Comcast is slowly converting markets into 100% digital, which happens to free up bandwidth for a lot high-def stations. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some HDTV, but how they are doing it will infuriate millions – including myself – with digital set-top boxes on every TV and dramatic price increases. The transition shows the weakness of the companies coax network that relies on copper to deliver the signal to neighborhoods and fiber-optic for the backbone only. Once this conversion hits, cable will lose any appeal over satellite or fiber options.
When Comcast converts an analog channel to digital, it frees up enough bandwidth for three HD stations – that’s a lot. That means 150 HD stations can take the place of 50 analog channels and that is exactly why Comcast is making the switch. Satellite and fiber services tout, on average, over 50 HD stations where Comcast has around a dozen. Sure, Comcast can claim that it has more HD content than satellite but that’s only if you include the hundreds of  D-run movies and shows available via ON-Demand. The conversion to digital allows the provider to easily serve up more HD stations and also, charge a lot more in fees.
The plan is to only send local stations on the NTSC signal and put the rest of the extended basic channels on a digital QAM signal. QAM tuners are standard in TVs now, but if a TV was purchased over a year or two ago, it likely will not have the right stuff to tune-in basic cable after the switch. You will need to rent a box from Comcast for around $4 a month to receive the full basic cable package that you had been watching box-free for years and each TV will need one of these devices.
Take my house for example: the four TVs above are in my bedroom, kitchen, office, and garage. All of these SDTVs will need one of the $4 boxes to watch the 50 out of the 74 stations available on Comcast’s extended basic cable. Sure, I have two HDTVs and those have boxes, but if I am going to have to put a tuner on these other TVs, Comcast looses all of its appeal as a one-cable solution for the everyday TV and I might as well switch to other providers that also require boxes but serve up more HD right now.
I know that I am not alone in this situation either. I dare say that the vast majority of Americans have non-HDTVs that they watch basic cable on box-free. When I called Comcast minutes ago, the lady said, get this, I have excessive amount of TVs but yes, each TV will need a box if I want to watch FX, Sci-Fi, Fox News, or The History Cable – basically, anything but local stations – which will result in me spending $16 more a month and $192 more a year.Â
Your best course of action as a Comcast subscriber is to contact Comcast at 1-800-COMCAST and inquirer when your market will be switched over. Large markets are being converted first with Detroit scheduled by the end of the year.
Don’t let them feed you the line that Comcast has to do this because after February 17, 2009 broadcast stations will be transmitting their signal in digital only. That’s what my Comcast rep told me, but my response was why then are the only channels available on non-digital cable going to be my local stations and channels such as FX and The History Channel going to cost more? Plus, Comcast is already providing my local stations in high-definition. No response.
And by the way, this switch has nothing to do with the digital transition on Feburary 17, 2009 and most Comcast markets will not be switched over until after the February 17, 2009 broadcast transition.
I might enjoy the extra HD stations after conversation but I am sure DirecTV or Verizon will appreciate the new subscriber one of them will gain.
whats with the brown tv? is it the one in your toilet?
By switching to Direct TV or Verizon you still will have to get boxes on all those sets since both of those companies are 100% digital already. All your doing is making the change to all boxes sooner than later. I’m confused by your complaint & your thoughts on how to avoid having to have a box on each TV.
The argument is simple. He doesn’t want boxes on all his tv’s but if has to have one eventually why wait for Comcast to demand it? Sign up with Verizon or Directv now and get more HD content immediately?
I had the same thought as Al but he beat me to it. My brother did not switch to FIOS for the very reason that he had to get boxes for all his TV’s. Seems like just another excuse to rag on Comcast. However, not a legitimate one.
I’m sorry if the article wasn’t clear enough but if boxes are going to be required, why would I stay with Comcast when Directv and Verizon offers better service right now even if boxes are required? Yes, I know I will need boxes with those too but Comcasts general appeal is that standard TVs only need a coax connection to receive SD content and that key selling point is disappearing.
See paragraph #4…
How do the TV’s decrypt the signal if they don’t have boxes?
