... Plus I think we are the only ones who really care about the channels being added.

Chris

Frankly, I don't care a lot about the new channels. I don't recall a single one that I am likely to watch. I do think the Weather Channel in HD that you said is coming in September will get my attention; I liked watching it on DirecTV in HD especially when storms were brewing. ;)

BUT, it would be nice if Comcast did what/when they say they would do. There are people making decisions about whether to get Comcast cable or satellite based on a comparison of what channels are available at what price. If Comcast claims one thing and delivers another -- well, it's no wonder that they needed to change their brand name to Xfinity. (Read Comcast seeks reputation change with Xfinity brand (http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/02/09/comcast-xfinity-idUSN0515328620100209).

A lack of credibility pervades the outfit. When I turned my defective HD DVR STB in at the CC office last Monday, I said I wasn't pleased with having to take a hike to the office twice within a short time to obtain replacements, but it was better than waiting 12 days for a technician to show up - as was told to me by a telephone cust svc rep. The equipment guy at the counter scoffed at that - indicating it was pure BS.

And when I had trouble getting the replacement box set up, I was given clearly bogus info over the phone. I had to solve the problem by myself.

I would change TV providers in a minute if the decision in this household was mine to make.

Dana

...

We'll see whether a different HD STB will improve the reception of DD 5.1 audio in Red Sox NESN TV cablecasts from remote locations. The Red Sox play the Chicago White Sox on Friday July 29 there.

Dana

Having a different STB made no difference in the audio on the Red Sox game in HD out of Chicago tonight. If anything it's worse! The surround channels are louder than the announcers on the center channel but ONLY when play-by-play actually starts and the "Brought to you in 5.1 surround sound" banner appears.

It makes the game unwatchable for me. :(

Dana

Having a different STB made no difference in the audio on the Red Sox game in HD out of Chicago tonight. If anything it's worse! The surround channels are louder than the announcers on the center channel but ONLY when play-by-play actually starts and the "Brought to you in 5.1 surround sound" banner appears.

It makes the game unwatchable for me. :(

Dana

I would say that it makes it "unlistenable" for you.

Seriously, Dana, did you do any detective work on your end to see if you can reduce the volume of the surround channels? How does it sound when you unplug your other equipment and just listen to the pretend surround sound coming directly from the tv's speakers? You have me curious. It would be interesting to see what the solution is.

I would say that it makes it "unlistenable" for you.

Seriously, Dana, did you do any detective work on your end to see if you can reduce the volume of the surround channels? How does it sound when you unplug your other equipment and just listen to the pretend surround sound coming directly from the tv's speakers? You have me curious. It would be interesting to see what the solution is.

Thanks for your interest, Stan. I fear other readers are tired of my constant bitching so this will be my last rant on the subject unless I have good news to report.

Since the audio varies during each remote broadcast - NESN studio, commercials, pre- and post-game commentary all are "normal," only during the play-by-play are the surround sound channels cranked - I'd be constantly fiddling to compensate. If I lower the volume so that I can barely hear Don and Jerry, then the surround sound is lowered also. But, the fundamental problem - the surround sound audio is too high relative to the in-game commentary - remains a constant.

This problem only occurs on NESN Red Sox "away" games. Remote broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, etc., are not an issue from the same locations! (Such as when the Sox are on NESN Friday and Sunday from away and ESPN does the Saturday game from away.) Broadcasts from Fenway are fine with surround sound in the background.

NESN has acknowledged the problem and never has claimed it is solved. It obviously isn't.

That's enuf.

Dana

CC was supposed to shut down the analog signals on July 15th, but they are still there. I check them to see when I can rescan my TV and DVRs to get rid of the analog channels. The two may be tied together- drop analog and get more bandwidth for hd channels. Just guessing but who knows when it comes to CC.

Good point! Dropping the analog channels may be the way CC "found" the bandwidth capacity for more digital channels it once claimed didn't exist. Why the analog channels haven't been dropped when CC said they would may be the core question. But, as you say, getting a insightful answer from Comcast is impossible.

Dana

Sometimes what happens in Maine relates to national trends. I thought the latest report (http://www.homemediamagazine.com/cable/time-warner-cable-loses-130000-video-subs-q2-24625) about TWC might be of interest.

Time Warner Cable July 28 reported a net loss of 130,000 video subscribers in the second quarter (ended June 30) — underscoring ongoing challenges multichannel video programming distributors face with retaining members in an era of rapidly evolving home entertainment options such as Netflix and rental kiosks...

The cable operator, as with others and satellite, has resorted to bundling services such as video, broadband, high-speed Internet and telephone into cheaper packages in an effort to retain members.

“We've become less of a TV company than we were previously,” Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt recently told The Wall Street Journal...

Dana

Add streaming video off the internet and you can understand why cable is in trouble. Two of my three sons have dropped cable all together and just watch netflix and streaming internet shows.

I have retained basic-basic comcast for football, otherwise I would drop it entirely. There are even shows I liked when I had directv that are on the sports station's internet site.

I know that cc and other cable providers fight bundling packages for their customers, but, with today's technology, they could do it. But that would result in the loss of many cable channels because of the lack of viewers and reduce their reason for existence, the opportunity to select what you want from a large pool of channels. Catch 22.

Good point! Dropping the analog channels may be the way CC "found" the bandwidth capacity for more digital channels it once claimed didn't exist. Why the analog channels haven't been dropped when CC said they would may be the core question. But, as you say, getting a insightful answer from Comcast is impossible.

Dana

You're 100 percent correct about the relationship between dropping analog channels and then offering more digital channels. Google "Comcast project cavalry" for more details. :)

What is the newest HD DVR that TWC Maine is providing? Is it a Cisco unit? How well does whole house DVR work?

Quite by accident I discovered that several HD channels were added to the Comcast lineup today!


HD High-Definition TV
551 Bravo HD
553 Nick HD
555 Cartoon Network HD
556 Comcast SportsNet HD
557 Lifetime Movie Network HD
561 Spike HD
562 Travel Channel HD
563 QVC HD
564 bio. HD
574 Lifetime HD
580 Disney XD HD
583 ESPNews HD
588 E! Entertainment TV HD
591 CNBC HD
595 Planet Green HD

A quick check indicates these are all the channels originally promised for July 28, 2011.

Dana

What is the newest HD DVR that TWC Maine is providing? Is it a Cisco unit? How well does whole house DVR work?

I'm also interested in this. I asked about the HD DVR that TWC is using a few pages back in this thread, but I don't know if it is the same DVR as they use for Whole Home.

I'm looking to go that route in my new house.

Spoke with an outstanding guy at TWC today for 90 minutes who gave me all the info a guy could stand on the offerings by TWC. Now I asked specifically about my area which is the Rockland-Augusta service area, formerly run by Adelphia. Those in the Portland area who've had TWC for a while have a different system, and many more offerings and hardware setup.

The fmr. Adelphia area is using Motorola cable boxes unlike those in the Portland area (they use Cisco or SA). The Motos were given a significant software update last week to ready this area for a major expansion of service offerings by TWC which would then match what is offered in the Portland area. Items like Whole Home DVR, Look Back, Start Over, and Caller ID on TV are not possible in the former Adelphia area, but following this software update on the cable boxes and subsequent changes at the Head... they are possible. From now until the end of the year, TWC will be testing and tweaking in an attempt to offer as many of these services as possible (perhaps all of them). There are no guarantees, of course, but all of these seem like a very possibility (though Whole Home is a bit more questionable) at the end of 2011. At which point, TWC hopes that its entire operation in Maine (Portland area and the former Adelphia region) are identical, save the different cable boxes used.

I'd be interested in how well those services (Whole Home DVR, Look Back, etc) work in the Portland area though...

Spoke with an outstanding guy at TWC today for 90 minutes who gave me all the info a guy could stand on the offerings by TWC. Now I asked specifically about my area which is the Rockland-Augusta service area, formerly run by Adelphia. Those in the Portland area who've had TWC for a while have a different system, and many more offerings and hardware setup.

The fmr. Adelphia area is using Motorola cable boxes unlike those in the Portland area (they use Cisco or SA). The Motos were given a significant software update last week to ready this area for a major expansion of service offerings by TWC which would then match what is offered in the Portland area. Items like Whole Home DVR, Look Back, Start Over, and Caller ID on TV are not possible in the former Adelphia area, but following this software update on the cable boxes and subsequent changes at the Head... they are possible. From now until the end of the year, TWC will be testing and tweaking in an attempt to offer as many of these services as possible (perhaps all of them). There are no guarantees, of course, but all of these seem like a very possibility (though Whole Home is a bit more questionable) at the end of 2011. At which point, TWC hopes that its entire operation in Maine (Portland area and the former Adelphia region) are identical, save the different cable boxes used.

I'd be interested in how well those services (Whole Home DVR, Look Back, etc) work in the Portland area though...

TWC dallas already has Multiroom DVR with Motorola DCX3400Ms and DCX3200Ms and Samsungs in some cases.

TWC dallas just updated the firmware for VOD/SDV on the DCX3400s and DCX3200s to 69.41 from 68.44 which allows for TWC to block fast forwarding on VOD and fixes the issue with the vod video dropping out and coming back with no audio also the problem with scrolling down too fast and going to a non existant vod category selected seems to be gone. This paves the way for Start Over and Lookback also these and Caller ID on TV have shown up in Socal areas where TWC uses iGuide on the motorola boxes.

Comcast added the channels finally, but I didn't get all of the channels I should have. I think I may have to call customer service.

Comcast added the channels finally, but I didn't get all of the channels I should have. I think I may have to call customer service.

Chris, my original post here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=20616554#post20616554) included what stations were tied to which Comcast tiers as contained in the mailer, if that's any help. (We seem to have gotten all of them here.)

Dana

Thanks for the info.

I didn't get the digital preferred channels. I have that package.

Oh well

Chris

TWC dallas already has Multiroom DVR with Motorola DCX3400Ms and DCX3200Ms and Samsungs in some cases.

TWC dallas just updated the firmware for VOD/SDV on the DCX3400s and DCX3200s to 69.41 from 68.44 which allows for TWC to block fast forwarding on VOD and fixes the issue with the vod video dropping out and coming back with no audio also the problem with scrolling down too fast and going to a non existant vod category selected seems to be gone. This paves the way for Start Over and Lookback also these and Caller ID on TV have shown up in Socal areas where TWC uses iGuide on the motorola boxes.

The guy I spoke with I think was trying to be careful not to over promise what TW could deliver, but he also mentioned that Texas has Motorola boxes and the services you listed. I know those of us in AdelphiaVille needed to do a lot of catching up just to get up to where we are now... it seems we have all the pieces in place to finally catch up with the rest of the Cable tethered world.

Comcast fixed the problem I now have all of the channels.

Chris

I noticed tonight in South Portland that WGME on Time Warner is now 720p! Does anybody know what's going on?

WGME is 720P OTA as well.

Yup. 1280x720. What's going on? Either a temp issue or redistribution of the spectrum - again.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1216722

Yup. 1280x720. What's going on? Either a temp issue or redistribution of the spectrum - again.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1216722

I thought CBS and NBC chose 1080I and ABC and Fox chose 720P.

Thought so but as jonathan and baud note, wgme is broadcasting 720. I sent an inquiry - but? So far wabi is 1080.

So has anyone gone lately to swap out HD DVR boxes in Southern Maine?

I still have the Scientific Atlanta 8300HDC, and it really needs a reboot like every week. I heard they are giving out newer/better boxes, but I haven't gone yet.

I'm still on the fence about swapping over to DirecTV. But the wife doesn't want to lose the home phone, and we still need Road Runner too.

Steve

For those who may have wanted to watch the PATS second preseason game last night at Tampa but missed it, according to a report here (http://www.patriotsdaily.com/2011/08/cant-watch-tonight-nfl-network-replay-schedule-here/) the game will be rebroadcast on the NFL Network.

• Friday, 8/19, 4:00 PM ET

• Sunday 8/21, 7:00 AM ET

• Tuesday 8/23, 4:00 PM ET


For those of us confined to the offerings of Comcast Brunswick, the NFL Network is available only in SD. Those not so encumbered may find it in HD as was the original broadcast on WMTW Channel 8. :rolleyes:

Dana

As of Sept 1 NFL network will be available in HD in comcast areas. Just checked the mailing.

Chris

As of Sept 1 NFL network will be available in HD in comcast areas. Just checked the mailing.

Chris

Thanks, Chris! :cool:

Dana

Anyone have information on WCSH going HD for their news broadcasts?

Anyone have information on WCSH going HD for their news broadcasts?
It sure would be welcomed. Local news and programing has been in HD for years, in other areas.

It sure would be welcomed. Local news and programing has been in HD for years, in other areas.

There's an interesting (to me) recent article Why Local Stations Should Switch to HD News (http://www.tvpredictions.com/whygray081611.htm) that I'll clip in part:

... Gray Television, which owns local stations in 30 markets, has made it a priority to convert its locals to high-def newscasts. What does Gray see that others don't?

Bob Prather, Gray's president and chief operating officer, recently shared his company's philosophy in a conference call with Wall Street analysts.

"Our focus over the last year and a half has been to get our local HD news going as quickly as possible on all our stations. I'm happy to say we currently have 18 of our 30 markets with full local HD news," Prather said, adding that his company hopes to convert all 30 by the end of 2012.

"I think people are finding HD to be a great product. More and more people watch HD sets. They demand local HD news. And if you're a competitor in a market that has local HD news and you don't have it, you'll feel it quick," Prather said.

The executive added Gray Television keeps a close eye on the expenses in a conversion and they are exploring how to use cheaper transmissions via the Internet. But regardless, Prather said local HD news is a must...

My guess is that if one station in our DMA goes HD with local news/weather the others will have to follow just to remain competitive. It's not unlike the conversion to color from B&W that I have to admit I can vaguely recall. ;)

Dana

My guess is that if one station in our DMA goes HD with local news/weather the others will have to follow just to remain competitive. It's not unlike the conversion to color from B&W that I have to admit I can vaguely recall. ;)
Dana
I believe you to be correct on that. When we lived in Florida, the first Orlando station went HD, with local news and local programing, and within about 6 months they all were in HD. The old saying " got to keep up with the Jones". The ratings of their local news jumped as soon as the first station went HD.

Dana, you forgot to mention, when the first color TVs came out, if you didn't want to buy one, but wanted color, you could buy the colored plastic to go over the screen to make it a color TV. LOL.

WCSH has announced that will go HD news soon. They are running a promo regarding the change and posted on their facebook page.


Chris

WCSH has announced that will go HD news soon. They are running a promo regarding the change and posted on their facebook page.

Chris

You da Man, Chris! :cool:

Dana

WCSH has announced that will go HD news soon. They are running a promo regarding the change and posted on their facebook page.


Chris
Liking that. I know where I will be watching the local news.

WGME is also in the process of going HD with their local news, as per this article:
http://ddgtv.com/blog/kabb-tv-in-san-antonio-goes-on-air-9/

KABB-TV is the first of three new News Sets designed by DDG for Sinclair Broadcast Group, to be going live & fully High Definition. (WZTV-TV in Nashville, TN. will follow later this month and WGME-TV in Portland, ME in November.) These new broadcast set designs by DDG are elevating this trio of TV stations into the forefront of modern broadcast news technology & design.

The best thing WGME could do for HD would be to drop their subchannel(s) and go back to 1080i.

Went to the Portland TWC office this week and finally got a Cisco 8640HDC HD DVR box to replace my old SA piece of crap.
So far it seems to be better, but only time will tell.

Local news in HD will be great..............reduce my burn-in chances on my plasma.

Steve

Local news in HD will be great.

But I'll be even happier when Fox is able to do HD crawls/lotto numbers/etc. I cringe every time I'm watching something and see it switch to the SD feed.

No WCBB and WPFO via dish or ota.

No WCBB and WPFO via dish or ota.
WCBB back, but Irene must of shut WPFO down.

Still the same for me. I know they're on the same tower.

They were back yesterday and power here today. Tired of hearing that generator.

Comcast Basic-basic HD channels were reorganized 8/31/2011 am but not sure if it was on purpose or as a result of power outages. In any case some new stations showed up and the digital versions of the analog channels changed locations.

Beekepper,
What changes did you see?

I didn't get any changes except for channel 1099 which is not used.

They're supposed to be changes 9/1 with the addiition of new channels.

A little background- I have basic basic over coax to two recorders and my HD TV. Since early this am (8/31) I have lost the local digital channels and got them back again. At about 2:30pm today I have no local analog or digital channels but do have remote digital and analog. So it seems that CC is rearranging the furniture as they said they were going to do back in July. I wondered why we still had all the analog as well as digital local channels along with the sd local channels on the digital side.

So far I have seen a new spanish news channel along with a slew of PPV channels with not much else new. When I last scanned this am, before all the locals disappeared, I counted some 30+ digital channels in the clear which includes the local digital in both HD and sd along with the standard PPV, shopping, two religious, two local access, canadian, Comcast NE news, CSPAN, and TV guide.

Just rescanned and down to 25 digital with no local channels in HD, SD digital or analog, so the same as at 2;30pm.

As an aside, I quit calling CC tech assist long ago as they seldom know what is going on, so I just wait. (Last time I did call they promised to call back and that was three years ago- still waiting patiently by the phone.) Also I do not have a box, so what I see are the pre routed channels, which I why I need to scan from time to time as they change the channel locations. If I had a box, they would not change, but I do not need a box nor want one as I can record two channels at the same time while watching a third.

From the PPH Sep. 1:

Time Warner cable failure hits 350,000 (http://www.pressherald.com/news/time-warner-cable-failure-hits-350000_2011-09-01.html).

By J. Hemmerdinger jhemmerdinger@pressherald.com
Staff Writer

PORTLAND - The impact of Tropical Storm Irene continued to be felt Wednesday, when flooding caused by Sunday's rain knocked out a fiber-optic cable in Vermont and cut Internet and digital phone service for almost four hours to about 350,000 customers of Time Warner Cable in New England.

The company's network crashed about 2:30 p.m. when a backup cable failed near Brattleboro, Vt., said Time Warner Cable spokesman Andrew Russell.

Brattleboro, along the Connecticut River, experienced heavy flooding after the storm.

Russell said Time Warner was using the backup cable through Vermont because the storm had knocked out the company's primary line.

The outage left hundreds of thousands of people and businesses without Internet and phone service and created problems with the company's cable television service.

Will Zurkan, an employee at Portland-based Kepware Technologies, said his firm's Internet and voice-over-Internet phone services failed, severing communications with customers.

"Our entire phone and computer system is Internet-based," said Zurkan during the outage. "Our customers can't even buy products if they want to."

Time Warner engineers restored the company's services about 6:10 p.m.

Dana

Peace has returned to happy valley- About 6pm got the locals back and was back to where I was early that day.

I thought CC would have dropped all the analogs but there are still 12 channels along with some 35 digital in the clear with no need of a box. But most digital channels are both the sd and hd version of the same station along with PPV, shopping and miscellaneous channels.

comcast added channels this morning including Fox Business and rhe TWC in HD. TWC does not have local forecast in HD yet. Oh well.


Chris

comcast added channels this morning including Fox Business and rhe TWC in HD. TWC does not have local forecast in HD yet. Oh well.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. TWC-HD is on CC channel 565. It isn't showing yet on Comcast's own online channel guide. :rolleyes: (http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv-listings)

Dana

By my count, Comcast Brunswick added 26 HD channels to its lineup a couple of days ago, not counting a few HD channels added to subscription movie services. But, typical of the gang that can't shoot straight, I can't find that an official list of them has been published. This isn't good management or bad management, it's absentee management from Boston. No one talks to the public - unless a crisis occurs.

Access to the new HD sports channels apparently requires a subscription to the sports tier. (There are enough tiers on the Comcast subscriber list to drive you to tears. :rolleyes:)

The added HD channels are placed here and there in the Comcast HD overall lineup. When I find them included on an online program guide, I'll post a link.

Dana

By my count, Comcast Brunswick added 26 HD channels to its lineup a couple of days ago, not counting a few HD channels added to subscription movie services. But, typical of the gang that can't shoot straight, I can't find that an official list of them has been published. This isn't good management or bad management, it's absentee management from Boston. No one talks to the public - unless a crisis occurs.

Access to the new HD sports channels apparently requires a subscription to the sports tier. (There are enough tiers on the Comcast subscriber list to drive you to tears. :rolleyes:)

The added HD channels are placed here and there in the Comcast HD overall lineup. When I find them included on an online program guide, I'll post a link.

Dana

TWC operates the same way. The framework for communication is there, but it doesn't really work. They have newspaper notices, tv TWC info channel, web page and email, however, it's not down and dirty location specific info.

By scrolling through the HD Comcast channel lineup last night, I discovered that ten of the new HD channels were "not authorized" here. Some are sports channels but not all. (For instance, TCM-HD was added to the lineup but is "not authorized.") As far as I can tell, we do receive the SD versions of all the new HD channels "not authorized."

I called Comcast tech support last night. They couldn't diagnose the problem so a technician truck roll was set up for this morning between 9 - 11 AM. The technician arrived at 10 AM. After a two hour investigation on his part - he's also flying blind without a new lineup card - he determined that the channels we cannot access here are apparently part of a "Sports Entertainment Package." Whether that is intentional or a glitch remains to be seen. We don't subscribe to such a package but - to repeat myself - we do get the standard def version of these channels as part of other packages. Both the phone and truck technicians thought that should qualify us for the HD equivalents.

