grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
 ·Charter
| reply to lineofsight
Re: [CATV] Charter cable going all digital in St louis You will have to have a TV that searches for channels. If your TV needs to search for channels instead of just having a cable tuner, it will work, but everything will be digital.
If you TV or old Qam Tuner only goes up to 99 or whatever, it will be useless.
I already have a digital converter that can use an antenna. I bought it when the coupons were available just in case. That was a good plan apparently, because up till now I didn't really need it. |
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| I am using a HDHomerun dual tuner for Media Center. I decodes Clear QAM |
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grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
·Charter
| said by lineofsight:I am using a HDHomerun dual tuner for Media Center. I decodes Clear QAM
East St Louis, IL. may not be affected and the digital conversion will not happen until September. I dont know what portion of St Louis is being converted, it could just be a small portion of the city. Once our 100% digital conversion happens, regular clear QAM will be static. The digital stuff will still work, what channels come in as HD, whoknows.
I am wondering if the digital will mean that they will send HD or will they downgrade the channels that people get so that it looks like SD TV but digital. |
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| said by grayem 
I am wondering if the digital will mean that they will send HD or will they downgrade the channels that people get so that it looks like SD TV but digital.
If you get a new high def TV, it's possible that you might get some local channels and a few others in HD at no extra cost with your basic subscription. |
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| Good Afternoon All,
We wanted to take a moment to notify everyone of the upcoming All Digital Trial. This trial will only affect 500 customers in the Forest Park area of St. Louis. Those that will be affected have been sent mail pieces outlining the trial. Below we have included some info to help expand on what's going on.
Charter is conducting an All-Digital trial effective September 14. Approximately 500 customers in this area have been selected to be part of a trial (6 months in duration). Effective with the trial, every channel (Basic and Expanded Basic) will be delivered digitally. Customers that have TVs that are not equipped with a Digital Receiver or QAM Tuner will lose Charter TV service entirely on September 14. Customers can receive two standard digital receivers at no additional cost for six months.
• TVs with Digital QAM tuners or a cable card will continue to be able to view Basic channels (only) without a digital receiver.
• Customers need to visit a local Charter office (Either 6524 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 or 1330 Aubert St., Suite 106, St. Louis, MO 63113) to pick up their two standard digital cable boxes. Once installed, customers can keep all of the channels that they now get, plus enjoy the exciting benefits of Charter TV in Digital at no additional cost for 6 months.
• Customers that already have Charter Digital TV on all of their TVs, do not need to take any action regarding the all-digital trial upgrade. However, if customers have TVs connected directly to Charter service without a digital receiver, they will lose access to the Expanded Basic channels, beginning September 14.
• An All-Digital channel line-up provides high-quality digital pictures on all channels to Charter customers, and provides the ability to add more programming choices in the future for our customers.
FAQ:
- What if I don't want the two standard digital receivers or boxes?
TVs without a digital turner will require use of a free digital receiver from Charter. Digital TVs that have a QAM tuner, cable card or other personal QAM tuner device in order to view Charter programming will receive limited digital services (approximately 18 channels)
- If I live in the trial area and have two digital receivers in my home today, will I receive a credit?
Yes. A digital customer with two standard digital receivers in their home today will receive the same service for a discounted price.
- What's the difference in monthly price for customers who choose to accept the two digital receivers and upgrade to digital programming from Expanded Basic (analog)
Charter will provide two standard digital receivers at no additional cost for up to 6 months, so the price will remain the same. After 6 months if the trial is successful, customers will continue to receive the two standard digital receivers at the same price. If the trial is unsuccessful, which we do not anticipate, and the customer wants to keep both digital receivers, they will be responsible for paying for the two digital receivers and their bill will change.
- How long is the trial program?
6 months - September, 2011
- What's the timeline to make other areas of St. Louis all-digital?
We are unable to provide specifics on project schedules or plans at this time. However, we will closely monitor this all-digital trial to determine if it's a good fit for other areas.
Thanks,
Dylan
»www.charter.com/Umatter2Charter |
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grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
·Charter
| Thanks or the clarifications.
I fail to see how this is an "upgrade" for basic customers.
I have to buy a new TV, or pay for a TV modem (SD box), or just cancel the service.
It reminds me of upgrades to Charter's internet system that forced me to buy a new modem. Yes, the speeds went up, but they were followed by caps that threaten to cancel you for 6 months.
It makes you happy to have fast speeds if that ever made any difference to you (not for me) and bitter that you have to go spend a bunch of money on a modem.
I don't see that having my basic cable in an SD format and paying more for it is a bonus.
Time for a big antenna!  |
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| Well it should mean 100+ HD channels, better quality, so it is an upgrade... |
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 BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | reply to grayem
said by grayem:Time for a big antenna!
If all you want is locals and you live in St Louis why would you pay for basic anyways? Get go OTA. And no it won't require a big antenna. |
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grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
·Charter
| said by BF69:said by grayem:Time for a big antenna!
