Raleigh, NC - HDTV [Text View] - Page 22

dslate69

06-05-06, 04:35 PM

I think we'll only see a trickle of HD activity from programmers and video distributors until next year. Next year will be the landslide. STARZ-HD quite frankly is probably not even on the radar screen at TWC at this point.

By next summer, the satellite guys will have the bulk of their HD local rollout behind them, and they'll have a installed base of HD receivers hungry for programming.

The cable guys will be implementing bandwidth recovery strategies on a wide scale basis.

The telcos may be breathing down everyones necks.

Programmers will jump into the fray once the distribution bottlenecks have been resolved.

And we just passed the milestone where HD sets are outselling SD sets.

2007 is when it all starts getting interesting. For now, it's spits and spats, dribs and drabs. Patience please. The race has only just begun.

You are being way to optimistic with 2007 being the year things will get interesting. TWC has never moved at anything other than a snails pace. They are too interested in making money off "Broadband" and "VOIP" to make any drastic changes in favor of HDTV subscribers any time soon. HD users are not where the money is at with TWC. FIOS is not any where close to a nation-wide rollout. We could hope that RDU is on some Telcos radar, but 2007 wouldn't even be possible for them if they started last week.

The only clear choice for the "present" not the distant "future" is SAT (with DISH being the leader of the 2). Let me state for the record again, I want lots and lots of HD and if TWC was the leader; I would still be with them. In 5 or 10 years I may be back with TWC but don't kid yourself into thinking TWC is the only company with tech improvements like "switched digital". Right now the SATs have plenty of bandwidth, and that is with the majority of the stations being mpeg2 instead of mpeg4. They have just started reusing the same fequencies on different spotbeams to more than double the capacities of the new Birds.

I hope TWC does finally start moving toward offering compelling HD but we all know it won't happen anytime soon. Example: Starz-HD is offered free to TWC and it still isn't available for subscribers because the bandwidth is making them more money with "VOIP".

posg

06-05-06, 05:10 PM

You are being way to optimistic with 2007 being the year things will get interesting. TWC has never moved at anything other than a snails pace. They are too interested in making money off "Broadband" and "VOIP" to make any drastic changes in favor of HDTV subscribers any time soon. HD users are not where the money is at with TWC. FIOS is not any where close to a nation-wide rollout. We could hope that RDU is on some Telcos radar, but 2007 wouldn't even be possible for them if they started last week.

The only clear choice for the "present" not the distant "future" is SAT (with DISH being the leader of the 2). Let me state for the record again, I want lots and lots of HD and if TWC was the leader; I would still be with them. In 5 or 10 years I may be back with TWC but don't kid yourself into thinking TWC is the only company with tech improvements like "switched digital". Right now the SATs have plenty of bandwidth, and that is with the majority of the stations being mpeg2 instead of mpeg4. They have just started reusing the same fequencies on different spotbeams to more than double the capacities of the new Birds.

I hope TWC does finally start moving toward offering compelling HD but we all know it won't happen anytime soon. Example: Starz-HD is offered free to TWC and it still isn't available for subscribers because the bandwidth is making them more money with "VOIP".

Your statement the HD is "not where the money's at with TWC" is true. Their near term business strategy is to exploit the fact that nearly everybody has land-line phone service and that's the compelling business growth opportunity.

Exploiting an existing market potential is certainly a sound business philosophy. Currently there is a lot more on the revenue table with phone and internet service than HD programming. TONS.

In the meantime, they are not ignoring HD.

The reason satellite is so aggressive in telling the HD story is that it's really the only story they have to tell. They'll have a small headstart, but again the race has barely begun.

I hate to repeat myself (don't really mind that much), but it's the tortise (cable) and the hare (satellite).

Ironic that the tortise's shell is shaped like a satellite dish, and TWC's corporate mascot is the consumate hare, Mr. Bugs Bunny. They discredited my analogy.

posg

06-05-06, 05:16 PM

As far as Starz goes, I doubt that 10% of ALL of TWC's subscribers actually subscribe to Starz, and if you apply the 20% of the households that have HD, that means 2% would be able to get it.

Is that worth 19.4 megabits of space?????

Ken H

06-05-06, 05:49 PM

Please keep on topic.

Bigchris

06-05-06, 06:48 PM

I have another question, and I don't even have the cap card yet. I read on another thread that in some TWC areas, basic cable subscriptions include QAM HD. I thought you had to have digital cable to get HD?
I don't have cable so I'm going to go way out on a limb and maybe someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

QAM is used to carry HD and most is encrypted so you need a subscription and a cable box to decode it. Some cable systems carry the local HDTV stations in QAM not encoded. These you can receive with a PC card that receives QAM. I think the Raleigh cable system does carry some of these unencrypted QAM signals but I don't know which they are.

posg

06-05-06, 07:28 PM

Please keep on topic.

I'm confused. I thought the topic was Raleigh HDTV. Since TWC is Raleigh's cable operator, I thought maybe this was on topic. With all due respect, just exactly are we allowed to discuss??????????????????????????????? :mad:

pkscout

06-05-06, 07:48 PM

I'm confused. I thought the topic was Raleigh HDTV. Since TWC is Raleigh's cable operator, I thought maybe this was on topic. With all due respect, just exactly are we allowed to discuss??????????????????????????????? :mad:

I also am confused. I was away for a week and am only getting the edited thread now, but it seems like we have the mods crawling down our back on a pretty regular basis. I went back and re-read every post on the page before the moderator's request, and I can't figure out what was off topic.

The only thing I can figure is that we aren't allowed to talk about things in this thread that might apply to other markets. That seems rather constricting to me (especially since TWC is a national provider), and if that's all off limits here, then I guess we should just post links to antennaweb.org, the TWC page with a list of the HD options for our area, and the list of unencrypted QAM channels and call it quits.

<sigh>

VisionOn

06-05-06, 08:27 PM

The VOD channels are only "virtual" channels, and don't take any bandwidth unless someone actually "requests" a program, and I would guess you're right, they don't get a lot of use.

yeah, I know. I'm just ranting about the proliferation of useless VOD channels. If they keep adding any more it's going to be hard to see if StarzHD actually gets added.

Ken H

06-05-06, 09:45 PM

I'm confused. I thought the topic was Raleigh HDTV. Since TWC is Raleigh's cable operator, I thought maybe this was on topic. With all due respect, just exactly are we allowed to discuss??????????????????????????????? :mad:This is a misunderstanding. Please let me explain.

My comment was not directed at you, or the existing posts in this topic. I deleted a few posts that were completely unrelated to what is being discussed, and was asking those who's posts were deleted to keep on topic.

Ken H

06-05-06, 09:48 PM

I also am confused. I was away for a week and am only getting the edited thread now, but it seems like we have the mods crawling down our back on a pretty regular basis. I went back and re-read every post on the page before the moderator's request, and I can't figure out what was off topic.Please see my post above.

The reason you can't figure out what was off topic, is because it's no longer there.

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

dslate69

06-05-06, 10:11 PM

Does anyone know of any other Raleigh or surrounding area HDTV forums that are more of a General nature and less regulated would be nice too :) ?

pepar

06-05-06, 11:14 PM

Please see my post above.

The reason you can't figure out what was off topic, is because it's no longer there.

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
Any hints for the rest of us who weren't following the thread closely as to what the OT posts were? Otherwise, it's like we're on double secret probation. :)

Ken H

06-05-06, 11:58 PM

Any hints for the rest of us who weren't following the thread closely as to what the OT posts were? Otherwise, it's like we're on double secret probation. :)They were about another member, and replies.

Ok, now it's my turn: Ken, will you please keep on topic......

cbordman

06-06-06, 06:33 AM

I don't subscribe to TWC's HD suite, but the INHD channel that had the hockey game was activated last night. fyi...

Ken H

06-06-06, 07:10 AM

I don't subscribe to TWC's HD suite, but the INHD channel that had the hockey game was activated last night. fyi...Yes, INHD carries the OLN HD hockey games on cable systems. Game two of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday will be the last game on OLN this season, as the rest of the series will be seen on NBC.

posg

06-06-06, 07:12 AM

I don't subscribe to TWC's HD suite, but the INHD channel that had the hockey game was activated last night. fyi...

You mean those greedy bastards at TWC actually gave the game away to non- subscribers ??? Someone must have put drugs in the water cooler....

Go Canes !!!

dslate69

06-06-06, 07:32 AM

You mean those greedy bastards at TWC actually gave the game away to non- subscribers ??? Someone must have put drugs in the water cooler....

Go Canes !!!

Only if you subscribe to OLN, then you get the HD feed for free. Same on SAT's.
The key for me is that game 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup finals does not carry a big enough audience to make it on NBC. Oh well I guess that is what the NFL is for. :cool:

pkscout

06-06-06, 09:29 AM

OK, I've been searching around AVS and this thread and think I know enough to actually ask my question now. ;)

I'm trying to figure out if TWC is doing digital simulcast of the analog channels (i.e. 99 and below) or where I can go to find that out. Basically I'm getting ready to switch from DirecTV to TWC. In the short term I'll get digital service with their DVR, but when the TiVo Series 3 comes out I have a different decision to make. If channels 1-99 are not being simulcasted, then I am likely to drop to the standard service, as all the HD I want I can get OTA and I could have the Series 3 record the analog channels without having to get a cablecard.

There's no sense in paying for the digital tier and a cablecard unless 1-99 are simulcasted, as I have no interest an any of the digital only channels.

Thanks.

dslate69

06-06-06, 09:31 AM

Here is a link for you front projector users or future users.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/diy_screen.htm

But since you read about it here you can only watch Raleigh HD Locals on it. :)

cbordman

06-06-06, 09:35 AM

As i understand it, with a TWC digital box, all channels below 100 are digital. However, these same channels below 100 cannot be picked up by the QAM tuner in my TV.

Maybe the cablecard will pick up the digital channels below 100, but i've never tried a cablecard.

If you're not interested in the digital tier of channels, you should be able to substitute either the Sports & games tier, or the Encore movie tier.

cbordman

06-06-06, 09:36 AM

Only if you subscribe to OLN, then you get the HD feed for free. Same on SAT's.
The key for me is that game 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup finals does not carry a big enough audience to make it on NBC. Oh well I guess that is what the NFL is for. :cool:

excellent. I do subsribe to analog ESPN, for which events do they 'open up' espn HD?

dslate69

06-06-06, 10:03 AM

excellent. I do subsribe to analog ESPN, for which events do they 'open up' espn HD?

This is just the case for OLN and Hockey. I guess since OLN doesn't have an OLN-HD but didn't want to waste a HD feed. ;) This to my knowledge is the first time this has been done. It is too bad that ESPN is treating their HD channels as seperate channels instead of just a better quality feed of the same channel.

dslate69

06-06-06, 10:13 AM

Basically I'm getting ready to switch from DirecTV to TWC. In the short term I'll get digital service with their DVR, but when the TiVo Series 3 comes out I have a different decision to make.

