With the Scientific Atlanta Box I am not sure of the settings. I used to have an SA box in Syracuse, NY. It was plug and play with no issues in Syracuse.

With the Pioneer box on TWC- CLT using YPrPb the input is selectable, 480i, 480p or 1080i. The FOX feed is still bad. Using DVI what you see is what you get. No choice of resolution or PIP using DVI input. DVI has HDCP which my Tosh is set up for. No problems on any other channel other than FOX. I suspect this is a local problem in my service area. I live off Weddington in Concord.

All other HD channels are awesome with DVI. The SA box does D/A conversion back to analog to view. With the Pioneer and a DVI cable, the DVI is pure digital - awesome from ch 80 up. These boards say HDNET, ESPN and INHD are coming! Great news.

A chime in update from our friend at TWC on new HD please?

Perhaps our friend from FOX can shed some light on resolution and HDCP with FOX on TWC?

The local ABC analog 9 is unwatchable at my house and neighbors.

Tom

Tom,
I see you have no Pm active.. contact me with your info and I will get you intouch with the TW Engineer. We're not having any problems as I can see,
last I checked our Pioneer box here on Tuesday it was fine.

Bob, from what I've heard (could be wrong), is that the Charlotte system is having "issues" getting the WCCB-DT channels to the other area systems, and it seems to be resolving itself one system at a time (Gastonia system is fine now). The Charlotte area system never experienced any issues, probably because they get the signal from WCCB and pass it on to the other area systems. As for the rest of the systems, everything should be resolved within the next week or two.

Yes, that is what I have been told. Seems to be software issues between
our PSIP, (which exploits some little used features that others may not)
and certain headend processors..Ran into this same problem with the WOLO transport to Columbia..had to send copies of the stream to the MFG's to convince them they had a problem. Did they get a surprise!
FYI, we had the WCCB stream analyzed by an expert this past week, who found no problems. Despite what many think, this is still pretty much a still
a science project in many respects..
Thanks,

If anyone's wondering about the "Movies on Demand in HD" it should launch in November when the HD Tier does. If I remember correctly, the pricing is $6.95 per movie. The channel number will be 820 (the channel has been added but is still "hidden"). And, it's also worth noting that within the next few weeks (no specific date), the following two channels will be added to the lineup:
Lifetime On Demand 852
Oxygen On Demand 853

So I turned on CBS this weekend to watch the SEC game in HD - like the last two weekends they failed to put it in HD. So I found their website and after some searching around found the newsroom number. Called and had them patch me through to the technician who then switched to HD. I told him to leave them a not about it since they failed the previous two weeks - he told me those games were not in HD.........yeah not in Charlotte that is correct. Anyways, if they forget next saturday just call them

Number: Newsroom (704) 374-3698

have them patch you through to the tech room and specificially say HD or they don't have a clue and say it is on!!

Thanks for the news about Movies on Demand in HD. It's a shame about the $6.95 fee. I don't mind paying some extra for better picture quality, but double seems a little steep. That's a good way to discourage use.

With the last minute addition of the SEC HD game of the week I think it kinda screwed up some affiliates. You see they setup the timers for this stuff in advance (not sure if its days or weeks). If you watched WBTV last night you saw a great example of this, since football ran a little over, the timers were all screwed up. It was switching to commercials in the middle of the movie, but at least you got to see "CBS HD Promo commercial" :). Of course the analog channel showed no problems. It was kind of annoying going to a commercial in the middle of the movie, then when the HD movie went off, you had to watch the end of it again in 4:3! I advise all of you who view WBTV-DT to call the newsroom and express your anger about not switching to HD during football. It seems to me by now they should know when the games are going to be in HD, they get weekly memos!!! I would give out the master control direct number, but they'd tar and feather me :D

Kudos to Bob Davis!

Bob, I must say that you deserve recognition for your active participation in this forum. I don't know about the other Charlotte TV stations, but I can say that FOX is well represented.

Maybe others will follow your lead and recognize the value of providing accurate and timely information to their viewers.

(Please take note Time Warner, ABC, CBS, NBC)

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
I would give out the master control direct number, but they'd tar and feather me :D

That is correct, and not a very good way to make friends with those at a tv station..Remember, the folks on duty are dealing with actually making money on the analog, not HDTV, which relatively speaking has no viewers,
and generates a negative cash flow.:(

DJ, you're welcome. Despit HD being a loss-leader, we try to take it seriously, both for WCCB and WOLO. So we try to do the best we can,
and answer the questions that our viewers may have!

jmccurrytech just curious about where you are getting your Time Warner information? Do you work at the division? I work at SS up the road from the division and it was my understanding that corporate has yet to ink a deal with ESPN? Also hadn't heard anything about HDNet either...


SS is the last to know anything though so I was excited to see the news of additional channels.

At least WCCB posts employees phone numbers on their website including Engineering, which I thank them for. As for where I get information regarding TW's additions, I know some people in marketing, and they're pretty on top of things. And they only tell certain people certain things, sort of like an "inner circle" so to speak. I really wished now that I wouldn't have posted some information regarding the HD Tier, I feel I've broken some level of trust. But, I wouldn't post information I didn't believe was accurate and would take form in some way. sccofer, I said I wasn't 100% for sure about HDNet in my orignal post, I've only heard "hints" here and there.

Hi all, I'm new to the TWC HD stuff. I moved out of my house last week where I had DirecTV and only used cable for Road Runner. Now i'm living in a condo while my new house is being built and so I'm trying out TWC offerings to see if I want to switch over permanently in my new house. I've been hooked on TiVo for a few years now so that's why I'm trying out TWC's DVR. It's not bad really, not as good as TiVo, but not bad either. I also thought I'd try the HD service on my Sony HD ready TV. I'm really impressed with the service as I'm watching Monday Night Football and it looks awesome!!

Anyway, on to my issue. It seems that both the Pioneer 3510 HD box and the Scientific Atlanta DVR both use the same remote commands. So if I want to change channels on the HD box, it also changes on the DVR. A real PITA. Anyone know if I can do anything about it? Anyone know of a way to re-address one of the remotes? Of course, when TWC comes out with the HD DVR, my problem will be solved!! Any info appreciated!

jmcurry - don't worry the rumor is out in some other threads someone in the Minnesota thread had a similiar thing and even referred to an email reply of some sort from TW about an HD-Tier. What is new from you is the date - now if the marketing people that you know talk to you about it then you could let them know that if TW had any PR at all then people wouldn't "hunger" for information this way - they absolutely suck when it comes to information. I have not received any info about NBA TV except after you noted it I went and found it - are we going to see their HD games - well we will see once it starts.....

They do a poor job and you did a good job - stated facts and stated what was rumors and that shouldn't be an issue

Anybody else getting "choppy" audio from WBTV-DT tonight? Other stations sound fine.

Yes, the choppy audio is driving me nuts, seems it only occurs during HD programming. My guess is that the standard def channel, 3-2, caused this issue to arise. But who knows, could be a number of things.

I noticed that too. However, I switched to the expanded occasional channel and the problem went away.

Ya, that channel is fine, but standard def only :mad:

I am getting my new TV today - got Toshiba to upgrade for free :) - and will hook to the DVI from the box. Got two questions
1. Are they all activated or do I need to call TW or something
2. Where did you guys buy cable in Charlotte. Tweeter's cable is $200, BB is out and CC's is $100 - to me it is a digital cable and there shouldn't be any real difference - correct? Also how much did you spend on the cable?

What kind of cable are you looking for?

Sorry - looking for the DVI Cable between the box and the tv

Ebay buddy..got my dvi cable for $6 delivered, it's as nice as the one that
comes with most receivers..works fine..

Thanks Fox - I guess then you agree with my assesment that it is a digital cable and either works or doesn't - at least pretty much...

Here is what happened though if any of your friends have a Toshiba. I had the 50H82 which they promised they would be able to upgrade to DVI compatible - well they have yet to solve this and after I pushed for a little while they sent me the new 51h83 for free instead - just got it :)

One more item - is there any chance that we get the WRAL broadcast from the Hurricanes games through TWC here?

Thanks

Who else called for HD?
I called and it was busy - once I got through she was like - didn't I just transfer you????
Then master-control was - I flipped it :)

Good job guys lets keep them on their toes :)

You who knows more - when does this become automatic and why does CBS have more issues - is that because they have more HD so we notice more ....

Ready to rumble and how about the Panthers - that was awsome - and if anyone complains about the interception I agree with the call and that was intentional grounding so evens out since the Colts scored on that drive :)

The process is automatic for scheduled programming. Sports can go into OT or take longer than the alotted time. As far as I know, WBTV uses timers for all the primetime HD shows. If football causes the movie tonight to run past 11pm tonight, I bet you money it'll goto SD at 11pm on the dot!

jm is correct, the timer method is the best way to insure that MOST of the
HD programs get on properly, along with local commercials inserted.
In FOX's case, they provide a full time 16:9 feed, so we don't have to bother with programming a timer. It's not that way for other networks.

Bob I noticed earlier that when watching FOX NFL Sunday, that widescreen wasn't switched to until around 12:20. You weren't at the controls were you :p

FOX TOC instructed MC to take the backup feed due to solar transit that wasn't scheduled until about 2:20 or so..If we're not on the primary feed, the DTv won't switch to the 16:9 feed..so I called and had MC correct....seems they tend to forget those of us who take the widescreen feed..they did this in March as well...otherwise, it's all automatic via a slave to network tally..

Bob, what's up with the radar channel? It's not working on TW or OTA, it was locking up my Samsung but now it saids "No AV".

as bones once said.."He's dead Jim"..encoder has rolled over and died.
Since I have been out of town, I haven't had a chance to look at it, but
will probably have to send it back to Harmonic

Just wanted to let everyone know that WJZY-DT will NOT be airing "Enterprise" and "Jake 2.0" in HD. They are still in the process of getting the necessary equipment for HD. UPN did not give them the notice necessary to have everything up and ready in time. But rest assure they are working as fast as they can to get everything ready to go! :)

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
as bones once said.."He's dead Jim"..encoder has rolled over and died.
Since I have been out of town, I haven't had a chance to look at it, but
will probably have to send it back to Harmonic

Great! Die, HD-bandwidth sapping weather subchannels, DIE!!

Oh, sorry Bob, I forgot you guys don't do HD.....:D

Are many folks able to get WUNG's digital 44 station? I looked on the fcc site and saw it was only allowed to broadcast at what seemed like a very low power level. Standing on my roof, and looking in the direction of their tower, I'm looking at my neighbor's roof, so I knew there might be some trouble. I bought a 29db Winegard mast mounted UHF amp. I get 58 (their analog channel, same tower) cleanly, with a light ghost, so I figured I should get 44, but no dice. Fox and NBC both have worse ghosting on the analog counterpart, and I have no problem getting the Fox and NBC digital. Just curious as to others' ability to get receive WUNG-DT.

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
Just wanted to let everyone know that WJZY-DT will NOT be airing "Enterprise" and "Jake 2.0" in HD. They are still in the process of getting the necessary equipment for HD. UPN did not give them the notice necessary to have everything up and ready in time. But rest assure they are working as fast as they can to get everything ready to go! :)

Is WJZY's digital transmitter working at all? I seem to have lost 46.1 from my STB's (Dish 6000) channel set and can't add it back. I know they transmit at low power; I've recently changed my antenna, so that might be the culprit also....

WJZY-DT is broadcasting a signal but no programming or PSIP. I went to channel 47 and am getting 90% signal, but my sammy is saying "No Signal". sengsational, WUNG-DT does broadcast at fairly low power, even with my pre-amp on max power I can only get 50%. I recommend trying to get WTVI-DT on channel 11.

Ok Archi,
for that comment, we're upping the data rate on the radar to 8 mhz..
and will take an extra 60 days to install the FOX HD gear when it arrives..

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Ok Archi,
for that comment, we're upping the data rate on the radar to 8 mhz..
and will take an extra 60 days to install the FOX HD gear when it arrives..

Curses! Foiled again! :eek:

Hey, looking forward to the return of the Jack Bauer Power Hour in a couple of weeks! Can't wait to see Jack dispatch villains in HD; hurry up and install that HD stuff!!!

