HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: phil@phunt.MV.COM (Phil Hunt)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: PARAGON CABLE TV = BASTARDS
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 14:21:49 EST
Organization: Howtek, Inc.
Reply-To: phil@phunt.MV.COM
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.5v4


In article <1992Jul22.005731.4517@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> (rec.video.cable-tv), mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
] 
] K..I'll....TRY to explain this:
] 
] A bitch from Paragon cable calls me, and tells me that soon
] they are going to scramble all the stuff. They are doing this so they
] can start sending out HBO 1 2 3 and SHOW 1 2. BUT they are going 
] to require everyone who gets pay channels now (we get HBO and SHOW)
] to Buy/rent a box.....it isn't so much the box..but is the fact
] that it will be a pain in the ass to watch tv.
] 
] anything we want to do will have to be done VIA the box! do you know what I 
] mean? for example..if I want to record HBO from 8 to 9 tonite..and SHOW
] from 9 to 10.. i just tell my VCR to do that.BUT after they start scramble
] (ing) stuff...I'll have to set the VCR to CH 3, manually enter
] the tuner on HBO..and record ch 3' w/ the vcr for that time..and to 
] record HBO..i'll have to manually switch the tuner over to SHOW!
] 
] HOW can they do this? it makes cable ready TV w/ PIP , channel labeling
] etc etc USELESS! How the hell can they do this? Please help me..
] 

Welcome to the world of Hi-tech cable television.  Many systems are or soon
will be using this method.

Good luck

Phil

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Hunt                                                  (603)882-5200
Howtek, Inc.		                   "Wherever you go, there you are!"

Internet: phil@phunt.MV.COM         uucp: {decvax|harvard}!mv!phunt!phil
From: libes@cme.nist.gov (Don Libes)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: VCR Plus Codes still needed
Date: 24 Jul 92 16:34:14 GMT
Organization: National Institute of Standards and Technology

In article <1992Jul23.164958.22061@panix.com> tkelsey@panix.com (Tom Kelsey) writes:
>In article <18323@muffin.cme.nist.gov> libes@cme.nist.gov (Don Libes) writes:
>>I realize VCR+ "seems" to be pervasive, but is it?
>>
>>PS: I actually own VCR+ (gift), and I wish I could use it.

> May I ask WHY you can't use it?  isn't there any publication that has
>the codes.  don;t you have TV Guide there..  even if you have an 'outer 
>region' guide with different channels, you can REPOGRAM it to display
>your channels.. even time zones can be reprogrammed.. 

The reassignment of channels is not the problem.

Our cable system provides 67 channels.  The local newspaper (and TV
Guide) lists VCR+ codes for the networks, some premium stations and a
handful of others.  That leaves 40 other channels.  We almost never
watch the networks or premiums.

The Cable TV company's own guide is the only thing that lists the
shows on all the channels.

We actually do use VCR+ occasionally, but it's a nuisance because
first we have to look in the newspaper (VCR+ listings).  Then we look
through the local CATV Guide (no VCR+ listings) to see everything else.

Don
From: andrew@alice.att.com (Andrew Hume)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: PARAGON CABLE TV = BASTARDS
Summary: old news
Date: 23 Jul 92 14:06:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: alice.23288
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill NJ

In article <1992Jul22.005731.4517@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
~ K..I'll....TRY to explain this:
~ 
~ A bitch from Paragon cable calls me, and tells me that soon
~ they are going to scramble all the stuff. They are doing this so they
~ can start sending out HBO 1 2 3 and SHOW 1 2. BUT they are going 
~ to require everyone who gets pay channels now (we get HBO and SHOW)
~ to Buy/rent a box.....it isn't so much the box..but is the fact
~ that it will be a pain in the ass to watch tv.
~ 
~ anything we want to do will have to be done VIA the box! do you know what I 
~ mean? for example..if I want to record HBO from 8 to 9 tonite..and SHOW
~ from 9 to 10.. i just tell my VCR to do that.BUT after they start scramble
~ (ing) stuff...I'll have to set the VCR to CH 3, manually enter
~ the tuner on HBO..and record ch 3' w/ the vcr for that time..and to 
~ record HBO..i'll have to manually switch the tuner over to SHOW!
~ 
~ HOW can they do this? it makes cable ready TV w/ PIP , channel labeling
~ etc etc USELESS! How the hell can they do this? Please help me..


