Terri,

The cable digital box is very simple.  You operate it with a remote just like a 
TV.  YOu want ESPN, Channel 31, just enter 31.  Depending on the cable company, 
you may still get your base tier of channels without any box.  Remember, this 
new law applies to OTA TV channels, not anything transmitted on a closed cable 
system.  However, my guess is most cable companies will require people to get a 
digital cable box, just because they can change extra for their digital 
services.

As for viewing DVD's, I thought DVD Encryptor encoded the DVD's in a format that 
could be played on CD, like MP3.  It is possible using either Power DVD or Win 
DVED to view DVD's on your computer.

Steve, K8SP
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terri Pannett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:18 PM
Subject: digital TV, DVDs


Dear List,

I know these things are off topic, but we've been discussing them and I have
some comments and questions.

Firstly, I live in a senior apartment complex which provides free Standard
cable to each apartment.  Right now, the cable is analog.  From what you
say, analog will disappear in 2009.  That means, whether we like it or not,
we will be switched to digital.  Comcast will probably have to provide each
resident with a converter box.  Now, most of the people here love TV but
their minds find new technology difficult to learn.  There are no young
eyeballs around here to teach us anything.  I was hoping all you had to do
was plug the box to the TV and the cable outlet and use my analog TV with
the remote control to access the channels.  Presently, to watch cnn, I press
29 on my remote control.  Is my understanding correct that even with the box
it will not be possible to access channels using my remote control?

Most people here watch the news, sports channels, channels like Hallmark,
KOFY TV 20, TVland which show all the good old programs we enjoyed way back
when plus a&E, the History channel, PBS and Animal Planet.  One solution
would be to buy dvd's of the old programs and watch them using a dvd player
or a computer, both of which would turn off most people here but I'm open,
if the adaptive folks produced an accessible dvd player or if I could read
the menus using WindowEyes Windows Media Player and my PC.

But news and sports are another thing: people must be able to receive those
from their TV's.  So how can seniors and the blind work with these converter
boxes?

Another thing I can't understand:  If a person uses a cd player, they can
skip from one track to the next by pressing the forward button on the
remote.  Why can't a person do the same thing with a dvd player?  I know
they're menu-driven, but isn't there a way to move forward or back on a dvd
without having to read the menus?

If that's not possible, then can a person play dvd's using their PC's?

What about dvd decrypters--would it be feasible to rip dvd's to the hard
drive and use the screen reader to navigate the movies or programs?

Perhaps some of you can answer my questions and comments.  Thanks in
advance.

Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.