Looks like Hauppauge is coming out with a box that will enable real-time encoding to mpeg4 of the hidef video signals from the component video output ports of a comcast tuner -- see http://mysettopbox.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic. ... =hauppauge

While this is a somewhat awkward solution, it does provide a viable approach.

Does anyone have an actual official article or press release from Comcast stating that everyone will need a convertor box by the end of '08 ?

This is the first I've heard of this, and I have to imagine something this big would be generating a lot of news. I have NO desire to have converter boxes, I like my standard def TVs and my basic cable - I don't want anything more than that...

The only data points I have are the one's referenced earlier in this thread. 3 days ago a friend of mine called Comcast, and they told them that they had decided to extend analog transmissions on their system for a few extra years, but not for all channels. That's the only info I have at this time.

Marc

Thanks for the info, Marc. I guess I'll just keep my eyes peeled for stuff from Comcast.

See http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq25 especially where it says So, the (possibly incorrect) way I read this is Comcast can decide to not offer analog to any or all of their markets and still be within the FCC guidelines.

But, see http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20 ... -2012.html where is states This does not mean that the cable operators have to carry analog over their lines however:

Clear as mud now, eh?

Quite...Guess I'll just need to keep a lookout.

If they do requite converters, just might be a reason for me to hop over to fios. The only reason I don't do that now is the need for converters with fios.

I think they can meet that requirement if they provide free (or inexpensive) STBs that only pick up local broadcasts over their digital service.

I know recently Cox announced they were going to provide analog service for two years after the switchover; conversely, Verizon FiOS said they wil be phasing out analog channels within two months of the switchover.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/ve ... he-spring/

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/co ... after-cut/

In my area Comcast already transmits all channels in digital format in addition to the analogue signal. They already have digital->analogue converter boxes available. This has been the case for more than a year. The cable companies will provide a "bridge" that enables their customers to continue using TV's without digital tuners for some time to come. That bridge might be a set top box or continued delivery of analogue signals, but it will exist.

Unfortunately, they can protect any digital signal that does not original from at OTA station, which at this point is quite a bit of their content. Examples that are of interest to me are USA, SIiFi, Life, etc. Based on what I've been reading, those of us interested in recording the content carried by those protected digital signals will have 2 choices:

1. Record from the output of the cable company's set top box. Recording of HD signals will require the purchase of an addition box that connects to the component outputs of the cable company's set top box. Happauge is shipping a box of this nature sometime this year at an estimated street price of $250.

2. Get a tivo, which is able to record protected digital transmissions.

The issue I am having with solution 1 is power consumption. Let me explain:

1. A TIVO HD consumes 35 watts.

2. My mythtv box consumes 125 watts

3. The comcast digital tuner consumes another 75-100 watts. (I don't recall which off the top of my head and my son has my kill-a-watt)

4. I don't know what the Hauppauge box will consume, but it won't be zero. For now, let's assume they design it to be power efficient and that it consumes 25 watts.

So to continue running my mythtv setup I will consume an additional 200* watts or 144* kilowatt hours per month. That is a lot of power. The extra $47**/month in power consumption is only part of the issue -- there is also the consideration of environmental impact.

Not sure what I am going to do at this point.

Marc

* I choose to use 85 watts for the comcast box, which is below the mid point of the 75 - 100 range. So total mythtv power consumption is 125 + 85 + 25 = 235. Tivo is 35. Delta is 200. 0.200 kilowatts * 24 hours/day * 30 days/month = 144 kilowatt hours / month.

** Based on a price of $0.33/kilowatt hour -- welcome to California.

When I upgraded my local comcast service to basic digital service last year, the installer told me that all of the analog stations are simulcast in digital as well. They aren't charging me for the two basic digital boxes so I bet they'll just hand out converter boxes when they kill the analog signal. With the competition they are facing from verizon and dish they will need the bandwidth to add more HD channels.

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Yup -- I receive all of the analogue channels simulcast in digital as well, and I can record the one's that aren't protected using my digital tuners. I agree with your assessment.

Marc

I can't believe our rates are so different. In Santa Clara, I pay 7.527 cents/kWh for the first 300kWh and 8.653 cents/kWh for anything more. Your power cost is almost 3x mine at the peak rate!!! Buy a suitcase and move south a few miles!

-- Joe

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While we don't have the specifics, I think it is logical to assume that, since this will be a USB device, it will be USB powered.

So I think the 25 watt estimate is a little generous.

I'm in Dublin, not far from Santa Clara & I also pay 33c/kWh, but only when I hit the highest usage band which I do every winter for a month or two & every summer for about 4 months. I highly doubt you only have two price bands, I'm sure you are lucky never to have gone to the third or fourth. I have friends in Santa Clara who don't have A/C - mine is on all the time for at least 4 months, couldn't live w/o it. Ppl move from Santa Clara to Dublin for cheaper housing but they forget to take into a/c the extra $100-$300/mnth energy cost here! (My December bill was $405, how much was yours?)

Assuming you have PG&E, you have the same charges as me, you just use a fraction of what I use. I wish I was you, it would be cheaper and mean less guilt over air pollution. Actually regardless of cost, everyone should know that the best thing they can do for air pollution is to reduce their power consumption, not drive a hybrid.

Apologies for OT discussion.

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Looks like Comcast has announced a Digital converter:

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comc ... ngle-92142

Is that per month? (Joke only!)

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