JP1 Remotes

Heres a thread dealing with a voucher box:

https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9567

Evan_s wrote:Might also look into the basic cable option from the cable company. Most cable companies have, because they are required to, a very cheap analogue cable with only broadcast and public access type channels. Usually runs 10$ + or - a little. When I signed up for my cable internet from comcast it was cheaper to get the basic cable option and cable internet than to pay the extra for the cable internet for not having any cable tv at all. It was 8$ a month and would be cheaper than getting all the OTA boxes for at least a couple years.

That's the program that I currently have, for exactly the reason you describe. Do you know if Comcast will continue to provide analog transmissions? I've heard rumors that they intend to discontinue it, but I haven't tried confirming one way or the other yet.

My biggest concern is all my ReplayTV units because if I do need to get a STB, the Replays will need to be able to control it. I have a Panasonic HDTV box that I never use because the Replays don't know how to control it and there's no channel guide info available that the Replays could use.

I'm pretty sure in most or all area's they are required by their cable franchise agreement to provide the basic cable option. Assuming that was the case they would probably have to renegotiate their franchise agreement to get that removed or changed. They might try to cut back the number of analogue channels to the minimum they are required to carry and convert all the rest to digital to free up bandwidth but they can't just drop the service. There are usually also limits in pricing for the package.

It's really hard to say anything for sure because comcast doesn't give out a lot of information about some things and because almost everything is contingent on some sort of franchise agreement which can be as small as the city or county or as large as the entire state depending on the situation.

I think cable companies are only required to provide analog service until 2012. Last summer in the Chicago area, we saw the heavy handed way Comcast discontinued 38 analog stations so they could grab the band with for more lucrative programming. That forced lots of people to the digital set top box. I would imagine the moment they are allowed, they'll drop all analog so they can make more money.

I just called Comcast and the rumors are true, they will discontinue all analog broadcasts next year, so you'll have to go digital if you want to stay with them, and their cheapest digital package is $55+/month (without internet).

I've been meaning to look into Verizon, which has a DSL package where the average monthly cost os $14.41, anyway.

I tracked down all of my friends and relatives and coerced them into getting two coupons, even if they didn't want or need a box, and offered to buy them myself. I think I'm good for 6 - 10 boxes at $10 to $20 each.. I needed a couple for work also. (TV repair shop but businesses aren't eligible)

I really want the Echostar box with the timer and the cost is $39.95. (they just aren't out yet)

Well I'll wait until the Echostar comes out too. The coupons expire after 90 days, and I don't want it to expire before the box comes out. But I've also read that there are a limited number of these available. I'm really shocked that there isn't some sort of household income rule

You'd think there would be some sort of household multi-box though. I mean have a stack of tuners and modulate them down to a bunch of analog signals and put them together like they come off the antenna now. I'd much rather pay money for that, then have to have a bunch of seperate boxes. But it seems they don't think there is a market for something like that.

If anyone discovers that any of these converter STBs respond to an old cable box or sat box code, please let me know as that would mean there's a good chance that my ReplayTV boxes can control them.

There is a process (that I initiated but have long since forgotten about) where you can add codes to the old Replay boxes, but it involves pulling the hard drive and really getting your hands dirty, so if it can be avoided it's a plus.

very interesting comparrison, jetskier, thanks. This just goes to show that I'm not the demographic that these boxes are aimed at. I have a 1 tv satelite subscription, without local channels because it costs $60/year and limits me to 1 station at a time. Like Rob, I'm heavily into time shifting my recordings, although I wonder how much longer that will be allowed. I'm getting more and more messages that say recording this show is prohibited. I don't watch all that much TV, and when there is something worth watching, there are usually 2 or 3 things on at the same time. I don't like cable quality, and my satelite often goes out during heavy storms. I'm most likely to be watching TV when I'm confined by the weather, so OTA is a must with satelite. I have the ability to buy new digital TV's, I just feel its morally wrong to toss all this perfectly functioning equipment into the landfill, and I doubt I'll be able to donate them, as I already found that most places wouldn't take vcrs or TVs. I'm willing to invest in the technology to continue to use my equipment, there just doesn't seem to be anything available yet, and from what I've read there doesn't seem to be anything in the works for the upscale consumer of OTA signals.

What sat service is giving you the "prohited" message? I've never got that message from Dish equipment.

I have two Dish 622 and one 942 and an old 508. I can recorded 3 OTA signals at once and 7 Sat signals (6 of which can be HD programming). The only time the weather kills the signal to the dish is when there is an 1/2" or more of snow stuck to it.

I'm looking at the coupon for for my 5th wheel RV than anything. It has analog OTA tuner built-in to the coach TV/radio/DVD system. It's a 2006 model, but it won't be able to receive the OTA locals next year. I take my dish 508 receiver, but some of our family trips put us outside the spot beam that carries our locals. I'd like to get either of the Echostar units (with or without the DVR).

I've pretty much decided on the Echostar tr50, but I'll reavalute when it finally becomes available. Last Sunday I was ready to go out and buy, since we have severe OTA signal problems every Sunday and I was ready to do something about it.

What sat service is giving you the "prohited" message? I've never got that message from Dish equipment.

I've got my DirecTV satelite routed through by Sony DVD recorder, and on 6 occassions I've seen the recording prohibited message. Sometimes you can get a false reading when there is a problem with the picture, but at the time I was watching the picture was crystal clear.

I have two Dish 622 and one 942 and an old 508. I can recorded 3 OTA signals at once and 7 Sat signals (6 of which can be HD programming). The only time the weather kills the signal to the dish is when there is an 1/2" or more of snow stuck to it.

We ususally have outages in the severe spring storms. Never more than 15 minutes or so, but since the weather forces me indoors I'd like to flip on the TV and relax, and when all I see is "searching for signal" displayed across the bottom of the screen I'm very disappointed. I'm always happy that I can flip over and watch something on broadcast. Of course I've recorded over 500 movies on DVD, but still I like having the OTA signal there. Its always comforting to see the doppler image on the local channels and know how long the storm is going to last.

vickyg2003 wrote: I've got my DirecTV satelite routed through by Sony DVD recorder, and on 6 occassions I've seen the recording prohibited message. Sometimes you can get a false reading when there is a problem with the picture, but at the time I was watching the picture was crystal clear.

The Sony recorders have a macrovision chip in them. Besided MacroVision they respond to almost any DRM flag. CPRM for certain and the CGMS-A most likely. The CGMS is the one that messes up Windows Media Center recordings.

There is a thread over at AVS that also deals with ReplayTV compatible boxes...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008500

The Robman wrote:I just called Comcast and the rumors are true, they will discontinue all analog broadcasts next year, so you'll have to go digital if you want to stay with them, and their cheapest digital package is $55+/month (without internet).

I've been meaning to look into Verizon, which has a DSL package where the average monthly cost os $14.41, anyway.

Does the package include TV? I doubt it. Also be careful, Rob, Verizon has two DSL speeds, I don't recall what they are, but the cheap one is slow.

Good thread, guys. I'm lost in understanding and about gave up watching any tv by next year. I don't feel like trashing 2 analog TVs both < 10 yrs old.