[opendtv] Re: Will Digital Passthru Effect Digital Tier Subscription?



johnwillkie wrote:
> Simple, declarative sentences move balls and score points.  The passive
> voice is often a way to ask a question but making it seem as a statement;
> it's a way of cloaking.
Probably all true as far as respected style in our culture. I think it reflects the military philosophy of "stand up and be a man", standing erect, sticking your chest out assertively, and generally stating you are willing to fight to show you are a dominant alpha male primate.
Facts are stated with assured confidence and the threat of retaliation if challenged.
And that is all well and good. However there is also wisdom of "choose your battles wisely". In casual conversation I feel it is sometimes better to state things softly and only be willing to fight over the important issues. Sorry if this annoys you to the extent you feel I must be trained in a different mode. Try not to feel embarrassed for me since I choose to do it on purpose and feel it works for me. 

Rest assured I can defend myself as needed, in my own style.

- Tom



Cable cannot encrypt broadcast signals under current laws and regulations,
but some are reserving this "right" in retrans negotiations.

Broadcasters can encrypt their signals.  So, combine a broadcaster
encrypting all but their main video program with the "hoped" requirement for
cable to carry the entire transport stream. 
Now, have the broadcasters work together in one or more markets to use this
ability to create a package of premium services that are available in
broadcast-only and cabled homes.

Passive voice doesn't convey information, just attitude.  When reporters say
"observers noted" they mean "my friends, fellow reporters and other drinking
buddies".

Simple, declarative sentences move balls and score points.  The passive
voice is often a way to ask a question but making it seem as a statement;
it's a way of cloaking. 
 See: Strunk and White (actually Strunk as modified by White) "Elements of
Style."  And, Zinsser "On Writing Well."

John Willkie

-----Mensaje original-----
De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En
nombre de Tom Barry
Enviado el: Sunday, July 29, 2007 5:12 PM
Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: [opendtv] Re: Will Digital Passthru Effect Digital Tier
Subscription?
I think your message got lost in all the shouting. Are you suggesting the broadcast station will probably be encrypted on cable? Or no? 

 > Just in case you forgot, a "digital" broadcast station can carry multiple
 > virtual channels., only one of which has ever been in the clear.
And what are you trying to say here? Obviously many/most broadcast stations with sub-channels are currently sending them in the clear OTA.
Finally, why do you go so berserk when presented with any communication in any 'passive' form? 

- Tom


johnwillkie wrote:


"The FCC has made noises"?

Tom, that's called the "passive voice."  It means that you are trying to
cover up for your lack of knowledge.  In other words, you comment on


things


of which you are ignorant.

The FCC HAS NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS!  AND, THE FCC HAS NEVER SAID


ANYTHING


OF IMPORTANCE ABOUT THIS!  They certainly have NEVER said ANYTHING that
would lead any REASONABLE person to even have a HINT that the FCC


"expects"


"the" "broadcast stations" will be unencrypted.

The Com Act amendments REQUIRES broadcasters, AS A CONDITION OF GRANT (OR
RENEWAL) of their digital license to provide at least one program service


in


the clear.

(This area is the high ground, never mentioned elsewhere, on the
full-transport stream carriage battle.  By requiring the cable firms to
carry encrypted content, broadcasters can enter the premium content
business.)

Just in case you forgot, a "digital" broadcast station can carry multiple
virtual channels., only one of which has ever been in the clear.

And, let me put something to rest.  Nobody in the U.S. broadcast industry
that I've ever talked to has ever expressed even a HINT of a MERE interest
in transmitting Conditional Access restriction and entitlement messages.
(This is something that, if offiered, will have to be transmitted by or in
coordination with a PSIP generator.

I've spent considerable time in being able to generate and stream CA
packets.  All for naught.  But that's okay, at some point, somebody will
want it, but I don't think the first user will be in the U.S.

John Willkie

-----Mensaje original-----
De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En
nombre de Tom Barry
Enviado el: Sunday, July 29, 2007 7:29 AM
Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: [opendtv] Re: Will Digital Passthru Effect Digital Tier
Subscription?
The FCC has made noises in the past they expect the broadcast stations will be unencrypted when carried digitally on cable and, for the most part, this is how the cablecos are carrying them. And if QAM ready TV's become more common it will be even harder to this to change.
Of course personally I CAN manage to get decent OTA HD. It's just a bit more work and I would probably set up a second rooftop antenna rather than relying on my rotor. But as long as it is only a very few dollars / month for mostly reliable QAM cable HD to my PC without a digital cable subscription I would still prefer the basic cable route, with fewer drop-outs. 

- Tom

Craig Birkmaier wrote:



At 8:32 PM -0400 7/27/07, Tom Barry wrote:
How do you mean the digital tier? Usually that costs extra money and may include a lot of encrypted channels. OTOH the broadcast stations could also be sent digitally but unencrypted so at least digital QAM ready TV's and equipment could get them without either extra fees or cable cards. (once you get the TV) 



Sorry Tom, but those days are over.

YOU Vill PAY for broadcast stations, just like you pay for everything


else!
It might be interesting if the cable industry said it would pull the plug on the analog broadcast channels unless the broadcasters rescind their Retrans Consent demands. Then they could justify only paying for the subscribers who pay for the digital tier with the networks... 

Regards
Craig


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