No the cable from the street to the house is Cox responsibility.

I don't do cable installations, but I believe that the street feed is where the cable company used to end their primary responsibility unless they were involved in the original connection and line run. It is, however, in their best interest and they usually do maintain the street to house connection, because of the connection point concerns either in the sidewalk, or in the air on a pole. I do not endorse anyone to try to connect the feed to the street, and it should be the responsibility of the cable company to replace the line if it really is neede. At that time, get them to run two lines to have a backup.
The problem arises in some areas where the home to street feed was done by the developer or third party and is of poor quality, or is not in conduit to be easily replaced. If you have an underground feed from the street, and it was buried in the ground under the driveway or walkway without a conduit, pipe, or raceway, then it's nearly impossible to replace without tearing up your yard and the concrete. With conduit runs, you should be able to get the cable co to replace the line if it is deteriorating, but is easily pulled. If it's buried, things change and it gets into a bigger hassle.
The same can be said of your water lines. I have a buddy right now tearing up his yard and driveway becauses the builders pipes to the street are leaking and the water company will not touch it after the meter in the sidewalk. He has a 20 year old house, and I have a four year old house and I had the same problem with the water lines. The water company left me a nice note saying I used 20,000 more gallons than I usually do (6000 gal/ mo average) and that I have to find the leak or they will turn off my water. Nice huh!

vegggas

Originally posted by Word Maestro
If you were looking for the Oakland vs Anaheim game on INHD, I too was disappointed. It was "blacked out" in the LV area. Don't ask me why.
Believe it or not, I can explain why this was blacked out. The Angels broadcast was done by their OTA affiliate, which Cox does not have rights to (they would if it were Fox Sports West). The A's rights were held by Rainbow Media (AKA Fox Sports Bay Area). Because Cox didn't have the OTA rights, Rainbow Media's rights were protected and the game was blacked out.

MLB sure knows how to treat Vegas, doesn't it?

I have called out for underground cable replacements and replaced many aerial drops. The procedure was to take signal level readings at the tap on the street then at the demark of the house. If there was a significant drop in the readings it was called in for replacement. Currently work for a company that does pre-wire for new construction. We do both track work and custom homes. I know of no developers that pull their own drops from the street to the house. Cox generally relies on sub contractors to do the underground work. Unfortunately it all depends on the technicians ability to determine if drops need replaced. So one tech may be able to figure it out while another may not.

Eddie

In my (recent) similar experience, I learned that any signal problem at the house was fair game for techs. BUT - anything on the street or sidewalk was beyond their authority; responsibility of the "maintenance" dept. of COX......a "higher" level of expertise. Nice people at that level, when you can (finally) reach them. A simple tightening, then replacement of a "Caesar"screw took month of modem drops, then a "netweather" tracking, and extended conversations with normally inaccessable senior staff, and even late-nite stationing of staff before resolution. Some techs ARE better than others; just gotta work with 'em......

Does anybody know when (if ever) the SA8300HD will be available from Cox?

That box is purported to have "live" SD and HD outputs functioning simultaneously. And also to possess a "passthrough" feature. ( i.e, 480i in, 480i out, 1080i in, 1080i out). The fact that the 8000HD does not possess those features is very problematic to me. The 8000HD upconverts all 480i to 1080i and makes a resulting mess out of them.

Fasteddie,
you are correct in that no developers pulls those feeds from the house to the street now in Vegas. However, there are a lot of older homes that may not meet that criteria. Especially homes and neighborhoods from the 70's and 80's. Even as late as when Prime Cable was running Las Vegas, this was not always the case, but now that Cox bought the local market, they insist on running the lines to the home of any new buildings.

Word,
There is talk of the 8300 coming to Cox, but not for a while. I wouldn't expect to see it this year in Vegas, although It may be tested :D by someone before then, if I get lucky. Right now, I think SA has stopped production of the 8000 and is pushing the 8300 as a home media option. Phoenix has delayed their 8000 launch and their inventory is coming here and other regional Cox markets. They will probably launch the 8300 there a bit later. Cox is getting close to year end financials that will probably inhibit any major purchases until the new year.
As for the 8000, the passthrough feature is still in testing in Las Vegas, but it has it's issues. For now, enable all the resolutions you want in the Set-up menu, then pick the output you want for a particular show. I use 480i out to watch the Scifi Channel so that my TV will use it's film mode, anti-aliasing and noise reduction circuitry and I can also use my own stretch or zoom modes.
YMMV

vegggas

Does anyone have any information regarding plans either by ESPN or FOX to carry any of the baseball playoff and World Series games in High Definition? I sure hope they do. Beats an early season football game in every way possible.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Does anyone have any information regarding plans either by ESPN or FOX to carry any of the baseball playoff and World Series games in High Definition? I sure hope they do. Beats an early season football game in every way possible.

Fox will have their's in HD. Dont know about ESPN, but am interested about that too...

Believe it or not, I can explain why this was blacked out. The Angels broadcast was done by their OTA affiliate, which Cox does not have rights to (they would if it were Fox Sports West). The A's rights were held by Rainbow Media (AKA Fox Sports Bay Area). Because Cox didn't have the OTA rights, Rainbow Media's rights were protected and the game was blacked out.

That would apply if the game was on regional cable, but it was not. The games on Saturday were national telecasts by FOX. The decision on what game to show is up to the local FOX affiliate. If FOX has a Dodger game in its Saturday schedule, KVVU will pick that game because Las Vegas is the AAA affiliate for the Dodgers.

It had nothing to do with COX's regional network contracts.

Originally posted by effseesee
That would apply if the game was on regional cable, but it was not. The games on Saturday were national telecasts by FOX. The decision on what game to show is up to the local FOX affiliate. If FOX has a Dodger game in its Saturday schedule, KVVU will pick that game because Las Vegas is the AAA affiliate for the Dodgers.

It had nothing to do with COX's regional network contracts.


Obviously "effseesee" does not read too carefully. The game in question was on Friday night. NOT ON SATURDAY. Try again ,"effseesee".

Originally posted by effseesee
That would apply if the game was on regional cable, but it was not. The games on Saturday were national telecasts by FOX. The decision on what game to show is up to the local FOX affiliate. If FOX has a Dodger game in its Saturday schedule, KVVU will pick that game because Las Vegas is the AAA affiliate for the Dodgers.

It had nothing to do with COX's regional network contracts.

Thought he was talking about Friday's game....

gworkman,

YOU are absoluteky correct!!!!

sorry my mistake.

obviously word maestro has never made one in his life.

Originally posted by effseesee
sorry my mistake.

obviously word maestro has never made one in his life.


Ya, seems a little touchy! :D Relax a little.

Originally posted by effseesee
sorry my mistake.

obviously word maestro has never made one in his life.

Of course I've made mistakes. Many of them.

But very, very, rarely on a written forum. The purpose of the edit function and the Spellchecker, is to minimize such errors.
When anyone replies to a post (since the original post is always available), procedures should be put in place to make sure the poster offering information is accurate and that he/she IS answering the queastion that has been asked. I'm not looking for any medals or kudos, but before I submit any post, it is scanned both for errors in spelling and punctuation. If I find them, I correct them before final submission. If an error slips by, I then use the "edit" function to correct it. One should take pride in the clarity, precision and accuracy of ones responses. No insult or any kind of feather ruffling was meant. And none should be perceived.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
gworkman,

YOU are absoluteky correct!!!!

I couldn't resist!:D

vegggas

Come on, play nice. This is not the wonderful world of academia and it certainly isn't a well-regarded fact checking organization such as CBS.

:D


Originally posted by vegggas
I couldn't resist!:D

vegggas

Does anyone know if Cox here in Vegas increased the internet speeds yet? I was under the impression that they were to increase yesterday. I notice no difference in speed with surfing or downloading. In fact, things seem slower than normal. Is this increase automatic, or do you have to order it?

Mine was faster yesterday. I had the 3 mbs service and yesterday I checked my speed and I was at 3.9 mbs (not the 5 they claim, but still faster).

Just got off the phone with Cox and yes, the increase took effect systemwide yesterday. If you're not getting the right speed, give 'em a call. Could be that your modem isn't capable of handling the new speed.

Cox Las Vegas upgraded their levels across the board as of 12:01am Oct 5 2004. I rebooted my modem at midnight and my premier service went from 3gig to 5gig. Ten minutes later or so Cox rebooted as part of their valley wide upgrade.

I use a Moto SB4200.

PT

Don't I seem like a genius...switching to DishNet and Sprint DSL last month....

Another thing to keep in mind, if you have a wireless network, is to make sure you upgrade your firmware. I had a relatively old Dlink wireless router whose firmware date was late 2002. I downloaded the most recent firmware update and the difference was pretty substantial.



Originally posted by primet
Cox Las Vegas upgraded their levels across the board as of 12:01am Oct 5 2004. I rebooted my modem at midnight and my premier service went from 3gig to 5gig. Ten minutes later or so Cox rebooted as part of their valley wide upgrade.

I use a Moto SB4200.

PT

Test your speed here -
http://test.lvcm.com/

Much faster for me - 1.5Mb -> ~4Mb

vegggas

Jack Smith (an employee of KVVU (FOX) in Las Vegas, has informed me that the baseball playoffs and World Series games on FOX will be carried in HD.

Now let's hope he's right. We'll see.

Yes they got upgraded today 4M/256 and 5M/384 are the speeds, check http://speedtest.dslreports.com for your speed.

Tonites MLB on Fox not HD or Widescreen

Originally posted by tazlv
Tonites MLB on Fox not HD or Widescreen

Damnedright it wasn't!!!

Tomorrow morning I'll be burning up the telephone wires trying to get "Mr Smith". I dislike being lied to, even more than I dislike being accidently misinformed.

Originally posted by vegggas
Test your speed here -
http://test.lvcm.com/

Much faster for me - 1.5Mb -> ~4Mb

vegggas

and
Originally posted by doormat
Yes they got upgraded today 4M/256 and 5M/384 are the speeds, check http://speedtest.dslreports.com for your speed.

I get around 3-4 on the lvcm, but I get .7-1.5 on dslreports so we may be getting a faster connection but there is a bottleneck somewhere so you might not notice it much.

BIG NEWS!!!

KVWB-HD appeared on 21-2 this morning!
Can anybody check how the USDTV channels are sharing bandwidth now? Is 21-2 1080i or will they be converting the WB signal to 720p?

I just got off the phone with Mr. Jack Smith (Engineer at KVVU). He apolgizes for any misunderstanding he may have created. He told me that the "Championship" series bertween the two surviving A.L teams and the two surviving N.L. teams, and the World Series will be in HD, but not the "Divisional" playoffs (which are taking place now).
He also said that this past Sundays NFL games were not in HD because the satellite (from which the HD signal is obtained) was aligned with the sun. I don't understand the technicalities involved, but apparently that alignment causes video transmission problems.

And pardon me for nit-picking, but isn't this forum supposed to be about HDTV reception, configuration, and programming? How did "modem speed" find its way to this forum??

Word modem speed found its way here because many people have cox for internet as well, and this is a nice Vegas comunnity to chat up semi related things.

Anyway Cox cant seem to solve my issues so I went ahead and got the HD TIVO at BB open box saved a couple of hundred and after many trys am using a rat shack outdoor antannae up about 25 feet in the air and getting all but 33-1 now. And I may be able to pull that in with some tweaking. Anyway I am just a phone call away from telling Cox that I no longer need the service of cable TV from them. And its going to be cheaper too.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
He also said that this past Sundays NFL games were not in HD because the satellite (from which the HD signal is obtained) was aligned with the sun. I don't understand the technicalities involved, but apparently that alignment causes video transmission problems.

FYI it happens twice a year, called solar conjunction. The sun lines up right behind the satellite as viewed from earth. The RF emissions from the sun interfere with the transmission from the satellite to earth. Enough interference that you lose the transmission.

Word Maestro, KVVU got the Giants-Packers game back up quickly, but it good to know the problem wasn't their fault.

speco2003, I wonder why so many people have trouble with KFBT 33-1. I always got it easily with an indoor antenna (I did eventually purchace an outdoor antenna to receive KVBC 3-1). However, KINC 15-1 only comes in late at night and breaks up at that, not that I care as it's Univision and I don't speak Spanish. I wish KTUD had a digital signal so I could watch their Simpsons repats and maybe Veronica Mars.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
I just got off the phone with Mr. Jack Smith (Engineer at KVVU). He apolgizes for any misunderstanding he may have created. He told me that the "Championship" series bertween the two surviving A.L teams and the two surviving N.L. teams, and the World Series will be in HD, but not the "Divisional" playoffs (which are taking place now).
He also said that this past Sundays NFL games were not in HD because the satellite (from which the HD signal is obtained) was aligned with the sun. I don't understand the technicalities involved, but apparently that alignment causes video transmission problems.

And pardon me for nit-picking, but isn't this forum supposed to be about HDTV reception, configuration, and programming? How did "modem speed" find its way to this forum??

Your Pardoned for nit-picking as long as you pardon us for discussing Cox HSI. Did I spell everything right? or should it be write, or maybe rite. :D
Also is your spell checker giving you problems?

Eddie

P.S. I'm enjoying the speed bump, thanks COX!

KVWB dropped the SD simulcast, so hopefully when they begin passing WB HD artifacts will be minimal. [update--they are passing HDTV with this nights One Tree Hill]

Is KVVU working on the splicer? (it would be nice to see the logo fixed) The baseball game isn't in ws.

Hey guys, I think Cox might be scamming us on the internet speed increase. I was the first to report that I wasn't seeing any difference in speed while surfing or downloading. I did a speed test on Cox's site and was getting results OVER 5Mbps. I went to several other sites to test the speed (7 to be exact), and all the tests came in around 3Mbps. I think we should call them out on this. Do the tests yourself and see what the results are. I don't know about you, but I don't like to get ripped off. I'm paying $50 a month for speeds that rate $10 a month less.

bruin95, I've seen about a 150k/s increase in peak download speeds.

