Digital Cable Ready (DCR)?

[dubbayou]

:bow: Incredible! I find this mass of knowledgable people on the same day when I order my 37" Philips and have a huge fight with the cable guy (over the phone-luckily). I read your + and - on the set I just bought. Thanks. Now, settle my argument with Comcast. I told them that my set is Digital Cable Ready. Just set up and rent me the proper cablecard and be on your way. They (the phone talker and his supervisor) said that there is no cablecard option, only a set top lite box or some other box. They are screwin' me because they want two way interactive opportunity in my home. I just want a living room with no box. You guys probably love boxes. What's your verdict?

[mikehbkwm]

Ummm, what if they really don't use cable cards in that system. To be honest with you, I think they suck. I haven't gotten one to work for me on a install yet. But I don't do much video work anymore as I mostly install phone and internet. I do know guys who have installed them and they do work, but those are few and far between.

[HDTV-NUT]

lol, they probably do not use cable cards in your area. they are saying there is no option because there is no option. i think you are making it into some kind of conspiracy when all they are doing is telling you they dont offer cable cards. my verdict, get a box or stick with what you have.

[57U]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that all US cable companies are required to offer a CableCARD option, especially a service provider as large as Comcast. (we don't have CableCARD in Canada, since there is no such requirement and since few TVs in Canada have the slots)

The above statement ignores the fact that they are often a pain to install, have compatibility issues, etc, however, I thought they were a "requirement" nonetheless.

I assume you've read the HDTV FAQ "Can I get digital cable"...

[HDTV-NUT]

I have never seen anything that says a Cable Company is required to offer a Cable Card option. I could be wrong though.

[mikehbkwm]

57u there may be some requirement but I personally know some of the smaller cable co. like in more of the rural areas don't offer them. Some of our smaller Cox systems don't offer them.

[alexgtp]

I called comcast yesterday Because I also wanted to get a cable card (IL) They said that my area was not offering a cable card solution yet but would eventually ofeer one (no time frame was given) So If i wanted to get the cable HD channles I would need to rent a box. Luckily my TV is able to give me all the free channel HD/Digital signals. But I need my Discovery HD, and Comcast Sports Net HD and ESPN HD. So a box it is.

[Planet-Ed]

I got lucky with Adelphia here in Colorado Springs. They are now offering it here. The tech arrived this morning, plugged in the cablecard, made a phone call and within 15 minutes I was up and running with all the digital, HD and movie channels. He was suprised it went so smooth. He said they normally have trouble getting them working.

[hdtvtechno]

See This thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=517400)