He generated a trouble ticket and promised I'll get a phone call back on Tuesday after the long Labor Day weekend. Maybe. :rolleyes:

-----------------

Meanwhile, I picked up some interesting info from the installer who transferred here from the Kittery/Berwicks Comcast MSO a year ago. This is unofficial stuff.

• Comcast Brunswick is part of Comcast Chelmsford, MA. territory.

• When the last of the analog channels disappear about mid-September, the Brunswick, Maine CC will be the first Comcast MSO to be entirely digital in New England if not in the USA. All the other Comcast digital MSOs are bifurcated - they retain a few analog channels.

• He said Comcast did nothing for a few years to upgrade the system until it became obvious that they couldn't sell it. Now, in a sort of flip-flop of priorities it has become a prototype for an all-digital cable plant. A lot of work has been done at the headend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_headend) to upgrade it. A fiber optics dedicated cable has been established direct to MA. A lot of upgrade work has been done on poles.

• More HD channels are coming to Brunswick. The installer said that when the upgrade is finished, Brunswick will have more HD channels than any other cable system in the USA!

Hard to believe and the details may be sketchy. We'll have to wait and see.

Dana

drbonbi:

Thanks for the info. I was wondering the same thing about tcm hd and the sport channel. According to a comcast flyer some of those sport channels are on the digital preffered which I have and I am not getting them. I'm waiting to see if this is a bug. Keep us posted

Chris

By scrolling through the HD Comcast channel lineup last night, I discovered that ten of the new HD channels were "not authorized" here. Some are sports channels but not all. (For instance, TCM-HD was added to the lineup but is "not authorized.") As far as I can tell, we do receive the SD versions of all the new HD channels "not authorized."

I called Comcast tech support last night. They couldn't diagnose the problem so a technician truck roll was set up for this morning between 9 - 11 AM. The technician arrived at 10 AM. After a two hour investigation on his part - he's also flying blind without a new lineup card - he determined that the channels we cannot access here are apparently part of a "Sports Entertainment Package." Whether that is intentional or a glitch remains to be seen. We don't subscribe to such a package but - to repeat myself - we do get the standard def version of these channels as part of other packages. Both the phone and truck technicians thought that should qualify us for the HD equivalents.

He generated a trouble ticket and promised I'll get a phone call back on Tuesday after the long Labor Day weekend. Maybe. :rolleyes:

-----------------

Meanwhile, I picked up some interesting info from the installer who transferred here from the Kittery/Berwicks Comcast MSO a year ago. This is unofficial stuff.

• Comcast Brunswick is part of Comcast Chelmsford, MA. territory.

• When the last of the analog channels disappear about mid-September, the Brunswick, Maine CC will be the first Comcast MSO to be entirely digital in New England if not in the USA. All the other Comcast MSOs are bifurcated - they retain a few analog channels.

• He said Comcast did nothing for a few years to upgrade the system until it became obvious that they couldn't sell it. Now, in a sort of flip-flop of priorities it has become a prototype for an all-digital cable plant. A lot of work has been done at the headend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_headend) to upgrade it. A fiber optics dedicated cable has been established direct to MA. A lot of upgrade work has been done on poles.

• More HD channels are coming to Brunswick. The installer said that when the upgrade is finished, Brunswick will have more HD channels than any other cable system in the USA!

Hard to believe and the details may be sketchy. We'll have to wait and see.

Dana

Looks like you guys have been upgraded to 1GHz from 550MHz/750MHz here where I live we were in a similar situation with my area being 750MHz and Dallas TX being a dual line system with 550MHz bandwidth and some areas with the A cable at 860MHz but they rebuilt us to 860MHz in the areas that needed to rebuilt so that the whole system could be on one bandwidth set and then we went to about 55 HD channels after the upgrade was finished and then last year they moved us to SDV on the HD channels save for locals and 6 national HD channels including: HBO, SHO, HDPPV, the two main ESPNs, TNT.

Our system goes all the way up to 135 861MHz which is an SDV QAM and they have 9 open analog channels ready for digital things to be moved into 6, 19, 28, 38, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99.

So yeah I am glad you guys are getting an all digital upgrade. SDV here allowed us to get more spanish channels and loads of HD channels.

We got these just this year alone on SDV:

AYM Sports
CBTV Michoacan
Cine Mexicano
Discovery Familia
Mexico 22
Once TV
Teleformula
Viendo Movies
Lifetime HD
ESPN Deportes HD

I found what appears to be a complete listing of the new Comcast HD channel lineup here (https://www.comcast.com/Customers/Clu/ChannelLineup.ashx). (Click on "High-Definition TV" under Interests to shorten the list to HD only.)

There is a listing dated 8/31/11 of channels by package here (https://www.comcast.com/Customers/Clu/ChannelLineup.ashx?print=1&CGID=746).

Comparing the ten HD channels I cannot get at the moment with the channel package list reveals the following:

# HD Channel Name / Package

552 NHL Network HD / Digital Preferred
560 MLB Network HD / Digital Preferred
566 NFL Network HD / Digital Preferred
570 CBS Sports Network HD / Digital Preferred
577 Big Ten Network HD / Sports Entertainment
579 Tennis Channel HD / Sports Entertainment
582 ESPNU HD / Digital Preferred
590 NBA TV HD / Digital Preferred
593 TCM HD / Digital Preferred
597 NFL Redzone HD / Sports Entertainment

We do subscribe to the Digital Preferred package but not the Sports Entertainment package. So either the technician jumped to the wrong conclusion - that all my "not authorized" new HD channels are part of the Sports Entertainment package to which we don't subscribe - or they are setup that way incorrectly behind the scene. Clearly seven of the ten HD channels I cannot get are part of a package to which we do subscribe.

So, off I go to the local CC office tomorrow. It's nice that I have printouts from Comcast to show the local Comcast folks who may not have them available. :rolleyes:

Dana

--------------------

The only online TV program guide I can find at present that has all the added HD channels for CC Brunswick is the TV Guide (http://www.tvguide.com/Listings/) itself. You may have to select the Comcast Brunswick cablecard option.

I went to the Comcast Brunswick office this morning. The printed new channel HD lineup organized by package is now available. The trouble ticket on my account was noted as were the additional details I was able to provide about the channels that are presently "Not Authorized." I apparently am the first to report the problem although a different problem had been earlier reported.

The trouble ticket was routed to the supervisor who covers my area of Brunswick along with the specifics I was able to provide. I was again promised a return call, presumably after the problem has been fixed. The customer service gal who has been there since SusCom days thought it might take only an hour or two to fix. However, the problem hasn't been resolved as of this writing. Perhaps tomorrow. I received a courteous apology for my trouble.

------------

Also I am pleased to report that the NESN audio problem - overly loud surround sound on "away" broadcasts of Red Sox games - apparently has been solved! The broadcasts from Texas were "normal" i.e., the audio resembled broadcasts from Fenway with subdued surround sound. And now the broadcasts from Toronto are normal, too. We'll never know what accounts for the improvement but I am delighted to report NESN Red Sox audio apparently is now normal both at Fenway and on away games.

Dana

icerabbit, PBS World is currently on QAM channel 81-11 on TWC's Augusta system.

A belated - mea culpa - : Thank you :) Found it :)

Right now most cable systems are hybrid. They have a mix of analog and digital services existing on the same system. I’ll use TWC Portland system as an example. The old analog service (NTSC) runs from 2 through 70 for the extended basic. Attach the coax directly into any TV or VCR and you’re in business with no set top box required. As a side note, each of those analog channels takes up a lot of space on the cable system. In the space required for a single analog channel, you could fit two high definition signals, or around 10 standard definition channels. As you can see, going all digital will free up a lot of space for other services. After the migration to all digital, any device hooked directly to cable (with no set top box) will need a digital tuner (ATSC) with QAM capability to tune the unencrypted digital channels. The only unencrypted digital (QAM) channels will be the local over the air broadcast channels. To watch anything else, you’ll need to rent a box, DVR, or DTA (digital transport adapter) for each device from the cable company. Now, here is a bit about channel numbers used by cable. If you have a device hooked directly to cable with no cable box or DVR, you are using “in band tuning” to receive the channel utilizing the built in tuner. WSCH-HD on TWC Portland is currently 82-3 using the built in digital (QAM) tuner. TWC has changed the location of WCSH-HD several times on their Portland system. Each time, I have to rescan with the built in digital (QAM) tuner to find it. However, that entire time it has remained "506" on the cable box since those devices use “out of band tuning” to tune WCSH-HD. The box transparently remaps the 506 you select to the actual physical 82-3 location for you. The 506 is a completely arbitrary number (virtual number) chosen by TWC. However, the 82-3 has an actual physical location. The “82” is the major channel number while the “3” is the minor channel number. The “82-“ equates to an actual physical location of 573 MHz on the cable system. TWC never gives the physical location of the digital channels in their channel lineups. They list those arbitrary (virtual) channel numbers instead. The major-minor channel scheme (82-3) is called clear QAM by cable and is not openly supported by them. Go to the TWC website and type “QAM” in the search window. The policy regarding Clear QAM on cable is if you (don't ask) they (don't tell).

Thank you for the explanation.

"Go to the TWC website and type “QAM” in the search window. The policy regarding Clear QAM on cable is if you (don't ask) they (don't tell)."

With CC, even if you ask they tell you you need a box for any HD channels but, truth is, all the local HD channels are in the clear. They want you on a box for PPV.

On TV this morning, after 8, I saw from the corner of my eye a brief announcement from TWC during the commercials. It featured a small black set-top box that converted to a small flying bot and then had several of them with the announcement that TWC is going all-digital Oct 18 (iirc) The TV was muted, so I don't know what was said. Haven't seen it repeated yet.

>> Has anyone heard or seen any specific info if these are going to be mandatory per TV to keep ones' basic channels?

As in: TWC will be encrypting everything and you're going to need to buy or rent a dozen of these boxes? Even though you have $$$$ invested in TVs with digital tuners.

I know there's talk that they have to provide the locals that are available over the air, free and clear; but the problem to me is that whenever I tried OTA with a compact antenna all I got was MPBN. Presumably with a large antenna one can reach Bangor and Portland ... but that would still mean only a handful of channels. Maine is not flat and populated like Florida where I've pulled in 4 dozen channels with 10 year old rabbit ears. Anyway.

This all-digital could mean we just get 5 channels unencrypted???

Also, would this little set-top box be like an OTA box, required to change the channel? Or is it just a pass-through - kind of like a filter or tap - without buttons, remote, ....

I could see myself paying nominal rent for one of these boxes if they are just a pass-through, and put it in the basement where cable comes in, before it goes to the splitter/amplifier to the different rooms.

If it is a remote controlled box per TV ... what a nightmare ...

Time to attempt a call to TWC CS for more info.

Well, this confirms some of the things, I feared ...

They call it a digital adapter

Sorry if this was posted already. I didn't read back in the thread.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/northeast/support/topic.ashx/Digital+Adapter


"Digital Adapter
Starting October 19, 2011, Time Warner Cable will begin transitioning to an All Digital Cable TV signal. This will improve picture and sound quality and allow us to offer more HD and On Demand choices. Plus, this transition will enable us to deliver faster Internet speeds and enhanced Home Phone services.

Order Your Digital Adapter
There are two quick ways to check each of your TVs:
If you plug your cable line directly into a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.
If you do not see Channel 122 on a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.

You can order your Digital Adapter(s):
Online
Visit TimeWarnerCable.com/GoDigital
Sign in to your account
Select the number of Adapters you need

By Phone
Call 1-855-TWC-DIGITAL
Order your Adapter(s) from a customer service representative

In Person
Visit a Time Warner Cable Payment Center
Pick up the number of Adapter(s) you need

Program Your New Remote
You can program the new remote control included in your Digital Adapter kit to control both your Digital Adapter and your TV.

Visit the Program Your Remote Tool

Install and Activate Your Digital Adapter
Connect to your TV
Activating your Adapter
Connect to your TV + VCR/DVD player
Did you know?
Related FAQs
Related Issues
Digital Adapters are free through 2013. Beginning January 2014, you will be charged $0.99 a month per Adapter."



Who approved this deal?

" Question:
If I currently have Time Warner Cable service and I receive broadcast high-definition (HD) channels, how will this be affected by using a Digital Adapter?
Answer:
At this time, the Digital Adapter does not support HD signals. Time Warner Cable plans to offer HD Digital Adapters later this year. We will provide you with more information once they become available."

> > > ABSOLUTELY B R I L L I A N T < < <

:eek: :eek:

Tried to chat with TWC CS.
The two analysts, one escalated to another, in the chat fell completely out of the air.
Not that I am surprised.

I don't have TWC, but have elderly family members who do. Does that mean they are getting rid of the analog signal, completely?

How much extra a month are the adapters?

From what I gather, yes, analog TV will be phased out entirely, progressively throughout the state and country.
Note that I'm not an expert like some of the other people here.

According to the FAQ the Time Warner Cable adapter box would be free through 2013. $1/mo thereafter.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/northeast/support/topic.ashx/Digital+Adapter*

All encrypted, partially, or not?

Still haven't found the answer.

:mad:

You know ...

If you only have one TV, it is not a big deal.
If you have several TVs, it adds up.
If you have more electronics than fingers, including a couple of other cable devices like Slingboxes, DVRs, computers with TV tuner ... some of those will be obsolete, as far as I'm concerned.

Extra adapter boxes? Possibly, but how is the device going to change the channel? It is not like they all come with an IR blaster, or if it does, that it knows the settings for the cable adapter box TWC is going to use. One might have some luck with a slingbox, if they write an extra remote controller shortly; but I am not holding my breath.

And just in our "media" room we'll need 4 or 5 of these adapters? Good luck keeping boxes in proximity straight ... it is next to impossible.

This all-digital encrypted move blows ... it is absolutely flipping ridiculous to me, if they are going to encrypt all basic channels.

We just went through a few years where everybody got updated TVs, equipment with digital tuners and became HDTV ready ... and now we're possibly going all-encrypted?! on basic cable?! Mandating a box per device ...

:mad:

I liken it to a power company mandating you use and pay for / rent one of their endorsed power strips between the wall socket and every appliance you want to plug in.

Think about it. Some people have smaller homes and less appliances, some people have bigger homes, bigger families, more gear ... and so you're either going to upgrade or be cut off.

If they go full encrypted, then that is thousands of dollars of equipment obsolete with their switchover. Goodbye easy and simple distributed cable throughout the house. I haven't even finished running new quad shield cable to all the rooms yet, to ensure the best reception of the digital channels.

>> Why can't they do one single box at the service entrance for the authorization and just be done with it? Leave the rest as is. I'll pay for / rent that one box in the basement. Just leave the rest of our stuff operational.

I will be seriously looking at cutting the cord and hanging the biggest baddest OTA antenna, or several of them in the attic and distributing OTA throughout the house top-down (instead of basement up with cable). I'm not going to care if I only have 5 channels. Or worst case scenario only get one channel: MPBN. I'll just start listening to the radio and watch online. Maybe get a newspaper. Old school or on the iPad.

The reason we have basic cable is because we don't want $150 cable with (100-150Watt boxes and remotes) for the 10 channels we are interested in. We value the flexibility of watching TV where we want around the house, in the family room, living room, bedrooms, at the treadmill, computer ... TV cable comes in and is used with whatever TV or device using its remote. Easy peasy. Done.

I'm not a religious person, but I could and would pray that TWC will be forced to give unencrypted cable TV access on their basic offerings.

This fall TWC is starting a national pilot project that is taking the system 100% digital in 14 Maine communities serviced from the Augusta office.

If your TV does not already have a clear QAM tuner you will need their digital to analog adapter. Those with TWC converters or a digital cable enabled TV do NOT need the adapter.

This fall TWC is starting a national pilot project that is taking the system 100% digital in 14 Maine communities serviced from the Augusta office.

If your TV does not already have a clear QAM tuner you will need their digital to analog adapter. Those with TWC converters or a digital cable enabled TV do NOT need the adapter.
So I guess it would be safe to say all analog TVs and digital monitors (no tuners) will need the TWC digital adapters.

Will they still receive the basic 78, or so, channels they now get with analog cable?

So I guess it would be safe to say all analog TVs and digital monitors (no tuners) will need the TWC digital adapters.

Will they still receive the basic 78, or so, channels they now get with analog cable?

IIRC, the expanded basic lineup with a few new channels

Here's an article from the BDN:
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/07/28/business/time-warner-cable’s-all-digital-television-campaign-starting-in-mid-maine/

A BDN story from 7/28/11 says:

Time Warner Cable is moving to all-digital transmission for its cable TV customers, and is starting its nationwide move in the middle of Maine.

The cable company is targeting the 90,000 customers it has in its Augusta market, which covers 105 communities (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cY-wwWq28R-CG-jvKbGt-IWCT6Fg130f_VgOyeRCRVQ/edit?hl=en_US) stretching out to Camden and Rockport, down to the Oxford region and containing cities like Lewiston, Auburn and Waterville. Those 90,000 represent about a quarter of Time Warner’s base in Maine, according to spokesman Andrew Russell. Time Warner is the second-largest cable company in the United States, with more than 5.9 million video, phone and Internet customers.

“This is the pilot for the whole company; this is the first Time Warner Cable system to launch this,” said Russell.

What this move means is that Time Warner will no longer broadcast an analog signal to its cable customers — starting first in the Augusta market this fall, then to the rest of its customers in Maine and nationwide after it evaluates the first part of the roll-out... (more)...

Is it just coincidence that both the news story about the TWC all-digital and the Comcast all-digital initiatives (according to the installer with whom I talked on Saturday) have very similar details? A national prototype starting in Maine of all places. A brief view of the TWC 105 communities indicates that some border the Comcast territory in the mid-coast.

I smell merger coming. ;)

Dana

IIRC, the expanded basic lineup with a few new channels

Here's an article from the BDN:
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/07/28/business/time-warner-cable’s-all-digital-television-campaign-starting-in-mid-maine/

Thank you, Celliot. A dozen times :)

To quote from the article:

" ...
Russell said a minority of Time Warner’s customers who will need an adapter, but “they’re important customers,” he said.
Additionally, consumers with newer televisions equipped with QAM tuners can receive a digital signal without an adapter, Russell said.
... "

That sounds good and would suggest they will go digital and broadcast unencrypted. Crossing fingers. As there are digital channels (like create) that show up on the TV and not on the slingbox pro hd, which sling media tech support blames on them being encrypted.

I guess I shouldn't have been as alarmed as I was, but without the right info available and the track record of telephone and cable operators ... I'd hate to be on the short end of a pilot program.

I smell merger coming. ;)
Dana

Such a merger probably would not get regulatory approval due to lack of competition. ;)

A BDN story from 7/28/11 says:



Is it just coincidence that both the news story about the TWC all-digital and the Comcast all-digital initiatives (according to the installer with whom I talked on Saturday) have very similar details? A national prototype starting in Maine of all places. A brief view of the TWC 105 communities indicates that some border the Comcast territory in the mid-coast.

I smell merger coming. ;)

Dana

I thought that was the plan from the beginning and it sure seems to make sense.

I'm going to be quite amazed if we end up being lucky enough to go all-digital and not be forced into using a silly box to receive what's currently on the full analog tier. It would definitely keep me as a customer, while the opposite extreme would push me towards online video via my non-TW internet connection. Currently I consume TV from a mix of analog cable and ClearQAM, and I would be incredibly happy to retire my analog tuners and replace them with another HDHomeRun.

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/171959/314/Time-Warner-Cable-launches-digital-adaptor-pilot (This was the WCSH-TV article about the above conversion).

CC shifted and you can get Basic-Basic (about $15) without an adapter which means local channels plus some extra (CSpan, local access, whatever else they deem). You can view locals in SD or HD.

If you want to go beyond the minimum to expanded basic (think ESPN and another $20+) then it will cost and you need an adapter/box. You will not get any of the expanded basic channels in HD, so you will have to split the coax to go through the adapter for the expanded basic SD channels (ESPN) and the other split directly into the TV for local HD channels.

CC and TW know the law and what is sent out in the clear locally is what they have to provide. Beyond that, they have full control over what you watch and how much it will cost.

They will tell you that you cannot get local HD without their box, but you can.

Also interesting that CC still carries 12 analog channels watchable without a box but that is it. Everything else is digital. So you can watch, in the clear, three different sets of the local channels, analog sd, digital sd and HD.

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/171959/314/Time-Warner-Cable-launches-digital-adaptor-pilot (This was the WCSH-TV article about the above conversion).

Thanks for sharing, KML. That gave a first glimpse of the box, remote, etc.

I can't seem to comment on the WCSH article, with their updated site, even though I'm registered there.

What we are hearing again, several times, is the short line as posted on the TWC site, that if you do not have a cable box - as in you have basic or extended cable - you need one of these per tv / device.

Why can't TWC say exactly how it is? :confused: Are they really that incompetent? A multi-million dollar company starting a major roll-out ... and they can't get their facts straight, this is how it is. If you have this, then. If that then. This is like the beginning of the OTA digitization announcement all over again. Small businesses and amateurs do a better job laying out the facts for whatever business or development they're involved in.

My informal comment to the official blurb as broadcast is: ... bla better service, bla faster internet, bla future, bla our competitors are doing it ... better for consumers all the way around: Bull

It is not better for the consumer all the way around. It costs the consumer extra per TV, makes analog tuning & recording equipment obsolete (though one could suspect that was coming) and robs consumers of using their devices with their own remote.

Better for consumers ... right.

-- Why is it, that I can log into this site, hit reply, type this message and when I submit, it says I am not logged in ??? It does this like every time. Only forum I have had this issue with. --

This industry in general - certainly Comcast in particular - is not customer oriented. You only have to read these pages for many examples which are not unique to Maine. Apparently, these very big companies see themselves akin to utilities. To say it another way, they do not operate as if they are in the retail business.

