Thanks! Will do.

Oh, regarding those 'skips' in UPN-57 HD Phillies games. I get them via OTA, too. So it's somewhere outside of the cable system. I went frame by frame on the HD_TiVo to take a looksie (I thought it might an HDMI issue for which those TiVo units are imfamous) and the whole screen shot jumps up about 20%-25%. You can still see the bottom strip from the frame 'beneath' so you might see the pitchers feet, then the shot above and the top 20%-25% is cut off the top (or pushed up out of view). It only lasts one frame on the frame by frame advance. At live speed it looks like a flicker. But frozen, it's a perfectly clear beautiful HD picture; just not posistioned correctly on the screen.

Oh, regarding those 'skips' in UPN-57 HD Phillies games. I get them via OTA, too. So it's somewhere outside of the cable system...

Well that should confirm that there is something going on likely at the Comcast Sportsnet Facility as these issues are being observed even during the UPN-57 HD feed...so far pulsing, cyclical macroblocking, flashing, artifacting, and skips...CSN across the board, most noticeable during HD programming (DNL when in HD and Phillies HD games) and now similar on UPN-57 HD feed OTA...somebody at the production facility PLEASE take a look!!! Hockey and B-Ball are really going to expose this stuff...

Chris.

No problems tonite on CSN HD, picture was fine for the first time in a long while

Since Comcast Sportsnet in Philadelphia is being discussed (I know this is OT) does anyone know if they ever plan on releasing their feed to DirecTV? I really want Sunday Ticket but I can't give up CSN... I'm so torn.

No problems tonite on CSN HD, picture was fine for the first time in a long while

Maybe the issue was finally recognized...

Since Comcast Sportsnet in Philadelphia is being discussed (I know this is OT) does anyone know if they ever plan on releasing their feed to DirecTV? I really want Sunday Ticket but I can't give up CSN... I'm so torn.

It's doubtful at this time, although there is some work being done behind the scenes as Comcast is trying to acquire some other assets (some Adelphia cable systems?) and the satellite companies are making noise to the FCC about the CSN-Philly issue as a condition of approving the Comcast acquision..

If you want to try to influence the policy, contact your Congressperson, and Senators, and the FCC.

At one time, you could sign up for just Sunday Ticket; is that still possible?

Maybe the issue was finally recognized...

I hope my description might ave help diagnose the issue... :eek: :cool:

It's doubtful at this time, although there is some work being done behind the scenes as Comcast is trying to acquire some other assets (some Adelphia cable systems?) and the satellite companies are making noise to the FCC about the CSN-Philly issue as a condition of approving the Comcast acquision..

If you want to try to influence the policy, contact your Congressperson, and Senators, and the FCC.

At one time, you could sign up for just Sunday Ticket; is that still possible?

No its not, although I might make a stink about it with the Comcast Sportsnet issue and see if I can't DirecTV to budge.

*Edit*
DTV said hell no, and the Supervisor in Retention that I spoke to (generally the most intelligent people I can find) said that the software was re-written so that the only people who had Sunday Ticket before 2003 grandfathered and even they can't change their programming (to add Superfan, or NBA League Pass, etc.) or they lose their status.

This is an obnoxious situation, cause I need Flyers, Sixers, Phillies in HD (its so weird to say Flyers again) but I also need Sunday Ticket. Unfortunately my landlord doesn't see these as actual needs (her priorties are askew if you ask me) and my body has not been agreeable to reducing my food intake by 75% so that I could afford both Comcast Digital & DirecTV.

Would anyone like to buy any of my spare organs? I've been carrying my body for too long, its time for it to pull its own weight if you ask me.

The skips on UPN57 originate at UPN57 and not CSN in case you are interested.

We need your help,
There's a white flashing phenomenon happening during sporting events that's driving me and Comcast insane.
To date, me, Faceoff (Comcast employee) and a member from another forum have witnessed this flashing during INHD b-ball games, Flyers games, ESPN games.

I'm in Limerick, Facoff is in King of Prussia, and the 3rd is in West Chester.
the flashing is especially disturbing duing INHD b-ball games.
You set the contrast/brightness perfect, and the flash dims the screen each time (white flashing is more tolerable up against all white hockey rinks)

What we're seeing CAN'T be this limited, it HAS to be more widespread.
Nobody is more anal about PQ than AVSForum members, and we ALL check in on INHD b-ball, (the PQ is amazing) how is noone else reporting this.?
JWHIP, can you say your not seeing this.? Where do you live.?
Other Comcast HD guys.?
Watch Sportcenter right now, do you see the flashing during the game highlights???? Here's me talking about this 04/04...if you search this thread "White flashing" you'll see numerous posts on this topic.
I'm still not 100% sure whether it's the same effect the Progear is talking about...but it sure sounds close. the key point with what I'm seeing is...it's limited to INDOOR sporting events only.

Here's me talking about this 04/04...if you search this thread "White flashing" you'll see numerous posts on this topic.
I'm still not 100% sure whether it's the same effect the Progear is talking about...but it sure sounds close. the key point with what I'm seeing is...it's limited to INDOOR sporting events only.

It does sound pretty close...I've never isolated to indoor/outdoor events, but I will take note...what about motion artifacts? Are you seeing any at all? I find this to be more distracting and often more noticable than the flashing...

Chris.

I live in Wayne. I see not motion atricfacts in the CSH-HD feed other than what are inherent in the 1080i system. There was alot more artifacting when CSN-HD first went on and that was due to the data rate on their end and was fixed quickly. While I see flashes they are from cameras so they likely will only be seen in indoor arenas. It is possible that the flashes are causing problems for the scalers in your plasma or due to the anti-burn in circuirty in your plasmas. They are built to dim on white screens which would happen during these camera flashes which will generate several all white fields for the plasma to process and hense the dimming. If that is the case, there is nothing you can really do about it. Just a guess though on my part.

Here in SJ Comcast has recognized a problem with artifacts on Sportsnet (confirmed by a tech on Monday at my location). After several e mails with comcast csr i received an email today noting it as a Sportsnet issue and that it was being handled by them.
A copy is below. Maybe we will see some results.

Thank you for contacting us regarding your Comcast cable service.

This is being address with Sportsnet directly. You may contact them to check the progress at www.comcastsportsnet.com.


If you need further assistance, please feel free to respond directly to this email. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.



Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sincerely,

Carla
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

If I understand JWhip's theory correctly, would the flashing "problem" be less noticeable on a DLP or LCD projection monitor, where burn-in is not an issue? Maybe this explains why I and others have not experienced the reported problem, at least as far as I have noticed (although I have certainly experienced other reported problems, such as artifacting, the out-of-focus on camera changes problem which used to plague CSN, etc.).

This is part of the design of the plasmas not DLP, etc. While you would see the flash of the photographers' cameras on any set, analog or digital, the brightness level on these sets would not change. The out of focus was due to the encoder being set to the adaptive vs. the fixed setting. All they had to do to fix that was flip a switch.

Sigh. I'm in Center City Philadelphia, and I noticed this morning that pretty much every channel I checked is droppy again - this is what was happening back in February and March to a lot of people. It magically got fixed even though nobody got a straight answer from Comcast about the problem. Anyway, is anyone else having this problem again?

ETA: Upon closer inspection, it looks like UPN is the only channel that's working as before. Every other channel (WB, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS) has drops every 30 seconds or so. This is a mirror image of the problem from earlier this year, except back then FOX and WB were the ones that were somehow drop-free.

JWhip;

Any updates on TNT HD, ESPN2 HD, etc. to report for local Comcast?

*Edit*
DTV said hell no, and the Supervisor in Retention that I spoke to (generally the most intelligent people I can find) said that the software was re-written so that the only people who had Sunday Ticket before 2003 grandfathered and even they can't change their programming (to add Superfan, or NBA League Pass, etc.) or they lose their status.


I switched to Comcast back in July.

I am starting to think I might miss ST, though, so I called them yesterday.

They offered the following...

$29 a month for basic programming (cheaper than the $39 normally)
$239 for ST (no early bird, even though I have had it for 5 years)
$49 for SuperFan
waive first month of ST payments

Still comes out to about $400.

So, no ST for me. But maybe that deal might be good for others.

I really hope Comcast gets with it next time and outbids D* for ST.

I switched to Comcast back in July.

I am starting to think I might miss ST, though, so I called them yesterday.

They offered the following...

$29 a month for basic programming (cheaper than the $39 normally)
$239 for ST (no early bird, even though I have had it for 5 years)
$49 for SuperFan
waive first month of ST payments

Still comes out to about $400.

So, no ST for me. But maybe that deal might be good for others.

I really hope Comcast gets with it next time and outbids D* for ST.
I'd probably jump on it if I could grab it for $400 but I'm a new customer and they weren't having any of it. Out of bitterness I tried to get Comcast to lower my rate through retention and the first thing they mentioned (talk about pouring salt in the wounds) was that you wouldn't get 76ers or Phillies games if I switched to DirecTV. Don't we pay some taxes on the stadiums that would make it illegal?

ESPN2 HD? DirecTV is finally adding it 9/8. I expect that cable carriers that don't have it will follow suit shortly after that.

Now that Comcast has bought the rights to the NHL, we may see OLN HD before ESPN2 HD! Comcast has said that NHL games will be in HD (where available), has anyone ever seen OLN HD?

From the Press release: at OLNTV.com
• HDTV game coverage in a crisper, faster-moving, more exciting game for hockey fans every week;

I believe OLN HD games will be carried on INHD.

There will be no OLNHD, at least for awhile. The HD games will be shown on other outlets on cable and DBS.

Good news on TNT-HD, look for an announcement soon. Nothing new to report on ESPN2HD though.

Thanks for the reply JWhip

finally tnt-hd....i can live without espn2...but i'm getting sick of missing out on all the tnt movies in hd and missing all the NBA games was pretty bad too.

