wth
Premium
join:2002-02-20
Iowa City, IA
 ·Mediacom
1 edit |  Channel Lineup Changes & Additions
BTN-HD
Discovery HD
TLC HD
Animal Planet HD
Fox News HD
Lifetime HD
Looks like you could also get these channels with just a QAM tuner in your HDTV also.
ADDED: added "channels to the title | |
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 Cableman32
join:2007-10-05
Florida, NY | Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions Yes, next month they will begin putting all of the family cable tier in the clear. | |
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Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA | Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions As long as they don't change the no support policy about QAM tuners I have no problems with going clear QAM. | |
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| wth
Premium
join:2002-02-20
Iowa City, IA
·Mediacom
| said by Cableman32  :Yes, next month they will begin putting all of the family cable tier in the clear. Reading this would indicate to me that all the family cable channels & HD channels will be "clear" and viewable with a HDTV with qam tuner, and no box. | |
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Bierboy
join:2008-08-07
East Moline, IL
·Mediacom
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by wth :said by Cableman32 :Yes, next month they will begin putting all of the family cable tier in the clear. Reading this would indicate to me that all the family cable channels & HD channels will be "clear" and viewable with a HDTV with qam tuner, and no box. And that would be patently wrong. | |
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| | wth
Premium
join:2002-02-20
Iowa City, IA
·Mediacom
| said by wth :said by Cableman32 :Yes, next month they will begin putting all of the family cable tier in the clear. Reading this would indicate to me that all the family cable channels & HD channels will be "clear" and viewable with a HDTV with qam tuner, and no box. Let me restate the part "& HD channels" to read "Family cable HD channels", as there's really no reason to scramble the "family cable" digital channels, inculding the family cable HD channels. Ask your self this question: Mediacom didn't scramble the analog family cable channels, so why scramble the digital family cable channels? | |
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| | | basenji
join:2006-11-02
Waconia, MN
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions They scramble the digital because traps can't take out all the family cable digital. HSD only customers could have the HSD trap on and still hook a QAM tv and get most of the channels. As I have said before, it is a control tool.
Unless things change with where the channels are located or the traps we have, family will always be scrambled. This is only my opinion, not a company policy or any inside knowledge, so take it for what it is worth. | |
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IowaStudent
Premium
join:2008-08-21
Grinnell, IA | Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions Before I got broadcast basic (cause I wanted everything to go through the house) I hooked up a TV and I recieved the 60's 70's on analog but now that I have a proper setup I only get the 70's channels. Why? | |
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| | | | | k9iua6
join:2004-05-23
Dubuque, IA
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions As was mentioned in another discussion thread, the trap that Mediacom puts on your line for basic broadcast only, which is a low-pass filter, does not entirely trap effectively the frequencies above the cutoff. The effectiveness drops for a range of frequencies that correspond to that range of channels, with the signal strength getting through sufficient for some reception. | |
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| | | k9iua6
join:2004-05-23
Dubuque, IA
| Let me restate the part "& HD channels" to read "Family cable HD channels", as there's really no reason to scramble the "family cable" digital channels, inculding the family cable HD channels. Ask your self this question: Mediacom didn't scramble the analog family cable channels, so why scramble the digital family cable channels?
Well, maybe they want to make more money with the value-added service of providing HD? Or maybe technically they can't do it yet due to lack of bandwidth in the clear (non-trapped) spectrum?
I'm sure it costs money for Mediacom to receive both the HD and SD versions of programming. Or money to convert the HD signal to the SD version for Family cable. Mediacom is entitled to get that paid for by subscribers.
