so seeing how i work for comcast i thought i'd put a little insight in.
as far as VOD goes, you can only bring up shows or programs that are given to us by the networks, it's all stored on a server, in MPEG-2 format if i remember correctly. the programs, as far as i know, some of them do have commercials or advertisements, some do not... which again is decided upon by the networks that give us the content.
as far as the pvr or dvr (which it's referred to), the commercials and whatnot could be eliminated from recordings if the networks put some sort of coding on the programing that would allow for it. from what i've heard some satellite services have this, but i havn't actually seen it for myself.
as far as the pricing of the digital, it's what your regular package is that depends on the overall pricing. the digital itself is only channels after 99 (usually 2-99 is analog, anything after is digital) and the equipment package (just the cable box) is generally 5.99/mo which gives you vod access and access to other pay per view channels, the guide/menu system and whatever premium channels that you may subscribe to. the digital packages, generally without the standard or basic cable unless also bundled with premium channels, go 9.95, 14.95, then there are 2 4.95 packages, one a sports package and the other has a few movie channels and special interest channels.
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so seeing how i work for comcast i thought i'd put a little insight in. as far as VOD goes, you can only bring up shows or programs that are given to us by the networks, it's all stored on a server, in MPEG-2 format if i remember correctly. the programs, as far as i know, some of them do have commercials or advertisements, some do not... which again is decided upon by the networks that give us the content. as far as the pvr or dvr (which it's referred to), the commercials and whatnot could be eliminated from recordings if the networks put some sort of coding on the programing that would allow for it. from what i've heard some satellite services have this, but i havn't actually seen it for myself. as far as the pricing of the digital, it's what your regular package is that depends on the overall pricing. the digital itself is only channels after 99 (usually 2-99 is analog, anything after is digital) and the equipment package (just the cable box) is generally 5.99/mo which gives you vod access and access to other pay per view channels, the guide/menu system and whatever premium channels that you may subscribe to. the digital packages, generally without the standard or basic cable unless also bundled with premium channels, go 9.95, 14.95, then there are 2 4.95 packages, one a sports package and the other has a few movie channels and special interest channels.