(sorry if this is a stupid question, but here in australia, where very few people have cable, you always need a STB)
Great question.
Here in the States TVs are equipped to pick up standard, analog cable signals but in order to receive the new digital channels, a digital tuner is required. TVs older than a year or two do not have this tuner and therefore will require a box to pick up the new signals.
Does that mean that they are not encrypted? What stops people from getting cable for free? Or is it free?
Cable is by no means free but the basic cable feeds are not encrypted. Cable companies install “line traps” before the signal enters a persons house which scrambles the picture.
Cable theft is a widespread problem though when these traps are within an apartment building or easily accessible. Mine, for instance, is at the top of a utility pole so I could not easily remove it but my neighbors were just caught leeching cable off that very trap. Bastards can climb a poll and remove a trap but they can’t rake their leaves.
They were found out after Comcast rolled a truck to diagnose my constant Internet issues. Serves them right and I hope they got a nice fine for the theft.
A little side note. Comcast will be giving each account up to four digital to analog converters for free, which means no charge to the customer. These are the same as the ones that are needed for over the air signal. They will be non-addressable, which means no guide, no on demand content.
Do you have a source for that info?
A Comcast rep told me directly that I will have to pay for each box and I mentioned that I have four TVs that need the converter box.
I will gladly retract the entire post if you can provide a Comcast source proving that the company will provide every subscriber with ” up to four digital to analog converters for free.” I’m sure there will be a short-term promo for one, or maybe two, of these converters, but I highly doubt Comcast will provide four for free.
Without a source though, I think we need to classify your info as just a rumor.
ditto i just moved to a new state and HAD to have – and pay for – 1 box. however i have 2 tvs and the 2nd tv gets PLENTY of channels w/out a box. go figure. and neither of my tvs is remotely new, all are at least 7 yrs old, the 1 w/out a box is more like 10 yrs old.
There isn’t a digital to analog converter on the market that will decode QAM signals. If someone at Comcast told you this they were incorrect. You might want to call them again and ask.
Matt,
I was told basically the same as you were by a Comcast Rep that came door to door this summer. I also understood that after the, “promo period”, I would be paying more for the basic/expanded service I now have. Partly for the new charge for Digital Starter package and partly for the new additional charges for the cable boxes.
For the other’s that responded to Matt’s Post, he is correct in that the CURRENT SIGNAL is not encrypted in the Basic/Expanded Package.
I currently have three Tv’s. One 10″ tube type in my wife’s Sewing room that has an NTSC tuner and gets all the Basic/Expanded channels, without a Cable Box. One 15″ Flat Panel that also has an NTSC tuner and gets all the Basic/Expanded channels, without a Cable Box. My third TV is a HD Flat Panel that,of course, has an ATSC turner in addition to the NTSC tuner. That TV tunes in the same channels as the other two plus the High Def versions of all the locals, again with no Cable Box.
The Comcast Rep that came by was just doing his job, trying to get people to switch to Their Digital System before they make this change. However, more than one of my neighbors are under the impression this is because of the Govt. change in February.
As Matt explained, this has to do with an internal Comcast change, not the Govt. broadcast change.
The rep also explained to me, that if I didn’t get the digital box and sign up for the Digital Starter Package, I would only get channels 2-13, even with my HDTV that has the ATSC tuner!!
This means I will be paying more for Basis/Expanded Cable, partly for the monthly charge for the Starter Package and for the Cable Boxes.
In my opinon, Comcast HAD an advantage, (over using a Dish), in that the customers that did not subscribe to Preminum Programing, did not require additional equiptment,(or additional charges). If I am going to be stuck with a box anyway, I WILL now explore other options.
I just installed a $50 antenna on my roof. I hooked a digital converter box to the old analog tv’s and have never had such a good picture on these sets. The HD set is of course displaying the HD Stations. I live in the Grand Rapids, Mi area, I am getting CBS in 1080i, NBC in 1080i, ABC in 720p, FOX in 720p and PBS in 1080i. This takes care of all the 5 Big Networks and local coverage FOR FREE!!
