[CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread in RCN

[CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread in RCN http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20506941 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:50:09 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:50:09 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21166300 boble88 : How about TCM in HD, even old black and white movies look better in HD.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21166300 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:53:47 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21149152 moulder3 :

said by Stamp Man :

RCN is pulling a fast one... anyone who had HDNet and HDNet Movies in their previous package now has it turned off and they are demanding $8.95/mo to receive these stations. I agreed to a two year agreement including those channels and now they are in breach of their agreement. I called and after trying several times.. and getting rudely hung up on I have decided the only way to get them to live up to the agreement is to send them a Mass 93A Demand letter. Wish I didn't have to go legal on them but it seems they would prefer it that way.

Here's what I would do:

1. Call them (retentions dept. select the option for 'cancel service') be firm but polite and ultimately demand that they give you the channels--speak to a supervisor if necessary.
2. Remind them that Comcast just signed a deal with HDNet, meaning they will soon carry the channel.
3. If they still refuse, cancel the service (recognizing there will be an ETF) then take them to small claims court. I understand that RCN has the right to change channel options, but I have a feeling a judge will see it your way, since RCN made a "material change of contract" that you entered into, after you signed up for the 2 year contract.

Let us know how it goes!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21149152 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:22:50 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21132467 rcbrcb : Anyting I have evey seen from RCN always says "All Channels subject to change without notice" in the fine print. In fact ALL providers use this language, including Satellite.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21132467 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:59:17 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21132438 anon : RCN is pulling a fast one... anyone who had HDNet and HDNet Movies in their previous package now has it turned off and they are demanding $8.95/mo to receive these stations. I agreed to a two year agreement including those channels and now they are in breach of their agreement. I called and after trying several times.. and getting rudely hung up on I have decided the only way to get them to live up to the agreement is to send them a Mass 93A Demand letter. Wish I didn't have to go legal on them but it seems they would prefer it that way.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21132438 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:55:54 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21127709 anon : Waiting 'til December is ridiculous! Come on RCN, can't you do something about this? :mad: ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21127709 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:19:54 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21125231 damink23 : I wish they would stop jerking around the rest of MA and just convert everyone. Once you are converted, I think we have more HD channels then Comcast, and for cheaper. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21125231 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:22:52 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21124997 moulder3 : FYI, Boston (city) isn't scheduled for conversion until "at least December," as told to me by RCN tech support a few days ago.

That's the last straw for me. Comcast offers tons of HD-VOD & 66 HD channels (vs. RCN's 25)

Bye bye RCN... Maybe I'll come back when you stop promising one thing, then continually under-deliver.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21124997 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:40:13 EDT New HD Channels http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21117841 damink23 : This morning I noticed new HD channels.

EPNU HD
ESPN News HD
And I think 3 Disney HD channels.

I think that is all (tough morning waking up)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21117841 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:00:56 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21114510 anon : Burlington, MA conversion is tomorrow 9/16.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21114510 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:01:44 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21049212 anon : Roslindale/JP/West Rox is set to be done sometime at the end of the year or early 09, so if I would think that downtown would be set for sometime around that. I want the crush to happen ASAP around these parts, but they're targeting FiOS areas first before they hit Boston.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21049212 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:49:16 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21045650 moulder3 : Do we have a date for Boston yet?!? How can RCN be moving to DC for the analog crush, when they haven't even finished this area?!?

I'm TIRED OF WAITING FOR NEW HD that has been promised to us for over SIX months! :mad:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21045650 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:43:13 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21008822 shanmanz : When is this change affecting Woburn/Burlington area??]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21008822 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:16:43 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20971277 anon : press menu twice, then go to preferences, then favorites. The just scroll down the list of channels and press ok on each one.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20971277 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:58:03 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20967632 anon : anyone know how to set the free digital box so that it skips the channels that i dont have a package for? i know you can do it manually but is there an automatic way to do it? seems like doing it manually would be a tedious process. rcn also changed all the channel numbers. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20967632 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:37:12 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20956625 arlington : You can't be much different than Arlington. I just did a scan and got 5 analog and 56 digital channels.

Most were music channels, however all the local channels were available, including New Hammpshire PBS, the picture looked pretty good.

I think someone pointed out earlier that they got the weather channel and mgm in HD, same for me.

Everything looks better with my dch 3416 though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20956625 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:47:37 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20948761 wbertram : Have you done a channel scan for the cable input? If nothing else, the local OTA stations should be being broadcast in "in the clear" QAM.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20948761 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:17:18 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20948365 clock :

said by Wanderingfox42 :

Every TV in my house except the one with a box on it already just gets static even though they all have digital receivers.

Do your TVs have digital (ATSC) tuners or QAM tuners. The digital tuner will allow you to view OTA signals from an antenna, a QAM tuner will allow you to pick up the SD locals that RCN provides through the cable line.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20948365 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:23:32 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20945553 anon : Even with a DIGITAL TV all some people are getting is channel 3. Every TV in my house except the one with a box on it already just gets static even though they all have digital receivers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20945553 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:38:58 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20944428 mrbigk : Anyone in the analog crush cities and towns getting the extra Olympic channels. Kinda disheartening to see Comcast, Verizon, and the satellite companies get them and RCN not have anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20944428 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:14:48 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20942098 charlestek : Without the box and analog Tv, all you get is ?? channel 3 which is a notice from Rcn about the conversion and the Watertown public access channel. That is it. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20942098 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:05:22 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937889 grimholtz : What would an onsite tech be able to do? I already know the signal and lines are good (internet service works well, and a tech was out a year or two ago to check on that)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937889 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:09:46 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937568 anon : have you had anyone out for the artifacts yet?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937568 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:10:09 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937399 arlington : Ditto for me, I'm waiting for fios. My change was suppose to be the 11th, it still has the old lineup, no new hd channels.

