<blockquote>Thanks Robert, that makes a lot of sense for what I am experiencing.</blockquote><blockquote>When trying to set all this up, I ran into many citations to FCC</blockquote><blockquote>regulations regarding firewire ports and capabilities. Are they</blockquote>
<blockquote>legally obligated to do anything in this case, and if so what? Also</blockquote><blockquote>what specifically should I ask for and what is the best way to do so?</blockquote><br><div>Hi Kirk,</div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder">
</div><div>Yep, FCC regulations do require that they give you a box with a firewire port on demand, that that port be "active," and that they make available unencrypted any channels which you could receive via OTA broadcast. They aren't required to give you anything else via firewire, though. Pretty much what they are technically required to give you amounts to Network TV and local/community college type channels for most people. Sadly, your experience is not unique and a provider totally ignoring this regulation is not unheard of. Sadly, the regulation doesn't have much in the way of "teeth" as the only thing a provider really (theoretically) jeopardizes by ignoring it is their license renewal. The reality is that they have too much money, too many lawyers, lobbyists, etc. to ever see that actually happen. That said, I have heard stories of people suing in small claims court (where, at least in California, they cannot have lawyers present) and getting monetary judgments this way. First step is to get onto the myth wiki and go to the firewire page, where the regulation is linked. That way you can quote it chapter and verse when you call the cable co. They will probably not know much on the first CSR level, but if they can put you in touch with a headend engineer, maybe you can make some progress that way. Let us know how it goes.</div>
<div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div>Robert</div>