Hello All,

Did anyone notice "SMALLVILLE" on 02/07/08 was in HD but no "DOLBY DIGITAL" sound:mad:

Over the last few weeks I've noticed a pattern of issues here in the South Jersey (Wash. Twp. area). Several nights CBS HD, WHYY HD, MHD, VS HD, and NGCHD would be out completely...just a message "will be available shortly." When these channels are unavailable, A&E HD, HDT, UHD are available but with severe blocking, and CSN HD picture is fine except it stutters (making Flyers and Sixers unwatchable). All other HD's are perfect. This would last for a few hours then return to normal...then a few nights later it would repeat. In fact, all were out again last night as well as early this evening...jumped in the shower, checked again and everything is perfect again tonight.

Comcast wants to send out a tech, but the pattern appears to be too exact for it to be a problem with my setup. Anyone else in the area experiencing similar behavior(s) or aware of any system work being done in the region?

Chris.

Well, here's my problem with things in 'my neighborhood' ... It seems whenever Comcast comes out to fix someone else's problem, they mess somebody else up - in this case, it was ME. Thursday before the Superbowl, I see a Comcast truck up the block, so I know something's gonna go wrong. I had noticed for the past week or so that I kept losing HD's on 17 (PHL) and 29 (FOX) off and on, but moreso on my LCD with QAM tuner - thought maybe they were just moving things around as was happening to some other people. Well, I really didn't get to watch TV before Superbowl Sunday. So, I get home and FOX HD is OUT on my HD box - completely - with that annoying message about the channel being available shortly! It was also out on the LCD with the QAM tuner in the bedroom. I'm freakin out - call Comcast and they tell me there's an outage - but yet, all my neighbors are FINE, so I know it's something outside on the line. HBOHD, PHLHD, also out - yet all other analog channels and other HD's are fine but with some pixelization, however, now my box is acting up too, clock stuck on 12:00, no guide, no OnDemand. They tell me the EARLIEST a tech can come out is THURSDAY - WTF? Strangely enough though, a truck was also outside this Wednesday before my appointment when I get home from work, and he's out on the line running all new cabling for a neighbor and my box suddenly gets the time back and On Demand works! He seems clueless as I start to tell him the problem up 'my block'.

So, I wait - my scheduled tech comes out Thursday, finds a problem OUTSIDE, as I suspected, and now everything seems to be good (for how long, who knows). He was actually pretty good, showed me exactly what he was doing, how my readings were actually too high, and some other stuff. Apparently my upstream was extremely high (57) causing major problems and should have been in the 40's range - which it is now (44), after he put me on my own 'tap' on the line. I wonder which one of my neighbors got screwed now!

While he was there we start talking about a few things. Here in Philly, up until around a year ago, you HAD to have a box on every tv, or things would be scrambled on a TV without one, plus, the numbers didn't match. Then sometime last year, for whatever reason, they let all the channels through. SO, any new TV with a digital tuner would now GET those analog channels. My HDTV ran like that up until sometime last month, when for whatever reason, they re-scrambled all the old analog channels - no clue why. He told me it's in preparation for the move to digital - I said that's a YEAR away - why were they all available for a year, and now they're scrambled again?? They WANT you to have a box on EVERY tv - I guess they realize everyone is buying these tv's with QAM tuners built in. Not a big deal, but it was nice being able to see CSN, ESPN, etc without a box, now I can't do that anymore with the LCD in the bedroom ...

But, yeah - Comcast seems to do 'stuff' all the time, and HD's do go in and out without notice and they NEVER tell us what's going on ...

Good news though - Philly now has the expanded ON Demand range through your QAM tuner that some people in other areas were talking about. I now get 'programming' from 83-88 and their respective subchannels - it used to be 83-86, so there's more 'stuff' on now ... if you catch it at the right time, of course. I noticed this last night. A few other channels have shifted locations as well.

...He was actually pretty good, showed me exactly what he was doing, how my readings were actually too high, and some other stuff. Apparently my upstream was extremely high (57) causing major problems and should have been in the 40's range - which it is now (44), after he put me on my own 'tap' on the line...


DJ - I'm glad you mentioned the upstream causing problems. I just had Comcast Digital Voice added about 2-weeks ago and I remember the tech commenting on the upstream signal in "the area" being "very high" and he wondered aloud what "they" were doing...of course, he mentioned nothing about this having any potential adverse effect on my HD...

Today all is fine again, and BTW I saw a Comcast Truck wandering "the neighborhood" this morning...perhaps I'm not he only one.

Thanks.

Chris.

In the Reading PA system they moved QAM channels 87 and 88 to channels 117 and 118. They are the sports PPV's. It's nice to see them push slightly past 750 MHz. I get a 36.1 db SNR on 759 MHz, so it makes me wonder how far they can push past 750 on our SA line gear.

Right now Ch 87 and 88 are completely blank. I just get pure static on them. QAM tuner doesn't detect even a smidgen of a digital carrier on them. Were supposed to get 8 new HD's between 2/14 and 2/17, so this must just be a preparation.

Here in Broomall, 3-1, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 10-1, 10-2 and all the 12s were out all last night, but 17-1, 29-1, 57-1 and 57-2 were fine. So I was forced to watch Lost in SD. Comcast better have this fixed before the Super Bowl.

I finally got a response from Comcast to my e-mail about this. This will make you laugh.

Me:

"Why have you removed the PSIP channel data for the HD versions of
Philadelphia channels 3, 6, 10 and 12? They used to be at 3.1, 6.1,
6.2, 6.3, etc. but now aren't there any more - they've moved to the
89-90 range on my QAM tuners. However, Channel 17 is still on 17.1 and
29 is still on 29.1. Can you please fix these local HD stations back to
the way they were and are supposed to be?"

Response:

"HD programming is not intended for Comcast customers unless they rent an
HD digital box from Comcast. Customers with HD tuners are, however,
able to pick up the local channel HD broadcasts.

Because we do not include them in the programming package, we do not
have channel listings for those channels picked up by the QAM tuner."

Boy, I wish Fios was available in my area.

Oh, this gets even better. I got another response from someone else at Comcast:

"Comcast did not change these channels. They are not provided by
Comcast. Our HD channels are on channels 200-240 and are only
accessible by having our HD service. Your HDTV is picking up HD
channels broadcast over the air. If anything about them has changed, it
was changed by the broadcaster. We apologize but we have no information
about channels we do not provide."

They really can't be that stupid, can they? Oh, I guess they can.

Has anyone out there ever canceled their Comcast HSI service and tried to resubscribe at a later date? If so, was there any reconnection fee?

The reason I ask is that I am thinking of restarting my HSI. I switched to Verizon DSL in December 2006. The phone portion of my Verizon bill has been skyrocketing lately, so I was looking around the Comcast website for any new HSI deals. I found an offer for $19.99 for 6 months, but it lists a one time installation fee of $149.00 if I choose to do a self install. That just seems insane to me. Is anyone familiar with with Comcast's reconnect policy? TIA.

Were supposed to get 8 new HD's between 2/14 and 2/17, so this must just be a preparation.

What channels?

Erik

What channels?

Erik

Actually we got a box message last week that said:

8 New High Definition Channels
Get an HD converter & enjoy these new HD channels starting the week of 2/17: A&E(211), HGTV(213), Food Network(216), TBS(220), USA(222), Discovery Channel(224), TLC(225), & Sci-Fi Channel (226).

so this is comcast in reading?

philly area has most of those channels now, except for sci-fi, usa, and TLC.

maybe we;ll be getting them too.

so this is comcast in reading?

philly area has most of those channels now, except for sci-fi, usa, and TLC.

maybe we;ll be getting them too.

Correct. Our area is really behind. This latest wave is our system playing catch up, and then some.

I hear they want to do a wave of channels every quarter. By a wave they mean 6 to 10 HD's. With Comcast however, I know to lower my expectations. Then if they actually do meet or exceed my expectations I can be pleasantly surprised. That's a better feeling than being constantly disappointed.

I think you guys should be getting Sci-Fi, USA, TLC, Discovery next. There has been some frequency movement in the Southeast PA region.

have discovery now, but hope the others come soon.

Whotony, you don't have Discovery HD now - you have HD Theater. Two different channels.

I don't think all of Philly is "ahead." I'm in Center City and still have the same HD channels as I had over a year ago. Just CSN, the ESPNs, TNT, HDT, MOJO, UHD, the locals, and WHYY (which isn't always broadcasting HD).

I also am unable to get a 6412 PIII box, with HDMI output because I live in a condo building. I can't wait to move so I can switch to something else.

sctroy-

That 2nd response is HILLARIOUS! We'd have to get in touch with engineers to find out why they took off the PSIP data. If you asked the question to a CSR about why they turned off the PSIP mappings, they would give a Homer Simpsons type response and say "we sell cable tv sir" totally clueless.

LongRufus-

No reconnect fee that I know of. I'd have to look on my last price card though. They always say for HSI promos that it is good to "new customers" or "customers that have not had HSI service in the last 90 days" I would call them and ask about the 19.99/6mo promo. Usually self install kits are free, but cost $10 to ship to you. I moved apartments last summer and terminated one account at the old address and set up a new account at the new address(2 miles away, same town) so I could get in on new deals. HSI activation was a pain, since they had to do some work in their system since my modem was recently deactivated, had to delete and add my modem MAC again, etc. But they got it settled after about 45 min on the phone.

