Comcast scrambles free local channels SOB

[Chellybean]

well Comcast finally scrambled the local free channels by local broadcasters today, if you just had there internet and was using there cable for local channels you are sunk now..
Had to fire up the Antennas on my house, back to my 56 local channels.Comcast will not get anymore of my business they Su*k

[Allegiance]

They forgot to scramble the LAFF channel, perhaps to reiterate that they got the last laugh. Imagine paying an extra $40 a month to get the free channels.

[rubicon]

what would people suggest is the best balance between seamless telephone, internet TV coverage, availability and price?

[Chellybean]

They forgot to scramble the LAFF channel, perhaps to reiterate that they got the last laugh. Imagine paying an extra $40 a month to get the free channels.

l.o.l. my feeling exactly, put up a antenna it is totally legal in the villages under fcc federal laws preempts any deed restriction.

[Allegiance]

I ordered the Comcast internet only from Villages Audio Video. He is a great guy and gets the latest promotional pricing. For a few days I got all the free channels in great hd, then they went out, except for LAFF. Theses were the same FREE channels that Comcast charges big money for and requires you to use the digital adapter which reduces the signal to crap quality. The villages should put up a big a$$ antenna and send / sell the free hd channels though the existing cable structure. Comcast uses it monopoly of those cable lines to pillage its customers. I wish there was an antenna alternative, as the prehistoric area has no real antenna option. If the original village founders were here today I imagine we would all have the free channels in HD for free or near free.

[Chellybean]

I ordered the Comcast internet only from Villages Audio Video. He is a great guy and gets the latest promotional pricing. For a few days I got all the free channels in great hd, then they went out, except for LAFF. Theses were the same FREE channels that Comcast charges big money for and requires you to use the digital adapter which reduces the signal to crap quality. The villages should put up a big a$$ antenna and send / sell the free hd channels though the existing cable structure. Comcast uses it monopoly of those cable lines to pillage its customers. I wish there was an antenna alternative, as the prehistoric area has no real antenna option. If the original village founders were here today I imagine we would all have the free channels in HD for free or near free.

why isn't there a antenna alternative, point a antenna around 113 degrees toward Orlando or a omni directional and use a amplifier. lt is legal by federal law which preempts any deed restriction.

[Allegiance]

why isn't there a antenna alternative, point a antenna around 113 degrees toward Orlando or a omni directional and use a amplifier. lt is legal by federal law which preempts any deed restriction.
No attic would make it a big outdoor antenna and the trees may interfere as well. Might have to try it but will try internet options first, like xbmc through amaxon fire. Does anyone here have experience with xbmc or other alternatives?

[UpNorth]

The antenna market will certainly grow after this. Since so many satellite dishes are on roofs, why not antennas? Keep them low and towards the back of the house, and they should not be a visual problem. And, as a previous poster said, they are "legal" anyway.
As long as you can get the major over-the-air networks from Orlando for free, there is no reason to pay Comcast.

[Bosoxfan]

I'm confused.Why would paying to watch tv be a problem? I'm guessing that most people that don't want to pay for tv can afford it. Someone please enlighten me.

[Bosoxfan]

Personally I think they look hideous. I WILL NOT install an antenna outdoors. I live in The Villages and I don't want to see them. I'm sure your neighbors feel the same way.

Please no outdoor antennas! I agree they look hideous!

[njbchbum]

Why not? Personally I think they look hideous. I WILL NOT install an antenna outdoors. I live in The Villages and I don't want to see them.snipped

So you cannot/will not/do not install antennas in manufactured homes?

[dirtbanker]

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bpT4QIh8HQ4/0.jpg

Now that does not look too bad...get your old lady some climbing boots and a hand held two way radio for fine tuning!
According to a poster on here "lt is legal by federal law which preempts any deed restriction".

But you still don't have internet, guess Comcast will still be in business even though there is free TV available via antenna...

[villages07]

Does anyone know if the Summerfield Comcast office has any HD DTA boxes in stock? I would like to replace the two I have and get a third, free for a year as they promised, for the one TV with no box that is now fully scrambled.

