Denver, CO - Comcast - Page 126

If the Comcast boxes don't have the new channels, then what the rep told me doesn't make any sense. It would appear that Comcast isn't ready and the Tribune change was early.

Looks like the changes came pretty early. If @ColoThistle is correct for Boulder, there probably is a similar date for Denver (where I am).

Hopefully Tribune fixes it, as 6 weeks of mismapped channels won't work. Or Denver Comcast will push the updated lineup in the next day or so.

I may try to call them tomorrow if the issue isn't resolved...

Comcast wants you to pay a monthly rental for an HD receiver box to view anything they transmit in HD. It bugs the heck out of them that you can use the Clear QAM tuner available in many late model HDTVs to view all of your local HD broadcasts in HD. Since for many TV viewers, locals, including network broadcasts through local affiliates, comprise the majority of their prime time viewing, using Clear QAM shows the subscriber the limited "value added" by having Comcast. If you have an HDTV, you want to watch HD programming, not SD programming, be it analog or digital. If you are on a tight budget, Clear QAM, or better yet, OTA antenna HDTV are an economical alternative to paying for expensive cable or satellite HD programming.

Very well said!

I currently get 8 channels in HD, a new one just cropped up for me 59.1, so there is no reason for me to hook up to a comcast box and get none at all. who knows how many HD channels will pop up free? I'v gotten calls on my answering system by comcast, informing me that they can't get to my box, and that i am missing all there goodies, if i don't have it connected. yeah all sd stuff

If you aren't going to use the cable box at all, you will probably want to call Comcast and change your package to Limited Basic, saving money without really losing anything (once the transition happens, everything your TV can tune will be included in Limited Basic, even if the Comcast rep claims you'll only get a few analogs and nothing else). However, if you don't want to lose the Expanded Basic channels (23-48, 64-78, and 95), you may want to get yourself a cable splitter, feeding one output to the cable box and the other to the RV. This will let you use the TV's tuner for HD and, at the same time, use the cable box to access the full SD lineup you subscribe to. Do NOT use the cable box on a part-time basis (that is, do NOT connect the cable box only when using it, then disconnect the box when you want to watch something in HD). The boxes issued by Comcast will not function properly if they aren't connected continuously.

Channel 59.1 is not new - it's been there for several months now. You will probably not get any new HD channels from Comcast without an HD cable box, since all the new channels coming will likely be encrypted. If you want more than the 8 HD channels you're getting now, you must get an HD box (or CableCARD, if your TV supports it).

So use of a coax cable A/B switch would mess with the Comcast box, correct? Maybe conversion of the RF output of the Comcast box to composite or S-video to feed the TV would eliminate the need for a coax A/B switch, keep Comcast Control happy, and allow one to watch Clear QAM programming on the channels other than 3 (just speculating here).

The Comcast DAT box requires a continuous cable feed to work properly. You need to use a splitter before the coax switch. One side feeds the switch directly and the other side feeds the Comcast DAT box which then feeds the other side of the switch. The output of the switch feeds the RF input of the TV.

So Comcast doesn't care if the DAT box output is connected to anything, just that the Comcast raw cable feed reaches the "box" continuously, correct? If so, then the setup you described would work. However, for single RF input HDTVs (pretty common the past couple of years), the single coax input might be a real problem for the HDTV's Clear QAM tuner (i.e., the Clear QAM scan will produce one set of channels, but switching to the DAT box output won't necessarily jive with the Channel 3 of the Clear QAM scam). Flipping the A/B switch is hassle enough, but if the Clear QAM channel scan gets buggie everytime you switch back and forth, then this option may be a non-starter. Has anyone on this thread actually installed this setup and can comment on how effectively it works?

Alternatively, couldn't one take the DAT box output (coax splitter used before the feed to the DAT box, as previously described) and hook it to a VCR's RF input and use the Composite video out of the VCR to feed the Composite video input of the HDTV. Then hook up the other coax off the splitter to the HDTV's RF/Clear QAM tuner input. Then the user would simply access the two video souces by using the HDTV's "input" selector. I know the VCR hookup works in the old analog world, but I'm not sure exactly what the DAT box's output is, so the digital aspect of the DAT box input may nix this idea. Anyone tried this?