ReplayTV PC Edition Beta Test is starting this month.
http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/haupbeta/default.asp
Without getting into a TIVO versus debate their are other options to record Digital Cable on the horizon, VISTA is another.

posg

06-06-06, 10:25 AM

DaveWolf

06-06-06, 12:03 PM

What was the QAM channel number to pick up the IHND feed for the HD game? I will have to tune in tomorrow night!

cbordman

06-06-06, 12:23 PM

I was watching thru a TWC set top box. I don't know if it can be picked up with just a QAM.

pkscout

06-06-06, 01:06 PM

If you're not interested in the digital tier of channels, you should be able to substitute either the Sports & games tier, or the Encore movie tier.

I'm actually not interested in any of those either. The only thing that we watch on DirecTV now that isn't available in the standard TWC tier is *one* show on DIY. Hardly worth $12 a month (although my wife might disagree since it's a show she watches but I don't). ;)

Anyway, at least now I know. When the TiVo Series 3 comes out I might try to get standard cable and a cablecard (technically 2 to be able to record two channels at once) and see if that gives me access to the digital versions of the standard package. Has anyone tried that with a TV that has a cablecard slot?

Daryl L

06-06-06, 01:08 PM

What was the QAM channel number to pick up the IHND feed for the HD game? I will have to tune in tomorrow night!
If my math is correct it would be QAM ch.115.1 but I doubt you can get it since it's not Clear-to-air.

741 - 51 / 6 = 115
sub ch = 001
QAM ch = 115.1

DaveWolf

06-06-06, 01:35 PM

OK thanks. I thought cbordman's post was based on a QAM setup, not STB. That is interesting how you came up with the QAM channel. I didn't realize there was any method to it. So what do the numbers in your calculation mean? Thanks.

Erik Garci

06-06-06, 01:42 PM

Channel = (Frequency - 81MHz) / 6MHz, if the frequency is between 219MHz and 645MHz.
Channel = (Frequency - 51MHz) / 6MHz, if the frequency is 651MHz or higher.

Daryl L

06-06-06, 02:09 PM

So what do the numbers in your calculation mean? Thanks.
Well the 741.001 is the Frequency (.001 being the sub). The rest I have no clue. Just part of the equation someone posted awhile back. Exactly what Erik posted above. :)

posg

06-06-06, 02:47 PM

Here, this might make it a little easier:

http://www.tinlee.com/FreqChart.htm

TWC has analog channels through about 550 Mhz (channel 77). Notice that TV Guide channel that shows up as "0" or "98" on some TVs is actually at 108-114 Mhz.

The last time I looked on a spectrum analyzer, TWC has QAM signals up to around 800 Mhz, leaving me with the conclusion that the system is 860 Mhz capable, the next lower equipment cut-off being 750 Mhz.

The number display in the diagostic menu of the box is the center frequency of the 6 Mhz wide carrier.

posg

06-06-06, 09:39 PM

posg

06-06-06, 09:44 PM

Correction: Embarq is a spinoff of Sprint.

Embarq debuts at midnight
May 17, 2006 2:08 PM PDT
Sprint Nextel will officially spin off its local telephone division tonight at one minute before midnight.

The new company called Embarq will start trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange Thursday morning, and it will also join the S&P 500, replacing Applied Micro Circuits on the index. The new local phone company has a tough road ahead of it. The company has said that it expects to lose between 5.5 percent and 7.5 percent of its telephone access lines in 2006, largely because of competition from wireless and cable options. The company also expects revenue and profits to decline in its first year.

HDTV-NUT

06-06-06, 10:27 PM

Anyone notice that Food Network, HGTV, DIY and many other channels are now also listed in the 300's in the guide? (TWC)

Are they planning on getting rid of the analog channels?

dslate69

06-06-06, 11:12 PM

Sprint morphs into Embarq

On my way to work this morning (in Raleigh), I passed three of those "mobile billboard" trucks with an ad for "Embarq", a video, voice, data triple play alternative. I quite frankly forgot about it until I saw an ad on TV tonight, so I went to the website, typed in my zipcode (27614) and got a quasi-positive response.

Apparently, it's Sprints version of AT&T's Homezone, a cobbled mess of Dish Network, CinemaNow streaming and downloaded movies, DSL, and phone, all basically using someone else's pipe.

Yawn. Tell me what your impressions are. Real competitor, or shear desperation from a telco struggling to survive in a world which he no longer can hold hostage.

My take, with out all the nitty gritty details. I lean toward the company struggling to survive. They are hungry and inovative. I like them as long as they don't try and sue there way into the black. Tivo is doing this now on the little guy (DISH) in order to scare a settle out of the rest (DirecTv, Cable Industry, and however else that has a box that can "watch 1 while recording 1". That is the patent they have.

IamtheWolf

06-07-06, 06:55 AM

Sprint morphs into Embarq...... Tell me what your impressions are. Real competitor, or shear desperation from a telco struggling to survive in a world which he no longer can hold hostage.

Your follow-up post (press release clip) would impact my decision. "Going public" as a spin off is usually with great fanfare. Yet the view expressed in the press clip says "...expects to lose between 5.5 percent and 7.5 percent of its telephone access lines in 2006, ..... The company also expects revenue and profits to decline in its first year. "

We generally want the latest hardware and software from our content providers, whether STB, SATA ports, etc. and the clip wouldn't give me confidence that newer updates would become available quickly.

Even with that said, its still nice to have more choice - whether you're with TWC, SAT, etc.

posg

06-07-06, 07:07 AM

On the telco response to cable's raiding their cookie jar, not a prediction, as those usually turn out to be as worthless as a lottery ticket, but it certainly would make sense for "The New AT&T" to simply buy Dish Network.

posg

06-07-06, 07:19 AM

Anyone notice that Food Network, HGTV, DIY and many other channels are now also listed in the 300's in the guide? (TWC)

Are they planning on getting rid of the analog channels?

These are simply part of the "family tier", clustered for convenience. Read: One big fat yawn.

Time Warner's bandwidth recovery strategy over the near term is "switched video", while Comcast plans on pealing away analog channels. Long term, analog will go bye-bye, but not until your new ATSC set trickles down to the bedroom and the CRT beast there now makes it's way to the dump. Probably ten years.

We should have switched video here certainly by the end of next year, maybe sooner. TWC has announced it intends to deploy it across their entire footprint.

It will change everything, but most subscribers will never even know that it happened, except that their viewing options will be enhanced.

pkscout

06-07-06, 07:25 AM

These are simply part of the "family tier", clustered for convenience. Read: One big fat yawn.

Time Warner's bandwidth recovery strategy over the near term is "switched video", while Comcast plans on pealing away analog channels. Long term, analog will go bye-bye, but not until your new ATSC set trickles down to the bedroom and the CRT beast there now makes it's way to the dump. Probably ten years.

We should have switched video here certainly by the end of next year, maybe sooner. TWC has announced it intends to deploy it across their entire footprint.

It will change everything, but most subscribers will never even know that it happened, except that their viewing options will be enhanced.

Unless you use a CableCard. Then you're screwed, since this strategy has the added advantage (for the cable cos) of breaking the CableCard implimentation and once again restricting us to renting devices from our local cable monopoly.

posg

06-07-06, 07:52 AM

Unless you use a CableCard. Then you're screwed, since this strategy has the added advantage (for the cable cos) of breaking the CableCard implimentation and once again restricting us to renting devices from our local cable monopoly.

CableCard is one of those stop gap technologies that's more a function of government meddling than good business sense.

OCAP (Open Cable Protocol) is the future of interoperability. Once deployed, CableCard is obsolete. There are only 150,000 CableCard users anyway, an extremely small applecart.

I have an attic full of "future proof" technology.

As for CableCard:

"Forget about it"!!!!

posg

06-07-06, 08:43 AM

Ooops, I meant "OpenCable Application Platform", Here, read all about it:

http://www.opencable.com/

The OCAP specification enables manufacturers and retail distributors of set-tops, television receivers or other devices to build and to sell attractive and capable devices to consumers that will support all services delivered by cable operators to devices currently available to consumers via lease from cable operators.

dslate69

06-07-06, 08:56 AM

CableCard is one of those stop gap technologies that's more a function of government meddling than good business sense.

OCAP (Open Cable Protocol) is the future of interoperability. Once deployed, CableCard is obsolete. There are only 150,000 CableCard users anyway, an extremely small applecart.

I have an attic full of "future proof" technology.

As for CableCard:

"Forget about it"!!!!

Could the OCAP capability be packed into a cablecard for all the existing devices that have the slot? The question is more with cablecard II as it seems cablecard I is made obsolete with digital switching.

posg

06-07-06, 09:31 AM

Could the OCAP capability be packed into a cablecard for all the existing devices that have the slot? The question is more with cablecard II as it seems cablecard I is made obsolete with digital switching.

Probably not. The OCAP initiative is to develop a universal standard, rather than a bunch of proprietary solutions, so that if I buy a TV in a Time Warner market and move to a Comcast market, I can connect my set without any peripherals and access all there is to offer, similar to an IP address.

Again, since the CableCard universe is so small, investing time and money in order to support an obsolete technology probably doesn't make any sense. The cable industry has never really whole heartedly supported CableCard since it is a stop gap. Had they been more aggressive in CableCard deployment, they would have painted themselves in a technological corner.

Cable is less anxious than satellite to take technology to the marketplace until it is confident that it has long term usability. But you've heard that argument before. ;) ;) ;) ;)

cbordman

06-07-06, 09:31 AM

posg

06-07-06, 09:50 AM

Unless you use a CableCard. Then you're screwed, since this strategy has the added advantage (for the cable cos) of breaking the CableCard implimentation and once again restricting us to renting devices from our local cable monopoly.

PS The cable industry's strategy is the GET OUT of the hardware business completely, not to get deeper into it. The DVR is a temporary solution, sooner than you think you'll be able to store your selections on a server at the cable office and access it through your switched video OPAC enabled hardware.

Relying on hardware is expensive, and labor intensive. But the real advantage to OPAC is that it eventually allows ALL subscribers to access ALL services. Unlike satellite, cable cannot sell a PPV movie to over half of it's subscriber base because they don't have the necessary hardware. OPAC makes that hardware ubiquitous.

posg

06-07-06, 10:28 AM

I had sprint local phone service until last week, and never heard of this. They haven't done a very good job of getting the name (and services) out there for their existing customers.

They lost us to TWC digital phone.

They are just about to unleash an aggressive marketing campaign.

posg

06-07-06, 11:12 AM

I thought the TWC DVRs needed to phone-home, and could not be used when the cable is out. Is that a myth?

Drew

When was the last time your cable was out ??? Moot point.

pkscout

06-07-06, 11:34 AM

When was the last time your cable was out ??? Moot point.

