[mythtv-users] Current Verizon FIOS experiences

[Dan Wilga]

At 11:17 AM -0500 12/16/09, Johnny wrote:
>I think you are referring to the fact that Comcast got a waiver to
>allow them encrypt their extended basic channels without the use of a
>cable card. The FCC mandated all cable providers only use cable cards
>for decryption in set top boxes. Recently when switching to all
>digital, Comcast had to give their analog subscribers digital set top
>boxes for free. Since they had to give them out for free they went
>super cheap and used boxes that can't do the standard encryption so
>Comcast was having to send everything in the clear. They got a waver
>to allow them to use another simpler type of encryption that these
>free boxes can handle. So they are now in the process encrypting all
>of the the extended basic channels again. This is a separate issue
>from the OTA broadcast channels. Those are still supposed to be in the
>clear.

And, in some markets (like mine), they are providing the SD versions 
of OTA channels in the clear but encrypting the HD versions. Grrr...
-- 
Dan Wilga                                                        "Ook."