dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs even Last fall, the FCC gave cable companies an early Christmas present: when their systems become all digital, they can encrypt/scramble even basic or limited basic cable channels. This means that EVERY TV will need a box or DTA (digital transport adapter) even if you have an HDTV with a QAM tuner that currently is able to display local channels in HD.
Under FCC rules, if all you have is limited basic, RCN will give you two "boxes" for two years free. If you subscribe to a higher level of service now, you will get one "box" for one year.
Here's the problem: the boxes they plan to give you are NOT HD. So all those HDTVs (and computer cards) that you have that just have the cable going directly into the back will STOP FUNCTIONING soon.
See: »www.rcn.com/boxes
(They hide the fact of what type of box you will get.)
Under FCC rules, you have to be given 30 days advance notice before the basic channels are scrambled... and my notice arrived today in Somerville, MA. As of April 10, 2013, my TV in the kitchen, office, guest room, and my computer will stop displaying ANY stations. Over my dead body am I going to pay $10 a month per box for HD boxes for each of these sets.
The FCC has screwed millions of customers who have HDTVs with no boxes (and not just RCN customers).
See: »www.consumerworld.org/pages/fccscramble.htm
At a minimum, HDTV owners should be given HDTV boxes free for one or two years, not standard definition ones as they plan to do.
Who would think that in 2013, we have to go back to using rabbit ear antennae? |
|
| Re: [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs e shouldn't they by law be forced to offer a full HD set top box as the locals in HD are included in the limited basic tier  |
|
dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | Yes, the FCC should have required an HD box for people enjoying HDTV without the box... but the rule is silent on the type of device that is to be provided.
Thanks again, FCC. |
|
|
|
 rcncaresEmiliePremium,VIP
join:2012-01-04
Gainesville, VA | reply to dworsky
dworsky - I can look into this for you. Would you be able to private message the name on your account?
Emilie |
|
dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | reply to dworsky
UPDATE:
RCN just posted a complete list of channels it will encrypt in the Boston area at:
www.rcn.com/images/boxes/Boston_Encrypted_Channels.xlsx
To my surprise, they are leaving most of the local and broadcast network channels in the clear (unencrypted)... at least for now.
Some PBS broadcast channels, ION, and maybe a few others will be encrypted, but Boston area RCN cable subscribers will continue to able to watch HD broadcasts from the major networks and local stations WITHOUT having to add any equipment to their HDTVs.
Whewww (I think). |
|
| reply to dworsky
Re: [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs e Chicago encrypted all their locals even tho their notice says locals are not encrypted
»www.rcn.com/images/boxes/RCN_Enc···okie.pdf
said by dworsky:UPDATE:
RCN just posted a complete list of channels it will encrypt in the Boston area at:
www.rcn.com/images/boxes/Boston_Encrypted_Channels.xlsx
To my surprise, they are leaving most of the local and broadcast network channels in the clear (unencrypted)... at least for now.
Some PBS broadcast channels, ION, and maybe a few others will be encrypted, but Boston area RCN cable subscribers will continue to able to watch HD broadcasts from the major networks and local stations WITHOUT having to add any equipment to their HDTVs.
Whewww (I think).
|
|
| reply to dworsky
Here we go again. I can't believe the FCC. I just found out that another service provider is now in my area. I'll be checking them out as I know they don't require a converter box. At least not yet. This is just ridiculous. |
|
dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | FURTHER UPDATE: When I called RCN customer service a few days ago, they said their Excel spreadsheet is WRONG for Boston... that local/broadcast stations WILL be encrypted on April 10.
Who/what is to be believed? The website or the agent? |
|
dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | Good news and bad news...
An RCN executive just informed me that the local/broadcast stations in Boston WILL BE ENCRYPTED on April 10, and that the website's spreadsheet indicating otherwise is incorrect.
The good news, and despite the FAQ, is that the company will provide an HD box free for one or two years, under the FCC order... but you have to request it.
Despite occasions blips, sometimes serious ones, I continue to love RCN. I just wish they left the broadcast channels in the clear, because after the free year, we will all have to either rent an HD box or go back to rabbit ears. |
|
| reply to dworsky
I hope RCN has smaller HD boxes by then. The TV in the kitchen doesn't have enough room for the current ones. |
|
 cchhat01Dr. Zoidberg
join:2001-05-01
Elmhurst, NY
 ·RCN CABLE
·Earthlink Cable ..
| reply to dworsky
What about NYC? Is this also the case for NYC. I see that locals channels (NBC/ABC/PBS/FOX/CBS) are not listed to be encrypted.
