Originally posted by Mhorn
Bob,

I certainly respect your opinion, but my perspective is that JP really needs to get working on improving the picture quality of their broadcasts (even as far as SD standards, their broadcasts are pretty weak). I don't think anyone expects them to broadcast all of their games in HD, but how about the Duke-Carolina game or the ACC Basketball Tournament, which are JP's and the ACC's signature events? I understand that they have a limited distribution network and not all (but most) of their affiliates can retransmit an HD broadcast, but they should be able to put together a few HD games a year. There are plenty of examples of regional sports broadcast companies with limited distribution networks who do some HD. I understand that JP has the exclusive contract for our area, but I hate that we will miss seeing the ACC Tournament in HD on ESPNHD. I have previously emailed JP, with a cc: to the ACC offices, about the ACC Tournament in HD. At least the ACC was decent enough to respond that they are working on it with JP (although with no specific information or timeframe).

While I hate it as well you are totally missing the economies of scale. There is no way JP or any station is going to offer programming at a loss. The relatively few people who can and want to watch the game in HD is so small as to not even register. It's all about the money. And on top of that there are contracts involved that stop anyone from allowing us to watch it on ESPN-HD and these contracts were signed long before HD came about.

Hugh

Originally posted by e137811
I noticed this last night when the show aired on my 8000HD. This seems to happen occasionally on 3:2 Dolby broadcasts. Has nothing to do with the box as it has happened in the past even before I had the DVR. Kind of spooky though when you just hear the background noises. Well I had a repeat of the problem from Tuesday night. West Wing was only background sounds, Law & Order had an echo of everything and CSI: NY was 4:3 instead of 16:9. I don't want to have to record the SD channels but the digital channels are unreliable all of a sudden.


I just realized why CSI: NY was not in HD. It was delayed because of the basketball game until about 2:00AM so I guess they decide it wasn't worth the trouble or maybe they had no way to archive it in HD.

I understand the economics of having the incur the costs, and I would never expect any station to do it at a loss, unless they are trying to prove a point or test the technology.

Why not look into doing it as pay-per-view? I know most diehard basketball fans here in the south would pay BIG BUCKS to see it in HD...

Bob and Hugh, I was not directing my comments at you, and it came out that way I apologize.

I still get the feeling when watching a broadcast from JP/Raycom that I'm viewing a broadcast using technology from 20 years ago. Their broadcasts these days don't look any better than they did when I was a kid.

Originally posted by e137811
I noticed this last night when the show aired on my 8000HD. This seems to happen occasionally on 3:2 Dolby broadcasts. Has nothing to do with the box as it has happened in the past even before I had the DVR. Kind of spooky though when you just hear the background noises.

I've noticed this problem with Commited on NBC. Very, very annoying. It's like someone at master control forgets to flip the dolby digital button.

This has been going on for 2 weeks now. Very frustrating to sit down and only hear audio from the rear channel speakers and the pirmary dialog is no where to be heard.

Anyone have a contact at WCNC to write in and complain?

FWIW, I have a 8300DVR.

Originally posted by jrs
Have any of the 8300HD users tried the "multi-room" features?

According to the SciAtl docs, this box can act as a server and stream shows to client digital cable boxes. It doesn' work with HD (can't stream HD, and can't stream to an HD box).

Maybe if they can get 8300 --> 8300 working I would try it, but until then I don't see it benefitting me (I already have MRV with my tivos, but if I could share HD...)

It was my understanding that TW won't be rolling out the MR 8300's until this summer. And that the 8300 HD DVR could pipe HD showes to another HD capiable box in your home.

Got some other documentation on it (other than what's at SciAtl's site)?

Originally posted by ke4pym
It was my understanding that TW won't be rolling out the MR 8300's until this summer. And that the 8300 HD DVR could pipe HD showes to another HD capiable box in your home.

Got some other documentation on it (other than what's at SciAtl's site)?

No, the only thing that I have are the docs from sciAtl "explorers club" or whatever it is. I didn't see any indication that there were to be multiple versions of the 8300, so i thought that it was already in there. As far as the HD -> HD part, the FAQ's of the MRV guide specifically states that HD cannot be transferred, and that nothing can explorer HD boxes cannot be clients:
currently, MR-DVR does not support explorer HD set-top as client set tops. The HD recordings from the 8300 MR-DVR server are not available for playback on HD set-tops in a multi-room enviroment


When it does, it might be worthwhile to me...

ok - I know that the pro-bowl isn't the best football game you'll see, but tell me why a huge station such as ESPN won't show it in HD? Especially since there's no other game to watch.

When I saw it wasn't in HD I stopped watching it.

Originally posted by sbirnie
ok - I know that the pro-bowl isn't the best football game you'll see, but tell me why a huge station such as ESPN won't show it in HD? Especially since there's no other game to watch.

When I saw it wasn't in HD I stopped watching it.

It's all about the money. Why spend the money to sent the equipment to Hawaii when they can use it showing college hoops. No one watches the Pro Bowl, check the ratings, compared to all the folks who watch college basketball. They don't have the equipment so they use it where the greatest number of people are going to view it.

Hugh

Yeah, I know - like the North Carolina game that we had to watch on our local channel in non-HD. :\

It was still a dissapointment.

Oh the agony..the suffering..the torment and anguish...:)

I know. It's hard for me to go on.

The only thing that keeps me going is HD...

I can understand the issues with the ProBowl. I switched over to watch it, but mainly for an HD "fix". I thought "Hey, it's in Hawaii and in HD, it should look AWESOME!" So, after I saw it I turned the channel.

I guess I am a HD junkie, always browsing up and down the # 200 based channels, looking for something to amaze me again and again. It's funny how I catch myself these days, hardly ever going back to the channels I used to surf (TBS, Sci-Fi, DSC-Wings, Spike, TCM, Turner South, etc...). I know how good the HD content looks, so I just "stalk" the HD channels, looking for my next round of HD experience.

If you have InHD or HDNet (can't remeber which one it's on - I think HDNet) be on the lookout for Allison Krause and the Union Station. It is a FANTASTIC production. And with Allison's voice, and the show being in Dolby Digital, it makes for a great 2 hours.

"Big" on DiscoveryHD is also another good show. When I first got HD a couple years ago I was like you. Looking for the next thing, anything on. I've moved on a little. It's more about the actual content now.

Though, I'll say (and I'm not much of a NASCAR race fan - go Indy), Saturday's race sure was purr-day. As was Sunday's thing.

Originally posted by Hamster
I guess I am a HD junkie, always browsing up and down the # 200 based channels, looking for something to amaze me again and again.

Just a tip (and it's quite possible you already do this), set all of the HD channels as favorites...then just browse with the favorites button (in the guide or just changing channels).

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Oh the agony..the suffering..the torment and anguish...:)

Hush, we know you don't like sports. :D BTW the Bud Shootout looked super on your fine station. NASCAR is made for widescreen HD.

Hugh

I did watch it, and it did look VERY good..but I certainly wasn't yelling
"WOOOOOO DALE! Lookit that two-four car go!" :D

HD certainly doesn't make up for night shots with poor lighting!

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
I did watch it, and it did look VERY good..but I certainly wasn't yelling
"WOOOOOO DALE! Lookit that two-four car go!" :D

HD certainly doesn't make up for night shots with poor lighting!

I'm well aware of the redneck factor and NASCAR.......but I did go to HS with Buddy Baker, almost as good as staying in a Holiday Inn. :)

Originally posted by ke4pym
If you have InHD or HDNet (can't remeber which one it's on - I think HDNet) be on the lookout for Allison Krause and the Union Station. It is a FANTASTIC production. And with Allison's voice, and the show being in Dolby Digital, it makes for a great 2 hours.


I agree (and it's HDNet). This is a fantastic show (if you like that type of music); just what HD and DD5.1 are made for. This was the first HD concert that I taped with my SA3250/JVC 40k D-VHS combo. We break it out and watch/listen with some frequency. I taped "Melissa Etheridge's Lucky" concert on INHD2 a couple of days ago; building up quite a nice little library now. Long live D-VHS!

I dig Allison Krauss and Union Station. I also like just about every concert they show on INHD. I watched Sheryl Crow this Sunday and boy, that was GREAT!

They showed Peter Frampton and Chicago/EWF conerts last month. All were awesome.

I watched the Bud Shootout and it looked simply fantastic. One question I had. I noticed it Saturday night and also sometimes during NFL games this year. Do the HD cameras seem to focus slowly to everyoneor is it just that when they are focused it's so clear that you REALLY notice when it's slightly out of focus?

Maybe it's just me. Anyway, I will say that my kids absolutely LOVE the IMax specials on INHD. I mean, to get a 4, 8 and 11 year old to give up the Gamecube to watch beavers build a dam, that's saying something.

I couldn't get over Frampton looking like a mid-40 year old mature adult..
still have that picture of a scrawny long haired youth when I bought his album..OOOPS..showing my age here..

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
I couldn't get over Frampton looking like a mid-40 year old mature adult..
still have that picture of a scrawny long haired youth when I bought his album..OOOPS..showing my age here..

I bet you really get into Barry Marshmellow. :D

Hugh

No, but wifey LOVES Barry Manhole Cover..

I really wish WBTV would quit dropping the HD feed for 5 seconds or so at 10:49 every night to show the stupid little 11:00 News promo graphic. I know, it's not a really big deal, but it's not like we didn't get the fact that there is 11:00 news from the commercials that aired right before the show returned from break.

I have 3 HD channels not coming through on either my 8300 or CableCard: HBO-HD, SHO-HD, and WBTV-HD.

Anyone else experiencing this issue?

Has anyone heard when TWC Charlotte is expecting to get ESPN2 HD?

Is anyone having trouble with INHD1 and INHD2 besides me?
Fine sometimes but usually pixelating, digital breakdown of audio and video & other times off the air altogether.

Originally posted by cajunlab
Is anyone having trouble with INHD1 and INHD2 besides me?
Fine sometimes but usually pixelating, digital breakdown of audio and video & other times off the air altogether.

I've had that problem forever and it's not the box. Dave Krueger (of TWC) has said "....it is almost certainly a mainline issue from the tap at the street." "If it is a mainline issue the service tech will probably not be able to fix it but should schedule a B Form for a Maint Tech."