Because of the Eagles game, we weren't able to watch A Beautiful Mind. From what I understand, it will air at 11:30. It says on TitanTV that it will be HD but I can't imagine how this could be so. Anyone know how this will work?

Edit: Nope, no HD. That sucked because its such a great movie, would have made it a lot better.

JWhip - The announcement that TNT-HD will be made available is it for the areas of all of New Jersey and PA?

No, just the Philly DMA which includes part of Sout Jersey. I do not know about other parts of Pa and NJ.

Will we have ESPN2 by next baseball season

JWhip - Thanks

Does anyone know when we will get TNT HD in the rest of NJ? Does anyone know why we have not gotten it yet?

That is good news regarding ONLHD being shown on INHD, if that is correct. The Flyers vs. Rangers season opener is the national OLN game, it most likely will not be seen locally on SportsNET. INHD is an excellent option for hockey, the quality is usually outstanding.

The Flyers-Rangers game will be seen on CSN-HD on 10/5.

As long as it is in HD I am happy. Thanks JWhip as always for your timely and accurate info.

I love hockey.. I love HD. I don't love Hockey in HD on my birthday. Maybe next year I'll go out. ;)

JWhip, Can you comment on the NFL Network HD games that are going on, and whether our Comcast will be sending them to us via the INHDs.?

I am checking on that.

For those hockey fans out there, I have been able to confirm through CSN that ther Flyers-Rangers game on 10/5 will be in HD. I believe that it will be shown on CSN-HD. If not, it will be in INHD.

Great news. Thanks JWhip.

God I love hockey in HD.

Isn't the game at home? i would think all home games are in HD

F-i-n-a-l-l-y got my STB firmware update on Lower Bucks Cablevision, Lower Makefield Township. Showed up on Monday, 8/22. (Previous was the "old" brown background guide that was a pain to use.)

Box reports:
Model: DCT (Moto 6408 - no DVR)
Software rev: 72.46
Firmware rev: 08.14

Nice to have menus that show more than 1/2 hour time slots. A lot less remote control clicks to get what I want to see. Nice filtering functionality. The PIP feature during menu display is like an upgrade into the 21st century.

Setup allows choice of guide colors. It even remembers the channel I'm viewing when I flip between menu and watching the channel. Will wonders never cease...

Hey Shades,

I think the only question is whether it will be a national game carried on OLN, and not on Sportsnet. If you can remember back to when we used to have a Flyers game carried nationally by ESPN it would not be on Sportsnet. JWhip is pretty sure that the national HD games will be brought to us on INHD since there is no OLN HD, per se.

Hey Shades,
If you can remember back to when we used to have a Flyers game carried nationally by ESPN it would not be on Sportsnet.

I'm pretty sure that the OLN deal does not mandate the local broadcast to be blacked out when the home team is on a national game. Read that in the Inquirer.

Thanks MaddogFool,

The more games that I get to hear Steve Coates whine about the officiating the better!

Hey Shades,

I think the only question is whether it will be a national game carried on OLN, and not on Sportsnet. If you can remember back to when we used to have a Flyers game carried nationally by ESPN it would not be on Sportsnet. JWhip is pretty sure that the national HD games will be brought to us on INHD since there is no OLN HD, per se.

Ok thanks

This is a getting a little hockey specicfic, and I suppose this is something JWhip would have best insight on but...

If Center Ice were to pass HD games along, would Comcast in the Phila region have enough bandwidth to show those games?

It appears Dish has it on their website that select games will be in HD.

Hey guys!

Just got my first HDTV (61" JVC-HDILA) this week and I'm having a lot of fun playing around with it. I live in South Jersey and have Comcast (of course) with the motorola DVR box. I ran a split cable line into the tv's atsc tuner and had it run through its channel setup.

Is there information available that tells you what qam channel corresponds to what digital channels?

I've been doing some searching and can't find a "guide" or "list" that easily says what channel can be found where. I then had to go through each channel individually and "uncheck" the channels that were just sitting there in black so that they would not be there as I scroll through the channels. Do these channels contain every digital channel that comcast offers (at least unscrambled ones)? Would that include DHD or the INHD channels as well? Is there an easier way to program only the "active" channels into a digital tuner?

Forgive me if I am asking uninformed questions but... well... I'm uninformed:D

:confused: This is all new to me :confused:


any point in the right direction would be much appreciated!

The reason there is no QAM channel list is that they change positions fairly frequently. Any list someone would make would quickly become obsolete.

All digital channels are available through QAM, however most are encrypted. Locals, music, and some SD digitals are the only things in the clear. To get the other stuff you need a box or a CableCard if your TV supports it.

JWhip;

I see on another post (don't know how reliable it is) that ESPN2 will not be made available on Comcast until 1/06. You hade reported about 3 months ago that ESPN2 HD should be available this fall (at least I think I remember you saying that). Any specific news on this addition?

I have the MIT MDP-130 HDTV card with Comcast in Conshohocken. I've scanned for QAM unencripted channels but don't think I have found all of the channels. Where are the channels for digital music? What channel is INHD? Any list of working HD Comcast channels is appreciated. :)

I have not heard a date for ESPN2HD on any Comcast systems. I have asked but the people I deal with do not have a date. However, I would be surprised if it was that late. Comcast knows darn well that it would be a popular addition so I do not understand the statement in the other posting about the main boss in NJ. At least I will get it on 9/8 via Directv on my limited HD package.

All music channels (in my area anyway) are encrypted as is INHD, ESPN-HD, etc.

All that is available are the "locals" (3,6,10,12,etc) and some 'fluff'.

UPN, WB and FOX are also not encrypted.

that's what the "etc" was to denote... locals.

JWhip;

Thanks again for your reply. College fball is coming soon....but that's OK, rub it in...you have Directv too!

Kool I finally found a forum comcerning Philly comcast hd service. I just switched from DTV about one month ago. SO far so could I have one dvr hd hook up and one digital box. I think I will get more bang for my buck with comcast . My reason being all flyers home games in HD plus the games on INHD. I do have somequestions though.

When will NHL center Ice go on sale for comcast?

How do you purcahse the package?

I know with DTV you ordered on line.

Also I was told i can only have one DVR for now. Any chance of when I will be able to get another one.

Thanks .

The reason there is no QAM channel list is that they change positions fairly frequently. Any list someone would make would quickly become obsolete.

All digital channels are available through QAM, however most are encrypted. Locals, music, and some SD digitals are the only things in the clear. To get the other stuff you need a box or a CableCard if your TV supports it.

Thanks stoli412! when I went through my QAM channels the other day manually deleting ones that didn't have a picture I noticed a LOT of channels I was receiving in the clear. Many many music only channels all of the locals (of course) and a bunch of Disney cartoon channels and things like E!, MTV2, and just a bunch of others. I guess I may receive more/less or different channels depending on when I view (since they change so frequently) I have the motorola DVR box so I don't really need to look at channels this way but was just curious about it.

Just keeping my HD options open! I have HBO and the HD tier and the NFL Sunday Ticket for HD only. No total choice or basic subscription package. That way, I get Universal and the HD Nets.

Any firm date on TNT-HD yet?

JWhip, How do you subscribe to the DirecTV HD package without subscribing to a Total Choice package?

Just some persuasive reasoning with a former exec at Directv. Can't be done now but I am grandfathered in.

I don't think I saw an answer...what equipment should I expect to get Comcast HD/PVR in Philly? Is their box dual-tuner?

And do I need any special splitters to feed more than one box, or a cable modem? (I'd like to get some of my wiring done before the install.)

Thanks.

I don't think I saw an answer...what equipment should I expect to get Comcast HD/PVR in Philly? Is their box dual-tuner?

And do I need any special splitters to feed more than one box, or a cable modem? (I'd like to get some of my wiring done before the install.)

Thanks.
Not sure where exactly you are in the Comcast Philly area, but it seems many of us are getting the Moto6412 dual-tuner DVR lately. No special splitter is needed - I originally used the one Comcast provided in the "High Speed Self-Install Kit". Since then, I have replaced that splitter with a four-way; feeding 2 TV's and the cable modem...so far.

any chance of the Eagles game tonight being in HD?

no

Anyone else catching what's on on ABC HD right now? 6-1. They've been playing random images and clips...the space shuttle launch, nyc, good morning america, test patterns. they also played a "preview" for the movie monsters, inc. very strange.

according to my tv guide, the world news is supposed to be on.

-c

Were all those clips in HD?

THat is the ABC HD loop. Someone in the WPVI engineering department was not paying attention. As usual.

Oh for goodness sakes pay attention. ABC HD was offline last week because of a replacement order of thier HD router and an upgrade to their HD release facility. Everything should be back to normal this week.

I hate to bring it up again...but Damn! INHD's MLB games from the west coast look amazing. Last nights DBacks/Padres game might have been the best HD Baseball I've seen to date (PQ that is)...In addition, it appears that ABC has stepped up its game as well as MNF looked pretty damn good as well.

Letterman in HD was a nice addition to CBS HD, finally!!

It was nice that Leno and Conan were in HD but I can't stomach either one for more than 5 minutes...

Chris.

Progear, I do not know what type of display you were watching MNF on but the PQ was only average last night. Look at the CBS game between the Bronocs and Colts Saturday night for an example of stepping up to the plate.

Progear, I do not know what type of display you were watching MNF on but the PQ was only average last night. Look at the CBS game between the Bronocs and Colts Saturday night for an example of stepping up to the plate.

JWhip...A finely tweaked Mitsubishi 48413 HD RPTV/Moto 6412...I agree that CBS HD is outstanding and probably still better than ABC/ESPN. My observation of the MNF game was compared to last years MNF quality...I found it to be much improved, specifically the close-up shots. The hope here is that all of the networks will find ways to improve on the HD quality from year-to-year, and it appears that this is the case.

I just feel that complaints about quality quickly to make it to these threads and its just as important to point out improvements when observed as well...

Chris.

