b10010011Whats a Posting tag? join:2004-09-07 united state |
Am I missing something here?I thought the great digital TV transition on February 17, 2009 only effects over the air broadcast TV, not cable TV? | |
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Fubar16
Member
2008-Feb-25 11:38 am
Re: Am I missing something here?said by b10010011:I thought the great digital TV transition on February 17, 2009 only effects over the air broadcast TV, not cable TV? You are correct... But Comcast wants to also go all digital.. Or close to it... | |
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Re: Am I missing something here?Ugh. I really thought Comcast might not go this way. They have already moved a few channels every year to digital, but now it seems they want to move most of them there. I hate the idea because it's impossible to watch a channel and record another one at the same time. It's also a hassle to set up a VCR to record with a digital box which is why I returned my set top box long ago.
I wonder if they are also going to start charging people rent for the digital settop boxes they are going to force the customer to receive the expanded basic channels. I know they charge for any extra settop boxes so anyone with two or more TVs would end up paying money to watch those expanded channels on their second TV. So this move would actually end up making Comcast more money from the expanded services they can offer from the reclaimed frequencies and the rental fees. What a great deal... For them. | |
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Re: Am I missing something here?At my parent's house they had cable outlets in all 5 bedrooms plus living room, family room and kitchen. They paid $30 a month (low fee due to being early customers when cable first came to the area many years ago.)
Every cheap tv and vcr in the house could receive all 80 channels and you could record a channel and watch another.
Now at my house we pay a lot more as basic cable is around $60 a month, but then I added digital channels. Now you need a stupid vcr sized box. The result is only 2 tvs get all the channels and 3 others do not. It is only $5 a month for a box ($10 for HD capable) but it is not only the money but the inconvenience factor. They (Charter) do provide nice remotes with the box (and charge $29 install fee) which can mostly replace your original remote.
The prices seem somewhat reasonable, but when you add the additional fees for the digital channels, the extra fee per box (and have to find a place for the box) it starts being a hefty charge.
My single HD tv will tune in these digital channels, but is blocked by encryption (except for one weird sport channel.)
Of course, you then need a digital video recorder to work with this. They are nice but add another $15 a month to the bill.
I fear we are going to become a 2 tier nation, those that can afford full tv and high speed internet, and those that can't. | |
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to b10010011
b1001....That's what I thought also. In reply to ....
Am I missing something here?
I thought the great digital TV transition on February 17, 2009 only effects over the air broadcast TV, not cable TV? | |
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| | plat2on1 join:2002-08-21 Hopewell Junction, NY |
Re: Am I missing something here?said by YukonHawk:b1001....That's what I thought also. In reply to .... Am I missing something here? I thought the great digital TV transition on February 17, 2009 only effects over the air broadcast TV, not cable TV? as far as the law is concerned it does. but cable has its own plans to reclaim bandwidth that is wasted on analog tv. | |
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to b10010011
Comcast is not wasting this opportunity to cash in on the confusion by telling people that the only way they'll be able to continue to watch TV is to sign up for cable, and not just basic cable either... | |
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anonIam
Anon
2008-Feb-25 6:44 pm
Re: Am I missing something here?Yeah, the big "slanted" cable TV sales pitch begins.
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| | Rick5 Premium Member join:2001-02-06 1 edit |
to RadioDoc
said by RadioDoc:Comcast is not wasting this opportunity to cash in on the confusion by telling people that the only way they'll be able to continue to watch TV is to sign up for cable, and not just basic cable either... Oh really? And, I suppose you'll now be able to produce one shred of proof to back up that statement? A link..or anything to show that comcast has EVER made that claim? I won't be holding my breath..Doc. The fact of the matter is, Comcast has ran extensive commercials telling customers that they don't need to be running out buying new boxes and tv's. | |
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Re: Am I missing something here?Hey, there is as much proof of that as there is of anything you post. No such 'extensive commercials' were run here, unless you mean the ones which imply that you have to sign up for cable to continue watching TV, which is exactly what I posted.
Nice try though. I'll save the next direct mail piece with the proof of what I posted. You won't respond to that though since you never do when discredited.
Had you actually read what I posted, the advertising materials involve Comcast using the DTV conversion and resulting confusion to hook people into signing up for unnecessary, expensive digital cable, not buy TVs or NTSC-ATSC converter boxes. Your love affair with Comcast seems to have impaired your reading comprehension. | |
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S_engineer Premium Member join:2007-05-16 Chicago, IL |
ComcrapSo if I read between the lines....I see Comcrap wants to raise my rates even more to pay for this "digital turnover recovery fee". Plus I will have the added advantage of paying more on a monthly basis to see the cooking channel, QVC, and Lifetime in Hi-def?
