Can't Receive Comcast Digital on HTPC

[Nunya]

There's a recent thread below mine regarding a similiar issue with cablevision but I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread. I've had two analog cable lines to my HTPC running BeyondTV for years and have been very happy with it. Recently Comcast switched to digital and now I can only get the locals. I only have extended basic, I watch very little TV and this was plenty to get the shows I like. BeyondTV supports clear QAM and so do my tuners so I ran a scan and it didn't find any clear QAM stations. I'm assuming this means they're all encrypted. I'm curious what my options are. I don't want to upgrade my cable service and pay for a bunch of junk I don't watch. I also don't want to have to search Hulu or other sites for these shows. Is there a way to keep my setup the way it is and receive the channels I want? Is this going to require a Ceton CableCard?

TIA.

 

[joetekubi]

Comcast is in control. You can either use an external antenna to pick up local channels (they might be HD), use a cable card with your HTPC, or use the external digital to analog converter box that Comcast offered subscribers earlier this year.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Yes just went through with this with Comcast. They are sending me 2 free DTAs, digital converter boxes, to use since they have gone all digital. Can't get QAM HD local channels anymore without them. Rabbit ears work just as well for local HD channels.

 

[thomsbrain]

Hmm, my TV gets local digital stations through the regular basic "analog" Comcast cable. They are mostly out of order (ex: Fox and Fox HD are like 40 stations apart), but the TV picks them up.

I wouldn't have any TV but it's cheaper to have basic cable and internet than just internet alone.

 

[Nunya]

Yes just went through with this with Comcast. They are sending me 2 free DTAs, digital converter boxes, to use since they have gone all digital. Can't get QAM HD local channels anymore without them. Rabbit ears work just as well for local HD channels.

I was reading about the DTA boxes but it looked to me like you have to change the channels on the DTA, not the tuner behind it, which wouldn't work for me. If you don't mind post back with your experience when you get them.

 

[joetekubi]

I was reading about the DTA boxes but it looked to me like you have to change the channels on the DTA, not the tuner behind it, which wouldn't work for me. If you don't mind post back with your experience when you get them.

Yah - I was planning on using the free DTA boxes with Comcast once they went pure digital, then I got the DTA boxes, and realized that they require a separate remote, and I would have manage recording all my shows manually.

Decided to dump that plan and go with a TIVO and cablecard. Pretty happy now.