Comca$t and my adventure...

So my XPS 420 arrived complete with the dual ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable adapters. vista Media Center recognized the right away. Basic cable channels all came in right away as well. So far so good. All I need to do now is call Comcast and find out when I can pick up the two cablecards, right? Wrong.

"Hi.. I just want to know what time the office closes... I need to swing buy and pick up two cable cards."

"Cable Cards? For what?"

"For my windows Media Center PC... I need two cable cards for the digital tuners."

"Oh... you need to buy those cards from your PC supplier.. we don't sell tv cards. We only supply the cards for a TV that can accept them..."

"Stop... Listen to me. I need two CableCards.. the credit card things that you are talking about... they work in the PC as well."

"Sir... you need to buy them from a computer store. We don't...."

"Shut your pie hole and listen to me... I don't need TV Tuner cards. I need the CableCards... the same ones you are talking about for TV's also work in PC's with the appropriate equipment. Just assume I already have the tuner in the PC and all I need is the card... the little credit card thing that you are telling me about."

"I"m going to transfer you to my supervisor. He worked in that department and knows that you need to buy them from a computer store."

"Hello Sir.. this is xxxx... 'dumbphuck's' supervisor. You need to buy the tuner card from a computer store...."

"Sir... I don't think you understand me. The TV cards that you give out are the same ones I need...."

"Sir, they won't work in a PC... you need a TV tuner..."

"Dumbass STFU and listen to me. I already have the tuners. These tuners accept CableCards. Do you understand that?"

"You don't need to swear at me Sir.... You say you have tuners cards and they take cablecards? Really? I didn't know that existed. Are you sure?"

"If you have access to a computer... look up this URL...."

I pointed him to ATI's site for the TV Wonder Digital Cable tuner...

"Oh I get it now... You need to schedule a tech to come out to install it for you."

"Are you fucking kidding me? You're send a truck out to my house to deliver two credit card sized devices, and call in the numbers on them?"

"Yes... at a $20 dollar charge for the trip."

So I set up the appointment... Saturday between 11 and 1. We'll see what genius has to come out for this one. More to come, I"m sure....