Did Keith ever show back up again? The folks in Austin, TX have just gotten their PDRs. Sure would be nice if Charlotte gets something soon.

I have searched the forums and can't find anything definitive as to whether or not the DVI output on the Pioneer 3510 should be working for a Sanyo Z2 front projector, or in general really. The DVI output from my computer works like a charm (looks incredible compared to Component out from my DVD player), but I get the standard 3 language black and white message ( something like "make you you hook up DVI to comaptible TV") when outputting from the 3510.

This was the same message that the Samsung DLP users were getting before the supposed firmware fix. Does anyone have DVI out working from their 3510 to a Z2 or other front projector? Are others having consistent luck with DVI out from the 3510 in general? I'm also getting the same digital audio chopping when attempting to output via DVI.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or observations.

Greg (in south Charlotte)

Very nice guy. Said upper management was clueless & bureaucratic & had little hope for a fix.

Are you trying to get this nice guy fired?

A fine example of why many in the know don't post here..

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We try to make things as simple as we can with our pricing structure, but you’re right. It isn’t simple. Our business is far more complex than you might imagine. Your input has been communicated to members of our programming team concerning the layout of the programming guide.

However, there is a balance that we have to manage from an operational standpoint. Since our system doesn’t allow us to pick and choose channels down to the individual channel, we have tiers to simplify the clusters of channels.

While tiers logically fit on top other, there is some flexibility.

Basic
Standard
Navigator+ (The digital cable interface and digital cable channels 200-242, except the HD channels)
Digital Tier (Channels 141-191)
HD Tier (HD Net, InHD, HD Net Movies)
Premium Channels (HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, TMC, Starz, Encore, etc)
Pay-Per-View (PPV Events, iControl Movies on Demand)

To get HD Services you will need (at minimum) basic cable (channels 2-6, 8-19, and 21-22) and an HD Box. This will give you channels 201,220,225,230,235,and 240 as well as Music Choice, iControl, and the inDemand services. This does not give you access to our Interactive Programming Guide. Should you wish to subscribe to one of the premium channels (HBO/Showtime/etc), if we have a corresponding HD premium channel, you would get that HD version as well.

Basic Cable + HD Converter + Remote (Charlotte Rates) = $17.33 (before taxes and franchise fees)

Most of our customers with HD subscribe to the digital service, which would include all of the above, plus our standard cable service, permitting them to also see Discovery HD Theater (280) and to get Navigator, our Interactive Programming Guide.

Basic Cable + Standard + Navigator (our IPG) + HD Converter + Remote = $55.51 (Charlotte Rates before taxes and franchise fees)

With this configuration, we offer additional HD programming. The HD Tier (for an additional $6.50 per month) includes INHD, INHD2, HDNET and HDNET Movies (channels 290-293). The On-Demand channels do not currently deliver HD content.

The standard DVR cannot receive, record, and manage HD content.

We do charge approximately $39.95 for the installation of a high def box for existing customers. New customers often have this waved as part of an introductory offer.

HBO OnDemand does not require the High Def box. Good catch. This error is being corrected on the Time Warner Cable Charlotte Website. I apologize for any confusion that this may have caused.


My responsibilities have changed and pulled me into other areas. I probably will not be able to participate on this site at the level I would have liked. Email to marketing through the web page will get a more timely response. We will keep the TW Carolina.com website updated on all upcoming HD news.

Keith,

Thanks for the indepth explanation of tiers and pricing, very good stuff. I really hate that your bosses have decided to ignore this site in the future. Apparently they do not understand marketing and sales as they should.

Hugh Campbell

With this configuration, we offer additional HD programming. The HD Tier (for an additional $6.50 per month) includes INHD, INHD2, HDNET and HDNET Movies (channels 290-293). The On-Demand channels do not currently deliver HD content.

Keith, I have a question...

I am currently getting the digital bronze (or maybe silver...) package. I have a hd box and I get to choose three of the premium channels. I currently get HBO, SHO, and MAX. Why can I not switch out one of those three channels for the 4 premium HD channels (INHD, INHD2, HDNET and HDNET Movies). I would like to have HBO, MAX, and the 4 HD channels on my current plan. Why is this not an option? The prices are pretty comparable, right? I was told that the only way I could get th HD channels was to pay the additional $6.50/month.

Originally posted by HughScot
At the present moment if you get their digital box you get all the HD channels free except the two INHDs and the two HDnets. These four channels cost $6.50. Naturally you have to buy HBO as always. But if you are getting HBO it doesn't cost more to get HBO in HD.

I just talked to TWC and they told me that I need to subscribe to the 'digital variety tier' for $59/month to get any HD progamming! That is an outragous cost just to get what you can obtain off air.

Originally posted by savagez3
I just talked to TWC and they told me that I need to subscribe to the 'digital variety tier' for $59/month to get any HD progamming! That is an outragous cost just to get what you can obtain off air.

You sound as if you are only getting HD programming for $59. You are receiving quite a number of additional channels included. The following channels are not available OTA: HDnet, HDnet movies, INHD, INHD2, Discovery-HD, HBO-HD, SHO-HD.

savagez3,
You may want to ask for one of their hdtv reps.hdtv starts much lower than that depending on what all you want.Give them a call and I'm sure you will get much better answers.

Hi guys,

I just found this thread dedicted to us TWC Charlotte subsribers and had a question that probably gets asked here several times a week.

As a soon to be new HDTV owner, I am torn between losing my SD standalone Tivo and gaining HD reception. Tivo has spoiled me so much that I never watch live TV. With the HD DirectTV Tivo coming out in a couple of months, I may have to switch to satelite when I get my HD TV. However, if I knew when TWC was going to provide their HD DVR, I may give that a try since I really don't wont to pay close to $1,000 for the HD DirectTV Tivo setup. Although I am worried that the cable DVR will be lacking in features compared to Tivo.

I emailed TWC yesterday and all they could say is that it will be out soon! So.. any rumors?

Thanks,

It is out in many parts of the country that use the Scientific Atlanta box; however, the Charlotte division uses the Pioneer box and as soon as corporate gets through approving it we'll get it. Hope in the next couple of months. I'd wait as HD via DirecTV is not as good, due to compression, as what you will see via TWC. I've had both at the same time and dumped the sat. Plus you get all the networks in HD with cable.

Thanks for the tip.

Do you have any links on the Pioneer box. I am very curious about its features. For example, I assume this DVR will record audio in dolby digital 5.1. My current Tivo doesent do this, but I understand that the DirectTV Tivos do. Also, what about season pass and its ability to figurue out what kind of programming you like and record shows automatically based on this preferrence.

I've got nothing and have not been able to find anything on the Pioneer box. The SA box is the 8000HD and there is plenty of info on it at the SA site. Whether or not it applies to the Pioneer model I don't know.

Are the boxes one in the same with different firmware?
My SA3100HD box boots up with a Pioneer logo.

It sounds resonable but if it's true then why the delay in having them approved by corp. headquarters. I just remembered that Diana of TWC in SC said that the software in use by Charlotte was different than what they used out of Columbia so I guess the insides are different as well. Hopefully, it will have the same outputs and abilities as the SA box which looks good.

From what I have seen on this board & various others is that TW Charlotte uses Pioneer software so regardless of what type of box you have you will always see the Pioneer setup on your TV whenever your box reinitializes. I also believe that Charlotte TW will be using the SA8000HD box. The reason for the delay is that this box has to be tested in a TW cable system that uses Pioneer software. My understanding is that in areas like South Carolina & Green Bay where the SA8000HD has already been rolled out, that those systems use Scientific Atlanta software. Of course this is only a best guess at this point as Time Warner Charlotte won't say for sure what HDTV DVR box they are testing.

Charlotte has said they are testing a Pioneer Box. And the box I have now is a Pioneer box. Which doesn't prove anything.

How is reliability of TW DVR boxes?
The tech that came out said they had been very troublesome...hard drive crashes, etc...but he was referring to the SD version.

Sorry if this is off topic but since most of you use the 3510 HD box from TWC let me ask if anyone has noticed this problem. I split the coax coming in my house with one going to my 3510 and the other going direct to my tivo and from there going into the RF input of my Pioneer Elite 520HD. The SD signal from my cable box looks badly spread out......not zoomed but more like stretched. However, the same channel coming out of my Tivo box looks just fine using full screen mode on my TV. I've tried all the screen modes on the 3510 and nothing helps. The only time I use the box is for HD which is perfect. I would love to get out of my 3510 the same good looking picture I get without the box. Perhaps the 3510 is just poorly made and it is just something I must put up with.

I understand Scientific Atlanta boxes use an operating system called Power TV. Application programs are either SA (SARA) or Pioneer (Passport). It comes down to the software used on the cable company head-end. If they run SA software it appears they generally use only SA hardware and application (box) software.

If they run Pioneer server software however they can and often mix SA, Pioneer, and/or Pace boxes and the SA and Pioneer boxes run Pioneer application software (and probably the PACE too). The choice of software and hardware is made by your local cable co. TWCSC uses SARA based hardware and we have the SARA version 8000HD DVR box in use now. It appears Charlotte will use a box (not sure which) using Pioneer software. That unit appears to be on a different development / test / deployment time-line. The first box approved apparently was the SARA based 8000HD.

Reliability of the 8000DVR seems to be tied to one's cable company. Here with TWCSC I have had an 8000 DVR for about 16 months and I find its reliability to be very good. Yes it has had occasional minor issues/burps but they have also been updating the software as we go along. Very good value for the money. Some places like Austin have had major problems (see the yahoo group for discussions). The Passport version apparently has a few more features and some folks do believe it is more reliable. All I know is our SD box works very well.

I replaced a SA3250HD with an 8000HD about a month ago and it has had a couple of burps/reboots and one very bad recording (lots of bad stuttering; watchable but could not FF). All other recordings have been fine or with just a bit of minor stuttering (not typical). All in all I am very pleased with it and I am sure they will be pushing down updates as well. (note: the analog outputs and the DVI are not yet enabled; those updates are expected next month). The 8000HD is a very welcome addition here; great capability for a very reasonable price. Bottom line is I would not categorize either box as troublesome but as always, YMMV.

I live in Charlotte and have a SA DVR box (SD of course). I love it and have never really had any problems with it. I think it froze up on me once and didn't record something that it was suppused to another time. Other than that, it works great. I also have the pioneer 3510 HD box on my other tv... it is ok, but I feel like the SA box is a little better. The pioneer box seems slower and the navigator+ (or whatever the guide is called) looks like crap on the screen (very pixely). The navigator+ on the SA box looked a looked alot better on the same TV. I am going to get a HD-DVR box when it comes out, and if I had my choice, I would prefer a SA box.


btw... does anyone have an answer for the question I asked on the last page? thanks.

Originally posted by chief17
btw... does anyone have an answer for the question I asked on the last page? thanks.

Sorry, no answer, but I would seriously consider the same thing (drop a premium and pick up the HDTV package) if it is/were an option.

Also, any news on Cinemax HD or Starz! HD?

Mark

I have the SD DVR and have had to swap one out due to hard drive failure. The box writes to the hard drive 24 hours a day - even if the box is off - and there isn't a cooling fan for the hard drive.
Just hope you are up to date on all of your recorded shows if it decides to die on you!

Keep in mind that with directTivo you can't record local channels in HD. and the only way you can get the locals in HD is thru an OTA antenna.

If the DirectTV HD Tivo is hooked up to an OTA antenna, shouldnt you be able to record OTA signals? If not, then my decision becomes much easier on which system to wait for.

Originally posted by Panzer948
If the DirectTV HD Tivo is hooked up to an OTA antenna, shouldnt you be able to record OTA signals? If not, then my decision becomes much easier on which system to wait for.

