I wonder how long before Comcast drops most analog channels?

[mwplefty]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

OK, I found out that comcast is supposed to be canning most analog delivery sometime in March. The only channels that will continue to be sent in an analog format will be channels 2-12. Anything above channel 12 will require a digital box. Since 2-12 will still be analog, I'll still be able to use the VHF rotary tuner in my old TV's. Of course, I'm sure even those channels will eventually be converted to digital only.

For what reason? I'm sorry but I don't buy the "it's saving us A LOT of money" as an excuse to make these sudden DTV/Cable TV transitions. Back in 2008, most phone companies discontinued analog even though close to 1 million people still used analog phones, such as the old car corded phones or any cell phone created before 1998. They were basically told to spend more money on a new digital cell phone. In all honesty, people should not be forced to conform to progression in technology. It's nice to see that we still have forums like this to keep at least some of the past alive.

[matt_s78mn]

Originally Posted by mwplefty

For what reason? I'm sorry but I don't buy the "it's saving us A LOT of money" as an excuse to make these sudden DTV/Cable TV transitions.

Because the cable companies are dealing with a limited amount of bandwidth. They want to offer more services, yet with analog video still around, it's taking up prime real estate that could be used to better serve their customers. A standard analog cable channel is 6MHz wide, the digital version will take up much less space, so with digital they can "cram more stuff down the pipe."

[radiotvnut]

I talked to a cable installer and he told me another reason for the switch was to try and cut down on cable theft. Those boxes have to be activated by the cable company for the level of service that the customer is to receive. So, it will no longer be possible for a crook to climb the light pole, attach a cable, and watch free TV.

Back around '89, I knew this guy who, in the middle of the night, climbed the pole and connected his line to the cable feed. To top it off, he found a cable descrambler box and he was watching everything offered - for free. I was only about 12 at the time; but, I still thought he'd lost his mind and I told him so. I think the cable company finally caught up with him.

[mwplefty]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I talked to a cable installer and he told me another reason for the switch was to try and cut down on cable theft. Those boxes have to be activated by the cable company for the level of service that the customer is to receive. So, it will no longer be possible for a crook to climb the light pole, attach a cable, and watch free TV.

Back around '89, I knew this guy who, in the middle of the night, climbed the pole and connected his line to the cable feed. To top it off, he found a cable descrambler box and he was watching everything offered - for free. I was only about 12 at the time; but, I still thought he'd lost his mind and I told him so. I think the cable company finally caught up with him.

It's funny that you mention that. My friend's uncle used to steal his neighbor's cable all the time because he as a construction worker for houses he knew the exact wiring of a cable line. Therefore, he often climbed to the roof and "re-arranged" the cables. He got caught several times but hasn't been fined or anything.

[radiotvnut]

I also remember when cable companies would install a trap in the cable line to prevent the customer from watching channels above a certain number. Sometimes, the cable company would install the trap right where the cable enters the house and the customer would bypass the trap. I remember one man telling me that his Mother was in a nursing home and the cable company had the trap connected right at the back of the TV. So, he simply removed the trap and his Mother was able to watch all the cable channels. With the digital boxes, that sort of activity will cease.

I've also heard stories of people sliding a piece of aluminum foil over the cable line in order to receive HBO. I think this was back in the early to mid '80's. I remember HBO being on channel 4 and both picture and sound were scrambled. On the other premium channels, which were on the higher channels, the audio was OK; but, the picture was scrambled. They eventually moved all premium channels to digital; so, one would have to obtain (as in, pay for) a digital box in order to get the premium channels.

Another guy told me that he used two TV's in order to watch a PPV channel. He claimed he could fine tune the audio in on one TV and fine tune the picture in on the other TV.

[mwplefty]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I also remember when cable companies would install a trap in the cable line to prevent the customer from watching channels above a certain number. Sometimes, the cable company would install the trap right where the cable enters the house and the customer would bypass the trap. I remember one man telling me that his Mother was in a nursing home and the cable company had the trap connected right at the back of the TV. So, he simply removed the trap and his Mother was able to watch all the cable channels. With the digital boxes, that sort of activity will cease.