I have not scheduled this yet but will get around to it eventually. I just don't watch those two channels very much. When I go into diag. those two channels have the losest signal strength of all the rest, many times being zero. Back last May I ran RG11 from their box on the side of the house to my SA box and this did nothing. I am now seeing this same problem on channel 67 (speed channel).

Hugh

It's been awhile since we talked about the gray bars. Has any one heard anything about this lately?

I don't know if anybody here cares about this, but I signed up for updates from Scientific Atlanta and they sent me this email today:

Dear DVR Subscriber,

It has just been brought to our attention that the providers of the program information in your interactive program guide have labeled tonight's and tomorrow's episodes of "American Idol" as re-runs when, in fact, they are first run episodes. So, if you've set up your DVR to record first-run only episodes of American Idol, it will not be recorded tonight or tomorrow night.

To ensure that these episodes are recorded, you will need to manually schedule each of them again by time or by program name for tonight and tomorrow night.

If you have any friends or neighbors who are not members of the Explorer eClub, you might want to let them know about this.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Scientific-Atlanta

Originally posted by cajunlab
Is anyone having trouble with INHD1 and INHD2 besides me?
Fine sometimes but usually pixelating, digital breakdown of audio and video & other times off the air altogether.

I've been having the same problems.

A tech came out and said it was a SNR problem. They found a problem outside and were able to bump the signal up a bit and both channels were fine for a few days. I started having the problem again and checked the signal and it was back down again.

I had a tech come out again and they said they found a problem at the street and will send someone out.

For reference, they said the signal to noise ratio should stay above 32. When they fixed it the first time, it stayed around 35 - 36. Now it's down around 29-30 sometimes dropping well below that.

Originally posted by doppler1
I really wish WBTV would quit dropping the HD feed for 5 seconds or so at 10:49 every night to show the stupid little 11:00 News promo graphic. I know, it's not a really big deal,

I haven't seen this yet. I don't watch much WBTV, and besides, I'm usually in bed at 10:49 ;). But, if I understand you correctly, I think it's a really big deal. If you're in the middle of an HD program and it drops to SD for a few seconds to show a logo, that seems a very poor decision on WBTV's part.

My INHD1 & 2 are fixed!
They had to replace the cable from the street to the house.
Old cable was patched in 4 places.
I would have never thought that would correct it since all other HD channels were flawless.
Speculation: Maybe INHD1 & 2 are less compressed & put more of a load on the coax?

What is the key sequence to get into the Diagnostic Screen on the 8300?
TIA

Originally posted by ShannonT
I haven't seen this yet. I don't watch much WBTV, and besides, I'm usually in bed at 10:49 ;). But, if I understand you correctly, I think it's a really big deal. If you're in the middle of an HD program and it drops to SD for a few seconds to show a logo, that seems a very poor decision on WBTV's part.
Re: 10:49/bed - That's what DVR's are for :)
Re: big deal - only reason I said it wasn't a terribly big deal is that it doesn't affect the prgramming too much, but it does annoy me to no end, and yes it was a horrible decision on WBTV's part.

Originally posted by cajunlab
Speculation: Maybe INHD1 & 2 are less compressed & put more of a load on the coax?
My guess would be that the problem affected the frequency of the INHD's more so than the other HD channels.
What is the key sequence to get into the Diagnostic Screen on the 8300?
TIA
Press and hold select and exit at the same time until you hear the chime (or display reads diag). Then hit exit again to immediately go into diag mode or just tune channel 611.

I don't know if it's possible, but it would be nice if WBTV would pass the CBS HD programming on the HD channel if they are only showing local SD programming on the analog / SD digital channels.

I enjoy watching NCIS in HD, but since it was aired at 2:00 in the morning, it wasn't shown in HD (no HD recording capability at WBTV I assume)...this also happened a couple weeks ago with King of Queens and CSI: NY...

I was planning on picking up an 8300 HD DVR tomorrow but have a quick question first. What is the speed you can flip through channels? Is it as fast as the Pioneer HD Box? The S. Def DVR used to change channels extremely slowly and it drove me nuts. Then TW pushed down an update and the speed is great now. I just want to make sure the HD DVR is reasonable. Thanks!

Channel changing speed is very reasonable, but I do not know if it is as fast as the Pioneer box (It's been too long).

"B" forms cannot be keyed by public and cannot be requested sounds like an MER problem that will have to be fixed by DM loose fittings can also cause this problem

Originally posted by doppler1
Press and hold select and exit at the same time until you hear the chime (or display reads diag). Then hit exit again to immediately go into diag mode or just tune channel 611.

and you can hit the Yellow button on the remote while in diag mode to toggle between opaque and transparent diag screen.

Originally posted by ShannonT
I've been having the same problems.

A tech came out and said it was a SNR problem. They found a problem outside and were able to bump the signal up a bit and both channels were fine for a few days. I started having the problem again and checked the signal and it was back down again.

I had a tech come out again and they said they found a problem at the street and will send someone out.

For reference, they said the signal to noise ratio should stay above 32. When they fixed it the first time, it stayed around 35 - 36. Now it's down around 29-30 sometimes dropping well below that.

I was having trouble with my INHD channels only earlier this month too. Which was surprinsgly, since they have always been my sharpest channels. Had reps come out several times and all they did was monkey around with my modulator and powered amplifier in my closet. They eventually fixed it, but now I can't have basic cable and my modulated Tivo signal at the same time.

How do you check your SNR yourself?

Originally posted by Panzer948
How do you check your SNR yourself?

While on the channel you would like to check, enter the diag menu and then tune to channel 611. On one of the info screens it will display the SNR for that channel. I think it's on the first page as well as one other page. You can scroll through the various info screens with the arrows, I believe.

You can enter the diag menu with the method doppler1 posted:

Originally posted by doppler1

Press and hold select and exit at the same time until you hear the chime (or display reads diag). Then hit exit again to immediately go into diag mode or just tune channel 611.

I did the sat buy back program with TWC. A great deal but after all the issues I have been through, it wasnt worth it. My current issue is for the last 2 months the 200 channels for WBTV keep breaking up and pixing. They have been out several times and finally said something about a laser being bad. They do fix it, but after about a week, it starts again. We ordered the HD pak last night and it does the same thing. Also we cant get HBO on demand to work. We had several people over this weekend to watch Duke and Carolina, all have sats. They were dismayed at what was happening and stated that is why they arent changing. I feel TWC is doing everything they can but, this is it for me. I am ready to call Direct Tv if this doesnt change. I dont care about price, just quality.

You're a lucky man. I, on the other hand, DO care about price. Although I do agree that TWC is not the best thing around, I do not want to pay a good $500-$1,000 to get a new Dtv HD dish and receiver up front, which is mine to keep even if newer and better recievers/dishes come out.

Originally posted by sbirnie
You're a lucky man. I, on the other hand, DO care about price. Although I do agree that TWC is not the best thing around, I do not want to pay a good $500-$1,000 to get a new Dtv HD dish and receiver up front, which is mine to keep even if newer and better recievers/dishes come out.

Based on my experience with DirecTV and now with TWC I would say that TWC is the best thing available. The new 8300 works great with no real problems for me. I would change in a heartbeat if I thought either of the sats would perform better as to picture quality and that includes the content of their HD channels.

Hugh

Originally posted by trjam
I did the sat buy back program with TWC. A great deal but after all the issues I have been through, it wasnt worth it. My current issue is for the last 2 months the 200 channels for WBTV keep breaking up and pixing. They have been out several times and finally said something about a laser being bad. They do fix it, but after about a week, it starts again. We ordered the HD pak last night and it does the same thing. Also we cant get HBO on demand to work. We had several people over this weekend to watch Duke and Carolina, all have sats. They were dismayed at what was happening and stated that is why they arent changing. I feel TWC is doing everything they can but, this is it for me. I am ready to call Direct Tv if this doesnt change. I dont care about price, just quality.


I think you're just unlucky and live in a bad area. I've had TW HD since March of 2002 and have had very few problems, service wise. The ride with some of the cable boxes has not always been smooth sailing, but the issues usually get resolved. I just came off of the SAT buy back plan 2 months ago (after almost 3 years, heh), and my bill has gone up substantially, but I still think I'm getting my money's worth.

Originally posted by HughScot
Based on my experience with DirecTV and now with TWC I would say that TWC is the best thing available. The new 8300 works great with no real problems for me. I would change in a heartbeat if I thought either of the sats would perform better as to picture quality and that includes the content of their HD channels.

Hugh

You may be right - I had standard Dtv before going to TWC HD, and I just remember that the digitial channels were a LOT clearer than the low channel #'s that are analog.

It may be that their HD service is no better than TWC - I assumed it would be. I guess HD is still fairly new and there's going to be issues which ever service you go with.

I currently have basic cable from TWC and HBO (non-digital) without a set-top box. My TV is an HD set with a built in ATSC tuner. I am currently getting 10 HD channels via cable (not OTA) including Discovery HD (being decoded by my TV). I do NOT get HBO is HD. Am I supposed to be receiving these HD channels via cable given that I only have the basic service? I'm trying to figure out what I'd really gain by signing up for the Digital cable service with HD (besides HBO and other premium HD packs).

Yes, DLPKID, and welcome. You should be getting ALL the OTA channels carried on cable as part of the basic service. However, I was told by
my contacts at TWC that Discovery will be encrypted at some point. If your TV has a cablecard slot, you should be able to get a cable card and sub to
HBO-HD for the normal monthly fee, If I'm correct.

Is this an FCC requirement or can TWC stop/encrypt the transmission of the OTA HD channels at any time?

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Yes, DLPKID, and welcome. You should be getting ALL the OTA channels carried on cable as part of the basic service. However, I was told by
my contacts at TWC that Discovery will be encrypted at some point. If your TV has a cablecard slot, you should be able to get a cable card and sub to
HBO-HD for the normal monthly fee, If I'm correct.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Okay, so I'm not gaming the system or anything? Are you saying that by paying the $1.75 per month I can get a cablecard and get HBO in high def without having to buy the whole digital cable thing....just basic cable?

No, you're not gaming the system. You have to pay the (?) $1.75 per month for the cablecard, PLUS the monthly HBO subscription fee.

I get the same channels you do with my LG-3100 receiver..