Apts are wired for fios, but still not available.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937399 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:02:31 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937003 grimholtz : I'm in Arlington. Our conversion date was today, so I installed my boxes on Saturday. Before that, I was using coax direct (analog) -- no STBs.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THE STUTTERING ARTIFACTS. Every few seconds there's a crapload of artifacts, frame dropping, and audio drops. Occurs on all stations. It's constant and been happening since Saturday.

I'm about ready to switch to FiOS.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20937003 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:32:04 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20936891 anon :

said by grimholtz

:

So we can get Broadcast Basic without the boxes. Anyone know if it's going to stay this way, or is this just an error on RCN's part?

RCN tech support told me a few months ago that channels 2-22 and 93-98 would not be encrypted (that is: non-HD broadcast.) And, that everything else would be.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20936891 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:11 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20935742 anon : Sorry - I should have said combo tuner.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20935742 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:44:51 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20934273 anon :

said by dworsky

:

Troc...

Did you also test an analog TV with just the raw cable (no box) to see if the broadcast basic channels came in?

Thanks,
Edgar

I just did the one digital TV, but if there had been analog channels the QAM tuner should have picked them up. As it was, the only analog channels I remember were 3 and 13 (I think) which were RCN placeholders.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20934273 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:26:47 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20934044 dworsky : Troc...

Did you also test an analog TV with just the raw cable (no box) to see if the broadcast basic channels came in?

Thanks,
Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20934044 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:50:42 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20925929 grimholtz :

said by Trocadile :

said by dworsky

:

Out of curiosity, since you are in a converted city, can you tell us what you get if you connect the coaxial cable WITHOUT THE BOX directly to your (1) QAM TV and (2) non-QAM TV? Which channels, if any, come thru without the box.

Thanks,
Edgar

So we can get Broadcast Basic without the boxes. Anyone know if it's going to stay this way, or is this just an error on RCN's part?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20925929 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:30:21 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20900100 charlestek : I called Rcn support overseas and they reflashed the proper program into the box and now it receives the upper channels that I'm supposed to get. Seems the box activation process is sensitive, and if it doesn't get done properly you may get problems.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20900100 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:41:37 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20881484 charlestek : I just hooked up my digital to analog motorola converter box, and I used the composite outputs of the box to my analog tv.

The picture sucks sharpness big time compared to the old analog signal.

I'm missing a ton of channels including spike and scifi.

What gives?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20881484 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:28:13 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20879724 anon : In case anyone was curious, I was right and the visit from the tech was a total waste of time. He basically showed up, said "you're not supposed to get these channels, the Tivo is wrong," and then left. Seems RCN could have told me that over the phone and saved my fiance from taking a half day off work. I'm also relatively irritated that this isn't more clear on their website. Maybe I'll just go ahead and switch to Comcrap. It's almost a matter of principle at this point.

said by RCN MDU customer :

Anyone else here having issues with not receiving HD channels 184-195? I initially didn't have 165/167/168 either, but that was corrected by the RCN rep over the phone. I'm afraid that I'm having the following problem:

»[CATV] Boston: I get 50% fewer HD channels but pay for all!

A post by "formerly rcn" states:

MDU's in boston area were built first and at the time 750mhz was the standard. then shortly after came 860mhz which was used for newer builds.

just as a reference most modern urban cable systems are 860mhz and most modern suburban systems are 750-860mhz. urban systems typically have more local channels requiring more space.

110 mhz difference = about shelf space for 40 hd channels.

i hope that answers your question.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20879724 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:25:10 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20879275 charlestek : I just went to the RCN temporary tent in Watertown to get the box and the rep said that the first box I ask for is free, any additional are $2.95/month (presumably they are considering only boxes that are used for digital to analog conversion), so hopefully I will not be billed for this one.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20879275 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:57:57 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20877960 charlestek : Thanks. The housemates got their boxes because it is the Only way they can watch HD on their hd tv's (they got them awhile ago), thus I am sort of ticked that because they had to pay an extra $30/month just to see their HD, my box for my analog tv is considered "additional". I really object to this rental fee ad nauseum. I would much rather they priced this into the fee structure as a whole house lump charge without milking things to death.

I will indeed have to look into the price of Dish Network.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20877960 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:14:19 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20876551 dworsky : Trocadile...

Thanks so much for posting your experience.

In Somerville, still in pre-crush, I don't get HDNET either via their HD box, or via QAM. For us, they are already premium.

Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20876551 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:11:27 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20876544 dworsky : Charlestek,

They are technically charging you properly the extra $2.95. The free first box is ONLY if your household has NO boxes.

Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20876544 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:09:54 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20876438 anon :

said by charlestek

:

I live in Watertown, and my analog tv just went dead. I called Rcn and they said they would charge me $2.95 for the first box, which contradicts the Globe article. Also they said I must rent the Rcn box at the $2.95 ransom, as buying my own will not work due to firmware programming.

After reading the rcn.com/digital page faq's, I think I see the contradiction. Two of my roommates are paying $15/month for digital dvr boxes in their bedrooms, so this means I have to pay $3/month because these guys are already adding $30 to the month bill, as my box will not be the "first" box. This is ridiculous.

Can someone verify this?

If your roommates are on the same bill then it would certainly seem you do not qualify for the free box. However, you can always call RCN and explain and see if they will offer you some discount. I called to complain about the added cost of boxes and eventually got my bill reduced by $20.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20876438 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:28:11 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20875833 charlestek : I live in Watertown, and my analog tv just went dead. I called Rcn and they said they would charge me $2.95 for the first box, which contradicts the Globe article. Also they said I must rent the Rcn box at the $2.95 ransom, as buying my own will not work due to firmware programming.