I've also heard stories of people sliding a piece of aluminum foil over the cable line in order to receive HBO. I think this was back in the early to mid '80's. I remember HBO being on channel 4 and both picture and sound were scrambled. On the other premium channels, which were on the higher channels, the audio was OK; but, the picture was scrambled. They eventually moved all premium channels to digital; so, one would have to obtain (as in, pay for) a digital box in order to get the premium channels.

Another guy told me that he used two TV's in order to watch a PPV channel. He claimed he could fine tune the audio in on one TV and fine tune the picture in on the other TV.

And all that fun will end when the transition to digital is complete.

[radiotvnut]

Now, what to do with all of those analog cable boxes that I have kicking around? I guess they will be totally worthless after the digital cable switch. The only old analog box that I may hang on to is a 37 channel Jerrold non-remote box from the late '70's-early '80's. This box has a row of "clicker" buttons and a three position toggle switch to select the desired channel band. I don't think I've actually seen one of these boxes in use since the mid '80's. By that time, the cable company was using remote controlled boxes that had digital LED displays. These boxes would turn the TV on and off with the remote and a few of them would even control the volume with the remote.

[Jeffhs]

Originally Posted by mwplefty

And all that fun will end when the transition to digital is complete.

The digital transition is complete, and has been since mid-June 2009, as far as the nation's full-power TV stations are concerned; however, I'm sure what you are referring to is the conversion of analog cable systems to 100 percent digital. Time Warner Cable, the cable operator in my area near Cleveland, converted every system in its coverage area (northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania) to digital several years ago, so now if anyone wants more than local digital TV they have to rent a converter box, or get expanded basic service; the latter is still available without a box, but for how much longer is anyone's guess. (For basic service I do not use a box; I simply have the cable connected more or less directly to my TV.) I had full digital cable for about five years and liked it, a lot. I'd probably still have it today if the rates hadn't gone through the ceiling. I live on a fixed income (disability) and cannot afford DTV at this time, which is one of two reasons I still have CRT TVs in my apartment. The other reason I do not yet have a FP TV (and do not expect to get one any time soon) is that the lesser-known (and cheaper) brands do not last very long, and the best brands are too darn expensive. If and when Panasonic's Viera line of flat panels becomes truly affordable for people such as myself, I may consider getting one, but for the time being I will stay with my old reliable CRT sets.

[radiotvnut]

Well, it finally happened. Comcast kept telling everyone that they would have to have a digital device by 3/26. 3/26 rolled around and nothing happened. Then, I heard that 4/6 was the new date. Again, nothing happened. Today, I connected a BPC 13" set to the cable so that I could program it's channels into memory. With the TV connected directly to cable, it would only receive channels 2-12. Then, I checked the kitchen TV, which is also directly connected to cable, and it would also not receive anything above 12.

I'm glad they at least left 2-12 in analog. That way, I can still use the rotary tuner in a TV and I will at least have some sort of signal, without having to hook up a box, for quickly checking out a TV.

[mwplefty]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Well, it finally happened. Comcast kept telling everyone that they would have to have a digital device by 3/26. 3/26 rolled around and nothing happened. Then, I heard that 4/6 was the new date. Again, nothing happened. Today, I connected a BPC 13" set to the cable so that I could program it's channels into memory. With the TV connected directly to cable, it would only receive channels 2-12. Then, I checked the kitchen TV, which is also directly connected to cable, and it would also not receive anything above 12.

I'm glad they at least left 2-12 in analog. That way, I can still use the rotary tuner in a TV and I will at least have some sort of signal, without having to hook up a box, for quickly checking out a TV.

Offering channels 2-12 is the bare minimum for cable companies until 2012 when they will unfortunately be allowed to fully transition to digital.

[mbates14]

I remember the old days of analog TV hacking. hehe. the traps, filters, etc...

It wont go away with digital, you just need a better hacker/skills.