	i agree with you about how infuriating this is but some of us
have had this exact situation for much longer already. (i have for 3 yrs.)
the situation seems uncorrectable unless the cable companies come under
some form of regulation again.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: chrisp@theory.TC.Cornell.EDU (Chris Pelkie)
Subject: Cable programming
Keywords: cable box programming
Organization: Cornell Theory Center
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 11:54:37 GMT

In article <1992Jul22.005731.4517@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
> anything we want to do will have to be done VIA the box! do you know what I 
|> mean? for example..if I want to record HBO from 8 to 9 tonite..and SHOW
|> from 9 to 10.. i just tell my VCR to do that.BUT after they start scramble
|> (ing) stuff...I'll have to set the VCR to CH 3, manually enter
|> the tuner on HBO..and record ch 3' w/ the vcr for that time..and to 
|> record HBO..i'll have to manually switch the tuner over to SHOW!
|> 
|> HOW can they do this? it makes cable ready TV w/ PIP , channel labeling
|> etc etc USELESS! How the hell can they do this? Please help me..

How can they do this? Simple, it's called a monopoly.

In our cable area, there are two types of boxes. Thankfully, I have
the programmable type. These are both provided by the
cable company, but I'm not sure if we get a choice, or if I
just lucked out. Anyway, it has 4 program slots, so I have
to set up both the VCR and the box timers to tape more
than one channel. By the way, I discovered the box was
programmable by experimenting, then had to go to the
cable company and request the free manual which they
never told me existed. As it turned out there was nothing
I hadn't figured out already. If it matters, these are black
Scientific-Atlanta boxes, but since these are custom manufactured
for different cable systems, that info is probably meaningless to you.

And since every channel over 20
is "scrambled" (actually, premiums are truly scrambled, the
rest are "compressed" into a peculiar non-normal channel
space), none of my "cable-ready" toys can access them directly.

But that's the way it's ALWAYS been here, so welcome to
the (grumble, grumble) club.
-- 
Chris Pelkie
Scientific Visualization Producer
Cornell Theory Center
Ithaca, NY 14853-3801
chrisp@tc.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion)
Subject: Re: VCR PLUS ?  ** Does anyone think it's REALLY usefull **
Organization: W. J. Vermillion - Winter Park, FL
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 04:51:57 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.132222.23663@encore.com> mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer) writes:
>I tried the VCR+ and found it to be of little use.  It's actually much 
>simpler to use the "One touch record (with delay)" facility that can be
>found on all modern VCRs.

>VCR+ built into the VCR however, would probably be much better.

I don't own a VCR+, but having one built into the VCR takes
away some of the advantage.

You set a program to record Sunday morning, and you are leaving
town on Friday.

Saturday you have a 2 hour power failure.  The VCR+ in the VCR
will probably have even forgotten it's name by then.

The standalone portable standard battery powered unit doesn't
care.  Your program will get recorded unless the power failure
happens during record.

>
>What are other peoples thoughts on this.


-- 
Bill Vermillion - bill.vermillion@oau.org
                - bill@bilver.uucp 
                - ..!{peora|ge-dab|tous|tarpit}!bilver!bill

Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: mlevine@perfect.fia.dmg.ml.com (Mark Levine)
Subject: Watching cable with TV remote
Organization: Merrill Lynch Debt Markets
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1992 16:27:24 GMT


This might be real simple, because I've seen other people do it on different
cable systems. I live in Queens, NY and I have all the most modern video
equipment, but I can't seem to rewire my system to let me use the remote from my
TV. I have to use the remote from the cable company which renders my PIP, and 
all other features useless. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Email to mlevine@perfect.fia.dmg.ml.com
Thanks in advance

