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!


Same thing here in Levittown - seems about half of the digital versions of the analog stations have been encrypted. No big deal to me as I lose the digital channels every time it rains - and Comcast can't find out why. I wish Verizon would start putting FiOS in my area.

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. ;)

QZ1, I agree with this 100%. Once DirecTV threw the gauntlet down with the NFL Sunday Ticket being EXCLUSIVE to DISH, Comcast decided to protect their own product and programming by making it "cable exclusive".

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 t heir 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 ;)

Jones, You most certainly "get it". While it's fashionable to bash Comcast, can you really blame them from a business standpoint for not sharing Comcast SportsNet? This may only get "worse" to some of you as each provider will be in a race to try to differentiate their products and services to win the consumer's loyalty.

Your talking apple pie & apple strudle...Sunday Ticket is Out Of Market games...CSN is the regional sports teams.

Except in general terms, they are not the same creatures.

Comcast is using what I believe was originally intended as a measure to reduce the technological burden on content distributors who didn't use satellite uplinks, as a technology loophole to engage in anti-competitive (but currently legal) behavior.

The irony is that most backhauls of content from producers to the satellite companies is now by landline (such as the local tv networks, etc).

But the bottom line is this issue is mainly a pi$$ing match (dollar sign pun intended) between the companies. I doubt the next Sunday Ticket contract will be exclusive (it could be, I'm just hypothesizing) and then we'll see who's really willing to deal.

Your talking apple pie & apple strudle...Sunday Ticket is Out Of Market games...CSN is the regional sports teams.

Except in general terms, they are not the same creatures.

Comcast is using what I believe was originally intended as a measure to reduce the technological burden on content distributors who didn't use satellite uplinks, as a technology loophole to engage in anti-competitive (but currently legal) behavior.
You are correct, it is a grandfathered loophole. RSNs should be open to competition. There are very few teams games that are not on Satellite. I think the others are only one area team, not great if one likes that team, though. Here it is all three teams.

QZ1, I agree with this 100%. Once DirecTV threw the gauntlet down with the NFL Sunday Ticket being EXCLUSIVE to DISH, Comcast decided to protect their own product and programming by making it "cable exclusive".
I researched NFL Sunday Ticket, and I see that Directv got NFL ST in 1995, and Comcast started CSN two years later. So, it is just conjecture whether Comcast would have made CSN available to Satellite, had Directv not made NFL ST an exclusive.

I think Comcast still would have used the fiber lines, because they can get almost the entire market that way, just like PRISM did. I agree with the other person who said it is an apple to oranges comparison.

In fact, when CSN premiered, and up until recently, NFL ST was available a la carte. So, people could still get Comcast and Directv NFL ST, without duplicating programming. So, in reality Comcast wasn't losing any subs. They just used a way to maintain market dominance.

But, you might still believe Comcast would have made CSN available to Satellite, obviously, I disagree.

Same thing here in Levittown - seems about half of the digital versions of the analog stations have been encrypted. No big deal to me as I lose the digital channels every time it rains - and Comcast can't find out why. I wish Verizon would start putting FiOS in my area.
Aren't Bensalem and Levittown on the same Comcast system?

Any other reports on encrypting the Expanded channels in Digital?

Comcast's keeping CSN off both Dirertv and Dish has NOTHING to do with NFL Sunday Ticket. NOTHING. It was a pure business decision on the part of Comcast to keep the rights to local sports programming on cable to keep DBS penetration in the Philly market as low as possible and it has worked. They do share it with other cable systems but not with either of the two DBS providers. Why can they get away with it? The fiber loophole and the fact that Comcast owns the Sixers and Flyers, the Wachovia Center and the Spectrum. This was all factored in to their purchase of the teams. Pure and simple. Where Comcast does not own the teams, i.e DC and Chicago, those CSN's are offered to DBS. This will all be a moot issue within a year as Comgress will close the loophole. Senator Steven's new bill rewriting the Telecommications Act of 1996 specifically addresses this issue and is tailored to local sports programming specifically. Rep. Davis in the House will do the same thing. Why. because of Comcast's actions in the DC market to not carry MASN and the Nationals games on Comcast systems. The reason they have refused is becasue Midatlantic Sports Network , which is owned by Major League Baseball and Peter Angelos (deal to get Angelos to agree to have the Nationals in his territory) want to start a fuill time regional sports network to complete with CSN. THis will start next year when the O's move from CSN to MASN. Comcast did not want to aid this start up so they kept the Nationals off their systems. This resulted in quite a backlash that finally really got Congress' attention is it was right in their backyard. It is aALL about competion and market share not NFL ST. THis was a bonehead move by Comcast and will come to bite them in the butt big time. Sorry, just reporting the facts.

I attended the cabloe board meeting in Tredyffrin Township Wednesday night. The negoiations with Verizon over FiOS are ongoing and are starting to progress now that actual proposals are being exchanged. It is funny to hear the Comcast Governmental liason official at the meetings agree with me that competition is good and they welcome it and a deal with Verizon. Sure they do.

I would love to see the NFL ST become non-exclusive.

It most likely will after the new deal expires, unless the games will be streamed via the web by the NFL directly which is their plan for 10 years down the line.

Comcast's keeping CSN off both Dirertv and Dish has NOTHING to do with NFL Sunday Ticket. NOTHING. It was a pure business decision on the part of Comcast to keep the rights to local sports programming on cable to keep DBS penetration in the Philly market as low as possible and it has worked.

Will this expected legislation force Comcast, or any other RSN owner, to provide their HD feed to Satellite providers?

Of course, DirecTV would ruin the HD feed anyway. I don't know about Echostar, but last I heard it still wasn't as good as Comcast.

Comcast's keeping CSN off both Dirertv and Dish has NOTHING to do with NFL Sunday Ticket. NOTHING. It was a pure business decision on the part of Comcast to keep the rights to local sports programming on cable to keep DBS penetration in the Philly market as low as possible and it has worked. They do share it with other cable systems but not with either of the two DBS providers. Why can they get away with it? The fiber loophole and the fact that Comcast owns the Sixers and Flyers, the Wachovia Center and the Spectrum. This was all factored in to their purchase of the teams. Pure and simple. Where Comcast does not own the teams, i.e DC and Chicago, those CSN's are offered to DBS. This will all be a moot issue within a year as Comgress will close the loophole. Senator Steven's new bill rewriting the Telecommications Act of 1996 specifically addresses this issue and is tailored to local sports programming specifically. Rep. Davis in the House will do the same thing. Why. because of Comcast's actions in the DC market to not carry MASN and the Nationals games on Comcast systems. The reason they have refused is becasue Midatlantic Sports Network , which is owned by Major League Baseball and Peter Angelos (deal to get Angelos to agree to have the Nationals in his territory) want to start a fuill time regional sports network to complete with CSN. THis will start next year when the O's move from CSN to MASN. Comcast did not want to aid this start up so they kept the Nationals off their systems. This resulted in quite a backlash that finally really got Congress' attention is it was right in their backyard. It is aALL about competion and market share not NFL ST. THis was a bonehead move by Comcast and will come to bite them in the butt big time. Sorry, just reporting the facts.

There's an old sayng "a pig gets nothing". It'll be interesting to see Comcast's pricing policy (and offering) as competition really begins to ramp up. Although, from what I've read swapping out cable to FIOS in your home is no slam dunk.

Any other reports on encrypting the Expanded channels in Digital?
Cherry Hill has been encrypting them since at least February - not everything, but most of the "good" ones like CNN, MSNBC, FNC, CNBC, DISC, TNT...

is there any word on whether or not we will get ESPN2 for the world cup... that is really the only thing I really want from comcast right now, as most of the games are on ESPN2HD. Is there any possibility they will do the same thing as they did with UniversalHD during the olympics? The world cup is bigger than the olympics, and we definately need to see all the espn2 games in HD.

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!

I'm in West Chester and seemingly random channels have now become encrypted over firewire. I use a Linux box as a PVR and it can no longer see USA, TNT, ESPN, TLC, and others. I can see TBS, HSN, and others. These are all stations under 100 that I used to be able to see. I subscribe to digital cable. I have no problem with all the HD and non-HD broadcast channels that Comcast carries. Checking the diagnostic screen on the cable box confirms that certain channels now have encryption turned on.

I'm thinking of giving them a call on Monday. Think it'll do any good?

Anyone else with firewire into a computer seeing the same thing?

-Jerry

I'm in West Chester and seemingly random channels have now become encrypted over firewire. I use a Linux box as a PVR and it can no longer see USA, TNT, ESPN, TLC, and others. I can see TBS, HSN, and others. These are all stations under 100 that I used to be able to see. I subscribe to digital cable. I have no problem with all the HD and non-HD broadcast channels that Comcast carries. Checking the diagnostic screen on the cable box confirms that certain channels now have encryption turned on.

I'm thinking of giving them a call on Monday. Think it'll do any good?

I am not familiar with that setup, but if you could get the Analog feeds, they should be in the clear. Calling them about their encrypting of the Digital Expanded feeds is useless, because this is par for the course; they don't want non-Expanded service people picking up them up. Everything above Basic needs a Cable Box or CableCard.

I am not familiar with that setup, but if you could get the Analog feeds, they should be in the clear. Calling them about their encrypting of the Digital Expanded feeds is useless, because this is par for the course; they don't want non-Expanded service people picking up them up. Everything above Basic needs a Cable Box or CableCard.

All the stuff that's now encrypted, the channels I'm talking about, are below channel 100. That is, they're all available in analog. But now many of them aren't available digitally over the firewire. I'm paying for that whole tier, so I don't see why I shouldn't be able to get them over firewire.

The channels that are only in digital, 100 and over, I was never able to get over firewire. I'm not as concerned about those. At least from a practical standpoint. I don't watch much on them. From a logical standpoint, I should be able to access them as well.

-Jerry

Is anyone else noticing WCAU-DT being generally out of sync? Audio and video are not locking up together as seen on Comcast South Jersey. Other stations seem fine.

Is anyone else noticing WCAU-DT being generally out of sync? Audio and video are not locking up together as seen on Comcast South Jersey. Other stations seem fine.

I am having the same exact problem with WCAU-DT as well! It's not only on Comcast South Jersey but through D* as well. One would think that this problem should have been corrected by now.