[Chellybean]

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bpT4QIh8HQ4/0.jpg

Now that does not look too bad...get your old lady some climbing boots and a hand held two way radio for fine tuning!
According to a poster on here "lt is legal by federal law which preempts any deed restriction".

But you still don't have internet, guess Comcast will still be in business even though there is free TV available via antenna...

those are not FTA antenna but nice try.
a small omin direction antenna is smaller than a satellite dish and in my opinion not offensive.
It should be individual choice what they what to do about free channels and not Comcast and the villages that profits from it
that's why we have the constitution and bill of rights

[mulligan]

those are not FTA antenna but nice try.
a small omin direction antenna is smaller than a satellite dish and in my opinion not offensive.
It should be individual choice what they what to do about free channels and not Comcast and the villages that profits from it
that's why we have the constitution and bill of rights

But if they are in business to facilitate your reception...........?

[Chellybean]

But if they are in business to facilitate your reception...........?

understood but they are selling a local channels only in your area for profit and the channels are free broadcasting is my point.
I can see them charging a far rate for a good signal but 40.00 extra a month is ridiculous and unfair and they are in a very gray area in charging for free channels.
They are the big dog and have lobbyist in Washington and have yet to be challenged in their business practice.
I just want freedom of choice to put a antenna on my home or choose my carrier that i want to use not someone ramming a carrier down my throat due to the powers to be letting them on there infer-structure.
i hope you understand my point.

[Chellybean]

A small Omni directional antenna may be fine in Orlando but it won't be much help in The Villages

untrue,i am in the south in the villages and i get 56 channels, you do have some signal losses at time due to weather etc, sun distortion etc...
but it is 3% of the time.
I am willing to suffer through it instead of buying service.
I am a homeowner that has as much electronic expertise as you, however i do not install antennas for profit and have to make any guaranty's of signals.
I understand your point and know you have to have more reliability of signal strength.
I could go higher and bigger but i want to keep a peaceful solution in the neighborhood and do not want a legal battle with the powers to be, the federal law is clear.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Yes, the letters went out a month ago with the 23rd listed as the cut off date. If you are a Comcast customer and are paying for TV service they will provide you with 2 digital adaptors free for 2 years. If you are an Internet customer only and want TV service, call me. I got a customer today limited basic with the news channels (CNN, Fox, etc) and Internet for about $60. If you sign up with me I'll hook up the boxes and program the remotes and as always, no contract. I also have a contact for Century Link and DirectTV services.

If you are interested in an antenna (I've been installing a lot of those lately) give me a call.

I'm extremely busy and often its hard to answer calls live during business hours. Please leave a message and I will call you back.

What else does limited basic include. We watch the History Channel, NatGeo. Palladia, AMC, TBS, and USA quite a bit. (All HD) does limited basic included these?

I would love to get rid of as much Comcast as I can. I have TV and internet. Love the product, hate the company and the lack of service.

I'll be moving soon so it might be a good time for a change.

I don't want a dish of any type. Several of my neighbors have had them and most are waiting for their contracts to run out so they can get cable. I live in Lady Lake so Brighthouse is not available.

What are my options?

[Chellybean]

That's fine and dandy Chellybean but let's not lead people to believe that you can buy a small Omni directional antenna, set it up in your living room window and get a signal 60 miles away. Glad to see other audio video professionals join the thread. How long have you been in the business?

For the do it yourself'ers out there, buy a large Ultra long range UHF antenna, point it between 115-120 degrees and get it up as high as you can.

No one said put an omni direction dish in your window, it should be put on the roof or in the attic.
I am just dispute your comment that a omni directional antenna will not work in the villages.
I believe you are misleading people saying it does not work, i have a signal meter as well as you do and i know what works and what doesn't work and i do agree with one thing you have said height is the key.

[Chellybean]

I never said an Omni directional antenna wouldn't work. I said a small Omni directional antenna won't be much help.

Keyword here is small

what are you considering small mine is a 10-12 inch with a amplifier built in?

[Allegiance]

Funny. By chance I just read leisureville and it states that the reason the homeowners association was formed was because the villages reneged on their promise of free cable.

