Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

[bnl107]

I love Voom. That said, I live in the third largest city in Pennsylvania, Allentown, and I am "one of, if not the only, Voom subscribers in my area" (according to the installers I've spoken to) based almost solely on the fact that there are no network channels available OTA. Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley, so no matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out, I cannot receive any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That means no Simpons, real Olympic coverage, no local news, no American Idol, or any of the other shows my family is crying for. There are over 587,000 potential customers living in my area, and yet the installers I have talked to are saying that they are removing more Voom systems than they are installing around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a couple of the installers said they have been working in the area for years and have never done a Voom install, many also told me that their supervisors try to talk customers out of the Voom install before they send an installer out because of the quick churn rate due to the lack of local channels (my first Installs, Inc encounter was along those lines as well). I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer truly hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find a way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine, outside of the range of major network OTA broadcasts.

 

[Bob Mankin]

RE: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

If you live in a valley and can't get OTA, then you just can't get OTA.
There are a couple of million folks in the SF Bay Area who can't get decent
OTA either because of mountains between themselves and the transmitters.
That's not Voom's fault, it's simply a topography issue.

Removing more systems than they are installing???? You do realize that is
impossible.....right?

An option to consider is supplimenting your Voom offerings with a subset of
the cable co. offerings. Nothing says you have to take the full pallete from
either vendor. Mix and match to get the channel offerings you are looking
for. Sure there will be some overlap, but that's just the state of HDTV
today. There is no one clear solution that fits everybody's needs and
install situation.

Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: bnl107 [mailto:bnl107.1bj59w@nobody.satelliteguys.us]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:48 PM
> To: VOOM@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential
> subscribers due to lack of OTA channels
>
>
> I love Voom. That said, it is getting harder and harder to
> justify to myself, much less to my family, staying with Voom
> considering that I cannot receive ANY OTA network programming
> while my local cable company
> (SECTV) now offers 18 HD channels for a total price of
> $112.00 (including all local and extended cable channels,
> HBO, Cinemax, Starz, and Showtime). I live in the third
> largest city in Pennsylvania, Allentown, and I am "one of, if
> not the only, Voom subscribers in my area" (according to the
> installers I've spoken to) based almost solely on the fact
> that there are no network channels available OTA.
> Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley,
> so no matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out,
> I cannot receive any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That
> means no Simpons, real Olympic coverage, no local news, no
> American Idol, or any of the other shows my family is crying
> for. There are over 587,000 potential customers living in my
> area, and yet the installers I have talked to are saying that
> they are removing more Voom systems than they are installing
> around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a
> couple of the installers said they have been working in the
> area for years and have never done a Voom install, many also
> told me that their supervisors try to talk customers out of
> the Voom install before they send an installer out because of
> the quick churn rate due to the lack of local channels (my
> first Installs, Inc encounter was along those lines as well).
> I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer truly
> hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find
> a way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine,
> outside of the range of major network OTA broadcasts.
>
>
> --
> bnl107
>



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[Robert Heitner]

RE: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

Voom is an HD satellite provider who gives customers an OTA antenna since
they don't transmit local channels.
If your area does not have any OTA signal, that is not Voom's problem. You
cannot get local channels in HD
from Directv or Dish that I'm aware of w/o an ota. You're in a tough spot,
literally.

_____

From: bnl107 [mailto:bnl107.1bj59w@nobody.satelliteguys.us]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 12:48 AM
To: VOOM@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due
to lack of OTA channels



I love Voom. That said, it is getting harder and harder to justify to
myself, much less to my family, staying with Voom considering that I
cannot receive ANY OTA network programming while my local cable company
(SECTV) now offers 18 HD channels for a total price of $112.00
(including all local and extended cable channels, HBO, Cinemax, Starz,
and Showtime). I live in the third largest city in Pennsylvania,
Allentown, and I am "one of, if not the only, Voom subscribers in my
area" (according to the installers I've spoken to) based almost solely
on the fact that there are no network channels available OTA.
Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley, so no
matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out, I cannot receive
any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That means no Simpons, real
Olympic coverage, no local news, no American Idol, or any of the other
shows my family is crying for. There are over 587,000 potential
customers living in my area, and yet the installers I have talked to
are saying that they are removing more Voom systems than they are
installing around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a
couple of the installers said they have been working in the area for
years and have never done a Voom install, many also told me that their
supervisors try to talk customers out of the Voom install before they
send an installer out because of the quick churn rate due to the lack
of local channels (my first Installs, Inc encounter was along those
lines as well). I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer
truly hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find a
way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine, outside of the
range of major network OTA broadcasts.


