2 edits | [CATV] Boston: I get 50% fewer HD channels but pay for all! Ok, I remember hearing that I was missing out on Science Channel HD and some other channel a few weeks ago, but I just checked the website, and found this (taken directly from rcn.com):
The following HD channels are not available in Arlington, Somerville or Boston multiple dwelling units (MDUs):
A&E HD
Animal Planet HD
Biography HD
CNN HD
Discovery Channel HD
FX HD
History Channel HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
Science Channel HD
The Learning Channel (TLC) HD
Travel Channel HD
So let me get this straight, I pay the EXACT SAME AMOUNT as everyone else in the Boston area, but am supposed to be ok with getting 50% LESS HD than everyone else? How is that fair?
Can someone from RCN PLEASE COMMENT on when those of us who (are apparently unfortunate enough to) live in MDUs in Boston will receive these HD channels....that we are already paying for, but not receiving?!? |
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| Re: [CATV] Boston I get 50% fewer HD channels but pay for all! I live in Boston too, but these channels are not being paid for, where do you see on your cable bill that they are being paid for? These channels come included in the basic package. And then the other ones come included in the digital tier. If you have the digital tier there is no additional charge for these channels. Where is the charge for the H.D. on your bill? |
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| said by nono :
I live in Boston too, but these channels are not being paid for, where do you see on your cable bill that they are being paid for? These channels come included in the basic package. And then the other ones come included in the digital tier. If you have the digital tier there is no additional charge for these channels. Where is the charge for the H.D. on your bill?
Read his message again. He's not complaining about paying extra. He's complaining that these channels were ADDED to the Boston area last week, everywhere except the Arlington/Somerville area. RCN has yet to put out a note as to exactly why (the rumor is that some equipment needs to be upgraded in those areas) or when they will become available in Arlington/Somerville.
That means he (and I) are paying the same amount for the Digital Tier and for my HD convertor as people elsewhere in the Boston area but we are getting less service, AND can't even find out what the story is. RCN's customer service seems to have no real information on this.
-Mike |
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| Ditto for me in Arlington, I'm also tired of waiting for aptiva 3.0 for the 30 second skip. However we have a choice, I believe all the channels are available with Comcast, eagerly awaiting Fios to be intalled in my apt complex. |
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| rcnman: Do you have an ETA on when this will be fixed? I want to stay with RCN (I've been loyal since moving to this part of Boston years ago) but I need to know they are working to fix this, so I'll get all the channels that i pay for! |
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boble88
join:2001-12-20
Somerville, MA | reply to moulder3
Re: [CATV] Boston: I get 50% fewer HD channels but pay for all! For those of us who live in Somerville and Arlington perhaps our HD-DVR & HD boxes should be billed at half price. This is very reasonable. 30 second skip works for me. I thought it would work for all program viewing then realized it only works for recorded and not live TV. |
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| reply to moulder3
So, no one from RCN seems to be able to give us a heads up on WHEN this will be remedied?
Customer Service knows nothing. There appears to be no way to reach anyone at RCN who knows anything.
Someone must know, as they managed to post the following on the page: »www.rcn.com/cabletv/lineups/deta···-DIGITAL :
(2) HDTV converter box required to receive HDTV service. The following HD channels are not available in Arlington, Somerville or Boston multiple dwelling units (MDUs):
etc... |
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 rcbrcbPremium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL | reply to moulder3
My guess would be that RCN is going to have to do what they are currently doing in Chicago to be able to deliver all those HD channels...A conversion to a FULL Digital system, bye bye Analog....I have seen a note on here from one of the RCN guys stating that their plans are that they are going to replicate the Chicago Model in their other markets, but no time table had yet been set. They are running behind in the conversion in Chicago and I guess a lot of it depends on whether they have the money or not...I't can't be a cheap project to change every node over to a full digital platform. |
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| reply to moulder3
I just got the monthly RCN Newsletter (I forget what it's called) and skimmed through it. On the second to last page it said "Coming in April" and listed all the HD channels we currently don't get (included in the first post).
I truly hope this timetable is correct. I love RCN, but can't go on paying this much when I can get a LOT more HD either through Comcrap (probably won't switch to them) or satellite. |
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| Yes, but the fine (very fine) print below says: "Not available in all areas"
I bet you that includes Arlington, Somerville, and MDU's.
Again, it would be nice if someone at RCN would give us a schedule.
-Mike
said by moulder3:I just got the monthly RCN Newsletter (I forget what it's called) and skimmed through it. On the second to last page it said "Coming in April" and listed all the HD channels we currently don't get (included in the first post). I truly hope this timetable is correct. I love RCN, but can't go on paying this much when I can get a LOT more HD either through Comcrap (probably won't switch to them) or satellite. |
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boble88
join:2001-12-20
Somerville, MA | reply to moulder3
Does anyone know when Somerville will get the latest HD channels? |
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| The RCN channel lineup ( »www.rcn.com/cabletv/lineups/deta···-DIGITAL ) still reads:
....
