| using a usb tv dongle to view cable T V on a PC I have a USB tv dongle that hooks up to coax cable at one end. I used to be able to pick up most of the comcast channels that I subscribe to by using windows media center. i could then record my favorite shows much like a DVR. However, now i only get a black screen when i tune into any channel, but i do hear the audio.
I rebuilt my entire PC and re-installed everything from scratch but still get the black screen with audio on every channel.
I am wondering whether Comcast made a change that would prevent me from using this device to view TV on my PC?
anybody in the know?
Thanks |
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 JohnInSJPremium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA
 ·PHONE POWER
 ·Comcast
| said by jjsnetnet :I have a USB tv dongle that hooks up to coax cable at one end. I used to be able to pick up most of the comcast channels that I subscribe to by using windows media center. i could then record my favorite shows much like a DVR. However, now i only get a black screen when i tune into any channel, but i do hear the audio.
I rebuilt my entire PC and re-installed everything from scratch but still get the black screen with audio on every channel.
I am wondering whether Comcast made a change that would prevent me from using this device to view TV on my PC?
anybody in the know?
Thanks
Yes, in many areas they have removed most analogs. You should have the basic OTA analogs (maybe 12 channels) though, so it sounds like you may have done something wrong on your rebuild.
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My place : »www.schettino.us |
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| ok thanks,
so I can only get OTA channels now?
What about digital channels? wouldn't I be able to get the basic channels (1-50ish) without going thru a cable box? or are they all encrypted now?
if so, are they any alternatives? |
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JohnInSJPremium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
·Comcast
| said by jjsnetnet :ok thanks,
so I can only get OTA channels now?
What about digital channels? wouldn't I be able to get the basic channels (1-50ish) without going thru a cable box? or are they all encrypted now?
if so, are they any alternatives?
You should be able to get two free DTAs to see all of the basic channels. This topic belongs in »Comcast Cable TV - you should post there for better coverage
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My place : »www.schettino.us |
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 IowaCowboyPremium
join:2010-10-16
Indian Orchard, MA
 ·Verizon Broadban..
·Comcast
·AT&T Wireless Br..
·Verizon Wireless..
| reply to jjsnetnet
It may be because Comcast is now encrypting their video streams (including basic) to free up bandwidth and prevent cable theft. However hope is not lost, I think there is a digital cable PC card that you can install in the computer, which you would have Comcast install a CableCard in the PC card to receive the channels. I just got a letter from Comcast that states that they are shutting off all analog channels including basic.
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All of my CPE (including my EMTA) is customer owned. The only Comcast owned equipment in my house is the CableCards in the two TiVO boxes I own. |
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 halfbandPremium
join:2002-06-01
Huntsville, AL
·Comcast
| reply to jjsnetnet
Comcast now encrypts most digital channels except locals (in a few areas even local channels are encrypted.) Your usb stick tuner is now mostly unusable as will be any basic QAM tuner.
Ceton (pc card), SiliconDust (network tuner), and haupagge (usb tuner) all make tuners with the same functionality that you had with the USB stick. These tuners use a cablecard (which you get from comcast) and primarily use window 7.
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Registered Bandwidth Offender #40812 |
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4 edits | said by halfband:Ceton (pc card), SiliconDust (network tuner), and haupagge (usb tuner) all make tuners with the same functionality that you had with the USB stick. These tuners use a cablecard (which you get from comcast) and primarily use window 7.
FYI - Just saw this press release this morning from Ceton:
Ceton Announces New $199 Retail Price for InfiniTV Digital Cable Quad-Tuner Models
$100 Price Reduction Brings Cost per Tuner for CableCARD-Based Tuners to Never-Before-Seen Levels
Marketwire - February 20, 2012
»www.marketwire.com/press-release···1688.htm
Edit: You can see a review by Engadget of the Ceton InfiniTV 4 PC card (from back in 2010) here: »hd.engadget.com/2010/03/30/ceton···-review/
Edit 2: Here is a hands-on look from Engadget of the Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB version (and the price was just dropped to $199): »www.engadget.com/2011/01/08/infi···ands-on/
Edit 3: An article in CNET today on the InfiniTV 4 price drop: »news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-57381···or-$199/
and a link to a recent review of the USB version: »www.pcworld.com/article/242645/c···ity.html |
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