changing cable type ?

[Zork]

Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

[minerva]

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by law
and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters must
change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed, comcast
has been moving those channels that have changed their signal up to
their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while ago
have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased one
recently. To get the television channels after they move to digital
system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a digital cable
converter box that gives you those channels only. This is not the same
as the full digital channels that are on a higher paying scale. These
are the digital channels that are moving from analog to digital. The
box should cost you nothing. For this, you should not have to rewire
your home. These boxes are programmed only to pick up the channels that
are moving from analog to digital, and after you arrange for one with
the comcast customer service tech, you can pick up the box at a nearby
service store without having to have them come out to install it unless
you do not know how to do so. Again, this should cost you nothing more.
In order to find this out, i had to keep calling them back many times
until i got a customer service rep who knew to give me a box and how to
program it. Keep calling back until you get the right answers. To
understand what is going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored
website at www.dtv.gov and you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air from
antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well, and
starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use to buy
the converter boxes from a store. The National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering
the coupon program. More information can be found at
www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

[RobertVA]

Post by minerva

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by law
and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters must
change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed, comcast
has been moving those channels that have changed their signal up to
their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while ago
have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased one
recently. To get the television channels after they move to digital
system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a digital cable
converter box that gives you those channels only. This is not the same
as the full digital channels that are on a higher paying scale. These
are the digital channels that are moving from analog to digital. The
box should cost you nothing. For this, you should not have to rewire
your home. These boxes are programmed only to pick up the channels that
are moving from analog to digital, and after you arrange for one with
the comcast customer service tech, you can pick up the box at a nearby
service store without having to have them come out to install it unless
you do not know how to do so. Again, this should cost you nothing more.
In order to find this out, i had to keep calling them back many times
until i got a customer service rep who knew to give me a box and how to
program it. Keep calling back until you get the right answers. To
understand what is going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored
website at www.dtv.gov and you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air from
antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well, and
starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use to buy
the converter boxes from a store. The National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering
the coupon program. More information can be found at
www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

NO!!!

CABLE providers are NOT required to discontinue analog service in
February of 2009. The analog cutoff only applies to full power Over The
Air (OTA) broadcasters. That doesn't prevent cable operators from
shifting channels to digital tiers at THEIR OWN OPTION though. The shift
of channels to digital will encourage subscribers to pay additional fees
for the digital programming tiers.

Many late model televisions will have the ability to receive unencrypted
digital signals, primarily local OTA broadcasts and "public access"
channels, directly from the cable system (Look for "QAM" in the TV's
features). Cable operators will probably encrypt any out of town
channels. You will probably need to rent a converter (for several
dollars a month) or rental CableCard (a little less expensive, but
requires a special slot in the TV) to view encrypted channels. Program
guides, on demand and Pay Per View services usually require a converter,
as the release of newer generation CableCards has been delayed.

Depending on the signal strength entering your home and quantity of
splits the existing RG58 cable might need to be replaced with RG6 cable
to reduce signal loss. Splitters might need replacement with ones able
to handle higher RF frequencies. Any signal amplifiers might need
replacement with bi-directional ones (also with higher frequency
capabilities), as many digital converters (as well as cable computer
modems) need to send signals back to the cable company.

[minerva]

Post by RobertVA

Post by minerva

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by
law and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters
must change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed,
comcast has been moving those channels that have changed their signal
up to their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while
ago have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased
one recently. To get the television channels after they move to
digital system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a
digital cable converter box that gives you those channels only. This
is not the same as the full digital channels that are on a higher
paying scale. These are the digital channels that are moving from
analog to digital. The box should cost you nothing. For this, you
should not have to rewire your home. These boxes are programmed only
to pick up the channels that are moving from analog to digital, and
after you arrange for one with the comcast customer service tech, you
can pick up the box at a nearby service store without having to have
them come out to install it unless you do not know how to do so.
Again, this should cost you nothing more. In order to find this out,
i had to keep calling them back many times until i got a customer
service rep who knew to give me a box and how to program it. Keep
calling back until you get the right answers. To understand what is
going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored website at
www.dtv.gov and you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air
from antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well,
and starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use
to buy the converter boxes from a store. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information
can be found at www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

