Comcast DVR vs. HD

mwc6h · 02-03-2007, 02:50 PM

Hi -

I currently subscribe to Comcast's DVR service and have a standard def TV. I just purchased an HDTV and want to be sure I am getting an HD signal. The box Comcast gave me when I signed up for the DVR service is a Motorola DCT6412. It looks to me like this box provides an HD signal, but Comcast says unless I pay an extra $5 a month on top of the $10 a month I currently pay for DVR service I will not get HD programming. They told me I can't have a box capable of receiving an HD signal if I am no paying for the HD service, but the Motorola box I have seems to be an HD box. Can anyone clear this up for me? Was I mistakenly provided an HD/DVR box when I signed up for the DVR service? Is the box I currently have sufficient to receive the HD signal or do I need to pay the additional $5 and get a new box? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

jcarno · 02-03-2007, 03:37 PM

Do you get any HD channels???

mwc6h · 02-03-2007, 03:44 PM

Yes, I can tune to the HD channels currently on my old TV. They come up in widescreen and a much sharper picture even on my standard def TV. That was another question I had entirely as to why these channels would be such better clarity even on a non HDTV. Anyway, yes I seem to be getting HD channels, I just want to be sure I am actually getting a real HD signal for when my new HDTV arrives. I just don't understand the difference between Comcast's DVR service and HD service. I want to make sure that all I need is the box I have currently and there is nothing that needs to be "turned on" on their end.

etchasketch · 02-03-2007, 04:14 PM

mwc6h: I believe the DVR you list is the HD capable version.

http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412.asp
http://broadband.motorola.com/noflas...2659-001-a.pdf
http://www.dvrchatter.com/viewtopic.php?id=8

You may be getting some or all of the HD available in your subscription. Some (like me) received channels above basic when purchasing Bband internet, so found additional channels when the new TV QAM tuner performed auto-scan.

Apparently different regions are served different groupings. In my area, subscription to the HD package includes a bakers dozen:

173 ESPN HD
174 iN DEMAND HD 1
187 WBND-DT (ABC)
188 WNDU-DT (NBC)
189 WSBT-DT (CBS)
190 WSJV-DT (FOX)
191 WNIT-DT (PBS)
192 WMWB-DT (CW)
199 Versus-Golf
200 Comcast Sports Net
203 ESPN 2
204 TNT
205 Discovery Theater

Your package may vary. And, some in the list above are premiums (HBO, etc.).

etch

mwc6h · 02-03-2007, 04:35 PM

I do have a digital cable package which includes HD channels. I am just trying to figure out what the $5 additional charge would be for. The way I understand it, it is to upgrade to a HD converter, but I believe the converter I received when I signed up for the DVR service is also an HD converter. Is there some non HD DVR that I should have been given, and am I now able to view HD programming without having to pay an extra $5 a month?

etchasketch · 02-03-2007, 04:52 PM

Sorry, I gave you the only info available to me, the rest will be on site testing on your part IMO. Having digital cable does not mean you have the entire HD channel package (though you may).

When I first took delivery of my HDTV I had both duhrecTV © and basic cable. The sat. co. blew my upgrade so there was no HD feed to test. The tuner auto-scan found a lot of HD signals on the basic cable feed. But, the offering was very hodge podge, no mapping, no guide.

Frankly, it was my intent to buy the HD feed from someone, so I was happy to buy the digital pkg and pay extra for the DVR (in my case a leased moto dct-3416). Maybe you are twice lucky and they issued the wrong DVR and package?

As a test, are you getting the Discovery Theater HD channel? I think that only comes with the HD group (and by itself is well worth the extra fee IMO).

GL, etch

dabig25 · 02-03-2007, 05:30 PM

From what I can remember. All Motorola DVR boxes have HD capabilities. It's just a matter if your provider allowss the HD channels to come thru.

