they use to say, in regards to ESPN2, that they weren't adding it because not even satellite had added it. In essence, no competition. I don't know what they are saying now.

Why is TWC so reluctant to add more HD content?

HD offerings are bandwidth hogs:2 per frequency. TWC already busted the ceiling with their analog simulcast. Unless you want compressed D*-like HD, they've got to come up with a bigger pipe.

it's been 1 year since i got my HDTV and switched from DirecTV to Time Warner. I don't believe a single HD channel has been added in that time frame.

I'm sure TNT in HD was only added this year, and UniversalHD if you count that week it was on.

Regarding TWC bandwidth, their system is most likely capable of 750 to 860 Mhz. Their analogue transmissions occupy the bandwidth below 550 Mhz. This leaves at least 200 Mhz for digital transmissions, or at least 33 six Mhz wide channels. Assuming they mux as many as 12 channels per channel, it's still a lot of RF real estate to play with.

Look for TWC to add Universal next year, and perhaps Food and HGTV.

Don't hold your breath for WLFL-22 or WRDC-28. Sinclair Broadcasting hates cable and satellite operators almost as much as they hate liberals.

Why is TWC so reluctant to add more HD content?

I suspect it's a bit of a chicken and egg problem. TWC needs to see more people buy the HD Suite so they can justify adding more channels and folks want more channels before they'll buy the HD Suite. I also think there's a real dirth of decent HD channels to pick from. Outside the premium movie channels I think most of the HD content is coming from the networks anyway.

For DirecTV all this is an issue *plus* the bandwidth on the satellites (which will get someone better as they transition everything to MPEG4).

Why is TWC so reluctant to add more HD content?

HD offerings are bandwidth hogs:2 per frequency. TWC already busted the ceiling with their analog simulcast. Unless you want compressed D*-like HD, they've got to come up with a bigger pipe.


Then why does WRAL explain it like this:

Digital broadcasts use the same amount of bandwidth (6 megahertz) as used in the current analog system. But the efficiencies of DTV allow for the transmission of more information than the analog system. This translates into higher quality in picture and sound, and more flexibility in programming.

http://www.wral.com/news/2179565/detail.html

deArgila,
TNT-HD via my LG STB is english tonight on 84.3. Law and Order right about now.
Did you try a re-scan perhaps?

cbordman,

What WRAL is trying to say is that a broadcaster is "granted" the same 6 Mhz wide slot for his digital transmission as he has for his analogue transmission. Because of ths efficiencies of digital, he is able to cram higher quality and more quantity into the same amount of space. Therefore while 6 Mhz will only support one analogue standard definition transmission, it can support one HDTV and a couple of subchannels, or several standard definition signals in the same space.

Think CD and mp3. While one disc supports only album in CD format, the same disc can hold a dozen or so albums in the mp3 format. Cable can support even more data than a broadcaster because being transmitted through a protected envirnment, the signal does not need nearly as much error correction as a signal being transmitted through the hostile envirornment of open space.

Satellite is also not as efficient as cable for the same reasons.

deArgila,
TNT-HD via my LG STB is english tonight on 84.3. Law and Order right about now.
Did you try a re-scan perhaps?

I'm not deArgila, but I have an LG based tuner in my Zenith HDTV, and I noticed TNT-HD working for me for the first time in quite a while over the weekend. I was channel surfing, and I noticed that Saving Private Ryan had audio, and it was in English. Yesterday I was home for lunch around noon, and TNT-HD had some syndicated show on which had the audio track in Spanish (or maybe Portugese?). This is the behavior I remember from before we lost audio: some shows in Spanish, and some in English.

For what its worth, my DVR's tuner never has a problem with TNT-HD, and everything I watch from TNT-HD (Alias) is DVR'ed, so I haven't really missed the audio. Now that I've built a DVR, I almost never watch anything live anyway..

In the past (during the audio blackouts with LG tuners), my DVR usually found 3 audio tracks for TNT-HD: English. Spanish, and Portugese. Maybe the extra track is what confuses our buggy LG tuners..?

Drew

so when they say 1 channel of HD is a bandwidth hog, i guess it is, but it doesn't consume as much bandwidth as 1 analog channel?

No, in fact TWC has at least two HDTV channels in one 6 Mhz slot, TNT and Discovery show up as subchannels of the same parent channel on a channel scan on my built in QAM tuner. My guess is that you could possibly squeeze as many as four HDTV channels into a 6 Mhz cable channel, (as opposed to 12 standard definition channels), but that's only a guess.

The main reason there isn't more HDTV available is simply because there is still very little out there. Apparently TWC has entered into an agreement with NBC Universal that would likely bring Universal HD here locally, Food and HGTV have yet to launch their HDTV channels, and besides a couple of premium channels and ESPN 2, pickins' is slim.

The cable industry's long term strategy is to migrate all reception to the digital realm, freeing up tons of bandwidth. This will however require either set top boxes or built in QAM tuners, (not the same type tuner required under FCC rules). Expect this transition to take several years.

[This leaves at least 200 Mhz for digital transmissions, or at least 33 six Mhz wide channels. Assuming they mux as many as 12 channels per channel, it's still a lot of RF real estate to play with.]

Where do you suppose they put all the existing digital plus all the digital copies of the analog channels when they went simulcast? With HD, do the math: about 39Mbps per QAM frequency, 15-18Mbps per HD source.

OK, then two HD sources per QAM frequency, plus a couple of SD's. So a dozen or so HD take up 6 QAM channels, leaving maybe 27 remaining. 27 times 12 still leaves room for as many as 354 standard channels. These numbers may not be quite right, but you get the idea. And I'm not sure that the 15-18Mbps number is indicative of the data rate required for broadcast or cable. And if TWC operates out to 870 Mhz, add another 20 6Mhz wide channels.

I do know this. Converting DirecTV's 1000 Mhz worth of bandwidth (500 Mhz per polarity) from QPSK (satellite modulation scheme) to QAM (cable modulation scheme) can be accomplised in around 192 Mhz, again because in the relatively sanitary RF environment of a closed circuit system.

I'm not an engineer, I just know enough to be dangerous. Maybe someone with credentials can shed some additional light on all of this.

Quick update, confirmed that a 256 QAM (38.4Mbps) 6 Mhz wide channel CAN carry from 7-12 standard definition channels, or 2 HD+ channels. The rest of the math is correct, 33 to 53 6 Mhz slots available. Also in this bandwidth would be the audio channels (music choice), downstream IP telephony, downstream data (roadrunner), etc, none of which require much bandwidth compared to video.

One BIG bandwidth hog is VOD, or video on demand...., which is why cable companies divide service areas into "neighborhood nodes" of a few hundred homes, so they can reuse those frequencies allocated to VOD over and over again. Once your node has "demanded" all the available bandwidth in your node, you cannot access VOD, and get the "Program unavailabe at this time" message. VOD IS the future and cable operators are trying to free up bandwidth and subdivide nodes to keep up with the growing demand.

None of this is really Raleigh related so I'll shut up now.

One BIG bandwidth hog is VOD, or video on demand...., which is why cable companies divide service areas into "neighborhood nodes" of a few hundred homes, so they can reuse those frequencies allocated to VOD over and over again. Once your node has "demanded" all the available bandwidth in your node, you cannot access VOD, and get the "Program unavailabe at this time" message. VOD IS the future and cable operators are trying to free up bandwidth and subdivide nodes to keep up with the growing demand.

None of this is really Raleigh related so I'll shut up now.

that VOD limitation is a real bind when popular movies start hitting the movie channel. Especially on Saturday night when a lot of people are watching. I've had several occasions where I couldn't access a movie or made the mistake of pausing only to find I couldn't get the feed back.

Busy node in my area thanks to all the apartments.

For TWC-San Diego, Digital Simulcast took 6 additional QAM channel assignments, each supporting as many as 13 SD channels.
How do they look? Many are better than their fuzzy analog counterparts...and most look overcompressed.
Statistical Multiplexing was reportedly used at a centralized Network Operations Center for optimal combining, plus up to two local SD streams.

Details on the channelization plus more on these subjects can be found in our local thread:
http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/2/3172.html#POST21248

Currently, our QAM-256 carriers are configured to support either two 1080i HD programs (e.g. HDNET/HDMOV, inHD1/inHD1)
and "worst case" is a total of two 1080i plus one 720i HD programs (e.g FOX-HD, NBC-HD and PBS-HD).

With only about 38 Mbps available in a QAM-256 carrier, splitting it four ways would allocate about 9.5 Mbps per HD program.
This is typical for current overcompressed "HD-lite" feeds on DirecTV: http://www.widemovies.com/dfwbitrate.html
Let's hope this does not happen. Optimal packing would be either two 1080i or three 720i HD programs per carrier.

======================================
DirecTV plans to provide 150 non-local HD programs over the next two years, which I presume means perhaps 50 HDs per timezone.
Let's see, we could be watching VOOM-I plus VOOM-II plus most of those on this list: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=164671

SWITCHED VIDEO BROADCAST is Time Warner's planned upgrade which will permit the addition of 50 more HD channels...
plus whatever additional capacity is freed up for VoIP/OnDemand/VOD/et.al. by dropping a few/some/lots/all of the analog channels:
http://www.bigbandnet.com/news/inTheNews/2005/news_053105a.php
http://www.bigbandnet.com/news/inTheNews/2005/news_062705a.php
http://www.ct-magazine.com/archives/ct/1105/1105_buildingaswitched.htm
http://www.cedmagazine.net/ced/2005/0405/ID-0405.pdf

holl_ands,

Thanks for the information!!!! Is there a thread that specifically deals directly with TWC Raleigh issues??? The San Diego site is great.

One other question. Will a CableCARD remap channels to match the channel lineup on the STB or am I stuck what the TV says??? Nobody at TWC Raleigh is really sure, i.e., I've gotten conflicting responses from different CSRs. Before I pay the $42.50 installation charge and take a half a day of vacation, I'd like a definitive answer.

And will existing TV's with CableCARD capabilities support two way cards if and when they become available???

I plan on using the CableCARD as an "in addition to" rather than an "instead of" solution, so as not to give up the benefits of the set top box, but to add the convenience and improved technical aspects of a direct TV connection. Thoughts????

I have COX Cable in Eastern NC with a SA8300 HD DVR (SARA). Lately I have had an interesting issue when recording NC17 programs on COX channel 707. All of my recordings result in mutiple episodes split out by commercials and episode segments.

ie..
Medium 10:00PM 1 min
Medium 10:01PM 4 min
Medium 10:04PM 9 min etc....

This continues until the program ends and each segment is either a commercial break or a program segment.

Anyone else with this issue?

At what point do you think we will see analog channels being removed and replaced with an HD channel? Right now there is ESPN and ESPNHD. How many years will it be before ESPN goes bye bye, and ESPNHD is the only ESPN you can get?

Ugh! Anyone know why my TW SA 8300 won't "remember" to record shows I tell it to record? I've had Lost loaded in my "Season Pass" list for ever, only to tune in last night after the Duke game to find that it's not recorded the first 45 min.

This problem has happened repeatedly. (You'd think I'd have figured it out by now...) Am I missing something? Set to record first runs, original channel, and save up to 5 episodes.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

At what point do you think we will see analog channels being removed and replaced with an HD channel? Right now there is ESPN and ESPNHD. How many years will it be before ESPN goes bye bye, and ESPNHD is the only ESPN you can get?

Since only a very tiny percentage of customers actually have HDTVs, it will be many, many, many years (probably never) before non-HD ESPN is gone.

Since only a very tiny percentage of customers actually have HDTVs,snip...

I wonder what the percentages are. When I go to Circuit City, Sears, etc., the only TV's I see walking out the door are big screen HDTV's. The ratio of HD's vs. non-HD's has to be steadily going up.

deArgila,
TNT-HD via my LG STB is english tonight on 84.3. Law and Order right about now.
Did you try a re-scan perhaps?


ER right now is working fine - english audio. :) Hope it lasts.

EDIT: spoke too soon - Judging Amy is in spanish, though the commercials are in english.

Hello,

Please pardon me if this is the wrong forum.

I live in N. Raleigh, near Leesville & I-540. I had the D* DVR - HR250 installed late August along with a roof top mounted antennae for the locals. Up until late last week, I received:

WRAL - 5.1
WTVD - 11.1
WNCN - 17.1
WRAZ - 50.1

All were perfect with few and far between drop-outs, pixeling, etc.

Lately, I have many pixeling and drop-outs, especially on WNCN. Can someone help me pinpoint this problem? This is my first experience with a roof top antennae, always used the D* receiver for locals but I have an HDTV and really enjoy watch the locals in this format.

Thanks

Hello,

Please pardon me if this is the wrong forum.

I live in N. Raleigh, near Leesville & I-540. I had the D* DVR - HR250 installed late August along with a roof top mounted antennae for the locals. Up until late last week, I received:

WRAL - 5.1
WTVD - 11.1
WNCN - 17.1
WRAZ - 50.1

All were perfect with few and far between drop-outs, pixeling, etc.

Lately, I have many pixeling and drop-outs, especially on WNCN. Can someone help me pinpoint this problem? This is my first experience with a roof top antennae, always used the D* receiver for locals but I have an HDTV and really enjoy watch the locals in this format.

Thanks

In all likelihood, you're now getting multi-path interference that you weren't getting before. It's probably due to all the leaves falling.

You probably need to get your antenna re-peaked or get a better antenna installed. If you need my help with either, let me know. :)

Ugh! Anyone know why my TW SA 8300 won't "remember" to record shows I tell it to record? I've had Lost loaded in my "Season Pass" list for ever, only to tune in last night after the Duke game to find that it's not recorded the first 45 min.

This problem has happened repeatedly. (You'd think I'd have figured it out by now...) Am I missing something? Set to record first runs, original channel, and save up to 5 episodes.
...

Hi Erik,

Occasionally my SA8300HD will decide to ignore a series I have set up to record. Or decide to ignore multiple series I have set up to record, even though they are still listed in the series manager screen. Once it has decided to ignore a series, it will ignore it forever. I have to enter the series manager, delete the series from the list, then go back to the guide and re-setup the series to be recorded.

I have not figured out what triggers this selective amnesia. A power outage? A brown out? A firmware push from TWC? A reboot from TWC? A bad box? Phase of the moon? Meh.

I have no idea, but I keep a suspicious eye on my SA8300HD. The red "RECORD" indicator is always a comforting sight.

Not much help, but you're not alone.

Sooke

ER right now is working fine - english audio. :) Hope it lasts.

EDIT: spoke too soon - Judging Amy is in spanish, though the commercials are in english.


I wish it would have lasted but it has not.
TNT-HD for my LG STB is once again GONE tonight. Nothing, zip, nadda.

IF there are any TWC engineers looking around.... You had it fixed for a bit (well, except for the occasional spanish version)
Please try again.
Hope your listening.

WildBill, deArgila:

How is your PBS reception with LG tuners these days? This week I noticed that PBS is again gone for my LG based TV. It had been working well until very recently. However, my DVR (with a Dvico Fusion HDTV5-Gold tuner) still gets it just fine. The TV and the DVR run from the same splitter, and the DVR is more sensitive to a weak signal, so I'm assuming it is another LG specific reception problem.

