COMCAST Copy Protection

[JimLely]

As of 3/27/2004 COMCAST began implementing copy protection on its Pace digital box (I don't know about analogue), thus screwing up my attempts to copy HBO et al on my DVDR75 and my SVHS VCRs. Fortunately, I have a 20 year old macro box which accepts only composite and runs off an internal 9-volt battery. Well, it works despite the bush-league composite connection and the need to connect and disconnect the composite inputs to preserve the battery when not in use. Any other COMCAST customers experiencing copy protection?

Jim

[filmjax]

That sounds insane. Why would comcast do that? Recording shows off of television has never been an issue before. Is it just on HBO?

I have Comcast as well and this isn't happening here yet.

[JohnnyCNote]

I quite accidentally discovered I'm getting cable, including HBO and Cinemax, for free! Somehow it got turned on. I was re-connecting a receiver and hooked up the wrong coax and noticed that the stations were cable.

We have satellite, so we haven't needed it, but since I have a PIP TV, I can put the cable on the other input. At least now I've got the local Weather Channel feed. This happened once before when I discovered we were getting Cinemax for free. I guess it got hooked up at the box at the end of our condo units. In any event, I'm not complaining. It will make up for all the lousy service we got from cable over the years (which is why we switched to satellite and DSL)....

[Capmaster]

I quite accidentally discovered I'm getting cable, including HBO and Cinemax, for free! Somehow it got turned on. I was re-connecting a receiver and hooked up the wrong coax and noticed that the stations were cable.

You don't by any chance have Comcast do you? I get Comcast broadband cable and in order to get it I had to order cable TV, even though we already have DirecTV. A waste. At any rate I'm being charged for the cable.

[Holden]

Time Warner Cable used to charge $10 more for cable modem service if you didn't order at least the cheapest cable tv service from them too. They don't do this anymore, probably because they now have competition for cable modem service in my area (Albany NY).

Anyone still paying needlessly for basic cable because of these rules should find out if the rules still exist.

Greg

[JimLely]

The copy protection is limited to the premium movie channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, etc). Also, my set-top box receives HD signals but downconverts them to 480i when sent to the s-video and composite outputs.

Jim[/quote]

[JohnnyCNote]

You don't by any chance have Comcast do you? I get Comcast broadband cable and in order to get it I had to order cable TV, even though we already have DirecTV. A waste. At any rate I'm being charged for the cable.

I used to have Comcast, and also worked for AT&T Broadband in their Internet tech support dept until they outsourced my job. Even when I was eligible for a free cable modem account, I had DSL because of the dismally poor service AT&T provided. Comcast is no better in this area. I've been very happy with Bellsouth DSL and Dish Network....