Because the SD and HD channels were the same resolution.

Wouldn't the ESPN+/Big 12 Phillips 66 broadcast crew be using the same cameras (HD) as ESPN2? Surely, theyi dont set up a dual system.

I was going to check this during the final game, but that one was apparently only carried by ESPN.

Even if the two outfits did share cameras, I'll bet they didn't share production trucks. In other words, each could be using a different camera angle/view at the same time.

And I'm betting that the Big 12 / Phillips 66 truck isn't set up for HD.

Jeff

I was going to check this during the final game, but that one was apparently only carried by ESPN.

Even if the two outfits did share cameras, I'll bet they didn't share production trucks. In other words, each could be using a different camera angle/view at the same time.

And I'm betting that the Big 12 / Phillips 66 truck isn't set up for HD.

Jeff

At least we won't have to deal with it for the rest of the NCAA tourney.

Based on observations today, it appears that my previous sound issue on Cox's digital signal has resolved itself. I'm watching some basketball on clear QAM using my built-in QAM tuner, with no sound issue for 20 minutes. Does anyone know if Cox has recently made any changes to anything?

Also, I understand from a previous post the newest set of HD channels are not being unscrambled by the CableCard, which for me would kind of defeat the purpose of switching back to the CableCard. Is it still true that some HD content is not available to CableCard subscribers because of the expected move to SDV? If so, will the anticipated fix for TiVo be compatible with TVs with built-in QAM tuners and CableCard ver. 1 devices?

Finally, if either Cox isn't going SDV, or if the TiVo compatible device is also compatible with CableCard 1, does anyone know if that device will somehow pass through the TV Guide OnScreen data currently carried on KWCH's digital signal?

Based on observations today, it appears that my previous sound issue on Cox's digital signal has resolved itself. I'm watching some basketball on clear QAM using my built-in QAM tuner, with no sound issue for 20 minutes. Does anyone know if Cox has recently made any changes to anything?

Also, I understand from a previous post the newest set of HD channels are not being unscrambled by the CableCard, which for me would kind of defeat the purpose of switching back to the CableCard. Is it still true that some HD content is not available to CableCard subscribers because of the expected move to SDV? If so, will the anticipated fix for TiVo be compatible with TVs with built-in QAM tuners and CableCard ver. 1 devices?

Finally, if either Cox isn't going SDV, or if the TiVo compatible device is also compatible with CableCard 1, does anyone know if that device will somehow pass through the TV Guide OnScreen data currently carried on KWCH's digital signal?

My recent observations with Cox digital cable:

Within the past month or so, my Sharp LCD w/ cable card v1 shows that channels 2-70 as analog. These were shown as digital last year. Is Cox no longer digitally simucasting the analog channels?

As for the recently added HD channels (629-633), with my Sharp LCD w/ cable card v1, I do not get these channels. However with my Samsung DLP w/ cable card v1, I am able to GET these channels. Why? I don't know. Anybody else out there getting Channels 629-633 with a cable card v1?

I have just spoken with Cox sales in ICT; they have confirmed the cablecard v1 isn't supposed to get the 629-633 or any additional HD channels coming up due to the supposed bandwidth issue; so it sounds like you lucked out on the Samsung. When I asked if the anticipated Tuning Resolver box (a) would be added soon, or (b) be compatible with other cablecards, sales passed me on to tech support which didn't have a clue what I was asking about.

My recent observations with Cox digital cable:

Within the past month or so, my Sharp LCD w/ cable card v1 shows that channels 2-70 as analog. These were shown as digital last year. Is Cox no longer digitally simucasting the analog channels?

As for the recently added HD channels (629-633), with my Sharp LCD w/ cable card v1, I do not get these channels. However with my Samsung DLP w/ cable card v1, I am able to GET these channels. Why? I don't know. Anybody else out there getting Channels 629-633 with a cable card v1?

Sounds like Cox made an error in provisioning your card for the Samsung.

I have just spoken with Cox sales in ICT; they have confirmed the cablecard v1 isn't supposed to get the 629-633 or any additional HD channels coming up due to the supposed bandwidth issue; so it sounds like you lucked out on the Samsung. When I asked if the anticipated Tuning Resolver box (a) would be added soon, or (b) be compatible with other cablecards, sales passed me on to tech support which didn't have a clue what I was asking about.

Yeah my Series 3 TiVo is holding out hope for the USB device. I am not surprised the phone techs aren't aware of it, or if they are they can't say it, since things/specs change so quickly they won't be informed of it until it happens. In the meantime I'm happy with my COX DVR's, though the red record light still isn't working post upgrade.

My red light is working again afer the upgrade. Anybody else notice a significant lowering of HD PQ quality as of late?

Based on observations today, it appears that my previous sound issue on Cox's digital signal has resolved itself. I'm watching some basketball on clear QAM using my built-in QAM tuner, with no sound issue for 20 minutes. Does anyone know if Cox has recently made any changes to anything?

Also, I understand from a previous post the newest set of HD channels are not being unscrambled by the CableCard, which for me would kind of defeat the purpose of switching back to the CableCard. Is it still true that some HD content is not available to CableCard subscribers because of the expected move to SDV? If so, will the anticipated fix for TiVo be compatible with TVs with built-in QAM tuners and CableCard ver. 1 devices?

Finally, if either Cox isn't going SDV, or if the TiVo compatible device is also compatible with CableCard 1, does anyone know if that device will somehow pass through the TV Guide OnScreen data currently carried on KWCH's digital signal?


1) I would think this points out that the electronics in your TV that run the CableCard wasn't working right. I bet if you had Cox put the card back in, you would still have the same problem as before. Cause if I remember right, you never did take the CableCard out before since a Tech Support told you couldn't or the card wouldn't work again.

2) SDV (Switch Digital Video) is coming soon, but who know when. Cox Virgina is trying it right now and that's the only Cox System. Wichita says it's still 6 to 18 months away.

3) Two-Way cable cards have been approved by CableLaps, the company who does all the approval for Cable related stuff. They say the technology should roll out around the end of this year, begining of next year. Suppose to do SDV, OnDemand, PayPerView, and other interactive stuff. TiVo is suppose to be working on an add on box that gives the new TiVo the ability to decode SDV.

My red light is working again afer the upgrade. Anybody else notice a significant lowering of HD PQ quality as of late?


My HD picture is great on my 42" Vizio.

What model of DVR do you have. The red light problem only effects the newer DVR boxes...can't think of the model number off hand.

1) I would think this points out that the electronics in your TV that run the CableCard wasn't working right. I bet if you had Cox put the card back in, you would still have the same problem as before. Cause if I remember right, you never did take the CableCard out before since a Tech Support told you couldn't or the card wouldn't work again.



Kscable guy: this is incorrect. Originally, I had no problem with cablecard installed. After Cox remapped cablecards, so all channels were handled as digital (256QAM), I began having a sound problem on every channel tuned digitally with the internal tuner at my house. I took the TV to the dealer, who was unable to reproduce at the shop. Dealer replaced the entire circuit board with ATSC, QAM and system clock. Still no problem at dealer. I personally observed there was no problem at dealer. Took TV home, and immediately experienced the same sound problem. I replaced 2 cablecards, same problem. I tried with NO cablecard, and every 256QAM channel received (the clear-QAM such as 115-1 for KSNW HD) had sound problem, every analog channel did not. Stations received OTA using ATSC did not have a problem. I checked the clear-QAM channels periodically after abandoning my cable card and switching to the Cox Box. Two weeks ago, the 256QAM channels had a problem; starting last week, they didn't--and I had made NO CHANGES OF ANY KIND TO MY HARDWARE, CABLING, etc. It was the signal. It was not the hardware.

Now, more importantly: can Cox legally prevent cablecard customers from receiving 629-633 if those channels are not, in fact, currently subject to SDV?

Now, more importantly: can Cox legally prevent cablecard customers from receiving 629-633 if those channels are not, in fact, currently subject to SDV?

My question as well.

Kscable guy: this is incorrect. Originally, I had no problem with cablecard installed. After Cox remapped cablecards, so all channels were handled as digital (256QAM), I began having a sound problem on every channel tuned digitally with the internal tuner at my house. I took the TV to the dealer, who was unable to reproduce at the shop. Dealer replaced the entire circuit board with ATSC, QAM and system clock. Still no problem at dealer. I personally observed there was no problem at dealer. Took TV home, and immediately experienced the same sound problem. I replaced 2 cablecards, same problem. I tried with NO cablecard, and every 256QAM channel received (the clear-QAM such as 115-1 for KSNW HD) had sound problem, every analog channel did not. Stations received OTA using ATSC did not have a problem. I checked the clear-QAM channels periodically after abandoning my cable card and switching to the Cox Box. Two weeks ago, the 256QAM channels had a problem; starting last week, they didn't--and I had made NO CHANGES OF ANY KIND TO MY HARDWARE, CABLING, etc. It was the signal. It was not the hardware.

Now, more importantly: can Cox legally prevent cablecard customers from receiving 629-633 if those channels are not, in fact, currently subject to SDV?

Your situation also points toward Cox no longer digitally simulcasting the analog channels. My Sharp w/ cable card v1 also had issues with the signal after Cox started digitally simulcasting this year. As I stated in my latest posting, I no longer have any issues and the TV set is showing the channels are being receive by the cable card as analog.

I agree, the signal has changed. Cox has changed their method of broadcasting the channels in the past month. (Don't get me wrong, the current method is working best for me)

But why is one cable card able to get channels 629-633 while the other one doesn't? If SDV is not the problem/reason, then what is?

But why is one cable card able to get channels 629-633 while the other one doesn't? If SDV is not the problem/reason, then what is?


As I said before, since Cox is not yet using SDV, your card is capable of decoding those channels. It would seem to me that the card in your Samsung was not provisioned correctly by Cox, therefore allowing you to receive those channels. It is likely just an error on their part, and has nothing to do with your TV.

BTW, don't try switching the cards between the TV's as the cards are paired to specific TV. If your switch them, they won't work even if you put them back in the TV the were originally.

VBlyth: I have a question. You said on one of your cablecard-equipped TV you do NOT get 629-633; and on the other, I think your Samsung, you do; you also referred to one of them having reverted to showing channels 2-70 as analog. Just out of curiosity, do BOTH TVs show 2-70 as analog? Or do you have one that has 2-70 as analog that does NOT get 629-633, and the other gets all digital (i.e., 2-70 are digital, and you get 629-633 on that same tv)?

Now, more importantly: can Cox legally prevent cablecard customers from receiving 629-633 if those channels are not, in fact, currently subject to SDV?

Simple answer...Yes.

Simple answer...Yes.

And your basis for that answer is what?

Disney HD, Toon Disney HD and ESPNews HD launched Monday. Cox? I am hearing great things about these channels from DirecTV consumers. Soon? Wishful thinking? Sigh, I'm preaching to the choir here, with the DirecTV guy would hurry up. I am afraid I might forget what HD is if I stick with Cox, you know the "Best in HD" Self proclaimed I am sure.

On another note, my Cox Digital Cable froze around 1 this morning on ever channel and was like that for a few hours. Froze on Analog too. Anybody sure why? Couldn't get to sleep because I had to see when it came back. :p Getting kind of sick of the freezing and pixilation after 12 AM. It is ridiculous. Watching TV after 12 and getting an entire show in has been rare the past few weeks. again, getting very old.

And your basis for that answer is what?

There is no FCC law stating they have to offer all the same channels for CableCards. They just have to support CableCards, and Cox does support them, but just now restricting the channels you get by using a CableCard.

One-Way CableCards were out of date when they came onto the market. Its just a shame it has taken a few years to get Two-Way devices approvied.

On another note, my Cox Digital Cable froze around 1 this morning on ever channel and was like that for a few hours. Froze on Analog too. Anybody sure why? Couldn't get to sleep because I had to see when it came back. :p Getting kind of sick of the freezing and pixilation after 12 AM. It is ridiculous. Watching TV after 12 and getting an entire show in has been rare the past few weeks. again, getting very old.

FCC allows cable/telephony providers a maintenance period and that is between 12am and 6am.

This is probably more of a hardware problem than a Cox problem, but I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing it.

I have the DCH-3416 DVR, and lately my audio output type keeps changing itself to PCM. Even if I attempt to choose Dolby Digital (the only other choice), it ignores me, and sticks to PCM. This wouldn't be bad, except that Cox (as far as I know) only outputs 2-channel PCM, so my audio receiver is only seeing two-channel audio on the HD channels, instead of the normal six (I have a 5.1 system... I'm not sure if Cox outputs the eight channels for a 7.1 system or not... so I'm just reporting what I normally see).

If I unplug the DVR for a few seconds, the Dolby Digital works fine, but eventually (in a week or two), it will happen again. I never had this problem before the last firmware update a few weeks ago. Is anyone else seeing this? I'm trying to figure out whether it's a problem with the new firmware, or if I just have a defective box. (I know... you're saying, "Defective DVR? From Cox? No Way!" Sheesh!!! I've lost count of how many of these dang things I've had!)

FCC allows cable/telephony providers a maintenance period and that is between 12am and 6am.

I realize that, and I am okay with it, its just the fact its EVERY NIGHT! Now, if it happened and it came back with 10 more HD channels, I might have the heart to forgive Cox. Also, maybe they could wait till like 2, because there is still some fresh programming on after 12, and in most cases, the second run or programs that I have missed due to work or college. What we need is a guy to have a guide in front of him, and when he can scroll down the guide and 10 lines later all he has seen is Paid Programing, then they can start. :D

jctiii--I have one of the newer HD/DVR boxes, and have no problem with 5.1 sound.

This is probably more of a hardware problem than a Cox problem, but I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing it.

I have the DCH-3416 DVR, and lately my audio output type keeps changing itself to PCM. Even if I attempt to choose Dolby Digital (the only other choice), it ignores me, and sticks to PCM. This wouldn't be bad, except that Cox (as far as I know) only outputs 2-channel PCM, so my audio receiver is only seeing two-channel audio on the HD channels, instead of the normal six (I have a 5.1 system... I'm not sure if Cox outputs the eight channels for a 7.1 system or not... so I'm just reporting what I normally see).

If I unplug the DVR for a few seconds, the Dolby Digital works fine, but eventually (in a week or two), it will happen again. I never had this problem before the last firmware update a few weeks ago. Is anyone else seeing this? I'm trying to figure out whether it's a problem with the new firmware, or if I just have a defective box. (I know... you're saying, "Defective DVR? From Cox? No Way!" Sheesh!!! I've lost count of how many of these dang things I've had!)

This happened to me last weekend, right before the NCAA Tournament games. Thankfully, unplugging the DVR and restarting it seems to solve the problem.

If Cox (or Motorola?) would output 5.1 channel PCM, then this wouldn't be a problem. But going from 5.1 Dolby Digital to 2.0 PCM...I noticed a problem right away.

