Comcast Digital Switchover

[dxmnkd316]

I hate it already. I lost the functionality of my TV favorites list, I have an extra remote I have to use now, and I just generally hate comcast.

That being said, I have a few questions some fellow users here may be able to answer (comcast wasn't very forthcoming):

1. Can I remove channels from the DTA lineup? I had the perfect man list of channels. No lifetime, no home and garden, and no WE. Now I have sprout, lifetime, lifetime movie, and a slew of others getting in my way. Any way to delete these?

2. Can I program my TV's universal remote (one that actually doesn't feel like a motel 6 remote and has functionality)?

3. I hate comcast.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I can't actually answer your questions, but I will say I feel for you. The switchover has been nothing short of a pain in the a55 for my family as well. Since completing our forced switch over about two months ago, we've had to call three times to have two of the basic converters reset/reprogrammed.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I don't get into all the customized things like fave channels, etc, but I've had almost no probs with Comcast.

The only thing I get once in a long while is a "freezeup" on HD channels when I first change to them, then I have to just switch channels for a split second and then go back to the channel I was watching. Again, it's only when I first go to that channel, and it's rare.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I feel your pain.

And it's shocking to find out that the alternative is worse.

We were " close to switching to AT&T, when I called to find out more about their HD and on demand. The guy saw that I had a poor phone service, and I also wanted to delete my second line- he "changed" it to a "better" one.

First- it didn't change until I called back to find out what went on- and was told we would be credited. Which we kind of were, but were still charged for calls.

Second- the "better" one turned out to be way more expensive than I was told. I tried to resolve it, and wondered why I was still paying for a second line- shortening the story- I gave them one chance more, and they failed. So now we have Comcast in a package. Which is cheaper than ATT.

Still not happy with Comcast, but compared to ATT, it's a lot better. IMHO, it sucks that we have all of 2 choices- bad and worse- in my area. Yes, TV can come from satillites, but then I have low speed I-net, and still have to pay phone. Some areas have WOW.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Speaking of Comcast does anyone else's HD/DVR box spontaneously reboot? Especially when setting it up to record? Or turning it on while it's recording? I've gotten into the habit of starting the first recording of the evening 6 minutes early so if it does that it's back up before the show starts and I don't miss anything.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I don't get into all the customized things like fave channels, etc, but I've had almost no probs with Comcast.

The only thing I get once in a long while is a "freezeup" on HD channels when I first change to them, then I have to just switch channels for a split second and then go back to the channel I was watching. Again, it's only when I first go to that channel, and it's rare.

You shouldn't have a problem because you have a digital tv the issue is the forced transition to digital cable boxes for every analog tv in your house...

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I feel your pain.

And it's shocking to find out that the alternative is worse.

We were " close to switching to AT&T, when I called to find out more about their HD and on demand. The guy saw that I had a poor phone service, and I also wanted to delete my second line- he "changed" it to a "better" one.

First- it didn't change until I called back to find out what went on- and was told we would be credited. Which we kind of were, but were still charged for calls.

Second- the "better" one turned out to be way more expensive than I was told. I tried to resolve it, and wondered why I was still paying for a second line- shortening the story- I gave them one chance more, and they failed. So now we have Comcast in a package. Which is cheaper than ATT.

Still not happy with Comcast, but compared to ATT, it's a lot better. IMHO, it sucks that we have all of 2 choices- bad and worse- in my area. Yes, TV can come from satillites, but then I have low speed I-net, and still have to pay phone. Some areas have WOW.

If you hate the choices that much, you can do satellite tv and get DSL which isn't as slow as you think. Or you can get just internet from comcast (costs more but it is an option).

 

[alfablue]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

If you hate the choices that much, you can do satellite tv and get DSL which isn't as slow as you think. Or you can get just internet from comcast (costs more but it is an option).

Around here DSL = ATT = evil.

that would change if we got chosen for one of the google high speed cities.

But now, choices are limited.

 

[aparch]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

You shouldn't have a problem because you have a digital tv the issue is the forced transition to digital cable boxes for every analog tv in your house...

Hahahahaha. Yeah. Right.

Comcast blocked ClearQAM channels pretty much everywhere, unless you get an HD/PVR/OMGWŦFBBQ box or one of their "Digital Transport Adapter" (ie: digital cable to analog tv) boxes.

I have a lovely 37" HDTV, and watch standard definition TV from Comcast (in part thanks to my landlord) via a DTA box.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

1. Can I remove channels from the DTA lineup? I had the perfect man list of channels. No lifetime, no home and garden, and no WE. Now I have sprout, lifetime, lifetime movie, and a slew of others getting in my way. Any way to delete these?

