According to FCC mandate, DCR (CableCARD) STBs/TVs will be supported, as of 1 July, by:

Advance/Newhouse Communications
Cable One, Inc.
CSC Holdings, Inc. (Cablevision Systems)
Charter Communications, Inc.
Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
Cox Communications, Inc.
Insight Communications Company, L.P.
Time Warner Cable

Major MSOs have announced CableCARD rental prices; they vary from $0-1.75/mo.
(IIRC, Comcast announced that CableCARD rentals will be free.)

Here is a list of DCR (CableCARD) / ATSC (Digital OTA) HD STBs for retail sale soon:

Late Q2:.......Motorola HDT300 (HD tuner only)
Late Q3:.......Motorola HDT500R (160GB HD DVR)
Sept:............Sony DHG-HDD200 (25 hr. HD DVR) $800
Nov:.............Sony DHG-HDD100 (12 hr. HD DVR) $700
Later 2004:...Mits. HD6000 (120GB/12 hr. HD DVR and Firewire)

From the announcements, all of the DVRs appear to be single tuner DVRs.

In addtion to the existing Panasonic DCR TVs, many other manufacturers have announced DCR TVs for this summer and fall.

It should be noted that all DCR set-tops and TVs this year are unidirectional. That is to say that there are no Pay-Per-View or Video-On-Demand capabilities. Those functionalities will be added in two-way DCR which will most likely hit stores sometime next year (the specification has not been fully completed yet).

I am not certain if the CableCARD specification requires dual-tuner support...if there is interest to know, message me or reply and I will check.

Originally posted by dbrouda
I am not certain if the CableCARD specification requires dual-tuner support...if there is interest to know, message me or reply and I will check.
Someone mentioned in another thread, that he thinks dual-tuner CableCard support was not part of the One-Way CableCard spec. But he said that the dual-tuner spec. is finalized; so, it should be part of the Two-Way CableCard spec.

At this point, a dual-tuner DVR would require two CableCards, so they probably won't make any, until the Two-Way CableCard spec. is finalized. I assume the spec. will be finalized next summer, and then we will see the dual-tuner HD DVRs.

Originally posted by petersbar
In my market (Central Bucks near Philly), ESPN-HD and CSN-HD are still unencrypted QAM and can be tuned without the digital package. I have had 3 6200 boxes for a while at $6+ each successfully receiving all but the INHD pair.

Recently I got the digital package to do the DVR functionality on the 6208.

So CY may be able to get a few more with just the HD package.

I live right outside of philly and the only reason i would keep Comcast was to get CSN-HD. Do i need to subscribe to them or can i get an over the air HD box and pull in CSN and CSN HD with just basic service

CSN is from Comcast Only....

yeah i understand that, i unfortuantely have dealt with that horror for a long time now, not being able to get rid of cable completely (damn monopoly, but I work there so it keeps me employed) I was just wondering how to get CSN HD cheaply. I am getting Voom and the only real reason to keep comcast is for CSN (huge philly sports fan), and i definitely want CSN-HD... just wondering the cheapest way to get the channel

Did you say you work "there" - meaning the cable co....if you work there then you should already be getting it cheaply.

The cheapest way is to subscribe to a basic digital package & with that comes CSN-HD

No OTA, No Sat, only on Comcast.....

I think he was thinking there is a different set-top for basic digital, but there is not. You would still have a Motorola set-top (of SA box if it was an SA plant) but you would not be authorized for any channels other than the basic channels or tier-1, if that's what you subscribed to.

But that would only save him about $5 anyway. Maybe when CableCard comes out if he gets a DCR TV he could get CSN-HD w/o paying the rental fee for the Box.

Originally posted by miatasm
But that would only save him about $5 anyway. Maybe when CableCard comes out if he gets a DCR TV he could get CSN-HD w/o paying the rental fee for the Box.

Then he has purchased a DCR TV and in order to upgrade to two-way functionality in the future he would have to buy a new TV and will have wasted $ for the DCR TV. If you don't own the set-top, you can upgrade it at any time with Comcast...

Also, the PQ of the current shipping DCR TVs is not that good...very limited options, if you can call it an option.

I wasn't saying it was a "good" option, but it "is" an option.....depends if he is talking cheapest per month, or cheapest overall.......

Originally posted by dbrouda
Then he has purchased a DCR TV and in order to upgrade to two-way functionality in the future he would have to buy a new TV and will have wasted $ for the DCR TV.
That is not correct. If one wants Two-Way DCR functionality, then a One-Way DCR HDTV will be just as useful as a HDTV without a digital tuner; that is to say, all one needs to do is add a Two-Way DCR STB of one's choosing.

If you don't own the set-top, you can upgrade it at any time with Comcast...

Also, the PQ of the current shipping DCR TVs is not that good...very limited options, if you can call it an option.
This summer/fall there will be many DCR HDTV choices as many digital-tuner-less HDTVs will be discontinued.

2 new channels are showing up on Ewing NJ Comcast TV Guide. They are:

194 WPVIN - WPVI News
195 WPVIW - WPVI Weather

Are these sub-channels to WPVI-DT (Philly ABC affiliate)? Every time I select them I get the "Not Authorized" message. Does anyone know what is going on with these channels?

Also, I've read in this forum that WB17-HD is coming on line soon, but it has not shown up on the channel lineup. Any word on that?

Thanks.

Any new news on the DVRs? Customer service has been no help. (South Jersey / Winslow twp area)

Originally posted by mikeewing
2 new channels are showing up on Ewing NJ Comcast TV Guide. They are:

194 WPVIN - WPVI News
195 WPVIW - WPVI Weather

Are these sub-channels to WPVI-DT (Philly ABC affiliate)? Every time I select them I get the "Not Authorized" message. Does anyone know what is going on with these channels?

Also, I've read in this forum that WB17-HD is coming on line soon, but it has not shown up on the channel lineup. Any word on that?

Thanks.

Yes these are ABC 6-2 & 3......They should be authorized I would call and have your STB reauthorized......

The last I heard was June 1st......

Originally posted by mikeewing
2 new channels are showing up on Ewing NJ Comcast TV Guide. They are:

194 WPVIN - WPVI News
195 WPVIW - WPVI Weather

Are these sub-channels to WPVI-DT (Philly ABC affiliate)? Every time I select them I get the "Not Authorized" message. Does anyone know what is going on with these channels?

Also, I've read in this forum that WB17-HD is coming on line soon, but it has not shown up on the channel lineup. Any word on that?

Thanks.

They've been active here for about a week (Comcast South Jersey).

Originally posted by mikeewing
2 new channels are showing up on Ewing NJ Comcast TV Guide. They are:

194 WPVIN - WPVI News
195 WPVIW - WPVI Weather

Are these sub-channels to WPVI-DT (Philly ABC affiliate)? Every time I select them I get the "Not Authorized" message. Does anyone know what is going on with these channels?

Also, I've read in this forum that WB17-HD is coming on line soon, but it has not shown up on the channel lineup. Any word on that?

Thanks.

They've been active here for about a week (Comcast South Jersey).

Originally posted by Carl Jones
Now that the WB in HD will be carried by Comcast starting Monday, what's next to look forward to and when?? Lots of rumors, but I don't believe I've seen anything definitive.

Does anyone have any insight on what to expect next from Comcast?

Probably a price increase! :)

Originally posted by Ratman
Probably a price increase! :)

Ain't that the truth!! Besides that....

Anyone getting the WB? Not me..

It isn't June 1 yet.

Well, it's June 1st. & still no WB here!!

Originally posted by Carl Jones
Well, it's June 1st. & still no WB here!!

What about UPN? I thought that the VIACOM deal allowed Comcast to broadcast UPN-HD. No big deal right now since Enterprise is the only HD show on UPN, but even a 4:3 clear picture would be appreciated...

I spoke too soon. Just checked & channel 184 (WB) is now there!!

As for other HD channels, like UPN, Discovery, TNT, etc. I wish someone would "chime in". Someone like JWhip who seems to be in the know!

Probably not enough HD for Comcast to pick it up.

Its here!

Discovery will be here soon. That is all I will say on that. UPN not until the new fall season. Comcast has the right to take the signal but has decided to hold off until there is more than on HD show. That will change in the new fall season. When I checked last week on TNT, I was told that there was no deal in sight. Sorry.

...as anyone who has/had Discovery HD Theater in their home...this is the next best channel for Comcast to get.
Excellent entertaining programming in glorious HD.!
This will give Comcast another leap forward as the HD leader.!

Originally posted by LSpera
Any new news on the DVRs? Customer service has been no help. (South Jersey / Winslow twp area)

I recently emailed Comcast (Trenton/Ewing) and asked about the status of DVR, which their web site says is still unavailable. Here is the response:

"We apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced. We will be happy to assist you with your request. We can schedule an appointment for the upgrade installation, this DVR available is a single tuner. Around the 3rd quarter we will have available the dual tuner DVR( more options and features). Please contact the call center to schedule the daytime appointment.

Thank you very much for your patience.

Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sincerely,
Marie
Comcast Customer Care Specialist"

So it looks like I can get the 6208 now and the 6408 will be available "3rd quarter", which I think really means late September...

Originally posted by JWhip
Discovery will be here soon. That is all I will say on that. UPN not until the new fall season. Comcast has the right to take the signal but has decided to hold off until there is more than on HD show. That will change in the new fall season. When I checked last week on TNT, I was told that there was no deal in sight. Sorry.

Thanks for jumping in. We'll await with baited breath...when you can say more.

Discovery HD... ho hum. If they got HDNet and HDNet Movies it would be something to be excited over. Discovery is one part PBS, one part INHD, and slight dash of other stuff.

tonight! source material not HD but HiPix says
1280x720p 16.95 mbps 59.94 fps.

ready for Firecracker 400 on July 4!! Philly HD is the best!++

Originally posted by drhill
Discovery is one part PBS, one part INHD, and slight dash of other stuff.
Sounds like you never actually had these channels.?
I had DirecTv when they turned on Discovery HD(about a year)...and it was the first channel I'd check when I turned on the plasma.
HDNET is MUCH more similar to the INHDs (Over Americas, Over Irelands).
HDNET movies runs older movies...nothing like today's blockbusters on HBOHD or MAXHD.
DiscoveryHD...Insectia is so stunning, to the point where my wife would leave the room because of the upclose shots of preying mantis' and centipedes would freak her out...awesome realism in HD.
IMHO...Extreme Machines is intellectually satisfying to watch, with amazing 1080i images (I did Civil Engineering at Drexel U)
DiscoveryHD will be the hot topic on this thread when it's turned on.!

I hope I'm in the right forum. If not, any thoughts or point me in another direction. I'm in Bucks County and just had the DCT 6208 for a couple of weeks, got it for the DVR feature. I do NOT have a HDD set yet, just a 32" SONY that does a good job of letter-boxing wide screen. When I tune to a HDD channel, and hit replay, for example, that locks the box into recording that channel. I can't change channels, or stop the recording. Turning off the box doesn't help (it comes right back on the same channel and continues to record) Only if I unplug it for 30 minutes or so does that work. (My DCT 6208 firmware is 7.07). Comcast has changed out the box already, and still problem occurs (I have learned not to record or replay the HDD channels, just watch then!). My question, even through I don't have an HDD set, should I be able to view the HDD channels or not? Thanks. JohnF

You may be able to see an image on the HD channels, but it will be destorted (squashed top & bottom). You should go to the recorders section & look for the thread that discusses the 6208 & ask your question there about your recorder problems. Good luck.

Carl, thank you. I have tried the posting in the HDTV and HDTV Recorders Forums. Thanks again. JohnF

I guess the best solution to this problem is just to get a HDTV when the budget allows!. JohnF

Originally posted by Plasma George
Sounds like you never actually had these channels.?
I had DirecTv when they turned on Discovery HD(about a year)...and it was the first channel I'd check when I turned on the plasma.
HDNET is MUCH more similar to the INHDs (Over Americas, Over Irelands).
HDNET movies runs older movies...nothing like today's blockbusters on HBOHD or MAXHD.
DiscoveryHD...Insectia is so stunning, to the point where my wife would leave the room because of the upclose shots of preying mantis' and centipedes would freak her out...awesome realism in HD.
IMHO...Extreme Machines is intellectually satisfying to watch, with amazing 1080i images (I did Civil Engineering at Drexel U)
DiscoveryHD will be the hot topic on this thread when it's turned on.!

A bug is a bug is a bug. They should all be squashed. There are a lot of old movies which I haven't seen (but want to). I already have HBO, MAX, SHO, and Starz in HD. I would like the added sports too. If i want to see bugs I can go out back and spray them with insectacide. Can't watch movies (or offbeat sports) that way.

Anyone know if Fox 29 has changed anything with their digital transmission recently? I live ~35 miles from the tower, and at this point am only using a Silver Sensor for OTA reception. I have never been able to receive this signal, until I happened to check last night and my receiver locked in on it. I have a Sammy 360 (with the funky signal meter) so I have no idea what kind of signal strength I'm getting, but I was locked in with no dropouts. Maybe I just got lucky?

blackngold:

see my post about 5 before yours. they went to 720p transmission around June 1; dont know if they changed power or anything else.