HDTVSam007 · 02-04-2007, 02:38 AM

If you are getting those channels then you have everything you need and ALL OF THE COMCAST DVR's ARE ALSO HDTV CONVERTERS.............The $5 they are reffering to is probaly to all of your other HD channels on your line up other than your locals,however as the other guy said if you get Discovery HD Theater or INHD then I wouldnt mention anything else to them...........

mwc6h · 02-04-2007, 10:52 AM

Yes, I do get Discovery HD and ESPN HD and a couple others besides the local channels. So it seems I have everything I need. But since I don't know too much about this, I just wanted to make sure that the signal I was getting on these channels is actually HD. But from the advice of this forum, I take it that if I get a picture on these channels then it is HD and I'm good to go when my HDTV arrives.

HDTVSam007 · 02-04-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwc6h

Yes, I do get Discovery HD and ESPN HD and a couple others besides the local channels. So it seems I have everything I need. But since I don't know too much about this, I just wanted to make sure that the signal I was getting on these channels is actually HD. But from the advice of this forum, I take it that if I get a picture on these channels then it is HD and I'm good to go when my HDTV arrives.

Be sure that you are using either HDMI , DVI ,or Component Video these connections are the only correct methods of gettin an HD signal to the TV from the current Comcast DVR's

kinglm · 02-07-2007, 12:28 PM

You should be able to check the signal you are receiving from the cable box in question by using you TV menu option/display.

If after tuning into what should be an HD channel and the TV display reads 1080i or 720p, then you are being passed an HD signal from the cable box. If it says 480i you are not.

hockeymuggle · 02-08-2007, 08:32 PM

you shouldnt have to pay 5 dollars on top of the 10 you are already paying....the way it has been around here since day one is that if you pay the 10 dollars for the dvr fee you basically get the hd package included in that for free.

ComcastGuy · 02-26-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwc6h

I do have a digital cable package which includes HD channels. I am just trying to figure out what the $5 additional charge would be for. The way I understand it, it is to upgrade to a HD converter, but I believe the converter I received when I signed up for the DVR service is also an HD converter. Is there some non HD DVR that I should have been given, and am I now able to view HD programming without having to pay an extra $5 a month?

$5 is what the HD package costs on top of digital. If you did not have digital and added HD to Expanded Basic, it would be $9 and mostly just locals.

02-03-2007, 02:50 PM	#1
mwc6h What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	Comcast DVR vs. HD Hi - I currently subscribe to Comcast's DVR service and have a standard def TV. I just purchased an HDTV and want to be sure I am getting an HD signal. The box Comcast gave me when I signed up for the DVR service is a Motorola DCT6412. It looks to me like this box provides an HD signal, but Comcast says unless I pay an extra $5 a month on top of the $10 a month I currently pay for DVR service I will not get HD programming. They told me I can't have a box capable of receiving an HD signal if I am no paying for the HD service, but the Motorola box I have seems to be an HD box. Can anyone clear this up for me? Was I mistakenly provided an HD/DVR box when I signed up for the DVR service? Is the box I currently have sufficient to receive the HD signal or do I need to pay the additional $5 and get a new box? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

02-03-2007, 04:14 PM	#4
etchasketch headed to a bar for HD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 68	mwc6h: I believe the DVR you list is the HD capable version. http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412.asp http://broadband.motorola.com/noflas...2659-001-a.pdf http://www.dvrchatter.com/viewtopic.php?id=8 You may be getting some or all of the HD available in your subscription. Some (like me) received channels above basic when purchasing Bband internet, so found additional channels when the new TV QAM tuner performed auto-scan. Apparently different regions are served different groupings. In my area, subscription to the HD package includes a bakers dozen: 173 ESPN HD 174 iN DEMAND HD 1 187 WBND-DT (ABC) 188 WNDU-DT (NBC) 189 WSBT-DT (CBS) 190 WSJV-DT (FOX) 191 WNIT-DT (PBS) 192 WMWB-DT (CW) 199 Versus-Golf 200 Comcast Sports Net 203 ESPN 2 204 TNT 205 Discovery Theater Your package may vary. And, some in the list above are premiums (HBO, etc.). etch __________________ hoping to have HD on LCD merge with BetaMax video and 8-track audio Last edited by etchasketch; 02-03-2007 at 04:20 PM.

