When will Analog Cable go?

[Tivoman44]

Does anyone know when analog cable will be gone, where you need either a box or a device that supports cable cards?  Is it also true that for each of the 75 analog channels, that 1 of those takes the bandwidth that could in theory hold about 15 HD channels?

[gparris]

Does anyone know when analog cable will be gone, where you need either a box or a device that supports cable cards?  Is it also true that for each of the 75 analog channels, that 1 of those takes the bandwidth that could in theory hold about 15 HD channels?

I believe it is 2-3 HD channels per analogue channel, 12 (maybe) for SD digital channels per analogue channel.
Many subs still have an older TVs that are "cable ready" that support these analogue channels even though many have HDTVs that are HD capable for OTA and some if not most, offer access to cable's clear-QAM that coexist in the same household.

Comcast, to the immediate south of me in Illinois, has 2 free convertors per household for older TVs, as most of all their channels went digital in the past year, using a rather small box attached to their sets to get the higher SD channels in their mix of channels outside the very basic of channels, including OTA-based locals.

Why TWC has not gone the same route to free up the analogue channels is beyond me, maybe their "wonderful" SDV system is enough for them, so I cannot even begin to think what is on their corporate minds, can you?

[ArgMeMatey]

Comcast, to the immediate south of me in Illinois, has 2 free converters per household for older TVs ...

Why TWC has not gone the same route to free up the analogue channels is beyond me ...

I have wondered whether TWC's approach varies by market, or if they are sticking with the analog basic in all markets.  

Also over the past year or so they have removed analog signals from 70-74 or so and probably will use that spectrum for digital.  So, they seem to be gradually removing analog, and I am guessing their hope is to continue to do so as their digital take rate improves.   Probably a higher proportion of complaining cheapskates in Milwaukee than down south.

[gparris]

I have wondered whether TWC's approach varies by market, or if they are sticking with the analog basic in all markets.  

Also over the past year or so they have removed analog signals from 70-74 or so and probably will use that spectrum for digital.  So, they seem to be gradually removing analog, and I am guessing their hope is to continue to do so as their digital take rate improves.   Probably a higher proportion of complaining cheapskates in Milwaukee than down south.

The Comcast customers I know only complained about how to hook up the small converter box, but it was very easy with the instructions; I know a few of the tech challenged that had to do it, but it freed up the bandwidth to offer more HD channels.