BTW, when I checked this morning, I still had TNT-HD, but I also had no sound at all on the TV.
That was at about 8:30am.

Drew

WildBill, deArgila:

How is your PBS reception with LG tuners these days? This week I noticed that PBS is again gone for my LG based TV. It had been working well until very recently. However, my DVR (with a Dvico Fusion HDTV5-Gold tuner) still gets it just fine. The TV and the DVR run from the same splitter, and the DVR is more sensitive to a weak signal, so I'm assuming it is another LG specific reception problem.

BTW, when I checked this morning, I still had TNT-HD, but I also had no sound at all on the TV.
That was at about 8:30am.

Drew

Same here. No audio on TNT-HD and no PBS-HD. I had PBS on the LG as recently as last weekend. Both working fine (video and audio) on my Samsung T-451, however.

holl_ands,

Thanks for the information!!!! Is there a thread that specifically deals directly with TWC Raleigh issues??? The San Diego site is great.

One other question. Will a CableCARD remap channels to match the channel lineup on the STB or am I stuck what the TV says??? Nobody at TWC Raleigh is really sure, i.e., I've gotten conflicting responses from different CSRs. Before I pay the $42.50 installation charge and take a half a day of vacation, I'd like a definitive answer.

And will existing TV's with CableCARD capabilities support two way cards if and when they become available???

I plan on using the CableCARD as an "in addition to" rather than an "instead of" solution, so as not to give up the benefits of the set top box, but to add the convenience and improved technical aspects of a direct TV connection. Thoughts????
I don't use CableCARD so can't comment re your channel remapping issue.
Seems that the CableCARD should respond to the same channel numbers as an STB, unless your HDTV has some sort of built-in remappng function.

Two-Way CableCARD-II is presumably backwards compatible with CableCARD-I HDTVs, but will operate as if they still had a CC-I installed.

Current HDTVs were developed prior to finalization of the CC-II specification, and hence do not have internal firmware
to take advantage of the new two-way features: Dual Tuner Decryption, Navigator Guide, OnDemand and PPV VOD.

You might want to call your HDTV customer service line to ask, but I doubt that FEW IF ANY will be upgradeable for CC-II.

here's a vote for TWC to add ESPN2 HD before anything else...not that what I say really makes any difference, especially given how long it took TWC & ESPN to come to an agreement on the original ESPN HD.

Unfortunately, as it is, UNC-TV isn't broadcasting a HD signal from what I understand. The PBS loop that is availbe via TW Cable is breathtaking, but alas OTA, they don't broadcast (PBS that is).
I'm over in Charlotte, and wondered if this is really still the case in Raleigh. The way it works here is that during prime-time, we get HD, but the rest of the time, only the Time-Warner cable gets the HD feed; the OTA HD channel is dark. The other four subchannels during non-prime time are all SD and contain many, many repeats. That's cool... the point is that room can be made in the schedule for what's missing! (see below).

Many of the non-prime-time HD shows are never available OTA. I think they should be repeated on an SD subchannel at standard definition, but they are not. Some repeats may be found, but there are a bunch that just are not available over the air. One example is "Eyes of Nye". I've never seen it, but my kids used to like the other "Bill Nye" show, so I wanted to check that one out, but it's not possible. Other examples shouldn't be too hard to find.

I just wondered what UNCTV is doing in Raleigh, and if they are messing-over the Raleigh OTA people as bad as they are in Charlotte, or worse.

--Dale--

You can see the UNCTV HD schedule here - http://www.unctv.org/whatson/index.php?channel=UNCHD

On this page you'll also see this comment - "Below is the UNC-HD schedule for Time Warner digital cable subscribers ONLY. If you do not subscribe to Time Warner digital cable, you can see UNC-HD only from 8-11 PM."

As you can see, except for 3 hours per evening, OTA users are out-of-luck.

Steve

WildBill, deArgila:

How is your PBS reception with LG tuners these days? This week I noticed that PBS is again gone for my LG based TV. It had been working well until very recently. However, my DVR (with a Dvico Fusion HDTV5-Gold tuner) still gets it just fine. The TV and the DVR run from the same splitter, and the DVR is more sensitive to a weak signal, so I'm assuming it is another LG specific reception problem.

BTW, when I checked this morning, I still had TNT-HD, but I also had no sound at all on the TV.
That was at about 8:30am.

Drew


Drew,
DeArgila said it right. Things were looking hopeful last week but this week it is back to the same old song and dance, perhaps worse. No TNT-HD audio and I could not get any PBS QAM stations last night. (none)
Ahhhh well, I guess I am about to give up hope on this LG unit. I don't have the $$ to replace it now but evidently it is a bit weird in the QAM reception department.

UNC OTA programming can be frustrating. They will show the NTSC show which typically corresponds to the tv guide for what is being broadcast at 8pm. But than you go to the ATSC equivalent and it will be being shown on 4.1 not 4.2 where 4.1 is SD and 4.2 is HD. Meanwhile 4.2"HD" is rebroadcasting a Civil War show that is 90 percent still pics and grainy.

I am sure that UNC has their reasons.

The other thing I notice they don't use the online guide. It always says no programming available or something to that effect.

-Don B

WildBill, deArgila:

How is your PBS reception with LG tuners these days? This week I noticed that PBS is again gone for my LG based TV. It had been working well until very recently. However, my DVR (with a Dvico Fusion HDTV5-Gold tuner) still gets it just fine. The TV and the DVR run from the same splitter, and the DVR is more sensitive to a weak signal, so I'm assuming it is another LG specific reception problem.

BTW, when I checked this morning, I still had TNT-HD, but I also had no sound at all on the TV.
That was at about 8:30am.

Drew

Drew,

I use an LG tuner here in my office to receive TWC and our tests have shown that the LG tuner box needs about 10 dB more signal to lock on and display a picture than does a typical HD cable box from TWC. I provided TWC with a LG tuner box some time ago so that they could check out possible problems.

Wayne, did you determine the OTA signal needs for the LG tuner?

Wayne Estabrooks,

Howdy, long time no see post. ;) Wanted to ask you if UNC TV passes Gemstars data for TVGuide On Screen (TVGOS) program guide and if so do you know if TWC passes it through?

All -- I am in Cary, and have two Terk TV32s in the attic -- one pointed SE at WTVD, WRAL, WRAZ, WRDC, WNCN, and WLFL, and the other pointed NW at WUNC. The feeds are connected via a standard cable TV splitter, then run down to my Samsung SIR-TS360 in the basement.

I do have a house up the hill smack in the way of the SE stations.

Problem: I get all the above stations just fine with this configuration except for WTVD, and WNCN. Tried a Rat Shack Model: 15-2507 amplfier, which gets me the two deviant stations intermittantly, but also makes the other stations drop out occasionally.

Read all about Terks being junk, etc., and how I need the biggest antenna possible, outside, but I want to try to keep the setup in my attic.

Anybody else have problems with ABC and NBC? Suggestions?

With regard to ABC and NBC, I am having trouble as well. I have 2 HD Tivo Receivers with a CM 4228 antenna in my attic with a short coax run (15'). I have also tried one of the Terks plus an amplifier, with no improvement. I get 90+ for both CBS and Fox. NBC is a little weak (60's) but most of the time stable. However, ABC runs most of the time in the 60's but drops on an off to 0, 14, etc. then back to the 60's. This causes dropouts and pixelization.

I am considering trying the new Terk HDLPlp/Winegard Sharpshooter, but I'm not sure that will help.

Is any one else seeing this and does anybody have a solution. I live in North Raleigh near Falls of Neuse and Spring Forest.

here's a vote for TWC to add ESPN2 HD before anything else...not that what I say really makes any difference, especially given how long it took TWC & ESPN to come to an agreement on the original ESPN HD.

Why ???

It is rare I ever see HD 16:9 format on the ESPN-HD we already have.
I would rather have another hdnet or inhd clone that would be HD 24/7.
If I thought for a minute ESPN2-HD would broadcast in HD 16:9 half the time, I would agree with you.
I think ESPN-HD looks like crap if the content is not HD. I get a better picture off of the standard ESPN (31) if it's not HD.

With regard to ABC and NBC, I am having trouble as well. I have 2 HD Tivo Receivers with a CM 4228 antenna in my attic with a short coax run (15'). I have also tried one of the Terks plus an amplifier, with no improvement. I get 90+ for both CBS and Fox. NBC is a little weak (60's) but most of the time stable. However, ABC runs most of the time in the 60's but drops on an off to 0, 14, etc. then back to the 60's. This causes dropouts and pixelization.

I am considering trying the new Terk HDLPlp/Winegard Sharpshooter, but I'm not sure that will help.

Is any one else seeing this and does anybody have a solution. I live in North Raleigh near Falls of Neuse and Spring Forest.

I had similar issues with NBC and ABC when my antenna was in the attic (Channel Master 4228 I believe). I finally bit the bullet and moved it to the roof and all the problems went away. All the building material between the antenna and the transmitter was just causing too much multipath bounceback. I don't think a different antenna (or an amplifier) is really going to help with that problem.

What outdoor antenna did you us for your roof?

What outdoor antenna did you us for your roof?

Same antenna, just got a roof mount for it. All the signal strengths jumped like 20% *and* all my multipath problems went away.

Well at least a Terk HDLPlp/Winegard Sharpshooter will look better when it is mounted outside. Called the tech support guy at Winegard, and he pretty much said the same thing -- mount outside.

Just a reminder that WRAL will spec and provide a free roof top antenna with proof of purchase of a HD receiver.

any idea if Over-the-air HD signals can be received from Duke's campus? I went to the online antenna app and it recommended red (med size w/o amp) and blue (med size w/ amp) to receive most of the signals in the Triangle area.

Thing is that Duke's TV programming sucks and my many attempts at convincing them to broadcast in HD have failed due to a retarded priority of bandwidth allocation (they feel the need to broadcast Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian and Serbian channels instead of providing ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in HD).

It is also school policy to not allow satellites to be put up on the roof so I would somehow need to conceal or place my antenna on the ground, which I think would be ineffective due to the high buildings surrounding 1/2 of the quad I live in.

Digital cable is also out of the question since cables would not be allowed to run under the campus, but I do know that they use Time Warner digital cable and block most of the channels as I have seen the channel guide once or twice when something went wrong with the system. any help would be greatly appreciated!

any idea if Over-the-air HD signals can be received from Duke's campus? I went to the online antenna app and it recommended red (med size w/o amp) and blue (med size w/ amp) to receive most of the signals in the Triangle area.

Thing is that Duke's TV programming sucks and my many attempts at convincing them to broadcast in HD have failed due to a retarded priority of bandwidth allocation (they feel the need to broadcast Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian and Serbian channels instead of providing ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in HD).

Just so you have your facts straight, the decision about HD isn't bandwidth related at Duke, it's because the cable plant is still analog, so HD can't be broadcast over the cable infrastructure at all. The cable plant is subsidized by the academic areas, so that is why those educational channels are on the system. If they weren't there you would have no cable at all.


It is also school policy to not allow satellites to be put up on the roof so I would somehow need to conceal or place my antenna on the ground, which I think would be ineffective due to the high buildings surrounding 1/2 of the quad I live in.


You have to have line of sight to the antenna. Buildings in the way will cause a problem, so putting it on the ground isn't going to be an option.


Digital cable is also out of the question since cables would not be allowed to run under the campus, but I do know that they use Time Warner digital cable and block most of the channels as I have seen the channel guide once or twice when something went wrong with the system. any help would be greatly appreciated!

Getting a digital feed and sending it out digital are two different things. See my comment above about the Duke cable infrastructure.

Drew and DeArgilla,
Which versions of the LG tuner do you have?
I have the 3100A.
Do either of you (or anyone using an LG HDTV STB) have a newer version to see if the TNT and PBS issues are resolved?

THANKS

Why ???

It is rare I ever see HD 16:9 format on the ESPN-HD we already have.
I would rather have another hdnet or inhd clone that would be HD 24/7.
If I thought for a minute ESPN2-HD would broadcast in HD 16:9 half the time, I would agree with you.
I think ESPN-HD looks like crap if the content is not HD. I get a better picture off of the standard ESPN (31) if it's not HD.
I totally disagree. While ESPN-HD does not have 24/7 HD content, most of the important stuff *is* in HD - Sportscenter, almost every big game (that ESPN carries), Sunday night NFL football, NFL Primetime, etc. Who caries if PTI is in HD? And some things, such as classic game coverage, obviously can't be in HD.

The only problem i have with them is when they throw random HD content on ESPN2-HD instead of regular ESPN-HD (probably for licensing reasons and/or regional restrictions). I also get a better picture out of ESPN-HD for SD coverage than i do off of TWC CH 31. I don't think it looks great, but it's certainly not "crap." It's at least as good as any other SD content.

If your goal is to watch random HD content to be wowed, then I can see where you're coming from. If your goal is simply to watch what you want to watch, but in HD, then ESPN-HD is doing a pretty good job for the time being.

I totally disagree. While ESPN-HD does not have 24/7 HD content, most of the important stuff *is* in HD - Sportscenter, almost every big game (that ESPN carries), Sunday night NFL football, NFL Primetime, etc. Who caries if PTI is in HD? And some things, such as classic game coverage, obviously can't be in HD.

The only problem i have with them is when they throw random HD content on ESPN2-HD instead of regular ESPN-HD (probably for licensing reasons and/or regional restrictions). I also get a better picture out of ESPN-HD for SD coverage than i do off of TWC CH 31. I don't think it looks great, but it's certainly not "crap." It's at least as good as any other SD content.

If your goal is to watch random HD content to be wowed, then I can see where you're coming from. If your goal is simply to watch what you want to watch, but in HD, then ESPN-HD is doing a pretty good job for the time being.

I agree with you, mikea28. They are pushing more and more to ESPN2HD to get providers like TWC to add the service. Traditionally, they are the last of the major cable providers to ever add anything of substance (unless you like numerous shopping channels and the other garbage they have added in the past year). Of course, they have not added one single HD channel in over a year. Even with the new agreement for Universal HD, we probably won't see if for months since they are so slow to do anything at the local level.

As a sports junkie, I would love to see them add ESPN2HD, ESPNU, and the NFL Network (TWC is the only one of the top 5 cable providers to not have a carriage agreement for the NFL Network). If you feel the same way, e-mail the Corporate VP of programming (fred.dressler@twcable.com) for Time Warner Cable. If you don't already know ... the "channel request" e-mail link on the local TWC web sites is totally worthless.

[QUOTE=pkscout]Just so you have your facts straight, the decision about HD isn't bandwidth related at Duke, it's because the cable plant is still analog, so HD can't be broadcast over the cable infrastructure at all. The cable plant is subsidized by the academic areas, so that is why those educational channels are on the system. If they weren't there you would have no cable at all.

NO NO NO. There is no such thing a an analog or digital cable plant. A cable plant will pass whatever signals you put into it. There's fiber and coax, but not digital and analog.

The transmission equipment at the headend dictates what signal modes are transmitted over the system, not the cable plant itself. It is indeed very simple and inexpensive to rechannelize and retransmit an 8VSB digital signal over a cable system, around $600/channel, using what's called a transcoder, which has an input converter which selects the physical channel, and an output converter which selects the channel that you transmit it over on the system. In our office, we pick up WRAL's digital channel 53 and transcode it to cable channel 10. ATSC TV's still recongnize it as 5.1, 5.2, etc.


