Here is a local reception thread for Philadelphia that might be able to help:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4987142#post4987142

Paul

In some systems it will be this month!

Originally posted by JWhip
In some systems it will be this month!

Ah, you're so fun to read :) A nugget here. A nugget there! Some sytems in Comcast's national network? Some systems in the Philly area...?

Care to predict ESPN2 HD, Universal HD, or UPN HD startup...here??

Originally posted by JWhip
They will not drop the analog channels until they can supply a cheap device that they can supply to their non digital subscribers that can be used with their "cable ready" TV's. It has nothing to do with carriage agreements.

Well that is better then waiting on agreements. I remember some time last year ( maybe a year and a half ago) a company announced a cheap digital to analog converter, though I don't think it was quite cheap enough.

Anyone else having issue's with FOX today? Of-course just in time for the eagles game... I get every other channel rock solid...

Originally posted by mendes9
Anyone else having issue's with FOX today? Of-course just in time for the eagles game... I get every other channel rock solid...

Looking good on Comcast

Anyone having problems with CBS 3-1 OTA signal? I Just have a black screen although signal is normal. No problems with other OTA signals. Antenna is attic mounted silversensor, and haven't had to adjust it in over a year.

Originally posted by JWhip
In some systems it will be this month!
I think you are referring to the Digital Simulcasting again; I assume you are talking about the Philly metro area?
Any dates for specific systems?
My folks are waiting for this before they get Digital cable.

Also, as soon as they implement this, will they be rolling out the smaller Digital-only STBs?
They would prefer this also.

I receive OTA from Philly and signal is great

Originally posted by Zimbabwe
Anyone having problems with CBS 3-1 OTA signal? I Just have a black screen although signal is normal. No problems with other OTA signals. Antenna is attic mounted silversensor, and haven't had to adjust it in over a year.

Do a RESCAN - that should fix it

Originally posted by mendes9
Anyone else having issue's with FOX today? Of-course just in time for the eagles game... I get every other channel rock solid...

Does anyone have regular problem with FOX dropping out OTA? I get 95% signal from Fox, but it still periodically drops out frames (signal strength temporarily dropping down to 40 or so and then popping right back up). All the other channels work well for me OTA.

thriftyrocker ,

I sent an email to FOX engineering, I will see if they can give me any suggestions. Anyone know where their tower is located? The station isn't even listed on antennaweb.org Since, I installed my channel master 4228 antenna last summer, all stations except fox rock solid.

The first 2 minutes of "The Medium" were NOT in HD. When they finally flipped the switch, there was a SEVERE audio problem for the entire first segment of the program. The dialog would repeat about 1 second after it was orginally spoken. I saw this same thing on "Will and Grace" last week.




I'm on Comcast in South Jersey using a 6412

Originally posted by 3nsdan
The first 2 minutes of "The Medium" were NOT in HD. When they finally flipped the switch, there was a SEVERE audio problem for the entire first segment of the program. The dialog would repeat about 1 second after it was orginally spoken. I saw this same thing on "Will and Grace" last week.


NBC10 needs to get it together. I've seen this on Medical Investigation and L&O: SVU and a slew of their other shows over the past few weeks. A few posts up, another poster reports on NBC10's bad attitude ("nobody's watching anyway") in the past regarding their HD simulcast.

Originally posted by thriftyrocker
Does anyone have regular problem with FOX dropping out OTA? I get 95% signal from Fox, but it still periodically drops out frames (signal strength temporarily dropping down to 40 or so and then popping right back up). All the other channels work well for me OTA.

FYI... I am a lot further from the towers than you (southern chester county) and I watched the Eagles game and cannot recall a single blip... Any chance of trees blowing around in the line of sight? I sometime see dropouts on really windy days for that reason...

Z

zmatzkin,

Where are the towers located? I know most of them are in Manyunk, is FOX's tower there also? I see the same thing with fox.. at times goes to like 90 %, then drops to 40, up and down. All other station solid in the 90's. I do have some tree's, but my house is up fairly high on a hill, and my channel master in on my roof ( heck, my satellite dish is even catching a signal going through the same trees ).

As far as I know it is with the others...I'm not sure why it(29-1) does not come up at antennaweb.org, but the analog 29 does and it is with the others... I know i have not touched my antenna in about a year...

Z

frankz1,

I sent an email to NBC10's General Feedback area. I offered some "constructive criticism" about the Audio Repeat problem, and the HD switch flipping problem.

Hey, if 3 angry letters can get "Married With Children" taken off the air, maybe a few constructive emails can get our friends at NBC 10 to make a better effort at HDTV presentation.

Dan

NO MA'AM!:D

Originally posted by 3nsdan
frankz1,

I sent an email to NBC10's General Feedback area. I offered some "constructive criticism" about the Audio Repeat problem, and the HD switch flipping problem.

Hey, if 3 angry letters can get "Married With Children" taken off the air, maybe a few constructive emails can get our friends at NBC 10 to make a better effort at HDTV presentation.

Dan

I've been noticing this pattern ever since I started watching NBC10's digital feed. When my wife and I notice a problem, it's gotten to the point we just shrug our shoulders and say, "Well, that's NBC..." They are the only channel I know of in our area that regularly, and I mean like clockwork, forgets the simple things like flipping the HD switch, making sure the broadcast audio is set up right, etc. This is ridiculous, considering they are one of the "big 3", and have a pretty robust lineup of new HD programming to show off. I noticed the audio repeat problem as well, and had similar issues during shows like LAX.

PM me with an address if you find it convenient.

Tongue-in-cheek question: Were the engineers in charge of NBC10 high-def programming previously employed as USAirways baggage handlers?

Just thought I'd check in and say that the 6412's are available in Trenton.

I called this morning and they had 2 ready for me to pick up!

No installation charge - Yay!

As I was waiting in line a handtruck full of new boxes was wheeled into the office, so I guess the supply is catching up with demand.

I love the new guide. I haven't gotten to record anything yet, but the pause feature is great.

Cheers.

sorry if I missed this in this lengthy thread, but whats with WPSG trasmitting analog audio on a digital ATSC station??

b

Originally posted by petersbar
sorry if I missed this in this lengthy thread, but whats with WPSG trasmitting analog audio on a digital ATSC station??
Ummm.. There is no such thing as analog audio on a digital station...It's an impossibility... Why do you think it's "Analog"?

MJR: it doesnt play on my digital audio output on 3 different STBs but when I connect an analog audio out to check, I get signal. my Denon receiver also flicks to "analog" on the display when I tune to this station. every other "digital."

I received this station fine from the day they came on air till about a month ago (dont watch much on UPN).

I dont see why its an impossibility that a digital carrier could carry non-digital audio. perhaps you could help me figure out whats going on then....

I have an n=3 and have a fourth set I could try it on..too much to be coincidental. I have 90+ in signal and receive 16 different digitals here in Doylestown so I dont think its signal strength.

I have no problems with the audio on WPSG-DT. I receive a data stream out of the optical digital output on my Panny STB which is the standard pro-logic that is always used when no DD5.1 is passed.

See Figure 1 here (about 1/4 the way down)....

Zenith HDTV White Paper (http://www.zenith.com/sub_hdtv/hdtv_papers_atsc_system.html)

NTSC, Analog Audio (See Aural Carrier on the bottom half of that figure) overlaps (albeit only slightly) the VSB, Digital signal... The digital signal which is (obviously) carrying the picture as well, would interfere with the analog audio, if the transmission equipment could even overlay an analog audio signal with the VSB signal...

Are the three different STB's all the same kind, or are they different mfr's. If they're the same maybe there's something wrong with the DD stream being sent by 57-1, that the STB is able to decode (to put on the analog jacks) that the Denon can't decode. I suppose it could be a PSIP problem too...

I would try a few things...

1) To prove to yourself it's a digital signal, if you have a rotor, while watching 57-1, turn your antenna away from the transmitters, and the sound should break up at roughly the same time as the picture breaks up.. And the sound on your analog outputs will completely cut out when this happens... If it truly were analog audio, you'd get static as the sound faded out, kinda like when you are driving away from a distant FM radio station in your car.

2) A different receiver with a digital input, if you have one available. If not, even just try a different digital input.

3) A different digital cable... Preferably a different cable type... If you're using optical, try coaxial or vice versa. (Assuming you have both outputs on the STB, and both inputs on the Denon.)

If none of this gives any clues, I'd try to contact the station.

Does anyone know if I can get the digital locals on the "Limited Basic" tier from Comcast? Or do I need to get digital cable? I thought I read here that I could, but on their site they say you must have digital cable to get the digital locals.

I wonder, if signing up for the Comcast Acct. Online is worth it, seeing as they require an e-mail address. Their FAQs are vague about it's 'features'.

It would be nice to see any changes that I make, and received payments, in writing, in real time, if possible.

Does it show an up-to-the-minute list of monthly items?

Or, at least, a list of changes since the last bill?

Furthermore, would it show adding the maintenance plan?

NBC really does have a problem. Last week they forgot to turn on HD for an ENTIRE show of "Committed". Whoever is in the engineering room during primetime should be fired. CBS NEVER has any problems whatsoever and on top of that their HD is better. Even FOX is more reliable than NBC!!

My Fiance and I were commentting on that (we were watching something we recorded). NBC has a lot of AUDIO Sync Problems. And Flippi9ng the switch problem. My fiance said, for a BIG 3 station, they are really dropping the ball on the HD content.

I explained that they probably had interns running the programming.. hence it being bad...

I wonder if NBC reads this thread. Doubtful.

Originally posted by En Sabur Nur
Does anyone know if I can get the digital locals on the "Limited Basic" tier from Comcast? Or do I need to get digital cable? I thought I read here that I could, but on their site they say you must have digital cable to get the digital locals.
Yes, you receive the HD/Digital Locals with Ltd. Basic, and it says so on their site. You just need to either rent their HD STB or have you own Clear QAM (or QAM) TV or STB.

If you use your own STB or TV, you need to do a channel scan on the QAM tuner, and the HD Digital Local channels will be on different numbers than they would be through the Cable Co.'s STBs.

Originally posted by mikeewing
Just thought I'd check in and say that the 6412's are available in Trenton.

I called this morning and they had 2 ready for me to pick up!

No installation charge - Yay!

As I was waiting in line a handtruck full of new boxes was wheeled into the office, so I guess the supply is catching up with demand.

I love the new guide. I haven't gotten to record anything yet, but the pause feature is great.

Cheers.

Obviously I had "number-itis" when I typed this post. Of course, I meant to say Moto 6214's are in stock...

Originally posted by mikeewing
Obviously I had "number-itis" when I typed this post. Of course, I meant to say Moto 6214's are in stock...

I think you were right the first time.

Originally posted by QZ1
JWhip-

The Comcast in-house tech., who installed my DVR in mid-Nov., here in the WG area, said the Digital Simulcast would be complete here in Q1, probably Feb.

What are you hearing for the various service areas in the near suburbs?

I just visited the Comcast site and they're saying HDTV is not available. That's obviously wrong. Do you mind me asking what a package that had HDTV, with HBO HDTV and the DVR would cost?

Much appreciated.

Stu

Also, I sent them an email and they responded by saying HDTV was NOT available in Willow Grove, PA. What gives?

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by frankz1
I think you were right the first time.

