of rulemaking is that it allows new issues to be discovered and resolved. This is what has happened in the Commission's proceeding on a seemingly-arcane issue: "encryption of the basic tier."

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

One of the benefits of the FCC's often-laborious process of rulemaking is that it allows new issues to be discovered and resolved. This is what has happened in the Commission's proceeding on a seemingly-arcane issue: "encryption of the basic tier."

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6581 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Let's Get the Future of TV Right. ) ) ) )

The Public Knowledge Interview: Set Top Boxes at CES

As you may have noticed, Public Knowledge spent some time at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. While we wandered the floor with the best of them, we also found time to talk with some of the people who are trying to bring Internet video to your TV.

Syabas (Popbox)



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 2863 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2258 [status] => 1 [created] => 1264016262 [changed] => 1264017494 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 3058 [revision_uid] => 2258 [title] => The Public Knowledge Interview: Set Top Boxes at CES [teaser] =>

As you may have noticed, Public Knowledge spent some time at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. While we wandered the floor with the best of them, we also found time to talk with some of the people who are trying to bring Internet video to your TV.

Syabas (Popbox)

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1264017494 [format] => 1 [name] => Michael Weinberg [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2258.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/public-knowledge-interview-set-top-boxes-ces [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1264016289 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [85] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 85 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [131] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 131 [vid] => 5 [name] => Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [62] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 62 [vid] => 5 [name] => Network Neutrality [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [64] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 64 [vid] => 5 [name] => Plug and Play [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [187] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 187 [vid] => 5 [name] => Set-top Box [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [183] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 183 [vid] => 5 [name] => TV Everywhere [description] => A proposal to make commercial video programming available on demand via fast lanes to the Internet [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

As you may have noticed, Public Knowledge spent some time at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. While we wandered the floor with the best of them, we also found time to talk with some of the people who are trying to bring Internet video to your TV.

Syabas (Popbox)

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

As you may have noticed, Public Knowledge spent some time at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. While we wandered the floor with the best of them, we also found time to talk with some of the people who are trying to bring Internet video to your TV.

Syabas (Popbox)

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/2863 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of The Public Knowledge Interview: Set Top Boxes at CES. ) ) ) )

Browsers vs. Widgets: The Battle to Bring Internet Video to Your TV

I spent a lot of time at CES talking to companies that are trying to bring Internet video to your TV. Looking back, two types of companies emerged: Browser companies and Widget companies.

Browsers vs. Widgets

Browser companies are companies who see no difference between accessing video on a traditional computer monitor and accessing it on a TV. As far as they are concerned, if you are using a computer to access content on the Internet it should not matter if you are watching it on a screen classified as a monitor or a screen classified as a TV (or, for that matter, how far away you are sitting from the screen). This allows Browser companies to make all the video on the web available to users.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 2850 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2258 [status] => 1 [created] => 1263489407 [changed] => 1263489707 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 3045 [revision_uid] => 2258 [title] => Browsers vs. Widgets: The Battle to Bring Internet Video to Your TV [teaser] =>

I spent a lot of time at CES talking to companies that are trying to bring Internet video to your TV. Looking back, two types of companies emerged: Browser companies and Widget companies.

Browsers vs. Widgets

Browser companies are companies who see no difference between accessing video on a traditional computer monitor and accessing it on a TV. As far as they are concerned, if you are using a computer to access content on the Internet it should not matter if you are watching it on a screen classified as a monitor or a screen classified as a TV (or, for that matter, how far away you are sitting from the screen). This allows Browser companies to make all the video on the web available to users.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1263489707 [format] => 4 [name] => Michael Weinberg [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2258.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/browsers-vs-widgets-battle-bring-internet-vid [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1263489707 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [85] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 85 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [54] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 54 [vid] => 5 [name] => Fair Use [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) [62] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 62 [vid] => 5 [name] => Network Neutrality [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [187] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 187 [vid] => 5 [name] => Set-top Box [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [183] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 183 [vid] => 5 [name] => TV Everywhere [description] => A proposal to make commercial video programming available on demand via fast lanes to the Internet [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

I spent a lot of time at CES talking to companies that are trying to bring Internet video to your TV. Looking back, two types of companies emerged: Browser companies and Widget companies.

