Digital Cable sucks. There, I said it. And my birthday, come 2009, is going to suck as well. We all know that the deadline for millions of televisions to go digital is set for February 17, 2009. Basically, anyone who receives cable through an antenna ("analog broadcasts") will be forced to have a digital tuner in order to continue to watch cable.But how many people really still watch analog TV? My boyfriend's mom does, and until recently, I had two televisions and only one had a digital cable box. (I got rid of my old 14-inch TV and just have my 24-inch Sony TV.)
Today in the news, Yahoo! reports that cable companies will be charging even more money for set-top boxes because they need to pay for "new, more expensive versions mandated by the Federal Communications Commission," and to spur more competition for the boxes. You see, cable companies are now required (since July 1) to ship new set-top boxes with detachable cable cards, which means that customers will likely see a $2 to $3 raise in their monthly box rental rates. But these fees could be even more. Sure, it's not that much money, but it adds up.
Let's think about this: why should we pay more for these digital cable boxes when half of the time they don't even work?!!
I don't know how many times I'll be watching a show and it'll cut in and out and get all scrambled, not to mention sometimes a person's voice will sound robotic-like when the connection gets interupted for a second or two. And if the box stops working (like my DVR box did since last week), you can't do crap. You have to keep resetting the box and hope that it works. And for what? Only for it to stop working again in another week? Sure, digital cable is great for some things, like ordering pay-per-view shows and pausing live TV, but it still sucks.
Even beyond the cable boxes, cable is getting ridiculously expensive. My mom has Time Warner and she pays like $100 a month. She has two digital cable boxes, one HDTV digital cable box, subscribes to HBO and HBO On Demand, pays to have HDTV channels, and has Family Cable programming. I've tried to explain to her that she doesn't need all that crap, but she likes "options." I hate just dishing out $60 for my cable, let alone $100!
Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to stop the ruling. We'll all be forced to have digital cable. In that case, I'd rather own my cable box, not rent it. But what does this mean for other things we enjoy? Are we going to be forced to listen to satellite radio one day? All be pushed into Broadband Internet? Buy music in digital format only? I really don't like the way technology is headed. I'm all for change, but not at the expense of forcing us to do something if we don't want to do it.
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July 5, 2007 12:21 PM
Aren't you completely confusing cable and OTA? The FCC is mandating that "anyone who receives cable THROUGH AN ANTENNA ("analog broadcasts") will be forced to have a digital tuner..." What on earth does that have to do with CABLE, which is obviously not THROUGH AN ANTENNA... it's through a cable... that's why they call it "cable".
July 5, 2007 12:59 PM
The point I am trying to make is that yes, I realize that the FCC wants everyone's TVs to go digital. However, digital cable isn't necessarily better. Sure it's better quality, but bypassing a digital box (like we used to do) seemed to broadcast better (without all the hiccups you get with digital) and was cheaper (read: no box!). Now, we HAVE to pay for every little thing that's associated with watching cable, from the box to the remote, even to have HDTV channels!!
July 5, 2007 1:37 PM
Well, I can attest that Dish Network is worse. Aside from the whole "lose your picture every time it rains hard" issue, their HD looks like crap. It's so compressed and pixelated.
My advice, get a digital converter for your TV, and a decent antenna. You'll get the best digital and HD picture quality that way for free, with no need for a box. Then get the cheapest cable plan your provider offers. There isn't much non-network HDTV worthwhile anyway, unless maybe you still feel the need for HBO, after all their good shows have been canceled.
Most of the digital TV options suck. And since they all suck, they aren't driving the market to improve. 2009's gonna be interesting though. All the old people who are understandably clueless are gonna wake up one morning and boom, no more Price is Right.
Congresspeople should start making room for all the extra angry letters now.
July 5, 2007 2:20 PM
Man, and my bf and I are supposed to switch to the Dish Network come August (Cablevision doesn't offer an NFL package)! We don't have an HD-ready TV anyway though, so that's not really going to matter I guess. Thanks for the advice, Matt!
And I agree--it's really pointless to pay for all those extra cable packages like HBO or satellite radio stations, when you can stream XM for free through AOL radio and other stations.
And yes, it is going to be interesting once 2009 comes around. And by then, every network will probably consist of pointless reality TV shows instead of real programming.
July 5, 2007 8:09 PM
Although I do not disagree with the writer's comment about Digital Cable, I would like to clarify the 2/19/2009 cutoff date. This cutoff date applies to only over the air analog stations. In addition, all TV's >=13" are now equipped with ATSC over the air digital tuners. Therefore, if you want to watch only over the air digital stations, all you need is an over the air antenna (you can purchase high quality ones from Terk - not rabbit airs). If you want to watch analog cable broadcasts and do not currently require a STB, then in 2009, this will not change. The digital transition does not impact nor mandate any requirements for cable companies. If your cable operator still requires a STB for its scrambled analog broadcasts, you can also ask your cable operator for a CableCARD (assuming you have a TV with a CableCARD slot). This is also a requirement by the FCC (cable operators must have CableCARDs avalable for consumers that request it) The CableCARD eliminates the need to for a digital STB.
July 6, 2007 10:53 AM
Digital cable sucks, eh? Any more than TV in general? I guess I'd have to actually watch it to find out. But the electronic wasteland is so barren that it hasn't been worthwhile to me to search for the (increasingly) rare show that has any useful content. At least not for the last 4 years or so.
The increase in cable TV fees will go unnoticed in my household.
