Early this morning Comcast Cable made the switch to digital service for mid-valley customers receiving its expanded basic service, channels 32 through 71.

The conversion has nothing to do with the switch of broadcast channels to digital (see A12).

Comcast alerted its customers of the change in early December and offered free digital converter boxes.

Some customers were at Comcast's Corvallis office this week to exchange boxes that didn't work, and one Albany resident told the Democrat-Herald that she had problems connecting the box and getting it activated.

Theressa Davis of Comcast said that the transition was basically smooth, adding that some channels were left on so people who haven't made the switch can still get programming for awhile. She said those channels will be gone soon.

Comcast viewers whose cable was connected directly to the television without using a digital box need the converters to avoid losing channels.

Davis said she could not reveal the exact number of customers who received converter boxes in the mail.

Those who got them should not have encountered any interruptions in service.

According to Davis, customers who have not made the conversion and have lost channels as a result should see a number to call for information when each of those channels is called up.

"We will always have adapters available and customers can make the change when they like," Davis said.

Standard and Basic analog customers can still get a digital set-top box to access additional services and up to two adapter boxes for use on other televisions in the home. Those needing more than three adapters can purchase them for $1.99 each.

"We would encourage anyone who hasn't picked up a box and needs one to do so," Davis said.

After today, Comcast analog customers who choose not to make the switch to digital will receive only limited basic channels 2 through 31.

Comcast made the switch to make better use of its broadband width.

Davis said the change includes 20 channels that will be added to the standard and expanded basic packages within the next few weeks.

Additional staff have been added to the Corvallis office to help speed up the process.

She said anyone with questions concerning the Comcast switch to digital can call (877) 634-4434 or visit www.comcast.com/digital

now.