There is no such thing as wire that passes analog and not digital, there is no such thing as a digital broadband CATV amplifier, there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna, or a "Windows Ready" keyboard.

(25 years engineering and designing cable systems, domestically and abroad)

Just a reminder that WRAL will spec and provide a free roof top antenna with proof of purchase of a HD receiver.

Just bought an LG receiver -- how do I find out about the roof top antenna deal from WRAL?

NO NO NO. There is no such thing a an analog or digital cable plant. A cable plant will pass whatever signals you put into it. There's fiber and coax, but not digital and analog.


Sorry I spoke inaccurately. The Duke folks over in the Televideo area always talk about the headend as "the cable plant," so I've gotten accustomed to that sloppy language. Duke has an analog headend and hasn't yet decided to reinvest in a digital headend. of course now that Cisco has bought SA maybe we can get Cisco to just give it to the Televideo folks. ;)

I'm thinking about getting a Sony HDD250 to record OTA HDTV, but I don't think it would be particularly useful without the guide info - which comes in via TV Guide.

Does anyone know what channel carries this in Raleigh (I've heard PBS in many but not all markets), and does it seem to work for most folks?

Also how good does the reception need to be in order to get the guide download?

I searched around but couldn't find any comments on the guide in Raleigh - thanks for any advice or experiences,
-Jim

Drew and DeArgilla,
Which versions of the LG tuner do you have?
I have the 3100A.
Do either of you (or anyone using an LG HDTV STB) have a newer version to see if the TNT and PBS issues are resolved?

THANKS


I have the 3510 - the one that has the upconverting DVD player. I haven't bothered with a newer LG, as I also have a Samsung T-451, which works great.

Is anyone else having a problem with HdNet Movies freezing for a few seconds every 15 minutes or so? (Time Warner Raleigh) Been going on for at least days.

Is anyone else having a problem with HdNet Movies freezing for a few seconds every 15 minutes or so? (Time Warner Raleigh) Been going on for at least days.

I noticed it several times in the last week. As I recall it was about a 5 second freeze. My wife and I would count it down each time it happened.

If you feel the same way, e-mail the Corporate VP of programming (fred.dressler@twcable.com) for Time Warner Cable. If you don't already know ... the "channel request" e-mail link on the local TWC web sites is totally worthless.
E-mail sent. Thanks for the info.

Wayne, did you determine the OTA signal needs for the LG tuner?

Jerry,

I have not done that but I plan to test the variety of receivers I have access to and will post the comparitive results. Thanks for the suggestion.
The LG and Samsung seem to have about equal performance for OTA from my unofficial observations so far. There are so many things to test, overload sensitivity, adjacent channel performance, but I don't have the lab equipment to accurately test all these things.
BTW, I have a new Hitachi 50 inch LCD rear projection set model 50V715 that I bought via UECWEB with integrated cable ready digital tuner and it seems to outperform the Samsung and LG STB's that I have for OTA. I also recently purchased the Radio Shack Accurian receiver on closeout for $89. So I have a variety of receivers I can test. I now get some DT stations in 3 markets. I get all the Raleigh market stations and WNCT-DT from Greenville and channels 2, 45, 48 DT and several others from the Greensboro WS High Point area. Still cannot get WGHP FoxDT. I am awaiting FoxEng to complete his new tower / DT transmitter.

Regards,

not just movies on HdNet...Sports did it last night durring the NC State BB game

Drew and DeArgilla,
Which versions of the LG tuner do you have?
I have the 3100A.
Do either of you (or anyone using an LG HDTV STB) have a newer version to see if the TNT and PBS issues are resolved?

THANKS

Neither of my LG tuners are in STBs. My older one, which does not work well for TNT and PBS from Time Warner cable is the integrated tuner in a Zenith C32V37 HDTV. My newer tuner, which works quite well for TNT and PBS from TWC is the Dvico Fusion HDTV5 Gold card in my Mythtv DVR. This card is based on the lgdt3303. So, if you can find an LG STB based around the lgdt3303 ("LG 5th Generation") tuner, I would expect it to work.

Drew

I'm near Raleigh.... I just don't want to pay Direct TV the $250 to get HD TV...

I noticed it several times in the last week. As I recall it was about a 5 second freeze. My wife and I would count it down each time it happened.


I noticed during RoadHouse. I thought my DVR was going bad.

We're moving, so I went ahead and ordered new HD service through TWC. Is there any particular set top box that I should request? The lady on the phone didn't really give me many options... our conversation went something like this:

her: "Thanks for calling time warner. What's your telephone number and address?"
me: "Hey. It's xxx-xxx-xxxx, blah, blah. I'd like to order HD TV service."
her: "OK, someone will be out tonight between 5 and 8pm."
me: "OK.... thanks?"

At the least, I was surprised she didn't try to upsell me on anything!

I have a mitsubishi 55in (55315 IIRC) w/ HDMI and no tuner.

We're moving, so I went ahead and ordered new HD service through TWC. Is there any particular set top box that I should request? The lady on the phone didn't really give me many options...
I have a mitsubishi 55in (55315 IIRC) w/ HDMI and no tuner.

I have the SA 8300 (DVR) hooked to my set via HDMI output. There is a bit of a quirk when you tune to a digital SD station, then back to HD. It will flicker until you tune back to an analog station. Odd, but nevertheless, I like the box.

JustinHoMi,

I've been happy with the Pace box. I don't know about the SA boxes, but the Pace HD box allows you to select "pass-through" output, rather than a "fixed" output. In otherwords, if you select the 1080i output, the set top box does all the scaling (bad), if you select "pass-through", it allows your much better TV circuitry to do the scaling (good). This is much more noticable when watching 480i fare on a HDTV than the actual HDTV programmming.

SA box may or may not have that output option.

Does the Pace box have HDMI and component outputs?

The one I have has DVI (HDMI w/out audio) and component. I'm not sure if the newer one's have HDMI or not. I use the component, from what I'm reading HDMI other than convenience is not much better in the real world. I do have a built in ATSC tuner, so I can A/B through the box and through the tuner. I can't see any difference.

so then, if I have an 8300 and using component, should I worry about switching to HDMI?

I didn't know the HDMI worked on those boxes....is that new.?

There is a bit of a quirk when you tune to a digital SD station, then back to HD. It will flicker until you tune back to an analog station. Odd, but nevertheless, I like the box.

that's the resolution adjustment. It's common on the 8000 and 8300. Fix your output to either 1080, 720 or both of those and you'll reduce the flicker or remove it completely.

We're moving, so I went ahead and ordered new HD service through TWC. Is there any particular set top box that I should request? The lady on the phone didn't really give me many options... our conversation went something like this:

her: "Thanks for calling time warner. What's your telephone number and address?"
me: "Hey. It's xxx-xxx-xxxx, blah, blah. I'd like to order HD TV service."
her: "OK, someone will be out tonight between 5 and 8pm."
me: "OK.... thanks?"

At the least, I was surprised she didn't try to upsell me on anything!

I have a mitsubishi 55in (55315 IIRC) w/ HDMI and no tuner.

by service what do you mean? Did you already have digital and intend to order the HD suite or just a HD box? You could have swapped out a regular box for an HD box at your local office with no questions asked and in less than 5 minutes.

so then, if I have an 8300 and using component, should I worry about switching to HDMI?

I didn't know the HDMI worked on those boxes....is that new.?

HDMI has been working for about a year. The HDMI digital audio output option has only been working about 4 months though. See the 8300 thread for the lowdown on that.

I've had no problems with HDMI. I noticed a slight improvement in the contrast over component. I was just happy to see the cable reduction around the back of the set.

by service what do you mean? Did you already have digital and intend to order the HD suite or just a HD box? You could have swapped out a regular box for an HD box at your local office with no questions asked and in less than 5 minutes.

We don't have cable at all... we're moving to a new house... it's a completely new account.

I just thought it was an amusing conversation.

Anyways, I called them back (had to reschedule anyways), and requested the pace box. She said that only the DVR has HDMI output, and that they normally supply a Scientific Atlantic unit. /me shrugs

that's the resolution adjustment. It's common on the 8000 and 8300. Fix your output to either 1080, 720 or both of those and you'll reduce the flicker or remove it completely.

Sorry, not the same thing. I've had an HD set for 10 years and am quite used to that anomaly. My best guess is a hand-shake problem between the box and the set. It only occurs after going from 1080i/720p to 480i (digital) and then back to 1080i/720p.

What's up with Surface on TWC 217? It's 4:3 aspect ratio and no DD.

should I be getting DD out of TWC SA8300? Cause I am not...

"should I be getting DD out of TWC SA8300? Cause I am not... "

I was not able to get DD from the SA 830 on TWC Raleigh/Cary either using HDMI cable from the 8300 to my TV (whicjh has HDMI input). Not sure why, the technology can support it. Maybe an HDCP compliance issue?

Anyway, I just ran digital audio from the 8300 (I used digital optical cable) to the stereo receiver. Then in the 8300 settings (remote settings button) choose Dolby Digital at the appropriate setting. Turn off sound to the TV speakers.

Voila, HDTV and DD 5.1 when broadcast.

What's up with Surface on TWC 217? It's 4:3 aspect ratio and no DD.

Appears to have been a network problem. I was walking out the door when I saw it was letterboxed, turned around and checked and it was coming in that way. The Surface forum says it was only in HD on the west coast feed, and it went to SD in the middle of the show. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=582470

"should I be getting DD out of TWC SA8300? Cause I am not... "

I was not able to get DD from the SA 830 on TWC Raleigh/Cary either using HDMI cable from the 8300 to my TV (whicjh has HDMI input). Not sure why, the technology can support it. Maybe an HDCP compliance issue?

Anyway, I just ran digital audio from the 8300 (I used digital optical cable) to the stereo receiver. Then in the 8300 settings (remote settings button) choose Dolby Digital at the appropriate setting. Turn off sound to the TV speakers.

Voila, HDTV and DD 5.1 when broadcast.

I have set my system up this way. I changed out the optial cable to one I know gave me 5.1 so we can rule that out.

Looks like it may be TWC...anyone else getting 5.1 in Raleigh on TWC???

I have set my system up this way. I changed out the optial cable to one I know gave me 5.1 so we can rule that out.

Looks like it may be TWC...anyone else getting 5.1 in Raleigh on TWC???

Yes.

Try this: Go into "settings", then press the "A" button. Under audio, switch from DD to stereo, then switch back. Your DD should return. For some reason, the switch from DD to stereo (and getting stuck there) tends to happen with the 8300 box.

Now that is strange...that worked.

Thanks!!!!

Appears to have been a network problem. I was walking out the door when I saw it was letterboxed, turned around and checked and it was coming in that way. The Surface forum says it was only in HD on the west coast feed, and it went to SD in the middle of the show. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=582470
Thanks for your response. This is just a curiosity question from a non-technical person. Is it THAT difficult to broadcast a show in HD vs. SD for the networks? Most of the prime time shows are in HD now, so you would think that HD would be pretty routine for them now. I believe that this was the final show (Surface) for 2005. I would think that the network would be especially concerned that this one be broadcast without a hitch.

Try this: Go into "settings", then press the "A" button. Under audio, switch from DD to stereo, then switch back. Your DD should return. For some reason, the switch from DD to stereo (and getting stuck there) tends to happen with the 8300 box.

I receive DD 5.1 just fine most of the time. The 8300HD box has a mind of it's own and sometimes will revert back for no apparent reason. When I see a show that is suppose to be DD 5.1 but it's not, I go back into setup and re-authorize DD (even though it already shows DD) and this seems to fix it for the time being.

Sorry, not the same thing. I've had an HD set for 10 years and am quite used to that anomaly. My best guess is a hand-shake problem between the box and the set. It only occurs after going from 1080i/720p to 480i (digital) and then back to 1080i/720p.

That's exactly what I mean. Fix your box so that it doesn't output 480 and you won't get the flicker. It's a box issue not a TV issue.

VisionOn et al,

If you can avoid it, I encourage you NOT to select a fixed resolution output (i.e. 1080i) on your set top box. Allow the set top box to "pass through" the native resolution of the transmission and let your TV do the scaling.

Yes, you will get the hickup while your set changes between modes, but your TV has a much better scaler than the crappy one in the box and you should get much better results when watching programming upconverted from SD.

Some TVs do not accept all native resoltions, and then you'll probably have to use the set top, but otherwise, avoid it.

OK, so now my Samsung HLP5063 is not displaying in full screen. Even the HD channels have black side bars.

Not sure what happened...maybe my STB is going out???

VisionOn et al,

If you can avoid it, I encourage you NOT to select a fixed resolution output (i.e. 1080i) on your set top box. Allow the set top box to "pass through" the native resolution of the transmission and let your TV do the scaling.

Yes, you will get the hickup while your set changes between modes, but your TV has a much better scaler than the crappy one in the box and you should get much better results when watching programming upconverted from SD.

I tried that for a while and the difference was not that noticeable to me. In the end the annoyance factor beat out whatever slight picture improvement the TV conversion provided. I only pass through the HD signals and let the box handle the 480. The quality of the 480 signal is not great to begin with so I can live with the loss.

VisionOn,

It may be that there isn't much difference between the conversion in the box and the conversion in your set.

I sprung for the "step up" XBR model 32" LCD with the built in ATSC tuner, not because it was a better HDTV than the base line model, but because it seemed to perform better on SDTV.

I knew that I'd still be watching as much or more SDTV than HDTV in the near term, so it was important to me. SDTV is all over the map in signal quality. I still like the analogue version of the basic channels (2-77) on the TV's tuner better than the digital simulcast versions of those channels through the set top box, with the exception of those that originate in a digital format from the programmer.

But these are all more significant differences than HDMI vs component. 480i SDTV still looks better in it's native resolution on a good standard definition set.

I knew that I'd still be watching as much or more SDTV than HDTV in the near term, so it was important to me. SDTV is all over the map in signal quality. I still like the analogue version of the basic channels (2-77) on the TV's tuner better than the digital simulcast versions of those channels through the set top box, with the exception of those that originate in a digital format from the programmer.

I have the opposite. The analog signals fed straight into the TV look terrible with the TV tuner. However when the analog signal is fed through the VCR and displayed as composite it's not that bad.

The box gives me much better SDTV than either of those so it looks like JVC skimped on the analog tuner ability and put it in the upconverter, but I'm flying off topic here so I'll save that subject for another day.

well i wrote to fred.dressler@twcable.com as suggested above regarding new HD channels. Here's what I got in response.


espn2hd should be available shortly into the new year. nfl tv probably will not.

ESPN2-HD is more important than the NFL Network anyway, so that's good news at least. Hopefully they won't charge extra for it (I can't see them doing that since they already make us pay for ESPN-HD via the HD Suite).

NBC17ENG,

Just clarification, WNCN-DT is being transmitted at full power correct?

NBC17ENG,

Just clarification, WNCN-DT is being transmitted at full power correct?

Technically, no. The FCC made the power assignments back in 1997 according to everyone's NTSC power at the time. Back then, we were a half power independent station running black & white re-runs and Shop at Home Network overnight.

