Q: Comcast cable is telling me I will need converter boxes on all our televisions because we only have basic service. Is this true?— Virginia Ennis, Denver
A: Nope. It’s not.
The switch to digital television signals, coming Feb. 17, 2009, affects only those viewers who have no cable or satellite service and get their programs over the free airwaves.
If you have cable service — no matter if your television is analog or digital — everything should be fine when the switch happens. There ought not to be any difference in your picture, according to the folks at Comcast.
If you were told that the digital flip required you to have digital service instead of your basic cable, then you’ll need to contact the provider and let them know something is wrong.
Your basic service shouldn’t need any extra help. Don’t cancel without first checking if you’ve committed to a year-long deal with a substantial fee to back out.
One thing you might want to check is that all your television sets have cable connections — if you already use cable service. Otherwise those televisions, if analog, will need the digital converter boxes we hear so much about.
Comcast said it will hook in any additional televisions already with service at no charge and that basic cable will cost just $10 per month for new customers.
Remember to double-check any detail about the digital television switch at before committing yourself to any service or product.
