Answering Argelius: the box will be available stand-alone, like all Tivo boxes (DirecTivos are a hybrid product). Because cable operators are required to provide CableCARDs on request, you will be able to get one of these boxes and then request cards from your operator. The article's point is that the cable companies are not supportive of the CableCARD system because (a) it costs them money (you pay less, per month, for a card than for a box) and (b) it essentially forces them to help their competitors (i.e. the producers of alternate boxes). The seperate fact that they don't like Tivo is related to the whole DVR system of politics.
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Answering Argelius: the box will be available stand-alone, like all Tivo boxes (DirecTivos are a hybrid product). Because cable operators are required to provide CableCARDs on request, you will be able to get one of these boxes and then request cards from your operator. The article's point is that the cable companies are not supportive of the CableCARD system because (a) it costs them money (you pay less, per month, for a card than for a box) and (b) it essentially forces them to help their competitors (i.e. the producers of alternate boxes). The seperate fact that they don't like Tivo is related to the whole DVR system of politics.