[edit-also when you are uploading anything at all your download is necessarily reduced (proportioniately I think, so every 1k/s upload download is reduced by 13.33k/s). Depending of how the 3rd party test is designed the results you are seeing may be perfectly in line.]

I experienced the same thing. 3.3 or so on dsl and 4.3 on the lvcm. I am noticeable faster in downloading large files.




Originally posted by lvthunder
and


I get around 3-4 on the lvcm, but I get .7-1.5 on dslreports so we may be getting a faster connection but there is a bottleneck somewhere so you might not notice it much.

Just finished watching the Yanks-Minn game and the Cardinals-Dodgers on FOX (735). The only way I can describe it is "Ersatz" HD. The picture was mostly wide alright, but certainly not as sharp as I've become accustomed to with HD. Cuts to several different camera positions did NOT maintain the widescreen format, but changed to "narrow" and then back to wide again. Commercials were all narrow or letterboxed, but much sharper in appearance than the game video. The audio kept dropping out during both games and uniquely the announcers (at both games) did NOT mention even one time that the game was available in HD. Makes me wonder what's going on at FOX?

i glanced at it. it was probably "fox widescreen"..not HD

I don't have an HD set so I can't speak for the video, but the audio was DD5.1. The Yanks game was true 5.1, the Dodgers did not have rear audio.

Still gotta hand it to Fox. More content than ESPN.

I agree. I don't think it was true HD.

Originally posted by jb1219
i glanced at it. it was probably "fox widescreen"..not HD

Umm, Fox already said the first round was upconverted widescreen. It's not HD and they didn't advertise it as HD.

I know that on ABCs "widescreen", everybody and everything is short and fat. But on this telecast, persons and things were properly proportioned, but lacked the sharpness and clarity of HD. Is "FOX Widescreen" 480i expanded to 1080i or is it 720p expanded to 1080i? In either case it was awful, and I believe FOX would have been far better off transmitting it in the "narrow" mode.

Fox's 480p widescreen is upconverted to 720p and then transmitted. The original aspect ratio is not chaged in this conversion. And if you have a TV that displays native 1080i then it again gets upconverted there (but most of the time there isnt nearly the loss in percieved image quality you get from 480p to 720p).

Actually, Fox's widescreen presentation is made with regular 480i SD cameras anamorphically sqeezed to produce a 16:9 aspect ratio and upconverted to 720p for transmission. They also produce their Fox News Sunday and NFL studio shows with this technique. NBC uses the same technique (upconverting to 1080i) for NASCAR races.

Word Maestro, the strech-o-vision of KTNV (ABC) is not true widescreen. As you have noticed it distorts the proportions of things. In Las Vegas our CBS, Fox, NBC, and WB affialites all pillarbox 4:3 programming to ensure the correct aspect ratio is displayed. KTNV (ABC) is the only station that continues to transmit such a distorted picture despite many complaints from HDTV viewers.

GeorgeLV,

Are you getting WB in HD?? Through Cox??, And if so, on what station?

It certainly isn't listed on the on-screen program guide.

Word Maestro, the WB is in HD OTA on 21-1. They went HD on Wednesday and started passing HD on Thursday. Because it is a Sinclair station it may be a while before they work out cable carriage so you'll need an antenna to recieve it. In addition to their regular prime time high definition programming they'll be showing the Lord of the Rings in HD in November.

Originally posted by GeorgeLV
Word Maestro, the WB is in HD OTA on 21-1. They went HD on Wednesday and started passing HD on Thursday. Because it is a Sinclair station it may be a while before they work out cable carriage so you'll need an antenna to recieve it. In addition to their regular prime time high definition programming they'll be showing the Lord of the Rings in HD in November.

Showing the "Lord of the Rings" is reason enough for me to NOT bother installing an antenna. What a waste of celluloid or video stock that trilogy was. Now I might consider it if they were going to show the concerts and/or operas presented at this summers Salzburg or Bayreuth Festivals. Please tell me what is so special about the "Lord of the Rings"? Especially since they are all available in very fine DVD releases. Does anyone know where or when I might find Bravo HD?

Bravo HD is on Directv.

Good to see that Gilmore Girls is up in HD on KVWB. I was a little worried when I'd next see WB programming in HD after they didn't flip the switch on Sunday and Monday. Hopefully all of their testing is complete and WB HD is officially up in Las Vegas. Now I just hope the local Sinclair management takes advantage of having two stations and plays Stolen Honor on channel 33 so nothing gets preempted.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Showing the "Lord of the Rings" is reason enough for me to NOT bother installing an antenna. What a waste of celluloid or video stock that trilogy was. Now I might consider it if they were going to show the concerts and/or operas presented at this summers Salzburg or Bayreuth Festivals. Please tell me what is so special about the "Lord of the Rings"? Especially since they are all available in very fine DVD releases. Does anyone know where or when I might find Bravo HD?

Thanks for the movie review "maestro"... I bet George LV is glad he answered your question...:rolleyes:

jb

Not to change the subject, but has anyone noticed compression artifacts in this weekends football games and tonight's Yankees/Red Sox game on Fox??? I began noticing this alot this weekend and tonight. It especially shows up in the grass or turf on the field. It is almost like "dancing" grass (or turf). I am viewing Fox-HD through Cox cable. Is anyone seeing this via Fox-5 HD OTA??

I really don't remember seeing this the first couple of weeks Fox switched to HD. Also, I don't see it when these games are replayed on NFL Prime Time (ESPN-705) and the ESPN games, ABC, CBS and IN-HD games look fine. I checked my signal levels and they are fine on 735 and all the other HD channels, so I am sure it is not a signal level issue.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. In the Programming Forum everyone seems to think that Fox's HD sports broadcasts have been getting progressively better, but from what I am seeing, it seems to be getting worse...


Keith

LVKeith, the quality should be the same everywhere OTA because of the way the splicer operates, but there is a possibility that Cox recompresses the signal. If you have a opportuinity to view a game on a 720p native set OTA you'll have a good reference of what the signal looks like at its best. A bad conversion to 1080i (a lower vertical resoultion format) could cause the dancing turf, but the Fox variable bit rate encoder is probably responsible as well.

Once again, I must disagree with you gentlemen. The Baseball game tonight was absolutely beautiful to look at. (Except for the final score). For the last few days FOX has been using its "Widescreen Format" for its playoff telecasts. Tonight it was REAL HD. And what a difference!!!!

Sorry if my review of "Lord of the Rings" displeased anyone. Must I like it because everyone says its great?? I prefer the "Stars Wars" series, and even the "Star Trek" series. To each his own. Different strokes for different folks, etc.

I totally agree that last night's game looked much better than the widescreen presentations. I am just seeing too much of what I believe is compression artifacts on Fox HD sports presentations. Maybe it is something else, but I sure can't think of what it might be. The other FOX-HD programming (Bernie Mac, etc.) looks great.

My set can accept 720P but upconverts it to 1080i. I have tried with the cable box (8000HD) doing the upconversion but it makes no difference at all. I see none of this type of artifacrting on ESPN and ABC games, and they are both 720P, so that should rule out my display. It also sort of rules out the set top box too since it seems it can produce a "clean" picture (free of these types of artifacts) on all channels other than 735. And like I said before, my signal level is fine on 735 and all HD channels, there is no real variance.

I guess I will try to check out a FoxHD at another location and see what gives. Maybe I am just being too picky??????

Keith

Originally posted by vegggas
The original date for DVI and passthrough was end of Sepember or early October. I've been testing it and it is the same as the 3250, but it does hang once in a while. I still used fixed at 1080i for almost everything, and go to 480i standard when I watch a "widescreen" not in HD show on upn, so that my set can do the conversion. I don't like the fact that my set takes 3 seconds to change resolutions each time either.


vegggas


So Veggas....any updates on this subject? I'm a very happy camper except for this passthrough issue. Anyway I can get on the beta list to test passthrough? Passthrough working 80% of the time would be wonderful opposed to not having the feature as it is now.

Thanks
PT

Are those of you using the dvi output of the 3250 happy with the picture quality?

If true, very bad news for all of us.

MSNBC reports that in an article in a Detroit newspaper, the word is that Congress is considering delaying the switch over to "all digital" until 2009.
I guess if that's true the number of HD stations available will increase very slowly (if at all). For the switchover to occur Congress wants 85% of homes to be equipped to receive digital TV (not necessarily HDTV), and that current percentages are hovering only at about 10%.

The frustration continues!!!

Well all, after starting this thread over a couple years ago, I am back in the valley and needing advice on the best options for HDTV. I may just go ahead with an OTA system, since there seem to be more locals OTA than at Cox. However, in waiting to decide on which service to get (OTA, Cox, or Sat), I've got my double bow-tie antenna up and cannot get a clean signal from channel 8 at all. 13 is ok, but 8 is full of noise. (Reg signals, not digital). I was hoping that they would have fixed that while I was gone. I had the same probs before when I was using that antenna for my HD receiver. I even tried my big friggin' rooftop in the attic and the signal was worse. Anybody on my side of town (american pacific and gibson) having probs OTA with CBS?

According to vegggas' posts, getting Cox will cost about $25 a month for the basic + digital upgrade to HDTV, and then $5 more for DiscHD. How iss the content on cox quality-wise? I was out in the dark (literally) in southern utah for a couple years and need my HD back so any suggestions would be great.

Thanks for the help.

Trevor

Well the only HD channel you can get OTA (that is not on cable) right now is WB. Cox has the rest. I live near you but closer to the mountain so I don't get 8 and 13 at all. I live three blocks east of Gibson and Horizon Ridge.

I don't believe that answer is correct (only one OTA Digital HD signal).

I get 3.1, 5.1, 8.1, 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2, 13.1, 21.1, 33.1 from Summerlin. I use a Terk 44 on my dish. All have 70+ signal strength excepting 33.1. And I simply have not tried tweaking placement to pick that up as the others are all I need.

BTW, if I spoke spanish, I think there are a couple of others avail OTA.

So if you are looking for low cost HD digital, the antenna will get you a long ways without having to add sat or cable.

Perry

Now that I read what I posted I meant to say that the WB is the only channel that Cox doesn't have that is in HD that you can get OTA. You can get NBC, FOX, CBS, and ABC either OTA or with Cox.

trevor_2k, welcome back.


I am now a big fan of Cox Cable (granted my cable bill is now more than my power bill), but I love ESPN HD, INHD, the Padre Games in HD (san diego feed) and their flexibility during March Maddess (multiple feeds). I also subscribe to HBO, SHO and MAX, so I get those HD channels as well. Boxing is very cool in HD. These factors, plus the PVR (I have the 8000hd) makes cable my number one choice. ALso, there is not the hassle of trying to lock in the local channels OTA.

Good Luck,

T

I agree with you Tallen234.

How users can spend probably several thousands of dollars to buy themselves an HDTV and then attempt tp economize by using an OTA antenna for HD programming, instead of purchasing the service through cable or satellite is a mystery to me.

Seems rather penny wise and pound foolish to me. And I must observe (although I am certainly NOT a rich man- I live on a pension and social security) that if you can't afford to PAY for the services you want from either Cable or Satellite, you shouldn't have purchased an HDTV in the first place.

Word Maestro, if you have a satellite system you will be getting your network HD ota for at least the next few years (until new satellites are brought up). Also, belive it of not, there are plenty of people who could care less about what's offered on cable and happily spend the $100 a month the cable bill would run on other pleasures. I could be wrong, maybe all the rooftop antenna people just really like Gilmore Girls and Smallville.

Thanks for the replies.

As for the trying to save $$$ by going OTA, when I left Las Vegas 2 years ago, OTA was the only thing available, so I am still kind of in that mindset, and it will be wierd to get HDTV from Cox. I will watch HD mostly for network stuff, so Sat is out for me. And, I don't really feel like paying a cable bill that is more than my power bill. All those economics classes would come back and haunt me if I ever did that. So, I think that maybe the basic service + digital pack may be the way to go for now.

How is Cox's transmission of content? Has there been any problems with the signal x-fer from the stations to Cox's head end?

trevor_2k, you seem like an ideal customer for, shudder, USDTV.

Originally posted by trevor_2k


How is Cox's transmission of content? Has there been any problems with the signal x-fer from the stations to Cox's head end? .

I live in the northwest part of town (Summerlin), and I find the signal from Cox Cable to be strong, clear and generally steady. There are intermittent problems with flashing lines and de-synchronization of sound and picture. But these are very transitory and don't disturb me at all. I suspect that my 8000HD is the culprit in this situation, but will hold steady until the 8300HD is released in (I'm told) a few months.
Sports in HD is absolutely outstanding. And for that you need network TV.

Been gone a while...
Welcome back Trevor_2k! - Someone thought I had started this thread for a while, but we set them straight and told them it was you.

For Cox HD and services, you should be able get any level of service you want, provided you can get the CSR's to understand exactly what you want (good luck). For the lowest price and JUST the locals, you should be able to get the basic $8 service and rent an HD STB for getting the programming, or use your own QAM tuner to tune in the channels above 100. To get ESPN, INHD1 & 2 and the Padres channel for free, you need to be a digital subscriber and have a rental HD STB or Cable Card enabled set. I think it's $5 for a digital gateway, or you can get a premium service (like SHO or HBO) for around $10. The biggest price increase is for the expanded basic service for channels 18 - 99. Discovery HD is $5 and premium services are varible with incentives, specials and bundling of other services. Oh yeah, Internet speed was just recently increased across the board if you want that too.
SA8000HD news. I came back from a business trip and found my DVR downgraded back to normal service - No more testing??? I lost the passthrough and DVI functionality and haven't heard any news on the next deployment yet.
I did hear the rumors starting again about a digital lineup. The story is that they will duplicate some of the most popular channels and map them in the digital tier, so that all digital customers will have a digital transport to the home for them. It seems for now, it will be limited to about a dozen channels, but could grow in the future. No time frames were given, but I expect it before the end of the year.
I should get more information on everything next week as I get caught up and re-establish my contacts again.

vegggas

Why are we not getting game 3 of the NLCS in HD through Cox? Just crappy SD.

