Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
issue.

If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable lines,
they would need to switch to a different source.

Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut off
- wireless analog TV.

Jason

-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of B
Car
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

I apologize in advance, since this is an
elementary question - for which I should know the
answer. But after reading so many contradictory
statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
continue feeding their customers Analog TV
Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
Broadcasts must end".
Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
of their programs in Analog - while charging
exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
how effective is the transition "deadline" -
considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
are Cable TV Subscribers?
I thought that "finally" getting an
"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
to receive Analog TV programming - and without
needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
benefit here?
Someone please tell me this is not true!

Bob C
[email protected]
http://HDTVInfoPort.com
HDTV Demystified!




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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Actually, I think there might be a potentially interesting angle here.

The cable industry has been petitioning for the right to be able to
downconvert digital or HD broadcasts to standard definition, but so far this
is being resisted by Congress and the FCC. My understanding is that there
was an attempt to include such a provision in the bill that's now law that
specifies the date for the analog shutdown. But that clause didn't get
enough support to be included in the final legislation.

So, this raises the question: What happens to all of those analog
(non-digital) cable customers who won't be able to receive the analog local
broadcasts via their cable provider?

It seems like there are basically three options:

1. After the analog stations go dark, cable will be unable to provide local
stations to analog subscribers. That would seem to be an unacceptable
outcome for all concerned, as the stations would lose viewers and
advertising dollars, and cable customers would probably march en masse on
the cable offices and burn them down.

I guess this could happen, but it seems highly unlikely.

2. Cable moves all analog customers to digital cable, where the HD channels
would be provided and then "downscaled" to SD quality by the set-top box
(S-Video, composite video or RF).

This would solve the problem, but seems like it would be an extremely
expensive solution (STB cost) to keep those (analog) customers who already
contribute only marginally to the bottom line.

3. TV stations continue to provide cable with a "customized" SD-compliant
digital channel feed that can be provided over the analog cable system.
While the stations would have a strong incentive to do this to preserve
viewers and advertising dollars, I suspect that they would also expect to
paid for these feeds, which in most cases have been provided for free in the
past.

It seems to me this would open up the potential for the Sinclair scenario to
be played out many times over all across the country.

Another game of "chicken" anyone?

Maybe an agreement will be worked out to allow down-conversion, but so far
broadcasters seems to be digging in their heels on this. I suspect that this
gets tied up in a bundle with cable agreeing to carry all digital
sub-channels...

Regards,


Doug
Clearly Resolved Image & Sound

Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993

eMail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com

Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
http://www.imagingscience.com

-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
Jason Burroughs
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 9:21
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
issue.

If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable lines,
they would need to switch to a different source.

Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut off
- wireless analog TV.

Jason

-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of B
Car
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

I apologize in advance, since this is an
elementary question - for which I should know the
answer. But after reading so many contradictory
statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
continue feeding their customers Analog TV
Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
Broadcasts must end".
Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
of their programs in Analog - while charging
exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
how effective is the transition "deadline" -
considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
are Cable TV Subscribers?
I thought that "finally" getting an
"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
to receive Analog TV programming - and without
needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
benefit here?
Someone please tell me this is not true!

Bob C
[email protected]
http://HDTVInfoPort.com
HDTV Demystified!




--
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[email protected]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Thanks... That being the case, this does not seem
to be as big a deal as it was made out to be. I
know there are many people who depend on
OTA-Analog TV as their only TV source - well I
don't know this, but that's what has been stated.
Regardless the actual number, it must represent a
small percent of total Viewers. And certainly -
as much as it pains me to say it - Cable TV has
the greatest percent of TV Viewers. So the end
result is this "much anticipated - Final Analog
Broadcast Cut-Off Date" will effect only the
smallest percent of TV Viewers! No effect on
Satellite Viewers; No effect on OTA Viewers who
are already Digital-HDTV Viewers, and no effect on
Cable Viewers.
But I still am not clear on exactly what the Cable
providers intend to do - are they going to accept
or reject the move to all Digital? If they are
not compelled to go all Digital, does anyone know
what they have indicated they will do? Am I
wrong, or isn't this just one more source of
Confusion being injected into this "mess?" The
public has been completely confused about when
their Analog TV would go dark, for five years -
and now they are hearing about the "Great Analog
Cut-Off" - with a Date Certain. But what does this
really mean to the "Average" Cable subscriber -
again, meaning the greatest number of consumers?
Their Analog TV's are unaffected, unless the Cable
providers stop sending Analog Signals, and it
doesn't seem clear that this will happen? Can
someone help me - before my head explodes!


