I don't suppose she knew about the FCC mandate.... ;) I mean, since they've disabled them on the SA3250's as well, they currently don't offer any box with working firewire so, technically, they're breaking the law. I would have liked to have asked her that...

There was an FCC mandate and the IEEE 1394 ports are hot on boxes that carry it. Likewise we are required to have those boxes should a customer request it. (It was my understanding this applied to ALL cable companies, so I don't know how TWC is handling it)

However there are some caveats... the RIAA and the MPAA have required that there be some level of encryption - as such sometimes you may have to find special drivers or have equipment that can handle the encryption. Furthermore some boxes (like the Motorola Moxi BMC9012) will not give a menu / interface screen, only the channel output.

We are required to have it and have it turned on, however we are not required to make sure it works with anything that has a firewire port or support Firewire based devices... as such it's going to be a fight to make it happen. I remember reading there was some sort of driver or something that will pull firewire from DCTs to a computer, your box might be similar.

I've noticed similar with DVI and HDMI - if you have a receiver that does not pass through the encryption to your TV or a TV that doesn't work with the encryption - you won't get a picture.

CableCos are at the mercy of the content provider and their copyright associations. - So far they are winning the war to prevent *digital* copying from Cable (and Sat) boxes and they don't seem to care if it causes incompatibility with some equipment. The analog ports on the other hand are wide open... especially because no one has RCA jacks on their TV that support decryption!

James, appreciate the reply, but first off, you're not a TWC guy and we're talking about TWC here in this thread; Charter may have entirely different policies and protocols. I can say with authority that the firewire ports on the SA3250 and SA8300 do not work. They have been disabled since an update to Passport round about August or September of last year. And even when they were active on the SA3250 STB (the two years prior), there were 5C encryption settings that were incorrect, resulting in only a few of the channels that should have been available thru firewire actually being so (half the channels flagged "Copy Once" and none of the local HD channels flagged "Copy Freely" were ever available thru firewire). This was an easy fix, documented here on AVS, yet I could never persuade TWC here to even look at the problem. They were profoundly disinterested, FCC "mandate" or not; they just didn't care, and even told me so at one point.

It would be nice to hear from an engineer at TWC about this issue, but I have found no way to contact them. They keep those guys well insulated (hidden is probably a better term) from public view or contact. I've been trying for 3 years now.

And there is no "analog hole" - there is no consumer-based MPEG encoder out there anywhere that would take the analog HD signal and digitize it on the fly.

I didn't want to press the issue with her because she seemed to be having a hard enough time just helping me with the DVR. Also, she was one of the few TWC employees I have encountered that actually had some personality and was polite. So I cut her some slack. ;)

She wouldn't have known what you were talking about, anyway. It would take an engineer, not a CSR, and as I mentioned in the above post, they don't let their customers anywhere near those guys. :(

She wouldn't have known what you were talking about, anyway. It would take an engineer, not a CSR, and as I mentioned in the above post, they don't let their customers anywhere near those guys. :(

Actually, I did talk to one a few years ago after arguing with the CSR about my reception and repeated service calls. Of course, I did not know at that time that Firewire was even an option so it never came up. The guy gave me his name and number and we did get the signal issues resolved after several trips up the pole and replacement of some hardware up there.

James, appreciate the reply, but first off, you're not a TWC guy and we're talking about TWC here in this thread; Charter may have entirely different policies and protocols. I can say with authority that the firewire ports on the SA3250 and SA8300 do not work. They have been disabled since an update to Passport round about August or September of last year. And even when they were active on the SA3250 STB (the two years prior), there were 5C encryption settings that were incorrect, resulting in only a few of the channels that should have been available thru firewire actually being so (half the channels flagged "Copy Once" and none of the local HD channels flagged "Copy Freely" were ever available thru firewire). This was an easy fix, documented here on AVS, yet I could never persuade TWC here to even look at the problem. They were profoundly disinterested, FCC "mandate" or not; they just didn't care, and even told me so at one point.

It would be nice to hear from an engineer at TWC about this issue, but I have found no way to contact them. They keep those guys well insulated (hidden is probably a better term) from public view or contact. I've been trying for 3 years now.

And there is no "analog hole" - there is no consumer-based MPEG encoder out there anywhere that would take the analog HD signal and digitize it on the fly.

No I'm not a TWC guy, but I am in tech ops in the Charlotte Demographic Marketing Area, we are bound by the same laws and conditions as TWC, so they are required to have ports that work. I'm just offering some insight from my end. Generally that's the point of a forum, to get insight from people who have different experiences and areas of expertise.

While I realize your frustrated there is no need to take that frustration out on me, yes the average customer support person is going to tell you there's nothing the company can do, because as far as they know - that is the case.

Your best bet is to go into a local office and ask for a manager or the manager's phone number. Dealing with the call centers rarely gets you anywhere. Even then you may get simply told that they don't support whatever device your trying to connect to firewire.

As for the Encryption, I'm familiar with that setting, the default setting is set to externally provided - which means if the provider wants to encrypt their content, it will be. If they don't, it won't be. Many premium (HBO, Cinemax, Sports etc) are pushing to encrypt their content more and more. So far we've been lucky and no one's pushed it on us (at this market, at this time) but that's largely because it's still new... I've already been warned it's only going to spread and be used more frequently.

Honest truth, Cable Cos are bound by their providers, though TWC has some extra strength and weakness in that area since Time Warner is a major content provider... (of course it tends on if they deem their Cable Empire to be more profitable than their Digital Rights Management, which I doubt- which is their weakness)

As for your "analog hole" comment, The whole is referring to being able to make a copy. Not a perfect digital copy, but a copy. I've been doing this the low-tech way by getting a video DVD-Burner and copying my shows off of my DVR. A co-worker of mine uses a linux based homebrew dvr that controls a couple of DCT2000s by serial cable.

Yes there's no way to take the Analog HD output and make it digital, but you can either use a capture card to record it or a DVD recorder to go directly to disk. Personally I've done recordings with RCA and S-Video and played them back on my DVD player (HDMI with upconvertion to 1080i) and it's the next best thing to having it on original DVD.

Just pointing out other ways to pull content from a box to a computer friendly format.

Also, you might want to look up the Char/Mec Franchise authority - TWC does have to answer to them. If they are in violation of the FCC mandate on Firewire, I'd report it to them *now* ... before all Franchising gets moved to the state level.

While I realize your frustrated there is no need to take that frustration out on me, yes the average customer support person is going to tell you there's nothing the company can do, because as far as they know - that is the case.



You misunderstood me; I wasn't "taking anything out on you", just pointing out that Charter is not TWC, and explaining what I've been through to someone who can understand it. :) I appreciate your comments, and taking it to the Franchise Authority is not something I had tried yet. Can't hurt to give it a shot.

What I really want at this point is for firewire to be enabled on the SA8300 HD-DVR. That way, I can offload movies I want to keep permanently onto my JVC 40k D-VHS tape deck (incidentally, that device is the only "approved" device for firewire transfer, not computers although some have figured out how to do it). Between my two 8300's and my 500GB expansion drive, I have almost 3/4 of a terabyte of storage. Still not enough. ;)

Yeah, I've dealt with alot of TVs, Video Cameras etc where people see the firewire and never try it and I've had *fun* (not) trying to get DVI to work on equipment that doesn't support the encryption. It's funny how so much documentation talks about using such a device for firewire and how few there are.

I've got firewire on my DVD recorder but I've yet to even attempt it, even though with the DCT boxes I *should* be able to.

I've found (from my own experiences on both side of the fence) that enough pressure on the Franchise Authority can move mountains >:)

I'll see if I can found out from a few lab guys if there's even the possibility of the SA boxes working like that - at least I can find out for you if it's a TWC thing or a SA thing ;)

I've got firewire on my DVD recorder but I've yet to even attempt it, even though with the DCT boxes I *should* be able to.

If all you're doing is downloading SD to a DVD recorder, why would you even want to use firewire? S-Video (composite) is fine for SD. (Unless it's just for the geeky challenge of doing it, which I can totally understand. ;) )

I'll see if I can found out from a few lab guys if there's even the possibility of the SA boxes working like that - at least I can find out for you if it's a TWC thing or a SA thing ;)

Thanks, James! I'd really appreciate that. I'm pretty sure it's a TWC thing since firewire worked, after a fashion, for a couple of years. And then, after the software push last fall, it suddenly was just completely gone, here and nearly everywhere that upgrade was pushed, as far as I can tell. I don't know if it was a deliberate attempt to kill firewire by the content providers and a willing TWC management (the conspiracy theorist in me favors that one), or just an unfortunate byproduct of the software upgrade.

My main room non-HDTV TV is receiving cable through a TWC DVR, but my bedroom HDTV LCD is receiving cable through the wall. My bedroom HDTV LCD is a Sharp LC-32D42U that is receiving both cable and HDTV over the QAM tuner. I want to get an HDTV Tier for my bedroom so I can watch other HD channels (i.e. Discovery HD and ESPN HD) that I'm not receiving through the QAM tuner.

Can I just pick up an HDTV tier at a local TWC office and plug everything in myself or do I have to have someone come out?

(I am familar with all the necessary connections and know that the TV signal is strong enough to receive HDTV)

Can I just pick up an HDTV tier at a local TWC office and plug everything in myself or do I have to have someone come out?

)

thats all i had to do. but it must depend on where you are because some folks on here from charlotte say TWC wouldnt give them the equipment for a self install. they had to schedule a tech to come out and do it for them. while up here in statesville i just picked up the box and did it myself.

My main room non-HDTV TV is receiving cable through a TWC DVR, but my bedroom HDTV LCD is receiving cable through the wall. My bedroom HDTV LCD is a Sharp LC-32D42U that is receiving both cable and HDTV over the QAM tuner. I want to get an HDTV Tier for my bedroom so I can watch other HD channels (i.e. Discovery HD and ESPN HD) that I'm not receiving through the QAM tuner.

Can I just pick up an HDTV tier at a local TWC office and plug everything in myself or do I have to have someone come out?

(I am familar with all the necessary connections and know that the TV signal is strong enough to receive HDTV)

I don't know if you are in the Charlotte area, but if you are just head to Carolina Place Mall and visit the TWC kiosk. They give out boxes there like breath mints.

Northlake Mall will also give you an HD box, picked one up there a few weeks ago with no prob....

I don't know if you are in the Charlotte area, but if you are just head to Carolina Place Mall and visit the TWC kiosk. They give out boxes there like breath mints.

Yeah, that's where I get all of mine. (Of course, I live so close by I could walk there.)

Well, I have an appointment tomorrow morning for a technician to come out and test the line at my house. I'm having problems receiving some of the HD channels. I can't get CBS, HD-Net or HD-NetMovies at all right now. Also my channels hang up when changing them. They are also supposed to be sending out someone to check equipment at the pole so I hope to have my issues resolved soon.

Northlake Mall will also give you an HD box, picked one up there a few weeks ago with no prob....

There is a Time Warner office/kiosk at the Northlake Mall?

There is a Time Warner office/kiosk at the Northlake Mall?
Yep - Its attached to the mall customer service kiosk by the food court.

Yep - Its attached to the mall customer service kiosk by the food court.

I stopped by there yesterday and talked to one of the reps. It happened to be a guy. He told me they have to send someone out and that they couldn't just give me one of the HDTV Tiers. I told him about my setup. We already have a regular standard DVR tier in the main room and that I just want to add an HDTV tier and service to my bedroom. I know the signal is strong enough because I am already getting all the over-the-air HD channels via the internal QAM tuner on my Sharp LC-32D42U.

I may go back today and hopefully get a girl rep.

Did you have any problems? Did you already have HD service and just wanted to add another box?

I stopped by there yesterday and talked to one of the reps. It happened to be a guy. He told me they have to send someone out and that they couldn't just give me one of the HDTV Tiers. I told him about my setup. We already have a regular standard DVR tier in the main room and that I just want to add an HDTV tier and service to my bedroom. I know the signal is strong enough because I am already getting all the over-the-air HD channels via the internal QAM tuner on my Sharp LC-32D42U.

I may go back today and hopefully get a girl rep.

Did you have any problems? Did you already have HD service and just wanted to add another box?
I actually don't live in Charlotte anymore, but I still enjoy following the action there (because I hope to move back - too cold here!).

Anyways, when I was home at the end of December, I was helping out a family member setup their new HDTV, they had no HDTV before, and they wanted to upgrade to the HD DVR. We simply walked in the mall and asked for the HD-DVR (Explorer 8300HD). They had no problem handing over a brand new HD-DVR, and we walked right out of there with the box.

same here, just told them what I wanted and there was no further discussion, they handed over the box and off I went...I did already have HD service though, maybe that made a difference?

