Changes Coming To Cable
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has issued a schedule in regards to the implementation of the “skinny basic” and pick-and-pay cable rules.
By March 1st, 2016 cable providers will be required to offer their basic package at $25, which will include the “must carry” status channels. And by December 1st, 2016 cable providers will be required to offer the remainder of their channels individually or in small packages.
I watch mostly my local networks and on occasion the American networks so my cable bill should drop considerably once my contract with Rogers is over. But I am still looking into foregoing cable entirely and going with an external television antenna.
When Much Music, Musique Plus and the other music video stations aired actually musical content it was worth paying a few bucks a month but i’ve had Youtube/Vevo, iTunes and my music video collection for a while now. And the news, weather and other content that was once exclusive to cable are now online.
VMedia are currently offering their skinny basic package of approximately 30 local and American network channels for $17.95 so perhaps we’ll see some deals before the new year. Hopefully.
Sprichst du deutsch ?
It appears that English speakers are now able to access most of Amazon.de
Knowing only English and French, I had used Amazon UK and Amazon France
They’re still working on translating most of the site though so you might still run into German pages as you browse the site.
Vmedia Offers Free Trail
Independent cable provider Vmedia is offering a free trial for their services. Please contact Vmedia for details.
Rogers Cable To Go Fully Digital
I have just received an email from Rogers saying that they “will soon be fully upgraded to an all-digital format for improved picture and sound quality”, which means that they will be dropping all of their analog channels soon.
Customers that use digital set top boxes will not require additional equipment. But Rogers will be providing digital adapters free to customers that have simply connected their televisions to their outlets via rogers.com/digitaladapter and their customer service department at 1-800-530-4034.
The other cable networks may choose to follow Rogers’ example so keep an eye out on your statements and emails.
Bad News For Betamax Fans
It looks like Betamax is officially dead, according to a Sony press release that was released today.
Yes, the video format was not killed off during the format Betamax/VHS war and actually lived on in the video production and broadcasting industries until digital video. But Sony has now decided to stop making their blank beta format videocassettes.
Unfortunately that means that some of you hardcore beta fans will no longer have easy access to blank videocassettes for your classic videotape cameras, including those micro MV video cassettes that you’ve used in the 90’s and early 2000’s. And although I don’t have an official Sony betamax videocamera it appears that i’ve used the format several times to film some of my older Youtube videos and have a few of the discontinued Sony micro MV videocassettes in storage.
My format of choice is now of course those digital SDHD cards but hard drive and solid state hard drive camcorders
Update : Community Mailboxes On Hold
In case you haven’t heard, Canada Post issued a press release today saying it will place the upcoming conversion of door to door deliveries to community mailboxes on hold, temporarily.
I suspect public consultations will probably be conducted in the near future.