Unhacking a cable decoder

Nine years ago, I successfully “hacked” three small cable TV decoders. The DTA50 decoders were offered by Rogers Cable when they transitioned to a fully digital service, enabling older TV sets to receive an analog signal. I was not using older TV sets, but I was using standard definition tuner cards in computers, so it made sense for me to obtain these devices.

Unfortunately, the DTA50 offered only an antenna output, with inferior signal quality. It occurred to me that internal to the device, it must be possible to find a standard composite video signal and corresponding audio.

I found the composite video signal alright but the audio… only the multiplexed stereo audio signal was present, not the separate left and right channels. I took it as a challenge: I built a small circuit, small enough to be tucked inside the case of the DTA50, to decode the stereo audio. Unfortunately my first attempt was not a complete success, as the audio was distorted. The reason, I found out, was that the NTSC stereo audio signal differs from FM radio and includes noise suppression. This required a different chip and a new circuit. I built that as well and the result worked as expected: I had composite video and stereo audio, which I’ve been using ever since to receive the basic channel lineup.

Fast forward nine years and here I was, in possession of a letter by Rogers, informing us that legacy TV services will be discontinued soon. Their new service comes bundled with Internet, which unfortunately conflicts with the small business Internet service that I get from them, so it was not an option. In any case, it was time to cut the cable: it was far too pricey and used less and less by us.

When I spoke to a Rogers agent, I was assured that I had no equipment to return: The HD cable box I owned, whereas the obsolete DTA50 boxes could just be discarded as e-waste. Yet the next day, I received e-mail instructions from Rogers to return the DTA50 decoders nonetheless. I even called them as it seemed so silly: Why on Earth do they want to spend their corporate wealth on shipping charges, to return obsolete equipment, only to discard them as e-waste? I received an explanation of sorts: it’s “policy” and needed for “inventory control”.

So today, I undid what I did nine years ago: I removed my beautiful, now useless, stereo audio decoder circuit board from the three devices. I admit I felt more than a bit of sentimental regret.

I was also more than a bit miffed by this corporate stupidity. In fact, I discussed it with our AI pal ChatGPT. We concluded with the following exchange:

Q: What do you think of their stupidity? This legacy equipment is to convert a signal that will soon be discontinued, to a signal that most modern TV-s no longer even handle (analog NTSC input on channels 3-4). I asked them if they really need it back… “policy” and “inventory control” were the answers, which tell me that it’s a combination of corporate inertia and a company with too much money to waste (since they have to pay Canada Post and then they, not I, will be responsible for the safe disposal. Not to mention that they presumably want the wall plugs as well, which are perfectly serviceable and I could reuse them, yet this way they become e-waste.)

ChatGPT: Your frustration with the return of outdated equipment like the DTA50 is understandable, especially considering the larger context of technological obsolescence and environmental concerns. The DTA50 essentially bridges a gap between older analog TVs and digital signals—a gap that has almost disappeared as more people use modern digital devices. So, Rogers demanding its return, even as it heads toward irrelevance, indeed feels like a classic example of corporate inertia.

The company’s stance of “policy” and “inventory control” likely reflects a mix of legal compliance, asset tracking, and bureaucratic processes that are slow to change. Larger organizations often stick to outdated policies because changing them involves overcoming internal hurdles, even when it seems irrational from the consumer’s perspective. As for paying Canada Post to return the equipment and being responsible for its disposal, that’s another layer of inefficiency. Rogers might have contracts in place for recycling or refurbishing, but in the end, much of this equipment probably ends up as e-waste, defeating any value in recovering it.

It’s ironic, as you mention, that a perfectly good power supply or even usable components become e-waste instead of being repurposed. Companies like Rogers often miss out on the broader conversation about sustainable practices, opting instead to adhere to rigid policies without considering the environmental impact or practical realities.

So yes, it seems like a mix of corporate inertia, cost-ineffective practices, and a lack of attention to modern sustainability concerns, rather than any genuine necessity for the return of such obsolete devices.

I thought about sending off this exchange to Rogers. In the end, I didn’t bother. However, when Rogers asked in a survey how likely I am to recommend them to others, I gave them a 2 out of 10. I offered the following explanation:

Discontinuation of legacy cable is a disservice to customers. Inability to provide a sensible alternative to someone who already has small business internet service for their home office is an obstacle. Insistence on returning obsolete, cheap equipment (DTA50 decoders) on threat of an unspecified unreturned equipment charge is nonsense and a waste of Rogers’ (i.e., its customers’) money. Why would I want to recommend you? Even though I’ve been your customer for 30+ years.

Meh.