The HR20 has an OTA input which is split internally so you can actually watch one OTA channel while recording another.

Is that right? The DirecTV DVR has two OTA tuners in it?

DISH Networks HD DVR receivers have two Satellite tuners and just one OTA tuner. This allows you to record three programs at once (two sat and one ota) while watching a fourth previously recorded event. (In dual mode, you could be watching another previously recorded event on TV2 as well). Of course there are all kinds of combinations of watching live, recording, and watching recorded events on TV1 and TV2.

They don't let you access the OTA tuner on TV2 when set in dual mode, but they have said they are going to allow this in the future with a software upgrade. (It would still only be available to one TV, on a first come, first served basis).

Jeff

Thanks for the info! I assume I'll get two HD DVRs (one for each TV), so I would have them both hooked up to the OTA as well as the HD DVR.

Only the HR20 has an OTA input. The HR21 does not. At this time I think the only way you are guaranteed an HR20 is if you go through the retail route (BB, CC) not positive though.

Is that right? The DirecTV DVR has two OTA tuners in it?

DISH Networks HD DVR receivers have two Satellite tuners and just one OTA tuner. This allows you to record three programs at once (two sat and one ota) while watching a fourth previously recorded event. (In dual mode, you could be watching another previously recorded event on TV2 as well). Of course there are all kinds of combinations of watching live, recording, and watching recorded events on TV1 and TV2.

They don't let you access the OTA tuner on TV2 when set in dual mode, but they have said they are going to allow this in the future with a software upgrade. (It would still only be available to one TV, on a first come, first served basis).

Jeff

Although the HR20 as two SAT tuners and two OTA tuners, you can only record any combination of three tuners while watching a recorded program. I'm pretty sure this is the case, although I have no tried it. I still have zero season passes set up on my HD DVR. I still rely on my HTPC to record my shows.

DirecTV/OTA -- Local Channels in HD?

For those of you who have DirecTV...

1. Do you know why DirecTV doesn't have our local networks in HD? Does that mean, other than OTA, you're just stuck watching SD locals -- or do you get other cities HD feeds, like ABC out of New York or something like that?

I'm moving out of the City (out of Cox's domain) and into the country where I'll have to go with a dish. Thanks for your help.


You will have to ask DirecTV to ask the locals for waivers to allow you to recieve the national network broadcasts. However, the Wichita stations will not give them to you. Your only option is likely to be to put up an OTA antenna.

You will have to ask DirecTV to ask the locals for waivers to allow you to recieve the national network broadcasts. However, the Wichita stations will not give them to you. Your only option is likely to be to put up an OTA antenna.

I'm sure it's a rookie question... But what's it cost for one of those big OTA antennaes -- and where do you buy them?

Never had to worry about it until now because I've always been a cable subscriber. Pretty bummed I won't have the choice anymore. But then again, it is my choice to move to the country...

Just noticed that Cox in the Oklahoma City/Tulsa area will be adding nine new HD channels on November 20th and two more soon after.

Here are the new HD channels they'll soon be receiving in Oklahoma:


HD On Demand
FSN HD
NFL Network HD
Discovery HD Simulcast
TLC HD
HGTV HD*
Discovery Science HD
Animal Planet HD
Food Network HD*
CNN HD
Cinemax HD

*Coming Soon

Also, they've had TBS HD for awhile now, while Wichita does not. For OKC's full HD lineup, you can check out their website here: http://www.cox.com/oklahoma/newhd/default.asp.

Just noticed that Cox in the Oklahoma City/Tulsa area will be adding nine new HD channels on November 20th and two more soon after.

Here are the new HD channels they'll soon be receiving in Oklahoma:


HD On Demand
FSN HD
NFL Network HD
Discovery HD Simulcast
TLC HD
HGTV HD*
Discovery Science HD
Animal Planet HD
Food Network HD*
CNN HD
Cinemax HD

*Coming Soon

Also, they've had TBS HD for awhile now, while Wichita does not. For OKC's full HD lineup, you can check out their website here: http://www.cox.com/oklahoma/newhd/default.asp.


Is there a possible reason in hell why we haven't even got Discovery and CNN HD that just about every other Cox market has got? I mean, I rather have Cox TELL me why they are delaying in Wichita, then make us feel like nothing. Cox's website is a joke in the Kansas market, it gives no information what-so-ever. Is Bandwidth in Wichita so god awful that we can't squeeze in one more HD channel? But you know what will happen, when they finally do release more HD, they will advertise it like crazy, like they thought of more HD first and they are the only one doing it.

I am now using my Cox HD/DVR instead of built-in QAM tuner. After using my TV's built-in TV Guide OnScreen system, which was fast and showed lots of channels, I am frustrated by the 5-channel display on the Cox guide and how slowly it responds. How responsive is a TIVO box, and do their boxes show more channels at a time?

I am now using my Cox HD/DVR instead of built-in QAM tuner. After using my TV's built-in TV Guide OnScreen system, which was fast and showed lots of channels, I am frustrated by the 5-channel display on the Cox guide and how slowly it responds. How responsive is a TIVO box, and do their boxes show more channels at a time?


Try not using the cox remote to control the box. That is if you have a universal remote. When I had worthless cox back in the day the box responded incredibly slow, then I programmed the box to my home theater master mx-500 remote control and from then on its response was very fast.

I'm sure it's a rookie question... But what's it cost for one of those big OTA antennaes -- and where do you buy them?

Never had to worry about it until now because I've always been a cable subscriber. Pretty bummed I won't have the choice anymore. But then again, it is my choice to move to the country...

This is the best place to check and see what kind of an antenna you need.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Here is a good source for antennas.

http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/

You may also be able to find antennas locally by going to Best Buy, Circuit City or similar.

Good luck!

I am now using my Cox HD/DVR instead of built-in QAM tuner. After using my TV's built-in TV Guide OnScreen system, which was fast and showed lots of channels, I am frustrated by the 5-channel display on the Cox guide and how slowly it responds. How responsive is a TIVO box, and do their boxes show more channels at a time?

You can view a demo here: http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/demotivo/index.html

I'm sure it's a rookie question... But what's it cost for one of those big OTA antennaes -- and where do you buy them?

Never had to worry about it until now because I've always been a cable subscriber. Pretty bummed I won't have the choice anymore. But then again, it is my choice to move to the country...

I bought mine from Don's TV just east of Old Town. The antenna is not real big, it fit through the attic access door where it is mounted (out of sight). I get all the local OTA digital stations. I'm located in NE Wichita. The antenna was $50.

I see that NFL HD has popped up on the channel guide. Tells me that it is "Temporarily Off Air" though. Do I have to pay extra for it, or does it flat out not work yet? And also, I don't understand this. The list of possible channels Cox would add, and this one was not on it, yet it was added first. Where is the logic in that?

I see that NFL HD has popped up on the channel guide. Tells me that it is "Temporarily Off Air" though. Do I have to pay extra for it, or does it flat out not work yet? And also, I don't understand this. The list of possible channels Cox would add, and this one was not on it, yet it was added first. Where is the logic in that?

I believe they added it only to simulcast the NFL games that are played live on NFL Network. It was off-air up until the Colts-Falcons game Thanksgiving night. But the actual game was on in HD on that channel.

I believe they added it only to simulcast the NFL games that are played live on NFL Network. It was off-air up until the Colts-Falcons game Thanksgiving night. But the actual game was on in HD on that channel.

Just like last year when Cox added the NFL HD for the games and took InHD2 off air for the games.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Cox-1Ghz-Upgrades-25Mbps-Speeds-89444

A link that talks about the 1GHZ upgrade all of Cox is doing.

Interesting side note about the 2009 change to digital. Cable can, as we know, keep analog channels but only if that broadcaster allows cable providers to downgrade the digital signal to analog. So say if ESPN say all it's channels must be in digital, than Comcast, Cox, TW, and etc wouldn't be allowed to downgrade the signal to analog and provide it to non-digital customers.

Hey guys - my Mom lives in Hutchinson and is on Cox. Would she be able to get HD from Cox -

A. Without a cable box (use her current SD one with a splitter to a QAM capable TV)
(probably limited to local broadcasters) ?

B. Getting a HDTV cable box ?

Thanks

Interesting side note about the 2009 change to digital. Cable can, as we know, keep analog channels but only if that broadcaster allows cable providers to downgrade the digital signal to analog. So say if ESPN say all it's channels must be in digital, than Comcast, Cox, TW, and etc wouldn't be allowed to downgrade the signal to analog and provide it to non-digital customers.

Who says this? The government is too involved in private businesses. I like the idea of cable providing a digital signal when available, but what business is it of the government? If ESPN or whoever wants to require this, they have the power to do it without government intervention.

Maybe this only applies to "broadcasters" like you said in your post. I.e. OTA stations. I can't see how this could apply to any cable station.

If the govt. wants to get involved, how about requiring HD instead of just a digital signal for OTA. That's a place where at least they can legititmately be involved.

Jeff

Just like last year when Cox added the NFL HD for the games and took InHD2 off air for the games.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Cox-1Ghz-Upgrades-25Mbps-Speeds-89444

A link that talks about the 1GHZ upgrade all of Cox is doing.

Interesting side note about the 2009 change to digital. Cable can, as we know, keep analog channels but only if that broadcaster allows cable providers to downgrade the digital signal to analog. So say if ESPN say all it's channels must be in digital, than Comcast, Cox, TW, and etc wouldn't be allowed to downgrade the signal to analog and provide it to non-digital customers.

The question is, with the 1 Ghz upgrade, when will it be done in Wichita, is it done in Wichita, and will Cox wait for their entire network country wide to be upgraded to announce more things, or do it on a market by market basis. It seems to be market by market because as stated above, Cox Oklahoma City Market just added 9 HD channels.

The government is too involved in private businesses.

I'll second that statement!

----- we now return you to your regularly scheduled discussion -----

but at the same time, I wish somebody would force blu ray or HD DVD to win. :(

I am looking at going satellite instead of Cox in Wichita.

In particular, it looks like by using a local company, I can get local HDs added to my Dish system. I am therefore looking very seriously at them.

They tell me that they have the ability to have two different TVs accessing the same tuner--so, for example, I can have one tuner/DVR by my main tv, and my kitchen tv can use it as well without a set top box in the kitchen.

Does anyone know if this is correct? If so, and if the tuner is by my main TV (which is HD), can the remote tv in the kitchen tune to HD channels? Can both TVs be on at the same time, and if so, tuned to HD?

Thanks for any experience you can share on this.

...it looks like by using a local company, I can get local HDs added to my Dish system. I am therefore looking very seriously at them.

DISH does not, as yet, have Wichita locals in HD. However, the recievers do have OTA tuners built in, so depending on where you live, you can connect an antenna and get your HD locals that way. The guide is seemless, as far as tuning into satellite stations vs local stations.

They tell me that they have the ability to have two different TVs accessing the same tuner--so, for example, I can have one tuner/DVR by my main tv, and my kitchen tv can use it as well without a set top box in the kitchen.

Yes, that is kinda the whole point of dual tuner / dual output receivers.
DISH recievers can operate in "Dual" or "Single" mode. In dual mode, both tuners can be accessed by the "remote" TV (TV2). You feed TV2 with coax and then tune to a different channel for the desired tuner. You can hook as many TVs as you like to this coax and they could all see tuner one and/or two depending on whether the unit is in single or dual mode. Bonus: it even puts MTS stereo sound on the coax. You can also feed TV2 with RCA cables, but this eliminates access to tuner 1.

Does anyone know if this is correct? If so, and if the tuner is by my main TV (which is HD), can the remote tv in the kitchen tune to HD channels? Can both TVs be on at the same time, and if so, tuned to HD?

Both TVs can be on at the same time, watching independant programming. Both TVs can tune HD channels. However, TV2 will only display them in SD. Currently TV2 cannot tune in OTA channels, but DISH has promised to allow this in the future with a free (and automatic) software upgrade.

This info is for the newest DISH HD DVRs (models 622 and 722). I know the dual/single TV mode is similar on other recievers, but if you are goiing to be new to DISH, you will get one of the new receivers anyway.

