Two weeks until baseball season begins - Any word on if Comcast will have ESPN2 by then? Any other HD additions expected in the near term?

well...it would be nice to get tnt-hd here in south jersey soon

I reimaged my HTPC at 4am and found that there was no OTA signal when I was done. I went back to the working image and found that did not work either! It's now 726am and still no signal. I either blew out my HD card or the broadcast is down. Can anyone verify if they got OTA HD this morning between 4am and 8am? 3/22/06

Yep, my OTA is fine here... You thought all the networks went down at the same time? That would probably take something really bad happening...

Z

Yep, my OTA is fine here... You thought all the networks went down at the same time? That would probably take something really bad happening...

Z

Oh well, I guess my HD card is fried...I'll try another PCI slot before replacing.

Thanks Z!

Yep, my OTA is fine here... You thought all the networks went down at the same time? That would probably take something really bad happening...

Z

like bird slamming into an antenna/ wire coming undone/ invisible man standing in front of antenna...oh the possibilities are endless

Last night I was watching Bones on Fox. I noticed that the channel 29 logo on the bottom right was partially cut off. I also noticed that the picture quality itself was not very crisp, although better then standard television.

I then watched Criminal Minds on CBS. The logo was properly placed and the picture was crisp and clean.

Is FOX doing something funky, or is it channel 29?

Last night I was watching Bones on Fox. I noticed that the channel 29 logo on the bottom right was partially cut off. I also noticed that the picture quality itself was not very crisp, although better then standard television.

I then watched Criminal Minds on CBS. The logo was properly placed and the picture was crisp and clean.

Is FOX doing something funky, or is it channel 29?

I get this as well with the FOX29 logo on FOX-HD, "Philadelphia" in tiny letters below it is somewhat cut off. This is when I'm using the 6412. I tune into FOX-HD on my TV's HD tuner, and it's not cut off at all. Must be something with how it's sent out over Comcast. If I'm watching something I just switch the video feed to the TV tuner, problem solved very easily.

On the 'Nova games, perhaps it something to do with how KYW splits up the games so that the HD feed has a different game on than the regular SD feed. The out of focus thing happens a LOT, sadly I'm getting used to it. I think Sixers home games on CSNHD have looked pretty sharp this season, but I haven't watched any recently. ESPNHD for college bball I have to admit looks much better than CBSHD. The 3 regular season Villanova games at the Wachovia Center on ESPNHD looked amazing. Perfect copies of those games made onto DVHS!

all the logos are in the right place for me except for Fox. They have 2 different ones, and both dont lineup correctly, about half of the logo is cut off. It has to do something with comcast or fox not sending it right.

Any ideas if the Phillies home opener (4/3) will be in HD on KYW? Neither the Sixers nor Flyers have games that night, so it seems that the broadcast equipment shouldn't be tied up by them.

lutton, it is up to KYW. CSN offered them the HD feed last year but they refused it as they did not want to pay extra for it for just one game. I am not sure what will happen this year but I doubt it will happen.

In regards to the Fox logos, part of the problem is with the overscan adjustment on your set. Yes, Fox puts it very low, probably on the edge of the safe area. I have plenty of space under mine on my plasma which I have set to about 1% overscan. I am using a 6412 also. It is fine on my 50" as well as my 42" sets.

Last night I was watching Bones on Fox. I noticed that the channel 29 logo on the bottom right was partially cut off. I also noticed that the picture quality itself was not very crisp, although better then standard television.

I then watched Criminal Minds on CBS. The logo was properly placed and the picture was crisp and clean.

Is FOX doing something funky, or is it channel 29?

i was told this is overscan? on my hitachi. When i have the picture on my dvd editing window, the fox logo is ok. So it has to be the tv. or so i'm told. It does make sense if you think about it. If the fox logo was 'wrong' it would be wrong on my dvd burner as well.

but it is funny how all the other logos are perfect..that sorta bugs me

THe only thing 29 does to the HD picture is add their logo. Fox uses a splicer tecnology for their HD distribution. As a result, they do no send out a full bandwidth HD signal because their non O & O affiliuates who multicast would not be able to pass through the signal. Fox has to dumb it down so that all of their affilaite network will be able to pass it through wityh this splicer system. That is why Fox HD will never look as good as CBS. The uplink of the Fox NFL games from on site which are captured and shown on ESPNHD look much better that the NFL dowwnlinked from LA to the affliates. It is all due to the system I have described above. Hopefully, this will change one day.

drhill, CBS was doing something funky with the Philly area games. The overall color palette was WAY too blue. Sunday was better than Friday which I thought looked awful. I am also wondering if some edge enhancement was being added also.


I meant in terms of detail/sharpness. I think they might have added some EE, but not a lot. I've seen some broadcasts add an obscene amount of EE (ESPN football I notice this sometimes). While I don't like any EE with HD at least they didn't seem to add an obscene amount.

Actually the broadcast right now looks great too (Duke game), but is definantly pushing blue.

Anybody having major problems with Comcast? I am in DE and have no NBC or ABC hi-def, or soapnet.

Anybody having major problems with Comcast? I am in DE and have no NBC or ABC hi-def, or soapnet.

It's fine here.

THe only thing 29 does to the HD picture is add their logo. Fox uses a splicer tecnology for their HD distribution. As a result, they do no send out a full bandwidth HD signal because their non O & O affiliuates who multicast would not be able to pass through the signal. Fox has to dumb it down so that all of their affilaite network will be able to pass it through wityh this splicer system. That is why Fox HD will never look as good as CBS. The uplink of the Fox NFL games from on site which are captured and shown on ESPNHD look much better that the NFL dowwnlinked from LA to the affliates. It is all due to the system I have described above. Hopefully, this will change one day.

I thought that FOX was dragged kicking and screaming into the HD world. You would think they would have the latest technology, not a split technology.

JWhip, thanks again...

Does it make sense to get into an overscan issue with my TV (Sony KV34XBR800) if it only happens on one channel? Am I missing part of the picture being broadcast?

While I prefer getting the entire frame, you are not missing much, maybe an inch or so of the picture all the way around the screen. I am not sure if it can be adjusted on your set easily. You may need to get into the service menu. On my commercial Panasonic plasmas, it is very easy to do. When a set is set to no overscan, you can see tearing at the edges of the video as well as the time code at the top. These were not meant to be seen with typical overscan in mind. You can also see how graphic overlays do not cover the entire screen and you can see the video behind the graphics. However, all of the action you need to see is in the safe area so you will not miss any part of the action, you just see cut off graphics which can be annoying.

While I prefer getting the entire frame, you are not missing much, maybe an inch or so of the picture all the way around the screen. I am not sure if it can be adjusted on your set easily. You may need to get into the service menu. On my commercial Panasonic plasmas, it is very easy to do. When a set is set to no overscan, you can see tearing at the edges of the video as well as the time code at the top. These were not meant to be seen with typical overscan in mind. You can also see how graphic overlays do not cover the entire screen and you can see the video behind the graphics. However, all of the action you need to see is in the safe area so you will not miss any part of the action, you just see cut off graphics which can be annoying.

Thanks, JWhip. I'll leave it "as is".

Has anybody elses box rebooted the last few days? I think I'm now on FW 9.19.

Anyone notice a firmware change recently on 5100 and/or 6412 DVR boxes in the last week or so (Comcast/Malvern headend)? We noticed one morning that the 5100 had turned off (we never turn it off; it feeds a ReplayTV) and the 6412 was off and locked up solid. Since then, the 6412 has locked up at least once/day - if it's on, it continues to play, but doesn't respond to anything including power-off.

Anyone notice a firmware change recently on 5100 and/or 6412 DVR boxes in the last week or so (Comcast/Malvern headend)? We noticed one morning that the 5100 had turned off (we never turn it off; it feeds a ReplayTV) and the 6412 was off and locked up solid. Since then, the 6412 has locked up at least once/day - if it's on, it continues to play, but doesn't respond to anything including power-off.

Mine rebooted this past week, and I am up to FW 9.19. No problems, tho'

Does anyone know why Comcast is offering free Starz for a year ?

how are u getting it free?

Does anyone know why Comcast is offering free Starz for a year ?

Where are you located?

oops sorry. I got a letter in the mail offering it free for 1 year. After 1 year they will turn it off and I would have to call them if I wanted to subscribe. I called them and all they asked is to confirm my address and phone# and said it would be turned on in 24-48 hours. So i am wondering where and when the gotcha will come..

I am near the Willow Grove office...

oops sorry. I got a letter in the mail offering it free for 1 year. After 1 year they will turn it off and I would have to call them if I wanted to subscribe. I called them and all they asked is to confirm my address and phone# and said it would be turned on in 24-48 hours. So i am wondering where and when the gotcha will come..

I am near the Willow Grove office...
I would read the fine print on the letter. :)

I did read the fine print. It even says 'This is a gift with no strings attached!'. I am just curious why they are giving this away.

With all the talk over in the program forum...will Seinfeld be in HD on fox tonight-730pm?

Was Seinfeld ever filmed in HD??? Is this just a stretched version as they do on TNT-HD for several shows???

Jim, there's a common misguided assumption - "filmed in HD". Film is film and video is video. Sienfield was shot on film, which has higher resolution than HD. Thus it can be retransferred to HD with more resolution. But they composed for 4:3, not 16:9, so it'll be up to the producers to pillarbox or "tilt and scan".

The bottom line, though, is that anything that originated on film can be re-telecined to true HD. Programs shot in SD video will remain at SD resolution, even though they can be upconverted.

Sorry, I meant "videoed" if that is a word!!! I didn't realize it was done in film, so they would just need to scan the original and convert it to whatever resolution they desire, or can afford, to send it out. This means there may be a HD DVD (BluRay) in the future for past Seinfeld years.

The correct term is "shot"! And yes, any program that originated on film can be rescanned to HD resolution. HD "Bonanza" anyone?

I did read the fine print. It even says 'This is a gift with no strings attached!'. I am just curious why they are giving this away.


