Probably more important. Would you stay with a company that has been over charging their customers for years? I pay $98 for std cable and internet; no boxes, no HD, no digital. Doesn't seem right to me. If they offered me fee service, I'd think about it. I try not to do business with companies that rip me off. Unless I have to, like comca$t. The triple play is their way of trying to retain customers they have been ripping off for years.

I'm going to Fios ASAP.

I fully agree, but with no other options for me besides Directv, my hands are tied. From what I hear, Directv won't be that much cheaper really by the time I add up the package, hd tier, sports pack, dvr, equipment charges. And for "HD-lite" on my 56''? Nah. It sucks, I hate Comcrap, but there isn't much of a choice. Plus i can split my cable and watch HD on my computer. I can split my cable and use the TV's tuner to watch ondemand. I can split my cable and run one to my bedroom tv. I do all of those things(exept the bedroom, too far) and my signal is still strong enough.

As soon as/if Verizon offered up FiOS I would definetly consider it.

Know ahead of time that with Verizon, you will need a set-top-box to view anymore of the channels other than the 15 analog ones at the lowest tier. It's worth it in my opinion, but you won't be simply splitting the cable feed to the other sets.

Probably more important. Would you stay with a company that has been over charging their customers for years? I pay $98 for std cable and internet; no boxes, no HD, no digital. Doesn't seem right to me. If they offered me fee service, I'd think about it. I try not to do business with companies that rip me off. Unless I have to, like comca$t. The triple play is their way of trying to retain customers they have been ripping off for years.

I'm going to Fios ASAP.

Someone told me to try this trick with Comcast and it has worked for me. Basically what you need to do is BITCH, BITCH, and BITCH to Comcast about the highway robbery rates you have been forced to cough up. Now don't bitch to the regular CSR. It is useless to bitch to regular CSR who is only making minimum wage and do not have authority to do anything.

Ask to speak with "Special Customer Retention Program(SCRP)" representative claiming that you are fed up and ready to bolt. Once the SCRP guy is on the phone, then bombard this person's ear with MAJOR BITCHING until you can hear his face turning purple. Threaten to go to Verizon FIoS or whatever....

I have done this and now I am paying $69.95/month for both Digital Cable w/HD (with HD box) and Internet for a YEAR. Sweet !!

Nice going. If they would offer that up front, I'd stay with comca$t.

Anyone else notice during the nat'l championship game, KYW seems to have pumped up the volume to the rear channels? I haven't touched my receiver, and tonight I've found myself turning and looking at my surrounds, and saying "woah", I've never heard them that loud. I wonder if they did something when moving to their new bldg.

Sounds good, the HD PQ isn't great, close ups of the players running back after scoring are full of macroblocking.

Interested to see how many bugs they have worked out of the first HD news broadcast tonight, if they have 16:9 field cams, 16:9 doppler radar, etc.

I posted some captures of KYW's first HD newscast tonight over on the "local news in HD" thread on the hdtv programming forum. I got several, PM me if you want them, and I'm working on getting the video tour they did of the new studio(in HD) online.

Anyone else notice during the nat'l championship game, KYW seems to have pumped up the volume to the rear channels? I haven't touched my receiver, and tonight I've found myself turning and looking at my surrounds, and saying "woah", I've never heard them that loud. I wonder if they did something when moving to their new bldg.

Sounds good, the HD PQ isn't great, close ups of the players running back after scoring are full of macroblocking.

There was a lot of volume in the surrounds, but the overall mix was pretty bad. Announcers mics were low, surrounds were really loud, and then when commercials came on it was REALLY, REALLY, LOUD!! Also, I agree with you on PQ: it was not that great, which surprised me.

As far as the news: Alycia Lane looked great in HD! ;)

214 has appeared in south jersey, but no picture and no guide info, wonder what it is

Probably more important. Would you stay with a company that has been over charging their customers for years? I pay $98 for std cable and internet; no boxes, no HD, no digital. Doesn't seem right to me. If they offered me fee service, I'd think about it. I try not to do business with companies that rip me off. Unless I have to, like comca$t. The triple play is their way of trying to retain customers they have been ripping off for years.

I'm going to Fios ASAP.
My neighbor has CC just for TV, analog. He has Verizon phone and DSL. The DSL hasn't worked correctly for weeks, always dropping out, and techs have no answer. The last tech said they were having problems in the 609 and 856 area codes, if it doesn't clear up call back in 48 hours.

What did he do? He got a card in the mail from Comcast that offers the triple play for 2 years, no increase. He is switching all of his services to the Evil Empire, because Verizon has no interest in a non FIOS customer.

214 Comcast SJ (Old Garden State Cable) system says PPVHD, Pay Per View HD events.

I have a samsung 50" DLP 1080p with a comcast 3412 using HDMI I/O connection. Since KYW has gone HD News all the Studio shots have been coming up with over saturation on the anchor's eyelash's, and hair. Anyone else seeing anything like this. It does not happen on remote live shots, or on any tape segments. Any idea? I have no problems with contrast, or brightness on any other HD channel from the same setup. I do not have any problem on the SD KYW.

Great press release about KYW's new building here (http://cbs3.com/press/local_story_089104413.html)

The network-caliber Newsroom, designed by Janson Design Group in New York, will be the first newsroom in the market to be completely tapeless and high definition both in-studio and in the field. Built from the ground up in HD, the operation includes all new high definition cameras, editing equipment and a technical operations center. “We will be shooting all of our stories in high definition giving the viewer a more complete sense of literally ‘being there,’ says Vice President and News Director Susan Schiller. “This is the next generation of electronic news -- the biggest leap in technology since the 1970s when reporters first began reporting live on location from the field.”

Great press release about KYW's new building here (http://cbs3.com/press/local_story_089104413.html)

The network-caliber Newsroom, designed by Janson Design Group in New York, will be the first newsroom in the market to be completely tapeless and high definition both in-studio and in the field. Built from the ground up in HD, the operation includes all new high definition cameras, editing equipment and a technical operations center. “We will be shooting all of our stories in high definition giving the viewer a more complete sense of literally ‘being there,’ says Vice President and News Director Susan Schiller. “This is the next generation of electronic news -- the biggest leap in technology since the 1970s when reporters first began reporting live on location from the field.”


Understanding no tape for any video, do you think I what I am experiencing is from the studio lights, since live shots do not have the same issues?
I am really just trying to confirm my Samsung has an issue with either a setting, or is having a problem that I need support for.

They may shoot HD in the field, but if you notice the pictures from the field are not HD in quality. Why? When they do a live shot, the picture is taken from the camera and turned into analog microwave signal back to the station. So, until they put digital HD transmitters in their live trucks, you won't see HD in the field - unless the recording format they use is brought back to the station and edited there.

Interesting post newsman. I had always wondered how they could broadcast "from the scene" in HD, and now it sounds like LIVE they can't. It will be interesting to see if they start showing previously-recorded live events (say a breaking news story at 5pm on the 10/11pm news) whether they will have taken the time to show it in HD if indeed it has been filmed in HD. My guess is......no. :)

Newsman, that makes sense. Pre-recorded segments already edited and cued up for the newscast are in HD, but live reports are clearly not, you can tell(they are 16:9 though).

The press release does sound like they do indeed shoot it in HD and convert to analong to send over the microwave back to the studio, as opposed to shooting in SD.

I'm sure the reason is some contractual obligation, but it's annoying that the Sixers on the road are chewing up Sports Net, and the Phillies at home are relegated to CN8, meaning neither will be in HD.

Comcast really has to iron out these multi-sport night scenarios: if Comcast refuses to provide HD from road games, the road games should be the ones forced to an alternate/SD only channel.

Does the ever present "FOX 29" full color logo on screen bother anyone else? It is annoying, intrusive, locally superimposed and quite possibly harmful to new plasma screens. I have written to ch. 29 several times about my concerns without reply. It ought to at least be without color and intermittent as are all network logos I have seen. Anyone else so bothered is free to join me in pointing this out to ch. 29 and join me in being ignored as well!

i completely agree with you, their old bug was perfect, present but unobtrusive and clear. The new one is absolutely hideous... it needs to go

Comcast (old GArden State Cable)

No
CSNHD
ESPNHD
ESPN2HD

anyone else?

They may shoot HD in the field, but if you notice the pictures from the field are not HD in quality. Why? When they do a live shot, the picture is taken from the camera and turned into analog microwave signal back to the station. So, until they put digital HD transmitters in their live trucks, you won't see HD in the field - unless the recording format they use is brought back to the station and edited there.

To follow up on this point, KYW (and any other local news station doing HD) is limited by current technology. They are indeed feeding an HD signal to the microwave transmitter on the live trucks, however it is being downconverted and sent back to master control as 16:9 SD.

It all stems from the FCC's analog spectrum auction to Sprint/Nextel. Go here to learn more: ---> 2ghzrelocation [dot] com

Bottom line: Until Nextel delivers the equip to stations, it may be several months before stations will be able to transmit digital/HD via live trucks.

I've seen headlines on MLB.com that an agreement has been reached for MLB Extra Innings/MLB Channel with the cable companies.

Does anyone know if that means that Comcast will offer the package THIS year? The CSR I spoke with seemed to believe that it wouldn't be available until 2009, but from the press release that only sounds true of the MLB Channel as it won't be launched until then.

I need to know somewhat soon as my free trial of MLBTV is about to expire, and would rather not pay the $119 for no reason.

Thanks guys.

Newsman, that makes sense. Pre-recorded segments already edited and cued up for the newscast are in HD, but live reports are clearly not, you can tell(they are 16:9 though).

The press release does sound like they do indeed shoot it in HD and convert to analong to send over the microwave back to the studio, as opposed to shooting in SD.

FYI...Many TV stations across the country have been FCC mandated to go digital in the 2 Ghz BAS band. Cost to due so has been provided by Sprint / Nextel, as they will get a some of the freed up band. See...

http://www.2ghzrelocation.com/plugin/template/broadcast/welcome/*

Did anyone else try to watch the last couple of Yankees games on 212 YES HD and get Spanish instead of English? :confused:

I'm sure the reason is some contractual obligation, but it's annoying that the Sixers on the road are chewing up Sports Net, and the Phillies at home are relegated to CN8, meaning neither will be in HD.

Comcast really has to iron out these multi-sport night scenarios: if Comcast refuses to provide HD from road games, the road games should be the ones forced to an alternate/SD only channel.

they have done that at least for the last 2 seasons, annoying.

i've been having trouble with my scheduled recordings.

it changes the chanel to the recording show in stead of swapping tuners and it won;t let me record 2 shows on at the same time for some programs now.

on wed i havd 'til death at 8 and 8:30 to be recorded.
today i went in to make sure i was recording everything i needed
it said my series recording of jericho wouldnt record because 'till death was recording at 830.

huh?

2 channels and no cross over times.

so i set it to record jericho and it said cannot because till death is set to record.
i had to tell it to record the new program and skip the old program.

anyway i cant get it to record to chanels at the same time with no over lapping times

I started to have similar problems with my DVR including having one program record on both tuners, another recording & not stopping, etc. etc. I've replaced the box & all is well (so far).

I got a similar message last night regarding a Desparate Housewives and wanting to record Entourage.

Today my Guide and Menu screens are barely readable. Must be something on the Evil Empire's end.



they have done that at least for the last 2 seasons, annoying.

i've been having trouble with my scheduled recordings.

it changes the chanel to the recording show in stead of swapping tuners and it won;t let me record 2 shows on at the same time for some programs now.

on wed i havd 'til death at 8 and 8:30 to be recorded.
today i went in to make sure i was recording everything i needed
it said my series recording of jericho wouldnt record because 'till death was recording at 830.

huh?

2 channels and no cross over times.

so i set it to record jericho and it said cannot because till death is set to record.
i had to tell it to record the new program and skip the old program.

anyway i cant get it to record to chanels at the same time with no over lapping times

So, they finally changed the way the channels are mapped in Philly now (well, at least in South Philly) ... for those without a box and just using the built in QAM tuner, all the HD locals are now:

3-1
6-1
10-1
12-4
17-1
29-1
57-1

and, the Universal HD channel which was unencrypted and I had for a while is also gone.

And, they actually have the proper station ID tags as well, which never appeared before - but for some strange reason CBS (KYW-DT) has changed to something strange and now says PN-2 ... what the heck is that ???

So, they finally changed the way the channels are mapped in Philly now (well, at least in South Philly) ... for those without a box and just using the built in QAM tuner, all the HD locals are now:

3-1
6-1
10-1
12-4
17-1
29-1
57-1

and, the Universal HD channel which was unencrypted and I had for a while is also gone.

And, they actually have the proper station ID tags as well, which never appeared before - but for some strange reason CBS (KYW-DT) has changed to something strange and now says PN-2 ... what the heck is that ???

I think this might be a first for Comcast, doing something that makes sense :rolleyes: I still have Universal HD in the same place it has been for a few months, 110-2 for me up in Bensalem. The PN-2 thing is probably a mistake. I've even see detailed title information show up in the channel info screen for my TV's tuner when I tune to 3-1 or 29-1 or one of them.

Interesting they put WHYY-DT1 to DT3 on 12.4-12.6, why not 12.1-12.3?

17-2 says "THE TUB" because their isn't enough room, haha

I think this might be a first for Comcast, doing something that makes sense :rolleyes: I still have Universal HD in the same place it has been for a few months, 110-2 for me up in Bensalem. The PN-2 thing is probably a mistake. I've even see detailed title information show up in the channel info screen for my TV's tuner when I tune to 3-1 or 29-1 or one of them.

Interesting they put WHYY-DT1 to DT3 on 12.4-12.6, why not 12.1-12.3?

17-2 says "THE TUB" because their isn't enough room, haha
I too still have my UniversalHD in the same old location (Media, PA). However, the change to the familar 3, 6, 10, etc numbers seemed to only happen for my QAM TV Tuner. My Sony DVR still has the channels mapped to the old positions of 90.x, 91.x, 110.x, and 111.x.

