Hi-
I've got Comcast's basic cable for $10.95 a month and wanted to get their HD-DVR. Well, they tell me before they'll rent me a DVR, I need to first get their digital package for an additional $54.95 a month and then I can get the HD DVR for $10 more a month. So the total yearly cost for the DVR is actually $780 a year???

My next thought was get a Tivo and a cablecard. The first cable card is free, the second is $6 a month. Long story short, I also need to get the digital package if I want a cable card.

Has anyone been able to get the HD DVR Comcast without buying all the other 'packages'? Honestly, this packaging of options makes D* look like a deal, and TivoHD looks like a steal.

Comcast's CSRs are trained to quote packages that maximize your monthly fee. Comcast's service options look something like this:

Basic cable (locals including HD + gov't channels) - $10-$15/mo


Extended basic (most common nat'l channels) - Extra $35/mo


Comcast Digital (numerous digital filler channels + 5-10 HD channels; also includes one non-HD STB or CableCard ) - Extra $10-$16/mo.

Comcast CSRs are trained to quote all three packages together when you ask about digital service. The first item is required for TV service. However, in many service areas, you can ask for just (1) and (3).

Great news. I'll go back to the store and try again. They tried actually tried to sell me just the HD DVR + Basic cable, but their computer would not let them do it.

Long story short, I also need to get the digital package if I want a cable card.
I believe that cable companies are legally required to provide a CableCARD to you, as long as you have a device that supports CableCARD. You should not need to subscribe to any digital package.

Please let us know how things work out for you.

Please let us know how things work out for you.
Naturally!

All I want in HD are the 6 clear QAM stations that I get on my computer's HD tuner. I want the HD DVR because it should make it easier to record two shoes at once. I am now armed and dangerous (or put another way, a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing) - so I should have better luck the next time I go into Comcast.

One more question, though ...
If I buy a TivoHD instead of renting from Comcast, should I be able to have a Cablecard added to it in their office, or do they need to come to my home and install it?

If I buy a TivoHD instead of renting from Comcast, should I be able to have a Cablecard added to it in their office, or do they need to come to my home and install it?That depends on the local office and the rep you get. Some will give you CableCards at the office, others require an install.

If they agree to give you CableCards, be sure to get the phone # to call to activate.

When I signed up with Comcast, the rep said that there is no charge for the 1st CableCard rental, but there is an additional fee for more.

As far as the HD-DVR, if they won't let you rent the dvr w/o a digital package, you can first sign up with a promo digital package that allows for the dvr rental, then call them up and downgrade your package to something more basic.

To get local HD channels you do not need a cable card. You only need a QAM tuner. The cable card is only needed for scrambled channels, but your local HD channels should not be scrambled. So the Tivo box without the cable cards should work,.

Naturally!

All I want in HD are the 6 clear QAM stations that I get on my computer's HD tuner. I want the HD DVR because it should make it easier to record two shoes at once. I am now armed and dangerous (or put another way, a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing) - so I should have better luck the next time I go into Comcast.Sigh, another candidate for Vista Media Center (or XP MCE, for that matter) with a couple of cards that can tune clear QAM. Cheaper and way more functional than the POS cableCo DVR over the long run.

Oh yeah I forgot, XP and Vista MCE won't let you record clear QAM with cheap HD tuner cards. Build a Myth box.

Naturally!

All I want in HD are the 6 clear QAM stations that I get on my computer's HD tuner. I want the HD DVR because it should make it easier to record two shoes at once. I am now armed and dangerous (or put another way, a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing) - so I should have better luck the next time I go into Comcast.
If all you want is the 6 local HD stations, then you shouldn't need cable cards at all.

I don't know how the Tivos work, but you should have full functionality, even without CCs. The channel mapping might be screwy, but I'm guessing the Tivo will allow you to map the channels yourself (my Sony HD-DVR allows me to do that).

Heck, you shouldn't even need to get Comcast involved in this. Just buy the Tivo and plug it in. You already know where the QAM channels are located ...

ft

I don't know how the Tivos work, but you should have full functionality, even without CCs. The channel mapping might be screwy, but I'm guessing the Tivo will allow you to map the channels yourself (my Sony HD-DVR allows me to do that).Without a CableCard, TivoHD doesn't know what QAM channel corresponds to what guide channel, and the current Tivo software doesn't provide the option to manually assign network affiliation to specific QAM channel numbers.

Some Time Warner systems use PSIP data to remap QAM channel numbers to the appropriate digital cable channel numbers, and you get guide data on those without a CableCard. However, very few cable systems do that.