NO!!!
CABLE providers are NOT required to discontinue analog service in
February of 2009. The analog cutoff only applies to full power Over The
Air (OTA) broadcasters. That doesn't prevent cable operators from
shifting channels to digital tiers at THEIR OWN OPTION though. The shift
of channels to digital will encourage subscribers to pay additional fees
for the digital programming tiers.
Many late model televisions will have the ability to receive unencrypted
digital signals, primarily local OTA broadcasts and "public access"
channels, directly from the cable system (Look for "QAM" in the TV's
features). Cable operators will probably encrypt any out of town
channels. You will probably need to rent a converter (for several
dollars a month) or rental CableCard (a little less expensive, but
requires a special slot in the TV) to view encrypted channels. Program
guides, on demand and Pay Per View services usually require a converter,
as the release of newer generation CableCards has been delayed.
Depending on the signal strength entering your home and quantity of
splits the existing RG58 cable might need to be replaced with RG6 cable
to reduce signal loss. Splitters might need replacement with ones able
to handle higher RF frequencies. Any signal amplifiers might need
replacement with bi-directional ones (also with higher frequency
capabilities), as many digital converters (as well as cable computer
modems) need to send signals back to the cable company.

What you say may be true, but that is not what the comcast and the local
government regulator told me. When I complained about my favorite
channels disappearing up to the digital system, their excuse is that it
is due to the mandated change from analog to digital as mandated by fcc.
At first, I had to pay extra to get those few channels, but they came
with a large number of what is to me - almost worthless stuff, i
returned the converter cable box because I did not want or need all the
digital channels and I did not think I should have to pay to see
channels that were on the regular cable system. But I started calling
again when they took off the us senate and replaced it with baseball
whenever they wanted to, Eventually, I got someone at the cable company
who gave me a specially programmed digital converter so i could get
the few channels I wanted and at no extra cost above what I currently
pay them.
i may not know the technical wherewithal, but i did go to the fcc
website and get the information that i provide about the coupon program
for the ota people. all in all, it is especially annoying for the
government to have done this to the public. at a recent hearing
conducted by senator inouye, some public interest groups testified that
the public needs to be informed. It is unfortunate, if what you say is
the case, that people will have to have wiring replaced. I do not think
most of the public is aware of what these changes will mean for them.

[robertva]

Post by minerva

Post by RobertVA

Post by minerva

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by
law and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters
must change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed,
comcast has been moving those channels that have changed their signal
up to their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while
ago have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased
one recently. To get the television channels after they move to
digital system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a
digital cable converter box that gives you those channels only. This
is not the same as the full digital channels that are on a higher
paying scale. These are the digital channels that are moving from
analog to digital. The box should cost you nothing. For this, you
should not have to rewire your home. These boxes are programmed only
to pick up the channels that are moving from analog to digital, and
after you arrange for one with the comcast customer service tech, you
can pick up the box at a nearby service store without having to have
them come out to install it unless you do not know how to do so.
Again, this should cost you nothing more. In order to find this out,
i had to keep calling them back many times until i got a customer
service rep who knew to give me a box and how to program it. Keep
calling back until you get the right answers. To understand what is
going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored website at
www.dtv.govand you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air
from antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well,
and starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use
to buy the converter boxes from a store. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information
can be found atwww.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

NO!!!
CABLE providers are NOT required to discontinue analog service in
February of 2009. The analog cutoff only applies to full power Over The
Air (OTA) broadcasters. That doesn't prevent cable operators from
shifting channels to digital tiers at THEIR OWN OPTION though. The shift
of channels to digital will encourage subscribers to pay additional fees
for the digital programming tiers.
Many late model televisions will have the ability to receive unencrypted
digital signals, primarily local OTA broadcasts and "public access"
channels, directly from the cable system (Look for "QAM" in the TV's
features). Cable operators will probably encrypt any out of town
channels. You will probably need to rent a converter (for several
dollars a month) or rental CableCard (a little less expensive, but
requires a special slot in the TV) to view encrypted channels. Program
guides, on demand and Pay Per View services usually require a converter,
as the release of newer generation CableCards has been delayed.
Depending on the signal strength entering your home and quantity of
splits the existing RG58 cable might need to be replaced with RG6 cable
to reduce signal loss. Splitters might need replacement with ones able
to handle higher RF frequencies. Any signal amplifiers might need
replacement with bi-directional ones (also with higher frequency
capabilities), as many digital converters (as well as cable computer
modems) need to send signals back to the cable company.