Originally posted by bruin95
Why are we not getting game 3 of the NLCS in HD through Cox? Just crappy SD.

good question!! maybe tonights ALCS will be HD...

Originally posted by bruin95
Why are we not getting game 3 of the NLCS in HD through Cox? Just crappy SD.
KVVU OTA was not HD. Wasn't anything Cox did.

Amazing!! Right after the last pitch of the game, POOF!! HD! Way to go Fox. What a bunch of morons.

Audio on BOS/NY sounds like the guys in the booth are running a washing machine. Can't the professionals in the production truck hear this stuff and do away with it immediately?

Originally posted by GeorgeLV
trevor_2k, you seem like an ideal customer for, shudder, USDTV.

shudder x2.

Paying a company to rent an OTA receiver, of which I can't get all the local HD channels OTA very well to begin with, and then getting their "lineup" for $20 a month.... I dunno. (With a 1 year contract) So, $240 for a receiver + their lineup. Last time I looked, I've never even watched the Lifetime Movie channel, and I'd kick the wife if she did. Only channels I like (That they have) are the ESPN's, Disc, TLC, and maybe Fox News. BUT, none of those are HD. So, USDTV is out.

Looks like cable for me. Hopefully the WB and Fox will get their stuff over to Cox soon. I take it that none of the Cox cable boxes (8000hd, or 3250hd) have an antenna input for OTA stuff right?

Cox does have Fox now.......no WB or UPN though.
I read over on the main HDTV Programming thread that most all Fox affiliates received the NLCS in HD.....seems like it was a local problem here with KVVU.

trevor,well, if you get USDTV installed they'll put up an outdoor antenna so you'll get all the OTA HD channels since their programming is multicasted on the weaker stations. BTW, you don't rent the receiver. It is yours but if you take the subsidized model there is a $200 penalty (what their "activated" receiver costs at Wal-mart) if you break the programming contract before the 12 months is up. If you gamble that the company will fail sooner you could make out pretty well on the deal otherwise you're basically paying $240 for an HD STB that gets SD Espn channels for 12 months and however much their antenna install is.

Don't expect WB on Cox anytime soon, Sinclair wants new carriage contracts with the cable companies for HD. Our UPN affialiate runs things on the cheap and doesn't even broadcast in stereo. The ownership changed recently so perhaps they will set things in motion sometime before the FCC and Congress force them to.

Todays Astros-Cardinals game on FOXHD, looked absolutely superb. I hope the Yanks-Red Sox game looks just as good, but with a different outcome than the first three games of this series.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Todays Astros-Cardinals game on FOXHD, looked absolutely superb. I hope the Yanks-Red Sox game looks just as good, but with a different outcome than the first three games of this series.

You got your wish...four times.

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this board and new to VOOM. We just ordered VOOM and it's going to be installed Nov 1st. I was wondering if there is anyone else in Las Vegas with VOOM and can tell me the ins and outs of VOOM here in the valley? Any problems? Good stuff and the bad stuff. It's good to hear both sides.

I tried Voom last summer. I gave it about 4 months. The programing was ok and the HD great. However I had to put up my own antenna to get a stable signal from the off air locals as the cheap one they had would not work. Also the reciever constantly kept freezing up everytime I would change local channels. When it did that, you have to unplug and reboot. then it would take about 30 mins for the program guide data to download from the satellite. That was a pain in the a** to say the least. They sent me 3 replacements and the problem never stopped. Also when you select the program guide it always defaults to channel 3 insted of the channel you are watching. Therefore you always have to go through the entire lineup just to get somewhere. I finally told them enough is enough, and went back to Directv. And now I have confirmed they will have Las Vegas local HD feeds on satellite in mid '05. (I work for Directv as an HSP) I think that will deal a heavy blow to cable down the road, time will only tell.

If Direct TV is going to carry local channel HD , the only benefit I see to cable is the on-demand capability to movies. Even then, if one uses a Direct TV DVR , you can record whatever movies you want and play them back at your leisure. This is great news for satellite watchers.

Goldyoda, well it depends on whether the new sats for will have enough bandwidth to deliver the full bandwidth of the broadcast signal or whether they will be recompressed to 8-10mbit "HD". If that's the case I'd rather not choose D*.

The new spaceway satellites can handle about 10Gbit/s (supposedly) each, or enough for 500 HD channels at 19.2mbit/s (once you factor in overhead). I believe they fully intend to pass on the local OTA signals in their original form (well, maybe insert a few commercials here and there I'm sure). I wonder if there are more than 500 local HD channels in operation now! I'm pretty sure there will be by mid-05 when it launches.

doormat, count the number of the stations in the master list. Well over 500. Of DirectTV won't be offering locals for some of the smaller markets, so it should be under 500 for now. I wonder if DTV is allowed to save bandwidth by only offering seperate HD locals for the big 4? That way they could just carry East and West coast superstations for WB/UPN/PBS.

I ran the numbers on the stats at the bottom, of the big 7 (big 4 + upn, wb, pbs) there are 554 stations, not too far off. Due to frequency, uplink and other considerations its probably limited to the top 50-100 markets with the first two satellites. But they should have plenty of room to transmit uncompressed. And they have promised 1500 HD channels by 2007.

My earlier post about getting digital versions of the most popular channels may be a bit premature. It was decided to be done, but now there may be a few hiccups getting it done before the end of this year. We will have to wait to see when it happens, because everyone wants it, but there is something still holding them back right now. Maybe it has something to do with the Cox corporate buyback of stock to make it a private company???
Cox is now aware of the WB showing a few hours of HD, and they are monitoring the situation to see when they are stable enough for carriage. Local guys see no problem adding the channel and are unaware of a corporate reason not to carry it. When asked about the "Free TV" policy with Sincalair, it was mentioned that Cox doesn't charge any extra for local HD to subscribers, so it shouldn't be a problem. They did mention they would likely have a lot of backlash from customers complaining of a lack of HD. Similar calls come in about ESPN and ABC, but that's a problem with the network and not the Cox feed, although customers don't always see it that way.
Long term HD outlook for additional content appears VERY good, but I didn't get any specifics at this time. By long term, it was meant for the '05 calendar year. More later as it develops!

vegggas

My 8000hd died a few days ago and as I was wading through Cox's replacement process I was told we will never get the passthrough feature on the 8000 but to look for a new HARDWARE solution after the first of the year.
That's all I could glean from the Cox rep.

Anyone have anymore info concerning this?

All I want is passthrough back...It was so cool having a one input solution with my video working for me..not the other way 'round:(

PT

Because of the hardware with Dual Tuners, and the box constantly changing resolutions, there were problems with passthrough. It works for the 3250 box, but is severely buggy in the 8000. I was testing it for a long time and, frankly, it sucked bad enough that I went back to using fixed resolutions and they revoked the beta version I was using..
The new hardware solution is the 8300HD DVR. This also has a serial ATA2 interface for drive expansion, HDMI, and the ability to be used as a whole home distribution system. The home media option allows you to playback programs from any other STB in your home through this unit. Each STB will see a DVR channel that pulls directly from the 8300 on a QAM channel, allowing multiple DVR users to see each of their own programs at once.
AFAIK, SA has discontinued the 8000HD unit and is pushing ahead with the 8300HD unit as the replacement. The 8000 was released by SA more than a year and a half ago, and has some hardware deficiencies that can only be overcome by a hardware change.

vegggas

Vegggas,
Does the 8300HD box also have dual tuners?

-Gergg

Yes it has dual tuners, but the hardware and graphics chipsets are much newer, to fully support the resolutions better. It even does HD and SD at the same time while keeping the s-video active at all times. I hope to get a box at the start of the year for testing, but there are many others already using it as a direct replacement for the 8000, with the 8000 software.
8300 link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=431185)

vegggas

Does the 8300HD box also have dual tuners?

Yes!! It has everything the 8000 has and more. In fact while perusing the PDF file, I noticed that SA has finally added a stereo encoder for the RF output. It always amazed me to see the techs from Cox hook up the SA digital boxes via RF only. They never plug them in via the AV inputs. I wonder why? That means that most customers never hear stereo sound from their TV's. Anyway, the SA boxes have never provided stereo sound thru the RF out...until now. That will be a good addition.

Can you tell I'm a sound nut? Ha ha! Anyway...here's a link to a PDF file that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the 8300 family of DVR's.

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/customers/Source/7004920.pdf

Wow...Vegggas beat me to it! Oh well...the PDF file link should prove to be useful to you.

So now I can have one 8300HD in the family room and one in the home theater and record four HD shows at once and watch them in either place? I think I am getting too excited. It sounds like the "future" Voom boxes they were showing at CES.
Vegggas, any idea when LV area rollout of these boxes will start? Any idea what they will include?

-Gergg

You will only need, and only be able to run one per household***. The QAM output is fixed at ch 137, and the other STB's will tune that channel and interact with the DVR. This gives DVR functionality to any STB in the home, by direct access.
***If the local Cable company would ever consider giving you a second unit (not likely), you may be able to run a second DVR if all the wiring is isolated. You would need all home run wiring, and have each "network" be independently controlled by each DVR. You would not be able to swap programs between the two isolated "networks", much like you wouldn't be able to swap programs with your neighbor. Each home already needs an Isolation splitter so that the QAM modulator does not back feed into the neighborhood network, conflicting with your neighbors. To try two in one house, would be possible, but the signal levels would be very low.

vegggas

Just for the record, SA announced the Multi-DVR option more than two years ago. Way before the Voom demonstration at last year''s CES. SA had their 8300 multiroom DVR actually working in a finished state two rows over, while the crowds gathered around the Voom area (I saw both).
Las Vegas Delivery will probably not happen until the first of the year, due to end of year budget stuff. Corporate has had the box for a while, and I think they have cleared it for deployment in test markets. I think Phoenix will be the first Cox market to see these in the next month or two, then either Vegas or San Diego will be next.

vegggas

Vegggas,
So you are saying that the MR 8300HD unit would require a STB for any TV that would watch something recorded on the 8300HD, but that box could not be an 8300HD? If so, what boxes would they use for HD playback on secondary sets?

-Gergg

PS Rats!

So the isolation filter is installed in the box to keep ch 137 from getting back into the system? I cant wait for some idiot to take theirs out and screw up the whole neighborhood!

I hope and pray they figure out a way to let people schedule recordings remotely. Maybe the 8500s, you can have multiple units in the house, and schedule recordings remotely (you can do this now with software like MythTV for HTPCs if you have multiple tuners). And only 1 external SATA adapter? If it were SATA-II it could probably support the new 1/4 SATA switches so you could have 4 drives attached instead of 1. Mmmmm... 4x300GB = 1.2TB (or about 110 hours of HD, 1000 hours of SD).

The 8300 is already a DVR, so that is the primary device. Any STB after the SA2000 will work for remote DVR playback, including downressed HD. Any HD STB will work for HD DVR functions, including the 3100HD, 3250HD, and possibly the 8000HD. There are a whole other series of HD boxes that we don't use here that can also be used, including hardware limited HD boxes, that are more software driven, like the upcoming MS boxes and the next generation pure software boxes that will cheaper to produce.

vegggas

If it is doing playback over a QAM channel then could a PC based QAM capable HD card view the recordings from a 8300HD? How would the playback STB or whatever control the 8300HD?

-Gergg

Originally posted by doormat
So the isolation filter is installed in the box to keep ch 137 from getting back into the system? I cant wait for some idiot to take theirs out and screw up the whole neighborhood!

I hope and pray they figure out a way to let people schedule recordings remotely. Maybe the 8500s, you can have multiple units in the house, and schedule recordings remotely (you can do this now with software like MythTV for HTPCs if you have multiple tuners). And only 1 external SATA adapter? If it were SATA-II it could probably support the new 1/4 SATA switches so you could have 4 drives attached instead of 1. Mmmmm... 4x300GB = 1.2TB (or about 110 hours of HD, 1000 hours of SD).

The isolation filter must be installed in the home, at the drop point, or in the street. It is typically a four way splitter that blocks the QAM modulator and return commands from leaking onto the rest of the neighborhood, but also passes that QAM modulator and DVR commands to the other ports for the multi room support.
To support multiple units in one home, you would have to have multiple output modulator and input DVR frequencies. Since the software is looking for a specific channel frequency, they wouldn't easily be able to assign multiple frequencies on both sides, keep the cost down, and keep is simple enough for people to use it.

vegggas

Originally posted by gergg
If it is doing playback over a QAM channel then could a PC based QAM capable HD card view the recordings from a 8300HD? How would the playback STB or whatever control the 8300HD?

-Gergg

No, and No.
The storage and playback of all content, even on our current DVR's is encrypted and decrypted by the STB receiving the signal, based on permissions. All external storage is also encrypted and requires the active STB for decryption and playback.
The exceptions would be locals that are "in the clear", but you PC card based QAM tuner could already record those directly already. The PC card wouldn't be able to support the two way navigation required to initiate and control a recording anyway.

vegggas

I'm thinking of going with the 3250 so I can use its Dvi output. Are there any issues with this box that I should be aware of?

I assume the new two-way cableCARDs (2005?) will not be able to receive the decoded 8300HD DVR signals to replay recorded material on an DCR TV?

Vegashomes,
The 3250 seems to be a very stable box. I wrote a complete review and guide for it in the hardware section:
3250 review and setup guide (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=346428)
For me, DVI works flawlessly, but others have had problems. Be sure to use a DVI-D (Digital (Digi-panel), not Analog(VGA) or Integrated (VGA+Digi-panel) cable and keep it under 4 meters, or the handshake between the devices could have problems (DVI-D cable limitation).


gvc,
It is unknown how the cablecard V2 sets will work with this type of setup, since there are no TV's with this technology available yet. It's unclear how the set would be able to send DVR commands to initiate a session and control it. Decoding the stream may be a possibility, as long as it can access the frequency of the STB, but that is determined by the initiation and handshake.

vegggas

Veggas.......