Well, my Saturday appointment (8am-12pm) was a no show. Surprise surprise!!! So, I'm still not getting some of my HD channels and some channels hang up when going through the scale. TWC never ceases to amaze me with their lack of customer service and complete disregard for my time. I told the CS rep I spoke with on Saturday (after I knew nobody was coming) that if it was not for Roadrunner then I would not be a TWC customer. I love my internet service and have no problems with it. Cable service is another story. I don't know why I put up with these people. Aside from a mortgage and car payment, TWC gets more of my money each month than anyone else. For that kind of money you would think that they would have a little better service. It's time for some real competition in this market. TWC has gorged on the monopoly of this cable market for far too long. They have grown fat and lazy and I'm tired of it. The little I have seen of satellite programming was not that good so I'm reluctant to throw in the towel just yet but it sure is tempting. :mad:

same here, just told them what I wanted and there was no further discussion, they handed over the box and off I went...I did already have HD service though, maybe that made a difference?

It's supposed to, yes. The idea is not to distribute HD DVR's to households that don't subscribe to any HD channels, just because they'd like a larger HDD. The boxes are otherwise identical.

You misunderstood me; I wasn't "taking anything out on you", just pointing out that Charter is not TWC, and explaining what I've been through to someone who can understand it. :) I appreciate your comments, and taking it to the Franchise Authority is not something I had tried yet. Can't hurt to give it a shot.

What I really want at this point is for firewire to be enabled on the SA8300 HD-DVR. That way, I can offload movies I want to keep permanently onto my JVC 40k D-VHS tape deck (incidentally, that device is the only "approved" device for firewire transfer, not computers although some have figured out how to do it). Between my two 8300's and my 500GB expansion drive, I have almost 3/4 of a terabyte of storage. Still not enough. ;)

Well, finally moved... got everything setup and you're right - firewire doesn't work for me. I don't think it's technically disabled, as the status is labled as "uknown" on my SA3250HD. Either way, I know you care about the SA8300 to a D-VHS, but I care about the SA3250 to a linux DVR (MythTV), and it shouldn't matter either way... all of their boxes should work. Very frustrating.

Anyone getting lots of audio problems for NCAA Tournament games on CBS/WBTV? I keep getting switching back and forth between 5.1 and stereo sound (5-6 times at the start of every commercial break, and sometimes during the games). My receiver makes a little clicking noise every time it switches. Very annoying.

Anyone getting lots of audio problems for NCAA Tournament games on CBS/WBTV? I keep getting switching back and forth between 5.1 and stereo sound (5-6 times at the start of every commercial break, and sometimes during the games). My receiver makes a little clicking noise every time it switches. Very annoying.

Yes this has happened quite alot throughout the tournament.

Hi, I currently live in Richmond, VA but may be relocating to Charlotte in the next couple of months for a new job. Having gone through this in the last year (from Grand Rapids, MI to Richmond) I've got a list of things I'd like to do differently this time.

Top of that list is ask those that know where they'd live if they were me. I got very lucky this time and picked a great neighborhood and wouldn't live anywhere else in Richmond if I had the choice. However, looking back, I nearly chose a couple of other places that would have bored me to death because I didn't know any better.

The HDTV forum might be a weird place to look for help, but there's a good chance there's youngish guys who like technology like myself who check this thread so I thought I'd try. Please PM me if you're willing to offer some advice.

I'll miss my fios tv if I do have to leave :(

Nick

Just found out that ESPN2 HD is up and running in Columbia and Myrtle Beach on Time Warner. What is the freaking problem with TWC Charlotte. Can we ever expect to get access? I can't believe yet another baseball season is here and we are still going through this!

Just found out that ESPN2 HD is up and running in Columbia and Myrtle Beach on Time Warner. What is the freaking problem with TWC Charlotte. Can we ever expect to get access? I can't believe yet another baseball season is here and we are still going through this!

Yeah, you can pretty much expect for TWC-Charlotte to be the last market in the country to adopt anything new or anything which might improve your experience. I have given up trying to figure them out.

ESPN2 HD is in the guide tonight in Charlotte but no programing due to MLB blackout rules because of the Baltimore game. Check it out later after that game.

ESPN2 HD is now operational---Monday night about 10:15 p.m. with Rangers vs. Angels. Better late than never but glad to have it!

Now TWC-Charlotte, when can we expect NGC-HD?

I just finished watching the NCAA Final 4 game and also flipped over to see ESPN2-HD up and going...great news!

Any other rumors on when we'll see another HD channel around here?

What about Starz-HD?

What about Starz-HD?

While I'm happy with the two recent additions of UHD (very happy about this one) and ESPN2HD (our first new HD channels in, what?, 3 years?), I agree that Starz-HD and/or Cinemax-HD need to be the next 2 added (in that order, probably). Verses/Golf (or whatever it's called) would be a good one too. Let's hope there's more coming!

While I'm happy with the two recent additions of UHD (very happy about this one)

What is the appeal of UHD? Every time I turn it on it is wall-to-wall reruns of the same 4 shows. Monday is Northern Exposure, Tuesday is show 1, etc, etc (no show names come to mind this early in the morning - except for that one).

Atleast when InHD-2 was on, they didn't show the same show 8 hours in a row.

Keep in mind that losing INHD2 was not a Time Warner decision. INHD decided to merge their two channels into one single channel.

I believe I also read that they will be changing their name soon to MOJO, if anyone cares.

Keep in mind that losing INHD2 was not a Time Warner decision.

I never said it was. I was just using it as an example of a channel that didn't run the same shows for 8 hours in a row. :)

What is the appeal of UHD? Every time I turn it on it is wall-to-wall reruns of the same 4 shows. Monday is Northern Exposure, Tuesday is show 1, etc, etc (no show names come to mind this early in the morning - except for that one).


They're showing what I humbly consider two of the greatest programs in the history of TV (how's that for hyperbole!) in HD right now - 'Firefly' and the amazing 'Battlestar Galactica' (half-season behind the first-run on SciFi channel). Those two shows, alone, make this channel worthwhile to me. 'Stargate Atlantis', as well (not my cup of tea, but a lot of folks enjoy it). In addition, they do a fair amount of sports programming, such as this week's first 2 Masters rounds, in HD. It's a good channel, IMO, and I lobbied hard for it. Occasionally, they do listen to us. ;)

ESPN2hd:
:) :)
:D :D
:o :o
Enough Said!

ESPN2hd:
:) :)
:D :D
:o :o
Enough Said!

I am looking forward to NHRA drag racing in HD and 5.1 audio on ESPN2 finally

They're showing what I humbly consider two of the greatest programs in the history of TV (how's that for hyperbole!) in HD right now - 'Firefly' and the amazing 'Battlestar Galactica' (half-season behind the first-run on SciFi channel). Those two shows, alone, make this channel worthwhile to me. 'Stargate Atlantis', as well (not my cup of tea, but a lot of folks enjoy it). In addition, they do a fair amount of sports programming, such as this week's first 2 Masters rounds, in HD. It's a good channel, IMO, and I lobbied hard for it. Occasionally, they do listen to us. ;)

But you have to wonder what will be left when SciFi HD gets off the ground.

But you have to wonder what will be left when SciFi HD gets off the ground.

I think SciFi-HD is the fiction part of SciFi. ;) I'll believe it when I see it. And even if it does happen, TWC will probably wait a couple of years before adding it to their schedule; that seems to be a rule.

does this mean espnu is coming as well?

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7bEF8B2A4B-BEE0-4E11-A2B4-D817FC4D44BE%7d&siteid=yhoo&dist=yhoo

i'd just be happy to have UHD up here in statesville. can you believe TWC still hasnt finished "upgrading" from adelphia !

http://www.tvpredictions.com/tw040407.htm


EDIT:
sorry i just realized it is the same article

i've compiled a list of HD channels that i have in statesville. are there any HD channels you get in charlotte that arent on my list? are the channel numbers the same?

702 CBSHD
703 FOXHD
750 HBOHD
751 SHOHD
752 STZHD
761 HDNET
762 HDMOV
763 INDHD
765 ESPNHD
766 HDES2
767 HDDSC

You can find the listings per area by using the guide at
http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx
You can then uncheck all the packages but the HDTV ones.

For Charlotte, we have the following channels:
201 UNC (PBS)
220 WCNC-DT (NBC)
225 WBTV-DT (CBS)
230 WTVI-DT (PBS)
235 WSOC-DT (ABC)
240 WCCB (Fox)
250 WJZY HDTV (UPN)
255 WMYT HDTV
280 Discovery HD Theater
281 TNT HD
285 ESPNHD
290 INHD
291 INHD2 (has been taken off)
292 HD Net
293 HDNet Movies
318 HBO East High Definition
358 Showtime High Definition
Plus ESPN2 HD coming soon

CJ
-----
edit- looks like the list is a little bit dated

i've compiled a list of HD channels that i have in statesville. are there any HD channels you get in charlotte that arent on my list? are the channel numbers the same?

702 CBSHD
703 FOXHD
750 HBOHD
751 SHOHD
752 STZHD
761 HDNET
762 HDMOV
763 INDHD
765 ESPNHD
766 HDES2
767 HDDSC

We get all the local network stations, including ABC, NBC, CW, and a couple of the PBS stations in HD, as well as an independent or two. We also get UHD (where the first round of The Masters is on right now). Looks like you get Starz-HD instead. Otherwise, it's the same. Channel numbers are all different, of course.

CJ
-----
edit- looks like the list is a little bit dated

Yep. UHD replaced INHD2 a few months back and ESPN2-HD was added last week.

Just for some perspective, here's the HD offered to York County residents via Comporium:

* BIG 4 locals only (no CW, MNTV or PBS)
* ESPN
* ESPN2
* UHD
* DHDT
* NGC HD
* HDNet
* HDNM
* HBO (only premium HD movie channel)

Just for some perspective, here's the HD offered to York County residents via Comporium:

* BIG 4 locals only (no CW, MNTV or PBS)
* ESPN
* ESPN2
* UHD
* DHDT
* NGC HD
* HDNet
* HDNM
* HBO (only premium HD movie channel)

Ouch. No wonder you're sticking with "HD Lite". ;)

Not to mention $13 for each additional DVR (SD or HD).

But I'm stuck with them for broadband since we have no DSL alternative.

[QUOTE=CJO]You can find the listings per area by using the guide at
http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx
You can then uncheck all the packages but the HDTV ones.

i've been there several times. when i put in my zip code sometimes it just continuously loops back to the same page and sometimes it goes to a local afilliate page that has a link for channel line up and when i click it ,it goes back to the zip code page. BTW what is the zip for charlotte? i suppose there is more than one but just give me one.

28273

[QUOTE=CJO]You can find the listings per area by using the guide at
http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx
You can then uncheck all the packages but the HDTV ones.

i've been there several times. when i put in my zip code sometimes it just continuously loops back to the same page and sometimes it goes to a local afilliate page that has a link for channel line up and when i click it ,it goes back to the zip code page. BTW what is the zip for charlotte? i suppose there is more than one but just give me one.

Here are a few Charlotte zip codes: 28210, 28205, 28204, 28202.

We get all the local network stations, including ABC, NBC, CW, and a couple of the PBS stations in HD, as well as an independent or two. We also get UHD (where the first round of The Masters is on right now). Looks like you get Starz-HD instead. Otherwise, it's the same. Channel numbers are all different, of course.

i can pull in abc, nbc,cw and about 5 pbs HD stations with an antenna. i'm holding off on the antenna hoping they will be added whenever the change over is complete.

Looks like you get Starz-HD instead.

cbs,fox,hdnet,hdmov,inhd,espnhd,hdes2 and hddsc are the basic hd package something like $5per month. hbo, sho, and stz are premium channels up here.
i actually have to pay more to have starz. uhd would have been in the basic package so i dont think starz is instead of uhd.
ive had espn2 HD ever sence i got HD ,about 5 months. it was part of the basic HD package. apparently an adelphia leftover. possibly espn2 instead of uhd. i didnt know charlotte didnt have it until i read it here the other day.

Anyone know of anything that may be added this year to the Charlotte line-up?

seems like TWC is signing lots of new agreements, I heard about Versus HD, some systems have rolled out National Geographic HD, Disney HD. Hopefully we will get them here sooner rather than later.

seems like TWC is signing lots of new agreements, I heard about Versus HD, some systems have rolled out National Geographic HD, Disney HD. Hopefully we will get them here sooner rather than later.

I read today about TWC adding golf/versus-hd nationally but saying its up to the local markets to add it themselves. I guess its time for us to bombard Charlotte's TWC with calls/emails telling them we want that channel.

I know this may be extremely early, but the Panthers schedule was released today and I was wondering what local channel (FOX?) will be carrying the game in December broadcast on the NFL Network? More importantly will we be able to see it in HD. Unfortunately, i'm not counting on TWC adding the NFL Network prior to the start of the season...although i would vote for NFLN over Versus or Disney HD.

Lets see...

Home games against NFC Teams are on FOX. Home games against AFC Teams are on CBS. Pretty sure all road games would be on FOX. The exception are prime time games...Our only one will be on NFL Network but will be simulcast on a OTA station locally.

