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Post by Skaggs on Dec 18, 2005 10:03:34 GMT -5
There has been a few posts regarding CableCard lately, so I thought it would be beneficial to start a new thread on this subject.
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 18, 2005 10:04:40 GMT -5
So what are CableCARDs?
About the size of PCMCIA cards, a CableCARD is a conditional-access device that is inserted into a small slot on a CableCARD-compatible TV. The CableCARD is then paired with your digital-cable subscription service and voila! – digital cable is delivered straight to your TV. The CableCARD handles all the decryption and tells the TV which channels you subscribe to. There’s no need for a cable box. You just plug your coax straight from the wall into the TV and it just works! Well… sort of.
As it turns out, most people have grown accustomed to some of the features of their cable boxes. For instance, if you have come to rely on an integrated Electronic Program Guide, chances are you won’t get it (or it will be buggy) if you’re using a CableCARD-enabled TV. If you want to partake in any of the new VOD (Video On Demand) services being offered by cable companies, you’re out of luck. So too will you lose Pay-Per-View. You see, VOD and PPV require two-way communication between your box and the cable company’s system. The current implementation of OpenCable is unidirectional.
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 18, 2005 10:14:48 GMT -5
From: Albany Time Warner Cable's website:
CableCARD™ is a new technology that gives you the option to connect to cable TV without a set-top box on the new generation of Digital Cable Ready devices. Access analog, digital cable, HDTV and premium cable channels like HBO, Cinemax and more - without a digital set-top box. There are limitations to a CableCARD™ connection - You do not have access to: 1. On Demand with iControl functions that enable you to pause, fast-forward and rewind On Demand programming, including Movies On Demand, Premiums 2. On Demand and Favorites On Demand Interactive Program Guide 3. Season sports packages such as NBA League Pass 4. Interactive and enhanced TV services, such as games 5. Pay-Per-View  Customers who want the easy-to-use on-screen guide and interactive features of digital cable service will want to connect via a Time Warner Cable digital set-top box. Your personal needs are your guide to selecting the connection that works best for you. CableCARD™ can be activated, serviced and leased for a monthly fee through Time Warner Cable. How do I get a CableCARD™?Call 1.866.321.CABLE and schedule an installation. How does CableCARD™ work?The card will serve as cable's conditional access security means and will "pass" the appropriate set of programming services to the cable customer. Because this is a one-way device, cable customers will still require a digital set top box to receive our two-way services such as iCONTROL and the Interactive Program Guide. If I buy a digital ready TV set, what's the best solution for me?It depends on how you enjoy your cable service. If you are satisfied with receiving analog and digital programming (including premium services like HBO & Cinemax) on a one-way basis, you can use CableCARD™ instead of a digital set top box. If you want to take advantage of Time Warner Cable's interactive services, such as iCONTROL movies or premium services or our Interactive Program Guide, then you will need to use a digital set top box. How much will CableCARD™ cost?The devices will be offered on a leased basis for $1.75 per month. Can I buy one instead of leasing one?No, CableCARDs™ can only be leased through Time Warner Cable. Will there be any difference in picture quality between CableCARD™ and a set top box?No. Customers will enjoy the same picture quality with CableCARD™ as they do with a digital set-top box. Can I get premium channels like HBO and Showtime with CableCARD™?Yes. Note: Digital Cable Ready TV required for this service. |
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 18, 2005 10:20:18 GMT -5
AlbanyHDTV member dkennedy recently had some issues getting the CableCard to work with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. He received some info from AlbanyHDTV member hurnik and was able to resolve the Dolby-CableCard issue. dkennedy's post and related Dolby-CableCard info can be found in this thread. |
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 18, 2005 10:51:35 GMT -5
In general, all of the HD channels available via a TWC digital STB can be viewed with a CableCard.
The exception is the HD PPV on channel 1800. You need a STB from TWC in order to puchase any PPV movies. There is talk of the next generation of CableCards being able to support two-way communication (between your HDTV and the cable company). However, the HDTV's being sold today will not support this two-way communication.
AlbanyHDTV member turboliner reports:
If I interpret turboliner correctly, you can subscribe only to TWC's basic tier for $13/month and lease a CableCard from TWC for $2/month and receive these HD channels:
1806 WRGB-DT (CBS)
1808 WXXA-DT (FOX)
1810 WTEN-DT (ABC)
1811 WMHT-DT (PBS)
1813 WNYT-DT (NBC)
AlbanyHDTV moderator MasterFX1 has stated that TWC does currently allow Discovery HD Theater and TNT-HD to be received by non-HD Tier Subscribers. However, I am unclear if this includes "basic only" subscribers. Also, can MSG HD be received by non-HD Tier Subscribers?
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 18, 2005 11:09:15 GMT -5
It has been posted in other forums that Albany Time Warner supports Dolby Digital sound output for a TVs optical interface w/CableCARD for HD-locals: 1806, 1808, 1810, 1811 and 1813 and disables optical digital sound out for HD channels 1827 - 1885.