Also interesting is when I flip to, let's say, 10.1, it'll sometimes show a split second of another channel (presumably what was on 91.2). So it's like Comcast is re-mapping a re-mapped channel. Kinda wierd, but it doesn't bother me.

ft

I lost Universal HD a couple of weeks ago. I also noticed the PN-2 thing on KYW last evening.

I just checked & I'm still getting Universal @ 110.2

Hello all. I've read quite a bit of this thread but still have some questions about Comcast HD. Please bear with me as I am new to this service(being installed on Weds) and just want to know what I'm getting into. So here goes.

1.) Is the DCT6200 still the STB that I'll be getting or is there a newer model. I not getting DVR at this time and the 6200 is the only non-DVR model I've found info on.

2.) Assuming it is the 6200 is the DVI-D port active and is DVI-D to HDMI going to be any better the just using componet cables? I do have a DVI-D to HDMI cable now that I use to connect my PC to the TV.

3.) Is there any information on any of the other networks adding programming to OnDemand? If not I'll be getting DVR sooner then later.

4.) I've read in some other threads that there are some issues between Comcast and HDNet. What's the latest buzz on that? Any chance we'll be seeing this network on Comcast anytime soon?

5.) Last and not least. With DirecTV boosting 150 HD channels in the near future, any chance Comcast will step up and try to match them?

Sorry for all the questions. I've had my Olevia 37in for about a month now and I'm really excited about finally using it to it's full potential. I have been using an OTA antenna for local stations with very good results. But I've be dying to watch Planet Earth in HD as well as some movies and tv series on the premium networks.

Thanks in advance.

I just checked & I'm still getting Universal @ 110.2

Well, in Philly it used to show up on 111-2, but for me, it's been gone since the re-map. Also, 3-1 is now back to KYW-DT -- and the PN-2 thing is gone.

Last night, I found a few of the Hockey playoff games which leaked through on the sports IN DEMAND channels (apparently) on channels 91-1 through 91-9 I think -- Baseball schedules were up as well.

Then, around channel 116-1 to 116-10, I can see what look like split screen channels where you can choose between 3-4 channels (of course, you can't though - you just 'see' what you can choose from) and also the screens where you would scroll through movies to order) ...

For about a week (maybe 3 weeks ago), I had all the HBO's on channels 94-1 to 94-9 and a few in the 116 range, including the HD, but then they went away. That kinda sucked.

Other than that - everything else has been the same, but hopefully some more stuff may leak through.

Well, in Philly it used to show up on 111-2, but for me, it's been gone since the re-map. Also, 3-1 is now back to KYW-DT -- and the PN-2 thing is gone.

Last night, I found a few of the Hockey playoff games which leaked through on the sports IN DEMAND channels (apparently) on channels 91-1 through 91-9 I think -- Baseball schedules were up as well.

Then, around channel 116-1 to 116-10, I can see what look like split screen channels where you can choose between 3-4 channels (of course, you can't though - you just 'see' what you can choose from) and also the screens where you would scroll through movies to order) ...

For about a week (maybe 3 weeks ago), I had all the HBO's on channels 94-1 to 94-9 and a few in the 116 range, including the HD, but then they went away. That kinda sucked.

Other than that - everything else has been the same, but hopefully some more stuff may leak through.

I believe MLB Extra Innings still has the free preview going on till like today or tuesday, so that might be why they are in the clear? Same channels as NHL Center Ice, so you would see some NHL playoff games on the Extra Innings channels.

The split screen channels around 116 are for Comcast Central, isn't in all markets yet, but I think many systems around SE PA got it a couple weeks ago, mine included.

Other people's OnDemand shows up from around 83.1-86.10. Specific channels come and go depending on when people watch something, it just pics an open frequency which is somewhere in the ch range 83-86.

I gotta check more often to see what is in the clear, but it's a pain to go through all the channels.

I believe MLB Extra Innings still has the free preview going on till like today or tuesday, so that might be why they are in the clear? Same channels as NHL Center Ice, so you would see some NHL playoff games on the Extra Innings channels.

The split screen channels around 116 are for Comcast Central, isn't in all markets yet, but I think many systems around SE PA got it a couple weeks ago, mine included.

Other people's OnDemand shows up from around 83.1-86.10. Specific channels come and go depending on when people watch something, it just pics an open frequency which is somewhere in the ch range 83-86.

I gotta check more often to see what is in the clear, but it's a pain to go through all the channels.

Yeah, now that you mention it - perhaps it is the free preview and I've seen the Center Ice channels on satellite before and it looked like familiar.

Thing about the split screen channels - for the sport one, it's the only way I can get ESPN and ESPN2 (in tiny box format though!) -- however, I still have ESPN NEWS in the clear at 117-1. Also, on those split screens, I learned by hitting the SAP button on my remote alternates the audio -- cool !

I've always had the OnDemand stuff in the 83-86 range -- it's a total grab bag in that range but I've caught some pretty cool stuff, including PPV's and even some HD content -- too funny when you see people FFWD and REWIND though !

It is a pain going through the channels -- and scans take quite a bit of time when I do them. But, I don't even think I have to scan, since I notice sometimes other 'channels' appear and disappear without scanning.

No Hockey tonight on VS HD?

Have it on SD.

Hello!! Am I in the right thread??

Hi everyone - I've been lurking here for a few years and finally decided to post. Great info and entertainment on the board.

Anyway, here's my question. I'm in South Jersey on Comcast. On both Saturday and last night, the HD feed for the Sabres-Islanders game was a blank, gray screen. All other games have been fine. I also noticed last night in the programming guide that the game is also being listed on INHD, but is not being shown there. Then as soon as VS switched from the Isles-Sabres to the Preds-Sharks game, the HD feed came on immediately.

I suspect that on my local system it is blacking out the game on VS because it thinks the game in being shown on INHD. Since I don't really know the inner workings on this stuff, I was hoping someone could shed some light on this. I called Comcast on Saturday and again last night, but don't have much confidence that the CSR has any idea what I'm talking about.

Threads merged.

Hi everyone - I've been lurking here for a few years and finally decided to post. Great info and entertainment on the board.

Anyway, here's my question. I'm in South Jersey on Comcast. On both Saturday and last night, the HD feed for the Sabres-Islanders game was a blank, gray screen. All other games have been fine. I also noticed last night in the programming guide that the game is also being listed on INHD, but is not being shown there. Then as soon as VS switched from the Isles-Sabres to the Preds-Sharks game, the HD feed came on immediately.

I suspect that on my local system it is blacking out the game on VS because it thinks the game in being shown on INHD. Since I don't really know the inner workings on this stuff, I was hoping someone could shed some light on this. I called Comcast on Saturday and again last night, but don't have much confidence that the CSR has any idea what I'm talking about.

You were being blacked out because your local system believes you are in the FSNY market and should be getting the game on that channel only. (Versus is not exclusive during most of the playoffs, and gets blacked out if the local RSN is providing coverage the game)

Your listing on INHD is most likely supposed to be the FSNY-HD feed of the game (some cable companies like to interrupt normal INHD programming with regional sports network-HD coverage when the don;t have a dedicated channel for the network.)

:p Hello all. I've read quite a bit of this thread but still have some questions about Comcast HD. Please bear with me as I am new to this service(being installed on Weds) and just want to know what I'm getting into. So here goes.

1.) Is the DCT6200 still the STB that I'll be getting or is there a newer model. I not getting DVR at this time and the 6200 is the only non-DVR model I've found info on.

2.) Assuming it is the 6200 is the DVI-D port active and is DVI-D to HDMI going to be any better the just using componet cables? I do have a DVI-D to HDMI cable now that I use to connect my PC to the TV.

3.) Is there any information on any of the other networks adding programming to OnDemand? If not I'll be getting DVR sooner then later.

4.) I've read in some other threads that there are some issues between Comcast and HDNet. What's the latest buzz on that? Any chance we'll be seeing this network on Comcast anytime soon?

5.) Last and not least. With DirecTV boosting 150 HD channels in the near future, any chance Comcast will step up and try to match them?

Sorry for all the questions. I've had my Olevia 37in for about a month now and I'm really excited about finally using it to it's full potential. I have been using an OTA antenna for local stations with very good results. But I've be dying to watch Planet Earth in HD as well as some movies and tv series on the premium networks.

Thanks in advance.

1. As far as I know, you should get a Moto DCT6200. However, wasn't there some mandate that by June 31st or something, all cable boxes deplayed have to have some kind of capability? This is probably a major reason why Comcast is now starting to give away digi cable box self install kits, to get rid of their inventories of boxes they won't be able to give away in a couple months. These are all the basic no-frills boxes that do not handle HD.

Someone, anyone feel free to correct me on that, I'm just kinda guessing.

2. I guess the 6200's still don't have HDMI ports and only DVI ports? Generally, using a DVI or HDMI port over component, might produce slightly better picture, but probably not really noticable unless you really look hard. To the untrained eye of a new HD viewer, they probably won't notice. I use component w/ my new receiver setup after using HDMI right into the TV for over a year, I can't really tell a difference.

3. Nothing really earth-shattering, but Comcast has stated that their current focus will be to put more HD programming on OnDemand rather than add new HD channels(NOT the direction I personally wanted to hear). ABC/Disney will be adding a lot of primetime shows to OnDemand this fall, only in ABC O&O markets(NYC,LA,Philly,Chicago, etc).

4. Don't hold your breath to see HDNET on Comcast anytime soon. If you did, it might cost a couple extra bucks, JUST for those 2 channels(HDNET and HDNET movies).

5. Comcast can't even come close to that number. Limits of copper based cable wiring. The only way is if they completely eliminate analog channels, or get rid of all non-network analogs. Comcast recently did this in Chicago, very poorly from what I've read. You can no longer plug in cable to a TV and see ESPN,Discovery, etc. You need a cable box on EVERY TV. All you could see w/o a cable box would be local channels and gov't access crap, etc. But a nationwide rollover to this is many years away. However the first step has been completed in most areas, analong/digital simucast. There is also something called "switched video" which would enable a ton more channels, but that is many years away. The great thing about Verizon FiOS, is that you don't have physical bandwidth limitations, and they can keep adding HD channels. All the frequencies on cable are stuffed, and for them to add an HD channel in most markets, they have to take away an analog channel and move it to digital only. Space for 1 analog channel is enough for 2 HD channels. Comcast has done this, and moved channels like MTV2 and EWTV, along with all the premiums, to digital only.


whew. Anyone feel free to make any corrections, I'm sure I said something wrong up there

Thanks ak3883. That answered all my questions nicely. Glad to hear ABC is coming on board OnDemand. To bad about HDNet though. Anyway, after this great 1year deal I got from comcast runs out I'll take a look at the market see if I need/want to move again. Who knows, perhaps I'll even have Fios in my area by then. :-)

1. As far as I know, you should get a Moto DCT6200. However, wasn't there some mandate that by June 31st or something, all cable boxes deplayed have to have some kind of capability? This is probably a major reason why Comcast is now starting to give away digi cable box self install kits, to get rid of their inventories of boxes they won't be able to give away in a couple months. These are all the basic no-frills boxes that do not handle HD.

Someone, anyone feel free to correct me on that, I'm just kinda guessing.
Yes, they have to use CableCard starting on "June 31", otherwise known on the calendar as July 1. ;) :D

Who knows, perhaps I'll even have Fios in my area by then. :-)Fios in Philly is a pipe dream. If we get it, pigs may be flying by then. :o

What Comcast did in Chicago will be done across the country. Expect to see it in the Philly DMA by sometime next year. Short of expanding the total bandwidth of their system here from 750 mhz to 1 gig, this is the logical way to go. After all, it is essentially the same model FiOS is employing although FiOS still has alot bigger pipe. To get any channels on Direct or Dish, you need a box on every TV also, no analogs at all. What is the alternative? You either accept the box or rely on OTA only.

Fios in Philly is a pipe dream. If we get it, pigs may be flying by then. :oMaybe by the end of the decade if we're lucky. And then probably only for single family homes and small apartment buildings. The large apartment buildings in Center City (like mine) will probably take much longer because Verizon has to get permission to wire each building.

What Comcast did in Chicago will be done across the country. Expect to see it in the Philly DMA by sometime next year. Short of expanding the total bandwidth of their system here from 750 mhz to 1 gig, this is the logical way to go. After all, it is essentially the same model FiOS is employing although FiOS still has alot bigger pipe. To get any channels on Direct or Dish, you need a box on every TV also, no analogs at all. What is the alternative? You either accept the box or rely on OTA only.


Good point. You do need some sort of box or converter for every television hooked up to FiOS or Direct/Dish.

In Chicago, they are not charging for the boxes for people to receive the full 80-channel expaned basic package. The new converters are not the bulky wide boxes you are accustomed to either. They are the new converters that look more like a radar detector in size than a cable box.

Once Comcast can reclaim this valuable bandwidth, the sky is the limit.

Consider:

March 7, 2007 - Brian Roberts said that with DOCSIS 3.0 technology, cable operators can currently deliver speeds as high as 100 megabits per second using only four channels. Once the industry moves to 100% digital -- Comcast is currently at about 50% -- the possible speeds are almost unlimited.
“We’re now up to 50% digital. We will get to 80% digital and, someday, we will have 100% digital, and then we reclaim some, if not all, of those 80 analog channels,” he added. “If we, therefore, needed 1 billion bits per second, bidirectional into your house, we could do that.”

What Comcast did in Chicago will be done across the country. Expect to see it in the Philly DMA by sometime next year. Short of expanding the total bandwidth of their system here from 750 mhz to 1 gig, this is the logical way to go. After all, it is essentially the same model FiOS is employing although FiOS still has alot bigger pipe. To get any channels on Direct or Dish, you need a box on every TV also, no analogs at all. What is the alternative? You either accept the box or rely on OTA only.
Another trend, related to the impact of this, which has been reported from Comcast customers around the country, is a roll-back of the 5c restrictions on the set-top Firewire ports. Some mythtv (Linux DVR) users have noticed that they can get all of the non-premium (non-HBO) digital cable channels through the interface. Previously it was only the OTA channels, just like QAM-in-the clear. No one knows if this is a permanent situation, or temporary because of some system upgrade or incompetence. But it's definitely multi-city.