Sept. 9 at St. Louis-FOX
Sept. 16 HOUSTON-CBS
Sept. 23 at Atlanta-FOX
Sept. 30 TAMPA BAY-FOX
Oct. 7 at New Orleans-FOX
Oct. 14 at Arizona-FOX
Oct. 21 BYE
Oct. 28 INDIANAPOLIS-CBS
Nov. 4 at Tennessee-FOX
Nov. 11 ATLANTA-FOX
Nov. 18 at Green Bay-FOX
Nov. 25 NEW ORLEANS-FOX
Dec. 2 SAN FRANCISCO-FOX
Dec. 9 at Jacksonville-FOX
Dec. 16 SEATTLE-FOX
Dec. 22 DALLAS-NFL Network
Dec. 30 at Tampa Bay-FOX

Pretty sure the preseason games will air in Charlotte on WCCB except the August 24th game against New England...it will be on CBS...

We will have to wait and see which games are in HD...

Test123

Almost all of the games last season were in HD.

CJ

Almost all of the games last season were in HD.

CJ


I realize that most if not all of the games on FOX will be HD, CBS we are not as likely. My specific question was relating to the December game on NFLN. TWC does not currently carry NFLN so the Charlotte market would get the game broadcast on an OTA channel (I suspect FOX Charlotte). Would they be able to pass along the HD broadcast by the NFLN?

the game broadcast on an OTA channel (I suspect FOX Charlotte). Would they be able to pass along the HD broadcast by the NFLN?

Yes, we can, IF we carry the game which is an unknown at this point. Even so, that doesn't mean the NFLN will grant us the right to carry the HD feed.

It's way too early to even be asking this question.

I read today about TWC adding golf/versus-hd nationally but saying its up to the local markets to add it themselves. I guess its time for us to bombard Charlotte's TWC with calls/emails telling them we want that channel.

Just tell me who to call or email and I'll do it. I can't even get them fix my lousy cable after 4 visits.

Just tell me who to call or email and I'll do it. I can't even get them fix my lousy cable after 4 visits.

Join the club. I get very spotty service so far. HD channels only work half the time and almost every channel hangs up while surfing up and or down. I kind of gave up and decided I just wont pay the bill until they get it right. I have to call to keep getting a credit but I just refuse to pay for something that has not worked correctly since day one. I don't have the time to wait for someone who is not going to show up.

is there any QAM channels in TWC?

is there any QAM channels in TWC?

ALL digital channels on TWC are QAM. However, all are encrypted except the local stations..

So if I purchase a TV with a QAM tuner, I can receive the following channels from TWC Charlotte, without an antenna?

201UNC (PBS) HD
220WCNC-DT
225WBTV-DT
230WTVI-DT
235WSOC-DT
240WCCB Fox
250WJZY HDTV
255WMYT HDTV
280Discovery HD Theater
281TNT HD

What is the possibility that TWC will start encrypting these channels?

Maybe some of the QAM tuners are different, but I do not receive Discovery HD Theater. I do receive some of the local digital "sub channels" though.

The Versus HD feed is playing on INHD's channel at the moment - Peguins vs. Senators at the moment. The listing for INHD is still on the program guide, so I don't know how long it has been like this.

Anyone else?

Edit: Guess this isn't just local, since there were Mojo bumpers during commercial breaks. Shows how much I know.

My husband and I just moved to the Huntersville area and we're giddy as to how many channels we can receive through our HDTV that we aren't paying for (we're only paying for expanded basic cable). Just using the tuner of our Philips HD-ready TV, we're able to pick up about 95% of the digital/HD channels listed in the TWC line-up (including the premium movie channels!).

Here's what we found:

71.7 AmericanLife TV Channel
73.1 Discovery Kids Channel
73.2 The Science Channel
73.3 The Golf Channel
73.4 Discovery Health Channel
73.5 ESPN News
73.7 Game Show Network
73.11 Fox Soccer Channel
73.12 BBC America
73.14 The N (Noggin)
74.13 Versus
74.14 WE: Women's Entertainment Network
75.1 HBO2
75.2 HBO Signature
75.3 Showtime Too
75.4 The Movie Channel
75.5 Starz Edge
75.6 Encore Westerns
75.7 Encore Love
75.8 Encore Mystery
75.10 Bravo
75.14 ESPN Classic
76.2 FitTV
76.3 Nick Toons
76.4 G4
76.5 Bloomberg Television
76.6 Fox Movie Channel
76.8 iLife (Inspirational Life)
76.11 (some Christian channel we don't recognize)
76.12 The Outdoor Channel
77.1 Encore Drama
77.2 Encore Action
77.3 HBO
77.4 Showtime
77.7 Cinemax
77.8 MoreMax
77.9 HBO Family
77.10 Showtime Showcase
77.11 Encore
77.12 Starz
77.13 Showtime Extreme
77.14 TMC Xtra
80.1 WCCB (FOXHD)
80.2 WBTV (CBSHD)
81.2 ESPN2 HD
83.1 HD Net
83.2 HD Net Movies
84.1 Showtime HD
84.2 Starz HD
88.1 History Channel Espanol
88.2 MTV Espanol
88.3 SF (looks like some kind of Spanish-language sports channel)
88.4 Discovery en Espanol
88.5 CineLatino
88.6 Cine Mexicano
88.7 Fox Sports en Espanol
88.8 CNN en Espanol
88.9 ESPN Deportes
89.4 La Familia Network
89.8 TV Chile
89.9 Puma Tv
89.10 Latin TV
90.1 News 14 Carolina
767 Discovery - HD (for some reason this comes up under the regular channel number)


Here's the things we couldn't find:
- Discovery Home Channel (channel 103)
- Discovery Times (channel 104)
- Military Channel (channel 106)
- National Geographic Channel (channel 120)
- CMT Pure Country (channel 143)
- VH1 Classic Rock (channel 144)
- Toon Disney en Espanol (channel 467)
- HBO HD (channel 750)
- INHD (Mojo) (channel 763)
- ESPN HD (channel 765)
- any of the Music Choice channels (we were able to pick these up in Atlanta)
- anything PPV

Obviously we're pretty disappointed that we don't get the HD channels for HBO and ESPN. But I can't complain too much, since we get HBO in regular def. :p

I guess my big question is... why do we get the 95% of the premium channels but not these 10? It's kind of weird that they would block these but not the others. Anyone have any insight?

Washington, D.C. (April 20, 2007) -- WSOC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina, will begin broadcasting the local news in High-Definition on Sunday.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/newabchd042007.htm

Sweet! I go where the HD is so it's ABC for me :) I'm already watching the NBC nightly news in HD.

Same thing in Statesville. Earlier in the week the other 10 were available but have since been scrambled. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the majority of these channels are blocked.
You should be able to receive the music choice channels as they are available on a QAM tuner as part of the free delivery. FOX,CBS and Discovery HD are the other ones that were not scrambled before. I did a rescan last Sunday and found all these channels available. I guess we should enjoy them while they last.

Same thing in Statesville. Earlier in the week the other 10 were available but have since been scrambled. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the majority of these channels are blocked.
You should be able to receive the music choice channels as they are available on a QAM tuner as part of the free delivery. FOX,CBS and Discovery HD are the other ones that were not scrambled before. I did a rescan last Sunday and found all these channels available. I guess we should enjoy them while they last.

all of which channels willy? please list the channels you are getting with QAM up here in statesville (no need to list the music channels, there a waste of bandwidth IMO). thanks

all of which channels willy? please list the channels you are getting with QAM up here in statesville (no need to list the music channels, there a waste of bandwidth IMO). thanks

Same channels as Cosmickitten listed above

Same channels as Cosmickitten listed above


holy crap bat man :eek: . i didnt know we could get all that without the STB. heck i sub to the digital and HD tiers and there are some channels on that list i dont get. (cinamax, moremax, we, versus and of course the spanish channels)

looks like i'm going to be hooking up the QAM tuner in my XBR.

Sweet! I go where the HD is so it's ABC for me :) I'm already watching the NBC nightly news in HD.

Their show looked great tonight at 6. Now if they'd spend money to upgrade the rest of their news department so their product didn't stink so bad (I'd go into why I think it stinks, but it'd be a little off topic here). And find a new weekend weather guy who's never been in radio.

It'll be interesting to see what they do with the camera robotics as their producers getting used to having the new toy around.

Service appointment "no show" number 3 yesterday.

I watched the wsoc 11pm broadcast. Looked great as well. I noticed most of the sports reporting was, I believe upconverted 16x9. Here is the link for everyone to read. Looks like they have chopper 9 upgraded to a HD cam, weather cam, and few more. Looks like WCNC and WBTV better get there act together to keep up.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/12833433/detail.html

Here is another link with more info on everything they are adding concerning HD....Looks like 100% of their weather coverage will soon be in HD...

http://www.wsoctv.com/hd/12501193/detail.html

Their show looked great tonight at 6. Now if they'd spend money to upgrade the rest of their news department so their product didn't stink so bad (I'd go into why I think it stinks, but it'd be a little off topic here). And find a new weekend weather guy who's never been in radio.

It'll be interesting to see what they do with the camera robotics as their producers getting used to having the new toy around.

Looks like i'm moving over to the big 9 since they are now in HD. The other stations better get in gear......

Looks like i'm moving over to the big 9 since they are now in HD. The other stations better get in gear......

I'd say they're in no hurry right now. Really, if you think about it, the homes with HD sets make up a miniscule amount of viewers with regards to ratings (book starts next Tuesday!). We're still 12-18 months away for having HD as something to sway ratings.

And ratings are the only thing the bean counters care about.

The sports clips weren't upconverted 16x9. It was SD with blue banding on the left and right sides of the screen. Where HD clips were available, they were in HD. Atleast this was the case on Sunday's 6p.

holy crap bat man :eek: . i didnt know we could get all that without the STB. heck i sub to the digital and HD tiers and there are some channels on that list i dont get. (cinamax, moremax, we, versus and of course the spanish channels)

looks like i'm going to be hooking up the QAM tuner in my XBR.

Seriously, that is awesome. I will have to do a rescan tonight. I am in Statesville at the moment, but moving to Charlotte in 4 days. Hope they are still available down there too.

Chris

I was looking at the TWC Charlotte website and noticed on the programming lineup page that ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD have been moved to the HDTV basic tier. To get ESPN HD it used to reguire the HDTV tier. Was this a recent change or is it a mistake on the website?

Paying $6.50 for INHD, UHD, HDNET and HDNET Movies seems too high if they shifted ESPN HD and ESPN2HD to the basic HD tier. I haven't called them yet, does anyone know?

I was looking at the TWC Charlotte website and noticed on the programming lineup page that ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD have been moved to the HDTV basic tier. To get ESPN HD it used to reguire the HDTV tier. Was this a recent change or is it a mistake on the website?

Paying $6.50 for INHD, UHD, HDNET and HDNET Movies seems too high if they shifted ESPN HD and ESPN2HD to the basic HD tier. I haven't called them yet, does anyone know?

Really? If that is the case, I will probably cancel my HD tier.

EDIT:

The only thing I can find on the TWC site says ESPNHD is still in the HD tier. Not sure it is up to date because it does not mention ESPN2HD, but it does mention INHD and INHD2.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/charlotte/customer/1653price.html

Really? If that is the case, I will probably cancel my HD tier.

EDIT:

The only thing I can find on the TWC site says ESPNHD is still in the HD tier. Not sure it is up to date because it does not mention ESPN2HD, but it does mention INHD and INHD2.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/charlotte/customer/1653price.html


Here is the link that prompted my post. ESPNHD and ESPN2HD have the same color code as HDTV Basic. Perhaps the website is wrong. I haven't took time to call.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx

Here is the link that prompted my post. ESPNHD and ESPN2HD have the same color code as HDTV Basic. Perhaps the website is wrong. I haven't took time to call.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx

I have HDTV Basic and I get ESPNHD and ESPN2HD now !!!!!!!!

(I never checked before on my TV because I was told I would only them it if I upgraded to HDTV Tier)

Yes, I canceled my HDTV premium tier as well since ESPN and ESPN2 are now part of the basic package. Nice find jcb3716.

Is Charlotte's TWC offering the De La Hoya/Mayweather fight in HD PPV? Is there such a channel on TWC?

My TV stopped getting any channel since last Friday. I called TWC and got someone to come up and look at it. He told me that they performed some sort of update and many cable cards failed. Does someone know more about it? He even told me that SONY's and Samsungs need firmware update. I contacted SONY and they say they don;t know anything. Currently they reset something and send some sort of signal and it is working again. He thinks that I will have same issue once they push another update in future.

Seriously, that is awesome. I will have to do a rescan tonight. I am in Statesville at the moment, but moving to Charlotte in 4 days. Hope they are still available down there too.

Chris

I ran my QAM tuner and found bunch of HD channels but none of the premium as well ESPN HD/ESPN2HD or channels between 100 to 200 (i.e. Cartoon Network etc.)

It did find 281 TNT HD

My TV stopped getting any channel since last Friday. I called TWC and got someone to come up and look at it. He told me that they performed some sort of update and many cable cards failed. Does someone know more about it? He even told me that SONY's and Samsungs need firmware update. I contacted SONY and they say they don;t know anything. Currently they reset something and send some sort of signal and it is working again. He thinks that I will have same issue once they push another update in future.

what TV do you have? not to help with your issue but just interested.

and that does kinda suck. how can they perform a change that will affect lots of people that way and then say the tv's need an update. and even worse an update supplied by the tv manufacturer that the tv manufacturer doesnt know about.