Actually, before I switched to DirecTV my cable used to go out weekly for about an hour. After I would call and schedule an appointment for the next day and make plans to stay home for half a day it would come back on.

And (not that this was TWC's fault) there were the three times the housing developer cut the cable line upstream from me while putting in driveways for new houses. That was two days of outage each time.

I'm just saying, building a playback system that depends on 100% uptime isn't my favorite idea.

posg

06-07-06, 12:03 PM

Actually, before I switched to DirecTV my cable used to go out weekly for about an hour. After I would call and schedule an appointment for the next day and make plans to stay home for half a day it would come back on.

And (not that this was TWC's fault) there were the three times the housing developer cut the cable line upstream from me while putting in driveways for new houses. That was two days of outage each time.

I'm just saying, building a playback system that depends on 100% uptime isn't my favorite idea.

And cumulatively, that's where the .01% average downtime comes from.

I've had satellite. I know about rain fade. It can be REALLY annoying, because it always seems to happen at exactly the wrong time.

dslate69

06-07-06, 12:35 PM

I thought the TWC DVRs needed to phone-home, and could not be used when the cable is out. Is that a myth?

Drew

Not if you don't reboot (use a UPS).

DrDon

06-07-06, 02:58 PM

A series of posts regarding DVRs, central servers and copyright issues has been moved here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=685797

Doc

cbordman

06-08-06, 09:14 AM

Good game last night, and free HD again on channel 291.

gstelmack

06-08-06, 01:46 PM

Good game last night, and free HD again on channel 291.

Or channel 95 on DirecTV.

posg

06-08-06, 03:42 PM

To all of those who participated in this thread when it was mostly "in the weeds", feel free to join us in our new temporary quarters:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=685797

Zilla

06-09-06, 08:36 AM

Sorry if this has been asked.

Why do the NBC and Fox HD channels (via clear QAM) have "black bars" on the side (4:3) instead of a 16:9 display?

cbordman

06-09-06, 08:51 AM

If they are showing 4:3 content, then they put the black bars up. During HD programs, the picture will be full 16:9. Basically, not all shows on these channels have been recorded in 16:9, but some have.

posg

06-09-06, 09:43 AM

Sorry if this has been asked.

Why do the NBC and Fox HD channels (via clear QAM) have "black bars" on the side (4:3) instead of a 16:9 display?

Are you sure you're tuned to the HD QAM channel and not the SD QAM channel, they are both there. If FOX doesn't have "FoxDT" in the grey sidebars, your tuned to the wrong channel.

posg

06-09-06, 01:15 PM

Sports On TV
NHL Game 3 could bottom out TV ratings

By Michael Hiestand USA Today

History might be in the making: NBC's Game 3 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday night just might produce the lowest broadcast network prime-time rating ever.

Reasons include: the series having a Canadian team — Edmonton — and our neighbors to the north aren't counted in U.S. ratings; the other team — Raleigh, N.C.-based Carolina — is in a midsized Southern city; neither team is a big brand name; and Saturday is TV's least-watched night.

Such factors were in play when a Tampa Bay-Calgary Finals game on a Saturday in 2004 scored the second-lowest-rated network prime-time rating ever of 1.4% of U.S. households. It was tantalizingly close to the all-time mark: 1.3% for snowboarding on NBC in 2002.

More broadly, Game 3 might set an all-time TV low because it's a hockey game. The NHL drew minuscule ratings on ABC and ESPN in 2004, then defrosted an entire season before coming back to get even lower ratings this season on NBC and OLN — whose rating for Game 2 of the finals was out-rated by a rained-out baseball game on ESPN that never started.

NBC, carrying remaining Cup games, insists it makes money on the NHL. It doesn't pay a rights fee, and its production costs are covered by ad revenues. But NBC Sports President Ken Schanzer is non-committal when asked if the NHL makes a bigger profit than NBC parent General Electric does when it sells a dozen refrigerators: "I'm not going to give you an idea."

For perspective on NBC's game Saturday possibly going under 1.3%, consider ABC's World Cup soccer ratings. Its 1998 Brazil at France final drew 5.7%. Its 2002 Germany-Brazil final in Japan, starting at 6:30 a.m. ET, drew 2.5%. ABC's recent national spelling bee, won by an eighth-grader nailing Ursprache drew 5.9%

Still, Schanzer lauds the "radical changes" in NHL rules and says "we continue to think hockey is a premium-brand sport. We're enthusiastic about going forward." When it comes to the NHL setting TV ratings records, there's always next year.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colu...8-weekend_x.htm

posg

06-09-06, 01:17 PM

Follow Up:

Do we think WNCN can get through the entire game without a major technical snaffoo ???

cbordman

06-09-06, 01:45 PM

I'm surprised the XFL wasn't mentioned.

dgmayor

06-09-06, 04:29 PM

He forgot to mention "by the way, I don't like hockey."

Sherif

06-09-06, 04:49 PM

Does anyone know if the Pay per view Bernard Hopkins fight on TWC will be in HD. It is on channel 200 Sat night at 9:00 pm.

Zilla

06-09-06, 05:09 PM

Are you sure you're tuned to the HD QAM channel and not the SD QAM channel, they are both there. If FOX doesn't have "FoxDT" in the grey sidebars, your tuned to the wrong channel.

Yes I'm pretty sure, but sorry I misinformed about you about Fox. The channel I see has the "FoxDT" on the grey sidebars, and not black bars; NBC has the black bars though. Both have "(720p or 1080i) HD" on the channel info. I "channel skipped" the corresponding SD channels for the network stations on my TV.

Sherif

06-09-06, 07:10 PM

Wow TWC just put information on recorded list today. Makes sense and they should have been doing it all along.

kestep

06-09-06, 09:26 PM

My wife and I are building a house in Franklin County just about a mile or so inside the county, in the Zebulon area. We currently live inside the town of Zebulon and have TWC and RR.

The location of the house is still a Zebulon address, zip code, and phone number. Unfortunately, while TWC services the Zebulon area, crossing the county line apparently makes TWC disappear and the provider becomes Adelphia.

I have heard nothing good about Adelphia so far, but I'd like to know if anyone has any experiences with Adelphia, particularly if anyone is using QAM to get HD Locals.

We hate to lose RR more than the cable TV channels, as DSL, while available, isn't my first choice. I had read that Adelphia is/was being acquired/carved up by TWC/Comcast, so I would have thought that TWC could possibly provide service despite the county line change, but I guess various agreements prevent such things or the bureaucracy behind these companies cause them to move slowly.

I guess I can always go to a dish.

Anything good or bad about Adelphia?

AlphaPower

06-09-06, 11:58 PM

pkscout

06-10-06, 07:10 AM

Within the last couple of weeks, I started getting no signal from NBC and WRAL. Both worked perfectly before. A friend with a similar setup is experiencing the same problem. Anyone know what's going on? I have a Dell with ATI HDTV Wonder.

It would be helpful to know if you're trying to recieve the signal via cable or off-the-air. My OTA signal for both NBC and WRAL has been fine.

AlphaPower

06-10-06, 02:42 PM

It would be helpful to know if you're trying to recieve the signal via cable or off-the-air. My OTA signal for both NBC and WRAL has been fine.

Sorry, me and this guy I know both live in Apex. And we both have our systems set up to get OTA channels. In the past, I just point my antenna 109 degrees according to antennaweb.com, and get 5 bars of signal for NBC and WRAL. But very recently, these two signals are now only 1 bar, and I can't watch them anymore. Strangely, both the spanish channel, 1401, and UPN 1480, got stronger at the same time. I used to have to switch the antenna to point to 288 degrees to have them play smoothly, now I don't. But as for NBC and WRAL, I rotated my antenna 360 degrees and still get nothing.

There is a lot of construction going on in Apex for new shopping centers. I wonder if something's creating some kind of interference? Anyone else close to Apex have any issues? What should I do? Call up WRAL?

Zilla

06-10-06, 04:49 PM

Sorry if this has been asked.

Why do the NBC and Fox HD channels (via clear QAM) have "black bars" on the side (4:3) instead of a 16:9 display?

Nevermind, I'm a moron, and one that doesn't watch too much TV.

Apparently the shows I was watching on the Fox and NBC HD channels were not broadcasted in HD, and knee-jerked on them. I actually watched some TV last night and got the 16:9 pic for both channels.

shpitz

06-10-06, 07:11 PM

only select shows are actually shot in HD, the rest is just upscaled crap...

Bigchris

06-11-06, 08:28 AM

Sorry, me and this guy I know both live in Apex. And we both have our systems set up to get OTA channels. In the past, I just point my antenna 109 degrees according to antennaweb.com, and get 5 bars of signal for NBC and WRAL. But very recently, these two signals are now only 1 bar, and I can't watch them anymore. Strangely, both the spanish channel, 1401, and UPN 1480, got stronger at the same time. I used to have to switch the antenna to point to 288 degrees to have them play smoothly, now I don't. But as for NBC and WRAL, I rotated my antenna 360 degrees and still get nothing.

There is a lot of construction going on in Apex for new shopping centers. I wonder if something's creating some kind of interference? Anyone else close to Apex have any issues? What should I do? Call up WRAL?
I'm out 55 aways toward Green Level. WRAL-HD was booming in here plenty strong at 8:00am this morning and NBC was weaker but easily lockable with no pixelization noted. If you're still having trouble, I'd let the engineering staff at WRAL know. (Email or phone call) In the past they've been very interested in reception problems. I'm sure NBC cares too, but lately they seem to have had a lot of bad luck just trying to keep a decent signal on the air.

posg

06-11-06, 10:41 AM

The Sinclair affiliate in Greensboro WUPN-48(33) just launched "The Tube" as a digital side car channel. Could mean that will happen on either WLFL or WRDC in Raleigh sometime soon. Then maybe not......

One thing for sure, it won't be on TWC in our lifetime.

jerry birdwell

06-11-06, 03:10 PM

The Tube is also on WLOS Asheville.

DonB2

06-12-06, 02:42 PM

AlphaPower,

Have you tried rescanning the stations? Maybe your setting got messed up.

I am in Holly Spings and 5.1 is coming in loud and clear on my Pioneer Built in ATSC tuner .

I have experienced similar problems with 4.1 that you are experiencing with 5.1.

jerry birdwell,

What is the "Tube".

-Don

halljb

06-12-06, 03:01 PM

easternncnewswat

06-12-06, 05:49 PM

What is the "Tube".

-Don

A successor to MTV and VH1, which no longer play music videos 24/7.

decadenza

06-12-06, 06:16 PM

I know it's not new news, but it's been a couple of weeks since the uplink. A Dish rep told me today, "I see Raleigh's getting HD locals soon." That's as much info as she had, but she brought it up, when the last few reps I talked to couldn't "talk satellite". Maybe they'll say something more specific tonight on Charlie Chat.