Any word on WJZY-DT being up and running for tomorrow night's debut of Enterprise in HD? How about you TWC digital HD cable guys, can you get it?

As I said in my post earlier, it will be at least 6 months before WJZY-DT is HD capable.

Is it just me, or is everyone else starting to get itchy for Nov to finally get here and see if what has been said about the HD Tier comes true? I wonder what time notice TWC will give prior to rolling this out? Oh well, not much longer....

Someone over in another thread said that the had on their bill that it would show up in november - was in minnesotta (I think) - so hopefully we should have it announced soon. However, the only thing announced for them was inhd 1 and 2 and no espn or HDnet yet.

JMCurry - rumor is that FSN will be working with inhd 2 over TW do you know anything?

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
As I said in my post earlier, it will be at least 6 months before WJZY-DT is HD capable.

Okay, thanks & noted - no Enterprise in HD this season for Charlotteans. Too bad for us who remain fans, in spite of the lost potential of this show. Maybe it's just habit, i.e. even bad Star Trek is better than no Star Trek. ;)

But the other question is whether WJZY's digital transmitter is operating at all...? It's completely gone from my STB's channel set. Just wondering if the cable folks can see it? Reason I ask is because the SD digital picture is better than the analog one.

Bob:

Is it in HD? 240 working fine at the moment. Sorry to hear about 242.

Tom

Rec'd following email From TWC:

October 17, 2003

I am in receipt of your e-mail concerning Time Warner Cable's offering of In Demand HD. Good News! We do have plans to launch in the near future. However, we are still in the process of negotiations. There is not a set date at this time.

Contractual agreements for carriage of specific programmers are negotiated at the corporate level, and information about what our Charlotte region customers want on their cable service is taken into consideration during those negotiations.

Please continue to provide us input on what we're doing right and what we can do to improve.

Thank You!

For What its worth

Tom,
The Whirled Serious will be in 16:9 Widescreen, but not 5.1...
Hope to have 241 on and 242 back soon!

Thanks.

Bob, with the recent upgrades TW sent to the STB's, does this make the SAP channel possible/work?

yes,supposedly, they were waiting for a software patch to make 241 (sap/dvs) available. I haven't heard if they have it yet, I called Ron Friday and did not hear back from him.

http://www.twchouston.com/cable/lineup.html

inhd officially on the Houston lineup - others have the information on their cable bills. Either we are not getting it here (which I doubt) or they are even worse than ususal with their information

thanks guys for all the TWC posts....

however, could someone post an update on the following:

1) HD channels currently available via TWC-Charlotte
2) HD channels soon to be released from TWC-Charlotte and the projected date/cost

Many thanks in advance

current channels

HBO
Showtime
Discovery
ABC
CBS
NBC
FOX
2 PBS Channels (I think, one for sure)
NBA TV is supposed to show some HiDef stuff

As far as upcoming channel your guess is as good as anyone elses, rumors indicated INHD 1 and 2, ESPN HD, HdNet and HDNet Movies. I have heard from people inside the Charlotte Division that INHD and ESPN will launch in the near future.

Got the following reply about WSOC's sound issues:

ABC changed their HD delivery system. When we went to Monday Night Football, we had problems. Our Dolby equipment located in our equipment room failed to auto detect 5.1 and caused the problem you heard. This has caused us lots of pain in the last several weeks. I have on order a piece of equipment to install on our automation equipment. We will have the contact closures to eliminate the auto detect function and give a hard switch to the Dolby encoders. Our Master Control operators fail to catch these problems because they are listening to our regular channel 9 audio since it is our money maker. Once again, HD takes a back seat but as time goes on, this will change.

Working on it and I guess all we can do is call at night to make them realize there is a problem and they have several HD viewer.

I received the October newsletter and unfortunately there was no mention of new HD channels. Darn.

I live on the far west side of gaston county and can not get cable. I have D*TV and a Hughes E-86 receiver. To get local HD I hooked up the old rooftop rotary antenna but get terrible drop outs on both picture and sound. Can anyone recommend a solution to my problem. The antenna was already on the house when I moved in and I have never tried to use it until now. I did install a new rotor motor on it but did not replace the antenna. If I had to guess its age I would say about 10-15 years old. The wire coming from the antenna is not the coax type it is flat. Are the new antenna better made or should this suffice? By the way the D*TV HD looks incredible.

I have one update (Non HD) for the Charlotte TWC System:

SoapNet and Boomerang will be added November 3rd on channels 189 & 190, respectively.

Yarb,
Can't use flat lead wire with dtv..as it will pickup along the length of the line
and cause the problems you describe. You'll need a new antenna and coaxial cable. From your location, you should not have any problems getting
all 9 of the local dtv stations if you do so.

bdfox18doe,
Thanks for the quick reply. I purchased the near fringe Channel Master rated at 60 miles VHF and 45 miles UHF. I also purchased RG-6 cable. The antenna box said it comes with a matching transformer, which I assume allows the coax to connect to the antenna. Does all this sound correct? Should I get the higher powered antenna that is rated at 100 miles VHF and 60 miles UHF? Do you think I will need any type of amplifier? I am surrounded by trees does this factor in to the equation?

You should not need anything else at your location, there should be adequate signal level with that antenna for the Charlotte locals. Trees
will affect the signal, especially when wet, as this tends to increase the dynamic multipath, which can be difficult for the receivers to handle.
You won't know until you actually try it as to how much the trees affect
your reception. In difficult areas, a higher gain antenna that is more directional can help, however if you're trying to pull signals from multiple
angles a less directional antenna is better. Don't use preamps unless absolutely necessary.
I have a silver sensor mounted in a recoton 3000 case (round disc antenna)
which feeds a 4 way amplified splitter to my 4 receivers.. I get all 9 locals
perfectly..Let us know how you come out...

Originally posted by mhdiab
Got the following reply about WSOC's sound issues:

ABC changed their HD delivery system. When we went to Monday Night Football, we had problems. Our Dolby equipment located in our equipment room failed to auto detect 5.1 and caused the problem you heard. This has caused us lots of pain in the last several weeks. I have on order a piece of equipment to install on our automation equipment. We will have the contact closures to eliminate the auto detect function and give a hard switch to the Dolby encoders. Our Master Control operators fail to catch these problems because they are listening to our regular channel 9 audio since it is our money maker. Once again, HD takes a back seat but as time goes on, this will change.

Working on it and I guess all we can do is call at night to make them realize there is a problem and they have several HD viewer.

The same problems cropped up last night on Karen Sisco. I was forced to switch to the SD basic-cable feed (my "back-up") to get the stereo track, while continuing to watch the HD video, so I could hear the dialog. Unfortunately, there is a couple of second delay between the HD (digital) feed and the SD (analog) feed which makes it kind of like watching those old kung-fu movies where the dubbing never matches up with the moving mouths. Not such a big deal on the football telecasts, except when I hear Al Michaels call a touchdown when the ball carrier is still 10 yards from the goal line! Sort of ruins the suspense. :)

They really need to get a handle on this at WSOC. Does anyone have an e-mail address for an engineer there so that I can add my voice to the chorus when it's needed?

I did my full run through of the local stations last night to make sure everyone was on HD, and WSOC-DT was on HD and 5.1. This was around 10:15PM, I believe. Usually when I notice a problem, I call master control. There's really no specific e-mail address I can think of that would get the attention it needs. I'll call WSOC and ask the master control ppl if there's any e-mail addy they I have I could give out. The problem with not switching to 5.1 is like not switching to HD, it's still a manual process to an extent. The biggest problem the stations have is switching to HD/5.1 after a commercial break, they might remember one but not the other, and I believe it will improve as these stations get a routine of doing it. But I also think that we will see more instances where stations aren't "flipping the switch" to 5.1 as more CBS affiliates upgrade to 5.1.

5.1 switching can be automated to require no operator intervention, it's just not widely known, and is not ABC's suggested method, but works better..We haven't had any complaints on either WCCB's or WOLO's 5.1 switching as I know of..which is totally automatic.

ABC changed their HD delivery system. When we went to Monday Night Football, we had problems. Our Dolby equipment located in our equipment room failed to auto detect 5.1 and caused the problem you heard. This has caused us lots of pain in the last several weeks. I have on order a piece of equipment to install on our automation equipment

Not sure if you read the post....sounds to me like they know the problem and they are getting the piece that will do it automatically. It also sounds like that is how it was done and due to changes with ABC it doesn't work properly anymore....

I have an email, but received it after several phone-calls etc and don't want to post it. If something comes up post it and I will forward.

Can't belive there has been no official announcement about inhd

Originally posted by mhdiab
Not sure if you read the post....

Not sure if you've read my post, or signature? ;)

5.1 switching can be automated to require no operator intervention, it's just not widely known, and is not ABC's suggested method, but works better..

I thought I read - automation can be done, but not preferred method by WSOC and they might not know about it.
I had stated - WSOC has ordered the piece that will automate it :)

I read your title and apprecite your info and know that you know about 1000times more than me on the subject :)

So since we are talking here - do you know anything about the FSN plans or is that completely separate from you guys?

FSN plans..No,I don't; the FOX divisions aren't exactly kissing cousins, they tend to operate VERY independently. We haven't heard yet as to FOX's exact plans for us, all we know is HD sometime next year! We should be one of the first to have it tho, we hope...!:)

bdfox - you guys should be pushing that Cable in Charlotte has lots of HD content and you think you might be loosing viewers :) - or still to few to count?

Thanks for the update

Not losing viewers, any HD viewers lost at this point are irrelevant, as the analog pays the bills,not HD. It will be a long time before HD generates positive cashflow for anyone, even cable, as initial capital investment costs have yet to recouped, IMHO..
Besides, we have NOTHING to do with FOX networks's decisions, as we are locally and privately owned. It will be a long time before we even come close to recouping any of our significant capital costs, not to mention the
$7,000 per month power bill for "HD" alone.. Until Nielsen counts HD viewers, and there are enough to affect the meter sampling, or ad sales
for HD generate +cash flow..HD doesn't matter. So far, in the almost 1 million Tv housholds in this DMA, there are right at a total of 5,000 HD cable subs..and considerable less OTA receivers.
In essence, yes, too few to count.

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
It will be a long time before HD generates positive cashflow for anyone, even cable, as initial capital investment costs have yet to recouped, IMHO..


Maybe you were just talking about broadcasters? I don't know about positive cash flow, but I think the cash is starting to flow at a pretty good clip for hardware manufacturers. From what I read here, the technology in the direct view HD sets we're buying today has been availble in other countries (specifically Japan) for years. This would indicate that the R&D had been getting covered from that market.

--Dale--

Does anyone know if the upcoming Monday Night Football game will have the same Dolby Digital 5.1 problems or have they been fixed yet? I am planning on having a MNF party and need to know if I will be able to "wow" my guests without running into tech. problems.

If you noticed, WSOC-DT has left Dolby 5.1 on until the automated switching problem is fixed. So everything should be fine for right now with 5.1 left on 24/7

bdfox - I hear what you are saying and understand the argument. However, at some point with or without measuring ratings for HD viewers you can compare the loss of viewers and realize there is a problem - I am not saying we are there, but it might be sooner rather than later. I am a firm beliver that HD will take off after this Christmas - just walk into BB and I am convinced that a TV will be the gift of the year and this time people will buy it to get HD specifically. Either way things are getting better and we hope you will be allowed to update us as you get more news / equipment :)

Update:

I am the guy from Bessemer City surrounded by trees. I installed the antenna and also had to install an attenuator because channel nine still kept dropping audio and some video distortions.( I believe channel 3 was just to powerful). My only problem now is Fox 18. I get an 86-100 signal but I believe I am getting some sort of interference. When the signal spikes to 100 is when the degradation occurs. It is now the only channel I have problems with. Could this be some FM or AM interference?

bump

Well...only three more days until November and we have yet to hear of any new HD Tier or stations. This is making me go mad I tell you.

hi guys
I am in Hickory - can you tell me what I need to pick up Loacal HD chanels??
I have Dish and am setting up an X1 system, and would like to get some HD if possible.
thanks in advance for any suggestions ..