Originally posted by blackngold75
Anyone know if Fox 29 has changed anything with their digital transmission recently? I live ~35 miles from the tower, and at this point am only using a Silver Sensor for OTA reception. I have never been able to receive this signal, until I happened to check last night and my receiver locked in on it. I have a Sammy 360 (with the funky signal meter) so I have no idea what kind of signal strength I'm getting, but I was locked in with no dropouts. Maybe I just got lucky?

Are you still receiving Fox 29 in Newark? No luck here in Newport/Stanton with a CM 4228 and CM 7775 preamp! I can get all of Philly digitals and the 3 majors out of Baltimore, but no luck with 29.

I got a number around here for a Mr. Rickman I think he is an engineer over at Fox 29. I got to give him a call.

Jim

Must have just been lucky that night. I can't get Fox 29-1 again. My STB seems to really be working hard to lock onto the signal, but just can't get it. I am surprised. though, that you can't get it with a 4228. I'm planning on installing an outdoor antenna, and the 4228 is what I was considering.

Getting Baltimore? You must have that on a rotor?

Originally posted by blackngold75
Must have just been lucky that night. I can't get Fox 29-1 again. My STB seems to really be working hard to lock onto the signal, but just can't get it. I am surprised. though, that you can't get it with a 4228. I'm planning on installing an outdoor antenna, and the 4228 is what I was considering.

Getting Baltimore? You must have that on a rotor?

Yes I have a rotor plus the 4228 is mounted on a twenty foot mast on a two story home.

I was surprised when I hooked up my HDTivo, I received FOX 29 for one day then I haven't had any luck. Must be something with the weather conditions being just right on that day.

Let me know what happens if you install an outdoor antenna.

Jim

was that new show on channel 17 supposed to be hd last night.
thats what was showing on d* guide.

Originally posted by Jim Skripchuk
I was surprised when I hooked up my HDTivo, I received FOX 29 for one day then I haven't had any luck.

Jim

I thought I had read from others that the HD Tivo seemed to have a "better" OTA tuner, so I'm surprised you can't get that. Is your antenna outside or in the attic? I may be putting one up soon - another forum member in Delaware is selling a CM 4228 - I might buy it and give it a shot.

Has anyone else noticed that channel 12-1 is now broadcasting in 720p vice 1080i. I noticed this over the weekend. To my eyes ths picture doesn't look as crisp. I'm receiving it via the OTA tuner in my HTL-HD.

Originally posted by blackngold75
I thought I had read from others that the HD Tivo seemed to have a "better" OTA tuner, so I'm surprised you can't get that. Is your antenna outside or in the attic? I may be putting one up soon - another forum member in Delaware is selling a CM 4228 - I might buy it and give it a shot.

I have a Hitachi widescreen with an integrated tuner and I had no luck with 29 at all. When I got the HDTivo, I was surprised when it locked on to 29-1 right away, but then it went away and I haven't seen it in a month.

My antenna is on the roof and mounted twenty feet above the second story. But then I am in a low spot with some high tension towers nearby.

Hopefully you will have better luck.

Jim

Jim -

sorry for not reading. You did already say your antenna was on the roof. I probably won't get an outdoor antenna up until the end of the summer (but definitely before the NFL starts!). I will post the results when I get there....eventually.

Originally posted by sdpadres
Has anyone else noticed that channel 12-1 is now broadcasting in 720p vice 1080i. I noticed this over the weekend. To my eyes ths picture doesn't look as crisp. I'm receiving it via the OTA tuner in my HTL-HD.

Your right. I have comcast and when I tune to a non 1080i channel without first being on a 1080i channel it stays black with no sound. Well it just did that for me when I went to PBS-HD.

Not that I ever watch PBS (yuck), but it is really lame. edit: and so is the fact that it is only 720p now (heh, I worded that wrong first, but it came out right... ;) )

Originally posted by drhill
Your right. I have comcast and when I tune to a non 1080i channel without first being on a 1080i channel it stays black with no sound. Well it just did that for me when I went to PBS-HD.

Not that I ever watch PBS (yuck), but it is really lame. edit: and so is the fact that it is only 720p now (heh, I worded that wrong first, but it came out right... ;) ) off topic...... You don't happen to run an INTERNET design company do you? You user name sounds familiar.

now that espn has seemed to lose the stretch mode, how do we convince csn to do the same?

Anyone notice KYW-DT signal strength is down? All day yesterday nothing but break-up, signal fading. Haven't checked yet today.

Yes... I noticed the same yesterday also.

Originally posted by Ratman
Yes... I noticed the same yesterday also.

Thanks for the reply. I moved my attic antenna on Saturday to a different spot which didn't work out. So I moved it back to the original location. That's when I noticed that KYW-DT was way down in signal strength (normally at ~85). The other channels look good, except for WHYY-DT which is normally low at my location.

Think I'll wait for a few days before I try to adjust it again. Maybe KYW-DT is having transmitter problems.

Originally posted by petersbar
blackngold:

see my post about 5 before yours. they went to 720p transmission around June 1; dont know if they changed power or anything else.

Does that mean the material is HD. It looked to me that American Pie was HD last night (or was that still widescreen)?

Is there any definite HD content on FOX now in Philly?

Originally posted by caesar1
Does that mean the material is HD. It looked to me that American Pie was HD last night (or was that still widescreen)?

Is there any definite HD content on FOX now in Philly?

WTXF could still be encoding the network feed. That means that they receive it, decode it to analog or uncompressed digital, and then encode it again.

If FOX's network feed is still 480p, then WTXT may be decoding that and then encoding it to 720p.

This is speculation; I do not know if FOX is uplinking at 480p or 720p. The end goal of FOX is to have their affiliates pass 720p without decode and encode, but that is not supposed to be until the fall.

Originally posted by dbrouda
WTXF could still be encoding the network feed. That means that they receive it, decode it to analog or uncompressed digital, and then encode it again.
....
This is speculation; I do not know if FOX is uplinking at 480p or 720p. The end goal of FOX is to have their affiliates pass 720p without decode and encode, but that is not supposed to be until the fall.

I haven't heard anything particular, but I would suspect this is not how they would do things. WTXF has, in the past (haven't watched the digital station recently) had that lightened WTXF text in the background all the time. This requires a re-encode, likely of the whole frame. I would imagine they are going to keep that in some way/shape/form, which would require this re-encode on their side. Hopefully, they do it all in the digital domain, and hopefully, the satellite downlink to the local station is a heck of a lot higher bandwidth than the ATSC OTA spec (19.something MBPS)...

I guess we'll see what happens in the fall. for sure...

- Mike

I've noticed that WHYY-DT is down in signal strength. I normally get 62% but now getting 52% and its fading. Anyone else see this?

Yes, I cannot receive it anymore, where as before it came in fine. I am in the Harleysville area.

Originally posted by whsbuss
I've noticed that WHYY-DT is down in signal strength. I normally get 62% but now getting 52% and its fading. Anyone else see this?

Same here in Wilmington, can't get it anymore:mad:

Originally posted by mjr
I haven't heard anything particular, but I would suspect this is not how they would do things. WTXF has, in the past (haven't watched the digital station recently) had that lightened WTXF text in the background all the time. This requires a re-encode, likely of the whole frame. I would imagine they are going to keep that in some way/shape/form, which would require this re-encode on their side. Hopefully, they do it all in the digital domain, and hopefully, the satellite downlink to the local station is a heck of a lot higher bandwidth than the ATSC OTA spec (19.something MBPS)...

I guess we'll see what happens in the fall. for sure...

- Mike

FOX signed a deal with an equipment vendor to do all-digital logo and ad insertion at every FOX affiliate. Their goal was to have everything in place for this fall, according to the original press release.

And yes, network HD's are uplinked at much higher bit rates...same with SD that is used for their analog feed.

Originally posted by rgc101
Yes, I cannot receive it anymore, where as before it came in fine. I am in the Harleysville area.

Its gotta be their transmitter. Before even at ~62% I rarely got all the fading I see now. Hopefully they will get it fixed.

Originally posted by DarthJedi
off topic...... You don't happen to run an INTERNET design company do you? You user name sounds familiar.

No I don't.


Originally posted by whotony
now that espn has seemed to lose the stretch mode, how do we convince csn to do the same?

Word.

Originally posted by whsbuss
I've noticed that WHYY-DT is down in signal strength. I normally get 62% but now getting 52% and its fading. Anyone else see this?

I have been having problems with WHYY-DT ever since they switched from 1080i to 720p. I am currently receiving HD locals from comcast without a converter since my tv has a Qam tuner built in. Since the change to 720p WHYY is completely unwatchable it is breaking up continuously. I called Comcast and they refuse to help since I do not use a converter and in fact said there was no way I could be getting HD without it. I am in the Reading Pa area. Is anyone with a similar setup having the same issue?

I also sent an email to WHYY about the switch from 1080i to 720p here is the response I got back.

Hello Kevin,

Thanks for your inquiry and report concerning WHYY-DT's High Definition
performance.

You are correct, WHYY-DT has been broadcasting HD using the 1080I format
until four weeks ago when we switched to the 720P format. We are currently
evaluating the performance of 720P vs. 1080I. The reason we are doing this
is related to bandwidth resource management, FCC requirements and picture
quality considerations.

As you can see, programmatically, WHYY is developing a multi-channel
program service that will enable us to expand programming now and into the
future. 12.1 SD and HD programming is unique to that channel while 12.2
is required to meet the FCC rules that require a simulcast of the analog
TV programming (WHYY-TV12).

During the past few weeks we have been evaluating a variety of bit rates
using 720P. The subjective picture quality using reduced bit rates in the
720P format appears to be improved. Of course, neither signal should break
up. We have increased the bitrate today. Your continued observations and
feedback is most welcomed as we continue this evaluation period to ensure
the quality of service that you expect from WHYY.

Thanks again for valued feedback.

Regards,

Bill

---------

William J. Weber
VP & Chief Technology Officer
WHYY, Inc.

Clearly, they are trying out 720p for their multicating plans. Less than full bite rate 1080i does not look good. The PQ of 1080i broadcasts really suffers withb the addition of any subchannels. However, so does the quality of 720p broadcasts as anyone who has seen WPVI's PQ before and after the addition of 6-2 and now 6-3. In fact, the HD highlights on ESPN-HD look way better than the live feed from WPVI. I believe that to be the clear result of thier multicasting.

why does abc feel the need to have those extra two channels?
one showing a useless radar feed and the other re-running talk show programming.

actually I think the radar subchannel is awesome. And judging by the aritfacts on it and the fact that it is almost static I would imagaine it only uses a small fraction of the total bandwidth- in my head thats a really wise way to take advantage of the Digital system. (For the record I have Directv so no local weather channel- but even if i was on the evil cable empires system and had the local weather channel- you have to wait every 20 minutes for the radar loop to pop back around and even then i'm not sure its real time like this)

Now the SD news and talk stuff on -3 I need to think about....
But if its during the weekdays when there is nothing on but soaps or other crap- why not. During primetime or weekend sports I dont think i'm so generous to share the space with it.

The evil empire, you mean Comcast per chance?

Thanks for sharing the response from WHYY. I know there was some difference as before my pic quality and signal was pretty solid. I also have DirecTV and get local HD via an OTA antenna.

WPVI is another story.... they are constantly changing their signal bandwidth and strength. When the Stanley Cup finals were on, images were sometimes out of focus (may have been the HD source). The NBA finals are much sharper, however I get break up from time to time.

Comcast's local radar map is quite good... and so it the friggin internet for checking weather. Aside from just looking out the window.

CH 12.1 is absolutely unwatchable. There is so much break up..... anyone still having problems? I've tried tweaking my OTA antenna but to no avail. All the other locals are locked in.

Originally posted by drhill
Comcast's local radar map is quite good... and so it the friggin internet for checking weather. Aside from just looking out the window.

Internet is great but as has been said by others a million times, myself i dont feel like having a pc in the living room when i can just flip to 6-3. Even assuming I have my laptop on the coffee table- it takes 20 or 30 seconds to start a browser, click a few links, etc to get the live radar- if you have to boot the darn thing add 2 minutes. On the TV Flip a channel and done in 2 seconds.

(and i'm not a wizard or anything so just looking out the window cant tell me if the rain is going to end shortly, or if more thunderstorms are on the way, etc. Window works wonders for the here and now but doesnt do much go for the the future)

Now is that a deal breaker or anything- nope. But I think a stupid little application like that which uses tiny amounts of the left over bandwidth and might humor a few percent of the viewers is a darned ingenious use of the new system and the left over bits they proabbly have 85% of the day. I'm not so into the local news idea- i would guess it takes up alot more bandwidth- but a radar channel sounds pretty wise to me. I think they could probably add 5 channels of stupid low bandwidth crap like that and not affect the HD sub channel most of the day (does it really matter if oprah the soap opera's have every last bit availible) so they could put up the want adds or the sports scores too and i would think that was neat.

Now dont screw around during prime time or during sporting events- but if oprah isnt using all the bits and theres alot of 'em left- why not use it for something?



ps JWhip- in my mind comcast, cablevision, RCN, patriot (the mom and pop we have where i live) etc., are all part of the evil empire. THey all stink- rape your wallet, could give a rats butt about the customer, etc, etc. But if you want my opinion- comcast pretty much takes the cake- hosing the poor folks who would like to get sports from a satellite company.

Don't worry, Oprah is using ALL the bits.