I’m looking at a turbo HD Package from Dish for $39 a month to go with my antenna. As I understand it , their reciver has two outputs. One is HD for my main TV, and the other is a Standard output,(480i), which is all the TV in my den can display any way. This will work for me as I use the Den TV to view channels like CNBC. The third TV is only viewed to monitor local programing and weather warnings if my wife is in that room. This option is going to work out cheaper for me than Comcast. One, without giving up any for my current programing, and as a bonus, everything will be HD. The package has 35 HD channels and the antenna has the 5 networks in HD!
I do like my Comcast Internet and will keep it.
I used to work for Comcast and here is the reason they can still broadcast analog channels. The digital switchover is required only for broadcast stations. Comcast isn’t a broadcatser. Comcast is a re-broadcaster. They take in the channels and then retransmit them to you and I over their own lines. Re-broadcaters can still use the analog signal. That’s why they can still have the local channels in analog. The only reason that’s going to happen is because a lot of old farts can’t get the idea that change is a good thing and by gum they still want their local channels. Comcast will offer a small local channel package for people who just want the basics and don’t want to change (like old farts). Comcast is doing it purely for business reasons. I don’t know why they are trying to blame it on the government. It just makes more sense to go digital. It’s a better signal and it’s better for everyone concerned. I mean isn’t the directv slogan “Better t.v. for all”? Their signal is 100% digital. Switching over to verizon or directv is just silly anyway. Verizons television packages are just as pricey as Comcast and Comcast has no contracts. I believe Verizon has a contract with an early termination fee just like Directv. With directv you can’t even bundle internet or phone service so with them you’ll really be screwing yourself by having 2 seperate companies handle your services. Here’s a news flash. So here’s my advice to you……….. CABLE T.V. ISN’T A RIGHT. EITHER PAY THE BILL OR TURN THE DAMN THING OFF AND READ A BOOK.
Comcast sucks. Your post proves it. DirecTV rules. Life has been so much better since we switched to DirecTV. And the customer service surveys provide further proof. If you are unhappy with Comcast (in another words if you are a Comcast customer), what are you waiting for? SWITCH!
Matt you will need an STB for you locals stations too after the Feb 2009 unless your Tv has a digital tuner.
Actually, Mr. Plumber, cable isn’t affected by the government mandated switch.
Only people using an antenna will need a set-top box to receive the new digital signals. If cable companies, like Comcast, switch to a digital signal, that is their prerogative and yes, consumers will need a box for those signals too, but the two events are not related.
Looks like I need to do a FAQ post about the digital switch…
I am a Comcast Technician working out of the greater Chicago region. The analog to digital switch has been pushed off until next March (2010) for my area, which they will most likely do for the rest. There is no money in switching over right now due to the economy, and loss of subs. When the conversion DOES go into effect, you DO NOT need to rent a box from Comcast. You may purchase these boxes at any Best Buy or electronics store. All you have to do is order a cable card to put into the box which there is no monthly fee for. Comcast is looking into other ways than making everyone use a box, but it seems like it is the only way it will happen. As a Tech I am not happy about the change either. This will mean putting a box on every Television in the house no matter where it is, and most likely using more drop amps.
What annoys me about Comcast is that they keep switching channels that were once in the extended basic lineup over to digital, so in order to get them you need a box. For instance, they recently switched Cartoon Network over to digital here. In my son’s room he does not have a box, so now he cannot get Cartoon Network because it’s digital. He doesn’t need all the digital channels. They told me it would be $8.90 a month to put a box in his room. I’m already paying ridiculous prices so why should I have to pay another $8.90 for ONE channel?
I live in Adrian, Michigan and this change has already taken place. Extended basic here is channels 2-60 something and for over a month now we have been stuck with only channels 2-26. Comcast has been no help in addressing the issue ether. Every call we have made has led us no where, we recieved the same answer that they had no idea what our problem was. So now we have 4 digital boxes which have been here for a few days which comcast doesnt seem to be able to activate.
If he goes with Dish TV for instance, he can just buy a receiver and not have to rent it. In fact Dish Tv usually gives you 2 or 3 receivers for free if you go with a 1 or 2 year contract. And if you don’t want to have a contract, you can usually find people giving away their Dish TV receivers on craigslist.