I've been contemplating getting another set-top dedicated to my mythtv system, and capturing analog from it, in anticipation of the eventual demise of analog. However, I can't decide whether to do it with Comcast, or make the leap to Verizon (which is now available in my neighborhood). If Comcast really has removed 5c restrictions, I might stay for now -- the convenience would be worth the extra cost. From what I've heard, Verizon restricts their firewire outputs as of now, just like Comcast was doing. Could this be Comcast responding to competition?

Can anyone confirm if the 5c restrictions are off in the Philly market? And if this is permanent?

Short of expanding the total bandwidth of their system here from 750 mhz to 1 gig, this is the logical way to go. After all, it is essentially the same model FiOS is employing although FiOS still has alot bigger pipe.
Is expanding to 1 gig in the cards (to compete with FiOS bigger pipe), or are they going to settle on switched digital video? Or both? Since their systems are more piece-meal, I guess it's harder for them to have a single national approach like Verizon is able to do (starting from scratch). From what I've been able to find, they've been taking a wait-and-see approach, letting Time Warner take the lead on testing that.

I've noticed that Verizon is bringing on a bunch of new HD channels through a gradual nationwide rollout (Food and HGTV come to mind), and I wonder whether Comcast will keep up. (Is there a national Comcast programming thread I should be checking?)

Another trend, related to the impact of this, which has been reported from Comcast customers around the country, is a roll-back of the 5c restrictions on the set-top Firewire ports. Some mythtv (Linux DVR) have noticed that they can get all of the non-premium (non-HBO) digital cable channels through the interface. Previously it was only the OTA channels, just like QAM-in-the clear. No one knows if this is a permanent situation, or temporary because of some system upgrade or incompetence. But it's definitely multi-city.

I've been contemplating getting another set-top dedicated to my mythtv system, and capturing analog from it, in anticipation of the eventual demise of analog. However, I can't decide whether to do it with Comcast, or make the leap to Verizon (which is now available in my neighborhood). If Comcast really has removed 5c restrictions, I might stay for now -- the convenience would be worth the extra cost. From what I've heard, Verizon restricts their firewire outputs as of now, just like Comcast was doing. Could this be Comcast responding to competition?

Can anyone confirm if the 5c restrictions are off in the Philly market? And if this is permanent?

Thought it was just me.... I just noticed it a week ago. It's been off since at least late Feb. I'm pissed it went off mainly after college bball season games on ESPN, rather than the tourney on CBS. They are definetly off for me on all HD channels.

I don't think Comcast wants to spend the money to upgrade the 750 and 860 mhz systems to 1 gig. I don't think switched video is necessary for those systems if they bite the bullet and drop all but the OTA analog channels. FiOS has so much bandwidth it is scary and can do crazy bandwidth speeds. If you want 100 you can get it but it costs a fortune and is not necessary for home use.

I don't think Comcast wants to spend the money to upgrade the 750 and 860 mhz systems to 1 gig. I don't think switched video is necessary for those systems if they bite the bullet and drop all but the OTA analog channels. FiOS has so much bandwidth it is scary and can do crazy bandwidth speeds. If you want 100 you can get it but it costs a fortune and is not necessary for home use.
Thanks. Since there seems to be finally a flury of potential new HD channels in the next couple of years, HGTV, Food, Lifetime, Turner Classic Movies, Sci-Fi, A&E, NFL Net-HD, plus HD-VOD content, I wasn't sure if a 750MHz system could handle that, even with dropping most analogs, considering the talking up switched digital video has gotten as the great panacea. Being a CableCard user, SDV is something I don't want to hear in the same sentence with Comcast.

I am aware that dropping the analogs will allow them to take advantage of DOCSIS 3.0 (merging adjacent channels slots which allows using the NULL space previously isolating analogs/digital neighbors) to get more broadband capacity as well, or at least achieve the same aggregate data rates with less bandwidth. Not that it will ever approach FiOS capability, but it frees up space for more TV content. I wouldn't notice if my cable modem was any faster (not a file sharer), as I'm sure is the case for most people.

Just wasn't sure whether the numbers added up. So will Comcast be in an arms race with Verizon to match their HD channel additions?

As a rule, you can add 2 HD channels for each analog channel dropped. Drop 60 analogs and that is space for 120 HD channels. There won't be that many new ones for quite awhile.

So last night I was scanning digital channels OTA on my TV, and I was able to pick up ESPN Classic. Now I dont have that channel throught my digital cable that I get through the box... What is that all about????

I figured the analog drop-off was farther away, like 3-5 years. Sounds like it might be 1-2 for Philly area? Woohoo! Of course watch Comcast drop all the analogs, and not add any more HD channels for awhile. What good is all that space if you have nothing to put on it. Corporate still has to negotiate the channels to be added, they can't just "turn them on" once they get space.

So we will see the phase-out of analog cable before SDV, right?

edogg-

I get ESPN Classic on my QAM in the clear, and it's not on my cable box either. This one baffles me. A friend of mine in Wynnewood gets it on her cable box as 272 or something right around NBATV. Just with Digi Plus, not in the sports tier. I truly don't understand why it is not on the cable box.

I've been watching it lately and laughing hysterically at American Gladiators, what a flashback.

So last night I was scanning digital channels OTA on my TV, and I was able to pick up ESPN Classic. Now I dont have that channel throught my digital cable that I get through the box... What is that all about????
It's just one of those digital channels that they haven't bothered to encrypt yet, which is why you can see it via a QAM tuner.

It's just one of those digital channels that they haven't bothered to encrypt yet, which is why you can see it via a QAM tuner.
That wasn't the point of the question, it was why is it available through third-party QAM tuners, but not through Comcast's box. The answer is usually they are testing an imminent channel, but people have been talking about this channel being in the clear for a few months already, IIRC.

i've been able to get that channel for quite some time now.

and asked months ago why isnt it there through the box, but no one responded.

Any chance of Comcast picking up any of these networks in HD this year??

A&E HD AND NG HD are coming to south jersey may 23rd according to the courier post

I've had ESPN Classic on my QAM tuner since I got my TV in July 05... back when all the channels were QAM unencrypted.

I doubt Comcast will pick up TBS, Sci-Fi or FX, as they don't really have room for them, until they start eliminating analog channels... no carriage agreements yet that I've heard.

If South Jersey gets A&E and NGC HD before the PA side, that has to be a first! They are usually at least 6 months behind. Perhaps scanpa or JWhip can shed some light on this.

I've had ESPN Classic on my QAM tuner since I got my TV in July 05... back when all the channels were QAM unencrypted.

I doubt Comcast will pick up TBS, Sci-Fi or FX, as they don't really have room for them, until they start eliminating analog channels... no carriage agreements yet that I've heard.

If South Jersey gets A&E and NGC HD before the PA side, that has to be a first! They are usually at least 6 months behind. Perhaps scanpa or JWhip can shed some light on this.

I still have NOT found ESPN Classic - I'm in Philadelphia - I do, however have ESPN NEWS. What channel are you guys receiving ESPN Classic on? Seems like they're locking down Philly, as I've also lost Universal HD ...

^^^
ESPN Classic is channel 265 in Cape May County NJ.

I know this isn't a hardware thread, but I have a question for Comcast customers in Philly and South Jersey. I read in another thread that Comcast is now giving additional digital boxes out for free for 12 months. Is this true? I could use one for another set in the house to get HBO once it finally gets shut off of analog channel 2 in Cape May County, NJ. If anyone got these free boxes, how did you do it? Did you have to complain to a CSR? I haven't read or seen any deals online or in the mail for these free digital boxes for current digital subscribers.

Now on to reception problems, anyone getting poor PQ on the MLB EI package? I thought my PQ would be better this season on my 46" Sony LCD HDTV, then it was on my 32" 4x3 CRT SDTV last year, but it isn't. And, there seems to be no games in HD on the 14 game channels. I asked the CSR about games in HD when I ordered MLB EI package and she said no games in HD. This stinks since many games feeds are in HD to the channels that produce these games, like NESN-YES-CSN etc. Are we getting analog feeds of some of these MLB games?

Thanks for any help.

Dave

Is anyone else experiencing pixelation and "No Signal" from their QAM on Comcast? This has been happening for me in the South Jersey area for at least 2 days now.

A&E HD AND NG HD are coming to south jersey may 23rd according to the courier post

Wow...I'll have to email comcast and question if it is coming to the Philly area as well.


I know this isn't a hardware thread, but I have a question for Comcast customers in Philly and South Jersey. I read in another thread that Comcast is now giving additional digital boxes out for free for 12 months. Is this true? I could use one for another set in the house to get HBO once it finally gets shut off of analog channel 2 in Cape May County, NJ. If anyone got these free boxes, how did you do it? Did you have to complain to a CSR? I haven't read or seen any deals online or in the mail for these free digital boxes for current digital subscribers.


As far as I know, no free boxes for 12 months in my area (Philadelphia).

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable.

At this time, we are sorry to say we have no information on when A&E
and/or National Geographic will offer a High Def channel in the Philly
Metro area. We could possible still be in negotiations regarding this.
We usually find out about one month ahead of time when a new HD channel
will be added but not sooner than that. I have checked with our
marketing group and there is no information on these two channels. If
we are in negotiations to aquire these channels, we will not be made
aware until said negotiations are completed.

We apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding.



Sincerely,
Rick
Comcast Corporate Office - Philadelphia Metro

Is anyone else experiencing pixelation and "No Signal" from their QAM on Comcast? This has been happening for me in the South Jersey area for at least 2 days now.

Lost some of my QAM channels. Did a rescan and it looks like they moved things around.

CW-HD used to be 106.41 now 106.1

Will reply when I find the rest.

^^^

I read in another thread that Comcast is now giving additional digital boxes out for free for 12 months. Is this true?

Dave

Comcast San Francisco thread is saying some are being offered a SD-DVR for $1 for the first 12 months.

Anybody seen a Pace Vegas TDC575 SD-DVR yet?

Lost some of my QAM channels. Did a rescan and it looks like they moved things around.

CW-HD used to be 106.41 now 106.1

Will reply when I find the rest.
I think Comcast starting passing the PSIP data for the HD locals. The CW shows up as 57.1 now. All of the locals are using their OTA virtual cahnnel numbers (except WHYY, which is showing up as 12.3).

ft

A&E HD AND NG HD are coming to south jersey may 23rd according to the courier post

THANK YOU SHADES!!! :)

Anyone know whether Special Events HD (channel 214 elsewhere) will be available in the Philly Metro area in time for the DeLaHoya/Mayweather fight on 5/5?

After reading your posting, I decided I had to call Comcast and get an answer. I was told that I needed a cable box to view HD channels, and none of the channels had been moved. I insisted that prior to this weekend I was able to tune HD channels without a cable box, and they are no longer there. My question was elevated to a supervisor and I was told that someone else called yesterday asking the same questions. They are waiting for a response from technical support and will get back to me.

Needless to say, Comcast never got back to me regarding where the high def stations in the clear went in my area. I occasionally auto program my TV to see if any of the channels show up again. I had no success until today. Only one high def channel has returned, CBS-HD out of New York, at 2-1. Hopefully more will show up, instead of this one disappearing.

anyone see the new camera on the phils home games.

puts you right in the field and can go up and down.
goes up over the top of the stadium i think

I have an extensive review on the Verizon FiOS thread. It's a stupid marketing promo for the aerial camera company. Today it's by 3rd base. No added value. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10419451#post10419451.

Article in the Sundy Inqy about the 2009 analog cut-off date. Not a bad article, I didn't see any blatently wrong statements(like this affects cable).

Read it here. (http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20070429_From_analog_to_digital__by_2009.html)

Comcast says though, that they plan to continue analog transmissions over cable "well beyond" 2009, I guess they are referring to local channels only? Just look at Chicago already...

Comcast says though, that they plan to continue analog transmissions over cable "well beyond" 2009, I guess they are referring to local channels only? Just look at Chicago already...
Yes, Locals, and possibly very few others.

I noticed this morning (may have been a couple of weeks) that channel 206 (Willow Grove) is now listed as MOJO instead on INHD. Oh well.... more London Live and Three Sheets....yippie! :(

anyone see the new camera on the phils home games.

puts you right in the field and can go up and down.
goes up over the top of the stadium i think

Tony, yeah, I saw that a couple games ago. Pretty cool.

A&E HD AND NG HD are coming to south jersey may 23rd according to the courier post

Was this an ad or a news item? Comcast is telling me they know nothing about it.

Tony, yeah, I saw that a couple games ago. Pretty cool.

yeah its nice.
only goes up 20 ft though not top of stadium.

Was this an ad or a news item? Comcast is telling me they know nothing about it.


it was a comcast ad, i know i was not seeing things :confused:

it was a comcast ad, i know i was not seeing things :confused:

Wish you still had it!

:mad:

i'm really getting super annoyed with the comcast box and the new way the recording option works.

with the frequent times it wont let me record two things at the same time and now it keeps changing the channel when i recoed live from the guide.

i had the phils on delayed about 10 minutes.
i went to the guide to record Dave.
instead of the option to change the channel or automaically changing to the other tuner it just switched right to letterman.

i go from the phils about to tie the game i have to switch back to the game on the other tuner just in time to see arizona taking a 3-2 lead.

when is fios going to be here.

they had a rep at best buy in wilmington sunday night during the rewardzone member "event"
but neither verizon rep had a clue for when fios will be in the aston area.

:mad:

i'm really getting super annoyed with the comcast box and the new way the recording option works.

with the frequent times it wont let me record two things at the same time and now it keeps changing the channel when i recoed live from the guide.

i had the phils on delayed about 10 minutes.
i went to the guide to record Dave.
instead of the option to change the channel or automaically changing to the other tuner it just switched right to letterman.

i go from the phils about to tie the game i have to switch back to the game on the other tuner just in time to see arizona taking a 3-2 lead.

when is fios going to be here.

they had a rep at best buy in wilmington sunday night during the rewardzone member "event"
but neither verizon rep had a clue for when fios will be in the aston area.
It's actually better this way. That way if you want to record something you've already got padded or delayed, it'll just keep going and you won't lose what's already there. Just swap over to the other tuner manually.

whats better what way?

in the past it would switch to the other tuner so what i am watching doesnt get lost.
now it will just go right to what you put a red dot on.

whats better what way?

in the past it would switch to the other tuner so what i am watching doesnt get lost.
now it will just go right to what you put a red dot on.