I have received the same letter...I was thinking about taking this offer...


Mark

I would expext that Seinfeld would like like Hogan's Heroes looks on HDNet with thin bars on the sides as both were shot using 35 mm film. Hogan's Heroes looks great.

I have received the same letter...I was thinking about taking this offer...


Mark
No fair, I want a letter too! (Ok, I'll stop whining now.) I wonder if just calling Comcast and saying I got the letter will work? Any codes or promo numbers listed on the letter?

I did read the fine print. It even says 'This is a gift with no strings attached!'. I am just curious why they are giving this away.
I live in the Willow Grove service area, also, and I didn't get this letter. :(
I would love to have Starz.

And as an aside, what does this say to Starz subs?
If I get this letter, I should tell my relatives with Starz to cancel, so they can get it for free, as a gift. ;)

Maybe this has to do with which services you have already, as in, they are rewarding big spenders.
Which TV services do you have from Comcast?
Internet/Phone, also?

I didnt get this letter but I did try to try it out with the comcast rep. I called them up and told them that I recieved the letter, but they denied that this promotion existed. They said that if i could fax the letter to them, they could see if there was some sort of marketing department promotion. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

I didnt get this letter but I did try to try it out with the comcast rep. I called them up and told them that I recieved the letter, but they denied that this promotion existed. They said that if i could fax the letter to them, they could see if there was some sort of marketing department promotion. Oh well, it was worth a shot.
Sounds like HeyNow or MarkS need to scan that letter and make it available to us to print. Doncha think?

Sounds like HeyNow or MarkS need to scan that letter and make it available to us to print. Doncha think?

When I get home, I'll search for the letter and scan it...
I'm in the Bensalem network (Warminster)

Mark

I would expext that Seinfeld would like like Hogan's Heroes looks on HDNet with thin bars on the sides as both were shot using 35 mm film. Hogan's Heroes looks great.

Last night FOX 29 showed the Pilot episode of Seinfeld, and it sure looked like 15 year old video tape to me, not HD. I figured that if FOX 29 wasn't going to broadcast the show in HD, we would benefit from the Re-mastered episodes somewhat anyway. Maybe they didn't get the remasters for this round of syndication?

-Dan

And as an aside, what does this say to Starz subs?

Maybe this has to do with which services you have already, as in, they are rewarding big spenders.
Which TV services do you have from Comcast?
Internet/Phone, also?


I recall the letter saying something about 6 starz channels.

I have
Comcast Package Services $90.20
Digital Silver Package (HBO) + HDTV + DVR
Comcast High Speed Internet/Adjustments $42.95

Total $141

Never watched any PPV or VOD movies...

So, I don't consider myself a big spender...

Had internet since the @home days, and a cable subscriber since Oxford Valley/Suburban cable all before being taking over by comcast.

Mark

Got my "free starz" letter on Wednesday of last week. Called Thursday and service started yesterday. When I called comcast to verify that it was "free", they said yes and that there was no strings attached. I'm in the newtown area.

To all those AVS members in Tredyffrin Township, Verizon has applied for a "cable" franchise to roll out their FiOS tv service in the township. They are sure stringing up plenty of fiber. I have not been able to get any info from the township via e-mail exchanges other than that negoiations are ongoing. I will be attending the public hearing of the cable franchise committee on April 5th to press this issue and find out how it is going. It would be nice to get another option in the area to help drive down the ever increasing cable fees. I intend on making this very point. I will let anyone who wants to know what the attitude of the committee was.

Whip, my township is going through the same exercise. In PA, the franchises are on a township by township basis, so a simple transaction to enact FIOS isn't going to happen. And, I'm not sure the townships want competition, because they get paid handsomely by the monopoly to keep their license. Yes, please report to us what you find in your locality.

If the bill approved by the House yesterday goes into effect, that will no longer be a problem.

Free starz for the year..

JWhip, do you know anything about Verizon doing the same in Radnor Township? I ask b/c I remember seeing a Verizon truck earlier this week stringing upon some cable on the poles outside my house in south Wayne.

Is there a change in the way ComCast is covering the Flyers? It seems like they are trying to be creative with new perspectives. There were a lot more views from the penalty box (which I like) and right above the goal. This is good.

The view just above the goalie gives a sense of how they organize and cycle the puck (also seeing a puck come towards you at 100 mph!). However, the center of coverage seems to be set for 4:3 viewing (slightly to the right between the logos). Maybe they should zoom back a bit to take in both sides of the ice. Was getting dizzy while they were panning left-right to follow the play.

Now they have until Saturday to think about how they played tonight. :mad:

Some news about the Phillies home opener; I just received this email response to my question about a potential HD broadcast for the opener on KYW-3:


Thank you very much for your recent comments. Yes, the Phillies opener will be broadcast in HD.

Sincerely,
CBS 3
TV Programming Department

jwbausch, I am pretty confident they have. Check with Radnor Township. It will be a tough sell as I am sure that they have a good relationship with Comcast. However, I think the writing is on the wall at the federal level which will open up the country for competition for cable and dbs. Getting FiOS TV here and around the country may finally end up getting CSN on DBS also, which will mean even more competition and the lowering of prices, hopefully.

Geekgirl, that camera angle has been there since the first HD Flyers game. I guess the director finally figured out it was a great angle to watch a power play and they started to feature it more. They still have to frame for 4x3 and can't zoom out too far or the action will look really small on non wiodescreen TV's. Expect more and more interesting camera angles. The guys at CSN have been thinking of new ways to shoot sports. However, the problem remains 4x 3 framing. HDNet used to shoot a lot of the hockey games several years ago this way, not just the power play. However, quite a few people complained as you could barely see the players on a 34" and lower screen. When they did MLB, HDNet had a great angle where they put a camera in the broacast booth and gave you the same angle. They would zoom out and keep the camera still. The effect was like being at the game. You would just watch the action without the camera panning. It was great but required a large screen. A neighbor had a 65" RPTV back then and it was a great angle. However, it was tough on my first HD set which was a 34" CRT. Now that I have a 50" screen, I would like to see CSN experiment with that angle. I will suggest it to them.

I was just going over the games during the first week of MLB, and two CN8 games are on ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD. It's a shame we can't see them in HD, but that's the way it goes.

I was able to confirm with Comcast Sportsnet today that KYW will indeed be picking up an HD feed of the Phillies' home opener.

Getting FiOS TV here and around the country may finally end up getting CSN on DBS also, which will mean even more competition and the lowering of prices, hopefully.
Do you think DBS will get CSN-HD?

If Comcast is forced to give up CSN to DBS, they will in all likelihood have to make CSN-HD available also. NESN-HD is not on either DBS provider while NESN is. Making it available and getting it on are two different things.

(Flyers) The guys at CSN have been thinking of new ways to shoot sports. However, the problem remains 4x 3 framing...When they did MLB, HDNet had a great angle where they put a camera in the broacast booth and gave you the same angle. They would zoom out and keep the camera still. A neighbor had a 65" RPTV back then and it was a great angle. However, it was tough on my first HD set which was a 34" CRT. Now that I have a 50" screen, I would like to see CSN experiment with that angle. I will suggest it to them. I'm using a Samsung 67" 1080p (HL-R6768W). How many people are watching on a >50" display in HD (except those in AVS forum?). The ice-level shots are great for close-in action because it is not degraded on small screen viewing. Therefore, it appeals to the masses (keep it up!).

The goalie camera needs a much deeper field of view and therefore the players are smaller and more difficult to see. It keeps your interest because the puck is constantly shot towards the screen. It gets disorienting when panning across the blue line ("East-West"). Great for hockey aficionados, but may not appeal as much to the casual viewer.

Not being able to see the entire ice also misses the dynamics of line changes. The announcers merely mention it, but it's a crucial part of the game. I would suggest that they try to cover this as an experiment (maybe a split screen with the bench action?).

(Baseball) I also like the broadcast booth view, but maybe they should be reserved for when the ball is in play. There's nothing like being able to watch all of the fielders in action, especially if there are guys already on base. Home plate coverage is crucial for every pitch. The cameraman who "wrote the book" on how to cover baseball many years ago (NBC) still has his suggestions in use today. Maybe an HD perspective can tweak the formula a bit.

(BTW: Congrats on post #2,000)

i received the free starz offer also.
i just ordered hbo for the sopranos.
have cbale internet too.

but through a glitch i get the two starz hd channels anyhow, so i dont think i'll order it officially.

plus i thought my card siad you will continue to getstarz after the year and you have to remember to cancel, yourself if you dont want to pay.

oh did anyone watch the new show on NBC wed night?
Teachers.

it was supposed to be hd but was standard def and not letterboxed.

looks like someone forgot to hit the button.

I TiVoed it off WNBC (New York) but I haven't watched it yet. I'll check to see if it was hd from them.

oh did anyone watch the new show on NBC wed night?
Teachers.

it was supposed to be hd but was standard def and not letterboxed.

looks like someone forgot to hit the button.

I TiVoed it off WNBC (New York) but I haven't watched it yet. I'll check to see if it was hd from them.


Yes, WNBC had it in HD.

Hey i'm 99% sure of this but can someone confirm that for all the networks, there literally is someone sitting there hitting a button to turn on the HD? Someone told me no way in this day and age would they pay someone to have such a job. I gotta prove them wrong.

Yes, at channel 10, they need to throw a switch to send the HD feed over the digital signal. Thay make more mistakes than any other local station. I know 3 is fully automated but they even make mistakes. I am not sure about 6, 17 and 29.

Yeah, it weird, but did you notice on CBS sports, they have to switch to SD for the advertising graphics when they come back from commercials, then to the HD broadcast? YOu'd think with all the technology, they wouldn't do that (other nets don't) but I guess for some reason they do.

I suppose along the same lines someone could be sitting there flipping a switch or pressing a button.

