Just subscribed to Comcast expanded cable & regular internet in my new house.

I remember some1 was telling me that I could save a few bucks by downgrading to the basic analog & still getting the internet because they can't really filter out the expanded channels if you are getting the internet signal also. Something about the signal coming through the same pipe.

Can any1 confirm this?

TIA

I don't believe that's a fact. Although, depending on the diligence of the local cable provider, they may not bother to come out to install a trap/filter. You have to take your chances and find out.

I don't believe that's a fact. Although, depending on the diligence of the local cable provider, they may not bother to come out to install a trap/filter. You have to take your chances and find out.

You mean just bite the bullet & down grade to see?

There's no "penalty", so give it try. Just don't be surprised either the next day... next week, month or year it goes away. If not... keep it to yourself. If it does happen, you'll have to resubscribe if you really want to do the right thing and pay for the "subscription" channels you receive.

No guts, no glory! :D

If you are talking about droping the analog basic to a lower package and keeping the cable modem, yes you should be able to do this I have the $15 basic package along with cable modem service.
Every system is different but I would call and try it!!

You will lose the "expanded basic" channels unless they never come around and put in the trap.

On my Modem the downstream is in the 700Mhz range and the upstream is in the 20Mhz range.

Both are well outside standard television channel frequencies.

EDIT: Downstream is 700Mhz range not 800Mhz

You will lose the "expanded basic" channels unless they never come around and put in the trap.

On my Modem the downstream is in the 800Mhz range and the upstream is in the 20Mhz range.

Both are well outside standard television channel frequencies.


That's what I was wondering: if the signals are coming @ 2 diff Mhz?

Not knowing much about the filter/trap engineering, I was thinking they couldn't filter out the same signal because of the internet feed.

I might still go ahead & take a chance. 2 out of 3 things could happen :D

Most areas stop analog service around 499-550MHz. The Expanded trap usually traps channels 20 something to 72 ish. Well after and before the HSI carriers.

You will have a date scheduled for a tech to come out and install the trap on your line. And if the tech is worth his salt he will install the trap as the order states.

If your lucky the tech will be as big a degenerate as you and you will be able to receive something you are not paying for.
Win/Win right?

This is a good lesson to teach my son! I should print this thread out for him.

If you are talking about simply not paying for internet service, if you drop service the modem will not work for long it is given a lease for a short period of time and that lease must be renewed if it is no longer in the system it won't be renewed!!

I think the OP is looking to retain "limited basic' and internet for ~$55 per month with the "hope" that once he cancels "expanded basic", they won't come out and intstall a filter to block the expanded basic channels. Essentially, trying to get something for "free".

But you are correct. If he cancels HSI service, once the DHCP lease expires, he will no longer have access to internet, since they use DHCP reservation which "marries" the MAC address of the modem to a DHCP/IP address.

I think the OP is looking to retain "limited basic' and internet for ~$55 per month with the "hope" that once he cancels "expanded basic", they won't come out and intstall a filter to block the expanded basic channels. Essentially, trying to get something for "free".

That was my initial response but this thread began to take a different twist, now I wonder which answer the original asker is really looking for!!

I think my original query was: is the same signal being used for internet & analog cable?
If yes, can a filter to limit my channels >20, affect my internet also?

I think the answer is that the data comes on a different frequency than the video thus any filter to limit analog video will not affect the internet speed.

Of course, the perceived cable theft was unintentional.

The answer is:
You can have limited basic and internet only. That's why they offer that subscription package. They normally install a filter to block channels ~20 - 70 if that's all you pay to receive. I thought that was pretty much addresses in the previous posts.

As indicated, there are execeptions when the cable provider may not install the filter. Take your chances.

BTW... if theft of service was not intended, then why ask? ;)

To wrap this up, this can represent a typical cable system.
Analog channels 50-550mhz.
Digital channels 550-highest frequency of the plant.
Cable internet downstream somewhere in the digital band. (QAM modulation)
Cable internet upstream somwhere from 10-42mhz (this can vary).

Within my system the channels in the full analog package are filtered out in the middle of the analog band.
The channels starting at 550mhz (digital band) are not filtered.

To answer your original question if your cable system is configured like the one described above the answer is no!!

The answer is:
You can have limited basic and internet only. That's why they offer that subscription package. They normally install a filter to block channels ~20 - 70 if that's all you pay to receive. I thought that was pretty much addresses in the previous posts.

As indicated, there are execeptions when the cable provider may not install the filter. Take your chances.

BTW... if theft of service was not intended, then why ask? ;)

I believe you introduced the concept with second post.
My original thesis was to save money not steal. :)

Yes... I did.
I know that you want to save money. But personally, I think that you're ulterior motive is hoping to get something for nothing.

Just subscribed to Comcast expanded cable & regular internet in my new house.

I remember some1 was telling me that I could save a few bucks by downgrading to the basic analog & still getting the internet because they can't really filter out the expanded channels if you are getting the internet signal also. Something about the signal coming through the same pipe.

Can any1 confirm this?

TIA

There are filters available to only let the signals though to your modem. Whether or not your area uses them is a whole different kettle of fish.

Yes... I did.
I know that you want to save money. But personally, I think that you're ulterior motive is hoping to get something for nothing.


You know what they say about assuming.

I didn't say I was "assuming". But your intentions are quite obvious based on your opening post and responses.

BTW.... post #14 states the facts. So you can cease trying to cover your guilt. ;)