Hmm, do you have the single tuner model? I'm wondering if its an older software version or something.... On my 2-tuner unit when I have a show scheduled to record about a minute before a message pops up on the screen that says something like, "Would you like to change the channel at the start of recording or keep this channel". Then depending on what you selected it will let you continue watching the game as Dave is taped, or jump right to Dave when it starts.

no 2 tuner and updated sw.

this is one of the "features" of the latest.


this happens when i am watchoing something and i want to record a current show on another channel.
not something coming on later in the night.

example.

watching the phils about 10 minutes behind live.
i pull up the guide and see dave has a good guest, and dave is on NOW.
so i hit the record button.
instead of recording on the other tuner it goes right to dave on the same tuner,
losing my 10 minute buffer.

Hmm, I guess you need to hit record on the current channel (so it saves the data), then hit record on Dave. It will still switch the channel, but hopefully keep your 10min (though it might make you rewind or fastforward to find your spot). Not the best solution but at least you won't lose it.

Also by chance check to see if it makes a difference how you record it (ie directly through the REC button on the remote, or by going through the on-screen menu). They might have left the on-screen menu alone so it won't jump channels. Who knows...

i used the on screen menu.
i mentioned that in my previous post.

i just think it's the guide system comcast uses.
not so good.

I just saw the message on my box this morning that Comcast is moving NFL Network off of the Digital Preferred package and moving it to the sports package. I was hoping we'd see NFL-HD added - now I'm going to lose the channel completely unless I fork over more cash per month. That sucks! The one SD channel that I actually watch.

The good news for me: Verizon just started pulling the fiber into my neighborhood. I can't freaking wait to jump ship.

Man!! No sign of FIOS here.

and another thing.

the main menu cannot be reached without comcast central.
if you are recording on both tuners you cannot open on demand or the comcast central.

comcast central is is a new menu that works like the on-demand menu.
so if you are changing the channel to open the menu it will act as if you are changing the channel and delete any buffer.

this is getting more and more annoying.

I'm not sure how they can do this if someone just locked into their "triple play" promotion. NFL Network is a part of the TV package that you are paying for. Now they want you to pay more for it??



I just saw the message on my box this morning that Comcast is moving NFL Network off of the Digital Preferred package and moving it to the sports package. I was hoping we'd see NFL-HD added - now I'm going to lose the channel completely unless I fork over more cash per month. That sucks! The one SD channel that I actually watch.

The good news for me: Verizon just started pulling the fiber into my neighborhood. I can't freaking wait to jump ship.

I was looking at the Triple Play stuff, and finally found burried in tiny tiny font deep in, that for the basic $99 triple play, all you get is "enhanced" cable, which is just plain old regular cable with a digital box, so you get the guide, ondemand, and a couple random channels like cspan3, ewtv, etc. You don't get the standard "digital channels" like ESPNEWS,ngeo, etc. You also wouldn't get cable HD channels(CSNHD,ESPNHD,etc), right?

What a rip off.

Does anyone know if they still offer "digital classic" to be added onto "enhanced" digital cable for new accts I still have my digi classic, but I'm moving(same headend) and can't believe there is no step between enhanced cable($53) and premier w/ one premium(~$80). My bill lists Digital Classic as a seperate line, along with enhanced cable.

You might want to stop by your local Comcast office and pick up the prices list. It will list the prices for individual tiers, that aren't usually listed on the CC website. Example - you can add the "Digital Premium" on top of limited basic for something like $15.

You might want to stop by your local Comcast office and pick up the prices list. It will list the prices for individual tiers, that aren't usually listed on the CC website. Example - you can add the "Digital Premium" on top of limited basic for something like $15.
That is right, the website only offers services in a tiered manner, whereas the list shows services a la carte.

I think you are thinking of 'Digital Preffered' for $15, formerly 'Digital Plus'. 'Digital Classic' still exists, as well, for $12.

Ok, i need someone to reinforce this...

i see that NFL is moving into the sports package, now
did they just take away a bunch of NFL games? like the Turkey DAY 3rd game
and Thursday night games?

or do you think when those games are on it will be on INHD(Mojo)?

cause if they did, im not a happy camper

I know fios is only temporary, with in some time it will be just as crappy as comcast..
prob a few years, cause they have no customers and cant hurt anyones feelings
where comcast can

mitch

I see that Digi Classic still exists, in my new lineup card and letter I got in the mail today.

Several channel changes, including more off of analog to digital. They sure keep freeing up space for more HD channels, no excuses now for not getting NGHD and A&EHD! These are effective June 13th, but the new card has no mention of any new HD channels.

HSN,MTV,PCN just moving around the analog spectrum. GSN,PhillyPark are moving to digital channels, and Encore West is being dropped. However they do make sure to note that "Expanded Basic" customers will STILL get GSN and PhillyPark, you just need a digital box. I believe they call that "Enhanced Cable", right? All that is expanded basic, plus these channels, EWTV, CSPAN3 too I think. Even though Comcast is moving them to digital channels, at least they are not moving them to digital tier packages. I'll give them that.

So 2 more analog channels gone, that's room for 4 HD channels. How convienient :)

Plus a note tooting their 4 HD channel additions in the last year. I don't care about last year, I want more this year. They claim 20 HD channels now, which is correct. 16 plus 4 premiums.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

i am about ready to throw these boxes out the window.
i had the phils recording so i could go in later on to start the game.

so i go in and try to start watching the beginning of the game a few minutes ago.

i hit play and get nothing but a blank screen. then a few seconds later the box shuts off
and resets itself.

tried this several times it keeps resetting when i try to watch beginning of game

now it has to start recording the game everytime it resets so its missing minutes or 2 every reset.

i still cant get the game to play and the menu wont come back.

so the first 2 hrs of the game are toast.
and of course hamels is pitching a... well i dont want to say to jinx it.


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

i hate comcast.

first batter i see after finally getting this stupid box to work and he walks him ruins perfect game.

next batter homerun.

no hitter gone.

f-u comcast dvr this is your fault.

Last night I got some new reasons to HATE the Comcast DVR.

Lost was set for a series recording. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of setting Three Sheets on INHD as a series recording, too. Although set for New Episodes Only, Keep on 5 episodes and Delete As Needed, it doesn't actually do ANY of those things. There were 10 episodes on the box (presumably because INHD lists all episodes as NEW, or because the Comcast Guide can't tell).

So when Lost went to record, it gave a 100% full, can't record message. OK, says I, no problem. I'm already on ABC-HD. I'll just delete the series recording for Three Sheets, delete some of those shows to get down to 65% and manually record the show. I'm already on the right channel, so that should work fine.

It took nearly 8 minutes to find a way to convince the DVR to actually record the show. Since it had the series recording and had apparently run into the error, you couldn't manually record...but it wasn't actually recording, either. We had to delete the series recording and THEN it would accept the manual recording option.

I sure hope TiVo drops the price on their unit soon. :(

I just saw the message on my box this morning that Comcast is moving NFL Network off of the Digital Preferred package and moving it to the sports package. I was hoping we'd see NFL-HD added - now I'm going to lose the channel completely unless I fork over more cash per month. That sucks! The one SD channel that I actually watch.

The good news for me: Verizon just started pulling the fiber into my neighborhood. I can't freaking wait to jump ship.

I actually have it on two channels, 180 and 275 (i think). I don't even subscribe to the sports package!

I would really like some new HD channels. Would REALLY like it if comcast HD could be as good as Dish Network HD service.

Oh, and as far as the DVR goes, no issues at all recording two things at the same time.

Saw this in another thread:

Comcast Boston has gone live with:

HGTV-HD
A&E-HD
FOOD-HD

Amazing since Comcast is based in Philadelphia and we have jack!

Saw this in another thread:


Amazing since Comcast is based in Philadelphia and we have jack!

No joke. But we are dropping 2 analogs in June(I could think of a million channels to drop before GSN, but doesn't affect me so whatever) so there is some space that opens up. Hopefully we get some this summer. I remember being psyched about MHD, yea i never watch it. Same with UHD, at least there is a movie on now and then, but i hardly watch it, so I try not to get too upset.

@Bill Geiger

Funny, when I saw that post, I hopped over here immediately, too.

I am totally excited even for the HOPE of getting Food-HD, A&E-HD & HGTV-HD.

Maybe they ARE actually figuring out that women like HD, too.

Woo woo.

Dawn

I actually have it on two channels, 180 and 275 (i think). I don't even subscribe to the sports package!
If you look at the channel list they just sent for the WG system, you will see that NFL Net is (and has been) in the Sports Pack and Digital Preferred (formerly Digital Plus). Of course, now they are about to drop it from Digital Preferred.

For channels like NFL Net and G4 (the latter being in Digital Classic and Expd.), if you sub to one of those services, they give you a said channel in both locations.

I see that Digi Classic still exists, in my new lineup card and letter I got in the mail today.

Several channel changes, including more off of analog to digital. They sure keep freeing up space for more HD channels, no excuses now for not getting NGHD and A&EHD! These are effective June 13th, but the new card has no mention of any new HD channels.

HSN,MTV,PCN just moving around the analog spectrum. GSN,PhillyPark are moving to digital channels, and Encore West is being dropped. However they do make sure to note that "Expanded Basic" customers will STILL get GSN and PhillyPark, you just need a digital box. I believe they call that "Enhanced Cable", right? All that is expanded basic, plus these channels, EWTV, CSPAN3 too I think. Even though Comcast is moving them to digital channels, at least they are not moving them to digital tier packages. I'll give them that.

So 2 more analog channels gone, that's room for 4 HD channels. How convienient :)

Plus a note tooting their 4 HD channel additions in the last year. I don't care about last year, I want more this year. They claim 20 HD channels now, which is correct. 16 plus 4 premiums.
We got the same letter for Willow Grove system except the changes are set for 27 June.

Here they dropped the last three Premium channels off of Analog a month ago, so that make a total of 5 Analogs dropped in anticipation of new HD channels, but maybe other areas nearby had already dropped all of the Analog Premiums.

From the talk around here, it is almost a certainty that we will be getting a few HD channels that other regions already have. :)

NGHD and A&E HD now on in south jeresey, looks like that ad was right

NGHD and A&E HD now on in south jeresey, looks like that ad was right

Yes, and I called Comcast 3 weeks ago and then again less than a week ago and was told they had NO information about these.

According to this article (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6445509.html), Comcast in Philly has A&EHD?!?!?!

I didn't check this morning, but it wasn't there last night....

a&e and ng live here, still waiting for food

Maybe they ARE actually figuring out that women like HD, too.

Woo woo.

Dawn

You'd think Oprah and the soaps would be HD by now. Daytime is pretty much HD-free.

i dont got NGHD or A&E yet, on Comcast Lansdale system

what channel #'s

mitch

Did anyone else watch Lost last night on HD and get lots of sporadic video errors throughout the broadcast? Or is this a problem with my DVR?

Several times during the 2 hours, I got mass pixelization, the screen breaking up into four squares and frozen images, which would correct itself several seconds later. The audio might stay normal or might skip when this happened.

"Lost" is messed up every week for me, in the manner that you described. Thinking back to the first season, WPVI had problems with the audio way back then! The commercials are always fine, and no other show seems to suffer the same way.

It's amazing that the best looking show on TV should have multiple video and audio problems on a weekly basis. At least I won't have to be mad about it again for 8 more months!

I had problems last night watching LOST as well. From about 9:30-10:00 it was awful, pixelation/breakups lasting 3-5 seconds, about every 20-30 seconds. I started watching at 9:30, so I could FF through EVERY commercial, i stopped once and even the commercials had breakups!!!

I was yelling at the top of my lungs and ready to throw something. I've never had pixelation that bad in a long time, and to happen during my favorite show's finale... i'm still pissed since I'll dump this to my PC, and i'm stuck with breakups for 30 minutes of it.

I figured it was just my DVR... but it's been behaving the last several months.

I never had problems on prior weeks of Lost, only this week.

You'd think Oprah and the soaps would be HD by now. Daytime is pretty much HD-free.


cbs 1 or 2 oclock soap is hd

Did anyone else watch Lost last night on HD and get lots of sporadic video errors throughout the broadcast? Or is this a problem with my DVR?

Several times during the 2 hours, I got mass pixelization, the screen breaking up into four squares and frozen images, which would correct itself several seconds later. The audio might stay normal or might skip when this happened.


i had the same exact problem.

also it stopped recording at 9:48 for no reason.

i had to force it to restart at 10:01.

Our DVR died in the middle of playback at just after midnight today (the 24th). I couldn't access the DVR, menu, guide, or anything for 10 minutes or so, then it all came back.

Odd...

You'd think Oprah and the soaps would be HD by now. Daytime is pretty much HD-free.

Young and the Restless is HD.

I just want Sci-Fi channel in HD and then I'll be a happy man.

Our DVR died in the middle of playback at just after midnight today (the 24th). I couldn't access the DVR, menu, guide, or anything for 10 minutes or so, then it all came back.

Odd...

I woke up this morning having found mine rebooted last night.... some guide listings were still not filled in. Could have been some kind of big system reboot or something....

a&e and ng live here, still waiting for food

Yeah, I hate it when the pizza guy takes too long!

I had problems last night watching LOST as well. From about 9:30-10:00 it was awful, pixelation/breakups lasting 3-5 seconds, about every 20-30 seconds. I started watching at 9:30, so I could FF through EVERY commercial, i stopped once and even the commercials had breakups!!!

I was yelling at the top of my lungs and ready to throw something. I've never had pixelation that bad in a long time, and to happen during my favorite show's finale... i'm still pissed since I'll dump this to my PC, and i'm stuck with breakups for 30 minutes of it.

I figured it was just my DVR... but it's been behaving the last several months.

