Originally posted by Zack Allen
But I have read on these forums (fora?) that the sat services compress their HD signals, which I guess makes them of visibly lower quality? And with an HD-DVR box rental the sat service might be expensive. So I am not sure what I will do at this point. I would appreciate opinions. Thanks.
Directv doesn't have an HD DVR rental plan; the price was just reduced from $1000 to $800. I don't think Dish rents them either, maybe they do; regardless, it just isn't as well regarded as the HDDirecTivo or the Motorola Cable HD DVR. I would recommend trying Cable, assuming Comcast is available to you. Comcast sends full bandwith HD and the DVR is very good, IMHO; although, some have had reliability problems with it.

Originally posted by Barrybud
I wonder what type of antenna and set up fellow Chester countians are using to get the signals from Roxborough? Are you getting good signals or is a pre-amp needed.

Thanks

I'm in malvern, and use a attic mounted Channel Master 4221 with an amp. I'm about to take the amp off though because its not really necessary. Solid signals on every station, 95%+.

QZ1 was replying to my question comparing Comcast's HD service to sat services. He wrote: "Directv doesn't have an HD DVR rental plan; the price was just reduced from $1000 to $800. I don't think Dish rents them either, maybe they do; regardless, it just isn't as well regarded as the HDDirecTivo or the Motorola Cable HD DVR. I would recommend trying Cable, assuming Comcast is available to you. Comcast sends full bandwith HD and the DVR is very good, IMHO; although, some have had reliability problems with it."

_____________________________

Thanks QZ1 for replying. In fact, I have Comcast with the 6412 HD DVR box. The cost is $86 per month for that box, HBO and the 70 or so channel service for the analog TV's in our house. I am beginning to have doubts about paying $90 when I have only one box (albeit a nice box) and one premium channel. And for that much money they don't carry UPN or TNT in HD!

If I change I think that I would get Dish, which claims not to compress their HD signals , and has bought some of the Voom channels. Of course no Phillies, Sixers or (should they ever play again) Flyers. Dish now claims that they will sell you a 200 meg two-tuner DVR for $250.00 and they charge $50 for set up.

First I may see if I can downgrade the Comcast service for the analog TV's to basic and how much that knocks the fee down.

Zack - getting rid of the "Preferred Basic" (which is the analog channels not included in limited basic) will save you about $37/month. I have limited basic, digital plus, and the DVR - total of about $36/month. I think a premium like HBO runs about $14/month when added to a digital tier. I hardly watch anything that's not HD, so this made sense to me. Between the limited analog channels, digital channels, and the OnDemand stuff, no one in the family is complaining about the channels we don't have anymore.

Originally posted by Zack Allen
First I may see if I can downgrade the Comcast service for the analog TV's to basic and how much that knocks the fee down.
You can downgrade; you only must have Ltd. Basic, you can choose the other tiers that you want. For the DVR, you must keep at least Digital Classic. So, you don't need Expd./Std. Basic.

Are there channels on Ltd. Basic that you can't get OTA? I was wondering because I'm deciding between the two and the website doesn't list anything.

En Sabur Nur asked: "Are there channels on Ltd. Basic that you can't get OTA? I was wondering because I'm deciding between the two and the website doesn't list anything."

_____________________________________

At work (19380 - West Chester) we have basic and it appears that Comcast gives you their CSN channel (the one that includes Lou Tilly's show and some Phillies games), MSNBC and the channel that keeps repeating the The Weather Channel's local forecast, in addition to local channels. You should call them and ask before changing. Waits on hold are not too long lately and it's toll free.

Thanks Zack Allen.

Originally posted by En Sabur Nur
Are there channels on Ltd. Basic that you can't get OTA? I was wondering because I'm deciding between the two and the website doesn't list anything. Theoretically, the only HD channels you should be able to get with limited basic are the Philly locals (except UPN). You can check out the available channel lineup on the comcast.com website.

Originally posted by Zack Allen
En Sabur Nur asked: "Are there channels on Ltd. Basic that you can't get OTA? I was wondering because I'm deciding between the two and the website doesn't list anything."

_____________________________________

At work (19380 - West Chester) we have basic and it appears that Comcast gives you their CSN channel (the one that includes Lou Tilly's show and some Phillies games), MSNBC and the channel that keeps repeating the The Weather Channel's local forecast, in addition to local channels. You should call them and ask before changing. Waits on hold are not too long lately and it's toll free.
That is CN8 on Ltd. Basic, not to be confused with CSN, which is on Std. Basic. Nothing worthwhile here on Ltd. Basic, besides Locals.

And calling them is not worthwhile, as CSRs are frequently misinformed; and the site is no better.

Best bet is to pick up a prices/services pamphlet at your local office, they are also mailed out annually. The FCC mandates that they are available, accurate, as well as annually mailed out.

Only check the site, for changes since the printing, and it might be accurate.

any word on tnt-hd?

Originally posted by Zack Allen
With the Phillies in last place and no hockey playoffs, I am considering switching to a sat service, assuming that it would include a rooftop solution for OTA channels, and assuming that I get to keep the OTA antenna after my one year commitment is up.

But I have read on these forums (fora?) that the sat services compress their HD signals, which I guess makes them of visibly lower quality? And with an HD-DVR box rental the sat service might be expensive. So I am not sure what I will do at this point. I would appreciate opinions. Thanks.
I have Dish Network HD service ($9.95/month for 5 channels), plus my roof-top antenna. The picture quality through my 811 receiver and 26" Sharp Aquos LCD is amazing. The NBA games on TNT-HD look great. I don't think you'd be disappointed. I am sad that ESPN-HD chooses to broadcast random NBA games in HD (yesterday's Heat-Wizards game was not) TNT-HD broadcasts every game in HD. :). The other 3 channels are Discovery HD Theater, HDNET, and HDMovies. I wish ABC would put its NBA games in HD too.

Cliff notes: From my vantage point, HD on satellite is excellent.

I second that.

Dish Network has very good HD.


directv sucks.

Originally posted by blackngold75
Theoretically, the only HD channels you should be able to get with limited basic are the Philly locals (except UPN). You can check out the available channel lineup on the comcast.com website.

I just read from your post in the HD programming forum that its possible to have Ltd. Basic ($10.50) with Digital Plus ($14.95?) and the DVR ($9.95). I thought Digital Plus was 59.95?!! I definately have to see if I can get that deal.

Originally posted by En Sabur Nur
I just read from your post in the HD programming forum that its possible to have Ltd. Basic ($10.50) with Digital Plus ($14.95?) and the DVR ($9.95). I thought Digital Plus was 59.95?!! I definately have to see if I can get that deal. I was surprised to learn that, too. The price listed on the website includes the basic and extended basic cable plans, in addition to the digital tier. As long as you have the very basic package, you should be able to get the digital package without the extended basic.

Originally posted by En Sabur Nur
I just read from your post in the HD programming forum that its possible to have Ltd. Basic ($10.50) with Digital Plus ($14.95?) and the DVR ($9.95). I thought Digital Plus was 59.95?!! I definately have to see if I can get that deal.
You need to pick up a prices/services pamphlet from the office, they also mail one out annually, it shows all of the packages available. The website and CSRs are a marketing tools, they try to sell bundles rather than packages.

BTW, Digital Classic for $9.95 is also available, one could choose that instead of Digital Plus for $14.95.

Thanks, QZ1. I'll pick one up after work. Thanks again.

This isn't 100% a Comcast issue per se, but figured I'd throw it on out here.

I purchased a 50" Philips Plasma TV at the beginning of April. I have it hooked up through my home theater system and my 6412 DVR box via the HDMI cable.

After say, an hour or so - i'll start hearing that wispy static noise out of the TV - kinda like if a picture gets real sharp colors on it - you'll hear the "noise" increase.

Anyone out there that has experienced this before?? IF so, anything I can do?? It's frustrating figuring I just plunked down $4000 on a TV and I can watch it for an hour before the "noise" starts.

If you turn off the TV, it goes away - and I can definitely "hear it" coming from the TV itself.

Thanks for any tips!

Originally posted by En Sabur Nur
Thanks, QZ1. I'll pick one up after work. Thanks again.
No problem. :cool:

Just note, that Comcast does not make any differentiation in nomenclature, between their Digital packages and Digital bundles. So, on the web, (and talking to a CSR), you see bundles called 'Digital Classic' (and Plus) including Ltd. Basic and Expd. Basic for a high price.

In the pamphlet, if it is like ours, you will see packages also called 'Digital Classic' (and Plus) that are individually priced, and much less $, of course. Note that you always have to get Ltd. Basic.

You have to be clear on the packages and associated prices that you want, before you call. Never rely on the web or CSRs, except for changes after printing of the pamphlet. :)

Looks like some places in the area received new firmware last night on the 6412? Anyone confirm??

where can you get the pamphlet?

can you call OR do you have to do it in person?

Originally posted by jeepmatt
This isn't 100% a Comcast issue per se, but figured I'd throw it on out here.

I purchased a 50" Philips Plasma TV at the beginning of April. I have it hooked up through my home theater system and my 6412 DVR box via the HDMI cable.

After say, an hour or so - i'll start hearing that wispy static noise out of the TV - kinda like if a picture gets real sharp colors on it - you'll hear the "noise" increase.

Anyone out there that has experienced this before?? IF so, anything I can do?? It's frustrating figuring I just plunked down $4000 on a TV and I can watch it for an hour before the "noise" starts.

If you turn off the TV, it goes away - and I can definitely "hear it" coming from the TV itself.

Thanks for any tips! Yeah, your'e in the way wrong forum.
Post this again in the plasma forum. Some plasmas buzz when displaying brighter colors and whites.

Originally posted by ps24eva
where can you get the pamphlet?

can you call OR do you have to do it in person?
I doubt they would send it to you upon request, as they already send one out annually, but maybe they do. You probably need to go to the office and pick one up. Once you get it, you could make changes to your service in person or over the phone.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by ps24eva
where can you get the pamphlet?

can you call OR do you have to do it in person?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Comcast Coatesville site, you cannot view the different channel lineups. Dish allows you to do exactly that on their web site, and it is very easy to view the different packages. I wonder why Comcast does not wish to publish this information.

Originally posted by QZ1
I doubt they would send it to you upon request, as they already send one out annually, but maybe they do. You probably need to go to the office and pick one up. Once you get it, you could make changes to your service in person or over the phone.

Actually they will send you one. Just e-mail them and ask for a channel lineup card. I did it and got one.

I know some in here will be interested in this story out of Multichannel News:

Comcast’s Tech Pitch to Street
MSO Lays Out Tech Initiatives For Analysts


Top Comcast Corp. engineering executives provided a sweeping overview of the MSO’s technological initiatives — including a connected national backbone, reference designs for future set-top boxes, channel bonding and digital simulcast — during a lengthy briefing for analysts on May 10.

