RCN vs Comcast

[mrwrench.livejournal.com]

Hi all. Long-time listener, first-time caller.

I am moving to Davis Sq next month and am in the process of setting up my utilities.

Wondering if anyone has any insight into RCN vs Comcast for phone/cable/internet.

I saw some scattered posts on this topic in the archive, but none too recently.

Any help would be appreciated.

Comments

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[ron_newman]

what's a QAM?

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[wombatbanana.livejournal.com]

QAM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner) is the standard, unencrypted way of transmitting digital TV signals. Normally you can get at least the local broadcast stations in HD without a cable box (if your TV supports QAM), in the same way that many cable stations are available without a cable box (if your TV is cable-ready.)

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[warlord-mit.livejournal.com]

QAM == Quad Amplitude Modulation. It's the way cable companies send digital cable over the wire. "Clear QAM" means that a digital-capable TV (read: any HD TV created in a past couple years) can tune the channels directly. But if it's encrypted, it requires a cable box.

Until recently RCN had all their basic cable (and HD) unencrypted.

That changed.. So now there's practically no digital content available in the clear.

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[ron_newman]

I'm surprised the FCC would allow encrypting broadcast channels.

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[warlord-mit.livejournal.com]

Me too.
The SD (Standard Def) broadcasts are not encrypted, but the local HDs are definitely being encrypted. I don't know what the FCC says about that.

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[inkarn8.livejournal.com]

I think because they own their own cable line the FCC rules don't apply in the same way as stations being broadcasted through the public airwaves.

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[warlord-mit.livejournal.com]

Well, the FCC DOES require cable companies to carry local broadcast stations.

I just dont know what it says about encrypting them.