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New Contributor
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All Digital Conversion
Just got a notification in our bill about the conversion to all digital cable content. Will the digital "Clear Channels" no longer be available? I understand any programming that is available "over the air" must be made available by the cable industry as clear channels that can be tuned by digital QAM tuners. I have a TV with PIP capability and a Cox DVR tuner. My second source for the PIP is the TV QAM tuner. Will I lose this functionality?
ChrisL
Former Moderator
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The clear digital channels you are referring to will no longer be available once the transition to all digital completes. Any TVs that were using a direct to set connection will not require a box of some kind whether it be a mini-box or a traditional digital converter.
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ChipW
New Contributor
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Chris,
Thank you for your reply. I was under the impression that the "Clear Channel" requirement was mandated by the FCC. Has that requirement been rescinded?
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ChrisL
Former Moderator
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There is no FCC mandate that the channels over the air be broadcast in the clear over a cable system. Clear access to those channels can be obtained via an antenna.
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AllenP
+4 more
Valued Contributor
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Chip, there was an FCC requirement that OTA channels be clear on cable. That changed around the end of 2012 when the FCC ruled to allow any cableco to encrypt all channels, even the basics, if they converted their system to all digital. Here is an Engadget report dated 10/14/2012.
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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FYI: Here is the official FCC site on it.
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ChipW
New Contributor
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Thanks AllenP & Tecknowhelp! I knew there was an FCC requirement and did a Google search after ChrisL's reply and learned of the FCC change in 2012. This is going to upset a lot of Cox customers, including me!
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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Take it up with the FCC. All these Mini box posts are starting to get really boring. Everyone makes a thread like it's the first thread on the matter.
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Domino
Valued Contributor III
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Short answer: Yes.
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ChipW
New Contributor
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Sorry to bore you Tecknowhelp, but I asked the question because it is an issue that just came to light in my service area. I shall not bother you anymore!
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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I didn't mean that personally. I meant the conversation on a whole is becoming repetitive. It is odd that people in the internet forum jumble all their problems into one thread, while the TV forum makes different threads for the same problem. I think it stems from a lack of understanding of how forums work. I am on a ton of other forums, so looking on the first page for a similar thread is second nature to me. I would normally suggest a stickie, but the people who don't know about forums probably won't know enough to read the stickie.
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