Depending on your exact location you should be able to easily get both WBT-TV and WCNC and the WB channel which carries HDnet as these three are located north of Gastonia. You should also be able to get WSOC which is located on the east side of Charlotte.

I would suggest you go to antennaweb.org and enter your location and you can see what other stations are broadcasting in HD and how far, etc.

Of course you will be able to use your sat. for some HD.

As to equipment needs it depends on what is between you and the towers so I hesitate to start recommending antennas, pre-amps and rotors. You will probably need all three. As an example----ChannelMaster is very good for antennas, models 4228 and 4248 are excellent and they make a good pre-amp, the 7777. The rotor you can get at RS. There is no such thing as an HDTV antenna, you only need what we all used 45 years ago. You should use RG-6Q cable, and amp depends on cable length, etc.

Good luck.
Hugh

I have noticed on the HD Programming board that a lot of people are chapped at Direct TV for not showing the NBA-TV game in high definition last night. Does anyone know if this is available in Charlotte on TWC? I didn't see it on the new NBA channel they added this week (141).

I'm moving to Charlotte from Nashville. I will be living close to intersection of Fairview and Carmel Roads in SE Charlotte. In looking at antennaweb.org, it appears that the majors (ABC,NBC,CBS) don't transmit from the same general direction. I have a CM 4221.....do you think this antenna will work ok for OTA?

I'm somewhat familiar with the intersection and you should be ok but so many factors go into determining how a signal is received I wouldn't want to guarantee it. The CBS and NBC towers are located due north of Gastonia which is west of Charlotte. Probably 35 miles from that intersection as a rough guess. ABC and Fox are on the northeast side of Charlotte and you should be fine for those as well.

You may need a rotor and pre-amp depending on cable length, etc. We also get HDnet from channel 55-1 and of course PBS. Your current antenna is rated at 45 miles by Channel Master and should work.

Hugh

I got the following email from TWC today.

"Hi Hugh: sorry to take so long with response. ESPN-HD we thought was finalized....discovered it's not. But we're hoping it will be soon.

Our HD DVR's were due to be here this month, and we found out last week they will be delayed until 1Q '04. That's the bad news. The good news is that your voices are being heard at the Corp. level...they know we have a good HD customer base here and that all of you want additional programming."

I asked about INHD but as you can see it was not mentioned.

Hugh

Dolby-5.1 will be made available this Sunday, 11/9, on the following FOX Widescreen NFL games:

1p- Tampa Bay Bucs @ Carolina Panthers

Thanks so much Bob.......great news about the game. When Fox starts to broadcast in HDTV will it be with Dolby 5.1 like ABC? For me the audio is as important as the video.......for the whole package.

Hugh

Yes, FOX will be doing more 5.1 when they do HD video, But, bear in mind
that the program's producer is the driving factor more than the network is.

The producer may have the final say but everything I've ever seen on ABC, as you know, is in 5.1. I'm speaking of programming that is an hour long show. One can only hope.

Has anyone ever received a message through their HD box? I have had HD service since June and have yet to get one.

No, but I did have a potted plant talk to me once. On a side note, don't ever have tequila from a bottle with a scratched off label.

Tequila aside......that was funny......what kind of a box.....cable or sat. or ota only?

What type of messages are you referring to? The only time I can remember getting a message on my cable box was about a year or so ago when the digital cable service went out system wide and my box had a scrolling message of 'Call For Service'.

Originally posted by namcap
Has anyone ever received a message through their HD box? I have had HD service since June and have yet to get one.

I'm referring to the current TWC HD box and any type of messages that pertain to their services.

I've got that box and have never seen a message from them. I've been using their boxes for years and to the best of my knowledge they don't send messages.

Originally posted by namcap
I'm referring to the current TWC HD box and any type of messages that pertain to their services.

I have had the TW HDTV box (SA & then Pioneer) since it was first offered in Charlotte & have never seen any messages flash across the LCD except for the one time it read call for service.

namcap,
TWC does not send messages thru the box.The only message you would get would be from the box itself it had a problem.All service info should be on the twcarolina.com website.

Why would they not utilize that function for events, upgrades, additional / new stations? That makes no sense to me. I mean really; look at how often twcarolina.com is updated. It took them weeks just to remove the information regarding the USA HD feed for tennis...not to mention the delayed addition notification of our newest HD station (Discovery HD Theater).

Hi everyone, I'm glad to see that there is a thread dedicated to Charlotte users. I need help. I got my system installed today which consisted of the Pioneer HD box. This is not the box that I was told I would get. The install guy who was very helpful by the way said that this box was better than thier older Scientific Atlanta unit which would not allow changes in aspect ratio. I was under the impression that I would be getting the new box by SA. I was also surprised to see that this box did not have a digital(optical) audio input! I saw an orange digital audio input which I am not sure about. I have a Toslink cable plugged into my reciever and was really hoping to plug the other end into the cable box. Instead, we had to hook up the...gulp....composite audio cables! Where is my digital audio! Can I get a different cable that will work with this box and still attach to my receiver? To top it all off, it looks like I have a ground loop in the picture! Any suggestions? Is the cable box I have the best that Time Warner has to offer right now? I am totally new to HDTV and would appreciate any information you all can provide about dealing with Time Warner and any additional equipment I might need. I read some replies to this thread talking about antennas and rotors? I thought this was cable, why do I need an antenna? Help!! I know nothing!!

Yes, you have the best box available for HD from TWC. You have component outputs to run either to your receiver for switching or direct to the TV. For Audio you have a coax output or optical, I forget which, and this goes to your receiver. Coax is better than toslink. In the Charlotte area you can also receive HDTV direct from the broadcast stations using an outside antenna.

Hugh

Hey Drop Zone.. Call and request that TWC have David Kruger contact you,
he's very knowledgeable and helpful with such problems.
There is no advantage either way between coax or toslink, it is nothing
more than ones and zeros, and at a relatively low bit rate of 384k to boot.
But..
You can get a convertor to convert optical to coax (bi directionally)that will allow you to connect the box to your receiver. Locally, they can be gotten at the guitar center for about $75..you'll need a Midiman CO2 or a Fostex COP1..other mfg's such as Hosa make them as well. You can also order these from mcmelectronics.com They are of lesser quality but work fine, for about $20.. and are not bidirectional. The Midiman is bi-directional and allows you to split the digital outputs should you need to feed multiple sources as I do.
Good luck..!

. Instead, we had to hook up the...gulp....composite audio cables

Ok as stated this is a no issue - toshlink or composite doesn't make a difference just get a good cable and route it to the Receiver.

The box you have is much better than the old box and they also have the DVI turned on so if you have DVI input on your TV then get a DVI cable and hook that up and your picture will improve. TWC is great here in Charlotte they just suck at informing their customers, but their service is great.

This forum is a mix of Direct-TV, Dish, Cable, Over-The Air (OTA) antenna customers and you will read lots of posts that doesn't affect you (nor me) and just ignore those and let others answer those.
Post any other issues and people will help you out. Also on the box hit Settings then the A button (I think) to go in and change aspect ratios, output format etc for best setup with your STB

I would recommend only getting the DVI cable if you have a fixed pixel display, plasma, etc. I have a Sony CRT tv and the PQ on the HD stations was not good when I was using the DVI cable through the Pioneer box. Component was much better.

The only thing I don't like about the Pioneer box is that you can't control the volume through the box when you use the digital output. Have to switch to the receiver to turn the volume up or down. You can program the remote to control your recevier but it's annoying nonetheless.

Is there some technical reason why the box sends digital audio at a constant level and won't allow you to change it through the box itself?

I suggested Coax over Toslink because of the connectors themselves. Toslink is subject to falling off whatever it is connected to while the coax uses RCA jacks which are much more stable.

Hugh

My understanding from an engineer that designs stb's, is that with dvi,
the rgb is converted to digital inside the stb for "access control purposes"and then decoded again by the monitor. This is confirmed by
examining the schematic of my sony 40xbr800 and 50xbr800..which would
support what scoffer says about PQ being better with component..
I haven't actualy tried that, but now I will.

The digital audio is constant as it is not audio, but actually data in AC3 format, and it is practically impossible to change the level of the digital output in that form. Hence it has to be done after decoding to analog.

As to toslink cables,I agree with you on that point Hugh, I have an over priced monster crapple optical cable that has fallen apart on me.
MCM Electronics has a great selection of toslink cables that are just as good, cost significantly less, and are better made IMHO! They have them
in up to 30' lengths, and kits that you can make your own custom
lengths as well.

exactly, when using the dvi connection the STB transmits a digital signal to the TV and then the tv has to convert it back to analog for display, and somewhere in this process the picture quality gets degraded. Component is analog all the way through. I think this means that the STB has a better DA converter than my TV.

Duhhh on the digital audio! I should have figured that out before I finished typing the question! Thanks!

I just started using DVI with the Pioneer 3510HD STB with my Panasonic plasma. In my opinion the picture is slightly clearer with less pixelation using DVI over component. I notice the improved picture more with SD material than HD.

I don't really see a difference with the HD picture. What I do see is that it takes much longer to "load" the page and there is some disturbance. I thought with DVI the picture remained digitial - could it be different tv's etc?

However, I know that all the digital channels and the analog channels looks much better - not sure why or how so appreciate any info on that

New update:

I have tried numerous combinations of attenuators,preamps and amps. I now have a perfect 100% on 3, 18, 36, 46, and 55, but only a 51% on 9 ( Ihave not seen any problems yet. I will know tonight during the game). I do not know if it is because I am loosing more leaves or the fact that I re-crimped all my cable ends or if the height of my antenna changed in a small way.
As it stands right now I am not using any attenuators or preamps. I hope this gives others hope in a great HDTV experience, and that my signal is this good when the leaves come back.

I'm in Gastonia and WSOC is the weakest signal by far. They are running low power and are on the east side of Charlotte. Propagation has been excellent this last week or so.

Hugh

All right I can not take this anymore. When I went to bed Sunday night every thing was perfect. I got home last night and I have all of the same problems on every channel. The picture breaks up and the sound goes away.
My signal is now swinging from 80's to 100 and down to 70's on some channels. Channel 9 which was a solid 51 now drops to 40's and back up to 51. This has to be some sort of interference, but I have no idea what it could be. If I can't get this fixed I will have to give up.

J..
Don't you have the mits box? I had a similiar problem with mine overheating, and producing the same results. Where do you have it sitting?
In side a cabinet, or atop another piece of equipment? Do you have any sort of fan you can put on it to see it that clears the problem?

I have the Hughes E-86. Is that the same thing internally. I am willing to try anything! I did how ever watch it all day sunday with out any problems.

Hughes, Mits and Toshiba are all the same chassis, made by Hughes..

For those unaware, the old HDTV list hosted at fortmill went belly up a little over a month ago. It has been reactivated in connection with the www.nchdtv.com site. If you were a member of the old fortmills list, you should have received an invite to join the new list. If you didn't receive an invite or wish to join, go to www.w4cl.net/mailman/listinfo and click on nchdtv and join.

The list is open to all with an interest in North Carolina HD and the areas that overlap from South Carolina and Virginia.

Originally posted by HughScot
Yes, you have the best box available for HD from TWC. .... In the Charlotte area you can also receive HDTV direct from the broadcast stations using an outside antenna.

Hugh

Are you saying that this box includes an OTA receiver?

Ron

Channels 290 and 291 are still hidden, but these channels are now active! So you can consider it a free preview, cause once theyre launched there will be a monthly fee. Also hidden on channel 820, HD Movies on Demand has one movie uploaded. The movie is "Old School" and is $4.95, I ordered it and it was very good quality, dolby 5.1 too. I could pause and play but not fast forward/rewind.

No it is only a cable box. I've got a separate Samsung 165 which is OTA only. Sorry for the confusion.

Hugh

I unplugged the unit for several hours. When I turned the unit back on the problem was gone. It is definitely a heat problem. I am now going to see what other have done about this problem on the hardware forum. Thanks to everyone who helped out with this problem. I guess I can now take back most of the antenna accessories I purchased.

I used an old pc power supply fan on top powered by a wall wart..