[dalecrenshaw]

Funny. By chance I just read leisureville and it states that the reason the homeowners association was formed was because the villages reneged on their promise of free cable.

I understand that the original owners in the historic district get free Comcast cable since the Villages originally promised free cable. I guess that the Villages pays for it. Has that changed? Has Comcast cut back on the free channels?

[tomwed]

\\\\\\\

[villages07]

Does anyone know if the Summerfield Comcast office has any HD DTA boxes in stock? I would like to replace the two I have and get a third, free for a year as they promised, for the one TV with no box that is now fully scrambled.


This question kind of got lost in the antenna discussion. Anybody got an answer?

[Chellybean]

my question is simple how can Comcast charge for free stations, i would be pis*ed if i was the broadcaster.
Their customers that sponsors advertisements will lose viewers , i guess the hitch is that they scramble it on there cable and say they don't charge for the free channels in there basic package.
Comcast at its best, cheating customers, FCC let them get to big.

[Pointer]

:shocked:Wow, does anyone else remember that when cable TV was beginning? They were going to be commercial free and that's why you were going to pay for TV? Now you have to pay for free TV from them and there are more commercials then free TV has! I think that every person in the Villages who has Comcast should write them, and maybe some who were considering using them too, what they think of this business practice and will be finding an alternative asap. Lets inundate them with opinions. I can get Directv with so much more for my money. Geeze it's practically a no brainer to switch.

[tuccillo]

You are paying for the distribution of the channels over their infrastructure.

my question is simple how can Comcast charge for free stations, i would be pis*ed if i was the broadcaster.
Their customers that sponsors advertisements will lose viewers , i guess the hitch is that they scramble it on there cable and say they don't charge for the free channels in there basic package.
Comcast at its best, cheating customers, FCC let them get to big.

[virgind]

FYI dont know if anyone has looked into this but deed compliance told me this morning that there are no restrictions on tv antennas. So Directv contract is up in August so I guess it's antenna time. Any cable channels you can get from Sling tv for 20 dollars a month. HBO is 15. Alot better than 100.00 from direct tv and for what.

[looneycat]

This question kind of got lost in the antenna discussion. Anybody got an answer?

the only answer is to ask the comcast summerfield office....how would we know?

[looneycat]

:shocked:Wow, does anyone else remember that when cable TV was beginning? They were going to be commercial free and that's why you were going to pay for TV? Now you have to pay for free TV from them and there are more commercials then free TV has! I think that every person in the Villages who has Comcast should write them, and maybe some who were considering using them too, what they think of this business practice and will be finding an alternative asap. Lets inundate them with opinions. I can get Directv with so much more for my money. Geeze it's practically a no brainer to switch.

why just comcast? all the pay tv companies use the same business paradigm, what makes directtv better?? and if its a no brainer why haven't you done it?

[tuccillo]

I remember the first time I saw cable TV - it was in the early 70's. A lot of the reason for getting cable was for better (or any) reception plus some additional programming, such as HBO. Your cable bill reflected both the cost of distribution (i.e. the cable infrastructure) plus the cost of programming, such as HBO. Things are still pretty much the same. When you sign up for a TV service you are paying for distribution and programming costs. I never cared for the practice of bundling stations and having to pay for programming I never watched but that is for another thread. Fortunately, we have multiple choices for TV service in the Villages. At a minimum, you have Comcast, DirectTV, and Dish. In addition, you may also have access to Brighthouse and CenturyLink. Also, you can eliminate recurring monthly costs by using an over-the-air antenna. I don't think Comcast is really any different than the other sources of TV service. If you are unhappy with their service (or cost) you are free to find a better deal, as you pointed out. However, after switching to DirectTV, you may find you have the same issues after a year or so. You may have noticed that all TV service providers appear to have better deals for new subscribers than existing customers.


:shocked:Wow, does anyone else remember that when cable TV was beginning? They were going to be commercial free and that's why you were going to pay for TV? Now you have to pay for free TV from them and there are more commercials then free TV has! I think that every person in the Villages who has Comcast should write them, and maybe some who were considering using them too, what they think of this business practice and will be finding an alternative asap. Lets inundate them with opinions. I can get Directv with so much more for my money. Geeze it's practically a no brainer to switch.

