Digital TV Transition Question

[Kenoman]

I read an article in this mornings paper concerning the change from analog signals that will take place next year. It explained how one woman was told by her cable company that she would need to rent a convertor box for each one of the tv's in her house.That got me wondering as to how that would affect me a Time Warner customer. I went to the Time Warner website but they really skirted around that particular question. So I'm asking, does anyone know if this is true? Will we be able to receive our channels by just hooking the cable up to the tv as we do now?

[Jimboy]

I read an article in this mornings paper concerning the change from analog signals that will take place next year. It explained how one woman was told by her cable company that she would need to rent a convertor box for each one of the tv's in her house.That got me wondering as to how that would affect me a Time Warner customer. I went to the Time Warner website but they really skirted around that particular question. So I'm asking, does anyone know if this is true? Will we be able to receive our channels by just hooking the cable up to the tv as we do now?

The Digital Transition refers to Over The Air broadcast stations only. Shutting off the analog channels and only Broadcasting on digital. As far as I know cable will continue to carry an analog tier that can be connected directly to your analog set for some time. I've heard that the year 2012 "may" be a transition for cable to turn off their analog tier and offer only digital services. Some cable "markets" have already done this.  At that time you would be required to get a box for each tv needing one.  I wouldn't worry about yet.

http://broadcastengineering.com/newsrooms/fcc-rules-local-tv-analog-cable/?r=4

[LoadStar]

I read an article in this mornings paper concerning the change from analog signals that will take place next year. It explained how one woman was told by her cable company that she would need to rent a convertor box for each one of the tv's in her house.That got me wondering as to how that would affect me a Time Warner customer. I went to the Time Warner website but they really skirted around that particular question. So I'm asking, does anyone know if this is true? Will we be able to receive our channels by just hooking the cable up to the tv as we do now?

I actually thought Time Warner's webpage on the topic was fairly clear.

What they say:

What does the Digital Transition (DTV) mean for Basic Cable customers?
Relax. Time Warner Cable has you covered! As long as your televisions are connected to Time Warner Cable service, you’ll continue to enjoy all your favorite channels and shows after the Digital Transition (DTV). Since you are a Basic Cable subscriber, our Digital Cable service is NOT required for the Digital Transition (DTV), but now may be a good time to think about upgrading.

In other words, no, digital cable is NOT required.

However: some other cable providers have decided to go "digital only." Those carriers provide cable boxes for all of their customers. Time Warner has not announced any intention of doing so, but if they do, I'm sure they'll make it well known to their subscribers well in advance.

[picopir8]

As far as cable companies go there are two ways of thinking.
1)People who get over the air TV now are forced to get a converter box or switch, so if the cable company keeps analog cable (which does not require a converter box) then they might have the edge on louring in some new customers.
2) If the cable company switches to digital only at the same time as the OTA switchover, then they will be able to make more money because there will be more box rentals and while some customers will be ticked off, they will be less likely to drop cable for OTA because that will require a box as well.

[Kenoman]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm just trying to over read somethings. That's what is so great about this forum. You get answers,

[gparris]

TWC in NYC is going all-digital, starting in Staten Island, NYC, moving to the other "boroughs" of the city.
Comcast is pushing more towards all-digital delivery, too, but it is my understanding the first one or two convertor boxes required (for access to previously analogue only channels) are included at no extra charge in those areas affected.
Freeing up the 70 or so analogue channels in our current TWC system would allow, I have read (and understand), add the ability for 140 HD channels, no need for switched digital video or MPEG4 changeovers (like satellite companies use).
Other methods allow for all digital delivery with a swapover box at the house to make it analogue for those TV affected (no box per set), HD boxes still capable otherwise, but this has not been popular with cablecos.
I don't know much about DOCSIS 3.0, but that may assist in allowing a much larger HD channel capability, leaving the analogue sets alone with their bandwidth-eating capacity.

[mhz40]

I wonder about multicasting OTA... I'm ass-u-ming the $40 converters will not down convert HD.  If so, is there is no alternative for OTA other than multicasting HD & SD once analog goes away?

[Bebop]

The point of the box is to down covert HD TV.

[kevbeck122]

They do downconvert and crop HD into a 4:3 picture.  I've only used a Magnovox branded one and it didn't seem like there was any way around the cropping (sides are cut off of an HD source).

[jkane]

I've heard that the year 2012 "may" be a transition for cable to turn off their analog tier and offer only digital services.

