By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

 

Spectrum is in the process of upgrading their TV services; and while it may mean a better product for some, it might also mean an inconvenience for others.

“I woke up that morning and the TV was black,” Jimmy May, a Port Arthur resident, said. “The screen said ‘No signal.’”

It was a common report as customers went in and out of the company’s Nederland location on Memorial Freeway on Wednesday.

Spectrum is upgrading its video services to a 100-percent digital format. The company said the move is one geared toward bringing customers improved picture and sound quality and one that would offer additional HD channels, according to a news release sent out last month.

“We’re committed to upgrading the entire Spectrum footprint to a two-way, interactive digital service, giving customers a best-in-class TV, internet and voice experience,” Tom Rutledge, chairman and CEO of Charter Communications Inc., said in a news release.

“By going all-digital in Beaumont and removing analog signals, we free up capacity in our network for faster internet speeds, more HD and On Demand options and pave a path for future innovation.”

However, the switch to digital wasn’t going as easily as some customers might have liked.

“Overall, I think the Spectrum people should have found a smoother way of transitioning to digital,” Kevin McGlory, Port Arthur resident, said.

McGlory was walking out of the Spectrum office with a new digital box in tow.

The digital conversion requires customers to have a two-way, digital receiver, or box, for each television in their home. This would allow them to receive any and all channels according to their viewing package.

The company leases out its boxes for free for the first one to five years, depending on the customer’s programming package and other mitigating factors. Afterward, monthly costs could range from $6.99 to $11.

“It’s about more money,” May said. “A lot of people can’t afford that.”

McGlory said he already had cable boxes for most of his televisions at home; the only one that didn’t have one was the one in the kitchen.

“I think it is all about revenue. It’s about money,” he said.

May said he would continue with Spectrum because he still wanted TV and Spectrum is the only business in town.

“I got two boxes already for HBO and Cinemax,” May said. “I guess I’ll be getting a few more.”

According to an issued statement, Spectrum said they sent out notifications to customers both electronically and physically.

McGlory received an email notification while May said he did not.

The Spectrum parking lot was full and cars were parked along the street. Customers sat or stood where there was room and waited for their numbers to be called. Still, it was not as bad as it had been the day before.

Josephine Pina said she had waited three hours in line Tuesday, the first day Spectrum enacted the change in the Port Arthur area. She was number 625 that day.

“I can’t blame them; they did tell us,” Pina said. She said she received notification in her mail.

Wednesday’s average wait time was much shorter — about a half-hour — and the number for waiting had only reached 181 before midday.

An off-duty officer was on hand to ensure customers kept in an orderly procession.