I never had problems on prior weeks of Lost, only this week.

Had the same problem a week ago during the first 15 minutes, but with audio problems as well. This week there was some pixelation, not as drastic, but around the same time as you. (S. Jersey Comcast)

I woke up this morning having found mine rebooted last night.... some guide listings were still not filled in. Could have been some kind of big system reboot or something....

I figured something like that.

Scared me though when all the unwatched season finales were on there and the DVR wouldn't pop up!

We went through 4 boxes where we lost everything until this current one that has been fine.

I had problems last night watching LOST as well. From about 9:30-10:00 it was awful, pixelation/breakups lasting 3-5 seconds, about every 20-30 seconds. I started watching at 9:30, so I could FF through EVERY commercial, i stopped once and even the commercials had breakups!!!

I was yelling at the top of my lungs and ready to throw something. I've never had pixelation that bad in a long time, and to happen during my favorite show's finale... i'm still pissed since I'll dump this to my PC, and i'm stuck with breakups for 30 minutes of it.

I figured it was just my DVR... but it's been behaving the last several months.

I never had problems on prior weeks of Lost, only this week.


Grab it off bitorrent; That what I've done when I've forgotten to record an episode.

via TC - http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=352577 -

$200 Rebate on S3 Coming May 27

http://www.dvrupgrade.com/rebate/rebate_june07.pdf

That should bring the price down to around $400 depending on where you shop.

Check the TiVo Community thread for information on 'authorized' retailers, and other relevant details.

i had the same exact problem.

also it stopped recording at 9:48 for no reason.

i had to force it to restart at 10:01.

It got worse. The next evening, I discovered the DVR had recorded Lost. EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR THE NEXT 12+ hours. A feat made more amazing by the fact that LOST WASN'T ON. Every fifteen minutes, it recorded some more of ABC-HD, labeled it as a damaged snippet of Lost and kept on going, until it had deleted every other show I had (despite the settings) and then run out of room.

A $200 rebate starting on Sunday, huh? Now if I can just convince the wife...and at $400, it's much easier to do. I HOPE.

Grab it off bitorrent; That what I've done when I've forgotten to record an episode.

Yea but do they have it in true HD? All of them that have the 'CTV" bug in the corner aren't true HD, they look more like HD-lite, based on the resolutions that screencaps are posted.

Without commercials, yea that's about 8GB.

Yea but do they have it in true HD? All of them that have the 'CTV" bug in the corner aren't true HD, they look more like HD-lite, based on the resolutions that screencaps are posted.

Without commercials, yea that's about 8GB.


Well, it's better than not having it at all.

It's likely that the season finale will be broadcast again just before season 4 kicks off. I wouldn't want to wait that long to watch it, but at least anyone who wants to archive a copy will have another chance to record it.

Anyone having problems with A&E HD? for the last two days i get no picture

amazon has the series 3 TiVo for ~$606 and it's eligible for free shipping or amazon prime expedited shipping

(Amazon prime gets you free 2-day shipping, I think; usually you can sign up for a free one month trial of amazon prime if you haven't tried it before)

originally posted by Shorebreaker
issues. Titantv.com is one place that I know of. Use search here and Google .com- then you won't have to wait for replies. : )http://www.titantv.com/quickguide/quickguide.aspx


NO COMCAST-NO STB w/ coaxial - NO Monthly fees!!!!!. HDTV OTA(free) = Tuner( HDTV or EDTV w/ stb tuner or pc with Atsc tuner) +antenna + digital tv( does not have to be HD, monitors w/ DVI are perfect). Coaxial cable runs from antenna to Hdtv or tuner. This gets more complicated with DVR, maybe two more sentences : ) . This forum is perfect for a rainy day. You WILL find everything you need here, just use search and read.
BTW, being in the towers, you will not need a rooftop antenna, unless your under 30 ft from ground or facing the ocean. If you are facing the bay, put the antenna behind the table with the pitcher of margaritas on it!

Seriously, lets us know exactly what TV you have plus specs. If the Comcast coaxial is free, plug it into the NTSC female on your tv.There will b no HD from it, as Comcast scrambles there HD. Antenna coaxial will be plugged into ATSC female. Good luck!

Was reading -found this- Under FAQ, they speak clearly and authoratively on antennas in condos. tells you channels also. Let me know what you get. Big difference between absecon and EHThttp://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/info.a...AQ#_Ref28770252"




Shorebreaker. Its a Philips 47PFL7432 1080p 47" flat lcd ambilight tv. The condo is in Ventnor on the beach and balcony faces towards margate and is the last one closest to ocean on that side (before the unit that faces the ocean) about 7 floors up so im sure that clears the 30ft. Tv face towards the ocean with its back facing the bay.

Titan tv seems to just give a current guide to whats on on those ota channels. I just wanted a channel lineup for all the decimal point chans.

It is comcast cable and just the coax, so none of those ota decimal chans will be HD then cus comcast scrambles them? wth. what can we do about this.

I dont think the tv has a ntsc female coax and atsc. at least i only noticed one female coax so maybe its ntsc and atsc in one.

I guess you were suggesting putting the comcast coax into ntsc and getting an ota hd antenna with coax and plugging that into the atsc? What if it is just one female coax on the tv? Obviously we are already picking up digital chans so why do we need an additional ota hd antenna? and if the female coax is ntsc and atsc in one then wed have to always unplug one and plug the other?

amazon has the series 3 TiVo for ~$606 and it's eligible for free shipping or amazon prime expedited shipping

(Amazon prime gets you free 2-day shipping, I think; usually you can sign up for a free one month trial of amazon prime if you haven't tried it before)

Is there a consensus yet of what a cable card costs/should cost?

so.. what channels number are the new a&E HD and foodTV and NGHD
all my hd are 200-249ish

im in lansdale,pa

mitch

Anyone having problems with A&E HD? for the last two days i get no picture

still no picture :confused:

As for the batch of new HD channels, just check, there aren't that many HD channels! You know where they will appear(hint: where are all the other HD channels? 200-240). Pull up your guide, and see if they appear!

I have no clue when Philly gets them, perhaps scanpa or Jwhip will have some more info. Probably not till at least July for my system, since we are getting rid of 2 analog ch's in mind-June.

Is there a consensus yet of what a cable card costs/should cost?

I know Comcast Philly recently revamped their fee structures, and included specifics on first and additional cable cards, but I don't remember what those numbers are...

so.. what channels number are the new a&E HD and foodTV and NGHD
all my hd are 200-249ish

im in lansdale,pa

mitch

i have yet to see these channels and im in montgomery county as well.

All is quiet, everyone must be happy with their HDTV :)

Phils game on ESPNHD tonight, NOT blacked out.... looks pretty good but I'd just as rather watch the CSNHD feed, no big huge graphics taking up the screen. Sure looks like 2 different cameras, and not the same feed on both channels.

Finally picked up a 3416- awesome pic.


First time getting one of these. An offer from Verizon for the whole deal:
Verizon has the equivalant of Triple Play for $89. The tv service is DirecTV. I guess it will be awhile b4 they get to Absecon and south.

For the record, I rarely have a problem w/ Comcast, and when I do they fix it very quickly. The 3416 has a much better pic than the 6412, which I liked.

I saw a commercial for Comcast today stating that they run their feeds over a fiber optic network? Since when?? Is this true?

I saw a commercial for Comcast today stating that they run their feeds over a fiber optic network? Since when?? Is this true?

An engineer (local) told me just a few months back that Comcast and fiber optic "would never happen".

Any word on Sci-Fi channel in HD anytime soon??

As promised, MTV moved down to 68 replacing GSN which was bumped to upper 100's somewhere, and PhillyPark moved to upper 100's as well.

There is 2 more analog channels gone, now lets add those 4 new HD channels! No excuses now.

I saw a commercial for Comcast today stating that they run their feeds over a fiber optic network? Since when?? Is this true?I dropped ComCast in favor of FiOS back in February. To answer your question, the local OTA channels are fiber-optic feeds (should be in this thread somewhere if you search for it).

I just saw the message on my box this morning that Comcast is moving NFL Network off of the Digital Preferred package and moving it to the sports package. I was hoping we'd see NFL-HD added - now I'm going to lose the channel completely unless I fork over more cash per month. That sucks! The one SD channel that I actually watch.

The good news for me: Verizon just started pulling the fiber into my neighborhood. I can't freaking wait to jump ship.
Been a while since I came to our local thread.
When is this change happening ? :mad:
And they want more money for it ?
How much GD money I give them with internet, HowardTV, HD....how do we find out if /when Verizon is coming...I'm outside Limerick.

Thanks

Been a while since I came to our local thread.
When is this change happening ? :mad:
And they want more money for it ?
How much GD money I give them with internet, HowardTV, HD....how do we find out if /when Verizon is coming...I'm outside Limerick.

Thanks

Verizon just sent reps (a couple of young women) around my neighborhood yesterday on foot. They are going door to door, signing people up for verizon everything (TV, phone, fios internet). We all already have fios, but a bunch of my neighbors signed up for the other services, especially TV. This is Phoenixville.

Personally I decided to stick it to da man quite some time ago. Been enjoying high definition TV for free, via antenna, since 1999. Don't miss cable or satelite (had them both) at all.

Verizon just sent reps (a couple of young women) around my neighborhood yesterday on foot. They are going door to door, signing people up for verizon everything (TV, phone, fios internet). We all already have fios, but a bunch of my neighbors signed up for the other services, especially TV. This is Phoenixville.

Personally I decided to stick it to da man quite some time ago. Been enjoying high definition TV for free, via antenna, since 1999. Don't miss1 cable or satelite (had them both) at all.Phoenixvlle is right down 724 !
Unfortunately my life long passion is Philly sports, and that's why I have all the HD stuff, so CSNHD is a must....especially for the Phillies World Series Run.
Oh and that thing call NFL Sunday Ticket.
Does Verizon have CompcastSportsNet ?
Or a link showing availability in your zip ?

WPVI had a water main break in the parking lot this afternoon, and was preparing to broadcast the news outside.... but were able to return to the building in time.

That would have been a scene!

Local link here (http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=5397267)

Been a while since I came to our local thread.
When is this change happening ? :mad:
And they want more money for it ?
How much GD money I give them with internet, HowardTV, HD....how do we find out if /when Verizon is coming...I'm outside Limerick.

Thanks
In most areas around Philly, NFL Network moves to the sports tier (and off of digital tier) on June 20th. Sucks....just waiting for Verizon to light up the fiber in my neighborhood.

Does Verizon have CompcastSportsNet ?
Or a link showing availability in your zip ?

Yes, they have CSN.

http://www22.verizon.com/Content/FiOSTV/

SD channel 65 and HD channel 829. The funny thing is that the HD channel looks better on FiOS than it did on Comcast.

I have filed a complaint with the BBB bureau about this. I have the triple play package. The NFL network is currently one of the channels offered to me in the package. Now they want to take it away from me and if I want it back I have to pay more. To me thats a price increase. When I called Comcast to complaint initially, the one rep told me how he was ticked too because he is a big football fan and now he has to pay to watch the games. I told him I could care less what channel it was, its still wrong. The best part of all is that comcast claims they are moving it so people who do not want it on the digital tier won't have to pay more for it. Yet my bill won't go down as a result of them moving it to the sports tier and what about the other crappy channels I don't want??

I know the complaint won't go anywhere, but its the principle behind it. I signed an agreement that I am expected to uphold my end, Comcast should be expected to do the same. I'll keep you posted.

In most areas around Philly, NFL Network moves to the sports tier (and off of digital tier) on June 20th. Sucks....just waiting for Verizon to light up the fiber in my neighborhood.

Jesus, Fios is 1000% better in regards to channel lineup compared to Comcast. Sadly, not available to be in the Abington area. If comcast would offer all the HD channels that Verizon does, I wouldn't complain! Why oh why didn't I go with Dish in the first place.

I have a JVC LCD with a QAM tuner & the basic Comcast package (no HD).
The cable goes right into the TV. I use it to watch the OTA channels that Comcast carries. But I've also found that certain ranges of channels pick up movies. Idon't know what service it's picking up, and frequently the TV loses the signal at various times into a movie.

I can understand that the tuner is able to pick & and descramble some channels occassionally, but the thing I'm curious about as to why it happens is sometimes a movie it picks up suddenly goes into fast forward/reverse. Where does that come from? Just curious.

I have a JVC LCD with a QAM tuner & the basic Comcast package (no HD).
The cable goes right into the TV. I use it to watch the OTA channels that Comcast carries. But I've also found that certain ranges of channels pick up movies. Idon't know what service it's picking up, and frequently the TV loses the signal at various times into a movie.

I can understand that the tuner is able to pick & and descramble some channels occassionally, but the thing I'm curious about as to why it happens is sometimes a movie it picks up suddenly goes into fast forward/reverse. Where does that come from? Just curious.

From other people's responses to similar questions on here, it sounds like you're seeing other people in your area viewing on demand contact. You're seeing the viewer actually ff and rr.

I have a JVC LCD with a QAM tuner & the basic Comcast package (no HD).
The cable goes right into the TV. I use it to watch the OTA channels that Comcast carries. But I've also found that certain ranges of channels pick up movies. Idon't know what service it's picking up, and frequently the TV loses the signal at various times into a movie.

I can understand that the tuner is able to pick & and descramble some channels occassionally, but the thing I'm curious about as to why it happens is sometimes a movie it picks up suddenly goes into fast forward/reverse. Where does that come from? Just curious.

slate.com actually had an interesting article on this topic a few weeks ago:

http://www.slate.com/id/2167389

In most areas around Philly, NFL Network moves to the sports tier (and off of digital tier) on June 20th. Sucks....just waiting for Verizon to light up the fiber in my neighborhood.
I wonder if that includes Toms River NJ area?

I have a question that's likely already been answered in this thread, but I don't have time to search through 200+ pages, so please bear with me...

If I'm in South Philly and my tv has a QAM tuner, can I just sign up for basic Comcast and will the tv decode the HDTV broadcasts automatically? Or does Comcast encrypt them? If that's the case what would I need to get the HD stuff? It seems to me that the only advantage to the digital box is the music channels and on Demand stuff, assuming the QAM tuner works the way I think it does.