--
bnl107


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[Chris Green]

RE: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

I chose Voom because I knew I could get better OTA reception than I got
through cable. In your case I would look into a provider than can offer you
locals properly. You probably won't be happy with any of the dish based
options and shouldprobably stick with local cable for a while IMO. I love
my Voom, and my OTA's are awesome with the Winegard antenna.

Chris


-----Original Message-----
From: bnl107 [mailto:bnl107.1bj59w@nobody.satelliteguys.us]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 12:48 AM
To: VOOM@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due
to lack of OTA channels


I love Voom. That said, it is getting harder and harder to justify to
myself, much less to my family, staying with Voom considering that I
cannot receive ANY OTA network programming while my local cable company
(SECTV) now offers 18 HD channels for a total price of $112.00
(including all local and extended cable channels, HBO, Cinemax, Starz,
and Showtime). I live in the third largest city in Pennsylvania,
Allentown, and I am "one of, if not the only, Voom subscribers in my
area" (according to the installers I've spoken to) based almost solely
on the fact that there are no network channels available OTA.
Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley, so no
matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out, I cannot receive
any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That means no Simpons, real
Olympic coverage, no local news, no American Idol, or any of the other
shows my family is crying for. There are over 587,000 potential
customers living in my area, and yet the installers I have talked to
are saying that they are removing more Voom systems than they are
installing around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a
couple of the installers said they have been working in the area for
years and have never done a Voom install, many also told me that their
supervisors try to talk customers out of the Voom install before they
send an installer out because of the quick churn rate due to the lack
of local channels (my first Installs, Inc encounter was along those
lines as well). I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer
truly hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find a
way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine, outside of the
range of major network OTA broadcasts.


--
bnl107




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[Eph Fithian]

Re: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

I don't have voom yet, but I did just receive a Sammy 5063. I live in
Orefield, a few miles northwest of Allentown, PA. My elevation is
about 600 feet and the antenna is mounted on a tower about 15 feet
above the roof of a two-story home. I can see the local tv transmitters
from 8 miles away. If you are in a valley, you are out of luck.

I need to determine what programming is offered by Voom that satisfies
my viewing requirements, and is not available OTA or on C/Ku band,
either analog or DVB digital. So far it doesn't look like much. Still
pulling for Voom to be successful.

I bought the LG 3400A OTA receiver and hooked it up to my old 32" Sony
through the S-Video port, before getting the Sammy, with digital audio
to my preamp. So far I have found 25 digital channels, some with HD
programming, depending on the day and time. One local station has a
full time HDNet feed. I can get ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN, WB, and PBS with no
problems. Some of the stations I can't yet receive have very low power
on digital, and will upgrade power in the future. 60 miles with 500kW
seems to work fine.

To determine which OTA stations may be available in your area, try
going to this site. Put in your longitude/latitude, and it will give
you all of the analog or digital OTA stations, their distance from you,
their power, their elevation, and the RF channels they are using for
digital.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html


Ephraim Fithian
efithian@mac.com
http://homepage.mac.com/efithian/


On Aug 25, 2004, at 1:48 AM, bnl107 wrote:

> I love Voom. That said, it is getting harder and harder to justify to
> myself, much less to my family, staying with Voom considering that I
> cannot receive ANY OTA network programming while my local cable
> company
> (SECTV) now offers 18 HD channels for a total price of $112.00
> (including all local and extended cable channels, HBO, Cinemax, Starz,
> and Showtime). I live in the third largest city in Pennsylvania,
> Allentown, and I am "one of, if not the only, Voom subscribers in my
> area" (according to the installers I've spoken to) based almost solely
> on the fact that there are no network channels available OTA.
> Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley, so no
> matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out, I cannot
> receive
> any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That means no Simpons, real
> Olympic coverage, no local news, no American Idol, or any of the other
> shows my family is crying for. There are over 587,000 potential
> customers living in my area, and yet the installers I have talked to
> are saying that they are removing more Voom systems than they are
> installing around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a
> couple of the installers said they have been working in the area for
> years and have never done a Voom install, many also told me that their
> supervisors try to talk customers out of the Voom install before they
> send an installer out because of the quick churn rate due to the lack
> of local channels (my first Installs, Inc encounter was along those
> lines as well). I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer
> truly hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find a
> way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine, outside of the
> range of major network OTA broadcasts.