Maybe we can start a campaign like these Bright House customers

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/31/bright-house-cablecard-customers-win-battle-get-their-hd-channe/

Chalk one up for the little guys. After Bright House Cable ganked a number of HD channels from CableCARD users early last month in "preparation" for the SDV transformation, a chorus of complaints flooded in. Now, it seems as if the carrier has caved, and the channels that were removed (along with the networks added to non-CableCARD lineups) will be redelivered sometime this week. Granted, the jubilation will come to a screeching halt in August / September once SDV is actually implemented, but hopefully a workaround will be available by then to enable switched digital support for CableCARD. Be sure to chime in below once you see the stations come back online, and yeah, we're raising our glasses over here in celebration, too.

I apologize if this duplicates a previous post here, but I have a question about recordings on the HD/DVR from Cox. Is there any way to transfer those to other media, such as a computer hard drive?

I apologize if this duplicates a previous post here, but I have a question about recordings on the HD/DVR from Cox. Is there any way to transfer those to other media, such as a computer hard drive?

I've used the firewire output to transfer recordings to DVHS.

Jeff

I have a computer with a firewire input; I assume the Box has a firewire connection. I believe DVHS means digital vHS? I don't have a digital camcorder, and don't have video editing software, and don't have a firewire cable (or whatever the correct term is; for me, USB2 is still really new).

How much can I expect to spend for a cable, can I connect to a computer, and do I need any special software to record the output?

I have a computer with a firewire input; I assume the Box has a firewire connection. I believe DVHS means digital vHS? I don't have a digital camcorder, and don't have video editing software, and don't have a firewire cable (or whatever the correct term is; for me, USB2 is still really new).

How much can I expect to spend for a cable, can I connect to a computer, and do I need any special software to record the output?

No, he is talking about a DVHS recorder with a Firewire input, which is not too complicated. However, recording via Firewire on a computer is a bit more complicated. I am an IT major and I had trouble with it the first time. The cable is not really the expensive part, its figuring out how it works on your computer and such. You need some sort of "Capture" application. The way I figure out how to do it was to google "Record via Firewire off (Model Number)" Or something like that. Either way, if you are recording HD, its more trouble than its worth, the file size is upwards of 5 GB for 30 mins, then you have to convert it, ect. Either way, Google is your friend in this case.

I have a computer with a firewire input; I assume the Box has a firewire connection. I believe DVHS means digital vHS? I don't have a digital camcorder, and don't have video editing software, and don't have a firewire cable (or whatever the correct term is; for me, USB2 is still really new).

How much can I expect to spend for a cable, can I connect to a computer, and do I need any special software to record the output?

You are right, DVHS = Digital VHS and they are special VCRs (made by JVC and others) that record high def video from a firewire port. If you have one of these, you don't need anything but the firewire cable, no special software is required.

I never tried to record from the Cox box directly to a computer. It is possible to import a DVHS tape into a computer with a special program (free, but it hasn't been updated in years). I don't know if this will record directly from the COX DVR, but i tend to doubt it will. I recently dropped my cable sub and returned their DVR, so I can't try this myself. The software is called DVHS Tool (I think).

Jeff

I apologize if this duplicates a previous post here, but I have a question about recordings on the HD/DVR from Cox. Is there any way to transfer those to other media, such as a computer hard drive?

Ya, just google it. Also it was posted on the AVS Forums, so search that too. Remember it's real time transfer, so a 2 hour program takes 2 hours to transfer. Never have tried it, but others have and it works. Not sure how it deals with copyright protection on programs.

Ya, just google it. Also it was posted on the AVS Forums, so search that too. Remember it's real time transfer, so a 2 hour program takes 2 hours to transfer. Never have tried it, but others have and it works. Not sure how it deals with copyright protection on programs.

So far I've yet to run into any DRM from the cox boxes doing the firewire copy. On my friend's DVR we copied movies from HBO so nothing hardware/software wise is stopping you.

And as long as you don't redistribute the material, this all falls within fair use.

I apologize if this duplicates a previous post here, but I have a question about recordings on the HD/DVR from Cox. Is there any way to transfer those to other media, such as a computer hard drive?Yes. Basically, all you need to do is install some drivers on your PC, so that it can recognize the STB, then you can use a program like CAPDVHS to record whatever the box is playing. This thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695) should have everything you need.



Not sure how it deals with copyright protection on programs.
As long as the content is set to Copy Freely, it will work. But if it's set to Copy Once, or Copy Never, then it won't work. Fortunately, it seems nearly all of the channels on Cox are set to Copy Free.

New to the board - Forgive me if you folks have already discussed this. I haven't found any complaints in this Wichita thread, but I see tons of pixelation and poor pic quality on KWCH CBS HD, especially during sports and the NCAA tournament, both on OTA 12-1 and through the Cox box. Many of the nationwide HD blogs claim that weather subchannels (such as KWCH 12-2) take away quality and add pixelation, and these blogs mostly claim that CBS HD is the best among the 1080i sports broadcasters. A KWCH tech guy denied this, of course, when I spoke to him over the phone. Funny how the ESPN highlights of the CBS NCAA games showed very little pixelation, just the slight addition of graininess (since ESPN's signal to Cox is 720P). If there is a secret to better KWCH HD I would love to know.
Thanks ....!

New to the board - Forgive me if you folks have already discussed this. I haven't found any complaints in this Wichita thread, but I see tons of pixelation and poor pic quality on KWCH CBS HD, especially during sports and the NCAA tournament, both on OTA 12-1 and through the Cox box. Many of the nationwide HD blogs claim that weather subchannels (such as KWCH 12-2) take away quality and add pixelation, and these blogs mostly claim that CBS HD is the best among the 1080i sports broadcasters. A KWCH tech guy denied this, of course, when I spoke to him over the phone. Funny how the ESPN highlights of the CBS NCAA games showed very little pixelation, just the slight addition of graininess (since ESPN's signal to Cox is 720P). If there is a secret to better KWCH HD I would love to know.
Thanks ....!

I do know that KWCH engineers decreased bandwidth allotted to the sub-weather channel durring the Championship Game.

My recent observations with Cox digital cable:

Within the past month or so, my Sharp LCD w/ cable card v1 shows that channels 2-70 as analog. These were shown as digital last year. Is Cox no longer digitally simucasting the analog channels?



vblyth: are those channels still analog? I'm about to switch back to cablecard, and my 50" LG Plasma has marginal image on the analog image on the upper channels (although once I get rid of a splitter along the path that may improve).

Any updates on when we can expect SciFi HD on Cox?

I do know that KWCH engineers decreased bandwidth allotted to the sub-weather channel durring the Championship Game.
really? so they know about picture degradation. thanks for the info - and btw, how did you find out?

I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm getting ready to move to the country and am forced to ditch COX (I'm switching to DirecTV)... Well, that move is finally happening next weekend.

DirecTV has some of the locals in HD but not all of them.

So, if I'm going to purchase a tuner box for the OTA's, is there a reason to be concerned about which box to buy - or are they all pretty much the same quality? Do you have one you recommend? Thanks.

I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm getting ready to move to the country and am forced to ditch COX (I'm switching to DirecTV)... Well, that move is finally happening next weekend.

DirecTV has some of the locals in HD but not all of them.

So, if I'm going to purchase a tuner box for the OTA's, is there a reason to be concerned about which box to buy - or are they all pretty much the same quality? Do you have one you recommend? Thanks.

Are you getting HD from DirecTV? If not, their Standard and DVR recievers have OTA tuners built into the box. IF you are getting HD, the HD DVR and the HD reciever do not have OTA tuners in them, but they will be releasing the AM21 soon that will be an OTA tuner that will work directly with the box, so your local OTA stations will show up in the DirecTV guide. That may be something you want to concider.

Are you getting HD from DirecTV? If not, their Standard and DVR recievers have OTA tuners built into the box. IF you are getting HD, the HD DVR and the HD reciever do not have OTA tuners in them, but they will be releasing the AM21 soon that will be an OTA tuner that will work directly with the box, so your local OTA stations will show up in the DirecTV guide. That may be something you want to concider.

DISH Network's HD DVR also has a built-in digital OTA tuner.

Are you getting HD from DirecTV? If not, their Standard and DVR recievers have OTA tuners built into the box. IF you are getting HD, the HD DVR and the HD reciever do not have OTA tuners in them, but they will be releasing the AM21 soon that will be an OTA tuner that will work directly with the box, so your local OTA stations will show up in the DirecTV guide. That may be something you want to concider.

Depends on which receiver you get. The HR20 has an OTA tuner, which is actually split internally to allow you to record one OTA channel while watching another.

The HR21 does not have the tuner built in, and would require the above mentioned AM21. I'm not sure they're still distributing the HR20, for awhile it was a crap shoot on which STB you'd get.

DISH Network's HD DVR also has a built-in digital OTA tuner.

He said we was switching to DirecTV, didn't find it prudent to mention that. :D

Depends on which receiver you get. The HR20 has an OTA tuner, which is actually split internally to allow you to record one OTA channel while watching another.

The HR21 does not have the tuner built in, and would require the above mentioned AM21. I'm not sure they're still distributing the HR20, for awhile it was a crap shoot on which STB you'd get.

I thought about mentioning that, but last time I talked, its pretty much completely switched over to the HR21, and even requesting an HR20 doesn't garuntee much, and you would probably end up with a Refurbished one. Kinda sucks, I tried for a HR20, but they told me it was not possible, and we called to place the order 2 weeks ago, so yeah. Kinda a bad business move to phase out the 20 before the AM21 is out. Oh well.

Does anyone know what the digital gateway charges are on the cox bill? When searching, it looked like it had something to do with cable card but I don't have any cable card devices.

Does anyone know what the digital gateway charges are on the cox bill? When searching, it looked like it had something to do with cable card but I don't have any cable card devices.

It is my understanding the "digital gateway" charge is for anyone who accesses the digital tv services, no matter what device you use to receive the signal. So, for example, a cable card customer pays the "digital gateway" charge plus the rental for a card; a "box" customer pays the gateway charge plus box rental for each box; and if they have DVR service, they pay a fee for that. The charge includes the "free" Discovery Tier or whatever it is that has the low-100s; other tiers are than also charged a la carte.

It is my understanding the "digital gateway" charge is for anyone who accesses the digital tv services, no matter what device you use to receive the signal. So, for example, a cable card customer pays the "digital gateway" charge plus the rental for a card; a "box" customer pays the gateway charge plus box rental for each box; and if they have DVR service, they pay a fee for that. The charge includes the "free" Discovery Tier or whatever it is that has the low-100s; other tiers are than also charged a la carte.

Discovery Tier is only free if you have another tier (movie, varitey or sports). Gateway gives you PPV, OnDemand, Music Choice, and the Interactive Guide.

I've been wondering what Cox is going to call their "Digital Gateway" charge after February of 2009. Any ideas?

Discovery Tier is only free if you have another tier (movie, varitey or sports). Gateway gives you PPV, OnDemand, Music Choice, and the Interactive Guide.

So there is no way to get that charge off since I don't give a rats about PPV, OnDemand, or Music Choice or even an interactive guide.

I am a Cox customer, and probably switching back to cablecard in a few weeks. My TV has a built-in DVR and the TV Guide On Screen Service (TVGOS). I know when I was using cablecard before, TVGOS didn't have everything--e.g., Universal HD wasn't included, and maybe something else.

How complete are the listings now? Does TVGOS know,for example,that COX has Animal Planet HD, TNT HD? Or do you just do the workaround I did, which is to teach TVGOS that for TNT you want to use the HD channel instead of the SD channel?

I've been wondering what Cox is going to call their "Digital Gateway" charge after February of 2009. Any ideas?

They wont change a thing. The "Digital Switchover" thing only applies to OTA signals. Cox will continue to carry Analog signals for 3 years, when they are required to give everybody digital boxes for no rise in cost. Either way, that basically means Digital will stay optional for 3 more years, unless Cox decided to switch over sooner. However, I vote to name it the "We are still screwing you with bandwidth hogging Analog channels and charging you for it when satellite is 100% digital" Fee :D

Cox will continue to carry Analog signals for 3 years, when they are required to give everybody digital boxes for no rise in cost.

Where did you get this information?

Where did you get this information?

Cox stated they would offer Analog broadcasting, or, I should say, that they said you would be able to keep your current programming for three years.

Cox recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs at this cut-off date. Therefore, Cox will continue to offer analog broadcast signals for at least three years after this deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable. The signal will be down-converted from its digital format, enabling customers to receive digital broadcast programming in an analog format.

http://www.cox.com/support/cable/transition_main.asp

FCC regulates that Cable companies must keep Analog broadcasts, or otherwise offer up some sort of Digital to Analog converter on the Consumer end by Feb. 17 2012. Or three years after the OTA shutoff. Basically, the OTA shut off effects Cable companies in the way that THEY will no longer receive an Analog signal from the provider.

I can understand how I could have been misinterpreted. If cox ever decides to switch over before that date, they must provide everybody who does not have a digital box one at no additional cost. After three years, I beleive they have a right to shut it off.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070912-fcc-to-cable-you-must-support-analog-tvs-until-2012.html

This is how I understood it. I don't understand it completely, and I am not trying to push out inaccurate information. Feel free to correct me if you believe I am wrong.

I think I understand. The broadcast standard is presently analog and in February 2009 the standard will become digital. I now pay Cox a gateway fee to receive non-standard digital. In February 2009 digital will become standard and Cox will stop charging me their fee and instead will charge an "Analog Gateway" fee to the people who want to receive non-standard analog. Does that sound right?

I think I understand. The broadcast standard is presently analog and in February 2009 the standard will become digital. I now pay Cox a gateway fee to receive non-standard digital. In February 2009 digital will become standard and Cox will stop charging me their fee and instead will charge an "Analog Gateway" fee to the people who want to receive non-standard analog. Does that sound right?

That would appear to make the most sense, but my bet is that nothing will change until 2012, or even beyond then. But we will see.

FCC regulates that Cable companies must keep Analog broadcasts, or otherwise offer up some sort of Digital to Analog converter on the Consumer end by Feb. 17 2012.

I can understand how I could have been misinterpreted. If cox ever decides to switch over before that date, they must provide everybody who does not have a digital box one at no additional cost. After three years, I beleive they have a right to shut it off.

This only applies to OTA broadcast channels. Doesn't look like cable ops would have to hand out the boxes for free, just offer them to customers.

From the article:They can either convert the digital SD signal to analog SD and pipe it across their lines (which means using more bandwidth and carrying three versions of a single channel) or they can offer digital SD only and roll out converter boxes to all their subscribers (which could be expensive).

I don't think anyone really knows whats going to happen. I've heard that if ESPN or USA Network doesn't want their signal downgraded after Feb 17, 2009, that cable ops can only offer it on Digital and/or HD.

