Comcast is ending cable without cable box

[JHBrandt]

The basic channels will remain unencrypted.

True. Basic might be very limited. Here in Dallas, Time Warner only gives us local broadcast channels in clear-QAM. On Time Warner in El Paso, however, a whole lot of HD is availabe via QAM without a box.

Ugh. Many of you have already heard, but just in case you haven't: As of Dec. 10, it is now legal for cable companies to encrypt even basic cable channels. If/when TWC does so, you'll have to use a cable box or CableCard to receive any cable TV at all.

 

[fredcantu]

Isn't the first box "free"? I.E. it's included with your subscription.

 

[charles123]

Isn't the first box "free"? I.E. it's included with your subscription.

Nothing's free anymore

 

[JHBrandt]

Isn't the first box "free"? I.E. it's included with your subscription.

When this thread was started, the first two boxes were included with your subscription. But even if that's still the case, some folks have more than two TVs. Clear QAM was a way around for them, but that'll probably disappear from most cable systems soon, and those users will have to pony up for additional boxes and/or CableCards

Oh well, think of it as just another incentive to put up an OTA antenna (even if you keep cable/satellite for the subscription-only channels). Of course, that assumes you're not in a bad OTA reception area

 

[Silkie]

Consider the next step with NBC/Comcast, Verizon, et al:

TV that watches you, no matter what time of the day or night.

http://rt.com/usa/news/verizon-patent-future-television-382/

 

[JHBrandt]

Consider the next step with NBC/Comcast, Verizon, et al:

TV that watches you, no matter what time of the day or night.

http://rt.com/usa/news/verizon-patent-future-television-382/

I love RT. But before we get too panicked, keep in mind that a lot of patents are filed defensively (since the PTO will let just about anyone patent just about anything short of a perpetual-motion machine - there's even been a patent issued for a warp drive a la Star Trek ). Verizon may just be covering their options in case the required A.I. technology comes to fruition in the next decade or so.

Still, if the technology advances enough it wouldn't surprise me at all - if TiVo can make you send them your TV viewing habits just to make their DVR work (even after you've paid them for a lifetime subscription), Verizon could require you to let them watch & listen to you getting it on with your significant other for the same "consideration." But I'd hope customer acceptance might be a pretty big hurdle.

 

[willdav713]

Isn't the first box "free"? I.E. it's included with your subscription.

I can't speak for Comcast, but I can speak for Time Warner, since I have them. I have 1 Digital Adapter (required to watch Channel 6, 17, 18, 21 on the basic tier and CNBC, MTV, ABC Family, and some other channels on the Expanded Tier. ) and the first 2 are at no additional charge until 10-2013.

But here is the kicker even though they advertise this no additional charge, I still get dinged $1.00 per box for A/O Distribution Fee, A/O meaning Additional Outlet. They used to charge that during the Rogers Paragon days for each TV outlet in your house (if you tell them you have more than 1)

I also have a Digital Converter box, and 1 Motorola Box I bought and got a CableCard, however it doesn't work with Time Warner's network, something I am fighting with the FCC since customers can bring their own cable box in to the network that has a CableCard slot per 2011 mandate.

Right now, Time Warner is waiving my $10 set top box fee, because of that issue. Right now, I pay for their CableCard $2.50 which I can't use, and $2 for 1 Digital Tuning Adapter and 1 STA Box Total $4.50 per month instead of $14.50

 

[OldChicago]

First of all, if you want the expanded basic package from Comcast, you can get two DTA converter boxes for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. And extra DTA's beyond that are only $1.99/month each. 8)

I have one of the DTA's hooked up to an old analog set in one of the bedrooms. It gets 96 channels.

BE CAREFUL with those DTV to ANALOG converters. They run very hot, and some have caused fires. In fact, Comcast had a big recall of those things and pulled mine out of service because they have caused some fires. I knew mine was running how, so I stopped using mine even before the recall.

OLD CHICAGO

 

[willdav713]

First of all, if you want the expanded basic package from Comcast, you can get two DTA converter boxes for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. And extra DTA's beyond that are only $1.99/month each. 8)

I have one of the DTA's hooked up to an old analog set in one of the bedrooms. It gets 96 channels.

BE CAREFUL with those DTV to ANALOG converters. They run very hot, and some have caused fires. In fact, Comcast had a big recall of those things and pulled mine out of service because they have caused some fires. I knew mine was running how, so I stopped using mine even before the recall.

OLD CHICAGO

Then they should do either one or two things:

1. decrypt those channels that now require a DTA

or

2. Lease you a set top box (the kind that let's you order PPV) and waive the lease fee for up to 2 TV sets.

If they don't complain to the FCC because you are paying for channels you are supposed to get.

 

[TheRover]

I have Time Warner Cable, and downgraded to no box, Basic + Standard Cable on a Promo Rate.