Originally posted by ShannonT
Is this an FCC requirement or can TWC stop/encrypt the transmission of the OTA HD channels at any time?

It is my understanding that local, OTA's can't legally be encrypted, and must be provided as part of the "basic" or life-line service. Hugh may know different.

Originally posted by trjam
I did the sat buy back program with TWC. A great deal but after all the issues I have been through, it wasnt worth it. My current issue is for the last 2 months the 200 channels for WBTV keep breaking up and pixing. They have been out several times and finally said something about a laser being bad. They do fix it, but after about a week, it starts again. We ordered the HD pak last night and it does the same thing. Also we cant get HBO on demand to work. We had several people over this weekend to watch Duke and Carolina, all have sats. They were dismayed at what was happening and stated that is why they arent changing. I feel TWC is doing everything they can but, this is it for me. I am ready to call Direct Tv if this doesnt change. I dont care about price, just quality.

I am having similar issues. They started 3-4 weeks ago. I do not get WBTV-HD, HBO-HD, or SHO-HD. They do not come in or either the 8300DVR or my cablecard. They were out for about a week, then came back, now they have been out again for about a week.

I have have HD since the late summer without any prior issues.

You don't happen to live near the Arboretum?

I just don't have the time right now for the service call that TW wants to dispatch.

Hi,

I may be moving to the Charlotte area later this year.
The posts mention the SA 8300 STB. Is this the HD one??
Also, so they have the SA 8300HD Multi-room STB available???
Are these the correct HD content?:

201 UNC (PBS) HD
220 WCNC-DT
225 WBTV-DT
230 WTVI-DT
235 WSOC-DT
240 WCCB Fox
250 WJZY HDTV
255 WWWB HDTV
280 Discovery HD Theater
281 TNT HD
285 ESPNHD
290 INHD
291 INHD2
292 HD Net
293 HDNet Movies
318 HBO East High Definition
358 Showtime High Definition

Is the Fox channel doing HD??
Any word on Starz HD or TMC HD??

Thanks.

tahoerob-->Your channel line up is correct. Though they've added a high def video-on-demand channel in the high 200's - don't recall the number. As far as I know, they're not handing out the 8300MR's yet. The SciAtl DVR 8300HD is what they're giving out.

Yes, the Fox affil. here offers HD content.

Originally posted by ke4pym
tahoerob-->Your channel line up is correct. Though they've added a high def video-on-demand channel in the high 200's - don't recall the number. As far as I know, they're not handing out the 8300MR's yet. The SciAtl DVR 8300HD is what they're giving out.

Yes, the Fox affil. here offers HD content.

Thank You:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Originally posted by ke4pym
Though they've added a high def video-on-demand channel in the high 200's - don't recall the number.
Just for reference, it's 279, but there are still only 4 or 5 available selections.

Originally posted by tahoerob
Any word on Starz HD or TMC HD??

Thanks.

No word on any of the other available HD channels: Starz-HD, TMC-HD, Cinemax-HD, or the one I'm waiting most anxiously for, Universal-HD. If anyone has any idea whether or not TWC is even in the proverbial "negotiations" for any of these, please post.

I haven't heard anything, but I'll second the nod for Universal-HD...

Has anyone else experienced spuratic "loss of input signal" on CBS HD broadcast of the b'ball tourney this evening?

Originally posted by JnC
Has anyone else experienced spuratic "loss of input signal" on CBS HD broadcast of the b'ball tourney this evening?

No but it is the darnest sounding audio I've ever heard. The announcers sound like they are in an echo chamber. The commercials are fine so it's just the game feed.

Has anyone else experienced spuratic "loss of input signal" on CBS HD broadcast of the b'ball tourney this evening?

YES! And the audio is horrible. Well it seems to have gotten a little beter...or maybe that's just the beer.

J

Got the loss of signal twice, earlier this evening. The audio is worse, though. Fortunately, the problem seems to be of short duration. Hasn't really interfered with game watching but it is clearly noticeable.

I have noticed really bad quality sound the last two days--not on HD channels, but on regular analog channels.

Anyone else experiencing that?

Can't bear to watch non-HD channels anymore...LOL

Actually, I don't have the time to track down the problems with audio when they occur. So far, it is intermittent. My biggest complaint is that HBO on demand just doesn't work. My AVR allows me to adjust for lip synch. I get the occasional drop in audio but it seems to correct itself within a second or two. I think it is more likely I am trying to record two programs at the same time (user error) and taxing the PVR than it is the source.

FWIW, I'm on TWC out of Monroe.

Originally posted by HughScot
No but it is the darnest sounding audio I've ever heard. The announcers sound like they are in an echo chamber. The commercials are fine so it's just the game feed.

Ok, then I probably have a local signal drop. May have something to do with all the precip lately. Although when I tuned to CBS HD this morning I got quite a bit of audio pops. Didn't seem to happen with other stations.

Yeah on some of the NCAA games that are broadcast in DD5.1, the local engineer apparently is putting an an exciter or digital delay on the announcers to make mono into stereo. Lord knows what is happening when it goes out as 5.1, but it's terrible. Really messes up the ambient sound of the game. If they switch to SD, the broadcast becomes 2ch and it's tolerable.

BTW, did anyone notice the Texas Tech game was being broadcast in 6.1?! This is the first time I've heard anything broadcast with a rear channel.

Originally posted by annoyedbyspam
Can't bear to watch non-HD channels anymore...LOL


You got that right. There's none of that lowly SD stuff on my favorite channel loop. ;) Now if SciFi and TechTV would go HD, I would be home free. I don't suppose there's any correlation to me getting the 8300HD to tape Enterprise on UPN just in time for them to cancel it? :p

On a more serious note, until last night I hadn't seen this "loss of input signal". The message seems to be coming from the DVR, which makes me think it's across all channels. I didn't have time to try to retune to something else. Only stays up for a couple of seconds... occurred 3x last night.

Charlotte has Navy Seals and Greenville has Spring Break Shark Attack.

Go figure.

Since WBTV is delaying SBSA until 2:05 am - I'm assuming it will be SD only - Glad I have an antenna.

I just connected my Samsung SIR-T451 to a TWC basic analog cable w/ Road Runner and was able to receive several non-scrambled QAM feeds. On the Samsung, the channel numbers do not resolve to station ID so I have had to manually figure out each station ID -- these may not be perfect. Since I couldn't find the QAM RF channel numbers posted anywhere, I thought this chart might be useful to someone setting up a QAM receiver to receive unscrambled digital and HD channels.

83-1 WTVI (PBS)
83-2 WTVI - GOV
83-3 WTVI - Kids
83-4 WTVI - ED
83-5 WTVI-HD
83-6 WSOC-DT (ABC)
83-7 Weather Radar
84-1 PPV Preview Channel
84-9 Outdoor Life Network
92-5 TNT- HD
92-6 Discovery HD
100-1 WWWB-DT (WB)
100-2 WWWB-SD
100-3 WCNC (NBC)
100-4 Weather Radar
101-1 WCCB (FOX)
101-2 Weather Radar
101-3 WJZY (UPN)
102-4 National Georaphic Channel
102-12 Religious
103-1 Speed Channel
104-1 Court TV
104-2 Food Network
105-8 ESPN Classic
105-10 Weather Radar
106-1 HGTV
106-4 CMT
106-5 Comedy Central
106-6 SciFi
106-7 History Channel
106-8 Golf Channel
106-9 TV Land
106-12 Disney Channel
110-1 NBA Preview
113-3 Discovery Health
113-7 Old movies Channel
114-1 WBTV-DT (CBS)
114-2 WBTV-SD
114-3 Weather Radar
116-1 UNC-TV (PBS)
116-2 UNC-TV - HD
116-3 UNC-TV- Kids

Edited to correct channel ID's

The first number is the "native" rf CATV channel the QAM is carried on.. The
second number is mpeg program number of the channel..both assigned by Time-Warner..The Samsung doens't read the CATV data to properly assign
the "virtual" channel number the way the CATV STB's do.

Any word on if ESPNU will ever be on TWC? With HD, I find myself watching more sporting events and movies while network programming is way down. It's sick that I've found myself wondering if the NFL draft will be in HD, like it matters one iota.

heh, i feel so dumb. Ive been paying for digital cable just for hd, and I plugged my cable into my sanyo tv with built in dt tuner, and it got all the QAM unencrypted channels, rofl. I can get rid of my hd box now :)

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
heh, i feel so dumb. Ive been paying for digital cable just for hd, and I plugged my cable into my sanyo tv with built in dt tuner, and it got all the QAM unencrypted channels, rofl. I can get rid of my hd box now :)

yeah, it is cool. Does your TV resolve the RF number to the station number? Can you tell what RF channel WBTV comes in on your TV. That is the one channel I can't find on my samsung. Thanks.

Mine shows the same numbers as you. BTW, WBTV is 114-1 , 114-2, and 114-3

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
Mine shows the same numbers as you. BTW, WBTV is 114-1 , 114-2, and 114-3

Thanks for the rapid response -- mine picked it up once I keyed it in manually. My signal is a little poor on that station so my reciever wasn't picking it up automatically.

Post any additional channels that you are receiving that aren't on my list and I will update it accordingly.

Hey Bob, I've got two qustions for you. Been bugging me (no pun to this question) for sometime now.

During network programming, why is the FOX Charlotte bug so far off the screen? Most of the "X" in FOX is missing (as well as the "tte" in Charlotte) and so low down that the lower half of "Charlotte" is missing? I only see the bug so far off screen for this station.

Also, why must that bug be up during the entire program?

overscan, your tv is probably only capable of 1080i and not 720p

1)Jm is correct..mostly overscan on your tv..looks fine on my Sony 40xbr800..Now..FOX places their logo a bit further out than the other networks, but still within what should be "safe" area. many MFG"s use overscan to hide geometry and processing errors in the set..

2)Because FOX wants it there..It's a branding isseu..if the logo is on the right side of the screen, they trigger it from LA TOC and we have no control over it. If it is on the left side of the screen, that is our doing and only happens when we do supers on the analog feed..

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
1)Jm is correct..mostly overscan on your tv..looks fine on my Sony 40xbr800..Now..FOX places their logo a bit further out than the other networks, but still within what should be "safe" area. many MFG"s use overscan to hide geometry and processing errors in the set..

