HDTV For Free: Update

If you are still getting TV programming from a cable TV provider, you may have noticed that some of your TV’s are no longer receiving channels.  Comcast has started encrypting its “Limited Basic” services.  In the past, if you had a digital TV, you could just hook the coax cable to the back of your TV and watch your local channels.  This was convenient for houses with multiple TVs and for people who are trying to save money by just getting the bare minimum TV channels over cable TV.  Once the encryption is in place the only way Comcast customers will be able to view their cable channels is by using a Comcast “set top box” or a CableCARD enabled device on each TV.  This means that you will have to contact Comcast and order additional equipment for all TVs that are not currently connected to a Comcast tuner.

Last year the FCC passed new rules that allow cable companies to encrypt basic cable channels.  You can read the details of the rule in the link below.

http://www.fcc.gov/document/commission-relaxes-cable-encryption-prohibition

This ruling applies to all cable TV providers so I would expect them all to be encrypting their channels soon.  Comcast will allow certain customers to get additional cable set top boxes free for a limited time but after that time period is up there will be an additional charge for the boxes.  You can see the details on the Comcast link below.

http://www.comcast.com/digitaladapterinfo

If you would like another option please see our earlier blogs, HDTV for Free, and HDTV for Free – Part 2.  Also, you can post a question or call Belco Electric at 770-455-4556 if you would like more information on this subject, or if you need an antenna, internet outlet, power outlet, surge protector, or wall mount TV installed, or any other electrical need.