Is Digital Cable Mandatory in Toronto?

[Admiral Beez]

I've recently moved from Fredericton to Toronto after a three-year move to NB.

One thing that surprised me was that when we called Rogers to have our TV cable re-activated in the Cabbagetown house, Rogers advised us that we must rent one of their digital boxes, as analog is no longer available. We had one of these in Fredericton because Tree House TV (an essential for toddlers, with moderation) was not available in New Brunswick on the usual analog service. In Toronto Tree House was available on the basic analog service, so we never bothered with digital cable, especially since my wife and I watch little TV ourselves and have no need of the digital service.

My biggest peeve with the digital service was that I could no longer use my VHS VCR to record programs on one station while I watched another station. Nor could I pre-program the VCR to switch between channels in order to tape shows while I was away. With analog cable your VCR can change channels, but with digital cable, only the digital box controls the channels, so you can't watch digital station # 1, for example, while taping digital station # 2. Yes, I know I can buy a recorder service through Rogers and perhaps I need to get rid of my non-stereo, 25" 1998 TV with its single cable input, but I don't want to for the forseeable future, and would prefer to keep my monthly payment to Ted Corp to a minimum (without the box rental fee, thank you).

So, I suppose my question is actually two. First, is it true that Toronto (Cabbagetown area) is digital only for TV, with no analog, or is this just Rogers pulling the wool over peoples' eyes in order to get more fees and provide service people don't want? Second, how can I get my VCR to work on the digital system, so that I can tape one show and watch another?

Thanks,

[spicoli]

Analog is available EVERYWHERE. The CSR was full of crap, or more likely, just incompetent.

[57]

The CSR must have misunderstood something, that's for sure. Analogue is available, even when you have digital service.

If you want digital service but still want to use your VCR, see the following for the "optimum" hookup to do what you want (but you couldn't watch a digital programme and record a digital programme, without a second STB, but you could do everything else):

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17709

You may have asked a question regarding a channel that required digital service and perhaps both of you were talking at cross purposes.

You may wish to consider a PVR though, they allow full functionality and most people love their PVRs (even though you said you didn't want it).

Also, you may wish to consider the Digital VIP package. It provides for about 225 channels at a monthly cost starting around $50 and that comes with a "free" digital STB. There are several threads regarding digital VIP in the Rogers forum. If you have broadband internet or phone with Rogers, there is also bundle pricing available, which gives you a discount depending on the number of services.

[Paolo]

Just so you know.. Analog does work in Cabbage Town (wow, what a neighbourhood btw) but There will be a time when new sub divisions and neighbour hoods will be pure Digital Only. They are testing this analogy in condos right now, but im sure neighbourhoods will have it. Another Just so you know, is that Analog will eventually be phazed out in hopes for Pure Digital Technology. The less people using Analog the more spectrum they will save, but if everyone but one person is still on analog, they still need to pump the full analogue spectrum untill that one customer converts.

Remember Rogers just shut down their complete Analogue and TDMA cellular networks a few days ago... Analogue is Gonzo

[scampbell]

I'm pretty sure that Rogers is pricing digital cable such that it isn't anymore expensive than analog so you might just as well get digital. If analog is available in your neighbourhood, then you will get the analog signal along with your digital cable anyways.

I'd also second the recommendation to seriously consider the PVR. Not only can you record shows onto it's harddrive, it comes with two tuners so you can record one show while watching another (or record two shows at once while watching something you've recorded earlier).

You can copy recordings off of the PVR onto your VCR in the event that you want a permanent copy.

EDIT: Another consideration is that, if you watch Treehouse, digital cable comes with Treehouse On Demand.

[Walter Dnes]

Originally Posted by scampbell

I'm pretty sure that Rogers is pricing digital cable such that it isn't anymore expensive than analog so you might just as well get digital.

Errr... uhmmm...

1. How much does an STB cost? Monthly rental or outright purchase?
2. Ever heard of the "digital service access fee"?

[Paolo]

Originally Posted by Walter Dnes

Errr... uhmmm...

1. How much does an STB cost? Monthly rental or outright purchase?
2. Ever heard of the "digital service access fee"?

ever heard of Digital VIP?
digital services fee? whats that?

[otown47]

I checked the Rogers site for new customers in both Toronto and Ottawa....it looks like basic analogue cable is no longer offered. I thought basic cable had to be offered...by law...

