var json_comments = new Array("

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September 16, 2009 2:47 PM

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Now if only I could buy my own cable box

8 replies

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mbz32190

September 16, 2009 6:48 PM

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@Joewithay: Is Comcast legally required to activate purchased boxes? I was thinking about buying a digital adapter for one of my TV's for under 30 bucks on ebay (they charge 1.99 a month to rent them around here, which is ridiculous, IMO. Especially Comcast in my area is now digital-only except for local channels. And I could care less about \"digital\". All my TV's are old and even replacing them would still require a box). I have a feeling however, they would not activate it, or if they did, I would still get billed anyway so I haven't bothered.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:32 AM

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@mbz32190: While you might have no prob with the cable box you buy. You will still have to get a cable card from them. The prob you are going to run into is noone will support it also that the box you are buying might be locked and blocked as a stolen device from another provider.

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TCama

September 16, 2009 3:13 PM

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@Joewithay: You can. Cable companies cannot legally force you to buy or rent their cable box. They have to provide you with a device called a CableCARD, which you rent from them and can plug into your own box (on some TVs, you can plug it in directly).

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corinthos

September 16, 2009 5:22 PM

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@TCama: Yeah and the rental price for them is almost as much as the box they rent out. :(

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steveliv

September 16, 2009 5:25 PM

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@corinthos: at comcast, the first cable card is free, and the second one is only $1.50 but no more than $2.00 a month

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Joeb5

September 16, 2009 6:27 PM

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@steveliv:
you forgot to add the digital outlet fee and some comcast systems also have a HD cable card fee as well.

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Keen314

September 16, 2009 8:46 PM

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@Joeb5: The HD cable card fee is not supposed to be there. Email the \"Comcast Cares\" email to get it removed from your bill.

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September 16, 2009 3:30 PM

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@TCama: Those CableCARD's are so hit or miss anyway. My dad bought a TV with one and we had planned on using it to record his Premium HD channels....which we could never get working after numerous attempts and calls.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:29 AM

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@ClutchDude: Thats cause of Switched Video. To increase the avail of bandwidth using current systems companies starting using \"on request\" broadcastin on about 1/3 of their channels. No this is not ondemand but works similar. They cluster about 5 channels to one freq and unless you are tuned to the channel or someone in your node. Then its not being sent down the line, hence leaving more room for faster Data and more HD.

The prob is up till now there was not two way devices other than cable boxes. But they are launching Tru2way that is working to resolve that.

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September 16, 2009 3:18 PM

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@TCama: Yeah I know about CableCards, but my TV doesn't have a slot for it. All I'm saying is I wish the market for cable boxes were more open like modems are.

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Tawnie is Monster Mashing

September 16, 2009 2:51 PM

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@Joewithay: You can but I would check to see if it is legal where you live. It is not here so I avoid those craiglist offers.

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September 16, 2009 3:12 PM

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@tawni: I believe it is legal in all of the US, but the cable box makers don't sell to the public.

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September 16, 2009 2:52 PM

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If you pay for your own modem though don't forget that Comcast isn't responsible for anything that happens to it. The manufacturer is. And when you're on the phone with tech support trying to explain how it's Comcast's issue they won't believe you they'll run you through a myriad of stupid troubleshooting.

I like renting the modem for the fact that I can trade it in for another one at any time if I'm having problems with it.

15 replies

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dmuth

September 16, 2009 3:16 PM

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@Moosehawk: I agree. If I buy a modem from an outside vendor and it malfunctions, Comcast and the vendor are going to play \"pass the buck\" while I sit there without Internet access.

Now if Comcast wants to do direct sales of modems (do they?), I might go for that.

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mizike

September 16, 2009 4:29 PM

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@dmuth: This happened to me as well, but not on Comcast. My ISP is a small, local, DSL provider (as I can't stomach the thought of dealing with Bell or Rogers) which requires you to buy your own DSL modem. While this is good in theory, it means that whenever ANYTHING goes wrong you can be damm sure their tech people will take the position that it's the modem at fault. I actually had to resort to buying a second DSL modem (which I returned the next day) to prove to them that my connection still wasn't working with a brand new modem and that, just maybe, the problem was on their end. Sure enough, once they could no longer stonewall me by blaming the clearly working modem, they managed to find and correct the problem (which was on their end the entire time) within 12 hours.

It's almost worth paying the extra monthly cost just to take that excuse out of their playbook.

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Kimaroo - 100% Pure Natural Kitteh

September 16, 2009 5:56 PM

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@mizike: I had to do something similar with Comcast. I pay my modem rental fee like a good little lamb every month, but when I had an internet issue they accused everything under the sun. The first thing was, \"Well it has to be your router.\" Yeah.. of course. So we went to get a new router at Walmart, and we were having the same issue. We returned it. Then it was the modem, so we drove to get it replaced. Then after that didnt work either they blamed the COAX! After we swiched that out they finnally agreed tro send someone out in a few days.. Then the day of the appointment it magically started working.