While the other's got assigned 1 Megawatts, we were assigned 500 Kilowatts. From your end, we are at half the power of WRAL. From the FCC end, we are at full power.

And stuck at this level until the transition, when everyone's power will be set to the final levels by the FCC.

well i wrote to fred.dressler@twcable.com as suggested above regarding new HD channels. Here's what I got in response.



ESPN2-HD is more important than the NFL Network anyway, so that's good news at least. Hopefully they won't charge extra for it (I can't see them doing that since they already make us pay for ESPN-HD via the HD Suite).

I got much the same response from Dressler. I'm also happy to hear about ESPN2HD, but I can't say that I agree with his thought on the NFL Network. His response to me was that the NFL demands that it be on the basic digital tier vs. being included in a premium sports tier (ex. CSTV, etc.). And, that the channel only appeals to "real fans" and would not engender wide appeal (and would therefore, not be worth the cost). I responded back that I totally disagree, and cited that TWC is the only one of the top 5 cable providers to not offer the NFL Network. The NFL has tremendously wide and very diverse appeal and would certainly be more appealing than some of the recent additions to our channel line-up (ex. TV1, Galavision, Telemundo, and an ever increasing number of shopping channels). Obviously, he does not agree- and, since he's the boss, I guess we'll never get the NFL Network.

Anyway, I was kind of impressed that he even responded to my e-mail. That's more than I can say for the local TWC CSR's who simply spit out a form-letter every time you send an e-mail to them. I'm psyched about ESPN2HD, but know that it's probably months before it actually gets added.

I got much the same response from Dressler. I'm also happy to hear about ESPN2HD, but I can't say that I agree with his thought on the NFL Network. His response to me was that the NFL demands that it be on the basic digital tier vs. being included in a premium sports tier (ex. CSTV, etc.). And, that the channel only appeals to "real fans" and would not engender wide appeal (and would therefore, not be worth the cost). I responded back that I totally disagree, and cited that TWC is the only one of the top 5 cable providers to not offer the NFL Network. The NFL has tremendously wide and very diverse appeal and would certainly be more appealing than some of the recent additions to our channel line-up (ex. TV1, Galavision, Telemundo, and an ever increasing number of shopping channels). Obviously, he does not agree- and, since he's the boss, I guess we'll never get the NFL Network.

I'm as big a sports fan as anyone, but ESPN and the NFL Network only appeal to sports fans. As reluctant as TWC is to add more HD content, I think that if they add another HD channel to their lineup, it should be one with a broader range of appeal such as Univeral HD.....just my opinion.

Technically, no. The FCC made the power assignments back in 1997 according to everyone's NTSC power at the time. Back then, we were a half power independent station running black & white re-runs and Shop at Home Network overnight.

While the other's got assigned 1 Megawatts, we were assigned 500 Kilowatts. From your end, we are at half the power of WRAL. From the FCC end, we are at full power.

And stuck at this level until the transition, when everyone's power will be set to the final levels by the FCC.

Interesting -- I wonder if WTVD/ABC is at half power as well, and therein lies the problem ...

Technically, no. The FCC made the power assignments back in 1997 according to everyone's NTSC power at the time. Back then, we were a half power independent station running black & white re-runs and Shop at Home Network overnight.

While the other's got assigned 1 Megawatts, we were assigned 500 Kilowatts. From your end, we are at half the power of WRAL. From the FCC end, we are at full power.

And stuck at this level until the transition, when everyone's power will be set to the final levels by the FCC.

Ok, thx for the clarification. :)

well i wrote to fred.dressler@twcable.com as suggested above regarding new HD channels. Here's what I got in response.



ESPN2-HD is more important than the NFL Network anyway, so that's good news at least. Hopefully they won't charge extra for it (I can't see them doing that since they already make us pay for ESPN-HD via the HD Suite).

I also wrote Mr. Dressler:

My email:

"Is there a firm date for the addition of ESPN2-HD to the current programming lineup in Raleigh/Cary?"

His response:

"Probably by end of first quarter, and sooner if possible."

Speaking of transmitter power, any possibilty that Sinclair (channels 22 & 28) will spend a nickel and become real full power DTV stations, or will they limp along making the absolute minimum investment required, whining all the way??? They will NEVER be on cable, and I doubt that 28 will ever be HDTV. Pitiful broadcaster.

Anyone know WTVD-11's chielf engineer's name? Monday Night Football has pulsing, AGC-sounding audio recently. Looks and sounds like WTVD added their own Dolby AC3-encoder in Durham, where as they used to just pass the ABC feed straight through. If anyone knows the guy's name, please let me know. No one answers the phone there after 5 pm.

Thanks.

NBC is almost unwatchable tonight.

NBC is almost unwatchable tonight.

Well, I don't know about unwatchable, but whatever Christmas special is on right now seems to be widescreen but in SD, so I'm getting vertical and horizontal letterboxing. Other than that the signal looks fine OTA. For all I know it's not suppose to be in HD though.

Are you watching via TWC? It's always helpful to folks (including the engineering staff from the various stations who are on from time to time) to let us know how you are watching the HD. We've seen a number of cases where the problem was either between the station and TWC or TWC itself (i.e. OTA folks like me saw no problems).

Anybody else having problems with the sound on FOX 50 I've tried it with and without the cable box and getting same thing....almost so bad you can't understand anything said..... Oh this is on Charter [Roxboro area] last night and this morning again... :mad:

I'm as big a sports fan as anyone, but ESPN and the NFL Network only appeal to sports fans. As reluctant as TWC is to add more HD content, I think that if they add another HD channel to their lineup, it should be one with a broader range of appeal such as Univeral HD.....just my opinion.

Universal HD will be added as part of a carriage agreement made with TWC about a month ago. The only question is when. As for wider appeal ... I really think there are more "sports fans" than there are Law and Order fans- which is about the only thing you'll get with Universal HD.

NBC is almost unwatchable tonight.

The problem was on the inbound sat feed, and when normal reset procedures failed, I had them switch to the upconverted SD until I could get there. I switched to the back-up LNB on the dish and it settled down in time for Law & Order at 10. (Poor Martha is still not in HD :(

You can always tell if it's a sat issue as it affects the national feed on Weather Plus, which rides on the HD bitstream from network. The sky was crystal clear last night, and the sat signal was so strong it overloaded the RF input to the receiver.

Universal HD will be added as part of a carriage agreement made with TWC about a month ago. The only question is when. As for wider appeal ... I really think there are more "sports fans" than there are Law and Order fans- which is about the only thing you'll get with Universal HD.
Thanks for the info. It would be nice if TWC would carry all of the HD content that is available, but that ain't gonna happen. Maybe Univeral HD was a bad example but, since TWC tends to reluctantly add "maybe" one additional HD channel per year, it should be one that has a broad range of appeal rather than a strictly sports or home shopping or religious etc.

Thanks for the info. It would be nice if TWC would carry all of the HD content that is available, but that ain't gonna happen. May Univeral HD was a bad example but, since TWC tends to reluctantly add "maybe" one additional HD channel per year, it should be one that has a broad range of appeal rather than a strictly sports or home shopping or religious etc.

The more people that email fred.dressler@twcable.com , the more likely we are to get results. :)

Speaking of transmitter power, any possibilty that Sinclair (channels 22 & 28) will spend a nickel and become real full power DTV stations, or will they limp along making the absolute minimum investment required, whining all the way??? They will NEVER be on cable, and I doubt that 28 will ever be HDTV. Pitiful broadcaster.
I think that Sinclair is probably worthy of a discussion thread of it's own :) I just don't get them. They seem to resist any kind of technical improvements. Their content basically sucks and when they occasionally do get a hit show, they cancel it. You gotta' wonder why they ever invested money in the TV business to begin with.

I was flipping between OTA and Time Warner during the christmas special. It was in HD, but freezing about every 2 seconds.

Comment to WTVD engineer.

Somewhere in the audio chain, it sounds like the level may be a little hot, yielding slightly distorted results. (referring to the WTVD-DT 11.1 stereo audio, don't have DD yet)

I have some friends that bought my old HDTV. They have direcTV now, but they are thinking of switching to Time Warner. What's the status of Hockey in HD on TW? Especially the canes. Are they putting the Fox sports and OLN HD games on INHD?

I have some friends that bought my old HDTV. They have direcTV now, but they are thinking of switching to Time Warner. What's the status of Hockey in HD on TW? Especially the canes. Are they putting the Fox sports and OLN HD games on INHD?


See here (http://www.timewarnercable.com/nc/products/cable/hdtvevents.html) for a link to the sporting events on TWC.

Does TW pass any HD hockey games via Center ice beside Canes games? DirecTV passes a few HD hockey games a week on their special events channels. These are usually OLN HD and Fox Sports HD channels.

its in that link. Some canes games will be shown on INHD which would be those fox sports and OLN broadcasts.

Looking for a Antenna Installer in the Chaple Hill area.

Does anyone know of a installer in the Chapel Hill area that would install a Winegard HD9085 antenna? I want to have a antenna installed for my dad for Xmas so he can get OTA HD.

Thanks for any suggestions

Looking for a Antenna Installer in the Chaple Hill area.

Does anyone know of a installer in the Chapel Hill area that would install a Winegard HD9085 antenna? I want to have a antenna installed for my dad for Xmas so he can get OTA HD.

Thanks for any suggestions

I'll be more than happy to help you out. Send me a PM or email me at questions@carolinaht.com

:)

Is there a time frame for when Time Warner's digital channels (channels 2 thru 77) will be available via unencryted QAM?

Is there a time frame for when Time Warner's digital channels (channels 2 thru 77) will be available via unencryted QAM?

The "basic" channels have been available for a few months. Eg, chanels 2-20 or so. I don't think the remainder would be available without encyrption unless they put them on a set of frequencies that they could filter.

Drew

Everything except the off-airs and the cable access channels, TNT-HD, and Discovery-HD has "conditional access", not encryption. My guess is that it will always be that way. First, it drives consumers to "access hardware". i.e. set top or cablecard, which opens up potential revenue streams. Plus, I think that the confusion over tuning to channels such as 78.11** would cause too much confusion and headaches for the front office and the consumer, plus the guide issue, etc. They're smart to do what their doing.

**The only way to "remap" the channels is with a CableCard.

Everything except the off-airs and the cable access channels, TNT-HD, and Discovery-HD has "conditional access", not encryption. My guess is that it will always be that

What's the difference between conditional access and encryption? Or do you just mean that scrambling is not really encryption?

Thanks,

Drew

So it will never be like it is now? Buy a TV that only has a digital/QAM tuner inside, plug the Time Warner cable into the TV, and get 70+ "basic" channels?

So it will never be like it is now? Buy a TV that only has a digital/QAM tuner inside, plug the Time Warner cable into the TV, and get 70+ "basic" channels?

If you mean "like it is now" as in how you do analog cable, then no. That's what the cablecard is for. You buy a TV with a cablecard slot, rent a cablecard from TWC (for a bit less than the cost of a cable box), put it in your TV, and get all the digital channels.

Digital cable has become a great way for cable companies to extort more money from customers by making them rent either a box or a card.

Encryption is a scheme where signals are altered so that they cannot be processed further without the support of external manipulation.

Conditional access is a scheme where channels are processed or not processed depending on how they are tagged.

A little different approach, but effectively the same result.

Conditional access is a scheme where channels are processed or not processed depending on how they are tagged.

So the content is all there, it is just effectively hidden. Is that it?

Everything I'm reading about conditional access referrs to DVB-CA talks about
DVB-CSA (content scrambling algorithm). Am I reading about the right stuff?

Drew

Digital cable has become a great way for cable companies to extort more money from customers by making them rent either a box or a card.

\Ex*tort"\ 1. To wrest from an unwilling person by physical force,
menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise
of power or ingenuity; to wrench away (from); to tear
away; to wring (from); to exact; as, to extort
contributions from the vanquished; to extort confessions
of guilt; to extort a promise; to extort payment of a
debt.

Is this really what you mean? Sadly, we are prone to feeling entitled to things these days. I have yet to see a computer I can plug a wire into and get free high speed data. How about a satellite dish that I plug right into my tv and get 200 channels? Things can change of course: how many years did I rent a telephone from Ma Bell? All our luxuries cost money. I think it's unfair to indict for-profit companies; dish, cable, et.al. for charging for service - a service that I can choose to do without. There are entertainment services we still get for free - but they do require buying an antenna. <Rant off>

Is this really what you mean? Sadly, we are prone to feeling entitled to things these days. I have

Its not about feeling entitled to get things for free. It is about paying more (service fee + box/card rental) for less service (can't record directly from cable without funky ir-blasters to change the channel in the dreaded set top box) and/or less control (have to rent a buggy, small capacity dvr from the cable company that won't let me archive shows to DVD or transcode them for my ipod).

Drew

That will take another selling point away from cable: free basic service on all additional outlets.

Hi, I'm newly subscribed to the thread. I put together an HTPC with an SDTV PVR, and am now looking into adding an HTDV PVR. Do folks around the RDU area (Cary in my case) get good receptions with just an indoor HDTV antenna, or you folks recommend an outdoor one? I'll of course get a card that's also QAM-capable. Hope this question is pertinent to the thread. Thanks.

Is this really what you mean?

Yes, as a matter of fact it is. Cable companies used the digital transition to pick a technology that would require customers to either rent a box or rent a card to get what they used to be able to get with no card or box. They could have gone with something combatible with the tuners shipping in HDTVs so we could get those channels without the additional "rental" fee. They didn't. Once analog is turned off everyone's cable bill will go up between $3 and $5 per month *per set* just to keep watching the channels they were watching before.

And if I happen to use an opensource DVR solution like Myth or one that doesn't get approved by CableLabs (a front for the cable companies), then I won't even be able to use it anymore when analog is turned off (except off the air content).

Did I mean extortion? *Absolutely.*

Hi, I'm newly subscribed to the thread. I put together an HTPC with an SDTV PVR, and am now looking into adding an HTDV PVR. Do folks around the RDU area (Cary in my case) get good receptions with just an indoor HDTV antenna, or you folks recommend an outdoor one? I'll of course get a card that's also QAM-capable. Hope this question is pertinent to the thread. Thanks.

My indoor antenna works great in Holly Springs. It did not work well in the raleigh crabtree mall area when i lived there.

Did anyone else have issues last night with ESPN-HD on TWC in the Cary area? There were severe breakups in both audio and video. Is this being caused by testing of ESPN2HD, etc?

[QUOTE=pkscout]Cable companies used the digital transition to pick a technology ... They could have gone with something combatible with the tuners shipping in HDTVs ...

QAM encryption has been around a lot longer than just the "digital transition". I suspect it has more to do with something called cable theft.


[QUOTE=pkscout]Once analog is turned off everyone's cable bill will go up between $3 and $5 per month *per set* just to keep watching the channels they were watching before.


The market will never support that. Ever heard of Beta? Hard to make a profit while losing customers. You haven't weighed in on the evils of Satellite and HSD boxes.

Did anyone else have issues last night with ESPN-HD on TWC in the Cary area? There were severe breakups in both audio and video. Is this being caused by testing of ESPN2HD, etc?

Testing ESPN2HD? Do you know something that I don't?

Testing ESPN2HD? Do you know something that I don't?