Over the Labor Day weekend I went to a family gathering of my daughter's in-laws. Very nice people. There was a young woman there from Atlanta who works for Comcast! She's in TV cable advertising sales. She readily acknowledged that CC customer service is terrible. Apparently, it is well-known within the company. They hire the cheapest telephone staff they can find - mostly off shore and as far away as the Philippines. Customer service is not important to Comcast.

My sense is that customer service to accountants/managers at Comcast is viewed as overhead cost - to be minimized and marginalized as much as possible. Comcast has exclusive territories granted by government franchise and do not depend on customer service for sales/customer retention. They have federal FCC regulators who are important. Customers are not important other than as a revenue source - one of many as these big companies diversify into real estate, sports, etc.

After I retired from my "career," I worked for LL Bean for ten years in customer service on the telephones. I am proud to say I am a Bean retiree. Bean works hard to provide excellent customer service. It is their way of being a successful retail business. Bean customer service is part of the company DNA. It is perceived as a way of distinguishing itself in a very competitive retail marketplace. Customers are very important to Bean and customer satisfaction really drives the business.

A dramatic difference between the two types of businesses IMHO.

While it is frustrating to deal with the likes of Comcast, it is pointless to gnash one's teeth about the nature of the beast. We can't change it. Better to try to understand what is happening and find what access points there might be to achieve small accommodations.

Speaking of which, I plan to trudge off to the Comcast local office this AM and find out what if anything is happening to correct the channel "not authorized" problem. :(

Dana

I'm going to be quite amazed if we end up being lucky enough to go all-digital and not be forced into using a silly box to receive what's currently on the full analog tier. It would definitely keep me as a customer, while the opposite extreme would push me towards online video via my non-TW internet connection. Currently I consume TV from a mix of analog cable and ClearQAM, and I would be incredibly happy to retire my analog tuners and replace them with another HDHomeRun.


If you wish to replicate the extended TWC analog lineup you presently enjoy...you'll need a converter to receive those channels after the digital conversion begins. The very limited basic (channels 2 -23) are supposedly available in clear QAM to any device with a built in digital (QAM) tuner after the conversion.

from the TWC web site:

" •If your television has a Digital QAM tuner, you will still be able to receive the Basic channel lineup without a Digital Adapter or set-top box. "


If they were to encrypt even the limited basic cable Cable would lose its competitve edge over satellite.

If I need a digital adapter for any DVD recorder, VCR's, or bedroom tv's connected then I lose the convenience of cable feeding TV's in several rooms without a box.

I can install a master antenna to feed OTA signals to all my TV's, piggyback the signal from satellite receivers ( with an agile modulator) on the same coax to all remote TV's. I can then view HD on the TV's that are colocated with satellite receivers, and the satellite programming remotely on other TV's in analog. Make sure your satellite receiver has a UHF remote that works through walls and you can change the channels on the reciever from anywhere in the house. Additionally, since I feed my antenna to all the sets I can watch local broadcast TV, including subchannels, in HD or SD on any set.

I set this system up for a friend using agile modulators, signal combiners, and a low pass filter. He receives regular broadcast TV on all TV's...then the signal from two Dish network receivers are fed with agile modulators on UHF channels 55 and 57 to all sets.

Bottom line, if TWC does decide to encrypt even the limited basic tier they will see customers with multiple TV's decide to dump them.

First, the "Not authorized" channel problem as previously described has apparently been fixed. At least it is fixed at my house. (The fix was time stamped while I was enroute to the local CC office.) The gal at the counter said they received three complaints on this matter. But, she lives in Topsham and did not have the problem; also, the problem did not show up on the TV screens there at the office. So, it was not a system-wide occurance (and perhaps was harder to diagnose and fix as a result).

I checked all seven new HD channels that I am entitled to receive but were blocked and they are now available. Obviously, if a Comcast customer cannot get one or more of the new HD channels, it should be reported as a new issue because Comcast thinks the old problem has been resolved.

As an aside, the supervisor let the office gal know of the fix - but hasn't called me as was promised. So, what's new?

---------

Also, following a tip I got from the Comcast technician, I inquired today at the CC office about the availability of a new HD DVR. The equipment fellow at the counter confirmed that the Cisco RNG200N HD DVR with a 500-GB hard drive and 512 MB of RAM is now available. I believe it has HDMI 1.3 and is in current production. It looks like this.

http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comcastonline2/support/help/faqs/settopboxes/cisco_rng200n.JPG

You can download the user manual here (http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comcastonline2/support/help/faqs/settopboxes/cisco_rng200n_userguide.pdf). The equipment fellow said he has one (of course) and it is "'way ahead of the Cisco 8300 HD DVRs." (What did I expect him to say?)

This new HD DVR is not without its flaws as discussed in some detail here (http://blog.comcast.com/2010/05/new-guide-for-scientific-atlanta-cable-boxes.html). (Do a search for 200.) Nonetheless, this new HD DVR is the one Comcast will use to launch new guide features in the future and has to be better than the obsolete 8300s that are pretty well beat at this point in time.

I suggest that anyone who wants one should plan to take the STB you presently have to the office and exchange it for the new 200 there. The installer told me if you ask for an technican to deliver one, there's no guarantee you'll get a 200.

Not a bad day for Comcast all in all.

Dana

The forum just ate my post I typed for nn minutes. :mad:
I logged in. Hit reply. Typed my post. Submit. Says I'm not logged in. Type my info. Nothing. And couldn't recover it by using the back button.

Well I'm not typing all that out again.

Thanks MisterEEE. Great advice.

Found nothing in the FAQ about QAM.
What misterEEE copied is displayed on the digital order adapter page:

(emphasis mine)


https://dci.timewarnercable.com/

Make sure all your TVs are ready for all digital.
Starting October 19, 2011, Time Warner Cable will begin transitioning to an All Digital Cable TV signal. This will provide better picture and sound quality and allow us to offer more HD and On Demand choices. Plus, this transition will enable us to deliver faster Internet speeds and enhanced Home Phone services.

To make this transition easy for you, through 2013, we are offering free Digital Adapters for TVs that are not connected to a cable set-top box, CableCARD or QAM tuner*. With a Digital Adapter, you will be able to keep watching TV the way you normally do.

How to check if you need a Digital Adapter
If you plug your cable line directly into a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.
If you do not see Channel 122 on a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.

How to order and install free Digital Adapters
Sign in or register so we can verify your information. If you don’t have a Time Warner Cable username and password, please register now.

Order Digital Adapter(s) free of charge through 2013.
Follow the Easy Setup Guide included with your Digital Adapter, then go online and sign in or call to activate it. Or you can choose to pay an installation fee and have a technician come to your home.

Watch your favorite shows without disruption.
If your television has a Digital QAM tuner, you will still be able to receive the Basic channel lineup without a Digital Adapter or set-top box.

The footnote * is nowhere to be found.

Does anyone know if they will be remapping the current digital numbers to their analog equivalent, as in make 99-11 HD channel 6?

I guess it could be 6 WCSH SD, 6-1 WCSH HD, 6-2 WCSH Weather


I was curious about channel 122; thinking maybe TWC might use that channel to broadcast some information about the digital transition and/or broadcast at least a message that if you can see this screen you don't need an adapter - as that is what I would do :) ( you know, tie into the "FAQ If you do not see Channel 122 on a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter." )

No channel 122, here, yet.

I did see a slew of blank channels above 100:
... 107-5254
107-5340
108-6099
108-6117
112-5342
113-5178
114-6099 OWN

Then nothing till channel 2.

Well I'm not typing all that out again.

Thanks MisterEEE. Great advice.

Found nothing in the FAQ about QAM.
What misterEEE copied is displayed on the digital order adapter page:

(emphasis mine)



The footnote * is nowhere to be found.

Basic Cable, if you look up your channel lineup on the TWC website, is only channels 1 - 22.

The DTA (digital transport adapter) is the bare bones decoder, $1 per month rental after 2013, that has RF output (channel 3 or 4) only. The DTA output looks crappy on larger TV's. The DTA has no analog video and audio output only RF output! By comparison, the set top box has a much crisper picture on its analog, compoenent, or HDMI outputs.

The channels are fixed on my system as well. For the new ciscos I hate them. Got one for my sister and could not get the video on demand system to work. The signal was not good enough at my connection in the house. Everything else worked fine with except vod. Well moved the unit to another part of the house and the darn thing worked. These complaints are all over the comcast forums. Now I wish we get the weather chanel hd with the hd local forecast I will be in nirvana.

Chris

... Now I wish we get the weather chanel hd with the hd local forecast I will be in nirvana.

Chris

At the moment if I am interested in the local weather forecast, I switch to the SD (channel 19) version and pick it up there. Off hand, I thought we'd see that forecast simply ported over to the HD channel. But, apparently the two local forecast computers located at the head end are different according to info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_Channel#The_Weather_Channel_HD).

The IntelliStar 2, which inserts Local On The 8's in HD, was officially released in July 2010. The IntelliStar 2 features; Animated Lower line display, Current Conditions, Weather Bulletins, Metro Conditions, Regional Doppler, Metro Doppler, Hourly Forecast, Local Forecast, and The Week Ahead. Voice narration is done by Jim Cantore. Currently, the system is rolling out in a gradual process on major cable systems across the country. This unit will only be used on The Weather Channel HD and will not replace the IntelliStar or other units on the standard definition channel ...


My guess is, give it time and it will happen. ;)

Dana

So it looks like TWC is gearing up to save me $900 a year. Thanks guys!

The Bangor Daily News report was too vague. When they reported spokesman Andrew Russell saying, "No channels will be lost in the transition," what he really meant was, "No channels will be lost in the transition as long as you submit to one of our annoyingly nonsensical boxes or tuning devices, because we are too lazy to go out and put filters on the poles of the basic cable subscribers for the benefit of the classic customers who pay outrageous rates to us every month."

The lack of a box was the last benefit that TW had over the satellite options. Their greed is simply going to continue pushing customers away.

The lack of a box was the last benefit that TW had over the satellite options. Their greed is simply going to continue pushing customers away.

Exactly my point. Cable tells you about the benefits of digital sound and picture, then rents you a cheap DTA that converts everything back to analog...unless you want to rent one of the more expensive boxes or DVRs that is.

I have a hard copy of a presentation from the NCTA (National Cable and Telecommunications Association) about the digital migration (analog reclamation). The only thing emphasized was ROI return on investment and
increased shareholder value. Convert system from analog to digital and encrypt...then rent DTA/decoder to convert back to original analog for big $$$$. So much for cable ready devices (clear QAM). :D

Red Alert ... Picked up two adapters ... was told in person by two people that the adapters are mandatory per tv, regardless of digital tuner, that cable tv effectively is going to be password protected ...

Will post more tonight ... Just sharing this from my phone real quick.

Will share pics and test the signal etc

I have a hard copy of a presentation from the NCTA (National Cable and Telecommunications Association) about the digital migration (analog reclamation). The only thing emphasized was ROI return on investment and increased shareholder value. Convert system from analog to digital and encrypt...then rent DTA/decoder to convert back to original analog for big $$$$. So much for cable ready devices (clear QAM). :D

So how do content providers feel about the fact that cable companies are making it as tough as possible to tune in? I understand that most cable networks will earn something per subscriber even if I don't watch, but it seems like a much larger revenue stream is from advertising. Ratings will not improve as cable companies make it increasingly difficult and expensive to tune in.

That said, I do realize my box-phobia seems to be out of the mainstream. I am not sure why other subscribers so easily accept these clunky, slow, glitchy boxes given that we're already paying so much for the base subscription to begin with. In the 1980s we had cable boxes because the TVs simply didn't have tuners that worked with the cable TV network. Now cable companies deliberately make their networks incompatible with built-in tuners to seek box rental and PPV revenue.

... I am not sure why other subscribers so easily accept these clunky, slow, glitchy boxes given that we're already paying so much for the base subscription to begin with. ...

My experience is that the current CC HD STB aren't as you describe. They are fast, easy to use and glitch-free. If there's a problem with the CC Brunswick cable boxes, it is that they've been in use for quite a while - years - and are tired. The newer boxes are great! The PQ and audio are super. Satellite also has great HD STBs and excellent PQ, based on my experience with DirecTV.

And there's no specific charge for the HD STBs. Comcast HD DVR users pay a $7. mo/fee that applies whether you use a CC HD DVR or one you own, i.e., a TiVo. No charge for the box.

--------

A footnote. Watching the Red Sox at Tampa tonight, the NESN HD DD 5.1 audio also is "normal." Looks like the audio issue involved in remote broadcasts - that may have been confined to Comcast Brunswick and DirecTV local ZIPs - really has been resolved. Of course there's only 17 games left - seven from "away" as of Sunday Sep. 11. IF they make the post-season those games will be on national network TV.

Dana

Got home really late this evening. Still took a few quick snapshots of the Time Warner Cable Digital Cable Adapter box I picked up this afternoon.

Posted it on my own site: Digital Cable Adapter - First Look - Images (http://www.icerabbit.com/2011/09/digital-cable-adapter-first-look)

Will provide more details and photos tomorrow ... eh ... later today.

Comcast's own TV Listings (http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv-listings) now include the recently added Brunswick HD channels when you key in the appropriate ZIP. (I prefer it to tvguide.com because it has no adverts.)

Dana

To expand a bit more on my interaction with TWC staff yesterday:

Late yesterday afternoon, while running errands, I stopped at the Time Warner Cable office in Augusta to inquire and (if they had them) pick up two Digital Cable Adapter boxes. There were some banners on display about the digital conversion and they had a temporary table setup to right hand side as you come in, with two computer stations and two staff members dedicated to customers coming in about the Digital Cable Conversion.

They asked me how many TVs I had and I said I was just going to pick up two adapters for my analog DVR & DVDR. Both staff members said that everybody needs a Digital Cable Adapter per TV set. I replied asking: even if I have modern HDTVs with a digital tuner, I will really need on of those boxes? For every TV? They said: Yes, you need an adapter per TV, no matter which tuner it has. They insisted that unless you have one of their big (higher tier) Digital Cable Boxes (pointing to one mounted on the wall behind them) you will no longer get any cable service. Everything that is attached directly to the cable / wall needs an adapter or box. No adapter or box, no cable TV. The guy said Cable TV is going password protected. Etc.

Boxes can already be authorized on the network. I was told to call the number in the box from my home phone and follow the automated prompts.

There was some positive spin of course, that customers have reported they get better service and a clearer picture, etc.

I will try to put that to the test shortly. Stay tuned.

Icerabbit- i got the same pitch when the CC rep came to the house with the adapter. He saw I had a TV with a digital tuner and could get the locals over coax. Did not matter, I had to have the adapter.

I hooked up the adapter and the signal was terrible, worse than the analog coax signal. So I dumped it and have enjoyed local HD and SD in the clear over coax.

So why would they tell us something that is not true.

Well, it is true if you want anything beyond the local OTA channels and local access, all of which are required by law to be available to you as is. CC also has many other channels in the clear, but those are to their benefit. So when they say you will need an adapter, you do if you go higher than the by law channels lineup. The next tier up is scrambled on the digital side and no longer there on the analog side. I have no idea why CC is still carrying 12 analog channels, but they are.

In essence, what they are saying is that you are probably in the majority of ex analog subscribers and carry expanded basic so you cannot get it over coax but now need an adapter. Expanded basic is no longer analog and they have scrambled all those digital signals. The adapter can be talked to and will unscramble the signals.

My guess is you will be able to pick up all the locals in the digital spectrum in the clear even after TW gets rid of the analog side. They know the law, but they are under no obligation to make it clear. Instead, they can muddy the water to get you you shift to a higher tier or rent an HD box to watch already clear HD locals.

Digital Cable Adapter - It is not looking good.

To make it easy on myself to do some side by side comparisons, I put the Digital Cable Adapter by the treadmill, where we have 2 small HDTV sets. They're on a single 75ft amplified RG6 Quad Shield run. Both receive analog and digital TV. Top one left one as is. Bottom one got the adapter.

After plugging it in, with the TV on 3 (or 4 via switch) the DCA goes looking for channels

"We're searching for cable service to your area. Total progress 0/100" with a progress bar. This takes a few minutes.

When it completes, it says:

"We've detected a problem activating your service. Please check your connections and if the problem is not resolved, please contact your local cable service provider at 1-800-833-2253 to restore service. We're sorry for the inconvenience."

It should have just said that the device is not activated yet, ... but we know it needs activating.

Note that this number is different than the number given in the booklet:
Page 8: "Activating your adapter: ... call 1-855-892-3444"

I called the 855 number. The computer system recognizes the home phone number, you give voice prompts and it then looks for any devices in your home and activates them. All in all that took a few minutes.

After doing that, the TV signal cuts out and then comes back with:

" We've detected a problem activating your service.
Please check ... contact ... we're sorry. "

Brilliant. Now what? Fortunately a few moments later the TV image from channel 2 came on ... with some pixelization?!

Tried to go up a few channels, they're blank with the new blue screen of cable death:

" We've detected an interruption in your service.
Please check ... contact ... we're sorry."

Now I don't know if this is a programming issue, line-up issue or what. These two TVs, mounted above each other have been working fine. They're on an amplified run with 2GHz splitter below them.

Top TV tuned into 85-2 the old way.
Other TV on channel 3, with DCA tuned to 8.
Night and day difference, as could be expected. The DCA can't hold a stick to the digital signal we already receive.

Top TV tuned into 8.
Bottom TV with DCA to 8.
The DCA signal is clearly inferior to that of what the TV can do on its own.

There was no pixelization on channel 8.

Tried changing some more channels and got the blue screen of death greeting about "service interruption".

It seems like the box pulls in all the channel numbers through 70, most of which are blank "Interruption in your service". Then nothing till 122 - TWC Media.

One thing I hadn't mentioned yet, is that the little IR cable allows the box to be hidden and just having the IR eye exposed.

The remote is ultra basic. No functions other than channels and volume. It works is the positive thing.

Honestly, IF this Digital Cable Adapter is mandatory for every TV as both TWC associates insisted on yesterday, then this is a load of JUNK.

It is safe to say that:
- our $$$ and $$$$ HDTVs have a better tuner than this little box
- the digital cable adapter is more sensitive to cable length and interference than your HDTV is
- using the Digital Cable Adapter, you have NO HD
- using the Digital Cable Adapter, there are no secondary -1 -2 channels and so you do lose at least the additional channels from MPBN and CREATE (one of our favorite stations for Travel shows)

I took some pictures, will see to get them onto flickr or such this afternoon, as I couldn't get the slideshow part to work right on my site.

Got home really late this evening. Still took a few quick snapshots of the Time Warner Cable Digital Cable Adapter box I picked up this afternoon.

Posted it on my own site: Digital Cable Adapter - First Look - Images (http://www.icerabbit.com/2011/09/digital-cable-adapter-first-look)


The box says, "Connect with the future of TV."

So the future of TV in Time Warner's world is a poorly RF-modulated 480i picture with (I assume) mono sound, controlled by a horrid ten-cent remote? LOL. Yes, people are definitely going to want to continue paying $75+/mo for this. :rolleyes:

Hi Beekeeper, we were posting at the same time :)

I pretty clearly have inferior reception too through the DCA.

Of course right now we can continue to use better service through our TV sets, without the Digital Cable Adapter. But, it is anyone's guess what will or will not happen on Oct 18/19 ... and I do take Time Warner Cable's trained staff seriously on this, as that they have the official word from Time Warner Cable.

I may think and hope, that these people have it wrong regarding HDTV QAM, but they were insistent that everybody without a cable box needs Digital Cable Adapters or they will not have TV ... and I'm quoting them on it, giving other people a heads up what I have been told, in person.

Although I continue to think Comcast deserves its tattered reputation for lousy customer service, Comcast sent a letter received here today advising that our account was credited $20. because the installer couldn't fix the "channel not authorized" issue last Saturday. It wasn't his fault of course.

Dana

icerabbit and beekeeper, I thank you for your postings. This is great info and analysis. It is fascinating to see how the cable company operates.

Two of our HD sets do not have the box and I hope this thing works out better than it seems to be doing right now.

Remember, the HD version of the adapter comes a little later this year. Then, ............??????

So how do content providers feel about the fact that cable companies are making it as tough as possible to tune in? I understand that most cable networks will earn something per subscriber even if I don't watch, but it seems like a much larger revenue stream is from advertising. Ratings will not improve as cable companies make it increasingly difficult and expensive to tune in.

That said, I do realize my box-phobia seems to be out of the mainstream. I am not sure why other subscribers so easily accept these clunky, slow, glitchy boxes given that we're already paying so much for the base subscription to begin with. In the 1980s we had cable boxes because the TVs simply didn't have tuners that worked with the cable TV network. Now cable companies deliberately make their networks incompatible with built-in tuners to seek box rental and PPV revenue.

Program providers will still make $$$ when you switch from cable to satellite. My HD Satellite box takes about 60 seconds to reboot...the TWC HD set top box takes closer to 10 minutes to reboot. If I need a box to watch other then local TV...then satellite wins hands down over cable. ;) I've had both cable and satellite in my home since 1998. My wife was reluctant to drop cable and I kept the TWC for her. I watch mostly satellite. However, the recent take our set top box or shove it approach from TWC has soured her on cable. In August, I added another satellite box in the room where she watches most of her TV. I was shocked how fast she migrated over to the satellite box from the TWC clunker box. TWC is really doing me a favor. TWC is saving me $$$ by finally getting her to drop the cable and go with satellite. The other big plus with satellite...lose commercial power and switch to generator and the satellite service works while cable is OUT.