I have been using my 3250 with a 40' DVI-D cable and it has been working just fine.... maybe I just got lucky on this one!

Steve

40 foot DVI !!!
What are you connecting that to and what kind of cable are you using?

Copper wire is limited to 5 meter lengths, but 4 meter is considerd the safe limit, especially with typical cables.

http://www.pacificcable.com/DVI_Tutorial.htm


4) Is there a distance limitation?
Yes. For digital DVI cables there is a 5 Meter distance limitation. If you go longer the video results will be unpredictable and not guaranteed. The only way to safely and efficiently go longer distances is to use our OC and OLC series DVI fiber cables.


If it works for, consider yourself lucky.

vegggas

I bought the cable along with the Gefen DVI switcher...

The way my theater is set up the 3250 is in the front of the room in a low console that I built and their was no room for a dvi connector through the conduit I had put in the ceiling when the room was built... (I was only planning on 3 component cables 6 years ago). So I had to run the cable around the perimeter of the room under the carpet and then up the corner of the back wall... across the ceiling at the corner where the wall meets the ceiling then forward to the projector.... I am very thankful that it works. As the walls are a dark burgandy and the ceiling is "dark earth" the cable blends pretty well as it is a purple color itself.

I was concerned about the length, but it is supposed to be a "high quality" cable (should be for the $180 bucks it cost) and I was lucky enough to have it work for me.

Steve (at least some luck in Las Vegas)

Originally posted by gergg
So now I can have one 8300HD in the family room and one in the home theater and record four HD shows at once and watch them in either place? I think I am getting too excited. It sounds like the "future" Voom boxes they were showing at CES.
Vegggas, any idea when LV area rollout of these boxes will start? Any idea what they will include?

-Gergg

This certainly can be done now and has been available for some time, but it is with DirecTV and multiple Tivo's. I have had 4 Tivo's for years and can watch 4 channels and record them as well as record 4 other channels. In fact I can play a recorded event while recording 2 new events on each Tivo.

Now that HD Tivo is out you can do the same with HD events.

Personally, however I have only 4 SD Tivo's with 2 tuners each and 1 HD tivo with 2 tuners. I can't remember a time that I have needed to record that many shows/events however <g>. BTW, this requires multiple dishes also. Mine are actually spread across two houses in two states. (All on one DirecTV account, which, I think, is no longer being offered by DirecTV, but thankfully is grandfathered for those of us that bought it that way.)

Perry

Originally posted by gergg
So now I can have one 8300HD in the family room and one in the home theater and record four HD shows at once and watch them in either place? I think I am getting too excited. It sounds like the "future" Voom boxes they were showing at CES.
Vegggas, any idea when LV area rollout of these boxes will start? Any idea what they will include?

-Gergg

This certainly can be done now and has been available for some time, but it is with DirecTV and multiple Tivo's. I have had 4 Tivo's for years and can watch 4 channels and record them as well as record 4 other channels. In fact I can play a recorded event while recording 2 new events on each Tivo.

Now that HD Tivo is out you can do the same with HD events.

Personally, however I have only 3 SD Tivo's with 2 tuners each and 1 HD tivo with 2 tuners. I can't remember a time that I have needed to record that many shows/events however <g>. BTW, this requires multiple dishes also. Mine are actually spread across two houses in two states. (All on one DirecTV account, which, I think, is no longer being offered by DirecTV, but thankfully is grandfathered for those of us that bought it that way.)

Perry

That's not what he was asking. Sure, you can have as many devices that you want to record content and play it back, even on the same account.
He had asked if the 8300 Multi-room unit, which contains a QAM modulator for control, playback and viewing on up to 4 different units in different rooms, could be doubled up and controlled. When two units are placed in the same home, the output of one would interfere with the second, unless the wires and outputs are isolated.
In pkincy's example, that is nothing new and is limited to the playback device, and possibly an RF output wired directly to another device. Nothing different than the same thing with VCR's done decades ago. The 8300 has the ability to be controlled by any other STB to playback unique digital streams for up to 4 other rooms plus the 8300 it'self for 5 simultaneous unique and controllable streams. Putting two devices in a home won't necessarily give you the ability to playback 10 different streams at the same time, UNLESS you wire your home to have separate wiring for each set of rooms, but then the two systems are isolated from each other.


vegggas

You all seem to be talking about the 8300HD as if it were presently available from Cox-Las Vegas. Is it or isn't it?

The 8300 was brought up in THIS POST (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4567402#post4567402) just three days ago. I have been following the development of this box for over a year.

vegggas

Originally posted by Word Maestro
You all seem to be talking about the 8300HD as if it were presently available from Cox-Las Vegas. Is it or isn't it?

If you would have read the post it's clearly stated maybe sometime in January.

other cox markets already have the 8300HD .. I don't know why the Las Vegas customers always seem to be at the bottom of the rotation list as far as new stuff. Same thing happened with the Cable Modem speeds. Vegas market was one of the last to get upgraded.

Which Cox market has the 8300? I know of no rollouts of that product for Cox Markets yet. Phoenix Should be the first Cox area to roll them out because their 8000 rollout was delayed to the point, where they still don't have a DVR. Their allotment of 8000's came to Las Vegas and San Diego, two of the top Cox markets behind Phoenix.

vegggas

I have an 8000 HD DVR from Cox hooked up to a Yamaha receiver and Mits HD TV. At times I get alot of audio dropouts, particularly from ABC. Is this normal?

Originally posted by Goldyoda
I have an 8000 HD DVR from Cox hooked up to a Yamaha receiver and Mits HD TV. At times I get alot of audio dropouts, particularly from ABC. Is this normal?
Audio dropouts do happen when using the digital outputs from the 8000 when it is set to Dolby Digital. The dropouts are are quick interruptions in the audio stream. It takes a moment for the digital receiver to re-sync the data and continue the audio.
The use of the "other" audio setting has the same audio interruptions, but they are so fast and brief that it's hard to even notice them at all. The delay you hear is in the re-syncing of the digital audio stream at the Yamaha Receiver, but caused by the 8000.
I have found more dropouts happen when the source material is not in Dolby Digital, but the STB is set to DD.

For more information, specific to this box, here in Vegas, Go To This Link -> SA8000HD DVR - Cox - SARA - Setup and Review Guide (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=421666)

vegggas

Originally posted by vegggas
I know of no rollouts of that product for Cox Markets yet. Phoenix Should be the first Cox area to roll them out.

vegggas


My bad...all the info I have read about on the 8300HD rollout seems to be from other cable companies :confused:

Originally posted by gvc
My bad...all the info I have read about on the 8300HD rollout seems to be from other cable companies :confused:

Tell me, if OTHER cable companies are able to rollout the 8300HD NOW, why can't Cox? Is is because they don't make enough money from us? Or is it because that in this city, they have a monopoly on cable operations, and the discriminating user can go to hell.
If they had some cable competition in this city, you'ld see just how fast they would satisfy their customers.

It's just like every other company. Each has there own rollout schedule. They might even have to rewrite portions of the software to be compatable with the system. I'm sure every cable company is different.

And like any other business they have a budget to adhere too. They can't just drop everything and run out and buy the latest and greatest cable box. For Cox to accomplish what they do for current customers plus keep up with the rapid growth rate of Vegas I for one think they are doing a great job!

Eddie

The 8300 units being deployed by other cable companies are the direct replacements for the 8000 units, running nearly the same software. Basically as they are purchasing them, they are getting the 8300 instead of the 8000 because it is no longer available. Cox SHOULD be getting the 8300MR units for the Multi-Room feature, but Phoenix, who still does not have any HD DVR will probably be the first Cox system in the West to get them. Because Las Vegas had aready rolled out the 8000 HD DVR, they got some of the surplus that Phoenix would have used. Until those need to be replenished due to stock quantities available, we may not get a large shipment of the 8300's here. The good thing about local growth is that it increases their purchasing budget and allows for hardware changes to happen more frequently. If our local area was stagnant, then we would be stuck with the boxes we already have.
As for competition, it's not all as good as you think. Phoenix is a good example. They have a major competing cable company that is splitting their system, but they still don't have ANY HD DVR's. The main reason is because they can't get as high a customer penetration as Las Vegas and have to spend more money on advertising and customer churn instead of equipment.

my $0.02 worth

vegggas

For those of you with analog signal level issues, especially now with the temperature changes, there is relief coming soon.
First, there seems to be a node upgrade in progress that will stabilize the signals that can be influenced by temperature changes. The current technology has to be rebalanced if the temperatures drift too far in either direction.
I've also heard that Cox will slowly begin encoding their analog stations to simulcast digital within the next 30 - 60 days. Apparently this is both an expensive and bandwidth intensive upgrade and will be done in small stages. Exact numbers and stations are not known, but it is meant that the locals and the most popular channels (i.e. the ones with ad revenue) will be done first. The going theory is that as the channel groups become available, they will be remapped over the analog channels in the STB. Analog devices will still see the analog channels, while digital subscribers will see the digital versions.

WB is still on hold pending corporate contracts with Sinclair.

NBA is on the air.

More info as I hear about it.

vegggas

Anyone having a cable TV outage? Green Valley area.

Originally posted by fasteddielv
Anyone having a cable TV outage? Green Valley area.
Not here, you should call it in if you still have a problem - 383-4000 ( I think)

vegggas

I found out it seems to be my PC TV Tuner. It just looked like a outage. ARRRRRRRGGGGG!

Originally posted by fasteddielv
Anyone having a cable TV outage? Green Valley area.



Yesterday early morning (nov 4...5-6am) I had several intermittent signal losses. Both analog and digital had about 3 or 4 brief outages. none lasted very long. I live in the LAKES area. I called TECH just to report the problem in case others in my area had same issue. Outages quit happening shortly after that with no problems noticed rest of the day.

Hi folks, just helped my sister move to Henderson, NV from New Jersey.

Can anyone help with a listing of what we can get here OTA in HDTV?
thanks. I found a few, like FOX, PBS, but am wondering about CBS,
and others. thanks.

Winston

Originally posted by vegggas
For those of you with analog signal level issues, especially now with the temperature changes, there is relief coming soon.
First, there seems to be a node upgrade in progress that will stabilize the signals that can be influenced by temperature changes. The current technology has to be rebalanced if the temperatures drift too far in either direction.
I've also heard that Cox will slowly begin encoding their analog stations to simulcast digital within the next 30 - 60 days. Apparently this is both an expensive and bandwidth intensive upgrade and will be done in small stages. Exact numbers and stations are not known, but it is meant that the locals and the most popular channels (i.e. the ones with ad revenue) will be done first. The going theory is that as the channel groups become available, they will be remapped over the analog channels in the STB. Analog devices will still see the analog channels, while digital subscribers will see the digital versions.

WB is still on hold pending corporate contracts with Sinclair.

NBA is on the air.

More info as I hear about it.

vegggas

What is the benefit for doing simulcasting the analog channels?

Hi folks, just helped my sister move to Henderson, NV from New Jersey.

Can anyone help with a listing of what we can get here OTA in HDTV?
thanks. I found a few, like FOX, PBS, NBC, but am wondering about CBS,
ABC, and anyothers. thanks.

Winston

Those with analog only will not lose anything. Those with digital will enjoy a crisper picture and better audio on the most popular channels.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by winman42
[B]Hi folks, just helped my sister move to Henderson, NV from New Jersey.

Can anyone help with a listing of what we can get here OTA in HDTV?
thanks. I found a few, like FOX, PBS, NBC, but am wondering about CBS,
ABC, and anyothers. thanks.

Hiya Guy,

I don't have OTA service but I do know, in addition to those stations you already mentioned, in LV we do get CBS and ABC as well. I don't know the frequencies though.
:rolleyes:

winman,

Just visited my sister in New Jersey and found it absolutely gorgeous there.

For winman42,
The easiest resource for OTA channel listings is found at www.antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org). Just use the "Choose An Antenna" button and put in your zip code. You can get frequency assignments and locations for all stations.

lvthunder - re: Digital channels
Eventually there will be a complete digital lineup. Many people have ingress issues that affect the lower channels picture quality, especially those closer to Black Mountain. The OTA signals are so strong, they leak into peoples wiring, causing ghosting, video noise, and other issues. Others can also have low signal levels that taper as you get lower in frequency (caused by poor physical connections, barrels, etc.) Converting to digital will allow customers with QAM tuners, or Digital STB's to tune a digital version of the channel they want to watch, free of the aforementioned problems. Note that nothing will be improved, other than the delivery method. These are the same analog signals they get from the source, just encoded into digital streams.
If you prefer the digital NBC channel on 123 over the analog version of channel 3, then this will help you. If you see no difference between those channels (I don't), then your wiring is good enough at shielding out the interference and maintaining a clean signal and will not affect you much. I actually prefer the original broadcast analog signals, but many can't get a clean enough signal to enjoy them without some problems.

vegggas

I just got the SA3250HD box installed. It only took about four hours for the box to come on! Then another call to Cox. Whew!

Anyway can someone tell me if the Steeler's-Eagle's game tomorrow is in HD???

From the best I can understand, it is likely that tomorrow's game will end up in HD. I believe that the Steelers/ Eagles game is a national broadcast, thus automatically putting it in the HD camp per Fox's gameplan for such things. Hope they follow through!

guys, much thanks for the local info. Antennaweb came in handy.
Looks like all they are NOT getting OTA is ABC and CBS. They are
using a cheap GE Infinity Amplified Antenna, that sits ontop of the
tv itself, so not bad i guess.

thy\ey had NBC and CBS via DirecTv in New Jersey, but as soon as
they gave Directv the new zip code, those were turned off, so they need
waivers for the HD feeds again. Not sure if they can get them, but they
have to wait and see the response DTV gets from the stations.

thanks again,

Win

Yes, the Steeler/Eagles game in HD!!! And the Steelers take a commanding lead in the 1st quarter. It's a beautiful day!!!