This is a good question one that I hadn't thought of but would be very intrested in the answer. If you can't record OTA HD with the Direct Tivo setup then the answer for me is easy as well. I would just put up with the pitfalls of cable and hold out for the DVR box from TW.

I did some more research on this issue last night and found this thread on the HD Tivo forum

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=151443

Looks like it can record OTA HD. So our decision is still just as hard as before :confused:

mduskin mentioned a DirecTiVo ($99) which can't do ANYTHING with an HDTV signal. He's not talking about the DirecTV HDTiVo ($999).

Originally posted by Panzer948
I did some more research on this issue last night and found this thread on the HD Tivo forum

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=151443

Looks like it can record OTA HD. So our decision is still just as hard as before :confused:

Yep more confused than ever! $999 yikes that's not cheap!

For all you race fans. NAscar indemand is free this weekend. You can ride in car and listen to communicatios with Earnahardt, Waltrip, Biffle, Kenseth, Stewart, Harvick and Jimmy Johnson. Channels 916-922 on your TW box.

Originally posted by TWCCLTMKTNG
Brad,

We have space reserved for those channels and will offer those channels in the HD programming space when they offer more than the current three hours or so of native HD programming since that content is already available on your standard programming channels in standard def.

I beg to differ!

Although UPN has only 2 hours per week of HD broadcasting, the WB has over 10 hours of programming per week!

http://wgntv.trb.com/entertainment/wbnetwork/stv-wb-hdtv-fall03.htmlstory

Fortunately for me, I have Dish Network and the 921 PVR which allows me to record via OTA. However, I have friends that are dismayed by your decision to hold off on WB and UPN.

I am having a difficulting understanding people who are "dismayed" over a company's decision not to carry certain programming. All companies are in business for one reason.......to make money. All decisions are based on the effect it will have on the bottom line.....either immediately or in the future. HD produces zero net profit and if everyone remembers this these decisions will be easier to understand.

Fortunately for us consumers, congress will step in and force cable companies to broadcast HD locals in a few years, so this problem will be solved.

If you have trouble understanding why someone would be "dismayed" at missing out on quality HD programming when a cable company uses bogus excuses for not carrying programming, then I have trouble understanding why you would have any interest in this discussion thread, since it is for people who want more HD programming.

Originally posted by mcowher
Fortunately for us consumers, congress will step in and force cable companies to broadcast HD locals in a few years, so this problem will be solved.

Let's hope that never happens, all we need is more big govenment. But it is a moot point since many of the cable companies are already broadcasting major network programming in HD. In the Charlotte area this has already taken place.

Just saw this press release. TNT-HD goes live May. One would think TWC would be able to roll that channel out fairly quickly being in-house and all. Unlike the ESPN situation. I wouldn't be surprised if we got BravoHD before ESPN.

From the press release:

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) is taking Turner Network Television (TNT), one of television's leaders in delivery of adults 18-49 and 25-54 in prime and total day, into the HDTV arena with the launch of TNT-HD in May 2004, it was announced today by Mark Lazarus, president of Turner Entertainment Group. The HDTV simulcast of TNT will offer viewers the broadest range of dramatic programming in HDTV format ever assembled, including series, sports, movies and TNT Originals.

“With the launch of TNT-HD, we are sending television into a new dimension,” said Lazarus. “Top-rated TNT has an incredible array of successful dramatic programming – from Law & Order and NBA coverage to award-winning TNT Originals and blockbuster movies – giving the network an unprecedented combination of programming that is ideally suited to the HDTV format. TNT-HD means more than just high-def. It means high drama.”

You could be right about TWC adding TNT-HD or Bravo-HD before ESPN-HD!
They've been saying since the inception of ESPN-HD that they were "in negotiations." When football and basketball season rolled around, I cut the cable and went with DIRECTV and I sure haven't regretted the move so far. The content of ESPN-HD continues to grow with each passing month. How many TWC HD customers would like to see tonight's Duke-Wake Forest game or the March 6 Duke-UNC game on ESPN-HD? Plenty, I'm sure!!!

Originally posted by herrfish1
You could be right about TWC adding TNT-HD or Bravo-HD before ESPN-HD!
They've been saying since the inception of ESPN-HD that they were "in negotiations." When football and basketball season rolled around, I cut the cable and went with DIRECTV and I sure haven't regretted the move so far. The content of ESPN-HD continues to grow with each passing month. How many TWC HD customers would like to see tonight's Duke-Wake Forest game or the March 6 Duke-UNC game on ESPN-HD? Plenty, I'm sure!!!

Yes, but I sure wouldn't switch to DirecTV from TWC just for ESPN-HD when HD in general looks better on TWC.

Sorry, Hugh, but on my set-up there is no difference in picture quality between DIRECTV and TWC! ESPN-HD, HDNET, HDNET Movies and Discovery HD are stunning with DIRECTV. Also, the non-HD Charlotte locals are actually better on DIRECTV than TWC!!! Channel 3 especially is better on DIRECTV. Maybe you have a stronger cable signal and maybe I have a better satellite signal! Good night...I'm headed to the Wake-Duke game in HD!

Originally posted by herrfish1
Sorry, Hugh, but on my set-up there is no difference in picture quality between DIRECTV and TWC! ESPN-HD, HDNET, HDNET Movies and Discovery HD are stunning with DIRECTV. Also, the non-HD Charlotte locals are actually better on DIRECTV than TWC!!! Channel 3 especially is better on DIRECTV. Maybe you have a stronger cable signal and maybe I have a better satellite signal! Good night...I'm headed to the Wake-Duke game in HD!

Actually I was not stating my opinion but a consensus by people throughout the country when comparing Cable HD to DirecTV HD. DirecTV compresses their signal to the extent that HD is always poor when compared to OTA or Cable. This is not true with Dish. I had TWC and DirecTV and OTA all at the same time and my test results were conclusive in this area and agreed with everyone else who has made the comparison. I am speaking only of HD signals. There is no such thing as a better Sat. signal as respects HD, you either have it or you don't and the same for Cable and OTA.

I do not have the HD Pack on D*, but I do subscribe to HD CBS East & West. The HD content on those channels looks just as good as WBTV-DT on TW.

I agree, jmcurrytech. Hugh, it looks like we're going to have to agree to disagree! I don't see a "consensus" on these boards--especially with regard to HD programming---that says cable is superior to DIRECTV. And even if there was a "consensus" of that opinion, it wouldn't matter to me, because at my house, the "consensus" is that DIRECTV is superior to TWC in almost every aspect! I've had TWC, OTA, and DIRECTV all at the same time, and I have subsequently chosen to go with DIRECTV and OTA because of programming selection, HD picture quality, and customer service.

With regard to my original post, the Duke-Wake Forest game last night on DIRECTV ESPN-HD was great! I really can't wait to see my Tarheels take on the Dookies at Cameron in HD on March 6!!!

Once again, happy waiting!!!

Hugh,
You dismissed my 3510 digital out issue as non-existant since yours worked fine and "the majority of people have no problem".
Now you dismiss herrfish's comment that picture quality is the same based on "consensus by people throughout the country".

Where are you getting your information?

Originally posted by herrfish1
I agree, jmcurrytech. Hugh, it looks like we're going to have to agree to disagree! I don't see a "consensus" on these boards--especially with regard to HD programming---that says cable is superior to DIRECTV. And even if there was a "consensus" of that opinion, it wouldn't matter to me, because at my house, the "consensus" is that DIRECTV is superior to TWC in almost every aspect! I've had TWC, OTA, and DIRECTV all at the same time, and I have subsequently chosen to go with DIRECTV and OTA because of programming selection, HD picture quality, and customer service.

With regard to my original post, the Duke-Wake Forest game last night on DIRECTV ESPN-HD was great! I really can't wait to see my Tarheels take on the Dookies at Cameron in HD on March 6!!!

Once again, happy waiting!!!

I guess now I am confused. Shouldn't the picture be the same? It's digital. You either have it or you don't. The colors etc. should be the same for both or am I mistaken. The only improvement the TWC has over DirectTV is less artifacts. I agree with Hugh the boards are pretty much on fire against DirectTV because of the artifacts due to compression.

I would go with DirectTV for the better SD material which on a DLP looks like crap. I just like the features that TWC offers. We use the On Demand and DVR all the time. I don't want to start a war because it's a very personal decision for each person. I really want the HD-DVR and simple economics puts D* out of the picture. I simply don't have $1000 for the D* HD-DVR. I'll take the free one!

What a tough crowd this morning. My comments on the 3510 were based on my experience not someone else's.

Oh the Direct TV vs Cable issue I have had discussions at CES both last year and this year with representatives of DirecTV concerning the problems that Direct TV has that Dish does not re artifacts and gererally a poor picture. It is acknowledged that for reasons having to do with compression that DirecTV has a picture (HD picture) that leaves much to be desired when compared to Dish or Cable. I have friends that are involved in the business and don't get my information from "forums" where you don't even know who you are talking to. You can only compare using an OTA signal vs Cable, DirecTV and Dish. Some people may not have the equipment or the experience to discern the subtle differences between the sources. If you do have this experience than you will find that OTA and Cable in the Charlotte area are equal while DirecTV is not quite as good. This is all in reference to HD only.

Thanks, Hugh.
I didn't mean to sound confrontational.
I was getting the impression you were elected to speak for the majority;).
I had both D*TV & TW.
My experience was DTV has the advantage over TW on SD channels only when you compare an analog TW channel to the equal (digital) DTV channel.
PS The 3510 digital out issue is real. Maybe a compatibility issue with the Pioneer 49TXi flagship AV rcvr. Who know? TW sure doesn't:).
Pending resolution of this issue I will be a happy camper.

Originally posted by cajunlab
Hugh,
You dismissed my 3510 digital out issue as non-existant since yours worked fine and "the majority of people have no problem".
Now you dismiss herrfish's comment that picture quality is the same based on "consensus by people throughout the country".

Where are you getting your information?

Originally posted by cajunlab
Thanks, Hugh.
I didn't mean to sound confrontational.
I was getting the impression you were elected to speak for the majority;).
I had both D*TV & TW.
My experience was DTV has the advantage over TW on SD channels only when you compare an analog TW channel to the equal (digital) DTV channel.
PS The 3510 digital out issue is real. Maybe a compatibility issue with the Pioneer 49TXi flagship AV rcvr. Who know? TW sure doesn't:).
Pending resolution of this issue I will be a happy camper.

I wish like hell we could figure this out. If I don't lower the volume before changing channels the resulting crack and pop is one day going to fry my speakers. It isn't your receiver because it does it with mine (Denon 4802).

No problem. I tend to get carried away on occassion. I get all my info from non-forum sources and do a ton of research by email directly with people in the business and in personal contact at industry meetings. When the issue of the 3510 came up I could not find a single person outside of this thread who have had a similar problem. I would never had commented on DirecTV vs Cable if I had not been hearing about the problem for years.

The End.

James Snyder who is a PBS engineer and one of the most knowledgeable people I have run across when it comes to video and High Definition has the following to say:


"DirecTV transmits all of its HD channels with the resolution decreased to 1440 x 1080. The bitrate is dynamically allocated.

Dish's HD tends to compress their HD more, but they transmit at 1920 x 1080. The data rates are dynamically allocated, depending on the compression rate needed and the satellite transponder's available total data rate.

CBS transmits and encodes at 1920 x 1080 at 45 Mbps for transmission to stations, and their VTRs are HD-D5s, so they can reproduce full resolution 1920 x 1080 using only 4:1 compression with a recording data rate of 360 Mbps.

NBC transmits and encodes 1920 x 1080 at 45 Mbps for transmission to stations, but the equipment in Burbank they use for the Tonight Show is Sony. Sony's HDCAM VTRs (which many stations and post-production facilities use) only records 1440 x 1080, and has a much lower data rate of about 145 Mbps.