 

[Eph Fithian]

Re: [VOOM] Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

I don't have voom yet, but I did just receive a Sammy 5063. I live in
Orefield, a few miles northwest of Allentown, PA. My elevation is
about 600 feet and the antenna is mounted on a tower about 15 feet
above the roof of a two-story home. I can see the local tv transmitters
from 8 miles away. If you are in a valley, you are out of luck.

I need to determine what programming is offered by Voom that satisfies
my viewing requirements, and is not available OTA or on C/Ku band,
either analog or DVB digital. So far it doesn't look like much. Still
pulling for Voom to be successful.

I bought the LG 3400A OTA receiver and hooked it up to my old 32" Sony
through the S-Video port, before getting the Sammy, with digital audio
to my preamp. So far I have found 25 digital channels, some with HD
programming, depending on the day and time. One local station has a
full time HDNet feed. I can get ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN, WB, and PBS with no
problems. Some of the stations I can't yet receive have very low power
on digital, and will upgrade power in the future. 60 miles with 500kW
seems to work fine.

To determine which OTA stations may be available in your area, try
going to this site. Put in your longitude/latitude, and it will give
you all of the analog or digital OTA stations, their distance from you,
their power, their elevation, and the RF channels they are using for
digital.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html


Ephraim Fithian
efithian@mac.com
http://homepage.mac.com/efithian/


On Aug 25, 2004, at 1:48 AM, bnl107 wrote:

> I love Voom. That said, it is getting harder and harder to justify to
> myself, much less to my family, staying with Voom considering that I
> cannot receive ANY OTA network programming while my local cable
> company
> (SECTV) now offers 18 HD channels for a total price of $112.00
> (including all local and extended cable channels, HBO, Cinemax, Starz,
> and Showtime). I live in the third largest city in Pennsylvania,
> Allentown, and I am "one of, if not the only, Voom subscribers in my
> area" (according to the installers I've spoken to) based almost solely
> on the fact that there are no network channels available OTA.
> Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley, so no
> matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out, I cannot
> receive
> any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That means no Simpons, real
> Olympic coverage, no local news, no American Idol, or any of the other
> shows my family is crying for. There are over 587,000 potential
> customers living in my area, and yet the installers I have talked to
> are saying that they are removing more Voom systems than they are
> installing around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a
> couple of the installers said they have been working in the area for
> years and have never done a Voom install, many also told me that their
> supervisors try to talk customers out of the Voom install before they
> send an installer out because of the quick churn rate due to the lack
> of local channels (my first Installs, Inc encounter was along those
> lines as well). I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer
> truly hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find a
> way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine, outside of the
> range of major network OTA broadcasts.

 

[Dvlos]

Here's my opinion on local OTA, if you can't get OTA there's nothing you can do about it. It's a negative aspect from living in a valley, or 89 miles away from civilization. However, I do NOT think that Voom should include OTA for everyone at the cost of bandwidth for other HD channels.

D* and E* provide locals OTA but especially E* all the standard channels and the locals look 10 times better OTA. Maybe when Voom has more bandwidth, and has gone to WM9 they can offer everyone locals and locals in HD through the dish and present all their HD channels at something that approximates 19.xx mbps under MPEG2. Right now, CBS/NBC/ABC HD OTA is the best looking HD there is, I would not trade that for getting my locals over the Satellite at 12MBPS.

As a suggestion, why not add in cable as an add-on, most areas offer a strictly basic cable plan that just gives you the locals, and locals in HD in lots of cases, for your house, until we find out exactly what Voom's plans are for the new satellite and codecs?

 

[HeavyC]

Yeah, I second the cable as an add-on alternative. I'm going to have to do the same thing if I plan on watching any Bulls games this winter.

 

[cliffordmarc]

I love Voom. That said, I live in the third largest city in Pennsylvania, Allentown, and I am "one of, if not the only, Voom subscribers in my area" (according to the installers I've spoken to) based almost solely on the fact that there are no network channels available OTA. Philadelphia is over 55 miles away, and I live in a valley, so no matter what type of "upgraded antenna" they bring out, I cannot receive any NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox programming. That means no Simpons, real Olympic coverage, no local news, no American Idol, or any of the other shows my family is crying for. There are over 587,000 potential customers living in my area, and yet the installers I have talked to are saying that they are removing more Voom systems than they are installing around here, almost always only for this reason. In fact, a couple of the installers said they have been working in the area for years and have never done a Voom install, many also told me that their supervisors try to talk customers out of the Voom install before they send an installer out because of the quick churn rate due to the lack of local channels (my first Installs, Inc encounter was along those lines as well). I am sure my area is not unique, and as a customer truly hoping to see Voom and their vision succeed, I hope they find a way to make themselves appealing in areas like mine, outside of the range of major network OTA broadcasts.