The message for Wall Street: Comcast is building a platform not only to match the competition but provide services that exceed what others can do. Think, for example, 100-Mbps high-speed Internet access.

Over the past several years, Comcast has been moving more and more services to its Internet protocol platform, paving the way for such innovations, said chief technology officer David Fellows.

Having one infrastructure also helps with cost control and bundling of services, such as voice and advanced Internet applications.

BACKBONE UNDER WAY
Through its deal with Level 3 Communications Inc., Comcast is building a nationwide 10-gigabit backbone. The Boston to Washington, D.C., link has already been activated, Fellows said. And the Philadelphia to Boston link has been upgraded to 40 Gbps. “It’s wicked fast,” Fellows said.

Comcast also is working towards deployment of Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification 3.0, which will allow the MSO to bundle 6-MH channels together to supply higher speed data services, as high as 100 Mbps or more.

Fellows said Comcast has created a middleware/operational support systems layer, called Bedrock, that brings together back office capabilities. It includes a Global Directory System, with entitlement information about all subscribers and their respective service levels for video, voice and data services. Bedrock also helps power Comcast’s instant-messaging system to customers and provides unified provisioning for voice and data services, he said.

Fellows said Comcast also plans to roll out session initiation protocol (SIP) phone services alongside PacketCable-based voice-over-IP service. SIP will allow the MSO to offer video instant messaging and video phone service.

“They will work together to provide a better platform than any of our competitors,” he said.

The MSO also is aggressively rolling out digital simulcast, replicating analog channels on digital so digital subscribers only see digital pictures.

“Digital simulcast is the first step towards all digital,” Fellows said, and it’s being rolled out in Comcast systems this year. “We get digital quality, cost reductions in set-tops, delivery of on demand more broadly and enhanced packaging flexibility.”

The day Comcast can go all digital, it will effectively triple its capacity, as two-thirds of the transport plant is dedicated to analog signals, he said.

Stephen Silva, executive vice president of business development at Comcast Cable Communications Inc., discussed a core reference design for future digital set-top boxes. “We’re going from buyer to builder,” he said.

Discussing the MSO’s digital gateway program, Silva outlined three Motorola Inc. set-tops. The RG 100 is a basic level set-top box. The RG 218 is a dual-tuner digital video recorder, while the RG 1000 is the soup-to-nuts set-top designed for whole house connectivity.

Mark Hess, senior vice president of digital television at Comcast, said all three boxes will have enough memory and processing power to handle OpenCable Applications Platform applications functions, as well as DOCSIS modems that will be used as the signaling return path.

It’s contemplated all three boxes will be capable of managing downloadable security functions. The two advanced boxes will have advanced codec capabilities.

Silva said Comcast has 60 visiting engineers — including ones from other MSOs — in its labs to work on the digital gateway. Final specifications should be done this year.

INNOVATION PLATFORM
“We’ve started to create a platform for innovation,” Silva said, starting with the set-top. The top of the setup will run conditional access, firmware and set-top box instruction software.

Silva said the Motorola joint venture — including the conditional-access licensing program and the support and development program — addresses that layer. Comcast owns 51% of the conditional-access layer program and will license DigiCipher to the industry.

The support program is a 50-50 joint venture that will support third party set-top makers and develop CableCARDs and downloadable security, Silva said.

The next layer in the design is the OCAP/middleware stack. Silva said 130 engineers from Double C Technologies, the joint venture with Cox Communications Inc. that bought Liberate Technologies assets, are working on OCAP applications and extensions.

Comcast’s GuideWorks joint venture with TV Guide-Gemstar International Inc. is handling the next layer, the user interface/navigation layer, riding just below the top application layer, he said.

The end result, he said, “is a powerful stack for the set-top box.”

Anybody have problems with Alias last night?

I have rarely experienced the recording issues that others have talked about, but last night there were quite a few audio dropouts along with some video noise. (I like to record for about a half hour and then start watching the show so I can zip past the commercials).

Also, ABC couldn't wait to flip the switch back to 4:3 SD mode even though the show had about 3 minutes to go. That's just annoying.

Originally posted by mikeewing
Also, ABC couldn't wait to flip the switch back to 4:3 SD mode even though the show had about 3 minutes to go. That's just annoying.

Maybe they hired the guy from NBC10 to monitor the HD switch!

Originally posted by progear
Maybe they hired the guy from NBC10 to monitor the HD switch!

Yeah, I guess you have to consider ABC light years ahead of NBC. Last week or the week before NBC never flipped the switch for Medium...

I am begining to think there is a management problem at WCAU. Bolaris, Orr, Mendte, and now Eskin have all bolted out of there. All except Bolaris (who went to the CBS afillaite in NYC) went to KYW (Eskin is rummoroed to be heading there, but has to wait 6 months). It sounds like a sinking ship to me...

Can we please keep the posts on-topic? I read this forum to learn about Philly and its HDTV channels, not about tv news and/or the on-air personalities. If you want to talk about philly tv news, you can go here - http://www.tvnewstalk.net/forum2/

Originally posted by Zack Allen
On the Comcast Coatesville site, you cannot view the different channel lineups. Dish allows you to do exactly that on their web site, and it is very easy to view the different packages. I wonder why Comcast does not wish to publish this information.
They only publish all of the choices in the pamphlet, because in order to have them available, the FCC mandates that they be published.

As I have said before, they can offer what ever packages and bundles they want, by phone and website, because they are considered promotional tools.

newsman, I think sdevoll is on to something relevant to HD. WCAU has a bad engineering record when it comes to HD presentation. Not only do they often forget "the switch", but they have terrible audio pops when they switch from net to local and vice versa. Management obviously doesn't give a hoot.

If you know anything about tv, you'll know that those responsible for news content and who you see on tv are not the same people who are responsible for engineering. The only person responsible for both is the General Manager. It's the news director and assisant news director who make the determination who gets put in front of the camera (or taken off air). Perhaps, instead of attacking those on the news side of things, his/her complaints would be better served by sending an e-mail or letter to the GM. Your comments are off base when comparing what happens to news talent and HDTV programming/engineering issues.

P.S. If sdevoll, would bother to check facts, he/she would see that Eskin doesn't have to wait 6 months, since he doesn't have a non-compete to worry about. Eskin was on a freelance contract.

My only point is that the GM doesn't seem to care about HD presentation and this lack of concern about one aspect of the station may be a reflection of a larger problem which is in turn connected to the personnel exodus mentioned.

There is no need to get high and mighty, bro - let's try to keep this on a friendly basis.

NBC10's priorities should be:
1) broadcast local news in HD.
2) put Aditi Roy as an anchor.

Aditi Roy in HD ... sigh.

Easy newsman...those emails and letters to the GM have been sent and clearly WCAU isn't interested in its HD presentation. Nobody is attacking anyone on the news side of things. We all understand that this technology is relatively new and there are many technological kinks to be worked out...what is repeatedly commented on in this particular thread is WCAU's clear disinterest in delivering quality HD transmission and the lack of progress they have made in addressing the simple things like "hitting the switch." I think sdevoll and chroma601 are right on when they say this discussion is relevant to HD...there is a pattern of mismanagement at WCAU and it rears its ugly head nightly during there prime time HD programming.

Chris.

I'd like to attack Aditi Roy. :)

I extend my apologies to anyone whom I may have offended. My thanks to both chroma601 and progear for eloquently clarifying my point. As a member of the HD community, I have an expectation of quality from the local affiliates with regard to how the content is presented to me. We all have spent several thousands of dollars on our home theaters that are very high quality. It is my opinion that the content viewed on these systems should be of the same.

The other stations, CBS, ABC and FOX do not seem to have a problem with flipping a switch, picture quality and audio quality. I am not saying it doesn’t come up in the other stations; it is just nowhere near as prevalent as WCAU.

The viewing public sees WCAU (and the other stations) in two aspects, news/local programming and content A/V quality. The latter we have already discussed is not up to the standard of competing stations in the Philadelphia area. The former I brought up in a previous post that over the past few years, on-air personalities (the station’s ambassadors to the community) have left primarily for KYW.

Putting both these pieces together, it is my opinion that WCAU management has a problem. I highly doubt the on-air personalities who left WCAU for KYW did so by coincidence.

I'm sure the news departments are the reason we get stuck with those annoying weather simulcasts.

Who can we e-mail about that?

Weather simulcasts? You mean the Weather plus on 10.2? And WPVI's radar on 6.3? I have a feeling that also has to deal w/ upper management. You can read more about that here (http://www.nbccableinfo.com/insidenbccable/networks/weather/resources/inthenews/111504.html).

http://www.nbccableinfo.com/insidenbccable/img/weather/rev.jpg

Is tonite's phillies orioles game in HD in the philly area?

I said it once, and I'll say it again.

If you have any complaints in regard to HD quality, MAKE SOME CALLS!

There is a post in this thread that had all the phone numbers of important people in charge of high-def at nbc10, 6abc etc.

Saturday afternoon (don't know when it started) and local Philly digital
(Comcast Willow Grove) channels are all screwed up again. Not
just the second tuner in a 6412, and not just a 6412.

And we pay a ton of money for this crap?

joef_rgb wrote: "Saturday afternoon (don't know when it started) and local Philly digital (Comcast Willow Grove) channels are all screwed up again. Not just the second tuner in a 6412, and not just a 6412."

Saw this also in West Chester, when I tried to watch the Fox Game of the Week. Seemed to clear up by mid first inninng, though.

I am disappointed that the Game of the Week is not in HD, but I have to go do chores outside anyway.

Checked again at 4 PM, and it's been resolved...

Saw the game in the 9th inning and it was ok. PQ wasn't that great. OTOH, the Preakness looked pretty good.

Under the heading better late than never, it looks like UPN 57 will be added in JUne as the Phillies home UPN 57 games should be in HD in about two weeks.

Under the heading better late than never, it looks like UPN 57 will be added in JUne as the Phillies home UPN 57 games should be in HD in about two weeks.

excellent and about time.

what the bleep!
abc forgot to flip the switch for the last 10 minutes of LOST.

Under the heading better late than never, it looks like UPN 57 will be added in JUne as the Phillies home UPN 57 games should be in HD in about two weeks.

So it will be added just like TNT has been added?if they don't have the bandwidth for that how can they add UPN?

Seriously... in the words of my fiance... "Didn't you know it's IMPORTANT to know that Tynon is swimming with the sharks?!?" *drip sarcasm*

I can't believe they pulled that crap on a season finale. Dumb@$$e$!

so if they're adding upn, that means they've been holding out on tnt in order to add UPN. How great! I watch UPN all of about two minutes all year, and yet TNT is one of my favorite channels. Great job comcast. Keep up the digital simulcasting and holding out of channels. And you should add more shopping networks too!!

*note the sarcasm*

6 ABC is absolutely bush league. Just when I thought they had straightened their ship after all the problems with half green screens and no audio at the beginning of this season they pull this sh** with no HD during the last 10 minutes of LOST and the last 17 minutes of ALIAS.

