HDHomerun Prime Owners Thread - Page 30

I assume you're not ditching Comcast for high speed internet? After you cancel your TV subscription with them, you'll likely still have local channels

I pay $62 plus tax for my basic Cable with CableCARD. It is another $20 for sports and things like Palladia and Smithsonian which do get watched oftne. I'd rather get more content than pay to rent a DVR.. And I do watch it.

The FCC has given the permission to start encrypting all clear QAM in the near future so a CableCARD or CableCo STB will be required soon.

Until clear QAM goes away.
Edited by Sammy2 - 1/23/13 at 12:37pm

Given permission to doesn't mean everyone will be doing that. It sounds like more of a Time Warner move than Comcast

Probably so. A CableCARD tuner can tune Clear QAM without a CableCARD but will be able to tune with a CableCARD if need be in the future.

yes.

Just downgrade my package to cheaper... more basic and get rid of the $15 month DVR rental.

Saving cash.

We don't use it enough to justify.

How to I upgrade firmware? I saw links for exe files there are no links for firmware?

The exe updates both the HDHR App on your PC's and the f/w on your Prime.

In fact you can set any of the tuners in a Prime to Clear QAM and the others to Cable Card. When I did that here in Olympia I gained a couple of Portland OR (in SD) stations and a couple of other SD Public Access channels. In the end I opted for 3 CC tuners.

I just got this unit yesterday. The setup was smooth with 1st CC and one phone call to activate (guess I was lucky this time with CC and Comcast). I did not know about the f/w. I download the sw from the website and it updated the f/w after install the sw.
I then got Tuner Not Found..after alot seaching then went to SC website and followed their instructions and worked now...whewwwwwwww.

Do I still need Tuning Adapter for Houston Comcast? The 1st CC is free and I have to pay 1.99 for Tuning Adapter if I pick up one.

Comcast does not use TAs.

Hummmm Prime and no CableCard.
Interesting.
Deleting the Comcast box only reduces my bill by $1.50.

My HTPC is still on the workbench which = procrastination.

My original intent for the HTPC was to cut/reduce my Comcast TV bill. Last bill was $163.00 for TV and Internet.
Bought an HR-Prime.
Bought an HR-Dual.
Bought another HR-Prime.
What was I thinking???

Anyway, just got some kind of new channel/package listing options from ATL Comcast. Was gonna visit the local store to discuss my options. Line was out the door. Kept on driving.

Anyway anyway, my Supervisor watches 1 channel and records 2 and flips between all 3 (Comcast DVR box) while she is on her laptop Facebooking and/or shopping and/or emailing.

Where am I goin' you ask?

Has anyone had signal level issues when splitting the cable multiple times?
Since I haven't actually plugged anything in yet, what would your recommendations be for me?
I want to get her to get accustomed to time-shift viewing. She could record more shows if I had more tuners. Yes, TV is her "hobby".
I also want to start integrating Internet content to whittle down the Comcast bill.
We rarely watch On-Demand movies.
I watch, on purpose, maybe 3 hours of TV a week.
My old eyes can't really tell the difference between HD and SD plus using the TV speakers well.....
I have been kicking around the idea of a chimney mounted antenna. I guess for the HR-Dual.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
I've been on AVS for some time but have been slow to implement due to "too-much-info" causing head-spinning. The $163.00 bill has got me motivated.
I'm almost like a teenager ... knows everything but really knows nothing.

So the question is???

The least amount of splitters the better I think is what you are looking for.

BTW, it is my understanding that there is a rate for STB's and DVR's with Comcast. You should not have to pay that once you return that equipment. For Charter it is $5/mo/STB and $20/mo for DVR service up to 4 DVR's. I am not sure what this is other than a charge to make the DVR's inside the STB's functional which is basically a DVR tax levied by Charter. It is a pure profit center for them. For me it would be $30/month for two STB's and DVR tax. I pay $2/mo for the CableCARD for a savings of $28/mo. That is not small change.

Yes, I'm thinking out loud and still drinking coffee.

I'm looking for combinations that helps to reduce my bill.

Installing 1 HD-Prime gives me 1 watch and 2 record.
Installing 2 HD-Primes gives me 1 watch and 5 record.
If I use 1 of the 2 HD-Prime without the ComcastCard that gives me 3 tuners with only non-encrypted channels.
I still have the HD-Dual somewhere.
Nothing reduces my bill yet.

But then again, I do need to ween her from the higher fee paid Comcast content.

I guess what I'm asking for is some user experience with combinations of HD's and OTA and web-based content.
Or a good shaking to my senses back to reality.
It is probably on here somewhere but I start to get confused after awhile. Old-geezer syndrome.

================
As related to splitters...
Right now I have 1 line that is split into 2. 1 to Internet modem. 1 to another splitter which is 1 in 3 out. That feeds bedroom and bedroom and living room.

If I rewire I would then...
Main line into 2 = Modem and TV line.
TV line splits into 4 = HD-Prime (A) x HD-Prime (B) x HD-Dual x bedroom.

If I have no antenna yet, will the HD-Dual function the same as an HD-Prime without a ComcastCard?

The splitter concept looks about right. Make your runs to the HDHR devices as short as possible and use high quality shielded splitters, not the $0.50 ones.

On my last bill:
Digital service second outlet $9.95 (bedroom)
HD DVR service first outlet $8.00 (living room)
HD Technology Fee $4.99

09/2012 price sheet.
Customer owned equipment credit $2.50.
CableCard first card in device $0.00
CableCard second card in same device $1.50.

