mjr
join:2003-09-18
Bethlehem, PA
| reply to tigrzeye
Re: RCN Chicago - QAM channels gone
Sorry your impression was incorrect. ATSC has to do with digital tv reception. QAM has nothing to do with it.
This is all very complicated. I think if you go back through the articles, with your current understanding, you may find it reads slightly differently. Also, I wouldn't assume people who write articles know all the intricate details of what they write about. (Nor should you assume I do... But of course, I know everything...  )
A cable card in a digital ready TV with a cable card slot will decode the encrypted signals. If your TV's don't have the cable card slots you'll probably be out of luck for everything but the locals. |
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tigrzeye
join:2007-07-18
Northampton, PA
| I assume you were answering my post mjr.
I have always thought that having a QAM tuner assured you access to digital signals after the Feb. 2009 deadline.
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_tuner
This mentions cable as one of the services that a QAM/digital tuner will work with.
On reading further on Cnet.com they specifically tie a QAM and ATSC digital tuner to "over the air" digital signals and state that for cable ... you must get an STB (set top box)
»reviews.cnet.com/4520-7608_7-1016109-3.html
So we/I am back to the original dilema of having 3 tv's that will go black when RCN goes all digital and encrypts the signal. And it looks like no matter what tv or tuner I get my only resolve is to have a seperate STB for each tv. (if I want to be able to display 3 seperate programs on them)
And RCNMAN the cost for that is going to be what???
Last I remember it was $5.00 per month per box and that does not get you HD just digital signals. An HD box is more. More charges on top of an already costly service.
Cable must be licking it's chops at the new revenue created by digital tv signals.
Don't get me wrong. The 3 tv's that I considered replacing with tv's with QAM tuner are all in my bar area. I don't use them on a regular basis, only for parties or friends over to view a game or race. I DO NOT get digital channel programming on them now, just basic cable. And I really didn't want anything more for the areas they are in than basic cable. But now am I forced to upgrade in features and equipment just to be able to see basic cable on them??
RCNMAN answers please -
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mjr
join:2003-09-18
Bethlehem, PA
| QAM is nowhere to be found on this page. QAM Does work with unencrypted cable (you know that.)
Everyone here seems to think Feb 2009 has something to do with cable. It really doesn't. That's the point I'm trying to make in thread after thread. I guess I'm not doing a very good job of it.
I'll say it again. QAM has nothing to do with Digital TV compliance as mandated by the FCC Feb 2009 deadline. This is the element of your post I was responding to.
Maybe you were misled by incorrect information, or you, like many many others misunderstood the information, but the FCC was never proposing QAM tuners to address the end of analog TV broadcasting. |
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tigrzeye
join:2007-07-18
Northampton, PA
| As you so eloquently point out I appear a bit dumb on this subject. Well maybe it is because it is a government mandate and an explanation there off. That usually confuses everything and leaves it open to interpretation.And yes YOU are correct nothing about the digital mandate set to happen on or before Feb. 2009 has to do with cable. Sorry to be so dumb!!
BUT.....
My point is cable is tv and I should be able to view as much, not in an encrypted format, as I was prior to the change over to digital. Basic cable channels should be available using a QAM tuner, »qamtuner.com/
Look I am not looking for anything free, or more than what I already have, but instead having a choice on how to receive digital tv without having to have multiple digital set top boxes all over the place and the cost that goes with them.
I just want a tv with a picture receiving basic cable channels by connecting a single cable to the wall. WHICH IS WHAT A QAM TUNER WAS DESIGNED TO DO. »qamtuner.com/
And I am not alone in my interpretation. I just had an acquaintance at dinner last night say the same thing. That he had read all you need is the QAM or digital tuner in a tv to continue getting cable without an STB. A coworker as well thought the same.
So I feel better that I am not the only dumb confused consumer!! |
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mjr
join:2003-09-18
Bethlehem, PA | Rent a cable card and you'll be all set. (You know that) |
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tigrzeye
join:2007-07-18
Northampton, PA
edit:
January 19th, @12:03PM
| Yes I know that, but how many currently available 20" - 37" inch tv's can you buy that accept cable cards? Not many! If any!
Having cable card capabilities on all tv's would be awesome and I would do that in the drop of a hat. But it isn't gonna happen. My Samsung 42" plasma purchased 2 years ago has a cable card slot, and since then cable card fitted tv's have all but dissappeared. QAM tuners were to be the heal all, for BASIC cable digital channels as well as over the air digital. So cable cards went by the wayside.
The only sets currently being sold with cable cards are high end sets generally 42" and larger. (If you know of any 20"-37" sets with cable card capabilities let me know, seriously!!)
Let RCN encrypt the non-basic digital channels, . but continue to provide BASIC cable channels (currently 2 - 97) in digital format, but not encrypted. We currently don't need an STB to view basic cable and really shouldn't need them going forward when there are tv's with the QAM tuner that can receive digital unencrypted cable channels/signals.
This ends my side of the discussion---
Thanks for your .... help. |
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nycityny
join:2005-08-09
New York, NY
 ·VoicePulse
·ViaTalk
·SUNROCKET
edit:
January 20th, @11:28PM
| reply to tigrzeye
tigrzeye - My understanding is:
The Feb 2009 changeover relates mostly to how people receive broadcast channels over the air (i.e., without cable or a satellite dish). After the changeover old non-QAM television sets will need a special converter box in order to receive over-the-air reception. Those receiving all of their channels from a cable company will not need this special converter box - they will continue to be subject to whatever rules are imposed by their cable company.
If you have a new QAM television then you will be able to get over-the-air channels in HD without a special converter box. Just hooking your home antenna to the television will give you HD broadcast channels (if available in your city). You will not receive any cable channels this way as you will be using an over-the-air antenna.
The federal government is providing $40 rebates through a coupon that can be ordered online for the purchase of the special converter box for broadcast reception on older televisions. |
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tigrzeye
join:2007-07-18
Northampton, PA
| okay I said I was done commenting .. fat chance lol
I understand the law and that it applies to over the air reception.
My gripe is that with a QAM tuner you supercede the need for a converter box currently to view digital channel offerings from RCN. You also can receive basic cable channels 2-97 with a standard analogue tv tuner just cabled to the wall.
If you have a QAM digital tuner in your tv, you should still be able to receive the BASIC CABLE channels 2-97 without the need of a converter box. The other digital channels that are currently only available at additional charge, keep them that way by encrypting them.
If you want to secure the system by encrypting everything to prevent cable theft (I don't argue with this, theft is theft, not good) then provide the boxes needed for the honest, paying patrons FREE. I totally agree with CHITOWN1839.
Another thought...the main reason I have not looked at satellite tv is because every tv would require a seperate receiver. That difference is now soon to be gone. My boss and a co-worker both have had DirectTV for a couple years now and are getting many more HD channels than I am. Another has DishTV. That is 50% in my little circle of workers that do not have cable tv any longer.
This new procedure may backfire on RCN in the long haul!! |
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cdr1000
join:2004-02-18
11111 | reply to tigrzeye
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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tigrzeye
join:2007-07-18
Northampton, PA
edit:
January 31st, @08:18PM
| 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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