Reviews:
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to Geto
Re: [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs e said by Geto :Over the weekend, I set up a brand new Samsung TV for my mother in law room.
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. Short answer is NO.
Longer answer is that the FCC required that all tv's sold in the USA after 2005 be developed to have what is called a QAM tuner that would allow you to receive unencrypted digital signals via a cable. The equivalent tuner for "over the air" (OTA) digital signals is called an ATSC tuner.
When HBO began operating in 1972, and TBS began cable broadcasts in 1976 the Fcc realized that cable companies would be more profitable if they only transmitted a hand selected group of channels. In order to protect the broadcast television stations they passed a regulation that the cable companies had to carry those stations as well as any others. When the technology was developed to cheaply encode all channels, protecting the cable companies against widespread signal theft, the Fcc ordered the cable companies to leave the OTA signals unencrypted.
So prior to April 10, 2013 plugging a cable into some or all of the TV's in a home to get these stations was not "theft of services". But in November 2012 the Fcc regulation was successfully challenged in court, and the cable companies could begin encrypting all channels.
In my humble opinion, RCN should voluntarily leave some channels unencrypted. I would suggest the:
(1) RCN TV
(2) Public Broadcasting Stations
(3) Local independent stations. In the Lehigh Valley that would be:
69.1 720p WFMZ-HD Main WFMZ-TV programming
69.2 480i WFMZ-AW The 69 News AccuWeather Channel
69.3 WFMZ-ME Me-TV
69.4 WFMZ-RT Retro Television Network
39.1 Main WLVT Programming / PBS
39.2 V-me
39.3 Create
60 WBPH-TV
These channels would not be a threat to RCN's business model, and people who want to put small TV's in the kitchen, garage, or bathroom would still be able to watch the news, or old reruns without cluttering the space with setup boxes. |
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Reviews:
·RCN CABLE
| reply to Pacomartin
RCN Lehigh Valley I call RCN whenever I see a new offer being made. They have been generous about giving me services just for calling.
1) Signature Digital Cable TV (70 in High Def)
2) Showtime and The Movie Channel
3) Starz
4) 25 Mbps High-Speed Internet
5) Unlimited Local and Long-Distance Calling
A) Cable Modem
B) Router
C) MoCa Bridge
D) Tivo Quad with 500 Gb disk
E) Satellite Tivo
F) Digital setup box (standard def)
For $122 per month + $15 taxes and $5 fee for wiring insurance
It was $10 cheaper for a full year. |
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Reviews:
·RCN CABLE
| reply to quattrog
Re: [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs e said by quattrog:Just got back from a very frustrating visit to the local RCN office on Avenue C in Bethlehem PA. From what I can see, RCN is offering low cost packages in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia that they do not offer in Boston, NY, DC, and Chicago. They are offering 50 Mbs internet service in NYC for $35 but you must pay a minimum of $80 to get any kind of TV at all.
Lehigh Valley RCN Offer
Digital TV & 50 Mbps High-Speed Internet
TV CHANNELS:38 Channels 21 in HD
INTERNET SPEED: 50 Mbps Package includes 1 HD converter and 1 digital converter, PLUS Docsis cable modem rental. $49.99/mo
So at least be grateful for this option. |
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| reply to Thermo1223
Thermo, I first contacted customer service and spoke to someone there. They were the ones that told me we were to be given our choice of box. |
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| reply to quattrog
If I have an issue should I just call general customer service or is there a particular person I should talk to? My e-mail has gone unanswered as of now. |
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| reply to quattrog
Ok, just got a call back from the local service center manager. RCN WILL supply an HD box free for one year. Thank You RCN for stepping up to the plate on this one. I think I'll stick around for another year  .
I have always said and will say again. RCN is technically a sound company. I cannot complain about their technology or reliability. I may not be happy with their pricing, or "extra" fees. But they have stepped up to the plate and I'm pleased. Thank You!!! |
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| reply to Thermo1223
said by Thermo1223:Yes it was Ave. C and my experience was not as bad as yours, man they really care it seems.
I left out a bit where I kept asking them how it was fair to charge me for something I get for free now. It makes no sense, she just ignored that and get rattling off how every TV needs a box.
Ugh I seriously want to go to SECTV but my wife would kill me for changing again. Maybe I should just give Directv another call. The dish is still sitting on my roof from the last time.
SECTV has TCN and CSN.
Go with Directv but they are still locked out of CSN and TCN. |
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| reply to eastondave
Yes eastondave, no one is blaming the front counter help. RCN sent out the notices and apparently did it before educating their employees who would be dealing directly with the public. RCN's bad. And from a customers stand point, very bad customer service. |
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| reply to eastondave
Maybe because management shouldn't say one thing and then tell their employees another. No one is blaming them for this. We are blaming RCN/FCC in general. RCN does not have to do this, they want to regardless of public opinion.
