[57]

Threads merged, into appropriate forum. Please read the FAQ link in post 2. Cogeco was one of the few providers that still had some clear QAM. Based on the recent posts in this thread, almost all channels are now encrypted, just like on other providers. They will not come back. This can vary by location, as mentioned in the FAQ.

 

[jbamford]

Didn't they use to filter out the TV signals if you only subscribed to their Internet service? Probably a lot easier to simply encrypt everything so you can't watch anything without a cable box. No truck-roll required.

 

[57]

Those filters were used for analogue signals. As far as I know, they didn't affect the (most?) digital signals/frequencies, hence encryption is required. Yes, now that they use encryption, it eliminates cable theft and eliminates a huge number of truck rolls, especially for programming changes. With a-la-carte on the way, it's become a necessity since all channel selection will be handled remotely. Also with STBs the provider can do a lot of diagnosis of signal remotely, etc.

Most providers never bothered with a truck roll to install a filter because they hoped the user would re-subscribe to cable TV - it just wasn't worth their while to make the trip. I'm not sure why it took Cogeco so long to encrypt. Satellite and IPTV has always been encrypted and most cable companies have been encrypted (at least above basic) for years.

Most providers now have a minimum of analogue channels with some providers now totally digital.

 

[HowieDoin]

Curious to see if I can scan in the Ice Dogs game tonight. Im in Niagara region.

 

[joeags]

Same here. Only free preview channels and a few Cogeco 14 stations. I had used the hauppauge 950q for backup recordings of SD shows, but that is no longer an option. Bummer, no options other than the set-top boxes.

 

[cableredneck]

Depending on your location, you could use an antenna to get network channels. For speciality channels, you will have to get a digital box from Cogeco or other provider.

 

[mrvanwinkles]

Clear QAM - Cogeco Kingston - changes / a few ch gone.

Clear QAM channels - Cogeco - in Kingston.
( i.e. Unencrypted / open - Digital channels on cable here. )

Checked on Fri April 24, 2015.

A few Clear QAM channels are gone / I noted a few missing - however many are still open and viewable still. (Kingston).
[ all SD - standard definition, some TV channels & some music channels - remain. none are HD ]

So there are changes happening on Clear QAM - Kingston - Cogeco.

Will have a look again - to check again.

But seems there is "movement" / changes happening in Kingston on the Clear QAM stuff.

Must be "in-process" of encrypting / removing clear QAM here. (at least some of it - anyway).

Will see how this develops .

 

[mrvanwinkles]

COGECO Kingston - Clear QAM - changes & reductions noted.

Clear QAM channels - Cogeco - in Kingston.
( i.e. Unencrypted / open - Digital channels on cable here. )

Checked again this morning, Sat May 2, 2015

After a necessary QAM re-scan / channels moved all around.

About 60 or so Clear QAM channels remain.
Down from around 100 Clear QAM channels before.

Very few of them have video.

Mostly all just AUDIO channels - Radio stations rebroadcast on Cable, or those commercial free Music Channels.

So definite changes and reductions in Clear QAM on Cogeco Kingston here.

I figure they're continuing to work on it here.

Recent Changes / reductions seen and noted.

 

[mrvanwinkles]

Kingston Update:

Clear QAM on Cogeco Kingston pretty much ALL GONE - maybe a couple months ago I noticed - so maybe August / September 2015 time frame.

Reduced down to maybe only a few audio only channels now - like maybe a couple radio station channels.

Whatever was left after my last post above - has pretty much disappeared and been encrypted.

That's what I noticed a couple months ago.

Gone in Kingston for the most part.

bye bye