cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
10100
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to awbishop
Re: [CATV] RCN Chicago - QAM channels gone
»www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto···Id=10151
Model Number: VGP-ANK1
VAIO® Digital TV Tuner
Watch and record television on your PC with this convenient TV tuner accessory.
Beware of XXXXX
»forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthr···?t=28084 |
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cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
10100 | reply to tigrzeye
Re: RCN Chicago - QAM channels gone
Just a few LCD TV sets with CableCard slot
Sharp LC-37D7U
Sharp LC-32D4U
Toshiba 32HL95
SHARP LC26D5U
Philips 32PF7320A
LG 37LP1D
LG 26LX1D
JVC LT-32X776
JVC LT-37X688 |
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cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
10100
·RCN CABLE
| reply to awbishop
Re: [CATV] RCN Chicago - QAM channels gone
Inteset Serves Quad CableCARD Quad-Core Systems for the MCX Platform
Inteset, LLC has announced that its Denzel DTCD30-Si Media Server now supports four (4) internal CableCARD tuners. In addition, units sold with this configuration contain an Intel® Quad-Core processor needed to support simultaneous usage of the tuners.
»www.inteset.com/company/press/Ne···0-07.htm |
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tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA
1 edit | reply to cdr1000
Re: RCN Chicago - QAM channels gone
cdr1000
Thanks for the list but several seem to be discontinued. None appear available at CircuitCity or BestBuy (atleast by a quick google search)or other normal retail outlets. CNet reviews are good to pretty good, not outstanding.
Doesn't matter .. I don't need a tv with a QAM tuner or cable card slot anymore I went a different route already!!
But thanks for the time to make a list. |
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JimF
join:2003-06-15
Allentown, PA
1 edit | reply to Eddie K
Re: [CATV] RCN Chicago - QAM channels gone
It will save me money. The only reason I get the extended service is so that I can record the QAM channels on my PC. I can drop back to basic service if they are encrypted, and use the money to buy DVDs. But RCN can charge anything they like. I am always surprised that some people are surprised that companies charge money for their services.
EDIT: The problem has been solved almost before it appeared. I really only watch and record the History Channel, Discovery Channel and the Travel Channel, along with some PBS. They are mostly available on Netflix for less than I am paying now. |
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switchintodish
@kentlaw.edu
| reply to Eddie K
What a bunch of bologna.
It's widely accepted among industry experts that cable operators are not and should not be permitted to redistribute OTA HD channels with encryption. See this article by endgadgetHD: »www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/23/th···digital/
While RCN claims that it can legally encrypt the OTA channels pursuant to an FCC regulation, the FCC regulation is in itself ambiguous and does not explicitly permit encryption. Of course, RCN maintains that it is in compliance so long as it distributes the local stations in standard definition.
I don't know what kind of monkeys are working in the backoffice legal department at RCN, but what's clear is that RCN is using unscrupulous tactics to squeeze an extra $20/mo from their subscribers for otherwise free OTA HD stations under a veal of "going all digital." This transition will be quite unpleasant for most of RCN's subscribers, or should I say, soon-to-be former subscribers.
Dish Network, here I come! |
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djdanska
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-21
Glen Ellyn, IL
clubs:
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·T-Mobile US
 ·A + Net
·Mediacom
·RCN CABLE
1 edit | said by switchintodish :
but what's clear is that RCN is using unscrupulous tactics to squeeze an extra $20/mo from their subscribers for otherwise free OTA HD stations under a veal of "going all digital." Then you have people like me who use my computer as a tv. I have an hd dvr but still can't watch hd programming on my pc/tv tuner. All the cable boxes in the world isn't going to help me. Now i have to buy a good ota antenna just to get some of my hd feeds back. I can't afford to buy a hdtv. My 20 inch widescreen was doing perfectly fine until they messed with the qam channels.