Heck you could probably go to Best Buy or Circuit City and add Comcast HSI through the $19.99/6 months deal from them, and get a new modem and free self install kit after rebates. Usually they have some kind of deal where you get a gift card to the store as well. The fine print will probably say for new customers only or customers who haven't had HSI in xxx days.


Philly is REALLY falling behind in HD yet again. Now we are being passed by Central PA who has finally got all these acquired systems from lots of defunct providers all straightened out it seems. I'm on an 870mhz system, and because they do it by region, being punished for the crappy 750 systems that don't have any more room.

I think you guys should be getting Sci-Fi, USA, TLC, Discovery next. There has been some frequency movement in the Southeast PA region.

No message here but those are the channels I'd want most to be added! Especially Sci-Fi! Ours has been on channel 68 & then moved to 69 and we've never had a really good picture. And lately I've been seeing that some of their shows are broadcasting in HD and I'm just hoping we get it!

I'm really looking forward to Sci-Fi HD (Ghosthunters). I too am sometimes puzzled by the stations that are HD and yet they often don't broadcast in HD (like whyy and others). In 2009 when the switch is to digital, will the move gradually be going toward more stations doing HD?

In 2009 when the switch is to digital, will the move gradually be going toward more stations doing HD?
Probably not, at least in the short run. Digital does not equate with HD. All HD is digital but not all digitial is HD. As more production equipment wears out and gets replaced, there will gradually be more HD content. But depending on where broadcast material is sourced, standard def content is always cheaper--if it's transmitted realtime between sites, you have to pay $$$ for more channel capacity. That's why when your home team is on the road, you usually don't get the game in HD. (Thanks goodness Comcast is at least giving us 16:9 SD for Flyers road games now.)

I think right now TBS and TNT are the biggest offenders for broadcasting stretch-o-matic standard def on their HD channels. I recorded (through STB firewire port) "Old School" and the "40 Year Old Virgin" a couple months ago on TBS-HD, and was annoyed to see that it was 4:3 SD. What's the point in that? I can only guess that they used the same content source for both channel flavors, and didn't (for whatever reason) want to start with HD and downres it for the regular channel. (Probably more equipment cost.)

Why does TBS HD stretch everything including the HD content like movies? I could see them stretching the commercials that are not hi-def but they are stretching everything for some odd reason?

Why does TBS HD stretch everything including the HD content like movies? I could see them stretching the commercials that are not hi-def but they are stretching everything for some odd reason?Because it's not in HD. They're using the cropped SD version of the film, stretching it, and sending it out over the HD channel. TBS HD is complete rubbish and TNT HD isn't far behind.

Ok WTF is with NBC10 running Law&Order in SD?

Because it's not in HD. They're using the cropped SD version of the film, stretching it, and sending it out over the HD channel. TBS HD is complete rubbish and TNT HD isn't far behind.

And they do the same for all the shows?? I have yet to see something not stretched and in true HD...?

I think I will sue them!.... ;)

And they do the same for all the shows?? I have yet to see something not stretched and in true HD...?

They did show the baseball playoffs in HD. But I guess that's it. Makes you wonder why they bother. Unless it's a Hollywood thing, that they don't want HD movies competing with other avenues of distribution. But again, why bother.

They did show the baseball playoffs in HD. But I guess that's it. Makes you wonder why they bother. Unless it's a Hollywood thing, that they don't want HD movies competing with other avenues of distribution. But again, why bother.

Turner was very very smart and used the playoffs to get all the cable companies to sign carriage agreements for TBSHD, now they can totally neglect the channel but they still have agreements and get paid by the cable companies and can further save money by not showing stuff in real HD.

The only carrier that would/should sign up for TBSHD(minus the playoffs) is Directv because they just want to add every HD channel that exists for marketing purposes.

TNT is god awful with the on screen graphics, but at least they show movies in HD/5.1 LOTR usually looks quite good. Not OAR, but we can't have it all, haha

QAM mappings are back for all local channels exept 57. Getting PSIP data through some of them as well.

I will re-scan again tonight. QAM is the only thing keeping me from going FiOS.

Any word on when we are going to finally get Sci fi HD? I thought it was suppose to be last month...:(

Actually we got a box message last week that said:

8 New High Definition Channels
Get an HD converter & enjoy these new HD channels starting the week of 2/17: A&E(211), HGTV(213), Food Network(216), TBS(220), USA(222), Discovery Channel(224), TLC(225), & Sci-Fi Channel (226).

Nevermind... I just read this post.

Looks like BB now has Insignia set top boxes for OTA digital
CC now has the elusive Zenith STT according to their website. Anyone actually seen one yet?

At least here in pottstown? Anyone getting an HD feed? I also checked OTA and it is the same so I guess it is FOX who forgot to through the switch. :rolleyes:

At least here in pottstown? Anyone getting an HD feed? I also checked OTA and it is the same so I guess it is FOX who forgot to through the switch. :rolleyes:
same problem here no HD on Fox philly WTXF

They must follow this thread... strange switch over though...

Is it just me or is VH1 Classic screwed up on the TV guide portion? It isn't even labeled as VH1 Classic but VH1SC or something like that. It always says music videos.

Actually we got a box message last week that said:

8 New High Definition Channels
Get an HD converter & enjoy these new HD channels starting the week of 2/17: A&E(211), HGTV(213), Food Network(216), TBS(220), USA(222), Discovery Channel(224), TLC(225), & Sci-Fi Channel (226).

So it is the week of... wonder which day this week????

So it is the week of... wonder which day this week????

See:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19803602-Central-PA-HD-additions-21408~start=160#end

More specifically I heard there was a mixer problem on the Hub that ports some of the HD traffic in the central PA FIOP line.

Did you notice, that most of the cable HD channels looked like crap this weekend? They had to lower the bitrate till the replacement could be ordered and shipped.

The new channels might come on the night of the 23 or 24th at the latest barring any other problems.

See:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19803602-Central-PA-HD-additions-21408~start=160#end

More specifically I heard there was a mixer problem on the Hub that ports some of the HD traffic in the central PA FIOP line.

Did you notice, that most of the cable HD channels looked like crap this weekend? They had to lower the bitrate till the replacement could be ordered and shipped.

The new channels might come on the night of the 23 or 24th at the latest barring any other problems.

Thanks for the link and the heads-up Cypher.

Is it just me or is VH1 Classic screwed up on the TV guide portion? It isn't even labeled as VH1 Classic but VH1SC or something like that. It always says music videos.

Anyone?

I have digitical cable I get HBO SHO Stars all for 74.69, plus hd and DVR, the problem i I don't watch that much TV..

I need the DVR and HD and thats it, lust ABC, CBS, NBC, and the locals, I on;y watch a couple of shows each week and those are one the regular channels.

I can't justify the $100 price tag an longer. If i drop my service down to the digital basic I still have to pay 57.00 plus 9.95 for Hd plus dvr.

What are my options, I recently plugged my cable right into the tv so my wife could I get a third tuner while the DVR was taping simultaneous shows on Thursday night. The TV found found a bunch of digital channels with or X.1, x.2 channels, some seem like HD but I'm not sure.

What do I need to do to get the basic HD channels, I guess the hang up is going to be the DVR.

Anyone?

Yeah It's said something like VH1SM for almost 2 weeks now.

Not sure what SM stands for. Anyone else know ?

I know there has been problems in the central PA network but I want the new HD Shows

Also has anyones' Volume been cutting out. Every now and then on the HD channels the audio just stops, and I have to change channel to get the audio back. Anyone else having this problem????

New HD channels on in Central PA!

Here's what's on my Reading system as of this morning:

256 QAM Encrypted:
A&E HD 211 - 465 MHz
HGTVHD 213 - 465 MHz
FOODHD 216 - 489 MHz
TBS HD 220 - 411 MHz
USA HD 222 - 501 MHz
DISCHD 224 - 501 MHz
TLC HD 225 - 411 MHz
SCIFI 226 - 501 MHz

Too bad most of it's Paid programming crap! I'll have to wait until I get home from work to enjoy real stuff on these channels!

New HD channels on in Central PA!

Here's what's on my Reading system as of this morning:

256 QAM Encrypted:
A&E HD 211 - 465 MHz
HGTVHD 213 - 465 MHz
FOODHD 216 - 489 MHz
TBS HD 220 - 411 MHz
USA HD 222 - 501 MHz
DISCHD 224 - 501 MHz
TLC HD 225 - 411 MHz
SCIFI 226 - 501 MHz

Too bad most of it's Paid programming crap! I'll have to wait until I get home from work to enjoy real stuff on these channels!

...and Philly still sucks!

Don't know if anyone caught it in today's Inquirer, but a huge benefit for HD Eagles viewers will result from WIP simulcasting Merrill/Mike game call. According to the Inky, one station (TBD) will be synced with the digital video feed (I hope that means the HD) so that you can tune in and turn off your Fox/CBS TV sound. Great news.

Don't know if anyone caught it in today's Inquirer, but a huge benefit for HD Eagles viewers will result from WIP simulcasting Merrill/Mike game call. According to the Inky, one station (TBD) will be synced with the digital video feed (I hope that means the HD) so that you can tune in and turn off your Fox/CBS TV sound. Great news.

