Z ... I'm afraid you are right. My DVD/VCR combo just died so I was looking to replace it with a DVR, with a hard disk, that can record in HD and doesn't require a monthly fee. From my limited research so far, it looks like you have to rent Comcast's DVR box to be able to record in HD (and it doesn't appear to play DVDs). I don't record enough shows to justify a monthly expense.

Anybody else have any suggestions?

Second notice
 

Got my second notice today, saying it's time to get a digital box. Still the change over is months away.

Skip

Did they give you a date? Except for the Infinity commercial on TV I have seen nothing.

Z

Digital is coming to TV (pun)
 

No, they won't give you a date. Depends on the region. Probably when 90+% have converted, then they'll switch over. On that day 10% of their customer base will call and complain "my TV service is out". They want to minimize that call volume, so when 90-95% of the customers are ready, they'll switch because most of the ones that ignore the warning will get upset and drop Comcast mainly because they can't get through to Customer Service. In fact I'll bet Comcast calls those lax customers on the phone and talk to them personally before it actually happens. The switch will be done slowly over the entire US, region by region probably starting in the north and working south to where the "slower people live". Direct TV and Dish Network will be ready to pounce on Comcast customers on that day and Comcast knows it. I'm glad we have choices and that should keep fees low but ALL the TV providers keep raising their fees every year and a lot more than the CPI.

You know that FREE digital set top box and FREE digital adapters for two other sets plus all those FREE movies they offer now? - They won't be free forever!

Once the analog signal is removed entirely, there'll be a lot more bandwidth for lots more stations (for an added fee of course).

Skip

We went to Leesburg Comcast office yesterday to exchange a non-working DVR for (as it turns out) another non-working DVR. While we were there, I picked up 2 of the digital converter boxes. I asked about another one for when I need it in the garage. The lady told me that it would be $1.99, but if I didn't get it, I could still get channels 2 through 22 just with the cable. I may just do that when the time comes.

I mentioned that we were having troubles with the HD signal dropping periodically. She said we may have a weak signal and set us up for a tech to come by on Saturday. Last night, after I realized that the "new" DVR wasn't working, I did an on-line chat with the rep. and asked her to have the tech bring a working DVR on Saturday to swap out the "new" non working DVR.

Let us know how you made out.

Skip

Where online do you order the digital boxes? I can't find it.

https://digitalnow.comcast.com/

Put in your account number to the right of the "let's get started" dice/cube.

The 1st 3 are free

https://digitalnow.comcast.com/

According to the invoice when I ordered the three, the third one is $1.99 a month plus taxes.

The letter I read from a friend in Scranton when he converted was two free ones and the rest were $1.99 each.

Confusion???
 

I am really getting confused with some of the things I am reading about this conversion. One poster said we would still get 2-99 without the adapter. One other said channels 2-22. I asked a friend in Scranton who has gone through this conversion to remove the adapter and see what happened and all he got was snow.

They are advertising the XFINITY commercial on TV but it does not say much. I cannot seem to get a real date out of anyone at Comcast. They cannot even tell me when the letter will be sent.

I really hate to dumb down my TVs too far ahead of time. Sure the picture is better and I get more channels but now I sometimes need two remotes to do the work of one.

I guess time will tell.

The tech came on Sat. and actually arrived about 4:05 PM. He checked the signal strength and said that everything seemd to be normal. He then came in and did a reprogram of the "new" DVR and told me that should fix the problem. Guess what!! Didn't do it. He brought in another unit from the van and it works just fine. He was so shocked when his reprogramming didn't fix the first one.

Now I just have to call Comcast and have them sync this new DVR so I can program this DVR with my computer and my Droid.

Zman - the new remotes that you get with the little digital box operates your TV also. (after programming it) Of course if you have a VCR or something like that hooked up, you'll need a remote for that.

Wall-mounted TV's
 

If you installed wall-mounted TV's, and you hid the wires behind the wall, be prepared to pay an audio video person to install the DTA's. Our wall-mounted TV's had an outlet with one plug behind the TV. You will need a two plug outlet for the DTA. In addition, the plug for the DTA requires the TV to be extended further from the wall.

We installed the two free DTA's and we have a third TV without the DTA. Currently, the TV without the DTA is getting all the channels it did before. However, it is our understanding when they "officially" go all digital we will lose many of the channels if we don't have the DTA.