I uploaded some photos to flickr:

The quick snapshots of the unboxing, from yesterday evening, in larger resolution:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/icerabbit/6134311640/in/set-72157627515932117

Some snapshots of activation, this morning:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/icerabbit/6134334382/in/set-72157627516014355

While waiting at the muffler shop yesterday, one of the other people wanted to change the channel on the tv in the waiting room, and couldn't. There was only one channel ... and I spotted the Digital Cable Adapter on the side of the TV.

We couldn't find the remote, but it sparked the conversation on the digital conversion. They had heard something about it but were not pleased to hear what the cable companies have in store for us all.

I hate the thing. I pulled it off the TV by the treadmill and went back to watching HD.

Oh and the DCA remote does not support CC or SAP. You have to use your own remote for that.

- edit - by CC I meant Closed Captioning (not comcast) and SAP being Secondary Audio Programming

Another observation. The little box runs ~96F. I measured it because when went to remove it, it felt warm to the touch. The whole thing likely is metal to act as a heatsink.

I uploaded some photos to flickr:

The quick snapshots of the unboxing, from yesterday evening, in larger resolution:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/icerabbit/6134311640/in/set-72157627515932117

Some snapshots of activation, this morning:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/icerabbit/6134334382/in/set-72157627516014355

Sorry for the confusion...but if both of your televisions are capable of HDTV, why the need for the box to begin with? :confused:

I have installed 5 new TWC digital convertors, at family members homes. I have 3 more to do tomorrow.

One bad thing I have found. If a subscriber was grandfathered into a programing package or special rate when TWC took over Adelphia, that rate and/or package no longer exists. It appears all those special analog packages and prices are no longer in existence with the TWC Digital system.

So if you have family members with special senior or low income rates, be ready for a price increase.

Sorry for the confusion...but if both of your televisions are capable of HDTV, why the need for the box to begin with? :confused:

Sounds like it is like CC and you can get the locals but not the additional channels of expanded basic, for which you need the box.

Because I no longer have directv and only cc basic basic, I did miss watching Monday night football and the Pats Miami game. But the next am, with all the streaming video on line, I could watch all the highlights, interviews and videos that i would see the next am on ESPN.

I usually recorded the night games anyway and did a lot of FF, so I got a good nights sleep and missed little. (Some self denial at work here, but not a lot.)

Sorry for the confusion...but if both of your televisions are capable of HDTV, why the need for the box to begin with? :confused:

Well, you are right to be confused ... and none of us have gotten the straight scoop from Time Warner Cable because they are contradicting themselves.

According to Time Warner Cable staff, it does not matter if you have an HDTV with digital tuner. They have said several times that: If you do not have a digital cable box (100+ channels $$ package) and connect directly to cable you ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE a digital cable adapter.
NO DIGITAL CABLE ADAPTER (or DIGITAL BOX) = NO CABLE.
Again according to Time Warner Cable staffers, trained to inform the public about this digital transition, handing these boxes out. Corroborated with other members here in this thread and a few people I have spoken to.


The asterisk to this is a footnote in the pamflet and online that basic basic should be received via one's hdtv ... but Time Warner Cable staff denies that. They say: No digital cable adapter = no cable service whatsoever ... with the comment on their side that cable service is going to be password protected. In other words, according to them you will no longer get any cable service at your house unless you have an authorized box. It will just be blank.

As for the why?
- supposedly to counter cable theft. In our area they remove the tap within 1-2 days after saying you cancel or move. Don't know and never heard about anybody who has climbed that pole, reconnected and gotten service they are not paying for. I suppose in some areas people may do that.
- extra income from renting these boxes $1 piece indefinitely to all their lower tier customers, they will get easily an extra $2-3/month per subscriber
- extra income from higher tier subscribers that have one or two cable boxes but also a few sets without one eg. in kids room. Again easily an extra $2-3/month per subscriber.
- extra income from people who are going to upgrade their one or two TVs because they don't want to deal with this crap
- more channels transmitted over the same bandwidth space, so they don't need to upgrade their network to get more capacity
- they can remotely activate/de-activate/upgrade service
...

Sure, they have some changes they need to make behind the scenes, but we're already getting digital HD broadcasts over analog cable and through their boxes, so they're set up to handle it already. What is it going to cost them? And then the savings of not having to do both analog & digital. It is a win all the way around for the cable company.

The consumer draws the short stick that all their analog equipment is now obsolete. DVR DVDr VCR pctuner card ...

We have the evil beast of Comcast here in New Britain, CT near Hartford. They also offer a similar box which I ordered three times in the past and yet it never arrives. I don't know if it would give me any channels I'm not already getting. I have limited basic service with no converter. Both of the 26" Sanyo LCD HDTVs have the cable line hooked directly to them. Both sets get the locals, QVC and TBS in HD and the rest in SD including the P.E.G. channels, NECN and a couple of the sub-channels (e.g. Antenna TV, which is on WTIC-TV 61-2 from Hartford). Both TVs also still receive a limited bit of analog service. Except for The Weather Channel on old analog channel 19, everything else is just duplicated on the digital tuner.

BTW, although I'm from Connecticut, I used to live in Old Orchard Beach and am somewhat familiar with the lineup of Time-Warner Cable in Portland, having stayed in hotels either in Portland or South Portland in the last couple of years.

Well, you are right to be confused ... and none of us have gotten the straight scoop from Time Warner Cable because they are contradicting themselves.

According to Time Warner Cable staff, it does not matter if you have an HDTV with digital tuner. They have said several times that: If you do not have a digital cable box (100+ channels $$ package) and connect directly to cable you ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE a digital cable adapter.
NO DIGITAL CABLE ADAPTER (or DIGITAL BOX) = NO CABLE.
Again according to Time Warner Cable staffers, trained to inform the public about this digital transition, handing these boxes out. Corroborated with other members here in this thread and a few people I have spoken to.


The asterisk to this is a footnote in the pamflet and online that basic basic should be received via one's hdtv ... but Time Warner Cable staff denies that. They say: No digital cable adapter = no cable service whatsoever ... with the comment on their side that cable service is going to be password protected. In other words, according to them you will no longer get any cable service at your house unless you have an authorized box. It will just be blank.

As for the why?
- supposedly to counter cable theft. In our area they remove the tap within 1-2 days after saying you cancel or move. Don't know and never heard about anybody who has climbed that pole, reconnected and gotten service they are not paying for. I suppose in some areas people may do that.
- extra income from renting these boxes $1 piece indefinitely to all their lower tier customers, they will get easily an extra $2-3/month per subscriber
- extra income from higher tier subscribers that have one or two cable boxes but also a few sets without one eg. in kids room. Again easily an extra $2-3/month per subscriber.
- extra income from people who are going to upgrade their one or two TVs because they don't want to deal with this crap
- more channels transmitted over the same bandwidth space, so they don't need to upgrade their network to get more capacity
- they can remotely activate/de-activate/upgrade service
...

Sure, they have some changes they need to make behind the scenes, but we're already getting digital HD broadcasts over analog cable and through their boxes, so they're set up to handle it already. What is it going to cost them? And then the savings of not having to do both analog & digital. It is a win all the way around for the cable company.

The consumer draws the short stick that all their analog equipment is now obsolete. DVR DVDr VCR pctuner card ...

Thanks again, icerabbit, for your insightful postings.

Can you say, flatout, that local channels (or anything else) do not show in HD on an HD set when the current adapter is in place?

The TWC website says they will have an HD adapter available by the end of the year. One can only assume that HD customers are going to have to trade in the SD adapter for the HD when it becomes available, while going without HD (no big box) in the meantime. This sounds screwy to start with. (I'm guessing that the HD adapters will rent for $2 per month.)

Thanks again, icerabbit, for your insightful postings.

Can you say, flatout, that local channels (or anything else) do not show in HD on an HD set when the current adapter is in place?

The TWC website says they will have an HD adapter available by the end of the year. One can only assume that HD customers are going to have to trade in the SD adapter for the HD when it becomes available, while going without HD (no big box) in the meantime. This sounds screwy to start with. (I'm guessing that the HD adapters will rent for $2 per month.)

Hi Stan,

Yes, I can say that flat out, hand above the fire:

With the Digital Cable Adapter box attached inline (wall cable to DCA in, DCA out to TV) the HDTV can only tune into analog channel 3/4 depending on the little switch of the back of the DCA.

All other analog stations that the HDTV knew like: 6, 8, ... and HDTV stations like 85-2, 99-11, 79-10 are gone.

The DCA only puts out SD. Nothing more.

In a quick side by side comparison the tuning efficiency / signal quality is inferior to that of the TV right next to it and it seems to drop channels, where I haven't had this issue before. Turn to local 6 and 8 in the morning. The TV directly attached to cable will have it and keep it. The DCA may not have it or drop it.

I'm uploading a quick video to highlight the above, where I put the DCA box inline.
We just have to wait another 20 minutes for the internet to move the bits.

- edit - The video upload to YouTube has been completed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulh1PhGul-w (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulh1PhGul-w)

- edit - The file is now viewable up to 720p, not just 240p as it defaults to. It only took a half hour to get the higher resolutions to show up.

Well, you are right to be confused ... and none of us have gotten the straight scoop from Time Warner Cable because they are contradicting themselves.

According to Time Warner Cable staff, it does not matter if you have an HDTV with digital tuner. They have said several times that: If you do not have a digital cable box (100+ channels $$ package) and connect directly to cable you ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE a digital cable adapter.
NO DIGITAL CABLE ADAPTER (or DIGITAL BOX) = NO CABLE.
Again according to Time Warner Cable staffers, trained to inform the public about this digital transition, handing these boxes out. Corroborated with other members here in this thread and a few people I have spoken to.

In addition, below is quoted from their web site, and it says nothing about a digital tuner:
There are two quick ways to check each of your TVs:
If you plug your cable line directly into a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.
If you do not see Channel 122 on a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.

In addition, below is quoted from their web site, and it says nothing about a digital tuner:
There are two quick ways to check each of your TVs:
If you plug your cable line directly into a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.
If you do not see Channel 122 on a TV, then that TV needs a Digital Adapter.

Many of us have observed that (I linked to that earlier on page 153, I think) and that is also the only info in the manual. But then there is small grey line on the pamphlet about basic service being available to those with HDTV QAM TVs, which is also shown on the order page for the DCA (also linked in that earlier post). Note that TWC staff said that was not correct. I asked it two different ways. They said every TV needs an adapter, cable is going password protected. No adapter, no cable tv.

That is why we have every reason to be alarmed.

I am holding out hope for the adapter not being mandatory, despite TWC staff claims ... but in the mean time, to me, that is TWC's official stance.

But even IF we get basic cable channels unencrypted. What happens to the expanded set to 70?

And that still leaves all the analog stuff any of us own going down ... :mad:
Our DVR, DVDr, slingbox ...

I mailed our sling-box pro HD back under satisfaction guarantee that it could not interface with our DVR properly nor could it display some of our HD stations ... which Sling Media said was due to encryption from TWC.

...

I have nothing positive to say about this digital cable conversion move.
I'm all for progress, but this is one step too far too soon.
Standard and HDTV co-exist quite nicely over analog cable.

:( :confused: :mad:

@icerabbit: Nice video clip! Maybe your cat could wire the box better than you could! :)

I mailed our sling-box pro HD back under satisfaction guarantee that it could not interface with our DVR properly nor could it display some of our HD stations ... which Sling Media said was due to encryption from TWC.:( :confused: :mad:
My Slingbox Pro HD works fine when attached to my DirecTV DVR.

I am holding out hope for the adapter not being mandatory, despite TWC staff claims ... but in the mean time, to me, that is TWC's official stance.

There's conflicting info and I'm not sure the employees are the ones to trust. I'm guessing that the employees are saying people need a box because most people are probably on classic cable and it's much simpler to say, "you need this on all your TVs," instead of, "you need this on a TV if your TV doesn't have a QAM tuner and you want to watch channels beyond 22 on it. If you don't know if your set has a QAM tuner, go home and try getting channel 122." The talking points TWC handed out to their staff undoubtedly cater to the same crowd that got confused when analog broadcast TV was going away.

Encrypting even the locals makes no sense at all unless they're really desperate for that extra $2/mo rental income from the stupid tuning adapters in a few years.

There's conflicting info and I'm not sure the employees are the ones to trust. I'm guessing that the employees are saying people need a box because most people are probably on classic cable and it's much simpler to say, "you need this on all your TVs," instead of, "you need this on a TV if your TV doesn't have a QAM tuner and you want to watch channels beyond 22 on it. If you don't know if your set has a QAM tuner, go home and try getting channel 122." The talking points TWC handed out to their staff undoubtedly cater to the same crowd that got confused when analog broadcast TV was going away.

Encrypting even the locals makes no sense at all unless they're really desperate for that extra $2/mo rental income from the stupid tuning adapters in a few years.

http://bangordailynews.com/2011/07/28/business/time-warner-cable%E2%80%99s-all-digital-television-campaign-starting-in-mid-maine/

looks like clear QAM is safe in Maine :)

My Slingbox Pro HD works fine when attached to my DirecTV DVR.

I couldn't tune any HD stations below 85. Standard scan. Detailed scan. It returned less channels than the TVs find. Sling support said those channels are encrypted and that I needed a cable box to decrypt those channels. I tried to argue how are my TVs decrypting it?? Without a digital cable box??
But they had no answer to that argument ... other than I had to get a cable box if the slingbox didn't see the channels on its own.

I have a Panasonic DVR & DVDr. The DVR is on the slingbox compatibility list, but all Sling media gives me for controls is dialing in the channel? I had no recording playback access ... which was part of the plan. Record some daytime TV on the DVR, play it back anywhere in the house later.


I gave the digital box back, years ago after HD first came about, when I grew tired of their rate schedule and pixelated HD signal. The only worthwhile station was HDNET. Stations looked better over the air with rabbit ears in Florida then their scaled-up over-crompressed crap here in Maine. TWC blamed it on my TV ... duh. Together with the frequent loss of the TV Guide On Screen broadcast, used to tune independent DVRs (non-cable company) like those from Panasonic & Philips ... we just went basic.

I couldn't tune any HD stations below 85. Standard scan. Detailed scan. It returned less channels than the TVs find. Sling support said those channels are encrypted and that I needed a cable box to decrypt those channels. I tried to argue how are my TVs decrypting it?? Without a digital cable box??
But they had no answer to that argument ... other than I had to get a cable box if the slingbox didn't see the channels on its own.

Just curious, but did you have the latest Sling Box software installed?

Just curious, but did you have the latest Sling Box software installed?

I most certainly did. The first thing the Slingbox Pro HD did was look for new firmware, which it installed ... then followed all the instructions for the setup. When going through the sling media forum and FAQ they actually state that some channels will not be received, due to encryption and a cable or satellite box being required to receive those. My thought on it was that just maybe the tuner is a bit inferior compared to the TV as the TV on its own has no way to decrypt encrypted stations, afaik.

@icerabbit: Nice video clip! Maybe your cat could wire the box better than you could! :)

Thanks, KML. It was kind of impromptu, prompted by Stan's question, and not the most practical to capture by the treadmill without a tripod. The cat was not part of the script, but what can you do besides letting her in when she comes crying at the door? Fortunately that was just one of the four cats swinging by. LOL. She is an adopted Maine coon (mix) stray named Swizzle and appears in the video clip for the Nokia N-series contest I participated in, a few years ago.

Ha! Awesome! Let us know if this box works better for you in the near future or not!

I guess the next news will be either that TW comes out with more practical information and confirmations of what will truly happen with basic cable, expanded cable and the Digital Cable Adapter (correcting their own staff's statements), maybe a couple more updates in the media or that we'll just be in the dark and on Oct 19 we will find it out first hand.

Two days ago, I went to TWC (It was a mob scene, the letter had gone out the day before and an article appeared in the paper) and picked up and installed digital boxes for my Mom and several others in her apartment building. Yesterday she called me and without notice TWC had sent techs to the building to install them in each apartment. I guess if I had waited another day I could have saved myself some work.

I most certainly did. The first thing the Slingbox Pro HD did was look for new firmware, which it installed ... then followed all the instructions for the setup. When going through the sling media forum and FAQ they actually state that some channels will not be received, due to encryption and a cable or satellite box being required to receive those. My thought on it was that just maybe the tuner is a bit inferior compared to the TV as the TV on its own has no way to decrypt encrypted stations, afaik.
Sounds like they are using an encryption method that the Sling Box doesn't recognize.

I guess the next news will be either that TW comes out with more practical information and confirmations of what will truly happen with basic cable, expanded cable and the Digital Cable Adapter (correcting their own staff's statements), maybe a couple more updates in the media or that we'll just be in the dark and on Oct 19 we will find it out first hand.

Comcast is supposed to go all digital in "mid-September" according to the installer who visited here recently, so the "learning experience" may happen with the Comcast Brunswick area system any day now.

Dana

Nobody here has commented upon the HD version adapter that TWC says they will have available in a couple of months. Have you seen or heard anything about it? I only have seen a brief mention on the website. I would imagine that this would permit locals in HD on QAM. .......... On the other hand, would TWC want to admit that locals in HD are available on QAM.

My wife doesn't seem to make much distinction between HD and SD. She seems satisfied with either. As long as she feels she has the locals available to her in HD, should she suddenly want to see something in that format for some reason, I don't she would care about a box. We would only need an HD adapter for her set.

I received my letter last week too.

I think it is retarded that they're pushing out standard definition boxes by the tens of thousands. Wasn't it 90000 customers? Times n boxes per customer ??? Those will all have to be exchanged and are destined for the waste (recycling) bin. Of course there is no cost involved with that, that the consumer ends up paying for.

What is/was wrong about waiting 3 or 6 months till the HD digital cable adapters are tested and manufactured in quantity? And then transition.

It certainly would save everybody the hassle of going through this thing twice and answer the HD question.

I am still going to hate the loss of analog cable and sit here with a bunch of obsolete equipment, the stupid little boxes & remote, etc but at least we'd have a higher quality box, and maybe remote, I hope.

About image quality. Some people don't care much about the difference between SD & HD. While SD can be satisfactory, to me, there is no comparison between the two. Once you view HD, I very much favor HD. It doesn't make crappy content better, but whatever you view just has that extra clarity and realism. Especially in documentaries. As long as it started with recording in HD and is not an up-scaled SD signal nor over-compressed as Adelphia / TWC certainly used to do.

What is/was wrong about waiting 3 or 6 months till the HD digital cable adapters are tested and manufactured in quantity? And then transition.

I think it has a lot to do with the HD race between satellite and cable. By eliminating the analog signals, they free up a lot of bandwidth, to add more HD. To wait a few months would be a practical and money saving move, but put them behind in the HD race.

More HD for what content? I watch about 10 channels a month regularly and about half of those are available OTA for free. Let's up the quality of what we already have before we go for "more" useless channels that nobody watches to please the marketing department of TWC.

In the process surrounding this switch-over, I suspect some number of people will acquire a box, which shows at $8.45 on my bill received yesterday. I first got cable service in 1966 and it cost 4 or 5 dollars. Of course, there were only 4 or 5 channels, but it is hard to believe that I am, now, willing to pay $8.45 just to decipher the cable signal into the format the company prefers. The basic and extended channels are all extra. .............. From all I can see, satellite tv isn't much better.

The FCC never answered my information request from a few weeks ago. Had a little extra time to do some digging.



If a cable company makes the business decision to go all-digital, it must ensure that its analog customers can continue to watch their local broadcast stations. This may require some customers to get a set-top box. Contact your cable company to ask if a set-top box will be needed, when it will be needed, and if there will be a cost. Any related costs will be determined by the cable company.

Is it Mandatory or Voluntary for Cable Companies to Switch to Digital?

Cable companies are not required to switch to digital service, but they may choose to make their service all or partly digital – it is a business decision made by the cable companies. The FCC requires cable companies to continue to provide local stations in analog as long as they provide any analog service.



From: http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner_3.html



Cable companies are not required to switch their privately-owned systems from analog service to digital service. In fact, if your cable company offers any analog service, it is required to provide you with your local broadcast stations in analog so that you can watch them on an analog TV without a cable set-top box.

Some cable companies have decided to switch to digital service. This is a business decision made by the cable companies and is not required by the federal government. Your cable company may decide to move certain cable channels off of its analog service tier and onto a digital service tier, or it may decide to switch to all-digital service at once, so that there is no analog service tier for any subscribers. If your cable company moves some or all of the channels it provides onto a digital service tier, it may notify you that you need to get “digital cable” equipment to continue receiving that cable service, including renting or purchasing a digital cable set-top box or purchasing a digital cable ready TV equipped with a “CableCARD” slot. This digital cable equipment is different from the digital-to-analog converter boxes discussed above. If you have a digital TV, you may be able to view broadcast stations through your cable system without additional equipment. You should ask your cable company about the equipment options that may be available to you, including any options to purchase equipment from a retailer if you do not wish to rent equipment from your cable company.

From: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/dtv-transition-did-not-require-cable-systems-switch-digital


So, all the cable companies have to do is go all-digital and they can do whatever, however they please. Ain't that convenient.