I know most cable ops would love to just go all digital and be able to rent convertors for a few cents a month, but the cost of the box would need to fall bellow $50 a box before that could happn. Right now the price for a strip down box is still $70 to $100 per box. One article I have read (wish i could find it again) said it takes a cable op over 3 years to re-coop the cost of a new box.

This only applies to OTA broadcast channels. Doesn't look like cable ops would have to hand out the boxes for free, just offer them to customers.

From the article:They can either convert the digital SD signal to analog SD and pipe it across their lines (which means using more bandwidth and carrying three versions of a single channel) or they can offer digital SD only and roll out converter boxes to all their subscribers (which could be expensive).

I don't think anyone really knows whats going to happen. I've heard that if ESPN or USA Network doesn't want their signal downgraded after Feb 17, 2009, that cable ops can only offer it on Digital and/or HD.

I know most cable ops would love to just go all digital and be able to rent convertors for a few cents a month, but the cost of the box would need to fall bellow $50 a box before that could happn. Right now the price for a strip down box is still $70 to $100 per box. One article I have read (wish i could find it again) said it takes a cable op over 3 years to re-coop the cost of a new box.

I'm not crying too hard for COX and their 3 years to re-coop the cost because

1) They do re-coop the cost, even if I get rid of it, it will go to someone else
2) They do everything they can to stop me from getting a 3rd party box and letting ME eat that cost.

2) They do everything they can to stop me from getting a 3rd party box and letting ME eat that cost.

That is wrong..you can get a TiVo box and it works. Or you can buy another STB that uses cablecards and use that. FCC mandates that.

That is wrong..you can get a TiVo box and it works. Or you can buy another STB that uses cablecards and use that. FCC mandates that.

True, BUT Cox will not give you all the HD's with a cable card.

I see on the Cox Oklahoma website that they're getting the following six new HD channels soon:

USA HD
Sci-Fi HD
Lifetime HD
Bravo HD
CNBC HD
Weather Channel HD

Any chance that Cox Kansas will be picking up these channels as well in the near future?

Also, why does Oklahoma get Fox Sports HD, but not Kansas?

Wow, the Cox Oklahoma site is MUCH more informative than the CentralKansas site. I can't remember EVER seeing a list of upcoming channels (HD or not) on the CentralKansas site. Don't these people realize that the whole Satellite vs. Cable thing comes down to (in most people's minds) only two things: Cost and Channel availability?

Cox isn't exactly doing everything they can to undercut Satellite on cost... you'd think they'd be touting any new or upcoming HD channels every chance they get! C'mon Cox Wichita... let's see you make an official statement like that!

True, BUT Cox will not give you all the HD's with a cable card.

Ya, don't remind me.

Ya, don't remind me.

I'd love to see a Class Action to stop this arbitrary withholding of channels from cable card users.

I'd love to see a Class Action to stop this arbitrary withholding of channels from cable card users.

Which will only slow the roll out of new HD Channels sooner. :rolleyes: Now, I am not calling on the side of Cox or anything, I despise them, however, in this situation, I don;t think the Cable Companies should be at fault. The technology is there and ready for SDV, yet a CableCard is not available. Sue the people that produce CableCards and tell them to get them out faster. SDV is the future, period, and all these CableCard people are attempting to hold it back. I don't know the full details, I could be wrong, but it appears that Cable companies are finally moving ahead and being kicked in the arse for it. Now I have also heard that they are just withholding the channels and haven't implemented SDV yet, in that case, you have every right to be mad. :)

Somebody mentioned how horrible Cox's Kansas site is. That is true, the fact I come to here for HD channel announcements is quite sad. Do it the way DirecTV does it, tout what you have, and what is on the way. Cable, as my family found out, is pretty cost comparative to Sattalitte. However, Cox seems to think that people wouldn't be willing to spend an extra $10 for HD, or have a "Ugly" dish. If that is the idea, they are very disconnected from their consumers. Come on Cox, give me a reason to stay, give me a reason to believe I am going to get my HD fix from you. As of right now, I am not convinced.

Now I have also heard that they are just withholding the channels and haven't implemented SDV yet, in that case, you have every right to be mad. :)

This is in fact the case. They have not implemented SDV here in Kansas. They are just screwing the cable card customers trying to force them to rent an inferior box.

Sue the people that produce CableCards and tell them to get them out faster. SDV is the future, period, and all these CableCard people are attempting to hold it back.

1st, People should have done the research a few years ago on CableCards. It was stated when it rolled out that it was out of date technology and people should wait for version 2. Version 2 is on the way in 6 to 12 months. The new version will do SDV. But the devices people bought already are not version 2 ready (i.e. won't do two-way or SDV).

2nd, Be mad at TiVo. They KNEW SDV was coming and they still make a box that can't do SDV and now you will have to buy an extra box to hook into your TiVo to do SDV.


Its easy to point fingers at Cox or DirecTV or Dish or ATT, but people need to just realize they bought a bad product. Just like buying a HD DVD or Beta, you bought the wrong thing.

I keep forgetting to ask this question. This has bugged me for months.
Why does the Letterman show on HD-612 always go to standard definition for the last 4-5 minutes. Why can't they time it better than that?

DRC

but people need to just realize they bought a bad product

That's a matter of opinion. And while I have thought you have provided great information in the past, this is off base. Tivo is an excellent product and to date only one DVR on the market has surpassed it on the CNET ratings. In my opinion, Tivo and their services are a superior product. We are all entitled to our opinion.

1st, People should have done the research a few years ago on CableCards. It was stated when it rolled out that it was out of date technology and people should wait for version 2. Version 2 is on the way in 6 to 12 months. The new version will do SDV. But the devices people bought already are not version 2 ready (i.e. won't do two-way or SDV).

2nd, Be mad at TiVo. They KNEW SDV was coming and they still make a box that can't do SDV and now you will have to buy an extra box to hook into your TiVo to do SDV.


Its easy to point fingers at Cox or DirecTV or Dish or ATT, but people need to just realize they bought a bad product. Just like buying a HD DVD or Beta, you bought the wrong thing.

This is all true, but I think some of these people would be more willing to accept that if Cox told them these thing. "We will give you a CableCard, but yadda yadda." Cox should also have helped by informing people that it is an old technology. At first the idea is great, everybody hates STB's, we were spoiled with built in Analog tuners, so we expect that. CableCards appear to fix that. The manufacturers should have at least made boxes that support the future, or warned of the future of SDV. However, as I have said before, if Cox would put up a page on the facts of CableCard, this would help.

Cox doesn't like CableCards, if the government didn't force them to have them, they wouldn't have them. My view is that they are trying to make people hate them and get a Cox STB. Everybody is at fault, but the least fault is on the consumer. The average consumer is going to buy a TV with a CableCard and then find the cable company is screwing them with SDV. This makes them mad and will inhibit the roll out of SDV.

Then let my last point, maybe Cox should make a decent STB, then maybe people wont be so tempted to buy a TiVo. :-)

1st, People should have done the research a few years ago on CableCards. It was stated when it rolled out that it was out of date technology and people should wait for version 2. Version 2 is on the way in 6 to 12 months. The new version will do SDV. But the devices people bought already are not version 2 ready (i.e. won't do two-way or SDV).

2nd, Be mad at TiVo. They KNEW SDV was coming and they still make a box that can't do SDV and now you will have to buy an extra box to hook into your TiVo to do SDV.


Its easy to point fingers at Cox or DirecTV or Dish or ATT, but people need to just realize they bought a bad product. Just like buying a HD DVD or Beta, you bought the wrong thing.

Start by reading this 2006 article at Ars, http://arstechnica.com/guides/other/cablecard.ars and note that not much has changed since that was written, over two years ago.

So, SDV CableCard V2 has been 6 to 12 months out for a LONG time. This is what delayed the Series 3 Tivo for years because they didn't want to put out a product using CableCard.

Cable Card is something that is mandated by the government, developed by CableLabs which means Cox was a part of the process. When it was developed, it was crippled because the cable companies did not want this forced box competition. Look at how much we are getting charged and you can see why they don't want this.

So Tivo is trying to give people what they want. I can't fault them for that and if it weren't for them, we wouldn't even have time shifting. They took what little bone the cable companies tossed them and did what they could with it.

From a technical standpoint, cox kansas has plenty of available bandwidth for some time. Yes, SDV is the future but the future doesn't have to be now.

Also, comparing Tivo to HD-DVD is a bit silly. If the government mandated movie companies had to put their movies out in a certain format and the movies companies said fine, but only certain movies and we are going to be as difficult as possible about it, who would you blame?

1st, People should have done the research a few years ago on CableCards. It was stated when it rolled out that it was out of date technology and people should wait for version 2. Version 2 is on the way in 6 to 12 months. The new version will do SDV. But the devices people bought already are not version 2 ready (i.e. won't do two-way or SDV).

2nd, Be mad at TiVo. They KNEW SDV was coming and they still make a box that can't do SDV and now you will have to buy an extra box to hook into your TiVo to do SDV.


Its easy to point fingers at Cox or DirecTV or Dish or ATT, but people need to just realize they bought a bad product. Just like buying a HD DVD or Beta, you bought the wrong thing.

Are you the chief apologist for Cox?

Bought a bad product? Are you kidding me? It is obvious you know nothing about Tivo other than Cox's canned company lines.

I have had a Tivo Series 3 since they were first introduced. I also have a Cox Motorola DVR. I will take my Tivo with the missing HD channels over the crappy Cox Motorola box any day.

You continue to miss my point. Yes, I knew about SDV and I bought Tivo anyway. I also have a fantastic Pioneer plasma with a cable card in it as well. My beef with Cox is that they are arbitrarily withholding HD channels from cable card users BEFORE SDV HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED!

For the record, CableCARD is completely incompatible with SDV. That's not Cox's fault or TiVO's fault or anyone's fault except the FCC (and whoever came up with the CableCARD standard).

- Trip

All from CableLabs web site:

From the very early specifications and draft standards, the CableCARD module has been a two-way device. That is, it included the functionality to enable two-way communication on the cable plant. This two-way communication is necessary for a variety of advanced cable services including video on demand (VOD), switched digital video (SDV), interactive services and applications.

The media has frequently reported that first-generation CableCARD 1.0 modules are one-way devices1. This is simply not true. CableLabs had always intended to develop the CableCARD module and host receiver standards with two-way capability. However the manufacturers of digital TVs requested that a host standard be developed that only had one-way capability. This one-way cable-ready receiver was defined by the FCC's Plug & Play order and by the Joint Test Suite (JTS). It is the definition of this one-way receiver that lacks the ability for two-way functionality, not the CableCARD module. While the FCC defined the elements of the one-way cable-ready receiver, CableLabs continued to define specifications for two-way receivers.

When a CableCARD 1.0 module is used with a two-way receiver (e.g., Samsung HLR5067C) that card supports all the necessary two-way functionality for VOD, SDV, and other interactive services.

These new CableCARD-2.0 specifications were issued on March 31, 2005; at the same time the former CCIF 1.0 and Multistream Card (M-Card™) specifications were closed.

The ability to support two-way and interactive cable services such as VOD and SDV is a responsibility shared between the CableCARD module and the Host. There are circuits and functionalities needed on both sides of the CableCARD module interface to complete the connection and to enable full two-way signaling.

On the other hand, CableCARD modules always were designed to support two-way functionality, including the original CableCARD 1.0 interface specifications.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also I do not work for Cox. I just have a few friends in positions that have access to info that I pass on.....like what they say, not what you know, just who you know.

Well this should make everyone happy again....Cox has decided to give CC customers all the newly added HD channels since the first of the year.

Also looks like 43 of KC Royals games will be in HD on Cox. Channel 640.

When a CableCARD 1.0 module is used with a two-way receiver (e.g., Samsung HLR5067C) that card supports all the necessary two-way functionality for VOD, SDV, and other interactive services.



KsCableguy: does this mean that if I have a 2006 model TV with a CableCard1 in it now, then when CableCard 2 becomes available, I will have two-way functionality; or does it mean if I get, say, a 2009 CableCard2-compatible TV, but put a cablecard ver. 1 in it, I get 2-way functionality?

Well this should make everyone happy again....Cox has decided to give CC customers all the newly added HD channels since the first of the year.

Also looks like 43 of KC Royals games will be in HD on Cox. Channel 640.

Now I regret not getting that Tivo S3 so many months ago.

Well this should make everyone happy again....Cox has decided to give CC customers all the newly added HD channels since the first of the year.

Also looks like 43 of KC Royals games will be in HD on Cox. Channel 640.

Hopefully Cox will make it clear that when SDV does roll out, these channels will go again. I assume their original reasoning for this was that when SDV came out, CableCards would not get these channels, so its better to not ever give them, than give them and take them away. As long as CableCard people are explained to that they will be taken away again and that whining wont work next time. We can only hope the next version of CableCard is out by the time that SDV is out. Of course, people complained way back in the day when you had to get a STB to get the extra Digital channels, hell, my grandparents STILL complain about having to have a STB to get certain channels. Progress people. We should be happy the Cable companies are moving forward. :D

KsCableguy: does this mean that if I have a 2006 model TV with a CableCard1 in it now, then when CableCard 2 becomes available, I will have two-way functionality; or does it mean if I get, say, a 2009 CableCard2-compatible TV, but put a cablecard ver. 1 in it, I get 2-way functionality?

Your 2006 TV doesn't do 2-way. Would have to buy a TV that has the ability to do 2-way.

I assume their original reasoning for this was that when SDV came out, CableCards would not get these channels, so its better to not ever give them, than give them and take them away.

That is 100% correct. Casue when SDV does come to town (some say by end of 2008 for KS) that you again will lose these channels.

We can only hope the next version of CableCard is out by the time that SDV is out.

Looks like CC have always been able to do SDV and 2-way, its just the TV and STB people didn't make their stuff to work that way.

Well this should make everyone happy again....Cox has decided to give CC customers all the newly added HD channels since the first of the year.

Also looks like 43 of KC Royals games will be in HD on Cox. Channel 640.

Looks like this won't happen....til May 1st....

I want to make something clear: You can not get two way communication with CableCard 1.0 devices, period. You can add on to it, which is what Tivo has been talking about for awhile. However, there isn't something that Tivo or any other company could have done to make two way communication available via CC1.0.

I want to make something clear: You can not get two way communication with CableCard 1.0 devices, period. You can add on to it, which is what Tivo has been talking about for awhile. However, there isn't something that Tivo or any other company could have done to make two way communication available via CC1.0.

sorry, misread your post......

That is 100% correct. Casue when SDV does come to town (some say by end of 2008 for KS) that you again will lose these channels.