Looks like i'm moving over to the big 9 since they are now in HD. The other stations better get in gear......

It does look nice in HD. I wonder what Debi Faubion is going to do, sorry to say it but the HD really brings out peoples age. :(

cosmickitten

Are those unencrypted QAM Channels in the Huntersville area? Is that through Time Warner or are you under the old Adelphia? I did a scan and it found those channels, but they were all encrypted

abc and nbc hd are on in statesville today :)

strutter, are you an old adelphia customer? If so, what other QAM channels do you have unencrypted?

yep we used to be adelphia. i'm not using my QAM reciever right now. i plan to try it out soon. according to WillyT in post #3577 who is also in statesville we can get everything cosmickitten listed in post #7572.

I've tested it out with an HDHomeRun and everything is encrypted except for Fox, CBS, Starz, and something like Encore.

OK, I am a Triad poster in the Winston-Salem area. Based on your current setup with TWC, are QAM users still able to pick up ESPN HD unencrypted? We recently began receiving ESPN2 HD here in the Triad via QAM, and for a couple of days, also got ESPN HD. Now that has been encrypted.

I am just curious because according to TWC's website, it looks like ESPN HD is offered on the first tier of HD channels and is no longer included in the HD Premium Pack for both Raleigh and Charlotte. But it still is for the Triad.

I just wanted to make sure that being included in the standard tier was an indicator that is was eligible for QAM reception.

Thanks for any help, wanted to make sure I knew what I was talking about before complaining to TWC.

I just wanted to make sure that being included in the standard tier was an indicator that is was eligible for QAM reception

In the Charlotte you can get any "in the clear" digital channel with a QAM tunner even if you have standard cable. They have to encrypt the digital channel to keep you have getting them for free. The FCC says they can't encrypt any channel that is also broadcast OTA (basically the networks CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, etc)

Thanks for the response, but I guess my question is what stations are "in the clear" in Charlotte? Is it only the major networks that can be picked up OTA?

In other words, are ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD encrypted? Thanks and sorry for the confusion.

Thanks for the response, but I guess my question is what stations are "in the clear" in Charlotte? Is it only the major networks that can be picked up OTA?

In other words, are ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD encrypted? Thanks and sorry for the confusion.

I haven't performed a scan is several months. My Samsung put's all the channels in memory, even if they are encrypted. It takes a long time to delete them all out.

The only digital channels that I have are the OTA channels. It used to be that the cable companies could depend on the customer having to have a cable box to view the digital channels, so they quite often didn't encrypt anything but the premiums like HBO, Showtime, etc. Since most new TV's now come with a QAM tuner (I saw a 13" at WalMart for $80.00 that said it could receive in-the-clear digial cable channels), they are now encrypting everthing. The OTA's are left in the clear because of the FCC rule.

Thanks for the response, but I guess my question is what stations are "in the clear" in Charlotte? Is it only the major networks that can be picked up OTA?

In other words, are ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD encrypted? Thanks and sorry for the confusion.

Don't know if this will answer what you need:
Time Warner Cable -Shelby, no cable box with just extended basic cable
Sony 32S2010

Digital scan I get 34 active hits mainly SD (8 HD channels) including a couple weather subchannels and 2 versions of PBS (UNC-TV and WTVI), a cable information channel which lists as Channel 0, Channel 14 the TWC News, and a 3-4 digital tier SD channels (not sure which one's since I deleted those).

HD:
PBS -- UNC and WTVI when they are broadcasting
NBC -- WCNC
CBS -- WBTV
ABC -- WSOC
FOX -- WCCB
WJZY
WMYT

I don't get ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery, TNT which are listed under HD Basic package now.

What was the story with TW and NBC-HD last night? I recorded Heros and went to watch it this morning and it was unwatchable. Gobs of errors (blocking, video/audio in a fast forward state, other weird issues). Other shows around 9pm recorded fine.

Thought it was me, but I mentioned it to some other coworkers who live in various parts of the area and they were having the same problem.

The FCC says they can't encrypt any channel that is also broadcast OTA (basically the networks CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, etc)I don't disagree, but wonder if you have any authoritative reference for that?

FCC Rules concerning cable are under Part 76. Look on www.fcc.gov. Cable companies can not encrypt any station that has a Grade A signal level at the there main head-end.

What was the story with TW and NBC-HD last night? I recorded Heros and went to watch it this morning and it was unwatchable. Gobs of errors (blocking, video/audio in a fast forward state, other weird issues). Other shows around 9pm recorded fine.

Thought it was me, but I mentioned it to some other coworkers who live in various parts of the area and they were having the same problem.

Bit-perfect for me down in Pineville.

Any news about ESPNU on TWC Charlotte?

Any news about ESPNU on TWC Charlotte?

On a semi-related note, I've been reading frequent stories about DirecTV and Dishnet adding a wide variety of HD channels in the next few months. Does TWC plan on doing anything to compete with those additions?

Does TWC plan on doing anything to compete with those additions?

Ummm.. Let me see.. Raise their rates? :)

Ummm.. Let me see.. Raise their rates? :)

They don't need any reason to do that.... ESPN and NFL Network (prospectivly) and the other content providers give them enough reason to raise rates.

does twc offer any hd on demand?

does twc offer any hd on demand?

TWC-Charlotte does. However, it is premium content and has a limited selection.

Question for you guys. I have one of those plug in the wall cable amps that was installed by TWC. I have now added a second HD DVR to the room where that amp is. The problem is that if I try moving the amp to another outlet, reception at all the other outlets with displays connected suffers badly. Is there a way to leave this amp connected at the outlet where it currently is but still connect my cable box? I thought it would be as simple as hooking up a splitter but that did not work. This thing looks like a little adapter with a coax pigtail on it. It plugs into a regular AC outlet and then connects to the incoming coax outlet in the room. Suggestions?

Question for you guys. I have one of those plug in the wall cable amps that was installed by TWC. I have now added a second HD DVR to the room where that amp is. The problem is that if I try moving the amp to another outlet, reception at all the other outlets with displays connected suffers badly. Is there a way to leave this amp connected at the outlet where it currently is but still connect my cable box? I thought it would be as simple as hooking up a splitter but that did not work. This thing looks like a little adapter with a coax pigtail on it. It plugs into a regular AC outlet and then connects to the incoming coax outlet in the room. Suggestions?

If I remember mine getting setup correctly, there is only one input that will accept a return voltage. It should be marked differently than the other outputs (which will block DC current). Might want to fidget with that.

If you blow something up for following my suggestion, I'm not paying for anything that got blown up ;)

If I remember mine getting setup correctly, there is only one input that will accept a return voltage. It should be marked differently than the other outputs (which will block DC current). Might want to fidget with that.

If you blow something up for following my suggestion, I'm not paying for anything that got blown up ;)

Disclaimer understood! ;) I guess I can check the box on the side of the house and perhaps the tap for the amp is clearly marked (let's hope) and I can move it to another input?

Disclaimer understood! ;) I guess I can check the box on the side of the house and perhaps the tap for the amp is clearly marked (let's hope) and I can move it to another input?

Yes, you can change which home run goes to which tap. Might have to trace it if it is not marked. Easy enough ... just disconnect one at a time until the tv in the room you want to move the wall wart too quits making noise. Then put that one on the voltage input side.

Input is probably the wrong term. Input should be the cable from the street, but you get my drift.

Yes, you can change which home run goes to which tap. Might have to trace it if it is not marked. Easy enough ... just disconnect one at a time until the tv in the room you want to move the wall wart too quits making noise. Then put that one on the voltage input side.

Input is probably the wrong term. Input should be the cable from the street, but you get my drift.

Got it. Thanks! The only problem now is that I have to give up a cable connection to one of my TV's and that's not going to make the girlfriend happy.

Question for you guys. I have one of those plug in the wall cable amps that was installed by TWC. I have now added a second HD DVR to the room where that amp is. The problem is that if I try moving the amp to another outlet, reception at all the other outlets with displays connected suffers badly. Is there a way to leave this amp connected at the outlet where it currently is but still connect my cable box? I thought it would be as simple as hooking up a splitter but that did not work. This thing looks like a little adapter with a coax pigtail on it. It plugs into a regular AC outlet and then connects to the incoming coax outlet in the room. Suggestions?


Did the splitter that you tried to use come from TWC? I also have an amp connected to one of my cable outlets but I don’t have a cable box or TV hooked up to it. When the cable guy installed the amp he gave me a splitter that had two connections. One was clearly marked for the amp & the other was clearly marked for the TV. He said you could connect a TV using that splitter to the same outlet that the amp was connected to. If you don’t have that splitter then you might want to try stopping by one of the TWC kiosks and see if they will give you one. Good luck!

Did the splitter that you tried to use come from TWC? I also have an amp connected to one of my cable outlets but I don’t have a cable box or TV hooked up to it. When the cable guy installed the amp he gave me a splitter that had two connections. One was clearly marked for the amp & the other was clearly marked for the TV. He said you could connect a TV using that splitter to the same outlet that the amp was connected to. If you don’t have that splitter then you might want to try stopping by one of the TWC kiosks and see if they will give you one. Good luck!

Hmm...I have a drawer full of splitters but I don't recall one as you describe. I will have to double check when I get home. Thanks for the info! ;)

Did the splitter that you tried to use come from TWC? I also have an amp connected to one of my cable outlets but I don’t have a cable box or TV hooked up to it. When the cable guy installed the amp he gave me a splitter that had two connections. One was clearly marked for the amp & the other was clearly marked for the TV. He said you could connect a TV using that splitter to the same outlet that the amp was connected to. If you don’t have that splitter then you might want to try stopping by one of the TWC kiosks and see if they will give you one. Good luck!

Correct. I have a powered amp as well and the splitter was provided by the install tech. I have a TV connected with no issues.

Correct. I have a powered amp as well and the splitter was provided by the install tech. I have a TV connected with no issues.

That splitter is a special one. One tap on it has a DC block on it. You only want to send the return voltage back to the amplifier. Not your TV. That'd be bad to send 18 - 24v back to your TV's input. Or worse, cable box.

Make sure you don't use any old plain Jane splitter for that particular connection.

That splitter is a special one. One tap on it has a DC block on it. You only want to send the return voltage back to the amplifier. Not your TV. That'd be bad to send 18 - 24v back to your TV's input. Or worse, cable box.

Make sure you don't use any old plain Jane splitter for that particular connection.

I'm hoping they have these at the main location off Arrowood as this is near my work. I have plain old splitters but not one for use with an amp. I got my second box connected this weekend but it displays a message about service being disconnected. I called customer service and they could not get it working. I am picking up the splitter today if they have them. If that does not fix the problem then I will change the box out for another one.

Anyone here using an HDHomerun by SiliconDust?
http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/products/hdhomerun

That splitter is a special one. One tap on it has a DC block on it. You only want to send the return voltage back to the amplifier. Not your TV. That'd be bad to send 18 - 24v back to your TV's input. Or worse, cable box.

Make sure you don't use any old plain Jane splitter for that particular connection.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question regarding a splitter on an outlet with an amp. I picked up the little bugger at the main office yesterday and that fixed my problem. I'm now trying to setup my CRT projector with this cable box as a source. Good times...

I wonder why a powered amp for a split signal would even be necessary? I split my cable feed up 5 ways, including two HD-DVR's, with no signal degradation anywhere in the chain. In fact, I have splitters feeding off of splitters! I just use high-quality splitters; no problem.

I wonder why a powered amp for a split signal would even be necessary? I split my cable feed up 5 ways, including two HD-DVR's, with no signal degradation anywhere in the chain. In fact, I have splitters feeding off of splitters! I just use high-quality splitters; no problem.

I think my house is on top of an Indian burial ground or something. I have been told that my signal strength is more than enough (15) yet if I unplug this little amp from the wall every TV in the house has static and snow in the picture.

I wonder why a powered amp for a split signal would even be necessary? I split my cable feed up 5 ways, including two HD-DVR's, with no signal degradation anywhere in the chain. In fact, I have splitters feeding off of splitters! I just use high-quality splitters; no problem.


It probably has to do with the way the cable was wired when the house was built. My house was built in 1994 and I had 6 cable outlets put in various rooms. When the cable company showed up they asked me if I wanted all six outlets activated & if I did they would have to install an amp at one of the outlets. If I unplug the amp I virtually get no picture.

I wonder why a powered amp for a split signal would even be necessary? I split my cable feed up 5 ways, including two HD-DVR's, with no signal degradation anywhere in the chain. In fact, I have splitters feeding off of splitters! I just use high-quality splitters; no problem.

You've probably got an above average signal coming into your home. I can promise you, with splitters on top of splitters, you've GOT signal degradation. Its just not bad enough for your devices to complain.

You've probably got an above average signal coming into your home. I can promise you, with splitters on top of splitters, you've GOT signal degradation. Its just not bad enough for your devices to complain.