2012!  It's all coming true.  The cable companies are going to bring about the downfall of the human race.  :rof:

http://survive2012.com/

[rwelniak]

Started doing some research after trying my new converter box at my cottage in Mountain, WI.  With a 10 ft. boom antenna, 25 ft. mast I was down to one channel after 5-6 before and often Milwaukee VHF stations with atmospheric skip.  Take a good read of the following press release from last week:


Over Half of Over-the-Air Households Located in Challenging Digital TV Reception Areas



New Centris Study Reveals National Impact of Digital TV Signal Reception "Gaps"



   NEW YORK, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- New proprietary research released today by Centris (//www.centris.com), the leading media market research firm, reveals that 9.2 million U.S. households could experience receptivity problems with digital TV signal coverage in the upcoming DTV transition on February 17, 2009.  According to Centris, there are more than 17 million households currently receiving only over-the-air (OTA) analog signals in the U.S., of which 54% are located in challenging reception areas.  The study provides the first in-depth look on a national level at the scale of the issue, and identifies the top ten cities in the country that have the most consumers at-risk. The discovery of potential receptivity "gaps" in digital TV signal coverage was revealed in an earlier Centris study released in February and generated national dialogue on the issue.
   "We have completed an analysis of the entire country to identify where in each market the receptivity gaps exist and now have exact figures for the number of at-risk households down to individual census block groups," says David Klein, Executive Vice President of Centris.  "The statistics suggest that digital TV signal coverage will be significantly more limited than currently anticipated and further reinforce the need for industry and consumer education on this issue," he adds.

   Increased risk in receptivity in regional markets depends on the local terrain, distance from towers, and the sensitivity of the consumer's existing home antenna.  "Challenging reception" in this context refers to consumers that receive only four or fewer broadcast TV stations if they only have a small or medium omnidirectional rooftop antenna or if they have an indoor antenna.  In addressing the range of reception problems, Centris forecasts that 24% of consumers in difficult reception areas who only have an indoor antenna or a small or medium omnidirectional antenna will receive no channels, and a further 10% will receive only 1 channel.


   The findings mean that consumers who wish to remain OTA and continue to receive "free TV" may have to consider upgrading existing indoor or roof-top TV antennas to a more sensitive model in order to receive a satisfactory number of broadcast stations.  Some over-the-air consumers who wish to buy a digital-analog converter box for use with their analog TVs may also have to consider an antenna upgrade.  Similarly, consumers who are replacing an analog TV with a new digital TV may also have to contemplate obtaining a more sensitive antenna.

   The study also identifies the top ten most at-risk TV markets in the U.S., which account for 2 million of the over-the-air households in challenging reception areas, as follows:



AT-RISK U.S. TV MARKETS (Ranked highest-lowest by No. of at-risk OTA households)



   1.  New York

   2.  Boston (Manchester)

   3.  Philadelphia

   4.  Los Angeles

   5.  Washington, DC (Hagerstown)

   6.  Seattle-Tacoma

   7.  San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose

   8.  Minneapolis-St. Paul

   9.  Atlanta

   10. Cleveland-Akron (Canton)





   "It should be noted that these estimates are conservative as the model used in the Centris study assumes that all consumers have roof-top antennas.  In fact, the Centris survey reveals that 75% or more of over-the-air households have only set-top antennas or 'rabbit ears' as they are commonly known," says Barry Goodstadt, Senior Vice President of Centris.
   The release of this new study further highlights the need to increase dialogue on the national, regional, local and neighborhood level with regard to the issue of digital TV receptivity and the need for consumers to consider their transition options and potential antenna upgrades.  Digital receptivity challenges remain a local issue that need to be addressed on a local level among all segments of the television industry including broadcasters, multichannel providers, advertisers, associations, equipment manufacturers and retailers.

   "To ensure a smooth transition and avoid the potential pitfalls of the digital TV transition, key players in the industry need to be armed with this information in order to make strategic business decisions and properly educate consumers," says David Klein, Executive Vice President of Centris.



   About Centris

   Centris is a leading market research and information company with expertise in media, entertainment, communications and technology, based in Fort Washington, PA.  Serving as both a research resource and an analytical engine, Centris is the only firm that continuously tracks household information on broad entertainment, communications and information products and services.  For more information, visit //www.centris.com.

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[jkane]

Started doing some research after trying my new converter box at my cottage in Mountain, WI.  

Mountain?  Mountian!?  There is technology such as TV in Mountain right now?  {glug}

There is the School House Inn, and the Bear Resteraunt.  I think there is a liquor store and a gas station, but they may be out of town.

What they do have is a fantastic ATV trail.  The pipeline is a lot of fun.  Who needs TV when you can have real high definition fun.  :-)

[flash]

I hope that more people purchase a TV that has the digital tuner built in so it will give the cable companies some competition because competition will help the consumer in the end run. (At least it usually does with the exception of TWC.:bang: )

[Gilbert]

I hope that more people purchase a TV that has the digital tuner built in so it will give the cable companies some competition because competition will help the consumer in the end run. (At least it usually does with the exception of TWC.:bang: )

LOL! Yep, Television Without Channels needs another kick to get you guys more HD. I still can't figure out why Milwaukee doesn't want to upgrade their plant...:huh?:

[Irish]

I hope that more people purchase a TV that has the digital tuner built in so it will give the cable companies some competition because competition will help the consumer in the end run. (At least it usually does with the exception of TWC.:bang: )

Well, it should be easy now. All new TVs manufactured and sold since a year ago are required to have the ability to pick up digital signals. Older sets still in stores that are analog-only are required to be labeled as such. The FCC has been very strict on the labeling issue.

Many of the big box retailers are currently only selling DTV units.