Praise for Cable

[SMHarman]

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/pro...umers/faqs.htm

What's the difference between cable TV, digital cable TV and digital satellite TV?

It's a dark and stormy night. The lightning flashes, the thunder booms and rain is really coming down. You decide to snuggle in with a blanket and a great TV show.

Satellite SystemSorry. Out of luck. Bad weather like that can really wreak havoc on satellite reception.
Analog Cable
The signal comes through. You get some choices. You can probably find something to watch.
Digital Cable
Practically endless possibilities. Movies. Sports. Entertainment. All kinds of programs. Oh yeah.

The local team has made it to the finals of the city tournament and the game is being broadcast live!
Satellite System
Well... maybe. Satellite providers generally only provide access to local network affiliates. If the game's not on the local ABC, NBC, CBS or PBS station, you're probably out of luck. Unless you installed a clunky, over-the-air antenna.
Analog Cable
Tune in and enjoy the game.
Digital Cable
Tune in, enjoy the game - and with digital picture quality, you won't miss a single detail!


Remote control conflict: You want to watch one show. Your kids want to watch another. Your spouse wants to watch another.
Satellite System
No problem - if you're willing to invest in a separate receiver for every TV in your home - at a cost of up to $90 - $900 each!
Analog Cable
That's fine. It's no big deal to get cable on every TV.
Digital Cable
Go for it! It's easy to get digital cable on every TV -- and a whole lot cheaper then satellite (avg. $3-10 per TV). Better still, with all those choices and the interactive program guide, it's easy for everyone to find what they want to watch.


Congratulations - You just moved into a new apartment! The furniture is in place, you're ready to settle in to watch TV
Satellite System
It's iffy. A lot of apartment complexes have restrictions on satellite dish installations - even those little ones that you need for direct broadcast satellite services.
Analog Cable
Turn on the set and watch TV.
Digital CableTurn on the set and watch just about anything you want! Hundreds of channels. Digital picture quality. Life is good.


Forget about broadcast schedules. You want to watch what you want, whenever you want.
Satellite System
You can do it - if you also invest in that digital recorder - for an extra $200 or more over what you pay for your receiver.
Analog Cable
You can buy a digital recorder - or just upgrade to digital cable, where you can get video-on-demand, or soon, full PVR functionality with an Explorer 8000 digital media server - all as part of your cable service.
Digital CableYes! Video-on-demand is being rolled out to digital cable subscribers all over. Subscription VOD is coming, too - so you'll be able to sign up to watch anything on, say, Starz/Encore or HBO whenever you want! And soon, full PVR functionality will be available with an Explorer 8000 digital media server - all as part of your cable service. You're set!


Look ahead to the future - all that stuff about the convergence of the Internet and TV is coming and you want in! Play along with game shows. Get instant extra info about the stars of your favorite show. Chat with others who are watching. Email a friend. Buy hot new items. Do it all.
Satellite SystemNot a chance. Satellite technology simply can't do this.
Analog CableAnalog cable won't be able to do this, but it's easy to call your operator and upgrade to digital
Digital CableYou're in the driver's seat. You've got everything you need to take advantage of everything digital interactive TV will have to offer.

One day... This could be the UK.

[paulyoung666]

pmsl @ that

[handyman]

In principle this is the vision for cable tv. One of the head sky tv guys was at one point quite worried about cable tv as is offers a platform that if pushed can do just about anything required. Satallite is always going to be limited by the lack of a return path. If ntl want to recapture the market the need to start thinking about creating 'the next big thing' then expanding the network coverage. This with the upsurge in broadband would make them a killer company....if only it worked and the management actually cared about cs. Ahh well we can but hope.

[tkiely]

Trouble is, in 6 yrs I have seen ntl do NOTHING with the return path!

The vision is great but ntl havnt delivered. I waited 6 years and have now got Sky.

Tons of channels and the interactive works fine, mostly without ever using any return path!

[ian@huth]

An interesting article, just shows the difference between cable in the States and in the UK. I kept my NTL DTV alongside of Sky because I Knew what cable could offer and hoped that with a little wait NTL might start to provide. The little wait got longer with no sign of improvement on Cable but definate signs on Satellite so NTL went. Wonder what the article would be like if written for the UK?

[Ramrod]

I got cable because I wanted interactive TV and BB access. I was amazed that ntl weren't offering any useful interactivity that actualy works. Especially in light of the fact that I get 1MB BB through the same box that the telly comes through, I can play Call of Duty multiplayer but I can't get interactive telly to work reliably. Wierd

[wheeliebin]

Originally Posted by tkiely

Trouble is, in 6 yrs I have seen ntl do NOTHING with the return path!

errrm

Broadband ?

[tkiely]

Originally Posted by wheeliebin

errrm

Broadband ?

True but absolutely nothing to do with interactive TV.

If anything it shows that they CAN make progress but just HAVN'T

In fact, they havn't really made any progress, they lag behind most other cable Cos around the world.

My company just bought a flat in Brussels, comes with cable, 200 channels and 4MB/512K up for 40Euro/mth. The first visitor reported fantastic, multi language interactive. If ntl offered this I wouldnt have gone to Sky

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by tkiely

True but absolutely nothing to do with interactive TV.

If anything it shows that they CAN make progress but just HAVN'T

In fact, they havn't really made any progress, they lag behind most other cable Cos around the world.

My company just bought a flat in Brussels, comes with cable, 200 channels and 4MB/512K up for 40Euro/mth. The first visitor reported fantastic, multi language interactive.

Bloody hell! The shape of things to come
Whether ntl will deliver it here is debatable. If they don't they will go bust, 'cos someone else will