Comcast on the other hand nickel and dime you. If you try to look anywhere, it’s really hard to buy a cable box compatible with comcast.
Matt – I’m in exactly the same place as you are. I have 2 HDTV’s with digital boxes attached. I also have 6 other TV’s that are only connected via coax (no box) – 4 of which are analog only, the other two are HDTV’s with QAM/ATSC/NTSC tuners so I am able to get the digital locals on them as well via QAM. One question I have about your article is w/r/t the digital signal that Comcast is going to use for Digital Basic. Surely I should be able to continue to recieve the locals in digital format as I am today, but do you think they will pass along the Extended Basic (i.e. ch 20-78) in unencrypted digital signals? I would be okay with that since 2 of my one-cable solution TV’s has the capability to receive. It’s still not optimal b/c I need to add a box to the other TV’s or just turn them off, but at least that’s 2 less boxes to worry about. Thoughts?
You will be fine, dont let this guy scare you, Comcast will give every subscriber 2 boxes for free, so your 2 TV’s your worried about will be covered.
To Rick: Do you believe every slogan you hear on TV? Change is Good? What? That’s stupid. YOu boss just called because he heard “Change is Good” and wants to be good, so he’s changing your hourly rate to 35 cents. Change is only good when it improves something. Constantly raising rates is only good for Comcast, not for the consumer.
Did anyone notice they brought the hallmark channel back to analog? They probably got every nursing home complaining to them.
Change isn’t so good when it promotes so much electronic waste. Just think of all those old tv’s and set-top boxes that will end up in the landfill leaching toxic waste.
I hope they do come up with a better solution than needing a separate set-top box for every tv. The one set-top box we rent from them currently is huge! It’s as big as a VCR or DVD player.
LOL, this guys is retarded that posted this….I work for comcast, everyone will get 2 dta’s (the little boxes) for free, and each additional will be 1.99, I like how you double the price and know nothing, your numbers are all way off, price wise and how many channels each analog opens up. Dont post if you dont know.
We have 4 analog TVs in our house and Comcast is providing 3 “boxes” at no extra charge. I went to the Comcast local customer service center to complain about the fact that if I paid for 5 cable hook ups in my house, they should give me 2 more boxes at no extra charge. They told me that I need to “get with the times” and if I want all the additional channels (31 and above) that come with the cable TV package I am paying for, then for each additional box I need to pay another $1.99 per month.
I told my family to figure out which of the TVs in our house will get boxes because I am unemployed and refuse to let my bill go any higher, even if it is only 2 or 4 bucks a month. Heck I am already being “forced” to go with digital cable because that is really all that Comcast offers, other than their bare bones basic cable service (which works fine for me but not for the other TV addicts in my household).
To me this is just another example of forced consumerism brought to you by our capitalist run-away free market system. I hope our new president can reign in some of the B.S. that goes on.
Thanks all for letting me vent.
Anyone complaining about digital needs to get with it. Analog is out, the picture is awful. Comcast should have went all digital years ago, they would have retained more customers. Digital is the future of all tv so stop complaining or turn it off! Satellite companies have raised prices so much over the years, you are not saving anything by switching. Don’t forget Dish Networks rip off of $5/mo per dual tuner receiver not connected to a phone line! Now you are about $12/mo higher than your cable. Who wants a 2 year contract for television???
Obviously another guy who works for Comcast. No rational, objective person could argue that Comcast is better than satellite.
Comcast just pulled the analog plug in Burlingame CA. Why do I know this? Not because anyone there would tell me – no – they kept me on the phone for 3 hours unplugging and checking connections, resetting the new mandatory cable box blah blah blah. Why? Because suddenly my Tivo with it’s digital and analog tuner stopped working. Blank screen for any channels above 35. Now my Tivo analog tuner is worthless and I can no longer watch one channel while recording another. Unless I upgrade to the new Tivo 3 series with 2 digital tuners. Thanks Comcast – I’m switching to DirecTV.