2)Because FOX wants it there..It's a branding isseu..if the logo is on the right side of the screen, they trigger it from LA TOC and we have no control over it. If it is on the left side of the screen, that is our doing and only happens when we do supers on the analog feed..

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

And after all the complaining I have done I thought your guys got Fox to move it further out and even cut some of it off. It sure moved on my set. But now I have learned the truth and I will start b^$#* again. It is the most intrusive and largest of any of them. The MAJOR networks do it correctly. :D

b* away. Perhaps you will be more effective than those of us who have direct contact with them..

at least tone it down some....the local, left logo is again a burn-in "master blaster".
make it semi transparent, please.

I'll pass on the request. We don't have control over that aspect either, only the command to insert the logo.

Was I the only one who was annoyed that a good bit of the 2nd half of the Carolina game on Friday was in SD? Do they not have a manual overide at WBTV? At midnight, it automatically switched over to SD. Almost all of the Tournament games run late.

Originally posted by Mhorn
Was I the only one who was annoyed that a good bit of the 2nd half of the Carolina game on Friday was in SD? Do they not have a manual overide at WBTV? At midnight, it automatically switched over to SD. Almost all of the Tournament games run late.

I think we all hate it. It also happens at 10:49 PM on WBTV when they advertise the news and then it goes back........right at the end of a good program. It is automated, I believe, and why they just don't leave it on HD I don't know.

Anyone else notice how the camera loses focus when a shot clangs on the rim? Lots of audio spikes too.

Originally posted by HughScot
and why they just don't leave it on HD I don't know.

Because the network HD feed is not present all the time..FOX is the ONLY
network that has a full-time HD feed..

Originally posted by JnC
Anyone else notice how the camera loses focus when a shot clangs on the rim? Lots of audio spikes too.

Anybody notice a small dot on the screen on games played in Albuquerque? I think it was only on one specific camera, probably camera 2, which is the high-tight camera. Basically the one that would normally show Rick Pitino, whose dark jacket allowed the small dot to be visible.

It looked like a small piece of styrofoam had attched to my screen (one of those static-type deals...), but after putting the beer down and double and triple-checking, it wasn't me and only was present on broadcasts from that site.

And as for WBTV and their automatic switch - it sucks - but have you ever seen Paul Cameron in 1080i? There's a reason that technology is in place... :D

Ok, I'm just messing around... Like Chris Myers says, I kid because I care... ;)

(Messing around about Paul Cameron, I'm dead serious about that dot.)

Hey, that ain't exclusive to PC!

Originally posted by TeddyTV
Anybody notice a small dot on the screen on games played in Albuquerque? I think it was only on one specific camera, probably camera 2, which is the high-tight camera. Basically the one that would normally show Rick Pitino, whose dark jacket allowed the small dot to be visible.

It looked like a small piece of styrofoam had attched to my screen (one of those static-type deals...), but after putting the beer down and double and triple-checking, it wasn't me and only was present on broadcasts from that site.


I think I saw what you're referring to because when I saw what looked like at least a four pixel square area of white on my LC14 I flipped out and thought there was a major problem with it but it went away when the camera changed.

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
I'll pass on the request. We don't have control over that aspect either, only the command to insert the logo.

Bob,
Please explain how the logos work.
You were successful in reducing the intensity of the lower right "national" logo.
Are you saying the "local" lower left logo cannot change?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Everyone,
I made a cool little Charlotte, NC OTA and TWC channel lineup spreadsheet and saved it as a web page if you'd like to see it, it's located at:
http://www.kevincook.net/theater/channel%20lineup.htm
I have the original if anyone wants it.

Please let me know if you have any additions or changes.

-Kevin

I forgot to mention the links across the bottom - there are 3 different views...

Threads merged.

Hi there,

Glad to join the NG. I am about to get TWC with DVR and HD (here in Charlotte). I have noticed that Fox Sports World is included on the Digital Sports Tier and that this channel has subsequently been changed to the Fox Soccer Channel. Does this mean the Fox Soccer Channel is included on the digital sports tier? Please tell me I won't have to pay extra for soccer!

Anything else I should know before signing up? (I have made sure I get the 8300!)

Many thanks in advance,

Gavin.

PS. How do you post to the general TWC Charlotte thread? I had to 'reply' to avoid posting in the parent thread! Sorry to everyone for previously misplaced threads.

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
I'll pass on the request. We don't have control over that aspect either, only the command to insert the logo.


I know they reduced the brightness of it recently, but that thing is still annoying. It is by far the brightest of any of the network bugs and it never goes away. Why can't they either make it transparent, or only leave it up for 30 seconds at a time? It is especially distracting when watching a show with a lot of dark colors like 24. I know it isn't your fault, but I just needed to vent. ;)

had another discussion again this week.. working on it..hope the new one on the radar is bright enough for ya too! (I know..I'm awaiting "Le Artiste"
to re-do it..)

Stupid question, I'm sure, but I couldn't get a coherent answer on the phone with TWC, so here goes....

I'm considering upgrading to digital cable with TWC and also purchasing an HDTV (or an EDTV) that is just "HD/ED ready" (no integrated tuner). I will probably get HD digital cable. Do I need to purchase a separate HD tuner or receiver, like you get with DirecTV, or does TWC provide a cable box that serves as the HD tuner?

TWC Provides the box, but you will probably have to pay a $40 "install" fee to get it. No need to purchase anything.

As a side note, I strongly recommend a true HDTV.

Originally posted by doppler1
TWC Provides the box, but you will probably have to pay a $40 "install" fee to get it. No need to purchase anything.

As a side note, I strongly recommend a true HDTV.

Let me totally agree on the above comment that you should get a HDTV and not an EDTV. EDTVs should not even be sold in my opinion. If you will never watch HD programming and if you will never get a high def DVD player than fine. But if you plan on watching HD programming do yourself a huge favor and get a HDTV. The difference is tremendous.

Talked to a TWC rep the other day and he confirmed that the problem with the Maxtor SATA expansion drives is they only work with the SARA software. Since we're on Passport here in Charlotte, we're out of luck. He said TWC has "no plans" to implement support for expansion drives on the 8300.

Of course, that could change tomorrow. And it better. I so need more drive space! If anyone has any other info, please post.

So, you want more space, do ya'?? The fastest way to get this unfortunate situation to change is to call TWC and request it. If they get enough requests, they may go ahead and implement the necessary software changes to Passport that can enable these drives. Can't be that tough since the SARA folks on the HDTV Recorders Forum are all reporting success with add-on SATA drives. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Originally posted by kmc123
Hi Everyone,
I made a cool little Charlotte, NC OTA and TWC channel lineup spreadsheet and saved it as a web page if you'd like to see it, it's located at:
http://www.kevincook.net/theater/channel%20lineup.htm
I have the original if anyone wants it.

Please let me know if you have any additions or changes.

-Kevin

NICE GRAPHICS!!! Bookmarked...

FYI: I think You missed one channels (TV-Land 106.9)

I posted a text list a page of QAM channels a page or two earlier if you want to compare.

Originally posted by parzec
NICE GRAPHICS!!! Bookmarked...

FYI: I think You missed one channels (TV-Land 106.9)

I posted a text list a page of QAM channels a page or two earlier if you want to compare.

I'm using my Mitz DLP set with an onboard ATSC tuner and picking up the HD channels from my TWC service, however, my channel line up for the HD channels looks completely different from what's posted on your link. For eg. my CBS HD channel is 240. Can you explain the discrepency please?

Thanks

Your MITs, (as does mine)..reads the CATV PSIP and remaps to the correct channel..not all tuners will do that..most display it as the native rf channel with the mpeg program number.. which is what his set is showing..hence
the discreps in the chart..

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Your MITs, (as does mine)..reads the CATV PSIP and remaps to the correct channel..not all tuners will do that..most display it as the native rf channel with the mpeg program number.. which is what his set is showing..hence
the discreps in the chart..

Thanks Bob. A quick followup. Cook's channel listing includes channels such as Speed, TNT, TCM, History Ch and National Geographic in HD. I am, however, not receiving any of these in HD. Are you? If so, can you share the channel numbers on your Mitz.

THanks

Those channels are not HD, just SD digital simulcasts of the analog channels...I wish TWC would simulcast the complete analog lineup like Charter has begun to do in certain areas (Madison, WI is one)...maybe someday.

TWC is working on the simulcast of the analog, as is most cable companies.
I found the locals last week with a new scan on channel 96. I was very disappointed in how they looked..

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
I was very disappointed in how they looked..

Bummer.

Looks like "Weather PLUS" is finally on station 221.

I've started watching Weather plus a couple times a day, its kind of nice to have all that weather info in one place instead of like other stations have with just a radar sweep and the weather radio. Although I like the computer voice :D

Anybody else having problems with CBS/WBTV HD on TWC? Its all broken up with intermitant sound. I've noticed some problems all this last week but tonight Raymond and 2 1/2 Men were unwatchable. Everything else looks fine. I'm TWC in Huntersville.

Just got around to watching Raymond (not 2.5 men though), but Raymond was prefectly fine...sounds like you are having signal strength issues, and it might be time to give TWC a call.

Originally posted by swamphhh
Anybody else having problems with CBS/WBTV HD on TWC? Its all broken up with intermitant sound. I've noticed some problems all this last week but tonight Raymond and 2 1/2 Men were unwatchable. Everything else looks fine. I'm TWC in Huntersville.

I to have had problems with all three CBS channels, 225, 226 & 227 (HD, weather & digital) for about a week. I live in the University area. I had problems like this with three other channels around three years ago & I could never get TW to fix it until several other neighbor's complained about the same problem. After 3 visits they actually told me there was nothing they could do as this type of thing happens some times & if I could not live with it I should drop there service. Great customer service! Hope this is not the same type of problem.

I'm having the same problem with WBTV channel 225. The picture and the sound are breaking up on a fairly regular basis lately. I'm in the Albemarle Rd. / Harrisburg Rd. area. As recently noted in the Charlotte OTA thread here they had problems with their PSIP generator which they just put back in service. I'm wondering if that's not working properly and is causing problems for TW. The reason I mention this is that when I bought a Sanyo 30744 back in Jan. I could get channel 225 and many other digital channels with the ATSC tuner in the Sanyo from the cable. I lost WBTV-HD a few weeks back when their PSIP generator went bad and even though its now supposed to be fixed the Sanyo still can't find it after a digital channel search.

