TWC Letter

[greenskingIV]

I got a dreaded letter from TW telling me my cable card will no longer be able to tune in a number of channels starting July 30th if I don't get a box. TW says they are rolling out Switched Digital Video and they don't have a Tuning Adapter to offer but hope to have one later this year. Yeah like that is going to happen. So without a cable box I will no longer be able to view ESPN2 HD, Fox Sports HD, Universal HD, TBS HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, Discovery HD Theatre, A&E HD, MOJO, HD NET, HD Net Movies. This is nice real nice.

[brewtownska]

Maybe you can convince them to give you a box for the same price you're currently paying for your cable card.  Unless your issue is not wanting a box, period.

[kevbeck122]

So when this "tuning adapter" comes out, they'll charge you 5 dollars a month for that in addition to the 3 for the cablecard... that's my guess .  At this point I've only heard of a USB device for the Tivo Series 3/HD that will allow for SDV channels to be viewed.

[LoadStar]

So when this "tuning adapter" comes out, they'll charge you 5 dollars a month for that in addition to the 3 for the cablecard... that's my guess .  At this point I've only heard of a USB device for the Tivo Series 3/HD that will allow for SDV channels to be viewed.

Correct, that's the tuning adapter.

So far, the only cablecard device that I know of that is compatible with the tuning adapter is TiVo.

[gparris]

Quote: "So without a cable box I will no longer be able to view ESPN2 HD, Fox Sports HD, Universal HD, TBS HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, Discovery HD Theatre, A&E HD, MOJO, HD NET, HD Net Movies"
Yuck - these are all going to be switched?

Am I to assume that TWC is going to let these be switched, all of which are part of the HD package (4 of them) with the possibility that I could be switched off during watching or even recording by some oddball channel because TWC doesn't have the backbone to transfer a few more analogue channels to digital?

If TWC locally doesn't do SDV right, I could lose out on the very HD channels I enjoy, including HGTVHD...that will stink worse than Navigator in an HDC box!

[Jack 1000]

Quote: "So without a cable box I will no longer be able to view ESPN2 HD, Fox Sports HD, Universal HD, TBS HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, Discovery HD Theatre, A&E HD, MOJO, HD NET, HD Net Movies"
Yuck - these are all going to be switched?

Am I to assume that TWC is going to let these be switched, all of which are part of the HD package (4 of them) with the possibility that I could be switched off during watching or even recording by some oddball channel because TWC doesn't have the backbone to transfer a few more analogue channels to digital?

If TWC locally doesn't do SDV right, I could lose out on the very HD channels I enjoy, including HGTVHD...that will stink worse than Navigator in an HDC box!

Looks like TWC wants people to rent a wonderful, reliable, Navigator C box?:rof:   That'll make things a whole lot better. :rof:   They better make sure SDV works before they screw around with moving channels.

Jack

[Talos4]

I still really believe TWC doesn't care about it's customers.

I haven't been a TWC TV customer for over 10 years, the exception being  RR & VOIP, and even that causes me some consternation. (billing issues)

One of my Brother in laws has recently jumped the TWC ship over to D* using the referal progarm through me. Thanks!

The reason?  the WAF.

She absolutley could not stand the new navigator. She found it too much hassle to find her shows and then record them.

One visit to my house and looking at our system sold her. One or two button push to record a program or series, easier search for shows, easier to play her recorded shows etc, etc.

In their house if she can't watch her cooking and decorating shows when she wants, the whole house is unhappy.

[tencom]

It"s to bad that people who want more "High Defintion Channels" have to spoil it for everbody else and can't wait to 2012, when all channels have to be in the digital mode where TIME-WARNER would have enough bandwidth and could offer over 220 channels of High Definition programming. There must be to many variables in there inferstructure, that makes it very diffucult to get navigator software to perform to everyones satisfaction. And now TWC subscribers will have to cover some of the fixed costs associated with lost subscribers from TWC.

