Purchase Converter Box for Comcast Digital Cable

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Did I screw the pooch??

I have had free Comcast extended basic cable service since I bought my house about 6 years ago. We plugged the cable into the wall, and the TV worked. As discussed in previous posts, we began losing channels, finally ending up with only being able to watch channels 2-34. A friend of mine works for comcast and told me it was due to digital conversion, and that I could get a converter box from Best Buy to restore the channels that I had "lost." I purchased the converter box, and installed it. The box couldn't read any of the channels, including the channels 2-34.

I disconnected the converter box and put everything back. Now I don't receive ANY channels. I then tried plugging the cable from the wall directly into the back of the TV and still I have no picture.Is it possible that Comcast detected the converter box and cut off all cable connection? If not, I will try to troubleshoot the mechanicals. I confirmed that the output from the VCR and TIVO boxes to the TV work fine.

Thanks,

SJSU Fan
Click to expand...


Wow, that makes no sense to me.

This is what I do understand. If you bought a converter box from Best Buy, my assumption is that you bought an ATSC converter box or simply put an over the air digital to analog converter. Which will not work with comcast... well then again it opens up a new can of worms.

Was your 2-34 an analog signal and not digital? My guess is it was analog. So no converter box needed. That being the case, if that doesnt work, then either comcast stopped broadcasting analog across the wire OR they disconnected your cable.

Back to your converter box that you bought. The standard converter box would be to convert ATSC digital signals or whats known as over the air digital. The only way to get the comcast digital signal is to get a QAM tuner. Only then will you get the Clear QAM signal. If you want your full lineup of Comcast channels, you will need a box from Comcast to decrypt the digital signals coming from Comcast.

The fact that you get nothing tells me either they stopped broadcasting even analog across the wire which would be really strange to do it all at once.

OR they physically disconnected the cable running to your house.
 
I know the answer to this once, since I just got done installing two units this week.
Each one has to be activated and the serial numbers for each are registed to your account with Comcast. So they only activate what is assigned to you. Also, they told me if I have a power outage or unplug a unit, it should work fine when power is restored. But, if you disconnect the cable, or move the unit to another room, you will need to reactivate the unit. So, you cannot even have it activated at your friend's house and move it to your house, let alone move one within your own house (without reactivating).

Hope that helps! I am here because I too am looking for a way around this Comcast-created issue!!
 
Well, this is becoming more complicated than I knew. I already pay comcast an outrageous sum for their various services, but obviously, from what I read here, they are using their conversion to "all digital" to try to milk more from me.

Our transition started about a week ago, and in anticiplation, I ordered and installed to two "free" converters for my "ancient" analog equipment. I just got a brand new digital Audiovox KLV3913 12" undercabinet unit for my kitchen (HDTV/DVD Combo). I figured I would need nothing from comcast for that unit.

Wrong!

I hooked it up last night and did a scan for channels. Everything was great up to cannel 50.0 However, I got the Comcast "call us" message on 10 channels between Channel 58 and Channel 72, I got channel 70 eith no problem and got every channel between 75 and my hightest channel #254 with no problem.

I'm gessing these are the "newly scrambled" channels that were part of our subscription.

As a different confusion, for me, is that the channels this new unit have a decimal point and other numbers that follow. For most of the channels, if there is regular definition it will be on, like 23.0 with lower "high def" at 23.1 and 1040i high def at 23.2

Some of the channels have from up to 12 "sub-channels" not always the just different definitions. Like for station 75 I have 75.0 through 75.12, for channel 101 it is 101.0, 101.7, and 101.12.

I havn't seen this before. If someone understands this system and can point me to a link where I can educate myself, maybe I'll learn what channel I need to tune to watch what I want.

Thanks. Steve
 
Steve,
Any of those channels with wierd numbers, ie. 51-3 are digital channels.