I waswatching on a Panasonic 50PHD7UY ISF'd and a 6412 and the difference betwen CBS and ABC is very dramatic. I really do not like the look of any of the MNF games. THey have a long way to go to come close to CBS.

I dont know what yous were spoking, but ABC's MNF last night looked amazing, even better then before the upgrades and replacements. I did count a few glitches.
Pixilization at 11:17 during Torry Holt interview.
Pixilization at 11:23 after team owner mentioned.
Pixilization at 11:25 after incomplete catch.
Pixilization at 11:29 before refs. call.

These glitches were only for half a second.

I waswatching on a Panasonic 50PHD7UY ISF'd and a 6412 and the difference betwen CBS and ABC is very dramatic. I really do not like the look of any of the MNF games. THey have a long way to go to come close to CBS.

I agree about CBS...but MNF has made significant improvements in my opinion...

As far as the glitches go...they were minor and could have occurrred anywhere in the process.

I must be way more picky than you guys, but to me, MNF looks fuzzy and bland compared to CBS. If you think it looks amazing, more power to you. After all, Beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. The first year ABC did MNF back in 1999 or 2000 was outstanding, on par with what CBS is doing now. They did a separate video feed than analog, using better 16x9 framed angles. Wish they would go back to that PQ.

I agree with JWhip, last night's game wasn't close to CBS, and I personally prefer 720p. I think other games on ABC have looked better than last night, but last night was average compared to other MNF games and CBS games.

JWhip,

I'm a relatively new member to the thread (only finding out about it recently) and I had a question for you. Do you have any idea what Comcast's FOX broadcast for the 1:00 p.m. game on Sunday, Sept. 11th. Also, will it be broadcast in HD?

You seem to be the one in the know around here from what I've gathered so far, and I have a personal tie to Brian Griese (a man whose career is a storybook example of how fickle the NFL is) but unfortunately (its rare that the Eagles/Bucs don't play at the same time) won't be able to fly out to Minnesota for the game. I am going to be able to make it to Tampa for week 2 (DVR in HD for the Eagles game) so if I could find out whose being televised locally, it would buy me some time in regards to whether or not I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get DirecTV + Sunday Ticket + $100 to get games in HD (with the lovely 1 year lock), in addition to my Comcast (can't lose Comcast Sportsnet HD) Digital Silver + HBO (kill me now).

Any info at all would be much appreciated.

Thanks

You will have to check with Fox 29. Comcast does not select the games. I do not even know if Fox 29 has decided what game to show. Check their web page. I have the NFL-ST but doubt I will be watching the Bucs.

Dont know what you've been smoking but the feed from New York was amazing, especially since they replaced the HD router and HD release facility. It must be the feed from WPVI.

You will have to check with Fox 29. Comcast does not select the games. I do not even know if Fox 29 has decided what game to show. Check their web page. I have the NFL-ST but doubt I will be watching the Bucs.

Yeah FOX hasn't announced it yet, I figured that Comcast would have that information before it was made public (CBS has already announced their games).

Thanks anyway though.

I do not have access to the sat feed from ABC. As WPVI has two subchannels, I am sure that that impacts things as well. I can get WNEP out of Scranton also but they have two subchannels as well. I think what you find amazing and what I find amazing must be very different and I am not smoking anything.

I thought MNF looked good but CBS looked better

...Just a thought, for those of you who aren't seeing differences in this seasons broadcast; Try setting your cable box output to match the native resolution of your display. Or (as in my case) set the box to output in 1080i and let your display handle the resolution change.

I have received HD through Comcast since September, 2003. In the past several months, I have noticed a significant decrease in picture quality on nearly all the high-def channels such as INHD 1 & 2, ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc.

The images just are not as "eye-popping" or "jaw-dropping" as they once were. I have been reading alot lately about how cable companies, including Comcast, are compressing and compromising the HD signal to preserve bandwidth. Mark Cuban has also been making some noise recently - angry at the cable companies for "watering down" the HD picture quality with these same bandwidth compromises.

Is it just me, or does anyone else who has had HD through Comcast for a few years feel as though their picture quality has become less impressive?

Can any Comcast insiders tell us if I am crazy, or did the picture used to be "better" (i.e. less compressed) in the past than it is now on the HD tier networks?

Thank you. :confused:

Sorry Zippy, I have noticed no such thing. I do not know where or what you have been reading but Comcast does NOT compress their HD signal at all and do not compromise it in any way. All they do is remodulate it for QAM which has no effect on PQ.

I have received HD through Comcast since September, 2003. In the past several months, I have noticed a significant decrease in picture quality on nearly all the high-def channels such as INHD 1 & 2, ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc.

The images just are not as "eye-popping" or "jaw-dropping" as they once were. I have been reading alot lately about how cable companies, including Comcast, are compressing and compromising the HD signal to preserve bandwidth. Mark Cuban has also been making some noise recently - angry at the cable companies for "watering down" the HD picture quality with these same bandwidth compromises.

Is it just me, or does anyone else who has had HD through Comcast for a few years feel as though their picture quality has become less impressive?

Can any Comcast insiders tell us if I am crazy, or did the picture used to be "better" (i.e. less compressed) in the past than it is now on the HD tier networks?

Thank you. :confused:

Zippychimp...I've been banging this drum for the last 2-3 months (in this thread in particular). I agree 100% with your assessment...I first spent several weeks tweaking my set, then I installed the motorola signal booster, etc...everything to bring back the "wow" that HD via Comcast once was. My largest complaint is the compression...the HD picture is still very good, BUT...the motion blocking and flashing bright blocking continues to make me absolutely crazy. This blocking is clearly related to compression and the watering down of the signals. I started noticing this deterioration several months back and have sent numerous email to Comcast in addition to the replies in this thread. I'm glad that more people are starting to see it as well...for the longest time I thought it was just me.

Chris.

I've been a DTV subscriber for the last 7 years, with Comcast HSI/basic cable for the last 3 years. I just signed up for the DC/HBO/DVR $39 for 12 months package, and my install is scheduled for 9/2. The CSR informed me that this package falls under the Buyback program and that I would have to turn in my receiver and sign a form. I am more than willing to agree to that for the deal they are giving me. The one problem I have is that I currently have 3 DTV DVR's with about 75 hrs of programming on them and my monthly DTV billing cycle just reset yesterday. I would really like to give the installer an old standard DTV receiver I have in a closet and keep my DTV account active until the end of the month. Does anyone have any experience with a similar situation? What exactly does this Buyback form/agreement say? Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

LongRufus, I recently added Comcast and received the same offer. You can give them any box you like. I give them an old one that was also in my closet. After they complete your install they ask for the box and check to make sure the access card is still there. I believe I had to sign something saying a was turning over the box to them. I asked the installer what did they do with the DirecTV boxes. He said the melt the fittings made out of gold. Not sure if this is true or not. They box exchange is no big deal. I plan to keep both services for the next year and than make a decision. My wife currently would say keep DirecTV and I would say keep Comcast. My wife loves her DirecTV Tivo. To me SD PQ is very similar but HD PQ is much better on Comcast. Hope this helps!

LongRufus, I recently added Comcast and received the same offer. You can give them any box you like. I give them an old one that was also in my closet. After they complete your install they ask for the box and check to make sure the access card is still there. I believe I had to sign something saying a was turning over the box to them. I asked the installer what did they do with the DirecTV boxes. He said the melt the fittings made out of gold. Not sure if this is true or not. They box exchange is no big deal. I plan to keep both services for the next year and than make a decision. My wife currently would say keep DirecTV and I would say keep Comcast. My wife loves her DirecTV Tivo. To me SD PQ is very similar but HD PQ is much better on Comcast. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the quick reply, that is exactly the info I was looking for.

I have received HD through Comcast since September, 2003. In the past several months, I have noticed a significant decrease in picture quality on nearly all the high-def channels such as INHD 1 & 2, ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc.

The images just are not as "eye-popping" or "jaw-dropping" as they once were. I have been reading alot lately about how cable companies, including Comcast, are compressing and compromising the HD signal to preserve bandwidth. Mark Cuban has also been making some noise recently - angry at the cable companies for "watering down" the HD picture quality with these same bandwidth compromises.

Is it just me, or does anyone else who has had HD through Comcast for a few years feel as though their picture quality has become less impressive?

Can any Comcast insiders tell us if I am crazy, or did the picture used to be "better" (i.e. less compressed) in the past than it is now on the HD tier networks?

Thank you. :confused:


You maybe partially correct. Picture quality is little less "eye-popping" and "jaw-dropping". There are 2 reasons for that. First reason you probably got used to HD. That initial "Wow!" run its course. You see it the way it really is. Second reason is that content providers, not Comcast, reduced the bit rate. Comcast contractually obligated not to change content going through their pipes. In the last year HBO HD went from 16-17 Mbps to 15-16 Mbps. Other content providers do the same thing. Locals try to stuff as many channels into 6 MHz spectrum as they can. For example, WPVI went from a single digital (and HD) channel to three digital feeds. So some bandwidth is sacrificed to put more feeds on the air. And bandwidth is directly related to PQ. None of the content providers broadcasts at full 19 Mbps bit rate. They never have. And QAM-256 modulation used by Comcast is just a transport mechanism and has no effect on HD PQ.

...content providers, not Comcast, reduced the bit rate. Comcast contractually obligated not to change content going through their pipes. In the last year HBO HD went from 16-17 Mbps to 15-16 Mbps. Other content providers do the same thing. Locals try to stuff as many channels into 6 MHz spectrum as they can. For example, WPVI went from a single digital (and HD) channel to three digital feeds. So some bandwidth is sacrificed to put more feeds on the air.

Great info...so Comcast is simply passing the signal rec'd from the content providers. So when myself and others are seeing this reduction in quality, compression related artifacting, its the HBO's, INHD's, etc. who are making the decision to lower the bit-rate and not Comcast...I don't think anyone is looking to bash Comcast in here, but there has been a change in quality over the last few months. And without info like this, we really don't know where the decisions that effect HD quality are made...so from a subscribers standpoint we look to Comcast for the answers...thanks.

