Agreed completely. Guess I may got with yet another HD DVR. Why not have 3 of them, plus an SD DVR? :)

I feel 'ya on the boxes themselves. The last "new" one that I got from TW had 3 large dents in the top and the front looked like it tried to mate with a bed of nails. Sure, that's new. Bet it wouldn't pass as new when I turned it in...

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!

Okay, so hate was a bit harsh. How about "less than 100% happy". :)

I too was on the beta for HD back in March of 2002. I don't remember getting a Pioneer box, though. Seemed like it was a SciAtl box.

Since we're on the topic of the 8300, does anyone's box reset itself to channel 1 over night? Every single morning when I fire up my 8300 it has parked itself on channel 1. It started when they turned channel 1 on. The box is configured to come on to the last channel. But, it doesn't like doing that. Box has been rebooted. TW suggested I replace the box. But I'm not too keen on that. I'll live with the channel 1 issue if that's the only problem it has.

It's been pointed out by people using test patterns here at AVS that the SA8300HD-DVR has an effective limiting resolution of about 1300 lines. Don't know whether that's a hardware or software limiter, but it would be safe to assume the non-DVR box, the SA3250 (or whichever model they're using now) would use the same decoding chips as it's DVR sibling. Passport is the operating system for both here in Charlotte (with the DVR using the "Echo" version), althought it's looking like they're deploying the dreaded Navigator software on the new 8300HDR's.

Okay, so hate was a bit harsh. How about "less than 100% happy". :)

I too was on the beta for HD back in March of 2002. I don't remember getting a Pioneer box, though. Seemed like it was a SciAtl box.

Since we're on the topic of the 8300, does anyone's box reset itself to channel 1 over night? Every single morning when I fire up my 8300 it has parked itself on channel 1. It started when they turned channel 1 on. The box is configured to come on to the last channel. But, it doesn't like doing that. Box has been rebooted. TW suggested I replace the box. But I'm not too keen on that. I'll live with the channel 1 issue if that's the only problem it has.

My SA8300HDC with navigator was doing that. I asked a tech about it and he said it was a reported problem. I noticed yesterday last channel is now working for me.

I hope this is the right thread. I may be moving to Charlotte soon - what's my best bet as far as a TV service provider? I see Time Warner and Charter are available..which is better? Anyone have experience with DirecTV in the area?

I also need a broadband provider, so I was looking at Time Warner for it...basically, who has the better HD-DVR service in the Charlotte area?

I hope this is the right thread. I may be moving to Charlotte soon - what's my best bet as far as a TV service provider? I see Time Warner and Charter are available..which is better? Anyone have experience with DirecTV in the area?

I also need a broadband provider, so I was looking at Time Warner for it...basically, who has the better HD-DVR service in the Charlotte area?

Just an FYI
If you locate outside of Charlotte in the Lincoln county area (alot of Charlotte Commuters there) you'll be in Charter's area - otherwise, if you in Gaston County or Charlotte Proper you'll be in TW area.

Just an FYI
If you locate outside of Charlotte in the Lincoln county area (alot of Charlotte Commuters there) you'll be in Charter's area - otherwise, if you in Gaston County or Charlotte Proper you'll be in TW area.

It may become something other than Charter in the not to distant future...

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/86685

It may become something other than Charter in the not to distant future...

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/86685

IMHO alot of the current stock and debt issues were under CEO Kent - since then management's been in overlload doing every shortsighted thing in the book to try to bring numbers up (ala Dilbert) - personally cheap overseas call centers will never give the customer satisfaction as local people taking care of the customer - but big business mantra always seems to be do more with less.

At either rate, those rumors have been around for ages and I don't think you'll see Charter (#3 on the top Ten MSOs list) gobbled up by anyone smaller... so that pretty much leaves TW and Comcast. More than likely there will be more mergers and swaps. There's been a huge rumor that TW wanted to trade with Charter - their SC properties to us for our NC properties. Given how old that rumor is, I doubt it will come to fruition (especially since the FCC is getting leary of how big #1 and #2 are on that list.)

Either way, from what I've seen of the mergers still going on (we got rid of alot of markets in WV and a few other non-key areas) I suspect it will remain pretty much the same other than who you pay your bill to and who answer's your phone (and sometimes, even that doesn't change thanks to cheap contract call centers. :( )

The key differences you'll probably see in the Charter markets is that we are a Motorola based system and TW Charlotte is a SA based system

I think we each may have a few channels the other doesn't carry, not likely to be too different except on the fringe "niche" channels. I suspect TW Charlotte probably even has more channels as they serve a larger (and more affluent) market - but given the size of the Hickory / Boone / North Wilkes markets I'm rather impressed with what we offer (Broadband up to 10 mb, Digital w/HD and VOD and Telephony in Lincoln, Catawba, Burke, Alexander & Caldwell county markets)

At anyrate, I won't want to drive anyone crazy posting off topic -

if you get questions for me feel fee to send me a private message or email me at firstname.lastname@chartercom.com (or post on the Charlotte, NC - Charter thread)

I see the new movie, '300', is on demand, but don't see it in the HD on-demand. Anyone know about TW's plans to offer it in high definition? Thanks in advance.

I see the new movie, '300', is on demand, but don't see it in the HD on-demand. Anyone know about TW's plans to offer it in high definition? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Just had "instant chat" with TWC rep. No imediate plans to offer HD on Demand of 300.

The key differences you'll probably see in the Charter markets is that we are a Motorola based system and TW Charlotte is a SA based system


That means you can dump HD content off to D-VHS tape, as the Motorola platform still allows it. Lucky you. :( Firewire has been functionally disabled on the SA STB's for about a year now.

I have noticed a problem with the audio of WSOC-TV the past few days. The audio on the left channel is much lower in volume than the audio on the right. I have confirmed this on 3 separate TV's. This is on the over the air signal (CH.9) using an antenna.

In addition, when I watch WSOC-TV over Timer Warner (CH 4) the audio channels are reversed. Left is right, and the lower volume channel is now the left hand channel. Again confirmed on 3 different TV's.

So it appears that there is a problem with the L-R mix, and on top of that TWC has the signal backwards in their equipment.

Can anyone else confirm this?

UPDATE:

I ran some more tests and found another twist to this.

Off Air via antenna: (Ch. 9)

The audio on the left channel is much lower in volume than the audio on the right. I have confirmed this on 3 separate TV's. This is on the over the air signal using an antenna.

TWC without a cable box: (Ch. 4)

Same problem but the audio channels are reversed. Left is right, right channel is lower.

TWC with a cable box: (Ch. 4)

This matches the over the air signal, the left channel is lower.

So it appears that there is a problem with the L-R mix at the station, but TWC has the audio reversed on the analog feed, but not reversed on the digital feed.

I reached an engineer at WSOC, and after running some tests they discovered that the audio issue was an equipment problem on their end. They have now restored the proper levels.

As to the channels being flip/flopped on TWC analog, WSOC says the signals are correct leaving them on the fiber, so TWC must have something crossed further down the line.

I have left a message with a contact there, so hopefully this will be attended to in the near future.

What follows is a chain of emails sent to TW cable of Charlotte trying to find out what my options are w/r to HD signals on my existing cable. Does anybody have an answer, since TW won't answer me? Thanks!

My original Email
***********************************


I am currently a TW Road Runner customer. I am thinking of dropping DirectTV and looking for options. So a couple questions.

My existing hardware:
HDTV with HD tuner
Home Theater Personal Computer with capabilities of recieving Analog
SDTV, Digital HD with antenna, and QAM.

1) I know there is some sort of filter on my line outside that is blocking TV reception. If that filter is removed, what signals are available to me on the existing cable line? Analog Standard Defintion SIgnal, Digital SD signal, Digital HD signal, or QAM signal?
What would it cost per month to have that removed?

2) I would like to receive HD programming WITHOUT a box, and WITHOUT a
CableCard. I don;t want anything "On Demand", or access to premium content, just the standard HD Tier listed on your web site. Can this be done, how, and how much per month?

Thanks!

Jim Boyd
****************************************
Their first response

Dear Mr. Boyd,

Thank you for writing. All of your requests could be reached with the Standard service package for 49.95$ per month. This would provide you with the High Definition Programming provided by the local channels and allow you to use any QAM tuner also along with the tuner on the PC. You will not be able to receive the Digital Variety channels as they would require a converter or cable card, but any local programming channels giving a direct feed for their HD output would be available.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to E-mail us again or contact our Customer Support line for further assistance.

Sincerely,

George
Time Warner Cable Charlotte
High Speed Data Services

************************************
My response

A follow up:

In the "standard service package", are any of the channels BESIDES THE LOCALS (i.e.channels 20 -> 99) sent in HD? Like Discovery, National Geographic etc.

Thanks again,

Jim

*****************************************
Their 2nd response

Dear Mr. Boyd,

Thank you for writing. You will need to subscribe to our digital cable services to receive HD channels. This includes local channels. You can view all of our pricing and packages at the following link:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/charlotte/customer/pricemap.html


If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to E-mail us again or contact our Customer Support line for further assistance.

Sincerely,

Bree
Time Warner Cable Charlotte
High Speed Data Services

******************************************

It goes on for about 5 iterations, without ever answering my question. So, with the STANDARD SERVICE PACKAGE @ $49.95/month, what do I get in HD? Just the locals, or are other stations sent in HD also?

Thanks,


Jim

The Basic Cable package (less than $10.00 a month) will give you the same stations that you get with an OTA - in both SD and HD. This means you get all the major network stations: CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, CW, My12, 2 PBS's, + a couple of locals in SD only.

With Digital Cable you "get" all the channels but without a cable box/DVR or a cable card, you can't view them because they are scrambled.

"what do I get in HD? Just the locals, or are other stations sent in HD also?"

I will do a scan and give you an idea of what channels are in the clear for QAM channels.

Okay, College football is upon us and no ESPNU... As I understand it, it is offered on other TWC locations.... I just hope our area is next. Anyone here anything?

ESPNU will go live on 8/30/07, Channel 138 in Charlotte.

Has anyone noticed that HBO when viewed without a cable box (analog 7) has picked up all kinds of noise in the video and audio over the past few days? All kinds of buzzing sounds due to the picture being way too hot and cross modulating into the audio carrier.

Has anyone noticed that HBO when viewed without a cable box (analog 7) has picked up all kinds of noise in the video and audio over the past few days? All kinds of buzzing sounds due to the picture being way too hot and cross modulating into the audio carrier.

Over the weekend I had to place a service call to TWC and I recall there being a recorded message about how there was a system-wide problem with HBO on channel 7.

ESPNU will go live on 8/30/07, Channel 138 in Charlotte.

Sweet! Go Hawkeyes!!!

Well I called TWC and they say they are not aware of any issues. I dont think they ever really inform the level 1 CSR's what is going on. Probably easier to just wait for enough people to complain and it will get fixed, as rolling a truck to my house will do nothing.

"All kinds of buzzing sounds due to the picture being way too hot and cross modulating into the audio carrier."

As far as the video-audio delta..? It seems good to me,maybe you are getting ingress from something?

I dont think so. It started the other day after the storms went through town, and it only affected channel 7. All the other channels are fine.

I checked the levels and they are good,plus adjacent channels are in spec.

Well, I have actually not turned on channel 7 since Monday, so it may have gotten fixed yesterday. I will check later.

Also I wonder if it matters if I am on a different head end than you. I am fed from the Mint Hill head end.

How did you check the levels?

"How did you check the levels?" Meter..

I guess I should have been more specific, are you looking at the QAM levels at your house, or the video levels of the demod?

The HBO problem was happening here in NW Charlotte as well. Just analog 7 was the problem. All the other channels were fine.

Heads up for Survivor viewers (I know, sadly not HD). This season's (Survivor: CHINA) contestants include a woman from Tega Cay and a USC-Columbia student.

I'm sure everyone here is aware of the new MPEG 4 HD channels coming up for D*TV. Since there MPEG4 I'm assuming they won't be heavily compressed with low bitrates.

Over 50 HD channels I understand will go online any day now. If this is true how can TW expect to keep any of us? If they really show up and TW has nothing to counter than I'm switching. I realize D*TV has said many things in the past so I will just have to wait and see if it's really true.

Take a look at at something called SDV, switched digital video. this is where cable tv is heading, and this is how TW is going to compete with DTV and Dish.

Any idea when SDV will happen? I'd be willing to wait but for how long?

Take a look at at something called SDV, switched digital video. this is where cable tv is heading, and this is how TW is going to compete with DTV and Dish.

And don't forget about turning off the analog portion of the cable system. Cox has done that in a market or two.

You get a lot of hate, but it frees up gobs of spectrum.

TW is testing SDV now. But I'm not sure in what markets. If you've got a HDTivo and its still working, then SDV isn't here :)

Possibly by the end of this year. There have been articles on the web about TW's research into this and test rollouts in some markets. I spoke with a friend at TW last June who said it was coming.

Keep in mind that no matter how many channels of HD the satellite folks put up there is no comparison in quality to what we get off cable. HD off air is at a bit rate of 19Mb's/sec. TW gives us 13Mb/s. A slight compression of the signal. D* and Dish are going as low as 5Mb/sec and using tricks to reduce pixel count. I monitor our HD signal at work off direct output to the fiber and off D* and it is night and day.

I personally think Time Warner is vastly underestimating what is going to happen when DTV adds a bunch of HD channels in September. People are going to switch, probably me included. Especially since TWC is doing nothing to persuade us not to switch.

Where is the commercials telling us that Switched Cable is coming in 2 months, etc? Where are the press releases touting any of this? Do they really think all their HD customers are just going to wait around for the off chance that TWC just 'might' do something sometime next year? We live in a 'what have you done for me lately' society.

Its typical cable-speak when I read today that TWC had added Food Network-HD and HGTV-HD...but ONLY in Staten Island. And reading the same tired garbage that every market decides for themselves what they will add or not add. Meaning: Those 2 channels wont be seen in Charlotte any time soon.

I believe that I think like the majority of HD customers...I want every single HD channel I can get my hands on. And when one provider offers substantially more HD channels than the other provider, guess who gets my business?

Keep in mind that no matter how many channels of HD the satellite folks put up there is no comparison in quality to what we get off cable. HD off air is at a bit rate of up to 18Mb's/sec. On Cable TW gives us about 10-15Mb's. A slight compression of the signal. D* and Dish are going as low as 5Mb/sec and using tricks to reduce pixel count. I monitor our HD signal at work off direct output to the fiber and off D* and it is night and day.

That may be true for the national channels, but it certainly isn't true for the HD Locals.

As I stated in earlier posts I am switching back to TWC from Directv because my new house doesn't have a line of sight to the satellites. Just today I had my TWC installation and overall I think that Directv's SD and HD are BETTER than TWC here in Charlotte. Directv will be broadcasting those 40 new national HD channels using MPEG-4 like they are for the HD locals so they should be pretty good quality.

I would encourage those of you thinking about making the switch to consider Directv. They are testing something called single wire multi-switch(SWM) that can use existing cable rather than the rewire that can sometime be required.

On a sidenote, the TWC installer called today and asked if I could come home early for the installation. I agreed, but only if he would give me a Passport box rather than the new Navigator box. When I came home he gave me the choice and I selected Passport. This box was obviously used so he wasn't breaking the law. I had already purchased a TiVo HD because I was worried about the reliability of the Navigator box, but since I have a Passport box the TiVo HD is going back to Circuit City for now. The problem is that the TiVo HD can't tune SDV channels unless the rumored "tuning resolver" that the NCTA mentioned last week becomes reality.