So after all that: we canceled the appointment.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:45 AM

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@Kimaroo - 20% More Kitty Added!: Sounds more like an idiot or uncaring tech. I worked with a few of those at TWC. Prob is the mgrs were breathing down their necks about call times that they would give you a one step off the phone answer as opposed to doing everything possible (try connect direct no rtr, just mdm and pc. If still no, then setup tech for next appt. and give them the option of swapping mdm in lobby and cables if the customer is upset about appt time. )

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Kimaroo - 100% Pure Natural Kitteh

September 17, 2009 4:25 PM

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@sinfuly Delicious: I think you'd be on to something if there had only been one call to one tech. We (the husband and I) called multiple times and spoke to different people each time over a few days. It was quite obsurd.

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MeCatLikesMeHamSanwich

September 16, 2009 3:13 PM

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@Moosehawk: Even when you buy your own modem, make sure that they do not continue to slip in the modem rental fee. This has happend to me a few times. Just an FYI.

By the way, the Motorola models seem to stand up better than other models of modems that I have seen and used. They are a bit more robust to power surges from what I have seen.

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Rectilinear Propagation

September 17, 2009 1:01 PM

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@FTWGeek: That happened to me with Charter...twice. Then they sent my account to a collection agency for unreturned equipment even after I called them on three separate occasions to remind them that I never had one of their modems.

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Saboth

September 16, 2009 3:10 PM

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I bought my own Docsis 3.0 compatible modem 5 years ago when I first moved into my house for like $50 (had a mail in rebate and on-sale). There are several cable modems on Newegg right now for $40-$50. I've never had any problem with mine. If I were renting from comcast, I'd have paid $180 by now.

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steveliv

September 16, 2009 5:27 PM

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@Saboth: i got my motorola surfboard modem at least 5 years ago for around $25 with a rebate. i also have to double check billing since they do like to add the rental charge if any changes are made to my account

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gnubian

September 16, 2009 3:07 PM

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@Moosehawk: Until you realize that after 5 years of service, you could have just purchased your own modem 5 times over ..

Try getting comcast to replace a modem .. they expect you to drive to the local office to get the replacement (in spite of paying a rental fee) .. unless of course you want to go ahead and sign up for their \"protection plan\", otherwise, they might have to bill you for the \"service\" call.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:38 AM

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@gnubian: Again not speaking from comcast but TWC has you either come in and swap it or we can mail it to you. Mail takes a week. If you have connection probs as in its off or not working Then we can get a tech there but depending on the prob and resolution on site. I think most companies require their reps to say there MAY be a charge. I had to many customers say they didnt do anyhting and a tech get there and come to find out they had moved the modem a week before and the new outlet sigs were so off that was the prob. Thats a chargable

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gjones77

September 16, 2009 3:04 PM

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@Moosehawk: I had that issue, the issue was obviously on their end (I'm a network engineer, I read the modem's error log) and they refuse to admit it was their issue unless I had one of their modems, and their modem produced the same issues, and it still took over 3 months to get fixed.

My hate for Comcast runs deep...

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:35 AM

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@gjones77: I would have demanded that they bring a tech out with their modem. And if it works then admit defeat and either rent theirs or go get a new one from store. If they get the same issue, what a coincidence theres a tech right there to fix it on the spot.

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HRHKingFridayXX

September 16, 2009 3:02 PM

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@Moosehawk: Yeah I have a Motorola that's worked well for the past 5 years. And you can find them on sale for much less than 100 bucks.

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psm321

September 16, 2009 4:57 PM

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@HRHKingFridayXX: I think I paid $15 or $20 on mine. Saved that many times over by now on the rental fee

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Hooray4Zoidberg

September 16, 2009 5:05 PM

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@psm321: I bought mine in '02 for $80 but at the time comcast was charging $10 a month rental fee. I figured in just 8 month I'd make my money back, then about 3 months later they dropped to rental fee down to $3.

Still, I've had no speed or reliability problems with my $80 modem for over 7 years now and I still get the maximum download/upload speed comcast offers in my area. 7 * 12 * 3 - 80 = 172 dollars saved not counting the $30 I saved the first 3 months.

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morlo

September 16, 2009 3:01 PM

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@Moosehawk: Unfortunately they just give you an old modem that someone else traded in

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September 16, 2009 2:56 PM

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@Moosehawk: When I had Comcast, I ended up buying my modem because they refused to trade out my obviously non-working one.