I think that was probably a good choice. Think about it, you have lets say 100 CableCard users, I would say a good 50% of those people never would have even known the channels existed. However, give them and then take them away, 100% of the users know the channels exist. Lose Lose situation, you have every right to be mad. It appears Cox gave in this time. You guys had a right to be angry, however, when SDV does roll out, you have no right to be angry if Cox is offering the 2.0 CableCard. However, I do still believe that Cox needs to make their boxes a bit more attractive. I have heard of Comcast loading TiVo software on their boxes, why not us Cox?

I for one believe the right decision is what Cox is intending to do--go ahead and, until the actual switch to SDV occurs, provide the same channels to cablecard users as box users (that don't require two-way capability). I understood when I got my "digital cable ready" TV that it was a one-way device, and that I wouldn't get features dependent upon two-way communication. But until a channel is actually dependent on two-way, I should get access to the programming. If and when Cox makes the move to SDV, if my hardware doesn't support it, that's a risk I took when I bought my TV.

Help is coming soon for the SDV issue for us TiVo users with cablecards...

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=152093

Motorola also has a similar device. We might see them available this summer. Dunno how COX will handle them.

Help is coming soon for the SDV issue for us TiVo users with cablecards...

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=152093

Motorola also has a similar device. We might see them available this summer. Dunno how COX will handle them.

Take note where Cisco says they are going through the cable providers to sell these boxes. Also take note that products like this have been in development for awhile.

In other words, I will believe it when I see it.

Without sounding like a broken record. Any news on new HD channels? Fox News HD is going live soon, I don't watch Fox News, or even like it, but the Reporters can make use of HD. :-P Also, ESPNews, Disney HD? Any word on those? Weather HD would be nice too. However, if no other Cox market has them, I assume they don't have a carriage deal. Sigh.

Cablecard HD's showed up yesterday!

I had to replace a cable card today, once that was done I noticed that those channel cox wasn't giving us cable card users showed up. Woot! Glad Cox changed their mind on this!

I had to replace a cable card today, once that was done I noticed that those channel cox wasn't giving us cable card users showed up. Woot! Glad Cox changed their mind on this!

Lol, nothing saying it wasn't against their will for fear of a lawsuit. :p

I'm not getting the new HD channels via cablecard. I've always gotten the new channels as they've been added in the past, but not the ones advertised to be available May 1st. Is there something else I should do to get them ( re-scan my channels on the tv ) or just put a call in to Cox? I can't manually tune to those channels either with the remote. Any ideas?

This is probably more of a hardware problem than a Cox problem, but I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing it.

I have the DCH-3416 DVR, and lately my audio output type keeps changing itself to PCM. Even if I attempt to choose Dolby Digital (the only other choice), it ignores me, and sticks to PCM. This wouldn't be bad, except that Cox (as far as I know) only outputs 2-channel PCM, so my audio receiver is only seeing two-channel audio on the HD channels, instead of the normal six (I have a 5.1 system... I'm not sure if Cox outputs the eight channels for a 7.1 system or not... so I'm just reporting what I normally see).

If I unplug the DVR for a few seconds, the Dolby Digital works fine, but eventually (in a week or two), it will happen again. I never had this problem before the last firmware update a few weeks ago. Is anyone else seeing this? I'm trying to figure out whether it's a problem with the new firmware, or if I just have a defective box. (I know... you're saying, "Defective DVR? From Cox? No Way!" Sheesh!!! I've lost count of how many of these dang things I've had!)
I have finally found out what's causing this, but I haven't found a solution (yet).

The latest version of the DVR software has added an audible "beep" sound to warn you when a message is displayed on the screen. You'll hear this beep if your DVR is already recording one show and it needs to change the channel to record another show at the same time. Also, you can force the beep sound by accessing the hidden information menu (press "Settings" one time, and then Down, B, Up, B).

When this "beep" occurs, it automatically switches the digital audio output from Dolby Digital 5.1 to 2.0 channel PCM. There is no way to get it back to the Dolby Digital setting without resetting the DVR.

This is really a frustrating problem, because I am now forced to constantly reboot my DVR to fix the sound. I have had a 5.1 surround sound setup for over a year now, and this problem didn't exist until the last software update.

I'm currently using the DCH3416 (http://www.motorola.com/business/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=6c2d9e3eeed46110VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD&vgnextchannel=bbc455779f3b6110VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD) Motorola box.

While I'm ranting about the audio, I'm reminded of two other problems I've noticed as well:

The DVR doesn't remember my HDMI resolution settings. I have a 720p television, so I set the video to always output a 720p signal. However, every time I turn on my television the cable box reverts back to 1080i.
The front "REC" lights don't work on the DVR after this last software update. I've read that there's a newer firmware version (18.43) that fixes this issue, however. Hopefully we can get it soon and see if it fixes any of these other issues.

I have finally found out what's causing this, but I haven't found a solution (yet).

The latest version of the DVR software has added an audible "beep" sound to warn you when a message is displayed on the screen. You'll hear this beep if your DVR is already recording one show and it needs to change the channel to record another show at the same time. Also, you can force the beep sound by accessing the hidden information menu (press "Settings" one time, and then Down, B, Up, B).

When this "beep" occurs, it automatically switches the digital audio output from Dolby Digital 5.1 to 2.0 channel PCM. There is no way to get it back to the Dolby Digital setting without resetting the DVR.

This is really a frustrating problem, because I am now forced to constantly reboot my DVR to fix the sound. I have had a 5.1 surround sound setup for over a year now, and this problem didn't exist until the last software update.

I'm currently using the DCH3416 (http://www.motorola.com/business/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=6c2d9e3eeed46110VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD&vgnextchannel=bbc455779f3b6110VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD) Motorola box.



Interesting as I have the same box and just checked my settings and everything is still the same for me. I have HDMI and it's set at 720P and stays that way. Also I'm set at 5.1 for audio and even after the beep, it stays 5.1. So not sure why your box keeps changing on you. Might be a bug issue with the software on your box.

I had my cablecard installed today, and the installers indicate the "new" HD channels wouldn't be on until May 27 for cablecard; however, I showed them they were, in fact, up and running. I didn't have NatGeo or History, but they checked and I guess those channels were down anyway. I did notice that the "enhanced cable" cable channels (e.g. SciFi, channel 70) were back to being analog now instead of digital; is that what others who are getting all the HD channels are experiencing?

Has anyone else been noticing issues with CNN-HD. It was completely off the other morning and has been having seemingly random audio issues/dropouts. Not sure if it a signal problem close to me, more widespread in the area or a source issue from CNN itself.

Hoping more channels are coming soon too!

Disney HD better be up in time for the Camp Rock premiere. This is getting really old. Best choice in HD my foot.

Disney HD better be up in time for the Camp Rock premiere. This is getting really old. Best choice in HD my foot.

To whom are you referring? I am getting Disney HD just fine.

Anyone else remember the days when all the talk on this thread wasn't about COX?

Jeff

does anyone know what is the Digital/HD channel for wictha? Please tell me.

Thank You. ( i just want CBS,NBC,ABC)

also i want to know what is the frequency?

To whom are you referring? I am getting Disney HD just fine.

Anyone else remember the days when all the talk on this thread wasn't about COX?

Jeff

Well, this thread is to talk about problems and issues. So thats why it became all about Cox. :D DirecTV I imagine right? I looked at it not long ago, but Cox really beats DirecTV in cost, especially for a single college student. But the cost is starting not to matter much anymore, this is getting ridiculous. The two year minimum contract and $199 to get an HD DVR put me off a bit.

Has anyone else been noticing issues with CNN-HD. It was completely off the other morning and has been having seemingly random audio issues/dropouts. Not sure if it a signal problem close to me, more widespread in the area or a source issue from CNN itself.

Hoping more channels are coming soon too!

YES...I have noticed CNN-HD(602) dropping audio for 2-3 secs. This may happen once every 15 minutes or so. The MAIN problem I'm seeing is

channel 601 ABC-HD at times is not coming up. Just a black screen.

Then when I'm watching a show via my DVR (The DVR usually synchs up to that channel you are watching recorded)....and the recording ends. I then push to delete....and I'm back to a BLANK dark screen on the same channel the recorded show was on. I have to change the channel and then go back to the channel I was just on and the live show finally appears.



THIS HAS to be a recent software push to the DVR...this has never happened to be in the past. So far it behaves that way all the time. I think it may have to do with the HDMI interface/software......SO I guess in a round about way.....I'm blaming the audio fall outs on CNN-HD to my other problems I have experienced this last 4-5 days on Cox Cable. My DVR is the dct3416

Since reverting to my CableCard on an LG 50PC1DR, with COX, I have confirmed that channels 2-71 are analog,which is fine by me. But I have absolutely HORRIBLE reception on channels 2-6, some days channels 2-7. By that, I mean unwatchable. Then, as I was already accustomed to, starting about channel 65 or so up to 70 is poor, but watchable. I found a loose nut on my CATV input, tightened it, and for a while all was well, but the picture on those channels is now horrible.

As a practical matter, that doesn't matter to me--I can watch the Weather Channel on other TVs, and don't watch the analog 3-12 anyway, so it doesn't really affect me; but I'm curious whether this is a signal issue, or a TV issue. Any thoughts?

A question for all of you that are so knowledgeable:

I recently traded in a older HD reciever (I'd had it for a couple years, it hadn't been working well) for what I believe is a slightly newer model. The appearance of both is the same, but the guides are different. I have the "big, silver" receiver that is also DVR ready, although I don't subscribe to DVR service because I have a seperate HDD recorder.

Onto the problem/question. My new box, which has a new guide gives me options to "record" (even though I can't technically record onto my reciever) and "remind" me of individual programs. The problem is neither of these will tune my receiver to the channel at the specific time like my old receiver/guide would. I used to be able to just hit select on something on the guide and set an "event timer" and the box would turn itself on for the duration of that program and tune to that channel.

I've seen where I can set the receiver to come on certain times, but this is no where near as convenient as being able to so simply do that for 8 programs in the past. It seems to only let you do that one at a time as well. and the "reminders" are useless because they don't actually tune the receiver, just give a visible reminder on screen.

Is there a remedy to this? Anyone have any suggestions? Does this make sense?

Since reverting to my CableCard on an LG 50PC1DR, with COX, I have confirmed that channels 2-71 are analog,which is fine by me. But I have absolutely HORRIBLE reception on channels 2-6, some days channels 2-7. By that, I mean unwatchable. Then, as I was already accustomed to, starting about channel 65 or so up to 70 is poor, but watchable. I found a loose nut on my CATV input, tightened it, and for a while all was well, but the picture on those channels is now horrible.

As a practical matter, that doesn't matter to me--I can watch the Weather Channel on other TVs, and don't watch the analog 3-12 anyway, so it doesn't really affect me; but I'm curious whether this is a signal issue, or a TV issue. Any thoughts?

You either have a bad outlet or a bad drop...simple as that. Are your other TV's having the same problem? If so it's your drop. If you have digital on those TV's, bypass the box and go right to the TV to check. If it's good, then it's your outlet to the CC TV.

A question for all of you that are so knowledgeable:

I recently traded in a older HD reciever (I'd had it for a couple years, it hadn't been working well) for what I believe is a slightly newer model. The appearance of both is the same, but the guides are different. I have the "big, silver" receiver that is also DVR ready, although I don't subscribe to DVR service because I have a seperate HDD recorder.

Onto the problem/question. My new box, which has a new guide gives me options to "record" (even though I can't technically record onto my reciever) and "remind" me of individual programs. The problem is neither of these will tune my receiver to the channel at the specific time like my old receiver/guide would. I used to be able to just hit select on something on the guide and set an "event timer" and the box would turn itself on for the duration of that program and tune to that channel.

I've seen where I can set the receiver to come on certain times, but this is no where near as convenient as being able to so simply do that for 8 programs in the past. It seems to only let you do that one at a time as well. and the "reminders" are useless because they don't actually tune the receiver, just give a visible reminder on screen.

Is there a remedy to this? Anyone have any suggestions? Does this make sense?

Take it back and get the HD only box. I have never used the remind me feature, but thought it changed the channel for you, but maybe on the DVR boxes it doesn't work that way.....

Take it back and get the HD only box. I have never used the remind me feature, but thought it changed the channel for you, but maybe on the DVR boxes it doesn't work that way.....


Thanks. I'll try that.

Although, when I was there last they "didn't have any". Which seems to be a common problem...

does anyone know what is the Digital/HD channel for wictha? Please tell me.

Thank You. ( i just want CBS,NBC,ABC)

also i want to know what is the frequency?

The easiest way to find them is to use the channel set-up scan in your TV's menu. Then you can just use your up/down channel key to scan through them until you find the one you are looking for. After the scan is completed, just go to channel 2 and then start pressing the down channel key.

If you have a cable box or a cablecard, this will not work.

the other TVs are analogs, and do not have the problem. I was demonstrating the issue to my son, and after trying to tighten the nut that secures the CATV input further, the picture improved dramatically on 2-7 and somewhat on 70; so it is not a problem throughout, just at that TV, and I think that the problem is more likely TV than signal; if my current repair holds, good; if not, I'll call my TV dealer.

Well, this thread is to talk about problems and issues. So thats why it became all about Cox. :D DirecTV I imagine right? I looked at it not long ago, but Cox really beats DirecTV in cost, especially for a single college student. But the cost is starting not to matter much anymore, this is getting ridiculous. The two year minimum contract and $199 to get an HD DVR put me off a bit.

I have Dish Network, actually.

I didn't mean to go after you, but after seeing post after post after post about COX and cable cards, I finally snapped. My apologies!

Jeff

the other TVs are analogs, and do not have the problem. I was demonstrating the issue to my son, and after trying to tighten the nut that secures the CATV input further, the picture improved dramatically on 2-7 and somewhat on 70; so it is not a problem throughout, just at that TV, and I think that the problem is more likely TV than signal; if my current repair holds, good; if not, I'll call my TV dealer.

I bet you have have a bad outlet that has been invaded by water and now is corroded the cable.

I had to go home at lunch today to meet a roofing contractor, and while there turned on the TV. I discovered that most of the HDTV channels other than the locals were not being received. They were fine last night. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is something going on with the HD channels? (A spot check of my other digital channels and analog channels were all fine).

I have Dish Network, actually.

I didn't mean to go after you, but after seeing post after post after post about COX and cable cards, I finally snapped. My apologies!

Jeff

Jeff, I am also a DISH customer in Salina. I just purchased an HDTV, and am mulling over the switch to HD from DISH. Have you tried and actually received any info or hints from DISH as to when they might get a few HD Locals from the Wichita DMA?

Jeff, I am also a DISH customer in Salina. I just purchased an HDTV, and am mulling over the switch to HD from DISH. Have you tried and actually received any info or hints from DISH as to when they might get a few HD Locals from the Wichita DMA?