Guys, I previously posted before that TNT and UPN would be added in June which was when the bandwidth will be freed up. June is fast approaching.

Yes, it's amateur hour at ABC. Not only did they 4:3 the last segment of Lost,
they put that shark promo at the bottom of the screen. The two may be related.
For that reason, I purposely did not watch ABC local news.

I would think the two are absolutely related... remember when Fox used to show the top of the hours IDs and the screen inevitably went from 16:9 to 4:3... same thing here except 6 apparently is more ill-equipped than Fox was. It's actually surprising because I don't ever recall seeing anything like that... I'm not sure I ever recall seing promos from 6 or any other network during their HD broadcasting.

For those of you who have bashed WCAU Channel 10, here is another example of ineptitude. Perhaps the switching from 4:3 to 16:9 and vice versa should be automated?

Stations that aren't operating on the cheap have automated switching, ala KYW. WCAU is and has always been terrible on this issue. A couple of years ago, when NBC was broadcasting an Elvis movie in HD, WCAU was broadcasting a green screen on their digital channel. I called the engineering department and asked them if they were aware of it and the engineer said no and that they did not even monitor the DT channel. He went and looked at it and told me I was right and it took another 40 minutes to fix it. WPVI in the past has often had no center channel audio on their HD programs so that there was no dialogue, just sound effects which made the program unwatchable. They also had the picture freeze for 10 minutes at a time. This continues to this day and will continue into the future until the analog signals are turned off.

I just got the final word on TNT-HD. It will NOT be added until late summer-early fall in this market. The only channel to be added before then will be WPSG-DT which will be on at the latest by mid June. At that time, the Phillies home games shown on UPN will be in HD as produced by Comcast Sportsnet as will select road games.

JWhip -
Any idea as to which road games will be subject to HD broadcasts on CSN and/or WPSG? The Mets games were a treat; the lack of HD broadcasts of last week's Orioles series was a bit surprising given that it was "all in the family" for CSN.

Nope!

I just got the final word on TNT-HD. It will NOT be added until late summer-early fall in this market. The only channel to be added before then will be WPSG-DT which will be on at the latest by mid June. At that time, the Phillies home games shown on UPN will be in HD as produced by Comcast Sportsnet as will select road games. Thanks for posting the update. If the Philies can just string some wins together...we keep getting teased by what they're capable of like the last game--Thome needs to get a linedrive in the forehead to snap out of this mental funk.

Are the QAM assignments for Comcast HD channels the same across the Philly area? if so, what are they? My new Panny HD plasma has integrated QAM but there are so many mapped, its difficult to decipher. thanks in advance.

I just got the final word on TNT-HD. It will NOT be added until late summer-early fall in this market. The only channel to be added before then will be WPSG-DT which will be on at the latest by mid June. At that time, the Phillies home games shown on UPN will be in HD as produced by Comcast Sportsnet as will select road games.


Classic - more BS from Comcast on the TV side - hometown market and you can't add 1 channel.

Just be happy you still have Sportsnet Comcast - or you'd be out a hell of a lot of customers.

They are adding a new channel and it is UPN. There are reasons they have chosen to add UPN and not TNT at this time. I let them know how I felt about it.

I let them know how I felt about it.

And we love you for that. :) Maybe I can watch Veronica Mars in repeats in HD.

I cant remember the last time i watched UPN, i will on ocasion check out the phils but they are just horrible to watch right now. Does anyone else even watch UPN? I would prefer ESPN2 over UPN anyday.

Must be some kind of contractual thing, since CBS3 and UPN57 are both owned by Viacom.
I'd much rather have HDNet and Universal HD, but this isn't a democracy.

Universal HD will be coming, likely in the fall due to the Olympics. As will ESPN2. I get Universal HD on Directv and you are not kissing anything. HDNet is another story.

I cant remember the last time i watched UPN, i will on ocasion check out the phils but they are just horrible to watch right now. Does anyone else even watch UPN? I would prefer ESPN2 over UPN anyday.

Veronica Mars is seriously good, very underrated... I'm afraid it will be cancelled after next season, as it's going up against LOST. UGH!

Veronica Mars is seriously good, very underrated... I'm afraid it will be cancelled after next season, as it's going up against LOST. UGH!

That's why they invented DVRs. :)

Seriously, that would be a shame.

I see WB17 is broadcasting the Willow Grove Air Show on Sat from 12 until the Blue Angels are done.
Alot of friends, Northeast, Glenside, have seen them flying around....how phat would that be if WB had HD cameras there.?
I'll be there tomorrow, hopefully timing it just right for when the Blues go up 3PM, probably the last Willow Grove Air Show.
The only source I checked was TitanTV, and it's not HD.
It doesn't seem too hard, unless Channel 17 simply don't have any HD cameras, ie all their HD stuff is sent to them from WB.

WB17 does not have any HD cameras that I am aware of. I doubt that any of the local OTA channels do either.

I see WB17 is broadcasting the Willow Grove Air Show on Sat from 12 until the Blue Angels are done.
Alot of friends, Northeast, Glenside, have seen them flying around....how phat would that be if WB had HD cameras there.?
I'll be there tomorrow, hopefully timing it just right for when the Blues go up 3PM, probably the last Willow Grove Air Show.
The only source I checked was TitanTV, and it's not HD.
It doesn't seem too hard, unless Channel 17 simply don't have any HD cameras, ie all their HD stuff is sent to them from WB.

Have fun Plasma George. Marie and I debated this long and hard last night-just can't comprehend the traffic. We've been hearing them practice and I'm sure it'll be a great show. Also, can't understand the ban on coolers unless it's to funnel money to the vendors.

Also, I'm not sure this is the last show. I've not resigned myself that the base will closed any time soon. It just doesn't make sense. The big down side, of course, is that this is a blue state base. They'll get far less consideration.

JWhip-

After Comcast adds WPSG-DT, will the OTA feed for those Phillies home games be HD as well?

Have fun Plasma George. Marie and I debated this long and hard last night-just can't comprehend the traffic. We've been hearing them practice and I'm sure it'll be a great show. Also, can't understand the ban on coolers unless it's to funnel money to the vendors.

Also, I'm not sure this is the last show. I've not resigned myself that the base will closed any time soon. It just doesn't make sense. The big down side, of course, is that this is a blue state base. They'll get far less consideration.

Have fun at the show today guys! Working on Blair Mill Road off of 611 all week has been quite, ummmm..exciting! How can you beat working while hearing a Blue Angel screech over your office building???

Nice day for it too! (well, so far that is)

I saw the Blue Angels in San Francisco in the 80's and it's a GREAT show but the one thing I came away with was a sore neck.

I am happy that UPN is being added now, because that means one more HD channel. It's progress. However, I have not watched UPN for years, and that is not an exaggeration. I am not a huge fan of baseball, and they're shows are decent at best. TNT is coming out with a number of mini-series over the summer, as well as showing some golf and tennis I believe. If Philly Comcast was smart, they would be like every other comcast market, with an HD Special Events channel. That way, we could get almost all of the HD content that Comcast is allowed to make available to us. It makes no sense to me to add UPN IN THE SUMMER....when there are no new episodes of they're serials, for just baseball.

I saw the Blue Angels in San Francisco in the 80's and it's a GREAT show but the one thing I came away with was a sore neck. The Blues really represent Amarica, Freedom, and a level of excellence. Maybe in the 80s the shows were more directly overhead, not anymore...they're always in front and to the sides.
Boggles me how some people would rather be home mowing the grass, doing chores, instead of witnessing these puppies roar.!

We didn't see it from the "audience" position, we saw it from Fort Point, about 400 yards away and at a higher perspective - directly below and a few feet to the side of the Golden Gate Bridge. GREAT vantage point.

Today's show was good on tv although it would have been super in hi-def.

It makes sense when you consider the window to add UPN under the master Viacom contract is not open ended. Also, please be aware that the Phillies own I believe a 13% interest in CSN who is and has been producing the Phillies games in SD and now HD. The home games on UPN 57 will be in HD OTA as well as on cable. The same is true for Sixers and Flyers' games that are on UPN 57 from Philly. AT this time, there is no room for one special events HD channel. The problem as I see it is VOD and ADS. I believe that the Philly DMA has alot more VOD available than any other Comcast market. Please remember that Comcast customers who subscribe to HD services are less than 10% of the subscriber base in this market. I believe the actual figure is 7%. Therefore, the SD base still comes first over HD. Please also keep in mind that the digital cable penetration in this market is also only about 40%. Therefore around 60% are still analog only subscribers. There should be a lot more space in the fall when there will be a new compression scheme to fit many more digital SD channnels into each 6mhz QAM stream freeing up more space for HD which WILL NOT be compressed. Only 2 HD channels fit into a 6 mhz QAM stream. There are also other factors at work here which I am not at liberty to discuss. It is sufficient to state that there will be a few new HD channels added in this market in the late summer, early fall. HDNet will NOT be one of them. There will also be several added first half of next year. It takes time to get all this stuff ready. While I am not happy about the TNT decision here and have let them know that many HD subscribers wanted to see the NBA and upcoming mini-series, there is not anything that can be done about it. The die has been cast. Comcast people call me HD centric as that is all I really care about at this time. However, it is still an SD world. The good news is that more and more Comcast management people are getting HD sets and now really see what we here have been talking about the last few years. That will only help to speed things along.

JWhip, I want to thank you for all of the timely and accurate information you bring to this forum. I have an associate who has an HD set and has Comcast digital cable and because of your information, I let him know what's coming up long before he knows...and I don't even have cable at all!
But with the 6 month special offer for $30.00 a month that Comcast is running right now, that may change. Thanks again.

JWhip, I want to thank you for all of the timely and accurate information you bring to this forum. I have an associate who has an HD set and has Comcast digital cable and because of your information, I let him know what's coming up long before he knows...and I don't even have cable at all!
But with the 6 month special offer for $30.00 a month that Comcast is running right now, that may change. Thanks again.So for 6 months you'll have a nice $30+ bill (with all those taxes added). After that, how much does the bill go up to? Wouldn't it make sense to use an antenna and get a satellite dish (if possible)? I can't ever imagine going back to cable, considering how inexpensive satellite is, and how good the picture is on the dish (even with the slight compression).

So for 6 months you'll have a nice $30+ bill (with all those taxes added). After that, how much does the bill go up to? Wouldn't it make sense to use an antenna and get a satellite dish (if possible)? I can't ever imagine going back to cable, considering how inexpensive satellite is, and how good the picture is on the dish (even with the slight compression).

newsman;

I just made the switch in reverse. Satellite is no more than 20 cheaper and doesn't offer locals in hd. MAJOR difference. I had the DirecTivo and a Samsung TS360 hi-def receiver. In my case, locals didn't come ota in any quality or regularity so going back to cable was a no-brainer. I got 30 a month for a year - a savings of over 500 from what *D* was at. Also, the 6412 is a better platform than the HDTiVo (or SDTiVo), imho.

