Channel Realignment Discussion (Split from New Channels)

[Holmes108]

The current boxes can connect to and display just fine on SD tvs, even when tuned to an HD broadcast. I did it for awhile when in between tvs.

[JamesK]

^^^^
That would be the HD STBs that can convert HD to SD. The SD boxes can't.

[Wayne]

But this is an issue that will be dealt with sooner or later. Some time in the next few years analog channels will completely disappear and and it is very likely that .SD channels will also disappear. So sooner or later Rogers, or its customers, will have to pay the cost

[PFD]

Rogers pay the costs?

[thenewdc]

The best solution for cable companies in the long run is to move over to an IPTV platform with MPEG-4 encoding. IPTV can be loaded onto all kinds of devices as an app, allowing a customner to use their own device sparing the cost of BDU's investing in hardware.

[cm3020prob]

IPTV is not an ultimate solution.

Rogers is already using SDV (Switched Digital Video), so when your terminal tune to a channel, it is delivered ONCE in the cell (group of 50-100 households). With IPTV, it's a reserved connection between the central and the terminal, meaning if 25 terminals in the cell are watching CTV HD, then the CTV HD feed is delivered 25 times, wasting bandwidth.

If a customer in the same cell as you tune in to CTV on channel 8 with his SD terminal and you are tuning to CTV on channel 108, you are both requesting the same feed, which will be delivered once on the network.

As for MPEG-4, the Cisco terminals (8642-PVR and 4642-HD) are MPEG-4 compatible. All previous Scientific-Atlanta terminals aren't. So on top of phasing out SD terminals, they'll have to phase out all HD terminals prior to the Cisco ones if they want to go all-MPEG-4.

Originally Posted by Wayne

One reason to stop delivering SD channels is that it is a waste of bandwidth, assuming that the STBs can tune the HD channel

As mentionned, standard definition terminals are still being rented by Rogers (the one in the picture is the Scientific Atlanta Explorer E940). These SD terminals are not able to decode any HD signals.

Removing analog channels will help improving HD channels picture quality or add new internet speed tiers. Problem with channel numbering have nothing to do with the lack of new channels addition.

Back on topic...

[MCIBUS]

If Rogers wants to save space on the IPG use Auto HD.

If they want to down convert HD to SD so they only rent/sell two boxes, fine.

BUT!!

if they do that they better lower the rent cost.
Why should subs be FORCED to pay $10.95 for HD box $25 for a PVR to rent when ever other provider is renting their HD receivers for about $5/6/month & about $10-$13/month for PVRs. Rogers charges way to much rent on their HD boxes?

[winterwolf]

An other problem is that sometime SD and HD are 2 diferent channel or not airing the same show.

Ex: in my area PBS SD is not the same has HD. SD is WMEM and HD is WNED.

[yyzlhr]

While Rogers is figuring out their IPTV transition plans, they really should phase out all SD terminals and rent out Cisco 4642s to everyone and lower the rental fee and drop all SD feeds if the HD equivalent carries the exact same programming. The amount of money that is spent refurbishing these garbage and obsolete SD boxes is better spent elsewhere. In addition, Rogers is not purchasing anymore SD terminals so the ones that are in circulation have been refurbished several times and they are quite disgusting. If you pick up anything that is not the E940, the boxes are always scratched or have some sort of stain on them.

[alebowgm]

First, I agree with yyzlhr, I am surprised they just don't eliminate all SD terminals with the 4642HD. IMO, instead of these digital adapters they have invested in for the eventual demise of analog cable, they should had just provided referb SD units.

To me, a part of the solution is a combo of SDV and Auto-HD working together. Auto HD all stations (yes, get rid of extra fee for some SD/HD stations) and the stations which have Auto HD should have SDV for the SD counterpart, which should free up some more bandwidth. This also would eliminate the 5xx range of stations.

[Dan Mackay]

Well, they would certainly have more channel numbers if YWTW and the ROD channel wernt on the guide 5 times... SDV besides the point

[ryandude_12345]

This is not about a new channel that launched.. Sorry if I got anyone excited, but I was wondering, where can Rogers add more HD channels now that there is only 556 and 557 left in the 500 HD range, but clearly those are reserved for another network. Does this mean Rogers wont be adding any new HD channels anytime soon?? I want Comedy Network HD!

[viking5000]

I am getting National Geographic Wild HD and SD on 296. So I guess they could use existing place (44 here in Toronto)

[MartyOttawa]

566 is still available, no? (At least in Ottawa, it is.)

[miker1]

There is now plenty of room for new HD channels between NFL REDZONE HD 472 and ANMLHD 497 Lots of empty spaces