No, I haven't, but I have seen a list of the next three or four markets they plan to put up in HD and Wichita wasn't one of them. :(

Jeff

THEY'RE HERE! I got home from work, and discovered SciFi HD, Bravo, MSNBC, Lifetime, and something else HD on COX. I didn't find Weather Channel HD, but hey, I've got windows to look out for that!

THEY'RE HERE! I got home from work, and discovered SciFi HD, Bravo, MSNBC, Lifetime, and something else HD on COX. I didn't find Weather Channel HD, but hey, I've got windows to look out for that!

Yay! Sci-Fi doesn't look like it is the HD version though quite yet based on the 4:3 letterbox show on at the moment with black bars on the sides.

USA HD is the other new one. SCI FI wasn't showing program data last night, but seemed to be coming in OK. I'm not sure, but is cinimax HD, NFL HD, and Versus HD also new? I had skipped all the hd channels I didn't have (HBO, Showtime, etc) and Cinimax, NFL and Versus HD all showed up last night.

Cinemax, NFL, and Versus were added last time around. Although I am getting the content on these newest channels, I don't get a station ID in the channel indicator on my screen for them. What I mean by this is: I have a cablecard; and when I change channels, in the upper right corner of my screen I get a display with channel number, source (such as "analog" or "CADTV") and channel name (such as Scifi). On the newest channels, the channel name doesn't show up. I seem to recall this was true when they added channels before, but eventually the name info started showing up. Does anyone know if that is correct for cablecard customers (I have an LG 50PC1DR)? Will I need to do a new scan for channels for this info to show up?

Also, my TV has the built-in TV Guide On-Screen Service, which doesn't seem to know about the new channels yet. Does anyone know when TVGOS is likely to update?

For what it's worth, by my count there are now 33 non-premium HD channels, plus 4 premium movie channels on Cox. Given the variety of channels, I'm pretty impressed.

I have Dish Network, actually.

I didn't mean to go after you, but after seeing post after post after post about COX and cable cards, I finally snapped. My apologies!

Jeff

It's alright. AVS Forum in most cities has kinda become a place for the "Wire" based services. If you need help on satellite, I have found dbstalk to be a much better place for help. While you will find a few local people who can help you with Dish or Direct, you are much more likely to find help there. At least that is my experience. :-) And don't worry, I didn't take it as you snapping at me. I mean, this forum is about HD in Wichita. Also, Dish has Disney HD? Last I checked they didn't, granted that was a good month ago.

In other news, why is it that Cox adds the HD channels I really don't care about, but skip the ones I would like. At this point, give me Disney HD and I will be happy for a good month or two. :p The CNBC HD kinda surprised me though. Gotta give some props to Cox though (First time I know) They do seem to be leading the HD for Cable co's at this point. I have always preferred wire based stuff over Satellite, but right now I want HD, and Cox isn't delivering at the extent D* is. Serioulsy, like if Cox had the 33 HD channels I actually want to watch, I couldn't care less if they have 100 HD channels or not.

No, I haven't, but I have seen a list of the next three or four markets they plan to put up in HD and Wichita wasn't one of them. :(

Jeff

If memory serves me correctly, DirecTV JUST added Wichita HD locals, and only three of the four at that (sans CBS I think.) Dish has always been kinda behind, so it could be awhile, and with the failure of their recent satellite launch, they could very well be out of space. It has to be financially prudent for them to do it. Does Dish at least offer you a national HD feed of those channels so you can get national programing in HD? If so, none of the stations here are in HD yet, so there is nothing to see. :D Although, KSN seems to be able to manipulate HD feeds without pushing it down to SD, so I am crossing my fingers for full HD soon. :)

If memory serves me correctly, DirecTV JUST added Wichita HD locals, and only three of the four at that (sans CBS I think.) Dish has always been kinda behind, so it could be awhile, and with the failure of their recent satellite launch, they could very well be out of space. It has to be financially prudent for them to do it. Does Dish at least offer you a national HD feed of those channels so you can get national programing in HD? If so, none of the stations here are in HD yet, so there is nothing to see. :D Although, KSN seems to be able to manipulate HD feeds without pushing it down to SD, so I am crossing my fingers for full HD soon. :)

DirecTv added CBS, ABC, and Fox HD locals a month or so ago. I use OTA for HD locals anyway so no big deal. I though Dish just added a ton more HD stations and pretty much caught up with DirecTV?

DirecTv added CBS, ABC, and Fox HD locals a month or so ago. I use OTA for HD locals anyway so no big deal. I though Dish just added a ton more HD stations and pretty much caught up with DirecTV?

They have added a lot from what I have seen, but that really means nothing if it doesnt include the Wichita stations. :) I think they go by demand, well I would hope they go by demand. How many people in a given area subscribe to our HD services. The Wichita area is pretty lax on HD in general, let alone satellite subscribers. Can you get OTA stations in HD in Salina? Don't all Dish boxes have OTA tuners? Its probably better that way if you get good reception, no rain fade and no compression.

In other news, why is it that Cox adds the HD channels I really don't care about, but skip the ones I would like.

What do you want them to add? Heck, everyone was wanting SciFi and guess what they added that one. I could care less about Disney as there is never anything on there I want to watch. Thats more of a kids station.

I would like to see CMT, Speed, NHL, CSTV, MTV, MSNBC, FOXNews, Weather Channel and all of the ESPN's added. I would love HDnet and HDMusic from Mark Cuban but that won't happen anytime soon.

What do you want them to add? Heck, everyone was wanting SciFi and guess what they added that one. I could care less about Disney as there is never anything on there I want to watch. Thats more of a kids station.

I would like to see CMT, Speed, NHL, CSTV, MTV, MSNBC, FOXNews, Weather Channel and all of the ESPN's added. I would love HDnet and HDMusic from Mark Cuban but that won't happen anytime soon.

Well, I am still pretty much a kid, so thats why I would like that channel. :D

I would love HDnet and HDMusic from Mark Cuban but that won't happen anytime soon.
I would also love to see HDNet, but they've added SciFi-HD and USA-HD, so I'm very happy. Now, if KWCH would hurry up and get their CW station broadcasting in HD, so Cox could add KSCW-HD, I'd be ecstatic.

I would like to see CMT, Speed, NHL, CSTV, MTV, MSNBC, FOXNews, Weather Channel and all of the ESPN's added.
Wait... didn't they just add MSNBC?

Wait... didn't they just add MSNBC?

CNBC HD+ actually, which is about as non-HD as it gets. They just use the wide screen add even more stuff around the SD picture.

As the HD slots on Cox are filling up, I have an idle and very unimportant question. For all of the locals that have digital on Cox (which is, I believe, every local except the channel carried on Cox analog channel 5) EXCEPT KAKE-TV 10, the HD equivalent is 6XX (e.g., channel 3 is 603, cox channel 4 is 604, etc.). But Channel 10 is at 601, and HBOHD is at 610. Why? Could Cox be persuaded to swap those out?

Petty, but it has always bugged me.

As the HD slots on Cox are filling up, I have an idle and very unimportant question. For all of the locals that have digital on Cox (which is, I believe, every local except the channel carried on Cox analog channel 5) EXCEPT KAKE-TV 10, the HD equivalent is 6XX (e.g., channel 3 is 603, cox channel 4 is 604, etc.). But Channel 10 is at 601, and HBOHD is at 610. Why? Could Cox be persuaded to swap those out?

Petty, but it has always bugged me.

I would go one step further and do what DirecTV did, e.g. SD Channel 100, HD Channel 100.1. If your guide is set to "HD Only" or something, it only shows the HD channel. So, flip to Channel 10, it automatically maps to 10.1, or some kind of mapping to map the SD channel to the HD channel would be nice. Or, like you said, at the least the SD channel with a 6 in front.

CNBC HD+ actually, which is about as non-HD as it gets. They just use the wide screen add even more stuff around the SD picture.

I think that is the future of "News" things though, its not always financially prudent to upgrade all cameras to HD, and while its nice, theres not much wow factor in talking heads in HD. The idea of using screen space for stock ticker and news is a good idea. I see it going into the future on a more personalized basis. Put your local weather on the side, personal stocks on the bottom, sports scores of your favorite teams, ect. Its an idea that has floated around for years, the technology exists, why we don't have it yet is beyond me. "Interactive Channels" I would call them. I can see it now. CNN INteract, Fox INteract. Yup, thats my idea. :-)

I think I heard KAKE wanted 601 way back at the time. I too would rather have it at 610. HBO ought to be segregated from the locals due to some of their R rated programing during prime time

I think I heard KAKE wanted 601 way back at the time. I too would rather have it at 610. HBO ought to be segregated from the locals due to some of their R rated programing during prime time

I am under the impression the current channel layout for HD is temporary, when and if cox goes completely Digital, I can see a complete restructure of the Channel line-up, possibly even going to a like channel lineup nation wide. Right now they have to keep the Analog stations in the 2-70 range. Idk we will see. And talking about that HBO thing reminds me of when I was a youngin' and Disney Channel starting at 10 PM was one channel flip away from hardcore porn, channel 16. :-) That was when I had a little TV in my room with a remoteness Cable Box. Oh memories. Lol. Like I said though, I think the current "600" channel designations are in a future perspective, just temporary.

I think I heard KAKE wanted 601 way back at the time. I too would rather have it at 610. HBO ought to be segregated from the locals due to some of their R rated programing during prime time

KAKE was the 1st HD channel for Cox and so it was put at 601. Then they figured out that they should put the locals on the same "channel" as they are on analog. But since people were use to KAKE being on 601, they didn't change it.

Could Cox change their channel lineup? Sure they have done it before, but I'm guessing it would be minimal. Maybe when they hit 100 HD channels they will move them around to group same type of channels.

I am not in favor of globally remapping SD channels to the HD equivalent. I wouldn't be opposed to being able to do it on a channel-by-channel basis, but certainly not be forced to an all-or-nothing setting. Why?

There are currently too many HD channels that think that we consumers want to use the full widescreen no matter what, and stretch any SD content. Until they figure out that most people do NOT want that, I do not want to lose the ability to go to the SD channel and watch the show in the aspect in which it was intended.

Yes, I know I can simply change the aspect on my TV, but stretching the output, then shrinking it again, usually does NOT look as good as the original unmodified SD broadcast. Channels that do this (like History, TNT, etc.) drive me absolutely crazy.

A good example of how it SHOULD be done is Sci-Fi. I was watching that the other night, and not only do they not stretch the SD content, but for some reason the SD output on the HD channel actually looks MUCH better than on the SD channel. For widescreen broadcasts in SD, I'm used to using the aspect setting on my TV to zoom in and fill the screen, and channel 70 always looked somewhat blurry when I did that, but channel 634 (I think that's right) looks crystal clear. I haven't noticed this difference in SD on any of the other HD channels. I'm assuming that Sci-Fi is upconverting their SD content, but whatever they're doing, others should take note.

Can you get OTA stations in HD in Salina? Don't all Dish boxes have OTA tuners? Its probably better that way if you get good reception, no rain fade and no compression.

The current DISH HD receivers have digital OTA tuners built in. I don't get Wichita locals from DISH, so I too don't care if they ever add the HD feeds.

As for getting Wichita stations OTA in Salina, it's a bit tough. I have a fairly decent UHF only antenna maybe 30 feet high, and i can get KWCH all the time, KAKE most of the time, KPTS a lot of the time, CW (still not HD) some of the time, KSNW and MyTV only occasionally. We have a FOX translator so I can get that all of the time too.

KSN is supposed to be building a station up here but they keep moving the date on their web site.

Jeff

So how many people here know that they're going to have to throw away their UHF only antennas next February? (since 8, 10, and 12 are all moving back to VHF)

So how many people here know that they're going to have to throw away their UHF only antennas next February? (since 8, 10, and 12 are all moving back to VHF)

I guess I will... As well as everyone who has enjoyed HD OTA for the past 5 years or so. Are you sure everyone is moving to VHF? Got links?

Go to antennaweb.org and key in your zip code,

They only show Kake and KWCH right now, but I'm pretty sure PBS is moving also.

vhf KAKE-DT 10.1 ABC WICHITA, KS Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition) vhf KWCH-DT 12.1 CBS HUTCHINSON, KS Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition)

Why would you throw away your UHF antenna? If you're close enough, most UHF antennas will handle upper VHF (7-13) just fine. If not, adding a VHF antenna to an existing UHF setup is much easier than throwing away said UHF antenna.

Considering everyone except 8/10/12 will be on UHF, throwing away your UHF antenna would probably be a bad idea.

- Trip

So how many people here know that they're going to have to throw away their UHF only antennas next February? (since 8, 10, and 12 are all moving back to VHF)

You can always add a VHF only antenna to your UHF only antenna. I've done it already. Probably not as effective as a big UHF/VHF combo antenna for fringe areas like here, but for all you folks around Wichita, I wouldn't think you'd have to worry about that too much.

Jeff

I just recently moved to a new house that already has a bit antenna on the roof.

I tried using AntennaWeb, but it was confusing and there were color codes that I didn't understand.

I am located about 25 miles North and a bit East of Wichita.

Could someone fill me in on where to point my antenna to get:

KSN (3) ________
KAKE (10) ________
KWCH (12) _________
FOX (24) __________

Is there a direction I should be able to point to pick up most of these at the same time? I assume there is...

Oh, and this may seem basic, but which end is the "pointer" end of the antenna? In other words, the antenna looks like it has arrows, but which way do they point?

Thanks for all the help. I was on Cox when in the city, but now I'm on DirecTV and would like to at least get NBC HD OTA since it's not yet on DirecTV's locals in HD.

I just recently moved to a new house that already has a bit antenna on the roof.

I tried using AntennaWeb, but it was confusing and there were color codes that I didn't understand.

I am located about 25 miles North and a bit East of Wichita.

Could someone fill me in on where to point my antenna to get:

KSN (3) ________
KAKE (10) ________
KWCH (12) _________
FOX (24) __________

Is there a direction I should be able to point to pick up most of these at the same time? I assume there is...

Oh, and this may seem basic, but which end is the "pointer" end of the antenna? In other words, the antenna looks like it has arrows, but which way do they point?

Thanks for all the help. I was on Cox when in the city, but now I'm on DirecTV and would like to at least get NBC HD OTA since it's not yet on DirecTV's locals in HD.

I don't really know much about antennas, or what kind you have, ect. But to get all those I believe you will need an antenna that gets both UHF and VHF. Either way, most of the towers are placed right outside Colwich, KS, I believe ABC, NBC and Fox. Again, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe CBS is right outside Hutch. So a general Western Direction should get you all of them, in theory of course. I have seen the towers outside of Colwich while driving on 53rd, so I can promise you they are there. :p

Go to antennaweb.org and key in your zip code,

They only show Kake and KWCH right now, but I'm pretty sure PBS is moving also.

vhf KAKE-DT 10.1 ABC WICHITA, KS Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition) vhf KWCH-DT 12.1 CBS HUTCHINSON, KS Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition)

Yes, PBS will be moving back to ch8.

