The digital tv conversion, comcast, and you
Okay, I normally don't like to rant, especially about such trivial stuff as television (yes, I know it's not the most important thing in the world), but after coming across yet another PBS program about how simple the digital switch is going to be, I just have to vent a bit.
If you don't care about television or cable, please just roll your eyes at me and ignore the rest of this post. I'll get over it, I promise:)
(not behind a cut because, well, half the time I can't get them to work right...)
*deep breath*
(Pretend I have an angry icon to accompany this post)
I know a lot of you on my list don't even have a tv, but for those that do, are you all aware of the little piece of info that all these stupid "how to prepare for the digital conversion" programs are conveniently ignoring?
The FCC has mandated that all OVER THE AIR signals be switched to digital in february. There is no corresponding rule for cable station analog signals. However, comcast is conveniently using the change as an excuse to shut off their analog cable signals. They're starting with the lower channels, then moving up the spectrum.
Here's the fun part: Up until just recently comcast has been saying that if you have cable, you won't be affected. Some also say that you will not have to "purchase" any new equipment.
UP UNTIL RECENTLY. Now they have quietly changed their adds, adding one very quiet line that states basically that, "if you have cable, you won't be affected *cough* as long as your tv is hooked up to a converter box *cough*". Comcast, being as generous as they are, will certainly not require you to "purchase" those additional boxes, but do you think you're going to get them for free? Can you say "additional monthly fee"?
Okay, so I could live with that. I actually only have one tv and it already has a converter on it so I can get the digital/hd channels, which most people have. Unfortunately, the term "converter" is actually a bit misleading, and I think this is lulling people into a false sense of security. Technically speaking, these are actually TUNERS. Why is this an important distinction? Because a tuner only puts out one signal at a time. I don't change channels on the tv, I change them on the digital cable tuner. At least when I'm watching live tv...
Here's the whole point of my diatribe: the majority of people in this country don't really watch the majority of their television programs in real time. They have various devices to conveniently record them for later viewing. The trouble is, ALMOST ALL OF THESE RECORDERS STILL HAVE ANALOG TUNERS AND WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION ONCE COMCAST SHUTS OFF THEIR ANALOG CABLE SIGNAL! Getting one of these "converter" boxes will do no good whatsoever since it only lets the channel you set it to through!
My series 2 Tivo? Useless. My DVD recorder? Useless. My VCR? Well, that's gathering dust in the closet and really should be thrown away;)
Anyway, get the idea? I'm going to have to go get a new series 3 tivo that has the digital tuner and then switch over to the digital cards that you rent form comcast in order to resume recording any of my shows. The idea of doing this really doesn't even annoy me that much. The new tivos are really quite nifty and I'd been looking for an excuse to upgrade for some time. What's really pissing me off is the way that every program or commercial or public service announcement that is reassuring this about how easy the transition will be is completely and conveniently choosing to make no mention of this. Even the news is doing this. The other night the preview for the news said "Although the digital switch in February will affect over-the-air viewers, find out how comcasts upcoming policy changes will affect many more." (slightly paraphrased there) Anyway, I watch the news, and of course this story doesn't come on until the very end. What did the story consist of? Two lines: "when the tv stations shut off analog signals in February, comcast will also begin switching off their analog signals, starting with the lower 'basic' cable stations with more to follow". This may affect some viewers. Thank you for watching and good night."
Um... hello?
Oh, and btw: this is a nation-wide thing for comcast. Not just the seattle area. Why in the hell is no one actually mentioning this? I happened upon this a few months ago in an online news article. The net being what it is, I chose to wait and see. Too bad the fine print and the little wording changes here and there are starting to confirm it. There is, of course, the chance that I may be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. If anyone knows of anything to the contrary, please let me know. I would love to be wrong about this one!
If anyone is still reading this, thanks for listening. I now return you to your regularly-scheduled program. Well, at least until February;)
If you don't care about television or cable, please just roll your eyes at me and ignore the rest of this post. I'll get over it, I promise:)
(not behind a cut because, well, half the time I can't get them to work right...)
*deep breath*
(Pretend I have an angry icon to accompany this post)
I know a lot of you on my list don't even have a tv, but for those that do, are you all aware of the little piece of info that all these stupid "how to prepare for the digital conversion" programs are conveniently ignoring?
The FCC has mandated that all OVER THE AIR signals be switched to digital in february. There is no corresponding rule for cable station analog signals. However, comcast is conveniently using the change as an excuse to shut off their analog cable signals. They're starting with the lower channels, then moving up the spectrum.
Here's the fun part: Up until just recently comcast has been saying that if you have cable, you won't be affected. Some also say that you will not have to "purchase" any new equipment.
UP UNTIL RECENTLY. Now they have quietly changed their adds, adding one very quiet line that states basically that, "if you have cable, you won't be affected *cough* as long as your tv is hooked up to a converter box *cough*". Comcast, being as generous as they are, will certainly not require you to "purchase" those additional boxes, but do you think you're going to get them for free? Can you say "additional monthly fee"?
Okay, so I could live with that. I actually only have one tv and it already has a converter on it so I can get the digital/hd channels, which most people have. Unfortunately, the term "converter" is actually a bit misleading, and I think this is lulling people into a false sense of security. Technically speaking, these are actually TUNERS. Why is this an important distinction? Because a tuner only puts out one signal at a time. I don't change channels on the tv, I change them on the digital cable tuner. At least when I'm watching live tv...
Here's the whole point of my diatribe: the majority of people in this country don't really watch the majority of their television programs in real time. They have various devices to conveniently record them for later viewing. The trouble is, ALMOST ALL OF THESE RECORDERS STILL HAVE ANALOG TUNERS AND WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION ONCE COMCAST SHUTS OFF THEIR ANALOG CABLE SIGNAL! Getting one of these "converter" boxes will do no good whatsoever since it only lets the channel you set it to through!
My series 2 Tivo? Useless. My DVD recorder? Useless. My VCR? Well, that's gathering dust in the closet and really should be thrown away;)
Anyway, get the idea? I'm going to have to go get a new series 3 tivo that has the digital tuner and then switch over to the digital cards that you rent form comcast in order to resume recording any of my shows. The idea of doing this really doesn't even annoy me that much. The new tivos are really quite nifty and I'd been looking for an excuse to upgrade for some time. What's really pissing me off is the way that every program or commercial or public service announcement that is reassuring this about how easy the transition will be is completely and conveniently choosing to make no mention of this. Even the news is doing this. The other night the preview for the news said "Although the digital switch in February will affect over-the-air viewers, find out how comcasts upcoming policy changes will affect many more." (slightly paraphrased there) Anyway, I watch the news, and of course this story doesn't come on until the very end. What did the story consist of? Two lines: "when the tv stations shut off analog signals in February, comcast will also begin switching off their analog signals, starting with the lower 'basic' cable stations with more to follow". This may affect some viewers. Thank you for watching and good night."
Um... hello?
Oh, and btw: this is a nation-wide thing for comcast. Not just the seattle area. Why in the hell is no one actually mentioning this? I happened upon this a few months ago in an online news article. The net being what it is, I chose to wait and see. Too bad the fine print and the little wording changes here and there are starting to confirm it. There is, of course, the chance that I may be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. If anyone knows of anything to the contrary, please let me know. I would love to be wrong about this one!
If anyone is still reading this, thanks for listening. I now return you to your regularly-scheduled program. Well, at least until February;)