After a nationwide switchover to digital television, cable provider Comcast is asking some of its customers to make another transition. Utah's largest cable company has started an initiative called "World of More," in which it is asking subscribers with the Standard Cable tier ($58.95) or above who don't have an existing set-top box to install a free digital box for each TV. -- Vince Horiuchi
What do the boxes do? The system converts the analog cable signal to a digital one before it enters the TV. Comcast said it will even work with older analog sets.
Why is the transition happening? The move frees up the analog spectrum for more digital channels. Comcast spokesman Ray Child said that once this happens, standard cable subscribers immediately will be able to get an online TV guide, more than 10 additional channels, and access to the Video on Demand service. By the fall, all high-definition subscribers in Utah also will be able to get more than 100 HD channels. It also helps prepare Comcast's network for more digital services, including music, Video on Demand, and faster Internet speeds.
Who should upgrade? Anyone who subscribes to Comcast's Standard Cable tier or above and doesn't already have a digital set-top box connected to the TV.
Who doesn't need to upgrade? Any Comcast customer with the digital cable service who has a cable set-top box installed on all of the televisions in their home.
How much will it cost? It's free for the first three boxes, then it's $1.99 per month for each additional box. There will be no additional monthly cost to your cable bill after the transition.
How do you install it? You can order the boxes by mail or pick them up at a local Comcast service center (see sidebar). The boxes come with a self-install kit. Once the digital boxes are installed, you must call Comcast to activate them. The instructions also include ways to hook up the digital boxes with a VCR and/or DVD player.
What if you don't do the upgrade? Anyone without the digital box who needs one will eventually lose some of their channels like Disney, CNN and Lifetime.
The rollout for this expanded digital service happens in five waves, and should be completed by the fall. Only Morgan, Heber, Mountain Green and Nephi will not be part of the coverage area.
Wave 1 » Ogden, North Ogden, South Ogden, Riverdale, Washington Terrace, Riverdale, Roy, West Haven, Hooper, Farr West, Pleasant View, Brigham City, Willard, Perry. (Scheduled to be completed by the end of April).
Wave 2 » Magna, Kearns, Taylorsville, Stansbury, Grantsville, Tooele, West Valley, Murray, Millcreek.
Wave 3 » Provo, Lehi, Alpine, Highland, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Orem
Wave 4 » Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Layton, Kaysville, Centerville, Farmington, Clinton, Clearfield, Hill Air Force Base, Syracuse, West Point.
Wave 5 » Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, West Jordan, Cottonwood, Draper, Sandy, Midvale, Suncrest, Logan, North Logan, Smithfield, Wellington, Franklin, Hyrum, Park City.
To get the digital boxes or installation help, customers can order by calling 1-800-COMCAST, pick them up at any Comcast customer service center (there are two in the Salt Lake Valley) or by going to digitalnow.comcast.com. Shipping for the boxes is free.
