[GTALUG] ot: sort of, is it really impossible to get real cable anymore?

[Karen Lewellen]

Let me simplify.
First, I am not 100% certain that all analog or standard definition 
channels are gone, unless that has happened since 2022.
I say this because although bell does not in any way shape or form provide 
accessible set top boxes at all, In fact David Lepofky has a federal human 
rights case about this, they did provide  several standard definition 
channels via satellite television, with things like audio description 
provided automatically.
Those channels remain listed on their satellite programming guides.
Second, my computer runs DOS, is no where near my television, and is not a 
part of this discussion, nor is a monitor.

further complicating things is the fact that, because this entire property 
is fibe for home blanketed bringing another internet account of any kind 
in here is a problem. I do not have a modem in my apartment.  Since 
Internet is provided, I use a dlinks adapter connected to my landlord's 
bell setup on his floor with an Ethernet cable in it.
Works wonderfully, at least for what I require.
Hydro in general can be creative, it is quite easy to over load circuits. 
Its part of why I got two independent ones, in my office / production 
studio, and in my living room.
even then the other day plugging the television, stereo, cd player, VCR, 
and DVD player into the same power bar had my turntable which powers from 
the receiver vibrating as in the way something experiencing too much 
electric power vibrates.
I honestly need another good quality power bar, one with a high 
<misspelling warning> joules, level to manage the surges and switches. in 
power levels, especially in my living room.
there are too many things at differing power levels sharing circuits in 
this house.
That too makes adding a modem to power my television experience something 
I would like to avoid.  cannot get a Fibe TV box to even test  the 
concept at the moment.
however even if I had one, that box would not be accessible, bell does not 
insure that.  further although you will here "the following program is 
presented with described video...it is not provided via the boxes 
themselves.
I did consider finding a third generation apple TV, last one with optical 
ports.  In general though between the apple TV or an android equal or a 
smart television..is a website that has not been designed inclusively.
>From a progressive enhancement perspective, or a web content access 
guidelines one.
YOu must reach other things on the net for smart items to work, which can 
be just as bad as on board menus.
My rogers reference is to an existing rogers cable box I still have, from 
2018 or so, when I was last a customer.
inclusive set boxes has been a legal requirement by the CRTC since...2009.
However, speaking personally, like a great deal of things considered a 
human right the enforcement process is long, complex, and overburdened.
it also has very little positive public relations.
Not tooting  my horn here, but the latter is something I professionally 
wish to change.
visit the common ground media page here.
www.curtainupdistribution.org
Most of the time, well meaning people think Bell must automatically 
be providing accessibility, or Rogers must, or Google must.
Worse yet are those who define what that means, using their individual 
experiences, projecting that dictionary on to those outside the 
experience.
That, speaking personally is much much worse.
The assumption that everyone sharing a label shares an experience and are 
interchangeable for each other?
  personally I feel a build into understanding and technology many choices 
by demonstrating how those  choices help several populations creates ore 
accessibility and inclusion..ramps are for more than just wheel chairs, so 
are elevators..but I digress.
What creating the otar solution gives me right now is frankly  quite the 
gift.  after all, just because it talks, does not mean it is safe for my 
use.
I have allot of holiday traditions built around local and u. s. broadcast 
channels, that I might get Buffalo's classical radio station again?  that 
is just icing on the frosting.
As for age of equipment?
my stereo receiver, a Sony hst 201 is a solid piece of equipment to which I 
have added things, new speakers, new cd players and the like over and over 
again since 1990.  It is built like a rock.
I am seeking a turntable, that ps-lx 29 unit  is starting to  fail,  but 
again since loads of turntables exists, still with RCA connectors, I 
am hoping  a value village visit will give me something that does not power 
from the receiver itself..while letting me play  some of my  well over 200 
albums, plus get that new Beatles release in vinyl.
I am 100% a sound snob,  laughs.
Honestly I can hear the difference between a digital  sound setup and an 
analog one..digressing again.
In theory, I might build a test antenna, unsure how to link the  say coat 
hanger aspect to the cable that connects to my television, but could try.

My idea though is simplicity.

Might have missed a point or two,
Kare



On Thu, 30 Nov 2023, D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk wrote:

> I have some concerns, but am somewhat uninformed.
>
> I've run out of time to edit this.  I apologize that it so is long and
> disorganized.
>
> General concern: the complex chain of devices has many points of
> failure.  Getting it to work might be difficult.  Keeping it working might
> be difficult.
>
> General concern: many components these days expect navigation of on-screen
> menus.
>
> General concern: some HDMI signals (eg. from Rogers or Bell) are
> "protected" by HDCP.  The general idea is that you are presumed to be a
> pirate and only approved devices are trusted by Rogers or Bell (or Blu-Ray
> players, ...).  Interesting point: if HDCP authentication fails, I think
> that a low resolution signal is still allowed -- maybe good enough for
> Karen.
>
> What are all the video sources that you want to connect to your TV?
>
> - we've been talking about OTA (Over The Air) TV signals
>
> - we've mentioned Rogers Cable TV signals.  Or, perhaps Bell TV signals.
>  Those are a problem now since both companies want to give you an HDMI
>  signal, protected by HDCP.  Both want the "smarts" in a Set Top Box that
>  they provide you.  The STB must be manipulated through a complicated
>  on-screen menu system and a remote control.  Gone are the days when a
>  raw cable signal can be "tuned" by a third party device (eg. TV set).
>
> - an additional "modern" way of using Rogers or Bell has been extended to
>  using an App on an Android or iOS box (or Rakuten or Fire OS).  These
>  seem to require on-device visual menus but they MAY have accessibility
>  features.
>
>  In this case, the signal is "streamed" to the box through the internet
>  (IP).
>
>  Those boxes may have their own display (think smart phone, tablet, or
>  smart TV) or output to a TV (eg. Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, ...) via HDMI.
>
> - Is your computer expected to be an input?  I assume that it produces
>  VGA.  That can be converted to HDMI with a simple dongle, if that turns
>  out to be useful.
>
> - Are your various assistive devices expected to be inputs?  What are
>  their output signals?
>
> About converter boxes being discussed:
>
> - The Mediasonic HOMEWORX HW130STB seems to have on-screen menus I take it
>  that this will be very difficult for Karen There is a chance that only
>  setup requires on-sheen menus
>
> - An ATSC => NTSC converter will only work for over-the-air signals.
>
> - Alternately, it may be possible to use an HDMI => NTSC Channel 3
>  converter (yuck) or HDMI => composite converter.
>
>  This does NOT include a tuner.  You'd then need to get a tuner with the
>  right output (HDMI)
>
>  If you have multiple HDMI sources you would need an HDMI switch feeding
>  into the HDMI => NTSC converter
>
> - a DVD or Blu-Ray player?
>
> All these problems go away if you can find a new monitor or TV set that
> could work for you.  Of course there is a new set of problems:
>
> - a new TV might cause you sensory problems (that might not be the right
>  term but I think you know what I mean)
>
> - new TVs are mostly "smart" in a way that is going to be a problem
>  (complex on-screen menus and many states).
>  There are a few "dumb" TVs still available but even they might not be
>  dumb enough.
>
> - Your best bet might to be to get a computer monitor: they usually have
>  fewer settings.  You might want one with speakers or audio-out of some
>  kind.  Most modern monitors have HDMI-in; some only have DisplayPort,
>  but that's almost trivial to convert at FullHD resolution (1920x1080 or
>  perhaps 1920x1200) or less.
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