So how many people here know that they're going to have to throw away their UHF only antennas next February? (since 8, 10, and 12 are all moving back to VHF)

There are several current UHF stations that will remain in that band. After the full powers get settled in then there will be the low power stations that will then be faced with the transition to digital. Should not need to throw away good UHF antennas.

KSNL-LD channel 47 (6-1) is broadcasting in Salina. I'm not sure its an HD feed or not, and with the weather broadcasting, may not know tonight.

With my antenna set up, I have to point it more to the West than I'd like to to get it to stop dropping out.:( I hope they aren't at full power or the weather is diminishing the signal so I can leave it pointing at Wichita and still pick up this new signal.

Jeff

Added at 11:30pm:
The feed is not HD. The tonight show in HD on KSNW was in SD on KSNL.

Is anybody else watching the KSN HD feed and seeing that they now have the ability to manipulate HD feeds with crawlers? The transparency thing is pretty cool, however, I don't know why it is pushed up so far and not hugging the bottom of the screen. Very nice though. It doesn't appear than any of the other channels have HD feed manipulation.

Did my Media Center PC just freak out of did Cox just mix up the HD channels? I am now getting Universal HD on 611 instead of 624 and I am missing Discovery HD (which is supposed to be on 611) completely. Did Cox just change the channels and my guide hasn't caught up yet or is my Media Center PC freaking out? Anyone? Thanks, Gabriel

Did my Media Center PC just freak out of did Cox just mix up the HD channels? I am now getting Universal HD on 611 instead of 624 and I am missing Discovery HD (which is supposed to be on 611) completely. Did Cox just change the channels and my guide hasn't caught up yet or is my Media Center PC freaking out? Anyone? Thanks, Gabriel

I think it must be your Media Center. Discovery is still on 611 for me. :confused:

Well, a couple of days ago I noticed that Cox added a few HD Channels. I'm a VERY happy camper about it too!!

634 SciFi HD
635 Bravo HD
636 USA HD
637 CNBC HD
638 Lifetime HD

Last evening DISH Network announced that it will be adding WGN America (formerly Superstaion WGN) in HD this week.

Go Cubbies!!

Jeff

Last evening DISH Network announced that it will be adding WGN America (formerly Superstaion WGN) in HD this week.

Go Cubbies!!

Jeff

Well now I know one more chan I want COX to add.

Cubs 4 life.

read/heard somewhere that not all the "HD" channels that DirecTv is adding are true "HD" and that they are upconverting them. I was wondering that as they said they were offering Speed TV before Speed even launched their HD service. So if this is ture, how many TRUE HD channels do they offer??

http://jdb.myphotos.cc/storm/antenna.jpg

Jeff


BTW, DISH Network did add WGN HD sometime yesterday.

If anyone is looking at OTA antennas I bought one the other day that really seems to work very well. It's a Winegard SS2000. A flat panel approx. 16" Hi and wide and about maybe 4" deep. I bought it for a job I am doing and when I tested it out it worked very well. I laid it in the back of my car and hooked it up and got all digital signals except ch8. When I held it up in the air and rescaned I picked up two OKC stations. I held the antenna to the South and scanned and picked up five OKC stations with no problem. (It was about ten pm and I think skip was running really good that night) Anyway I installed the antenna in a shopping mall in Derby between the false ceiling and the roof and all stations come in great except ch8. The antenna had really good reviews and I can agree with them. I purchased it from www.solidsignal.com. Last I check the price had gone up seven bucks since I purchased mine. The cost now is $81.00.

[URL="http://jdb.myphotos.cc/storm/antenna.jpg"]

Jeff


BTW, DISH Network did add WGN HD sometime yesterday.

Salina? I heard about that up there. Is that the only causality on your house? Is something that tall and big needed to get reception? I would hate that. :(

Salina? I heard about that up there. Is that the only causality on your house? Is something that tall and big needed to get reception? I would hate that. :(

I haven't had the insurance guy look at the roof yet, but chances are it has damage too.

Yep, being 80+ miles from the "local" transmitters, a large antenna is needed up here. My antenna is big for a UHF only antenna, but some of the combo UHF/VHF antennas are 12 feet long and cost $250! As far as height, mine is still below the neighbors' trees, so I'd like it if I could get it even higher. I still have trouble getting the Wichita stations. I can get all of the stations some of the time and I can get some of the stations all of the time, but I can't get all of the stations all of the time :confused:

Jeff

Most of the stations in Wichita are in a bunch 2 miles East of Colwich, with the exception of PBS and KWCH, which are North of Haven and East of Hutchinson.

Cheap

Check KSCW primetime.

Cheap

Why is the clock on my DVR box flashing? It has the right time but the brightness level is changing. It is driving be bonkos. I tried rebooting, turning the display off, everything.

(The newest HD DVR cox has in Wichita)

I heard from a guy that knew a dude who said that KWCH is going to be the first to do their news in HD. They were not sure if they were going to be ready to go with 100% HD or just in-studio HD. KSNW and KAKE are going to simply upsample for the foreseeable future.

Anyways, since KSN is what I watch, I took two minutes to contact ol Al and let them know I was disappointed in this news...

http://www.ksn.com/aboutksn/contact

I need my Anita in HD!

Has anyone heard when CBS or ABC national news will finally go HD on Cox in Wichita? Do they presently even offer their national news in HD OTA? If not, they are waaaay behind NBC.

My TV with the very sensitive cable card is having pixelization problems with the digital channels since Wednesday night. Anyone else seen any recent problems? Has Cox tweaked their signal again?

Has anyone heard when CBS or ABC national news will finally go HD on Cox in Wichita? Do they presently even offer their national news in HD OTA? If not, they are waaaay behind NBC.

Cox doesn't have anything to do with the content of channels. Once they have the HD version of a station, they don't turn the HD on and off for different programs.

The local station may forget to flip the switch to HD. KWCH is infamous for that.

Other times, when a local station delays syndicated programs, they don't record the satellite feed in HD. I know that Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Two and a Half Men (syndicated reruns) are shown in HD in some markets. Not here though!

Again, none of these problems have anything to do with COX or DirecTV or anyother provider. They just pass the signal on as they receive it (maybe compressed further in the case of satellite providers).

Jeff

I heard from a guy that knew a dude who said that KWCH is going to be the first to do their news in HD. They were not sure if they were going to be ready to go with 100% HD or just in-studio HD. KSNW and KAKE are going to simply upsample for the foreseeable future.

Anyways, since KSN is what I watch, I took two minutes to contact ol Al and let them know I was disappointed in this news...

http://www.ksn.com/aboutksn/contact

I need my Anita in HD!

That surprises me, I would have put the list KSNW, KAKE, KWCH, in that order. Either way, I don't care, I want to see one go HD, then I will watch that one, the content to me is pretty much the same on all the stations, although KAKE is a bit cocky, either way, whichever one goes HD first will be my station. Just hope it happens soon. The HD feeds of local news look dreadful, I typically turn to the Analog equivalent to get a better picture, often it is much better than the HD feed.

Schurz, who owns KWCH, recently went HD on WDBJ in my home DMA of Roanoke. It wouldn't surprise me to see them do the same in their other markets in the near future. Wichita and Roanoke are about the same size, so...

- Trip

I understand that AT&T is about to start installs on their uverse, which is a bundle much like what Cox's offers. Does anyone know if there is a separate thread for that or will there be discussion here on this thread.

I have been following information on Uverse for quite awhile, hoping they would make it to the Wichita market. There is a discussion board in existence that is specific to Uverse that I read frequently, and can be found here:

http://utalk.att.com/

This is a better site: http://www.uverseusers.com/

I would just be ready for a good amout of bugs at first. If they do what they did in other cities, they will do huge block parties and offere the first 3 months for free. So you could try it out and not cancele your current provider and then decide from there. Also the installs at first seem to take a loooooong time. This is all based off of posts on the above site.

that is what my general impressions are from the other discussion board, as well.

What's up with the KAKE announcement they are reducing power on the digital signal until Feb. 09? Are they replacing equipment pertaining to the all-digital requirement?

This is a better site: http://www.uverseusers.com/


The employee section of the forums of the above site scare me. They don't seem to have a clue what they are doing with video. Plus looks like ATT is using mostly temp workers and/or unexperienced workers.

AT&T are using full time people here in Wichita for the install of uverse. I know because a family member is a part of that team. Now that I say that please don't hold me responsibile for knowing all that might be happening with AT&T though I will be glad to share what I do know. I do know there were twenty seven employees that have been to school on installation of this system. I am looking forward to see how well the system works.

My searches didn't find any real matches to my question. I'm on the verge of finally getting an A/V receiver and speakers and I wondered if HDMI HD DVR boxes have become common in the Cox Kansas system yet. I plan on calling my area office (Great Bend) to check, but I do wonder how forthcoming they would be to exchange a perfectly functioning DVR just for my desire for a simpler wiring scheme. If the HDMI versions are now the standard, they probably wouldn't mind; if they're still rare, I assume they won't even bother to check, but just say no and get on with their busy day (not being sarcastic here).

TIA

My searches didn't find any real matches to my question. I'm on the verge of finally getting an A/V receiver and speakers and I wondered if HDMI HD DVR boxes have become common in the Cox Kansas system yet. I plan on calling my area office (Great Bend) to check, but I do wonder how forthcoming they would be to exchange a perfectly functioning DVR just for my desire for a simpler wiring scheme. If the HDMI versions are now the standard, they probably wouldn't mind; if they're still rare, I assume they won't even bother to check, but just say no and get on with their busy day (not being sarcastic here).

TIA


I have three boxes with HDMI; one HD DVR and two HD. Just be sure to ask for a box with HDMI. I recently exchanged a non-DVR HD box for one with HDMI so it shouldn't be a problem.

I have three boxes with HDMI; one HD DVR and two HD. Just be sure to ask for a box with HDMI. I recently exchanged a non-DVR HD box for one with HDMI so it shouldn't be a problem.
Well, assuming you didn't snag the only one in the state, I might go ahead and ask.

Thanks for the info.

My searches didn't find any real matches to my question. I'm on the verge of finally getting an A/V receiver and speakers and I wondered if HDMI HD DVR boxes have become common in the Cox Kansas system yet. I plan on calling my area office (Great Bend) to check, but I do wonder how forthcoming they would be to exchange a perfectly functioning DVR just for my desire for a simpler wiring scheme. If the HDMI versions are now the standard, they probably wouldn't mind; if they're still rare, I assume they won't even bother to check, but just say no and get on with their busy day (not being sarcastic here).

TIA

I really don't think you will have a problem, as far as I know, Cox doesn't even give out HD DVR's without HDMI on it. All the HD DVR's I have ever had have HDMI on them. Just tell them the truth, they are pretty good about it, I took in my old HD DVR when the now models came in and said "I like look of the new boxes more than the old ones" and she just laughed and traded it in. No need to lie IMHO, just say you would like HDMI, you pay for the box monthly, you should be able to have HDMI if you want.

Edit: Is it me or did like 5 previous posts disappear?

Edit2: Nevermind, I guess the forum had a Database error and had to revert to the August 2nd backup. Bummer. Lol

The Olympics in HD has been amazing, but having the emergency broadcast test during the Shawn Johnson balance beam routine is a pretty bad idea.

The Olympics in HD has been amazing, but having the emergency broadcast test during the Shawn Johnson balance beam routine is a pretty bad idea.

Oh, that EAS crap annoys the heck out of me. Almost always interrupts what I consider late night television. Anything before 1 AM is too early, and the fact that on Digital it completely blanks out the screen is pretty annoying too. My theory? Anything less than a Tornado in the immediate vicinity, let me watch my dang TV! :D Plus, over testing something only makes you ignore it. :) Im all for an "opt out" of EAS testing or going back to how they did it on Analog broadcast, keeping the image but throwing text over it. There was a discussion about this a good 10-20 pages back.

Oh, that EAS crap annoys the heck out of me. Almost always interrupts what I consider late night television. Anything before 1 AM is too early, and the fact that on Digital it completely blanks out the screen is pretty annoying too. My theory? Anything less than a Tornado in the immediate vicinity, let me watch my dang TV! :D Plus, over testing something only makes you ignore it. :) Im all for an "opt out" of EAS testing or going back to how they did it on Analog broadcast, keeping the image but throwing text over it. There was a discussion about this a good 10-20 pages back.

I had never been bothered by it before but I've never been watching a live sporting event.

10:50 PM is way WAY too early to do something like that.

Oh, that EAS crap annoys the heck out of me. Almost always interrupts what I consider late night television. Anything before 1 AM is too early, and the fact that on Digital it completely blanks out the screen is pretty annoying too. My theory? Anything less than a Tornado in the immediate vicinity, let me watch my dang TV! :D Plus, over testing something only makes you ignore it. :) Im all for an "opt out" of EAS testing or going back to how they did it on Analog broadcast, keeping the image but throwing text over it. There was a discussion about this a good 10-20 pages back.

Cable blanks out the screen. I am thinking that watching over the air the program video stays up with a crawl and a brief audio announcment.

So who is in charge of these tests? COX, KSN, or NBC?

So who is in charge of these tests? COX, KSN, or NBC?

Since you get it on all channels at once, I believe Cox has the switch. Wether or not what time they do the test is up to them, I have no idea. It could very well be a national thing that has to be done at a certain time. The point is basically for like tornado warnings, but the fact that in my entire life, every time I have seen the EAS, it has been a test makes me wonder.

Since you get it on all channels at once, I believe Cox has the switch. Wether or not what time they do the test is up to them, I have no idea. It could very well be a national thing that has to be done at a certain time. The point is basically for like tornado warnings, but the fact that in my entire life, every time I have seen the EAS, it has been a test makes me wonder.

If you read the alert it tells you they have until a certain time to run the test. Last night they had til 11:54pm to run the test. If it's like in radio, you are sent the signal and it over rides your controls and music. So I'm guessing someone sends the signal out to all broadcasters and service providers and then it's passed on to us.

Last night's sucked.....I was about 10 mins behind on my DVR and the alert hit and all of a sudden I'm at live TV and knew what had alreday happend......

Anyone on here signed up for Uverse or know someone who has? I would like to know if ATT is doing any great deals to get people to sign-up. It will be years before they get to where I live, but would love to be able to record 4 things at once....

Anyone on here signed up for Uverse or know someone who has? I would like to know if ATT is doing any great deals to get people to sign-up. It will be years before they get to where I live, but would love to be able to record 4 things at once....

One month free to make your decision is a pretty sweet deal. :-) However, before the AT&T Rep told me we were not eligible, the cost os service for basically the same that we have with Cox ran about $5 cheaper. I do have to say though, nobody offers the kind of internet speeds that Cox offers for the price. You can't even get the speeds Cox gives us on U-Verse. The TV is really the deal breaker for me though.

