dawk2008
@rcn.com
| [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Ok so I read here about 2 months ago that by June RCN will "significantly upgrade" their HD on demand.
When exactly will that be coming ? ...I thought when we got the NCAA snippets a few months ago in HD we were on the way to getting more HD content but nada since then. Anyone have any data ? | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? It's coming, we are working on it each and every day. This entailed a full swap out of all legacy VOD servers in each market. Chicago and Boston are near compeltion. We hope to have HD content to start showing up within a month at least in those two markets. | |
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damink23
join:2002-08-19
Waltham, MA | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Will the new VOD include Howard Stern On Demand? | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? I wish it would but at this time we do not carry HOD. | |
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Dawk2008
@rcn.com
| well its good to know its coming at some point.
It seems it will follow the same pattern as the Aptiv 3.0 rollout. Chicago, Boston, DC, and dead last is NYC and Lehigh Valley.
Any logic as to why the lehigh valley is last ? Are we the smallest subscriber base ? | |
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damink23
join:2002-08-19
Waltham, MA | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? "We schedule the installations around other projects happening in the same time frame and available manpower.."
Is there something else getting updated in the Boston area next week? | |
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jmirabella
Joe Mirabella
Premium,VIP
join:2003-10-20
Lanham, MD
clubs: | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Analog crush is next in boston.. | |
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| | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Have HD-VOD won't snatch up bandwidth from other HD channels will it? Like what is happening on Comcast right now?
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CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by alanisrox69  :Have HD-VOD won't snatch up bandwidth from other HD channels will it? Like what is happening on Comcast right now? Nope 
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Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations | |
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| | | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
 ·RCN CABLE
1 edit | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by rcnman :said by alanisrox69 :Have HD-VOD won't snatch up bandwidth from other HD channels will it? Like what is happening on Comcast right now? Nope Whew! Bring it on then!
PA first! Can I bribe you? Send some strippers to the office perhaps? 
-Derek-
PS. I meant to say "Will HD-VOD...." up there...but I guess you got it lol.
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CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
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| | | | | | moulder3
join:2007-05-21
Boston, MA
| said by rcnman :said by alanisrox69 :Have HD-VOD won't snatch up bandwidth from other HD channels will it? Like what is happening on Comcast right now? Nope That is FANTASTIC news!!! I'm so glad to hear (once again) RCN isn't taking the easy way out and following Comcast. I will continue to refer friends in Boston (who, like me, are wired for both RCN & Comcast) to RCN. I'm happy to patiently wait for HD-VOD, when it means you aren't effectively downgrading our current services, like Comcast is doing to its customers.
I know many of us sometimes vent on this board (and I include myself) but I hope everyone at RCN knows we stay with you for NOT making the moves Comcast has made. Specifically, not squeezing (aka compressing) HD channels and not throttling/limiting/capping your internet. | |
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| | | | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by moulder3 :That is FANTASTIC news!!! I'm so glad to hear (once again) RCN isn't taking the easy way out and following Comcast. I will continue to refer friends in Boston (who, like me, are wired for both RCN & Comcast) to RCN. I'm happy to patiently wait for HD-VOD, when it means you aren't effectively downgrading our current services, like Comcast is doing to its customers. I know many of us sometimes vent on this board (and I include myself) but I hope everyone at RCN knows we stay with you for NOT making the moves Comcast has made. Specifically, not squeezing (aka compressing) HD channels and not throttling/limiting/capping your internet. I absolutely agree! There is 0 reason for compressing and throttling internet. Props to RCN Can't wait for this upgrade!
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damink23
join:2002-08-19
Waltham, MA | I know RCNMAN stated that Boston's digital upgrade looks like it will happen in July. Would this happen sooner with the upgrade to VOD? | |
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eddiecsr
@rr.com
| said by Dawk2008 :
well its good to know its coming at some point.
It seems it will follow the same pattern as the Aptiv 3.0 rollout. Chicago, Boston, DC, and dead last is NYC and Lehigh Valley.
Any logic as to why the lehigh valley is last ? Are we the smallest subscriber base ?
i would say order is done by which market is most competitive. chicago has competition from at+t and comcast.boston and dc has fios and comcast. nyc has timewarner and lehigh has some mom/pop cable company. | |
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| | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by eddiecsr :
i would say order is done by which market is most competitive. chicago has competition from at+t and comcast.boston and dc has fios and comcast. nyc has timewarner and lehigh has some mom/pop cable company.