I almost made the move to sat tv last year. I currently have twc. The only reason I didnt make the move is because of the amount of tv's (6) in the house.I was told at the time that one box would control two tv's . I was a little leery and did not make the move.
I want to make the move so can anyone give me some advice . I have a tv in the kitchen with no place for a box. I really only have room for a box on 3 of the tv's.
Are there flaws with one box for two tvs set up. I want to try sat tv but not if its going to swap one problem for another.
The two reasons for switching are cost and on-going problems with the twc hd-dvr ( SA 8300hd ) skipping & freezing . thanks chris wells me

I almost made the move to sat tv last year. I currently have twc. The only reason I didnt make the move is because of the amount of tv's (6) in the house.I was told at the time that one box would control two tv's . I was a little leery and did not make the move.
I want to make the move so can anyone give me some advice . I have a tv in the kitchen with no place for a box. I really only have room for a box on 3 of the tv's.
Are there flaws with one box for two tvs set up. I want to try sat tv but not if its going to swap one problem for another.
The two reasons for switching are cost and on-going problems with the twc hd-dvr ( SA 8300hd ) skipping & freezing . thanks chris wells me

I was a happy camper with DirecTV (usually abbreviated on the AVS Forum as D*). I moved to live with my daughter and her family in February (whose house has CC installed) so I cannot speak about whatever D* has rolled out since I left. BUT, it appears to me by looking here (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/technology/wholehome) that what you were told - "that one box would control two tv's" - is correct but may not mean what you think. The operative word is control. From the linked page:

What do I need for Whole-Home DVR service?

To start recording and watching your favorite programs from any room of your house with just one HD DVR, here's what you'll need:

Equipment:

You'll need an HD DVR for one of your TVs and HD-capable receivers for your other TVs.


As far as I know, each TV needs a D* STB. At one point D* sold a HD TV with a receiver built-in to solve the kitchen problem you mention but I haven't seen it advertised in a long time.

Dana

I almost made the move to sat tv last year. I currently have twc. The only reason I didnt make the move is because of the amount of tv's (6) in the house.I was told at the time that one box would control two tv's . I was a little leery and did not make the move.
I want to make the move so can anyone give me some advice . I have a tv in the kitchen with no place for a box. I really only have room for a box on 3 of the tv's.
Are there flaws with one box for two tvs set up. I want to try sat tv but not if its going to swap one problem for another.
The two reasons for switching are cost and on-going problems with the twc hd-dvr ( SA 8300hd ) skipping & freezing . thanks chris wells me
Chris; Only DISH Network has the 2 in one receivers. With DirecTV you need one receiver or DVR for each TV. The price per box with DirecTV is $6.00 each after the first one, which is less than cable digital boxes. With DirecTV if you had 6 TVs, you would pay $30.00 a month for additional boxes. I have DirecTV so I can't tell you what DISH prices are. If you have HDTV, I think the 2 in one receivers only supports one HDTV and one SD TV.

With DirecTV the DVRs are large, but a little smaller than the cable ones. The receiver (non DVR) are smaller (12x8x2).

thanks dana & loudo for the info above. time for me to do the math . on the surface, looks like the dish might be a better bang for the buck in my case . not sure though until I actually compare the two side by side.

I have two relatives who have the dish . they have no problems with the two -room dvr's . so maybe that would work for me since I dont want a box in the kitchen. thanks

Comcast added alot of spanish channels in the 800's. There is a $14.95 charge for the additional channels. Info from a CC brochure.

Chris

Comcast added alot of spanish channels in the 800's. There is a $14.95 charge for the additional channels. Info from a CC brochure.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. I didn't get that brochure and hadn't noticed these channel additions. We don't have a large number of Spanish speaking people in the mid-coast area served by Comcast. (Brunswick (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunswick,_Maine#Demographics) has less than 2% of its population who are Hispanic or Latino.) So this is somewhat curious. As you know, we have one French language channel from Sherbrooke, QC to serve what I believe to be a significant if declining number of French speaking Brunswick area seniors.

Adding Spanish channels indicates to me that Comcast Brunswick is serving interests beyond the midcoast. Maybe it's a load test to see just how many digital channels Comcast can cram onto the local bandwidth with the Brunswick system serving as a digital prototype? These don't appear to be HD channels from looking at the channel guide but I have to assume they are digital.

Or, perhaps Brunswick is really bootstrapped onto the Chelmsford, MA. Comcast MSO. Chelmsford borders Lowell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell,_Massachusetts#Demographics) which has about 16% of its population who are Hispanic or Latino.

No comprendo. :confused:

Dana

This was apart of the plan all along to bring a spanish package in. The most curious they brought EWTN spanish on the system. We don't have the english version and that channel would be popular here because of the large catholic population and they have launched jewish life channel. The channel decisions just make you go what are they thinking.


Chris

I would enjoy having access to a few of the European stations - compared to the dozens of junk stations cable pushes out - ... but, the selection is very limited and it ads up to quite a premium. $9.99/mo for one single station, on top of equipment upgrades & rent, the $$$ service level with 175 or more channels (just guessing) I don't want.

Fortunately there is the internet and many stations have free iPad apps with highlights of their news coverage. More than plenty to keep the language neurons stimulated, from time to time on a quiet day.

The Maine Public Utilities MPUC responded to my inquiry, the other day.

They basically have no dealings with cable companies, and are only aware of the FCC dealing with them.

The Maine Public Utilities MPUC responded to my inquiry, the other day.

They basically have no dealings with cable companies, and are only aware of the FCC dealing with them.

At least two municipalities in the mid-coast have cable television franchise (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_television_franchise_fee) agreements with Comcast - Brunswick and Harpswell to my knowledge - which is a rental fee for use of public ROWs. The revenue is used to operate a community TV station in each municipality.

Chris who posts here monitors the Brunswick Cable TV Committee. (http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:29yqHWiWruMJ:www.brunswickme.org/clerk/boardssummaries/cabletvcommsummary.pdf+Brunswick,+Maine+TV+franchise&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiqKj6_YkBnb9Ju374juFLW6M1Iu4UHC2klSPWk-31gj-B2DWoTlRhotERQvKYa0DP0nUpwHfhl-oRECXdRS1gGKL0_aZA8nPAsMllLYLZUR2MoqhScf3k0qquLp3M-oWvpDQy-&sig=AHIEtbRPWtj55ba-TQlqokdMK0Z4RQbuog) There is a copy of the state law on the link regarding cable TV that basically says it is controlled locally.

I don't think these municipal committees have much leverage via the agreements.

Dana

I had my first experience with TWC's lousy tuning adapters this weekend. I suspect they are never activated out of the box. You have to call the number on the screen and an automated prompt will reset all of the TW devices in your house.

The picture looks washed out and the fact there's nothing but a coaxial connection for output is a good indication of the picture quality (or lack of quality) to expect. I was watching on a small screen (~14") and its limitations were still obvious. The power button on the cheap remote doesn't actually turn it off. I was surprised to see a remote IR receiver that you can plug into the device and stick on your television, so one can hide the box and its included white coax cable from sight. (A white cable, seriously?! Must be cheap overstock from somewhere.)

Once analog is shut off, I think there are going to be a lot of unhappy TWC customers when they find out that their VCRs (yes, people still use these) or Tivos which were previously recording just fine over analog cable now can't record anything. TWC of course is happy to offer a DVR given you pay the fee.

Got to remember that those adapters covert digital to analog so the picture quality will be much poorer than the original digital signal. Also, most new sets do not handle analog very well but are great with digital, as is my set.

The coax has nothing to do with it since I get my hd signals directly through the coax and the PQ is excellent. When I got both analog and digital local channels in SD, the digital PQ was much better than the analog.

BTW, CC has deleted all analog channels this past week. Interesting that I can get local channels in both sd and hd with my dvrs but the sd channels are mapped but no signal on the tv. No great loss since I do not watch them in sd anyway.

I used to wonder why TWC had locals on QAM in both HD and SD. Now, I believe that the new adapters will map to the locals on the QAM SD channels. Later, this year (?) the newer adapters will map to the HD channels.

TWC claims to offer free HD. That has been true until now. The adapter has changed that. You must rent a converter box. .................... Unless you choose to not use either the adapter (current version) or a converter box. Then, the question becomes how many of the formerly analog channels will be available on QAM?

Some of the channels are on QAM and, possibly, the others will appear by October 19th. Of course, without the adapter, changing channels will be a nightmare considering the numbering of the QAM channels.

I find this all very odd and confusing because only TWC knows what it is doing and we can only guess based upon what they choose to tell us. ........... Just one little thing for instace, why not wait for another 6 or 8 weeks before converting to all digital? By then, the new HD adapters would be available.

One more, why not use the adapters just for old analog sets?

In any case, a subscriber should not have to rent a cable company box in order to view the channels he pays for. Surely, modern technology holds a solution.

First thanks for the promotion. I am not on the cable tv committee, but watch every meeting. Most of the language in the franchise agreement is controlled by federal law. Some customer service benchmarks are in the agreement. But overall cable tv committees have very little power except the power to discuss the issues to the company.

Chris

The KJ has a story in its Tuesday Sep. 27 edition here (http://www.kjonline.com/news/time-warner-cable-urging-customers-to-get-converter-box_2011-09-26.html) with the above headline. I don't think there's anything new other than a picture of the device.

http://media.timesleader.com/images/Cable%20Box%20copy1.jpg

(Sorry about the size. The smaller image won't post.)

Dana

First thanks for the promotion. I am not on the cable tv committee, but watch every meeting. Most of the language in the franchise agreement is controlled by federal law. Some customer service benchmarks are in the agreement. But overall cable tv committees have very little power except the power to discuss the issues to the company.

Chris

I revised my post to say you "monitor" the Brunswick TV Committee. ;)

Dana

Nobody in the media is asking TWC any hard questions?!
Nobody in the tech world is picking up on this?!

I only glance at the KJonline from time to time, to see if there is expanded coverage on something in the local news; and coincidentally saw the TWC headline last night.

It is just the same old PR lines, TWC announced ...

Who is going to ask the hard questions? And get to the bottom of this?

I am still very strongly opposed to the analog cutoff; because it means we'll only be using our slingbox, dvr, dvdr, ... for another three weeks :mad:

If they think I will upgrade my service - what I believe to be one of their motivations - they will be surprised. I'd much rather just have whatever I can pull in over the air, then pay them more.

Who is going to ask the hard questions? And get to the bottom of this?

Once the bandwidth has already been reclaimed by TW and people realize that none of their recording devices work any more, then the media might ask a question or two. I get the feeling that most reporters are not terribly technically savvy and don't even know the questions to ask.

Once the bandwidth has already been reclaimed by TW and people realize that none of their recording devices work any more, then the media might ask a question or two. I get the feeling that most reporters are not terribly technically savvy and don't even know the questions to ask.

I agree.

A heads up for those of us who might find Ken Burns' latest film project "Prohibition" of interest. The three part series starts tonight on MPBN at 8 PM and continues Monday and Tuesday nights as well.

There's an historic Maine connection as explained in today's MST story When Maine went dry (http://www.pressherald.com/news/when-maine-went-dry_2011-10-02.html).

It was four years ago almost to the day that Ken Burns' previous series "The War" first aired on MPBN. I went back and looked at some of my posts and others from that time. MPBN in HD was transitioning from a PBS national feed mostly of reruns to a local station HD channel with local programming that wasn't always in HD. Even worse some SD feeds on its HD channel were in stretch-o-vision, reflecting the still emerging nature of high def TV. My recollection is that DirectTV wasn't carrying MPBN HD and I had to watch "The War" in SD. Ugh. :(

Fortunately, those days are long gone.

Dana

Anyone else having OTA signal issues with WGME today? I've had a lot drops and signal fluxation for a stn that's normally rock solid. Is the engineer for WGME still lurking here? :) All other stations are coming in fine.

Long time no see gang. I dumped TWC for TV (Still phone and internet with them though) and we are going OTA and streaming video. I haven't seen much chatter here on the OTA front, so I imagine its been situation normal?

BTW - TWC service tech who came out last week to swap my cable modem mentioned that the introduction of the digital converters will be statewide by the end of the year. Part of the reclaimed frequencies will be used for increasing internet bandwidth.

Fortunately, those days are long gone.

I think MPBN must have done some additional tweaking earlier this year to their signal path. I see much fewer compression artifacts and there were some bad aliasing problems (as if they were resizing the video) that have vanished as well.

I believe they added an additional transmitter.

WGME is still at 720 and never answered my email.

I believe they added an additional transmitter.

WGME is still at 720 and never answered my email.

I would sure like to know why WGME is at 720p, now. They must still receive it at 1080i from CBS.

Should I add:
- why is WMTW news a 480 box inside a 720p signal?
- why is WCSH news a 480 box inside a 1080i signal?
while WABI has been 1080i for a while.

I never understood why the option, as I recall it, was given to stations to pick whether they wanted to do 720p or 1080i. Seems silly to have a medium definition option ( SD standard definition - MD medium definition - HD high definition ) for broadcast TV. For home video and internet stuff at the limited broadband we have, sure.

I do notice pretty frequently that the local station (I assume) is asleep at switch between local faux HD and the originating HD signal when the national news is on and they cut in & out for the local segment.

Should I add:
- why is WMTW news a 480 box inside a 720p signal?
- why is WCSH news a 480 box inside a 1080i signal?
while WABI has been 1080i for a while.

I never understood why the option, as I recall it, was given to stations to pick whether they wanted to do 720p or 1080i. Seems silly to have a medium definition option ( SD standard definition - MD medium definition - HD high definition ) for broadcast TV. For home video and internet stuff at the limited broadband we have, sure.

I do notice pretty frequently that the local station (I assume) is asleep at switch between local faux HD and the originating HD signal when the national news is on and they cut in & out for the local segment.
The reason is they have a high definition transmitter, but don't have high definition cameras and associated equipment to produce local HD programing. They can except and transmit network programing in HD, but not produce any local HD shows.

It amazes me how our local stations are dragging their feet in going to local news in HD. Other areas of the country have had local HD produced programs for years.

I do recall reading someplace that one of the locals is planning to go HD in the near future. Looking forward to that. What ever channel it is, it will be our local news channel.

The insertion of the SD (480 video) into 720 or 1080 video is often called upconvert. It is very common and is used by many of the national networks, that feature old footage SD video in an HD channel. It will usually give the video a sharper look, than viewing it in SD 480.

There was a message on my answering machine that TWC wants to talk me about an article in the Kennebec Journal (cough... cough)
Requested to call back. Gave an indication they're hoping to roll out HD by the end of the year.

Found it in the online edition, might be in print as well, don't know yet: ...kjonline.com/opinion/letters/time-warner-digital-box-conversion-anti-consumer... (http://www.kjonline.com/opinion/letters/time-warner-digital-box-conversion-anti-consumer_2011-10-04.html)

---

Yes, Loudo, the 480SD in a 720p box is crisper than standard 480. Even though it is a stop gap, I'm happy for any better signal.

I thought upconversion was the interpolation method, via software and/or hardware, that scales the image (and thus enlarges the image when staying with the same pixel density) from one level to another; without sidebars. May just be technical interpretation or variation. It certainly is along the same lines as what the locals do ... like pixel doubling the SD signal and centering it in a higher definition stream ... but not full screen upconversion from 480 to 720 or 1080 ... which would look like junk probably.

I think it is WCSH going digital in the next month, maybe two?

My primary point was more how the FCC (or whomever) allowed there to be two HD standards, both 720 and 1080. I vaguely recall something from years ago, when this whole DTV started, where on a national level, there were one or two of the major broadcast stations which had opted for 720p while the rest was going 1080. They may have abandoned that and gone 1080 to keep up with the competition. Just something that popped into my head.

PS: WABI has had local news in HD for a while.

comcast added channels today including NECN HD and a bunch of european channels.


Chris

So TWC reached out to me and I returned the call.

Just had a half hour phone conversation with TWC regarding the digital transition and how it negatively affects customers from my perspective.

-----

Couple points in the conversation, from the TWC side
you guys know where I stand ;)

- feedback does get noted and gathered, they will be evaluating the pilot project (may not persuade them against it though) and will look at the disconnection rates and listen to the reasons behind it. (I fear they've factored a pretty high drop out rate ... before it would be a no-go let's change plans statewide or nationwide)

- heard some of the bulletin points as in the PR piece: going all digital is the trend, others are doing it, helps save bandwidth, can improve other services, prevent theft (minor issue though), ...

- seemed like they had no choice as far as starting the pilot project with SD DCA boxes due to a deadline from higher up (that one still beats me ... such a waste!)

- HD Digital Cable Adapter boxes are anticipated to arrive by the end of the year, no date known, no idea how it looks, no confirmation which connectivity it will have, but likely to have something better than just coax, possibly HDMI

- confirmed there is confusion at the local sales offices regarding QAM tuners, but in the end staff is basically correct that any device will need a box

*** NOW ***

- within the basic tier (2-23): only the mandated local channels will be unencrypted, so: WCSH, WMTW, WABI, MPBN ... and their secondaries, possibly. So, maybe 8 channels will be unencrypted out of the 23. He didn't name them or give a count, but basically said yes to the above as I was stating it.

- anything and everything else: encrypted.

- in the interim you can use an A/B switch to get the regular programming through the DCA and the unencrypted channels through the TV.

... I think that is about it.

Only other thing would be that the local team had no choice in the matter (to be pilot or not) or how it is rolled out specifically.

-----

For the rest I tried to state my opposition due to practical issues, as clearly and objectively as possible, with a couple of scenarios of $$$$ of analog and digital devices they are either obsoleting or severely crippling; and some scenarios where with more than one device in the same room, you cannot tune independently any more (like two tvs in the little home gym)

Pointed out, if they're concerned about theft, I'd be happy with one box in the basement that authorizes my service level at my house, but leave my devices on their own.

He said he took notes, was going to put it in an email and forward my feedback it onward.

So, anyhow, the worst case scenario is confirmed:
- NO CLEAR QAM 2-23 (or whatever it amounts to with a few added channels)
- Anything but the few locals = encrypted = Digital Cable Adapter

:mad:

I hope everybody and their friends & family will give TWC / Comcast / ... some feedback on this move.

icerabbit, thanks for taking the time ask these questions and post that info! Essentially we should expect TWC to continue their standard operating procedure of always making a decision which ends up being the most detrimental option possible to their customer base.

So TWC reached out to me and I returned the call.

Just had a half hour phone conversation with TWC regarding the digital transition and how it negatively affects customers from my perspective.

-----

Couple points in the conversation, from the TWC side
you guys know where I stand ;)

- feedback does get noted and gathered, they will be evaluating the pilot project (may not persuade them against it though) and will look at the disconnection rates and listen to the reasons behind it. (I fear they've factored a pretty high drop out rate ... before it would be a no-go let's change plans statewide or nationwide)

- heard some of the bulletin points as in the PR piece: going all digital is the trend, others are doing it, helps save bandwidth, can improve other services, prevent theft (minor issue though), ...

- seemed like they had no choice as far as starting the pilot project with SD DCA boxes due to a deadline from higher up (that one still beats me ... such a waste!)

- HD Digital Cable Adapter boxes are anticipated to arrive by the end of the year, no date known, no idea how it looks, no confirmation which connectivity it will have, but likely to have something better than just coax, possibly HDMI

- confirmed there is confusion at the local sales offices regarding QAM tuners, but in the end staff is basically correct that any device will need a box

*** NOW ***

- within the basic tier (2-23): only the mandated local channels will be unencrypted, so: WCSH, WMTW, WABI, MPBN ... and their secondaries, possibly. So, maybe 8 channels will be unencrypted out of the 23. He didn't name them or give a count, but basically said yes to the above as I was stating it.

- anything and everything else: encrypted.

- in the interim you can use an A/B switch to get the regular programming through the DCA and the unencrypted channels through the TV.

... I think that is about it.

Only other thing would be that the local team had no choice in the matter (to be pilot or not) or how it is rolled out specifically.

-----

For the rest I tried to state my opposition due to practical issues, as clearly and objectively as possible, with a couple of scenarios of $$$$ of analog and digital devices they are either obsoleting or severely crippling; and some scenarios where with more than one device in the same room, you cannot tune independently any more (like two tvs in the little home gym)

Pointed out, if they're concerned about theft, I'd be happy with one box in the basement that authorizes my service level at my house, but leave my devices on their own.

He said he took notes, was going to put it in an email and forward my feedback it onward.

So, anyhow, the worst case scenario is confirmed:
- NO CLEAR QAM 2-23 (or whatever it amounts to with a few added channels)
- Anything but the few locals = encrypted = Digital Cable Adapter

:mad:

I hope everybody and their friends & family will give TWC / Comcast / ... some feedback on this move.

you are totally missing the point they cannot legally encrypt anything on the basic tier without getting FCC approval via a waiver and yes your locals and anything that is currently unencrypted will stay the same including HD locals and thier SD sub channels. Most represenatives do not know anything about clear qam nor are they required to officially support it by saying how to access the channels via clear QAM but they can not encrypt the basic tier. You would have gotten a notice in your bill if they were seeking an FCC approval of limited basic encryption.

TWC here moved the local access channels to digital requiring a box or a QAM tuner tv they even announced the locations of where to find the local access channels on QAM. By the way they gave limited basic subscribers 5 years of one free digital box and standard subscribers 1 box free for a year.

I have gotten notices in the local paper saying that to rescan on such and such date to keep certain clear QAM channels.

you are totally missing the point they cannot legally encrypt anything on the basic tier without getting FCC approval via a waiver and yes your locals and anything that is currently unencrypted will stay the same including HD locals and thier SD sub channels. Most represenatives do not know anything about clear qam nor are they required to officially support it by saying how to access the channels via clear QAM but they can not encrypt the basic tier. You would have gotten a notice in your bill if they were seeking an FCC approval of limited basic encryption.

TWC here moved the local access channels to digital requiring a box or a QAM tuner tv they even announced the locations of where to find the local access channels on QAM. By the way they gave limited basic subscribers 5 years of one free digital box and standard subscribers 1 box free for a year.