[LoadStar]

It"s to bad that people who want more "High Defintion Channels" have to spoil it for everbody else and can't wait to 2012, when all channels have to be in the digital mode where TIME-WARNER would have enough bandwidth and could offer over 220 channels of High Definition programming. There must be to many variables in there inferstructure, that makes it very diffucult to get navigator software to perform to everyones satisfaction. And now TWC subscribers will have to cover some of the fixed costs associated with lost subscribers from TWC.

Interesting perspective, I must say. It's rare that there is someone who actually is asking for FEWER high definition channels.

By the way: you are incorrect about 2012. There is no requirement that "all" channels have to be in digital by 2012. In fact, there is absolutely no requirement that all channels have to be in digital, ever. What you may be thinking about is a recent ruling that cable companies have to provide broadcast channels in analog until at least 2012, or as long as they provide analog cable service. If TWC wanted, they could continue offering analog service well past 2012. Do I see that happening? I doubt it, but it's possible. (It's also possible that TWC decides to cut off analog service completely and require everyone to have a cable box. I don't see that happening either.)

On another note, I'd argue that cable card customers make up a very small minority of TWC's customers - probably a number that is so insignificant that even if every one of them left as a result of this, there still would be no substantial impact on TWC's financial bottom line. At this point, I believe the vast majority of TWC's customers are still analog only customers. The next largest percentage are digital customers with an addressable cable box. I don't blame TWC for choosing to temporarily "hurt" the small segment who use cable cards, in the interest of activating SDV, and enabling the ability to deliver more digital and high definition channels.

[wireblsam]

I got a dreaded letter from TW telling me my cable card will no longer be able to tune in a number of channels starting July 30th if I don't get a box. TW says they are rolling out Switched Digital Video...

I guess that means on August 1st we'll all be getting those 30 HD channels we've been missing.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm not holding my breath on this one.

[OlsonNet]

I also got the letter today. Very unhappy with this. I'd have no problem using a cable box for those other channels for the 3-6 months until the TiVo adapter is ready, but I can just imagine the service charge I'll have to pay for some TW lackey to "install" a box as well as the monthly rental charge for it in addition to the CableCard fees. I guess I'll have to do the old threaten-to-cancel routine and try to at least get the box installed (or let me pick it up) for free.

[LoadStar]

I also got the letter today. Very unhappy with this. I'd have no problem using a cable box for those other channels for the 3-6 months until the TiVo adapter is ready, but I can just imagine the service charge I'll have to pay for some TW lackey to "install" a box as well as the monthly rental charge for it in addition to the CableCard fees. I guess I'll have to do the old threaten-to-cancel routine and try to at least get the box installed (or let me pick it up) for free.

You can always do a self-install for free. I originally picked up my box from the West Allis office, and have swapped boxes once or twice since, with no charge.

[gparris]

I guess that means on August 1st we'll all be getting those 30 HD channels we've been missing.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm not holding my breath on this one.

Oh pleeeeeze, don't get me started again....:rof:

My only hope is that I can still watch those switched HD channels, many of which I watch a lot of (including the extra-cost HD Package channels).

[OlsonNet]

I saw on the TiVoCommunity forums that in other cities where they have sent a similar letter recently, the letters mentioned a special offer for those customers affected, which ended up being getting a box for free, as well as waiving the CableCARD fees until the tuning adapter is ready. I guess I'll call the number on the letter on Monday and see if they will offer something like that for us as well. Although at this point I'd be surprised if the person on the other end even knows what SDV is in the first place.

[nick3092]

Oh pleeeeeze, don't get me started again....:rof:

My only hope is that I can still watch those switched HD channels, many of which I watch a lot of (including the extra-cost HD Package channels).

I'm a disgruntled TW customer who is also jealous of other markets and providers with more HD.  But, lets give them a little slack here.  Not much, just a little.

If you think about it, one of the benefits of being last in the SDV roll out is hopefully Milwaukee has learned from any issues that have occurred (if any have) in other markets.  So if anything, their delay should ease your worries of not viewing these channels.