Also, the tech said "I don't do TiVo" and actually just left me 2 cablecards to perform the TiVo installation myself. I guess I will be returning them to the TWC office for now.

Its going to be sooner than next year. I am sure that TW has marketing plans ready to announce new features and channels. With competition for viewer dollars as it is, there is no way they are going to just quietly sit back and let D* steal all the thunder.

And like I said, if you love the quality of HD, then D* HD is not what you think. When I watch all the pixillation on a D* HD feed of what we send out it amazes me that anyone would buy it. But you get to vote with your wallet, and one persons idea of a good picture is not another's. My wife will watch a picture that is 50% static and be content.

. HD off air is at a bit rate of up to 18Mb's/sec. On Cable TW gives us about 10-15Mb's. A slight compression of the signal. .

Now-Now.. that's NOT what TWC says!

Take a look at at something called SDV, switched digital video. this is where cable tv is heading, and this is how TW is going to compete with DTV and Dish.

The problem with SDV is that it's not compatible with Passport. It will evidently require Navigator. Now, it could be incorporated into Passport if TWC would just have the good sense to hire Aptiv (the company that writes the Passport software) to modify their excellent program. Instead, the genius's in "management" (I use the term loosely) at TWC decided they could save a couple of rubles by bringing software development in-house. The result has been the disastrous Navigator mess and a mass defection (or will be when the rollout becomes more widespread) of customers. It's beyond stupid, really, just way beyond it. :rolleyes:

And those of us who choose to retain Passport boxes for our sanity will not be able to receive any of the potentially dozens of new HD channels added because of SDV. Nice.

This is how I've interpreted the murky waters surrounding SDV and Navigator. If anyone from TWC has different information, please, we're all ears.

That may be true for the national channels, but it certainly isn't true for the HD Locals.

As I stated in earlier posts I am switching back to TWC from Directv because my new house doesn't have a line of sight to the satellites. Just today I had my TWC installation and overall I think that Directv's SD and HD are BETTER than TWC here in Charlotte. Directv will be broadcasting those 40 new national HD channels using MPEG-4 like they are for the HD locals so they should be pretty good quality.

I would encourage those of you thinking about making the switch to consider Directv. They are testing something called single wire multi-switch(SWM) that can use existing cable rather than the rewire that can sometime be required.

On a sidenote, the TWC installer called today and asked if I could come home early for the installation. I agreed, but only if he would give me a Passport box rather than the new Navigator box. When I came home he gave me the choice and I selected Passport. This box was obviously used so he wasn't breaking the law. I had already purchased a TiVo HD because I was worried about the reliability of the Navigator box, but since I have a Passport box the TiVo HD is going back to Circuit City for now. The problem is that the TiVo HD can't tune SDV channels unless the rumored "tuning resolver" that the NCTA mentioned last week becomes reality.

Also, the tech said "I don't do TiVo" and actually just left me 2 cablecards to perform the TiVo installation myself. I guess I will be returning them to the TWC office for now.


Just a little FYI and interjection from someone who's had experience installing TIVO

1) So far it seems TW's customer service on this has been pretty low, but you should complain up the local management chain about this - the installer is generally obligated to put the cards in and verify your signal levels - they may refuse to program your TIVO for you, but they are not supposed to simply drop the cards in your lap and say "it's all you dawg" and leave... especially since the cable company has to send a pairing signal to each card to get them to work.

2) Install procedure

a) Insert card 1 (lower slot if it's like the SIII)

b) TIVO should detect card and bring up cablecard menus

c) go through settings and get the Cable Card ID, Host ID and Data ID

d) Call Cable Co and give them those numbers and ask that they send an initialization signal to the equipment (you may get CSRs who don't know what they are doing and may have to escalate this up the chain - I generally recommend going to the local office and complaining to mgt until you get someone who knows what they are doing with the cards)

e) Wait about 10 minutes from the time the initialization goes through (you'll probably see a 161-4 error code when it happens - SIIIs do - that's TIVO receiving the init - which includes a command to reset - which TIVO can't follow so it errors)

Test channels - should work...

Then (and only then) restart the process with Card 2.

In theory Multistream cards should work - but it's been my experience with Moto cards and SIIIs that they will not as of yet.

FCC mandates that MSOs support cablecards - they are not obligated to support "3rd party equipment" but they are required to support the cablecard. If they insist that it's your equipment acting up - request a temporary box and test it against what the card should be doing....

Services like SDV and VOD won't work on most card based devices yet - but if those three numbers are correctly entered for each card, then you should get validation on all your normal Analog, Digital and HD channels.

It's not my system (and not even a motorola system) so I'm by no means an expert, but cablecards are supposed to pretty much work the same reguardless of what type of headend and controller a system has.

Just a little FYI and interjection from someone who's had experience installing TIVO

1) So far it seems TW's customer service on this has been pretty low, but you should complain up the local management chain about this - the installer is generally obligated to put the cards in and verify your signal levels - they may refuse to program your TIVO for you, but they are not supposed to simply drop the cards in your lap and say "it's all you dawg" and leave... especially since the cable company has to send a pairing signal to each card to get them to work.

2) Install procedure

a) Insert card 1 (lower slot if it's like the SIII)

b) TIVO should detect card and bring up cablecard menus

c) go through settings and get the Cable Card ID, Host ID and Data ID

d) Call Cable Co and give them those numbers and ask that they send an initialization signal to the equipment (you may get CSRs who don't know what they are doing and may have to escalate this up the chain - I generally recommend going to the local office and complaining to mgt until you get someone who knows what they are doing with the cards)

e) Wait about 10 minutes from the time the initialization goes through (you'll probably see a 161-4 error code when it happens - SIIIs do - that's TIVO receiving the init - which includes a command to reset - which TIVO can't follow so it errors)

Test channels - should work...

Then (and only then) restart the process with Card 2.

In theory Multistream cards should work - but it's been my experience with Moto cards and SIIIs that they will not as of yet.

FCC mandates that MSOs support cablecards - they are not obligated to support "3rd party equipment" but they are required to support the cablecard. If they insist that it's your equipment acting up - request a temporary box and test it against what the card should be doing....

Services like SDV and VOD won't work on most card based devices yet - but if those three numbers are correctly entered for each card, then you should get validation on all your normal Analog, Digital and HD channels.

It's not my system (and not even a motorola system) so I'm by no means an expert, but cablecards are supposed to pretty much work the same reguardless of what type of headend and controller a system has.


James,

Just interested, what are Charter's plans regarding capacity and keeping up with D*? Are you guys going to do switched video?

James,

Just interested, what are Charter's plans regarding capacity and keeping up with D*? Are you guys going to do switched video?

TW's in the lead on SDV - we are pretty much waiting for TW and Comcast to find all the pit-falls etc before we jump on board - till then our immediate plan seems to be to push for moving as much Analog over to digital as possible in the next two years to make room for new HDs as we get them. I think most MSOs will either go to all digital or all digital with a "basic" analog simo-cast.

HBO is pushing for updated encryption and I believe they've already called for all of their channels to be in the new format (with 6Mb/s being their spec for high end HD - others say they can do it in 4 +1 for audio - but HBO would rather take a little more room to keep a better picture) - With the Feeds pushing out in the newer format pretty much everone will have to support it in one way or another - I know the immediate solution will probably involve decoding it in that format from the bird then re-encoding it using normal formats until we phase out boxes that can't support the new encryption - this was from a trade article I read recently on SDV - though I would think that such encryption could possibly be enabled via Firmware update on most boxes except for the oldest SD converters.

I know the general plan is to push HD hard - D* is trumpeting what they are *going* to have and most MSOs know we've got to either meet or beat them if we want to keep the high end market.

Well, according to the information I was supplied by TW, they run the HD channels pretty much wide open thru the QAMs and Cherry Pickers resulting in the bit rates I stated earlier. But whether its 15 or 10 or 8, D* is still way below that and there is just no way you are getting true HD if you compress to that level. In a side by side you would see the difference.

Now for some interesting numbers. In our facility uncompressed HD video moves at the rate of 1.485 Gbit/s. For storage and editing purposes we compress that down to 145Mb/s. Over the air ATSC HD is sent out at 19.38Mb/s. So as you can see there is already some huge reductions in bit rate right from the start.

I will admit that I am biased because I can see the before and after of the effects of D* compression, something most of the population will never see, but because I can see it my money goes with cable. To me its closer to what the original looked like. Oh and I still have a DISH dish hanging on my house from when I used to use them, but I switched due to too much pixelation and motion lag.

James, thanks for the info and insight.

Ok, now that I have had the Passport box a few days I thought I would provide an update on Directv vs. TWC Charlotte picture quality.

HDTV Locals - Directv broadcasts HD locals using MPEG-4 compression whereas TWC Charlotte uses MPEG-2. As a result, I think that Directv has better HD Locals because the new compression scheme means they don't have to lower the bit rate.

Advantage Directv

EDIT: It's important to note that both TWC and Directv get the Charlotte locals via OTA so both have lots of compression artifacts caused by those stupid subchannels. If TWC Charlotte could get these locals via fiber, then theoretically TWC could provide a better picture than even OTA.

HDTV Nationals - I watched my Hokies on ESPN HD today and found that the jersey numbers didn't blur as much watching TWC as they did on Directv last year. Since ESPN is 720P this can't be a de-interlacing issue so I attribute the difference to decreased bitrate by Directv.

EDIT: Note that Directv will be moving these legacy MPEG-2 nationals to MPEG-4 soon which should result in better picture quality like it does on the HD Locals.

Advantage TWC

SDTV - I "watched" the Arizona vs. BYU game on Versus this afternoon. I say "watched" because I have NEVER seen such a terrible picture. The closest analogy I can make is watching a YouTube video in full screen on your computer. I mean I could see mosquito noise and block artifacts from 8 feet away on a 40" screen. I never recall seeing an SD channel broadcast so poorly on Directv as that game was on TWC today. I think that I am going to have to get a video processor that can remove compression artifacts.

Advantage Directv

It will be interesting to see if TWC uses switched digital technology to improve picture quality or simply add more channels.

Last night I watched some of the game on WSOC-HD over D* at a friends house. It was so full of block noise and smear it barely looked like TV. When the game high camera went wide and stayed steady, the field would just blur into this featureless green wash. When the game tight camera would follow the play, the picture was full of block noise. The graphics on the bottom line were even pulsating. Of course we did not have a TW HD box to look at how it was on there, but it looked far worse than anything I have seen on TW. I wish I could show you folks the picture as it leaves our facility and what you are getting on D*. It would blow your mind. The closest I could do maybe is to grab some screen shots and post them.

EDIT: It's important to note that both TWC and Directv get the Charlotte locals via OTA so both have lots of compression artifacts caused by those stupid subchannels. If TWC Charlotte could get these locals via fiber, then theoretically TWC could provide a better picture than even OTA..

Sorry, but incorrect here at least for WCCB..

1) As for FOX, We use MPEG splicing, which means the encoding you see of FOX network programming is done at FOX TOC in LA, and not locally. The exact same picture quality is seen at WCCB,WFXB,WGHP,WRAZ, etc.. The splicer gives priority to the HD picture, and will take bandwidth from our subchannel if needed, which is seldom due to the high-efficiency encoders used by FOX.

2) Regardless of the station, a fiber feed would not improve the PQ without having a seperate encoder running at a higher bit rate. Once the picture is encoded, there is no impact on PQ by the transmission chain, until it reaches the cable company and their stream processors. Of courrse,TWC states no bit reduction of the OTA stations, however I don't believe that is widely accepted outside of TWC.

I wish I could show you folks the picture as it leaves our facility and what you are getting on D*. It would blow your mind. The closest I could do maybe is to grab some screen shots and post them.

If the general public could see real HD as some of us do, they'd go home and be really disappointed in what they're seeing.

I kind of tie this to the whole MP3 thing too. The public has been dumbed down to accept less quality than you and I knew as young engineers starting in this business. No one listens to high quality full bandwidth music anymore, they only know the sound of 128kb MP3 and they think its good. A properly maintained FM radio station has the ability to send out better sound any music an iPod has ever played. Same for HD, they see what's on D*, DISH, and yes cable and think WOW that looks great. Why because they grew to accept bad analog cable in poorly managed plants for so many years. So they see an HD picture compressed and pixel reduced and they think it looks fantastic. Meanwhile we sit in our control rooms and see the real thing and wonder why anyone would accept less than that.

So what it comes down to for me at home, is which of the signals is the least bad. Cable just looks better. Multiple MPEG compression chains can only make a picture look worse, and that is what happens with D*. They take the off air or satellite signal down at their facility, de-code it, re-encode it for DVB. Pass it through systems that mux it with the other feeds and do dynamic bandwidth allocation and send it out. I don't see MPEG 4 as the great savior. Its another way to fit more potatoes in the same sack. Yes it takes less bandwidth, but its compressing more to get there.

There is no free lunch in lossy compression techniques. If you make the data smaller you are giving something up. The same as with mp3 or AAC audio. To make that data file small, stuff is tossed out in the process. Aural equations are applied to remove the sound our ears supposedly cant hear. But its those subtle harmonics, those low level ring outs of notes that create the full rich sound.

In HD if you start compressing too high you get pastel painted faces devoid of detail, static objects that flicker on the edges, graphics with little ghosty edges and of course blocky video.

I am not saying TW is perfect, but to my eye they are not the worst.

ATSC was a compromise solution, not the best method to transmit, but one that industry finally agreed to live with. So if you really want to see HD as good as ATSC allows then you need an off air tuner.

So if you really want to see HD as good as ATSC allows then you need an off air tuner.

Right-On.. I'm amazed at people who choose to pay good money for the OTA's that can be had for free with an antenna. While not everyone is able to install and get good reception with an antenna, there are more that could than those who can't (if they even tried). Any one who takes anytime to compare OTA direct with the other sources can easily see the difference. If they can't, they need glasses or a new monitor. I have a square shooter out on my chimney, and get ALL the locals perfectly. For FREE!!

It's especially amazing to me those who have HD sets with integrated tuner that don't have an antenna..Which is probably why they keep paying for less than the original local video..

Right-On.. I'm amazed at people who choose to pay good money for the OTA's that can be had for free with an antenna. While not everyone is able to install and get good reception with an antenna, there are more that could than those who can't (if they even tried). Any one who takes anytime to compare OTA direct with the other sources can easily see the difference. If they can't, they need glasses or a new monitor. I have a square shooter out on my chimney, and get ALL the locals perfectly. For FREE!!



Well, the problem is not that there isn't wonderful quality from free OTA sources, the problem is that there is a dearth of STB and DVR products to make that niche palatable to the masses. Of course, if you have either of the satellite services you have an OTA tuner built into their receivers but there's typically only one tuner, and that's not enough these days. And if you just want local HD's and don't care about "cable channels", the choice is even less. There's the high-priced HD TiVO (and it's associated monthly fees), and then there's...... what? Sony used to make one. Samsung used to make one. There were free guides out there that would integrate into them. The Samsung even had a firewire port so you could archive content out to D-VHS tape. What happened to those products?

That's what's holding OTA back - no low-cost stand alone receivers on the market. It would seem to be wide open; yet it's a door nobody is walking through. And that's why I don't have anything to take advantage of the admittedly better PQ.