Eddie

fasteddielv are you using dvi out for the 3250?

The WB blew it!! The much anticipated Lord of the Rings in HD ---NOT!! I suggest everyone whether you are into LOTR or not, to call KVWB tommorrow and voice your dissapointment for dropping the ball on this one. Their number is: 382-2121 someone on master control did not switch to the HD feed from the network.

Spoke with WB folks today. What happened was the network dropped the ball and did not send the sest coast HD feed. So for once it was not the local channels bad. They tell me Monday pt. 2 will be in HD, we shall see.

The station claims things were out of their hands. WB network did not provide the west coast HD feed for LOTR. This time it was not the fault of the local station. Shame on the WB

Originally posted by hdtvxpert
Shame on the WB

Shame on YOU for getting so worked up about a childrens fairy tale.
Now if they would schedule "The Godfather" in HD, that may be worth watching. (Don't let your pants catch fire-this is only MY opinion)

I'm watching Monday Night Football and I'm getting a very frequent pop threw the speakers and fading of the surround speakers. I've switched over to stereo and still getting a pop threw front speakers. Is this a Cox issue or a feed problem?

Sure, I may have reacted too soon. I'll give you that Maestro. And I could care less what the movie is as well, be it LOTR or Godfather. I just think it was lame to put so much hype over the "Big Premier" of a show in HD and then not show it in HD. Also, I am getting the "pop" in the surround on Monday Night Football, and I get OTA. So it is on the network or local station's end.

I was getting the "pop" too, watching it through my SA 8000 via Cox.

Originally posted by fasteddielv
I'm watching Monday Night Football and I'm getting a very frequent pop threw the speakers and fading of the surround speakers. I've switched over to stereo and still getting a pop threw front speakers. Is this a Cox issue or a feed problem?

seems to be a problem in San Diego too...
http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/3/2300.html?1099983132

A question re: HDTV OAR in Pahrump:

We are thinking about moving from the Green Valley area to Pahrump.
We currently have a HD DirecTivo.

Does anyone know if it is possible to get the Las Vegas/Henderson High Definition broadcasts in the Pahrump area with an antenna? Or do the mountains block the signals?

I hate to dissapoint you, but you will have no HD OTA in Pahrump. I don't think it is available via cable as well. The signals OTA from Vegas do not extend that far. Pahrump gets Vegas locals via translators that are strictly analog. Even the largest antenna will not pull them in as the transmitter patterns are not aimed for that area.

Winman- The problems your sister may be having in receiving CBS and ABC are probably due to these factors:

1) Antenna - you already know. The silver sensor seems to be a popular OTA antenna. However, it is HIGHLY directional, and would most likely need to be adjusted each time you change to abc/cbs.
2) Location - In Henderson, their proximity to Black Mountain (where all transmitters are except ABC/CBS may hinder their ability to receive ABC/CBS. I live relatively close to black mtn, and for OTA, I would have to move my antenna to receive those stations, at which point I could only get signal levels of 30-50%.

I live in Southern Highlands...any neighbors out there? I am wondering what the reception is like. I have my backyard against a mountain.

Also, what type of indoor antenna do you reccommend to get local channels? If it is powered, does it make a difference? And I remember using rabbit ears when I was a kid....you would have to adjust it to get a good picture. Is HD like that - where lines will come across the screen if its not a perfect picture? Or is it now, "all or nothing...?""

(note I am a COMPLETE rookie at this)

Thanks.

VegasVec,

With HD it's pretty much all or nothing.

Southern Highlands has good reception, as long as you can look East. I have never needed a real antenna to pick up all the stations. I used a piece of 24" coax with an alligator clip jumper from the center conductor to my door frame (upstairs) and picked up everything with about 50% signal strength. Try a few different methods and see if any basic antennas work, including rabbit ears. You may be suprised.

vegggas

This is very close to an actual transcript of a conversation I just had with a Cox "Technical Support" person. It's from memory, but is very close to being 100% accurate. They seem to know about as much as a cockroach knows about such support.

Me: I'd like to ask two simple questions. First, I heard that the DVI port has been activated in San Diego. When does Cox intend to activate that port for Las Vegans using the 8000HD?

Cox: Probably never

Me: Why is that? I thought the DVI connection was supposed to provide a superior picture for both SD and HD.

Cox: That isn't true. It's just a ploy by companies like Monster Cable to get users to invest in an expensive cable. The picture is actually inferior using DVI as opposed to Component connections.

Me: Don't you think it is the user that ought to decide whether he wants to upgrade his cable connections or not?

Cox: You can do what you like sir, but we have no intention or information that involves the activation of the DVI port.

Me. In that case when will the 8300HD become available in Las Vegas?

Cox: What's that? I never heard of an 8300HD. We only have 8000HDs to distribute.

Me: I heard on the internet that SA has discontinued manufacturing the 8000HD. What happens if my currently possessed 8000HD breaks down or needs repair? Will I be furnished with a new box or will it be a re-conditioned old one?

Cox: I don't know sir.

Me. Well who knows???

Cox: Please hold on sir.

The "technician" then disappeared from the phone line and was gone almost 30 minutes. I then "gave up" and hung up.


What the hell is going on? I'm beginning to think that Cox doesn't give a damn about its customers.

Word,
If you called Cox "tech support", you probably got a CSR reading from a teleprompted script. To them if it's not in the script, it doesn't exist. This is the case with every provider there is, whether it's TWC, Comcast, DirecTV, Voom, etc. Until they have official information from their chain of command, and then get trained on it, it's pure gobblygook to them.
You have been provided information from people around the continent that doesn't always apply to us here in Vegas. Take that with a grain of salt, some people are still waiting for HD DVR's, or worse, even getting HD channels.
Now, the DVI support was accidentally released in San Diego around the Olympics, without any internal testing. It was a disaster. Boxes would freeze, resolutions would change, HDCP support would only sometimes work, etc. San Diego Revoked DVI support for the masses because of the problems.
Here in Las Vegas, I was testing the DVI and passthrough patch. It sucked. Be glad that you don't have it. I had my revision revoked too, and it will probably never be supported on that hardware platform with our software in use here in the Valley (each local area has it's own version of software and patches that have to support everything they use without interfering or breaking anything else). SA is moving forward with HDMI and Serial ATA support instead, both of which are found in the 8300. There are too many problems with DVI as a standard (too many supposed standards, intermixed with the PC world), so the industry is using HDMI, which is always HDCP compliant for consumer devices. Because of all those intermixed standards, there will be differences in quality when using DVI. Straight Digital source to Digital transmission to Digital projector at native rate will make DVI look good. Bring in analog and some sets won't even display 480i, so it has to be converted to 480p, then to the native rate of the display, and it looks very bad, especially after the last two conversions. I could go on forever about the infinite amount of variables that would make the picture look bad...
You shouldn't be concerned if your box breaks down. It's not like Cox, or any other cable company only has a dozen boxes, and has to order from SA every week. They buy minimum quantities in the thousands (usually twice per year), and when they run out, they buy the next, better, latest version available. The same scenario would apply to virtually anything electronic you would buy over the counter. Usually by the time it hits consumers en mass, the manufacturer is already changing the product.
Phoenix just got their HD - DVR's this week. Since they had been delayed so long, the local cable company had to purchase the 8300, while we have enjoyed an HD DVR for almost a year now. Does that seem fair? Do you want to wait until everything is perfect before getting any HD DVR. At that rate, you could be waiting forever...
Enjoy what you've got right now. There are schedules and improvements that are beyond the local controls. If you want to push something along, Call Ford, GM, etc, and ask them when we can get our flying cars that run on water that we have heard about on the net and in the magazines for decades now...

vegggas

BTW - OT, I just noticed that Cox snuck in Starz On Demand sometime this week to add to HBO and Cinemax On Demand...

v

Are these problems present with the 3250 and dvi?

By the way, for the poster that wanted very badly to see "Lord of the Rings"- The Two Towers. It will be shown at 9 PM PST on StarzHD, tonight. Hope you're not disappointed again.

The 3250 is about as stable as you can get for DVI and HDCP. Even at that, some people have problems with certain TV manufacturers and the way they implement HDCP handshaking. Keep the DVI-D cable below 5 meters and things are usually ok. Longer than that, you are going beyond the spec and anything can happen, including random or complete HDCP failure, resulting in a non-compliant display message.

vegggas

Vegggas,

You completely missed the point of my post. If an operator does not know how to answer a question from a customer, the operator should take your telephone #, consult proper personnel or literature , and generally make every effort to answer the customers questions. Even though those answers may not be immediately provided, they should call you back, at a later time with the necessary information. I taught HS Chemistry for 36 years, and I was asked many questions (by bright students), the answers to which I did not immediately know. I told them that, and promised that by the next days class, I would have an answer for them. And I always did.

I think it was the height of rudeness towards a timely paying customer to put him on hold for 30 minutes in an obvious attempt to have him abort the call by not getting back to him. In my view there is no excuse for such behavior. Script or no script.

Anyway, would you please delineate the advantages/disadvantages of DVI, HDMI or HDCP (whatever those letters stand for) as opposed to ordinary Component Video connections

Word, he didn't miss your point. He told you that the local CSR as well as their supervisors often do not know. I bet COX withholds what the future may hold from the CSR. This is done on purpose, to reduce the amount of mis-information handed out by CSR. Which is worse than no information. While it is rude and unprofessional to put someone on hold for 30 minutes and no excuse will do for that.

Eddie

Originally posted by vegashomes
fasteddielv are you using dvi out for the 3250?

Vegashomes, sorry I didn't see your post until now. No DVI, using component. My PJ is not HDMI/ HDCP compliant.

I don't take any offense to anything said here, as long as no one else takes offense to what I say. I do sometimes post while being intoxicated though...:D

DVI facts.
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface. It is a COMPUTER interface connection that was being used to supply a digital signal to digital monitors without the need to convert either end to analog. Because of all the variations used, it has been only somewhat successful in the consumer market and is being killed off for for that purpose and replaced by HDMI. It initially did not have provisions for HDCP protection and that was applied much later to the growing DVI spec.
HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. This IS the new standard for consumer devices. It is a single video standard for Digital video that ALWAYS has HDCP and has no analog counterpart. There is NO PC version to confuse the standard and no exceptions to the digital transfer. In short, it works.
HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Data Content Protection. Studios mandate that digital content must be flagged and protected to prevent copy protection. HDCP allows for the source to be connected to the display without any breakout, patches, or any way for the digital stream to be interrupted or to be compromised. This requires a handshake between the two devices to talk to each other before and during the display data. If the STB does not get a response from the display, for any reason, the STB will discontinue the digital feed to the display and put up an error message.
My DVI opinions.
If there is a straight transfer from digital source to digital display with NO CONVERSION in signal type or resolution, than DVI will look better hands down. If your display is analog in nature (CRT tube based) than DVI may look worse for most content. A DVI connection will not properly transmit and display analog content. It MUST be converted to do this.
examples:
DVI outputs for consumer devices are Digital only (DVI-D). Displays can sometimes be either analog (VGA, DVI-A), digital (DVI-D), or both (DVI-I)
Analog signals - Analog signals have to be converted to digital for output of the STB - yuck there is one nasty conversion. The signal is then digital 480i. If your set is digital and does not accept 480i (many don't), then another (yuck) conversion has to be done to make it 480P. If your display's native fixed rate is HD at 1368x768 , then your set will blow up and zoom that converted signal to match the native rate. The result is poor picture quality.
Digital signals - Same as above, except that there is no D to A conversion in the first process.
Digital HD signals - At 1280 x720P, if your display handles that resolution, this will be the best possible connection. If your display is less than 1280x 720P, like 1024x768 or anything less, there will be some scaling and conversion that degrades the picture.
At 1920x1080i, virtually all displays to this date have to scale and convert the signal to match the display's resolution because there are very few digital displays that can reach 1920x1080 except for some of the LCOS series sets.

For Analog based sets, the opposite is true. Anything over DVI coming out of the DVI connector is Digital that has to be converted back to Analog again for display.
For best results, you would use the Analog Component out to Component in. CRT displays ARE capable of multiple resolutions as their native resolution. Most will display 1920x1080, 960x540, and the various resolutions of 480i/p. The Analog Component out is not converted, but exactly what comes from the provider, straight out to the display device, in it's native rate. The quality issue comes from electrical noise possibly being generated that can induce sparkles, or loss of clarity due to limitations of the cable, etc. The cables can also induct noise from the TV, electrical wires, RF noise, wire ringing (echo), etc. to soften the picture, and this can be amplified as your distance increases.
Now Analog component to Digital displays allow for the source STB to output it's native rate, and then let the display do all the conversion. This has less conversions than DVI, but still has problems, especially when the display will not accept 480i over component and the STB has to be used to do the conversion to 480p.
Did I leave anything out?

Secrets of Home Theater HiFi Magazine
Go here for a great better understanding from a slightly different point of view (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_4/feature-dvi-hdmi-hdcp-connections-11-2004.html)

Her is an older description of DVI, HDCP, and the future being HDMI. Aalthough it is a few years old, it's still somewhat relevant.
Projector people website explanations (http://www.projectorpeople.com/tutorials/HDCP_DVI.asp)

vegggas

For those who mentioned "popping"problems with your STBs. did not see an answer, so here it is: it's the STB, you need to reboot it, either call Cox or do it yourself by unplugging for about 30 seconds. Replug and wait for the STB to recycle, this should stop the popping. I had it bad a few months ago, even changed out my audio cables, until I called Cox and had them reboot.

