Question about High Definition and Comcast Cable

[purbeast0]

since i just got my new HD tv, i am going to be switching over to HD comcast. I was looking at their site and I see its only $5/mo extra for it, with a $11 one time fee. My tv came HD-Ready so i know its ready to work. now i have a few questoins

I currently have normal analog cable and have not upgraded to digital cable. will i have to upgrade to digital cable before i can take advantage of the HD, or is analog, digital, and HD completely different?

If I have to upgrade from analog to digital, what is the price difference per month?

Also, on the website it says they have to come install the new HD cable box. How much is involved in installing a cable box? Isn't it just plugging in the box and thats it? the reason I ask is because I am not home during the day, making it alot harder for me to have them install it while i'm at home.

thanks and sorry for the n3wb questions .

 

[KLin]

I believe you can just have standard cable, but still get the HD channels. You'll have to call comcast and ask them. if you have standard, digital classic is only about 10-15 bucks more per month. They insist that they instal it, probably because it's their equipment. you're only renting it from them.

 

[Fausto]

The new box is pretty much just plug and chug, but they insist on doing it for some reason. Took the dude like 15 min.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: KLin
I believe you can just have standard cable, but still get the HD channels. You'll have to call comcast and ask them. if you have standard, digital classic is only about 10-15 bucks more per month. They insist that they instal it, probably because it's their equipment. you're only renting it from them.

heh as little TV as i watch, the 10-15 extra a month is not worth it to me. i mainly just watch fx and tbs as far as cable channels go, and espn.

with the HD box you get ESPN as well as all the local broadcasts, which to me is worth the extra $5/mo. so i hope i don't have to upgrade to digital just to receive the HD signal. so i hope what you believe is true

im waiting for them to call me back in regards to the whole thing.

 

[Viper GTS]

Go to a comcast office & pick it up. It's a simple receiver, connects via component cables for video & has both coax and toslink for audio (as well as standard L/R phono).

If you pick it up yourself you can skip the one time fee, & I personally wouldn't let a comcast tech touch my HT equipment.

You do not need to upgrade to digital cable, the box is all you need. You'll gain access to On Demand, plus all the free HD programming.

Viper GTS

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
im waiting for them to call me back in regards to the whole thing.

Just walk into a local office & pick it up, you'll be in & out in 10 mins & you can set it up yourself.

Viper GTS

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Fausto
The new box is pretty much just plug and chug, but they insist on doing it for some reason. Took the dude like 15 min.

if i explain them the circumstances, do you think they can just drop it off? i mean when filling out the form it asked what all is going to be hooked to my HT area, just when filing out the applicatoin for the installation of the HD box. i figure they think the more they have to hook up, the more $$$ they can charge. so i just said a DVD player (because it like MADE you choose one or else the form wouldn't let you submit), although i will have alot more to hook up myself.

doing that stuff is not a problem heh, so i just hope they can leave the cable box and i can do the rest.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Go to a comcast office & pick it up. It's a simple receiver, connects via component cables for video & has both coax and toslink for audio (as well as standard L/R phono).

If you pick it up yourself you can skip the one time fee, & I personally wouldn't let a comcast tech touch my HT equipment.

You do not need to upgrade to digital cable, the box is all you need. You'll gain access to On Demand, plus all the free HD programming.

Viper GTS

Oooh okay i didn't realize you can do that . Now i have to find a local one. i might go do this after work, thanks!

 

[purbeast0]

umm heh i can't find on the website where it has the local addresses. do you know where on the site has it? i clicked on site map and still can't find it!

EDIT: NM i think i found it.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
umm heh i can't find on the website where it has the local addresses. do you know where on the site has it? i clicked on site map and still can't find it!

http://www.comcast.com/Members...ate_Payment_Center.asp

Try that, though I can't guarantee that all payment centers carry the box.

They gave me the address over the phone after I balked at having them install it.

BTW, for like $12 a month instead of $6 you can get a dual tuner HD recorder. One of these days I may upgrade, it would be nice to be able to record HD.

Viper GTS

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: purbeast0
umm heh i can't find on the website where it has the local addresses. do you know where on the site has it? i clicked on site map and still can't find it!

http://www.comcast.com/Members...ate_Payment_Center.asp

Try that, though I can't guarantee that all payment centers carry the box.

They gave me the address over the phone after I balked at having them install it.

Viper GTS

what did yo uhave to tell them to let you go pick it up? im just gonna tell em that i will be at work during the times they can come and install it and that the only real way i can get it is if they let me pick it up.

also do they supply you with the component cables or do you have to get some of those on your own as well?

 

[Qwest]

cablevision doesnt let anyone install their own hd box as it has to be activated by the tech. pretty simple to do, but they insist on doing it as well as charging a fee ranging from $28-$34 depending on your region.

CV gave the standard component cables, comcast should as well.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: purbeast0
umm heh i can't find on the website where it has the local addresses. do you know where on the site has it? i clicked on site map and still can't find it!

http://www.comcast.com/Members...ate_Payment_Center.asp

Try that, though I can't guarantee that all payment centers carry the box.

They gave me the address over the phone after I balked at having them install it.

BTW, for like $12 a month instead of $6 you can get a dual tuner HD recorder. One of these days I may upgrade, it would be nice to be able to record HD.

Viper GTS

i just got the HD DVR from comcast, its awesome, combined with my replay i can now record two shows at the same time.

 

[purbeast0]

SCHWEET!!

just got off the phone with the local comcast here and they said that I can go in and pick it up no problem! I'm going to go this evening after i workout and hopefully have some HD tonight in time for MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!!

thanks viper!