Also, neither of the dishes offers CSN either in SD or HD, or INHD 1 and 2. Since I have Comcast as well as D*, the picture on SD on both is about the same. They both stink, especially on a 50" screen.

I live in Philadelphia Center City (19103) and I am considering switching to Comcast from Dish. I have heard that even though Comcast call it Digital Cable service not all of their SD channels are digital, a lot are analog.

Is this true If so does anyone know which is which? I tried the Comcast 800 number but no help.

This should be posted in your local forum.

Everything from 99 and below are analog, everything above 100 are digital.

I am new to the 'Forum', but have found a lot of very helpful information. With the recent proposed hike for NFL ST (Superfan option) and the high priced HDTivo, I am considering leaving D* and going back to Comcast. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me the skinny on the HD PQ between the two and then the SD PQ between the two.

I just don't want to really regret going back because I wasn't too thrilled with Comcast before I left, but it's been really hard living without CSN, but if I don't renew the NFL ST, no real reason to stick with D*.

Lastly, if anyone knows any incentives that Comcast is offering to pull people back from D*, I'd appreciate the info.

Thanks!

I am new to the 'Forum', but have found a lot of very helpful information. With the recent proposed hike for NFL ST (Superfan option) and the high priced HDTivo, I am considering leaving D* and going back to Comcast. I was wondering if anyone out there can give me the skinny on the HD PQ between the two and then the SD PQ between the two.

I just don't want to really regret going back because I wasn't too thrilled with Comcast before I left, but it's been really hard living without CSN, but if I don't renew the NFL ST, no real reason to stick with D*.

Lastly, if anyone knows any incentives that Comcast is offering to pull people back from D*, I'd appreciate the info.

Thanks!

Hi Hawkhead,

Welcome to the forum.

A couple suggestions,

First - Check JWhip's post 3 posts before yours. JWhip's one of the (if not THE) best source of info (especially about COMCAST) on the forum. Real straight-shooter - and objective.

Second if (when) you call COMCAST, tell them that you are switching from the Dish - they will give you the best deal. They have "variations on a theme", the most common was $25 credit/month for 16 months - basically giving you $400 in credits. They may have something different now.

Good Luck - let us know where you end up.

David

Universal HD will be coming, likely in the fall due to the Olympics. As will ESPN2. I get Universal HD on Directv and you are not kissing anything. HDNet is another story.

I see this thread has been "moved" to the general HDTV Programming forum, so:

Good to hear about these channels, especially ESPN2. If nothing else, Universal will give me more channel surfing and random viewing options, moreso than TNT HD (which Baltimore was lucky enough to get before the NBA playoffs. It will soon be useless until NASCAR starts.)

As always, I look forward to JWhip giving us more specific timeframes as soon as he knows (or as soon as he's allowed to tell us.;))

I live in Philadelphia Center City (19103) and I am considering switching to Comcast from Dish. I have heard that even though Comcast call it Digital Cable service not all of their SD channels are digital, a lot are analog.

Is this true If so does anyone know which is which? I tried the Comcast 800 number but no help.

I would guess that about half of the SD channels are analog. You might try their
web site to get a listing, from channels ~78 and lower are analog.

However, the difference in PQ between analog and digital SD is debateable.
It might make a difference in over the air and satellite systems but with cable,
less of a difference. It depends on where in the transmission chain the signal is
converted to digital. If you convert a standard analog signal to digital, the PQ will be degraded.

I too am considering switching back to Comcast. When you sign up for Comcast HD and the 6412 what cables do they include? I assume that since they are relatively expensive, I am responsible for obtaining my own component or HDMI cables.

they give you half decent component cables

I see this thread has been "moved" to the general HDTV Programming forum, so:

Good to hear about these channels, especially ESPN2. If nothing else, Universal will give me more channel surfing and random viewing options, moreso than TNT HD (which Baltimore was lucky enough to get before the NBA playoffs. It will soon be useless until NASCAR starts.)

As always, I look forward to JWhip giving us more specific timeframes as soon as he knows (or as soon as he's allowed to tell us.;))


How much of TNT-HD's content is actually in HD? Say for example movies and all there shows that air, ER and whatever else is on that network.

The component cables seem to be good - they're thick and long but the first set was bad so they had to bring me another. I'm not even using them now - just DVI.

The HD link between Comcast Sportsnet and UPN-57 has been completed and tested and is ready to go. The first HD game will be as soon as the channel is added. I do not have the exact date yet but maybe Friday as that is the next UPN 57 game.

How much of TNT-HD's content is actually in HD? Say for example movies and all there shows that air, ER and whatever else is on that network.

The movies they show in HD are all from the 21st Century, but not all 21st Century movies are HD. Blade (1998) is not HD, Blade II (2002) is. Drumline (2002) is not. A 4 a.m. movie might be HD, but an 8 p.m. Friday movie might not.

Some Law & Order episodes are HD, most, it seems, are not. I saw an HD episode of Without a Trace. They make no distinction between HD programming and stretched, upconverted programming. I haven't noticed any patterns because I only really watch basketball.

The HD link between Comcast Sportsnet and UPN-57 has been completed and tested and is ready to go. The first HD game will be as soon as the channel is added. I do not have the exact date yet but maybe Friday as that is the next UPN 57 game.

Is the entire area gettung UPN

It should.

hey hawkhead and jportnoy!


comcast's high definition quality is indeed better than D*.


so come on back to comcast!


I have a third party box though (LG 4200A).

hey guys, i'm north of balitmore and i'm trying to pick up the fox feed out of york, OTA. did they go to full power yet? i'm the same distance from their tower as i am from annapolis. i can get annapolis PBS, but i can't even get a sniff on york's fox tower. it is true that is channel 43.1 correct? email me if you have any specifics you don't want to bog the thread down with. goal here being to receive all eagles games this year without paying for my ST subscription through D*.

hey hawkhead and jportnoy!


comcast's high definition quality is indeed better than D*.


so come on back to comcast!


I have a third party box though (LG 4200A).

Thanks, I agree that Comcast is a great competitor for D* as far as HD right now. At the time I dropped Comcast 7 years ago, the PQ was the reason but I also wanted NFLST and Mega March Madness. D* still has exclusive contracts for those for the short term and so I may wait to see what happens with their rumored new HD offerings when they go to MPEG4. I'm sure I'd enjoy CSN-HD but I'm not a native Philadelphia and thus not tied to the teams.

hey hawkhead and jportnoy!


comcast's high definition quality is indeed better than D*.


so come on back to comcast!


I have a third party box though (LG 4200A).


I just recently switched from D* to Comcast.

There is no comparison in the HD between them -- Comcast blows D* away.

Now 2-99 -- UGH!!!!

Second if (when) you call COMCAST, tell them that you are switching from the Dish - they will give you the best deal. They have "variations on a theme", the most common was $25 credit/month for 16 months - basically giving you $400 in credits. They may have something different now.


I posted my deal in the hardware forum (it got moved there for some reason).

I am getting Digital Silver w/ HBO, a PVR, and HSI for $69 a month for 12 months. Pretty sweet little deal.

So you can ask for that, too. It is a much better deal than the $25 for 16 months one.

I posted my deal in the hardware forum (it got moved there for some reason).

I am getting Digital Silver w/ HBO, a PVR, and HSI for $69 a month for 12 months. Pretty sweet little deal.

So you can ask for that, too. It is a much better deal than the $25 for 16 months one.

I got the same thing (except, what is HSI?) for $39. a month and I agree-the HD quality is better - not much, but better. Also, the Motorola 6412 displays a much larger picture than did the TS360.

Overall, I'm thrilled I switched. Even with the analog signal sucking it still works. I split the line before the box and I feed a Panasonic E95 and a Series 1 Tivo. The picture on the Panny is pretty decent - it connects back to the TV via component. The picture on the TiVo is tolerable - better than what comes out of the 6412.

BTW-LOVE Yardley.

Great to see everyone getting in on these deals to switch over...How 'bout us existing Comcast customers who are happily forking over a small mortgage payment each month? Will Comcast cut us a deal...maybe a discount on HSI or possibly an added premium or two?

Feel for ya and I'll be paying the same small mortgage in a year. I paid a ton for a long time before switching to DirecTv. I'd be paying over $100 if I didn't make that switch about a year and a half ago.

Feel for ya and I'll be paying the same small mortgage in a year. I paid a ton for a long time before switching to DirecTv. I'd be paying over $100 if I didn't make that switch about a year and a half ago.

Thanks to all for the info on Comcast vs. D*. I'm about ready to pull the trigger to go back to Comcast now. Had two other quick questions...

Does the 6412 DVR have a digital co-ax and optical audio out (capable of DD 5.1)?

I noticed several comments about issues with the 6412. Are these issues still occurring frequently or have they mainly been resolved?

Does the 6412 DVR have a digital co-ax and optical audio out (capable of DD 5.1)?
Are these issues still occurring frequently or have they mainly been resolved?

1> Yes, the 6412 has both a coax and optical out, DD 5.1
2> There are still some issues with the 6412. It seems different areas in the region have different problems. At the moment, some of my channels on the 2nd tuner are really breaking up now (especially NFL network). I'm not sure why, because signal strength is good and the box indicates there are no errors being reported in the data stream from that channel. Despite the flaws, I haven't seen a better deal yet on an HD DVR.

The HD link between Comcast Sportsnet and UPN-57 has been completed and tested and is ready to go. The first HD game will be as soon as the channel is added. I do not have the exact date yet but maybe Friday as that is the next UPN 57 game.


UPN 57 - HD appeared last night at QAM 110.4 in the Levittown, PA area.

I got the same thing (except, what is HSI?) for $39. a month and I agree-the HD quality is better - not much, but better. Also, the Motorola 6412 displays a much larger picture than did the TS360.

Overall, I'm thrilled I switched. Even with the analog signal sucking it still works. I split the line before the box and I feed a Panasonic E95 and a Series 1 Tivo. The picture on the Panny is pretty decent - it connects back to the TV via component. The picture on the TiVo is tolerable - better than what comes out of the 6412.

BTW-LOVE Yardley.

HSI = High Speed Internet

Yeah, we really like Yardley, too.

Great to see everyone getting in on these deals to switch over...How 'bout us existing Comcast customers who are happily forking over a small mortgage payment each month? Will Comcast cut us a deal...maybe a discount on HSI or possibly an added premium or two?

Some guys here at work were PO'ed that I got such a good deal, so they called Comcast to bitch...

They immediately dropped their HSI to $20 a month.

So, get calling! Let us know what you get from them, maybe it will help others get similar deals.

:)

UPN 57 - HD appeared last night at QAM 110.4 in the Levittown, PA area.