Of course, I'm waiting for my 4th installer to come on Wednesday to even get HD. What a pain.

DonB2

06-13-06, 10:01 AM

"A successor to MTV and VH1, which no longer play music videos 24/7. "

Hmm, I guess this is something I would not go out of my way to switch to. But thanks for the info.

-DonB

decadenza

06-13-06, 10:05 AM

Well, looks Dish won't start the next round of HD locals until "later this summer" according to Charlie Chat.

zim2dive

06-13-06, 10:16 AM

ignorant question.. does Dish provide non-local HD versions of ABC/CBS/etc in the interim?

(yes I am very close to pulling the trigger and switching.. having ~30 HD channels (Bronze pkg) is just too much to pass up. With the new customer deal, and including the equipment charges) its a break-even after 18 months to the TWC pricing (with many fewer HD channels)).

Mike

decadenza

06-13-06, 10:30 AM

No. They broadcast SD locals. But last night I bought an indoor amplified antenna for $25 that picked up all HD locals here in Durham (YMMV). Connected to the 622, you have all DVR capabilities with those channels and can record three programs at once.

HDTV-NUT

06-14-06, 05:13 PM

Anyone have any cable problems today in Raleigh with all the storms and such? I know there was a flood in the Crabtree Mall area..

Scooper

06-14-06, 05:22 PM

No cable in my house, but Dish was dropping according to my wife who works at home. OTA is maintained for just such an eventuality.

posg

06-14-06, 08:30 PM

THE TUBE is now on 28.2.

easternncnewswat

06-14-06, 09:04 PM

So far, I like what I see with The Tube. Nice to see music videos again. Kinda makes me think of a mix radio station; nice selection of music.

posg

06-15-06, 07:40 AM

So far, I like what I see with The Tube. Nice to see music videos again. Kinda makes me think of a mix radio station; nice selection of music.

Too much 80's techno-pop-punk one video hit wonders for my taste, at least from what I've seen. Weed out the "early days of MTV" videos, and it's fine.

cbordman

06-15-06, 10:45 AM

Anyone have any cable problems today in Raleigh with all the storms and such? I know there was a flood in the Crabtree Mall area..

no problems

DonB2

06-15-06, 11:29 AM

I selected 28.2 and watched and listened to the Tube. Was not bad. Have to agree with posts from below.

But for some reason I can no longer get 22.1 - wierd.

-Donb2

DonB2

06-15-06, 03:07 PM

"Originally Posted by HDTV-NUT
Anyone have any cable problems today in Raleigh with all the storms and such? I know there was a flood in the Crabtree Mall area.."

No problem in the morning watching the news. But Sunday night a Storm blew thru Holly Springs and I was forced to watch Ms Marpel on PBS over analog NTSC because the ATSC kept breaking up.

The better half remarked "So what good is HD?"

-DonB2

Daryl L

06-16-06, 10:49 AM

Yo, was WRDC-DT UPN28.1 off the air last night? I watched supernatural lastnight on WLFL-DT WB22.1 with a signal of 42-45% but everytime I tried to checkout "The Tube" on 28.2 I got nothing, not even a flicker of signal strength.

At 6am this morn I decided to check and it was on. I got to see Rush perform "The Spirit of Radio" in concert this morn. :) Nice way to start the day.I like Rush.

DonB2

06-16-06, 10:55 AM

"Yo, was WRDC-DT UPN28.1 off the air last night? "

I don't know about 28.1 but the Tube on 28.2 was going strong on OTA ATSC from 11:15pm last night until around 1 am when I finally had to get some shut eye.

Lennon, Blondie, Stevie Nicks, John Cougar, Roy Orbison, and so on were going strong. I felt like I was back at SUNY B watching it in the Union.

-DonB2

Daryl L

06-16-06, 11:12 AM

DonB2,

Thx, I guess it was a weather thing. I was checking between 8:30pm and 10:30pm,

cbordman

06-16-06, 02:09 PM

DonB2

06-16-06, 02:22 PM

"and it was running well from 2am-5am, when the 4 month old wanted to hang out"

1 am was late enough for me thankyou!

-Don B2

Daryl L

06-16-06, 03:49 PM

and it was running well from 2am-5am, when the 4 month old wanted to hang out.
Dang! Kids only 4 months old and already hanging out at all times of the night partying. :eek:

WildBill

06-16-06, 09:17 PM

Titan TV doesn't have the Canes game listed for tomorrow night.
I assume it is on NBC17 here in Raleigh is it not? Hopefully not OLN again as I don't get tht.

scsiraid

06-16-06, 09:53 PM

Titan TV doesn't have the Canes game listed for tomorrow night.
I assume it is on NBC17 here in Raleigh is it not? Hopefully not OLN again as I don't get tht.

Zap2it does show it....

http://tvlistings2.zap2it.com/program.asp?partner_id=national&prog_id=3504846&series_id=628352&dbKey=EP0195592769

aldamon

06-17-06, 07:19 AM

Did anybody here get an HD capture of NHL Finals Game 4 on an HD Tivo or on a hard drive? If so, could you PM me? Thanks!

.

Sebaz

06-18-06, 11:10 AM

I live in Knightdale (4 miles east of Raleigh) and I have pretty good HD OTA reception with my Radio Shack antenna. Soon I will have to move and I'm worried about this because I don't know how good or bad the reception is in other parts of Raleigh. Like for example North Raleigh, or northeast, at Lake Lynn, or Six Forks and Lynn. Mostly I'm interested to know if there are any parts of Raleigh that I should definitely avoid in my search for apartment because the reception is terrible there. Also, is there a best direction that my apartment should face in order to get bettter signal?

Thanks

pkscout

06-18-06, 11:38 AM

cbordman

06-18-06, 08:48 PM

I lived at leadmine and lynn, and the reception with an indoor antenna was not watchable.

WildBill

06-18-06, 08:58 PM

Now at about 8:45 until 9:00pm NBC via Clear QAM is no longer there via my Sony HDTV. It says "Signal cannot be decoded"

I have been receiving Clear QAM for a few years. It was on earlier today but not tonight.

Anyone else see this? I am going to check my Samsun QAM tuner upstairs in a bit.

Bill

cbordman

06-18-06, 09:00 PM

It's out here too. Even channel 217 on time warner is out. (217 is channel 17 HD)

WildBill

06-18-06, 09:45 PM

Whoops. NBC via clear QAM sust snapped back into existence here.

Zilla

06-19-06, 08:25 AM

I get this channel in/out with Fox HD (channel 113.4).

pyedog

06-19-06, 10:43 AM

Whoops. NBC via clear QAM sust snapped back into existence here.

NBC 17.1 OTA went out during the Treasure Hunt show around 8:30 or so last night - I'd guess it might be related to your QAM loss. It came back sometime before 11, but I'm not sure when.

I just hope it stays up tonight!

hbehrman

06-19-06, 11:20 AM

Sorry, me and this guy I know both live in Apex. And we both have our systems set up to get OTA channels. In the past, I just point my antenna 109 degrees according to antennaweb.com, and get 5 bars of signal for NBC and WRAL. But very recently, these two signals are now only 1 bar, and I can't watch them anymore. Strangely, both the spanish channel, 1401, and UPN 1480, got stronger at the same time. I used to have to switch the antenna to point to 288 degrees to have them play smoothly, now I don't. But as for NBC and WRAL, I rotated my antenna 360 degrees and still get nothing.

There is a lot of construction going on in Apex for new shopping centers. I wonder if something's creating some kind of interference? Anyone else close to Apex have any issues? What should I do? Call up WRAL?

I'm over by Lake Wheeler and NBC 17 OTA seems to go off the air/lose signal for a couple of hours every now and then. Maybe they are workign on the equipment. Lost the signale for a coupel hours last night (6/18). All the othe signals are just fine. Channel 22 sometimes does this as well. It is not my receiver since I run a samsung t151 and a t451 on two sets and both have the issue. Also prior to and post signal loss it is pretty much at full strength.

Daryl L

06-19-06, 02:51 PM

Anybody notice QTV is gone. No I didn't subscribe to it. I was just scrolling through the guide and noticed it's gone.

Daryl L

06-19-06, 02:53 PM

I suggest this thread be renamed "Raleigh, NC - SD/HDTV". Just like Souix City/Souix Falls thread.

DonB2

06-19-06, 04:15 PM

"I suggest this thread be renamed "Raleigh, NC - SD/HDTV". Just like Souix City/Souix Falls thread. "

Daryl L.

Would that alienate the QAM'ers? I would not want to lose the QAM'ers.

-DonB2

Daryl L

06-19-06, 05:02 PM

"I suggest this thread be renamed "Raleigh, NC - SD/HDTV". Just like Souix City/Souix Falls thread. "

Daryl L.

Would that alienate the QAM'ers? I would not want to lose the QAM'ers.

-DonB2
QAM is just a modulation scheme. It will still be SD or HD.

DonB2

06-19-06, 05:43 PM

AndyHDTV

06-19-06, 06:27 PM

Time Warner Cable Has added Starz-HD & Cinemax-HD in Austin & San Antonio, ask them about your area receiving these channels.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/sanantonio/programming/updates.html

VisionOn

06-19-06, 06:32 PM

CCsoftball7

06-20-06, 08:16 AM

Time Warner Cable Has added Starz-HD & Cinemax-HD in Austin & San Antonio, ask them about your area receiving these channels.

Actually, that's really good news. It's the first I've heard of any TWC channels lately. I'm sure the local TWC will add before long. I'll need to start checking the EPG. :)

DonB2

06-20-06, 11:48 AM

Did anyone else notice during the great Canes game last night that in the third periond the audio/video locked momentarily about 3 to 4 times on OTA ATSC? It was very momentary by the way.

-DonB2

Zilla

06-20-06, 01:01 PM

Did anyone record the Canes game last night on HDTV? If so please PM me. Thanks!

DonB2

06-20-06, 02:44 PM

Zilla,

I hope someone responded to you before they took off to watch the Stanley Cup parade.

Sorry I did not record it.

-Don

longtimewolf

06-20-06, 11:28 PM

Anyone know if the SA 8300 HDMI output is working for TWC Raleigh??

IamtheWolf

06-21-06, 06:52 AM

Anyone know if the SA 8300 HDMI output is working for TWC Raleigh??
It works

DonB2

06-21-06, 09:21 AM

Does the Tube on 28.2 OTA ATSC output Home Theatre Sound or just stereo?

-DonB2

cbordman

06-21-06, 09:28 AM

Time Warner Cable Has added Starz-HD & Cinemax-HD in Austin & San Antonio, ask them about your area receiving these channels.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/sanantonio/programming/updates.html

They also have caller ID information displayed on TV. When will we be getting that?

http://www.timewarnercable.com/austin/products/digitalphones/callerid.html

DonB2

06-21-06, 09:55 AM

Bump

Why are OTA STB ATSC tuners still so expensive and hard to find? I would think by now I could go into the Martha Stewart section of KMART and find a unit for under $100.00. But I can't. Also why don't I see them as secondary tuners in DVD recorders? Is it a copyright issue?

