New survey today, among other things asking if you'd subscribe to a new stb that would: (following is copied from the survey)

TV Receiver Features:

• 1 monthly STB fee (not four)
• 1 receiver is not required to support each TV
• Supports THDVR playback (from any connected TV)
• 1 RF remote control is provided to support all four TV’s (additional remotes are available for purchase)
• Includes RF capability, unlike IR, RF doesn’t require line of sight (ex. hide in an entertainment center)
• Supports digital programming, including High Definition and Dolby 5.1 surround sound– only to the TV that is connected directly the receiver
• Supports up to 3 additional TV’s connected via analog coaxial cable – no HD or Dolby support on the ancillary TV’s
• All TV’s must view the same programming simultaneously (mirroring)
• Maximum of one RF receiver per household
  

In addition, they asked if you'd be willing to subscribe to U400 if the price went up $4 to $103, or up $10 to $109 with 90 HD channels.  Some other questions about some info you get at install that i never got, so couldn't answer.

The problem, as I see it, with the new stb is all have to be on the same program (or could view recorded programs), but might work for lotsa kids (you could control what they watch, but you'd have to watch it too!)  Interesting anyway.

So, they are finally getting ready to release either the VIP1200a or the 601 from what it sounds like.

It will operate something like what Dish does.  This is from the 601's manual:

It doesn't sound like they are going to be doing exactly what the diagram shows though.  It sounds like the same channel will show on all TVs...I think I like the diagram's way better...

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showtime48 wrote:
apparently i'm gonna need to be spoon fed on what this means. i have 2 hdtv and 1 sdtv. will they still be able to watch separate programs at the same time or i'm i gonna have to watch what my wife watches. yuck. my 3 stb's are already free, there is plenty of hd programming and way to much sd programming. if they what to screw with stuff increase my internet speed to max for free and let me keep my u400 for u200 prices...

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not good at all compared to what u have now dennis....

now maybe a new customer (no family would be happy )  dunno

also its meant for a coax install not a cat5 for stb.dvr

this is just ran diff than what we have now... (may not even be ran off a rg3800) ??

imho

randy

daughter has consolidated cable   it is iptv on a set top box that is also the gateway

all tvs are on coax and each remote changes the main box (only one box for 3 tv's)

each tv is set to chaneel 10 23  and 38 respectivley....  only one tv has hd  btw  (limited amount of hd also)

Consolidated Communications deploys Entone’s Hydra IP Video Gateway

Standard Disclaimer : IMHO

Realistically with the mirroring severely crippling the new setup, the current DVR can do that right now from the coax output, assuming it isn't in HD mode and HDMI isn't used.  You can split it to as many TVs as you want and you can get the DVR that way.  The difference with this setup from the current setup is the addition of RF remotes to control it, though that can be done with RF IR extenders and some additional IR remotes from AT&T's store or maybe even a compatible universal remote.

If they set it up like the diagram, then I can see a clear place for it...But in this case I have to agree with showtime, bug step backwards in thinking.