Not quite. That "mom/pop" cable company is actually the FIRST cable provider in the world.
While their base may not be as large today, I wouldn't call them a mom/pop cable company. 
Regardless, SecTV's HD stuff sucks...compressed channels, pixelations all the time (dishes are not aligned properly)...
RCN > *.*
-Derek-
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dawk2008
@rcn.com
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Oh I would definitely say Service Electric is "mom and pop"
I had it before RCN and it totally sucks. Internet is horrible, HD is compressed and overall service is terrible.
Thinking about it...I can see why Lehigh Valley is last with RCN...they regard service electric as no competition...and they are correct. | |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC | Any word on when the analog crush and HD-VOD will be happening in D.C.? | |
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damink23
join:2002-08-19
Waltham, MA | Is Boston still on tap to be upgraded this week? If so, what changes should we notice? | |
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jmirabella
Joe Mirabella
Premium,VIP
join:2003-10-20
Lanham, MD
clubs: | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? nothing on your end will be different. After the servers get cut to the new platform, we can then sign deals for more content / HD content / etc.. I am just doing the server work, no idea on what deals, what content, HD, etc will be done. | |
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machpost
join:2002-01-11
Washington, DC | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Have the servers in D.C. been updated yet? About a month ago, I came across a pair of 30-minute test HD files buried deep under one of the VOD sections. They looked great. | |
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billymac
@rcn.com
| said by jmirabella :nothing on your end will be different. After the servers get cut to the new platform, we can then sign deals for more content / HD content / etc.. I am just doing the server work, no idea on what deals, what content, HD, etc will be done. Well, it appears some things are different. The HD channels that were previously clearQAM are now encrypted. So personally my service has been degraded. This is in the Boston area. | |
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jmirabella
Joe Mirabella
Premium,VIP
join:2003-10-20
Lanham, MD
clubs:
1 edit | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? VOD Servers and HD Channel Encryption are separate systems.. my changes on the VOD system would not affect anything but VOD.. | |
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BillyMac
@sscountry-auto.com
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by jmirabella :VOD Servers and HD Channel Encryption are separate systems.. my changes on the VOD system would not affect anything but VOD.. sorry for blaming you for it then. | |
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| | | | clock
join:2007-05-02
Roslindale, MA
1 edit | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? No, the analog channels are still fine. | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by rcbrcb :Billymac....The "Analog Crush" that has happened in Chicago already with the switch to full Digital is next slated to start in Boston. The encrypting of the HD QAM channels was RCN's first step in that conversion in Chicago, so I would assume that is why you lost them in Boston. You will not get them back, we tried our best here in Chicago, but RCN refuses...... I know this isn't a popular topic, But again I believe in being upfront and indeed rcbrcb is correct as this is the first step in prepping for crush. | |
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| | clock
join:2007-05-02
Roslindale, MA | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Jason, is RCN planning to leave any of the locals (either SD or HD) in the clear? It'll be nice to know what's going to be left, if anything at all, unencrypted. | |
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BillyMac
@sscountry-auto.com
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? I like RCN. It would be nice if they left extended basic ( < 100) and local HD in the clear after the crush. But it seams that at least for Chicago, everything was encrypted during the crush. I likely will not remain a customer if I have to rent cable boxes for all my TV's and recorders. That would easily double my cable bill. I do hope that they don't do it the same as Chicago. | |
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| | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
1 edit | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by BillyMac :
I like RCN. It would be nice if they left extended basic ( < 100) and local HD in the clear after the crush. But it seams that at least for Chicago, everything was encrypted during the crush. I likely will not remain a customer if I have to rent cable boxes for all my TV's and recorders. That would easily double my cable bill. I do hope that they don't do it the same as Chicago.
Say what?
They have to give you ONE digital converter box for free per month. Additional converters are $3.95. Assuming you pay $75/month for service, that means in order to 'double' your cable bill, you would have to add almost 19 more converters :O
For HD, depending where you are, an OTA box may suffice for Local HD.