[Paolo]

Originally Posted by otown47

I checked the Rogers site for new customers in both Toronto and Ottawa....it looks like basic analogue cable is no longer offered. I thought basic cable had to be offered...by law...

I think a certin percentage of subscribers had to be on the digital platform for this to happen. its not a law, but a regulation by the CRTC which they may have met naturally

[summerfan]

Otown
A basic package has to be offered.It does not have to be analog or digital.

[Walter Dnes]

Originally Posted by Paolo

ever heard of Digital VIP?

According to the webpage at http://www.shoprogers.com/store/cabl...elpackages.asp VIP Regular Price is $58.97/month, whilst Basic Cable Regular Price is $34.97 - $42.96/month. For the extra $16-to-$24 per month it better have a few perks.

Originally Posted by Paolo

digital services fee? whats that?

$2.99 per month last I heard. Again, it might be rolled into the cost of the higher-end package.

Airline fares, cellular plans, and cable bills are almost impossible to figure out. There always seem to be a bunch of extra fees tacked on.

[SensualPoet]

If you want it, analog cable -- channels 2 to 28 plus some higher up on the dial you may be able to receive depending on your set -- is $27.49/mth.

Adding a digital box ($4.49/mth) + digital service fee ($2.99/mth) brings you to $34.97. That adds 25 timeshifting, 70 music/radio stations, a bunch of other digital services, On Demand access and free On Demand services like Treehouse, MTV and NFL Network.

A digital box is $99 outright; they are frequently available for $49 at places like The Source, Batteries Plus, FS and BB. That would bring your monthly fee down to $30.48 -- really not a bad deal.

If there are a few channels in the 29 through 99 range that interest you, then VIP at $58.97 is a pretty good deal and includes the rental box, digital service fee and right to add up to 4 TVs on the one account at one address (digital or analog). Check out your channel listing at www.rogers.com/channels.

BTW, welcome to the neighbourhood. Be sure to check out Riverdale Farm right around the corner, and the Danforth-Broadview shops like Carrot Common. That's about a 15 min walk for you -- very pleasant in summer. And of course it's June so Toronto Pride is coming up: a full weekend street party at Church & Wellesley June 22-24.

And remember to smile up at Ted from your new home; Rogers HQ is the corner of Jarvis and Bloor.

[Paolo]

Originally Posted by Walter Dnes

According to the webpage at http://www.shoprogers.com/store/cabl...elpackages.asp VIP Regular Price is $58.97/month, whilst Basic Cable Regular Price is $34.97 - $42.96/month. For the extra $16-to-$24 per month it better have a few perks.


$2.99 per month last I heard. Again, it might be rolled into the cost of the higher-end package.

Airline fares, cellular plans, and cable bills are almost impossible to figure out. There always seem to be a bunch of extra fees tacked on.

digital vip is a dollar more than analogue vip.
also the digital services fee is included so its credited on your bill, i was being humourous when i made that comment

[Walter Dnes]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

If you want it, analog cable -- channels 2 to 28 plus some higher up on the dial you may be able to receive depending on your set -- is $27.49/mth.

Adding a digital box ($4.49/mth) + digital service fee ($2.99/mth) brings you to $34.97. That adds 25 timeshifting, 70 music/radio stations, a bunch of other digital services, On Demand access and free On Demand services like Treehouse, MTV and NFL Network.

Here's my situation...

• I'll be moving to a new residence around early August. I've put off buying an HDTV till after the move.
• I plan to have the HDTV by the end of August at latest. I want to catch the World Series and the new TV season.
• Depending on which channels I can/cannot receive OTA, I'm seriously considering getting Rogers at the new place.

OK, I'll admit to being totally confused by Rogers' website. Digital Basic is listed as... Regular Price: $34.97 - $42.96/month (I tend to assume the worst and go with the higher price). You say that includes a digital box rental and the access fee. How much would it cost for Digital Basic plus an HDTV terminal, assuming I buy the terminal outright? The cynical side of me notes that Rogers' webpage says "16 HD channels free when you rent an HD terminal". Can I safely assume it applies when you buy a terminal? My new condo is in Vaughan, if that makes any difference to the price.

[otown47]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

If you want it, analog cable -- channels 2 to 28 plus some higher up on the dial you may be able to receive depending on your set -- is $27.49/mth.

Reference please....