Autoscanning doesn't find Comcast free 700-series HD channels

rrobason · 07-06-2006, 03:19 AM

I have a relatively new (Sceptre) HDTV that has a Channel Autoscan feature. I ran it in all the Cable modes (Standard, HRC, IRC) hoping to pick up the free broadcast HDTV channels offered by Comcast - but it failed to pick up a single channel.

I note a) that Comcast wants to rent me a Motorola set-top box for $5/month to tune in these "free" channels, and b) that their channel designations of 700+ don't conform to any standards for cable channel numbering.

Q: Do I have to rent the box to get these channels?

Any elaboration to explain why autoscan doesn't find them would be interesting.

bicker · 07-06-2006, 06:05 AM

You'll need to indicate where you live, since in my area, Comcast's 700-series channels are neither HD nor free.

goober22 · 07-06-2006, 07:41 AM

Because they are encrypted. The tuner cannot handle encrypted streams - hence the reason for needed a box. Some areas have local HD and some other HD channels "in-the-clear" but alot of areas, like mine, have them encrypted.

Some people will say that they HAVE to provide the local HD channels clear but others say that they only have to provide a local "feed" clear and the SD feed meets that requirement. Bottom line, there is not much you can do if they are encrypted but either rent the box or get a cablecard if you set supports that.

smurfer · 07-15-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrobason

I have a relatively new (Sceptre) HDTV that has a Channel Autoscan feature. I ran it in all the Cable modes (Standard, HRC, IRC) hoping to pick up the free broadcast HDTV channels offered by Comcast - but it failed to pick up a single channel.

I note a) that Comcast wants to rent me a Motorola set-top box for $5/month to tune in these "free" channels, and b) that their channel designations of 700+ don't conform to any standards for cable channel numbering.

Q: Do I have to rent the box to get these channels?

Any elaboration to explain why autoscan doesn't find them would be interesting.

Depending on which ver Sceptre you have it may not have a QAM tuner, as far as I know the early ver of the 37" didn't come with QAM it did have optical out. My 37" Sceptre can pick up re broadcasted cable locals 2, 4, 7, 11, and KCET in HD and then I get the SD stuff CSPAN Mexican etc... this is with Adelphia. My firmware date is March 3/06 no power button it has QAM tuner but no optical out. To get the cable HD stuff I rent the DCT 6200 8.95 a month and then I signed up for the HD Classic package from Adelphia for 5.00 more, I could care less about the HBO Showtime stuff for the price they charge I went with the HD package because I get more out of it.

To tell you the truth these TV's have a real shitty QAM tuner and to get around the DCI bug I'm using a reverse t-coder going through VGA it can handle a 1080P signal, so from my Motorola DCT 6200 to the t-coder and then to the TV in VGA mode I get a true 1080P conversion with this TV and Beuns t-coder really does an excellent job. Plus I get my EPG back using Adephia's guide, and the built in features on our Sceptre's are far and few in between and is not ready for prime time.

So my set up is HDMI/DVI going to my AMD 64 HTPC firewire connected to the DCT 6200 for recording my fav HD movies to my PC. Reverse t-coder is connected to VGA in to the Sceptre and Component out from the DCT to the t-coder. Component inputs 1&2 are affected by the contrast bug along with the ATSC/ QAM tuner. VGA and HDMI/DVI mode are not affected by this bug. Go to AVS forums and search for Sceptre 37" to see which ver TV you actually have there have been many revisions for thisi set, and good luck! I posted a lot of stuff under the name Nimo.

07-06-2006, 03:19 AM	#1
rrobason What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1	Autoscanning doesn't find Comcast free 700-series HD channels I have a relatively new (Sceptre) HDTV that has a Channel Autoscan feature. I ran it in all the Cable modes (Standard, HRC, IRC) hoping to pick up the free broadcast HDTV channels offered by Comcast - but it failed to pick up a single channel. I note a) that Comcast wants to rent me a Motorola set-top box for $5/month to tune in these "free" channels, and b) that their channel designations of 700+ don't conform to any standards for cable channel numbering. Q: Do I have to rent the box to get these channels? Any elaboration to explain why autoscan doesn't find them would be interesting.

07-06-2006, 07:41 AM	#3
goober22 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Panama City / Ft Walton Bch, FL. Posts: 702	Because they are encrypted. The tuner cannot handle encrypted streams - hence the reason for needed a box. Some areas have local HD and some other HD channels "in-the-clear" but alot of areas, like mine, have them encrypted. Some people will say that they HAVE to provide the local HD channels clear but others say that they only have to provide a local "feed" clear and the SD feed meets that requirement. Bottom line, there is not much you can do if they are encrypted but either rent the box or get a cablecard if you set supports that. __________________ DirecTV = HR20-700x2, HR20-100x2, All Networked, R15-500x1, D12-300x2, Zinwell WB616, OTA=17, TVs=9, Knology Cable = Internet & Phone Only, HD=34, Comcast Cable = Not Currently Subbed, HD=32, Hitachi 65S700 65", Sanyo 30" HD, Sony Home Theatre 7.1 Receiver, Sony 7.1 Speaker System , Harmony 686 x3

07-06-2006, 06:05 AM	#2
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	You'll need to indicate where you live, since in my area, Comcast's 700-series channels are neither HD nor free.