Wow, Frank, you're right. I think this Eagles game has me more worked up than I thought. 6412 it is.

With the new remote control is there any way to get the channel ENTER key working?

I changed the autotune to yes in setup, but, for example, I would still like to have the option of pressing 9 and enter to go to channel 9 instead of pressing 9 and waiting for autotune to switch the channel.

Any ideas?

Noticed 57.1 won''t lock in on samsung t-165 STB.
Maybe lost in past day or so?
It will come in on my built in HDTV tuner tv but not the STB for other tv & the jvc recorder setup.
I guess the psip is lost or corrupt since I get it on tv but not stb? & we no soem stb's it is all or nothing to work.

Anyone confirm?
Trying to get a hold of studio on weekend is tough. 215-238-4880 or 215-238-4513.

Anybody have better luck?

drpepper : do a rescan and it should come back... 57-1 is fine here...

Thanks... I unpluged let sit 30 min, re-scan, now fine.

Real dumb design though that you are forced to scan all chanels including ANALOG & no option for just digital... have to man. delete after the fact... how dumb... a digital stb forced to scan analog

Anyone else having issues with Fox Philadelphia 29-1 over the air. My signal strength is extremely low and is fluctiating between 20% and 40%? I usually have a signal strength of %77. I'm using a Terk HDTV-s outdoor mounted antenna with DirecTv receiver HD-H10. 3-1, 6-1/2/3, 10-1, and 17-1 are all at %100. According to antennaweb 29-1 should be the same distance and compass orientation as the other channels that are getting a good signal strength. I'm 22 miles from Philly. Anyone have any suggestions? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Just checked 29-1. Watched for a couple of minutes without a glitch - signal strength 92 peaking at 95, which is pretty much what I normally get on my HDTiVo... but I am less than 10 miles from the towers.

Is your antenna moving about in the wind, or are there snow-covered trees in your line of sight?

Doesn't appear to be any obstructions right now. I have a clear line of sight as well. I just don't know why the other channels are coming in so strong and Fox is coming in very weak. Are all three prime channels in the same area, 3,6,10? Maybe I need to re-adjust. Just in time for the Eagles game, bah :P. Thanks for your quick replay. The antenna seems to be good, although I haven't seen many reviews on that particualr model.

I am in Lower Merion Township about 4 miles from the towers according to antennaweb.org. I am using a Silver Sensor indoor antenna on top of my set connected via coax to my HDTivo. I have very poor and variable signal strength according to the meter and have horrible pixelation and stuttering. In order to limit the multipath I bought an attenuator at Radio Shack today and put that in line with no improvement. There are snowy trees outside but it is a bright clear day. Anyone else have any suggestions, particularly if you live nearby or similarly close to the Philly towers? Thanks.

Not sure what to suggest...

Probably not what you want to hear, but I'm seven miles east of the towers and watching 29-1 OTA on my HDTiVo. Signal strength still 92-95. So far I have to say it's probably the best looking football coverage I have ever seen from Fox.

Sorry, I'm over 30 miles away and all is good here...

Is there any reason why 3-1, 6-1/2/3, 10-1, 12-1/2, 17-1 would come in at 100% and Fox 29-1 is realtively week? They all broadcast close in vicinity in Philly. Maybe this antenna isn't as good as they say?

Im 18 miles away and watching fine. An attenuator will not do anything for multipath. I'd opt for an outdoor antenna.

That's funny because other people in other forums suggest an attenuator for multipath. I assumed based on various sources that being only 4 miles from the tower and without any hills or buildings to obstruct the signal that I'd be fine with the Silver Sensor. I'd like to avoid an outdoor antenna if possible.

An attenuator will reduce the signal strength. Some receivers have a problem if the signal is too good. In this case an attenuator might help. Multipath is when the antenna receives the signal from different directions at the same time and the receiver does not know what to do ....this causes breakups in the picture and pauses. If you are experiencing multipath something is deflecting the signal and your antenna is picking it up twice. Try moving the antenna to a different spot. See if that helps.

For me (in Center City), the problem is not so much the strength of the 29-1 signal, but the direction. When my rooftop antenna is pointed NW (in the direction of the main digital antenna farm), I can get all of those channels out that way except for 29-1. When the antenna is pointed closer to North, 29-1 comes in loud and clear, but then I lose some of the other major channels (3-1, 6-1, and 10-1!).

If the 29-1 transmitter is located in a different place, that might explain it, or perhaps the frequency they use is affected more by multipath than the others?

--Philly Tim

(long time viewer - 1st time posting to the Philly thread)

jportnoy-
What does the signal look like for the analog channels (17, 29, 57)?

I'd like to add some background to spinn74's answer:

In the NTSC (analog) world, multipath is called "ghosting". As the bounced / reflected signals arrive at your TV antenna, they are summed into the receiver and displayed as time-delayed images. Since the scan is from left to right in time, you will see what looks like a shadow, or "ghost" of the image on the right side of the object in real-time.

This effect is also present in NTSC cable TV, which is a result of impedance mismatches through the distribution system (aka VSWR, return loss, impedance mismatch). In any case, the effect is the same. Visible images are noticed when the reflected signal is stronger than about 10% of the direct path signal (20 dB return loss, VSWR > 1.2:1).

In the digital world (ATSC), you can't see anything because the error correction is handling the problem (part of MPEG standard). In other words, it's great until all hell breaks loose- pixelation, etc.

The amount of "ghosting" on the NTSC analog channels is a good indicator of what is happening in the ATSC channels. If you can't get a steady signal level (lots of variation), then the trees and geometry of the situation requires some effort:
1. Get an outdoor antenna and put it as high and in the clear as you can. Maybe you can get rid of the some of the reflections here.
2. Get a rotator. The snowfall did nothing more than to provide a steady surface for the reflections. You were able to find a good spot because nothing was moving. As soon as the snow melts, the trees will be moving again and the problem goes back to what is was previously.

You need a rotator to find the best position for each station. Then, re-find the best position in a few days when the propagation / multipath changes again. It is quite possible that the direction of best signal is quite a bit different than the antenna-web calculator. This is due to multipath - sometimes the indirect signal path is better / stronger than the direct path. For example: I'm pointing to UPN / 57 at about 225-230 degrees heading. Should be 245 degrees or so by the calculator.

I have a high-gain ChannelMaster yagi antenna with UHF only preamp mounted about 10' over my roof (35' above ground). Problem is that the trees (mostly Pine), are about 80 feet. Severe multipath. The only station I can get reliably is UPN / 57, which is fortunate because Comcast doesn't carry it and I'm addicted to Enterprise in HD.

Another point about having a yagi (high gain) antenna. It's not just for signal strength. The term "gain" means that all of the energy is "focused" to one spot. In other words, an antenna with high gain is focused to be only a few degrees wide and it ignores signals everywhere else. So, if you have multipath problems, a high gain antenna is very useful from the perspective of ignoring the multipath signals coming from other directions and is the recommended approach to treat problems like this.

The level of the signal may overload your TV, but this is easy to fix with an attenuator. The symptoms of receiver overload are more difficult to figure out.

WesMantooth / Philly Tim - Multipath is very difficult to measure and control. It is completely within reason that you may be getting every channel but one and can't figure out why. I have the same problem here (I'm 40 mi NE of Roxborough and can't get WHYY-DT no matter what I try). Also, pine trees are the absolute worst for multipath problems, as they have about 20 dB more attenuation than a normal tree (they have very dense leaves / needles).

Here's a question for OTA folks - I notice people talk of UPN's digital channel as 57-1. Does that mean it's on the same frequency as their analog channel 57?

I have Comcast, and wish I could be addicted to Enterprise in HD.

Originally posted by chroma601
Here's a question for OTA folks - I notice people talk of UPN's digital channel as 57-1. Does that mean it's on the same frequency as their analog channel 57?

I have Comcast, and wish I could be addicted to Enterprise in HD.

The ATSC decided when they were setting up the digital broadcasting standard to provide a way for the broadcasters to transmit a new, completely different television signal from a different transmitter on a different frequency but still be able to reference their old NTSC channel number which is what most viewers associated the television station with. And, indeed, most television stations had spent a lot of time and money developing the channel number as their idenity, hence the NBC10, UPN57, Channel 6 News, etc. To make this possible the ATSC developed a system of transmitting metadata in the digital television signal in which the broadcaster could transmit system information to identify the new digital signal by using their old analog or NTSC channel number and teh digital television could tune the signal even though it may be transmitted on a completely different RF frequency. This system is know as Program and System Information Protocal or PSIP for short. It also can transmit information about the programs be transmitted like titles, and descriptions about the programming. Many peoplerefer to this as an electronic program guide. Digital cable viewers ar familiar with this feature, not OTA viewers can enjoy it too. Back to the channel numbering, the OTA digital viewer may tune 57-1 and find channel 57's first digital channel even though the digital transmitter is not on RF channel 57. Channel 57 may be broadcasting more then one program with their digital transmitter, in this case the viewer would notice subchannels like 57-2 and so on. If the viewer wants to tune to the stations analog transmitter, they would tune to subchannel -0 (in this case 57-0) Cable companies may choose to carry the subchannels in addition to the main digital and main analog channel, in these cases they will assign additional cable channels to the subchannels. Comcast cable carries channel 6's analog channel, their maine or HD digital channel and two sub channels WPVI weather and WPVI news in their digital tier.

"Is there any reason why 3-1, 6-1/2/3, 10-1, 12-1/2, 17-1 would come in at 100% and Fox 29-1 is realtively week? They all broadcast close in vicinity in Philly. Maybe this antenna isn't as good as they say?"

Yup, same here.. all other stations rock solid, and FOX, bounces.. I don't get it. Lucky, on Sunday, it dropped a few times but only for a second or 2 at a time. I emailed, Fox engineering. but no response.

I live in Downingtown and recently put a TERK HDTVi in my attic to get OTA HD signals for my front projection set-up in my basement.

I'm using a Motrola terestrial receiver from Circuit City. I get FOX ABC NBC UPN WB and two Spanish channels really well . . . .. but CBS isn't so good. It cuts in and out and is a pain to watch.

I pointed my antenna in the general direction on Philly, but I didn't do any precise calculations or anything.

Any ideas why CBS isn't that strong?????????

I'm 40 mi NE of Roxborough, which is at an antenna heading of 245 deg for me. A lot of trees directly in my line of sight, so I need to work around the problem.

Stations at 225 deg antenna heading, not that critical for pointing:
3-1, 6-1/2/3, 10-1, 12-1/2, 17-1, 52-1/2/3/4/5, 57-1

Stations that are critical to point to within 5 degrees, no signal at 225 deg (where the above stations are):

29-1 at 195 deg antenna heading (? this is what I get)
35-1 at 205 deg antenna heading
65-1 at 215 deg antenna heading

WNJT-DT (Trenton) is pointing to the back of my antenna (180 deg off). But since I'm so close, the minimal gain in that position allows me to receive it.

No signals for any Allentown stations or WNJS (Camden). A lot of the stations are pixelated / intermittent audio, but that's my tree problem. It's the back end of a nature area, so tree removal / trimming is not an option.

12-1 seems full strength tonight. Will wait to see what happens when the snow melts. Normally, I can't get it at all.

