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Cheapest way to get Comcast cable HD with panasonic plasmas????
Hopefully you guys can help me out. I have 3 HD TV's and would like to get HD in the house. I have basic analog cable through Comcast, but am looking to watch some HD programing via cable.
Here's my question?
Is there anyway I can recieve a HD signal without renting one of the damn HD boxes???I
I will not pay $100 plus a month for cable(cable programming plus box rental fees). I will continue to use the TV's to watch Blu-Ray's and HD DVD'S.
I have done some research about Cable Cards, but am total confused!!
I have a:
Panasonic TH-42PX75U
Panasonic TH-42PZ700U
Panasonic TH-50PZ700U
Can any one direct me to where I should be looking to find out if I can get Comcast without the paying rental fees???
I not looking to do any illegal, but I don't need a DVR or access to the TV guide menu for an extra $15 a month per box !!!
I know some of the dish deals are cheaper, but I would prefer not to have boxes at my TV's.
Thanks inadvance!
Jon
Here's my question?
Is there anyway I can recieve a HD signal without renting one of the damn HD boxes???I
I will not pay $100 plus a month for cable(cable programming plus box rental fees). I will continue to use the TV's to watch Blu-Ray's and HD DVD'S.
I have done some research about Cable Cards, but am total confused!!
I have a:
Panasonic TH-42PX75U
Panasonic TH-42PZ700U
Panasonic TH-50PZ700U
Can any one direct me to where I should be looking to find out if I can get Comcast without the paying rental fees???
I not looking to do any illegal, but I don't need a DVR or access to the TV guide menu for an extra $15 a month per box !!!
I know some of the dish deals are cheaper, but I would prefer not to have boxes at my TV's.
Thanks inadvance!
Jon
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
Having just researched a similar issue (not wanting or needing the services of a box except for the fact that I want HD), I can tell you that your options are limited. If you are already a Comcast subscriber then you should be able to plug the coax right into the TV and pick up HD networks, PBS and possibly some others. As Fooit suggested, you could also try an OTA antenna and see what you can pull down for free.
Your only other option is CableCard. I don't know about the specific Panasonics that you have, but when looking for a new 50" plasma, I really wanted one that had a CableCard slot so I could get Comcast HD without a box (have the HD DVR in another room and didn't want/need DVR, PPV or On Demand in the second room). I was SHOCKED to learn that only 1 major plasma TV manufacturer is still putting CableCard slots in their screens. My shock turned to relief when I found out that the manufacturer is Pioneer and all of the Kuros have the slot! The Kuro 5080 is ordered, I have confirmed with Comcast that they have CableCards and only charge a one-time installation fee (no monthly rentals) and I hopefully should be up and running box-free by mid-February. Good luck with those Pannys; I don't know what to tell you if they don't accept CableCard.
Your only other option is CableCard. I don't know about the specific Panasonics that you have, but when looking for a new 50" plasma, I really wanted one that had a CableCard slot so I could get Comcast HD without a box (have the HD DVR in another room and didn't want/need DVR, PPV or On Demand in the second room). I was SHOCKED to learn that only 1 major plasma TV manufacturer is still putting CableCard slots in their screens. My shock turned to relief when I found out that the manufacturer is Pioneer and all of the Kuros have the slot! The Kuro 5080 is ordered, I have confirmed with Comcast that they have CableCards and only charge a one-time installation fee (no monthly rentals) and I hopefully should be up and running box-free by mid-February. Good luck with those Pannys; I don't know what to tell you if they don't accept CableCard.
Are you saying that right now with just basic cable & no box from Comcast you can't pickup any HDTV Channels? I always thought that even with Basic Cable you could pickup your local HD Channels because I thought by law they were not allowed to scramble your Local HD Channels & that they had to pass them on even if you just had "Basic" & no "Digital" Service?
As far as Cable Card Slots go your Panny models don't have them & from what I've read there have been a lot of problems with them probably why Panny droped them on the 2007 models.
Panny has been working very close with Comcast though so maybe some of the new 2008 models you won't need a box but you still might need the Digital" Service at an extra charge which stinks!
As far as Cable Card Slots go your Panny models don't have them & from what I've read there have been a lot of problems with them probably why Panny droped them on the 2007 models.
Panny has been working very close with Comcast though so maybe some of the new 2008 models you won't need a box but you still might need the Digital" Service at an extra charge which stinks!