The conversion to digital is progress. I’ll agree to call that good. I don’t even mind a reasonable charge for a converter box for older TV’s.
But Comcast has gone WAY beynond digital conversion and most of it is bad.
Now I need a converter box for my state-of-the-art digital HD set. That’s bad. A few more amps trickling down the wire, more clutter on entertainment cabinet, yet another remote and more batteries to replace.
Were there some benefit to the DTA box, I might be more amenable. I already have a digital tuner, so I don’t need a converter box for that. But, I do need one to unscramble the encryption that Comcast has unnecessarily added so that we are all forced to install a DTA. Infuriating.
I’ll barely mention the additional cost, because, at least for now, Comcast is promising 2 for free. But, we all know that’s not going to last–reports are already starting to surface of monthly fees ticking up. Besides, “free” really just means the cost will be recovered elsewhere in the rates. More bad.
Oh yes, somehow Comcast overlooked that little DTA box in their “If you’re connected to Comcast, sit back and do nothing” campaign. Why should they mention it, it only affects about 98% of their customers? Innocent forgetfulness? I think not–more like deception and misrepresentation (I’ll stop just short of claiming “lies”). Again, bad.
By the way, those DTA boxes are insideous two-way communication devices effectively giving Comcast the technology to monitor our TV habits. It’s not only a serious infringement on privacy, it’s a knowledge advantage that empowers Comcast to ruthlessly outmanuever the competition with their pricing strategies. Call me cynical, but I’m a stretch away from thinking that will be good for the consumer.
Already, Comcast is beginning to move some channels into their digital starter package, charging customers more than double to keep the programs they’ve been watching for years. It’s a clever ploy, blaming it on the digital conversion, but even the DTA boxes won’t bring those stations back.
Finally–and baddest of all–Comcast has timed their digital conversion to roughly coincide with the over-the-airways digital conversion mandated by the government. Make no mistake, Comcast is betting they can skirt the outrage when we ignorant, confused consumers mis-direct the blame toward Washington DC.
My reason for staying with cable vs. dish was primarily that I COULD have some TV’s in the house without a box at my option. I’m all for HD and digital- have 2 HD TV’s, Tivo HD, etc. so I don’t need to “get with it”.
But, I do have two small flatscreens without digital tuners, one wall mounted in the dressing area and one on the kitchen counter, where there is just no room to put a box plus it will look like crap. For those, I am perfectly happy to get the basic analog channels that Comcast offered.
Now, they’re saying I either need to suck it up and jam a box in there somehow, live with local channels only w/o a box, or buy new flatscreens with digital tuners. I don’t like those options.
This got some press in Atlanta this week as parts of the metro are beginning the switchover. A local TV station did a story and had some poor schlep like me on there who had a bunch of TV’s and didn’t want boxes (not to mention the extra cost) for all of them. The story coincided with the DTV switchover (tomorrow 6/12) so it was even more confusing, as they erroneously gave the impression that Comcast customers were “not ready for the digital switchover”. Not true. At least from what I read, it may be next year before this comes to my neighborhood and I have to decide what to do, maybe by that time AT&T U-Verse will be available and I can say so long to Comcast if I have to have a box on every set!
I am one of the “old farts” that believe not all change is good. (Hint, Washington). Comcast has been saying “if you have cable ready/digital TVs, no problem. Yet, this past week, a Comcast Rep on a local channel explained that a DTA would be required because of the FCC change over. Did he ever get nailed to the wall? I have spent $1,000s to be ready for this. Yet, now, Comcast is saying the $2 a month DTAs are required. Yes, the first 2 are “free”. Yeah. Right. After having my rates raised ~30%, they are free. Any additional are $2 a month. For life. Cannot be purchased. Comcast certainly has a way of “bending the truth”. I am waiting for U-Verse, Charter, or anyone to come to us. It will not take me a second to send Comcast packing. (Oh, yes, be sure you get a receipt for the equipment you give back. They have a habit of billing for it by saying they did not receive it.)
