Why does CBS ch. 225 jump to a live picture at noon everyday? If I'm even 2
minutes behind it will jump to live from "Price is Right" to the noon news.

Why does CBS ch. 225 jump to a live picture at noon everyday? If I'm even 2
minutes behind it will jump to live from "Price is Right" to the noon news.

i'll check this out tomorrow and see if it happens here too. FYI, cause you probably missed it. the girl won the showcase with the boat today. the guy over bid by like 20 grand.

^^^
i issue didnt occur for me. i was watching about 3 minutes back into the buffer. at 12 noon it continued playing the buffer.

Anyone had trouble with HD VOD? The last few times I’ve used it I've had trouble getting it to play. Last night we had to restart the movie 4 times before it would play without extreme pixilation and audio breakups.

^^^
i issue didnt occur for me. i was watching about 3 minutes back into the buffer. at 12 noon it continued playing the buffer.

That's strange. I'm going to have to try another channel, same time frame, and see what happens. Thanks!

anyone have knowledge about XStreamHD?

That's strange. I'm going to have to try another channel, same time frame, and see what happens. Thanks!

Well I was watching 220 the other day and paused it at 3:55pm so my wife could see something and guess what the darn thing jumped at 4:00pm to the 4 o'clock news and wiped out everything in the buffer. I guess it's time swap for a new one.

I stopped by the Morehead St. TW office on Saturday morning to pick up a non-DVR box for a new bedroom TV. I was concerned about getting some old POS because of some reports I had seen here. Turns out the cabinets were stocked full with brand new (12/02/09 date of manufacture) 4250HDC boxes. Works great so far.

Seeing a huge stock of new HDC boxes also tends to make me believe that we will not be seeing any Samsung 3260 (or 3270 DVR) boxes here.

A friend of mine needed a new non-DVR box for a bedroom TV over the weekend. He went to Albemarle Rd. and picked up a 4250 that was DOA when he got it home. Next he went to Carolina Place and picked up a 4250, got it home and it was dead as well. He called TWC and they had a service tech with a working box at this house first thing Sunday morning. I am just amazed that these things get distributed out to the field without some kind of testing first.

A friend of mine needed a new non-DVR box for a bedroom TV over the weekend. He went to Albemarle Rd. and picked up a 4250 that was DOA when he got it home. Next he went to Carolina Place and picked up a 4250, got it home and it was dead as well. He called TWC and they had a service tech with a working box at this house first thing Sunday morning. I am just amazed that these things get distributed out to the field without some kind of testing first.

What was not working on the first two boxes? Just like EVERY self-install box I've ever had, I had to call customer service to get the box authorized after it was installed and connected. Typically I get some level of service but not any tier or pay services, but on this one the box was totally dead till they manually sent authorization to it.

Which brings me to the complaint I DID have with this transaction:

Despite handing me a box over the counter without ever asking me for any ID, when I called "customer care" to get the box authorized they gave me a VERY hard time because I did not have a PIN set up. I understand the reason they would want that, especially for service upgrades, but to tell me that they couldn't send a refresh hit is patently absurd... especially after they had just handed me a box worth a few hundred dollars without ever asking for ID. The CSR on the phone wanted me to go back to the office (which had since closed at noon), show ID and create a PIN in person before she would send the hit. She finally relented when I pointed out the absurdity of what she was asking, but the whole thing was extremely aggravating.

To add insult to injury, not two minutes after I finally got things straightened out, I got a call back from TWC with an "automated customer service survey" about my recent encounter with customer service. I should have vented on the poor machine, lol, but I just hung up... already had enough for one day.

He was getting a blue screen on startup and a message that said "ALT" I believe he said. He tried calling for tech support but they were no help and told him the message he got meant the box was bad.

He was getting a blue screen on startup and a message that said "ALT" I believe he said. He tried calling for tech support but they were no help and told him the message he got meant the box was bad.

That's hanging just before it should flash APP briefly, then start loading Navigator. Could be box issues or it could be having trouble establishing communications with the headend (which it does before it loads Navigator).

To add insult to injury, not two minutes after I finally got things straightened out, I got a call back from TWC with an "automated customer service survey" about my recent encounter with customer service.

I hate that crap..including the "how was your experience" emails. I usually answer them in a creative manner with unsatisfactory answers, and at the leave a comment point tell them how I hate such surveys. Usually the companies that do this are the ones who are the hardest to get ahold of an intelligent human when you really need them....which, if they really cared, would give me that option..:rolleyes:

I hate that crap..including the "how was your experience" emails. I usually answer them in a creative manner with unsatisfactory answers, and at the leave a comment point tell them how I hate such surveys. Usually the companies that do this are the ones who are the hardest to get ahold of an intelligent human when you really need them....which, if they really cared, would give me that option..:rolleyes:

What I REALLY hate is their automated phone system that requires you to speak to it. I really don't mind automated phone systems in general, but at least give me the option to answer from a menu or enter my phone number or account number numerically using the phone dialpad... talking to a friggin' machine, that talks to you like you were 5 years old, is the most absurd thing in the world.

Not implemented exactly as scheduled:


December 30, 2009: The following channels will be added:

History International HD - Channel 237 (Digital Basic Tier) Added
RFD HD - Channel 298 (HD Premium Tier) Added, currently encrypted as Digital Tier
Showtime Showcase HD - Channel 389 (requires subscription to Showtime) Added
Showtime Extreme HD - Channel 390 (requires subscription to Showtime) Added
MoreMax HD - Channel 334 (requires subscription to Cinemax) Added
ThrillerMax HD - Channel 336 (requires subscription to Cinemax) Added
Blue Highways - Channel 192 (Digital Basic Tier) Not Added
Hallmark Channel HD will become available in the Digital Basic tier and removed from the HD Tier. Still encrypted as HD Tier

Not implemented exactly as scheduled:

RFD HD (channel 298) ---- who cares. :rolleyes:
Blue Highways (channel 192) --- there are channels under 200? ;)

RFD HD (channel 298) ---- who cares. :rolleyes:


That was my feeling about Hallmark...at least they pre-stretch all the Walker Texas Ranger re-runs so I don't have to...IIRC..

What I REALLY hate is their automated phone system that requires you to speak to it. I really don't mind automated phone systems in general, but at least give me the option to answer from a menu or enter my phone number or account number numerically using the phone dialpad... talking to a friggin' machine, that talks to you like you were 5 years old, is the most absurd thing in the world.
Ok, while we're on it, what really makes me crazy is when the computer generated voice ('Hi, I'm Kaitlin') acts like a human. 'Please hold on while I look that up. [juvenile computer sounds] Ok, I found it'. Aarrgh!

One time I got so pissed bouncing around in one of those voice reponse systems, I literally yelled into the phone: " I want to speak to a f*****g human being ". Response: "one moment, I'll transfer you".

Another time I yelled at one and, I swear on my Grandma Russo's grave, it responded "please don't get mad, I'm only a computer".

I don't normally have anger management issues, but those things. . . .

Well I was watching 220 the other day and paused it at 3:55pm so my wife could see something and guess what the darn thing jumped at 4:00pm to the 4 o'clock news and wiped out everything in the buffer. I guess it's time swap for a new one.
Same thing happened to me the other day. Jumped to live at the hour, cleared the buffer.
Not changing the terminal. If I did that every time I had a problem, I'd be there 4 times a week.

RFD HD (channel 298) ---- who cares. :rolleyes:


I do, we actually live on a full-time farm, they do still exist. All sports channels, a waste of bandwidth. See different strokes for different folks.

I stopped by the Morehead St. TW office on Saturday morning to pick up a non-DVR box for a new bedroom TV. I was concerned about getting some old POS because of some reports I had seen here. Turns out the cabinets were stocked full with brand new (12/02/09 date of manufacture) 4250HDC boxes. Works great so far.

Seeing a huge stock of new HDC boxes also tends to make me believe that we will not be seeing any Samsung 3260 (or 3270 DVR) boxes here.

My SA 8300HD box finally bit the dust 2 days ago. I received an error 13 (nothing would record or play). Tech support said it was a failed hard drive. I picked up a new Samsung HD DVR from Morehead St. Brought it home and that box was dead. An hour and a half later I had a tech at my house to swap the Samsung with a SA8300HDC. I don't like it as good as the older non cable card boxes. Also, the tech said he thought they had stopped handing out the Samsung boxes due to significant issues.

I noticed my receiver is not displaying DD 5.1 as it did on my old box. Anyone know why the 8300HDC is not outputting DD 5.1 via the fiber audio out? Is it a setting I'm missing? I'm using component cables.

Ok, while we're on it, what really makes me crazy is when the computer generated voice ('Hi, I'm Kaitlin') acts like a human. 'Please hold on while I look that up. [juvenile computer sounds] Ok, I found it'. Aarrgh!

One time I got so pissed bouncing around in one of those voice reponse systems, I literally yelled into the phone: " I want to speak to a f*****g human being ". Response: "one moment, I'll transfer you".

Another time I yelled at one and, I swear on my Grandma Russo's grave, it responded "please don't get mad, I'm only a computer".

I don't normally have anger management issues, but those things. . . .

That's exactly what I meant about talking to you as if you were 5 years old, lol.

On the plus side, once I got past the computer by describing the problem as "the damned box won't authorize", I got transferred immediately to a CSR... no hold time. Of course, that led to the whole PIN issue, but at least I got there promptly.

I do, we actually live on a full-time farm, they do still exist. All sports channels, a waste of bandwidth. See different strokes for different folks.

Yea, my dad, a former farmer, loves this channel. Out of everything on the box, he will kick back to the Classic Tractor show. I've caught him watching out of state farm reports for reasons I can't understand. I think they have an RV show or two on there as well. Of course nothing beats the Big Joe Polka show. Variety is the spice of life folks.

I do, we actually live on a full-time farm, they do still exist. All sports channels, a waste of bandwidth. See different strokes for different folks.

I'm not a sports fan so I could care less about the abundance of channels dedicated to sports, talking about sports, getting ready to talk about sports, people talking about people talking about people talking about sports...:rolleyes:
That said, I know there are tons of sports fans and I'm glad they have their channels but how about dedicating some of that bandwidth and HD love to other stations. I could sit and watch History HD for hours on end. I really enjoyed the series "WWII in HD" a few weeks ago. Now that is something worth watching and spending your time on rather than how many yards some woman-beating, ghetto thug punk ran for last Sunday.

Of course nothing beats the Big Joe Polka show. .

Now that's something I've got to check out! Seriously!

Someone with Directv HD locals could you please tell me your signal strength on sat 99(s) transponder 19 and 20.

Thanks

To you all..
Just a reminder..those of you who will be celebrating while watching on TV..
Especially on FOX OTA..and then via TWC or Satellite...that due to MPEG processing delays..Midnight has already passed..
By around 8 seconds..
By the time you see it happen on TV..:D

Well folks the woodstove is stoked, I'm in my Laz-Boy, I've got my channel
RFD-TV HD though the TV is not turned on at the moment, I'm just checking
up on the internet news and then take a nap until everyone else wakes up,
Life's Good. Then it's off to my brothers for New Years lunch: Hog Jowls,
Greens, Black Eyed Peas, Mashed Potatoes, Corn Bread, my sisters famous
baked beans, and desserts.

Why they're calling RFD-TV "HD" is beyond me, haven't seen anything in HD
yet but that's ok, we did watch a nice show last night where they auctioned
an '82 John Deere 4440 tractor with only 47 hours on it, I won't tell y'all
what it brought, wouldn't want to spoil it for for all y'all RFD fans ;-)

As far as my statement above I know there's people that love certain types
of programming and that great, heck if we all liked the same sort of stuff on
where would the fun in that be? Personally I'm a history, sci-fi, classic
movie, farm show kind of guy and for some strange reason I find "Family
Guy" hilarious.

Anyone else get in on the Showtime & TMC for $5/month for 2 years? I
couldn't resist that deal. I made sure I could cancel at anytime.

Happy New Years everyone!

for some strange reason I find "Family
Guy" hilarious.

Family Guy hilarious? Sure, if you have a sick, warped sense of humor.
Personally, I love it.

:)

I know this is not the right thread for this but you guys are local and I thought some of you may know where I can shop for some good home theater seating here the Charlotte area. I live near Mtn. Island Lake. I've been to Lazy Boy but they dont even have there one model on the floor (NorthLake location). Any other furniture places that have them.

Thanks!

Very happy to have found this thread. The ESPN HD family of networks (ESPN and ABC) is driving me insane. The broadcast quality is absolutely atrocious. Sportscenter is blocky, and every sportscast has tons of mosquitos and/or blocking as well. Is the broadcast the problem or is it my box? Any solutions aside from switching providers (not really an option)? How does TWC not address this issue given the popularity of these channels?

Very happy to have found this thread. The ESPN HD family of networks (ESPN and ABC) is driving me insane. The broadcast quality is absolutely atrocious. Sportscenter is blocky, and every sportscast has tons of mosquitos and/or blocking as well. Is the broadcast the problem or is it my box? Any solutions aside from switching providers (not really an option)? How does TWC not address this issue given the popularity of these channels?