MrSimon - Try moving the antenna to see how well you can get CBS. You'll probably find that it's a compromise between CBS and the other stations. In an attic, the "pointing" of the antenna is affected by the reflections through the walls of the house (multipath), so all bets are off on direction. You can see my frustration in the signal strengths I'm reporting above. This is a high gain yagi mounted on a rotator 10' above the roof of my house. 29-1 is not cooperating with the other stations, no clue why.

Is anyone using a QAM tuner w/basic Comcast service in the Upper Bucks/Quakertown area?If so, what channels are you receiving?I was thinking about buying a QAM tuner but only if there were extra channels available. I am currently using a Samsung T351 (which was supposed to be QAM capable)with a UHF antenna.I was receiving all available channels until the recent snowstorms, I seemed to have lost channel 12 and 57 over the past week.Anyone have any ideas why this may be?

Originally posted by MrSimon
I live in Downingtown and recently put a TERK HDTVi in my attic to get OTA HD signals for my front projection set-up in my basement.

I'm using a Motrola terestrial receiver from Circuit City. I get FOX ABC NBC UPN WB and two Spanish channels really well . . . .. but CBS isn't so good. It cuts in and out and is a pain to watch.

I pointed my antenna in the general direction on Philly, but I didn't do any precise calculations or anything.

Any ideas why CBS isn't that strong?????????

Here is a very useful website

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

This is what I get via QAM Doylestown.

80.02 Fox
80.04 WB
81.01 ABC
81.02 ABC (news something or other)
81.03 ABC Storm Tracker Radar
81.10 NBC
82.01 WHYY
82.02 CBS

Frank

Originally posted by frankd
This is what I get via QAM Doylestown.

80.02 Fox
80.04 WB
81.01 ABC
81.02 ABC (news something or other)
81.03 ABC Storm Tracker Radar
81.10 NBC
82.01 WHYY
82.02 CBS

Frank

I'm in the Warrington area (Comcast), and I have basically the same QAM mappings as above.

But I noticed something interesting in the past month or so, which I attribute to the Feb 2005 PSIP compliance deadline. On my Toshiba 46HM94 cable input (without CableCard, since that Motorola interoperability isn't yet solved), WHYY, Fox, WB, and CBS are being mapped by my TV to their virtual channel numbers of 12-1, 29-1, 17-1, and 3-2 (why it's not 3-1 I don't know). I assume this is a result of stations broadcasting and Comcast retransmitting the correct PSIP info. (I thought I saw in another forum that many cable operators were removing PSIP for their own convenience.) Back in December when I first received my TV this was not the case. ABC and NBC at last check are still appearing at their 8X numbers.

FWIW, with my TV, I think when a QAM channel is remapped to its virtual location, it can no longer be viewed at original location. At least I haven't figured out how. I don't think the TV is a flexible as an OTA receiver.

Since it seems every February-March we receive our price "upgrades" and annual letters with our bills -

Any rumblings out there of any new channels coming along?

This morning I'm noticing that CN8, UPN, PBS, TBN, Univision, and a few other channels are being sent in 256QAM! It looks like the transition is starting! I've noticed a dramatic improvement in picture quality on UPN in particular....no more fuzzy Enterprise for me! (Still no HD though :( )

BTW, I'm in the center city system.

Originally posted by stoli412
This morning I'm noticing that CN8, UPN, PBS, TBN, Univision, and a few other channels are being sent in 256QAM! It looks like the transition is starting! I've noticed a dramatic improvement in picture quality on UPN in particular....no more fuzzy Enterprise for me! (Still no HD though :( )

BTW, I'm in the center city system.

Great news. Is there a way with the box on to know whether a normally-analog channel is being sent digitally (specifically, does the dolby logo show up on your box's info bar?)

By the way, in case anyone's keeping track, NBC 10 totally screwed up HD ER last night and the beginning of HD L&O: SVU earlier this week.

Yes, the Dolby Digital icon shows up on the simulcast channels. And to check if a channel is QAM or analog: tune to the channel, turn off the box, immediately push select, scroll down to "in band status."

Does anyone else have an audio issues with Philadelphia's UPN digital channel 57-1? The video comes in perfectly clear, but there is no audio stream whatsoever. The broadcast are coming in HD as well. I don't know if this isolated or not. I am receiving it over-the-air with DirecTv HD H-10 receiver. Thanks.

57-1 audio working fine here...OTA with EyeTV 500 and T165...

HD Enterprise on 57-1 was OK here. Using Toshiba DST-3000 (DirecTV / OTA combo). Experienced pixelation / dropouts, but that's my location.

Hmpf...No luck here. I'm using HDMI to HDMI from my set-top box to my HDTV and a Toslink cable for the audio. I'm not getting any digital audio at all. I even switched from DD to PCM via the set-top box with no luck. All the other stations are working fine audio wise, DD 5.1, DD 2.0, and Pro-Logic. Maybe it's an issue with this receiver?

Certainly seems like the problem is on your end, Wes... My HDTivo (HR10-250) is passing analog audio over RCA to my TV, and digital over optical to my Sony receiver which is diagnosing it as Dolby 2.0 right now.

Hrm...Any good deals on the HD-Tivo floating around anywhere? I've been contemplating returning this HD-H10 receiver. The price tag on the the HD-Tivo is just so steep. Local retailers here are selling it for $999.99. I have about 15 days to return this other unit. Well, at least they seem to have fixed the audio/video sync issues from ABC and FOX on the H10.

Originally posted by stoli412
This morning I'm noticing that CN8, UPN, PBS, TBN, Univision, and a few other channels are being sent in 256QAM! It looks like the transition is starting! I've noticed a dramatic improvement in picture quality on UPN in particular....no more fuzzy Enterprise for me! (Still no HD though :( )

BTW, I'm in the center city system.
Thanks for the update.
What is TBN? Or do you mean TBS?
What are the other channels being digitized?

Originally posted by WesMantooth
Hrm...Any good deals on the HD-Tivo floating around anywhere?

HD-Tivo doesn't seem to be subject to much discounting anywhere really, just yet at least, though I guess that could change fairly soon now after the recent MPEG4 announcement from D*. I'm very happy with mine, I got an eighteen month same as cash deal on my Tweeter card and used a $50 off $500 or more coupon along with my AViD member discount on the price when I bought it last summer. I have to say, though, that I would be a bit nervous about paying that much for it now, in the light of D*'s announcement.

Any deals to be found usually get posted in the HDTiVo forum (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=36) at Tivo Community.

Originally posted by QZ1
Thanks for the update.
What is TBN? Or do you mean TBS?
What are the other channels being digitized?


the simulcast is going slowly but surely, i will try to get an update as to when and which channels are being transitioned over (at which headends also), i have noticed the improvements also

The Center City Philly system is the first to deplay the digital simulcast. It will be deployed over the other systems in the coming weeks. I was advised that it will not include all analog channels as they are not able to do it on the channels where Comcast inserts their own commericals, so channels like CNN and ESPN will not be included in the simulcast.

Originally posted by JWhip
The Center City Philly system is the first to deplay the digital simulcast. It will be deployed over the other systems in the coming weeks. I was advised that it will not include all analog channels as they are not able to do it on the channels where Comcast inserts their own commericals, so channels like CNN and ESPN will not be included in the simulcast.

Great. In other words, none of the channels people watch. I'm looking a little less forward to it now.

Originally posted by JWhip
The Center City Philly system is the first to deplay the digital simulcast. It will be deployed over the other systems in the coming weeks. I was advised that it will not include all analog channels as they are not able to do it on the channels where Comcast inserts their own commericals, so channels like CNN and ESPN will not be included in the simulcast.
Do you mean they will delay simulcasting those channels or they won't be able to digitize them until they go all-digital, no-analog?

About how many channels would stay analog?

Don't they insert their commercials on just about all basic-cable non-local channels?

Here, on the Willow Grove system, UPN, CN8, PBS, WB, and Univision looked obviously better, clearer, no artifacts; they must be Digital here as well.

No DD in the channel bar, but there is no DD on many of the Digital SD channels. I will check the Diagnostics Menu, I would think it would say 64QAM, not 256QAM, if Digital SD.

Has anyone else noticed a new problem with WCAU-DT, in which once they finally throw the switch and go to HD after a program starts, there's an echo in the audio for a few minutes?

Worst HD implementation ... ever!

Originally posted by chroma601
Has anyone else noticed a new problem with WCAU-DT, in which once they finally throw the switch and go to HD after a program starts, there's an echo in the audio for a few minutes?

Worst HD implementation ... ever!

Last night the first few minutes of American Dreams was all green bars. Then it was SD picture with the surround channels of the 5.1 soundtrack. Then no sound. It usually takes NBC10 DT until after a theme song and first set of commercials to get it right.

Originally posted by chroma601
Worst HD implementation ... ever!

I second that. We have heard out of sync audio multiple times on NBC. Usually it doesn't get solved until 5 minutes (sometimes more!) into the show where they just hit the switch to go SD.

I agree, again. WORST HD IMPLEMENTATION EVER!

NBC, Listen up!

Originally posted by chroma601
Has anyone else noticed a new problem with WCAU-DT, in which once they finally throw the switch and go to HD after a program starts, there's an echo in the audio for a few minutes?

Worst HD implementation ... ever!

Just another in the list of horrendous handling of HD at WCAU...I've come to expect at the start of all NBC-HD programming...No Widescreen, then widescrren squeezed between the side bars often with no sound, half-to-full second delay, then full widescreen with an audible doubling or echo...usually corrected about 8 to 10 minutes in...they sure know how to do PIP of Chopper10 over a brush fire in Carbon County, PA in the middle of a good show without any issues though!!!

who is accountable for that?

who can we call and who should we ask for when we want to complain?

Broadcasters are supposed to operate in the public service. I think it's unfortunate that no station lists any sort of 24 hour help line. If I have a problem with my cable modem, I can call Comcast 24/7 and they'll fix me up. But a television station operating under license from the FCC bears no such responsibility.

We should start a grassroots movement to petition the FCC to require broadcaster to provide a constant and consistent viewer relations. As it stands now, there is no way to tell them we are aware of a problem at the time it is occurring.

I suppose we could call during business hours, but it's too late to do anything about what happened last night. At least we could inform them of our general dissatisfaction.

TV stations make a lot of money. It wouldn't kill WCAU to invest in whatever equipment they might need to fix their consistent problems.

Originally posted by chroma601
Broadcasters are supposed to operate in the public service. I think it's unfortunate that no station lists any sort of 24 hour help line. If I have a problem with my cable modem, I can call Comcast 24/7 and they'll fix me up. But a television station operating under license from the FCC bears no such responsibility.

We should start a grassroots movement to petition the FCC to require broadcaster to provide a constant and consistent viewer relations. As it stands now, there is no way to tell them we are aware of a problem at the time it is occurring.

I suppose we could call during business hours, but it's too late to do anything about what happened last night. At least we could inform them of our general dissatisfaction.

TV stations make a lot of money. It wouldn't kill WCAU to invest in whatever equipment they might need to fix their consistent problems.

We need the FCC less involved in our lives, not more.

Originally posted by frankz1
We need the FCC less involved in our lives, not more.


aint that the truth!

Yeah, you're right about that. It's just that the station has a responsibility to its viewers to be accessible. The Communications Act of 1934 states that the airwaves belong to the public, and stations' licenses are renewed based on serving the public interest. Now I know HD of its own accord isn't the public interest, but I would think having a number to call 24/7 to report problems or issues of any kind is.

