I just upgraded from a 15 year old 19" TV to a Panasonic TH37PD25UP Plasma TV. Just the size increase is WOW!! But I have Comcast's basic cable service. Most of our local networks broadcast in digital. I called Comcast's 800 number and was told that I could pick up the CableCard at our local Comcast office - and when I asked how much she said there was no charge if I picked it up myself. Went to Comcast's local office and they said that I could only get the card by upgrading to their lowest premium package (>$55/month) and it would take a service person to install it (the darn thing just plugs in!) I called the 800 number again and they said that the dealer was right - that Comcast had made a "Business Decision" to not give the cards out but to reserve them for premium packages. Neighboring areas have Charter Cable. I called them and they give the cards to their customers and charge them $1.25 (yes - one dollar and 25 cents)a month for the card. Anyone else had this type of experience with Comcast? Anyone know the FCCs take on this? My understanding is that the cable companies are to provide the card to their customers.
Read a lot of the posts, comments and issues others have with the CableCARDSs - sounds like a nightmare - guess I was naive thinking I could just plug one in! Any thoughts on the "box" VS the cableCARD? Are we too new into the CableCARD era to expect them to work? Who manufactures the cards - Motorolla? Are they programmed by the various cable companies? Any 'experts' out there on the subject?
qwertyasdfg
Unregistered guest
Posted on
cable cards suck i work for circuit city cable companys want you to use their box they will do everything in their powre not to support the cable card just get over it and get the box even if they get the card to work you can not use pay per view no on screen guide no extra options just ch up and ch down get the digital cable box!!!!!
Anonymous
Posted on
Cable Cards are for people that do not want to have the box on top of their tv, or any additional equipment. At some point the cable cards will be interactive, but technology as we all know takes time. I know from experience that my cable company supports the cable card as well as the installation. The reason that people cannot pick up a cable card at their cable company is because there is a process that the cable company has to go through in order for that cable card to work with your television. The cable card is not for everyone, but for the educated consumer it can be useful.
here in panama city beach,fl I use cablecard with comcast basic service for 5 dollars month and get 7 hd channels (nbc video only - no fox). for the money it is ok and it works - installed by cableguy - no complaints - not a on-demand fan