Welcome to avsforum!

Yes, I agree that the picture quality on the two ESPN HD channels is awful, and said much in the quote below back in October. I do find that ABC is a little better than either one of the ESPNs which I think look like youtube videos.

By comparison I thought the Fox broadcast of the Cotton Bowl looked better, but it still had block artifacts and mosquito noise, just not as bad as the two ESPN HDs.

TWC is in a bind between their legacy analog subscribers on one side and by Directv and its 100 HD channels on the other. In order to compete with Directv in marketing, TWC has to add HD channels. In order to make room for the HD channels they should remove some analog channels(like Comcast is doing), but they don't want to alienate the analog only customers so they cram as many channels as they can and the quality goes to hell.

They are betting that their HD quality is good enough to prevent subscribers from defecting to alternative providers.

As much as I have tried to convince her to switch to Dish or Directv, I think my wife would rather watch VHS quality programming than put a satellite dish on our house.

Has anyone noticed picture quality degradation on certain channels lately? Specifically, I have noticed a lot more artifacts on ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD. I remember jcalabria saying a bunch of channels were moved to SDV recently and I wonder if ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD used to be 2 HD per QAM as linear channels and are now 3 HD per QAM as SDV channels.

Does anyone else think ESPN HD looks worse?

Welcome to avsforum!

Yes, I agree that the picture quality on the two ESPN HD channels is awful, and said much in the quote below back in October. I do find that ABC is a little better than either one of the ESPNs which I think look like youtube videos.

By comparison I thought the Fox broadcast of the Cotton Bowl looked better, but it still had block artifacts and mosquito noise, just not as bad as the two ESPN HDs.

TWC is in a bind between their legacy analog subscribers on one side and by Directv and its 100 HD channels on the other. In order to compete with Directv in marketing, TWC has to add HD channels. In order to make room for the HD channels they should remove some analog channels(like Comcast is doing), but they don't want to alienate the analog only customers so they cram as many channels as they can and the quality goes to hell.

They are betting that their HD quality is good enough to prevent subscribers from defecting to alternative providers.

As much as I have tried to convince her to switch to Dish or Directv, I think my wife would rather watch VHS quality programming than put a satellite dish on our house.

Thanks. Long-time lurker. First-time poster.

I didn't realize that there was a capacity issue for TWC. I guess it makes sense since the content comes through a cable. Still, I'm not sure the ESPN family of networks are the ones you want to sacrifice for the greater good. It's weird though. Their commercials don't seem to have as much of an issue.

I'm like you. No way will my wife (and I'm in agreement) allow a dish to be put on the side of our house. It sounds like we're stuck for now which is brutal given all the basketball that's going to be on.

Welcome to avsforum!

Yes, I agree that the picture quality on the two ESPN HD channels is awful, and said much in the quote below back in October. I do find that ABC is a little better than either one of the ESPNs which I think look like youtube videos.

By comparison I thought the Fox broadcast of the Cotton Bowl looked better, but it still had block artifacts and mosquito noise, just not as bad as the two ESPN HDs.

TWC is in a bind between their legacy analog subscribers on one side and by Directv and its 100 HD channels on the other. In order to compete with Directv in marketing, TWC has to add HD channels. In order to make room for the HD channels they should remove some analog channels(like Comcast is doing), but they don't want to alienate the analog only customers so they cram as many channels as they can and the quality goes to hell.

They are betting that their HD quality is good enough to prevent subscribers from defecting to alternative providers.

As much as I have tried to convince her to switch to Dish or Directv, I think my wife would rather watch VHS quality programming than put a satellite dish on our house.

I am with you all. The quality of the ESPN family of networks on TWC is some of the worst HD I've seen in a while. The artifacts and noise present in their broadcasts bugs me to no end. I would love to know what the original bitrate of the ESPN signal is compared to the bitrate of the signal that enters all of our homes. TWC must be compressing the signal way too much in order to provide other HD channels.

The Fox and CBS NFL broadcasts look 5 times better than the ESPN HD broadcasts I get at my house. I wish TWC would over compress less demanded channels and increase the bitrate of ESPN back up to a respectable level. Surely TWC has the ability to know which channels are watched the most, and I would bet ESPN is in the top 25% of channels watched by subscribers.

I may need to post this over in one of the hardware threads but thought I would check with you guys first. A friend of mine is just getting new flat screen displays and this is his first experience with high def programming and equipment. He is starting off simple, just SA 4250HDC boxes on the TV's, no AVR anywhere, just straight HDMI into the TV from the cable box. The problem is with controlling the volume. Since he is just using the speakers built into the TV he wants to control the volume of those speakers using the TWC remote. The remote currently changes channels and controls everything in the 4250HDC box except for the volume. We have tried the remote codes procedure, unlocking of the remote as well as auto scanning for the codes to have the remote control the TV functions and nothing gets us control of the volume. We suspect that this is an issue with the HDMI connection as component video with separate RCA audio connections works fine. The menus of the 4250HDC box have HDMI selected but under one of the volume options there is normally a choice of "Fixed" or "Variable". With the HDMI connected the "Variable" choice is grayed out. Could this be the problem? I would think there has got to be a way to make this work...

Hey does anyone know if Time Warner Charlotte carries M type cable cards?

I may pick up one of those Ceton 4 tuner cards when they become available. Love my HDHomerun - but to have all the channels - sweet.

I may need to post this over in one of the hardware threads but thought I would check with you guys first. A friend of mine is just getting new flat screen displays and this is his first experience with high def programming and equipment. He is starting off simple, just SA 4250HDC boxes on the TV's, no AVR anywhere, just straight HDMI into the TV from the cable box. The problem is with controlling the volume. Since he is just using the speakers built into the TV he wants to control the volume of those speakers using the TWC remote. The remote currently changes channels and controls everything in the 4250HDC box except for the volume. We have tried the remote codes procedure, unlocking of the remote as well as auto scanning for the codes to have the remote control the TV functions and nothing gets us control of the volume. We suspect that this is an issue with the HDMI connection as component video with separate RCA audio connections works fine. The menus of the 4250HDC box have HDMI selected but under one of the volume options there is normally a choice of "Fixed" or "Variable". With the HDMI connected the "Variable" choice is grayed out. Could this be the problem? I would think there has got to be a way to make this work...

The digital outputs on SA boxes are fixed volume (which is the right way, IMHO, although the Samsungs - at least the 3090 DVR - do allow control of audio levels on digital outputs). If you have one of the ubiquitous TW Synergy V remotes, you should be able to switch the remote's volume/mute functions to control the TV's volume/mute, but I have no idea what the correct code is for any given TV. The latest versions of the Synergy V (that have a "D" button) actually have some pretty powerful programming options, but they are not easy to set up at all.

Hey does anyone know if Time Warner Charlotte carries M type cable cards?

I may pick up one of those Ceton 4 tuner cards when they become available. Love my HDHomerun - but to have all the channels - sweet.

I have one in my tivo-- but I had to jump through many hoops to make sure that I got one of those rather than an S card.

Hey does anyone know if Time Warner Charlotte carries M type cable cards?

I may pick up one of those Ceton 4 tuner cards when they become available. Love my HDHomerun - but to have all the channels - sweet.

They do have m cards, but from what I've heard, you will still need two of them since they are the Motorola ones.

CJ

For the Ceton card you'll need 2 Tuning Adapters to access SDV on all 4 tuners. Hope this helps.

The digital outputs on SA boxes are fixed volume (which is the right way, IMHO, although the Samsungs - at least the 3090 DVR - do allow control of audio levels on digital outputs). If you have one of the ubiquitous TW Synergy V remotes, you should be able to switch the remote's volume/mute functions to control the TV's volume/mute, but I have no idea what the correct code is for any given TV. The latest versions of the Synergy V (that have a "D" button) actually have some pretty powerful programming options, but they are not easy to set up at all.



This is how I have mine set up. It tells you how to do it in the directions that come with the remote. I could probably find it if you need the info but you need to put in the code for the TV and then set the remote to control the volume on the TV. TWC might have the direction on-line check out their website...

This is how I have mine set up. It tells you how to do it in the directions that come with the remote. I could probably find it if you need the info but you need to put in the code for the TV and then set the remote to control the volume on the TV. TWC might have the direction on-line check out their website...

Yeah, we tried both codes in the remote instruction manual and both allow you to control channel changing, guides, etc. just not volume for some reason. I have no idea what the problem is.

Yeah, we tried both codes in the remote instruction manual and both allow you to control channel changing, guides, etc. just not volume for some reason. I have no idea what the problem is.

As someone previously said, I think your problem is that your remote control is currently trying to control the volume through the Cable Box and not through your TV. The link below will take you to TWC's remote control manuals so that you can see how to change the remote to use your TV for volume instead of your cable box for your specific remote control.

For the Synergy remotes, which I think are the most common remote, the following will switch the method that your remote control uses to control volume...

1. Press [CBL], then [SEL] together until the [CBL] button illuminates.
2. Press [VOL+], then [TV] to set the remote up to control volume through the TV. Either the [CBL] or [TV] button will blink 3 times and then turn off.

Note: To return volume control back to the cable box, repeat step 1, and when repeating step 2, press the [CBL] button instead of the [TV] button.

Give that a try and see if that fixes your problem. Of course, you will still need to be using the correct remote control code for your particular brand and model of television which is just a trial and error process that it sounds like you have already gone through.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/carolinas/site.faqs/Equipmenta#Remotes

As someone previously said, I think your problem is that your remote control is currently trying to control the volume through the Cable Box and not through your TV. The link below will take you to TWC's remote control manuals so that you can see how to change the remote to use your TV for volume instead of your cable box for your specific remote control.

For the Synergy remotes, which I think are the most common remote, the following will switch the method that your remote control uses to control volume...

1. Press [CBL], then [SEL] together until the [CBL] button illuminates.
2. Press [VOL+], then [TV] to set the remote up to control volume through the TV. Either the [CBL] or [TV] button will blink 3 times and then turn off.

Note: To return volume control back to the cable box, repeat step 1, and when repeating step 2, press the [CBL] button instead of the [TV] button.

Give that a try and see if that fixes your problem. Of course, you will still need to be using the correct remote control code for your particular brand and model of television which is just a trial and error process that it sounds like you have already gone through.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/carolinas/site.faqs/Equipmenta#Remotes

I really appreciate the help. In fact, we had already tried this procedure several times with no success. We tried programming to let the TV control volume and also tried letting the cable box control volume and nothing works. Actually, we can't even get the buttons on the box itself to adjust the volume. It's as if plugging in an HDMI cable just totally disable volume control of any kind. Thanks for the link to the manuals and wizards, I will check that stuff out and maybe find something.

I really appreciate the help. In fact, we had already tried this procedure several times with no success. We tried programming to let the TV control volume and also tried letting the cable box control volume and nothing works. Actually, we can't even get the buttons on the box itself to adjust the volume. It's as if plugging in an HDMI cable just totally disable volume control of any kind. Thanks for the link to the manuals and wizards, I will check that stuff out and maybe find something.

Is the remote set up to turn TV power off and on, ie, did you find the right codes for the TV? I didn't see anywhere in the thread that you had done that. If you got a code to work for that, then the volume control will tag along. However, the default is NOT to control volume at the TV, it stays with the box (which doesn't work on HDMI!), so after the TV on/off is working you have to manually transfer volume control to the TV with the procedure from RobbK above.

I have the 8300, it is exactly the same way. HDMI disables all volume control.
So you program the remote to control the TV on/off, then follow the procedure to switch volume control to the TV.
It is possible they don't have the TV code. I have had trouble with that remote on a couple of other devices.

Last night FOX started glitching about 15 minutes before the end of 'Dollhouse'! :eek: Don't know if anyone else saw it (which is kinda' why we've only got two more weeks of this darn fine sci-fi show). It was like you only got one frame every 10 seconds or so. We kept hoping it was just a momentary glitch - maybe a DVR hiccup (SA8300HD w/ 750GB expansion drive) - but it kept going all the way thru to the end of the program, nothing else on the DVR was affected, no other similar reports from anywhere else in the country (according to the DH thread in the programming forum), so it must have been a local affiliate thing. I expect anyone involved to do the honorable thing and commit hari kari for this inexcusable error. We'll miss ya'. ;)

For the Ceton card you'll need 2 Tuning Adapters to access SDV on all 4 tuners. Hope this helps.

Looks like, from this, that's not necessarily the case:

http://www.cetoncorp.com/support_faq.php#faq_5_6

Q: Will the Ceton Multi-Channel PC Card support Switched Digital Video? (SDV)

A: With the recent announcement by Microsoft and CableLabs that Windows 7 supports Switched Digital Video, we’re pleased to announce that the Ceton Digital Cable Quad-Tuner Card has been designed to natively support SDV as well via SDV Tuning Adapters available from your cable operator.

Shame they don't support the Macintosh platform. That'd make a nice addition to the media server I have running.