No one is abusing them I don't yell at people I don't know.
Directv I know at least does and at least their service it is understandable as to why they need it. I only have to run one like for Directv to the main DVR(if I so choose). |
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| reply to Thermo1223
i dont like encryption but why are you taking out your anger on the poor store front service folks? its not their decision to encrypt everything. blame it on uppermanagement if anyone. they dont get paid enough to take abuse from customers.
its like blaming a minimum wage mcdonalds cashier if management decided to double the price of a big mac overnight.
directv requires a box on every tv so why would that be better than rcn?
said by Thermo1223:Yes it was Ave. C and my experience was not as bad as yours, man they really care it seems.
I left out a bit where I kept asking them how it was fair to charge me for something I get for free now. It makes no sense, she just ignored that and get rattling off how every TV needs a box.
Ugh I seriously want to go to SECTV but my wife would kill me for changing again. Maybe I should just give Directv another call. The dish is still sitting on my roof from the last time.
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | reply to quattrog
He does know... because I heard from him directly. |
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| reply to quattrog
Yes it was Ave. C and my experience was not as bad as yours, man they really care it seems.
I left out a bit where I kept asking them how it was fair to charge me for something I get for free now. It makes no sense, she just ignored that and get rattling off how every TV needs a box.
Ugh I seriously want to go to SECTV but my wife would kill me for changing again. Maybe I should just give Directv another call. The dish is still sitting on my roof from the last time. |
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| reply to dworsky
I posted a question on here to Jason and never received a reply. I asked if he could find out for sure SD or HD. Not sure that he knows |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | reply to quattrog
Quattrog,
I feel your frustration. I would hope that RCNMAN who monitors this forum for the company helps get out a company-wide message to local offices and customer service people that indeed the company has (seemingly) decided to offer customers their choice of SD or HD box during the one or two year transition period mandated by the FCC.
Edgar |
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| reply to dworsky
Just got back from a very frustrating visit to the local RCN office on Avenue C in Bethlehem PA. First, the person behind the glass wasn't really up on the "free" anything. She said she couldn't authorize anything for free. And when I stated I wanted an HD box as the free box, she went to look for her supervisor. She told me to take a seat and she'd be right out to talk to me. 10 minutes later, still no supervisor. I inquire where she is, and the person now can't find said supervisor. So I left and she said the sup would call me. I got the call, and was told no HD. I complained but to no avail. She tried to tell me that this encryption is being mandated by the FCC. I call BS and tell her that the other cable company in the area allows it's customers to use the QAM turner,(they even have a QAM channel listing on their web page you can download). So no need to rent anything from them. If you pay for extended cable, you get it via QAM and in HD.
So after being told no HD, I said this, "Since I already am paying for one SD box (it was the original one that we were supposed to get free when the analog crush happened), why not just credit me for the free box and apply it to that one already on my account. Well, she will have to look into it and get back to me. UGH!!!!!!!
I will say this again. I have no complaints with RCN from a technical point of view. But customer service is not thei strong point. |
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| reply to dworsky
If you would like to tell the FCC your thoughts about BASIC SERVICE TIER ENCRYPTION, here’s how:
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
or email them from here:
Chairman Julius Genachowski: Julius.Genachowski@fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel: Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.gov
Commissioner Ajit Pai: Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov
I just fired off a long winded email to the addresses listed above. |
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| reply to dworsky
RCN,
I don't understand why you don't offer Evolution's HD uDTA?
»www.evolutionbb.com/cable/Univer···634.html
You can even launch it with a simple whats on now, whats on next guide... and Rovi is going to release a guide for it soon.
DMS2004UHDS
»www.evolutionbb.com/cable/Univer···495.html
Liberty wall-plate (good for hospitality, schools, health clubs, resaurants or any other public place)
»www.evolutionbb.com/cable/HD-uDT···521.html
Evolution has a guide server you can install and I'm sure you could auto-map HD channels to the original channel number to make things simple and ensure customers are tuning to the correct (better quality) HD feed.
They work on both Motorola and Cisco based headends and offer universal privacy mode decryption. MPEG2/4 and 1 Ghz tuning. Those specs should last you literally years to come. |
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| reply to Thermo1223
I'm assuming you went to the local office on Avenue C. Well all I can say is that is NOT what was stated to me on the phone when I called. they said I had my choice of free box. I guess I'll be looking at the same fight when I go there. |
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 shadyman777The Hero of TimePremium
join:2009-03-02
Allentown, PA
·RCN CABLE
| reply to dworsky
said by dworsky:>> What i'm really curious about is, when will SD channels start going away?
April 10 in Boston...
I think they meant all together. There's no chance that SD channels will go away yet from the lineup. |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | reply to shadyman777
>> What i'm really curious about is, when will SD channels start going away?
April 10 in Boston... |
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