What is Really Needed for Comcast HD in Chicago?

Chicagoman · 04-04-2009, 05:02 PM

I am presently using Comcast's Standard Cable (Basic+Expanded) with a free DCT700 digital-to-analog converter/tuner box with my old analog TV.
I plan on getting a new digital plasma HDTV with a QAM tuner. I know that I will have to upgrade to at least the Comcast Digital Starter package in order to get the regular cable HD channels like AMC-HD, TNT-HD, A&E-HD, etc. I'm not interested in 'premiums' like HBO-HD or Showtime-HD.
1) Are the above mentioned Digital Starter regular HD channels encrypted/scrambled or are they 'clear' over the cable wire?
2) Can I just plug the cable wire from the wall into the TV?
3) Is the vaguely described "HD Equipment" rented at $8.99 just another fancy tuner, only adding On Demand and Pay-per-view, or is it really needed?
4) If not needed; would the Comcast HD tuner offer better picture quality than the QAM to make it worth the extra $8.99?
Thanks in advance for any help.

bicker · 04-05-2009, 06:36 AM

I'm not from Chicago, so I'm going mostly on my memory of discussions about Chicago. It was one of the first systems to go "all-digital" for cable networks. I'm pretty sure that cable networks are encrypted in Chicago. As such, you would not be able to just plug the cable into your television to tune in those cable networks. The equipment referred to is probably a QAM tuner with included CableCARD (decrpytion) support. There would be no difference in picture quality between the two options; no reason to have the extra box except that it validates that you've actually paid for the service, and aren't just trying to steal it off the line.

If someone from Chicago doesn't chime in soon, you can be sure to get your answer here:
Local HDTV Info and Reception - Chicago, IL - Comcast

This specific post in that thread is probably a good place to start:

http://www./avs-vb/showthread.php?p=...0#post15684310

04-04-2009, 05:02 PM	#1
Chicagoman My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7	What is Really Needed for Comcast HD in Chicago? I am presently using Comcast's Standard Cable (Basic+Expanded) with a free DCT700 digital-to-analog converter/tuner box with my old analog TV. I plan on getting a new digital plasma HDTV with a QAM tuner. I know that I will have to upgrade to at least the Comcast Digital Starter package in order to get the regular cable HD channels like AMC-HD, TNT-HD, A&E-HD, etc. I'm not interested in 'premiums' like HBO-HD or Showtime-HD. 1) Are the above mentioned Digital Starter regular HD channels encrypted/scrambled or are they 'clear' over the cable wire? 2) Can I just plug the cable wire from the wall into the TV? 3) Is the vaguely described "HD Equipment" rented at $8.99 just another fancy tuner, only adding On Demand and Pay-per-view, or is it really needed? 4) If not needed; would the Comcast HD tuner offer better picture quality than the QAM to make it worth the extra $8.99? Thanks in advance for any help.

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04-05-2009, 06:36 AM	#2
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	I'm not from Chicago, so I'm going mostly on my memory of discussions about Chicago. It was one of the first systems to go "all-digital" for cable networks. I'm pretty sure that cable networks are encrypted in Chicago. As such, you would not be able to just plug the cable into your television to tune in those cable networks. The equipment referred to is probably a QAM tuner with included CableCARD (decrpytion) support. There would be no difference in picture quality between the two options; no reason to have the extra box except that it validates that you've actually paid for the service, and aren't just trying to steal it off the line. If someone from Chicago doesn't chime in soon, you can be sure to get your answer here: Local HDTV Info and Reception - Chicago, IL - Comcast This specific post in that thread is probably a good place to start: http://www./avs-vb/showthread.php?p=...0#post15684310