-Derek-
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| | | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by nycityny :said by alanisrox69 : Assuming you pay $75/month for service $75/month?!?! For someone getting just the basic channels without a box? RCN doesn't charge that much. In my building we have a special rate of around $32/month for basic cable (channels 2-99) from RCN. Other places certainly are not more than double that amount. I guess I was assuming they had a digital package.
good point though, if you are paying for Basic 2-99, why would you expect the HD channels?
-Derek-
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CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
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| | | | | | | billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? HD locals in clear QAM are part of just about every basic cable TV package out there now.
Also, RCN has carried many of the HD channels in the clear for the past few years. So it's service that we have had for some time with the $35 package. | |
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| | | | | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? I really do see it both ways, but in the end its just like the pay channel argument, "But they worked for years!"...
If Encrypting the QAM means more untouched HD channels I'm all for it!!!
-Derek-
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CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| said by clock :Jason, is RCN planning to leave any of the locals (either SD or HD) in the clear? It'll be nice to know what's going to be left, if anything at all, unencrypted. Broadcast Locals at this time are remaining in the clear.. | |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL | Billymac....After RCN completes the "Analog Crush" in Boston you will have to have a reciver on each TV, just like we do in Chicago, the conversion is a complete elimination of analong channels..... | |
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| tubby17
join:2007-09-15
Easton, PA
3 edits | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? So I currently have an HDTV with QAM and ATSC tuners and no STB. I can get digital and analog versions of the extended basic (1-100) channels and a few HD channels (networks and others such as ESPN2, HGTV, TBS, and TNT). If I still don't have a STB after the analog crush, will I still be able to get the SD digital channels? HD network channels? | |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
1 edit | After the Analog Crush all you will be able to get are the SD versions of your local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc). using a QAM tuner only. You will not be able to get ESPN, ESPN2, etc without a STB. | |
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| tubby17
join:2007-09-15
Easton, PA
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Sorry if this is getting too far off-topic for HD on-demand, but this Analog Crush has gotten me curious. Just a few questions:
1) Is this "Analog Crush" the same thing that is being mandated by the feds for sometime in 2012? That is, after analog OTA signals stop in 2009, I thought that the cable analog signal would stop 3 years later. I fully acknowledge that this may be a total misunderstanding on my part.
2) As I mentioned in the previous post, I have an HDTV with a QAM and ATSC tuner and it is plugged directly into the coax cable (no STB). The channels I get currently include:
Comedy Central (analog): Channel 79
Comedy Central (digital): Channel 18.79
NBC (HD): Channel 104.2
TNT (HD): Channel 109.300
Which of these will I no longer be able to get after the analog crush?
3) If I ever start a rock band, I will call it "Analog Crush". | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by tubby17 :Sorry if this is getting too far off-topic for HD on-demand, but this Analog Crush has gotten me curious. Just a few questions: 1) Is this "Analog Crush" the same thing that is being mandated by the feds for sometime in 2012? That is, after analog OTA signals stop in 2009, I thought that the cable analog signal would stop 3 years later. I fully acknowledge that this may be a total misunderstanding on my part. 2) As I mentioned in the previous post, I have an HDTV with a QAM and ATSC tuner and it is plugged directly into the coax cable (no STB). The channels I get currently include: Comedy Central (analog): Channel 79 Comedy Central (digital): Channel 18.79 NBC (HD): Channel 104.2 TNT (HD): Channel 109.300 Which of these will I no longer be able to get after the analog crush? 3) If I ever start a rock band, I will call it "Analog Crush". 1) Not really related, but yet somewhat related. We are going to a fully addressable system which would mean you would need a Set-Top box to view more then the broadcast channels at this time.
2) The only channel you wil get is the analog version of comedy central if that. Most likely you won't get any of those. I'm not 100% sure, but I know you won't get any of the HD's.
3) What genre music will it be? 80's Hair Bands? Thrash Metal? Judas Priest tribute band? Or maybe even Reggae? | |
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tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA
1 edit | I prefer better quality of picture so I SUPPORT the digital upgrade and more HD channels in an uncompressed format. I tried DirecTv for approximately 3 hours, saw the poor quality of picture and canceled immediately so as not to incur a penalty charge.
I DO NOT support RCN's position on going all digital with encryption and requiring separate STB's for each TV. But I think we are beating a dead horse.. RCN has made their decision and they don't care if we like it or not. The box rental fees and extra cost programming tiers mean revenue. If others are like myself, I don't have another choice in cable companies.