Bob
[email protected]
http://HDTVInfoPort.com
HDTV Demystified!


----- Original Message -----
From: Jason Burroughs
To: HDTV Magazine
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV


----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air'
analog broadcasts. Since
there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to
transmit cable, it's not an
issue.

If a cable company is relying on an analog
broadcast (over the air) that
they are getting from somewhere else and
retransmit it over the cable lines,
they would need to switch to a different source.

Remember, this is all about stuff floating through
the air. It's kind of
interesting that we don't call it wireless, but
that's what's being cut off
- wireless analog TV.

Jason

-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine
On Behalf
Of B
Car
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

I apologize in advance, since this is an
elementary question - for which I should know the
answer. But after reading so many contradictory
statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
continue feeding their customers Analog TV
Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
Broadcasts must end".
Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
of their programs in Analog - while charging
exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
how effective is the transition "deadline" -
considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
are Cable TV Subscribers?
I thought that "finally" getting an
"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
to receive Analog TV programming - and without
needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
benefit here?
Someone please tell me this is not true!

Bob C
[email protected]
http://HDTVInfoPort.com
HDTV Demystified!




--
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Release Date: 2/16/2006

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from all posted that same
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Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.10/263 -
Release Date: 2/16/2006



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[email protected]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Jason,

Your logic is a bit flawed here. The FCC *does* regulate cable and
current cable regulations do not permit the cable company to materially
degrade OTA signals - thus existing regulartions prohibit a cable system
from converting an HD signal to analog SD. So it indeed is an issue.

The recently passed bill establishing the analog cut-off did originally
have provision for cable to downconvert digital stations to analog for
the legacy cable customers. However the NAB was successful in getting
that provision "pulled" from the final version. So, as it stands, cable
will not be able to downconvert.

Our congress men and women recognize that this is a problem, and there
has been discussion on rectifying this in 2007 (not 2006). One issue is
that the calculations on the subsidized converters have been based on
the thinking that all of the people served by cable (and satellite)
would not need these converters! And the subsidized converters are 8VSB
to NTSC only. Not QAM to NTSC!

So the majority of cable customers are now "in limbo" (caught between a
rock and a hard place). Though the majority of my TV viewing is via
HDTV and cable, the other 7 sets in my home are SD/analog. I would
envision that by 2009 I'll have changed one or two of those TVs to HD,
but I'll still need to address the 5 remaining SD sets. Now this may be
an unusually large number of sets - but I'll bet most HD households have
2 or 3 SD sets that will need connection.

Dave Hancock

Jason Burroughs wrote:

>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
>there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
>issue.
>
>If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
>they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable lines,
>they would need to switch to a different source.
>
>Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
>interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut off
>- wireless analog TV.
>
>Jason
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of B
>Car
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
>To: HDTV Magazine
>Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>I apologize in advance, since this is an
>elementary question - for which I should know the
>answer. But after reading so many contradictory
>statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
>the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
>Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
>customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
>continue feeding their customers Analog TV
>Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
>have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
>TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
>Broadcasts must end".
>Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
>likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
>doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
>of their programs in Analog - while charging
>exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
>TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
>how effective is the transition "deadline" -
>considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
>are Cable TV Subscribers?
>I thought that "finally" getting an
>"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
>the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
>if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
>to receive Analog TV programming - and without
>needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
>benefit here?
>Someone please tell me this is not true!
>
>Bob C
>[email protected]
>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>HDTV Demystified!
>
>
>
>
>
>

To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
[email protected]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Bob,

I was writing my response to you, and more directly to Jason, as you
were writing this. And yes - it is a BIG DEAL.