Jim, how do I access the channels 290-291 if they are hidden. Is there a way to get into to them?

Sweet, Old School in HD! Keep the new HD stations coming TWC. It would make since that they would add a few more HD stations before charging us a fee though. Right?

I can't get into 290 or 291. Are you sure they are active? Please don't misunderstand, I'm not doubting you, but is there a chance that they were only temporarily active?

They are active but you must get into the diagnostic area and then go to 290 and 291. If you have the Pioneer box press the select button and the botton with the diamond symbol above it at the same time and hold down until "diag" appears on the box and then go to the channels. Use the box and not the remote to get the diagnostic screen. Then use the remote to go to the channels you want.

can you guys check 250 - nbahd :)
was also existing in hidden before, but not turned on.
Oh can't wait to get back home on Monday :) - ESPN-Hd might be luring around anyone scroll around previous non-existing channels to check? I have been checking 290 91 for a while and as stated they were not active before. Did you guys notice that the TWC schedule is still octobers like they are waiting to update ;)

I checked most of the non-active stations and could not find anything new. I also started to watch Old School on 820 but after I paid for the movie the screen would blink in and out a 1 sec intervals. After about 3 or 4 times it prompts me to contact customer service.

pause the movie a couple times while it blinks out. Then after 2 or 3 times start to play it. It should work fine.

pause the movie a couple times while it blinks out. Then after 2 or 3 times start to play it. It should work fine.

Thanks jmccurrytech....it worked like a charm. :D

I have the new TWC Cable Box. I can get into "daig" mode but then what?
I see a ton of choices and none seem to work


Thanks,
- Scott

When you see "the ton of choices" simply enter 290. And it will take you there. I wouldn't make any changes to the diagnostics. You won't have to go through it again while the box is on but the next time you turn it on just do the same thing again to view those hidden channels.

Thanks, Worked like a charm

INHD & INHD2 added to active non-hidden channels. Also, still in hidden mode, channel 820, HD Movies on Demand has add another movie...Lord of the Rings 2.

Many of our HD customers have asked about INHD networks, and we have good news for you -- we are adding INHD and INHD2 to Time Warner Cable's high-definition programming as of today, Nov 14. This programming will currently be offered to all customers with HD converters at no additional charge.

INHD (channel 290) is a 24/7 digital cable channel that presents the best programming available in the hi-def format including movies, major and college sports and general interest programming. NBA will air in HD next Monday, 11/17 (Boston @ NY). An expanded schedule of NBA games will start on Dec 3.
Sports: NBA regular season and playoff games, plus MLB regular season games, college sports and US Open matches & highlights.
Movies: include blockbuster hits, classic titles and documentaries like "Farther Than The Eye Can See" (a documentary featuring the first high definition footage of Mt. Everest).

INHD2 (channel 291) is a second 24/7 digital cable channel featuring similar general entertainment programming scheduled at varying times from INHD to give you more viewing options at any given time.
For more information on these networks, or to sign up for email notifications about specific programming, go to www.inhd.com.


Other info that may be helpful...

ESPN HD
We know you're waiting for good news about ESPN HD, and we're as anxious as you are. To better explain the delay, here's some background on the process for launching new channels. The individual TWC divisions are not permitted to launch new networks until a contract is negotiated at the corporate level. Time Warner Corporate is in negotiations with Disney (who owns ESPN) to provide our customers with the best programming at the best price. At this time, the high-level discussions are taking quite a while to finalize, and we don't have a projected launch date yet. HD Net and HD Net movies are also in the negotiation phase.

WWWB & WJZY
To qualify for HD carriage, broadcast stations must carry a certain level of HD programming. Our technical department is currently evaluating WWWB for carriage, and it's possible that WB may be added to the HD lineup. WJZY (a UPN affiliate) currently does not have enough HD programming for carriage. As soon as we have more info on these or any new products, I will email you again.

HD DVR
The HD DVR product is in the manufacturer's testing phase, and the latest projection for availability to our customers is probably Q1 or Q2 of 2004.

Just for reference, here's a list of the HD programming currently carried on Time Warner Cable. All of our HD programming continues to be available to you at no additional charge (except for HBO & Showtime, which are included free of charge only to customers who subscribe to those premium services).
201 UNC-TV HD
220 WCNC HD
225 WBTV HD
230 WTVI HD
235 WSOC HD
240 WCCB HD
280 Discovery HD Theater
290 INHD
291 INHD 2
318 HBO HD (must subscribe to digital HBO to receive this)
358 Showtime HD (must subscribe to digital Showtime to receive this)

Meanwhile, please let me know if you have any other questions that we can help you with. Your email address will only be used to contact you. We send out a separate monthly email newsletter (about all our products), and if you would like to receive it, please go to www.twcarolina.com and click on the link for "e-newsletter". As always, we appreciate the fact that you have chosen Time Warner Cable, and value your comments.

Kim Myers Brown
Marketing Manager
Time Warner Cable - Charlotte Division

That is awesome news!

You guys at TWC are giving us great channels at no additional cost to us which we all appreciate.

I personally could care less about ESPN (ie the basketball channel) and I wouldn't pay $1 for it since 98% of their shows aren't in HD anyway.

At the present moment I would give up INHD1 and 2 for ESPN-HD. Sports are far more important to me than the fluff on INHD and it is sports that will drive the HDTV movement.

To each his own but I'm willing to bet that five years from now INHD1 and 2 will not be around as we will all be watching live programming and movies in HD rather than the same stuff you see on PBS. The same for HDnet unless one the these three comes up with a way to present current programming rather than Lacrosse between Johns Hopkins and BC. These HD channels have to have a revenue stream and a business plan and right now they have zero. I like it for the present as it fills a void but the networks including ESPN, will eventually fill that void themselves.

Dolby-5.1 will be made available this Sunday, 11/16, on the following FOX Widescreen NFL games:

4p- Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Bucs

Washington@Carolina will NOT be 16:9..

Channel 250 is also hidden, NBATV HD...

inhd2 is going to be the sports channel for them. They will have NBAHD games and speculations is that FSN will use this for their HD games. I see a huge potential for this channel as HD channel of choice for other networks and am excited. ESPN-HD is in finalized discussions so should be here - note that they left the "we are discussing" to finalizing is taking awhile

someone please tell me how to view the hidden channels on the tw cable HD box. I haven't a clue.

nevermind.. i got it. thanks

Props to TWC for adding INHD and INHD2 at no additional charge. "Space" at 10PM tonight was absolutely beautiful. The picture quality and content was astounding! I really think Time Warner gets it by not charging customers extra for something that will be a requirement in about 2-3 years.

Besides "sometime in 1Q or 2Q 2004" does anyone have a better idea when the HD-DVR will be released? If TWC wants to generate more revenue, I think the HD-DVR will be key for our demographic.

TWC told me that at first they thought the HD-PVR would be available first of Nov. 2003. Then they changed that to 1st or 2nd quarter after hearing from SA. I wrote to SA and they said it was being tested and they hoped it would be in the same time period of March/April of '04. Who knows, it may show up in late Jan.

"Space" at 10PM tonight was absolutely beautiful.

Yeah it was but the NBAHD game was worse in pq, but AWSOME to have during the season :)

I think that TW will be charging once they get a "full package" - if that be HDNET and or ESPN-HD is still left to see. Remember that INHD is different in that you are not paying for them in any other fashion (SD) so I am glad it is free, but really wouldn't have a problem paying a fair fee - $4.95 or something

Just a note to anyone trying to watch channel 820 HD Movies on Demand. I tried to watch Final Destination 2 and after I purchased it the cable box froze up and rebooted on me every time I tried to play it.

Anybody know where I can get a cable tv ground loop isolator locally here in Charlotte? I checked the Rat Shack homepage but did not really see what I was looking for. Found plenty on other sites but was hoping to get one close by. I have these scrolling bars on my display and I have checked everything, unplugging and reconnecting everything until I found that the incoming cable signal causes the whole thing. Of course, since the audio is connected to my reciever and the video feeds out via component cables to the projector, the whole shooting match looks bad. Help!!

Originally posted by dropzone7
Anybody know where I can get a cable tv ground loop isolator locally here in Charlotte

I'm not sure about this, but when I need some off the beaten path electronics locally, I go to Slayton Electronics. (http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=B:CN2129843&ck=1107262763&tab=B2C&tcat=8120347&city=Charlotte&state=NC&zip=28269-1347&country=us&msa=1520&cs=9&ed=OdBs9a160Swb3XJrPPYXJFDOalREYShJxNCS.J1edccbKcw7MWfqLEQyD P4w34d6zYLiyH_uXTNhIpc-&stat=:pos:1:regular:regT:4:fbT:0)

I'm taking delivery on a HD set next week. So I called TWC about their newest STB, and they said they're installing the Pioneer Voyager 3500HD, which has the DVI output, BUT I was told that the DVI is not yet enabled.

Is this correct? Reading this forum, it looks as though the DVI has been enabled for some folks.

DVI IS enabled here in Charlotte - no doubt about it since I was using it.......

Others - heard that FSN made another Official announcement and will be on TW so that should give us more hockey and NBA. The one thing I have been wondering about is that during hurricanes game they advertise Hurricanes in HD - is this only (so far) been available in Raleigh or is there something we can see too???

Hurricans are only in HD on WRAZ-DT50 OTA or on TWC WRAZ-DT CH.250 in Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville. If you get WRAZ in Charlotte you can see them in HD.

Nov. 8 — Canes vs. Los Angeles, 7pm
Nov. 9 — Canes vs. Tampa Bay, 5pm
Dec. 3 — Canes vs. Nashville, 7pm
Dec. 5 — Canes vs. Montreal, 7pm
Dec. 18 — Canes vs. Pittsburgh, 7pm
Dec. 29 — Canes vs. Buffalo, 7pm
Dec. 31 — Canes vs. Anaheim, 7:30pm
Jan. 20 — Canes vs. Ottawa, 7pm
Jan. 23 — Canes vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7pm
Jan. 25 — Canes vs. Buffalo, 1:30pm
Feb. 16 — Canes vs. Florida, 7pm
March 10 — Canes vs. Tampa Bay, 7pm
March 12 — Canes vs. Atlanta, 7pm
March 25 — Canes vs. Florida, 7pm

In regard to the Hockey games I talked with TWC in Raleigh and in Charlotte last year. Unfortunately TWC in CLT could not put it together to carry the programming for some contractual reason. Of course it is Jim Goodman (WRAL) who put the deal together for the Raleigh area. Sure wish they could have done something in Charlotte as Hockey is perfect in 16x9 and HD.

if you like hockey...

Bob,

Would you care to finish: "If you like hockey.............." Don't know if you are laughing at someone who enjoys ice hockey or if you really had something to say. Ha!

Hugh

no, not laffin at ya, but can't quite watch hockey..even in hd..
Ha!

Bob, I enjoy your posts here, but here's one time I've got to blast you.

The "locals" may not get hockey, but look at the population boom in this town and accept the fact that there are so many northerners in this town now and we live for hockey...and could care less about the NBA.

I have the NHL Center Ice package, attend many NHL games in Raleigh, DC, Atlanta & Pittsburgh, and, I play twice a week here in town so I'd like to think I know a bit about the game. The worst thing about hockey on tv is the quality of the picture is just plain awful. It's so hard to watch because the color of the broadcast is just bad....but I do watch because game is awesome...it's fast, it's rough, and those guys are the most physically in shape athletes on the planet.

I'm going to have a good laugh when the Bobcats open for business and fail miserably. The NBA's product stinks and this town just won't support it...but the good news is we'll have this $300M+ arena that no one wanted to pay for after the Bobcats leave town with their tails between their legs.

As someone born in Canada I must comment. Hockey is for the cerebral since it is the fastest game in the world and you have to understand what is going on or you just end up thinking it is one big fight. I love hockey and don't intend to blast anyone who doesn't know anything about the skills required to play the game and therefore can't have an opinion. By the same token I also like the NBA and the NFL, ACC, etc. I was totally in favor of the new arena and only fault the city council for not having the guts to go ahead with it sans referendum.