I can get my pc up and browsing in less then 40 seconds from a cold start. ;)

Originally posted by michaelk

Now is that a deal breaker or anything- nope. But I think a stupid little application like that which uses tiny amounts of the left over bandwidth and might humor a few percent of the viewers is a darned ingenious use of the new system and the left over bits they proabbly have 85% of the day. I'm not so into the local news idea- i would guess it takes up alot more bandwidth- but a radar channel sounds pretty wise to me. I think they could probably add 5 channels of stupid low bandwidth crap like that and not affect the HD sub channel most of the day (does it really matter if oprah the soap opera's have every last bit availible) so they could put up the want adds or the sports scores too and i would think that was neat.

Now dont screw around during prime time or during sporting events- but if oprah isnt using all the bits and theres alot of 'em left- why not use it for something?

ps JWhip- in my mind comcast, cablevision, RCN, patriot (the mom and pop we have where i live) etc., are all part of the evil empire. THey all stink- rape your wallet, could give a rats butt about the customer, etc, etc. But if you want my opinion- comcast pretty much takes the cake- hosing the poor folks who would like to get sports from a satellite company.

Ahhh the whole point of competition.........wouldn't you do the same if you had a buisness and your direct competitor wanted to use a product that you & only you could provide......I'm not partial to either side of the coin but this only makes good buisness sense. Now....,

Are you guys talking about the Doppler Radar that was just added in the Comcast digital lineup? I'm assuming you are, but 'drhill' you stated this was "Comcast" local radar map, it isn't Comcast's map, its ABC's sub-channel (6-3).

As far as bandwidth goes "the Map" uses approx 1 Mb/s. This of 1 Mb/s of the 19.39 Mb/s they have avail for OTA Digital broadcasting, the "other channel" (6-2) uses approx 3-4 Mb/s, & the rest is for 6-1, Simulcast of analog local ABC(HD).

While I know there is technology in the near future that will allow the broadcaters & cable co. to adjust data rates on the fly. Sorta like a traction control system.......basically moving data to locations in the frequency spectrum that aren't using all of their allocated bandwidth.....however I do not know if there is anyone using this technology currently.

At this point I believe it would be too much work for broadcasters & cable co. to constantly have to change the channel mapping on their systems to accomodate 1 HD channel in Primetime & 5 SD channels during the other times.

Hope this helps

I still don't understand why CSN doesnt do daily news and the like in HD. I mean that whole arena is wired for HD, why not put a couple camera's in the studio's and be done with it.

No miatasm, comcast has had a weather channel (101) for quite some time. Much better then ABC's. While ABC's weather map is a pathetic waste of a 1+ MB, it isn't as bad a waste as the news channel which takes up more bandwidth.

I know Comcast has its own WC but there was a response by 'michaelk', to your original post that was specifically talking about 6-3 and you didn't correct him, so I assumed that was what you were referring to.

I guess ABC is giving the public a taste of what is to come in the future, and that is the use of their bandwidth for more than just 1 thing (video/audio). While I think they should be doing something a little more intresting with the rest of their bandwidth, they are doing something, & I do not see a huge effect on it primary channel as compared to others.

It technically isn't a waste of bandwidth if the bandwidth on the cable system wasn't being used.........

Originally posted by miatasm
... I do not see a huge effect on it primary channel as compared to others...
I agree. I don't see a major detrimental effect either.. And, like some others have posted, the weather map, at about 5% of the bandwidth is a nice feature, especially in this weather to see if a t-storm is coming in the evening.

BTW, I choose not to pay any cable co for HD at the moment. (All OTA)

- Mike

Didn't feel a need to respond to michaelk 's post regarding his opinion anyway. He is entitled to have it without someone whining to him about it. ;)

It is a waste because that bandwidth could be used for better purpose. A SD channel (counting both the weather map and the news channel) more music channels (could fit a few in the weather map). Just because ABC sees those 3-5 mbps as filler doesn't mean comcast can't make good use to it.

I am under the assumption that some (most) of you are not Comcast customers or have not noticed the serious difference between ABC sports broadcast and those on ESPN. As much as I don't like 720p, I've noticed that ESPN puts a much better quality picture out because they use that bandwidth that ABC uses for "ingenious use" to "humor a few percent of the viewers". Your humor costs me quality.

Originally posted by drhill
As much as I don't like 720p, I've noticed that ESPN puts a much better quality picture out because they use that bandwidth that ABC uses for "ingenious use" to "humor a few percent of the viewers". Your humor costs me quality.

so true.
but really what is the need for that radar?
what can you get out of it?

you look at it and see that, " oh it's cloudy in the phila region."

big deal.

FYI WHYY-DT is back to the 1080i format and it looks great again!

thanks Bill W!

Joe

Originally posted by whotony
so true.
but really what is the need for that radar?
what can you get out of it?

you look at it and see that, " oh it's cloudy in the phila region."

big deal.

You can do the same thing looking out the window. ;)

ABC-6 (WPVI) has been off the air for 10 minutes (OTA broadcast - since about 6:54 PM). my setup has been in it's current state long enough for me to be confident it's not my setup. Anyone know what's going on with the transmitters?

I'm getting 0 signal strength with no lock on UHF 64... It's usually in the 90's..

Anyone?

- Mike

Yea, dead dead. Zero signal. Wonder if their transmitter got struck by lightning? :) Back to analog Jeopardy!


Originally posted by mjr
ABC-6 (WPVI) has been off the air for 10 minutes (OTA broadcast - since about 6:54 PM). my setup has been in it's current state long enough for me to be confident it's not my setup. Anyone know what's going on with the transmitters?

I'm getting 0 signal strength with no lock on UHF 64... It's usually in the 90's..

Anyone?

- Mike

Same here. All other OTA is coming in strong. I hope they get it back for the basketball game.



Originally posted by mjr
ABC-6 (WPVI) has been off the air for 10 minutes (OTA broadcast - since about 6:54 PM). my setup has been in it's current state long enough for me to be confident it's not my setup. Anyone know what's going on with the transmitters?

I'm getting 0 signal strength with no lock on UHF 64... It's usually in the 90's..

Anyone?

- Mike

Both WPHL and WPVI are gone for me. Looks like time to flip onto WABC for the game.

yup, zippo on 6-1, I actually was checking radar on 6-3 because the Phils game is in ANOTHER rain delay and noticed no 'PVI digital at all.
I guess this is a station's worst nightmare, the transmitter goes down hours before a night of winning ratings. Let's hope they fix the problem so we can witness those friggin' Lakers go down in semi-glorious 720p!

It's back up, just in time!

Problems with WHYY last night
No picture!! No soundstage!
Is this just me or are others having problems with TV 12-DT?

Originally posted by RCbridge
Problems with WHYY last night
No picture!! No soundstage!
Is this just me or are others having problems with TV 12-DT?

I had no reception from WHYY-DT when I checked around 10. Soundstage came on at 10:30. I checked again at 10:40 and it was back on. I found the concert musically pretty disappointing. The production was very different from last year's series. It has a more "film" look and now actually holds shots for more than 2 seconds at a time.

UPN has had a strong signal but no picture or sound (black/silent) all afternoon today.

Originally posted by TraderGordo
UPN has had a strong signal but no picture or sound (black/silent) all afternoon today.

Yep. Same here at 9:10 pm

...wow we need September to get here to talk NFL-HD.

Can anyone tell me if and where I could find UPN with a QAM tuner? Comcast in the Doylestown area.

Thanks,
Frank

I'm pretty sure UPN-HD is not available yet from Comcast.

Moving on... do you think we're going to miss a great HD broadcast of th Phillies-Red Sox game tomorrow? I imagine it will be blacked out, but we can always hope that it's not. If Comcast is part owner why couldn't they just allow it to be shown since it's their product, especially given the fact that they are apparently not charging advertisers for HD viewers since they often run different commercials on the varying broadcasts.

We can always hope that someone forgets to hit the switch.

Originally posted by Mike3
We can always hope that someone forgets to hit the switch. That's the only way, Comcast wants us local boys watching the local ads.
I'm looking forward to seeing Gary Barbera's new Dodge deals in between the fuzzy baseball game.:D

Anyone having issues with over the air KYW-DT reception lately.

I had problems last November, which went away for awhile, but now their back. Reception either is impossible, or it comes and goes.

I am 5 miles from the antenna farm -- using a rooftop UHF antenna on a 10 foot mast.

I have ZERO problems with all other digital over the air channels -- get ABC, NBC, PBS, UPN, WB, FOX with zero issues. ONLY KYW-DT is problematic for me.

Using an SIR-T151 set top box.

Anyone else having over the air issues with KYW-DT lately?

I emailed Jim Chase -- hopefully he will see my email or this post.

Comcast always blacked out INHD when the Phillies were also on CSN.
Does anyone know if Comcast will still black out INHD if the Phillies are being shown on FOX (as is the case for Sunday)?

(I would love to watch the game in INHD versus the poor FOX signal.)

minor correction: Saturday's game is on FOX, Sunday's game is on UPN......so my question applies to Sunday's game (since that is the only one scheduled for INHD).

Originally posted by caesar1
Anyone having issues with over the air KYW-DT reception lately.

...

I emailed Jim Chase -- hopefully he will see my email or this post.

Not particularly but that doesn't mean there isn't something going on. I'm 42 miles away with an unamplified Televes DAT-75 hung from the rafters in the attic going into a DST-3000... Based on your distance, perhaps some recent change to your surroundings has changed the multipath to your location.

IIRC, I recall a post a while back indicating Jim Chase changed jobs within the CBS organization and has been less involved in Phila DTV issues at KYW... Not sure, though. He has been a tremendous asset to the DTV community in Philadelphia. I hope he's still around looking out for us, though.

- Mike

Originally posted by ExpensiveWino
Comcast always blacked out INHD when the Phillies were also on CSN.
Does anyone know if Comcast will still black out INHD if the Phillies are being shown on FOX (as is the case for Sunday)?

(I would love to watch the game in INHD versus the poor FOX signal.)

Blackouts are not actually controlled by Comcast but rather by INHD as determined by, in this case, MLB.

Anyone in the South Jersey / Cherry Hill Comcast Garden State area having problems with Comcast SportsNet (172) and WB HD (184)? Starting tonight (Thursday, 6/24), EXTREME picture freezes, blackouts, and pixilization on both channels. Unwatchable is an understatement. The others HD’s remain rock solid. I called Comcast and they were not aware of a system issue (a tech is scheduled for Sunday), but I am still suspicious that it may not be just me.

Figures, the one time a year I watch PBS (Sheryl Crow on soundstage) and after 5 minutes the breakup is horrendous. Ghetto ass pbs and their sissy multicasting.

It looked a tad soft before the breakups but still great.

Morons.

Fleetwood Mac was unwatchable here on the 2 occasions I tuned it in. Pixelation and constant audio drops. Also Comcast S. Jersey.

Originally posted by caesar1
Anyone having issues with over the air KYW-DT reception lately.

I had problems last November, which went away for awhile, but now their back. Reception either is impossible, or it comes and goes.

I am 5 miles from the antenna farm -- using a rooftop UHF antenna on a 10 foot mast.

I have ZERO problems with all other digital over the air channels -- get ABC, NBC, PBS, UPN, WB, FOX with zero issues. ONLY KYW-DT is problematic for me.

Using an SIR-T151 set top box.

Anyone else having over the air issues with KYW-DT lately?

I emailed Jim Chase -- hopefully he will see my email or this post.

No problems here..... signal in the high 80's. I am still having problems with WHYY-DT. Signal in the upper 30's. I may have to get a stronger pre-amp.

InHD is Comcast and a few other major cable operators.

Blackout rules in general need to go away, but since the people don't have lobbyists, there's nothing much we can do because the sports leagues and cable companies do.

So what's the final verdict?
MLB dictates that if a game is shown on a local station (in this case on UPN) - then it will be blacked out locally on other networks (in this case INHD)?

(So probably no Phillies/Red Sox in HD......ridiculous ):mad:

In addition to the WHYY issues of the last week or so, anyone else in the Philly/South Jersey region noticing an increase in video noise, grain and pixelation, specifically on INHD/INHD2? HBOHD and ESPNHD seems to be OK, but the overall PQ of the Comcast HD channels has been noticably inconsistent over the last week or so. Too much data not enough bandwidth perhaps?

Originally posted by progear
In addition to the WHYY issues of the last week or so, anyone else in the Philly/South Jersey region noticing an increase in video noise, grain and pixelation, specifically on INHD/INHD2? HBOHD and ESPNHD seems to be OK, but the overall PQ of the Comcast HD channels has been noticably inconsistent over the last week or so. Too much data not enough bandwidth perhaps?

Picture quality for all HD channels on Comcast Trenton is fine except for WHYY which has been breaking up for the past few weeks. From recent posts this appears to be an issue at the station itself.

Hope this helps.

Just got my SA 3250 today. Quite happy with it, but I need to get an IR (advanced) code to change the picture size (normal,stretched,zoom) for my remote. The comcast remote doesn't have the '#' key so I can't just learn it.

Shame they don't have a stretch mode like "just" on my panny. I don't like to mess with the AR, but for crappy SD which I don't care about the PQ of I don't mind.