It's already clear you have Comcast basic...and from your username I'm guessing you're in Denver. I suggest checking the "local HDTV" thread and search the "united States thread index" for Denver and see what others are getting with Comcast in your area. All of your tv's have QAM tuners and should be able to pull the local digitals in unless Comcast scrambles those in your area..
I have comcast basic TV but I also have internet ($63.11/mo total). I get 2,4,6,7,9 and fox HD channels as well as a host of other unscrambled digital content with my 700U. I think that when you have the internet package it opens up the ability to receive the QAM HD channels, but Im not 100% sure about that. You may be able to get it with just the analog package but I doubt it.
I am in Greeley - close to Denver.
As suggested above there is a comcast Devner thread in teh HDTV area of the forum. They'll have all the info you need.
I am in Greeley - close to Denver.
As suggested above there is a comcast Devner thread in teh HDTV area of the forum. They'll have all the info you need.
I have been using a CableCARD with a Panasonic TH-50PX50U since June 05' and with a Pioneer PRO-150FD since September 07'.
I have experienced no major problems with CableCARDs & coax cable --> ANT input.
It's not an inherent problem with CableCARDs, but rather the Cable MSOs will do whatever they can, including providing very poor support, to dissuade the subscriber from using this less expensive device versus the revenue generated from a STB.
BTW, you will achieve a better quality picture with your PDP from using a direct digital input source versus a component/HDMI connection from a STB.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill1313 /forum/post/12920255
As far as Cable Card Slots go your Panny models don't have them & from what I've read there have been a lot of problems with them probably why Panny droped them on the 2007 models.
I have been using a CableCARD with a Panasonic TH-50PX50U since June 05' and with a Pioneer PRO-150FD since September 07'.
I have experienced no major problems with CableCARDs & coax cable --> ANT input.
It's not an inherent problem with CableCARDs, but rather the Cable MSOs will do whatever they can, including providing very poor support, to dissuade the subscriber from using this less expensive device versus the revenue generated from a STB.
BTW, you will achieve a better quality picture with your PDP from using a direct digital input source versus a component/HDMI connection from a STB.
The package you subscribe to shouldn't matter for QAM.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flood222 /forum/post/12920719
I have comcast basic TV but I also have internet ($63.11/mo total). I get 2,4,6,7,9 and fox HD channels as well as a host of other unscrambled digital content with my 700U. I think that when you have the internet package it opens up the ability to receive the QAM HD channels, but Im not 100% sure about that. You may be able to get it with just the analog package but I doubt it.
I am in Greeley - close to Denver.
As suggested above there is a comcast Devner thread in teh HDTV area of the forum. They'll have all the info you need.
The package you subscribe to shouldn't matter for QAM.
I have a panasonice 50THpf9uk. We have basic cable with Cable internet. If this is true that I can get HD local with basic cable, how can I get it to work with my plasma. No HD receiver??
Thanks
Thanks
I have a Pan TH-42PX60U and with the QAM tuner using Comcast I can only pick up a couple of HD channels. Over at the Harrisonburg / Charlottesville, VA - HDTV forum some others have also had trouble picking up HD channels with their Panasonic QAM tuners too.
I was hoping to get rid of my HD cable box but it looks like I will have to keep it to get all the HD channels.
I was hoping to get rid of my HD cable box but it looks like I will have to keep it to get all the HD channels.
You'll have to get a standalone box with an ATSC/QAM tuner. Check the "HDTV Hardware" forum for suggestions..
Quote:
Originally Posted by cosmos5861 /forum/post/12928770
I have a panasonice 50THpf9uk. We have basic cable with Cable internet. If this is true that I can get HD local with basic cable, how can I get it to work with my plasma. No HD receiver??
Thanks
You'll have to get a standalone box with an ATSC/QAM tuner. Check the "HDTV Hardware" forum for suggestions..
Try doing a channel scan. With Comcast here in Boston, it correctly mapped the locals to their broadcast numbers so I can get all the networks without a cable box.
- Rich
- Rich
You do realize that with a QAM tuner you will only get your locals (ABC, NBC, Fox etc..) and that depends on the cable company passing through the digital signal. Your HD box is for channels that you can't recieve over the air such as Discovery HD, HDNet etc..
Quote:
Originally Posted by tonestert /forum/post/12929285
I have a Pan TH-42PX60U and with the QAM tuner using Comcast I can only pick up a couple of HD channels. Over at the Harrisonburg / Charlottesville, VA - HDTV forum some others have also had trouble picking up HD channels with their Panasonic QAM tuners too.
I was hoping to get rid of my HD cable box but it looks like I will have to keep it to get all the HD channels.