Is anyone else experiencing severe pixelation/freeze frame on certain local commercials that have a large amount of the color red in them? When watching WPVI-DT and a B101 commercial or Trump Marina commercial come on, it freezes everytime. It's maddening

Yes, I'm getting that from Comcast SJ. There was a Lukoil commercial a while back, now a casino spot is just crapping out. I would surmise the chroma and/or luminance levels are out of spec and destroying the mpeg compression of the ATSC signal.

I'm in West Chester and seemingly random channels have now become encrypted over firewire. I use a Linux box as a PVR and it can no longer see USA, TNT, ESPN, TLC, and others.
I have a pcHDTV tuner on my Linux machine, and I am paying for everything but noticing the same thing. I make a quick (probably not 100% accurate) list of the changes.

Channels that are now encrypted:
A&E, AMC, BET, Cartoon Network, CMT, CNBC, CNNs, Comedy Central, CourtTV, CSN, Discovery, Disney, E!!!!!!!!!, ESPNs, EWTN 25, FoodTV, FOX News, FX, Golf, GSN, History, MTV, Nickelodeon, OLN, PBS 39, PCN, Sci-Fi, SpikeTV, Style, TCM, Telemundo, TLC, TNT, TVLAND, SPEED, USA, VH1, WYBE

Channels that are left:
ABC Family, Animal Planet, Bravo, Christian Channel, CN8, Comcast Community Bulletin Board, C-SPANs, ESPN Classic, HSN, "Jewelry Television"?, MSNBC, NJN, QVC, TBS, Travel, TVGUIDE, Univision, "WELCOME TO COMCAST", WFMZ, WHYY, WMCNDT, WPPX, and all the broadcast networks except for non-Philadelphia PBS.

I don't really see a pattern, except all the shopping channels are unharmed. My entire QAM channels 24 and 79 are wiped out, and the rest (24, 25, 26, 27, 81, and 82) are now mixed.

I have a feeling calling tech support will be useless, but it may be worth trying to find the right person to write a letter to.

All the stuff that's now encrypted, the channels I'm talking about, are below channel 100. That is, they're all available in analog. But now many of them aren't available digitally over the firewire. I'm paying for that whole tier, so I don't see why I shouldn't be able to get them over firewire.

The channels that are only in digital, 100 and over, I was never able to get over firewire. I'm not as concerned about those. At least from a practical standpoint. I don't watch much on them. From a logical standpoint, I should be able to access them as well.
I understand, and as I said Digital 'Expanded' (2-99 except Locals) have been planned all along to be encrypted. While you pay for and receive them in Analog, to get them in Digital, you also need an STB or CableCard.

I have a pcHDTV tuner on my Linux machine, and I am paying for everything but noticing the same thing. I make a quick (probably not 100% accurate) list of the changes.

I have a feeling calling tech support will be useless, but it may be worth trying to find the right person to write a letter to.

What Comcast system are you on?

As I said before, it was expected that they would be encrypted, except for Locals.

I understand, and as I said Digital 'Expanded' (2-99 except Locals) have been planned all along to be encrypted. While you pay for and receive them in Analog, to get them in Digital, you also need an STB or CableCard.

I pay to get them in digital and have a digital STB (Motorola 6200) from Comcast. I subscribe to the digital package (channels 100-199). Now all of a sudden many are encrypted through the STB's firewire port.

"planned" by Comcast? If they're encrypted to keep people without an STB from getting them, ok. But what does it accomplish to prevent someone with an STB from getting them? I'd like to hear more about this plan you speak of.

-Jerry

I have a pcHDTV tuner on my Linux machine, and I am paying for everything but noticing the same thing. I make a quick (probably not 100% accurate) list of the changes.

Channels that are now encrypted:
A&E, AMC, BET, Cartoon Network, CMT, CNBC, CNNs, Comedy Central, CourtTV, CSN, Discovery, Disney, E!!!!!!!!!, ESPNs, EWTN 25, FoodTV, FOX News, FX, Golf, GSN, History, MTV, Nickelodeon, OLN, PBS 39, PCN, Sci-Fi, SpikeTV, Style, TCM, Telemundo, TLC, TNT, TVLAND, SPEED, USA, VH1, WYBE

Channels that are left:
ABC Family, Animal Planet, Bravo, Christian Channel, CN8, Comcast Community Bulletin Board, C-SPANs, ESPN Classic, HSN, "Jewelry Television"?, MSNBC, NJN, QVC, TBS, Travel, TVGUIDE, Univision, "WELCOME TO COMCAST", WFMZ, WHYY, WMCNDT, WPPX, and all the broadcast networks except for non-Philadelphia PBS.

I don't really see a pattern, except all the shopping channels are unharmed. My entire QAM channels 24 and 79 are wiped out, and the rest (24, 25, 26, 27, 81, and 82) are now mixed.

I have a feeling calling tech support will be useless, but it may be worth trying to find the right person to write a letter to.

This list sounds very familiar to mine. I haven't checked all of them, but I do remember several channels being gone like ESPN,CSN,GSN and most of the network channels/local broadcast, shopping channels, TBS still in the clear.

Where are you located?

Calling Comcast won't do any good, they are not doing anything wrong by encrypting these channels so that ppl need a cable box to get more than basic cable. Up until this if I was paying for "basic cable" the 10 channels or whatever for like $8/month, I would have been able to get expanded basic for that price.

What floors me is that they still don't encrypt OnDemand programs when they are sent back to the TV. Since they are not encrypted, my QAM tuner picks up what people in my apartment complex are watching with OnDemand.

I've got a HP LC2600N that I just had Comcast come out to install a cablecard in, and now I get the HD channels, network SD channels, but not some other SD channels such as MTV and ESPN. Anyone had similar problems and can you tell me is it something on Comcast's end that they're screwing up? I have another TV with a DVR STB and all the channels come thru fine on it, so I know the feed coming into the house is ok. Any ideas? Thx.

I pay to get them in digital and have a digital STB (Motorola 6200) from Comcast. I subscribe to the digital package (channels 100-199). Now all of a sudden many are encrypted through the STB's firewire port.

"planned" by Comcast? If they're encrypted to keep people without an STB from getting them, ok. But what does it accomplish to prevent someone with an STB from getting them? I'd like to hear more about this plan you speak of.
Rather than planned, since I didn't read of their plans on this, I meant to say it was expected for them to be encrpyted so TV and retail STBs, couldn't get them.

But since you are saying the Digital version of Expanded is encrypted over Firewire on the 6200, at first that doesn't sound right, but you say channels over 100 are also encrypted, so it sounds like they can encrypt everything over Firewire, but Basic.

BTW, you don't even need a so-called 'Digital' package to get Expanded in Digital, you just need Expanded, which you have, of course.

The bottomline is that either you should be getting all of your subs or nothing but Basic, over Firewire, but I am not an expert on how Firewire is regulated so I don't know. I wouldn't expect to get Basic and Expanded, and nothing else.

I am not sure why you are having problems with firewire. I am able to output all of my channels from my 6412 to my DVHS for recording, either live or from the hard drive via the firewire output. If this is what you are doing you may have problems with the HDCP handshake.

Where are you located?

Calling Comcast won't do any good, they are not doing anything wrong by encrypting these channels so that ppl need a cable box to get more than basic cable. Up until this if I was paying for "basic cable" the 10 channels or whatever for like $8/month, I would have been able to get expanded basic for that price.

What floors me is that they still don't encrypt OnDemand programs when they are sent back to the TV. Since they are not encrypted, my QAM tuner picks up what people in my apartment complex are watching with OnDemand.

I'm in Kennett Square, PA. Updated my profile!

Well, I guess that explains it. That's too bad; my analog cable is so noisy :(

I've noticed the OnDemand streams as well. At least, I noticed a bunch of channels only showing Shrek, and then I figured it out. They crashed ffmpeg after not too long, though.

I've got a HP LC2600N that I just had Comcast come out to install a cablecard in, and now I get the HD channels, network SD channels, but not some other SD channels such as MTV and ESPN. Anyone had similar problems and can you tell me is it something on Comcast's end that they're screwing up? I have another TV with a DVR STB and all the channels come thru fine on it, so I know the feed coming into the house is ok. Any ideas? Thx.

This sounds like what happened to me with certain channels going encrpyted, I guess it's more than just my headend. But if you have a cablecard, that is legit and it should be decrpyting those channels on that TV. Good luck if you decide to try and get that straightened out, I'm glad(for now) all I have is 1 HDTV with the DVR box and that's it.

JWhip has talked about the possible Verizon FiOS service in Tredyffrin township. I've checked the minutes on the Radnor township web page for the Cable Council and for January they briefly mention that preliminary negotiations for Verizon to get a cable franchise agreement have occurred, "but nothing substantive has resulted". I've never been to one of these monthly Cable Council meetings, but I might just try to get to the one this month, on May 17th at 6:30 PM, I believe. If anybody here has further info, even insider info, regarding Verizon's FiOS in Radnor township can you pass it along? A few months ago I saw some Verizon trucks putting up cable along my street, but I don't know if that is at all related to some future FiOS service.

This list sounds very familiar to mine. I haven't checked all of them, but I do remember several channels being gone like ESPN,CSN,GSN and most of the network channels/local broadcast, shopping channels, TBS still in the clear.

Where are you located?

Calling Comcast won't do any good, they are not doing anything wrong by encrypting these channels so that ppl need a cable box to get more than basic cable. Up until this if I was paying for "basic cable" the 10 channels or whatever for like $8/month, I would have been able to get expanded basic for that price.

What floors me is that they still don't encrypt OnDemand programs when they are sent back to the TV. Since they are not encrypted, my QAM tuner picks up what people in my apartment complex are watching with OnDemand.

CableCARDs and CableCARD TV sets (hosts) are only unidirectional devices. That means that any program that requires a link back to the head-end is a no go, like OnDemand. Comcast right now only encrypts adult VOD streams. That's why your QAM tuner picks what your neighbors are streaming but I bet you don't get porn VOD streams.

If Comcast South Jersey can hold out until NBA Finals then we can go a whole year with rumours that we will get TNT by next year's playoffs. Boycott VOIP. Teach Comcast a lesson
that taking the West Coast feeds and not giving us more HDTV we will not put an additional dollar in their pockets. This is South Jersey's chance to tell Comcast to stop treating us like horse manure.