Until ATT rolls out something like FIOS, Cox will have the best speed. Thankfully they have competition in other markets and we get to benefit.

If you read the alert it tells you they have until a certain time to run the test. Last night they had til 11:54pm to run the test. If it's like in radio, you are sent the signal and it over rides your controls and music. So I'm guessing someone sends the signal out to all broadcasters and service providers and then it's passed on to us.

Last night's sucked.....I was about 10 mins behind on my DVR and the alert hit and all of a sudden I'm at live TV and knew what had alreday happend......

Monthly test are at predetermined times. 1:50pm on the odd months and 10:50pm on the even months. For Kansas the test is generated in Topeka at a radio station. I am thinking it's WIBW but not sure. It's up to the station whether to run them automatically or manualy with in a certain time frame. I am thinking with so much automation and master control operations basically a one person operation that one thing the operator doesn't have to remember to do when running in automatic. The sending of the test is a domino effect and each broadcast facility are required to monitor two other stations. All TV stations monitor a FM and a AM frequency. Also if any station does not run a test, then the engineer must must inpect his operations, EAS unit and even call the monitoring station to verify they ran the test.
Just thought I would share an insight of what happens.

Looks like ATT is only rolling out uverse in a very very small part of wichita. Looks to be the west side around Maize and Central area. Friend had a install scheduled for this week but was called the night before and told that it would have to be rescheduled because ATT was not ready yet.

Based on VRAD placement, they are hitting the far west side of wichtia, far east/northeast side, andover, derby and a small part of haysville.

Looks like ATT is only rolling out uverse in a very very small part of wichita. Looks to be the west side around Maize and Central area. Friend had a install scheduled for this week but was called the night before and told that it would have to be rescheduled because ATT was not ready yet.

Based on VRAD placement, they are hitting the far west side of wichtia, far east/northeast side, andover, derby and a small part of haysville.

That must be the case, they are only lighting up certain areas and apparently mine wasn't chosen this time. Nobody in my neighborhood has been able to get through, including the guy that had the VRAD in his backyard.

I don't expect them to ever go much further into the city, basically the cutoff on the West side would be 235, once you get further in the telephone wire in place is probably too old to handle it. That would require rewiring to every house, probably not cost effective. Thats my theory anyway. I know U-verse is already pushing newly installed copper to its limits, their long term plans appears to be fiber for all new home installs from here on out, anybody seen new homes in the Wichita area being served up with some fiber?

...their long term plans appears to be fiber for all new home installs from here on out, anybody seen new homes in the Wichita area being served up with some fiber?

That is something Cox is going to start in new areas also. Not sure when it will start but it will be fiber all the way to the house and then using a device on the back of the house to turn it into RF signal.

Been a while since I've posted. Finally able to get all 10 local stations OTA as long as I run the antenna wire to 1 set. I need to get an 8 port signal amplifier so I can boost the signal to all my sets. Anyone got one they recommend? I failed to mention that I bought a DB4 though Bestbuy online and it works very well in Augusta. I also have the converter boxes as I don't have any sets HD capable at this time.

And actually, it doesn't need to be an active unit, as my internet comes in through DSL. I also need this when Cox finally gets around to getting cable in my neighborhood. They're not here yet but just a few blocks away. I'm in a new neighborhood that they haven't run the lines to yet. So I'm stuck with OTA signals, and I may just stay that way as Cox was $45 per month at the old house and I'm getting kind used to not paying the bill!!!! LOL

Based on VRAD placement, they are hitting the far west side of wichtia, far east/northeast side, andover, derby and a small part of haysville.

VRAD? New acronym for me so I looked it up.

VRAD boxes are nodes on the telecommunications network where fiber optic lines are connected to the copper wires that serve individual homes and businesses.

Does anyone else see this as a disappointment? It's the same old tired business model with 100's of channels, mostly crap. U-verse is a brand new digital service. Where is the innovation? On-demand? And god forbid, a-la-carte?

There are only about 3 channels total that I have any interest in and paying $40-$60/month for them is ridiculous.

VRAD? New acronym for me so I looked it up.

VRAD boxes are nodes on the telecommunications network where fiber optic lines are connected to the copper wires that serve individual homes and businesses.

Ahh yeah, sorry about that. I have been talking over at uverseusers.com for awhile now, so the acronym is common knowledge over there. Basically what at&t has done is upgrade their backbone to fiber to roughly a couple thousand feet from a house, where the remainder is served by copper. Thus the problem with people not being eligible or "close enough" The discussion is how close a person is to the VRAD, its hard to describe what they look like, basically big tan colored boxes.

Been a while since I've posted. Finally able to get all 10 local stations OTA as long as I run the antenna wire to 1 set. I need to get an 8 port signal amplifier so I can boost the signal to all my sets. Anyone got one they recommend?

http://www.dropamp.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=31

I'm moving to Wichita (well, probably a suburb) from Huntsville, AL in Sept. I probably should read the entire thread, but 82 pages is a lot. Here, the local cable companies broadcast the networks (ABC/NBC/CBS/PBS/FOX) in HD unencrypted so any TV with a built in HD tuner can pick them up. Is it the same in Wichita?

I will need to do an antenna for OTA eventually for my Windows Media Center PC, but need to figure out where to live first.

I'm moving to Wichita (well, probably a suburb) from Huntsville, AL in Sept. I probably should read the entire thread, but 82 pages is a lot. Here, the local cable companies broadcast the networks (ABC/NBC/CBS/PBS/FOX) in HD unencrypted so any TV with a built in HD tuner can pick them up. Is it the same in Wichita?

I will need to do an antenna for OTA eventually for my Windows Media Center PC, but need to figure out where to live first.

If you want a nice cozy 2 bedroom, full basement in north riverside, send me a PM :)

I'm moving to Wichita (well, probably a suburb) from Huntsville, AL in Sept. I probably should read the entire thread, but 82 pages is a lot. Here, the local cable companies broadcast the networks (ABC/NBC/CBS/PBS/FOX) in HD unencrypted so any TV with a built in HD tuner can pick them up. Is it the same in Wichita?

I will need to do an antenna for OTA eventually for my Windows Media Center PC, but need to figure out where to live first.
Last I knew, Cox still carried local HDs in an unencrypted format with channel designations like 114-1 (a number I have picked randomly which may or may not correspond to an actual channel). I found many of their tech people or customer service people were unaware of this fact. So, unless they have changed this, if you have cable, and if your TV has a built-in QAM tuner, I believe you CAN get local HDs automatically with a cable subscription. I have not checked this for several months, and now have a cablecard installed in my cablecard-compatible TV, so for me the local HDs are on the same channel as if I had a digital cable box.

I'm moving to Wichita (well, probably a suburb) from Huntsville, AL in Sept. I probably should read the entire thread, but 82 pages is a lot. Here, the local cable companies broadcast the networks (ABC/NBC/CBS/PBS/FOX) in HD unencrypted so any TV with a built in HD tuner can pick them up. Is it the same in Wichita?

I will need to do an antenna for OTA eventually for my Windows Media Center PC, but need to figure out where to live first.

Just a note:
OTA and Cable tuners are separate and distinct tuners built in to TVs. Apparently you already have one that has a clear QAM (cable) tuner. For over-the-air you need an ATSC tuner, which your TV probably already has, but not all TVs have both, or even any. (Well, if it has no tuners, it's a monitor, not a TV.) I'm sure it's possible to build a Media Center PC with both types of tuners too.

Jeff

Just a note:
OTA and Cable tuners are separate and distinct tuners built in to TVs. Apparently you already have one that has a clear QAM (cable) tuner. For over-the-air you need an ATSC tuner, which your TV probably already has, but not all TVs have both, or even any. (Well, if it has no tuners, it's a monitor, not a TV.) I'm sure it's possible to build a Media Center PC with both types of tuners too.

Jeff

Yep, my TV has both, though I've never fed it an OTA signal.

Vista Media Center is more tricky. It doesn't natively accept QAM signals, but there are a couple tuners with driver hacks that trick it into thinking they're ATSC tuners. I have one HD tuner that does that, and one that is ATSC only. A TV pack update is due in Sept. to add QAM natively and have heterogeneous HD tuners, but it's OEM only. I may try to get a copy anyway... but I digress.

I'm a little nervous about OTA as it seems there are 2 main locations for the towers, and some are VHF. I guess I got lucky here in Huntsville as all towers are very close and UHF. I had a channelmaster 4221 in the attic feeding 2 HD tuners and got perfect reception, even with the NBC affiliate transmitting at really low power (41 kW -- but supposed to go up after the transition).

I'm moving to Wichita (well, probably a suburb) from Huntsville, AL in Sept. I probably should read the entire thread, but 82 pages is a lot. Here, the local cable companies broadcast the networks (ABC/NBC/CBS/PBS/FOX) in HD unencrypted so any TV with a built in HD tuner can pick them up. Is it the same in Wichita?

I will need to do an antenna for OTA eventually for my Windows Media Center PC, but need to figure out where to live first.


Actually you can get OTA ABC,NBC,CBS,PBS,FOX,and 2 others work very well. I live 13 Miles east of Wichita and can get all 10 local HD channels with a relatively small antenna. I am no further than 50 statute miles from the furthest antenna. My understanding is Cox does have the channels unencrypted and available (at least they used too).

I did get my issue resolved with a low buck signal amp I purchased at Lowes. Now I won't have to pay monthly fees anymore to watch what's on the local stations. Nor have to hook up cable to the house when it's available next month. And Yes I'm cheap!!!!

Did I spell anything right in that title? Oh well.

I have a Tivo S3 with a multi-stream card from Cox. Loving all the HD we're getting now, at least Cox -appears- to be trying to keep updating.

Anyway, for the past few weeks (and off and on for the past year), I've been getting more pixellation than I find acceptable. A blip here or there I'll live with, but on certain channels, namely NGCHD and recently on Oxygen, it will pixelate off and on for 15 minutes (sound and video).

NGCHD has basically become unwatchable for me. My wife watches Oxygen, so I would LIKE for it to become unwatchable, but I digress.

Interestingly, channels like MojoHD are pretty much flawless. I personally find most of the video quality better on MojoHD than NGCHD anyway, but I'd think the better the quality the better the chance it'd drop out. I dunno, perhaps another discussion.

Does anyone else have problems with NGCHD, or do you think it could be my M-card? When I first got the card, it was through a beta program, so I wonder if there are newer cards available with updated firmware or something.

I hesitate calling Cox for numerous reasons, mainly because NOTHING has changed at my residence, or at least from my TV to the neighborhood box. I also can't stomach being told to hang out at home for 4 hours when I need to work. (Are they doing Saturday appts now?).

Anyway, thought I'd check in and get some ideas, it's been tolerable for awhile but is now bordering on ridiculous.....

Sheesh. If only Uverse worked with Tivo. Or DirecTv, for that matter.

The other downside to calling cox: They will tell you it is your Tivo and that there is nothing you can do with it.

Try swapping out cards and try using one of their boxes to see if you get the same problem.

Did I spell anything right in that title? Oh well.

I have a Tivo S3 with a multi-stream card from Cox. Loving all the HD we're getting now, at least Cox -appears- to be trying to keep updating.

Anyway, for the past few weeks (and off and on for the past year), I've been getting more pixellation than I find acceptable. A blip here or there I'll live with, but on certain channels, namely NGCHD and recently on Oxygen, it will pixelate off and on for 15 minutes (sound and video).

NGCHD has basically become unwatchable for me. My wife watches Oxygen, so I would LIKE for it to become unwatchable, but I digress.

Interestingly, channels like MojoHD are pretty much flawless. I personally find most of the video quality better on MojoHD than NGCHD anyway, but I'd think the better the quality the better the chance it'd drop out. I dunno, perhaps another discussion.

Does anyone else have problems with NGCHD, or do you think it could be my M-card? When I first got the card, it was through a beta program, so I wonder if there are newer cards available with updated firmware or something.

I hesitate calling Cox for numerous reasons, mainly because NOTHING has changed at my residence, or at least from my TV to the neighborhood box. I also can't stomach being told to hang out at home for 4 hours when I need to work. (Are they doing Saturday appts now?).

Anyway, thought I'd check in and get some ideas, it's been tolerable for awhile but is now bordering on ridiculous.....

Sheesh. If only Uverse worked with Tivo. Or DirecTv, for that matter.

Best source of info on this problem. Thread has gotten long but worth reading.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=361244

I hesitate calling Cox for numerous reasons, mainly because NOTHING has changed at my residence, or at least from my TV to the neighborhood box. I also can't stomach being told to hang out at home for 4 hours when I need to work. (Are they doing Saturday appts now?).

How do you know nothing has changed???? How do you know that your outlet hasn't went bad or the drop to your house hasn't went bad? You have the tools to check that?

Have to hang out for 4 hours??? Cox appointment times are in 2 hour time blocks (8-10, 10-12, 1-3, 3-5, and 5-7). And they have been doing Saturday appointments and Sunday appointments for over 5 years in Wichita/Topeka. If you live outside the those systems, it can be a lil harder getting someone out on the weekend but can happen if you ask hard enough.

The other downside to calling cox: They will tell you it is your Tivo and that there is nothing you can do with it.

Try swapping out cards and try using one of their boxes to see if you get the same problem.

If you have cablecard's in them, they will send a tech out and go from there. If the levels are in spec, then it's either the cards or the Tivo itself.

How do you know nothing has changed???? How do you know that your outlet hasn't went bad or the drop to your house hasn't went bad? You have the tools to check that?

Have to hang out for 4 hours??? Cox appointment times are in 2 hour time blocks (8-10, 10-12, 1-3, 3-5, and 5-7). And they have been doing Saturday appointments and Sunday appointments for over 5 years in Wichita/Topeka. If you live outside the those systems, it can be a lil harder getting someone out on the weekend but can happen if you ask hard enough.

Sheesh, calm down. Didn't you used to claim you didn't work for Cox? I haven't been on the forums for awhile, did you start working there?

I live in a 4 year old house. It's new enough (and I don't hose down the interior of my home too often) that I think I can figure out if a jack is bad. Unless I have one of those pesky outlets that's not compatible with NGCHD....

2 hour blocks are new to me. I could usually count on being told to expect a service person between 1-5, and like clockwork, they show up at 4:58. It was always a true testament to how they run their business overall. Of course, they DID say between 1-5.

So anyway, I imagine it's the multi-stream card, and was just curious if anyone had any -useful- information. I'll check out that thread someone passed along.

Sheesh, calm down. Didn't you used to claim you didn't work for Cox? I haven't been on the forums for awhile, did you start working there?

