[mythtv-users] No More Free DTAs From Comcast

[Karl Newman]

On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 7:45 PM, Kirk Bocek <t004 at kbocek.com> wrote:

>
> On 9/12/2013 4:26 PM, Gary Buhrmaster wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 10:44 PM, Karl Newman <newmank1 at asme.org> wrote:
>> ....
>>
>>> Wait, you're able to use a HDHR Prime with a CableCard on Comcast WITHOUT
>>> the $10 "HD Programming Fee"?
>>>
>> The OP said yes (and that confirms my understanding), but with the caveat
>> that that means you do not get the HD programming (including in some
>> locations, apparently, no HD versions of OTA programming(*)).  However,
>> in the general case, you are going to have to get the CSR to understand
>> *exactly* what you are asking for, and (with a good probability) call
>> after
>> your first bill to try to fix it again because of a "misunderstanding"
>> (after
>> all, who does not want HD?  You *must* have been mistaken to not
>> want HD :-).
>>
>> Note that the fees for "HD Programming" (and additional "outlet fee"s)
>> varies from franchise to franchise.  And so does what features/options
>> are available (and some people who are "grandfathered" into particular
>> packages get things that no one else ever will again (just like some
>> grandfathered cell phone plans (can anyone same unlimited data))).
>> Unless you live in the same location as the OP, your rates and available
>> packages may (will) be different.
>>
>>
>>
> OP here. Here's what happened. I started with a full on HD cable box and
> an analog HD encoder for Myth. (Whatever that single available model is, I
> can't remember off the top of my head. It has since been shelved and is no
> longer used.) With the advent of the HDHR Prime, I ordered one, went down
> to the Comcast office, picked up a CableCard. I figured out how to get that
> combination working with Myth and once I was happy and secure with that, I
> took the HD cable box back to Comcast. At that point, the HD Progamming Fee
> disappeared from my bill. In fact, I am getting a $2.50 User Owned
> Equipment credit on top of everything else.
>
> Now was this an artifact of my particular order of ordering? I don't know.
> No one ever asked if I wanted HD programming. I never brought up the
> subject. The HD channels come in fine. As I mentioned in a previous post,
> when I asked for an HD-DTA, the lady was nice enough to tell me ahead of
> time that the HD Programming Fee was being added to my bill automatically.
> I said no.
>
> I have since ordered a second HDHR Prime. Once it arrives, I will go down
> and order a second CableCard. I will make sure the fee is not added. I
> *should* have done this ahead of time. Alas, I am imperfect.
>

Interesting. It sounds like you may have a unique situation. Let us know
what happens with the second CableCard. Maybe I'll call Comcast and ask
what their policy is on that.

Thanks,

Karl
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