This sounds like what happened to me with certain channels going encrpyted, I guess it's more than just my headend. But if you have a cablecard, that is legit and it should be decrpyting those channels on that TV. Good luck if you decide to try and get that straightened out, I'm glad(for now) all I have is 1 HDTV with the DVR box and that's it.

Yeah, everything I have is legit, and Comcast said that all of their feeds are digital now, so I shouldn't be suffering from analog vs. digital tuning issues. I'm convinced that Comcast is authorizing the Cablecard for the wrong channels. Hopefully I'll have more info once the tech arrives this morning. I don't understand any reason why I would get all the network HD channels, the digital cable SD channels, but not CSN-HD, ESPN-HD, and DISC-HD, which are the only three that don't come in now. Just before I called them I got these three HD channels, but not a bunch of SD cable channels. Somebody is playing around with my cablecard settings...

Comcast right now only encrypts adult VOD streams. That's why your QAM tuner picks what your neighbors are streaming but I bet you don't get porn VOD streams.

I wouldn't make that bet if I were you, you would loose ;)

I wouldn't make that bet if I were you, you would loose ;)

Softcore stuff like Cinemax or HBO SVOD series would not be encrypted. Hardcore stuff that costs like $10-12 per movie would be.

nbc philly OTA...not sure if that matters

just watched law and order 5/10..came back from commercial and was fine....then it just froze on a frame but the audio kept going perfectly ...this lasted 2 minutes and the green bar moved along normally. Then came back and was boxed on all 4 sides

how freaky!!

is there any chance this is a HDtivo problem starting up? I personally dont see how tivo could freeze audio and continue perfect video. And since it came back boxed on all sides, gotta be nbc right?

also, on nbc satellite SD feed 2 weeks ago, came back from commercial on deal no deal and all was fine...show started...but then a flicker of a chevy commerical showed on the video but the audio was just fine.

If it was the same program I was watching, it froze on a person's hand holding a picture. It was the feed, not your Tivo!

Has anyone else noticed the new digital OTA channel that just recently appeared on Channel 17.2? It's running programming from something called THE TUBE, all music videos, all the time.

It's funny, I don't recall that channel ever being found in any previous searches on my TV, and just the other day as I was surfing through the channels, there it was. I always had a 17.1, but never a 17.2.

Harry

Has anyone else noticed the new digital OTA channel that just recently appeared on Channel 17.2? It's running programming from something called THE TUBE, all music videos, all the time.


Harry, I noticed the same. As you said, it is a music video channel. Here is a good description of it from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tube_(TV_Channel)

Has anyone else noticed the new digital OTA channel that just recently appeared on Channel 17.2? It's running programming from something called THE TUBE, all music videos, all the time.

It's funny, I don't recall that channel ever being found in any previous searches on my TV, and just the other day as I was surfing through the channels, there it was. I always had a 17.1, but never a 17.2.

Harry
They "turned it on" locally last Thursday. It will eventually have commercials as this channel rolls out nationally. For now, other than a few PSAs, its commercial free.

would a HDtivo need to rescan to see 17-2? It's not listed in the channels i receive even when i go to the setup. Am recording a bunch of stuff tonight so cant rescan.

would a HDtivo need to rescan to see 17-2? It's not listed in the channels i receive even when i go to the setup. Am recording a bunch of stuff tonight so cant rescan.

You can try and just punch in 17.2 and see what comes up...

Softcore stuff like Cinemax or HBO SVOD series would not be encrypted. Hardcore stuff that costs like $10-12 per movie would be.

We must have radically differing definitions of what 'hardcore' is, then. Because the stuff that one of my neighbors inadvertantly shared with me was most certainly not Skinemax or 'Real Sex'. ;)

You can try and just punch in 17.2 and see what comes up...

nothing comes up, that's why i didn't know if a rescan was in order or not. However, and i may be wrong, i dont think i ever did a scan for the initial setup, the channels were just there. so didn't think i'd need one here.

and i assume if i'm getting 17-1 that 17-2 would come in correct? Most WB stuff is over this year but i sure would have hated them robbing B/W for a music channel.

nothing comes up, that's why i didn't know if a rescan was in order or not. However, and i may be wrong, i dont think i ever did a scan for the initial setup, the channels were just there. so didn't think i'd need one here.

and i assume if i'm getting 17-1 that 17-2 would come in correct? Most WB stuff is over this year but i sure would have hated them robbing B/W for a music channel.

I get nothing as well on 17-2 on my HDTivo. However 17-1 works fine.

I had to do a re-scan of channels and 17.2 came up on my Dish N IRD.

Didn't see this posted...was in the 5/5 Inquirer:

Comcast SportsNet will soon announce that it will broadcast 12 Phillies road games in high definition. The high definition road games will be May 23, 24, and 25 at the New York Mets, June 23 at Boston, June 27, 28 and 29 at Baltimore, July 14 at San Francisco, and Aug. 21, 22, 23, and 24 at the Chicago Cubs.

Didn't see this posted...was in the 5/5 Inquirer:

Comcast SportsNet will soon announce that it will broadcast 12 Phillies road games in high definition. The high definition road games will be May 23, 24, and 25 at the New York Mets, June 23 at Boston, June 27, 28 and 29 at Baltimore, July 14 at San Francisco, and Aug. 21, 22, 23, and 24 at the Chicago Cubs.
Cool, hopefully this becomes more common throughout the year.

While were on this subject, does anyone know why ESPN never uses the Philly CSN channel for highlights during SportsCenter? I see they use the Baltimore and Chicago CSNs for the highlights but not Philly.

CableCARDs and CableCARD TV sets (hosts) are only unidirectional devices. That means that any program that requires a link back to the head-end is a no go, like OnDemand. Comcast right now only encrypts adult VOD streams. That's why your QAM tuner picks what your neighbors are streaming but I bet you don't get porn VOD streams.
Don't make that bet over here either. I had 2 porns coming through last night and they weren't anything that is on Skinemax or HBO. Whoever was watching it even fast forwarded to the naughty bits for me. I also was watching Howard TV, which is extra $$.

How are you able to record from the DVR's hard drive?? I have been unable to so far.


I am not sure why you are having problems with firewire. I am able to output all of my channels from my 6412 to my DVHS for recording, either live or from the hard drive via the firewire output. If this is what you are doing you may have problems with the HDCP handshake.

I recently brought VIZIO 50 inch plasma monitor and HD tuner LG LST-3510A . I live in chester Springs (near Exton, PA).
I have basic Camcast cable (10$). I am able to see the regular digital channels and I am not able to see any HD channels. Do I need to have Standard Cable to see that? If so, Do you know any anntenna brand to receive good quality HDTV signal OTA? Is there any indoor antenna which is good? Do I need to get outdoor antenna?

Thanks
Jaya

I recently brought VIZIO 50 inch plasma monitor and HD tuner LG LST-3510A . I live in chester Springs (near Exton, PA).
I have basic Camcast cable (10$). I am able to see the regular digital channels and I am not able to see any HD channels. Do I need to have Standard Cable to see that? If so, Do you know any anntenna brand to receive good quality HDTV signal OTA? Is there any indoor antenna which is good? Do I need to get outdoor antenna?
No, you don't need Standard, because the Expanded part of it doesn't have any HD channels. You should be getting your locals in HD with Basic from Comcast. Maybe you didn't do the right channel scan. Or you did, but could try it again.

Make sure you are adding digital channels through the correct input. The channel numbers are around 233 for CBS, check the online guide. On my Sony the channels are around 111.3, 111.4 and a few 117.#. So I can't answer for your set since I don't know how it works, but you will get all of the local HDs.

And here is an important item, make sure the splitter you are using is rated for 1000mhz. When I set up my sisters HD we couldn't get it to work, until I tied her into the same splitter as her HSI. The older ones don't work with digital freqs.

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.

JWhip: do you have any knowledge whether Comcast might add ESPN2HD temporarily for the World Cup soccer tourney analogous to how they added UniversalHD for the Winter Olympics?

JWhip: do you have any knowledge whether Comcast might add ESPN2HD temporarily for the World Cup soccer tourney analogous to how they added UniversalHD for the Winter Olympics?
I emailed them about a month ago and they said there were no plans for adding ESPN2 HD for now. :(

So according to the HD sports guide, we'll only see the 10th, 11th and 17th games in HD on ABC. Later rounds of the world cup are not yet listed.

http://www.hdsportsguide.com/worldcup.php

I emailed them about a month ago and they said there were no plans for adding ESPN2 HD for now. :(

So according to the HD sports guide, we'll only see the 10th, 11th and 17th games in HD on ABC. Later rounds of the world cup are not yet listed.

Here's a press release that was in another thread. I counted 18 of 48 Round Robin games were on ABC/ESPN (meaning 30 on ESPN2) and 15 of the 16 "knockout games" were on ABC/ESPN. 33 of the 64 games will be on ABC/ESPN and at least almst all the important ones will be.

media
espn
com/ESPNToday/2006/Mar_06/cup_sked.htm
(sorry about the link, apparently I can't post a url until my 6th post. Put a . after media and after espn)

about 2 years ago i cancelled the section of programming that had channels below 99.
well even then i could get 3-27 and 71-99.

then maybe 6 minths later i was getting al those channels again.

2-99.

now about 2-3 weeks ago the middle channels disappeared again.
i use 2 6412s

South Jersey - Comcast Cable

Comcast Sportsnet HD (channel 200) has been down for two days.

Anyone else?

Just checked it, it is back.

Make sure you are adding digital channels through the correct input. The channel numbers are around 233 for CBS, check the online guide. On my Sony the channels are around 111.3, 111.4 and a few 117.#. So I can't answer for your set since I don't know how it works, but you will get all of the local HDs.