Charlotte needs pro sports and the more the better. I personally will support the Bobcats and think the city will as well so long as we try to truly be winners. Only narrow sighted people are against the arena, the same people who don't go to games or don't do much of anything except stay home and drink beer and complain. They don't understand the economic impact of having professional sports and the draw it is for large companies to locate or relocate in the area. The arena will indirectly give back to the community many times it's cost and at the same time will help to revitalize the uptown area. While I have grown up in CLT and spend most of my life in the area I have lived in a number of large northern cities. I can assure you that a dead uptown, as Cleveland and Baltimore once had, is the worse thing that can happen to a city.

We need more than just racin' because we are a very large, diverse city with people from all over the nation.

Rant over.

I have a SA 3250HD box from TWC. Does anyone know how to get into the diagnostic menu on it so that I can see if I have any hidden channels?

Hey guys,

I just ordered a new HDTV (philips 30" ws) and wanted to check this thread to see what's going on.

I know a lot of the tricks of the trade on the video side, but i work in data all day. For the stuff that i don't know I'm cool with some of the guys in Customer Service for HD and in engineering, so if you guys have any questions i'll find out for you, but you all seem pretty resourceful. :)

peace,
ant

Anthony, you folks at TWC have been very helpful to me and especially Sue Breckenridge who usually keeps me up to date on current events.

My question is how soon are we going to get ESPN-HD and also any update on the HD PVR coming from SA? Last we heard it was early 2004.

I've had RR for over three years and so far no complaints.

Hugh

Originally posted by jbryer
I've got to blast you. ..the Bobcats open for business and fail miserably. ..arena that no one wanted.

My.. a nasty crowd here on the holiday aren't we?

That's fine, realize that many of us feel the same way about hockey that you do about the NBA.. IMHO, both hockey and the NBA are a waste bandwidth, but to each his own.. And I'm not an Overt nascar fan either,
oh yea.. nascar isn't done in hd..yet..

NOT wanting the arena myself, (we already have one that still has the shine on it) I do hope the Bobcats succeed not only to show the Hornets and Shinn we didn't need them after all, but for the positive impact on
the local economy that a successful team will bring. Of course, having
a real businessman like Johnson running the team will make a difference.

Originally posted by HughScot
Anthony, you folks at TWC have been very helpful to me and especially Sue Breckenridge who usually keeps me up to date on current events.

My question is how soon are we going to get ESPN-HD and also any update on the HD PVR coming from SA? Last we heard it was early 2004.

I've had RR for over three years and so far no complaints.

Hugh

Thanks Hugh, we have a pretty good plant and headend system in the gaston subsystem, so the rr is very stable out there :-)

Well, we have no clue when ESPN HD will be avaiable to us, its still being worked out between us and Disney. It basically comes down to the price that we will have to pay to transmitt it. The main reason that we have to raise rates is because of the increased cost of programming. To make a long story short, ESPN is our most expencive network to broadcast along with Disney Channel (coidenence (sp), i think not LOL) and they want even more to do ESPN HD. We would love to have it because some of the sat companies can hold that over our heads right now

No update on the HD DVR, we dont have the unit ourselves, and once we get the physical units coming in it may be a month or two before they are avaiable. employees beta tested the regular DVR for 2 months before it was released. I'll be sure to let you know when we get them in :-)

peace,
ant

:D

Nothing personal Bob. When hockey doesn't get the respect it should, I feel it's my responsiblity to voice my opinion.

I'm just sick of the NBA and NASCAR (both of which I can't stand) getting all of the bandwidth and media attention. I just want my NHL center ice package in HD...and I'd be willing to pay for it too.

Welcome ANT..Glad to finally have an insider from TWC here..hopefully
you won't get censored.. :>)

ANT........how about checking on something. Last night while watching the Carolina Hurricanes there was a ad by TWC which said that the Dec. 7 game would be available on TWC in HD on either channel 250 or 251. I only saw it for about a second and maybe it only applied to Raleigh but the game was on Fox Sports cable channel 40.

hey hugh, i'm asking around, i havent found anything about it around here. I'll keep ya posted...

update:
bad news, its in raleigh only, someone just sent me the link
http://www.aroundtownnc.com/sports/canes_hdtv.htm

This is the same question I raised earlier and the answer is about the same. However, TW and FSN has announced a national agreement. Part of that agreement is 10 NHL local games and 10 NBA local games - local defined as the FSN area - South, Central etc (4 total).

I am still hoping that this is announced as these games, besides all the info about that not being correct, will be up in HD soon. Maybe not the first game, but down the road...

As of December 1, I gave up hopes of getting ESPN-HD on TWC any time soon! With the Tar Heels vs. Illinois and the Panthers vs. Falcons on ESPN-HD this week, I couldn't wait any longer! After watching the UNC-Illinois game on ESPN-HD from DIRECTV last night, I'm wondering what took me so long! It was FANTASTIC!!! The DIRECTV HD package also includes HDNet and HDNet Movies--both of which are far superior to INHD and INHD2--and Discovery HD.

On Monday, I took the SA HD receiver back to TWC. I went to Best Buy and found the new Hughes HTL-HD Directv/Cable/OTA receiver for $ 399.99.

So now here's my programming package:

DIRECTV Total Choice: $ 38.99
DIRECTV HD Package: 10.99 (1st. month is free however)
TWC BASIC Package (which INCLUDES the network HD channels): $ 8.30

TOTAL PER MONTH: $ 58.28 (plus taxes)

I'm very happy now with my HD choices!!!

Originally posted by herrfish1
As of December 1, I gave up hopes of getting ESPN-HD on TWC any time soon! With the Tar Heels vs. Illinois and the Panthers vs. Falcons on ESPN-HD this week, I couldn't wait any longer! After watching the UNC-Illinois game on ESPN-HD from DIRECTV last night, I'm wondering what took me so long! It was FANTASTIC!!! The DIRECTV HD package also includes HDNet and HDNet Movies--both of which are far superior to INHD and INHD2--and Discovery HD.

As I see it you are getting ESPN-HD in exchange for network primetime HD programming. HDnet is available free OTA from WB channel 55-1. Plus everything from DirecTV is compressed while cable is not. Plus TWC will have ESPN-HD in the next couple of months. As a huge sports fan I would jump in a NY minute if I thought ESPN-HD had enough programming. Glad you are happy.

Wrong, Hugh! I'm still getting the Charlotte local channels (INCLUDING THE PRIMETIME HD FEEDS) with the Basic TWC package. I'm too far away to pick up the feeds OTA from Charlotte.

Also, ESPN-HD is becoming much more active with basketball (NCAA and NBA) and NHL hockey, in addition to college football and the NFL!

Happy waiting!!!

Anyone noticed the ABC HD feed's signal strength drop off when receiving it OTA? I noticed it starting Monday when trying to tune in MNF. I've always struggled to get ABC vs all the others but something dramatic has changed. A coworker of mine is seeing the same thing. Anyone else noticing less signal strength than normal?

Herrfish1,

How are you able to receive the prime time HD feeds with the basic TWC package after you turned in your HD reciever?

Brad--the Hughes HTL-HD receiver receives unscrambled cable signals, over-the-air channels, and DIRECTV channels--and blends them seamlessly together!

The Mits Integrated sets do as well.. :)

Originally posted by herrfish1
Brad--the Hughes HTL-HD receiver receives unscrambled cable signals, over-the-air channels, and DIRECTV channels--and blends them seamlessly together!

But without the TWC HD box you are unable to receive HD programming from TWC using the Hughes HTL-HD receiver. You may be watching network broadcasting but not in HD.

The Mits Integrated set also will not allow you to watch TWC HD programming without the TWC HD Box. This was the point of Brad's post, you gave up network HD in favor of ESPN-HD.

Sorry Hugh, But you are incorrect. Not only have I personally seen this,
but have discussed it with TWC's engineers as well. The OTA HD's are currently carried as unencrypted 256 qam signals, which both devices
mentioned will decode.

Sorry, I was told by TWC that you had to have the box inorder to receive network HD programming. Learn something new every day.

Now Hugh, you don't actually believe TWC would tell someone they could get something for free do you? If I'm not mistaken, they have to pass these on unencrypted as part of the "basic" or lifeline service..
Of course, it only takes a simple command change to encrypt them at a
moments notice..

Bob--you're right on--as usual! You guys should have seem the runaround I got when I signed up for basic cable just to get the HD locals! The DIRECTV locals cost $ 5.99 per month. So, for an additional $ 2.31 monthly, I get more local channels, as well as the network HD programming. So TWC is not all bad! I suppose if many people get wise to it though, they'll "pull the plug!" So let's keep it quiet!!!LOL

This just in, SA has announced that their new HD-DVR box is available to TWC viewers in Green Bay, WI. The following link explains it all. Hope Charlotte is soon to follow.

http://www.sciatl.com/news/03Dec03-1.htm

From the Triad TW site - I am sure this will apply to us as well since it matches some info on the main page.

Hockeyin HD
Tuesday 1/6/04 St. Louis vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Thursday 1/15/04 Tampa Bay vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Saturday 1/31/04 Detroit vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Tuesday 2/3/04 Colorado vs. Carolina 9:00pm
Thursday 2/12/04 Washington vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Thursday 2/19/04 Toronto vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Saturday 2/21/04 Boston vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Tuesday 3/2/04 Columbus vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Saturday 3/13/04 Tampa Bay vs. Carolina 7:30pm
Tuesday 3/23/04 Philadelphia vs. Carolina 7:30pm

Also the NBA HD schedule looks awsome :) - I was hoping for ACC Sunday Nights hoops in HD, but nothing yet - keep hoping though

Originally posted by HughScot
HDnet is available free OTA from WB channel 55-1. Plus everything from DirecTV is compressed while cable is not.

Whoa, couple of mistakes there, Hugh.

That's not the "real" HDNet you're seeing on WCCB. It's their OTA version which just consists of old and outdated programming designed as eye-candy for store displays, I'm guessing. Nothing current and and no Bikini Destinations!

Also, digital cable appears to be just as badly compressed as the two DBS companies for SD stuff - they all look like s**t. Now, that being said, it's been pretty well documented that DirecTV is compressing their HD material due to bandwidth limitations. DISH Network (my provider) has a better looking HD picture and I've heard TWC is equivalent.

~archie

Thanks for the information guys.

Sorry Archie, you're wrong. What you see on WB is true HDnet programming. They buy it from HDnet as a package and it is a combination of the two HDnet channels available from the sats. The progamming on WB may not be to your liking but it is HDnet. Personally I don't think HDnet from the sats is much to talk about.

Also, both of the sats compress their signals and TWC does not. I've had all three and have had DirecTV and TWC and OTA at the same time. According to people all over the USA subscribing to HDTVmagazine it is universally accepted that both DirecTV and Dish look poor in comparison to cable and TWC in particular. TWC looks as good as the networks when viewed OTA, in fact I can tell no difference between the two. With the sats this is not true. I am speaking only of HDTV and not SD which I consider to be the same with cable and the sats.

Originally posted by cmjman
Anyone noticed the ABC HD feed's signal strength drop off when receiving it OTA?

I've been working on some headend stuff, so I've been keeping track of signal strengths for the past few months. Although I've been changing things, ABC has been pretty stable. The last time I recorded a set of measurements was a few weeks ago. Tonight ABC is lower than it was earlier. Check this new Charlotte OTA thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=333331) for specifics.

--Dale--

NBA Lakers game is on the guide for Inhd tonight, but no game on. Does anyone have any insight? Is it a inhd screwup? our market doesn't get it? TW screwup?

No NBA game is shown in the guide I use for either INHD channel. Have not ever seen a live game scheduled for either of these channels.

Hugh - there was one about three weeks ago. I found out that the scheduled game was cancelled as HD. Should be on the 9th of this month on inhd 1 - TW's guide is showing it also on the third, but that was altered

Originally posted by HughScot
Sorry Archie, you're wrong. What you see on WB is true HDnet programming. They buy it from HDnet as a package and it is a combination of the two HDnet channels available from the sats. The progamming on WB may not be to your liking but it is HDnet. Personally I don't think HDnet from the sats is much to talk about.