Jeff

So on the dual tuner mode with Dish, it sounds like if I want to have HD on two of my TVs (my third TV is standard), I can use one tuner for the main HD TV, and TV 2 is the standard (since TV only gets SD and not HD), which means I need a tuner for the other HD tv. HOw big are their tuner boxes? The available space for my second HD is rather limited.

but at the same time, I wish somebody would force blu ray or HD DVD to win. :(

Yeah... That would be nice. Here is me hoping it is HD DVD, the only basis I have on that is the fact I just bought an HD DVD player. Although, How many of you all have dove in and picked a side? I don't mean for us to argue about it, just see what side my fellow Wichitans are betting on.

Well I have had the add on drive for the xbox for some time now and I just picked up an open box bluray player today at bestbuy. So as long as I can get both from netflix I am happy. I think the prices of the discs are not worth it yet. When they are all in the 20 dollar range I might start buying them.

Yeah... That would be nice. Here is me hoping it is HD DVD, the only basis I have on that is the fact I just bought an HD DVD player. Although, How many of you all have dove in and picked a side? I don't mean for us to argue about it, just see what side my fellow Wichitans are betting on.

I've been holding out thus far. I may be picking up the LG dual drive for my HTPC soon. So I will be format neutral, without worries of buying either.

I've got the XBox drive also, connected to my HTPC. I'll probably pick up a BD drive in the next few weeks (or maybe the LG dual format drive). My guess is the dual format set top players will eventually become viable and both formats will survive for a long time, similar to DVD+-R disks.

I picked up a PS3 the week it launched last year, so I'm a Blu-Ray guy... Not so much because I picked it up for that reason, but I got BD by default.

Seems most of the movies I buy these days are for one of my 4 kids -- and I like letting them watch movies on THEIR TV in our playroom -- which means I'm buying them standard DVDs. Good thing, since they tend to get 'em all scratched up anyhow.

So on the dual tuner mode with Dish, it sounds like if I want to have HD on two of my TVs (my third TV is standard), I can use one tuner for the main HD TV, and TV 2 is the standard (since TV only gets SD and not HD), which means I need a tuner for the other HD tv. HOw big are their tuner boxes? The available space for my second HD is rather limited.

Some people feed two HD sets with one receiver. You feed one with the component outputs and the other with the HDMI. However, this means both sets have to be watching the same thing. Otherwise, you do need a seperate receiver for each HD set.

I am not sure of the exact size of these. They aren't gigantic by any means, but they aren't tiny like some of the newer DVD players. I'd say they are roughly the width of standard audio equipment (17"+) and around 3 inches tall. I am sure DISH Network's web site has a link to a brochure with the exact dimensions.

Jeff

So it seems like a lot a people are going Format Neutral. Kinda sucks that it has come down to that. My plan is to get a PS3 soon to become sorta Format Neutral. Still would be nice to see somebody win. Really at this point I am sticking with DVD, so much cheaper, I don't plan to buy and HD Disk soon. Back on "topic" it sure would be nice to have CNN HD to watch the YouTube Debates. Weren't we supposed to have CNN HD, oh, a month ago? I'm to the point of being angry now, this is honestly ridiculous.

Does anyone know the recording capacity (in both SD and HD) of the Cox HD/DVR boxes? How does that compare to the capacity of the DISH HD/DVR unit?

Does anyone know the recording capacity (in both SD and HD) of the Cox HD/DVR boxes? How does that compare to the capacity of the DISH HD/DVR unit?

My Cox box isn't very accurate about reporting its remaining time. I think when it's empty it says it has 20 or 25 hrs available, LESS if any programmings is HD. I know they have a newer largeer hard drive unit available now.

My DISH vip622 receiver reports tht it has 30 Hrs of HD or 200 Hrs of SD when it is empty. So it holds much, much more than the COX DVR. Also, the vip722 has a much larger hard drive than the 622, but I don't know how much more recording time that gives it.

Jeff

Thanks. I haven't even found how to display remaining time on my Cox DVR. I have one of the newer boxes with HDMI output available, but it conveniently arrived with the instruction book for the older model. How do I display either time or space used, or estimated time or space available?

And did you indicate you have both Dish and Cox?

I am at work now, but IIRC, you simply press the DVR list button, and press A or choose Disk Usage (i can't remember which). I can verify this once I get home, but of course they could have changed this on newer models.

I do have both COX and DISH.

Jeff

Thanks. I haven't even found how to display remaining time on my Cox DVR. I have one of the newer boxes with HDMI output available, but it conveniently arrived with the instruction book for the older model.

Same software on both boxes so the instruction book is the same.

I know they have a newer largeer hard drive unit available now.

Jeff

Is that true? Can anybody confirm that? I really would like to trade my Cox DVR box in for the one with the most capacity.

Is that true? Can anybody confirm that? I really would like to trade my Cox DVR box in for the one with the most capacity.

There is a 120GB mdoel which is the older (first release) boxes 6412.
There is a 160GB model wihich is the 6416 and the newer all digital boxes already mention in a post awhile back.

This is not local to Wichita, but let me post anyway: In further investigating satellite, I was looking online at a manual for a satellite DVR product. It indicated that twice a year for, I believe, "a few days", the sun lines up behind the satellite and there is no service. Is this correct? How long does the outage occur?

This is not local to Wichita, but let me post anyway: In further investigating satellite, I was looking online at a manual for a satellite DVR product. It indicated that twice a year for, I believe, "a few days", the sun lines up behind the satellite and there is no service. Is this correct? How long does the outage occur?

http://www.dbsforums.com/vbulletin/?

http://www.dbsforums.com/vbulletin/?

I am also interested in this question, but I couldn't find any specific information at the dbs forums addressing this issue.

This is not local to Wichita, but let me post anyway: In further investigating satellite, I was looking online at a manual for a satellite DVR product. It indicated that twice a year for, I believe, "a few days", the sun lines up behind the satellite and there is no service. Is this correct? How long does the outage occur?

I believe it only lasts a few minutes, but I've never noticed it in the 10 years I've had DirecTv in Wichita.

On a side note, DirecTv announced th addition of HD locals for Wichita in 2008.

When I visited the DBS forum link, I did a search for "sun" and then for "solar". I found a reference to about a 10-minute loss of service; presumably, what happens is that for a few days when the sun is at a particular position relative to ours, there is a loss of service for a few minutes a time (as opposed to a blackout for 2 or 3 solid days).

I believe it only lasts a few minutes, but I've never noticed it in the 10 years I've had DirecTv in Wichita.

On a side note, DirecTv announced th addition of HD locals for Wichita in 2008.

Great news to hear on both fronts. When they say "wichita," does that mean the entire market that normally gets the Wichita local networks?

I'm getting ready to move out to the country about 20 miles north of Wichita (close to Newton) where I'll be going with DirecTV -- so I wonder if I'll be able to also get the Wichita locals in HD, too?

When I visited the DBS forum link, I did a search for "sun" and then for "solar". I found a reference to about a 10-minute loss of service; presumably, what happens is that for a few days when the sun is at a particular position relative to ours, there is a loss of service for a few minutes a time (as opposed to a blackout for 2 or 3 solid days).

This is true, it can happen for a few minutes a day over a few day period. This usually occurs in April and October. The time of day varies for each satellite.

I, also, have never noticed this problem in the 10 years that I have had DISH network.

Jeff

Great news to hear on both fronts. When they say "wichita," does that mean the entire market that normally gets the Wichita local networks?

I'm getting ready to move out to the country about 20 miles north of Wichita (close to Newton) where I'll be going with DirecTV -- so I wonder if I'll be able to also get the Wichita locals in HD, too?

It's the Wichita/Hutchinson DMA. So if Newton gets the Wichita locals over the air, I believe you will get the same locals in HD if you go with DirecTv.

Or you could always put in your zip at antennaweb.org. That will tell you the locals for that area.

Or you could always put in your zip at antennaweb.org. That will tell you the locals for that area.

Antennaweb.org doesn't tell you what DMA you are in. It simply tries to predict what stations a particular location will receive. If you are on the edge of a DMA, you may be able to recieve stations from the nearby DMA via antenna, but DISH or DirecTV problaby won't offer them to you.

Jeff

This is true, it can happen for a few minutes a day over a few day period. This usually occurs in April and October. The time of day varies for each satellite.

I, also, have never noticed this problem in the 10 years that I have had DISH network.

Jeff

This is call sun spots. Mostly happen during the day from around 10am to 3pm, but only last for a few mins at a time. Anyone who uses a satellite to pick-up or transmit signal would be affected by sun spots.

This is call sun spots. Mostly happen during the day from around 10am to 3pm, but only last for a few mins at a time. Anyone who uses a satellite to pick-up or transmit signal would be affected by sun spots.

Which is everybody, even Cox uses Satellites to get their programing. I have always found it funny that Cox talks crap on Satellite all the time but the back of their Headquarters is riddled with dishes. Either way, I would deal with that for the amount of HD I can get. Not every technology is perfect.

Which is everybody, even Cox uses Satellites to get their programing. I have always found it funny that Cox talks crap on Satellite all the time but the back of their Headquarters is riddled with dishes. Either way, I would deal with that for the amount of HD I can get. Not every technology is perfect.

Since we've wondered a bit off-topic (don't we always?) ....

I'm moving to the country so have to switch from Cox for both TV and Internet. I'll be going with DirectTV, but man, Internet options suck. It's all satellite-based with top speeds only at about 2MB for a much higher cost... not to mention bad latency, which means no more PS3 online gaming.

Looks like there are only a couple "players" in the satellite Internet market, so I wondered if any of you are using satellite-based Internet and what your thoughts are?

This is call sun spots. Mostly happen during the day from around 10am to 3pm, but only last for a few mins at a time. Anyone who uses a satellite to pick-up or transmit signal would be affected by sun spots.

I don't know what it's called, maybe convergence or satellite eclipse :o. or something. It occurs when the satellite is exactly between the sun and your dish. Sun spots are always there.

Since we've wondered a bit off-topic (don't we always?) ....

I'm moving to the country so have to switch from Cox for both TV and Internet. I'll be going with DirectTV, but man, Internet options suck. It's all satellite-based with top speeds only at about 2MB for a much higher cost... not to mention bad latency, which means no more PS3 online gaming.

Looks like there are only a couple "players" in the satellite Internet market, so I wondered if any of you are using satellite-based Internet and what your thoughts are?

Yeah, it has always surprised me how the Satellite Internet market hasn't really taken of, by taken off I mean faster speeds and lower prices. I guess it could be a technical problem, who knows. I know somebody who lives out in the middle of nowhere (Fall River Area) and they looked at Satellite. The amount of speed and such they would get over their current Rural Dial-Up would not be worth the cost. Its been a few years since then, but I don't think its changed much.

Consider going to a sprint or vzw mobile broadband card if you aren't too far out in the sticks. Also, there are some wireless providers that use line of site 802.11 wireless for last mile solutions. Often not as good as the worst DSL, but better than sat.

They are different in each rural area. Douglas has one, there is also one that services the 254 area.

Consider going to a sprint or vzw mobile broadband card if you aren't too far out in the sticks. Also, there are some wireless providers that use line of site 802.11 wireless for last mile solutions. Often not as good as the worst DSL, but better than sat.

They are different in each rural area. Douglas has one, there is also one that services the 254 area.

Man, I'm only going to be about 7 to 10 miles outside of Newton, but I won't even be able to get a cellular signal of any kind -- or else I would seriously consider a sprint mobile broadband card (since I have sprint).

Man, I'm only going to be about 7 to 10 miles outside of Newton, but I won't even be able to get a cellular signal of any kind -- or else I would seriously consider a sprint mobile broadband card (since I have sprint).

Try Pixius ( http://www.pixiuswireless.com/coverage_area.php )


See if they can help you out. Speeds still slow and not sure of price, last time I checked they were about 50 a month.

I noticed this morning that channels 14, 15 and 16 were deleted from my Tivo lineup. I'm hoping this means more HD channels will be coming soon.

I noticed this morning that channels 14, 15 and 16 were deleted from my Tivo lineup. I'm hoping this means more HD channels will be coming soon.

We were also hoping that, what is it now? like 3 weeks ago when Cox dropped those three channels. Looks like we will be on of the last in the country to get some of the HD channels the rest of the country has been enjoying for weeks, if not months. Including other Cox consumers.

Getting tired of Cox, it's about time to make the switch.