I'm using a Samsung 67" 1080p (HL-R6768W). How many people are watching on a >50" display in HD (except those in AVS forum?). The ice-level shots are great for close-in action because it is not degraded on small screen viewing. Therefore, it appeals to the masses (keep it up!).

The goalie camera needs a much deeper field of view and therefore the players are smaller and more difficult to see. It keeps your interest because the puck is constantly shot towards the screen. It gets disorienting when panning across the blue line ("East-West"). Great for hockey aficionados, but may not appeal as much to the casual viewer.

Not being able to see the entire ice also misses the dynamics of line changes. The announcers merely mention it, but it's a crucial part of the game. I would suggest that they try to cover this as an experiment (maybe a split screen with the bench action?).

(Baseball) I also like the broadcast booth view, but maybe they should be reserved for when the ball is in play. There's nothing like being able to watch all of the fielders in action, especially if there are guys already on base. Home plate coverage is crucial for every pitch. The cameraman who "wrote the book" on how to cover baseball many years ago (NBC) still has his suggestions in use today. Maybe an HD perspective can tweak the formula a bit.

(BTW: Congrats on post #2,000)


How about a ref cam, so we can see why they are blowing calls :eek: Also, with Forsebergs goal that was waved off, it would be nice to see when the ref looses sight of the puck and blows the play dead, compared to when a goal is scored.

Yes, at channel 10, they need to throw a switch to send the HD feed over the digital signal. Thay make more mistakes than any other local station. I know 3 is fully automated but they even make mistakes. I am not sure about 6, 17 and 29.

gosh then they are partially correct...good thing I didn't make a bet. I guess we should take up a collection so that all stations can automate so we dont rely on someone staying awake to hit a switch

I've been having issues with my Comcast DVR (I believe the Motorola 6412). I hardly ever watch shows when they originally air, I use the DVR to record them. For awhile I noticed that when I record HD shows that they are very choppy and the audio goes in and out, sort of like watching a DVD that is scratched or dusty. Recently, however, they have gotten worse and the DVR usually ends up kicking me out and giving me an error code. At first I thought it was a problem with the networks HD signal. So I call Comcast, they send a tech out, and he tells me that its because I have the cable going into my surge protector. So I connect the cable straight to my TV and the same thing is happening!! And yesterday, I was watching the CN8 morning show and the same thing happened...choppy video and audio that goes in and out!! So its not just HD programming or recorded programming.

Do you guys think my motorola box is dying? Could it be signal strength??? Time to call Comcast again I suppose...I'm missing all of my shows!! ARgh!!

Time for a new 6412.

I found my motorola box was very suceptible to heat-related issues. Once I factored in some cooling, my problems have dropped to virtually nil.

Both of my 6412's work fine. At this point, I believe that any problems are at the broadcast source (whether Comcast or the tv station itself), not anything to do with the box.

oh did anyone watch the new show on NBC wed night?
Teachers.

it was supposed to be hd but was standard def and not letterboxed.

looks like someone forgot to hit the button.The system there is automated. If anyone sees that it hasn't been switched over, you should call their newsroom (610-668-5510) and have them talk to engineering. Tell them, what you are experiencing, and the engineer should be able to enable the HD swtich.

I hope this is the best place to post this - I am a Comcast Customer in Pottstown PA. watching Standard and Basic cable on a Pioneer HD Plasma TV. The TV has a CableCard slot - but I do not have a CableCard. After I hooked up my TV and ran a channel search I found that I receive a bunch of digital channels (110.2, 119.4 etc). Most of the extra channels are simulcasts of the channels that are included in the Basic and Standard package. I also receive most/all of the digital music channels, although they are in no particular order, and the Local-HD channels ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, UPN, WB, PBS. Is this normal and if it is common does anyone have a channel lineup list. Thanks

I hope this is the best place to post this - I am a Comcast Customer in Pottstown PA. watching Standard and Basic cable on a Pioneer HD Plasma TV. The TV has a CableCard slot - but I do not have a CableCard. After I hooked up my TV and ran a channel search I found that I receive a bunch of digital channels (110.2, 119.4 etc). Most of the extra channels are simulcasts of the channels that are included in the Basic and Standard package. I also receive most/all of the digital music channels, although they are in no particular order, and the Local-HD channels ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, UPN, WB, PBS. Is this normal and if it is common does anyone have a channel lineup list. Thanks

What you are experiencing is normal. Your TV can tune clearQAM cable signals, and Comcast broadcasts many channels 'in the clear'.

Comcast QAM in the clear... not for long!

When I got my Sony Bravia in November, I had all the analog, digital versions of all the analog, and the broadcast HD channels (231 and up).

Then in February, the digital versions started showing up "Not Authorized", and by early March, almost all the digital versions, except broadcast HD, were gone - no CNN, MSNBC, FNC, etc. Don't understand why, but they're encrypting digital versions of things that are already out there in analog.

Anyway, I broke down and got the cableCard and the Digital Plus plan. I now have the same lineup as if I had the cable box, including the "non-premium" HD channels like INHD, INHD2, DISCHD, ESPNHD, and SportstNet.

Cable card install was no big deal, but getting it authorized at their offices was a huge pain. They didn't seem to know what was going on, until I came across a supervisor who knew what he didn't know, but got a hold of the right people the next workday. Once they got it, it took less than half an hour for them to call me, and tell me it was all done.

Comcast QAM in the clear... not for long!

When I got my Sony Bravia in November, I had all the analog, digital versions of all the analog, and the broadcast HD channels (231 and up).

Then in February, the digital versions started showing up "Not Authorized", and by early March, almost all the digital versions, except broadcast HD, were gone - no CNN, MSNBC, FNC, etc. Don't understand why, but they're encrypting digital versions of things that are already out there in analog.



Seems like Comcast is changing their policy on encryption for all of their NJ franchises. When hziemba first posted his lost QAM channels, my QAM tuner was still picking them up. Two weeks later, I lost mine as well. My Sony's built-in QAM tuner still gets the analog sd from channels 2-70, the unencrypted VOD's in the mid 80.x's, and the local network HD's in the 11x.x"s. I have a 6412 DVR connected to the same TV, so I really don't mind the loss, but I will probably get a CC in the near future.

Comcast QAM in the clear... not for long!
I have read on AVS Forum that only HD Locals will remain in the clear on all Comcast systems.

The reason they are encrypting Expanded Digital channels, that are in the clear in Analog is simple. Say one only has Basic service, then they would trap out Expd. Analog channels (or scramble everything and provide a 'Basic-only Box', it depends on the area), and one would have Basic on Analog.

But what about Digital? If the Expd. Digital channels were left unencrypted, then anyone, (even those with just a Basic sub), with a clear-QAM tuner could pick up Expd. Digital channels.

So, they apparently are starting to encrypt Expd. Digital Channels, so only Standard (Basic & Expd.) subs can get it with a Comcast STB or CableCard.

Seems like Comcast is changing their policy on encryption for all of their NJ franchises. When hziemba first posted his lost QAM channels, my QAM tuner was still picking them up. Two weeks later, I lost mine as well. My Sony's built-in QAM tuner still gets the analog sd from channels 2-70, the unencrypted VOD's in the mid 80.x's, and the local network HD's in the 11x.x"s. I have a 6412 DVR connected to the same TV, so I really don't mind the loss, but I will probably get a CC in the near future.

I've experienced the same thing, losing my QAM channels. After running the search through my Sony built in QAM, it picked up some 480i channels, NTSC and all the local HD, but not what I had before. Must be a sign of the times.

Lower Bucks County ComCast has changed their broadcast lineup (noticed on Thursday 3/30, but forgot to post it). WNJT (Trenton) PBS is gone from 14, replaced with WLVT (Allentown). WNJS-23 (South Jersey) is available.

Regarding QAM tuners, here's a USB box for your PC that get's OTA digital & QAM:

http://store.snapstream.com/fusionhdtv-gold-usb.html

For $150 you can now snag the QAM feeds, so I can see why Comcast would want to limit what's in the clear.

Has anyone hooked up a QAM receiver when they are not subscribed to cable? Does anything come through?

HD sports!

Let me say that I was shocked - SHOCKED - to see the NLL Lacrosse Wings game in HD last night. And happy. I guess they had everything already in place for the Flyers game earlier in the day a said, " ah, what the hell." They even used the center ice cam at the scorers box. very cool.

Dollar for dollar, it's a great game to go to, but I was wiped out from helping my friend move. But check it out some time. Plus you can have beer with the players after the game. Fun...

The goalie camera needs a much deeper field of view and therefore the players are smaller and more difficult to see.

Great shot, but probably would be even better if the camera were moved back a bit and then zoomed back in. I think that would help. The flat line though is what makes this angle intersting so I don't know how far back you could go (cause you are elevatig as you creep back) before the 'fun' of the shot is lost.

Pantherpride,
FWIW, I too am suddenly having problems recording off HD Comcast (6412). I only rarely got occasional dropouts but the last 3 weeks I've had 3 shows either record mostly all digital noise, or 2 shows actually recorded for about 30 mins, then "stopped" then "resumed" at about 50 min mark of the show. I then found a "fragmented" show (with a date from 1989!) so I assume this is a hardware issue? There is nothing that I can view in the file. just that it is a 20 min segment that might be deleteable (though didn't in case comcast wants to trouble shoot). Sounds like this may be 2 different issues. One with digital signal, 1 with the box?

Adam

Did anyone notice the "highlighted" ads on the boards during the Flyers / Islanders game? They were changing every few minutes. Saw them the last time they played at the Nassau Coliseum, but thought it was just a "feature" of an out of focus SD broadcast. Are they for real, or, are they ad insertions (like the baseball backstop)? Extremely irritating.

they are built into the boards.
not like the baseball backstop.
are seen by anyone also at the stadium.

phils in HD today? Says it is in TITANTV.

Free starz for the year..

I just called and have been graced with this as well. They asked if I received the letter and I was honest and said "No, but I know of people that have in this area." The rep seemed fine with that and put me in.