After reading the rcn.com/digital page faq's, I think I see the contradiction. Two of my roommates are paying $15/month for digital dvr boxes in their bedrooms, so this means I have to pay $3/month because these guys are already adding $30 to the month bill, as my box will not be the "first" box. This is ridiculous.

Can someone verify this?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20875833 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:50:52 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20873983 anon :

said by dworsky

I live in Watertown and just got converted last night. Out of curiosity, and to see if it was time to ebay my HD Homerun, I did a QAM channel scan this evening. Other than public access, Spanish, and shopping/paid programming stations I got the following local stations: PBS (2,11,44), 4,5,7,25,38,56,68. Also myTV and Daystar - so, in other words, the Broadcast Basic lineup. All of these seemed to be SD (my TV listed them as 480i). In addition, in what I assume was an error, there were 3 HD stations: WeatherHD and MGMHD (74-1 and 74-2) and possibly GameHD (76-3). This last didn't actually have programming that I saw, so maybe it was an ad. They were all listed at 1080i.

In other news that may be of interest, the channels that I used to get with Expanded Basic that were scheduled to be switched to the higher-tier of Premiere (or DigitalVision) according to the current lineup at rcn (»www.rcn.com/cabletv/lineups/prin···-DIGITAL) have, for now, been grandfathered in so I'm still getting TCM, FMC, etc. More importantly, to me, I'm still getting HDNet Movies (and HDNet) which is supposed to be in the Premium HDTV package.

The best news out of the switch for me, since I'm getting cheap HBO for a year, is that I've gone from one HBO HD channel to six.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20873983 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:36:42 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20873583 boble88 : MeMeMeMe, I live in Somerville and I care about the content I receive. I have 2 HD boxes (one DVR) and one digital box. I want more HD channels and am tired of looking at an SD channel. What we are griping about is having to pay the same monthly fee for receiving half the HD channels the other towns are now enjoying. Somerville was one of the first cities to be wired by RCN but we are last in the upgrade. Can RCN raise prices? Yes they can, but with Comcast, Dish, Direct TV and Verizon now working out the license for bringing Fios to Somerville, I will have 4 choices for my cable TV. Can they afford to raise prices? Only if they are lower than the other 3 (soon to be 4?) in town.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20873583 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:08:25 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20873356 anon : I called 781.316.0054 to see when my neighborhood in Brighton is scheduled for conversion. Unfortunately, I was told that I would also be part of the Brookline conversion on 12/02 or 12/09. :(]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20873356 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:28:54 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20871903 anon : SomervillianToo, I know your reply wasn't geared toward me but I couldn't care less about the HD and digital channels. That's really the only thing less about it. I don't know about others here, but I'm happy with what I have. And what we pay seems to vary from person to person on here. According to RCN I'm not going to be paying any less after the switch over but I will be paying MORE after the switch over. Not everything is about the service for most of us especially in Somerville it's about the money. Again, I'm glad they're waiting on Somerville. After talking with friends who have RCN, they're all glad too.

I think the switch over in general is ridiculous. Imagine how much your RCN bill is going go next the next couple of years. It's going to go up a lot more and faster then it otherwise would have. A lot of RCN customers are switching to other companies. I'm trying to stay with RCN.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20871903 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:15:02 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20871598 Eamon :

said by rcbrcb

:

Eamon, you can call 781.316.0054 and give them your address and they can tell you if a conversion date has been set for your node yet.

Thanks rcb. I called and was told that brookline is being done in two waves...December 2 and December 9. Too bad, i'll have moved by then, but thanks for pointing me in the right direction.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20871598 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:24:57 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20871580 anon : dworsky... but you're ALREADY paying more now. You're paying the same price as everyone else in the Greater Boston area (save Arlington and Boston MDUs) and currently getting 50% less channels - even less than that when compared to communities that already have been Crush'd.

Don't make it sound like RCN is doing you any favors for taking their time upgrading Somerville. You're receiving less service and they keep moving their timeline.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20871580 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:20:48 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20870546 dworsky : Boble...

I would consider us lucky in Somerville that we are late in the transition. Remember for many people this will mean a substantial increase in monthly fees since we will need to rent a box for every TV in the house.

Yes, I started renting an HD box in June because of RCN's early scrambling of HD stations, and yes, I am getting fewer HD stations than I will in 2009... but I am happy to save money by not having to rent more boxes yet.

So... complaining to the mayor could just raise prices for people prematurely.

Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20870546 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:11:12 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20866655 anon : I'm glad Somerville won't change over for awhile. It will give some of us more time to change things around to fit all these boxes we now need. Not to mention since they're going to cost more money, it will be a help for over the holiday not to have to pay more on the bills. A good portion of Somerville is low income and it's good to see they possibly took that into consideration.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20866655 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:15:18 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20866008 rcbrcb : Eamon, you can call 781.316.0054 and give them your address and they can tell you if a conversion date has been set for your node yet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20866008 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:22:24 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20865500 Eamon : This may seem like a stupid question as I haven't seen it anywhere already, but is there a posted schedule for the Analog Crush at all or no?

I ask because my address is technically in Brookline, but its the last street before you cross back into the City of Boston. I live in an MDU and I have recieved a notice about a price increase, but to my knowledge have not received any notice about when the Analog Crush is.

From the posts I have read and the news stories I have been able to find, it started July 4th in Waltham and is being done a node at a time, but that really doesn't tell me anything. Could someone kindly point me in the right direction?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20865500 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:39:38 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20864859 boble88 : Dworsky, did they tell you why we will not be changed over until next year? I sent an email to Mayor Curtatone (and will call his office later today) asking him why we are last in this change over, yet we were one of the first communities to be wired by RCN. I will send one to the at large Aldermen and my Ward Alderman asking them the same question. Perhaps our per capital income is lower in Somerville than the other towns that are being changed over. Also, how is it that you have this information, yet no one from RCN can post it here?