Found the article you are referring to (I hope its WYSP that gets the digital sync -- as their sound overall will likely be better, being an FM station (stero and all that):

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/15832162.html

Inqlings: An extra for Eagles listeners
By Michael Klein

Inquirer Columnist

CBS Radio's decision to broadcast Eagles games on WIP (610), in addition to flagship WYSP (94.1), will have a neat side effect for those who also watch on digital, cable or satellite TV.
Under CBS's plan, one station (to be determined) will broadcast on a delay so that Merrill Reese and Mike Quick's play-by-play will sync with the digital picture.

The other station will air the game in real time, a boon to those who want their action eight seconds sooner.
Each station will have its own pregame and postgame shows.

In a related move, the Eagles and CBS signed a multiyear renewal. The length was not disclosed, but a source said it was at least five years.

Found the article you are referring to (I hope its WYSP that gets the digital sync -- as their sound overall will likely be better, being an FM station (stero and all that):

Thank you for the link...I was just being lazy. I too hope it's WYSP, for the sound quality. I figure most people out and about without TV won't care about the delay. I'm thinking that if you've got a radio in the stadium, AM would be better for near real time reception (it works for baseball, but then we don't have an FM option). Of course, more people probably have an FM-only portable radio, so who knows what the suits might come up with, if any of these unique scenarios are even a consideration. It comes down to maximizing ears so as to sell advertising.

With analog TV going away shortly, there will only be one channel source delay instead of two channels with different delays. Of course, the wildcard will be how Comcast continues providing the 4:3 SD analog/digital simulcast on cable, but who knows what that will be like--transcoding and/or the alternate signal path may introduce a different delay.

FYI - article in today's Inquirer about Verizon FiOS: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/homepage/20080224_FiOS__Nearing_Full_Speed.html

From a positive business outlook. Comcast admits losing customers. Also posted in the Philly Verizon FiOS thread.

FYI - article in today's Inquirer about Verizon FiOS: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/homepage/20080224_FiOS__Nearing_Full_Speed.html

From a positive business outlook. Comcast admits losing customers. Also posted in the Philly Verizon FiOS thread.

Yes, I'm going to get a quote from Verizon fios and then call Comcast and see if they can match it.

There are inaccuracies in that article. I live in Abington Township which is supposed to be FIOS ready but is in fact 4 years away, according to the township manager that I spoke with a few months back. We definitely do NOT have FIOS in Abington, my section at least.

caesar1 - They couldn't match mine. Suggest you check the Comcast website for the current deals. Turns out that the "special" I was quoted was the same as the web site. Also, be sure to run the costs over a full year. A lot of Comcast's "special" pricing runs out after a few months.

No service gripes with Comcast's service. The pixelation problems due to an overloaded system drove me away.

Be aware that there are problems (tech support, ordering, billing, etc.) with Verizon as well. It's just that they couldn't match the 2x cost for TV (my setup).

There are inaccuracies in that article. I live in Abington Township which is supposed to be FIOS ready but is in fact 4 years away, according to the township manager that I spoke with a few months back. We definitely do NOT have FIOS in Abington, my section at least.

In that article, where does it even mention Abington? And where does it state that you should have it?

The story that ran in the Inquirer had an overall map of the Delaware Valley and it had Abington Township in the area that was supposed to be wired for Fios. Could have read it wrong.

The story that ran in the Inquirer had an overall map of the Delaware Valley and it had Abington Township in the area that was supposed to be wired for Fios. Could have read it wrong.

Roslyn has it I believe, yet Glenside does not. I know that about a year ago a deal was made with Abington Township (at a meeting in North Hills) to add Fios but it could take anywhere from 2-4 years for it to happen.

This thread has more information about Fios...although dated over a year ago.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=792568

Ok-when I spoke with the township manager he didn't say Roslyn would have it; he just said the township build date was 4 years out.

I live in Abington township... The township commissioners did approve the FIOS tariff last year, and approved FIOS for the township, however, I don't know of any township neighborhoods that actually have fiber installed yet. (I live near the hospital and we are still served only by Comcast cable...

Greetings neighbor. Can't wait; if only to offer competition to Comcast.

StuJac.. Lol Can't wait... the minute I see that orange fiber optic cable on the street... I am calling V! Lol

In the mean time on the Willow Grove Comcast system ... where did all of my local QAM's go? lost almost all of them last week!

No idea; I'm on the box only. I won't be dealing with QAM until I get my Panny 50" plasma in April.

Interesting what Comcast is doing with their profits. What a sham of a company.
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080228_Comcast_admits_paying_attendees_at_FCC_hearing.html

I have a Tivo S3, so I don't get the standard messages that I used to get with the Moto box.

Is comcast South Jersey (Atlantic City area) promising any new (linear) channels this month?

I'm in Delaware County and for the last 2 years (at least), UniversalHD was on clearQAM channel 110.2

It's no longer there and a rescan turned up nothing.

Anyone have the same issue? Anyone have a solution?

I'm guessing that Comcast finally wised up and encrypted it. Oh well.

ft

I'm in Delaware County and for the last 2 years (at least), UniversalHD was on clearQAM channel 110.2

It's no longer there and a rescan turned up nothing.

Anyone have the same issue?
On the Willow Grove system here; on my TV, it has a menu that lists all channels along with PSIP. Unversal HD's QAM channel 110.1 or .2 had a PSIP listing before, but recently it didn't. I think I checked the channel where it used to be, and it wasn't there.
Anyone have a solution?
Yes, get a CableCard (if possible) or a get a Box.:)
I'm guessing that Comcast finally wised up and encrypted it. Oh well.
Exactly.

On the Willow Grove system here; on my TV, it has a menu that lists all channels along with PSIP. Unversal HD's QAM channel 110.1 or .2 had a PSIP listing before, but recently it didn't. I think I checked the channel where it used to be, and it wasn't there.

Yes, get a CableCard (if possible) or a get a Box.:)
I guess this gives me an incentive to go with a higher package (either with Comcast or Verizon).

As for the CableCard, that's another option as well. My TV doens't have CC, but the Sony DVR does.

ft

Is Comcast under any FCC (legal) obligation to put the local TV channels on their cable system in the same manner the channels are broadcasted by the OTA TV stations? In other words: if the local broadcast in HD, does Comcast have to put the station on the cable system in HD mode?

Up untill a week or so ago, Comcast had all of the locals that broadcast in HD, available for free and in the clear via QAM... last week they disappeared!

I would be happy to write a letter and carbon the Philadelphia FCC office if I knew I had a llegal leg to standone.

Any ideas?

Here in Broomall, I still have all the local HD channels via QAM:

CBS 3.1
ABC 6.1 (plus the 2 subchannels)
NBC 10.1 (plus the 1 subchannel)
PBS 12.3 (plus the 2 subchannels)
MyNetworkTV 17.1
Fox 29.1
CW 57.1

I used to have Universal HD on channel 57.2, but it has in fact disappeared. Perhaps Comcast finally noticed they were sending a "non-local" HD channel unencrypted!

Up untill a week or so ago, Comcast had all of the locals that broadcast in HD, available for free and in the clear via QAM... last week they disappeared!

Have you tried doing a scan? Here in Sellersville area they moved early in February (see earlier posts) and now they're back where they had been. Same as in Broomall except CW is 110.1, right next to UHD which is still at 110.2 :p

Is comcast South Jersey (Atlantic City area) promising any new (linear) channels this month?

No. Beginning of January a supervisor told me they would be adding more HD channels in January and February. That was a lie. They've started telling you what you want to hear. Nothing has been announced for South Jersey, only the area from Sandy Hook to LBI. See:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/28/comcast-adding-nine-hd-channels-in-new-jersey/

In other words: if the local broadcast in HD, does Comcast have to put the station on the cable system in HD mode?

This may help you out:

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/News_Releases/2001/must_carry_factsheet.html

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/cblbdcst.html

No. Beginning of January a supervisor told me they would be adding more HD channels in January and February. That was a lie. They've started telling you what you want to hear. Nothing has been announced for South Jersey, only the area from Sandy Hook to LBI. See:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/28/comcast-adding-nine-hd-channels-in-new-jersey/
I have universal HD on 75-1 in the clear.
I also have 2 new services on 72 and 1 additional service on 74 all encrypted. Have to wait to see what they are when the channel map is updated.

Universal HD will be moving to a new 3:1 QAM containing:
Universal - HD
Food Network -HD
National Geographic Channel - HD

This is how it's packaged on HITS Quantum QHD 2AMC-18 C20 L-Band 1050 H.
There will be a few more 3:1 QAM changes packaged at Comcast Media Center in Denver, CO. They are using the new Imagine ICE(tm) dual pass intelligent VBR encoder. This hardware is very expensive, so Comcast is encoding it ONE time at CMC's facilities. Then local headends will just use that same package.

Our system also has a 3:1 QAM containing:
A&E - HD
HGTV - HD
Starz! - HD

and another 3:1 QAM containing:
Discovery - HD
USA - HD
Sci-Fi - HD

I have universal HD on 75-1 in the clear.
I also have 2 new services on 72 and 1 additional service on 74 all encrypted. Have to wait to see what they are when the channel map is updated.

Thanks for the heads up.

I went and checked those channels and what do you know? UniversalHD is now on 75.1.

Nice!

ft

hello,
anyone experience everything going a shade of purple for a couple of seconds? Not sure if it's the tv or signal.

Have you tried doing a scan? Here in Sellersville area they moved early in February (see earlier posts) and now they're back where they had been. Same as in Broomall except CW is 110.1, right next to UHD which is still at 110.2 :p

Frantic1049: Once I noticed that all of my local HD's were removed from the Comcast Willow Grove PA system, I did a re-scan and could not find any of them. The system is still providing 3, 6, 10, 12 etc, but all in SD format.