What you say may be true, but that is not what the comcast and the local
government regulator told me. When I complained about my favorite
channels disappearing up to the digital system, their excuse is that it
is due to the mandated change from analog to digital as mandated by fcc.
At first, I had to pay extra to get those few channels, but they came
with a large number of what is to me - almost worthless stuff, i
returned the converter cable box because I did not want or need all the
digital channels and I did not think I should have to pay to see
channels that were on the regular cable system. But I started calling
again when they took off the us senate and replaced it with baseball
whenever they wanted to, Eventually, I got someone at the cable company
who gave me a specially programmed digital converter so i could get
the few channels I wanted and at no extra cost above what I currently
pay them.
i may not know the technical wherewithal, but i did go to the fcc
website and get the information that i provide about the coupon program
for the ota people. all in all, it is especially annoying for the
government to have done this to the public. at a recent hearing
conducted by senator inouye, some public interest groups testified that
the public needs to be informed. It is unfortunate, if what you say is
the case, that people will have to have wiring replaced. I do not think
most of the public is aware of what these changes will mean for them.

Consider:

Cable companies need the cooperation of local governments (sometimes
with some state level control) to install cable or fiber across or
under streets and highways.

Cable companies usually offer channels in their basic tier allowing
local government greatly increased opportunity to distribute
"televised" council, board of supervisor and/or school board meetings.
Also often offer channels for government provided information and
announcements.

Cable subscribers usually consider switching to an antenna to watch
local broadcast stations inconvenient. While the local broadcasters
can demand carriage on cable systems for free, the subscriber demand
for the channels being on the cable system makes it possible for the
broadcaster to receive compensation, often in the form of programming
advertisements on cable only channels, for permitting the cable
companies to include their channel(s) on the cable system. These
program advertisements are presumed to produce at least some increase
in local channel viewership and related paid ad revenue. Some even
partner with the cable company to produce cable only 24/7 news and/or
weather channels which generates a venue for additional local business
advertisements.

Most local governments receive taxes on those monthly cable bills.
Higher monthly bills often mean higher tax revenue.

All this mutual back scratching puts increased revenue from rental
cable company converters to the the economic interest of local
government and broadcasters as well.

Many of those rental analog addressable converters are old enough the
cable company can no longer claim a depreciation expense on them (also
means they've probably collected enough rental revenue to pay for
them). The cable company hasn't got that expense to offset the monthly
rental fee any more. New rental converters mean a new period of
depreciation deductions for their income tax. Note that the initial
expense of purchasing the boxes (old or new) can't be used as a tax
deduction until the depreciation schedule allows it.

The same slice of over the air spectrum that can only carry one analog
program can carry multiple digital sub-channels. The same can probably
be said for the cable system. Conversion of analog channels to digital
service probably increases the quantity of channels the cable company
can offer.

Many new televisions have a digital version of "cable ready", so a
growing number of cable subscribers will be able to manage without
converter boxes IF they are willing to settle for the basic service
tier as their analog TVs fail and have to be replaced.

This isn't an endorsement, just a description of reality. I'm no
bigger fan of my growing monthly cable bill than anybody else.
Unfortunately there aren't that many interesting channels in the
typical basic programming tier.

BTW: converters for digital service are normally "addressable" anyway,
so it's not unusual for the cable company to be able to remotely
control which channels a particular converter receives. Once logged
into the cable company's computer system a company representative can
modify the channel lineup for any of the converters in a few seconds,
even if the converter is attached to the cable in the subscriber's
home.