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20864859 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:52:10 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20861845 dworsky : Damink23...

Out of curiosity, since you are in a converted city, can you tell us what you get if you connect the coaxial cable WITHOUT THE BOX directly to your (1) QAM TV and (2) non-QAM TV? Which channels, if any, come thru without the box.

Thanks,
Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20861845 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:25:29 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20861796 dworsky : Boble88... their PR person told me that Somerville was late in the conversion, either January or Feb. 2009.

Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20861796 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:15:30 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20856603 anon : Any word on cost after digital conversion? I'm currently paying $66/mo for 10mbps internet + digitalvision with + $1.50/mo for cablecard. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20856603 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:32:21 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20856420 anon : Anyone else here having issues with not receiving HD channels 184-195? I initially didn't have 165/167/168 either, but that was corrected by the RCN rep over the phone. I'm afraid that I'm having the following problem:

»[CATV] Boston: I get 50% fewer HD channels but pay for all!

A post by "formerly rcn" states:

MDU's in boston area were built first and at the time 750mhz was the standard. then shortly after came 860mhz which was used for newer builds.

just as a reference most modern urban cable systems are 860mhz and most modern suburban systems are 750-860mhz. urban systems typically have more local channels requiring more space.

110 mhz difference = about shelf space for 40 hd channels.

i hope that answers your question.

I'm afraid this is the problem I'm having, which is frustrating since I had no indication this would be an issue here. In fact, I probably would have skipped RCN and gone with the evil empire had I known. Now they want to send out another rep to investigate, which was a total disaster when they did the CableCard/TiVo install the first time. If the above is the problem, I don't want to waste my time with their installer.

I'm posting in this thread for a reason though. Any idea if the digital conversion will fix this issue? Or will it be even worse?

The above channels are pre-conversion. Just to clarify:

184 A&E HD
185 Biography HD
186 History Channel HD
187 Animal Planet HD
188 Travel Channel HD
189 FX HD
190 Lifetime Movie Network HD
191 TLC HD
192 CNN HD
193 Discovery Channel HD
194 Science Channel HD
195 MOJO HD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20856420 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:35:42 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20852559 damink23 : I left my converter on by accident a well. turned it off, took a shower and then back on. The new channels were now there. Depending on the last channel you left it on, the screen may appear frozen(channel no longer exists), just switch to a new channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20852559 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:51:03 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20848327 anon : rcbrcb,

It turns out that there were two problems. After yet another call to RCN tech support (at 11:30 PM Weds.) I was given a number to call in Herndon where (I was told) someone "would be able to answer all your questions".

Turns out it was RCN's Executive Response Team. The person I spoke with arranged to have an actual RCN tech (not a contractor) come out last night. He was able to get everything running.

It seems that there were two problems:

1) The CableCard was not set up properly - after I spoke to the people in Herndon, the card was re-programmed while I was at work. When I arrived home, the Tivo diagnostics screens were completely different and I was seeing data on the missing channels, but with image quality problems.

2) The image problems were caused by a problem with the RCN coax feed - the tech said "water in the coax" but no further details. He used some test equipment to diagnose the frequency dependent signal attenuation issues.

Everything was up and running within an hour of the second tech's arrival.

RCN would be wise to avoid using barely trained subcontractors (with poor to non-existent English) for CC installations, and provide a problem escalation procedure does not require an Act of Congress (or six hours of phone calls).

BTW - the second tech said that Boston proper would not be seeing the digital crush switchover for quite a while (months).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20848327 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:00:17 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20848308 anon : For those that have been converted already, how exactly does it happen?

What i mean is that i usually leave my converter on all the time so i'm really just turning on and off the TV. Does the update automatically happen or would the converter only know to update itself if you turned it off and then back on again?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20848308 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:56:50 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20847129 moulder3 :

said by boble88

:

RCNMAN, would it be possible for you to tell the Somerville cable TV subscribers when we will be updated to the new "Boston Digital" lineup?

rcnman: Could you also give an update on when Boston MDUs will hit the 'analog crush'

Also, what's the ETA for when premium channels (HBO...etc.) will be offered in HD on VOD. (I asked a few months ago and was told "hopefully 6 weeks after HD-VOD is launched)? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20847129 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:14:07 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20846850 boble88 : RCNMAN, would it be possible for you to tell the Somerville cable TV subscribers when we will be updated to the new "Boston Digital" lineup? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20846850 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:18:36 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20846407 damink23 : SpeedHD looked good. I was watching Wrecked last night, which was filmed in HD and looked great. The true tests will be the Truck Race tonight and RaceDay on Sunday.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20846407 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:11:18 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20841097 rcbrcb : Paul,

I had a similar issue here in Chicago, it ended up being a bad CableCard out of the box, which is a very common occurance with CableCards. I had some channels but not others and when the card was swapped the missing channels came right up. I have not found ANYONE at RCN Support that have any idea how CableCards work or can provide competent phone support of the product. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20841097 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:53:24 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20840675 damink23 : I did notice it was fixed, along with NHL Network HD.

Thank you]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20840675 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:08:50 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20840670 damink23 : With the exception of Hallmark HD (I don't watch hallmark) the other channels you listed are there. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20840670 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:07:21 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20839534 anon : In anticipation of the "digital crush" I decided to get a Tivo HD and restore the HD channels I lost to encryption.

Tonight, after wasting an entire day away from work dealing with what must be the worst Tivo CableCard installation ever seen, I'm still missing several channels, including:

- NESN HD (170)
- Animal Planet HD (187)
- Discovery Theater HD (165)

Tivo diagnostics show that the CC is authorized, but signal strength for those channels is zero - RCN is not sending any data.