My two cents. And, yeah, the FCC itself has abandoned the public interest for the corporate ones.

Originally posted by JWhip
The Center City Philly system is the first to deplay the digital simulcast. It will be deployed over the other systems in the coming weeks. I was advised that it will not include all analog channels as they are not able to do it on the channels where Comcast inserts their own commericals, so channels like CNN and ESPN will not be included in the simulcast.

Okay, now, what's the point of doing this digital simulcast if they can't do it with ALL the channels? Honestly, I was really under the impression that they were going to digitally simulcast ALL of the analog channels (at some point, anyway). And now that I find that it's only some of them, I'm quite disappointed.:( I was told that they HAVE to go all digital by 2006. So, I mean, they can't just hold on to analog forever, can they?

Theyb are going all digital, it will just take awhile.

Originally posted by JWhip
The Center City Philly system is the first to deplay the digital simulcast. It will be deployed over the other systems in the coming weeks. I was advised that it will not include all analog channels as they are not able to do it on the channels where Comcast inserts their own commericals, so channels like CNN and ESPN will not be included in the simulcast.

Okay, where did you actually HEAR that only some of the channels will be simulcast? I mean, I can't really understand why they would do something like that. Did they tell you this at Comcast? I mean, I KNOW they WILL offer everything in digital by 2006, when there will be no such thing as analog cable anymore.

I get my info from Comcast senior management.

The ending of analog is by the end of '06, and could be moved to the end of '08; but, that is for OTA.

I think they can keep analog cable around as long as they want, but they want to eliminate it ASAP, so it will be gone around the same time, according to press reports.

Although, IIRC, somebody here said they would keep the locals in analog longer if the OTA transition is delayed.

Originally posted by JWhip
Theyb are going all digital, it will just take awhile.
In a given service area, how long will it take?

The deadline for transfer from analog to digital completely Now is the end of 2006, but it's very very unlikely for FCC to keep it. Most likely in this year FCC will change the deadline to end of 2009.

I just read from some web sites yesterday.


Originally posted by QZ1
The ending of analog is by the end of '06, and could be moved to the end of '08; but, that is for OTA.

I think they can keep analog cable around as long as they want, but they want to eliminate it ASAP, so it will be gone around the same time, according to press reports.

Although, IIRC, somebody here said they would keep the locals in analog longer if the OTA transition is delayed.

Haven't noticed any digital simulcast yet on the Montgomery County system....

Hi,

I will get my HD STB from Comcast tomorrow. I am in Mercer County, NJ. Does anyone know the model of this HD STB?

I called Comcast, they don't know, they only know it's Motorola and they only provide one HD STB model in my area.

Thanks!

If it is a Motorola, it will be the dual tuner 6412.

Comcast enabled the DVI output on the SA8000HD in South Jersey today. But I am getting this error on my Samsung DLP, “Your HDTV does not support HDCP. Please use the YPrPb component connection to watch TV." I’ve used the DVI with a Comcast SA3250HD before. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

HDCP stands for High Definition Copy Protection...your DVI is not HDCP compliant and will not work with Comcast's box. All Sony's have HDCP compliant DVI and HDMI ports.

This is from my TV documents:

DVI-HDTV Interface with HDCP copy protection
enables an all-digital rendering of video without the losses
associated with an analog interface. DVI supports up
to 24-bit digital RGB data for each pixel for the highest
image quality. High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
(HDCP) provides a protected interface which opens the
availability of high value content such as premium highdefinition
video by means of new generation broadcast
satellite receivers and new digital cable boxes. This DVIHDTV
interface is compatible with the next generation
name, HDMI, by means of a cable adaptor.

And why did the SA3250HD DVI work??
Thanks!

Originally posted by newtoHT2003
This is from my TV documents:

DVI-HDTV Interface with HDCP copy protection
enables an all-digital rendering of video without the losses
associated with an analog interface. DVI supports up
to 24-bit digital RGB data for each pixel for the highest
image quality. High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
(HDCP) provides a protected interface which opens the
availability of high value content such as premium highdefinition
video by means of new generation broadcast
satellite receivers and new digital cable boxes. This DVIHDTV
interface is compatible with the next generation
name, HDMI, by means of a cable adaptor.

And why did the SA3250HD DVI work??
Thanks!

This seems like you'd be better served by asking in the hardware forum for your display or STB rather than the local reception thread for Philadelphia.

Originally posted by nywst
The deadline for transfer from analog to digital completely Now is the end of 2006, but it's very very unlikely for FCC to keep it. Most likely in this year FCC will change the deadline to end of 2009.

I just read from some web sites yesterday.
The only postponement, that I heard of discussed here recently, was from the last day of '06 to the first day of '09, which is obviously only a two year delay.

Hi,

Finally Comcast installed the HD STB for me this morning. Everything is fine. PQ is good as well. I only use component cable so far.

But I notice that for some of my HD channels (like ESPN HD, FOX HD, etc), there're still 'letter box' on the side of my TV (Toshiba 57H84 rear projection, 1080i) under 'natual size' setting. There're 4 settings in my TV: natural, Theater wide 1, theater wide 2, theater 3 and full size. When I watch HD channels, of course I cannot select 'full size'. I just don't understand why I still get 'letter box' for some HD channels. I shouldn't get the 'letter box' for all the HD channels, right?

Under the same settings, I don't get letter box for some other HD channels, like INHD, Discovery HD, etc.

Why this happens?

Thanks a lot!

Comcast in Mercer County, NJ.
Time is around 11:20AM today.

Originally posted by nywst
Hi,

Finally Comcast installed the HD STB for me this morning. Everything is fine. PQ is good as well. I only use component cable so far.

But I notice that for some of my HD channels (like ESPN HD, FOX HD, etc), there're still 'letter box' on the side of my TV (Toshiba 57H84 rear projection, 1080i) under 'natual size' setting. There're 4 settings in my TV: natural, Theater wide 1, theater wide 2, theater 3 and full size. When I watch HD channels, of course I cannot select 'full size'. I just don't understand why I still get 'letter box' for some HD channels. I shouldn't get the 'letter box' for all the HD channels, right?

Under the same settings, I don't get letter box for some other HD channels, like INHD, Discovery HD, etc.

Why this happens?

Thanks a lot!

Comcast in Mercer County, NJ.
Time is around 11:20AM today.

When an HD channel broadcasts SD material, they letterbox the sides (except CSN, which stretches it).

If you have the Motorola dual-tuner DCT-6412, you may want to read the 6412's User Guide (http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/customer_docs/user_guides/512659-001-a.pdf) and the DVR Manual. (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/downloads/URMD2.pdf)

There's also a thread to specifically discuss this STB (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986), and this one is not it.

Sorry to post in wrong place.
Thanks.


Originally posted by frankz1
When an HD channel broadcasts SD material, they letterbox the sides (except CSN, which stretches it).

If you have the Motorola dual-tuner DCT-6412, you may want to read the 6412's User Guide (http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/customer_docs/user_guides/512659-001-a.pdf) and the DVR Manual. (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/downloads/URMD2.pdf)

There's also a thread to specifically discuss this STB (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986), and this one is not it.

Originally posted by newtoHT2003
Comcast enabled the DVI output on the SA8000HD in South Jersey today. But I am getting this error on my Samsung DLP, “Your HDTV does not support HDCP. Please use the YPrPb component connection to watch TV." I’ve used the DVI with a Comcast SA3250HD before. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

I've had a similar problem. Try the following:

1. Connect DVI cable between the set-top and TV
2. Unplug the power TV set
3. Unplug the power set-top
4. Plug in TV set
5. Plug in the set-top
6. Turn on the TV after the set-top boots
7. Turn on the set-top

If that does not work then call Comcast. It's possible the DVI/HDCP handshake between the set-top and TV is not happening. Resetting usually helps.

I had Comcast out for the third time to fix my 6412 problem that occurs on Fox and WB on one tuner only and finally the tech admitted it was a known issue that Motorola and Comcast are working on and that a fix should be out in a few weeks.

Anyone else haveing that problem where one tuner works better than the other (audio/video freezes or dropouts).

I've read of a few and talked to some others who've had the issue.

I am in the Philly area (Drexel Hill in Delco). One of my two tuners is virtually useless for CSN-HD (200) and ESPN-HD (202). Usually, the screen just goes black for several seconds, and then a "This channel will be available shortly" message comes up ("shortly" never comes). I have recently lost several vintage Eagles related recordings, ouch. I have not yet had the stomach to call Comcast on this, as I just went through a 2 week period where my internet and HD/premium cable channels were completely out over half the time.
So this is a known issue? Does it affect random channels on one tuner?

Originally posted by trickd
I am in the Philly area (Drexel Hill in Delco). One of my two tuners is virtually useless for CSN-HD (200) and ESPN-HD (202). Usually, the screen just goes black for several seconds, and then a "This channel will be available shortly" message comes up ("shortly" never comes). I have recently lost several vintage Eagles related recordings, ouch. I have not yet had the stomach to call Comcast on this, as I just went through a 2 week period where my internet and HD/premium cable channels were completely out over half the time.
So this is a known issue? Does it affect random channels on one tuner?

I thought I remember something about this on the 6412 thread. You might want to do a search over there.

Now, about Philly... anyone else notice digital stations going online? I was going to check right...
... now. :)

Originally posted by bronowyn
I thought I remember something about this on the 6412 thread. You might want to do a search over there.

Now, about Philly... anyone else notice digital stations going online? I was going to check right...
... now. :)

I'm on the Bensalem system, and I haven't noticed anything going digital that hadn't been before.

It's sad, really. :) Thanks for checking frankz1... I'm just figuring (hoping) we're next for anything, really... we've hit a dry spell in HD land, I think, that I have to look forward to things going digital. What's next... oooh, there's new on demand content? *sigh*

Speaking of... there are movies in HD now on "on demand"... Terminal is one of note. :)

Originally posted by bronowyn
It's sad, really. :) Thanks for checking frankz1... I'm just figuring (hoping) we're next for anything, really... we've hit a dry spell in HD land, I think, that I have to look forward to things going digital. What's next... oooh, there's new on demand content? *sigh*

Speaking of... there are movies in HD now on "on demand"... Terminal is one of note. :)


I don't remember which thread he posted it on, but markjrenna informed recently that any further simulcast rollout is on hold until after the superbowl.

That said, I still check every day for the little Dolby Digital symbol on my analog channels.

Comcast - NJ

Is MSG HD available in my area? If so, which channel?
Thanks!

Hi,

I am new to HD world. Today Comcast just hooked up HD STB for me. Well, HD PQ is really good. But, I am NOT able to watch WNBC-DT tonight. Every time when I try to switch channel to WNBC-DT from remote control, the pic just get frozen, and totally no response at all. Don't know why. I am in Mercer County, NJ. In the meanwhile, I am able to watch WABC-DT HD, WCBS-DT HD, and WNYW-DT HD. I tried this during the state of union. Actually it's the same before and after.

As for 'Sports Center' on ESPN HD, in my mind they are NOT pure HD program at all, otherwise how come there're still many 'letter box' during the show.

Letterman late night show also has 'letter box'. Is it HD?

INHD, Discovery HD are the best ones so far. CSN HD is also good.

