Quote:
Originally posted by mikester
Cable internet operates under the same principles of cable TV except it's two way. Digital TV set top boxes are also two way which is one of the reasons that cable ready TVs still need one (Besides that cable ready TVs are analog). The set top box does some authentication with the cable provider when ever it is turned on and that provider can control it remotely.
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What about digital cable TV’s when they come out? Will they be two way?
As I understand it, the digital cable top boxes have a serial number or some other identifying characteristic that is sent back to the cable company. If the number doesn’t match, or if you haven’t paid your bill, you don’t get service. Likewise, if you’ve paid for premium channels (HBO, etc), this enables those channels. How will this work with digital ready TV’s? Will you have to give the serial number of the TV to your cable company?
I just bought a digital cable converter from eBay. It powers up with an error code, presumably because the cable company does not have its serial number. I called and asked them to add the serial number to my account (I already have digital cable and rent one converter from the cable company). They wouldn’t do it. Scum. I guess they want the additional $4/month to rent the converter box. I was hoping to be able to send that box back to them and save that $4/month.
I’m guessing they will have to add these serial numbers once digital ready TV’s come on the market.