sweet...tampabay area,analog channels converted into all digital :)

[stevenl]

@khandurian: I think the FCC mandate is for over-the-air (i.e., broadcast) channels only. Cable can keep pumping out analog if it wants to. It hardly matters with the STB situation.

@stevenl: I wouldn't mind if BHN went ahead and killed the analog channels. But they have to give me some STBs for free, 'cause I ain't payin' $8/month/set. Somehow I think that's the problem.

I wonder when BHN is going to get hit with a false-advertising suit, given that they advertise their digital cable prices without any asterisks or fine print saying that you must have a STB at an additional $8/month in order to actually use it. (I'm not saying BHN is any different from D*. The cable and satellite industries have sort of created this problem for themselves. The CE industry would love to build tuners into their kit, but everybody wants their own thing.)

Well its 6$ a month for the box rental and you dont have to rent it, you can pay 2$/month and get a cable card and use your own digital tuner ready tv to watch all the digital you want. and the first box is includeing in the price of the serivice so technicly they are advertiseing what you get. Pay for the digital get it on 1 tv, but basic/std on each tv. Now d* on the other hand fails to mention the charges per month per box they only throw up the big 19.99/month (does not include box rentals must activate each of the boxs they offer you or you pay some 300$ per box)

and khaund to answer your question that has been floating around for ages, first it was 2005 then 2010 then blah blah blah, until the goverment gets off their ass and mandates everyone changes (like they did with cable ready tvs) and use the same signals then its not going to happen. Plus their are millions of tv viewers who cant afford to buy diigtal ready tvs, nor afford a cable box. So unless it becomes profitable for the Cable companies to give free digital converters to customers, who want just the basic service (which is unlikely) then the cable companes will have to keep some analog bw open.

Also as far as cable cards go, you cant really get the simulcasting because the box is programmed to find the simulcast channels, whereas ch 3 is accutly not freq 55mhz like it is on analog its at 530mhz and mapped differntly. However depending on your TV and its digital tuner type it can be programmed to read the simulcast channels using the programming from the card. So check your manual some tvs have like a ch 1 and ch 1.1 which are the equiv of each other using the cable cards programming.

 

[Isomorphic]

Well its 6$ a month for the box rental and you dont have to rent it, you can pay 2$/month and get a cable card and use your own digital tuner ready tv to watch all the digital you want. and the first box is includeing in the price of the serivice so technicly they are advertiseing what you get. Pay for the digital get it on 1 tv, but basic/std on each tv.

I don't want to be critical of BHN, since I enjoy my cable service, and I didn't intend to go off on a rant about STB pricing... but BHN is charging me for the first box at $8/month, and friends for the first cable card at $5/month.

STBs are just the cost of doing business these days.

 

[stevenl]

What area do you live in my lord. 5$ for a cable card?http://cfl.mybrighthouse.com/products_and_pricing/prices/default.aspx cable card is 1.95 a month thats crazy to be 5bucks. But anywho I cant complain i get EVERYTHING THEY OFFER free (well 20$ i pay for phone service) so go me go me.

 

[iceturkee]

the price of my first hd dvr is included in the price of my digital combo; the second is not.

steven, please take a word of advice from me, don't gloat about your free services. i'm disabled and live on a fixed income. i'm thankful my pension is enough i can enjoy my cable service and my toys (2 hd tv's.....one paid for and the other one rented)!

 

[stevenl]

Sorry ice they are free because i work for the company.. its a great benefit.. Wasnt bragging just letting you know where im coming from when i talk about bhn service. im not talkng as a paying customer if i was putting out the 178$ itd cost me a month to have what i have now i probley wouldnt have it either. I think thats to much money to pay for tv... BUT if i think about it logicly i get 30 days of entertainment.. one day at a theme park for a family of four is gonna cost you 200 to get in plus food/drinks.. thats for ONE day of fun.. Dallor for Dallor its a great value you get 30 days of entertainment. IF your on a limited budget the cable is a luxury that keeps giving and giving to you.

 

[Isomorphic]

I apologize, I had overestimated by $1/month each: The exact prices are $6.95/month for a "Digital Smart Box" (including the first box), and $3.95/month for a CableCard. I live in Pinellas (Tampa Bay).

Frankly, I consider this pricing a ripoff (since it is unadvertised), but in comparison to my alternatives I continue to pay. I actually have an HDTV without a STB (I use clear QAM with weird channel numbering) because $7/month for a few extra channels on a secondary TV is a little much.

Maybe I need to get a CSR on the phone and wheedle them down a box.

 

[stevenl]

I apologize, I had overestimated by $1/month each: The exact prices are $6.95/month for a "Digital Smart Box" (including the first box), and $3.95/month for a CableCard. I live in Pinellas (Tampa Bay).

Frankly, I consider this pricing a ripoff (since it is unadvertised), but in comparison to my alternatives I continue to pay. I actually have an HDTV without a STB (I use clear QAM with weird channel numbering) because $7/month for a few extra channels on a secondary TV is a little much.