Also an old Comcast employee here… I still have a few friends in the company but with the constant downsizing and contracting out work i gave up on comcast…lol
Anyways here is the info on the new DIGITAL SWITCH…
You will be notified in your area when this switch is to take place… Not only by mail but a message displayed on your analog t.v.s while you watch them. Same as they did for antenna t.v if anyone here had it before the switch.
Comcast has been showing it on my t.v. for the last few weeks reminding me to call them to prep my analog t.v. sets.
The Comcast digital switch is again in no way part of the ATSC or National DTV “digital” switch over of antenna TV that everyone could received free boxes for… That was the NTSC to ATSC switch.
You will need a COMCAST or comcast approved digital adapter…
If you bought a newer t.v. with a ATSC/NTSC and QAM “digital cable” tuner it will only work until the switch..
the QAM tuner or “Cable Card” is the trick here… some newer t.v’s included not only the new digital converter for over the air signal but also for cable systems this is known as QAM you can buy these for your t.v. if not included but if you have comcast do not bother.
The Comcast digital switch for basic cable customers will be encoded QAM you will need a Comcast box or comcast approved box for it to work. TIVO ver 3 will work aswell as some QAM computer Cable cards for your personal DVR’s.
To make these cards work you must contact comcast after the switch and give them some information off your QAM approved device.
Im not posative if the ones built into t.v’s will be supported yet in the future, but so far it doesn’t look like it because of the limited capabilities in them. Maybe even newer t.v’s will support the encoded QAM signal in the future.
Anyone with a QAM tuner in a newer tv will have noticed they have many extra comcast “digital” channels instead of the basic 2-99 you get 2-99 plus a lot of digital sub channels that your local broadcast stations are sending out over the air. As well as some extra comcast digital channels including the t.v. guide channel and weather channels.
The reason why comcast is doing this switch is not only because it is unfair for people with QAM “cable cards” to get these new channels for free, but it will make sure people without the QAM tuners are able to acess all the extra channels aswell. So of course more channels = higher price. This is Comcast were talking about not Unicef… lol “Joe Dirt”
You will be aloud up to 3 Digital Adapter boxes for free for every comcast account you have. No matter you already have digital boxes or not. Any extra boxes you need you can either purchase for around 25-35 dollars each or rent from comcast for what i heard was 1.99 a month.
THESE are not digital boxes like the ones comcast already has out. you will not get on demand, you will not get pay-per-view you will not get the t.v. guide menu or DVR service…
These boxes are simply an adapter from digital back to analog basically identical to the ones needed for the new DTV channels but for the comcast network…
And big SHOCKER they are encoded and matched to comcast encoding system. Supposedly although i heard plenty of complaints you should only need a one time verification of the box to make it work.
They are doing this to make sure people arn’t stealing service with just a standard QAM tuner. And because Comcast charges for every channel they give you even if they are broadcast-ed free in the air…lol
“of course someone will decode it and sell cheater boxes just like back in the old days” but that is beyond the point.
Some basic cable channels will stay analog for some time and they are between channels 2-30 some networks will use less but channel 30 is the max for analog channels without a box.
The reason for this isnt just to offer the very basic bottom of the line service, but to ensure you have all your local channels encase of an emergency and the comcast digital network goes down.
“if you have comcast you know that will happen from time to time”
once they can prove the system and gaurantee service of the local channels and emergency network they will eventually drop all analog channels all together…
Cable companies are stuck with more legal issues than satellite companies and have more regulations because of them being ran on your government owned telephone poles… They for the time being have to supply all local network “main channels” not the DTV sub channels on the analog system untill they are given the go ahead to take them to digital from the local government body.
Most comcast “all analog” or the lowest basic packages will consist of only your local channels. ABC, NBC, CBC, CBS, PBS ect. and of course the shopping networks like HSN and QVC “comcast gets paid by them to show them to you by the way lol” The thing is with the wording in the law they do not have to provide you the digital sub channels on analog only the digital main channel in analog.
So this means although your big local networks might have 1-9 sub channels for free OTA on antenna comcast only has to show the main channel un-encoded.
So basically basic is pointless…lol you can most likely get more channels with an antenna and a DTV converter box for a one time cost than you can with the comcast all analog basic 2-30 channel line up.
