No Comcast Cable tv in 2009 without a digital box from Comcast

I am a comcast customer paying 120.00 a month for tv and computers I
have fairly new tvs . Do I need boxes for all my tvs or just the ones
that use tivo.

Hi ,
Since we have moved into my home back in 2000, we just connected the
comcast cable wires that were in the wall into our vcr in one room
and
into the back of our tv in the living room and we've had basic cable
and were happy. I have no idea how we have managed not to get
disconnected over the years, but its just us and our neighbor that
are
shareing the underground cablebox at the end of the properties and no
one else....once in a while when my neighbor had comcast and would
have trouble they would come out and unhook us both fix the problem,
then hook us back up. That happened more than a few times, you would
have thought they would have known we weren't customers.
Anyhow my problem is last week contractors were digging up out front
of our property, they said that they were putting in the new stuff
for
verizon.? Anyhow, they somehow cut our line while their team of 10
guys were digging up the entire 100 feet of the front of our
property.
When I went out to tell them they cut us off, they said that they
didn't cut anything and then the supervisor went to call comcast to
tell them we were haveing trouble, then I had to say nevermind
because
if comcast checks into it they would see that we are not customers
and
we couldn't let that happen, so here we sit with nothing. We cannot
afford monthly cable because were on a fixed disability income. I
asked my neighbor if they were cut off as well and they informed me
that they have direct tv now and were ok. I had a friend look in the
box and we are still hooked up there.
So im wondering why else have we been cut off. And comcast was NOT
out at the box that day, so its not like they cut us off because they
finally figured it out, do you think it was cut off because of
everything that they're doing and maybe we maybe we'll be turned back
on in Feb?
We do not have any antenna but just in case I did send out for the
free coupon. If you can help me figure this out what it was that may
have happened, I would greatly appreciate it. I am praying its just
going to be this way until feb 2009.

Signed,
Rosie Dying for TV in Baltimore

Not true... do your research...

Comcast has their customers covered...





What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV
broadcasting?
If you are a Comcast Customer, everything is ready to go now.


Includes DCTs and DVRs

Includes current TV's connected straight to comcast coax lines


Includes CableCARDs

If you are a Comcast Customer but have some TV's in your house
that use antennas, Comcast can connect those TVs directly to cable.




More links for further research and questions:



http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq25



http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html


Cheers!

PLEASE DO NOT POST THIS INFORMATION WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS.

In February of 2009 all the networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, etc...) are
required to stop transmission of analog signal. This does not mean
that when this happens your TV service stops. If you have Comcast,
they will translate the digital signal into analog so you can continue
watching television as normal.

Yes, it is true that Comcast will rent their digital set top boxes
(Digital Converter Terminal) which are required to receive channels
beyond 71, but they will not FORCE you to rent the equipment.

Eventually it will be required that all television providers (cable,
satellite, etc..) also provide necessary equipment included in the
package pricing.

As this is a change the federal government is enforcing, there are
coupons customers can request from the government to help with any
additional cost they may incur.

Again, in 2009, your services will not just shut off if you have
Comcast. The signal that people pick up with the old rabbit ears over
the air is no longer going to be available.

That simply isn't true. If you:

1. Are a current subscriber of Cable TV
2. Current subscriber of Satellite TV

You WON'T need to do anything February 19th, 2009.

HOWEVER: If you currently use Rabbit Ears and receive over the air
TV....

THEN: you will have to get a digital box, which you will be able to
obtain a voucher from our government to go towards the purchase of a
HDTV Box.

OR: Call your local Cable Company, whom will either...Give you a box
or rent one for a small monthly fee...

They are in compliance, but the decision is left up to them whether
they want to transition to all digital (and apparently Comcast has
opted to do that.) but they are not required to do so.

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html

This is straight from the FCC, but the wording is vague enough that
they have left them the option to do this and blame it on defraying
costs.

You'd think if it was financially cheaper for them to offer their
service in digital format, that some of the savings could be passed on
to the consumer in the form of free adapters to allow you to continue
watching the programming without incurring more expense.

If this is the route they're going to take, you might want to consider
looking into DishNetwork or DirectTV instead. To my knowledge, because
they are satellite based, the transmission should already be digital
and the cost is around the same as base cable.

Sucks that Comcast appears to be taking the opportunity to gauge their
customers, but at least there are other options for you.

under this plan I found related to your letter. It looks like they
are hoping to have a $35 digital to analog dongle to allow you to use
your analog tv with an all digital cable:
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=146733&site=cdn

My first impression is that Comcast is looking to find ways to take
advantage of the increased services that would be possible by
switching cable transmission to digital. Think about what happened
when a basic analog phone's wiring was put to use to move digital
signals. Presto - DSL. If the whole pipeline is switched to digital,
it makes it possible to move more information (more channels).

What I didn't see in the article is whether the dongle would be given
to users (best), they would have to buy it (somewhat acceptable) , or
rented monthly (worst). If it is low cost enough hopefully they can
provide it for free.

This looks like what you are referring to, but I am not sure.