They sure are becoming prevelant in TV's.

-DonB2

VisionOn

06-21-06, 09:58 AM

They also have caller ID information displayed on TV. When will we be getting that?

http://www.timewarnercable.com/austin/products/digitalphones/callerid.html
TWC South Carolina (http://www.timewarnercable.com/southcarolina/programming/AccessMenu.html) have been testing that for a long time. Last time I remember reading about it, I vaguely remember seeing that there was good chance that level of interactivity would be implemented in NC sometime this year.

Personally I'd rather have Starz and Cinemax HD. I've already beaten my high score in Twenty One so I don't need anything else to play with.

VisionOn

06-21-06, 10:00 AM

Anyone know if the SA 8300 HDMI output is working for TWC Raleigh??
yes, but you need to check the 8300 Passport thread in the forum. Your success with HDMI may vary depending on what display you plug it into.

longtimewolf

06-21-06, 10:41 AM

I guess that would then beg the question, "Is it worth using HDMI at all?" is there an improvement?

VisionOn

06-21-06, 11:07 AM

visually I can't remember if it's any improvement over component. For me it clears up the cable hell at the back of the TV and frees up one of my component slots.

cbordman

06-21-06, 11:16 AM

TWC South Carolina (http://www.timewarnercable.com/southcarolina/programming/AccessMenu.html) have been testing that for a long time. Last time I remember reading about it, I vaguely remember seeing that there was good chance that level of interactivity would be implemented in NC sometime this year.

Personally I'd rather have Starz and Cinemax HD. I've already beaten my high score in Twenty One so I don't need anything else to play with.

I don't get cinemax or starz, so i don't want to pay another $11 a month for 1 HD channel.

They should add the single screen HD movie channels to the HD suite.

DurhamHusker

06-21-06, 11:49 AM

Why are OTA STB ATSC tuners still so expensive and hard to find?Because most people get their HD content from cable/satellite. OTA digital reception seems to be a niche market ... at least until they turn off analog for good in Feb 2009.why don't I see them as secondary tuners in DVD recorders? Is it a copyright issue?DVD recorders record NTSC. You'll need an HD-DVD or a Blu-Ray recorder to actually record and then play back ATSC material. Otherwise, you'd need to the following on the fly to actually record ATSC signals to an NTSC DVD recorder: 1) ATSC decode, 2) High perfomance scaler to resize each frame, and 3) re-encode the whole thing to MPEG-2 in NTSC format. That's an expensive solution for a DVD recorder ... and one that would be tough to market.

VisionOn

06-21-06, 12:00 PM

I don't get cinemax or starz, so i don't want to pay another $11 a month for 1 HD channel.

They should add the single screen HD movie channels to the HD suite.

What are you referring to? Why would you be paying $11 more? What single screen movie channels?

HDTV-NUT

06-21-06, 12:02 PM

Time Warner Cable Has added Starz-HD & Cinemax-HD in Austin & San Antonio, ask them about your area receiving these channels.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/sanantonio/programming/updates.html I have a call in to George Douglas VP of programming for the Raleigh Area. He usually gives me a call back within a few hours. I will let you guys know what he says about Starz and Cinemax HD or any other HD channel for that matter.

longtimewolf

06-21-06, 12:28 PM

anyone know a good ise calibration person in raleigh?
I have a samsung HLP that i would like to have calibrated. I don't know if it is worth paying for this or not?

DonB2

06-21-06, 12:53 PM

DurhamHusker ,

Thanks for the ATSC DVD recorder answers.

Probably as soon as HD-DVD or a Blu-Ray recorders take off they will then think about including a ATSC tuner in the design. Of course I realise there will be copy protection issues and the manufactures may have to degrade the overall quality of the recording to keep the studios happy.

I did see a Phillips DVD recorder at Target for $200.00 with Component in and Component out but not sure of the Res as I did not see it on the outside of the box.

"TA digital reception seems to be a niche market ... at least until they turn off analog for good in Feb 2009."

This always makes me wonder why local stations even bother with Transmitters any more. Why don't they just farm their local news out to SAT and Cable?

-DonB2

cbordman

06-21-06, 12:55 PM

What are you referring to? Why would you be paying $11 more? What single screen movie channels?

I do not subscribe to cinemax, so in order to get CinemaxHD would require upgrading from Digicpic 1000, to Digipic 1500, which is an $11 increase. Then I would get several 4:3 cinemax channels that I won't watch, and 1 HD channel.

It would seem better to offer the single screen movie channels (Cinemax HD, HBO HD, StarzHD) as part of the HD suite. Or create an HD Movie Tier.

pyedog

06-21-06, 12:59 PM

DVD recorders record NTSC. You'll need an HD-DVD or a Blu-Ray recorder to actually record and then play back ATSC material. Otherwise, you'd need to the following on the fly to actually record ATSC signals to an NTSC DVD recorder: 1) ATSC decode, 2) High perfomance scaler to resize each frame, and 3) re-encode the whole thing to MPEG-2 in NTSC format. That's an expensive solution for a DVD recorder ... and one that would be tough to market.

Supposedly, after March 2007 anything with an NTSC tuner must also have an ATSC tuner (no requirement for QAM). The down side is this will cost $$$ - I imagine we'll see some recorders without any tuner that will rely on an IR blaster approach for timed recordings. On the up side, this would mean that any DVD recorder with a digital tuner and a hard drive would effectively be an HD DVR ...

I'm a bit dubious that this date will actually happen though - I'd expect at least some products to already be available if the cut off is only 9 months away.

Time will tell ...

VisionOn

06-21-06, 01:43 PM

I do not subscribe to cinemax, so in order to get CinemaxHD would require upgrading from Digicpic 1000, to Digipic 1500, which is an $11 increase. Then I would get several 4:3 cinemax channels that I won't watch, and 1 HD channel.

It would seem better to offer the single screen movie channels (Cinemax HD, HBO HD, StarzHD) as part of the HD suite. Or create an HD Movie Tier.

Ah I see now. I don't want single screen HD packages unless they are still free for premium subscribers. I think HD Suite is a pointless rerun package and as I get HBO, Sho, Starz and Cinemax I wouldn't want to pay for something I get free. TWC probably wouldn't want to break the free HD premium channels to subscribers benefit either, since they like to tout that one in their marketing.

I imagine you would still probably have to pay a chunk for one premium HD channel if you don't get the full subscription, since they would probably still have to recoup the charge for carrying the network.

toadfannc

06-21-06, 02:18 PM

I have a call in to George Douglas VP of programming for the Raleigh Area. He usually gives me a call back within a few hours. I will let you guys know what he says about Starz and Cinemax HD or any other HD channel for that matter.

Help me out here ... what does Cinemax and/or Starz have that HBO or ShowTime doesn't? If you want a premium channel HD, why not just subscribe to HBO or ShowTime and forget about Starz/Cinemax. To me, this is just another example of TWC not giving us anything without it coming directly from your wallet.

I don't subscribe to either Cinemax or Starz so I could care less if their HD channels are added. I'm more interested in ESPN2HD, National Geo HD, NFL Network HD ... none of which are in our TWC future, I'm afraid. We've been given so much crap from Dressler, that I don't believe anything out of his mouth (or keyboard)-- or any of his minnions (ex. G. Douglas) for that matter.

Anyone notice that Comcast has added ESPN2HD, MTV-HD and Universal-HD (which, admittedly, is a joke) all in the last 2 weeks? TWC execs just sit around and count our money, and laugh at all of our bitching and moaning- knowing that their local cable monopolies will never be threatened.

VisionOn

06-21-06, 03:01 PM

Help me out here ... what does Cinemax and/or Starz have that HBO or ShowTime doesn't? If you want a premium channel HD, why not just subscribe to HBO or ShowTime and forget about Starz/Cinemax.

Simple, HBO and Showtime have decent original series and comedy but they absolutely suck for movies. The get very few major first runs in comparison to Starz and the rest of them have already been circulating on Starz and Cinemax for months before they pick them up.

Similarily I could care less about ESPN2 and NFL HD. I'd rather have movies than sport.

holl_ands

06-21-06, 04:23 PM

Why are OTA STB ATSC tuners still so expensive and hard to find? I would think by now I could go into the Martha Stewart section of KMART and find a unit for under $100.00. But I can't. Also why don't I see them as secondary tuners in DVD recorders? Is it a copyright issue?

They sure are becoming prevelant in TV's.

-DonB2
As stated above, stand-alone OTA STBs are a low volume market, since many HDTVs include an ATSC tuner and most viewers use cable and SAT instead of ATSC. So they can charge what the limited market will forbear...about $200.

The NAB/MSTV established contracts with Thomson/RCA and LG/Zenith to fund the development and manufacturer of "low-cost" SD-ONLY OTA STBs to be available as part of the Gov't SD-STB Rebate Program for connection to older, conventional TVs. This meant the winning engineering teams obtained funds for development with a GUARANTEED mass market...but not the losers...

This should also result in the spin-off of lower cost OTA HD-STBs, since it "only" requires the addition of hi-rez Component Video, HDMI and Firewire interfaces to the SD-ONLY design.

Although we now know the NAB/MSTV STBs aren't expected to be available under the Rebate Program until the end of 2008, uncertainty in the overall plan and unequal competition has probably caused manufacturers to delay plans for new STBs.

The Broadcast Flag (and esp. Watermarking) issues may also play a role in putting manufacturer's plans on pause--esp. for ATSC DVRs that are impossible to find.

The availability Two-Way CableCard-II and associated OCAP/ACAP software is another delaying factor for Cable-Ready Recorders and HTPCs. A DVR manufacturer (such as Tivo Series 3) would prefer to provide a product that can be used for both ATSC and Cable....and does not become immediatly obsolete as the cable companies roll out OCAP later this year...

===========================================
DVD Recorders are lo-rez devices and DVD's don't have the capacity to capture even an hour of HD recording without down-rezzing.

Current D-VHS and future HD-DVD and BLU-RAY Recorders provide the requisite capacity....and for a price, can readily include an ATSC tuner.

DonB2

06-21-06, 05:12 PM

holl_ands,

Thanks! Your reply does help explain why I have not seen much change in ATSC STB technology in the last year or so.

I did read where LG had made some progress on Multisignal concerns, but the tuner is only available in TV sets not as a separate STB.

I'll stick with the built in tuner in my Pioneers Media box for now, even if it does have a lousy EPG.

-DonB2

dslate69

06-22-06, 09:15 AM

Simple, HBO and Showtime have decent original series and comedy but they absolutely suck for movies. The get very few major first runs in comparison to Starz and the rest of them have already been circulating on Starz and Cinemax for months before they pick them up.

