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Is digital cable now mandatory in Toronto?

Admiral Beez

Admiral Beez

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I've finally completed the drive with the family from Fredericton to Toronto. The movers did a great job and now we're waiting to receive the goods and unpack.

One thing that surprised me was that when we called Rogers to have our TV cable re-activated in the Cabbagetown house, Rogers advised us that we must rent one of their digital boxes, as analog is no longer available. We had one of these in Fredericton because Tree House TV (an essential for toddlers, with moderation) was not available in New Brunswick on the usual analog service. In Toronto Tree House was available on the basic analog service, so we never bothered with digital cable, especially since my wife and I watch little TV ourselves and have no need of the digital service.

My biggest peeve with the digital service was that I could no longer use my VHS VCR to record programs on one station while I watched another station. Nor could I pre-program the VCR to switch between channels in order to tape shows while I was away. With analog cable your VCR can change channels, but with digital cable, only the digital box controls the channels, so you can't watch digital station # 1, for example, while taping digital station # 2. Yes, I know I can buy a recorder service through Rogers and perhaps I need to get rid of my non-stereo, 25" 1998 TV with its single cable input, but I don't want to for the forseeable future, and would prefer to keep my monthly payment to Ted Corp to a minimum (without the box rental fee, thank you).

So, I suppose my question is actually two. First, is it true that Toronto (Cabbagetown area) is digital only for TV, with no analog, or is this just Rogers pulling the wool over peoples' eyes in order to get more fees and provide service people don't want? Second, how can I get my VCR to work on the digital system, so that I can tape one show and watch another?

Thanks,
 
First, is it true that Toronto (Cabbagetown area) is digital only for TV, with no analog, or is this just Rogers pulling the wool over peoples' eyes in order to get more fees and provide service people don't want?
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Unless I missed something somewhere, digital service is not mandatory. I'd call Rogers back and definitely try and speak with a manager. If you continue to get wool pulled over your eyes, then contact the CRTC.

Second, how can I get my VCR to work on the digital system, so that I can tape one show and watch another?
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It's not really possible to split a digital signal, so this can't be done with a conventional VCR. You could put a 2nd VCR on another TV set though or indeed purchase/rent a digital PVR.
 
Rogers is merely trying to push the digital cable boxes, because without it, you can't order the On-Demand movies and shows, or the premium channels like TMN or the pay-per-views.

I have a digital cable box, I don't pay extra for it as it's just me and one TV, and I like the time-shifted channels for the TV I do watch.
 
Roger's Reply

Rec'd this from Rogers today...

Thank you for taking the time to write to us, we appreciate your use of
online customer service.

In your recent email, you have informed us that you are not happy that
we do not offer analog cable in your area and have inquired as to how
you can program your VCR to work with your Digital Cable.

We apologize but at this time Rogers is becoming an all Digital
provider
slowly and areas are being updated constantly to reflect this change.

At this time we would not be able to provide you with assistance in
configuring your VCR via email and we require that you contact our
Cable
Technical Department directly at 1-800-738-7891. They are trained to
assist Rogers customers with these types of issues and are better
equipped to further assist you as well.

Thank you for your co operation in regards to this matter.

We apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused you.

Thank you for choosing Rogers, we value your business.

Regards,
Patricia C.
Rogers Online Customer Service
http://www.rogers.com
 
Admiral Beez said:
My biggest peeve with the digital service was that I could no longer use my VHS VCR to record programs on one station while I watched another station. Nor could I pre-program the VCR to switch between channels in order to tape shows while I was away. With analog cable your VCR can change channels, but with digital cable, only the digital box controls the channels, so you can't watch digital station # 1, for example, while taping digital station # 2. Yes, I know I can buy a recorder service through Rogers and perhaps I need to get rid of my non-stereo, 25" 1998 TV with its single cable input, but I don't want to for the forseeable future, and would prefer to keep my monthly payment to Ted Corp to a minimum (without the box rental fee, thank you).
Click to expand...

Not sure what a "VCR" is... but I'm assuming it is some type of ancient analog magnetic recording device? Can you even buy the media for these things anymore?

Anyway you can rent a Digital PVR from Rogers which will do what you describe and MUCH more. It will also do a much better job of it. You can call rogers and talk them into giving you one free for a year if you tell them Bell has offered you something similar.
 
Admiral Beez, there are solutions to both of your pet peeves.

I had a digital box 5 or 6 years ago for awhile before I got the PVR, and I was furious that I couldn't watch one tv show while watching another (it seemed crazy that new technology wouldn't let me accomplish what old technology would). When I loudly complained, a Rogers rep advised me of the solution - it isn't elegant, but it works. Go to The Source or somewhere similar, and buy a $10 or so "switcher" (I seem to recall that's the name -- it's a little box with a switch that allows you to toggle between A and B). I can't recall how to set it up (someone at Rogers should be able to tell you how), but the end result is that when you are taping something through your digital box, the switcher lets you bypass the digital box (by flipping the switch on this little device), and you can watch something different.