[villages07]

the only answer is to ask the comcast summerfield office....how would we know?


Well...because you can't call them directly and I would hate to waste a trip up there for nothing. Just asking in case someone has been in that office in the past week and knows the answer. Sheesh.

[tomwed]

:shocked:Wow, does anyone else remember that when cable TV was beginning? They were going to be commercial free and that's why you were going to pay for TV? Now you have to pay for free TV from them and there are more commercials then free TV has! I think that every person in the Villages who has Comcast should write them, and maybe some who were considering using them too, what they think of this business practice and will be finding an alternative asap. Lets inundate them with opinions. I can get Directv with so much more for my money. Geeze it's practically a no brainer to switch.

Direct TV 19.95 for 12 months with 24-mo. agreement. Plus additional fees. Requires enrollment in Auto Bill Pay

What is the total for 24 months?

[Wavy Chips]

:shocked:Wow, does anyone else remember that when cable TV was beginning? They were going to be commercial free and that's why you were going to pay for TV? Now you have to pay for free TV from them and there are more commercials then free TV has! I think that every person in the Villages who has Comcast should write them, and maybe some who were considering using them too, what they think of this business practice and will be finding an alternative asap.

I can remember when we got cable for the first time as a kid. We paid $5 a month for the standard package but could pay $7 for a package that included a movie channel. I can't remember how many channels we got, but you are correct, the promise was no commercials in exchange for $5 per month. It has morphed into hundreds of channels with hundreds of thousands of commercials for $50+ per month. This is all overseen by the same government that oversees Amtrak, USPS, and now your healthcare (just sayin').
As for Comcast, while it was nice that they were providing "over the air" signals via the cable that they run to your house, I don't necessary fault them for charging for that service. After all, they are a business (although probably a poorly run business) and they should be able to charge for the services they provide. The real problem is that TV is too far from both Orlando and Ocala to easily get strong signals from either with an antenna.

[tuccillo]

I pull in 50 channels from Orlando with an over-the-air antenna installed by Tom at the VillagesAV.com. Call Tom for more information. I live on the southside. Tom is excellent.

I can remember when we got cable for the first time as a kid. We paid $5 a month for the standard package but could pay $7 for a package that included a movie channel. I can't remember how many channels we got, but you are correct, the promise was no commercials in exchange for $5 per month. It has morphed into hundreds of channels with hundreds of thousands of commercials for $50+ per month. This is all overseen by the same government that oversees Amtrak, USPS, and now your healthcare (just sayin').
As for Comcast, while it was nice that they were providing "over the air" signals via the cable that they run to your house, I don't necessary fault them for charging for that service. After all, they are a business (although probably a poorly run business) and they should be able to charge for the services they provide. The real problem is that TV is too far from both Orlando and Ocala to easily get strong signals from either with an antenna.

[justjim]

I'm sorry to admit that I was totally in favor of deregulation, however the competition and lower rates just didn't happen in the cable business. Some form of regulation may be necessary or the middle class is going to have to go back to television the way it was before technology improvements. It's sorry!

[tuccillo]

I don't follow you. What technology improvements are you referring to?

I'm sorry to admit that I was totally in favor of deregulation, however the competition and lower rates just didn't happen in the cable business. Some form of regulation may be necessary or the middle class is going to have to go back to television the way it was before technology improvements. It's sorry!

[justjim]

I understand that the original owners in the historic district get free Comcast cable since the Villages originally promised free cable. I guess that the Villages pays for it. Has that changed? Has Comcast cut back on the free channels?

I could be wrong but I think the key word here is ORIGINAL owners. Somebody told me when the house "changes hands" that is the end of free. Frankly, I heard that but don't know for sure if that is the case. :(

[justjim]

I don't follow you. What technology improvements are you referring to?

I am talking about the 30-40 foot tower my parents had in order to get a tv signal 100 miles away. Some were on top of the house others beside the house. Anyway, they weren't buried out of sight in the ground. TV was "free"!