[minerva]

Post by robertva

Post by minerva

Post by RobertVA

Post by minerva

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by
law and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters
must change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed,
comcast has been moving those channels that have changed their signal
up to their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while
ago have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased
one recently. To get the television channels after they move to
digital system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a
digital cable converter box that gives you those channels only. This
is not the same as the full digital channels that are on a higher
paying scale. These are the digital channels that are moving from
analog to digital. The box should cost you nothing. For this, you
should not have to rewire your home. These boxes are programmed only
to pick up the channels that are moving from analog to digital, and
after you arrange for one with the comcast customer service tech, you
can pick up the box at a nearby service store without having to have
them come out to install it unless you do not know how to do so.
Again, this should cost you nothing more. In order to find this out,
i had to keep calling them back many times until i got a customer
service rep who knew to give me a box and how to program it. Keep
calling back until you get the right answers. To understand what is
going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored website at
www.dtv.govand you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air
from antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well,
and starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use
to buy the converter boxes from a store. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information
can be found atwww.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

NO!!!
CABLE providers are NOT required to discontinue analog service in
February of 2009. The analog cutoff only applies to full power Over The
Air (OTA) broadcasters. That doesn't prevent cable operators from
shifting channels to digital tiers at THEIR OWN OPTION though. The shift
of channels to digital will encourage subscribers to pay additional fees
for the digital programming tiers.
Many late model televisions will have the ability to receive unencrypted
digital signals, primarily local OTA broadcasts and "public access"
channels, directly from the cable system (Look for "QAM" in the TV's
features). Cable operators will probably encrypt any out of town
channels. You will probably need to rent a converter (for several
dollars a month) or rental CableCard (a little less expensive, but
requires a special slot in the TV) to view encrypted channels. Program
guides, on demand and Pay Per View services usually require a converter,
as the release of newer generation CableCards has been delayed.
Depending on the signal strength entering your home and quantity of
splits the existing RG58 cable might need to be replaced with RG6 cable
to reduce signal loss. Splitters might need replacement with ones able
to handle higher RF frequencies. Any signal amplifiers might need
replacement with bi-directional ones (also with higher frequency
capabilities), as many digital converters (as well as cable computer
modems) need to send signals back to the cable company.

What you say may be true, but that is not what the comcast and the local
government regulator told me. When I complained about my favorite
channels disappearing up to the digital system, their excuse is that it
is due to the mandated change from analog to digital as mandated by fcc.
At first, I had to pay extra to get those few channels, but they came
with a large number of what is to me - almost worthless stuff, i
returned the converter cable box because I did not want or need all the
digital channels and I did not think I should have to pay to see
channels that were on the regular cable system. But I started calling
again when they took off the us senate and replaced it with baseball
whenever they wanted to, Eventually, I got someone at the cable company
who gave me a specially programmed digital converter so i could get
the few channels I wanted and at no extra cost above what I currently
pay them.
i may not know the technical wherewithal, but i did go to the fcc
website and get the information that i provide about the coupon program
for the ota people. all in all, it is especially annoying for the
government to have done this to the public. at a recent hearing
conducted by senator inouye, some public interest groups testified that
the public needs to be informed. It is unfortunate, if what you say is
the case, that people will have to have wiring replaced. I do not think
most of the public is aware of what these changes will mean for them.