Yes, the raw cable feed should reach the DAT box continuously. If it does not, you may be required to call Comcast to reset/reprogram the box before it can be used. The reprograming can take a while. The DAT box does appear to tolerate short outages.

I have my Comcast DAT box connected exactly as described (splitter and switch) and it works just fine. To use clear QAM input, place the coax switch in the direct position, and any available channel may be selected. To use the DAT box input, place the coax switch in that position and select channel 3 on the HDTV. On my set, I can switch to channel 3 at any time in the process without a problem.

THANKS COMCAST!

So I'm pretty ticked off at Comcast for this switch over to digital! Well, not so much the switch to digital as the fact that many of the previous analog channels will no longer be in-the-clear. BOO!!! I may just switch to one of the satellite co's over this!

I can't seem to get ANY straight answers from comcast, so I have a question or two about the new digital converter boxes (and adapters). I am in the same boat as CEBII two posts above in that I cannot figure out how I'm going to get everything into one RF input, especially given how one of my TV's QAM tuner works. I was under the impression these boxes were "dumb" and did not need to see the comcast signal all the time, and were not addressable by comcast either. (Or is that the adapter?) It sounds like this isn't the case. Also, do I need a new or separate remote for the box? (How is the channel changed otherwise?) I get the impression these are not just simple decrytion boxes, but if that is the case, how the heck do the adapters work?

That brings me to the next part. What about the adapters? If I have a separate VCR/DVR not running off of the comcast box is the adapter all I would need? What is the difference between the adapter and the box?

I'm also trying to figure out how I'm going to make this work for my in-laws who have several older TV's and use a separate vcr to record shows (in addition to their newer DTV where their main comcast box lives) without them having to purchase/lease yet more equipment from comcast. I feel like an absolute idot now since I told them last year the digital transition wasn't going to affect them since they had comcast (Gee, thanks for misleading all of us comcast!!!). I can see this is rapidly getting WAY too complex for my aging in-laws to figure out. TV isn't supposed to be this difficult.

Any help and explanations of these new newfangled devices would be greatly appreciated!!! Comcast sure can't seem to explain them to me (or get them to me in any reasonable amount of time for that matter).

TIA!

(It's comcastic! :P)

edit: I think I just found out on comcast's great website (yes, sarcasm) that there is only a box, and not an adapter? Huh???

Or you could just switch and be done with all your negative vibes. Better yet, just go OTA cause that's what all the hip kids do these days.

Seriously just switch to D* or Dish, you obviously have something against Comcast.

Does the term of what the DTA is really matter? You could call it a digital adapter or a dumb box. Yes they come with a remote. You get 2 DTAs for free so it wouldn't be extra to hook one up to a VCR.

And your in-laws weren't affected by the OTA digital transtion that occured last summer. Comcast's digital transition is totally different. It's also welcomed by most (at least most that post here) as it brings more HD and faster internet.

And Comcast got me my DTAs in 4 days....

My DTA lost FitTV (222) the other day (got the "interruption of service" message) and now just skips over that channel. Anyone have a similar issue? Anyone even know that channel was there?

Sending the DTA (and the acronym is DTA, not DAT) through a VCR will work just fine. I've seen this suggested before in cases where someone wants to use a DTA (or older video game console that has only RF out) with a display that lacks an analog tuner but has composite input. Note that this is only an issue for the cheap DTA's Comcast is using to hook up the second and third TV's in the transition. Everyone with at least Expanded Basic is entitled to one "full-service" cable box (such as a Motorola DCT/DCH/DCX) in addition to two digital adapters (DTA's). The full-service cable boxes have multiple output options, not just RF, and can tune the full channel lineup, not just the Basic/Expanded Basic channels.