I have gotten notices in the local paper saying that to rescan on such and such date to keep certain clear QAM channels.

Do you think that the following channels will remain unencrypted for QAM tuners:
CNN, FOX NEWS, etc.
TCM
TNT
Comedy
FX
USA
TBS
A & E
AMC
(you get the idea)

So TWC reached out to me and I returned the call...
...
I hope everybody and their friends & family will give TWC / Comcast / ... some feedback on this move.

From our experience with Comcast here in Brunswick, I dare say ...

• There is no one reading the local Times Record newspaper letters to the editor about Comcast service who is authorized to respond on behalf of CC because ...

• There is no one in Brunswick in a management position. It is being run by remote control from offices in MA.

As Walter Cronkite used to say "And that's the way it is."

Dana

Do you think that the following channels will remain unencrypted for QAM tuners:
CNN, FOX NEWS, etc.
TCM
TNT
Comedy
FX
USA
TBS
A & E
AMC
(you get the idea)

not likely if the digital simulcast versions are locked down already then the anwser is you will only get anything that is considered basic tv as in local channels including HD and sub channels, local access, and what ever basic cable channels are considered part of limited basic such as EWTN and in my case here in North Texas Discovery channel SD without any STB using a digital QAM tuner TV or QAM device. For some reason in North Texas only the SD version of Discovery is clear QAM on limited basic as TWC put the HD version in the expanded basic tier and encrypted in and it is SDV.

you are totally missing the point they cannot legally encrypt anything on the basic tier without getting FCC approval via a waiver and yes your locals and anything that is currently unencrypted will stay the same including HD locals and thier SD sub channels. Most represenatives do not know anything about clear qam nor are they required to officially support it by saying how to access the channels via clear QAM but they can not encrypt the basic tier. You would have gotten a notice in your bill if they were seeking an FCC approval of limited basic encryption.

TWC here moved the local access channels to digital requiring a box or a QAM tuner tv they even announced the locations of where to find the local access channels on QAM. By the way they gave limited basic subscribers 5 years of one free digital box and standard subscribers 1 box free for a year.

I have gotten notices in the local paper saying that to rescan on such and such date to keep certain clear QAM channels.

Eh ... excuse me? I am totally missing the point? :rolleyes:

I'm one of the more informed consumers, who's been on this Digital Conversion thing from day 1 I learned about it ... trying to get more information, trying to get the word out about what is happening, posting photos, videos, ...

Now allow me to say that you're wrong when you say that TWC cannot encrypt anything on basic cable ... because that's what they're doing. Anything but the local access channels will be encrypted in a few days.

Please contribute in a more positive fashion without pointing fingers. By sharing what exactly you read where in which newspaper, etc.

Because I actually live in the pilot project area, got the darned boxes, got the info notice from TWC in my bill, have read what the local paper and news outfits have had to say about it ... and all it has had is PR fluff ... which is what prompted me to get a letter to the editor posted in the local paper ...

While you are posting from ... Texas?

So, accept my surprise that, while I am up to my ears in it, I am totally missing the point :cool:

Anyway. I'll just consider it a miscommunication.

Do you think that the following channels will remain unencrypted for QAM tuners:
CNN, FOX NEWS, etc.
TCM
TNT
Comedy
FX
USA
TBS
A & E
AMC
(you get the idea)

I didn't anticipate those to remain Clear with the idea basic=clear (pamphlet and website QAM asterisk) and up from there it is encrypted, and, based on my conversation yesterday those will be definite NO.

Only the local stations will remain clear.
The rest of basic is encrypted.
And, up from there of course as well.

I would be happy to share the direct TWC contact # with you via PM, if you would like it to ask questions or give feedback. It rang straight to someone's desk. No phone tree.

Now allow me to say that you're wrong when you say that TWC cannot encrypt anything on basic cable ... because that's what they're doing. Anything but the local access channels will be encrypted in a few days. .

As noted many times, the point is that only basic-basic (the 23, or in my case 35 with dups -sd/hd)is unencrypted, just as the rep told you.

If you want anything other than what is required to be in the clear by law, which means anything that cannot be received OTA, then you need a box.

Which is what was said. The problem here is the term "basic cable", which is why I always use the term basic-basic, which was what cable was all about when it first started, just OTA for those of us too far away to get the signal. Then along came Ted Turner who changed the game.

I think that the only thing TWC will do on October 19th is to stop sending analog signals down the line. Everything else is already done. Channels 2 through 70(?) are already digitized and encrypted or left in the clear (basic - basic channels are unencrypted) and flowing down the line. The little adapter simply allows you, now and in the future, simply permits you to display the encrypted channels using the same channels numbers with which you are already familiar. So, two things are happening with the adapters. 1. You will be able to view encrypted channels. 2. You will be able to use familiar 2 digit channel numbers.

We will have to return to the TWC office by the end of the year to exchange our non HD adapters for HD adapters that will permit us to view to view the local and advertising channels in HD.

In the process, many people will opt for box rentals out of confusion and frustration. Others will simply opt out. TWC is hoping there will be a net dollar gain for the company.

As noted many times, the point is that only basic-basic (the 23, or in my case 35 with dups -sd/hd)is unencrypted, just as the rep told you.

If you want anything other than what is required to be in the clear by law, which means anything that cannot be received OTA, then you need a box.

Which is what was said. The problem here is the term "basic cable", which is why I always use the term basic-basic, which was what cable was all about when it first started, just OTA for those of us too far away to get the signal. Then along came Ted Turner who changed the game.

Sorry ... but ... what was interpreted and assumed by most of us, me included and what I actually hoped for; in the past few weeks - that ALL the basic 2-23 channels will be/remain unencrypted, and that only the rest up to 70 and current digitals into 100 are going encrypted - is not correct.

In my half hour conversation yesterday, I was most clearly told that the basic (basic-basic) tier is going encrypted as well, in three, if not four, different ways, directly and indirectly.

If you want to view ALL of the basic channels 2-23, then you will need a digital cable adapter, regardless of TV, Device, QAM capability.

If all you care about is local stations in HD as available OTA, then you can leave the adapter out and just use your HDTV QAM. You will only see a handful of stations. The bulk of 2-23 will not be available. Neither will 24-99.

Again, the only channels which TWC will leave unencrypted are the handful of stations that are available OTA, as mandated by FCC.

EVERYTHING that is NOT AVAILABLE as OTA gets encrypted.

Which is different and narrower than we have been thinking & interpreting the past few weeks.

I apologize for feeling the need to emphasize this, as I am bringing this information forward. But, I am trying to make clear what I was told ... and avoid any more confusion and speculation on the matter. I prefer not to hear that basically I'm wrong, missing the point and beating a dead horse because all basic (basic-basic) channels are going to be clear, remain clear, ...

Basic cable is NOT going to be clear, which I got confirmed yesterday. Now I don't have it on paper and I don't have the full name of the person I spoke with, nor do I have his title; but he was the first person I talked to at TWC who actually knows what is going on in Kennebec County and doesn't fall out of the sky when you start talking specifics (like typical customer service reps and tech support)

If anybody wants to verify which channels you'll get free and clear, and that basic is going encrypted: PM me and I'll give you his direct line.

I agree with Stan.

What I see TWC do on Oct 18/19:

- pull the analog plug (or rack/...)
- keep the line-up mapped largely the same (they said they are adding a few freebies)
- encrypt everything 2-99 with the exception of WCSH WABI WMTW MPBN WGME
- hopefully inject substations into logical positions like 5-1 8-1 etc (though I have to check if the remote supports that)

Then coming Dec/Jan we'll all trot through the snow to go exchange our adapters for HD models.

They have indeed factored they will lose some customers, but should be more than compensated for by those who will upgrade service and then later supplemented by the rent from the DCA boxes.

And, let's not forget their infrastructure savings. They will reuse the analog space on the cable for more phone and internet communication.

I think that if you run a scan with the cable plugged directly into your digital tv, you can tell which channels will be available in the clear without the adapter. That is because they are there already. I haven't done this for a couple of weeks, but I remember that the 2 local cable channels are in the clear, as well as, CSPAN, TVGuide and a number of others. I'm guessing that those that are in the clear, now, will not be encrypted later. There are not many when you exclude duplicated channels, but there will be some. Naturally I'm not referring to the bulk of the channels currently between 2 and 99, but some.

Maybe I can run a scan later on my wife's tv and take note of what I believe will end up as being available. Basically, the worst part about this is that tv's with the adapter will be shut out from ANY HD for a few months if they want to have the encrypted channels.

Certainly, I am going to be considering splitting the signal and running the adapter into one input and the "unadapted" connection into another input. This will necessitate switching between inputs, but at least HD would be available. ............. In my wife's case, it appears that she couldn't care less about HD. Some people don't. Not me!

Just scanned with one of the TVs. I'm not seeing anything different channel wise. The basics are all there in analog and then a slew of digital channels. It is hard to tell with all the advertising which station is which (since I don't memorize nor watch most of them) but number wise going up & down through the channel list, it seemed the same list as a few weeks ago.

I sincerely doubt what I see on my tv directly now will remain clear. I never assumed it would and as of yesterday ... I'm less optimistic TWC is going to leave us some breadcrumbs.

Broadcasting and Cable News reported on October 3rd that a new FCC proposal has been released. If this proposal is adopted, and it seems likely, then even local broadcast stations on cable will be encrypted. This proposal opens the door for cable to encrypt all content with no FCC waiver required. That spells the end of any clear QAM. :mad:

Sorry ... but ... what was interpreted and assumed by most of us, me included and what I actually hoped for; in the past few weeks - that ALL the basic 2-23 channels will be/remain unencrypted, and that only the rest up to 70 and current digitals into 100 are going encrypted - is not correct.

In my half hour conversation yesterday, I was most clearly told that the basic (basic-basic) tier is going encrypted as well, in three, if not four, different ways, directly and indirectly.

If you want to view ALL of the basic channels 2-23, then you will need a digital cable adapter, regardless of TV, Device, QAM capability.

If all you care about is local stations in HD as available OTA, then you can leave the adapter out and just use your HDTV QAM. You will only see a handful of stations. The bulk of 2-23 will not be available. Neither will 24-99.

Again, the only channels which TWC will leave unencrypted are the handful of stations that are available OTA, as mandated by FCC.

EVERYTHING that is NOT AVAILABLE as OTA gets encrypted.

Which is different and narrower than we have been thinking & interpreting the past few weeks.

I apologize for feeling the need to emphasize this, as I am bringing this information forward. But, I am trying to make clear what I was told ... and avoid any more confusion and speculation on the matter. I prefer not to hear that basically I'm wrong, missing the point and beating a dead horse because all basic (basic-basic) channels are going to be clear, remain clear, ...

Basic cable is NOT going to be clear, which I got confirmed yesterday. Now I don't have it on paper and I don't have the full name of the person I spoke with, nor do I have his title; but he was the first person I talked to at TWC who actually knows what is going on in Kennebec County and doesn't fall out of the sky when you start talking specifics (like typical customer service reps and tech support)

If anybody wants to verify which channels you'll get free and clear, and that basic is going encrypted: PM me and I'll give you his direct line.

My tin foil hat is correct more often than not.

Broadcasting and Cable News reported on October 3rd that a new FCC proposal has been released. If this proposal is adopted, and it seems likely, then even local broadcast stations on cable will be encrypted. This proposal opens the door for cable to encrypt all content with no FCC waiver required. That spells the end of any clear QAM. :mad:

I could see it being challenged in court by CPE manufacturors like silicondust and Slingbox as it would put them out of business as well as harm the consumer by making them pay extra for what they already subscribe to. I actually see clear QAM staying put.

Very small request. Why not scan for what is there now and see if anything changes later. Then we will all know what the facts actually are instead of interpreting what the cable rep says, which, in my case was completely wrong (no hd or anything without a box).

CC has completed its shift and, as noted, I get all the OTA in the clear and HD if OTA is HD. I also get a bunch of the stuff which was in the 2-14 mix, including local access, CSPAN, CC news, lots of shopping and movies on demand channels along with two religious and a Spanish channel. Plus dups of the OTA channels but in SD.

If TW has set up the digital channel group by now, but still has some analog, that is where CC was several weeks back and the only thing that happened since then is they dropped the analog channels and moved one digital channel but the ones in the clear are still in the clear.

I agree with kevin120 but not so much because of law suits but political pressure.

Broadcasting and Cable News reported on October 3rd that a new FCC proposal has been released. If this proposal is adopted, and it seems likely, then even local broadcast stations on cable will be encrypted. This proposal opens the door for cable to encrypt all content with no FCC waiver required. That spells the end of any clear QAM. :mad:

I could see it being challenged in court by CPE manufacturors like silicondust and Slingbox as it would put them out of business as well as harm the consumer by making them pay extra for what they already subscribe to. I actually see clear QAM staying put.

... I agree with kevin120 but not so much because of law suits but political pressure.

I don't use QAM so I don't have a horse in this race. But, I think you're wishful thinking if you believe that a couple of small OEMs or the Congress is going to rise up to protect the few TV viewers who do use QAM. If this FCC proposed ruling favors the cable industry and I believe it does, then the QAM goose is as good as cooked. IMHO.

Maybe I'm too cynical in my old age but money talks in Washington and the cable industry is rolling in it. Ask yourself - where did the FCC get the idea for this new rule in the first place? ;)

Dana

icerabbit, I want to thank you again for your active role in this matter. You have examined what is going on in detail, shared it with us, discussed it with several people at TWC and written a letter to the newspaper. In the process, the newspaper folk have probably given things a little thought. This is all very useful.

I have always considered the newspaper a potential useful "tool" in dealing with local cable issues, but admit I have never taken that step. Your letter was a valuable contribution.

I just connected my wife's hd with the adapter. The picture is considerably better than before because the channels are digital rather than analog. As we have discussed, there is no HD until the new adapters arrive.

At first, I thought I could split the signal and use one connection with the adapter and the other without to provide access to local broadcast channels in HD. No luck.

There are 2 cable connections on the set. One is for cable service and the other is for over the air using a cable - type connection. All of the others are the new technology - type plug - ins. I found that the latter do not permit a pass - thru of the raw signal from the Sony video / dvd recorder / player. I seem to recall reading a long time ago that the pass - thru of signal by the recorder / player only occurs with the primary connection. I watch tv using the player / recorder's tv tuner, but when I turn off that tuner, there is no pass - thru. Naturally, the connection with the adapter is unaffected by all of this.

Probably, this all makes no sense to anyone reading it, but the net result is that I can't think of a way to have the raw signal available on one input and adapter signal available on the other input.

Guess I'll have to wait for the HD capable adapters to have HD on the wife's set.

The adapter outputs signal on channel 3 or 4 VHF. You could connect the output from the adapter to the over the air coax input on the TV. The second coax, that bypasses the adapter, would connect to the cable coax input for local HD. As long as your TV stores two channel maps (one map for CATV input, and the second map for over the air) this would work. You'll know if the TV stores two channel maps when you toggle between CATV and Antenna and it doesn't require a rescan for channels.

I just connected my wife's hd with the adapter. The picture is considerably better than before because the channels are digital rather than analog. As we have discussed, there is no HD until the new adapters arrive.

At first, I thought I could split the signal and use one connection with the adapter and the other without to provide access to local broadcast channels in HD. No luck.

There are 2 cable connections on the set. One is for cable service and the other is for over the air using a cable - type connection. All of the others are the new technology - type plug - ins. I found that the latter do not permit a pass - thru of the raw signal from the Sony video / dvd recorder / player. I seem to recall reading a long time ago that the pass - thru of signal by the recorder / player only occurs with the primary connection. I watch tv using the player / recorder's tv tuner, but when I turn off that tuner, there is no pass - thru. Naturally, the connection with the adapter is unaffected by all of this.

Probably, this all makes no sense to anyone reading it, but the net result is that I can't think of a way to have the raw signal available on one input and adapter signal available on the other input.

Guess I'll have to wait for the HD capable adapters to have HD on the wife's set.

An easy work around for this is an A/B switch that you can find at a local hardware store.

Thanks, Mister and Kevin. I've been thinking about an A/B switch and it might turn out to be the best solution until the HD adapters are available. I, also, thought about the over the air connector and I think I will give it a try. My wife isn't good at the button pushing and switching between connections might be problematic. An A/ B switch might end up better for her.

For the time being, however, I think I'll wait for the 19th and work from there. The big thing is to avoid a loss of signal at some critical time in my wife's viewing schedule. She might not care if it's in hd, but she doesn't want to miss Dancing With the Stars, etc.

Anyway, thanks guys. Your suggestions were appreciated.

Agreed, an A/B switch would be the solution. Also what the TWC contact said in that call last week to get HD.

I'm going to hold off till the 18/19 before I do anything further. I'm not getting any extra DCA boxes - currently have two which are unplugged - I'm not buying switches, ...

I will rescan the channels on our various TVs. I assume I will end up with 10 channels, ... and will then call TWC to complain and ask to see my bill reduced and/or for them to create a local ( basic basic basic ) package at $9.99/month.

It is one thing to cut off analog, another to shove encryption down our throat, mandate digital cable adapters and effectively raise the price while taking away any conveniences in your house.

Of course my wife will want to dump cable and get satellite; but that would mean many receivers at significant cost. Guess I have some reading up to do as far as distributing the dish signal throughout a house and getting two different signals in a few rooms. I fear it would end up being some elaborate A/V distribution system (and then you still have boxes, remotes, ...).

For all my life we've had cable TV. It could not have been simpler. Cable comes in, you split it, amplify it if needed, let the TV or other device do the tuning.

... one more week ...

:mad: @ TWC ... and other cable companies.

On a slow day I happened to be perusing the Lewiston Sun Journal on line and came across a story headed Norway-Paris cable contract negotiations in slow motion (http://www.sunjournal.com/oxford-hills/story/1100106).

The story starts off by noting ...

NORWAY — A long delay in a franchise agreement between Norway/ Paris and Time Warner Cable appears to have held up local access studio improvements, officials said...

But here's the info that got my attention.

... the studio is operated off 5 percent of Time Warner's net income through the town, which equates to about $80,000 each year. ...

Holy Cow! That translates to an annual net income of $1,600,000 for TWC. Norway had a population of 4,611 in the 2000 US Census. Paris/So. Paris, Maine had a population of 4,793 in the same US Census. Round up to 10,000 for simplicity sake. Multiply by whatever factor you think your cable service area population is and you might get an approximation of the net annual profit being made by your local cable company.

http://montanakids.com/dbaseimages/1091.gif

Dana

Agreed, an A/B switch would be the solution. Also what the TWC contact said in that call last week to get HD.

I'm going to hold off till the 18/19 before I do anything further. I'm not getting any extra DCA boxes - currently have two which are unplugged - I'm not buying switches, ...

I will rescan the channels on our various TVs. I assume I will end up with 10 channels, ... and will then call TWC to complain and ask to see my bill reduced and/or for them to create a local ( basic basic basic ) package at $9.99/month.

It is one thing to cut off analog, another to shove encryption down our throat, mandate digital cable adapters and effectively raise the price while taking away any conveniences in your house.

Of course my wife will want to dump cable and get satellite; but that would mean many receivers at significant cost. Guess I have some reading up to do as far as distributing the dish signal throughout a house and getting two different signals in a few rooms. I fear it would end up being some elaborate A/V distribution system (and then you still have boxes, remotes, ...).

For all my life we've had cable TV. It could not have been simpler. Cable comes in, you split it, amplify it if needed, let the TV or other device do the tuning.

... one more week ...

:mad: @ TWC ... and other cable companies.

I just finished trying to use the over the air connection on the back of the set for a raw cable signal and, hopefully, clear QAM of local broadcast stations in HD. Guess what?! No luck.

The over the air connection only showed basic cable. As you know basic cable has the normal channels 2 - 13, but 14 - 20 are a few extra channels aimed, primarily, at children. The point is that they are not the same channels on regular 14 - 20.

Apparently, the OTA connection will not pass the raw cable signal beyond these channels.

So, as you say, the A / B switch is the last hope IF TWC still has the local HD's on clear QAM after the 19th.

You know, I have my doubts about new HD adapters. It's hard to believe that TWC will provide the local stations in HD on inexpensive adapters. Many people would be satisfied and not rent boxes. (Whatever happened to "free HD" from TWC?)

...
Of course my wife will want to dump cable and get satellite; but that would mean many receivers at significant cost. Guess I have some reading up to do as far as distributing the dish signal throughout a house and getting two different signals in a few rooms. I fear it would end up being some elaborate A/V distribution system (and then you still have boxes, remotes, ...).


Based on my experience with DirecTV, satellite isn't complicated. Dealing in generalities, the signal enters the house nowadays on a single cable from a dish attached to your house (usually) instead of a cable attached to a pole on the street. From that point the signal is distributed just the same as cable TV. It is split into separate lines, one running to each room with a TV. If you're already wired for cable inside the house with Cat 6 coax, the sat installer can make use of it. In each room with a TV there needs to be a HD satellite receiver/DVR to which the coax is connected. The receiver is then connected to your TV. Each STB is controlled with a remote supplied by the company.

After all the intro offers expire and ignoring minor details, HD satellite rates are comparable to HD cable service and the channels available are about the same. That's because the two services - satellite and cable - compete with each other for subscribers.

A big advantage of cable is the availability of internet and phone service in some locations regardless of whether you get cable TV service. Cable internet is faster than any other alternative and cable phone service is comparable in quality to land line (Fairpoint).

You can easily get a quote from Dish or DirecTV with no obligation.

All the above is based on my experience. YMMV.