Am I reading this right? | |
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Re: Comcrap The idea (per Steve Burke) is for Comcast to provide these devices *instead* of STBs for the most basic of outlets, and at no cost to the subscriber. The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. Also, some customers don't want an STB at all, regardless of price. These external devices will *not* be HD-capable, any more than the DCT-7xx boxes are (they aren't), so if you want HD (and are a Comcast customer) you will *still* need the bigger STB. The one advantage cable has (over satellite or telcos) is that, by and large, no STB is needed for the lowest-end channels. Comcast in particular, wants to keep that advantage (and you can best believe that smaller cable providers will want these same devices once they get developed, as they are in an even bigger pickle than Comcast regarding the transition). | |
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| | morboComplete Your Transaction join:2002-01-22 00000 |
morbo
Member
2008-Feb-25 12:13 pm
Re: Comcrapsaid by PGHammer: and at no cost to the subscriber. except for 24/7 365 days/yr electricity needed to power the device, of course. | |
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| | | kyler13Is your fiber grounded? join:2006-12-12 Annapolis, MD |
kyler13
Member
2008-Feb-25 12:54 pm
Re: Comcrapsaid by morbo:said by PGHammer: and at no cost to the subscriber. except for 24/7 365 days/yr electricity needed to power the device, of course. Which probably operates in the noise of your electric bill, certainly nowhere near the $4-$5/month you might get charged for a full service box. Doesn't Verizon FIOS have a similar watered-down box that they charge $1 less per month than the digital STB? | |
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Re: Comcrapsaid by kyler13:said by morbo:said by PGHammer: and at no cost to the subscriber. except for 24/7 365 days/yr electricity needed to power the device, of course. Which probably operates in the noise of your electric bill, certainly nowhere near the $4-$5/month you might get charged for a full service box. Doesn't Verizon FIOS have a similar watered-down box that they charge $1 less per month than the digital STB? VZ's low-end box is the same DCT-711 that Comcast deploys in Motorola areas. | |
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| | | | | kyler13Is your fiber grounded? join:2006-12-12 Annapolis, MD |
kyler13
Member
2008-Feb-26 12:13 pm
Re: Comcrapsaid by PGHammer:VZ's low-end box is the same DCT-711 that Comcast deploys in Motorola areas. I'm talking about the digital adapter listed on their website that doesn't support ondemand, not the SD STB. Is that what the DCT-711 is? I didn't think Comcast had such an option. | |
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| | | fiberguy2My views are my own. Premium Member join:2005-05-20 |
to morbo
Will ANYONE ever be happy? Sheesh! | |
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| | | | bear73Metnav... Fly The Unfriendly Skies Premium Member join:2001-06-09 Derry, NH |
bear73
Premium Member
2008-Feb-25 7:03 pm
Re: Comcrapwell THATS a silly quiestion...
momma always said... | |
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to fiberguy2
said by fiberguy2:Will ANYONE ever be happy? Sheesh! \ Has anybody noticed how this will only affect 20% of the footprint? I'm certainly not worried. I honestly don't think anyone in my market should be. | |
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| | jester121 Premium Member join:2003-08-09 Lake Zurich, IL |
to PGHammer
I'm pretty sure that the phrase "lifeline basic" should be left in the arena of telephone service; I'm pretty sure that cable TV is still a luxury. | |
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Re: ComcrapWell cable TV is the ONLY source of entertainment for many sectors of the population, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons (group homes, juvenile centers, and low to maximum security prisons). | |
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| | | | bUU join:2007-05-10 Kissimmee, FL |
bUU
Member
2008-Mar-25 6:07 am
Re: ComcrapAnd lifeline cable, imposed by the government at a loss for MSOs, will still exist. What is your point??? | |
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Cable Me This to jester121
Anon
2008-Feb-27 3:36 am
to jester121
said by jester121:I'm pretty sure that the phrase "lifeline basic" should be left in the arena of telephone service; I'm pretty sure that cable TV is still a luxury. Learn your history, bud. Cable TV exists today because it was a necessity, not a luxury. Industry just figured out they could sell it to folks who didn't need it (those with OTA reception). Cable TV needs re-regulation. There are still millions of customers who have no other choice than cable, and never will. | |
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| | | | bUU join:2007-05-10 Kissimmee, FL |
to Cable Me This
Re: ComcrapYou learn YOUR history, bud. The cable television YOU were talking about is STILL AVAILABLE from cable companies, at a government imposed price which often represents a LOSS for cable company. Lifeline cable is about $9 per month here, all in. Some places is more; with the price controlled by the town government, NOT the cable company. That part of cable television that you were referring to is STILL REGULATED. This conversion being discussed affects part of cable service that HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH making up for poor OTA reception in remote areas. Nothing. | |
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Re: ComcrapAIYEEEEEEEE! Look! The Thread Zombifier is here! RUN RUN RUN AWAY. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
