[mythtv-users] Nasty shock with Comcast Chicago

[JDeGraw]

Here in South Bend, Indiana I have basic extended and still get all the
analog channels. Must be just a Chicago rollout as you say. But probably
due to happen then in South Bend also soon.

Although I cannot offer any help, Im supprised you got thru to actual
managers at the help-less desk. I find them inept at best in anything I
need from them. 

I would go satellite but then I dont know where to get my internet
connection from. DSL is out of range for me here. That pretty much
leaves me with dialup only. Unless someone else knows of an answer.
Seems every morning around 6am or so the internet goes down here until I
reset my cable modem. Otherwise it just sits and resets forever.

Good Luck,
jDeGraw

On Sun, 2006-02-12 at 23:07 -0500, Dewey Smolka wrote:
> Non-digital not really non-digital
> 
> I don't know if anyone else has seen this, but it came as a nasty
> surprise to me.
> 
> I signed up for Basic Extended service from Comcast Chicago (Zone NW
> 2&3). I told them on the phone several times while ordering that I was
> only interested in analog service, not digital, and that I had my own
> tuning devices and wouldn't need a converter.
> 
> The tech came out to activate the line and the Comcast default channel
> (4) came up just fine going straight into my television. I didn't
> imagine there would be any problem since the analog channels would be
> open and I'd be able to tune them with my PVR-250 and/or television
> with integrated tuner.
> 
> Only that didn't happen. Turns out it's a new thing with Comcast
> Chicago that only the Really Basic Channels are actually analog. The
> 'extended' channels (including all the ad-supported networks you
> watch) are actually digital, and you can't get them with your PVR
> cards without a converter box.
> 
> The first call to Comcast after the installation got me a call-back
> from the tech, who explained that the extended channels were, in fact,
> digital even though I had asked for analog service. I wouldn't be able
> to get the channels without their converter. The one he left behind is
> the size of a briefcase and hums in B flat.
> 
> The sticky part is that the 'extended' channels are not under the
> digital plans, and the work order the tech left behind called for a
> 'non-digital install'. I had asked for and been sold an analog package
> that was in fact digital. All the channels in question were 2 through
> around 90 or so. Analog bands.
> 
> After maybe four calls to Comcast support, during three of which I
> made vague threats of calling the FCC and the Chicago Cable
> Commission, I finally got to speak to some actual managers. They
> couldn't give me a good answer why non-digital channels were actually
> digital other than that "the whole world's going digital".
> 
> I complained that the whole reason why I had bought analog cable was
> so I could use my equipment to change the channels. Their converter
> box gave me no way other than the remote to set channels, etc. I
> 
> They did, however, agree to give me one of their Motorola HD boxes
> with a serial port, firewire port and component outs for six months
> free (after it's $5/mo. I've got an HD set but no HD card; I do have a
> firewire card that I've never tried). They also agreed to refund the
> $50 they had charged for lighting the cable line, only there would be
> another install charge of $15 for the HD box.
> 
> Not the best deal I know, but the Olympic Hockey starts on Wednesday
> and my wife will be extremely disapointed if I don't record all of
> Slovakia's games.
> 
> Does anyone know if Comcast is actually allowed to do this? Can they
> sell a 'non-digital' service that is in fact digital, or to move the
> lower bands to digital at all? I know those broadcast bands are being
> squeezed out but broadcast isn't cable.
> 
> The new box should get here Tuesday morning. How does one go about
> controlling through serial or firewire? I imagine I'll need the box
> model number but where would I find a driver or script that could set
> the channel?
> 
> If I'm using firewire to send commands, can I also use it capture HD
> signals (assuming some are coming through) at the same time? How (in
> general terms)?
> 
> I'm very curious if anyone else has seen this with his or her cable
> company. Is the usefulness of the analog tuner at an end?
> 
> Just thought I'd share.
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