02-03-2007, 04:52 PM	#6
etchasketch headed to a bar for HD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 68	Sorry, I gave you the only info available to me, the rest will be on site testing on your part IMO. Having digital cable does not mean you have the entire HD channel package (though you may). When I first took delivery of my HDTV I had both duhrecTV © and basic cable. The sat. co. blew my upgrade so there was no HD feed to test. The tuner auto-scan found a lot of HD signals on the basic cable feed. But, the offering was very hodge podge, no mapping, no guide. Frankly, it was my intent to buy the HD feed from someone, so I was happy to buy the digital pkg and pay extra for the DVR (in my case a leased moto dct-3416). Maybe you are twice lucky and they issued the wrong DVR and package? As a test, are you getting the Discovery Theater HD channel? I think that only comes with the HD group (and by itself is well worth the extra fee IMO). GL, etch __________________ hoping to have HD on LCD merge with BetaMax video and 8-track audio Last edited by etchasketch; 02-03-2007 at 04:55 PM.

02-03-2007, 05:30 PM	#7
dabig25 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 466	From what I can remember. All Motorola DVR boxes have HD capabilities. It's just a matter if your provider allowss the HD channels to come thru. __________________ Living Rm: 55"Sony SXRD KDS55A2000 OPPO OPDV971H DVD Player ONKYO 7.1 HT-R530 SRS Logitech 720 Remote Bedroom:32" Sharp LC-C3234U w/ Phillips DVP5982 DVD Player AT&T U-Verse Customer

02-04-2007, 02:38 AM	#8
HDTVSam007 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 62	If you are getting those channels then you have everything you need and ALL OF THE COMCAST DVR's ARE ALSO HDTV CONVERTERS.............The $5 they are reffering to is probaly to all of your other HD channels on your line up other than your locals,however as the other guy said if you get Discovery HD Theater or INHD then I wouldnt mention anything else to them........... __________________ Toshiba HDTV,At&t Homezone/DishNetwork HD DVR (622hz)

02-03-2007, 03:37 PM	#2
jcarno High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Upstate N.Y. Posts: 36	Do you get any HD channels???

02-03-2007, 03:44 PM	#3
mwc6h What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	Yes, I can tune to the HD channels currently on my old TV. They come up in widescreen and a much sharper picture even on my standard def TV. That was another question I had entirely as to why these channels would be such better clarity even on a non HDTV. Anyway, yes I seem to be getting HD channels, I just want to be sure I am actually getting a real HD signal for when my new HDTV arrives. I just don't understand the difference between Comcast's DVR service and HD service. I want to make sure that all I need is the box I have currently and there is nothing that needs to be "turned on" on their end.

02-03-2007, 04:35 PM	#5
mwc6h What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	I do have a digital cable package which includes HD channels. I am just trying to figure out what the $5 additional charge would be for. The way I understand it, it is to upgrade to a HD converter, but I believe the converter I received when I signed up for the DVR service is also an HD converter. Is there some non HD DVR that I should have been given, and am I now able to view HD programming without having to pay an extra $5 a month?

02-04-2007, 10:52 AM	#9
mwc6h What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	Yes, I do get Discovery HD and ESPN HD and a couple others besides the local channels. So it seems I have everything I need. But since I don't know too much about this, I just wanted to make sure that the signal I was getting on these channels is actually HD. But from the advice of this forum, I take it that if I get a picture on these channels then it is HD and I'm good to go when my HDTV arrives.

02-07-2007, 12:28 PM	#11
kinglm High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 37	You should be able to check the signal you are receiving from the cable box in question by using you TV menu option/display. If after tuning into what should be an HD channel and the TV display reads 1080i or 720p, then you are being passed an HD signal from the cable box. If it says 480i you are not.

02-08-2007, 08:32 PM	#12
hockeymuggle High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Smyrna, TN Age: 28 Posts: 252	you shouldnt have to pay 5 dollars on top of the 10 you are already paying....the way it has been around here since day one is that if you pay the 10 dollars for the dvr fee you basically get the hd package included in that for free.