Thx for the info.

phils in HD today? Says it is in TITANTV.

jwhip says yes

HD sports!

Let me say that I was shocked - SHOCKED - to see the NLL Lacrosse Wings game in HD last night. And happy. I guess they had everything already in place for the Flyers game earlier in the day a said, " ah, what the hell." They even used the center ice cam at the scorers box. very cool.
Fun...

And the season opening baseball game on ESPN2 HD last night looked FANTASTIC. Granted it was sad to see Thome wearing black socks. :confused:

Any idea why the Nats@Mets game is blacked out on Comcast Philly? I'm getting it on Directv, who are scrupulous about blackouts, which leads to question the cable blackout.

Is Comcast overstepping their bounds? I can't imagine why they would *have* to black out two out-of-market teams...

Not blacked out here in south jersey

ESPN-HD is blacked out; ESPN is mapped to ESPNews. But ESPN2 is showing the BoSox @ Rangers game; of course they don't have ESPN2-HD.

I'm in the old "Greater Media Cable" system, fed off south Delaware Ave. Do they fed any customers that are in the Mets are that would require a blackout. I find it hard to believe this is just a foul up, as they actively replaced the ESPN feed with ESPNews, as if ESPN were showing a game involving local teams...

Oh, well, another 15 minutes and the Phils come on anyway...

jwhip says yes
phils arent in HD it would seem.

in south jersey the regular espn was blacked out for the mets game but not the HD ESPN, why blacked out at all? also yes thephils game is in HD

stuck at work.... Hope the pq of the game is better than the scoreboard.

I'm watching The Phillies OTA and the HD is great, can count the raindrops.

ESPN-HD is blacked out; ESPN is mapped to ESPNews. But ESPN2 is showing the BoSox @ Rangers game; of course they don't have ESPN2-HD.

I'm in the old "Greater Media Cable" system, fed off south Delaware Ave. Do they fed any customers that are in the Mets are that would require a blackout. I find it hard to believe this is just a foul up, as they actively replaced the ESPN feed with ESPNews, as if ESPN were showing a game involving local teams...ESPN-HD was NOT blacked out for me on DN during the Nats-Mets game here in the city limits.

I have been trying to see Channel 6's HD chopper shots but have not even heard them mentioned since some sitings in early March. The WPVI web site does not seem to even mention an HD chopper any more. Even a site search came up blank. Does any one know what happened?

thats funny i was wondering the same thing about the chopper.

I'm watching The Phillies OTA and the HD is great, can count the raindrops.

i had to stop at home depot on the way home...they were losing 5-0 when i went in...came out and it was 10-0 and that was only like 5 minutes! insane

got home to see my 1st OTA game and it definitely was nice seeing blades of grass.


hey any idea why all of a sudden turning on an fm trap on a leviton amp would make a more stable signal? I've been running a few months with it off but just flipped it last night and it's more stable now

I have been trying to see Channel 6's HD chopper shots but have not even heard them mentioned since some sitings in early March. The WPVI web site does not seem to even mention an HD chopper any more. Even a site search came up blank. Does any one know what happened?
They have incorperated it into the news open...maybe it will start next month?

Yea, phils game looked and sounded pretty good.

I hate to beat a dead horse...but will management at NBC10 get their heads out of their collective asses and put some responsibility on whoever the hell is in charge of the god-damn HD switch!!! Another night, another blank screen, another half episode of an HD program F'd...enough already...F-Team Coverage, F-Doppler Radar...get the friggin HD to the top of the priority list...please!!!

They have incorperated it into the news open...maybe it will start next month?
i guess so.
chopper was just on and wasnt hd

I hate to beat a dead horse...but will management at NBC10 get their heads out of their collective asses and put some responsibility on whoever the hell is in charge of the god-damn HD switch!!! Another night, another blank screen, another half episode of an HD program F'd...enough already...F-Team Coverage, F-Doppler Radar...get the friggin HD to the top of the priority list...please!!!


what did they forget this week?

was it teachers again.

last week it was at least teachers and will& grace.

is leno supposed to be hd tonigt?
jen aniston is gonna be on.

showing up SD.

I hate to beat a dead horse...but will management at NBC10 get their heads out of their collective asses and put some responsibility on whoever the hell is in charge of the god-damn HD switch!!! Another night, another blank screen, another half episode of an HD program F'd...enough already...F-Team Coverage, F-Doppler Radar...get the friggin HD to the top of the priority list...please!!!See post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7408729&&#post7408729) on this matter to address your concern. The more times people complain about the HD side, the more times it will make it to management.

I was hoping Comcast would have ESPN2HD for baseball season like they did TNTHD for basketball season. The Phillies are on ESPN2 tommorrow and it would be nice to see it in HD.

I was hoping Comcast would have ESPN2HD for baseball season like they did TNTHD for basketball season. The Phillies are on ESPN2 tommorrow and it would be nice to see it in HD.


I think that Comcast has local exclusivity, meaning even if they had ESPN2-HD we'd still have to watch it on CN8.

I hate to beat a dead horse

couldn't resist

http://www.bjacked.net/LuvToHunt/forums/phpBB2/modules/gallery/albums/album01/Beat_Dead_Horse.jpg

Comcast channel 74 is showing up as Madison Square Garden 2 although the picture is just a test signal.

Did anyone hear about MSG2 being added to the lineup?

In the Philadelphia area, we get the Phila Race Park channel at that number. MSG may be interesting, but doubtful they would bring any New York sports channels into the Philadelphia area to compete with their own teams!

bummer they took away universal HD, as the masters are being shown in HD and 5.1 DD today and tomorrow. I guess i'll have to deal with good old 28 and usa. Hate watching this channel as the PQ aint the best on the RPTV.

Anyone have problems with Law and order OTA philly 10 on 4/4/06? First few minutes had no video, just sound..of course commercials were ok. Then there was no video, just sound...then the rest was boxed on all sides....Seems to happen on law/order and no other shows for me. Should the station fire the tuesday night guy?

In the Philadelphia area, we get the Phila Race Park channel at that number. MSG may be interesting, but doubtful they would bring any New York sports channels into the Philadelphia area to compete with their own teams!

I am in a Comcast service area that provides both NY and Phillie channels. We get MSG (Rangers, Knicks), YES (Nets and Yankees), and Sportsnet New York (Mets) was just added to the mix. When the Yanks are home they simulcast YES HD on INHD or INHD2.

It's weird watching Sportsnet NY - the intro music is the same as our Comcast Sportsnet, but the set simply consists of a host with 2 or 3 journalists sitting in uncomfortable looking chairs. Strange.

Anyone notice NBCHD looks alot better recently

I was able to attend the Tredyffrin Township cable board's monthly meeting last night to check on the status of the Verizon FiOS application. It was an interesting experience as Comcast's Director of Government Affairs was able to sit at the table with the board members. I made my pitch in support of the franchise as we needed increased competition to keep rate increases in check. Our rates increased 7% this month which was pointed out by someone else who complained about it. Several members of the board expressed an agreement with my arguments. A meeting was scheduled with Verizon for two weeks ago but was cancelled due to illness. The chairman indictated that he had received "talking points" from Verizon on their application. I think it clear that FiOS will be up and approved by the end of this year irregardless of what Congress does. Verizon may be waiting for Congress to move on this issue in lighyt of the House Telecom subcommittee's approval of their bill granting Verizon and AT&T a national license for video distribution. This bill will be up for floor debate before the full House on April 24th. I plan on attending the next several meetings to keep updated on this issue and will report what I learn.

This thread suggests CBS will be showing Th and Fr HD coverage of the Masters:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=655828

However, I can't find anything locally suggesting CBS-3 will be doing so. Can anyone confirm?

JWB

No fair, I want a letter too! (Ok, I'll stop whining now.) I wonder if just calling Comcast and saying I got the letter will work? Any codes or promo numbers listed on the letter?
I called 888-396-6548 and they asked for my phone number. It wasn't found on their list of eligible accounts. Then she asked for my account number... still not found (cause I never really got a letter). Then she said she'd have to add me, took my info, read me the confirmation and told me it would be on in 24-48 hours.

So the answer to your question is yes.

I'll reply to my own post: the answer is 'yes' that CBS is broadcasting the Masters today in HD (and will tomorrow from 4-7 PM). And as the thread I posted earlier suggested, the picture quality and the increased percentage of HD handheld cameras is outstanding. Simply outstanding.

JWB

I called 888-396-6548 and they asked for my phone number. It wasn't found on their list of eligible accounts. Then she asked for my account number... still not found (cause I never really got a letter). Then she said she'd have to add me, took my info, read me the confirmation and told me it would be on in 24-48 hours.

So the answer to your question is yes.

I didn't get any of that and didn't get a letter either. Maybe I was on the cusp of elgibility? I dunno, but in < 30 minutes of the phone call I had 6 * channels + the VOD.

I called 888-396-6548 and they asked for my phone number. It wasn't found on their list of eligible accounts. Then she asked for my account number... still not found (cause I never really got a letter). Then she said she'd have to add me, took my info, read me the confirmation and told me it would be on in 24-48 hours.

So the answer to your question is yes.
I used this and it worked like a charm. He didn't even ask if I actually got the letter. SWEET!!! Thanks, AVS folks.

Wow, guess what? Comcrap blacked out the Nats @ Mets again last night on ESPN-HD! Can someone explain why?

I live in Philadelphia, my MLB team is the Phillies. I should get all ESPN games not involving the Phillies. DirecTV had the game.

What's up Comcast? Seems like unfair trade practices to me, blacking out the competition.

DN had the game in both SD and HD on ESPN last night.

DN had the game in both SD and HD on ESPN last night.


What's DN? (Dish? Delaware North?)

Dish Network.

The Mets-Nationals game was on ESPNHD on Comcast here in Chester County.

newsman, the abbreviation on AVS for Dish is E*, as in Echostar. D* for Directv.

is there ANY news on whether or not NJ is getting TNT-HD in time for the NBA playoffs?

newsman, the abbreviation on AVS for Dish is E*, as in Echostar. D* for Directv.Doesn't make sense. D* for Directvstar? Does * = star? I've always used DTV for Directv. E*, I can understand since Echostar owns Dish. What's the abbreviation for Comcast?

