hey scho
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From: bolton
hey scho
ok dave,
you know some stuff about comcast.
do you know if comcast will use exclusively digital transmission after the DTV transition or will they continue to use the analog method on the cable or will they require a converter box to talk to an analog input set.
the cable companies are saying it is not a problem that it will work but will it work without shelling out another $12 a month for yet another cable box?
you know some stuff about comcast.
do you know if comcast will use exclusively digital transmission after the DTV transition or will they continue to use the analog method on the cable or will they require a converter box to talk to an analog input set.
the cable companies are saying it is not a problem that it will work but will it work without shelling out another $12 a month for yet another cable box?
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From: Nashua, NH
Not dave but the skinny on this is....
They are going to have analog channels for at least a year. The federal change doesn't mandate that cable companies have to switch as the same time as terrestrial broadcasters. They will eventually go all digital as you can fit more on the pipe when that analog crap isn't taking up space for a single channel on an 6 Mhz block.
You will be able to tune in with a QAM tuner for non-encrypted channels (like if you get basic basic basic cable only) or you can get a cable box. I was told the the coupons from Fed will be honored for a discount (not sure the amount) on a cable set top box.
(Disclaimer: I don't work for Comcast so take the above with a gain of salt)
They are going to have analog channels for at least a year. The federal change doesn't mandate that cable companies have to switch as the same time as terrestrial broadcasters. They will eventually go all digital as you can fit more on the pipe when that analog crap isn't taking up space for a single channel on an 6 Mhz block.
You will be able to tune in with a QAM tuner for non-encrypted channels (like if you get basic basic basic cable only) or you can get a cable box. I was told the the coupons from Fed will be honored for a discount (not sure the amount) on a cable set top box.
(Disclaimer: I don't work for Comcast so take the above with a gain of salt)
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From: bolton
Kenta,
did you talk to comcast on this?
I'm just a little cynical but I suspect the cable companies are sort of hiding behind a fig leaf on this.
They claim that if you use cable there is not an issue during the transition but the fig leaf is that their operating model is that you use a cable box to receive their network.
I have a 3rd set in my workout area, which in a now dated terminology, was "cable ready".
I know it will break their corporate hearts to have to rent me another set top box to talk to their network.
did you talk to comcast on this?
I'm just a little cynical but I suspect the cable companies are sort of hiding behind a fig leaf on this.
They claim that if you use cable there is not an issue during the transition but the fig leaf is that their operating model is that you use a cable box to receive their network.
I have a 3rd set in my workout area, which in a now dated terminology, was "cable ready".
I know it will break their corporate hearts to have to rent me another set top box to talk to their network.
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From: Nashua, NH
I used to work at MediaOne about 10 years ago but I still know a few people there.
Basically I believe you hit the nail on the head. After Feb 2009 they'll likely still have the analog signals on the cable but in the longer term the goal is go all digital. I would expect this to happen before 2009 is over.
Once it goes all digital your cable ready TV by itself will not work to tune in channels. You will need a cable box and yes, I'm sure they will happily supply you one
Not sure if the DTV converters out there would work after it's all digital, but I suspect that for non encrypted-QAM it will. So you might be able to watch PBS, NBC, ABC, etc, but NESN will be a no-go without a box. I can doublecheck.
Basically I believe you hit the nail on the head. After Feb 2009 they'll likely still have the analog signals on the cable but in the longer term the goal is go all digital. I would expect this to happen before 2009 is over.
Once it goes all digital your cable ready TV by itself will not work to tune in channels. You will need a cable box and yes, I'm sure they will happily supply you one
Not sure if the DTV converters out there would work after it's all digital, but I suspect that for non encrypted-QAM it will. So you might be able to watch PBS, NBC, ABC, etc, but NESN will be a no-go without a box. I can doublecheck.
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From: Nashua, NH
Satellite is okay because essentially you already have a box for each set. Those boxes handle the digital to analog conversion (well unless you're going HDMI out).
Essentially cable would be okay too if you had a box for each TV... really no better than satellite the way I see it. In fact, Comcast's video on demand services are starting to get impressive and with Internet access they are actually pretty competitive.
Essentially cable would be okay too if you had a box for each TV... really no better than satellite the way I see it. In fact, Comcast's video on demand services are starting to get impressive and with Internet access they are actually pretty competitive.
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From: On yo puter screen
Originally Posted by kenta,Sep 18 2008, 11:18 PM
Satellite is okay because essentially you already have a box for each set. Those boxes handle the digital to analog conversion (well unless you're going HDMI out).
I go hdmi out from my directtv receiver to my hdtv