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Basic cable from cable-internet-only service?
Kupula
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok, so I don't watch much TV at all, and I was considering getting rid of my cable tv subscription, but keeping the cable internet service. My understanding is that I can still get basic cable off of the cable line, as the cable company is unable to block that signal while still providing internet access. Does anyone have experience with this? Would I still get comedy central, sci-fi, etc? Thanks for the help.
Kupula on
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Some installers forget to apply the filters, and you'll still end up getting more channels than that. That's a grey area - they're broadcasting the signals after you told them to stop, and YMMV on the legality of passively receiving an unsolicited transmission. They might decide that you removed the filters yourself, and then you're in trouble if you can't prove otherwise.
[strike]Come the digital switch in February, I'm pretty sure you won't be getting jack-shit.[/strike] Disregard that, I suck cocks
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The digital switch has nothing to do with cable.
I'm not sure what you're getting at...
IIRC, but IANAL and YMMV, so STFU and GOMN.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
Also that's the first I've ever heard of still sending the basic cable down the line. I only have phone and internet from mine and I'm pretty sure I cannot get any cable off them.
IANAEngineer either, although I play one in TF2, but he's asking what happens if he doesn't have a cable subscription and tries to plug into the wall.
It's provider-specific methinks, I know I got the OTA channels back when I had cable internet. Hell, could be Canada-specific.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
I think that running it through a DAC and pushing it through Ye Olde analog system is what they're right doing now and what they will continue to do when the switchover happens.
Don't you think we would have heard something by now from the cable industry lobby if some technicality in a consumer protection law was going to mean interruption of all broadcast networks for the millions and millions of analog cable users?
Besides, from DTV.gov:
"Cable companies are not required by the government to switch their privately-owned systems from analog service to digital service. Cable companies are actually required by FCC rules to continue offering local broadcast stations to their customers in analog as long as they offer any analog service. This requirement will continue for at least three years after February 17, 2009. This means that customers who receive analog cable service (without a cable set-top box) will be able to continue to do so."
Ah. Well then. Post amended.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
The cable company is quite able to block the television part of the signal using filters. Whether or not it happens is entirely another story based on if the cable guy puts the filter on the line when they get the work order.
Note that in some areas, depending on company, this may not make you eligible for speedier internet services and may actually raise your monthly bill. I would advise asking for information on a "limited basic" television service and see what the price difference is, then hope they don't put a filter on. But you should find out the price for internet only, I'll bet it goes up compared to what you're paying for internet now.
What the f:...:?
In order:
If I Recall Correctly
I Am Not A Lawyer
Your Mileage May Vary
Shut The Fuck Up
Get Off My Nuts
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
I currently have cable internet without any television service so it can be done.
it all depends on the cable company's level of sophistication, your position on the line, and the willingness of the cable company to get out to your house to install a filter when you cancel the TV
Nearly all do, though some don't offer the "subscriber discount" on internet if you go this route. We looked into it, and we'd basically only save about $10 by going this route over basic cable and internet combined, and really basic cable is well worth $10 a month if only for shit like news channels and local networks without fussing with an antenna.
Mainly because cable companies nearly always charge anybody who doesn't receive another service from them more for internet. Though often you can package a phone line with it instead and still get a discount, and likely pay less than you would for phone+DSL.
Exactly. Basic analog channels are put out broadcast on the line, and really the cable company has no way of shutting these off without having a dude drive to your house and install a filter to block them. Whether or not they bother is a crap shoot.
As for keeping the OTA networks available, I don't know why they would. If they filter, they'll filter it all. Unless maybe in some areas (like Canada) they're required to keep providing these. I know up here my provider offers a "local basic" package that is only like 12 channels and includes mostly just the local networks (and, like CSPAN and maybe a couple others)...I see no reason they would give you a service for free that they charge for normally.