TWC says the DTA I got will be free until Dec. 2013, then TWC will initially charge only $.99/month.

I got the HD DTA, the Technicolor DCI401n.

http://www.technicolor.com/en/hi/digital-home/mediaplay/cable

I got my Feb. bill, and the DTA is listed as "Digital Adapter 0.00," and, there is a listing for the "Dta Remote 0.00".

That's worrysome, that TWC wants to list the remote separately.

But heck, it's free now, and if TWC falls into their old habits of raising fees, and adding fees, for the DTA, then, that could be the final straw, as I have already downsized.

I've got an antenna (RCA ANT 751R) in the attic, and I get the local channels in HD, if they're broadcaast that way. I also get the sub-channels, some of which, are not carried by TWC. So, I've got my back up plan, which includes what I can watch withe the ROKU 2 XS.

BTY, after the TWC / Comcast territory swap back in '06, TWC steadily raised the fees for Basic Cable (without a box), from $12.00, incrementally up to $19.00, then $22, then $25, and now, starting in Feb.... $28/mo for Basic Cable.

What a Long Strange trip it's been . . . . .

 

[willdav713]

I have Time Warner Cable, and downgraded to no box, Basic + Standard Cable on a Promo Rate.

TWC says the DTA I got will be free until Dec. 2013, then TWC will initially charge only $.99/month.

I got the HD DTA, the Technicolor DCI401n.

http://www.technicolor.com/en/hi/digital-home/mediaplay/cable

I got my Feb. bill, and the DTA is listed as "Digital Adapter 0.00," and, there is a listing for the "Dta Remote 0.00".

That's worrysome, that TWC wants to list the remote separately.

But heck, it's free now, and if TWC falls into their old habits of raising fees, and adding fees, for the DTA, then, that could be the final straw, as I have already downsized.

I've got an antenna (RCA ANT 751R) in the attic, and I get the local channels in HD, if they're broadcaast that way. I also get the sub-channels, some of which, are not carried by TWC. So, I've got my back up plan, which includes what I can watch withe the ROKU 2 XS.

BTY, after the TWC / Comcast territory swap back in '06, TWC steadily raised the fees for Basic Cable (without a box), from $12.00, incrementally up to $19.00, then $22, then $25, and now, starting in Feb.... $28/mo for Basic Cable.

What a Long Strange trip it's been . . . . .

I am charged $1.00 for A/O Distribution fee. You must only have 1 DTA, They said up to 2 were free until November 2013 after that .99 each box.

They have that line item for the remote for mine as well. Of, course I could return the remote to them, and use a universal one, or the same remote that I use for my HD Digital Converter (aka the $10 box)

 

[JHBrandt]

Consider the next step with NBC/Comcast, Verizon, et al:

TV that watches you, no matter what time of the day or night.

http://rt.com/usa/news/verizon-patent-future-television-382/

I love RT. But before we get too panicked, keep in mind that a lot of patents are filed defensively (since the PTO will let just about anyone patent just about anything short of a perpetual-motion machine - there's even been a patent issued for a warp drive a la Star Trek ). Verizon may just be covering their options in case the required A.I. technology comes to fruition in the next decade or so.

Still, if the technology advances enough it wouldn't surprise me at all - if TiVo can make you send them your TV viewing habits just to make their DVR work (even after you've paid them for a lifetime subscription), Verizon could require you to let them watch & listen to you getting it on with your significant other for the same "consideration." But I'd hope customer acceptance might be a pretty big hurdle.

Update: perhaps it's Micro$oft and their "Kinect," not Verizon, that we should be worried about: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xboxone/what-it-does

 

[JHBrandt]

Isn't the first box "free"? I.E. it's included with your subscription.

When this thread was started, the first two boxes were included with your subscription. But even if that's still the case, some folks have more than two TVs. Clear QAM was a way around for them, but that'll probably disappear from most cable systems soon, and those users will have to pony up for additional boxes and/or CableCards

Oh well, think of it as just another incentive to put up an OTA antenna (even if you keep cable/satellite for the subscription-only channels). Of course, that assumes you're not in a bad OTA reception area

Has Comcast followed through and encrypted all basic channels in Houston yet - even the ones you can get OTA for free? They reportedly have done so in Minneapolis (although they still have some analog channels there).

 

[KTN Corp]

Has Comcast followed through and encrypted all basic channels in Houston yet - even the ones you can get OTA for free? They reportedly have done so in Minneapolis (although they still have some analog channels there).

I tried to use the QAM for the new bedroom TV but the channel mapping was a little off, so I went back to to my Winegard Flatwave that I bought back in February when I was considering going OTA-only with the big-screen.

 

[JHBrandt]

In Peoria Illinois - an AVSForum user posted that he got a letter from Comcast saying all channels there will be scrambled on July 9th. Comcast Houston will probably follow suit at some point, but it's good to know that (at least for now) they still have (some) clear QAM channels. Thanks.