PBS transmits and encodes at 1920 x 1080 at 19.39 for transmission to stations, uses HD-D5s for on-air play, but many member stations produce using Sony HDCAM's which only reproduce 1440 x 1080.

ABC transmits and encodes at 1280 x 720 @ 60fps with 45 Mbps for transmission to stations. They use mostly HD-D5s for production and play-to-air.

I stayed away from describing cable because there are so many permutations spread between so many different cable systems around the country that it would have made the email three times longer and I probably wouldn't haven't gotten everything correct even then.

As a rule, I think you are probably right that OTA HD is best, cable second and DirecTV third."

Hugh Is correct. So what you think is HD may not be in reality.
I spoke with a local Sony service tech recently..he says he is getting a tremendous amount of compliants from big screen HD set owners about poor picture quality. He says virtually all of the viewers are on DirecTv or cable. He explained that he as well as the viewers don't see
the artifacts when viewing OTA. He mentioned that sony has a software
update to "soften" the picture on certain sets to reduce the complaints.

On the popping and crackling when changing channels. I have it on my Family Room TV with a Panny receiver. My brother has it, in New York, on his Sonny. The crazy thing is...In my theater room with a Pio 45tx and external amps, we do not have it???

- Scott

shine5555,
it IS very frustrating.
I blew a tweeter on a 175-lb speaker, had to crate it up, haul it to the Charlotte Tweeter store, ship it to Atlanta for repair, whine, whine, whine :)
all because I can't get help or answers from TW regarding the 3510-crackle-when-changing-channels-via-digital-out-issue....although they acknowledge it IS an issue.
Still hoping.....and avoiding DTV.

Originally posted by cajunlab
shine5555,
it IS very frustrating.
I blew a tweeter on a 175-lb speaker, had to crate it up, haul it to the Charlotte Tweeter store, ship it to Atlanta for repair, whine, whine, whine :)
all because I can't get help or answers from TW regarding the 3510-crackle-when-changing-channels-via-digital-out-issue....although they acknowledge it IS an issue.
Still hoping.....and avoiding DTV.

Arrrggghhh! I'm over driving my speakers as it is. Another thing that we haven't talked about is the fact that my father-in-law, who has DTV, smartly says "MINE" doesn't do that. I'm always touting TWC and bashing DTV. :) TWC fix this!!! Egg on my face in front of the father-in-law sucks!!!

Originally posted by cajunlab
shine5555,
it IS very frustrating.
I blew a tweeter on a 175-lb speaker, had to crate it up, haul it to the Charlotte Tweeter store, ship it to Atlanta for repair, whine, whine, whine :)
all because I can't get help or answers from TW regarding the 3510-crackle-when-changing-channels-via-digital-out-issue....although they acknowledge it IS an issue.
Still hoping.....and avoiding DTV.

Are you saying it only happens when using the audio digital out connection, and if so have you tried using the analog out connections?

Originally posted by HughScot
Are you saying it only happens when using the audio digital out connection, and if so have you tried using the analog out connections?

Digital only. Just to be sure I will change it around this weekend. What is really odd is it doesn't do it all the time. 75% I guess...

Digital-audio problem only. No problem on analog.
Easy to verify & repeat.

Originally posted by cajunlab
Digital-audio problem only. No problem on analog.
Easy to verify, repeatedly.

Does your system do it all the time? Mine on occasion will switch normally.

Pretty much all the time.
But yes, rarely it will change channels normally once...then it's doing it again going to the next channel.
Also, it only occurs on the digital channels.
Never a problem on the low # analog channels.
I put all the HD channels on Favorites...then hitting the Favorite button will toggle between the HD channels (all digital)..which makes the problem unbearable.

Yes same here...Digital-audio problem only. That is again only in the Family room. Seems about 80% of the time

Like I said before, I do not have this problem at all in the theater room????

My brother has the same problem in New York (Rochester)

Are you saying you have two 3510 boxes in the same house and one has the problem and the other doesn't?
Both connected via digital audio out?

Originally posted by cajunlab
Pretty much all the time.
But yes, rarely it will change channels normally once...then it's doing it again going to the next channel.
Also, it only occurs on the digital channels.
Never a problem on the low # analog channels.
I put all the HD channels on Favorites...then hitting the Favorite button will toggle between the HD channels (all digital)..which makes the problem unbearable.

Same situation here digital channels only and I did the same with the favorites.

shine5555 how much for the box that doesn't have the problem!! :)

Yes same here...Digital-audio problem only. That is again only in the Family room. Seems about 80% of the time

What happens when you swap boxes?
Does the problem follow the box?

The 3510 audio problem hit me today. I not only have the snap crackle and pop problem but also no audio on the HD channels. I noticed on my Denon 4802 that when it first started I was getting some info I've never seen before and it disappeared so quickly I couldn't remember what it was. It appears that the "info" being sent from the box to my receiver is faulty. I'm sure there is a technical explanation but it is all greek to me. No audio at all is a serious problem on these channels. Does anyone else have this problem with no audio in addition to the noise?

Finally moved my Pioneer from the test bench and installed it in the rack
yesterday.. I notice no audio problems..no pops or anything that would
be objectionable using the digital out to my Yamaha receiver. There are some broken audio frames at times, but nothing as objectionable as others describe here. Since I have quite a bit of experience with the yamaha and switching modes on the fly, I tend to think the pioneer's digital output tends to be somewhat dirty at times, (and that coupled with specific DD decoders that don't properly mute during stream changes) may cause objectionable artifacts...YMMV..
I'll keep watching er..listening..and see what happens..

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Finally moved my Pioneer from the test bench and installed it in the rack
yesterday.. I notice no audio problems..no pops or anything that would
be objectionable using the digital out to my Yamaha receiver. There are some broken audio frames at times, but nothing as objectionable as others describe here. Since I have quite a bit of experience with the yamaha and switching modes on the fly, I tend to think the pioneer's digital output tends to be somewhat dirty at times, (and that coupled with specific DD decoders that don't properly mute during stream changes) may cause objectionable artifacts...YMMV..
I'll keep watching er..listening..and see what happens..

I may be wrong but I think time in service has something to do with it. I used to only turn my 3510 Pioneer on when I couldn't watch it OTA, then recently with the addition of HDnet and INHD I have been using it for most of my TV watching. And the problem is intermittent as heck. I just pulled out the digital coax and everything is fine with the analog cables. I'll take the box back tomorrow and see if I can get a "new" one that hasn't been used.

Ok..I might add that I noticed that some channels are in DD 2.0, while others are in DD 5.1..this can explain why some channels do it at some times and not others, as the programs constantly change modes.
Again, some DD decoders do not handle the switch cleanly between DD 2.0 and DD5.1. The unit's cost has no bearing on this, it's how clean the code is.
Anyhoo, I plan to bring my Dolby DM100 Test set home one night this week, I can then look at the output of the Pioneer and see what is occurring when the switch is made. Since We've worked closely with the Dolby engineers on 5.1 for FOX, I know who to call once I've looked at the output of the Pioneer.

More anecdotal data for the thread, YMMV:

3510HD hooked up digitial audio only to a Yamaha RX-V1 - no audio problems as described above. All HD channels on favorites.

3510HD hooked up analog only to a Sony Dream System 700 - no audio problems as described above. No way to test digital audio since STB is coax and receiver's only input is toslink - arrrgh!

Originally posted by ericwe
receiver's only input is toslink - arrrgh!

Easily converted..

www.mcmelectronics.com.. convertor p/n 24-4440...$19 with ac adaptor..

or go to the guitar center..get a FOSTEX COP-1 or a Midiman CO2..about
$80..

For the past week or so (since the last bad weather period), I have hardly been able to pick up WBTV's HD digital feed with my rooftop antenna. Is anybody else having any trouble with their signal? If not, maybe the storm damaged my antenna. I guess part of the problem is that I'm 83 miles from their tower...just wondering!

Originally posted by herrfish1
For the past week or so (since the last bad weather period), I have hardly been able to pick up WBTV's HD digital feed with my rooftop antenna. Is anybody else having any trouble with their signal? If not, maybe the storm damaged my antenna. I guess part of the problem is that I'm 83 miles from their tower...just wondering!

I'm getting 75%-81% at this moment, which I think is typical for me, so that would lead me to think that nothing has changed from the transmitter perspective.

You can check the Charlotte OTA thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=333331&highlight=charlotte) for some historical values. But like I said, I think the signal is the same. Maybe something on your roof is wet or shaken loose with the wind.

--Dale--

bdfox18doe,
any success with the 3510 audio problem?
keep us posted!

Re the 3510 digital audio problem, now that I have the problem I've been listening via analog cables and since we are only talking about TV audio I don't really hear that much difference. Since I can't go back and forth it's hard to tell for sure. But not a tremendous difference.

The difference is you totally lose 5.1 surround sound.
2.0 v/s 5.1....you are easier to please than i am for $75.00 a month.
TW should not advertise surround sound if they can't deliver it in a reasonable manner.
rant complete
Come on TW, where are you on this?

cajun, due to work and some family commitments haven't had a chance to
delve into it as I want to. I have spoken with the local TWC engineers a
bit about the problem. I'll let you know what I find.

sengsational:
Experience from Asheville NC:
Did you get more than one response to your question about signal?
Three nights ago, I had a very bad night for all channels--ranging from occasional pixelization on channels that I never have problems, to total outage. Normally, I receive all but one area station on a CM 4-bay, coupled with a Channel 9 Yagi for Greenville SCETV. As a backup and under normal circumstances, I must use a large all-band on a rotor in the attic for WLOS DT on Mt. Pisgah. On the bad night -- first night of the new weather front -- I just could not find a decent signal from the seven local stations...with signal up and down and fading completly at times. Even channels that range from 88 to 100 were problems.
Very strange, but back to normal now.

I'm in Charlotte and I have the Pioneer box with DVI.

My question is what does DVI do differently than the component output? I've found that when using DVI I get a bit of a lag and a little flash of color when I change channels. And for some reason, when viewing WSOC via DVI my TV (Tosh 42H83) will not let me change aspect ratio. Also the box will not let me change output modes when using DVI.

For the record, my DVI cable is actually a computer DVI-D cable that came with my monitor. Seems to work. Other than the above of course.

Re: Receiver Problems:
My Samsung TS 160 has suddenly gone into the "Installation" mode many times in the past month or so, and downloads program data for about 90 seconds. I never associated it any particular channel until today. After receiving a replacement receiver, it did the same thing three times within the first 20 minutes of operation. I was using 33-1 (WUNF-DT) for setup. It was then I realized that while recording 33-1 a couple of weeks ago the recording was interrupted with the "installation" mode.
Today, Wayne Estabrooks confirmed he has had problems not receiving data on his TS-165, but has never experienced the "installation" interruption. He has sent an email to the engineers responsible for the PSIP programming and is checking on the possibility of a problem.
(Samsung also reports that other stations has had problems with the PSIP causing reception problems with Samsung receivers.)

Any other similar experience?


__________________

Sorry to say, that "S" ALWAYS says it's the "station" despite other receivers sitting side by side who do not display the same problem. Even if the station is having PSIP issues, receivers should be more tolerable of such problems. IMHO, Sammy is about 90% complete to having really good
receivers.

As a long time owner of the Samsung 165 I would have to say that Bob is correct. It has many idiosyncrasies that just pop up now and then all by itself, including turning itself off. I can live with it to tape a few shows each week but that is about it. I got one of the first ones when the model first came out so they may have corrected some of the problems.

Hello,

Anybody else notice that 36-1 and 36-2 are missing from the program guide? I have a Hughes E-86. The other day I was surfin' the guide and see that CT-36 was there and 36-1 and 2 were missing. 6-1 and 2 are on the guide.

I did a local scan with the same results.

I know Belo wants us to think that WCNC is on channel 6 but DirecTV puts it on channel on 36. I want the OTA digital channels to be next to the channel on D*. If D* had WCNC as 6 I would be OK with the OTA channels as 6-1 and 2.