Also, you mustn't forget that we are also dealing with franchise agreements with communities about what goes into program tiers. The FCC only dictates what must happen with the basic tier, and the "must carry" declaration by a local broadcaster only applies, IIRC, to the primary "channel". As the digital conversion continues, I expect to see franchise agreements, as they get renegotiated, to try to include more HD and clearQAM as they can. That will all take time, and Mediacom will stage it in a way that hopefully doesn't have them loose customers along the way or quality of service. | |
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Bierboy
join:2008-08-07
East Moline, IL
·Mediacom
| said by wth :said by wth :said by Cableman32 :Yes, next month they will begin putting all of the family cable tier in the clear. Reading this would indicate to me that all the family cable channels & HD channels will be "clear" and viewable with a HDTV with qam tuner, and no box. Let me restate the part "& HD channels" to read "Family cable HD channels", as there's really no reason to scramble the "family cable" digital channels, inculding the family cable HD channels. Ask your self this question: Mediacom didn't scramble the analog family cable channels, so why scramble the digital family cable channels? Umm...because they can? And they want to make money off them? | |
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| | | | wth
Premium
join:2002-02-20
Iowa City, IA
·Mediacom
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by Bierboy :Umm...because they can? And they want to make money off them? Mediacom can also make money by having the channels in clear qam, as it would be a selling point vs dish & direct. With sat, I think you need some kind of box for each tv. With clear qam you would only need a hdtv w/qam tuner, you wouldn't need any boxes. | |
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| | | | | nicheplayer
join:2008-02-15
Iowa City, IA
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by wth :said by Bierboy :Umm...because they can? And they want to make money off them? Mediacom can also make money by having the channels in clear qam, as it would be a selling point vs dish & direct. With sat, I think you need some kind of box for each tv. With clear qam you would only need a hdtv w/qam tuner, you wouldn't need any boxes. Hear, hear! Aside from the marketing angle, it's just the right thing to do, for Christ's sake. How do you think their customers feel when they see a non-Mediacom ad telling them to get ready for HDTV with the purchase of a new TV, only to find out Mediacom has made the decision to STILL require a box rental for certain channels? I know how I feel about it, and it seems unlikely I'm alone. | |
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hawkeye_wx
join:2009-01-07
Cedar Rapids, IA
| said by wth :BTN-HD Discovery HD TLC HD Animal Planet HD Fox News HD Lifetime HD Looks like you could also get these channels with just a QAM tuner in your HDTV also. We can get the digital channels(80s & 90s) using the QAM tuner, but I don't see anything about the non-local HD channels being put in the clear anytime soon. | |
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implode
@mchsi.com
| They will remove or move all the regular channels to higher tiers, then mysteriously forget to add the HD channels they promised. We are well over a month late in Columbia, MO on the HD channels they promised us. F- mediacom and their piss poor service. | |
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igloo_98766
@mchsi.com
| ^ Actual Iowa City notice. Speed HD & FX HD finally going to be added. | |
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| threexk
join:2009-01-13 | Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions Four new religion channels, wow. | |
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| | garn91
join:2005-01-15
Ankeny, IA
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by threexk :Four new religion channels, wow. cha ching! The God Squad channels pay Mediacom. | |
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| | | soitgoes2
Premium
join:2005-01-14
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by garn91 :said by threexk :Four new religion channels, wow. cha ching! The God Squad channels pay Mediacom. I'm so excited. | |
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| wth
Premium
join:2002-02-20
Iowa City, IA | said by igloo_98766 :
^ Actual Iowa City notice. Speed HD & FX HD finally going to be added.
Could/may be tomorrow (Tue) | |
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cool318
@mchsi.com | Big ten network???!?!?
IN HD??
Hopefully this happens in indiana as well. | |
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Bierboy
join:2008-08-07
East Moline, IL
·Mediacom
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by cool318 :
Big ten network???!?!?
IN HD??
Hopefully this happens in indiana as well.
Ugh...not a college sports fan...couldn't care less. Now, give me Versus HD where I can get Professional Bull Riding and NHL hockey in HD, THEN we're talking  | |
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Cableman32
join:2007-10-05
Florida, NY | Has been delayed until next month. | |
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| CR Hawkeye
join:2008-01-16
Cedar Rapids, IA
| said by Cableman32 :Has been delayed until next month. My Tivo got the new channels yesterday, but of course they didn't work. Is it really delayed another month? | |
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| clone73
join:2009-02-02
Iowa City, IA | A public notification would have been nice, especially considering that the online TV guide on Mediacom's Iowa City website shows the new lineup. My Tivo is now worthless for the next two weeks. | |
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Cableman32
join:2007-10-05
Florida, NY | They may be adding some of the HDs, but the transition to clear QAM on the SD channels has been delayed until the week of the 6th. | |
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Divedeeper
@mchsi.com | So nice that the website that they're pimpin in the ads has no easily locatable info | |
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hawkeye_wx
join:2009-01-07
Cedar Rapids, IA | I just saw an ad on tv that I think said July 7th is the date some analog channels will be moved and new HD channels will be available here in Cedar Rapids. | |
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| threexk
join:2009-01-13
1 edit | Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions Beginning July 7 and ending July 10 for Iowa City/Coralville, according to this PDF a CSR just e-mailed me.