* does NOT equal star, I guess it just fills in for the rest of the word. These are the official AVS abbreviations. I did not start them but they are uniformily used through the entire site. I am not sure if Comcast has one yet.

I just called the number as well. They said they didn't have my information. But they took it from me and said I would be connected!!!

I didn't get any of that and didn't get a letter either. Maybe I was on the cusp of elgibility? I dunno, but in < 30 minutes of the phone call I had 6 * channels + the VOD.

I tried again just now, and they accused me of "trying to pull a fast one" since I live in New Jersey and it only applies for Delaware and Pennsylvania. Midd, i'm not sure how u got it, but you are lucky.

So far I'm not that lucky as it hasn't been turned on yet. I'll have to call back on Monday.

Did any NJ Comcast users get the Yankees home opener in HD?
Why didn't Comcast carry it in HD? Will it stop carrying Yankees HD games for the rest of the reason? First, we don't get TNT HD, now we got screwed again. Looks like they force me switch to D*.

Did any NJ Comcast users get the Yankees home opener in HD?
Why didn't Comcast carry it in HD? Will it stop carrying Yankees HD games for the rest of the reason? First, we don't get TNT HD, now we got screwed again. Looks like they force me switch to D*.

Are you refering to YES or was the game on ESPN?

YES.
I don't think I can get Yanks HD/SD games from ESPN, only from YES, UPN9 or FOX.

In Northern New Jersey,the YES HD broadcast came on in the middle of the game and in the top of the ninth they went to the regular INHD2 movie at 4:05pm.
Is WYBE-DT down?Up here for several years the signal has been rock solid,but now it is gone.

$#%%, NBC forgot to start Teachers in HD again this week.

does the button pusher take a nap tuesdays due to scrubs being on.

$#%%, NBC forgot to start Teachers in HD again this week.

does the button pusher take a nap tuesdays due to scrubs being on.You really think there's a person sitting there turning on the HD conversion box? :rolleyes: Seethis post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7442415&&#post7442415) for more information on what to do if that happens again.

i know i sure do WISH there was someone sitting there when there's literally no video at all from law and order :) At least this time i got sound. A few weeks ago it was just black..nothing

Yes, at channel 10, they need to throw a switch to send the HD feed over the digital signal. Thay make more mistakes than any other local station. I know 3 is fully automated but they even make mistakes. I am not sure about 6, 17 and 29.

I believe this to be the post that is confusing the issue. Perhaps the 'switch' is automated (kinda like the old Fosters commercial for a TV remote control - throwing a boomerang at the guy at the end of the bar)?

newsman ...

have you ever heard of metaphor

as for your roll eyes smiley......


i have no idea if someone actually flips a switch, in spite of jwhip's recent post who really knows if it a person sitting there or not.


not my responsibilty to make sure the switch is flipped.

SO wpvi ch 6.1- they have been mentioning the HD chopper cam every night during 5pm news... So Why pump an HD cam when they don't broadcast news in HD?

SO wpvi ch 6.1- they have been mentioning the HD chopper cam every night during 5pm news... So Why pump an HD cam when they don't broadcast news in HD?It's something they can promo, like saying, "6ABC was the first in Philadelphia to have an HD chopper," or some snappy saying. They all claim they were the first at something. Apparently, we know that channel 6 was last to get into the 21st century with their weather department.

who cares about weather? but since you brought it up...what made them last? I had no idea (can you tell i monitor this stuff real close)

i wonder if they called all those storms this year that made the kids have off when it literally didn't rain a drop? :)

Last night (04/12) I couldn't get INHD2 (channel 207) until around 11PM. Called Comcast, they said it's because of some tech problems on channel 207 since 3PM of yesterday and they were working on it.
Did anyone have the same problem on INHD2 last night?
Did any of you in my area get the first 2 Yankees games in HD from INHD2?

I am in Mercer County, NJ.
Thanks.

who cares about weather? but since you brought it up...what made them last? I had no idea (can you tell i monitor this stuff real close)

i wonder if they called all those storms this year that made the kids have off when it literally didn't rain a drop? :)I was just trying to bring up an example. You must not watch the news often, as just a few years ago, channel 6 was doing the weather with what looked like dry erase markers on a white board. Channel 10 is the first to claim they had the first locally owned radar in the market. Blah, blah, blah.. first doesn't necessarily mean better. So, channel 6 claiming they have the first HD chopper, doesn't mean diddly squat, since you can't see an HD picture at the end (your TV at home).

Last night (04/12) I couldn't get INHD2 (channel 207) until around 11PM. Called Comcast, they said it's because of some tech problems on channel 207 since 3PM of yesterday and they were working on it.
Did anyone have the same problem on INHD2 last night?
Did any of you in my area get the first 2 Yankees games in HD from INHD2?

I am in Mercer County, NJ.
Thanks.

I received the Yankees game fine yesterday afternoon as well as INHD2 programming. The reason that INHD2 was black last night was because Comcast preempted it for the Sixers-Nets game, but they were having problems with the HD telecast from YES-HD, hence why we you were unable to get anything on INHD2 during those times. You'd think that Comcast would at least check this things to make sure that the transition from INHD2 to YES-HD went smoothly.

I received the Yankees game fine yesterday afternoon as well as INHD2 programming. The reason that INHD2 was black last night was because Comcast preempted it for the Sixers-Nets game, but they were having problems with the HD telecast from YES-HD, hence why we you were unable to get anything on INHD2 during those times. You'd think that Comcast would at least check this things to make sure that the transition from INHD2 to YES-HD went smoothly.

Thanks a lot!
You are the first one tells me that AT LEAST we still can receive YES HD games.

I was just trying to bring up an example. You must not watch the news often, as just a few years ago, channel 6 was doing the weather with what looked like dry erase markers on a white board. Channel 10 is the first to claim they had the first locally owned radar in the market. Blah, blah, blah.. first doesn't necessarily mean better. So, channel 6 claiming they have the first HD chopper, doesn't mean diddly squat, since you can't see an HD picture at the end (your TV at home).

what makes you think i watch the news? my name or something :)

you mean to tell me if i ever did actually tune into an aged monica malpass i wouldn't even see the beloved chopper in HD? What is the point of having it then? oh wait you answered that...to be first.

nope dont watch the news....though i do admit when the forecast snow i like to tivo the parts where they predict totals then check back the next day and see how wrong they are. It's sort of a sport.

I didn't realize why they pushed the news so much except now i realize with 4-6pm; 430 am to 7am; 1200-1230 (and even some repeats at 2am!) that is a pretty big time block to sell ads. I guess i better do as amy freeze says and turn to 10 to see how the warm weather will affect my work weak (gosh they must feel stupid saying half that crap)

i have to pass along an observation here(dont take it as a slight)...only joined the thread a little while ago but i see that you with comcast are constantly talking about channels that are turned off/on/not online today between such and such hours/are different from one county to the other/ this isn't in HD one day etc....and wonder how you deal with all that?

I know directv doesn't have the sports stuff that philly cable people get but one things for sure, i dont have to worry about such frequent channel problems/changes that seem to pop up on this forum. It just seems like comcast goes out of their way to piss you off on a daily basis. It may take directv 1 year to even get 1 new channel, but it almost seems like going slow is better than all these problems you appear to have with cable. And except for stuff like turner/sports blackouts etc, we all get the same channels coast to coast :)

Thanks a lot!
You are the first one tells me that AT LEAST we still can receive YES HD games.

NYWST:

I also live in Mercer Country, Lawrenceville, to be specific. The Yankees were NOT on INHD2 (or any other Comcast HD channel) today. VERY DISAPPOINTING. There was regular INHD2 programming on. I watched the game on D* channel 95.

By the way, they also were NOT on Comcast HD yesterday when the game was on ESPNHD.
VERY UPSET WITH COMCAST ABOUT THIS!!!!

NYWST:

I also live in Mercer Country, Lawrenceville, to be specific. The Yankees were NOT on INHD2 (or any other Comcast HD channel) today. VERY DISAPPOINTING. There was regular INHD2 programming on. I watched the game on D* channel 95.

By the way, they also were NOT on Comcast HD yesterday when the game was on ESPNHD.
VERY UPSET WITH COMCAST ABOUT THIS!!!!

I received today's and yesterdays Yankees games on INHD2. Must have been local to your area. I'm on the Comcast of Ocean County system which services Brick, Point Pleasant, Bay Head and Mantoloking.

I've read somewhere that TNT-HD and Universal HD are coming to NJ around May 3. Is this true? Has anybody heard anything?

Thanks

And then there are those of us that couldn't give a damn about the Yankees, and we had them on ESPN yesterday!!!

Follow up to my question about wpvi ch 6 & their new HD chopper camera....
Had a return call from Jim Gilbert-vp eng.- stated the news won't be HD for 1-2 yrs + as a guess...but they do have the HD camera on chopper- & that footage will be 16X9 & in HD- on digital channels-- but ONLY when they are doing LIVE shots. It is sent back at 8MB/s, then converted to base band- then...all the other tec stuff...
They will record the HD widescreen footage not in HD but in SD for later reply on both analog & digital. He is aware that the reply of the SD footage is a 16x9 image (appears letterboxed) within the side black pillars & that hearing the image is from the HD chopper when only sometimes its actually in HD is confusing but...

I've read somewhere that TNT-HD and Universal HD are coming to NJ around May 3. Is this true? Has anybody heard anything?

Thanks

where you hear that, i would like ESPN2 insted of either , UHD is a big waste of bandwidth

shades here's the exact thread and the direct quote from the person.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=25275


"look for 2 new channels around may 3rd tnt,universal hd"

I was able to attend the Tredyffrin Township cable board's monthly meeting last night to check on the status of the Verizon FiOS application.

