Just want some feedback on this idea:
The device is similar to an NIU and installed at the demarc location. It gets its power from tap as well. Can do telephony like NIU also. Here's where it differs:
The device has a built-in 4 channel modulator with d/a conversion. It also has 4 built-in digital tuners so the device can essentially create 4 analog channels and insert it into the outgoing stream along with the digital band. Analog TV is completely removed from that part of the plant, opening up more bandwidth for other applications. Thus, analog signals are limited to less than 24mhz created only at the homesite by the device.
Four UHF remotes are used and each analog tv is set to a particular channel that the remote controls. The remote itself issues channel changing commands via UHF back to the device so that the modulated channel picks up a different feed. For further distances, an IR repeater could be installed at each tv.
Six and eight channel models could be built for larger homes. Possibly multiple units could be cascaded to create larger analog lineups.
The device would also have the capability of remotely shutting off the analog output from the head-end. With this type of functionality, cable theft would be nearly eliminated. Since there wouldn't be any analog signals present at tap, the drop wire has 87 volts on it, and the unit has its RF shut off, people couldn't access any analog signal and digital signals are already encrypted.
From an install standpoint, the device could be left connected and service access could be connected via the headend instead of through a truck-roll. The unit could also monitor signal quality coming in to it. This would allow techs to check signal quality for digital tiling issues by simply tuning an analog channel to the device's service screen and checking for digital levels and errors at the demarc. This would make for a fast analysis of which side of the drop the problem is occuring at. It would also mean that techs wouldn't have to visit the tap as often on service calls or installs and upgrades.
Digital boxes could still be connected to the system as normal for those TVs where the customer desires additional digital services.
So here's the rundown:
* No active/passive theft of service
* Fewer truck rolls
* Telephone service
* Frees up 100s of mhz of bandwidth on the plant
Interesting Product Idea
Member #: 40846
Registered: 9/19/2005
Posted:
1493
Name:
Duane Vick
Name:
Duane Vick
Company:
Self-Employed
Occupation:
Installer
Location:
Phoenix AZ
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