Does this make sense?

c123

Same thing with the Samsung TS-160. It used to be re-mapped to 36-1 to match up with CT36 (D* Feed). I'm assuming the change must be outside the box/software, maybe in the PSIP data. I scanned, changed the zip then changed back, etc....still not fixed.

Guess we have to wait and see if it is corrected externally. Unless someone has something else we can try.

3510 Update,
TW Charlotte tech/eng discussed the 3510 at length this am.
He says:
1. The digital audio stream switching between 2.0, 3.0 or 5.1 etc is the cause of the crackle-pop-via-digital-audio-out-during-channel-changing-issue.
2. The Receiver (Pioneer49TXi in my case) is the culprit since it should sense the change, mute, resync to signal change and unmute.
3. He did not know if anyone at TW actually analyzed the digital stream to pinpoint or verify the theory/reason. (sounds plausible though)
4. Based on complaint numbers TW thinks only a minority of receivers have the problem.
5. Most distressing is, TW will do nothing to alleviate affected users since they don't have enough complaints.
To his credit and if his theory is correct they may not be able to do anything to help the rcvrs.

IMHO, Seems like a mute signal could be passed immediately prior to channel-change to help....

anyone tried D*tv's HDtv?
I am now considering it.

I refuse to let TW destroy my audio investment if someone accidentally forgets that changing channels requires they:
mute rcvr
change channel
unmute rcvr
then if sound is gone pwr down TW box &
repower it to force a resynch.

PS Pioneer phone support was less informative.
At this point there are 3 options:
A. convince everyone with the problem to raise h*ll till TW deems it worthy to addresss
OR
B. switch to D*Tv.
OR
C. buy new rcvr & change model & brand till you get one that doesn't do it.

Oh, well...:(

My 3510 fixed itself and I have zero problems, no noise when I change channels and the audio is fine. All I did was unhook the coax connection and then reconnect.

Originally posted by cajunlab
3510 Update,
TW Charlotte tech/eng discussed the 3510 at length this am.
He says:
1. The digital audio stream switching between 2.0, 3.0 or 5.1 etc is the cause of the crackle-pop-via-digital-audio-out-during-channel-changing-issue.
2. The Receiver (Pioneer49TXi in my case) is the culprit since it should sense the change, mute, resync to signal change and unmute.
3. He did not know if anyone at TW actually analyzed the digital stream to pinpoint or verify the theory/reason. (sounds plausible though)
4. Based on complaint numbers TW thinks only a minority of receivers have the problem.
5. Most distressing is, TW will do nothing to alleviate affected users since they don't have enough complaints.
To his credit and if his theory is correct they may not be able to do anything to help the rcvrs.

IMHO, Seems like a mute signal could be passed immediately prior to channel-change to help....

anyone tried D*tv's HDtv?
I am now considering it.

I refuse to let TW destroy my audio investment if someone accidentally forgets that changing channels requires they:
mute rcvr
change channel
unmute rcvr
then if sound is gone pwr down TW box &
repower it to force a resynch.

PS Pioneer phone support was less informative.
At this point there are 3 options:
A. convince everyone with the problem to raise h*ll till TW deems it worthy to addresss
OR
B. switch to D*Tv.
OR
C. buy new rcvr & change model & brand till you get one that doesn't do it.

Oh, well...:(

I guess I will wait for the DVR box. If it does the same then I will have to switch to DTV. I want to buy new speakers but not until this problem is fixed.

Hugh, I doubt reconnecting the coax will be a permanent fix.

This response from TWC pretty much sums up my problem with them. I'm tired of the standard "It must be your equipment causing the problem."

I know my Denon 4802 is not the best on the market but it's very near the top for mid level surround receivers and other users of this receiver do not have the problems I have. Only TW users have this problem.

Eventually this will bite them in the behind. As more people get HDTV more people will report the problem. Us early adopters just have to suffer.

Thanks for the customer support TW.

Is there any update on the rollout of HD DVRs in Charlote?

They are being tested currently but are waiting on some fixes from SA before rollout.

Originally posted by sccofer
They are being tested currently but are waiting on some fixes from SA before rollout.

Do you mean the Pioneer or SA, since we have been told that Charlotte will be using the Pioneer model and not the SA8000HD which is already available in SC?

Well after a 48-hour "cooling off" period I am not very cooled off.
Brought more receivers in to test....they all did it.
So it MUST be a Time Warner issue....

The Pioneer 3510 TimeWarner box has issues with the digital audio out, PERIOD.
It also appears to be location sensitive since my rcvr did not do it at another location.

Also the info I previously posted came from the "Installation Supervisor" not an engineer.

Getting them out of denial isn't very easy!

Just an FYI, YMMV:

I've had the 3510HD connected to both a Yamaha RX-V1 and a Yamaha RX-V596 via digital coax audio connectors and do not have the popping issue on either one.

If there is some audio setting you want me to check/verify, let me know what it is and where in the STB's menu it is located.

Does anyone here in Charlotte have Voom installed yet?

I'm wondering if the local channel HDTV reception in this area is any good with the equipment (STB + Ant) they install?

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, E.

Originally posted by ericwe
Just an FYI, YMMV:

I've had the 3510HD connected to both a Yamaha RX-V1 and a Yamaha RX-V596 via digital coax audio connectors and do not have the popping issue on either one.

If there is some audio setting you want me to check/verify, let me know what it is and where in the STB's menu it is located.

Most people do not have a problem with the 3510 and until last week I didn't but it came and went all in two days. There is a clitch in the box of some nature but no one seems to have a clue. Mine started on the only day I had the box turned on for a very long period of time so maybe it is heat related or maybe not. Except for that one time mine has worked flawlessly and with the new HD PVR box coming soon I'll just wait.

Originally posted by HughScot
Most people do not have a problem with the 3510 and until last week I didn't but it came and went all in two days. There is a clitch in the box of some nature but no one seems to have a clue. Mine started on the only day I had the box turned on for a very long period of time so maybe it is heat related or maybe not. Except for that one time mine has worked flawlessly and with the new HD PVR box coming soon I'll just wait.

Not heat related. I tested that theory. Since it looks like we have to fix all of TWC's problems, is there an audio engineer on this thread? Send the bill to TWC... :p

If it's the box then why does it not do it all the time? It seems like if the box wasn't sending the requisite "mute" then it would do this all the time.

Yep both TW * D*tv are coming out with their HD-DVR's almost simultaneously (April?).
I'll give TW the first try since I have many tv's (& despite their ambivalence toward the 3510 problems).
If the new boxes crackle & pop then they've lost me for good.

PS Perfect example of competition being a good thing.

Figured I would throw in my experience:

Yamaha HTR-5660, no crackles or pops...

Is there a specific way to get it to crackle? What specific channel changes do it every time?

Mark

It occurs when you are changing from one HD channel to another. You don't want it to start and mine has gone totally away........but then I lost my audio totally for two days on HD channels only. Since everything is now working fine perhaps I just had a loose connection.......??????

It is only a problem if you have it and only a very small number of people seem to be bothered by it at all.

The crackling almost sounds like a grounding issue. Is the cable grounded at the house connection?

More & better info on the 3510 digital audio issue......yes I am one persistent SOB ;).
Finally talked to THE man regarding this issue at TW-Clt.
He acknowledges the issue & offers the following:
1. The root cause is the AV Receiver's inability to Mute-Synch-UnMute upon channel change.
2. The SA boxes don't have a problem because they mute & un-mute at channel change (even though that violates digital stream programming standards). Pioneer boxes pass signal directly & don't mute thus the problem with some rcvrs. Puts burden on rcvrs to protect your spkrs.
3. He says there is no garbage coming through in any case....just the rcvr failing to mute properly.
4. Best of all TW is actively working with Dolby Labs on this issue and Pioneer. They estimate 10% of all customers have the problem thus it IS worth repairing. That is higher than we speculated especially when you consider many customers don't connect to the digital audio out at all thus never report the problem.
5. Interestingly, the upcoming HD-DVR boxes will be Scientific Atlanta 8010's (not pioneers). Which gives hope since they mute! Hope at last! :)
6. Channel changes on digital stations will get faster when (thru invisible midnight firmware upgrades) they switch OS's to a Linux based system. No date, but soon.
7. March 17th the Gaston-Cleveland-Mecklenburg systems will merge so availability of boxes & services will be simultaneous.
8. The lip synch issue is their biggest issue without solution in sight. Mine seems to get worse until you unplug STB forcing a reboot, gets better, then progessively gets worse until another reboot.
Anyway, TGIF & there is hope :).

Very interesting and not far off from what I saw when mine went down. My Denon 4802 was really jumping around when I was changing HD channels and the read out was inconsistent with what I had seen before. So it all makes sense. Glad to hear about the new SA boxes as well.

8. The lip synch issue is their biggest issue without solution in sight. Mine seems to get worse until you unplug STB forcing a reboot, gets better, then progessively gets worse until another reboot.


I have that problem with my 3510. Man that is annoying. I was considering getting rid of this box for that reason alone. I hope they are working on it.



Also, I have the digital audio hooked up to my surround sound... when I am watching certain channels, it seems the audio from the digital output is about a half second behind the audio that is coming out of the TV causing a bad echo sound. Does anyone know what causes this? It only seems to happen on certain channels. I know that I can avoid the problem by muting the TV and just listening throught the stereo, but I would like to have them synchronized. Thanks,

-chief

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
tend to think the pioneer's digital output tends to be somewhat dirty at times, (and that coupled with specific DD decoders that don't properly mute during stream changes) may cause objectionable artifacts...YMMV..

Originally posted by cajunlab
[B]More & better info on the 3510 digital audio issue......yes I am one persistent SOB ;).
Finally talked to THE man regarding this issue at TW-Clt.
He acknowledges the issue & offers the following:
1. The root cause is the AV Receiver's inability to Mute-Synch-UnMute upon channel change.

So if this is the case why does my 4802 have the problem and Hugh's does not. Do I need to call Denon service?

Originally posted by rcase13
So if this is the case why does my 4802 have the problem and Hugh's does not. Do I need to call Denon service?

No I wouldn't, it is not the fault of the Denon 4802, it is only in combination that it may occur. As I have said, mine did it for two days and now it doesn't so perhaps it is a combination of three things and the third is something we haven't discovered, ie grounding.........as someone mentioned.

Originally posted by HughScot
No I wouldn't, it is not the fault of the Denon 4802, it is only in combination that it may occur. As I have said, mine did it for two days and now it doesn't so perhaps it is a combination of three things and the third is something we haven't discovered, ie grounding.........as someone mentioned.

My offer to trade receivers is still open! :)

Seriously I am fully confident that my system is grounded properly. The sales guy convinced me to by the Monster power whatever and it has a light that turns a different color if it detects a wiring and/or grounding problem.

Perhaps the shielding of the coax needs to be grounded. I can't say if it's grounded or not.

Anybody else having problems with Fox18 Digital Channel?
Me: HD from TWC (Concord), old SciAtl Box 3100HD maybe, Component Video out to TV.
Problem: Only on Fox digital: having problems with the screen just going black for instances. Also the audio gets out of sync as well. Video comes back on then speeds up to get back to where I guess it was. Started happening during The Phantom Menace. (Channel has become pretty much unwatchable and needs to be working in time for Bernie Mac.)

I watched last night OTA and did not see any problems, and it is on here
in my office all day with no problems. Ican check my pioneer later tonight.

Don't waste your time with grounding.
I purchased a coax to optical converter (eliminating all conducting copper) & ran new ground rod. Same exact result. The crackle&pop are coming through the digital audio stream.
You could try Denon but chances are they'd never replicate the problem in their service center to diagnose it...at least that's what the Pioneer authorized service center in Shelby told me.
PS I have an SA-3100HD box upstairs. It NEVER crackes&pops when I move it to same receiver(but it doesn't have DVI & has a cruder interface).

