Chuckles
Premium
join:2006-03-04
Saint Paul, MN | reply to quetwo
Re: Depends
Why/when will Comcast require you to get a cablebox? |
|
en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·DSL EXTREME
| Why: Because analog channels on cable is also a waste of bandwidth/spectrum, and because they can make more $$ with digital services. Eg. Your TV viewing habits can be resold to data mining on digital, but not analog. You can be sold 'on demand' items, and extra services (Football/Hockey, etc).
When: Probably when Comcast decides to push switched digital
--
Canada = Hollywood North |
|
Chuckles
Premium
join:2006-03-04
Saint Paul, MN | And Comcast is increasing it's rates by 500%.
When: Probably when Comcast decides to increase their price.
 |
|
en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Yup
$50/STB/month  |
|
Hangmn
Don't Fight It...It's Inevitable
Premium
join:2000-04-08
Philadelphia, PA | reply to en102
Comcast will probably never go to switched digital. Its a bit expensive..look for an "alternate solution" coming to a node near you.
--
»davescustompc.com |
|
Comcablrtl
join:2003-10-25
Midwest
·Comcast
| reply to Chuckles
For basic cable (roughly channels 2-22)...you will not need to have a cable box for at least 3 years after the transition in Feb. As for Standard Cable (the rest of the channels under 100), nothing will change right at the transition. Comcast will slowly move channels to all digital...which all of them are in most areas with ADS, but they are still simulcasting analog. The transition to an all digital...no analog network is a huge benefit for the company and all customers. |
|
quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI
| That is not correct. Comcast has already changed many markets to digital-only. This includes the entire Chicago market, Muskegon/Grand Haven, Holland, and at least two markets in the Detroit area. Those are just the ones I know of.
The 3 year rule pretty much says that they must offer PEG/Local stations in the analog tier for at least three rules as long as they have any analog/unencrypted signals. They are getting around the rule by getting rid of all analog.
As far a when? The migration is occuring in a market by market basis. Each market has a date set already, but they won't publish it. They are giving people about 3 months notice. The Lansing market (where I live) has a date of July,2009 according to one of the HE engineers I deal with on a regular basis. |
|
