Comcast Washington-Encrypted QAM

[zetronboy]

Found this post after all my QAM channels stopped receiving.

http://www.techflash.com/seattle/200...l_upgrade.html

It says that Comcast has encryped all QAM digital cable transmissions. I know that some public access channels are still clear QAM. I know that local HD channels still arrive in ATSC. I have lost everything else though.

I have spent hundereds on media extenders, capture cards, and wifi network adapters. I feel lost.

[WellThen]

Feeling your pain. I thought we'd reached the end in the Detroit area a few days ago, but it just turns out Comcast moved the local QAMs to different frequencies. But I gather the day is coming when I won't be able to get locals.

The best solution I can suggest is to switch to OTA for locals and use a couple of Cable boxes hooked up via Firewire (or an HD PVR if you can swing it) to get those channels that aren't in clear QAM any more. I've gone the firewire route, because I already had it working.

[evilpenguin]

Don't feel too bad, I'm right there with you. But consider this:

• The only channels that you really have unresolvable conflicts on are local HD since they only air once, but you can still use your existing QAM tuners with those.
• You can use a HD cable box with firewire to record 90% of the new HD channels. And even though it feels like you're taking a step back by only having one tuner for all those channels, 99% of cable shows air multiple times so Sage should be able to handle recording them all.
• And, even if you have to go OTA, Fox finally moved their tower to downtown Seattle so you'll be able to get everything like that also if worst comes to worse.

[Humanzee]

So we downgraded to limited basic when I got the HDHR. I probably shouldn't complain as we have been enjoying the full basic expanded line up for about a year at the limited basic price.

Problem is that I don't think we can go back up to digital advantage with a promotional price, cause we are current customers. There aren't any real alternatives around here for internet so I can't really drop them and go to satellite. It's just a real tough pill to swallow when you have to pay $74 a month to get the 10 channels that we watch and 250 that we don't. Yeah, great value Mr. "Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Washington"

If I could get my channels ala carte, I'd be more than happy to pay what it takes.

[sTVb]

I'm breaking out my old PVR150 that I put away when Comcast made the first step to digital a few months ago. It looks like I'll be moving back into the 20th century by hooking it up to the converter box with a composite cable. Hopefully, if the ir blaster works OK, that and my HDHR will keep me going until Ceton releases their cablecard tuner next quarter.

Anyone know if closed captions pass through the DTA or regular box alright? Or if there's a box availalbe at no charge that has firewire?

Having to use a box in the first place annoys me, as does paying more for less service. But what really drives me crazy is that Comcast feels it's OK to force you to rent a box for $7/month just to watch channels that you are already paying for.

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by sTVb

I
Anyone know if closed captions pass through the DTA or regular box alright?

No, that's not going to work.

Or if there's a box availalbe at no charge that has firewire?

Yes, firewire recordings will include closed captions. You might have a hard time getting a free firewire box. It is possible though. If you can get transferred to the retentions department (by threatening to cancel service), there's a chance you can get a free HD firewire-enabled box.

[Rico66]

Originally Posted by reggie14

No, that's not going to work.

Are you sure about that?

While I don't have a DTA box right now, I used to have a cable box, and now a satellite receiver. In both cases captions are included in the composite or s-video signals.

[reggie14]

I think the DTAs will stick closed captions in the signal, but I didn't think the PVR-150s could process closed captions. I thought that was a PVR-250 feature that never made it into the PVR-150. I could be wrong about that.

[Rico66]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I think the DTAs will stick closed captions in the signal, but I didn't think the PVR-150s could process closed captions. I thought that was a PVR-250 feature that never made it into the PVR-150. I could be wrong about that.

OK, I thought you were referring to the DTAs. Don't know about the PVR 150.

[sTVb]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I think the DTAs will stick closed captions in the signal, but I didn't think the PVR-150s could process closed captions. I thought that was a PVR-250 feature that never made it into the PVR-150. I could be wrong about that.

Hooked it up last night, cc works fine, which is kind of a nice surprise - haven't had reliable cc since comcast killed the analog and I switched to HDHR. Now I just have to dig up the ir blaster for the PVR-150 and get channel changing to work.