US Cable Support > RCN > [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs even

reply to dworsky

Re: [CATV] RCN to Encrypt Basic Cable, Boxes Needed on ALL TVs e

reply to dworsky
Am I the only one not bothered by the cable box needed per TV fee? I think about Satellite TV and FiOS, you need a box per TV with them. The local cable competitors are slowly requiring a box as well, so this isn't an RCN thing here. I do have an issue with what one poster in here said, the tech screwed up and didn't filter out the TV channels. While that may be the case, it still gets us who pay good money, more then what you pay for cable internet alone, upset that you got those channels for free. I can't lie, I wouldn't say a word either, but I wouldn't go posting in here about it. So don't get upset when people in here tell you that you're stealing etc... as I'd hate to say it you and the sloppy tech who didn't do the right things are part of the reason these people need boxes for each TV. I'd say 50% of the reason really. The other 50% is what I mentioned before, you need the box for satellite and FiOS, why not do the same?

What i'm really curious about is, when will SD channels start going away? It's been a good ten years since the CRT TV's were sold, it's time to make a small HD box like the current SD box and make that the default box for $5/month. Make the SD box an option at the same price.

Shady, here's the thing. This goes way back. I live in a development. There are deed restrictions from putting up tv antenna, but not satellite dish's. Didn't exist when the development was put in. And back then, developers made deals with cable providers for sole rights to their developments. So I only have access to one cable provider. (thought I might have two recently, but was given wrong information). So I'm locked in. I need high speed internet due to my work. Again, only one choice. First, I'm extremely pissed off at the FCC for changing the "in the clear" basic channels. That rule should never have been changed. And the charges are the second. $11.99 for an HD receiver is ridiculous. I agree a smaller hd box like the current sd box size and at $3.95 would be acceptable. But RCN just raised our rates, what, two months ago. Now this? Come on. Really? I still believe that cable tv as we know it will go away. And everything will be internet based streaming. And that is what RCN is setting up for. Everything appears to be squeezing every bit of available bandwidth out of their network. Just a guess though. But I think everyone is sick of paying for over 300 channels that they only watch maybe 10 regularly? I pay for Showtime and most prime time TV viewing is on those channels. I want a la carte pricing.
One last thought. Forcing a box on every TV, gives RCN the opportunity to hopefully get the customer to use extra services like On demand. Without a box, it's not going to happen. The same reason I believe the cable industry pushed cable card out. After all these years, and with a lame attempt by the FCC to get more consumer products out there that can make use of a CableCard, CableCard consumer products are non-existent.

reply to dworsky
Update:

Went to a local RCN branch office and explained I got the flyer in the mail(they had no idea what I was talking about). Asked how many TV's I had and I told them. I then get asked, "Then you need another box?".

Me: Well ya I guess so now but is it going to be an HD box?

Them: No we are only required to offer you an SD box for free.

Me: Why? My FREE locals come in HD without a box.

Them: It would be unfair to everyone else to give you an HD box for free since it normally cost $11.95.

Me: I shouldn't have to pay for a box I don't want or need.

Them: It is not our decision and my supervisor has made it clear as to not offer anything other than the SD box.

Me: It is not fair to take something away I had for free already and then charge me for lower quality to get it back.

Them: You will get more channels so isn't that worth it?

Me: *irrate* No, it's extortion.

We went back and forth a little more....

Email going to customer service...

reply to Geto
>>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?

You are the very category of person that the change applies to. Most HDTVs have a built-in QAM tuner that has been able to display high definition pictures of basic channels, as long as they are not encrypted. You WILL need a box starting on April 10, otherwise that TV will become a doorstop.

If you want HD on that set, argue for an HD box, as I did... and you will get it for a year. (I assume you have a higher level of cable service than basic elsewhere in the house).

Edgar

reply to shadyman777
>> What i'm really curious about is, when will SD channels start going away?

April 10 in Boston...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

reply to quattrog
He does know... because I heard from him directly.

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?

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).

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.