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Tymanthius
join:2013-04-25
Baton Rouge, LA

Tymanthius to Anonguy

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to Anonguy

Re: [LA] When is Cox going all digital?

Not only that, but it would be dumb until there were VERY few analog tv's left in cust's homes.

It's a selling point that you don't need a box.

bbeesley
join:2003-08-07
Richardson, TX

bbeesley

Member

said by Tymanthius:

Not only that, but it would be dumb until there were VERY few analog tv's left in cust's homes.

It's a selling point that you don't need a box.

The cable operators are in a Catch-22 regarding analog television. The marketing folks love that they can advertise that you don't need a box as a competitive advantage to satellite while the data folks would like to be able to use the DOCSIS 3 return carriers between 42Mhz and 85Mhz to allow them to provide higher upstream bandwidth.

In then end, I think it inevitable that operators will eventually do as Comcast has in some of their markets and remove analog TV from their lineup and provide the customers without digital televisions a cheap set-top box.
Foxbat121
join:2001-04-25
Ashburn, VA

Foxbat121 to Tymanthius

Member

to Tymanthius
said by Tymanthius:

Not only that, but it would be dumb until there were VERY few analog tv's left in cust's homes.

It's a selling point that you don't need a box.

Even if there is no analog TVs left, it is still a tough situation for cable providers because they are likely need to offer a free digital box instead of leaving unencrypted QAM channels for basic services.
Demodave5
join:2012-01-17

Demodave5

Member

said by Foxbat121:

said by Tymanthius:

Not only that, but it would be dumb until there were VERY few analog tv's left in cust's homes.

It's a selling point that you don't need a box.

Even if there is no analog TVs left, it is still a tough situation for cable providers because they are likely need to offer a free digital box instead of leaving unencrypted QAM channels for basic services.

I don't understand why Cox doesn't offer the same basic analog in-the-clear channels in unencrypted QAM. This way, they can get rid of the analog channels and only those with older analog-only tuners would need a box. Anyone with a digital TV would be able to get the same basic cable channels as they do now without the need for a cable box.
Foxbat121
join:2001-04-25
Ashburn, VA

Foxbat121

Member

In my area, they do offer broadcasting channels (HD stations) in the clear. But that's something that they would want to get control on(so that you have to actually pay for the basic service in order to get those channels). In some Comcast areas, all digital channels are encrypted.