Our setup: we pay cable for basic cable, plus $5 for SportsView package so spouse can view tennis channel and extra football games. (You have to ask directed questions to realize you are not required to pay for expanded basic in order to get the basic sports package!) We also pay for one analog $1.75 cable box a month plus TV guide fee. So with that box any TV old or new will get basic channels (1-30), various unscrambled junk channels, and the sports package. Our new lcd TV with QAM tuner plugged DIRECTLY into the wall will also get all of the latter except the sports package, all of the main network unscrambled HD channels and ALSO "extra" HD channels whose analog equivalents are scrambled on Expanded Basic! (a wierd scattering of channels including AMC and ShowTime movie channels!) As a consequence we have put a splitter on the cable, and use the TV input from "ant" direct from the wall" when we want to access these HD channels, and on "video 1" (connected to cable box via red/white/yellow video cable) when we want to access the rxtra sports channels. Unfortunately the HD channels do not match the channel numbers from the guide, but I won't complain, as they are free.

In short, there are still some unscrambled HD channels accessible directly on the cable if you have a QAM tuner.

Enjoy while you can!

Note: We recently added a $6.75 per month HD cable box in order to turn a HD equipped 22" computer monitor ($99) into a HD TV with no computer necesssary. We plug the audio into the ipod speaker next to it. Works fantastic, and now we have an extra HD TV and can access HD channel guide which helps us figure what is playing on those "extra channels". The numbers still don't match. We still don't get the scrambled HD channels, and, interestingly enough, don't get the "extra" channels referenced above. So the Showtime movie channel that we are getting direct from the wall will NOT play on the HD cable box (as the box knows we aren't paying for it so it just posts a message to "order, etc") Wierd stuff.

One small negative is that every box you get from them multiplies the charge for channel guide also.

Terri
 


(mph) Just an added note to jherome's above 'expose'. However, everyone should realize one important point about COMCAST's
migration to Digital. They are "encrypting" the digital output of all digital channels that are "not" local. I have a new HD tv with all
of the possible tuners, ASTC, NTSC and clear QAM; the only digital channels a new digital HD TV can pick up, are local ones and
others which are Un-Encrypted. We here in Arlington, VA are also slowly losing our analog channels. When I tried to tune in the
CADTV channels with the QAM tuner (ie., the digital cable channels), only local media outlets could be obtained. This is why you
will always "need" a box. When you think about it, it's silly, deceiving, and dishonest! Most of those above who threaten to
go "satellite" or Verizon "FIOS" recognize that pretty soon we will all need a box no matter the service. We just threaten to leave
COMCAST because we've been their customer from their "service inception", in my case, for almost 30 years (1980), and "this
is how they wish to treat me?" Good Luck Everyone!!!
 
I just felt like adding something here.... I too subscribe to Comcast in the Chicago IL suburban area and as of midnight, I've got 20 channels left in the 'basic' tier. I do still get many channels on my 2 QAM tuners (1 in my plasma TV, 1 in my HTPC), but my Tivo and older 'non-Qam' digital TV are very blah now. I will not add set top boxes to these TVs, and am seriously thinking of going to Antenna. I could live with the fact that the QAM tuners get the digital versions of the channels on completely wrong stations now (58 is FX, the QAM broadcast is on 109.32), but I'm sure they will start pulling those too. With the fact that you can get almost everything online now, and AT&T is offering TV in my area and the antenna service is pretty damn good (I often flip over to my digital antenna service on the non QAM TV for PBS in HD), I can't see the reason to stick with Comcast. I'd love nothing better than to see them take a major subscriber hit over this nonsense.

Good luck to everyone with your situations, but I'm going to cut bait at this point. I've been paying Comcast 60 bucks a month for years and see no reason to make it more than that. They are bloodsuckers and as one poster added above, the only reason most people were willing to stick with them was that you could get a good amount of service without adding a box (especially those of us who went out and got TVs with clear QAM), and now they are removing that single advantage.



 
For those that do not decide to cut from cable company:

I have just put an "RF-Link" device in my house that works great>

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002EXJ8Y/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

Basically broadcasts encrypted AV signal from your authorized cable box to any destination that you like, as long as it has composite input. It also has a RF signal extender, which allows us to use the cable box remote in my bedroom, sending the signal through the walls to the cable box in the main room. Picture is not true HD, but it's darn good.

