Comcast switching from analog to digital

By: Craig Davison | The News & Advance
Published: November 09, 2011

This week, Comcast is starting to change its television signal from analog to digital in the Lynchburg area to free up its network.

In the coming months, customers will see more channels and faster Internet access, said Alisha Martin, senior manager of public relations for Comcast.

One analog channel takes up the same amount of bandwidth as 10 digital channels or three high-definition channels, she said.

“We’re able to use our network more efficiently,” Martin said.

A majority of Comcast customers already are digital and won’t be affected by the switch, she said.

Analog customers can call (877) 634-4434 or visit www.comcast.com/digitalnow to order a self-installation kit to be sent to their homes, or they can visit local Comcast locations to pick one up, Martin said.

The kits are available for no additional monthly service charge.

Comcast customers can check if they have analog television by checking if they have a set-top box connected to their televisions. If so, they are digital customers.

If the televisions just connect straight to the outlet on the wall, they are analog customers.

Expanded basic analog customers can receive one set-top box and two digital adapters for other televisions in the house, Martin said. Limited basic customers can receive up to three digital adapters, she said.

Expanded basic customers will get 35 new channels from the switch and limited basic customers will receive more than 10, she said.

Martin said with the new bandwidth, more than 50 new high-definition channels will be launched in the Lynchburg area.

The conversion will take place in three phases, she said. The phase beginning this week will move some of the expanded basic channels to digital. The second phase, which is scheduled to happen around Dec. 7, will move the rest of the expanded basic channels, she said. The final phase, occurring around Jan. 19, will move the limited basic channels to digital.

Martin said Comcast is helping customers move into a more and more digital world.

“The world has gone digital,” she said. “Analog technology is outdated and consumes more bandwidth on our network.”