Chris.

Chris, I can assure you that there has been no loss in PQ here in Pennsylvania. I do not see it and am pretty picky.

Chris, I can assure you that there has been no loss in PQ here in Pennsylvania. I do not see it and am pretty picky.

Thanks JWhip...I'm extremely picky myself and I have to be honest when I tell you something has changed. Two perfect examples of what I've observed are present in watching iRobot and Man on Fire. iRobot looks sharp and clear but when there is panning, motion, and high contrast or flashing brights, the blocking and artifacts completly deflate the HD experience...similarly, Man on Fire, which uses a lot of high contrast, overexposed film effects along with quick fire editing also became unwatchable with the blocking. On both, I am able to pause on the 6412 and isolate frame-by-frame the severly blocked images which make up this effect...all started in the last few months. Now I understand that it isn't Comcast compressing the signal...however, somewhere in the chain a change has been made to reduce the bit-rate which is effecting the end result.

I will admit that I have noticed an improvement over the last week or so...or maybe I am just getting used it...

Chris.

If you are watching these two movies on HBOHD, I am not surprised by what you are seeing. That is pretty common around the country with all providers. HBO HD is not as good as it used to be.

Thanks JWhip...I'm extremely picky myself and I have to be honest when I tell you something has changed. Two perfect examples of what I've observed are present in watching iRobot and Man on Fire. iRobot looks sharp and clear but when there is panning, motion, and high contrast or flashing brights, the blocking and artifacts completly deflate the HD experience...similarly, Man on Fire, which uses a lot of high contrast, overexposed film effects along with quick fire editing also became unwatchable with the blocking. On both, I am able to pause on the 6412 and isolate frame-by-frame the severly blocked images which make up this effect...all started in the last few months. Now I understand that it isn't Comcast compressing the signal...however, somewhere in the chain a change has been made to reduce the bit-rate which is effecting the end result.

I will admit that I have noticed an improvement over the last week or so...or maybe I am just getting used it...

Chris.

You also maybe having problems with your HD set-top. 6412's are known to have a lot of issues related to MPEG decoding and picture quality. Other thing that you have to keep in mind is that on 6412 everything you watch is going through time-shift buffer all the time.

There are a lot of moving pieces here. And I'm not saying that something may not be properly calibrated in the head-end. The HD feed goes through a lot of hops between content provider and your TV set. HBO for example will encode the movie and then will beam it upto a satellite, cable company will receive down in your area and decrypt it, remodulate it, encrypt it again and then put it on a cable plant. There could be issues with cable plant, like noise and signal degradation. You may have a bad coax cable wire outside your house or inside. These are the things that can affect your HD PQ.

So if you believe that HD PQ is bad then call Comcast and have them check signal levels in- and outside of your house. You may need to swap the set-top as well. That would be the first 2 things I would do.

...So if you believe that HD PQ is bad then call Comcast and have them check signal levels in- and outside of your house. You may need to swap the set-top as well. That would be the first 2 things I would do.

Signals have been checked and I haven't had any issues with the STB...I do not think the HD PQ is bad at all...just the opposite. For most programming HD continues to be very good...but there have been noticeable changes over time, specifically what I described above. I am considering a swap of the 6412 (or add another) in which case I will be put the STB theory to test. I agree that the content goes through numerous processes, any of which could result in the deterioration of the signal quality. Based on your earlier post and the HBOHD point made by JWhip, I will take note if these effects which I described are limited to specific channels.

Chris.

Good news on TNT-HD, look for an announcement soon. Nothing new to report on ESPN2HD though.

Any more specifics on TNT HD?

I was not given a firm date only that it would be soon.

We have waited for a long long while...

Does anybody have any timeline as to when Comcast SportsNet will begin HD coverage for Flyers/76ers/Phillies away games? I saw that they did it once ealier this year for a Phillies game -- I think against the Mets --- and I was thinking that we would see a ramp up in the number of HD away-game broadcasts. However, that has not been the case. Any insight would be appreciated.

Also, JWhip --- I thought I was the only lucky one in the area that worked that sweet deal with D*! :cool: Like you, I only subscribe to ST and the ST SuperFan (HD) package through D* --- FYI, I got D* to reduce the Superfan price to $25 after several conversations with customer service.

I have a Comcast DVR box with an HBO subsciption. What do you get with the HD tier above and beyond what I get through Comcast? How much does this package cost/month?

Thanks,
Jordan

The HD Tier includes ESPNHD, Discovery HD, Universal HD, HD Net Movies and HD Net. The cost is $11.99. As of Sept. 9th, ESPN2HD will be included at no extra charge. I have that and HBO. I also get the NFL HD stuff as well, I assume as part of NFL ST. BTW, I got them to waive the Superfan fee in its entirety, so that I am paying $199.00 for the entire NFL-ST package.

There will be no OLNHD, at least for awhile. The HD games will be shown on other outlets on cable and DBS.

Be honest, I am tired of hearing TNT hd will be added soon. It's been for 4 months already.

It should be on by the end of September I believe.

I thought there was no more bandwidth, and you were saying that before everything went digital, now they are going to add TNT? exactly how? they have not compressed the channels more, it would be easily noticeable, actually the picture looks better.

What's the deal with WHYY-DT over the air? I've upgraded and tweaked my center city location so I get most locals, strongly, and 17 good enough to watch on my HD_TiVo. But WHYY resists (and I'd really love to get some of their HD programs!). They're all basically transmitting from the same spot. so why the difficulty with that frequency (which I believe is VHF-55, and something else is 54).

Any thoughts? Antenna is about 2 stories AGL. I have one church steeple in my direct path, a highly directional outdoor antenna, and I'm about 90º off-axis to the center city reflective tall buildings. I do get a tiny signal from WHYY-DT but never enough to lock on. Would going higher help? I've got another story to go up, but it'd be a little bit of a pain and expense to raise higher.

Anybody have any info on Comcast offering HD coverage of Phillies/Sixers/Flyers away games? JWhip??

FYI...received a message from Comcast.....

Free HBO and HBO On-Demand from Sept 3. until Wednesday...

Do not expect much in the way of away games in HD.

With OLN broadcasting some games in HD, would we recieve those games on ComcastSportsNet?? And I'm sure, some Flyers away games would be included if so.

I just bought a Sony KDFE50A10 and an indoor RCA 30db antenna from BB this past weekend. I cannot, however, get clear reception through my antenna. I live in the Harleysville area. I did a tv scan and my tv did not even pick up the digital channels from the antenna. I only got the normal channels (3,6,29, etc.) Please help as I want to watch football in HD!!! I am very new at this stuff, so please help

I just bought a Sony KDFE50A10 and an indoor RCA 30db antenna from BB this past weekend. I cannot, however, get clear reception through my antenna. I live in the Harleysville area. I did a tv scan and my tv did not even pick up the digital channels from the antenna. I only got the normal channels (3,6,29, etc.) Please help as I want to watch football in HD!!! I am very new at this stuff, so please helpGo to Antennaweb (http://www.antennaweb.org) and input your address. It will tell you how far away you are from the transmission towers. You may be too far away for an indoor antenna.

It was great to see HD games away is HD when the Phils payed the Mets earlier in the season, but what happened that this was a one time thing?

I was really hoping that we would get the series against the Nationals broadcas back to us in HD. Doesn't Comcast already do the Nats games in HD in the Washington area?

I know this thread is dominated by Comcast customers, but does anyone have info on when RCN will add more HD in the Lehigh Valley? They haven't changed their lineup since Comcast Sportsnet HD was added 17 months ago.

I just bought a Sony KDFE50A10 and an indoor RCA 30db antenna from BB this past weekend. I cannot, however, get clear reception through my antenna. I live in the Harleysville area. I did a tv scan and my tv did not even pick up the digital channels from the antenna. I only got the normal channels (3,6,29, etc.) Please help as I want to watch football in HD!!! I am very new at this stuff, so please help


Did you plug the antenna into the UHF/VHF jack?
Did you go into the setup menu of your TV and choose auto-program?

It seems odd that you wouldn't get a single digital channel where you are located.

Yea, i pluged the antenna into the UHF/VHF jack. I also did an auto-program in the TV. Also my TV has a built-in HD tuner, so there shouldn't be any problems. How is it that i get reception to SD OTA abc, cbs, fox, etc, and not digital. i ran the auto-program last night around 10-10:30pm. My antenna that i have is an RCA ANT 501

Indoor antennas are not included in antennaweb

Yea, i pluged the antenna into the UHF/VHF jack. I also did an auto-program in the TV. Also my TV has a built-in HD tuner, so there shouldn't be any problems. How is it that i get reception to SD OTA abc, cbs, fox, etc, and not digital. i ran the auto-program last night around 10-10:30pm. My antenna that i have is an RCA ANT 501

That does sound strange. I would think you would get some signal, even if it was intermittant. I'm 15 miles east of the towers in NJ, and the internal tuner on my sony tube tv picks up all the philly stations on a crappy $9 GE antenna that I got at BJ's. I don't know what to suggest other than the usual stuff you probably already tried, like moving the antenna around etc. Is comcast an option? When I first got my sony, all I had was comcast's $8 basic package and the internal tuner handled the local qam channels fine. Good luck.

Anybody have any info on Comcast offering HD coverage of Phillies/Sixers/Flyers away games? JWhip??
I just picked up an HDTV last week and had been extremely disappointed to see that the Phils games weren't in HD on CSNHD. Then I noticed the games this week against the Astros were in HD. Me being such an observant person I made no correlation between HD being for the home games and SD for the away games.

Now it all starts to make sense. The local games are in HD since they have local HD feeds. I assume that the away games without HD may be at parks where they dont have HD setup, or is there more involved here?

I guess that I can assume the Sixers and Flyers will be in HD at least for home games?