(those comments were a month old) | |
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| | S_engineer Premium Member join:2007-05-16 Chicago, IL |
to PGHammer
said by PGHammer:* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! | |
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| | | Ebolla join:2005-09-28 Dracut, MA |
Ebolla
Member
2008-Feb-25 1:04 pm
Re: Comcrapsaid by S_engineer:There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. 5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. | |
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| | | | S_engineer Premium Member join:2007-05-16 Chicago, IL |
Re: Comcrapsaid by Ebolla:said by S_engineer:There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. 5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. What was your fee structure 5 years ago compared to today? | |
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| | | | | Ebolla join:2005-09-28 Dracut, MA |
Ebolla
Member
2008-Feb-25 1:37 pm
Re: Comcrapyes my costs for channels have gone up, but so has the number of channels and the amount of vod content. I now also have 2 DVR's and TiVo services. My internet costs have stayed the same and my phone services actually dropped in cost. | |
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| | | | | | HangmnDon't Fight It...It's Inevitable Premium Member join:2000-04-08 Philadelphia, PA 1 edit |
Hangmn
Premium Member
2008-Feb-25 3:24 pm
Re: Comcrapsaid by Ebolla:5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. None of these points are REMOTELY releavent..the topic is: Comcast's $35 Digital Conversion Dongle and the staement was this RFP will be passed on to the consumer.. | |
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| | | | | | | Ebolla join:2005-09-28 Dracut, MA |
Ebolla
Member
2008-Feb-25 3:58 pm
Re: Comcrapread up, yes it is relevant, he stated that there is always a charge associated with a change. I stated CHSI hadn't changed price though the services themselves did. Is CHSI/CDV/Cable the device we are speaking about? no. Is it relevant that changes have been made in system that came down to no increase cost to consumer? yes. | |
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Re: ComcrapYou might want to investigate a bit. The HSI pricing has not increased as much as cable TV because that is cross-subsidized from the much less competitive video business. | |
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| | | | dvd536as Mr. Pink as they come Premium Member join:2001-04-27 Phoenix, AZ |
to Ebolla
said by Ebolla:said by S_engineer:There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. 5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. Only because the video subs are subsidizing HSI. video subs get a rate hike everytime the wind blows. | |
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| | | FFH5 Premium Member join:2002-03-03 Tavistock NJ |
to S_engineer
said by S_engineer:said by PGHammer:* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! B.S. My parents got a DCT700 last year at no cost or change in their bill. Comcast ate the cost in order to convert all the people still on analog STBs in Philadelphia. This new dongle is an even cheaper, simpler version of the DCT700. | |
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Re: Comcrapsaid by FFH5:said by S_engineer:said by PGHammer:* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! B.S. My parents got a DCT700 last year at no cost or change in their bill. Comcast ate the cost in order to convert all the people still on analog STBs in Philadelphia. This new dongle is an even cheaper, simpler version of the DCT700. QFT Datapoint: when Prince George's County (MD) went ADS, we had a single analog converter box on our single non-cable-ready TV (a supremely-large floor-model 25-incher in an upstairs bedroom). Comcast replaced it with a digital STB (in fact, a DCT-25xx model), and the bill actually went *down*. This is the only TV that can view VOD directly (same for channels in the 100+ range that are in Limited Basic). Analog STB was replaced with digital STB, and the bill decreases. (In fact, that is usually the case in ADS areas; analog STBs are replaced with digital STBs, the customer gets more, not fewer, channels, yet due to rate changes, the customer pays *less* to Comcast despite the increased number of channels.) | |
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| | | fiberguy2My views are my own. Premium Member join:2005-05-20 |
to S_engineer
said by S_engineer:said by PGHammer:* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! Neither does phone.. the TAXPAYERS offer the free service. I know what you mean, but I wanted it to be PERFECTLY clear that phone does NOT give you anything free.. they are still paid.. and that lifeline service isn't 100% free to all people. Some people go above the level of service and receive a baseline credit. | |
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| | | Chuckles0 Premium Member join:2006-03-04 Saint Paul, MN |
to S_engineer
Universal Services are free. But it it's like 6 or 7 public access channels only. Atleast in the Twin Cities area of MN. | |
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| El Gaupo Premium Member join:2006-07-15 Buckhorn, NM |
to S_engineer
Well it would be half baked HD at best | |
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NiarlanExcelsior Premium Member join:2002-11-09 Manville, NJ |
Niarlan
Premium Member
2008-Feb-25 12:05 pm
Reap the Goverment whirlwindSoo...someone in Comcast saw that the Gov was giving our $40 vouchers to folks and said hmm...maybe we can cash in on this too.
dang...