This stinks. It looks like Cox is going to be raising their prices again in January. :(

This stinks. It looks like Cox is going to be raising their prices again in January. :(

I would be ok with it, if they were actually adding HD channels, but since they seem to not think it's important, I'm having a hard time being ok with the price increase.

I would go to satellite again if they would add HD locals. Not an option now since I am out of range for OTA reception.

New HD channels:
602 CNN
608 TBS
609 TLC
611 Discovery


Enjoy.

This stinks. It looks like Cox is going to be raising their prices again in January. :(

The cost of business has gone up. The fuel cost have went up over a dollar in the last year. Look at the cost of a gallon of milk. And don't forget that cox pay stations the right to carry their signal. If the stations ask for money, there is a chance the price of service will go up too. I wouldn't be surprise to see Dish up their rates sometime next year.

But I do agree paying more for something isn't great.

New HD channels:
602 CNN
608 TBS
609 TLC
611 Discovery


Enjoy.

It's good to hear about some more HD Channels, when can we expect more? I know I should be grateful for these, but really I feel like Cox needs to catch up with the Dish guys.

New HD channels:
602 CNN
608 TBS
609 TLC
611 Discovery


Enjoy.

Sheesh. I take my family to Disney World for 10 days and hop online to find out Cox added 4 new channels while I'm away from my HDTV?

That's good news to hear, though. Can't wait to get back and start watching!

It's good to hear about some more HD Channels, when can we expect more? I know I should be grateful for these, but really I feel like Cox needs to catch up with the Dish guys.

I am trying really hard to be grateful.. but... Lol. I mean, Cox has added channels most other carriers have had for months now. They could add 10 new HD channels and still be at the bottom of the list. I mean, yeah, its nice to see them, but I would have loved to see them a month or two ago.

I am trying really hard to be grateful.. but... Lol. I mean, Cox has added channels most other carriers have had for months now. They could add 10 new HD channels and still be at the bottom of the list. I mean, yeah, its nice to see them, but I would have loved to see them a month or two ago.

Well, at least someone agrees with me on this. Cox is falling far short. If I wasn't invested in Tivo, I would have already switched to DirecTV or Dish Network. Either one of them have a shocking lengthly list of HD channels compared to Cox.

New HD channels:
602 CNN
608 TBS
609 TLC
611 Discovery


Enjoy.

KScableguy: Can you check on HGTV and give me an idea when it might be added? HGTV's commercial free coverage of the Rose Bowl Parade every Jan 1st has become a tradition for us to watch. Would LOVE to get it in HD and not have to suffer through all the commercials of ABC, etc. :)

I am trying really hard to be grateful.. but... Lol. I mean, Cox has added channels most other carriers have had for months now. They could add 10 new HD channels and still be at the bottom of the list. I mean, yeah, its nice to see them, but I would have loved to see them a month or two ago.

Well, I'm being forced to switch to a dish (prob. DirecTV) because of a move to the country outside of the Cox service area, but I'm not real happy about it. I think I will pay more to get all that HD viewing pleasure, and I will pay setup fees... Not to mention that the Internet options SUCK. 2MB at best and that's for more than twice what Cox charges.

This stinks. It looks like Cox is going to be raising their prices again in January. :(
Did I miss something on Cox's pricing? Where is the info on a proposed price increase?

Any info on what additional HD channels Cox is expecting to add in Wichita, now that they've added CNN, TLC, Discovery and TBS?

Did I miss something on Cox's pricing? Where is the info on a proposed price increase?
It was on a paper that came with my latest cable bill.
The way it was worded almost made it sound like they were bragging about it. lol

I did notice the other day when I reprogrammed my channel line up, I found a HGTV channel on 93-3 (if I remember correctly) I was using the qam tuner on my Vizio tv

Thanks for the info on the price increase. I couldn't find my insert, so I called; it looks like my bill only goes up about $5/month for my services.

On HD channels, I see that my CableCard and QAM tuner believe there are two new channels at, I believe, 625 and 626 (in any event, just above Universal HD), but currently they are not getting any programming.

I have this channel and when they are broadcasting a game, indeed the game is on and I can watch it. However, at any other time - when there is not a live game on - the only thing on this channel is an unchanging static display of their game schedule! I can't possibly imagine this is correct, but I wondered if anyone else in the Wichita market has this condition too. I have a Motorola 6412 non-HDMI box in case that's relevant.

I have this channel and when they are broadcasting a game, indeed the game is on and I can watch it. However, at any other time - when there is not a live game on - the only thing on this channel is an unchanging static display of their game schedule! I can't possibly imagine this is correct, but I wondered if anyone else in the Wichita market has this condition too. I have a Motorola 6412 non-HDMI box in case that's relevant.

Yes it is correct. Cox only has the right/permission to show the LIVE games in HD. Don't have the right/permission to show the channel 24 hours in HD.

I'm guessing they will be adding the NFL Network soon. THIS IS ONLY A GUESS.

Hey, thanks for the information!

FYI: Cox has added the WSU games that were broadcast on 22 to In-Demand!

New HD channels:
627 HGTV HD
628 Food Network HD

Enjoy

While I'm not excited about HGTV or Food in HD, I'm sure others weren't that excited about TLC or CNN. I think Cox is getting a pretty good balance of HD programming.

Based on a conversation I had with a sales rep, I think a few more channels are expected. Does anyone know what, if anything, is still expected to come on line? Most importantly, is SciFi channel? Or HDNet?

HdNet won't be added anytime soon due to the cost. Cox would almost have to charge for the station and they are not wanting to charge people for HD. Next channel will most likely be Cinemax HD.

New HD channels:
627 HGTV HD
628 Food Network HD

Enjoy

While those aren't at the top of my wish list, I do like those channels. I'm with others, where's SciFi HD? :)

I keep hearing that Cox's HD is free. But on my box, I only get the local HD channels. All of the other HD channels have the message telling you to call Cox to order the channel. This is probably a dumb question, but is there an extra fee I need to pay in order to get these channels?

I keep hearing that Cox's HD is free. But on my box, I only get the local HD channels. All of the other HD channels have the message telling you to call Cox to order the channel. This is probably a dumb question, but is there an extra fee I need to pay in order to get these channels?


Do you pay for Cox's Expanded tier? Channels 24 to 73? If you don't then you don't get the extra HD channels.

If you are paying for the the Expanded tier (ch 24 to 73), you need to call Cox and have them add the HD Expanded tier.

Do you pay for Cox's Expanded tier? Channels 24 to 73? If you don't then you don't get the extra HD channels.

If you are paying for the the Expanded tier (ch 24 to 73), you need to call Cox and have them add the HD Expanded tier.

Well that isn't exactly free is it? :) We will give it to you free IF you buy something else.

Well that isn't exactly free is it? :) We will give it to you free IF you buy something else.

If you don't pay for the analog signal why should you get the HD signal for free? Don't pay for ESPN on ch32 but get it free on HD? How is that right?

Read online that the NFL Network charges 70 cents per subscriber to the cable companies to carry the channel.

I have noticed that all 6 of these newly added HD channels are not showing up on the TV Guide listings at tvguide.com, which also means that it's not showing up with programming/guide data for those channels on my Tivo. Are any of you guys that have the Cox DVR seeing the Guide information for these channels?

602 CNN HD
608 TBS HD
609 TLC HD
611 Discovery HD
627 HGTV HD
628 Food Network HD

I have noticed that all 6 of these newly added HD channels are not showing up on the TV Guide listings at tvguide.com, which also means that it's not showing up with programming/guide data for those channels on my Tivo. Are any of you guys that have the Cox DVR seeing the Guide information for these channels?

602 CNN HD
608 TBS HD
609 TLC HD
611 Discovery HD
627 HGTV HD
628 Food Network HD

Yes the Cox Guide has all these channels and actually has the NFL HD on channel 626 listed. If I remember right, it takes the TV Guide a few weeks to catch on that Cox has added channels.

Yes the Cox Guide has all these channels and actually has the NFL HD on channel 626 listed. If I remember right, it takes the TV Guide a few weeks to catch on that Cox has added channels.

I'm hoping it's just the holidays that are delaying things. But, normally the Tivo Guide data updates in about 2 days from when you've posted about the new channels. But, these last 6 are taking longer..... a lot longer!! I've calleged Tivo, at this point, to report the channels to them so they can get the guide data updated.

Do you pay for Cox's Expanded tier? Channels 24 to 73? If you don't then you don't get the extra HD channels.

If you are paying for the the Expanded tier (ch 24 to 73), you need to call Cox and have them add the HD Expanded tier.

Thanks for the info. I am paying for the expanded tier, so I guess I'll give them a call.

I called them up, and the lady I talked to didn't seem to know what she was talking about. She said that in order to receive the HD channels, I had to own an HDTV, which I know is not true. I explained that I know the image wouldn't be HD quality, but that the channels should still show up. She said the only reason I was getting the local HDs was because of something called a "low wave signal", and that I needed an HDTV with an HD tuner in order to get the other HD channels. I told her that the cable box would downscale the channels to SD, but she seemed to think that viewing HD channels was impossible without an "HDTV tuner".

If you don't pay for the analog signal why should you get the HD signal for free? Don't pay for ESPN on ch32 but get it free on HD? How is that right?

Read online that the NFL Network charges 70 cents per subscriber to the cable companies to carry the channel.

Im not saying I disagree with it, It makes sense. I was just saying, its not exactly "Free" Although, I assume as Cox starts adding more HD, they are going to have to start splitting them up and charging or something. I rather pay $10 a month for 70 HD channels then get 20 for "free"

I called them up, and the lady I talked to didn't seem to know what she was talking about. She said that in order to receive the HD channels, I had to own an HDTV, which I know is not true. I explained that I know the image wouldn't be HD quality, but that the channels should still show up. She said the only reason I was getting the local HDs was because of something called a "low wave signal", and that I needed an HDTV with an HD tuner in order to get the other HD channels. I told her that the cable box would downscale the channels to SD, but she seemed to think that viewing HD channels was impossible without an "HDTV tuner".

Actually, she knows exactly what she is talking about, if you don't have an HDTV, you can not view the HD channels, where did you get the idea it "Downscales" to SD? Sorry, but you are wrong, the Cox person was exactly right.

I'd pay $10 for 70 too!

You don't need an HDTV to see the HD channels. The local HD channels show up fine. All you have to do is go into the settings, and choose 480i as the output format, and the box will downconvert everything to 480i. Besides, it's not like the box can tell what type of TV is connected to it.
It's not really a technical problem, if that were the case I'd simply get a garbled image or a blank screen. But I'm getting that message that tells you to call Cox. So most likely, the box simply thinks it's not authorized to view the channels. The same thing happened when I first got digital cable. Only the Discovery Tier was showing up, but the Variety and Sports Tiers weren't. After many hours of messing around with stuff, they were finally able to make it work. This is probably the same type of thing.
Also, she was wrong about the tuner thing. You don't need any kind of tuner to get HD, or any digital cable for that matter. The tuners are built into Cox's cable box.

I think I'll call them again tomorrow. Hopefully I 'll get someone more knowledgeable.
It may seem pointless, but even on a SDTV, the HD channels look better than their Standard Def counterparts.

Btw: iused to have a hd dvr with a sd tv and WAS able to view the hd channels, every stinkin one of them.

Btw: iused to have a hd dvr with a sd tv and WAS able to view the hd channels in sd, every stinkin one of them.

Actually, she knows exactly what she is talking about, if you don't have an HDTV, you can not view the HD channels, where did you get the idea it "Downscales" to SD? Sorry, but you are wrong, the Cox person was exactly right.

You can most certainly view HD channels on a non-hd TV. The box down converts the image and puts into letterbox format. I have this setup in my bedroom that has a 12 year old RCA TV running off of SVIDEO.

After months of stewing about choices, I've pretty much decided to stay with Cox. I have the HD/DVR box that includes the HDMI output. Currently, I have it hooked up with the component video connection, with the L/R audio going to the TV and the digital optical going to a receiver.

I'm considering getting an HDMI cable. Am I likely to see an real difference in the video quality? My HD pictures look tremendous as it is; the non-HD channels are occasionally a little pixelated, especially if I stretch them to fit my 50" widescreen.

I'm considering getting an HDMI cable. Am I likely to see an real difference in the video quality? My HD pictures look tremendous as it is; the non-HD channels are occasionally a little pixelated, especially if I stretch them to fit my 50" widescreen.