I will report the line-up error to TiVo tonight, in hopes they'll fix it back until the new date:
»www.tivo.com/setupandsupport/con···ool.html | |
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IowaStudent
Premium
join:2008-08-21
Grinnell, IA
1 edit | Does anyone know when the Marshalltown/Newton/Grinnell Area will have analog channels change?
Our line up is odd as we get both the DSM & the CR affiliates and I would assume ours is different. What would we get for new channels? | |
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| wth
Premium
join:2002-02-20
Iowa City, IA
·Mediacom
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by IowaStudent :Our line up is odd as we get both the DSM & the CR affiliates Not really. There's markets in NE IA that get channels from IA & Madison. And also in SE IA along the river they get IA & ILL channels. | |
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| garn91
join:2005-01-15
Ankeny, IA
| said by IowaStudent :Does anyone know when the Marshalltown/Newton/Grinnell Area will have analog channels change? Our line up is odd as we get both the DSM & the CR affiliates and I would assume ours is different. What would we get for new channels? Western Iowa has both Omaha & Des Moines local affilates, why I have no idea as SW Iowa isn't even in the Des Moines DMA. Just a waste of bandwith if you ask me. | |
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HawkeyeKev
@netexpress.net | Any word on these channels (or any new channels) in the Quad City area? | |
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cool318
@mchsi.com | Just got the new HD channels on the date they said the would show up!
still no BTNHD
which i dont see why indiana can't have the BTN | |
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hockaye
@uifoundation.org | Rescanned the channels last night here in I.C. on my Olevia with clear QAM tuner and am not seeing anything in the 800 range. Perhaps it's still too early? | |
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See 8 replies to this post |
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hawkeye_wx
join:2009-01-07
Cedar Rapids, IA
1 edit | Ditto here in Cedar Rapids. The channels in the low 50s have moved, but none of the new HD channels are available.
I do have an HD box. | |
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Cableman32
join:2007-10-05
Florida, NY
| Ok, so I guess i wasn't clear that only the Family SD channels will be unencrypted. The family cable SD digital will be moved into the trap area, but there currently isn't the bandwidth available to also move the family cable HD channels into the trapped area.... that is until more analog is removed. | |
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nicheplayer
join:2008-02-15
Iowa City, IA
| I guess my bottom line is, I'll be damned if I'm going to rent a box from MC when I have an HDTV sitting here. Knowing MC, I'll just have to live with the fact that I'm paying for stuff they're not letting me see. TV rots your brain, anyway. | |
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| k9iua6
join:2004-05-23
Dubuque, IA
| Re: Channel Lineup Changes & Additions said by nicheplayer :I guess my bottom line is, I'll be damned if I'm going to rent a box from MC when I have an HDTV sitting here. Knowing MC, I'll just have to live with the fact that I'm paying for stuff they're not letting me see. TV rots your brain, anyway. Well, as one who doesn't have an HDTV yet, I would probably feel the same way you do. At least with respect to the local broadcast stations. Lacking the money or the clear need to buy an HDTV yet, I probably won't buy one until I know what shakes out with HD, the different programming tiers, and the progressive shift to digital television.
In the meantime, as a Family-only subscriber with only 4:3 analog televisions, my bigger beef and anxiety with both broadcasters and Mediacom is with letterbox vs. center-cut cropping more than I am with Mediacom about what programming is in the Family tier and whether it is clearQAM. (My preference is letterbox for everything, as it drives me ballistic to see text cut off by center-cut cropping, but that is the subject for a different thread.) But I understand your concern, and am watching this progression very closely. | |
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clone73
join:2009-02-02
Iowa City, IA | I just spoke with customer service again and the upgrade in Iowa City is not done. I guess the July 7th date wasn't a deadline like the letter stated. I'm sure the due date on my bill would not be treated with the same casual attitude. | |
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hawkeye_wx
join:2009-01-07
Cedar Rapids, IA | Fox News HD and Lifetime HD have just been added to Cedar Rapids' Mediacom service. No Big Ten, Discovery, TLC, or Animal Planet, yet. | |
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