Something that should have been relatively easy turned out to be not so. You pick up your two free adapter boxes so that you will be able to continue to get what you're already paying for, right? Otherwise you will lose a bunch of channels above channel 13.

I read the instructions. I activated the new boxes on line. The remote that comes with the new adapters doesn't want to work properly on my tv's. I call and I'm given certain codes to enter depending on my brand name of tv. My Magnavox tv would not cooperate at all. It would change channels and change volume, but would not power on.

The cable representative decides I need to switch this remote for a new one at Comcast. Well, now I've done that three times. Last time I was told to just take the entire kit, including the adapter, back for replacement. I'm then told Comcast just found out the adapter remotes do not work on a Magnavox tv, so I'll just have to continue to use two remotes for this tv.

I come home and hook everything back up and have to get it reactivated. Now it's worse than before for some reason. The adapter remote will only change channel, not volume or power. This time I'm told all the previous codes I was given by these Comcast reps are for the gray remotes only, not the black remotes that come with the adapters.

It appears to me Comcast has hired a bunch of new folks to help out with the flurry of people needing adapters for their extra tv, and they haven't been trained well.

Ann Williams
Hixson

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I have been on comcast cable for several years here in Northwest Ga. I have a smaller package of channels and have rolled with the changes, omissions, and additions of channels since questioning the changes is a waste of time. I mainly use the internet for news and other information, financial transactions, etc. The high speed internet has always been great, and if I did have a problem comcast IT and local service techs have been excellent to resolve issues. I do prefer speaking with the Knoxville office.

Last year when I suddenly 'lost' channels I called Comcast and got the instructions to go by the local office and pick up a 'box and remote.' The office was small and dreary, the employees were droll, and the equipment they gave me was very dusty and old. The box failed within 24 hours, and I also had difficulty with the remote. I returned both for another box and remote and everything seems to be ok for now.

I do have an HD TV as well as older sets that are all cable ready. I've not been blown away by the digital signals. Perhaps its related to the fact that I mostly watch hi res DVD movies and get my news, weather, etc online.

I could live without 99.9% of what is broadcast on cable due to the cheap reality trash, drama Hollywood gossip, and over-the-top reporting on every gruesome crime and political failure. Add the biased national news, and you've got a huge waste of your time and braincells.

There is worthy programming on cable, but we could all do better with less TV in our lives. My recommendation would be to reduce your cable packages (and your bill) and use the TV time do something with your spouse, children, parents, and community. Just my two cents.

Teddy Ladd
Rossville

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On June 22, we received a letter in the mail that explained how Comcast is “enhancing” service by adding additional channels and making the Internet service faster (insert “but…” clause); this would mean that customers would have to get digital boxes on sets with non-digital tuners to continue to receive signal and 2 boxes would be provided at no charge. What’s this? Comcast actually decided to do something decent for their customers and give them 2 boxes for no charge? Astounding! The cold cable conglomerate actually has a square nanometer of a soft spot in what is otherwise considered to be a heartless monopoly of a company that has some of the absolute worst customer service reviews in the United States. However, if you had more than 2 televisions that required the box, it would be an extra $1.99/month or you were otherwise up a creek without a paddle (there’s the Comcast we all know and love).

We had two boxes sent to our house. I followed every single instruction verbatim. After three calls to Comcast, one of which they disconnected, three hours on hold, and multiple attempts to send the configuration signal, neither of the boxes work. They “apologized,” and I told them that everything was fine on the cable system until they decided they needed to delete the extended channels. They then tried to tell me that this was part of the nationwide switch to digital and gave me the “On June 12, all analog signals were shut off…” explanation that annoyed people while watching the local news 2 years prior to February 17 and the extended June 12 date.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it Comcast that spent money from the bills that they raised last month (yet again) to say in ad campaigns, “If you’re connected to Comcast, you don’t have to do a thing. You’re good to go on June 12”? And yet, on June 22, just barely a week after the digital TV deadline, Comcast sends a notice that their analog service will be disconnected as a result of the June 12 switch that was supposed to leave cable services unaffected and new equipment is needed to continue to receive signal. That looks strangely familiar; it’s almost as if I have seen that message before (perhaps on channels 3, 9 and 12 during local newscasts?).

Q: Was Comcast lying to and misleading their customers before June 12 or after? A: all of the above. Wouldn’t it be funny if a company like AT&T or EPB filed a class-action lawsuit against Comcast for false advertising and misrepresentation and take them to court like Comcast did to EPB when they got the idea to build a 100% fiber network?

Back to the original problem, after the ordeal listed above, the boxes still do not work. Furthermore, Comcast said that sending the configuration signal to these boxes often results in the frying of the circuit boards in the boxes because the signal is so powerful. So, not only do you have to obtain the boxes, but the ones they send you are the Motorola Explode-O-Matic boxes that cook themselves upon being plugged in for the first time. Therefore, it is safe to say that you may as well get the standard Motorola “black box” that they give out to digital customers if you want to expect any type of service. But wait? Those cost extra per month. So, now this whole idea Comcast came up with to attempt to bring their dinosaur coax copper network into an age where EPB fiber is quickly becoming king has turned into a way for Comcast to charge even more to deliver less.

Now the truth is out: Comcast is still running “business as usual.” They might as well change their corporate motto to “Comcast: Where our goal is to do nothing for you.” I will be returning these boxes and will be telling Comcast that they will be giving me 2 standard Motorola “black boxes” for this asinine and criminal switch they are performing at no charge or I will be immediately and promptly discontinuing all services provided by them and switching to DSL and AT&T long enough for EPB to run a fiber optic line to my front door. I strongly encourage other readers to do the same.

Nick Rutledge