I have an HDMI box, and I can't tell the difference between the HDMI and Component cables. Picture looks the same to me.

It is nice for the fact that you only have one cable running between the box and the TV, but that seems to be about the only benefit to my naked eye.

Regarding the question of HD channels on SD televisions: do you need the HD box to be able to view the downconverted HD channels, or can the regular digital box receive and downconvert?

Also, if I have limited space for cabling for a TV in my kitchen that is HD compatible, can I use S-video to connect the HD box, or must I use component or HDMI to get the HD digital signal to the TV?

New HD channels:
627 HGTV HD
628 Food Network HD

Enjoy

HUZZAH! I'm stoked for Food Network HD and not just because of Giada ...

Also, I've asked this before and have yet to get an answer. Does anyone have a list of the Wichita COX clear QAM chans. As in 114.1 = ?, etc.

When I do a scan with my TV tuner, it picks up 100+ chans and it is a pain in the butt sorting through those just to find the 8-9 available chans.

Regarding the question of HD channels on SD televisions: do you need the HD box to be able to view the downconverted HD channels, or can the regular digital box receive and downconvert?

Also, if I have limited space for cabling for a TV in my kitchen that is HD compatible, can I use S-video to connect the HD box, or must I use component or HDMI to get the HD digital signal to the TV?

Yes, you need component or HDMI to get the digital signal to the TV. I have a spare HD TV I want to use in the kitchen but I can't imagine paying that much extra just for that TV. I miss the days where it didn't cost extra to add a TV.

If you don't pay for the analog signal why should you get the HD signal for free? Don't pay for ESPN on ch32 but get it free on HD? How is that right?

Read online that the NFL Network charges 70 cents per subscriber to the cable companies to carry the channel.

I would make out with someone if they would let me buy JUST the HD chans. Quite frankly, if it isn't in HD, I'm not going to bother watching it. Also, the advertisement really should say "Free HD with regular channel purchase" or something. Even then, it isn't free HD when you have to get the HD package and an HD receiver. It is like the free phone package which isn't free as you have to buy a bunch of other phone stuff.

Also Re: NFLN, if Cox had not capitulated, the other cable companies would have had more of a leg to stand on in discussions vs the NFL network. Look how easily they folded on the Pats/NYFG issue. Cox was the first major cable network to take what NFLN was offering.

They listed the companies that have the NFL Network last night: Dish, DirecTV, Verizon Fios, ATT Uverse, and Cox Communications.

Time Warner, Charter, Bright House, Mediacom and Cablevisioin don't carry it.

Since I am staying with Cox, and resigned myself to using a STB, that means I at least get OnDemand. So here is another question I'd like to be sure of: If I have multiple STBs from Cox, and start an OnDemand movie in, say, my basement, can I stop watching it there, go to another TV with STB, and resume watching there? Or is the "check out" period limited to the specific box that ordered it?

And if I order the HD version of a movie, but want to later watch it on a non-HD set, do I get a downconverted version or SD version available, or will it be considered a separate program?

Since I am staying with Cox, and resigned myself to using a STB, that means I at least get OnDemand. So here is another question I'd like to be sure of: If I have multiple STBs from Cox, and start an OnDemand movie in, say, my basement, can I stop watching it there, go to another TV with STB, and resume watching there? Or is the "check out" period limited to the specific box that ordered it?

And if I order the HD version of a movie, but want to later watch it on a non-HD set, do I get a downconverted version or SD version available, or will it be considered a separate program?

Yes you can continue watching on another box. I have done this.

I can't say for sure on the second question, but I would think you would be watching the HD version downconverted by the box.

And if I order the HD version of a movie, but want to later watch it on a non-HD set, do I get a downconverted version or SD version available, or will it be considered a separate program?

Maybe if that box is an HD/DVR box. I know on my reg. dig box it won't list anything under HD content.

If you are paying for the the Expanded tier (ch 24 to 73), you need to call Cox and have them add the HD Expanded tier.

I am paying for the 24-73 tier, but I do not subscribe to any digital tiers. I have a QAM/HD tuner in my tv, and can get locals only in HD from Cox. Do I have to have (and pay extra for) a digital cable box to get this "HD Expanded" tier? If so, then the so called "Free" HD service from Cox is pretty misleading. Locals in HD are free (OTA) anyway.

I just got my January Cox bill. My increase for the exact same service I got in December is just over 10.3% I don't know about you, but I have not received a 10.3% pay raise any time during my working life. The National inflation rate released in December is 4.3%. I'm getting tired of bending over and grabbing my ankles every time Cox feels like it :mad:

I've had a new TV (Panasonic TC-32LX70) and a Cox Motorola DCT 6400 series HD box & service since November. I'm becoming more aware of a dramatic difference in volume levels between some TV channels. I wonder both what is the source of the difference and would getting the right type of A/V Receiver fix it (level the volume regardless of input source or TV channel)? Right now I have no receiver and am only relying on the TV speakers, but I didn't want to get the wrong A/V receiver, and have the same sound level problem, only in 5.1 instead of just stereo.

To sum up: what is the source and what is the fix?

TIA

I've had a new TV (Panasonic TC-32LX70) and a Cox Motorola DCT 6400 series HD box & service since November. I'm becoming more aware of a dramatic difference in volume levels between some TV channels. I wonder both what is the source of the difference and would getting the right type of A/V Receiver fix it (level the volume regardless of input source or TV channel)? Right now I have no receiver and am only relying on the TV speakers, but I didn't want to get the wrong A/V receiver, and have the same sound level problem, only in 5.1 instead of just stereo.

To sum up: what is the source and what is the fix?

TIA

Source would be the broadcaster and how each channel does thier audio. Fix? Not sure.

What happened to HBO HD on On-Demand?

Source would be the broadcaster and how each channel does thier audio. Fix? Not sure.

The root of the problem is the industry itself and that's another story. There is equipment available for radio and tv stations to install as part of their audio proccesing to level out various audio levels, but they may or may not have such equipment installed. I had a Cox tech tell me along time ago that it was each stations problem how they handled their audio. I agreed but unless there is something that I am not aware of in cable processing, I would think the cable headend could have similiar equipment on each station so that all cable channels could be closer matched. Professional electronic equipment is not cheap so I know it would cost some bucks.

What happened to HBO HD on On-Demand?

Good question. The HBOHD directory emptied out on 12/31 and the directory listing itself disappeared the next day. I can't find any reference to HD programming on the HBO OnDemand website. Doesn't look good.

Pudding- Dolby Volume should fit the bill for you. Unfortunately no equipment available yet. Check out Dolby's press release. (http://investor.dolby.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=224635)

Panasonic TV used to have a audio leveling system, not sure if they still do. It seems commercials are the biggest culprit in audio level, almost double the normal.

I know on radio they make sure the Decibel meter is at a certain level, but on TV it does not seem to have any level. I am constantly turning down the volume during commercials and it bugs the crap out of me.

It sure would be a blessing to be able to set the volume on the TV once and be able to get the same audio level at all times.

DirecTV - Locals In HD?

Mid-December, there was a post regarding DirecTV adding the locals in HD for the Wichita market in 2008.

Does anyone have any new information about that? Locals in HD is about the only thing still keeping me from switching -- especially since their new receivers don't have a built-in OTA tuner.

I have an LG plasma with the built-in TV Guide On Screen feature that functions generally like the program guide on a DVR unit--I see the programs, I tune to the programs, I can set them to record on the built-in DVR.

Lately, getting data while hooked to Cox in Wichita as been sporadic. Does anyone else have this feature on their TV, and are they having any issues in Wichita while hooked to Cox?

I have an LG plasma with the built-in TV Guide On Screen feature that functions generally like the program guide on a DVR unit--I see the programs, I tune to the programs, I can set them to record on the built-in DVR.

Lately, getting data while hooked to Cox in Wichita as been sporadic. Does anyone else have this feature on their TV, and are they having any issues in Wichita while hooked to Cox?

I have the same feature on my stand-alone Panasonic DVR (Tv Guide). I have not been able to acquire the listings from Cox for several months now. It just quit working out of the blue. I know someone else with the same DVR who had the exact same problem. He said he could capture the TV Guide info off of Channel 8 over the air, but the Cox signal did not work anymore. I'm not a big conspiracy theory guy, but I wonder if Cox is trying to make people use their silly DVR's to grubb the monthly fees, and is filtering out the TV Guide info from channel 8.

Initially when I got mine, the data was carried on the stream of KPTS, and I got it fine over Cox. Then, they "remapped" channels on the cablecards, KPTS was no longer an analog channel if you had cablecard, but was digital. At that point, I got no data for some period of time, but eventually, changed something in Setup--I think maybe changed my zip code, then changed it back; or told it my channel lineup was wrong, or something. Anyway, I got the data stream reinstated for a sustained period. But now, the data loss is intermittent, so I'll miss a day here and there. I'm not convinced it is Cox, but I'm not in a position to set up an OTA antenna to check on what happens with an OTA antenna as well. In any event, I also believe the data stream is no longer piggy-backed on KPTS but is part of the CBS/KWCH digital stream now, but I couldn't swear to that.

If the TV Guide host channel is only available on Cox via digital, I'm SOL. My DVR is analog only. Yo, KScableguy, could you give us any insight on what channel the TV Guide host channel is being transmitted on Cox cable? Or if they even transmit it any more?

If the TV Guide host channel is only available on Cox via digital, I'm SOL. My DVR is analog only. Yo, KScableguy, could you give us any insight on what channel the TV Guide host channel is being transmitted on Cox cable? Or if they even transmit it any more?

Not sure what channel, but think we been over this before about a year or so ago. That info is passed on through different broadcasters and Cox doesn't block it. If your guide isn't updating, probably because the broadcaster who was sending the signal either stopped or is having problems. Don't hold me to this, will have to see what I can find.

I do currently get the data; and my data set is now complete. TVGOS recommends leaving the TV off for 24 hours to be sure you get complete data. I recommend, therefore, going into setup and tell it your channel lineup is wrong, or completely redo the setup. As I suggested earlier, if you give it a different zip code, and save that setting, then give it the correct zip code, and reconfigure the settings for whether you have an antenna and/or cable, you should end up with a screen that shows NO data, but indicates it should populate. Then let it sit at least overnight, preferably 24 hours, without turning the tv on at all.

I have a question about how far ahead my Cox DVR/HD box's program guide should show program info. I only seem to go about 5 days out, as opposed to at least a week. Is this typical? If not, what may explain the delay in getting the future data?

That is all I get too. Makes me quite sad.

DirecTV - Locals In HD?

Mid-December, there was a post regarding DirecTV adding the locals in HD for the Wichita market in 2008.

Does anyone have any new information about that? Locals in HD is about the only thing still keeping me from switching -- especially since their new receivers don't have a built-in OTA tuner.

No firm date, but the D11 satellite is due to launch sometime in March. I would expect that, barring any launch or sat issues, that Wichita local HD channels will be up within a few months of the successful launch. So sooner rather than later :)

Anyone with a DirecTV HD receiver (preferably an HR20) able to get NBC OTA? I show a bunch of subchannels on 3 but none come in. I get 10, 12, and 24 at near 100% signal strength. I'm in Wellington, pulling in OTA via a CM4228...

Any new HD chans coming our way on COX?

Once the superbowl is over, I'm probably ditching the box until fall tv season / football is back.

I have a question about how far ahead my Cox DVR/HD box's program guide should show program info. I only seem to go about 5 days out, as opposed to at least a week. Is this typical? If not, what may explain the delay in getting the future data?
I noticed a couple of days ago I now have data for a full week on my Cox HD/DVR program guide.

Am I the only one that is watching the KU K-State game and thinks the quality is beyond horrible. It even looks blurry and grainy on my little 13 inch CRT TV. I can somewhat understand it not being in HD, but I can barely read the numbers on the jerseys.

Am I the only one that is watching the KU K-State game and thinks the quality is beyond horrible. It even looks blurry and grainy on my little 13 inch CRT TV. I can somewhat understand it not being in HD, but I can barely read the numbers on the jerseys.

You are definitely NOT the only one. I have a 46" HDTV and a 26" HDTV -- and the game looks miserable on both TVs.