MJ,
you will need to put in a service call to TWC. Most likely, the problem is
ingress caused by bad/leaky/poor connections somewhere along the way.
Since WCCB-DT is carried on TWC on the same frequency as WUNG-TV 58's
on air signal,that is most likely the cause of your problem.

yea bob, you were ahead of the curve... ;-) I think they dont listen to you but you're cool with me, I like my 24 in fox digital WS LOL


Originally posted by bdfox18doe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by bdfox18doe
tend to think the pioneer's digital output tends to be somewhat dirty at times, (and that coupled with specific DD decoders that don't properly mute during stream changes) may cause objectionable artifacts...YMMV..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Bob... last night I switched to the digital PBS WUNG and am having the same audio dropout problems (no video issues though) and continue having the same audio/video prob's with the Fox station. Will give TWC a call and somewhere in the conversation I'll use the word "ingress."

anyone know why Raymond isn't in HDTV tonight??

jbryer, I've noticed for the past several nights that some of the normal CBS primetime shows haven't been broadcast in HD (Cold Case on Sunday evening, and the entire Monday evening line-up)! Does anybody else have any information as to why this has been the case? Most of the episodes were repeats...I wonder if that had something to do with it?

Originally posted by herrfish1
jbryer, I've noticed for the past several nights that some of the normal CBS primetime shows haven't been broadcast in HD (Cold Case on Sunday evening, and the entire Monday evening line-up)! Does anybody else have any information as to why this has been the case? Most of the episodes were repeats...I wonder if that had something to do with it?

Same thing happened with Alias on ABC Sunday night. My understanding is that the high winds had done some damage to (at least) the HD transmitter at WSOC, and if that's true, maybe WBTV had the same problem. Have you checked the signal strength?

Does anybody know where I can find the exact locations of the towers for Spartanburg, Asheville, and Columbia. Tooled around on Antennaweb, but it wont let me look that far.

Try the FCC's TV database query at www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html

Anybody else notice that ABC replayed 8 Rules instead of the news at 11pm tonight following Blue?

Originally posted by n4fw
Try the FCC's TV database query at www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html

Great Site. Thanks.

Anybody heard anything about Charlotte TimeWarner's HD-DVR lately? Shouldn't they be rolling one out by now?

I think they are still in testing, I can't wait to get one myself :)

Originally posted by archiguy
Anybody heard anything about Charlotte TimeWarner's HD-DVR lately? Shouldn't they be rolling one out by now?

I got an email from TWC this past Mon. saying they were trying to get the bugs out of the "passport" model.

Seems like the list of cable companies offering HD-DVR's is growing daily now, including TimeWarner systems elsewhere. Some of these even have (Praise Gawd!!) working firewire ports. Wonder why they just don't use the boxes that other systems are using successfully? (Why reinvent the wheel if you don't have to?) Who makes the "passport" model you're speaking of Hugh?

~archie

Originally posted by archiguy
Seems like the list of cable companies offering HD-DVR's is growing daily now, including TimeWarner systems elsewhere. Some of these even have (Praise Gawd!!) working firewire ports. Wonder why they just don't use the boxes that other systems are using successfully? (Why reinvent the wheel if you don't have to?) Who makes the "passport" model you're speaking of Hugh?

~archie

I don't know who makes it and since it was a new name to me I used quotation marks. I just want it........bad.

I believe "Passport" is the software that the boxes run, which IIRC, is a Pioneer product (and I just checked...it is) -
http://www.pioneerbroadband.com/products/passport.asp
As for the hardware itself, in this thread, there have been rumors of the Pioneer Voyager 4000HD
http://www.pioneerbroadband.com/products/voyager4000.asp
and Cajunlab had heard that they were working on the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8010 (Which I cannot find anything about).

Either way, I am with Hugh...It hardly matters who makes the box, I just want one.

Edit: Figured I would throw in a link to the Explorer 8000HD, which is the HD DVR that TW is using in other markets.
http://www.scientificatlanta.com/products/consumers/Exp8000HD.htm

Maybe they are trying to get the Passport software to run on the Explorer 8000HD, and will re-number the Passport version of the Explorer 8010?

Mark

And I'm also with you guys. I was an early adopter of HDTV; have had an E*6000 for over 3 years now, and have patiently been waiting for a simple, out-of-the-box recording solution for time shifting and archiving. E*'s DVR921 is here now, sort of (they don't seem to be available), but is still kinda' buggy, has no guide info for local digital stations, has an impotent proprietary firewire port, and costs a cool grand! While it appears to be more robust than the cable DVR's, it still doesn't make much sense to spend that much cash when you can rent one for peanuts.

So, I'm ready to bid Charlie a fond farewell whenever TWC gets its act together vis a vis a working DVR with firewire. Oh, and they need to add ESPN-HD as well; can't live without that one!

Here is a link to the specs (PDF file) for the 8100HD but I don't know how up to date it is.
http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/4004400.pdf

Originally posted by e137811
Here is a link to the specs (PDF file) for the 8100HD but I don't know how up to date it is.
http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/4004400.pdf

That's the 8000HD which is being used in SC at the present time.

From what I have been able to determine (I read the Passport white papers a few years back). The passport is software that runs on the box and has to match what TWC is running at their offices. The brand of box doesn't matter, just the software.

Consider the PVR (or any cable box) like a PC. A PC runs an operating system such as Windows or Linux. In the case of SC they run a diffrent operating system then the Charlotte office does. Apparently all the bugs are worked out of that operating system, but ours still has some. (Perhaps a variation of Windows?)

So, while you may see other areas of TWC get them, it is because they run the other operating system. Whenever TWC Charlotte gets the box working with our system, I'm sure they were release it. Believe me, I am anixous myself.

--Tzvi

Any word on ESPNHD?? I know they have been in negotiations for a while, but I am tired of waiting. ESPN keeps teasing me by advertising all of these HD games.

Can anybody tell me what local channels D*TV provides in HiDef in the Charlotte area? Any? Their site only lists CBS, so I hope that isn't true... anybody have it?

Seems like TWC has the best lineup, but no ESPN HD :mad:

But D*TV has NFL Sunday Ticket :D - do any of those broadcasts come in HD?

Originally posted by doppler1
Supposedly all of them next season.

Mark

You say that all of the NFL games shown on DirecTV will be in HD next year and I'm wondering where you heard this. And which network is going to provide the coverage. That would be great but I have not heard of anything like this.

Originally posted by doppler1
Supposedly all of them next season.

Mark

Really? That kind of gets me all hot and bothered! :)

OMG...I'm an idiot...

Sorry, I should never, never repeat unverified information. I cannot find anything about Sunday Ticket in HDTV, so, as you probably assumed, it is probably not true. I fully regret my false info.

Mark

If anyone hears anymore info on the HD DVR post up :)

Originally posted by HughScot
You say that all of the NFL games shown on DirecTV will be in HD next year and I'm wondering where you heard this. And which network is going to provide the coverage. That would be great but I have not heard of anything like this.

It is quote from an executive at D*. Initial reports were that all games would be HD, but they are now saying at least 1/2 of all games each week will be HD if you have subscription to Sunday Ticket.

Originally posted by ClayM
Can anybody tell me what local channels D*TV provides in HiDef in the Charlotte area? Any? Their site only lists CBS, so I hope that isn't true... anybody have it?

Seems like TWC has the best lineup, but no ESPN HD :mad:

But D*TV has NFL Sunday Ticket :D - do any of those broadcasts come in HD?

CBS-HD is not available in Charlotte without a waiver from WBTV. Fox ED will be added soon (becoming HD this fall), however it will fall under the same waiver requirement.

All NFL broadcasts shot in HD are available with Sunday Ticket, including the NFL Network "Game of the Week in HD" - I think I've watched the St. Louis Divisional game of the week about 30 times. Exciting every time :)

Originally posted by CPanther95
It is quote from an executive at D*. Initial reports were that all games would be HD, but they are now saying at least 1/2 of all games each week will be HD if you have subscription to Sunday Ticket.

The question is still who will be producing and providing the announcers for these HD games? Which network, since D* doesn't do any of that on their own? At the present time CBS and Fox carry the Sunday games and Fox may or may not present a game in true HD and CBS only does one in HD so I'm wondering who will be doing the others.

Originally posted by HughScot
The question is still who will be producing and providing the announcers for these HD games? Which network, since D* doesn't do any of that on their own? At the present time CBS and Fox carry the Sunday games and Fox may or may not present a game in true HD and CBS only does one in HD so I'm wondering who will be doing the others.

The announcers will be the same as the SD broadcasts, just like last year. They haven't split production in a couple of years.

FOX will start their HD broadcasts with the 2004-2005 season (after pressure from the NFL) and CBS will expand their offering. So if the 1/2 estimate holds true, I'd guess ABC, ESPN, and 4 games each from CBS and FOX

3510 box firmware was flashed yesterday when they merged Clt-Gaston-Shelby.....but the crackle/pop thru digital-audio-out is STILL THERE.
Had to unplug, & replug power while holding the volume-down button on the box before it would boot properly.
Same old audio crap from TW....where it the accountability TW?!?
You've acknowledged this problem for over 6-months!
rant now complete...back to our regularly scheduled program.

Hey Bob, if you're out there, I'm wondering if there's an issue with the digital broadcast of WCCB recently. Thursday night before I went out of town, and again tonight (Monday), I've been getting (OTA, BTW) a bunch of video static reminiscent of a misaligned antenna. The sound is fine, though. At first I thought it was my antenna, but it's set up the same as always. And, of course, from my understanding of digital broadcasts, you either get it or you don't. In fact, my signal strength is between 87 and 90.

I thought I'd see something in this forum about this problem, but it worries me that I don't. So maybe I'm missing something? Any one else running into this?

Thanks.

Charles

How are you watching,(receivermodel /monitor) haven't seen anything at home or here out of the ordinary. We have been testing some configurations.

Bob,

I have a Hitachi 65XWX20B RTPV with a built-in OTA HD receiver, connected to a Radio Shack 15-1838 Amplified UHF/VHF/FM indoor antenna I have placed in the attic. Again, doesn't appear to be an antenna issue since I'm getting a very strong signal and can hear the audio.

Charles

Ah yes..Are you Linda's Husband? Have been speaking with Hitachi,
they do have a problem with their set. We have sent them streams
to analyze. Check your PM and call me..

I've got a question for the TWC techs here. Does the 3510 box have a "4:3 override" function like the motorola box has? If not, it really needs it. This lets you watch the upconverted channels in 480i or 480p and also lets you use the tv's stretch modes when watching thru dvi or component. Please advise.

thanks

dvdguru, i'm not a tech but the 3510 doesnt have a 4:3 override, but you can tell the 3510 to stretch 4:3 content if you like instead of using an override to allow your pc to stretch it. Accomplishes the same thing, just two different methods...

So it's been a while since I've checked this thread, and I may have missed something as I scanned the recent posts, but does anyone have an update on TW enabling the DVI output on the Pio 3510 box? I see something above about a firmware update for the HD boxes...I would love to be able to use the DVI out on mine.

DVI has been working on the pioneer box for a long time! I think there are issue with the DVI connection and some HItachi sets though...

Originally posted by stealthg2000
Accomplishes the same thing, just two different methods...

While I am not a tech either, it doesn't really accomplish the same thing - some televisions do a much better job of "stretching" than the box can do...

There are a couple of ways to get a 4:3 picture output to your television (so that you can use the TV's stretch modes)

1.) Use the S-Video output (or composite). This will output a 4:3 480i image to your television.