Several channels break up and show terrible digital artifacts (TLC and Discovery HD).

I receive none of the 900 series digital channels (digital versions of SD channels like TCM, as well as HD channels).

All of these channels were fine before RCN encrypted them - the clear QAM tuner in my TV picked them up with no trouble.

I spent four hours on the phone with RCN tech support, including a one hour and forty five minute three way call with Tivo tech support conferenced in, without reaching anyone who could discuss the problem beyond reciting phrases from a script.

RCN wants me to take ANOTHER day off and wait for a tech to install another CC. They could not explain why this was necessary or how it would help. They will not give me a CC and let me install it myself.

After keeping me on hold for 30 minutes, the "supervisor" finally admitted that she was from the internet department and knew nothing about cable TV. She said it was "impossible" for me to speak with anyone with any technical competence in cable TV.

The tech this morning spent 2 1/2 hours fumbling around and running a new coax feed, then left telling me that he "had other things to do". Because he could see the analog channels, he thought the CableCard was working.

Tivo is convinced that RCN is sending me the wrong lineup, since there is no signal on the problem channels, and I agree. Since RCN is able to re-program CableCards remotely to accommodate lineup changes, I can't see why I should waste yet more of my time.

I switched to RCN so I could watch the Red Sox in HD, so this is particularly annoying.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20839534 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:25:20 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20838334 clock : RCNMAN, how come the channel lineup keeps changing? For instance, the 6/2 lineup for Boston lists Hallmark Movie HD, and Planet Green HD, and Showtime 2 HD, but the newest lineup omits them. Are the channels coming soon, do you have a problem getting the feeds in place, etc.? TIA.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20838334 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:40:56 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20837567 rcnman : The issues with the Fox's being on the wrong channels has been resolved.
--
Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20837567 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:25:52 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20837252 damink23 : Been at work, so I have not had a chance to test out Speed HD. Will send a review tomorrow.

I did call RCN. 9$/month they whacked me for. I actually do watch Mojo and HDNET/Movie, so hopefully there will be good stuff on the other channels to justify the cost.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20837252 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:21:25 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20836659 clock :

said by damink23

:

Smithsonian HD, Mojo HD and Universal HD state I am not subscibed.

Universal, MOJO, Smithsonian, MGM, HD Theatre, HDnet, and Hallmark Movies HD are all part of a "premium HD tier" that costs somewhere in between $7-$10/mo. You probably need to call RCN to get that.

Hows SPEED HD? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20836659 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:26:26 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20835257 damink23 : Well I was finally switched over last night. Few minor Issues I noticed. Foxnews HD and FOXBusiness HD are on the wrong channels (Fox news is on fox bus and vice versa) There is no data listed for the NHL Network HD, and Smithsonian HD, Mojo HD and Universal HD state I am not subscribed.

Hopefully I can get these resolved today.

So far so good otherwise.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20835257 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:10:14 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20797311 tuesdaysaid : I'm in north Waltham, and we switched over last night. I had to get two DCT700's for the two tv's I currently didn't have boxes on, and that's where I've run into trouble.

The boxes stop accepting IR signals after being turned on for a period of time. I can reboot them, and they'll work for a while, but the problem will return. I have only had the boxes since Saturday, so I can't say the upgrade caused the problem, but it wasn't happening before today. The other boxes are working fine.

Was wondering if anyone else had this problem? I called tech support, and they sent out a signal to the boxes, so I'll have to see if it has any effect.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20797311 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:49:15 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20791259 anon : My friend in dedham said the lineup looks amazing, I think the first part of waltham is gonna drop overnight tonight, then another section each night this week, he got lots of useful info from the rcn service techs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20791259 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:42:58 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20788372 damink23 : Anyone here go through the conversion yet? If so, thoughts?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20788372 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:15:03 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20762036 anon : I was told by a tech that visited the other day that Boston would start its conversion by late august/ early september if everything goes right with the crush in other towns.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20762036 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:33 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20760066 arlington : You forgot Arlington, none of the new HD channels here.

Actual Verizon trucks were in the apt complex parking lot doing cable work today. I was told when you see that you are close to getting FIOS.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20760066 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:03:46 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20758812 anon : Any conversion date set for Newton? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20758812 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:31:04 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20757800 moulder3 :

said by damink23

:

RCNMAN,
As stated above Waltham is supposed to switch over on the 15th, Watertown on the 29th. Yet, the notice I got in the mail states the 22nd. So has this changed to the 15th?

I'd like to throw in another question for rcnman...

When will the city of Boston (specifically the Fenway area) be converted to all-digital? There doesn't appear to be a timetable for us. We seem to have been forgotten, as we don't even have the HD channels everyone else in the area (except Somerville) got way back in Feb!!

Actually, it seems that EVERY other market you cover (Chi, NYC, LVY) all have the newer HD channels (Animal Planet, FX...etc.) except Boston MDUs & Somerville! ...and we were told we'd be upgraded by June :huh:]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20757800 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:23:39 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20757432 damink23 : There is a new channel line-up for boston at rcn.com/digital.

Looks to be more a couple more hd channels

Still no EPSN NEWS HD or SPIKE HD]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20757432 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:19:42 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20757301 LexingtonMA :

said by anonguy551 :

Aporras, I got this from page one of this thread, I dont think
ur switchover has begun yet....

Thanks, but I wasn't guessing, I was describing - all the analog channels carried by RCN disappeared already last weekend. :(

My cablecard still works (ie: I can tune in all the channels), but the big problem for me was the loss of the TVGOS (TV Guide on Screen), without which the cablecard is fairly useless.

The solution (for now... ends Feb 2009) was to add rabbit ears to the TV so I can receive the TVGOS feed on an analog channel over the air.

