Rogers to move some analogue channels to digital (Read Post 1)

[danteA]

FYI, I went and got the DTA 50's for my registered outlets at a Rogers Plus store today. I figure I might as well get on with the program since I discovered that the MCE remote (purchased with Dell computer bundle) has an IR blaster.

Some random bits of info:
- Rogers employee said that they will be stopping the analog signal
- After installation, you need to call Rogers to activate them. Strangely, I managed to activate my first one by choosing the "reset digital box" setting from the "My Rogers" online website. After that though, I needed to call Rogers to have the subsequent ones activated.
- Quality seems comparable, probably slightly "smoother" because of the mpeg decoding.
- My MCE remote (Philips OVU 4003) worked fine with the DTA 50 using the IR blaster that came with it. Needed to position the IR blaster in the middle (on top of the green power LED).
- Channel switching is *slow*. Takes a few seconds. As a result, MCE switching is doubly slow because it needs to send the IR (configured in slow mode).
- The DTA only has basic channels and will not allow you to switch to anything else, even if it's a digital channel that you have. eg. It lets me switch to 65 (Treehouse) but refuses to switch to 85 (National Geographic) even though I have channel 85 (I watch it on the main TV with SD digital STB). Doesn't allow switching to say channel 52 either (a channel I do not have but currently available with free preview).

[57]

The DTA only has basic channels and will not allow you to switch to anything else,

The unit may not have been activated properly. I would have thought that it would tune any channels that you subscribe to. Give Rogers a call back and let us know.

What was the cost of these units? Usually a provider will give you one and charge for more...

[danteA]

The DTA's were given free of charge. They didn't mention it but I think I read somewhere else on the web while researching this that there is a $50 penalty if you don't return it (eg. when you stop using Rogers).

I didn't expect to be able to switch anything else due to them being free "rentals". Also from their website:
http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.por...+89+4294965227

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get any additional channels with my Digital Adapter like I do on my Rogers Digital Box?
No - only the previous analogue channels will be converted to digital.

Will I see the Quick Start Menu or IPG on my Digital Adapter?
No - the DA will not show the quick start menu for the interactive programming guide.

Will TV Call Display be available on my Digital Adapter?
No - there is no TV call display as there is no Quick Start Menu.

Does my Digital Adapter have a Settings menu?
No - the DA does not have a setting menu.

Will I get ROD or PPV on my Digital Adapter?
No - the DA is a one way device. Two way services (ROD and PPV) will not be available.

Will I be able to use Closed Captioning on my Digital Adapter?
No – the DA does not support Closed Captioning. You can use Closed Captioning through your TV functionality.

Why is there a delay when I am switching from channel to channel?
A slight delay is typical for Digital Adapters and it is working as expected.

Will I be able to use my VCR with my Digital Adapter?
The VCR recording experience will be different for customers with a Digital Adapter. Since the DA will be hooked up before the VCR connection, the DA tuner will be used rather than the internal VCR tuner.

With the Digital Adapter you are no longer able to pre-schedule multiple recordings on different channels. However, you may still schedule multiple recordings on one channel.
Your DA is not capable of automatically switching channels.
To record:
You will have set your VCR to the appropriate input (Ch 3 or Ch 4).
Tune to the channel you wish to record on your DA.
Select (or pre-schedule) to record on your VCR.

PS. I forgot to mention that the IR extender that the Cisco DTA 50 pdf mentions was not provided in the box provided by Rogers.

[57]

Thanks. Have updated post 1 with this info and removed the word "speculation" from the thread title.

[yyzlhr]

Originally Posted by danteA

- The DTA only has basic channels and will not allow you to switch to anything else, even if it's a digital channel that you have. eg. It lets me switch to 65 (Treehouse) but refuses to switch to 85 (National Geographic) even though I have channel 85 (I watch it on the main TV with SD digital STB). Doesn't allow switching to say channel 52 either (a channel I do not have but currently available with free preview).

Well that's to be expected. National Geographic is only available with a STB. Therefore even though its a digital channel, you cannot view it with a digital adapter.