Cable companies need the cooperation of local governments (sometimes
with some state level control) to install cable or fiber across or
under streets and highways.
Cable companies usually offer channels in their basic tier allowing
local government greatly increased opportunity to distribute
"televised" council, board of supervisor and/or school board meetings.
Also often offer channels for government provided information and
announcements.
Cable subscribers usually consider switching to an antenna to watch
local broadcast stations inconvenient. While the local broadcasters
can demand carriage on cable systems for free, the subscriber demand
for the channels being on the cable system makes it possible for the
broadcaster to receive compensation, often in the form of programming
advertisements on cable only channels, for permitting the cable
companies to include their channel(s) on the cable system. These
program advertisements are presumed to produce at least some increase
in local channel viewership and related paid ad revenue. Some even
partner with the cable company to produce cable only 24/7 news and/or
weather channels which generates a venue for additional local business
advertisements.
Most local governments receive taxes on those monthly cable bills.
Higher monthly bills often mean higher tax revenue.
All this mutual back scratching puts increased revenue from rental
cable company converters to the the economic interest of local
government and broadcasters as well.
Many of those rental analog addressable converters are old enough the
cable company can no longer claim a depreciation expense on them (also
means they've probably collected enough rental revenue to pay for
them). The cable company hasn't got that expense to offset the monthly
rental fee any more. New rental converters mean a new period of
depreciation deductions for their income tax. Note that the initial
expense of purchasing the boxes (old or new) can't be used as a tax
deduction until the depreciation schedule allows it.
The same slice of over the air spectrum that can only carry one analog
program can carry multiple digital sub-channels. The same can probably
be said for the cable system. Conversion of analog channels to digital
service probably increases the quantity of channels the cable company
can offer.
Many new televisions have a digital version of "cable ready", so a
growing number of cable subscribers will be able to manage without
converter boxes IF they are willing to settle for the basic service
tier as their analog TVs fail and have to be replaced.
This isn't an endorsement, just a description of reality. I'm no
bigger fan of my growing monthly cable bill than anybody else.
Unfortunately there aren't that many interesting channels in the
typical basic programming tier.
BTW: converters for digital service are normally "addressable" anyway,
so it's not unusual for the cable company to be able to remotely
control which channels a particular converter receives. Once logged
into the cable company's computer system a company representative can
modify the channel lineup for any of the converters in a few seconds,
even if the converter is attached to the cable in the subscriber's
home.

Thanks for that explanation. But it is getting more confusing.
Perhaps, you can further explain to me as I may have misunderstood the
situation of the change from analog to digital. At the time when I
first experienced this moving of a favorite cable station from the
analog lineup to the digital line up and contacted comcast, I was told
that all stations would eventually become digital and be moved to the
digital system of the cable company. I was given to understand that
when this occurs, it means that cable subscribers will have to subscribe
to the digital lineup which is more expensive and expansive if a viewer
wants to see any tv at all. However, now I think from what you wrote
that is not the case, and that everything stays where it is except for
the stations that the cable company purposely moves to its more
expensive digital service, and except that a viewer needs a converter
box if they do not have a digital tv.????? Calling the cable company
does not seem to get the correct definitive information, as i initially
wrote in my first post that one gets a different answer depending on who
one talks to, and i do not see any messages coming in the mail from the
cable company to alert and inform subscribers.

[RobertVA]

Post by minerva

Post by robertva

Post by minerva

Post by RobertVA

Post by minerva

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by
law and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters
must change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed,
comcast has been moving those channels that have changed their signal
up to their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while
ago have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased
one recently. To get the television channels after they move to
digital system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a
digital cable converter box that gives you those channels only. This
is not the same as the full digital channels that are on a higher
paying scale. These are the digital channels that are moving from
analog to digital. The box should cost you nothing. For this, you
should not have to rewire your home. These boxes are programmed only
to pick up the channels that are moving from analog to digital, and
after you arrange for one with the comcast customer service tech, you
can pick up the box at a nearby service store without having to have
them come out to install it unless you do not know how to do so.
Again, this should cost you nothing more. In order to find this out,
i had to keep calling them back many times until i got a customer
service rep who knew to give me a box and how to program it. Keep
calling back until you get the right answers. To understand what is
going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored website at
www.dtv.govand you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air
from antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well,
and starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use
to buy the converter boxes from a store. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information
can be found atwww.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

NO!!!
CABLE providers are NOT required to discontinue analog service in
February of 2009. The analog cutoff only applies to full power Over The
Air (OTA) broadcasters. That doesn't prevent cable operators from
shifting channels to digital tiers at THEIR OWN OPTION though. The shift
of channels to digital will encourage subscribers to pay additional fees
for the digital programming tiers.
Many late model televisions will have the ability to receive unencrypted
digital signals, primarily local OTA broadcasts and "public access"
channels, directly from the cable system (Look for "QAM" in the TV's
features). Cable operators will probably encrypt any out of town
channels. You will probably need to rent a converter (for several
dollars a month) or rental CableCard (a little less expensive, but
requires a special slot in the TV) to view encrypted channels. Program
guides, on demand and Pay Per View services usually require a converter,
as the release of newer generation CableCards has been delayed.
Depending on the signal strength entering your home and quantity of
splits the existing RG58 cable might need to be replaced with RG6 cable
to reduce signal loss. Splitters might need replacement with ones able
to handle higher RF frequencies. Any signal amplifiers might need
replacement with bi-directional ones (also with higher frequency
capabilities), as many digital converters (as well as cable computer
modems) need to send signals back to the cable company.

