Cox going all digital TV

This is big news. Could a moderator confirm for what market this is for? Or is this national? If so I know alot of people who are going to be quite upset.

I am in the CT market, obviously don't know if it's regional or national.  The quote is everything about this subject included in my 9/19/2014 bill.

We could certainly use more info. No mention on my Sept. bill. And your quote provides no way to get more info.

AllenP said:

I am in the CT market, obviously don't know if it's regional or national.  The quote is everything about this subject included in my 9/19/2014 bill.

Was this a separate piece of paper included with your bill, or was it printed as part of the multi-page bill? If the former, how will "paperless billing" customers learn of this? Something of this importance should have been a separate mailing TO ALL CUSTOMERS, not just an "Oh, by the way..." hidden with a bill.

Sounds like the death of cable cards too at that 1.99$ price tag. My guess is there going to use the Motorola DTA100 unless they pay more for the Cisco DTA 170HD.

What really worries me is they are going to push this hard as a self install, which means alot of digital equipment being put on cable lines previously only used for CATV, RG59, crimp connectors, etc.  I predict the TV forum is going to get very busy. 

Health Edge said:

Sounds like the death of cable cards too at that 1.99$ price tag. My guess is there going to use the Motorola DTA100 unless they pay more for the Cisco DTA 170HD.

What really worries me is they are going to push this hard as a self install, which means alot of digital equipment being put on cable lines previously only used for CATV, RG59, crimp connectors, etc.  I predict the TV forum is going to get very busy. 

I like the part "...prepares to transition all customers..." A lot can occur between now and then in that time frame.

How much you want to make a bet that the markets to first go digital only are the first to get the 24channel D3. Don't know if it will be a Ultimate Upgrade or the 1Gbps Tier, but they need to make room on the the spectrum for more bandwidth.

Domino said:

Was this a separate piece of paper included with your bill, or was it printed as part of the multi-page bill? If the former, how will "paperless billing" customers learn of this? Something of this importance should have been a separate mailing TO ALL CUSTOMERS, not just an "Oh, by the way..." hidden with a bill.

It was buried in the "NEWS FROM COX" section on page 3 of my monthly bill.  I also received an e-mail survey on 9/30 asking if I've heard anything about this and surveying my feelings about a "mini box".  Basically told them I will not be a happy customer if I have to pay monthly fees just to keep what I get now for service.

Called Cox tech support ... 1st rep denied any knowledge of the digital conversion.  Called back and 2nd rep said:

1. first 2 boxes would be free for a grace period (1 yr if you subscribe to Essential service).  $1.99/mo for additional boxes and after 1 yr for the original 2 boxes.
2. 3 month rollout starting 11/10 in my market to obtain and install boxes.
3. it's an HD box, will give access to HD channels.
4. Will get back to me on what "select digital channels in our Cox TV Essential service" means.

Rep did say there will be a separate mailing informing us what is happening, when and how to obtain the mini boxes.  I think they jumped the gun including it in the bill without all the information.

AllenP said:
2. 3 month rollout starting 11/10 in my market to obtain and install boxes.

I checked my bill going back a few months and don't see anything mentioning it. Usually things that happen in CT also effect RI, we are so close together. Maybe they are just testing it first in CT? Anyone else have it on their bill?

Health Edge said:

Sounds like the death of cable cards too at that 1.99$ price tag. My guess is there going to use the Motorola DTA100 unless they pay more for the Cisco DTA 170HD.

Why would you think this would be the death of CableCARDs?  CableCARDs will be supported for many years to come, as 90+% of the leased receivers will still be using CableCARDs.  An All Digital Transition has nothing to do with Retail CableCARDs,  If Cox has any plans to roll-out anything other than Limited DTAs with integrated security, they will need to get an FCC waiver.  Just as Charter did.

Cox Picks DTAs From Cisco, Evolution Digital
Cox intended to start trials by the fourth quarter of 2014 and then deploy the initiative more aggressively in 2015 and 2016

bryaninphx said:
Why would you think this would be the death of CableCARDs?

In retrospect, I think you're right. But looks like my connection between Digital only and the 1Gbps was right

"That could come in handy as Cox pushes ahead on a plan to start a market-wide deployment of 1 Gbps broadband services by the end of 2016. "

"The big question is whether hybrid DTAs will require a special waiver from the FCC that would sidestep the existing ban on set-tops with integrated security."

Do they mean HDCP? 

Health Edge said:

"The big question is whether hybrid DTAs will require a special waiver from the FCC that would sidestep the existing ban on set-tops with integrated security."

Do they mean HDCP?

No, HDCP is the Copy Protection protocol between the receiver/DTA to the HDTV.

A DTA generally is limited to linear only QAM channles and cannot handle SDV or OnDemand.
A Hybrid DTA could potentially incorporate both IP Video and QAM Video distribution.

Integrated Security means there is no CableCARD to handle the Encryption and Copy Protection, it would be built into the device, currently this is banned by the FCC without a specific, justified Waiver, which is limited to some special purpose device, as in a DTA, in Charter's case their Waiver was very broad and left open too many loop holes which TiVo is fighting and asking the FCC to clarify and postpone.

Separable Security means that the Encryption and Copy Protection is handled by the removable CableCARD. Thus leveling the playing field for Retail Devices, since the Cable Co boxes must use the same standards and modules, in their own boxes.

Cox has pretty much locked themselves into Separable Security and the use of CableCARDs for the foreseeable future, by deploying the Contour Cisco equipment in Motorola markets, Requiring Cox to also depend on the CableCARD for interoperability.

CableCARDs have not really lived up to their potential in retail devices, and should probably be replaced with a gateway device of some kind, or a standard IP protocol, there have been several proposals, but none that have had the support of the Cable Cos and the FCC. AllVid was one such proposal.

bryaninphx said:

Cox Picks DTAs From Cisco, Evolution Digital

Can you find the massive understatement in the above article?

I'm excited about this. As someone who does still have a 27" CRT in my kid's playroom on analog 2-50something channels, the analog bandwidth is a HUGE anchor around Cox's neck.

It had to happen some time. I think Cox has pretty good data on how many homes have 100% digital boxes at each TV and how many don't. The improvements in services for TV and Internet as a result of dropping analog are many. 

Honestly, when my bill is $180/mo or whatever it is, another $1.99 isn't going to upset me if I know it's a tradeoff to more TV and more Internet in the future.