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September 16, 2009 2:53 PM

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@Moosehawk: I'm all full of stupid typos today. \"they won't believe you and* they'll run ...\"

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madog

September 16, 2009 2:57 PM

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Poor, poor, 30% of the market owning babies.

2 replies

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September 16, 2009 8:31 PM

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@madog: I'd feel bad for them if I wasn't paying $200/month for their services, which include:

* Lackluster HD offerings
* Throttled Internet Service
* Caller ID that rarely works

Then again, the competition is no better, so...

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Joeb5

September 17, 2009 1:37 AM

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direct tv is much better with way more HD so there you competiton.

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September 16, 2009 3:03 PM

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In addition to Moosehawk's comments, keep in mind that Comcast can also refuse to activate your owned device. At least in the Philadelphia area, they are refusing to activate certain type devices (in my case, a Netgear combo router and gateway) because \"they interfere with infrastructure upgrades.\"

It took an hour and a half and three support escalations to finally activate my combo router. Now if only they could get my billing squared away...

3 replies

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:34 AM

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@luckybob343: Ive worked for TWC myself and I have never had a modem not be activated on our side from a customer. We just need the MAC address from the device to send the auth files. I dont know about comcast though sounds like a load of crap to me

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jeffbone

September 16, 2009 3:30 PM

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@luckybob343:Was/is your router on the approved modems list?

[customer.comcast.com]

If so, they should activate it without raising a fuss.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:41 AM

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@jeffbone: On a side note to that, It does not say they will refuse to activate any other mdm.

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September 16, 2009 3:07 PM

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Cable modems are much, much less problematic than cable boxes. Buying one isn't nearly as big of a risk, especially if you get one from a reliable manufacturer. I've got an OLD 3Com cable modem that still works like a charm.

2 replies

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GuinevereRucker

September 16, 2009 4:00 PM

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@Esquire99: My friend gave me his old one free. He's saved me lotsa money in a few years and there's never been an issue with it.

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sleze69

September 16, 2009 3:32 PM

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@Esquire99: Yeah, I don't see this as a big deal. Cable modems are cheap enough for people to buy them if they want.

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September 16, 2009 3:08 PM

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This is the one thing I like about Time Warner: they lend out modems without a rental charge or deposit of any kind. All I have to do is ask for a new one and I can go down to their billing facility and exchange it, and if I cancel service I just have to return it to them.

1 replies

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ncpeters

September 16, 2009 3:24 PM

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@winstonthorne: Yeah, I've got my modem through my local municipality and I've never had to pay any sort of monthly fee. I figured that was the way it was for everyone.

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Southern

September 16, 2009 3:08 PM

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You can. One of the new TIVOs will do the trick, but you will need the \"Cable Card\" from ComCast. I don't know if they charge a rental for that though, or if it's an outright purchase.

I'm going to replace my ComCast DVR with a TIVO soon, as ComCasts DVR is the worst excuse for a DVR that I've ever seen.

3 replies

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HalOfBorg

September 16, 2009 3:23 PM

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@Southern: You already pay for one cable card. tell them you want it and they'll give it to you.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:49 AM

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@Southern: But with TIVO you are missing out on some of the channels you get form a cable box. Wiki lookup Switched Video .

Also the monthly fee for tivo. I looked into them since I only have the std 100 channels no box cable. Was even open to lifetime memberships for tivos. But they are tied to the box not me. Meaning I have to buy more than one membership per box. And if i need a new box or upgrade. forget it. (not to mention they are not even doing TRU2Way

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Scoobatz

September 16, 2009 3:15 PM

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@Southern: How so? I have no problems with my Comcast DVR. I do have issue with On Demand, though. I wish you could fast forward at the same speeds as DVR.

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September 16, 2009 3:09 PM

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Easy, if you don't like the fee just change to a different cable provi..... wait, nevermind. Cable providers usually don't have cable competition in their areas. :-|

Luckily there is FIOS in some places, but not all. As well as DSL (usually slow), or possible wireless solutions (again, slow).

It'd be nice if there were more competition in markets between cable companies. I thought localized monopolies would be illegal.

3 replies

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nstonep

September 17, 2009 8:04 AM

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@Dorkington: Verizon is a horrible company, especially their online account services; I would never willingly submit to their fiber optic network!

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Warren

September 16, 2009 4:15 PM

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@Dorkington: _Real_ competition would be wonderful. We have \"competition\" for electricity providers in Texas, yet we pay some of the highest per kW prices in the nation.

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sinfuly Delicious

September 17, 2009 10:51 AM

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@Warren: Agree. But Cable companies are not considered a required utility. So the deregulation is not the same. I think Co-op should be avail letting companys use others lines to expand the area.

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BridgetPentheus

September 16, 2009 3:10 PM

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When I had comcast I waited till they had a deal where I got something like 6 months of internet free and I could buy a cable modem from them for $100 and then I got that $100 back in a credit or check (can't remember) Since I essentially didn't pay for it it saved me about $200 in rental fees, even more at what they are raising it to.

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prag

September 16, 2009 3:15 PM

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I hate that cable and phone companies make us pay in advance for upgrades to their infrastructure. They say it like it's the most normal thing in the world. Shouldn't they charge the people who use these new services for the cost of building them out instead?

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September 16, 2009 3:16 PM

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When we in the cold clutches of Comcast, we bought a modem rather than pay the rental fee. When we were finally able to switch to U-Verse (huzzah!), the CSR told me that I had to return our cable box and modem to the office. I explained that the modem was ours so no, I wouldn't be returning that. She pointed out that no, we were renting it. Sure enough, they had spontaneously started charging us the $3 rental fee about 8 months before - even though we had been cable and internet customers for years! I hadn't even noticed because I just figured it was another cable increase. To their credit, they refunded me the rental charges without too much hassle.

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milrtime83

September 16, 2009 3:17 PM

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I was looking at buying my own cable modem at the current $3 rate. $5 just means I will definitely be buying my own. The highly rated Motorola Surfboard 5101 is only $55 on Amazon right now or even cheaper if you go the craigslist/ebay route. Or the 6120 that supports DOCSIS 3 is $86 if you want to plan ahead for that.

2 replies

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September 16, 2009 5:51 PM

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@milrtime83: Can you explain DOCSIS3 to me? Or rather, skip that... can you explain to me whether I need to get a DOCSIS 3 compatible modem and why/why not?

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ecwis

September 16, 2009 6:38 PM

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@nocturnal99: DOCSIS 3 enables REALLY fast internet. I think it's for internet that is faster than 50 Mbps.

[bits.blogs.nytimes.com]

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September 16, 2009 6:50 PM

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@ecwis: Ah, so basically it's not about getting faster service now, but about getting faster service when I eventually get to using the same modem for a premium level. Hmm... probably worth the $35 now, then.

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Southern

September 16, 2009 3:18 PM

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The modem is currently $85.53 at Amazon. That's a 17-month ROI.

[www.amazon.com]

1 replies

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ecwis

September 16, 2009 6:40 PM

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@Southern: A DOCSIS 3.0 modem isn't necessary for most people. I am perfectly happy with the SB5101 ($54.94 new). [www.amazon.com]

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Yoko Broke Up The Beatles

September 16, 2009 3:18 PM

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Uh-oh. I hope Charter doesn't catch wind of this and do the same thing.

(They probably will. Dang.)

1 replies

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September 17, 2009 12:44 AM

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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: I already pay $5/month for a modem from charter.

Oh wait, I had Charter service for 3 weeks and I've already been on the phone with tech support 6 times and billing 3 times. So as of next week they'll have only gotten $5 from me. I'm moving on to a local company that charges NOTHING for a modem. GG

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September 16, 2009 3:18 PM

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The problem with owning your own cable modem is that it is no longer supported by Comcast.

I was having signal problems a few months ago and Comcast came out to test the lines and determined that the problem was with my modem. They told me I had to go out and buy a new one. I did. But when the same problem returned a couple of days later I called only to be told by the service operator that there had been line issues in my neighborhood the past week and they were working to fix it.

A few days later I have working cable internet and two working modems. Thanks Comcast.

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Saboth

September 16, 2009 3:20 PM

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I've never understood how they can get away with rental fees anyhow...at least concerning cable boxes. If I pay for their digital package, I need a cable box to view the channels. So how can they charge me extra for the box when I'm paying for the service? It's like if the car dealer charged you seperately for tires. \"umm...don't I need those to drive the car off the lot?\"

2 replies

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Hooray4Zoidberg

September 16, 2009 5:09 PM

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@Saboth: yeah the worst is the remote controller rental fee, sure it's only like $.30 but should that be covered by the $7 cable box rental fee. At this point I've probably paid for that remote 5 times over.

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September 16, 2009 7:04 PM

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@Hooray4Zoidberg:

At the end of the day, who cares how the fees are allocated? If it's $7.30 for the box with remote, it doesn't make much difference if it's $7.29 for the remote and $0.01 for the box, 4/3.30, or whatever. It's the total that matters. The better question is why they bother to itemize like that.

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September 16, 2009 11:25 PM

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@NeverLetMeDown: They itemize like that so they can advertise 50 dollar tv service and then hit you with the extra 10 for the box and whatever else they can think of.

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Hooray4Zoidberg

September 16, 2009 8:14 PM

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@NeverLetMeDown: Well my point was the total, for effing $7 a month for an HD box you'd think I'd get the remote included in that price without paying a separate $0.30. It's no secret as to why it's itemized separately, it's easier to nickel and dime you that way.

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September 16, 2009 3:21 PM

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Looks like there are some for half that price at newegg. I've considered buying one in the past but never bothered when the price was lower. Now it might be worth it.

Although I also get the comcast digital voice, which uses a different modem, so that throws a wrench in it. Anyone know if it's still feasible to buy your own for cable & phone? And what's involved in setting it up? (ie can it be provisioned or whatever over the phone or do they have to send out a tech?)

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TCama

September 16, 2009 3:28 PM

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I would buy my own, but the problem is that I'm not sure if it would make financial sense. I've already rented one for 10 months, so that's $33 down the drain. I'm going to be at my place for another 7 months ($35 after the gouging), but after that, I don't know if I'll be using cable for Internet.

Furthermore, I already bought my own wireless access point. If I had bought a modem with wireless built-in, it would probably make a lot more sense. But alas, I did not. I wonder how liberal Target is with its return policy ...

2 replies

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ecwis

September 16, 2009 6:46 PM

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@TCama: You could always buy a used one on eBay or Craigslist and then sell it if you switch to DSL or LAN.

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psm321

September 16, 2009 5:02 PM

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@TCama: I would recommend keeping the modem and wireless separate. Less cost to replace if one breaks.

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nuke3ae

September 16, 2009 3:29 PM

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Ummm i remember paying much less for my cable modem to cox when i had their service. I think it was three 15 dollar payments. Now i have fios so i dont even use it anymore

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lim

September 16, 2009 3:34 PM

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I know they're old posts, but did anyone else immediately think of [consumerist.com] and [consumerist.com] ? I guess it's time to check what my parents are paying Comcast. And it was shaping up to such a lovely day. Sigh.

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$\"user-pic\"$

September 16, 2009 3:35 PM

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Or,
You can buy a \"diagnostic modem\" for $75.
That modem may or may not have a mod chip in it.
That chip may or may not allow you to get on the network.
That network may not be able to detect you.

You may or may not save $60/yr in modem rental charges.
You may or may not save $600 in internet costs at home.

Since you barely use internet at home and get free internet at work, this would be convenient. Especially since you pay AT&T close to $30 a month for iphone internet as well, and its getting ridiculous.

You may consider giving comcast this $660 a year, but then again, Comcast charges you $5.99 to rent a HD movie, $13.99 to rent a nudie, won't let you purchase only the channels you want (a la carte), AND does not provide you with the NFL Season Pass.

Thanks. I'll keep my $660, and won't complain about the above. Its finally nice doing buisness with you.

4 replies

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nstonep

September 17, 2009 8:02 AM

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@donjumpsuit: It's 5 bucks a month? That's atrocious.

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September 16, 2009 4:24 PM

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@donjumpsuit: How about \"talking\" to your neighbor(s) next door and splitting up a WiFi N type router. Simply encrypt the connection and give the key to the people who are in your group. If someone forgets to contribute, you change the key.

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chris_l

September 16, 2009 4:07 PM

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Your sense of entitlement disgusts me. How is that not stealing?

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September 16, 2009 4:58 PM

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@chris_l: That's funny. Last time I read my bill and there was a number of unexplainable \"service charges\" and \"regulatory fee's\" I asked myself. How is this not stealing?

You my friend, are honoring moral codes for those that do not deserve your respect. That is the outrage.

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September 16, 2009 7:07 PM

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The fees are paid to your town/city/county. If you have a problem, talk to them.

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September 16, 2009 5:02 PM

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@donjumpsuit: Also, I would be more than willing to pay for what's right.

What's right would be some sort of internet charge, for the time I spend on it, regardless of who provides the service.

With electricity, I pay for what I use. With internet, somehow I pay to have the privilege to tax its resources at my leisure?

The model is flawed, the excess is obvious.

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September 16, 2009 7:07 PM

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So, you'd be totally fine with sneaking into the movies without paying the ticket, or \"borrowing\" a car, so long as you refilled the tank before you brought it back?

If you think what you're doing is fine, publish your real name and location. Otherwise you're just a blowhard and a coward.

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Hooray4Zoidberg

September 16, 2009 5:14 PM

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@donjumpsuit: They have that, it's called AOL circa 1996. $15 for 30 free hours. I think I still have a disk somewhere if you want it.

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liquidnumb

September 16, 2009 6:24 PM

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@Hooray4Zoidberg: You just described a $15 dollar metered service as 'free'. You don't have to agree with him, but I would consider what donjumpsuit is saying a little more carefully.

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Hooray4Zoidberg

September 16, 2009 8:19 PM

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@liquidnumb: Yeah I just worded it oddly and there is no edit button here. 30 free hours then $15 and hour some shit like that. I get his point, and you get my point, we've been down this route before and it doesn't favor the consumer, this is a grass is always greener case.