Cool technology. Has great reviews, check it out. There's apparently something called "Angel-Trax" that has a tuner too, but I"m sure that would only be the unencrypted channels anyhow.

We are going to eliminate the other HD box and the charge for the guide on that box as well.

TRS
 
I have comcast and have the same problem. Some of our favorite channels just got switched from standard cable to digital starter so now 3 of our 4 tv's can't get them without their box. I contacted RadioShack and they sell a converter for $60 that they say will give you all the channels they keep switching to digital starter and they say they can't keep them in stock. I was told they could order me one. I checked their web site and could not find the box they were talking about. I will have to stop in to see if they know what they were talking about. I live in west of Pittsburgh Pa. Comcast is a monopoly and I am ready to switch to direct TV but I want to keep my comcast high speed internet. The price on it will go up $17 if I drop the tv cable. You can't win!
 
I have comcast I got two of there boxes for my tvs I have to tell you they both didnt work for my tvs. I programmed the remotes and i could not change the channel. THe mute would work, u could punch in the # but i wouldnt change. I heard that alot of tvs are not programmed for the pace box. It was very aggravating.
I have a older tv and the other is from 2005. I called they said change your remotes. So i changed my remotes. After i got new remotes from comcast its still didnt work for my tvs to change???

For me I had to upgrade my tv, next i will upgrade the other one. I have to tell you if alot of my channels get zapped i am going to dish network or direct tv.
 
I am in Southern New Jersey and am having the same problem with Comcast changing analog to digital. Since I have to use channel 3 or 4 on my VCR to access the digital channels from their digital starter box I can no longer make a timer recording with my VCR on any channel above 23. I have split the signal between the VCR and the digital starter box so that I can timer record on the existing analog channels. I can only record the digital channels if I am watching the same channel while recording. What is the point? Is there a digital to analog converter for digital cable?
 
Hi all, whether COMCAST diliberately or unintentionally scrwed up this analog to digital switch is not known at this time--but they did make major mistakes. I doubt they would ever admit them; but they really blew-it. But why worry? We'll all be satelite/dish customers by this time next year and Comcast will be out of business.
In the meantime, I was thinking, if one can switch the so called "new" Digital Transport Adapter by a hand-held remote device (infraed, I think) then you should be able to use an IR blaster /emmiter (infrard I think) to switch channels. [an IR blaster is a wire device that plugs into the back of your vcr/dvd at the plug that reads "cable box control or set top box" and then drapes over the cable box to be positioned in front of panel of the cable box].
But it takes a certain "code" to set the frequency to match the cable box. I've tried all the codes I have in my owner's manual (and more) but I can't get it. Does this make sense or am I being silly? SIGH!!!
Tom from Ann Arbor (no relation to the web site)
 
Comcast (Seattle) provided me with a FREE digital-to-analog box for each of my TVs. I also paid shipping of $9.95 for a digital starter box for my main TV. None of the converter boxes cost anything for rent or otherwise. Perhaps you are asking the wrong question. If your kitchen TV is connected to cable all you need is one of the FREE converter boxes. Here are a few FAQs on the Comcast site:

Q - Will I need a new antenna after the transition?
A - If you have a rooftop antenna, it will probably pick up digital television signals. If you use rabbit ears instead of a rooftop antenna, it may not pick up those signals. If your television is connected to Comcast Cable, you won’t need to use antennas of any kind.


Q - Where can I get a digital-to-analog converter?
A - Digital-to-analog converters are available in many retail stores. If you subscribe to Comcast, you won’t need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter.


Q - How much will a digital-to-analog converter cost?
A - Digital-to-analog converters are priced between $50 and $70 and are available in many retail stores. You won’t need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter, however, if you have your television connected to Comcast.


Q - How can I make my old analog television set work?
A - The best way to make your old television work is to subscribe to Comcast digital cable, because you won’t need to worry about purchasing a new television or a digital-to-analog converter in order to receive programming.

😱
 



The only issue I have with the Comcast digital conversion is that I've lost control of my TV. The TV turns on with the original remote but it no longer controls channels or volume (or anything else). The remote that came with the converter box controls the channel but not the volume (or anything else). I have to use the controls on the TV itself to control the volume -- then it's the same for every channel, and not every channel has the same default volume setting.