You do realize that with a QAM tuner you will only get your locals (ABC, NBC, Fox etc..) and that depends on the cable company passing through the digital signal. Your HD box is for channels that you can't recieve over the air such as Discovery HD, HDNet etc..
i have basic cable with no box.i get about 7 hd channels.my question is if i buy a box (hd dvr) on ebay will it have to be activated or can i just plug my cable up to it to receive more channels and be able to use the dvr function.i dont want to pay extra for digital if this can be done thanks
It depends on what kind you get...if you get a HD Tivo it will have to be activated and there is a monthly fee. Do you have a specific model you are looking at?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdcrowell /forum/post/12935653
i have basic cable with no box.i get about 7 hd channels.my question is if i buy a box (hd dvr) on ebay will it have to be activated or can i just plug my cable up to it to receive more channels and be able to use the dvr function.i dont want to pay extra for digital if this can be done thanks
It depends on what kind you get...if you get a HD Tivo it will have to be activated and there is a monthly fee. Do you have a specific model you are looking at?
it will be one of the notorola hd dvr boxes that comcast use im not sure of a model number .but its not tivo
Quote:
Originally Posted by joemama127 /forum/post/12935879
It depends on what kind you get...if you get a HD Tivo it will have to be activated and there is a monthly fee. Do you have a specific model you are looking at?
it will be one of the notorola hd dvr boxes that comcast use im not sure of a model number .but its not tivo
+01 My CC experience with Comcast was a nightmare! Once installed properly, it worked flawlessly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity /forum/post/12920758
...
It's not an inherent problem with CableCARDs, but rather the Cable MSOs will do whatever they can, including providing very poor support, to dissuade the subscriber from using this less expensive device versus the revenue generated from a STB.
BTW, you will achieve a better quality picture with your PDP from using a direct digital input source versus a component/HDMI connection from a STB.
+01 My CC experience with Comcast was a nightmare! Once installed properly, it worked flawlessly.
+2
It took Comcast three visits to get it right. It's also because the techs don't deal with the install of the cards that much. Apparently there's a strict procedure that must be followed. Something about the info on the card switching once it's hit from the central office. So the info on the central office's computer doesn't match what's on the TV screen.
At least I got mine for free (no install fee either) for all the trouble.
![]()
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity /forum/post/12920758
It's not an inherent problem with CableCARDs, but rather the Cable MSOs will do whatever they can, including providing very poor support, to dissuade the subscriber from using this less expensive device versus the revenue generated from a STB.
+2
It took Comcast three visits to get it right. It's also because the techs don't deal with the install of the cards that much. Apparently there's a strict procedure that must be followed. Something about the info on the card switching once it's hit from the central office. So the info on the central office's computer doesn't match what's on the TV screen.
At least I got mine for free (no install fee either) for all the trouble.
Wow, I was gone away for two days look at all the help.
Thanks again.
Conclusion:
1) I guess I'm not the only one who is concerned with this box dilemma. I can't wait for FIOS in my area.( I live in Moscow, Pa, sorry not Denver Co.)
2) I'm going to bit the bullet and have Comcast do a free install here on Tuesday afternoon.
3) I'm going to take advantage of all their 6 month promos. Consequently my bill packaged with digital basic, cable internet, and 2 HD boxes will work out to be about $90 a month. Which is still more than I want to tackle every month, but this will buy me some time to do some further research about
antennas and over the air free HD.
Can anyone give me a starting point for over the aid HD and antenna guides?
Will I be able two watch 3 different HD channels or will the antenna have to move for each one?
Thanks again in advance!
Thanks again.
Conclusion:
1) I guess I'm not the only one who is concerned with this box dilemma. I can't wait for FIOS in my area.( I live in Moscow, Pa, sorry not Denver Co.)
2) I'm going to bit the bullet and have Comcast do a free install here on Tuesday afternoon.
3) I'm going to take advantage of all their 6 month promos. Consequently my bill packaged with digital basic, cable internet, and 2 HD boxes will work out to be about $90 a month. Which is still more than I want to tackle every month, but this will buy me some time to do some further research about
antennas and over the air free HD.
Can anyone give me a starting point for over the aid HD and antenna guides?
Will I be able two watch 3 different HD channels or will the antenna have to move for each one?
Thanks again in advance!
Oh, I forgot to add. After the 6 months my bill will jump to about $135 a month. That's not going to happen.
Has anyone purchased Comcast boxes of off ebay? or a reputable seller?
Has anyone purchased Comcast boxes of off ebay? or a reputable seller?
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
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