From: sasdst@earl.unx.sas.com (David S. Tyree)
Subject: Re: Cable TV and you
Originator: sasdst@earl.unx.sas.com
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 21:15:10 GMT
Distribution: nc
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.


In article <sch.721332716@gargoyle>, sch@unx.sas.com (Steve Holzworth) writes:
|> hardarso@weiss.cs.unc.edu (Kari Hardarson) writes:
|>
|>
|> >I (being a Cablevision customer)  received an insert with my latest
|> >Cable bill. The headline reads: "If you are thinking of buying a new
|> >VCR, beware of paying extra for one with the so-called 'VCR Plus+'
|> >feature".  It goes on to explain how this feature won't do you any good
|> >because the VCR can't control your cable box.  The insert ends by saying:
|> >"Look for future messages from your cable company on this and similar
|> >consumer issues".
|>
|> The above is true. Other useful things that cable screws over are:
|>
|> cable-ready (what an oxymoron) TVs.
|> many "universal" remotes.
|> almost always, the "record one, watch another channel" feature of VCRs
|>

   Your "TV-within-a-TV" doesn't work with a cable box either.

|> >It almost sounds like the cable company is doing people a favor by warning
|> >about those unscrupulous VCR makers.  I can't help but think that if
|>
|> Yeah, right.
|>
|> >the cable boxes weren't there, this VCR Plus system would work just
|> >fine.  And come to think of it,  I would be able to program my VCR
|> >to record a program into the week on a preselected channel, or watch
|> >one channel while recording another, and I could use one remote control
|> >instead of having to pay the Cable company extra to get a remote control
|> >with the cable box (1-2$/month extra).
|>
|> This is true. Some systems, like Raleigh Cablevision, scramble ALL channels,
|> so you MUST use their box to get ANYTHING (this may have changed - I doubt
|> it though). Cary Cablevision (CVI) scrambles premium channels only. This
|> is somewhat better because you don't need a box unless you get premium
|> channels. I don't, so all of the VCR features are still useful. Note:
|> Cary customers: CVI is currently proposing to do what Raleigh does, and
|> scramble everything. This WILL RENDER YOUR VCR PROGRAMMING FEATURES USELESS.
|> It is easier and CHEAPER for the cable companies to make you have a box.

   Where did you hear this? It is written into the franchise agreement with
   the Town of Cary that any company providing Cable TV must make its
   signals "Cable ready". And I beleive that if you only get HBO, they
   can descramble this at the pole, so you still would not need a box.

|> The technology exists for them to block premium channels from your house
|> "at the pole". They can still enable this from the local office, too, like
|> they authorize your box now. BUT, it costs them more to do it this way.
|> Since they have an *effective* monopoly, you can't pursue alternative
|> methods.

   CVI can block any channel from your house (if you consider the
   programming offensive) I know MTV blocking is free, don't know
   about the others.

|>
|> >Why do we need those boxes on top of our TV?  They look ugly, they
|> >consume energy even when turned off (mine is always hotter than skin
|> >temperature) and they complicate TV watching in general.  Does anyone
|> >know if they benefit the consumer in any way?
|>

    Only if you want a premium channel, PAY-PER-VIEW, or do not have
    a cable ready TV/VCR, else, your paying for a restrictive device.

|>
|> stuff deleted
|>
-- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David S. Tyree                  SAS Institute Inc.         sasdst@mvs.sas.com
Publishing Programmer Analyst   SAS Campus Drive           (919) 677-8000 x7405
Publications Services           Cary, NC 27513             (919) 677-8123 FAX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   The opinions expressed are my own and not those of SAS Institute Inc.,
   Town of Cary, State of North Carolina, United States of America, or Earth.
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