Dana

Based on my experience with DirecTV, satellite isn't complicated. Dealing in generalities, the signal enters the house nowadays on a single cable from a dish attached to your house (usually) instead of a cable attached to a pole on the street. From that point the signal is distributed just the same as cable TV. It is split into separate lines, one running to each room with a TV. If you're already wired for cable inside the house with Cat 6 coax, the sat installer can make use of it. In each room with a TV there needs to be a HD satellite receiver/DVR to which the coax is connected. The receiver is then connected to your TV. Each STB is controlled with a remote supplied by the company.

After all the intro offers expire and ignoring minor details, HD satellite rates are comparable to HD cable service and the channels available are about the same. That's because the two services - satellite and cable - compete with each other for subscribers.

A big advantage of cable is the availability of internet and phone service in some locations regardless of whether you get cable TV service. Cable internet is faster than any other alternative and cable phone service is comparable in quality to land line (Fairpoint).

You can easily get a quote from Dish or DirecTV with no obligation.

All the above is based on my experience. YMMV.

Dana
One new thing is that you no longer need your home wired with Cat 5 or 6 wiring to network your receivers together, with DirecTV. They now use DECA equipment and utilize the coaxial cable to network your receivers together. They did that here at my house.

hey dana

do you know how the " whole home dvr's are wired to the receivers ? they are hard wired in some way, right?

I have a install quote both with direct & dish. they are very close in price monthly. the main difference being directs " whole home ' with one dvr & five receivers. dish has the 3 dual receivers .

just trying to get as much advice / opinions as I can before I pull the trigger.

hey dana

do you know how the " whole home dvr's are wired to the receivers ? they are hard wired in some way, right?

I have a install quote both with direct & dish. they are very close in price monthly. the main difference being directs " whole home ' with one dvr & five receivers. dish has the 3 dual receivers .

just trying to get as much advice / opinions as I can before I pull the trigger.

Typically these days the STBs are connected via HDMI cable or component (red, blue, green) cable to the TV. Presuming HD TV.

Dana

One new thing is that you no longer need your home wired with Cat 5 or 6 wiring to network your receivers together, with DirecTV. They now use DECA equipment and utilize the coaxial cable to network your receivers together. They did that here at my house.

You might explain what DECA means for those who don't know.

Dana

You might explain what DECA means for those who don't know.

Dana
Here is a simple definition for DECA: A device that allows Ethernet traffic to go along the same lines used by the satellite dish. This eliminates routing problems and creates an easier path for Multi-Room Viewing.

Typically these days the STBs are connected via HDMI cable or component (red, blue, green) cable to the TV. Presuming HD TV.

Dana

I mean how does each receiver get the recording off the main dvr like directs " whole home dvr?

I mean how does each receiver get the recording off the main dvr like directs " whole home dvr?

I never had this type of installation. Hopefully, Loudo can answer. The technology is moving rapidly and DirecTV tends to incorporate the latest and greatest. In that regard, my experience with Comcast cable is that it doesn't. :rolleyes:

Dana

I mean how does each receiver get the recording off the main dvr like directs " whole home dvr?
If you mean with DirecTV, here is a photo of a standard DECA hookup.
http://www.weaknees.com/images/deca/deca-mrv-internet.jpg

I just finished trying to use the over the air connection on the back of the set for a raw cable signal and, hopefully, clear QAM of local broadcast stations in HD. Guess what?! No luck.

The over the air connection only showed basic cable. As you know basic cable has the normal channels 2 - 13, but 14 - 20 are a few extra channels aimed, primarily, at children. The point is that they are not the same channels on regular 14 - 20.

Apparently, the OTA connection will not pass the raw cable signal beyond these channels.



The two coax cables from the splitter should be reversed. The digital adapter outputs on VHF 3 or 4 and can be connected to the over the air coax input on the TV. The other cable that will allow you to tune the clear QAM should be connected to the cable tv coax input on the TV.

Thanks all, for the additional input and sharing of satellite experiences.

I have started to replace existing some coax with RG6 Quad Shield and already made a couple of Cat 6 runs. Probably will do some more this winter when things are slow, some will just as room by room remodeling additions allow it. Anyhow. Ultimately it wouldn't matter to me if it is Coax or Ethernet, though using Coax means they wouldn't go to waste and avoid the need for an extra Ethernet network dedicated to TV.

I know next week concessions have to be made as far as DCA or satellite boxes, remotes, ditch analog gear ... but a box / receiver per TV gives me the shivers. There is a TV in every bedroom, two in the media room, two at the mini gym ... no way I can support that many receivers. It would have to be something with dual tuners (one receiver, tuner 1 > tv 2, tuner 2 > tv 2 ???) in the media room.

Maybe one receiver can get its signal redistributed within the house; channel change through RF remote or other means ... or those less important TVs just have to get by with locals only and netflix, hulu, ...

I know next week concessions have to be made as far as DCA or satellite boxes, remotes, ditch analog gear ... but a box / receiver per TV gives me the shivers. There is a TV in every bedroom, two in the media room, two at the mini gym ... no way I can support that many receivers. It would have to be something with dual tuners (one receiver, tuner 1 > tv 2, tuner 2 > tv 2 ???) in the media room.

Maybe one receiver can get its signal redistributed within the house; channel change through RF remote or other means ... or those less important TVs just have to get by with locals only and netflix, hulu, ...
Check first, if you want HD signals to all of your sets. I think some of those 2 in 1 HD receivers, only feeds HD to one set and the second set is SD.

The two coax cables from the splitter should be reversed. The digital adapter outputs on VHF 3 or 4 and can be connected to the over the air coax input on the TV. The other cable that will allow you to tune the clear QAM should be connected to the cable tv coax input on the TV.

MisterEEE, I think that you nailed it. As soon as I get a chance, I'll give it a try.

If you mean with DirecTV, here is a photo of a standard DECA hookup.
http://www.weaknees.com/images/deca/deca-mrv-internet.jpg

ok, so the routers are only needed if you want internet ? and the dvr feed to the non dvr receivers goes back to the dish splitter & then out to the receiver of choice?

anyone have a link to a installer in southern maine ( wells area ) so that i can find out what type of equipment they have on the truck?

ok, so the routers are only needed if you want internet ? That is correct. That is how you get your VOD, or DOD as DirecTV calls it. With DirecTV you can also view You Tube videos and other functions, using your Internet connection.

and the dvr feed to the non dvr receivers goes back to the dish splitter & then out to the receiver of choice? The coaxial is used for feeding the signal from the dish to the receiver, and also feeding the MRV signal between receivers. If a router with an Internet connection is in the system you can also do Internet functions with the receivers.

anyone have a link to a installer in southern maine ( wells area ) so that i can find out what type of equipment they have on the truck?
That doesn't do much good. It changes from day to day. They do all carry DECA equipment but the receivers vary from day to day.

That doesn't do much good. It changes from day to day. They do all carry DECA equipment but the receivers vary from day to day.

found one. gradys in biddeford. they said that I would know what equipment was being delivered & installed beforehand. I think I will go see them.

MisterEEE, you did it. I simply reversed the plugs and the "adapted" signal functions perfectly through the air connection using channel 3 and of course the raw signal functions perfectly for QAM through the cable connection.

Problem solved. Thank you. ........... It all stands to reason once I think about it. I hope others can do this to save the cost of renting a box. I'm, now, going to wire up the tv in the playroom the same way.

As reported here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/jdpower101411.htm):

Washington, D.C. (October 14, 2011) -- What is America's favorite TV provider? Well, it depends upon where you live, according to a new J.D. Power and Associates study. But the study clearly shows that AT&T's u-Verse is making a lot of people happy while the nation's major cable TV operators are not.

The study, based on a consumer satisfaction survey, ranked the nation's TV providers in the four regions of the country. AT&T captured the top spot for consumer satisfaction in three of the four regions while Bright House Networks and WOW! were the only cable TV operators to finish in the top three in any region.

Comcast did not finish higher than sixth in any of the four regions; Cablevision, which is based in the East, finished only fifth there. DIRECTV finished first in the East and third in the North Central Region and Western regions.

The satisfaction numbers somewhat reflect how TV providers are faring in the battle to acquire new subscribers and keep old ones. The telcos have been able to add subscribers in the past year while cable operators have reported significant losses. (For example, AT&T added 202,000 subscribers in the second quarter of 2011, bringing its overall total to 3.4 million.)

DIRECTV has also added subs in the past year, albeit at a slower pace than in previous year. Dish Network's sub growth numbers have gone up and down over the last year.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the rankings, which was based on telephone surveys with nearly 24,000 consumers nationwide.

Eastern Region
Satcaster DIRECTV finished first with 686 points out of a possible 1,000; telco Verizon's FiOS service was second with 677; satcaster Dish Network was third with 664; and Cox was the highest cable scorer, finishing fourth with 634 points. Cablevision was fifth with 617 points.


In the interest of saving space, I didn't clip and paste ratings for other regions as reported in the linked story. Strange that TWC isn't mentioned anywhere. :confused:

Dana

From what I have heard so far on this forum (Stan 54), you can get the locals in HD without a box from all providers. Correct or not?

From what I have heard so far on this forum (Stan 54), you can get the locals in HD without a box from all providers. Correct or not?

I'm not sure what you mean by, "from all providers." If you remove that from the sentence, the answer is yes. At least that is true as of this moment on TWC in Central Maine (Augusta system).

MisterEEE provided me with the solution.

7AM and I still have analog cable. Guess they didn't have someone on the night shift or the start of the early shift flip a switch.

Did scan yesterday and there were a few stations in SD repeated above 100 and 5 channels of 102 (faq mentioned to determine need for box)

Beekeeper, yes, the local stations will be clear QAM receivable / unencrypted, according to TWC. Same should go for Comcast & others.

Guess we may see some change by lunch time.

Lunch time. Analog cable is still up :)

Wonder why?

Lunch time. Analog cable is still up :)

Wonder why?

It's 2:30 pm "the day after" and, still, the analog is on even though the picture looks just a little bit weaker (very slightly grainy). This makes no sense to me at all, but that is what I am seeing. Perhaps, this is the way they are doing it. As the picture worsens, the still uninformed will call in to complain and be advised that they need an adapter. (I think TWC did say that they would "begin" the process on the 19th.)

TWC's bill arrived a couple of days ago and included a pamphlet that discussed boxes, QAM, etc. in a much more straight - forward manner than I have ever seen before.

7pm on Thu, still have analog.

Came home, expected the change to have happened today, but our little 15" analog TV besides the bigger primary TV is still going strong.

Maybe TWC got cold feet? Just kidding.

7pm on Thu, still have analog.

Came home, expected the change to have happened today, but our little 15" analog TV besides the bigger primary TV is still going strong.

Maybe TWC got cold feet? Just kidding.

Well sometimes there are small delays. TWC here in North Texas sent out a notice saying that they were moving a lot of SD channel to SDV and they originally said october 3rd but instead the changes happened on October 6th.

We gained 8 new SDV QAMs for a total of 24 SDV QAMs:

687MHz
693MHz
699MHz
705MHz
711MHz
717MHz
723MHz
729MHz

So it seems that instead of analog reclaims in my area it is more SDV QAMs.

By the way it looks like you guys in Augusta are not the only ones getting an all digital boost before the end of the year Barstow California is going all digital as well and they are 550MHz and at the time of the digital transition they will get SDV to complement all digital.

Time Warner Cable’s San Diego division agreements with programmers and broadcasters to carry their service and stations routinely expire from time to time. We are usually able to obtain renewals or extensions of such agreements, but in order to comply with applicable regulations, we must inform you when an agreement is about to expire. The following agreements with programmers are due to expire soon, and we may be required to cease carriage of one or more of these services/stations in the near future. Erotic Networks, Cooking Channel, DIY, DIY HD, Great American Country, Music Choice, WE, WE HD, BBC America, BBC America HD, E!, E! HD, Fuse, Fuse HD, Golf Channel, Golf Channel HD, Sprout Style, Style HD, truTV, and truTV HD.

In addition, from time to time we make certain changes in the services that we offer in order to better serve our customers: On or after, Wednesday, November 30, 2011, C-SPAN, channel 1 will be moving to channel 41. Shop NBC, channel 56, will be moving from the Expanded Cable package to the Basic Cable package and will remain on the same channel number. C-SPAN 2/California Channel, channel 33, will no longer be available. ESPN 2, channel 41, will be moving to channel 33. TruTV, channel 101, will be to channel 60 and from the Variety Package to the Expanded Cable Package. The following services will be duplicated into a new Variety Package: Nat Geo WILD, channel 100; Sleuth, channel 102; Current TV, channel 103; Military History, channel 109; Military Channel, channel 110; Planet Green, channel 111; Investigation Discovery, channel 112; The Hub, channel 113; Science, channel 114; OWN, channel 115; Lifetime Movie Network, channel 120; Lifetime Real Women, channel 121; Oxygen, channel 122; Style, channel 124; TBN, channel 132; Daystar, channel 133; Fox Soccer Channel, channel 137; ESPNews, channel 141; MLB Network, channel 142; Fuse, channel 145; MTV2, channel 146; VH1 Classic, channel 148; CMT, channel 149; Nicktoons, channel 155; TeenNick, channel 156; Disney XD, channel 157; Nick Jr., channel 158; BBC America, channel 165; CNBC World, channel 166; Versus, channel 305; ESPN Classic, channel 307; G4 Video Game TV, channel 310; GAC, channel 315; Discovery Fit & Health, channel 321; WE, channel 323; Hallmark Channel, channel 324; Sundance Channel, channel 327; Fox Deportes, channel 603; Mun2, channel 612; ESPN Deportes, channel 616; nuvoTV, channel 617; Science HD, channel 719; and MLB Network HD, channel 742. The following services will be duplicated into a new Choice Package: GSN, channel 104; SoapNet, channel 123; EWTN, channel 130; INSP, channel 131; Centric, channel 147; National Geographic, channel 300; Bio., channel 301; History International, channel 302; Boomerang, channel 311; Cooking Channel, channel 320; DIY, channel 322; Bloomberg, channel 330; CNN International, channel 331; C-SPAN 3, channel 332; National Geographic HD, channel 760; and Bio. HD, channel 765. The following services will be duplicated into a new Movie Pass Package: Fox Movie Channel, channel 325; IFC, channel 326; and Sundance, channel 327. The following services will be duplicated into a new Sports Pass Package: Outdoor Channel, channel 136; FCS Pacific, channel 138; FCS Central, channel 139; FCS Atlantic, channel 140; Fuel, channel 306; and ESPN Classic, channel 307. Galavision will be duplicated on channel 628 in the Nuestra Tele Package. In Demand PPV 3-7, channels 412-416 will no longer be available.

The new services listed below will require two-way capable digital cable ready equipment, such as a Time Warner Cable-provided set-top box or a CableCARD-equipped Unidirectional Digital Cable Product (UDCP) used in conjunction with a Tuning Adapter. Other UDCPs may not be able to access these services without additional equipment, such as a set-top box: Jewelry TV, TWC 101, TWC Special Programming, ION (KPXN) HD, KCET (IND) HD, PBS (KOCE) HD, Telemundo (KVEA) HD, MYTV (KCOP) HD. NBA TV, Fox Business Network, ReelzChannel, Chiller, Logo, TV One, Shop Zeal 1, ESPNU, Hallmark Channel HD, Versus HD, Investigation Discovery HD, BBC America HD, Fox Business Network HD, Disney XD HD, G4 Video Game TV HD, Fuse HD, CMT HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Style HD, TV One HD, Fox Soccer Channel HD, NBA TV HD, ESPNews HD, ESPNU HD, NASA TV, PBS Kids Sprout, Gospel Music Channel, MTV Hits, MTV Jams, MTV Soul, The Word Network, Jewish Life Television, Ovation, KBS World, Mnet, TVK1, TVK2, CCTV-9 (English), The Africa Channel, History International HD, Encore, Encore East, Encore Action, Encore Drama, Encore Love, Encore Suspense, Encore Family, Encore Westerns, Flix, Hallmark Movie Channel, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, IFC HD, CBS Sports Network, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Soccer Plus, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, Fox Soccer Channel HD, Fox Soccer Plus HD, CBS Sports Network HD, NHL Network HD, ESPN Goal Line / Buzzer Beater, MGM HD, Crime & Investigation HD, Universal HD, Smithsonian Channel HD, ESPN 3D, 3DTV Special Events, Multimedios, Mexico TV, Teleformula, Centroamerica TV, Sur Peru, Latinoamerica TV, Ecuavisa Internacional, TV Chile, Caracol Internacional, TV Colombia, TV Venezuela, ViendoMovies, HBO 2 East, HBO Signature East, HBO East HD, HBO Latino East HD, Cinemax@MAX, Cinemax 5StarMAX, Cinemax MoreMAX, Cinemax ThrillerMAX, Cinemax WMAX, Cinemax East HD, Showtime East HD, The Movie Channel HD, Starz, Starz East, Starz Cinema, Starz Edge, Starz in Black, Starz Kids & Family, Starz HD, Starz East HD, HD PPV, MLB Extra Innings/NHL Center Ice, NBA League Pass/MLS Direct Kick, Game 1 HD, Game 2 HD, and Team HD.

On or about November 30 2011, in our effort to utilize our network to continually offer new services, including new HD channels, on-demand programming, and enhanced high-speed data services, the following services that are currently made available in an analog (or both analog and digital) format will be made available in a digital format only: ESPN, USA Network, TNT, ABC Family, FSN West, QVC, HSN, Discovery Channel, TLC, History, Spike TV, A&E, AMC, HLN, VH1, BET, TV Guide, CNN, Nick, MTV, Lifetime, Univision, Galavision, Syfy, Cartoon Network, TCM, Comedy Central, CNBC, E!, The Weather Channel, Travel Channel, Disney Channel, MSNBC, HGTV, FX, TV Land, Bravo, Animal Planet, Food Network, Golf Channel, Fox News Channel, and TBS. These channels will remain in their current tiers, as they will continue to be available in a digital format that can be viewed using a two-way capable digital cable ready equipment, such as a Time Warner Cable-provided set-top box or a CableCARD-equipped Unidirectional Digital Cable Product (UDCP) used in conjunction with a Tuning Adapter. Other UDCPs may not be able to access these services without additional equipment, such as a set-top box.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/Barstow/learn/cable/analog/

Very informative post, Kevin.

Learned something new: SDV - Switched Digital Video. It makes a lot of sense from a practical & bandwidth standpoint to only transmit what is used. I'm also sure that there is a pretty reliable top 10 & 20 of channels watched by all subscribers within their tier, any given day or week. So, on the fly, with the bulk of viewers watching the same channels, it looks like it would save bandwith.

Though in practice I'm curious how the numbers / benefits stack up, considering they may have to send all channels to the neighborhood. If you have a few thousand subscribers on a node, chances are you'll have at least one household watching a channel others aren't watching. Benefits of not transmitting to a household where everybody is at work and in school, are offset by households where somebody is home. I think we've all met people where the TV is on unless somebody is visiting. In households with multiple TVs it is easy to have two different channels coming in. I used to leave the weather channel on, a lot. Some people really like their daytime TV shows.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: I wonder if on a local scale there are stations that aren't being watched.

I may have to read it again, but when you say SDV QAM; it sounds like SDV can happen with QAM tvs, without Digital Cable Box or Adapter. Correct?

I would be thrilled with that. Okay, they'd kill of analog - so goodbye analog dvr, dvdr, etc - but going Clear QAM on what we subscribe to and NO DCA boxes would solve some major headaches, and allow several devices to tune in, in close proximity (dual TV setup) ... and paves the way for more 3rd party QAM devices, hopefully. Or at least leaves the door open for it.

Very informative post, Kevin.

Learned something new: SDV - Switched Digital Video. It makes a lot of sense from a practical & bandwidth standpoint to only transmit what is used. I'm also sure that there is a pretty reliable top 10 & 20 of channels watched by all subscribers within their tier, any given day or week. So, on the fly, with the bulk of viewers watching the same channels, it looks like it would save bandwith.

Though in practice I'm curious how the numbers / benefits stack up, considering they may have to send all channels to the neighborhood. If you have a few thousand subscribers on a node, chances are you'll have at least one household watching a channel others aren't watching. Benefits of not transmitting to a household where everybody is at work and in school, are offset by households where somebody is home. I think we've all met people where the TV is on unless somebody is visiting. In households with multiple TVs it is easy to have two different channels coming in. I used to leave the weather channel on, a lot. Some people really like their daytime TV shows.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: I wonder if on a local scale there are stations that aren't being watched.

I may have to read it again, but when you say SDV QAM; it sounds like SDV can happen with QAM tvs, without Digital Cable Box or Adapter. Correct?

I would be thrilled with that. Okay, they'd kill of analog - so goodbye analog dvr, dvdr, etc - but going Clear QAM on what we subscribe to and NO DCA boxes would solve some major headaches, and allow several devices to tune in, in close proximity (dual TV setup) ... and paves the way for more 3rd party QAM devices, hopefully. Or at least leaves the door open for it.

Nodes only provide service to about 250 homes. I was told that my node only serves about 150 devices.

SDV channels change often and yes sometimes they are clear QAM Jewelry TV here is SDV and is clear QAM.

For instance TWC north texas is an 860MHz which allows for us to have additonal SDV QAMs and DOCSIS 3.0 carriers above 750MHz which Augusta is at.

