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Digital Conversion 2009

Well it depends on system/location of the Comcast area your parents are in, most Comcast customers will not need to get a digital converter (cable) box - as comcast will still send out analog signals for std cable, meaning they can keep their current setup from the cable (wall) outlet directly to the TV. Rare sections of Comcast may require everyone have a cable box because of the system. But again those are rare circumstances.

Possibly call into Comcast again a couple times to speak to a couple different people about whether they must get a cable box for their area or not.

Do not get converter box and digital box confused. You do not need to get a retail purchased "converter box" as all that does is take the over-the-air (antenna) tv signals which in 2009 will be broadcasting in digital instead of analog, this converter many retailers like Best Buy are selling is only for people who still use antenna's instead of Cable.

Hopefully this has helped you understand more about this. Feel free to visit »www.dtv.gov .

reply to Rob
I just recently moved to a Comcast area, and my fiancee called in to order tv and internet service. She was forced into taking their digital starter package for TV service, the rep claiming that "everyone will need one."

In talking with the rep while exchanging the handy dandy converter box, he disclosed that "come Feb 2009, everyone will need a digital box, and not just on Comcast, it's a federal mandate." I pointed out to him it's just for OTA, and he was rather adamant it applied to everyone, cable, antenna, satellite, etc. Suffice it to say I left it alone at that, but it sounds like a great bunch of misinformation to hand out to their customers.

Although I imagine it would probably be as good a time as any to drop analog and go all digital.

reply to Rob
I think the real truth is that Comcast isn't phasing out analog cable broadcasts Feb09 like OTA will be, but for new customers, they must get a digital set top box. I know in Phila, plenty of analog boxes are still in use, but you couldn't get a new one if you wanted, and they seem to have an ongoing plan to phase out analog broadcast.

Jeff

reply to badshot23

reply to Rob
it's stupid comcast reps,who in wanting to make a commission, take advantage of mis-informed consumers. They see people going to gobble up a digital convertor and instead of saying "hey if you signup for comcast you won't need a convertor" decided to say "hey you can get our digital convertor from us instead." You see these people at wal mart.

As a matter of fact a customer i was helping out with his tv was approached by a comcast rep at wal mart last weekend trying to sell the triple play, for whatever reason the customer had comcast and was upset(probably because of a billing error) and told the lady that they were switching all 3 services to verizon this week. They lady actually followed them around the story trying to sell them comcast. Finally the customer told her "look it's not your fault we're leaving comcast for verizon, we know you're doing your job, but please leave us alone, thanks." My coworker said they've had to call wal mart management a couple times because the comcast representative follows customers up to the checkouts even.

I know all to well about trying to get that commission, I used to work for TWC and saw a good deal of that going on then.

Given the conversation that took place with the rep taking our order here with Comcast, I went ahead and took a look at the website, and it's no longer listing the expanded basic as an option.

reply to Rob
The FCC requires cable providers to provide analog cable service till 2012

»arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20···012.html

said by Cozmo85 :

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The FCC requires cable providers to provide analog cable service till 2012

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Also, note that when the FCC required that cable providers provide analog service for local broadcast channels until 2012, they gave them TWO options:

1) Send analog signals through the cable so no STB was necessary; or

2) Send digital signals through the cable and require a STB to be used, ensuring that there are STBs available with analog outputs.

The FCC further went on to clarify that "Any costs related to [that] will be determined by the cable company."

This was one of the very few big wins for the cable companies during the reign of Kevin Martin as chief of the FCC. Martin in well-known as a critic of cable companies and has typically managed to get regulations passed that were onerous on cable... he lost this time.

reply to mikedz4
They do not get any commission.

reply to Rob
sortofageek , I may be off here, but I thought the purpose of this sticky thread was to avoid the 1 gazillion posts we've had so far re this subject:

»2/17 & 6/12 - All DIGITAL TV Transition Discussions go here