Maybe dkennedy can confirm/deny this?
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Post by hurnik on Dec 18, 2005 11:14:24 GMT -5
Wow, if that's true, it sucks.
I wonder about other cable providers (Comcast, etc)?
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Post by xzi on Dec 18, 2005 12:58:48 GMT -5
It has been posted in other forums that Albany Time Warner supports Dolby Digital sound output for a TVs optical interface w/CableCARD for HD-locals: 1806, 1808, 1810, 1811 and 1813 and disables optical digital sound out for HD channels 1827 - 1885. Maybe dkennedy can confirm/deny this? I get Dolby Digital with my Sony WS655 with CableCARD and optical out on all those channels. I even get Dolby Digital on regular digital cable channels when they have it... for example 742 (SHO2) is in DD right now with CableCARD/optical output. Finally, digital-only channels like 201 (MIL) as an example are Digital PCM output, and analog channels have no digital output at all, and the TV needs its analog audio out connected to get this audio to the receiver--which switches back to "analog" on absence of the digital signal automatically. |
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Post by xzi on Dec 18, 2005 13:18:16 GMT -5
So too will you lose Pay-Per-View. You see, VOD and PPV require two-way communication between your box and the cable company’s system. The current implementation of OpenCable is unidirectional. My understanding is you lose the two-way pay-per-view channels (On Demand) but regular pay per view (where they just play the same movie over and over, or "events") can be ordered over the phone, even with CableCARD. That being said, I don't think there is much one-way PPV left, and I'm pretty sure it's an extra fee to order over the phone so it's not really a viable alternative to the STB for PPV. |
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Post by hurnik on Dec 18, 2005 16:32:59 GMT -5
Great, thanks!
Fortunately I've never ordered a PPV and have only used VOD like 3 times (not really all that great, IMO).
Of course I likes my Tivo
But it doesn't do HD.
I'm desperately hoping that they'll release their HD Cable Card version shortly, but I have a feeling it'll be towards the END of 2006, not the beginning.
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Post by dkennedy on Dec 18, 2005 18:43:56 GMT -5
It has been posted in other forums that Albany Time Warner supports Dolby Digital sound output for a TVs optical interface w/CableCARD for HD-locals: 1806, 1808, 1810, 1811 and 1813 and disables optical digital sound out for HD channels 1827 - 1885. Maybe dkennedy can confirm/deny this? Deny - Ever since I solved the low signal issue (with the help of member Hurnik) I get DD5.1 on all HD channels when available. |
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Post by turboliner on Dec 19, 2005 10:01:41 GMT -5
Optical audio ouput is active and working as expected on all HD feeds on my Sony. I recently had Sony repair my TV to resolve a 161-6 error. TW tech told me that Sony was not able to address recent upgrades in the cablecard firmware. Sony's tech changed out my 'q box' (under warranty-in home). I have not had any other trouble with that error since.
I personally prefer the PQ on my cablecard. I compared it to tuning locals OTA and see no differences. I should note that OTA reception on most locals in Clifton Park is difficult due to poor line of sight with the Helderbergs.
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Post by xzi on Dec 19, 2005 11:44:32 GMT -5
I personally prefer the PQ on my cablecard. I compared it to tuning locals OTA and see no differences. I should note that OTA reception on most locals in Clifton Park is difficult due to poor line of sight with the Helderbergs. I agree, I see no difference between OTA and CableCARD either. I usually catch myself watching OTA anyway just because it has it and the novelty of it I guess but I've never noticed any differences either. |
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 20, 2005 15:26:52 GMT -5
I'm wondering if anyone out there has managed to get Basic+CableCard/HD-STB+HD Tier without having to subscribe to the standard or digital tiers. (Total bill around $19/mo). I called TWC and spoke to Will. He told me that I could get a CableCard with Broadcast Basic for about $15 per month. I asked Will if I could add the HD Tier to this package, and he told me I could not. Will told me. "In order to get any tier, you have to purchase Digital Cable." Will then told me how they do allow a "buy-though" option for those people who only wanted "broadcast basic" and one or more "premium channels". In order to do this, you would have to get a STB, and TWC would program it to allow only the "Broadcast Basic" channels and whatever "Premium" channels you wanted (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, etc). This "buy-through" does not allow you to purchase a "tier". |
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Post by Skaggs on Dec 20, 2005 16:04:02 GMT -5
After I spoke to Will at TWC (see above post), I was cruising around the TWC website and found a press release concerning the new Family Tier. Here's an excerpt from that press release: This would seem to be contrary to what Will from TWC told me on the phone, which was: So, I called TWC again. This time, the rep told me that the Family Choice Tier is not available yet, but will become available on 1/1/06. When I explained what Will told me previously and asked why the HD Tier could not be made available with only the Broadcast Basic tier like the Family Choice Tier will be, the TWC rep told me: |
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