If all you want is locals and you live in St Louis why would you pay for basic anyways? Get go OTA. And no it won't require a big antenna. It was only $7 when I started, and that was part of a deal to get the internet cheaper. I have been to lazy to go for an antenna, and no antenna or the tiny one I tried didnt work. |
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 fnord76
join:2002-05-14
Troy, IL
kudos:1 | Did you have a digital receiver to get the Over the Air signals? All broadcasters went all digital so you will have to have something that converts from Analog to Digital.
»www.dtv.gov/ |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | reply to grayem
said by grayem:said by BF69:said by grayem:Time for a big antenna!
If all you want is locals and you live in St Louis why would you pay for basic anyways? Get go OTA. And no it won't require a big antenna. It was only $7 when I started, and that was part of a deal to get the internet cheaper. I have been to lazy to go for an antenna, and no antenna or the tiny one I tried didnt work. Well if you TV is old( made before 2007 ) SD tube TV then you need a converter box. |
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 anhisr
join:2001-12-01
Ballwin, MO | which if you bothered when OTA changed frequency to UHF, you could have gotten a converter for free from the government. Glad I bothered. Now if I am recording two things on my DVR, I can still switch over and watch the news at 9pm. Seems this is a popular time for me to record shows. |
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grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO | I already said I have a free converter box Image quality is terrible, the free ones drop HD down to SD but it will be fine on my ancient TV I am sure. |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by grayem:I already said I have a free converter box Image quality is terrible, the free ones drop HD down to SD but it will be fine on my ancient TV I am sure.
Yeah that's why it's called a digital to ANALOG converter. If you TV isn't a HDTV then it dosn't matter if the signal is HD or not.
Anyways what model is your converter box?
As far as your reception issues go click the link enter your info. Use your actual address for accuracy( it's hidden in the results ) then post a link to the results
»www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 |
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| reply to grayem
said by grayem:I already said I have a free converter box Image quality is terrible, the free ones drop HD down to SD but it will be fine on my ancient TV I am sure.
If you're worried about HDTV quality you'll need to buy a HDTV. You're not going to get HDTV quality on the set you have; no way, no how, not with any converter box of any type. |
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grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
·Charter
| You're not going to get HDTV quality on the set you have; no way, no how, not with any converter box of any type.
Not anymore. Want to watch a cable channel in another room now? You gotta rent another box. That is the part that bothers me, not the fact that the box I would have to rent only provides Digital SD to anything its plugged into.
With the upgrade, you dont get any extra channels, no extra HD, but you pay extra for the privilege of watching Digital SD TV that before the upgrade, does not require it.
If you are a paying for expanded basic, you will have to rent the box. Your $1000 Tv will not get more than 18 channels without it. Got a house with 4 tvs? Gotta get 4 boxes. not my problem, not in that boat, just sayin.
The price for the "free for 6 months" SD boxes is not mentioned in my letter, nor in the comment from the charter direct guy that clarified much of this. You could be forking out $5 per TV to watch what you can for no extra charge now if you have expanded basic. Its not going to give you HD cause its an SD tuner box as I understand it.
I dont know how this benefits Charter, maybe they will save bandwidth, make some cash on the tuner rentals?
I dont know how you will get HD channels unless there is a much higher priced tier that gives you a HD cable tuner and obviously an HDTV. |
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Phatty
join:2000-05-10
Valley Park, MO | reply to CharterDylan
said by CharterDylan:.....
- What if I don't want the two standard digital receivers or boxes?
TVs without a digital turner will require use of a free digital receiver from Charter. Digital TVs that have a QAM tuner, cable card or other personal QAM tuner device in order to view Charter programming will receive limited digital services (approximately 18 channels)
.....
Is this statement saying that you must rent the SD boxes? Or that Charter provides, for free, a digital to analog converter? If it is for free, is there a limit to how many a user can get? Or was this comment specifically talking about the 6 month promo? |
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grayem
join:2000-09-22
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
·Charter
2 edits | said by Phatty:said by CharterDylan:.....
- What if I don't want the two standard digital receivers or boxes?
TVs without a digital turner will require use of a free digital receiver from Charter. Digital TVs that have a QAM tuner, cable card or other personal QAM tuner device in order to view Charter programming will receive limited digital services (approximately 18 channels)
.....
Is this statement saying that you must rent the SD boxes? Or that Charter provides, for free, a digital to analog converter? If it is for free, is there a limit to how many a user can get? Or was this comment specifically talking about the 6 month promo? This is the way it is written in the letter:
"We'll supply you with up to 2 standard digital cable boxes at no additional cost for six months* Each additional box is $5 more per month."
Fine Print
"*Limited-time six month trial period from date of service change. Once trial expires, standard monthly rates may apply." Reading closer, I can't actually tell what will happen to a newer Digital QAM tuner for those that have Expanded Basic. The fine print states that you wouldn't get On Demand available with charter TV in digital, but it doesn't say you would only have 18 channels, as the Carter Direct guy stated earlier in the thread.
Fine print:
"If you use a QAM tuner, other non-charter digital recievers, or are a CableCard customer, you will not recieve Charter On Demand and other features available with Charter TV in Digital." |
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