2.) Under settings, TV Type, you can tell the box that you have a 4:3 television and to letterbox 16:9 content. You can also specify acceptable output resolutions (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i). By telling the box that you have a 4:3 television, it won't alter a 4:3 picture, allowing you to use your television's stretch modes. When I switch back to a 16:9 HD program, it doesn't letterbox the picture (for whatever reason?), so I just leave my box set to 4:3 mode even though I have a wide screen TV.

I assume that option 2 is somewhat similar to the 4:3 override mode, but I haven't ever used the Motorola box and I don't really understand exactly what override mode is.

Originally posted by doppler1
While I am not a tech either, it doesn't really accomplish the same thing - some televisions do a much better job of "stretching" than the box can do...

LOL, its doing the same thing but yes I do agree that some tv's can stretch 4:3 better thatn the box. It's like my calculator can multiply 3 digit numbers faster than i can, but we are still doing the same thing...


There are a couple of ways to get a 4:3 picture output to your television (so that you can use the TV's stretch modes)

1.) Use the S-Video output (or composite). This will output a 4:3 480i image to your television.

This is your best option, always works... I watch most of my 4:3 from my DVR box which is running off a composite output and stretch it when guests request it.

2.) Under settings, TV Type, you can tell the box that you have a 4:3 television and to letterbox 16:9 content. You can also specify acceptable output resolutions (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i). By telling the box that you have a 4:3 television, it won't alter a 4:3 picture, allowing you to use your television's stretch modes. When I switch back to a 16:9 HD program, it doesn't letterbox the picture (for whatever reason?), so I just leave my box set to 4:3 mode even though I have a wide screen TV.


option 2 doesnt work on all tv's , My philips widescreen only gives you stretch options on composite inputs. It assumes that you dont want to use stretch on a component input, so i dont have that option on my 1080i or 480p inputs.

It's all about prefrence, I personally dont like my 4:3 to be stretched, lol I just enjoy the better quality at a smaller size, its hard enough to look at SD after going HD in the first place... :-)

Originally posted by stealthg2000
It's all about prefrence, I personally dont like my 4:3 to be stretched, lol I just enjoy the better quality at a smaller size, its hard enough to look at SD after going HD in the first place... :-) [/B]

Definitely agree... If I didn't have a RPTV I would watch 4:3 in 4:3. Thanks for clarifying option 2 - I didn't realize it wouldn't work on many TV's. I didn't necessarily mean that the box did a better job of stretching, I was trying to say that one might prefer a different stretch mode than the one offered on the box (I prefer "Stretch Plus" on my Mitsubishi).

Mark

I live between exits 25 and 28 on Lake Norman, and just set up a Sony 26" LCD fed by a Sony SAT-HD300, D* with HD, and OTA via that piece of junk (apparently) 100 dollar Terk antenna from Circuit City. WBTV, WCNC, and WTVI are great, but the rest are terrible and not even close to watchable. I can understand WCCB, WJZY, WAXN, etc. being poor, but what's up with WSOC: it is the worst signal of all. The installer tweaked and tweaked and this is the best we could do. The antenna is two stories up on the roof but the northeast to southeast side is blocked by the roof. However, WTVI is actually blocked more than WSOC and it comes in great. Is it just the Terk TV-55?

PS - Directv is incredibly good...getting 90 plus on all three sats.

bump

Take that Terk and use it to hit baseballs, It's much better at that than
DTv reception..and more fun..! From where you are, you should have no problem receiving all of the Charlotte DTv's, especiallly WCCB and WSOC, as well as WBTV and WCNC. From where you are, you're trying to pick up WCCB & WSOC from the side of the antenna..of which it has none.
WBTV,WCNC,WJZY,WWWB are all located north of Dallas, while WCCB,WSOC,WAXN and WTVI are near Harris Blvd at Rocky River Rd.

By the way, WBTV and WCCB are the only ones running full power, at 1
megawatt ERP..

Bob

Thanks for the info. I'm still a little confused though. WTVI HD is coming in like gangbusters, as is 3 and 36 and 55. Finally got 46 locked in. Signal comes and goes on 18 and worst of all WSOC...can't get anything. If 42 is coming in so well, why not 9 and 18? Those are two of the wife's favs and I love 720p.

Any suggestions on the absolute best HD antenna ? I don't want to have to rotate like in the old days so an omni that actually works is ideal.

Frank

Hi Frank-
WTVI's OTA channel is 11, and the Terk works fairly well for high VHF,
plus you're not that far from WTVI.. That antenna has virtually no directivity,
which if you're receiving any reflections (multipath) and probably are off the side of the "bar", rception will be problematic. From where you are, the stations are about 120 degrees apart. I like the Silver sensor antenna,
as well as the Winegaurd Squareshooter, but both are fairly directional.
We have found thru much trial and error, that no one antenna works perfectly in all installations. So, you may have to have a rotor, or an a/b
switch with two antennas. You'll probably need to do quite a bit of experimenting. The passive silver sensor works very well in the attic.
Hope this helps!

Thanks Bob. I guess I'll try the A/B route. Is it possible to diplex two antennas and avoid switching? Any thoughts on Antennas Direct DB4?

Not familiar with the DB4..you can try diplexing, however that tends to introduce an artificial "ghost" that the tuners can't deal with due to receiving the same signal from two antennas slightly delayed.

Thanks again Bob, I figured ghosting might be an issue. The DB4 is a dual bowtie that appears to allow pointing each array separately. That way, one could face the Dallas grouping, and one towards Harris Blvd. Here's a link:

http://www.antennasdirect.com/db4_bow.htm

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm..let me know how you come out!

That does look very interesting. I've got the CM 4228 and don't want to have to screw around with a rotor and/or preamp. I've found that there's almost no perfect "sweet spot" where I can get every local digital station (I live in Pineville). Right now, I've got everyone coming in pretty well except the 2 local PBS stations (WTVI and WUMG). I had them on Sunday, but by Tuesday I had lost them again. It would seem that WTVI is transmitting at extremely low power.

I also can't get WJZY, again with the too-low power output I presume, so no ST Enterprise in HD for me. :(

WTVI is running around 3500 watts erp..If my memory is correct..

I have the DB4, and while it's far and away the best performer I have used, the arrays are fixed on the square tubing. The elements are on one solid shaft with no joints or pivots.

If you want to point the elements in different directions, you could get two DB2s and a combiner. But be careful of positioning , or you may end up with a case of multi-path

Bob,

On TW cable last night (and a couple of other times sporadically), the show I was watching on Fox-D seemed very jerky (i.e., it was almost as if frames were missing (like you were watching someone in a strobe light)). It was bad enough to where I almost switched back to Ch. 11. Do you know what is causing this problem?

By the way, overall, I really enjoy seeing Fox in Widescreen Digital. Can't wait for HD.

yes, we're doing some testing of equipment configurations. Should be
more better tomrrow.

Shoot, I guess I'll have to either get out a soldering iron and or hacksaw if I'm going to try the DB4. According to Antennaweb, the two Charlotte transmitter groups are almost exactly 90 degrees apart from my location so a bidirectional won't work for me either. I wonder if the DB4 is good enough that I can pull in all if I spilt the diff and point it at 45 degrees (in between), possibly with an added pre-amp. Two antennas with a dish to boot and the HOA may scream foul. The law lets you put up enough to get a decent signal but you still can't look like your trying to control the Mars Rovers!

Don't forget the WAF.. (Wife acceptance factor)..at least for some of us!

The meter is already pegged on that one !

Any news on the TWC HD PVR box? I can find out nothing from TWC in Charlotte.

I called TWC on Friday (4/2) and asked about the HD-DVR. No word on deployment dates, just the usual platitudes about "alpha testing" with TWC employees, blah, blah, blah. This delay is very frustrating considering Cable systems all over the country are now rolling these boxes out and here in Charlotte, a hotbed of HDTV activity, TWC is dragging its heals. Considering the requirement about providers having to offer active firewire beginning April 1st, one would expect the HD-DVR to have that feature at roll-out as well. IF they ever roll the darn things out.

In light of the FCC ruling mandating active firewire STB's (we'll leave the DVR alone for now) being provided to customers upon request by April 1st, anyone "requested" one from TWC yet?

Not to sound like a total noob but what will the HD PVR do for me? I have only had HD programming for a few months now and love it. I'm assuming this device will allow a certain degree of control over recording and other functions. I work down the street from TW offices so I can just go over there and bug them everyday until the thing is released!

Originally posted by dropzone7
Not to sound like a total noob but what will the HD PVR do for me? I have only had HD programming for a few months now and love it. I'm assuming this device will allow a certain degree of control over recording and other functions. I work down the street from TW offices so I can just go over there and bug them everyday until the thing is released!

PVR stands for Personal Video Recorder. It will allow you to record HD programming and play it back in HD.

Hugh

Just to answer my own question from my last post above, I talked with good ol' Phil at TWC this afternoon and he verified that firewire enabled (and active) STB's are now available! No word yet on the HD-DVR.

Now, dangnabit, I have decisions to make. Keep DISH and buy a DVR921 for a cool $1,000 (they're taking them off hold next week) or wait for the TW version which may still be many months away? Get HD-STB from TWC and keep DISH HD-pak for ESPN-HD? Or flush DISH altogether and abandon the dish farm on my storage building roof...? And what about VOOM, with all that exclusive HD content (got a dish already pointed to 61.5)? Oh what to do; what to do....? AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Originally posted by archiguy
Just to answer my own question from my last post above, I talked with good ol' Phil at TWC this afternoon and he verified that firewire enabled (and active) STB's are now available! No word yet on the HD-DVR.


Is firewire available with the HD model that we are currently using?

Don't know. Phil didn't know the model number of the firewire-enabled box. Phil's kinda' clueless, really, but he did say he'd call me when he had some info on the HD-DVR. I'm not holding my breath; I think many call-backs will be required over the next few months. I may have a 921 by then; getting tired of waiting!

What is the brand and model STB are they using for firewire?
Does it also have DVI? HDMI?
Maybe I can get rid of this crappy Pioneer 3510 and all it's crackling & popping via digital audio out......hoping.

cajunlab can I assume you are still having the problem?

unfortunately yes.
Time warner continues to acknowledge the problem (at least) and do nothing about it.......only hope is a diff box.
Apparently, the SciAtl boxes mute during channel change where the Pio's dont.....thus they blame "certain" AVrcvrs that don't "catch" this garbage in the digital stream & mute it for the STB. This from RonWright at TWClt.
I suggested a firmware update to add the mute but he said actually SciAtl was violating programming etiquette by including the mute signal.
Whatever....just fix it TW.

Odd I haven't had it in a couple days. I was hoping they made some change. Great, now I get to wonder when it is coming back...

No changes to my system... this is getting old.

bump :) If anyone gets any updates post up

Watching Master's on INHD2 last two nights and see heavy pixelization whenever there is significant movement in the shot (mostly just after the ball is struck and just before it lands when the camera is panning quickly to follow the ball). I am watching on Time Warner Cable in Charlotte. Is anyone else on TWC Charlotte seeing this or does the line to my house have an issue?

I'm in Charlotte. I just watched it for a short time but it looked great to me. Didn't noticed the artifacts.

Also on INHD, that baseball game on Thursday looked incredibly. Really great. The HD camera was a little slow to focus at times but since I guess they only use two of them it might be a little harder to keep things sharp when they switch.

Also they didn't do the surround sound as well as TBS. TBS does it the best. Is like being at the field. They plug crowd noise into the surrounds, the action and commentary on the mains and center. Makes for a great effect and nobody else seems to do it as well.

JR

Any news/rumor when Charlotte TWC will have a HDTV capable PVR (like my Tivo)? I refuse to buy an HDTV till a HDTV recorder is available.

Thanks,

Originally posted by Panzer948
Any news/rumor when Charlotte TWC will have a HDTV capable PVR (like my Tivo)? I refuse to buy an HDTV till a HDTV recorder is available.