July 6, 2007 11:18 AM
Digital television does not require a new antenna, only one capable of receiving UHF frequencies, which is where the digital channels are located.
If you don't like what is happening, you should write the FCC, and your congresspersons. The Bush admin sold the airwaves to commercial interests other than television networks, that is why the change of allocation.
July 7, 2007 2:07 AM
I guess you meant the transition to digital over-the-air broadcasts (not the cable) that will happen by 2010. Yes, we'll be forced to have an ATSC tuner, but believe me, it 's worth it! After watching over the air HDTV broadcasts you will really understand why digital cable sucks. Cables can not beat OTA quality, and as time goes by, the problem just worsens.
Even with a simple indoor antenna, such as Winegard SS-3000, you can have a lot of HD channels for free in many areas, especially in big cities.
July 7, 2007 3:59 PM
Anyone know where to get a legit cable box and decoder for digital cable?? I am willing to spend a one-time-fee rather than this $100 bucks a month shit. If anyone can give me some reliable sources to purchase a legit digital cable box with a digital decoder / filter that works, I'd be greatful. I really can't see paying $100 per month for repeat programming...However certains channels are worth having for the 'hell of it'...
Thanks!
July 7, 2007 6:13 PM
Uh, what? Unfortunately you're confusing digital broadcasts with digital cable. They're not the same thing.
July 7, 2007 6:15 PM
did you really type "anyone who gets cable through an antenna"????
Please explain more about this wonderful concept of people who get their cable TV through an antenna
July 11, 2007 9:34 PM
your article sucked
August 22, 2007 8:59 PM
Cablevision has some issues.
There is a new site dedicated to Cable employees and insiders.
Cable Rant
Post a topic at http://www.cablerant.com and hopefully an employee will see it.
October 1, 2007 4:40 AM
Digital sucks. From cameras, camcorders, radio to TV. It just plan sucks!! Soon our cars will be painted by digital dots instead of spray paint.
November 14, 2007 3:47 PM
right
May 6, 2008 8:27 PM
YES! DIGITAL CABLE SUCKS!! I must say im very unhappy with digital cable and i would go back to analog signal any day, My digital cable service Jumps, Skips and Blocks up even on a bright sunny days. I was trying to watch two shows not an hour ago, The Movie UNCLE BUCK, and TRYING to watch the History Channel, Both were Unwatchable and Very very bad, Even Watching the shows Ide only get to ACTUALLY watch half of it.
June 20, 2008 8:03 PM
I just purchased the digital converter box for my analog TV two days ago. Thanks to its crappy, blocky broadcasts I have missed at least ten minutes worth of dialog and picture on every half hour of programming. My husband is ready to throw the damn thing out the window. I can't believe that we are being forced to switch from analog to digital. Yes the picture quality is better, when it actually comes in right. You also get a few extra channels, but they aren't even worth it. I'm happy with my analog TV and rabbit ear antennas, at least I can mess with my rabbit ears to get somewhat of a decent picture. But with the digital nothing helps. It tells you that there is no signal for that channel so adjust your antenna(which you will still need with the digital converter box)but it does absolutely no good at all. For now I'm removing the digital converter box and hooking my good old antenna back up to my TV, at least I can watch TV until it goes black, and then I guess we will no longer watch TV at all after February of 2009. All I know is its crap and its one more thing that the government is trying to control. Eventually they will control everything and we will no longer have the freedom of choice.
October 26, 2008 1:40 PM
i recently HAD to upgrade my cable box with time warner in feb. the old one was analog (no problem).
the new one is digital and it SUCKS!!.skipping,freezing,blacking out, changing stations just for continued viewing. i want my free tv and antenna back. what's going to happen when the
super bowl freezes on screen with a great catch that you won't see?
December 7, 2008 5:19 AM
From what I understand via a "Cable Company Engineer", The reason for digital vs. analog is so big brother government can keep an eye on what you are doing. In order to receive a digital signal, you also have to transmit one. Just like your computer, tv will also have an id attached to it. Digital signal transmits a square signal. Analog is Curved sine/ cosign and untracable. Once again, just one of the great things to keep you from being anonymous. Soon, it will be a cashless society. If you can remember when visa and debit cards came out, they were free of charge. Guess they got us used to conveince and make mega bucks now. Wal-mart is making a killing on gift cards. Imagine 1 dollar times 100,000,000 people. Try to buy something for a dollar. You do the math. Plus they get interest on your money from they're bank. 50 years ago we could make a bomb to kill millions. Used cell phones in wwII. But we can't make a car run on water for the public.
Welcome to the years of 2K.
December 7, 2008 5:19 AM
From what I understand via a "Cable Company Engineer", The reason for digital vs. analog is so big brother government can keep an eye on what you are doing. In order to receive a digital signal, you also have to transmit one. Just like your computer, tv will also have an id attached to it. Digital signal transmits a square signal. Analog is Curved sine/ cosign and untracable. Once again, just one of the great things to keep you from being anonymous. Soon, it will be a cashless society. If you can remember when visa and debit cards came out, they were free of charge. Guess they got us used to conveince and make mega bucks now. Wal-mart is making a killing on gift cards. Imagine 1 dollar times 100,000,000 people. Try to buy something for a dollar. You do the math. Plus they get interest on your money from they're bank. 50 years ago we could make a bomb to kill millions. Used cell phones in wwII. But we can't make a car run on water for the public.
Welcome to the years of 2K.