Thanks in advance!

Originally posted by trickd
I am in the Philly area (Drexel Hill in Delco). One of my two tuners is virtually useless for CSN-HD (200) and ESPN-HD (202). Usually, the screen just goes black for several seconds, and then a "This channel will be available shortly" message comes up ("shortly" never comes). I have recently lost several vintage Eagles related recordings, ouch. I have not yet had the stomach to call Comcast on this, as I just went through a 2 week period where my internet and HD/premium cable channels were completely out over half the time.
So this is a known issue? Does it affect random channels on one tuner?

I am on my third Motorola 6412. Check out that thread for all its troubles. I had the problem you described. Mine would not tune to 52 or 63. Calls for help did nothing. Box number 3 seems to be OK. I would just keep making them give me new boxes until you find one that works. I took the box to the local office myself after checking that they had a new one in stock. Box number 2 I got installed was used. It had someone else's programs and schedule on it. BTW, Box number 1 worked fine but began to emit a high-pitched squeal after about 2 weeks.

nywest, we are all waiting for Letterman to go HD. Check out Leno when Comcast gets your NBC working. (BTW, this is the Philadelphia forum - you have New York stations, FWIW)

ESPN sometimes runs true HD, sometimes not. The "Sportscenter"'s set is HD, but many of the clips they get are SD. When they do HD, it's a full 16x9. Their SD material has custom pillarboxing. (Pillarbox is the correct term of the "reverse letterbox", in which the extra blanking is on the sides instead of the top and bottom.)

Welcome to the world of HD. When it's good, it's very very good! (And when it is bad there are freezes and macroblocking with associated audio dropouts...)

NBC Weather Plus is active in the Philadelphia region. I noticed it last night. It's on 10-2. I'm picking it up OTA.

Another great article with complete misinformation by our wonderful local paper. Not sure if the link will work since philly.com requires registration now (no charge).

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/10803317.htm

Everyone let him know, as I did, that Fox is absolutely available over the air.

Good effort buddy, but do your research first.

Does anyone know if INHD will be simulcasting GOTW (particularly the Eagles game) from NFL network this week at all? I had it and it got DVR'd over because I didn't have it set to "I delete". The guide suggests that INHD will have GOTW, but doesn't specify. Also, INHD national listings don't list anything about it at all.

Originally posted by Mike3
Does anyone know if INHD will be simulcasting GOTW (particularly the Eagles game) from NFL network this week at all? I had it and it got DVR'd over because I didn't have it set to "I delete". The guide suggests that INHD will have GOTW, but doesn't specify. Also, INHD national listings don't list anything about it at all.

I'm not sure about Game of the Week, but I'm unclear as to why we don't have NFL Network in HD over Comcast to begin with. Seems like a no brainer, and it does appear twice in the guide here (180 and 275).

NFL Network is getting a lot of buzz lately, especially Eisen's Total Access, and not just locally because the Eagles made the Superbowl.

Just emailed him via link at end of article that I've neen watching FOX29 OTA in HD for months now.

Go PATS - (sorry guys, its not happening for Eagles, and anyway I grew up rooting for some abysmal Patriot teams, and dont even get me started on the Red Sox)


Originally posted by Drew_N
Another great article with complete misinformation by our wonderful local paper. Not sure if the link will work since philly.com requires registration now (no charge).

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/10803317.htm

Everyone let him know, as I did, that Fox is absolutely available over the air.

Good effort buddy, but do your research first.

Drew,

I was ready to post the same thing...

Mark

he followed up with FOX, will be posting a correction to earlier story.

I also e-mailed him and FOX.
He answered and said he will ask again (FOX) and print a correction in tomorrows paper.

I got the same response as well. Hopefully our responses will make him do full research before writing an article on the subject again. We have enough confused people out there. No need to add further confusion.

"Clearing the Record
This is a corrected version of a story that appeared in today's Inquirer. The original story erroneously reported that the Fox network afilliate in Philadelphia, WTVXF-TV (Channel 29), does not broadcast in HDTV. "

disclaimer currently at the bottom of the article, found in the business section as that link provided doesnt work.

Yeah the revised article has a different number:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/10807459.htm

A poor edit really, a revised paragraph says 3 way to get it, then later says 2. The HDTV Broadcast section added at the bottom isn't very clear either. None of our channels have "local programs" in HD. It reads like Fox is holding out when really none of them do.

Originally posted by sdpadres
NBC Weather Plus is active in the Philadelphia region. I noticed it last night. It's on 10-2. I'm picking it up OTA.

For some reason my channel listings online have shown this for weeks now on Channel 248 - but i've never had anything there.

Anyone know if this will be popping up soon?

Originally posted by xela19115
I've had a similar problem. Try the following:

1. Connect DVI cable between the set-top and TV
2. Unplug the power TV set
3. Unplug the power set-top
4. Plug in TV set
5. Plug in the set-top
6. Turn on the TV after the set-top boots
7. Turn on the set-top

If that does not work then call Comcast. It's possible the DVI/HDCP handshake between the set-top and TV is not happening. Resetting usually helps.

Were you able to receive your programming through DVI with this? I'm trying to find out if DVI is enabled on the HD8000.

Anyone have trouble with 10-1 OTA during the apprentice tonight? I lost the audio, then I tried switching to NBCE over directv, and that channel lost the entire picture. I finally switched to the directv SD local 10 and got a signal - I get *3* feeds, and 2/3 weren't working!!! Nice to have backups....

L

I don't understand it. It's at an all time low with them. They cannot get the sound or picture right. SD is fine.....but the picture, well you know.

Frustrated,

JDB

watching on the comcast dvr the first minute or so was black on the top half of the screen.
i thought it was the dvr so i shut it off and turned it back on..
that seemed to fix that problem.

then i watched happy days before just now going over to the dvr'd apprentice.

the audio is out of synch by nearly a second.

i'll watch but it is going to be annoying.

someone needs to get fired over at nbc philly.

Originally posted by whotony
watching on the comcast dvr the first minute or so was black on the top half of the screen.
i thought it was the dvr so i shut it off and turned it back on..
that seemed to fix that problem.

then i watched happy days before just now going over to the dvr'd apprentice.

the audio is out of synch by nearly a second.

i'll watch but it is going to be annoying.

someone needs to get fired over at nbc philly.

WB is only very slightly better. Last night's smallville was like you're saying about the Apprentice, and it's not the first time.

I hope there are engineer conventions where all the competent engineers get together and ridicule the dopes over at NBC10 and WB17.

Originally posted by LeeG23
Anyone have trouble with 10-1 OTA during the apprentice tonight? I lost the audio, then I tried switching to NBCE over directv, and that channel lost the entire picture. I finally switched to the directv SD local 10 and got a signal - I get *3* feeds, and 2/3 weren't working!!! Nice to have backups....

L

NBC as a whole was having a ton of problem last night.

I hate to admit it but as I was watching Joey I noticed that the audio channels seemed to be reversed.

I switched from NBCE (D*) to 10-1 and the problem was the same. Than switched to 10 (D*) and audio was resolved. I switched back to the NBCE feed and they would switch from HD to SD, resolving the audio issue, after a minute or so from coming back from commercial.

I stayed on to see if they would get their act together, but the same problems remained during the next HD program. I had no problem with aprenctice except for the short drop out that others reported (Had it recording SD on the other tuner).

Looks like the engineers at the home office were asleep at the wheel.

It seems they finally got their act together by the end of the night. Had no problems with ER.

Originally posted by jimrimback
Had no problems with ER.

I sure did, via comcast...flipped between HD and SD with repeating audio problems for, once again, the entire opening segment (same as with previous broadcast of Medium). After the break, everything was sorted. I take it OTA was good? Did you watch the opening segment? We had the same problems with Joey you did...what it seems like to me is that the center voice channel is missing, and I noticed the same thing a few months back with broadcasts of LAX. You can hear the music, backround noises, right and left effects, but no voices, or voices from the R and L fronts but faint.

I wouldn't be concerned if this was a once-in-a-while situation, but this happens on a significant per centage of their HD lineup.

I also noticed the audio synch issue with WB's latest Smallville, and although I've noticed problems with their broadcasts before, they have ten times the dependability of NBC10.

Originally posted by hithere
I also noticed the audio synch issue with WB's latest Smallville, and although I've noticed problems with their broadcasts before, they have ten times the dependability of NBC10.

That's not saying much. What's 10 times 0?

Yeah, I had the same problem with Joey...the voices were really soft so you had to turn it up and the live audience was extremely loud!!

About 3/4 through the show NBC turned the HD off and the audio went back to normal.

quote:Originally posted by xela19115
I've had a similar problem. Try the following:

1. Connect DVI cable between the set-top and TV
2. Unplug the power TV set
3. Unplug the power set-top
4. Plug in TV set
5. Plug in the set-top
6. Turn on the TV after the set-top boots
7. Turn on the set-top

If that does not work then call Comcast. It's possible the DVI/HDCP handshake between the set-top and TV is not happening. Resetting usually helps.



Were you able to receive your programming through DVI with this? I'm trying to find out if DVI is enabled on the HD8000.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I will try this tonight and let you know. Thanks!

Originally posted by pabuwal
Were you able to receive your programming through DVI with this? I'm trying to find out if DVI is enabled on the HD8000.

Nope still doesn't work. The same HDCP error. I'll call Comcast next.

Originally posted by hithere
I sure did, via comcast

Well there's half your problem right there...LOL

I take it OTA was good? Did you watch the opening segment?
The opening was fine except for one quick switch between HD and SD that lasted just a heartbeat. I was actually switching to a feed from the evil empire. Since I've gotten the big 4 via D*, I've DC'd my OTA.

I also noticed the audio synch issue with WB's latest Smallville, and although I've noticed problems with their broadcasts before, they have ten times the dependability of NBC10.

Can't speak from experience...Don't watch WB

Originally posted by newtoHT2003
Nope still doesn't work. The same HDCP error. I'll call Comcast next.

Thanks, let me know how it goes.

The last couple nights I've been having problems with the Fox OTA 29-1 signal, the signal strength is fine, the same as always, but the screen is black and there is no audio. Anyone else having the same problem? I had the same problem with CBS 3-1 a few weeks ago but it is now OK there. Never had these problems over the past year. I've tried unplugging, and re-scanning for local channels, but no luck yet. Need to fix before the Super Bowl, HELP!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME, luckily I went to a superbowl party, where they had comast HD service, and I didn't watch it on my theater at home. Two friends of mine call me frantically saying, we can't get an OTA HD from fox at all, nothing zipp....... I'm like, you can't be serious, the most watched event of the year and and you can't get anything? ... well afterward when I went home and tried it, yep they were right nothing... zip I couldn't believe it. Every other station coming in rock solid, and FOX29 nothing... I'm in feasterville, and I received 2 reports from Phoenixville, nothing there also.. unbelievable...

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

My Fox OTA reception was perfect all day - not one problem...

My Fox 29-1 reception was near flawless last night - really enjoyed it.

As for NBC 10-1 - they ought to send their engineers to HDTV school. It's really pathetic. CONSTANT issues with sound (I had the Joey problem with very low voices, and LOUD audience), lip-synch issues, dropouts, etc. I believe there were some Will & Grace issues as well, and they switched to SD-

Hello NBC - What is the PROBLEM???

