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Official Comcast CableCard Thread!

3M views 9K replies 2K participants last post by  laria 
#1 ·
There seems to already be a lot of CableCard talk on many threads so in an attempt to keep them consolidated by company here is an official thread for Comcast, I just made this thread since I am a Comcast customer, if others want to make official threads for their cable companies go for it! Making one thread for each cable company should ease everyones diging through 100 different threads for cablecard info.

Some relevant info that I have read about comcast so far is the following:
-If you explain to Comcast that both cable cards are for one device people have been successful in no additional monthly charge, one user reported getting good success with calling comcasts 800 number and speaking with a cable card department
-Others have had good luck with going to their local comcast office and getting cable cards directly from them, this saves the installation fee and is quicker

Myself...I called Comcast and got the same spiel as most others have heard, free card for the first one and additional charge for the second of 5.95 (may not be exact, I didn't write it down) and installation charges for both the install of both the first and second cable cards of 20something bucks and 15something bucks. I realize now that I left out some details about my device that may have lead on to these extra charges, I am out of town now but plan on hitting my local Comcast office on Saturday and just trying to get them to give me the cards and I will do the install, or I will call back and try and speak to someone who understands and get the second (additional outlet) monthly charge dropped as well as the installation costs. BTW I live in the Chicago area since some people have experienced different things with the different areas of Comcast. Let me know your thoughts on my experience, what you have heard and try and keep comcast details on this thread so we can all have an easier time keeping up with what others have heard. Also post your region so we know which flavor of comcast you are dealing with.
-AJ
 
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#8,302 ·
I just activated a CableCard online about a half hour ago. It was easier than activating my modem--I didn't have to chat with a rep to convince them I didn't need their software.

The online CC activation was pretty painless. Just clicked a button.

how did you navigate to the page?

I picked up 2 cards yesterday for 2 new boxes. Activated one last night without issue but was too tired to futz with second box so left it for today. I tried the second box today and of course they cant figure it out. initial activation was at 800- 405-2298- i got some channels and she promised the rest would show up within 45 minutes. an hour latter i get nothing so i call the number she gave me in case there are problems. That number is normal comcast number and of course they can't do anything. I call back the activation number and they tell me they are going to transfer me to better tech support- surprise surprise same regular comcast number....

Both regular comcast 'tech support' people want to sent a tech out- like i can't read the frigging numbers off the screen. :mad:
 
#8,305 ·
#8,308 ·
...

Only the techs can talk to the "addressability office", and this office is about the only one that can actually get things done.
it's plain stupid that the people on the phone can't escalate to someone who can speak to the "addressability office".

I actually just brought back the fubar'd card and got a fresh one today. (well my wife did it...) The lady at the office told my wife the fubar'd card wasn't even on my account.

Anyway tired the "fresh" card and viola activated it in about 3 minutes on the first call to the activation number.

(interesting about that url to activate yourself. That's not on my receipt and when i try it says 'unable to contact your system'- so must be only some headends can do that.)
 
#8,309 ·
Only the techs can talk to the "addressability office", and this office is about the only one that can actually get things done.
I've been having good luck with the center in Cebu. They now know to completely delete the service then add it from scratch. You also get right in with no hold queue.

Strange then just happened, I just changed the drive in my Tivo HD and didn't have to reactivate the cable card. I wonder of Comcast changed something at the head end??? I like that change since I've been having to reformat my drive and reactivate my Tivo about every 2 or 3 weeks.

For some reason I've ben getting 20 minute reboots on my Tivo HD after about 2 weeks of a fresh install no matter what I do.
 
#8,310 ·
Soapm said:
Strange then just happened, I just changed the drive in my Tivo HD and didn't have to reactivate the cable card. I wonder of Comcast changed something at the head end??? I like that change since I've been having to reformat my drive and reactivate my Tivo about every 2 or 3 weeks.
Cards don't need to reactivated after changing the drive in a TiVo, though they do need to be re-paired. Pairing allows viewing copy-protected channels. Comcast, in general, only protects Premium, movie and PPV channels. All other channels will still work without re-pairing.
 
#8,312 ·
Cards don't need to reactivated after changing the drive in a TiVo, though they do need to be re-paired. Pairing allows viewing copy-protected channels. Comcast, in general, only protects Premium, movie and PPV channels. All other channels will still work without re-pairing.
Until this last change I've been having to get it repaired no matter what I did. I removed the card to see if it was causing my reboots and when I reinserted I couldn't get premium channels. Perhaps it was a problem at my head end.
 
#8,313 ·
I removed the card [...]
Bzzzt - wrong move. Your going to have to call the activation line and get them to re-pair the card.

A family member did the same thing, and they had Comcast "hit" their account, which worked for a while but they all the HD/Premium channels went away again and eventually had to be re-paired.
 
#8,314 ·
DocNo said:
Bzzzt - wrong move. Your going to have to call the activation line and get them to re-pair the card.
Simply pulling the card should de-pair the card unless you insert a different card in the Premiere or put the card in a different Premiere. I've pulled cards and put them back in without issue, though I didn't leave it out very long and didn't reboot.
 
#8,315 ·
When did comcast announce that they were raising rates? I just looked at my January bill and both the Basic Cable charge and the HD technology fee went up. Basic went from $59.95 to $63.70 and the HD technology fee went from $8.50 to $9.95. I guess the cable raise isn't that bad, but the HD fee went up 17%!
 