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September 16, 2009 9:23 PM

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@Hooray4Zoidberg: I am glad this conversation initiated such a reaction. But there is one thing I know for sure. Everyone cheats, including Comcast. You who chastise me, Cheat. You are just jealous that I have found a better and more lucrative way to cheat than you have. We can sit here and argue about how much problems I cost the network because of my unauthorized access (zero to none) as I am sure we all agree that if I sneak in a movie, my $9 doesn't hurt the bottom line. But if EVERYONE snuck in, it sure would hurt the bottom line, just as if everyone used excess network connectivity.

I only respect people and companies who respect me. That coffee shop that treats me right, that video game company that always puts out the good games, that insurance company that takes care of all my problems, that car company/dealership who has always taken care of my car, even when 100 miles over my warranty.

Comcast is bankrupt. AT&T is bankrupt. Bank of America, and Chase are bankrupt. They take my money, they deny my requests, they increase my rates for no reason after pledging not too. Comcast continues to raise fees and charge ridiculous amounts, while fleecing us on other things.

Sure I rent that HDTV DVR from them for $16 a month. I have done this for 6 years. This is close to $1200. In this time they have upgraded the unit once. If I was allowed to buy my own unit (lets say the exact replica of the one they provide) I would have more harddrive space, and only have paid $400 for that technology in that time. Plus I pay tax on that $1200 to boot.

How is this proper? How do you, a commenter on the consumerist website support this Comcast and its monopolistic ways? Its disappointing and unAmerican in my opinion.

Yes I know its \"stealing\", no I won't publish my information, I am intelligent enough to know this. But in the age where they are now trying to charge you double the amount for twice as fast internet, and capping the amount you can download a month, you might change your tune as well.

Once again, the main point of this rant is YOU STEAL TOO. In your own special way, that is personal to you. You speed, you roll through stop signs, you browse this website at work (when you shouldn't be using your employers web access for personal use). You have in the past downloaded music, or watched a video burned from a friend, it is easy to say you didn't but in this age, its difficult to differentiate.

You are just jealous that I am better at it than you. You know I am not murdering babies, or stealing from people who have no margin for error. I am stealing from the rich, and giving to the poor.

My credit card raised my APR from 12% to 24% because THE RICH decided to tank the system. I wasn't giving away bad loans, to people without incomes to buy over priced homes. I stayed away from all that, because I knew it wasn't right. But where is my reward???? I don't get any bail outs? I get my credit card rates raised, but I am fully cogent that I decided to buy things and putting off paying for them. I am not mad at the credit card companies, I will pay that penalty and not default.

But with Comcast, I feel their policies and fees are bankrupt, and I will recoup the money I have lost to them over the years, without feeling guilty about putting pressure on their network.

As for my MAC address, it changes all the time. And on DOCSIS 1.0 they can't track it at all.

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Rectilinear Propagation

September 17, 2009 1:12 PM

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You who chastise me, Cheat.

@donjumpsuit: EPIC LOGIC FAIL

Just because you do something doesn't mean everyone does. You have nothing to back that assumption up with.

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September 16, 2009 5:12 PM

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@donjumpsuit: You're spoofing someone else's MAC address to pull that off. You can get them as well as yourself in major heat. Even if you don't care about getting caught yourself, why endanger a fellow citizen with your actions?

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MitchV

September 16, 2009 3:38 PM

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I ditched all of my Comcast equipment this year.

I bought a MOTOROLA SURFboard SB5101 from NewEgg for $50 - best cable modem I have owned and I do a *lot* of uploading/downloading. It will pay for itself in a year. This is a modem that Comcast uses in many locations.

I returned my digitial receiver and DVR box and replaced them with TiVos. The TiVos yield a much better experience, the cable card costs nothing, and I can't rent an HDMI box from Comcast without paying $15 a month.

I can't see myself paying rental fees to Comcast again.

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Southern

September 16, 2009 3:40 PM

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Yeah, I need to get rid of this Comcast DVR too, paying $14.95 a month for it. REALLY, Comcast? $15 a MONTH?

It's ridiculous. That's $180 a year for a box that I'll EASILY have for 5+ years (so long as I stay with Comcast)..

I've just been lazy and haven't bothered to go get my CableCard (Guess I'll do that tonight, since their office is on my way home) and craigslist a TIVO this weekend. Course, THEN I get the honor of paying TIVO a monthly service. *Grumbles*.

Are there any DVRs out there that will work with a CableCard that DON'T require a monthly service package?