If my memory serves me correctly, other games on this channel have looked horrible. I wonder why this game isn't on ESPN in HD? It was set up for quite some time as a pretty huge matchup.

Am I the only one that is watching the KU K-State game and thinks the quality is beyond horrible. It even looks blurry and grainy on my little 13 inch CRT TV. I can somewhat understand it not being in HD, but I can barely read the numbers on the jerseys.

Absolutely terrible picture.

I had the same experience with a small LCD screen; brightness way too high, image almost impossible to decipher; then part way through, the picture improved to tolerable. I find that Ch 6 is always worst on the KU games, followed by Ch 5. I haven't figured out why the game was relegated to ESPN+ instead of ESPN HD.

I gotta say though, being a KU fan, the whole game feels like a blur now anyways. Lol.

I gotta say though, being a KU fan, the whole game feels like a blur now anyways. Lol.

I hear ya. Man, I hear ya.

but a rivalry isn't any fun when one team ALWAYS dominates the other. I mean seriously... almost 25 years without a KSU win at home. That's pathetic. And yeah the picture was awful.

Well, now that the superbowl is over, I think it is time to ditch COX thanks to the cost.

Anything new and exciting incoming that should give me value in sticking with it?

Well, now that the superbowl is over, I think it is time to ditch COX thanks to the cost.

Anything new and exciting incoming that should give me value in sticking with it?

I'm not sure the dishes are much cheaper in the end. Especially if you load up on HD channels. But I hear you. The setup fee to switch to a dish is low enough now that it's not a barrier for most people.

I'm not sure the dishes are much cheaper in the end. Especially if you load up on HD channels. But I hear you. The setup fee to switch to a dish is low enough now that it's not a barrier for most people.

I'm sorry, I should clarify. I'm going to ditch paid TV service entirely. Cable TV, even the best of of it, is not that good. And, with the strike still on even it is getting worse. The locals I can get in HD OTA for free and quite frankly, I can download the shows in HD less than an hour after the show airs. The WSU games that are left I can go to a friend's house to watch. March madness games are best witnessed live or in a bar anyways.

If I knew COX would be doing something dramatic soon like adding a lot more HD or a major software update to the DVR boxes, maybe I'd stick around.

I'm sorry, I should clarify. I'm going to ditch paid TV service entirely. Cable TV, even the best of of it, is not that good. And, with the strike still on even it is getting worse. The locals I can get in HD OTA for free and quite frankly, I can download the shows in HD less than an hour after the show airs. The WSU games that are left I can go to a friend's house to watch. March madness games are best witnessed live or in a bar anyways.

If I knew COX would be doing something dramatic soon like adding a lot more HD or a major software update to the DVR boxes, maybe I'd stick around.

I understand where you are coming from. I have a few more months left on my subscription with Tivo, but we're going to evaluate switching to Dish when the time comes. If Cox has stepped it up and added lots of HD channels, we'll stay (we do like our Tivo's), but if they haven't added much or anything at all, we'll likely be switching to one of the dish guys.

When is Cox going to fix the DVR that stops recording during an Amber Alert or a test? This is ridiculous. I missed the Superbowl last night because of it! :mad:

I'm sorry, I should clarify. I'm going to ditch paid TV service entirely. Cable TV, even the best of of it, is not that good. And, with the strike still on even it is getting worse. The locals I can get in HD OTA for free and quite frankly, I can download the shows in HD less than an hour after the show airs. The WSU games that are left I can go to a friend's house to watch. March madness games are best witnessed live or in a bar anyways.

If I knew COX would be doing something dramatic soon like adding a lot more HD or a major software update to the DVR boxes, maybe I'd stick around.

I ditched paid TV several years ago for pretty much the same reasons. I kept it a long time for Speed channel, but when they went to 75% Nascar, there was really nothing left that was worth paying so much money for.

I get the locals in digital and rely heavily on Netflix and other sources. Maybe cable will eventually make it to the 21st century and I can use it again.

Do all digital recording systems have the EAS, or Amber Alert, interrupt the recording? I just got off the phone with COX and they said all other systems have this issue. Funny thing the technical rep and service rep knew nothing about this "Known Issue" until they both talked to a supervisor. Unbelievable!!

I did ask for a credit of one month DVR service from COX and got it. So I encourage others to call COX if you had a problem.

Well, after grousing about issues I am having which I still believe are more likely a product of the Cox digital stream at my house rather than my TV, but lacking the equipment to prove it, I ended up surprising myself and not only staying with Cox, but letting them take over my phone, too. By the time I priced going with either satellite service, then having to do a phone and find a provider for broad-band, and taking into account the number of TVs I have, this is cheaper for me; and other than SciFi HD, their current HD offerings work for me--the locals, plus ESPN and ESPN2 for basketball; the various Discovery offerings. No more than I get around to watching TV, I'd never notice the other HD channels, anyway.

When is Cox going to fix the DVR that stops recording during an Amber Alert or a test? This is ridiculous. I missed the Superbowl last night because of it! :mad:

This has been addressed before...not an easy fix. Do a search and I believe you will find a post that talks about how this probably won't be fixed for sometime. But yes, Cox and others are working with Motorola and others to find a fix.

This has been addressed before...not an easy fix. Do a search and I believe you will find a post that talks about how this probably won't be fixed for sometime. But yes, Cox and others are working with Motorola and others to find a fix.

Oh Oh, I have an idea, lets just get rid of it. Or even better, stop testing it every week. Honestly. Unless there is a tornado moving down my street, don't bug me, I am watching TV. :p

No firm date, but the D11 satellite is due to launch sometime in March. I would expect that, barring any launch or sat issues, that Wichita local HD channels will be up within a few months of the successful launch. So sooner rather than later :)

According to DBSTalk, Wichita now has locals in HD from Directv. Right now they are saying ABC, CBS, and Fox.

Cox is suppose to add 6 more HD channels by the end of the month. At least that's what I've been told.

Cox is suppose to add 6 more HD channels by the end of the month. At least that's what I've been told.
Any possibility that one of the new Cox HD channels will be The Weather Channel? It seems on schedule to start in June, 2008.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6525087.html

It's great news to hear that Cox is (hopefully) adding 6 new HD channels...

It's starting to become quite a task to intentionally scroll through all the HD channels, which is a good thing.

I was recently at my in-laws house and they have DirecTV HD. On their programming guide, the HDs are sorted so they show up directly below their matching SD channels.

On the Cox boxes, is there any way to "re-organize" the HDs so they show up directly below the SD channels like they do on the DirecTV guide?

Any possibility that one of the new Cox HD channels will be The Weather Channel? It seems on schedule to start in June, 2008.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6525087.html

TWC HD has been around for months on DirecTV. Its basically a channel where they make use of the screen realestate with maps and such. That June thing is the launch of all HD programming, maps, cameras, ect. At least that is what i have been told. :D


On the Cox boxes, is there any way to "re-organize" the HDs so they show up directly below the SD channels like they do on the DirecTV guide?

No, at least not anything that is supported by Cox. I would go so far as to have it replace the channels that only are an SD version of the HD channel, or an option for "All HD Channels" or even better, take off the list the 400 some odd channels I don't have anyway. You know, only show the channels I have.

TWC HD has been around for months on DirecTV. Its basically a channel where they make use of the screen realestate with maps and such. That June thing is the launch of all HD programming, maps, cameras, ect. At least that is what i have been told. :D



No, at least not anything that is supported by Cox. I would go so far as to have it replace the channels that only are an SD version of the HD channel, or an option for "All HD Channels" or even better, take off the list the 400 some odd channels I don't have anyway. You know, only show the channels I have.
I have one of the newer (HDMI) boxes from Cox. I have the option to Hide Channels, so I have suppressed all of the channels I don't get. It takes a while to do (like a few minutes), but that helped a lot. I have not found a way to re-order them.

I have one of the newer (HDMI) boxes from Cox. I have the option to Hide Channels, so I have suppressed all of the channels I don't get. It takes a while to do (like a few minutes), but that helped a lot. I have not found a way to re-order them.

I think that has been a feature for awhile, but if I remember correctly, I spent like 10 minutes doing it and we had a power outage the next day and I lost it all. Maybe I will give it a try though. :)

Cox is suppose to add 6 more HD channels by the end of the month. At least that's what I've been told.

Good to know.

If and when they do add more HD channels, please oh please let one of them be Sci-Fi.

Does anyone know when the channel listings are going to start populating the Guide for the HD channels released in January? (ie FoodHD, HGTVHD, etc.) I still don't have any data listed in my guide on my Vista Media Center PC. Are they showing up on anyone's Tivo yet, either? :confused:

Does anyone know when the channel listings are going to start populating the Guide for the HD channels released in January? (ie FoodHD, HGTVHD, etc.) I still don't have any data listed in my guide on my Vista Media Center PC. Are they showing up on anyone's Tivo yet, either? :confused:

Yes, my Series 3 HD Tivo does have guide data for all of the recently added HD channels. Even HGTV HD and Food Network HD, which were the last ones to finally get updated.

It's great news to hear that Cox is (hopefully) adding 6 new HD channels...

It's starting to become quite a task to intentionally scroll through all the HD channels, which is a good thing.

I was recently at my in-laws house and they have DirecTV HD. On their programming guide, the HDs are sorted so they show up directly below their matching SD channels.

On the Cox boxes, is there any way to "re-organize" the HDs so they show up directly below the SD channels like they do on the DirecTV guide?

Ick. I like knowing I can go to 601 and scroll through the HD. Really, that is all I'll watch.

Ick. I like knowing I can go to 601 and scroll through the HD. Really, that is all I'll watch.

I would like to see the option of viewing them either way. Let the consumer choose which way they want to see the HD channels.

I would like to see the option of viewing them either way. Let the consumer choose which way they want to see the HD channels.

This is cox we are talking about. Consumer choice has never been their strong point.

Cox is suppose to add 6 more HD channels by the end of the month. At least that's what I've been told.
Below is a list of the 8 HD channels that Oklahoma (http://www.cox.com/oklahoma/hdtv/hdchannels.asp) gets that we're missing. I'm guessing our 6 new HD channels will come from this list:

HD On Demand
HD PPV
Fox Sports HD
NFL Network HD
Discovery Science HD
Animal Planet HD
Travel Channel HD
Cinemax HD

Below is a list of the 8 HD channels that Oklahoma (http://www.cox.com/oklahoma/hdtv/hdchannels.asp) gets that we're missing. I'm guessing our 6 new HD channels will come from this list:

HD On Demand
HD PPV
Fox Sports HD
NFL Network HD
Discovery Science HD
Animal Planet HD
Travel Channel HD
Cinemax HD


Well we do get NFLNHD when there are games on.

I don't give a rats about on demand or PPV thanks to my friend the internet. However, Fox Sports HD on my face please.

Alright, enough already, talk is cheap why don't you guys man up and cancel cable, quit wasting forum bandwidth with you incessant whining, get a dish with a tivo and be done with it. Let's get back to some constructive and informative posts without the whine

Below is a list of the 8 HD channels that Oklahoma (http://www.cox.com/oklahoma/hdtv/hdchannels.asp) gets that we're missing. I'm guessing our 6 new HD channels will come from this list:

HD On Demand
HD PPV
Fox Sports HD
NFL Network HD
Discovery Science HD
Animal Planet HD
Travel Channel HD
Cinemax HD



We have HD OnDemand. Anyway, they have a channel called HD on Demand, but it doesn't work. Never did check to see if the HD PPV worked or not.

If Cox adds Cinemax HD is added, so will Cinemax HD OnDemand content.

Hope Cox does add NFL and Fox Sports in HD. Not too big on the other channels that could be added.

Alright, enough already, talk is cheap why don't you guys man up and cancel cable, quit wasting forum bandwidth with you incessant whining, get a dish with a tivo and be done with it. Let's get back to some constructive and informative posts without the whine

While both of the sat providers have DVRs, they do not offer TIVO. So, I'll keep whining, thank you very much! :D

We do have HD On Demand, although it's not a specific channel like the "iN Demand" channels. When you go to channel 1, and search for movies, there is an HD Movies option. I know, because those are the only ones I watch.

Are you maybe confusing Cox's "On Demand" service (channel 1) with the iN Demand channels (700-804)? Their selection of HD On Demand is limited, I'll grant you that. They may improve that, but I seriously doubt they'll ever add any HD iN Demand channels.