So, I had just purchased my first projector (H57) and it was working fine with the HD cable at home however, when I got to school apparently the cable here is a one way area and can not do HD. I switched over to satelite, however (Dishnetwork, Direct TV is waaaay to expensive for us) only to find that there is no local channels in HD. I was wondering if there was a way to use and HD antenna in conjunction with the satelite to get the local channels. I live in Bethlehem Pennsylvania about an hour away from Philidelphia. Thankyou for all of the help.

You can use an antenna with an HD stb to get locals in HD. You can't get locals in HD on sat just yet.

Hey thanks a bunch for the help mx6bfast. What is an stb though and also could you give me a range msrp of course of how much those cost. Oh and sorry two more things, I would be able to use this along with the dishnetwork right, and if so how would i hook it up so it would be able to be used with the projector. Thanks again for all the help.

Is there a way for me to pick up local channels in hd (Fox Cbs Abc etc) with an antnenna. I live in bethlehem Pennsylvania, about an hour away from philidelphia. Also how would I go about hooking this all up. I had posted this earlier however the thread seemed to have gotten deleted, did i post in teh wrong area. Oh also if someone could provide me teh msrp of one of these antennas I would be much obliged. Thanks for the help.

Hey guys,

Got a letter in the mail from COMCAST yesterday stating: "In order to make room for future services and channels, effective October 18, 2005, selected West Coast Premium Channels will no longer be available".

They are pushing "On Demand" as an alternative to the West Coast Feeds - which, makes sense to me.

Bottom line, they will be removing *15* digital Channels on 10/18 - hopefully, to give us more HD.

Please. . .

JWhip?

Faceoff

You got it.

JWhip, Do you know what channels will be eliminated? I'm not complaining just curious. Any word on what those HD channels will be? ESPN 2, TNT-HD, or anything else.

I know it sounds stupid.
Currently I have Philly local HD channels (CBS, FOX ..), is it possible for me to get NYC local HD so I can watch NYJ/NYG games in HD? If not, what else can I do? OTA?

I am in Mercer County, NJ.

Thanks!

I'm have no idea what is being added, but my recollection from the Comcast mailer is that all the premium West Coast feeds, except HBO, are being deleted.

Is there a way for me to pick up local channels in hd (Fox Cbs Abc etc) with an antnenna. I live in bethlehem Pennsylvania, about an hour away from philidelphia. Also how would I go about hooking this all up. I had posted this earlier however the thread seemed to have gotten deleted, did i post in teh wrong area. Oh also if someone could provide me teh msrp of one of these antennas I would be much obliged. Thanks for the help.

Yes - start here;

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/basics.html

What exactly are our west coast premium channels? I'm all for as much HD as possible but they better not take anything good away.

Can't say I'm happy about this (loss of west coast feeds). On Demand is nice, but the quality isn't perfect. Also, since I'm on a SA system the interface is slow as hell.

Though I don't watch much SD anymore, so I'm not too upset. God forbid they move all the shopping channels to digital only, though they probably see that as shooting themeselves in the foot by doing that.

Just started reading this thread, lots of great information!

I have a Sammy 5667 DLP with the 6412 DVR with digital/hbo, since the end of June. I can now pick out the blocking in the HD channels as well. I think the initial WOW factor has worn off after a couple months. It's really noticable on all the SD channels.

What are acceptable signal levels in db? I am in an apartment so my options are pretty limited.

I have like a dozen HBO channels, some are like HBO west coast, HBO2 west coast, HBO action west coast, etc. I think they are getting rid of those. I still haven't gotten any kind of notification from Comcast, but you guys seem to know more than they do anyway.

swyck ---
I'm guessing that it is not cost-effective for Philadelphia CSN to ship all of their HD broadcasting equipment on the road to deliver HD coverage. There was that one game in NY against the Mets where they did just that ---- the picture was awesome... but I have not seen another road game broadcast since.

I'm not sure exactly what's involved in broadcasting HD for road games. I picked up from watching the INHD MLB coverage this year that the Red Sox, Padres and possibly others do broadcast their team's road games in HD --- not sure why Comcast has not been able to pull this off.

All CSN home games for the Phillies, 76ers and Flyers are broadcast in HD.


As a side note, does anybody know why CSN insists on stretching their 4:3 material on their HD station when no HD is being broadcast? Do they have something against the side-bars used by everybody else (ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.)??? It is pretty annoying to watch a Phillies game in beautiful HD only to have the post-game show popup with everybody looking all fat and out of proportion...

Sorry Zippy, I have noticed no such thing. I do not know where or what you have been reading but Comcast does NOT compress their HD signal at all and do not compromise it in any way. All they do is remodulate it for QAM which has no effect on PQ.

JWhip - I trust you on this one. Thanks for clarifying Comcast is not compressing and/or compromising the HD signal. I thought I read awhile back that people had noticed the Phillies in HD were not as good as it had been the year before due to some Comcast changes in transmission. I may have misunderstood.

Since the Flyers tv schedule is now out, and the 10/5 Rangers home/season opener is OLN exclusive, will we have OLN-HD by then?

Thanks!

I think it will be on INHD. Maybe Sportsnet.

so jwhip, do you have any idea which west coast feeds will be deleted....also, is encore considered premium?

I don't know how many Encore West Coast feeds there are, but definitely some of them (possibly all?) are referenced as being deleted on the Comcast mailer (sorry, threw it out already). I am almost certain that none of the HBO West Coast feeds are being deleted, at least not per the mailer.

I think it will be on INHD. Maybe Sportsnet.

I can assure you it will not be on SportsNet - it is OLN EXCLUSIVE - this is straight from Comcast SportsNet.

No such notice here in south jersey a far as i know, of course noone tells us anything

323 MoreMAX West
326 ActionMAX West

343 Showtime West
344 Showtime Too West
345 Showtime Showcase West
348 Showtime Extreme west
349 Showtime Beyond West

351 TMC West
353 TMC Xtra West

376 Starz West
377 Starz Edge West
378 Starz in Black West
379 Starz Kids and Family West
380 Starz Cinema West
381 Starz Comedy West

Faceoff

On second thought... I could care less they are dropping those channels. ;)

But they need to get rid of more analogs faster.

No final firm decision has been made on which channel the HD feed of the Flyers-Rangers game will be shown. If I were a betting man, I would bet INHD. There will be no separate LNHD channel this soon. Perhaps in the spring.

Has anyone seen whether OLN-HD will be 720p or 1080i? I assume if it will be on INHD, it would be 1080i. Just curious.

Anyone know when Verizon FIOS TV will be available in Medford, NJ? Verizon did a lot of work this summer in Medford.

THe HD hockey broadcasts produced by OLN will be in 1080i.

I'm on Comcast in Central NJ so I get the NY and Philly locals. Anyone have an idea as to why the Boston/NY game would be blacked-out on ESPN HD? I'm not too excited to watch this game on UPN 9 in SD. My thought is that they treat this area most times like it is more of a Philly local area so I wouldn't think that they would black-out the Yankee game on a non-Yes station.

I'm on Comcast in Central NJ so I get the NY and Philly locals. Anyone have an idea as to why the Boston/NY game would be blacked-out on ESPN HD? I'm not too excited to watch this game on UPN 9 in SD. My thought is that they treat this area most times like it is more of a Philly local area so I wouldn't think that they would black-out the Yankee game on a non-Yes station.


It wasn't blacked out on Comcast in Burlington county. It was pillarboxed on ESPN HD, so you didn't miss much watching it in SD...

I'm on Comcast in Central NJ so I get the NY and Philly locals. Anyone have an idea as to why the Boston/NY game would be blacked-out on ESPN HD? I'm not too excited to watch this game on UPN 9 in SD. My thought is that they treat this area most times like it is more of a Philly local area so I wouldn't think that they would black-out the Yankee game on a non-Yes station.

In Ewing the Yankees friday night ESPN-HD broadcast was not blacked out - but it wasn't an HD broadcast! INHD did not have the YES HD broadcast either - just regular programming.

323 MoreMAX West
326 ActionMAX West

343 Showtime West
344 Showtime Too West
345 Showtime Showcase West
348 Showtime Extreme west
349 Showtime Beyond West

351 TMC West
353 TMC Xtra West

376 Starz West
377 Starz Edge West
378 Starz in Black West
379 Starz Kids and Family West
380 Starz Cinema West
381 Starz Comedy West

Faceoff

I assume that Comcast will lower the price since we aren't getting these channels anymore... :D

Looking at the olympic schedule, I noticed that the majority of the soccer games are going to be shown on Telemundo. It figures that Comcast doesn't provide Telemundo...

Double check that, because Comcast does carry Telemundo in most, if not all of their Phila/NJ systems.

Anyone getting audio drops on Fox HD? They are happenning every 15 seconds or so and I just tuned in at 1:10 PM.

Is this a Fox issue, Comcast issue or issue with my box?

In Ewing the Yankees friday night ESPN-HD broadcast was not blacked out - but it wasn't an HD broadcast! INHD did not have the YES HD broadcast either - just regular programming.

Wow that is strange. When I say blacked-out I mean that ESPN HD would not tune the station which is what normally happens when ESPN and YES carry the game.

Mikeewing-

What locals SD do you get (Philly or NY)? What HD locals do you get?

Anyone getting audio drops on Fox HD? They are happenning every 15 seconds or so and I just tuned in at 1:10 PM.

Is this a Fox issue, Comcast issue or issue with my box?

Fox issue. I was getting them too on comcast, switched to OTA and they were still there. Seems to be just a studio issue though, I haven't noticed any yet on the actual game broadcast.

Wow that is strange. When I say blacked-out I mean that ESPN HD would not tune the station which is what normally happens when ESPN and YES carry the game.

Mikeewing-

What locals SD do you get (Philly or NY)? What HD locals do you get?


For SD I get both NY and Phillie:
Phillie 3,6,10,12,17,29, etc...
NY 2,4,5,7,9,11, etc.

HD channels are Phillie only.