A rumor .. you only get the free digital STB and special rates for 2nd and 3rd boxes if you have NO STB's currently. If you already have a DVR, HD box, etc. then you don't qualify for the free and reduced rate STB's. It appears the free STB is being offered as an appeasement for basic cable subscribers that would lose their tv programming completely. I read this elsewhere, could RCN confirm or deny this here on the forum?
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| | E512N
join:2007-05-22
Chicago, IL
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? I would call customer service and pursue this.
I previously had a HD tuner / DVR unit from RCN. I called ~3 months back or so when I first heard of the digital conversion and asked about the STBs. They sent me one free and then a second one for the "we're going digital" reduced rate.
I don't know if that was a mistake or not - or maybe the HD tuner / DVR didn't officially count - but talking to customer service and asking directly can't hurt. | |
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| | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| I'm not sure your case, but in my case...my HD-DVR is including in my Monthly Bundle...it does show on my bill as like $12 or so, but in reality it's "included" within the monthly bundle price ($124.99 or whatever).
-Derek-
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CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| RCN will be offering HD versions of new release movies starting Tomorrow in Chicago / Boston / NY. The library will build over time. PA and D.C. will follow suit shortly.
After we tackle new releases we will start to put in place the moving pieces to add free content as well as HD Subscription content such as HBO / MAX / etc..
-Jason Nealis
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Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations | |
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See 11 replies to this post |
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ShawnDC
join:2007-03-30
Washington, DC | The Golden Compass is now listed as HD in DC. It's the only movie I could find but it's a start! | |
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ShawnDC
join:2007-03-30
Washington, DC | The Golden Compass is no longer listed as HD VOD in DC. When might we start getting some HD VOD action??? | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? said by ShawnDC :The Golden Compass is no longer listed as HD VOD in DC. When might we start getting some HD VOD action??? That was actually an error, and I had it removed as DC and PA don't have HD yet.
However, DC and PA will launch HD on June 20th, That when new releases will start showing up in the HD format on VOD. The library will build weekly.
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Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations | |
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| | mjjason
join:2005-08-28
Allentown, PA | Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Is HD on Demand only for Pay-Per View channels or will HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc... also be have HD on Demand? | |
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| | thesuperzman
join:2008-06-18
Silver Spring, MD
| Sorry for the repost - doing it as a member this time:
Hi - I am a brand spankin' new RCN subscriber in Montgomery County Md. I switched because of price. The remote is taking a hell of a time to get used to.
My question - is Montgomery County considered 'DC'. The reason I ask is last night, I called RCN and they said all systems were out in DC - but I was getting service.
This is important for me to understand because I watching exclusively HD content. When I moved from Comcast, I didn't realize RCN did not have HD content on Demand. If I had a reference (June 20th??) as to when it was coming, I could suffer with the low amount of content upfront.
Thanks again!! | |
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thesuperzman
@swbell.net
| Hi Jason and RCN - I am a brand spankin' new RCN subscriber in Montgomery County Md. I switched because of price. The remote is taking a hell of a time to get used to...but I will get there.
My question - is Montgomery County considered 'DC'. The reason I ask is last night, I called RCN and they said all systems were out in DC - but I was getting service.
This is important for me to understand because I watch nearly exclusive HD content. When I moved from Comcast, I didn't realize RCN did not have HD content on Demand. If I had a reference (June 20th??) as to when it was coming, I could suffer with the low amount of content upfront.
I presume (if I understand from the previous posts) we'll se HBO, Discovery, etc. HDVOD?
Thanks!! | |
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ShawnDC
join:2007-03-30
Washington, DC | I believe that for channel line-ups and whatnot, they refer to the whole DC metro area as "DC" although I suppose outages could be more localized. | |
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| thesuperzman
join:2008-06-18
Silver Spring, MD
| Re: [CATV] HD on Demand....when ? Thanks Jason. I appreciate the information that you and RCN are providing.
Despite an absolutely atricious install that has taken two days and is still not complete - the picture quality, content, and general happiness folks have with the service reassures me this was the right choice.
I am starting to see the light after being under Comcast's thumb for the last five years. Understanding RCN is trying to upgrade the 'right' way makes waiting for content, etc very easy.
Thanks. | |
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