Quote:
Originally Posted by Qixotl 
Just saw that notice myself. This system seems very appropriate for SDV, but I never imagined that they would implement it here this soon. The changeover deadline seems to be way too quick to fully inform Tivo owners to pick up a converter box at the Newtown office (and many will need installation help too), so I can see the switchover date being delayed or possibly we will see a slow gradual migration of channels to SDV delivery to minimize the initial angry phone call barrage. I wonder if they will strip a few more analog channels off of the expanded basic package at the same time.
Just saw that notice myself. This system seems very appropriate for SDV, but I never imagined that they would implement it here this soon. The changeover deadline seems to be way too quick to fully inform Tivo owners to pick up a converter box at the Newtown office (and many will need installation help too), so I can see the switchover date being delayed or possibly we will see a slow gradual migration of channels to SDV delivery to minimize the initial angry phone call barrage. I wonder if they will strip a few more analog channels off of the expanded basic package at the same time.
Typically channels that are added to SDV are lesser watched channels. Since SDV involves setting a limit to the number of people in a given area that can access channels at the same time, it's unlikely you'll see high profile channels in basic and expanded channels be given the SDV treatment. There's a law of diminishing returns with SDV, if you give a channel too many 'slots' you might as well just send it out via normal distribution.
My guess is that you'll see things like the sports packages (MLB extra innings, Center Ice and ESPN Gameplan) be moved to SDV first since the number of subscribers on the system is far less than other channels. After that, I'd look for them to move some of the premiums, foreign language packages (if they even have that) or possibly the expanded HD tier. Any of those changes would clear up more bandwidth to offer new HD channels via regular distribution.
Consequently, if the number of cablecard users is as small as they're saying, then the number of those customers who order those packages is in all likelyhood even smaller so getting the Tivo adapters out shouldn't be too difficult for that timeframe.
Edit: Charter's own website seems to imply that all encrytped digital channels are sent via SDV in areas where it's available. That's really aggressive but would open up tons of space.
http://www.charter.com/customers/sup...articleid=1868