Also, I know with digital cable there are like 5 or so HBO channels, do you get all of them if you were to order HBO on your basic cable package?

thanks!

Some channels you won't be able to get but you should get all the networks in HD, WHYY, & Universal HD, plus get to watch other peoples on demand and in demand.

I did just have basic and just hooked the cable up to my tv and boom, easy as pie!

Some channels you won't be able to get but you should get all the networks in HD, WHYY, & Universal HD, plus get to watch other peoples on demand and in demand.

I did just have basic and just hooked the cable up to my tv and boom, easy as pie!

Thanks! How about the non-network stuff? I'm mainly interested in getting Comcast Sportsnet and ESPN in HD.

Negative on the CSN-HD and ESPNHD. The only HD channels you'll probably get are the 6 networks and Universal HD. Up here in Bensalem, I get several other QAM channels in the clear: MSNBC,Animal Planet, History, Bravo, ABC Family, TBS, G4, Weather channel, and all of the crappy community channels and independant stations. Plus you get the Music Choice channels too, and get to see your neighbors OnDemand, many times you can find a good movie on Fri/Sat nights. Just do a channel scan, your TV should add everything it finds.

I'm moving in a couple weeks(locally) and just getting basic, part of the reason being I know I'll get all those channels. It's not much, but to get what you don't pay for simply because you are in the vast minority of the public(those with some technical knowledge, and a QAM tuner). The other reason being I really don't watch much cable in the summertime.

Also there is absolutely NOTHING illegal about that, it's Comcast's choice to leave those few channels open(the non-HD ones I listed above).

Negative on the CSN-HD and ESPNHD. The only HD channels you'll probably get are the 6 networks and Universal HD. Up here in Bensalem, I get several other QAM channels in the clear: MSNBC,Animal Planet, History, Bravo, ABC Family, TBS, G4, Weather channel, and all of the crappy community channels and independant stations. Plus you get the Music Choice channels too, and get to see your neighbors OnDemand, many times you can find a good movie on Fri/Sat nights. Just do a channel scan, your TV should add everything it finds.

I'm moving in a couple weeks(locally) and just getting basic, part of the reason being I know I'll get all those channels. It's not much, but to get what you don't pay for simply because you are in the vast minority of the public(those with some technical knowledge, and a QAM tuner). The other reason being I really don't watch much cable in the summertime.

Also there is absolutely NOTHING illegal about that, it's Comcast's choice to leave those few channels open(the non-HD ones I listed above).

Cool, thanks for the info. I've noticed on comcast's site it has an option for HD for $5/month... and it specifically mentions ESPN in HD. I assume this is for TVs without an internal HD tuner, in other words you can't get the basic cable and then just add on Espn HD for another 5 bucks?

If that's the case, I'll probably just get digital, since I am getting cable primarily for the sports anyways, and I want them in HD. So does that QAM trick (getting your neighbor's stuff) only work with the analog cable hookup? Or would I be able to scan for those channels with my cable run through the digital box as well?

Cool, thanks for the info. I've noticed on comcast's site it has an option for HD for $5/month... and it specifically mentions ESPN in HD. I assume this is for TVs without an internal HD tuner, in other words you can't get the basic cable and then just add on Espn HD for another 5 bucks?

If that's the case, I'll probably just get digital, since I am getting cable primarily for the sports anyways, and I want them in HD. So does that QAM trick (getting your neighbor's stuff) only work with the analog cable hookup? Or would I be able to scan for those channels with my cable run through the digital box as well?

Unfortunetly not, ESPNHD and all the other non-network HD are on the "digital classic" tier at a minimum. You can't see other OnDemand stuff using Comcast's box. There is nothing "analog" about it, but with "analog" service, called "limited basic" or "expanded basic" by Comcast, you can see those OnDemand channels with a QAM tuner, yes. Even though you don't have "Digital Classic" or "Digital Preferred".

Bare minimum to get ESPNHD and HD sports is "digital starter" plus "digital classic" and $5 for an HD box(or $12 for an HD-DVR, NOT $17, just $12) that's about $70 a month for non-DVR, $78 with DVR.

Actually, you can go cheaper:

Limited Basic $10
Digital Plus $15
DVR $12
--------------------------
Total $37

You don't have to get the "expanded" channels included in packages. The Limited gets you the locals, plus a few others between 20 and 99. The Digital gets you channels above 100, including the HD channels if you have either an HD box or DVR. You will need the box - a QAM tuner will not get ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, etc. You would be able to get the HD locals, however.

Actually, you can go cheaper:

Limited Basic $10
Digital Plus $15
DVR $12
--------------------------
Total $37

You don't have to get the "expanded" channels included in packages. The Limited gets you the locals, plus a few others between 20 and 99. The Digital gets you channels above 100, including the HD channels if you have either an HD box or DVR. You will need the box - a QAM tuner will not get ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, etc. You would be able to get the HD locals, however.

How do I find these prices? The website lists $24.90 for Basic Cable, no option for Limited Basic. I also don't see the $15 digital plus option, just Digital Starter, Preferred, and Premier for $58.35 and up. Is this one of those things they don't advertise?

The detailed price lists are mailed out to customers, quietly slipped in to a lengthly letter stating that they are providing you with so much value, it's like them only raising the rates by a few bucks is making them LOOSE money. As soon as I see that letter, I don't even read it and flip to the price card. They are probably availible at your local office as well.

I didn't even think of that, will they let you have Digital Classic with just limited basic? I never watch channels below 100, or very rarely. The new naming convention doesn't make it sound like you can get digital preferred a la a carte(previously known as digital plus). But you are right, that would be a great way to get the HD's, think of it as limited basic with an HD tier, plus some bonus digital cable channels.

I didn't even think of that, will they let you have Digital Classic with just limited basic?

Many of the tiers are available added to limited basic. Price lists are available at Comcast customer service offices. but a CSR should also tell you on the phone if you ask about. I think it would be illegal if they didn't.

I think I answered my own question about is it illegal for them to make you subscribe to expanded basic before getting digital classic:

section 76 part 921 of this FCC document onthis page: (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/47cfr76_06.html)

(a) No cable system operator, other than an operator subject to effective competition, may require the subscription to any tier other than the basic service tier as a condition of subscription to video programming offered on a per channel or per program charge basis. A cable operator may, however, require the subscription to one or more tiers of cable programming services as a condition of access to one or more tiers of cable programming services.

I think that means for a premium channel like HBO, you don't need any other level of service, but for digital classic, they are permitted to require expanded basic before it.

Any updates for Chester/Mont Counties on getting AE / Food HD channels? Seems like all talk lately. They moved the Philly Park channel recently off of analog.

By the end of the year.

what is going on during the phils/mets game this aftenoon?

a close up of the catchers glove during an intentional walk?
so far 2 missed plays while the camera is focused away from the ball.
one pitched missed ewhile the shot is on hernandez in the on deck circle?

another while a ball bounces off howard and as a close play at first happens we see beltran rounding third base.

plus all the fuzzies are back during camera switches.

I noticed a few A&E HD programs in the OnDemand section yesterday. You will find it under the A&E section (not HD section) of the OnDemand menu. Hopefully we are getting close to some new HD channel additions!?

I think that means for a premium channel like HBO, you don't need any other level of service, but for digital classic, they are permitted to require expanded basic before it.

Whether they are permitted to or not, they currently do not require anything other than limited basic in order to get the digital tiers, at least in Delaware.

Checking to see if anyone else has the following issue: for weeks now the volume of VSGLF has been very low compared to all others. I'm in Radnor (south Wayne to be more specific).

Checking to see if anyone else has the following issue: for weeks now the volume of VSGLF has been very low compared to all others. I'm in Radnor (south Wayne to be more specific).

I have that problem on NBC-HD whenever they're (supposedly) broadcasting in Dolby 5.1 (which obviously isn't as it's so heavily compressed - sounds like mono). CBS-HD blares loudly compared with the others. Have other channels that blare loudly as well. Comcast has a real problem w/audio levels. Apparently nobody there gives a crap.

Watching the concert for Diana on MTV HD. The Dolby Digital indicator on my receiver is showing 5.1 channels being received, but all channels except for front left and right are silent. Is this common? One would think they would pay attention to the audio in a concert broadcast.

Audio volume is not standardized across the channels like one would think. It's a big discussion topic for both cable and FiOS TV. I've moved on to Verizon FiOS, but you can see an example in a thread over on Broadband reports: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17866885 (Verizon FiOS TV forum)

I have that problem on NBC-HD whenever they're (supposedly) broadcasting in Dolby 5.1 (which obviously isn't as it's so heavily compressed - sounds like mono). CBS-HD blares loudly compared with the others. Have other channels that blare loudly as well. Comcast has a real problem w/audio levels. Apparently nobody there gives a crap.

Comcast or any other providers may be contractually obligated not to mess with the audio and video streams and pass them as they are received. Crap in, crap out.

Even on the same channel different programs have different audio levels. Just like the same program has audio levels that can be lower than commercials playing on the same program. That's especially evident on CBS-HD. Some of their programs are recorded in SD and upconverted and some of their HD offerings have very high audio level.

Comcast does have problems but not every problem is Comcast fault.

QUOTE=maxman]I have that problem on NBC-HD whenever they're (supposedly) broadcasting in Dolby 5.1 (which obviously isn't as it's so heavily compressed - sounds like mono). CBS-HD blares loudly compared with the others. Have other channels that blare loudly as well. Comcast has a real problem w/audio levels. Apparently nobody there gives a crap.[/QUOTE]



Audio on the HD channel is passed thru the cable system equipment. To keep the PSIP and the DD 5.1 intact Comcast can not do anything with it, unless they spend some big bucks to recreate the signal just to balance the volume levels between the networks. To make audio complaints on the HD services it would be best to complain the provider like CBS3. With their new studio's they should be able to give you an indication of what level of volume they are outputting, or you need to use some audio compressing technology in your DD 5.1 receiver to balance the audio levels between channels.

Quick question-

I am getting a CableCARD setup from Comcast at the end of the month. I am looking to put together a package that gets me the maximum number of HD channels for the least amount of money. Since I've got a cableCARD setup, On-Demand and Pay-Per-View obviously won't work, and I'd like to avoid having all those pointless music channels as well. Currently I'm signed up for the digital prefered package, but I thought I read somewhere earlier in this thread that I could get essentially all the same HD channels with some combination of other packages. Can one of these combos beat the $64 a month I'll be paying for the digital prefered + HD package?

Edit: In case it helps, the tv is a Pioneer 5080 which has 2 tuners but no QAM, and it has a CableCARD slot

anyone?

Currently I'm signed up for the digital prefered package, but I thought I read somewhere earlier in this thread that I could get essentially all the same HD channels with some combination of other packages...
Edit: In case it helps, the tv is a Pioneer 5080 which has 2 tuners but no QAM, and it has a CableCARD slot
If you've got a CableCard slot, you've got QAM (digital) tuners, as that is how HD is sent over cable.

With your TV, you can get your local network HD channels (ABC/NBC/CBS/Fox/PBS) without even having to use a CableCard, as they are sent QAM-in-the-clear by Comcast on only the minimum analog package. (They'll show up as 6.1, 10.1, etc, not at 231.)

To get Discovery, TNT, ESPN, etc, in HD, you have to have a digital package. They are not sent in the clear, and I believe are not available on any analog-only packages, even if you use a CableCard for authorization. No way to dodge the music channels -- you'll get them with any digital package and you can't drop them and save money. And if you have a CableCard for authorization of even an analog only package, your TV will tune the digital SD simulcast of those channels.

Quick question-

I am getting a CableCARD setup from Comcast at the end of the month. I am looking to put together a package that gets me the maximum number of HD channels for the least amount of money. Since I've got a cableCARD setup, On-Demand and Pay-Per-View obviously won't work, and I'd like to avoid having all those pointless music channels as well. Currently I'm signed up for the digital prefered package, but I thought I read somewhere earlier in this thread that I could get essentially all the same HD channels with some combination of other packages. Can one of these combos beat the $64 a month I'll be paying for the digital prefered + HD package?

Edit: In case it helps, the tv is a Pioneer 5080 which has 2 tuners but no QAM, and it has a CableCARD slot

Do what I was asking a page ago, get limited basic, and then add on just digital classic. 1st cablecard should be free to rent, so that should cost you about $27 a month and get you all the HD channels, since they are included at the digital classic level. Don't bother getting "expanded basic" if you really only want HD channels. They will probably try to get you to buy expanded basic, but people have reported getting JUST limited basic and digital classic. All else fails, politely tell the CSR you aren't interested then, hang up and call again and get a different CSR.

thanks!

edit: just called, got set up with limited basic and digital classic with the HD package. thanks again!

I know the "30 second skip" programming has been covered many times. What I would like to do is program a 20 second skip. Sometimes I record baseball games for later viewing and the time between pitches is usually 20 seconds, or less.

I know programming sequence for 30 seconds:
1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable"
button blinks twice.
3) Enter 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (don't hold) the "Setup" button
5) Enter 00173 (for 30 second Skip)

Do you modify the 00173 and if so has anyone determined what that would be for 20 seconds?

Thanks.

Saw a commercial this morning for Comcast digital cable plus HBO(I guess this is the "digitial premier package", which is only digital preferred + 1 premium) for 29.99 a month for 12 months. I tried to read the fine print as fast as I could, didn't see anything about the triple play, or a year committment required. Expires 7/31/07.

Keep an eye out for it, might only be a Philly area thing since I saw it on KYW this morning during a local commercial "block"

If this is true, that's quite a deal.

Saw a commercial this morning for Comcast digital cable plus HBO(I guess this is the "digitial premier package", which is only digital preferred + 1 premium) for 29.99 a month for 12 months. I tried to read the fine print as fast as I could, didn't see anything about the triple play, or a year committment required. Expires 7/31/07.

Keep an eye out for it, might only be a Philly area thing since I saw it on KYW this morning during a local commercial "block"

If this is true, that's quite a deal.
No, that is called 'Digital Preferred with One Premium' (formerly 'Digital Silver')
'Digital Premier' (formerly 'Digital Platinum') includes all five premiums.