In the interest of piling on, I am also having issues with WBTV-DT on 225 of late on TWC. Last night Cold Case was pixeling and having audio drop-outs, but when I switched to OTA it was much less of an issue (and signal strength was strong). Still some problems, but nowhere near as bad as over cable. Recorded shows from 225 were also virtually unwatchable. Other TWC HD channels were fine.

I think it seems less like a TWC issue and more of an issue between WBTV's signal and TWC. Would like to get some kind of confirmation, though. Otherwise, you know how it will end up: Time Warner will blame WBTV, and WBTV will blame the cable. And it will never be resolved.

BTW, I'm in South Charlotte - Carmel Rd./ Fairview area....

Well then, at least I'm not the only one with the WBTV problems. I did have TWC out. The tech mentioned they were having problems with 225. Anyway he checked my levels and all was good. He wants to try a new line amp, but I'm starting to think that the problem isn't at my end. I'm using the HD-DVR so I wonder if the problem is more pronounced with that box over a regular box.

And I think Charles is spot on. TWC will say its WBTV and WBTV will blame cable. WBTV probablly thinks their fix is "good enough" since, as Bob always points out, HD isn't a profit center or a priority yet for most stations.

I definitely saw the pixelation on Cold Case last night...made watching very difficuly, but I haven't seen pixelation on any other show yet (i.e. Raymond or 2.5 Men).

Hello all..I've been reading the forum for about a year now and finally decided to post. Is anyone having issues with ESPNHD and INHD1? I believe they have been out since 7pm. I wanted to see the Red Sox play! Go Sox!

Originally posted by doppler1
I definitely saw the pixelation on Cold Case last night...made watching very difficuly, but I haven't seen pixelation on any other show yet (i.e. Raymond or 2.5 Men).

I saw a bunch of pixelation last night watching the NBA playoffs.

Originally posted by jcb3716
Hello all..I've been reading the forum for about a year now and finally decided to post. Is anyone having issues with ESPNHD and INHD1? I believe they have been out since 7pm. I wanted to see the Red Sox play! Go Sox!

Ditto for me.

I think the problem with ESPN-HD and the INHD channel tonight were related to MLB blackouts.
Both ESPN and the FSN had the Braves game. In this area, depending on the night, the FSN gets priority for a Braves game. TWC gave us the alternate game, Nats/Phili, on channel 39, but I bet there wasn't an alternate HD game on the ESPN-HD feed so 285 just blacked out.
As for INHD, it was a BOS/BAL game. It may seem odd that blackout rules would affect a BOS/BAL game in Charlotte. Now, I don't fully understand it but the problem here is with Baltimore. Parts of NC are at least a secondary market for the Orioles and the FSN will carry several Orioles games during the year. So I think there was some problem with INHD carrying an Orioles game at the same time the FSN was carrying the Braves. Maybe somebody else can explain it better. I would have liked to have watched some of that Sox game along with the Braves.

This was never a problem when I had DishNetwork btw. They carried the ESPN alternate feed, so I could always watch the Braves game on ESPN or the alternate game instead of suffering through the horrible announcers they use on Fox Sports South. Not that I want to go back to Satellite.

Originally posted by jcb3716
Hello all..I've been reading the forum for about a year now and finally decided to post. Is anyone having issues with ESPNHD and INHD1? I believe they have been out since 7pm. I wanted to see the Red Sox play! Go Sox!

MLB considers Charlotte a home market for Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds & Atlanta Braves so all of there games are blacked out in Charlotte except when televised on there home network. I have the MLB ticket and none of these games are ever televised. The same when these teams are shown on INHD. Of course on TWC you can see the braves on one of the turner channels or Sports South, a few Baltimore games are televised on Sports south and NO Cincinnati games are ever shown. I assume if you have satellite you can subscribe to Comcast for Baltimore games and there must be a sports channel that picks up the Red games on Satellite here in Charlotte. Does not make any sense to me but what do I know.

I'm having the same problems listed above with CBS-HS (225). Last night (abotu 6:00) I tried to watch it and it was studdering every 2-3 sdeconds and there was no audio. All other channels were working fine.

I have also been having a lot of problems with my 8300 HD-DVR box rebooting for no apparent reason lately. Has anyone else experienced this? Has there been an firmware update or something lately that is causing this? It probably happens 1-2 times a week when I am chaning channels, browsing the guide, and one time it happened when I wasn't even touching the remote.

Yes, my 8300 has been rebooting a couple times a week as well.

Time for a TWC rant. I decided to redesign my room today and unplugged all my Plasma / Explorer 8300HD cables. After finishing I plugged everything back as it was before and for some reason my HDMI and Component connections would not display any 720p formats (HDMI was blank as if the TV was off and Component was a colorful snow). I have no idea as to why this is. So I call TWC and talk to their local on call HD "expert". He tells me that HDMI is not active any I never really was getting it in the first place. I mean... give me a brake. I have two other TVs that have HDMI connections and they work perfectly! Now I'm going to have to wait 4 day until a HD "expert" can come to my place to try and fix this issue. Man does this burn my skin.

Try unplugging the component cables and using hdmi only. Then reboot the box and see if that works...

Originally posted by dvdguru
Try unplugging the component cables and using hdmi only. Then reboot the box and see if that works...

No luck. I get sound but no picture through HDMI. This is very strange. As I said... if I use only the component cables I get a scrambled picture and if I use only the HDMI cables I get no picture at all. Crazy stuff!

Well, I guess I will have to shut down the 720p format and have it go to 1080i so I can watch those channels. I still find it weird that I can not get that format to display when my TV does support it. Oh well....

I'm sure the highly trained TWC "expert" will be able to help you.

Did anyone else experience video difficulties with the 5/12 episode of ER? The first half of the recording had sound but no picture except for a few commercials. Everything was OK with the last 20 minutes or so of the recording. I just wondered if it was a broadcast problem or just a glitch by my 8300 DVR.

Originally posted by Bookworm
Did anyone else experience video difficulties with the 5/12 episode of ER? The first half of the recording had sound but no picture except for a few commercials. Everything was OK with the last 20 minutes or so of the recording. I just wondered if it was a broadcast problem or just a glitch by my 8300 DVR.

Had exactly the same problem with the Apprentice on the same night. The local commercials came through fine but no video just audio on the network feed. That was only on the digital channel, the analog channel was fine. That was also the night we had a bad thunderstorm so I wondered at the time if........

Thanks for the confirmation. At least we got enough of the show to see what happened with "Dr. Carter".

anyone else's DVR only record the first minute of the CSI finale????
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Yea, Jeff Small's in Myrtle Beach, see the Columbia thread..

Anyone else have no voice audio for CSI Miami on CBS?

Dilworth area Charlotte

I did not have voices in CSI Miami for most of the show. The surround worked fine, the center voices were very soft.

Anyone else been getting a lot of dropouts on Fox (240) lately? I had about one every 5-10 minutes last night during the finale of 24.... annoying ones where the picture freezes up and I lose audio for 5 secons or longer. It has been doing this for a while now. Anyone else experience this? I am wondering if it is a problem with Fox, Time Warner, or my box (8300). I was watching off teh hard drive.

Thanks.

I have seen it on TWC using my Mits DLP Integrated set. I have not seen any problems OTA,
and have reported this to the guys at TWC.

Thanks Bob... Hopefullt TWC will try to fix the problem. It gets really annoying sometimes when the audio drops out at crucial times. Other than a few rare occurences, I haven't noticed it on other channels.

I've looked at the WCCB stream here with an analyzer, all seems fine at this time.

Anyone else been getting a lot of dropouts on Fox (240) lately? I had about one every 5-10 minutes last night during the finale of 24.... annoying ones where the picture freezes up and I lose audio for 5 secons or longer. It has been doing this for a while now. Anyone else experience this? I am wondering if it is a problem with Fox, Time Warner, or my box (8300). I was watching off teh hard drive.

Thanks.

Yes, but it's not just FOX. ABC also "gives" me a lot of dropouts on my 8300. It's so frustrating because it always seems to happen at an important plot point. They're so frequent that there must be problem somewhere.

Spoke with TWC yesterday, we're both looking into the problems.

Yes, but it's not just FOX. ABC also "gives" me a lot of dropouts on my 8300. It's so frustrating because it always seems to happen at an important plot point. They're so frequent that there must be problem somewhere.

I haven't noticed it at all on ABC. I watched the entire 2 hour finale of Lost last night with no dropouts.

Anyone heard anything about TWC getting ESPN2HD and ESPNU anytime soon?

Anyone heard anything about TWC getting ESPN2HD and ESPNU anytime soon?

Yeah, but then they heard they'd have to show Gamecock games so they dropped the idea. :)

That's a cheap shot, but a good one. At least the Gamecock baseball team doesn't run away and hide from hard teams like the Tarheels do. And by the way, I know you guys won the National Championship this year, so no need to respond with it. Just want to see some good ol' College Baseball World Series before 2010.

T I know you guys won the National Championship this year, so no need to respond with it. .

yea..and look how many turned pro..guess the alumni couldn't come up with enough cash and perks to keep them thru graduation :D .. :p

Guess they weren't there for the education after all.. :(

OK, a couple of questions. I haven't bought a HDTV yet. I'm looking at probably a Samsung or Mitsubishi with the HDTV decoder built in and also a cable card slot.

three questions:

1. I have Basic (NOT DIGITAL)TWC/Roadrunner (no set top boxes). I don't have any premium packages such as Showtime/HBO, etc. Will I be able to just plug the cable into the TV and receive the non-premium HD stations in HD?

2. If I rent the cable card and put it in what will it add if anything??

3. I'm not ready to buy/rent a DVR. Will I be able to watch one station and record another with my VCR simultanelusly?

Thanks in advance.

Stacey:

I can answer your third questions for you, from my personal experience.

While you will still be able to watch one show and tape another with your VCR, you won't be able to tape a Hi-Definition show in Hi-Definition. The recorded show will be in standard Definition, with the resulting degradation in picture quality. It was well worth the monthly expense, at least for me, to obtain TWC's HDTV DVR, in order to record Hi-Definition programming and later watch it in the format for which it was intended to be seen.

