US Cable Support > Mediacom > [IA] Free Cable?

[IA] Free Cable?

Sounds like they where out of "Internet Only" traps and instead put on a "Limited Basic" trap. With that, You get 2-22 as that is what i have and as long as you don't get noticed your good to go. Now if you where getting Family cable then they would most likely do something about that.

reply to tlongren
Someone installed the wrong trap/filter. You're getting stolen cable, although since you didn't modify the traps you won't be arrested or anything. It could last until tomorrow or 10 years from now, really hard to say.

reply to tlongren
When you dropped cable, they put a filter on your line that only passes HSI and a little bit just around those frequencies. If Nevada's RF channel lineup is anything like in Dubuque, there is a channel adjacent to the HSI area that is being used to transmit some of the digital SD versions of local channels for those users who are getting Broadcast Basic cable. What you are seeing is the bleed-through on the filter due to the design of the filter, which isn't perfect or abrupt. The quality is less because this RF channel is still being attenuated somewhat, plus it is only SD versions (480i).

reply to tlongren
Are you sure it wasn't the coax picking up the locals as make shift antenna? Pretty much anything metal touching the coaxial connector on the back of your tv will act as an antenna.
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"I like to refer to myself as an Adult Film Efficienato." - Stuart Bondek

Just wanted to check as some tv's have different settings than others and how the settings work.

Outside of an RF trap the only other reason I can think of is Mediacom may (or may not) be leaving those channels in the open. Comcast tends to do this on purpose not only to entice people into a subscription, but also to cut a few corners to save some cash. They are mandated to broadcast the locals anyways so why have someone on an antenna when they can already be connected to their cable system and entice them into subscribing?

Again, I'm not sure if this is Mediacom's approach too but throwing out another possibility.
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"I like to refer to myself as an Adult Film Efficienato." - Stuart Bondek

I suppose if Mediacom really wants to get picky, they could classify you as pirating TV given that you have knowingly connected your TV while not paying for television service. But this issue with filters/traps has been well known for years, and I am not aware of Mediacom going after anyone for this.

It may all become moot in a few years, as the FCC has now passed regulations that permits cable operators to encrypt all TV signals, including locals, which up to now couldn't be encrypted. At some point we can all say good-bye to cable TV without requiring a DCT on every television connection.

reply to tlongren
The new HSD traps are allowing local basics through for now. This will change when we drop analog basics and go to a full digital system. Reason behind this is we will be expanding the bandwidth that are used for the modem channels. The equipment in place allows us to put quite a few upstream and downstream channels on the line, and as we continue to increase speed and capacity we will add more. Problem with this is we need to free up bandwidth in the system to make room for it. So yes, you are getting local basics for now, but don't count on keeping it forever. Key difference in the HSD trap and the basic trap is that the basic trap allows some local high-def channels to come through, the HSD trap clamps down on these.

reply to tlongren
I was told by Mediacom the reason for the penalty charge for only having Internet service was to cover the cost of the lowest/basic tier of analog television that is always on the cable. I believe, however, that when I had Internet service with them they had a trap on the line that blocked all television. I never paid too much attention as I had satellite television.