Are my TVs too old for digital cable?

[jal]

I'm embarrased to admit I'm still completely ignorant about broadcast technology even though I've had SageTV installed for several years.

Here's my latest problem. In my house we have several TVs, most of them at least four years old. There is one input Comcast Digital cable feeding all the TVs (and my TV tuner cards) by means of splitters.

Recently several of the Comcast channels stopped working for all TVs except one, for instance channel FX now shows on only one of the TVs.

I suppose this means that these channels probably transitioned to HD? And therefore I would need to replace those old TVs with new ones that have QAM turners as to pick up those channels? (Bear in mind I'm using terminology here that I don't really understand such as 'QAM').

All this time I had been assuming that, since we only purchase the "Comcast Basic Package" (we certainly don't recall ever asking them for an HD package), that our old TVs would continue getting the job done. And they were doing a great job - until recently.

And I would have to replace my tuner cards as well?

The one TV in my house that still receives FX also has a set top box, but Comcast told us we shouldn't need a set top box for channels in the "basic package".

[QueOnda]

Comcast made a switch to digital (getting rid of most of the analog feeds, switched sd to digital). Look into DTA boxes (from concast for your tv.

As for tuners, some say comcast starting to encrypt everything. I can get only the local sd and HD channels in my area through Clear QAM but others can't get even that.

Comcast give you 2 DTA boxes for free and charges monthly fee for other boxes needed (rented).

[Fuzzy]

And I believe they've included notices about the transition for many months with the billing... it's in that junk most probably just throw away, but they did notify their customers... As mentioned, you should be able to use DTA's at the tv's (which are simplified set top boxes)

[jal]

Thanks guys !!!

I'll look into DTAs. Actually I just moved into this house with my sisters. I think they have some DTAs which were packed into the garage when I moved in because at that time we set up a Comcast cable account and didn't seem to need them anymore. Life was good for the last 9 months so I assumed we'd never need those DTAs again. But last week a bunch of channels disappeared so I guess I was wrong....

Or maybe I'm confusing DTAs with some other technology.

[jal]

I tried two different brands of DTAs without success. They work fine if I hook up an over-the-air TV atenna but don't seem to be picking up anything from the Comcast cable cord.

Indeed,aren't DTAs for OTA viewing? I wasn't aware they had anything do with cable TV (but perhaps that's my gross ignorance talking).

[QueOnda]

Originally Posted by jal

I tried two different brands of DTAs without success. They work fine if I hook up an over-the-air TV atenna but don't seem to be picking up anything from the Comcast cable cord.

Indeed,aren't DTAs for OTA viewing? I wasn't aware they had anything do with cable TV (but perhaps that's my gross ignorance talking).

Yes, OTA DTAs but what you need are the ones only from conca$t which are which are compatible with their system.