What you say may be true, but that is not what the comcast and the local
government regulator told me. When I complained about my favorite
channels disappearing up to the digital system, their excuse is that it
is due to the mandated change from analog to digital as mandated by fcc.
At first, I had to pay extra to get those few channels, but they came
with a large number of what is to me - almost worthless stuff, i
returned the converter cable box because I did not want or need all the
digital channels and I did not think I should have to pay to see
channels that were on the regular cable system. But I started calling
again when they took off the us senate and replaced it with baseball
whenever they wanted to, Eventually, I got someone at the cable company
who gave me a specially programmed digital converter so i could get
the few channels I wanted and at no extra cost above what I currently
pay them.
i may not know the technical wherewithal, but i did go to the fcc
website and get the information that i provide about the coupon program
for the ota people. all in all, it is especially annoying for the
government to have done this to the public. at a recent hearing
conducted by senator inouye, some public interest groups testified that
the public needs to be informed. It is unfortunate, if what you say is
the case, that people will have to have wiring replaced. I do not think
most of the public is aware of what these changes will mean for them.

Cable companies need the cooperation of local governments (sometimes
with some state level control) to install cable or fiber across or
under streets and highways.
Cable companies usually offer channels in their basic tier allowing
local government greatly increased opportunity to distribute
"televised" council, board of supervisor and/or school board meetings.
Also often offer channels for government provided information and
announcements.
Cable subscribers usually consider switching to an antenna to watch
local broadcast stations inconvenient. While the local broadcasters
can demand carriage on cable systems for free, the subscriber demand
for the channels being on the cable system makes it possible for the
broadcaster to receive compensation, often in the form of programming
advertisements on cable only channels, for permitting the cable
companies to include their channel(s) on the cable system. These
program advertisements are presumed to produce at least some increase
in local channel viewership and related paid ad revenue. Some even
partner with the cable company to produce cable only 24/7 news and/or
weather channels which generates a venue for additional local business
advertisements.
Most local governments receive taxes on those monthly cable bills.
Higher monthly bills often mean higher tax revenue.
All this mutual back scratching puts increased revenue from rental
cable company converters to the the economic interest of local
government and broadcasters as well.
Many of those rental analog addressable converters are old enough the
cable company can no longer claim a depreciation expense on them (also
means they've probably collected enough rental revenue to pay for
them). The cable company hasn't got that expense to offset the monthly
rental fee any more. New rental converters mean a new period of
depreciation deductions for their income tax. Note that the initial
expense of purchasing the boxes (old or new) can't be used as a tax
deduction until the depreciation schedule allows it.
The same slice of over the air spectrum that can only carry one analog
program can carry multiple digital sub-channels. The same can probably
be said for the cable system. Conversion of analog channels to digital
service probably increases the quantity of channels the cable company
can offer.
Many new televisions have a digital version of "cable ready", so a
growing number of cable subscribers will be able to manage without
converter boxes IF they are willing to settle for the basic service
tier as their analog TVs fail and have to be replaced.
This isn't an endorsement, just a description of reality. I'm no
bigger fan of my growing monthly cable bill than anybody else.
Unfortunately there aren't that many interesting channels in the
typical basic programming tier.
BTW: converters for digital service are normally "addressable" anyway,
so it's not unusual for the cable company to be able to remotely
control which channels a particular converter receives. Once logged
into the cable company's computer system a company representative can
modify the channel lineup for any of the converters in a few seconds,
even if the converter is attached to the cable in the subscriber's
home.