Dave Hancock

B Car wrote:

>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Thanks... That being the case, this does not seem
>to be as big a deal as it was made out to be. I
>know there are many people who depend on
>OTA-Analog TV as their only TV source - well I
>don't know this, but that's what has been stated.
>Regardless the actual number, it must represent a
>small percent of total Viewers. And certainly -
>as much as it pains me to say it - Cable TV has
>the greatest percent of TV Viewers. So the end
>result is this "much anticipated - Final Analog
>Broadcast Cut-Off Date" will effect only the
>smallest percent of TV Viewers! No effect on
>Satellite Viewers; No effect on OTA Viewers who
>are already Digital-HDTV Viewers, and no effect on
>Cable Viewers.
>But I still am not clear on exactly what the Cable
>providers intend to do - are they going to accept
>or reject the move to all Digital? If they are
>not compelled to go all Digital, does anyone know
>what they have indicated they will do? Am I
>wrong, or isn't this just one more source of
>Confusion being injected into this "mess?" The
>public has been completely confused about when
>their Analog TV would go dark, for five years -
>and now they are hearing about the "Great Analog
>Cut-Off" - with a Date Certain. But what does this
>really mean to the "Average" Cable subscriber -
>again, meaning the greatest number of consumers?
>Their Analog TV's are unaffected, unless the Cable
>providers stop sending Analog Signals, and it
>doesn't seem clear that this will happen? Can
>someone help me - before my head explodes!
>
>
>Bob
>[email protected]
>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>HDTV Demystified!
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Jason Burroughs
>To: HDTV Magazine
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 10:20 AM
>Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>
>
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air'
>analog broadcasts. Since
>there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to
>transmit cable, it's not an
>issue.
>
>If a cable company is relying on an analog
>broadcast (over the air) that
>they are getting from somewhere else and
>retransmit it over the cable lines,
>they would need to switch to a different source.
>
>Remember, this is all about stuff floating through
>the air. It's kind of
>interesting that we don't call it wireless, but
>that's what's being cut off
>- wireless analog TV.
>
>Jason
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HDTV Magazine
> On Behalf
>Of B
>Car
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
>To: HDTV Magazine
>Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>I apologize in advance, since this is an
>elementary question - for which I should know the
>answer. But after reading so many contradictory
>statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
>the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
>Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
>customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
>continue feeding their customers Analog TV
>Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
>have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
>TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
>Broadcasts must end".
>Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
>likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
>doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
>of their programs in Analog - while charging
>exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
>TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
>how effective is the transition "deadline" -
>considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
>are Cable TV Subscribers?
>I thought that "finally" getting an
>"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
>the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
>if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
>to receive Analog TV programming - and without
>needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
>benefit here?
>Someone please tell me this is not true!
>
>Bob C
>[email protected]
>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>HDTV Demystified!
>
>
>
>
>
>

To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
[email protected]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Hmm that is an angle I had not thought about. Sounds like an easy fix -
allow cable companies to downconvert their hd signals to analog for those
customers who don't want a converter box. While it is a 'big' issue, I don't
see it holding anything up. I'm sure there are some reasons that we may not
want the cable companies to be allowed to downconvert anything, but it seems
easy to make the provision to include only downconversion of a digital OTA
signals from the market they serve.

jason

-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
Dave Hancock
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 10:32 AM
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Jason,

Your logic is a bit flawed here. The FCC *does* regulate cable and
current cable regulations do not permit the cable company to materially
degrade OTA signals - thus existing regulartions prohibit a cable system
from converting an HD signal to analog SD. So it indeed is an issue.

The recently passed bill establishing the analog cut-off did originally
have provision for cable to downconvert digital stations to analog for
the legacy cable customers. However the NAB was successful in getting
that provision "pulled" from the final version. So, as it stands, cable
will not be able to downconvert.

Our congress men and women recognize that this is a problem, and there
has been discussion on rectifying this in 2007 (not 2006). One issue is
that the calculations on the subsidized converters have been based on
the thinking that all of the people served by cable (and satellite)
would not need these converters! And the subsidized converters are 8VSB
to NTSC only. Not QAM to NTSC!

So the majority of cable customers are now "in limbo" (caught between a
rock and a hard place). Though the majority of my TV viewing is via
HDTV and cable, the other 7 sets in my home are SD/analog. I would
envision that by 2009 I'll have changed one or two of those TVs to HD,
but I'll still need to address the 5 remaining SD sets. Now this may be
an unusually large number of sets - but I'll bet most HD households have
2 or 3 SD sets that will need connection.