Thanks Mike...anyone else in the area? Any feedback on the PQ of the soccer games on INHD... I originally thought that it might be my TV, but INHD, INHD2, and WHYY seem to really soft and grainy...others are sharp as ever so its definitely not my set...maybe its just certain programming, I'm not sure.

caesar1
I haven't noticed any problems with KYW-DT, although I was out of town last week. Watched Cold Case tonight and didn't see anything unusual. I did move to a corporate job with VTSG last year, but my office is at KYW and I do keep a close eye on the HD operation.
I will be in the office tomorrow and will check on any problems they may have been having. From my own viewing experience this evening, and the fact that there has been no mention of any problems with the DT system in maintenance reports, I would think the problem is most likely on your end.
I'll get back to you tomorrow.
CUL Jim

anyone hear anything about where Fox HD truck will first appear? Titan had the NASCAR event from Sonoma incorrectly listed yesterday. I've heard debate between next Saturday's FIrecracker 400 from Daytona and the MLB all-star game....

Soccer games are very soft/choppy. Could be because of the 50>60hz Pal to ATSC conversion, or maybe they just do inferior HD over there. Not INHD's fault though.

Originally posted by drhill
Soccer games are very soft/choppy. Could be because of the 50>60hz Pal to ATSC conversion, or maybe they just do inferior HD over there. Not INHD's fault though. It was bad on my system and my brother's.

caesar1
Checked out the KYW-DT transmitter today and found no problems. Low EVM and good S/N. Can't see anything that would cause you a problem. No other viewer complaints.
CUL Jim

Originally posted by Jim Chase
caesar1
Checked out the KYW-DT transmitter today and found no problems. Low EVM and good S/N. Can't see anything that would cause you a problem. No other viewer complaints.
CUL Jim

Guess I'll have to move, try an attenuator or pay for the privilege of Comcast's HD.

Something is definitely weird in my area with your signal (something must be interfering) -- some nights its great for an hour -- then nothing. Sometimes its good all night. Lately though, it has been more bad than good. Unfortunately, no one I know around here has an antenna for HD. Everyone has cable for everything.

In all of this, there are zero issues with all other HD stations.

Thanks for looking into it though.

caesar1
Something IS definately wierd. At only 5 miles from the tx and I assume a fairly clear path, you should be getting one heck of a signal on ch26. In fact, at 787kw erp, it will probably be the strongest signal you receive. You might even be able to draw an arc from the antenna feed line. Maybe thats the problem. Try an attenuator. The only other thing might be some wierd suck out in the response of your antenna system. If you have access to a spectrum analyzer you could take a look. Past that I have no idea. I watched two hours of HD tonight and no problems in Mount Laurel.
CUL Jim

No problems here with any HD stations, except WHYY. (Comcast cable)

Dear WHYY,
Exactly HOW long is this ill-conceived experimentation going to continue?
Let's see... its a TV station... on cable (and OTA)... in Hi-Def... except that the picture and sound break up so often it's UNWATCHABLE.
Seriously.
I get cable so that I don't have any reception issues.
I get HiDef cable so that I can watch and listen to pristine video and audio.
I now get perfect reception of your LOUSY signal.

HOW LONG does it take to see that your "Hi Def" signal is worthless?
Really? GO HOME AND LOOK AT IT. It takes me less than a minute to see your picture stinks (and just a second to change the channel). Your station was one of the reasons I jumped into the HiDef scene. The quantity wasn't there, but the QUALITY was always first rate. Now it's horrible.


RE: Euro 2004 on INHD,
It's not the best HD I've ever seen, nor the worst. The PQ is much, much, MUCH better than SD PPV game I watched. Frankly, I'm glad to get any part of this tournament in HD.

Hi Dave,

I'm in Voorhees and have no problems at all with WHYY via antenna. In fact KYW is great too. I use a Channel Master UHF only and RG11 coax and a Sony SAT-HD200 receiver. All major DTV is received perfectly.

Joe

Was last night's game in HD.?
We were at McFadden's at the Ball Park.
Kind of a wet dream for me with about 30 42" plasmas from all different manufacturers.
What was troubling was they were running the SD feed of CSN and stretching it.
Unless the game wasn't in HD, what a waste of serious plasma dollars.!

Definitely in HD...what a waste I agree. SD/Stretch...a good way to get everyone back out into the stadium quickly!

I even asked a couple waiters/hostess people "where's the high definition channel"
They looked at me like I was speaking Chinese.
I asked the waitress to ask Forehead about the HD channel (bartender had a slight receding hairline issue) to no avail.

I wonder if the McFadden's gets an in-house feed...I have to imagine that the luxury suites are getting an HD feed to all of those plasmas...if McFadden's is just picking up the game via a Comcast box, I'm sure they have no idea that CSN-HD even exists in the 170's. Just ask for the remote next time!

Hi jcardani,

I used to have an OTA setup (Zenith hdv-420 and Silver Sensor mounted outside) and had perfect reception (even the then difficult channel 10). When I got Comcast, the PQ was ALWAYS equal. That's why I felt comfortable selling my OTA equipment.

I'm not the only person having problems with WHYY. I sincerely doubt the problem is with Comcast. Every other HD channel is perfect.

It cracks me up... right now (8-9PM) WHYY has this listed on the Comcast guide: "Great Performances" Tchaikovsky Symphony #4 ( in stereo only!)... but its the History investigation show... doesn't really matter... it's macroblocking/pixelating big-time anyway...

Meanwhile, on ABC-HD, I get the nice, but eminently forgettable Wayan's sitcom "My wife and kids" in wonderful HD glory, with 5.1 surround.

Guess what we're watching.

Oh well, at least my wife is happy.

FYI

WHYY-DT has been experiencing exciter problems at the transmitter site in Roxborough. The 8VSB phase alignment measurements indicate a sub-optimum alignment. This situation is causing some DTV receivers and cable set top boxes to create display errors or lock up slowly when tuned to the channel.

Some locations report reception as usual, others do not. The errors being broadcast are mostly likely additive to site specific multipath. The resulting combination of the two is exceeding the correction range of the individual receivers.

Unfortunately, the back up exciter is not available because it was being upgraded by the manufacturer in another state. We expect this re-calibrated exciter to arrive tomorrow morning and we will place it on the air as soon as it arrives. Hopefully, this will clear all of the abnormal reception problems reported on this forum.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this unfortunate situation may have created.


Bill Weber
WHYY, CTO

Originally posted by progear
I wonder if the McFadden's gets an in-house feed...I have to imagine that the luxury suites are getting an HD feed to all of those plasmas...if McFadden's is just picking up the game via a Comcast box, I'm sure they have no idea that CSN-HD even exists in the 170's. Just ask for the remote next time! I've been in the Hall of Fame club and the plasma's there are also showing Comcast SD stretched. Did they spend all that money on plasmas and then not buy the HD tuners?

Originally posted by Bill Weber
FYI

WHYY-DT has been experiencing exciter problems at the transmitter site in Roxborough. The 8VSB phase alignment measurements indicate a sub-optimum alignment. This situation is causing some DTV receivers and cable set top boxes to create display errors or lock up slowly when tuned to the channel.

Some locations report reception as usual, others do not. The errors being broadcast are mostly likely additive to site specific multipath. The resulting combination of the two is exceeding the correction range of the individual receivers.

Unfortunately, the back up exciter is not available because it was being upgraded by the manufacturer in another state. We expect this re-calibrated exciter to arrive tomorrow morning and we will place it on the air as soon as it arrives. Hopefully, this will clear all of the abnormal reception problems reported on this forum.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this unfortunate situation may have created.


Bill Weber
WHYY, CTO

Thanks Bill. Your signal was great before this all started. Looking forward to once again receiving the DT signal.

Bill,

As always, you keep us in the loop. It's good to know it's a technical issue, not a deliberate choice to fiddle with bitrate/bandwidth/subchannels/etc.

Thanks much,
Dave

They have the HD boxes from Comcast at McFaddens. They just seem to not know any better. NO reeason for the HD not to be on.

FYI

WHYY-DT Transmission Update:

The realigned and upgraded WHYY-DT exciter is on the air with excellent performance. Off-air and cable reception has been restored to full broadcast quality.

Bill Weber
WHYY

Its amazing...with all of the time and detail put into Citizen Bank Park, including the top-notch HD production facility, and all of the plasmas in the place are showing SD-stretched...nice!

Originally posted by Bill Weber
FYI

WHYY-DT Transmission Update:

The realigned and upgraded WHYY-DT exciter is on the air with excellent performance. Off-air and cable reception has been restored to full broadcast quality.

Bill Weber
WHYY

Bill;

Thanks for your quick feedback and response. We ALL notice when the problems occur, even if we don't necessarily post. We also note when they're fixed, even if we don't always say thanks. Good to see you active here.

Thanks again.

Even though we do not always actively participate in the discussions, this forum and it's membership have been and continue to be, an excellent resource to evaluate the services that we distribute. Several staff members monitor the discussions on a regular basis.

Thank you for your patience and support. It's clear that DTV is entering a new phase of expanded services across the board.


- Bill

Another thank-you for you, Bill, for keeping us informed.

I got my new HD-TiVo on Tuesday and was trying to watch WHYY-DT but it was breaking up far too much. I hadn't noticed any problems with my E86, and was getting very concerned that my new toy was not such a great investment, since PBS-HD is the HD channel my wife and I find ourselves watching more than any other.

Happy to report that I watched for two hours straight Wednesday evening without a single noticeable glitch.

WHYY looked great last night.

Thanks Bill! (and all at WHYY)

Thanks for the compliment and positive reception report.

Your comments about the value of the PBS-HD channel are much appreciated. I have taken the liberty to pass your posting on to the other members of our executive staff to strengthen the justification to continue investment in the DTV programming and construction initiatives.

I am pleased to report that over the next year you will see increasing activity in this area. Development plans are continuing to add more programming and local HD production capability. What a treat that will be to enjoy the content richness and beauty of our region in high definition.

If you haven't noticed yet, the 12.1 SD programming during the day and early evening is completely different than that broadcast on TV12 analog.

Full schedule info: http://www.whyy.org/tv12/tvsched.html

Members of this forum can help move these internal development efforts along by sending your supporting comments to our primary viewer response email address - talkback@whyy.org and of course, becoming a contributing WHYY member at any level is very important - Join the cause!

https://www.whyy.org/pledge/index.html

Thanks in advance to those who already have or will support these important WHYY goals.

Have a great high definition holiday weekend.


Bill Weber
WHYY

Did any one using comcast for HD experience any issues with Fox 29 "HD"last night. I am using the Qam tuner in the TV and while I was watching the simpsons the channel disappeared completely. Had the TV scan for the new channels and it found nothing. This morning it still isn't back. I am hoping I do not have to call Comcast as they always blame my TV for the issues I have, although they magically always seem to fix themselves.

Anyone experiencing a not authorized signal from Comcast ESPNHD Channel 173 in the Philadelphia market?

thanks

Okay -- I'm tired of problems with over the air HDTV in Philadelphia. I guess living in a valley makes it too difficult (even though I'm only 5 miles from the antenna farm).

So I'm thinking of going over to the dark side and getting Comcast HDTV -- right now I just have basic comcast (not even digital cable) -- so I don't even have a cable box right now.

I have technical questions about the set-up, as I don't trust the Comcast technicians.

1. What model cable box for High Definition is Comcast now using (I live in Lafayette Hill, PA -- near Norristown, if that makes a difference).

2. How does the cable box hook into your TV for both regular cable and high definition? For instance, is their BOTH a component cable out AND a regular cable out that go from the box to your TV?

3. Do you have to switch the input on your TV to the high definition input when watching comcast high definition channels -- or is everything done on one input? Right now, I have to have my TV on the "ant-a / cable" input for regular cable and switch it to the "digital TV" input when using my hdtv set-top box. Do you have to do something similar with comcast?

4. What about sound. Does the HDTV comcast cable box use an optical out for sound or a coaxial cable for digital sound (or possibly both)? Does the digital out work for both analog (not High Definition comcast channels) and the high definition channels? Or do I need to hook up both an analog/rca cable for sound for the regular cable channels and the optica/digital coaxial for HDTV channels?

Does Comcast pass dolby digital 5.1 on HDTV stations that pass it over the air -- like ABC?

5. Can the TV be plugged into the cable box, so that both are powered on simultaneously?

6. What is the current cost per month of Comcast HDTV -- and can you get it without digital cable service (I have read conflicting reports on that)?

7. Does Comcast currently carry ALL Philadelphia area HDTV stations -- including FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, WPHL and 57?

8. Is the picture carried via comcast for HDTV as good as the over the air pictures on the same Hdtv stations?

9. Any other technical concerns or issues I should know about?

10. Any links out there to manuals or service level menus for changing settings on the Comcast HDTV box?

Just thought that some people on this thread would be interested in my mini-quest for a DVR.

As everyone knows, Comcast CSR's aren't the most educated people about HDTV stuff. I called 3 weeks ago to put my name into the hat to be notified when I could get a DVR. 2 Weeks ago, Comcast called me and left a message saying that DVRs are available in my area, and I could call to schedule an installation. Just to let everyone know, I live in Maple Shade, NJ which just outside of Philly.

OK, I called to schedule an installation. The CSR who I talked to told me that, no, DVR's still aren't available. I told her about the message they left 15 minutes earlier with contrary information. She said she had to check into it and call me back.