Can't wait to see them butcher the 2006 winter olympics.....

L

Those of you who were able to catch it, where do you live... I live at the PA Turnpike and Route 1, nothing zip... with a channemaster 4228 antenna.. catching all other station flawless, and I usually do catch fox29 a good deal of the time. Now my friend, over in the King Of Prussia, area, actually limerick.. who usually catches fox 0k, nothing there also.

I'm talking when I got home, I tried on both of my receivers.. zip nothing 0 strength. I just don't get it. where do you guys live, across tht street from the towers..? 1 mile away mabye? Because it wasn't just me.. I received a couple emails same thing..

I live in Limerick and my OTA reception was fine, I did have a few moments of pixilation but other than that it was fine, too bad about the outcome of the game!!

I am over 30 miles from the towers in southern Chester county... Almost never any problems with any of the local OTA transmissions... I have a Channel Master 4228 with a pretty clear line of sight...

Did you try a re-scan?

I second the rescan suggestion. I had to re-add everythign on my Dish 6000 last week, I assume because of the PSIP changes. It seemed to line up with that date at least.

I'm puzzled at the re-scan suggestion, did they stop transmitting on channel 42?

My signal was perfect until about 10:15. It started pixelating so I switched to the *D* feed.

Fox is still broadcasting on digital channel 42, however, there were some PSIP changes required for 2/1 that might require a resacan. As I said, I'm not sure its valid for everyone, but on my 6000, I needed it. Fox wouldn't display at all.

More details can be found at this thread
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=495173http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=495173

Watching a few minutes of the Wizards-Pacers game on INHD tonight I'm noticing that the PQ is a definite notch above what the Sixers HD games look like. Definite notch above! It looks like what Sixers games used to look like a couple of seasons ago.

Is this because of a slightly more zoomed in camera? Or is it because Washington has the old equipment which the Sixers used to share with them (when PQ looked better)? I'm not sold on this harris flex encoder (or whatever they use now that ABC also uses). I swear it is only 720p now (at least detail wise). Could the settings be wrong? Perhaps the setting that was changed to stop the fuzzy problem was set wrong, it used to be set to adaptive and it was changed to a 1 (or was it 2). Maybe that setting is 720p where as the other setting, not adaptive, is 1080i.

Very discouraging that it used to look better.

Drhill. the equipment used is identical between Philly and Washington. CSN in PHilly uses 1080i not 720p. There is a difference in lighting between both arenas. The MCI Center has brighter lighting that the Wachovia Center. Other than the difference in arena lighting and camera positions, I see no real difference between the two broadcasts.

According to a post on DSLReports - looks like the firmware was changed from 9.12 to 9.15 in the Philly area.

I didn't look this morning to see this - but can anyone confirm and if so, what the changes were?

Originally posted by jeepmatt
According to a post on DSLReports - looks like the firmware was changed from 9.12 to 9.15 in the Philly area.

I didn't look this morning to see this - but can anyone confirm and if so, what the changes were? I have the 6412 from TWC; does that firmware apply to the box itself or the guide software because I have the pioneer guide.

I had severe problems on FOX HD (via Comcast) last night during 24.
Picture just stopped. Had to go to the SD channel. Forgot where it was since I hadn't been there in some time.
The HD returned briefly a couple of times and was steady for the news.

Originally posted by hd_addicted
I had severe problems on FOX HD (via Comcast) last night during 24.
Picture just stopped. Had to go to the SD channel. Forgot where it was since I hadn't been there in some time.
The HD returned briefly a couple of times and was steady for the news.

Same here. Recording started breaking up and then went out at 9:12 PM. It came back at 9:20 PM, and then went out again later in the show (for how long I don't know, because I switched to the SD TiVo backup at that point).

Originally posted by hd_addicted
I had severe problems on FOX HD (via Comcast) last night during 24.
Picture just stopped. Had to go to the SD channel. Forgot where it was since I hadn't been there in some time.
The HD returned briefly a couple of times and was steady for the news.

I had the same problem. I just got the 6412 on Saturday, and this was my first attempt at recording and watching something else, so I wasn't sure if the problem was FOXHD or the 6412. I guess it was FOX.

Same thing here as well. I lost about 10 minutes of the show total on my 6412.

So should I be checking my antenna or assume that something's wrong
with Channel 29-1?

I wasn't getting Channel 29-1 at all last night.
It's coming in now with a signal strength of 28% (even lower than I'm getting from the PBS affiliate in Trenton). I downloaded new software
for my MyHD hi-def card and rescanned the channels, and had to add
Channel 29-1 manually.

FWIW, the station was breaking up last night on my Comcast HD feed.
I don't know yet how my recording of "24" turned out. (I also recorded the
SD feed just in case).

Has anybody checked in with the station yet to see if something is wrong?

Originally posted by DTGallagher
So should I be checking my antenna or assume that something's wrong
with Channel 29-1?

I wasn't getting Channel 29-1 at all last night.
It's coming in now with a signal strength of 28% (even lower than I'm getting from the PBS affiliate in Trenton). I downloaded new software
for my MyHD hi-def card and rescanned the channels, and had to add
Channel 29-1 manually.

FWIW, the station was breaking up last night on my Comcast HD feed.
I don't know yet how my recording of "24" turned out. (I also recorded the
SD feed just in case).

Has anybody checked in with the station yet to see if something is wrong?

I recorded 24 last night and it was perfect. I'm in Comcast Trenton country.

BTW, with the news about the Enterprise cancellation, I guess the push for UPN-HD will subside...

I also recorded the Super Bowl on my 6412 and watched a little bit - it seemed fine. I'm debating whether to burn it to DVD or not. Maybe I should just let it go. When's free agency begin?

I don't watch much on Fox apart from football - it was flawless on Sunday night, apart form the result of course.

Just checked my signal strength a few moments ago and got the 92 peaking 95 that i normally get on my HDTiVo, and skimmed through a couple of TiVo suggestions from last night/earlier today that all appeared to be problem free.

Anyone else on the Comcast-Bensalem system unable to tune in Fox 29 HD right now (Channel 234)? I tune to the channel, and nothing happens.

I called Comcast and...well you know how that goes.

UPDATE: On second thought, maybe you don't know how it goes...here it is.

CALL 1:
CS REP: No Fox HD on 234? I'll check (ON HOLD FOR 10 Minutes). Sir, I was just on the line with your head end, and they said it's working fine. Do you want to schedule a service appointment for Friday?
ME: No. I checked my Cable Box diagnostics, and the signal is coming through fine with no errors. There's just no data in it.
CS REP: I don't know what to tell you. Your local head end said it's working fine.

CALL 2 (there's always a call 2):
CS REP 2: We got a memo this morning that Fox HD would be out all day posted on our internal system.
ME: Will it be up by prime time
CS REP 2: (After yelling back and forth across the room) Probably not.

Sheesh.

UPDATE 2: It's now 5:35 PM, and I am getting FOX 29 HD (for now)

Frankz story is all too familiar here in Delaware County.
I don't know if its possible or realistic, but Comcast should have a channel (maybe they could get rid of one of the worthless "guide" loops) listing known channel outages or other service issues.

I recently went through a stretch where, all of a sudden and for no apparent reason, I had no HD, premiums or internet, and the analog channels were ridiculously blurry throughout the entire house. I called on Tuesday. They couldn't tell me anything over the phone, and gave me the next available service appointment for Friday morning (I had to take off from work). The tech couldn't do a thing - shocking. He said that the signal in to my house from the pole was "too strong" and that Comcast's maintenance department would have to come out (which they couldn't do until the following Monday), but not into the house. I have no idea if they came or what they did, but everything was back Monday night, EXCEPT I can't get CSN-HD or ESPN-HD on the second tuner of my 6412. I'm just too tired to keep calling about it, as I don't record two shows at a time that often.

I think Comcast has a great product (when it works). Its just so difficult dealing with service issues. They are fortunate they have no real competition, at least in the Philly market, due to the CSN situation.

Originally posted by JWhip
Drhill. the equipment used is identical between Philly and Washington. CSN in PHilly uses 1080i not 720p. There is a difference in lighting between both arenas. The MCI Center has brighter lighting that the Wachovia Center. Other than the difference in arena lighting and camera positions, I see no real difference between the two broadcasts.

I know it is 1080i... it just doesn't look as good as it did awhile ago. I'm sure lighting does play a part in the fact (to my eyes) wizards games look better and the camera distance, but if it used to look better there must be something else.

Discouraging. Oh well. You don't see the difference, and I do. I'm just SOL.

Can anyone direct me to information about how to extract the transport stream recordings off the Comcast 6412 DVR to a PC over the 1394 port? I just got setup with it last week and would love to be able to backup to DVD-R.

Originally posted by pat1284
Can anyone direct me to information about how to extract the transport stream recordings off the Comcast 6412 DVR to a PC over the 1394 port? I just got setup with it last week and would love to be able to backup to DVD-R.

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

Thanks

Had problems with NBC-10 last night (via Comcast).
The center channel was out during the start of West Wing.
Then WW and L&O were shown in picture frame, but at least you could hear the dialog.

Originally posted by hd_addicted
Had problems with NBC-10 last night (via Comcast).
The center channel was out during the start of West Wing.
Then WW and L&O were shown in picture frame, but at least you could hear the dialog.

Odds are NBC10 is the problem... once again. They continue to butcher NBC's HD broadcasts on a regular basis. I'm beginning to wonder if anyone there even watches their own programming from 8 to 11...Their handling of HD is beyond humor at this point...it's embarrassing!!! But then again, there was an outside chance of snow flurries somwhere in Berks County so the engineers must have been dispatched to handle the remote 'Team Coverage'...what an amateur operation!!!

Originally posted by progear
Odds are NBC10 is the problem... once again. They continue to butcher NBC's HD broadcasts on a regular basis. I'm beginning to wonder if anyone there even watches their own programming from 8 to 11...Their handling of HD is beyond humor at this point...it's embarrassing!!! But then again, there was an outside chance of snow flurries somwhere in Berks County so the engineers must have been dispatched to handle the remote 'Team Coverage'...what an amateur operation!!!

Did you know that other markets not only have engineers that care about how their broadcasts look, but some even have engineers that regularly post to AVS and engage in actual conversations with actual HD viewers?

Yet, here we are in the #5 media market and one of the "Big Three" networks is so inept that a day doesn't go by without at least one entirely "human error" mishap on their HD broadcasts during prime time.

Further up in the thread, someone posted that they'd contacted NBC10 in the past regarding their HD broadcasting and been told that "no one's watching it, anyway" or something similar.

Every night...

Show starts in SD
Someone realizes and switches to HD, leaving the SD soundtrack active as well and causing an echo of every line

And it continues at least until the first commercial break. Sometimes it's fixed after that, sometimes it's not.

Shameful Shameful

Did they actually post how to contact NBC 10? I mean, I have e-mailed them before to no result.

Maybe this (http://apnews.myway.com//article/20050210/D885OH880.html) will inspire WPVI to drop their useless subchannels that steal bandwidth from HD:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators Thursday rejected a request by broadcasters to require cable operators to carry multiple digital channel offerings from local television stations.

The 4-1 vote by the Federal Communications Commission upheld a 2001 FCC ruling that said cable companies only must carry one digital channel per station.