...which leaves the other six channels you listed. I'm betting that you're probably right, and they will be the ones that Cox adds in Wichita. Someone stated that we already get NFLHD when games are on, but it's not listed in their Channel Lineup (http://www.cox.com/gocox/pdf/Wichita.pdf). *Sigh* I'm starting to think I'll never get to see Sci-Fi in HD.

Anyone want to speculate on when everything will just always be in HD... when there will be no need for talk about who has the most HD -- because everything being broadcast will always be in high definition?

That will likely be quite awhile. There is currently a pretty big deal being made about the Federal mandate that takes place next February for all television broadcasts to be Digital (rather than Analogue). Note, this doesn't affect cable... only broadcast TV, and yet it's estimated that millions of people will be left with no TV reception. This is why the government is issuing coupons for digital converters for practically everyone who asks.

Now... imagine all that happening again, because it would, as people who don't have HD sets are told that their SD sets will no longer work (at least without some sort of downconverter). Basically, how it will work is that the FCC will only require HD broadcasts when a certain percentage of the TVs in use are HD. That percentage will be quite high, and we're quite a few years out from that. We hadn't even reached that point with Digital TVs yet. The only reason that the FCC approved Digital broadcasts was because there wasn't enough frequencies to support more Analogue stations in some areas. Digital allows more broadcasts within a limited frequency range. That won't be the case with HD. HD will use MORE bandwidth, not less, so where Digital had a very good justification for "bending the rules," there will be no compelling reason to mandate HD.


Until it's mandated, there will always be stations that don't bother, which means there will always be SOME SD broadcasts. That being said... I don't think we're very far out from the point where most cable channels will have an HD Simulcast. I'd bet that within 2-3 years that will be the case, as HD becomes cheaper and the population with an HD set grows, pressure will mount to demand major cable channels to provide an HD Simulcast. However, you won't see many HD-only stations any time soon.

Until it's mandated, there will always be stations that don't bother, which means there will always be SOME SD broadcasts. That being said... I don't think we're very far out from the point where most cable channels will have an HD Simulcast. I'd bet that within 2-3 years that will be the case, as HD becomes cheaper and the population with an HD set grows, pressure will mount to demand major cable channels to provide an HD Simulcast. However, you won't see many HD-only stations any time soon.

As far as I know, there has never been any talk of madating HD broadcasts. Only digital as opposed to analog. I don't know why the government should ever mandate such a thing. It makes no difference to them. Except that thanks to laws like SHVIA, network (broadcast) stations bacially each have their own little monopoly and have no incentive to upgrade on their own.

Jeff

As far as I know, there has never been any talk of madating HD broadcasts. Only digital as opposed to analog. I don't know why the government should ever mandate such a thing. It makes no difference to them. Except that thanks to laws like SHVIA, network (broadcast) stations bacially each have their own little monopoly and have no incentive to upgrade on their own.
True... sort of. At some point in the future, we will once again reach a point where there is not enough bandwidth to support the SD Simulcast of the (by that point) main HD signal. In an effort to free up more space, broadcasters will lobby to have the SD simulcast requirement removed. As that will force the obsolescence of some TVs, the FCC would need to approve this.

So... you're correct that there has been no talk of mandating HD... yet, and when it happens, they won't really be mandating HD, they'll be mandating the removal of the SD Simulcast. Again, this is many, many years in the future, and will probably take a long time for approval, since by then, there will likely be many more "HD" formats than there are now, and the FCC will not only need to abolish SD, but also set a "minimum standard" for HD broadcasts that will be supported by a certain percentage of existing TVs.

...and actually, broadcasters have a very big incentive to upgrade, especially network affiliates (those that wish to carry the letters, ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, etc.). If that weren't the case, you wouldn't see very many local stations switching to HD. The reality is that the consumer wants HD. Thus, advertisers want HD. If all of the stations in a specific geographic area go HD except one, that station will have a very difficult time selling advertising spots, as advertisers start moving to the HD channels, and national advertisers start only buying spots from HD providers within a network (In other words, if an advertiser wants to advertise during the network broadcast of "24", they may only pay for spots in those areas with stations that broadcast it in HD). Here in Wichita, only one local network channel has NOT started broadcasting in HD: KSCW (formerly KWCV), which is a CW affiliate (CW is, basically, a merging of the former Fox and WB networks) and now that it's owned by the same people that own KWCH, their first priority is to upgrade it. There's a reason for that, and I assure you it has everything to do with advertising.

Here are what channels that Cox should be adding soon:

Cinemax HD
Travel HD
Versus/Golf HD - I'm guessing this will a mix of both channels
NFL Network HD
Science Channel HD
Animal Planet HD

True... sort of. At some point in the future, we will once again reach a point where there is not enough bandwidth to support the SD Simulcast of the (by that point) main HD signal. In an effort to free up more space, broadcasters will lobby to have the SD simulcast requirement removed. As that will force the obsolescence of some TVs, the FCC would need to approve this.

I don't know of any SD simulcast requirement.

If everyone started broadcasting HD 24/7 it wouldn't make TVs any more obsolete than the conversion to digital will. Anyone who needs a converter box a year from now will be fine even if there are no SD broadcasts ever again. The box will do all conversion to the resolution the TV requires.

I don't know of any SD simulcast requirement.

If everyone started broadcasting HD 24/7 it wouldn't make TVs any more obsolete than the conversion to digital will. Anyone who needs a converter box a year from now will be fine even if there are no SD broadcasts ever again. The box will do all conversion to the resolution the TV requires.

Pretty sure all the STB's being sold are only able to convert the QAM to a analog signal. They are not being made to take an HD signal and make it SD. So in that regard, people who have to buy a STB (only less than 10% of Americans) will still either have to buy an HD set or another STB if they ever make HD mandatory.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8283870

Here are what channels that Cox should be adding soon:

Cinemax HD
Travel HD
Versus/Golf HD - I'm guessing this will a mix of both channels
NFL Network HD
Science Channel HD
Animal Planet HD

Blech! Sci-Fi HD pretty please!!

Here are what channels that Cox should be adding soon:

Cinemax HD
Travel HD
Versus/Golf HD - I'm guessing this will a mix of both channels
NFL Network HD
Science Channel HD
Animal Planet HD

How about Cox sends out a "Survey" asking current consumers which HD channels they rather see, ones that gets the most votes are the ones added, because I don't know about you, but none of these six make me at all excited, also since I will only get 5 of them, since I don't have the Movie tier. Actually, better idea, maybe they should hold back on adding HD channels, because all of my channels are off the air currently and are frozen on my Analog TV's, humm. Not to happy about that one. Is it me or the reliability of Cox goes way downhill after about 11 PM, because I am always having my box shutting off, or channels going off air, or test, ect. Can't you save that stuff till around 3 AM? Just maybe?

How about Cox sends out a "Survey" asking current consumers which HD channels they rather see, ones that gets the most votes are the ones added...

Amen, Brother!

I'll bet though, that it has nothing to do with what Cox thinks we want, but rather the cost in acquiring the rights to the HD channel. Think about it... with the exception of Cinemax and MAYBE Animal Planet, do you really think ANY of those channels have more Cox viewers than Sci-Fi? (Okay, yeah, NFL Network too, but that's not a full-time channel from my understanding... I'm not a sports buff.)

Sci-Fi is owned by the USA Network (which is ultimately owned by NBC Universal), and guess what? We don't have any other USA network channels in HD either. I'm guessing that it's a numbers game. For the same money, they'd rather add 3 or 4 HD channels that a few people watch, than 1 that a lot of people watch. That way, they can tout that they have "Over xx channels of HD!"

Cable, and for the most part, its satellite competitors, haven't yet learned that people don't really care that you have 500 channels. The only care if you have the dozen or so that they actually watch.

We don't have any other USA network channels in HD either.

Universal HD

You're right. While that channel wasn't part of "USA Networks," it is part of NBC Universal Cable. So, of the 16 or so wholly-owned channels that NBC Universal Oversees, we have one in HD. (To be fair, I'm not sure how many of those 16 even have HD channels). However, we're doing much better on their Partially-Owned channels, which includes A&E HD, National Geographic HD, and the History Channel HD.

Thanks for the correction.

Here are what channels that Cox should be adding soon:

Cinemax HD
Travel HD
Versus/Golf HD - I'm guessing this will a mix of both channels
NFL Network HD
Science Channel HD
Animal Planet HD
Well, I might check out Travel Channel in HD, and both Animal Planet and Science Channel. I don't care for HBO/Cinemax anyway, so I don't care that Cinemax is being added, but its addition should be good for Cox and the subscribers to that service. The real question is: When?

It's hard to keep up with edited posts when we try to be polite to each other.

I think the track record for Cox is that they generally aren't the first cable company to put a new channel on the air. I agree with the comments about the overall lack of appeal for the new channels, but I think Cox is just slow. SciFi HD and USA HD are still rather young. Although it will be too long of a wait, I would expect they'll be here by the end of the year (total guess on my part with no inside information).

Is it me or the reliability of Cox goes way downhill after about 11 PM, because I am always having my box shutting off, or channels going off air, or test, ect. Can't you save that stuff till around 3 AM? Just maybe?

FCC allows for maintenance between 12am to 6am. Therefore Cox, ATT or any other multimedia company can do work between those hours that would disrupt service.

Pretty sure all the STB's being sold are only able to convert the QAM to a analog signal. They are not being made to take an HD signal and make it SD. So in that regard, people who have to buy a STB (only less than 10% of Americans) will still either have to buy an HD set or another STB if they ever make HD mandatory.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8283870

I'm not convinced the Wal-mart info is accurate. ATSC includes HD. I still think that the converters will down-convert any HD signal for 480i sets. From the NTIA website:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/faq.html

18. Will I receive High-Definition TV with the aid of a converter?

No. Analog televisions are not capable of displaying high-definition resolution, but the picture will generally be better with a converter. If you want to view high-definition TV, then you will need one of the newer sets rated for "high-definition" resolution.

Now that is somewhat vague. But it isn't saying that the converters won't receive an HD signal, only that the converters won't allow HD resolutions on an SD analog TV.

Here is a link to an RCA converter box...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8343230

Video Features
# All channel Tuner 2- 69
# Display all DTV formats

Who knows for sure what that means, but from RCA's website...

http://home.rca.com/en-US/PressReleaseDetail.html?Cat=rcaaudiovideo&MN=109

With an antenna input, digital reception and analog conversion electronics, and analog outputs, the DTA800 will easily receive over-the-air ATSC standard-definition and high-definition terrestrial broadcasts...

Now, will every converter box do this? Who knows. I tend to believe they all will, or at least all the converter boxes eligible for the coupons will.

At least I don't have to worry about it.

Since we're discussing the coupons, I have a question...

If I don't have cable or satellite, and I have one HDTV with a built-in digital tuner and another HDTV that is a monitor only (no tuner)... Can I get a coupon to buy a digital tuner for my one TV that doesn't have a built-in tuner?

The stuff I read online talks mostly of people with old analog sets -- but I find nothing about HDTV sets that are monitors-only with no built-in digital tuner.

Since we're discussing the coupons, I have a question...

If I don't have cable or satellite, and I have one HDTV with a built-in digital tuner and another HDTV that is a monitor only (no tuner)... Can I get a coupon to buy a digital tuner for my one TV that doesn't have a built-in tuner?

The stuff I read online talks mostly of people with old analog sets -- but I find nothing about HDTV sets that are monitors-only with no built-in digital tuner.

I'm pretty sure you can get one coupon. Just go online and fill the form out and see what happens. But all the STB will do is decode the digital stream. I'm not 100% certain, but the $49 boxes will not do HD. I have not found one box online that has componet out puts. They all have either coax, S-video or RCA out. None have HDMI or Componet (red/green/blue) If they do, that is the cheapest HD box I've seen on the market.

Is COX giving out the newer M-Card (cable card) locally yet? I have an option to get a discounted HD-TiVo this week and am tempted to jump the gun for it.