Thanks,

I e-mailed TW Carolina marketing last week and all they will say is that they are currently testing it here, and are looking to a summer release. Hopefully they won't have any major problems that could delay the release.

BTW, there is an excellent thread in the HDTV Recorders section of the forums discussing the Scientific Atlanta 8000HD on TW Cable... Seems that the Pioneer version of the 8000HD has been released in some areas.

Link to said thread. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=352604)

Mark

Hey Guys,

Perhaps somebody has an answer to this question or knows what TWC policy is. I am currently a subscriber in Charlotte; but I am having a house built in Union County, and I move in next month.

Currently I am grandfathered with INHD, since I had them before the package was created. I do not want to lose these channels when I move. I know I could just buy the package, but I am trying to conserve money to buy things for the house. (Currently I live in a two-bedroom apartment and I'm getting a 4 bedroom house with a very large bonus room [Theatre]).

I know that from county to county TWC is the same and yet also diffrent. Am I able to transfer my current account over to Union County and if so will I still recieve INHD?

Thanks for any help you can lend.

--Tzvi

I'm not sure the $6.95 is going to break anyone's bank but TW would be the ones to advise you about pricing policy.

New HD station to report!! WBHD now on 255. I wish it was ESPNHD but keep them coming...

WJZY UPN is up in HD too. Can't wait for Wedesday and Enterprise in HD! Channels appear with their SD digital twins.

Still waiting for Bravo and ESPN, but this is a welcome addition.

BTW, what ever happened to that INDemand HD PPV channel?

I just checked that out last night and it is still available in the diagnostic mode with new HD movies.

Originally posted by namcap
I just checked that out last night and it is still available in the diagnostic mode with new HD movies.

What channel is the HD pay per view station on?

820. Once you enter the diag mode key in 820. I don't see it in the guide view but I can enter it direct. They currently have Seabiscut, Dummy, some IMAX features and a couple other movies that look pretty stupid. $4.99

TW fixes Digital Audio crackles & pops on 3510!
I don't know what they did but the crackles & pops through digital audio out on the 3510 box have totally stopped.
I assume there was a firmware update...
FINALLY.....YES!
Any TW people care to tell us what changed recently?
How about it DKrueger or RWright?
Thanks!!!regardless

I was waching What Lies Beneath on ABC and have to ask, what was up with the bug (9 Digital WSOC-DT Charlotte) in the left corner during the whole movie? Then, in the lower right hand corner throughout the whole movie there was the ABC bug.

Originally posted by namcap
I was waching What Lies Beneath on ABC and have to ask, what was up with the bug (9 Digital WSOC-DT Charlotte) in the left corner during the whole movie? Then, in the lower right hand corner throughout the whole movie there was the ABC bug.

They just can't seem to consistently get this right. The WSOC-DT bug is supposed to display just for a few seconds at the top and bottom of the hour, coming off of commercial. Evidently this process is not automated and has to be done "by hand", since they screw up quite often and leave it up during the whole show where it's profoundly distracting. At least that's my guess since we apparently have no one from WSOC who will post here with the "official" explanation.

I sent WSOC an email regarding my (and others') dislike over the bug. Here is our reply:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for watching WSOC-TV and taking the time to write to us. It was a function of our automation that caused the WSOC-DT logo to remain on the screen. We are aware of how annoying that can be for our viewers and it is our intention to prevent such errors from occurring, however, errors do occur. In the future, please leave me a voice mail message (I will be paged) and I can instruct the operators to bypass the system and remove the logo. Unfortunately, I cannot control what the ABC network does with their logo in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
Thanks,
Technical Operations Manager
I'm withholding her name for her privacy purposes

Glad they are aware of it being annoying and hopefully will address it.

anyone have any recent news? This might not be the place to ask, but how is the firewire connection going to work? or is it even going to be on the dvr version?

I'd also like to know if anyone has heard anything on the HD-DVR.

I'm another one looking for news on the HD-DVR offering; just checked the twcarolina.com site today, of course there's nothing new there...

So if anyone has heard anything, please share.

Fox Digital on TW was out last night. I assume others had the same problem.

Bob - When do you guys expect it to be back up (or is it already back up - I didn't watch Fox this morning)?

By the way, we appreciate you participating in the forum. Now if we could only get someone from TW to participate.

Mhorn,
we're doing software upgrades, I don;t yet know when we'll be back.

Back now..all should be more better..

bdfox18doe:

I noticed TWC channel 240 was off-air again today around 4pm. I called TWC customer service, and they didn't know much. Checked back around 4:30, and it was there. Good deal.

However, how come there are so many digital hits on the NASCAR on Fox broadcasts? These were quite prevalent last week during the Talladega Cup race, and again today during the NBS race. Is that on the signal coming from Fox, or is it a local issue?

I don't intend this as criticism, but I'm very curious if we'll see this all season. And like some others have said: Thanks for participating and sharing information!

Hi Teddy-
Most likely, you are having intermittent line issues with your cable drop.
I monitor our signal quite closely, especially during Nascar. I didn't see any problems last Sunday. Depending upon where you are, there can be some outside interference getting into the cable, especially in the Concord/Kannapolis area, that can affect reception on cable. Check your PM for a referral as to who to contact.

Anyone know (Bob?) why FOX18 just switched to the Patriots/Rams Super Bowl for about 10 seconds during Simpsons?

Now Ally McBeal for about 5 sec - Then "External Bypass ON" then color bars for a few seconds - COOL.

Mark Mathis is probably messing around with the equipment. :p

That was a great Answer, miamijoe. That was funnny

- Scott

I'll tell you what, the Super Bowl looked very sharp. Maybe FOX WS is just as good as HD after all. :)

Originally posted by miamijoe
Mark Mathis is probably messing around with the equipment. :p

Yes he was. Despite our best efforts, he shows up like a 5 year old
fascinated by the pretty blinky lights and can't resist pushing buttons.

Speaking of.....when will Fox switch over to HD (720p or 1080i)?

September 720p..

Ok, now I am the one po'd at TWC and the never ending delay of their HD-DVR box. I've given them the benefit of the doubt and watched their other markets get the box but not Charlotte. If they would only come out and give an intelligent answer and not just.......some time in the future.

So now the phone calls and visits start.

Hugh,
Others don't have the problem you describe.
Maybe it's just your location....have you tried moving ;)
just kidding.....re:crackling issue

I wish they'd role it out too but I fear the crackling issue may start again.
Thank goodness they FINALLY addressed that.
Wonder why they never post here...I've talked to several key TW people that claim they watch this board.....maybe it's the old corporate "liability exposure" excuse.
Any info would be welcome.

In TW Charlotte's defense, I don't think any of the TW Pioneer-based software markets (e.g., Charlotte) have gotten the HD-DVR (other than for beta testing maybe). My understanding is that the markets that have gotten the HD-DVR have the SA software.

However, I do wish there was better communication from the folks here in Charlotte as to a number of things including timing of the HD-DVR STB release, a waitlist for the box, new HD channels that they plan to add, etc. When you call, they almost always say look at your bill for more information which never actually happens or it is months after the channel has been added for example.

Lets just keep our fingers crossed for the June/July release that has been speculated in the thread in the recorders section...I can hardly wait.

In TWC newsletter today:

"We will be launching TNT in HD later this month. This is another great addition to our High Definition lineup. TNT in HD is a High Definition broadcast of the TNT East coast feed. The NBA's Western Conference Finals will be televised for the first time in High Definition on TNT in HD. This new addition can be found on channel 281 and will be available at no extra charge to all Digital Cable customers with a High Definition converter. "

Interesting that its not going to be in the HD-Tier. I'm sure that's part of the delay with ESPN and maybe even Bravo.

Originally posted by swamphhh
Interesting that its not going to be in the HD-Tier. I'm sure that's part of the delay with ESPN and maybe even Bravo.

I'm glad to see they will be adding TNT pretty much on launch. It sounds like TNT will eventually show their dramas in HD, so I might actually watch TNTHD a little.

Since the Olympics will not be broadcast on BravoHD and it isn't yet football season (for ESPNHD), I don't think we are missing much without them (except bragging rights over the number of HD channels available).

Greetings, o' fellow Charlotte area HDTV fans. I am proud to announce that today I became the first TWC-Charlotte recipient of the SA3250HD STB with active firewire! Thanks to Ron Wright of TWC for all his enthusiasm and efforts on my behalf.

The 3250 is up, working, and connected to my Marantz MV-3800 D-VHS VCR (rebadged JVC 40k) via the IEEE-1394 connection. I also have the 3250 connected to my Sony 34XBR910 HDTV via component. Will add S-video and TOSlink digital audio tonight as well. Dang, them optical cables are expensive!

We were able to get programming passed-through the Marantz to the display with PPV and VOD material (flagged "Copy Never"), and copy was prohibited as expected. We were able to get pass-through and successful copying with channels flagged "Copy Once", like HBO-HD and Showtime-HD, HDNet, DHDT, etc., also as expected.

However, we ran into problems, oddly enough, with material flagged "Copy Freely" (all broadcast network stuff). None of it would pass through the Marantz (black screen) or allow itself to be copied. Evidently there are some bits set to the wrong protocol or some such technical blather. They were going to work on those streams today and we'll see what I've got when I get home from work tonight.

And for those of you waiting on the HD-DVR, I'm told they have 1500 of 'em sitting and waiting for the testing procedures to finish up; only a matter of weeks now, so keep your chins up!

As for me, I'm keeping my DISH network 6000 active, mostly for the OTA receiver, and will throttle my subscription back to just the HD-Pak. When the TWC HD-DVR comes out, I'll probably bag DISH altogether. Tonight, I hope to archive-to-tape my first HD movie! Hope there's something good on.... :D

Anyone have a Toshiba HF83 series and a Pioneer 3510 combo? If so, can you tell me if you are able to, in the settings, set the box to ouput 1080i?

The 30HF83 will accept 720p and convert to 1080i, but I would like to pass a 1080i source directly into the tv at 1080i. Right now if I don't let the box convert 1080i to 720p first, i get sync issues.

Anyone else have this problem?

I was asked to post this on the Charlotte thread on behalf of Time Warner Cable's Charlotte Division:

"TWC is working on your behalf to the bring the best in HDTV to your homes. We know you are anxiously waiting for our HD-DVRs and we appreciate your patience. Please check with your local Time Warner Cable office to determine the availability of HD-DVRs in your area".

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
"TWC is working on your behalf to the bring the best in HDTV to your homes. We know you are anxiously waiting for our HD-DVRs and we appreciate your patience. Please check with your local Time Warner Cable office to determine the availability of HD-DVRs in your area".

Ummm...does that mean it is available?!? :)

Should we contact anyone in particular to find out?

Let me say that I know a fair amount more than what was posted by TWC and please don't call anyone right now. I've been asked not to say anything by TWC so I can't go into details; and I asked them to post something on this site..........but those are not Diana's words and they don't say what I asked. Sit tight, it is close

I will post as soon as I can.

TNT-HD is available on Channel 281 in Diag mode...but it's probably only short time before the channel is officially added.

Just a test loop of previews for Salem's Lot and The Grid. Still no programing.

I've also noticed that the MOD-HD channel is down. I'd like to see that channel get figured out.

UPDATE:
TNT-HD is live on 281 as of this morning 5-21. Looks pretty good. Much better than SD TNT looks on TWC. I'm sure it will look better when they get some actual HD quality source material.

I will go ahead and confirm that Charlotte has received 1500 HD-DVR boxes. They are being loaded with software and will go through a test period. Another problem is that when Charlotte tried to combine their DNS(?) system with that of other surrounding towns it did not work so places like Gastonia, for instance, must have different software loaded and tested, etc. Hopefully someone from TWC Charlotte with a little tech. knowledge will start posting to this site and keep us updated on exactly what is going on.