Xref: sparky rec.video.cable-tv:1086 sci.electronics:13635
From: root@cvbnet.prime.com (cvbnet)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: 60 Hz Hum on Cable-tv Coax
Date: 29 Jul 92 23:05:06 GMT
Distribution: all

From article <Bs4C0K.EDG@solbourne.com>, by kucharsk@solbourne.com (William Kucharski):
> Welcome to the wonderful world of ground loops.  This is happening because
>.................
>     3) Connect back-to-back balun transformers (e.g. 75 -> 300 -> 75).
> -- 
> | William Kucharski, Solbourne Computer, Inc.     | Opinions expressed above
..............................................................................
Ahhh... very good; and simple.
Funny I didn't think of that.
This will work provided there is no ground continuity through all the baluns.
Watch out for signal degradation though.
Good thought William.


joe
From: stevet@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (stephen.e.turpin)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: FCC allows phone companies to transmit video signals
Keywords: fcc, telephone, video
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:54:20 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

AT&T Paradyne has developed a method of data compression that uses copper wire
and achieves results comparable to fiber-optics.

Steve Turpin
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: saurav@cory.Berkeley.EDU (Saurav Chatterjee)
Subject: Cable ready tv/vcr
Organization: University of California, at Berkeley
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 17:04:40 GMT


There are two types of vcrs available in the market: cable-ready and
ones that require the cable box. The sales people told me the practical
difference between the two, but can someone tell me the technical
reason behind the difference?

Basically, cable-ready allows you to bypass any cable convertor box
and connect the cable coax cable directly to the vcr, whereas the
old vcrs require a convertor box. What exactly does this convertor
box do?

Thanks
Saurav
From: edwardp@cs.umb.edu (Edward P. Piecewicz)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: VCR PLUS ?  ** Does anyone think it's REALLY usefull **
Date: 24 Jul 92 09:54:48 GMT
Organization: University of Massachusetts at Boston, Dept of Math and CS

In article <1992Jul23.132222.23663@encore.com> mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer) writes:
>I tried the VCR+ and found it to be of little use.  It's actually much 
>simpler to use the "One touch record (with delay)" facility that can be
>found on all modern VCRs.
>
>VCR+ built into the VCR however, would probably be much better.
>
>What are other peoples thoughts on this.


Regarding VCR Plus+, I am in the opinion that if your VCR -cannot- be
programmed via the remote control (i.e. you have to open a panel and
continuously push buttons in order to record something), the VCR Plus
unit will NOT work with that VCR.

-- 
Internet:  edwardp@cs.umb.edu

Member and Activist:  Boston Computer Society
From: scott@ceco.ceco.com (Scott A. Huddleston)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Any problems with VCR Plus ?
Keywords: vcr+ vcr plus
Date: 29 Jul 92 23:52:30 GMT
Organization: Commonwealth Edison Co., Chicago, IL

Can anyone out there who has a VCR Plus unit give some feedback on
how they like it?  I am considering the purchase, but hesitate for
the following reasons/questions:

1) Does it _really_ work with _any_ VCR?  I have an old Sharp,
and a newer RCA unit.  The Sharp does not have "onscreen" programming,
and it is a real chore to program, but I worry that VCR plus won't
work with it.

2) More importantly, I often make the mistake of cutting off the
last 2 minutes (or more) of a program I am recording because I neglect
to add enough additional time to the end of the program to accomodate
network delays, pre-emption, news-flashes, tv guide misprints, and
small time over-runs that are known and planned by the network, but
not published in the guide.  There a _lots_ of reasons why a program
will go beyond its published time, and I try to accomodate these
things when programming my VCR.  Does VCR Plus have features to 
accomplish this?  

3) Is the product really doing well, or is it another "8-track tape" that
no-one will support next year?

