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ajcstr
join:2004-07-15
Cherry Hill, NJ
| Digital switchover question I currently have 4 televisions, 1 HD 3 analog. I have one HD converter box, one digital and the other two TV's have no converter box.
Will those two tv's still function after the digital switchover? I was under the impression that they would, since I have digital cable now, but I read an article in the paper yesterday that implied I will need converter boxes on those also once the changeover occurs. | |
|  ak3883
join:2005-08-20
Bensalem, PA
2 edits | Re: Digital switchover question If you have cable plugged into those 2 TVs without a cable box, then NO the digital TV transition on Feb 17th 2009 does NOT affect them. If you do not have cable plugged into them at all, and only an antenna, then yes it will affect you if they are older TVs.
A cable box is NOT the same as these DTV converter boxes. The DTV boxes are ONLY for OTA television received with an antenna.
Cable has their own plans which do include moving some channels over to digital only. But it has nothing to do with next year's transition.
If you are asking this, you might find it useful to watch one of the local Philly newscasts tonight at 6PM, they will be answering questions about the DTV transition, since PA is doing a statewide "test" at 6:25PM tonight. | |
| | ajcstr
join:2004-07-15
Cherry Hill, NJ
| Re: Digital switchover question This is the article that was in the Phila inquirer yesterday:
»www.philly.com/philly/business/34535164.html
You are right, I did miss this:
"Comcast's timing of its digital migration is independent of the government program for over-the-air broadcasters"
So Feb is not the conversion date for me, but this is the statement that got me:
"Comcast has developed special offers, code-named Project Cavalry, to keep nondigital customers from bolting to competitors as it goes almost all digital. Customers who face a mandatory digital upgrade will be eligible for a free cable box and two free digital-to-analog converter boxes, or DTAs, Harrar said.
Comcast says it could distribute 25 million DTAs, which are about the size of two decks of cards, to customers in the next year or two."
This is leading me to believe that some type of converter will be needed when they do switch over. I get channels 2-99 on those 2 tv's now (without boxes) but I am guessing this is because they are still analog and I won't even get those once they are digital channels also. | |
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Greg2600
join:2008-05-20
Belleville, NJ
| Verizon Fios, for example, is transmitting channels only in digital form, not analog. FIOS requires a box on every TV. They charge $3.99 for the smaller, less functional boxes. You get all the SD channels, no guide, no HD channels, no on demand. Comcast is beginning test market roll out of the same kind of setup. They are using small boxes, with similar functionality as Verizon's, but may cost less per month. Comcast is not doing this for the Feb 2009 deal, but because Analog channels require more of the signal feed than digital. Therefore, if they can take away most if not all of the analog channels, Comcast can offer much more Digital and HD channels. They must do this to remain competitive with FIOS. I have no idea when the Philly area would get this. Probably a year off, Comcast has not said. They are testing in Oregon at the moment. | |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
 ·Comcast
| Despite what Comcast has been saying, you WILL need a digital box once Comcast has completed the digital migration in your area.
Some areas in Michigan, for example, have already gone through the digital transition, and now require a box to access any channel above 24.
--
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| | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
| Re: Digital switchover question said by Rob  :Despite what Comcast has been saying, you WILL need a digital box once Comcast has completed the digital migration in your area. Some areas in Michigan, for example, have already gone through the digital transition, and now require a box to access any channel above 24. But ONLY if they want things above broadcast basics, no??? | |
| | | The Q
join:2008-06-26
Collegeville, PA | Re: Digital switchover question But to access channels 1 through 24 I am guessing that no box is required. That is the question. | |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| Re: Digital switchover question said by The Q :But to access channels 1 through 24 I am guessing that no box is required. That is the question. In most markets, channel 1 is On demand. You will need a box for that. 2-24 can be accessed without a box, in those markets that have gone through the digital migration. | |
| | | | | The Q
join:2008-06-26
Collegeville, PA | Re: Digital switchover question Channels 2 through 24, correct, thanks! | |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| said by dishrich :said by Rob :Despite what Comcast has been saying, you WILL need a digital box once Comcast has completed the digital migration in your area. Some areas in Michigan, for example, have already gone through the digital transition, and now require a box to access any channel above 24. But ONLY if they want things above broadcast basics, no??? Right. | |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | OTA Digital Switchover has nothing to do with the CATV industry, other then they are using it to confuse consumers, and move the analogs into Digital Exclusive encrypted tiers. | |
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bill8765
@comcast.net
| Re: Digital switchover question Comcast is required by its various franchising agreements/federal agreements and some other laws which i am sure someone here well correct me on to convert only basic cable to analog. Basic Cable being NBC FOX CBS ABC and the local access channels. The other channels still being broadcast in analog are up to the local comcast system and corporate policy. In Michigan where I work for comcast the network and head end techs have been spreading the rumor that by 2010 only NBC FOX CBS ABC will be analog along with that government channel no one watches. | |
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