[Solved] Comcast pulls 1080i Free QAM channels

I remember the Comcast rep at the Best Buy I work at talking to be about that when I brought up how I plan on adding a TV duel tuner card to my computer. She was saying you need a digital cable box and will not be able to just go strait into the TV from the wall.

I have Comcast Extended Basic coverage. My connection is straight from the wall to my TV (Sony TV with a Digital Tuner and QAM tuner) - No Cable box, No CableCard, NO Digital Adapter Box) 3 months ago I was able to view all Extended Channels in HD or SDTV on my TV - I was even able to receive the SYFI channel in HD. In the past three months (March 2010 to May 2010) I have lost reception to ALL Extended Basic QAM Channels - I still can Receive DIGITAL versions of the Local Channels.

I know you can get an adapter box, cable box or CableCard - at a monthly fee - but COMCAST charges way to much as it is - and now they are FORCING you to use their adapter box to get the rental fee - previously QAM Clear channels have now been encrypted.

Comcast is playing a game here – and I don’t go for it. I will attach a Box to my TV – it won’t be a Comcast one – how about a Set Top Box with HULU and NETFLIX – that would cost you less than 20 bucks a month …

Anybody else got other ideas – are there any Digital Adapters (Not boxes) – or Newer TV’s that can get around Comcast Blocking QAM channels that you pay for??

Joe - jgap@pacbell.net

I have been to their office - the box is free in the sense you don’t have to purchase it - like their DVR is Free - you don’t have to purchase it either - but I was told at their office there would be a rental fee for the Adapter Box - and that it would not receive everything unless you also had a Digital Comcast Receiver Box - which also had rental fee..

So I have been there (Comcast office) - picked up an Adapter Box - but then told of rental fee - so I gave it back... I am strongly leaning towards a strong HDTV antenna along with HULU and NETFLIX to replace Comcast

The QAM Clear channels have been out there for years and TV's with Digital Tuners/QAM Tuners could receive them - it is very clear Comcast is cutting any loose ends by encrypting previously CLEAR QAM Channels to up their profits...

Joe -- jgap@pacbell.net

I think it is semantics - you get a service charge for the cable packages you select - you dont get a service charge for any box they offer (receiver, adapter, dvr) - those you get a rental fee

Joe

Even that sounds questionable. Where it says, "To maintain service on additional TVs...", is that to mean above and beyond the first two? Anyway, you did get it straight from the horse's mouth when you went to the Comcast office. I still think something isn't right, but whatever.

-Wolf sends

I HAVE 6 TV ALL DIGITAL AND I'VE LOST ALOT OF MY CHAN. AND WOULD LIKE TO BUY NOT RENT I GIVE COMCAST TOO MUCH MONEY ALREADY I'VE NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF BOX FROM THEM I GET IT FROM THE WALL NOW THEY SAY I NEED A ADAPTER

First off, please do not use all caps. It would be appreciated.

You should not purchase an adapter as it needs to be activated by Comcast. There's probably a bit of firmware installed in Comcast's adapters that identifies itself as one of theirs. Without that identification, Comcast will refuse to activate the box and you've just wasted your money. If you want all the channels you used to get from Comcast, you will need the digital adapters.

Without Comcast (and their adapters), you will be limited to only the local channels being broadcast. To find out what channels are available in your area, go to Antenna Web. Click on the Choose an Antenna button. Enter your zip code and information about your home and click submit. Follow the instructions on centering the map on your home's address and click the continue button. This will list the digital broadcasts available in your area. These will be the only channels you can get without Comcast.

-Wolf sends

This is bull. I am in the same boat. I'm on limited basic and I was able to get local digital HD channels straight from the wall to my TV which has a QAM reciever built in. Now I cant. So I called up Customter Service and they were telling me their basic plan only covers channels 2-31 locally here. But thats all in SD without any of the local digital broadcasts.

I thought there was some kind of mandate from the FCC that cable operators couldn't block local HD channels. This just about sounds like a violation of that. Can anyone confirm this?

Its not really a big deal since I cancelled all the other cable services last year to bump up my internet speed to their Ultra tier. I can watch most of my movies and TV shows streaming HD on Netflix/Xbox live.

But it irritates me when Comcast pulls a stunt like this almost without notice or warning.

I have also lost recently most of the digital channels. I live in suburbs of Chicago, IL. I have been trying to "auto program" my HD TV but it gets stuck sometime at 10 analog and 7 digital channels. I know I had way too many channels. My TV is connected directly with wall connector.

it is still true. They must provide Clear QAM for local channels. What I am finding is that I need to rescan every so often as they shuffle their QAM packet types or broadcast lineups. Good luck getting your HTPC to work!

So just to be clear, I am getting 1080i clear QAM channels now, and have been for many months since this original posting.

So the original problem seems to be fixed.

I wonder if two 2-way coaxial splitters (combiners) would do the trick? Split the signal as it comes out of the wall and combine it again behind the digital adapter box. Tune the TV to channel 3/4 for the box or to any other channel, including clear QAM, using the direct to wall connection.

Juergen

I'm in Virginia and I agree with lesliesfbay. I have 3 QAM tuner TVs, all directly connected to the wall, and still receive all channels (HD & SD) without any adapters or digital boxes.

However, Comcast does change the channels occasionally, for whatever reason (maybe to see how many people call and complain so they can sell them something). Merely rescanning rectifies the issue. It is odd though they changed the channels this week, 10 days before the SB.

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey