The Newest Switch: Comcast Updates Area to Digital

Thousands of families across the Northern Virginia area experienced a temporary error message from Comcast a few weeks ago, prompting an upgrade to all-digital cable. Those with older model televisions were left with two options: buy a new TV or visit the Comcast service center for a digital box.

The message came a few channels at a time. Some, like myself, had perhaps ignored the initial messages, paring down to the entertainment of just a few remaining channels before visiting the Comcast service center. There, customers receive free digital equipment for up to three TVs (one interactive cable box and two adapters). Each additional digital box costs $1.99 a month to rent.

A Comcast Corporation representative clarified that the channels are being converted from analog to digital in order “free up space.”

I had forgotten about the coming changeover, which is why I wasn’t prepared to welcome the digital age. The cable corporation has made several declarations of a digital switch to occur gradually over individual parts of the country.

The off-air channels (local and basic available through antennas) have since been transmitted from analog to digital, a relatively small blip on the customer network compared to the recent overhaul. Now analog channels are in the process of being removed altogether.

I was pleased to find—once my digital box was set up—a few new adjustments. The title of the channel was shown in the bottom right corner and there were a few “lost” channels reinstated, including my sorely missed TV Guide channel as well as about 20 more than I had before.

I’m just wondering what I’ll do once the time comes to replace the Comcast remote.

The company offers another deal to salve the wounds of those with analog attachments. In February 2011, Comcast and Time Warner announced their agreement to provide Comcast digital cable customers with TV shows and movies from top networks at no additional cost on www.xfinitytv.com.

I’m not so sure one actually has to be a Comcast digital cable customer to enjoy it, as I was able to access shows and movies from a free Wi-Fi location with no verification required to watch. I was impressed with the limited commercials—only two before the television shows began, unlike the six to eight often viewed throughout a half hour segment. The best part was that I didn’t have to watch the same two commercials repeatedly interrupt my viewing.

What has been your experience with the switch? Should Comcast allow customers to choose for themselves if they want to stay with analog cable? Is there any future for analog?