[phoenixZed]

I received a call from Cox today telling me that as of Sept 10 I will receive no new HD channels because I use CableCARDs and offering to rent me a Cox set-top box. I asked if this meant Cox was going to use SDV, but neither the representative or her manager knew what that meant. Checking my most recent bill, I found this on page 2.

"In order to enhance our services and add new channels, Cox has beun a process called switched digital. Current CableCARD customers, whose host devices do not offer two-way communication capabilities, will not be able to access 54 of the switched digital channels (mostly pay-per-view) starting September 10. Unfortunately, Cox has no control over the technology in these host devices. We can offer you the option of leasing a Cox digital receiver so that you can continue to have access to all of the programming we have to offer, plus On DEMAND."

I called Cox back and spent half an hour on hold while they tried to find out what 54 channels will be SDV, only to be told that that information had not yet been released. I did a quick search of the forum, but I didn't see another announcement of Cox implementing SDV, only TW and Brighthouse, so I thought this was worth posting.

 

[jfh3]

In addition to calling Cox, make sure you file a complaint with the FCC ...

 

[moyekj]

You should post in this thread to keep it up to date (SDV FAQ):
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=357703

 

[djones18]

I received a call from Cox today telling me that as of Sept 10 I will receive no new HD channels because I use CableCARDs and offering to rent me a Cox set-top box. I asked if this meant Cox was going to use SDV, but neither the representative or her manager knew what that meant. Checking my most recent bill, I found this on page 2.

"In order to enhance our services and add new channels, Cox has beun a process called switched digital. Current CableCARD customers, whose host devices do not offer two-way communication capabilities, will not be able to access 54 of the switched digital channels (mostly pay-per-view) starting September 10. Unfortunately, Cox has no control over the technology in these host devices. We can offer you the option of leasing a Cox digital receiver so that you can continue to have access to all of the programming we have to offer, plus On DEMAND."

I called Cox back and spent half an hour on hold while they tried to find out what 54 channels will be SDV, only to be told that that information had not yet been released. I did a quick search of the forum, but I didn't see another announcement of Cox implementing SDV, only TW and Brighthouse, so I thought this was worth posting.

Where are you located?

 

[ZombiE]

He is in Fairfax, VA.

 

[MickeS]

"Unfortunately, Cox has no control over the technology in these host devices. We can offer you the option of leasing a Cox digital receiver so that you can continue to have access to all of the programming we have to offer, plus On DEMAND."

What a really unfortunate side-effect for them.

 

[ciper]

"Unfortunately, Cox has no control over the technology in these host devices. We can offer you the option of leasing a Cox digital receiver so that you can continue to have access to all of the programming we have to offer, plus On DEMAND."

What a really unfortunate side-effect for them.

Seriously.

Seems like a win-win for them. They blame not having enough capacity for switching to SDV but the capacity is being used up by their on demand crap.

 

[dt_dc]

Multichannel News article:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6470803.html

Cox Gears Up HD Boost With Switched Digital Video
(...)
Cox Communications has begun rolling out switched digital video systems from BigBand Networks in its Northern Virginia market and expects to deploy the technology in two other systems later this year.
(...)
In Northern Virginia, where Cox has about 240,000 subscribers, the SDV system will go live systemwide in about 30 days, according to Kelso. Later this year, Cox plans to roll out the system in its Phoenix and Orange County, Calif., systems.
(...)
Cox did not disclose any particular HD channels it expects to offer using SDV.

Nutshell: Fairfax (NoVa) first, then Phoenix AZ and Orange County CA later. No word yet on actual channels.

Note: NoVa / Fairfax is a Scientific Atlanta market. I believe Phoenix AZ is as well. However, I think OC CA is a Motorola market. As noted in the article ... looks like (part) of the roll-out is a proof-point of running the same (BigBand) SDV system in both SA and Motorola plants. AFAIK, Cox would be the first to do that.

 

[moyekj]

Multichannel News article:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6470803.htmlNutshell: Fairfax (NoVa) first, then Phoenix AZ and Orange County CA later. No word yet on actual channels.

Note: NoVa / Fairfax is a Scientific Atlanta market. I believe Phoenix AZ is as well. However, I think OC CA is a Motorola market. As noted in the article ... looks like (part) of the roll-out is a proof-point of running the same (BigBand) SDV system in both SA and Motorola plants. AFAIK, Cox would be the first to do that.

Thanks for the post. Yes Cox Orange County CA is a Motorola system. In addition to this SDV rollout in this area they have been frantically updating headend and node equipment from 750MHz to >=860MHz as well to meet the target of capacity for 50 HD channels by end of the year (a target set by Cox president Pat Esser in response to DirectTV aggressive HD push this year):
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6453819.html
Just hope they don't get too agressive with SDV and include channels that I currently do receive under the SDV umbrella.

 

[djones18]

Cox in my area of Northern Virginia going SDV, cableCARD prices more than doubling in less than two months! Yikes! I hope my recent TIVO HD purchase proves to be as good as it seemed at the time.

 

[precarious]

Cox in my area of Northern Virginia going SDV, cableCARD prices more than doubling in less than two months! Yikes! I hope my recent TIVO HD purchase proves to be as good as it seemed at the time.

Just got off the phone with a well-informed "customer loyalty specialist" from Cox Fairfax who told me which channels will go SDV effective on September 10th and which those of us with S3s using cablecards, will not be able to access as they will no longer receive a dedicated frequency.

