Comcast to start encrypting basic cable 'over the coming months'

[gadgtfreek]

Late last year the FCC gave cable providers permission to encrypt basic cable, and Comcast is wasting little time in moving ahead with the plan. The company has begun notifying customers in select markets that programming will soon be encrypted, a move that will require anyone not using a Comcast set-top box or CableCARD-enabled device to install an adapter to keep watching their soon-to-be-scrambled shows. As mandated by the FCC, Comcast will be offering these adapter boxes at no charge for two years — so long as you request them during the offer period. After two years (five for Medicaid recipients), each box will demand a $.50 rental fee each month. An adapter will also be made available for Boxee TV owners thanks to another provision of the FCC decision.

Link

 

[twizt3dsist3r]

Been happening for a while, lots of digital threads on here, i think the price you quoted is off however.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mr Tony]

doesnt say which markets though

 

[satjay]

Here in the Detroit area they started pushing out the cable box's at the end of last year. It will be needed to get even the most basic of cable service

 

[Poke]

Comcast Accelerates Encryption of Basic Cable
Two Free Digital TV Adapters For Two Years

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Accelerates-Encryption-of-Basic-Cable-123879

 

[kittyhas1000legs]

How is this different than the DTA that's required now? My mom's had one for a couple of years. Does this just mean she'll need one for her HDTV as well as the one for the CRT?

 

[Mr Tony]

your mom probably wont have to do anything. In alot of markets anything above Lifeline (the locals and the PI channels) require a box already. If she has a cable box already o the HDTV she wont need to do anything

This is for the folks who have just lifeline (I posted a thread when Minneapolis went digital only but lifeline is still QAM)
http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/308137-Comcast-Minneapolis-goes-all-digital

Basically if they scramble lifeline we're screwed then

 

[levibluewa]

I believe the SD boxes are "free"! HD boxes are $10 plus $8.95 advanced service fee, so $18.95 for 1 box. However, if watching SD via your "free" Comcast box on your HDtv doesn't bother you, well...welcome to the Comcast family

 

[riffjim4069]

It happened in my parents area outside of Detroit more than 3-years ago and in our VA neighborhood 2-years ago. Comcast let me have two SD adapters free of charge for life if you got them prior to the digital transition, but I turned them in back in March when I noticed they were starting charging $4 per months for them - they were sitting unopened in a box since I really didn't need 'em.

 

[cditty]

Already happened in my market. Got a great, free, internet speed bump to coincide. They guarantee 50 down/10 up. I get between 90 & 100 down / 9-11 up. Comcast going all digital was the best thing that ever happened to my internet connection.

 

[pickone4me]

Maybe send them an encrypted check, and tell them they have to pay to unencrypt it.

 

[JayStil]

Just got my "Digital Transport Adapter Self-Installation Kit" via UPS. Modulates to channel 3 or 4. Yippee!

Only reason I had lifeline was for the HD networks via clear QAM. And easy delivery to multiple TV's. No way I'm paying $14 a month for SD that every TV needs a box for.

Too bad DISH doesn't carry ABC or Fox in my DMA, and CBS is SD only. I guess it's time to put up an antenna.

 

[JayStil]

This AM my local news that I usually wake up to shows "scrambled".

I guess it's time to go antenna shopping.

 

[mr.crane]

I guess I will go hunting also, for an Outdoor antenna, this sucks, no more Local channels in HD. Not going to pay them
10 bucks a month for each additional HD box. I am going to cancel everything, including Internet.

 

[Claude Greiner]

Its due to Comcast rolling out their Pre-paid cable service, which im now selling as an authorized retailer.

Basically they are no longer turning off customers at the tap, and by going 100% digital they can just turn off the boxes remotely instead of physically going out like they did in the past.

As far as the pre-paid model, customers can take the box home and just plug it in and it should work.

 

[levibluewa]

Not going to pay them
10 bucks a month for each additional HD box.

I understood $10 per box + $10 a month "advanced technology fee".

 

[Mr Tony]

I understood $10 per box + $10 a month "advanced technology fee".

nope. Its all in 1 fee now (at least in Minneapolis it is)

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

The Pre Paid Comcast is silly. You can't get HD channels with the pre paid.

I wouldn't pay to watch TV in SD.

 

[sleeper]

nope. Its all in 1 fee now (at least in Minneapolis it is)

That must be a long cable from Minneapolis to Sandy Fork, Delaware.

 

[Mr Tony]

November 19th Comcast in Minneapolis scrambles the lifeline channels in QAM

That sucks