Pretty sure all the STB's being sold are only able to convert the QAM to a analog signal. They are not being made to take an HD signal and make it SD. So in that regard, people who have to buy a STB (only less than 10% of Americans) will still either have to buy an HD set or another STB if they ever make HD mandatory.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8283870

QAM??? NOT!
The boxes that will convert the digital OTA signal to analog will have ATSC tuners, not QAM. And they should be able to convert all 18 formats (HD to ED to SD) down to 480i analog that any current (analog) television can display.

Jeff

The latest COX TV commercials say if you are a COX customer, you will not have to anything different when the switch from analog to digital takes place.

Is this true, you don't have to get a converter box if your analog TV is hooked up with COX?

The latest COX TV commercials say if you are a COX customer, you will not have to anything different when the switch from analog to digital takes place.

Is this true, you don't have to get a converter box if your analog TV is hooked up with COX?

Yep, that's true. Same for satellite. You'll only be effected if you receive your TV signals with an antenna.

Jeff

I believe the digital transition is only mandated for over the air broadcasts. So the cable isn't actually changing. Anybody back me up on that? Or am I wrong? Edit: too slow...

I believe the digital transition is only mandated for over the air broadcasts. So the cable isn't actually changing. Anybody back me up on that? Or am I wrong? Edit: too slow...

correct.....cable and Dish customers have nothing to worry about at this time. But we all know there will be a time when even Cable will go all digital. There are even some Comcast and other cable providers doing all digital in some areas already.

correct.....cable and Dish customers have nothing to worry about at this time. But we all know there will be a time when even Cable will go all digital. There are even some Comcast and other cable providers doing all digital in some areas already.

When you say all digital cable, doesn't that just imply having to have a set top box? In which case your TV wouldn't necessarily need a tuner at all. You could use RCA (analog), component, DVI, or HDMI (digital) connections.

Jeff

Anyones KSNW 3-1 up OTA? I tried recording golf but got nothing. It's still currently down for me.

My ota 3 is down too. Cable okay though.

KAAS-DT in Salina seems to have been down for at least a couple of weeks. Anyone know anything about that?

Thanks,
Jeff

I too am having problems tuning in this channel with Directv HR20 receiver. I hooked up rabbit ears and get station fine. This isn't the first time I've had this issue. Usually a reboot fixes this issue, not this time though. Of course DTV has added HD locals except NBC. :mad:

correct.....cable and Dish customers have nothing to worry about at this time. But we all know there will be a time when even Cable will go all digital. There are even some Comcast and other cable providers doing all digital in some areas already.

Dish consumers will never have anything to worry about, they are all Digital already, the "safest" people are the people with Dishes. If all your TV's have Digital Cable boxes, you are also safe, however, from what I understand, if you are still on Analog Cable, your safe for a "minimum" of 3 years. Which doesn't seem to make since, if I were running a cable co, I would use this "Digital Transition" to push people to go Digital, three years from now when Cox says, "Oh, well you need a Digital box now" there is going to be backlash, "You said we were safe" Seems to me it would make more sense to transfer to Digital when you have the government and every thing else backing you up. But I guess I am just a stupid college student. :D Knowing Wichita is always 20 years behind, it will be 30 years before we go all Digital here.

Anyones KSNW 3-1 up OTA? I tried recording golf but got nothing. It's still currently down for me.

Works fine for me. :-/ Plugged in an OTA antenna to my Flat Panel and I am watching Ellen right now. 8-o

Works fine for me. :-/ Plugged in an OTA antenna to my Flat Panel and I am watching Ellen right now. 8-o

I can't check right now but KSNW 3-1 OTA was in and out all weekend. No golf coverage that I saw, but did notice it was back up for SNL.

KSNW 3-1 OTA is currently up for me...

Noticed the new HD channels are up and running!

626 - NFL Network HD (was there during football season but disappeared and is back again)
629 - Travel Channel HD
630 - Animal Planet HD
631 - Science Channel HD
632 - Versus Golf HD
633 - Cinemax HD

Boo, no Sci Fi.

Is it just me or does TBS-HD just look plain weird? It is like stretched/pulled/squeezed/etc to the point that what you are watching is odd looking. I don't notice this on any of the other HD channels.

Is it just me or does TBS-HD just look plain weird? It is like stretched/pulled/squeezed/etc to the point that what you are watching is odd looking. I don't notice this on any of the other HD channels.


They stretch a lot of programming to fill the screen.

None of these here on COX at Dodge City.

Noticed the new HD channels are up and running!

626 - NFL Network HD (was there during football season but disappeared and is back again)
629 - Travel Channel HD
630 - Animal Planet HD
631 - Science Channel HD
632 - Versus Golf HD
633 - Cinemax HD

None of these here on COX at Dodge City.

Nor in Larned as of 3/1/08. I have received a postcard each of the last two weeks about possible outages in the area due to upgrade work; perhaps they're not done yet.

I'd trade the last couple of batches of new HD channels for Sci Fi HD. I fear by the time we actually get Sci Fi HD, it will be more accurate to call it the History Channel.

Noticed the new HD channels are up and running!

626 - NFL Network HD (was there during football season but disappeared and is back again)
629 - Travel Channel HD
630 - Animal Planet HD
631 - Science Channel HD
632 - Versus Golf HD
633 - Cinemax HD

Anyone in Wichita with a CableCard able to get these channels? Let me know.

Anyone in Wichita with a CableCard able to get these channels? Let me know.

Cox is not allowing cablecard users to receive these channels as they are reserving the channels for the move to switched digital video. There is supposed to be a device available in the second quarter of this year to work with Tivos to resolve the channels. Cox appears to be doing this in all their markets.

Sux for now.

Yeah no go on my single-channel cablecards in my Series 3 unit :( /cry

Is SDV working with the multistream cards in the cheaper HD-Tivo boxes?

I have a TV that is cable-card compatible, but have had to discontinue the cablecard due to sound issues I was unable to resolve. I am hopeful that as Cox rebalances its signal over time, this function may recover. I haven't 100% ruled out the equipment, but the equipment seems unlikely to be the source of my problem.

In any event, can someone enlighten me on the Switched Digital Video? What is it, will that be eventually what Cox does with all digital video, and will CableCard ver. 1 be compatible with it?

Without SDV, all channels are being sent to each subscriber all the time. The cable provider is limited in the number of channels they can provide based on the bandwidth of their system. Think of the cable as a water hose. Only so much water can flow through the hose at a given time.

With SDV, the channel is not present at your location until your Set Top Box (STB) requests it when you tune to a SDV channel. This saves bandwidth and allows the cable provider to offer many more channels. Cable providers are being forced to SDV in order to compete with the satellite providers.

The current cable cards do not have the ability to request and receive SDV as they are only one-way. There is a Tuning Resolver box that is in development that will allow your cable card device to work with SDV. It is supposed to be available in the second quarter of this year. But don't hold your breath as the targets for technology releases are historically late.

Cox appears to have adopted the policy of not providing any more new channels to cable card users as they are reluctant to give the new channels now only to take them away when SDV is actually rolled out. It is my understanding that the new channels on Cox are not SDV at this time, but they will be.

Well, I knew when I bought my TV with cablecard compatibility that it was one-way only, and wouldn't work with certain cable features. And, of course, the attraction was--no STB. But it sounds like I'll need a STB of some sort to talk to my cablecard by the time the transition is made. Oh, well.

Anyone in Wichita with a CableCard able to get these channels? Let me know.

I get guide data for them, but they aren't broadcasting anything. I have a Series 3 HD Tivo.

You know I sit here and I think about this, I don't really care that much about the new channels. But, I do care about SciFi HD and FX HD. I don't really like the idea of not being able to receive those channels just because I have a Tivo. The set top boxes from Cox suck big time. I'm starting to think that moving to one of the sat providers is turning in to a better idea.

That really REALLY makes me mad ... especially since I just ordered a Series 3 Tivo.
KScableguy - can you tell us more about this?

Also you forgot one thing in the SDV discussion, namely that there is still plenty of bandwidth and room for cox right now that they don't have to do SDV. Since Cable Labs doesn't have CC2 or whatever they are calling it out now, I think it is really poopy for Cox to start using SDV and leaving the cable card customers out of the loop.

That really REALLY makes me mad ... especially since I just ordered a Series 3 Tivo.
KScableguy - can you tell us more about this?

Also you forgot one thing in the SDV discussion, namely that there is still plenty of bandwidth and room for cox right now that they don't have to do SDV. Since Cable Labs doesn't have CC2 or whatever they are calling it out now, I think it is really poopy for Cox to start using SDV and leaving the cable card customers out of the loop.

They don't care though! If it were up to them, the wouldn't even support Cable Cards, the government makes them. They want you to use their boxes so they know they have total control. They are trying to make you think CableCards suck and move to one of their boxes, because as Cox continues to point out, they don't think they have any competition. Well, the DirecTV guy coming out next week might say otherwise. :D

I don't see where Cox is getting their numbers from. We are signing up to have almost 80 HD channels, 4 DVR boxes and many more channels than Cox offers us for almost $50 less each month than we are currently paying Cox. $12 for DVR service? Now, I know a bit about technology, and, correct me if I am wrong, but "DVR" isn't a "service" you tell the box to record and it stores it locally, everything is taken care of locally, $12 just gives you access to it, with that being true, its utter crap. However, to be fair, we are keeping Cox Internet for now. :D

$12 for DVR service? Now, I know a bit about technology, and, correct me if I am wrong, but "DVR" isn't a "service" you tell the box to record and it stores it locally, everything is taken care of locally, $12 just gives you access to it, with that being true, its utter crap. However, to be fair, we are keeping Cox Internet for now. :D

Blame Tivo. I believe they started this subscription model. DISH Network charges a DVR fee too, sometimes. In the past they said you were paying for access to the guide info. Well you get that without a DVR, so that's kinda bs.

Jeff

"Blame Tivo" - before Tivo we weren't doing DVR. Oh sure, I had a TV card in my PC but back in 2000 when Tivo came out, even when I was rocking an AMD Athlon OC'd to 1ghz I was having issues doing any real time shifting.

Tivo charges not so much for the DVR service as the guide data. Proof in that pudding is that you can use a Tivo w/o a subscription as a dumb VCR (basically). Cox charges for their non DVR boxes as well.

Truth: All companies want your money. Does it matter WHY they are charging you?

...... Proof in that pudding is that you can use a Tivo w/o a subscription as a dumb VCR (basically). .......

Only if you are talking about a Series 1 Tivo. Series 2 and Series 3 Tivo's cannot record programs without Guide data. You have to subscribe to get the Guide Data.

If anything going to DirecTV will eliminate the ability to remote reset boxes. Honestly, do they have to reset my box every damn night exactly at 12:01. And its not so much me not understanding a fee, but, Box is $6, and the "service" is $12, $18 bucks per TV if you want a DVR? I'm sorry, that is ridiculous. Like what was said up there, the box sitting on my shelf has every ability to record at $6 a month, but I just need to send in $12 bucks for the "Permission." But yeah, I understand a charge, its just the extent of the charge.

With all their warts, at least I can watch tv with cox when its storming, with my satellite at work we are SOL during bad wx. Probably averages at least a day a month, more in spring. Once the wx improves it may take a few hours to reacquire...

With all their warts, at least I can watch tv with cox when its storming, with my satellite at work we are SOL during bad wx. Probably averages at least a day a month, more in spring. Once the wx improves it may take a few hours to reacquire...

There's something wrong with it then. When I had DirecTV, the only time it went out was during very heavy storms. As soon as the storm passes, it comes back up immediately.

That's pretty much the point, customer service is crap, takes a week or two to get em out, on hold or have to lv message...no one calls back. I have to hold with cox, but eventually get resolution, with my sat provider-not so much

Cox will be doing a code update tonigt after midnight. So just a head's up.

What I see on the web this new code might offer some fixes, but will have to wait and see. Other's systems have deployed this code and this is what they have seen:

DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS
30 sec skip
Easier slow motion controlls
Disk Info displays percentage, not hours any more.
Faster guide interaction
Able to orginize guide by HD content.

This is all I have seen on this code, and not sure if we will see all of this.

Cox has a goal of 50 HD channels in the Wichita area by the end of the year. SciFi is suppose to be added within the next 3 months. But we will have to play the wait and see game if this comes true.

DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS
30 sec skip
Easier slow motion controlls
Disk Info displays percentage, not hours any more.
Faster guide interaction
Able to orginize guide by HD content.