Agreed on the dearth of OTA STB's. There are quite a few used ones out there tho, the LG-LST-3510-DVD is an excellent unit. I have the LG797T and a Panny DMR-EZ17 here at home, good tuners but only upconverted outputs.
The new Samsung box was designed by someone who never gets out of their cubicle, it's terrible IMHO. I have one of the Sony's you mention as well, TWC can't make the cablecard work in it.. I guess that's why I have +12 different
ATSC-Satellite-DVD-DVHS-DVR's here at home..covering all services.
:rolleyes:

I do have a bit of concern over the lack of "good" tuners currently available with the pending analog shutoff. The MFG's tell me that there's really no demand for them given all the new Tv's have ATSC-QAM tuners. I think there
will be once people find out the $40 basic "freebie" units aren't very practical.

OK, for someone who doesn't understand all this... I have a SA8300 HD-DVR. What exactly is SDV and what will it mean for me? Will I need a new box? Possibly an unrelated issue, but my box kept rebooting itself last night (4 or 5 times)... some sort of testing maybe?

OK, for someone who doesn't understand all this... I have a SA8300 HD-DVR. What exactly is SDV and what will it mean for me? Will I need a new box? Possibly an unrelated issue, but my box kept rebooting itself last night (4 or 5 times)... some sort of testing maybe?

SDV stands for Switched Digital Video. Instead of the cable company transmitting all channels to all households all the time, they keep those channels at the network edge and only send them to a house (or more likely neighborhood) when someone asks for them.

This frees up network capacity by only sending data when it is necessary and makes the whole network more dynamic.

Kinda like streaming video on the net. CNN isn't going to stream a video clip to your PC if you're not asking for it. SDV is kinda in the same ball park.

What does it mean for you? Well, if you're on Passport, it probably means you're going to have to get upgraded to Navigator on your DVR either through a software push or from swapping out your box.

It also means that your HD Tivo won't work without a forthcoming channel mapper add-on. Other cable card devices such as TVs may also no longer work with SDV.

On the other hand, it will free up channel capacity and allow more HD streams, more SD streams as well as (maybe, not likely) faster broadband.

I do have a bit of concern over the lack of "good" tuners currently available with the pending analog shutoff. The MFG's tell me that there's really no demand for them given all the new Tv's have ATSC-QAM tuners. I think there
will be once people find out the $40 basic "freebie" units aren't very practical.

The problem with all the new ATSC tuners mandated to be built into the new TV's is that they don't have a DVR attached to them. Along with GPS devices, DVR's have become indispensable, at least to me and everyone I know. An ATSC receiver without a DVR is like...well... a day without sunshine. ;)

With the 7/07 mandate we should start seeing more technology rolling out in the way of OTA and CableCard based solutions - I know the DVD-Recorders and retail DVRs are now mandated to state if they have a digital tuner or not (so customers are aware they are either buying something that can tune to ClearQAM or something that's only good while analog still broadcasts) - I noticed this recently on Walmart.com as I was checking out DVD-Recorders.

In the DVR arena, Digeo is entering the ring with TIVO putting out a line of retail Moxi boxes - some are specifically designed for OTA usage, some for CableCARD - there's not been much talk about one that does both (or dish usage) but from what I've seen it's hit home that they need to include the ability for clearQAM / OTA tuning.

I know the idea behind the push for alot of basic digital tuners is to give customers something to get their TV up to "basic" level again - so if someone had that old 19in TV in their kid's room that still was tuning analog a cheap box would give them basic services again.

I would *hope* that in an all-digital world MSOs would have their basic digital service in analog simocast so if customers choose no box they would not require much else, - but when you get into Expanded basic VS Basic you'd either have to make it manditory for all Expanded basic people to get a box or Card (for card enabled TVs) or you'd have to create a new trap similar to the analog traps used now to "filter down" Basic from Expanded basic. - Since packaging and encrypting is the easier route, it's hard to tell what will happen - MSOs will want to go the cheapest route, but depending on customer demand, Franchise demands and FCC mandates, people who didn't want to have boxes might have to anyway simply because of how TV manufacturers went from ClearQAM+Card to just ClearQAM.

What! Say it ain't so... Our Panther game on CBS will be shown in SD. Wow, that stinks!!! Let's get our games back to FOX where they belong.

You have got to be kidding. No HD for the panther game sucks. Even if it was in HD on CBS that would suck, but no HD on CBS is horrible.

I guess I was wrong, but I'd swear I read months back that CBS was not going to be doing this crap again this season. That all games would be in HD. This sucks. But I have to disagree with the top posters about CBS. I really think their HD games look much better than Fox.

Hey guys, don't be bummin' on the lack of HD on Sunday's telecast.... it's a home game; buy a ticket and experience it in glorious Ultra-3D-HD, resolution unlimited. See you there. ;)

Hey guys, don't be bummin' on the lack of HD on Sunday's telecast.... it's a home game; buy a ticket and experience it in glorious Ultra-3D-HD, resolution unlimited. See you there. ;)

Hmm..a forecast of Sunny and only 75 degrees.. I think I'll stay home and nap on the patio instead.. :)

I have received 2.4.5_4 on my 830HDC in Charlotte, NC in the last few days.

I had noticed over the last day or so that program information no longer provided new/repeat indication and sure enough, on checking my ODN version it's been updated. Apart from the loss of this vital repeat/new info, I see that the scrolling tv guide (ch.99) has also changed -- it's some really nasty, awful graphic quality guide with a new logo (not the TV Guide Channel logo anymore). It's as if Time Warner has done a deal with an alternative (much cheaper) tv guide provider for their linear channel and for the guide information in the epg.

I was expecting to receive caller ID on TV in the next Navigator update but that is still absent here.

I don't see any other differences yet but the ones I do see are obvious steps back. Time Warner Cable never ceases to surprise me (in a bad way)!

Oh - and for some reason in Charlotte, we do not have the NBC Fall Preview on demand that is supposed to be available as part of Entertainment on Demand and HD Showcase on Demand. The TW Charlotte web site talks about it but it's not there.

Seems to me that the 'C' in TWC stands for 'crap-shoot'.

Hey guys, don't be bummin' on the lack of HD on Sunday's telecast.... it's a home game; buy a ticket and experience it in glorious Ultra-3D-HD, resolution unlimited. See you there. ;)

I lived Uptown for 4 years and made every game. Since moving to South Charlotte and all the travel I do during the week day...staying at home watching my Panthers in the comfort of my home is good enough for me.

article posted today on tvpredictions.com:

News
Time Warner to Add TBS HD
Winston-Salem residents notified of the addition.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2007) -- Time Warner Cable has notified HD subscribers in at least one market that it will add TBS HD on October 1.

The channel will carry first and second round action in this year's Major League Baseball playoffs.

Time Warner has alerted customers in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area that TBS HD will be added on October 1 in time for the playoffs.

The cable operator has not said where else the channel will be added. Normally, Time Warner negotiates the national rights to carry a channel and then allows for the local TW system to decide when and how to carry it.

Time Warner has also told customers in the Northwest part of North Carolina area that several other HD channels will be added on October 15:

A&E HD, MTV HD, History Channel HD, CNN HD, Lifetime Movies HD, Food Network HD, Golf Channel/Versus HD, and Universal HD.

CNN HD, The History Channel HD and Lifetime Movies HD appear to be additions to most existing Time Warner HD lineups.

However, again, it's unclear if and when other Time Warner markets will get those new HD channels.



Of the channels mentioned in the article, the only channel that Charlotte currently has is Universal HD. I assume we'll be shutout again and get none of these channels, right?

article posted today on tvpredictions.com:




Of the channels mentioned in the article, the only channel that Charlotte currently has is Universal HD. I assume we'll be shutout again and get none of these channels, right?

I'll keep my fingers crossed...TWC Charlotte is absolutely horrendous when it comes to advance notice of new HD channels.

Of the channels mentioned in the article, the only channel that Charlotte currently has is Universal HD. I assume we'll be shutout again and get none of these channels, right?

we dont have UHD up here in statesville......they'll probably add that for us...and nothing else:mad:

If TWC does not add this channel in the Charlotte market around Oct. 1, I may actually jump ship. I don't look forward to watching most of the baseball playoffs in ANALOG. Satellite HD may be worse than TWC HD but it will sure beat analog cable on my digital TV.

New channels announced for Charlotte:

(from their site at http://www.timewarnercable.com/charlotte/programming/cluchanges.html)

Fox Business News will be added October 1, 2007
TBS HD will be added on October 1, 2007
Golf/Versus HD will be added on October 15
A&E HD will be added on October 15
MTV HD will be added on October 15

So there we go ... no where near as much as we may have hoped for but it's a start, I guess.

Fox Business News will be added October 1, 2007
TBS HD will be added on October 1, 2007
Golf/Versus HD will be added on October 15
A&E HD will be added on October 15
MTV HD will be added on October 15

So there we go ... no where near as much as we may have hoped for but it's a start, I guess.

Oh fer cryin' out loud - still no Cinemax-HD or Starz-HD. :rolleyes: But at least we're getting something. Now, they better not be removing anything of the HD world we already have to add these...

How about that!

Oh fer cryin' out loud - still no Cinemax-HD or Starz-HD. :rolleyes: But at least we're getting something. Now, they better not be removing anything of the HD world we already have to add these...

Nah, they'll just be dropping our 5Mb/sec connections to 2Mb/sec ;)

Maybe I'm just burned out on TV in general. But none of those channels are must haves for me. MTV HD would be appealing if they actually showed videos. But I bet its just more of the same lifestyle crap you see on MTV and VH1.

Good news on TWC adding ANY new HD, even if they are not as many as we had hoped.

Has anyone heard if they will be offering the NHL Center Ice package?

MTV HD would be appealing if they actually showed videos. But I bet its just more of the same lifestyle crap you see on MTV and VH1.
Well, the good news is that it's all music...no shows, etc. The bad news is that after one weekend, you'll have seen pretty much all of their content. It's literally the same episodes of Storytellers (Green Day, Dixie Chicks, Bruce Springsteen, and Pearl Jam), Flash Mob: Pink,VMA's (Now 2007!), Music in High Places (Goo Goo Dolls, Dashboard Confessional...) and some country music and R&B stuff that I don't care enough about to remember...

[Almost] Literally, that's it...over and over.

Good evening, everyone.

I'm using my new HDHomeRun device trying to tune in my locals in HD over Clear QAM. However, I'm having some problems. First of all, I cannot find WBTV (CBS) in HD on any channel. Does anyone know why this may be? Second, I'm having some problems with choppy video and audio, which I'm assuming is a result of my signal quality. I'm using a line coming off of the TWC splitter outside my house (it's in a port labeled as 7db) going into a Monster cable splitter just before the HDHomeRun.

Does anyone know a) where I can find WBTV? and/or b) what I can call and say to TWC in order to get a better signal to my house? I tried an indoor splitter/amp, but all that did was increase the signal level, not the quality (as reported by the HDHomeRun box).

Thanks, any help is GREATLY appreciated!

New channels announced for Charlotte:

(from their site at http://www.timewarnercable.com/charlotte/programming/cluchanges.html)

Fox Business News will be added October 1, 2007
TBS HD will be added on October 1, 2007
Golf/Versus HD will be added on October 15
A&E HD will be added on October 15
MTV HD will be added on October 15

So there we go ... no where near as much as we may have hoped for but it's a start, I guess.


Odd that TWC Charlotte all of a sudden has bandwidth to add these HD channels. I always read on this forum that the Charlotte franchise was the most bandwidth constrained franchise in the country. Does anyone know the status of the switched digital implementation? In my opinion MTV HD is a complete waste of bandwidth. I wish they would pole the customers on what channels we want. I'm personally looking for Discovery HD, NG HD, CNN HD, CNBC HD and the NFL Network HD in addition to the channels they just added. Every little bit helps...

Odd that TWC Charlotte all of a sudden has bandwidth to add these HD channels. I always read on this forum that the Charlotte franchise was the most bandwidth constrained franchise in the country. Does anyone know the status of the switched digital implementation? In my opinion MTV HD is a complete waste of bandwidth. I wish they would pole the customers on what channels we want. I'm personally looking for Discovery HD, NG HD, CNN HD, CNBC HD and the NFL Network HD in addition to the channels they just added. Every little bit helps...

We already have Discovery HD.

Believe the channel additions when they can actually be dialed in on your receiver.

You are thinking of Discovery Theater HD. The new Discovery HD is the original Discovery channel in HD.

You are thinking of Discovery Theater HD. The new Discovery HD is the original Discovery channel in HD.

Correct! Discovery HD Theater

Bleh, having problems trying to use my QAM tuner to score free TV since my OTA receception has been iffy, so has TW put encryption on EVERYTHING now, including the local channels? They also puts a "filter" in my bedroom while they were making the rounds of my apartment complex. Could that be causing problems with my QAM tuner?

Bleh, having problems trying to use my QAM tuner to score free TV since my OTA receception ?

Locals on QAM's are not encrypted. WCCB is on QAM 101; which I just checked is clear.

I had called them this afternoon and they said they were experiencing an outage in my area. I waited and called again a few minutes ago, and they said it was resolved.

Still no QAM channels picking up, though, despite scanning STD/IRC/HRC. Feh. Just for shits and giggles, could someone list the channels #s the local stations show up on?

I had called them this afternoon and they said they were experiencing an outage in my area. I waited and called again a few minutes ago, and they said it was resolved.

Still no QAM channels picking up, though, despite scanning STD/IRC/HRC. Feh. Just for shits and giggles, could someone list the channels #s the local stations show up on?

Here is the channel line up link.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?menu=Programming

*Nevermind. Someone made clear to me that you still pay for cable, QAM just gets you the local digital stations. I thought it was free free*

TBS-HD is now live on TWC on channel 282.



Also: TWC is finally offering the NHL Center Ice package:

Key Package Dates
Package kick-off date: September 29, 2007

Early Bird Offer Ends: October 9.
Early Bird Free Preview: September 29 - October 9
Early Bird Pricing: $149.00 or four installments of $37.25

Regular Season Offer: October 10 - January 24, 2008
Regular Season Pricing: $169.00 or four installments of $42.25

Channels:
971-984

More Information:
www.indemand.com

Anybody know how much it would cost to have TWC move a cable outlet from one wall to another? I had asked that this be done upon my initial install but the guy said it was not on his work order and he could not do it. I tried doing it myself yesterday but could not get the cable to budge. I found where the cable drops in from the attic in between the wall but no amount of pulling would get it out. I was just going to pull it out of the wall and reroute it to another location.

Anybody know how much it would cost to have TWC move a cable outlet from one wall to another? I had asked that this be done upon my initial install but the guy said it was not on his work order and he could not do it. I tried doing it myself yesterday but could not get the cable to budge. I found where the cable drops in from the attic in between the wall but no amount of pulling would get it out. I was just going to pull it out of the wall and reroute it to another location.

You're likely going to need another drop. If your house was built recently the cable is going to be stapled to the stud. It's not going anywhere. Unless, perhaps, you take the sheetrock down :)

You're likely going to need another drop. If your house was built recently the cable is going to be stapled to the stud. It's not going anywhere. Unless, perhaps, you take the sheetrock down :)

That's what I was afraid of. Yeah, the house is about 3 years old and I'm sure that coax went in when the studs were still bare. I have an amp on this line because for some reason it has to be here to get a decent signal at the other outlets. I want to get all of that moved into a closet where my equipment will be.