Ironically, tonight's Phillies game is going to be on UPN 57.
Wonder if it will be on my lineup when i get home tonight?

Yes, UPN-57 is now on my system and should be on all systems in the Philly area. Just got the word from CSN that the game tonight WILL be in HD!

Yes, UPN-57 is now on my system and should be on all systems in the Philly area. Just got the word from CSN that the game tonight WILL be in HD!

J - what # did they put it on?

awesome news. Will the channel just appear or will we have to shut off our box.

Just shut/down turned on my box and UPN is on #236 right after wb. Think it comes up as wpsghd

THIS IS BS, why is not here in south jersey, i couldn't care less abut UPN shows but i want to be able to see teh phillies games in HD if they are broadcast that way. i live 10 miles from philly so i live in the philly area

It is on channel 236 and should be on everywhere today unless NJ gets caught up in some sort of state notice rule.

Thanks to all for the info on Comcast vs. D*. I'm about ready to pull the trigger to go back to Comcast now. Had two other quick questions...

Does the 6412 DVR have a digital co-ax and optical audio out (capable of DD 5.1)?

I noticed several comments about issues with the 6412. Are these issues still occurring frequently or have they mainly been resolved?

I made the switch a few weeks back and so far, so good. I would NOT change back at this point - my box works almost perfectly.

Does anyone have a link to programming in HD that's available on UPN?

South Jersey will be getting UPN57 HD on June 15th. Central Jersey for UPN9 HD no date announced.

Does anyone have a link to programming in HD that's available on UPN?

http://upn57.com/titanguide/

Use the line for channel 57.1 - the HD shows have a red "HD" in the listing.

Of course, now that Enterprise is dead, the remaining shows on UPN in HD remind me of the old saying "you can't polish a turd."

JWhip (or anybody in the know):

Nny idea who I can call or what I can say to get Comcast to come out and do the best job they possibly can to fix my analog issues?

The last guy replaced like 10 feet of cable and put an extra 3 joiners in the line.

Bill;

If the signal is ok from the street, the only option is to amp it up. I got a motorola cable amp for this and it works but you have to understand, analog sucks no matter what you do to try to improve it.

Bill;

If the signal is ok from the street, the only option is to amp it up. I got a motorola cable amp for this and it works but you have to understand, analog sucks no matter what you do to try to improve it.

How exactly do I know if it is good from the street?

They had to come out and homerun to my cable modem because the line was so bad.

It looks like I have an antenna on my roof, and it's not coming in clearly.

Analog HAS to look better than this...
...
.......or DOES it?

South Jersey will be getting UPN57 HD on June 15th. Central Jersey for UPN9 HD no date announced.

130 dollars a month for cable and internet, and with only one premium channel it is that much and i can not watch the LOCAL team in HD tonite when it is being broadcast that way :mad: :mad: :mad:

Analog will look better on an analog set like crap on a digital set. Analog will look better on a digital set with a built in cable tuner than it will with a Motorola HD box such as the 6100 or the 6412. The analog algoritm in the Motorla box stinks, that is one of the reasons why Comcast is rolling out ADS (all digital simulcast) in the next few weeks, likely by the end of June. That will improve the performance of the analog channels, at least alittle. There is really little you can do to really make SD broadcast and cable channels look great on an HD screen.

Shades, it sounds to me like one of those local notice issues that are a problem with NJ regulations and not a Comcast issue. I will check though.

Looking forward to watching the both games tonight (NBA playoffs on TNT-HD & Phillies on UPN57DT OTA). Enjoy the games!

acouple of sound glitches but so far so good for channel 57 hi def.

oh now were is tnt-hd?

uh oh i just saw the old fuzzy glitch when they show the giants line up.

later summer or early fall.

oh now were is tnt-hd?

uh oh i just saw the old fuzzy glitch when they show the giants line up.I am one of the few (it seems) that has Dish Net, and therefore have TNT-HD. Seems like UPN57 is having small glitches w/ their broadcast. Well, history is being made. The first Phillies baseball game broadcast locally OTA in HD.

Other than the small glitches and the problem with SD after commerical breaks, the picture and sound is outstanding.

Why couldn't comcast notify whoever thay had to before today :confused: , this is BS that both the NBA nad phillies games are in HD tonite and we here can not get it for the money we pay

I am surmizing on the notofication. It involves the public utility board and some public notice to add a new channel. Try to be patient. This has been a problem in NJ in the past.

JWhip wrote, regarding UPN57 out of Phillie, I believe: "Other than the small glitches and the problem with SD after commerical breaks, the picture and sound is outstanding."

________________________________

Thanks JWhip for letting us know as I knew to look for Channel 236 (Comcast in the West Chester, PA area). Picture seemed equal to Comcast's HD broadcasts. Sound was in 5.1. Nice timing as the Phils are playing much better lately.

UPN 57 needs to do a better job syncing up the HD coming out of the breaks. I would have thought they had an automated switcher as KYW does and they use the same plant.

130 dollars a month for cable and internet, and with only one premium channel it is that much and i can not watch the LOCAL team in HD tonite when it is being broadcast that way :mad: :mad: :mad:

Shades...I'm in your service area and had the same exact package. Give Comcast a call... "ask" them about any specials running for the "area, " and ask them what all of these great new advertised promotions and deals can do for you as a longtime subscriber. I gave the CSR the old "what can you do for me to keep me happy?" I wasn't able to lower my monthly, but I was able to move up Platinum (All Premiums) for a year for next to nothing...It worth a phone call.

Hi All,

Anyone hear any details of Verizon offering cable service in Delaware County? They are currently running fiber through everyone's front yards in my neighborhood. I was just at a township meeting and the board acknowledged that Verizon applied for a catv franchise. I am assuming they will be offering HD content, I am just curious of what kind of initial channel line up they will have and when the service will start.

Cheers,
Jim

The analog algoritm in the Motorla box stinks, that is one of the reasons why Comcast is rolling out ADS (all digital simulcast) in the next few weeks, likely by the end of June.

ADS appeared last night here in Levittown. I found 83 digital channels - everything I had on analog cable except the Weather Channel. Wonder why they didn't add that one??

I have a Sony XBR960 HD direct view set with a digital tuner here in Delaware County. I do not have digital cable, but I receive the local HD channels. Often, I get artifacts and the picture goes out for a few minutes. Would upgrading to digital cable solve this problem or are these issues just a fact of life?

Also, would upgrading to digital cable improve the SD picture quality at all?

Thanks for your help.

Other than the small glitches and the problem with SD after commerical breaks, the picture and sound is outstanding.
Thanks for the heads-up on the channel, JWhip. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but what I saw and heard looked and sounded pretty good.

Has anyone noticed any audio drops on some the Comcast HD channels? I have the Moto 6412 DVR, and noticed drops on INHD2 last night. This was on the first tuner on the 6412. Also, on the second tuner I have found that NFL Network is completely unwatchable.

The Phils broadcast was pretty good - but the changes between commercials and the game were VERY noticeable - as JWhip mentioned.

It was their first stab - so I give them some slack. :)

Will be nice to see ALL analog DS by the end of the month. On the Wilmington system - last time I checked, we were about 50% - no locals though, which i'd like to see.

Watched the game last night HD OTA, nice pic and sound with a few drops and momentary glitches I wrote off to 1st time learning for the crew.

Hope they have it down pat when the Red Sox come to town to kick their sorry behinds.

Does anyone have a link to programming in HD that's available on UPN?

On June 14th the Veronica Mars pilot will be broadcast in HD. After that, VM reruns in HD. They are also rerunning Enterprise in HD, plus their Monday night lineup (which I don't watch).

However, the Phillies games listed do not have the HD logo - troubling, no?

WOO WOO! I'm so excited. Veronica Mars is Great!

ALL Phillies home games on UPN 57 WILL be in HD. The Enterprise reruns on Sunday nights are NOT in HD. I do not think their will be any HD reruns of Enterprise at all sorry to say as I would like to save one on DVHS.

they need to do something about that hideous large logo while they broadcast SD. As long as the phils games come in clear thats all I care about, that is the only time I watch UPN.

Hi All,

Anyone hear any details of Verizon offering cable service in Delaware County? They are currently running fiber through everyone's front yards in my neighborhood. I was just at a township meeting and the board acknowledged that Verizon applied for a catv franchise. I am assuming they will be offering HD content, I am just curious of what kind of initial channel line up they will have and when the service will start.

Cheers,
Jim

not likely for a while, they started signing agreements with broadcasters but have yet to get any franchise agreements, also in their press releases they said they have 100mbps down and 15mbps up allocated to Video for the next year or so, that isnt enough to give you any kind of channel line up, from what I have heard they will only initally be offering a VOD type service, and that isnt anytime soon.

ADS appeared last night here in Levittown. I found 83 digital channels - everything I had on analog cable except the Weather Channel. Wonder why they didn't add that one??

How do you know if an analog channel is being digitally simulcast?

I have the same cable as you. (I assume -- the old Lower Bucks Cablevision.)

-b

How do you know if an analog channel is being digitally simulcast?

I have the same cable as you. (I assume -- the old Lower Bucks Cablevision.)

-b

Yup, that's the cable system. I have a Sharp Aquos with two analog tuners and one digital tuner - all the analog stations 2 through 99 (except the Weather Channel) now appear on the digital tuner as well using QAM channel numbers. For example, analog channel "13" will also appear as something like QAM channel "76.1."

Yup, that's the cable system. I have a Sharp Aquos with two analog tuners and one digital tuner - all the analog stations 2 through 99 (except the Weather Channel) now appear on the digital tuner as well using QAM channel numbers. For example, analog channel "13" will also appear as something like QAM channel "76.1."

Hmm, I have the Motorola 6412 -- how do I check on that?

I guess theoretically the picture looks better, right?

I haven't seen any TV since it went digital.

Hmm, I have the Motorola 6412 -- how do I check on that?

I guess theoretically the picture looks better, right?

I haven't seen any TV since it went digital.

You got me - I don't have one of those thingies. But on my TV, the digital version of a station looks *slightly* better than the analog. You might not even notice.

ALL Phillies home games on UPN 57 WILL be in HD. The Enterprise reruns on Sunday nights are NOT in HD. I do not think their will be any HD reruns of Enterprise at all sorry to say as I would like to save one on DVHS.

Hmmmm. I looked at the lineup (http://upn57.com/titanguide/) and it said Enterprise was in HD while Phillies games did not have the HD logo. I guess they need to fix that lineup card!

JWhip, I figure you are right and they are wrong...

I just wanted to watch Enterprise in HD. What a shame. I thought this season was very good except for the horrible "series finale", but Paramount knew it was killing the show by putting it on Friday night.

I hope the Veronica Mars reruns are in HD. I think that might be the only show I now watch on UPN.

You got me - I don't have one of those thingies. But on my TV, the digital version of a station looks *slightly* better than the analog. You might not even notice.