I'm in the same area as you are and also use my Sony QAM tuner to supplement my 6412 DVR box. I noticed something strange the other day, I get the Travel Channel on QAM channel 82.4. I started watching some poker on it last week and decided to switch over to the 6412 box so I could record the end of the show. One small problem though, I don't get the Travel channel on my STB. I got a Comcast of Maple Shade channel lineup dated Feb 2006 in my last bill and I can't find the Travel channel listed anywhere or in any package. Does anyone in Soth Jersey get the Travel channel on any of Comcast's STBs?

how in the world do you guys keep up with all the channel changes? Doesn't seem the cableco sends out notices about them and leaves you high and dry. directv may not be perfect but they virtually never change channel numbers or move things around (for the better or worse depending how you want to take that) and channels rarely do down . I'd go nuts having to worry about the changes I see you guys posting about if i had cable with all the season passes i have on my 2 hdtivos. (SP are specific to channels)

Didn't see this posted...was in the 5/5 Inquirer:

Comcast SportsNet will soon announce that it will broadcast 12 Phillies road games in high definition. The high definition road games will be May 23, 24, and 25 at the New York Mets, June 23 at Boston, June 27, 28 and 29 at Baltimore, July 14 at San Francisco, and Aug. 21, 22, 23, and 24 at the Chicago Cubs.

I'm curious about the @ Boston series. Fri is on CSN, Sat is FOX, Sun is UPN. I wonder if they'll do the UPN game in HD too?

Either way, this is good news. Thank you Sportsnet.

I'm in the same area as you are and also use my Sony QAM tuner to supplement my 6412 DVR box. I noticed something strange the other day, I get the Travel Channel on QAM channel 82.4. I started watching some poker on it last week and decided to switch over to the 6412 box so I could record the end of the show. One small problem though, I don't get the Travel channel on my STB. I got a Comcast of Maple Shade channel lineup dated Feb 2006 in my last bill and I can't find the Travel channel listed anywhere or in any package. Does anyone in Soth Jersey get the Travel channel on any of Comcast's STBs?

I'm in Lansdale, PA. On my TV's QAM tuner I get ESPN Classic and C-SPAN2, neither of which can I receive on any cable box in the house, they aren't in my area's lineup.

I'm in the same area as you are and also use my Sony QAM tuner to supplement my 6412 DVR box. I noticed something strange the other day, I get the Travel Channel on QAM channel 82.4. I started watching some poker on it last week and decided to switch over to the 6412 box so I could record the end of the show. One small problem though, I don't get the Travel channel on my STB. I got a Comcast of Maple Shade channel lineup dated Feb 2006 in my last bill and I can't find the Travel channel listed anywhere or in any package. Does anyone in Soth Jersey get the Travel channel on any of Comcast's STBs?

Same here, I get ESPN Classic on my QAM but not on my cable box.

about 2 years ago i cancelled the section of programming that had channels below 99. well even then i could get 3-27 and 71-99.
That would be Expanded service, that you cancelled. So, they trapped out Analog Expanded chs. 28-70.
3-27 would definately be Basic service. Apparently, so is 71-99 in your area.
Your Digital boxes used to get whatever wasn't blocked in the 2-99 range passed through to your Digital boxes.

then maybe 6 minths later i was getting al those channels again. 2-99.


That was because your area went to the Analog Digital Simulcast, so on your Digital boxes, you were getting Digital versions of 2-99. The reason you were getting all of 2-99, is that they were sending them all out unencrypted.
If you had connected an Analog TV directly to the cable, you wouldn't have found Analog Expd. channels. (Nor would you today, of course.)

now about 2-3 weeks ago the middle channels disappeared again.
i use 2 6412s

That is because they have now encrypted Expd. Digital chs. within 2-99 (this is everything but Basic), and you don't sub to Expd, so you don't get them.

I'm in the same area as you are and also use my Sony QAM tuner to supplement my 6412 DVR box. I noticed something strange the other day, I get the Travel Channel on QAM channel 82.4. I started watching some poker on it last week and decided to switch over to the 6412 box so I could record the end of the show. One small problem though, I don't get the Travel channel on my STB. I got a Comcast of Maple Shade channel lineup dated Feb 2006 in my last bill and I can't find the Travel channel listed anywhere or in any package. Does anyone in South Jersey get the Travel channel on any of Comcast's STBs?
I have noticed the Travel Channel using my Sony's QAM tuner, but I have DTV so I am only using my basic package for the HD locals. I could have sworn that my mom, who lives in town, watches the Travel Channel, but when I called her she couldn't find it. She has the expanded package, no digital and no STBs. Wonder why they have it in their bandwidth but don't offer it.

My sister bought an RCA LCD HD last week and when I started tuning it she doesn't get all of the local HDs through it's tuner. I don't know anything about RCA, but aren't they using they same tuner as my Sony WEGA?

I'm curious about the @ Boston series. Fri is on CSN, Sat is FOX, Sun is UPN. I wonder if they'll do the UPN game in HD too?

Either way, this is good news. Thank you Sportsnet.
The Sunday home game on UPN a few weeks ago was in high def. I think this will be too.

all UPN home games are in HD

all UPN home games are in HD


To clarify my question, this series AT Boston - in JUNE - will be broadcast by three different channels: Fri CSN, Sat FOX, and Sun UPN. CSN has committed to HD for the Friday game, which leads me to hope that the Sunday game on UPN will also be HD, since it's basically the same source.

Sat on Fox--Don't they do a 480p wide screen rather than true HD?

To clarify my question, this series AT Boston - in JUNE - will be broadcast by three different channels: Fri CSN, Sat FOX, and Sun UPN. CSN has committed to HD for the Friday game, which leads me to hope that the Sunday game on UPN will also be HD, since it's basically the same source.



I remember reading before the season started that NESN was broadcasting all of the Red Sox away games in HD this year. They had to make arrangements with CSN to get the HD feed for the games here in Philly transmitted back to Boston. As part of that deal, I am sure CSN asked for NESN's HD feed for the Friday game in Boston. I doubt any money is actually changing hands between CSN and NESN, they are just swapping feeds. If UPN wants the Sunday HD feed, NESN will probably charge them for it. Since we all know that the local Philly networks think there are only 5 HDTV sets in the entire Delaware Valley, they probably won't pony up the extra cash for the HD feed. Just a guess on my part...

I remember reading before the season started that NESN was broadcasting all of the Red Sox away games in HD this year. They had to make arrangements with CSN to get the HD feed for the games here in Philly transmitted back to Boston. As part of that deal, I am sure CSN asked for NESN's HD feed for the Friday game in Boston. I doubt any money is actually changing hands between CSN and NESN, they are just swapping feeds. If UPN wants the Sunday HD feed, NESN will probably charge them for it. Since we all know that the local Philly networks think there are only 5 HDTV sets in the entire Delaware Valley, they probably won't pony up the extra cash for the HD feed. Just a guess on my part...


I understand the logic of sharing a feed, but somehow I don't believe it. Wouldn't the local feed concentrate on players and staff about the home team, etc, being more 'home team' centric in the shot selections?

Would the visiting team announcers have to react to and discuss the shot selection of the home team production? Also, you don't want your announcers dealing with two different video feeds so wouldn't the SD feed for the visiting team have to be the home teams feed, cropped for 4x3 sets?

Also, UPN 57 is broadcasting tomorrow's home game vs BoSox, so it seems they'd factor into the discussions somehow...

And one more question? Wouldn't that 'shared' feed have all the home team graphics, advertising bumpers etc? And if visiting team got the raw feed, then they'd still need to do all the production (which is usually on site) and get that feed back to Boston, etc.

I was able to confirm that all the Mets-Phillies games this week will be in HD on CSN. Regarding ther games at Boston, the feed from NESN comes into CSN and then sent to UPN 57. It seems to me likely that the Sunday game will be in HD also.

Anyone know anything more about ESPN2HD? Someone over on the HDTV Programming thread is reporting it is showing up in his lineup in Baltimore, effective 7/1/06. I don't know if this is a mistake, or means that the contract negotiations went through, or what.

Here's a press release that was in another thread. I counted 18 of 48 Round Robin games were on ABC/ESPN (meaning 30 on ESPN2) and 15 of the 16 "knockout games" were on ABC/ESPN. 33 of the 64 games will be on ABC/ESPN and at least almst all the important ones will be.

media
espn
com/ESPNToday/2006/Mar_06/cup_sked.htm
(sorry about the link, apparently I can't post a url until my 6th post. Put a . after media and after espn)

I don't know I should say Comcast sucks, or ESPN sucks, or both suck. :D

wow even service electric has espn HD...you cable must really bite ;)

Anyone experiencing audio drops during 24 tonight? I just had to swap/replace Moto6412 tonight as my perfectly performing 6412 for the last 18-months decided to quit (powering off intermittently), and I am wondering if I got a bum replacement unit.

Chris

If you had connected an Analog TV directly to the cable, you wouldn't have found Analog Expd. channels. (Nor would you today, of course.)




yep, had the 13 incher in the kitchen hooked up that way all that time and never got the middle channels.

24 was perfect OTA :)

24 was perfect OTA :)


Thanks newsposter...I thought it might be the STB. Back to the depot tonight for another box. :mad:

24 was perfect OTA :)

Dang it! I live a few miles north of the Willow Grove Air Base and for whatever reason (maybe the Big Guy is punishing me??), I could not get a lock onto Fox last night. I have the Voom box and the signal was exactly at 80 but it will not lock. So I had to run to the local Target and get a regular antenna...to watch on my normal 19" tv.

hopefully the move to plymonth meeting will improve receptions.

np progear..i'm 40 miles out and had the good pic so unfortunately/fortunately it wasn't the feed. Good luck and i hope you get a nice new box this time.

dawei...why couldn't you hook up the antenna to your bigger screen and get HD? (no tuner i assume).

np progear..i'm 40 miles out and had the good pic so unfortunately/fortunately it wasn't the feed. Good luck and i hope you get a nice new box this time...

Thanks newsposter...that brings up another issue...is there any way of determining that Comcast is actually swapping out repaired or properly refurbed boxes, as I had my doubts when they handed me a dirty dusty 6412 that looked like somebody else dropped it off before I showed up? The CC rep never asked what was wrong with my unit so I assumed that they have a standard diagnostic/repair routine. But the more I think about it, I'm not convinced that I won't be handed back the bad unit I dropped off last night when I go back...

Chris.

There is no way they are NOT giving you someone else's junk. I swapped mine out a few weeks ago and the one they gave me was obviouly used. And it works almost exactly as bad as the one I took back.

There is no way they are NOT giving you someone else's junk. I swapped mine out a few weeks ago and the one they gave me was obviouly used. And it works almost exactly as bad as the one I took back.


