Comcast HDTV???

Thanks for the input, When I'm up and running, I'll add a comment on percieved picture quality. On local comcast, there is no upcharge for HDTV, just a $18.95 ''Installation'', for dropping off the box. We get ABC, NBC, and PBS, CBS is still being negotiated. Programming, of course, will vary. HBO and Showtime are available in HDTV. The main reason I'm upgrading is that the standard digi cable box by General Instruments is such a piece of junk. Composite video only and RCA audio that isn't very good. We'll see what comes of the new one. One question: Why Toslink? Ground loop issues? I've always had better luck with a nice RCA 75 ohm digi cable.

Thanks again.

Fujindemon,

Yes comcast is evil incarnate, unless compared to some of the other cable companies I've dealt with. The employees are pretty clueless. I tried an antenna with a roof mount, but I couldn't even get regular network TV. I'm out a in valley by Chester Springs (Far north Chester County), and we get nothing through the ether without effort. I need the roof antenna just for FM. I had digicable already as a package with the cable modem and the HDTV does not cost extra. Yeah, and I'm sure it will take three phone calls to get the bill straight. Oh well, sure is pretty out here.

Thanks for all the info. The installers dropped by EXACTLY on time. Kinda spooky. It is the Motorola unit. I hooked it up using their "Component Cable" which was actually a 75 ohm composite cable with a red and white set of audio cables. Ran cable from box to my Anthem AVM 20. Box was set to ABC's HDTV and "The View" was on. Scared us badly. Color balance was wretched. A theory was advanced that the AVM couldn't switch HD signals. Replaced the cable with an Audioquest YIQ-X composite cable. Color balance was good, but the "View" was still spooky. I'm not biologically programmed for daytime TV. I explained the difference between the cables to the installers, and they said they would discuss it with their supervisors. Checked out HBO, got a stupid David Arquette movie with a dog. Picture sure was good. Looked close to DVD quality, definitely better than the standard HBO channel. Need his wife, Courtney Cox in a movie instead, maybe one of the Scream Series (I always say, any show where Courtney Cox is the older, less attractive, woman HAS to be a good movie). Dolby Digital locked in fine, hooked up both Toslink and a 75 ohm RCA, will decide which I like better.

I'm getting a much better picture on the standard channels then I had before, and on the HDTV network channels, it defaults to 480p when the programming with a true HDTV signal is not available. PBS is always in the 1080i mode oddly enough. My 2 1/2 year old loves her HD Clifford cartoon!

All and all, I'm happy with the switch. Next comes the inevitable billing problem, but I've always won so far.

Thanks for the input, and the AVSforum.com site is great. They make the A'gonners look normal, except for the analog guys (just kidding).