Do any Willow Grove PA Comcast system subscribers know what happened to the local HD stations?

This may help you out:

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/News_Releases/2001/must_carry_factsheet.html

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/cblbdcst.html

HopDevil,
Thank you for the links that was really helpful :)

I followed and read the links and it sure looks to me like Comcast is legally commited to providing the HD content on their cable system. (if the local station is requesting they do so) In light of the fact, they have all the stations in SD mode and once did transmit the stations in HD mode (and some Comcast systems are still providing the local HD content); I think it is safe to say that the locals have contracted with Comcast to send the HD content out on their cable system. I can draw the conclusion that Comcast is in violation of the FCC Local Carriage rules by selectively not sending out the local HD content on some of their systems.

Does anyone know who the highest administrative contact is that controls the Willow Grove system of comcast?

Still no changes in Bensalem - Lower Bucks. No channels on 3:1 compression(yet...) and our local HD's still PSIP'ed properly. Universal HD still on 110-2 as it always has been.

However channels 87 and 88 are now used for VOD, so the system has now gained 50% more capacity, used to only have 4 channels(83-86). We have a couple channels open still for HD channel additions.

Still no changes in Bensalem - Lower Bucks. No channels on 3:1 compression(yet...) and our local HD's still PSIP'ed properly. Universal HD still on 110-2 as it always has been.

However channels 87 and 88 are now used for VOD, so the system has now gained 50% more capacity, used to only have 4 channels(83-86). We have a couple channels open still for HD channel additions.

Wow they are using 6 channels for VOD? What a waste. You guys must have 1500 homes passed per node or something.

In my area they only use 4 channels for VOD, and at most I've maybe seen 8 programs on at one time.

Say my area has 600 homes passed per node. Say 70% of those subscribe to Comcast... that's 420 homes connected. Say 60% of those have at least one digital box. That's 252 potential VOD customers. Say half of those people are not watching TV (they aren't home, they are sleeping, doing something else, etc..) that's 126 active set tops. Say a 1/3rd of those 126 set tops (a very high number) for whatever unusual reason all try to watch a VOD program AT THE SAME EXACT TIME... that's 42 VOD sessions.

A 256QAM generally has 12:1 loading (more at lower quality, less at higher quality). Being that VOD is not live from networks, they are encoded mpeg files, I would imagine that they can have multi-pass encoding done to the files to optimize their bitrates before they are loaded on the VOD servers. So let's go with 12:1 loading.
4 QAM's at 12:1 = 48 possible VOD streams.

Now all of those are really high estimates. Again in real world situations I've only ever seen 8 or so VOD programs spread across 83-1 through 86-12 at one moment (and that was during prime time on a Friday/Saturday night!). Sure a few extra pop on here and there, but they are really short clips and/or music videos.

Right now 87 and 88 on our system have no carrier at all. I hope they use this for HD or SDV space. Node splitting is a much better solution to ease VOD bandwidth... whether its logically split at the combiner network or physically split with a seperate fiber or DWDM wavelength at a node, where two legs are on one segment and the other two legs are on another segment (or a node could be split into 4 segments with 4 wavelengths or 4 seperate fibers). Remember VOD is a narrowcast service, just like the DOCSIS channel... which by the way my area only has 1 DOCSIS channel. I would imagine larger areas would use 2 DOCSIS channels, much like Cablevision does.

So using more than 4 QAM's for VOD should be limited to 870 MHz plants, OR node splitting needs to be done. Today bandwidth is at such a premium I think they should really reconsider every last 6 MHz slice of spectrum before committing it to a service such as VOD.

Using the Imagine ICE(tm) video processor, we will be able to squeeze extra bandwidth out of MPEG2 by dual pass VBR encoding, allowing 3 HD's per QAM and 16 SD's per QAM with no visual loss in picture quality. This is a great short term solution until they work out the SDV architecture and SDV dongle for one way Cable Card devices. Brute force 1 GHz upgrades would be nice, but all of the currently deployed CPE only tunes to 864 MHz. A 1 GHz system will come in handy for the new Motorola DCX series set top's, Cisco 8550 Set tops, and 1 GHz tuning is part of the DOCSIS 3.0 Spec.

I live in South Philadelphia and channel 75.1 is a NO go for Universal HD

Just did a rescan here in Broomall, and Universal HD now shows up on 74-1.

I live in South Philadelphia and channel 75.1 is a NO go for Universal HD

I'm also in South Philly.

Depends on the type of HDTV you have. When I first scanned my Panasonic Plasma (Dec 07) I had it at 111-2. It's been gone from there for about a year and finally has come back after a re-scan the other day - first time I've seen it in a year - it's now at 73-1.

On the smaller Westinghouse in the Bedroom, it was on 111.2 for a few months, then the other night I rescanned and it was in TWO locations - 73.3 and 111.2. As of right now, it's gone from 111.2 and only on 73.3 ...

Do a rescan and see where it MAY show up on your tv ... I had it on one tv and not the other for the longest time - strange ... Now it's back on both, but I'm sure not for long!

Wow they are using 6 channels for VOD? What a waste. You guys must have 1500 homes passed per node or something.

In my area they only use 4 channels for VOD, and at most I've maybe seen 8 programs on at one time.

Say my area has 600 homes passed per node. Say 70% of those subscribe to Comcast... that's 420 homes connected. Say 60% of those have at least one digital box. That's 252 potential VOD customers. Say half of those people are not watching TV (they aren't home, they are sleeping, doing something else, etc..) that's 126 active set tops. Say a 1/3rd of those 126 set tops (a very high number) for whatever unusual reason all try to watch a VOD program AT THE SAME EXACT TIME... that's 42 VOD sessions.

A 256QAM generally has 12:1 loading (more at lower quality, less at higher quality). Being that VOD is not live from networks, they are encoded mpeg files, I would imagine that they can have multi-pass encoding done to the files to optimize their bitrates before they are loaded on the VOD servers. So let's go with 12:1 loading.
4 QAM's at 12:1 = 48 possible VOD streams.

Now all of those are really high estimates. Again in real world situations I've only ever seen 8 or so VOD programs spread across 83-1 through 86-12 at one moment (and that was during prime time on a Friday/Saturday night!). Sure a few extra pop on here and there, but they are really short clips and/or music videos.

Right now 87 and 88 on our system have no carrier at all. I hope they use this for HD or SDV space. Node splitting is a much better solution to ease VOD bandwidth... whether its logically split at the combiner network or physically split with a seperate fiber or DWDM wavelength at a node, where two legs are on one segment and the other two legs are on another segment (or a node could be split into 4 segments with 4 wavelengths or 4 seperate fibers). Remember VOD is a narrowcast service, just like the DOCSIS channel... which by the way my area only has 1 DOCSIS channel. I would imagine larger areas would use 2 DOCSIS channels, much like Cablevision does.

So using more than 4 QAM's for VOD should be limited to 870 MHz plants, OR node splitting needs to be done. Today bandwidth is at such a premium I think they should really reconsider every last 6 MHz slice of spectrum before committing it to a service such as VOD.

Using the Imagine ICE(tm) video processor, we will be able to squeeze extra bandwidth out of MPEG2 by dual pass VBR encoding, allowing 3 HD's per QAM and 16 SD's per QAM with no visual loss in picture quality. This is a great short term solution until they work out the SDV architecture and SDV dongle for one way Cable Card devices. Brute force 1 GHz upgrades would be nice, but all of the currently deployed CPE only tunes to 864 MHz. A 1 GHz system will come in handy for the new Motorola DCX series set top's, Cisco 8550 Set tops, and 1 GHz tuning is part of the DOCSIS 3.0 Spec.

Makes sense, but how does HD VOD fit into that? If they keep harping more and more HD OnDemand, then they need more space don't they? HD OnDemand generally looks awful, they can't be squeezing it into 6mhz/12 slots, can they?

I live in an apartment complex, and on Friday nights VOD is pretty filled up, probably at least 6-7 shows on each slot. I have tried to watch HDVOD on Fri night and it just chokes up, I"m guessing the system is too full. Of course anytime other than Fri/Sat night there usually aren't more than 6-9 programs on.

FYI, I am on an 870mhz system. They only push out to ch 120(analog weatherscan), which looks fine/no degredation.

Well ak, HD-VOD indeed takes much more bandwidth.

If your area is 870 MHz, then 6 blocks of vod channels isn't as bad of a waste. But if you are in a 750 MHz system, then I think each channel could go to better linear content.

Interesting that you see 6 or 7 programs on each QAM on a Friday or Saturday night. In my area I'm lucky to see that across ALL 4 QAMs! I've maybe seen one or two HD-VOD mixed with it. Perhaps this is why your area is moving to a 6 QAM VOD system, where my area is content with leaving it as a 4 QAM VOD system (and my area is 750 MHz).

In my opinion I think node splitting should be done first, as cold hard bandwidth is much too valuable at this point.

I have completely lost fox HD on 29.1. I have 2 qam LCD panels and my one tv gets the no broadcast message and the other tv tells me the signal is not strong enough. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm in the King of Prussia Comcast area.

Rosko

I have completely lost fox HD on 29.1. I have 2 qam LCD panels and my one tv gets the no broadcast message and the other tv tells me the signal is not strong enough. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm in the King of Prussia Comcast area.