[57]

Based on the specs on page 3 of the pdf in post 1:

Tuning 54 to 860 MHz, QAM 64, 256

it should be able to tune any (SD) channel. Rogers may prevent that, however the Adaptor appears able to tune any (SD) channel that Rogers currently sends.

I do not recall reading about channel restrictions (provided they are SD) on the other providers (links in post 1). I may have missed it... They do use other Adaptors, however, that should not be the factor anyway due to what is in the quote above.


The following line from the FAQ in post 48 makes no sense.

No - only the previous analogue channels will be converted to digital.

There is no conversion going on in the adaptor - it's receiving the digital channels directly and I see no reason you shouldn't get all the SD channels that you subscribe to, unless there's something I'm missing, or Rogers is "preventing".

It's certainly possible for Rogers to prevent the adaptor from getting anything but the (previously) analogue channels - perhaps they would do this to encourage sales/rentals of "true" STBs - after all these adaptors are meant to give you the analogue channels you will not longer get, not to "replace" a STB.

[m3repair]

Rogers is starting to use the DTA 50 already, here is a link on there website that tells you some of the techinical specifications,

http://www.rogershelp.com/DigitalCab...e.php?id=117-0

If a moderator sees this link can it be added to Post 1, Thank you!

[bcolwill]

Received a letter from Rogers this week for a my location in Markham. The letter states the change will take place early 2012. I called the number and the person at Rogers could not state a date of when analog would disappear. If I could get TCM and and AMC somehow without Rogers I think I would just do with OTA for anything else.

[leftrightother]

Bcolwill I live about 40 mins east of you and I got the same letter this week. I'm guessing they are going to try to convert the GTA before the summer. I have tried to talk to some Roger plus store staff to get some details about buying extra boxes but they have no answers.

[Humbar]

I don't think analog is going to disappear, maybe just 1 tier or maybe 2 tiers above basic.

[JamesK]

^^^^
If Rogers is providing boxes to replicate analog reception, then why wouldn't they eliminate it? Analog channels waste a lot of bandwidth that could be put to better use and using digital STBs makes it difficult for someone to steal the service.

[57]

Most providers leave the basic channels (roughly 2-30) as analogue since there are lots of seniors who would not like to have digital STBs/adaptors and this placates those who also have just the basic service. Those who want more than basic require adaptors/STBs.

By eliminating the other analogues (30 and up), they free up enough space for about 100-150 HD channels or 500 SD, or a combination of channels, PPV, VOD, internet, etc. This is probably "enough" for now.

[calm]

I have a 2-way splitter (and 2 TVs) for my current analog set up. Rogers would only give me one DTA as I have only one registered outlet. So I am thinking since I plan to move to all digital soon and would like to buy a STB (like the Cisco 4642HD from Costco) anyway, would the following connection work once I receive the DTA and call Rogers to activate it:

cable ==> 2-way splitter ==> one output goes to the DTA --> TV #1, while 2nd output goes to a Cisco 4642HD ==> TV #2.

Would TV #2 then receive at least the same # of channels as TV #1?

[57]

Actually TV2 would receive more channels, because, as mentioned in this thread (FAQ link post 1), the DTA will only tune the former analogue channels.

Be aware that the splitter needs to be rated 5-1000MHz minimum and bidirectional. Rogers will supply this and check your signal too if you're paying for these outlets, say as part of VIP. If you're only paying for 1 outlet, they will know you have two as soon as you try to activate the 4642. If you have more than the basic channels, then digital VIP is often the least expensive option, especially since it then gives you more HD channels too. Digital VIP allows for up to 4 TV outlets. If you wish to discuss pricing, use the Rogers programming sticky.


Here's a useful post for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

[JustaguyinTO]

This may be a dumb question....but...I have an HD LED flatscreen tv, but I don't subscribe to HDTV with ROGERS. Do i need the CISCO DTA? Won't my TV be capable of picking up the digital signals or is it in analog mode when connected through cable.

We have a non-HD tv and I couild see me using it with that. But I am just wondering if I need two DTa devices.

Thanks