I'm not sure why ESPN was blacked out in your area. Maybe Comcast Trenton/Ewing is in a different blackout zone for YES?

Today's Yankee game is on Fox HD, but it sure looks like the old "Fox Widescreen", which was 16:9 480i. (In other words, brutal).

Today's Yankee game is on Fox HD, but it sure looks like the old "Fox Widescreen", which was 16:9 480i. (In other words, brutal).I agree completely. The HD picture looks washed out. However, the tennis matches on CBS HD look great!

As a side note, does anybody know why CSN insists on stretching their 4:3 material on their HD station when no HD is being broadcast? Do they have something against the side-bars used by everybody else (ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.)???
Agreed, this has been discussed before, but it is really annoying, even worse when the put the scores up. Sometimes, I won't even watch a road game, because it is just so terrible looking.

I know it is because of plasma owners, but so what, then use grey bars like CBS. Heck, the other networks use black bars, they don't care.

Does anyone have any news, on when if they are planning to quit this nonsense?
Or do we have to wait until everything is HD on CSN-HD?

For SD I get both NY and Phillie:
Phillie 3,6,10,12,17,29, etc...
NY 2,4,5,7,9,11, etc.

HD channels are Phillie only.

I'm not sure why ESPN was blacked out in your area. Maybe Comcast Trenton/Ewing is in a different blackout zone for YES?

Today's Yankee game is on Fox HD, but it sure looks like the old "Fox Widescreen", which was 16:9 480i. (In other words, brutal).

Thanks.

BTW, the game was not in HD on Fox. It was in widescreen SD. Most (if not all) of Fox's MLB is in SD.

JWhip-

Do you have any idea of when (if ever) Comcast will carry NY HD stations for those of us in Central NJ? We get NY and Philly SD locals but only Philly HD.

QZ1, that will not change. I for one do not mind the stretched picture. Regarding NY locals in HD, I doubt they will add them if you get the Philly locals in HD. Just no room for essentially duplicate channels where HD is concerned.

Thanks.

BTW, the game was not in HD on Fox. It was in widescreen SD. Most (if not all) of Fox's MLB is in SD.

You know, it's just disappointing. Buy some cameras for crying out loud!!!

I can now get HD OTA channels for cbs (3.1), nbc (10.1, 10.2) & wb (17.1). I cannot get abc & fox OTA in HD. I am using an indoor RCA ANT501 on a Sony KDF-E50A10. Can anyone in the Towamencin or Harleysville area get these two channels using an indoor antenna? If so, is there something special i have to do to get these channels?

Not being a wise guy, but I'd get a better antenna.

OTOH... just an observation that both channels that you can't receive are the ones using 720p.
Maybe it is a 'setup' problem?

Yeah i was wonder that too, the fact that both of those channels are 720p. But i don't know enough to make a conclusion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not being a wise guy, but I'd get a better antenna.

OTOH... just an observation that both channels that you can't receive are the ones using 720p.
Maybe it is a 'setup' problem?

I have Comcast HDTV Dig Cable, and I am occasionally seeing interference in the way of blueish streaks (horozontal across screen). I have a 56" DLP Samsung. Will check again, but doesnt occur with DVD source. This evening, some of football game was dropping out and in to HD, but this interference goes across screen even into black side bars when 4:3 is on. Any clues? Is it the cable signal? I have the component video RGB hooked directly into the tv, coax coming from wall.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jhav
As a side note, does anybody know why CSN insists on stretching their 4:3 material on their HD station when no HD is being broadcast? Do they have something against the side-bars used by everybody else (ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.)???

Agreed, this has been discussed before, but it is really annoying, even worse when the put the scores up. Sometimes, I won't even watch a road game, because it is just so terrible looking.

I know it is because of plasma owners, but so what, then use grey bars like CBS. Heck, the other networks use black bars, they don't care.

Does anyone have any news, on when if they are planning to quit this nonsense?
Or do we have to wait until everything is HD on CSN-HD?

agreed.
i dont have many complaints about csn but this is big issue.

they have spent the money on all the hd, now why cant they do the same to add the ability to add bars the same as ESPN.

my other big problem is the scores on the 4's.

unneccessary, especially during periods when no other game is on and we have to see that scroll telling us no other games are on, every 15 minutes.

even worse is when this happens during a non hd show.
now it's not only stretched but it's squeezed too.

espn and MNF, in fact all other sport events use a clear overlay.
totally amateurish.

if there has to be a score scroll why not 3 times/every 20 mins instead.

END THE STRETCH!

btw whats going on with the mnf broadcast?

it keeps switching fron hd to sd?

btw whats going on with the mnf broadcast?

it keeps switching fron hd to sd?


I noticed that too - I guess intereference somewhere between broadcast and us.

btw whats going on with the mnf broadcast?

it keeps switching fron hd to sd?

That was driving me absolutely crazy. What the heck was the issue?

Yeah, that was not Comcast's problem with MNF last night... I was seeing it OTA as well...

Any of you have other intereference issues at all with Comcast? Its not like the drop out during the game, but more like horizontal lines of static (light blueish), that seemed to be on all channels (analog and dig). Its intermittent, not all the time...

I can now get HD OTA channels for cbs (3.1), nbc (10.1, 10.2) & wb (17.1). I cannot get abc & fox OTA in HD. I am using an indoor RCA ANT501 on a Sony KDF-E50A10. Can anyone in the Towamencin or Harleysville area get these two channels using an indoor antenna? If so, is there something special i have to do to get these channels?

Is an outdoor antenna a possibility? I had a lot of problems getting FOX until I went with an outdoor unit.

And I'm just a few miles from the transmitters!

MNF issues must have been at ABCs end; I was getting the same issues OTA, and I rarely have any problems with any of their other HD programming (Lost, Housewives, etc). It almost seemed like their system would get 'overloaded' and drop back to 4 x 3 480i until it could catch up.

Maybe they need to not broadcast the 6-2 channel during high bandwidth events like sports. (Is anybody really watching visions at 10:45 PM when MNF is on??) The weather radar on 6-3 probably doesn't chew up a lot of bandwidth as it's a very static image.

Is an outdoor antenna a possibility? I had a lot of problems getting FOX until I went with an outdoor unit.

And I'm just a few miles from the transmitters!

At this point outdoor antenna is not a possibility. Plus the sd ota fox and abc are not too bad, so i guess digital signals are weaker?

btw whats going on with the mnf broadcast?

it keeps switching fron hd to sd?


Last night's Eagles Monday Night Football game kept switching from HD to standard def/black bars repeatedly. Is this Comcast's fault, WPVI's fault, or ABC's fault?

Didn't win alot of converts to HDTV last night amongst the group I had over to watch the game with this irritating glitch!

Is anyone in the South Philadelphia area able to get FOX OTA. I am not able to pick up that station at all. I get all the other channels with little tweaking. I am using an indoor antenae(Ratshack bowtie and a Silver Sensor). Getting ready to switch to an outdoor.

Last night's Eagles Monday Night Football game kept switching from HD to standard def/black bars repeatedly. Is this Comcast's fault, WPVI's fault, or ABC's fault?

Didn't win alot of converts to HDTV last night amongst the group I had over to watch the game with this irritating glitch!

Between the HD quality issues and the game itself (ejecting players before the start of the game? - please!), I was ready to read a book. This isn't the first time this year that MNF has had problems. Some of the preseason games had similar issues.

I would think that since other HD shows seem to be okay on WPVI, perhaps it is the remote setup that ABC is using and not our local channel. Was anyone watching a different station (NY, MD)?

I haven't noticed the same issues of ESPN Sunday Night Football. You'd think that both would have similar broadcast quality.

It was the EAGLES fault, they we're trying to tell you to stop watching
such a aweful performance

What a waste of bandwidth!

mitch

It was the EAGLES fault, they we're trying to tell you to stop watching
such a aweful performance

What a waste of bandwidth!

mitch

Andy was behind the truck pulling the plug...

It was definately an ABC network issue. I had the same drop outs via OTA and on the DTV HD feed from the NY affiliate.

It was definately an ABC network issue. I had the same drop outs via OTA and on the DTV HD feed from the NY affiliate.

Besides the dropouts, how did the OTA vs DirecTV compare?

So this is an issue somewhere at the network level. I'll see if anyone over at TiVo community comments about their feeds from elsewhere.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=259688

yup, MNF issues seem to have been nationwide:

I'm in Richmond and experienced the same symptoms.

Yup, in Phoenix and it happened here too on my OTA.

Yep, in Houston over the air I was in 4:3 for most of the second half

I had the same problem here in Sacramento, CA. I get it through OTA.

my other big problem is the scores on the 4's.

unneccessary, especially during periods when no other game is on and we have to see that scroll telling us no other games are on, every 15 minutes.

even worse is when this happens during a non hd show.
now it's not only stretched but it's squeezed too.
Yes, and this effectively stretchs the picture even more. I change the channel when they strectch CSN that much, it is ridiculous. I noticed one network, maybe ESPN, that had scores on the bottom, but narrowed the screen so the aspect ratio was preserved.

I just got an UHF outdoor antenna installed here in Marlton, NJ in my new house.

I played around with indoor antennas, in my basement, and wasn't getting adequate signal.

Anyways, now I am receiving KYW-DT, WPVI-DT, WCAU-DT, WHYY-DT, WPHL-DT, WNJS-DT, WTXF-DT, WYBE-DT, WGTW-DT, WPSG-DT, WPPX-DT and WUVP-DT. I also get all those UHF stations in analog, with WLVT, WBPH and WTVE though fuzzy. These channels aren't carried on Comcast Garden State. Also, there are numerous low power home shopping stations.

WFMZ analog doesn't reach here clearly, but I am getting WFMZ-DT :)

1. I'm not getting WWSI-DT the Telemundo station that's supposed to cover this market. Is this station at low power?

When I did a scan of digital channels, I also pulled up WPMT-DT (Fox) from Central PA. I have been watching clear digital programming from this station in the evenings, but it's analog is barely noticeable and very fuzzy. I get fuz from the other UHF stations in Harrisburg, but no other digital stations.