Our SDV QAMs are:

687MHz
693MHz
699MHz
705MHz
711MHz
717MHz
723MHz
729MHz
735MHz
741MHz
747MHz
753MHz
759MHz
765MHz
771MHz
777MHz
819MHz
825MHz
831MHz
837MHz
843MHz
849MHz
855MHz
861MHz

regarding the number of households served, I was just going by some online information, like this graphic:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Cable_Switched_video_Network_Diagram.png/800px-Cable_Switched_video_Network_Diagram.png

Any news on the TWC-SDV front? Are the analog channels still up? Like you guys, I'm not looking forward to the conversion. In addition to the VCR issue, it's a major headache for folks like me working in the hotel business. Unlike analog cable, SDV signals are notoriously unreliable once they pass through the numerous filters, splitters and amplifiers that distribute cable service throughout the building. Pricing for getting SDV in each guestroom is brutal compared to what we're paying now, too. Imagine what Maine Medical Center will have to put up with... We're looking at building a satellite headend (racks of satellite receivers, modulators, splitters etc.) to get around this issue, but the channel capacity is nothing like the 70-channel traditional cable service. Ugh...

Any news on the TWC-SDV front? Are the analog channels still up? Like you guys, I'm not looking forward to the conversion. In addition to the VCR issue, it's a major headache for folks like me working in the hotel business. Unlike analog cable, SDV signals are notoriously unreliable once they pass through the numerous filters, splitters and amplifiers that distribute cable service throughout the building. Pricing for getting SDV in each guestroom is brutal compared to what we're paying now, too. Imagine what Maine Medical Center will have to put up with... We're looking at building a satellite headend (racks of satellite receivers, modulators, splitters etc.) to get around this issue, but the channel capacity is nothing like the 70-channel traditional cable service. Ugh...

TWC Augusta has had SDV for quite a while. We are still waiting to see the analog signals taken down.

Analog TV is still up here.
( Heard third hand that it may have been delayed till January ?? )

I can't imagine the investment cost & decision nightmare for motels, hotels, ... to upgrade from analog amplification & distribution.

Satellite looks like it can serve up to 15 TVs in a residential setting. I don't need that many, but the hardware investment and commitment is a no-go. Even with a few free receivers.

I looked through the TV Guide website at the Maine antenna line-up; and it looks like we may get 7 stations with their subs. NO Create channel or PBS World ... which is what I watch mostly ... sigh.

Called TWC. They decided to only do a gradual roll-out of digital cable, rather than a big switch.

They will switch a few channels over at a time, town by town.

Eventually everything should be switched over to digital by year's end.

They've gotten lots of calls why channels went missing in one town where they went digital ...

Hopefully that included a lot of complaints too. Eliminate analog TV. Obsoleting equipment. Requiring additional equipment. Have a poor information campaign. Confuse people. Then change gears about the roll-out. It makes sense from a logistical perspective so they can handle the flood of calls & complaints ... but maybe they should realize how they are frustrating customers, more than anything. Maybe they figured that if they do it a bit more gradual, the drop-out rate would be less, as a opposed to a hard switch and many people jumping on satellite. I know I've gotten an offer for directv or dish pretty much every week.

Asked the question if CREATE & PBS World (two of our favorite channels for DIY, Travel, Documentaries, ...) would be clear QAM over cable.

Could not get an answer to that ... nor if they'd become 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4. Was told I'm getting those point channels as digital over the air through cable acting as an antenna ... as TWC does not broadcast point channels. Which also got back to the point that this would be a channel I shouldn't be getting as part of my lineup ... But, then what about all the other people who also get the other locals in HD? Like 85.2 ABC 99.11 NBC etc. And the fact that TWC has moved these around from time to time? Because I don't think MPBN is broadcasting these between 70-100 OTA, and switched their location many times ... it'd be 10.x or 26.x.

And it seems like it is not known how the line-up will go when the HD boxes come in either, as far as SD & HD.

:( I really don't like it when I can get the straight scoop on a service or product.

Called TWC. They decided to only do a gradual roll-out of digital cable, rather than a big switch.

They will switch a few channels over at a time, town by town.

Eventually everything should be switched over to digital by year's end.

They've gotten lots of calls why channels went missing in one town where they went digital ...

Hopefully that included a lot of complaints too. Eliminate analog TV. Obsoleting equipment. Requiring additional equipment. Have a poor information campaign. Confuse people. Then change gears about the roll-out. It makes sense from a logistical perspective so they can handle the flood of calls & complaints ... but maybe they should realize how they are frustrating customers, more than anything. Maybe they figured that if they do it a bit more gradual, the drop-out rate would be less, as a opposed to a hard switch and many people jumping on satellite. I know I've gotten an offer for directv or dish pretty much every week.

Asked the question if CREATE & PBS World (two of our favorite channels for DIY, Travel, Documentaries, ...) would be clear QAM over cable.

Could not get an answer to that ... nor if they'd become 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4. Was told I'm getting those point channels as digital over the air through cable acting as an antenna ... as TWC does not broadcast point channels. Which also got back to the point that this would be a channel I shouldn't be getting as part of my lineup ... But, then what about all the other people who also get the other locals in HD? Like 85.2 ABC 99.11 NBC etc. And the fact that TWC has moved these around from time to time? Because I don't think MPBN is broadcasting these between 70-100 OTA, and switched their location many times ... it'd be 10.x or 26.x.

And it seems like it is not known how the line-up will go when the HD boxes come in either, as far as SD & HD.

:( I really don't like it when I can get the straight scoop on a service or product.

TWC mailed a consumer's guide with its last bill.

Under Digital "in the clear" Video:
"............... digital services provided as part of the Basic Service Tier including local broadcast stations' standard definition (sd) and high definition (hd) signals, are transmitted in the clear. As a result, they may be viewed using digital tv's and other devices that use a QAM tuner............"

The channels you mention are local broadcast "stations" grouped under Maine Public Television. I cannot believe that we will not continue to have access to these local broadcast stations.

"Broadcast" means over the air. Cable does not "broadcast." The cable business is restricted as to what it can do with electronic signals that are cast out broadly for use by anyone. ......... I'll bet they don't like it because their most popular offering (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS) is broadcast. Some people consider this enough.

Thanks for sharing that.

We're both thinking on the same line(s).

I got a sense that when, I was asking about Create & PBS World specifically, he (truthfully) didnt know and thus couldn't say yes/no. I was disappointed by that as previously, he seemed to be in the know and the most knowledgeable Adelphia/TWC person I've spoken with. I asked if there was anybody else who could answer specifically, and he didn't refer nor offered to transfer me.

One thing he did include was, that if I receive this Create & PBS World "as OTA station via cable" now, it likely would still be there after the digital conversion ... but, again, that that is something my TV is picking up that doesn't come from TWC ...

I don't know :confused: I'll just wait it out, like everybody else, I guess, to figure out what happens and keep an eye on this thread.

If those two stations are included, and I 110% think they should be clear QAM with basic basic, I'm not going to use digital cable adapters (or boxes). I'll just get whatever I can get through the wall.

Count me as one of the people for whom the few major stations are fine, really. We've had the combo bundle with whatever options, wanted some more stations, but ended up paying way too much really for what we used ... plus it was more costly than what TWC advertised *, coinciding with that crappy over-compressed pixelated HD (cough) Adelphia was pushing, so we downgraded a couple years ago. No regrets really.

I'm perfectly fine supplementing a more limited number of TV channels, than most people have, with some Redbox, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and international news broadcasts over the internet. Yeah, I still miss out on some stuff like history & discovery. And, that's why I wouldn't mind paying reasonably for access to another dozen specific stations in HD and a few European stations they don't carry actually; maybe get one cable box for the media room ... but, I refuse to buy into the whole upgraded multiple boxes, bigger bundle, tiers and passes thing for the few channels I care about. I don't need shopping, sports, music, religion, kids, standard def, on demand, ppv, ... And $10/mo for 1 euro channel? I don't think so. ;)



* Isn't it great that to this day TWC can get away with NOT disclosing the price after the promotional periods end ... thought there was a consumer law against that.

WCSH in HD
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/177112/138/portland.highschoolsports.net/

When the leaves drop so does 6 OTA :(

Create and PBS World are on TWC clear QAM.

TWC mailed a consumer's guide with its last bill.

Under Digital "in the clear" Video:
"............... digital services provided as part of the Basic Service Tier including local broadcast stations' standard definition (sd) and high definition (hd) signals, are transmitted in the clear. As a result, they may be viewed using digital tv's and other devices that use a QAM tuner............"

The channels you mention are local broadcast "stations" grouped under Maine Public Television. I cannot believe that we will not continue to have access to these local broadcast stations.

"Broadcast" means over the air. Cable does not "broadcast." The cable business is restricted as to what it can do with electronic signals that are cast out broadly for use by anyone. ......... I'll bet they don't like it because their most popular offering (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS) is broadcast. Some people consider this enough.


One BIG Caveat to Clear QAM Cable for Local Broadcast Channels...
For the past few years, Cable companies have been petitioning the FCC for exemptions to the FCC rule that won't allow the encryption of the local over the air (broadcast) channels on cable. A few requests were approved by the FCC for individual cable systems where theft of cable was widespread. However, it was nearly impossible for a cable company to receive an FCC waiver to 100 percent encrypt a local cable system. Unfortunately, money talks in this country. The FCC recently did an abrupt about face and announced in early October under a "notice of proposed rule making" that after a series of hearings it plans to change the rule and allow encryption of the local broadcast channels on cable systems nationwide. So unless someone with deep pockets comes forward to these FCC hearings and says hell no to encryption, clear QAM cable is dead and the little guy gets screwed again. In short, the FCC has put clear QAM cable on the endangered species list.

Another issue is local broadcast TV itself. Wireless companies want more of the current TV spectrum...basically all channels above UHF channel 30 for wireless (broadband) services. The FCC is pushing for that change as well. Thankfully, the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) is fighting this proposal. If this change were to occur, nearly have the currently licensed broadcast channels that are within 150 miles of the Canadian border would have to shut down for lack of available spectrum. The FCC rationale is that only about 10 percent of the population gets local TV from an antenna. The remainder of people get their local TV stations from cable or satellite. Thus, some local broadcast channels could shut off their transmitters and go cable and satellite only.

Yep, WCSH6 in HD :) Woot.

I looked at FCC site a couple weeks ago regarding that new encryption proposal, in their latest news, and couldn't find it. Will have to look again. I'd like to write in a few comments. This whole cutting analog, going digital, now asking for all-encryption is flying too much under the radar for my taste. I can only surmise that that is the intent of the providers and that most people who could highlight this in tech news & media, already have a digital box from the cable co or dish provider, so it doesn't apply to them, no news, nothing to report.

Yep, WCSH6 in HD :) Woot.

I looked at FCC site a couple weeks ago regarding that new encryption proposal, in their latest news, and couldn't find it. Will have to look again. I'd like to write in a few comments. This whole cutting analog, going digital, now asking for all-encryption is flying too much under the radar for my taste. I can only surmise that that is the intent of the providers and that most people who could highlight this in tech news & media, already have a digital box from the cable co or dish provider, so it doesn't apply to them, no news, nothing to report.

the link is: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1014/FCC-11-153A1.pdf

Also google these two phrases in quotes:

"Broadcasters Warn Reps of Spectrum Reclamation Border Issues"

"FCC Requests Comments on Scrambling Basic Digital Cable Services"

Clear QAM is toast...and maybe most free over the air broadcast TV. Most people won't find out about this until after its a done deal and approved by the FCC and/or Congress. Money talks in this country.

Excellent, Mister EEE.

Printing said PDF as we speak :)

Just glanced at the digital version and saw they're saying encryption would affect only a minimal # of customers as most already have boxes, bla bla. Of course.

Do you know what the best channel(s) is(are) to comment with/to the FCC?

Thanks!

Excellent, Mister EEE.

Printing said PDF as we speak :)

Just glanced at the digital version and saw they're saying encryption would affect only a minimal # of customers as most already have boxes, bla bla. Of course.

Do you know what the best channel(s) is(are) to comment with/to the FCC?

Thanks!


http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=11-169

Then choose " Submit a Filing in 11-169 " .

I noticed a person named Greg Cunningham already has filed an online complaint.

Anyone know what box TW is using for it's HD DVR? (or the regular HD box for that matter?) I'm trying to get my remote codes in order for my Saturday morning install.


EDIT: This is in the Augusta-Rockland region, FYI.

Something is moving in the greater Augusta area.

Just did a quick check of the analog stations (I primarily watch locals in HD) and found several analog stations to have been taken off the air. Instead of the tv broadcast they display a white background with a message " Get your TV picture back. Order your Digital Adapters today. Time Warner Cable timewarnercable.com/GoDigital 1.855.892.3444 "

I get this for stations 2 15 16 23 24.

Did a channel scan. Analog still the same, though some replaced with the get your box message. Clear QAM seems the same. I think it says 2 extra, but haven't figured them out. Still a few black channels above 100.

Something is moving in the greater Augusta area.

Just did a quick check of the analog stations (I primarily watch locals in HD) and found several analog stations to have been taken off the air. Instead of the tv broadcast they display a white background with a message " Get your TV picture back. Order your Digital Adapters today. Time Warner Cable timewarnercable.com/GoDigital 1.855.892.3444 "

I get this for stations 2 15 16 23 24.

Did a channel scan. Analog still the same, though some replaced with the get your box message. Clear QAM seems the same. I think it says 2 extra, but haven't figured them out. Still a few black channels above 100.

The analog channels still appear on the non - adapter sets at my house, including those listed above. As I have said before, they are just a little grainy for some reason, but they are still there. It will be interesting to see if some people will complain when they do start to go. Some folks never get the message.

This is really getting ridiculous!!

Below is a summary of price changes for some Time Warner Cable services, that will be effective in the December 2011 statement. These new prices reflect our continual investments in making your services more valuable and
reliable, as well as the significantly increased cost of cable programming. If you are currently receiving a promotional discount price for your services, that price will remain in effect for the duration of the promotional period.

Digital Cable 72.99 77.49
Talk & Surf 86.99 89.94
Watch & Talk 114.99 119.49
Watch & Talk Plus 138.99 143.49
Watch & Surf 118.99 125.49
Watch & Surf Plus 141.99 148.49
All The Best 154.99 161.49
All The Best Plus 175.99 182.49
All The Best Premium 193.99 200.49
CableCARD™ 2.50 2.00
DVR Service (primary) 11.95 12.95
DVR Service (additional) 11.95 12.95
Here! TV 6.99 7.99

Back on Sep. 9, I reported that new Cisco HD DVRs were now available in the Comcast Brunswick area system.

Now I can report that a new Cisco HD receiver - specifically the Cisco RNG 150N - is making an appearance. It looks like this:

http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comcastonline2/support/help/faqs/settopboxes/cisco_rng150n.JPG

A User Manual is available here (http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comcastonline2/support/help/faqs/settopboxes/cisco_rng150n_userguide.pdf).

My older SA4250 HD receiver began to exhibit subtle problems which a service technician confirmed on a house visit this AM. He installed the Cisco RNG 150N and the problem went away. It very likely was related to HDMI compatibility.

Dana

TWC is executing a price rate increase effective upcoming December 1st ... highest quality and best value ... continual investment ... services more valuable and reliable ... significantly increased cost of cable programming.

Every package price goes up $5 - $7 /mo.
DVR rental goes up $1 too.
CableCARD down 50c to $2.

Announced in my latest cable bill.

With apologies to you for saying the same thing. Didn't know you had posted it (in more detail than I had time for) I clicked from the forum index to the last thread page and added a quick reply to the thread. Mea culpa.

This is really getting ridiculous!!
Below is a summary of price changes for some Time Warner Cable services, that will be effective in the December 2011 statement. ...

A report here (http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast112311.htm) indicates:

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 23, 2011) -- Comcast has raised its monthly rates for TV and Internet service in Oregon and parts of Washington state, a possible sign that it will raise prices in all markets as well...

OregonLive.com writes that a local cable regulatory official in Oregon called Comcast's rate increase "very unfortunate and regrettable."

In an earlier post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21076065#post21076065), I reported that based on a newspaper story about the annual 5% franchise fee from TWC in Norway-So. Paris, apparently TWC's annual net profit there was a cool $1.6 million from a service area of about 10,000 people.

There is no regulatory influence on these cable operators. They get away with these annual rate increases because we have come to expect them. There is no justification for them other than "increased programming and operational costs" which they jam down the rate-payer's gullet.

Meanwhile, these outfits squander their profits on naming rights for sports stadiums and other ego trips while continuing to provide consumers with HD STBs that are antiques.

Outrageous.

Dana

With the pending price increase with TWC coming next month...............that finally pushed me over the edge.
We bought MagicJack this week for the house phone(that we barely use, but for $20/year we'll keep it going).
And DirecTV is coming Saturday to install the full package in the house.
Anything special I should ask for during the install, or anything I should watch for?

I tried to swap internet over to GWI, but they don't offer service on my road......so we have to stay with Roadrunner for now.

Thanks,

Steve

...
DirecTV is coming Saturday to install the full package in the house.
Anything special I should ask for during the install, or anything I should watch for? ...

Thanks,

Steve

I had DirecTV for several years on Bailey Island. My experience was very positive. Their HD receivers/DVRs are modern and very good. The installers are competent. Enjoy!

Dana

I share your sentiment, and then some.

Between the phone companies, cable companies, cellphone providers and let's not forget the whole health insurance industry ... we can point out a lot of "stuff". The administration, overhead, profit-taking, executive compensation, ... makes my blood boil.

The whole endorsements gig and naming rights thing is completely beyond me. I know it is advertising, corporate sponsoring, ... bla bla. But how ridiculous is it when the name of a stadium when it switches every few years! Just let stadiums carry the name of the town.

" This message is brought to you by Brawndo, the thirst mutilator.
Brawndo, because it has electrolytes. "

;) ... for those who've seen the future in a particular movie

---

By the way. I'm missing more and more analog channels. They're pretty much all gone, save for the locals. So far I have only hooked up one Digital Cable Adapter to a 15" TV that sits besides our big flat screen.

Still pondering how I'm going to restore coverage to all our TVs ... but what I'll probably do is just re-scan digital only, or if the TV doesn't support that manually remove all analogs with the get your signal back banner.

I do wish that TWC would come out now with a locals-only package for $5/mo because that's essentially what I will watch. I just want some local and national news. Add MPBN & Create. ... Maybe I just have to try a big-ass antenna and cut the cord ;)

(wth ... I am logged in, forum shows name on top, when I hit submit it says I'm not logged in ... grumble ... happy turkey day)

DirecTV is installed and working great. Besides being lost with the channels, everything is awesome. It felt good to return my TWC boxes Monday and telling them I'm tired of price increases every other month.

Waiting for MagicJack to port our number over, then I'll be canceling the Digital Phone with TWC as well.

Steve

I do wish that TWC would come out now with a locals-only package for $5/mo because that's essentially what I will watch. I just want some local and national news. Add MPBN & Create. ... Maybe I just have to try a big-ass antenna and cut the cord ;)

Unfortunately you will not get PBS Create with an antenna. MPBN has PBS World as subchannel 10.3 but for some reason does not have PBS Create. Many PBS stations have a both.

BTW, Dish network has a 'Welcome Pack' (http://www.dishnetwork.com/supportsection/channels/packagewelcomepack.aspx) that includes locals in HD and about two dozen cable/satellite channels in SD for $15 a month.

John

Unfortunately you will not get PBS Create with an antenna. MPBN has PBS World as subchannel 10.3 but for some reason does not have PBS Create. Many PBS stations have a both.

BTW, Dish network has a 'Welcome Pack' (http://www.dishnetwork.com/supportsection/channels/packagewelcomepack.aspx) that includes locals in HD and about two dozen cable/satellite channels in SD for $15 a month.

John

WOW, I think I counted about 95 channels on the 'Welcome Pack' list! ........ Looks like icerabbit's troubles are over. .... Television Heaven ....... Even has Angels!

WOW, I think I counted about 95 channels on the 'Welcome Pack' list! ........ Looks like icerabbit's troubles are over. .... Television Heaven ....... Even has Angels!

The one drawback to the Welcome Pack is that you need to purchase your own Dish receiver and install or pay to have someone install your own Dish.

For HD locals and SD satellite the VIP211k is a great choice for about $119. If you also get any USB external hard drive you can turn the 211k into a full fledged DVR. (a one time $40 fee to activate the DVR function but after that no DVR fee, ev-vah). The 1000.4 model Dish is needed to point at the Eastern Arc (61.5, 72.7, & 77).

For SD locals and satellite a model 322 receiver works for about $69. No DVR functions are possible with this receiver. The Dish500 Dish is needed to point at the Western Arc (110 & 119)

The one drawback to the Welcome Pack is that you need to purchase your own Dish receiver and install or pay to have someone install your own Dish.

For HD locals and SD satellite the VIP211k is a great choice for about $119. If you also get any USB external hard drive you can turn the 211k into a full fledged DVR. (a one time $40 fee to activate the DVR function but after that no DVR fee, ev-vah). The 1000.4 model Dish is needed to point at the Eastern Arc (61.5, 72.7, & 77).

For SD locals and satellite a model 322 receiver works for about $69. No DVR functions are possible with this receiver. The Dish500 Dish is needed to point at the Western Arc (110 & 119)

I'm still amazed at all of those top notch channels that the Dish Welcome Pack offers. Can't go wrong with them babies!

I'm still amazed at all of those top notch channels that the Dish Welcome Pack offers. Can't go wrong with them babies!

I hope those are the ones that TWC is shutting down analog cable for. It's definitely worth the sacrifice!

I hope those are the ones that TWC is shutting down analog cable for. It's definitely worth the sacrifice!

Shutting down analog should not be a loss for subscribers. The replacement digital signals simply should not be encrypted. Only analog television sets should require adapters.

As to your actual point, these Dish Welcome channels surely should draw business.