3 hours later, she called me back to say that non-HD Dvr's were available. I asked her what the model # of said DVR would be, of course she didn't know. I told her to check with a supervisor, and if it was a DCT-6208, I would take it.

She came back to say that it indeed was a DCT-6208. I then explained to her that that was an HD-DVR, 1 tuner, 80 gig blah blah blah. She said "Wow, you sure know more about this stuff than me!"

Yeah.

So I schedule an install for Saturday between 12-2. 11:00 rolls around, and someone from Comcast calls to say that they don't have any of the boxes I want, can we reschedule for next week? OK, I rescheduled for the next week.

Saturday July 3rd at 1 pm. A technician arrives at my house and tells me, we don't have the box you want. As a matter of fact, you can't even get that box in this area!

Hmmm, I called 800-comcast and demanded to speak with a supervisor. They had someone call me back in about 2 hours. She tells me that yes, I can indeed have a DVR, as a matter of fact, they're in stock at the Willingboro Office. I told her that I would be willing to drive down there to pick one up, but I want some kind of confirmation before I go. I can just see myself at the Willingboro office saying "But, the lady said I can have a DVR!"

She tells me that it shouldn't be a problem, let me just call Willingboro to double check and she will call me back in 5 minutes.

30 minutes later, she calls me back and says that despite what she and 2 other Comcast CSR's have told me, it turns out that DVR service is NOT available in me area. She will double check this the Director of Promotions (!) on Tuesday. I, of course, asked for and received a credit for this runaround.


Now, to sum all of this up:

DVRs of the HD and NON-HD variety are available and not available in my town, depending on whom at Comcast you ask, when you ask them, and how many times during one phone call you ask them.

Originally posted by 3nsdan
Now, to sum all of this up:

DVRs of the HD and NON-HD variety are available and not available in my town, depending on whom at Comcast you ask, when you ask them, and how many times during one phone call you ask them.
And THIS is why Satellite is succeeding!!!!!

Actually, this is part of the reason I still only get my HD via OTA... HD over cable/satellite is becoming more and more compelling as more channels are added, but this is exactly the BS I prefer to avoid.

- Mike

Caesar1, I was born and raised in Lafayette Hill. My parents still reside there. COmcast will prvide you with a 6200 unless you ask for a 6208. Push for the 6208 as they do have then albeit in a limited amount. As a digital classic subscriber you will get 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, and 39. 57 should be available in the fall. You will also get CSN, ESPN, INHD 1&2 with Discovery coming on line on 7/15. The boc has an opital as well as a toslink digital output as well as standdard stereo analog audio outputs. The HD as well as the SD signals will be sent out via the component output as well as the DVI if you have that type of display. Hope this helps.

Originally posted by caesar1
Okay -- I'm tired of problems with over the air HDTV in Philadelphia. I guess living in a valley makes it too difficult (even though I'm only 5 miles from the antenna farm).

So I'm thinking of going over to the dark side and getting Comcast HDTV -- right now I just have basic comcast (not even digital cable) -- so I don't even have a cable box right now.

I have technical questions about the set-up, as I don't trust the Comcast technicians.

1. What model cable box for High Definition is Comcast now using (I live in Lafayette Hill, PA -- near Norristown, if that makes a difference).

2. How does the cable box hook into your TV for both regular cable and high definition? For instance, is their BOTH a component cable out AND a regular cable out that go from the box to your TV?

3. Do you have to switch the input on your TV to the high definition input when watching comcast high definition channels -- or is everything done on one input? Right now, I have to have my TV on the "ant-a / cable" input for regular cable and switch it to the "digital TV" input when using my hdtv set-top box. Do you have to do something similar with comcast?

4. What about sound. Does the HDTV comcast cable box use an optical out for sound or a coaxial cable for digital sound (or possibly both)? Does the digital out work for both analog (not High Definition comcast channels) and the high definition channels? Or do I need to hook up both an analog/rca cable for sound for the regular cable channels and the optica/digital coaxial for HDTV channels?

Does Comcast pass dolby digital 5.1 on HDTV stations that pass it over the air -- like ABC?

5. Can the TV be plugged into the cable box, so that both are powered on simultaneously?

6. What is the current cost per month of Comcast HDTV -- and can you get it without digital cable service (I have read conflicting reports on that)?

7. Does Comcast currently carry ALL Philadelphia area HDTV stations -- including FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, WPHL and 57?

8. Is the picture carried via comcast for HDTV as good as the over the air pictures on the same Hdtv stations?

9. Any other technical concerns or issues I should know about?

10. Any links out there to manuals or service level menus for changing settings on the Comcast HDTV box?

Look below....

Originally posted by caesar1
Okay -- I'm tired of problems with over the air HDTV in Philadelphia. I guess living in a valley makes it too difficult (even though I'm only 5 miles from the antenna farm).

You should be able to use a hanger and get good reception! Most likely if there is an OTA problem, the same issue will be on cable.


I have technical questions about the set-up, as I don't trust the Comcast technicians.

1. What model cable box for High Definition is Comcast now using (I live in Lafayette Hill, PA -- near Norristown, if that makes a difference).

Most likely it will be a Moto 6200

2. How does the cable box hook into your TV for both regular cable and high definition? For instance, is their BOTH a component cable out AND a regular cable out that go from the box to your TV?

You have the option of using composite, S-video, component or DVI.

3. Do you have to switch the input on your TV to the high definition input when watching comcast high definition channels -- or is everything done on one input? Right now, I have to have my TV on the "ant-a / cable" input for regular cable and switch it to the "digital TV" input when using my hdtv set-top box. Do you have to do something similar with comcast?

No, you can do all from 1 input if you want, though you can switch from DVI to component if you want to stretch the 4:3 content.

4. What about sound. Does the HDTV comcast cable box use an optical out for sound or a coaxial cable for digital sound (or possibly both)? Does the digital out work for both analog (not High Definition comcast channels) and the high definition channels? Or do I need to hook up both an analog/rca cable for sound for the regular cable channels and the optical/digital coaxial for HDTV channels?

The box has both optical and coax that you would run to your AV receiver. It will also have analog that you can run right to the TV if you don't want your stereo on all the time. You will have audio from all sources all the time no matter what channel you are watching. You will only get Dolby Digital from the optical/coax, but you still get normal stereo from the analog connection on the HD channels.

Does Comcast pass Dolby digital 5.1 on HDTV stations that pass it over the air -- like ABC?

Yes!

5. Can the TV be plugged into the cable box, so that both are powered on simultaneously?

Only if the TV doesn't draw more power than the box can handle. I would not plug your TV into the Cable box. A way around this is to program the comcast remote to your brand of TV and use the "Power all" button that will turn on and off the TV and cable box with one button.

6. What is the current cost per month of Comcast HDTV -- and can you get it without digital cable service (I have read conflicting reports on that)?

Yes you can get the local HD channels without getting the digital package. You wont get ESPN HD, Comcast Sports Channel HD or INHD 1&2. Prices will vary, check online !

7. Does Comcast currently carry ALL Philadelphia area HDTV stations -- including FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, WPHL and 57?

So far all of them but 57. Enterprise is the only HD show on UPN as far as I know. They may pick it up come basketball season.

8. Is the picture carried via comcast for HDTV as good as the over the air pictures on the same Hdtv stations?

Most of the time, yes. The HD version of the local is usually better.

10. Any links out there to manuals or service level menus for changing settings on the Comcast HDTV box?

Go to the links at the bottom of miatasm post and read it all.

Any one notice CBS inserting gray bars tonight on the 4:3 content?

Bill,

Thanks for taking my complaint in the spirit it was intended. Oddly, the transmission problems with WHYY bothered me more than it would if it was any other station... I always expect better from you... because I find WHYY is THE quality broadcaster in our region.

You are also correct about supporting the cause... I've been lax in that regard. Consider me back on board.

Best,
Dave

caeser1,

Be prepared to be very satisfied with your Comcast HD.

My install went well... just have your TV positioned for easy access. My installer knew exactly what he was doing, and installed everything properly, first time, no sweat.

It's much EASIER to use the setup now. As noted in the previous post, you just hit "all on" on the remote and the TV and box come on... no need to change inputs... everything (SD and HD) go through the same input on your TV. I originally had my HT surround system set to come on also, but I found my family didn't really want this, so I turned that off. I now use the surround system when I feel like it. My family can easily use the TV for casual viewing. (analog stereo to TV, digital optical to HT audio) Everybody's happy!

I tested OTA vs Cable for a while. Picture quality was ALWAYS equal (I had excellent OTA reception). More HD content on cable. I sold my OTA equipment.

I have the HBO + digital package (digital silver?) and really like it.

"miatasm" is the man if you have any issues with your Motorola box... don't worry about that.

Originally posted by Barrybud
Any one notice CBS inserting gray bars tonight on the 4:3 content?

I'm glad it's not just me! I thought my GWIII was freaking out. I wonder if it's an attempt to mitigate problems people have with burn in? (gray bars don't burn in)

Originally posted by caesar1
So I'm thinking of going over to the dark side and getting Comcast HDTV Pretty cool, you typed an oxymoron.

Originally posted by jandron
I wonder if it's an attempt to mitigate problems people have with burn in? (gray bars don't burn in)

Most likely - I noticed CBS out of New York does the same thing.

CHeck your PM!!

Originally posted by caesar1
Okay -- I'm tired of problems with over the air HDTV in Philadelphia. I guess living in a valley makes it too difficult (even though I'm only 5 miles from the antenna farm).

So I'm thinking of going over to the dark side and getting Comcast HDTV -- right now I just have basic comcast (not even digital cable) -- so I don't even have a cable box right now.

I have technical questions about the set-up, as I don't trust the Comcast technicians.

1. What model cable box for High Definition is Comcast now using (I live in Lafayette Hill, PA -- near Norristown, if that makes a difference).

2. How does the cable box hook into your TV for both regular cable and high definition? For instance, is their BOTH a component cable out AND a regular cable out that go from the box to your TV?

3. Do you have to switch the input on your TV to the high definition input when watching comcast high definition channels -- or is everything done on one input? Right now, I have to have my TV on the "ant-a / cable" input for regular cable and switch it to the "digital TV" input when using my hdtv set-top box. Do you have to do something similar with comcast?

4. What about sound. Does the HDTV comcast cable box use an optical out for sound or a coaxial cable for digital sound (or possibly both)? Does the digital out work for both analog (not High Definition comcast channels) and the high definition channels? Or do I need to hook up both an analog/rca cable for sound for the regular cable channels and the optica/digital coaxial for HDTV channels?

Does Comcast pass dolby digital 5.1 on HDTV stations that pass it over the air -- like ABC?

5. Can the TV be plugged into the cable box, so that both are powered on simultaneously?

6. What is the current cost per month of Comcast HDTV -- and can you get it without digital cable service (I have read conflicting reports on that)?

7. Does Comcast currently carry ALL Philadelphia area HDTV stations -- including FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, WPHL and 57?

8. Is the picture carried via comcast for HDTV as good as the over the air pictures on the same Hdtv stations?

9. Any other technical concerns or issues I should know about?

10. Any links out there to manuals or service level menus for changing settings on the Comcast HDTV box?

Originally posted by JWhip
Caesar1, I was born and raised in Lafayette Hill. My parents still reside there. COmcast will prvide you with a 6200 unless you ask for a 6208. Push for the 6208 as they do have then albeit in a limited amount. As a digital classic subscriber you will get 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, and 39. 57 should be available in the fall. You will also get CSN, ESPN, INHD 1&2 with Discovery coming on line on 7/15. The boc has an opital as well as a toslink digital output as well as standdard stereo analog audio outputs. The HD as well as the SD signals will be sent out via the component output as well as the DVI if you have that type of display. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the answers (go Colonials)!

Any reason to push for the 6208, aside from the DVR capability? Does it do SD better over component than the 6200 -- or is the picture (whether HD or analog) generally better with the 6208 than with the 6200?

Originally posted by Barrybud

You should be able to use a hanger and get good reception! Most likely if there is an OTA problem, the same issue will be on cable.


The problem is I was getting multipath issues on CBS-DT. I moved my antenna around (I was on the roof with a cell phone to my house phone -- and a spotter on the TV last weekend, which helped with CBS-DT, but then NBC-DT wasn't working too well).

The problem is that I live in a valley (even though only 5 miles to the antenna farm). I have no direct line of sight to the antenna farm, plus there are trees in the way. So I would be surprised to have similar issues with Comcast HD.

Also, while I got every broadcast digital channel fine (except for CBS) over the air (or NBC, depending on how I adjusted the antenna), it seems like Cable/Comcast now has the critical mass of HD channels that are NOT broadcast, making it worthwhile to move (ESPN-HD; Comcast SportsNEt HD; Discovery HD on July 15th, etc.)

Originally posted by DaveInBerlinNJ
caeser1,

Be prepared to be very satisfied with your Comcast HD.

My install went well... just have your TV positioned for easy access. My installer knew exactly what he was doing, and installed everything properly, first time, no sweat.

It's much EASIER to use the setup now. As noted in the previous post, you just hit "all on" on the remote and the TV and box come on... no need to change inputs... everything (SD and HD) go through the same input on your TV. I originally had my HT surround system set to come on also, but I found my family didn't really want this, so I turned that off. I now use the surround system when I feel like it. My family can easily use the TV for casual viewing. (analog stereo to TV, digital optical to HT audio) Everybody's happy!

