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General discussion

Do not get comcast digital with sony KDF-55XS955

Dec 20, 2004 9:04PM PST

I have basic/standard cable, which is really all i need. Just screw in cable to back of tv where it says cable. I thought I'd try digital since it was free and everyone says to wait with the cablecard. Well the guy came brought a box w Hd. The good box they were out of meaning I had to switch something to get HD. He Hooked it up and it made almost all my channels look grainy and horrible, i could not believe my eyes. He said it could do that. I said take the box out of here immediately. My reception without the box is outstanding I also get HD without a box which shocked the heck out of the cableman. I give Comcast a ZERO. They seem very confused and are to quick to install equipment that is not up to par. They are also having problems with the cablecard. Now I see why people are changing their service.

Discussion is locked

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Questions about Comcast
Dec 21, 2004 12:47PM PST

I was interested in this post because I'm planning to join the HDTV revolution and Comcast is the major provider in my area. We currently have analog service from Comcast, but I see that they offer Digital Cable service (in several packages) and they also offer HDTV service. I understand that in signing up for HDTV service from them you are basically paying for the rental of the set top tuner, and since the TV I'm thinking of (KDF 42WE655) already has a tuner, the set top box is not necessary. I asked Comcast if it was necessary to sign up for Digital Cable service in order to receive HDTV and they said no, which is what I'm understanding from your post.
So it sounds like if one has plain old Expanded basic cable service from Comcast and they provide HD programming in my area, then just hooking up the TV will be enough to enjoy HDTV. Right or wrong? I'm not interested in Premium channels, onBoard programming, etc.

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HDTV
Dec 21, 2004 8:42PM PST

The only reason to get a box or card is so you can get unscrambled channels and comcasts pay services. Though you cannot get pay services with the cablecard. If you run auto program when you first run the TV you may pick up some HDTV programming but not all. I do get some. ABC NBC,etc. The HD Box will give you more channels though there are not many. I asked the Comcast guy if i can get the HD box only with basic/standard service he said no you need digital? Which I will not get since it ruins my picture.Acyually I'm going to ask comcast about that again. I have asked them at least 10 times and get different answers. Will let you know. BTW HDTV channels are up in the 170 and over range at least where I live

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HDTV update
Dec 21, 2004 8:56PM PST

Just called comcast they said you need to get digital in order to get HDTV. But like i said since you have the HDTV tuner built in you may be able to pick up some HDTV signals. If you want them all etc you will need to upgrade to digital to Get the HDTV. If you find out more info let me know. You may want to call Comcast and get someone else on the line. I search out these forums and find the best answers on them.

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HDTV tuner
Dec 22, 2004 4:23AM PST

I SUSPECT that if you simply subscribe to the basic cable service you will not be able to use your KDF 42WE655 tuner to view HD channels. Normally, the cable signals will be sent scrambled and will need to be descrambled by the proprietary cable-box. For HD signals the only difference is that the descrambled output will be in HD. I know that dish network has different receivers for HD (includes non-HD) and non-HD signals. You can however get over-the-air (OTA) ABC, NBC, CBS using your existing TV. I have the same TV and use an indoor HD-compatible antenna.

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HDTV update
Dec 22, 2004 5:10AM PST

I have basic and standard 80 channels and to my surprise I do get Hd(Fox,abc,nbc cbs, nba,wnet and some others) I guess the HDTV tuner puts them through. If I want a few others yes I will need the box and or cablecard. A question I pose Am I getting the true HD signal even if I am not using the box and it comes through unscrambled already?? Its a great picture 1080i and once you see it its hard to go back

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HDTV update
Dec 22, 2004 8:30AM PST

I'd like to know the answer to your question also. Are you getting the true HD signal. If anyone out there knows for sure let us know. Or maybe if it's not the true signal but looks good anyway, maybe we don't want to know. ; )

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True HD
Jan 4, 2005 8:54AM PST

Yes. It is true HD. The tv tuner processes the signal the same way the HD cable boxes do.

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How about a Sharp Aquos with built in HDTV tuner (+)
Jan 6, 2005 10:54AM PST

will it work in the same way as the Sony do you think and come thru as HD. That is the set I am thinking of getting. Also, what does one do about a VCR receiving HD. Does it's tuner just receive analog only? Do any DVD recorders receive HD?

