I just spoke with comcast as i need to upgrade my current box to and HD box. I just picked up the Sony HT-7000DH surround sound system and a Samsung S4253 plasma tv.

I want a box that has an HDMI output so i can seemlessly connect the box/audio receiver/up-converting DVD/TV using 3 HDMI cables. I requested HDMI in the upgrade and the woman put the order thru to the local comcast distribution center, but she wasn't sure if they supported HDMI anymore. As i understand it I thought the DVR comcast HD boxes came with the HDMI port. Is this correct?

Does anyone know the box manufacturer and model numbers of the Cmoocast HD boxes that have HDMI? Would i need to buy one or do you think comcast will provide the appropriate box seeing i requested DVR with HDMI?

Per what I've read on the HT-7000DH, the HDMI ports are passthrough only, that means they can't read the audio stream so you'd still need an optical/coax cable from the STB and DVD player to the AV receiver for sound.

As for the cable box, you didn't mention your location but Comcast uses both the SA 8300 and Motorola 6412 depending on the local syste,. You'll get whatever they have in stock so there is no guarantee you'll get an HDMI output on the box. Of course with the receiver you have you still need to run a separate audio cable so it's a moot point which digital output the box has, it will just impact what type of cable you need to hook it to the AV receiver.

Craig,
I just picked up a Comcast Motorola DCT3416/2305 box which has a recorder and an HDMI port. I asked for a box with a larger hard drive. The Comcast rep said this Motorola box had a slightly larger hard drive (I think he said 160 GB or about 20 hours of HD recording instead of a 120 GB drive). I have not yet hooked up an HDMI cable, but will do so when I figure out my order to monoprice.com.
-Don in Sacramento

Thanks for the info guys.
Mjones I think you are right about the Sony receiver. THey are just passthroughs. I won't need a coax from the tv to the receiver though, right?? Sorry i'm somewhat new to this..
Is optical much better for sound compared to Coax?

No sound difference between optical audio and coaxial audio (not RF coax like you use to hook the STB to the cable in your house), it just depends on what options you have available between the devices.

I just purchased a Pioneer PDP5070HD Tv. Be here tomorrow or Friday. Is says in the Pioneer forum to hook up the STB so it passes thru the native signal from the stations. They say the Pioneer does a very good job of upconverting the signals. I have a Comcast 6412 III HD box with HDMI output. Do you know if you need to program the 6412 in any special way to get the signal to just pass thru and not upconvert. TIA

I just signed up for the HD DVR thru Comcast last week and received the Motorola DCT 6416 III receiver which has HDMI out.

The HDMI port on my 6412 III doesn't seem to work. Is it enabled?

I live in Huntsville, AL

OG

Might want to check the Local Reception forum for a thread for your area to put yourself in touch with other local Comcast users to answer that one.