So we're in Sarasota on vacation and I'm in shock. Comcast is providing over 24 hd channels unencrypted.

We're from south Jersey and (last time I checked) comcast only provides abc, cbs, fox, and pbs hd channels unencrypted there.

So my question is HUH!? What is the rhyme or reason here? This is exceedingly annoying.

Any comments?

Thanks, -Abs

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R6.04, dual core 3ghz, 3 gig memory, Zotac 8400 passive heat sink dvi/hdmi out video, 500 gig sata, dual tuner hdhomerun, streamzap remote

Abby

My guess is that it is only a matter of time until they begin encrypting those channels.

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Marc

The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

sometimes there's a 'teaser weekend' where they provide some stations for free. maybe?

re: teaser weekend >> Staying with relatives. They've had no box for over a year and report plenty of hd channels.

re: encrypted >> It's not that I want this town to be encrypted, I'm just jealous as !@#$% that south Jersey costs me $300+ a year for what's free here. Yuk.

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R6.04, dual core 3ghz, 3 gig memory, Zotac 8400 passive heat sink dvi/hdmi out video, 500 gig sata, dual tuner hdhomerun, streamzap remote

Abby

I am currently paying $95/month for high speed internet, expanded basic digital channels & hidef. No movie or premium channels. It is too expensive for the value. I am going to convert to DSL + basic cable for a total cost of $50/month. I will loose some of the channels I watch like Scfi, but the $40/month will more than fund purchasing those on a "pay per view" basis on Amazon. Alternatively, I can watch some of them on Hulu...

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Marc

The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

I'm going to have to look into hulu when I have time.

My comcast bill is significantly higher than $300/yr. I'm just complaining about the settop boxes they require to decrypt what I pay for. $8/mo. for sd box and $15/mo. for hd box.

My full bill is $156/mo. but that's the triple play deal, phone/internet/tv.

<rant on>
On a side note their vmail sucks too. It can go out with no notice. Thus if you get that important phone call while you're not home, you'll flat out miss out. (i.e. Mom is in the hospital, come to ABC emergency room quick!, or Your child slipped and fell at school, come quick!)

You do not get a refund for vmail being down since it's a "free feature" they give you and you do not pay for. Lastly you do get a wonderful vmail msg saying that it was down. You can retrieve that msg when it is back up. Hmmmm.....

</rant off>

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R6.04, dual core 3ghz, 3 gig memory, Zotac 8400 passive heat sink dvi/hdmi out video, 500 gig sata, dual tuner hdhomerun, streamzap remote

Abby

My mom has Comcast and they just can't keep the service running. She has triple play and her internet and voice are always going out. TV stays on more than voice/data, but it goes out a lot too. Overall, her phone is out 10% of the time!!!

Not good for my 86-year-old mom who doesn't have much to do but talk on the phone and watch TV. (OK, the data plan is for the business computer we keep at mom's place.)

Comcast customer service is pure crap. I've been complaining about it for MONTHS and get no resolution. No competition and look what you get -- crap.

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