Comcast HDTV???

Thanks for the input, When I'm up and running, I'll add a comment on percieved picture quality. On local comcast, there is no upcharge for HDTV, just a $18.95 ''Installation'', for dropping off the box. We get ABC, NBC, and PBS, CBS is still being negotiated. Programming, of course, will vary. HBO and Showtime are available in HDTV. The main reason I'm upgrading is that the standard digi cable box by General Instruments is such a piece of junk. Composite video only and RCA audio that isn't very good. We'll see what comes of the new one. One question: Why Toslink? Ground loop issues? I've always had better luck with a nice RCA 75 ohm digi cable.

Thanks again.

you can pull in digital and hd signals with a $80 vhf antenna from radio shack and tell comcast to cram their scam.
when i investigated this some time ago i discovered you have to first get digital cable (more $), then rent another "box" (more $$$, remember those dumb things they insisted you needed even when you told them you had a cable ready tv?) and then you get to watch hd when it is available on one major network and pay more $$$ (AGAIN) to have access to hd content on hbo and showwtime. sounds fun, like extortion and water torture.
they simply don't have enough non-premuim content yet to warrant the expense, butthis is just my 0.02
maybe things have changed or are about to (my eyes are rolling double time). i'll believe it when i see it here in philadelphia...
(btw, not a single person i talked to from comcast could plainly answer any questions about hd signals, broadcasts, etc that my father or I posed...either they are complete idiots or they have no interest in the public really understanding the facts about digital and hd television (that's it...i knew i'd get it sooner or later)
ymmv

Fujindemon,

Yes comcast is evil incarnate, unless compared to some of the other cable companies I've dealt with. The employees are pretty clueless. I tried an antenna with a roof mount, but I couldn't even get regular network TV. I'm out a in valley by Chester Springs (Far north Chester County), and we get nothing through the ether without effort. I need the roof antenna just for FM. I had digicable already as a package with the cable modem and the HDTV does not cost extra. Yeah, and I'm sure it will take three phone calls to get the bill straight. Oh well, sure is pretty out here.

Some people have said they have had audio drop outs with coax, although you may not. Since you have to move a large piece of furniture , I just thought I would give you a heads up. I have it connected with a Wireworld glass toslink and the sound is incredible. Even many non HDTV programs are presented in Dolby Digital. I use a Cardas Digital lightning coax for music.

As far as buying a cheap Radio Shack antenna, you would have to buy an HDTV {not cheap} tuner 1st.

As far as Comcast not being able to answer questions, thats because the people you speak to on the phone are just {no disrespect} clock punchers. Most do not know the difference between HDTV and HGTV. Their is a wealth of information on www.AVSForum.com

Thanks for all the info. The installers dropped by EXACTLY on time. Kinda spooky. It is the Motorola unit. I hooked it up using their "Component Cable" which was actually a 75 ohm composite cable with a red and white set of audio cables. Ran cable from box to my Anthem AVM 20. Box was set to ABC's HDTV and "The View" was on. Scared us badly. Color balance was wretched. A theory was advanced that the AVM couldn't switch HD signals. Replaced the cable with an Audioquest YIQ-X composite cable. Color balance was good, but the "View" was still spooky. I'm not biologically programmed for daytime TV. I explained the difference between the cables to the installers, and they said they would discuss it with their supervisors. Checked out HBO, got a stupid David Arquette movie with a dog. Picture sure was good. Looked close to DVD quality, definitely better than the standard HBO channel. Need his wife, Courtney Cox in a movie instead, maybe one of the Scream Series (I always say, any show where Courtney Cox is the older, less attractive, woman HAS to be a good movie). Dolby Digital locked in fine, hooked up both Toslink and a 75 ohm RCA, will decide which I like better.

I'm getting a much better picture on the standard channels then I had before, and on the HDTV network channels, it defaults to 480p when the programming with a true HDTV signal is not available. PBS is always in the 1080i mode oddly enough. My 2 1/2 year old loves her HD Clifford cartoon!

All and all, I'm happy with the switch. Next comes the inevitable billing problem, but I've always won so far.

Thanks for the input, and the AVSforum.com site is great. They make the A'gonners look normal, except for the analog guys (just kidding).