I haven't figured out how to kill all the Elmer Gantry stations yet; maybe not.

I hate Comcast too. If it's any consolation, I've had three Comcast tech visits in the last two years, and each guy has talked about how much he hates Comcast and the only reason he's working for them is the lousy economy.

OTOH, the digital TV is a step up for me because I was living in the stone age and now I can watch EuroNews and Frog24, so I'm into it.

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Pretty sure this is just a ploy to get you to have an HD box on every TV.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I hate it already. I lost the functionality of my TV favorites list, I have an extra remote I have to use now, and I just generally hate comcast.

That being said, I have a few questions some fellow users here may be able to answer (comcast wasn't very forthcoming):

1. Can I remove channels from the DTA lineup? I had the perfect man list of channels. No lifetime, no home and garden, and no WE. Now I have sprout, lifetime, lifetime movie, and a slew of others getting in my way. Any way to delete these?

2. Can I program my TV's universal remote (one that actually doesn't feel like a motel 6 remote and has functionality)?

3. I hate comcast.

Why don't you get satellite?

 

[alfablue]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Pretty sure this is just a ploy to get you to have an HD box on every TV.

+elevntybillion.

And it works.

 

[thebrain]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Pretty sure this is just a ploy to get you to have an HD box on every TV.

Or to get rid of analog to allow for more HD channels as well as faster internet.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Why don't you get satellite?

Our family has never really bought into the whole satellite thing. Every time I personally have used it, had issues with it. Loading times were ridiculous. Pauses between changing channels was annoying but not completely intolerable.

I don't know. I'm sure we're going to start thinking about it.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Our family has never really bought into the whole satellite thing. Every time I personally have used it, had issues with it. Loading times were ridiculous. Pauses between changing channels was annoying but not completely intolerable.

I don't know. I'm sure we're going to start thinking about it.

Loading times? Pauses? When did you try satellite technology? The 80's?

I've had both Dish and DTV and there are no pauses while changing channels. Load times are only if you use interactive features, and they're short enough that I don't really care, and when it comes to TV I'm like a ferret on speed - I want it NOW!

You might want to try it again. If you have friends or neighbors with satellite check with them.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Loading times? Pauses? When did you try satellite technology? The 80's?

I've had both Dish and DTV and there are no pauses while changing channels. Load times are only if you use interactive features, and they're short enough that I don't really care, and when it comes to TV I'm like a ferret on speed - I want it NOW!

You might want to try it again. If you have friends or neighbors with satellite check with them.

Well this isn't exactly true. There is a slight delay when changing channels. But nothing horrible.

The only complaint I have with my DTV is when you first turn on the tv/box the system is busy so you can't change channels right away (i.e., you press numbers and they either don't show up or are very slow to appear). But after 5 minutes that goes away. Not sure if this is only on the HD DVR box, or all of them.

Otherwise Satellite is brilliant. I use Comcast for internet ONLY. I bundle basic cable/internet together to make it cheaper than just paying for internet. Dumb I know.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

Well this isn't exactly true. There is a slight delay when changing channels. But nothing horrible.

The only complaint I have with my DTV is when you first turn on the tv/box the system is busy so you can't change channels right away (i.e., you press numbers and they either don't show up or are very slow to appear). But after 5 minutes that goes away. Not sure if this is only on the HD DVR box, or all of them.

Otherwise Satellite is brilliant. I use Comcast for internet ONLY. I bundle basic cable/internet together to make it cheaper than just paying for internet. Dumb I know.

That pause is a setting you can change. I can't remember if it is set by the DTV box or by the TV (my technician set it) but you can determine how long the pause is - I don't notice a pause when I change channels. The delay I experience at the beginning is shorter too, more like 15 seconds. But I don't know what devices you have, so it could vary.

I just found out that my installer should have charged me over $100 for burying the line from the satellite to the house, but he didn't.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

I bundle basic cable/internet together to make it cheaper than just paying for internet. Dumb I know.

Used to be that round trip airfare cost less than one way. Cost models have weird consequences.

 

[legal_hit]

Re: Comcast Digital Switchover

That pause is a setting you can change. I can't remember if it is set by the DTV box or by the TV (my technician set it) but you can determine how long the pause is - I don't notice a pause when I change channels. The delay I experience at the beginning is shorter too, more like 15 seconds. But I don't know what devices you have, so it could vary.

I just found out that my installer should have charged me over $100 for burying the line from the satellite to the house, but he didn't.

I've run into the pause as well, but I dealt with it as I didn't think it was adjustable.