CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Here she comes!
Letters will be mailed out probably this week announcing the removal of expanded basic in the City of Chicago. ( the actual CITY not the 1000 surrounding suburbs )
A DCT will be included in the price of standard cable. Basic will be the only option for cable ready tvs. ( chnls 2-22 usually )
All additional boxes needed will be charged as they are now.
No dates as of yet, it will be zip code by zip code. And no, we will not see 80 new channels added by the end of the week.
Everything takes time, this is step one. And I think its a step a lot of markets will be seeing this year.
If Comcast can follow suit with the rest of the region we will be waving goodbye to analog for the most part, and waving in a crap load of content, channels and speed.
Please, argue amongst yourselves! 
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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CRP
Comcast of Ocean County
join:2005-12-26
Brick, NJ | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) I think this is a good thing. Analog is like a bad cold that won't go away. | |
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 | Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
 ·Comcast
3 edits | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by CRP  :I think this is a good thing. Analog is like a bad cold that won't go away. it's like pneumonia here. Shows no sign of fading either.
We can at least get the ball rolling by getting ADS up and running. I don't think it'll happen soon, but "thoughts" aren't important. The reality is, I have no idea, but seeing the nature of this market, I'd "guestimate" something of Chicago's magnitude happening in at least a couple of years. Nothing to worry about around here. I doubt we even have to worry about more analogs moving to the digital tier in the near future.
Anyway, congrats Cabletool, but I have no idea what this means for the future of your market. Can you keep us updated? I'm curious to see if any other changes will come this year(for Chicago) as a result of this. | |
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CRP
Comcast of Ocean County
join:2005-12-26
Brick, NJ | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Perhaps there are some issues that your market has to work out before rolling out ADS. There's really no reason not to go ADS, since it is one of the first steps in becoming all digital. | |
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| | | Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
1 edit | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by CRP :Perhaps there are some issues that your market has to work out before rolling out ADS. There's really no reason not to go ADS, since it is one of the first steps in becoming all digital. I wonder when these issues will be addressed or how long it takes to address them. Apparently, it takes a long time. Also, perhaps going all-digital is far from a priority here. If not, then ADS isn't that important to people running the system here. It would be an important change to my viewing experience though. I'll have to see what Comcast-Savannah does over my extra long summer break. | |
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| | | | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20 | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) The people that are running your system are the same people that run the others.
Comcast, as a whole, has an overall direction they take the company. It's just that not all systems get there at the same time for varying reasons. | |
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| | | | Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by Loker :said by CRP :Perhaps there are some issues that your market has to work out before rolling out ADS. There's really no reason not to go ADS, since it is one of the first steps in becoming all digital. nope I think Brian Roberts just hates me LOL Well when Comcast took over AT&T our system was a horrible mess...we had almost no channels, no HSI, signal leakage was absolutely horrible... Comcast came in laid a bunch of fiber and new coax...got us tons of new channels and HSI but then just stopped...no HD or VOD which I still do not get why they did not do in 2004 when all these upgrades were happening? Anyway I just keep asking my local office when all of its coming and it always gets pushed back  its going on 3 years that they have been setting dates and breaking them.... JTF was responding to me, but I think the same applies here, except for HD. We have a good bit of HD.(at least we will if they activate the currently unauthorized HDs) | |
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| | | | | | elwaylite
join:2006-09-01
Goose Creek, SC | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) According to our local guy on AVSforum, all channels should be digital mby end of 2007. SDV coming late 07 early 08 also. Im all for it, free up the space and improve the pq. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| said by mikedz4 :are you saying that channel 2 will no longer exist cabletool? That in the city of chicago channel 2 will be on channel 1002 instead of channel 2 for instance (not a real number by the way just an example) and people who just plug in a cable ready tv and tune to channel 2 starting say Monday will get snow or a screen that says please visit 2200 south vista blvd and pickup a dct2426(also not a real cable box another example) to receive this channel on channel 1002 for no extra charge for a year." ? No thats not what he's saying at all.