Rosko

It's been like 'musical channels' lately ... I've also lost Fox HD 29.1 completely as well - on both tv's ... Not the first time this has happened. Re-scan does not bring it up anywhere else either.

Not to mention, the coming and going of Analog channels on my HDTV's as well (without a box) ... last week, they came back for a day, then disappeared, then reappeared on Friday .. only to disappear by Monday, back again on Tuesday, and now gone again .. WTF ? lol

It's almost like they're intentionally making QAM unreliable; although they are perfectly capable of doing it unintentionally.

It's Comcastic!

It's almost like they're intentionally making QAM unreliable; although they are perfectly capable of doing it unintentionally.

It's Comcastic!

:D

Lots of changes the last couple days, they have been playing around. I found that Comcast moved some HD channels to the same frequencies that carry Music Choice. This is one way they are making room in the near term for more HD channels.

Universal moved for me to 74-1(still in the clear), and is now on 3:1 with 2 other HD channels.

The moves they made freed up some channels, and we have room for these new HD channels supposidly coming to Philly on 3/18.

I scanned Yesterday with my Phillips DVD recorder and got only one channel (67.1) I was already to make a nasty call to Comcast but decided to scan again. All the channels were there again, 3.1,6.1.10.1. 17.1, 29.1 and all the others I had. The Phillips is noted for losing its channels so maybe that is what happened. Base on what you are all saying I am going to check it more often because I use the High def QAM channels for time shift recording of network TV (The picture is beautiful off the Phillips Hard Drive)
To sum up . It appears for NOW that nothing has moved in Wilmington.

I have completely lost fox HD on 29.1. I have 2 qam LCD panels and my one tv gets the no broadcast message and the other tv tells me the signal is not strong enough. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm in the King of Prussia Comcast area.

Rosko

I checked for UHD, CW HD & Fox HD & they all had moved. I did a new scan & found them at 74.1, 57.1, & 29.1. However when I went to change them on the bedroom tv, Fox HD doesn't come in at 29.1. It doesn't say weak signal either, it's invalid channel entered.

This has never happened before on those 2 tv's b/c they're the same brand & the channels had always been the same on both. I haven't found Fox HD at all on the bedroom tv & I don't like to rescan that one b/c I lose all the channel names & favorites that we use on that one.

The moves they made freed up some channels, and we have room for these new HD channels supposidly coming to Philly on 3/18.
And would those be:

Sci-Fi HD
Animal Planet HD
Discovery HD
The Learning Channel HD
NHL Network HD
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
CNN HD

?

This is the list that keeps popping up:

(Channel 217) History HD
(Channel 221) CNN HD
(Channel 222) USA HD
(Channel 224) DSC HD
(Channel 225) TLC HD
(Channel 226) Sci-Fi HD
(Channel 230) APL HD
(Channel 238) AMC HD

Anyone out there have any news of YES hd (yankees) in the near future?

This is my first year with Comcast, does it usually take them this long to come out with their baseball package? (just wishful thinking that maybe some announcement is forthcoming?)


I've called them and they say they carry it only as far as trenton, but I got to imagine there are some yankee fans in philly/south jersey......

Anyone out there have any news of YES hd (yankees) in the near future?

This is my first year with Comcast, does it usually take them this long to come out with their baseball package? (just wishful thinking that maybe some announcement is forthcoming?)


I've called them and they say they carry it only as far as trenton, but I got to imagine there are some yankee fans in philly/south jersey......

I'm in S. Jersey and we've never had it here. Sorry.:(

Lots of changes the last couple days, they have been playing around. I found that Comcast moved some HD channels to the same frequencies that carry Music Choice. This is one way they are making room in the near term for more HD channels.

Universal moved for me to 74-1(still in the clear), and is now on 3:1 with 2 other HD channels.

The moves they made freed up some channels, and we have room for these new HD channels supposidly coming to Philly on 3/18.

I pray this is true, and will extend to southern Delaware County (former Suburban Cable areas). I was expecting to have to dump Comcast if they hadn't provided SciFi Channel HD in time for the Battlestar Galactica S4 premiere.

Doe anyone have any more information on this, or can suggest a way to get better confirmation for specific locations?

... I've also lost Fox HD 29.1 completely as well - on both tv's ... Not the first time this has happened. Re-scan does not bring it up anywhere else either...

I too enjoy HD content from without a box. I had to do a rescan to get 29-1 and 57-1 to work again... And only after reading this forum was informed of the Universal HD channel (which is found on 75-1 in the Norristown area). Can anyone out there post a list of all Comcast HD channels in the Norristown or Philadelphia area. I want to know if I'm unfamiliar with any other HD channels that I may be receiving. Oh and a Web TV guide channel would be nice too, as I don't have one without the box.

Since they are "prepping" for our new HD's on 3/18 by squeezing more and more into 1 QAM slot, the quality of Food HD and HGTV HD has seriously gone down.

The pic is more grainy, and I'm constantly seeing stuttering and slow-motion pans of the screen while watching those two.

I've posted this on DSL Reports and others are reporting it as well - seems lowering the bit rate on HD channels in order to offer more is Comcast's current plan.

I too enjoy HD content from without a box. I had to do a rescan to get 29-1 and 57-1 to work again... And only after reading this forum was informed of the Universal HD channel (which is found on 75-1 in the Norristown area). Can anyone out there post a list of all Comcast HD channels in the Norristown or Philadelphia area. I want to know if I'm unfamiliar with any other HD channels that I may be receiving. Oh and a Web TV guide channel would be nice too, as I don't have one without the box.

I can't tell you what's going on in Norristown, but in Delaware County, this is what I have. Most of the SE PA areas are similar, so it'll get you started.

3.1 CBS-HD (plus 1 subchannel)
6.1 ABC-HD (plus 2 subchannels)
10.1 NBC-HD
12.3 PBS-HD (plus 2 subchannels)
17.1 MyNetwork-HD
29.1 Fox-HD
57.1 CW-HD
74.2 UniversalHD (I had previously indicated that this was on 75.1, but I was mistaken)

Other channels

83.1 to 87.12 Comcast OnDemand Streams
118.10 G4

I also get Bravo, ESPN Classic, MSNBC, and a few others, but most of these are on analog as well, so I just tune to them.

ft

BTW, in case your TV (or tuner) doesn't get the PSIP data, I think ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS are in the 90.1-5 and 91.1-5 ranges. Fox and Universal used to be in the 110.1-110.3 range. MyNet and CW were in the 111.1-111.4 range. I can't really verify this since my TV remaps according to the PSIP data.

OMG, why are people posting that they find channels on the remapped PSIP channels? It doesn't really help if you tell us you find FOX on 29.1. What matters is what the real channel/subchannel is so that hardware that doesn't do scanning/remapping via PSIP can be manually tuned.

Anybody know what the new channels/subchannels are for CW and FOX in Delaware County?

Thanks,

Bob

Anyone have any issues with their HD DVRs over the weekend?

I went to watch some stuff I had DVRed, and EVERYTHING was gone. All of my content, all of my recording info. Everything.

My box has been rebooting itself a lot recently.

So like I said ... anyone else with any issues?

OMG, why are people posting that they find channels on the remapped PSIP channels? It doesn't really help if you tell us you find FOX on 29.1. What matters is what the real channel/subchannel is so that hardware that doesn't do scanning/remapping via PSIP can be manually tuned.

Anybody know what the new channels/subchannels are for CW and FOX in Delaware County?

Thanks,

Bob
Dude,

Relax about the PSIP info. Not everyone has the same set-up you have. Sometimes, the PSIP channels might be helpful. For example, my Sony DVR used to only map to the actual channel number, not the PSIP channel, but now it maps to the PSIP channel. My TV, uses the PSIP info. OK, so what's my point? My point is if for whatever reason, someone's set-up changed (like my Sony DVR), and they didn't know to look at 29.1 for Fox, they might be searching forever.

Anyways, to answer your question, you might try looking for Fox, CW, and MyTV around 74 and 75. UniversalHD moved to 74.2 for me and it was always on the same main channel as CW.

If not, I could try to look on my Sony to see if I can find out what the exact channel assignment is for these networks, but I'm not sure if I can find that info.

ft

While I seem to have read that GSN is digital only at this point, why does comcast need the simulcast in the analog range as well as the channel in the digital range. I realize that it's not a bandwidth issue, but it's certainly misleading. In Delaware County GSN is channel 46 and it's virtually the only channel in the analog range that isn't actually analog. It's not very cool... I can think of a bout 25 analog channels that I would rather see go away. You would think they have to do research on this kind of thing, but I would have to guess that GSN would probably be the kind of channel that is often watched on a secondary TV setup that isn't digital.

I'm in S. Jersey and we've never had it here. Sorry.:(


and it never will be here, but what is coming here soon? do you know?, there is no place on this forum for south jersey news except this thread and there is not much info here

I can't tell you what's going on in Norristown...

Thanks for the info above, I was aware of all the local HD channels, just wasn't sure of any additional channels, like Universal HD. I'll be sure to post updates if channels change on me in the Norristown Area.

I too enjoy HD content from without a box. I had to do a rescan to get 29-1 and 57-1 to work again... And only after reading this forum was informed of the Universal HD channel (which is found on 75-1 in the Norristown area). Can anyone out there post a list of all Comcast HD channels in the Norristown or Philadelphia area. I want to know if I'm unfamiliar with any other HD channels that I may be receiving. Oh and a Web TV guide channel would be nice too, as I don't have one without the box.

