Come July 1st, cable companies will no longer be able to ship cable boxes with built-in security. Motorola and Scientific Atlanta are ramping up production of CableCard boxes to meet the deadline.

Motorola has already begun shipping some boxes with HDTV tuners and PVR functionality.

The FCC rule doesn't require CableCard specifically, but that's the only technology currently available that meets the standards set by the FCC. Motorola and Scientific Atlanta are both working on boxes that use downloadable software for their security, but neither company will have a finished product available until next year at the earliest.

The upshot for PVR users who don't want to buy a new box from either company? Maybe the cable installation guy who comes to help configure your TiVo Series3 will finally know what to do with a CableCard soon.

[via Connected Home 2 Go]