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Comcast closing analog hole

C

CU

Platinum Member
Looks like comcast is doing away with analog in my area. That causes me a problem with my htpc. I use mythtv with an old PVR-150 to record a few shows. Now if I move to a HDHomeRun Prime I can use that to record stuff, plus more tuners and better quality. Down side is if comcast doesn't mark basic and extended basic as "copy freely" mythtv cannot watch or recorded it. Does anyone know what comcast normally sets the flag to? Also is Win7 the only way to use a cable card and watch/record shows that are not marked "copy freely." DRM is so much fun.
 
Hauupauge HD-PVR... You need a set top box though, but it will record everything until Comcast turns off component out, which I don't see them doing.
 
A set top box will work with what I have although it would be SD instead of HD as I am using a PVR-150. Not to mention HD-PVR ($189) is not much cheaper than a HDHomeRun Prime ($229) which would give me 3 tuners instead of 1. Although the copy flags may kill HDHomeRun Prime and mythtv.
 
Nice price. Just left a message with Comcast to have a tech call me back and tell me what there CCI flags are set to. Since mythtv will only work with "Copy free" set. If I don't pay for HD just expanded and basic, will the HDHomerun Prime pick up any HD? I assume it will still get the local stations in HD, but nothing else like ESPN HD.
 
im pretty sure those copy flags pertain to comcast's own dvr boxes too... so if they did flag too many shows as copy restricted they would piss off a lot of people.

in reality i dont hear too many complaints about it. its mostly for special aired movies
 
From my reading since I plan to use mythtv it has to be "copy freely". Devices like TIVO, Comcast DVR's, and even Win7 have been approved/certified or something to work with the stricter flags like "copy once" or "copy never", but open source programs like mythtv cannot enforce any DRM since you could just change the code to get around it. Different areas tend to flag most channels as "copy freely" or "copy once."
 
If you currently have a box do this. Turn to channel you are concerned about, then hit [on remote] cable>power>ok/select. Then go to the interface/port status menu. look in there for "5c implementation" yes or no and "copy control". That will tell you.

BTW, I'm a Comcast tech and there is no sheet that lists 5C states for the channels. So you will probably get no good answer. The only person that may have a list is a "Head End tech" and they are generally too busy to respond to emails concerning this stuff, you may get lucky though. Also 5c states are sometimes set per program from the content provider so it is not always as easy as 5 state per chanel.
 
Thanks. I will spot check that on some basic and expanded basic channels on my digital cable box. Although Knology just moved in to compete with Comcast, so I think I will ask them if they are going to keep analog on basic and expanded basic. That way I don't have to spend any money right now. Anyone have any experience with them? Comcast has been good to me so far, and I don't blame them for going all digital.
 
When Comcast did away with analog here, they offered to give you free two cable boxes that would allow you to view channels 1-100 in SD mode. They call them digital transport adapters. They are really small, like a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes. If want more than 2 they'll rent them to you for $2.50/mo.
 
Squisher said:
When Comcast did away with analog here, they offered to give you free two cable boxes that would allow you to view channels 1-100 in SD mode. They call them digital transport adapters. They are really small, like a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes. If want more than 2 they'll rent them to you for $2.50/mo.
Click to expand...

$2 a month for the 3rd or more here.

DTAs, You could use one of those with an analog tuner card and an IR Blaster for your HTPC. No composite out on those.
 
Do make sure to check every channel you care about and not just a few. Comcast in the Boston area seems to have the copy protected flag on for -only- Comedy Central HD. At least, as far as Windows Media Center is concerned. Everything else is free and clear.
 
I didn't really want to use a DTA on it because I would have to pay for the third and I didn't want to setup an IR Blaster.

I tried cable>power>ok/select to read CCI flags, but when I hit power the box turns off and ok/select does nothing. What am I doing wrong? is the box suppose to turn off and come back on to a service menu or something.
 
I like just outside Chicago and Comcast shut off the analog channels over 1.5 years ago and I can't do anything at all without having some of their digital boxes. All you can view without using their hardware are the over the air channels.
 
Well Knology told me they have no plans to get rid of the analog channels. So, I am switching to them. They are actually coming out tomorrow for the install. It is $10 more than my Comcast promotional price that is ending in a few months, but Knology also includes an HD receiver and I don't have to spend anymore money on my htpc. Although after watching HD for a few months, an HDHomerun Prime may still be in my future.
 
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