Ch 2 is basic. Basic is usually Ch 2 through 20 or 30 (depends on local system's lineup). He said they are moving expanded basic to digital. There will be no change for people with boxes already, as the entire lineup is already coming through in digital because of the ADS. The people who have expanded basic with no box will have to pick up a box to receive the channels over 20 or 30 (whatever his upper limit is). Removing all of those expanded basic channels from analog frees up a ton of room. Like I said they are already digital simulcast, so current digital customers will not notice a thing, unless they have an extra TV in the house without a box. The channel lineup doesn't have to change at all. | |
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MadMANN
Premium
join:2005-08-19
·Comcast
| said by mikedz4 :are you saying that channel 2 will no longer exist cabletool? That in the city of chicago channel 2 will be on channel 1002 instead of channel 2 for instance (not a real number by the way just an example) and people who just plug in a cable ready tv and tune to channel 2 starting say Monday will get snow or a screen that says please visit 2200 south vista blvd and pickup a dct2426(also not a real cable box another example) to receive this channel on channel 1002 for no extra charge for a year." ? You can map a digital channel anywhere. They will likely keep the same channel numbers.
Some people have it in their head that a digital channel has to be displayed above 100. Not true at all. Channel 2 will likely still be channel 2. But if you have a STB, it will be digital.
Plus, this is from the original post:
said by CableTool :Basic will be the only option for cable ready tvs. ( chnls 2-22 usually) | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Too true. People see cable boxes like their QAM tuners. Most QAM tuners cannot map freqs to channels.
The box basically says, Take Freq 579mHz and show that on display channel "2". Thats a digital freq and it is showing channel 2 digitally. It can just as easily be displayed anywhere.
When digital first came out channel 100 was the point of demarcation, everything above was our digital line up. Just for ease of use. But now, if you are digitally simulcasted, all your channels are digital. Locals, Lowers, uppers, everything.
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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| | | | | | | | plat2on1
join:2002-08-21
Hopewell Junction, NY
clubs:
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by CableTool :Too true. People see cable boxes like their QAM tuners. Most QAM tuners cannot map freqs to channels. they would if comcast would pass PSIP data | |
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ji0005
@pacbell.net | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) FYI. I got my letter. 60614 zip code. | |
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celeritypc
For Lucky Best Wash, Use Mr. Sparkle
Premium
join:2004-05-15
Caldwell, NJ
| If anybody has a newer tv with a QAM tuner, it is irrelevant unless the digital channels are encrypted. On my system, expanded basic digital channels are clear. I'm sure that for those who want to use their older tvs, a QAM tuner is available for sale somewhere (not stolen equipment or anything that requires authorization.) Sure, you may have a box on your tv but you don't have to pay for the additional one from the company. The only reason to get one from the company is to receive any encrypted channels.
In the long run, it is a good thing. | |
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siouxmoux
@comcast.net
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Here in San Jose, Ca The Transition from Digital to Analog Cable is going in reverse. Thanks from renew Franchise Agreement from the City. Comcast was force to new PEG channel to CH 97. And more to come. There are currently five of these Peg channels on the Analog Cable side. If City of San Jose wants anymore additional these type Channels Comcast should put these on the Digital Basic Tier. And stop wasting Bandwidth for channels that only serve an small portion cable viewing audience. I don't see any big outcry for more SD Peg channels Vs. More HDTV Channels. | |
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jmdomini
Premium
join:2000-05-04
Sycamore, IL
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| What is the charge presently for additional boxes? I used to have a second box in my bedroom just for the convenience of having a guide. But I was getting charge both for the box and a "digital extra outlet".
I'm not in Chicago though, just wondering. | |
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| dead_screem
join:2004-09-10
Carol Stream, IL
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by jmdomini :What is the charge presently for additional boxes? I used to have a second box in my bedroom just for the convenience of having a guide. But I was getting charge both for the box and a "digital extra outlet". I'm not in Chicago though, just wondering. In my area, its broken down as such,
DCT $4.01
Digital Additional outlet service $5.99
Which is a major rip-off imo.