The reason DTA's need to be connected to the cable input at all times is to remain in contact with the head-end. If there is a software update, a change in the channel mappings, or some other service change, the DTA (and all cable-issued boxes for that matter) must be in contact with the head-end to receive the new software/mappings/etc. and stay in sync with the cable service being offered. If the box does not receive the info, it will not function as expected. I know someone who used to work for Comcast and took more than a few calls from people running into this problem after unplugging boxes to conserve energy (cable boxes are known to use the same amount of power whether they're on or off). Also, I'm pretty sure if a box is disconnected long enough, it loses authorization and therefore needs to be re-activated.

Audixium and cjh404,
First, thanks for all of the help! Yes, I was venting a little bit, but I still asked (seriously) for assistance. I have nothing against comcast per se. I've been fairly happy with their service overall. I'm just really ticked off that instead of just leaving the expanded basic package in the clear (as analog has been for so long), they're requiring these stupid boxes. What the heck is the point of a built-in QAM tuner if they're making the point to render them useless? Also, comast promoted the fact that the dtv transition wouldn't affect their customers, going as far as to say they would stay analog for the "forseeable future", yet beginning to roll out their all-digital system (Project Calvary) in other parts of the country. Double speak, no? It makes it a real pain in the rear for my secondary DTV (and my computer), as I now have to have yet another remote. I knew having only one remote for the bedroom TV was too easy! Note that I'm not exactly the only one who is unhappy: http://blog.comcast.com/2009/05/goin...-internet.html

Secondly, the hassle this will be for my in-laws will become MY headache. I can see myself having to explain (and re-explain) to them everytime I'm over there how to run their old tv's and vcr in a new way. I mean seriously, this is not exactly easy for the elderly! "No,no,no. You have to use this remote to turn the tv on, then change it to channel 3, then use this remote to change channels..." "Now, to use your VCR, you have to put it on channel 3, then set the channel you want to record on this little box, then record that. But be careful, you can't change the channel after that or it won't record what you want." See what I'm saying? It is just getting too complicated for them.

Also, fwiw, I REALLY don't like the answer "well, if you'd just upgrade to xxx it wouldn't be a problem." A)I don't want to spend yet MORE money just to make it "easier". I'd be lying if I said I didn't believe that profit (and enhanced profit from more equipment rentals now) isn't a big part of why comcast is doing this. B)I also don't want to hassle with changing over to satellite if I can avoid it. That would mean I'd have to mount dishes and redo all of my TV boxes. I just don't have the time!

I've been out of town on and off (mostly on) for a good part of the year till now. I haven't had the time to even think about dealing with this until now. I had hoped for some assistance here. Instead, I've spent several hours looking elsewhere trying to learn about how these DTA things operate and how I'm going to try and implement them.

Does anyone know if I bought an additional DTA (off ebay or some such) or used one of mine over at my in-laws, if it would be a problem so long as I registered the SN of that box with the account for that address? Would comcast know/care if I have a box they didn't give me (or one that was meant for somewhere else) at a said address, so long as it was activated properly at that address? I'm wondering if I (or my in-laws) can avoid the $2/month fee if we need more DTA's so long as I follow their rules (it's not like I'm trying to get something for free). Comcast is being very evasive in answering this for me.


THAT was a helpful post!!! THANK YOU!!!

Same here no more FitTV. Kinda pisses me of even though I didn't watch it much. I just have Digital Starter and we no longer get the channel on our regular box, get the Not Authorized message. So they basically put in the next package up I am guessing?



Trout I am 99% sure that Comcast won't let you use a DTA not provided from them. Even if they did I bet they would charge some outlet use fee or something like that.

Maybe you can draw a diagram for your in-laws? Or just get them a DVR

So if i just ignore Comcast letter about requesting their 2 free box's, and just continue to just hook the cable directly to tv. What if anything will they do?

Comcast won't do anything. They don't really care. If you just have Basic Cable, then there is no need for the DTA box. If you have Starter Cable, then you need either the DTA box or a standard definition set-top box to receive all the channels you are paying for. The first standard definition set-top box (typically a Motorola DCT700) and the first two DTA boxes are available without charge from Comcast. The DTA can only tune the Basic or Starter channels and not the music channels. The DCT700 can tune all the channels you pay for including Video-on-Demand and the music channels. The DCT700 also supports the Program Guide which the DTA does not. The DCT700 can be programmed to come on and change channels to facilitate VCR recording via RF channel 3 or composite input. Multiple recording sessions are supported. The DTA box has RF output only. The DCT700 has both RF and composite output. Both the DTA box and the DCT700 come with a remote that can be programmed to turn your TV on/off and change the TV volume. Additional DCT700s (beyond 1) cost $7.45/month. Additional DTAs (beyond 2) cost $1.99 per month.

Whoa, what you have stated is different than others on this thread have so informed me over the past couple of months. For clarification, I'm not a Comcast TV customer, I'm trying to work through the situation so I can set up my mother-in-law's (M-I-L) Comcast service after the transition. We bought her an HDTV Christmas before last, but she is about as technology challenged as they come, so the ball is in my court.

Anyway, my M-I-L's Comcast service is Expanded Basic analog cable. I was previously informed on this thread that all of these "forced" conversions to digital cable would only receive a "dumb" Comcast box with only an RF output unless the the subscriber wanted to pay a receiver rental fee. You say everyone gets one "full-service" cable box with the "forced" conversion to digital, are you sure? Does that "full-service" box come with a monthly rental fee (M-I-L can't afford any additional costs for TV (fixed income), but she really wants to keep access to Animal Planet and the History Channel)? If you are correct and Expanded Basic subscribers get a "free" "full service" cable box, then all my concerns about the effect of the conversion on my M-I-L are solved.

BTW, I do subscribe to Comcast broadband internet, but I've been a satisfied Dish subscriber since 1999.

Yes you got one full service box and 2 DTAs included in Digital Starter (which used to be expanded basic).

Sorry for the confusion here. Yes, one full-service cable box is provided for free. The box will have a variety of output options, be able to tune all channels subscribed to (except HD), and have access to interactive features like program guide, On Demand, PPV, etc. The "dumb" DTA's are in addition to the first cable box and will have the limitations described earlier (only RF out, no channels beyond Expanded Basic, no music channels, no program guide or interactive content).

Technically, what's happening is that Expanded Basic and Digital Starter are being merged into a single package, called Digital Starter. The process began last year when Comcast started charging the same monthly price for both packages. All digital packages include one box for free (and, starting more recently, two DTA's for free). Additional boxes cost extra, as do all DVR's and HD-capable boxes.

Looks like Comcast will perform the analog switchover for the rest of us on 6/1. Hope those additional HD channels show up as soon as possible after that!

http://www.denvergov.org/Default.asp...ov.org/Telecom

I'm running a 7MC HTPC with dual ATI CableCARD tuners in Highlands Ranch. Not able to view the new 700 and 800 blocks. The old 600 HD channels have been removed from the guide. Called customer service and they are sending a tech out so apparently they didn't get the memo about CableCARD mappings being horked.

Anyone find out any more or talk to a more knowledgeable CSR?

Just called Comcast back after seeing the quoted post from my last post. The rep I talked to this time confirmed what has already been said; which is that TiVO and CableCARD users should start working in the "next two weeks" according to an internal memo that was sent to the Comcast customer support dept 2 days ago (Tuesday 4-28-2010).

Interestingly, the rep I talked to said that I shouldn't see the guide updates yet. Oops.

I asked if service credits would be available and the rep said that should be no problem but they won't do a credit before things come back up. I assume this is so that they can accurately pro-rate the service.

And now, we wait.

I provided a serious response, you just didn't like it. I too have been in the same place as you regarding Comcast changes in the past. I got all worked up, posted rants here and elsewhere, realized that my options were to switch to the wonderful new satellite universe and encounter more but different issues, go OTA and not receive all the programming I want, stream from online services, torrent shows and run them from my media center, or just sit down and accept the way things are with Comcast.