Hummmm
If I used both HD-Primes that would be what since it is not the SAME device?

Looks like the only way to really reduce my bill is to go to the bottom or near bottom digital service because it sure isn't going to happen with equipment reduction.

My longest run from the junction outside box to the central equipment location is about 65 feet using RG6.

Note that you can watch the channel that is being recorded. The 2 x HDHR Primes in your example would provide "1 watch and 6 record".

I'm not too familiar with Comcast's pricing scam, err, scheme but I think you will save the per outlet device fee except for one outlet where the Prime is connected and the DVR service fee as well. If you have two CableCARDs they may consider that two outlets. I don't really know but there's others with Comcast that should know this.

I have a CableCard with Comcast and I get a $2.00/mo refund for using my own equipment. I have one of the Double Play packages. It may depend on the package what's included.

What about the "per outlet" and "DVR" charges? You should not have to pay those per the FCC Rules it would seem.

OK..just check my statement online and see that Comcast charge me $9.25/mon for Cablecard.....Is this right? Is it too much for one Cablecard? or b/c I currently still have their DVR and they treat the Cablecard as a second card?

Just want to confirm from post #881 that I dont need Tuning Adapter?

Your previous bill indicates you had one HDDVR and one HD set top box. Now you'll have HD DVR in both locations. That would have been 18 instead of 10 in the second room. Also, I thought the HD tech fee was 10, but it looks like yours was discounted

Now you'll only have to pay $1.50 for extra cards. Your best bet on saving some money is to go to one of the Comcast brick & mortar places to return your equipment and pick up extra cable cards. It's sooo much easier just to explain your plans to them in person, and they don't give you any run around about "having to use a STB" or the HD technology fee

I only use 1 HDHR prime with 1 cablecard, and I only pay the subscription cost for digital cable minus 1.50 each month. No tech fee, and we have dvr/live tv options at both htpcs plus the wife's w7 laptop.

With comcast, we are fortunate to receive every channel in the starter package as copy-free, so I just share all the recorded directories as "Unsorted TV" and all recordings can be played back on all htpcs

This isn't even possible with Comcast DVRs, and if it were you'd still lose everything you record once you return them. I guess you could go the tivo route, but the subscription costs there are pretty high as well

If I were to have 2 HDDVRs, I'd pay an extra $36 (18 for second, 8 for first, 10 for hd tech fee) and still not be able to move them around as easily or watch on a laptop

THIS is Comcast's policy on cable card fees. If you get every channel you subscribe to on your Homerun, you don't need a TA. The drivers are loaded just in case. If you want to save money, you need to return that DVR.

I think the only region that Comcast implemented SDV (switched digital video) in was Atlanta

Unless they are using SDV in your market you do not need a tuning adapter (I've never needed one for Comcast)

Also, SD makes a 6 tuner model that requires 2 CC. It would be charged the same as the TiVO models that require 2 CC

http://www.silicondust.com/products/models/hdhr3-6cc-3x2/

Does Comcast roll the cost of STB's and DVR's into the monthly programming cost? If so they are supposed to credit a reasonable amount back. $2.50 for the local ZIP I checked hardly seems reasonable. If they charge for the equipment then they have to not charge for it as well, correct? And they cannot charge for more than one outlet charge per CableCARD, right? There should be no "DVR" fees either, I think.

Talked to Comcast via phone. Only a 1 minute wait. WOW.
Had to change CRSs twice for language issues.

Anyway, everything is so dam complicated.

This statement from Comcast web site:
How much will I be charged to use a CableCARD?
The first CableCARD in a retail device (e.g., TiVo devices or CableCARD equipped televisions) is free to Comcast customers. If a second CableCARD is needed for the same device (i.e., TiVo Series 3 boxes), the cost is $1.50 per month for the additional card. Again, this ONLY applies to a second CableCARD in the same device.

I asked twice and the CSR said if I had 2 devices and each had a CableCard the first was $0.00 and the second was $1.50.

And yes, my HD Technology fee is supposed to be $9.95 but I got a temporary reduction.

I am paying for Digital Preferred at $83.90.
Since I have their DVR I have to pay for the HD Technology fee. There is no SD DVR.

As to my equipment I was not able to get an exact answer to getting my $2.50 credit. If I give back both Comcast boxes will I get $5.00 credit? Didn't get an answer either way.

Since I really don't care about HD service:
I could return the Comcast HD DVR box. -$8.00
Make the bedroom's Comcast SD the primary outlet. -$9.95
Drop the HD Technology fee. -$4.99/9.95
Add the HD-Prime with CableCard. $0.00
That's $22.94/27.94 less plus the $2.50 credit = roughly $30.44 a month not spending.

Now I have to analyze the channel lineup for Digital Starter and Digital Economy and Limited Basic.

At the end of the call the CSR said why not get the Triple Play package for $109.00 a month? (Internet/TV/Voice)

My current Internet package is Performance at $51.95.

Thanks for everybody's input so far.

I get internet from Charter for $25/month on a Legacy plan. I have basic Charter TV with their "DigiTiers" Sports, Palladia, HDnet, Universal, etc. $82 with the Cable Card. With tax these are $118. I have Voipo for phone. $149 for 24 months prepaid unlimitted US, Canada, Puerto Rico. This comes to $185 with tax for 24 months so that is less than $8/month.

Total of all this is $126/month. I don't think you can get an off-promo package with their equipment for anything close to this. I'd be at $120/month just for CableTV with taxes and two DVR's.