Comcast confirms: Yes, we’re encrypting basic cable now

[Dirigible]

So basically this will have no impact on anyone except service thieves. Only issue is why only two years and not lifetime? It costs more to recover these boxes than they are worth.

Wrong.

It impacts a lot of people. First, you need to hook up another device and have another remote to watch tv. That's a hassle. Second, it's limited to SD, so for many people it downgrades picture quality unless you pay even more for additional HD cable boxes.

Comcast put this in place in my area a couple years ago. It was the last straw in my mind and I wanted to stop having cable. I was vetoed by my wife. To regain HD TV on the additional TVs in the house I used a hdhomerun prime and htpcs. Still adds hassle and expense but at least I'm not paying Comcast an extra $10/month per TV.

 

[Saint Nick]

Fuck cable. OTA+internet ftw.

 

[piasabird]

Who watches Cable? TV is just brain washing.

 

[lupi]

Basically no impact, unless you are an actual human being that would then have to pay for those boxes on what was previously a no charge feed.

 

[Mixolydian]

Fuck cable. OTA+internet ftw.

I really want to like Internet TV content, but just can't get over not having live TV, especially news and stuff.

Yes I realize DVR's are popular and you can watch new shows the same week, but if "Show A" airs on Wednesdays at 9PM, I want to watch it on Wednesday at 9 PM.

 

[Sukhoi]

One of the reasons I was looking to move from cable to Aereo (Basic channels over IP). The other of course being cost. Cablevision had done this months ago.

omg they need to expand to the Bay Area! Looks like I'll have to drop Comcast as soon as they start to encrypt in my area.

 

[Markbnj]

No. I was assuming an analog cable signal. That's what we still get here. In fact, I'm not even sure digital cable is an option yet from my provider.

Are you in the U.S.? I thought all U.S. providers had to switch to digital due to regulatory requirements.

 

[KoolAidKid]

Fuck cable.

:thumbsup:

 

[piasabird]

Who watches Cable? TV is just brain washing.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Are you in the U.S.? I thought all U.S. providers had to switch to digital due to regulatory requirements.

I'm in the US. Maybe the change just hasn't quite made it to my corner of Louisiana though. :\