Hi All,
Every Unit owner must be alert and listen carefully;
1) Larry Kall did not say that COMCAST would provide channels 2 - 29; he said that they would provide 29 channels. We have yet to hear what those channels are.
2) The 29 channels will probably be COMCAST's version of "Basic Cable". They must, by law, include the local broadcast channels, the rest will be up to COMCAST, but we can probably negotiate the mix to a point.
3) As noted in Jules, post, some folks will be happy with the 29 channels, so a set top box in every Unit is probably a non-starter.
4) The standard cost for Basic Cable ranges from $7.00 - $10.00 per month; adding in the Set-Top-Box offer of $3.40/month puts us roughly in the ballpark of what we pay now, so don't say ouch before you are bitten.
5) Today Rob Siebeneck presented a briefing at the Computer Club. I am advised that it was a very aggressive sales pitch and I must warn everyone to be very careful.
a) Rob Seibeneck is NOT our point of contact for negotiation of an ammended or new Cable Contract.
b) There is no shortage of Cable Boxes, there is no need to do anything within the next 3 days, there is no rush.
c) Do not be pushed into expensive bundles of Cable TV, High speed INTERNET and digital telephony. Digital telephony (with Video) for example may be obtained free for Computer to Computer digital calls anywhere on Earth, by simply downloading a program called SKYPE. SKYPE also supports interface with landline telephony for 2.8 cents/min. Examine all the options.
So, please go slowly; I will be meeting with the Official COMCAST POC next week and we will get answers to all of the questions and issues noted above.
Of course, this meeting will be an open meeting and will be noticed in advance.
Dave Israel
Thursday, August 7, 2008
PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS ON CV CABLE SERVICE
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6 comments:
We all pay for services that we do not use. I do not use the buses, or clubhouse. I have no problem with that. The idea of spreading the expenses over the entire village helps us all. We need modern digital service with the extra channels such as Discovery, Travel, and TLC. We also need internet service. If we spread it over the entire village we will all benifit. Yes some will be paying for service they do not need.The few extra deollers they pay will be a great help to those that are paying $30. or more for internet, and for digital service now.
Dave congratulations on taking over the Cable chair, I know you will simplify the whole issue.
Here are some questions for your meeting - please correct any misunderstandings I may have.
8 years ago each CV unit was paying $11/mnth for our bulk cable TV. Now we pay $20.55 ea./mnth. (approx 71 channels). Our extended contract runs to Jan 1, 2011. The built-in minimum increases will take us to at least $22.75 ea./mnth. in 2010.
Comcast can make some shifts in channels within our service??
Did the delegates vote to extend our contract, when? I may have been away for that.
Dave your comments on set top boxes and amended contract have nothing to do with going digital in February 2009, right!
What do you call boxes for digital conversion for TV sets with rabbit ears?
What do you call boxes for digital cable with on demand everything, and extra charges?
Everything is digital something, I’m so confused.
Hi Anonymouse
Aug 8, 2008 9:03:00 AM,
There is no doubt that the issue is confusing; perhaps I can elucidate.
Digital Transition involves two issues; a change in frequency of BROADCAST over the air TV and a change in modulation of these same broadcast signals.
Hence, your old style analoge TV will not be able to receive nor will the demodulator be able to demodulate the new digital signals.
The Federal Government is subsidising a Converter box to the tune of some $40.00 which will address the new broadcast digital signals, and output a viewable signal to your old style (analogue) TV.
This converter box has nothing to do with a Comcast Set-Top-Box.
Now, let's look at Cable.
Every Cable company, COMCAST included acquires Content from multiple sources; Broadcast, Satellite...Etc. and converts and multiplexes these channels onto their Cable System.
Thus, the issue of Digital Transition goes away; the Cable company does all the conversion for you.
What COMCAST is doing is using this issue to redefine our Basic Cable and induce us to acquire their Set-Top-Box.
The method is simple; Comcast will leave some number of channels within the frequency range of the standard Cable ready TV set and they will move everything else to more expensive tiers of service.
Our task therefore is to negotiate with COMCAST to maximize or service and minimize our cost. The Set-Top-Box will not be need if you are happy with the Basic Cable offering; but Comcast may not offer the $3.40/month Set-Top-Box without 100% participation, IE. 7854 boxes as part of the common element expense.
there are many questions and I hope to obtain answers next week.
Dave Israel
Thank you speedy Dave, Now I has vocabularee >>
Converter Box and Comcast Set-Top-Box.
Thanks Dave. Great information as always.
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