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HDTV without a cable box
Jan 25, 2006 7:40AM PST

I was told by a tv salesman that I could get local HDTV channels off of basic cable service from comcast. I bought a JVC LCD HDTV and connected it to my basic cable, and I do get some local channels in HD. For some reason two channels have a very weak signal and I cannot get them: at least thats what the TV indicates. I called comcast and they indicated that although local HDTV signals are on basic cable and are not scrambled, that they do not provide any support because it is not a feature that is paid for under basic cable. To get support, you have to upgrade to the digital package and use a cable box or cable card. So those of us who only want local channels in HD without an antenna are out of luck. The tech guy at comcast also told me that their cable card will not work with JVC for some unknown reason, although it is supposed to.

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Question about Sony TV With Digital Cable
Jan 5, 2005 10:44AM PST

I seem to have the same problem with poor quality picture, with my digital cable box on my Sony LCD rear projection TV. I understand that there cable box is the cause for the poor quality not the TV, but I don't have a choice in tv services right now. This will not harm my TV in anyway(Like always have a poor picture now)????? Eventually when I get satelite will my picture will improve?????

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comcast digital/HD cable
Jan 6, 2005 12:57PM PST

I got Comcast digital cable and HD service last week via cable card for my Sony WE655 50" set (Knoxville, TN area). They told us that with the card, they couldn't supply HD without digital service; for HD alone, we'd have to use the cable box. Since I have the HD tuner built in, I didn't want the cable box nor yet another remote. I didn't care that you can't use interactive menus (read, movies on demand) with the cable card.

The good news is the HD picture quality is excellent, and even the SD channels seem to come in better (don't know if this is possible). The music channels are nice but wasted on me.

This digital/HD cable stuff is pretty new to our area and the installer had to call back to his office a couple of times to figure out what to do.

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comcast digital/HD cable
Jan 11, 2005 12:31AM PST

We just arranged to have a CableCard installed in our new Hitachi 42V710. Coming tomorrow. We current subscribe to Comcast Cable (not Digital) and in my conversation with the Comcast rep, I told her I only wanted HDTV service added, without the set top box. It's interesting that Comcast TN informed you that in order to use the CableCard you needed to use their Digital service, because Comcast WA is allowing me to have a CableCard installed for HDTV, without signing up for Comcast Digital cable. Like you I wasn't interested in onDemand and other interactive services.
We'll see what happens.

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OTA HDTV
Jan 11, 2005 8:17AM PST

I get alot of OTA HD without the digital. I get about 7 channels.

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kdf55xs955
Jan 9, 2005 1:47PM PST

Just bought the 55xs and the TV has yet to be delivered....
We have Comcast cable, but no box for the location we were going to put the TV.. do you suggest we just plug it in and see what we get? or do we need to upgade to Digital cable or get the card..?
how did you finally make out?

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55 inch
Jan 9, 2005 8:29PM PST

I just plugged in and played. The box was awful, may go with the card at some point but I do not really need the extras. Do get OTA HD which is fantastic. Run auto-program and fiddle with the adjustments. I'm very satisfied with what i have. Had comcast upgrade splitter and wiring outside. Having them come wed to replace cable from pole to house, since prev tech said they do not use it anymore but probably an upgraded cable.Also the only reason to get digital is to get other proramming and certain other HD, Comcast seems confused at times with these newer TVs with THE TUNER built in

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CABLE SUCKS
Jan 9, 2005 11:19PM PST

Cable pushes the box because that is the only way they make money! They make money off pay per view, since the cable card is only a one way communication it means lazy Americans have to actually call the cable company to order a movie instead of just pushing a button. Now, seeing that people are buying the c/c tv's cable insists on coming to the house to install the card, that way they still sick it to you for 50 bucks!

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I agree
Jan 22, 2005 10:45AM PST

I think I agree with you. They came out with a cablecard and when they put it in it wouldn't work. So now I have a box.....&^%*&%)*!

I will watch the football game tomorrow in HD and then have them take it out!