Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to JKL in NBK
Re: Analog channels
IF they were charging the same amount for the digital channels as the analog channels then I would agree with you. Since the channels are already in digital (most channels are available that way now) shouldn't it be cheaper for them to rebroadcast them than to convert the signal back to analog? So why are they charging more for the same channels? |
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nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
 ·Comcast
| said by Lazlow  :...shouldn't it be cheaper for them to rebroadcast them than to convert the signal back to analog? ... they are not allowed to down-convert digital signals to analog (some amendment passed by congress!), so they have to transmit analog channels. I believe it's so people on the basic tier don't have to get a box - so even after the transition, if you have an old analog TV, but subscribe to a basic cable tier, you can still get channels on your old tv without a box. The basic tier is the only cable programming still regulated by the govt.
this requirement goes away eventually, but I forget when. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
 ·AT&T Southeast
| said by nasadude :so they have to transmit analog channels. Basic only, i.e. locals, for cable companies with any analog transmission capability.said by nasadude :this requirement goes away eventually, but I forget when. 2012.
»fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a···70A2.txt |
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GOLFnSUN
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| reply to nasadude
said by nasadude :said by Lazlow :...shouldn't it be cheaper for them to rebroadcast them than to convert the signal back to analog? ... they are not allowed to down-convert digital signals to analog (some amendment passed by congress!), so they have to transmit analog channels. I believe it's so people on the basic tier don't have to get a box - so even after the transition, if you have an old analog TV, but subscribe to a basic cable tier, you can still get channels on your old tv without a box. The basic tier is the only cable programming still regulated by the govt. this requirement goes away eventually, but I forget when. The cable franchising agreements for BASIC cable only REQUIRE a very small set of cable channels(usually local OTA channels, and a couple PEG channels). The channels being moved to digital tiers are most likely not included in those agreements. If that is true, and I think it is, the FCC doesn't have a leg to stand on when demanding price decreases for basic tiers.
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Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to nasadude
How is that going to work? After the cutoff date stations will only be transmitting in digital. If they are not allowed to convert from digital, where are they going to get the signal from? I knew that they had to continue life line(for a while) in analog but I assumed it would just be a signal they converted from digital. I also think that the FCC is letting them bypass this requirement IF they provide a free converter box until that required date. Which, depending on how many you would have to support, may be a cheaper way out for the cable co's. |
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dnoyeB
Ferrous Phallus
join:2000-10-09
Southfield, MI | I did not think cable companies got their local TV signals OTA. Is this true? |
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Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO | I think some do but most have a direct feed. But that feed is still in a digital form. Think about how individual stations get their "feed" from the head office, digital. |
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