Uh, nope, you're the one who's mistaken, Hugh! Have you checked out their programming on OTA HDNet? There are football games from last year, Mark Cuban interviews from last year, CEDIA reports from 2 years ago, etc., etc. I repeat, nothing current, and nothing that mirrors the real HDNet programming available from the DBS services and TWC's HD package. If you can catch Bikini Destinations, or a current World Report on OTA HDNet, or anything produced recently, you let us know, 'kay?

And as to compression on TWC, I don't have it, but I've seen their digital lineup at friend's houses, and it contains all the over-compressed video artifacts evidenced on both DBS services. I don't know about their HD content, having not seen that.

Originally posted by archiguy
And as to compression on TWC, I don't have it, but I've seen their digital lineup at friend's houses, and it contains all the over-compressed video artifacts evidenced on both DBS services. I don't know about their HD content, having not seen that.

As you say "I don't have it." and furthermore you don't have their HD and haven't seen it. I am ONLY talking about HD. And HD is far superior from TWC than it is from the sats. Only when you have seen it can you comment on how something looks.

Originally posted by HughScot
As you say "I don't have it." and furthermore you don't have their HD and haven't seen it. I am ONLY talking about HD. And HD is far superior from TWC than it is from the sats. Only when you have seen it can you comment on how something looks.

<sigh> I repeat, and for the last time, that it's been well documented here on the Programming Forum and elsewhere, that DirecTV is having bandwidth issues that has caused them to compress their HD signals, thereby "softening" the picture. This does not happen with DISH Network as they have a) more bandwidth to play width, and b) a more efficient modulation scheme called 8PSQ. There are plenty of threads discussing this over on the Programming Forum. I suggest you do a seach before you make misleading claims without an appropriate level of knowledge.

As to the quality of TWC HD, I have no reference to speak of - they may indeed broadcast their high definition programming with a quality equal to DISH Network. It will not, however, be superior.

Originally posted by archiguy
<sigh> a more efficient modulation scheme called 8PSQ.

It's 8PSK...FOX uses it as well.

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
It's 8PSK...FOX uses it as well.

Thanks Bob, you're correct as usual; made a typo there.

must be using the same brand keyboard as I do..It has problmes reading
my mind as well. :>)

sorry, we wont be carring those here in charlotte

Originally posted by mhdiab
From the Triad TW site - I am sure this will apply to us as well since it matches some info on the main page.

Hockeyin HD
Tuesday 1/6/04 St. Louis vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Thursday 1/15/04 Tampa Bay vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Saturday 1/31/04 Detroit vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Tuesday 2/3/04 Colorado vs. Carolina 9:00pm
Thursday 2/12/04 Washington vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Thursday 2/19/04 Toronto vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Saturday 2/21/04 Boston vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Tuesday 3/2/04 Columbus vs. Carolina 7:00pm
Saturday 3/13/04 Tampa Bay vs. Carolina 7:30pm
Tuesday 3/23/04 Philadelphia vs. Carolina 7:30pm

Also the NBA HD schedule looks awsome :) - I was hoping for ACC Sunday Nights hoops in HD, but nothing yet - keep hoping though

sorry, we wont be carring those here in charlotte

How sure are you about that? TW National has an agreement with FSN and the Triad will have the games - not just Raleigh.... - Doesn't make any sense to me so how sure are you?

I wish it wasn't true but no hockey in Charlotte. They started this last season and I investigated it and talked to the people at TWC in Charlotte and the station in Raleigh providing the equipment and doing the telecast. The Raleigh folks said they had met with TWC in Charlotte and for reasons I don't know, nothing could be worked out.

Wish it was true but stealthhg2000 works for TWC in Charlotte so he should know.

Yes i'm very sure, I asked someone in our HD support department. As Hugh said, the Raleigh Division is providing the equipment for it and for some reason we didn't join in. Trust me, you would be seeing all types of ads for that if were were broadcasting it, lol. You hockey fans should speak up, maybe we'll pick it up next year...

peace,
ant

Originally posted by stealthg2000
You hockey fans should speak up, maybe we'll pick it up next year...
peace, ant

I wrote and called several times last year and it had something to do with contracts with NHL, etc. I'm sure it could be done if someone at TWC wanted it bad enough.

I saw in TWICE that of all the customers TWC has all over the country that only 100,000 had an HD box. Makes us rather small potatoes. :(

I wrote and called several times last year and it had something to do with contracts with NHL, etc. I'm sure it could be done if someone at TWC wanted it bad enough.

That is my whole point - this is NOT the same as last year. Last year it was WRAZ production and local for Raleigh - Charlotte didn't want to pay. This year there is a CONTRACT for 10 local games in NHL in HD with FSN and TW - sorry guys I am still convinced that when January comes this will be on - we will see. However, check out the FSN NBA and NHL threads on the main page of HD programming and you might see that this is totally new and for regions and by TW only - that is an agreement between TW and FSN and nobody else is on this bandwagon.

No point in arguing this one more, we will see in January and I know we all hope I am right :)

As much as I hate to change the subject from hockey (I'm kidding, of course -- not a big fan here), I've heard a rumour that the Sunday night Panthers/Falcons game will be broadcast locally on channel 9 in HD. It makes sense since ESPN is broadcasting it on ESPN HD, and by NFL rules the local area must have the game broadcast locally for those fans that don't have cable/satellite, and since channel 9 is the ABC affiliate, which in turn is affiliated with ESPN, then channel 9 will get the HD feed a be able to broadcast it out. If this rather long string of logic is true, then that's pretty sweet. I'm getting my HD OTA right now, and since I don't have satellite, I'd hate to be limited to a SD broadcast of the game. In fact, this would be the first true HD broadcast of a Panthers game ever!

Anyone hear something about this?

I love the optimism. The Panthers will be shown on WSOC and ESPN but whether or not it will be in HD on WSOC remains to be seen. Sure hope so.

I wouldn't get my hopes up..while ABC and ESPN both use 720p, they use
different methods of satellite transport. I doubt WSOC has the Digicipher2
HD receiver, or would get one in and connect it for one game.
Of course, I could be wrong..and would be happy to be in this case.

BTW, this would be the Second true HD broadcast of the Panthers..
WBTV carried a CBS game years ago from Ericsson..I think they still
have the tapes over there..

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
BTW, this would be the Second true HD broadcast of the Panthers..
WBTV carried a CBS game years ago from Ericsson..I think they still
have the tapes over there..

I was there for that game...They used the NHK Truck, right?

The NBA All Star Game in Charlotte 1991 was taped in HD by NHK. I remember they had 2 cameras, one high and one on the floor. They had 2 monitors, a direct view set near the interview room and a projection setup in the press tent.

Testing123

Yes, you're right there Harrill!
I was there for that game as well..working the DT broadcast at BT..
Played those test tapes many a times..

From Raleigh Thread

EDIT: In "hidden mode" - they have the channel bar for 290 as ESPN-HD, 293 as HDNET, and 294 as HDNET Movies. None are showing programming - just a black screen.

More is coming :) - they are also saying ESPN-HD for New Years in Raleigh you know all of these are national agreements........

lol, i think thats a little bit of optimisim from the Raleigh Division! reserving space is one thingBut you are correct that ESPN-HD will be a national agreement, so once's its approved all TWC divisions will be able to carry it.

peace,
ant

Are you TWC guys in Charlotte still getting INHD and INHD2 for no additional charge?

Here in Durham, they've added INHD and INHD2 - but it's part of "HD Suite", a new HD Tier that costs an additional $6.95/mo. TWC says new channels will be added to this tier at no additional charge. (And by the hidden channels, it seems they have plans for ESPN-HD, HDNet, and HDNet Movies).

Since paying the carriage fee for ESPN-HD was the main hold-up for TWC, I would think that adding a new pay tier would clear the final obstacle and we should see ESPN-HD fairly soon. It just makes me mad they didn't just go this route to begin with! It makes me sick to think that I missed all those HD games for no reason. Booooo.

Better late than never, I guess. ;)

INHD's two channels are free in the Charlotte area. ESPN is not a done deal yet and TWC claims they were trying to be able to give it to us free. And most importantly, it is a national contract not just Raleigh. Whatever they get we get at the same time.

The SEC game looks great right now in HD.

I got a PM from a TW customer in SC. They got a mail from TW stating that HDNET (2 Channels) would be added to the hd tier and so would ESPN-HD. They thought before new years as well and that HDNET could be added within a week - this is happening right now and I love TW in Charlotte for saying the package is coming before it is a done deal we will not charge. Now when it is a done deal and they have the actual HD-Suite package then charge me that is fine. These will be (except ESPN) HD Only channels and it is just like adding HBO etc - new channels that needs to make their money. I think that it is beyond question that we will be charged. TW across the board is setting up this package - and I am so HAPPY I didn't get D* :)

OK guys start checking those "hidden" channels.

- Scott

Originally posted by mhdiab
Now when it is a done deal and they have the actual HD-Suite package then charge me that is fine.

Anyone think that come 2006 they'll eliminate the HD surcharge, since that's supposed to be the US broadcast standard? Or will HD only remain a "specialty" niche of the DTV standard?

Also, I assume TW will not include the local channels in the pay HD tier, since, as mentioned in a much earlier post, local channels -- whether SD or HD -- should legally be considered part of basic service.

Remember, there's a TW guy on this forum, so let's not get too excited about the fact that we're willing to pay for stuff! ;)

If I were TWC I would be looking at it from a long range standpoint. Let's assume that by 2010 all programming will be broadcast in 16.9 HD. By that time or sooner we will all be use to paying extra for certain premium channels like ESPN-HD, INHD, HDnet, etc. Does anyone really think TWC or any cable company will reduce the price to what we all pay for basic? This is a good opportunity for the sats and cable cos to factor in additional consumer costs which will never disappear. At the current time it may be justified to a degree, not sure about that at all, when so few customers watch HD. It will not be justified in five years. IMHO

It will not be justified in five years. IMHO

I think it can always be justified if it is a channel package not available otherwise. This is no different than the sports package - so in five years they aren't broken up in HD or SD, but there will still be packages / a la carte. This is a tier and right now they are called HD-Suite just like there is HBO, Cinemax etc

Anybody else having trouble with WSOC-DT? Since last Friday all I can receive is multi-colored pixels and audio bursts. Have they changed something in their transmission chain? I really miss MNF in HD. I'm using a Samsung SIR-T150 and a 4-bay bowtie antenna.

It's coming in here just fine. Getting it OTA and via cable. No problems with the signal and no changes over the past few days.

Does anyone have problems with the first four basic channels? ABC, CBS, NBC? Only on the analog not the Digital channel. Would appreciate any info. I came home last night and the quality on those were terrible - lots of disturbance etc and breaking up.

Over TW by the way - Thanks!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 24, 2003

TIME WARNER CABLE AND FOX SPORTS NET TEAM-UP TO BRING HIGH-DEFINITION NBA AND NHL GAMES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON TO MAJOR MARKETS FROM COAST TO COAST BEGINNING DEC. 5

Time Warner Customers in Austin, Charlotte, Desert Cities, Eastern Carolina, Green Bay, Greensboro, Hawaii, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, San Diego, South Carolina and Waco to receive HD game coverage of NBA Champion Spurs, Lakers, Timberwolves, Magic, Bucks, Grizzlies and NHL’s Kings, Wild, Lightning, and Hurricanes

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK - Fox Sports Net owned and operated regional sports networks are collaborating with Time Warner Cable to bring 96 games and almost 300 combined hours of high-definition telecasts of local professional sports events to Time Warner Cable customers in major U.S. markets from coast to coast. It all tips off in Orlando with Fox-owned Sunshine Network’s telecast of the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic on Friday, Dec. 5.

Fox Sports Net regional networks contributing local HD game production include Fox Sports Net North, Fox Sports Net South, Fox Sports Net Southwest, Fox Sports Net West, West 2 and Sunshine Network in Florida. Every fan already receiving these networks via a Time Warner Cable system now also have access to at least 10 HD NBA and 10 HD NHL local games this season. The combined 96 local games and 288 hours of additional HD programming already on the schedule make FSN and Time Warner Cable two significant providers of locally produced HD programming and two of the more prolific HD providers in the country.

