jhlmsln
join:2005-05-01
Washington, DC | reply to billymac
Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston?
BYE !
jhl |
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billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802
1 edit | reply to anon1
said by anon1 :
You sure know how to toot your own horn Dworsky, but aside from that do have any reason you cant change providers if this is so bothersome?, I would.
Some complexes will be locked into RCN and not have a southerly view. Not everyone has a choice, other than cable or no cable.
Even with this change, RCN would still be the cheapest for me, which I'm sure they are aware. I jumped ship only due to the encryption of the local HD channels. I personally think the move to all digital is for the best, but it would have been nice if they left more in the clear. I still recommend RCN to people if they plan to rent cable boxes as I think they have a better offering than Comcast and on par with FIOS (except the Internet if you want max speed, but it's close on the download side)
For them to encrypt something that can be picked up with a standard antenna is ridiculous. I'm paying more to FiOS so that I can record local HD broadcast on my HD HomeRun without fighting reception issues with an antenna. (Ok, so I can't get it with a basic antenna, but still. I just couldn't find a sweet spot, there was always one that dropped in and out.)
For the record, Verizon is handling the box per TV a little better. Every customer can get a few DCT700's for free, no matter their current subscription. These are trimmed down boxes but no less functional than what an analog TV without a box was. They even gave me the deal when I called the day after install with the analogs already turned off in my area. They use the tag "making 100% digital 100% easy," or something similar when you call. RCN should try to make it 100% easy.
Billy
PS I'm still paying for RCN until Wednesday for anyone that wants to yell at me for still hanging around after switching. I'm still a customer dangit!  |
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anon1
@comcast.net | reply to dworsky
You sure know how to toot your own horn Dworsky, but aside from that do have any reason you cant change providers if this is so bothersome?, I would. |
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clock
join:2007-05-02
Roslindale, MA
 ·T-Mobile US
 ·RCN CABLE
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to s4v8
said by salvenus  :If I have a TV with a cable card slot, then I do not need a converter box. I can use the card slot to get HD content? Yes, if your tv has a CableCARD slot, then all you need to do is call RCN to request one. You will get all the channels you currently get w/ a converter box. The only thing you will not get is On-Demand and PPV. |
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salvenus
join:2003-11-03
Bethlehem, PA
| reply to dworsky
Am I reading this correctly?
»www.rcn.com/cabletv/converter-boxes/
If I have a TV with a cable card slot, then I do not need a converter box. I can use the card slot to get HD content?
sal |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA | reply to anon1
Be sure to see the Boston Globe story about RCN converting to all digital here, on DSL's news page:
»RCN dropping analog channels |
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anon1
@comcast.net | reply to Mike_Lippert
Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston?
Hey Mike, check this out, it may provide a little more info.
'»[CATV] Official Boston area digital conversion Thread' |
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foom
@rcn.com
1 edit | reply to Paul_Brookline
said by Paul_Brookline :
It was clear that the customer "service" reps (including the "supervisor" had not the faintest clue about basic aspects of the service sold by their company. To them, terms such as "encryption", "digital", "analog", QAM or "tuner" are just meaningless sounds. The tech support people are no better. I try not to get too frustrated with them, but it doesn't say anything good about RCN's management or employee training.
FWIW, the only person at RCN I talked to who seemed to have any clue whatsoever was the agent in the cancellations department. Who successfully talked me out of canceling. |
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Mike_Lippert
@rcn.com
| reply to dworsky
Edgar,
Yeah, that's what I've gathered from what people have said here. I think I wrote that line to reiterate that RCN hasn't told me that themselves, so if I hadn't read the messages in this forum it would be a complete surprise to me when it happened. 
I think I'm also going to look into getting an antenna, but that won't help me with the cable channels I've enjoyed watching in the past.
I just finished putting together a MythTV box which was working pretty well with the analog tuner I put in it. I've got a few more kinks to work out, and I was going to get a pcHDTV card for it. (I probably still will, it will work if I switch to some other service that has QAM in the clear, or with an antenna)
Mike |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
| reply to Mike_Lippert
>>Their ads on TV (the couple I haven't skipped over) only imply that you'll need their box for a digital signal, not that the analog signal is going away.
Mike,
The analog signals *are* going away on RCN here, and it is going to be a very expensive proposition for you to hook up HD boxes (if you want HD). Their transition is supposed be complete by January 2009.
