RCN switched to all-digital TV last night

[avacon.livejournal.com]

For those who have RCN cable TV, they appear to have made the switch to all-digital
last night in Somerville. As part of this, they also rearranged all of their channel numbers.
As a result, anyone without a DTV tuner or cable box can no longer receive any channels.

If you have a TiVo, you may want to check it as you may need to tell it to "repeat guided setup"
for it to learn the new lineup and properly record on the correct channels
(hit "enter" in the channel list under the "settings -> channels" menu).
It seems like simply picking up program guide updates isn't good enough.

Comments

encryption unnecessary

[artguychris.livejournal.com]

It irks me that they're using this as an excuse to encrypt all their content to force every subscriber to get and pay for a converter box. Anyone with a QAM tuner is capable of receiving digital and HD content without a box, as I had been doing for quite a while until they started encrypting everything. They should leave the basic service unencrypted. I'm looking into satellite now.

Re: encryption unnecessary

[somerville311.livejournal.com]

If you have a TV with a built-in QAM tuner, everything but premium content should be in the clear -- even without a cable box. Have you tested to see if it isn't?

Also, the first basic cable box for each household is supposed to be free. If you are being charged, please send details to the Somerville Communications Department at:

communications@somervillema.gov

Re: encryption unnecessary

[artguychris.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I miskpoke a bit. They encrypted all *HD* content, even the local network stations. Most of the basic tier came in OK on my QAM TV, but there were a few channels I could not get without the box.

They also made life difficult by rearranging the QAM channel #'s of stations frequently and not publishing them. It's a pretty tedious process to go through the entire lineup every month or 2 and reprogram the TV.

I am indeed being charged $10/month for an HD box. Is it extra because it's HD? That's on top of $50 for the service, which is why I'm looking to Dish.

Re: encryption unnecessary

[warlord-mit.livejournal.com]

I posted here (http://warlord-mit.livejournal.com/13759.html) that RCN was encrypting all its QAM, including the local (non-premium) HD channels, as of May/June. In other words, by UNPLUGGING RCN and plugging in a pair of rabbit ears into my HDTV, I get /more/ HD than just plugging in the RCN cable itself.

Re: encryption unnecessary

[ron_newman]

RCN posted signs today in my building lobby saying that all of their customers need to get a cable box as of 12/15, and directing people to pick them up at the Dilboy VFW. This suggests that they are not providing clear QAM. Should the city do something about this?