The deal is probably for new subs only, I bet.

I know the "30 second skip" programming has been covered many times. What I would like to do is program a 20 second skip. Sometimes I record baseball games for later viewing and the time between pitches is usually 20 seconds, or less.

I know programming sequence for 30 seconds:
1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable"
button blinks twice.
3) Enter 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (don't hold) the "Setup" button
5) Enter 00173 (for 30 second Skip)

Do you modify the 00173 and if so has anyone determined what that would be for 20 seconds?

Thanks.
I have had the DVR from the start, and have never read here at AVS, or on the web, how to program anything other than a 30 second skip. The remote code doesn't represent the number of seconds, AFAIK, it is just a code, like many others to program the remote.

I have had the DVR from the start, and have never read here at AVS, or on the web, how to program anything other than a 30 second skip. The remote code doesn't represent the number of seconds, AFAIK, it is just a code, like many others to program the remote.

Thanks. I tried several numbers and they did not work, just as you said. Too bad, at least I think it would be a good idea to have a 20 second skip.

Saw a commercial this morning for Comcast digital cable plus HBO(I guess this is the "digitial premier package", which is only digital preferred + 1 premium) for 29.99 a month for 12 months. I tried to read the fine print as fast as I could, didn't see anything about the triple play, or a year committment required. Expires 7/31/07.

Keep an eye out for it, might only be a Philly area thing since I saw it on KYW this morning during a local commercial "block"

If this is true, that's quite a deal.

I found more details, it's only digital starter, which is another name for expanded basic with a digital box, it's not really a "level" of service like digital classic or digital preferred. So that's maybe a $20 a month savings, meh. Nothing phenominal.

Jesus, Fios is 1000% better in regards to channel lineup compared to Comcast. <b>Sadly, not available to be in the Abington area.</b> If comcast would offer all the HD channels that Verizon does, I wouldn't complain! Why oh why didn't I go with Dish in the first place.

My wife attended some meeting for Abington Township (North Hills), and the local rep said the township signed a contract with Verizon. It's 13 years in length, but Verizon's not obligated to set anything up during the first 4 years.

You would think that Verizon wants to get in here ASAP, so it's looking good.

My wife attended some meeting for Abington Township (North Hills), and the local rep said the township signed a contract with Verizon. It's 13 years in length, but Verizon's not obligated to set anything up during the first 4 years.

You would think that Verizon wants to get in here ASAP, so it's looking good.

Well, considering Willow Grove has it, I think the Glenside (Abington Township) should have it as well. Thanks for the update! Actually, thanks to your wife!

I'm wondering about all the HD channels coming down the pike. Supposedly by the end of the year (give-or-take) a whole bunch of cable channels will be offering HD channels -- FX, Comedy Central, History Channel, A&E, etc.

Will Comcast be offering all of them? It was my understanding that they're already pushing the cable lines' bandwidth close to the max, so can we realistically expect Comcast to offer all of those channels? Or should I just hold my breath and wait for FIOS to show up in my area?

Did anyone else have this problem????

Around the beginning of May I installed a TV set with a QAM tuner on a basic analog Comcast line. Received all the HD free channels 3-1, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 10-1, 10-2, etc. Around the end of June, I lost channel 6 and 10 HD. This is a Samsung TV. Auto-program developed a freeze glitch on cable channel 113. Not a TV problem as when I remove the cable line the TV doesn't freeze. Something on the cable channel 113 causes the freeze.

Recently installed a second set (different brand) and have the same problem with 6 and 10, but I did find their HD signal at 113-1 and 113-2. This set allowed channel 113 to be activated

From what I see, it appears that sometime late in June Comcast removed PSIP data from channels 6 and 10. When I view 6 and 10 HD on channel 113-1 and 113-2, there is no information shown. the Samsung TV doesn't know how to respond to a digital HD signal without channel data.

The FCC has a current Notice of Rulemaking that addresses the regulations that a cable provider can't degrade the broadcast signal by removing data. I think I'm going to comment about Comcast and their stripping of needed data.

anyone in delco having trouble with espn channels lately

last few days all hd espn has been pixalating supper bad, unwatchable.

today i get the this chanel will come on shortly message, just in time for the phils game.

well it must be the box as the other box works.

odd that it is only espn news espnhd and espn 2hd

Tony, I had that happen and all it was, for me, was the cable cord was loose. I just tightened it and all was fixed.

i;ll chec that.

odd that it is such a wide range from one channel to the next.

102 -202, 203

Hi all, I recently when up to the Comcast office in N/E Philly to exchange my DCT 2500 and Comcast gave me a DCT 6200 for my HDTV. I was wondering if anyone in Philly received a newer DCH 3200 Motorola from them yet. My DCT 6200 is working fine but it is very "LARGE" and the DCH 3200 looks like the same size as the DCT 2500.

Are there any new "HD" channels coming to Philly???(TBS HD, National Geo. HD, Food Network HD, A&E HD, HGTV HD, HD net or anything else???

Weather Channel HD, but don't know who will be carrying it (discussed in Verizon FiOS forum).

May be going to Digital only for the one year $29.99 price for one Tv but was wondering what was Clear QAM in the Bensalem Node right now besides the locals and MC channels. I'm asking because this week I installed a LCD for a friend
in Ardmore, Delaware County and there was many other clear Qam channels that
could be tuned in. I understand that they can go encrypted at anytime.
Thanks in advance Owenf

FYI, Comcast Sports Tier is now $1.99 in Philly area.
I just signed up at this price, includes NFL network of course.
I think it expires 7/31, according to DSLREPORTS forum.
-hs

Hi,

I new to the HDTV arena (haven't received my TV yet) and wanted to get the advice of others.
I bought the Samsung HLT5087S and was trying to figure out (if) what kind of cable service to get. I don't watch much TV other than the network channels (which I'd like to get in HD):

1. In Philadelphia county (art museum district) is it feesible to get OTA HD reception w/ good analog reception?

2. If I was to get cable and go w/ the basic cable package - do I need to rent a box from them (I don't watch ppv/sports on demand); Can I get the digital classic package - if so, what does it include and how much does it cost?

thanks in advance for all your help for this newbie.
rj

picked up the stb (dct700) last night at the local CO and installed on the existing
analog cable drop that is receiving expanded basic. (put 2way splitter inline)
1 leg to tv & 1 leg to stb. All seems to be good. Still receiving analogs with no degradation and the digital seem to be all there. The epg is there but there are some discrepencies. Not that worried though. Big question is will analogs disappear in the near future ? I only switched because of the price and free hbo
offer for 6 months. It'll be a saving of $22.00 a month with many more channels unless the analogs go away. Has anyone experienced this ?
thanks in advance
owenf

RJ, if the TV you are waiting on has a QAM tuner you are golden. You'll get the major networks in HD with any Comcast plan. You don't need digital. Looks like the the 5087 does have a QAM tuner.

OTA is another option. It would make use of the TV's ATSC tuner.

Good Luck,
Frank

Hi,

I new to the HDTV arena (haven't received my TV yet) and wanted to get the advice of others.
I bought the Samsung HLT5087S and was trying to figure out (if) what kind of cable service to get. I don't watch much TV other than the network channels (which I'd like to get in HD):

1. In Philadelphia county (art museum district) is it feesible to get OTA HD reception w/ good analog reception?

2. If I was to get cable and go w/ the basic cable package - do I need to rent a box from them (I don't watch ppv/sports on demand); Can I get the digital classic package - if so, what does it include and how much does it cost?

thanks in advance for all your help for this newbie.
rj

You should be able to get OTA reception, but depends on what buildings are around you, etc. Distance from the towers obviously isn't an issue. Just go get an indoor antenna from Target/Kmart/Wal-Mart and see if it works. If not, return it on and sign up for Comcast "limited basic", about $15 a month. You'll get all the HD locals with that, Comcast does not like to advertise that, you'll find it in very fine print.

However, didn't all cable in Philly used to be scrambled so you needed a box for every TV? Or was that only in other parts of the city?

I was reading on TVpredictions that Comcast has added the "NFL NETWORK HD" but I checked the guide here in Philly and don't see it. Anyone in South Jersey receiving the channel yet?

I was reading on TVpredictions that Comcast has added the "NFL NETWORK HD" but I checked the guide here in Philly and don't see it. Anyone in South Jersey receiving the channel yet?

I'm in South Jersey. Just spoke w/Comcast less than 2 hours ago and was told they knew nothing about it.

Washington, D.C. (August 1, 2007) -- Comcast has added the HD version of the NFL Network to its high-def lineup in select cities.

The channel, which is owned by the National Football League, airs eight regular season games in high-def (and standard def) during the second half of the season.

This season, it will air 34 of 52 pre-season games in high-def, starting with this Sunday night's Hall of Fame game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints at 8 p.m. ET.


Comcast has aired some of the NFL Network's regular season games in high-def on a special channel in the past, but the channel was added today 24/7 on channel 246 in the Washington, D.C. area. (Pictured above: Screen shot taken today of a NFL Network broadcast of a live press conference with Oakland owner Al Davis; note the 246 "NFL HD" in the Comcast on-screen guide listing. Picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.)

The channel's regular season coverage will kick off on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 22) with a HD match up between the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts and the Michael Vick-less Atlanta Falcons.

Contacted today by TVPredictions.com, Comcast spokesman Chris Ellis said he did not know which markets are getting NFL Network HD, saying it's the decision of the local systems.

In related news, the NFL Network says DIRECTV will carry all of its HD pre-season games this month in the channel 90s.

I have that problem on NBC-HD whenever they're (supposedly) broadcasting in Dolby 5.1 (which obviously isn't as it's so heavily compressed - sounds like mono). CBS-HD blares loudly compared with the others. Have other channels that blare loudly as well. Comcast has a real problem w/audio levels. Apparently nobody there gives a crap.

Comcast or any other providers may be contractually obligated not to mess with the audio and video streams and pass them as they are received. Crap in, crap out.

Even on the same channel different programs have different audio levels. Just like the same program has audio levels that can be lower than commercials playing on the same program. That's especially evident on CBS-HD. Some of their programs are recorded in SD and upconverted and some of their HD offerings have very high audio level.

Comcast does have problems but not every problem is Comcast fault.

The low-tier SD channels (ABC/NBC/CBS) all have same-sounding audio. It's only the NBC-HD channel that sounds lousy (it sure ain't DD5.1) compared to the ABC-HD, CBS-HD and other channels so my guess would be that it is Comcast's fault. I've called and gotten nowhere, had the cable guy hear it and say he'd report it/look into it (he didn't), been told by a supervisor that a technician would call me about the problem (he didn't), etc. Believe me, nobody there gives a crap.

PS: I've been on the phone with an engineer in the past who admitted they don't have a 5.1 setup - they only have the speaker(s) in the TV. This is the local engineering department at Comcast! Unbelievable!

Can anyone tell me if CSN Philadelphia will broadcast the FOX Sports Net Pac-10 Saturday night games in HD? This will be the first season we have CSN Philadelphia here in State College.

Thanks!

For all you football fanatics out there, you are probably aware that Comcast had moved the NFL Network station from it's digital tier to it's sport package tier back in June.

I know it's only a few dollars more but I feel Comcast has enough of my hard earned money so I wanted to see how long I could last without the NFL Network.

Couldn't even make it pass the first preseason game (last Sunday's Hall of Fame game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints) but I feel much better. Now if we can only get the football gods to make Comcast add the NFL Network to their HD lineup, life would be sweeter.

Bring on those preseason games!

Can anyone tell me if CSN Philadelphia will broadcast the FOX Sports Net Pac-10 Saturday night games in HD? This will be the first season we have CSN Philadelphia here in State College.

Thanks!

Last year they certainly didn't, and I think they still don't have the HD capability to do anything but live transmission from Citizens' Bank or the WAC. They also can show the Phils @Mets in HD, since SNY is Comcast owned. Someone said they are working on producing/shooting SportsRise/SportsNite in HD, but I haven't seen or heard anything. I know nothing/have no sources, other posters might.

But if last year was any indication, probably not this year since it's rapidly approaching. But maybe we get surprised.

Somewhat OT, but this week I have seen Phils highlights on the 11:00 sports highlights on KYW, in HD. Game(s) were on CSN, not WPSG. Of course they'll show HD highlights when it was on WPSG since they are owned by KYW and share facilities/operations with them. Then last night, only SD highlights from CSN... but they definetly can show HD highlights. Also saw FSN HD clip of Bonds 756th...

The low-tier SD channels (ABC/NBC/CBS) all have same-sounding audio. It's only the NBC-HD channel that sounds lousy (it sure ain't DD5.1) compared to the ABC-HD, CBS-HD and other channels so my guess would be that it is Comcast's fault. I've called and gotten nowhere, had the cable guy hear it and say he'd report it/look into it (he didn't), been told by a supervisor that a technician would call me about the problem (he didn't), etc. Believe me, nobody there gives a crap.

PS: I've been on the phone with an engineer in the past who admitted they don't have a 5.1 setup - they only have the speaker(s) in the TV. This is the local engineering department at Comcast! Unbelievable!

SD channels are digitally encoded off-air analogs. That's why they sound the same. Off-air HD channels are received locally using an off-air receiver and then remodulated for the cable plant. Assuming all things being equal and your local Comcast office receives ABC-HD, CBS-HD, CW-HD, PBS-HD and NBC-HD using the same model receivers and every local HD except NBC-HD sounds OK then its most likely the actual feed that they are getting that causing the issue. It may also be a failing off-air receiver in the headend though I doubt that. Trust me that nobody will be re-encoding off-air signals because Comcast localy would not spend that kind of money for that type of the gear.

Why are surprised that a local office does not have a 5.1 setup? They are just techs and engineers whose job is to make sure that new boxes or cable modems are configured, a headend is working properly and that there is no service outages. HDTV is not so prevalent yet for them to monitor whether every HD channel has Dolby 5.1 functioning. Most of Comcast customers still have a 27" or 32" CRT that they hook up to a cable box via an RF cable.