Ironwood Communications has a 3 room system with HD Tivo/ 2 standard receivers on their website for $299. I just ordered with my cc and the receipt clearly says "Items ordered, multisat dish, HD with Tivo/ 2 Standard receivers". $314. including shipping. It must be a typo, but I suggest anyone interested scoop it up quick before they figure it out. They may honor it for a while. They already charged my card.

www.ironwoodcommunications.com

Originally posted by vegggas
Unencrypted QAM channels are as follows:
MOD1 103.1 ABC
MOD1 103.2 PBS
MOD2 106.1 CBS
MOD2 106.2 NBC


YMMV

vegggas

Have there been any changes to this unencrypted lineup on Cox? I believe Fox is now HD, and there may have been others. Last night, I tried to set up my new Fusion III-T and using its autoscanning feature, I simply couldn't find any of the channels above, despite having digital cable and paying for all services including cable modem.

That's an old, old post. Cox has remapped the channels and added Fox since then.
The new lineup is:
102.3 - ABCHD
102.5 - NBCHD
103.1 - CBSHD
103.2 - PBSHD
106.3 - FOXHD
These are cable 256 QAM channels, so you have to set your tuner, if QAM capable, to recognize standard cable frequencies, not OTA frequencies.
Modulator cable channel 102 has subchannels .3 and .5 within that modulator, etc.

The Fusion card should theoretically work if set up properly. I have not had the opportunity to test one of those cards. Make sure you are on the CABLE RF input and not the OTA RF input and also make sure you select 256 QAM instead of the default 64 QAM.

vegggas

Although the applications for both setting up favorite stations and switching between known frequencies is difficult to figure out (not helped by poor documentation and humorous English), the Fusion T card does pick up all of the stations listed with 100% signal strength.

I know KVBC isn't yet offering 5.1 DD (NBC isn't feeding it to stations, although that will soon change. Sunbelt has ordered the digital studio-transmitter link that will enable us to broadcast 5.1 Dolby Digital when NBC does provide it), but what other stations are providing 5.1? I didn't see any during last night's primetime while I was poking around.

Fox and ABC broadcast in DD5.1. I'm not sure on WB and PBS. I know CBS doesn't.

Originally posted by vegggas
Cox has remapped the channels and added Fox since then.
The new lineup is:
102.3 - ABCHD
102.5 - NBCHD
103.1 - CBSHD
103.2 - PBSHD
106.3 - FOXHD
These are cable 256 QAM channels, so you have to set your tuner, if QAM capable, to recognize standard cable frequencies, not OTA frequencies.
Modulator cable channel 102 has subchannels .3 and .5 within that modulator, etc.

The Fusion card should theoretically work if set up properly. I have not had the opportunity to test one of those cards. Make sure you are on the CABLE RF input and not the OTA RF input and also make sure you select 256 QAM instead of the default 64 QAM.

vegggas


What is a Fusion T card?? And as far as those frequencies (102.3 to 106.3) are concerned, what happened to the standard 730s for Cox HD? What is QAM? There are many novices here including myself. And although Vegggas obviously means to be informative, he might as well be speaking in Swahili. Each new term should be accompanied by a definition or an example.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Each new term should be accompanied by a definition or an example.
Google is your friend. You can educate yourself... you seem like a smart fellow, you dont need us to teach you everything.

Fusion T card (http://www.google.com/search?q=fusion+t+card&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8)

QAM (http://www.google.com/search?q=qam&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8)

The 102.xx channel numbers are for those who use QAM demodulators and not the Cox cable boxes. Cox cable boxes map physical channels and subchannels into logical channel numbers.

I am so upset with Cox right now. I just want everyone to beware. I used to just have the HD box which would get only the local HD channels (No PPV, No IOD, No Non-local HD channels, and No guide) so I didn't have digital service. All of a sudden I opened my bill this much and notice that it is $7.50 more then last month. They added the digital gateway and all that stuff listed above and added it to my account without telling me. When I called them on it they said that it was "a correction". That is such BS. More then ever I wish I could get CBS and ABC OTA, and either Keyon or DSL at my house so I wouldn't have to deal with these clowns anymore. So in effect I'm paying $24.08 a month for two channels that most people would get OTA for free. This is so frustrating. I definately know when I move I'm going to make sure I can get away from Cox.

Veggas........

Does your experience and expertise encompass PC HD tuner cards?

I have a Gateway 901X that came with a Happauge tuner card... I would like to replace it with an HD card, but would appreciate some suggestions from those with experience....! I would like one that works with a minimum of tweaking.......if possible.

Thanks,

Steve

HiHoStevo-

As fas as HDTV cards, I don't have advice on which ones work best, though I've heard the happauge are good, but I do have advice to stay away from the ATI HDTV Wonder Card. It only can decode HDTV OTA signals, not any HDTV (or digital) from cable. It can do regular cable tho. ATI has been semi-dumping these for ~$150 after a $50 rebate, and the reasons above are why.

LVTHUNDER
What part of town do you live in? I would be glad to help you get OTA HD and dump Cox.

Wow, I never thought my name would ever pop up this much, and I hope that my word is not absolute gospel around here ( I have been wrong before:eek: )... I'm just trying to share any information I come across and I like to do it here in an open forum, so that I don't have to repeat it dozens of times and that anyone lurking can also use it. I don't think anyone is yelling at me about Cox services, since I have no control anyway. I do have great service where I'm located, and have been in the RF industry for more than 15 years and have been testing equipment for most of that time. I also have a lot of contacts at various places that lets me get some inside info at times.
I try to reply directly to questions, such as the QAM card frequencies. It was never intended to be a discussion of what QAM is, just some advice and where the actual frequencies and modulators are located. If there is anything relevant to all users, such as Paul's NBC 5.1 revelation, then it's an open discussion and good news.

lvthunder, are you being forced to pay that monthly charge from now on, or was that a one time billing mistake? I can ask around about the policies if you are being forced to get the digital package to get locals. AFAIK, you only need to be a basic customer to get the locals, whether they are in HD or not.

QAM PC cards. I am only slightly familiar with the Fusion card, and some OTA cards, like the MyHD card. There is some tweaking with all PC cards, but they are all about the same to me.

vegggas

Speco2003 I live right at the base of Black Mountain so I can't get CBS or ABC. I've pretty much accepted that. There is no signal there. I have hooked up an exterior antenna and can't even get the signal strength off of 0.

vegggas Yes they are forcing me to keep the digital gateway. They told me that I was under some promotion that ran out. I don't buy that because before the guide didn't work and I didn't get the cable HD channels. It would be great if you could ask around because CBSHD and ABCHD is the only channels I want. Too bad someone doesn't make a QAM256 -> 8VSB transcoder.

Originally posted by lvthunder
vegggas Yes they are forcing me to keep the digital gateway. They told me that I was under some promotion that ran out. I don't buy that because before the guide didn't work and I didn't get the cable HD channels. It would be great if you could ask around because CBSHD and ABCHD is the only channels I want. Too bad someone doesn't make a QAM256 -> 8VSB transcoder.
That doesn't sound right to me at all. I will send an email to a few people I know to see if there was a policy change, or if they made a mistake. Give me a few days to get an answer back, they usually are slow in responding.
There is a QAM to 8VSB transcosder that pulls out the SDI signal and returns it to an 8VSB modulator. The whole setup runs about $12k. Most of that is for the 8VSB modulator.

vegggas

lvthunder, if you are being charged for digital gateway, then you should also be getting INHD1, INHD2, and ESPNHD. If you are not, then there is something really goofy. Let me know.
v

LVThunder Here is a link to Cox prices

http://www.cox.com/LasVegas/digitalcable/hdpricing.asp

Seems like from this you don't need digital to get locals.

Originally posted by vegggas
That doesn't sound right to me at all. I will send an email to a few people I know to see if there was a policy change, or if they made a mistake. Give me a few days to get an answer back, they usually are slow in responding.
There is a QAM to 8VSB transcosder that pulls out the SDI signal and returns it to an 8VSB modulator. The whole setup runs about $12k. Most of that is for the 8VSB modulator.

vegggas

lvthunder, if you are being charged for digital gateway, then you should also be getting INHD1, INHD2, and ESPNHD. If you are not, then there is something really goofy. Let me know.
v

Yeah I am getting InHD and ESPNHD now that they started charging me for the gateway. I didn't before they made the switch.

Too bad that transcoder costs $12k. I would of liked to be able to convert the QAM back to 8VSB so I could hook it up to my HD TiVo.:D

Also thanks for looking into this for me. It will be next week before I can do anything about it since tomorrow I'm flying to Hawaii for a week long vacation.

Originally posted by lvthunder
Yeah I am getting InHD and ESPNHD now that they started charging me for the gateway. I didn't before they made the switch.

Also thanks for looking into this for me. It will be next week before I can do anything about it since tomorrow I'm flying to Hawaii for a week long vacation.

So now, I have to ask:
Do you WANT to keep the INHD channels and ESPN with the $5 dollar gateway charge, or would you rather save $5 and NOT have those 3 extra HD channels?
If you like the INHD channels, they are included with the digital gateway, so going through this will be a waste of time. If you are adamant about only getting locals and minimizing your service to only the locals, I can still see what they say.
The extras, IMHO, that you get are worth the $5, but that's not the point. The point is that we should still have access to all local contnet without having to get the extra service tiers.

vegggas

No I don't want InHD or ESPNHD. In fact the only two channels I want are CBSHD and ABCHD. I've looked at the schedule for InHD1 and 2 and I don't see much that I would watch. I already get ESPNHD from Directv.

lvthunder,

How about switching entirely to Cox? Or do you have too much sunk into Directv? Right now, I think the only thing that D* has over Cox is the NFL Sunday ticket. Lucky for me, my buddy has it! However, I am contemplating a move to Phoenix, so I may actually have to get D* for the Sunday ticket (gotta see my Chargers).

T




Originally posted by lvthunder
No I don't want InHD or ESPNHD. In fact the only two channels I want are CBSHD and ABCHD. I've looked at the schedule for InHD1 and 2 and I don't see much that I would watch. I already get ESPNHD from Directv.

I've got way too much invested with Directv to switch (I have a HD TiVo unit which I paid $1000 for). Now I know some of you are saying wow you could get the HD DVR from Cox for whatever a month but I really like the TiVo interface and features that the Cox DVR doesn't currently offer. Plus I don't like Cox's custermer support. There have been several of them that have been rude to me over the years. As for content besides Sunday Ticket which I don't get is HDNet. They have some programs on there that I like.

Originally posted by lvthunder
No I don't want InHD or ESPNHD. In fact the only two channels I want are CBSHD and ABCHD. I've looked at the schedule for InHD1 and 2 and I don't see much that I would watch. I already get ESPNHD from Directv.

Don't you want NBCHD? If not, you're missing some very good programs (i.e.- West Wing and all the Law and Orders + The Tonight Show)

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Don't you want NBCHD? If not, you're missing some very good programs (i.e.- West Wing and all the Law and Orders + The Tonight Show)

I get NBCHD, PBSHD, FoxHD, and with a little work I can get WBHD. It's only CBS and ABC that is blocked by the mountain.

A number of unnecessary comments have been deleted.

Comments regarding this action are not for discussion on the forum.

Contact me via AVS Private Message if further off topic comments are posted, or if you have questions or comments.

LV Thunder,

Are you right under Black Mt? I live 2 blocks east of Water Street and Victory Rd. I can get all the stations here. I had a friend in Lake Las Vegas who lived way down in a canyon and could not pick up a thing. We tried the Winegard Square Shooter and aimed it NE towards Frenchman Mt. We got a signal from all stations, with 8 and 13 getting a bounced signal. It's worth a try. Good Luck!

Does anyone know if Cox here in Vegas is going to add the new channel "Universal HD" which was formerly BravoHD+? It launches on Dec 1st and, according to the press releases, it says it has a deal with Cox. Here is a link to the press release:

http://nbcumv.com/cablejump/release_detail.nbc/nbcuniversalcable-20041109000000-nbcuniversalcable.html

This looks like it's going to be a great channel. I sure hope we get this. Since we didn't have BravoHD I thought we might not have this channel as well.

Originally posted by bruin95
This looks like it's going to be a great channel. I sure hope we get this. Since we didn't have BravoHD I thought we might not have this channel as well.

Bravo HD has a history of offering full length telecasts of "Classical Arts" programming including that of complete orchestral concerts and full length operas. They seem to aim for a general audience that is a bit more educated, a bit more discriminating and on a higher culrural level than the norm. (Certainly than the norm here in Las Vegas). I can almost guarantee that San Diego will carry that channel.

Taking into account that this town is much more interested in Nascar and the NFL than it is in the cultural pursuits of life, I would be rather surprised if Cox DID carry the new Universal HD channel. If they do carry it, it will probably be on an "extra fee" basis (like Discovery HD Theater), and I for one will be happy to pay that fee. But just adding it to their HD lineup without any additional provisos, I believe. is more than can be hoped for.

Been busy for the last few days, but here is what I think is happening for the next few months for HD.
Based on the rumblings and comments I have heard in some of my meetings with Cox over at our new strip developments, there will not be any new residential HD before the end of this year.
WB, Universal, and other channels are in the works for Cox corporate, but I don't foresee any movement until after the new year starts.
There appears to be some big stuff developing over the next 6 months or so, but I'm not privy to any of the details yet. When I hear it, I'll spill it...

vegggas

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Bravo HD has a history of offering full length telecasts of "Classical Arts" programming including that of complete orchestral concerts and full length operas. They seem to aim for a general audience that is a bit more educated, a bit more discriminating and on a higher culrural level than the norm. (Certainly than the norm here in Las Vegas). I can almost guarantee that San Diego will carry that channel.