Browsers vs. Widgets

Browser companies are companies who see no difference between accessing video on a traditional computer monitor and accessing it on a TV. As far as they are concerned, if you are using a computer to access content on the Internet it should not matter if you are watching it on a screen classified as a monitor or a screen classified as a TV (or, for that matter, how far away you are sitting from the screen). This allows Browser companies to make all the video on the web available to users.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

I spent a lot of time at CES talking to companies that are trying to bring Internet video to your TV. Looking back, two types of companies emerged: Browser companies and Widget companies.

Browsers vs. Widgets

Browser companies are companies who see no difference between accessing video on a traditional computer monitor and accessing it on a TV. As far as they are concerned, if you are using a computer to access content on the Internet it should not matter if you are watching it on a screen classified as a monitor or a screen classified as a TV (or, for that matter, how far away you are sitting from the screen). This allows Browser companies to make all the video on the web available to users.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/2850 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Browsers vs. Widgets: The Battle to Bring Internet Video to Your TV. ) ) ) )

Promoting Innovation in Video Devices

Public Knowledge has long argued that the market for "video devices"--things like set-top boxes and DVRs that you attach to your cable or satellite provider's network--is not as competitive as it should be. In fact, it's not as competitive as the law requires: back in the 1990s, Congress directed the FCC to adopt regulations promoting common standards of interoperability to make the market for these video devices as competitive as the market for other high-tech equipment. As a result of this lack of competition, consumers end up paying high prices for limited devices.

There are many reasons for this lack of competition.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 2822 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2130 [status] => 1 [created] => 1261149902 [changed] => 1261169655 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 3014 [revision_uid] => 2130 [title] => Promoting Innovation in Video Devices [teaser] =>

Public Knowledge has long argued that the market for "video devices"--things like set-top boxes and DVRs that you attach to your cable or satellite provider's network--is not as competitive as it should be. In fact, it's not as competitive as the law requires: back in the 1990s, Congress directed the FCC to adopt regulations promoting common standards of interoperability to make the market for these video devices as competitive as the market for other high-tech equipment. As a result of this lack of competition, consumers end up paying high prices for limited devices.

There are many reasons for this lack of competition.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1261169655 [format] => 4 [name] => John Bergmayer [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2130.jpg [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/promoting-innovation-video-devices [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1261425033 [last_comment_name] => spelzmann [comment_count] => 1 [taxonomy] => Array ( [85] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 85 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [186] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 186 [vid] => 5 [name] => DVR [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [131] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 131 [vid] => 5 [name] => Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) [192] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 192 [vid] => 5 [name] => National Broadband Plan [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [161] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 161 [vid] => 5 [name] => Regulatory Reform [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [187] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 187 [vid] => 5 [name] => Set-top Box [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Public Knowledge has long argued that the market for "video devices"--things like set-top boxes and DVRs that you attach to your cable or satellite provider's network--is not as competitive as it should be. In fact, it's not as competitive as the law requires: back in the 1990s, Congress directed the FCC to adopt regulations promoting common standards of interoperability to make the market for these video devices as competitive as the market for other high-tech equipment. As a result of this lack of competition, consumers end up paying high prices for limited devices.

There are many reasons for this lack of competition.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Public Knowledge has long argued that the market for "video devices"--things like set-top boxes and DVRs that you attach to your cable or satellite provider's network--is not as competitive as it should be. In fact, it's not as competitive as the law requires: back in the 1990s, Congress directed the FCC to adopt regulations promoting common standards of interoperability to make the market for these video devices as competitive as the market for other high-tech equipment. As a result of this lack of competition, consumers end up paying high prices for limited devices.

There are many reasons for this lack of competition.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/2822 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Promoting Innovation in Video Devices. ) ) ) )

MPAA: Still No Reason to Break TVs, DVD Copy Protection Does Not Stop Copying

As devotees of our hit video series Five Minutes with Harold Feld (or as the cool kids call it “5MWHF”) will no doubt recall, on the eve of Thanksgiving MPAA dropped a lengthy filing into the Selectable Output Control (SOC) docket. Among other things, it called Harold a liar. Harold immediately took five minutes to tell MPAA to chillax, and yesterday we filed our official response with the FCC. Although I urge you to read our full reply (I promise it is much shorter than the MPAA’s), if you are in a rush here is the short version. Our response basically made three points.

