Cable's solution to this is middleware software originally called OpenCable Application Platform ( OCAP) and more recently renamed to simply: OpenCable.

ENGADGET: Time Warner Cable deploys 150k OpenCable STBs, aka CableCARD 2.0

The cable companies believe this is essential and will fulfill the FCC's intentions for OpenCable.

ENGADGET: CableCARD 2.0: What's the hold up? HD

OpenCable, as this initiative is called, is supposed to help the cable industry avoid two dangers.

ECONOMIST: Television and the Internet

Teaming up with Cablevision was a calculated move for Sony, as it awaits the OpenCable specs.

FORBES: A cozy duopoly

Yet, unlike cable, there hasn?t been a successful movement to give the consumers the kind of flexibility which OpenCable has the potential to do.

ENGADGET: blogger-avatar

This is an important milestone for big cable, as they want to prove the viability of the OpenCable platform to the FCC.

ENGADGET: Time Warner Cable deploys 150k OpenCable STBs, aka CableCARD 2.0

OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) would allow the cable company to download the same software to every CableCARD 2.0 host device regardless of the manufacturer.

ENGADGET: CableCARD 2.0: What's the hold up? HD