I tested OTA vs Cable for a while. Picture quality was ALWAYS equal (I had excellent OTA reception). More HD content on cable. I sold my OTA equipment.

I have the HBO + digital package (digital silver?) and really like it.

"miatasm" is the man if you have any issues with your Motorola box... don't worry about that.

Thanks -- I'm actually picking up the box myself this afternoon at my local Comcast office and doing my own "install". I am very technical and shouldn't have any issues with the connections -- not much different than the current connections I have via my OTA HDTV box.

This way I don't have to wait on a time window for a technican to show up.

there are supposed to be no self-installs... I tried, failed to get them to drop off and ws charges the $18 install each time for my first 3 boxes.

good luck!

Originally posted by petersbar
there are supposed to be no self-installs... I tried, failed to get them to drop off and ws charges the $18 install each time for my first 3 boxes.

good luck!

They told me that too -- ORIGINALLY -- when I called the main 800 number. When they wouldn't budge on the issue, I then asked her for the number of my local Comcast office.

When I got through to the local office, I explained that by not sending an installer out, they would be saving everyone time and money. The person who answered the phone at the local office then asked her supervisor -- who said fine, come pick it up.

So I picked up the 6200 today (was used though -- not brand new -- I could tell due to dings, scratches, etc.) and set it up. Everything appears to be working fine. I even programmed all the 6200 remote buttons to my Onkyo receiver's remote (one remote to rule them all!). I think comcast HD might look better than over the air HD. SD definitely has somewhat of a drop in quality via the component cables -- but not enough to make me want to not use the convenience of one TV input for SD and HDTV.

So apparently the corporate policy is no self-installs on HDTV boxes -- but if you get the right person/supervisor at the local office, there is a work-around.

By the way, is there anyway to get the 6200 box to NOT default to channel 8 when it turns on -- but just turn on at whatever channel was last used?

Originally posted by caesar1
They told me that too -- ORIGINALLY -- when I called the main 800 number. When they wouldn't budge on the issue, I then asked her for the number of my local Comcast office. I also found this to be the case, but I think the local offices haven't caught on yet being HD still a new subject.

Originally posted by caesar1
By the way, is there anyway to get the 6200 box to NOT default to channel 8 when it turns on -- but just turn on at whatever channel was last used? i've searched the menus for this but to no avail.
Maybe somebody els know a way.?
I'd love to open up with CSNHD, and channel up from there.!

NO. The box is programmed by Comcast to turn on with CN8.

Originally posted by JWhip
NO. The box is programmed by Comcast to turn on with CN8.

That is really not nice. It is too much like big brother.

Originally posted by Plasma George
i've searched the menus for this but to no avail.
Maybe somebody els know a way.?
I'd love to open up with CSNHD, and channel up from there.!

George,

What I did was to program the HD channels ONLY onto the favorites on the COMCAST remote. That way, it comes on to CN8 - and I hit the favorites to cycle through the HD channels.

ENJOY!

D!

Can anyone tell me if I can actually get a DVR from Comcast in the Philadelphia area? (montgomery County)

I'm already a Digital and HDTV subscriber.

I've gotten different answers from everyone i talk to.
Thanks for any info!

Originally posted by jeepmatt
Can anyone tell me if I can actually get a DVR from Comcast in the Philadelphia area? (montgomery County)

I'm already a Digital and HDTV subscriber.

I've gotten different answers from everyone i talk to.
Thanks for any info!

I have had quite a time with this myself. I posted a rather lengthy version of my experience on this thread a few days ago...

To update that, and to answer you question your in part, as instructed by a Comcast Supervisor I ended up going down to the largest payment center around here (I'm in Maple Shade, NJ - Just outside of Philly) and exchanging my moto 5100 for a 6208. This actually got a little complicated as the gentleman at the desk claimed not to have any DVR's. I just smiled and told him that of course he did. He insisted that they did not. I persisted that he, in fact, did. He became visibly angry with me and suggested that I call 1-800-COMCAST. I pointed my finger at the large stack of cable boxes on the shelf behind him and asked him to bring one over to me. I told him to flip it over, and if it said DCT-6208 on it, I would take it.

It of course did.

I then asked him to show me the front of it. I pointed to the words "DVR - HD Capable" and explained to him that this was an HD-Capable DVR.

He didn't apologize, or admit his error. He just said, "You know, you can only record what your currently watching on this".

I guess he got that last laugh though, because I didn't realize that he didn't give me a power cable! I luckly had a power cable from from a dead DVD player that fit so I was able to power it up last night.

HOWEVER........

As of this morning, the guide has not populated with program information. The clock says 12:00. Can't get HBOHD (I'm a subsciber), NBCHD or CSNHD. CBSHD is mapped to channel 172. I get EVERY SD and HD premium channel (except HBOHD as previously mentioned), although I'm only sub'd to HBO and SHO. Also, I have NO DVR functionality, no 'On Demand', and no access to PPV.

I'm going to call them again tonight (sigh) and see if I can get them to reset the box. I don't have any idea if that will actually do anything or not, but It seems appropriate.


Wish me luck!
3nsDan

Originally posted by jeepmatt
Can anyone tell me if I can actually get a DVR from Comcast in the Philadelphia area? (montgomery County)

I'm already a Digital and HDTV subscriber.

I've gotten different answers from everyone i talk to.
Thanks for any info!

check your PM!

3nsdan, your experience is very similar to mine. The counter CSRs are trained to deny that they have any 6208s. In my case I had to convince her to actually call the warehouse in the back room. And then she didn't want to give me the DVR remote that was in plain sight, claiming she did not have any. When I got the 6208 plugged in a call to the telephone CSRs got it "activated" in just about 45 seconds. If you have not called for activation, you should do so.

Originally posted by CKarras
3nsdan, your experience is very similar to mine. The counter CSRs are trained to deny that they have any 6208s. In my case I had to convince her to actually call the warehouse in the back room. And then she didn't want to give me the DVR remote that was in plain sight, claiming she did not have any. When I got the 6208 plugged in a call to the telephone CSRs got it "activated" in just about 45 seconds. If you have not called for activation, you should do so.


Thanks Chris, I will call them when I get home from work. I would feel better about calling Comcast if I thought that there was any probablity that I could talk to someone who had even the most remote idea of how to help me. (Present company excluded of course if there are any CSRs on this this thread!)

-3nsDan

My 16-year-old daughter made the call. She just told the CSR that we had a new box that needed to be activated, and it was while she was on the phone. We got all the right channels immediately and the guide downloaded over a few hours (we didn't really check how long it took in total).

This is an update to my previous posts about obtaining the 6208 from Comcast here in Maple Shade, NJ. I don't know how to make the direct links, so if you want to see what happened up to this point, check out posts 2393 and 2416 on this thread.


Following CKarras' advice, I called to activate my new DVR box last night. The CSR was really nice, told me no problem, I'll send a signal to your box.

15 seconds later he says that he can't seem to get thru to my box, and please hang on.

After 5 minutes of hanging on, he came back and told me that a technician would be turning my box on , and I could expect it to be up in about 15 minutes. I got his extension in case I had a problem.

After dinner, I went back to the TV (about 1/2 hour had passed since I last spoke to comcast) and sure enough, the box was still not activated. I called back and asked to be connected to the CSR I had been talking to. I was told that he was on another line, and he would call me back in 15 minutes.

1/2 hour later Comcast called back to tell me that the Technician couldn't communicate w/ the box either, and that I should check the connection.
I verified that cable line was indeed plugged into the box, as I WAS getting picture and sound (but a whole bunch of problems, see post 2416).

He told me that the box must be bad, and they could send someone out to replace it. Well, I wasn't falling for that one again (see post 2393) and suggested that I just exchange it myself at the payment center in Willingboro. He then offered me a credit for my trouble.

That would be the 3rd credit for my trouble in the last 2 weeks. At this rate, Comcast is going to OWE ME money for watching TV!

I will be going to exchange my box tomorrow, and I will post here to let everyone know how it went.

-3nsDan

Originally posted by Carmac
I too have this issue (also a TS160). I have tried the same, power down/up, rescan, etc. with no luck. Hard to watch the Phillies with no sound (or not :D ).

Any idea why the sound suddenly went bye-bye?

Please post if someone has found a solution.



I also have the sammy, 360 to be exect, and have the same problem. Are there any work arounds or fixes to this issue. Watching Enterprise with Close-captions, is not as fun..

Originally posted by 3nsdan
This is an update to my previous posts about obtaining the 6208 from Comcast here in Maple Shade, NJ. I don't know how to make the direct links, so if you want to see what happened up to this point, check out posts 2393 and 2416 on this thread.

Following CKarras' advice, I called to activate my new DVR box last night. The CSR was really nice, told me no problem, I'll send a signal to your box.

15 seconds later he says that he can't seem to get thru to my box, and please hang on.

After 5 minutes of hanging on, he came back and told me that a technician would be turning my box on , and I could expect it to be up in about 15 minutes. I got his extension in case I had a problem.
[stuff deleted]

I had a similar problem with installation. It turned out the CSR was using the wrong box number. If the problem persists, give them the box number from the bottom of the decoder and see if it matches the number they are using.

Originally posted by jeepmatt
Can anyone tell me if I can actually get a DVR from Comcast in the Philadelphia area? (montgomery County)

I'm already a Digital and HDTV subscriber.

I've gotten different answers from everyone i talk to.
Thanks for any info!

Yes. I live in Ardmore PA -- Montgomery County and I have a 6208.

Andy

how about a role call with who in the philly area has a 6208.

i live in aston delaware county. still no box in my area according to the web site.

Hey guys-
Thanks to you here on the board I"ll have one as of the 20th. Heading on vacation today for a week - or I would've had it sooner.

Dresher - on the Montgomery County system.

Just hoping now they'll let me replace my old DCT-2000 box with this - and keep my 5100 HD box on my HDTV!

Got a 6208 in Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill). (One of three at the Northeast Ave. warehouse the day I picked it up.)

In Wayne and have a 6208.

King of Prussia - no sign of the 6208.

Originally posted by Omen
King of Prussia - no sign of the 6208.

Since it looks like I can't PM you - send your contact info to me at davidlandsman@comcast.net, and I'll contact you after 2:00 this afternoon.

THANKS!

David

In Reading, PA (Berks County) with a 6208. The CSR didn't know it was available, got it on the delivery after discussions with the installer and he drove back to the warehouse to get one as long as I promised to let him stay and play :)

I have read that people who had the 6200 and now have the 6208 feel that both the SD and HD are worse as far as PQ goes. Do you agree?

I do not Barrybud. While the 6208 has some bugs, the PQ of the SD and HD signals is the same on both and I have both a 6200 and a 6208 now.

Originally posted by adamf
In Reading, PA (Berks County) with a 6208. The CSR didn't know it was available, got it on the delivery after discussions with the installer and he drove back to the warehouse to get one as long as I promised to let him stay and play :)

Adamf

what part of the reading area are you in? I fall more toward the Hamburg comcast area and no matter who I talk to or ask they completely deny the existence of the 6208

Warminster (Bucks County) I have had my 6208 since May 1st.

New Castle, DE - I had to keep calling once a week and finally got one in early May.

Greetings:

After resetting my TV to factory defaults on Saturday 7/10 I began picking up 12.1 + 12.2 using the TV's built in tuner. Up until approx 4 days before then I had never been able to pick up those 2 channels. All other OTA Philadelphia digital channels I have been able to pickup with no problems, however channel 6.1 was tough to get, seems to come in on just one position only, if I rotate the antenna to left or right of that position I loose it. I'm using a Winegard 7082P attic mounted antenna and my location is near US 202 + Boot road in West Chester. Anyone notice a recent improvement in Whyy reception in my area. There is a storm system moving thru at the moment but I had great reception all weekend and early today. Regards.

For me, it apprears that the signal strength for WHYY has improved since the last time I checked. So... perhaps they've resolved whatever was going on previously.

So who decided to add the gray bars to the KYW-DT 4:3 content?
They're incredibly annoying, and I suspect they also compromise the
picture's color. Is this being done to all SD content? (I'll admit I'm not
watching much in the summer.)

I hope they stop this bad idea. I like watching the digital channel for SD content for the improved clarity of the picture, but I'll have to go back to the analog channel if this continues

Jim Chase -- are you there? You've always come through for us before.

Dennis
(watching on DLP, so don't need to worry about burn-in)

Originally posted by DTGallagher
So who decided to add the gray bars to the KYW-DT 4:3 content?
They're incredibly annoying, and I suspect they also compromise the
picture's color. Is this being done to all SD content? (I'll admit I'm not
watching much in the summer.)

I hope they stop this bad idea. I like watching the digital channel for SD content for the improved clarity of the picture, but I'll have to go back to the analog channel if this continues

Jim Chase -- are you there? You've always come through for us before.

Dennis
(watching on DLP, so don't need to worry about burn-in)

Supposedly, gray bars help to avoid burn-in issues -- or burn-in occurs slower than with black bars. So some consider the gray bars to be an improvement.

I only watch digital channels if the content is in High Definition -- so it really is irrelevant in my view. Either way, I don't see how it effects the picture, unless you just find them more distracting?

