Which Service Options for Comcast?

Advertisements

You are correct, you would need the Digital Starter plus the HDTV Package to get the channels you are wanting. The Digital Starter give you analog channels (all channels below 100) plus digital On-Demand and Music channels. The HDTV Package will give you all of the local channels in HD plus TNT, Versus, Fox RSN, Comcast Sports, Discovery, A&E, NatGeo, MOJO, ESPN, ESPN2, MHD, and Universal all in HD. The $7.95 charge is for the service, NOT for the STB - you'll get charged $7.95 whether you have an 8300HD, a 2200HD, or a cable card.

Hope that helps...

-Chuck

 

I believe that the Digital Starter package, plus the 2nd CableCARD will give you everything you need. I haven't heard of anybody yet that has needed the "HDTV package". Even though my local Comcast folks still have it listed on their web site, they told me on the phone that the package doesn't even exist here.

How long have you been a Comcast customer?

To get the absolute cheapest possible price, you may want to consider actually phoning their customer service number and selecting the option to *cancel* your service. When you get to talk to a human, tell them you're considering going with Dish or DirecTV and want to know what Comcast's cancellation policy is (they don't have one - you can cancel anytime). They'll ask why you're canceling and you just tell them you need HDTV support but that you can get it from Dish for less. They'll very likely offer you a deal to stay, especially if you've been a long-time customer. They instantly gave me $20 per month off for 6 months when I did this. Comcast always has some sort of promotion going on and it's extremely likely that you'll actually be paying *less* for at least the next 3-6 months than you are paying today.

The online channel lineup page is *really* misleading - many of the HD stations say "must subscribe to at least Digital Classic" to receive but then they don't offer Digital Classic on their web site (that's even true for my zip code today).

Yes, it's already pretty vague and Comcast (especially on the web) is misleading, but I strongly believe that the bottom line is that *any* digital package will get you the first CableCARD and all of the non-premium HD channels. Then you need to add $1.50 per month for the second CableCARD. Digital Preferred is *not* required and adds *no* HD channels.

 

The offerings definitely vary by region. There is no "HDTV Package" here.

 

I recently upgraded to digital and had intended to get Digital Classic. When I called 1-888-COMCAST the CSR also said it was not available, but it was listed in the latest fee schedule they had sent in the previous months bill. Perhaps you have to call the local office to get that package.

 

Advertisements

Comcast definitely varies by region. Here in Memphis, they swapped with Time Warner about a year ago - they are still reeling from the swap. The HDTV Package here is a carry-over from TW, but unfortunately, it bundles all of the HD (except for premium movie channels - you have to be subscribed to the SD version) together for $7.95. Any Digital package is also required. So the cheapest way for the OP to get what he wants is Digital Starter plus the HDTV Package.

 

Not in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many people have ~$15 limited basic and CableCards.

 

This is for my area:

HDTV
High Definition Television
premium movie network(s) included.
Want to feel like you’re really THERE? HDTV is for you. Enjoy crystal-clear primetime shows, sports programs, and local broadcast channels — without an antenna, or any other clunky gear. Just install the HD box, and for a small monthly fee you’ll dive into the huge and expanding universe of great HD networks. ESPN HD, ESPN 2 HD, FSN HD, Discovery Theater HD, TNT HD, Universal HD, MHD and INHD are offered as part of our Digital Cable Packages. You will need to subscribe to either Digital Classic, Digital Plus, Digital Silver, Digital Gold, or Digital Platinum in order to receive these High Definition Channels.
And of course when you subscribe to premium channels like HBO® or Starz!® , they are all available in HD, too.

$7.00/mo for Digital Subscriber
$8.00/mo for Non-Digital Subscriber

 

Let us know you finally determine. I have identical goals as you - i.e., I want locals plus non-premium HD channels. I used to have basic cable plus digital classic, but cancelled digital classic because I felt I was paying for so many SD filler channels that I did not watch.

 

No, not really. The description for my area is more specific. You have to subscribe to one of the digital packages to get those HD channels. The $7/$8 fee is for HD STB rental, at least for my area. You can rent the box for $8 without digital package, so that would give you the unencrypted channels only.

 

Any ideas what I can do when all of my NBC HD shows have white noise? Little streaks , they come and go. The comcast DVR does not have this problem. Have not tried live TV, never watch it! All other HD channels so far look great!

I have a single mCard set for 2 tuner Tivo HD.

 

What do you mean "on your TV"? Are you talking about unencrypted or something else?

 

You mean like we told you days ago?

 

I had a filter on my line (they call it "Lifeline Cable") that gave me the first 22 SD channels for $13 a month (basically preventing me from getting all of the basic channels.) They had to remove the filter for HD, and I told them to give me the cheapest package that included ESPNHD. They got it working last night, and I have all basic cable as well as all of the digital tier 1 channels. I need to print a list of the channels I'm supposed to have from Comcast's website and compare them, but I'm going camping with my wife tonight.

 

I always thought I had Comcast's Digital Classic on top of Standard cable; then I read this thread and wasn't so sure. So I was looking forward to the next bill from Comcast.

I opened my Comcast bill today and it states that I am being charged $7.95 for Digital Classic. The other charges are: $51.25 for Standard cable, $1.44 for Franchise related cost and $2.75 for cablecard A/O.

On the front of the bill is a note that: On 11/1/07 C-Span 3 will launch in Digital Classic on channel 249. In addition, C-Span 2 will move from Standard cable to Digital Starter on channel 247.

So if Comcast's web site doesn't confuse you and their reps. don't confuse you; the bill certainly will.