Edgar |
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Mike_Lippert
@rcn.com
| reply to Paul_Brookline
Paul,
I found this forum when I searched to find out why my clear QAM channels in Waltham, MA disappeared about a week ago.
This is the 1st I'm hearing about "Analog Crush" and if it means what I think it means, I'm pretty annoyed.
I've liked RCN as an alternative to Comcast and Verizon and it was things such as having those clear QAM signals that improved my opinion, and made me decide to sign a 2 year contract with them this past November.
However when I signed the contract I was very clear that I didn't care about the digital box they were giving me (I haven't ever used it, although I plugged it in), and that I must continue to be able to hook my cable signal directly to my 3 DVRs (2 HD panasonics and 1 DVD recorder) and 3 TV's and use their tuners.
I bought the DVD-recorder specifically because it had an ATSC tuner that also supported clear QAM, and so I might have been willing get more clear QAM tuners (one of my TV's already has a QAM tuner).
However if they remove the analog signals and encrypt the QAM signals so I can no longer directly record the channels I watch most often (SciFi, USA, Disney, and the networks) I think I'll have to consider that RCN has broken our contract, and see if I can get better service from someone else.
I have been getting a lot of flyers in the mail for Verizon FIOS.
Anyway I haven't yet received any notice from RCN that I'm going to lose my analog signal. Their ads on TV (the couple I haven't skipped over) only imply that you'll need their box for a digital signal, not that the analog signal is going away.
Mike |
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nycityny
Premium
join:2005-08-09
New York, NY
 ·PHONE POWER
·VoicePulse
·RCN CABLE
·ViaTalk
| reply to dworsky
said by dworsky :I too was thinking about getting an HD Tivo box and then only renting a cablecard for $1.50 from RCN. But I don't want to pay Tivo monthly fee. Yes, the monthly fee can be much. You can, however, prepay 3 years for $299 which amounts to $8.31/month. With the cablecard of $1.50/month you end up paying less than $10/month (plus the cost of the TIVO itself) for a high quality HD DVR with better functionality and reliability than a cable box. I have used TIVO for about 3 years and have never lost a recording. I have heard of several folks with cable losing all their recordings on firmware updates or reboots. |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
2 edits | reply to Paul_Brookline
Paul,
Someone has already posted the number for you. You will notice that that site has been updated with Massachusetts info (previously that was for Chicago only).
I too was thinking about getting an HD Tivo box and then only renting a cablecard for $1.50 from RCN. But I don't want to pay Tivo monthly fee. Apparently you can use their unit as a mere cable box, but the dvr function is completely gone. |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
 ·DIRECTV
·RCN CABLE
·T-Mobile VoIP
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·T-Mobile US
1 edit | reply to Paul_Brookline
Paul, Those are all typical answers from RCN. The # for Boston can be found here:
»www.rcn.com/digital/index.php
The good news is that RCN conversion to digital does nto include plans for SDV! Even if they decide at a later date to insert SDV, the Dongle from TiVo to allow their HD TiVos to work with SDV is in Beta Testing now and will be out sometime in Q4 2008....I made the switch when they converted here in Chicago and couldnt be happier with the TiVo products.....and I only have to pay RCN 4.50 per month total for the 3 CableCards I needed for the three HD TiVos I have........ |
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Paul_Brookline
@harvard.edu
| reply to dworsky
said by dworsky :After calling the new 781 number for Analog Crush which actually connects you to Chicago, I was told I could have the first conventional box free, additional ones for $2.95 a month, and have them mailed to me (since I have no boxes currently). I was told that HD boxes had to be installed with a serviceperson at a cost of $49, and were $9.95. I was invited to go to Arlington to pick up both, if I wanted. Edgar -
Where did you find the 781 number? Everything but the area code was deleted on the RCN message posted on the forum.
Are they really providing an HD box for 9.95/month? I was quoted $12.95, with no discount available in several frustrating conversations with RCN customer "service", who told me that:
- Boston is not being converted, nothing has changed.
- Digital channels were never available in the clear.
- There must be something wrong with my TV
- RCN is not encrypting HD channels.
- The FCC is forcing all cable operators to encrypt all channels.