Originally posted by mrsixpack
Greetings:

After resetting my TV to factory defaults on Saturday 7/10 I began picking up 12.1 + 12.2 using the TV's built in tuner. Up until approx 4 days before then I had never been able to pick up those 2 channels. All other OTA Philadelphia digital channels I have been able to pickup with no problems, however channel 6.1 was tough to get, seems to come in on just one position only, if I rotate the antenna to left or right of that position I loose it. I'm using a Winegard 7082P attic mounted antenna and my location is near US 202 + Boot road in West Chester. Anyone notice a recent improvement in Whyy reception in my area. There is a storm system moving thru at the moment but I had great reception all weekend and early today. Regards.

WHYY-DT fixed a problem they were having in their exciter. Their signal is once again solid. However, I too have noticed WPVI-DT signal not locking in too well. Lots of dropouts from time to time.

I have a Channel Master 4228 in the attic and I'm about 8 miles from the towers. I'm sure there's some multi-path issues however all signals but WPVI-DT are solid. It may be a similar issue with their signal quality.

After two years of over the air HDTV, I gave up on over the air last week for similar multi-path issues (5 miles from the towers -- but in a valley).

I'm much happier with Comcast hdtv now. I get more HD channels (watched Pretenders concert on InHD last night) and the channel changing between HD channels (and SD channels) is MUCH faster. Moreover, everything works off one input (component/DTV) on the TV -- so no more slow switching between regular cable TV input and HDTV input for over the air.

I see no difference in quality on HDTV channels via Comcast as compared to over the air.

Yes, my bill is $15.00/month higher, but I think it is worth it (I used to have only standard/basic cable, now I pay for digital classic + the HDTV box).

With Discovery HD coming on Thursday to Comcast, I think a critical mass has been reached where over the air HD has now been left behind. You miss out on ESPN HD, INHD, INHD2, CSNHD and now Discovery HD, if you go with over the air.

OK Caesar, you convinced me. For some reason I really resent that 15 bucks. CSNHD is the killer for me. I hope there is a hockey season this year. I got a bill for tickets but somehow I don't think that's a good barometer.

Originally posted by frankd
OK Caesar, you convinced me. For some reason I really resent that 15 bucks. CSNHD is the killer for me. I hope there is a hockey season this year. I got a bill for tickets but somehow I don't think that's a good barometer.

The $15.00, in addition to all the HDTV channels (other than premium HD, like HBO), also gets you "in demand", which I already checked out a couple of times. There is plenty of free content -- (you can see it when you want and pause and stop it and fast forward, etc.).

You also get all of the music channels.

I think the digital "classic" tier, is sort of a rip-off when it comes to the non-premium "digital channels" -- channels 100 to 200. Because in reality, you get very little of those channels on the "classic" tier. You really have to pay for "digital plus", to get the majority of the non-premium channels from 100 -- 200. But that would be another $5.00/ month and I'm not doing that.

There really should be NO tiering of digital classic and digital plus -- they should give everyone the 100-200 (non-premium digital channels for the one digital classic price). I mean, is there that much of a difference between "discovery kids" and "discovery wings". Discovery Kids comes with digital classic, but NOT discovery wings. There are countless such examples of those channels.

But in all, for ALL of the HD content, in demand, etc. , I think the $15.00 is worth it. I particularly like the convenience of easily going from HD content to SD content (just changing the channel, no changing TV inputs).

One warning though, some of the SD channels look a little worse going through the box, then when just plugging the cable into the back of the TV. Since I don't care about quality as much on the non-hdtv channels, I'm not that concerned about that. However, some people actually split the cable so they can also plug directly into the TV, but then this takes away the convenience factor of using only one input for SD and HDTV channels.

frankd, I gave up my share of Flyers and Phils tickets to justify the $3000 investment into a bigscreen HD w/Comcast. I still manage to get to enough baseball and hockey games to fill the void, but watching most of the games in HD has been very enjoyable and not a bad trade-off. With the price of Flyers season tickets you could buy a 60-inch plasma and Comcast Platinum w/HD/DVR and still be way ahead...short of a formal announcement of cancellation of the upcoming season, you were going to see that bill.

What are we seeing on FOX for the All-Star Game. I am on Blue Ridge in Lancaster, but we get the FOX philly feed. It looks good, but not great. Its not 720p is it?

Not an important question really, but I saw something tonight that is either brand new -- or I never noticed it before.

On the High Definition channels, I noticed a little logo near the middle left side of the screen; it looks like:

ld

Maybe it is supposed to be "hd" -- but it looks like ld to me.

This disappears when the guide part of the screen disappears. But the ld is in the middle left portion of the screen, not where the tan guide bar is and only on High Definition channels. It was either red or purpleish red.

Anyone else see this?

It is very small, and I'm wondering whether I didn't see this for the last week (I've only had this service for a week), or if it just started happening?

Originally posted by caesar1
One warning though, some of the SD channels look a little worse going through the box, then when just plugging the cable into the back of the TV. Since I don't care about quality as much on the non-hdtv channels, I'm not that concerned about that. However, some people actually split the cable so they can also plug directly into the TV, but then this takes away the convenience factor of using only one input for SD and HDTV channels. Ahhh...Convenience vs. PQ, the old tug-o-war.
I believe the SD PQ degrades more from running through components/DVI than the STB.
I split it up, run 1 coax to a VCR (video 1) and 1 coax to HDSTB (component 1)..no tuner on the plasma.
The picture is MUCH sharper with better details, colors, etc.
An easy test is tuning both VCR and STB to Weatherscan (101), comparing the still graghics on this channel is night and day.
Gotta have it for the Phillies UPN/FOX games.!

Originally posted by pelly
What are we seeing on FOX for the All-Star Game. I am on Blue Ridge in Lancaster, but we get the FOX philly feed. It looks good, but not great. Its not 720p is it? At times, it was much better than FOX's widescreen, but other times it seemed to be just like WS.
I think it was their first run of 720p, so the inconsistency was expected (whether it was Philly FOX?) ...just get it right for the September 12th.
The Sunday Ticket's gonna have 5-6 Fox games in 720p per week.!

Anyone else think the ABC HD looks bad tonite

Eh, for $20/month I'd much rather have a netflix subscripion than a few HD channels. But your cable bill is alot more than $20 right? I'm still lovin' free OTA and ZERO monthly fees.


Originally posted by frankd
OK Caesar, you convinced me. For some reason I really resent that 15 bucks. CSNHD is the killer for me. I hope there is a hockey season this year. I got a bill for tickets but somehow I don't think that's a good barometer.

Originally posted by TraderGordo
Eh, for $20/month I'd much rather have a netflix subscripion than a few HD channels. But your cable bill is alot more than $20 right? I'm still lovin' free OTA and ZERO monthly fees.

I have both! I rarely watch movies on TV -- whether HD or SD. Not enough time, can't control the start/stop time -- commercials, etc. Also, the $15.00 doesn't get you premium movie HD channels (like HBOHD).

So my movies come on DVD via netflix. The HD channels are mainly for NFL football for me, and special events. And nature documentaries and other such shows.

A pleasant surprise!! Discovery HD showed up yesterday on Comcast. Keep 'em coming!!

DTGallagher
Some moron in California is sueing Sony for not telling him the black bars would eventually degrade the performance of his 19x9 Sony TV. So, grey bars on all CBS and UPN O&O's.


Also, thought you might be interested. I received this from the new chief engineer at KYW.

"Comcast has notified us that they will be performing maintenance on parts of their system in Philadelphia. This will result in an interruption of HD service only to some areas of the city between 12 Midnight and approximately 1230 AM. Again, this will affect the HD signals only, the standard KYW and WPSG channels will not be affected."

CUL Jim

Here are details on the Sony lawsuit.
CUL Jim

Taken from Reuters:

LOS ANGELES, June 22 (Reuters) - A California man has sued Sony Corp. of America in a proposed class action, claiming the electronics maker failed to warn consumers that the center of the screens of its widescreen televisions darken if watched frequently in "normal" mode.

Sinclair Cohen of San Jose spent "thousands of dollars" repairing his widescreen TV after Sony refused to fix it under warranty when the center of the screen darkened, the lawsuit, filed on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, said.

A Sony spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

Broadcast, satellite and cable images are displayed in a 4-to-3 aspect ratio -- the proportion of TV screen width to height -- while a widescreen television boasts a 16-to-9 ratio to display movies on DVD and high definition television.

In the "normal" mode, the widescreen television displays the 4-to-3 screen image by drawing vertical grey bars on either side of the image to narrow the screen.

"If you watch a lot of normal TV, you'd watch it in this (normal) mode with these bars," Cohen's lawyer, Daniel Warshaw of Tarzana, California, said. "When you put it back to the widescreen image you see lines down the sides."

Warshaw said Cohen's TV set was "fairly new."

The suit said Sony should have warned Cohen and other customers that using the "normal" mode would ruin the picture.
His lawsuit accuses the New York-based subsidiary of Sony Corp. of false advertising, deceptive acts and unfair business practices, and asks a judge to certify a class of people who bought Sony widescreen TVs since 2000.

The lawsuit against Sony was filed the same day that a Florida man accused the U.S. electronics arm of Pioneer Corp. <6773.T> of selling defective high-definition televisions.
In that proposed class action, also filed in Los Angeles, the plaintiff said HD televisions built by Pioneer Electronics had an "over voltage condition" that caused permanent streaking lines across the screen.

Originally posted by Carl Jones
A pleasant surprise!! Discovery HD showed up yesterday on Comcast. Keep 'em coming!!

Despite a "message" on my cable box saying Discovery HD would be available now on channel 186 -- it is not there yet. I called. They said the signal won't get to every box until noon today.

I'm in the "norristown"/ Plymouth Comcast area.

Originally posted by Jim Chase
Here are details on the Sony lawsuit.
CUL Jim

Taken from Reuters:

LOS ANGELES, June 22 (Reuters) - A California man has sued Sony Corp. of America in a proposed class action, claiming the electronics maker failed to warn consumers that the center of the screens of its widescreen televisions darken if watched frequently in "normal" mode.

Sinclair Cohen of San Jose spent "thousands of dollars" repairing his widescreen TV after Sony refused to fix it under warranty when the center of the screen darkened, the lawsuit, filed on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, said.

A Sony spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

Broadcast, satellite and cable images are displayed in a 4-to-3 aspect ratio -- the proportion of TV screen width to height -- while a widescreen television boasts a 16-to-9 ratio to display movies on DVD and high definition television.

In the "normal" mode, the widescreen television displays the 4-to-3 screen image by drawing vertical grey bars on either side of the image to narrow the screen.

"If you watch a lot of normal TV, you'd watch it in this (normal) mode with these bars," Cohen's lawyer, Daniel Warshaw of Tarzana, California, said. "When you put it back to the widescreen image you see lines down the sides."

Warshaw said Cohen's TV set was "fairly new."

The suit said Sony should have warned Cohen and other customers that using the "normal" mode would ruin the picture.
His lawsuit accuses the New York-based subsidiary of Sony Corp. of false advertising, deceptive acts and unfair business practices, and asks a judge to certify a class of people who bought Sony widescreen TVs since 2000.

The lawsuit against Sony was filed the same day that a Florida man accused the U.S. electronics arm of Pioneer Corp. <6773.T> of selling defective high-definition televisions.
In that proposed class action, also filed in Los Angeles, the plaintiff said HD televisions built by Pioneer Electronics had an "over voltage condition" that caused permanent streaking lines across the screen.

Don't you just love lawyers? While I don't know about Sony, most manufacturers put warnings all over the manual about "burn-in" (I know my Mitsubishi manual says so).

I'm surprised though that CBS legal would think it worthy to change their policies (since this suit didn't name the broadcasters, but only Sony).

My guess is this guy just hopes to get a quick settlement, since Sony would have to spend a lot more on lawyers to defend this case, then simply replacing the guy's TV. Wonder how the lawyer will collect 30% of a TV though ; )

Originally posted by caesar1
Despite a "message" on my cable box saying Discovery HD would be available now on channel 186 -- it is not there yet. I called. They said the signal won't get to every box until noon today.

I'm in the "norristown"/ Plymouth Comcast area.


My message showed up this morning. I raced to channel 186 and there it was American Choppers looking better then ever in HD :)

It's about time Comcast!!!!!!


I am located in the Sellersville/Perkasie area, so you should have something by later today in Norrostown.

anyone posting here from dover de?

my mom just moved there and she gets both comcast sportsnet baltimore and phila.
both in HD if she chose to watch it.

TraderGordo,

Yes, my cable bill is significantly higher than 20 dollars a month. You can't get CSN OTA and mailing movies doesn't appeal to me. Your scheme really doesn't suit my viewing habits. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Frank

Anyone else notice that UPN 57 had no sound last night? I haven't checked again this morning, but I had a perfect OTA picture, but silence. I just set up my OTA antenna, and wanted to check out star trek in HD - pic looked GREAT, but silence.

Anyone else?

I am in the Farimount area of center city Philadelphia.

Lee

Originally posted by LeeG23
Anyone else notice that UPN 57 had no sound last night? I haven't checked again this morning, but I had a perfect OTA picture, but silence. I just set up my OTA antenna, and wanted to check out star trek in HD - pic looked GREAT, but silence.

Anyone else?

I am in the Farimount area of center city Philadelphia.

Lee

Just checked and its fine.