From a few pages back:

I also wrote Mr. Dressler:

My email:

"Is there a firm date for the addition of ESPN2-HD to the current programming lineup in Raleigh/Cary?"

His response:

"Probably by end of first quarter, and sooner if possible."

Hi, I'm newly subscribed to the thread. I put together an HTPC with an SDTV PVR, and am now looking into adding an HTDV PVR. Do folks around the RDU area (Cary in my case) get good receptions with just an indoor HDTV antenna, or you folks recommend an outdoor one? I'll of course get a card that's also QAM-capable. Hope this question is pertinent to the thread. Thanks.

I'm near the corner of hwy 54 and Cary pkwy. I was unable to get stable reception with any plain indoor antenna I tried. I moved to a channel master 4228 in my attic, and that really helped. In fact, the lack of having to fine tune the antenna position for each station is what allowed me to build an HTPC.

I currently have a mythtv box where I'm using an old Air2PC for OTA, and a Dvico Fusion5 for QAM.

Drew

From a few pages back:

Dressler's response is the kind of vague answer we always get from TWC. That doesn't mean they are testing it in our market. Heck-- they signed an agreement for Universal HD weeks ago and they've yet to add it.

They should test ESPN2HD with the NC State bowl game.

Dressler's response is the kind of vague answer we always get from TWC. That doesn't mean they are testing it in our market. Heck-- they signed an agreement for Universal HD weeks ago and they've yet to add it.

I respectfully disagree. Usually the answer is "we will carry it soon". His answer was specific to a timeframe (end of the first quarter at the latest). I just wonder if the glitches I've seen are related to the testing. That would be my first (best) guess.

I respectfully disagree. Usually the answer is "we will carry it soon". His answer was specific to a timeframe (end of the first quarter at the latest). I just wonder if the glitches I've seen are related to the testing. That would be my first (best) guess.

Believe me, I'd like to think that we will soon get ESPN2HD. But- they do not even have an agreement with ABC/Disney/ESPN yet, so they certainly will not test until then. Having some experience with TWC responses, I can translate Dressler's comment:

(Translated) We may strike a carriage agreement for ESPN2HD, and we may not. If we do, it will be in the 1st Q 2006 before our current agreement runs out in May 2006. Once the agreement is signed, it's up to the local TWC to add the channel to it's line-up. That could take days, weeks, or months (ex. Universal HD).

So, unfortunately, I don't think ESPN2HD is imminent.

I'm near the corner of hwy 54 and Cary pkwy. I was unable to get stable reception with any plain indoor antenna I tried. I moved to a channel master 4228 in my attic, and that really helped. In fact, the lack of having to fine tune the antenna position for each station is what allowed me to build an HTPC.

I currently have a mythtv box where I'm using an old Air2PC for OTA, and a Dvico Fusion5 for QAM.

Drew

I live near High House/Davis Drive corner. I just bought a Kworld ATSC-110 analog+digital card and a Terk HDTVa amplified indoor antenna, both for < $100 after rebates so I'll be curious how the antenna works. I may have to go to an outdoor antenna though based on you comment since I live in your vicinity.

Did anyone else have issues last night with ESPN-HD on TWC in the Cary area? There were severe breakups in both audio and video. Is this being caused by testing of ESPN2HD, etc?

Yes, here in Raleigh while skipping through (the Jimmy V). I have no clue why, but the Sportscenter replays this AM were perfect.

Anybody on Time Warner Raleigh (or cities served off the Raleigh Digital Hub) who is/has had problems with HDNets Movies (ch 294) freezing and/or being gone for several minutes at a time, please post a response here. I complained to Time Warner via e-mail and they e-mailed me back that a tech would show up at a certain time. I need to convince them that it's a headend issue (if it is, and I am 99% sure it is) so any verification I can get here will help. Thanks

I was watching Numbers last night and about halfway through the show it switched from HD/DD5.1 to SD. This lasted about 15 minutes and it "snapped back" to HD. I hardly ever watch a network (NBC, CBS, ect.) HD show that there isn't some audio or video problem. Is it THAT darn difficult to have a complete hour of network HD/DD5.1 without any problems? I never have this problem with TNT HD or INHD. What's the difference?

Anybody on Time Warner Raleigh (or cities served off the Raleigh Digital Hub) who is/has had problems with HDNets Movies (ch 294) freezing and/or being gone for several minutes at a time, please post a response here. I complained to Time Warner via e-mail and they e-mailed me back that a tech would show up at a certain time. I need to convince them that it's a headend issue (if it is, and I am 99% sure it is) so any verification I can get here will help. Thanks

I haven't watched that channel in the last few weeks but the last time I did I saw the same type of problem (see my previous post from 11/26). However, almost everytime I watch 217(e.g. during ER Thursday night) there are many times the screen grows blank and the audio is gone for severa seconds--but then 217 has neve been reliable.

Anybody on Time Warner Raleigh (or cities served off the Raleigh Digital Hub) who is/has had problems with HDNets Movies (ch 294) freezing and/or being gone for several minutes at a time, please post a response here. I complained to Time Warner via e-mail and they e-mailed me back that a tech would show up at a certain time. I need to convince them that it's a headend issue (if it is, and I am 99% sure it is) so any verification I can get here will help. Thanks

I've noticed it often the past couple weeks. Mostly 294, less on 293.

I couldn't get either of the HDNET channels to show up when i was watching this morning.

Has anyone used the INHD Tuneup that was shown this morning at 7am? They have a 5.1 surround test, but my receiver was only showing a Left and Right channel.

I haven't watched that channel in the last few weeks but the last time I did I saw the same type of problem (see my previous post from 11/26). However, almost everytime I watch 217(e.g. during ER Thursday night) there are many times the screen grows blank and the audio is gone for severa seconds--but then 217 has neve been reliable.

TWC customers and Engineers are reporting back my previous posts on good connections have resolved almost all drop outs on 217, and others. Even though the picture is digital, it is still transported as RF over the cable system, and our frequency on TWC is very vulnerable to common RF issues.

Make sure all cable is RG-6 or better. Make sure every connection is clean and tight, by looking for shiny center conductors, and good crimps on the connectors. Poor crimps or too tightly crimped connectors are the most common fault because at these bitrates, it acts more like waveguide than cable. Any splitters or amps in the system should be checked since each connection can have a 3dB drop in signal strength, and amps can amplify more noise than signal. The more direct connection the better.

Keep in mind your home builder may have put (cheap) wires in the walls instead of a qualified installer. If all this fails, and using a little patience, TWC can help you test signal strength using channel 999 and determine if your signal is borderline, and send someone out to help.

I couldn't get either of the HDNET channels to show up when i was watching this morning.
same here but it's been going on for a few weeks now it seems, although i only check intermittently.

TWC customers and Engineers are reporting back my previous posts on good connections have resolved almost all drop outs on 217, and others. Even though the picture is digital, it is still transported as RF over the cable system, and our frequency on TWC is very vulnerable to common RF issues.

Make sure all cable is RG-6 or better. Make sure every connection is clean and tight, by looking for shiny center conductors, and good crimps on the connectors. Poor crimps or too tightly crimped connectors are the most common fault because at these bitrates, it acts more like waveguide than cable. Any splitters or amps in the system should be checked since each connection can have a 3dB drop in signal strength, and amps can amplify more noise than signal. The more direct connection the better.

Keep in mind your home builder may have put (cheap) wires in the walls instead of a qualified installer. If all this fails, and using a little patience, TWC can help you test signal strength using channel 999 and determine if your signal is borderline, and send someone out to help.

Thanks for your reply, but perhaps the operative words are "have resolved almost all drop outs on 217." I doubt that at least in my case that it is a connection or signal level problem. Last week I had a line moved by TWC from one wall to another in preparation for getting a new LCD in the bedroom. He checked all connections and boosted my signal strength. My current connection that has the problem goes directly from the box on the outside of the house to the 3100HD box. The 3100HD is connected via component and digital out through my Harmon Kardon A/V receiver with component cable to my Pioneer Plasma.

As far as I can recalll, I never see the problem on 255 (maybe one in the last few years) or 211 or 293 or any other channel, only on 217 and 294 and I watch 293 a lot more than 294. I've seen the problem before and after TWC was here. Actually the TWC rep did not check the coax connector on the back of the 3100HD, but if that was a bad connection I'd think I'd have problems on more than a few channels.

I just bought my new LCD this AM (Panasonic 32lx50) and TWC is bringing out a 3250HD Wednesday. So Thursday night I will be able to check and see if the problem occurs on 217 on both sets during ER (assuming it's not a repeat and we're watching it).

Sorry, ratings period is over. Thursday night is a Special two hour Apprentice finale. (SD) As posted several months ago, my bad cable connection was just a loose cable at the box, and it only affected 217. It is frequency dependant, and can just as easily be caused by too much signal, but that has not been the case with 217 as far as I know.

NBC17ENG,

A while back, you indicated that you might have some "improvements" to your HDTV picture quality by the end of the year. Any updates??? If not we may have to change your moniker from "NBC17ENG" to "Mr. Softee". Just funnin' with you.

A little OT:

I just replaced my old HD-ready RPTV with a LCD Integrated HD TV (cablecard ready). It has the TVGOS feature on it. I have TWC cable line straight to the tv (no cablecard) and I'm using my city zipcode (Pembroke, 28372) for the TVGOS but after three weeks I get no match for a cable service to select. Anybody on the Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville system with TVGOS get guide data. If so what zip are you using?

It worked during the first week when I tried it using my OTA antenna but after switching (I did redo setup to select cable connected) to my cable line I get nothing.

NBC17ENG,

A while back, you indicated that you might have some "improvements" to your HDTV picture quality by the end of the year. Any updates??? If not we may have to change your moniker from "NBC17ENG" to "Mr. Softee". Just funnin' with you.
The new racks are going into place now, and the last "shipping date" was tomorrow Dec 14th, but not sure of arrival date. Manufacturer is coming in to start up the new system, but it's not clear if that will be before the end of year. They have a "swat team" installing it at all the O&O's, so they should have it figured out by the time they hit our building. Weather Plus was fired up in one day by a similar team, but it was only their second system, and they had "challenges" with new equipment that had no manuals printed at that time. This stuff has been around long enough the bugs should be worked out of it by now. :rolleyes:

The new racks are going into place now, and the last "shipping date" was tomorrow Dec 14th, but not sure of arrival date. Manufacturer is coming in to start up the new system, but it's not clear if that will be before the end of year. They have a "swat team" installing it at all the O&O's, so they should have it figured out by the time they hit our building. Weather Plus was fired up in one day by a similar team, but it was only their second system, and they had "challenges" with new equipment that had no manuals printed at that time. This stuff has been around long enough the bugs should be worked out of it by now. :rolleyes:

That's great news. Is this supposed to fix some of the motion issues? What should we look for after the install?

As always, thanks.

Daryl,
Also a little OT but...
Sorry, no I don't have a TV with TVGOS to get guide data.
Perhaps someone else can aid Daryl on that question.
HOWEVER...
I do wonder which TV you picked up and how you like it as I am shopping. I too am looking into RP LCD's and will use the cable feed straight in without any TWC box. (I get by on the 11 dollar basic subscription or whatever it costs)

Thanks and good luck.

It worked during the first week when I tried it using my OTA antenna but after switching (I did redo setup to select cable connected) to my cable line I get nothing.

I don't have cable, but I get my guide data off an antenna. One thing to check is to make sure you have analog channel 4 (WUNC PBS) in your guide - if you remove it (I did because I only wanted to watch the digital channels) TVGOS doesn't seem to be able to find it. Once I enabled it the guide downloads overnight.

Not sure that it helps in your situation tho,

-Jim

Daryl,
Also a little OT but...
Sorry, no I don't have a TV with TVGOS to get guide data.
Perhaps someone else can aid Daryl on that question.
HOWEVER...
I do wonder which TV you picked up and how you like it as I am shopping. I too am looking into RP LCD's and will use the cable feed straight in without any TWC box. (I get by on the 11 dollar basic subscription or whatever it costs)

Thanks and good luck.

I didn't get a RP LCD though, I got the flat panel Sharp LC-26D7U LCD. I know I downsized from 57" to 26" (had to for certain reasons) but I like it. I has a beautifully sharp picture (especially with HD). It has 3 RF inputs, 1 for either air or cable analog input, 1 for digital cable, 1 for digital air. I connected my SA8300HD DVR into the HDMI input then switched to the DVI-I input to connect my Toshiba XS52 DVD recorder to the HDMI input.


pyedog,

Actually it worked fine when connected the way you have yours. But I removed OTA from the equation and replaced it with Cable on the input.

NBC17ENG,

Thanks for the update!!! Maybe you can donate your old equipment to Sinclair!!! Cheap bastards.

Along with a hefty rate increase, I noticed the stunning announcement in my cable bill yesterday- TWC is adding channels. 2 religious channels. Boy, I know you're all as excited as I am (not).

So ... no new HD channels (it's been well over 1 year with no HD additions), and no decent channel additions (ex. NFL Network, ESPNU, etc.). Good 'ol Time Warner is just counting our money.

In defense of Time Warner, they are one of the first operators to roll out digital simulcast of analogue channels in order to eventually reclaim needed bandwidth for future HDTV and VOD programming. They have corporately signed deals to roll out a variety of HD content in the near future. These deals are technically and legally complicated. All providers, cable and satelliite, are aggressively moving toward the future. This is all very expensive. If you want it, expect to pay for it. And don't expect things to happen overnight.

PS, no, I don't work for TWC, but I do respect their commitment to being a leader in the industry.

What religions are they planning to offer? :)

Incase nobody noticed yet. I just found 2 interactive channels on ch.591 (TWC News and Information) and ch.592 (PassTime Games).

Incase nobody noticed yet. I just found 2 interactive channels on ch.591 (TWC News and Information) and ch.592 (PassTime Games).


Awesome! Not much but new things to play with is always good. And you still get PIP in the gaming window. Nice find. :)

Suprisingly fast reaction time as well. They play very smoothly.

In defense of Time Warner, they are one of the first operators to roll out digital simulcast of analogue channels in order to eventually reclaim needed bandwidth for future HDTV and VOD programming. They have corporately signed deals to roll out a variety of HD content in the near future. These deals are technically and legally complicated. All providers, cable and satelliite, are aggressively moving toward the future. This is all very expensive. If you want it, expect to pay for it. And don't expect things to happen overnight.

PS, no, I don't work for TWC, but I do respect their commitment to being a leader in the industry.

What HD content? Dressler (Corp VP of programming) has implied that we'll get ESPN2HD "within the 1Q of 2006", and Universal HD was signed. Keep in mind, just because they strike an agreement, it can take months for the local TWC's to launch it (ex. Universal HD).

What if you operated a cable system and only 10% of your subscribers subscribed to an HDTV package, and the HDTV programmer insisted that his minimum compensation was based on 25% of your subscribers, and you knew that you wouldn't reach that point for a couple of years. These are the kind of issues cable and satellite operators have to deal with. That's why things take time. What would you do????

Univeral HD's programming is weak. Their distribution is limited. How much should they spend, and when. HDTV is an evolving product, and it has not yet reached the critical mass that is required for it to get all the focus and attention you would like to see. Quite frankly, at this point there's probably a whole lot more money to be made off standard definition video on demand than HDTV. And it requires a whole lot less of the precious bandwidth that is currently available. Patience, my friend, patience.

