 |
 aaronwtPremium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA | $300???? When did the Boxee Box cost $300? I currently have three. I bought a launch one in November 2010 and paid $200 for it.
I see BestBuy sells new ones for $180 right now. | |
|
 mnmarkGo JohnniesPremium
join:2004-06-29
Saint Paul, MN | E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? I'm not terribly familiar with what the HD Home Run products are using for the protocol, but it is an ethernet based transmission of what comes through their tuners.
Is this E-DTA device basically a Comcast version of that?
--
I like things.
»results.speedtest.comcast.net/re···4612.png | |
|
 |  Camelot OnePremium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Greenwood, IN
kudos:1 | Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? From my understanding, yes. | |
|
| |  darciliciousCyber LibrarianPremium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
kudos:2 | Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? But only for unencrypted digital channels. | |
|
| | | Camelot OnePremium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Greenwood, IN
kudos:1 | Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? Actually the idea is that this new device would be able to receive the "Basic tier" encryption most cable companies want to move to. There would no longer be any completely unencrypted channels.
From a PR point, I can see why Comcast agreed to work on something like this. But since their goal in removing unencrypted channels is to prevent internet-only subscribers from getting free TV, I don't see them ever actually rolling this thing out. Not unless they build in some sort unique identifier that has to be activated on their end, but then its just another cable card HomeRun device. | |
|
| | | | | | Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? I'm a Time Warner internet only customer and they installed a filter to block ClearQAM channels.
Are enough people removing those filters and illegally receiving ClearQAM channels that Comcast feels it needs to develop this type of system? | |
|
| | | | | darciliciousCyber LibrarianPremium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·Frontier FiOS
| Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? said by AnonFTW :I'm a Time Warner internet only customer and they installed a filter to block ClearQAM channels.
QAM channels are not blocked with a filter. I suspect you don't understand what clear QAM signals are and/or that you don't actually have them available at your location.
Are enough people removing those filters and illegally receiving ClearQAM channels that Comcast feels it needs to develop this type of system?
They want to START encrypting them which would would then require customers to use some kind of set-top box to decrypt them (just like you need a set-top box to get all the other, vast majority of encrypted QAM channels). | |
|
| | | | | | Camelot OnePremium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Greenwood, IN
kudos:1 | Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? Actually, the Anon is right. Time warner has a physical filter that they install on internet-only lines that blocks MOST of the unencrypted channels. Here in Austin you can still pick up the SD locals and a few others, but the filters block the HD locals and most of the other "standard" tier channels. I think what makes it through is basically their "life-line" lineup. (9 channels I think) If a person removes that filter from the line, they are able to receive most of the standard tier, including the HD locals. (50+ channels)
But yes Anon, that is one of the reasons they want to move to encryption. It allows them to stop internet-only accounts from getting any TV service, and increases their box rental fees for everyone else. | |
|
| | | | | | | darciliciousCyber LibrarianPremium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
kudos:2 | Re: E-DTA vs something like HD Homerun? Well then I stand (er sit?) corrected, thank you. | |
|
| | | | | | |  kpfx
join:2005-10-28
San Antonio, TX | You hit the nail on the head. Time Warner uses a physical filter at the tap that blocks all but he 500 MHz range (where the downstream sits) and the low band upstream frequencies.
Although the only problem with this approach is the age old problem of people removing the traps or techs / contractors not installing them. So moving to a plant encrypted system would solve that problem and eliminate the cost of the traps. | |
|
| | | | | | | | said by darcilicious:QAM channels are not blocked with a filter. I suspect you don't understand what clear QAM signals are and/or that you don't actually have them available at your location.
Any carrier (QAM, Analog or docsis) will be blocked by a filter. In my market we install a "video trap" on any customer without tv service. They block frequencies from 42 Mhz to (about) 500 Mhz. The intent is to block the legacy analog channels we still broadcast but they also block about half the digital channels (some clear some encrypted).
Most internet only customers could put in a split and get a large number of channels. And it's not really stealing unless you remove that filter or hook up a hacked cable box.
As a technician I'd like to see all channels encrypted because filters are a pain, but the MSOs want to encrypt them to ensure they can monetize every TV. | |
|
 tmh
@verizon.net | Another reason to go OTA Still unencrypted. | |
|
| | | Re: Another reason to go OTA That and I thought the FCC had a requirement that forbid encrypting ClearQAM? How is Comcast even getting away with it in the first place? | |
|
| | DodgePremium
join:2002-11-27 | Re: Another reason to go OTA said by sandman_1:That and I thought the FCC had a requirement that forbid encrypting ClearQAM? How is Comcast even getting away with it in the first place?