Taking into account that this town is much more interested in Nascar and the NFL than it is in the cultural pursuits of life, I would be rather surprised if Cox DID carry the new Universal HD channel. If they do carry it, it will probably be on an "extra fee" basis (like Discovery HD Theater), and I for one will be happy to pay that fee. But just adding it to their HD lineup without any additional provisos, I believe. is more than can be hoped for.

I guess you didn't read the press release. BravoHD is changing to UniversalHD, and with it, so is the programming. It will be more mainstream and will feature blockbuster movies, sports and TV programming from the vaults of Universal Studios. BravoHD, as you know it, will no longer exist.

Originally posted by bruin95
It will be more mainstream and will feature blockbuster movies, sports and TV programming from the vaults of Universal Studios. BravoHD, as you know it, will no longer exist.

If Universal is going to mine its "vaults" for programming, it follows that much of it will NOT be in HD. It's only no more than in the last two years, that HD programming has come on strong.

And why are the more "culturally oriented" viewers about to be left out in the cold again?

It appears that any motion picture film utilizing 35mm film can be converted to HDTV with great results.

For an immediate delivery mechanism, HDTV video originated product may be considered better than 35mm film. When the subject of asset futures comes into play, the producer may need to think again about an originating format. Film is the one medium capable of crossing most of the boundaries that exist in program delivery. It can be transferred to all present and future image transport formats including the current NTSC and PAL video frame rates. Particularly, the use of 35mm film closely matches the High Definition television formats coming into being. The quality of Super16mm film is suited for program material with modest performance expectations compared to 35mm film. Transferring 35mm film original to digital data will ensure the longevity and recoverability of the original image assets.

HDTV video production may rival or exceed the image quality of 35mm film and allows for downconversion to any lesser video standard. However, any video image standard will become a limiting factor for future use of the product. The resolution, bit depth and aspect ratio become frozen in the video product and cannot be changed without some compromise. In particular, the subject of interlace versus progressive scan image formats may become a factor in judging the future value of an image asset. Products are being designed and tested that will capture live images at 1080 lines with progressive scanning. The equipment, particularly the recorders, will have to bear enormous data rates to store these images. They will be the direct rival of 35mm film capture when available.

The safest format for the foreseeable future is 35mm film. The next best format is HDTV video origination for all its resolution abilities. Super16mm film allows the same image flexibility as 35mm film without the quality. For a future-proofing function, film has been proven to outlast video tape for durability and certainly outlast video tape formats for popularity. The least desirable format for future-proof images is standard definition video at 16:9 aspect even though it will outperform Super16mm film in an immediate delivery mode. The need for upconversion from lesser formats will certainly reduce the future value of image assets and should be avoided.




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


Steve Wiedemann
Sr.VP, Director of Technology
Henninger Media Services

If your intersted in learning more see this site: http://www.henninger.com/library/hdtvfilm/

Anyone not getting ABC 13-1 in HD tonight? Every week when I turn it on, it either doesn't come on or takes about 15 minutes for it to kick on. The other HD OTA's are fine.

Originally posted by maxthesilent
Anyone not getting ABC 13-1 in HD tonight? Every week when I turn it on, it either doesn't come on or takes about 15 minutes for it to kick on. The other HD OTA's are fine.

No problems here on my HDTIVO, but hey I could be wrong I'm just a hillbilly from Vegas who likes sports.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
If Universal is going to mine its "vaults" for programming, it follows that much of it will NOT be in HD. It's only no more than in the last two years, that HD programming has come on strong.




It will be all HD 24/7. Just like InHD and HDNet. Anything on film can be converted to HD. HDNet shows Hogan's Heroes in HD. Looks great too. I believe that show is older than two years ago. :)

Originally posted by bruin95
It will be all HD 24/7. Just like InHD and HDNet. Anything on film can be converted to HD. HDNet shows Hogan's Heroes in HD. Looks great too. I believe that show is older than two years ago. :)

Sorry, I must disagree with you. I doubt that Hogans Heroes was filmed in any sort of widescreen format. It was in standard 4:3 ratio. Such a film can be stretched or expanded to fill a widescreen HDTV, but it surely is NOT true High Definition. Lets call it ersatz HD. And if that's the sort of thing that Universal HD plans, they can keep it as far as I'm concerned.
Fox Sports did that for several games during the Baseball Playoffs-Division and Championship Series (although the entire WS WAS in true HD). They provided a screen filling picture, but it surely was NOT HD.

You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

And speco2003-- It seems I've touched a raw nerve in you. Grow up a little and get over it. Nothing is wrong with liking Sports. But nothing is wrong with liking a higher cultural experience either. Those of us that PREFER Music and the Arts should be satisfied as well as the Sports enthusiast.

Extensive info on Universal HD:

http://www.cableworld.com/cgi/cw/show_mag.cgi?pub=cw&mon=112204&file=qauniversal.htm

Originally posted by Word Maestro

And speco2003-- It seems I've touched a raw nerve in you. Grow up a little and get over it. Nothing is wrong with liking Sports. But nothing is wrong with liking a higher cultural experience either. Those of us that PREFER Music and the Arts should be satisfied as well as the Sports enthusiast.

Your right those of us who do prefer music and arts shouldn't be left out. Your blanket statements, assume that those who like sports and etc and also the Las Vegas Valley cant be cultured in some way.

Originally posted by speco2003
No problems here on my HDTIVO, but hey I could be wrong I'm just a hillbilly from Vegas who likes sports.

Are you running OTA HD or something else? Desparate Housewives didn't kick in, but as soon as Boston Legal came on, so did the HD.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
Sorry, I must disagree with you. I doubt that Hogans Heroes was filmed in any sort of widescreen format. It was in standard 4:3 ratio. Such a film can be stretched or expanded to fill a widescreen HDTV, but it surely is NOT true High Definition. Lets call it ersatz HD. And if that's the sort of thing that Universal HD plans, they can keep it as far as I'm concerned.
Fox Sports did that for several games during the Baseball Playoffs-Division and Championship Series (although the entire WS WAS in true HD). They provided a screen filling picture, but it surely was NOT HD.

You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

Well, sorta. You can take any film element and convert it to HD. Take for example the Star Wars DVD's. When I was in LA recently, I saw how they took the original negatives, cleaned them up and made 1080p (yes, p) sources. They squeezed every drop of information out of it. We also saw a 1080p version of Lawrence of Arabia on a Blu Ray player displayed thru the 4k Sony Qualia projector. It may not be "true HD", whatever that means, but if you take the original film source and make a new 2k source, I believe it is. And if you saw the Lawrence presentation, you'd truly understand. BTW, there is a great discussion at Home Theater Forum under A Few Words About... Blu Ray that discusses this trip to LA.

Are you saying it has to be shot at 2k for it to be true HD? Isn't film even better than that in its original form?

Originally posted by maxthesilent


Are you saying it has to be shot at 2k for it to be true HD? Isn't film even better than that in its original form? Yes, 35mm film has higher resolution than native HD, and an HD film transfer to HD video is considered native HDTV.

What Word Maestro is referring to is although Hogans Heros was 35mm film, it's native aspect ratio (AR) was 4:3, which HDNet took and did a tilt and scan approach with to fill the 16:9 screen with image. Thus, the use of the term 'ersatz HD', which I agree with. If the film transfer had been done in native 4:3, that would be a very unusual, but still native HD film transfer.

I personally look forward to the many older films in Academy aspect ratio, like Gone With The Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, etc., being transfered to HD in native AR. One can only hope they too are not subjected to being made to fill an arbitrary 16:9 display area. This would make the current unfortunate fashion of taking a 'scope film of 2.35:1 and filling to 16:9 seem like a gift.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
....Nothing is wrong with liking Sports. But nothing is wrong with liking a higher cultural experience either. Those of us that PREFER Music and the Arts should be satisfied as well as the Sports enthusiast. The problem here is you saying your preferences are a higher cultural experience than others.

Who's to say a NASCAR race is less of a cultural event than an art exhibit or going to the symphony? Not me.

Originally posted by maxthesilent
Are you running OTA HD or something else? Desparate Housewives didn't kick in, but as soon as Boston Legal came on, so did the HD.

I am running OTA. Dumped Cox and couldn't be happier.

Re: Desperate Houswives not in HD
I couldn't get it in HD on Cox or from OTA either. It was stretched SD on the HD channel, and definitely not HD until after the program was over. Several times it flickered, like they were trying to sync the sat feed after a commercial, but it was never in HD. It seems that each week there is at least a 5 minute gap before the local station flips the switch.
Source Samsung T-150 HD OTA receiver...
FWIW, Cox gets the local feeds directly from the local stations, so it get's retransmitted the same way the station broadcasts it.

lvthunder,
I know your not here right now, but I did find out that it's policy to be able to get the local HD stations WITHOUT getting the digital package. I'm still having someone ask around to get more details for your situation and what to do about it. If I hear anything that is gloabally pertinent to all customers, I will post it. Let us know when you get back.

Ken,
It's unusual to see you here in this forum. We'll try to keep it down in here next time. Sorry for making you have to regulate us.

vegggas

Originally posted by vegggas
Re: Desperate Houswives not in HD
I couldn't get it in HD on Cox or from OTA either. It was stretched SD on the HD channel, and definitely not HD until after the program was over. Several times it flickered, like they were trying to sync the sat feed after a commercial, but it was never in HD. It seems that each week there is at least a 5 minute gap before the local station flips the switch.
Source Samsung T-150 HD OTA receiver...
FWIW, Cox gets the local feeds directly from the local stations, so it get's retransmitted the same way the station broadcasts it.
vegggas

Good, doesn't seem to be me or my equipment. I get anywhere from a 5-15 minute (or an hour last night) gap before it kicks in. I'm using the Samsung T-165. Thanks for the input!

GRRRRR, it is quite frustrating on Sunday's at 9:00. How hard is it to set a timer to switch to HD? This happens almost every Sunday. My girlfriend is frustrated at my frustration! :eek:

Originally posted by Ken H

What Word Maestro is referring to is although Hogans Heros was 35mm film, it's native aspect ratio (AR) was 4:3, which HDNet took and did a tilt and scan approach with to fill the 16:9 screen with image.

Actually, the Hogan's Heroes image on HDNet does not fill the screen. There are black bars, albeit very very slim, on the sides. It's not "zoomed in" at all and looks very sharp. Kinda like it was filmed yesterday.

I'm in agreement with bruin. Some older non-HD material really looks good when upconverted. Gives it a very fresh look.

Question for vegggas: Have you heard anything regarding Cox's carriage of ESPN2-HD when it launches this coming January?

Hey, I just noticed today that the local regular analog channels are much sharper. Have they switched to all digital? Especially Channel 8 News....looks way improved.

Originally posted by techdestroyer
Hey, I just noticed today that the local regular analog channels are much sharper. Have they switched to all digital? Especially Channel 8 News....looks way improved.
They have started the encoding process. They are now digitizing the analog signals for some of the worst local stations and converting them to digital. This is to battle the ingress (OTA signal leakage in home wiring) affecting the signal quality.
The channels converted are 3, 5, 8, and 13. As always, the digital will lose some of the clarity from the conversion process from the analog source (in direct comparison), but will hold up over longer transmission distances on RF cable and immune to analog stations broadcasting power interference. It will also hold up better at lower RF power at the tuner.
Digital STB's will automatically remap the channels to a QAM tuner in the 591Mhz range. Analog tuners will still see the analog channels at the same locations, so this is a dual transmission.

JoustGod, No info on upcoming HD channels is available at this time. No new information is expected until budgets for next year are available.

vegggas

Originally posted by bruin95
Actually, the Hogan's Heroes image.....It's not "zoomed in" at all...Yes it is.

If anyone was wondering about INHD not being available as well as other channels, it was because the sat went down. More information can be found at the
AVS thread about sat going down (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4722758#post4722758)

vegggas

Sorry about this being off topic but it was suggested by another member that I try to get an answer to my question on this thread. I am coming to Vegas at Christmas(from the UK) and will be looking to buy a pronto tsu7000 remote, Does anyone know anywhere in Vegas/surrounding area that I could buy one from? As in this country we are ripped off for everything. Any help would be appreciated. Mark. England

miniman I just did a quick search and could find nothing local, but if you want I would see about doing an on line order and then we could meet at one of the casinos and I could hand it off to you.

I had a good search on the net and couldn't even find a home a home theater shop in vegas. Thanks for your offer i may well take you up on it, also i was thinking of of maybe sending it to the hotel i'm staying in. Thanks again. Mark

Originally posted by miniman
I had a good search on the net and couldn't even find a home a home theater shop in vegas. Thanks for your offer i may well take you up on it, also i was thinking of of maybe sending it to the hotel i'm staying in. Thanks again. Mark

Try "Abbotts Home Theater" on Sahara Blvd or "Fryes Electronics" on Las Vegas Blvd. Fryes has things that haven't even been invented yet. I'd say that's your best bet.

Nice one. Thanks for all your help. Really looking forward to coming over as it is my first trip to the states. If you ever need any info on birmingham england(although why anyone would i don't know:D ) Cheers. Mark

Originally posted by vegggas
That's an old, old post. Cox has remapped the channels and added Fox since then.
The new lineup is:
102.3 - ABCHD
102.5 - NBCHD
103.1 - CBSHD
103.2 - PBSHD
106.3 - FOXHD
These are cable 256 QAM channels, so you have to set your tuner, if QAM capable, to recognize standard cable frequencies, not OTA frequencies.
Modulator cable channel 102 has subchannels .3 and .5 within that modulator, etc.

The Fusion card should theoretically work if set up properly. I have not had the opportunity to test one of those cards. Make sure you are on the CABLE RF input and not the OTA RF input and also make sure you select 256 QAM instead of the default 64 QAM.

vegggas

vegggas, I'm getting very clear signals using the FusionIII-T card, but not on the subchannels you list above. Could you double check and see what lineup Cox is currently using? I've checked their website and this information doesn't appear. (And is there any news about WB?)

