[RFI] BrightHouse & RFI?

[Tim Groat]

That's true in part, but there's a catch. Digital broadcasts use an 
error-correction code so that low levels of interference still allow 
perfect reception. But if enough bits get scrambled, the error 
correction can't determine what the correct bit pattern is. Like packet 
radio, each data block is decoded perfectly or not at all. There's no 
"fuzzy" digital picture with a poor signal; it's either intact or has 
obvious drop-outs.

Those effects cause an abrupt transition from good reception to 
unacceptable reception on a digital TV receiver. The conversion from 
analog to digital broadcasting will effectively cut off "fringe areas" 
over-the-air reception. It also means there's no minor cases of TVI: 
either you have no TVI, or an irate neighbor. May we all fall into the 
first category!

--Tim (KR0U)

> "Andy" <ingraham.ma.ultranet at rcn.com>:
> 
> Now that digital has or is replacing analog NTSC on many cable systems, I
> fear that this particular incentive may be largely gone.  The digitally
> encoded signals tolerate more RFI ingress before anything goes wrong for the
> cable customer.