zippin44 said:I live in NJ and have the $14/month limited basic (non-digital) comcrap plan. We got about 30 channels on our old crt tv. I got a new LCD TV about a month ago. After hooking it up directly to the cable it automatically found a whole load of channels I wasn't seeing on my 20 year old Sony 20". For a while we were giddy since we were easily getting over 120 channels: all the "network" channels in HD (interestingly, the old SD network channels are gone) we get a ton of other SD channels, music channels, and some decent movie channels. No HBO, Cinemax though. But we were getting speed channel, NBA TV and some other premium stuff. THe channels had weird numbers though, like 87.12, 111.2 (all the HD channels are between 100 and 120) About two weeks ago, all the network HD channels began getting frame dropouts, stuttering, and pixilation but only at night! They are fine all day long. Last week we lost, PBS HD, speed, NBA, and maybe a couple of others. Comcast told me a while back that our neighborhood has low signal, so I tried an amplifier on the line but it doesn't do anything. Anyone else have a similar experience. It's kind of weird, and the dropouts, etc make it impossible to watch the HD channels. I'd even take the SD network channels back but they are nowhere to be found! Comcrap simply says I need to rent a digital box and get HD dig service but that's obviously a lie. Any help sure would be appreciated!!!

Your new TV sounds like it has a QAM tuner. At a minimum, Comcast is legally required to pass through the network HD signals unencrypted. I can't speak for the music, NBA, Speed etc. If you're only looking for the network HD feeds, the person at Comcast you spoke to is incorrect - you don't need a box if you have the QAM tuner. If this was a regular CSR, I'd choose the technical problems prompt next time you call. Also, keep in mind that every so often Comcast will move the channels around. If the network feeds disappear entirely, just rescan and your TV should find them.

zippin44 said:aforce said:Etch said:2 Questions that have been asked without answer yet...

1) What exact channel lineup are you getting with this? Is it the same basic ~18 channels as the normal cheap package, or is it the full ~80 channel analog lineup in digital form. It already has been mentioned that the originally digital channels (over 100) dont apply, but no mention on what equivilant analog lineup you are getting. I'm currently paying $50+ for the full analog lineup (no digital, no box, no premiums), so this would be a deal if it is the same channels, but I dont want to jump down to the ~15 channels of the most basic tier.

2) Anyone found a way to finagle HD into the deal? Like maybe that price + $5 box rental + $5 HD or something? I get the HD network stations + TNT HD off my tv's tuner, but I wouldn't mind spending a bit more to get inhd, discHD, etc


And 1 question that is probably beyond any real answer here, but I'll ask anyways....

Do they put traps/filters on the line where only the provided box will recieve programming?

I had the most basic $10/mo package years ago for locals while I had Dish Network. I guess I was kinda lucky to get away with both, but still couldnt do what I had hoped with it cause that basic package was via converter box and the cable had some kind of trap/filter that would only allow tv through that box and nothing with cable hooked directly to a tv. I had intended on 1 sat reciever for the living room tv, as well as that basic cable package for locals on that tv as well as exclusively for the bedroom tv's. Didnt work that way though. I dont want to get stuck in that same boat here. I'd like to get that cheap package with 1 converter for the living room (+ the HD if that could somehow be worked in, otherwise cable split to the tv's tuner for the HD network stations as is how I currently view them), but still have the full analog lineup going straight into the SD tube in the bedroom as well as my computer's tuner card.


And before more of the same comments appear, I AM in an eligible area.


Here is what you want to do. Call Comcrap and reduce to the basic analog ($13) month package and get a HD Box from them for $5 a month. If you are in an area where cable guys are lazy (any town) they usually never show up to put on the filter. So you will get all the $50 worth of channels you are paying for now plus all the HD channels, Music channels and ON Demand for $18 a mo.

The posted plan is for the basic $15 a month digital plan but comes with a NON HD digital converter that will get you the ON demand and music channels as well a 6 months of HBO & ScinaMax all for $20. This converter is not a DVR and ON Demand has terrible free movies. The ON Demand pay movies selection is limited and expensive! You will be on all digital so your filter "ideas" are gone.

I live in NJ and have the $14/month limited basic (non-digital) comcrap plan. We got about 30 channels on our old crt tv. I got a new LCD TV about a month ago. After hooking it up directly to the cable it automatically found a whole load of channels I wasn't seeing on my 20 year old Sony 20". For a while we were giddy since we were easily getting over 120 channels: all the "network" channels in HD (interestingly, the old SD network channels are gone) we get a ton of other SD channels, music channels, and some decent movie channels. No HBO, Cinemax though. But we were getting speed channel, NBA TV and some other premium stuff. THe channels had weird numbers though, like 87.12, 111.2 (all the HD channels are between 100 and 120) About two weeks ago, all the network HD channels began getting frame dropouts, stuttering, and pixilation but only at night! They are fine all day long. Last week we lost, PBS HD, speed, NBA, and maybe a couple of others. Comcast told me a while back that our neighborhood has low signal, so I tried an amplifier on the line but it doesn't do anything. Anyone else have a similar experience. It's kind of weird, and the dropouts, etc make it impossible to watch the HD channels. I'd even take the SD network channels back but they are nowhere to be found! Comcrap simply says I need to rent a digital box and get HD dig service but that's obviously a lie. Any help sure would be appreciated!!!

Same thing happened to me, they're trying to suck more money out of us for free channels. I hate Crapcast like the plague.

CaptainAlias said:Here is what you get with this offer:
Comcast Digital Starter Package which is nothing more than their cheapest new motorola dct700 converter which gives you a program guide and access to on demand, digital music channels and a universal remote and the premium ch's free for 6 months.
You DO NOT get any more ch's than you are currently getting with basic/standard analog service except for the premiums. You still have to pay for the basic/standard service that you already have.


I just realized this and I'm going to return this crappy box and save $10/month.

just ordered this, the rep answered the phone with "May I help you upgrade to digital cable for free for 1 year?". Thanks OP!

I just called and get the package without any problem. The box should arrive in 10 days. I am in Virginia. Thanks.

Unfortunately, I took comcast up on this offer, and then comcast took me for a ride. When I called for the free upgrade, the CSR confirmed that there would be no charge whatsoever. However, I ordered the box and on my next bill I was slapped with a $55 monthly charge for Standard service. I'm going to cancel.

saala said:i called again and they said this is not for BAY AREA.

Whats up with comcast and bay area ? I never heard of any great comcast deals here.

Those people at that special number are useless. You need to call 1-800-comcast and tell them you have not received your box yet. They came out and installed it the next day for free.

I called again this morning and CSR has no clue. She does not think there is promotion at all. She checked my account and there is no trace that I have been given promation. She wants me to try local office. What a disappointment.

labmonkey said:Just received the upgrade to digital cable offer (w/o the premium channels). I live in the Bay Area...

acura03 said:saala said:i called again and they said this is not for BAY AREA.

Whats up with comcast and bay area ? I never heard of any great comcast deals here.

Hey labmonkey,
Did you get the digital cable (no premium channels) for 1 year - $19.99?
Here in SF, the best I could get is $33/month standard cable for 6 months or $19.99/month standard cable for 3 months.