The TivoHD will display program information for analog channels without a CableCard. It will also integrate OTA HD channels into the guide with the cable channels and display guide information for those. However, with the overwhelming majority of cable systems, you'll need a CableCard to receive guide data on your digital cable channels with the TivoHD.

Sicne there is a seperate charge for DVR it is considered an a la carte service,and ONLY LIMITED basic is sufficient to get the DVR.

A cable card will map channels to the same designations as a cable box. For example WMUR-DT is on Ch 75-87 on my QAM tuner but on channel 809 on the box.

Is an antenna for Digital/HD OTA an option for you? With an HD-Tivo you wouldn't need cable at all.

Sigh, another candidate for Vista Media Center (or XP MCE, for that matter) with a couple of cards that can tune clear QAM....
I'm already doing that with a HDHR, a Fusion5 card, and BeyondTV. With my setup I can record two shows and watch another at the same time. My wife and parents find it too much trouble, so I'm looking for a more consumer friendly solution before the new season starts.

Is an antenna for Digital/HD OTA an option for you? With an HD-Tivo you wouldn't need cable at all.
That's plan B. There is a tree between me and Fox, however.

Since there is a separate charge for DVR it is considered an a la carte service,and ONLY LIMITED basic is sufficient to get the DVR.
Yeah, that was the way it used to be when Adelphia ran the show. Comcast seems to have changed things. The sales guy at the Comcast office was willing to just give me a DVR, I actually had it in my hand, but their computer system would not let him add the DVR to my service unless I had the Digital package.

No matter how I slice it, TivoHD looks like it will be cheaper if I sign up for 3 years. Crazy.

No matter how I slice it, TivoHD looks like it will be cheaper if I sign up for 3 years. Crazy.

I agree. If more people knew you could get HD in the clear with basic cable, Comcast would be shooting themselves in the foot with these restrictions. Lucky for them, the public is ignorant.

That's plan B. There is a tree between me and Fox, however.
Chainsaw?

Lol, unfortunately it is a 35' tall (with foliage about that diameter) sugar maple that my wife planted years ago and is one of her favorites.

Sicne there is a seperate charge for DVR it is considered an a la carte service,and ONLY LIMITED basic is sufficient to get the DVR.
Actually your Comcast area has decided to allow this, and it seems to be a rare exception, from what I have read. Being priced a la carte doesn't mean it can't have pre-requisites.

Remember the FCC only guarantees that one can get a 'multi-plexed or single channel service' with Basic service. Also, one is always entitled to a CableCard (or minimal box, if needed for service).

With all other Services and STBs/DVRs, the cableco. can set any pre-requisites they choose.

Some examples:

Some areas allow Digital Basic/Classic w/o Expd. service, other don't. (Some nearby systems are about to change this).

Many areas require Digital Basic/Classic for a DVR, (but not necessarily Expd.). I don't know if any areas are left that require just Standard.

One shouldn't rely on the Comcast site or CSRs for answers on pre-requistes. The site sells service in a tiered manner, and the CSRs vary, but usually try to similarly upsell. The key is to read one's local Prices/Services List; the FCC mandates this to be what is effective for a cableco.

The key is to read one's local Prices/Services List; the FCC mandates this to be what is effective for a cableco.

Where can I get the local price list for my area (Delaware County PA - Media, PA)? I had one in a previous bill, but it's been recycled long ago. The website is a complete mess.

Where can I get the local price list for my area (Delaware County PA - Media, PA)? I had one in a previous bill, but it's been recycled long ago. The website is a complete mess.

Go into your local Comcast office and request one. They are usually sitting on the counter.

Well, I went back to the local office and tried to see if there was anyway to get without any of the extras. I was hoping I could just get Basic + Comcast Digital, but I also had to get their extended basic as well. That would have added $55 to my monthly Comcast bill.

I bought a Tivo HD and am setting it up now. The Tivo box plus 3 years of their service will cost me $563 (or an extra $15.66 a month). The equivalent Comcast HD would be about $2000. To be slightly fair, I should mention that Comcast would also provide a number of HD stations that I cannot get OTA - but then again I do not want any of those stations.

I resisted Tivo for a very long time, but have been pushed into their camp by some pretty stupid people at Comcast. They actually said if they did it for me, they'd have to do it for everyone. Well, Duh!

Lol, unfortunately it is a 35' tall (with foliage about that diameter) sugar maple that my wife planted years ago and is one of her favorites.
Maybe he meant, "chainsaw wife"?;):eek::D