You seems to have a great amount of knowledge on a lot of the technologies that all play with each other recarding HD, Analog, Digital, mpeg 4, multistream, bidirectional support etc... and you have a good way of describing things, so I wanted to ask you some questions that I know I'd benefit from... and maybe some others 
Feel free to correct me or expand on any point.
Dish Network starts rolling out mpeg4 on February 1st. I think DirecTV has already started. The way I understand it is that mpeg4 will eventually replace mpeg2 for both SD and HD signals.
From what I know, one of the goals of mpeg4 is to reduce bandwidth requirements... but also from what I know, some current DVRs and equipment aren't compatible. DirecTivo will not be compatible.
If I had a Series 2 hooked up to my new mpeg4 compatible Dish Network box, would I be able to see mpeg4 content and/or record it? I know Series 2 isn't HD compatible, but what about mpeg4 SD compatible? If I had to guess, I'd say "No", but I'm really not sure. (My guess would be based on current CODECs in the Series 2).
Originally I thought maybe the answer is "Yes" because if it's just coming in as a video signal, what prevents Series 2 from seeing it... but the TiVo is actually always slightly buffering and ready to record at the touch of the pause button... so that made me lean towards no.
Whatever the answer, can you explain why?
Okay, so moving on to the Series 3. I did read that it would be able to play mpeg4. Would it also be able to record it? I ask because some of the things I read weren't clear, and it could just be a matter of how the articles were worded. If I had to guess, I'd say "Yes" (the codecs will be in place) -- Considering the big move to mpeg4 I figure TiVo planned well
-- but clarify that if you will.
And onto CC 2.0...
Multistream format is what allows one line coming into you box, but the ability for the box to split the signal. In other words, it allows one cablecard to support two (or more) tuners.
Bidirectional data allows incoming and outgoing information, as required by something like PPV. HBO though, is only one way (incoming) and is unidirectional.
The Cablecard 2.0 spec provides for decryption of the incoming signal to the box/TV, but it is up to the BOX to decode the stream (like mpeg4) through it's own codecs.
Now this is where I think I get lost (or more lost if I've been way wrong in anything above)...
Multistream is supported by cablecard 2.0 spec.
Bi-Directional data flow is supported by the cablecard 2.0 spec BUT the host box must also be able to understand and interact with the incoming data -- and a standard hasn't been agreed upon yet for the format of that incoming data.
Do I have all that right? There's a lot of conflicting information around about mpeg4 and more so about CC2.0, so I kinda hope you'd help out with some clarification. I feel as though I'm on the right track and understand the basics, but I wanted to be sure.
Thanks!
Feel free to correct me or expand on any point.
Dish Network starts rolling out mpeg4 on February 1st. I think DirecTV has already started. The way I understand it is that mpeg4 will eventually replace mpeg2 for both SD and HD signals.
From what I know, one of the goals of mpeg4 is to reduce bandwidth requirements... but also from what I know, some current DVRs and equipment aren't compatible. DirecTivo will not be compatible.
If I had a Series 2 hooked up to my new mpeg4 compatible Dish Network box, would I be able to see mpeg4 content and/or record it? I know Series 2 isn't HD compatible, but what about mpeg4 SD compatible? If I had to guess, I'd say "No", but I'm really not sure. (My guess would be based on current CODECs in the Series 2).
Originally I thought maybe the answer is "Yes" because if it's just coming in as a video signal, what prevents Series 2 from seeing it... but the TiVo is actually always slightly buffering and ready to record at the touch of the pause button... so that made me lean towards no.
Whatever the answer, can you explain why?
Okay, so moving on to the Series 3. I did read that it would be able to play mpeg4. Would it also be able to record it? I ask because some of the things I read weren't clear, and it could just be a matter of how the articles were worded. If I had to guess, I'd say "Yes" (the codecs will be in place) -- Considering the big move to mpeg4 I figure TiVo planned well
And onto CC 2.0...
Multistream format is what allows one line coming into you box, but the ability for the box to split the signal. In other words, it allows one cablecard to support two (or more) tuners.
Bidirectional data allows incoming and outgoing information, as required by something like PPV. HBO though, is only one way (incoming) and is unidirectional.
The Cablecard 2.0 spec provides for decryption of the incoming signal to the box/TV, but it is up to the BOX to decode the stream (like mpeg4) through it's own codecs.
Now this is where I think I get lost (or more lost if I've been way wrong in anything above)...
Multistream is supported by cablecard 2.0 spec.
Bi-Directional data flow is supported by the cablecard 2.0 spec BUT the host box must also be able to understand and interact with the incoming data -- and a standard hasn't been agreed upon yet for the format of that incoming data.
Do I have all that right? There's a lot of conflicting information around about mpeg4 and more so about CC2.0, so I kinda hope you'd help out with some clarification. I feel as though I'm on the right track and understand the basics, but I wanted to be sure.
Thanks!