1. 

   Mondoman
   

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   Well, Comcast finally switched to all-digital cable in my area (near the Ballard PO). Since I just want the local and public-service channels, I don't rent any set-top box or card from Comcast. I do have a Tivo, but it only has the human-friendly channel numbers (e.g. 2, 3,4,5,...) rather than the actual digital channel numbers (e.g. 7-1, 68-101, and so forth). Thus, I can no longer record the cable digital channels, because Tivo's tuner sees their digital channel number, but the Tivo channel guide lists the (different) human-friendly channel number. By manually tuning, I can watch the digital channels live.

   Apparently, here are my choices:
   1) Get a CableCard from Comcast and plug it into my Tivo, allowing the Tivo to tune the human-friendly channel numbers. Con: I have heard that this will not allow me to tune all the unencrypted digital channels available (for example, no KBTC), and may also not include the HD versions of local stations, even though they are present as separate digital cable channels.

   2) Do nothing and try to figure out how to manually record shows on the Tivo by date/time/digital channel number. Con: what's the point of having a Tivo, then?

   3) Find/build some other DVR setup that will work as in (2), but without the monthly Tivo fee. Perhaps a Windows or Linux-based HTPC or something like that?

   Any suggestions, folks? In particular, has anyone had experience with Comcast CableCards and free HD channels?

   Posted 3 months ago #
2. 

   RichY
   

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   Just get a free cable card from Comcast - it will allow you to recive all the channels as well as on-demand (if you have a premire Tivo) and you will get the HD stations thet are brodcast overthe air and the Seattle HD

   Posted 3 months ago #
3. 

   Mondoman
   

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   Rich, I've read that the Cable Card will only allow through most but not all available channels. For example, I've read that KBTC (PBS in Tacoma?) would not be available, since it's not part of the "Seattle" lineup. Remember, I'm just subscribed for limited basic cable (the lowest form of subscriber at $10/month).

   Posted 3 months ago #
4. 

   RichY
   

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   It would be on chan 12 same as limited basic - the cable card allows the device to be reconfiged for a cable provider same as the cable box that you would need to rent. The line up chart is here : https://www.comcast.com/ChannelLineup-Popup.aspx?OfferId=200023

   They may up the fee to $16 /m - but you should check.

   Posted 3 months ago #
5. 

   Mondoman
   

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   Thanks, Rich. According to one of the Comcast web pages I found, the first CableCard should be free, so I seem to have nothing to lose by trying it out. If there are charges for HD, I can consider other options.

   Posted 3 months ago #
6. 

   RichY
   

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   HD is free on the line up you but do need HD TV - get a two channel Cable Card this will enable both tuners on the TiVo - and is still one card - they may have a single but say no (you need a 2 channel for a premier TiVo and 2 - 1 channel or 1 - 2channel for a TiVo series3 (HD)

   Posted 3 months ago #
7. 

   jj
   

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   I'm not sure if you are asking about DVR's or cable.

   First and foremost, if you want to stick with Tivo I'd recommend upgrading to the Tivo Premiere.
   - If you want to keep cable, you can go with the comcast DVR or use a Tivo Premiere
   - If you don't want cable, you can use the Tivo Premiere with an antenna (which we do)

   As far as other DVR solutions, it depends on how you value your time. You would save money over Tivo, but those solution require more baby-sitting to keep them up and running. I've always been technically inclined, but my wife just wants it to work - so we have a Tivo :)

   Posted 3 months ago #
8. 

   Mondoman
   

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   jj, a premiere is what I've got, and the two tuners certainly come in handy. It's plugged into both Comcast and an antenna (reception issues mean I can only receive channels 4, 7, 11, 16 and a few higher ones OTA. I'd like to at least be able to get 5, 9 and 13 as well).
   A PC-based DVR would be fun to play around with, but since I've already got the Tivo, if I can make it work for HD over Comcast with little to no outlay, I'll try that first.

   Posted 3 months ago #
9. 

   dguy
   

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   If an extra series 2 TIVO (analog) would help, maybe with the antenna connection, I've got one I'm not using that still has lifetime TIVO service.

   Posted 3 months ago #
10. 

    Mondoman
    

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    Thanks for the offer, dguy, but I'm an all-digital dude now! (I also had an old analog-only DVR that I retired with sadness when the OTA digital transition happened a while back)

    Posted 3 months ago #
11. 

    jj
    

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    I can't speak for Comcast, I only use an Antenna + Internet video via the Tivo. If you were interested in OTA, I'd recommend checking out antennaweb.org, which can help you determine the type of antenna you need in correlation with where you live. HD signals are much more finely tuned than analog, so you need to point the antenna in the correct direction.

    BTW, 13-1 is pretty far away, so they repeat it on 22-1 which is much closer.

    Posted 3 months ago #
12. 

    Mondoman
    

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    Thanks for the web site, jj! I sometimes get 22, but it's usually intermittent and blocky. I've got exposure issues, and blockage by my own and other nearby buildings. I did pick up a Cable Card from Comcast, and they said they'd send over a tech to remove the old frequency-blocking "drop". The channels now show up correctly in the Guide, but it's not yet clear whether they'll let me access the HD channels up at the top end of the range.

    Posted 3 months ago #
13. 

    RichY
    

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    Mondoman, when they remove the filter, you may need to call in and have them sent an 'init' to the cable card so it can map the channels.

    You should get 105,106,107,109,111, and so on (all the OTA brodcasts in HD) if not call in and ask why.

    Also have you tried an omni-directional antenna ?

    Posted 3 months ago #
14. 

    Mondoman
    

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    Rich, I've got one of the roughly foot square flat plastic antennas that sell for around $20 at Radio Shack, and it's hanging on the inside near the top of a south-facing window. I haven't yet looked up directions and distances for the various channels' transmission antennas.

    Posted 3 months ago #

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