anon1
@comcast.net | reply to s4v8
Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston?
Paul, Im sure this is concerning only tv's you have rented a HD box on. "A wide array of HD channels are FREE with no additional channel fees." |
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billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802
| RCN QAM was in the clear for their extended basic channels and their associated HD channels, but not any HD channels on digital vision. They knew what was encrypted and what wasn't encrypted. To say that it was stealing is ridiculous in my opinion. Now if I canceled and they never disconnected, and I still watched, that would be stealing. But to say that as a paying customer, plugging in a cable to my TV and auto programming the stations is stealing, that's crazy. RCN has never accused anyone of stealing in this manner to the best of my knowledge. It's really no different than plugging in an analog TV set and tuning the analog channels these days.
Just about every other cable company in the nation does not encrypt any of the local broadcasts, either in HD or SD, allowing them to be tuned with a simple QAM tuner. This includes the "screw you every which way possible" big cable companies. Most do encrypt the non broadcast QAM channels.
I really can't see the light in RCN's decision. The analog crush does give them a competitive advantage over other cable companies by freeing up space for more HD and such. So that makes sense. I think Verizon is handling it better by giving 3 free DCT700's per subscriber, whereas I haven't even seen anything official mailed to me from RCN regarding the forthcoming analog crush.
But if the QAM encryption only affected a negligible amount of subscribers, how much revenue do they plan to gain? |
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boble88
join:2001-12-20
Somerville, MA
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to s4v8
Sorry for the "It's stealing" comment. Yes I can read and Lil I do not feel insulted (will take more than a comment to do that). RCN along with Comcast, Verizon, Direct TV, Dish, Time Warner etc etc. all charge for HD reception. If not a separate charge then one that is built into the "digital tier".
Based on the services I receive from RCN and what my monthly bill is including taxes, has anyone here priced what Comcast or Verizon charges for the exact same? Verizon is not in Somerville, Comcast is. I did price out what I would pay Verizon if I lived in their service area and what I would pay Comcast for the same services in my city. If either one charged less I would not be discussing this with you today, I would be in a Comcast or Verizon forum talking about how bad they suck.
I hope that RCN stays in business and can continue to compete with the "Big Boys" if not, my cable bill will be outrageous and I will have to drop some of the services I receive today.
That said, where are my new "HD channels" in Somerville? Plus, RCN I am begging you to go back to the software you used before the "Great Crash" for the VOD functions etc etc. |
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boble88
join:2001-12-20
Somerville, MA
·RCN CABLE
| reply to s4v8
Although I do detest the "Cable Companies", I feel as if I must come to RCNs' aid in this QAM tuner matter. This info is copied and pasted directly from the RCN web site under HD FAQs.
What is the difference between HD-ready and HD-capable televisions?
HD-ready television sets have the HD decoder (converter box) built in, while HD-capable sets do not have the converter box built into the unit. Currently, customers with HD-ready or HD-capable sets will still need to rent a converter box from RCN. |
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mrbigk
join:2004-01-22
Natick, MA
| Just to make things easier for people. RCN origionally had the hd tier, (you payed extra) in Boston, I think only the local stations were in the clear unencrypted, ESPN & NESN was encrypted, they got rid of the hd tier, ESPN & NESN came unencrypted. They added hd stations after that and the ones that were digital vision were encrypted and the ones that were not, ie had a counterpart on expanded basic cable were not. People defending RCN should remember that RCN started providing additional channels "in the clear" around 5ish, maybe more years ago. And if people want to complain about them changing what they provide to their customers, customers should feel free to express their displeasure about what RCN is changing. Just like how some people praised RCN for allowing more clear cam than the other providers in their town (with the switch for me, Verizon and Comcast at least offer all the TV stations sd and hd in the clear, where RCN now will not)
RCN could of mitigated some of the customer anger like Verizon did by providing 3 free "digital adapters", which I believe are the DCT 700 boxes for their current subscribers. But RCN isn't doing that either so if people want to complain, I think this forum is a good place for people to air whatever their concerns are, whether its technical related or changes in company policy. |
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tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA
| reply to s4v8
I have 5 telephones in my house and use RCN .. will they be charging separately for each phone soon? If you network your computers and modem, will they charge for each computer you access the internet with??