side note, is there 64 bit firewire drivers for the motorola boxes that work on vista? doubtful but i wanted to ask just incase someone knew. |
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JimF
join:2003-06-15
Allentown, PA
| reply to switchintodish
said by switchintodish :It's widely accepted among industry experts that cable operators are not and should not be permitted to redistribute OTA HD channels with encryption. See this article by endgadgetHD: » www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/23/th···digital/ As Jason noted above, they will be providing the locals without encryption while they clarify this with the FCC. I expect that the FCC will tell them they must continue to be provided in the clear. But the article you cite says nothing about encryption anyway. |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL | reply to Eddie K
JimF,
They are only providing the SD Version of locals in the clear...The HD Versions remain encrypted...Total BS as far as I am concerned....... |
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retired25
@covad.net
| So today all the channels are gone except a few local QAM channels  I can imagine paying for boxes for my two tivos, and tv's located in guest bedrooms. I am glad the antenna on the roof is working great. Good Luck RCN! |
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cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
10100
·RCN CABLE
| reply to djdanska
ATI TV Wonder™ Digital Cable Tuner
»ati.amd.com/products/tvwonderdig···dex.html
Dell XPS 410 with ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner
»www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2102514,00.asp
Sony sells VAIO® Digital TV Tuner
»www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/sto···65246461 |
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JimF
join:2003-06-15
Allentown, PA | You then have to buy the whole PC to get the tuner. You might as well just lease RCN's set top box. The cure is worse than the disease. |
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XYZ
@rcn.com
| reply to Eddie K
Since QAM channels are gone here in Chicago I was wondering about Cable Cards (CC).
Basically, I only have expanded cable(No HD/Digital). If I get a CC for my TV's CC slot would I be able to see the non premium Digital and HD channels, without having to upgrade to another tier?
Thanks in advance |
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mjr
Premium
join:2003-09-18
Bethlehem, PA
| A cable card should allow you to see everything you've subscribed to. It should definitely give you the expanded cable channels. I would think it would give you the basic hd ones too, but only if they're included with your expanded basic cable package.. |
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cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
10100 | reply to XYZ
They use to charge $1.50 per month per card and $14.95 for the installation.
Assuming that there will be no installation issues, you should be able to watch all channels that you are paying for in "digital" and HDTV formats. |
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XYZ
@rcn.com
| reply to mjr
Thanks for the help.
I got an HD antenna to get all the OTA channels. I had no Idea the channels look so perfect. My wife thought we got the HD channels back from RCN but it was just OTA. The only annoyance was to find that spot on my apartment where I would pick up all the channels.
--- angry rant below about RCN, feel free to not read below this point --
I think it what RCN is doing is ridiculous by blocking the free chanels. Now my Antena channels look better than my crappy cable. I mostly watch local channels and I think that a special Tier for digital channels are just armed robbery. I'm already paying for the channels so I should be able to get them in the best format possible. RCN wants the average user to believe that they need the converter box because their TV are incapable of processing Digital/HD channels, when in reality RCN is just blocking the channels (EVEN the free OTA ones!) so you rent the digital box.I will be cancelling my cable on Monday. |
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mjr
Premium
join:2003-09-18
Bethlehem, PA
| Yeah, I still have a high-gain UHF antenna in my attic pointed towards philly. (Imported from europe... at the time higher gain than anything available in the US) At the time I installed it, very few cable companies carried any HD. My TV didn't have a tuner, and some years later, when my off-air tuner box died, I decided to rent RCN's HD box instead of shelling out $400+ for another OTA tuner. OTA is still the highest quality HD you can get. When you get it, it's great, but reception of OTA signals is pretty highly dependent on where you live, and can get complicated with multipath, adjacent interference, and stations located in different directions...
Anyway, I believe RCN is in the wrong with the encryption of the local HD's. I suspect (hopefully shortly), their legal team, working with the FCC will realize, and put the locals back in the clear. Certainly you can expect all the other HD stuff to stay encrypted, though.
- Mike |
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cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
10100
·RCN CABLE
| reply to XYZ
Step 1:
Go to AntennaWeb.org
Type your zip code
See a list of OTA channels
Step 2:
Go to
»www.hdtvantennalabs.com/index.php
»antennasystems.com
and select a good antenna
Or read more at
»www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-···nna.html |
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XYZ
@rcn.com | Thanks for the links, they were pretty helpful. I was wondering myself about HDTV antennas vs regular antennas and which antennas out there are the best.
Thanks again. |
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goodbye_rcn
@level3.net
1 edit | reply to Eddie K
So, I get back from my vacation on Friday, and I find ALL of the HD QAM channels gone.
By Saturday, I have restored my clear-QAM HD channels via Comcast. Yes, it was that quick.
Good day! |
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