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RCN & Comcast dropping analog cable en Mass.
New England cable customers better get used to the digital cable box, as both RCN and Comcast made moves in the last week to shrink analog lineups with an eye towards eliminating them entirely in the future, making room for more HD. Comcast says its HD stations in Western Massachusetts will go from 30 to 50 by the end of the year, plus more VOD options, while analog customers can expect to have their channels halved within the next two years. Meanwhile RCN kicked off project Analog Crush on July 4 to go all digital, planning to double its current 40 HD channels and increase to more than 100. Dedham is first on the chopping block, while other Boston-area residences will go digital throughout the rest of the year. Got a TV still connected to analog? Check out the links below to find out when you'll be moving to digital or losing service entirely.Read - RCNRead - Comcast
RCN going all digital in Boston, Massachusetts
RCN already pulled the trigger and shot down any remaining analog stations in Chicago earlier this year, and now the time has come for the same merciless execution to hit Boston. Starting next month, the cable company will be nixing analog channels in order to "make room for more digital channels." Notably, RCN will be offering up converter boxes gratis for those currently without ($2.95 per month for additional ones), although it's estimated that 80% of the carrier's Bay State subscribers are already well equipped for the digital shift. Mum's the word on when this change will enable it to toss in a few more high-def offerings, but here's to hoping it's sooner rather than later.
Japan's Sky PerfecTV! planning HDTV expansion
The end of analog TV broadcasts scheduled for 2011 in Japan will free up plenty of space, and Sky PerfecTV announced today it plans to take advantage, and "become one of the top high-definition TV broadcasters in the world" according to its Chairman Masanori Akiyama. Things kick off with 12 HDTV channels coming online in October, with plans for as many as 100 by 2011, about half the number of channels the service currently offers. It appears Japanese satellite is poised to catch up with other services, but its hard to see many customers opting for this in years to come over VOD rollouts already underway -- unless Sky Perfect (not to be confused with the UK's Sky) decides to slip some SHV loving in there -- just sayin'.
Comcast relegating some stations to digital only in Washington, D.C.
Not like we haven't seen this happen a time or two already in the US, but we'd wager that Comcast's Washington, D.C. market is fairly sizable. Nevertheless, Comcast will be bumping a number of channels -- namely the D.C.-area ABC / NBC / FOX / CBS affiliates -- to digital only. In other words, those relying on analog service will have to upgrade to digital cable in order to continue viewing the affected stations. Granted, some 80% of subscribers in Annapolis and Anne Arundel already have digital cable (so says Comcast), and the changes are being made to open up space for potential HD expansion. Unfortunately, Comcast isn't following in the footsteps of certain other carriers and offering free digital adapters -- but hey, progress has to happen eventually, right?[Image courtesy of Brent Nelson, thanks Harry]
The nuts and bolts of buying a vanilla digital TV
Alright, so we've already covered the step-by-step to acquiring a digital converter box for those looking to keep that analog set kicking for the foreseeable future, but what about folks who just want a vanilla TV that'll hold its own after February of 2009? Suzanne Choney over at MSNBC has put together a checklist that encompasses just about everyone -- from folks looking to snag a non-HD digital set to individuals mulling the decision to buy a unit with an integrated CableCARD. Of course, the obvious question that must be asked when shopping a new set is "Does this thing have a built-in ATSC tuner?" If so, you're golden. Still, it's a pretty handy guide for those sick and tired of wading through paragraphs upon paragraphs of technobabble, so give it a peek if you're still scratching your head.[Image courtesy of NFM]
Break the FCC's digital transition rules? That's a $6 million finin'
As seen previously, the FCC isn't scared to put the financial smackdown on anyone it finds not playing up to the rules of the digital transition, and has dropped about $6 million in fines on 11 companies. Several of the companies fined were retailers it says did not properly mark TVs that had only analog tuners and won't get OTA TV after it's shut off next year. Wal-Mart got dinged for $992k, $1.1 million went against Sears, $712k for Circuit City, $296k against Target and $280k against Best Buy. Syntax-Brillian was one of two companies that caught a charge for importing TVs without a digital tuner after the deadline, two more were fined for V-chip violations, while Panasonic and Philips were among seven others that settled to avoid fines. That probably won't cover all those $40 coupons, but it can't hurt. [Via Zatz Not Funny & Cable Digital News]
Verizon phasing out last analog channels, offering free digital adapter
You knew it was coming, but now Verizon's putting the rubber to the road with its effort to phase out the last remaining analog channels on FiOS TV. The carrier will tackle the phase out on a regional basis, starting with New York on April 21st. Those affected should have already received notification of the impending change, as Verizon will be doling out free digital adapters to keep said customers from pulling their hair out in frustration. Of course, it's not missing the chance to offer up more sophisticated set-tops to these very folks in hopes of coaxing them into bigger, clearer packages, but it's not like we're going to argue with Verizon trying to up the HD adoption rate around here.
Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008
Marking the end of a remarkable era in cellular technology, the FCC is officially letting American carriers decommission their legacy analog networks as of today, February 18, 2008. Few of us still own a phone based on AMPS -- Advanced Mobile Phone System, ironically, despite the fact that there's been nothing "advanced" about it for many years -- but we owe the very existence of the world's modern wireless infrastructure to the introduction and overwhelming success of the Bell Labs-developed technology. So successful was AMPS, in fact, that it eventually covered virtually 100 percent of the continental United States, a statistic CDMA and GSM have only recently begun to approach.
Cox vows to keep analog signals around for three years after cutover
We already heard that the FCC was giving broadcasters a bit more flexibility with the 2009 digital TV switchover, and apparently, Cox Communications is taking full advantage of its rights. According to the cable company's own website, it will be keeping analog signals around for three full years after US television stations switch over to digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009. More specifically, the firm states that it "recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs [after the cutover date]," thus it has promised to continue offering "analog broadcast signals for at least three years after the deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable." And if you were curious, Cox also proclaims that said signal will be "down-converted from its digital format," but doesn't stop to encourage site visitors to, oh we don't know, apply for a coupon and pick up a DTV converter box. Either way, it's this or hand out free STBs.[Image courtesy of ViandsEnterprises, thanks Student Driver]
Currys, Dixons to stop selling analog TVs in Europe
DSG International, the parent company to Currys, Dixons and PC World stores across Europe, has announced that it will no longer be stocking analog sets (sound familiar?). Granted, only 10-percent of the remaining TVs it sold were of the analog flavor, but it looks as if even those units will soon be gone. Reportedly, the chains are looking to further promote units with integrated digital Freeview tuners, and considering that some parts of Europe have already begun the analog-to-digital switchover, we suppose that follows logic precisely. Also of note, these same retailers will halt sales of DVD recorders with only analog tuners within, but on the real, we can't say we'll miss 'em.[Image courtesy of Waltondale, thanks CMC]
Zenith's ATSC Digital to Analog Converter Box gets priced
Apparently, Radio Shack isn't waiting around for the hordes of Americans out there to receive those $40 coupons to help purchase a DTV converter box, as a recent newsletter reportedly shows the Zenith ATSC Digital to Analog Converter Box (model number 150-0148) as being available in "mid-February" for $69.99. Granted, we couldn't recommend more that you actually hold your horses and await the coupon before snagging one of your own, but at least now you know that you'll need to scrounge up an extra $30 or so to take this particular model home.[Thanks, JGarcia]
Modder makes Nunchuk even more analog
Fed up with his poor performance in NiGHTS, NeoGAFfer MobiusPigeon set out to remove the octagonal gate from his Nunchuk, allowing him full, unencumbered 360-degree rotation. Using a cone-shaped grinding stone on a drill, he bored out the joystick hole until it was circular. He reported an improvement in personal NiGHTS performance "from Ds and Es to (A's)" immediately after implementing this mod.It came up in the thread that, while you've got the Nunchuk open, you could actually swap out the Nunchuk's joystick with a larger GameCube stick, for an even more comfortable experience. Also, all of these mods would work with a Classic Controller, as well.We know where we'll be after Christmas this year: hitting up used game shops looking for spare parts. We're hoping to find some pre-thrown-away defective Cube controllers from which to mine joysticks.
Slew of retailers to carry TV converter boxes; coupon requests open in 2008
Yeah, we pretty much expected every big box retailer known to man to carry these things, but just in case you were worried about locating a TV converter box in preparation for the upcoming cutover, here's some comforting news. Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Target, Sears and Sam's Club are all on the list to carry equipment necessary for analog TV owners to receive OTA programming after February 2009, and just in case one of the aforementioned giants aren't anywhere near you, around 100 more smaller retailers have been certified to stock 'em. Also of note, you can start the new year off right by reminding your great grandparents (or other family members, too) that they can go on and apply for up to two coupons -- which should arrive around six weeks later -- worth $40 apiece to purchase the required boxes. Or, of course, you could just pick them up a new television this holiday season and be done with it.[Via BroadcastingCable]
LG's Zenith-branded DTT900 converter box gets pictured
It's not everyday that you see Zenith hanging out on the cutting-edge, but for those camping out under a rock since 1995, you should probably be informed that LG owns a majority share of the company. If you'll recall, LG was tooting its own horn just last week about having the first digital-to-analog converter box to be certified for the US Commerce Department's coupon program, and if two and two really equal four, the unit you see pictured above is indeed the device that was previously referenced. The DTT900 was developed and produced by LG, but it will apparently be sold under the Zenith brand name -- you know, so it'll blend in better with that 80s-era TV.
