Re: X*Press, SNews...?
Al Whaley ((no email))
Mon, 11 Jan 1993 08:40:11 -0800 (PST)
According to Brian Smithson:
> From brian@grot.starconn.com Mon Jan 11 06:57:30 1993
> Return-Path: <brian@grot.starconn.com>
> Errors-To: xpress-list-owner@grot.starconn.com
> Reply-To: xpress-list@grot.starconn.com
> From: brian@piano.grot.starconn.com (Brian Smithson)
> Message-Id: <9301060626.ZM20479@piano.grot.starconn.com>
> Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 06:26:31 -0800
> X-Mailer: Z-Mail (2.1.0 10/27/92)
> To: xpress-list@grot.starconn.com
> Subject: Re: X*Press, SNews...?
>
> This sounds like it could be the beginning of a FAQ...
>
> I'm not sure that I know what you're asking, but I'll answer something and hope
> for the best. X*Change is distributed over the cable TV system. I don't know
> what form the signal takes, but it is modulated at carrier frequencies which
> can differ from one cable TV provider to another. Mine comes in at 73.00MHz.
> To connect your computer, you need a special modem which has an input for the
> cable TV line (regular 75 ohm coax) and an output for the demodulated data
> stream (RS232 through a DB25 connector).
>
> >Is there a distribution via satellite?
>
> I'm not aware of any distribution to end-users via satellite. XIS may use
> satellites for distribution to cable providers, though. Hmmm....
>
> >Do cable companies charge the service?
>
> There is an initial charge for the modem and software: US$150 at the moment.
> I haven't heard of any of the cable providers charging a monthly fee for the
> X*Change service. It is usually offered as part of the basic cable service.
>
Xpress is sent over CNN. The frequency varies by cable company because
CNN is on various different cable channels. The receiver is made by MACOM
(of San Diego I think) which takes a 9600 baud serial signal straight off
of some part of the CNN signal. I don't know if MACOM sells these receivers
separately, but enough disgruntled customers are probably out there that a
net news article mind find a used one.
I wrote software to decode the signal on a Sun workstation but never did
anything with it.
The thing I dislike most about Xpress (outside of having to pay a monthly
fee if I want the encrypted part) is the Copley news service which tends
to dominate the news feed. It is in my own opinion a pretty raunchy excuse
for a news company (including biased).
Al
--
Al Whaley al@sunnyside.com +1-415 322-5411(Tel), -6481 (Fax)
Sunnyside Computing, Inc., PO Box 299, Palo Alto, CA 94302