For those that have TVGOS, I had to do a "system reset", because the TVGOS kept trying to download the data from a non-existent channel. It then took two days to find the OTA channel to start downloading again.

The TVGOS reset sequence is described in the AVS forums, here it is in brief:

said by AVSforums :

How to access the TV Guide On Screen debug data

This apparently works for ALL TVGOS implementations (Pioneer, Sony, Toshiba, etc.)

1. Press the TV Guide button on your remote.

2. Arrow up until you're at the menu bar at the top.

3. Arrow right until you've highlighting "Setup".

4. Arrow down until you've highlighted "Change system settings". DO NOT PRESS ENTER.

5. Using the number keypad on the remote, enter the following numbers: 753159852 .
6. Right arrow to 2nd grey screen > Find "Host Chan" in left column and see if there are #s at right, which may look like 1:0-10. The last full # is your Host Channel.

7. to do a system reset, use this code instead: With "Change system settings" highlighted, Enter this code with number keys: 653274147.
* Turn unit OFF, then back ON
* Redo TVG Setup. Go to SETUP again and, this time, select (Enter) "Change system settings."
* Select the bottom choice, "No, repeat Setup process."
* wait two days for listings to load.

After two days, I have the full listings for my cable channels, and my OTA channels.

So now I have until Feb 2009 to figure out what to do next time the TVGOS loses its data feed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20757301 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:04:09 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20752427 damink23 : RCNMAN,
As stated above Waltham is supposed to switch over on the 15th, Watertown on the 29th. Yet, the notice I got in the mail states the 22nd. So has this changed to the 15th?

EDIT- Disregard, I got the answer.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20752427 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:48:20 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20750541 anon : Aporras, I got this from page one of this thread, I dont think
ur switchover has begun yet....

reply to damink23
Just saw an RCN commercial with some idea of rollout dates:

The commercial stated you needed a digital Box by a certain date:

Dedham July 8th
Waltham July 15th
Watertown July 29th
Arlington Aug 5th
Lexington Aug 19th

These were the only towns listed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20750541 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:43:24 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20742298 LexingtonMA : :(

apparently the "revolution" is here, sigh. The switchover took place last night in Lexington MA (and I received NO email, snail-mail, or phone warning from RCN!). So now the analog channels are missing, my cablecard still works, but I've lost my TVGOS, which is the only way to make use of all the special features on my TV (built-in DVR, based on TVGOS).

I noticed the one analog PBS channel (92) is still coming in, I think that's the one that has TVGOS on it, but the TV listings are missing anyway. Could RCN please restart transmitting the TVGOS info please? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20742298 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:50:32 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20741298 anon : yes you can use a cablecard, read the bottom of this article.

'»biz.yahoo.com/bw/080703/20080703···tml?.v=1']]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20741298 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:52:50 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20737894 LexingtonMA : question for the RCN staff: can I continue to use my RCN issued Cablecard (Lexington MA)? RCN only charges me $1.50/month for this, and of course I can watch my TV with a single remote.

From the rcn web site:

How do I get all of these great enhancements?

That's easy! All you need is an RCN digital converter box. In fact, an RCN digital converter box MUST be installed on every TV that receives RCN Cable TV or you'll no longer receive programming on that television.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20737894 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:16:17 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20730358 damink23 : Has any switch overs begun?
Any new news on this?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20730358 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:44:35 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20686925 rcbrcb : Comcast Chicago has slowly begun encrypting all channels since RCN made their move to do so......]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20686925 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:33:00 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20686624 moulder3 :

said by boble88

:

Comcast and Verizon have both announced they will be dropping analog and converting to digital.

Yes, but the $100,000 question is whether they will digitally encrypt their signals, like RCN has chosen to.

I see a rapidly emerging market for the provider(s) willing to offer their packages digitally unencrypted (since all new TVs have digital tuners, and the government is already subsidizing digital converters for analog tvs). ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20686624 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:33:59 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20686567 boble88 : Comcast and Verizon have both announced they will be dropping analog and converting to digital. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20686567 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:22:35 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20680411 anon : From what I understand, Bloomberg is available now on Expanded Basic without the Digital Tier as long as you have a digital box.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20680411 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:16:55 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20679126 clock : Chicago has it on channel 683, so it will probably show up soon enough.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20679126 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:50:52 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20678960 anon : Bloomberg will be on 325, you need digital tier, as you have now for it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20678960 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:06:21 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20678947 anon : Nesn HD will still be on basic package, channel 612, and regular nesn is on basic 367]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20678947 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:03:09 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20676692 anon : Is Bloomberg cut?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20676692 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:16:02 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20670230 moulder3 :

said by damink23

:

New digital line-up now posted on rcn.com/digital

»www.rcn.com/pdf/boston_crush_lin···6-02.pdf

Do you guys think that channel 750 (listed as "HD Theatre") is really Discovery HD Theatre? I assume so, since it's a channel we already get...

With all the new HD channels, we still don't have ESPNews HD? I mean does anyone actually think Lifetime Movie Network will really be broadcasting anything in true HD?!?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20670230 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:28:28 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20666918 damink23 : New digital line-up now posted on rcn.com/digital

»www.rcn.com/pdf/boston_crush_lin···6-02.pdf]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20666918 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:17:32 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20645693 dworsky : The Boston Globe wrote about RCN's change to all digital in the Boston area yesterday.

The story is posted in the news section: »RCN dropping analog channels of this forum.

Edgar]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20645693 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:32:38 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20643747 fromNewton : As a happy, long time analog/net/phone RCN customer, I'm quite concerned about needing to pay more for unwanted services (digital, converter boxes, extra fees for NESN, etc).

There is no question that for the first time in many years, I'll be taking a serious look at competitive offerings when the 'pay us more' notice arrives.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20643747 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:57:48 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20641825 dworsky : Can you tell from the new line-up which groups of programming are included in the former "expanded basic"... is it only those things in blue?