I have seen bad antennas pick up stations better than my analog. I am hoping for the best when I get home!

I still think I will call them. They have so many splitters and extensions on my line (for a short run with 2 TVs) it is funny.

I think the people used to have like 10 TVs in my house, and I don't need any of that.

Analog will look better on an analog set like crap on a digital set. Analog will look better on a digital set with a built in cable tuner than it will with a Motorola HD box such as the 6100 or the 6412. The analog algoritm in the Motorla box stinks, that is one of the reasons why Comcast is rolling out ADS (all digital simulcast) in the next few weeks, likely by the end of June. That will improve the performance of the analog channels, at least alittle. There is really little you can do to really make SD broadcast and cable channels look great on an HD screen.

The thing is that the OnDemand stuff looks pretty good, and D* was able to get stations like USA and TNT and my locals to look pretty good.

How is it Comcast delivers it, and it would look better if I had an antenna?

If an Enterprise episode is shown on a Friday night it will be in HD. I didn't see any on the list. I know frlom experience ( I can get WPSG-DT OTA in the winter) that the rebroadcasts on Sunday nights were not in HD due to lack of advertizing to pay for HD or so I was told by Viacom. Perhaps they will show HD on Sunday when it is the only one broadcast. I hope so and will record it just in case. As for yardleybii, the best looking analog is with an antenna over any cable or DBs provider.

Hmmmm. I looked at the lineup (http://upn57.com/titanguide/) and it said Enterprise was in HD while Phillies games did not have the HD logo. I guess they need to fix that lineup card!

JWhip, I figure you are right and they are wrong...

I just wanted to watch Enterprise in HD. What a shame. I thought this season was very good except for the horrible "series finale", but Paramount knew it was killing the show by putting it on Friday night.

I hope the Veronica Mars reruns are in HD. I think that might be the only show I now watch on UPN.

you have UPN57 HD in ewing? :confused:

In Trenton and the surrounding communities, they get both NY and PHL channels (at least on cable). If you have a good enough antenna, you can get the stations from both markets as well.

How do you know if an analog channel is being digitally simulcast?

I have the same cable as you. (I assume -- the old Lower Bucks Cablevision.)

-b

Have the box on the channel you want to check, power off you're cable box and hit OK within a few seconds. Then pick INBAND STATUS. It will say Analog or QAM__ for digital. This works on my 6412 and on our non-HD box. Its a pain but its the only way I can find out for sure.

you have UPN57 HD in ewing? :confused:

No, I checked last night and UPN is not in the lineup yet. However, Comcast Trenton seems to catch up with Phillie after a few weeks, so it's probably just a matter of time.

Sorry for the confusion, I was just looking ahead...

message on the box today telling us that they added upn hd. Was kinda hoping for them to mention something about more additions in the future.

Have the box on the channel you want to check, power off you're cable box and hit OK within a few seconds. Then pick INBAND STATUS. It will say Analog or QAM__ for digital. This works on my 6412 and on our non-HD box. Its a pain but its the only way I can find out for sure.
A faster way, to know if channels are Digital, is to see if they have the Dolby Digital logo. On 6412s, sometimes the DD logo disappears on Tuner 2, so if needed, switch to Tuner 1, and now you can channel surf for Digital channels. Even if you don't know which tuner you are on, just find a known Digital channel with DD, stay on that tuner, and go to the Analogs, to see if they are now Digitized.
(Occasionally, I lose DD on both Tuners, so then a power cycle is required; really, it justs puts the DVR in standby, then you go back to full power.)

It's official... I just placed the order to go back to Comcast from D*. The CSR informed me that I would be receiving the SA 8000HD instead of the 6412 due to 'location' restraints? Anyhow, does anyone have any feedback on the performance of the SA 8000HD vs the 6412 or just have some general feedback about the SA 8000HD?

Yup, that's the cable system. I have a Sharp Aquos with two analog tuners and one digital tuner - all the analog stations 2 through 99 (except the Weather Channel) now appear on the digital tuner as well using QAM channel numbers. For example, analog channel "13" will also appear as something like QAM channel "76.1."

I checked a few channels, and they are all still analog. The only channel I came across that was digital was CN8.

I checked 4 (WPVI) and USA.

Can you check those on your system and see if they are digital?

Maybe they send out the signal differently even though it is the same cable system?

I checked a few channels, and they are all still analog. The only channel I came across that was digital was CN8.

I checked 4 (WPVI) and USA.

Can you check those on your system and see if they are digital?

Maybe they send out the signal differently even though it is the same cable system?

Yes, I get those channels in both analog and digital. So far, the only two analog channels I don't get in digital as well appear to be the Weather Channel and the History Channel.

My brother lives in Hulmeville, and he now has almost all the analog stations in digital as well. He is on a different head-end, as his QAM channel numbers are slightly different than mine. So maybe your head-end isn't converted yet.

It's official... I just placed the order to go back to Comcast from D*. The CSR informed me that I would be receiving the SA 8000HD instead of the 6412 due to 'location' restraints? Anyhow, does anyone have any feedback on the performance of the SA 8000HD vs the 6412 or just have some general feedback about the SA 8000HD?

Here in South Jersey (Pine Hill/Erial area) I've had the SA 8000HD box with DVR since they became available in this area - sometime in the 3rd-4th quarter 2004. Service has been exceptional since delivery/installation with only 1 problem that I can work around/avoid. Reception/audio/artifact/pixellation errors that I've noted have all been reported more or less simultaneously by others on this forum leading me: (1) to believe most problems are either system-wide or caused by the content provider; (2) to stop updating the notebook that I used to keep on my STB/DVR problems and ENJOY.

There really haven't been too many concerns. I've stopped watching most TV 'live' since the DVR makes it so easy to skip the ads. Accordingly, I've run into situation where I'm recording two (2) HD programs simultaneously and then attempt to display a previously recorded SD or HD program. This cannot be done presently and causes the 8000HD to halt, lock and after a 1-2 minute wait, to hard reboot. Recordings in-progress are resumed with a missing 2-3 minute gap; there is no effect on the previously recorded program(s). To me, the problem is so miniscule that I haven't really made an issue of it to Comcast though they've invited me by email to bring the box in for a swap - just haven't had the time.

Overall, as a technologist and engineer and having real appreciation for the technology and its implementation problems together with an increasingly sophisticated and demanding user base, I'm extremely happy with the service, and have no real complaints as compared with others I've seen here.

I figured I would post this in the local Philadelphia thread. Right now I currently have both Directv and Comcast Basic w/Digital Classic(Motorola 6200). I am thinking about going back completely to Comcast and thus would need multiple HDTV DVRs. I know the first DVR is 9.95 a month additional. What I wanted to know is if I have 2 DVRs and one regular HDTV how much extra would it cost?
Breakdown
Basic Cable: $11.40
Digital Classic:$ 9.95
First Motorola 6412: $9.95
Second Motorola 6412:?
Additional Motorola 6200: ?

The reason I ask is their always seems to be confusion on how the additional digital outlet fee works with Comcast Reps. Unfortunately I lost the email I had saved from someone at Comcast Corporate who actually broke down the costs for me.

Thanks for your time,
Justin

I figured I would post this in the local Philadelphia thread. Right now I currently have both Directv and Comcast Basic w/Digital Classic(Motorola 6200). I am thinking about going back completely to Comcast and thus would need multiple HDTV DVRs. I know the first DVR is 9.95 a month additional. What I wanted to know is if I have 2 DVRs and one regular HDTV how much extra would it cost?
Breakdown
Basic Cable: $11.40
Digital Classic:$ 9.95
First Motorola 6412: $9.95
Second Motorola 6412:?
Additional Motorola 6200: ?

The reason I ask is their always seems to be confusion on how the additional digital outlet fee works with Comcast Reps. Unfortunately I lost the email I had saved from someone at Comcast Corporate who actually broke down the costs for me.

Thanks for your time,
Justin

Hi Justin,

You don't say where you are - so It might or might not be the same, but in my area additional Digital Outlets (no DVR) are $8.90 (for the non-DVR box). An additional DVR is $9.95 . So, in your case, it would be as follows:


Breakdown
Basic Cable: $11.40
Digital Classic:$ 9.95
First Motorola 6412: $9.95
Second Motorola 6412: $9.95
Additional Motorola 6200: $8.90

Hope that this helps!

David

Hi Justin,

You don't say where you are - so It might or might not be the same, but in my area additional Digital Outlets (no DVR) are $8.90 (for the non-DVR box). An additional DVR is $9.95 . So, in your case, it would be as follows:


Breakdown
Basic Cable: $11.40
Digital Classic:$ 9.95
First Motorola 6412: $9.95
Second Motorola 6412: $9.95
Additional Motorola 6200: $8.90

Hope that this helps!

David

Thanks David

I am in Northeast Philadelphia out of the Comcast office on Northeast Avenue. If my pricing is the same I will just go for 3 DVRs because it is only 1.05 more between the HD Box and the DVR box.

Justin

JWhip (or others); Was there a channel lost as a result of gaining UPN HD? Or is that coming when TNT HD is added? If so, what was lost (or will be)? If it's gone already, it's obviously not missed!!

whats channel 29 doing tonight?

they say they will be making local tv history staring june 6th during the newscast.

hi-def news?

No channel losses that I aware of.

From Fox29.com...
"And don't miss the premiere of the new FOX29 ten o'clock news studio...It's unlike anything you've ever seen before...Don't miss this special night....Tonight on the FOX29 10 O'Clock News."

Splitting market share is a fact of local news...but if they did introduce a new studio with HD cameras....they would capture all the HDTV viewers...all 12 of us.

I'm hoping...don't want to watch 4:3 w/ black bars on the plasma.

Fox 29 just has new studios. After walking past their place in Old City, you could see all the new construction on the 1st floor. I talked to one of their guys as he was leaving and asked him what was going on. He said there are two new studios. The morning show is going to be next to the window and the 10pm news will be in another studio, eventually, when it is complete.

Splitting market share is a fact of local news...but if they did introduce a new studio with HD cameras....they would capture all the HDTV viewers...all 12 of us.

There has got to be at least 15 to 20 of us now... :D

My brother lives in Hulmeville, and he now has almost all the analog stations in digital as well. He is on a different head-end, as his QAM channel numbers are slightly different than mine. So maybe your head-end isn't converted yet.

Do 2 people in the same cable system use different head-ends?

Do 2 people in the same cable system use different head-ends?

Apparently so. I get the HD version of Channel 57 at QAM 110.4 and he gets it at 110.1. Very few of our stations are on the exact same QAM channel.

Basic Cable: $11.40
Digital Classic:$ 9.95
First Motorola 6412: $9.95
Second Motorola 6412:?
Additional Motorola 6200: ?
From looking at my local pamphlet, it appears that for the addtional 6412 DVR, one would pay $9.95, and the 6200 HD STB, one would pay $5, PLUS $6.95 on each of those outlets. So, DVR is $16.90 and HD STB is $11.95.