Last night FOX started glitching about 15 minutes before the end of 'Dollhouse'! :eek: Don't know if anyone else saw it (which is kinda' why we've only got two more weeks of this darn fine sci-fi show). It was like you only got one frame every 10 seconds or so.

I DVRed it and had no problems at all.

It is on Hulu if you want to see what you missed (and trust me you want to see what you missed).

I DVRed it and had no problems at all.

It is on Hulu if you want to see what you missed (and trust me you want to see what you missed).

Yeah, I "Hulu'd" it the next day. It was pretty dang awesome. :cool: Guess I just had a "private" glitch in my DVR for that recording. Maybe it was Clive, trying to escape! :eek:

Shame so few people "got" this show last year. It's really turned into one crackerjack sci-fi tale, now that it's nearly over. :(

Guess I just had a "private" glitch in my DVR for that recording. :(

And you wanted ME to commit Hari Kari..:o I think ybsane needs the knife.. :>)

Anyone noticed any audio drop-outs lately? I have noticed half second drops in audio that might occur once every 30 minutes or so over the past few days. The audio will disappear for about half a second and then come back on and function normally for maybe 30 minutes or so before it happens again.

It just happened on CBS and I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing this same issue, or if it could possibly be an HDMI issue on my end and if replacing my HDMI cable might remedy the issue.

This isn't a cable related question but I am sure someone can explain the answer to me. I was looking a buying some of the great movie that I love on DVD such as the patriot, boondock saints and shooter. They are, I think, all available on blu ray. Are they HD quality or should I just keep the DVDs? If I buy a blu ray, I want it to be HD picture and sounds and I can't seem to figure out how they take no HD movies and make them HD.

This isn't a cable related question but I am sure someone can explain the answer to me. I was looking a buying some of the great movie that I love on DVD such as the patriot, boondock saints and shooter. They are, I think, all available on blu ray. Are they HD quality or should I just keep the DVDs? If I buy a blu ray, I want it to be HD picture and sounds and I can't seem to figure out how they take no HD movies and make them HD.
Film has amazing resolution and from what I've heard, the resolution exceeds what is able to displayed currently on your TV (i.e. 1080p).

Unless you have a TV over say 42", I wouldn't bother going for Blu-Ray unless you have some money to burn. As long as your DVD player upconverts to 1080p it will look almost as good as the Blu-Ray version. I'm sure some folks disagree with this, but realistically for most folks it is almost indistinguishable at TV sizes 42" or smaller (most definitely on smaller TV's).

Did that answer your question?

Probably should post this in another thread but will give it a shot. I am in need of two diplexers that split the signal at 5-1000mhz and then 1000-2300mhz. They are easy to find online but does anyone know of a place locally where I could pick these up?

I am trying to install a MoCa ethernet network over coax and am not patient enough to wait several days for these to ship to me. There has got to be a store that carriers these for the guys with dish's but I can't seem to find it?

Anyone?

This isn't a cable related question but I am sure someone can explain the answer to me. I was looking a buying some of the great movie that I love on DVD such as the patriot, boondock saints and shooter. They are, I think, all available on blu ray. Are they HD quality or should I just keep the DVDs? If I buy a blu ray, I want it to be HD picture and sounds and I can't seem to figure out how they take no HD movies and make them HD.

Why do you think that these, or any other "old" movie, are not HD? The original film masters would certainly support transfers to HD video.

That said, just like Blu-ray transfers of new movies, the quality of any given movie's Blu-ray transfer can vary significantly, based on many factors. I would suggest that, for any movie that you already own on DVD and want to know if the BD quality makes a duplicate purchase worthwhile, to check out the myriad review sources available. Besides the Blu-Ray forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=187) here on AVS, there are many other places to check. For example:
Shooter (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/895/shooter.html)

Boondock Saints (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1856/boondocksaints.html)

The Patriot (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/854/patriot.html)
...and here's another site (http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/searchreviews.php) you can check that gives good info on the transfer quality.

Unless you have a TV over say 42"

That maybe a problem considering none of my TVs are smaller than 42". I don't own any of the movies I want to get on DVD already, so it is basically a new purchase. I am just trying to figure out if i should go with a blu ray or a DVD. But I don't want to buy a blu ray if it is just a copy of a DVD and not HD.

That maybe a problem considering none of my TVs are smaller than 42". I don't own any of the movies I want to get on DVD already, so it is basically a new purchase. I am just trying to figure out if i should go with a blu ray or a DVD. But I don't want to buy a blu ray if it is just a copy of a DVD and not HD.

If it's all a new purchase and you don't own any DVD's, then go ahead and get the Blu-Ray player. That would be a no brainer for me. I have a nice DVD player however that upscales to 1080p and own many DVD's so I'm not as concerned with Blu-Ray yet. At least by getting a Blu-Ray player, you're future proofing yourself a little.

If it's all a new purchase and you don't own any DVD's, then go ahead and get the Blu-Ray player. That would be a no brainer for me. I have a nice DVD player however that upscales to 1080p and own many DVD's so I'm not as concerned with Blu-Ray yet. At least by getting a Blu-Ray player, you're future proofing yourself a little.

I think you misunderstood me. I have a blu ray player. I am looking to buy older movies that I want and I don't know if it is worth the extra 5 to 8 dollars per movie to buy in blu ray rather than DVD.

I think you misunderstood me. I have a blu ray player. I am looking to buy older movies that I want and I don't know if it is worth the extra 5 to 8 dollars per movie to buy in blu ray rather than DVD.

Ah, sorry that I misunderstood your question. I can't help you there. Personally I don't buy movies anymore and just rent them through Netflix...it has saved me a ton of money.

And you wanted ME to commit Hari Kari..:o I think ybsane needs the knife.. :>)

Little digital gremlins, Bob. Ghosts in the machine. Others may be skeptical, but me - I'm a believer. :p

Hey, I just reduced my TWC/RR bundle bill by nearly $30/mo by agreeing to their "price lock" 2 year contract. I figured, what the heck - as much as I gripe about TWC's service and programming choices (dropping the HDNet's was unforgivable ), I do like my SA8300HD with its massive external drive, I've gotten used to Navigator's shortcomings (or rather, I tolerate them better than I used to), and I need cable broadband, which I just upgraded to "turbo" with no upcharge for a year as part of this deal. :) Besides, once the broadcast networks all start prying retrans fees out of the cable/sat companies, having a price lock may not be a bad idea. ;)

Little digital gremlins, Bob. Ghosts in the machine. Others may be skeptical, but me - I'm a believer. :p

Come by here sometime.. I can show you plenty of that sort of thing..especially with uncompressed HD running at 1.5 gb/s...............:eek:

Little digital gremlins, Bob. Ghosts in the machine. Others may be skeptical, but me - I'm a believer. :p

Hey, I just reduced my TWC/RR bundle bill by nearly $30/mo by agreeing to their "price lock" 2 year contract. I figured, what the heck - as much as I gripe about TWC's service and programming choices (dropping the HDNet's was unforgivable ), I do like my SA8300HD with its massive external drive, I've gotten used to Navigator's shortcomings (or rather, I tolerate them better than I used to), and I need cable broadband, which I just upgraded to "turbo" with no upcharge for a year as part of this deal. :) Besides, once the broadcast networks all start prying retrans fees out of the cable/sat companies, having a price lock may not be a bad idea. ;)

You got the external drive to work? I bought and returned the Western Digital 1TB DVR expander and hooked it to the 8300HDC. It was nice in theory, but TWC re-set the boxes twice overnight around New Year's Day and we lost everything that was recorded on there both times. The WAF went to 0% after that.

You got the external drive to work? I bought and returned the Western Digital 1TB DVR expander and hooked it to the 8300HDC. It was nice in theory, but TWC re-set the boxes twice overnight around New Year's Day and we lost everything that was recorded on there both times. The WAF went to 0% after that.

External eSATA drives work with the SA8300HD, but not the 8300HDC

I can't decide whether to buy an eSATA drive for my SA830HD, get a Moxi and Mate or wait for the TiVo Premier.

get a Moxi and Mate .

That sounds like much more fun to me! :D

On HD Showcase, CBS has quite a few shows available on demand (I missed CSI Miami Monday night and watched that episode Tuesday afternoon). NBC has a smaller number, but I've seen nothing listed for FOX or ABC.

Anyone know if FOX or ABC are planning to add on demand? Since I have a digital box w/o DVR, the free on demand is handy to have available.

A J

That sounds like much more fun to me! :D

Ok now you have me thinking... I understand the Moxi requires a cable card from Time Warner. Can we still get the cable cards from Time Warner? Do we need one cable card for each tuner as well? Are their any negatives to this?

External eSATA drives work with the SA8300HD, but not the 8300HDC

Correct. Don't know why, but only the non-cable-card boxes work (don't know about the Samsung boxes). They'll have to pry my 8300HD from my cold dead fingers.

I can't decide whether to buy an eSATA drive for my SA830HD, get a Moxi and Mate or wait for the TiVo Premier.

The expansion drive solution is simple, cheap, and more-or-less bulletproof.

That sounds like much more fun to me! :D

Ok now you have me thinking... I understand the Moxi requires a cable card from Time Warner. Can we still get the cable cards from Time Warner? Do we need one cable card for each tuner as well? Are their any negatives to this?

Yes, the Moxi is intriging, but has two things working against it. The first is that the Mate cannot currently tune live TV, but that is supposed to be fixed in the next few weeks.

The other issue is not as much related to CableCards, of which the Moxi only needs one), but the tuning adapter that is also required. Right now, the tuning adapter that TWC uses can only handle two tuners which means that one of the tuners on the Moxi would be useless. In addition, there have been multiple complaints about the performance of the tuning adapter in the Carolinas over at the tivocommunity. It requires multiple reboots, constant calls to TWC, etc.

I have 2 SA8300HDs with MDN and as much as I dislike the fact that Navigator's search engine is awful, the fact that it does not have a widescreen guide and the fact that it has a puny 160GB hard drive at least it reliably recorded scheduled shows for over a year and a half now.

Well that has changed. In the last week, I went to watch a different program on each DVR, but when I went to the list to watch them they weren't there. When I went into the recording log, the message beside each program was "Not recorded because the episode was not available".

It's not a box issue because this occurred on two different boxes. I don't think that it is an SDV issue because one program was on ABC and the other was on CNBC.

Has anyone else gotten the "Not recorded because the episode was not available" message lately?

... It requires multiple reboots, constant calls to TWC, etc.

Ugh the idea is to avoid just that... I'll give it more time.

Has anyone else gotten the "Not recorded because the episode was not available" message lately?

Join the club. It's happened to me a few times this week on both CBS and ABC. The recording log says "channel not available." It was really bad when I first got my Samsung DVR. It got better over time, and in fact I don't remember it happening for quite some time, up until this week.

In fact, one of the times this occured to me this week, I actually watched the show I was recording live on ABC, and noticed that the DVR didn't record the show while I was watching it. I checked the log and it gave me the excuse "channel not available." How can the channel not be available if I'm sitting there actually watching the show live?

It's my major gripe with the Samsung DVR and Navigator, but I've pretty much learned to live with it and hit up the internet when needed to watch missed recordings.

Join the club. It's happened to me a few times this week on both CBS and ABC. The recording log says "channel not available." It was really bad when I first got my Samsung DVR. It got better over time, and in fact I don't remember it happening for quite some time, up until this week.

In fact, one of the times this occured to me this week, I actually watched the show I was recording live on ABC, and noticed that the DVR didn't record the show while I was watching it. I checked the log and it gave me the excuse "channel not available." How can the channel not be available if I'm sitting there actually watching the show live?

It's my major gripe with the Samsung DVR and Navigator, but I've pretty much learned to live with it and hit up the internet when needed to watch missed recordings.

With the Samsungs, its a fairly common issue in Charlotte, most commonly on FOX and CBS (although I have seen it once or twice on ABC), and to a lesser extent in NYC, but has not been reported in any other location, at least not here on AVS.

FYI... periodic reboots will prevent this issue. After each reboot, the box will record perfectly for several days without the FOX/CBS "channel not available" issue cropping up. Also, if you happen to catch a missed recording in progress, a reboot will cause it to start recording immediately... useful to know because when it refuses to record due to this issue, you cannot even start a recording manually. I routinely reboot my box (which can be done via the remote on the Samsungs) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and have not had a missed recording since.

With the Samsungs, its a fairly common issue in Charlotte, most commonly on FOX and CBS (although I have seen it once or twice on ABC), and to a lesser extent in NYC, but has not been reported in any other location, at least not here on AVS.

FYI... periodic reboots will prevent this issue. After each reboot, the box will record perfectly for several days without the FOX/CBS "channel not available" issue cropping up. Also, if you happen to catch a missed recording in progress, a reboot will cause it to start recording immediately... useful to know because when it refuses to record due to this issue, you cannot even start a recording manually. I routinely reboot my box (which can be done via the remote on the Samsungs) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and have not had a missed recording since.
I have heard from a source that TWC may back off the Samsung dvr in place of the Cisco 8642HDC. Samsung has been a bit of a headache that they did not need while they are trying to improve and finish the Navigator rollout. The 8642hdc also has a 500gb hard drive I hear. I undertand some of the Brighthouse areas are testing it.It also has a full screen guide I hear.

