End of ClearQAM

[mvallevand]

It looks like Americans will soon see what its like in Canada without ClearQAM http://www.missingremote.com/news/2011-1...am-goodbye If that doesn't sound bad enough, the lead-in gloom and doom over cable providers going after the analog hole and copy-freely next is ominous. I already pay $150 for cable and internet per month right now how and this new "four screen" world sure is not what I expected, especially if Microsoft is simply conceded the PC screen.

Martin

[mikeh49]

As long as we are going to be like Canada, we might as well go with a single payer health system as well. This is a bummer. I see where they are coming from thought, especially theft of service. Seems to be either a truck roll to disconnect, or give it away to the next tenant.

[pcostanza]

Let's face it, we've pretty much gotten used to 'free' stuff as TV has really been free for decades (of course, for those who don't want cable, satellite, etc.) and we're not going to like this either way but whenever tens of millions of people use something everyday, they'll find a way to make us pay and pay well.
Plus, with so many people unplugging and getting their content from the net, cable companies are starting to really come down on caps and raising those prices to make up for loss of cable subscribers. We're seeing a huge shift happen and it's happening faster due to the economy.
Maybe since the US gives free cell phones and broadband to those who can't afford it, I wonder if free cable tv will be next to help these poor cable companies.

[johnsonx42]

I thought it was already pretty rare to get anything other than local broadcast channels in clearqam... or are you saying they want to encrypt ALL channels?

I couldn't help but notice they sneak the global warming bogeyman in there to justify taking away unencrypted channels - "give us what we want, or our trucks will destroy the planet!".

[pcostanza]

Yes, they are trying (and I think it will happen) to encrypt ALL channels. Of course, there's still OTA.

[soccerdad]

It is funny that the cable companies are pushing for it, but the clear channels (analog) are the only real reason that I have not looked hard at satelite TV. I just want to run a cable to my low end TV's hanging on the wall of the kitchen and breakfast areas and have them work. (almost sounds like the extender thread...) I don't want STBs on every TV. If I have to go that way, I will likely leave the cable company. Good thing I already have a modulator on the output of one of my STBs to send analog throughout the house.

[steveum]

I agree totally with soccerdad. The clear QAM is pretty much the only reason I haven't switched to satellite.