PS ....I hate to think that I just gave RCN a new avenue of charges with this post. SO RCN PLEASE COVER YOUR EYES !!!  |
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boble88
join:2001-12-20
Somerville, MA
·RCN CABLE
| reply to s4v8
Does Comcast charge for HD? Copied and pasted from their web site.
HD programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS is available in selected areas. Comparative claims based upon areas where HDTV from Comcast is available. To receive HD features and benefits an HD television (not provided), HD box and remote control are required. Advertised channels/stations generally provide a mix of HD and non-HD programming. HD programming is limited to the programming provided to Comcast in HDTV format by the programming provider. Programming and charges subject to change. Basic service subscription is required to receive HDTV and premium HDTV channel requires subscription to underlying premium channel. Call Comcast for details and restrictions. Installation fees may vary.
All this for $8.99 per month
Comcast is saying an HD cable box is required to receive HD signals. |
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billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802
| said by boble88  :Does Comcast charge for HD? Copied and pasted from their web site. HD programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS is available in selected areas. Comparative claims based upon areas where HDTV from Comcast is available. To receive HD features and benefits an HD television (not provided), HD box and remote control are required. Advertised channels/stations generally provide a mix of HD and non-HD programming. HD programming is limited to the programming provided to Comcast in HDTV format by the programming provider. Programming and charges subject to change. Basic service subscription is required to receive HDTV and premium HDTV channel requires subscription to underlying premium channel. Call Comcast for details and restrictions. Installation fees may vary. All this for $8.99 per month Comcast is saying an HD cable box is required to receive HD signals. RCN should have a similarly priced package for basic cable (locals & PEG) and will likely rent you a HD STB to get the local HD. It may not be on the website but you should be able to contact customer service to get it. I believe a limited basic tier such as this is mandated by the FCC.
Almost all of them say that an HD STB is required. This is mostly to let customers know that the standard STB will not provide HD. The majority of cable companies do have local SD & HD broadcasts unencrypted so that they can be tuned with a QAM tuner. Verizon is the only one I've seen actually state that in their website. (It's in the FAQ) |
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mrbigk
join:2004-01-22
Natick, MA
| said by billymac :Almost all of them say that an HD STB is required. This is mostly to let customers know that the standard STB will not provide HD. The majority of cable companies do have local SD & HD broadcasts unencrypted so that they can be tuned with a QAM tuner. Verizon is the only one I've seen actually state that in their website. (It's in the FAQ) And that comcast section is incomplete because Digital Cable Ready TV's can also take cablecards. ie a box isn't necessarily required.
Out of the 3 options for providers in my area, RCN by far is the best option for those wishing to use a cablecard. |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | reply to boble88
>>Does Comcast charge for HD?
At least in Somerville, if you have an HDTV with a QAM tuner, you can still tune in HD (such as the major networks) without a box (assuming you have their 70 channel service). |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
1 edit | Well, I took the plunge today... maybe the first person in Mass to cry uncle and get boxes for my TVs that no longer get HD signals from RCN.
After calling the new 781 number for Analog Crush which actually connects you to Chicago, I was told I could have the first conventional box free, additional ones for $2.95 a month, and have them mailed to me (since I have no boxes currently). I was told that HD boxes had to be installed with a serviceperson at a cost of $49, and were $9.95. I was invited to go to Arlington to pick up both, if I wanted.
I went to Arlington with the intention to get one free box (Motorola DCT700) for one of my analog TVs (just to have, since it is free but not yet needed), and to get one HD box for $9.95 a month. The woman at the desk said I wasn't entitled to that "offer" as my town (Somerville) was not yet converting. I indicated I had just spoken to Chicago, and that there should be no issue at all because I would have been sent the (low end) box free. With not much more back and forth, she agreed to give me the box free, and an HD box for $9.95. Hint: ask for an HDMI HD box. Most do NOT have that type of connection. I wound up with a brand new unit.