As is obvious from the above I'm no tech. guy so my apologies if I didn't use the correct terminology.

Sounds like the HD-DVRs will be timed perfectly w/ the release of the new Samsung HLP line of DLP sets. Can't wait!!!

Can't speak to the Samsung DLPs, which I too want to see in conditions other than perfect as at CES, but I do know that TWC is working hard to get out the HD-DVRs. It is not something that is just sitting waiting, they know their are many people looking forward to getting these boxes. But they want to make sure SA has given them a box that works properly before they deliever them and everyone starts complaining.

As an additional bit of info, Pioneer has ceased manufacturing their cable box so SA has even more work to do and I really hate it as I was told the Pioneer box is (or was) superior.

Originally posted by HughScot
I will go ahead and confirm that Charlotte has received 1500 HD-DVR boxes.
Excellent news!
They are being loaded with software and will go through a test period. Another problem is that when Charlotte tried to combine their DNS(?) system with that of other surrounding towns it did not work so places like Gastonia, for instance, must have different software loaded and tested, etc.
Bummer. I guess they will delay Charlotte until they get the software updated for the other areas?
Hopefully someone from TWC Charlotte with a little tech. knowledge will start posting to this site and keep us updated on exactly what is going on.
That would be wonderful (and much appreciated...by most anyway)!
As an additional bit of info, Pioneer has ceased manufacturing their cable box so SA has even more work to do and I really hate it as I was told the Pioneer box is (or was) superior.
Bummer again. The Pioneer box, IMO, seemed to be better than any of the SA boxes I've had in the past (but I never had the audio crackle problem).

EDIT: I just realized this is probably because they are switching to CableCARD devices...

Thanks for the update HughScot!

TNT HD - channel 281 is live!

I mentioned the 1500 HD-DVR's a week ago in my post above regarding the SA3250 w/ firewire; guess nobody noticed (or read) it. They've been testing this box with employees for 3 months now, and are almost ready to deploy, I'm told. The Pioneer box, unfortunately, was indeed far superior to the SA box in a number of areas. Supposedly, the SA box will not output composite (incl. S-video) to a display device, only component. Also, there is some question as to whether Dolby Digital 5.1 discreet sound will be fully supported. Stay tuned...

"Supposedly, the SA box will not output composite (incl. S-video) to a display device, only component."

I hope that can be resolved... I was going to use the SA DVR for HD only material and continue using my SS ReplayTV for analog and "digital" cable and I still can for the analog channels (using the splitter and running cable direct to the ReplayTV) but if I can't send the SA DVR to both the HDTV (component) AND to the ReplayTV (via S-Video) then I guess I'll have to record them on the SA box. Hmmmmm.... Better to have the ability to record in HD though. And thank you to all those who keep us informed... Supposedly I'm on the "waitlist" for one of these per Mr. Kruger.

How big is the hard drive in the SA boxes? How many hours of HD and SD can it hold? i can't wait to get one. I love my SA (SD) DVR box.

Originally posted by archiguy
Greetings, o' fellow Charlotte area HDTV fans. I am proud to announce that today I became the first TWC-Charlotte recipient of the SA3250HD STB with active firewire! Thanks to Ron Wright of TWC for all his enthusiasm and efforts on my behalf.

The 3250 is up, working, and connected to my Marantz MV-3800 D-VHS VCR (rebadged JVC 40k) via the IEEE-1394 connection. I also have the 3250 connected to my Sony 34XBR910 HDTV via component. Will add S-video and TOSlink digital audio tonight as well. Dang, them optical cables are expensive!

We were able to get programming passed-through the Marantz to the display with PPV and VOD material (flagged "Copy Never"), and copy was prohibited as expected. We were able to get pass-through and successful copying with channels flagged "Copy Once", like HBO-HD and Showtime-HD, HDNet, DHDT, etc., also as expected.

However, we ran into problems, oddly enough, with material flagged "Copy Freely" (all broadcast network stuff). None of it would pass through the Marantz (black screen) or allow itself to be copied. Evidently there are some bits set to the wrong protocol or some such technical blather. They were going to work on those streams today and we'll see what I've got when I get home from work tonight.

And for those of you waiting on the HD-DVR, I'm told they have 1500 of 'em sitting and waiting for the testing procedures to finish up; only a matter of weeks now, so keep your chins up!

As for me, I'm keeping my DISH network 6000 active, mostly for the OTA receiver, and will throttle my subscription back to just the HD-Pak. When the TWC HD-DVR comes out, I'll probably bag DISH altogether. Tonight, I hope to archive-to-tape my first HD movie! Hope there's something good on.... :D


Excuse my ignorance. What is the difference between the SA3250 HD STB and the Pioneer 3510 HD box I currently have?

Originally posted by chief17
How big is the hard drive in the SA boxes? How many hours of HD and SD can it hold? i can't wait to get one. I love my SA (SD) DVR box.

I think it's 250 gb. I believe that's really a minimum for an effective HD-DVR.

That gives you about 25-30 hours of HD recording and just a whole bunch of SD.

Originally posted by AnthonyM
Excuse my ignorance. What is the difference between the SA3250 HD STB and the Pioneer 3510 HD box I currently have?

The SA3250 has active Firewire out...only necessary if you have a D-VHS recorder to record HD content from television. If you do not have a D-VHS recorder, I would stick with the Pioneer box.

Originally posted by chief17
How big is the hard drive in the SA boxes? How many hours of HD and SD can it hold? i can't wait to get one. I love my SA (SD) DVR box.

I believe the options are 80gb or 160gb for the 8000HD...I've heard HD is about 10gb per hour, so that would translate to 8hrs or 16hrs.
Let's hope we get the 160gb version (which I would be surprised if we do not get it).

All 8000HD boxes released by TWC in South Carolina have been 160gb ,and can record 20 hrs of HD. I've had the same box for 4 months with very little problems. Knock on wood.

I've got a D* HD-Tivo on order and have tried to sort through this thread for OTA antenna information. I live in a two story residence and would like to put the antenna in the attic. I would also prefer not the have to use a rotor. Can someone give me some antenna recommendations? Antennaweb calls for a yellow coded small multi-directional. What antenna would fit that catagory? The Silver Sensor seems to be popular, will it work for me? Also, the CM 4221 gets high marks. Should I go that direction? Any help is appreciated.

Antennas are tough to recommend due to all the variables. The following could effect the efficiency of the antenna.....construction of your roof, height of your attic above ground, type of ground around your house, trees, other houses or buildings in your neighborhood and of course hills between you and the towers.

As you know the towers from CLT are about 75 to 120 degrees apart depending on where in CLT you live, so you may have to have a rotor or an omni directional antenna may work fine. Depending of your circumstances you may or may not need a pre-amp due to distance from antenna to tv. And even if I knew all the answers it would still be somewhat trial and error. First of all I'd try a cheap UHF omni from RS just to see if it works. You never know. I would try Channel Master antennas like the 4228 which I know would work but it might need a rotor. I know you don't want to go out and buy several but it's hard to say. Look at the Channel Master site as they make excellent antennas and rotors and pre-amps. And they could be over kill so try out the cheap RS for the heck of it from inside your house near the TV and you might be surprised. Be sure and use RG-6 Quad Shield cable.

I have a question for you guys. If the new HD-DVR is only going to output on the component output, does that mean it would be sending SD as 480i? The reason I am asking is that I have an X1 projector and it won't take 480i over component input. Is there any possibility of the new box outputting SD at 480p? How does it work for the non DVR HD boxes?

Any help would be appreciated, I just need to find out if I'm going to have to run more cables, and use the Component to SVideo adapter that I can get for my projector.
thanks

Originally posted by clintyarborough
Is there any possibility of the new box outputting SD at 480p? How does it work for the non DVR HD boxes?

I would guess there is a pretty good possibility that it will output SD at 480p (or 720p or 1080i). The Pioneer 3510 (the current HD box) allows you to select available output formats and converts everything to the allowed output formats if necessary (i.e. if you have it set to output 480p and 1080i, it will ouput 480i and 480p at 480p, and 720p and 1080i at 1080i).

Originally posted by doppler1
I would guess there is a pretty good possibility that it will output SD at 480p (or 720p or 1080i). The Pioneer 3510 (the current HD box) allows you to select available output formats and converts everything to the allowed output formats if necessary (i.e. if you have it set to output 480p and 1080i, it will ouput 480i and 480p at 480p, and 720p and 1080i at 1080i).

sweet, thanks

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. :)

Well, not so fast with the smily there clint. If it's going to "upconvert" 480i to 480p, that means the STB is doing the de-interlacing, and the quality thus depends on the quality of the scaling chip. My bet is it's not Farouja (sp?) or any other high-end chip but something cheaper. Remember, they're mass producing these boxes and essentially giving them away.

For those in the Charlotte and surrounding area that are going to be getting HD-DVR box from TWC you might want to go and download the User's Guide from the SA site for the 8000 model. The box we will get is the same but the number is 8010....different software for Charlotte. The manual that comes with the 8010 tells you very little, I've got it.

Originally posted by HughScot
For those in the Charlotte and surrounding area that are going to be getting HD-DVR box from TWC you might want to go and download the User's Guide from the SA site for the 8000 model.

Manual? Who needs a manual? ;)

I assume you have the box that goes with the manual as well...lucky!

well, if all else fails, read the manual..!

Originally posted by doppler1
I assume you have the box that goes with the manual as well...lucky!

You know what they say about "assuming".... ;) Nobody has them in our area yet. Well, no non-TWC employees that is.

"You know what they say about "assuming".... Nobody has them in our area yet. Well, no non-TWC employees that is."

Actually that is not correct.

Originally posted by archiguy
Well, not so fast with the smily there clint. If it's going to "upconvert" 480i to 480p, that means the STB is doing the de-interlacing, and the quality thus depends on the quality of the scaling chip. My bet is it's not Farouja (sp?) or any other high-end chip but something cheaper. Remember, they're mass producing these boxes and essentially giving them away.

good point, but at least I can try it with the vga input (with component adapter) on the x1, and if it doesn't look good, switch to the svideo (with component adapter, which I don't own right now :))

Originally posted by HughScot
"You know what they say about "assuming".... Nobody has them in our area yet. Well, no non-TWC employees that is."

Actually that is not correct.

So, Hugh, let's not be coy now....:p Doing a little beta testing with the SA8000 are we?? Interesting. I was told that nobody but select TWC employees had them at this point. And that came from a select TWC employee.

Not being coy at all. But I was asked to keep it to myself.

There is no list per se of who will get them first. A few will go out to 5 or 6 people.....not employees.....who are familiar to someone with TWC to be beta tested. I have no idea who they are myself. I will do this......as soon as I hear that the boxes are ready to go out to the public I'll let everyone know so you can call and order. Or if I hear that a list is being taken I'll let everyone know.

This is not some big dark secret........TWC just wants them to work properly and obviously they have to test them somehow. Those of us with TWC should know that we have some real good people in Charlotte working on our behalf to get this done as soon as possible.

I am not employed by TWC. And I live in Gastonia.

Right; that's how I understand it as well. Didn't think any non-TWC folks had one yet.

On an unrelated note, anyone try to watch Enterprise last night? It appeared that WJZY-DT (and all subchannels) went down about 8:32 and didn't come back for the duration of the show. What great timing. I stayed with it for awhile, but then gave up and switched to the analog cable feed. Missed about 10 minutes; guess I'll have to try to catch the rerun on Saturday.... not the same if it ain't HD though!

anyone try to watch Enterprise last night? It appeared that WJZY-DT (and all subchannels) went down about 8:32 and didn't come back for the duration of the show.

I didn't see your post here before I posted a similar query to the OTA forum. Bottom line is an isolated thunderstorm in the area knocked out the HD transmitter for about half an hour. Nice timing, at least for the two of us who still watch this (much improved, I might add) show.