Good luck to you in joining the great world of HDTV!

OK, a couple of questions. I haven't bought a HDTV yet. I'm looking at probably a Samsung or Mitsubishi with the HDTV decoder built in and also a cable card slot.

three questions:

1. I have Basic (NOT DIGITAL)TWC/Roadrunner (no set top boxes). I don't have any premium packages such as Showtime/HBO, etc. Will I be able to just plug the cable into the TV and receive the non-premium HD stations in HD?
You should be able to receive the 6 networks, TNT-HD, and possibly Discovery HD (I cannot remember if that channel is now encrypted).
2. If I rent the cable card and put it in what will it add if anything??
Since you do not subscribe to digital cable, it will net you nothing at all. If you eventually sub to digital cable, you will be able to receive the digital channels, Discovery HD (if it is encrypted), and any movie channels, again, should you decide to subscribe to them in the future.
3. I'm not ready to buy/rent a DVR. Will I be able to watch one station and record another with my VCR simultanelusly?
Absolutely! You will be able to record any SD analog channel on the VCR, and watch any analog or network/unencrypted HD channel on the TV.

If you plan on purchasing a TV without CableCard but still intend to receive the network HD's off of cable, make sure the television's tuner handles both ATSC (Over the air) and QAM (Cable).

You should be able to receive the 6 networks, TNT-HD, and possibly Discovery HD (I cannot remember if that channel is now encrypted).





What are the "6 networks" ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX.......what else?

What are the "6 networks" ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX.......what else?
Sorry about the later reply, but those four plus WB and UPN.

So I'm going to have to subscribe to digital cable with the Hi def package to get ESPN's hi def correct?

So I'm going to have to subscribe to digital cable with the Hi def package to get ESPN's hi def correct?

That is correct.

Hey fellas, I just moved to the area and DirectV can't get a signal here (too many treees). What package do you guys get and roughly how much per month do you spend. Many thanks in advance fellas.

Stacey:

I can answer your third questions for you, from my personal experience.

While you will still be able to watch one show and tape another with your VCR, you won't be able to tape a Hi-Definition show in Hi-Definition. The recorded show will be in standard Definition, with the resulting degradation in picture quality. It was well worth the monthly expense, at least for me, to obtain TWC's HDTV DVR, in order to record Hi-Definition programming and later watch it in the format for which it was intended to be seen.

Good luck to you in joining the great world of HDTV!


TWC has a HDTV DVR??

TWC has a HDTV DVR??

Here in Charlotte, TWC has the Scientific Atlanta Model 8300 HDTV DVR. And it works pretty well.

Hey fellas, I just moved to the area and DirectV can't get a signal here (too many treees). What package do you guys get and roughly how much per month do you spend. Many thanks in advance fellas.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/charlotte/customer/1653price.html

There's the list of packages and prices for Charlotte...maybe a tad on the expensive side, but I think they are fairly reasonable (depending on what you want).

Since I was a DirectV customer, I'm getting the HDTV package, sports pack, and digital cable on my upstairs TV, plus a HDTV DVR for 50 bucks a month. Kinda glad DTV couldn't find a signal. All I need is for them to start carrying CSTV and I'll be cool.

Does anyone know the when/if the local news stations here in charlotte will broadcast in HD? Do they have a strategy of slowly replacing gear with HD to limit the financial impact?

Just got the cable. HD is pretty nice, SD looks really ****** compared to DTV. Oh well, I'll live!

TWC has a HDTV DVR??


Too bad you didn't have one of those in Memphis... You could have recorded D-Wash missing the last two free throw of the CUSA Tournament. You could replay it again and again in beautiful high definition. Maybe you could even slow it down and pinpoint the instant when his heart breaks as he becomes single handedly responsible for sending the Tiggers to the Not Included Tournament.








I kid, I kid. Good luck to the Tigers in the new CUSA... They should do well. And welcome to Charlotte. :D

Does anyone know the when/if the local news stations here in charlotte will broadcast in HD? Do they have a strategy of slowly replacing gear with HD to limit the financial impact?

About the time Hell freezes over, I'd say. ;) But with global warming 'n all, that may come sooner rather than later! :p

Anybody know why WSOC is showing Days of Thunder tonight instead of PatchAdams in HD. Patch is the Network offering. Is there something offensive about Patch Adams?

Anybody know why WSOC is showing Days of Thunder tonight instead of PatchAdams in HD. Patch is the Network offering. Is there something offensive about Patch Adams?


I have no idea. Maybe they thought that Days of Thunder would get a better audience with all of the recent hype about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. That's just a guess. :D

Looks like Comporium in Rock Hill is adding ESPNU on June 23rd (may be off on date by a few days). Isn't it sad that TWC can't get off their butts and offer us more than little old Comporium!!!

Get with it TWC - you are quickly losing customers to D* and others due to delay in adding new channels! (NFL Network, ESPNU, ESPN2HD, BravoHD/UniversalHD, etc...)

Can anybody tell me if Noggin is an encrypted digital channel?

It is - All of the digital channels (with the exception of broadcast networks) are encrypted.

Get with it TWC - you are quickly losing customers to D* and others due to delay in adding new channels! (NFL Network, ESPNU, ESPN2HD, BravoHD/UniversalHD, etc...)

The lack of UHD (Universal-HD, formerly Bravo-HD) is the most glaring omission from TWC's lineup in my opinion. I have no idea why they haven't added this channel yet; missed the HD presentation of this year's best new series, Battlestar Galactica, because of their endless delay in adding this channel that D* and other cable companies have had for months. :mad:

The other one I'd love to see added is Cinemax-HD. But I'm not holding my breath. What is with these people? :confused:

Cinemax-HD I think is the real surprise considering that Time Warner owns it. No negotiations or carriage rights involved here, just an unwillingness to deliver it to customers.

I'd rather have Starz-HD and UHD ahead of Cinemax-HD of course, but I can also understand the delay with those channels in regards to cost and broader rights issues. Not sure where ESPN2-HD fits in. You would think TWC already has an agreement to deliver the Duece after last years lengthy negotiations.

Hey all, PLease excuse my simplistic questions but here goes. I took the plunge this past weekend and am now the owner of a HDTV and got TIme Warner's HD Cable package. Generally, I've been blown away by the picture and even my wife is no longer questioning why I had to spend so much on a TV. That being said, I was wondering what poor signal quality looked like. At times the picture freezes up, goes black then restarts, or the entire picture becomes very blocky. I'm assuming this is a signal strength problem, but when the cable contractor was out here he said the signal was fine. Oh, and it case it makes and difference I have the SA 3100 HD output over component cables. Thanks for the help.

Yeah, have them come out for a service call as mine doesn't do that. Mine used to do that and they had to come out and mess with the amp/lines, etc. And check out the hd dvr as you'll never want to live without it after using it ;)

Hey all, PLease excuse my simplistic questions but here goes. I took the plunge this past weekend and am now the owner of a HDTV and got TIme Warner's HD Cable package. Generally, I've been blown away by the picture and even my wife is no longer questioning why I had to spend so much on a TV. That being said, I was wondering what poor signal quality looked like. At times the picture freezes up, goes black then restarts, or the entire picture becomes very blocky. I'm assuming this is a signal strength problem, but when the cable contractor was out here he said the signal was fine. Oh, and it case it makes and difference I have the SA 3100 HD output over component cables. Thanks for the help.


The box can cause the freeze ups and can totally lock up and become non-responsive at times. I had that box (3 of them in fact) and they all had problems. I upgraded to the SA 8300HD for a few more dollars a month and got the ability to record with this box. Problems have been minimal with this box and the picture quality is better in my opinion. If I remember correctly, the box you have is a monster also. The 8300 is much smaller. When you start the box up what kind of splash screen do you get? Does it say anything about Pioneer? Back when TW was still using the Pioneer boxes they were also running the Pioneer software on them. My 8300 appears to be using this same software which in my opinion is a big part of what makes the difference in picture quality and lock ups. I found the other unit to have a softer, almost blurry picture compared to the 8300. Also, they told me my lines were fine two or three times back when I first got digital cable. It took 4 or 5 calls to finally get someone to take a close look and realize that squirels had destroyed some of the equipment at the pole and it had also taken a lightning strike. They ran all new cable from the pole down to the house and I never had another problem with digital cable. Then came HD. The only problem here has been the boxes and the software. Also TW's lack of knowledge on how to troubleshoot problems with both. Bottom line if you ask me, get the 8300HD box and leave it on all the time. Don't power it down, just leave the power on but turn your display device off. This will also decrease chances of the box locking up. Good luck.

Looks like the last post on Firewire on the 8300 was back in January. Is this still disabled on the 8300?

If so I guess it's safe to say that it won't ever be turned on. Just on the 3250...

Looks like the last post on Firewire on the 8300 was back in January. Is this still disabled on the 8300?

If so I guess it's safe to say that it won't ever be turned on. Just on the 3250...


I just read this over in the HDTV hardware forum.

I actually asked a contact at TWC about this. He is in a position to be fully aware of these rules too. He said that as of today, if a customer wants 1394, he's got SA 3250HD boxes available for them.... After July 1, all set-tops manufactured do need both and that they'll be receiving compliant boxes in mid-July.

I read on the forum a couple months ago that TWC was planning to rollout a full digital simulcast of their analog channels. Their goal was to have ½ of total subscribers totally digital by years end. I think this was in conjunction with the rollout of switched video. Does anyone know the timeline/plans for TW Charlotte?

I just read this over in the HDTV hardware forum.

I actually asked a contact at TWC about this. He is in a position to be fully aware of these rules too. He said that as of today, if a customer wants 1394, he's got SA 3250HD boxes available for them.... After July 1, all set-tops manufactured do need both and that they'll be receiving compliant boxes in mid-July.

This is good news. My 8300 has been acting up. Sounds like it's almost trade in time.

Per the below link to TWC in Raleigh, they've gone digital on their analog channels. Hopefully we'll be next.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nc/customer/dvrnotice.html

SWEET! Hope this gets to us soon as this will really improve pic quality.

SWEET! Hope this gets to us soon as this will really improve pic quality.