There is a waiver that a cable operator can get from FCC based on various reasons. For example CableVision got a wavier to encrypt everything in Bronx and Brooklyn in NY based on some data that theft of service was getting out of hand. | |
|
| | Reviews:
 ·Comcast
 ·Frontier Communi..
| There was an exemption that would allow them to do so if the securing the cable plant in certain franchises against theft of service is impractical. Cable companies now consider installing traps or disconnecting taps too expensive so a an exception to a rule that was only originally for certain circumstances will now be applied nationwide.
At my new house they never even bothered to disconnect the tap. They will simply mail an installation kit when you reactivate service. | |
|
| | rent price?? Will it cost $3-$8 /mo to rent it and likely with only 1 tuner | |
|
Reviews:
·Comcast
·Frontier Communi..
| Going to be costly and limited. I am willing to bet that this new E-DTA technology won't give permission to stream HD signals unless one has paid the comcast "HDTV technology fee" for an additional $10/mo. The E-DTA will probably be limited to a single stream at a time, and may be considered an extra outlet so add another 7-10 dollars per month. How DRM encumbered the DLNA protocol and whether or not open source applications like MythTV will be blocked form using it remains to be seen. It still doesn't change the fact that everyone else who uses ClearQAM will be completely screwed once Comcast starts encrypting the locals.
The good news is if the E-DTA becomes more than just vaporware it could be proof of concept to the FCC that the model of having one cable box per TV or DVR is now obsolete and streaming video over a LAN via to a customer owned client device is now a viable option and should be mandatory to provide to subscribers as an option. | |
|
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
kudos:1 Reviews:
·CenturyLink
·Comcast
·Embarq Now Centu..
| Need to update Sec 17 of the Consumer Protection Act of 1992 The Government needs to update Sec 17 of the Consumer Protection Act of 1992 to include digital cable. In the Golden Age of Cable Television after the Consumer Protection Act of 1992 was passed all consumers had to do was purchase a cable ready television or VCR and they could receive all basic cable channels. The system that served my home used traps to trap out the premium channels that the customer did not subscribe to, so I could receive HBO without additional equipment.
The question is if the Digital Transport Adapter will stream all encrypted basic digital channels to any connected digital device or will one be required for each boxee. This house has a CATV outlet in each bedroom, family room and activity room. Before Comcast changed to encrypted digital for all channels, any cable ready set could receive the 70 extended basic channels without additional equipment. Now Comcast requires a digital terminal adapter in order to receive channels other than the local OTA Network Channels. Comcast even encrypts the local PBS station. Comcast provided only two digital terminal adapters with no monthly fee, because I already have two HD DVR's. The price list states that if the customer orders more digital terminal adapters than those provided at no monthly charge, Comcast will charge $2.00 for all provided digital terminal adapters, even those were provided at no charge if one orders one more than the provided two adapters. | |
|
| amungusPremium
join:2004-11-26
America Reviews:
·KCH Cable
·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: Need to update Sec 17 of the Consumer Protection Act of 1992 Good point - I miss the "cable ready" days.
Something needs to be done so that every TV doesn't need a freaking box. Perhaps TV makers need to include "addressable" connectivity in their tuners or something - print the MAC address (or whatever it needs) on the back, make it visible in the menu, etc. Couldn't be that hard to do, and it'd simplify everything for everybody. If they're going down this road, we need a better solution for the future - adding more boxes for everything under the sun is unwanted, and unnecessary. | |
|
| |  BoteMan
join:2002-11-11
Fort Lauderdale, FL
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Need to update Sec 17 of the Consumer Protection Act of 1992 said by amungus:Something needs to be done so that every TV doesn't need a freaking box. Kill your television.
--
»www.trackstreamer.com
Streaming police & fire public safety online scanners | |
|
|
 tim_kButtons, Bows, Beamer, Shadow, KaseyPremium,VIP
join:2002-02-02
Stewartstown, PA
kudos:25 | Boxee I'd install it on an old PC if Netflix still worked with the PC version. As it is, I'll stick with Roku for now. | |
|
 ropeguruPremium
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA | Since this will be ethernet based... Does that mean it will require internet service from Comcast and will it count against the cap?? | |
|
| | Boxee sells out, seriously Boxee was leading the fight against the encryption of the QAM channels, and instead jumped into bed with Comcast at the drop of a zipper.
So much for cutting the cord. | |
|
|
|
Still need a cable company STB for this solution.