Digital broadcasts offer sharper pictures than the traditional analog transmissions used in most TV sets in American homes. A digital signal also can carry more information without using any more space on the broadcast spectrum.

Some stations have chosen to use their digital signals for crystal-clear, high-definition broadcasts, while others have established multiple channels.

Originally posted by bronowyn
Did they actually post how to contact NBC 10? I mean, I have e-mailed them before to no result.

I don't remember specifics of who it was or when (and search is out right now), but calling the 24 hour news line and asking for engineering sounds familiar. I could be mixing up different stories, though.

UPDATE: This is not what I was thinking of and is probably out of date (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4524801&highlight=engineering#post4524801) but it's all I could find right now. I'll keep looking.

Originally posted by stoli412
This morning I'm noticing that CN8, UPN, PBS, TBN, Univision, and a few other channels are being sent in 256QAM! It looks like the transition is starting! I've noticed a dramatic improvement in picture quality on UPN in particular....no more fuzzy Enterprise for me! (Still no HD though :( )

BTW, I'm in the center city system.


I am now seeing ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 256QAM. Looks good, much improvement. I am in Lower Merion, which I believe is on the Willow Grove system.

Originally posted by JasonRaff
I am now seeing ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 256QAM. Looks good, much improvement. I am in Lower Merion, which I believe is on the Willow Grove system.

Hopefully, Bensalem's not too far off now and I can drop DirecTV.

My first post ... I have lurking/reading for weeks...

I've been getting the NFL network GOTW on channel 207 INHD2 during the season and have really enjoyed this program. Last night at 9pm it was not on 207 INHD2 HD. The program was on 180 and 275 but not in HD.... in Thornton Delaware Co. PA.

My calls and e-mails to comcast have not been fruitful...

Did anyone with Comcast cable get the GOTW in HD?
Did any with another service cable or Satellite company get the GOTW in HD?

During the broadcast(while on the phone with comcast) on 180 and 275 non HD a banner would cross the screen Available in HD check with local cable company...

I Have had been very happy/really positive about Comcast cable HD until last night. The Eagles loss was tough enough!!!!

Dose any one have the skinny on why? Who is squeezing $$$ who INHD, NFL network, Direct TV, Dish,COMCAST????


SeaKay ,

Samsung Captian Kirk DLP HLP5085W and Motorola 6200

Has anyone tried their executive offices?

NBC-10: Executive Offices
(610) 668-5510
City Ave & Monumnt R
Philadelphia, PA 19102

9:00 PM here in King of Prussia.

I couldn't watch FOX-29 HDTV on Comcast since at least 8:00 PM. The picture just freezes on the previously-tuned channel.

I lost roughly the last 10 minutes of 24... my recording skipped literally from minute 46 to 57. No matter what I did (rewind, instant replay, etc.) I couldn't get to minutes 47 through 56.

Also has anyone else noticed their box freezing with Lance Armstrong stuck on their screen in that commercial he's in?

Pat archiving TS to DVD is extremely time consuming and not something you would want to do on a regular basis most likely. I was attempting to archive the super bowl and playoffs, but why bother now. However,if you have the space, you may want to archive TS to your hard drive until such a time when HD-DVD might make it easier to burn these high quality streams to a DVD that can handle it. It's the transcoding that takes forever.

Originally posted by Mike3
I lost roughly the last 10 minutes of 24... my recording skipped literally from minute 46 to 57. No matter what I did (rewind, instant replay, etc.) I couldn't get to minutes 47 through 56.

Also has anyone else noticed their box freezing with Lance Armstrong stuck on their screen in that commercial he's in?

Pat archiving TS to DVD is extremely time consuming and not something you would want to do on a regular basis most likely. I was attempting to archive the super bowl and playoffs, but why bother now. However,if you have the space, you may want to archive TS to your hard drive until such a time when HD-DVD might make it easier to burn these high quality streams to a DVD that can handle it. It's the transcoding that takes forever.

It doesn't really take "forever" if you've got a somewhat snappy computer. With TMPEG, it takes about 2.5 hours for an hour show with the commercials cut. The beauty of it is that TMPEG will shut your computer off when it's done, so if you start it as you're going to bed or something it's done when you're up.

I'm pretty sure it's against the TOS to discuss archiving to DVD here, but there are guides at www.doom9.org.

Originally posted by JasonRaff
I am now seeing ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in 256QAM. Looks good, much improvement. I am in Lower Merion, which I believe is on the Willow Grove system.
IIRC, there is a Lower Merion system. Regardless, Lower Merion Twp. is not one of the municipalities on the Willow Grove system.

Glad to hear they are continuing the Digital Simulcast. Those locals are great for those with regular Digital STBs.

Most of the time INHD2 shows the GOTW but every once in awhile, it's blacked out. I'm not sure why.
I've seen it on the NFL network(SD) and INHD2 at the same time. Check the repeat time, it may be on then.
The NFL-Films footage, converted to HD, looks great.

Originally posted by Mike3


Also has anyone else noticed their box freezing with Lance Armstrong stuck on their screen in that commercial he's in?

.

yes.

Originally posted by Mike3
I lost roughly the last 10 minutes of 24... my recording skipped literally from minute 46 to 57. No matter what I did (rewind, instant replay, etc.) I couldn't get to minutes 47 through 56.

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I had to download 24 from the newsgroups to finish watching it. I was very pissed to say the least.

Now, I'm setting my Comcast box to record both the HD and SD broadcast of 24 to be sure I don't miss anything.

9:20 and still no HD on the new Law & Order on NBC10...how long can this operation continue to F- up its HD without anyone in the corporation taking action...it is un-F-ing-believable...

As I'm writing this were back from commercial at 9:22 and widescreen HD FINALLY...somebody forgot to hit the F-ing switch...AGAIN!!!

We need to contact the NBC mothership to let them know what the Philly affiliate is doing to their HD productions...some heads need to roll at this mickey-mouse operation...NBC spends milions to produce these series in HD and the clowns at NBC10 continue to treat it like its a joke.

The audio on Desperate Housewives was out of synch for almost the whole broadcast. On another note I have tried to contact NBC10 several times to complain and no answer - what a surprise...

The NBC email address;

nbcshows@nbc.com

Ok, new to Hi Def. But is it just me, or does the Tonight Show with Jay Leno look kinda crappy in HD ? And yes, from scrolling through these forums, it is apparent that NBC's HDTV is lacking in PQ in this area ...

Has anyone in the Philly Comcast market noticed that since Saturday night, anything on the HD channels is like overly stretched. In other words, the resolution looks HD, but I am losing the left and right, like the picture is bigger than my TV can handle and it is chopping off the excess. The little channel logos in the bottom right hand corner are half way off the screen.I have a Sony Grand Wega 42 widescreen, and this is the first time I have noticed this behavior. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it something I am doing?

I noticed it on fox.

mikeg13, if it's happening on all channels your set may be in a stretch mode. All HD has been looking normal here. Rattlebox, I notice Fox29's bug is way low and to the right - is that what you're seeing? The picture itself has not been cropped. Also, most folks think The Tonight Show is quite good HD, so I'm bewildered that it looks poor on your set.

The Fox 29 bug on the Fox HD feed is all the the right bottom corner. My set is set to zero overscan and is not cut off. It will be cut off on any set with more than 5% overscan of so it appears as it is right on the 5% safe area cut off.

When you switch to HD input on my TV I don't have any other option than FULL for my TV setting. This has always produced the correct 16x9 picture before, but this weekend, I noticed that it is looking wierd. Perhaps I have a problem with my box. The picture is definitely looks stretched on all HD channels except for WB, that actually looks ok. As far as the overscan, unless it changed itself, I don't know how it changed, because I don't even know how to change it on my TV.

My cable box has a stretch mode or two - did you check that as well?

I know there is a lot of Comcast lovers on this forum and I was wondering if one of you could summarize the latest HD content and equipment offered from them. I'm not a customer but am interested in the ability to record and archive HD via firewire to a JVC 40K. If you know the prices for the equipment or content can you include it. Thanks much.

Just returned home from a brief vacation in NYC tonight to find 5 channels now in digital simulcast!! WOOHOO!

Talk about WOW in terms of difference. CRYSTAL clear. The only reason I noticed was b/c the box defaults to Channel 8 when you turn it on - i was like DAMN - that picture is good. Now if they'd only do the CBS/ABC/NBC trio I'd be happy.

On my system (Southern MontCo PA) - we now have:

Channel 69 (Ind)(Analog #5)
Channel 17 (WB)(Analog #7)
CN8 (Analog #8)
Channel 57 (UPN)(Analog #11)
Channel 12 (PBS)(Analog #12)

anyone have any information on the phillies hd schedule?

i'm in, deptford, south jersey and i have noticed that lately the quality of my comcast HD has been lacking lately.

for instance last night "House" looked fuzzy and so did "24" this monday i know both are on FOX which has never been that good but its getting to be annoying. i also saw alittle of a show on CBS which didn't loook that great either. HBO gets fuzzy at times also. is anyone else seeing this or is it just me?

The Phillies HD schedule should be posted on CSN's website soon. All home games that are shown on CSN vs. CN8 and KYW will be in HD. CSN is working out doing some road games in HD also. The carriage of these games will be dependent on whether the game is being produced locally in HD so that CSN can take out an HD feed and add in thier graphics and announcers. This is what NESN is doing with the Red Sox. It is also dependent on the cost of transmission lines. This has not been worked out yet so no schedule is posted. Yet.

"CN8 and KYW will be in HD."

how is that?
cn8 is a non digital channel.
and any local games not on csn have not been hd in the past for any of the teams. unless it was a national broadcast.

also has anyone noticed that, for the last week or so.
ota dig upn channel 57 has been zoomed in to what appears to be an oddly shaped 14x9 like ratio?

did someone lean on the control panel and no one over there noticed?

I stated all home games shown on CSN vs. those on CN8 and KYW will be in HD, meaning any home games on CN8 and KYW will NOT be in HD. I thought that was pretty clear, I guess not!

i saw the "vs." but it didnt compute for me what it was.

i thought the dot was a period, end of sentence.

i understand now.

me --->http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/otn/funny/twitch2.gif

too bad no hd on kyw though.

All ABC HD is 720p

This is classic...here is the response from NBC10 about their *issues* with HD programming

"If you are trying to view our programming on HDTV, it is common to have poor reception. The station is currently working on broadcasting in HDTV and it may take a while to make this transition.

Thanks for turning to NBC 10!"

ROFL! At least they're "working" on it!

Originally posted by adoble

"If you are trying to view our programming on HDTV, it is common to have poor reception. The station is currently working on broadcasting in HDTV and it may take a while to make this transition.

Thanks for turning to NBC 10!"

Acceptable answer...if it were 1998! Now I get it...It's the "poor reception" that causes the widescreen to flip on 20 minutes into the show, or the missing and/or delayed audio track for half the show...keep "working" at that "transition." Its a good thing that this HDTV technology is a few years away...in the meantime, make sure you guys keep that doppler 10000 working...what a bunch of clowns!!!

Did anyone have problems with Lost breaking up last night?

Guys, don't hold your breath waiting for NBC10 to get their act together on HD. All NBC10 cares about is weather!

Originally posted by Carl Jones
Did anyone have problems with Lost breaking up last night?