1 replies

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pmcpa4

September 16, 2009 6:25 PM

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@Southern: Yea - Windows Media center PC's with built in cable card access

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September 16, 2009 3:48 PM

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I signed up for cable modem service in 2004 when it was Adelphia, and bought a modem for I think $60. Still have it 5 years later. $1 a month so far. I think I'll risk it, buying one myself. If I have have to replace my cable modem, I'll probably spring for the combo cable modem/wireless router to free up some more space.

I've had cable modem service since 2000 with two providers, and one cable modem had to be replaced. And even then it wasn't that the cable modem stopped working, it was that the power cable wouldn't always connect correctly. I'd have to jiggle it sometimes to get it to go back on.

Usually the problems I have with my cable modem are fixed by unplugging it and plugging it back in, and I have to do that maybe once every 6 months. I'm good, thanks Comcast!

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DePaulBlueDemon

September 16, 2009 4:02 PM

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Thank you very much for that link, jeffbone.

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Joeb5

September 16, 2009 4:15 PM

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why does comcarp need to do this when att gives out free modems and YOU OWN THEM.

I still have may old wirespeed one and the newer one they gave out when they moved to LS.

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Joeb5

September 16, 2009 4:16 PM

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you are forced to rent the cable card and some times pay a outlet fee + (some systems HD cable card fee)

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chiieddy

September 16, 2009 4:18 PM

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Too bad I'm dumping them in late October so they can't gouge me anymore. AppleTV + Boxee + Netflix = No Cable.

2 replies

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September 16, 2009 4:26 PM

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@chiieddy: Don't forget the Free hidef signals in the air!

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chiieddy

September 16, 2009 4:59 PM

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@vastrightwing: I haven't. I thought it was a given! :-)

With the digital TV, my PBS station airs 4 or 5 different 'channels'. Masterpiece Theatre is my friend. :-)

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September 16, 2009 4:42 PM

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I expect TimeWarner to follow suit. Last week they sent me an offer to lock in and protect myself against future increases. The price looked great but on further examination of features and an apples-to-apples comparison I found it was more than what I am paying now.

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September 16, 2009 4:44 PM

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We bought one a few years ago when they had a special rebate deal where we ended up getting it for free (we got a $70 Circuit City gift card anyway).

We actually found one at the THRIFT STORE of all places too for $3.

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SpruceStreetPhil - in a new Pine flavor

September 16, 2009 4:59 PM

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grrr, I already pay comcast 6.50 a month for this...

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JGKojak

September 16, 2009 5:17 PM

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You know, it should be my business if I buy internet access, attach it to a powerful Wifi Router, and give my neighbors access.

1 replies

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September 16, 2009 7:09 PM

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Except that (probably) violates the agreement you have with your internet provider. If you want to do that, you're welcome to, but you'll need a different tier of service.

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BeerManMike

September 16, 2009 6:09 PM

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@ALL: [www.newegg.com]

$20 recertified, good reviews. Bought one right now. Also on their \"approved\" list \"-RM\" = remanufactured? Might buy another just in case.

1 replies

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September 16, 2009 9:11 PM

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@BeerManMike:
Cox sold me a new modem for $10

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cigsm

September 16, 2009 6:11 PM

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Consumerist this is very misleading & I'm very disappointed in this article. Comcast IS raising the modem fee $2 but they're LOWERING internet prices $2. So customers will see NO difference in their bill from this.

And to the person who's complaining about Comcast not offering A La Carte - they have no say in that. Most networks force the cable companies to offer all of their products. Eg - You can give Discovery Channel to the Digital 1 Tier Customers but you must also give them Planet Green. This is a plus for the people who like channels that don't have as big an audience to keep it afloat by itself. Don't blame a company that has no say in the matter. If that was the case, there would be AT LEAST one company that offered A La Carte.

1 replies

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West Coast Secessionist

September 17, 2009 7:07 AM

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@cigsm: Lowering internet prices? Source please. And is this for the first 6 months or across the board??

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September 16, 2009 6:17 PM

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OK, someone must know the answer to this. Let's say I want to buy a cable modem instead of renting from Comcast. Which cable modem should I buy? Are some compatable with Comcast and not others?

2 replies

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September 16, 2009 6:55 PM

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@vladthepaler:
[customer.comcast.com]

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September 16, 2009 7:29 PM

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Wow, I figured Comcast would be the last ones to provide that info. Thanks!

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September 16, 2009 6:49 PM

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If I buy my own cable modem, it it going to be \"plug and play\" or do I need to give the cable company my hardware information?

1 replies

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West Coast Secessionist

September 17, 2009 7:14 AM

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@Al Swearengen: you'll have to call Comcast and read them the \"MAC address\" from your new modem (*no, it's nothing to do with the Apple \"Mac\"). It's pretty painless--I was up and running in a couple minutes. Then I had to drop their rental modem off at my local Comcast office and I made sure they took it off my bill immediately.

