I currently have normal comcast service, planning on getting a HDTV, so I checked their programs for HDTV and wasn't very pleased to find only 40:|

I need one that gives: ADC Family, Nick, Cartoon Network, TBS, Discovery, IN HD, and if possible one that has an on-demand feature like comcast (I <3 that feature, especially when they have movies on-demand same day the DVD releases)

wish comcast would add those, then it would be perfect...

The best provider is the one that has the channels you want.

Based on the channels you requested (with the exception of INHD which has been discontinued) as well as your need for Video on demand, you might want to settle with Directv.

(with the exception of INHD which has been discontinued)

****, that was my favorite channel too..

you might want to settle with Directv.

alright thanks, i'll check it out.

I currently have normal comcast service, planning on getting a HDTV, so I checked their programs for HDTV and wasn't very pleased to find only 40:|

I need one that gives: ADC Family, Nick, Cartoon Network, TBS, Discovery, IN HD, and if possible one that has an on-demand feature like comcast (I <3 that feature, especially when they have movies on-demand same day the DVD releases)

wish comcast would add those, then it would be perfect...

Only 40?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Whooo hooo.

I'm sorry. I can't stop laughing.

Come try out Time Warner Northeast Ohio. We have 10 HD channels + 4 HD Tier channels.

I'd sell a kidney, a lung and part of my liver to have have only 40 channels!;);):mad:

The best provider is the one that has the channels you want.This is the correct answer. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/icons/icon14.gif

Come try out Time Warner Northeast Ohio. We have 10 HD channels + 4 HD Tier channels.

I'd sell a kidney, a lung and part of my liver to have have only 40 channels!;);):mad:

I feel for you. 14 HD channels in early 2009 is pathetic. Is satellite not an option for you?

The best provider is the one that has the channels you want.

This is the correct answer. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/icons/icon14.gifIf I may add one more stipulation, I will agree:

The best provider is the one that has the channels you want, at a price that you believe those channels are worth.

Ack! Two independent variables!?!?! That makes things so much more complicated! :)

(Then you get the folks who will say that they want Provider A's channels for Provider B's prices! LOL! :D)

Ack! Two independent variables!?!?! That makes things so much more complicated! :)

(Then you get the folks who will say that they want Provider A's channels for Provider B's prices! LOL! :D)Ha, yes. :)

And sometimes one has to realize that the channels he "wants" are not worth the price required to have them. Everything is a business decision. If "perceived benefit" > cost, then buy. If not, then don't buy. That doesn't stop many people from making poor decisions every day though...

... and complaining that they've made such poor decisions. ;)

Ha, yes. :)

And sometimes one has to realize that the channels he "wants" are not worth the price required to have them. Everything is a business decision. If "perceived benefit" > cost, then buy. If not, then don't buy. That doesn't stop many people from making poor decisions every day though...

... and complaining that they've made such poor decisions. ;)
That's somewhat true, but it depends on the market.

Most anyone can walk into their nearby Walmart, K-Mart, Target or local Mom and Pop operation and have a choice of a wide range of consumer goods. If they don't like the perceived value vs. quality vs. features, they can go somewhere else or buy something else.

However, for the guy living a North-facing apartment in a market with weak OTA, he may be limited to a pitiful selection of channels on an outdated cable service - for which he's paying as much as myself or others who get a great lineup.

I'd say, the above situation would offer a valid reason to complain.

While there's no reason he couldn't do without, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect at least a reasonable level of service and selection.

However, for the guy living a North-facing apartment in a market with weak OTA ...

I'd say, the above situation would offer a valid reason to complain.To God perhaps. Cable companies are not responsible for the limitations of satellite providers or OTA broadcasters, and your proviso was conditional on those limitations, which were not the cable company's doing.

While there's no reason he couldn't do without, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect at least a reasonable level of service and selection.Why not demand OTA broadcasters place antennas closer to where one lives? :confused: Or satellite broadcasters innovate a way to offer their service to north-facing apartments?

I feel for you. 14 HD channels in early 2009 is pathetic. Is satellite not an option for you?

I think he's in the same boat as me...friggin' trees. I too am saddled w/ the suck that is TimeWarner in NE Ohio. Although I get a whopping 20 (including locals) + 5 in the HD Tier ($5 more a month) :(

Enough of the off topic philosophizing.