Whenever this comes to my area there's no way in hell my parents will pay $10 per TV to get our other 3 TVs digital...
There's also a $0.23 charge for remotes but I believe that's included in the $4.01 DCT fee. | |
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| | WayneHolmes
join:2006-12-23
Mountlake Terrace, WA
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by dead_screem :]In my area, its broken down as such, DCT $4.01 Digital Additional outlet service $5.99 Which is a major rip-off imo. Whenever this comes to my area there's no way in hell my parents will pay $10 per TV to get our other 3 TVs digital... There's also a $0.23 charge for remotes but I believe that's included in the $4.01 DCT fee. Overall this seems like a smart move for Comcast. As a low margin customer (limited basic, no digital, no CDV, no extras) this is probably what will trigger me to disconnect my cable service.
Assuming I'm not alone, this will have the effect of raising the average revenue per subscriber, which should also raise their net profit per sub.
Wayne | |
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Travelfan1
RIP Analog Go Digital
join:2005-08-23
Iselin, NJ
·Comcast
2 edits | Congratulations Windy City! Hopefully these letters will start coming to my area very soon! No questions, a step in the right direction from Comcast!
Tool >> What's the percentage of users that are expanded-basic in the Windy City? I am just wondering if Chicago was chosen to start this project because, say, there's not a lot of expanded basic users... Also, how much would Comcast charge for the extra DCT boxes? | |
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patspub
join:2005-02-10
Philadelphia, PA | So your saying their going move all these anolog channels to channels over 100??? | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by patspub :So your saying their going move all these anolog channels to channels over 100??? Thats not even close to what Im saying.
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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| Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| said by patspub :So your saying their going move all these analog channels to channels over 100??? Probably means the expanded basic channels will be trapped out or encrypted or something, so that no one w/o a QAM Tuner(and cablecard) or box can access them. Remember, Chicago is ADS, thus these channels are available in a digital format. | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12 | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) They will just be "removed" No longer transmitted. Only transmitted through ADS/Digital.
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Awesome. Our system is at 750 MHz, and almost packed to the gills. Removing the majority of analog is much more cost effective than rebuilding the system to 1GHz. Plus it will take forever to get the whole plant up to 1 GHz. This is what most area's need to do. I take it your digital box penetration is over a certain threshold where they aren't afraid to do this a little early.
There's other area's like Baltimore and Philly where Expanded basic is analog scrambled. Those folks are already used to using a box on their TV, so might as well move them to DCT-700's. After all Analog Scrambled channels are about as efficient as a Hummer on Gasoline! (Thanks MadMANN for that quote). | |
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rody_44
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA | im all for ads. but comcast takes my standard analog channels off i will consider that a breach of my 2 year contract. | |
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| elwaylite
join:2006-09-01
Goose Creek, SC | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) 2 year contract, I've never heard of a contract for cable. | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12 | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) The new triple play promo can last for two years but its contracted. | |
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| | | plat2on1
join:2002-08-21
Hopewell Junction, NY
clubs: | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) wish that would happen here, the analog quality is so bad here its not even wroth watching  | |
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jsinaiko
Premium
join:2001-04-25
Chicago, IL
 ·AT&T Midwest
| I got a message on voice-mail today - called back and it's changing over on April 10th in the city.
The cost of the extra box depends on your service. I have Standard and it's costing me $4.25 per month I think.
I'm in 60615 but they said it's going to be the whole city.
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Illegitimati non carborundum
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58483323
Gurt me
join:2003-06-23
Normal, IL | Will this roll out to the suburbs any time after Chicago implements this? | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Most likely. Even though the city is huge, most of the north/northwest side already scramble the expanded basic. Once the city is converted the suburbs will most likely follow. Huge freaking undertaking!
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
1 edit | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Woah! They went back to scrambling again?