Dave Hancock

Jason Burroughs wrote:

>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
>there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
>issue.
>
>If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
>they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable
lines,
>they would need to switch to a different source.
>
>Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
>interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut off
>- wireless analog TV.
>
>Jason
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of B
>Car
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
>To: HDTV Magazine
>Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>I apologize in advance, since this is an
>elementary question - for which I should know the
>answer. But after reading so many contradictory
>statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
>the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
>Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
>customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
>continue feeding their customers Analog TV
>Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
>have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
>TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
>Broadcasts must end".
>Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
>likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
>doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
>of their programs in Analog - while charging
>exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
>TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
>how effective is the transition "deadline" -
>considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
>are Cable TV Subscribers?
>I thought that "finally" getting an
>"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
>the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
>if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
>to receive Analog TV programming - and without
>needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
>benefit here?
>Someone please tell me this is not true!
>
>Bob C
>[email protected]
>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>HDTV Demystified!
>
>
>
>
>
>

To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
day) send an email to:
[email protected]


To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
[email protected]

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

You would think so - but so far the NAB has prevailed and AT THE MOMENT
cable can't do that.

CONTACT YOR CONGRESSMAN!

Jason Burroughs wrote:

>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Hmm that is an angle I had not thought about. Sounds like an easy fix -
>allow cable companies to downconvert their hd signals to analog for those
>customers who don't want a converter box. While it is a 'big' issue, I don't
>see it holding anything up. I'm sure there are some reasons that we may not
>want the cable companies to be allowed to downconvert anything, but it seems
>easy to make the provision to include only downconversion of a digital OTA
>signals from the market they serve.
>
>jason
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
>Dave Hancock
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 10:32 AM
>To: HDTV Magazine
>Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Jason,
>
>Your logic is a bit flawed here. The FCC *does* regulate cable and
>current cable regulations do not permit the cable company to materially
>degrade OTA signals - thus existing regulartions prohibit a cable system
>from converting an HD signal to analog SD. So it indeed is an issue.
>
>The recently passed bill establishing the analog cut-off did originally
>have provision for cable to downconvert digital stations to analog for
>the legacy cable customers. However the NAB was successful in getting
>that provision "pulled" from the final version. So, as it stands, cable
>will not be able to downconvert.
>
>Our congress men and women recognize that this is a problem, and there
>has been discussion on rectifying this in 2007 (not 2006). One issue is
>that the calculations on the subsidized converters have been based on
>the thinking that all of the people served by cable (and satellite)
>would not need these converters! And the subsidized converters are 8VSB
>to NTSC only. Not QAM to NTSC!
>
>So the majority of cable customers are now "in limbo" (caught between a
>rock and a hard place). Though the majority of my TV viewing is via
>HDTV and cable, the other 7 sets in my home are SD/analog. I would
>envision that by 2009 I'll have changed one or two of those TVs to HD,
>but I'll still need to address the 5 remaining SD sets. Now this may be
>an unusually large number of sets - but I'll bet most HD households have
>2 or 3 SD sets that will need connection.
>
>Dave Hancock
>
>Jason Burroughs wrote:
>
>
>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
>>there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
>>issue.
>>
>>If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
>>they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable
>>
>>
>lines,
>
>
>>they would need to switch to a different source.
>>
>>Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
>>interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut off
>>- wireless analog TV.
>>
>>Jason
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of B
>>Car
>>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
>>To: HDTV Magazine
>>Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>I apologize in advance, since this is an
>>elementary question - for which I should know the
>>answer. But after reading so many contradictory
>>statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
>>the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
>>Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
>>customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
>>continue feeding their customers Analog TV
>>Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
>>have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
>>TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
>>Broadcasts must end".
>>Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
>>likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
>>doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
>>of their programs in Analog - while charging
>>exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
>>TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
>>how effective is the transition "deadline" -
>>considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
>>are Cable TV Subscribers?
>>I thought that "finally" getting an
>>"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
>>the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
>>if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
>>to receive Analog TV programming - and without
>>needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
>>benefit here?
>>Someone please tell me this is not true!
>>
>>Bob C
>>[email protected]
>>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>>HDTV Demystified!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
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>day) send an email to:
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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----


This issue really affects much more than just OTA broadcasters. At some
point, the "cable" networks that traditionally have been on the most basic
analog tier of cable systems are going to start to demand better treatment
(digital transmission). At that time, the cable companies are going to
have to either bite the bullet and give everyone a digital converter box
(either free, or at a very low rental rate, the way they used to with
analog converter boxes before "cable-ready" TV's), or be ready to lose more
customers to satellite. My guess is that this will happen before the
February, 2009 analog cutoff date, and that the OTA stations will be taken
care of by default.

