I'll be getting Comcast at my new apartment and to mate the box up with my hdtv, I just ordered an HDMI cable from www.newegg.com. I just got off the phone with Comcast and asked (just to confirm) if their HD boxes have HDMI outs...and the lady told my only the HD/DVR boxes do. I'm not about to pay $17 a month for a service I'd never use! So...is it true, do you really have to have a DVR box to have HDMI outs? EDIT: If you have a box with HDMI outputs and no DVR service, would you mind posting the model # of the box so I know what to request. Thanks!
it is correct. also component cables from the hd non dvr box will do the same as hdmi in terms of carrying video signals.
What is correct? Do I need DVR or not? I just did one of their "online help chat" thingys and they told me I don't need DVR. I'm confused!
as far as I know from what I have seen is the dvr is the only box they have with hdmi. but you dont need hdmi to carry hd signals
Ya, I know that. It's just that I already have an HDMI cable...and I don't want to have to spend more money of component & audio cables.
http://www.monoprice.com Component cables for under $3. $8 if you want a "premium" cable. HDMIs for under $5.
First off they do have a cable box with an hdmi plug they just wont bring it to you on your install day. You see for some reason they think its easier if they brought you the regular one and if you end up wanting the hdmi one they'll tell you to go down to your local payment center and exchange it. Second that regular cable box they provide will also come with component cables that they will provide you. I just think its stupid how they advertise hd programming but show up at your door with the box and component cables. Oh and plus one on monoprice, they're the best! Four 6ft hdmi wires with ferrite cores for $23 something shipped you cant go wrong.
http://www.mycablemart.com ^^Even better, based in Eden Prairie, with the same prices as Monoprice. You can order online and pickup same day with no shipping charges.
So wait...they provide you with component and audio cables? I think they ripped my parents off Either way, I guess I'll try to get an HDMI box since I already have a spare cable. If that doesn't work then I'll just see what they provide me with!
to add to the mass amounts of confusion: component != composite composite(stereo sound, low quality video) is what the box most likely comes with, as they are the cheapest cables to send along. i'm guessing you should have waited until you had the box in hand before ordering your cable. zyklon: nice find on the local cable connection.
I was a DVR naysayer for a long time, until we got one. The DVR and Reynold's Release Wrap are the best inventions of the 21st Century. I love the DVR because I don't have to sit and watch 20mins of adverts for every hour of TV I choose to watch. And I love Reynold's Release Wrap because my roast potatoes no longer stick to the foil. I don't have an answer on the HDMI thing though, since we haven't had a Comcast box for about 6months now. Cheers, Stuart.
Well, I got them super cheap off of newegg and if I can't use it, I have a friend that could. I know the difference between component and composite, but just to be sure, to hook up the HD box with component cables I need both component cables and audio cables...right? Composite cables are like what come with DVD players and such (red, yellow, white).
yes, you will need audio as well. the typical match-up is component cables for video and optical for sound.
Component cables are just dual male ended RCA cables, just like composite cables. The signal travels through it the same way since RCA cables are a two wire standard. Signal, and ground. Granted, better shielding may help noise reduction, but either way, if you have 3 relatively thick RCA type cables in your house, you can probably get away with those. And if you buy Monster Cables, you're an idiot.
I am still confused, does comcast offer a non-dvr box with HDMI or not? I mean, I can understand wanting to make a buck, but they shouldn't be able to dictate something like that. If you want to pay them for HD cable service, you shouldn't have to be roped into paying more for a DVR just to have it. And Jason, we've been over this before .. buy Monster cables - on clearance (we're talking $20 or less)
Yes they do off a non dvr box with hdmi. You have to specifically ask for it and most of the time they'll just tell you they dont have any at the warehouse where the installers are coming from, so you have to go down to your local payment center and exchange the boxes.
That's BS...they're making me pay a one time installation fee, and if all of this is true, then I'm basically paying them to bring me a box that I will just have to turn around and bring back!
I know the main question here isn't should I get the DVR box or not but, I must say we love our DVR. Every day we record hours of shows and can buzz through them so quickly without watching the commercials. Its also means I can watch the price is right without be at home sick. i don't know how much extra it costs per month but it can't be that much.
That's blasphemy! I will only watch Price is Right while laying in bed, sick! The thing is, I don't have any shows that I watch regularly. I just sit there and flip until something looks interesting. Plus, it's an extra $17 a month they said...I can find a better way to spend $204
Comcast dropped off these 3-cable COMPOSITE packages with a fat yellow and thin red/white. They make great COMPONENT cables though, as long as you keep your colors straight. RCA is cheap and simple. You shouldn't have any problem running that. HDMI is not as necessary as most people think.
Just an FYI. Currently have comcast with DVR and HD. I've tried both the component and HDMI cable hook-ups from it, and the component cables have rolling bars that you can just barely make out. HDMI is crystal clear, and looks a tad better. Could just be their component cables, but they are pretty thick. Thicker then even the component cables that come with the 360, if you're familiar with them.