I have heard from a source that TWC may back off the Samsung dvr in place of the Cisco 8642HDC. Samsung has been a bit of a headache that they did not need while they are trying to improve and finish the Navigator rollout. The 8642hdc also has a 500gb hard drive I hear. I undertand some of the Brighthouse areas are testing it.It also has a full screen guide I hear.

If they make it here I might consider trying to get one... otherwise I'm actually quite happy with the 360GB 3090.

I'm guessing the full screen guide on the 8642 would be stretched just like on the Sammy until a new version of Navigator comes along that actually has native 16:9 graphics for the newer boxes to display.

I routinely reboot my box (which can be done via the remote on the Samsungs) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and have not had a missed recording since.

How do you reboot a Samsung with the remote? The way I have been doing it is by pressing the Vol+, Vol-, and Info buttons simultaneously on the front of the DVR itself. I am interested to hear how it is done from the remote control.

How do you reboot a Samsung with the remote? The way I have been doing it is by pressing the Vol+, Vol-, and Info buttons simultaneously on the front of the DVR itself. I am interested to hear how it is done from the remote control.

Using the remote:

Enter the Samsung STB Diagnostics by pressing and holding [SELECT] for about ten seconds, then pressing the [UP] key.
Scroll down to the last item in the Diagnostics Menu, "Reboot STB"
Press and hold the [SELECT] button until the box reboots (you will notice a picture freeze first).

Join the club. It's happened to me a few times this week on both CBS and ABC. The recording log says "channel not available." It was really bad when I first got my Samsung DVR. It got better over time, and in fact I don't remember it happening for quite some time, up until this week.

In fact, one of the times this occured to me this week, I actually watched the show I was recording live on ABC, and noticed that the DVR didn't record the show while I was watching it. I checked the log and it gave me the excuse "channel not available." How can the channel not be available if I'm sitting there actually watching the show live?

It's my major gripe with the Samsung DVR and Navigator, but I've pretty much learned to live with it and hit up the internet when needed to watch missed recordings.

With the Samsungs, its a fairly common issue in Charlotte, most commonly on FOX and CBS (although I have seen it once or twice on ABC), and to a lesser extent in NYC, but has not been reported in any other location, at least not here on AVS.

FYI... periodic reboots will prevent this issue. After each reboot, the box will record perfectly for several days without the FOX/CBS "channel not available" issue cropping up. Also, if you happen to catch a missed recording in progress, a reboot will cause it to start recording immediately... useful to know because when it refuses to record due to this issue, you cannot even start a recording manually. I routinely reboot my box (which can be done via the remote on the Samsungs) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and have not had a missed recording since.

Yeah, I understand that reliable recording is a problem with the Samsungs, but I have two old school SA8300HDs.

This week is the first time that Navigator failed to record a program and it happened on two different SA8300HDs.

I once asked why DVR's would sometimes miss shows and I never got an answer. I guess they didn't want people to know why or they don't acknowledge the problem.

Woke up to an updated ODN version - 3.2.0_15.

Two differences I've found so far:

As many have requested, Search functions now start from the currently watched show. I presume this is to assist in finding additional showings of the current program. I never use search so this is no big deal to me, but...
Sort by Favorites for the guide is GONE. :eek: That SUCKS so F'n bad......:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
The Samsung firmware was also updated to 4.3.5. Let's hope there are some positives in the way of reliability (missed FOX/CBS recordings?) from this. The diagnostics password was changed... it's no longer the model number.

Sort by Favorites for the guide is GONE. :eek: That SUCKS so F'n bad......:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:


I lost that feature months ago on my box.

I lost that feature months ago on my box.

Yes... MDN boxes lost it a while ago. Was hoping the disease wouldn't spread to the ODN side of the family.

Two differences I've found so far:

As many have requested, Search functions now start from the currently watched show. I presume this is to assist in finding additional showings of the current program. I never use search so this is no big deal to me, but...
Sort by Favorites for the guide is GONE. :eek: That SUCKS so F'n bad......:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
The Samsung firmware was also updated to 4.3.5. Let's hope there are some positives in the way of reliability (missed FOX/CBS recordings?) from this. The diagnostics password was changed... it's no longer the model number.

One other difference I have noticed is that I guess the cable box alternates tuners now. If I flip back and forth between ESPN and ABC, it uses separate tuners for the two channels so that I can rewind the channel that I wasn't watching.

It also makes flipping back and forth between two channels almost instantaneous and it happens very quickly now since it already has the second tuner active and is buffering the channel that isn't currently being watched.

I think this feature possibly used to exist pre-navigator, but I cannot remember.

One other difference I have noticed is that I guess the cable box alternates tuners now. If I flip back and forth between ESPN and ABC, it uses separate tuners for the two channels so that I can rewind the channel that I wasn't watching.

It also makes flipping back and forth between two channels almost instantaneous and it happens very quickly now since it already has the second tuner active and is buffering the channel that isn't currently being watched.

I think this feature possibly used to exist pre-navigator, but I cannot remember.

This is a huge addition. Passport used to buffer both tuners. Now Navigator does also.

One other difference I have noticed is that I guess the cable box alternates tuners now. If I flip back and forth between ESPN and ABC, it uses separate tuners for the two channels so that I can rewind the channel that I wasn't watching.

It also makes flipping back and forth between two channels almost instantaneous and it happens very quickly now since it already has the second tuner active and is buffering the channel that isn't currently being watched.

I think this feature possibly used to exist pre-navigator, but I cannot remember.

I'll take a look... I probably would not have noticed that because I rarely play the buffer games or even use PiP (I have a second display for PoP).

If both tuners are running continuously that has SERIOUS implications for SDV... would be the same as doubling the number of customers in an SDV group fighting for those channels in the pool... There must be some sort of timeout on the second tuner if you don't access it.

I'll take a look... I probably would not have noticed that because I rarely play the buffer games or even use PiP (I have a second display for PoP).

If both tuners are running continuously that has SERIOUS implications for SDV... would be the same as doubling the number of customers in an SDV group fighting for those channels in the pool... There must be some sort of timeout on the second tuner if you don't access it.

Yesterday I was watching a Basketball game on ESPN. I didn't turn the channel for nearly 1.5 hours. And for some reason, I decided to press the "last" button on my remote, and it took me over to ABC which I guess was the channel that I was watching before the basketball game.

I noticed that I was switched to ABC nearly instantly, which caught me by surprise. I then noticed that the timeline on the "info" bar was almost entirely yellow. So, I pressed rewind, and I was able to rewind backwards nearly 30 minutes to the beginning of whatever show happened to be on (and no, I was not recording whatever show was on). I stopped and flipped back to my basketball game because I didn't think to see how far back it would rewind. So, I don't know how far back it would have gone. But, the secondary tuner appeared to be recording ABC for nearly 1.5 hours while I was watching basketball.

I did try and turn the box off and then back on. When doing this, I was unable to rewind and the buffers were cleared. So, the tuners do appear to turn off when the cable box is powered down.

This has been like this for quiet sometime now. I know atleast last summer (2009). I had it when I was with Cox, great feature to have especially if a show catches your attention and you forget to flip back bc you are in the zone.

One other difference I have noticed is that I guess the cable box alternates tuners now. If I flip back and forth between ESPN and ABC, it uses separate tuners for the two channels so that I can rewind the channel that I wasn't watching.

It also makes flipping back and forth between two channels almost instantaneous and it happens very quickly now since it already has the second tuner active and is buffering the channel that isn't currently being watched.

I think this feature possibly used to exist pre-navigator, but I cannot remember.

I would bet they just did some fine tunning. If one of the channels is SDV then I would think that there would be no buffering

I"m still scratching my head why they would take away the sort by favorites in the guide

My entire 220s are gone--just black. Tried a reboot. Still nada.

One other difference I have noticed is that I guess the cable box alternates tuners now. If I flip back and forth between ESPN and ABC, it uses separate tuners for the two channels so that I can rewind the channel that I wasn't watching.

It also makes flipping back and forth between two channels almost instantaneous and it happens very quickly now since it already has the second tuner active and is buffering the channel that isn't currently being watched.

I think this feature possibly used to exist pre-navigator, but I cannot remember.

I'm sure they had it pre-Nav., I remember how p****d I was when they got rid of it.
Glad to see it back.

I"m still scratching my head why they would take away the sort by favorites in the guide

If I remember correctly, when I was using 'sort by favs', there were missing channels in the guide!

If I remember correctly, when I was using 'sort by favs', there were missing channels in the guide!

In MDN that was true, but ODN worked correctly and they still removed it. Knuckleheads.:rolleyes:

I also noticed this morning that the 180 minute sleep mode is gone! Now you can actually replay the buffer if the box has been idle for hours.
Actually, upon further investigation, they have made it configurable in the 'timers' section. You can turn it off or on, which enables a sleep mode after 4 hours. I'm pretty sure that was done in the most recent update.

Anyone able to get an eSATA drive to work with the HDC in Charlotte?

I have searched high and low for many hours. And then I contacted TWC. [Heh.] Their online support tech was unequivocal: "Yes, it will work!" When asked which drives, I was told to call the local number, which I did.

When routed to someone who could answer this question, he said that the port was disabled due to "copyright protections." He said that b/c anyone could unplug the drive and plug it into a computer, they turned it off to protect copyrights. I expressed incredulity and tried to rephrase it several ways, but he claimed that this is their official line.*

[*Which, in reality, means that if three diff. people call, they'll get three diff. answers. Of course.]

I've read the posts here (e.g., this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17920184#post17920184) and others) about it not working with the HDC, but I was just curious if anyone was able to get one to actually work.

Thanks.

Well folks the woodstove is stoked, I'm in my Laz-Boy, I've got my channel
RFD-TV HD though the TV is not turned on at the moment, I'm just checking
up on the internet news and then take a nap until everyone else wakes up,
Life's Good. Then it's off to my brothers for New Years lunch: Hog Jowls,
Greens, Black Eyed Peas, Mashed Potatoes, Corn Bread, my sisters famous
baked beans, and desserts.

Why they're calling RFD-TV "HD" is beyond me, haven't seen anything in HD
yet but that's ok, we did watch a nice show last night where they auctioned
an '82 John Deere 4440 tractor with only 47 hours on it, I won't tell y'all
what it brought, wouldn't want to spoil it for for all y'all RFD fans ;-)

As far as my statement above I know there's people that love certain types
of programming and that great, heck if we all liked the same sort of stuff on
where would the fun in that be? Personally I'm a history, sci-fi, classic
movie, farm show kind of guy and for some strange reason I find "Family
Guy" hilarious.

Anyone else get in on the Showtime & TMC for $5/month for 2 years? I
couldn't resist that deal. I made sure I could cancel at anytime.

Happy New Years everyone!

Ok, Ok we've had RFD-TV for almost 4 weeks now and I can tell you it's not
worth what they're charging for that package. Way too many repeat shows.
Just not enough to keep our interest. I'll be canceling it tonight or tomorrow.
I can get most of what we want from the "US Farm Report" through WJZY
on Sat. mornings.

I'm having an odd problem with my SA8300HD w/ 750 GB expansion drive. Lately, when I get to about the last 15 minutes of an hour program, I start to get glitches - freezes and dropped frames. It's happening on multiple channels. Been going on for a couple of weeks now and I've missed the endings of several shows, causing my wife great distress and myself great aggravation. Wondering if this is a local issue, or maybe signal based...? Doesn't feel like a hardware problem. Anybody else seeing this?

Another odd occurrence. Tried to watch local-boy-made-good Steph Curry when the Bobcats played the Warriors out there the other night on SportSouth, channel 60 (is there a hi-def version of this channel? If not there sure needs to be...). But there was no sound! The only sound I heard during the entire telecast was, ironically, one of those TWC commercials featuring that go-to-guy for Joe Sixpack roles that also plays the gay kid's dad in 'Glee'. Every other channel was fine. Anybody else notice this?

I'm so glad I found this section. I just moved to the Charlotte area and I'm sure I'll have some questions/comments/rants as I get more acquainted with my service.

I'm getting ready to add a digital cable tuner board to my media center PC. I was curious if anyone knows the status of the 5C flags on the channels around here. I've read that most cable operators only use "copy once" on premium channels and shows/channels that the content provider explicitly ask for encryption, but I've also heard that TWC in general is terrible about it and basically use copy once on everything except local channels by default. Anyone know for sure about the Charlotte TWC setup?

I'm getting ready to add a digital cable tuner board to my media center PC. I was curious if anyone knows the status of the 5C flags on the channels around here. I've read that most cable operators only use "copy once" on premium channels and shows/channels that the content provider explicitly ask for encryption, but I've also heard that TWC in general is terrible about it and basically use copy once on everything except local channels by default. Anyone know for sure about the Charlotte TWC setup?

I don't remember much of the actual information but, if you have access to a Samsung 3090 DVR, the copy flag status of each channel is viewable in the Samsung diagnostics pages.

