Comcast and the Digital Transition

[GertrudaRose]

[size="2"]Am I the only one that was bamboozled by Comcast in the digital transition?  I should not be confused - I have a degree in computers and I’m not ignorant of the difference between analog and digital signals.  What DOES confuse me, though, are the policies and practices of Comcast![/size][size="2"] [/size]

[size="2"]We had cable television, Comcast’s “Full Basic” package.  All the news sources said that with cable, we would be okay with the digital transition.  Comcast was always evasive about providing answers, though, as noted by one of our local television news stations.[/size][size="2"] [/size]

[size="2"]Last week, I noticed an alert on my computer about the Media Center (the television interface) that I might lose some stations after the transition EVEN WITH CABLE.  I did some more research and decided that what it REALLY came down to is how Comcast was going to handle the transition.  When a station drops the analog signal will Comcast replace it with the digital signal?   I called Comcast to find out that THE ANSWER IS NO, they will simply drop the analog signal (from the “Full Basic” package).[/size][size="2"] [/size]

[size="2"]I signed up for the “Digital Starter” package and got all of the boxes installed last week.  The technician mentioned how everyone is waiting till the last minute.  I explained to him that the reason I “waited until the last minute” was because I thought I was okay since I had cable.  He did not respond except for mentioning that they were prepared for a big rush this weekend.[/size][size="2"] [/size]

[size="2"]This morning, Saturday, the “Full Basic” package no longer has CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, FOX, HGTV, STYLE, and several others, as listed on the Comcast website.[/size][size="2"] [/size]

[size="2"]Why didn’t Comcast make this policy known?  Why was there so much information that said if you have cable you’re all set?  It’s no wonder they say so many people are not ready – we’re confused by Comcast!icon_nixweiss[/size]

[Richard]

I have Comcast and I haven't noticed any dropped channels. There shouldn't be any stations left that broadcast only in analog.

[GertrudaRose]

Right! So why have the channels dropped here? And not all of the channels, just some? And on just some of the packages and not all of the packages? Why should it matter at all? I think our local Comcast is up to something shady!

[Richard]

I think I misunderstood your first post. You're saying you need to have the digital box to get CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, FOX, HGTV, and STYLE. I have the digital box and that's why I haven't noticed any dropped channels.

[Richard]

Comcast customers could be affected by digital TV switch

June 13, 2009

By Administrator

NEW — 6 a.m. June 13, 2009

TV stations killed their analog signals yesterday as stations nationwide began to broadcast in a digital format. Though the transition was mostly smooth in the region and nationwide, some local Comcast cable customers may need to pick up a digital adapter box in order to receive their full channel lineup.

Comcast ended the analog signal for Channels 30 through 70. Customers who subscribe to Comcast standard cable or digital cable; or those who have a TV connected to Comcast service without a digital set top box may need a digital adapter box.

Comcast introduced digital service in two phases in Issaquah. The first phase ended yesterday; another phase is planned for July 6-10.

Comcast planned to send detailed mailers to customers with their cable bills explaining who would be affected by the switchover and what equipment affected customers might need. Learn more by calling Comcast.

http://www.issaquahpress.com/2009/06/13/...tv-switch/

[GertrudaRose]

I think Comcast is using the transition to force people to convert from basic plans to digital plans by coercing them into getting the boxes. Even though I have digital tuners, I can't get their digital signal without a box. So if I want cable television, I am forced to buy their boxes for digital television. Although we had been told in many places that if we had cable, we'd be okay, that was only true if you already had the boxes.

[Mercy Now]

BTW...I've had a headache since it all  was switched over from analog to digital.:(

[GertrudaRose]

Our parrot noticed the change, too. He was just fascinated, as if he heard a new noise.

[Richard]

You need the Comcast box or cablecard to decompress the incoming compressed signal. All the HD channels are compressed.

[GertrudaRose]

But everyone said that I didn't need to do anything since I already had cable.