Nia | |
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wth Premium Member join:2002-02-20 Iowa City,IA |
wth
Premium Member
2008-Feb-25 12:09 pm
Sooner or later cable will need a boxMost cable companys will convert to digital in the next couple of years. They can get 2+ HD channels into the space one analog channel takes. They don't need to convert on or B4 2/19/09, but most of them will sooner or later. Then Cable will be like D* & E*, as you will need some kind of box for every tv. | |
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KickrootJava Heathen Premium Member join:2002-11-24 Honesdale, PA ARRIS eXtreme SB6120
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Kickroot
Premium Member
2008-Feb-25 12:30 pm
Excellent IdeaDespite what others may think, this is nothing more than an attempt by Comcast to free up valuable bandwidth. As stated before, each 6 MHz analog slot could comfortably fit 2 SD digital channels.
The reason they can't do this is because yokels will throw a fit if they can't plug that coax right into their TV.
Comcast sees this as their prime (and possibly only) opportunity to nudge those people into upgrading to digital, by using a dumbed down D/A converter box. | |
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Gunning for people like me.I am one of those customers who the Digital Terminal Adapter is targeting. i am not a grandma but a tech wise 47 year old. My original plan is after feb 2009 I will just allow my subscription to expire rather than go digital. I only pay 8.00 for basic because it cheaper than just buying HSI alone. I would have simple downgraded back to Verizon DSL.
Unlike some here I a bit more finally mature I do not need to spend my hard earn money to buy the latest toys. I do not need to brag about my penis size or in the same vain equivalent, the size and type of my TV and how many HD channels I got. I do not see LCD TV in my future until I can get a 28" for around $200. I am not pay over $65 for service I rather go back to dial up before pay $59 for HSI. | |
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| QuaffAPintA Big Thanks To The Troops join:2001-01-10 Downingtown, PA
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Re: Gunning for people like me.I'm with ya, bro... I'm quite content with my basic cable on my PC TV cards and my standard def 27" 7 yr old Panasonic tube. My family and I don't need anything else. I don't want to pay more and I certainly don't want a bunch of converter boxes laying around - didn't we get away from the days of having to need those blasted things? | |
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| | bUU join:2007-05-10 Kissimmee, FL |
bUU
Member
2008-Mar-25 6:13 am
Re: Gunning for people like me.Then you're not valuable enough as a customer to warrant concern. I think people have to start looking around and realizing that the world doesn't revolve around them. Comcast has investors: Those investors are why Comcast exists, and the needs and desires of those investors dictate what Comcast should and should not do. Not you. If you want from Comcast, you need to represent a valuable source of revenue for their investors. Otherwise, you shouldn't be surprised when your desires remain unsatisfied. You'll get the minimum service, which cable has always provided, often at a price lower than cost, but nothing more than that. | |
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XBL2009------ join:2001-01-03 Chicago, IL |
Cheap BastardsJust pony up the $50 per home and get everyone on the same page with all digital STB. | |
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Gyzm0 Phear My Hand Cannon join:2003-03-15 Grand Prairie, TX |
Gyzm0
Member
2008-Feb-25 5:24 pm
Stop buy boos and cancer sticks............for a year and save the money for a digital tv. | |
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bobny1 join:2004-09-10 Bronx, NY |
bobny1
Member
2008-Feb-25 8:13 pm
Money talks!It's like companies selling packaged Linux to customers who can other wise get the OS for free. | |
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neufuse join:2006-12-06 James Creek, PA |
QAM?So is comcast going to unencrypted QAM or what? do people with QAM tuners need to buy one of these? if so what's the point of a QAM tuner anymore? I sure hope this is going to be in the clear QAM which is what it should of been a long time ago! QAM sucks when 99% of the content is encrypted and all you get is locals unencrypted.... I can see encrypting stuff like HBO, showtime, cinemax, ppv all that stuff, but when you buy extended cable you should get all those channels digitally in the clear! | |
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Re: QAM?There's a problem here. When they have different levels of service they can only put the video in the clear for the lowest level of service. So, with their video lifeline service being the lowest level, that means everything else has to be encrypted or else they have to put in traps to block those signals. That means truck rolls and trap failures down the road (more truck rolls) which is something they want to avoid.