And why are so upset about NBC-HD's lack of 5.1 anyway? As far as I am concerned there is nothing worthwhile on NBC to watch anyway.

And why are so upset about NBC-HD's lack of 5.1 anyway? As far as I am concerned there is nothing worthwhile on NBC to watch anyway.

Thanks xela; I'm upset because I'm paying a lot of money each month to them (Comcast) and have a small fortune invested in my home theater so I expect quality from a multi-billion dollar company. Too much to ask?

NBC-HD didn't used to be like this. It started several months ago all of a sudden (lower volume than the other HD channels). After a couple of months the volume of the pro-logic presentations increased but not anything in 5.1; it sounds compressed and mono/stereo sounding, like the voice is coming from in back of the TV and there is no "presence" in the surround at all. This doesn't have to be, and it shouldn't be this way. And I'm upset because when there IS something important on I want to be able to enjoy the audio as well as the video.

I've always appreciated Comcast and been a big supporter but now see them as one of the worst customer oriented companies out there, and not just based on this one example.

Not exactly Philly, but the Free QAM channels available on the Comcast Reading, PA system are listed here:

http://home.comcast.net/~cypherx/freeqam.htm

Everything is different over here, and what QAMS are in the clear usually differs from metro to metro. Some areas probably by individual headend.

Anyone else notice some of the PSIP mappings have disapeared? KYW,WHYY don't map to 3-1,12-3,12-4,12-5 anymore, they stay at 90-1 to 90-4. WPSG disapeared too, won't remap to 57-1 from 110-1. This is on both my OnAir GT and Samsung TV.

10.1 has lower volume OTA, compared to 6.1, 3.1, 29.1, and 57.1. I don't believe it is Comcast's fault.

Everything is different over here, and what QAMS are in the clear usually differs from metro to metro. Some areas probably by individual headend.

Anyone else notice some of the PSIP mappings have disapeared? KYW,WHYY don't map to 3-1,12-3,12-4,12-5 anymore, they stay at 90-1 to 90-4. WPSG disapeared too, won't remap to 57-1 from 110-1. This is on both my OnAir GT and Samsung TV.
Yes I noticed this also only on kyw cbs3 3-1 isnt coming in anymore.

Thanks xela; I'm upset because I'm paying a lot of money each month to them (Comcast) and have a small fortune invested in my home theater so I expect quality from a multi-billion dollar company. Too much to ask?

NBC-HD didn't used to be like this. It started several months ago all of a sudden (lower volume than the other HD channels). After a couple of months the volume of the pro-logic presentations increased but not anything in 5.1; it sounds compressed and mono/stereo sounding, like the voice is coming from in back of the TV and there is no "presence" in the surround at all. This doesn't have to be, and it shouldn't be this way. And I'm upset because when there IS something important on I want to be able to enjoy the audio as well as the video.

I've always appreciated Comcast and been a big supporter but now see them as one of the worst customer oriented companies out there, and not just based on this one example.

One thing that can affect audio stream on a digital channel is a muxer they use in the headend. Well to be technical, not the muxer itself but a how its configured for that channel.

But somebody already mentioned that 10.1 OTA channel has a subpar audio. That may be the cause not Comcast. I think that if Comcast starts messing with primary networks OTA signals they get from major networks Comcast can get their a$$ handed to them by that network and FCC. Contractually and legally they cannot modify OTA signals that they pass through on their cable plant. 99% chance that the problem is with NBC and not Comcast. If Comcast would try to shave bits off of the signals why just NBC-HD and not the rest of them?

...If Comcast would try to shave bits off of the signals why just NBC-HD and not the rest of them?

Not saying that, I'm saying there's a technical issue with the audio on this specific channel that they're not addressing.

I'm hoping someone can help me out here. I'm the Philadelphia area (south philly) and have been a customer of Comcast BASIC cable for the past 7 years. I used to have basic plus preferred at around $57 a month, but around 3 years ago dropped to JUST plain Basic for around $24 a month when I got DirecTV.

So, I still have my basic set up and one cable box. Down here in South Philly, you always had to have a box, or your channels would be scrambled. Well, in the past few months it seems as if that is no longer the case. Yes, the channels are moved, but nothing is scrambled anymore on my other 2 tv's without boxes.

On my Panasonic Plasma with built in QAM tuner, I'm receiving all the analogs, as well as digital feeds, local HDTV, music channels and a few other channels in the clear, just like everyone else who simply connects the coax to the back of the tv without a cable box - not too bad. Of course, no ESPN HD, CSN HD or any of the other encrypted HD channels.

So, I keep seeing this commerical to UPGRADE to digital cable for only $29.99 for 12 months with free HBO as well. Seems like a pretty good deal for only $5 more a month for me to finally go digital. Then after the promo period, I'd either cancel or drop back down, since I'm already paying around $50/month for DirecTV.

Anyway, I call comcast hoping to do that deal and then just add the $5 extra so I can have the other HD channels I am missing and they tell me it's not possible and that it would cost me like $68 a month to do that, so I tell them forget it - I was only gonna do it if it was the $29.99 + $5 for the HDTV box. She says the promo is for Digital Starter and that I'd need Digital Preferred but that she would 'do it for me' at just $10 more per month on top of the $29.99 promo, and THEN I can add the HDTV box for $5. Is this correct ? Why can't I just add the $5 and be paying $35 a month ??? How is this working for everyone else ? Oh, and this is all just for ONE box. Plus she said with Digital Starter, you only get channels 1-100, heck, I get those with my analog box and I get even more than that on my QAM tuner tv ...

I wouldn't mind if I wasn't paying for DirecTV, but I can't see paying $45 ($51 with all taxes and fees, she said) plus the $50 I'm paying for DirecTV.

Does anyone have any info they can share on what a setup like I'm looking for can be with the promo or otherwise ?

Thanks - sorry for such a long post !!!

Not saying that, I'm saying there's a technical issue with the audio on this specific channel that they're not addressing.

If the OTA NBC-HD audio is crap and Comcast just passes it along what do you want them to do? Go into NBC's studio and adjust the audio? Or call NBC and complain that they don't broadcast 5.1 audio? Comcast is obligated to carry the feed, it's not obligated to fix the NBC's issues.

Anyone notice on a lot of the NBC HD feeds having a faint yellow 1 pixel line along the left edge of the screen? This is only on NBC HD. I can switch to other OTA HD feeds, or even cable network HD Feeds and this is not an issue.

FWIW: I am using a Samsung HP-T4254 Plasma TV with "Just Scan" zoom mode (no overscan) and a HDMI to DVI cable with a Motorola 6412 DVR.

If the OTA NBC-HD audio is crap and Comcast just passes it along what do you want them to do? Go into NBC's studio and adjust the audio? Or call NBC and complain that they don't broadcast 5.1 audio? Comcast is obligated to carry the feed, it's not obligated to fix the NBC's issues.

This is getting ridiculous. I don't have OTA to compare and didn't say I did. Where did you get that? I didn't say it is or isn't the network's fault. If others elsewhere in my system aren't noticing this then it's a Comcast issue somewhere between my STB and wherever the signal is originating at at Comcast. I just want it NORMAL the way it used to be before ALL the volume dropped on that channel several months ago, and Comcast should address the issue to determine a solution or if in the case of them just "passing it on" as you say then determine that there ISN'T a solution on their part.

FWIW channel 3 is 91-03.

Phils @ Nats tonight is in HD on the road... add another stadium for HD road games. Makes sense I guess since CSN Mid-Atlantic covers the Nats.

Phils @ Nats tonight is in HD on the road... add another stadium for HD road games. Makes sense I guess since CSN Mid-Atlantic covers the Nats.

from the CSN Philly website: Other SportsNet Cities: Baltimore/Washington D.C. • Chicago • Sacramento • New York

I know they did HD from Wrigley last year, but they did not this year.

I wonder if we'll see any Sixers or Flyers road games in HD this year? Does SNY do any hockey (with three teams, maybe they got one?). Who covers the Caps and the Blackhawks?

Does it make any difference when a team goes to a venue for three or four games like the Phils vs just one game setup & breakdown as in the NBA & NHL?

Anyway, nice to see the road game in HD, but I wish CSN would advertise such coverage!! Even the CSN website says the games are CSN vs CSN-HD for the next home games vs LA: @WSH/7:05
CSN
@WSH/7:05
CSN
@PIT/7:05
CSN
@PIT/7:05
CW-57
@PIT/1:35
CW-57

LAD/7:05
CSN-HD

Phils @ Nats tonight is in HD on the road...

And Russell Branyan hit made the picture look even better. :)

Read a few posts up, some PSIP mappings disapeared last week. KYW,WHYY,WPSG all still there, just not at their "mapped" locations of 3-1,12-3, etc.

For me KYW is 90-2, WHYY is 90-1, WPSG is 110-1 Do a rescan and your tuner should find them, probably somewhere between 88 and 120(on the unencrypted QAM channels)

hmm i didnt even think about it last night watchig the phils nats game.

i'm so used to watching nearly everything in HD.

Comcast definetly playing around. 3-1 seems to be remapped properly, for now, as does WHYY which is now on 12-1.

My 90-2 now remaps to 3-1, calling it "Prog 1" WHYY is now remaped to 12-1, "WHYY-1" 12-4 "Y Arts" 12-5 "WHYY-3"

Hi all,

I've got the Moto 6412 DVR and I just upgraded from a 720P TV to a 1080P model and have noticed a definite decrease in PQ on HD channels, particularly as compared to HD optical formats. I moved from NYC where TWC uses Passport, and it's easy to change the output resolutions, but I can't figure out how to do it on the comcast box--I'm sure it's something ridiculously simple and I'm just missing it--anyone know how to do it?

Hi all,

I've got the Moto 6412 DVR and I just upgraded from a 720P TV to a 1080P model and have noticed a definite decrease in PQ on HD channels, particularly as compared to HD optical formats. I moved from NYC where TWC uses Passport, and it's easy to change the output resolutions, but I can't figure out how to do it on the comcast box--I'm sure it's something ridiculously simple and I'm just missing it--anyone know how to do it?

with the power to the STB off press the menu button

with the power to the STB off press the menu button
Ah, excellent--thanks.

The Qam assignments for NBC and ABC are now backwards in our system!

6-1 is now WCAU 10 NBC HD
10-1 is now WPVI 6 ABC HD

The subchannels appear correct though
6-2 ABC Weather
6-3 ABC News Now

10-2 NBC Weather Plus


Weird, it's like a wire is crossed or something.

This was not always like this. Everything was correct, so why did they mess with it?

I noticed and it sorta makes me mad a bit, Comcast took the whole music choice programming off of whole digital ring or something or encrypted them, because I no-longer can get them. The whole block of channels when i reprogrammed the TV it no-longer even kept the channels they were on. Anyone know if this is going to be fully like that or is it going to be back?

hmm start of phils dodgers is sd.
harry just said the game is in HD and the hd logo just rolled on screen.

did csn forget to hit the HD switch

I noticed and it sorta makes me mad a bit, Comcast took the whole music choice programming off of whole digital ring or something or encrypted them, because I no-longer can get them. The whole block of channels when i reprogrammed the TV it no-longer even kept the channels they were on. Anyone know if this is going to be fully like that or is it going to be back?


I just got a message on my stb about the music choice changes, they point to this link:

http://www.musicchoice.com/channellineupchange/

I just got a message on my stb about the music choice changes, they point to this link:

http://www.musicchoice.com/channellineupchange/

See that is for the digital cable stb users, it doesnt help out us direct coax to tv users. But thank you for the info.

Last night's Phils game on CSN logo is no longer the "CSN HD", but the regular CSN, and placed in the 4:3 safe zone rather than the far upper right of the 16:9 area. Hmmmm...

One of the music choice channel lineup changes. The former "R&B & Hip-Hop" channel is now going to be called "Hip Hop and R&B". WOW. And no more opera channel, I've lost the will to live anymore.

I can confirm the music choice channels were encrypted for me just a couple days ago as well. I was setting up a friend's QAM HDTV in Media on Saturday and the music choice were still there. No longer. Meh, no big loss for me. I can't imagine why they encrypted those before any other regular TV channels that still aren't encrypted.

When I fired up my OnAir GT, it wouldn't tune my handful of channels in the clear, saying they were encrypted. I just re-added them and they appeared, and they still work on my HDTV. But Comcast has been playing around with them a lot these last couple weeks... Another poster on another thread said he is in Philly area and lost a bunch.

Yea, sucks.... lost all my cable music choice channels! Sucks Comcast had to go and change from open QAM on those channels.

Anything else change?

Does anyone know if NFL games will be in HD on mojo like inhd use to play games that where being played on the NFL Network? I really dont wanna pay anymore money to comcast just to see 1 more football game a week. Was always nice to get that Thursday game or saturday game in cant remember when the NFL network game was on last year.

Does anyone know if NFL games will be in HD on mojo like inhd use to play games that where being played on the NFL Network? I really dont wanna pay anymore money to comcast just to see 1 more football game a week. Was always nice to get that Thursday game or saturday game in cant remember when the NFL network game was on last year.


No they will not be, You will get an NHL HD channel or they will be on an HD Special Events channel. You need to subscribe to the Sports tier to get the channel.

[QUOTE=ak3883;11383924]Last night's Phils game on CSN logo is no longer the "CSN HD", but the regular CSN, and placed in the 4:3 safe zone rather than the far upper right of the 16:9 area. Hmmmm...

The build out is basically complete so all studio shows in CSN will be in HD starting most likely in mid September. They even let a brief glimpse of Sports Night go out in HD on Tuesday night until they caught it.

[QUOTE=ak3883;11383924]Last night's Phils game on CSN logo is no longer the "CSN HD", but the regular CSN, and placed in the 4:3 safe zone rather than the far upper right of the 16:9 area. Hmmmm...

The build out is basically complete so all studio shows in CSN will be in HD starting most likely in mid September. They even let a brief glimpse of Sports Night go out in HD on Tuesday night until they caught it.

Jwhip any ideas on if they will reopen the music choice or leave it sealed and encrypted?