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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ihlpm!snafu
From: snafu@ihlpm.UUCP (wallis)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Cable-ready TVs/VCRs
Message-ID: <224@ihlpm.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Apr-85 21:23:02 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpm.224
Posted: Tue Apr 16 21:23:02 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Apr-85 02:09:44 EST
References: <7583@rochester.UUCP> <16338@mgweed.UUCP> <7865@rochester.UUCP> <1900@sdcrdcf.UUCP> <129@nic_vax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 26

> You didn't say if the three channels that you couldn't receive were pay
> channels or not.  If they were pay channels that require a converter,
> there isn't a cable ready TV or VCR that will receive them.  The only time
> you will get a pay channel on a cable ready piece of equipment is if that
> channel isn't scrambled (yep, it is still done that way in places).
> 

In my area, the pay channels are not scrambled.
However, when the cable companay installs service,
they filter out the channels that you don't pay
for. The filters are on the line where they split
it off a feeder outside the house, which is in a
sealed box in the backyard (or wherever they
happen to put it).  I also imagine that the cable
company can check the impdance on the line to tell
if anyone has tampered with the equipment. All in
all it's a nice setup, since it saves the company
from having to supply the decoders (and me from
having to rent one) and it also allows me to use
my remote control.


                              Dave Wallis
                           ihnp4!ihlpm!snafu
                       AT&T Network Systems, Inc.
                            (312) 510-6238