I live in Bethlehem and I feel your pain.. That's why I went with D*. How is voom otherwise?

 

[vinnyv07]

OTA is a very important part of any service. I live in NY and I am unable to get a sig from NBC, WPIX or WNET. Cable is an option for me but I think that paying 55 bucks a mth for HD locals is insane. Directv will begin providing Hd local ch's by area. If you care about OTA the mos Directv will be in your future. To get back to the thread title....VOOM IS MISSING OUT ON MILLIONS OF POTENTIAL SUBS DUE TO LACK OF OTA CH"S...it is true. Voom is an add on until they are able to deliver the local ch's to everyone. Im not even talking about the digital transmition of your locals. Im just talking about the anolog transmition. How can you have VOOM and not even be able to pick up the anolog transmition of the local ch's. So, if I had VOOM alone that means that I cant get NBC at all? WPIX? I have no way of getting those ch's? VOOM is an add on ....its an incomplete service...dont get me wrong I love VOOM but I would to have them as my only provider.

 

[n0qcu]

You're right VOOM is an add on service and they should NOT try to be anything else.

 

[Dvlos]

I seriously doubt there are millions of people unable to get digital OTA, I think the ones that can't represent the few.. Digital OTA at a better quality than DBS. I could be wrong though.

 

[Bob Mankin]

RE: [VOOM] Re: Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels


> -----Original Message-----
> From: vinnyv07 [mailto:vinnyv07.1bjzlk@nobody.satelliteguys.us]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:40 AM
> To: VOOM@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [VOOM] Re: Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of
> potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels
>
>
>
> OTA is a very important part of any service. I live in NY
> and I am unable to get a sig from NBC, WPIX or WNET. Cable is
> an option for me but I think that paying 55 bucks a mth for
> HD locals is insane. Directv will begin providing Hd local
> ch's by area. If you care about OTA the mos Directv will be
> in your future. To get back to the thread title....VOOM IS
> MISSING OUT ON MILLIONS OF POTENTIAL SUBS DUE TO LACK OF OTA
> CH"S...it is true. Voom is an add on until they are able to
> deliver the local ch's to everyone. Im not even talking about
> the digital transmition of your locals. Im just talking about
> the anolog transmition. How can you have VOOM and not even be
> able to pick up the anolog transmition of the local ch's. So,
> if I had VOOM alone that means that I cant get NBC at all?
> WPIX? I have no way of getting those ch's? VOOM is an add on
> ....its an incomplete service...dont get me
> wrong I love VOOM but I would to have them as my only provider.
>
>
> --
> vinnyv07

For analog, you have the same reception options you had before Voom came
along. Voom is a digital service. It would make ZERO sense financially to
pursue analog reception at this point. It's on the way out. 2
years(optimistic) or maybe 4 years tops and it's gone. Why would anyone
invest any significant capital in that? D* and E* aren't going to help you
with analog either.

Bank on D* giving you those locals the day they deliver it and not before.
That's true for any of the DBS providers. Estimated delivery dates are just
that. People buying into these services based on set dates are setting
themselves up for disappointment. There are far too many examples of missed
dates since DBS and HDTV started chasing customers, so no one should be
acting surprised after the fact. Not saying the status quo is right, but you
better have both eyes wide open before committing to any long term contract
based on products or services you expect to receive 6 mos out.

Bob



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[SpringsGuy]

Yes Dvlos your correct, i don't believe that voom is missing out on millions of subs either due to the lack of OTA for the few that can't get it.. As i have been saying from the start its not the OTA thats making people not subscribe to voom its their extreme lack of advertising... Sears and a nice website isn't cutting it! Voom must strike a deal with the major retailers Circuit City, Best Buy, Soundtrack than watch Voom increase in size and dish and direct shrink when subscribers start bailing after they realize hey why am i paying to watch SD television on my HDTV!

 

[berockin1]

[VOOM] Re: Voom is missing out on MILLIONS of potential subscribers due to lack of OTA channels

If they've gone this long without an advertising blitz, they should
hold off another few months maybe. It would be a much easier sell if
more RSN's were in place as well as sports packages ie. MLB , HNL ,
NBA season passes etc. Too many people out there who only want ONE
provider wont switch until they know they can follow their local
teams on VOOM. Right now I have both VOOM and CV, I keep CV for MSGHD
FSNHD and YES... Not sure what either companies encentive is to add
those in our area... Especially after the spinoff, I'd leave CV and
believe me they have all that into consideration in the NYC NJ and
CT. areas.


