Multi-stream Capability for “Plug and Play” Devices
Press/Media Contact:
Mike Schwartz, CableLabs, 858 Coal Creek Circle, Louisville, CO 80027-9750, 303.661.9100
Louisville, Colorado, November 13, 2006—Working in conjunction with various technology providers, CableLabs® has opened a streamlined process under which retail “Plug and Play” devices can receive multiple streams of programming from new multi-stream CableCARD™s (or M-Card™s). The CableLabs effort was supported by TiVo, Motorola, Digeo, Solekai, Digital Keystone, and ViXS.

The M-Card interface will allow multiple digital video streams to be decrypted simultaneously, even on unidirectional devices. Thus, a cable subscriber using an M-Card-enabled “Plug and Play” device can view one cable channel, while recording another. It is expected that DVR type devices will be the first to make use of the new multi-stream interface.

CableLabs has published new testing procedures to verify M-Card compatibility. In order to speed the availability of M-Cards for “Plug and Play” devices, CableLabs will begin offering verification testing of the multi-stream interface beginning with CableLabs Certification Wave 49 in January 2007. After initial verification, manufacturers may self-verify that their M-Card-enabled devices are compliant.

“Through the OpenCable™ testing and specification drafting process, CableLabs is uniquely able to bring the cable and consumer electronics industries together to produce innovative retail products,” said Richard R. Green, President and CEO of CableLabs. “Working cooperatively, our industries can delivery a better product for our mutual customers,” he added.

Founded in 1988 by members of the cable television industry, Cable Television Laboratories is a non-profit research and development consortium that is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and to helping its cable operator members integrate those advancements into their business objectives. Cable operators from around the world are members. CableLabs maintains web sites at www.cablelabs.com; www.packetcable.com; www.cablemodem.com; www.cablenet.org; and www.opencable.com.

CableCARD™, CableHome®, CableLabs®, CableNET®, CablePC™, DCAS™, DOCSIS®, Go2BroadbandSM, M-Card™, OpenCable™, PacketCable™, and tru2way™ are marks of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.