Sorry for seeming flippant, but it is a dead horse around here. I suggest you either get happy about what Comcast DOES provide and work within their system...or switch as fast as you can. Either way, drop the negative vibes. After all, it is just TV we're talking about.

I'm sorry, but your posts do come across as those of a Comcast fan-boy. On the OTA and satellite threads for Denver, folks aren't afraid to unload on the providers when it is warranted. "Your service, love it or leave it", isn't helpful considering that many folks come to these threads to help decide which service they want to go to or keep, and the service providers do monitor what is being said about them on the internet. Anyway, I guess you meant well, but the tone just wasn't conducive to free discussion of consumer problems and frustrations.

Wow, quite the opposite. Comcast is simply my best option at this point - incredibly flawed in many respects - but still my best option.


See, that is where I disagree. Our buddy clearly stated that he wasn't going to switch due to all the issues that would arise. Therefore, I simply and pointedly said get over it. In the end that is what will happen, or he will switch. Better to accept it now than keep on getting bent and wasting energy.


I did mean well. I'm all for free discussion, but the sooner folks get over their anger at Comcast (or any vendor for that matter) the sooner they are receptive to actual helpful solutions posted by folks like you. Otherwise, they keep spreading their anger filled vibe regarding the "workarounds" they have to implement that you so kindly took the time to provide for them.

I'll go sit in the corner now and wait for FIOS to come and rescue me.

Comcast probably won't be able to help you with this. 7MC gets its guide data from Microsoft, not from Comcast.

Unfortunately, Microsoft's guide data provider seems to have jumped the gun and eliminated all the old channel IDs instead of just adding the new ones for those people in Parker and Lone Tree that were upgraded a couple weeks ago.

I fixed my guide data last night. The process isn't hard, but it is a bit messy (involving editing a 7MB XML file and doing a lot of search and replace). Basically you need to edit your guide lineups file manually and change the physicalNumber and logicalNumber for each channel back to the 600's.

If you want help, send me a PM or do an internet search on "loadmxf" and "mcepg1-1".

Yep, I'm fed up with Comcast! I am likely going to be telling them to talk a long walk off of a short pier tomorrow (to put it rather nicely).

The way I look at it, they could just leave the expanded basic package in-the-clear so the QAM tuners could handle it. But no, they somehow managed to sweet-talk the FCC out of that and it is now a hassle for us, the consumers, to deal with. They're sticking it to the consumer, in part because they know they've placated most of them and can get away with it. Ever heard the term "sheeple"? They're out to make the most money they can for the least amount of work/service provided in the easiest way possible. Yes, it's capitalism, take it or leave it, and I will. I'm not the type of person who will eat BS and say I like it, or continue to eat it and not complain. I'm more of the type who would get up, kick "The Man" in the nads, and walk away to go it alone.

I can get more than enough from OTA. Yes, my kids will miss Disney and I'll miss some of my channels, but (Audixium, you are right) this IS only tv! I'm fed up with paying out the wazoo for this! I can do a lot with $600 - $700 a year, so I think it's time to take my money and do something else with it. My Netflix will easily fill the void, especially with all of the new streaming content.

This reminds me of when I swore off Blockbuster and switched to Netflix. The store manager even lived two doors down from me, and we were friendly. I got fed up with fighting to get a movie, dealing with taking it back, and relentless late charges on my account that were for movies I had not ever rented. They have not gotten a penny of my money since (wow, thinking about it, that's been a lot of years ago).

What REALLY SUCKS for me here is that I will still have to deal with comcast's crap. My in-laws will not switch. If I don't help them, they're going to get taken like everyone else. I can't/won't stand by and watch them WASTE hundreds of dollars. Just TODAY, they told my MIL that she didn't need the free DTA's, but instead had her convinced they needed to RENT several more STB's, for a grand total of $24/month more than they're already paying (two $5/month boxes, and 2 $7/month boxes)! That's the kind of bull that I'm fed up with! I don't just walk around trashing companies that don't deserve it. In this case, comcast certainly does!!!