Once I connected the boxes, I had to call RCN to send a renewed signal to the boxes, then wait 15 minutes to disconnect the power, and then reconnect. Fine. Done.
Now for the surprise (which is probably no surprise to anyone who already has both a cable box and an HDTV). I connected the box to the HDTV with a coaxial cable... and only got a shrunken 16x9 picture. However, if I made the connection from the HD cable box (Moto DCH3200)to the TV via an HDMI cable or component video cable, the picture did display fully in real HD. Who knew that apparently you cannot use a coaxial cable and get HD? I could get HD with my QAM TV before RCN scambled the HD signal... why not now?
On top of it, despite being told by the Chicago person that I would get about 40 HD channels... it is more like 15. And despite Discovery HD and two HDNET channels being on the 4/08 channel lineup chart... those are not available.
Almost done. I *hate* channel surfing with a box. It is so slow, and best I can tell, you cannot delete unused stations, so you have to know how to jump to the next series of actually available channels.
Lastly, on the analog TV where I put the low-end box, channel changing is also slow, and a one second freeze frame of the channel you are switching to comes on before the motion begins. Very annoying.
Grrrr. Very unhappy RCN customer here. (Formerly a very happy RCN customer.)
Oh... and to add insult to injury... I did a channel scan just before I connected the boxes... and amazingly many of the SD and HD channels had returned (after being pulled over the last few weeks).
Double GRRRR.
Edgar |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
 ·DIRECTV
·RCN CABLE
 ·T-Mobile VoIP
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·T-Mobile US
1 edit | Dworsky...Hzve you received a notice form RCN that your area has been converted to the new Full Digital Platform? If not, thats why youre not getting all the new HD channels. They have to do each node, so its not like they just flip a switch and everyone is converted. They are 6 months into the process here in Chicago and still have a large part of the network to complete.
In order to get an HD signal from an HD Receiver, you can either use a 5 Strand Composite cable or HDMI. Coax will NEVER work...... |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
| >>Hzve you received a notice form RCN that your area has been converted to the new Full Digital Platform? If not, thats why youre not getting all the new HD channels
RCBRCB... No, I didn't get a notice, but lost my HD stations, so need to get a box to have them restored.
As I noted, I am sure that box owners know that a coax wouldn't work... but I didn't know as someone who has not had a box in recent years. |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
·DIRECTV
·RCN CABLE
·T-Mobile VoIP
·AT&T U-Verse
·T-Mobile US
| Two different things...The first step is to encrypt the HD QAM Channels over the entire system, they then begin the Digtal Conversion of each node individually. About a month before yoru node is converted you will get a mailer with instructions on what to do. That is why the lady at the RCN office didnt want to give you the new pricing, they have not yet set a date for your nodes conversion. YOu will only get a the new HD channels once your node has been converted. |
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Paul_Brookline
@harvard.edu
| reply to dworsky
said by dworsky :After calling the new 781 number for Analog Crush which actually connects you to Chicago, I was told I could have the first conventional box free, additional ones for $2.95 a month, and have them mailed to me (since I have no boxes currently). I was told that HD boxes had to be installed with a serviceperson at a cost of $49, and were $9.95. I was invited to go to Arlington to pick up both, if I wanted. Edgar -
Where did you find the 781 number? Everything but the area code was deleted on the RCN message posted on the forum.
Are they really providing an HD box for 9.95/month? I was quoted $12.95, with no discount available in several frustrating conversations with RCN customer "service", who told me that:
- Boston is not being converted, nothing has changed.
- Digital channels were never available in the clear.
- There must be something wrong with my TV
- RCN is not encrypting HD channels.
- The FCC is forcing all cable operators to encrypt all channels.