“Time Warner Cable’s robust, high-definition offering is one of our many key differentiators in the marketplace,” said Chuck Ellis, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Time Warner Cable. “Building on our relationship with Fox Sports Net, we are able to strengthen our high-definition offering by adding their regional, high profile sporting events which are of great interest to consumers in our local markets.”

Time Warner Cable will offer the local high-def games to digital subscribers at no additional charge. Fox Sports Net and Time Warner Cable also continue to offer standard definition telecasts of each of these games to subscribers as part of the core Fox Sports Net regional service distributed throughout the region.

“Providing high-def telecasts across multiple cities, sports and teams on any given night is enormously challenging” said Randy Freer, chief operating officer of Fox Sports Networks. “We have always believed that fans are most passionate about their local teams. By offering these local HD games, we can enhance the viewing experience for Time Warner Cable’s digital subscribers and generate even more fan enthusiasm for our local teams and their telecasts. This is a wonderful example of a cable operator and programmer coming together for the betterment of the local cable television consumer.”

Fox Sports Net and Time Warner Cable’s first NBA and NHL HD schedules are attached. The HD telecast of games is subject to schedule change and local availability. An extensive schedule of HD local telecasts of local Major League Baseball teams in each Time Warner Cable service region will be released early next year.

Fox Sports Net reaches more than 80 million homes through its network of 20 regional sports channels. FSN, based in Los Angeles, serves as the cable TV home to 67 of the 80 MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States, and produces over 4,500 live events each year. In addition to home team games, FSN telecasts a wide variety of national sports events and programming, including Best Damn Sports Show Period. For the latest up-to-the-minute sports news and opinions, visit the FOX Sports/Fox Sports Net website at www.FoxSports.com.

Fox Cable Networks, a wholly owned division of Fox Entertainment Group (NYSE: FOX), includes more than 20 major domestic cable and satellite networks in which Fox Entertainment Group or News Corporation (NYSE: NWS) hold interests. Together these networks reach more than 275 million subscribing TV households and represent one of the media industry’s largest and most diversified groups of programming assets. FCN networks include FX, Fox Sports Net, National Geographic Channel, SPEED Channel, Fox Movie Channel, Fox Sports World, Fox Sports Digital Pacific, Central and Atlantic, Fox Sports en Español and Fuel.

Time Warner Cable owns and manages cable systems serving 10.9 million subscribers in 27 states, which include some of the most technologically advanced, best-clustered cable systems in the country with more than 75% of the Company's customers in systems of 300,000 subscribers or more. Utilizing a fully upgraded advanced cable network and a steadfast commitment to providing consumers with choice, value and world-class customer service, Time Warner Cable is an industry leader in delivering advanced products and services such as video on demand, high definition television, high-speed data, wireless home networking and digital video recorders. Time Warner Cable is a company of Time Warner Inc.

CONTACTS:
Fox Sports Net: Lou D’Ermilio, 212-556-2573
Tom Chiappetta, 212-556-2477

Time Warner Cable: Keith Cocozza, 203-351-2039


FOX SPORTS NET
NBA HD GAMES SCHEDULE 1

Most events will include the following shoulder HD programming:
Pre-game Runs 30 minutes prior to start of game.
Post-game Ends ~30 minutes after end of game (subject to length of game, overtime, weather etc.).
Show following post-game Will not exceed 120 minutes after post-game.
Time of game represents start time in RSN time zone.

Day Date Time League Away Feed Home Feed


Los Angeles Lakers
Tues Dec-9 7:30 NBA New York @ Los Angeles
Fri Dec-12 7:30 NBA Dallas @ Los Angeles
Fri Dec-19 7:30 NBA Denver @ Los Angeles
Sun Dec-21 6:30 NBA Phoenix @ Los Angeles
Sat Jan-17 7:30 NBA LA Clippers @ Los Angeles
Tues Feb-17 7:30 NBA Portland @ Los Angeles
Mon Mar-15 7:30 NBA Orlando @ Los Angeles
Fri Mar-19 7:30 NBA LA Clippers @ Los Angeles
Fri Mar-26 7:30 NBA Minnesota @ Los Angeles
Sun Mar-28 6:30 NBA Utah @ Los Angeles

Memphis Grizzlies (times shown in EST)
Fri Dec-12 7:30 NBA Memphis @ Miami
Fri Dec-19 8:00 NBA Miami @ Memphis
Wed Jan-28 8:00 NBA Portland @ Memphis
Fri Jan-30 8:00 NBA Utah @ Memphis
Fri Feb-6 8:00 NBA Milwaukee @ Memphis
Mon Feb-9 9:00 NBA Memphis @ Denver
Tues Feb-17 8:00 NBA Dallas @ Memphis
Fri Mar-12 8:00 NBA LA Clippers @ Memphis
Fri Apr-2 8:00 NBA Phoenix @ Memphis
Tues Apr-13 8:30 NBA Memphis @ Dallas

Milwuakee Bucks
Wed Jan-7 7:00 NBA Phoenix @ Milwaukee
Fri Jan-9 7:30 NBA Miami @ Milwaukee
Sat Feb-7 7:30 NBA New Orleans @ Milwaukee
Tues Feb-17 7:00 NBA Orlando @ Milwaukee
Tues Feb-24 7:00 NBA Minnesota @ Milwaukee
Fri Feb-27 7:30 NBA Memphis @ Milwaukee
Wed Mar-10 7:00 NBA Atlanta @ Milwaukee
Fri Mar-12 7:30 NBA Denver @ Milwaukee
Sun Mar-28 3:00 NBA Houston @ Milwaukee
Tues Mar-30 7:00 NBA Indiana @ Milwaukee

Minnesota Timberwolves
Mon Jan-19 5:00 NBA New Orleans @ Minnesota
Sun Jan-25 2:30 NBA Phoenix @ Minnesota
Mon Jan-26 8:00 NBA Minnesota @ Denver
Sun Feb-1 1:00 NBA Philadelphia @ Minnesota
Sunday Feb-22 2:30 NBA San Antonio @ Minnesota
Tues Feb-24 7:00 NBA Minnesota @ Milwaukee
Wed Feb-25 7:00 NBA New Jersey @ Minnesota
Fri Feb-27 7:00 NBA Golden State @ Minnesota
Sun Mar-21 3:00 NBA Denver @ Minnesota
Tues Mar-23 7:00 NBA San Antonio @ Minnesota

Orlando Magic
Fri Dec-5 8:00 NBA San Antonio @ Orlando
Fri Jan-16 7:00 NBA Boston @ Orlando
Wed Feb-11 7:00 NBA Miami @ Orlando
Wed Feb-18 7:00 NBA Utah @ Orlando
Tues Feb-24 7:00 NBA Portland @ Orlando
Wed Mar-3 7:00 NBA Milwaukee @ Orlando
Wed Mar-10 7:00 NBA Washington @ Orlando
Fri Mar-26 7:00 NBA Indiana @ Orlando
Wed Mar-31 7:00 NBA Chicago @ Orlando
Fri Apr-2 7:00 NBA Atlanta @ Orlando

San Antonio Spurs
Mon Dec-15 7:00 NBA Memphis @ San Antonio
Wed Dec-17 7:30 NBA Toronto @ San Antonio
Fri Dec-26 7:30 NBA Orlando @ San Antonio
Wed Jan-14 7:30 NBA Minnesota @ San Antonio
Wed Jan-21 7:30 NBA New Jersey @ San Antonio
Mon Feb-2 8:00 NBA San Antonio @ Utah
Mon Mar-1 7:30 NBA Memphis @ San Antonio
Thur Mar-18 8:30 NBA Minnesota @ San Antonio
Thur Mar-25 7:30 NBA Detroit @ San Antonio
Wed Apr-14 7:30 NBA Denver @ San Antonio
FOX SPORTS NET
NHL HD GAMES SCHEDULE 1

Most events will include the following shoulder HD programming:
Pre-game Runs 30 minutes prior to start of game.
Post-game Ends ~30 minutes after end of game (subject to length of game, overtime, weather etc.).
Show following post-game Will not exceed 120 minutes after post-game.
Time of game represents start time in RSN time zone.

Day Date Time League Away Feed Home Feed


Carolina Hurricanes
Tues Jan-6 7:00 NHL St. Louis @ Carolina
Thur Jan-15 7:00 NHL Carolina @ Tampa Bay
Sat Jan-31 7:00 NHL Carolina @ Detroit
Tues Feb-3 9:00 NHL Carolina @ Colorado
Thur Feb-12 7:00 NHL Washington @ Carolina
Thur Feb-19 7:00 NHL Toronto @ Carolina
Sat Feb-21 7:00 NHL Boston @ Carolina
Tues Mar-2 7:00 NHL Columbus @ Carolina
Sat Mar-13 7:30 NHL Carolina @ Tampa Bay
Tues Mar-23 7:00 NHL Philadelphia @ Carolina


Los Angeles Kings
Mon Dec-8 4:30 NHL Los Angeles @ Detroit
Sat Dec-20 7:30 NHL Colorado @ Los Angeles
Wed Jan-7 7:30 NHL Los Angeles @ Anaheim
Thur Jan-22 7:30 NHL Detroit @ Los Angeles
Thur Jan-29 7:30 NHL Colorado @ Los Angeles
Sat Feb-28 1:00 NHL Anaheim @ Los Angeles
Thur Mar-4 7:30 NHL Minnesota @ Los Angeles
Wed Mar-10 6:00 NHL Los Angeles @ Phoenix
Sat Mar-20 7:30 NHL Detroit @ Los Angeles
Mon Mar-29 6:00 NHL Los Angeles @ Colorado

Minnesota Wild
Mon Jan-12 7:00 NHL Nashville @ Minnesota
Wed Jan-14 7:00 NHL Los Angeles @ Minnesota
Fri Jan-23 9:30 NHL Minnesota @ Anaheim
Thur Jan-29 7:00 NHL Montreal @ Minnesota
Sun Feb-22 6:00 NHL Colorado @ Minnesota
Thur Mar-4 9:30 NHL Minnesota @ Los Angeles
Sun Mar-14 7:00 NHL Columbus @ Minnesota
Tues Mar-16 7:00 NHL Ottawa @ Minnesota
Mon Mar-29 6:00 NHL Minnesota @ Detroit
Wed Mar-31 7:00 NHL Colorado @ Minnesota


Tampa Bay Lightning
Fri Jan-2 3:00 NHL Columbus @ Tampa Bay
Thur Jan-15 7:00 NHL Carolina @ Tampa Bay
Thur Feb-12 7:00 NHL Montreal @ Tampa Bay
Sat Feb-14 7:30 NHL Florida @ Tampa Bay
Thur Feb-26 7:00 NHL Toronto @ Tampa Bay
Sat Feb-28 7:30 NHL Washington @ Tampa Bay
Fri Mar-5 7:30 NHL New Jersey @ Tampa Bay
Thur Mar-25 7:00 NHL New Jersey @ Tampa Bay
Sat Mar-27 7:30 NHL Washington @ Tampa Bay
Thur Apr-1 7:00 NHL Florida @ Tampa Bay

Thanks for the above info. What channels will this be shown on?

Originally posted by n4fw
Anybody else having trouble with WSOC-DT

Yes. Something happened to the OTA signal. I used to get it at 50%, now it's down to 30%. Two other reports are on the Charlotte OTA (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=333331&perpage=20&pagenumber=1) thread.

--Dale--

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sengsational
[B]Yes. Something happened to the OTA signal. I used to get it at 50%, now it's down to 30%.


If you are watching a program in HD you either get it 100% or you don't get it at all. Therefore, I don't know how you could be getting it at anything less. I've seen no difference in the HD signal from WSOC via OTA, although it has the weakest signal of all for me and by that I mean I have to have the antenna turned just right or no signal at all.

Originally posted by HughScot
in HD you either get it 100% or you don't get it at all. [/B]

My tuner card (MyHD) provides informational overlay text which includes a signal strength percentage. In general, 30% is about as low as it goes before it starts pixelizing and having sound dropouts. Any lower and I get a 'no signal' message. But it depends on consistency of the signal strength. I found that if it jumps around a lot, I get a lot more video and sound artifacts. If it stays a consistent percentage, once it locks-in, even at a rather low percentage, it's perfect.