As for taping while you are away, Rogers sold me a small device (for $4 or something -- maybe they even gave it to me -- can't remember) that attached to the back of the digital box and you stuck to the front of the vcr (where it receives signals from your remote). Basically, this little device allowed the digital box to signal the vcr to start taping. Worked great. Again, not elegant but it was cheap and it worked.

There may be newer and more technologically advanced solutions to your issues than the ones I used more than 5 years ago. I always go to http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/ when I have an issue with Rogers.

Anyway you can rent a Digital PVR from Rogers which will do what you describe and MUCH more. It will also do a much better job of it. You can call rogers and talk them into giving you one free for a year if you tell them Bell has offered you something similar.
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I couldn't agree more. The PVR would solve all your problems. My PVR has changed all of my tv viewing habits for the better, and lets me watch what I want to watch when I want to watch it.
 
Skeezix said:
As for taping while you are away, Rogers sold me a small device (for $4 or something -- maybe they even gave it to me -- can't remember) that attached to the back of the digital box and you stuck to the front of the vcr (where it receives signals from your remote).
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I got one of those with my TV when I bought it.
 
We're all settled now. The Rogers tech came by to install the digital box as per his work order, and was quite pleased when I told him what I'd really like was my analog back. It took him about ten seconds to activate the system (all four jacks now working (only have one TV right now), with no boxes needed, try to do that digital!) and then he was gone.

Perhaps one day I'll go digital again (had it in Fredericton, though only because I couldn't get TreeHouse on analog out there), but I really don't watch TV much. Beyond TreeHouse for the kids and a max of 3xCSI and 3xL&O shows per week (if that, I usually only catch one or two) I hardly see the TV. Now, I do have my Rogers Hi-Speed Light Internet service, which gives me the content I need.

My goal was to get the minimal service I needed for the lowest price. So, I'm a happy Rogers customer today.
 
No, it's not mandatory, we still have regular non-digital Rogers cable. But as someone else mentioned, they are REALLY pushing it. Every time over the past year or so when we've contacted Rogers for any other reason, they have tried to "upsell" us to digital. Once a phone person started talking in circles, initially telling my wife that we were paying too much and should move to a different sort of billing plan before trying to sign her up for digital without saying so up front. Only when he asked where we wanted to pick up the digital box did she finally realize what the heck he was doing and got rid of him. It was a very sneaky tactic and reeked of desperation.

Actually, once about a year and a half ago we did try digital for a while. The box they gave us repeatedly overheated, so after about 10 or 15 minutes of TV watching the digital feed would begin to go wonky. The box would get so hot I was afraid of fires. When we called support the guy told us this was "normal behaviour" if you kept it in any sort of semi-enclosed shelf, on top of any other electrical components, or underneath any other electrical components. When we told him we have no real choice on where to place it, he said we should just bring it back and forget about it. Uh, ok. So we did. The two digital specialty channels we wanted turned out to be scams anyway... infommercials half the time, and endless repeats of shitty low-budget shows the rest of the time.

TV is dead. If it was up to me, I'd get rid of it altogether and replace the vacant space with a nice fish tank...
 
PukeGreen said:
TV is dead. If it was up to me, I'd get rid of it altogether and replace the vacant space with a nice fish tank...
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Now you're talking. Once my twin daughters start Junior Kindergarten in September, they'll be no more watching TV on school nights for our family - starts to make the fish tank seem more sensible.
 
Rogers is a little ahead of itself, but not by much I think.

I believe that CRTC has approved the de-analogization (except for a very small core of channels) of cable. Cable companies no longer will have to carry analog radio stations, and I believe the number of manditory basic cable stations will be reduced to a smaller number (Weather channel was complaining about being potentially bumped, Much music has decided that they will move out of must carry, etc.).

2009 is the last year (in the US - for over the air analog), Canada I think may have a few more years -- at that time it would not make sense to require cable companies to carry analog stations (which means you will require a cable box for backwards compatibility). Hopefully the CRTC will mandate that they still have to carry it in digital - in the clear -- or at least mandate that they must support the cablecard (Rogers does not like this option since the current standard does not support the two-way communication needed for ondemand ordering).

Basically the writing is on the wall.
 
Hmmm, that is interesting .... Digital should be clear - or no picture/sound (although if you are at the edge of receiving it the picture/sound could be "halting" or blocky). With digital there is no such thing as fuzzy.
 
IIRC, even with digital you can still use rabbit ears to get the three or four local stations free of charge, albeit not very clearly.
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True, but there's no reason it wouldn't be clear as long as you were watching a local station. I think CBC Toronto has Ch. 52 reserved for digital broadcasting in T.O.
 
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