Sure did. However, I am not sure if it was the broadcast or my dvr. I had Lost and That 70's Show recording at the same time. I got home around 8:30 and started to watch Lost from the beginning. The audio was horrible and the
video would pixelate like every 5 seconds. Thinking it may be my dvr, I thought it may clear up after That 70's Show finished recording, but no luck. The whole episode of Lost was almost unwatchable. That 70's show recordered flawlessly, by the way.

So I'm still really not sure if it was the broadcast or my dvr.

Originally posted by Carl Jones
Did anyone have problems with Lost breaking up last night?
Not in Blue Bell via Comcast.

Seems I live in a parallel Philadelphia to the rest of this group sometimes: just watched thru the first commercial and spot checked a few other parts of last nights Lost and it looked flawless, and definitely 5.1 sound. Only break-up I saw was the 9:30ish local insert teaser for Action News at 11.

WPVI-DT OTA HDTiVo, cheap Radio Shack rooftop antenna in NE Philly about nine miles from the towers.

I am more inclined to think that my Motorola DVR couldn't handle recording both shows, while playing back one of them, at the same time. But it should in my opinion. I guess, it just so happened that the LOST recording got the short end of the stick.

Think I'll give Comcast a call and get this DVR swapped out.

I have the single-tuner DVR connected to a television with digital cable, but isn't HD in my home. To my eyes, the picture quality is noticeably softer/fuzzier/pixelated since I got my DVR and watch "live" tv through it.

This is causing me to rethink getting the dual-tuner one for the set with HDTV because I don't want the picture quality to be compromised. Can anyone attest if they notice a slight picture degradation when watching HDTV through the DVR box, or do you feel it is as good as it was before without the DVR?

Thanks for your feedback.

I recorded "that 70s show" and "lost" last night with no problems (as I watched them right after they recorded). Get a new DVR... :)

Originally posted by zippychimp
I have the single-tuner DVR connected to a television with digital cable, but isn't HD in my home. To my eyes, the picture quality is noticeably softer/fuzzier/pixelated since I got my DVR and watch "live" tv through it.

This is causing me to rethink getting the dual-tuner one for the set with HDTV because I don't want the picture quality to be compromised. Can anyone attest if they notice a slight picture degradation when watching HDTV through the DVR box, or do you feel it is as good as it was before without the DVR?

Thanks for your feedback.

This is the 1st issue I've had with this dual tuner. Otherwise, it's been great & I have not noticed any picture degradation.

So, as bronowyn indicated, I'll be calling Comcast for a swap out.

I have compared my various Comcast boxes over the past few years, the 2000 with the side car, the 5100, 6200, 6208 and now the 6412 with OTA and notice no difference at all. No picture degradation that I have even seen on a few different displays, here and elsewhere.

Lost was from the DVR for me as well & first time I've had a problem. Same problem as described by my Delaware counterpart here. All other shows recorded last night were fine.

Zippychimp (where do folks get these names...just teasing!!);

I've got a 50" plasma & have used the 5100, 6200, and now the 6412 & haven't noticed any degrading of image over the previous boxes. If I WERE to choose, I'd say the analog shows look better played back via the DVR vs. the "live" viewing of the same show.

Watched it live in HD over Analog in chester county, and it looked just fine.

Hmmm,...sounds like a DVR issue. Not good.

One thing I've noticed on Comcast - sometimes one channel comes in messed up while the others are fine. I suspect Comcast's feed from ABC was the problem, not the DVR.

Sounds like a head end problem to me.

No problems with D* hdTivo while recording others.

The NBC10 weather channel just showed up on Comcast channel 248 here in Lower Bucks County. On the program guide as WCAUW. 256-QAM.

Think I'll still swap out the DVR, just in case, and see if anything similar happens. Besides, I always thought this thing made too much noise. Maybe the next one will be quieter =)

Originally posted by GeekGirl
The NBC10 weather channel just showed up on Comcast channel 248 here in Lower Bucks County. On the program guide as WCAUW. 256-QAM.

Fantastic...just what we need from NBC10...More freakin' WEATHER!!! That explains why no one is around to hit the HD switch at WCAU...

Maybe this is just what we needed. When the folks at NBC10 realize they have a new outlet for their slavish devotion to snowflakes - just imagine the possibilities for 24-7 HD Team Coverage of the stock of snow shovels at the local Home Depot - perhaps they will pay a little more attention to minor details like flipping switches at the top of the hour.

Ive pretty much given up on trying to watch NBC HD shows as NBC10 is always asleep at the wheel.

anyone else notice no audio with INHD2 over the last few days? i'm in center city philly. i've had no audio on this channel only for a couple days now.

Originally posted by Mojo97
anyone else notice no audio with INHD2 over the last few days? i'm in center city philly. i've had no audio on this channel only for a couple days now.
Yesterday, I noticed no audio on INHD2 on the Willow Grove system.

Originally posted by Carl Jones
I've got a 50" plasma & have used the 5100, 6200, and now the 6412 & haven't noticed any degrading of image over the previous boxes. If I WERE to choose, I'd say the analog shows look better played back via the DVR vs. the "live" viewing of the same show. [/B]

Thanks for your replies. I am a bit confused. It is well known within the Tivo user community that the picture quality is degraded when viewing through the Tivo time-delay buffer, so I assumed what my eyes were seeing with the Comcast DVR was a similar effect.

On another related issue, with the Comcast DVR, can you adjust a recording quality setting so it would improve the quality of the recorded programs, or reduce the quality so it could store more hours? I know on Tivo this is a user-adjusted setting, so I am just curious if the Comcast DVR's have a similar feature?

Thanks!

My understanding is that the Comcast DVRs record the digital bitstream as fed. On the analog channels, no adjustments are available, and there is more degradation of the picture IMHO.

I'm not an engineer so my observations are uneducated opinions. I don't know if my plasma "likes" the analog shows better via the DVR vs. the same show viewed live or not. All I can say is the image looks better (analog only). Now if I watch that same show (analog) straight from the cable vs. through the cable box, the straight cable view is better.

As for my DVR, I picked up another problem yesterday. A "phantom" recording was made & I can't view it & can't get rid of it. When I try to do anything with it the box locks up & I have to unplug to get it to re-boot. Just all of a sudden problems with this box....and I've had it a while now with no previous problems.

Is ABC notorious for audio problems, stuttering & skipping? I was surfing last night and noticed this during 8 Simple Rules. Occurred during commercials too.

Anyone else notice this?

I have Comcast's channel lineup pamphlet for Mercer county that has in small print: "HDTV broadcast feeds are *included* in Limited Basic Service. I pay for preferred service (no digital service) which is a step above the Limited Basic. I also have a cable card capable HDTV. So it seems that I should be able to get (maybe with a cable card) the broadcast HD channels without any extra charges. Of course calling Comcast and trying to communicate with the person at the other end is impossible. Can anyone confirm that the HD broadcast feeds are available without any further charge than the Limited Basic? If not, then what does the statement mean?

Ed

Don't know if it's ABC or not, but WPVI-DT has often had HD problems. The first episode of Lost was tragic, and smaller problems still linger.

I guess these are the days of the infancy of HDTV.

Originally posted by chroma601
Don't know if it's ABC or not, but WPVI-DT has often had HD problems. The first episode of Lost was tragic, and smaller problems still linger.

I guess these are the days of the infancy of HDTV.
WPVI has been broadcasting HD since 1998! Hardly infancy.

Ed

I guess I meant the bugs should have been solved by now, but they're not.

Originally posted by ekb
I have Comcast's channel lineup pamphlet for Mercer county that has in small print: "HDTV broadcast feeds are *included* in Limited Basic Service.

I also have a cable card capable HDTV. So it seems that I should be able to get (maybe with a cable card) the broadcast HD channels without any extra charges.
HD Locals are unencrypted, so, it means that the Digital QAM tuner in your TV will pick them up, without a CableCard. Just do a channel scan on that tuner; the HD locals will be on different channel numbers than the cableco's channel numbers.

Originally posted by trickd
Maybe this is just what we needed. When the folks at NBC10 realize they have a new outlet for their slavish devotion to snowflakes - just imagine the possibilities for 24-7 HD Team Coverage of the stock of snow shovels at the local Home Depot - perhaps they will pay a little more attention to minor details like flipping switches at the top of the hour.

Don't forget them getting breaking news of bread and milk going being stocked.

Originally posted by QZ1
HD Locals are unencrypted, so, it means that the Digital QAM tuner in your TV will pick them up, without a CableCard. Just do a channel scan on that tuner; the HD locals will be on different channel numbers than the cableco's channel numbers.
Thanks for the response. I did find digital music channels but the scan did not come up with any video channels. I can try to tune in directly if I knew the channel #'s. Anyone know what the HD broadcast channel #'s are for Comcast in Mercer/Trenton/Lawrencevile are?

Ed

Originally posted by Zoomin88
Is ABC notorious for audio problems, stuttering & skipping? I was surfing last night and noticed this during 8 Simple Rules. Occurred during commercials too.

Anyone else notice this?

I think there must be a problem in Delaware. I've noticed that on the second tuner only, ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS HD are all experience dropouts in both audio and video. It seems to have happened in the last week. There was a post in the I-Guide discussion that another person in Delaware was seeing the same thing. He had his box replaced, but the problem remains. I have a service call scheduled, but I guess it will do no good. Is there any way to contact someone in Comcast Delaware short of calling the customer service random and trying to find someone?

I am also having problems in Delaware. I am noticing dropouts on NBC, ABC & CBS. Pixelation and audio dropouts/crackles every 2-3 seconds. Comcast, HELP US IN DELAWARE!!!

Comcast likely isn't reading this forum. Everyone, call them and tell them what's happening. We were having a lot of problems when we got hooked up, but by the sixth or seventh visit they realized the problem was on their end, and eventually fixed it.

I had the same problems last night. It doesn't sound like a box issue. This matched a problem I had last week. Recordings I tried to view last night from ABC, NBC, & CBS would all drop out every 20 seconds or so. I'll call Comcast today & ask for a manager (good luck huh?). I'd suggest you call in as well.

The audio drop-outs aren't just Comcast. *D* has audio dropouts on EVERY 5.1 source. Constantly and annoyingly.

Damn! I hate when that happens. Note to vi users: Don't hit the escape key when composing a note in the quick reply window :( Wipes out all entered text...

Here in Willow Grove, Comcast (Philly) local digital chcnnels were having major audio and video dropouts since Sat night. Called Sunday, and to my surprise they actually answered the phone. Stating they were aware of the problem, and that it would be fixed in a few hours. Told them it was already well beyond a few hours, and it was still broken. This was with both a std digital box and a 6412 drv box. Received a $20 credit for my troubles. They seem to be quick to shell the money out, hoping I guess to keep you happy and not consider moving to sat.

Anyhow, all's fine now, it was fixed later on Sunday, and checking this AM I see that they've started replacing the analog channels with a digital feed! Looks good so far. Will have to compare with OTA analog on the big screen later today. One thing I have noticed is their digital is about 3 seconds behind a Replay's encoder, and their audio levels, at least on a std digital stb, is lower, requiring setting the volume higher on the tv.

So far I see channels 3,6,7,8,9,10,12and 17 are digital, obviously via a digital stb. I generally don't tune to the analog channels, so I'm not sure when this all started. Might have been part of their problem this weekend as they were rolling the change out, I guess.

-Joe