Well, I can't see it on the 3 analog devices either. They look just as rock solid and "snow-free" as if there were only one line and no splitters at all. No amp on the outside line, either. And I live in a condo complex, as well, so the main feed splits off a large number of times. Not trying to be argumentative, just recounting my experience.

hum, this conversation has really got me thinking. outside my house the main cable is split into 3 lines, under the house 2 of those is split again making 4 for a total of 5. at the main Tv the cable goes into a surge protector then out and into the cable box then to the tv via component cables. thats alot of splits.
awhile back i was having signal issues and the tech tested and said i had low db. he replaced the splitter outside and all connectors at that point as well as the connectors in the house but nothing under the house. he even made short cables to replace the slip on type that so often come with devices these days. he left and the issue wasn't resolved. later that week he and some friends came back and found a problem with an amp up the road. they replaced that and everything has been pretty good ever sense. just an occasional drop out or freeze on HD channels.
but this conversation got me thinking with so many splits and a 300+/- ft run from the road could it be even better if i had an amp at the house. should i call and request such a device or just stop by and pick one up? does it require a service visit? i dont want to overamplify and cause more problems.

so many splits and a 300+/- ft run from the road could it be even better if i had an amp at the house. should i call and request such a device or just stop by and pick one up? does it require a service visit? i dont want to overamplify and cause more problems.

Strutter - If you are having issues, you should contact TW and have them come out with a meter and test the signal quality at the tap, at your demark and at your devices. The tech would then determine whether or not you need an amp. Keep in mind amps not only amplify signal, they also amplify noise. Using a meter will help them best determine how to clean up your signal.

Archi-->No worries on being argumentative. Every splitter has insertion loss. Some more than others. Cable, too, also induces loss. You're just luck you have a lot of signal to start with. Some people are not so lucky....

Anyone here using an HDHomerun by SiliconDust?
http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/products/hdhomerun


I am Darksaber. I am an old Adelphia Customer in the Huntersville Area, but the only channels I receive through the HDHR are the locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and two other channels. What are you receiving?

This is through QAM just to clarify

Archi-->No worries on being argumentative. Every splitter has insertion loss. Some more than others. Cable, too, also induces loss. You're just luck you have a lot of signal to start with. Some people are not so lucky....

That might be the only thing my neighborhood has going for it. :D

Any news about ESPNU on TWC Charlotte?

I don't know about Charlotte specifically, but it is coming to TWC in Raleigh, Greensboro and South Carolina as you can see in the attached links.

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/576909.html

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/NEWSREC0105/705240302/1021/GTCOM

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/78414.html

Did anyone else notice the Time Warner is rolling out Switched Digital Video(SDV) to 50% of its markets by year end in order to compete with Directv?

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/05/time-warner-to-deploy-switched-digital-to-50-of-their-markets-i/

I switched to Directv last year so that I could get a lot of channels TWC doesn't carry, but also because I knew they were launching a satellite this year. As fate would have it, just as Directv is about to launch a new satellite(next month) and turn on at least another 30-40 HD channels by Labor Day 2007 I am going to be moving to a place with no satellite line of sight.

Since I cannot stand the Scientific Atlanta garbage that TWC gives its customers I would like to get the TiVo Series 3 which is $399 after rebate right now. The only problem is that the Series 3 uses CableCards which cannot tune SDV channels.

Ugh, I dislike Time Warner. I actually still use them for internet access and when it went out 5 times in a week in March before they could sell me on more services I said "Thank goodness I have directv because it still works just fine and thank God I don't use your phone service because I wouldn't have been able to tell you about the problem!"

Bleepjay - I am considing getting it - to upgrade and removethe ATSC card in my Vista Media Center.

Have you had a good experience with it?

Does anyone know what the city of Cornelius has decided since Adelphia went under. I know that TW is currently running the show but I am either about to sign up with DirecTV or Dish. I think the thought of the town running the cable co. is crazy but hey what do I know?

Sorry if this is of topic.

Darksaber - I have had a great experience with it. It is very easy to setup and get working, but a little more difficult to configure for the channels to remap, but overall, I love it.

Keep in mind, you can use the HDHR in both ATSC and QAM so that is another advantage, although for Vista MC, you probably want to keep them both in the same format as to deal with the differences in available channels/tuning, etc. I just wish TWC provided more Unencrypted Channels other than the 6 that I receive now.

Does anyone know what the city of Cornelius has decided since Adelphia went under. I know that TW is currently running the show but I am either about to sign up with DirecTV or Dish. I think the thought of the town running the cable co. is crazy but hey what do I know?

Sorry if this is of topic.

CA...

The Mooresville Tribune recently published an article saying the Towns of Mooresville, Troutman and Davidson have until June 14th to vote on whether or not to purchase the cable system. Tribune Article (http://www.mooresvilletribune.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MOT%2FMGArticle%2FMOT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351346413&path=!news!localnews)

Apparently Huntersville has already decided to back out of the purchase. Cornelius is leaning in that direction. Another Article (http://www.mooresvilletribune.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MOT%2FMGArticle%2FMOT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351345133&path=!news!localnews)

I for one don't think these towns need to be in the cable TV business...

Test123

Thanks Bleepjay. I think I'm going to go for it... easier than having antennas :)

CA...

The Mooresville Tribune recently published an article saying the Towns of Mooresville, Troutman and Davidson have until June 14th to vote on whether or not to purchase the cable system. Tribune Article (http://www.mooresvilletribune.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MOT%2FMGArticle%2FMOT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351346413&path=!news!localnews)

Apparently Huntersville has already decided to back out of the purchase. Cornelius is leaning in that direction. Another Article (http://www.mooresvilletribune.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=MOT%2FMGArticle%2FMOT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351345133&path=!news!localnews)

I for one don't think these towns need to be in the cable TV business...

Test123

what about statesville?

Benny...

Statesville decided to stick with Time Warner from the outset.

Test123

yep, benny we are TWC. and according to them they are still not done switching over from adelphia..been like a year now! talk about dragging feet! or blowing smoke! not sure which.

has anyone around here began to use FIOS? is TW planning on going that route?

yep, benny we are TWC. and according to them they are still not done switching over from adelphia..been like a year now! talk about dragging feet! or blowing smoke! not sure which.

has anyone around here began to use FIOS? is TW planning on going that route?

FIOS is Verizon's product for delivering fiber to the home (FTTH). AT&T feels that their copper network will last them for a long time and they're going to try to stuff 2 HD streams and 6Mb/sec internet down the pipe with their U-Verse service. There are instances where AT&T is laying FTTH in new, ultra rich neighborhoods. But those are few and far between.

At some point, TW will probably switch to DOCSIS 3.0 for cable modem technology. Not sure what they're going to do to try to cram more HD down the line. Do away with the analog channels, maybe? Kinda like Comcast in Chicago?

Don't look for FTTH to show up in this market any time soon.

I am Darksaber. I am an old Adelphia Customer in the Huntersville Area, but the only channels I receive through the HDHR are the locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and two other channels. What are you receiving?

This is through QAM just to clarify

I'm in Huntersville as an old Adelphia cust. too. These are what I'm getting now..

700 - ABCHD
701 - NBCHD
702 - CBSHD
703 - FOXHD
750 - HBOHD
761 - HDNET
762 - HDMOV
763 - INHD
765 - ESPNHD
766 - ESPNHD2
767 - DISCOVHD

Having some problems with non-HD channels though, specifically ch.38 Discovery, picture ok but sound is choppy, clipping in and out, picture never moves. Sometimes ch. 44 Spike, barely comes in, and ch. 53 Comedy goes blank and sometimes have to wait until next day to work! :mad: Using SA8300HD w/DVR

Ok, I have found out that as of today June 15, ESPN Classic has been removed from the analog lineup and moved to the digital tier.

Hopefully this makes room for more HD channels and not another public access, religion, shopping or Spanish channel. :rolleyes:

I have also found out that ESPNU is going to be added on August 31 which is the day before college football season begins! Woohoo!

oh no not another espn! :eek: one could easily add sports channels to that list with "public access, religion, shopping or Spanish channel." :D

Is there any real news on additions to the HD line-up in Charlotte this year? I am very close to jumping ship just with the NFL network deal alone... that and the fact the 8300 is driving me crazy.

Is there any real news on additions to the HD line-up in Charlotte this year? I am very close to jumping ship just with the NFL network deal alone... that and the fact the 8300 is driving me crazy.

I'm thinking about jumping to Direct TV because of the additional HD channels that will be coming in the fall. How is the quality of direct TV in Charlotte, particularly in the southeast area? Thanks.

Ron

DirecTV, or D* as it's commonly referred to here on AVS, downrezzes its HD content to 1440 lines of horizontal resolution. (DISH does it with most of their HD channels as well.) That's why it's referred to as "HD Lite". There are those that say when they get their "new birds in the air", that they will have enough capacity to go back to 1920 lines, or full HD resolution. But it seems as though, historically, a host of problems the satellite providers have will always be solved when they get their "new birds in the air". Never seems to happen, though. Sort of like crying "wolf!" ;)

Bottom line, cable will almost always deliver a better picture, as TWC does in this area. However, there is some debate about whether the SA8300 is limited as to the resolution it can deliver to the home, with some guys measuring it topping out at around 1300 lines. So, it may not make any difference to you at all depending on your display.

However, there is some debate about whether the SA8300 is limited as to the resolution it can deliver to the home, with some guys measuring it topping out at around 1300 lines. So, it may not make any difference to you at all depending on your display.

I'd be _really_ curious to know how the testing was done on the 8300 to determine that figure.

I have to say I can tell a difference between OTA WSOC Channel 9 news in HD to the same channel 235 on the 8300.

I'd be _really_ curious to know how the testing was done on the 8300 to determine that figure.

By using the HDNet test patterns which are run weekly. Simply a matter of counting them up.

By the way, I got it wrong in my post above about how many lines are delivered by D*'s "HD Lite"; it's actually worse: 1280 lines, down from 1920 which is full HD resolution.

By using the HDNet test patterns which are run weekly. Simply a matter of counting them up.

By the way, I got it wrong in my post above about how many lines are delivered by D*'s "HD Lite"; it's actually worse: 1280 lines, down from 1920 which is full HD resolution.

HDNet airs resolution charts? Any idea when? I've seen the various color bars, but never a full resolution chart.

ya'll might be interested in this thread "how to use hdnet calibration"
some of its really good reading most of it is way over my head.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=800757



""To use the resolution wedges (last 4 mins) and obtain a maximum effective horizontal resolution figure I use this technique http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424 . Many AVSers report similar readings (<1300 lines), apparently from STB limitations within many cable systems, perhaps coupled with factors such as rate shaping . Vertical rez (horizontal wedges) are the line-blur number X 100; pressing pause (8300HD) with my 1080i CRT displays one TV field or half-frame, roughly halving vertical resolution. Posts of measurements are useful. -- John""

HDNet airs resolution charts? Any idea when? I've seen the various color bars, but never a full resolution chart.

For several years it was every Tuesday morning at, like, 6:00 AM. I'm not sure when they're doing it now; you may want to check the HDNet website to find out.

I have to say I can tell a difference between OTA WSOC Channel 9 news in HD to the same channel 235 on the 8300.

And, the difference is: ??

A much better picture.

A much better picture.

OTA has better PQ I assume

OTA has better PQ I assume

Having compared the two, yes OTA does.

Did anyone else have issues with HD unwatchable/breakups during sundays telecast - or just a signal issue on my side.

Just posted this in the Navigator forum, but thought those here might be interested.

I've been having trouble with one of my SA 8300HD boxes, so tech came out today and replaced the box. He replaced it with a shiny new OCAP version of the 8300HD. He said today was the first day they were installing them. It was his first and probably the first in the area. He only installed it because all of the older 8300 boxes he tried would not work.
Anyway, it took about an hour to get everything up and running. When the box finally came up it had Navigator installed. I wasn't too happy but since this isn't my primary viewing area I will give it a try. In the 10 minutes I played around with it, it seemed very sluggish and not very intuitive. Transitions between menus were not very polished as well.

Also of not, the HDMI port is inactive on this box. In this region, I've never had a problem using the HDMI port. I could not find anywhere in the software to activate it, although HDMI is an option under the Digital Audio menu. I'm going to calll TWC today but I doubt they will be very helpful.

Just posted this in the Navigator forum, but thought those here might be interested.

I've been having trouble with one of my SA 8300HD boxes, so tech came out today and replaced the box. He replaced it with a shiny new OCAP version of the 8300HD. He said today was the first day they were installing them. It was his first and probably the first in the area. He only installed it because all of the older 8300 boxes he tried would not work.
Anyway, it took about an hour to get everything up and running. When the box finally came up it had Navigator installed. I wasn't too happy but since this isn't my primary viewing area I will give it a try. In the 10 minutes I played around with it, it seemed very sluggish and not very intuitive. Transitions between menus were not very polished as well.

Also of not, the HDMI port is inactive on this box. In this region, I've never had a problem using the HDMI port. I could not find anywhere in the software to activate it, although HDMI is an option under the Digital Audio menu. I'm going to calll TWC today but I doubt they will be very helpful.

