Comcast...Dolby digital 5.1...Ouch!

[GBMelBlount]

We have a hi def TV & an optical digital surrond sound input (dvd) for our a/v receiver. I have had a properly working dolby 5.1 for ages but am having a hard time getting it to work with comcast (Washington, PA). Dvd Always works with my bose 5.1 surround (years), but can't seem to get it to work with my new comcast HD box. Currently using the opticl digital output from comcast box to A/v receiver optical DVD audio input to experiment....We don't watch many other games than steelers, so don't need sports packages, but WANT THE MOST TRUE HD OFFERINGS if not overpriced. Any ideas? satellite? Newer receiver? etc. A/V 5.1 receiver old.

[MACH1]

Look in to satellite. We have direct and they should be firing up around 50 new HD channels by sept 19th and the rest in dec. (60ish channels)
As far as football to get every steeler game you'd probly have to get sunday ticket.

Check their site or call to see what kind of deals the give for new customers. If you get direct when you call them say your "thinking" about switching from cable and what can they do for you to help make that decision.

[Preacher]

Couple simple questions...

Do you have optical/digital ouput on your cable? Are you set for Dolby Dig.?

If there is still a problem, the I agree, Directv is not bad.

iN your area, there is a couple problems. 1. Bad weather, you will lose the signal. It makes it a little more dangerous when the tornadoes come, unless you get the very basic cable package (about 7 or 9 channels.)

2. If you are in the Steeler area, you will not be able to pick up the steelers on the NFL ticket.

[GBMelBlount]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Couple simple questions...

Do you have optical/digital ouput on your cable? Are you set for Dolby Dig.?

If there is still a problem, the I agree, Directv is not bad.

iN your area, there is a couple problems. 1. Bad weather, you will lose the signal. It makes it a little more dangerous when the tornadoes come, unless you get the very basic cable package (about 7 or 9 channels.)

2. If you are in the Steeler area, you will not be able to pick up the steelers on the NFL ticket.

1. Yes & yes.

2. So how would I get Steelers if I switch to Direct?

Also, didn't AD and others say Direct compresses their signals so much of current HD programming not really HD?

I have also been dissatisfied with their customer service. They have screwed up the features on our phone service countless times.

[MACH1]

Originally Posted by GBMelBlount

1. Yes & yes.

2. So how would I get Steelers if I switch to Direct?

Also, didn't AD and others say Direct compresses their signals so much of current HD programming not really HD?

I have also been dissatisfied with their customer service. They have screwed up the features on our phone service countless times.

Direct has a new sat. up now and will be launching another next month.

This month by the 19th they will no longer be compressing any signal, so it will be full hd. Thats within the next week or two. I know that its ready to go, they have to drift it over a few degrees to park it in its spot. All the testing is done and they started moving it yesterday. Its possible they might fire it up this week if the fcc will let them.

And you really don't need a phone line hooked up to any receivers, they tell you, you do but you don't. Its only really needed for ordering ppv. Its better to go online to their site and order them anyways. Because if you do it that way what ever you order will be shown on every receiver in the house, not just the one that it was ordered by remote control

To get all the steelers games you would have to get Sunday Ticket.


Direct does not have any thing to do with your phone line unless its a bundle package through the local phone company. Then it would be the phone company's fault.

[Stlrs4Life]

We just converted to Direct TV, and we love it. We dropped Communist Cast.

[GBMelBlount]

Originally Posted by Stlrs4Life

We just converted to Direct TV, and we love it. We dropped Communist Cast.

Thanks. LOL. I am calling tomorrow.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Stlrs4Life

We just converted to Direct TV, and we love it. We dropped Communist Cast.

Do you keep the very basic cable... Just to protect yourself in case of tornado? Like I said, we used to, just so that we could keep getting the broadcasts and know what was happening.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by GBMelBlount

Thanks. LOL. I am calling tomorrow.

Before you do... Make sure of one thing.

Do you normally, on cable, get the Steelers? Or do you normally get another team? If you normally get the Steelers, you will be blocked out. Also, ANY time the Steelers play the team in your area, the game will be blacked out and you will have to watch it on local channels.

[GBMelBlount]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Before you do... Make sure of one thing.

Do you normally, on cable, get the Steelers? Or do you normally get another team? If you normally get the Steelers, you will be blocked out. Also, ANY time the Steelers play the team in your area, the game will be blacked out and you will have to watch it on local channels.

Currently, on comcast, I get the Steelers games.