John Kneuer resigning as digital TV transition chief
It's been no secret that lawmakers have been sweating the fact that not a whole lot of Americans are truly informed about the quickly approaching 2009 digital TV cutover, and now it seems the effort to spread the word will be led by someone new. John Kneuer, the current head, will be stepping down this month "to pursue new opportunities," leaving the role of administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. An agency spokesman did note that the resignation was Kneuer's "own decision" and that his departure "would have no impact on the preparations for the transition. As it stands, Meredith Baker, deputy assistant secretary, will be stepping in to cover his duties, but the White House should be nominating an official replacement soon enough.
The digital TV switchover begins... in Britain
We're still quite a few days months away from our official analog-to-digital cutover, but the lads (and dames) in Britain aren't wasting any time. Reportedly, the nation is already preparing to begin the switchover, starting in the northwest English resort of Whitehaven with BBC2. This initial move will affect around 25,000 households, and it was noted that the "other analog channels" would be switched off on November 14th. 'Course, Britain as a whole isn't scheduled to go 100-percent digital until 2012, but that didn't stop kiddos at a local primary school from "burying an analog time capsule to recall how television was before the change." Kids these days... they've got it good.[Image courtesy of BBC]
Best Buy kicks analog TVs to the curb
Best Buy is saying sayonara to analog TVs by announcing that it has pulled all analog sets from its shelves, which marks the first time a big box retailer of this magnitude has publicly announced an exit from the analog TV biz. Of course, this decision now enables the firm to shamelessly proclaim that any television purchased within the confines of its brick and mortar walls will work in the all-digital future -- and for those not willing to pick up a new set, it also stated that it will be participating in the NTIA DTV Converter Box Coupon Program starting early next year. At first glance, the announcement sounds like much needed progress towards getting folks ready for the 2009 switchover, but for moms and pops scouting a 13-inch analog CRT on the cheap for that garage / playroom, it looks like you'll be "forced" to check out one with a digital tuner... or an LCD. As if you needed another excuse, right?
Broadcasting & Cable has a nice sit down with the FCC chairman
The FCC has been very busy lately pinning down all the details of the digital transition. It has been in the making for a long time and with each month we learn more and more details of exactly how things will go down. Most recently the FCC decided that cable providers throughout the country will be required to continue providing their customers with an analog signal for another three years -- after the airwaves go dark in 2009. This and other decisions under Kevin Martin's lead, have lead to disagreements between the FCC and NCTA. This interview is a good read, especially for anyone who doesn't think the FCC is needed anymore -- or just a corporate shill. The FCC really does mediate some big deals between big time lobby groups.
The FCC's push to go all digital
The end of analog is coming and the FCC isn't content with just the OTA channels making the transition, they want cable to do away with analog as well. So much so, that the FCC chairman Kevin Martin is proposing a mandate for dual must-carry that would require any MSO which is still using analog to carry both an analog and digital version of each OTA channel per their request -- no the 'must' part doesn't go both ways. This isn't too big of a deal for many providers 'cause they already do this, but as bandwidth become more and more valuable, providers are looking for ways to save some bits. As much as the older cable co's would love to drop those bandwidth hogs off their lineup all together, they're faced with millions of customers who may go elsewhere if forced to use a STB on every TV, no matter what the cost.[Via ConnectedHome2go.com]
Lawmakers worried over digital TV transition
It's one thing to fret over the estimated $1.5 billion Congress has to set aside to pay for the "coupon program" to aid Americans in the analog-to-digital transition of 2009, but now lawmakers are "worried that too few of us know that the analog TVs we have been using for years could become big cathode-ray paperweights after February 18, 2009." Essentially, those in power feel that "too little is being done to get the message across," and that quite a few disgruntled individuals could be smacked with a reality check of gigantic proportions if no one tells them beforehand. According to a poll released by the Association for Public Television Stations earlier this year, some 61-percent of those surveyed had "no idea" the shutoff would even take place, so we'd expect a commercial blitz to give your fast-forward finger a workout in the coming months.