That's what I was afraid of. Yeah, the house is about 3 years old and I'm sure that coax went in when the studs were still bare. I have an amp on this line because for some reason it has to be here to get a decent signal at the other outlets. I want to get all of that moved into a closet where my equipment will be.
If TW supplied the AMP, it is actually outside in the cable box located within a few feet of where your power meter is (TW gounds the cable to the same ground spike that Duke Energy uses). The AMP get it's power from a transformer (what you are calling an amp) that is connected to one of your cable drops. You can't move it to another drop unless the cables are swapped inside the outside box (only one of the connectors on the AMP spitter will accept the power form the transformer. In may area (Salisbury) TW puts a little plastic "locK" on the outside box, implying that the customer shouldn't be messing inside.

If TW supplied the AMP, it is actually outside in the cable box located within a few feet of where your power meter is (TW gounds the cable to the same ground spike that Duke Energy uses). The AMP get it's power from a transformer (what you are calling an amp) that is connected to one of your cable drops. You can't move it to another drop unless the cables are swapped inside the outside box (only one of the connectors on the AMP spitter will accept the power form the transformer. In may area (Salisbury) TW puts a little plastic "locK" on the outside box, implying that the customer shouldn't be messing inside.

Yeah, that's why I wanted to move the same drop to another outlet box in another part of the room. As you say, it will only work on that one and I have tried moving the adapter and sure enough I get poor signal strength at all locations. I have been in the box you are talking about but I could not get the connectors to move on the amp. This gives me an idea though. I have an outlet on the other side of my closet wall in another bedroom. If they could move the amp to that line then I could tap into that outlet from inside the closet and also put in an AC outlet for the adapter and my other equipment.

Yeah, that's why I wanted to move the same drop to another outlet box in another part of the room. As you say, it will only work on that one and I have tried moving the adapter and sure enough I get poor signal strength at all locations. I have been in the box you are talking about but I could not get the connectors to move on the amp. This gives me an idea though. I have an outlet on the other side of my closet wall in another bedroom. If they could move the amp to that line then I could tap into that outlet from inside the closet and also put in an AC outlet for the adapter and my other equipment.

You can do it yourself. Just get an adjustable wrench and go to town. Don't mess with the other connections. You might want to first identify the cable you're looking for by unplugging them until the tv on the target outlet goes out. Unless you're lucky and they're labeled.

The little plastic tag is there to keep the box closed. Not to keep you out of it. That's why it's called the demarc.

Oh yeah, this is *VERY* important - make sure you take the "splitter" that you'll find attached somewhere along the line from the wall-wart. Pay VERY close attention to how it is cabled (take a picture of it even). One leg of that splitter blocks the DC current. You really do not want 18v DC going to your flat screen. :)

You can do it yourself. Just get an adjustable wrench and go to town. Don't mess with the other connections. You might want to first identify the cable you're looking for by unplugging them until the tv on the target outlet goes out. Unless you're lucky and they're labeled.

The little plastic tag is there to keep the box closed. Not to keep you out of it. That's why it's called the demarc.

Oh yeah, this is *VERY* important - make sure you take the "splitter" that you'll find attached somewhere along the line from the wall-wart. Pay VERY close attention to how it is cabled (take a picture of it even). One leg of that splitter blocks the DC current. You really do not want 18v DC going to your flat screen. :)

Yeah, I did not even have a splitter until a few months ago. There was no tv in the room where the adapter is. Now I have a projector set up in there and I need the wall free of cables, etc. That's why I want it all in the closet where my cable box, receiver, DVD player, etc will be. I know I tried doing this before and could not get the things loose. They were so close together that it was next to impossible to get a wrench on them. Maybe I will give it another shot.

Yeah, I did not even have a splitter until a few months ago. There was no tv in the room where the adapter is. Now I have a projector set up in there and I need the wall free of cables, etc. That's why I want it all in the closet where my cable box, receiver, DVD player, etc will be. I know I tried doing this before and could not get the things loose. They were so close together that it was next to impossible to get a wrench on them. Maybe I will give it another shot.

Well, pick up one of these then:

http://www.hometech.com/tools/coax.html#TH-W5437

I don't know if the Shack would sell this or not. I know for a fact it will work because thats what I use and have the same amp you do and I've moved stuff around before.

Well, pick up one of these then:

http://www.hometech.com/tools/coax.html#TH-W5437

I don't know if the Shack would sell this or not. I know for a fact it will work because thats what I use and have the same amp you do and I've moved stuff around before.

Nice! Thanks for the link. I actually have some "connections" for Ideal tools so perhaps one of those F connector screwdrivers will do the trick. Now I just need my girlfriend to watch TV's in the house with a cell phone while I find the right line.

I have been watching the PBS series "The War" for the past several evenings, and I have noticed that both HD feeds (230 and 201) the audio is way out of sync with the video. Has anyone else noticed this?

I have been watching the PBS series "The War" for the past several evenings, and I have noticed that both HD feeds (230 and 201) the audio is way out of sync with the video. Has anyone else noticed this?


I've been watching it OTA on the PBS feed out of South Carolina, and they are having sync issues as well. It must be a PBS issue rather than a TWC problem.

Sad to say, we can't blame this one on the cable company. :(

I have been watching the PBS series "The War" for the past several evenings, and I have noticed that both HD feeds (230 and 201) the audio is way out of sync with the video. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah, that channel is always out of sync for me though. It's not too bad until they do the interviews with the up close shots of their faces. Then you can really tell how far off it is. Man, the bass is just killer though!

Guys, just wondering if anyone had any input on how I might get my problem resolved (see my unanswered post on the previous page). To summarize,

1) I can't find WBTV in HD anywhere in Clear QAM. Any ideas where it might be hiding?
2) Is there anything that I can say to TW if the signal level and quality coming into my house isn't giving me good reception on some of my local channels in Clear QAM? Fox seems to be good, but NBC stutters quite a bit (it varies), and so to ABC and the CW.

Thanks for any help!

Last time I looked, WBTV was on QAM CH 225. If you're not getting it, your drop needs TWC service.

1) I can't find WBTV in HD anywhere in Clear QAM. Any ideas where it might be hiding?!

[b]TBS-HD is now live on TWC on channel 282.



Interesting, I can see it in the guide, I can select it, but all I get is a gray screen.

Last time I looked, WBTV was on QAM CH 225. If you're not getting it, your drop needs TWC service.

I'm pretty sure that's not exactly right...225 is TWC's channel in the lineup, but not the QAM channel, as far as I know. My HDHomeRun tuner only goes to channel 159 on QAM.

WBTV HD is on QAM 114 735.00 MHz, WBTV SD is on QAM 100 651.00 MHz

I'm pretty sure that's not exactly right...225 is TWC's channel in the lineup, but not the QAM channel, as far as I know. My HDHomeRun tuner only goes to channel 159 on QAM.

Yep, Zaxcom is right, it's 114.. I looked at my chart wrong and typed..Which by the way, is equal to OTA ch-58.. So, there is a good chance you're getting OTA channel 58 WUNG into your cable thus inhibiting reception of QAM 114.

You're in NE Charlotte, Right?

Yep, Zaxcom is right, it's 114.. I looked at my chart wrong and typed..Which by the way, is equal to OTA ch-58.. So, there is a good chance you're getting OTA channel 58 WUNG into your cable thus inhibiting reception of QAM 114.

You're in NE Charlotte, Right?

Yep, I'm in NE Charlotte, just north of 485 by highway 49. As you expected, I cannot tune QAM channel 114 (it's showing up as an analog signal in my HDHomeRun). Anything I can do?

Anything I can do?

Yea, I will try to PM you a name tomorrow, I'm off today and don't have contact info with me. You're not too far from WUNG's Tower.

Yea, I will try to PM you a name tomorrow, I'm off today and don't have contact info with me. You're not too far from WUNG's Tower.

Awesome, I really appreciate it. Is this someone with TW? If so, would they possibly be able to do something about my signal strength?

Interesting, I can see it in the guide, I can select it, but all I get is a gray screen.

I only very sporadically get TBS HD. In addition, when that channel went live on Oct. 1, I lost at least half a dozen digital channels. My guess is that I have some sort of signal issue, but my installation was only a month ago and the tech said the signal level was fine.

Any ideas?

I only very sporadically get TBS HD. In addition, when that channel went live on Oct. 1, I lost at least half a dozen digital channels. My guess is that I have some sort of signal issue, but my installation was only a month ago and the tech said the signal level was fine.

Any ideas?

I went back a page on this thread and saw that you had a Tivo... is this problem you're having on the Tivo (or did you return it?) or on the TW box? I'm trying a Tivo HD for 30 days before I decide if I'm going to keep it. I can't tune in to TBS HD on the Tivo but I've no problems tuning to it using the TW 8300 dvr.

I wonder if TBS HD is the first channel being transmitted in SDV?

I went back a page on this thread and saw that you had a Tivo... is this problem you're having on the Tivo (or did you return it?) or on the TW box? I'm trying a Tivo HD for 30 days before I decide if I'm going to keep it. I can't tune in to TBS HD on the Tivo but I've no problems tuning to it using the TW 8300 dvr.

I wonder if TBS HD is the first channel being transmitted in SDV?

I bought a TiVo HD, but returned it before I opened it because of the looming SDV rollout here in Charlotte. According to the tivocommunity, TBS HD is in fact a switched channel which is especially interesting since the general impression is that Passport boxes cannot tune SDV channels.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5574441&&#post5574441

In any event, I can occasionally see TBS HD with the 8300HD, but I lost at least half a dozen other digital channels.

A tech is coming out here tomorrow to check the signal level.

I bought a TiVo HD, but returned it before I opened it because of the looming SDV rollout here in Charlotte. According to the tivocommunity, TBS HD is in fact a switched channel which is especially interesting since the general impression is that Passport boxes cannot tune SDV channels.



I would have kept that sucker. You could still use your TiVo as a stand-alone OTA DVR. You'd get a slightly better picture as the direct OTA broadcast will not have suffered the rate-shaping and filtration that reduces TWC broadcast resolution to about 2/3 of full HD. Of course, you'd have to pay 2 DVR guide fees a month, but... you'd have a pretty sweet system, and everybody can use more DVR tuners these days.

Hey, Why is the Carolina Panther Game on FOX not in HD? I thought that all FOX Panther games this year were to be in HD.

It switch to SD randomly during the first drive or so, it's back HD now though.

Sweet, that was a close one. Go Panthers...I love my HD.

We've been back in SD for about 10 minutes now. What's going on?

Solar Flare problem? I don't know but it's annoying.

Looks like it's not HD in Greensboro either, so it must be a feed problem and not a local affiliate problem.

Definetly not a TWC problem. I've been watching OTA and it keeps switching from HD to SD then back again.

HD looks to be back.....at least for now.

Solar Flare problem? I don't know but it's annoying.

Yes, more specifically, Solar Transit Outage.

Why did the HD signal just drop and not both? Backup for the SD signal?

Why did the HD signal just drop and not both? Backup for the SD signal?

Yes. All the networks have single HD feeds. This holds true for cable / satellite
programmers as well, so it will affect HBO-HD, Discovery, etc.. as well.

Long time reader, first time poster...

I got a postcard from TWC today that indicates Huntersville is getting work done to it's infrastructure, possibly meaning it's moving from old Adelhpia/TWC Mooresville/Whatever the new Mooresville/Davidson/Cornelius cable system will be to TWC Charlotte, which can only mean good news as Chrarlotte's lineup is pretty much superior to Mooresville

Can any one confirm this?

Long time reader, first time poster...

I got a postcard from TWC today that indicates Huntersville is getting work done to it's infrastructure, possibly meaning it's moving from old Adelhpia/TWC Mooresville/Whatever the new Mooresville/Davidson/Cornelius cable system will be to TWC Charlotte, which can only mean good news as Chrarlotte's lineup is pretty much superior to Mooresville

Can any one confirm this?

I can't confirm that, but I got a similar card from TWC this past Friday. I am in the
Carmel Rd area of South Charlotte

I can't confirm that, but I got a similar card from TWC this past Friday. I am in the
Carmel Rd area of South Charlotte


Yep, I received one about 2 weeks ago. They have painted lines in the grass in my yard, they even ran a cable near the street, but it hasn't been terminated yet in the box. I was suprised not to see fiber. It's still coax. I live in SE Charlotte near the Providence and 485.

I just bought a new TV for our bedroom and I want to avoid a cable box. In the setup mode for the tuner, which setting will give me the most channels...

STD
HRC
IRC

I have Time Warner

Thanks

I just bought a new TV for our bedroom and I want to avoid a cable box. In the setup mode for the tuner, which setting will give me the most channels...

STD
HRC
IRC

I have Time Warner

Thanks

You'll want to pick the STD option.


Got a note about infrastructure work over here in NW Charlotte. Had an hour long outage one day last week.

Will the STD option give me both analog and HD channels?

Thanks a ton.

you need a cable box for the HD channels...

you need a cable box for the HD channels...

TW-C doesn't offer *any* Hd's in Clear QAM?
Man, that sucks...

TW-C doesn't offer *any* Hd's in Clear QAM?
Man, that sucks...

Yes, TW does offer HD channels in cQAM. But that's not what was asked. The OP asked about using the following analog tuning standards:

STD
HRC
IRC

Picking any of those three standards has nothing to do with it receiving anything digital.

Yes, TW does offer HD channels in cQAM. But that's not what was asked. The OP asked about using the following analog tuning standards:

STD
HRC
IRC

Picking any of those three standards has nothing to do with it receiving anything digital.

I understood OP's question, my comment was based on Sccofer's answer that you *had* to have a box for HD channels - which would indicate (if no channels were availible via Clear-QAM) that they were all encrypted and required either a box or a cablecard for decryption.

I understood OP's question, my comment was based on Sccofer's answer that you *had* to have a box for HD channels - which would indicate (if no channels were availible via Clear-QAM) that they were all encrypted and required either a box or a cablecard for decryption.

Well, you would need a cable box if you only have a set that is analog (such as my HD set).

Well, you would need a cable box if you only have a set that is analog (such as my HD set).

Either a cable box or a device with a QAM tuner in it such as you're newer DVD recorders or a DVR with cablecard or QAM ability. Sadly TV companies started phasing out CableCARD on most TVs except their highest models ... Ironically just as the FCC pushed MSOs to use boxes that had seperatable encryption (which is currently provided by Card...) Fortunately most newer TVs do at least have basic Digital tuning capability now and more devices are being released with Clear QAM ability.

So it looks like TWC is rolling out HD boxes with the new guide software in Charlotte. I swapped out a regular DVR for a HD-DVR at NorthLake and the box was an 8300HDC instead of the 8300HD. But I was really surprised when I fired it up and the software and guide was all different. Turns out it was this Mystro Digital Navigator thingy. It looks like some of the screen shots I've seen of the SARA guides and that's what I thought at first. Seems kind of odd to have this and a Passport box on the same system in the same house. And Mystro is so slow and clunky that it makes Passport look like TIVO. I'm going to take it back and ask for an older box in hopes of getting a passport box. But I know its delaying the inevitable. So does anybody know when TWC is going to force this down on all of us?

My wife said TW called our house today with a recorded message. Something about work being done, and our service will be interrupted. She did not really pay attention to the message, so she has no idea when the work is, how long or what it is. Did anyone else get this call who can fill me in. I am in Matthews.

Thanks.

My wife said TW called our house today with a recorded message. Something about work being done, and our service will be interrupted. She did not really pay attention to the message, so she has no idea when the work is, how long or what it is. Did anyone else get this call who can fill me in. I am in Matthews.Thanks.