Interesting. Are they going to charge you anymore for this device? Did it come loaded with any CableCARDS?

No additional fees. This is the box they will be switching to as old stock becomes exhausted. It is preloaded with a cable card otherwise it will not operate. My understanding is that they are doing this to become compliant with the FCC regs regarding cable box ownership. Security for the boxes can no longer be built in. It must be separate (ala cable card) so that consumers have the option of owning their own boxes.

No additional fees. This is the box they will be switching to as old stock becomes exhausted. It is preloaded with a cable card otherwise it will not operate. My understanding is that they are doing this to become compliant with the FCC regs regarding cable box ownership. Security for the boxes can no longer be built in. It must be separate (ala cable card) so that consumers have the option of owning their own boxes.

That would be correct - we are doing the same thing in the Lincolnton-Hickory-Boone area except we are using the Motorola versions (DCH series) they are functionally equal to the old boxes, just mandated by the FCC to be different.

No additional fees. This is the box they will be switching to as old stock becomes exhausted. It is preloaded with a cable card otherwise it will not operate. My understanding is that they are doing this to become compliant with the FCC regs regarding cable box ownership. Security for the boxes can no longer be built in. It must be separate (ala cable card) so that consumers have the option of owning their own boxes.

Did it come with one cable card or 2? Did CableCARD 2.0 do away with 1 card per tuner requirement?

Did it come with one cable card or 2? Did CableCARD 2.0 do away with 1 card per tuner requirement?

In Moto equipment they use "m" cards which are multi-stream so I'd imagine it only uses on in SA equipment too

It came with one multi-stream card. Haven't recorded anything yet so I haven't tested the two tuners working simultaneously. Still sorting out HDMI. I think there is a software glitch in Navigator (imagine that?!?!?). I finally got HDMI working after hours of experimenting, but now I lose sound and picture whenever I switch from an interlaced channel to a progressive channel or vice versa. The obvious solution would be to set the box to only output 720p the native resolution of my projector, but unlike Passport, Navigator will not let you select what the box outputs when you are using HDMI. It will only pass what is coming into the box and it will not scale it. This has to be an issue with this new hardware or the Navigator software, because my system worked flawlessly with my previous SA 8300HD.

By the way I just looked at the box. This unit is a SA 8300HDC. Not sure if the C stands for cable card or maybe compliant since it complies with the FCC regs or something else.


CharterJames maybe you can shed some light on this HDMI issue. I spent an hour on the phone with an advanced TWC tech trying to get HDMI to work before I figured this out. I'm waiting for him to call me back. Maybe this is a known issue? ANy idea why they would not let you scale the content through HDMI. Obviously the box is capable as this works with Passport software. Is it a software issue that will be updated at some point in the future. Similar to how the PS3 was initially unable to scale until a recent firmware upgrade?

That would be correct - we are doing the same thing in the Lincolnton-Hickory-Boone area except we are using the Motorola versions (DCH series) they are functionally equal to the old boxes, just mandated by the FCC to be different.

James - Since you're using the Motorola box, it still has working firewire with Passport, no? We lost it here with the SA8300's and SA3250's last fall. Wonder if Navigator will still support it, at least with the Moto boxes. If you don't have a D-VHS deck, of course, you're free to ignore this question. ;)

sleepmd, could you give the link to the navigator thread you mentioned?

Here is the Navigator discussion

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=723830

hrmm I just got a new tv and hooked it up...I don't have a digital box or anything but it found a crap load of digital and analog channels...I have two of the same channel sometimes and the sound quality jumps on the say "12.1" part of channel 12

I have TWC and live in charlotte

Edit: on my normal tv i only have like 75 channels but with my new tv i'm getting like 400 channels...some with a signal as ATSC whatever that is?

Anyone who lives in Charlotte that has HDTV with TWC...what kinda boxes are they sending out? What are their outputs? Digital Coaxial...hdmi??

Anyone who lives in Charlotte that has HDTV with TWC...what kinda boxes are they sending out? What are their outputs? Digital Coaxial...hdmi??

I have the Scientific Atlanta SA8300HD-DVR boxes. These have component and HDMI connections and digital coax and optical audio. There is also Firewire but it's not active at this point and may never be. When I first had my install done they brought out some older boxes that looked like they had been dragged behind a truck or something. Make sure you ask for the latest set top box they have which up until recently has been the one I mention. However, I think if you read a page or two back in this thread, there may be a new Motorola box out. I think the issue with that one is the software it uses so you may want to stay away from those. I went through 3 or 4 boxes before I got one that both worked and I was happy with. I work close to the main office so I just go in and hand pick them. Even brand spanking new ones can be bad though.

Yesterday, I purchased a second HDTV for my bedroom and picked up a new Scientific Atlanta 8300HDC set top box/DVR. I was told that yesterday was the first time they began using these new boxes in place of the previous 8300HD. Right now, I'm having problems with the new box as I'm receiving certain HD channels, but not others that I should be receiving. I spoke with TWC customer service yesterday and they have no clue as to what is going on with the new boxes. If anyone gets the new 8300HDC to work correctly, please let me know. Thanks!

Ron

Sleepmd, see my post above. I have my television connected via HDMI to the 8300HDC DVR box. My problem is that I not receiving all of the HD channels that I should be receiving. Any ideas? Thanks.

Ron

All4Heels I had the same problem. Initially I only received half of the HD tier channels. I spent a lot of time on the phone with customer service. They tried to send updates to my box but could not get it to work correctly. Finally after talking to three techs and customer service I found someone who had an idea of how things worked. He sent some more signals to my box and after a reboot it worked. The reboots take forever. Well at least 10 minutes, but it worked. Not sure what he did differently on his end but there is some way they can get the box working.

I have an 8300HD DVR box and I just lost HDMI all together. Had to switch to component. Nothing changed in my set up at all, could this issue be related to the addition to this new box?

Sleepmd, thanks for the info. That gives me hope! I have a tech coming tomorrow and hopefully he can get the 8300HDC working correctly.

Those that had problems with the 8300HDC DVR, not getting some of the HD channels, any news to report. My girlfriend got this box about 3 weeks ago, and we saw she wasn't receiving some of the HD channels (specifically I remember no ESPN or TNT). She called customer service and they rebooted 2-3 times with no results. She hasn't been in town (enough) to make arrangments for a service call. Anything I should report to her to tell the tech when he comes out (or over a customers service call)?

Are any of you familiar with the capacity status of TWC Charlotte? I believe it was rumored that TWC Charlotte had no more capacity and was implementing switched digital. I ask this because there is a flurry of new HD channels that have just launched or set to launch in the fall. Food, TBS, CNN just to name a few. I know of course that capacity doesn't guarantee they will carry the channel. Just wondering since we haven't seen any new HD channels in a while.

Those that had problems with the 8300HDC DVR, not getting some of the HD channels, any news to report. My girlfriend got this box about 3 weeks ago, and we saw she wasn't receiving some of the HD channels (specifically I remember no ESPN or TNT). She called customer service and they rebooted 2-3 times with no results. She hasn't been in town (enough) to make arrangments for a service call. Anything I should report to her to tell the tech when he comes out (or over a customers service call)?

I had a similar problem when I first got my HD service. After many many service calls and reboots both by customer service and myself, the problem was isolated to a surge protector. I had my incoming coax running through a surge protector and then another coax running out of that surge protector to the box. This prevented me from getting some of the HD channels as well as some other digital channels. Removed the surge protector (AC power cords are still running into it but not the coax lines) and no longer have a problem.

Appreciate the input, but that isn't the problem. I'm thinking it's some type of conflict since it's the newest cable box. See has the locals in HD (along with Showtime), but none of the other included channels; ESPN, TNT, Discovery, etc. If she turns to one of these channels the screen has a message to call TW to subscribe.

Appreciate the input, but that isn't the problem. I'm thinking it's some type of conflict since it's the newest cable box. See has the locals in HD (along with Showtime), but none of the other included channels; ESPN, TNT, Discovery, etc. If she turns to one of these channels the screen has a message to call TW to subscribe.

Good luck to you then because I have never had any luck getting anything done over the phone with TWC. The next thing I would do is change out the box. I had a bad one in another room of my house and got the same "call TWC" message. No amount of rebooting got the job done. I picked up a new box and hooked it up myself. Problem solved.

I have a question for all of you Charlotte, NC TWC users....I've got two HDTV's that I just got connected at a house I recently moved into. My wife and I just moved into the Piper Glen area of Charlotte, down Southeast. In short, I've had some off-and-on issues with HD channels not coming in, standard def channels not coming through, pixalation, audio degradation...basically, tons of issues on both televisions, but never the same problem on both TV's and eventually, it seems most of the issues go away...eventually..but they will come back...eventually.

Anyway, I've had them come out a few different times and test...they've added an amplifier as well as replaced both HD DVR's with the new 8300 HDC's...fewer issues but still a ton of them. Now comes my question: They are telling me it has everything to do with the coax in my walls. The house is about 15 years old and was built with either RG-58 or RG-59 (pretty sure it's 59). Their suggestion is a replace the cable or have someone come in and do it...now, I'm not sure I can do the job and I've had quoted WAY too much money to have someone else do it. My question is whether they're just trying to pass the buck, or if they may have a legit point? If not sure, is there a way I can test or gain more confidence this IS the issue and it's worth the cash and having my walls torn up a bit?? I am also wondering if the problem has something to do with the way Time Warner delivers content to my house and TV's, and maybe DISH or DirecTV delivers content more efficiently to different sets that might help???

Thanks so much in advance, all!!

I have a question for all of you Charlotte, NC TWC users....I've got two HDTV's that I just got connected at a house I recently moved into. My wife and I just moved into the Piper Glen area of Charlotte, down Southeast. In short, I've had some off-and-on issues with HD channels not coming in, standard def channels not coming through, pixalation, audio degradation...basically, tons of issues on both televisions, but never the same problem on both TV's and eventually, it seems most of the issues go away...eventually..but they will come back...eventually.

Anyway, I've had them come out a few different times and test...they've added an amplifier as well as replaced both HD DVR's with the new 8300 HDC's...fewer issues but still a ton of them. Now comes my question: They are telling me it has everything to do with the coax in my walls. The house is about 15 years old and was built with either RG-58 or RG-59 (pretty sure it's 59). Their suggestion is a replace the cable or have someone come in and do it...now, I'm not sure I can do the job and I've had quoted WAY too much money to have someone else do it. My question is whether they're just trying to pass the buck, or if they may have a legit point? If not sure, is there a way I can test or gain more confidence this IS the issue and it's worth the cash and having my walls torn up a bit?? I am also wondering if the problem has something to do with the way Time Warner delivers content to my house and TV's, and maybe DISH or DirecTV delivers content more efficiently to different sets that might help???

Thanks so much in advance, all!!

This is s tough one. The problems you talk about are problems we have all dealt with at one time or another. But they are correct the signal is only as good as the cable it's delivered on. I would recommend replacing one run with quad shielded RG6 cable with high quality ends. If it helps then start replacing all the drops one at a time. Also TW will replace the ends for you at no charge. They use real nice ends that I have not been able to find else where. As an example I spent a bunch of money on Monster gold ends and they replaced them and there was a difference. Theirs are better. The gold ones sure were pretty though!

I have, I think, 10 drops heading back to my amplified splitter. They replaced all the connectors on both ends for free. These ends were put in by a repuatable contractor when the house was built. They looked real nice. But TWs worked better. Also they will make cables for you to connect the box and tv to the wall. They did this for free as well.

I have a question for all of you Charlotte, NC TWC users....I've got two HDTV's that I just got connected at a house I recently moved into. My wife and I just moved into the Piper Glen area of Charlotte, down Southeast. In short, I've had some off-and-on issues with HD channels not coming in, standard def channels not coming through, pixalation, audio degradation...basically, tons of issues on both televisions, but never the same problem on both TV's and eventually, it seems most of the issues go away...eventually..but they will come back...eventually.


As Rcase suggests, you should try to replace 1 run of cable from your demark (little grey box out back) to a set that is having the most difficulty. Don't do a whole lot of work. Just let the cable lay safely around for a week or so. If that fixes the problem, then trim in new cable. I've used the 100' spools of RG6 Radio Shack cable for years and have never had problems. They run about $20 or so bucks for 100'. Wanna get crazy and drop some coin, then look up some Commscope RG6. I wouldn't drop extra for quad shield, however.

Rcase - I've used Thomas & Betts high compression fittings for awhile now and they're great. Check out:

http://www.hometech.com/techwire/coax.html for cable stuff

http://www.hometech.com/techwire/coaxconn.html#TH-SNS6 for fittings

I use this tool to compress the fittings:
http://www.hometech.com/tools/coax.html#TH-IT1000

This tool is a great outter-jacket stripper:
http://www.hometech.com/tools/coax.html#EC-200004
but you can find it at Radio Shack for about 9 bucks.

Wow, great info from both of you guys!! Thanks so much! Good call on the testing one drop first...I thought of that but running straight from the demarc and not through the walls would mean leaving a door cracked, so not sure if I can or want to do that. But yeah, that's definitely the best way to go at this thing.