**Most of MPAA’s Filing is Unrelated to SOC.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 2811 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2258 [status] => 1 [created] => 1260548825 [changed] => 1260548825 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 3003 [revision_uid] => 2258 [title] => MPAA: Still No Reason to Break TVs, DVD Copy Protection Does Not Stop Copying [teaser] =>

As devotees of our hit video series Five Minutes with Harold Feld (or as the cool kids call it “5MWHF”) will no doubt recall, on the eve of Thanksgiving MPAA dropped a lengthy filing into the Selectable Output Control (SOC) docket. Among other things, it called Harold a liar. Harold immediately took five minutes to tell MPAA to chillax, and yesterday we filed our official response with the FCC. Although I urge you to read our full reply (I promise it is much shorter than the MPAA’s), if you are in a rush here is the short version. Our response basically made three points.

**Most of MPAA’s Filing is Unrelated to SOC.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1260548825 [format] => 4 [name] => Michael Weinberg [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2258.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/mpaa-still-no-reason-break-tvs-dvd-copy-prote [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1260548825 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [53] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 53 [vid] => 5 [name] => DRM [description] => Digital Rights Management [weight] => 0 ) [186] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 186 [vid] => 5 [name] => DVR [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [54] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 54 [vid] => 5 [name] => Fair Use [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [133] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 133 [vid] => 5 [name] => MPAA [description] => Motion Picture Association of America [weight] => 0 ) [182] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 182 [vid] => 5 [name] => MVPD [description] => multichannel video programming distributor [weight] => 0 ) [64] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 64 [vid] => 5 [name] => Plug and Play [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [187] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 187 [vid] => 5 [name] => Set-top Box [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [141] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 141 [vid] => 5 [name] => SOC [description] => Selectable Output Control [weight] => 0 ) [50] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 50 [vid] => 5 [name] => Analog Hole [description] => [weight] => 127 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

As devotees of our hit video series Five Minutes with Harold Feld (or as the cool kids call it “5MWHF”) will no doubt recall, on the eve of Thanksgiving MPAA dropped a lengthy filing into the Selectable Output Control (SOC) docket. Among other things, it called Harold a liar. Harold immediately took five minutes to tell MPAA to chillax, and yesterday we filed our official response with the FCC. Although I urge you to read our full reply (I promise it is much shorter than the MPAA’s), if you are in a rush here is the short version. Our response basically made three points.

**Most of MPAA’s Filing is Unrelated to SOC.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

As devotees of our hit video series Five Minutes with Harold Feld (or as the cool kids call it “5MWHF”) will no doubt recall, on the eve of Thanksgiving MPAA dropped a lengthy filing into the Selectable Output Control (SOC) docket. Among other things, it called Harold a liar. Harold immediately took five minutes to tell MPAA to chillax, and yesterday we filed our official response with the FCC. Although I urge you to read our full reply (I promise it is much shorter than the MPAA’s), if you are in a rush here is the short version. Our response basically made three points.

**Most of MPAA’s Filing is Unrelated to SOC.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/2811 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of MPAA: Still No Reason to Break TVs, DVD Copy Protection Does Not Stop Copying. ) ) ) )

Warner Brothers to FCC: When We Say SOC Is Necessary, We Mean Not Necessary

As the Selectable Output Control (SOC) battle continues here in Washington, Public Knowledge just sent a letter to the FCC pointing out that movie studios are doing some of the best work to show why SOC just doesn’t make sense.

