[mythtv-users] First Stab at a Shopping List

Matt skd5aner at gmail.com
Sat Apr 14 00:10:04 UTC 2007


On 4/13/07, Rod Smith <mythtv at rodsbooks.com> wrote:
> On Friday 13 April 2007 17:28, Jarod Wilson wrote:
> > On Friday 13 April 2007 16:53:05 R. G. Newbury wrote:
> >
> > > Cable providers are not *required* to change from analog delivery when
> > > the broadcast world goes digital.
> >
> > I've actually heard that here in the US, it'll be a government-mandated
> > thing, and cable providers can't do analog anymore after like 2009 or
> > something like that.
>
> 2009 is when the government-mandated cutoff on NTSC **OTA BROADCASTS** is to
> take effect. AFAIK, this does *NOT* affect cable companies. As others have
> stated, cable companies might well choose to make the switch at the same time
> because it'll be convenient, but I have yet to see an authoritative claim
> (with references to US law) that cable companies will be required to
> discontinue NTSC service in 2009 or at any other time. Some cable companies
> are reportedly claiming that they're being forced to make this change, but
> this seems to be a lie used to shift the blame for their own decisions when
> customers object. If you've got a reference to actual US law that says
> otherwise, I'd certainly be interested in seeing it.
>
> --
> Rod Smith
> http://www.rodsbooks.com


Yes, at least that's how I understand it as well.  The delivery
mechanism for the cable companies is their own, private infrastructure
- and they can push it however they want.  However, what the FCC is
mandating is over-the-air because they want to free up that frequency
space so that it can be better utilized (and they can make more money
licensing the "new" free space).  However, once the cable companies
get the signal, their under no obligation to stop analog signals over
their own infrastructure.  They definitly aren't being forced, but
they probably are using it as a reason to push STBs and digital cable
so they don't have to support both analog and digital - that's costly
for them.

Thanks!
Matt


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