Pachter: Xbox One Subsidized by Cable Companies is “Absolutely Gonna Happen”, Coming Next Christmas
- Thread starter AdultInTheRoom
- Start date
the fact that the thing doesn't have an internal tuner card nor does it act as a dvr to record tv, what's the point?
You still have to pay for a separate box. Or are each cable provider going to provide a small tuner card instead of full box to plug into the xb1's hdmi in?
Now the xbox tv, if real, and if it has a retail price of $99-$149, now that would make more sense then the actual xbox.
You still have to pay for a separate box. Or are each cable provider going to provide a small tuner card instead of full box to plug into the xb1's hdmi in?
Now the xbox tv, if real, and if it has a retail price of $99-$149, now that would make more sense then the actual xbox.
Well the cable company could just write an app to do all that. Would save the cable company money in the long run, because then they can just install x1's instead of the whole cable setup.
the xbox one can be a dvr.......I think it isn't because of said cable companies.
Most definitely. Telus here in canada embraced the 360 and made it possible to make it a set-top box for their IPTV service, I expect something similar with the X1, but with an app that allows dvr with an external hdd.
same thing with phones, cheaper price point if you sign up with their provider.
They make loads of money leasing people DVR's, there is no money to "save" there.
If cable companies partner with MS it'll be because they think the XBO offers a superior product, and likely one that can be tied into long-term cable "contracts" IMO. Which is the same reason MS would be interested, it's the promise of contracts that allows for the "Low up front price" that is either hidden behind a paid out subsidy or long-term fee collection.
If you read the comments associated with the link above, you'd think that this is the worse idea ever. I have no doubt that both MS and the cable industry will find away to make this idea work. Like many things it won't be perfect first off, but neither was Xbox Live when it first came out. If this was in the works then it is a brilliant move for both industries.
I do not know about USA, buy Sky Germany requires you to have a register cable box, like Vodafone box, & you apply Sky to view on your cable box. The cable company also do not make money on their cable box as its sold to you either at a very low price, or 'rented' to you. They made money from your monthly subscription fees.
They will be more than happy if the xbox one can do what their box do, & just provide you the service via xbox one. Everyone wins.
For instant, I may have be interested in sky, but as I need to have a cable box, & pay monthly subscription on channels I am not interested in, I did not subscript. If I can watch sky directly, then I can considered. Also, if Vodafone sell me a package with xbox one for a good value, & I can watch direct from xbox, I may consider subscript. Just to give some examples.
They will be more than happy if the xbox one can do what their box do, & just provide you the service via xbox one. Everyone wins.
For instant, I may have be interested in sky, but as I need to have a cable box, & pay monthly subscription on channels I am not interested in, I did not subscript. If I can watch sky directly, then I can considered. Also, if Vodafone sell me a package with xbox one for a good value, & I can watch direct from xbox, I may consider subscript. Just to give some examples.
It's why they designed the SoC. They will put the X1 core into new DVR based boxes for cable companies. DVR's already have HDMI, Optical, Ethernet, USB and HDD (they do not need the BR as it will be Digital Distribution most likely via the cable company, if not all streamed to begin with) as part of the technology. I had said this long, long ago, well before E3.
This. Would work similar to how the Xfinity App works now but with the possibility of watching live like the ESPN app gives you.
If this happens, I'll probably try to fool the cable company into thinking I'm a new tenant to get a 2nd Xbox One for cheap. Current bill is under my wife's maiden name
They got into the console biz to make distribution deals with cable providers?
They got into game consoles because they foresaw a computer box in the living room being the centerpiece of delivering all computerized content to a display device (your TV) and they want to be the operating system standard of those devices.
They knew the desktop computer was moving from a desk to your living room probably within a decade from the year 2000 when they really got going with Xbox and they were right.
They're very obviously moving more towards that with each generation. They want to be your cable box, your PC, your digital life in a box under your TV that shares and interacts with all your mobile tablets, phones, your car etc.
The big hurdle is the cable companies. If they can set themselves up as THE box to deliver the goods for the cable companies they're set and their OS falls in line with mobile devices and they rule the world.
Xbox is their trojan horse so to speak.
I was being a little sarcastic there.
I have heard this line from the gaming media since Xbox was first announced, and actually with Sony's name too... This was in the late 90s, I believe. All about the set top box...Even the term Trojan Horse... like 12-15 years ago. Here we are, right?
The thing is, the term Trojan Horse insinuates a hidden offensive surprise in the guise of a gift. I actually think Microsoft's intentions are pretty clear by now. It is true that this wasn't clear to the gaming public at large back when Halo CE came out, but it IS clear that a lot of people don't seem to mind the other media features added through the 360. Not only that, but MS's entire marketing plan for Xbox One makes it completely transparent what it is. No surprises anymore. None. There are gamers who dislike them for this, but it's actually just them beating Sony to a game they have both been playing since at least the first Xbox, but likely both have planned well before that.
... that was the analyst side of my brain talking... and the gamer side says "who cares, as long as good games continue to get made?". When that stops, that could be a bad thing... but there is too much money to be made.