I think it clear that FiOS will be up and approved by the end of this year irregardless of what Congress does.

You mean in Tredyffrin? Cool. (We'll have to keep Comcast at some level for my father-in-law - he's a Phillies/Sixers nut.)
I plan on attending the next several meetings to keep updated on this issue and will report what I learn.
Thanks; keep us informed!

OT: my 6412 died (again; it replaced a 6408 which had all my olympic HD footage :( ). The replacement this time was a DCT3412-I, an all-digital box. And for added fun, 2 days later (week and a half ago) an 80+' tall tree, 40' from the house blew up (literally) into a zillion tiny pieces from a lightning strike. HDTV, VCR, ReplayTV and DCT3412 survived (Replay lost the ethernet port I think). Pioneer AV receiver (1 year old) and DVD player (6 years old) won't power up. Den with this was 1 room away from the strike; all that equipment was on a Belkin F5C695-TEL surge protector (around 1300ish joules). Could have been worse - the controller for the gate in our deer fence had it's cover blown 8 feet(!) away; battery blown out of box; board scorched black; tranformer looks like it had a bad hair day. And this was 250' from the tree (though the low-voltage charge line for it went past the tree).

You mean in Tredyffrin? Cool. (We'll have to keep Comcast at some level for my father-in-law - he's a Phillies/Sixers nut.)
Legally, because it's terrestrial based, Comcast can't keep Comcast Sportsnet from FiOS based on what I read here (http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051209/SPORTS/512100328/1002/ARCHIVES).

shades here's the exact thread and the direct quote from the person.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=25275


"look for 2 new channels around may 3rd tnt,universal hd"


Does that poster have any credibility

Legally, because it's terrestrial based, Comcast can't keep Comcast Sportsnet from FiOS based on what I read here (http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051209/SPORTS/512100328/1002/ARCHIVES).
Didi we read the same article? :confused:

"Because of the way it distributes SportsNet, Comcast is allowed to withhold it from satellite competitors through the so-called "terrestrial loophole.""

The above deals with satellite.

(And, actually Comcast is grandfathered into being able to withhold it's programming, because it was terrestrial before the new rules were passed a few years ago. At that time, new terrestrial channels going forward are not exempted.)

"Verizon officials are confident they won't run into the same legal roadblock in offering its video service, called FiOS TV."

Read 'confident', not positive. :)

Now, maybe because FIOS and CSN are both terrestrial, FIOS has a better chance to legally compel Comcast to provide CSN, but it is not for sure.

Didi we read the same article? :confused:

I don't know. "Didi" we?

IMHO, the same loophole applies to DBS and FiOS in regards to CSN. However, with the grief that Comcast is getting in the DC area over not carrying MASN and the Nationals games and next year the O's when they switch from CSN, things may change on that front.

anyone had problems over the past 2 weeks with 6 abc audio dropouts? I've had dropouts on Lost OTA and my wife also had dropouts on her soap (watched on the directv SD feed). Since it's on both feeds i'm assuming it's the station itself. Stinks not to hear 10 second of important dialogue.

anyone had problems over the past 2 weeks with 6 abc audio dropouts? I've had dropouts on Lost OTA and my wife also had dropouts on her soap (watched on the directv SD feed). Since it's on both feeds i'm assuming it's the station itself. Stinks not to hear 10 second of important dialogue.

I noticed a couple on LOST last week. They were about 5-8 seconds I think. I don't really watch anything else on ABC so can't say for anything else.

I'm on Comcast, was on the HD feed.

i've heard problems with 6 as long as i can remember.
the sound on lost is always bad.
very crackly, breakups, dropouts.

also the sound during the show is always too low.
then, the commercial comes on and its very loud.

i forgot to add i'm using either hdmi or just rca, depending on feed. ...no optical

'good' to see it's a station problem and not my equipment

sound AND video was crapping out big-time during yesterday's Bulls-Heat game on ABC-HD. May have been ABC's problem or Comcast's, but it was bad nevertheless. I've also had audio dropouts on other ABC shows as well.

i have non-stop audio problems, drop-outs, etc. I have a brand new (yeah, right!!) box that I swapped because of the audio problems. Now, I find it's more pronounced on analog and goes away if I shut off the box for a minute or two. I'm hdmi.

a couple of Phillies games last week.
flyers game right now.

philly57, sound on sports is brutal.

crackles, breaks up, staticy.

someone else must be hearing this.
has been this way the last 3 seasons.

Will the away playoff games for the Flyers be broadcast in HD? I seem to recall the away playoff games were in HD the previous season (2 years ago).

I'm a little disappointed that Comcast uses the 'landline cost' excuse regarding HD broadcasts of away games, but then puts the home Phillies games on CN8, while the 76ers on CSN are out of town.

They need to negotiate some channel flexability for times like this. The Sixers are out of the hunt (even marque players are dissing the last couple games) but the home Phillies games are shuffled off to CN8 pergatory.

I would even settle for widescreen broadcasts even if they can't manage to provide full HD at this point.

</rant>

Did anybody watch ALIAS last night?

At one point there were terrible video and audio dropouts that made the show tough to watch.

Also, after the news promo with about 10 minutes to go the proverbial "HD switch" was never thrown, so the rest of the show was in 4:3 format.

Bad job, WPVI.

Did anybody watch ALIAS last night?

At one point there were terrible video and audio dropouts that made the show tough to watch.

Also, after the news promo with about 10 minutes to go the proverbial "HD switch" was never thrown, so the rest of the show was in 4:3 format.

Bad job, WPVI.
But they managed to throw the switch for Invasion. WPVI is just incompetent, their signal is always dropping out and the sound too. Glad we only watch two ABC shows, I couldn't take much more of the crappy feed. I am OTA.

I really don't think any executives at WPVI have HD at home. Otherwise they'd be aware of their ongoing problems. The audio levels on WPVI-DT are a disgrace.

Heck, I'd bet none of the engineering staff has HD at home either. I doubt anyone from the station watches the digital channel.

maybe they dont watch at all :)

And the complaints against WCAU-DT seem minor in comparison.

And the complaints against WCAU-DT seem minor in comparison.

CBS-HD is much better than ABC. I think it's improved over the past year, since I DVR Criminal Minds, NCIS, and a few others that slip my mind right now. The overall quality seems pretty consistent. WCAU must have a little bit of pride in their product.

I agree that WPVI must not closely monitor their HD channel, since OTA seems to have the same problems as Comcast cable, which is what I have.

Are there any WPVI engineers/techs reading this thread? Do they realize how frustrated HD customers are?

I really don't think any executives at WPVI have HD at home. Otherwise they'd be aware of their ongoing problems. The audio levels on WPVI-DT are a disgrace.

Heck, I'd bet none of the engineering staff has HD at home either. I doubt anyone from the station watches the digital channel.

Which just makes you wonder why they're in the business at all. How can you not take pride in your work?

I just cannot believe that executives or techs/engineers of a tv station would not have HD in their homes. Talk about dinosaurs...

CBS-HD is much better than ABC. I think it's improved over the past year, since I DVR Criminal Minds, NCIS, and a few others that slip my mind right now. The overall quality seems pretty consistent. WCAU must have a little bit of pride in their product.I don't think I have ever read a negative comment about KYW-DT on here. Maybe? I don't know. They seem to be the clear cut winner in this area when it comes to HD quality - picture and other facets.

WCAU was really bad a year or two back. They constantly missed the switch, had loud audio pops transitioning to the network, and a host of other troubles. To their credit, they have improved. Most every show starts in HD. I still notice occasional sync issues, but the improvement is outstanding.

WPVI has always had problems, but their nature has changed. The first season of "Lost" was marred by terrible flaws in presentation. The nature of the current spate of problems is relatively innocuous, but still frustrating to viewers.

The audio started going south about two months ago. Sometimes the commercials are way louder than program; sometime's it's the other way around. There was a point where the programs were so loud, distortion was evident. WPVI-DT is generally hotter in audio level than any other station in this market.

As it goes on week after week there is no other conclusion than they don't monitor their transmission. I can't believe they wouldn't care if they knew. I hope they get a clue soon. WCAU turned themselves around - it can be done!

I don't think I have ever read a negative comment about KYW-DT on here. Maybe? I don't know. They seem to be the clear cut winner in this area when it comes to HD quality - picture and other facets.

Sorry, I still continue to switch WCAU and KYW. A relic from the old days before the station switch.

Anyway, at least through Comcast Trenton, KYW (CBS) is the best, WCAU (NBC) is much improved and is in second place, thus leaving WPVI (ABC) as last. WPVI is way behind in quality - actually behind FOX, UPN and WB.

As always, in my humble opinion.

Comcast SJ

Saturday morning, April 22,2006

NBC 10 (232) and WeatherPlus (248) OFF AIR

Anyone else?

i completely disagree. I think WPVI far outdoes WCAU in terms of HD. I see constant dropouts, missed cues, and audio problems on NBC, whereas ABC is always smooth, with only occasional audio dropouts. The picture also far outdoes NBC.

Comcast SJ

Saturday morning, April 22,2006

NBC 10 (232) and WeatherPlus (248) OFF AIR

Anyone else?

I am receiving these as we speak, but I don't use the STB, my HDTV has the QAM tuner and my cable is through Comcast SJ

please do not tell me that the flyers game tonight will only be broadcasted on OLN, and not INHD2 as well?

the flyers game is only on oln. 10 minutes until devils and rangers game and the nbc 10 hd station is off the air. this sucks

I don't know about OLN: both the Flyers website & Comcast Sportnet Philly website say the game will be on CSN.

Is anyone else having audio sync problems with WCAU? I have D* and also Comcast via QAM tuner and both sources seem to have this problem.