I don't mind "used" as long as it was checked out and tested. I generally don't expect "new" but at least wipe the damn dirt and dust off...make me feel a little confident in the product...

I came home from work looking forward to a Phils road game vs the Mets in HD but here in Wayne that is not the case. At least in the first few minutes that I've been watching. Anybody getting this game in HD? I thought perhaps in a very strange way that the INHD broadcast might trump a road Comcast HD game, but it seems that is not the case as the INHD signal here in Wayne is dead.

Phillies/Mets - Just switched over to HD on Comcast 7:15PM.

HD via Comcast South Jersey (Sicklerville.) Nice surprise.

There is no way they are NOT giving you someone else's junk. I swapped mine out a few weeks ago and the one they gave me was obviouly used. And it works almost exactly as bad as the one I took back.

It's always a crapshoot, new or used. When I had my original install back in August, I watched the installer open a brand new PII 6412 from a sealed box. It was garbage from the start. Half the buttons didn't work and I could only record on one tuner. After a day of troubleshooting, tech support finally told me to swap it out. The office I returned it to replaced it with a dusty, used PII 6412 with a beatup remote that has worked flawlessly for the past 10 months. There are good boxes out there, you just have to keep trying until find one you are happy with.

Does anyone here do Antennae Installations in the Philadelphia area?

Does anyone here do Antennae Installations in the Philadelphia area?

When I had mine installed 4 years ago, I just looked up antenna in the yellow pages. There are definitely people in this area.

I dont' need/use my antenna anymore (since I go with cable now).

If you want to take this nice antenna off my roof (a very strong channel master 4248), its yours for free:

http://www.channelmaster.com/images/4248.jpg

Does anyone here do Antennae Installations in the Philadelphia area?I had a place install my antenna. If you want, I can PM you the information.

Just a note about the Phils/Mets the other night.

I caught the opening and the HD was dropping both audio & video, so they went to the SD feed for the first few minutes or inning or something. I guess once they did some trouble shooting, they switched over to the HD feed, which then was rock solid.

So it wasn't a case off forgetting the 'flip the switch' but rather good management that noticed a problem and took care of it.

So it wasn't a case off forgetting the 'flip the switch' but rather good management that noticed a problem and took care of it.

Nice work by the Comcast crew...for a few minutes I thought they might have hired the guy who works the NBC10 HD Switch!

New message on my box today, may31st Comcast will be assing TNTHD on channel 204, about friggin time

New message on my box today, may31st Comcast will be assing TNTHD on channel 204, about friggin timeJust in time to see the last two NBA Western Conference finals, if they get that far. Game 6 (if necessary) is on June 1. Game 7 (if necessary) is on June 3.

so they add tnthd when its too late, and we have yet to see espn2hd for the world cup... i dont want to complain... but come on

How do you check mail?

On remote, press MENU, then open the 'home' icon, then go to MESSAGES.

I'm glad Comcast is adding TNT-HD for South Jersey, but I would've preferred Universal HD or better yet the two HDNet channels.

On remote, press MENU, then open the 'home' icon, then go to MESSAGES.

I'm glad Comcast is adding TNT-HD for South Jersey, but I would've preferred Universal HD or better yet the two HDNet channels.



I have a SA8300HD box. I'm at work so I'll try this when I get home.

New message on my box today, may31st Comcast will be assing TNTHD on channel 204, about friggin time

It seems awful coincidental that this annoucement was made right after the state cable bill passed. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

How do you check mail?

Somewhere in the setup menu for the 6412 there is an item to turn off messaging. I remember turning mine off, but I don't recall exactly where it is located.

Even after turning off messages on the Motorola 6412, I still get messages from Comcast. :rolleyes: :D

Even after turning off messages on the Motorola 6412, I still get messages from Comcast. :rolleyes: :D


I have the SA8300HD. I can't fiqure out how to check mail. I'm not sure you even can. Any help out there!

It seems awful coincidental that this annoucement was made right after the state cable bill passed. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

here is astupid question because government does nothing good for the people but is this new law good or bad

here is astupid question because government does nothing good for the people but is this new law good or bad

Basically, the NJ assembly agreed to take Verizon's bribe instead of Comcast's bribe. The law will allow Verizon to offer their FIOS package to it's customers without having to get approval from the customers local goverment. The NJ senate passed the bill last week, but because it has new taxes included in it, they have to vote on it again next week. So unless you own comcast stock or you are a billionaire named Roberts, it was probably a good thing for you. Don't get too excited though, I doubt anyone will be getting it much before 2008.

Ad today in Camden Courier Post actually showed TNT coming to Comcast South Jersey. Those with the 8300 who can't find message display. It even mentioned Comcast Garden State in fine print, so they can't shaft our pathetic district. Since they waited till the NBA playoffs were over they tried to get us excited by telling us Closer with Kyra Sedgwick starts a new season in June.

and TNTHD is live!
SouthJersey, Philly comcast channel 204!

Please tell me that is not what they consider HD, x files picture is terrible

Finally... now that the playoffs are almost over ... we have TNTHD... figures
o well... at least we finally do have it

i can't believe DTV had something before cable lol (tnt)

...X Files picture is terrible
Some shows are stretched to display at 16:9 on the HD channels. X Files may be one of those that wasn't shot originally for HD!

In our area we've had TNTHD on 204 for as long as I've had the high def box...since last December. I'm hoping we soon get ESPN2 in HD which our area is lacking.

finally some HD, game tonight at 8:30

OTA Office 8pm ep last night problems???

I ask because it was weird what happened. I got the NBC logo at the top of the hour as usual for all networks but then the HDtivo just showed black screen no audio for about 16 minutes. I thought if there was no signal, that it would be an incomplete recording. Is that correct? I had a full 30 minutes though.

Yes we had heavy storms and satellite was out but I know for sure on other OTA channels I was getting in a picture. I checked because I wanted to see how well my DB8 stood up to the storm vs the dish. :) Also I had another program OTA as the same time and it was perfect.

and why can't they overlay storm warnings in HD and instead go to SD?

Sorry if this is a really noob question, but I have Time Warner cable service and a motorola cable box. I do see there are hd channels in the menu, but I cannot watch them because I do not have an hdtv yet. I was just wondering are these channels for free or do I need to pay extra to receive these HD channels? Thanks for any info

[QUOTE=Jim Hef]Some shows are stretched to display at 16:9 on the HD channels. X Files may be one of those that wasn't shot originally for HD!

I don't believe X-Files was shot in WS until Season 6, when they moved production from Canada to LA. I'll check my DVD sets...

Sorry if this is a really noob question, but I have Time Warner cable service and a motorola cable box. I do see there are hd channels in the menu, but I cannot watch them because I do not have an hdtv yet. I was just wondering are these channels for free or do I need to pay extra to receive these HD channels? Thanks for any info

on another board i was told that HD locals cannot be encrypted and if you have the right equipment, you can even record them with a HDtivo (so i assume if you have cable you get the free also). Of course me being unfamiliar with cable, i have no clue if it's true or i'm reading him wrong..here's the posting and please dont question me about content as i'm clueless as to what he really said and dont know if it's true ;)

I am a headend tech with the #1 MSO and by law we cannot encode any local HD channels. We can and do encode the cable HD channels like ESPN HD TNT HD and so on. Our digital signals are 256 QAM so you do need a turner that can tune 256 QAM but if you have one you will get the channel it will not be mapped so the number for say channel 2 may show up as 89.3 as the MUX for HD's are 3 channels per 6mhz bandwidth. Also your digital channels do not start at 210 that is only a channel map number your true channel number is more like 105.8 like others have said the guy getting the HD's with basic cable and the HR10 then that cable system is indeed using 8VSB as that is the turner in the HR10. Now if you check you should find your Sony only has a 8VSB turner or a turner that can only do 64 QAM. If you do find a cable systen that is encoding either analog or digital locals 1 call to the FCC and that will change.

and why can't they overlay storm warnings in HD and instead go to SD?
From everything I have read they do not have or don't want to pay for the technology to scroll into HD, and I for one am so glad. Channel 6 in SD has News Vans and constant promos for their news driving along the bottom of the picture, and in the case of "LOST" it has covered up the on screen translation when Jin and Sun were speaking Korean. I can't speak Korean, so I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. Watching in HD there isn't any intrusions from the local pain in the ass affiliate.

From everything I have read they do not have or don't want to pay for the technology to scroll into HD, and I for one am so glad. Channel 6 in SD has News Vans and constant promos for their news driving along the bottom of the picture, and in the case of "LOST" it has covered up the on screen translation when Jin and Sun were speaking Korean. I can't speak Korean, so I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. Watching in HD there isn't any intrusions from the local pain in the ass affiliate.

Wow, I never knew they put the little animations on the SD channel? Never knew, yay for HD!

Shows like LOST(meant to be shown in HD) are sooo worth getting an HDTV :D

...I don't believe X-Files was shot in WS until Season 6, when they moved production from Canada to LA. I'll check my DVD sets...
And, early Law & Order is stretched on TNTHD also. That looks fairly poor, although I still don't switch over to the SD channel! As ak stated, even poorly shown HD channels are worth it!

on another board i was told that HD locals cannot be encrypted and if you have the right equipment, you can even record them with a HDtivo (so i assume if you have cable you get the free also). Of course me being unfamiliar with cable, i have no clue if it's true or i'm reading him wrong..here's the posting and please dont question me about content as i'm clueless as to what he really said and dont know if it's true ;)

Thanks for the info newsposter!
On another note, do you or does anyone know whether or not I need to pay more for TNT HD or ESPN HD when I already subscribe to digital cable? Do all the HD channels come with digital cable, or is there some service fee I need to pay to get them??

If by "digital cable" you mean that you already have the high definition cable box, then no, you won't be charged anymore...you're already getting the signal, just not using it. I believe Comcast charges an additional amount for the high definition box unless you have the "Platinum" service with all premium channels. To receive the HD channels, you do need the HD box though.

If by "digital cable" you mean that you already have the high definition cable box, then no, you won't be charged anymore...you're already getting the signal, just not using it. I believe Comcast charges an additional amount for the high definition box unless you have the "Platinum" service with all premium channels. To receive the HD channels, you do need the HD box though.

Are all STBs HD? I have a motorola one, but I don't know if its high definition or not. Is there any way to tell? Thanks

With Comcast, the Motorola high def box is silver, and the digital boxes are black. I don't remember the model numbers of each though.