Thanks for that explanation. But it is getting more confusing.
Perhaps, you can further explain to me as I may have misunderstood the
situation of the change from analog to digital. At the time when I
first experienced this moving of a favorite cable station from the
analog lineup to the digital line up and contacted comcast, I was told
that all stations would eventually become digital and be moved to the
digital system of the cable company. I was given to understand that
when this occurs, it means that cable subscribers will have to subscribe
to the digital lineup which is more expensive and expansive if a viewer
that is not the case, and that everything stays where it is except for
the stations that the cable company purposely moves to its more
expensive digital service, and except that a viewer needs a converter
box if they do not have a digital tv.????? Calling the cable company
does not seem to get the correct definitive information, as i initially
wrote in my first post that one gets a different answer depending on who
one talks to, and i do not see any messages coming in the mail from the
cable company to alert and inform subscribers.

Like a lot of other businesses the some cable companies keep their plans
under wraps until shortly before implementing them. Probably motivated
by the desire to postpone subscribers switching to competing services
and inhibit the competition's ability to plan countermeasures. To some
extent their efforts are aided by the tendency for satellite services
and some fiber providers to insist on early subscription termination
fees (similar to many cell phone plans).

The US government mandates only require local broadcaster services to be
in a format that TVs without rental boxes and without rental CableCards
can receive. Regulations have been written to eventually permit
reception of encrypted digital channels with customer owned converters
equipped with rental CableCards or digital TVs equipped with rental
CableCards. The CableCards should be available for lower monthly rentals
than are charged for full rental cable converters. These requirements
are being postponed in connection with uncertainty over technical
standards a planned new generation of CableCards will implement.

Any requirements for unencrypted local access channels are the result of
local or state government pressure, often in connection with allowing
cable or fiber installation across or under public roads. Like
satellite, cable and fiber companies are usually free to scramble
channels not covered by federal requirements and local/state mandates
(on analog) or move them from analog to digital subscription tiers
(encrypting them to inhibit unauthorized viewing). If those policies
motivate subscribers to pay higher monthly fees so much the better (from
the cable company's standpoint). Basically, the only impediments are
equipment costs (converters, CableCards and Head End equipment),
employee training and the potential subscribers will switch to competing
services like satellite, fiber and Over The Air.

As more digital cable ready TVs replace failing analog "cable ready" TVs
mandates at all levels to protect unscrambled analog service over cable
are also likely to end.

[OldGoat]

Dear Minerva,

Trust me they aren't ready or this change. They can't get the old kind of
cable right (that's analog) where they have room for mistakes. The new cable
(digital) there is no room for error. They took your one old style channel
and crammed 3 new style channels in the same place. There is no room for
error, there is no excuse for putting the country as a whole in the danger
they are. Nothing but billions of dollars. Imagine another 9/11 with huge
numbers of the population without television. You will only have to imagine
until Feb, when someone does it.
The wiring issue- The wiring up to the house is the cable companies. The
wiring inside (without sometype of "extra fee", which may not apply in this
situation anyway) is all yours. BTW if you want more signal to the house
they need to install what's called RG11 up to the house. Still coaxial, but
a bigger pipe.
Options- electricians, network installers and keep fighting the cable
company. RG6 quad shield cable was the industry standard for many years.
There's 2 problems with home wiring technically (that doesn't count
squirrels in the attic chewing cables or drunk,incompetent installers).
Signal leakage (both in and out of the cable, usually at a bad connector.) A
75 cent piece that will be replaced incompetently again, after a $25 truck
trip. The other is signal loss. The higher channels go first (and that
doesn't mean a whole surfing past channels on a box. They can locate any
channel at any number on a box in about 15 seconds, and the technical part
is over. The other 2 days is running software.
So be aware of what channel groupings are getting poor reception. It's
doubtful a technician will give a chart where the frequencies (or electronic
locations) are actually at. Most don't understand it themselves. But if you
find a group of channels that are consistently poor in quality, they will be
in the higher band locations, meaning more than likely, inferior quality
cable was used by the cable company to begin with. They knew it was garbage
and they let it happen to you anyway. Nearly all counties have a office of
cable affairs. Lawyers with no technical experience, but they are lawyers,
which is all that can make a mountain like Comcast move.
But after Feb 2009 it's going to be nothing but the Osoma Ben Ladin Show
anyhow.