I would think it couldn't possibly be that because MSNBC, Bravo, etc. seem not to be there -- or ANYWHERE I can find.

Was there any pricing of tiers in the brochure?

UPDATE: 6/16... I communicated with a senior marketing executive at RCN in Massachusetts who said the brochure posted on page one of this thread is in error (as least as far as MSNBC and BRAVO are concerned). They have NOT been cut.

Thanks.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20641825 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:18:58 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20640233 damink23 : The only thing I can think of, is that they wanted to keep all the local HD's together. ie NESN is with the local channels (news, PBS, CW). But why they assigned 38 606 instead of fox, I have no idea.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20640233 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:25:20 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20639902 mrbigk : My objection is to the HD channel numbering. For Example, every single sports station is in a 681-692 range

681 ESPN-HD
682 ESPN2-HD
685 Comcast Sportsnet HD
689 Speed HD
690 NFL Network HD
691 Versus Golf HD
692 Tennis HD

Then there is NESN HD at...............612.......

Not to mention that RCN could of made hd versions match its SD counterpart better.

ie 5 WCVB 605 WCVB-HD
6 WFXT does not equal 606 (which is WSBK 38 HD)

They could of made a complete overhaul of their lineup easier for its customers. They tried matching up Chicago with Boston, and it seems kind of dumb that placing NESN in that slot. Maybe they will fix it and place it in a closer range to where it belongs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20639902 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:12:21 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20639780 Toropop : M-HD (sic) is run by MTV Networks, but the channel, itself, is a mixture of MTV, MTV Europe, VH1, and CMT content.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20639780 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:42:44 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20639007 anon :

said by mrbigk

:

I can't believe they are not putting NESN HD with the other Sports stations. Thats stupid. Makes absolutly no sense.

Not sure what your objection is - NESN HD is shown in the "Signature" package (renamed expanded basic). The "Sports" heading in the brochure refers to the more expensive "Premier" service.

Would you prefer paying more for the same content?

I just wish they'd get rid of the worthless "digital music" - talk about a waste of bandwidth!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20639007 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:03:10 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20638060 goldbeab : Awesome. Thanks so much stratax52!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20638060 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:11:14 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637786 anon : nice upload. would be better if RCN posted it on their website. they only have the chicago pdf on there.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637786 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:16:22 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637743 lilhurricane : Thanks for uploading thru the site, stratax52..

Looks better that way & loads quicker :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637743 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:07:51 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637736 anon : ok did the rest

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637736 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:06:40 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637394 mrbigk : I can't believe they are not putting NESN HD with the other Sports stations. Thats stupid. Makes absolutly no sense.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20637394 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:03:25 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20636856 anon : ~_~ put link in wrong

Mod Note: Uploaded attachment here for easier viewing ~lil

[att=1]

click to enlarge

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20636856 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:16:20 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20636830 anon : .. thats the 1st page and I way to lazy to flip sheet of paper over and scan the rest so dont ask @_@]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20636830 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:11:36 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20635943 goldbeab : Yes, please post the scanned brochure. I've been dying to see the changes. :) :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20635943 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:35:33 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20635510 anon : The new channel line looks horrid. I'll scan the brochure once I get back home if anyone wants to see it]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20635510 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:37:33 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20627068 lilhurricane : Here too ;)

»RCN Targets Boston For �Analog Crush�]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20627068 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:58:02 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20626946 rcbrcb : Saw this article today....Discusses the Analog Crush in Boston.

»www.multichannel.com/article/CA6568751.html]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20626946 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:28:23 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20615190 moulder3 : Jason, can you please comment on when Boston MDU's will go through digital conversion. Also, when will those of us who missed out on the recently added HD channels (CNN-HD, FX HD...etc.) that the website says "coming soon" do you have an ETA on that as well?

Thanks! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20615190 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:07:37 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20606846 damink23 : New Line-up.

Pretty much channels 1-25 stay the same. After that it is completely different. I unfortunately dont have a scanner or I would scan the brochure.

HD channels will be starting at 602 and go thru 763. Not consecutively, so appears to be room for even more HD channels.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20606846 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:21:54 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20606730 mrbigk :

said by damink23

:

The notice came in the mail today. July 22nd for digital switch over in my area!!!

As far as new HD channels
USA
SPIKE
M-HD???
Fox Business
The Weather Channel
Comcast Sportsnet- We already have that but marked new????
Speed
Smithsonian
MGM
Universal
HBO2
Cinemax2
Showtime2
Starz Kids
Starz Edge
Starz Comedy

New Digital Channels
Reelz
Shop NBC
American Life
Nickelodeon West
Disney West
Qubo?????
TBN????
Insperational
C-Span3
NASA
Pentagon
Comcast SportsNet Plus
HRTV
BET J
NBC Weather Plus
Current

That appears to be all from the brochure in the mail.

Did the brochure include a new channel lineup? Or just list the new channels? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20606730 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:51:19 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20603987 damink23 : Just saw an RCN commercial with some idea of rollout dates:

The commercial stated you needed a digital Box by a certain date:

Dedham July 8th
Waltham July 15th
Watertown July 29th
Arlington Aug 5th
Lexington Aug 19th

These were the only towns listed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20603987 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:16:36 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20589854 damink23 : The thing is HRTV is not going to be in HD, just SD. I think it is a waste of an SD channel.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20589854 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:28:27 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20589804 jhlmsln : GUESSING, HRTV is probable dirt cheap and adds
to the bragging rights that my HD line up is bigger
than yours. I would not surprise me that the next
HD channel is BASKET WEAVING with the losing contestants
from the IDOL and DANCING with the STARS.

jhl]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20589804 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:19:37 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20588535 damink23 : Why is RCN adding another horse racing channel(HRTV)? We already have TVG. Seems like a waste to me.