Thanks for the info Jim. I actually get my cable service through Time Warner, and while I was looking through their website, it states that to view HD channels I need a "HD terminal". Does anyone know what that is? Is that the equivalent of an ATSC tuner? Thanks.

HD cable box or QAM tuner for unencrypter signals is what they are talking about.

You can tell if your box is HD or not just by looking at the back, for a component connection(3 jacks that look like RCA jacks, but they are blue,green, and red)

I'm not sure if Comcast's Motorola boxes that are black are all non-HD, they have a moto box that is HD but not a DVR. The 6200 maybe?

Of course the DVR's are HD, and they are all silver.

Anyone get a chance to read it? Looks like Comcast wants to get bigger and take over Time Warner in the city.

Here in Comcast Country, the nation's biggest cable company always seems to get what it wants.

A 15-year extension of its Philadelphia franchises - granted two years before they expired? Check.

Foot-dragging on a franchise for a competitor, RCN Corp., that proposed building a $250 million fiber-optic system to offer cable-TV, phone and Internet service to city residents? Check.

Taxpayer subsidies to build a new skyscraper for a downtown corporate headquarters? Check.

Watch closely today and in the next two weeks. It's time to see if the pattern will continue, or if Philadelphia will suddenly show some backbone.

In a hearing at 1 p.m., Comcast officials will urge City Council members to allow them to absorb the city's last non-Comcast franchise territory: the west and northwest quadrant now served by Time Warner Cable.

The proposal stems from the collapse of Adelphia Communications. Comcast and Time Warner, already the nation's two largest cable companies, want to buy and divvy up its systems, while swapping franchises to create larger footprints in markets that one or the other already dominates.

Without a doubt, clusters of adjacent systems are more cost-efficient to operate than scattered local properties. Comcast wants all of Philadelphia to improve its bottom line.

The question is: What will Philadelphia get in return?

Click here (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/14741586.htm) to read the rest.

I'm still waiting for our local Township to allow Verizon to supply cable TV service to me over my fiber optic lines. It seems that Comcast hands them annual gobs of monopoly money for the right to keep any competition at bay, so I have to wait to be "allowed" to switch cable companies. I can choose any one of dozens of phone providers, but not my cable...nor yours!

Man I was excited to see the message until I read it..

CMT and ESPN Classic moved to digital on 6/7. yipee......

I was really hoping it would be ESPN2 HD

Man I was excited to see the message until I read it..

CMT and ESPN Classic moved to digital on 6/7. yipee......

I was really hoping it would be ESPN2 HD

I'm now getting excited when I see the red light on my cable box when I wake up in the morning! Too bad this morning mine was 2 msgs for a PPV fight, that's what 90% of the few of them a month are.

Don't get Classic on my digi cable at all, but it's on unencrypted QAM so my TV picks it up. Same with Travel Channel. I really don't understand this, since it's obviously transmitted and has it's frequency, but isn't mapped to any channels on the digital box. Is there a reason for this? I mean some channels are mapped twice(some shopping channels, the premium channels(HBO,Starz, etc) HD, and NBA TV show up more than once) The HD movie channels grouped together, ok. But the shopping channels? Come on!!!

Sorry if I am posting in the wrong thread:

Looking for a one bedroom apartment near philadelphia with FIOS (TV & Internet), I have heard that bucks county has FIOS now.

I am wondering if someone can tell me where to look, tried philly.com and craigslist, no luck, everytime when I input the address to verizon FIOS availability site, return unavailable.

As long as it is not too far away from northeastern philly, should be ok, thanks.

Best yet, if you are current living in one appartment building, using FIOS, just let me know the address or managing company website.

Tony

There is a certain website that is famous for its' reports on dsl, that has a fios availability map.

I have it on very good authority that ESPn2HD will be up in the Philly area shortly. I was advised that it would be before the first ESPN2HD world cup game.

I have it on very good authority that ESPn2HD will be up in the Philly area shortly. I was advised that it would be before the first ESPN2HD world cup game.

Does "Philly area" include South Jersey or will this be a repeat of TNT-HD?

I do not know.

If we in Jersey do not have the bandwidth than they should replace TNT-HD with ESPN2-HD for the duration of the World Cup. Or interrupt INHD (not INHD2) and show the World Cup llike they did for the Oplympics.

Big Tony, Yardley has FIOS internet service, but nothing around here has TV yet. They're still "in negotiations" with a consortitium of Townships to offer a competing cable TV service.

I have it on very good authority that ESPn2HD will be up in the Philly area shortly. I was advised that it would be before the first ESPN2HD world cup game.

I hope so. Here is the reply I got from an email 6/7.

"Thank you for contacting us through our website. We have not received any
information regarding if ESPN2 HD will be available for the World Cup games this
year.

However, Comcast is dedicated to providing you with the best service possible.
We are in receipt of your request. Your request has been forwarded to our
Marketing Department for further consideration. You will be notified should we
decide to add this channel to your area's line up."

I hope so. Here is the reply I got from an email 6/7.

"Thank you for contacting us through our website. We have not received any
information regarding if ESPN2 HD will be available for the World Cup games this
year.

However, Comcast is dedicated to providing you with the best service possible.
We are in receipt of your request. Your request has been forwarded to our
Marketing Department for further consideration. You will be notified should we
decide to add this channel to your area's line up."

Yesterday they very well might not have known. They agreed on this merely hours ago(like last night or this morning) according to many posters, and it has shown up in a couple places already, check back tonight when many people get home from work and check our their TV's.

what channel would it come on? any idea?

Just received this! I'm in Delaware County, PA

Dear Martin,

Previously, you contacted Comcast inquiring about the availability of ESPN2's HD channel. We are happy to inform you that based on information recently received; ESPN2 HD will be available on our lineup as a permanent channel just in time for the World Cup. All Comcast HD subscribers can access ESPN2 HD on channel 203 of their Digital lineup to receive ESPN2's broadcasted World Cup games in high definition. We are glad to be able to give positive information regarding this and apologize for the delay.

Thank you again for your e-mail. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Sincerely,
Quinton
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

Almost 100% sure it would be on Ch 203. Right next to ESPNHD.

Nothing yet when I got home from work, in Lower Bucks(Bensalem). I'll be checking throughout the evening, and report back.

However, I did a manual scan of the HD QAM's with my TV tuner, and found a video only feed of TNTHD on 115-1, not sure why.

It will be maped to channel 203. Should be on by tomorrow morning if not sooner.

is there any word on whether or not new jersey will get the channel.. it took so long for tnthd to come

is there any word on whether or not new jersey will get the channel.. it took so long for tnthd to come

Dear Mark,

ESPN2 HD is not available at this time. Please accept our apologies. While we do not currently offer this channel it is possible that we may be able to offer it in the future.

Sincerely,

Michelle
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

Everyone in South Jersey should email their disapproval to Comcast at
ecare-voorhees@comcast.com.

Thanks.

this is only online tho.... are you sure that's the final word?

It will be maped to channel 203. Should be on by tomorrow morning if not sooner.

Nothing in Radnor as of 10pm...come on Comcast! I'll have to go and change all my DVR recordings from channel 35 - but would gladly do it!

this is only online tho.... are you sure that's the final word?

I am sure of nothing.

From comcast.com HDTV south jersey channel section:

"ESPN2 HD - Channel 203 Coming Soon"

of course it said 204 TNTHD for a year before it was added

I'm in SE Delco and it showed up overnight. Thanks to Comcast for this -- I'm actually kinda surprised that they listened to (some of) us.

ESPN2HD is on in Chester County, channel 203 as of early this morning.

this is a disgrace, everyone but jersey is getting it

ESPN2HD on 203 in Montgomery County! Yeah!

It's on in Philadelphia.

Up and running in Lower Bucks(Bensalem) as of this morning. PQ looked great on Mike and Mike, even though it's SD.

Thanks for all the info JWhip! Can't believe we finally got it! Not much hope just a few short weeks ago, and it happened fairly quicky.

will they at least preempt inhd2 here in south jersey?

will they at least preempt inhd2 here in south jersey?


Who knows. I can't get any answers out of the CSRs but canned answers. They will not or can not say why no ESPN2-HD in South Jersey.

ESPN2HD live in SJ now! channel 203 :)

WOW.... finally... thank you!!.. thank god CSRs no absolutely nothing!!!

Hey guys, CSR's are the last to know anything.

Live in Gloucester Township on 203 now! Why don't the CSR's know what is going on?

yup, 203 in montgomery county. Very cool addition. The world cup looked pretty damn good.

And, 203 in Yardley! Just in time for the World Cup fillers! Of course, to show you where soccer ranks in this country, they headed to a pre-Preakness show this afternoon to discuss horses running for a mile or so. Hell, don't soccer players run much further without getting a substitute. It's not like hockey where they only have to sprint for 30 seconds!

And now 203 is a test pattern. Anyone else?

And now 203 is a test pattern. Anyone else?

Nope, the French Open.

yes, i have a test pattern now, and my tv shows it as 480i.. GREAT ... i did have the French Open for a little while, but it just disappeared.

And now 203 is a test pattern. Anyone else?

Disappeared here in Medford also. Hopefully, just a short term problem. Has anyone called Comcast in South Jersey?

Disappeared here in Medford also. Hopefully, just a short term problem. Has anyone called Comcast in South Jersey?

I didn't call. I talked to them 10 times in the last 24 hours about ESPN2-HD and I think the CSRs have had enough of me. :)

Watching GMA live on WPVI and the sound is way out of synch with the video, it is making me ill. I usually watch with my morning coffee, only show in HD at this hour, but I can't stand the feeling of nausea that the show is giving me. Channel 6 really sucks bad.

An email from Comcast talking about espn2-hd 203 for what it is worth:

Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sorry, they are still working on this broadcast. They should be adjusted by today.

Sincerely,

Cynthia
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

Wow, they just dropped the signal. It is back, further out of synch, sound is 30 seconds ahead of the video feed.

I have it on very good authority that ESPn2HD will be up in the Philly area shortly. I was advised that it would be before the first ESPN2HD world cup game.

Hey JWhip, have you heard anything about NFLHD ,NBAHD, HDNets?