Comcast SJ

Saturday morning, April 22,2006

NBC 10 (232) and WeatherPlus (248) OFF AIR

Anyone else?
OTA and there isn't any signal for the hockey game. I can switch over to DTV SD and it is there, but I would rather watch it in HD

I don't know about OLN: both the Flyers website & Comcast Sportnet Philly website say the game will be on CSN.
This morning's paper listed the game on CSN. The first couple of rounds are always CSN, I know because I have DTV and if the Flyers don't get to the third round I can't see it at home.

i completely disagree. I think WPVI far outdoes WCAU in terms of HD. I see constant dropouts, missed cues, and audio problems on NBC, whereas ABC is always smooth, with only occasional audio dropouts. The picture also far outdoes NBC.

This past fall NBC really struggled with audio pops and pixelization, but I think they've cleaned up their act this spring. However, this week's 2 hour Alias on ABC was brutal - much worse then anything I've seen on NBC lately.

WCAU's digital OTA signal is wacky. Fluctuating from 49% to all sorts of different numbers. Those in the channel 10 newsroom are aware of the situation.

I still have no signal OTA for channel 10. The bizarre part of the no signal is it carries a signal strength of 98. That is on 10.1 and 10.2

since my abc problem is both ota and over directv SD, it has to be the station. the channel 10 pops thankfully have been gone the last few months OTA as it was something i first noticed when i got my tv in november. I hated that pop and 10 was the only station that had it.

I dont have the super expert eyes some of you have...but except for ch 3 being a lot better than the rest...the pretty much all look the same to me. so i dont want to start seeing the differences.

I absolutely love even the SD ota. Stuff like simpsons and madtv are sooo much better that crappy directv locals.

do you guys on cable also watch the SD programming on the cable HD stations because the PQ is better?

if a Flyers game is on OLN, it is usualy broadcast in HD on comcast's INHD or INHD2

I still have no signal OTA for channel 10. The bizarre part of the no signal is it carries a signal strength of 98. That is on 10.1 and 10.2

i guess it'd dead for good? I just checked fridays ota and it was fine. But now checked and i also have a good signal but no pic

anyone call them? i hate watching over satellite but can't afford to miss anything

darn too late...my wife had recorded something last night ota and now has nothing..darn nbc

since my abc problem is both ota and over directv SD, it has to be the station. the channel 10 pops thankfully have been gone the last few months OTA as it was something i first noticed when i got my tv in november. I hated that pop and 10 was the only station that had it.

I dont have the super expert eyes some of you have...but except for ch 3 being a lot better than the rest...the pretty much all look the same to me. so i dont want to start seeing the differences.

I absolutely love even the SD ota. Stuff like simpsons and madtv are sooo much better that crappy directv locals.

do you guys on cable also watch the SD programming on the cable HD stations because the PQ is better?

I generally watch SD content on the HD channel when available, unless the HD signal is having problems.

if a Flyers game is on OLN, it is usualy broadcast in HD on comcast's INHD or INHD2

Last night one of the broadcasters said that CSN had games 1-4 and 6,7 if necessary. We'll probably see HD on home games only, and only on CSN, not INHD.

Last year I got Yankees home games on YES-HD using the INHD channel in addition to the SD broadcast on YES. This is not happening this year.

Does anyone know if this is a change in Comcast policy?

I have Comcast of Mercer County, NJ.

Last night one of the broadcasters said that CSN had games 1-4 and 6,7 if necessary. We'll probably see HD on home games only, and only on CSN, not INHD.

if a Flyers game is on OLN, it is usualy broadcast in HD on comcast's INHD or INHD2


watching the game on csn digital i noticed much of the action disappearing into the bars on the side.
looked to me like it was shot with widescreen in mind.

then saw why it looked like that.

it was on delay on INHD but it was an OLN broadcast, so it was even tighter then normal due to t heir "dont show the stands" attitude.

My 10.1 OTA is down, but I tend to use the DirecTV HD-nets in the 80's since I qualify.

The reliabilty of network headquarters in NYC 'throwing the switch' or whatever is better, especially for unattended recording (TiVo).

I do use OTA for some live events, like sports or certain movies.

Is there any word from NBC-10 yet? It seems like it must be an issue related to the actual OTA transmission since they're still able to provide the feed to Comcast.

Could you folks who normally rely on OTA add an HD package from Comcast/Dish/DirecTV in the interim?

In the Lehigh Valley, WCAU-DT (Channel 10) has not provided any signals since at least Saturday morning. The carrier was "on the air" on Saturday, but is not "on the air" today.

WCAU-DT is NOT providing a signal to my local cable company, RCN.

Hi,

I just found this forum today searching for some info on channel 10 ota. I had a similar experience yesterday as the last few posts.

I had installed an antenna last week (middletown DE) and was getting very good reception with it. It was a covered type made by Turk. It looks like a base for baseball. I mounted it on the side of my house about 8 feet off the ground. My weakest signal was ch 12 @ 51%.

Yesterday afternoon it was raining and I noticed ch 10 was out. I thought maybe the rain had infiltrated into the guts of the antenna and was causing problems but all the other channels were coming in ok. Also the signal meter was reading 80% for ch 10 but no picture or sound. So I assumed that it was just 10. But then later in the evening all the channels went out so I was sure that something was going on with the antenna and the rain. This morning I turned on the TV and all the channels except ch 10 were working again. So I think that the heavy rain may have caused a temporary problem with all the channels either that or phila had a big blackout and all the channels went down (not likely).

Any thoughts? Does rain cause problems with UHF antennas that are outside?

Could you folks who normally rely on OTA add an HD package from Comcast/Dish/DirecTV in the interim?
I have DTV and the HD package for the TiVo is OTA for locals. So it wouldn't help at all. Guess I better look into Comcast. :eek:

Any thoughts? Does rain cause problems with UHF antennas that are outside?

I'd think it's all or nothing..I dont see how rain could selectively just kill one station. It may if the thing is weak, but all of us that have reported here, say that their signal is strong, but there simply is no pic. So it's definitely not an antenna issue

Wish i had waivers now..wahhh

so tomorrow night monday 24th, phils are on cn8 and inhd.

i guess we wont get to see the inhd feed.

I called ch 10 and spoke with Tom an engineer there. He said the are down and waiting for a part that hopefully will arrive tomorrow.

I have DTV and the HD package for the TiVo is OTA for locals. So it wouldn't help at all. Guess I better look into Comcast. :eek:


Have you checked with DirecTV regarding HD networks? As all networks here in Philadelphia are network owned & operated, they give us the HD feeds out of NYC, channels 80-88. You might need to speak to a specialist at DirecTV about it. The regular customer service reps don't have access to add them to you account, I believe.

I called ch 10 and spoke with Tom an engineer there. He said the are down and waiting for a part that hopefully will arrive tomorrow.

Thanks for checking that, you saved a lof of people time, as of 2pm est its still down.

WCAU was a rellay great place to work a few years ago. I have no idea who does what but much of that place is under automation and the staff is hugely cut back from my time there. I hate to see the reputation go down becuase of poor upkeep.

INHD shows the Phillies game tonight. Is this a local preemption to give us an HD feed, or is an INHD event that we'll not be able to see?

so tomorrow night monday 24th, phils are on cn8 and inhd.

i guess we wont get to see the inhd feed.

i asked the same question just a couple posts back.

Hockey game is on INHD not the phillies

Hockey game is on INHD not the phillies

That being OLN's HD coverage of Devils/Rangers.

Nice work Comcast; the only HD we get tonight is NOT Philly teams.

10 is back this morning....

Just when we all concluded that NBC had cleaned up most of their HD broadcast issues, they did it again.

With about 5-10 minutes to go, Medium came back from commercial to a 4:3 letterboxed picture. Arggghhh....

Is the TNT issue still dead for Comcast Garden State. This is now the second playoff season
without HD. The analog feed for TNT is just horrendous. I was watching the Bulls-Heat game
on Monday. The sound and picture are flat out garbage.

Someone said may 3rd for TNT and universal for South jersey

That being OLN's HD coverage of Devils/Rangers.

Nice work Comcast; the only HD we get tonight is NOT Philly teams.

I think the game would have been blacked out anyway, since it was on locally. If I have a choice between nothing or an HD playoff hocky game feed from OLN, I'll take the hockey game.

This isn't just our problem, I think this happens in other markets when a nat'l network like ESPN or INHD has the game in HD, but a local station(like CSN or CN8) is showing the game, so the other feed is blacked out, even though it is HD. So home market people are stuck with no HD feed.

If you are a Sox fan and live in Boston and you don't have NESN then you would really be screwed, EVERY game in HD on ESPN/INHD(quite a few I think) you would be blacked out of I think.

I'm livid about game one of the Flyers game HD feed being blacked out. It's amazing that other parts of the country get the HD feed but due to local blackout rules we get the Comcast analog feed. Here's the deal, Ed Snider is a partner with Comcast. Comcast owns OLN and the rights to the NHL. This isn't the NFL where New York and Taglibue call the shots. All Comcast had to do is unlock the block on INHD1.

I'm understanding of market rights. But what I don't get it Comcast Sportsnet saying they can't afford to send HD back from away games, but then they stick the Phillies, at home, on CN8 with no HD.

the blackouts are to get you to games right? How many people on here go to games they know wont be on tv?

No, blackouts are for local advertisers: if they buy time on CSN they don't want me watching ESPN.

Only the NFL does blackouts related to ticket sales.

is there any update on whether or not universal and tnt hd are coming to south jersey around May 3rd as someone had stated earlier in the thread

All i want to know is how they were able to put Universal on during the Olympics and can't put TNT on now in south jersey. What magic did they perform on their supposed stretched for bandwith system. I didn't see any degredation on other channels. If they had to remove
another HD channel during the Olympics to show Universal then I would believe Comcast's propaganda. Also, who wants Universal now over ESPN2. Just give me TNT before the playoffs are over.

I'm livid about game one of the Flyers game HD feed being blacked out. It's amazing that other parts of the country get the HD feed but due to local blackout rules we get the Comcast analog feed. Here's the deal, Ed Snider is a partner with Comcast. Comcast owns OLN and the rights to the NHL. This isn't the NFL where New York and Taglibue call the shots. All Comcast had to do is unlock the block on INHD1.

even crazier is the game tonight is not blacked out on inhd.