--- In VOOM@yahoogroups.com, SpringsGuy <SpringsGuy.1bk258@n...>
wrote:
>
> Yes Dvlos your correct, i don't believe that voom is missing out on
> millions of subs either due to the lack of OTA for the few that
can't
> get it.. As i have been saying from the start its not the OTA thats
> making people not subscribe to voom its their extreme lack of
> advertising... Sears and a nice website isn't cutting it! Voom
must
> strike a deal with the major retailers Circuit City, Best Buy,
> Soundtrack than watch Voom increase in size and dish and direct
shrink
> when subscribers start bailing after they realize hey why am i
paying
> to watch SD television on my HDTV!
>
>
> --
> SpringsGuy



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[Hawkshaw]

RE: Here's my take on the OTA situation

OTA Problems:

I am located less than 8 miles from all my local stations (3, 5, 13, 10, 24, 31, 51)

The first Voom-installed antenna was the Winegard (amplified). With it I could get two stations at a time depending on the direction it was pointed.

I decided that I needed an Omni directional antenna since I am surrounded by the stations. Voom installed the Radio Shack Omni-directional Amplified TV Antenna model 15-1634 on the same mast as the VOOM dish and connected it through the VOOM supplied diplexer. I still could not get locals with any reliability. I removed the antenna and placed it on top of my TV and connected it directly to the VOOM box. I still could not get a reliable signal.

So I decided the Omni was not such a good idea after all. I bought a RS directional for $50. I could fiddle with it and pick up any station except ABC (they broadcast a low signal in this area.)

I took the advice from someone on this forum (Thank You!) and ordered the Radio Shack double bow-tie antenna for $10 plus shipping. It works much better than the others. I have it in a closet next to my TV. Don’t even have to move it around much. I took the other one back and got my 50 bucks back.

Now for the interesting part. My next door neighbor has Dish Net HD. He was not getting any local channels and he wanted to watch the Olympics on NBC. I let him borrow Voom’s Omni-directional, the one I had tried and failed with. He hooked it up and tossed it behind the TV on the floor. He scanned for locals with the Dish Net STB and picked up EVERY ONE OF THEM! Even the very weak ABC station.

Now the conclusion I draw from this is that the OTA problems that many of us are fighting result from the poor quality of the Motorola receiver.

Before the flames start, I am not slamming VOOM. I’m addicted to HD. I’ve got to have my VOOM. But I’m also paying for Dish Net to get the Fox Regionals so I can watch the Cardinals. But I really like the Dish Net STB and how it handles OTA. This fall one of them will have to go. I can’t keep paying for two Satellite services.

For VOOM to keep my business, two things must happen. I have to get the locals with some reliability and I have to have the Fox Midwest Regionals.

Thanks for hearing me out and I apologize for covering the same old ground.

Hawkshaw

 

[HeavyC]

I actually assumed the OTA tuner was pretty good in the VOOM box. I'm picking up my local Fox station in the Central Illinois area, and probably less than 5% of the people in this area have had any success locking it in.

 

[Dvlos]

OTA Problems:

'

What if it wasnt the STB what if it was the supplied diplexer?

 

[Hawkshaw]

I removed the diplexer and hooked directly to the STB. I know when it comes to OTA there a about a million variables. I was just stunned by this. I mean we live right next door. But the little RS antenna is a good work-around. Just thought this was curious.

Thanks,
Hawkshaw

 

[vinnyv07]

For analog, you have the same reception options you had before Voom came
along. Voom is a digital service. It would make ZERO sense financially to
pursue analog reception at this point. It's on the way out. 2
years(optimistic) or maybe 4 years tops and it's gone. Why would anyone
invest any significant capital in that? D* and E* aren't going to help you
with analog either.

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http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

I just would like to make the point that with DirecTV I am able to watch my local Ch's...not HD ...but analog locals. Voom is a digital service that is trying to provide everything, including some of the analog Ch's that people like. If they were just a digital service I would agree that it would make no sense to pursue analog reception. But when your service includes analog and digital Ch's in the same package, it makes no sense provide a tuner that ignores analog signals. I have an old DirecTV HD tuner that scans for digital as well as analog. Why cant VOOM's receiver do the same? Its not that much of an investment. It just seems silly to me that if I cant get NBC's digital signal that i cant even attempt to scan for the analog sig of that same ch. This is why I feel that VOOM is an add on service right now. I need all of my locals ...digitally or through an analog signal.