2. Are WFMZ and WPMT at maximum full power to reach Southern NJ? Or is it the summer atmospheric conditions doing most the work?

When I had a rotor and VHF/UHF antenna in Cherry Hill faced northeast, I used to get the NY VHF stations fuzzy (pretty fuzzy), 80 miles away, but constant. WNJT 52 (analog) would come crystal clear that way, and I would get fuzz on WZBN CH.25 a low power newschannel in Trenton, and WNJB 58, New Brunswick's NJN. But since digital is an all or nothing deal, how far would the NY UHF stations that are on digital reach. I wonder if they would reach Marlton.

3. Are the NYC stations at maximum power?

For this evening's broadcast on Comcast Spnt HD, they have placed the camera behind the pitcher, which allows a much better view of the pitch locations than the usual angle view.

I fear though that this is just for this evening. If I recall correctly this is an INHD game.

I will e-mail Comcast though on how superior the behind the pitcher angle is.

I was at last night's game BTW. Very entertaining and yes, a come from behind win.

Zack,
You are correct - those were the ESPN camera angles we had last night. Weren't they AWESOME compared to the usual CSN ones?

It's just like the ESPN video game on X Box - you could see every breaking pitch, curves, you name it. I was very impressed.

Any ideas?
2nd time this week I tried to tape "supernatural" on 17.1 ( WB) on mits dvhs & on playback it is unwatchable (mits & jvc). It keeps searching for setting sp, hs, dvhs light goes on & off. etc. I watched it as it recorded & it look ok- hs speed no switching. I recorded on the jcv30K & it is fine. Don’t understand.??? WB is not multicasting- just 17.1. I am using dvhs maxell. Signal strenght is good. All other OTA stations tape fine from Mits. ???

jeepmatt replied that on Thursday night it was the ESPN camera angles that we saw, whereby the camera is behind the pitcher and elevated, allowing you to see how the pitcher locates the pitches.

I wrote to the Ask Comcast Sportsnet email address asking them to adopt these camera angles but no reply.

Anybody know whom I could write to about this?

I already have written my contact at CSN and will let you know. However, my quess is that it was a temporary thing due to the fact that the scaffolding used to put the camera that high in that location was rather ubsightly and that the Phillies would not permit that on a regular basis. It is my further quess that when the stadium was designed, the Phillies had input on the placement of cameras and that it will not change. Just my quess though. I have indicated to CSN that I prefered the new angle, for what that is worth.

Well, Sep is almost over. Hopefully we can get TNT HD, which I don't thinks so.

Anybody notice the change to OTA WPVI 6.1, 6.2, & 6.3?

In addition to the ABC weather now taking over the static radar on 6.3, 6.2 is now showing "paid" programming" & is no longer rebroadcast the news... only similcasting.

I called & spoke to Jim Gilbert, vp eng, (215-581-4542) he stated due to licensing they are no longer able to rebroadcast the news- got too expensive. He confirmed that they are similcasting the same news on 6.1 & 6.2 & as he stated "so they don't compete with themselves"

He confirmed “paid programming"- aka info mercials are now a part or their lineup. He tried to reassure me that 6.1 would not be "bit starved" for HD & would still be ~14, while 6.2 & 6.3 would now battle it out each getting ~2 a piece. The priority on a scale of 1-10: 6.1 gets a 6 & the others both get 4's to split the "stat mux" signal. (I think I am stating this right)

I recently bought an HDTV, and got DirectTV to go along with it. Is there anyway that I can get local channels HD? Do I have to buy an antenna for this? DirectTv really doesn't have many cahnnels to chose from, although their ESPNHD does look good in HiDef.

Keep an eye on MNF Monday night. I bet it will look like crap.

I found UPN-HD a couple weeks back. Cool, nice job Comcast, we have all the locals in HD now. Now if only Enterprise was still being shown!

I'm still seeing macroblocking on fast scenes on multiple HD channels. I've noticed it with both a moto cable box on a front projection setup as well as with a Cablecard on a LCD. I've posted about this before and a couple of people seemed to agree with me, but I was browsing the thread and someone claimed comcast doesn't reencode the channels. I can't believe that because I'm seeing the macroblocking. Am I the only one?

West Windsor, NJ

I found UPN-HD a couple weeks back. Cool, nice job Comcast, we have all the locals in HD now. Now if only Enterprise was still being shown!

I'm still seeing macroblocking on fast scenes on multiple HD channels. I've noticed it with both a moto cable box on a front projection setup as well as with a Cablecard on a LCD. I've posted about this before and a couple of people seemed to agree with me, but I was browsing the thread and someone claimed comcast doesn't reencode the channels. I can't believe that because I'm seeing the macroblocking. Am I the only one?

West Windsor, NJ

I'm no expert, but the way I understand it, TV stations transmit HD OTA in the 8-VSB format. Cable companies transmit their signals in 64 or 256 QAM format. Converting the 8-VSB signal for use on a QAM system is called remodulation. In theory, the remodulation process should not result in any loss in PQ. Whether it does or not is anyone's guess. Personally, I haven't had any problems with macroblocking at all. The only problem I ever see is a brief pixelization similar to rain fade on a dish. It happens for only a fraction of a second and rarely repeats itself during the same program. I just assume that it is some kind of glitch or interference in the transmission before it gets to comcast, since I also see similar issues OTA. The bottom line is that I don't think there is anything Comcast is doing, or not doing, to cause the problems that people are having.

Keep an eye on MNF Monday night. I bet it will look like crap.

Why would it look like crap?

Very simply, they are now using bandwidth that they had been using for their primary signal to feed their informercial channel (6-2) and the ABC Weather channel (6-3). The old 6-3 was simply a static weather radar which took up very little bandwidth. That is no longer the case. Reduced bandwidth means reduced PQ regardless of what their crack engineering staff would tell you.

Is anyone else having problems with sound drops (2-3 secs) on CBS HD delivered from Comcast? Sometimes it's fine (US Open Tennis) but other times it's very annoying (Friday night - Threshold).

I'm wondering if it's just my box or if it's a network problem.

Very simply, they are now using bandwidth that they had been using for their primary signal to feed their informercial channel (6-2) and the ABC Weather channel (6-3). The old 6-3 was simply a static weather radar which took up very little bandwidth. That is no longer the case. Reduced bandwidth means reduced PQ regardless of what their crack engineering staff would tell you.
Here in the Willow Grove system, the guide is still showing 6-2 as showing various news and public service programs, as well as infomercials.

Is anyone else having problems with sound drops (2-3 secs) on CBS HD delivered from Comcast? Sometimes it's fine (US Open Tennis) but other times it's very annoying (Friday night - Threshold).

I'm wondering if it's just my box or if it's a network problem.

I recorded Threshold, but haven't watched it yet. I'll let you know if I find any after I watch it.

Threshold looked and sounded great here. Nothing wrong with the transmission over comcast cable.

The story had some interesting plot holes though. They had to bomb the ship because the North Koreans were close, but somehow the zombie, alien infested guys came up on the eastern US shoreline? So the north koreans snuck a sub either through the Panana Canal or they sent one around South America and the US knows about it but doesn't care.

Threshold also knew that the one main infected person they were dealing with was going to talk with the chick, but they only had 4-5 guys protecting her.

LOL - it looked pretty though :)

is TNT going to be added on October 15 when the premium west channels are taken away?

I can receive both WPVI-DT and WABC-DT in Northern New Jersey.This evening during the Giants-Saints game I switched back and forth between the 2 signals.JWhip is correct.The Phily picture was not as sharp as New York.Just hope New York doesn't dillute their signal like Philadelphia.

When I talked to "Jim Gilbert, vp eng, (215-581-4542)" sounded like wpvi was not comparing how their HD looked to other stations, but rather simple, seeing if their 14 or lower bit rate produced an "acceptable" level to allow them to do what they are doing-multicasting & now info-mercials.

I let him know how I thought it "lowered" them to a perception of "we do not have quality programming, so we have to resort to paid programming." ( stuff you would expect to see on at 3am)"

Jim was a nice guy to talk to & did have knowledge on the subject. He just seemed determined to move forward with company plan of $ & sense & not really give the public what it wanted. ( What public is tuning to paid programming on a digital OTA channel?? Is it that lucrative?

When rebroadcast of local news ran into a road block with higher "music" copyright fees & such the easy answer was to let it go away- not fight! Instead of a 2 hour later rebroadcast of the news, it will be shown at the same time on 6.0, 6.1 & 6.2- Makes no sense.
http://wpvi.titantv.com/apg/ttv.aspx

So tonight-lets all skip the fifth season opener of "According to Jim" in HD on 6.1 & tune in to 6.2 to watch pd programming!
http://wpvi.titantv.com/apg/ttv.aspx
We'll show them what we want with our HD!

I recently bought an HDTV, and got DirectTV to go along with it. Is there anyway that I can get local channels HD? Do I have to buy an antenna for this? DirectTv really doesn't have many cahnnels to chose from, although their ESPNHD does look good in HiDef.

Yes, you'll [currently] need an antenna for digital locals. (Directv does intend to support digital locals in the future, but you'll need new equipment for that, as a new compression and transmission frequency will be used)

Depending on your location, different antennas might be needed. Many people report success with the 'silver sensor' indoor antenna. I needed a highly directional outdoor antenna to get some channels, even though I'm not too far from the towers. I still don't get WHYY digital.

Try antenna web to get an idea of your angle & distance to the broadcast towers.

Any new info on the Comcast/TiVo collaboration?

I noticed the WPVI-DT3 (6.3) now has local weather content similar to NBC Weather Plus..... I really liked the StormTracker format much better. It was helpful to watch approaching storms to know if they were on track for my location.

Seems the broadcasters are more interested in $$$ than public service.