157 - Nasa Channel
158 - Jewelry Television
159 - Cable Marketplace II
164 - CSPAN 3
223 - BET on Jazz
227 - Ovation
233 - AML - American Life TV
239 - CMP - Country Music Prime

All the PPV channels

All of the Spanish Language from 400-430
All other "Premium" foreign language channels from 271-276

He said that this could of course change after Sept. 10th, but this was the latest
info he had. All of the other channels he felt would not be affected. He didn't seem
to know very much about the "tuning resolver" talked about as a solution. Hope this helps anyone who is a Cox subscriber in Fairfax using a S3 with cablecards.

 

[thewebgal]

Just got off the phone with a well-informed "customer loyalty specialist" from Cox Fairfax who told me which channels will go SDV effective on September 10th and which those of us with S3s using cablecards

All the PPV channels

All of the Spanish Language from 400-430
All other "Premium" foreign language channels from 271-276

Hope this helps anyone who is a Cox subscriber in Fairfax using a S3 with cablecards.

Yep - thanks a bunch - I'm in Fairfax City and it seems like I've go no alternative to COX because it looks like FIOS is building around the city (maybe a contract issue??).
I just hit 30 days with my new TIVO HD - I'm optimistic, but ...

 

[moyekj]

157 - Nasa Channel
158 - Jewelry Television
159 - Cable Marketplace II
164 - CSPAN 3
223 - BET on Jazz
227 - Ovation
233 - AML - American Life TV
239 - CMP - Country Music Prime

All the PPV channels
All of the Spanish Language from 400-430
All other "Premium" foreign language channels from 271-276

That's encouraging at least for now that a bunch of crap channels (to me anyway) are in the list - hope Cox Orange County takes the same approach. Odd that VOD channels were not mentioned - in my headend there are currently 10 dedicated RF channels for VOD (80 slots in all) so I would hope they make VOD switched as well.

 

[BrianAZ]

Does anyone know how far out from Phoenix Cox is going with their test? I'm maybe 40 miles out from the city.

 

[Revolutionary]

That's encouraging at least for now that a bunch of crap channels (to me anyway) are in the list - hope Cox Orange County takes the same approach. Odd that VOD channels were not mentioned - in my headend there are currently 10 dedicated RF channels for VOD (80 slots in all) so I would hope they make VOD switched as well.

Anybody have an estimate of just how much bandwidth this move will free up? There are 97 channels here by my count. (8 from the Variety tier, 31 from Paquete Latino, 6 premium international tier -- they should switch all of the international tier to SDV, too -- and 52 digital PPV).

 

[mriechers]

Please FIOS... another Fairfax COX customer here fearing the inevitable. At least the initial channel shock won't be too bad, I think I've told Tivo to ignore all of those channels from my guide already.

 

[StuffOfInterest]

Note that the original poster says "I will receive no new HD channels". It looks like the existing HD channels will stay off of SDV but any new HD content will be in that area being freed up by the channels listed above.

I live in Fairfax County myself and despite my dislike of Verizon may have to look at switching to FiOS when I finally buy a TiVo HD. Considering that Cox has real competiion in Fairfax County you would think they would be more responsive to the community. Unfortunately, FiOS coming in has done nothing to lower my cable rates, which are actually going up.

Keep your fingers crossed that TiVo has a skunkworks project out there to get SDV support in either current or future models of TiVo. If they don't, the cable companies are going to push them out one way or another. It appears the FCC doesn't really care about enforcing regulations like CableCard use these days as it isn't a money maker for them like spectrum auctions.

 

[CharlesH]

Keep your fingers crossed that TiVo has a skunkworks project out there to get SDV support in either current or future models of TiVo.

It's not exactly skunkworks. It has been announced by the cable company trade organization (NCTA). It is a USB dongle that will be attached to existing TiVo S3/THD boxes, along with a software update. See this thread.

 

[Revolutionary]

Just got off the phone with a well-informed "customer loyalty specialist" from Cox Fairfax who told me which channels will go SDV effective on September 10th and which those of us with S3s using cablecards, will not be able to access as they will no longer receive a dedicated frequency.

157 - Nasa Channel
158 - Jewelry Television
159 - Cable Marketplace II
164 - CSPAN 3
223 - BET on Jazz
227 - Ovation
233 - AML - American Life TV
239 - CMP - Country Music Prime

All the PPV channels

All of the Spanish Language from 400-430
All other "Premium" foreign language channels from 271-276

He said that this could of course change after Sept. 10th, but this was the latest
info he had. All of the other channels he felt would not be affected. He didn't seem
to know very much about the "tuning resolver" talked about as a solution. Hope this helps anyone who is a Cox subscriber in Fairfax using a S3 with cablecards.

Well, it's Sept. 10 (going on 11, shortly), and I still have the above variety pack channels. Bad intel?

 

[precarious]

Well, it's Sept. 10 (going on 11, shortly), and I still have the above variety pack channels. Bad intel?

All I can say is that I am happy it hasn't happened yet. That's what the CSR told me
and it was also what was told to me when Cox made a special call to my home warning of which channels would be affected. I wish it would never happen, but I have a feeling that even though it wasn't today, it's around the corner unfortunately.
Then again, the Cox CSRs could all be full of it! Take your pick.