I've been part of an unscramble and trap conversion.. only to be part of the 6 man team to scramble and untrap a couple years later.. Sacramento to be exact. NOT fun! | |
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rody_44
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA
·Comcast
| just a guess but ide be willing to bet its going to be a long time before the suburbs see it. it makes much more sense now that we know at least part of it is scrambled anyway. that means they need a box anyway so why not. i still believe most of us will be able to enjoy analog well beyond the year 2010. | |
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rody_44
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA
·Comcast
2 edits | how exactly do you handle the subs that already have a digital box. i suppose they dont get a free one and now you get to listen to my neigbor has one for free. why do i have to pay for the 2 i have now. you are also going to have subs calling up and ordering digital boxes expecting you to come out and install a free box in a seperate bedroom upstairs that never had cable. then you get the pleasant job of having techs sent out for no reason. personally i think its a big mistake making a move like this. but then i also feel the move is being made as much for theft reasons as a bandwidth crunch. we will know for sure if and when the move reaches the suburbs. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) If expanded basic is already scrambled, people already have boxes where they want that level of service. It's a matter of swapping out the analog box for the digital one. This would only affect legacy customers that signed up longer than 5 years ago or so. The latest customers would of already been given digital boxes.
Let us know how the transition goes. | |
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| | scanpa
Premium
join:2006-09-06
Lebanon, PA | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) I heard they did a massive hiring promo for about every job position, to get ready for this. Hope this goes smoothly. | |
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drchud
join:2006-01-18
| I wonder if Dish and DTV will push ads here in Chicago hard trying to get disgruntled comcast customers who have to pay for each STB. Comcast should consider including 2-3 standard STB for free like how the Sat companies give out 4. Its gonna get expensive for those who have tv in 4 rooms. Over $20 in just box rental fees. Its gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out. | |
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| plat2on1
join:2002-08-21
Hopewell Junction, NY
clubs: | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) the sat companies give you the receivers(as in you don't need to buy them) but they still charge a monthly fee for every receiver past the first... | |
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Loker
Premium
join:2004-07-11
Fargo, ND
clubs:
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by plat2on1 :the sat companies give you the receivers(as in you don't need to buy them) but they still charge a monthly fee for every receiver past the first... yeah Dish rents just like the cable companies....DirecTV gives you the boxes free but then makes you pay each month for the boxes....and if you are a current DirecTV customer you can not get any promotions and end up stuck paying for additional boxes plus the monthly fee....(thats how it worked when I dealt with DirecTV...and I still see DirecTV receivers for sale inside best buy so I assume it is still true?)
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"While preceding your entrance with a grenade is a good tactic inQuake, it can lead to problems if attempted at work." -- C Hacking | |
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Herm
@comcast.net | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) This kind of blows for people with a DT Series 2 Tivo. | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Yeah, motorized cars blew for the people with a horse drawn carriage business too.
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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mlx52
| I currently have a 3416, and a 3412 on the two HD sets, along with 5 additional analog only sets, can I walk into a Comcast office and pick up DCT-700's for the 5 sets? Also, does Comcast have plans to sell (either through Best Buy, or some other place) the DCT-700's, so I don't have to pay the monthly charge for each box?
Looking forward to increases in HD, and possible HSI speed increases sometime down the line. Is there any guess as to how much bandwidth this is going to free up?
Thanks | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) I have no idea if they would let you pick up that many at once. Sounds like a troubleshooting nightmare as far as getting them to work without knowing your signal/noise etc.
I believe there is a mandate for purchaseable equipment in the next few months. Id have to look it up, havent kept up with it.
As far as bandwidth, say approx 50 analog channels at average compression can provide space for about 4-500 digital channels. ( not that there are that many out there) But also HD content can take 2 channels per one analog and CHSI capacity.. I have no idea how they will break it up and even if they will anytime soon/this year.