It was clear that the customer "service" reps (including the "supervisor" had not the faintest clue about basic aspects of the service sold by their company. To them, terms such as "encryption", "digital", "analog", QAM or "tuner" are just meaningless sounds. The tech support people are no better. I try not to get too frustrated with them, but it doesn't say anything good about RCN's management or employee training.
I'm considering buying a Tivo HD, just to avoid paying for the !@#$ box rental, but I'm worried that they'll implement SDV and I'll be left with another crippled piece of electronics. |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
·DIRECTV
·RCN CABLE
·T-Mobile VoIP
·AT&T U-Verse
·T-Mobile US
| reply to dworsky
Two different things...The first step is to encrypt the HD QAM Channels over the entire system, they then begin the Digtal Conversion of each node individually. About a month before yoru node is converted you will get a mailer with instructions on what to do. That is why the lady at the RCN office didnt want to give you the new pricing, they have not yet set a date for your nodes conversion. YOu will only get a the new HD channels once your node has been converted. |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
| reply to rcbrcb
>>Hzve you received a notice form RCN that your area has been converted to the new Full Digital Platform? If not, thats why youre not getting all the new HD channels
RCBRCB... No, I didn't get a notice, but lost my HD stations, so need to get a box to have them restored.
As I noted, I am sure that box owners know that a coax wouldn't work... but I didn't know as someone who has not had a box in recent years. |
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rcbrcb
Premium
join:2007-02-21
Chicago, IL
·DIRECTV
·RCN CABLE
·T-Mobile VoIP
·AT&T U-Verse
·T-Mobile US
1 edit | reply to dworsky
Dworsky...Hzve you received a notice form RCN that your area has been converted to the new Full Digital Platform? If not, thats why youre not getting all the new HD channels. They have to do each node, so its not like they just flip a switch and everyone is converted. They are 6 months into the process here in Chicago and still have a large part of the network to complete.
In order to get an HD signal from an HD Receiver, you can either use a 5 Strand Composite cable or HDMI. Coax will NEVER work...... |
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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
1 edit | reply to dworsky
Well, I took the plunge today... maybe the first person in Mass to cry uncle and get boxes for my TVs that no longer get HD signals from RCN.
After calling the new 781 number for Analog Crush which actually connects you to Chicago, I was told I could have the first conventional box free, additional ones for $2.95 a month, and have them mailed to me (since I have no boxes currently). I was told that HD boxes had to be installed with a serviceperson at a cost of $49, and were $9.95. I was invited to go to Arlington to pick up both, if I wanted.
I went to Arlington with the intention to get one free box (Motorola DCT700) for one of my analog TVs (just to have, since it is free but not yet needed), and to get one HD box for $9.95 a month. The woman at the desk said I wasn't entitled to that "offer" as my town (Somerville) was not yet converting. I indicated I had just spoken to Chicago, and that there should be no issue at all because I would have been sent the (low end) box free. With not much more back and forth, she agreed to give me the box free, and an HD box for $9.95. Hint: ask for an HDMI HD box. Most do NOT have that type of connection. I wound up with a brand new unit.
Once I connected the boxes, I had to call RCN to send a renewed signal to the boxes, then wait 15 minutes to disconnect the power, and then reconnect. Fine. Done.
Now for the surprise (which is probably no surprise to anyone who already has both a cable box and an HDTV). I connected the box to the HDTV with a coaxial cable... and only got a shrunken 16x9 picture. However, if I made the connection from the HD cable box (Moto DCH3200)to the TV via an HDMI cable or component video cable, the picture did display fully in real HD. Who knew that apparently you cannot use a coaxial cable and get HD? I could get HD with my QAM TV before RCN scambled the HD signal... why not now?
On top of it, despite being told by the Chicago person that I would get about 40 HD channels... it is more like 15. And despite Discovery HD and two HDNET channels being on the 4/08 channel lineup chart... those are not available.
Almost done. I *hate* channel surfing with a box. It is so slow, and best I can tell, you cannot delete unused stations, so you have to know how to jump to the next series of actually available channels.
Lastly, on the analog TV where I put the low-end box, channel changing is also slow, and a one second freeze frame of the channel you are switching to comes on before the motion begins. Very annoying.
Grrrr. Very unhappy RCN customer here. (Formerly a very happy RCN customer.)
Oh... and to add insult to injury... I did a channel scan just before I connected the boxes... and amazingly many of the SD and HD channels had returned (after being pulled over the last few weeks).
Double GRRRR.
Edgar |
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