I don't remember much of the actual information but, if you have access to a Samsung 3090 DVR, the copy flag status of each channel is viewable in the Samsung diagnostics pages.

Thanks, unfortunately I don't have access to one, I only have an SA 4250HDC. If someone does have one and wouldn't mind checking I would appreciate it. A random sample of a couple channels like Food Network, SyFy, and HGTV would give me a good idea of what to expect.

I'm having an odd problem with my SA8300HD w/ 750 GB expansion drive. Lately, when I get to about the last 15 minutes of an hour program, I start to get glitches - freezes and dropped frames. It's happening on multiple channels. Been going on for a couple of weeks now and I've missed the endings of several shows, causing my wife great distress and myself great aggravation. Wondering if this is a local issue, or maybe signal based...? Doesn't feel like a hardware problem. Anybody else seeing this?

I know it's kinda' tacky to quote your own post, :o, but honestly, is nobody else here on AVS seeing this on the SA8300HD??! (I can never keep straight which box, HD or HDC, has which operating system, MDN or ODN, but this problem is occurring with the HD box.) My wife reports that one of her co-workers has seen this exact same thing, called TWC about it and actually got a CSR that understood the question, amazing as that sounds. Apparently, it's been caused by a recent download of a software update. I've called them and gotten the usual "fix" from clueless CSR's - replace the box. Sorry, not with 600 GB of stored programming (including expansion drive) am I replacing the frikkin' box when the problem isn't with the frikkin' box. :rolleyes:

We have some TWC people here. Can you please elaborate on this issue, whether it's widely known within TWC technical, and whether a fix is on the way? Honestly, it's driving us frikkin' crazy.

I just got my HD cable set up with TWC and I have a fresh SA8300HDC you mention. I'll keep a look out for the issue you're describing; I haven't noticed it yet.

One thing I have noticed is how long the damn thing takes to switch over to the Guide. I used to have a Motorola box with Comcast and it would almost instantaneously switch over.

I just got my HD cable set up with TWC and I have a fresh SA8300HDC you mention. I'll keep a look out for the issue you're describing; I haven't noticed it yet.


Sorry, but as I mentioned in my post, I have an HD box, not HDC (cable-card-ready). They run different versions of Navigator, either MDN or ODN (I can never keep them straight). You'll likely not have this problem. But you won't be able to hook up an expansion drive either, unless you change your box out to an HD version.

Sorry, but as I mentioned in my post, I have an HD box, not HDC (cable-card-ready). They run different versions of Navigator, either MDN or ODN (I can never keep them straight). You'll likely not have this problem. But you won't be able to hook up an expansion drive either, unless you change your box out to an HD version.

Well, guess what I noticed this evening. The exact thing you were describing. About 45 minutes into The Real Housewives of Orange County my wife started yelling from the other room to me: "What's wrong with the cable?" I went in and it seemed like the show would get caught up and then when it came back I would get what I call "digital snow" or big colorful pixels popping up everywhere. The audio was distorted as well.

So what can we do about this? Would a different brand of box make a difference?

I'm getting ready to add a digital cable tuner board to my media center PC. I was curious if anyone knows the status of the 5C flags on the channels around here. I've read that most cable operators only use "copy once" on premium channels and shows/channels that the content provider explicitly ask for encryption, but I've also heard that TWC in general is terrible about it and basically use copy once on everything except local channels by default. Anyone know for sure about the Charlotte TWC setup?

If you go over to the green button, linked below, the guy that started the thread has been beta testing the Ceton card you are referring to here in Charlotte for the past few months. He can probably answer your question.

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/t/78488.aspx?PageIndex=1

Thanks, unfortunately I don't have access to one, I only have an SA 4250HDC. If someone does have one and wouldn't mind checking I would appreciate it. A random sample of a couple channels like Food Network, SyFy, and HGTV would give me a good idea of what to expect.

All the HDs are mainly Copy Once... exceptions: Broadcast, HGTV, Travel, & Fuse are Copy Freely.

So thought of this last night. Does anyone know if there is a way to connect the droid to the SA8300HD or SA8300HDC as an external hard drive? I would love to move shows or movies to my phone.

Somewhat related to the previous question, do the 8300's run with HDCP over HDMI? I'm guessing they do, but if not, it'd be fairly easy to get an HDMI capture card to get to keep 'archival' copies of whatever you have recorded.

Somewhat related to the previous question, do the 8300's run with HDCP over HDMI? I'm guessing they do, but if not, it'd be fairly easy to get an HDMI capture card to get to keep 'archival' copies of whatever you have recorded.

Good question.. http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/decklink/

Well, guess what I noticed this evening. The exact thing you were describing. About 45 minutes into The Real Housewives of Orange County my wife started yelling from the other room to me: "What's wrong with the cable?" I went in and it seemed like the show would get caught up and then when it came back I would get what I call "digital snow" or big colorful pixels popping up everywhere. The audio was distorted as well.

So what can we do about this? Would a different brand of box make a difference?

Well, looks like both MDN and ODN platforms have this issue. Good to know. I'll try to call TWC and escalate it; hope to find somebody who knows what's going on. Wouldn't hurt for everyone who sees this issue to do the same thing. Let them know it's a serious problem that needs attention. If it's just one guy, it's easier to ignore. Trust me on this; I speak from long, painful experience with this company. I whined about 5C issues for years back when I was trying to use the firewire ports on TWC STB's to tape record HD programming onto D-VHS tape. Back in the dark old days, before HD DVR's, it was the only way to time-shift HD programming (not that there was much of it back then, but still). They humored me, but never lifted a finger to resolve the issues. I was the only guy in the area trying to do it, so why bother?

All the HDs are mainly Copy Once... exceptions: Broadcast, HGTV, Travel, & Fuse are Copy Freely.

Bad news (as I expected), but thanks much for the info!

Somewhat related to the previous question, do the 8300's run with HDCP over HDMI? I'm guessing they do, but if not, it'd be fairly easy to get an HDMI capture card to get to keep 'archival' copies of whatever you have recorded.

8300s run HDCP over HDMI. Easier to use the analog hole and capture via component output with a Hauppauge HD-PVR.

Well, looks like both MDN and ODN platforms have this issue. Good to know. I'll try to call TWC and escalate it; hope to find somebody who knows what's going on. Wouldn't hurt for everyone who sees this issue to do the same thing. Let them know it's a serious problem that needs attention. If it's just one guy, it's easier to ignore. Trust me on this; I speak from long, painful experience with this company. I whined about 5C issues for years back when I was trying to use the firewire ports on TWC STB's to tape record HD programming onto D-VHS tape. Back in the dark old days, before HD DVR's, it was the only way to time-shift HD programming (not that there was much of it back then, but still). They humored me, but never lifted a finger to resolve the issues. I was the only guy in the area trying to do it, so why bother?

I called today complaining, especially after I could not not get the Super Bowl in HD or SD while using my box. I mean if you are in the business of providing TV, you would think you would make sure that everyone using your service would be able to view the most watched programming of the year. Maybe that's just me. :rolleyes: In any case I was able to view it in SD by using a direct cable connection to my Toshiba 50HM66.

I have them coming out to the house today to check everything out because, of course, the sales guy was convinced that it is a signal strength problem. I can't wait to see if this helps. He also mentioned he's seen this himself and he had to have 3 technicians out to fix all of the wiring in his house.

Have you tried DirectTV in the Charlotte NC area? I'm seriously considering them, even more so after the Superbowl incident.

Have you tried DirectTV in the Charlotte NC area? .

I have all 3 services..each has its own positives and negatives..tho IMHO DirecTv has the best PQ and user interface. I'd have U-Verse as well, which is available in my neighborhood, just that my house is too far from the V-RAD with the current software release for reliable service.

I called today complaining, especially after I could not not get the Super Bowl in HD or SD while using my box. I mean if you are in the business of providing TV, you would think you would make sure that everyone using your service would be able to view the most watched programming of the year. Maybe that's just me. :rolleyes: In any case I was able to view it in SD by using a direct cable connection to my Toshiba 50HM66.

I'd say it is an issue local to your home. Either a bad box or signal issues. FWIW, I had no issues with the SB on a 8300HD connected via component to a RPTV and everyone I've talked to today didn't have issues.

TWC may be in the business of providing TV, but they're not mind readers and don't know you're having problems if you don't call them (which I see you later did). Won't help fix it during the game though.

I noticed today that I no longer receive IFC-HD, I had been getting this since they added the channel down with the new Showtimes. (I don't sub to The Movie Channel pack, only HBO, STARZ and SHO). Was that a promo or a mistake that I was getting it in the first place?

I'm also receiving Sundance East, but not Sundance West. But Sundance is in the TMC pack right?

Hi guys,
I have been lurking for some time and i just joined. some great advice here and i just got my HD DVR hooked up today.
One thing i would like to share with you is that I found out how to control my volume using the Cable box with a HDMI connection to the TV.
I found out that I can change the volume control from 'fixed' to 'variable' if I change the 'Audio Out' from 'HDMI' to 'Dolby digital'. I don't know how much that degrades the audio (it is my understanding that TWC does not have any digital audio for channels under 100 or so).
Once I programmed my remote to control my TV, it automatically switched the volume control to my TV. I then had to switch volume control back to Cable Box using the procedure outlined a few pages back.
I need to control my volume through the cable box as I have an older audio receiver that does not have HDMI inputs. so my video feed goes directly from STB to TV using HDMI and my Audio out goes from STB to Receiver using stereo cables.

If anyone has any advice on how they use the many audio formats coming out of the TWC box I would appreciate it.

Somewhat related to the previous question, do the 8300's run with HDCP over HDMI? I'm guessing they do, but if not, it'd be fairly easy to get an HDMI capture card to get to keep 'archival' copies of whatever you have recorded.

Yes the 8300's do indeed use HDCP when using HDMI.

On TNT HD my audio comes out choppy. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I have tried everything to fix it but it still is not working. The problem only happens on that channel. If anyone has had this issue please let me know.

ps. I tried calling the Time Warner Guys but they came out twice and didn't solve anything

Does anyone know whether or not the broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) are carried in ClearQAM if I were to downgrade my service to Broadcast Cable (not Basic Cable)?

Does anyone know whether or not the broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) are carried in ClearQAM if I were to downgrade my service to Broadcast Cable (not Basic Cable)?

The trap that is installed on Broadcast Basic subscriber drops to secure the non-broadcast analog channels would also filter ALL of the QAMs, clear or otherwise.

Does anyone know whether or not the broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) are carried in ClearQAM if I were to downgrade my service to Broadcast Cable (not Basic Cable)?

Yep, if you have ANY level of service, even the lowly $13 broadcast, with Time Warner and your TV has a digital tuner, you can receive all of the local digital sub-channels in Clear QAM. Just plug the cable into the TV (no cable box) and it will turn channels 2-23 with its analog tuner (and, probably 70-98, also). Using the TV digital tuner you'll be able to receive all 9 local stations, both the HD sub-channels in 720P or 1080i and the SD sub-channels in 480i.

I know several folks who do exactly this on broadcast cable. TW can't legally scramble local stations.

A J

Does anyone know whether or not the broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) are carried in ClearQAM if I were to downgrade my service to Broadcast Cable (not Basic Cable)?


Just to reconfirm, this morning at a friend's house with his TV on TW Broadcast cable, I had him scan the channels, both analog and digital. On analog, everything between 23 and 70 was snow. Ch. 71 thru 98 were OK. And, on digital, the following came in perfectly on Clear QAM.

WBTV . CBS . 2-1 SD . and . 225-3 HD
WSOC . ABC . 4-6 SD . and . 235-6 HD
WTVI . PBS . 5.1, 232-2, & 233-3 SD . and . 230-5 HD
WCNC . NBC . 6-6 SD . and . 220-6 HD
WJZY . CW . 8-9 SD . and . 250-3 HD
WAXN . Ind. . 10-2 SD . and . 238-2 HD
WCCB . FOX . 11-8 SD . and . 240-1 HD
WMYT . MNT . 12-7 & 257-3 SD . and . 256-4 HD
UNC . PBS . 13-1, 200-1, 202-3, 203-4, & 204-5 SD . and . 201-2 HD

When he scanned for digital channels it reported around 300 were found, but after the scan eliminated all of the scrambled channels, only the locals were left, other than News 14 (SD, but I forgot to note the channel number). He did say that sometimes when he scans he finds additional unscrambled digital cable channels, but those disappear after a day or two.

A J

Just to reconfirm, this morning at a friend's house with his TV on TW Broadcast cable, I had him scan the channels, both analog and digital. On analog, everything between 23 and 70 was snow. Ch. 71 thru 98 were OK. And, on digital, the following came in perfectly on Clear QAM.

