Rickz0rz
join:2003-08-26
New Baltimore, MI
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·Comcast
| reply to fuziwuzi
Re: Comcast Analog Migration
I half agree. [Incoming long post].
Some markets required a box for all transmissions above regular basic (this was mentioned in another topic around here). Others, like mine, don't. I guess the only thing they do is put a trap in the line to filter out stuff you don't subscribe to. I've never had to deal with that personally, but if I'm wrong someone feel free to correct me. Nonetheless, all the wiring is underground here with the green cable access boxes in the backyard. Comcast (or their contractors) are really wreckless around here and do not close the boxes up when they're done... thus allowing people like the neighbors behind me to steal cable. This is about when my signal strength severely deteriorated. What happens when I call Comcast to complain? Nothing. For 6 months. At that point, I got angry and felt that any loses Comcast was having to cable theft was it's own problem, especially since my neighbors showed off their setup to others. They could cry foul on signal piracy, but they surely don't take analog signal theft seriously... at least, around here.
So when I see situations like this come up, it kinda makes me feel like how DRM works. It won't stop cable theft (something will come to break it--it always seems to happen one way or another)... and it definitely makes things harder/more expensive for the honest customer. Is it a deterrent? Yeah, maybe. But for someone like me, it's just not worth it. When people I know are talking about how they will switch to U-verse, satellite, or simply download shows because they don't want the hassle of shelling out more money for more boxes? They get confused when their 'HDTV ready' branded TVs suddenly require another box from cable company. It's just.. cumbersome.
[/stopping before i go way off topic.] |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to JohnInSJ
said by JohnInSJ  :I believe that money saving device is called "Dish-TV" When the analogs go dark for me, Comcast loses a customer. Unless they make them clear QAM. We should check to see if hell freezes over as well... I am ok with it either way, and I'm sure they won't miss my nearly $1000/year for expanded-digital+HD. I love when people make this statement. What do you think you need to watch DISH on EVERY tv you have?? Hmmmm??? Oh, that's right, a box. Unless you're talking about the dual-DVR where you can backfeed 1 signal to another tv - but even there it's through the box.
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"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!" |
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neufuse
join:2006-12-06
Indiana, PA | Yeah when I figured out the cost of a dish for us, it was actually MORE expensive then cable when you get the same channels with the number of DVR's and TV's we have |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to BSD24
Comcast could always go the route of a dirt cheap bare bones basic digital to analog adapter.
Check out this very interesting article:
»www.multichannel.com/article/CA6559621.html
Bottom line, the cost for purchasing even 100,000 DTAs is far cheaper than upgrading to 1 GHz, or deploying regular DCT-700's (which new ones can no longer be deployed because our FCC has it out for integrated security boxes).
PACE is also developing a DTA, and Comcast could very well use their unit. It fits in the palm of your hand, has just cable in/out, power, and an IR sensor and small channel LED.
»www.multichannel.com/blog/100000···696.html |
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meskinct
Mad Scientist at Work
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Danbury, CT
clubs:
·Comcast
 ·magicjack.com
| Cypher - That first article is excellent. I was just about to post it here and saw you beat me to it. Definitely a good read. Figure you could reclaim about 300MHz of spectrum by going mostly digital. Probably leave the local broadcast affiliates as analog though.
--
Rich. My Website including the AT&T/SNET Status Page |
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Chad473
join:2007-12-18
Lancaster, PA
| reply to JeepMatt
said by JeepMatt :said by JohnInSJ :I believe that money saving device is called "Dish-TV" When the analogs go dark for me, Comcast loses a customer. Unless they make them clear QAM. We should check to see if hell freezes over as well... I am ok with it either way, and I'm sure they won't miss my nearly $1000/year for expanded-digital+HD. I love when people make this statement. What do you think you need to watch DISH on EVERY tv you have?? Hmmmm??? Oh, that's right, a box. Unless you're talking about the dual-DVR where you can backfeed 1 signal to another tv - but even there it's through the box. thank you. I never understood this either. people can complain all they want about needing boxes, but they'll need them wherever they switch too.
analogs can't be killed off soon enough if you ask me. |
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ak3883
join:2005-08-20
Bensalem, PA
| reply to cypherstream
The article that cypher posted quotes Burke as saying Comcast "will be rolling them out pretty aggressivly in Q4" Can't come soon enough for me. If they really do ditch 40 analogs, are they really gonna add a bunch more HD channels? They seem to be more interested in HD "choices" rather than channels, to which I say try getting an HD on-demand program started with one button press on the remote, and in 2 seconds, what it takes to change a channel. HD on-demand quality is much less than HD channels.
