Chris Lanier: Stop Ignoring Small OEMs, Microsoft
By Thomas Hawk |
February 3rd, 2006
Comments (8)
Well as I reported earlier based on my dinner with Microsoft’s Jim Allchin in order for Vista Media Center PCs to include CableCARD support they will need to be certified as a final OEM product. Central to this certification is what Allchin referred to at our dinner as a “protective path.” At that meeting Jim shared in the frustration of this requirement that is certainly CableLabs mandate and not Microsoft’s. At the meeting Jim pledged that Microsoft would fight clawing and scratching for smaller OEMs to get certified boxes but did suggest that the first CableCARD Vista PCs out would most likely come from the big guys.
Chris has more detail out on the process of getting a final OEM PC approved by CableLabs and as I suggested earlier it is quite an expensive process:
From Chris’ blog:
UDCP Testing Fees
Verification: $30,000
Practice Run: $20,000
Development Lab Use: $12,000/week or $2,500/day. Additional $1,500 per day for extended hrs (5-10 pm).
Digital Output and Recording Technology Review: $35,000Digital Certificate and DFAST Licensing Fees
Device Certificates for Host: $20,000 annually; plus $0.07 per certificate
DFAST Patent/Secrets (DFAST): $5,000
Chris says that Microsoft needs to be more responsive to their smaller OEMs. While I can certainly sympathize with smaller OEMs and can see Chris’ point, at the same time I do not think that it is as simple as that. I have been bitching at Microsoft for the last three years to give us premium HDTV content. I’m sure that no one would rather the most people possible have HDTV cheaply and easily on all PCs than Microsoft. They stand the most to gain by this. Unfortunately the content providers are not as eager for us all to get HDTV content on a PC which is generally much more open than a closed type of box like DirecTV’s HDTV TiVo or a set top box offered by the satellite and cable providers.
Bottom line is this. Hollywood does NOT want their HDTV content on your PC. Although Microsoft has convinced CableLabs at this point that Vista can in fact secure their content, this security is dependent on hardware as well and is why they feel they need a “protective path,” which includes a combination solution of both Vista software and hardware.
The ultimate fear is that someone will crack this software/hardware combo and the next thing you know high def copies of the Sopranos will be floating around BitTorrent. Do you know how much money is made selling Sopranos DVDs. DVDs represent the Holy Grail for Hollywood at the present time. They are already shaking in their boots over the non HDTV content that is floating around BitTorrent. Still though, many people don’t want to bother with BitTorrent because they don’t want to watch a crappy low res version of a great show on their computer. Give them an HD version though and this starts to eat into DVD sales.
As easy and convenient as it might be to blame Microsoft for this one, I do not. I blame Hollywood and CableLabs (really just an extension of Hollywood).
Now I’m not saying that Microsoft does not benefit economically from their DRM. They do. But I don’t think that is what is holding back the certification process. It would be nice to the cost to certify go down for smaller OEMs of course and to the extent that Microsoft can influence CableLabs on this I think this would be a good thing. Keep in mind though, this runs contrary to what Hollywood wants.
Another thing for smaller OEMs to keep in mind too is that CableCARD will not be the only path to HDTV on MCE. As Sean Alexander, from Microsoft, has previously blogged, DirecTV will at an unannounced time begin offering aftermarket HDTV support for Vista machines. Although this might not work for everyone (renters, those who can’t get a satellite signal, etc.) at least it is an option for some. If I were a small OEM I’d definitely be reminding people of the DirecTV concept. Personally, I hope we also see Echostar jump on this bandwagon as I think they have the strongest HDTV lineup at present after acquiring the licensing for some of Voom’s HD Content.
Chris says, “Microsoft needs to realize that they have over 130 PC manufacturers shelling out Media Center PCs and they can’t just give all the features and attention to the big 5.” I do think that Microsoft recognizes this and I do think that Allchin is sincere in his comment about wanting to help smaller OEMs through the process. But for my two cents I blame CableLabs on this one a heck of a lot more than Microsoft.
February 3rd, 2006 at 12:46 pm
That’s not entirely true. Having a “protective path” is also critical for HD-DVD and Blu-ray premium movie playback (not to mention AACS managed copy) on a Windows Vista PC. I’m thinking that Cablelabs wants to verify that their CableCARD technology will only be used in conjunction with a “locked down” PC, much like the rest of the Hollywood industry is. Except in this case, Cablelabs is charging OEMs for the privilege of using CableCARD by way of certification.
