trekkin2k5
join:2009-11-06
Lakeside, CA
| Comcast Cable Transition to Digital - Box Needed?
Hello,
I have just the basic Cable (1-99) that includes, in addition to the over-the-air channels, ESPN, CNN, CNBC, FOX, E!, History, Discovery etc..My cable coming in from the wall just plugs straight into my TV....I noticed that in my area, Comcast has stated they will start getting rid of some of these channels until eventually we will be left with just the 1-29 channels which are only OTA, Gvt and Public Access and CBC channels....so it seems like the rest of the channels are going to Digital (CNN, ESPN, History etc.)?
I have avoided getting the full Digital TV from Comcast all this time (where you need that digital box and get a host of Digital channels, up to 500 or so, etc.)...but I have not gotten that because it is too expensive, and I really don't need more than what I have on 1-99 anyway....
So my question is: Will I need to contact Comcast to get that box that is required to view the channels that I will lose? Will they charge for this box? Can one buy an equivalent box on the market to be able to view these channels that we lost because Comcast converted them to Digital?
Please help answer.
Thanks a bunch! |
|
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL | you can buy a cable card based box but digital stater should be the same price as what you have now. |
|
bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA
| reply to trekkin2k5
Your choices are:
1) Buy a QAM tuner, but then you may soon lose ESPN, CNN, CNBC, Fox, E!, History, Discovery, etc., because Comcast has started engaging privacy mode to protect against cable thieves tapping into their lines.
2) Capitalize on digital cable-ready mandates, and buy a CableCARD-compatible box (currently, manufacturers are only willing to sell DVRs and PC cards, because just plain boxes don't command enough demand or a high enough price), and have the cable company install a CableCARD.
3) Use the boxes offered by the cable company. |
|
patryan9
join:2004-06-16
Bolton, CT
| said by bicker  :Your choices are: 1) Buy a QAM tuner, but then you may soon lose ESPN, CNN, CNBC, Fox, E!, History, Discovery, etc., because Comcast has started engaging privacy mode to protect against cable thieves tapping into their lines. You will likely lose those channels sooner rather than later... however Comcast "engaging in privacy mode protecting against cable thieves..." is more likely their public position in order to look less greedy.
A more reasonable common sense assumption is that they will make more money if they are engaging privacy mode in order to drive the consumer to more expensive and profitable services.
Regardless of the reason, a QAM tuner without cablecard will probably have you watching through a DTA or investing in an a/b switch to be able to watch HD channels in the near future. |
|
darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| said by patryan9 :A more reasonable common sense assumption is that they will make more money if they are engaging privacy mode in order to drive the consumer to more expensive and profitable services. But whatever you do, don't blame the content providers. |
|
bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA
| reply to patryan9
said by patryan9 :however Comcast "engaging in privacy mode protecting against cable thieves..." is more likely their public position in order to look less greedy. Or it is because it is the truth. |
|
gchris2203
join:2009-10-15
Lafayette, IN
| reply to patryan9
I guess you could view it as them being greedy. But I mean honestly is it fair for lets say for example your friend to get those channels for free simply cause he has a newer TV with a QAM tuner in it. Then you lets say for example purposes cannot really afford a new TV but you have to pay for them cause your TV doesnt have a QAM tuner.
Im just saying scrambling those channels is right and fair. They are a company after all and they are in it to make money not provide some public service for free. |
|