Thanks worked...did a rescan and now have fox on 29.1 again. Not sure why if I tuned directly to it, it would not show up. Universal HD on 75.1. I'm also in the Norristown area and now wanting to go to the box right now.

I tried getting some more information as to the actual channels that the locals are showing up on. Unfortuneatly, I had very little luck.

The only thing that I could find was that CW, MyTV and Fox were on separate frequencies (as displayed on my Sony DVR). I'm not sure if the frequencies correspond with QAM channels or not, but I'll post it anyway.

I don't remember which channels were which, but I had them on 717, 757, and one other one that I can't remember.

Not sure how else to tell which network is on which QAM.

ft

Thanks worked...did a rescan and now have fox on 29.1 again.

Same here. Very werid ... I had WPHL-DT (My Network) on 23.1 and WTXF-DT (Fox) on 23.2, then earlier this week Fox moved. I manually tried 29.1, but that didn't work - but a scan found it there. Not sure why, but it does tick me off that Comcast moves these two occasionally.

BTW, I've been a lurker here for a while and have picked up a lot of great tips. Thanks to all of those who post regularly!

Mike

Is there any update on the new HD channels getting added on the 18th? I can't find info anywhere on Comcast's site. Also, will they be part of an additional package or just the regular digital package?

and it never will be here, but what is coming here soon? do you know?, there is no place on this forum for south jersey news except this thread and there is not much info here



Never? you mean Comcast will NEVER show the yankee channel in south jersey? that is a strong word. Either you know something, or have something against the yankees.....

For what it's worth, do a google search for YES network and Comcast... Turns out one of the marketing executives for the YES network is now VP of program acquisition for comcast... Just thought that was funny.

Hey there- 6 and 10 HD are not showing up again in Norristown (Jeffersonville)... another rescan did the trick however. This is annoying.

Out here in Oaks, my local channels in HD went away today (3-1, 6-1, 10-1, etc.) on a digital TV without a box. Anyone know about changes Comcast is making? :(

Attempting a rescan ........

Thanks, Max

Out here in Oaks, my local channels in HD went away today (3-1, 6-1, 10-1, etc.) on a digital TV without a box. Anyone know about changes Comcast is making? :(

Attempting a rescan ........

Thanks, Max

I just lost 6-1 and 10-1 this morning as well. Center City here.

Looks like a rescan for the local channels in HD worked for a digital TV without a box out in the Oaks area.

Sure wish I could get the Flyers in HD on Comcast sports w/o a box fee. :D

Max

Probably a pretty dumb question, but I just got my first HDTV. Is it normal for some shows that are in high def to be displayed 4:3? For example, I noticed that Biggest Loser was like this today, but when SVU came on, it went to 16:9. Right now I'm just using the built-in tuner on my Samsung 5084 until my Comcast HD box gets here on Friday.

Probably a pretty dumb question, but I just got my first HDTV. Is it normal for some shows that are in high def to be displayed 4:3? For example, I noticed that Biggest Loser was like this today, but when SVU came on, it went to 16:9. Right now I'm just using the built-in tuner on my Samsung 5084 until my Comcast HD box gets here on Friday.

Just because a show is on a digital channel doesn't mean it's in HD. You'll find many examples of this. There is still far more standard-definition content being produced than HD.

It's a common misconception that the "digital transition" means everything will be HD. HD is not mandated, only that the stations are broadcasting a digital signal.

Probably a pretty dumb question, but I just got my first HDTV. Is it normal for some shows that are in high def to be displayed 4:3? For example, I noticed that Biggest Loser was like this today, but when SVU came on, it went to 16:9. Right now I'm just using the built-in tuner on my Samsung 5084 until my Comcast HD box gets here on Friday.

The Biggest Loser is not HD. It's 4:3 SD. When shown on the HD channel, it's presented in 4:3.

SVU is an HD program, so it's presented as 16:9 HD.

Most game/reality shows are not in HD. Only a few game/reality shows are in HD. Off the top of my head: Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Price is Right, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune are in HD.

I just lost 6-1 and 10-1 this morning as well. Center City here.


Same here in South Philly -- this is starting to get annoying, I just re-scanned last night to get FOX back at 29.1 only to have 6.1 and 10.1 go out today - also lost the corresponding sub channels for 6.2 and 6.3 (weather) and 10.2 (weather) as well ...

A re-scan did bring them back all though ... Oh, and not to mention, analogs are still scrambled and have been for about a week now ... again!

Lots of 'stuff' moving around lately.

The Biggest Loser is not HD. It's 4:3 SD. When shown on the HD channel, it's presented in 4:3.

SVU is an HD program, so it's presented as 16:9 HD.

Most game/reality shows are not in HD. Only a few game/reality shows are in HD. Off the top of my head: Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Price is Right, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune are in HD.

Thanks for the clarification.

Same here in South Philly -- this is starting to get annoying, I just re-scanned last night to get FOX back at 29.1 only to have 6.1 and 10.1 go out today - also lost the corresponding sub channels for 6.2 and 6.3 (weather) and 10.2 (weather) as well ...

A re-scan did bring them back all though ... Oh, and not to mention, analogs are still scrambled and have been for about a week now ... again!

Lots of 'stuff' moving around lately.

Similar story here in Chester County, too. After posting that I had lost 29.1 and had to re-scan to get it back, I went back to my HDTV without the box and found I had lost 6.1/6.2/6.3. Ugh. A re-scan brought them back, but that takes about an hour on my Sony. What a pain!

Here in Delaware county, I the other day just got back 3-1 6-1 10-1 all of 12-x and 17-1 but fox is nolonger 29-1 it is 106-1, feels like i wanna say the old smooth jazz wjjz 106.1 lol.

While I seem to have read that GSN is digital only at this point, why does comcast need the simulcast in the analog range as well as the channel in the digital range.
Because they want to have the channel available to Digital Classic/Preferred and Digital Starter (Digital Standard) customers.

Is there any update on the new HD channels getting added on the 18th? I can't find info anywhere on Comcast's site. Also, will they be part of an additional package or just the regular digital package?

Anyone?

The fricken fools again in Comcast in Wallingford,PA Delco Section of Comcrap, did it again by moving the HD channels, had to do another rescan after i did one this morning and the other day, they are so fricken annoying with the screwing the HD channels up and all like the OTA stuff like local broadcasts.

Anyone?

Mitchell-
The "source" over on DSLReports did "confirm" the launch on the 18th - but, that's about the proof we have.

Anybody know what the new channels/subchannels are for CW and FOX in Delaware County?

Thanks,

Bob

CW is located at 100.1 for HD and Fox HD is 106.1

Does anyone use TVGuide On Screen in the Chester County system? I purchased a Pioneer 1150 and hooked it up via cablecard last week. It's pickup up the correct time but its been days now and says the guide loading is still in progress.

Posted from wdub at : http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20103925-Still-no-good-news-for-Philadelphia~start=20#end regarding new HD channel additions in the Philly area.

sad news for you guys. as of an hour ago the date has been pushed back to "4/03/08"
but, for now if you live in the willow grove/lower merion area with account number beginning 9504 the date is still 3/18/08. i'm not sure if it hasn't been updated yet but so far it seems to have escaped it's fate.

as for the issue of off-air broadcast HD channels...
launching new HD services necessitates moving some existing HD services around in the background.
All channel moves should be complete by March 26, 2008.
WPVI and WCAU- March 11, 2008
WPHL and KYW- March 18, 2008
WHYY- March 26, 2008

whether this stuff is made up or not it's up to you to decide, i'm only providing a fanboy service

I'm in the Phoenixville PA area and have been missing my 6.x and 10.x channels for the past day or two. Re-scanning is NOT bringing them back... does anyone know if they have been relocated?

New HD Channels coming to Philadelphia's Channel lineup on or about April 3rd 2008 as per todays Sunday Paper ad on page A17.

History Channel HD-ch 217
CNN HD ch 221
TLC HD ch 225
Animal Planet HD-ch 230
AMC HD-ch238

New HD Channels coming to Philadelphia's Channel lineup on or about April 3rd 2008 as per todays Sunday Paper ad on page A17.

History Channel HD-ch 217
CNN HD ch 221
TLC HD ch 225
Animal Planet HD-ch 230
AMC HD-ch238

Right. And where are the three most requested HD channels -- SciFi, Discovery, USA?

That's it, I'm outta here. Bye, bye Comcast.

philly still doesnt have discovery?
i guess just the 'burbs gets that.

also without usa and sci-fi, this update of new channels is bleh.

AMC ugh.

IMO any new channels is a great thing.

we had the DISCOVERY channel :confused:

In Cape May County, NJ we are getting 10 new HD channels starting April 12, 2008. TLC, Food Network, Animal Planet, CNN, SciFi, Discovery, HGTV, AMC, History, and USA. Out of these 10 only USA and Discovery are channels I watch regular programs on. I can't wait to finally watch Deadliest Catch this season in HD, starts April 15th! I don't know how they decide on the new HD channels, but I wish they would've choose F/X, Bravo, CNBC, and Fox Business Channel. I don't believe many AMC movies are in HD since they are older movies. AMC HD could be almost as useless as TBS HD, which shows no shows or movies in HD. TBS HD was great for a couple MLB play-off games last October, but the announcers were terrible. I guess we are stuck with TBS HD because of the MLB contract for play-off games.

