Difference between comcast systems?

wcassell · 10-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Random question here:

I just moved from a Comcast area that used the Motorola cable boxes, to an area that uses the Scientific Atlantic boxes. I asked when I moved if I could just keep my old box (one of the nice/newer Motorola boxes) but they said no. Instead they gave me a old SA83000 that seems like it's been through a couple wars. It works fine, but gets really hot on both the top and bottom.

Which leads me to the question: What is the difference between the systems? Why wouldn't the cable boxes be interchangeable? Not a big deal, just one of those random questions.

joekewl1971 · 10-07-2009, 10:27 PM

Cable is regional. Typically, Comcast bought out a smaller company. I hear people complain about customer service. For me it has been good. I am just outside Seattle.

bicker · 10-08-2009, 05:22 AM

Eventually, there will be a convergence, where any tru2way- and CableCARD-compatible device will provide something close to full functionality, regardless of where in the country it is connected, but not yet. Even then, though, you probably won't ever be able to "keep" your cable company equipment when you move, because they're part of inventory for the specific area you are leaving, and they have to account for their inventoried assets, themselves.

wcassell · 10-08-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Eventually, there will be a convergence, where any tru2way- and CableCARD-compatible device will provide something close to full functionality, regardless of where in the country it is connected, but not yet. Even then, though, you probably won't ever be able to "keep" your cable company equipment when you move, because they're part of inventory for the specific area you are leaving, and they have to account for their inventoried assets, themselves.

Yeah . .that part really confused me. I moved just 6 miles away (but in a different county) but I had to set up a completely different account. Wasn't able to keep account number (for online billing), username, etc. Not a huge deal, but I would have thought they would have been more integrated by now. It's like they are completely separate companies that just share the "Comcast" name.

bicker · 10-08-2009, 12:08 PM

This is a physical reality. I personally don't want my bill to reflect the cost of such integration, so I'm kind of glad they're not trying to make that happen artificially or preemptively.

Sykotic · 10-09-2009, 08:34 PM

Back in the day, a local cable provider would overtake or buy out the system(s) located near its own. Most of these systems have thier own contract with the local township it covers. To be able to quickly tell how many subscribers each system has (to pay royalties to the local township), account numbers are different for each system. As far as equipment, it normally how the signal is modulated out, head end. Different converters only work on certain headend equipment. These converters are never sold to consumers. A consumber can lose a converter, pay the replacement cost, then think they own it, but the local system operator usually wont sctivate it or activate equipment from another system.

10-07-2009, 05:02 PM	#1
wcassell High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 74	Difference between comcast systems? Random question here: I just moved from a Comcast area that used the Motorola cable boxes, to an area that uses the Scientific Atlantic boxes. I asked when I moved if I could just keep my old box (one of the nice/newer Motorola boxes) but they said no. Instead they gave me a old SA83000 that seems like it's been through a couple wars. It works fine, but gets really hot on both the top and bottom. Which leads me to the question: What is the difference between the systems? Why wouldn't the cable boxes be interchangeable? Not a big deal, just one of those random questions. __________________ TV: Sony 42" Grand Wega (KDF-42WE655) Cable: Comcast with Motorola DCT6200 DVR: Humax - Tivo Series 2 DVD: Sony DVP-C660 HT: Sony STR-SE501 Gaming: XBOX360 and Nintendo Wii Remote: Harmony 880 Other: Slingbox Pro with Slingbox Powerline Networking

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10-07-2009, 10:27 PM	#2
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	Cable is regional. Typically, Comcast bought out a smaller company. I hear people complain about customer service. For me it has been good. I am just outside Seattle.

10-08-2009, 05:22 AM	#3
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	Eventually, there will be a convergence, where any tru2way- and CableCARD-compatible device will provide something close to full functionality, regardless of where in the country it is connected, but not yet. Even then, though, you probably won't ever be able to "keep" your cable company equipment when you move, because they're part of inventory for the specific area you are leaving, and they have to account for their inventoried assets, themselves.

10-08-2009, 12:08 PM	#5
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	This is a physical reality. I personally don't want my bill to reflect the cost of such integration, so I'm kind of glad they're not trying to make that happen artificially or preemptively.

10-09-2009, 08:34 PM	#6
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	Back in the day, a local cable provider would overtake or buy out the system(s) located near its own. Most of these systems have thier own contract with the local township it covers. To be able to quickly tell how many subscribers each system has (to pay royalties to the local township), account numbers are different for each system. As far as equipment, it normally how the signal is modulated out, head end. Different converters only work on certain headend equipment. These converters are never sold to consumers. A consumber can lose a converter, pay the replacement cost, then think they own it, but the local system operator usually wont sctivate it or activate equipment from another system.