Thanks in advance,
Scott Huddleston
From: stevet@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (stephen.e.turpin)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: FCC allows phone companies to transmit video signals
Keywords: fcc, telephone, video
Date: 23 Jul 92 19:03:46 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

The following articles have appeared in various newspapers:

    The FCC agreed 5-0 to let phone companies transmit video 
    signals for others, set up electronic menus detailing 
    consumers' video choices and provide billing and collection 
    for video programmers.  The commission [also] agreed to let 
    the phone companies provide home equipment to deliver video 
    signals from telephone wires to TV sets.  The action gives 
    phone companies an incentive to improve their networks with 
    state-of-the-art technologies.  While the FCC barred phone 
    companies from buying cable companies within their service 
    area, it permitted them to buy a stake of as much as 5% in 
    other cable companies and video programmers.  And it urged 
    Congress to repeal a ban keeping phone companies and cable 
    companies from entering each others' business.  It also moved 
    to create new competition for phone companies.  It voted 5-0 
    to encourage development of low-power, portable pocket phones 
    and other wireless devices that could compete with existing 
    mobile phone service, and eventually with regular wire-based 
    phone companies.  FCC officials believe that letting 
    telephone companies provide video services -- so-called video 
    dialtone -- could open the way for more people to work at 
    home, easily link patients in isolated communities to 
    specialists in big cities and let students take classes from 
    their homes or remote classrooms. [WSJ] *** Jim Lowell, a 
    spokesman for AT&T, said the FCC's decision does not directly 
    affect the company.  "But we make and sell equipment that 
    will allow any company that wants to provide video services, 
    whether it's a telephone company or cable television 
    company," he said.  "We are a willing supplier." [Bergen 
    Record, N.J.]
------ End of Articles -------

I wonder how long it will take for telephone companies or other companies
to start selling video programs over the phone lines.  I also wonder how 
long it will be before prices start to fall.  This should get real 
interesting!!  It finally looks like the monopoly over cable TV will be 
threatened!!  I can hardly wait to be able to have an alternative to 
cable TV.  This is going to put a crimp in the Satellite TV business, also.

Steve Turpin
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer)
Subject: Re: VCR PLUS ? ** Does anyone think it's REALLY usefull **
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 17:21:51 GMT

bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion) writes:

>In article <1992Jul23.132222.23663@encore.com> mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer) writes:
>>I tried the VCR+ and found it to be of little use.  It's actually much 
>>simpler to use the "One touch record (with delay)" facility that can be
>>found on all modern VCRs.

>>VCR+ built into the VCR however, would probably be much better.

>I don't own a VCR+, but having one built into the VCR takes
>away some of the advantage.

>You set a program to record Sunday morning, and you are leaving
>town on Friday.

>Saturday you have a 2 hour power failure.  The VCR+ in the VCR
>will probably have even forgotten it's name by then.

>The standalone portable standard battery powered unit doesn't
>care.  Your program will get recorded unless the power failure
>happens during record.

I would hope the VCR's with built in VCR+ would include a backup battery
of some kind.  It ammazes me that VCR manufacturers can't build a battery
into all models.  My JVC HRS6600 S-VHS VCR's only kep their memory for
60 seconds or so and then, not only the time is lost, but all the channel
and setup info has gone bye-bye.

Regards,	
Mike palmer    				Telephone: (305) 797-2326 (W)
email: mpalmer@encore.com               	   (305) 746-3146 (H)
From: gould@waterloo.hp.com (Dan Gould)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: VCR PLUS ?  ** Does anyone think it's REALLY usefull **
Date: 24 Jul 92 16:46:42 GMT
Organization: HP Panacom Div Waterloo ON Canada
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1scd1 PL4

bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion) writes:
: In article <1992Jul23.132222.23663@encore.com> mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer) writes:

: The standalone portable standard battery powered unit doesn't
: care.  Your program will get recorded unless the power failure
: happens during record.
: 
: >What are other peoples thoughts on this.

There is one additional problem here, and that lies in the nature of most
cable TV converters. Mine, a Jerrold, returns from a power fail condition
in the off state. This means, that until I return home and turn it back on,
all programs are recorded without a change in the converter channel. The
VCR Plus manual warns you about this problem.

I have been thinking of getting a very small UPS, to keep the VCR and
converter powered up all the time.