It was clear that the customer "service" reps (including the "supervisor" had not the faintest clue about basic aspects of the service sold by their company. To them, terms such as "encryption", "digital", "analog", QAM or "tuner" are just meaningless sounds. The tech support people are no better. I try not to get too frustrated with them, but it doesn't say anything good about RCN's management or employee training.
I'm considering buying a Tivo HD, just to avoid paying for the !@#$ box rental, but I'm worried that they'll implement SDV and I'll be left with another crippled piece of electronics. |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
·DIRECTV
·RCN CABLE
·T-Mobile VoIP
·AT&T U-Verse
·T-Mobile US
1 edit | Paul, Those are all typical answers from RCN. The # for Boston can be found here:
»www.rcn.com/digital/index.php
The good news is that RCN conversion to digital does nto include plans for SDV! Even if they decide at a later date to insert SDV, the Dongle from TiVo to allow their HD TiVos to work with SDV is in Beta Testing now and will be out sometime in Q4 2008....I made the switch when they converted here in Chicago and couldnt be happier with the TiVo products.....and I only have to pay RCN 4.50 per month total for the 3 CableCards I needed for the three HD TiVos I have........ |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
2 edits | reply to Paul_Brookline
Paul,
Someone has already posted the number for you. You will notice that that site has been updated with Massachusetts info (previously that was for Chicago only).
I too was thinking about getting an HD Tivo box and then only renting a cablecard for $1.50 from RCN. But I don't want to pay Tivo monthly fee. Apparently you can use their unit as a mere cable box, but the dvr function is completely gone. |
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nycityny
Premium
join:2005-08-09
New York, NY
·PHONE POWER
·VoicePulse
·RCN CABLE
·ViaTalk
| said by dworsky :I too was thinking about getting an HD Tivo box and then only renting a cablecard for $1.50 from RCN. But I don't want to pay Tivo monthly fee. Yes, the monthly fee can be much. You can, however, prepay 3 years for $299 which amounts to $8.31/month. With the cablecard of $1.50/month you end up paying less than $10/month (plus the cost of the TIVO itself) for a high quality HD DVR with better functionality and reliability than a cable box. I have used TIVO for about 3 years and have never lost a recording. I have heard of several folks with cable losing all their recordings on firmware updates or reboots. |
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Mike_Lippert
@rcn.com
| reply to Paul_Brookline
Paul,
I found this forum when I searched to find out why my clear QAM channels in Waltham, MA disappeared about a week ago.
This is the 1st I'm hearing about "Analog Crush" and if it means what I think it means, I'm pretty annoyed.
I've liked RCN as an alternative to Comcast and Verizon and it was things such as having those clear QAM signals that improved my opinion, and made me decide to sign a 2 year contract with them this past November.
However when I signed the contract I was very clear that I didn't care about the digital box they were giving me (I haven't ever used it, although I plugged it in), and that I must continue to be able to hook my cable signal directly to my 3 DVRs (2 HD panasonics and 1 DVD recorder) and 3 TV's and use their tuners.
I bought the DVD-recorder specifically because it had an ATSC tuner that also supported clear QAM, and so I might have been willing get more clear QAM tuners (one of my TV's already has a QAM tuner).
However if they remove the analog signals and encrypt the QAM signals so I can no longer directly record the channels I watch most often (SciFi, USA, Disney, and the networks) I think I'll have to consider that RCN has broken our contract, and see if I can get better service from someone else.
I have been getting a lot of flyers in the mail for Verizon FIOS.
Anyway I haven't yet received any notice from RCN that I'm going to lose my analog signal. Their ads on TV (the couple I haven't skipped over) only imply that you'll need their box for a digital signal, not that the analog signal is going away.
Mike |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
| >>Their ads on TV (the couple I haven't skipped over) only imply that you'll need their box for a digital signal, not that the analog signal is going away.
Mike,
The analog signals *are* going away on RCN here, and it is going to be a very expensive proposition for you to hook up HD boxes (if you want HD). Their transition is supposed be complete by January 2009.
Edgar |
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