You guys ever invested in those bundled wiring solutions...like two RG6, two Cat5e and two fiber runs??? I just think the install will end up costing enough that another 500 in parts just won't break me...maybe...but just wondering if anyone's put these in and whether it's worked out?

Thepi, I am one of those that had problems getting all of the HD stations with the new 8300HDC DVR box. After two techs visited my apt. the problem mysteriously disappeared, but the tech wasn't sure what he did to fix the problem. Basically, he swapped out the box 3 times and the third box worked! It seemed to be a problem with the procedure that was followed when the box was activated. Basically, you need to be sure that TWC does not send the box a signal to activate the box until the box has been plugged in and come out of "OCAP mode." The tech wasn't sure that this is what solved the problem, but that seemed the most logical.

Ron

I work near Carolina Place Mall, and go there most days for lunch. As most of you probably know, there is a mini-TWC office right beside the mall's customer service area behind the Food Court. Most days when I'm at the mall for lunch, there are usually anywhere from 0-2 people at the TWC counter. Over the last 2 days, however, the line has constantly been 10-15 people deep. Does anyone have a clue as to what's going on? Is TWC running a special that is drawing that many more customers? Or is it that a lot of people are jumping ship and signing up for DirecTV (and their NFL Sunday Ticket Package) before football season starts? Or could it be something else?

I work near Carolina Place Mall, and go there most days for lunch. As most of you probably know, there is a mini-TWC office right beside the mall's customer service area behind the Food Court. Most days when I'm at the mall for lunch, there are usually anywhere from 0-2 people at the TWC counter. Over the last 2 days, however, the line has constantly been 10-15 people deep. Does anyone have a clue as to what's going on? Is TWC running a special that is drawing that many more customers? Or is it that a lot of people are jumping ship and signing up for DirecTV (and their NFL Sunday Ticket Package) before football season starts? Or could it be something else?


Probably a combination of things such as the release of the new Motorola box as mentioned in this thread, the NFL Sunday ticket as you said, or maybe a lot of people that have put up with TWC's lack luster service for so long have finally had it. They run specials for new customers all the time like the $29.99/month Roadrunner and the bundled pricing for cable, phone and internet.

Probably a combination of things such as the release of the new Motorola box as mentioned in this thread, the NFL Sunday ticket as you said, or maybe a lot of people that have put up with TWC's lack luster service for so long have finally had it. They run specials for new customers all the time like the $29.99/month Roadrunner and the bundled pricing for cable, phone and internet.

Maybe I missed it somewhere. But TW is rolling out Moto boxes now?

Also, I've been told that the kisok at Carolina Place doesn't hand out hardware. Is that the case or not?

Maybe I missed it somewhere. But TW is rolling out Moto boxes now?

Also, I've been told that the kisok at Carolina Place doesn't hand out hardware. Is that the case or not?

Wrong - I have received hardware from that kiosk multiple times.

Wrong - I have received hardware from that kiosk multiple times.

Yep, me too. They have a closet under the escalator that's filled with 'em.

Now.. before you all start complaining to me..WCCB has nothing to do with the production of the Carolina Panthers PreSeason NFL games..that is handled by the Panthers, not us. With that said:the games will NOT be produced in HD. :(

Are any of you familiar with the capacity status of TWC Charlotte? I believe it was rumored that TWC Charlotte had no more capacity and was implementing switched digital. I ask this because there is a flurry of new HD channels that have just launched or set to launch in the fall. Food, TBS, CNN just to name a few. I know of course that capacity doesn't guarantee they will carry the channel. Just wondering since we haven't seen any new HD channels in a while.

you probably won't see any for quite some time.

you probably won't see any for quite some time.

I hope TWC in Charlotte realizes that this means more and more defections to DirecTV this fall, especially with all the new HD channels that DirecTV will add.

Now.. before you all start complaining to me..WCCB has nothing to do with the production of the Carolina Panthers PreSeason NFL games..that is handled by the Panthers, not us. With that said:the games will NOT be produced in HD. :(

Who cares anyway? Preseason games are nothing more than glorified scrimmages for which the owners get away with charging full price in tickets, concessions, and parking. I have season tix but don't bother with exhibition games; nor do I watch them on TV. Instead I factor the price of those into my regular season games and realize that's just the cost of doing business. Doesn't make it right, though. :mad:

you probably won't see any for quite some time.

Depends on how quickly they can implement SDV. Of course, that probably means the dreaded Navigator will replace our beloved Passport Echo, since I don't think Passport supports SDV.

But if they actually wanted to add a few more HD channels (Starz HD, Cinemax HD, and Versus/Golf HD would be my picks), they could find a way to shoehorn them in even without SDV.

Who cares anyway? :

The people who call and email us apparrently do.. ;)

The people who call and email us apparrently do.. ;)

There's a word for folks like that, Bob: "Sheeple". Pay them no mind. :D

There's a word for folks like that, Bob: "Sheeple". Pay them no mind. :D

Actually, we usually say "its just the local AVS forum members".... :D

so, I asked about some potential cabling issues in my house a few weeks back and got some great responses and ideas...one more for you all: A friend of mine told me the other night that he had the same problem but found out he had some sort of "internal cable coverage" in his TWC contract...was just under 2 dollars per month...but he said that when TWC determined his problem was some old RG58, they replaced each of the drops inside his walls from the demarc for some new RG6.

Anyone know if he's blowing smoke or if he is correct??

so, I asked about some potential cabling issues in my house a few weeks back and got some great responses and ideas...one more for you all: A friend of mine told me the other night that he had the same problem but found out he had some sort of "internal cable coverage" in his TWC contract...was just under 2 dollars per month...but he said that when TWC determined his problem was some old RG58, they replaced each of the drops inside his walls from the demarc for some new RG6.

Anyone know if he's blowing smoke or if he is correct??

I thought TWC coverage ended at the ground block. Hmm, if you pay for 1 month of "internal cable coverage", you may be able to have your entire home rewired for $2.00. That sounds pretty good to me.

that's exactly my question, robert...I'm HIGHLY skeptical (and seriously doubt) but thought worth the question out to this group since, to your point, could save me a ton of money.

i know the phone company offers an inside the house warranty for cableing and such but i never heard of the cable co having such a warranty.

Need advice....


I have a TWC service call tomorrow morning.... my cable cuts out here and there when I watch HD. What should I know before they come? I want to make sure my signal is as strong as possible.

anyone know what the following error means from the recording log:

Not recorded due to an unresolved recording conflict (6)

No clue what that means and it's painful to even think about calling into that worthless freaking TWC queue since I just started seeing these errors after running the new 8300HDC HD DVR's a few weeks back. Right now, absolutely none of my scheduled recordings are getting recorded and showing up with the above.

I just started having the same problem. Nothing records on my box and I get the same error. This error should occur if you try to record three things at once or if you try two record two things while watching a third. However, it occurs for every single recording I attempt even when there is nothing else being recorded or watched. Just another example of beta software would be my guess. We pay how much each month to be beta testers?

Need advice....


I have a TWC service call tomorrow morning.... my cable cuts out here and there when I watch HD. What should I know before they come? I want to make sure my signal is as strong as possible.

Nice.... they called to say they were on their way and then they never came.

I have the new Navigator software in Charlotte, NC on the 8300HDC box. I've noticed what I consider to be a major flaw that no one else in the forums has mentioned:

The DVR no longer buffers programming (a) when the box is turned off. (b) while watching a DVR recording. (c) on the tuner not currently being viewed.

It used to be, with Passport, that when you turned the box on it would have been buffering whatever channel it was tuned to when the box was turned off so you could back up TV for up to an hour prior to when the box was turned on. NO LONGER

It also used to be the case on Passport that if you were watching a particular channel and then started to wtch a DVR recording, once you stopped watching the DVR recording you could return to whatever you were previously watching and rewind back up to an hour. NO LONGER

Finally, it used to be the case, with Passport, that you could switch between tuners (using the 'Swap' button on the remote) and have the abikity to pause/rewind each of the two channels that the dual tuners were receiving. NO LONGER

Quite simply, the buffering is totally F**CKED UP

I had a tech out yesterday dealing with a signal issue and he said an upgrade was due to be pushed out sometime in the next month. He couldn't say (had no clue) what this upgrade would include but I'm hoping it adds the Caller ID on TV feature, improvements to buffering and the 15 minute skip forward/back. Plus I'm hopefully that TWC will eventually add decent (keyword) search functionality to Navigator but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

All I know is that I better hang onto my SA8300 with Passport software until they pry it out of my cold, dead fingers. It's like they learned nothing from the Lincoln Nebraska debacle, and just decided they'd roll this POS software out to the whole country and let the chips fall where they may. We've been dreading this for well over a year, and now here it is! How fortunate for us that we're in the first batch. :rolleyes:

the keyword search would be sweet, for sure...but honestly, I'm probably not sticking around long enough to find out...as bad as I know DirecTV's customer service is, at least their mother freaking devices work and the MPEG4 debut in september (plus I'll work them on a good discount for "stealing" a cable customer) are going to have me switching in the next week or so.

I'm just fed up with these POS dvr's.

the keyword search would be sweet, for sure...but honestly, I'm probably not sticking around long enough to find out...as bad as I know DirecTV's customer service is, at least their mother freaking devices work and the MPEG4 debut in september (plus I'll work them on a good discount for "stealing" a cable customer) are going to have me switching in the next week or so.

I'm just fed up with these POS dvr's.

Why not ask them if you can get one of the "old" 8300's which still reliably run Passport? And explain why you're asking, and what will happen if they don't comply.

the keyword search would be sweet, for sure...but honestly, I'm probably not sticking around long enough to find out...as bad as I know DirecTV's customer service is, at least their mother freaking devices work and the MPEG4 debut in september (plus I'll work them on a good discount for "stealing" a cable customer) are going to have me switching in the next week or so.

I'm just fed up with these POS dvr's.

I'm sorry for those of you that are having problems with the 8300HDC Navigator boxes, but in a perverse way I am a little excited.

See, I switched to Directv and have had the HR20 HD DVR for over a year now and really like it. The problem is that we are moving out of uptown and into a "real house" and evidently the dish has a low WAF. :rolleyes:

BigRed, I have actually had pretty positive experiences with Directv customer service. When I signed up I got the HR10-250, but couldn't get the Charlotte locals via OTA because of my building uptown. Directv shipped me an HR20 for $20 and let me keep the TiVo which I now use as a SD DVR.

I am also steaming mad at TWC for rolling out SDV and breaking the cablecards that I would use in a TiVo HD.

Showing my wife all these posts about the Navigator issues may persuade her that having a dish is much better than missing "Dancing with the Stars" and "Grey's Anatomy." :D

The problem is that we are moving out of uptown and into a "real house" and evidently the dish has a low WAF. :rolleyes:


Simply give her one of the cable boxes everyone here is complaining about.. :D

I'm experiencing a lot of microblocking, break-ups and audio drop-outs during the Cowboys/Indy game on channel 240? At one point the screen froze and i had to turn off the cable box.

I'm experiencing a lot of microblocking, break-ups and audio drop-outs during the Cowboys/Indy game on channel 240? At one point the screen froze and i had to turn off the cable box.

Yep.. we had an issue here, NOT TWC's problem..should be more better now.

A reminder, no Panthers HD this weekend.

Yep.. we had an issue here, NOT TWC's problem..should be more better now.

A reminder, no Panthers HD this weekend.

The picture did look better than i remember from last year's NFL. Very sharp. :)

I have season tix but don't bother with exhibition games ... Instead I factor the price of those into my regular season games and realize that's just the cost of doing business. Doesn't make it right, though. :mad:

Want to sell any? :)

CJ

Now.. before you all start complaining to me..WCCB has nothing to do with the production of the Carolina Panthers PreSeason NFL games..that is handled by the Panthers, not us. With that said:the games will NOT be produced in HD. :(

No Panthers in HD, and no COPS and AMW at all. Depressing.....I probably should find something to do besides watch TV on Saturday nights! :o

I just picked up a SA 4250HD today. The goal was to get a HD box with HDMI to use on my new 42 Plasma. For the first hour it worked great, and then the HDMI quit working. I learned from my panasonic concierge it was a HDMI handshake issue with the cable box. He then asked if I had a SA box b/c they had tons of calls about this very issue.

this problem has happened 3 times today and with the 10 minute reboots it is a huge pain in the rear. Is this happening to anyone else? Are there anythings that can help reduce the occurance?

I just picked up a SA 4250HD today. The goal was to get a HD box with HDMI to use on my new 42 Plasma. For the first hour it worked great, and then the HDMI quit working. I learned from my panasonic concierge it was a HDMI handshake issue with the cable box. He then asked if I had a SA box b/c they had tons of calls about this very issue.

this problem has happened 3 times today and with the 10 minute reboots it is a huge pain in the rear. Is this happening to anyone else? Are there anythings that can help reduce the occurance?


What is the S/A box?