[tuccillo]

My antenna is "buried" in my attic and my TV is free. If you are in a remote area, some other provision will need to be made. I am not sure I would view a "buried" cable as a technology improvement. What has really changed is the TV service providers have attempted, and in many cases have succeeded, in getting you to pay for programming you never watch via channel bundles.

I am talking about the 30-40 foot tower my parents had in order to get a tv signal 100 miles away. Some were on top of the house others beside the house. Anyway, they weren't buried out of sight in the ground. TV was "free"!

[Wavy Chips]

Ok, time to stir the pot. The cable companies (not dish) basically provide 2 things, television and internet. In both cases you can buy various packages based on your needs and budget. We've talked about various options for the television side, but what about the internet side? I assume 90%+ of villagers have internet and 90%+ of those folks get their internet from a cable company. I'm guessing that internet costs $30 on up per month based on the speed you want. So, conceptually speaking what would you think if TV started a "non-profit" muni Wi-Fi system to provide internet service to the entire complex? And, what would you be willing to pay? There are a number of cities around the world that have this setup, so it does work, but I don't know how well. TV has a great infrastructure setup, a closed loop community, a central billing structure, so it "could" work? Would you be willing to pay and extra $1, $2, $3 per month on your amenities bill for average to above average internet speed in exchange for routers attached to half the light poles on every street. If you want more that what the muni Wi-Fi offers, you are free to purchase a package from a cable company. It would be just like golf, we all pay for free golf (if that makes sense) whether we use it or not, and we are free to pay for golf outside of that if we choose. :D

[NavyNJ]

So Comcast should pipe the over the air transmissions into every home over there network for free? Does that apply to CenturyLink and Brighthouse?

Tom - You will never win this argument with a good portion of this audience! Nice try, though! :)

[NavyNJ]

FYI dont know if anyone has looked into this but deed compliance told me this morning that there are no restrictions on tv antennas. So Directv contract is up in August so I guess it's antenna time. Any cable channels you can get from Sling tv for 20 dollars a month. HBO is 15. A lot better than 100.00 from direct tv and for what.

I think that's a great idea! By any chance, have you priced it out on how to get all that on 4 TV's in different rooms, at the same time? I'm guessing you're giving up on any type of DVR capability - yes? Oh, and what internet speed/pkg are you using to be able to pull all the streaming TV in, and still surf the net? Have you gotten any quotes yet on the antenna install from a contractor to erect it (if you're going with a ground-based tower), or to install in on the roof? I see lots of folks on this forum "talk" about doing antennas (outside vs attic), and getting 50+ channels, but never see any math or channel listings (except from Tom at VillagesAV). Just curious.....anyone have that kind of info to share? Appreciate it if so.....

[tuccillo]

OK, I'll bite. I don't see any motivation for the CDDs (that is where you amenities bill comes from) to do this. The infrastructure to deliver internet is already in place (coax and fiber) for private companies to do this. Cellphone companies also have the infrastructure already in place to "sort of do this" via cell towers. You are suggesting that the CDDs put yet another set of infrastructure in place? I don't see it happening.

Ok, time to stir the pot. The cable companies (not dish) basically provide 2 things, television and internet. In both cases you can buy various packages based on your needs and budget. We've talked about various options for the television side, but what about the internet side? I assume 90%+ of villagers have internet and 90%+ of those folks get their internet from a cable company. I'm guessing that internet costs $30 on up per month based on the speed you want. So, conceptually speaking what would you think if TV started a "non-profit" muni Wi-Fi system to provide internet service to the entire complex? And, what would you be willing to pay? There are a number of cities around the world that have this setup, so it does work, but I don't know how well. TV has a great infrastructure setup, a closed loop community, a central billing structure, so it "could" work? Would you be willing to pay and extra $1, $2, $3 per month on your amenities bill for average to above average internet speed in exchange for routers attached to half the light poles on every street. If you want more that what the muni Wi-Fi offers, you are free to purchase a package from a cable company. It would be just like golf, we all pay for free golf (if that makes sense) whether we use it or not, and we are free to pay for golf outside of that if we choose. :D

[Opmoochler]

We're moving into The Villages in Sept. and plan to have only TV & internet, assuming our cell phones work adequately. I don't know what provider the previous owners used. Up to now, we've been content with basic plus TV service - no need for premium channels - along with phone and internet. All of this chatter confuses me, as we currently have Time Warner in our NY home and Comcast in the MD house we are selling. I had thought to look into either company when we moved to FL. So Comcast is out? Any suggestions for reliable service at a reasonable price?