As you may recall, the entire point of SOC is to allow movie studios to release movies via Video on Demand (VoD) prior to the DVD release. The MPAA claims that without SOC protection, the VoD releases (which, unlike DVDs, are not protected and therefore theoretically easier to copy) would immediately be used to make perfect copies available to pirates. These perfect copies would destroy the market for DVDs, and ultimately destroy Hollywood. SOC protection would allow studios to protect VoD distribution and therefore save Hollywood.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 2750 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2258 [status] => 1 [created] => 1257358166 [changed] => 1257358167 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 2930 [revision_uid] => 2258 [title] => Warner Brothers to FCC: When We Say SOC Is Necessary, We Mean Not Necessary [teaser] =>

As the Selectable Output Control (SOC) battle continues here in Washington, Public Knowledge just sent a letter to the FCC pointing out that movie studios are doing some of the best work to show why SOC just doesn’t make sense.

As you may recall, the entire point of SOC is to allow movie studios to release movies via Video on Demand (VoD) prior to the DVD release. The MPAA claims that without SOC protection, the VoD releases (which, unlike DVDs, are not protected and therefore theoretically easier to copy) would immediately be used to make perfect copies available to pirates. These perfect copies would destroy the market for DVDs, and ultimately destroy Hollywood. SOC protection would allow studios to protect VoD distribution and therefore save Hollywood.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1257358167 [format] => 4 [name] => Michael Weinberg [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2258.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/warner-brothers-fcc-when-we-say-soc-necessary [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1257358167 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [186] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 186 [vid] => 5 [name] => DVR [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [54] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 54 [vid] => 5 [name] => Fair Use [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [131] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 131 [vid] => 5 [name] => Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [64] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 64 [vid] => 5 [name] => Plug and Play [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [141] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 141 [vid] => 5 [name] => SOC [description] => Selectable Output Control [weight] => 0 ) [50] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 50 [vid] => 5 [name] => Analog Hole [description] => [weight] => 127 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

As the Selectable Output Control (SOC) battle continues here in Washington, Public Knowledge just sent a letter to the FCC pointing out that movie studios are doing some of the best work to show why SOC just doesn’t make sense.

As you may recall, the entire point of SOC is to allow movie studios to release movies via Video on Demand (VoD) prior to the DVD release. The MPAA claims that without SOC protection, the VoD releases (which, unlike DVDs, are not protected and therefore theoretically easier to copy) would immediately be used to make perfect copies available to pirates. These perfect copies would destroy the market for DVDs, and ultimately destroy Hollywood. SOC protection would allow studios to protect VoD distribution and therefore save Hollywood.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

As the Selectable Output Control (SOC) battle continues here in Washington, Public Knowledge just sent a letter to the FCC pointing out that movie studios are doing some of the best work to show why SOC just doesn’t make sense.

As you may recall, the entire point of SOC is to allow movie studios to release movies via Video on Demand (VoD) prior to the DVD release. The MPAA claims that without SOC protection, the VoD releases (which, unlike DVDs, are not protected and therefore theoretically easier to copy) would immediately be used to make perfect copies available to pirates. These perfect copies would destroy the market for DVDs, and ultimately destroy Hollywood. SOC protection would allow studios to protect VoD distribution and therefore save Hollywood.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/2750 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Warner Brothers to FCC: When We Say SOC Is Necessary, We Mean Not Necessary. ) ) ) )

Selectable Output Control: Why?!

You may remember that at the end of last year, the FCC declined to give a small group of Hollywood studios the ability to turn off the video inputs that over 20 million high definition televisions rely on. Almost a year later, the MPAA is back, threatening not make content available, responding to year-old arguments while trying to pretend 2009 never happened, and making a lot of noise without saying anything new. So we're back, too, with a letter detailing why the MPAA's petition to use Selectable Output Control (SOC) at worst imposes millions of dollars of costs on consumers and at best leaves us scratching our heads asking why the Commission would even consider it.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 2696 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 2372 [status] => 1 [created] => 1255624169 [changed] => 1255624548 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 2868 [revision_uid] => 2372 [title] => Selectable Output Control: Why?! [teaser] =>

