Comcast, Cablecard, and HDTV

deadhead68 · 04-15-2009, 02:21 PM

9. How does HD pricing work?
Comcast doesn’t charge additional programming fees for HD channels and content like satellite. If you receive the channel currently and the channel is available in HD all you need is an HD box.

http://www.comcast.com/corporate/shop/hd/hd101.html

DeadHead68

bicker · 04-15-2009, 07:00 PM

... THERE MAY BE INTERRUPTIONS, DELAYS, OMISSIONS, INACCURACIES, OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH SUCH INFORMATION.

http://www.comcast.com/corporate/leg...Agreement.html

Sykotic · 04-15-2009, 08:06 PM

If ya look deep enough you always find the small print..

bicker · 04-16-2009, 09:49 AM

Absolutely... never take anything at face value, and especially never assume that things are structured for your personal benefit, with regard to mass-market offerings.

delfave · 04-17-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

... THERE MAY BE INTERRUPTIONS, DELAYS, OMISSIONS, INACCURACIES, OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH SUCH INFORMATION.

Sure, the website isn't a binding document, but they should be required to make corrections when errors/misleading statements are pointed out.

But how about the "Schedule of Prices" that they sent me? This appears to be the official explanation for their charges. (They do state that the prices are subject to change.) Anyway, nowhere on that schedule is an "HD Service Fee." No mention of "HD" under any of their services. Under Equipment Rental they list the $6.50 fee for an HDTV Digital Converter. So this seems pretty clear that I am being charged for something I do not have, and that there is no fee to receive the HD service.

deadhead68 · 04-17-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delfave

Sure, the website isn't a binding document, but they should be required to make corrections when errors/misleading statements are pointed out.

But how about the "Schedule of Prices" that they sent me? This appears to be the official explanation for their charges. (They do state that the prices are subject to change.) Anyway, nowhere on that schedule is an "HD Service Fee." No mention of "HD" under any of their services. Under Equipment Rental they list the $6.50 fee for an HDTV Digital Converter. So this seems pretty clear that I am being charged for something I do not have, and that there is no fee to receive the HD service.

I agree with what you are saying. Like I said earlier, you may want to call them and say you want a non-HD cable card. Say you can't afford the extra $6.50 monthly charge and see what they say. As you stated, the Cable Card is not a digital converter. It's sole purpose is to allow you to receive any encrypted channels in your package.

DeadHead68

bicker · 04-17-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delfave

Sure, the website isn't a binding document, but they should be required to make corrections when errors/misleading statements are pointed out.

Talk to your Members of Congress. Currently that is not the case.

Note that many companies respond to issues they have with their web presence by removing details and capabilities. For example, TiVo -- a high-tech company if there is any -- will no longer accept problem reports via email or through their website. Figure that the resolution of your concern will be to remove all indications of what channels may or may not be in any specific package, and put a notation on the website to call for information about which channels are currently part of which packages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by delfave

Under Equipment Rental they list the $6.50 fee for an HDTV Digital Converter. So this seems pretty clear that I am being charged for something I do not have, and that there is no fee to receive the HD service.

I don't work for Comcast so I can't talk you through the details of the mirroring fee. If you are unsatisfied with the answer you get from Comcast, you can always cancel your subscription or call your Member of Congress.

Sykotic · 04-17-2009, 09:43 PM

I dont have comcast, But I know that all cable companies are having problems with cable cards, just in general. You should be so lucky that yours works. I know alot of people that are having nothing but problems.

dbaps · 04-18-2009, 10:44 AM

I have been arguing with Comcast over the past 18-24 months about this issue. I live in Southern MD and Comcast charges me $17.90 for two single stream cards for my Tivo-HD. I got the cards right before Comcast started rolling out a multi-stream card. I have argued in person, on the phone with my local Comcast office, and with the main office. Bottom line is that is what they charge for my area. They refuse to go by what their pricing pamphlet says. They also do not have a written policy for the customer. $8.95 for each card or sometimes they say $8.95 for the digital hook-up in the room and $8.95 for the cable cards. They also refuse to lower the cost if I trade in for a multi-stream card. I even have been told by the person in charge of the Cablecard rollout for the whole DC area that the first card is free. The other story I've been told is that the $1.50 charge is when it's only put in a Comcast DVR. So the bottom line is I'm paying $2 more than a Comcast rebranded Motorola dual-tuner DVR + the three year Tivo fee. Tivo didn't have lifetime when they first introduced the Tivo-HD box.

