PhillyJim
join:2008-05-13
Philadelphia, PA | reply to BSD24
Re: Comcast Analog Migration
I would definitely drop Comcast in a heartbeat if Philly SportsNet was available on dish. A LOT of other people I know would too. |
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johncase3
Premium
join:2008-05-25
Hillsborough, NJ
4 edits | reply to BSD24
said by BSD24  Just so you know changes are going to be continuing to happen. The FCC also said that people will be able to buy Cable Boxes soon. You will eventually be able to buy these cable boxes from retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City as well as the cable companies will eventually allow you to purchase the equipment from them. Similar to the reason people are allowed to buy their own cable-modems. Tivo already has a cable-box type being sold that requires cable cards. This is how cable-boxes will be sold and why the new cable boxes are called Host-Boxes. The box will have 1-2 slots for cablecards to be used. This way when people buy the cable-box and they move to an area outside of their present cable provider (like a Comcast customer moving to a town that has Cox or Charter) to another provider, they can return the cable cards to Comcast and get new ones to the new cable provider put them in the box and it would work on that new system. Be patient, and as time goes on many changes will be happening to cable customers across the country. Some people may change things quicker then others
So instead of just renting a box, we will be paying the cable company NOT to have a box, and buying our own box, and paying for repair/replacement when it breaks. This is better? |
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johncase3
Premium
join:2008-05-25
Hillsborough, NJ
2 edits | reply to pgoelz
said by pgoelz :It sucks, because these customers don't understand the benefits of going digital. That advantage is tempered by the added cost of a STB for every TV. In my case with five TVs, that adds up to a negative, not a positive. Paul Agreed. I understand the benefits but also the disadvantages. Having 70 channels on my media center computers and cable ready TV's at no extra cost is a big plus. $288/year for 3 more boxes is a big hit just to get back to where I am now, and that won't cover all my media center computers. |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs:
 ·Comcast
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
2 edits | reply to johncase3
said by johncase3 :said by BSD24 Just so you know changes are going to be continuing to happen. The FCC also said that people will be able to buy Cable Boxes soon. You will eventually be able to buy these cable boxes from retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City as well as the cable companies will eventually allow you to purchase the equipment from them. Similar to the reason people are allowed to buy their own cable-modems. Tivo already has a cable-box type being sold that requires cable cards. This is how cable-boxes will be sold and why the new cable boxes are called Host-Boxes. The box will have 1-2 slots for cablecards to be used. This way when people buy the cable-box and they move to an area outside of their present cable provider (like a Comcast customer moving to a town that has Cox or Charter) to another provider, they can return the cable cards to Comcast and get new ones to the new cable provider put them in the box and it would work on that new system. Be patient, and as time goes on many changes will be happening to cable customers across the country. Some people may change things quicker then others The problem with cablecards is, while the equipment rental price is cheap ($1), as mandated by the FCC, Comcast gets around this by tacking on another $3.50/month "additional outlet service" fee. (Patmedia did not charge this fee. Now I regret not getting the card and being grandfathered in.) So instead of just renting a box, we will be paying the cable company NOT to have a box, and buying our own box, and paying for repair/replacement when it breaks. This is better? For each additional cable card, but the cable card price (inclusive of the addtl outlet fee) is still cheaper than a box. $1.50-$2 for the first cablecard and $5 for the second additional outlet or in this case the additional cablecard. People who need 2 cable cards for one device (ex. Tivo Series 3) is priced for 2 cards. If you just need 1 card for your TV, it just depends if its considered the first tv-equipment rental or additional. But either way it is cheaper than the box itself. Only problem is no Video OnDemand, No guide from cable provider and no PPV. But it saves money compared to a cable box for HD (which is on average $12.95).
I can't stress enough you need to get pricing from local customer care, but it depends also on the scenario. Meaning if its 2 hd boxes plus 2 cablecards for other tvs, or whatever you have for a setup in your home. Always remember your first rented-equipment for CableTV is always discounted. Each additional is charged normal cost. Cablecards are priced differently, almost as if every 2nd cable card (ex. cablecard # 2, 4, 6...) is charged the extra $5. Every odd number cable card is either $1.50 or $2.00. But again check with customer care for exact pricing for your situation and setup. |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL
|  reply to BSD24
**UPDATE**
Please note that there are two different dates for the Analog to Digital Migrations in the CT-West Region.
All of the (Traditional systems) (Western MA, Hartford, Berlin, Avon, Vernon, New Haven, Danbury, Branford, Lakeville, Clinton, Groton, Middletown) are scheduled for migrations on 7/16/08. These areas have or will be receiving notifications of the changes.