Looks like they are looking to get rid of more analogs sooner than later, instead of SDV, we haven't heard any progress on SDV testing in quite awhile.
Time Warner is taking a different approach in upstate NY, they have completed SDV(750mhz system) and have increased HD channels from about 14 to around 30 in a mater of about one month. All the new HD channels and sports PPV packages are switched. No chatter about removing many analogs like Comcast. |
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Mgsports
join:2004-11-11
Olathe, KS | reply to BSD24
That Comcast Website could be wrong because 66062 is invaild and Comcast Olathe/MO could be moving some channels before August and not letting that Website now to report it.
Also that Website should say when channels are being added. |
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pplchamp1
Great One
Premium
join:2002-01-25
East Hartford, CT
| said by Mgsports :That Comcast Website could be wrong because 66062 is invaild and Comcast Olathe/MO could be moving some channels before August and not letting that Website now to report it. Also that Website should say when channels are being added. Mine (06118) does not work either, and I already know what channels are moving to digital on July 16th.
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I ain't got time to bleed! |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to BSD24
Remember when the Comcast Tivo website came out, for a few weeks no matter what zip code you put in, you weren't found in the database. Even working New England zip codes that had the option for Comcast Tivo didn't work in that website.
I think what you see here is a brand new site that's going to take quite a bit of time to get it's backend databases fully populated with the correct information. With as many different Comcast systems in the country today, it will be a large collaborative effort to get every zip working. |
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Mgsports
join:2004-11-11
Olathe, KS | reply to BSD24
How do you know because I don't when mine is yet because the KC Star won't tell us or Comcast Olathe/MO won't send out a letter saying what their are going to be doing soon? Only said doing changes to the Lineup. |
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pplchamp1
Great One
Premium
join:2002-01-25
East Hartford, CT | I know it was working with a Weirton, WV zip.... (26062) yesterday, but now that one is not even working.
Why launch a site that is not ready to be launched?
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I ain't got time to bleed! |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to pplchamp1
said by pplchamp1 :said by Mgsports :That Comcast Website could be wrong because 66062 is invaild and Comcast Olathe/MO could be moving some channels before August and not letting that Website now to report it. Also that Website should say when channels are being added. Mine (06118) does not work either, and I already know what channels are moving to digital on July 16th. pplchamp1 -
Thats odd because Connecticut is part of the same Division as mine. Human error is possible since it is a newly implemented website. I will check on that. Thanks. |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Mgsports
said by Mgsports :How do you know because I don't when mine is yet because the KC Star won't tell us or Comcast Olathe/MO won't send out a letter saying what their are going to be doing soon? Only said doing changes to the Lineup. mgsports -
I believe the general rule is the FCC requires Comcast notifies of changes 30days in advance. |
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mikedz4
join:2003-04-14
Weirton, WV | reply to BSD24
yep no zips work now. Not even pittsburgh or weirton. Maybe someone leaked the site and it was supposed to be internal so they made all the information internal? |
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meskinct
Mad Scientist at Work
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Danbury, CT
clubs: | My zip still works. 06810 |
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JohnInSJ
Premium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA
·Comcast
| reply to JeepMatt
said by JeepMatt :I love when people make this statement. What do you think you need to watch DISH on EVERY tv you have?? Hmmmm??? Oh, that's right, a box. Unless you're talking about the dual-DVR where you can backfeed 1 signal to another tv - but even there it's through the box. I know that - there is NO DIFFERENCE between cable and dish if I need a box to feed my PVR for either - so I might as well save a few hundred dollars a year.
Duh.
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My place : »www.schettino.us |
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pplchamp1
Great One
Premium
join:2002-01-25
East Hartford, CT | Mine, 06118, now works. |
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mikedz4
join:2003-04-14
Weirton, WV | reply to BSD24
nothing around pittsburgh including weirton,wv works yet. I dont know if comcast changed their minds or what!!!! |
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pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast
| reply to BSD24
I would welcome analog migration with open arms...Even though, as Cypher said, there was a backlash in this area because of it last time, I think it's the wave of the future.
I find it funny to hear people at bars, etc., complaining about Comcast migrating channels they watch requiring a box now, raising the rates, etc, and how they don't want a box for every TV, and then the next words out of their mouth is "I'm switching to DirecTV".
Cypher, in fact, the most common complaint I've heard around here isn't the loss of analogs, but is from sports fans who say "Comcast jacks the rates, and then holds us hostage by not allowing Philly SportsNet to be broadcast via dish, leaving us no choice if we want to see our teams play." |
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