Is the audio from Digital Comcast Cable digital?

[NewHTguy]

I recently downgraded my comcast HD cable to the Comcast starter digital cable package. The Motorola cable box has only a left-right audio output. Does this mean that there is no way to send the audio in digital format to my AVR? I just don't understand why digital cable would have analogue audio?

[heiney9]

The audio signal coming out of your Mototrola box is analog. No there is no way to send it as a digital signal.

[mmadden28]

The box is receiving the programing as digital via cable then converting it to the analog format so you can use it on non-digital sets.

It is odd though that the box doesn't have a dig coax or toslink option. IIRC, standard def programs can still have 5.1 encoding. Might be the Tier you chose. I don't recall what my standard def boxes have as an option for outputs. I've only ever used the digital out (hdmi, coax or fiber) for my HD sets.
What model # is the box? You might want to call Comcast and ask them about your options.

[bobman1235]

Yeah it sounds like you got a bum deal on the box they gave you ; the Motorola box I have has a Toslink out.

[heiney9]

I forgot there are probably never version of "cable" boxes over what I currently have. Disregard my first post :)

[NewHTguy]

That su*** but that is what I thought. I'll have to ask if I can get one with a digital out. Thanks for the responses.

[gdb]

Yeah...I've got Comcast cable & high speed internet. They'll piss on your leg and tell you that it's raining !! They probably gave you the wrong box hoping you wouldn't notice or care. Give em Hell !!:mad::mad::mad::mad::D