What if you operated a cable system and only 10% of your subscribers subscribed to an HDTV package, and the HDTV programmer insisted that his minimum compensation was based on 25% of your subscribers, and you knew that you wouldn't reach that point for a couple of years. These are the kind of issues cable and satellite operators have to deal with. That's why things take time. What would you do????


Chicken and egg problem. If *I* were doing it I would charge below my costs to get people on the service to start with and add channels as fast as I could and ramp prices as quickly as I could manage. What TWC (and, frankly DirecTV too) does is try to get people to pay way too much for way too little so that they can get all the money they need to add more channels by bilking their current subscribers. They don't want to invest because that affects the money given to shareholders and bonuses paid to the decision makers.

What if you operated a cable system and only 10% of your subscribers subscribed to an HDTV package, and the HDTV programmer insisted that his minimum compensation was based on 25% of your subscribers, and you knew that you wouldn't reach that point for a couple of years. These are the kind of issues cable and satellite operators have to deal with. That's why things take time. What would you do????

It's a complicated and expensive process with a built-in "catch 22". If TWC had more HD content, they would probably get more HD subscribers, and if they had more HD subscribers, they would carry more HD content. Can't answer that one, but every time I go Circuit City or Best Buys, the only TV's I see walking out the door are the HDTV's. So in my unofficial opinion, TWC should be positioning themselves in that direction a little faster than they are now.

What if you operated a cable system and only 10% of your subscribers subscribed to an HDTV package, and the HDTV programmer insisted that his minimum compensation was based on 25% of your subscribers, and you knew that you wouldn't reach that point for a couple of years. These are the kind of issues cable and satellite operators have to deal with. That's why things take time. What would you do????

Univeral HD's programming is weak. Their distribution is limited. How much should they spend, and when. HDTV is an evolving product, and it has not yet reached the critical mass that is required for it to get all the focus and attention you would like to see. Quite frankly, at this point there's probably a whole lot more money to be made off standard definition video on demand than HDTV. And it requires a whole lot less of the precious bandwidth that is currently available. Patience, my friend, patience.

Believe me, I understand that HDTV represents a very small percentage of subscribers. However, it is undeniable that ALL other cable and satellite providers are being much more agressive with their HD content carriage agreements- realizing that more and more consumers are buing HDTVs. That's my problem with TWC- they are so monolithic and non-progressive. I recently visited some friends, one of whom had Cox and another who had Adelphia. Both had a much fuller HD line-up, and a much better SD channel assortment. For example, did you know that TWC is the only one of the top 5 cable providers who does not carry the NFL Network? Their reasoning is that "only real fans" want it, and that it would not represent something that is "widely appealing". So ... using that logic, I suppose the Speed Channel, the Golf Channel, the numerous shopping channels, etc, etc-- do represent channels with wide appeal?

As for Universal HD ... I agree. It's worthless. I'm in no hurry for it, but, at least it would be something. Read through this and other forums-- TWC HD subs are fed up with getting absolutely nothing for almost a year and half, while every other provider adds and adds.

I'm just so sick of TWC saying they are an innovator and are responsive to their subscribers. They just are not-- in fact, they use their cable division to subsidize their other corporate interests. No wonder we see Comcast commercials constantly.

Believe me, I understand that HDTV represents a very small percentage of subscribers. However, it is undeniable that ALL other cable and satellite providers are being much more agressive with their HD content carriage agreements- realizing that more and more consumers are buing HDTVs.

I haven't seen anything on satellite that makes me want their HD service. Sure they have some Voom castoffs if yo uwant to pay but local stations? Do DirectTV actually send an HD signal or are you still required to have a OTA antenna for those? The cost of most Sat HD packages I've seen is higher than TWC and includes content available for free with TWC Digital.

Sure some other cable providers have more channels and some have less available but I've yet to see one cableco who is providing every channel available to all markets.

It's a complicated and expensive process with a built-in "catch 22". If TWC had more HD content, they would probably get more HD subscribers, and if they had more HD subscribers, they would carry more HD content. Can't answer that one, but every time I go Circuit City or Best Buys, the only TV's I see walking out the door are the HDTV's. So in my unofficial opinion, TWC should be positioning themselves in that direction a little faster than they are now.

Not a "catch 22" yet. My guess is that most HDTV owners are gobbling up whatever programming they can find, not, as you argue, waiting for more choice before they subscribe. HDTV still has not yet reached the magic "CRITICAL MASS", which I predict will occur somewhere in the 30% of TV household range. Comments???

Chicken and egg problem. If *I* were doing it I would charge below my costs to get people on the service to start with and add channels as fast as I could and ramp prices as quickly as I could manage. What TWC (and, frankly DirecTV too) does is try to get people to pay way too much for way too little so that they can get all the money they need to add more channels by bilking their current subscribers. They don't want to invest because that affects the money given to shareholders and bonuses paid to the decision makers.

Once again

1) There is still a paltry amount of HDTV programming available
2) A lot of it is recycled bulk
3) A relatively small percentage of viewers have HDTVs
4) HDTV channels are bandwidth hogs, bandwidth that can be used for more lucrative programming, like VOD

The bottom line is this:

The cable industy's near term strategy is to recover bandwidth allocated to analogue channels, which represents around 75% of the available bandwidth, but this will require set top boxes on ALL outlets in ALL households, not a cheap undertaking. Secondly, "switched video" will dramatically improve efficiency, but that also requires two-way capability at every outlet. But it will happen.

Once again

1) There is still a paltry amount of HDTV programming available
2) A lot of it is recycled bulk
3) A relatively small percentage of viewers have HDTVs
4) HDTV channels are bandwidth hogs, bandwidth that can be used for more lucrative programming, like VOD

At some point in time, HDTV's or EDTV's will be in most all households. (Not sure, but I don't think that they even make analog TV's any more.) At that point, consumer demand will drive what the cable companies carry. My guess would be, mostly HD content. Sure HDTV is a bandwidth hog, but so is high speed Internet. Are you ready to go back to dialup?

At some point in time, HDTV's or EDTV's will be in most all households. (Not sure, but I don't think that they even make analog TV's any more.) At that point, consumer demand will drive what the cable companies carry. My guess would be, mostly HD content. Sure HDTV is a bandwidth hog, but so is high speed Internet. Are you ready to go back to dialup?

The amount of available bandwidth is not the problem-- you're right, those degenerates out there downloading their porn using RoadRunner, get plenty of allocated bandwidth. But, TWC is unwilling to add bandwidth capability for the "paltry" (see earlier post) few of us HD customers. Therefore, they're not in any hurry to add HD channels, no matter how much we gripe.

Time Warner does not have as much downstream bandwidth assigned to both Road Runner & Digital Phone combined as one HDTV channel requires. Truth be known, high speed internet requires very little bandwidth, hell, you can send it down a phone line!!!!! Internet traffic is on a "time-share" basis. Each user shares the same small amount of bandwidth with all other users.

Anybody else not getting UNC stations on TWC-Cary? Channels 4, 201 to 204 are dead.

Anybody else not getting UNC stations on TWC-Cary? Channels 4, 201 to 204 are dead.

Robertmee;

All TWC UNC stations are fine here in Durham 201 thru 205 and Channel 9 is the analog UNC-TV and it is OK too.

Anyone else noticing WTVD's 5.1 audio change drastically about two months ago? I recently spoke to WTVD's chief engineer, who confirmed they had installed the Octimax 5.1 (www.linearacoustic.com). This box has many features, mainly an AGC to control audio levels from commercials, local news, and network feeds. It can also synthesize stereo into a 5.1 mix. Apparently, many stations are buying them.

In the last two months, everything airing in true DD 5.1 on ABC HD has comprssed dialog and audio that ramps up and down in the front and rears as the dialog comes and goes. For example, the lineups on Monday Night Football are absolutely unintellgible as the rear channels swell when the announcers lay out.

The dialog in the center is also so compressed it has a crunchy, borderline distorted quality. It really is quite noticeable on LOST.

I guess I am just looking for confirmation that my recordings don't lie and that WTVD needs to not process true DD material or do some serious callibration on the magic Octimax box.

Lemme know.

Re: WTVD HD audio processing

I agree 100%. I do not have DD 5.1, I just listen to WTVD's HDTV audio in stereo, and it definitely is overprocessed to the point of minor distortion. Very harsh, especially in music cresendos. I glad someone else has noticed this. Now, how do we get WTVD to fix it???

Re: WTVD HD audio processing

I agree 100%. I do not have DD 5.1, I just listen to WTVD's HDTV audio in stereo, and it definitely is overprocessed to the point of minor distortion. Very harsh, especially in music cresendos. I glad someone else has noticed this. Now, how do we get WTVD to fix it???

Me too.

Robertmee;

All TWC UNC stations are fine here in Durham 201 thru 205 and Channel 9 is the analog UNC-TV and it is OK too.

Turns out my surge arrestor was causing the problem....Removed the coax feed from that, and the channels came back. Weird.

BTW, on that note, when did TWC start modulating the entire channel range digitally? That has to be the case for me to lose channel '4' which has traditionally been analog only, along with the digital UNC feeds. Used to I thought, channels 2-99 occupied the normal analog freq spectrum, and then the digitals started (compressed and modulated of course) after that and only included channels above 100. Are they now compressing the entire channel range digitally 2-999 in addition to still sending channels 2-99 in analog?

I apologize if this has been covered...I tried searching this thread, but perhaps am not using the right keywords.

Anyone else noticing WTVD's 5.1 audio change drastically about two months ago? ...... For example, the lineups on Monday Night Football are absolutely unintellgible as the rear channels swell when the announcers lay out. ....

That is hysterical! I mentioned it to my son the other night, mumbling about the "music" really wasn't needed and did nothing. Its bad enough the players mumble and now are even mentioning their Elementary school (unless he was serious about his last educational institution).

Purchase time options:

Can you folks tell me what local shops you frequent for TV's?

I believe I am going to shop around and pick up a Sony KDF-E50A10 RP LCD this weekend.
I care about price, service and probably price with service a close 2nd.


Best Buy - Not excited about shopping here but I gotta check their $$
Circuit City - Ditto
Sears - Heard their service is lacking
Tweeter - Seems to have the same cost on the TV as BB and CircuitCity
Garner TV - I pretty much purchased a kitchen there, but no TV's yet
Audio Advice - Raleigh - I had one good experience with these folks when I got my LG STB.

I guess I will also check BJ's. One could always get lucky and they get a shipment.

Any other places you guys have found good prices and decent service here in the Triangle?


Last I checked, I don't think soliciting this type of advice is against any of the Forum rules, if so someone PM me and I will attempt to kill this question asap.

FYI and sort a funny story - My first HDTV I purchased at consumer-direct, which at the time I was shopping online I didn't know was there in North Raleigh. I found a TV online I wanted and not finding enough info about shipping I called them up and discussed shipping options. Somewhere about 5 minutes into the discussion the dude tells me "You know, you can just stop by the store here in North Raleigh don't you". I think those guys went out of business this past year.

That first TV was a Toshiba 40 RP hd-ready TV which I purchased in Jan. of 2000 along with a DirectTV receiver for the OTA signals only. CBS had the SuperBowl that year and I managed to get the TV and STB all setup and had a HD superbowl party when it was still a rather new thing to do.

The Tosh is still going strong, now tucked away into a nice little niche in the sitting area of our bedroom in the new house while a place in the family room has been set aside for a slightly bigger and newer model. The sitting area of our new house I customized with the builder so it is really a 2 person (or 4-5 kids) theater and gaming area. I need to get some pics of that someday up on the forum.

Thanks in advance for any advice you folks can throw my way.

Bill

Best Buy is the only high street place I've bought AV equipment. Mainly because the price and delivery was the cheapest. Otherwise I'll check the retailers to see if I can see it in person and then shop online at Crutchfield (since their return policy is pretty good) and NewEgg.

TVAuthority gets good feedback here so I might try them in the future as well.


Just checked and Crutchfield have that Sony for $2,299.99, which is cheaper than Best Buy.

Turns out my surge arrestor was causing the problem....Removed the coax feed from that, and the channels came back. Weird.

BTW, on that note, when did TWC start modulating the entire channel range digitally? That has to be the case for me to lose channel '4' which has traditionally been analog only, along with the digital UNC feeds. Used to I thought, channels 2-99 occupied the normal analog freq spectrum, and then the digitals started (compressed and modulated of course) after that and only included channels above 100. Are they now compressing the entire channel range digitally 2-999 in addition to still sending channels 2-99 in analog?

I apologize if this has been covered...I tried searching this thread, but perhaps am not using the right keywords.
All of the analog channels (2-99) have been replicated via the DIGITAL SIMULCAST upgrade for digital STB users.
Do a search on "digital simulcast" (including the quote marks) and you'll find info on this topic, including my post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6544856&highlight=digital+simulcast#post6544856

I think Target now has some sony LCD's on the floor.

All of the analog channels (2-99) have been replicated via the DIGITAL SIMULCAST upgrade for digital STB users.
Do a search on "digital simulcast" (including the quote marks) and you'll find info on this topic, including my post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6544856&highlight=digital+simulcast#post6544856

Thanks!

I see the day coming that cableco's drop the analog feed requiring everyone to have a QAM tuner :( They better start giving away boxes free instead of charging $100/year for them.

Purchase time options:

...

Tweeter - Seems to have the same cost on the TV as BB and CircuitCity

Any other places you guys have found good prices and decent service here in the Triangle?

...
Bill

Bill - I bought my TV from Tweeter on US 70. My salesman's name was Adam. I took in the lowest on-line price (from an authorized dealer) including shipping. Tweeter matched the price (including tax). I was very impressed with his knowledge of the set (setting next to a Qualia, I might add). If you need more information, send me a PM.

Jeff

I vote for Adam at Tweeter as well. Dude knows his stuff, gave great service on the back end when my set had a small problem. (replaced right away) Was no fault of the store...just a bad soder from the factory...they replace with in a couple of days.

Big vote for them and they did price match BB. Oh, and ask for Adam.

At some point in time, HDTV's or EDTV's will be in most all households. (Not sure, but I don't think that they even make analog TV's any more.)

there are still plenty of SDTV sets for sale.

Mike

Wildbill. One thing to consider if you want to buy locally is to shop at their internet site which is sometimes cheaper and see if you can pick it up localely. I wanted to buy the Panasonic 32lx50. Circuit City had it listed for either $1699 or $1799 (I can't remember which) in their Sunday flyer with a 10% discount on all TVs over xxx. I went and looked on their web site and they had it on sale for 1450 with free shipping or in store pick up. I ordered it at 9:30 am picked it up at their Crabtree Store and had it up and running by 11:30 am. However, I wish I had looked to see what they wanted for it in the store Sunday. I had been in the store Saturday and they were selling it for over $1600 but I can't remember what it was.

Time Warner does not have as much downstream bandwidth assigned to both Road Runner & Digital Phone combined as one HDTV channel requires. Truth be known, high speed internet requires very little bandwidth, hell, you can send it down a phone line!!!!! Internet traffic is on a "time-share" basis. Each user shares the same small amount of bandwidth with all other users.

