Why do cable companies encrypt what was not encrypted in the past?

[tim_d_wagner]

My issue with encryption of local channels is this - the cable company does not pay for them. If the cable company had to pay the local stations for it I could see that, after all they pay a boatload of cash to CNN and other channels.

The argument is if you want the free local, by the seperate equipment and go get it.

In Canada, the battle is comming to a head. Currently all digital for the most part is encrypted,if you want local HD, you need OTA or STB. The Canadian government had setup a method for local brodcasters to make money from Cable companies called Time Shifting. Basicaly if a local station airs the same program at the same time the local version with comercials gets aired instead of the US version. So everyone that watches the superbowl in Canada gets the local stations comercials, and they get to sell that ad space at a higher rate accordingly since more than just their viewers will see it. The encorages local broadcasters to buy local US shows, and air them to match popular US networks.

Local broadcasters want more, saying if cable pays for other stations they should pay for theirs.

I hope this will review will:

• Force cable to unencrypt local broadcasts
• Force FCC debate for US clients
• End Time Shifting and alow more focus on Canadian Content or alternat time viewing
• End the forced use of STBs

[ChefJoe]

If you want to send the FCC a strong message about allowing encrypted QAM to be the basic level of service for Cablevision in NYC (with long term implications that it could evolve into doing away with clear QAM nationwide), you have until October 22nd to make your comments. Some of the ones up there already are short and, eh, sweet.

FCC Electronic Comment Filing System

Petition 09-168

Cablevision Systems Corporation ("'Cable vision"), pursuant to section 76.7 of the
Commission's rules,l/ seeks a waiver from the encryption prohibition to authorize it to encrypt broadcast basic programming in its New York City franchise areas,21 effective upon its upcoming conversion to all-digital programming. Granting such a waiver in an all-digital environment will reduce costs, improve customer service, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and have virtually no negative impact on customers who, as subscribers to a cable service that has already migrated to "all-digital," will already have set top boxes or CableCards.

[vidiot1985]

Thanks for the FCC link. I've submitted a comment about how folks with digital TVs as well as computers with Clear QAM tuners would be harmed, putting the lie to CableVision's claim that their customers have STBs and cablecards already, since they're already all digital.

[TomXP411]

You know...

more and more, I'm seeing the value in services like Hulu.com. Hulu will probably be going to a paid-subscription model next year, and if they do, I'm guessing that will draw in more premium content.

I can't wait until the day when I can get 100% of my TV through streaming services like Hulu and end this cable/dvr confusions once and for all.


In the meantime... the FCC waiver was to allow Comcast to use non-CableCard boxes on the network, simply because they're cheaper. CC still has to support CableCard devices, but it also has the option (with this waiver) of supporting these non-CableCard boxes, too.

And the reason ComCast will be encrypting everything: it's to keep people from stealing cable. People steal cable all the time: sometimes they do it by physically tapping the line, others do it by simply plugging in a wire that the provider forgot to disconnect. In any event, encryping the entire network means that the provider will have complete control over their content. Remember, this is not about YOUR convenience; it's about THEIR pocketbook!

[ChefJoe]

Well, the latest application for an FCC waiver I revived this post over is Cablevision seeking to convert to encrypted QAM for everything, including basic cable. My dual clear QAM tuner would be halved in that scenario, even after going with blasters and their DTA box.

I keep seeing conflicting information about the costs. Pace, the company that made most of the Comcast DTAs, applied for and was awarded the waiver based on cost. I think their application suggested a full cablebox costs around $400. Then I see statements like "As for downloadable security -- once considered to be a lower-cost solution than CableCards for meeting the separable-security mandate of the FCC -- Leddy said the economics favor simply continuing on the CableCard path. The economics of downloadable security are challenging,” he said. “At this point the cost to a television set for a CableCard slot is a couple of bucks. To put the more complex technology into the television to do downloadable security will probably add more cost.” Kevin Leddy being Time Warner's executive vice president of technology policy and product management. And this is from something saying True2Way will be out in most markets by mid to end 2009.
CES 2009: Comcast, TWC To Flip Tru2way Switch By July 1 - 2009-01-10 09:06:00 EST | Multichannel News

So they're still committed to CableCard, but good luck buying anything that uses it other than a series 3 TiVo.

Listing of cable-card devices maintained by CableLabs.
http://www.cablelabs.com/udcp/downloads/OC_PNP.pdf

More about CableCard True2Way Status
Tru2way plug-and-play digital cable support still AWOL - Ars Technica

[TomXP411]

Originally Posted by ChefJoe

So they're still committed to CableCard, but good luck buying anything that uses it other than a series 3 TiVo.

Actually, one of the TV's in my house has a CableCard slot...

I'm starting to get more curious about the Microsoft solution... I'm wondering when that's going to come out and how hard it'll be to set up. It will mean finally installing Windows 7 in my media PC, but it will also mean cleaning up some of the cable clutter (and getting rid of the cable box, once and for all!)

[stalky14]

When Comcast encrypted the basics here is when I switched back to satellite for all but locals (clear QAM). If I'm going to have to use a box to tune, I'd rather it be one that doesn't suck. Also satellite offers a couple tiers in between $10 locals-only and $58 "Expanded Basic". Seems like Comcast COULD use their newfound granular control to create more tiers, but they don't.