comcast just called me the other day because apparently they installed an HD cable box when i signed up for my cable and i don't have one of their HD packages but the box still enables me to get their HD channels because that's what it's made to do

so they said they have to come swap it out or i will get charged for HD content which I don't really want on the TV upstairs.

but it got me thinking - and i have a computer that i may be able to turn into a DVR of sorts. can i get an hdtv usb/pci tuner that i'm seeing all these cheap deals for right now and get this content for free? do they just have a coax input where i plug in the cable?

5/8/2008 12:20:57 PM

that doesn't make any sense

they would have to enable your box to receive the additional content

i know providers like TWC send local HD over the coax (like ABC, CBS, etc.) and you don't have to pay for it, if your hdtv had a tuner built-in you can receive it... maybe that's what they're talking about?

what they're saying still doesn't make sense though...

5/8/2008 12:22:26 PM

yeah i asked them - can't you just disable it from your end so i don't get any of those HD channels on my cable box?

and the guy went all superemo on me and he was like sir, that'd be like asking me to take the drive feature out of a car - we can't do that.

5/8/2008 12:26:00 PM

Sounds like shenanigans to me

5/8/2008 9:19:09 PM

Quote :

"Sounds like shenanigans to me"

5/8/2008 9:39:12 PM

Quote :

"Sounds like it is shenanigans to me"

the guy is full of crap.

5/8/2008 9:45:39 PM

he may be lol

but i'm more interested in this dvr project - can i get it working with the hdtv tuner card? do they have coax cable inputs?

5/9/2008 4:36:42 AM

yep. they have coax connectors.

if the signal is being sent clear QAM, you'll be able to receive it in all its 1080i glory.

5/9/2008 8:05:55 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380047+1148510222+4802&name=Top+Sellers

5/10/2008 10:28:39 PM