I don't know about films, but AMC has a few original series that are shown in HD...including the excellent "Mad Men". So it won't be as useless as TBS. That said, I'm annoyed that Comcast is not giving Philadelphia Sci-Fi, USA, and Discovery....I'd take those over AMC any day.

Posted from wdub at : http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20103925-Still-no-good-news-for-Philadelphia~start=20#end regarding new HD channel additions in the Philly area.

sad news for you guys. as of an hour ago the date has been pushed back to "4/03/08"
but, for now if you live in the willow grove/lower merion area with account number beginning 9504 the date is still 3/18/08. i'm not sure if it hasn't been updated yet but so far it seems to have escaped it's fate.


Well, that is the start of my account number. No message has been displayed like previous additions. We'll see come tomorrow.

Never? you mean Comcast will NEVER show the yankee channel in south jersey? that is a strong word. Either you know something, or have something against the yankees.....

For what it's worth, do a google search for YES network and Comcast... Turns out one of the marketing executives for the YES network is now VP of program acquisition for comcast... Just thought that was funny.

Never.

Cable systems in South Jersey cannot legally show Yankee games on YES. YES only has the rights to air Yankees games in Yankees territory (every MLB team is assigned a set of ZIP codes by MLB that is the team's home territory). If a Comcast system added YES to a system outside Yankees territory, it would have to black out the games, which would make it a very useless channel unless you really like to watch Mike and the Mad Dog.

The right to show Yankees games outside Yankees territory (and games of every MLB team outside of its own territory) is owned not by the Yankees but by MLB. MLB has exercised that right by selling rights to ESPN, Fox, and MLB Extra Innings. That's the only way you'll see Yankee games (except games against the Phillies) on TV in the Philly area or any other area outside Yankees territory.

If you have DirecTV and you buy the $12/month sports pack that gets you all the RSNs from all around the country, including YES, all the MLB, NBA and NHL games are blacked out unless you purchase the Out of Market package for the sport in question. Cable companies showing YES outside Yankee territory would be the same thing.

Well, no new channels in Willow Grove. There was a message though....regarding on demand for the NCAA tournament.

I'm in Willow Grove and there was a message this morning on my box for 5 new ones on or about april 3

History Channel HD
CNN HD
TLC HD
Animal Planet HD
AMC HD

forget where though and deleted the message

I'm in Willow Grove and there was a message this morning on my box for 5 new ones on or about april 3

History Channel HD
CNN HD
TLC HD
Animal Planet HD
AMC HD

forget where though and deleted the message

Look above, channel numbers listed.

Interestingly I received this message about 5 new HD's this morning too, although I am in an MDU. I really hope I don't have to wait until June :mad:.

Never.

Cable systems in South Jersey cannot legally show Yankee games on YES. YES only has the rights to air Yankees games in Yankees territory (every MLB team is assigned a set of ZIP codes by MLB that is the team's home territory). If a Comcast system added YES to a system outside Yankees territory, it would have to black out the games, which would make it a very useless channel unless you really like to watch Mike and the Mad Dog.

The right to show Yankees games outside Yankees territory (and games of every MLB team outside of its own territory) is owned not by the Yankees but by MLB. MLB has exercised that right by selling rights to ESPN, Fox, and MLB Extra Innings. That's the only way you'll see Yankee games (except games against the Phillies) on TV in the Philly area or any other area outside Yankees territory.

If you have DirecTV and you buy the $12/month sports pack that gets you all the RSNs from all around the country, including YES, all the MLB, NBA and NHL games are blacked out unless you purchase the Out of Market package for the sport in question. Cable companies showing YES outside Yankee territory would be the same thing.


Thank you, why couldn't comcast give me that information? ... Well hopefully extra-innings will have the post-game info and hd broadcast..... I guess I'll have to live withouth yankeeography

(I am in the unfortunate position of being forced to live with comcast, which is actually a huge improvement over my previous non-hd non-dvr local small cable company that recently went bankrupt. It's illegal, but since when has that stopped business?)

Well hopefully extra-innings will have the post-game info and hd broadcast

Extra Innings says it will provide 10 games a week in HD. They provide 80 games a week in SD.

http://indemand.com/sports/mlb/faqs/faqs.jsp

Where, or if, Comcast's Philly-area systems air MLBEI's HD games, I have no idea.

I doubt you'll see the full post-game shows. More likely, Extra Innings will take over the channel as soon as the game ends to show a west coast game on it.

I have given up timeshiift recording of the local HD QAM channels. It was working like a dream for weeks with high quality results. Now our area channels (3.1, 6.1, 10.1, 17.1, 29.1) come and go resulting in a blank recording the next morning. Rescanning has mixed results.This morning I have 3.1 (CBS) ,12.3 (WHYY) and lots of other channels but no other local Hi-Def. I assume it is Comcast . It is just aggrivating because this is the main reason I purchased my Phillips DVD Recorder. The reason I do not feel it is the Phillips is that the scan picks up at least 30-50 good channels just not the ones I want.

I figure I'll wait until Comcast opens their 5 new hi def channels in early April or I may get on the roof and reconnect my old antenna. Thanks for letting me vent. I do not know if Fios is any better but the day they enter my neighborhood , I switch.

I'm in the Phoenixville PA area and have been missing my 6.x and 10.x channels for the past day or two. Re-scanning is NOT bringing them back... does anyone know if they have been relocated?

I'm in Doylestown and it appears that Comcast has been mucking around with the QAM channels. I get 2 duplicate channels listed for 6 and 10 on the program guide on my mitsubishi HDTV. There are 2 channels listed for 6.1 and 10.1, only one of which has a signal. So I suggest using the channel up/down on your remote. You might pick up the "other" channel 6.1 or 10.1.

On top of that, I get WHYY (12.1) on 3.1 (should be KYW) AND 12.1.

Go figure...

Some strange PSIP changes in the Reading PA system as well. The channels are all on the same frequencies, but the proper PSIP's have changed:

3-12 KYW HD
113-1 WPVI HD
113-2 WCAU HD
113-3 WPVI News subchannel
113-4 WPVI Weather subchannel
113-5 WCAU Weather subchannel
12-11 WHYY DT
12-13 WHYY A
12-14 WHYY H
29-2 WTXF HD

Don't forget there's an HBO / Cinemax free preview weekend that is active now. Do your QAM channel scans to get them on TV's without boxes.

Here's Reading PA's mapping:
90-1 HBO HD
90-2 Cinemax
90-3 MoreMax
90-4 HBO
90-5 HBO Family
90-6 HBO Latino
90-7 HBO 2
90-8 HBO Signature
90-9 Action Max
91-2 HBO Comedy
91-3 HBO Zone
91-4 Thriller Max
91-6 Outer Max
91-7 Action Max
92-2 5 Star Max
94-1 Cinemax HD
110-1 HBO West
110-6 Cinemax West

Found this out here:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20194617-HBOCinemax-Free-weekend

I just noticed today on my DHG-Hdd250 DVR that now I get CNN HD, AMC and the History Channel HD. Bad pixelation going on though but it't still watchable.

Also Im getting free Cinemax HD as well.

Slight correction to my earlier post about where to see the Yankees in Philadelphia. I neglected to add TBS to the list that included Fox, ESPN and MLB Extra Innings. TBS will have a national game of the week, on Sundays, all season.

I just noticed today on my DHG-Hdd250 DVR that now I get CNN HD, AMC and the History Channel HD. Bad pixelation going on though but it't still watchable.

Also Im getting free Cinemax HD as well.

Where are you located? They might show up "in the clear" off and on these next couple weeks since they are likely testing things out, setting them up, etc. Probably still tweaking with the compression settings as well.

3.1 is no longer working for CBS HD. Rescanned twice but still no luck. All during March Madness.

3.1 is no longer working for CBS HD. Rescanned twice but still no luck. All during March Madness.

Makes you wonder if it's just a coincidence...

BTW...KYW is only show SD via 3.1 OTA for the Duke game tonight (from about half time through at least 12:50 left in the 2nd). Must be some UNC fans in their engineering dept.

Makes you wonder if it's just a coincidence...

BTW...KYW is only show SD via 3.1 OTA for the Duke game tonight (from about half time through at least 12:50 left in the 2nd). Must be some UNC fans in their engineering dept.

Definitely COMCRAPSTIC!!!

Oooh, wait - as I'm typing this around 8:45pm, it finally came back full screen and in 5.1 ...

>>COMCRAPSTIC

As much as I'd love to blame comcast, I was watching OTA so it's a KYW issue. (I confirmed that the game was in HD from WCBS-NY via DirecTV, so it was KYW's feed that was the issue.)

KWY dropped the ball again for a few minutes going to a look in at the CS Fullerton/Wisc game.

Got it fixed faster than the Duke game issue.

Will these problems go away next year after the analog shut off? Won't it all be HD all the time?

Will these problems go away next year after the analog shut off? Won't it all be HD all the time?

Not exactly. It will be all digital all the time. It will still only be HD when the local station remembers to switch to HD. And only when the source is an HD source.

Not exactly. It will be all digital all the time. It will still only be HD when the local station remembers to switch to HD. And only when the source is an HD source.

Why does the station ever have to turn the HD off?

Wow, great start KYW...the very first look in before the Davidson-Zags game started in SD.

They did figure that out about 0:20 seconds into the game, but still...get on the ball (pub not intended)!