Im looking at this as step one. I am not aware of steps 2,3,4 or even 1.5 
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CableFAQ.org/Technicians Unplugged
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Evanston
@comcast.net
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) I'm in Evanston, IL (Chicago suburb). After seeing this thread I checked the program banners, and it shows the Dolby symbol on channels 2-99. This was not true some months ago, I don't know when it happened, but I assume I am now getting digital simulcast.
I had been thinking that the 'analog' quality on my HD set had improved, and now I see why.
We haven't been notified of any package changes, though. | |
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| | | idave03
join:2005-04-07
Chicago, IL | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) I got my letter today. does anyone know if i buy a cable box (off ebay) will comcast still charge me the extra 5 bucks for the "extra digital outlet". Thanks | |
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| | | | DMS1
join:2005-04-06
Carrollton, TX
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by idave03 :I got my letter today. does anyone know if i buy a cable box (off ebay) will comcast still charge me the extra 5 bucks for the "extra digital outlet". Thanks No - comcast won't charge you, but the police may charge you with receiving stolen property. | |
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patspub
join:2005-02-10
Philadelphia, PA | So people in Chicago are mad that they will not be able to view anolog channels directly thru the back of their TV-Correct??? We haven't been able to do this in Northeast Philly for years now. We always needed a anolog box since 1988. | |
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See 10 replies to this post |
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Al Smith
join:2005-06-09 | It's smart for Comcast to do what they're doing. In most major cities, illegal cable hookups can run upwards to 60% penetration. Going to digital, will help to alleviate the problem. | |
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| FanaticGamer
join:2006-10-16
Jacksonville, FL | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Al, your absolutely right. There's a complex here in Jacksonville with almost 400 apartments, 15 customers. No Sat Dishes anywhere.... We almost want to make it Not Servicable. The entire Complex has been Rebuilt TWICE. in 5 years.
-FG | |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| Comcast called last week (both at home and at work) offering free digital cable for 1 year. Just have to keep paying our analog fee and they'll throw in digital cable for free.
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YourIP.US - It's Your IP .. and more!
rr.cx - Personal Site.. coming soon. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| I can see this being a problem for Hotel's, Schools, Hospitals, etc... A big building with 100's of TV's cannot afford or manage a set top box at every set. I was just at the Hospital yesterday and they have these flat panel personal TV's on an arm that you can move over the bed. They are getting 60 some cable channels, and there's at least 15 more Hospital modulated channels. If patients can only get the first 20 channels, that is going to really suck! Hopefully that digital to analog device becomes a reality soon enough to help the commercial, education, and healthcare markets. | |
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CableTool
Poorly Representing MYSELF.
Premium
join:2004-11-12 | Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) They can modulate all the channels so the rooms will not need to have a box. | |
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| | Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by CableTool :They can modulate all the channels so the rooms will not need to have a box. If analog is eliminated, is it possible for a cable company the compression of the standard digital channels. Certainly it's the last thing on a cable company's mind, but I just want to know if it is possible | |
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madrhino
join:2004-07-03
 ·Verizon FIOS
4 edits | I was forced to switch to a DCT-700 last week because my dad wants HBO and some dumbass country station.I still have analog service but those channels are no longer on the digital simulcast or whatever they had that worked.
Now I get pixilated garbage and dropped audio.
Comcast in their divine benevolence has deigned to schedule a tech to come by in only 2 more days.
Of course having had to deal with Comcast for years I know the odds of him actually showing up are 40%(based on factual experience).
So horse and buggy comments aside-if it ain't broke ,don't fix it.Of course that is only practical advice when so much money being fought over by so many people isn't the case.What a stupid mess.
edit-Looks like I had it wrong.They WENT to simulcast.I thought they got rid of it.I dunno,I just know it worked(surprisingly well) for over 20 years through several differnet companies until Comcast got ahold of it and broke it.Luckily I can use the rabbit ears to watch the 2007 NCAA championship(at least this year)
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Get Verizon FIOS,The Anti-DIOS | |
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CRP
Comcast of Ocean County
join:2005-12-26
Brick, NJ
·Comcast
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Found this article online from the Chicago Tribune, which talks about the removal of Expanded Basic from the analog lineup in Chicago.