Similarily I could care less about ESPN2 and NFL HD. I'd rather have movies than sport.

It would seem an upconverting DVD player and a NetFlix account would make more sense for you. First run movies and only the ones you want to watch.

VisionOn

06-22-06, 09:37 AM

It would seem an upconverting DVD player and a NetFlix account would make more sense for you. First run movies and only the ones you want to watch.
first runs are the only ones I really care about watching in HD. If I've already seen it I'm not particularly bothered and I'll watch them regardless. I'd just be happy if more channels kept the OAR.

Netflix is too much hassle. For the $10 a month for one movie package I can see a larger variety of movies without having to make a conscious decision to think about it or leave the couch. Then of course there are movies I might not think about renting which I stumble across while surfing. As I'm already paying for the service it's not as if I'm losing money.

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 10:10 AM

Help me out here ... what does Cinemax and/or Starz have that HBO or ShowTime doesn't? If you want a premium channel HD, why not just subscribe to HBO or ShowTime and forget about Starz/Cinemax. To me, this is just another example of TWC not giving us anything without it coming directly from your wallet.

I don't subscribe to either Cinemax or Starz so I could care less if their HD channels are added. I'm more interested in ESPN2HD, National Geo HD, NFL Network HD ... none of which are in our TWC future, I'm afraid. We've been given so much crap from Dressler, that I don't believe anything out of his mouth (or keyboard)-- or any of his minnions (ex. G. Douglas) for that matter.

Anyone notice that Comcast has added ESPN2HD, MTV-HD and Universal-HD (which, admittedly, is a joke) all in the last 2 weeks? TWC execs just sit around and count our money, and laugh at all of our bitching and moaning- knowing that their local cable monopolies will never be threatened. I have Showtime and HBO but that dosent mean that I dont want starz and cinemax that show different movies and such.

As far as ESPN2HD goes, only about 25-30% of the programming is in HD and considering I am an NFL nut and espn2hd dosent show any NFL games, I could really care less about ESPN2HD.

With that said, I do agree that I would love to see NGCHD and the NFL network added.

The grass isnt always greener my friend. While TWC does have its short commings, just remember that Comcast does not have HDNET or HDNET Movies. HDNET Movies is by far one of my favorite channels.

You seem to hate TWC with a passion, Im not sure I understand why you dont move over to dish?

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 11:33 AM

Anyone else's cable boxes not working? My 8300 in my living room is just displaying something that looks like this (- - - -) and the box in the bed room is just displaying a (0). When I reboot them 8300 it loads a bunch of numbers, something like this (2104, 8000, 10000, 15000) and so on and then it goes back to the (- - - -). Weird. My cable internet and phone work fine so I know the cable is on.

Are we supposed to have some kind of update today for the boxes?

edvedd

06-22-06, 11:40 AM

MacFly

06-22-06, 11:44 AM

Both my 8300's are currently out. They display something like r----- then go through a bunch of numbers such as h120 h345 h880 and so on. Can't get through to the support line.

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 11:45 AM

TWC is experiencing issues with the 8300 globally - happened just a few minutes ago.
Is there a thread or more info on this somewhere. My 8300 is still going ape ****. lol. Counting all kinds of numbers on the front of the display.

Jdout63

06-22-06, 11:47 AM

Is there a thread or more info on this somewhere. My 8300 is still going ape ****. lol. Counting all kinds of numbers on the front of the display.

sucks dont it

edvedd

06-22-06, 11:49 AM

Both my 8300's are currently out. They display something like r----- then go through a bunch of numbers such as h120 h345 h880 and so on. Can't get through to the support line.

I wouldn't worry about calling them. TWC is working on it - buddy of mine works over there.

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 11:51 AM

I wouldn't worry about calling them. TWC is working on it - buddy of mine works over there.
once they get it fixed can you tell your buddy to fix whatever they did with the last firmware update. the box has to be rebooted all the time because of HDMI handshake issues. before the update the box worked perfectly. thanks

edvedd

06-22-06, 11:57 AM

once they get it fixed can you tell your buddy to fix whatever they did with the last firmware update. the box has to be rebooted all the time because of HDMI handshake issues. before the update the box worked perfectly. thanks

My friend is in customer service and not on the technical side but the handshake issues isn't a local issue- but for all aptiv/pioneer/whatever they are called now time warner cable areas. hdmi is overrated in my opinion.

Daryl L

06-22-06, 12:11 PM

Both my 8300's are currently out. They display something like r----- then go through a bunch of numbers such as h120 h345 h880 and so on. Can't get through to the support line.
My two 8300HD dvr's are doing the same. Started at approximately 11:20am today.

WRoss

06-22-06, 12:13 PM

My 8300 is doing the exact same thing. Also last night during a period around 9:30 or so I didn't have any cable at all. It kept jumping in and out.

I switched over and watched some stuff I'd previouly recorded and by the time I was done with that the cable was working again.

I too found that the TWC customer service line is stuck on 'busy signal' so I'm very glad that we have this forum as a means of getting a quick assurance that the problem is bigger than one's own unit and that efforts are underway to resolve it.

It's unfortunate that TWC doesn't have their own web site information service and/or an automated phone recording to keep we paid subscribers better informed.

VisionOn

06-22-06, 12:27 PM

I too found that the TWC customer service line is stuck on 'busy signal' so I'm very glad that we have this forum as a means of getting a quick assurance that the problem is bigger than one's own unit and that efforts are underway to resolve it.

same here. Until they have a way of transferring shows from one DVR to another instead of just replacing them, every time the box goes haywire it's a major annoyance. I'm glad to know it's not just mine because at least there's some hope everything I haven't watched yet isn't gone.

On the upside at least the basic cable feed to the TV still works.

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 12:31 PM

On the upside at least the basic cable feed to the TV still works.
This is just an 8300 problem. my basic cable box in my bedroom is now working fine. the 8300 is still wacked though.

tommy122

06-22-06, 12:52 PM

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 01:09 PM

edvedd

06-22-06, 01:12 PM

8300's are back up...

Daryl L

06-22-06, 01:20 PM

I posted this in the 8300 thread.

it looks like this is just a North Carolina Issue. on the good side of things, if you take a look at the first letter in those 2 codes (H263) and (D267) you have (HD) maybe this means they are adding betwwen 263 and 267 HD channels! :D
Hehe, you wish. ;) BTW, mines working again. Nothing noticeby new or different, same version as yesterday.

Versions:
ResApp Version: PASSPORT Echo 2.5.048
OS Version: PowerTV 6.14.60.1sp
Driver Version: 1
ResApp Date: March 20 2006
OS Date: Dec 2 2005
PowerKey: PKEY_3.8.4.2-p +dvrs3
PowerKey Date: Sep 9 2005

edvedd

06-22-06, 01:29 PM

Hehe, you wish. ;) BTW, mines working again. Nothing noticeby new or different, same version as yesterday.

Versions:
ResApp Version: PASSPORT Echo 2.5.048
OS Version: PowerTV 6.14.60.1sp
Driver Version: 1
ResApp Date: March 20 2006
OS Date: Dec 2 2005
PowerKey: PKEY_3.8.4.2-p +dvrs3
PowerKey Date: Sep 9 2005

yea - it wasn't an upgrade.

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 01:31 PM

yea - it wasn't an upgrade.
Well does your buddy know what it was? He seems to know what it wasnt. Little more detail please.

VisionOn

06-22-06, 01:48 PM

No extra channels from what I can see either. Maybe the upgrade went bad and they reverted back to the previous version.

cbordman

06-22-06, 02:04 PM

doesn't anybody work any more?

VisionOn

06-22-06, 02:11 PM

doesn't anybody work any more?

Sorry boss! :D

toadfannc

06-22-06, 03:12 PM

Maybe this means they are adding betwwen 263 and 267 HD channels! :D

The grass isnt always greener my friend.

You seem to hate TWC with a passion, Im not sure I understand why you dont move over to dish?

Believe me, my friend, if I could get satellite and get away from TWC, I would.

I admire your optimism with regard to TWC, but you need to wake up about their attitude toward HD channel additons, or any quality channel additions for that matter. They will not add anything unless they are absolutely forced to and even then they are consistently last among MSOs, satellite, you name it.

For the record ... I don't hate anything or anyone with a passion. I do, however, very much dislike being lied to (as I have on numerous occasions by TWC personnel), ignored (standard MO for TWC), or taken for granted (which is about the only thing that TWC specializes in).

Daryl L

06-22-06, 03:32 PM

doesn't anybody work any more?
Never heard of that. What does it mean? Is it illegal? Sounds sinful.

DonB2

06-22-06, 03:39 PM

Work - A Four Letter Word

Daryl L

06-22-06, 03:42 PM

Work - A Four Letter Word
Ohhhhhhhh a curse word. I knew it sounded sinful. :eek:

gstelmack

06-22-06, 04:58 PM

DIRECTV Announces Next 24 Markets to Receive High-Definition Local Channels in Spring 2006; Local HD Markets Will Total 36, Representing More Than 58 Percent of U.S. Television Homes

Anyone locally heard from DirecTV on the upgrade yet?

chamill

06-22-06, 05:12 PM

Anyone locally heard from DirecTV on the upgrade yet?

A retension specialist last week told me June 28. I say, "Don't hold your breath."

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 07:00 PM

Believe me, my friend, if I could get satellite and get away from TWC, I would.

How come you cant get sat? Are you out of line of sight?

HDTV-NUT

06-22-06, 07:02 PM

doesn't anybody work any more?
i dont care for work much.. :)

toadfannc

06-22-06, 08:26 PM

How come you cant get sat? Are you out of line of sight?

Yep

kklier

06-22-06, 09:58 PM

today my wife called me from work that the 8300HD was going crazy. I told her to turn it off then on again. It was still going crazy...I called TWC. The stated that they were doing an upgrade. I asked why during the middle of the day, but of course he had no clue.

BTW, on channel 999 have it always said MR-DVR at the bottom of the list?

HDTV-NUT

06-23-06, 09:45 AM

BTW, on channel 999 have it always said MR-DVR at the bottom of the list?
it has since the last upgrade about 4 months ago.

longtimewolf

06-23-06, 09:55 AM

anyone know a good calibration person for a sammy HLP DLP in the Raleigh area?

giiiiif

06-24-06, 02:03 PM

Hello All,

I'm writing to let everyone know about a petition that I have started. It is aimed at influencing WRAL-TV to NOT blackout ESPN HD during the ACC Tournament next year (2007). Currently, some of the tournament games are broadcast in HD on ESPN HD. As a lot of you probably know, if you're a Time Warner Cable customer, WRAL gets their broadcasts from RJ Sports...and they are never in HD. The end result is, local residents in WRAL's viewing area have no chance of seeing the games in HD. However, someone living in some other part of the country, who may care less about the ACC can watch the game in HD on ESPN HD!