Originally posted by Jim Chase
DTGallagher
Some moron in California is sueing Sony for not telling him the black bars would eventually degrade the performance of his 19x9 Sony TV. So, grey bars on all CBS and UPN O&O's.



Jim:

Thanks for your reply. Looks I won't be watching the CBS digital channel
for 4X3 programming anymore. As I noted in my previous message, I find
the grey bars very annoying; they also seem to impact the quality of
the color within the 4X3 window, and they're impossible to get rid of on my
16X9 DLP TV.

Should we expect the other networks to follow suit? -- or hopefully this lawsuit will be declared to be without merit and dismissed quickly.

FWIW - I thought the 16X9 aspect ratio was designed as a compromise to
reasonably present all types of programming, with black bars as required
to present 4X3 and "scope" presentations.

Originally posted by LeeG23
Anyone else notice that UPN 57 had no sound last night? I haven't checked again this morning, but I had a perfect OTA picture, but silence. I just set up my OTA antenna, and wanted to check out star trek in HD - pic looked GREAT, but silence.

Anyone else?

I am in the Farimount area of center city Philadelphia.

Lee


What is the STB are you using? a Samsung with Directv? I have an issue with sound on 57-1, and a couple others have also. The only work around I have seen is to remove the local network setttings from the STB. When I do that I get sound on 57-1, when I add them back in, I lose sound only on 57-1..

--Brad

Anyone else getting a not authorized screen on Discovery HD on 186?

Originally posted by bgartz
What is the STB are you using? a Samsung with Directv? I have an issue with sound on 57-1, and a couple others have also. The only work around I have seen is to remove the local network setttings from the STB. When I do that I get sound on 57-1, when I add them back in, I lose sound only on 57-1..

--Brad

Exactly. Samsung 360 with Directv and OTA HD locals. Can you tell me more about removing local network settings? Does that mean to remove my zip code from the STB? If so, will I get channels from OTA to still show up in the guide? Will I lose logos?

Kind of annoying - is this possibly fixable via a software update, and should those of us with the problem be contacting samsung?

Thanks,

Lee

DiscoveryHD popped on around 12:15am here in South Jersey...PQ looks very good...can anyone confirm that a Moto DCT FW update was pushed out last night as well...all channels, SD included, look noticeably better tonight. Config showed 7.15 Firmware, but I haven't checked it recently until tonight...just wondering.

Chris.

LeeG23
I checked with the WPSG master control operator on duty night before last and he reported no audio problems. Both Enterprise episodes aired normally from network.
CUL Jim

Originally posted by LeeG23
Exactly. Samsung 360 with Directv and OTA HD locals. Can you tell me more about removing local network settings? Does that mean to remove my zip code from the STB? If so, will I get channels from OTA to still show up in the guide? Will I lose logos?

Kind of annoying - is this possibly fixable via a software update, and should those of us with the problem be contacting samsung?

Thanks,

Lee

Yes remove your zip code. You will still get the OTA channels, but you will not get guide data. I poked around the Houston thread and people with the Sammy had the same problem with ABC in Houston. Seems like a problem with the PSIP comming from 57-1.

Here is the reference to it..

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3421653&highlight=Houston+ABC#post3421653

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=369355

Thanks Jim and bgartz you guys are very helpful - I will check out the houston thread.

For now, I will forgo the HD on UPN, and use the digital channel from directv - I don't watch much on that network anyway. I will browse the other threads, but I would prefer to have guide data for all the others.

Hopefully this will be fixed soon...

Lee

Does anyone know why comcast does not allow user to pick up HD box and install it himself?

Originally posted by C.Y.
Does anyone know why comcast does not allow user to pick up HD box and install it himself?

They do if you are persistent. Call the LOCAL office.

I installed my own. 1-800 comcast said no. Called local office (got number from 1-800 comcast) and they relented.

Originally posted by caesar1
They do if you are persistent. Call the LOCAL office.

I installed my own. 1-800 comcast said no. Called local office (got number from 1-800 comcast) and they relented.
So you just sign up HD service from local office and pick up the box from them. How about activation?

I also call 800 number to ask for local office phone number, I was told the local office does not have a phone number for customer to call. Since local office is only 5 min away, I just stopped by and they do have HD box there (the old model 5100 though, but brand new) and they said the rental fee is $14.95. Comcast is a strange company, from 800 number, they told you you can't pick up the box and rental fee is $6.95. From my local office, you can pick up the box and rental fee is $14.95. Are they the same company or not?

Originally posted by C.Y.
So you just sign up HD service from local office and pick up the box from them. How about activation?

I also call 800 number to ask for local office phone number, I was told the local office does not have a phone number for customer to call. Since local office is only 5 min away, I just stopped by and they do have HD box there (the old model 5100 though, but brand new) and they said the rental fee is $14.95. Comcast is a strange company, from 800 number, they told you you can't pick up the box and rental fee is $6.95. From my local office, you can pick up the box and rental fee is $14.95. Are they the same company or not?

When I went to the local office to pick up the box, they gave me a number to call to activate (I think you can call the 1-800 number to do that anyway). The box was actually working without "activation" as soon as I plugged it in -- except they were sending me the wrong guide (channels were for a neighboring area on the guide itself, so I was looking at say channel 4, but the guide said I was on another channel). But I was getting everything. So I called and straightened that out. Activation is no big deal and can be done 24 hours a day.

As far as prices, the rental fee for the box ALONE is roughly $5.00 (maybe $6.95 in your area). The $14.95 sounds like what they charge (on top of standard/basic service) for the digital "classic" tier. There is also digital "plus" -- which is another $5.00 on top of that.

Note though, you do NOT need digital "classic" or any "digital" service to get the broadcast HDTV channels (despite major confusion on this issue). In other words, the standard/basic service, plus the HDTV box rental will get you your local BROADCAST HDTV channels. It will NOT get you the other CABLE only HDTV channels. So if Discovery HD doesn't interest you, or INHD, (or the non-HDTV channels that come with digital "classic"), then you could get away with just the box rental charge (roughly $5.00) on top of regular standard/basic cable.

Note also that if you get any premium channels (like HBO), the rental for the box is waived.

Apparently the corporate policy is no self-installs for HDTV -- since it is soooo much more difficult to plug in component cables (or they feel the average user won't know what to do). But the local offices realize it saves them hassles -- so they tend to go along with it if you insist.

I loved the HDTV self-install, it saved tons of time waiting for a technician to show during a "window".

Originally posted by caesar1
Note though, you do NOT need digital "classic" or any "digital" service to get the broadcast HDTV channels (despite major confusion on this issue). In other words, the standard/basic service, plus the HDTV box rental will get you your local BROADCAST HDTV channels. It will NOT get you the other CABLE only HDTV channels. So if Discovery HD doesn't interest you, or INHD, (or the non-HDTV channels that come with digital "classic"), then you could get away with just the box rental charge (roughly $5.00) on top of regular standard/basic cable.
When I called 800 number, I was told I can receive 12 HD channels with basic and standard service since CSN, ESPN, DISCOVERY, etc are all included in standard service, and HD box rental fee is $6.95. If you have digital classic or plus, then the discounted HD box rental fee is $5. If you have digital plus and a premium, HD box rental fee is waived. Are you sure with basic and standard service, I will only receive local HD channels? Did you get a 5100 or 6200 from local office? Thanks!

Originally posted by C.Y.
When I called 800 number, I was told I can receive 12 HD channels with basic and standard service since CSN, ESPN, DISCOVERY, etc are all included in standard service, and HD box rental fee is $6.95. If you have digital classic or plus, then the discounted HD box rental fee is $5. If you have digital plus and a premium, HD box rental fee is waived. Are you sure with basic and standard service, I will only receive local HD channels? Did you get a 5100 or 6200 from local office? Thanks!

As to exactly which HDTV channels you receive with only basic/standard service, I am not 100% sure. I believe you will receive some (or all) of those you listed, but possibly not INHD and INHD2 (I know you won't get 100% of the possible non-premium HDTV channels). No one could tell me for sure whcih ones though. You could always start with just that service and see what you get -- and call them the next day and move up if you want.

The pricing information you have is correct.

I received a 6200 from my local office. They tried to give me the 5100, but I had them scrounge up a 6200 (used -- not new, but it works fine). They are starting to give out 6208s in some areas (which have DVR capability -- i.e, Tivo), but I don't think you'll find many of those at the local offices.

Hey Guys,

Is ABC-OTA working? If so, is it HD?

THANKS!

David

6-1 is dead.

Signal is there (92) but no sound or picture

6-2 & 6-3 are fine

FWIW I don't think the golf is HD anyway - see this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=420126) - they don't do HD in England and I very much doubt that ABC sent an HD truck across the pond for this.

This a little off-topic, but any of you know when the channel lineup changes are hitting Philly?? (new sports tier, realignment, etc..)

I hear Wilmington, DE is getting it on 8/5.

(This is the change we were supposed to get back in April!)

Thanks!

PS - Discovery HD is sweet - checked it out for the 1st time today. Only things Comcast is missing would be to get HDNet and HDMovies, but I doubt we'll see them having INHD.

. . . quite a bit since I FINALLY got the 6208. These are the only channels doing so. Anyone else?

-Dan

WNJSDT in Camden is finally online

23-1 (WNJS-DT)
23-2 (NJN-2)
23-3 (NJN-3)
23-4 (NJN-4)
23-5 (NJN-5-HD)

:D

Does anyone know why they waste the channel space by having Showtime HD appear twice in the lineup? It appears in the 170's and again up higher in the 300's.

Also, is there a special thread for Philly Comcast HDTV Info or is it this one?

There seems to me to be alot more discussion on antenna reception in the Philly area in this one...

Thank you.

I have the 5100 series silver Motorola box. Is there a newer model offered by Comcast these days, and if so, what are the advantages of "upgrading" to the new hardware?

Thank you.

It is only one HBO and Showtime HD channel not two. The channel numbers are virtual ones only.

I will add to that --- & they do not require any more bandwidth. :)

Well-
Supposed to get my DVR this morning between 7-9am..of course they aren't here yet so I can go to work! Grrr...lol..

I'll let you all know how it turns out...

I'm thinking this is more of an 8:30-9 am window, b/c i've NEVER had them arrive prior to that.

Probably because they usually start at 7am, they will have to load up their truck, with YOUR 6208 of course, before the head out to their respective areas. 7-9am usually just means you are their first stop. Good Luck

Are you OTA guys picking up 12-1 (55-1) WHYY-DT & 17-1 (54-1) WPHL-DT? I've been having problems w/these channels since this weekend.

I had 12-1 all last night without difficulty - btw OTA PBS HD in Philly really looks amazing...

Lee

Well,
The tech showed up at 8:59...lol..

Only took him 5 minutes to hook the box up - it had the "newer" Blue guide, but none of the functionality was there yet - tech said it could take up to 6 hours to download all the initial firmware, etc.

Also, none of my premiums were coming in yet, but he said he had to call in the Box # to have it activated - and that it should all be good by the time I got home from work tonight.

I noticed some people mentioned that there are bugs with the 6208 box - any ones I should be on the lookout for??

Anyone in S. Jersey get a 6208 yet?

I've got a Berlin address, but actually live in Winslow.

I get the "not yet available at your location", so I added my name to Comcast's "list" via their website... but I've never had any luck with that. I'm wondering if I should just start calling them everyday.

Dave, Check your PM........

I received my 6208 about 2 weeks ago. I called Comcast and requested a 6200 box and when I got home my wife said that the cable guy tried to explain the DVR to her but she didn't understand. I was in shock when I saw that they gave me a 6208, but I was happy too ;) The HD/digital material looks great, the standard looks real grainy. The DVR works wonders. I taped LOTR TTT on starzHD and replayed it in HD......needless to say it looked wonerful.

Anyone notice that there are two Discovery HD's mapped onto the Comcast sytem. Channels 185 and 186! I'm in south Jersey BTW.

Is one of these just a virtual channel (no additional bandwidth)? It seems to me there is a slight delay between the two which leads me to believe they are 2 separate feeds of the same program.....could they be testing bandwidth for an additional future HD channel??

Should be 205 & 186 not 185......Where are you located??? Same feed, just a virtual channel......

Finally got my DVR this morning - while at work, all the firmware was downloaded - and this evening when I got home from the softball game it's working great.

Has the updated "blue" TV Guide on screen - and all the DVR features as well. I already paused the news and re-started. Amazing. Channel changing is a bit laggy, but not really noticeable.

Guide shows multiple time periods at once -

Also cool is the fact that I didn't put the DVR on my HDTV, but i'm still able to pick up the HD channels, albeit not in high definition.

I'd definitely recommend this after a 1 hour preview.

Thanks to everyone here you helped me get hooked up! I appreciate it!

I got my 6208 in early May and had to return it later as it was too hot and noisy..others experiences in that area?

The noisy fan has been fixed in the 6412 due out in the fall. My 6208 is not hot, just noisy.

Originally posted by miatasm
Should be 205 & 186 not 185......Where are you located??? Same feed, just a virtual channel......

Same here (South Jersey Comcast) - 186 & 205. Anyone know why the 205?

Comcast is coming out tomorrow to look at my 6208. The channel changing between the Digital broadcast channels (180-184) is VERY slow and blocky (5 to 10 seconds to fully form the picture). The tech wouldn't voice an opinion over the phone, so we'll see. I do like the DVR, very nice.