Keep fighting the monopoly till then--og
--
Be Sure to Check Out the PAYNE HERTZ blog, for people with chronic pain, by
people with chronic pain.
join in at: http://paynehertz.blogspot.com

Post by minerva

Post by RobertVA

Post by minerva

Post by Zork
Comcast in FL tells me that in '09 I will have to change the
physical cable in the house to have its system work. Of course
they will do that for megabucks. Is this true and if so, can
I just change the cable myself ? What about all the cable that
runs through the walls, etc ? ?
Thanks
Zork

Comcast customer service varies depending on whom you talk with. The
answer you got does not seem correct. Here is what is happening, by law
and by regulation by the FCC, by Feb. of 2009, all the telecasters must
change their signals from analog to digital. If you noticed, comcast
has been moving those channels that have changed their signal up to
their digital system. Most people who bought their sets a while ago
have analog televisions with analog tuners unless they purchased one
recently. To get the television channels after they move to digital
system, comcast will give you, (and you can get it now) a digital cable
converter box that gives you those channels only. This is not the same
as the full digital channels that are on a higher paying scale. These
are the digital channels that are moving from analog to digital. The
box should cost you nothing. For this, you should not have to rewire
your home. These boxes are programmed only to pick up the channels that
are moving from analog to digital, and after you arrange for one with
the comcast customer service tech, you can pick up the box at a nearby
service store without having to have them come out to install it unless
you do not know how to do so. Again, this should cost you nothing more.
In order to find this out, i had to keep calling them back many times
until i got a customer service rep who knew to give me a box and how to
program it. Keep calling back until you get the right answers. To
understand what is going to happen in 2009, go to the fcc sponsored
website at www.dtv.gov and you can call the fcc at 1-888-call-fcc.
For people who do not use cable and get their signals over the air from
antennae - rabbit ears, they will need a converter box as well, and
starting now, can apply to the government for two coupons to use to buy
the converter boxes from a store. The National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering
the coupon program. More information can be found at
www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

NO!!!
CABLE providers are NOT required to discontinue analog service in
February of 2009. The analog cutoff only applies to full power Over The
Air (OTA) broadcasters. That doesn't prevent cable operators from
shifting channels to digital tiers at THEIR OWN OPTION though. The shift
of channels to digital will encourage subscribers to pay additional fees
for the digital programming tiers.
Many late model televisions will have the ability to receive unencrypted
digital signals, primarily local OTA broadcasts and "public access"
channels, directly from the cable system (Look for "QAM" in the TV's
features). Cable operators will probably encrypt any out of town
channels. You will probably need to rent a converter (for several dollars
a month) or rental CableCard (a little less expensive, but requires a
special slot in the TV) to view encrypted channels. Program guides, on
demand and Pay Per View services usually require a converter, as the
release of newer generation CableCards has been delayed.
Depending on the signal strength entering your home and quantity of
splits the existing RG58 cable might need to be replaced with RG6 cable
to reduce signal loss. Splitters might need replacement with ones able to
handle higher RF frequencies. Any signal amplifiers might need
replacement with bi-directional ones (also with higher frequency
capabilities), as many digital converters (as well as cable computer
modems) need to send signals back to the cable company.

What you say may be true, but that is not what the comcast and the local
government regulator told me. When I complained about my favorite
channels disappearing up to the digital system, their excuse is that it is
due to the mandated change from analog to digital as mandated by fcc. At
first, I had to pay extra to get those few channels, but they came with a
large number of what is to me - almost worthless stuff, i returned the
converter cable box because I did not want or need all the digital
channels and I did not think I should have to pay to see channels that
were on the regular cable system. But I started calling again when they
took off the us senate and replaced it with baseball whenever they wanted
to, Eventually, I got someone at the cable company who gave me a
specially programmed digital converter so i could get the few channels I
wanted and at no extra cost above what I currently pay them.
i may not know the technical wherewithal, but i did go to the fcc website
and get the information that i provide about the coupon program for the
ota people. all in all, it is especially annoying for the government to
have done this to the public. at a recent hearing conducted by senator
inouye, some public interest groups testified that the public needs to be
informed. It is unfortunate, if what you say is the case, that people
will have to have wiring replaced. I do not think most of the public is
aware of what these changes will mean for them.