WBTV . CBS . 2-1 SD . and . 225-3 HD
WSOC . ABC . 4-6 SD . and . 235-6 HD
WTVI . PBS . 5.1, 232-2, & 233-3 SD . and . 230-5 HD
WCNC . NBC . 6-6 SD . and . 220-6 HD
WJZY . CW . 8-9 SD . and . 250-3 HD
WAXN . Ind. . 10-2 SD . and . 238-2 HD
WCCB . FOX . 11-8 SD . and . 240-1 HD
WMYT . MNT . 12-7 & 257-3 SD . and . 256-4 HD
UNC . PBS . 13-1, 200-1, 202-3, 203-4, & 204-5 SD . and . 201-2 HD

When he scanned for digital channels it reported around 300 were found, but after the scan eliminated all of the scrambled channels, only the locals were left, other than News 14 (SD, but I forgot to note the channel number). He did say that sometimes when he scans he finds additional unscrambled digital cable channels, but those disappear after a day or two.

A J

sometimes the HD channels won't appear simply because the signal from the street is too weak. This is especially true if the residence has had cable for 10+ years. They never complained to TW about picture quality assuming their TV was old and had a bad analog picture.

This article says that TWC is working on a lot of updates for the Navigator Guide. Included are:


A smaller channel banner
Guide Filtering by Theme. HD, Favorite Channels (the return of "Sort by Favorites")
Expanded program information listings

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/feb/21/time-warner-cable-replies-to-some-reader-complaint/entertainment/

Keyword Search is coming and so is Remote DVR Management. RDM will allow users to program their DVR's through any on-line connection through a web-browser, and the registration of a "My Services" account at your local TWC website.

It sounds like the expanded program listings are coming in the next Navigator update. I don't have a timeline for the release of the other features. Does anybody know?

Jack

Spoke with TWC head of technology. He advised that TWC will begin carriage of WSOC-HD this month after having finally reached a carriage deal with them.

He also laid out time frame for other tech advances... 3rd quarter - pvr , 4th quarter, Interactive TV.

What about the expanded search options for the TWC Navigator Guide and the other interactive features? (i.e Keyword Search, Remote DVR Viewing, etc?)

Jack

This article says that TWC is working on a lot of updates for the Navigator Guide. Included are:


A smaller channel banner
Guide Filtering by Theme. HD, Favorite Channels (the return of "Sort by Favorites")
Expanded program information listings

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/feb/21/time-warner-cable-replies-to-some-reader-complaint/entertainment/

Keyword Search is coming and so is Remote DVR Management. RDM will allow users to program their DVR's through any on-line connection through a web-browser, and the registration of a "My Services" account at your local TWC website.

It sounds like the expanded program listings are coming in the next Navigator update. I don't have a timeline for the release of the other features. Does anybody know?

Jack

I'd be thrilled if they gave me the chance to lock out channels I don't watch/like/want/subscribe too.

employees are testing the remote DVR management now...So that should be pushed out sometime soon I would imagine...Not sure on the Navigator changes though...

I have all 3 services..each has its own positives and negatives..tho IMHO DirecTv has the best PQ and user interface. I'd have U-Verse as well, which is available in my neighborhood, just that my house is too far from the V-RAD with the current software release for reliable service.

So you don't watch much TV do you? :D First time hearing about U-Verse and I checked it's not available in my area.

I think I'll stay with TWC. I'm over them not being able to provide the Superbowl in HD for now. Plus, I haven't had the issues with the dropped frames and static I was having before.

I'd say it is an issue local to your home. Either a bad box or signal issues. FWIW, I had no issues with the SB on a 8300HD connected via component to a RPTV and everyone I've talked to today didn't have issues.

TWC may be in the business of providing TV, but they're not mind readers and don't know you're having problems if you don't call them (which I see you later did). Won't help fix it during the game though.

You were right, a new box fixed everything. Knocks on wood...

employees are testing the remote DVR management now...So that should be pushed out sometime soon I would imagine...Not sure on the Navigator changes though...

Yeah, but you can only have one DVR in your home with this set-up, that won't fly with my wife....:)

Yeah, but you can only have one DVR in your home with this set-up, that won't fly with my wife....:)

I'd like to see the TWC adopt most of the features of the Moxi. Really, who needs more than one DVR in their house if you've got 3 or 4 tuners on a central device and cheap extenders in each room?

Yeah, but you can only have one DVR in your home with this set-up, that won't fly with my wife....:)

I have heard this is not true. There will be a feature in "My Services" that will allow you to control what DVR's you want to record using the My Services Remote DVR Manager. This access code will be indicated when you log into My Services when you set up a program through Remote Viewing.

Expanding on this, you will be able to "Name your DVR" and custom change it so that you can identify what DVR is programed for what Remote Viewing Services.

For example through "My Services" if you have more than one DVR it might indicate something like this:

SA-8300 HD 42789x80

SA-8300 HDC 42789x81

You will be able to change the "number part" to say what you want it to be, for example, changing the "42789x81" to "DVR Bedroom" and the "42789x80" to "DVR Living Room" You should be able to specify what DVR (or both) you want to set to record through "My Services."

Jack

That's not true, you can have as many DVR's as you want. There is a drop down that lets you select which DVR you want to make changes to....

anyone else get the letter about channel changes coming march 30? (everything above 100 is being moved)

anyone else get the letter about channel changes coming march 30? (everything above 100 is being moved)


Haven't received the letter but for anyone who's curious, link to the .pdf download: http://www.timewarnercable.com/MediaLibrary/4/144/Content%20Management/Documents/CDL/Charlotte.pdf

An overhaul was well overdue, but... to do such a complete revamp and not put the broadcast channels onto something that relates to their broadcast channel (e.g., WBTV = 103SD/1103HD; WSOC = 109SD/1109HD; WCCB = 118SD/1118HD; etc) seems like a huge oversight. These assignements seem like they were pulled out of a hat (or someplace darker and warmer:rolleyes:).

I also think at this point in time the HD/SD assignments should have been reversed... make the SD holdouts key in the extra number.

Oh well... the lineups are printed... not gonna change now.

I wonder how well our DVRs will handle all these channel changes...............

I wonder how well our DVRs will handle all these channel changes...............

The actual channel changes should be simple. Although I don't know that they aren't also changing around the headend QAM assignments, they don't have to. All they need to do is load a new channel map to the boxes that defines what QAM subchannel each numeric channel number refers to. That shouldn't be an issue.

What IS a possible issue would be our currently scheduled shows and series in our boxes. We'll have to see if they will automatically convert to the new lineup or if we will have to manually rebuild our series manager schedule.

RDGCSS... did the letter give any clue about conversion of recording schedules?

These assignements seem like they were pulled out of a hat (or someplace darker and warmer:rolleyes:)..

Really.. probably done by an IT guy, or someone who doesn't actually have and use TWC's boxes...at least not an HD box.. which goes along with how bad some of the HD channels look.. IMHO, this has to be the dumbest channel scheme I have ever seen. I hope their customers scream and yell over this and drive them nuts.

Wonder if we'll have to rescan on all the TV's without boxes to pick up the new channel assignments.

And I wonder if this is a precursor to them yanking all the analog channels.

Wonder if we'll have to rescan on all the TV's without boxes to pick up the new channel assignments.

And I wonder if this is a precursor to them yanking all the analog channels.

Depends on whether they do any rearranging of the QAM assignments. As I mentioned, they do not need to do that to revamp the lineup but they still might for some other reason.

I don't expect a complete "yanking" of all the analogs... but I can definitely see some reductions in analog channel counts.

I recently spoke to my uncle up in NJ (right across GW bridge from NYC)... former TW customer recently switched to FiOS. He is absolutely pissed that with FiOS he needs to rent more boxes for all the secondary TVs that had analog service from TW. He is considering switching back to TW because what he (thought) he was saving with FiOS will be offset and more by the additional box rentals.

Maintenance of some level of analog service is still a big competitive edge for cable.

I can understand that. What I don't get is why they won't release the analog equiv channels. into clear QAM. Older sets would need a box. But newer ones would be in the same boat older ones are in today.

I can understand that. What I don't get is why they won't release the analog equiv channels. into clear QAM. Older sets would need a box. But newer ones would be in the same boat older ones are in today.

I'd love to see that too... but I also know from personal experience that securing basic service from theft has always been a huge issue for cable ops (obviously, worse in some markets than others). Now that they have the means to secure it, it would likely take federal action to force them to go clear QAM for digital "basic".

These are definitely awful. I wouldn't care a bit though if they'd just let me setup my own lineup. It should be one of the easiest features to implement, programming wise. Ridiculous.

It looks like someone had a grain of thought, because the HD Locals for WJZY and WMYT are 1146 and 1112 (CW46 and MYTV 12), and the SD locals are 146 and 112. At least the HD LOCAL is the same number as the SD LOCAL with a "1" in front.

The Premiums are a bit silly as well. Each SD premium should at least start on a "0" channel to leave some space in case one of the services adds another multiplex channel. HBO starts at 700 and Skinemax at 715. OK, I guess, but SHO starts at 728?

I'm hoping that they at least let the guide sort by channel name.

Wonder if we'll have to rescan on all the TV's without boxes to pick up the new channel assignments.

And I wonder if this is a precursor to them yanking all the analog channels.

"the letter" said scheduled recordings would be converted, but that we should verify the settings

An overhaul was well overdue, but... to do such a complete revamp and not put the broadcast channels onto something that relates to their broadcast channel (e.g., WBTV = 103SD/1103HD; WSOC = 109SD/1109HD; WCCB = 118SD/1118HD; etc) seems like a huge oversight. These assignements seem like they were pulled out of a hat (or someplace darker and warmer:rolleyes:).

I also think at this point in time the HD/SD assignments should have been reversed... make the SD holdouts key in the extra number.

Oh well... the lineups are printed... not gonna change now.

the new lineup is no more random than the current one

I don't expect a complete "yanking" of all the analogs... but I can definitely see some reductions in analog channel counts.

I recently spoke to my uncle up in NJ (right across GW bridge from NYC)... former TW customer recently switched to FiOS. He is absolutely pissed that with FiOS he needs to rent more boxes for all the secondary TVs that had analog service from TW. He is considering switching back to TW because what he (thought) he was saving with FiOS will be offset and more by the additional box rentals.

Maintenance of some level of analog service is still a big competitive edge for cable.

Or TWC could do what Comcast did and give out 2 digital adapters for free so that old tvs can tune the digital tier.

Of course you would have to pay for 10 more to cover all 12 of your CRTs. :p

the new lineup is no more random than the current one

Yes, but there were reasons (albeit weak ones) for the analog broadcast channel placements. This is a clean slate refresh with no reason to have them arranged in a such a ridiculous way. With a range of 100 channel numbers available, they could have used the broadcast channels or the analog cable assignments, either of which would have been better than pulling numbers out of a hat.

Or TWC could do what Comcast did and give out 2 digital adapters for free so that old tvs can tune the digital tier.

Of course you would have to pay for 10 more to cover all 12 of your CRTs. :p

They aren't all CRTs... three are HD LCDs :p ...but only two have STBs and I have no desire to rent more boxes for any more TVs, regardless of display technology. I enjoy being able to watch a game in the garage while I work on the car, or catch the news or sportscenter while I eat breakfast in the kitchen or do paperwork in the office... but I would never rent a box for those TVs.

My son just bought his first house... six TVs on TW Raleigh... every one is an HD LCD less than 2 years old. Only two have boxes. If there were no analog he'd lose all non-broadcast service in the kitchen, guest room, workout room and bar.

Ok, so my DVR was off this morning, so they must have flashed it last night. Anybody know the details?

No CRT's left in my house..all gone..personally, I'd be glad to have the analogs gone as long as there were clear QAM's for the locals..and since I have my own 3 QAM's for my other stuff I'm covered.

It doesn't matter how long you wait to get rid of the analogs because someone will always be impacted, just like the digital transition was. Just go ahead and do it!

It looks like someone had a grain of thought, because the HD Locals for WJZY and WMYT are 1146 and 1112 (CW46 and MYTV 12), and the SD locals are 146 and 112. At least the HD LOCAL is the same number as the SD LOCAL with a "1" in front.

I'm hoping that they at least let the guide sort by channel name.

Yeah, I'm not liking the way that they have spaced out all of the channels. I see the pattern that they have chosen as far as numbering SD channels vs HD channels. All the HD's are the digital SD channel number, plus 1000. So, USA SD will be 300, and USA HD will 1300. There is at least some logic in that.

However, I would have much preferred they arranged them by taking the analog channel number and adding 100 (or really any number X) to locate the same channel as a digital SD channel. Then, they could take the analog and add 200 to locate the HD equivalent. So, USA analog would be 28, USA digital SD 128, and USA HD 228.

At least then, much of their customer base who has been with their service for many years can easily adjust to locating the digital SD and HD equivalents, instead of having to print out a sheet of paper and keep it somewhere in the living room so as not to have to stumble their way through the guide trying to learn where everything has been relocated.

instead of having to print out a sheet of paper and keep it somewhere in the living room so as not to have to stumble their way through the guide trying to learn where everything has been relocated.

I had to print the daggum thing on 11x17 to see it..:(

Ok, so my DVR was off this morning, so they must have flashed it last night. Anybody know the details?