[Wavy Chips]

OK, I'll bite. I don't see any motivation for the CDDs (that is where you amenities bill comes from) to do this. The infrastructure to deliver internet is already in place (coax and fiber) for private companies to do this. Cellphone companies also have the infrastructure already in place to "sort of do this" via cell towers. You are suggesting that the CDDs put yet another set of infrastructure in place? I don't see it happening.

I understand, but wanted to throw it out there conceptually. But, as more and more television content is provided over the Internet, it's only a matter of time before cable TV/dish go away and the only thing you have coming into your home is Internet. Just think if ESPN decided to provide all content over the Internet, even with a subscription, it would be a huge blow to the cable providers. I think the future is ala carte television channels provided soley through the internet. At that point, I could see residents pushing for a muni Wi-Fi system. IMO the CCD's generally provide excellent service for a very reasonable price. Why can't that include Internet.

[tuccillo]

The "cable" companies are already providers of internet. In The Villages that is Comcast and Brighthouse. The "phone" company is also a provider of internet and TV. In The Villages that is CenturyLink. For all intents and purposes, TV is just another set of packets of data being sent down the coax or fiber. The "cable" companies aren't going anywhere as they are the major providers of internet to the home in this country. Cell tower based data services will probably continue to grow but it isn't clear to me that people will opt for that over coax and fiber based systems to the home. The satellite based companies (DirectTV and Dish) may survive to service areas without other infrastructure. You can already receive an amazing amount of programming through streaming boxes and I agree that more ala carte programming will become available. I have been using Roku boxes for a couple of years now.

I understand, but wanted to throw it out there conceptually. But, as more and more television content is provided over the Internet, it's only a matter of time before cable TV/dish go away and the only thing you have coming into your home is Internet. Just think if ESPN decided to provide all content over the Internet, even with a subscription, it would be a huge blow to the cable providers. I think the future is ala carte television channels provided soley through the internet. At that point, I could see residents pushing for a muni Wi-Fi system. IMO the CCD's generally provide excellent service for a very reasonable price. Why can't that include Internet.

[Chellybean]

You are paying for the distribution of the channels over their infrastructure.

Yes i understand that but they should not be able to profit from free TV like they do, that is my only point!

[tuccillo]

How much excess profit do you think they are receiving? In other words, do you know what their distribution costs are? These are rhetorical questions but I hope you see my point - you really don't know their cost structure or where their margins are. Without that sort of information, it is impossible to say that you are being gouged for "free TV channels", and I believe that is the point you are trying to make. I have been using an over-the-air antenna for several years as I don't see the need to pay for the distribution and for programming I don't watch. I don't have a problem with any company making a profit.

Yes i understand that but they should not be able to profit from free TV like they do, that is my only point!

[Chellybean]

Its really simple. Free TV is available with an antenna or pay to play with the cable or satellite subscription.

yes i get your point, big dog wins, but i just can't get over the fact they are profiting from free TV as bad as they do, if it was reasonable i would have no problem paying 5.00 to 10.00 a month for it, not 40.00 a month
I guess this is why you are busy putting up antenna's.
People feel the same way i do.

