What Is Comcast Access?

by Melanie Jo Triebel, Demand Media

Comcast Access is the program that turns your laptop into a television.

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Like many other cable television companies, Comcast now offers access to your television programming from locations outside the home. Comcast XFinity customers can access XFinity programming using a laptop computer or other mobile electronics. Comcast Access is the software program which allows your computer to access your XFinity television content.

What It Does

Comcast Access allows users to access your XFinity programming on devices that are not connected to a cable box or cable card. You can also use Comcast Access on other mobile devices and portable electronics, but only if your device is on Comcast's list of approved devices.

How It Works

Comcast Access works via Adobe's AIR program. You must install the program on your computer and then authorize your computer on your Comcast XFinity account. This process is similar to authorizing a computer to play music or other content via Apple's ITunes program.

What You Need

You will need a newer computer operating system in order to install and use Comcast Access. The program is compatible with Intel-based Mac computers which use OS X 10.5, or any more recent version. It is also compatible with Windows XP, Service Pack 2, Vista, 7 or later. The program is not compatible with Linux, Unix, or earlier versions of Mac and Windows operating systems. You must also have Adobe AIR, which you can install in connection with setting up Comcast Access.

Other Information

You can authorize Comcast Access on up to three computers and you can manage your authorized devices via Comcast's website. You must have administrative rights to each of these computers for the program to work. Most people will be unable to install Comcast Access on their work computers. Additionally, the Comcast Access terms of service state that only computers owned by a resident at the registered address of the XFinity contract may be authorized.

References

  • Optaros: Comcast XFinity: TV (Almost) Everywhere; John Eckman; 2009
  • Comcast: Comcast Access End User License Agreement
  • Comcast: Comcast Access

About the Author

Melanie Jo Triebel has been writing since 2003. Her articles have appeared in such publications as the "ARIAS U.S. Quarterly" and the "Sidley Reinsurance Law Report." Triebel holds a B.A. in music from Chapman University and a J.D. from the Chapman University School of Law. She has practiced law for nearly a decade and is licensed in California and Illinois.

Photo Credits

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