Kudos to Comcast for getting ESPN2 up in time. Now if we could just get the locals to stop multicasting (cough)...

I don't know about the others, but NBA-HD is broadcast on INHD whenever an HD game is on.

Wow, they just dropped the signal. It is back, further out of synch, sound is 30 seconds ahead of the video feed.

They got it back for the England game but the game on now (Sweden/T&T) is out of sync by about the same amount... not impressed by ABC so far. At least this afternoons game is on ESPN2HD.

has anybody in SJ gotten a live ESPN2 feed yet? i was down the shore yesterday and it was on there at my friends, but here im still only getting a test pattern.
and, to confirm, ABCHD is out of sync. gosh, i just want to watch some quality world cup matches.

steve

has anybody in SJ gotten a live ESPN2 feed yet? i was down the shore yesterday and it was on there at my friends, but here im still only getting a test pattern.
and, to confirm, ABCHD is out of sync. gosh, i just want to watch some quality world cup matches.

steve

Yeah, 1pm now and ABC-HD is still out of sync, audio is about 10-15 seconds behind.

The audio is now back in sync. However, good news ... the test pattern on channel 203 now states:

ESPN2 HD / WFPA
WILL AIR 6/11/06

has anybody in SJ gotten a live ESPN2 feed yet? i was down the shore yesterday and it was on there at my friends, but here im still only getting a test pattern.
and, to confirm, ABCHD is out of sync. gosh, i just want to watch some quality world cup matches.

steve

ESPN2-HD was on in SJ yesterday afternoon but nothing but test pattern since. And now it says it will be back on 6/11/06.

I don't know about the others, but NBA-HD is broadcast on INHD whenever an HD game is on.
Also, OLN-HD for NHL games is on INHD; not that the other person asked. :)

ESPN2-HD was on in SJ yesterday afternoon but nothing but test pattern since. And now it says it will be back on 6/11/06.

ah dammit i guess that means we don't get the ivory coast vs. argentina game today

steve

i dunno about that...maybe they will "test" espn2hd during the game the same way they did yesterday. They may have just put the notice up because nj law mandates it

i dunno about that...maybe they will "test" espn2hd during the game the same way they did yesterday. They may have just put the notice up because nj law mandates it

that would be encouraging. but just a general note, im pretty ecstatic we got ESPN2 at all. maybe with verizon pressin down on their necks comcast finally decided to open their ears to their customers.

steve

well at least we will be able to see the USA v. Czech game on monday!!!

I've got my EPSN2 HD on 203 going right now at 2:00 PM on Saturday 10th. It's a HD feed right now.

I've got my EPSN2 HD on 203 going right now at 2:00 PM on Saturday 10th. It's a HD feed right now.

our queries are in reference to South Jersey Comcast, on which ESPN2HD hasnt gone completely live yet.

i dunno about that...maybe they will "test" espn2hd during the game the same way they did yesterday. They may have just put the notice up because nj law mandates it

It looks like they are testing it now during the World Cup match!

I've got ESPN2HD showing a soccer match here on the old gardenstate system (Turnersville, NJ). The audio seems fine.

ESPN2HD is now back online, and I'm thinking this is permanent. THANK YOU Comcast!!

Man I was excited to see the message until I read it..

CMT and ESPN Classic moved to digital on 6/7. yipee......

I was really hoping it would be ESPN2 HD


why is the sound so awful on wphl-dig during non hd sports.
clipping crackling, just abysmal




why isnt espn classic on in delaware county.

I'm only getting a black screen on Ch.203 here in Montco Pa. Screen says 'Not Authorized-For Ordering Press Info'.

Called Comcast and they suggested unplugging my box for 30 seconds, but that did nothing.

They scheduled a service call. I had the same problem with TNT-HD when it first became available but that evidently was resolved without a service visit.

Hmmmmm....?

:confused:

hockey game tonight nbc looks brutal.
hope no one is using that to show friends what hd looks like.

Live in Gloucester Township on 203 now! Why don't the CSR's know what is going on?


Because no one tells them anything. The only people who know are those CSRs who check up on these things on their own time. At least that was my experience when I worked there.

why is the sound so awful on wphl-dig during non hd sports.
clipping crackling, just abysmal.Thought I'd post my dissapointment with WPHL.
The USAF Thunderbirds are coming this weekend to Willow Grove Air Show, it will be beautiful to see and hear, "willowgroveairshows.com".
WPHL is broadcasting the Airshow on Sat., but it appears it won't be HD.
I know the "Seafair" in Seattle every year IS locally broadcast in HD by the local affiliate.
Yeah we're in the minority, but I'm just dissapointed that another year has gone by, and this type of broadcast NEEDS to be HD.
Without HD, an event like this is really pointless on TV.

Thought I'd post my dissapointment with WPHL.
The USAF Thunderbirds are coming this weekend to Willow Grove Air Show, it will be beautiful to see and hear, "willowgroveairshows.com".
WPHL is broadcasting the Airshow on Sat., but it appears it won't be HD.
I know the "Seafair" in Seattle every year IS locally broadcast in HD by the local affiliate.
Yeah we're in the minority, but I'm just dissapointed that another year has gone by, and this type of broadcast NEEDS to be HD.
Without HD, an event like this is really pointless on TV.When Tribune cut their locally produced newscasts, you knew they wouldn't put money into their product. Why would you expect differently with this?

When Tribune cut their locally produced newscasts, you knew they wouldn't put money into their product. Why would you expect differently with this?

This is just being produced to be shown on WPHL(I think), not like it's being broadcast on national TV. Makes NO sense for them to go to the added expense of HD(if they even could do it, probably not).

I agree, it would be awesome to see in HD! The only chance would be if someone like a crew from Discovery were there filming in HD for a series on Disc HD about the Thunderbirds or something like that.

When Tribune cut their locally produced newscasts, you knew they wouldn't put money into their product. Why would you expect differently with this?

This is just being produced to be shown on WPHL(I think), not like it's being broadcast on national TV. Makes NO sense for them to go to the added expense of HD(if they even could do it, probably not).

I agree, it would be awesome to see in HD! The only chance would be if someone like a crew from Discovery were there filming in HD for a series on Disc HD about the Thunderbirds or something like that.

I don't know about the others, but NBA-HD is broadcast on INHD whenever an HD game is on.
Oh, I'm well aware of that, but I want the 24/7 HD channels of NBA and NFL.

Has anyone else had minor picture breakups and skipping with audio drop outs on CSN (200 on Comcast Garden State). Appeared during game tonight.

[QUOTE=Jim Hef]Some shows are stretched to display at 16:9 on the HD channels. X Files may be one of those that wasn't shot originally for HD!

I don't believe X-Files was shot in WS until Season 6, when they moved production from Canada to LA. I'll check my DVD sets...


X-Files was presented in widescreen starting in Season 5. Remember, Fox did "FOX Widescreen", not HD until a few years ago...


SIGNS was on yesterday (or the day before?), and it looked stretched instead of HD. Anybody else see it that way?

Has anyone else had minor picture breakups and skipping with audio drop outs on CSN (200 on Comcast Garden State). Appeared during game tonight.

YES!! I actually started noticing it at least a week ago. All other HD stations seem fine.

yeah...signs looked terrible, I wasn't sure if it was stretched 4:3 SD or just a terrible 16:9 transfer to HD... Either way, it was bad

Just turned on CSN (200)

Same problems so far tonight. I remember some time back this happened and it was eventually corrected at CSN (not a cable problem).

I just picked up an HDTV with a clear QAM tuner. I live around Northeast Philly and currently have Time Warner Cable service. I'm having problems picking up ABC HD through the cable feed. It seems that I get upn, wb, tnt, pbs, fox, nbc, discovery and thats about it, other than some SD channels. All the HD channels are found within the 30s and 40s. Why can't I get abc hd? Can someone point me in the right direction. Thanks for any help!

I just picked up an HDTV with a clear QAM tuner. I live around Northeast Philly and currently have Time Warner Cable service. I'm having problems picking up ABC HD through the cable feed. It seems that I get upn, wb, tnt, pbs, fox, nbc, discovery and thats about it, other than some SD channels. All the HD channels are found within the 30s and 40s. Why can't I get abc hd? Can someone point me in the right direction. Thanks for any help!

Time Warner Cable in NE Philly? I guess I was under impression that all of the NE Phila. was Comcast. Learn something new everyday.

P.S. I think these TWC properties gonna go Comcast pretty soon.

Time Warner Cable in NE Philly? I guess I was under impression that all of the NE Phila. was Comcast. Learn something new everyday.

P.S. I think these TWC properties gonna go Comcast pretty soon.

Well, I think its Northeast philly. I live in East Falls, near Henry Ave.
My QAM still not picking up abc HD, I'm currently getting abc hd OTA. Looks pretty nice. I guess I'll just contact the cable company and ask for a HD stb.

Message on box this morning , Universal HD coming june 28th for south jersey also 5 other digital channels noone will ever watch including oxygen, for a company that complains about bandwidth they sure don;t seem to have a problem adding channels all over the place lately.

Message on box this morning , Universal HD coming june 28th for south jersey also 5 other digital channels noone will ever watch including oxygen, for a company that complains about bandwidth they sure don;t seem to have a problem adding channels all over the place lately.

I like the fact that Comcast continues to add HD stations, even if they are showing reruns, etc. I originally thought I wouldn't watch too much TNT-HD (not a big basketball fan), but I find I sometimes watch the channel (Closer, etc.)

I agree that they are definitely adding a real mix of channels, but they must have some viewership out there... Oxygen will probably draw the Lifetime crowd...

Yay, UniversalHD for South Jersey. Would've loved to have HDNet Movies, but UHD is at least better than TNT-HD.

Whatever happened to MHD?? Other threads have indicated that MTVHD is coming to Comcast.

Any idea when Fios is coming to Philly. I know I still have copper wires attached to the building. :(

Whatever happened to MHD?? Other threads have indicated that MTVHD is coming to Comcast.


lets not get greedy, plus enjoy the HD now it will be gone soon, i am a pessimist but i think eventually comcast will do what Directv does and compress HD in the near future. i saw that so called HD lite and that is totall garbage

lets not get greedy, plus enjoy the HD now it will be gone soon, i am a pessimist but i think eventually comcast will do what Directv does and compress HD in the near future. i saw that so called HD lite and that is totall garbage

I read an article somewhere linked on the HDTV Programming thread that said to make room in the future, Comcast said in the near term they will move channels off analog to digital to make room for more HDTV. This is contrary to Time Warner, who said they are looking at streaming one channel at a time to each cable box, similar to how OnDemand works. I think when you tune a channel it would send a request for that channel to the headend and you would be watching a feed of that channel streamed to your box. This effectively gives a ton more bandwidth since you only get as many channels as tuners you have in your digital boxes, rather than every single channel at once.