The following HD channels will be coming to Arlington, Somerville and Boston multiple dwelling units (MDUs) in the near future:....
It been like this for weeks now.
ANYONE have any idea when the "near future" is?
-Annoyed in Arlington at not being able to get an answer
said by boble88:Does anyone know when Somerville will get the latest HD channels? |
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| reply to moulder3
My apt complex here in Arlington is being wired for FIOS starting this coming monday, have to check their hd lineup. |
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 rcnmanJason NealisPremium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
kudos:10
1 edit | reply to Mike_Arl
Boston is the next market to launch the same initiative with regards to analog as Chicago did. As you can expect just like Chicago with the reclamation of the analog space we will be able to launch a lot of channels. I don't have an official schedule but I'm told this would start early July.
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| I don't think you read the posts. The problem is NOT that we want more channels. The problem is that the entire rest of the Boston area has recently (over a month ago now)gotten about 15 new HD channels, EXCEPT for the Arlington/Somerville area. The rumor is that this is due to some older equipment in this area that needs to be replaced. However, NO ONE from RCN seems to be able to give us a clear statement of what the problem is or when it will be fixed. Earlier in the month the rumor was that it would be in April. No sign of that happening now.
The concern is that when the REST of the Boston area starts getting even more channels we in these "deprived" areas will still be waiting with no explanation as to what is going on.
said by rcnman:Boston is the next market to launch the same initiative with regards to analog as Chicago did. As you can expect just like Chicago with the reclamation of the analog space we will be able to launch a lot of channels. I don't have an official schedule but I'm told this would start early July. |
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wbertramPremium
join:2005-08-19
Allentown, PA | reply to rcnman
said by rcnman:Boston is the next market to launch the same initiative with regards to analog as Chicago did. As you can expect just like Chicago with the reclamation of the analog space we will be able to launch a lot of channels. I don't have an official schedule but I'm told this would start early July. Hmmm, so at the apparent rate of 2 (or maybe 3) markets a year, it could be 2 to 3 years before all 6 markets receive a decent HD selection. Not very encouraging! I guess those markets where FIOS is not active will be the last to be upgraded. Sure makes DirecTV a much more attractive alternative to RCN. |
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rcnmanJason NealisPremium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
kudos:10 | reply to Mike_Arl
We must launch this initiative in order to deliver those HD channels to those areas that currently don't get them.
--
Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations |
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boble88
join:2001-12-20
Somerville, MA | Rcnman, when you say "reclaim analog space" how is this done? The reason I ask is this, if you eliminate the channels from 900 to 970 (does anyone know why these channels are needed) how many HD channels could take that space?
I am not going to sit here and say I want more HD channels or I'm going to another cable company. In a previous life I had Time Warner when they 1st came to Somerville (Comcast now has the rights) so if someone can proove to me that Comcast or Verizon are any better then RCN I might switch. But and I mean but, the price had better be lower. I have read the "Comcast" and "Verizon" forums here on DSL reports and not everything is perfect over there.
Back to the topic. I think the point some of us are trying to make is why are we paying 16 dollars a month for 15 channels (if the numbers are wrong sorry) and someone else is getting 30 channels for the same money. Is Market Basket in Somerville going to sell me a loaf of bread for 2 dollars and then sell two loaves to someone from Boston for the same price? Sorry Lil Hurricane if my analogy is not appreciated but I kept it clean. |
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| reply to rcnman
Again, I think you and I are talking about 2 different things. All I want to know is WHAT is different about the Arlington/Somerville area that allowed RCN to add 15 (or so) HD channels in March to Boston and all of the other towns around Arlington/Somerville that is stopping them from adding them in Arlington/Somerville (which ARE in the Boston area).
It seems that something SEPARATE from reclaiming space has to occur. That is what I am asking about. Otherwise I fear that come July, when RCN starts to add even more HD to the Boston area those of us ion Arlington/Somerville will still be "behind".
How about a SIMPLE answer as to what is different or at least a name of someone who knows!
Thanks.
-Mike
said by rcnman:We must launch this initiative in order to deliver those HD channels to those areas that currently don't get them. |
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ajburgh
join:2007-08-10
Greenville, SC | Most current cable companies are still sending out analog channels 1-99, plus a digital copy of it that your cable box is showing instead (the cable box just pretends they are on channels 1-99). These analog channels are what's shown when you hook up your TV directly to the cable.
They take up a lot of space, about 6 SD digital channels or 1-2 HD channels per analog channel. If they stop airing the digital copy like they did in Chicago recently there will be a lot more capacity to add additional channels. However, it also means you can no longer just hook up a regular TV directly to the cable and watch TV like that.
Big cable systems, like the one in Boston, are mostly made up of smaller cable systems that have been taken over in the past. Some of these parts may have a slightly smaller capacity than others. My guess is that Arlington/Somerville has a cable network with a slightly smaller capacity that does not allow them to add the additional HD channels right now. When they clear out all the analog channels there should be plenty of room to add those.
Of course, the only official answer would have to be given by Jason. This is just my understanding of it. |
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