The call-in is in fact the same thing the install tech did when he came out to install your rented modem.

I recommend you buy a Motorola Surfboard modem, because it's the exact same one Comcast uses (at least until lately when they started getting other, cheaper ones) so you know it's compatible. You can find the surfboard for under $60 usually at newegg.com.

This is the modem I bought and it's been great! I have used it with comcast and another (local) provider. I have found it to be the most reliable modem ever.

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Southern

September 16, 2009 7:28 PM

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@pmcpa4 : Yea - Windows Media center PC's with built in cable card access

Hmm.. I've got a buncha spare PCs, I could easily through together a media center. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the tip!

1 replies

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West Coast Secessionist

September 17, 2009 7:20 AM

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@Southern: Sorry, it turns out you can't do what you want to do. I wanted to, too, but CableCARD is full of so much DRM and retardation that you can't put it in any PC other than one that was shipped from a major OEM with the feature.

I know, LAAAME. But yeah. even using all new parts you can't build your own cable-card compatible Media Center PC.

Source: [arstechnica.com]
Further reading: [www.ehomeupgrade.com]

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September 16, 2009 7:38 PM

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Newegg cable modem. $49.99.

[www.newegg.com]

1 replies

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West Coast Secessionist

September 17, 2009 7:22 AM

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@jasondragon: THIS. Thank you for posting what I was too lazy to go look for. This is the same modem I bought.

Consumerist is lame for saying $100 when $50 is the correct answer. Especially because this makes buying your own modem look to the reader like something that takes almost 2 years to pay off when in reality it pays off in less than one year!

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Southern

September 16, 2009 7:47 PM

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Will one of the Docsis 2.0 modems (such as the CRM-100 linked above from Newegg) handle 30MB/Sec download speeds though?

That's what I currently get using the modem I'm renting from ComCast. I wouldn't want to replace it with a Docsis 2.0 unless it'll be able to at least handle that speed..

1 replies

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West Coast Secessionist

September 17, 2009 7:26 AM

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@Southern: The modem jasondragon linked above [www.newegg.com] has this as its title:

MOTOROLA SURFboard SB5101 38Mbps Downstream, 30Mbps Upstream USB and Ethernet 10/100Base-T Cable Modem - Retail

Looks like you'll be just fine, this supports up to 38Mbps down. If you want to be extra careful though you can always just look at the model number of your modem and buy the exact same model. I think that's a great strategy. Unless of course yours is unstable or requires frequent replacement for defectiveness, heh.

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September 16, 2009 10:48 PM

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I replaced my Comcast cable modem 3 years ago with one I bought off of eBay for $25. Comcast has a list of modems they support so as long as you buy one of those, they will provision your own modem to connect to the network.

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September 17, 2009 12:14 AM

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That pretty much sucks.

Comcast will get you coming and going.

If you rent, you pay $3/month (will be $5 soon).
If you buy, you $3 MORE/month for internet (will be ? soon).

Will have to buy that Newegg one it looks like.

2 replies

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September 17, 2009 12:47 AM

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Just thought I'd mention that I was paying the modem rental fee from Comcast and now $5 for Charter's, but am moving on to a local company starting this week that charges $70/month for 120 channels and 6 meg DSL and no installation or rental fee of any sort. Charter is the devil.

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Joeb5

September 17, 2009 1:53 AM

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@Moosehawk:
but how much is it to add more then 1 box and or hd / hd dvr?

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nstonep

September 17, 2009 8:01 AM

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Or...you could just get general cable (you know the one without the box).

As much as I loved watching on demand episodes of Home Movies drunk off my rocker at 4AM, the whole concept of paying for that service makes no sense to me anymore. I don't pay any money for my cable modem, it's just part of the charge my cable company charges me each month. I never had comcast...5 bucks a year (as stated in the above) is a rip but it's a light rip.

1 replies

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nstonep

September 17, 2009 8:03 AM

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@nstonep: Apparently it's $5 bucks a month? That's a heavy rip unless they replace the box every year.

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Southern

September 17, 2009 1:09 PM

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@sinfuly Delicious: Also the monthly fee for tivo

Yes, That is quite a concern for me as well. I'm not sure I want to pay $299 for a TIVO when I'm STILL going to have to pay $12.95 a month for the \"TIVO Service\". Sure, I'll save $2 a month over the ComCast Box, but it'll take 150 months at that rate to make up for the $300 Hardware purchase. LOL!

It doesn't appear that are any other options for replacing the current comcast DVR tho, (EXCEPT for TIVO).. If there were, I betcha Tivos service rates wouldn't be so dad-gum high.. (really, $12.95 a month for WHAT really, a TV Guide? Please.)

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