Comcast & CableCard

Channels DVR Server
#1

Hi guys,

I’m a current DirecTV customer (w/ATT U-verse internet) in Houston, TX looking at various other options. I’ve been closely following the Channels DVR news for the last few months. Now that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, I’m starting to look at various Comcast offerings. Unsurprisingly, Comcast doesn’t advertise any sort of CableCard packages on their site and there isn’t a TON of current information out there on the exact process a new subscriber should go through. I was hoping some of you guys with experience could give some advice on what type of plan I should be looking at and how to communicate that with Comcast for the best/right deal.

Since my kids ‘need’ all the Disney channels, I’m looking at the Digital Preferred package (220+ channels). Comcast is currently offering one of their bundles (X1 Preferred Double Play) for $109.99. In chatting with a customer service rep briefly it seems that doing one of these bundle X1 deals is the only way to get this sort of 12-month discounted rate. My current thought was to go with this plan and stay with only the ‘X1 HD Service’ with nothing extra added. Then I’d request a CableCard separately.

I have a few questions:

  • First and foremost, is this the right way to go about it, or does getting one of the X1 deals preclude the use of CableCard?
  • After getting the CableCard, would I be able to return the originally provided X1 box or would that somehow void the terms of the deal?
  • Would I be charged an extra-box fee for the CableCard? From reading online it seems that I would, but it would be discounted ~$2.
  • Any other tips/tricks?

Thanks for any help!

#2

As per the FCC, all cable companies are required to provide cablecard for a minimal or no fee.

I use comcast myself. Once you’re signed up, request a cablecard from comcast. Most of their customers use cablecards in their TiVO, so if your support rep is confused just tell them you have a tivo.

Once the card arrives (or you pick it up), you can activate over the phone: https://forum.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=113&t=10490

Comcast also now lets you activate online: https://activatecablecard.xfinity.com/cablecardactivate/

#3

Thanks for the reply, tmm1!

My main confusion is which plan makes sense to sign up for if I plan on going straight to CableCard. It sounds like it probably doesn’t matter a whole lot and they should provide a CableCard regardless of the initial signup plan.

Thanks again!

#4

I’m no expert, but from what I’ve read on the SiliconDust forums this varies per franchise. Some require you to have certain services or equipment on your account to unlock certain plans, and others don’t care.

I had a cablebox sitting in my garage for a few years because comcast said I had to have it for my package. But when I moved recently, the installation technician who showed up to activate my cablecard happily took it with him.