Glad to see NBC10 was prepared for the new season of shows by once again forgetting to "hit the switch" during the entire 30-minutes of The Office...nothing like widescreen with a nice big black box around it...I guess we should be happy these guys are only running a TV station...could you imagine..."Oops! We forgot to put the landing gear down...again...sorry!"

Keep up the sub-standard work!!

WB's Supernatural last night ~45-50 min in after a commercial break came back & same thing- didn't flip switch...

Glad to see NBC10 was prepared for the new season of shows by once again forgetting to "hit the switch" during the entire 30-minutes of The Office...nothing like widescreen with a nice big black box around it...I guess we should be happy these guys are only running a TV station...could you imagine..."Oops! We forgot to put the landing gear down...again...sorry!"

Keep up the sub-standard work!!

mine went HD around the 17 minute mark after i guess the second commercial break. my name is earl was all in HD so who knows whats going on over there.

I second that!


I noticed the WPVI-DT3 (6.3) now has local weather content similar to NBC Weather Plus..... I really liked the StormTracker format much better. It was helpful to watch approaching storms to know if they were on track for my location.

Seems the broadcasters are more interested in $$$ than public service.

Has anyone noticed that the new HD shows (for example I'm watching E-Ring right now) have a softer volume than commercials and other channels? Everytime a commercial comes on I have to lower the volume then raise it when the show comes back on? What is the problem???

Has anyone noticed that the new HD shows (for example I'm watching E-Ring right now) have a softer volume than commercials and other channels? Everytime a commercial comes on I have to lower the volume then raise it when the show comes back on? What is the problem???

Its the same even for NFL HD broadcasts, with Fox29 being the worst.

I spoke to Jim Gilbert at length today. I voiced my concerns and he claimed again, that they see no difference at WPVI between their downlinked signal from ABC at 45 mbs and what they send out on 6-1 at about 14 mbs with their two subchannels. Both are recorded an a D-5 machine and watched on a 50" Pioneer plasma. How they can not see a difference between signals with such a wide difference in signal is beyond me. I can clearly see it on my 50" Panny. THey will do the test again with the new 6-3 and if they see a difference they will allocate more bandwidth to the HD channel. They can of course, turn off both subchannels during an HD broadcast but he insists that it will make no difference. To do so would require the OK of the bean counters. I would suggest we send as many e-mails as possible to WPVI to ask for this change!

For those of you out there interested in TNT-HD, I have been advised that all efforts are being made to have it on Comcast in the Philly DMA by the start of the NBA season. I would be shocked were it not to be on by then. It is the only new HD channel in the pipeline at this time.

JWhip;

Do you have a e-mail address for J Gilbert? Do you have a suggested text to send as well? Some "key words" may mean more to them than others.

Thanks for the update on TNT HD. Not being a BB fan, when is the start of the NBA season? If they need suggestions on what to remove....

Also, I've noticed sporadic droputs on some non-HD channels lately (like FX), have others experienced this?

The NBA starts at the end of October. Send messages through the WPVI web page comments section if you want to complain about their multicasting and their PQ. Perhaps a slew of them will have an effect? Perhaps not!

JWhip- Any word on people in the NY DMA getting TNT-HD? You were very helpful informing us that Comcast was working on supplying YES-HD before Opening day.

I did not ask about NY. My quess is that it will be like in PHilly, depending on the available bandwidth on your systems. I was told that getting TNT-HD on was their top priority.

JWhip - thanks. Next time you speak to them and if you remember would appreciate you asking and posting. If you are wondering why I am posting here is that there is hardly any activity in the New York Comcast thread.

Jwhip,

Any idea on what NBC10's signal is. I notice huge amounts of blocking on any fast motion on NBC. It looks so compressed that I barely watch it.

Anyone else notice the lack of PQ on NBC10.

Will we have ESPN2 by next baseball season

Good question Shades. I would think so but it is the subject of the master contract negotiations with Disney. I do get it now via D*. Howwen, the problem with NBC10 is their multicasting of the subchannel weather plus. You can't do any multicasting using a 1080i signal and not see what you are seeing. I have written NBC10 about it but it falls on deaf ears or should I say blind eyes. They would rather put on a weather channel that no one watches than have top quality HD PQ. Complain to NBC10 using their web page.

Thanks for the info, I have sent an e mail through there website stating my concerns. It is so frustrating to have a state of the art display and networks that don't care.

Is anyone else having dropouts on KYW 26 watching CSI?

I have on Comcast. Drop outs on some of the other broadcast HD channels also, namley 3, 6, 10 and 12. The rest are fine.

Any word yet on where the HD NHL games will be broadcast on Comcast? I notice that HDNet has already announced their schedule.

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/09/234932.html

Howwen, the problem with NBC10 is their multicasting of the subchannel weather plus. You can't do any multicasting using a 1080i signal and not see what you are seeing. I have written NBC10 about it but it falls on deaf ears or should I say blind eyes. They would rather put on a weather channel that no one watches than have top quality HD PQ. Complain to NBC10 using their web page.

When exactly did NBC begin multicasting? I have a recording of Law and Order from February and it has the same bitrate as the one from this week... (about 16.5Mbps)

Z

I do not recall exactly. The bit rate should be 19.3 mbs when there is no subchannel. Anything less is bit starving in regards to a 1080i signal.

For those of you out there interested in TNT-HD, I have been advised that all efforts are being made to have it on Comcast in the Philly DMA by the start of the NBA season. I would be shocked were it not to be on by then. It is the only new HD channel in the pipeline at this time.

Thanks for the update.

Thanks for the update.


I called Comcast last night to complain about PQ on CSI ...and the hold message said that they offer TNT-HD......maybe someday.

Is KYW multicasting too? I agree CSI was almost un-watchable last night.

CSI never looks good, letterman looked good

CSI never looks good? It looks great to me.

Anyone know when TNTHD will be offered by Comcast in the Philly area ?

I was about to go out and buy the zenith "silver Sensor" last night, but I found these channels...
110.1 - upn
111.1 - wb
111.2 - fox
118.1 - abc
118.2 - nbc
119.1 - whyy
119.2 - cbs
I now 119.1 - whyy is in HD. Are the other channels in HD (well when broadcasted, i.e.-MNF)??? Or do I need to go and buy the silever sensor? I just did a search in this forum and found people have listed these channels as well, however, they have DT written next to the channels. What does that mean?

Those are all the major Digital local channels, and they all broadcast HD at times, so you are all set. 'DT' means Digital Television.

the last week or so ive had blocking and pixallating on fox and cbs for anything that was saved to my comcast 2 tuner dvr.
not during live tv tho'.

Glad to see NBC10 was prepared for the new season of shows by once again forgetting to "hit the switch" during the entire 30-minutes of The Office...nothing like widescreen with a nice big black box around it...I guess we should be happy these guys are only running a TV station...could you imagine..."Oops! We forgot to put the landing gear down...again...sorry!"

Keep up the sub-standard work!!


watching the first 2 eps of twins on (was it the wb or upn i forget), both eps they forgot to hit the hd button from one commercial to the next.

Those are all the major Digital local channels, and they all broadcast HD at times, so you are all set. 'DT' means Digital Television.

Thats good news, thanks. Now, is there a way I can get ESPN, etc. in HD for free, or do i have to get comcast's cable box, etc. and pay more money?

The only way to get ESPNHD is to subscribe to digital cable and pay more money.

The only way to get ESPNHD is to subscribe to digital cable and pay more money.


Or satellite!

But pay you must.

I picked up an Accurian STB from Radio Shack two weeks ago. I live 30 miles from the antenna farm in Philadelphia, PA. I tried using a MegaWave indoor antenna to feed the OTA signal into the box, but I was only able to get two channels. I then bought a Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna and put it up in the attic. I am now able to get almost all channels from that direction. Absolutely beautiful picture.

The one channel I can not get is WHYY (55) channel 12 It is in the same direction as all the others. Has anyone else in the Northern Chester County been able to pick up Whyy?

I picked up an Accurian STB from Radio Shack two weeks ago. I live 30 miles from the antenna farm in Philadelphia, PA. I tried using a MegaWave indoor antenna to feed the OTA signal into the box, but I was only able to get two channels. I then bought a Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna and put it up in the attic. I am now able to get almost all channels from that direction. Absolutely beautiful picture.

The one channel I can not get is WHYY (55) channel 12 It is in the same direction as all the others. Has anyone else in the Northern Chester County been able to pick up Whyy?

I live in the far southern corner of Chester County. I can get 10 DT channels. I use a Wineguard 8800 and a Wineguard UHF preamp in my attic. The preamp made the difference getting the weaker stations.

I also asked in the HD Programming forum, but is anyone seeing minor dropouts on WCAU during the Eagles game? It is like a frame is missed every few seconds... annoying, but not enough so to make me stop watching.

I'm in Oxford, almost into MD, using a CM4228 - (I pointed my antenna to maximize my reception of WHYY, rest come in fine). I still lose WHYY in bad weather.

Interesting thing, I added a pre-amp, and completely lost WHYY, so took it out.


I picked up an Accurian STB from Radio Shack two weeks ago. I live 30 miles from the antenna farm in Philadelphia, PA. I tried using a MegaWave indoor antenna to feed the OTA signal into the box, but I was only able to get two channels. I then bought a Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna and put it up in the attic. I am now able to get almost all channels from that direction. Absolutely beautiful picture.

The one channel I can not get is WHYY (55) channel 12 It is in the same direction as all the others. Has anyone else in the Northern Chester County been able to pick up Whyy?

I'm also in southern Chester County and get all the Philly digitals... and I do need the amp for some - I think WHYY is one of those. I can't remember the last time I saw a dropout...I love my OTA...!
I also have the 4228...

Z

after watching the eagles game on CBS HD, I never wanna watch FOX HD again until they are actually presenting in HD. Picture qualitys are no where near the same. At least with comcast. Anyone else feel the same way with FOX HD?

It is KYW and not WXAU and I saw no drop outs at all during the entire game on Comcast. I did not watch it OTA.