smcallah
join:2004-08-05
Home
| Ok...
This might be off topic, but I just want to ask...
Why is it that cable companies are faulted on trying to get people to switch to the same thing that by default FIOS TV and Satellite provide?
I'm talking about a digital box. (Yes, I know that Satellite really can't work any other way.  )
Whenever talk comes up about a cable company trying to switch its customers to all digital to free up analog, people go nuts and say they can't force, blah, blah, blah.
Yet, people praise FIOS for having 20 HDTV channels and possibly a lower compression ratio on channels. Well, yeah, they don't have to deal with the analog spectrum, they can use all of the RF spectrum for digital channels.
How come no one complains that FIOS isn't pumping some analog over their coax so that people with analog cable can switch to them?
If cable tried to do this, people would be in an uproar.
"Oh god no! I don't want a set top box!!"
Yeah, the cable companies charge a lot of money, this is indeed a problem I don't overlook. And perhaps FIOS TV will force them to compete better. And in a way, it can be "unfair" (I use that word lightly) to the cable companies, since they're pretty much forced to keep offering analog.
But there does seem to be a double standard when it comes to this. FIOS gets praise for its all digital TV, cable gets blasted when it comes up that they want to switch everyone to digital.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm just trying to understand. |
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Jmartz
join:2000-07-20
Tenafly, NJ
| said by smcallah  :How come no one complains that FIOS isn't pumping some analog over their coax so that people with analog cable can switch to them? Because analog is dead and it's time to move on. That's why having competition is good... if people are so hell bent on sticking with analog, crappy channels... then they can stay with the local cable company. If they want channels that look good... they switch.
You're comparing two totally seperate things. Verizon is going to be the secondary provider in communities... not a single provider. The reason people bitch about cable going all digital is because it will force people to upgrade and pay more since there is no other choice... FIOS will provide that choice.
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Woof Woof
I Miss Brother Iz
join:2004-09-01
Keller, TX
| They are doing analog as well as digital. The locals, and govt. channels are pumped over the fiber as both Analog and digital. The analog-only tier is $12.95.
Don't even start that "how do you do analog over fiber?" nonsense. It has been discussed ad-nauseum in the Verizon Fiber forums. |
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ke4pym
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC | And digital does not a good program make.
Still the same old poo, just coming to you over a different medium.
FWIW, we have 18 (including 1 HDVOD) HD channels here. |
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smcallah
join:2004-08-05
Home
| reply to Woof Woof
said by Woof Woof :Don't even start that "how do you do analog over fiber?" nonsense. It has been discussed ad-nauseum in the Verizon Fiber forums. And who do you think was going to "start that?"
Cable companies have been doing analog over fiber for several years now. Is there anyone that doubts that?
But thanks for the info, I did not realize that FIOS TV had an analog tier. |
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smcallah
join:2004-08-05
Home
| reply to Jmartz
said by Jmartz :You're comparing two totally seperate things. Verizon is going to be the secondary provider in communities... not a single provider. The reason people bitch about cable going all digital is because it will force people to upgrade and pay more since there is no other choice... FIOS will provide that choice. I'm not comparing 2 separate things. I'm comparing 2 companies offering televison service in the same market.
Why should the older company be held to any different standards just because there is someone new?
It's just like I said, there is a double standard.
It's not like Verizon is a great company for consumers or anything either. |
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