February 3rd, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Here’s the thing about CableLabs testing the PCs: All the hardware that is likely going to be used is standard hardware based on standard chipsets. It’s not “special” hardware. If true that CableLabs is going to test each OEMs PCs before CableCARDs are allowed, it’s a rather simple formula to create a certified box. If that formula works, why make anyone pay over $100,000 in testing fees when they (CableLabs) already know the outcome?
If it’s using PMP (as it should) you need Vista. Built in is Revocation and Renewal which provide the process of ensuring components are trustworthy. It supports Renewability and needs signed drivers to work correctly. None of this CableLabs would need to certify a machine for, it’s either there and it works or it isn’t and it doesn’t work.
I don’t put the blame on Microsoft for CableCARD Testing (however it ends up to turn out), but there are several others things they have done with the platform at limit smaller OEMs (Away Mode, Changers, etc). Several smaller OEMs have confirmed this point for me.
Even if Jim plans to help (define help? Pay for one would guess?) smaller OEMs here, if the set CableLabs fees stay the same for PCs and we pick say 40 OEMs out of the known 130. Microsoft helps pay 50% (made up figure) of the fee making it $75,000 per OEM and Microsoft picking up the other 3 million for those 40 smaller OEMs! In other words, no matter how they help (other than having CableLabs drop the fee), it’s still too much on both sides (I doubt Microsoft is throwing 3 million at this). Many smaller OEMs don’t have the funds to pay even $75,000, but they still want to provide their users with the technology.
Chris Lanier
February 3rd, 2006 at 1:51 pm
I find it interesting that you think PC components that have DRM built-in and communicate with a PC’s operating system to establish a secure/trustworthy connection is not “special” hardware :confused:
However, I agree with you 100% that if the OEMs can prove they are using “approved” PC components, say by Cablelabs guidelines, there’s no reason to force OEMs to pay for evaluation and certification on their systems — well, maybe a minimal amount for the CableCARD compatible seal on the box.
February 3rd, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Most of the “DRM” as you like to call it is really part of Vista’s Kernel from what I’ve been hearing. I’ve been trying to get some more information so we can get the information out to the users on what they really need.
I’m thinking that the most CableCARD might need is PCI Express for the graphics, and that’s assuming they want to encrypt the traffic over the bus.
Drivers and software cover most of the issues here. You’re thinking more about TPM, which is very different from PMP (PVP, etc) itself.
Chris
February 3rd, 2006 at 7:01 pm
We all appreciate your research into this matter, but I must say that it’s not beneficial to downplay the “protective path” aspect of the Intel Viiv/Windows Vista MCE platform when so many DIY HTPC builders are in the dark right now wondering if they will ever be able to build there own (probably sans CableCARD) Vista Media Center PC, besides small OEMs. Hence, the reason in my previous news post I asked the question openly to Microsoft Vista MCE developers: Will home builders be able to get trusted “Designed for Windows Vista” PC components off the shelf? Note that the request for “Designed for Windows Vista” PC components implies that the hardware is up to spec and will allow home builders to setup a secure system with either HD-DVD or Blu-ray drives for premium movie playback, AACS managed copy, protected video output, protected audio path, etc. (yes, I purposely left out all the buzz worthy acronyms out so as not to confuse readers
).
February 3rd, 2006 at 10:03 pm
If Microsoft has it the why they want it, AACS will approve Vista w/ PMP for playback of HD DVD/Blu-ray. It really shouldn’t need any special hardware (other than a video card that can actually decode the video). The only thing I can think that would be needed, is a PCI Express GPU. And that’s assuming they are going to encrypt it across the bus. I don’t think the CPU/Motherboard are going to make a whole lot of difference. I could be very wrong, but we will see.
At this point, there isn’t much that many Microsoft employees can say about these topics. If I find out anything, I’ll be sure to post it.
Chris
February 4th, 2006 at 9:17 am
I have a feeling that in 2-3 years what will happen is that companies like ATI and Hauppage will make CableCARD compatible tuner cards or reference designs that will be certified by CableLabs and OEMs will just bundle the cards into their PC’s.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
It seems like with the current DRM the content provider can decide if I can archive to DVD or stream to another device. I’m not sure if I want to invest too heavily in extenders only to find out some or all of my shows aren’t viewable on them. It seems like about all I’m semi-guaranteed is that I can record and playback on a single device within a short timeframe. I’m a big MCE fan but all this mess with protected path and certified computers has me thinking I might just go for a TiVo Series 3 when they come out. Whichever route it looks like I’ve got to put up with my crappy PVR from the cable company for at least another six months…