Cox Cable Phoenix offers Basic Cable in Unencrypted QAM
I've mentioned before that I've switched to DirecTV, essentially because Cox Cable (in Phoenix) is lacking technologically. A minor problem I observed on Independence Day alerted me to an enhancement that Cox has made to their service: Offering all the channels available in the Basic Cable Package available by way of QAM256.
Mind you that Basic Cable is generally only all local stations, a few public access or government channels, and maybe two or three satellite networks. In Phoenix's case, the satellite channels are CSPAN/CSPAN2 and WGN-Satellite. This means that people with QAM-capable tuners in their new HDTVs don't have to bother with a cable box for even basic service if they don't really want to (believe it or not, I've had a couple situations where this is the case). It also means that the signal is purely digital, generally providing a more reliable picture quality.
For me, I discontinued Digital Basic/Extended Analog Basic - but kept high speed Internet (HSI). Cox basically gives you local basic cable for the same price as HSI alone in this scenario. I have a pcHDTV card in one of my computers. I wanted to see if local stations were offering local fireworks in High Definition (which of course they weren't, I doubt the Phoenix Locals have even considered purchasing HD cameras.) However, my previous channel configuration wasn't working. I went to AVSForum for this thread and noticed 'DoubleDAZ' (who has reliably always provided this information) updated the new Cox Cable configuration. Sure enough, it looks like Cox (Phoenix) now offers the entire basic lineup via unencrypted QAM as of sometime in May. This can be considered playing catch-up to other market providers: Comcast offers certain digital satellite networks (digital tier) channels in unencrypted QAM. I'm not certain that Comcast offers as wide of variety of QAM supplied locals as Cox in Phoenix does now.
It doesn't make up for years of lackluster service, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. I may reconsider Cox when my current DirecTV new subscriber period is over. I've heard rumors that Cox may be considering using a TiVo-branded service, which would be another plus for Cox.
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