Comcast doesn't want cable cards. It's that simple.

Fios internet came in this month to my area and cable comes in next month. Verizon Fios fully supports the Tivo-HD cable cards though I don't know their pricing policy.

bicker · 04-18-2009, 12:37 PM

Note that the regulations only regulate the average rate for CableCARDs. Comcast needs to report the average to the FCC, and indeed your area is charged far higher than average. That's perfectly okay (though clearly you would naturally prefer that that not be the case), because the law specifically only requires that the average be reasonable. The law was written this way deliberately, to strike a fair balance between the needs of consumers and that of industry.

Note, with FiOS, you'll likely need attenuation on the line, to get reliable service with your TiVo HD. It's a well-known FiOS/TiVo problem, practically nationwide, and there is a proven solution.

dbaps · 04-18-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Note that the regulations only regulate the average rate for CableCARDs. Comcast needs to report the average to the FCC, and indeed your area is charged far higher than average. That's perfectly okay (though clearly you would naturally prefer that that not be the case), because the law specifically only requires that the average be reasonable. The law was written this way deliberately, to strike a fair balance between the needs of consumers and that of industry.

Note, with FiOS, you'll likely need attenuation on the line, to get reliable service with your TiVo HD. It's a well-known FiOS/TiVo problem, practically nationwide, and there is a proven solution.

Thanks, I appreciate that information. I'm just happy to have a little competition finally.

04-15-2009, 02:21 PM	#31
deadhead68 Football in HD, mmm good! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 2,492	9. How does HD pricing work? Comcast doesn’t charge additional programming fees for HD channels and content like satellite. If you receive the channel currently and the channel is available in HD all you need is an HD box. http://www.comcast.com/corporate/shop/hd/hd101.html DeadHead68 __________________ Toshiba 52HM95 Moto 3416 HD DVR Sony STR-DG810 Receiver Sony DVP-NS77H DVD Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System Harmony 670

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04-15-2009, 07:00 PM	#32
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	... THERE MAY BE INTERRUPTIONS, DELAYS, OMISSIONS, INACCURACIES, OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH SUCH INFORMATION. http://www.comcast.com/corporate/leg...Agreement.html

04-15-2009, 08:06 PM	#33
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	If ya look deep enough you always find the small print..

04-16-2009, 09:49 AM	#34
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	Absolutely... never take anything at face value, and especially never assume that things are structured for your personal benefit, with regard to mass-market offerings.

04-17-2009, 09:43 PM	#38
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	I dont have comcast, But I know that all cable companies are having problems with cable cards, just in general. You should be so lucky that yours works. I know alot of people that are having nothing but problems.

04-18-2009, 10:44 AM	#39
dbaps What is HD? Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	I have been arguing with Comcast over the past 18-24 months about this issue. I live in Southern MD and Comcast charges me $17.90 for two single stream cards for my Tivo-HD. I got the cards right before Comcast started rolling out a multi-stream card. I have argued in person, on the phone with my local Comcast office, and with the main office. Bottom line is that is what they charge for my area. They refuse to go by what their pricing pamphlet says. They also do not have a written policy for the customer. $8.95 for each card or sometimes they say $8.95 for the digital hook-up in the room and $8.95 for the cable cards. They also refuse to lower the cost if I trade in for a multi-stream card. I even have been told by the person in charge of the Cablecard rollout for the whole DC area that the first card is free. The other story I've been told is that the $1.50 charge is when it's only put in a Comcast DVR. So the bottom line is I'm paying $2 more than a Comcast rebranded Motorola dual-tuner DVR + the three year Tivo fee. Tivo didn't have lifetime when they first introduced the Tivo-HD box. Comcast doesn't want cable cards. It's that simple. Fios internet came in this month to my area and cable comes in next month. Verizon Fios fully supports the Tivo-HD cable cards though I don't know their pricing policy.

04-18-2009, 12:37 PM	#40
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	Note that the regulations only regulate the average rate for CableCARDs. Comcast needs to report the average to the FCC, and indeed your area is charged far higher than average. That's perfectly okay (though clearly you would naturally prefer that that not be the case), because the law specifically only requires that the average be reasonable. The law was written this way deliberately, to strike a fair balance between the needs of consumers and that of industry. Note, with FiOS, you'll likely need attenuation on the line, to get reliable service with your TiVo HD. It's a well-known FiOS/TiVo problem, practically nationwide, and there is a proven solution.