--
Dan Gould
From: loren@nokomis.mn.org (Loren D. Cahlander)
Subject: Request copy of HR 4850
Keywords: HR4850 REGULATION
Organization: My home machine
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 01:39:28 GMT

Could someone send me a copy of House Resolution 4850, the cable reregulation
bill.
-- 
Loren D. Cahlander           |             Internet: loren@nokomis.mn.org
UNIX Users of Minnesota      |   Alternate Internet: uum-president@mn.org
P.O. Box 47804               |                Phone: +1 612 450 6246
Plymouth, MN  55447-0804     |
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: M02449@mwvm.mitre.org (Joe Gems)
Subject: Re: Help 75ohm coax to RCA...
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, McLean VA 22102
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 17:32:41 GMT

In article <1992Jul28.192253.22427@uceng.UC.EDU>
rabagley@uceng.UC.EDU (Ross A Bagley) writes:
 
>
>I am thinking of getting a Sony 8mm watchman.  It has RCA video and audio
>inputs/outputs.  One of the things I want to do with it is to copy movies
>onto 8mm tapes (of which I have a few).  My VCR does not have RCA outs.
>I want to know if there are any "black boxes" which can provide conversion
>from the 75 ohm coax the cable comes in on to the RCA inputs on the Sony
>device.  Preferably cheap.  I can do limited electronic construction, so
>if anyone can tell me the location to get plans for this device, that would
>probably help too.
>
This is not for sure, but, typically, coax carries a modulated signal (i.e., at
VHF or UHF frequencies), and RCA jacks and plugs are used for unmodulated
signals (i.e., straight audio or video). Even if you could mate one to the
other, you probably won't like the result.
 
If your Sony has no VHF input, and your VCR has no video output, you need
another tuner somewhere in the loop to demodulate your VCR's VHF (coax) output.
Perhaps your TV has a video out?
 
>Thanks in advance.
Not at all.
  Joe
>--                                  ______________________________________
>      _______                       |                                    |
>     /\______\                      |       rabagley@uceng.uc.edu        |
>    / / ___  /_____ ______ ______   |                                    |
>   / / /_\/ /______\\_____\\_____\  |  Sex appeal is 50% what you've got |
>  / / _  __// ___  //  ___//  ___/  |  and 50% what people think you've  |
> / / / \ \ / /_\/ //___  //___  /   |  got.              -Murphy         |
> \/_/   \_\\_____//_____//_____/    |____________________________________|
From: john@newave.newave.mn.org (John A. Weeks III)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: House Votes To Regulate Cable TV
Date: 24 Jul 92 04:49:28 GMT
Organization: Newave Communications, Ltd, Lake Wobegon, MN

I was watching CNN tonight, and I listened in on a story about
Cable TV regulation.  The US House has voted to regulate cable
TV.  The cable TV lobby claims this will cause cable TV prices
to go up by 100% in some areas.  The people in favor of regulation
claim that areas with cable competition have seen prices drop
by an average of 34%.  Even some Republicans are supporting this
bill, claiming that the cable business is a defacto monopoly
(imagine that!).  One representative said that he has heard that
some systems have poor customer service.  President Bush has
already said that he would veto such a bill because he is not
willing to reverse any of the Regan reforms.  I bet he would change
his mind if he had to sit on hold for 45 minutes to report his
cable being out for the 4th time that month, like I often had to
when I lived in Madison, WI.

-john-
From: gah@hood.hood.caltech.edu (Glen Herrmannsfeldt)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: vcr plus codes
Summary: does anyone have any information on the coding of vcr plus?
Keywords: vcr plus
Date: 30 Jul 92 23:23:00 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena

Apparently there were articles on vcr plus codes, but they
expired here before I got to read them.

Does anyone have any part of the coding figured out?

I worked on it a while ago, but didn't get very far.

About the only one I know is that it seems to be month based.

Codes on the first day of the month tend to have lower numbers.
Especially channel 2 and 4 near 7:00 PM.

This, and a series of numbers for those times and channels should
get part of the code out, and the rest should follow.


Consider this a cryptanalysis problem, an intelectual chalange.

I would appreciate any information anyone else has so far.

-- glen