PSA: Comcast

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

Just wanted to let everyone know that Comcast is going to a completely all digital network- we got a call last night. While we have digital downstairs, we have just regular cable upstairs.

Basically, this means that if you have regular cable, you will need to get one of the black boxes that allows you to recieve channels that are considered regular but have got to a digital format (TNT, HGTV, Nick, Disney, Cartoon Network, TLC, etc). The box is free for the first two, then it's a one time fee of $10 a box.

So, if you don't have digital in your bedroom or basement or your kid's rooms, make sure you get one of the special boxes!

jennyinyellow · January 2010

This happened to us a few months ago.

[Deleted User] · January 2010

I thought the whole country went digital last year? Around June-ish. There were a ton of ads on TV when I was home for those two months.

[Deleted User] · January 2010

I feel like I'm in a time warp to back in the fall - it's been like this for a while now. My parents & sister have a box for their rooms and I haven't had one since the switch.. I don't watch TV in my room which is why I didn't get one (+ moving out in a few months + they charge over a certain number of boxes), but needlesstosay, I get a whole 5 channels in my room.

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

NCV- the nation did go digital,but it was for transmission, not providing; as long as you were with a cable company (Comast, for example), you were fine. If you had say rabbit ears, for an analog transmission, then it wouldn't work. When I say digital here, I mean the type of cable you pay for (the one with on demand and such).

See, in order to make room on their network for things like HD, DVR, and Digital Cable (the one with On Demand), they often move channels from the regular setting to the digital setting- which means that while you are fine and with a cable company that complies with federal standards, you start to slowly lose channels if you have extended cable.

Well, apparently, Comcast was removing these channels (like Nick, Cartoon Network, HGTV, etc) and wasn't supposed to- people were paying for them, and they weren't delievering. So they got in trouble with the government, who said they have to either switch the channels back (which would make offering things like HD and such hard), or figure out a way to get it back to regular customers.

What they did is provide you with a box that restores those "digitized" channels, but it's no frills- we don't get the higher channels, no on demand or any of that stuff that digital cable offers.

I know, it's confusing- I only understand because I have a good friend who we asked about it all. Just remember, Digital Transition and Digital Cable are not the same thing; it's a confusing use of the word Digital.

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

Exactly, Steffie, and now, apparently, you won't get any channels if you don't get that box.

Hey, it's free, and it fixes it.

[Deleted User] · January 2010

I don't have all that much invested in the situation, so I don't know that much info. So less confusion and more ignorance/ lack of need to know I guess.

I get this type of news from the knot generally. It's not really on the BBC if you can believe.

[Deleted User] · January 2010

Shouldn't everyone already have these boxes by now, then? I would hope so at least considering how much they pushed them in the summer.

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

Apparently not- they called us last night and offered them to us again; they said they are calling all customers who have regular cable to make sure they have the alloted 2 boxes.

ooodsie · January 2010

They actually did it in phases, so chances are Briar Rose was one of the last areas to convert and Steif was one of the first areas. They began in Bucks/Montco and ended in Philly if that helps. and Briar - that was a great explanation, you want a job?

ooodsie · January 2010

Also - if you have HD, check out the 800's... Comcast added about 25 new HD channels this past month in most areas. They are all there in the 800 channels. You'd be surprised how many there are. Lastly, most areas now have both caller ID on your TV if you have Digital Voice service AND they also just added the new remote DVR setting meaning you can program your DVR from the internet if you forgot to set it up to tape something.

Ms.BriarRose · January 2010

Oodsie, I would love a job right now, LOL. You offering?

[Deleted User] · January 2010

What I thought was so simple has turned out to be so damn confusing. I feel bad for the senior citizens!

PharmJen · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_psa-comcast?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e7b8b81f-e6bb-4116-a938-86a24021fea2Post:537cd79b-5fe0-4fbb-8eda-de6ea5f60b23">Re: PSA: Comcast</a>:
[QUOTE]Also - if you have HD, check out the 800's... Comcast added about 25 new HD channels this past month in most areas. They are all there in the 800 channels. You'd be surprised how many there are. Lastly, most areas now have both caller ID on your TV if you have Digital Voice service AND they also just added the new remote DVR setting meaning you can program your DVR from the internet if you forgot to set it up to tape something.
Posted by ooodsie[/QUOTE]

I just discovered these channels about 2 weeks ago. I have to admit, it really bothers me that they aren't with the rest of the channels. I feel like I forget about them half the time. Who wants to miss Snooki in HD??

ooodsie · January 2010

Briar - email me - kbrwedding@gmail.com

Amerbutt81 · January 2010

We had to do that in July.

LaRositaMonita · January 2010

This happened to us before the holidays.

BTW, all the old HD channels are also in the 800s now, too. So we forget about all the HD channels in the 200s and just start at 800 when we feel the urge to channel surf

PSA: Comcast

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