Didn't get a call, but had a card on the door saying the same thing. Said work would be done 12m-6am. I'm in the Matthews end of Mint Hill on the former Visioncable system.

Is it tonight? She did not hear when the work is.

Is it tonight? She did not hear when the work is.

card reads "starting today..off and on over the next few weeks"

You can call 1-877-566-4TWC and say the word "neighborhood" to the CSR.

Is it tonight? She did not hear when the work is.

The work has been going on for about 2 weeks in my neighborhood. They are laying new cable around the street. My cable went out earlier this week. I flagged down the guys working in front of my house today and asked them to take a look at my connection. Turns out they chopped my coax down at the street. The team was very responsive and spliced the cable. I'm back online. I live near the Arboretum.

Saw versus and MtvHD on this morning before leaving for work.

MTV did actually have an honest-to-god music video up! Then they went in for commercials and at 8 minutes in, I had to leave.

The following new HD channels -ARE- up and running this morning:

283 - A&E HD
284 - MTV HD
287 - GOLF/VERSUS HD

And Fox Business (standard def) is on channel 182.


Hopefully TWC notices that DirecTV is now up to 45+ HD channels and doesn't feel satisfied because they added a measily 4 new HD channels this month [only 4 added this year for our area also] and keep adding more and more HD. Or they'll find themselves losing more and more subscribers to DirecTV.

The following new HD channels -ARE- up and running this morning:

283 - A&E HD
284 - MTV HD
287 - GOLF/VERSUS HD

And Fox Business (standard def) is on channel 182.


Hopefully TWC notices that DirecTV is now up to 45+ HD channels and doesn't feel satisfied because they added a measily 4 new HD channels this month [only 4 added this year for our area also] and keep adding more and more HD. Or they'll find themselves losing more and more subscribers to DirecTV.

Call me crazy (and many people do), but I really don't think TW is all that worried about it...

Call me crazy (and many people do), but I really don't think TW is all that worried about it...


But shouldn't they strive to offer more HD? Especially when the HD customers tend to be the customers who are paying the most per month. Do they really want to lose more and more of their top paying customers to DirecTV and Dishnet?

But shouldn't they strive to offer more HD? Especially when the HD customers tend to be the customers who are paying the most per month. Do they really want to lose more and more of their top paying customers to DirecTV and Dishnet?

I agree that we pay the lion's share for what we want (HD channels, DVR's, premium stations, etc.) but I think we are still in the minority. There are still so many people using basic cable or just digital with no DVR that don't read these forums, don't complain to TWC and could not give a rip about HD. Until every person has an HD set in their house and can appreciate what we have been seeing for years now, we will always be the "trouble makers" in TWC's eyes. I remind them every time I have a problem that they are the most expensive thing I have to pay for outside of housing and automobiles of course.

I agree that we pay the lion's share for what we want (HD channels, DVR's, premium stations, etc.) but I think we are still in the minority. There are still so many people using basic cable or just digital with no DVR that don't read these forums, don't complain to TWC and could not give a rip about HD. Until every person has an HD set in their house and can appreciate what we have been seeing for years now, we will always be the "trouble makers" in TWC's eyes. I remind them every time I have a problem that they are the most expensive thing I have to pay for outside of housing and automobiles of course.

I couldn't have said it better. So I'll just quote it. :)

I've been a TW HD subscriber since March of 2002 (talk about being in the minority then). I'm in no rush to leave...

[QUOTE=abcward;11907239]The following new HD channels -ARE- up and running this morning:

283 - A&E HD
284 - MTV HD
287 - GOLF/VERSUS HD

And Fox Business (standard def) is on channel 182.


Glad to see the new additions. As for keeping up with D* and their HD offerings...I will be happy enough to keep up with our TWC SC friends.
Edit to include Fox Business comment - I have to say after watching for the past few hours I like this channel and what it has to offer thus far. It would be nice to see TWC offer this in HD. On a side note...the women are very easy on the eyes lol.

any idea whats up with the guide? mine doesn't go past Tuesday at 7:30pm. it's been like this for the past 7 days. recurring programs aren't showing up in scheduled recordings either past that day and time. rebooted. still no change. why isn't TWC updating the guide here in Statesville?

Has anyone ever tried plugging an IR receiver into the back of the SA 8300HDVR? I found an extra one laying around here and plugged it into the port labeled "IR" on the back of the box and nothing. Kind of disappointing as I was hoping for some added range with the remote.

Digipic 1000 customer with a DVR and no other boxes paying 64.95 for the Digipic and 6.95 for the DVR. We recently added a new TV and inquired about getting the std box that I thought was included with the Digipic. Was told by TWC that it would be 9.71 for another box because the DVR counts as the Digipic box. If I wanted another DVR it would be another 16.66 (6.95+9.71). Anyone with two boxes that can confirm this? The customer service agent said he was positive, but it doesn't seem right.

Thanks,
Charlie
(still annoyed I paid for the HD tier just to get ESPNHD and just found out they moved it six months ago)

I'm hoping that Verizon can get around to implimenting Fios around here in the next couple of years. Just about the time I moved to NC from NJ in 2005 they were rolling it out in Bergen County, mostly to the upscale areas and also to the City of Passaic (see, we do poor places too! - Verizon). The cable companies (Cablevision TW & Comcast) and satellite TV are running scared - offering Internet and Digital Phone for $5.95 each a month for a year - if you come back. Altho' Fios is not without its problems - the initial install is a pain and the converter boxes have their problems, it seems once everthing is up and working correctly, that its customers like it much better than cable or satellite. Plus prices seem to drop a bit with a little competition. Has anyone heard anything about Fios in this area?

Charlotte proper is served by AT&T and will almost never see Fios...they will instead get the inferior Uverse product from AT&T... Some of the smaller surrounding communities (possibly Monroe?) may be served by Verizon, and could eventually see Fios, but I wouldn't expect it in the near future.

Monroe (Union County) and parts of Matthews are served by Windstream, which was acquired from Alltel. I would guess that Windstream might trail AT&T, based on services I see advertised in Charlotte compared to the fliers in my phone bill each month.

"If I wanted another DVR it would be another 16.66 (6.95+9.71). Anyone with two boxes that can confirm this? The customer service agent said he was positive, but it doesn't seem right."

That sounds right to me. On my bill, they ding me for 6.95 for "1 Additional DVR Service @6.95" followed by "1 Additional Navigator Plus @9.70". So you get the privilege of paying for the new DVR plus you have to pay for the Navigator Plus, etc, etc.

These guys are just about to tip me to D*.

"If I wanted another DVR it would be another 16.66 (6.95+9.71). Anyone with two boxes that can confirm this? The customer service agent said he was positive, but it doesn't seem right."

That sounds right to me. On my bill, they ding me for 6.95 for "1 Additional DVR Service @6.95" followed by "1 Additional Navigator Plus @9.70". So you get the privilege of paying for the new DVR plus you have to pay for the Navigator Plus, etc, etc.

These guys are just about to tip me to D*.

The nickel and diming (if only it was nickels and dimes)seems to be never-ending. Does anyone know whether we will be able to buy our own boxes come 2009 and then just have to get the cablecard for $1.75? Or is that just wishful thinking?

In Monroe, we get phone books from AT&T(Bell South) Windstream and Verizon. What a waste of trees! In my development, Verizon seems to do all the land-line installations. Compared to North Jersey, everyone and their grandmother seems to be involved with the phones. TW sent guys around asking people to sign up for digital phone. I told the guy I had Vonage and a $5 a month discount for being a Bestbuy employee (courtesy of my next-door neighbor in NJ who worked for Vonage). I told him I'd sign up for TW digital phone only if he could beat the $19.95 a month - needless to say, he moved on!;)

The nickel and diming (if only it was nickels and dimes)seems to be never-ending. Does anyone know whether we will be able to buy our own boxes come 2009 and then just have to get the cablecard for $1.75? Or is that just wishful thinking?

You can get your own TivoHD box now. Then get a couple CableCARDS and rock out. You won't get the switched channels until the channel mapper comes out though.

And the mandate to buy your own cable box happened this summer.

And the mandate to buy your own cable box happened this summer.


Yea.. CC and BB have a zillion of them! :)

You can get your own TivoHD box now. Then get a couple CableCARDS and rock out. You won't get the switched channels until the channel mapper comes out though.

And the mandate to buy your own cable box happened this summer.

7/07 mandate - all new boxes have to have seperatable encryption - i.e. CABLECARD

Currently Tivo has a cable based box and Digeo's set to release a cable card version of the Moxi (and several other variants that use OTA tuning or Cable Card) I expect Motorola, Pioneer, SA and more will start selling their boxes as well. (you should also be able to buy the current host boxes from MSOs in Canada which DO sell boxes) just make sure it's a card based box when you buy one and you should be ok... One Caveat though if you buy an MSO type box - most of these are running Legacy interfaces (firmwares pushed by the controllers) so if you buy something not running in your system you stand a chance of them not pushing firmware for it.... it will work and decode channels, but you won't have any guide interface.

(I'm currently playing with a Motorola DCH100 and the card correctly decodes the digitals, but since we aren't pushing firmware for it... there's no guide etc- since it's a 100 (digital only) I can't get the analogs through it.)

you'll have to rent 1 to 2 cards (Tivo Series III still requires 2 cards) and you'll lose access to VOD until the day comes MSOs have universal Java apps for VOD and guide (probably 2009) but if you can live without VOD the Tivo and Digeo boxes make for good box replacements.


Also getting on the earlier topic of IP TV services - anyone know who's going to be in Catawba, Lincoln, Alexander, Burke, Caldwell county areas? (if anyone...)


****note*****
SDV, like VOD will require 2 way interaction - which TIVO will have a special usb dongle / mapper - DIGEO should just require a software update if it's done correctly - till then the channels won't exist for you.

Basically, all I want to do is replace my current cable boxes, an 8300HD and a 4250HDC with something similar and no monthly fee. It seems to me that Tivo is just an upscale version of what I have now. If you pay the $299 for the new Tivo HD model and you're still paying a monthly fee for it, how much better off are you? I just want a cable box with a simple guide much like the 8300HD and a user-replaceable hard drive (for that 500GB on sale somewhere). I don't need all of the extensive recording features that Tivo offers, I'll never use them. All I want to do is to be able to record a show a couple of times a week if I'm out, or a series on at the same time as something else I watch. If I own the box with the hard drive, why should I be paying for anything other than the cable card? The SA boxes I have now are perfectly fine for what I need them for, I would be happy owning clones of them outright and sending TW $3.50 and be done with it - no more cable box fees or a DVR fee. Is this scenario possible?

Basically, all I want to do is replace my current cable boxes, an 8300HD and a 4250HDC with something similar and no monthly fee. It seems to me that Tivo is just an upscale version of what I have now. If you pay the $299 for the new Tivo HD model and you're still paying a monthly fee for it, how much better off are you? I just want a cable box with a simple guide much like the 8300HD and a user-replaceable hard drive (for that 500GB on sale somewhere). I don't need all of the extensive recording features that Tivo offers, I'll never use them. All I want to do is to be able to record a show a couple of times a week if I'm out, or a series on at the same time as something else I watch. If I own the box with the hard drive, why should I be paying for anything other than the cable card? The SA boxes I have now are perfectly fine for what I need them for, I would be happy owning clones of them outright and sending TW $3.50 and be done with it - no more cable box fees or a DVR fee. Is this scenario possible?

There are rumors that Digeo won't charger a DVR fee, but I don't think that's likely... but it should be cheaper than TIVO - right now both companies provide their own guide and interface - which is a pro over most cable card devices (which get metadata from WUNE - which recently was down for most of September going into October...)

Just read an article on www.msnbc.com about Best Buy no longer selling Analog TVs as of 10/1/07 - at the end they indicated that starting in 2008 Digital Tuner boxes should be availible in stores and that each US hosehold should receive two vouchers for $40 off the price of a converter box.

The big question will be if the converter boxes being sold will support HD add ons or cableCards... if they are just ClearQAM tuners, you'll be S-O-L, but if you can find a cheap cardbased box... (preferably 2) and connect these to a Media PC via IR Blaster - you'd have a home brewed DVR with no fees...

There are rumors that Digeo won't charger a DVR fee, but I don't think that's likely... but it should be cheaper than TIVO - right now both companies provide their own guide and interface - which is a pro over most cable card devices (which get metadata from WUNE - which recently was down for most of September going into October...)

Just read an article on www.msnbc.com about Best Buy no longer selling Analog TVs as of 10/1/07 - at the end they indicated that starting in 2008 Digital Tuner boxes should be availible in stores and that each US hosehold should receive two vouchers for $40 off the price of a converter box.

The big question will be if the converter boxes being sold will support HD add ons or cableCards... if they are just ClearQAM tuners, you'll be S-O-L, but if you can find a cheap cardbased box... (preferably 2) and connect these to a Media PC via IR Blaster - you'd have a home brewed DVR with no fees...

That's one of those $64,000 questions. I guess you've seen that ad put out by the Nat'l Cable Association and I've gone on the FCC website trying to find out if there were any specs on the converter boxes without success. I have an old Hauppauge Analog TV tuner card with recording features, in my desktop computer which is really quite convienent for watching and computing. It would be nice if a company like them would come out with a HD cable box with say, a Titan TV-style interface without DVR fees of some sort. I suspect the new converter boxes will be a low-rent design that will be perfect for that old lady in her single-wide in the middle of nowhere.

That's one of those $64,000 questions. I guess you've seen that ad put out by the Nat'l Cable Association and I've gone on the FCC website trying to find out if there were any specs on the converter boxes without success. I have an old Hauppauge Analog TV tuner card with recording features, in my desktop computer which is really quite convienent for watching and computing. It would be nice if a company like them would come out with a HD cable box with say, a Titan TV-style interface without DVR fees of some sort. I suspect the new converter boxes will be a low-rent design that will be perfect for that old lady in her single-wide in the middle of nowhere.

As I understand it ATI has QAM based tuner cards complete with Card functionality - I'm not sure if they are in general production, but I remember reading up on them (and hitting up ATI as a potential beta tester) last spring

As I understand it ATI has QAM based tuner cards complete with Card functionality - I'm not sure if they are in general production, but I remember reading up on them (and hitting up ATI as a potential beta tester) last spring

A couple of months ago, one of my computer mags had a article on how they were having problems getting the cablecard to function in one of the new media pc models. I'll have to check Newegg later to see what's current. BTW, when I was in the process of buying AV furniture I drove up to CC in Hickory to pick up the TV stand and was amazed by the mall. I'd trade the Monroe Mall for it in a second. The area I went through to get there is very nice!:)

A couple of months ago, one of my computer mags had a article on how they were having problems getting the cablecard to function in one of the new media pc models. I'll have to check Newegg later to see what's current. BTW, when I was in the process of buying AV furniture I drove up to CC in Hickory to pick up the TV stand and was amazed by the mall. I'd trade the Monroe Mall for it in a second. The area I went through to get there is very nice!:)

Yeah, this is the area to be in if your looking for furnature *L*

I used to work IT in the postal service, commutting from Statesville to Charlotte daily (the GMF mail sorting "plant" on I-85 @ Billy Graham) - I took a drop in pay to work at Charter, but I don't regret the move to Hickory - I love how most of the city just disolves into the trees half the time... It's big enough to have pretty much everything I need, but small enough to enjoy a easier pace in life (and working for the Cable Company has it's benifits *L*)

From what I've read on here, I'm glad I left Statesville... sounds like TW hasn't really improved the old Adelphia system much.

