[mythtv-users] Will we ever have Clear QAM WAS: Seattle Times: Comcast to encrypt basic cable QAM channels

[James Oltman]

On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 4:09 PM, David Brodbeck <gull at gull.us> wrote:

> On Mon, September 14, 2009 1:36 pm, James Crow wrote:
> > Let me look at it from a different angle. What if the cable co left all
> > expanded basic channels clear QAM they would have no way to prevent the
> > users with basic cable from receiving the expanded basic channels. I do
> > not know how their system works, but I think they need some way to
> > prevent users from viewing material they do not pay for.
>
> The old method was to use trap filters that blocked the higher channel
> frequencies.  However, this required someone to climb the pole to install
> or remove a filter for each subscriber that switched to or from basic
> cable.  By forcing everyone to get a set-top box they can just reconfigure
> the box remotely from the head end.
>
>

What they need to do is to make a "Network Terminal" box.  This box would
sit on the outside of your house (like the phone company) and connect to
their network.  There would be a few connections off this box.  One would be
an ethernet jack, the other would be an RG6 coax, and the last would be a
phone jack.  The coax jack would output Clear QAM and connect to the cable
in your house.  The cable company would then be able to control which tier
you get through the Network Terminal box (just as they do now on the DVR
boxes).  The NT box can be rented for the same cost as a DVR / month, or not
at all.  It'd be so much cheaper for them to manage one box per household
versus 2 or 3 DVRs per household.

It's basically taking Verizon's FiOS Optical Network Terminal and expanding
on it.  Verizon's ONT can already output clear QAM for local HDs (IIRC), so
adding it for other channels really isn't an issue.

Of course, we all know this won't happen.  For one, it's easy (and makes
sense).  Two, they won't get as much rental fees out of it.  And three,
they'll bring up the whole "pirate" argument.  That's a pretty silly
argument considering pirates will get the TV show out there one way or
another.  Anyway, that's my rant.  Thanks for reading.

Jim
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