Brad

Brad Krehbiel, PE
Crown Center Redevelopment Corp.
Phone: 816-274-8564
Fax: 816-274-4567



"Jason Burroughs"
<[email protected]
.com> To
Sent by: "HDTV "HDTV Magazine"
Magazine" <[email protected]>
<hdtvmagazine_tip cc
[email protected]>
Subject
Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV
02/17/2006 10:47
AM


Please respond to
"HDTV Magazine"
<hdtvmagazine_tip
[email protected]>






----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Hmm that is an angle I had not thought about. Sounds like an easy fix -
allow cable companies to downconvert their hd signals to analog for those
customers who don't want a converter box. While it is a 'big' issue, I
don't
see it holding anything up. I'm sure there are some reasons that we may not
want the cable companies to be allowed to downconvert anything, but it
seems
easy to make the provision to include only downconversion of a digital OTA
signals from the market they serve.

jason

-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
Dave Hancock
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 10:32 AM
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Jason,

Your logic is a bit flawed here. The FCC *does* regulate cable and
current cable regulations do not permit the cable company to materially
degrade OTA signals - thus existing regulartions prohibit a cable system
from converting an HD signal to analog SD. So it indeed is an issue.

The recently passed bill establishing the analog cut-off did originally
have provision for cable to downconvert digital stations to analog for
the legacy cable customers. However the NAB was successful in getting
that provision "pulled" from the final version. So, as it stands, cable
will not be able to downconvert.

Our congress men and women recognize that this is a problem, and there
has been discussion on rectifying this in 2007 (not 2006). One issue is
that the calculations on the subsidized converters have been based on
the thinking that all of the people served by cable (and satellite)
would not need these converters! And the subsidized converters are 8VSB
to NTSC only. Not QAM to NTSC!

So the majority of cable customers are now "in limbo" (caught between a
rock and a hard place). Though the majority of my TV viewing is via
HDTV and cable, the other 7 sets in my home are SD/analog. I would
envision that by 2009 I'll have changed one or two of those TVs to HD,
but I'll still need to address the 5 remaining SD sets. Now this may be
an unusually large number of sets - but I'll bet most HD households have
2 or 3 SD sets that will need connection.

Dave Hancock

Jason Burroughs wrote:

>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
>there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
>issue.
>
>If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
>they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable
lines,
>they would need to switch to a different source.
>
>Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
>interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut
off
>- wireless analog TV.
>
>Jason
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
B
>Car
>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
>To: HDTV Magazine
>Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>I apologize in advance, since this is an
>elementary question - for which I should know the
>answer. But after reading so many contradictory
>statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
>the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV
>Broadcasts have on Cable TV providers and their
>customers? Will Cable TV Companies be able to
>continue feeding their customers Analog TV
>Signals, since they are not broadcasting OTA? I
>have read it reported as "ALL Broadcasts of Analog
>TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog TV
>Broadcasts must end".
>Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may
>likely just go on "cheating" their customer base,
>doing business as usual, by transmitting the bulk
>of their programs in Analog - while charging
>exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital
>TV Channels? If this is potentially true, then
>how effective is the transition "deadline" -
>considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers
>are Cable TV Subscribers?
>I thought that "finally" getting an
>"End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date, as LAW, would end
>the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
>if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue
>to receive Analog TV programming - and without
>needing a D/A Converter - where's the actual
>benefit here?
>Someone please tell me this is not true!
>
>Bob C
>[email protected]
>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>HDTV Demystified!
>
>
>
>
>
>

To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

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day) send an email to:
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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

In most of the bigger markets, cable systems are fed via fiber
from the major stations.

"Cable Ready" is a very important phrase at the FCC...

As everyone has mentioned, it is going to get very interesting!!


Don, W4WJ

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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Well, in this (Rochester, NY) smaller market about half the statios feed
the cable head end with fiber, or microwave.

But I'm not sure what you are getting at.

[email protected] wrote:

>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>In most of the bigger markets, cable systems are fed via fiber
>from the major stations.
>
>"Cable Ready" is a very important phrase at the FCC...
>
>As everyone has mentioned, it is going to get very interesting!!
>
>
>Don, W4WJ
>
>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
>[email protected]
>
>
>

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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Well if it's fiber they don't have to switch to digital since they aren't
using the airwaves..........is one way to consider it. Only broadcasts
using the "air" have to move from analog to digital which is why many, many
cable and sat. channels may never be in widescreen much less HD.