First, see this topic for a list of what the national providers offer:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081

Second, the HDTV Local Forum has topics for each TV market in the country. Check for your local area, to see if other providers (Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse) are available.

Woah guys, I just want my spongebob in HD, stop confusing me:(





Oh, thanks for that link Ken H, it says "Nickelodeon Announced" For Comcast, so that must mean their planning on bringing the service soon! 41 channels woot!

Woah guys, I just want my spongebob in HD, stop confusing me:(





Oh, thanks for that link Ken H, it says "Nickelodeon Announced" For Comcast, so that must mean their planning on bringing the service soon! 41 channels woot!

Not necessarily, Comcast offers different channels regionally. So for instance, NYC may get Nick and Nashville won't get it until a year later. Basically, Comcast does not nationally launch a channel, only regionally which will dictate if you get the channel you want.

Well, I think, more properly -- Comcast does launch new channels nationally, signing licensing agreements and making the channel available, perhaps, through its HITS, and then, after that, makes it available regionally.

I need one that gives: ADC Family, Nick, Cartoon Network, TBS, Discovery, IN HD, ....

Many of these providers' "HD" services do not, in fact, show much HD programming at all. What's worse, services like TBS pre-stretch or pan-and-scan their SD content to fit the 16:9 aspect ratio. I'd suggest browsing a few threads here about the channels you want the most to see if their "HD" services are really HD.

What's worse, services like TBS pre-stretch or pan-and-scan their SD content to fit the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Yeah, I hate that. TNT does the same thing. I guess they're trying to look out for Plasma owners.

Here in Chicago I have RCN, which has converted all analog to digital to make room for more HD channels. I get 70 or so.

I feel for you. 14 HD channels in early 2009 is pathetic. Is satellite not an option for you?

Good news for anyone considering TWC in NE Ohio. SDV is ***supposed*** to be finished in all areas sometime in March. After that, more channels should be coming. I'm excited, this is the most news we've ever heard out of TWC.

Don't hold your breath regarding SDV until the FCC ceases its punitive actions concerning moving channels to SDV.

please note this is my opinion, and not necessarily the best politically correct answer..

The best provider is ....
1 Verizon FiOS
2 DirecTV

FiOS has axcess to 100 hd channels in all markets, where available,
and DirecTV is the sports leader in TV. with axcess to over 70 HD channels, (not counting out of market RSNs and ppv channels).

Do a comparison of Dish and Direct and then choose. They both offer simular HD channels, some being broadcast in SD, STILL. Direct of course is the leader with sports HD because of Sunday Ticket.

Jeff

please note this is my opinion, and not necessarily the best politically correct answer..

The best provider is ....
1 Verizon FiOS
2 DirecTV

FiOS has axcess to 100 hd channels in all markets, where available,
and DirecTV is the sports leader in TV. with axcess to over 70 HD channels, (not counting out of market RSNs and ppv channels).

That would be my opinion too. Except my opinion wouldn't have a number 2!;)

If Verizon FIOS was available in my area, I would have dumped TWC yesterday. My guess would be that TWC would be in severe pain since I'd be willing to bet more people would choose FIOS over cable. Everybody here has TWC and everybody hates TWC, but they are the only good choice we have.

We are supposed to be getting Uverse, there's a painfully slow rollout on that. But even Uverse is not better than TWC, and nowhere close to FIOS. There's a thing with Uverse where you can only get one HD stream per house. That means no watching and recording HD at the same time, no watching HD on more than one TV.

I know SDV will happen now. The head suit from TWC gave a rare, exclusive interview to a local media news blog, that's unheard of for TWC. Plus they know customers are pissed and ready to leave. Plus, I take everything bicker says with a grain of salt. Considering how many systems and markets currently have SDV deployed, I doubt the FCC will say Boo! about anything. There's nothing to get in trouble for, local TWC posts legal notices about channel changes at least 30 days before and they sent special letters to cable card customers back in October about the upcoming switch to SDV.

You should go be a lobbyist. Since you're always posting about the "lowest common denominator" here. Whether it's keeping tons of channels in analog cable for the cheapskates, or stuffing the digital spectrum full of multicast subchannels to give OTA viewers "choice" or thwarting SDV just to protect those without a cable box. Technology is changing, adapt or be left behind.