I think I have the same problem as you do. I just purchased a Phillips 42" lcd with the HD box using HDMI connection and I have an error message come up after chaninging HD to non HD channels. Had a TW tech come out and reset the box and worked fine for a few hours. They said the signal and box was fine. Then I call Phillips people and the told me since the HD box changes back and forth from 1080 to 720 and below that it is activating a fail safe swith on the tv.

Anyone with any additional info on this??? I will make my way to the TW office at Carolina place office to see if they can give me answers. 30 minute hold times on the phone doesnt sit well with me.

SA = Scientific Atlanta

The Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD is a HD DVR that TWC uses. I have one in fact.

SA = Scientific Atlanta

The Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD is a HD DVR that TWC uses. I have one in fact.

Thanks. Do you have any issues with the HD DVR box? I think I will upgrade soon.

So is anyone having this issue? Worked all day yesterday (post reset in the morning) and then this AM i get the same error. Very frustrating.

What type of error message are you getting? Do you have the regular HD box or the HD DVR box?

Im getting something saying your tv doesnt support this format, please choose a different source. Mentions something about DVI input.

On HD channels I can see the picsture on the sides but not the middle. I get sound just fine.

I had a similar issue with my SA 8300HDC. I would lose signal to my projector every time the box would change resolution. The problem was made worse because during boot the box cycles through 1080i then to 720p, so I could never get a picture without considerable effort. To make matters even worse the Navigator software on the box does not let you set a constant resolution. It will only pass through the incoming signal via HDMI. I ended giving up on HDMI and switching to component until TWC figures this out. TWC tech support was not very helpful with this situation.

What type of error message are you getting? Do you have the regular HD box or the HD DVR box?

Im getting something saying your tv doesnt support this format, please choose a different source. Mentions something about DVI input.

On HD channels I can see the picsture on the sides but not the middle. I get sound just fine.

What I do when this happens with mine, is that I switch to a analog channel, say chanel 2, get a normal picture, then switch back to the hi-def channel and viola, the hi-def channel is also normal.

What I do when this happens with mine, is that I switch to a analog channel, say chanel 2, get a normal picture, then switch back to the hi-def channel and viola, the hi-def channel is also normal.

I'll have to try that tonight and see what happens. But still it would be a pain to do all the time.

Also everytime I change from HD to nonHD channel the tv flashes a green screen then to the picture do to the resolution change witch eventually causes the error message to come up. :(

Thanks for the help fellas :)

Wondering if anyone else is having this issue. Periodically, while watching HD channels such as ESPN or Discovery HD etc. I get some slight blocking and freezing and pixelating. I have gone back and forth with TW about this, have had techs out 3 times. One amped my signal, another changed my cable coming from my box outside, and another swapped my brand new box for an older model HDDVR 8300. I still have the same problem. It comes and goes and usually only last 30 seconds to a minute or so. Please anybody with a similar problem or solution please post. Thanks. PS I am in the Shelby NC area. Thanks.

I'll have to try that tonight and see what happens. But still it would be a pain to do all the time.

Also everytime I change from HD to nonHD channel the tv flashes a green screen then to the picture do to the resolution change witch eventually causes the error message to come up. :(

Thanks for the help fellas :)

Try setting your cable box to one resolution. I have my STB resolution set at 720p. If I set my cable box to multiple resolutions, my Panasonic plasma (1024 X 720) will have a difficult time locking onto the correct resolution and the picture will flash repeatedly or I will have no picture at all.

The TW Cable guy came out today to check on some freezing up issues.

His first comment was that I should stretch the picture so I wouldn't get burn in when watching SD. I told him I want to watch tv in OAR. He kinda reacted like I was stupid or something.

He couldn't find anything wrong... I took him outside in the back yard to show him the unburied cables that have been in my natural area since the townhome was built in 2005. THey are coming back to bury those. He looked at the cables and said they were the old ones...

what ever that means. I can't wait for DTV to get those sats up.... TWC is a joke.

Wondering if anyone else is having this issue. Periodically, while watching HD channels such as ESPN or Discovery HD etc. I get some slight blocking and freezing and pixelating. I have gone back and forth with TW about this, have had techs out 3 times. One amped my signal, another changed my cable coming from my box outside, and another swapped my brand new box for an older model HDDVR 8300. I still have the same problem. It comes and goes and usually only last 30 seconds to a minute or so. Please anybody with a similar problem or solution please post. Thanks. PS I am in the Shelby NC area. Thanks.

I am also in the Shelby area and I have nearly given up on the Navigator. I dont have signal issues like a lot of other folks, but the box just is not stable. I have missed two days of recordings last week, where it just didn't record for no apparent reason. Last night it just started flashing green and badly pixilated screens and would only work and non digital channels. I could make the list go on and on...

My question for everyone is, what would I lose other than onDemand programmimg by going with a TiVo3 or a TiVo HD box? I noticed that Best Buy is now starting to sell and stock them in stores and I have a couple gift cards that would almost buy it out right. So, what would I lose? When TW starts adding more HD would I still get the additons? What are the advantages using TW's DVR box over a TiVo one?

Try setting your cable box to one resolution. I have my STB resolution set at 720p. If I set my cable box to multiple resolutions, my Panasonic plasma (1024 X 720) will have a difficult time locking onto the correct resolution and the picture will flash repeatedly or I will have no picture at all.

You cant if you run HDMI...

The TW Cable guy came out today to check on some freezing up issues.

His first comment was that I should stretch the picture so I wouldn't get burn in when watching SD. I told him I want to watch tv in OAR. He kinda reacted like I was stupid or something.

He couldn't find anything wrong... I took him outside in the back yard to show him the unburied cables that have been in my natural area since the townhome was built in 2005. THey are coming back to bury those. He looked at the cables and said they were the old ones...

what ever that means. I can't wait for DTV to get those sats up.... TWC is a joke.
what is the deal with TW. When you have an issue they should be able to at least help you figure it out and get a fix on it. I have pixelating and freezing issues that come and go and they have done several things but no fix yet. I am getting real tired of it. I really dont know what my next step should be.

I'm fairly satisfied with service from TWC. when i had the pixelating and drop outs it took 4 service calls but they finally figured it out and put 6 guys on the project. out of the 4 service calls i got new splitters throughout the house, new short coax from components to TV on all 4 sets, new connectors on all the lines and they finally decided it was an amp up the road that was causing overloads. after it was diagnosed as an amp problem a couple hours later they were out in force. it took the 6 guys in separate vehicles traveling constantly up and down the road checking various things to fix. they even stopped by and watched some TV to make sure i was satisfied. all without any additional cost to me.

Just reading up on this thread now and it's scaring the crap out of me. I've got a few HD DVR's in the house SA 8300HD's and a SA 3100HD that I've had for years. Just bought a new plasma for the family room and was planning on upgrading the box to use HDMI out to the TV for audio and video. After reading this thread, I'm seriously questioning that logic. Seems that there are a ton of issues out there now, especially when working with HDMI. SOOOOO, my question for you guru's is this... what is the best HD-box available from TWC without the DVR? I'd really prefer to output only 720p and I'd like to use HDMI. I've got component run, though, and can use it if the quality is better.

Thanks in advance. Didn't realize that I had fallen so far behind :(

I see no difference between component and HDMI in terms of picture sharpness and detail from my 8300 on my 34XBR910. However, colors on component seem to be brighter and more greatly saturated. The digital (DVI) input on my TV is reserved for my Marantz upconverting DVD player, and I've been very happy with good ol' fashioned analog component connections.

I have never understood why anyone would want to use HDMI in the first place. Too inconsistent and buggy. Most everyone with a decent home theater setup has a receiver or pre-pro with both digital and optical audio inputs, and every HD source device has digital audio output. So what on earth is the attraction of HDMI? A single cable? Who cares what's behind the cabinet?

I see no difference between component and HDMI in terms of picture sharpness and detail from my 8300 on my 34XBR910. However, colors on component seem to be brighter and more greatly saturated. The digital (DVI) input on my TV is reserved for my Marantz upconverting DVD player, and I've been very happy with good ol' fashioned analog component connections.

I have never understood why anyone would want to use HDMI in the first place. Too inconsistent and buggy. Most everyone with a decent home theater setup has a receiver or pre-pro with both digital and optical audio inputs, and every HD source device has digital audio output. So what on earth is the attraction of HDMI? A single cable? Who cares what's behind the cabinet?

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way! I much prefer good old tried and true analog video through component. You know it's just such a chore to run one more cable to either the optical audio or digital coax from my receiver. :rolleyes:

So if I stay with component, are all of the boxes performing pretty well?

So if I stay with component, are all of the boxes performing pretty well?

I have two of the SA8300HD DVR's and I use component video for both with no problems. Just use good quality cables and keep your video and audio cables physically separated from your power cables to avoid interference. Also, one issue I had (with the box and not the video connection) is using a surge protector with built in coax in and out connections. I thought this might help filter the signal a bit but instead it prevented me from getting some channels all together. Most of my HD channels would not come through or were so choppy they were unwatchable. Not to mention that changing channels was like slow motion and it was as if the box could not keep up. Removed the coax lines from the surge protector and problem solved. Regarding HDMI, I think there is really no advantage when using a consumer grade, widely distributed set top cable box like our 8300's. The only time I might consider using HDMI is if I had an audio receiver that supported True HD and DTS HD and a 1080p capable HD DVD or Blu Ray player. On the cable box just stick with component video and you should be trouble free. Oh yeah and when I said "good quality cables" I don't mean Monster Cables or any of those other overpriced snake oil brands. Just buy your cables from someone like Monoprice, BlueJean Cables and you will be in business.

Thanks Drop. Appreciate the suggestions. I'm all over the monoprice stuff- have been for years- and cabling since I pretty much wired my entire house and dedicated theater. I've got the 8300HD's and they are working great with HDMI. My only real question is whether or not there is a "non-DVR" box that is better than any others out there. When reading all of the issues surrounding the software changes, I couldn't tell if one box would better perform than others in that regard.

Thanks again for the help!

Nick --> If you hate the SciAtl boxes so much, consider picking up one of the new Tivos. Get a CableCARD and be done with it. Though I don't know how much success you'll have with those and HDMI.

The point of HDMI, for digital based sets is the need to not go through a D-A-A-D conversion which you go through when you use component cables.

Now if you want to take advantage of the new ultra high res surround modes, you're gonna have to have HDMI v1.3

Let's not jump off the deep end here. At no time did I say anything regarding even dis-liking the boxes, much less hating them. I actually like them and haven't had any issues.

Yes, I also fully understand HDMI.

Not interested in Tivo.

The ONLY thing that I am trying to discern is whether or not there is one non-DVR box from TW that is better than any other.

Again, thanks for the help.

Let's not jump off the deep end here. At no time did I say anything regarding even dis-liking the boxes, much less hating them. I actually like them and haven't had any issues.

Yes, I also fully understand HDMI.

Not interested in Tivo.

The ONLY thing that I am trying to discern is whether or not there is one non-DVR box from TW that is better than any other.

Again, thanks for the help.

Having used other boxes from Time Warner, both DVR and non-DVR I can say that the current 8300 is pretty much the best they have available. Now, I have had multiple boxes and seen quality differences from one 8300 to the next. I work really close to the TW main office so I switch them out until I get "good" ones. I picked up a brand spanking new one (manufacture date was the current month) and it was DOA. I think the real difference is the software used as you said. I remember the software on the old Pioneer HD boxes (non DVR) and much preferred it. It also had a sharper picture from what I remember.

Thanks Drop! That's exactly what I was looking for. I, too, liked the Pioneer box. I was actually a TW Beta for HD way back when and had those.

So, from your experience, would you opt for the DVR box even if not using the DVR? I'm most concerned about stability and PQ.

Appreciate the help!

Thanks Drop! That's exactly what I was looking for. I, too, liked the Pioneer box. I was actually a TW Beta for HD way back when and had those.

So, from your experience, would you opt for the DVR box even if not using the DVR? I'm most concerned about stability and PQ.

Appreciate the help!

I would and perhaps my thinking here is flawed. The way I look at it , the box that has the most features (in this case, the HD DVR) might also be made with slightly better components than the non-DVR boxes. So, even if I was not using the DVR function I would still opt for that bod. However, I really do use the DVR function and can't imagine getting along without it now! Of course, there is always the possibility that the boxes are all the same internally with the obvious exception that the DVR has a hard drive built into it. You should have seen the boxes that they brought out to my new house a few months ago when I was first getting service there. They were older vintage and looked like they were dropped off of a building! The tech did all of his outside connections and got down to connecting the box and you guessed it...it was dead. He said, "wow, that's weird" and I'm thinking, "hello! it looks like garbage and I would have been surprised if it had worked!" I guess they don't check these things out before they send them out with techs. That's why I like being so close to the main office. I hand pick my own and hook them up myself until I get one I like. If I could get an old Pioneer box back with the original software on it I would! I mean, who do you think makes a better product...Scientific Atlanta or Pioneer? I miss that box but what we have now is not bad, especially considering that we don't have a contract, up front equipment costs and we can always upgrade to the latest greatest equipment if we so choose.