Is this true about comcast?

[bobdelt]

So I just got digital cable.

I also have a tv tuner in my pc.

According to comcast, I can only get network channels analog (abc, nbc, etc) - no tbs, usa, espn, etc... That has to be a load of crap! So now on my media center pc - I get like 8 channels.

They said I need the digital box to get tbs, usa, espn, etc. So basically that means no pc tv tuners or tivo right - because the digital stuff is scrambled.

Surely this must be pure BS. Seeing how I had analog cable a year ago, in boston. But can anyone confirm that get analog cable in boston just fine?

 

[DaveSimmons]

They are switching from analog to digital in most markets. Here in Bellevue (near Seattle) they did it a couple of years ago.

 

[keeleysam]

CableCARD.

 

[mugs]

Analog cable takes a lot more bandwidth than digital cable, so cable companies are moving away from it.

You can use your TV tuner with a cable box + IR blaster to change the channels.

 

[bobdelt]

alright, i hate that setup, do you know where i can get one that works with windows media center?

 

[bobdelt]

also, The analog cable channels (besides nbc, abc, etc) are coming, they are just scrambled... So obviously I can get analog cable, they just dont want to give it to me.

 

[Old Hippie]

do you know where i can get one that works with windows media center?

From your cable company. You use their boxes on their systems. AFAIK there is no hack for digital cable. Get your wallet out.

 

[Old Hippie]

The analog cable channels (besides nbc, abc, etc) are coming, they are just scrambled...

And you know this is analog, how?

 

[bobdelt]

well im assuming my analog tv tuner would get no picture at all if the signal was digital - instead of just a scrambled one... am i wrong?

So all those people who have tivo's would be screwed in my position, or would have to use an IR blaster?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: bobdelt
also, The analog cable channels (besides nbc, abc, etc) are coming, they are just scrambled... So obviously I can get analog cable, they just dont want to give it to me.

Digital cable uses the same frequency bands as analog cable.

 

[Old Hippie]

am i wrong?

Way.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: bobdelt
well im assuming my analog tv tuner would get no picture at all if the signal was digital - instead of just a scrambled one... am i wrong?

So all those people who have tivo's would be screwed in my position, or would have to use an IR blaster?

Yeah, TiVo comes with an IR blaster.