Whats happening in my area?
I only have cable internet. I've often taken the cable that comes into my house and put in a splitter to hook it up directly into the TV (however at the moment its just my cable modem due to speed issues).
Are locals going away altogether in NYC also?
--
"Look at me, I'm Dr. Zoidberg, homeowner." |
|
 rcnmanJason NealisPremium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
kudos:11 | said by cchhat01:What about NYC? Is this also the case for NYC. I see that locals channels (NBC/ABC/PBS/FOX/CBS) are not listed to be encrypted.
Whats happening in my area?
I only have cable internet. I've often taken the cable that comes into my house and put in a splitter to hook it up directly into the TV (however at the moment its just my cable modem due to speed issues).
Are locals going away altogether in NYC also?
Yes, this would apply for NYC as well.. Is this particular case you would need to purchase a limited basic video package in order to have access to RCN Video. If you are currently purchasing only Internet that does not include video.
The Spreadsheets people have been referring to are inaccurate, well at least Chicago is. The others are a reflection of today and not when encryption kicks in. Those will be updated today.
-Jason Nealis
--
Jason Nealis,
V.P. Engineering and Operations |
|
| Jason, could you please answer the question on what type of cable box will be given to the current subscribers? Will it be HD or SD? How many "free" in the first year? When RCN switched to all digital, it was stated that the first SD box would be free. There was never a mention of it only being a limited amount of time. And we all saw that "free" box go away.
And this is all on top of the recent price hikes. Somethings got to give. |
|
| reply to cchhat01
Sorry but it's because of people like u that rcn is encrypting basic channels. When you split your signal to watch tv channels u don't pay for that's considered theft of service. That causes loss of revenue for rcn , increased prices for paying customers, and loss of features that many PAYING customers have enjoyed for years. Now everyone suffers!
said by cchhat01:What about NYC? Is this also the case for NYC. I see that locals channels (NBC/ABC/PBS/FOX/CBS) are not listed to be encrypted.
Whats happening in my area?
I only have cable internet. I've often taken the cable that comes into my house and put in a splitter to hook it up directly into the TV (however at the moment its just my cable modem due to speed issues).
Are locals going away altogether in NYC also?
|
|
| reply to dworsky
I have a box on all my TVs, so I'm not affected by this change, but don't feed us BS like this (from the letter):
This change will improve service quality, reliability and security, plus reduce our service change response times and service visits.
How does it improve service quality or reliability again? |
|
| reply to dworsky
Over the weekend, I set up a brand new Samsung TV for my mother in law room. We have RCN and an HD TiVo box in our bedroom with basic cable (no extra channels packages). I was going to get an extra box during the week but I plugged the coax directly into the TV, then I noticed that during the setup the TV started looking for analog/digital channels and "descrambling" signals and found a bunch of them, enough channels that she might not need the extra cable box.
I was not aware that you could use cable without a box, specially now that is digital. Is it possible that I got lucky with the TV with a built in feature but that this will go away come April 10? Can I still have basic channels (HD?) without paying a monthly fee for a cable box?
The TV is a Samsung ES46UN7500 and I have RCN in Boston. |
|
 shadyman777The Hero of TimePremium
join:2009-03-02
Allentown, PA
·RCN CABLE
| reply to FinalDragoon
said by FinalDragoon:How does it improve service quality or reliability again?
It keeps people who get the cable modem service only from plugging in a TV and receiving free TV that we pay good money for. |
|
| No it has absolutely nothing to do with that and Gregg Hughes shame on you. I pay for the service to enter my home. What happens to it after that is not RCN's business.
When I had cable internet only for a while from RCN there was block installed the line instantly. All I received was internet, no channels. So unless a technician isn't doing their job no one is "stealing" anything.
We pay exorbitant amounts of money when it reality people may watch 25% of the channels. So who is stealing from who? |
|
| reply to Geto
This will go away on April 10. The cable companies were required by FCC rules to provide free, in the clear, any signal that was available over the air in your area. They have changed that, and now RCN is taking advantage of that change and will encrypt these same channels. So, yes, you are currently able to receive those, but that will go away. |
|