To me, this is outrageous. If WRAL-TV cannot provide us with a high quality viewing experience, they should not keep us from getting that experience elsewhere (ESPN HD).

Please help us all out and sign the petition. With enough signatures we might be able to watch the tournament in HD next year!

Here's the link to the petition, let anyone who you think would care know about it:

Petition Against WRAL-TV (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/253838901)

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/253838901

Jack the cat

06-24-06, 06:28 PM

anyone know a good calibration person for a sammy HLP DLP in the Raleigh area?

The Avia calibration DVD which can be purchased through Amazon should be all you need.

longtimewolf

06-24-06, 10:51 PM

Hello All,
If WRAL-TV cannot provide us with a high quality viewing experience, they should not keep us from getting that experience elsewhere (ESPN HD).

Are you serious? WRAL is the leader in HD quality viewing in this market.

HDTV-NUT

06-25-06, 12:50 AM

The Avia calibration DVD which can be purchased through Amazon should be all you need.
While the Avia DVD is a good alternative, it does not come close to what a calibration from an ISF tech can do.

dslate69

06-25-06, 02:39 AM

Are you serious? WRAL is the leader in HD quality viewing in this market.
Did you quote him out of context on purpose ?

He doesn't have a problem with WRAL's HD quality or quantity as far as I read, but the lack of HD during ACC Basketball.
Although Jefferson Pilot is responsible for the SD basketball coverage and the Black-outs for that matter. At least the petition will start the finger pointing. :)

K4GPB

06-25-06, 07:50 AM

Anyone have any first-hand experience? I'm near High House & Davis Dr.
Antenna used?

Thanks,
Gary

pkscout

06-25-06, 08:17 AM

Although Jefferson Pilot is responsible for the SD basketball coverage and the Black-outs for that matter. At least the petition will start the finger pointing. :)

JP is on record saying HD is just too hard because they can't figure out how to distribute it to the different affiliates. Funny that just about everyone else has figured it out. Go figure. The contract with the ACC runs through, I believe, 2009. WRAL just buys the content from JP. They can certainly tell JP they won't deal without HD, but there are three other stations (I'm not counting our local FOX affiliate since it's owned by Capitol Broadcasting as well) who would jump at the opportunity, even if it is SD.

If you really want to have a petition, it should either go to the ACC or JP, but unless someone can show significant viewer drop off because of the lack of HD I don't see it mattering.

giiiiif

06-25-06, 09:20 AM

giiiiif

06-25-06, 05:17 PM

Okay everyone that cares,

Here is the petition targeting Lincoln Financial Sports and the ACC...placing most of the blame on LF Sports of course.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/628055438

wingt54

06-25-06, 08:48 PM

For some reason, WB22 shows up as 57-2 on digital reception and their is no sound at all. Has anyone else had this problem? Any help would be appreciated.

easternncnewswat

06-25-06, 10:22 PM

I haven't, but on my Digital SDTV WRAL comes in as 53-003 and WRALNC as 53-004. WITN, here in the Eastern part of the state, used to come in as 7-001 and 7-002, but now comes in as 32-001 and 32.002.

I think these are little PSIP glitches that some stb, tv's, etc pick up on and show up occasionally.

dslate69

06-26-06, 09:18 AM

...

... I'm not pissed at WRAL in general, I'm pissed over one particular issue.

Also, it is correct that WRAL is not solely responsible for this, they are part of a tree of unfair viewer treatment in this situation. However, as someone said, it may start some finger pointing. ...

I am with you on wanting HD ACC. You want find a bigger Carolina fan. :cool:
But your aim is misdirected. Jefferson Pilot is syndicating the games out to many different stations with different HD decoders, this is why it is not as easy to do.
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are going through the same delima but are actually supposed to have their shows syndicated in HD this fall. So it is doable and this may actually help JP if a syndicate standard is set.

But back to my comment of petitioning the wrong people. You could petition FOX50 for not carrying THE KING OF QUEENS in HD at 6:00 and 6:30, but they can only broadcast the signal they are receiving. That being said WRAL carries a HUGE market share of ACC Regional Syndicated Viewers compared to THE KING OF QUEENS National Syndicated viewers, so they do wield more influence in that regard.

Good Luck.

tommy122

06-26-06, 10:04 AM

I think that WRAL is a LEADER in HD technology. They are the ONLY local station that carries their news in HD. In addition, most all of their remote shots as well as Sky5 are also in HD. For that reason, they are the only local news that I watch. You would think that the other local stations would pick up on this, but guess not. For now, people with HD sets are probably in the minority, but not for long. Every time I go to Circuit City, Best Buy, etc., the only sets I see walking out the door are 16:9 HD sets, so our ranks are growing. One thing that I don't get is, for example, "King of Queens", which was originally broadcast in HD......why are the reruns in 4:3 SD? It looks like it would be easier for the networks to pass these on in their original format.

posg

06-26-06, 10:13 AM

Hello Everyone,

I read the comments related to my petition. Yes, WRAL is the local affiliate leader in HD content, although these days all that means for us around here is that we get to watch the local news in HD. However, that is the reason I only watch their local news:) I'm not pissed at WRAL in general, I'm pissed over one particular issue.

Also, it is correct that WRAL is not solely responsible for this, they are part of a tree of unfair viewer treatment in this situation. However, as someone said, it may start some finger pointing. Actually, according to WRAL's programming director, they are already pointing the finger at JP Sports (now Lincoln Financial Sports) for not providing an HD feed...meaning they're already pleading with them to provide an HD solution. I will be starting a petition against the ACC in regards to their relationship with Lincoln Financial Sports as well as one targeting Lincoln Financial Sports for their failure to provide a quality viewing experience without allowing viewers to seek other alternatives.

There are many failures on the part of both the local affiliates as well as Lincoln Financial Sports. Most affiliates have failed their viewers and are only set up to take HD feeds from their parent network (CBS, NBC, FOX, etc), not 3rd party broadcasters. This is actually listed on Lincoln Financial Sport's FAQ under a question about why they don't provide HD content. While an excuse, I have no sympathy. We have HDTV's, the games ARE being broadcast in HD on ESPN HD. We SHOULD be able to watch them in HD. If a local affiliate or Lincoln Financial Sports are too incompetent to provide us with that, we SHOULD be allowed to get it elsewhere. Anything less is utterly unacceptable, I don't care if it is within their rights. Just because something is legal and within someone's rights doesn't mean it is right or should be allowed to happen. Its like Walmart putting pad locks on every Target in town because Target has better clothes. Absolutely absurd:)

Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that the more noise that can be made about this, the better. Regardless of whether it seems misdirected. Local affiliates are simply easier to get to because of their close relationships with communities. When I prepare a petition (soon) against Lincoln Financial Sports and the ACC, I will post the links here. I suggest signing all three.

Thanks everyone...sorry for the long winded post.

Get Dish Network or DirecTV and "move" the receiver to a zip code outside the ACC region. The games won't be blacked out on ESPN1/2. Certainly not a cheap solution, but Lincoln Financial could drag their feet for years. This is not about "pleasing" viewers, it's about delivering audience to advertisers. Until the loss of advertising revenue is greater than the cost of HD conversion, don't expect the landscape to change.

And don't ever expect forgiveness of market exclusivity. This is an extremely complex contractual obligation which involves the conference, the NCAA, the local stations, Lincoln, the advertisers, and even what ESPN pays to air games "outside of conference" versus "inside of conference".

I wonder how many markets the ACC games are carried by second-tier (non big four network) stations that have neither cable or satellite HD carriage anyway??? If it represents a significant number, that too would be a reason not to invest in HD production/distribution.

Bottom line is this. The costs of HD equipment and production will go down over time, the number of HD sets will increase, and sooner or later the games will be in HD. In this case however it will probably be later.

DeffJeff

06-26-06, 11:45 AM

Sorry I am new to this forum so I hope maybe someone can help me here. I just got my 8300HD DVR yesterday, I need to now if I can make the on screen guide fill up the whole screen. I have my box set to display a widescreen image but the on screen guide stays in 4:3 format. Can this be changed?

HDTV-NUT

06-26-06, 11:52 AM

DeffJeff

06-26-06, 12:04 PM

Thanks.

gstelmack

06-26-06, 01:20 PM

Anyone have any first-hand experience? I'm near High House & Davis Dr.
Antenna used?

Thanks,
Gary

I'm in MacArthur Park, so relatively close. I'm also in a bit of a low point, so my reception is not as good as it could be.

I've got a Radio Shack roof antenna (size/model escape me at the moment, but one of the traditional roof mounts) pointing at the towers out near Garner, and I reliably get WRAL/WRAZ just fine. ABC/NBC are a bit more problematic, but again I'm in a low point with some hills/trees blocking my LOS: if I could get my antenna up a bit higher, I'd probably get them reliably, too. But they're both O&O so I get the national feeds through DirecTV, and so my incentive to hire someone to push the antenna up another 10 feet is pretty tiny.

Get a decent roof-mounted antenna and you should be in fantastic shape. If you're not down low or blocked by lots of things, one of the indoor models may work fine for you.

dslate69

06-26-06, 03:01 PM

Get Dish Network or DirecTV and ....
And get a 16:9 Guide. :)

Bottom line is this. The costs of HD equipment and production will go down over time, the number of HD sets will increase, and sooner or later the games will be in HD. In this case however it will probably be later.
As I said Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are blazing the trail for HD syndication this Fall. But they are looking at a National viewership (many more HD viewers) and owning the HD Shows (to sell over and over in Syndicated reruns). Reruns are something Live sporting events can't profit from until ESPN Classic goes HD.

But it would be nice to see a syndication standard be set but I still don't know how I got a box that takes 720p or 1080i and outputs it to either one I choose, but a TV station that runs syndicated shows can't afford one. :(

posg

06-26-06, 03:12 PM

Reruns are something Live sporting events can't profit from until ESPN Classic goes HD.

And we all know that Dish Network will have it long before TWC. The good news is that perhaps it will be "the straw" that forces toadfannc to move somewhere with an unobstructed southern exposure.

P.S. Doesn't Superman "return" in a couple of days ??? :D :D :D

dslate69

06-26-06, 03:42 PM

...
P.S. Doesn't Superman "return" in a couple of days ??? :D :D :D
I'll be at Crossroads 20 Sunday at 11:30 with the rest of the Heathens that don't like crowded movie theaters.
I'll save you a seat. :)

cbordman

06-26-06, 04:25 PM

I'll be at Crossroads 20 Sunday at 11:30 with the rest of the Heathens that don't like crowded movie theaters.
I'll save you a seat. :)

Great! I'll bring the whining toddlers.

posg

06-26-06, 04:42 PM

Great! I'll bring the whining toddlers.