You may remember that at the end of last year, the FCC declined to give a small group of Hollywood studios the ability to turn off the video inputs that over 20 million high definition televisions rely on. Almost a year later, the MPAA is back, threatening not make content available, responding to year-old arguments while trying to pretend 2009 never happened, and making a lot of noise without saying anything new. So we're back, too, with a letter detailing why the MPAA's petition to use Selectable Output Control (SOC) at worst imposes millions of dollars of costs on consumers and at best leaves us scratching our heads asking why the Commission would even consider it.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1255624548 [format] => 4 [name] => Jef Pearlman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-2372.png [data] => a:3:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";s:0:"";s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";} [path] => blog/selectable-output-control-why [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1256234428 [last_comment_name] => m [comment_count] => 1 [taxonomy] => Array ( [186] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 186 [vid] => 5 [name] => DVR [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [131] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 131 [vid] => 5 [name] => Innovation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [187] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 187 [vid] => 5 [name] => Set-top Box [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

You may remember that at the end of last year, the FCC declined to give a small group of Hollywood studios the ability to turn off the video inputs that over 20 million high definition televisions rely on. Almost a year later, the MPAA is back, threatening not make content available, responding to year-old arguments while trying to pretend 2009 never happened, and making a lot of noise without saying anything new. So we're back, too, with a letter detailing why the MPAA's petition to use Selectable Output Control (SOC) at worst imposes millions of dollars of costs on consumers and at best leaves us scratching our heads asking why the Commission would even consider it.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

You may remember that at the end of last year, the FCC declined to give a small group of Hollywood studios the ability to turn off the video inputs that over 20 million high definition televisions rely on. Almost a year later, the MPAA is back, threatening not make content available, responding to year-old arguments while trying to pretend 2009 never happened, and making a lot of noise without saying anything new. So we're back, too, with a letter detailing why the MPAA's petition to use Selectable Output Control (SOC) at worst imposes millions of dollars of costs on consumers and at best leaves us scratching our heads asking why the Commission would even consider it.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/2696 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Selectable Output Control: Why?!. ) ) ) )

CES Day 1: Sony's 7 Imperatives: Openness is Good, but Not Entirely

After an 18 hour sojourn to get to Las Vegas yesterday (thank you, US Airways), I settled down this morning to hear Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro's "State of the Industry" address as well as Sony Chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer's Keynote. Gary's address was particularly notable for its video opening, which included Gary embedded in a series of old movies - as Groucho Marx in "Duck Soup", as Dr. Frankenstein, as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," among others, thanks to a technology called Yoostar., which allows people to play characters in their favorite movies. Watch the video here.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1933 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 5 [status] => 1 [created] => 1231453865 [changed] => 1231469767 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 2070 [revision_uid] => 1 [title] => CES Day 1: Sony's 7 Imperatives: Openness is Good, but Not Entirely [teaser] =>

After an 18 hour sojourn to get to Las Vegas yesterday (thank you, US Airways), I settled down this morning to hear Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro's "State of the Industry" address as well as Sony Chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer's Keynote. Gary's address was particularly notable for its video opening, which included Gary embedded in a series of old movies - as Groucho Marx in "Duck Soup", as Dr. Frankenstein, as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," among others, thanks to a technology called Yoostar., which allows people to play characters in their favorite movies. Watch the video here.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1231469767 [format] => 4 [name] => Gigi Sohn [picture] => files/pictures/picture-5.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:10:"form_token";s:32:"4f4fa1f9b513275a92f59f2a51f592b2";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";s:0:"";s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";} [path] => blog/ces-day-1-sonys-7-imperatives-openness-good-n [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1231454265 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [70] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 70 [vid] => 5 [name] => DTV [description] => Digital TV [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [62] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 62 [vid] => 5 [name] => Network Neutrality [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

After an 18 hour sojourn to get to Las Vegas yesterday (thank you, US Airways), I settled down this morning to hear Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro's "State of the Industry" address as well as Sony Chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer's Keynote. Gary's address was particularly notable for its video opening, which included Gary embedded in a series of old movies - as Groucho Marx in "Duck Soup", as Dr. Frankenstein, as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," among others, thanks to a technology called Yoostar., which allows people to play characters in their favorite movies. Watch the video here.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

After an 18 hour sojourn to get to Las Vegas yesterday (thank you, US Airways), I settled down this morning to hear Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro's "State of the Industry" address as well as Sony Chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer's Keynote. Gary's address was particularly notable for its video opening, which included Gary embedded in a series of old movies - as Groucho Marx in "Duck Soup", as Dr. Frankenstein, as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," among others, thanks to a technology called Yoostar., which allows people to play characters in their favorite movies. Watch the video here.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/1933 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of CES Day 1: Sony's 7 Imperatives: Openness is Good, but Not Entirely. ) ) ) )