Hugh


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Hancock" <[email protected]>
To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 10:20 PM
Subject: Re: Digital Transition and Cable TV


> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Well, in this (Rochester, NY) smaller market about half the statios feed
> the cable head end with fiber, or microwave.
>
> But I'm not sure what you are getting at.
>
> [email protected] wrote:
>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>In most of the bigger markets, cable systems are fed via fiber
>>from the major stations. "Cable Ready" is a very important phrase at the
>>FCC...
>> As everyone has mentioned, it is going to get very interesting!!
>>
>> Don, W4WJ
>>
>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>
>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
>>day) send an email to:
>>[email protected]
>>
>>
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
> day) send an email to:
> [email protected]
>


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----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

2/17/2006 11:44am ct

If the cable companies are going to lose the ability to
carry local channels because their current set top boxes are
inadequate, I'l guarantee you they will replace those boxes and eat
it. I'm all for government support of the transition problems but
this one is unnecessary and need not be "funded" by tax money.

Best,
Robert

At 10:31 AM 2/17/2006, you wrote:
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Jason,
>
>Your logic is a bit flawed here. The FCC *does* regulate cable and
>current cable regulations do not permit the cable company to
>materially degrade OTA signals - thus existing regulartions prohibit
>a cable system from converting an HD signal to analog SD. So it
>indeed is an issue.
>
>The recently passed bill establishing the analog cut-off did
>originally have provision for cable to downconvert digital stations
>to analog for the legacy cable customers. However the NAB was
>successful in getting that provision "pulled" from the final
>version. So, as it stands, cable will not be able to downconvert.
>
>Our congress men and women recognize that this is a problem, and
>there has been discussion on rectifying this in 2007 (not
>2006). One issue is that the calculations on the subsidized
>converters have been based on the thinking that all of the people
>served by cable (and satellite) would not need these
>converters! And the subsidized converters are 8VSB to NTSC
>only. Not QAM to NTSC!
>
>So the majority of cable customers are now "in limbo" (caught
>between a rock and a hard place). Though the majority of my TV
>viewing is via HDTV and cable, the other 7 sets in my home are
>SD/analog. I would envision that by 2009 I'll have changed one or
>two of those TVs to HD, but I'll still need to address the 5
>remaining SD sets. Now this may be an unusually large number of
>sets - but I'll bet most HD households have 2 or 3 SD sets that will
>need connection.
>
>Dave Hancock
>
>Jason Burroughs wrote:
>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Bob, the deadline will only affect 'over the air' analog broadcasts. Since
>>there is no electromagnetic spectrum used to transmit cable, it's not an
>>issue.
>>
>>If a cable company is relying on an analog broadcast (over the air) that
>>they are getting from somewhere else and retransmit it over the cable lines,
>>they would need to switch to a different source.
>>
>>Remember, this is all about stuff floating through the air. It's kind of
>>interesting that we don't call it wireless, but that's what's being cut off
>>- wireless analog TV.
>>
>>Jason
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of B
>>Car
>>Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 7:29 AM
>>To: HDTV Magazine
>>Subject: Digital Transition and Cable TV
>>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>I apologize in advance, since this is an elementary question - for
>>which I should know the answer. But after reading so many
>>contradictory statements, I'm now not certain. What effect will
>>the "Feb.17th, 2009" cut-off date for Analog TV Broadcasts have on
>>Cable TV providers and their customers? Will Cable TV Companies be
>>able to continue feeding their customers Analog TV Signals, since
>>they are not broadcasting OTA? I have read it reported as "ALL
>>Broadcasts of Analog TV Signals must end" - and as "Only OTA Analog
>>TV Broadcasts must end".
>>Does this really mean that Cable TV providers may likely just go on
>>"cheating" their customer base, doing business as usual, by
>>transmitting the bulk of their programs in Analog - while charging
>>exorbitant fees for a minimal selection of Digital TV Channels? If
>>this is potentially true, then how effective is the transition
>>"deadline" - considering that the vast majority of TV Viewers are
>>Cable TV Subscribers?
>>I thought that "finally" getting an "End-of-Analog-TV" fixed date,
>>as LAW, would end the uncertainty and much of the confusion... But
>>if a majority of Cable subscribers will continue to receive Analog
>>TV programming - and without needing a D/A Converter - where's the
>>actual benefit here?
>>Someone please tell me this is not true!
>>
>>Bob C
>>[email protected]
>>http://HDTVInfoPort.com
>>HDTV Demystified!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted
>that same day) send an email to:
>[email protected]




To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

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