Unfortunately, Comcast in many, if not all, areas, includes the first Digital STB in the price of Digital packages and Adtl. Outlets, therfore it gets confusing when adding other types of STBs.

For instance, a Digital STB alone is available here for Premiums and the Sports Tier for $5.05. What that tells you is that Digital Classic's $9.95 price is $4.90 for the programming. The Addtl. Outlet's $6.95 price is more than the Digital STB, they include $1.90 for mirroring.

The DVR and HD STB prices are to upgrade from the Digital STB. So, the same should hold true for Addtl. STBs. The base is $6.95 (STB and mirroring), and then add DVR or HD STB upgrade fee.

In the Warrington/Willow Grove area, I've encountered alot of situations where INHD1&2 are not available (it occurred last night). Powering down the cable box seems to correct it at times- but I'm tired of doing that.
Has anyone else encountered this problem?

There has got to be at least 15 to 20 of us now... :D


21!!!

Just finished grounding my antenna, some hellacious weather heading this way from the W - NW.

Did anyone else recently experience substantially reduced volume levels - Comcast in Philly (Eastern Delco, specifically) with 6412? I normally listen at a volume level in the 20s on my TV (Samsung 46 DLP), but last night had it up in the 90s across the board and it still wasn't adequate. TV is not the issue, as material recorded on Tivo was fine. Any thoughts whether this is a signal or box issue (I debated posting this here or in the 6412 thread)?

From looking at my local pamphlet, it appears that for the addtional 6412 DVR, one would pay $9.95, and the 6200 HD STB, one would pay $5, PLUS $6.95 on each of those outlets. So, DVR is $16.90 and HD STB is $11.95.

Unfortunately, Comcast in many, if not all, areas, includes the first Digital STB in the price of Digital packages and Adtl. Outlets, therfore it gets confusing when adding other types of STBs.

For instance, a Digital STB alone is available here for Premiums and the Sports Tier for $5.05. What that tells you is that Digital Classic's $9.95 price is $4.90 for the programming. The Addtl. Outlet's $6.95 price is more than the Digital STB, they include $1.90 for mirroring.

The DVR and HD STB prices are to upgrade from the Digital STB. So, the same should hold true for Addtl. STBs. The base is $6.95 (STB and mirroring), and then add DVR or HD STB upgrade fee.

Thanks for the information. If anyone that has more then one 6412 in Northeast Philadelphia and wants to chime in what they pay. Please feel free to.

Take care,
J

Cataldi and morganti on WIP are upset because They were watching TNT last night for the game and it said In HD but they couldn't find it. they think there is no such thing as TNT HD, you would think they could figure out that comcast just doesn't carry it here. :rolleyes:

i heard that this morning too and just laughed, it's been going on for too long we need it now, they just found out i was getting HBOHD for 5 months for free and cut me off, bastards

Thanks for the information. If anyone that has more then one 6412 in Northeast Philadelphia and wants to chime in what they pay. Please feel free to.

Take care,
J

I was told that a regular digital box is like $8.90, and an additional 6412 is $9.95.

Obvious the 6412 is the way to go -- $1 for another PVR...

Thanks for the information. If anyone that has more then one 6412 in Northeast Philadelphia and wants to chime in what they pay. Please feel free to.

Take care,
J I'm on the center city/south philly system, which is different than the northeast/northwest system, but I think they keep the prices the same. An additional DVR is $9.95 total. An additional non-DVR digital box is $6.95 total. An additional analog box is $3.90 total.

I'm on the center city/south philly system, which is different than the northeast/northwest system, but I think they keep the prices the same. An additional DVR is $9.95 total. An additional non-DVR digital box is $6.95 total. An additional analog box is $3.90 total.
Reading the pamphlet, I still think one needs to pay the Dgtl. Addtl. Outlet fee of $6.95 (which includes a Digital STB) and then it is $5 more to upgrade to an HD STB and $9.95 more to upgrade to a DVR.

And, IIRC, there were people who were actually paying the above quoted prices.

See, the reason the first DVR, for example, is 'only' $9.95, is because there is already a $5.05 Digital STB fee included in the $9.95 Digital Classic (or $14.95 Plus).
(So, in some areas, that let Analog subs get a DVR, subs are supposed to be asked to pay $14.95 for a DVR.)

So, for the second DVR, they have to get that extra $5.05, again; that is where the so-called Addtl. Digital Outlet comes in at $6.95, it gets them that $5.05, (plus $1.90 for mirroring), in addition to the $9.95 DVR fee.

Of course, prices vary and some areas don't bundle STBs with programming. However, the above is what I've commonly read regarding the pricing structure of many systems on the east coast.

Reading the pamphlet, I still think one needs to pay the Dgtl. Addtl. Outlet fee of $6.95 (which includes a Digital STB) and then it is $5 more to upgrade to an HD STB and $9.95 more to upgrade to a DVR.

And, IIRC, there were people who were actually paying the above quoted prices.

See, the reason the first DVR, for example, is 'only' $9.95, is because there is already a $5.05 Digital STB fee included in the $9.95 Digital Classic (or $14.95 Plus).
(So, in some areas, that let Analog subs get a DVR, subs are supposed to be asked to pay $14.95 for a DVR.)

So, for the second DVR, they have to get that extra $5.05, again; that is where the so-called Addtl. Digital Outlet comes in at $6.95, it gets them that $5.05, (plus $1.90 for mirroring), in addition to the $9.95 DVR fee.

Of course, prices vary and some areas don't bundle STBs with programming. However, the above is what I've commonly read regarding the pricing structure of many systems on the east coast.I have two DVRs and this is how my bill reads:

Digital Gold: 89.95
DVR: 9.95
Add'l Outlet: 0.00
DVR Dig Plus A/O: 9.95

So I'm definitely being charged only 9.95 for each additional DVR. Before I upgraded the 2nd box to DVR, it was 6.95 for an additional regular digital box. Since jjp927 lives in the city as I do, I think it's reasonably safe to assume he/she will see the same prices.

I have two DVRs and this is how my bill reads:

Digital Gold: 89.95
DVR: 9.95
Add'l Outlet: 0.00
DVR Dig Plus A/O: 9.95

So I'm definitely being charged only 9.95 for each additional DVR. Before I upgraded the 2nd box to DVR, it was 6.95 for an additional regular digital box. Since jjp927 lives in the city as I do, I think it's reasonably safe to assume he/she will see the same prices.
Glad to hear it, as I am considering another DVR. Probably is the same here in Willow Grove area, also. I guess other areas vary and/or sometimes incorrectly billed.

BTW, I was told that the 'Addtl. Outlet' item is for Analog Addtl. Outlets, so everyone's is $0, it used to be a fee.

It appears from 'DVR Dig. Plus A/O', that possibly one would need Digital Plus, for the second DVR fee to be $9.95.

Some people have Digital Classic, I guess it could vary for that. At least, it appears from the item, one doesn't need a Digital bundle, like you have, to get the $9.95 fee.

I'm sorry if this topic has been covered, but I'm a little late coming to the 6412 party (Comcast says my area won't even have them until end of Summer...), but I currently have a Moto 6200 (?) HD receiver, and the non-digital channels viewed through that box look like crap on my 55" HD Mitsu! From what I've scanned above, this seems to also be a problem with the 6412? If so, how does one record the non-digital channels (I need to see the Daily Show on Com Central!)? Does one need to buy a separate TIVO or ReplayTV just to receive the analog input and view and record the non-digital channels?

I'm sorry if this topic has been covered, but I'm a little late coming to the 6412 party (Comcast says my area won't even have them until end of Summer...), but I currently have a Moto 6200 (?) HD receiver, and the non-digital channels viewed through that box look like crap on my 55" HD Mitsu! From what I've scanned above, this seems to also be a problem with the 6412? If so, how does one record the non-digital channels (I need to see the Daily Show on Com Central!)? Does one need to buy a separate TIVO or ReplayTV just to receive the analog input and view and record the non-digital channels?

It can record non-HD channels as well, they look just as good as a ReplayTV recording.

So pushing the analog signal through the 6412 onto the hard disk doesn't degrade that analog signal anymore than it already is?

No it does not.

Personally, I can't watch too much analog through the 6412. I record analog to my TiVo or the Panasonic. Hopefully, we'll only have to get through a couple more years of crappy analog until we get parallel digital feeds.

Personally, I can't watch too much analog through the 6412. I record analog to my TiVo or the Panasonic. Hopefully, we'll only have to get through a couple more years of crappy analog until we get parallel digital feeds.

Supposedly it is supposed to be done by the end of this month...

Yea, its tough to watch analog on my 57" Toshiba RPTV. I bare through the poor quality but I wouldnt give the tv up for the incredible PQ on HD. There really isnt to many non HD channels i watch besides comedy central,tnt,usa.

Maybe we will have TNT-HD by July 14th so i can enjoy the British Open in HD.

Supposedly it is supposed to be done by the end of this month...

?? What do you hear? I haven't seen 1 paralell channel on Willow Grove Comcast.

I have D* in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County. I have 0 signal from all satellites on all receivers. Funny thing is the skies are pretty clear right now. Anyone else having a problem with D* tonight or is it me?

I have D* in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County. I have 0 signal from all satellites on all receivers. Funny thing is the skies are pretty clear right now. Anyone else having a problem with D* tonight or is it me?Could the winds have knocked your dish off by a little bit? It did get a little windy during one storm yesterday.

Sure that's possible, the only problem with that theory is that it was working fine at 5PM and then out at 10PM. There was no storm in between that I know of.

I have no signal on A but I was rewiring the dish and it is probably off by a smidge. B & C are between 85 and 95. IT is possible that you have a bad connection. At times, the copper wire in the interface corrodes to the point that it will not pass a singal. I would check all of the connectors first to see of that is the problem.

?? What do you hear? I haven't seen 1 paralell channel on Willow Grove Comcast.
Sure they do; I checked a few days ago and almost all locals were Digitized already. Look for the DD logo; I never get it on Tuner 2, but it is on Tuner 1, if not, power cycle and it will be there.

Locals, yes, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, WPN but I'm talking about a parellel line of digital channels for EVERY analog channel, i.e., 2-99. I'd like Comedy Central to look as good as DIY.

I have no signal on A but I was rewiring the dish and it is probably off by a smidge. B & C are between 85 and 95. IT is possible that you have a bad connection. At times, the copper wire in the interface corrodes to the point that it will not pass a singal. I would check all of the connectors first to see of that is the problem.

Yes, did that, thanks. It's either the dish out of alignment or a bad multiswitch. Unfortunately service call is for Monday, so I'm without TV for the weekend.

?? What do you hear? I haven't seen 1 paralell channel on Willow Grove Comcast.

I think JWhip and others have been saying they are trying for the end of this month....?