HD in next road game, it's on NBC. Why does OLN and FOX have to put huge, distracting
current score and time on top of screen. I hate it in football and hate it in hockey. A small current score, time in period or quarter is sufficient. It drives you crazy when you have a widescreen set with a giant banner across the top of picture in HD.

HD in next road game, it's on NBC. Why does OLN and FOX have to put huge, distracting
current score and time on top of screen. I hate it in football and hate it in hockey. A small current score, time in period or quarter is sufficient. It drives you crazy when you have a widescreen set with a giant banner across the top of picture in HD.
and the wooshing sounds and stuff on FOX drive me insane...even worse they made it white this year so it really sticks out

I turned on CSN-HD at 10:00 pm, and the sound was out. CSN-SD was okay.

Anyone else have this problem last night?

All i want to know is how they were able to put Universal on during the Olympics and can't put TNT on now in south jersey. What magic did they perform on their supposed stretched for bandwith system. I didn't see any degredation on other channels. If they had to remove
another HD channel during the Olympics to show Universal then I would believe Comcast's propaganda. Also, who wants Universal now over ESPN2. Just give me TNT before the playoffs are over.

Comcast Mercer County had UHD on channel 208, but INHD2 on 207 carried the same feed, so I think they were mapped instead of using additional bandwidth.

I turned on CSN-HD at 10:00 pm, and the sound was out. CSN-SD was okay.

Anyone else have this problem last night?


yes, it happened just after the end of the phils wrap up show.

HD PQ on today's NBC Buffalo/Flyers game was horrible. It was so blurry it was giving me a headache. No comparison to Comcast HD feed from Wachovia. I think Comcast is able to get cameras closer to ice. Buffalo's arena apparently isn't set up too well to do telecasts.

Someone said may 3rd for TNT and universal for South jersey


Anyone know if this is going to happen tomorrow? I'm not holding my breathe. I would much rather have ESPN2HD. Any new HD would be much appreciated though.

Anyone know if this is going to happen tomorrow? I'm not holding my breathe. I would much rather have ESPN2HD. Any new HD would be much appreciated though.

Guess I'll answer my own question. No new HD here in Medford.

Comcast will NOT be adding any new HD other than ESPN2HD possibly in June in the SE Pa area from what I was last told this week.

What other HD channels would you like to see? The list from DirecTV seems like channels that would have very limited appeal, although I'd like to see some of them to form an educated opinion. Although, I'd prefer they added HDNet as an additional source.

Well, it seems something was amiss last night. As the switchover occured from SD to HD at 8PM for Gilmore Girls, all sound was lost. No sound for at least 20 minutes into programming. My gf was watching, and was frustrated. We didn't check after 8:20PM. So, it seems that not all digital stations are perfect like KYW-DT.

Are we going to get screwed over with ESPN2HD also? :rolleyes:

I've had a weird problem on one dual dvr (I have two) that has been occurring off & on over the past few weeks, and it only seems to happen in the morning (I'm on Comcast Lambertville, NJ). Major macroblocking and breakups seem to occur on the same stations...ESPN, HBO, Showtime and Starz, and sometimes on PBS. So bad that it sometimes freezes completely and is totally unwatchable. All other HD channels (Discovery, INHD1 and 2, etc) are fine, and this happens on both component and HDMI. I check it at night and all pictures are locked in looking perfect. Has anyone experienced similar behavior?

I've unplugged the dvr multiple times, have had Comcast send a signal, etc. and still no luck. It's probably a shot in the dark but I figured what the hay, might as well ask you all. Thanks.

I've had a weird problem on one dual dvr (I have two) that has been occurring off & on over the past few weeks, and it only seems to happen in the morning (I'm on Comcast Lambertville, NJ). Major macroblocking and breakups seem to occur on the same stations...ESPN, HBO, Showtime and Starz, and sometimes on PBS. So bad that it sometimes freezes completely and is totally unwatchable. All other HD channels (Discovery, INHD1 and 2, etc) are fine, and this happens on both component and HDMI. I check it at night and all pictures are locked in looking perfect. Has anyone experienced similar behavior?

I've unplugged the dvr multiple times, have had Comcast send a signal, etc. and still no luck. It's probably a shot in the dark but I figured what the hay, might as well ask you all. Thanks.

Not much you can do. You can either swap it out for a new box or add a usb notebook cooler to see if that helps. The main 6412 thread has some links for coolers that other people have used to correct glitches.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=464986

Anyone expecting TNT in South Jersey got what they deserved from Comcast. Nothing!!! What did you expect from a company with no competition. The stranglehold exists as Comcast keeps the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies off satellite. Tony Soprano would be proud of the way Comcast does business. What's that old saying from the Vietnam era. When they
have you by the b*lls the hearts and minds will follow. I don't know about you but I'm just waiting for the next Comcast rate hike.

Not much you can do. You can either swap it out for a new box or add a usb notebook cooler to see if that helps. The main 6412 thread has some links for coolers that other people have used to correct glitches.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=464986

Many thanks. With your advice and the more I think about it, yeah, it has to be the 6412 that's causing problems. I'm gonna get Comcast to come swap it out.

Thanks again.

Anyone recently having problems getting digital versions of std cable channels to tune on their TV? Many won't tune in anymore. Some still do. Is Comcast starting to encrpyt them? All the analogs still show up fine, but I'm not interested in those at all.

The networks and HD networks are all fine, it's just many random cable channels like ESPN,CSN,GSN,etc. I thought it might be the TV, but I unplugged it to reset it, and still can't get 'em.

This is using the TV tuner on my Samsung HLR-5667W. No cable card or anything. Not a huge deal since I use the 6412 95% of the time, but just wondering.

I'm in Lower Bucks, Bensalem.

Thanks!

Anyone expecting TNT in South Jersey got what they deserved from Comcast. Nothing!!! What did you expect from a company with no competition. The stranglehold exists as Comcast keeps the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies off satellite. Tony Soprano would be proud of the way Comcast does business. What's that old saying from the Vietnam era. When they
have you by the b*lls the hearts and minds will follow. I don't know about you but I'm just waiting for the next Comcast rate hike.

Jack, Comcast began protecting Comcast SportsNet programming after DirecTV went to great lengths to acquire NFL Sunday Ticket and make it exclusive while not sharing it with cable. So, you can blame the DISH for starting this merry-go-round of the big boys trying to "one-up" each other and protect their interests.

For all of you knuckleheads who are crying for "a la carte", be careful of what you wish for. Soon you'll be paying $12 per month just for ESPN! Choices will actually decrease as fringe networks won't be able to survive in the new environment. Consider that you'll gladly pay $10 to see a movie for 2 hours entertainment at the theatre. Now, consider how many hours of entertainment your digital cable and Comcast On Demand provides you at about $2 bucks per day or less. Or what it costs for a newspaper and bagel. Now in that value proposition, where does the value lie?

Flame away and keep complaining...it's the pull-string response of people who maybe ought to investigate how much it costs to acquire the networks and programming, maintain the infrastructure and cables, and provide you an HD picture without you having to buy a separate tuner.

Jack, Comcast began protecting Comcast SportsNet programming after DirecTV went to great lengths to acquire NFL Sunday Ticket and make it exclusive while not sharing it with cable. So, you can blame the DISH for starting this merry-go-round of the big boys trying to "one-up" each other and protect their interests.
While that is techincally true, essentially it is not. CSN's predecessor, PRISM, used the same fiber lines to transmit the channel since its inception in Sept. 1976 and witheld it from C-Band. CSN started in Oct. 1997, and purposely used the same fiber lines, so they could withold CSN from any Satellite provider. And even when the rules changed, they were grandfathered in.

One would have to believe Comcast was just going make CSN available, after making sure they didn't have to, but they couldn't get Sunday Ticket, so they changed their minds. ;)

Anyone recently having problems getting digital versions of std cable channels to tune on their TV? Many won't tune in anymore. Some still do. Is Comcast starting to encrpyt them? All the analogs still show up fine, but I'm not interested in those at all.

The networks and HD networks are all fine, it's just many random cable channels like ESPN,CSN,GSN,etc.
It sounds like they are encrypting them, and they are within their rights to do so, because not everyone subs to Expanded. Everyone gets Basic, so those will remain. I highly doubt this is a defect, if that is what you are asking. Maybe someone in your area can chime in.

All I want to know is my cable bill less than subs in Philadelphia. If they get TNT and ESPN2 in HDTV and they continue to not give Comcast Garden State the same I want a reduction
in what I'm paying. Plantinum Plus $106.95, DVR Service $9.95, Digital Sports $4.95. I know ESPN2 is future channel but if NJ never gets TNT they sure won't give us ESPN2 either.

Must be teh rough negotiations with TNT to get a deal done, good thing whoever is in charge of these negotitions was not in charge of the cold war summits with russia, we would all be vaporized or drinking alot of vodka comrade

Anyone expecting TNT in South Jersey got what they deserved from Comcast. Nothing!!! What did you expect from a company with no competition. The stranglehold exists as Comcast keeps the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies off satellite. Tony Soprano would be proud of the way Comcast does business. What's that old saying from the Vietnam era. When they
have you by the b*lls the hearts and minds will follow. I don't know about you but I'm just waiting for the next Comcast rate hike.

And more power to them. Why should Comcast give up their competitive Ace-in-the-hole. It would be bad business and foolish. When DirecTV give up their NFL Sunday Ticket exclusive then I'm sure Comcast would be willing to talk. Don't hold your breath waiting for D*to give up their competitive Ace-in-the-hole.

I wanted Local sports 30 years ago so I got PRISM. I want local sports now, so I get Cable. And I'm willing to pay $14 a month more for cable over DirecTV/Dish to get it. Life is about making choices............and paying for them :o

Bottom line, you really really want local sports and HD-CSN...........Get cable ;)