The 750 MHz systems will see multiple migrations. The 625 MHz systems only have NECN migrating. Also on 7/16 in all traditional systems, TNT HD, ESPN HD, MOJO, UHD, and HD Theater will move from Digital Classic to Digital Starter, and National Geographic Channel HD will move from Digital Starter to Digital Classic.
Carmel, Waterbury, Seymour, Norwich and Old Lyme are scheduled for migrations separately on 8/5/08. Customer notification will begin on June 5 in these systems.
--
BSD |
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plat2on1
join:2002-08-21
Hopewell Junction, NY
clubs: | wow i think thats the first time i'v seen carmel mentioned in any post  |
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pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast
| reply to BSD24
Saw this posted today on CBS3.com out of Philadelphia:
»cbs3.com/topstories/comcast.inte···003.html
In addition to the info we already know about 20% of the customers by the end of this year, it also states that they expect the majority of customers to be switched to digital from analog by early 2010.
This is the first time I can remember seeing this on a news outlet, outside of this forum. |
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Chad473
join:2007-12-18
Lancaster, PA | reply to BSD24
I'd love for our market to be part of that 20%, but after all the apparent complaining from the february migration I'm doubtful. |
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mikedz4
join:2003-04-14
Weirton, WV | reply to BSD24
why did comcast remove mention of all analog migration in western pa, and northern west virginia? |
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patspub
join:2005-02-10
Philadelphia, PA
| reply to BSD24
Here are some Pittsburgh channel changes.
»www.post-gazette.com/pg/08165/889539-42.stm
Also go to the Comcast Digital World web site and you will also see more changes. I tried zip code 15237. Still nothing for Philly yet. |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE | Man-
Even more areas getting Discovery and Sci-Fi HD! 
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"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!" |
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Greg2600
join:2008-05-20
Belleville, NJ
| reply to BSD24
The problem with the loss of Analog is that most people still have Analog televisions. I'd have no problem paying for a lease of a box and remote, which I think is around $4 per month. But it's the additional outlet fee which is not fair or right. How is that any different than Internet access or phone access? You pay ONE rate only, and can split it off yourself. I could see maybe paying for multiple TV On-Demand access, but having multiple TV's does nothing to the overall bandwidth. You are only getting one signal. I think Verizon and the Sats charge the same way too. |
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patspub
join:2005-02-10
Philadelphia, PA | reply to BSD24
"WBub"-Do you know when N/E Philly will see channel Repos??? I thought a few months ago you said this would happen on June 23rd(today) there were no changes today. Do you know when? |
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SHIREY SHIRLEY
@windstream.net | reply to BSD24
I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU DONT GET THE DIGITAL,
YOU CAN NOT GET ALL OF THE CHANNELS WILL THE PRICE OF SERVICE GO DOWN? |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL | said by SHIREY SHIRLEY :
I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU DONT GET THE DIGITAL,
YOU CAN NOT GET ALL OF THE CHANNELS WILL THE PRICE OF SERVICE GO DOWN?
NO. |
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OldLady779
join:2008-02-04
Knoxville, IL | reply to BSD24
My question is, why can't they just take the channels that are in the analog package and when they switch them to digital send them in the clear? So people with televisions with digital/qam tuners can still pick them up without the boxes. |
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MadMANN
Premium
join:2005-08-19
·Comcast
| reply to cypherstream
said by cypherstream :I seriously do not ever see cable cards being SOLD directly to the consumer, especially through a retail outlet like Bestbuy or Walmart. Actually, SECV sells their Moto cards for $100. They give you the option to buy or rent, although it is not advertised. |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Wow that's cool! I like that company. They are upgrading around here (lots of slack fiber spooled up, extra feeder running past poles not hooked up, underground area's dug up, new peds put in, etc..).
But say a cable card is $2 a month. It would still take at least 50 months to break even! |
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quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI | reply to OldLady779
Because then they wouldn't be able to sell you the box per month. Just like the phone companies, they are looking for any fees they can add 'below-the-line' |
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reidcc
join:2008-09-14
Fitchburg, MA
| reply to BSD24
OK-
I am just finally trying to get up on this changeover and what we lose by not changing TV's and service. I live in Central Mass.
Do let me get this straight- I have 6 analog TV's in my house- I pay $53 a month for cable service- no pay channels. If do not change service- I will lose channels as Comcrap decides to take away. If I upgrade to Digital service- I will now need to rent 6 convertor boxes(which I do not want).
So I buy 3 new Digital TV's and get the kids to buy their own Digital TV's- to avoid the Box rental- only to find out I STILL Need to RENT a flippin box for each TV. Where is the justice in that? Why do I want a rental BOX?
I can't wait to compare this to Verizon FIOS strategy when they come to town in a couple of months!!! I refuse to pay additional fees for each TV. I will cancel both ComCrap AND Internet and go back to Dialup.
Chris |
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