--Dale--

Anyone else getting just the SD (4:3) signal on WCNC (6) and WSOC (9) tonight? Both Frasier and According to Jim have usually been HD, but not tonight. Someone asleep at the helm? I'm getting HD OTA, BTW. 24 on Fox (18) and Teen-Show-du-jour on WWWB (55) are HD, as are PBS and WJZY (HDNet crap).

9:40 update: Looks like WSOC is cool now (Less Than Perfect is 16:9 HD)....

That's what ABC is feeding tonight, they're feeding an upconvert for some
reason...

Forgot that you also had ABC knowledge!

But then why did WCNC just switch to HD in the middle of the show it's showing now? It was 4:3 until about 5 minutes ago, and when I just checked at 9:48 it was in all its 16:9 HD glory (even though the show sucks -- I'll watch anything in HD now that I got my new TV!).

Guess we chalk it up to new technology -- getting used to the currently manual process, that kind of thing?

I dunno. I'm in Jackson TN, just put WBBJ-DT on air and noticed the ABC
issue while testing. I'd say that the WCNCissue maybe was one of several things:

a) no timer to program to enable the automatic switch (or)
b) bad or incorrect info on the show being in HD.
c) mis-programmed timer if so
d) or somebody just plain forgot and missed the switch
e) equipment issues


This sort of communication is still not quite there from the networks, some
are better than others. Also, rememeber that the guy in master control is rather busy just dealing with the normal analog feed as well as preparing
for news and other programming. Hope this helps.!

Also WCNC just installed their Dolby 5.1 equipment and are testing that. So they have a lot on there plate!

You guys rock! I bow to your great wisdom. This forum makes it fun to be an early adopter.

I'm still blown away that my little $30 Radio Shack antenna can pull in such a great picture from so many stations. I just need to be patient while everyone works out the kinks in their respective systems, but in the meantime, the information you guys provide is really helpful.

Thanks.

Here is a note I just got from TW Cable in Charlotte re the HD-DVR box:

"Hi Hugh: sorry again that it took me so long to respond. The article is correct as far as it goes. We are beta testing the HD-DVRs in Green Bay, but don't think we'll get any until 2Q next year. It could be later, based on beta test results. I understand how anxious you are to get one....we love our digital DVR and have been putting off getting an HD set for this reason. Your name is on our list to call when we can get a supply.
Thanks for your interest......sue"

no rumors - nothing new in days - nobody with some inside news about HDnet and ESPN-HD?? :(

Talked to the TWC Office Manager in my town this past Friday and was told that there is NO agreement between TWC and ESPN or HDNET at this point and that she didn't know when they would add these channels...

As I stated previously, I only get basic cable from them at this point anyway--everything else--INCLUDING ESPN-HD, HDNET and HDMovies--I get from DIRECTV. I also get the HD local network feeds both OTA and from TWC basic.

As I've said before "Happy Waiting!"

Well, if you go the the Titan Tv channel listings for Raleigh, Time Warner Digital Cable, they are now listing HDNET and HDNTM (HD net movies).
These just showed up this week.
This leads me to beleive the these channels will show up soon...

http://www.titantv.com/ttv/grid/grid.aspx?contentType=digital_cable

Sweet - while I might not belive Titan TV :) - I am convinced that these channels are being added shortly - just like I was convinced that we will be seeing the Hurricanes in HD shortly and guess what - that was correct.

It is one thing when these rumors are coming out of one source, but when they are floating around from multiple sources and some happens to be official TW releases then it is just enough to convince me. Lower level TW people just happens to lack information or be misinformed about HD and it will probably be that way for the next 2-4 years.......

Either way - can't wait to show of HDNet to people and watch some NHL Hockey - Merry Christmas to us :)

Originally posted by mhdiab
Sweet - while I might not belive Titan TV :) - I am convinced that these channels are being added shortly - just like I was convinced that we will be seeing the Hurricanes in HD shortly and guess what - that was correct.

It is one thing when these rumors are coming out of one source, but when they are floating around from multiple sources and some happens to be official TW releases then it is just enough to convince me. Lower level TW people just happens to lack information or be misinformed about HD and it will probably be that way for the next 2-4 years.......

Either way - can't wait to show of HDNet to people and watch some NHL Hockey - Merry Christmas to us :)

I don't doubt the above but when have you seen the Hurricanes in HD via TWC out of Charlotte? Or are you talking about the rumor that it will start on Jan. 6? Has HDnet been announced or is that still a rumor? I'm just interested in knowing if we have moved from the rumor stage to actual facts.

Not trying to get something started but here goes. I am a newbie HDTV owner and want the best SD picture I can get. I currently have TWC digital package and most SD stations suck. I am using the DVR box right now. I am scheduled to have HD installed this Friday. What can I do to get better SD? Is there something I should tell the cable person?

Why is it that some SD stations are good (HBO etc.) but other stations suck. HD is nice but let's face it there is only a few stations in HD.

Should I switch to Dish? I just can't stomach the 2 year contracts. I hate contracts.

I have to do something because some of my SD channels are so bad you can't watch them.

Thanks,
Rodney

Did you read Scoofer's press release copy from 12/09??? It verified what about another ten threads all over this forum has confirmed which is that through the FSN deal we will have Hurricanes in HD here in Charlotte starting after the year for 10 games. Go back one page and you will see it (wasn't going to quote the full thread) that is in addition to official releases from multiple TW branches........

Originally posted by mhdiab
Did you read Scoofer's press release copy from 12/09??? It verified what about another ten threads all over this forum has confirmed which is that through the FSN deal we will have Hurricanes in HD here in Charlotte starting after the year for 10 games. Go back one page and you will see it (wasn't going to quote the full thread) that is in addition to official releases from multiple TW branches........

Yes I did read that but I've yet to have anyone at TWC confirm that we will be viewing it. And I do know that Raleigh seems to have an inside track, but I'm just a little cynical until I see it myself. :)

I am probably looking forward to the hockey as much as anyone but with ESPN-HD having been promised for so long I'm just a little cautious. I am an optimist but with HD seeing is believing.

Originally posted by rcase13
Not trying to get something started but here goes. I am a newbie HDTV owner and want the best SD picture I can get. I currently have TWC digital package and most SD stations suck. I am using the DVR box right now. I am scheduled to have HD installed this Friday. What can I do to get better SD? Is there something I should tell the cable person?

Why is it that some SD stations are good (HBO etc.) but other stations suck. HD is nice but let's face it there is only a few stations in HD.

Should I switch to Dish? I just can't stomach the 2 year contracts. I hate contracts.

I have to do something because some of my SD channels are so bad you can't watch them.

Thanks,
Rodney

First of all it has been my experience that digital TV is not much better than analog. But when you get HD from TWC you should be very happy with the HD picture. If you have a large HDTV the analog signal will look poor at best. Just how bad it looks will depend on you particular set and the screen size. The larger the set the worse the SD picture quality. There is no getting around it. I bought the set (Pioneer Elite) that at the time, two years ago, provided me with the best SD picture as well as the best HD picture.

Last time I looked we get 12 HD channels from TWC so there is quite a bit of HD. To the best of my knowledge their is nothing TWC can do about the SD signal during installation. As for Dish I personally would not go that route as I've had both at the same time and I dumped the sat.

Originally posted by HughScot
First of all it has been my experience that digital TV is not much better than analog. But when you get HD from TWC you should be very happy with the HD picture. If you have a large HDTV the analog signal will look poor at best. Just how bad it looks will depend on you particular set and the screen size. The larger the set the worse the SD picture quality. There is no getting around it. I bought the set (Pioneer Elite) that at the time, two years ago, provided me with the best SD picture as well as the best HD picture.

Last time I looked we get 12 HD channels from TWC so there is quite a bit of HD. To the best of my knowledge their is nothing TWC can do about the SD signal during installation. As for Dish I personally would not go that route as I've had both at the same time and I dumped the sat.

Thanks for responding. I didn't realize SD would get worse when I jumped into this. On the other hand I didn't realize 480p DVD would be so f*****g awesome! I can't wait for HD. I will stick with TWC for now. The promise of the HD DVR keeps me hanging on. Also the equipment cost with DirectTV is unbelievable. $900 for DirectTV HD DVR??? They have to be kidding.

Hopefully they give me the Pioneer 3500HD box. That seems to be the one to have.

Just to clarify - SD does not get worse with a large HDTV. It's already that bad, it was just hidden by the limitations of your previous TV.

There is a phrase you'll get to know soon if you already don't:

Garbage in = garbage out

Originally posted by deArgila
Just to clarify - SD does not get worse with a large HDTV. It's already that bad, it was just hidden by the limitations of your previous TV.

There is a phrase you'll get to know soon if you already don't:

Garbage in = garbage out

This is absolutely true, you just notice it more as the screen size increases. Didn't mean to imply that it becomes worse as the screen size increases........it's already bad and looks worse as the size goes up.

Glad I didn't go bigger. I got 46" and was considering 56". The resolution was the same either way. I only sit 10' from the screen. As it is this TV is overwhelming.

As far as ESPN-HD goes I'm not really a huge sports fan. But even I would like to watch Carolina play on HD. They practically play in your living room. I find my self watching old DVD's in 480p just to see how awesome they look.

My wife and I are still very happy even though the SD content is worse. We can't wait to watch "Criminal Intent" in HD!

Thanks for the info.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=339309

HDNET announcement from Mark Cuban - so sweet NHL Hockey and everything else from them - AWSOME!!

Now regarding the SD picture and all that. I must say that I am happy with most digital channels on my 51 inch. I run the signal through the component for everything - I have the HD-box setup to stretch the regular channels and leave the HD alone - all work friction free. It is possible that when you go from coax on the regular box to component that your picture will improve. The other thing is if you live in apartments tell the guy to make sure you are the only one on the nod down where they bring the cable in - they often split it there giving you a loss of picture quality

Here's the link from HDNet's site:
http://www.hd.net/2003-prarchive/2003-12-16-01.html

Great confirmation and now all I need is the start date and the channel numbers. I love it.

So the question is when and how much will it cost us???

These channels will be added sometime in January (first half of the month is my best guess). There will be some sort of HD Tier, pricing and channels in the package are unknown at this point. Stay Tuned! :)

As for pricing, a friend just emailed me and said he would be paying TWC $9.95/mo in CA. This was for all the HD channels and they get the same ones we do. FWIW

Launch date in Columbia is january 5th and then December 16th in some CA areas so should be coming shortly. As I stated earlier indications in Raleigh was before New Years.

Cost for the HD-Suite in Raleigh is: $6.95 and there is a very clear note that additional channels will be added at no extra cost - I would expect the price to be the same or right around there rather than the same as in CA

$6.95 isn't unreasonable at all. Getting near $10 a month is pushing it for what we're really getting on these channels which I consider to be mostly "Fluff" programming.

I agree that 10 bucks is pushing it, but I think this is a small problem of not having enough to charge more for vs having to raise really soon :)

Like in Raleigh they clearly announced to the users that it was only inhd 1 and 2 now but new channels would be added shortly and included both HDNET and ESPNHD in that communication. I am guessing that they think people would be more irritated if they were charged 3 bucks first month raised to 6 the second month because a channel was added then 10 bucks after another month........rather just price it high include more channels as they go on and get users as they think it is worth it.........

hi everyone...new tv and new hdtv subscriber here. Is there anywhere I can get the HD schedule for the week? Mainly interested to see if this sundays Panther game will be broadcast in hd.

No on the Panthers..

blah:D

Fox doesn't do true HD.

Really?

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
These channels will be added sometime in January (first half of the month is my best guess). There will be some sort of HD Tier, pricing and channels in the package are unknown at this point. Stay Tuned! :)

HDNet and HDNet Movies are both hidden and can be found on channel 292 & 293. Currently just a black screen and no sound.

Anyone else having major issues with cable in Charlotte tonight? I have had three breaks in the service where everything pops and I loose both the box and my internet connection

Figured they would put it on 292 and 293 - lets all be checking 294 next :)