Time Warner engineers tell me that they have no bandwidth problems with the recent completion of their fiber network. They have plenty of capacity for as many HD channels as are allowed by corporate. They confirm that the problem is NOT bandwidth-- it IS carriage agreements. And (and this comes from a TWC employee) TWC is notoriously slow, especially with ABC/Disney. They like to squeeze every penny out of them before striking a deal at the 11th hour. So, while other carriers are making carriage agreements to complement their menu (with more and more HD channels being added by carriers, big and small), Time Warner continues to raise prices and add nothing but SD garbage.

To illustrate their insincerity, did you read their "family tier" proposal? What a joke. They have no intention of mareketing that. It's just to appease the idiots in Congress.

toadfanac,

What HDTV channel(s) would you have Time Warner add right this minute???? Oh, and one qualification, they actually have to exist.

What HDTV channel(s) would you have Time Warner add right this minute???? Oh, and one qualification, they actually have to exist.

How about Universal HD, ESPN2 HD, Cinimax HD, StarZ HD, and NFL Network HD (oh wait, that would mean they actually carry the NFL network)? Those are all carried either by DirecTV or Comcast. In fact, Comcast carries all of the TWC ones and every other one listed *except* Universal HD.

TWC has been very slow in adding more HD content. I believe it's been over a year since anything has been added. From reading this thread, there appears to be quite a bit more HD available and bandwidth doesn't seem to be the problem. They are already changing $6.95 per month for their HD Tier. The content included in this "tier" is pretty sparse. I certainly hope more is coming. I think that we are overpaying now for what we are getting.

toadfanac,

What HDTV channel(s) would you have Time Warner add right this minute???? Oh, and one qualification, they actually have to exist.

How about the 5 ch of VOOM content that Dish(?) picked up? (plus the additional 10 that are due out RSN)

Mike

PS... BTW, for anyone that didn't know about it, http://www.hdbeat.com/ is useful HD news (I think)

I got my 50" Sony HD-RPTV from Sears & have been pleased with the decision. I knew what I wanted through research (mostly here) rather than trying to distill useable info from store sales people.

No one locally could beat the Sears price and (in my opinion) they had the best warranty because it includes in home service AND bulb replacement which is quite a big deal with RPTV's.

Initially, they replaced one monitor because of some relatively minor flaws that bothered me. I'm more sanguine about that level of complaint now that I've had a large monitor for over a year and wouldn't be so picky, however the point is that Sears didn't quibble with me about doing a switch out.

Also, after about 10 months they replaced a bulb.

The service guy who did the bulb replacement worked for an independent repair service that was sub-contracted by Sears to do the work. He was compenentent enough and even 'worked the system' a bit. Apparently the usual protocol for bulb replacement is for them to 1st come out and confirm that the problem is definitely a bad bulb, then they order a replacement (from Sony in this case) and the customer has to wait for the new one to arrive. Well this guy had had enough bulb replacement business that he managed to acquire an 'extra' new bulb that he willingly put into my set so that I wouldn't have as much down time.

To get the best Sears price you have to buy when they're offering a special 10% discount coupon that they do every so often. However, the sales guy I got to know at the Southpoint store pulled one of these coupons out of his pocket for my use once he knew that I wanted to get the 'special deal'.

Who ever you go with I'd highly recommend the extended warranty and be sure that it includes bulb replacement.

[QUOTE=posg]toadfanac,

Posg:

This minute? We've been waiting for almost a year and a half for ANY HD additions- (by far) longer than any other cable or satellite provider. Have you read this thread at all? Better yet, have you taken the time to compare TWC vs other cable providers? If you had, you'd know that I'm not the only one who thinks TWC is lame.

As for additions ... ESPN2HD, Cinemax HD, StarzHD, WB, UPN, yada yada yada. Whatever. Just give us something, anything- instead all we really can count on is higher rates.

toadfannc,

Any reason you don't get a satellite dish????

I have bought my last two TVs at Costco and will never purchase any high priced items at Best Buy Or Circuit City again. I do not have time to go into my horror stories
with BB and CC but for service and warranties they are awful. And beware of the 6 or 12 month no interest. I feel for that and CC sold my loan to another company 2 months later and I was charged interest 3 months into what should have been 6 months of interest free.

Enough complaining, I would go with Costco. They have a lifetime warranty on all TVs and a good selection and even better prices.

As for additions ... ESPN2HD, Cinemax HD, StarzHD, WB, UPN, yada yada yada. Whatever. Just give us something, anything- instead all we really can count on is higher rates.

It's not really fair to knock TWC for not carrying WB and UPN. The cheap bastards at Sinclair are the reason we don't have WB and UPN in HD. TWC can't create an HD channel where one doesn't exist. But the rest are fair complaints. ;)

toadfannc,

Any reason you don't get a satellite dish????

At this point, I can justify the cost of a TiVo (DVR), HD tuner, and an OTA antenna for local HD. As far as services and equipment goes, you can't beat TWC. That's not my gripe with them-- it's programming.

It's not really fair to knock TWC for not carrying WB and UPN. The cheap bastards at Sinclair are the reason we don't have WB and UPN in HD. TWC can't create an HD channel where one doesn't exist. But the rest are fair complaints. ;)

Whatever was just on the WB (just before the Wizard of OZ) was in HD. I can't find any listings on the WB website though.

Whatever was just on the WB (just before the Wizard of OZ) was in HD. I can't find any listings on the WB website though.

Did you receive it in HD or did it just say "HDTV where available"?

It's not really fair to knock TWC for not carrying WB and UPN. The cheap bastards at Sinclair are the reason we don't have WB and UPN in HD. TWC can't create an HD channel where one doesn't exist. But the rest are fair complaints. ;)

Actually, WB22 has been broadcasting in HD for quite a while. I watch Smallville in HD every week OTA.

UPN28 is not HD, but UPN48 out of Greensboro is HD and can be picked up OTA with the proper antenna set-up.

It was in HD. I pick up the WB22 very well OTA. Can't get UPN28 to come in though.

For what it's worth, both WB and UPN are operated locally by Sinclair. Both are operating with pea-power (9000 watts) under Special Temporary Permits. This will probably remain until the switch off of analogue broadcasting.

UPN is not in HDTV, and probably won't be anytime in the forseeable future. Don't look for cable carriage anytime soon. Sinclair in notorious for being impossible to deal with, and most cable operators have simply walked away from the negociating table, and I support their decision.

By the way, Sinclair operates the ABC and UPN affiliates in the Triad, neither of which are carried on cable.

Whatever was just on the WB (just before the Wizard of OZ) was in HD. I can't find any listings on the WB website though.

My bad. I don't watch anything on WB. I can't even remember if I can get the WB from my OTA antenna. I guess we can blame TWC for the lack of WB in HD then, just not UPN. :D

How about Universal HD, ESPN2 HD, Cinimax HD, StarZ HD, and NFL Network HD (oh wait, that would mean they actually carry the NFL network)? Those are all carried either by DirecTV or Comcast. In fact, Comcast carries all of the TWC ones and every other one listed *except* Universal HD.

I don't care how many channels Comcast have available in some areas, I would rather jam a fork in my eye than use their onscreen guide. Horrible interface.

My bad. I don't watch anything on WB. I can't even remember if I can get the WB from my OTA antenna. I guess we can blame TWC for the lack of WB in HD then, just not UPN. :D


WBHD is carried by TWC Charlotte because they aren't manacled by Sinclair they are owned by Capitol. So you were right to begin with, it's Sinclair's fault that we don't have it.

What religions are they planning to offer? :)

According to On Connections brochure:

Daystar Network (http://ww2.daystar.com/Daystar) ch.192 or 193 (I forgot) coming Jan 2nd.

The Word Network (http://www.thewordnetwork.org/) ch.192 or 193 (I forgot) coming Jan 2nd.

It also looks like Here! TV on Demand (http://www.heretv.com/) will be added to ch. 510 acording to the channel list on the back. No idea when though. No mention of any new HD channels either. :(

I have bought my last two TVs at Costco and will never purchase any high priced items at Best Buy Or Circuit City again. I do not have time to go into my horror stories
with BB and CC but for service and warranties they are awful. And beware of the 6 or 12 month no interest. I feel for that and CC sold my loan to another company 2 months later and I was charged interest 3 months into what should have been 6 months of interest free.

Enough complaining, I would go with Costco. They have a lifetime warranty on all TVs and a good selection and even better prices.

I bought my 50" Sony from Best Buy at the end of December 2003. When I bought it, I was a day off of the 18 month deal, and got the 12 month no interest deal. Within 2 weeks they had a 24 month deal, so I brought my receipt in and they redid it with no hassle at all. I've been paying monthly (split up the total cost by the 24 months) and my final payment will be at the end of this month (it has to be paid by 1/31/06 to not get hit with interest). I've been lucky that I haven't needed any maintanence on it, but I did get a couple year warranty when I bought it.

0.0 (blank)
5.1
5.2
5.3
11.1
11.2
11.3
17.1
17.2
17.3
50.1
50.2
50.3
84.2 DiscoveryHD
84.3 TNTHD
102.7
103.10 ESPN Classic
104.1
105.60
106.3
106.9
112.1 (24hr view of the tower?)
112.11
121.1 (blank)

hello folks, i just got a a Philips 60PP9100D/37 from BJ's, excellent tv so far.

it has an ATSC tuner as well, and from a channel scan from yesterday i got the following HD channels off of TWC straight from a wall-jack:

084.2 DiscoveryHD Theatre
084.3 TNT HD
085.2 CBS HD
090.2 UNC HD
111.2 NBC HD
113.1 ABC HD
113.4 FOX HD

interestingly, if i view an SD digital channel it looks rather like crap, very grainy, while if i watch the same channel over the analog tuner it looks very good.

i'm really impressed with the way the SD channels look, they are not as bad as others report.

the HD channels are stunning as they should be, but frankly, i think the tv does a really good job with both SD and HD to the point they both look great.

on the computer the difference between SD and HD is night & day, so i really feel the tv is doing a great job scaling.

does anyone know if any other HD channels are available non-encrypted over the wire? such as ESPN-HD etc...

i sit 15ft away from the tv and i must admit it's a little bit too big... it's like being in the theatres ;-)

especially that until 2 days ago i had a 25" RCA CRT lol

does anyone else have the same tv? i thought it was bizarre when i search the forum and only 1 entry was found among the 100000's posts in this great forum...

Daryl L: you pointed out this channel and I've tried accessing it, but get "Loading Data....." followed by a service not available message. Is anyone getting this same error message?

I've got game :) (Channel 592).

E

Daryl L: you pointed out this channel and I've tried accessing it, but get "Loading Data....." followed by a service not available message. Is anyone getting this same error message?

I've got game :) (Channel 592).

E
I get a menu for solitaire, black jack, and 5 card draw.

When i tried it a few days ago, it said i was not a subscriber.

hello folks, i just got a a Philips 60PP9100D/37 from BJ's, excellent tv so far.

it has an ATSC tuner as well, and from a channel scan from yesterday i got the following HD channels off of TWC straight from a wall-jack:

084.2 DiscoveryHD Theatre
084.3 TNT HD
085.2 CBS HD
090.2 UNC HD
111.2 NBC HD
113.1 ABC HD
113.4 FOX HD





does anyone else have the same tv? i thought it was bizarre when i search the forum and only 1 entry was found among the 100000's posts in this great forum...

ESPNHD is not available unencrypted. I think you've got the whole list. If you add an antenna to your setup, you should be able to get WB (HD), UPN (not HD), and the spanish channels (not HD).

thanks cbordman for the input.

i get many other dtv channels that are SD with the built-in tuner, i'm sure i saw UPN there as well.

can you recommend an indoor antenna? i live in glenwook ave. just before the 540 interchange.

thanks

I used to live near the Lynn and Leadmine intersection and didn't get reliable reception with an indoor antenna. But then again, i have a $7.99 RCA set of rabbit ears that came from Home Depot.

I only had it setting on the top of the TV, in a single story house. Multiple stories, or attic installation might work better.

gotcha, thanks

Daryl L: you pointed out this channel and I've tried accessing it, but get "Loading Data....." followed by a service not available message. Is anyone getting this same error message?

I've got game :) (Channel 592).

E

Just turned to it. Works ok here. It gives me a "Loading Data" message after the "One moment please" message then after a few seconds the service appears. Maybe a reboot ot the box might help.

Just turned to it. Works ok here. It gives me a "Loading Data" message after the "One moment please" message then after a few seconds the service appears. Maybe a reboot ot the box might help.

591 seems to suffer the same problems as many of the popular VOD channels in that it's very unreliable. I tuned in with no problems for a couple of days but now I've started getting the spinning arrows, just like ordering a movie at peak times.

Daryl L: you pointed out this channel and I've tried accessing it, but get "Loading Data....." followed by a service not available message. Is anyone getting this same error message?

I've got game :) (Channel 592).

E

This channel is garbage. This is the kind of crap that TWC appeases its subs with while we miss out on real programming (ex. ESPN2HD).

This channel is garbage. This is the kind of crap that TWC appeases its subs with while we miss out on real programming (ex. ESPN2HD).

More likely than not that when I look at ESPNHD it's not in HD anyway so what's so great about ESPNHD2 that we're missing?

yeah, about 99% of the stuff on HD channels today is just an upsampled version of SD shows...

Guys, thanks for the feedback on where to look for a new Sony 50 inch A10 RP LCD TV.
I struck out for the price I want at BB, Circuit City and both Tweeters. I even tried Adam at Tweeter on Highway 70.
I have yet to see what I can do at SAMS, COSTCO or Sears.

If anyone wants this TV with a stand I noticed some at BJ's in Cary tonight. Nice price on the TV with a stand, but I don't need a stand. (manager said they could not break the package)


Ah well, looks like I will now be trying to find a deal the week after Christmas as we have to head out of town for a few days.

More likely than not that when I look at ESPNHD it's not in HD anyway so what's so great about ESPNHD2 that we're missing?


actual, live sporting events.

ESPN shows sportscenter about 13 times a day, and it is in HD.

Do we really need a TV channel to play solitaire?

yeah, about 99% of the stuff on HD channels today is just an upsampled version of SD shows...

Obviously you don't own (or watch) HDTV.

More likely than not that when I look at ESPNHD it's not in HD anyway so what's so great about ESPNHD2 that we're missing?

I hear this all the time, and it amazes me. ESPN(HD) has more (by far) live sporting events and shows in HD than any broadcast or cable station. Good grief- do you people want EVERYTHING in HD. What is the value of having "Poker Night" and "Around the Horn" in HD? ESPN2HD now has a full compliment of events in HD ... at least 2 or 3 baseball games a week (in-season), college football, college basketball. Of course, us TWC customers are missing all of it.

TWC has alot more HD programing than does Charter.... Around Roxboro area We have NOTHING in HD thru cable, I had to go out and buy DB8 OTA antenna to get anything in HD.

It's already been confirmed that ESPN2HD will be added to TWC Raleigh 1st quarter 2006, GOT IT????

Last night there were two episodes of LOST (reruns) back to back, the 9 o'clock episode had NO dialogue, just the effect tracks on the HD channel, SD was fine, adverts were fine, the 10 o'clock episode was fine.