Maybe I need to get a CSR on the phone and wheedle them down a box.

Well that price also includes the extra some 100+ channels you get. its not just to cover the fee of the equipment itself.

 

[Khandurian]

Isomorphic -- Thanks. I knew I read it somewhere, just was not sure where and what the details were.

 

[Isomorphic]

Well that price also includes the extra some 100+ channels you get. its not just to cover the fee of the equipment itself.

No, it doesn't.

BHN has "Standard Cable," which is the analog 2-99, listed at $33.95.

Then there's "Digital Cable," which includes the extra channels, listed at $48.85.

On top of the "Digital Cable," (well, I have a bundle) I get billed for a "Digital Smart Box" at $6.95. That's just for the box. Since there's no other way to watch channels over 99, one really ought to be included in the "Digital Cable" price as you say.

 

[stevenl]

No, it doesn't.

BHN has "Standard Cable," which is the analog 2-99, listed at $33.95.

Then there's "Digital Cable," which includes the extra channels, listed at $48.85.

On top of the "Digital Cable," (well, I have a bundle) I get billed for a "Digital Smart Box" at $6.95. That's just for the box. Since there's no other way to watch channels over 99, one really ought to be included in the "Digital Cable" price as you say.

The digital cable price includes 1 smartbox. if you have more then one then you pay the extra fee, per box. On your bill you will see may see it as a seperate charge but when you add it together it equals the 48.85 or whatever it is they are chargeing you.

You can even get a HD smartbox for the same price. No extra charges. If you go with the cable card option they accutly take a bit off the price for ya.

However if you choose to upgrade to the DVR an extra 6$ fee is added for that.,



From the BHN Website inregards to its digital packages

Services available in most areas. Residential services only. Prices exclude taxes and government fees and are quoted per month unless indicated otherwise. Prices include a monthly SmartBox fee for one Digital, HD, DVR or HD DVR but fees for DVR and HD DVR services are additional. Additional fees apply for multiple SmartBoxes. Prices for Digital Phone, High Speed Internet and Combo packages include monthly fee for modem. Prices effective 05/01/06.

 

[Khandurian]

the price of my first hd dvr is included in the price of my digital combo; the second is not.

steven, please take a word of advice from me, don't gloat about your free services. i'm disabled and live on a fixed income. i'm thankful my pension is enough i can enjoy my cable service and my toys (2 hd tv's.....one paid for and the other one rented)!

Hey ice, fixed income can get a break in their services. I have seen them do it a couple of times over here. Give them a call. Whats the worse they gonna say? sorry!

 

[iceturkee]

really, khands? i have a regular person in orlando i deal with plus i know the cs supervisor in the deland division. i'll give them both a shout!! i mean, they have helped before when they can.

 

[Khandurian]

Ya, As long as you dont have every possible thing they offer, I have seen where they gave a break to some low-income/fixed-income family's.

I will say one thing for BHN in my area, they are extremely helpful to people who really need it.

 

[stevenl]

Agreed, and if you have any kinda senior discounts or anything like that or are collecting SS they will work with you as well.

 

[iceturkee]

what about VA disability pension? i'm too young for social security and can't qualify for SS disability because i didn't have enough work credits in a 10 year period.

but who would i contact?

 

[Khandurian]

Your in daytona beach area according to your location. I do not know that area. I would suggest calling the local number there, and asking the CSR (customer service rep).

Other than that, I have no idea. I do not know anyone in that area.

 

[iceturkee]

okay, khands and steven, i had somebody check who was told the company didn't t do that. if you remember how recently you are aware of this happening or any other specifics, i'd appreciate it. my source did say she would do more checking!!

 

[Khandurian]

okay, khands and steven, i had somebody check who was told the company didn't t do that. if you remember how recently you are aware of this happening or any other specifics, i'd appreciate it. my source did say she would do more checking!!

I would not be able to give you specifics. Sorry. During my tenor of cable, ive done all sides, installer, past due collector, disconnecter, past due disconnecter, service repair, Qc, and warehouse.

I came across the low income once. The guy was legally blind, and could not write. However if he sat 2 inches from the tv he could see it! he got it for the sound. In this situation they cut him a huge break cause the only service he got was basic only.

Basic, if I remember correctly, at the time was 12$. He got it for $5. They even made arrangements to have a collector come buy each month cause they guy couldnt even walk to the mail box!

As I should have said, in extreme situations, they do make concessions.

 

[stevenl]

if that didnt work ice call and tell them youd like to cancel, and if they ask why tell them you got a great deal with satellite... See how they try to buy you back

 

[iceturkee]

thanks guys.

i was told that if i was visually impaired and still had digital phone, they would give me 30 free 411 calls a month. i'm hearing impaired and, although, i have 2 free phones.....no break on the bill.

i should mention the hearing impairment is part of the autoimmune disease i have.