If true, all this will be welcomed with open arms. Guess we'll find out in the morning...

Cox has a goal of 50 HD channels in the Wichita area by the end of the year. SciFi is suppose to be added within the next 3 months. But we will have to play the wait and see game if this comes true.

Any idea when we are going to see the TiVo thing show up here in the ICT? I know its just being launched as a beta or whatever somewhere up in the New York area, but just figured I would ask. A TiVo based DVR could keep me content on Cox for a few more months before I start complaining again. :p Or better yet, keep me from leaving.

Cox will be doing a code update tonigt after midnight. So just a head's up.

What I see on the web this new code might offer some fixes, but will have to wait and see. Other's systems have deployed this code and this is what they have seen:

DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS
30 sec skip
Easier slow motion controlls
Disk Info displays percentage, not hours any more.
Faster guide interaction
Able to orginize guide by HD content.

This is all I have seen on this code, and not sure if we will see all of this.

Thanks for the info. My DVR clock stopped at 2:05am and the box rebooted at 2:20. It is now up and I can change channels - though very sluggish and slow. Nothing else is working in the menu/guide/DVR functions. Since the upgrade may still be in progress I'm not worrying about it yet.

EDIT 1 (2:40am): One more reboot and everything looks normal again.

EDIT 2 (2:53am): Another reboot.

EDIT 3 (3:03am): Total lockup. Video is frozen. Clock is stuck on 3:03am. Afraid to touch unit since no clue if another update is happening or not. This is kind of madening for someone up at this hour.

EDIT 4 (3:16am): Another reboot. Unit responsive again.

FINAL EDIT (8:36am): Running great since the last reboot. That was some upgrade process though. If I didn't know what was happening due to this thread I would have likely unplugged the thing like it went bad and called customer service today.

Since there is so much posted on here about COX, how about some information about DISH Network for a change!

DISH has announced a new round of HD channels coming, supposedly in the next few months. The one that excites me the most is WGN! Go Cubbies!

ABC Family
AMC
BET
Biography
Bravo
Cartoon Network
CNN
CMT
Disney
ESPN News
HBO2
IFC
MGMHD
MTV
MoreMAX
Nickelodeon
Sci-Fi
Smithsonian
Starz Edge
Tennis
Toon Disney
USA Network
VH1
The Weather Channel
WGN

This information was taken from a summary of a Charlie Chat, a program where the CEO of DISH discusses new information and takes questions from callers and emailers.

Jeff

Cox will be doing a code update tonigt after midnight. So just a head's up.

What I see on the web this new code might offer some fixes, but will have to wait and see. Other's systems have deployed this code and this is what they have seen:

DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS
30 sec skip
Easier slow motion controlls
Disk Info displays percentage, not hours any more.
Faster guide interaction
Able to orginize guide by HD content.

This is all I have seen on this code, and not sure if we will see all of this.

I noticed in the settings menu that there is now an option for Caller ID. It's enabled by default, but it doesn't appear to do anything (I have Cox's Digital Telephone service).

Cox has a goal of 50 HD channels in the Wichita area by the end of the year. SciFi is suppose to be added within the next 3 months. But we will have to play the wait and see game if this comes true.

Good to know!

I noticed in the settings menu that there is now an option for Caller ID. It's enabled by default, but it doesn't appear to do anything (I have Cox's Digital Telephone service).

Coming soon. Say 3Q of 2008.

We got the DVR update here in Northern KS this morning as well. Any idea how the 30 second skip is supposed to work? I saw in another thread to press play twice, but that's what puts it in slow motion (as it did before).

(Guessing that Cox disabled that one for us before it made it into production)

We got the DVR update here in Northern KS this morning as well. Any idea how the 30 second skip is supposed to work? I saw in another thread to press play twice, but that's what puts it in slow motion (as it did before).

(Guessing that Cox disabled that one for us before it made it into production)

Looks like they did. Not surprising since Cox does sell ad time to local companies. Be hard to offer a skip button and sell ad time. But maybe one day.

My Cox DVR update went off well. I find the response time of the guide noticeably improved. I'm not convinced that showing the DVR remaining time in percent rather than SD time is helpful, and think I preferred time estimates. But I've got a third of capacity open, so I'm in pretty good shape.

I don't know what kscableguy means by "DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS". What is EAS?

My Cox DVR update went off well. I find the response time of the guide noticeably improved. I'm not convinced that showing the DVR remaining time in percent rather than SD time is helpful, and think I preferred time estimates. But I've got a third of capacity open, so I'm in pretty good shape.

I don't know what kscableguy means by "DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS". What is EAS?

Emergency Alert System...so when Cox is required to do the montly/weekly EAS test, your recording is only interupted for 30 seconds or so.

Since there is so much posted on here about COX, how about some information about DISH Network for a change!

DISH has announced a new round of HD channels coming, supposedly in the next few months. The one that excites me the most is WGN! Go Cubbies!

ABC Family
AMC
BET
Biography
Bravo
Cartoon Network
CNN
CMT
Disney
ESPN News
HBO2
IFC
MGMHD
MTV
MoreMAX
Nickelodeon
Sci-Fi
Smithsonian
Starz Edge
Tennis
Toon Disney
USA Network
VH1
The Weather Channel
WGN

This information was taken from a summary of a Charlie Chat, a program where the CEO of DISH discusses new information and takes questions from callers and emailers.

Jeff
Can someone clarify, do all the DISH “HD” channels broadcast mostly HD source content, or are they more like TBS-HD where they basically upconvert (and/or stretch) the regular channels SD programming?

Can someone clarify, do all the DISH “HD” channels broadcast mostly HD source content, or are they more like TBS-HD where they basically upconvert (and/or stretch) the regular channels SD programming?

There is some of each.
The channel is the channel. If they stretch a lot of stuff like TBS, they do it on COX and DISH (it's not a carrier issue).

You can tell easiest if a channel has no regard for original aspect ratios by watching commercials (most still arent HD)

Noted stretch-o-vision channels:
TBS
TNT
A&E
History
??

Years ago ESPN did this, but they wised up. Now as more and more channels convert to HD, they seem to want to stretch everything that isnt HD. I hate it!

I would venture to say that DirecTV has a lot more "stretchers" than DISH. They claim to have 70 or 100 HD channels, but there just aren't that many true HD national channels yet.

Jeff

I don’t put History in the same league as TBS. I’ve seen lots of natvie HD on there.

Thanks, and yes, it’s easy to see it when I’M watching, but I don’t have sat. I’m wondering how “HD” all these supposedly “HD” channels that are on the sat. systems.....like AMC, Bravo, Bio, CMT, the Strz ones, etc.

Specifically, someone on another forum who has a sat. system in another area of the country said how awesome a particular program looked in “High Def”on CMT’s HD channel. I’m 99% sure that the program was shot in SD and upconverted. :)

I don’t put History in the same league as TBS. I’ve seen lots of natvie HD on there.

I'll give you that. I just don't like channels that stretch anything. And the History channel does do that. There's no excuse for it. If it is SD, display it as 4x3 as originally intended!

Jeff

Agreed. I’m not an ultra-ultra-purist on SD aspect ratio, but please don’t force us to watch the WORST stretch mode available to mankind.

I recorded LOST last night on my Cox HD DVR. Before the update was done, a red indicator light would be on on clock/channel display screen when recording; I noticed last night it was not on, even though the show recorded. Has anyone else noticed this? Is a feature that the user can turn on or off?

My Cox DVR update went off well. I find the response time of the guide noticeably improved. I'm not convinced that showing the DVR remaining time in percent rather than SD time is helpful, and think I preferred time estimates. But I've got a third of capacity open, so I'm in pretty good shape.

I don't know what kscableguy means by "DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS". What is EAS?

I don't like the percent showing on how much of the hard drive space remains. If the software is smart enough to figure out the percent-- Why not take it 1 or 2 more steps and convert that to SD and HD hours. How much do they figure 1 hour of HD content is in gigs?? Is the percentage shown X% * 160 gig hard drive. Or is that a percent of what ever is left over after all the software is loaded, etc???

It seems I'm able to scroll through the menus much quicker..also deleting programs too....

I don't like the percent showing on how much of the hard drive space remains. If the software is smart enough to figure out the percent-- Why not take it 1 or 2 more steps and convert that to SD and HD hours.

I agree. You beat me to this. The percentage remaining is completely useless. It may not be easy to estimate how much time is left based on differing compression rates used on different channels, but make an effort.

Telling me what percentage of the disk is free tells me nothing about how many programs I can record if I go on an extended vacation.

Jeff

Cox will be doing a code update tonigt after midnight. So just a head's up.

What I see on the web this new code might offer some fixes, but will have to wait and see. Other's systems have deployed this code and this is what they have seen:

DVR's start the recording back-up after EAS
30 sec skip
Easier slow motion controlls
Disk Info displays percentage, not hours any more.
Faster guide interaction
Able to orginize guide by HD content.

This is all I have seen on this code, and not sure if we will see all of this.

still no sign of the new HD channels mentioned here:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/29/cox-adds-six-more-hd-channels-to-kansas-lineup/

still no sign of the new HD channels mentioned here:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/29/cox-adds-six-more-hd-channels-to-kansas-lineup/

Using a CableCard? Are you in Wichita? I heard that they have them in Wichita, but not in other Kansas markets. Also there was a talk about ow they are on SDV, so CableCard users can't see them. :-/

I recorded LOST last night on my Cox HD DVR. Before the update was done, a red indicator light would be on on clock/channel display screen when recording; I noticed last night it was not on, even though the show recorded. Has anyone else noticed this? Is a feature that the user can turn on or off?

OK so I wasn't imagining that the light was off either. BUG!

Using a CableCard? Are you in Wichita? I heard that they have them in Wichita, but not in other Kansas markets. Also there was a talk about ow they are on SDV, so CableCard users can't see them. :-/
No CableCard; just Cox HD service through their Motorola box. I'm ~150 miles W/SW of Wichita and get all the Wichita market stations, so I assume I'm in the Cox Wichita market. Still, none of these new channels are present in the vast empty gulf between channels 628 and 670.

No CableCard; just Cox HD service through their Motorola box. I'm ~150 miles W/SW of Wichita and get all the Wichita market stations, so I assume I'm in the Cox Wichita market. Still, none of these new channels are present in the vast empty gulf between channels 628 and 670.

Wichita Cox Systemis the following cities: Wichita, Andover, Rose Hill, Derby, Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, Goddard, Maize, Cheney, Garden Plane, Belle Aire and Haysville.

Also I think they added these channels to the Topeka system too.

Garden City/Dodge City don't have the new channels yet. Have to wait til Cox does your system upgrade. They are doing Newton, El Dorado Systems right now.

Why is Fox doing a crappy SD simualcast of the Big 12 BB Tourney? To make things worse, the game is listed on ESPN2 where we could see it in HD but is blacked out.

Why is Fox doing a crappy SD simualcast of the Big 12 BB Tourney? To make things worse, the game is listed on ESPN2 where we could see it in HD but is blacked out.

Why do you call it a simulcast? That is the ESPN+/Big 12 Phillips 66 broadcast of the game (with their own announcers). ESPN put on a seperate broadcast which is blacked out here because the former has broadcast rights in this area.

What I want to know, is when is the "Jayhawk Netork" or Big 12 network will be HD.

Jeff

OK so I wasn't imagining that the light was off either. BUG!

My unit (6412) is recording now and the red light is on. It's been on during 2-3 recordings since the update.

Why do you call it a simulcast? That is the ESPN+/Big 12 Phillips 66 broadcast of the game (with their own announcers). ESPN put on a seperate broadcast which is blacked out here because the former has broadcast rights in this area.

What I want to know, is when is the "Jayhawk Netork" or Big 12 network will be HD.

Jeff

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.

Wichita Cox Systemis the following cities: Wichita, Andover, Rose Hill, Derby, Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, Goddard, Maize, Cheney, Garden Plane, Belle Aire and Haysville.

Also I think they added these channels to the Topeka system too.

Garden City/Dodge City don't have the new channels yet. Have to wait til Cox does your system upgrade. They are doing Newton, El Dorado Systems right now.

Funny how I've always received the Wichita stations...confusing.

Still in all seriousness, I do defer to the font of knowledge in this forum - thanks for the info.

Now tell us when DOCSIS 3 will be here.