I checked the channel through my set top, through direct cable connection, and off air. Same thing. Anybody else. PS, I have a standard stereo connection.

Obviously you don't own (or watch) HDTV.

i don't know what you meant by that... but the simple fact is that on a nightly basis the big networks have 2-3 shows that are true-HD while all the other stuff is just upsampled SD.

check your local listings and see for yourself.

I hear this all the time, and it amazes me. ESPN(HD) has more (by far) live sporting events and shows in HD than any broadcast or cable station. Good grief- do you people want EVERYTHING in HD. What is the value of having "Poker Night" and "Around the Horn" in HD? ESPN2HD now has a full compliment of events in HD ... at least 2 or 3 baseball games a week (in-season), college football, college basketball. Of course, us TWC customers are missing all of it.

That's correct. I want to see nothing but HD on an HD channel. I agree there are a multitude of college and professional "ball" programs on ESPNHD, but I have never seen a golf event in HD on ESPNHD (nor on ABC or NBC HD channels as far as that goes). I really don't like looking at HD programs in 4:3 or short squat people stretched in 4:3 to fill my 16:9 screen. I understand the law of supply and demand; but in the case of HD it's like what comes first, the chicken or the egg. And by the way, ALL IND channels are ALL HD so ESPNHD does not have the most HD programs.

You question why "Poker Night" should be in HD; but I question why it is even on ESPN. Poker is a sport? Just another example that ESPNHD is not a HD sport station. They should rename it to SSSHD (Sometimes Sport Sometimes HD).

Rather than getting additional HD channels, I'd rather have more HD on HD channels. It will be interesting to see how much of the winter olympics will be in HD.

that's exactly what i meant by 99% of content is upscaled SD, thanks bobjdan for proving my point ;-)

And by the way, ALL IND channels are ALL HD so ESPNHD does not have the most HD programs.


also PBS, 99% of shows are true-HD, only problem is it's mostly crap no1 watches...

that's exactly what i meant by 99% of content is upscaled SD, thanks bobjdan for proving my point ;-)



also PBS, 99% of shows are true-HD, only problem is it's mostly crap no1 watches...

99% - definition 99/100.

This would mean (by your definition) that CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX have 1 show out of 100 in HD. Let's do the math...24 hours in 1 day broken into 30 minute timeslots. So, that would be 48 slots. 48 * .01 = .48. So, only 1/2 of one show per day is in HD?

I won't argue the point.

Last night there were two episodes of LOST (reruns) back to back, the 9 o'clock episode had NO dialogue, just the effect tracks on the HD channel, SD was fine, adverts were fine, the 10 o'clock episode was fine.

I checked the channel through my set top, through direct cable connection, and off air. Same thing. Anybody else. PS, I have a standard stereo connection.


It was the same way Tuesday night during "According to Jim" and "Rodney". It's WTVD and that stupid Octimax 5.1 unit and the way they have it set up and it's processing the networks 5.1 audio (screwing it up). :mad:

That goodness I'm able to pick up WWAY-DT OTA.

99% - definition 99/100.

This would mean (by your definition) that CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX have 1 show out of 100 in HD. Let's do the math...24 hours in 1 day broken into 30 minute timeslots. So, that would be 48 slots. 48 * .01 = .48. So, only 1/2 of one show per day is in HD?

I won't argue the point.

that was hilarious man, i meant as a figure of speech...

anyway, look at the snapshot below:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8409/nbcepg5uf.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nbcepg5uf.jpg)

http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nbcepg5uf.jpg

as you can see, in a span of almost 2 days, they have 6 shows in true-HD, while the rest is upsampled SD stuff.

so out of the 50 entries that you see on the screen, only 6 are actually HD.

6/50=12%.

so yes, my bad, 12% actually compared to the 1% i presented previously...

all the HD network channels are like that (except PBS and other channels mentioned above).

case closed.

all the HD network channels are like that (except PBS and other channels mentioned above).


Our local CBS station (WRAL) at least shows the local news, and I think a soap in HD. I don't care much for either type of show, but at least the HD content percentage on WRAL is much higher. And it is fun noticing the out of place hairs sticking up on the anchorman's head :)

Drew

.....Good grief- do you people want EVERYTHING in HD.

Yes, especially those channels I'm paying for as part of the "HD" package and are advertised as "XYZ..HD"

As a paying customer, am I asking for too much? I don't think so.

Oh, btw, I also expect the audio to work, preferably in DD.

Some day......

It's already been confirmed that ESPN2HD will be added to TWC Raleigh 1st quarter 2006, GOT IT????

Confirmed by who? If you're talking about the e-mails from TWC saying they "plan" to add ESPN2HD as part of the new contract up for renewal with ABC/Disney/ESPN (expires in May)-- I'll believe it when I see it-- literally. If the recent carriage agreement for Universal HD is any example, it'll be months after the deal is done before it shows up on our line-up. I recently e-mailed the local NC TWC and asked when they were adding Universal HD, and they didn't have a clue that it already was added for SC, NY, and parts of New England. It's unbelievable how inefficient this company is.

That's correct. I want to see nothing but HD on an HD channel. I agree there are a multitude of college and professional "ball" programs on ESPNHD, but I have never seen a golf event in HD on ESPNHD (nor on ABC or NBC HD channels as far as that goes).
In addition to NBA, MLB, NFL, and various NCAA sports (not just basketball and football), ESPN2 also carries all NHRA events in HD as well as a good amount of rodeo events. They also have figure skating in January and will be carrying the majority of their NASCAR events in HD when that contract begins in 2007. So, yes, no golf...but plenty of non-ball sports.

that was hilarious man, i meant as a figure of speech...

anyway, look at the snapshot below:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8409/nbcepg5uf.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nbcepg5uf.jpg)

http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nbcepg5uf.jpg

as you can see, in a span of almost 2 days, they have 6 shows in true-HD, while the rest is upsampled SD stuff.

so out of the 50 entries that you see on the screen, only 6 are actually HD.

6/50=12%.

so yes, my bad, 12% actually compared to the 1% i presented previously...

all the HD network channels are like that (except PBS and other channels mentioned above).

case closed.

So, what's your point? You would rather have access to 0% of ESPN and ESPN2's programming in HD than 10%?

The real question is - what percentage of the programs you ACTUALLY WATCH are in HD?

Yes, PBS is almost 100% HD - but I watch maybe 1% of the shows. ESPN/ESPN2 is only say 10% HD - but if 25%+ of the programs I watch on those channels are in HD - which channel is more valueable?

Same with CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, etc. You don't think the stations know this? You don't think they pay attention to ratings? You ever heard of "prime-time"

Why don't you see what percentage of the higher rated shows are in HD? And what percentage of the higher profile events on ESPN/ESPN2 are in HD?

So, what's your point? You would rather have access to 0% of ESPN and ESPN2's programming in HD than 10%?

The real question is - what percentage of the programs you ACTUALLY WATCH are in HD?

Yes, PBS is almost 100% HD - but I watch maybe 1% of the shows. ESPN/ESPN2 is only say 10% HD - but if 25%+ of the programs I watch on those channels are in HD - which channel is more valueable?

Same with CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, etc. You don't think the stations know this? You don't think they pay attention to ratings? You ever heard of "prime-time"

Why don't you see what percentage of the higher rated shows are in HD? And what percentage of the higher profile events on ESPN/ESPN2 are in HD?

The channels in TWC's HD Suite are:
290 ESPN HD

291 INHD

292 INHD2

293 HD Net

294 HDNet Movies

All of these channels, with the exception of ESPN HD, are almost 100% HD. So, we already pay $6.95 extra for this "suite". I suspect that if TWC adds ESPN2, the next thing we will see is them going up on the price of this "suite". I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to pay extra for channels that may have "some" HD content. Maybe the "big game" is in HD on ESPN, but the majority of the things that I watch on ESPN are NOT in HD.

toadfannc,

Maybe you need to start a seperate thread about how much you hate TWC. If you took the time to check out what other cable operators and satellite providers are offering, you'd realize just how far ahead of the pack TWC is. Your comments are getting tedious. Happy Holidays.

All of these channels, with the exception of ESPN HD, are almost 100% HD. So, we already pay $6.95 extra for this "suite". I suspect that if TWC adds ESPN2, the next thing we will see is them going up on the price of this "suite". I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to pay extra for channels that may have "some" HD content. Maybe the "big game" is in HD on ESPN, but the majority of the things that I watch on ESPN are NOT in HD.

The price may go up - then again, it may not.

My question to you is this - how many hours of HD do you watch from each of those networks?

I don't subscribe to the HDSuite from TWC - I get the HD package from D*. So, in my case, I watch more hours per week of HD from ESPN/ESPN2HD than HDNet, HDNet Movies, DiscoveryHD, and UniversalHD combined. So, which channels are the most valueable to me - of course, ESPNHD and ESPN2HD. I could care less if the others are 100% HD, since it's 90% uninteresting.

Your viewing habits may differ, of course. But, then, your issue is not whether or not ESPN is 100% HD, it's that you're paying for a network you don't watch. And that's a bundling issue, not an HD one.

To put it more generally, which HD package do you think would have more subscribers (lets say you can't subscribe to both) ...

HD package #1 - $5.00 - HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, INHD2, UniversalHD
HD package #2 - $5.00 - ESPNHD, ESPN2HD

The price may go up - then again, it may not.

My question to you is this - how many hours of HD do you watch from each of those networks?

I don't subscribe to the HDSuite from TWC - I get the HD package from D*. So, in my case, I watch more hours per week of HD from ESPN/ESPN2HD than HDNet, HDNet Movies, DiscoveryHD, and UniversalHD combined. So, which channels are the most valueable to me - of course, ESPNHD and ESPN2HD. I could care less if the others are 100% HD, since it's 90% uninteresting.

Your viewing habits may differ, of course. But, then, your issue is not whether or not ESPN is 100% HD, it's that you're paying for a network you don't watch. And that's a bundling issue, not an HD one.

To put it more generally, which HD package do you think would have more subscribers (lets say you can't subscribe to both) ...

HD package #1 - $5.00 - HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, INHD2, UniversalHD
HD package #2 - $5.00 - ESPNHD, ESPN2HD

I thought the issue here was TWC carrying ESPN2 in HD. I was pointing out that they probably would bundle it with the HD Suite (as they do with ESPN HD) and would probably go up on the cost. Considering that the HD content is less than 50%, it should not be part of the HD Suite. Otherwise, TWC can carry 20 more sports channels as far as I'm concerned. If they want to bundle a special "sports package" that I can either get or not get, that's fine with me also. As for the two choices you gave me, I would go with package #1.

toadfannc,

Maybe you need to start a seperate thread about how much you hate TWC. If you took the time to check out what other cable operators and satellite providers are offering, you'd realize just how far ahead of the pack TWC is. Your comments are getting tedious. Happy Holidays.

And, a joyous holiday to you as well. Thank you for your kind words. BTW, I've taken the time to compare. Those comparisons are specifically noted in many of my comments on this forum. As I look back at yours, I do not see any reference to an objective comparison of TWC HD offerings with other cable providers. But, apparently, my observations about TWC have offended you, so I'll just read from now on. I can't stand it when people snipe at each other in these message boards ... it's just not worth it.

I thought the issue here was TWC carrying ESPN2 in HD. I was pointing out that they probably would bundle it with the HD Suite (as they do with ESPN HD) and would probably go up on the cost. Considering that the HD content is less than 50%, it should not be part of the HD Suite. Otherwise, TWC can carry 20 more sports channels as far as I'm concerned. If they want to bundle a special "sports package" that I can either get or not get, that's fine with me also. As for the two choices you gave me, I would go with package #1.

Out of curiosity - what programs do you watch on those channels? And would you watch them if they were available in SD only? And would your choice be the same if there were no SD versions of ESPN/ESPN-2? And if ESPN/ESPN2HD were 100% HD, how would you feel about their addition to the HDSuite (assuming they cause the price to increase)?

I think it's a fair guess that TWC put ESPN-HD as part of their HD suite to "pass on" the cost they pay ESPN to carry that channel, and that they'll do the same with ESPN2HD. Whether the price goes up or not is a separate issue. Directv added ESPN2HD to their package without a price increase. Of course, the package is already $10.99.

But I think the origin of the debate is what's the point of adding ESPN2HD if it doesn't yet show 100% HD? And I think the answer is self-evident.

In an ideal world, ESPN/ESPN2-HD would be 100% HD all the time. And that day is coming, but it's not here. In the meantime, there is a fair amount of "high-interest" programming on those channels available NOW in HD that a lot of people with TWC would like to watch. Quality vs. quantity.

Of course, if you don't care for the programming on ESPN/ESPN2HD, your opinion will differ. But then again, your issue wouldn't be with the channel not being 100% HD, it's with the programming the channel offers.

let's all chill down... hehe

deArgila, all i was trying to do is state how we get screwed by the broadcasters... that's all.

it's just like with broadband, once you get it, you can never go back to dialup... same thing with HD, it is STUNNING, and i want MORE of it... what the major networks are doing is pretty pathetic, but it has nothin to do with the cable/sat providers... they don't do the content...

as far as HD channels available, i think Dish network has the most of all 3 providers, since they bought the failing VOOM HD satellite service.

Out of curiosity - what programs do you watch on those channels? And would you watch them if they were available in SD only? And would your choice be the same if there were no SD versions of ESPN/ESPN-2? And if ESPN/ESPN2HD were 100% HD, how would you feel about their addition to the HDSuite (assuming they cause the price to increase)?

I think it's a fair guess that TWC put ESPN-HD as part of their HD suite to "pass on" the cost they pay ESPN to carry that channel, and that they'll do the same with ESPN2HD. Whether the price goes up or not is a separate issue. Directv added ESPN2HD to their package without a price increase. Of course, the package is already $10.99.

But I think the origin of the debate is what's the point of adding ESPN2HD if it doesn't yet show 100% HD? And I think the answer is self-evident.

In an ideal world, ESPN/ESPN2-HD would be 100% HD all the time. And that day is coming, but it's not here. In the meantime, there is a fair amount of "high-interest" programming on those channels available NOW in HD that a lot of people with TWC would like to watch. Quality vs. quantity.

Of course, if you don't care for the programming on ESPN/ESPN2HD, your opinion will differ. But then again, your issue wouldn't be with the channel not being 100% HD, it's with the programming the channel offers.

OK, OK....We're getting into personal taste in TV viewing here. I gave my opinion and you gave yours. Let's leave it at that. But speaking of going up in general, I got my TW bill today, and beginning with the next billing period, my bill will be going up $6.50. This is without ESPN2 HD or any other HD additions.

OK, OK....We're getting into personal taste in TV viewing here. I gave my opinion and you gave yours. Let's leave it at that. But speaking of going up in general, I got my TW bill today, and beginning with the next billing period, my bill will be going up $6.50. This is without ESPN2 HD or any other HD additions.

Agreed.

But I really am curious about the questions I asked.

What programs do you watch on those channels? And would you watch them if they were available in SD only? And would your choice be the same if there were no SD versions of ESPN/ESPN-2? And if ESPN/ESPN2HD were 100% HD, how would you feel about their addition to the HDSuite (assuming they cause the price to increase)?