Connect the 'HDMI to TV' port on the cable box to the HDMI port on your TV. You can use the HDMI cable that came with the box, or any other HDMI cable. Make note of the HDMI port that you use on your TV so that you can easily switch to it later. • Many Comcast cable boxes have multiple HDMI ports. Make sure you're using the HDMI Out port on the box and not the HDMI Input ports. • If you don't have an HDMI port on your TV, you can use a coax cable to connect the 'To TV/RF Out' port to your TV's coax port. This will not result in high definition image. Connect any additional digital adapters. If you have multiple TVs and have active coax outlets, you can use digital adapters to connect your cable to additional TVs. Each adapter will need its own coax wall outlet. • Connecting a digital adapter is pretty much the same as a regular cable box. Use a coax cable to attach it to the wall outlet, and HDMI or coax cable to connect the adapter to the TV, and then connect the power adapter. • Make sure all of your digital adapters are connected and powered on before starting the activation process. Activate using the on-screen menu (X1 only in select markets). If you're using a newer X1 box and you are in a market that supports it, you may be able to activate using the on-screen menu: • Make sure the TV is set to the X1's input. You should see the X1 startup screen. • Select your language and wait while the X1 starts up. The initial startup time may take a while to complete, and the X1 may have to download updates. • Enter the information required to verify your account. This may be your whole phone number, the last four digits, or the account number. • Select a name for your X1 box and then wait while it activates. How do I activate my CableCard? If you are self-installing a CableCard, follow the installation instructions that came with your equipment. Welcome to XFINITY Activation! You're just a few steps away from activating your devices and experiencing entertainment like never before. Feb 04, 2014 Do I just call comcast and ask to set up basic digital TV with a cablecard? Then call Comcast to complete the activation. This may take another 20 minutes or so to complete. Avoid purchasing used cable boxes. All Comcast cable boxes are property of Comcast, and none are authorized for sale by other people. If you purchased a cable box from eBay, Craigslist, or any other re-seller, Comcast will not activate it because it is actually an un-returned rental. You should only get cable boxes directly from Comcast for new service, replacements, or additions. • Don't believe any listing or review claiming to have Comcast TV cable boxes for sale. They will not activate, and are most likely stolen. Once Comcast encrypted its signals, I had to work out a new solution. After talking to Comcast support, I was told that even with my Limited Basic account (Comcast’s lowest tier of service), I could get what is called a Cablecard. This turns out to be a PCMCIA card, something that you put inside a tuner box to decode the signal coming from Comcast. SiliconDust makes an HD Homerun Prime box that accepts Cablecards. I ordered one of these through Amazon, it arrived yesterday, today I got a Cablecard from the local Monterey office, and now I am back to watching and recording shows on my Windows 7 laptop using Windows Media Center. After three hours of work, I am back to where I was before October 1, which is when Comcast ridiculously decided to encrypt all the broadcast channels on clear QAM. Thanks for all the work, Comcast! At least your escalated technical services folks are of some help. Forget trying to get someone to help you on your first call, though. See my other blog entry for my experience in this regard. Update: My Cablecard and HD Homerun Prime setup worked for a few hours on Friday after I went through the above processed. I seemed to activate the Cablecard on Comcast's website, www.comcast.com/activate. However, I kept getting calls from Comcast's elevated tech support (which I missed) that I needed to call in to give pairing codes. Sure enough, around 8pm, I was no longer able to view channels on my WMC setup using a Cablecard, Windows Media Center running on a Windows 7 laptop, and SiliconDust HD Homerun Prime. I had been told to call this number to activate my Cablecard, but I gave up after three tries: (855) 652-3446. If you like to listen to weird clicks and computer tones, being commanded to enter various numbers, put on hold while listening to more weird clicks, and finally being disconnected after patiently waiting, perhaps you can try this number. But the service tech left this other number for me to call to 'pair' the Cablecard -- (877) 405-2298. I called this number, I got through fairly easily, and the technician actually was fairly knowledgeable and helpful! She had me go into WMC and read off some serial numbers. After ten minutes or so, I was done and my channels were back working. I now am back to where I was before October 1, $150 poorer (I had to buy a new HD Homerun Prime) and about 24 total hours spent on figuring everything out. Why, Comcast, why waste your customers' time so much?
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March 2018
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