Comcast is taking away my ClearQAM--what to do?

You may still be able to record some clear QAM even after "going all digital," so wait until next month to be sure. I have Limited Basic with Comcast and am supposed to use a DTA wherever I want to watch anything, but I still get all the major networks and PBS in HD in the clear just like I always did with coax hooked up to the TVs and EyeTV tuners.

Other options for you besides OTA remain what they've been for a while now: record over component out with a USB tuner like the Hauppauge HD PVR or EyeTV HD, or record with a CableCARD tuner like the HD HomeRun Prime in Windows.

Pretty sure the "all digital" means just that, they are doing away with their analog offerings, not clearquam which is already digital.

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I got that mailer too. It didn't say one thing about about QAM. It just said they want everyone to have a box. Technically speaking, we don't know what will come out the pipe.

The one thing, I haven't heard or read anything about the FCC granting permission for cable companies not giving clearQAM channels on the local broadcast, the stuff you can get OTA. So, I wasn't worrying about it. If they did, it just means I really need to get off my butt and hook up the antenna for who house distribution, and probably needing to get a antenna amp. Plus, it's kind of getting pricey for limited basic.

In otherwords, don't worry about it if you get limited basic.

And it never will, even mentioning "clear QAM" is a nightmare for the Comcast support folks so they just ignore it. There's no upside: their only goal is to help you rent more of their equipment, use their video on demand services and bundle phone with video and hi-speed internet.

It's what comes after that really matters, hence the hint of fear in FredT's post...what Comcast (and every other cableco) really wants is all of those digital clearQAM limited basic channels to be encrypted, to be locked down requiring additional equipment. That would mean a current HDTV with a built-in QAM tuner or an EyeTV clear QAM tuner like the HD Homerun FredT mentioned, would no longer be able to record the "must carry" locals in HD just by plugging the bare coax in. Most of us view that depressing development as an eventuality. (See FCC filing 11-169 if you're interested in this...)

I'm not so confidence the cable cos will win the encrypting local channel battle. I know for some, if they did, it would really be aweful because they don't get a strong enough signal OTA. Others, not quite the issue other than the inconvineince of setting up the antenna for the whole house.

I have a coworker who worked at Comcast around eight years ago or so. And back then, and probably still, they wanted every house to have a box. So, i'm not surprise they want it.

I had Comcast call me last month wanting me to upgrade and this that. I just told the guy, I don't want it, don't need it and I was more than aware of what they offer since I've been a customer for over ten years.

My father-in-law just got an Xfinity notice that he'd be required to use boxes on all TVs. They shipped him the boxes. I had just read FredT's note about the fine print, looked at the notice, and confirmed my f-i-l won't require the boxes. Just another two to store...