[ale] OT: Comcast and digital TV

[Jim Kinney]

On Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 7:54 AM, Geoffrey <lists at serioustechnology.com> wrote:
> Okay, so I'm just plain sick and tired of Comcasts monopolistic
> attitude.  As we move to the digital TV cut over date I've been told a
> couple of things that they don't tell you in their slick TV commercials.
>
> 1. Fact: Although they say you don't need to do anything if you
> currently have analog cable service, you will lose channels as some
> stations decide unilaterally to stop sending an analog signal.  This has
> already happened to me with the History channel and the TV guide channel.

LIE! The signal delivery method of the channel to Comcast has NOTHING
to do with their signal delivery method to you. Many (if not most) of
the feeds to Comcast are and have been digital for a long time. It
does save bandwidth. We've all seen the screen freeze and pixelate on
analog cable tv.

Comcast is dropping channels to make the analog format as unattractive
as possible.
>
> 2. Fact or Fiction??? If you want to go digital, you MUST rent digital
> converter boxes from Comcast.  The first one is free, $6 per box after
> that.  You can not buy them anywhere.  I don't quite understand this.  I
> do have one digital/analog TV in my house and I do currently pick up a
> smattering of channels when I go to the digital tuner.

TRUE :-(  They have a monopoly (at the moment) on converters. And they
(ab)use that position to it's fullest extent.

Why is there no such device as a whole-house digital to analog
converter? Take _ALL_ the digital feeds and split them out to analog
signals and pump them down the house wire.

Because if there were, one house gets digital and runs a cable to the
other houses around them for analog and they split the bill. That
would break the monopoly. Bummer.

Part B: The digital box provide an upstream signal that indicates
which channel is in use. It also provides a direct way to disconnect
without a truck roll.

>
> Anyone help me out on #2?  I've only got 3 people in my home, but for
> convenience, I've got 7 tv receivers (two computers, 5 TVs).  I'm not
> about to increase my already inflated monthly bill by 65% to simply
> retain those lost channels.
>
> I'm seriously considering digital antennas or satellite.
>
> Suggestions, comments???
>
> --
> Until later, Geoffrey
>
> Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
> temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
>  - Benjamin Franklin
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-- 
-- 
James P. Kinney III