Yes, there was an upgrade last night.

These are definitely awful. I wouldn't care a bit though if they'd just let me setup my own lineup. It should be one of the easiest features to implement, programming wise. Ridiculous.

are you a DVR programmer? if not don't say how easy it is

maybe just maybe: this lineup is a national thing. so no matter where you go, CBS will always be 105/1105

maybe just maybe: this lineup is a national thing. so no matter where you go, CBS will always be 105/1105

My CBS is 03/1451

Watching Tv at 8:59pm last night..my box just decides to reboot. .got Tv back at 9:04pm.. Grrr...:rolleyes:

My CBS is 03/1451

have you been "realigned" with channels assigned by content type. ie locals, sports, movies, etc

BTW: it was just a SWAG

Looks like the CLT and Monroe systems got pushed back to 4/13/10. The lineups are downloadable for each system from their lineup page (not the 'channel changes' page, which would be obvious).

Does anyone know why the Monroe system doesn't carry the PBS station from Rock Hill? The only other difference that I see between the two is the religion channels (for some reason).

Ok, so my DVR was off this morning, so they must have flashed it last night. Anybody know the details?

Yes, there was an upgrade last night.


Both my 4250HDC and 3090 got some sort of download last night... no obvious version changes... still ODN 3.2.0_15 on both and 4.3.5.0 on the Samsung software.

A loud thunder-boomer a few miles away knocked out cable for a couple hours in primetime last night. My tiny $5 Radio Shack bowtie antenna came in handy again. It is amazing how sharp and clear all 9 local stations and their sub-channels are now that OTA is digital.

Cable is great, but it never hurts to have a Plan B.

A J

A loud thunder-boomer a few miles away knocked out cable for a couple hours in primetime last night. My tiny $5 Radio Shack bowtie antenna came in handy again. It is amazing how sharp and clear all 9 local stations and their sub-channels are now that OTA is digital.

Cable is great, but it never hurts to have a Plan B.

A J

it's hard to remember that you can't hit pause

it's hard to remember that you can't hit pause

I can.. :)

I can.. :)

Hit pause? Or remember? :)

Hit pause? Or remember? :)

you know you are getting old when your spouse says "let's go upstairs and make love" and you say "pick one, I can't do both"

some days I feel like I'm almost there

Hit pause? Or remember? :)

Oh, I can't remember...have CRS disease.. :)

have you been "realigned" with channels assigned by content type. ie locals, sports, movies, etc

BTW: it was just a SWAG

I guess it's just cbs, abc, fox, etc that show up like that 03/1451, 06/1421, etc.
everything else seems to be aligned for the most part by adding 10 to it like espn is 33/1033.

SWAG?

are you a DVR programmer? if not don't say how easy it is

It is so easy to lablel any through the DNCS with today's software its disgusting...:) My 10-year daughter could do it.

I bet if Bob and I fed Zaxcom some Olive Garden, plus a few glasses of wine he would be in Eistein mode and we would have the best line-up ever...:)

I bet if Bob and I fed Zaxcom some Olive Garden, plus a few glasses of wine he would be in Einstein mode and we would have the best line-up ever...:)

Yea, really..but would everybody like where all the Disney-ABC channels would show up?:confused:I mean, the ESPN suite on channels 2 thru 900 with FOX on Ch# 82,343 and CBS on Ch #86,344? :D And there would still be nothing on...

Both my 4250HDC and 3090 got some sort of download last night... no obvious version changes... still ODN 3.2.0_15 on both and 4.3.5.0 on the Samsung software.

Got another this morning... Samsung software updated from 4.3.5.0 to 4.3.5.3. Quick check indicates that FF/REW was massaged. Seems MUCH better now... more consistent in operation and shorter/more consistent jumpbacks.

Nothing else noticeable yet... BUT the first time I turned it on the box was acting badly... very sluggish to commands and after initially tuning a channel successfully, after about 6-7 seconds it would turn off and either the Not Authorized or Not Available message would pop up. A reboot fixed this.

it's hard to remember that you can't hit pause

OK, I'll play the straightman. Define that in the context of OTA viewing during a cable outage. Enlighten me.

A J

OK, I'll play the straightman. Define that in the context of OTA viewing during a cable outage. Enlighten me.

A J

I'm semi-guessing that he is referring to having no cable DVR to pause live TV when watching OTA?

OK, I'll play the straightman. Define that in the context of OTA viewing during a cable outage. Enlighten me.

A J

I have an antenna attached to my TV for several reasons:
1. backup if cable is down, never have used this; everytime cable is down, my power is down
2. when the cable DVR is busy recording 2 shows, I can watch a 3rd
3. if cable picture is funky, OTA is often better
4. HD OTA picture is usually just better
5. OTA gives me something else to play with

95% my watching is recorded content, FFing thru commercials or pausing to do something for a few minutes.

So when OTA, I keep trying to pause or FF

OK, I'll play the straightman. Define that in the context of OTA viewing during a cable outage. Enlighten me.A J

In my case, I have a Sony 250 DVR that does OTA & Clear QAM. And a regular old SD Tivo on my DirecTV OTA box that records it in widescreen SD. plus can put any OTA channel on a private QAM on the cable..direct a/b comparison of OTA and cable this way is quite easy,
and supports what rdgcss says.

In my case, I have a Sony 250 DVR that does OTA & Clear QAM. And a regular old SD Tivo on my DirecTV OTA box that records it in widescreen SD. plus can put any OTA channel on a private QAM on the cable..direct a/b comparison of OTA and cable this way is quite easy,
and supports what rdgcss says.

I just press source button on the TV, instant comparison

I just press LAST button on the Tv..even easier comparison. :)

I have an antenna attached to my TV for several reasons:
1. backup if cable is down, never have used this; everytime cable is down, my power is down
2. when the cable DVR is busy recording 2 shows, I can watch a 3rd
3. if cable picture is funky, OTA is often better
4. HD OTA picture is usually just better
5. OTA gives me something else to play with

95% my watching is recorded content, FFing thru commercials or pausing to do something for a few minutes.

So when OTA, I keep trying to pause or FF

+2, OTA just keeps getting better for my eye's. I don't think they like compression.

+2, OTA just keeps getting better for my eye's. I don't think they like compression.

And, no cost to the comsumer, after the investment of an inexpensive antenna.

Bob.

And, no cost to the comsumer, after the investment of an inexpensive antenna.

Bob.

And tuner for those of us with older tv's.

And tuner for those of us with older tv's.

True. But, I used my coupons.

Bob.

I use a RatShack antenna with a MacBook for my "emergency back-up system". I've got PVR functions there. Can output that to my display if I want.

It's amazing how that tiny powered antenna, located deep in the interior of my townhouse, gives me more reliable reception than my old huge Channelmaster mongo antenna out on my storage building with a clear line of sight to the northeast (I live in Pineville).

True. But, I used my coupons.

Bob.

Are you talking about the digital converter boxes they distributed during the transition? Can you hook an antenna up to one of those things? What kind of output do they offer?

Wonder if you can still get in on that action...?

archguy -

Can you explain how you use your mac and antenna? I have a mac and an indoor antenna too but the antenna is hooked to my tv as a "backup" since I also have Directv. Does the antenna input a signal to your mac? Be interested in your setup.

Yea, really..but would everybody like where all the Disney-ABC channels would show up?:confused:I mean, the ESPN suite on channels 2 thru 900 with FOX on Ch# 82,343 and CBS on Ch #86,344? :D And there would still be nothing on...

Don,t be so sure about where those Disney/ABC/ESPN Channels end up. They may pay my bills, but I block a good deal of them on my boxes. Work stays at work!

Now if I had my way the channels that air all those reality, top this, top that, best this, best that shows would be up in the 9000's. If I have to hear one more whiney under weight over paid model complain about her life.....

Not really the place but since we are on the subject I will go ahead and ask. Can anyone recommend a decent HD antenna at a reasonable price that I might experiment with? I have never attempted any OTA

Ok everyone, we need to find where in Charlotte this place is and think of a way to get in there.

Who's in? :D

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/mar/19/tv-frontier-time-warner-cable-lab-makes-set-top-bo/entertainment/

True. But, I used my coupons.

Bob.

I did too. But why would I want to put that kinda box on my big analog CRT HDTV? :)

Ok everyone, we need to find where in Charlotte this place is and think of a way to get in there.

Who's in? :D

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/mar/19/tv-frontier-time-warner-cable-lab-makes-set-top-bo/entertainment/

My guess? It is the main building off of Arrowwood Road @ 485.

I did too. But why would I want to put that kinda box on my big analog CRT HDTV? :)

I have older TVs with analog tuners. If cable goes out, or I cancel cable, I have a backup.

Bob.

Ok everyone, we need to find where in Charlotte this place is and think of a way to get in there.l]

I don't think they see the same over-compressed channels in there that are coming in on my cable..:(

I'd like to ask them why my DVR stutters, freezes, and drops frames. Been doing it for weeks now, thought it was a bug in one of their overnight "upgrades" they push out. It's driving us crazy, and I don't know what to do about it. Guy came out, tested the signal strength going into the DVR, said it was strong. Yet, this crap persists sporadically. NBC programs seem to be the worst.

And while we're there, maybe we can ask why they don't enable the firewire ports to work with D-VHS decks like they're supposed to by FCC mandate. Yep, lots of stuff I'd like to ask those guys.

archguy -

Can you explain how you use your mac and antenna? I have a mac and an indoor antenna too but the antenna is hooked to my tv as a "backup" since I also have Directv. Does the antenna input a signal to your mac? Be interested in your setup.

I use EyeTV from Elgato Systems (http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products.en.html#mgnlTop) (EyeTV 250 Plus). Just plug one end into your antenna and the other USB end into your Mac. It should scan for available channels and you're ready to go. Only problem is they use TitanTV as their program guide and it's very poor. Sometimes you get guide information for your channels, sometimes not. If not, it makes it impossible to schedule PVR recordings. You can also use it to digitize and import analog tape material to your computer as well, so you can finally transfer and dump all your old VHS or Beta cassettes you've got stashed in the attic. :)

Guy came out, tested the signal strength going into the DVR, said it was strong. Yet, this crap persists sporadically. NBC programs seem to be the worst.


220 (NBC HD) is basically unwatchable for me. Same with some other channels I don't watch very much. Its happened before, they check the signal, replace the box, whatever. May be better for awhile. Then it starts again. You can get a new box, that may work, but something else will be screwed up. Just tired of fighting it. Time Warner cable TV sucks, that's all there is to it. Maybe they don't suck as bad as the competition, I don't know, but they suck.

220 (NBC HD) is basically unwatchable for me. Same with some other channels I don't watch very much. Its happened before, they check the signal, replace the box, whatever. May be better for awhile. Then it starts again. You can get a new box, that may work, but something else will be screwed up. Just tired of fighting it. Time Warner cable TV sucks, that's all there is to it. Maybe they don't suck as bad as the competition, I don't know, but they suck.

The only NBC show I watch is Chuck (and SNF), but I have not seen any breakup issues. I just finished watching recordings of the last 4 episodes of Chuck, so it's fresh in my memory... not a single breakup. Whatever your issue is, its not system-wide... it's a localized one - local meaning somewhere between the hub that services your area and your box itself. I know that doesn't matter much to you since you're the one having the problem.

I'm on the Matthews/Charlotte border off of Hwy 51... fed from the Cedarwood CC hub near the Arboretum. It is exceedingly rare that I see any anomolies on any channel. PQ and reliability have never been an issue here, since I first moved in back in '93 and it was still Vision Cable territory.

it was still Vision Cable territory.

TWC isn't so bad after all.. :)

The only NBC show I watch is Chuck (and SNF), but I have not seen any breakup issues. I just finished watching recordings of the last 4 episodes of Chuck, so it's fresh in my memory... not a single breakup. Whatever your issue is, its not system-wide... it's a localized one - local meaning somewhere between the hub that services your area and your box itself. I know that doesn't matter much to you since you're the one having the problem.

I'm on the Matthews/Charlotte border off of Hwy 51... fed from the Cedarwood CC hub near the Arboretum. It is exceedingly rare that I see any anomolies on any channel. PQ and reliability have never been an issue here, since I first moved in back in '93 and it was still Vision Cable territory.

Same for me on all the Clear QAM's...fed out of the UNCC hub and have no issue's to speak of...except for compression...but thats another story...:eek:

TWC isn't so bad after all.. :)

Wise-ass! ;)

I have to hand it to TWC this weekend. We called support at 10:00am Saturday morning (3/20) to report a problem (On Demand wasn't working on any channel). After the box reboot and all the other standard troubleshooting, the call center dispatched a tech.

The tech was at my house in an hour!

The diagnosis was "bad return signal", which I've heard before. He replaced the TWC splitter box on the side of my house and referred the call up the food chain for something to be done with the amplifier on the street.

Is "bad return" TWC-tech speak for just about every problem? That seems to happen from time to time.

I have to hand it to TWC this weekend. We called support at 10:00am Saturday morning (3/20) to report a problem (On Demand wasn't working on any channel). After the box reboot and all the other standard troubleshooting, the call center dispatched a tech.

