Cisco Systems is nearing the rollout of a new IP-capable video client device for service providers, according to recent documents filed at the FCC and additional details supplied by the company.
The FCC documents (hat tip: Dave Zatz of the ZatzNotFunny blog) include test information, the model number (ITV7908), but not much in the way of product capabilities.
A Cisco spokeswoman said the model is an set-top/IP client that supports MoCA 2.0 for high-speed IP video and data distribution over the home coax network and 802.11ac WiFi connectivity. She also confirmed that the new model is outfitted with the Reference Design Kit (RDK), the preintegrated software stack for IP-capable video devices that’s being managed by Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Liberty Global.
Cisco said it demonstrated the new device for customers at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and at The Cable Show in April.
Trials are underway with “several MSOs,” and at least one deployment with a “major MSO” is expected by late 2014, the spokeswoman said.
It’s possible that the new device could work in tandem with a new class of gateway that can deliver native IP video or convert QAM video into IP video streams before shuttling them along over the home network to tablets, smartphones, PCs, set-tops and other IP-connected devices.
