http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/ Engadget Comments for Cablevision asks FCC for a waiver to encrypt all Clear QAM channels http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 7:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 8:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 8:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
"Cablevision wants the rule lifted as it makes plans to convert its New York City system to all-digital, claiming the move will "have virtually no negative impact on customers"..."

The reality is that it will negatively impact virtually no customers, since very few use clear-qam. (C'mon, you know it's true). Negatively impacting virtually no customers is NOT the same thing as "virtually no negative impact on customers".

The FCC hopefully will stop this. Of particular interest is the locale: New York City. Residents there frequently do not have a reliable means to receive OTA (try it from a basement sometime, and have fun w/ all that multipathing interference in a densely populated area!). Likewise, such residents frequently can't hook up a satellite dish (the FCC rules only say that apartment complexes have to let you put one up if it DOESN'T modify their property in any way and if it DOESN'T use so-called "common areas"). Thus, cable is the only other option. I guess we'll see if all of these regulations mean anything -- if you can just apply for a waiver and get out of them, then I don't see why they bother having them.]]>Sep 24th 2009 9:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 10:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 9:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.multichannel.com/article/328866-FCC_Grants_DTA_Waivers_To_Four_Vendors.php

Makes sense to me, otherwise they have to do a truck roll every time to put traps on basic sub's lines.

People with clear-qam TVs are boned but in reality it's not much fun having to remember that channel 38 is actually channel "98.10" etc..

Satellite customers have been dealing with this for decades. Really, it's time to leave the 1980's behind and step into the DIGITAL future.]]>Sep 24th 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
That waiver is to use STBs without a CableCARD, that article says nothing about getting a waiver to encrypt the clear QAM version of the locals.]]>Sep 24th 2009 1:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
Alas, in the Bronx (where I live) Cablevision was encrypting all analog channels when analog TV was broadcasting. I don't have high hopes that the waiver will be denied. As far as I know Cablevision is already encrypting basic QAM since I haven't been able to get anything but a channel here or there. Cablevision's tactics in the Bronx are particularly disgusting since many of us cannot get satellite-- there is no alternative. In areas where satellite penetration is stronger (Long Island, Rockland), many of the analog channels remain unencrypted. Cablevision argues that the Bronx and Brooklyn are full of thieves. I don't buy it. In the worst case people would "stealing" channels that you can get over the air free.]]>Sep 24th 2009 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 10:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009860393_brier14.html

Their 'free' boxes are junk, too.]]>Sep 24th 2009 5:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
Comcast is encrypting expanded basic, not basic such as local stations.]]>Sep 24th 2009 2:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://news.google.ca/news/section?pz=1&q=crtc]]>Sep 24th 2009 10:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
As for the article, a donation to the DNC or Obama's campaign coffers will get their waiver.]]>Sep 24th 2009 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 11:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
But encrypting them because they don't want to send a technician out? They can turn off a cable connection with the flip of a switch. What's stopping them from doing that?]]>Sep 24th 2009 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
Cable signals are like electricity: there's no centralized way to control who gets the electricity; once your house is hooked up to the grid, it will receive electricity. The only way for the utility to cut you off is by installing a switch they control between you and the electric grid, and sending someone out to turn the switch on or off.

Similarly, once your house is hooked up to the cable network, it will receive cable signals. The only way for the cable company to cut you off is by physically installing a signal blocker (a "trap") between you and the cable network, and sending someone out to turn the trap on or off. Once the trap is set, you will no longer receive any sort of cable signal. But since the trap is right outside your house, it doesn't take much for someone to find and remove the trap without the cable company's knowledge.

The alternative is to allow everyone to access the cable signal (ie. remove all the traps) but make it unusable without remotely-controlled equipment from the cable company (eg. a digital cable box and modem.) That's what Cablevision wants to do.]]>Sep 24th 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
Aren't traps usually installed on utility poles, or in the case of apartment complexes, in some centralized (locked) box? That's been my experience, anyway.

But yeah, people jacking with traps is a problem, because they can screw it up pretty bad & take out their neighbor's cable... though I'd think that'd get noticed/reported. It makes sense that they wouldn't want to mess with the hassle of that type of system, but I'm not convinced that stopping clear-QAM cable pirates is a serious problem - if it is, that'd be really interesting, though, because it'd mean a lot more people are using clear-QAM than what many people might've thought.]]>Sep 24th 2009 1:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
Keep in mind that local channels are only "free" when received over-the-air. The local channels are not free for Cablevision.

Few affiliates invoke their "must carry" rights, so cable companies must often pay local networks a per-subscriber fee for the right to deliver those channels via cable. Cablevision also paid for the equipment necessary to obtain and deliver those local signals on their system.]]>Sep 24th 2009 12:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 1:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
Yes, yes. I know. Costs.]]>Sep 24th 2009 1:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 25th 2009 9:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 4:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Sep 24th 2009 5:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/

They're trying to turn my QAM tuners into paperweights, this aggression will not stand man.]]>Sep 25th 2009 3:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
1.) Under this scheme, we would be forced to get a decoder box for every TV, VCR, DVR, DVD recorder, tuner, or other device that gets channels. The law was written to prevent this exact problem.

2.) The availability of ClearQAM makes up for the coming loss of our unscrambled analog channels. Cablevision wants to get rid of both. If they succeed, the rest of the industry may follow.]]>Sep 25th 2009 11:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/I am in the midle of putting together a system in my house and this will kill everything I have purchased!!!!!!!!!!!

how do we complain to the FCC?]]>Oct 4th 2009 4:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/
This is a huge inconvenience for me now, as I HATE cable boxes and have several TVs that were set up to use their built-in clearQAM tuners to watch local HD programming. Now I can't do it. They threw this switch about a month ago.

Combine this with the fact that my single TiVo Series 3 with SDV is so flaky that I literally have to reboot it once a day (or more) or the SDV adapter stops changing the channels. (It was pretty stable, aside from the flaky TWC support for CableCard, prior to the SDV rollout.)

Thanks, FCC, for caving in to the cable providers and not sticking up for the consumer.]]>Nov 1st 2009 12:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/cablevision-asks-fcc-for-a-waiver-to-encrypt-all-clear-qam-chann/Nov 1st 2009 12:32PM