Yeah, because those low channels look like total crap right now. I want to trade in my SA8300HD PVR for a new one with the compliant DVI, HDMI and firewire but I hate to lose all of my IMAX movies from INHD. :(

There are more HD channels in the works BUT they're all held up due to carriage agreements, etc. Hopefully soon we'll get some new hd along with the digital channels. I hardly watch the analog channels now so this will really be a boost for TWC. Not to mention the satellite tv commercials won't be able to claim that cable doesn't have all digital much longer ;)

There are more HD channels in the works BUT they're all held up due to carriage agreements, etc. Hopefully soon we'll get some new hd along with the digital channels. I hardly watch the analog channels now so this will really be a boost for TWC. Not to mention the satellite tv commercials won't be able to claim that cable doesn't have all digital much longer ;)


I don't know how you guys feel about it but I think that people like ourselves should be among the very first to get this new digital service. If they do it in stages then I think those of us who keep TW running every month with our HUGE cable bills should be first. I'm sure that's not how it will work but you can always hope. :rolleyes:

Sounds good to me :) The only real problem I have now with cable is the discovery channel 280 still pulses and has been for around 3 years now. Other than that my hdmi works, the hd dvr works, etc. I just want that external sata box that gives us more harddrive storage and I'd be content. All this stuff is coming of course it's just the wait we early adopters endure that sucks lol

I've often thought "it must be nice to be a johnny come lately guy who just got hd for the first time and takes all these advances for granted or probably doesn't even care"

Sounds good to me :) The only real problem I have now with cable is the discovery channel 280 still pulses and has been for around 3 years now. Other than that my hdmi works, the hd dvr works, etc. I just want that external sata box that gives us more harddrive storage and I'd be content. All this stuff is coming of course it's just the wait we early adopters endure that sucks lol

I've often thought "it must be nice to be a johnny come lately guy who just got hd for the first time and takes all these advances for granted or probably doesn't even care"


Hey, is your 8300 box one that you have had for a while or did you trade it out recently for the HDMI capability? I guess what I'm asking is, have you had the box a while and the HDMI just started working or did you have to trade your box to get it?

I've had the sa8300 hd dvr since the week it came out. I think I got it in dec 04. hdmi worked from day one...

The only real problem I have now with cable is the discovery channel 280 still pulses and has been for around 3 years now.
I thought it was my imagination but I've noticed that as well.

Yep - I have the pulsing problem on Discovery as well. It is sufficiently distracting so as to prevent me watching much of what the channel has to offer. Some shows aren't as bad as others but shows such as Sunrise Earth are totally spoiled by the pulsing.

I was told a while ago that Time Warner was aware of the problem. They clearly aren't making much of an effort to fix it though :(

Oh - and as for South Carolina getting their digital simulcast, they are also ahead of us on getting interactive television. I'm looking forward to both of these technologies appearing soon in our area but I'm not holding my breath.

Sounds good to me :) I just want that external sata box that gives us more harddrive storage and I'd be content. All this stuff is coming of course it's just the wait we early adopters endure that sucks lol


I wouldn't hold my breath on that external SATA hard drive. It only works with the native SARA (Scientific Atlanta) software and our local TWC uses Passport. To my knowledge, there is not a single Passport system nationwide that's managed to implement support for external drives.

That being said, I sure hope Charlotte is the first! We're supposed to have the main TWC research lab right here in town, after all. :rolleyes:

But who knows? It's impossible (at least to this customer) to get any real information on their future plans from TWC. If anyone here knows anything substantial on this issue, please post!

Other issues that inquiring minds want to know about are:
1) Will TWC start issuing SA8300 boxes with active firewire (IEEE1394) connections per FCC mandate (as of July 1st, supposedly)? And will that firewire connection allow HD content to offload to D-VHS decks like the SA3250 does, for the most part (most copy-once flagged channels except HBO)?
2) Will TWC add the UHD channel, or Cinemax-HD, or Starz-HD?

I had waited until I "thought" that HDTV broadcasts had become more of a mature technology and purchased a HDTV last week. I have learned a lot from this thread about HDTV in our area as well as other areas and had no idea that it is not as mature as I thought. For example, I turned to Lost tonight and found that it was showing in upconverted(?) SD on the WSOC HD channel. I called the station and spoke with whoever answered and three minutes later it flipped over to HD (around 20 mins into the progam). I can not believe I am the only one who called .

Are things really still this bad or was this just an isolated incident?

Also, out of curiosity, are the local newscasts still done in SD and then upconverted to HD? They look much better than on the SD channel, I assume that is beacuse their equipment to upconvert the signal is much better than what I have in my TV.

Again, thanks for all of the info, you guys are a great resource.

Also, out of curiosity, are the local newscasts still done in SD and then upconverted to HD? They look much better than on the SD channel, I assume that is beacuse their equipment to upconvert the signal is much better than what I have in my TV.


The local newscasts are shot and broadcast in 480i SD, not upconverted to HD resolutions. The digital signal looks better to you because it's "clean", i.e. without analog noise.

For example, I turned to Lost tonight and found that it was showing in upconverted(?) SD on the WSOC HD channel. I called the station and spoke with whoever answered and three minutes later it flipped over to HD (around 20 mins into the progam). I can not believe I am the only one who called .

Are things really still this bad or was this just an isolated incident?
So it was you that called? ;) This kind of thing happens quite often usually after the local news cut-ins when they switch to their local feed and sometimes forget to switch back to the widescreen HD signal.

The local newscasts are shot and broadcast in 480i SD, not upconverted to HD resolutions. The digital signal looks better to you because it's "clean", i.e. without analog noise.

The HD channels I get are allways in HD no matter what is being broadcast at the time (commercials, news, shows not in HD). When I say in HD, I mean that my tv shows them as either 1080i or 720p depending on which network (I hit the display button on the remote and it shows the current resolution). Is that my cable company (I actually have Charter as I am in Catawba County) or the network changing the 480i SD to the HD resolution? Or, maybe I am just confused...

The HD channels I get are allways in HD no matter what is being broadcast at the time (commercials, news, shows not in HD). When I say in HD, I mean that my tv shows them as either 1080i or 720p depending on which network (I hit the display button on the remote and it shows the current resolution). Is that my cable company (I actually have Charter as I am in Catawba County) or the network changing the 480i SD to the HD resolution? Or, maybe I am just confused...

Your cable converter box is upconverting the signal to your TV set's native resolution, most likely. That would apply to the component or digital connections. Composite connections (RCA or S-video) will yield a 480i picture. But the show itself is not being broadcast at HD resolutions, which I believe was your initial question. Many folks find that the video image from composite connections (480i "native") actually looks better on their displays than upconverted SD material sent to the set via component.

Has anyone been experiencing channel 235 (ABC) bouncing slightly over the past few days? It is not occurring on the analog channel.

A little off the current topic, but is anybody else getting annoyed with the HD-PPV channel? I mean, why bother with this channel if they just keep the same 4 Imax movies on it.

A little off the current topic, but is anybody else getting annoyed with the HD-PPV channel? I mean, why bother with this channel if they just keep the same 4 Imax movies on it.


Yeah... I was excited when I heard it was coming, but I have yet to find anything worth ordering on it.

Can someone tell me what is the latest HD cable box (non-DVR) Time Warner Cable Charlotte is using. Thanks!

Can someone tell me what is the latest HD cable box (non-DVR) Time Warner Cable Charlotte is using. Thanks!

The SA3250HD. This box can be obtained with a working firewire port for D-VHS archive, although I'm apparently the only person in the entire Charlotte TWC area who is using one for that purpose - amazing! I now have close to 30 HD movies and concerts archived, and would have more if the broadcast flag had not been erroneously applied to HBO-HD (TWC is non-responsive in terms of straightening this problem out. Guess they don't want to go to the trouble for just one guy.). But the other channels flagged "copy once" all work fine; that's where I've taped the majority of my HD stuff. Channels flagged "copy freely" (all local digital stations) do not play nicely with firewire, however.

Still, I don't understand why more savvy A/V enthusiasts in this area are not doing this. :confused:

The SA3250HD. This box can be obtained with a working firewire port for D-VHS archive, although I'm apparently the only person in the entire Charlotte TWC area who is using one for that purpose - amazing! I now have close to 30 HD movies and concerts archived, and would have more if the broadcast flag had not been erroneously applied to HBO-HD (TWC is non-responsive in terms of straightening this problem out. Guess they don't want to go to the trouble for just one guy.). But the other channels flagged "copy once" all work fine; that's where I've taped the majority of my HD stuff. Channels flagged "copy freely" (all local digital stations) do not play nicely with firewire, however.

Still, I don't understand why more savvy A/V enthusiasts in this area are not doing this. :confused:

Thanks for the response. One other question for the forum. Has anyone tried the CableCard and is there a noticable improvement in the HD picture over a STB? Thanks!

Our SPlicer is quite ill due to issues beyond our control. We'll do our best to pass any HD this weekend, but no guarantees..

Anybody on this thread have a plasma and use a cable card? How is the SD picture? Are you using a VCR or a DVR? how are you recording another channel since the cable goes directly into the TV when using a cable card?

I can't comment on the PQ, but to record another channel, a splitter is going to be your best option.

anybody with a cable card and plasma out there?

Thanks for the response. One other question for the forum. Has anyone tried the CableCard and is there a noticable improvement in the HD picture over a STB? Thanks!

Noticable, yes.
Significant, I don't think so, but for 2 bucks I am keeping mine.

ybsane: I think that you are misguided, but you definitely have access to inside info. The question concerned when the locals will broadcast HD. TWC has nothing to do with that decision.

Is there a retail outlet in Charlotte that curently has a TWC digital feed to HDTV hooked up?

Is there a retail outlet in Charlotte that curently has a TWC digital feed to HDTV hooked up?

Queen City Tv on Independence Blvd..I was there today, they have both DuhwreckedTv and TWC..

Can any TWC HD subscribers please tell me if I should bother getting a DVI-HDMI cable for use with the SA3250HD DVR box? Is the PQ any better than component?

Can any TWC HD subscribers please tell me if I should bother getting a DVI-HDMI cable for use with the SA3250HD DVR box? Is the PQ any better than component?

Not if you're using a CRT (direct view or RPTV) television. If you're watching on a fixed-pixel display (plasma, LCD, DLP), then you may see a slight improvement.

