Last fall, the FCC gave cable companies an early Christmas present: when their systems become all digital, they can encrypt/scramble even basic or limited basic cable channels. This means that EVERY TV will need a box or DTA (digital transport adapter) even if you have an HDTV with a QAM tuner that currently is able to display local channels in HD.
Under FCC rules, if all you have is limited basic, RCN will give you two "boxes" for two years free. If you subscribe to a higher level of service now, you will get one "box" for one year.
Here's the problem: the boxes they plan to give you are NOT HD. So all those HDTVs (and computer cards) that you have that just have the cable going directly into the back will STOP FUNCTIONING soon.
See: http://www.rcn.com/boxes
(They hide the fact of what type of box you will get.)
Under FCC rules, you have to be given 30 days advance notice before the basic channels are scrambled... and my notice arrived today in Somerville, MA. As of April 10, 2013, my TV in the kitchen, office, guest room, and my computer will stop displaying ANY stations. Over my dead body am I going to pay $10 a month per box for HD boxes for each of these sets.
The FCC has screwed millions of customers who have HDTVs with no boxes (and not just RCN customers).
See: http://www.consumerworld.org/pages/fccscramble.htm
At a minimum, HDTV owners should be given HDTV boxes free for one or two years, not standard definition ones as they plan to do.
Who would think that in 2013, we have to go back to using rabbit ear antennae?
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