The tech was at my house in an hour!

The diagnosis was "bad return signal", which I've heard before. He replaced the TWC splitter box on the side of my house and referred the call up the food chain for something to be done with the amplifier on the street.

Is "bad return" TWC-tech speak for just about every problem? That seems to happen from time to time.

"Bad Return" refers to the upstream signal path from your box to the headend/hub. If the signals that carry a subscriber initiated request for VOD or SDV channels cannot reach the hub, then those services cannot work. The necessary resource allocation and switching at the hub never occurs because the hub never receives the request from your box.

Actually, since the last tech was out at my house..(I think his name was Rob).. my service is the best it has ever been. He found a bunch of bad stuff that no one else could even after multiple visits. Now if he could just add the missing bits back into the video it would be great...:)

the TWC service reps that make house calls always seem to think the problem is somewhere between the street and your TV. Often it is somewhere up the street in the box that converts fiber to copper ("been there, done that" 2 times in the last 5 years)

Actually, since the last tech was out at my house..(I think his name was Rob).. my service is the best it has ever been. He found a bunch of bad stuff that no one else could even after multiple visits. Now if he could just add the missing bits back into the video it would be great...:)

Oh that Rob guy. yeah he is ok. He is learning the ropes pretty well.

Oh that Rob guy. yeah he is ok. He is learning the ropes pretty well.

Yep... he got my backhoe fade problem fixed in a jiffy.

the TWC service reps that make house calls always seem to think the problem is somewhere between the street and your TV. Often it is somewhere up the street in the box that converts fiber to copper ("been there, done that" 2 times in the last 5 years)

I have to give him credit. At least he did the work and replaced some parts before calling in the 'upstream' problem.

With an amplifier on the street at every other house, isn't it like one long set of Christmas tree lights? If one has trouble, everything else on the string seems to have trouble.

Oh that Rob guy. yeah he is ok. He is learning the ropes pretty well.

Tho he needs to study harder for the tests IMHO.

Tho he needs to study harder for the tests IMHO.

:)



I am enjoying another day off.

Tho he needs to study harder for the tests IMHO.

I think I am going to study with Calabria for that BTS exam..!! Its all fiber anyway (80%) he has got the answer's somewhere since he wrote...:)

I think I am going to study with Calabria for that BTS exam..!! Its all fiber anyway (80%) he has got the answer's somewhere since he wrote...:)

Good Idea.. that will ensure that all the questions on the next exam will be MPEG..just be sure you know all the PSI tables, what they contain..and their rep rates..:)

I think I am going to study with Calabria for that BTS exam..!! Its all fiber anyway (80%) he has got the answer's somewhere since he wrote...:)

What I want to know is how much AML microwave is still out there that it's still on the exam? :confused:

I do still have all my AT&T fiber manuals and course guides. I spec'd a huge amount of that stuff for the county (as well as the surrounding systems and for FL and NJ as well). Any ribbon fiber you don't like... blame that on RW. I'm sure the original Sumitomo Mass Fusion Splicers are long gone.

What I want to know is how much AML microwave is still out there that it's still on the exam? :confused:

I do still have all my AT&T fiber manuals and course guides. I spec'd a huge amount of that stuff for the county (as well as the surrounding systems and for FL and NJ as well). Any ribbon fiber you don't like... blame that on RW. I'm sure the original Sumitomo Mass Fusion Splicers are long gone.

Four questions had AML microwave, got those right courtesy of Ron, The Trans-Atlantic questions and Brillouin backscatter (Full Detail) is what got me a 70 on the exam.

My guess? It is the main building off of Arrowwood Road @ 485.

Ah yes, the Arrowwood Road building...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/dropzone7/1162150800_01.jpg

I don't think they see the same over-compressed channels in there that are coming in on my cable..:(

Same for me on all the Clear QAM's...fed out of the UNCC hub and have no issue's to speak of...except for compression...but thats another story...:eek:

I have been complaining about over compression on ESPN HD for months now and didn't think it could get any worse......until I saw the VT Uconn game tonight. I sit ~12ft. from a 46 inch Sony XBR and could clearly see the background moving in squares.

In addition I saw all sorts of de-interlacing artifacts(combing) when watching the NCAA games over the weekend that appear to have been related to dropped frames(or fields for 1080i60?). I need to get a cheap antenna just so I can do an A/B comparison of TWC to OTA. I'm sure that I will get irate when I see what I'm paying TWC to over compress what I can get for free.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed large spools of green and orange cable hanging from the electrical poles at various points along Mount Holly Huntersville Rd. between Harris Blvd and NC-16. I wonder if AT&T is running fiber to the VRADs I see in our area.

I may give U-Verse a shot and do some A/B comparisons to TWC. Everyone says U-verse has more compression than cable, but I have a hard time believing something could me more compressed than what I saw tonight on ESPNHD or the NCAA games I saw on channel 225.

"Over the past few weeks I have noticed large spools of green and orange cable hanging from the electrical poles at various points along Mount Holly Huntersville Rd. between Harris Blvd and NC-16. I wonder if AT&T is running fiber to the VRADs I see in our area. "

Atlanta power and gas, with CSI as the primary contractor......new player in town...?

http://www.atlantagaslight.com/Home.aspx

Take a look at their career page with employment, they are not just in Ga. anymore....

"Over the past few weeks I have noticed large spools of green and orange cable hanging from the electrical poles at various points along Mount Holly Huntersville Rd. between Harris Blvd and NC-16. I wonder if AT&T is running fiber to the VRADs I see in our area. "

Atlanta power and gas, with CSI as the primary contractor......new player in town...?

http://www.atlantagaslight.com/Home.aspx

Take a look at their career page with employment, they are not just in Ga. anymore....

Sorry, I'm a little slow this evening. Why would an Atlanta Natural gas company be wiring NW Mecklenburg county?

What do green and orange cables represent?

Sorry, I'm a little slow this evening. Why would an Atlanta Natural gas company be wiring NW Mecklenburg county?

What do green and orange cables represent?

For Commercial applications, I don't believe the state franchise agreement is that strict..? green and orange are just the colors of the conduit that they are puliing in right now.

I think orange makes the colors better in the picture

Collapsible Redundancy is the name of the game now for Buisness. No one can afford to be down, plus if if you have and or can offer it, you can sell it and people will pay for it. The IT guys will swear that it is needed..!

The IT guys will swear that it is needed..!

Yea, but the IT guys are also the ones that when you tell them the server is down they reply " will get right on it after I finish my coffee break"....

Yea, but the IT guys are also the ones that when you tell them the server is down they reply " will get right on it after I finish my coffee break"....

They get coffee breaks???:eek:

They get coffee breaks???:eek:

I have never known an IT person that shows up for work before 10 am.

I have never known an IT person that shows up for work before 10 am.

IT people support Windows machines. Windows machines don't work, so they figure why bother :)

3 weeks ago I went into my IT persons office to tell them my desktop stopped working. He said he would be right in.... Im still waiting. Fixed it myself.

I have never known an IT person that shows up for work before 10 am.

You, apparently, have never met me.

I have never known an IT person that shows up for work before 10 am.

I know plenty who do..now as to when they actually start working....:D

I have never known an IT person that shows up for work before 10 am.

or goes home before 10:00pm

Anyone having issues with the QAMS tonight. I have lost several channels, and others are blocking.

No WCNC here..all others.... including 69,130,and 132 are good.

WCNC gone, WBTV freezing and blocking. Others freezing too.

WCNC gone, WBTV freezing and blocking. Others freezing too.

I saw it also, it lasted for a little bit and than stopped. Probably some sort of software upgrade that Bob found online for the main D5, and than he uploaded it and found out it was out of date...:eek:

No, I was uploading to the CherryPicker last night..

All back to normal now. Did a rescan this morning. I now have a few more channels in the clear too.

All back to normal now. Did a rescan this morning. I now have a few more channels in the clear too.

I've noticed that too, but they keep changing (often). What's clear but blank today may have USA tomorrow, what was ESPN yesterday is Spike today, etc, etc. Unencrypted SDV? Trying to confuse the masses?

BTW, I didn't turn the TV on last night 'til 10:45... WCNC HD was good until a few minutes into the news, when it went black for about 10 seconds, then came back on. Watched the DVR recording of FlashForward and saw no problems.

Has anybody tried the new TIVO Premier yet on TWC?
Opinions?

I was watching the start of the Red Sox Yankees game on Sunday night and the ESPN2HD picture quality was horrible. Is this all due to over compression? I can't believe TWC would put out such a horrible product. I would be ashamed.

Is this all due to over compression? I can't believe TWC would put out such a horrible product. I would be ashamed.

Then you should spend some time watching FOOD-HD, Versus-HD, and SCI-HD..:rolleyes:

I was watching the start of the Red Sox Yankees game on Sunday night and the ESPN2HD picture quality was horrible. Is this all due to over compression?

Yes.

I have been complaining for months now on this very thread about TWCs compression of the ESPN family of networks. The blocking, mosquito noise and trailing artifacts are just awful.

gee it looks great when i watch it. oh wait my bad, im in the control room :)

gee it looks great when i watch it. oh wait my bad, im in the control room :)

Ya know...Looks really good to me too..Oh wait.. I have commercial access to the distribution feeds..:D

I was watching the start of the Red Sox Yankees game on Sunday night and the ESPN2HD picture quality was horrible. Is this all due to over compression? I can't believe TWC would put out such a horrible product. I would be ashamed.

I'm not a fan of big government, but it appears we should have legislated a minimal bandwidth requirement for HD. I hate to say this, but i think i would pay a few extra dollars to have full bandwidth on every HD channel. I just don't see how TWC can be proud of their product. It seems like it's just a rush to put as many HD channels in while sacrificing quality.

I'm not a fan of big government, but it appears we should have legislated a minimal bandwidth requirement for HD. I hate to say this, but i think i would pay a few extra dollars to have full bandwidth on every HD channel. I just don't see how TWC can be proud of their product. It seems like it's just a rush to put as many HD channels in while sacrificing quality.

And yet, people keep paying their cable bills...

And yet, people keep paying their cable bills...

Well, the cable company is the only place in town to get true high-speed broadband (DSL is just slower, dadgumit) and as long as you already have the cable to your crib, I think people just go for simplicity. That one wire solution. And I do like the 8300 DVR and my terabyte expansion drive. Obviously, we need FIOS or something to compete with these jackals. Not going to happen, apparently. At least not in my lifetime. Maybe my grandkids. Call me crazy, but I dream of local wide-access broadband essentially making the whole city a blazing fast wireless hotspot, paid out of general tax revenues - a couple of bucks per household. Wouldn't that ultimately make the city a more vibrant, desirable location for all manner of businesses and the so-called "creative class"...?

TWC takes its customers for granted, and why shouldn't they? Oh, stop whining about corporate responsibility and all that quaint idealistic stuff about serving the public. This is what monopolies do. ;)

And yet, people keep paying their cable bills...

Where do you get your TV? Are you completely OTA and nothing else these days....I know you have some sort of broadband. What is it?? Did you finally swear off TWC after being an early adopter of HD in the Charlotte area??

Where do you get your TV? Are you completely OTA and nothing else these days....I know you have some sort of broadband. What is it?? Did you finally swear off TWC after being an early adopter of HD in the Charlotte area??

Oh, I still have my three figure cable bill with TWC. And I'm into Verizon for $90 a month now for the Droid and data card (yes, I know, I have a problem).

But I wasn't complaining. Just making casual note about people fussing about TWC/Dish/etc but still paying instead of turning it off and living without. That's all. :)

New lineup scheduled to go into effect tomorrow... website still has the discreet link at the top of the channel lineup page but never posted anything on the channel change page.

The whole thing has seemed very low key to me... you'd think a dramatic change such as this would have warranted some more consumer education (ad spots, newspaper ads, etc)... if they've run any I haven't seen them - maybe they ran a story on News14 and assumed everybody actually watches that. Just about everybody I've talked to has been totally unaware of the change coming.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a postponement... but, if not, Mayhem and Total Mass Confusion may ensue.

Is the new line-up not already in effect for everyone? My line-up changed about a week ago.

Oh, I still have my three figure cable bill with TWC. And I'm into Verizon for $90 a month now for the Droid and data card (yes, I know, I have a problem).

But I wasn't complaining. Just making casual note about people fussing about TWC/Dish/etc but still paying instead of turning it off and living without. That's all. :)

I recently had a second Roadrunner service installed as I'm now working from home. TW refused to direct bill my company (one account per address)... my wife just about had a heart attack when she opened the nearly $400 bill. :eek:

They also ripped... errrrrr... charged me over $100 installation for the new modem, even though the outlet was already wired and hot and I had to buy and install a $60 active return drop amp myself to keep everything running. The contract installer WAS here (on and off) for over three hours, though... he toasted the first modem he brought by plugging in an incorrect power supply, then the replacememnt he had to get from another installer was DOA and then had to hunt down a third modem and drive to meet the tech who had it on his truck.