So the only option they have is to force everyone to have a higher level of service (say Basic or Basic Extended) which they may not be able to do for the same cost. Which leaves them with little choice. That's where this new device comes in since it's much like an interdiction device since you will only be able to get the digital channels in your home that you are allowed to see. It's less confusing for the home user (no encrypted channels show up on their digital tuner) and less need for truck rolls for the cable company. | |
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pmjoe to neufuse
Anon
2008-Feb-26 8:33 pm
to neufuse
IMHO, this is the real problem. I have no problem with Comcast moving to digital, but they're taking advantage of this to encrypt everything. There is absolutely no reason why they can't provide you with at least Expanded Basic in clear QAM.
And I'm sure they won't be selling you these boxes for $35; you'll be renting them for ~$5/month. | |
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panth1The Coyote join:2000-12-11 Port Saint Lucie, FL |
panth1
Member
2008-Feb-25 8:33 pm
Did Pace develope one of these already?I remember reading about Pace Micro creating one of these devices years ago that turned digital QAM carriers back into analog form.
Sounds like this is what Comcast is looking for. | |
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AJthecomcastuser
Anon
2008-Feb-25 9:09 pm
its not just the yokelsIt's not just the yokels who will throw a fit. I will throw a fit too. Now I need three boxes on two TV's, and I have to get one with a serial port just to have slightly less than what I have now with no boxes?? That's nonsensical. I have a TiVo and a TV with pip, and none of that would work right with digital. It's all analog. The hybrid model they have now works well, beacuse most people don't want a box on every TV. Most people I know have digital cable, but only on one or two TVs, not all 4 or 5 or 6 most people seem to have. Now these things are all going to be wasting power, doing a job that the built in tuners did before. Cripes. Now I could see a de-fattening of the expanded basic to the higher up digital channels, there is a lot of fat in there, but the essentials need to stay analog. That has already happened to a certain extent. | |
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would everyone stop complaining. canada is the same as u.s.everyone is complaining about the transition from analog (some channels are analog with a digital format subcription) to full digital and how they cannot:
1) one watch 1 ch while recording another ch. 2) how they will have to buy set top boxes for all their tv's 3) how they think its a pain to hook and make a vcr work with a digital box.
people you need to look on the bright side of things. do you know that north america is at least 20 years behind in technology compared with europe and asian countries like japan. and i am talking about 20 years behind a shitload of things. the e.u. and most if not all asian countries and probably more are at least if not into their third generation of full digital content in hd. so if canada and the u.s. want to remain competitive that means all of us have to pull up our pants and march forward.
the bright side of full digital transitions is:
1) digital tv viewing package prices would remain the same 2) the digital set top boxes are advanced 3) there are different digital set top boxes with different features to choose from. 4) you can watch 1 ch while recording another ch 5) there are set top boxes that can send 2 different ch signals to 2 different tv's at once. 6) you get much better picture and sound quality in a digital format or in an hd format. 7) plus the old tv's of yesterday take almost the same amount of electricity as a 120volt heater. and are lead pollutant as well. 8) today's monitors are multi functional units that can hang like a picture on a wall, they are much more advanced, look great and take a huge shitload less of electricity. so these are payback of the digital format transition. | |
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Re: would everyone stop complaining. canada is the same as u.s.A 120 volt heater is roughly 1500 watts. A CRT TV set takes around 60 to 200 watts depending on size.
As far as the US being 20 years behind Europe..well in Germany the cable TV system was government-owned until a few years ago. Cablemodems are not popular and digital cable TV is rare. | |
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Comcast Has anyone noticed how good broadcast digital TV is?I received a $40 government coupon to purchase one of those digital broadcast converter boxes. I went to my local Wally World and purchased an RCA DTA800 converter box for $50, before coupon. I plugged in a bow tie UHF antenna to it and used the composite video and audio output jacks.
My TV is a 4 year old top of the line Sony 27" Wega Picture in Picture.
The picture is better then what Comcast delivers, it is clear and lifelike. I am thinking of doing away with Comcast. I like the fact that I get multiple channels with each broadcast channel. I don't watch that much TV.
I never had TV reception this good with Comcast; I guess I don't like the way Comcast compresses their digital signals, not that the picture was bad, it just not as good as broadcast digital. | |
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