#8,316 ·
When did comcast announce that they were raising rates? I just looked at my January bill and both the Basic Cable charge and the HD technology fee went up. Basic went from $59.95 to $63.70 and the HD technology fee went from $8.50 to $9.95. I guess the cable raise isn't that bad, but the HD fee went up 17%!
There was a new rate sheet included in my December bill.
 
#8,319 ·
While they are charging me the "additional digital outlet" fees, they haven't (yet) tried to charge me the "HD Technology Fee". I do have a digital converter box but it is SD (connected to and controlled by the functional TiVo 2).
 
#8,320 ·
While they are charging me the "additional digital outlet" fees, they haven't (yet) tried to charge me the "HD Technology Fee". I do have a digital converter box but it is SD (connected to and controlled by the functional TiVo 2).
You should only be charged that fee if you have a cable provided HD converter box. Many do simply to get VOD. With Comcast VOD coming to Premiere (eventually), I suspect many will return their cable boxes.
 
#8,321 ·
You should only be charged that fee if you have a cable provided HD converter box. Many do simply to get VOD. With Comcast VOD coming to Premiere (eventually), I suspect many will return their cable boxes.
If that were true, then when would the "Customer Owned Equipment" credit come into play?
 
#8,323 ·
See my thread here. Bottom line is that FCC complaints need to be filed against Comcast for inconsistent application of Cablecard rentals - some areas get the A/O fees with credits (and some without credits), some don't get charged anything for cards, some get charged $1.50 per card. It's all over the map, and it's against the new rules.

They need to be charging a single fee for each card after the first, same as every other cableCo, and it's what the FCC says should be done. I would argue that the bogus 'HD tech fee' falls into the same category if you don't have any of their boxes, but Comcast would probably say that you get charged that whether you have their box or not if you get HD channels and probably get away with it. Still doesn't explain why some areas get it and some don't, but their billing is all messed up.
 
#8,324 ·
When did comcast announce that they were raising rates? I just looked at my January bill and both the Basic Cable charge and the HD technology fee went up. Basic went from $59.95 to $63.70 and the HD technology fee went from $8.50 to $9.95.
Just to clarify, you should only get charged the HD fee if you have a HD box. A CableCard isn't a HD box. Not all Comcast reps are aware of this distinction.
And I'm not sure if you have a HD STB, but you did post in the CableCard thread...
And damn, that must be a digital "basic" package. Because in my market, Basic Cable is only $15. But it's only ~30 channels.

some don't get charged anything for cards, some get charged $1.50 per card. It's all over the map, and it's against the new rules.

They need to be charging a single fee for each card after the first, same as every other cableCo, and it's what the FCC says should be done. I would argue that the bogus 'HD tech fee' falls into the same category if you don't have any of their boxes, but Comcast would probably say that you get charged that whether you have their box or not if you get HD channels and probably get away with it. Still doesn't explain why some areas get it and some don't, but their billing is all messed up.
According to my rate brochure the first CC on an outlet is $0.00. Each additional card is $1.50. When I picked up the card, the rep threw in a $2.30 fee. Not sure where she pulled that number out of.
But we should consider ourselves lucky that Comcast is giving us the first one for free. Or in a more cynical tone, it's good that they're throwing them in for as high as the cable packages are. The FCC admits that most operators charge $2-4 per month for the first card, and specifically allows them to via FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(5), 76.1602(b).

--

And just an update to my situation (long story short: went to service center, asked for card, told I wasn't allowed to get one for my cable package, mentioned FCC rules, got card with $2.30/month charge, called billing, charge removed) I sent an email to we_can_help and told them that story and how everything was squared away and asked that they remind the center manager of their policies. Removing the cookie cutter bookend parts of their response:

Review of your account indicated that our billing department has updated your account and provided you with the necessary credits. I have provided feedback to the cable store supervisor and their manager in regard to the interaction you had and the information provided. I have reviewed the documentation we have on file in regard to cablecards and it appears there may very well be some confusion in regard to when and how they may be issued. This information is being updated to prevent future incidents like yours.

Due to this incident I have authorized your account to receive a $20 credit as a courtesy for your inconvenience.
Nifty that they gave me a credit. I wouldn't think it deserved one. Having the center manager not slam anyone with fees in the future is rewarding enough to me.
 
#8,325 ·
The tech at Comcast told me to save rental $$$ I could get my HD channels using a TIVO box and a Comcast supplied cable card. Do I need to activate the TIVO susbscrition to make this work? Or can I just plug in the TIVO box, activate the card and Wha -La, I have a HD box (minus some functionality) with no rental fees. Anyone know? HD thru Xbox coming soon at Comcast too.
 
#8,326 ·
The tech at Comcast told me to save rental $$$ I could get my HD channels using a TIVO box and a Comcast supplied cable card. Do I need to activate the TIVO susbscrition to make this work? Or can I just plug in the TIVO box, activate the card and Wha -La, I have a HD box (minus some functionality) with no rental fees. Anyone know? HD thru Xbox coming soon at Comcast too.
The only thing a TiVo without a subscription will do is pause up to 30 minutes of live TV.
 
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