Comcast XFINITY TV → Re: DTA question

LOL

DTA's are not able to descramble encrypted channels. Comcast encrypts HBO, Cinemax and other packages of channels that are above the old Standard cable. DTA's are not able to display encrypted channels. If they were able to then customers wouldn't need cable boxes for these channels entirely.

DTAs were made because customers with expanded basic (Standard cable used to be Basic (B1) and Expanded basic (B2)) without a cable box, would otherwise lose the channels that Comcast stops transmitting analog signals for. Comcast simply stops the analog transmision for those channels, and continue/start transmitting those channels in digital format. They are not being encrypted, but rather transmitted in digital only, meaning you must have a Digital tuner in the tv, or you will need a DTA, or a digital descrambler (aka cable box).

LOL indeed...

Then you must be one of a few markets like this, because practically EVERYWHERE else, the expanded basics ARE most certainly being encrypted - which means that unless you have a QAM TV with a cable card, you will NOT be able to get expanded basic w/out at least a DTA. (which DO decrypt expanded basic channels, but do not decrypt tiers above it, like premiums, digital classic, etc.)

It's spelled out QUITE clearly on CC's own website:

»customer.comcast.com/Pag ··· _faq_mapIf you actually did some simple searching on this site, you would see that people indeed ARE/HAVE lost their expanded basics on their QAM tuners. (again, if they even had them to begin with)
CC DID get permission over a year ago to utilize "privacy mode" on their DTA's, which is a lower level of encryption - but bottom line, it STILL makes a QAM tuner useless for digital expanded basic channels.

Why you keep spreading this FUBAR is beyond me, when even a CC tech is correcting you - but maybe someone else can give it a shot...

As already pointed out there is a more basic level of encryption used and without at least a DTA you do lose a majority of channels in markets that have been through the migration.

Which has caused the entire dilemma when it comes to losing your clear qam HD channels unless you use an A/B switch, Have a TV with two tuners, or get an HD converter...people complaining about that is all over these forums...If these people didn't need a DTA do you think they would be complaining?

And just to add, because I really want more involved on this...

the low cost HD "DTA" is BANNED to be used in the USA by the FCC! The waiver to allow a low cost HD decryption box to be used has still not been granted; it is over 14 months old. The FCC considers High Definition to be "an advanced service" and requires separable security, which has been accepted as "CableCard". Wake up time, FCC, HD is not advanced "no mo".

I have a complicated setup for my bedroom TV:
Cable goes to splitter
Output 1 goes to TV tuner for ClearQAM
Output 2 goes to DTA
Output of DTA goes to RF Demodulator
AV output of demodulator goes to AV input of TV

This lets me use the DTA for general expanded, and the TV's tuner for HD and other uses. My DVR in the living room has an RF modulator connected to the AV outputs that creates a channel 128 (until analog reclamation, about the only free channel left.) That is merged with the cable input. This lets me:
Watch expanded basic on AV1 using the DTA
Watch analogs and ClearQAM with the TV tuner
Watch anything the DVR can do (Preferred tier, OnDemand, recordings) on channel 128. I use an RF repeater to send the remote commands from the bedroom to the living room.

This information is incorrect. Your telling this customer he will not need a DTA if he has a QAM tuner built in and thats just wrong. After the transition without a DTA he will only get his local channels or B1. None of the other standard cable channels will be available to him and all he will see is a nice little blue screen with instructions to call customer service.

So the correct answer is you will need a DTA, Comcast will provide a A/B switch for free with a DTA so if you want to watch your local channels in HD you can use the switch to bypass the DTA and feed off a direct coax line. Keep in mind you need to request a A/B switch when calling, they are only provided by request.

BSD I'd recheck your information just to be 100% sure because World of More does not vary by market, the whole idea of world of more is to standardize Comcast in all areas across the nation (from channel numbers to everyone have the same channels available).

What might be confusing you is during the initial stages of the transition after Comcast puts channels digital they remove all encryption except for premiums, meaning for about 30-40 days customers with QAM might actually get more channels then they did before, however after about a month they go back in and encrypt everything above Basic. In fact in Chicago which is my Market they are even going to encrypt B1, requiring a valid account and equipment for all customers.

"meaning for about 30-40 days customers with QAM might actually get more channels then they did before, however after about a month they go back in and encrypt everything above Basic."

Here in Philly we had the channels unencrypted for over 2 years.

However now that Comcast got the waiver, the time period for new areas getting DTAs will be much shorter than 2 years, probably closer to the 30-40 days you mention.

Well I hate to tell you all this, but I do NOT believe our area EVER had the B2 digitals unencrypted. I know, because I am always constantly doing scans on QAM tuners & NONE of them have EVER turned up ITC. And our area started on the DTA's earlier this year, so if it happened, it would have been back then.

I can guarantee you with 100% certainty they will be encrypted. It might be taking them longer in your area because they needed to clean up a lot of insights mess from before Comcast bought them, but it will happen.

Also the timeline is pretty long, you get a letter about 2 months before equipment is even available, then when equipment is available it's about 2-3 months before they even start the process of encrypting any channels.

They do it in stages, you will notice a few channels missing etc.., then one day they are all gone.

Please re-read what I wrote - I'm saying they ALWAYS have been encrypted here since day 1...

IOW, I'm saying the SAME thing both ways...

They will be turning off our analog next month - they were supposed to have done it in Sept, but moved it out to November.