[opendtv] Re: DTV awareness

  • From: John Willkie <johnwillkie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 13:31:39 -0700 (GMT-07:00)

gee, it must be a personal problem, since I provided the FCC record citation 
for such a requirment here last week, and since I mentioned that this was 
actually addressed in the Copyright report.  I won't say on which page, however.

John Willkie

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Jul 7, 2008 10:21 AM
>To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [opendtv] Re: DTV awareness
>
>Tom Barry wrote:
>
>> This is usually not true, at least most places. In Jax I rented
>> the HD STB from Comcast without subscribing to digital cable.
>> Here in Gainesville on Cox I also take advantage of the Cox
>> network HD shows using limited basic and my QAM cable ready PC
>> and/or TV. I'm not even sure the cable companies are allowed to
>> require digital TV subscriptions for the HD versions of the OTA
>> networks.
>
>As far as I've been able to determine, the ONLY requirement cable
>companies have is that they have to provide the OTA channels in their
>basic tier, and that they have to make these available to their analog
>subscribers through 2012. This can be either via an analog tier, or via
>a converter box of their own (i.e. not like the CECB, and you get no
>govt assistance for the cable converter).
>
>I have not been able to find where cable companies MUST provide certain
>channels as clear QAM, let alone HD as clear QAM. Although our local
>cable companies do offer the local stations, HD and multicasts, as clear
>QAM. They probably do this to reduce the number of STBs they have to
>make available for basic tier customers?
>
>Here's what the FCC has to say:
>
>http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvcable.html
>
>"... If your cable company decides to move 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. This may include 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, and digital cable
>equipment is not eligible for the $40 coupons. 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."
>
>Sounds to me like all of this clear QAM stuff is purely voluntary.
>Notice the "may" in, "If you have a digital TV, you may be able to view
>broadcast stations through your cable system without additional
>equipment."
>
>Bert
> 
> 
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