Sp to sum it up you can only get local channels for the most part after the switch with analog only service .
You can get up to 3 converter boxes for free with a comcast account. anything after that you can purchase yourself, or rent extra boxes at 1.99 each a month from comcast.
This is not Digital Cable in the sense you will not get PPV, On-demand, or the t.v. guide menu. This is only a digital to analog converter.
You will eventually be charged more for basic cable 2-99 service, but you will also be able to recieve many more “digital” channels in better quality without switching to the all out “digital packages” from comcast.
This is a good and a bad thing depends on how you look at it. You will get more options but its taking away from your current setup and you have yet another device to plug into the wall. You will be charged more but you will get probably close to double the channels you have now on basic and knowing Comcast they would have charged you more without even giving you the channels… lol
But i agree this takes away from the appeal of comcast apart from satellite. All the commercials they ran about “your ready already” are a bunch of bull and they are going to lose more customers than they will gain with this switch.
A lot of people are going to switch to digital OTA antenna t.v. and the FTA satellite TV… I recieve over 200 channels most of them offering HD all free of charge and legal… If the premium channels where offered over the internet cable and satellite company’s would become extinct “its coming sooner than you think”
hope that helped clear some stuff up and confuse you up in other areas more…lol
ok i read my post over and wanted to clear some stuff up
the new TV’s on the market or DTV’s have in them an NTSC and an ATSC tuner for over the air analog and digital signals…
Some and i emphasis “Some” of them also offer QAM tuner witch is to support un-encoded digital cable signals aswell.
QAM is not an encoded system
If comcast has not switched basic cable to digital in your area than the QAM tuner in a newer tv will show you some of the new digital channels that are going to be available when the switch happens.
If you have it hook it up and try it out, i receive an additional 50 channels with basic cable in digital form with my QAM tuner. I will lose them all when they switch.
Cable cards on the other hand are QAM ready but also can handle much more.
They are currently in some newer DTV’s as well as newer Tivo’s and DVR’s. You can get them installed in a computer as well via USB or PCI cards.
If you buy a newer tv and don’t want a comcast box make sure it has a Cable Card some are listed as “Digital Cable ready” and not just a QAM tuner.
Cable cards are basically a programmable digital converter. They can un-encode digital cable signal so that you do not need a cable box to recieve your cable channels.
The box Comcast will be giving you is a very basic Cable Card that can un-encode the encoded QAM signal they will be using. It will not enclude the enhanced features of TV guide, PPV, DVR that higher end models will it simply un-encodes it and rebroadcast in analog.
Cable cards will be able to un-encode the signal comcast puts out. If you are using one in a Tivo, DVR, TV, or Computer then COMCAST has to be told so that the cable card can be verified by comcast on their end and added to the network.
So you still have to call them with the info if you are supplying your own equipment.
These cards can be used to simply get all your basic cable digital channels or high end models are even able to give you the entire Comcast digital network including PPV, TV guide ext… and then display much in the same way a comcast motorola digital box would.
It all depends what you want and what you tell comcast to setup on it.
Comcast has said they will support cable cards. QAM tuners will only be good until comcast encodes the system, which is when they do the actual switch. After that the QAM tuner is useless because it can not handle the encoding.
On July 1, 2007, a new FCC mandate kicked in which requires all newly manufactured digital cable boxes to be compatible with CableCARD. This could benefit consumers by allowing them to purchase their own cable boxes and DVRs. You’d be free to buy whatever box had the features you’re looking for, and you wouldn’t have to return that DVR with hours of recorded programs if you move and change providers. After buying a box, you would contact your cable company for the CableCARD, and the card would give you access to your provider’s cable system.
While cable boxes are not currently available for sale at retail outlets, the ones provided by cable companies will also include a CableCARD. However, the new law does not require cable companies to replace their existing inventories with CableCARD-compatible boxes, so it may be some time before cable companies deliver these boxes to consumers. But don’t be surprised if your next cable box includes a CableCARD slot.
Oh ok, thanks for the informative response!
Sounds much more convenient then it is here.