»www.chicagotribune.com/business/···ness-hed | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| I was quite surprised that they are removing all of expanded basic in one fell swoop. I would of thought maybe they would remove a block of say 10 channels every 2 or 3 months and ease the transition. Even if they removed 10 channels, that free's up plenty of bandwidth for the next 3 months. Then in 3 months when that extra bandwidth is used, they can eliminate the next block of 10 channels.
Well no big deal, just kinda took me by surprise. I wouldn't mind if they did this in all area's because I understand the importance of bandwidth. Sure they could upgrade to 1GHz, or go with proprietary solutions like vyyo's 3GHz overlay, but that costs more money which would just be transferred down to our monthly bills. Who needs all that analog anyway, it's entirely too inefficient. | |
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| Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by cypherstream :I was quite surprised that they are removing all of expanded basic in one fell swoop. I would of thought maybe they would remove a block of say 10 channels every 2 or 3 months and ease the transition. Even if they removed 10 channels, that free's up plenty of bandwidth for the next 3 months. Then in 3 months when that extra bandwidth is used, they can eliminate the next block of 10 channels. Well no big deal, just kinda took me by surprise. I wouldn't mind if they did this in all area's because I understand the importance of bandwidth. Sure they could upgrade to 1GHz, or go with proprietary solutions like vyyo's 3GHz overlay, but that costs more money which would just be transferred down to our monthly bills. Who needs all that analog anyway, it's entirely too inefficient. Down here, I think Augusta, Ga is doing the same. The website for that area no longer has an expanded basic option. It's not even an option when scanning the line-up, so maybe Chicago isn't the only one that is doing this.
As for the situation as a whole, I think it may relieve pain on expanded basic analog subscribers if Comcast made the first "2"(vs. 1) free because if more markets were to do something similar, you'll have plenty of customers paying 7 dollars for each additional room, which would make their prices less competitive(to say DTV/Dish) since Comcast's prices are already higher in many aspects. This just adds another price advantage for them, since they charge 5 for each receiver vs. Comcast's 7 in many areas.(areas only charging 5 may be OK).
Also, won't customers eventually be able to purchase their boxes due "removable security"(I think, someone please correct) me? If this is the case, would Comcast still charge the same price for additional receivers if one was to buy one.
(I honestly think my take is wrong on this issue anyway, but as I said, please correct me) | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) Yeah I thought that removable security was so that box manufacturers can compete and any brand be purchased by a consumer. Then no matter what encryption scheme, the Cable Co can insert that type of card (SA, Motorola, NDS, etc..) and download it's OCAP guide to the box.
I thought those DCT-700's and other cheap/small SD boxes were supposed to be able to be purchasable just like a cable modem. Hey why is it that you can buy a cable modem but not a cable box? Perhaps a combination of OCAP and removable security will change that.
Even if you own a box, you'll still have to pay a monthly fee for that outlet. Probably whatever the cable card fee is, since that's the piece your renting. | |
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| | | Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| Re: Goodbye analog. ALMOST! ( chicago) said by cypherstream :Yeah I thought that removable security was so that box manufacturers can compete and any brand be purchased by a consumer. Then no matter what encryption scheme, the Cable Co can insert that type of card (SA, Motorola, NDS, etc..) and download it's OCAP guide to the box. I thought those DCT-700's and other cheap/small SD boxes were supposed to be able to be purchasable just like a cable modem. Hey why is it that you can buy a cable modem but not a cable box? Perhaps a combination of OCAP and removable security will change that. Even if you own a box, you'll still have to pay a monthly fee for that outlet. Probably whatever the cable card fee is, since that's the piece your renting. If we were able to, the problem with buying boxes that are different brand than the one serving our area is the fact that the area must be OCAP capable, and most won't. Comcast would have to significantly speed up the OCAP rollout for such a thing to happen and I don't see that happening. They are probably still completing or working on select markets; Unless someone knows otherwise  . | |
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