Yeah, this is the area to be in if your looking for furnature *L*.

and gas is cheaper too


Statesville... sounds like TW hasn't really improved the old Adelphia system much.

not much at all.

Yeah, this is the area to be in if your looking for furnature *L*

I used to work IT in the postal service, commutting from Statesville to Charlotte daily (the GMF mail sorting "plant" on I-85 @ Billy Graham) - I took a drop in pay to work at Charter, but I don't regret the move to Hickory - I love how most of the city just disolves into the trees half the time... It's big enough to have pretty much everything I need, but small enough to enjoy a easier pace in life (and working for the Cable Company has it's benifits *L*)

From what I've read on here, I'm glad I left Statesville... sounds like TW hasn't really improved the old Adelphia system much.

What a small world - I took the early retirement of 2004 from the P.O. I worked in HR and PEDC at the West Jersey GMF in Whippany (about 35 miles from NYC). I had to turn down an IT job offer in '90 when my mother was dying - it would have been nice to retire as an EAS 21 as the guy that got the job did. I moved down here after visiting my former boss and realizing my pension would go a lot farther here than in NJ. Glad I did!:)

Yeah, this is the area to be in if your looking for furnature *L*

I used to work IT in the postal service, commutting from Statesville to Charlotte daily (the GMF mail sorting "plant" on I-85 @ Billy Graham) - I took a drop in pay to work at Charter, but I don't regret the move to Hickory - I love how most of the city just disolves into the trees half the time... It's big enough to have pretty much everything I need, but small enough to enjoy a easier pace in life (and working for the Cable Company has it's benifits *L*)

From what I've read on here, I'm glad I left Statesville... sounds like TW hasn't really improved the old Adelphia system much.

When I first moved down here I dropped about $20K on furniture figuring I'd be helping out the local economy and discovered that most of what I'd bought was made in China and Vietnam - and this was from a fairly high-end furniture store. So much for helping out the local inhabitants. Years ago, it seemed many NJ people would go to NC with a big truck to buy their furniture straight from the plant to get a good deal and the good stuff. How times have changed!!:(

When I first moved down here I dropped about $20K on furniture figuring I'd be helping out the local economy and discovered that most of what I'd bought was made in China and Vietnam - and this was from a fairly high-end furniture store. So much for helping out the local inhabitants. Years ago, it seemed many NJ people would go to NC with a big truck to buy their furniture straight from the plant to get a good deal and the good stuff. How times have changed!!:(

They still do, you just have to go a little further north - Broyhill has most of thier plants and some outlets off 321 in Caldwell County around Lenoir I believe...

What a small world - I took the early retirement of 2004 from the P.O. I worked in HR and PEDC at the West Jersey GMF in Whippany (about 35 miles from NYC).

Very small - I moved to Statesville from Buffalo, NY.

They still do, you just have to go a little further north - Broyhill has most of thier plants and some outlets off 321 in Caldwell County around Lenoir I believe...

Good to know! I still have to get furniture for the formal living room. It would be nice to buy furniture that was actually made in North Carolina. It just seems that everyday another plant that made something I use (think of all the textile plants) that are now shutttering their doors. I suspect if the trend continues, all that stuff will have the same country of origin as our computer components.

Good to know! I still have to get furniture for the formal living room. It would be nice to buy furniture that was actually made in North Carolina. It just seems that everyday another plant that made something I use (think of all the textile plants) that are now shutttering their doors. I suspect if the trend continues, all that stuff will have the same country of origin as our computer components.

Other Major Exports from this area

Coaxial and Fiber Cables from Commscope
Fiber from Corning

and

3M / Highland / Shurtape - I thought it was very ironic when I made a large order of duct tape from www.tapemonster.com (Gaff and Duct for holding down wires temporarly) and it happened to be Shurtape from right here in Hickory! (course I couldn't find it at that price locally...)

Other Major Exports from this area

Coaxial and Fiber Cables from Commscope
Fiber from Corning

and

3M / Highland / Shurtape - I thought it was very ironic when I made a large order of duct tape from www.tapemonster.com (Gaff and Duct for holding down wires temporarly) and it happened to be Shurtape from right here in Hickory! (course I couldn't find it at that price locally...)

Isn't that always the case? So many things that are made locally, that you end up buying on the internet and are shipped from ...like Cleveland.

It also seems to be the case that hardly anyone down here is from here. I taught computer courses at the library, mostly to older folks and one old man said to me, "You're the guy who made my taxes go up!". So I told him how much I paid in property taxes in NJ vs NC ($7500 - $2000) and told him that he was the one that made my taxes go down. The other older women in the group thought that very funny!;)

Cable and internet are about 10-20% cheaper here - another reason to smile

Statesville is about 10-times better, than anyone realizes; 1-ghz system just waiting for new channels, sit tight and just wait..

Wow, all these posts and not one single email notification came through.

Couple points to note -

The ATI video cards that support CableCARD cannot (or couldn't last I looked) be purchased alone. They must be purchased with a "media PC". Secondly, you'll need to have Vista. That was a condition by CableLABS (Thanks, MPAA) to video card makers before they'd get certification. You'll also have to have an encrypted path from the video adapter to your display device (DVI + HDCP or HDMI + HDCP).

If you do the math on the Tivo vs 8300HD you pretty much come out in a wash after 2 years, financially.

The big question will be if the converter boxes being sold will support HD add ons or cableCards... if they are just ClearQAM tuners, you'll be S-O-L, but if you can find a cheap cardbased box... (preferably 2) and connect these to a Media PC via IR Blaster - you'd have a home brewed DVR with no fees...

The specs are out there, I have a link somewhere but can't find it right now.

Basicly for a converter box to qualify for the $40.00 coupon it has to meet but not exceed a set of specs. ATSC to NTSC conversion: RF in, RF & composite/stereo out (S-Video optional). Anything beyond and NO coupon. NO USB, firewire, DVI, HDMI , component, no recording capability, etc.

Here's the link:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVCouponFinalRule_031207a.pdf

"If you do the math on the Tivo vs 8300HD you pretty much come out in a wash after 2 years, financially."

Is that based on the Tivo Series 3? I am trying to compare buying my own gear with cable compared to switching to D*.

The specs are out there, I have a link somewhere but can't find it right now.

Basicly for a converter box to qualify for the $40.00 coupon it has to meet but not exceed a set of specs. ATSC to NTSC conversion: RF in, RF & composite/stereo out (S-Video optional). Anything beyond and NO coupon. NO USB, firewire, DVI, HDMI , component, no recording capability, etc.

Here's the link:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVCouponFinalRule_031207a.pdf


Good read... yeah pretty much for the hackers and crackers out there, the only thing this would be good for would be connecting an IR blaster (which would spoof the remote control interface required by the specs) and use the box as dual "digital" tuners on a Home Brew Media center - but even then your restricted to Antenna.

Thing is the more I read the more I'm convinced that cable customers would be better off with even the lowest end digital cable box given the restriction of viewing only channels 1-69 per the specs. - I'm also not seeing any provisions in that spec sheet to serve cable customers who don't want to rent a box... in fact they seem entirely occupied by Antenna usage only.

Personally I'm hoping since I work in the industry I might qualify for a professional discount *L* but I'm all for playing with any box any company wants to send my way and testing it with different cable cards etc - I'm hoping to seem more video capture cards like the ATIs mentioned previously (though it's hard to find anything concrete on them - I found pics, I found stats, but I can't find prices or availibility)

Thanks for the link, I'm definitely keeping a copy of that pdf!

Statesville is about 10-times better, than anyone realizes; 1-ghz system just waiting for new channels, sit tight and just wait..

I remember all the fiber they were stringing out in the prestiege days (back in the 90s...) so it's good to hear that someone's finally making use of it!

"If you do the math on the Tivo vs 8300HD you pretty much come out in a wash after 2 years, financially."

Is that based on the Tivo Series 3? I am trying to compare buying my own gear with cable compared to switching to D*.

I think that was on the first TivoHD that came out. Or maybe it was on the $299 model. I don't exactly remember.

I do remember one was about $2 more expensive than the other when you factored all the costs of the cable's box into the equation.

Wow, all these posts and not one single email notification came through.

Couple points to note -

The ATI video cards that support CableCARD cannot (or couldn't last I looked) be purchased alone. They must be purchased with a "media PC". Secondly, you'll need to have Vista. That was a condition by CableLABS (Thanks, MPAA) to video card makers before they'd get certification. You'll also have to have an encrypted path from the video adapter to your display device (DVI + HDCP or HDMI + HDCP).

If you do the math on the Tivo vs 8300HD you pretty much come out in a wash after 2 years, financially.


Yeah, the Vista part is a bit nasty... of course working in Cable *AND* IT I can see the need... Vista has alot more media controls that where not in XP... And when I last checked they were only part of a package deal (which also included Media Cases with intergrated touch screens on the front - and other bells and whistles that inflate cost and keep enthusists out...) I expect that will change, especially as the deadlines get closer - afterall you can't expect ATI/Vista to keep a stranglehold - if a linux distro can get approval someone's going to have to break the mold or risk being brought down as a monopoly...

Just as an FYI - the Digeo platform (Digeo Moxi box DVR system) uses a linux kernel... While I'm a windows geek myself, I have to admit it seems a good match to create a specialized OS for a very specialized box. Here in Hickory we have the Motorola based version for MSOs and I've done alot of support on them - other than hardware limitations (poor analog tuner quality, built in modem etc) it's a great interface and a solid product, I'm looking forward to seeing the Retail cable card version.

I have my misgivings about TIVO - it's nice, and once it's up and running it works... but given the cost of the equipment and the cost of the subscription unless that box lasts you 3 or more years, you won't come out ahead... and given how many boxes I've seen swapped out for issues... I just don't trust 'em. With luck more competition from Digeo and others should mean cheaper DVRs for everyone!

restriction of viewing only channels 1-69 per the specs

Another stange thing: the boxes are required to tune all the way up to 69, but when analog goes away 02-17-2009, so does channels 53-69

I'm hoping to seem more video capture cards like the ATIs mentioned previously (though it's hard to find anything concrete on them - I found pics, I found stats, but I can't find prices or availibility)

There's a PCI card and there's a USB box. Cost is around $100.00 for PCI and 150.00 for the USB

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Corporate/VirtualPressRoom/0,,51_104_543_15008~121448,00.html

Another stange thing: the boxes are required to tune all the way up to 69, but when analog goes away 02-17-2009, so does channels 53-69

From what I'm understanding the 53-69 will be special usage such as EAS etc - I know with Digital Cable since we can't make sure a customer will happen to be on the local broadcast channel that the Emergency Broadcasting is on, we have the EAS system which force tunes them to a channel with more information.

It would make sense for then to keep a hidden channel and use that for information, there might be a few other uses they might come up with where a dedicated full time channel is too much.

From what I'm understanding the 53-69 will be special usage such as EAS etc - I know with Digital Cable since we can't make sure a customer will happen to be on the local broadcast channel that the Emergency Broadcasting is on, we have the EAS system which force tunes them to a channel with more information.

It would make sense for then to keep a hidden channel and use that for information, there might be a few other uses they might come up with where a dedicated full time channel is too much.

I am probably in the minority on this one - but I cannot begin to describe the 82 degrees of livid I would be if my cable box tuned me away from something like HBO for an EAS broadcast.

It is bad enough that the box disrupts the info view for an EAS for something that is 4 counties east of here. But changing channels when I didn't tell it too, unacceptable.

I am probably in the minority on this one - but I cannot begin to describe the 82 degrees of livid I would be if my cable box tuned me away from something like HBO for an EAS broadcast.

It is bad enough that the box disrupts the info view for an EAS for something that is 4 counties east of here. But changing channels when I didn't tell it too, unacceptable.

it is annoying as heck, but mandated by the FCC I believe ... I only get mildly annoyed here at the office because I'm generally on a Music Choice channel while I work... but you can imagine some of the calls... IT was *REALLY* annoying before because they'd tell you to tune to channel xxx to get more information and that channel wouldn't have anything -

but that's been fixed now - last Amber Alert actually give out detailed information on Chnl 18 and customers were only tuned to chnl 2 for about 5 minutes (over 2 alerts) to inform them.

But I definitely agree... I really don't want my DVR pulled from whatever I'm recording (and lose the rest of the program , because the recording won't resume) because there's a severe storm on the other side of the state...

From what I'm understanding the 53-69 will be special usage such as EAS etc

This is another "vague" rememberance: there has always been a channel in the 30's (32 or 33 I think) that is reserved for emergency use. They have continued to reserve this same channel.

Actually the frequencies used by 53-69 are what are going away, but not the numbers. Channel 64 in the charlotte area will stay 64. With ATSC channel numbers are no longer "locked" to a frequency, much like the digital channel numbers in QAM. The data stream contains info as to what channel number to show/use.

...Channel 64 in the charlotte area will stay 64. With ATSC channel numbers are no longer "locked" to a frequency, much like the digital channel numbers in QAM. The data stream contains info as to what channel number to show/use.

Actually, and unless this document has changed recently, that's not quite true.

NTSC channel 64 is being migrated to ATSC channel 50.

http://www.transmitter.com/FCC97115/NCatwch.html

I currently have a cable card setup on one TV that gets me HBO-HD, Discovery HD Theater, TNT-HD and all the networks in HD (CBS, Fox, ABC) as well as UNC HD and couple of other HD channels.

I just picked up a new HDTV for the living room. Ran the internal tuner setup with direct cable from the wall (mind you, no cable card on this one) and I'm only able to pick up the networks in HD (CBS, Fox, ABC). I'm not able to pick up Discovery HD Theater or TNT-HD. My sense is this has something to do with encryption.

Can somebody do me a huge favor and (i) give me a simple explanation about the encryption, and (ii) give me a list of the channels I can expect to receive in HD without a cable card or set top box. Also, can I expect to pick up the newer HD additions like TBS etc.

Thanks in advance.

Actually, and unless this document has changed recently, that's not quite true.

NTSC channel 64 is being migrated to ATSC channel 50.

http://www.transmitter.com/FCC97115/NCatwch.html

They are/will be using the frequency currently used by channel 50. Notice that channel 3 is "going" to 23. But 3 is now tuned by 3.1 and 64 is tuned by 64.1. The question is whether they will continue to use the .1 or change the data stream to 3 and 64 on 02-17-2009, it's my understanding it will be up to the station to make that decision.

I currently have a cable card setup on one TV that gets me HBO-HD, Discovery HD Theater, TNT-HD and all the networks in HD (CBS, Fox, ABC) as well as UNC HD and couple of other HD channels.

I just picked up a new HDTV for the living room. Ran the internal tuner setup with direct cable from the wall (mind you, no cable card on this one) and I'm only able to pick up the networks in HD (CBS, Fox, ABC). I'm not able to pick up Discovery HD Theater or TNT-HD. My sense is this has something to do with encryption.

Can somebody do me a huge favor and (i) give me a simple explanation about the encryption, and (ii) give me a list of the channels I can expect to receive in HD without a cable card or set top box. Also, can I expect to pick up the newer HD additions like TBS etc.

Thanks in advance.