Our SPlicer is quite ill due to issues beyond our control. We'll do our best to pass any HD this weekend, but no guarantees..

Bob,

I noticed on NFL.com and hdsportsguide.com that the Panthers game Saturday night will be shot in HD; aired in DC on WUSA and NFL Network Monday. Will it be shown locally here in Charlotte in HD.

Bob,

I noticed on NFL.com and hdsportsguide.com that the Panthers game Saturday night will be shot in HD; aired in DC on WUSA and NFL Network Monday. Will it be shown locally here in Charlotte in HD.

Nope, it is not being produced in HD for this market, only for Washington. WCCB has nothing to do with the production of the game. Production of the preseason games is contracted out by the Panthers to JPSports, who do not have any HD production facilities at this time. :(

If it were produced in HD for this market, WCCB (or WOLO) could and WOULD air the game in HD, as we have the facilities to do so. Same as we did for the 2004
Allstar Game, it's not a big deal.

Nope, it is not being produced in HD for this market, only for Washington. WCCB has nothing to do with the production of the game. Production of the preseason games is contracted out by the Panthers to JPSports, who do not have any HD production facilities at this time. :(

I know WCCB is not involved but this kind of stuff just drives me crazy. :mad:

Hey, and I've been working on HD since 1997................

I knew about all the work at the stadium with the tv's and all..we already have two ipitek
feeds from there with one going to..haven't heard on anything else..

WUSA was using NEP's Supershooter ND26 or 27 (I can't remember). It is the Monday Night Football truck. JP-2 looked kinda puny sitting next to it...

I was too busy to take any pictures.

I noticed a couple of things. All their cameras were on Triax even though they have Fiber running to each camera location. I guess I am used to seeing the NEP's NASCAR trucks where they typically use all Fiber.

The other cool thing I noticed was inside the truck. I had to go in to ask for an effects feed. The A-1 has photos of Al, John and Michelle as labels for their pots on the mixer...

t123

I watched the Washington HD feed here at home, it looked ok but not great, and I'd say that it probably wasn't the MNF crew either. I was a bit disappointed that they were running 1080i at 15mb/s,which is a bit low for a contribution feed. Plus, the audio mix was only stereo, and not very wide at that.
I heard that all the new hdtv's in the stadium had the "stretched" analog picture on them..

Bob...

The regular A-1 for Monday Night Football was mixing the game for WUSA. I bet you know him. His name is Wendell. Don't know his last name.

FOX and CBS have a Parabolic Sub-Mixer stationed in the booth. ABC mixes Effects in a small trailer outside the stadium. That truck wasn't in Charlotte. I guess that had something to do with the lack of surround sound. I did see the Dolby Encoders in the truck though...

The Widescreen monitors I saw around the stadium had the regular 'Panthervision' feed on them with the score and time on black bars on the side and bottom. It did seem to be framed 4:3. In the Panthervision control room they had two of those monitors, one with the Panthervision feed and the other with the 'FOX Charlotte' Radar...

t123

That would be wendell stevens..there was no 5.1 on the bird, only pro-logic that I recall.
Video was "ok"

They get wx radar via full-time fiber feed courtesy of Time-Warner Telecom..

Thanks for the info Harrill..I still have a hd rx for your radio if you want..

I see in my tivo guide that the Redskins-Steelers national HD game will be delayed until 11:30 due to the Panthers game. I don't suppose the game will still be broadcasted in HD at 11:30 will it?

I see in my tivo guide that the Redskins-Steelers national HD game will be delayed until 11:30 due to the Panthers game. I don't suppose the game will still be broadcasted in HD at 11:30 will it?

Nope..It won't..we don't have the facilities (cost exceeds return on investment)
to delay the HD as well as the SD broadcast. To do so is a bit more complex from an operational standpoint than you'd think.

We wanted to air the FOX game in HD on WCCB-DT 18.1, and the Panthers game on WCCB-TV 18.0... However FOX said "No way Jose!" :(

Bob - any idea when you'll be able to bring us the Panthers pre-season games in HD? Maybe a little prodding JPSports?? Anyone with NFL-HD can watch it in HD a few days later but it would be nice to see it live. Seems like a lot of teams are having their local carrier put their game up in HD this year.

Thanks

"We" (WCCB/WOLO/WBBJ/WAKA) could do it today and have the facilities to do so.

However, we have NOTHING to do with the production of the preseason games, that's all handle by the Panthers directly. If they had wanted the game in produced in HD, they could have contracted with any of the companies that have HD production facilities. However,
cost for HD production is at least double that of SD, and most of the other stations that take these games cannot handle Wild HD feeds at this point in time.

Couple questions-
I just moved from Raleigh to Charlotte... I'm a TWC customer.

1. When is ESPN2HD going to be available?

2. How about the NFL Network?

3. Any local news going to be broadcast in HD? (WRAL in Raleigh is, why aren't any other stations available?)

Per the below link to TWC in Raleigh, they've gone digital on their analog channels. Hopefully we'll be next.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nc/customer/dvrnotice.html

Does anyone have a timeframe from TWC for the switch to all-digital? I've contemplated dropping TWC for D* since the picture quality is noticeably bad on the analog channels. Plus, with MPEG-4 going up on their new satellites, how long before TWC is really behind in image quality? That said, I've not had the bad customer service experiences others have had. The "installers" leave a lot to be desired, but I'm guessing D* will be about the same. If TWC goes all digital by the end of the year or first quarter 2006, I'll stay with cable. How can Raleigh go first and Charlotte is so far behind?

channels.... 83-8,83-9,96-7,96-13,100-6,101-1,101-2,114-22.

I checked myTime Warner Cable on screen schedule for this Sunday and I didn't see anything about the NC State/VT game. WTF???


It should be on ESPNHD, instead they got MLB.


Help!

The game is on ESPN2, and it will be in HD for those who receive ESPN2-HD.

I'm going to shoot myself. There is a sh*t load of VT and State Alumni in Charlotte. Why in the hell are they showing baseball instead?

I'm going to shoot myself. There is a sh*t load of VT and State Alumni in Charlotte. Why in the hell are they showing baseball instead?

Save the bullet. The game is on ESPN2, NOT ESPN HD. Party on.

Dave
VT Class of 63

Hey Bob, where's the HD for Prison Break? It's been on for 15 minutes already in SD...

Hmmm..we have no control over that..looking at it..that is all under control of FOX, not us..

I'm going to shoot myself. There is a sh*t load of VT and State Alumni in Charlotte. Why in the hell are they showing baseball instead?

It's a conspiracy.. :D

Ok thanks, I'll keep checking PIP to see if the HD shows up.

FOX TOC looking into the issue, sorry for the problem..

That was quick, thanks Bob! I just checked the hd programming section and it is in HD elsewhere so it must be something local. The show looks pretty cool so far...

Cool, the 2nd episode is now on in HD and pq looks quite good.

Id like to see the analog channels go to digital as well. However, I have been waiting for a fix for Discovery HD now for years for the "pulsing" problem. So I dont think its gonna happen anytime soon.

As a matter of fact, if you look closely at other channels, it seems to have spread. One of the inhd channels does it (forgot which), channel 201 does it from time to time. Some non-hd channels do it as well on Cinemax and showtime. They do not do it as bad Discovery HD, but nonetheless its still there.

I have also noticed lately that Im seeing a lot more false contouring artifacts on the movie channels. What gives? Not at home during the day, so I cant say it happens all the time. I am seeing this on several sets in my house. At first I thought it was my DLP projector, but I see it on 2 other CRT tv's as well.

OF course, I could easily look the other way if we had the NFL network... hehe

MovieMan

I have had a CableCard in my Mitsu 62725 for 8 months as a back up to my SA 8300. It has worked with mixed results, but now I am looking at buying another HDTV. I do not want to pony up for a third DVR or even set top box. Has anyone gotten a TV Guide equipped set to work successfully using a CableCard?

Is WBTV's HD feed stretched via TWC on their non-primetime programming? They just started stretching everything on 3-1 OTA and it looks like crap.

nah..I have mentioned this repaetedly to my contact at TWC. who does see the problem..but it still persists..

HINT: you see the same "pulsing" in FOX OTA at times..correlation? ...Terayon...

Let me know.. I have a LG3510 and Mits tv that tune QAM's..

Hi there. Newbie to HDTV here. I had my DirecTV HR10-250 installed today, along with an OTA antenna. Everything was going fine, receiving all major networks OTA, until the Panthers-Steelers game started. At that point I lost all the Fox OTA signals.

I am still getting CBS, NBC, ABC, WB, UPN, etc.

Any thoughts?

looks fine here at my house...OTA via Sony SAT-HD300...

nothing changed with us for the game..

Must just be my signal. I am getting all other major Charlotte locals with no trouble.
Got any suggestions for boosting the Fox signal or on how to re-acquire it?

Is WBTV's HD feed stretched via TWC on their non-primetime programming? They just started stretching everything on 3-1 OTA and it looks like crap.


I noticed that too. Too bad. I've watched their local news since I can remember. Not now. I hate streched SD.

Got any suggestions for boosting the Fox signal or on how to re-acquire it?

Need to know where you are, and what model receiver and antenna you are using..

Must just be my signal. I am getting all other major Charlotte locals with no trouble.
Got any suggestions for boosting the Fox signal or on how to re-acquire it?

Welcome to the forum barneshome.

For future reference, Charlotte has a separate thread specifically for Over The Air (OTA) issues here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=486246

This thread is for Time Warner cable discussion.

Cpanther95-
Odd question but here I go-

If enough people call TWC Charlotte and request the NC State/VT game switch from ESPN2 to ESPNHD they would do it?

The game is in HD, but is broadcasting on ESPN2HD. MLB will be broadcast on ESPNHD.

???

TWC has absolutely nothing to do with what ESPN carries on which channel. Call ESPN not TWC.

Hugh

Even if that were a possibility (which it is not) - that's exactly the kind of programming leverage that ESPN (or any network) wants to have to encourage carriage.

ESPN's response would surely be that the solution is simple - carry and pay for ESPN2HD, and your problem is solved.

Hey- what do you know about TBS HD? I was watching Sports Center and they had Braves highlights in HD (with the TBS logo on the screen).