I currently have a Comcast SA 3250HD set-top box outputing component HD to my 50inch 720p plasma. I'd like to put an HD projector (maybe the z5?) in a theater I'm building in my basement. Can I purchase a set top box like the 8300HD or 3250HD, or similar to use in my basement theater instead of having to rent another stb from Comcast? They want $15 or so per month for the second stb. What a ripoff, as I'm already paying $74 per month for cable (no internet, no HBO or premium, etc, just "regular" digital service) and the one SA3250HD stb.

I called Comcast and they said it was OK and legal to use my own box, but they were not very helpful beyond that. I see some listed on ebay and they all have disclaimers and such stating that you may need to have the cable company "activate" the box, etc. What is involved with Comcast "activating" a personally owned box?

I'd apreciate any help or insight that anyone might have regarding this. Or if anyone has any experience with similar situation.

I'm located in PA.

Thanks in advance.

No, they will not activate a STB (set-top-box) unless they provide it or it has CableCARD.

Thanks, KenH.

Might the STB work if Comcast doesn't activate it?

Is there any way at all to use a personally owned STB with Comcast cable?

About the only thing you can do is use a QAM tuner but that will only get you local HD channels in most cases, if you want any premium channels such as ESPN, Discovery, etc, you'll need to rent their box or get a cable card STB and rent a cable card as Ken pointed out.

I was one of the victims of Comcast's *ahem* "upgrade" to SARA from Passport on the SA8300 DVR I was renting from them. As far as I'm concerned, the changeover turned the DVR into a doorstop . . . gawd does SARA suck. I was so pissed that I grabbed both the DVR and the regular HD tuner box they provided and hauled 'em over to the local Comcast office and told them to take 'em back. HD was nice to have, but I don't watch enough TV to warrant keeping it unless it's convenient to use.

So now I'm effectively back to analog-only channels. There are a few channels available in the digitial-only lineup that I'd still like to receive, and I'd also like to receive the local HD that's available via Comcast. The digital-only channels were part of the regular digital lineup, I had no HBO/Showtime/etc. premium channels (National Geographic Explorer and BBC America are the only two I really care about).

Is there a summary somewhere that will provide me with specific models of STBs available for consumer purchase that can do the above, and work with Comcast? Is CableCard capability required?

I've done a number of searches, but this digital TV stuff (especially the HD bit) still seems to be a bit of a crapshoot unless you go with your cable provider's own for-fee solutions.

Pointers to threads, FAQs, tutorials, hardware, etc. all appreciated.

To receive the digital SD tier, you will need to rent a box or purchase a box like a Series 3 Tivo that can work with cable card because they are encrypted. The unencrypted QAM channels Comcast sends out are usually only the local HD digital channels though sometimes if they haven't got around to it yet, you may find some premium HD channels also.

Is there any way at all to use a personally owned STB with Comcast cable?

I think they have to authorize it on their end, and they'll authorize whatever box THEY want, not whatever box you want.

I currently have a Comcast SA 3250HD set-top box outputing component HD to my 50inch 720p plasma. I'd like to put an HD projector (maybe the z5?) in a theater I'm building in my basement. Can I purchase a set top box like the 8300HD or 3250HD, or similar to use in my basement theater instead of having to rent another stb from Comcast? They want $15 or so per month for the second stb. What a ripoff, as I'm already paying $74 per month for cable (no internet, no HBO or premium, etc, just "regular" digital service) and the one SA3250HD stb.

I called Comcast and they said it was OK and legal to use my own box, but they were not very helpful beyond that. I see some listed on ebay and they all have disclaimers and such stating that you may need to have the cable company "activate" the box, etc. What is involved with Comcast "activating" a personally owned box?

I'd apreciate any help or insight that anyone might have regarding this. Or if anyone has any experience with similar situation.

I'm located in PA.

Thanks in advance.
If you go to Boston-Comcast's ( Local HDTV info and reception) site, there is a Comcast employee who says they will authorize your private STB but it will take time. He has been very helpful on many subjects and this one just came up. He goes by L Supreme

They have to let you use your own STB, problem is, you have to be able to show proof of legal purchase from an authorized seller to be able to force them to activate it. Let me know if you find a great place to buy a motorola cable box.

Most any box you can purchase on e-bay will not be activated by a US cable company. They are probably stolen or boxes that were not returned to the cable company. The FCC has ordered Comcast to switch to boxes that uses cable cards by this summer. If that happens you may be able to purchase a box that Comcast will authorize. Check with Comcast about the make and model number of the box before you purchase it and get it in writing that they will activate it.

I've read that the only box that would be considered is the DCP-501 as it is the only one that can be legally bought. All other boxes would be HOT. This came from a usually reliable member.

All other boxes would be HOT.
Or legally from Canada.