BB not carrying OTA STB's anymore

[chupacabra]

Hi,
I've heard this twice now from BB salespeople. They say the trend is that BB will carry less and less STB options inlcuding D* and OTA and offer more TV's with built-in tuners. They are also pushing the 99.00 D* HDTV deal like CC is doing now.

I think that sucks, because personally I would like to see the STB market grow and offer more products and choices... I don't want to lease a box when I can own it out right.

What's up with that?

[bdraw]

Hi,
I've heard this twice now from BB salespeople. They say the trend is that BB will carry less and less STB options inlcuding D* and OTA and offer more TV's with built-in tuners. They are also pushing the 99.00 D* HDTV deal like CC is doing now.

I think that sucks, because personally I would like to see the STB market grow and offer more products and choices... I don't want to lease a box when I can own it out right.

What's up with that?

The FCC has mandated that all tv's over a certain size include OTA DTV tunners by a certain date. (sorry not sure when check fcc.gov)

Also the FCC has put it's seal of approval on an agreement that was made between the Consumer electronic companies and Cable companies. The agreement is on a "Digital Cable Ready" standard. It is called "Plug and Play" It will make it so you don't need a STB at all just like regular cable now. You will start to see TV's with this fuctionality by the end of the year.
The cable company will supply you with a POD, which is a card that is alot like a DirecTv card that you put in your TV to unlock your premium channels.
You will still need a STB for VOD, for now.

See these two forums at avs for more details.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=303020

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=298086

[baja]

Hi,
I've heard this twice now from BB salespeople. They say the trend is that BB will carry less and less STB options inlcuding D* and OTA and offer more TV's with built-in tuners.
What's up with that?

I don't blame them :wink: You ever see the amount of open boxes they have on these items. Most of the sales people are not knowledgeable on these items (along with most consumers) and the return rate on STB's looks to be BIG. CC is the same they have more open box specials on STB's than they have new. As far as buying them...no worries, there are plenty of e-tailers out there carrying them :wink: You can also get a much better deal that way.

[chupacabra]

Yeah,
I guess it's good to get a deal on an open box item. I just can't help but feel that I may have purchased my HDTV Monitor too soon. But I am not going to fret too much over it.

Thanks

[bdraw]

Yeah,
I guess it's good to get a deal on an open box item. I just can't help but feel that I may have purchased my HDTV Monitor too soon. But I am not going to fret too much over it.

Thanks

I disagree. I think you bought it at just the right time.
This is the hd time.
With almost all primetime network shows in HD. With 3 games a week in HD. This is just the begining.

[baja]

I have to tell you btwn my D* HD pkg and OTA HD from the networks I have to be over 75% easy in HD viewing. My TV viewing is at least 3-4hrs a day and VERY little (less than 25%) of that is SD.