[Chellybean]

How much excess profit do you think they are receiving? In other words, do you know what their distribution costs are? These are rhetorical questions but I hope you see my point - you really don't know their cost structure or where their margins are. Without that sort of information, it is impossible to say that you are being gouged for "free TV channels", and I believe that is the point you are trying to make. I have been using an over-the-air antenna for several years as I don't see the need to pay for the distribution and for programming I don't watch. I don't have a problem with any company making a profit.

in fact i do have quit a bit of knowledge in that business and the 12' dish they use to capture the local channels and all other broadcasting from the satellite is there for the taking.all the channels are piggy backed.so that being said with the digital bandwidth they can put 1000's of channels and bandwidth.
One other thing the cable company's doesn't tell you that the internet speed they promise is only maximum peak MB that can be taken.
However the hard pipe supplied to your neighborhood is always overloaded and the bandwidth you are paying for is very rarely there during peak time.
However with DSL it comes to you on your own pipe and you have guaranteed speed, however the cable company's doesn't tell you that and if you ask they lie to your face. Read up folks that is the truth!
the margins are very small for what it cost them to put free channels on there cable.
I will let you decide if they are gouging or not.
My answer is yes

[Wavy Chips]

The "cable" companies are already providers of internet. In The Villages that is Comcast and Brighthouse. The "phone" company is also a provider of internet and TV. In The Villages that is CenturyLink. For all intents and purposes, TV is just another set of packets of data being sent down the coax or fiber. The "cable" companies aren't going anywhere as they are the major providers of internet to the home in this country. Cell tower based data services will probably continue to grow but it isn't clear to me that people will opt for that over coax and fiber based systems to the home. The satellite based companies (DirectTV and Dish) may survive to service areas without other infrastructure. You can already receive an amazing amount of programming through streaming boxes and I agree that more ala carte programming will become available. I have been using Roku boxes for a couple of years now.

Not sure I completely agree. The cable companies may continue to exist, but the TV side of the business is where ALL the money is made. The Internet is just a pipe into your home. If all that's left is Internet, the cable companies will be just like the electric company or the gas company. Belive me, cable companies are very scared about the TV side of the business. Regardless, it's going to be interesting to see how this evolves.

[bob47]

So Comcast should pipe the over the air transmissions into every home over there network for free? Does that apply to CenturyLink and Brighthouse?

I would just point out that we were not getting the local channels for free. You had to pay for at least basic service. Then you could choose to let your TV tuner find the available unscrambled channels, or use the digital transport adapter to receive the scambled channels. Whichever you chose, it was aproximately the same few channels.

The problem is, when you use the DTA, the picture quality is degraded, the picture size is not consitent from channel to channel or show to show, you have to put up with gray bars or distorted images, etc.

[Chellybean]

Not sure I completely agree. The cable companies may continue to exist, but the TV side of the business is where ALL the money is made. The Internet is just a pipe into your home. If all that's left is Internet, the cable companies will be just like the electric company or the gas company. Belive me, cable companies are very scared about the TV side of the business. Regardless, it's going to be interesting to see how this evolves.

Wavy chip you are very wise the cable company's days are numbered and they will collapses.
The internet will stream everything you need for TV in the future.
Sit back and watch the show, guaranteed the tax payers with bail out the cable companies next.
Just my opinion, read up folks its on the way and i am waiting for these providers to get there's just like the cell company's are in today's market.

[tuccillo]

I don't use Comcast so I don't really care what they charge but they are allowed to make a profit. I use CenturyLink for internet only. My point remains, you really don't know what their costs are for distributing "free channels" to your house. Your point regarding their internet on a shared loop is actually well known and is tangential to the issue you brought up. Regardless, if you don't want to pay, nobody is forcing you. I recommend Tom if you need an antenna installed.

in fact i do have quit a bit of knowledge in that business and the 12' dish they use to capture the local channels and all other broadcasting from the satellite is there for the taking.all the channels are piggy backed.so that being said with the digital bandwidth they can put 1000's of channels and bandwidth.
One other thing the cable company's doesn't tell you that the internet speed they promise is only maximum peak MB that can be taken.
However the hard pipe supplied to your neighborhood is always overloaded and the bandwidth you are paying for is very rarely there during peak time.
However with DSL it comes to you on your own pipe and you have guaranteed speed, however the cable company's doesn't tell you that and if you ask they lie to your face. Read up folks that is the truth!
the margins are very small for what it cost them to put free channels on there cable.
I will let you decide if they are gouging or not.
My answer is yes

[tuccillo]

When the cable companies collapse more than half the broadband customers won't have internet access so they won't be watching anything over the internet.