How do I get back control of my TV???

Stephen in Seattle
 
My remote control that came with my TV still works my volume, etc. even when I am on a Comcast digital channel. It won't scroll through the Comcast channels because at that point I am tuning into them through the Comcast tuner in the box they have supplied and am accessing them on a TV video input channel. Maybe the battery is weak or something like that in the remote control. After you tune to the Comcast channels with their remote control press on the TV button on the original remote control and see if that restores the ability to control the TV.
 
Q - Where can I get a digital-to-analog converter?
A - Digital-to-analog converters are available in many retail stores. If you subscribe to Comcast, you won’t need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter.


Q - How much will a digital-to-analog converter cost?
A - Digital-to-analog converters are priced between $50 and $70 and are available in many retail stores. You won’t need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter, however, if you have your television connected to Comcast.

Ok, just be honest, and say those people with Comcast will then have to RENT a digital programming box for each TV they wish to see the subscribed cable content on. Each and every TV will have a box, and depending on the number of channels etc, the rent will be $1.99/mo or $6.99/mo or higher.

It angers me to no end at how Comcast is treating their customers. I am no ready to find an alternative and I have been a Comcast subscriber since 1982.
 
Q - Does anyone know the answer to this question? At my parents house, they have the Comcast Digital Starter package (expanded basic) with a couple of premium channels. At my place (in the same city), I have the Comcast Digital Starter package with a few other premium channels. I need to spend a couple of days at my parents' place coming up. Can I bring my cable box to their place and watch my premium channels over there?
 
Q - Does anyone know the answer to this question? At my parents house, they have the Comcast Digital Starter package (expanded basic) with a couple of premium channels. At my place (in the same city), I have the Comcast Digital Starter package with a few other premium channels. I need to spend a couple of days at my parents' place coming up. Can I bring my cable box to their place and watch my premium channels over there?
Click to expand...


I don't think it would work elsewhere because Comcast activates each cable box specific to an account. Also, it is a decryption device and probably doesn't store specific plan or package data.
 
Well give it a try and report back. I doubt it will work though since the company has to register the box for that account. But who knows!
 
This comcast transition is a huge joke on the comcast customer base like me since 1996. Just to clear up a few misconceptions here. I, like everyone else am not interested in stealing cable. I like espn, news and a few other channels from time to time and have no problem paying for basic cable. I have purchased 5 beautiful flatscreens and actaully remodeled all the rooms that they go in an attempt to make them look clean and even beautiful. That last thing I want as a consumer is an ugly box that has to be plugged in 24/7 hanging from the wall. It's BS and oh by the way, the cable company in their wisdom and customer appreciation is doing this to enhance our cable experience including:

a) The box is designed to "data mine" everything you watch even how often you change channels during commercials. They then sell this information back to their advertisers at a huge profit who then use this data to better manipulate the public by zipcode .

b) They are so manipulative that they make each box registered to an exact location so if you move the box or even un plug the box you call them to have it registered again. Why do they do this? You will find that when you register the box they ask where in your home is the tv located. They then assign it's registration addrees to that exact location. i.e. kitchen, bedroom, den. They further use that data to segment the data as they parse it.

c) Finally, do know there is absolutely no reason for them to scramble the digital channels! They know what package you have subscribed to and can easily allow your built in QAM decode those channels. The only reason they scramble the channels is that you the customer have to have their little data mining box and of course they are counting on the "on demand" compulsive suckers who are willing to pay $5.99 for a movie. Also, did you note that they just raised their rates in Oct. WOW!

The Question is why is there not a class action suit on this matter
- invasion of privacy
- anti trust issues
- price fixing
- the customer has no choice even if we pay for the signal we should not be forced into the the data mining box.

Eric - Spokane Wa
 

Questions about the use of an RF repeater: What do you mean by "composite input" for the receiver TV? This system would require every TV to be watching the same channel, would it not? It seems like my children are always watching different shows in different rooms. This seems like a promising approach to deal with the multi-cable box problem, though I am sure that Comcast will go to work on a method to block it.
 
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