'Tis the Season for Transition Meetings

All one needs to do is go to the Presidential Transition website, Change.gov, to see how busy the various agency review teams and policy working groups have been getting the new administration ready to take over the reins of government on January 20. The agency review teams are busy talking to the current occupants of agencies like the Federal Communications Commission to determine what their current agendas are and how things can be improved in the future. The policy working are thinking only of the future and how to implement policies going forward in areas like the economy, health care and national security. And both types of teams are meeting with stakeholders to get their ideas on how the Administration should proceed.

Today, PK was a participant in two meetings organized by the Media and Democracy Coalition. Nearly 40 individuals representing two dozen public interest organizations and foundations attended.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1911 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 5 [status] => 1 [created] => 1229463289 [changed] => 1229467789 [comment] => 1 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 2048 [revision_uid] => 5 [title] => 'Tis the Season for Transition Meetings [teaser] =>

All one needs to do is go to the Presidential Transition website, Change.gov, to see how busy the various agency review teams and policy working groups have been getting the new administration ready to take over the reins of government on January 20. The agency review teams are busy talking to the current occupants of agencies like the Federal Communications Commission to determine what their current agendas are and how things can be improved in the future. The policy working are thinking only of the future and how to implement policies going forward in areas like the economy, health care and national security. And both types of teams are meeting with stakeholders to get their ideas on how the Administration should proceed.

Today, PK was a participant in two meetings organized by the Media and Democracy Coalition. Nearly 40 individuals representing two dozen public interest organizations and foundations attended.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1229467789 [format] => 4 [name] => Gigi Sohn [picture] => files/pictures/picture-5.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:10:"form_token";s:32:"4f4fa1f9b513275a92f59f2a51f592b2";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"picture_delete";s:0:"";s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";} [path] => blog/tis-season-transition-meetings [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1231435672 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 9 [taxonomy] => Array ( [85] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 85 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [53] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 53 [vid] => 5 [name] => DRM [description] => Digital Rights Management [weight] => 0 ) [70] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 70 [vid] => 5 [name] => DTV [description] => Digital TV [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [71] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 71 [vid] => 5 [name] => HDTV [description] => High-Definition Television [weight] => 0 ) [67] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 67 [vid] => 5 [name] => Internet Protocol [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [61] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 61 [vid] => 5 [name] => Municipal Wi-Fi [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [62] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 62 [vid] => 5 [name] => Network Neutrality [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [88] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 88 [vid] => 5 [name] => Spectrum Reform [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [91] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 91 [vid] => 5 [name] => White Space [description] => The empty spectrum between TV channels. [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

All one needs to do is go to the Presidential Transition website, Change.gov, to see how busy the various agency review teams and policy working groups have been getting the new administration ready to take over the reins of government on January 20. The agency review teams are busy talking to the current occupants of agencies like the Federal Communications Commission to determine what their current agendas are and how things can be improved in the future. The policy working are thinking only of the future and how to implement policies going forward in areas like the economy, health care and national security. And both types of teams are meeting with stakeholders to get their ideas on how the Administration should proceed.

Today, PK was a participant in two meetings organized by the Media and Democracy Coalition. Nearly 40 individuals representing two dozen public interest organizations and foundations attended.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

All one needs to do is go to the Presidential Transition website, Change.gov, to see how busy the various agency review teams and policy working groups have been getting the new administration ready to take over the reins of government on January 20. The agency review teams are busy talking to the current occupants of agencies like the Federal Communications Commission to determine what their current agendas are and how things can be improved in the future. The policy working are thinking only of the future and how to implement policies going forward in areas like the economy, health care and national security. And both types of teams are meeting with stakeholders to get their ideas on how the Administration should proceed.

Today, PK was a participant in two meetings organized by the Media and Democracy Coalition. Nearly 40 individuals representing two dozen public interest organizations and foundations attended.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/1911 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of 'Tis the Season for Transition Meetings. ) ) ) )