You could take that channel off and add another HD channel, Maybe ESPN News?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20588535 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:20:32 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20586888 mrbigk : My big hope is with the conversion to an all digital lineup, RCN can avoid using frequencies that get interference from ATT wireless, causing pixelation and an unwatchable tv experience when a cell phone receives voice/data.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20586888 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:55:35 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20586833 anon : New channels look like they could be great, alot more hd then I have with Comcast.

M-HD= MTV HD
Comcast Sportsnet right now only shows the celtics home games in hd, I believe RCn is working on getting the contract from comcast to have a full time hd feed.
Qubo is similar to nickalodian
TBN is a christian network, religious broadcasting, rcn dropped it 4 years ago but is getting it back.

More stuff to come along I bet, Wish i was that lucky, no competition here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20586833 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:46:22 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20585359 damink23 : The notice came in the mail today. July 22nd for digital switch over in my area!!!

As far as new HD channels
USA
SPIKE
M-HD???
Fox Business
The Weather Channel
Comcast Sportsnet- We already have that but marked new????
Speed
Smithsonian
MGM
Universal
HBO2
Cinemax2
Showtime2
Starz Kids
Starz Edge
Starz Comedy

New Digital Channels
Reelz
Shop NBC
American Life
Nickelodeon West
Disney West
Qubo?????
TBN????
Insperational
C-Span3
NASA
Pentagon
Comcast SportsNet Plus
HRTV
BET J
NBC Weather Plus
Current

That appears to be all from the brochure in the mail.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20585359 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:35:37 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20567799 anon : I've now lost all my HD channels, including the only one that matters, NESNHD.

I know it's probably a futile effort, but I just started a Facebook group. If enough people sign up and complain. Maybe, just maybe, RCN might unencrypt all or at least some of the basic HD channels.

I just switched from Comcast not two months ago. At first I was blown away at all I got from RCN. Looks like it was all too good to be true. Why don't they understand that all I want is a tv, not a tv and a mess of wires and a pile of remotes.

In my opinion, HD is supposed to be the evolution of TV. Not 'one more thing we can get a monthly fee off of']]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20567799 Sat, 31 May 2008 06:17:13 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20552483 damink23 : rcn.com/digital now lists the locations of the Boston area offices. The link for channel line-ups still goes to Chicago.

Maybe a June 1st announcement?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20552483 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:35:57 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20541246 anon : what will the channel lineup be? rcn.com/digital on list chicago lineup but not boston.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20541246 Mon, 26 May 2008 12:46:31 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20528562 anon : RCN phone tech support confirmed that everything except channels 2 through 22 and 83 through 98 will be encrypted soon.

When I complained about not wanting to pay RCN another $12/month to rent a crappy cable box, the RCN sales rep suggested that I switch to Dish instead: apparently they include a HD box with your subscription.

That's certainly something I'll be looking at now, but not what I expected to hear from RCN.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20528562 Fri, 23 May 2008 11:09:45 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20519236 arlington : On Sunday here in Arlington I found some of the local hd channels in the clear (4,5,7) but not all. NESN hd and TNT hd were also unencripted and watchable. However most channels without the box (sd included), had stuttering audio and were unwatchaable.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20519236 Wed, 21 May 2008 18:00:16 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20517873 rcbrcb : They most likely encrypted the HD versions of those channels, RCN is only leaving the SD Verisons of the locals un-encrypted.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20517873 Wed, 21 May 2008 14:02:27 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20517805 clock : How come RCN encrypted WLVI (CW) & WSBK? Shouldn't those be counted as locals as well?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20517805 Wed, 21 May 2008 13:50:46 EDT Re: [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20507401 rcbrcb : I believe the process started sometime in February and is still going on in some parts of the city, but it may have been completed by now. RCN converts each neighborhood node over at a time. I got a mailer about a month before my area was converted and that mailer had a date on in which we would be converted. I was originally set for conversion on March 25th but on March 24th I was informed that we were delayed by 2 weeks and our new date was April 10th. When I woke up on 4/10 I was converted and all I had to do was run the guided setp on my three Series 3 HD TiVo's to grab the new lineups.
I choose to ditch my 1 RCN HD DVR and 1 RCN HD Receiver before the switch, as I was going to have to rent another HD or HD DVR for my 3rd TV that I was just getting the analog channels and QAM HD Channels on before the switch. I went with three Series 3 HD TiVo's and rented Cabel Cards from RCN instead. While I was all for the switch to full digital, I felt that handling of the HD QAM Encryption was a joke and I was not about to pay RCN any more rental fees a month for what is a best, crappy equipment. I was not a cheap venture to upgrade to 3 HD TiVo's but ay least I now only have to pay RCN $4.50 per month total for the (3) M-Type Cable Card Rentals. The best part of the switch to HD TiVo's is the ability to network all 3 together using my wireless network, share recorded programs via the same network and the ability to expand the HDD with external Drives...All 3 of the above are things that RCN's equipment can't handle. I did loose the ability to get VOD, but in the 9 years I have had RCN, I had not used in ONCE, so no love lost for me.

I do have to say, the new lineup is great and blows away what Comcrap is offering in Chicago. I guess it will get intertesting when AT&T UVerse launches in Chicago later this year, which is why I am guessing RCN choose to do the "Analog Crush" here in Chicago first.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20507401 Mon, 19 May 2008 16:36:45 EDT [CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20506941 damink23 : With the Boston area next on the chopping block for digital conversion, I thought it would be nice to have one thread for all the questions instead of 2 or 3.

My first question is for rcbrcb. How long did the process take from analog QAM crush to all digital line-up?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20506941 Mon, 19 May 2008 15:13:18 EDT