Your new TV has a QAM tuner in it, this allows the TV to tune digital cable channels. It can tune all the digital channels on the cable, but most are encripted so it can't display them (the cable card in the other TV does the de-cription). The FCC won't allow the cable companies to encript local channels. the rule is something like "a broadcast that is simultaneously broadcast OTA" (OTA = over the air, ie. an antenna)

You should be able to tune all the local stations that you would normally get with an antenna. However this varies according to your location. Here in Salisbury, we get the High Point (Fox) station while most Charlotte areas don't. I can get Winston-Salem and Greeensboro stations via an attenna, but cable doesn't carry them.

New member here: Before I go searching through this great, huge thread....is anyone watching MNF on ESPN HD, channel 285 through TWC? Is your picture and sound cutting out a ton like you have a dish and there is a downpour? It's almost unwatchable. I've seen this on other HD channels as well at various times. Does anyone else have this issue? Do I have a bad box? Is it just bad feeds from TWC? Any ideas are much appreciated.

New member here: Before I go searching through this great, huge thread....is anyone watching MNF on ESPN HD, channel 285 through TWC? Is your picture and sound cutting out a ton like you have a dish and there is a downpour? It's almost unwatchable. I've seen this on other HD channels as well at various times. Does anyone else have this issue? Do I have a bad box? Is it just bad feeds from TWC? Any ideas are much appreciated.

We've had several channels to do this lately. Motorweek on PBS-HD was unwatchable yesterday, Survivor: China was unwatchable on 225 CBS-HD last Thurs. and House on HD was unwatchable last Monday. I've had them out here 4 over the last year and it does no good at all. The techs don't seem to have clue as to what they're doing. For the most part I see 2-3 drops on nearly every HD channel per hour.

We've had several channels to do this lately. Motorweek on PBS-HD was unwatchable yesterday, Survivor: China was unwatchable on 225 CBS-HD last Thurs. and House on HD was unwatchable last Monday. I've had them out here 4 over the last year and it does no good at all. The techs don't seem to have clue as to what they're doing. For the most part I see 2-3 drops on nearly every HD channel per hour.

Thanks. I was afraid of that. I thought I remembered reading somewhere before that there was a bandwidth issue and maybe TWC is sending too much HD content through too narrow a pipe? Seems like they should cut back on the content until they get that fixed.

For the most part I see 2-3 drops on nearly every HD channel per hour.


www.antennasdirect.com

:)

link

:)

Hi Bob,

I was thinking of going this route, but wouldn't that only help for the OTA channels like ABC, FOX, etc? Not ESPN, correct?

Hi Bob,
I was thinking of going this route, but wouldn't that only help for the OTA channels like ABC, FOX, etc? Not ESPN, correct?

Well, yea of course you can't get ESPN this way. But when the big game (or House!) is on OTA and you're having this problem...It's not a lot of money for backup. And, around here, if you can put the antenna in the attic it will usually work just fine. Besides, you might actually be surprised with OTA. :)
Of course, you have to have a TV with internal ATSC tuner or additional tuner box. My Mits has 2 RF inouts so it's easy to do.

Well, yea of course you can't get ESPN this way. But when the big game (or House!) is on OTA and you're having this problem...It's not a lot of money for backup. And, around here, if you can put the antenna in the attic it will usually work just fine. Besides, you might actually be surprised with OTA. :)
Of course, you have to have a TV with internal ATSC tuner or additional tuner box. My Mits has 2 RF inouts so it's easy to do.

In my opinion, OTA has a cleaner HD signal. Watch the football game tomorrow and take a look at the background. The OTA has less noise than cable and the foreground is just a little more detailed.

In my opinion, OTA has a cleaner HD signal. Watch the football game tomorrow and take a look at the background. The OTA has less noise than cable and the foreground is just a little more detailed.

I hear that often from our viewers, and agree.

I hear that often from our viewers, and agree.

Thanks guys. Pretty sure my Pioneer has a tuner. Maybe I'll try one.

Well, both Saturday night and tonight I had major pixelization and dropouts on all TWC HD stations. Had to switch and watch OTA....man, its been so long that I forgot how great and reliable OTA HD really is. Guess I will call TWC and complain about the issues I'm having.

Did anyone else lose Dolby Digital during the 2nd half of Heroes tonight on Channel 220 NBC? I lost all dialog and Dolby Digital for the 2nd half of the episode, very annoying, I had to put on closed captions to follow the rest of the episode.

Same problem here. I'm REALLY pissed about this. Who do you complain to about this????

Did anyone else lose Dolby Digital during the 2nd half of Heroes tonight on Channel 220 NBC? I lost all dialog and Dolby Digital for the 2nd half of the episode, very annoying, I had to put on closed captions to follow the rest of the episode.

I mentioned this in the main 'Heroes' thread in the Programming Forum and nobody else has confirmed it. Meaning, it probably just happened here. Hard to understand though; sure seemed like the kind of thing that would be a network-wide problem.

Anyway, what actually seemed to happen was we lost all the DD information except the L&R surround tracks, which were funneled to the front speakers. So, no center track info where the dialog is, and no L&R mains where most of the rest of the soundtrack is. Very strange experience.

We've had several channels to do this lately. Motorweek on PBS-HD was unwatchable yesterday, Survivor: China was unwatchable on 225 CBS-HD last Thurs. and House on HD was unwatchable last Monday. I've had them out here 4 over the last year and it does no good at all. The techs don't seem to have clue as to what they're doing. For the most part I see 2-3 drops on nearly every HD channel per hour.

I had issues like this too (in Union County) but it was happening on all 3 HD 8300 boxes. I called Time Warner, the tech made meausrements in the house to ensure the signal was strong enough and the measurements looked good! However, he was a good tech and was persistent. He went out to the box and determined the TW amp out there was shot. He replaced it and all was beautiful again.

It started with the lower channels like PBS HD and CBS and many of the analogs were snowy and gradually got worse.

Anyone else having problems tonight with ABC-HD commercial audio? The audio during the programming is fine but the commercials sound like they're coming through a really bad speakerphone. Static-y audio is the only way I know how to describe it. Almost like a computer voice.

EDIT: Okay, I take that part back about the programming audio being fine. It's noticeable in the programming as well just not as bad.

Did anyone else lose Dolby Digital during the 2nd half of Heroes tonight on Channel 220 NBC? I lost all dialog and Dolby Digital for the 2nd half of the episode, very annoying, I had to put on closed captions to follow the rest of the episode.
My recording had no sound as well but I came up with a good fix. I went to NBC.com and played the episode there and synced the sound from the computer with the video from the TV. Actually impressed my technophobe wife with that one!:D

Same problem here. I'm REALLY pissed about this. Who do you complain to about this????Anyone figure out who's issue this is. I had the problem with Hero's as well and just checked the Journeyman recording and it is the same way.

Regarding Heroes, if you have the overpriced HD Tier on Time Warner Cable, MojoHD rebroadcasts the current week's episode all week. Search the guide for Heroes and you'll find it.

I did that and was able to hear the audio for this week's episode.

Regarding Heroes, if you have the overpriced HD Tier on Time Warner Cable, MojoHD rebroadcasts the current week's episode all week. Search the guide for Heroes and you'll find it.

I did that and was able to hear the audio for this week's episode.
Same here. But I thought TWC wasn't charging for HD anymore? That's what their commercial says. I haven't checked my latest bill, though.

Regarding Heroes, if you have the overpriced HD Tier on Time Warner Cable, MojoHD rebroadcasts the current week's episode all week. Search the guide for Heroes and you'll find it.

I did that and was able to hear the audio for this week's episode.

Evidently, they're done with those replays for the week. I did a search and it just turned up a showing on "G4", whatever that is.

Evidently, they're done with those replays for the week. I did a search and it just turned up a showing on "G4", whatever that is.
I don’t watch Heroes but the MOJO website says it rebroadcasts current episodes on Wednesdays at 11 PM & Thursdays at 8 PM. G4 is on channel 173 on TWC and is the old Video Game & Tech TV channels that were merged into one. There web site says they are showing season 2 episodes of Heroes. G4 pretty much airs nothing of interest for me. NBC.com has past shows but of course that’s not HDTV but the quality of the flash player they use looks pretty good on the 26 inch Olevia HDTV I have my pc connected to.

Anyone want to pose a guess as to why TWC would be pulling new cable in a neighborhood that is less than 10 years old?

Came home to find a big swath of cable sticking up into the air out of the pedistal at the street.

Anyone want to pose a guess as to why TWC would be pulling new cable in a neighborhood that is less than 10 years old?

Came home to find a big swath of cable sticking up into the air out of the pedistal at the street.

They did the same in my neighborhood a few weeks ago. When they connected the cable they cut the cable to my house. My neighborhood is 10 years old.

Switched digital TV. TW has to divide the nodes to lower the number of homes on each node and in some cases that requires new trunk line runs.

Yea, they have been doing this for weeks up in the Highland Creek and Skybrook neighborhoods. The infrastructure up here is just a couple years old in some cases but they are still digging everything up to put these thick orange tubes in the ground. The tubes appear to be empty except for a yellow rope that I assume they will use to pull cable. The crew doing the work is a joke. I'll wager that they are all illegal. They have cut numerous irrigation pipes, interrupted existing cable and phones lines, and twice in the last few weeks they have hit gas lines.

Switched digital TV. TW has to divide the nodes to lower the number of homes on each node and in some cases that requires new trunk line runs.

Any idea when the projected "go-live" is for switched digital?

I depends on where you live. From what I understand they are rolling it out in phases, upgrading certain areas served by certain headends at different times. I think I heard that people on the Mint Hill headend are going to be part of the first wave, but I did not hear when that is.

Anybody know if the new switched digital will work with Passport-equipped boxes? Or will it require Navigator? They're going to have to pry my SA8300HD with Passport out of my cold, dead fingers....

Well good news and bad. You get to keep your 8300HD, but your software is going to change. :) :(

has anyone heard whats going on in the statesville area, I see twc trucks all the time, but we're still on the old adelphia setup

^^

they were working feverishly in the HWY90 area a couple months ago. i questioned the lady at the local office about it and she said "they were connecting to Charlotte's fiber system" whatever that means:confused:
she didn't know anything else. what area are you in? i havent seen a truck in months.
as you have noticed nothing has changed for us yet. but one poster on here has said multiple times to be patient it is coming. don't know who he is or what sort of inside info he has but i wish they'd hurry. his handle is ybsane, and here's a link to his most recent coment
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11936635&postcount=3923

BTW have you noticed that the Mojo channel has no programing info in the guide. its been like that for me about a month now.

But I thought TWC wasn't charging for HD anymore? That's what their commercial says. I haven't checked my latest bill, though.

havent actually looked at my bill in awhile but according to this:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/Charlotte/products/cable/charlotteNewHDChannels.html
nbchd,cbshd,abchd,foxhd,cwhd,tytv12hd,tnthd,tbshd,distheater hd,espnhd,espn2hd,versus/golfhd,a&ehd and mhd. are supposed to be free except for the cost of the cable box.
mojo,hdnet,hdnetmovies, and uhd are an extra 6.50 per mo.
and of course they throw in hbohd and shohd when you sub to the SD versions.

i dont know about yall in charlotte but we dont have cw, tytv12,tnt,tbs,versus/golf,a&e,uhd,mhd or hdnet movies in hd. we do have starzhd though. which isnt even on their list

strutter I:m in E Statesville, Highway 64 East

strutter I:m in E Statesville, Highway 64 East
well its good to know they're doing something at least.

what do they appear to be doing?

when they were in the 64/90west area they appeared to just be messing with the connections on all the polls. i never saw a spool of wire or anything. they were in the same general area for about 2 weeks.

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

I'm quoting and old post from 2005 as it's the only one I've found in this thread (so far) that asks the same question but didn't see any replies.

My question: Does anyone in Charlotte with TWC have a cablecard-equipped TV and use the 'TV Guide' brand built-in feature that came with a televison successfully?
I just bought a Pioneer Pro-150fd which has this feature and would like to ditch my TWC HD STB (which only has a DVI connector) for a cablecard, but still want to have some semblance of a 'guide' feature.

I do have a Tivo Series 3 HD box with two cablecards and I'm aware of the one way limitations... still will have on STB in the house able to do pay per view, etc that I could move around if needed.

Thanks in advance!


Edit - went ahead and had the cablecard installed yesterday and thought I'd update my post. The TV Guide feature downloaded info last night and works like a champ. Similar to a guide from at STB but it has an advertisement window in it.

Well I finally traded in my SA8300HD box for another one, they gave a new SA8300HDC. So far everything looks fine, no audio dropouts or pixelization.

BTW: This box has a totally different interface for the menus, I guess it's new software. The lady said it was the latest thing that TWC had out. This is going to take some getting use to.

Will the Charlotte area get Speed in HD by March? I want to watch F1 in HD. I'd hate to switch to Direct TV but will if I have to. My same setup would cost $700 with two year contract. Hard to push that by the wife.

So if I get this tv (http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=185206#prodspecs) (which says it has a QAM tuner), which HD channels will I be able to get without a cablebox? Just the locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)?

Thanks.

So if I get this tv (http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=185206#prodspecs) (which says it has a QAM tuner), which HD channels will I be able to get without a cablebox? Just the locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)?

Thanks.

Yes, the locals...Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, etc. You also get the digital channels like PBS-Kids, PBS-Government, NBC-weather, etc.

Look for your TivoHD and any other USB equipped CableCARD device to dial up switched digital channels in the not-too-distant-future:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/27/two-way-communications-for-tivo-on-the-way/

just received a package in the mail outlining all the changes with the new TWC system that is becoming active on Dec.5th. it says they are adding "more than 100 additional channels" best i can tell looking at the channel line up we're getting about 12 more HD channels. also says there will be a new digital guide software that will be pushed through on the 5th. from all the issues I've read about i sure hope this isn't navigator.

It is Passport for your area.

It is Passport for your area.

after looking through the booklet provided, it does appear to be passport. that kinda sucks too. but not as bad as navigator. wish i could just keep my Sara. as long as they add everything they say they are i think i can deal with a box that is a little quirky.

there was another reply here below yours. it has disappeared though for some reason. here are the answerers to his questions:
if you look at my posted location i am in Statesville not any area of Charlotte. we were adelphia and have been patiently waiting for over a year for the switch over to be completed.
the Hd channels they say we will have are: wbtv,wsoc,wtvi,wcnc,wjzycw,wccb,wmyt,unctv,discoverytheater, a&e,tbs,tnt,mhd,espn,espn2,versus/golf, hd movies on demand,hdshowcase,mojo,uhd,hdnet,hdnetmov,hbohd,shohd,starzh d,
of course there are a few of them that we already have but more is always better.

like strutter, I got the same pamplet in the mail also, from what I can tell alot of the analog channels are available in the digital tier, which is good news to me I guess, one question though how is there hd on demand?

I've lived in Charlotte NC for my entire life, (not including my 4 years in the service), and I have very slowly learned to hate Time Warner, more and more.

I've probably swaped out 30-40 cable boxes in the past 10 years, and 4 of those were just this month with the new 8300HDC boxes.

I currently have 2 HD-DVR boxes and Road Runner high speed internet and pay $141. a month.
(This bundle does not include phone, which is an additonal $37. per month from AT&T). This just seems way too high to me!

Is it my imagination or does AT&T sound like a better deal?
Although I have to buy the sat-boxes, it still sounds tempting to
be able to stick it to Time Warner.

AT&T bundled pacakage deal:

I can buy three or four HD-DVR boxes for $600 or $800 respectivly.
I get their DSL extreme 6.0 internet, and their phone service, all for $163.00 per month (not including taxes and fees).