Weird thing happened last night when I was looking at my HD-TiVo. It had a channel 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4 listed but no guide data. Does anyone if CBS added three subchannels for a special reason last week or is it just a mistake on Directv's part.

On the new digital SD channels for 3, 5, 8 and 13 that Cox just started, I've noticed that the audio sounds really flat and lifeless, and the level is fairly low compared to their analog counterparts. The picture is nice and crisp, but the audio stinks. My setup has the analog LR outputs of the digital box going in to an AUX input on a Sansui integrated amp. Opinions???

Paul RE: QAM channels - I don't have access to a QAM decoder this week, so I can't verify the channels and sub channels. What's actually wrong? Is it just the subchannels, or the entire channel map? There is no subchannel info embedded in the diagnostic pages on the STB's, so it's hard to tell. They may have moved them around again when they put out the local digitally encoded channels too.

lvthunder - Any update on you not having to get the digital tier to get HD locals? I posted earlier that you don't have to get digital to get locals, but your box gets dumbed down and you lose the INHD's, ESPN, the music channels, IPG, etc.

Demodave - Since these are digitally encoded analog channels, they have to be reconverted back to analog for your type of setup. The AUDIO: RANGE selection in the second settings menu should be changed to NARROW to reduce the effects of the conversion process and differences between the two formats. You should also be using a FIXED output (instead of VARIBLE) if you are using an external amp.

vegggas

Vegggas - No I haven't tried calling them back since I got back from Hawaii. I guess it's time to play CSR roulette.

lvthunder,
If you can't get anywhere, let me know. You can PM me your personal info, then I can forward that to my contacts, and the right people can contact you from the inside.

veggggas

Originally posted by vegggas
lvthunder,
If you can't get anywhere, let me know. You can PM me your personal info, then I can forward that to my contacts, and the right people can contact you from the inside.

veggggas

I will. Thank you.

A question for Vegggas (or anybody else that can answer):

I'm shortly moving to a different apartment complex. Of course I'm taking all my audio and video gear with me.

The new complex is a roughly 15 year old area. I have asked around and found that many residents have Cox "Digital" cable. But nobody I spoke to has HD service. In fact they seem to have never heard of it.
In speaking to Cox Cable, they assure me that the service IS available. But I have some doubts as to its possible quality.

1. Considering the age of the complex I have doubts as to whether it is wired with RG 59 video cable or the preferred RG 6. Cox doesn't seem to be able to answer that question. If its RG-59, what, if anything can Cox do to change it to RG-6, since all external wiring seems to be underground?

2. Once I have established service, (but before I move in) can a signal strength test be conducted by Cox without the presence of my 8000HD on the premises? I don't think I need my TV for that, but (if necessary) I would be willing to bring my 8000HD to the new location for a test.

3. If all is well, I will need at least two more outlets for cable connection. One for HD, the two others simply analogue (without any box).
Does increasing the number of outlets diminish the strength of the signal
at the HD outlet?

4. Not that it matters, but does Cox charge for establishment of additional outlets where only one exists?

Thank you.

Originally posted by Word Maestro
I have asked around and found that many residents have Cox "Digital" cable. But nobody I spoke to has HD service. In fact they seem to have never heard of it.


Never heard of HD? What planet do these people live on?

Originally posted by Word Maestro
A question for Vegggas (or anybody else that can answer):

I'm shortly moving to a different apartment complex. Of course I'm taking all my audio and video gear with me.

The new complex is a roughly 15 year old area. I have asked around and found that many residents have Cox "Digital" cable. But nobody I spoke to has HD service. In fact they seem to have never heard of it.
In speaking to Cox Cable, they assure me that the service IS available. But I have some doubts as to its possible quality.

HD service should be available anywhere digital cable is.

1. Considering the age of the complex I have doubts as to whether it is wired with RG 59 video cable or the preferred RG 6. Cox doesn't seem to be able to answer that question. If its RG-59, what, if anything can Cox do to change it to RG-6, since all external wiring seems to be underground?

My apartment is R59, although the apartment cable service box is just outside my door. I have no issues with signal strength. Picture quaility is surperb. I have one HD box, and analog connection to PC and a cable modem. No issues.
As far as Cox upgrading the cable, generally they will, but it also depends on the apartment complex policies. If they don't want cable attached to the exterior of the building, then it may be an issue. Cox will not retro interior lines in an apartment.

2. Once I have established service, (but before I move in) can a signal strength test be conducted by Cox without the presence of my 8000HD on the premises? I don't think I need my TV for that, but (if necessary) I would be willing to bring my 8000HD to the new location for a test.

I'd just request that the technician bring a signal level meter. It's also best to have a TV and cable box even if it's just a portable one. This way if problems occur, they can be addressed. You may not be able to have service at both locations at the same time.

3. If all is well, I will need at least two more outlets for cable connection. One for HD, the two others simply analogue (without any box).
Does increasing the number of outlets diminish the strength of the signal
at the HD outlet?

It depends on how the place is wired. Some apartments are in a loop, others are home runned to the cable service box. If the first is true than yes it will decrease your signal.

4. Not that it matters, but does Cox charge for establishment of additional outlets where only one exists? In a transfer situation they will transfer as many outlets as you have now for the same price. If you want more then they will charge.

Thank you.

Disclaimer: I was a Cox (subcontractor) technician about two years ago, so things may have changed.

Eddie

In Las Vegas, HD service should be available everywhere a straight cable feed is offered. With apartment buildings, there could be various problems, just because you are now dealing with multiple units. Sometimes the feed is at your building, and sometimes it is combined with multiple buildings, etc. It just depends how the original builder decided to wire the property and if they were going to have agreements with the local cable company. You will probably have RG-59 cable feeding your building and within your walls and there is not really anything you can do about it. It's an issue with the apartment, not the cable company. Hope for the best and have the tech bring a meter with them. The wiring will mostly affect the analog side of things, but can also cause some pixelation and low signal strength issues on the higher frequencies.
For the rest, you should refer to the previous post from Eddie.
vegggas

This Saturday's PPV Boxing match is in HD on channel 701.

For the Saturday, December 11 HBO Pay-Per-View telecast of VITALI KLITSCHKO VS. DANNY WILLIAMS, boxing fans will be able to watch the broadcast in High Definition Television. The fight marks the first HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast to be shown in High Definition. Viewers must have access to HDTV in order to watch the programming in High Definition.

vegggas

I used to receive KVBC 3-1 just fine up until maybe a month ago. It was a bit touchy on the reception, but now I get 0%. Are they off the air?

Hi Guys

I need some help. Just bought a Sony 57 inch to get HDTV but im not sure what else I need to get local channels in HD here in Vegas

I have Directv and assume a HD box and dish will be needed but do I need an antenna too? If I do need something else can u help me by recommending a product

Sorry for such a basic ? but im new to HD stuff and am a girl after all....laugh

Does the Sony have a hi def tuner?

Princess......

You now need a source to feed your lovely new TV.

First does your Sony have a "built in" HDTV tuner? Your owners manual should give you that information... or you can go to the sony website and look up your model number.

If your TV has a built in HDTV recever/tuner, then you will need an antenna (attic normally in Vegas although some folks have sucess with a set-top antenna from Sears) capable of receiving digital signals. IF you have this built in tuner... buy and mount an antenna.. hook it up to your TV ... have your TV scan for digital channels and you are in business.

If you do not have a built in tuner then you will need an external HDTV receiver. You have four basic choices to start with.

1. You can buy a receiver for OTA (over the air... this is the old fashioned way of receivig a tv signal) reception. I am not sure how many local stations are broadcasting OTA HD... there are several, someone else can chime in with the number.

2. You can buy a DirecTV HDTV receiver that will receive the HD signals from DirecTV (once you subscribe) and will also have the capability of receiving the OTA HD stations broadcast locally in Las Vegas.

3. You can get the same type of receiver but from Dish Network instead.

4. You can get an HDTV digital cable box from Cox (with or without DVR capability {digital video recorder... records what you want to watch on a hard drive so you can watch it when you want to}). With this you can access the local cable companies HD content which I believe is up to a max of about 12 or 13 stations (Veggas here on the board is the hand's down expert on that).

Welcome to the world of High Definition........... once you try HD you will think something has gone wrong with your eyes or TV when you go back to Standard TV.

Steve

Thank You Thank you Thank you


Thanks for the help Gentlemen. This damsel in distress feels much better
I do have a built in tuner so I will look for an antenna to mount this weekend.


Thank you again for helping this HD virgin out. If you have any other helpful hints dont be shy

Asian*Princess, Welcome to VegasLand ! which Sony did you get , the 57ws655? I am thinking about getting this TV as well, but still considering Hitachi, Panasonic models also. Once you get it up an running the way you like , I would be interested in getting your review. good luck ! :)

Yes its the 57ws655. I will let u know this weekend how much I love it or hate it...but even with no HD so far its really nice. I imagine it only gets better with HD

Originally posted by Asian*Princess
Hi Guys
I need some help. Just bought a Sony 57 inch to get HDTV but im not sure what else I need to get local channels in HD here in Vegas
I have Directv and assume a HD box and dish will be needed but do I need an antenna too? If I do need something else can u help me by recommending a product
Sorry for such a basic ? but im new to HD stuff and am a girl after all....laugh
I'm a bit confused. Are you currently subscribed to DirecTV and already have the hardware and is it all connected? If you do have the hardware, do you get locals from DirecTV, or from an antenna, or not all?
To get HD, other than locals, you will need a different DirecTV reciever. Prices vary from pretty low (virtually free), to up to $1000 for the HD tivo DVR.
If you need to start over completely, and have NO investment in HD gear, you may want to consider going the cable route. This will give you the most content for the lowest price, but monthly charges may be slightly more over sat. The advantage here is that you don't have to be in a contract, and can get an HD DVR for a monthly fee with out investing a lot of money.
If you want to stay with sat there will be some out of pocket expenses and installation to contend with too. For now, the HD locals with sat need an antenna for Las Vegas. Depending on your area, you may not be able to pick up all the channels with an antenna. Many areas around Black Mountain in Henderson (near 95 & Horizon especially) can't pick some locals at all.
For antenna advice, go to www.antennaweb.org and put in your address and zip code.
Your TV also has a cable card slot. You could rent a cable card from Cox and get the locals, as well as any other HD, or premium programming, directly to your TV, but without any of the interactivty of a STB.
Lastly, there is USDTV, which uses local stations antennas to broadcast a "cable lite" version of some of the most popular channels and uses an antenna setup only. The HD local channels are picked up by this same antenna and these are the only sources for HD on that platform.

Any way you go, Las Vegas has a decent sampling of HD content available from multiple sources. You will have to decide which path to take based on cost and complexity. In my opinion, DirecTV and Cox offer the most, and best choices, but in your case, a simple antenna may work for just the locals.

Don't be afraid to ask specific questions. Ask how much it costs, etc. We have enough variety on this forum to help you in any choice you may make.

vegggas

Is there any configuration that would enable me to jetison my HD STB, go to "Cable Card" and still connect an HD TiVo or similar recording/replay device? What about things like the MLB Baseball Package? Would that disappear along with the STB?

The first generation of cablecard is only one way (from the headend at the cable company to your TV). So no PPV, Video on Demand, MLB package, NBA season pass, interactive programming guide, etc.

HD Tivos are only available with DirecTV right now. Stand alone HD Tivos aren't available. I'd expect some announcement about a cable-card capable HD Tivo at CES 2005 in January (if there isnt some sort of an annoucement, Tivo has dropped the ball).

If Word Maestro has firewire out on the TV couldn't he set up a HTPC to record HD? I don't know if any TV has Firewire out though.

Yea a lot of the Mitsubishis do, but it is not user friendly at all to setup Tivo-like functionality.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=403695

Unless I'm losing it completely, I distinctly remember seeing an HD TiVo (or possibly its competitor, HD-Replay) available for purchase at Frys last week. It wasn't cheap (approx $1000), but it was there. Now of course, how to get the signal to the DVR from the cable line, so that it will record in HD, is the problem.
I happen to have a Mistubishi, but I have no idea what "Fiewire" is or what
HTPC is. I don't want to involve a "computer" in this in ANY way.
By the way, I am using the term "TiVo" interchangably with " DVR".
Right now I have the 8000HD STB which is DVR capable. But I can't stand the frequent pixelizations and resultant out-of-sync audio and video. And that happens whether I'm viewing a broadcast or a recording of a broadcast.

Word,
The HDTivo, you saw was exactly that, an HD Tivo. The problem is that it's a proprietary DirecTv receiver that requires their service and dish to operate or record any content, including locals with an antenna. They do not offer inputs to record HD content from any other source. It also has problems associated with recording content and has many threads in the HD recorders section.
The first HD DVR to do what you want with cable card may be the Sony models available next year. Complete threads about the Sony units are available in the HD recorders section. This would be a separate device with a separate cable card to tune in individual channels for recording and playback purposes only.

vegggas

vegggas,

Do you know if there will be a firmware update on the 8000HD to correct the problem with the program resetting once the pvr stops recording? This is really annoying when you start watching a program 15 minutes after it starts (another problem is you have to rewind the content to the beginning), then once the program ends in real time, the program resets and you have to fast forward the program to where you last stopped watching. Or will this issue be addressed with the new SA box?

Thanks,

T

Funny you should mention that... I haven't had this problem for quite a while. It seems that now, when I'm watching a program that's being delayed within the 1 hour buffer, it continues to play back after the recording ends. My current software revisions are on the first post of the link to the 8000 thread in my sig. These should be the same for eveyone here in Vegas by now.
If I want to specifically watch a program delayed to skip commercials, or to time compress the boring stuff (ff), I may watch the first few moments of the program. I then hit Pause to hold the program, then choose LIST to view another pre-recorded 30 minute program that I can watch in 20 min or less, then go back into list and continue the 1 hour program still recording, right where I left off at the start. At the end of the recording, it doesn't kick me out and there is no rewinding.

vegggas