I live in a 4 year old house. It's new enough (and I don't hose down the interior of my home too often) that I think I can figure out if a jack is bad. Unless I have one of those pesky outlets that's not compatible with NGCHD....



The HD channels are on pods and usually have 2-3 channels per pod. So you should have another channel or so tiling also.

Didnt' mean to jump down your throat, but its always the providers fault and never the stuff at the house, at least thats how most of the posts are in the different threads on here. It might just be a card issue, but wouldn't be surprised if its more of a drop issue than anything.

The HD channels are on pods and usually have 2-3 channels per pod. So you should have another channel or so tiling also.

Didnt' mean to jump down your throat, but its always the providers fault and never the stuff at the house, at least thats how most of the posts are in the different threads on here. It might just be a card issue, but wouldn't be surprised if its more of a drop issue than anything.

Point well taken. I know you don't know me, nor my technical abilities, and I shouldn't assume so. I do feel confident it's not my Tivo nor wiring, the issue is too consistent with NGCHD. And for the record, I'm not overly thrilled with Cox. It's like anything else - some times you get a real sharp tech who knows what's up, other times I get a tech who doesn't even know there are M-cards. Which I don't mind, except when I took a half day off to be there. Maybe the 2 hour window you mention can soften the blow....

....some times you get a real sharp tech who knows what's up, other times I get a tech who doesn't even know there are M-cards..

I agree.......

Point well taken. I know you don't know me, nor my technical abilities, and I shouldn't assume so. I do feel confident it's not my Tivo nor wiring, the issue is too consistent with NGCHD. And for the record, I'm not overly thrilled with Cox. It's like anything else - some times you get a real sharp tech who knows what's up, other times I get a tech who doesn't even know there are M-cards. Which I don't mind, except when I took a half day off to be there. Maybe the 2 hour window you mention can soften the blow....

I have always had problems with the whole time window thing, not showing up or showing up toward the end of the window, however, the people they send out have always been very good and very knowledgeable. Most questions are answered and I have even had many see my interest in the technology and such and would give me a little more advanced explanations and such, and skip the basic "is your computer on" stuff. I even had one tech show me the Diagnostic menu on the STB's and what the things I didn't know meant. Things that actually had I known would have meant the call would have never been made. Okay, one thing though, this only applies to the actual Cox people, those Cox contractors are horrid. If I see an unmarked truck with a contractor they are being turned away until I can get a real Cox tech.

Quick question for the room -- I have Cox cable, digital. I have a box on one tv and a cable card in another to tune in HD stuff. I have a Hauppauge TV tuner ( 1800 ) with both an NTSC and ATSC / Clear QAM tuners in my computer. I don't have a tv that will tune past channel 74 ( excluding the cable card, which I don't want to remove for a test ) without the cable box.

My question is if I had a tv that tuned up to channel 125 with its own tuner, would I be picking up channels 101 - 107 that I do through the cable box? I'm asking because my Hauppauge TV card won't tune in those channels ( 101 - 107 ) but it will pick up ch's 2 - 74, ch 98 ( test pattern ), all the local OTA stations ( Incl. HD ) and several unencrypted QAM channels.

KSCableguy ( or anyone else who might know ) -- are channels 101-107 analog / digital / or qam channels??

Thanks in advance.

IOkay, one thing though, this only applies to the actual Cox people, those Cox contractors are horrid. If I see an unmarked truck with a contractor they are being turned away until I can get a real Cox tech.

Some are good....but very little.....you can request a Cox tech only when you place your order....

Quick question for the room -- I have Cox cable, digital. I have a box on one tv and a cable card in another to tune in HD stuff. I have a Hauppauge TV tuner ( 1800 ) with both an NTSC and ATSC / Clear QAM tuners in my computer. I don't have a tv that will tune past channel 74 ( excluding the cable card, which I don't want to remove for a test ) without the cable box.

My question is if I had a tv that tuned up to channel 125 with its own tuner, would I be picking up channels 101 - 107 that I do through the cable box? I'm asking because my Hauppauge TV card won't tune in those channels ( 101 - 107 ) but it will pick up ch's 2 - 74, ch 98 ( test pattern ), all the local OTA stations ( Incl. HD ) and several unencrypted QAM channels.

KSCableguy ( or anyone else who might know ) -- are channels 101-107 analog / digital / or qam channels??

Thanks in advance.


Any channel over 72 is a digital channel (except ch 98). So when you tune to 101 on the box/cable card its decoding the QAM signal and showing it to you. So to tune to channel 101, your box/cc is actually tuned to a frequancy that relates say to channel 97 (don't know the acutal channel off the top of my head). Just like when you tune to the local HD's you are tunning to 115.1 or 114.1, not channel 601, 603 and so on.....

So your computer is only going to pick-up the un-encrypted QAM channels, which are mostly the local HD's and some digital channels here and there.

Sorry for the spelling, it's getting late.....

Any channel over 72 is a digital channel (except ch 98). So when you tune to 101 on the box/cable card its decoding the QAM signal and showing it to you. So to tune to channel 101, your box/cc is actually tuned to a frequancy that relates say to channel 97 (don't know the acutal channel off the top of my head). Just like when you tune to the local HD's you are tunning to 115.1 or 114.1, not channel 601, 603 and so on.....

So your computer is only going to pick-up the un-encrypted QAM channels, which are mostly the local HD's and some digital channels here and there.

Sorry for the spelling, it's getting late.....


Thanks for the reply. So 101 - 107 are ENcrypted QAM? I was hoping they were clear and I could get them on my computer tv card -- Ch 106 especially for the kids.

Is there a listing of Cox's clear QAM channels that someone could share?

Will the Royals HD channel show FSN HD college football games?

I doubt it, but shouldn't it?

Will the Royals HD channel show FSN HD college football games?

I doubt it, but shouldn't it?

No, it was just for the Royals games. Might show KU or Kstate games if they are on, but i doubt that.

i have a question. i live in burden ks about 50mi SE or wichita. i am looking at the channel master 4228. but i am not sure if all the channels will be in UHF post transition.
thank you

i have a question. i live in burden ks about 50mi SE or wichita. i am looking at the channel master 4228. but i am not sure if all the channels will be in UHF post transition.
thank you

Antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx) is your friend.

i used it but i am not sure what all the channels will be post trans. it only tells what ch 10 will be not the rest. unless im using it wrong

No, it was just for the Royals games. Might show KU or Kstate games if they are on, but i doubt that.

Seems strange to me that you would have this Royals only channel rather than just adding FSN HD to begin with...

thank you jeff

so the cm 4228 would not be the best choice because most of the channels with be in VHF? correct me if im wrong

Seems strange to me that you would have this Royals only channel rather than just adding FSN HD to begin with...

They added it to supplement the regular Royals games.

I'm wondering if any one has heard any news about more HD Channels? I'm watching almost full HD now, minus two stations, the CW and FX. Would love to see those two stations added to the HD lineup by Cox.

I'm wondering if any one has heard any news about more HD Channels? I'm watching almost full HD now, minus two stations, the CW and FX. Would love to see those two stations added to the HD lineup by Cox.

Along with FX, Weather Channel HD and Fox News HD.

I'm wondering if any one has heard any news about more HD Channels? I'm watching almost full HD now, minus two stations, the CW and FX. Would love to see those two stations added to the HD lineup by Cox.

Along with FX, Weather Channel HD and Fox News HD.

DirecTv with an OTA antenna will get you all of those channels...:D

DirecTv with an OTA antenna will get you all of those channels...:D

And I cannot use my Tivo Series 3 (HD) with DirecTV.

DirecTv with an OTA antenna will get you all of those channels...:D

No OTA HD in Salina, except maybe KWCH.

No OTA HD in Salina, except maybe KWCH.

Not true. KSAS (FOX) has a translator north of town that is HD. No maybe about it, KWCH is easy to get with an outdoor antenna. I used to be able to get KAKE fairly easily before my antenna was damaged by the ice storm. I could get the rest of the Wichita stations occassionally. Not easily enough to be dependable, though.

KSN has a new digital translator here too, but it is only SD. According to their web site, it should be digital "sometime in 2009". Bah, what are they waiting on?

Jeff

Not true. KSAS (FOX) has a translator north of town that is HD. No maybe about it, KWCH is easy to get with an outdoor antenna. I used to be able to get KAKE fairly easily before my antenna was damaged by the ice storm. I could get the rest of the Wichita stations occassionally. Not easily enough to be dependable, though.

KSN has a new digital translator here too, but it is only SD. According to their web site, it should be digital "sometime in 2009". Bah, what are they waiting on?

Jeff


I was referring to HD. Didn't know about the Fox translator, but not being able to get the anything else other than KWCH is not worth the effort of putting up an antenna. Maybe things will improve after Feb.

anyone know where i can buy a cox hd cable box? i really dont want to rent.

is kscw HD still not available?

anyone know where i can buy a cox hd cable box? i really dont want to rent.

is kscw HD still not available?

You can not buy, you have to rent.
You can buy a Tivo and rent a cable card.
You can use your QAM tuner if you have one to get the locals in HD.
KWCH aka Channel 12, has been in HD for ages now, OTA and Cable.

And I cannot use my Tivo Series 3 (HD) with DirecTV.

No, but Direct TV is getting HD Tivo

No, but Direct TV is getting HD Tivo

And that would require that I no longer use the current HD Tivo box I have since it uses cable cards. DirecTV isn't exactly getting HD Tivo, they are only getting a form of it, it won't be the exact same HD Tivo that is currently being offered to those of us using Cable.

You can not buy, you have to rent.
You can buy a Tivo and rent a cable card.
You can use your QAM tuner if you have one to get the locals in HD.
KWCH aka Channel 12, has been in HD for ages now, OTA and Cable.

KSCW is available in HD over the air but not on cable and sounds like it won't be any time soon from what I am hearing.

KSCW is available in HD over the air but not on cable and sounds like it won't be any time soon from what I am hearing.
KWCH aka Channel 12, has been in HD for ages now OTA and Cable.

KSCW (formerly KWCV, which was often confused with KWCH) was the first digital OTA (over-the-air) station in the Wichita/Hutchinson market in May 2002. However, since its inception, it has only broadcast a digital signal in standard definition (480i), not the high definition (1080i) signal everyone assumes they'd be transmitting by now.

When KWCH purchased KSCW a year ago or so, KWCH management promised to expand and upgrade their satellite receive facilities to provide an HD signal for KSCW, both OTA and through Cox Cable, most likely on Channel 605.

How they're progressing on this, I don't know, but you'd think that there'd be a big promotional campaign when they're done to announce that the CW is finally in HD here!!

what is the best place to find antennas in or around Wichita? preferably one that carries a cm 4228.
thank you

When KWCH purchased KSCW a year ago or so, KWCH management promised to expand and upgrade their satellite receive facilities to provide an HD signal for KSCW, both OTA and through Cox Cable, most likely on Channel 605.

How they're progressing on this, I don't know, but you'd think that there'd be a big promotional campaign when they're done to announce that the CW is finally in HD here!!

KWCH is doing a major expansion of their facilities to support HD news and other local programming, including new offices for KSCW... at which point it should go fully HD as well.

what is the best place to find antennas in or around Wichita? preferably one that carries a cm 4228.
thank you

I'm not sure where to buy an antenna here in town, but can that antenna get VHF well enough to work? I ask because some of the local stations are going back to VHF after the transition next year so UHF only is not what you want.

well as far as i can tell ch 10(KAKE) is the only channel that will go back to vhf and the cm 4228 can pick up upper vhf channels. so as long as NBC does not go back to ch 3 (KSNW), i think the cm 4228 will work.

this is all according to tv fool but i may be mistaken it would not be the first time and defiantly not the last

KPTS and KWCH are also returning to their VHF channels (8 and 12).

KSNW-DT is remaining on their UHF channel.

- Trip

thank you Trip

but KWCH is a high vhf and i do not really care about KPTS

unless you are sure that the cm 4228 will not work in my situation that is the antenna i am leaning towards.

I'm not an antenna expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my understanding is that the 4228 should work for you.

- Trip

I'm not an antenna expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my understanding is that the 4228 should work for you.

- Trip

I'm obviously not either, just wanted to be sure he wasn't buying something that wasn't going to work down the road. Thanks for the info.

Good work Kevin. It would be interesting to see if I could pull in the Wichita stations from up here in Manhattan. I seriously doubt I can as the spreadsheet I have says I am 115 miles. Perhaps on a good day. I do know KAAS is replicating KSAS and that tower is in Salina so I would expect when they do digital, the replicating tower will too. I will try that one as I watch a few shows on FOX that I would like to see in EDTV.

Again, lots of good work and good luck with down there!


check this website, i have the largest tv antenna they make and it works well.
starkelectronic dot com

KAAS in Salina is fully HD now. Has been for a long time. I know I've been watching NFL and MLB games on there in HD for at least two seasons.

The FCC site says it should just reach Manhattan.

Jeff

I'm running a DB4 purchased Online from BestBuy and it picks up ALL the stations in NE Augusta. I can't imagine anyone in the city needing anything bigger.

On a side note, is anyone aware of any of the local stations plans to expand programming? (similar to KPTS and KWCH having additional stations)

According to Kansas.com (http://www.kansas.com/business/updates/story/534053.html), KWCH will be going fully HD in October for all newscasts and commercial production. I am guessing this will also allow syndicated shows to be finally shown in HD as well.

About time!

Big difference between producing HD and distributing HD. But I do look forward to seeing what HD does on the HD set I have.

3 weeks since the move and I already don't miss Cox cable.....

According to Kansas.com (http://www.kansas.com/business/updates/story/534053.html), KWCH will be going fully HD in October for all newscasts and commercial production. I am guessing this will also allow syndicated shows to be finally shown in HD as well.

About time!

Nice! KWCH has very quickly moved itself from the underdog in news to the top. The second KWCH goes full HD, it will be my 100% Local news station until the other stations follow. I was expecting KSN or KAKE to be the first to go HD, hopefully this move will push them. I would love to see KSN Weather in HD.

Cox to offer some new HD channels sometime in early November. What I hear this is the line-up, but subject to change I guess:

Comedy Central
Spike TV
MTV
CMT
VH1
Planet Green
Lifetime
Halmark Movies??? might just be the regular Halmark channel.....

Anyone know whats up with KSAS (604 Cox channel) not being in HD? Watched Fringe last night, and Bones tonight neither were in HD.

Anyone know whats up with KSAS (604 Cox channel) not being in HD? Watched Fringe last night, and Bones tonight neither were in HD.

Same was true of House the other night. I watched over the air, not on COX.

Jeff

Cox to offer some new HD channels sometime in early November. What I hear this is the line-up, but subject to change I guess:

Comedy Central
Spike TV
MTV
CMT
VH1
Planet Green
Lifetime
Halmark Movies??? might just be the regular Halmark channel.....

What a waste. Some many other better choices out there.