disc
join:2005-12-31
Raleigh, NC | FCC regs? quote:
In compliance with the FCC regulations regarding the analog-to-digital switch, Comcast and others will still need to be giving out digital adapters to analog customers ...
Are there FCC regs on this? My sense is that the FCC is giving them free reign. So any pricing on digital adapters and any decisions on whether basic tier channels (re-broadcasted local channels) are kept analog or digital is up to the good will of the cableco making the switch. |
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| Comcast Chicago is already all digital, so it doesn't look like there are many issues keeping them from going all digital already. |
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Qixotl
join:2002-02-08
New Milford, CT | reply to disc
The FCC regulations are as follows:
quote:
DUAL MUST-CARRY: The FCC Rules
Under the FCC’s report and order, cable operators will be required from Feb. 18, 2009, to Feb. 17, 2012, to:
-Carry a local broadcaster’s digital signal in analog and digital formats; or,
-Carry the signal only in digital format, provided that all subscribers have the “necessary equipment” (digital set-top boxes) to view the broadcast content.
-Carry the high-definition signal of broadcasters in high-definition format.
SOURCE: FCC
»www.multichannel.com/article/CA6478706.html |
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| Keep in mind that even the new TVs will require a set top box if Comcast decides to not broadcast their digital "in the clear". You can go out and get a Digital Cable Ready TV (cable card slot) but good luck with that since it seems as if Cable Card is not doing well. Now it sounds like most cable co's are going to go with DTA converter boxes.
Consequently, for the HDTV in your living room the digital transition can be a good thing. However, for the other TVs around the house the analog to digital transition is going to be painful for a lot of people. Comcast needs to stop advertising that "we have nothing to worry about"!! |
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bennorPremium
join:2006-07-22
New Haven, CT | reply to reelbigfish
said by reelbigfish:Comcast Chicago is already all digital, so it doesn't look like there are many issues keeping them from going all digital already. But what channels do you get unencrypted? That's what most (including myself) are wondering. Going all digital is fine but give us subscribers with digital or analog TV's a way to receive the basic channels we get now without resorting to renting another STB. Right now I get 50 QAM channels however most are in both SD and HD via QAM so in actuality I only get 15 to 20 actual channels on QAM versus 77 on analog. |
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 RickNYPremium
join:2000-11-02
Manorville, NY
 ·Optimum Online
| said by bennor:Going all digital is fine but give us subscribers with digital or analog TV's a way to receive the basic channels we get now without resorting to renting another STB. The move to digital has cable companies migrating away from the use of line traps and the subsequent truck rolls that go with them. Encryption is the only way to ensure someone in a package only gets what they pay for, otherwise basic customers could receive family programming for free just because those channels were in the clear. That issue is already being addressed by the use of CableCARDS -- so either get a TivoHD or a TV with a CableCARD slot. |
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