Add Comcast to the list of
providers getting very serious about dumping all those bandwidth hogging analog channels and plans to go all digital in 20% of its markets by year's end, and all by 2010. Of course it will have to provide free digital adapters for analog customers
per the FCC, but by dropping ~70 analog channels, it'll free up enough space for about 150 HD channels (
220 if you don't mind shaving a few bits). We really wonder how well this is going to go over, as we can't expect our mom to give up her simple setup, with super fast changing channels, without a fight. We figure a good percentage of customers will either give up on cable TV completely, while others may finally be
enticed to switch to satellite. But honestly, we're not really that concerned, just so long as providers keep all those
new HD channels coming.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike S @ Jun 19th 2008 10:04AM
Well, if mom switches from cable to sat because of having to have a cable STB at each TV...what's the difference between having to have a cable STB or a sat STB at each TV? None.
The cable install is easier since you don't need an outside dish and cable runs.
Jim Mallory @ Jun 19th 2008 10:15AM
The theory that my friend puts forward is that the analog option is what is keeping people from moving to satellite and if they are going to need a box anyway, they would move to satellite. I don't know how true that is going to be....as I believe the DTAs that Comcast is going to use is supposed to be free...they are not full-feature digital STBs.
Ben @ Jun 19th 2008 10:17AM
The cable runs issue is resolved, the new single wire technology means that sat users can use the existing single wire running inside their house to every TV in the house. You can even run a dual tuner DVR with one wire now.
Obviously the installation of a dish can be a problem. My point is that up until now a big reason why many don't switch is the STB, and now that is going away.
MRCUR @ Jun 19th 2008 10:23AM
@Ben
How is that possible with DirecTV and the new HD channels? I was under the impression that because of how DirecTV operates their satelites and the way the STBs know what channel to tune, using existing wiring wasn't possible. If it actually is, I'd love to know. I'd also love to have DirecTV....
Ben @ Jun 19th 2008 10:24AM
MRCUR,
I'm not sure how it works, but you can read about it here.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/20/directv-hd-now-with-one-wire/
MRCUR @ Jun 19th 2008 10:16AM
Sounds good to me! I'm all for 100% digital, especially because of all the bandwidth it frees up. The HD lineup from Comcast in my area (Central PA) isn't too bad, but I'll always take more HD.
I'm already trying to switch everyone I know and do work for to digital so they don't have to worry once Comcast flips the switch. I'm surprised by how many people I talk to already realize the day is coming, but a lot of them also think the day is coming in Feb since the FCC can't make decent commercials explaining the transition.
Maxx @ Jun 19th 2008 10:18AM
I await the digital shutoff with baited breath as I hope that they use the extra bandwidth to stop putting 3 HD channels where 2 belong. Also perhaps when the masses are watching the HD channels they will complain about the Mpeg-2 commpression boxes on the screen.
MacGuru @ Jun 19th 2008 10:47AM
So Comcast is going to be 100% digital 20% of the time?
Sounds almost like the DirecTV commercial.
Cable sucks.
Big Wizz @ Jun 19th 2008 11:33AM
80% of statistics are right 100% of the time, but only 50% of the time.
hahaha, classic (and I have cable).
Achilles @ Jun 19th 2008 10:47AM
This doesn't make that much sense to me.
"....about 150 HD channels."
The HD channels are originated from the source, not Comcast? And by HD, do they mean stretch-o-vision, aka TBS, USA, TNT, etc?
Ooops, the signal going digital does not = HD channels. My bad.
Zach @ Jun 19th 2008 11:56AM
Sucks most likely it won't be Palm Beach County down in south FL. We're still on Adelphia's crappy old system. It'd be nice to fully switch over to Comcast. Though I did sign up for Directv for my main TV viewing, so I'm pretty happy with that (minus the pricing that could be a bit lower).
Dwight2001 @ Jun 19th 2008 12:19PM
Any word on which markets?
Jim @ Jun 19th 2008 12:45PM
I think this will be ok if they broadcast the current analog channels in clear QAM. That way customers can use the QAM tuner found in most of today's new sets, buy their own QAM tuner, or use one provided by Comcast if they choose.
I'm totally against the current plan to offer only 1 digital STB free of charge, then charging a fee for any additional units. The nice thing about analog cable is that it works with any TV and you can have as many as you want connected. It's not uncommon to have 5-6 or more sets in a typically family household. It's great because even if you have one digital STB on the main TV, all the bedrooms, kitchen, etc. can still be connected to the analog channels. Comcast has to be careful, they could drive away some customers to satellite (if they need to pay for all these additional STB's anyway) or they will cut the cord and just go OTA digital. Many people just have the basic analog cable because of the hassle and pitfalls of trying to pull in a clear analog broadcast. These new 8th-gen digital converters are pretty sweet with their reception capabilities and PQ.
Omegablue14 @ Jun 19th 2008 4:31PM
I got DTV last year and they used my existing lines in the house no problem. They tried to set up my DVR using one line and it worked for 2 digital channels, but if i tried to record and watch 2 hd channels the picture was fuzzy and could not handle it. My house is only 4 years old, so the line in the house is not very old. I would to have a second line ran if i wanted to watch and record 2 hd shows at the same time, but i still have not ran the second line since my house and living room is set up in an odd fashion.
Sean Bramlett @ Jun 20th 2008 3:35PM
I just wanted to comment on this matter, Houston has already gone 100% Digital Simulcast right now, think they will probably shut-down analog tv by year's end here now. Plans here are to have 90 HD Channels by the year end here now. That's not even showcasing what they got going on with Channel 1 On Demand. Looks good so far though.
Let me know if anyone else is seeing channels appearing in digital in their city as well.
stiltskin @ Jun 29th 2008 4:58PM
Channel 1 on demand looks like shit and its dim and dark to look through that fucking ugly guide. Digital totally digital your kidding bullshit the TVs look like shit here.
I have scientific atlanta boxes. The dvr sucks ass
Sean Bramlett @ Jun 29th 2008 7:53PM
I'm not sure where you live at then, because where I live at, all channels here are now fully-digital up here in the woodlands area. They have been for about 2 weeks now. As far as the On-Demand on channel 1, i don't think it looks dim at all.. but if you dont like it, just go to the proper channels starting with 901 and you'll be able to go channel by channel from there to pick from the various content then.
If you got any other questions, you may email me at:
sean3300@comcast.net