comcast compatible digital boxes

stimpy2300

Hello,
First time poster here, so please be patient with me.

Ok I am pertty knowlegable about cable but I do have a question.

I am currently a comcast subscriber (digital package), I have 4 tvs but I only have two comcast boxes. hence the other two get basic, which isfine. But when the switch happes I would loke to know if there are any other boxes that I can buy instead of rent that will get me the basic digital channels (ie not the pay or advance channels)? All that I seem to read about are boxes for over the air. But I would have to beleive that there (should) be basic atsc boxes that will work to pick up the basic digital channels just like the new tv that have digital boxes built in that will pick up the basics...


Regards,

stimpy2300

bicker

What you're looking for is a clear QAM tuner. I remember seeing some available a few years ago, at $180 each, but they're pretty much gone. There isn't much market for them -- folks would just rather buy new televisions and DVRs.

Do keep in mind that once the switch-over occurs in your area, Comcast might offer you up to three DTAs included in your monthly fee.

Filekhasper

The digital switch is if the tvs that are not hooked up to comcast/cable are tuning local antenae signals.
If you dont have a digital box and want to tune local channels over the air with an attenae then you would be required to get a digital box then hook an antenae upto the digital box then tune your local stations...

for the tvs with comcast, a box is not require unless you want the channels above 99/channel guide/On demand...

ajwees41

wrong comcast in some area is going all digital.

bicker

Just to be clear, not even in the places where Comcast has already gone "all-digital", like Detroit and Chicago and (City of) Boston, that has not resulted in a loss of analog service for local over-the-air channels. So while it is true that in some areas (like the ones I mentioned, and soon to be many more) you will need either a DTA, QAM tuner or perhaps even will need a STB or CableCARD to view channels above (somewhere around) channel 30, you will not need a box for literally everything (at least not at this point), even after your area goes "all-digital".

stimpy2300

Thanks for the feedback. I cannot believe that there is no market for them, since a have to beleive there are a lot of people who have older tv's... Oh well, I will keep an eye out since now I know what I am looking for thanks to you. Also I am going to CC today and will ask about the 3 box rental inclusion.

Thanks,
stimpy2300

bicker

Generally, folks would prefer to pay the few dollars rental for additional boxes, than pay enough to make offering them for sale worthwhile. (Keep in mind that the vast majority of digital packages already include the cost of one box.)

stimpy2300

Hey bicker and everyoe spoke to comcast today and the lady did say that they are not offering a deal on boxes yet but there is someting in the pipe and to come back next week. So it looks like there may be some good deals coming up soon (not sure if anything is a good deal from CC but what the hell)...

Thanks for the info, I would have never known...


stimpy2300

Filekhasper

Again, I was refering to digital televisions. Digital cable and digital tv are different things. When in an all digital comcast area, do you think that gramma wants a box? or even knows how to use it? No.

Those areas are still going to have analog signal, for now.

bicker

Comcast will likely still provide analog for broadcast channels, well into 2012.

Lee Stewart

Comcast moving analog to digital in Northern California

http://www.cedmagazine.com/Comcast-a...ia-021009.aspx

bicker

Progress continues. :up:

celica

Agree 2012 and beyond..

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