Wavy chip you are very wise the cable company's days are numbered and they will collapses.
The internet will stream everything you need for TV in the future.
Sit back and watch the show, guaranteed the tax payers with bail out the cable companies next.
Just my opinion, read up folks its on the way and i am waiting for these providers to get there's just like the cell company's are in today's market.

[tuccillo]

The cable companies (and phone companies too) are selling internet bandwidth and programming content. They pay for the content (for example ESPN) and resell and distribute it to you. They own lots of infrastructure to deliver internet bandwidth and programming content. If you are suggesting that how they sell programming content will change then I agree with you; I am sure it will move to more of a ala carte arrangement instead of the current bundling. They will continue to sell internet bandwidth regardless of whether it delivers programming they are reselling or you are getting your programming from another provider such as Netflix. The cable companies aren't going anywhere because they have the infrastructure to deliver bandwidth to the home. You will most likely continue to pay a cable company or phone company for broadband internet access.

Not sure I completely agree. The cable companies may continue to exist, but the TV side of the business is where ALL the money is made. The Internet is just a pipe into your home. If all that's left is Internet, the cable companies will be just like the electric company or the gas company. Belive me, cable companies are very scared about the TV side of the business. Regardless, it's going to be interesting to see how this evolves.

[Ecuadog]

... The cable companies aren't going anywhere because they have the infrastructure to deliver bandwidth to the home. You will most likely continue to pay a cable company or phone company for broadband internet access.

The next step is to charge you for the amount of "data" that you use.

[tuccillo]

I would not be surprised if this happens to make up for lost revenue from selling less content. Things are fluid - good observation.

The next step is to charge you for the amount of "data" that you use.

[Mikeod]

You're using the wrong DTA. Xfinity /Comcast has HD DTA's with HDMI output available.
I didn't know the HD DTAs were available here. Tell me more!

[villagetinker]

Yes HDMI high definition digital adaptors are available from Xfinity /Comcast. They are tiny little boxes barely larger than the old SD coax out version you may have seen. They also use (and include) the new X1 platform remote control. It's a nice set-up if you don't need a full featured box with on demand and pausing, fast forward and rewind functionality.

They also have a box just slightly larger than a DTA I believe they call it the X1 mini companion, its technical name is Pace X3i. It's a full featured X1 box that has an SD card on board for pausing live TV. It's fully integrated with the X1 platform DVR. These things are slick and much easier to hide behind a TV when wall mounting. (See pic)

This is interesting, I was at the local Comcast office with 2 dead HDA adapters and specifically asked for the new HD adapters and was told NOT AVAILABLE in this area yet.....When I spoke to Comcast on the 800 number they said they were available.... Does anyone really know?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Sorry, can't do anything in a manufactured home except sign you up for Comcast. $49, HDTV and Internet, additional HD boxes are 50 cents. HBO included. ;)

If Comcast HD TV and internet service are $49 per moth, what am I paying $15 for?

[linda_sears]

Yes, the letters went out a month ago with the 23rd listed as the cut off date. If you are a Comcast customer and are paying for TV service they will provide you with 2 digital adaptors free for 2 years. If you are an Internet customer only and want TV service, call me. I got a customer today limited basic with the news channels (CNN, Fox, etc) and Internet for about $60. If you sign up with me I'll hook up the boxes and program the remotes and as always, no contract. I also have a contact for Century Link and DirectTV services.

If you are interested in an antenna (I've been installing a lot of those lately) give me a call.

I'm extremely busy and often its hard to answer calls live during business hours. Please leave a message and I will call you back.
I have direct tv. Are you saying you can provide direct tv. ...cheaper?

[looneycat]

Wavy chip you are very wise the cable company's days are numbered and they will collapses.
The internet will stream everything you need for TV in the future.
Sit back and watch the show, guaranteed the tax payers with bail out the cable companies next.
Just my opinion, read up folks its on the way and i am waiting for these providers to get there's just like the cell company's are in today's market.

prism is already delivering it's content via the internet as well as phone voip service. that future is already here.