Contributor
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54 Messages
Why no picture in picture (PIP) on Comcast boxes?
Why is there no picture in picture (PIP) on Comcast boxes, especially X1 which has many tuners? My old Sony TV could do this by using the TVs tuner along with a VCRs tuner. Since modern cable boxes have so many tuners, this should be a no brainer. The old larger Silver Comcast and Xfinity remotes even had the complete set of PIP buttons at the bottom. I read where Charter Spectrum boxes have PIP. My current TV has PIP using 2 different sources. For all the money we are paying this feature should be included on all DVR boxes.
XfinityDena
Official Employee
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2.5K Messages
3 years ago
Thank you for reaching out to our forums channel! That is a great question. From my research I am showing that normally the PIP function is that of the TV and not of the cable box. I totally get how this is not the best answer or the most desirable and I am really sorry.
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mike_Z
Contributor
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54 Messages
3 years ago
I believe that the function is present in some of the same boxes that Comcast uses, it is just that they are disabled. Charter Spectrum boxes have PIP. The way the TV PIP used to work was the TVs tuner could tune to a channel and the VCR or Cable box tuner would tune to another for the second picture. This setup did not work once the cable companies forced everyone to use addressable boxes and started scrambling all channels, even over the air local ones. Looking at some of the Pace/Arris models that Comcast uses, PIP would be available if Comcast chose to enable the feature as it is listed in some of the user guides.
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cstewshome
New Poster
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3 Messages
3 years ago
I have been with comcast forever, and they make a point of recognizing that when I call, that they want to keep me as a customer. We got a new TV and we 'upgraded' to the X1 platform when Covid started and I have tried to make the PIP work ever since, unsuccessfully of course. From the comments above, I agree that for what I am paying for the X1 service, the PIP function should be activated. I imagine there is some worry that this might tap out the bandwidth if it were used a lot. But I suspect it is not a feature that would be used commonly, only by sports enthusiasts like myself who want to have the Giants game in PIP while watching the Warriors playoff game and be able to swap back and forth like I was able to do years ago. The fact that this sits as an inactivated functionality that could simply be activated is frustrating for sure. For those that upgrade I would think the PIP could be activated!
Comcast/Xfinity, I would advise that AT&T U-Verse DOES advertise having PIP available in their cable packages (U-verse TV Picture-in-Picture - U-verse TV Customer Support (att.com))... Please reconsider activating this functionality ASAP to prevent customers like myself from considering a change!
One frustrated sports fan!
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mike_Z
Contributor
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54 Messages
3 years ago
Good points cstewshome. I don't thinks it's about bandwidth because you could record up to 4 programs while you are watching one. Along with keeping track of 2 games, I sometimes go back and for between a live show during commercials to a recorded show.
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user_7c6d2d
Visitor
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1 Message
3 years ago
Wow!!! No PIP wish I knew that before having Comcast come out and paying over $230. a month for Cable, Internet and Phone Svc. Might need to consider going back to DIRECTV who not only had PIP but also had News Mix and Sports Mix which would give you like 8 mini PIPs that you could watch and listen to individually and when ready select the one channel to go to that show. Very disappointed in Comcast and I should have done more research.
(edited)
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