I certainly hope you're not referring to any of our "poster" children. ;) ;) ;)

posg

06-27-06, 07:30 AM

"Media General on Monday announced it has completed its $600 million purchase of four NBC television stations, including Raleigh's WNCN.

The acquisition increases Richmond, Va.-based Media General's (NYSE: MEG) NBC stations from five to nine and makes the company NBC's third largest independent affiliate.

In addition to WNCN, Media General purchased stations in Columbus, Ohio, Birmingham, Ala., and Providence, R.I.

The new NBC stations add approximately 450 total employees to Media General's personnel count.

Funding for the transaction stems from three sources: the company's existing $1 billion credit facility, new public or bank term debt that includes $100 million for the acquisition and the refinancing off $200 million of existing notes due September 2006, and at least $100 million in proceeds from the divestiture of non-core assets.

All four stations are ranked among the top three in their respective market areas. NBC announced in January that it was putting the four stations on the sale block."

Triangle Business Journal
June 26, 2006

pkscout

06-27-06, 08:26 AM

"All four stations are ranked among the top three in their respective market areas. NBC announced in January that it was putting the four stations on the sale block."

Triangle Business Journal
June 26, 2006

OK, this has to be the most hilarious spin quote I've seen in awhile. Assuming they are doing rankings of OTA stations only (i.e. not basic or premium cable), then what they are saying is that all four stations have managed to at least beat FOX, the WB, UPN, and PBS in the rankings. If I were buying a "major" network station I would definitely make that a prerequisite for the sale. If you have an NBC station and can't keep in the top three in your market, you have a serious problem.

I hope this means NBC17 can stop scrimping on equipment and give poor NBC17ENG a vacation after he installs all the great new HD hardware. ;)

dslate69

06-27-06, 08:53 AM

Great! I'll bring the whining toddlers.
All movie goers with children (whining or not) need to be at church Sunday at 11:30, at least when I venture away from my HDTV to the theater. :)

jamieh1

06-27-06, 09:43 AM

Here in the Greenville, Washington, New Bern NC market channel 9 WNCT TV/DT is owned by Media General. If you can get reception of 9 in the RDU area youll see how the channel will look (graphics, audio) . Every MG channel Ive seen uses the same graphic and audio.

The station bug will have the channel # with the ) beside it and the NBC logo included. 17)nbc

www.wnct.com

www.mediageneral.com/properties/television.htm

Most of the MG web sites look similar also.

DonB2

06-27-06, 01:04 PM

dslate69

06-27-06, 01:31 PM

I still do not understand why Broadcast tv even exists today when over 90 percent of the market is watched over Cable or Satellite.

I would think the cost for OTA ATSC transmit equipment and maintenace on existing Broadcast towers would be prohibitive.

-DonB2
I think that with your math that leaves 10% that need some kind of free service. My problem is that the 10% dictate to the 90% with all the regional coverage limitations. If we ever got to 0% OTA, do you think we could subscribe to Locals in different cities. What geographic boundary would the government use if OTA went away.
Now I don't think OTA will go away, but the broadcast range can surely change with different fequencies and technologies. So one day should we have the choice of Charlotte locals over Raleigh or do we stick with the antiquated mapping we have now. I can still subscribe to every Charlotte newspaper which makes no sense.

posg

06-27-06, 03:15 PM

Cable World
June 26, 2006

"Meet the MSO—Time Warner Cable: Cable’s Spectrum Preservationist

Time Warner Cable's chief technology officer Mike LaJoie has big plans for his company's hybrid fiber coax plant, but thanks to switched digital, these plans won't take a huge bite out of his bandwidth. ONLINE EXTRA: An extended version of our interview with Mike LaJoie.

By M.C. Antil

Some 15 years ago, a Time Warner engineer named Louis Williamson developed an engineering concept that would eventually be known as hybrid fiber coax. And while fiber optic technology continues to creep closer to the home, there is industry consensus that, regardless of technological advances, HFC will remain a viable engineering strategy for cable operators for years.

Time Warner Cable continues to serve as a technology bellwether for operators, having been first to market with a branded high-speed data service (Road Runner) and commercially viable DVRs. Its latest development is the rollout of switched digital video, which will help make more efficient use of HFC spectrum and enable the company to keep adding digital services. We asked Time Warner Cable's chief technology officer Mike LaJoie about the benefits of switched digital, among other subjects, on the eve of the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver.

How has Time Warner Cable's faith in hybrid fiber coax been validated over the years?

Mike LaJoie: When we first rolled out HFC architecture we simply used it to offer a whole lot more television channels--though, obviously, with a lot better quality. The first real switched product we launched was high-speed data, and that was Road Runner in '95 or '96. Back then we had a few tens of thousands of customers, there were a few hundred thousand websites and we were offering speeds of 1 Mbps--which was unheard of at the time. And all that was accomplished with one 6 MHz channel.

HFC CHAMPION: Cable's plant is paying dividends through the expanded application of spectrum-conserving digital switching technology, says Mike LaJoie.
Today, we have over 5 million customers, speeds as high as 10 Mbps, and there are hundreds of millions of websites. But we still only use one 6 MHz channel.

And the reason for this is that HFC architecture was designed to be segmentable, and was designed to accommodate a switched infrastructure, so I can add more subscribers, increase the speed of the product and introduce more and more sources of product when I combine switching with HFC.

But that's with data. How does that apply to television?

LaJoie: In a television scenario, if I combine HFC with switching I can offer as much programming as I want--much like websites--to as many customers as I want. And I can offer standard-definition television at 3.5 Mbps, or I can increase the speed of the television and offer hi-def at 12, 13, 15 Mbps--all without using more spectrum.

The first switched video product we had was VOD. When we first set it up we did it to accommodate 100 or so movies. We didn't set it up to simulate an actual broadcast experience, such as allowing instant channel changes, but with switched digital video we can now do that.

Your Start Over product in Columbia, S.C., is a fully switched system that records 70-plus cable channels for playback in the head-end, and allows consumers to access archived content. What advantage does that hold for you as an operator?

LaJoie: Start Over is actually a skinnied down version of our Mystro product that was developed by Joe Collins and Jim Chiddix. And its advantage is this: When you broadcast a full channel, everyone connected to your plant is receiving that channel, even if they're actually watching it. That's wasteful, in terms of spectrum. And our research told us that of the 200 or so digital networks, only 70 or 80 might be watched in any one neighborhood. That means that there are up to 130 channels worth of bits just spilling out at the end of your system and creating a wasteful mess.

With switching technology, just like with Road Runner and VOD, you can monitor what people in a neighborhood are watching and allow multiple homes watching the same channel to share the same stream. And if a person tunes to a channel that isn't currently being transmitted to that neighborhood you can just take that channel off the fiber ring and switch it on to that particular node, a process that takes a matter of milliseconds.

What that means is that we can deliver a multichannel broadcast experience without actually broadcasting, which gives us about 60% efficiency on the spectrum. And, just like we were able to go from a few thousand websites to hundreds of millions without adding spectrum, we don't have to add spectrum if we want to go from 200 channels to 500 channels.

In essence, by combining HFC with switching capability we've given ourselves limitless capacity to offer as many channels--be they standard-def, hi-def, MPEG 2, MPEG 4, MPEG whatever--as we want.

Given the fluid nature of technology, how do you manage the development and roll out of new products?

LaJoie: We are constantly trying to look out and imagine the product profile that we're going to have to support in three to five years. And we've said we'll probably have to support up to 75 hi-def channels, we'll have to support continuing increases in speed for data, we'll have to continue to support the analog channels, because they're not going away in five years, and we'll have to continue to support standard def. And to get there, we determined that broadcast will have to diminish and switching will have to grow.

We also try to anticipate product and consumer demand without getting too far ahead of it. Because the danger in getting too far ahead of demand or technology is that you have a bunch of sunk capital that nobody can use and from which you can't make a penny. If money were no object and if we didn't have a financial responsibility to our investors, that would be one thing. But that's not the case, so we have to be financially prudent when we look at technology.

I noticed you didn't mention telephone in your product profile.

LaJoie: Telephone is just another application and, frankly, it's one that doesn't even represent 3% of the traffic on our high-speed data platform.

At the National Show this year we heard about downloadable conditional access. On one panel you called it a "sleeper." Why?

LaJoie: Basically, conditional access is a way to secure video content to ensure only those authorized to receive certain video signals have access to them. And it's a great system. In fact, our conditional access systems have never been cracked.

Now, downloadable conditional access works by taking that concept and downloading the security algorithms directly into the set-top box. This allows the box to decode the encrypted content, regardless of what system it's being used on.

What makes downloadable conditional access such a sleeper is that it overrides what we call the duopoly of conditional access systems--meaning you have to choose one or the other. Today, if you choose one system you basically have to use it on your entire network, and it's very difficult to undo that choice.

Downloadable conditional access will allow MSOs much greater flexibility by allowing them to utilize a number of encryption systems. It will also free us from having to use CableCARDs. And once the consumer electronics people adopt downloadable conditional access they won't have to include CableCARD slots in their devices. That will not only decrease costs, but increase security as well.

We're also hearing a lot about IP multimedia subsystems (IMS). What role will IMS play in the convergence of cable products?

LaJoie: The IP multimedia subsystem is a set of specifications that, frankly, are still moving around a little. The concept was born out of a consortium of telephone companies who wanted to accomplished fixed local convergence, so that a wireline carrier and a wireless carrier could converge their products. In other words, you could receive calls on both your wired or wireless phone, you could share your contact database--all sorts of things.

But the truth is IMS allows you to converge products across any series of diverse platforms, be it twisted pair, fiber, coax or whatever.

The key is IMS separates things into three layers: a physical layer, a services layer and an applications layer. And through such abstracts, it allows services to be developed that most applications will need--services like authorization, accounting, authentication, security, content management and so on. Knowing that such things will be universally available, application developers will no longer have to worry about them. They'll be there and be operable from both a management and a network perspective.

What this means is that we will be able to expand on the concept of bundling. We already know that customers like bundled products; we'll now be able to more easily bundle features of those products across platforms. We know customers like it when they see caller ID on their TV set. We know they want to be able to set their DVRs using their wireless phones or their desktops.

The long and the short of it is, when you have a subsystem that is both network aware and applications aware, it makes it a lot easier to build these apps because you don't have to build all the support services into each one. You simply use the services already being used by your current apps.

We have a lab trial going on right now, and it shows a lot of promise. It's still a little nascent, but when you look at all the companies that have ascribed to IMS technology and have begun building products for it, and all the companies that have stated they want to start utilizing it, I really think it has a good chance of working itself out and finding its way into our production numbers.

Time Warner Cable

By the Numbers

Homes passed: 19.7 million
Basic customers: 11 million
Digital customers: 5.6 million
Residential HSD customers: 5.2 million
Commercial HSD customers: 216,000
Digital phone customers: 1.4 million
Employees: 32,000

Source: Time Warner Cable"