If nothing else, at least I could get away from the Evil Time Warner Empire!

What do you guys think? Would you tell the man where to go? Or just keep in line like a good little soldier boy?

.

Well at this point with the new HD channels that Direct TV has I'd say it was a no brainer. The only negatives is the huge up front cost and the 2 year contract. I'd like to stay with TW but I NEED F1 in HD!

One other negative that I still need to do more research on is with TW if a bigger better toy comes out we just go and get it no charge. With Direct TV we will need to shell out some money even if we have the maintenance plan. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

IMHO constantly replacing DVR boxes is a fact of life with any HD provider. They just aren't reliable.

For reference I was quoted $700 for three HD-DVR boxes. The monthly cost was the same as TW.

Well I had 2 techs from TWC at my house last Sat. and another is coming this Sat. Supposedly a higher up Tech than the last two. The guys that came out last Sat. were great, they changed the drop from the pole to my house which was very bad and had a low Digital signal and cleared things up a lot but he told me wouldn't fix everything that there was a problem at the pole and a tech would be coming Monday to check it out. He showed Mon while I was gone and I can't see a bit of difference. Chuck was unwatchable Monday night and I've still have drop-outs especially at night.

Any particular numbers I can ask the guy to provide this Sat., signal and such?

Well I had 2 techs from TWC at my house last Sat. and another is coming this Sat. Supposedly a higher up Tech than the last two. The guys that came out last Sat. were great, they changed the drop from the pole to my house which was very bad and had a low Digital signal and cleared things up a lot but he told me wouldn't fix everything that there was a problem at the pole and a tech would be coming Monday to check it out. He showed Mon while I was gone and I can't see a bit of difference. Chuck was unwatchable Monday night and I've still have drop-outs especially at night.

Any particular numbers I can ask the guy to provide this Sat., signal and such?

about a year ago i was having lots of drop outs. TWC came out several times . changing splitters and cable ends. it would get better then come back a few days later. finally they sent a higher tech who diagnosed the problem as an amp up the road at another persons house overloading. he called for help and an hour later there was 4 bucket trucks working my neighborhood. after that all was good.
however, for the past 2 weeks i began having the same problems. seems like it would happen exactly at prime time. screwing up Chuck, house, bones, kville ect. i was waiting until i knew when i could be available to call them again. but to my amazement the day they pushed through passport and added the channels up here everything cleared up and i havent noticed any anomolies. in fact i think the HD looks slightly better as if they opened up extra bandwidth or something. keeping my fingers crossed that the problem is solved.

edit
oh i forgot to answer your question. they should be able to tell you what the Db out of the cable is. i dont recall what its supposed to be though. mine was reading good and still had problems. thats why they called out the senior tech. possibly question weather or not it could be an amp that is bad somewhere else on the road. it may at least give them the idea to check it.

Is the Mayweather/Hattan PPV fight in HD?

Thanks.

I've lived in Charlotte NC for my entire life, (not including my 4 years in the service), and I have very slowly learned to hate Time Warner, more and more.

I've probably swaped out 30-40 cable boxes in the past 10 years, and 4 of those were just this month with the new 8300HDC boxes.

I currently have 2 HD-DVR boxes and Road Runner high speed internet and pay $141. a month.
(This bundle does not include phone, which is an additonal $37. per month from AT&T). This just seems way too high to me!

Is it my imagination or does AT&T sound like a better deal?
Although I have to buy the sat-boxes, it still sounds tempting to
be able to stick it to Time Warner.

AT&T bundled pacakage deal:

I can buy three or four HD-DVR boxes for $600 or $800 respectivly.
I get their DSL extreme 6.0 internet, and their phone service, all for $163.00 per month (not including taxes and fees).

If nothing else, at least I could get away from the Evil Time Warner Empire!

What do you guys think? Would you tell the man where to go? Or just keep in line like a good little soldier boy?

.

Speaking from the experience of many friends on DSL... 9 out of 10 times DSL is much less reliable than a cable modem. As for Dish Vs Cable - they pretty much remain competitive, Dish Cos will off your a good deal to lure you away... in a few years you'll be just as disgruntled and you'll see a good cable deal to lure you back... I've seen it play out over and over and over and over again... Maybe it's just what I've seen in Winston, Greensborro, Raliegh and the Hickory area, maybe it's DSL as a whole... I'm sure some people find it meets all their needs, but I'd be talking to people with the same service and finding out how reliable it is.

but speaking neutrally as possible here's what you should watch out for

1) Generally even with Maintenance expect to argue and press HARD for any local wireing issues

Example: My mother in Statesville as Dish Network and it took 3 calls from her and an additional call from me to convince them that their contract installers did not correctly do the job (she still had RG 59 wireing in the house with Crimp on connectors from the origional PRESTIEGE install back in 1984!!!) Even when they did come out - all they did was lop off the crimp ons and replace them with compression ends. - I know in my market we do not allow RG59 wire to be used - existing RG59 is replaced with RG6 in all our installs... I'd think TW has similar demands. RG59 is fine for analog... but I wouldn't want digital equipment running off of it.

2) IF you own it... it's YOUR problem. (this is true even with cable)

just about any company I've seen loves to blame the equipment, even if it's signal or feed or something else. I'll admit it happens frequently in the Cable world. When I was a modem tech support techs frequently "insisted" that signal levels were good - even though remote diagnostics clearly showed they were not. Likewise with receivers... if they can't find an obvious problem they can fix, they blame the box. - Often they are right, but just as often it could be an signal issue or some sort of RF interfearance etc...

Fact of the matter is a service provider has ways of getting out of supporting just about all hardware it did not provide or in the case of purchased equipment - is out of warranty.

You mention 30 to 40 cable boxes over 10 years (which to me says there's a definite signal issue unless there's something on the power supply etc that's killing boxes in your home / neighborhood etc) - now imagine even if that numbers down to what I would consider more normal (a box having an average 3 year assignment) lifespan - 3 boxes, swapped out every 3 years -

If your Dish rate is competitive to Cable, then your looking at an additional $600 to $800 every 3 years in equipment... and a closet of old receivers which you now own.

Don't get me wrong - My parents have Dish and honestly it works for them - Dish Network offers them a package small enough to be decent priced that still has what they want... since they aren't big into HD or DVR... they have only the standard receivers for just 2 TVs....

But that's what works for them... they still pay way too much for phone and internet because they can't find a decent bundle that doesn't charge too much for services they won't use as much...

Take into account all your costs - if the phone is a set rate package with no suprises, broadband internet etc - find out how long the discount is and be prepared for a jump up - also anticipate a good $20 for communications and franchise fees and taxes that aren't figured into that bundle.

As of 07/01/2007 the FCC opened up a very different world for cable going forward - remember in the next 2 years you'll see analog TV disappear - Cable and OTA will be all digital and unless you've got a newer TV with a QAM tuner... we'll all either be renting or buying digital receivers of some kind - TIVO is already selling DVR receivers, Digeo (Moxi) will soon join the market... and I'm sure as 2009 looms near you'll see all sorts of companies join is as CableCards become more standarized and customer premise equipment becomes more common. It's not going to be a smooth road, but there's also alot of old roads that are about to become dead ends.

the choice is up to you, look at all your options, be weary, but open minded and ultimately, do what you feel is the best value for the money.

You don't have to be a good little soldier - sometimes a little insubordination is just what's needed to keep the brass from thinking they can get away with anything ;)

I've lived in Charlotte NC for my entire life, (not including my 4 years in the service), and I have very slowly learned to hate Time Warner, more and more.

I've probably swaped out 30-40 cable boxes in the past 10 years, and 4 of those were just this month with the new 8300HDC boxes.



That's nuts. It signifies a problem somewhere else in the chain, not in the boxes which are extremely reliable and virtually never fail on their own. Usually, it's software related. Considering the HDC boxes use Navigator (I think...?), that's probably a good place to start. Or, as James suggests, you could have extremely "dirty" power out there. But your problems weren't with all those boxes or else you're the most unlucky person in the world. ;)

That's nuts. It signifies a problem somewhere else in the chain, not in the boxes which are extremely reliable and virtually never fail on their own. Usually, it's software related. Considering the HDC boxes use Navigator (I think...?), that's probably a good place to start. Or, as James suggests, you could have extremely "dirty" power out there. But your problems weren't with all those boxes or else you're the most unlucky person in the world. ;)

I have been EXTREMELY unlucky with weak signal and bad boxes both.

Speaking from the experience of many friends on DSL... 9 out of 10 times DSL is much less reliable than a cable modem. As for Dish Vs Cable - they pretty much remain competitive, Dish Cos will off your a good deal to lure you away... in a few years you'll be just as disgruntled and you'll see a good cable deal to lure you back... I've seen it play out over and over and over and over again... Maybe it's just what I've seen in Winston, Greensborro, Raliegh and the Hickory area, maybe it's DSL as a whole... I'm sure some people find it meets all their needs, but I'd be talking to people with the same service and finding out how reliable it is.

but speaking neutrally as possible here's what you should watch out for

1) Generally even with Maintenance expect to argue and press HARD for any local wireing issues

Example: My mother in Statesville as Dish Network and it took 3 calls from her and an additional call from me to convince them that their contract installers did not correctly do the job (she still had RG 59 wireing in the house with Crimp on connectors from the origional PRESTIEGE install back in 1984!!!) Even when they did come out - all they did was lop off the crimp ons and replace them with compression ends. - I know in my market we do not allow RG59 wire to be used - existing RG59 is replaced with RG6 in all our installs... I'd think TW has similar demands. RG59 is fine for analog... but I wouldn't want digital equipment running off of it.

2) IF you own it... it's YOUR problem. (this is true even with cable)

just about any company I've seen loves to blame the equipment, even if it's signal or feed or something else. I'll admit it happens frequently in the Cable world. When I was a modem tech support techs frequently "insisted" that signal levels were good - even though remote diagnostics clearly showed they were not. Likewise with receivers... if they can't find an obvious problem they can fix, they blame the box. - Often they are right, but just as often it could be an signal issue or some sort of RF interfearance etc...

Fact of the matter is a service provider has ways of getting out of supporting just about all hardware it did not provide or in the case of purchased equipment - is out of warranty.

You mention 30 to 40 cable boxes over 10 years (which to me says there's a definite signal issue unless there's something on the power supply etc that's killing boxes in your home / neighborhood etc) - now imagine even if that numbers down to what I would consider more normal (a box having an average 3 year assignment) lifespan - 3 boxes, swapped out every 3 years -

If your Dish rate is competitive to Cable, then your looking at an additional $600 to $800 every 3 years in equipment... and a closet of old receivers which you now own.

Don't get me wrong - My parents have Dish and honestly it works for them - Dish Network offers them a package small enough to be decent priced that still has what they want... since they aren't big into HD or DVR... they have only the standard receivers for just 2 TVs....

But that's what works for them... they still pay way too much for phone and internet because they can't find a decent bundle that doesn't charge too much for services they won't use as much...

Take into account all your costs - if the phone is a set rate package with no suprises, broadband internet etc - find out how long the discount is and be prepared for a jump up - also anticipate a good $20 for communications and franchise fees and taxes that aren't figured into that bundle.

As of 07/01/2007 the FCC opened up a very different world for cable going forward - remember in the next 2 years you'll see analog TV disappear - Cable and OTA will be all digital and unless you've got a newer TV with a QAM tuner... we'll all either be renting or buying digital receivers of some kind - TIVO is already selling DVR receivers, Digeo (Moxi) will soon join the market... and I'm sure as 2009 looms near you'll see all sorts of companies join is as CableCards become more standarized and customer premise equipment becomes more common. It's not going to be a smooth road, but there's also alot of old roads that are about to become dead ends.

the choice is up to you, look at all your options, be weary, but open minded and ultimately, do what you feel is the best value for the money.

You don't have to be a good little soldier - sometimes a little insubordination is just what's needed to keep the brass from thinking they can get away with anything ;)


Thanks for the advice. It didnt occur to me that I may like to have the newest technology (newest reciever box) every 3 - 4 years. That may be the single most compelling reason to stay with a cable provider.




.

Thanks for the advice. It didnt occur to me that I may like to have the newest technology (newest reciever box) every 3 - 4 years. That may be the single most compelling reason to stay with a cable provider.
.

a plus for cable is that when those 30-40 boxes went out you were able to truck it down to the nearest kiosk an replace it immediately for free.

when my friends that have satellite have issues with their receivers they to have wait a few days to get the replacement in the mail. just to find when they get their bill that the provider charged them for the boxes even though they had a service agreement. then the stress level really rises trying to get the girl in India to remove it from the bill.

Well I had 2 techs from TWC at my house last Sat. and another is coming this Sat. Supposedly a higher up Tech than the last two. The guys that came out last Sat. were great, they changed the drop from the pole to my house which was very bad and had a low Digital signal and cleared things up a lot but he told me wouldn't fix everything that there was a problem at the pole and a tech would be coming Monday to check it out. He showed Mon while I was gone and I can't see a bit of difference. Chuck was unwatchable Monday night and I've still have drop-outs especially at night.

Any particular numbers I can ask the guy to provide this Sat., signal and such?


Okay the Cable guy cometh and the Cable guy foundth the problem. Are you ready for this, an old analog HBO filter at the pole. It checked good when it was inline but bad when he took it out and checked across it. I believe he said I went from -2db to +8.3db on channel 116 which they use to check with their little meter once he took the filter out. Is it possible to have negative signal gain? He said he didn't think I'd have any more problems but if I did don't hesitate to call. Asked why someone hadn't checked that before and he basically shrugged his shoulders. I'm a happy camper so far. :) :) :) :) :)

Who ever was there before probably did not use the sweep feature on their meter, most techs only have about 6 channel's programmed on their meter when they check levels and the last one was a little smarter. Yes you can have negative signals.

Charlotte's system will run as high as 45dbmv on channels 116 & 117 and negative numbers can run as low as -35, that their meter can measure.
Anything below a -8 on analog and -14 on digital is not good though.

What is the latest-and-greatest HD-DVR available? I currently have an 8300hd, but wondering if there is anything new. I just have the one, but if they ever got around to implementing the multi-room-viewing, it would be a compelling argument for multiple.

Thanks

The 8300hd and 8300hdc is it with the later being the OCAP box.

a plus for cable is that when those 30-40 boxes went out you were able to truck it down to the nearest kiosk an replace it immediately for free.

when my friends that have satellite have issues with their receivers they to have wait a few days to get the replacement in the mail. just to find when they get their bill that the provider charged them for the boxes even though they had a service agreement. then the stress level really rises trying to get the girl in India to remove it from the bill.

OMG! That sounds like a fricken nightmare!

Okay the Cable guy cometh and the Cable guy foundth the problem. Are you ready for this, an old analog HBO filter at the pole. It checked good when it was inline but bad when he took it out and checked across it. I believe he said I went from -2db to +8.3db on channel 116 which they use to check with their little meter once he took the filter out. Is it possible to have negative signal gain? He said he didn't think I'd have any more problems but if I did don't hesitate to call. Asked why someone hadn't checked that before and he basically shrugged his shoulders. I'm a happy camper so far. :) :) :) :) :)

I saw this happen to one of my clients when they were having Road Runner Installed - the filter at the pole was bad - had almost forgotten about that incident since it was several years ago. When the RR installer couldn't get a link on the modem, the filter was the 1st thing he checked