So are we in south jersey getting UPN HD the 15th still

Hi all. I live just north of Baltimore, and I can get a faint OTA analog signal of Fox 43 out of York. I'm trying to get channel 43.1 in digital but cannot even come close. Signal strength shows 32% or so. Can anyone tell me if Fox out of York has gone full power yet in digital? I'm about 43 miles from the tower. I get other stations 57 miles away out of DC, but nothing on Fox York. Any info would be appreciated. I'd like to see the Eagles without paying for the Sunday Ticket.

I believe they have updated their website. www.comcast.com and go to what's available in my area, and put your zipcode in and click on HDTV and it should show up. What is your zipcode anyway?

08094, yeah it says june 15th

Just had a Tech out here because of some cable and internet issues which he dealt with fine and seemed to be competent and know what he was talking about, anyway i asked him about the bandwidth here and he said there are no problems at all with bandwidth in south jersey and even less since going to all 256 QAM. i found that interesting that he said no bandwith issues since i figured thats the problem with TNT HD not being here yet.

Do 2 people in the same cable system use different head-ends?

YES - it can happen depending on the zone. For instance, Lansdale area subscribers and Norristown area subscribers live in the "same system" but are serviced out of two completely different head-ends.

Doylestown Area - Unusual problem w Comcast DVR's... Comcast techs scratching their heads...

Wondering if others have bumped into these two problems with Comcast DVRs.

- We have 3 DVRs.
- Problem(s) have grown from 1 to all 3 DVRs over about 2 week period.
- Problem 1:

- Picture/Sound will not come on for a channel (or OD) until AFTER a) selecting 'my-DVR', selecting a stored program, selecting play... after this is done, then I can switch to any channel/OD, etc. and picture/sound come on.

- All three TVs have different hookups.
- The DVR menu will come up if the menu button is selected before selecting 'my-dvr' (but no channel sound nor picture)

- Problem 2:

- After a program is recorded (either scheduled or adhoc), picture/sound are turned off (not the TV) even while watching another program or even watching the program being recorded.

Comcast came out. Techs never saw this before. They think they may need to replace DVRs.

All three DVRs have the same firmware and software.

Firmware 09.15
Software 71.44-1203

Anyone else experiencing this problem? any ideas?

Both of these problems have been documented before.

The first problem, no picture or sound on startup, seems to be random. On my DVRs it comes and goes with no apparent pattern.

The second problem, turning off at the end of the recording, is a feature or bug depending on how you look at it. It happens when the DVR is off when a scheduled recording starts. The DVR will turn on, record the program, then turn off. It's not "aware" that you're actually watching something while it's recording.

The best way to avoid both of these problems is to leave the DVR on all the time. You can also check out dvr chatter dot com for lots of great info on the 6412.

EDIT: I would recommend NOT having Comcast replace your DVRs. You will lose all your recordings and have to setup all your series recordings again. Plus since they're firmware/software bugs, the same problems will inevitably crop up in the new boxes too. The best thing is to just wait it out until a firmware/software update fixes them or i-Guide 2 comes out, whichever comes first.

So are we in south jersey getting UPN HD the 15th still

still nothing here :confused:

still nothing here :confused:

It is on here, 236, the guides has 236 and no info yet, just says to be announced for all times but UPNHD is on here

there it is :)

Here in South Jersey (Garden State system) its on 104-49 (via LG LST3510A).

first hd broadcast is on now Veronica Mars, and it looks bad imo

Comcast just added UPN-HD here in South Jersey (with no advance notice of course --- it just showed up). That makes 16 HD channels here:

Comcast SportsNet HD - Channel 200
ESPN HD - Channel 202
Discovery Home Theater - Channel 205
INHD - Channel 206
INHD2 - Channel 207
WPVI (ABC) - Channel 231
WCAU (NBC) - Channel 232
KYW (CBS) - Channel 233
WTXF (FOX) - Channel 234
WPHL (WB) - Channel 235
WPSG (UPN) - Channel 236
WHYY (PBS) - Channel 240
HBO East - Channels 215 or 300
Showtime East - Channels 223 or 339
Cinemax East - Channels 219 or 319
Starz! East - Channel 227 or 369

just a note: This should be in the South Jersey thread. Comcast has not added UPN-HD nationwide.

I didn't know there was a South Jersey thread!

The only thing i wanted UPN for was the phillies games and those are done by CSN so the picture will probably look good

But no TNT yet? Strange.

Hi all. I live just north of Baltimore, and I can get a faint OTA analog signal of Fox 43 out of York. I'm trying to get channel 43.1 in digital but cannot even come close. Signal strength shows 32% or so. Can anyone tell me if Fox out of York has gone full power yet in digital? I'm about 43 miles from the tower. I get other stations 57 miles away out of DC, but nothing on Fox York. Any info would be appreciated. I'd like to see the Eagles without paying for the Sunday Ticket.
I guess it's a little further from you, but have you tried Fox 29 out of Philly?

Hi all. I live just north of Baltimore, and I can get a faint OTA analog signal of Fox 43 out of York. I'm trying to get channel 43.1 in digital but cannot even come close. Signal strength shows 32% or so. Can anyone tell me if Fox out of York has gone full power yet in digital? I'm about 43 miles from the tower. I get other stations 57 miles away out of DC, but nothing on Fox York. Any info would be appreciated. I'd like to see the Eagles without paying for the Sunday Ticket.

I do think that they have gone Full Power. as I recently had to turn down my amplifier to get FOX 43 because the signal was now comming in to strong. There are some pretty good size hills between you and the tower, so that might be affecting things.

What does UPN show that is worth Comcast using up valuable bandwidth? They should focus on content stations!

Dave

Exactly!!! I mean the only show on UPN that would of been worth HD was Enterprise, and Im being gererous saying that. Since the show is over for good I cant think of one other show UPN has/had worth watching the channel in SD or HD hehe

Exactly!!! I mean the only show on UPN that would of been worth HD was Enterprise, and Im being gererous saying that. Since the show is over for good I cant think of one other show UPN has/had worth watching the channel in SD or HD heheI agree. However, it was most likely added for the Phillies games. That, and KYW and WPSG are both owned by Viacom, so there may have been something in the contract requiring both to be carried in HD.

Im glad UPN was added only for the phillies games, much rather have UPN right now then TNT since basketball is over.

I didn't know there was a South Jersey thread!

Thats because there isnt one!

just a note: This should be in the South Jersey thread. Comcast has not added UPN-HD nationwide.

Since you live in Georgia... you should not be in the Philadelphia thread. :rolleyes:

Im glad UPN was added only for the phillies games, much rather have UPN right now then TNT since basketball is over.But there's so much more to watch in TNT-HD than there is w/ UPN HD. All you get is UPN programming in HD, at least some of it, and some Phillies games that 57 airs. With TNT-HD, you get pretty much all programming in HD.

just a note: This should be in the South Jersey thread.

:rolleyes:

hello mark 521, hope you dont mind me sending you a msg.i just noticed that your area is in s.jersey and your unit is the same as mine-lg 3510a.i live in the collingswood area near cherry hill.i have an ota that looks like a ch. master advantage ota which is being obstructed by our front tree.its facing the city.my rproblem is that im getting once in a awhile dropouts especially abc.unbearable to watch the nba finals.i can still tilt the ota somewhat away from the tree but im not sure if this is going to do the trick.any input would be greatly appreciated.btw, my lg is only 2 weeks old.tnx again.gsr prod

hello mark 521, hope you dont mind me sending you a msg.i just noticed that your area is in s.jersey and your unit is the same as mine-lg 3510a.i live in the collingswood area near cherry hill.i have an ota that looks like a ch. master advantage ota which is being obstructed by our front tree.its facing the city.my rproblem is that im getting once in a awhile dropouts especially abc.unbearable to watch the nba finals.i can still tilt the ota somewhat away from the tree but im not sure if this is going to do the trick.any input would be greatly appreciated.btw, my lg is only 2 weeks old.tnx again.gsr prod

gsrprod,

I'm actually located in the bottom end of Gloucester Township and I'm currently using Comcast cable to supply the signal to my LST-3510A. I have used a Silver Sensor indoor antenna, but I can't get Fox or Philly PBS. Some day I'll throw a real antenna into my attic so I can get guide info, etc.

Have you gone to www.antennaweb.org ? This site will help you point your antenna in the right direction. I'm not familar with the Channel Master Advantage antenna, is it indoor or outdoor? If its an indoor then your probably too far away from the antenna farm. I'd also try moving it to different spots inside the house, you'd be surprised where you'll find a strong signal.

I'm sure some others will chime in with their experiences.

Good luck

Mark

If you guys want to start a South Jersey thread, you can. You just need enough people to carry a conversation that live in Jersey (and will admit it.) ;)

jersey has better schools than PA.

and I live in KofP

I would rather be in south jersey than the PA philly area any day, i have lived in both areas and it is no contest

Uh oh, didn't mean to start anything. I'm actually very fond of Jersey (except for all the damn circles).

OK, let's not start some kind of pissing contest as to what's better....south jersey, Philadelphia, pa suburbs, or delaware. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and it's all based on personal preferences.

Let's get back to the topic at hand: HDTV in the Philadelphia market.

jersey has better schools than PA.

and I live in KofP Stupid generalized comment. do more homework, some NJ schools are better then PA schools, some PA schools are better than NJ schools.
Parents have a Sea Isle shore house, but both me and my wife's parents live in PA, therefore NJ is not an option.
My cousins bought a similar house to ours way out there off AC expressway...waaaay too far away from family. Williamstown I think, their development is the only nice part of the area.

Interesting that all of this was started by a guy in Georgia and another in North Carolina...damn southerners...another conspiracy to undermine us!

Sorry guys, when I lived up there, we had thicker skin. :D

Back to the original issue, the only point was that if you feel a separate S. NJ thread would be helpful, feel free to start one. Comcast in S. NJ may have unique issues/equipment from PA and you could start a S. NJ - Comcast thread. That way you all could remain here for OTA and Philly Station info/discussion.

Stupid generalized comment. do more homework, some NJ
My cousins bought a similar house to ours way out there off AC expressway...waaaay too far away from family. Williamstown I think, their development is the only nice part of the area.

I live in williamstown, it is half an hour from philly at most and i probably live in the same development they do, and it is the best part but the rest is certainly not a ghetto.

i don't think a seperate thread is necessary

I wanted to report that I had a successful Cable Card install in the Ventnor area of South Jersey. The Comcast tech brought 3 Cable Cards with him - which was very lucky since the first one was defective. The whole process took at least an hour but the result was worth it. So far, so good. The interesting thing was that he said that he had only installed 2 Cable Cards previously and both were on Sony sets. He said that he had no clue how to install them on sets other than Sonys.

I watched my first Comcast UPN HD program, Veronica Mars. I thought the quality was below all of the other HD channels that Comcast provides.

Did anyone else think the same thing?