But Comcast said first thing they will do is move analog channels to digital, hopefully before they compress.

Our system(Lower Bucks - Bensalem) has room, I know it's at least 850mhz. MHD should come sometime in the next few weeks hopefully.

I read an article somewhere linked on the HDTV Programming thread that said to make room in the future, Comcast said in the near term they will move channels off analog to digital to make room for more HDTV.
We have the All Digital Simulcast, so there are no Analogs left to move, rather they will be dropped. If your area doesn't have ADS yet, they will probably do that first, then drop Analogs.

Well, I think its Northeast philly. I live in East Falls, near Henry Ave.
My QAM still not picking up abc HD, I'm currently getting abc hd OTA. Looks pretty nice. I guess I'll just contact the cable company and ask for a HD stb.
AFAIK, that would be Northwest.

Has anyone heard of CC adding HGHD, FoodHD or NGHD? Dish is adding channels as they become available, and as a free agent I want to make a choice by September(new season).

AFAIK, that would be Northwest.
correct

Verizon TV in N.J. advances

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/14856806.htm

A bill that would allow Verizon Communications Inc. to sell television service throughout New Jersey, the company's third-largest market, was approved by the state Senate yesterday and now goes to Gov. Corzine.

The Senate voted 31-5 to allow Verizon to apply for a statewide franchise with the Public Utilities Board, instead of having to go to each of the 526 municipalities it serves and negotiate separate agreements to sell television service.

Hopefully, the PA congressmen can accept Verizon's gifts as easily as Comcast's, and we too can get the FIOS service that we've been waiting for! The township by township negotiation ritual is terribly slow, and doesn't give anyone a fair choice.

i was wondering if anyone else was experiencing the same problem as I am. ESPNHD is coming in completely blank, however this only happens at night. I was watching it this morning, and late last night, but somehow at night, around primetime, it's missing. The signal meter says it is coming in strong, but the screen is completely black

i was wondering if anyone else was experiencing the same problem as I am. ESPNHD is coming in completely blank, however this only happens at night. I was watching it this morning, and late last night, but somehow at night, around primetime, it's missing. The signal meter says it is coming in strong, but the screen is completely black

Yes it is blacked out. Our local Comcast thinks it is the Phillies game so they blacked it out. Call them I guess.

Last night the Mets game was on ESPN/ESPNHD, wasn't blacked out for me. I think the 1st Phillies/Yankees game of the series was on ESPN/ESPNHD, so ESPN was blacked out since CSN of course had the game on.

If you see this, just check the regular SD ESPN channel, they at least put it on ESPNEWS during a blackout. The ESPNHD channel is just black. But at least they put on ESPNEWS on ESPN, better than nothing.

ESPNHD was blacked out last night for me in Marlton, and as a Mets fan maybe it was for the best.

I bet the NJ side of the river is in the Mets territory, and the PA side is not. There is a website somewhere that has very detailed maps of MLB teams broadcast territories/zones, I don't remember where though.

I bet the NJ side of the river is in the Mets territory, and the PA side is not. There is a website somewhere that has very detailed maps of MLB teams broadcast territories/zones, I don't remember where though.

Everything within like 80-85 mile radius of NYC will be blacked out. Bensalem, PA and Marlton, NJ just happen to make that zone.

Comcast: Goal - 100 hours of HD - VOD by year end.

http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/06/21/comcast-ceo-goal-is-to-have-100s-hours-of-hd-vod-by-year-end/

Their CEO has set a goal for them to bring certain market 100s of hours of high-def Video-On-Demand by years end. Some markets already have 10-15 hours of the programing available. They have indicated though that it is not a problem getting the high-def programming to their customers houses but rather simply finding new content. This article indicates that the current VOD system is only using about 50% of their set bandwidth and would have no issue streaming more.

Has anyone else noticed that the Saturday Fox Baseball broadcasts look awful?

It seems almost like it 16.9 (picture is not stretched) but not HD, there's a HUGE picture quality difference between Fox and ESPN/CSN. I haven't noticed any HD problems on Fox, other than their baseball broadcasts.

I'm pretty sure they still do widescreen SD for saturday baseball.

THis was in today's Inquirer:

No SportsNet for competitors Philadelphia sports fans lost again. This time, it's not the Phillies or Eagles letting them down. It's the U.S. Senate.

An overhaul of the telecommunications industry being considered in Senate legislation originally included language that would have required cable companies to share local sports programming with competitors, such as satellite TV.

In other words, Comcast Corp. apparently would have been required to sell its SportsNet channel, which carries most games of the Phillies, Sixers and Flyers, to competitors.

But that part of the legislation, originally introduced by Sen. John Ensign, a Nevada Republican, has disappeared from the mammoth bill.

Aaron Saunders, a spokesman for the Senate Commerce Committee, which is overseeing the bill, said the provision was dropped because several members expressed concern about it. He would not name the members.

But senators did hear testimony in the last two weeks from Kyle McSlarrow, president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, and from Comcast executive David L. Cohen, advising the committee to drop the provision. McSlarrow said the proposed law was confusing. Cohen said it was a narrow issue that didn't merit federal attention.

Has anyone else noticed that the Saturday Fox Baseball broadcasts look awful?

It seems almost like it 16.9 (picture is not stretched) but not HD, there's a HUGE picture quality difference between Fox and ESPN/CSN. I haven't noticed any HD problems on Fox, other than their baseball broadcasts.
There is also a big difference between ESPN and CSN. ;)

THis was in today's Inquirer:

No SportsNet for competitors Philadelphia sports fans lost again. This time, it's not the Phillies or Eagles letting them down. It's the U.S. Senate.

But senators did hear testimony in the last two weeks from Kyle McSlarrow, president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, and from Comcast executive David L. Cohen, advising the committee to drop the provision. McSlarrow said the proposed law was confusing.

Then they should have made it less confusing, not drop the provision.

Cohen said it was a narrow issue that didn't merit federal attention.
If the issue was reversed, they would be saying it does merit the attention.
Anyway, it is a federal mandate, so only they could change it.

Even as a Comcast sub, I think competition is a good thing. RSNs should be treated like Locals, IMO.

THis was in today's Inquirer:

No SportsNet for competitors Philadelphia sports fans lost again. This time, it's not the Phillies or Eagles letting them down. It's the U.S. Senate.

An overhaul of the telecommunications industry being considered in Senate legislation originally included language that would have required cable companies to share local sports programming with competitors, such as satellite TV.

In other words, Comcast Corp. apparently would have been required to sell its SportsNet channel, which carries most games of the Phillies, Sixers and Flyers, to competitors.

But that part of the legislation, originally introduced by Sen. John Ensign, a Nevada Republican, has disappeared from the mammoth bill.

Aaron Saunders, a spokesman for the Senate Commerce Committee, which is overseeing the bill, said the provision was dropped because several members expressed concern about it. He would not name the members.

But senators did hear testimony in the last two weeks from Kyle McSlarrow, president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, and from Comcast executive David L. Cohen, advising the committee to drop the provision. McSlarrow said the proposed law was confusing. Cohen said it was a narrow issue that didn't merit federal attention.

Comcast probably can't explain why the members of that committees' back pockets ripped from their fattened wallets stuffed with $$$ Comcast paid them to get that part of the legislation dropped.

Philly sports fans haven't won since we got rid of the Vet.

I'm pretty sure they still do widescreen SD for saturday baseball.


That's so bizarre, almost all local broadcast stations provide HD games, all other National broadcasts are in HD (not just baseball but the other major sports too), but Fox, when they have blackout rights, don't provide true HD. I mean the picture looks horrible. Yes, there's still a big step between ESPN and CSN, but at least they're both GOOD looking pictures, even if one is better than the other.

Another ESPN question. Tonight 6-26-2006 Yankees game is blacked out on ESPN2HD yet not on ESPN2 SD. Huh?

Comcast (Garden State)

Who do we complain to about that, its ridiculous for it to be blacked out at all here

Anyone in center city have a problem with channel 3 CBS ? I live in the Old City section and I get good (70% to 88% ) reception on 6,10,12,17,29,35,48,57, and 61. CBS I can't get anything consistent over 20%.

I live in Glen Mills and cannot receive any stations. My installer has said that the towers are down??? He told me to wait 2 weeks before making a drastic change., i.e. getting a new antenna and amplifier.
Take care all,
Marie

I live in Glen Mills and cannot receive any stations. My installer has said that the towers are down??? He told me to wait 2 weeks before making a drastic change., i.e. getting a new antenna and amplifier.
Take care all,
Marie


If he's talking about the Philly towers I don't he knows what he's talking about.

Universal HD on in SJ, channel 208. It looks like they also added a few digital SD channels GAC, Oxygen, and Travel Channel.

208 is up here also,

http://www.universalhd.com/Schedule/ nothing really interesting on tonight

Another ESPN question. Tonight 6-26-2006 Yankees game is blacked out on ESPN2HD yet not on ESPN2 SD. Huh?

Comcast (Garden State)

Same thing is happening right now. Phillies on CSN-HD for a makeup from last night, Yankees-Braves game is blacked out on ESPN-HD, but not ESPN-SD.

Are we getting MHD in South Jersey anytime soon? It's rolling out on other Comcast systems, just wondering when it will appear on ours? Is our system 750 Mhz....or is it different across south Jersey? I'm on the pleasantville system btw. Thanks.

Universal HD on in SJ, channel 208. It looks like they also added a few digital SD channels GAC, Oxygen, and Travel Channel.


What is GAC?

OK now i am really mad this is ridiculous, why again is the mets redsox game blacked out here over 100 miles from new york on espn2hd but on espn2 sd it is being shown, who do we contact about this crap other than customer service idiots? :mad: :mad: :mad:

Great American Country, home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Great American Country, home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Lotta country music in Maple Shade?