Why does the station ever have to turn the HD off?

They have to modify the output to handle the different resolutions and layouts (4 x 3 vs 16 x 9) of the material (including commercials, station IDs, etc) that they're transmitting at any particular moment.

I think they're, in essence, manually providing a 'squeezed' output of the 4x3 material on their end so that it doesn't get stretched out on a wide screen display. That's becoming less and less necessary for national ads, which are produced in HD more and more. But local spots - that annoying auto dealership ad, for instance - might still be produced in 4x3 layout. So they need to format the output even to the HD-capable displays to show that correctly.

And since the local commercial is usually the last one shown before going back to the main program means that they then need to remember to turn the HD back on ASAP.

(At least I think that's what's going on...but don't rely on my inference as fact!)

They have to modify the output to handle the different resolutions and layouts (4 x 3 vs 16 x 9) of the material (including commercials, station IDs, etc) that they're transmitting at any particular moment.

I think they're, in essence, manually providing a 'squeezed' output of the 4x3 material on their end so that it doesn't get stretched out on a wide screen display. That's becoming less and less necessary for national ads, which are produced in HD more and more. But local spots - that annoying auto dealership ad, for instance - might still be produced in 4x3 layout. So they need to format the output even to the HD-capable displays to show that correctly.

And since the local commercial is usually the last one shown before going back to the main program means that they then need to remember to turn the HD back on ASAP.

(At least I think that's what's going on...but don't rely on my inference as fact!)

They're the ones who run the local spots, no? Why not just upconvert the spot to HD with bars on the side beforehand?

They're the ones who run the local spots, no? Why not just upconvert the spot to HD with bars on the side beforehand?

I'd guess it's easier to push a button rather than convert every spot. There may also be some contractual stuff the specifically prohibts them from 'altering' or otherwise changing something. Legalese and all.

I'd guess it's easier to push a button rather than convert every spot. There may also be some contractual stuff the specifically prohibts them from 'altering' or otherwise changing something. Legalese and all.

If there is standard contractual language in advertiser-TV station contracts, I would hope some of the advertisers on TBS-HD, Food-HD, TNT-HD, and all the other cable channels that stretch out commercials would sue under it.

If I'm selling, say, a weight loss product, and my commercial is stretched out so the "after" picture still looks fat, I'm not going to be a happy customer. If I could sue about that, I would.

Anyone know why Philly got screwed out of Sci-Fi HD??

Anyone know why Philly got screwed out of Sci-Fi HD??

and what about USA HD
and fx hd

and mgm hd
...

IMO any new channels is a great thing.

not when 2 of them are tbs and tnt hd
NOTHING on those channels IS HD
except for a movie here and there.

Anyone have recs for a 4 way amp/splitter that let's signals pass back thru (i.e for On Demand etc)?

I'm currently just pick up the HD network signals thru my Comcast analog subscription via the QAM tuner on my JVC set. But lately, the analog signals have been getting poorer & I'm having a harder time holding onto the the HD signals. I think the old Radio Shack 4 way amp/splitter is on the way out.

Unfortunately, my input line from the outside goes into a 4 way splitter(no amp), with one of the outputs feeding the amp/splitter. All the connections to lines coming from the amp/splitter no longer look so good. When I hook the HDTV to the connections from the 4 way splitter, the picture is lots better. When I get the time I'm going to dig into the way to rewire such that the input line goes into a amp/splitter first, then throughout the house.

In the meantime, I'm hoping a better amp/splitter improves the current picture. The HDTV is in the new addition so I don't want to move it the other room (plus there's a heavy 37" tube TV there I don't want to move)/

thanks

Comcast just lowered my bill from $135 to $92 for 6 months(plus free HBO). I called and asked if they would do anything to keep me from switching to FIOS.

Anyone notice stuttering on local HD's? For example last night CSI:Miami on KYW HD had a few moments of stuttering. It was like it paused and 'blipped' when it started up again.

Bypassing the box shows a good signal on my TV's strength meter, and in the Cable box diagnostics I'm showing 35 SNR which is good.

I've also seen stuttering on WTXF 29 DT through Comcast as well. I'm wondering if it's a local Comcast issue, or if this is how it's being picked up from the broadcaster.

I had issues throughout Sunday and Saturday watching CBS Basketball. I have issues every night with ESPN and ESPN2. I am seriously considering Directv.

Anyone notice stuttering on local HD's? For example last night CSI:Miami on KYW HD had a few moments of stuttering. It was like it paused and 'blipped' when it started up again.

Bypassing the box shows a good signal on my TV's strength meter, and in the Cable box diagnostics I'm showing 35 SNR which is good.

I've also seen stuttering on WTXF 29 DT through Comcast as well. I'm wondering if it's a local Comcast issue, or if this is how it's being picked up from the broadcaster.

Yes, you are not alone. I am hoping it will settle out after they rollout the new HD channels. Glad I still have the good old OTA option to fall back on.

Anyone notice stuttering on local HD's? For example last night CSI:Miami on KYW HD had a few moments of stuttering. It was like it paused and 'blipped' when it started up again.

Bypassing the box shows a good signal on my TV's strength meter, and in the Cable box diagnostics I'm showing 35 SNR which is good.

I've also seen stuttering on WTXF 29 DT through Comcast as well. I'm wondering if it's a local Comcast issue, or if this is how it's being picked up from the broadcaster.

Not only locals - but HBO HD as well -- a few times while watching John Adams the other night, the sound went out for a few seconds ... Plus, a few times while LOST was on last week on ABC - and it's VERY annoying ...

Every time this happens, and it happens quite often, you feel as if this technology is just not 'ready for prime time' yet and they are still working out the kinks ... ya know?

Finally got another letter from Comcast as to why we aren't getting Sci-Fi HD as well as the USA and Discovery.

Each Comcast system makes its own carriage agreements with the channels we provide. The 5 HD channels being added in April made agreements with this region. The other 3 do not have an agreement with us yet. Because those negotiations are confidential, we do not receive any information until the agreement is made.



Sarai Moret

Executive Support Analyst

Corporate Escalations - ESL Philly Metro

4008 N. Dupont Hwy

New Castle, DE 19720

302-661-8289 (external)

sarai_moret@cable.comcast.com


So, what do you think? Can this be right are is this just more crap from Comcast?

...Plus, a few times while LOST was on last week on ABC - and it's VERY annoying...

YES!:mad: Same here; lost audio at least twice for about 5 seconds each time.

The stuttering on WTXF 29 during American Idol last night was awful.

I want to call Comcast about it and report the issue, but I don't want a truck roll. I hope that someone who works at Comcast is seeing the local HD stuttering that's been going on. These are big ratings primetime HD shows, I'm sure someone at Comcast has to be watching! Were talking American Idol and CSI to name just two.

Stuttering persisted on QAM 29-2 and also Comcast 234.

Yes, but when I switch to plain old QAM it goes away. And that feed is split through my Panny DMR passthrough. I've been doing that more and more lately. Are you listening Comcast? You are encouraging people to look for other solutions.

If the OTA stations do as poor of a job after the digital conversion I can see a Senate investigation coming .... after the fact and of no value to us early adopters.

I live in cc phily and have had recurring problems with hd channels, mainly tnt and nbc(i had the john adams problem too). I get pixelation and grainyness on these channels specially when there is action. ( A good example would be the peacock swooping across the screen on nbc) I do not see this OTA. This http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/14/comcast-media-center-gets-creative-with-compression/ talks about compression to fit in more hd channels. Maybe this can explain some problems?

I live in cc phily and have had recurring problems with hd channels, mainly tnt and nbc(i had the john adams problem too). I get pixelation and grainyness on these channels specially when there is action. ( A good example would be the peacock swooping across the screen on nbc) I do not see this OTA. This http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/14/comcast-media-center-gets-creative-with-compression/ talks about compression to fit in more hd channels. Maybe this can explain some problems?

AFAIK they arent allowed to compress OTA channels. I think they have to be carried as is. Someone correct me if i'm wrong. TNT though...

not when 2 of them are tbs and tnt hd
NOTHING on those channels IS HD
except for a movie here and there.


Are my eyes and ears being fooled? I know nothing on TBS is HD, but I thought most of TNT prime time shows from the past couple of years, recent movies, and all NBA games are HD. I usually get a better picture on TNTHD then I do NBCHD. The sound is also much louder and full compared to other HD channels. CBSHD also has loud sound, expecially for sports.

So no one else in Philly gives a frak that we got screwed out of getting Sci Fi HD, USA HD and Discovery HD? No one else cares that while other regions are getting anywhere from 6-9 new HD channels in a shot the Philly is only getting 5.


Whatever.

Of course we're po'd. In Willow Grove we had Discovery HD for awhile and they took it away. You want to start a petition?

I'd care more if you'd stop using the word "frak". ;)

Of course people are annoyed that we're not getting them, but what is posting on these boards several times a day going to do about it? And remember, it's not the end of the world; it's only television. :)

I called spoke with a couple of Comcast reps today and finally got one of them to send out someone to replace all of my outside wiring. The wire from the pole to the house is all bend and bowed. The wiring on the side of the house leading to the back/upstairs is so old and looks frayed (at least 15-20 years.)

I have two HD TVs....one of which shows no issues with the cable (connection is right outside where the TV is located,) while my other one does have severe issues (it is quite a ways away from the connection outside.) And I also have a small TV (analog) which is consistently wavy due to the crappy wiring (located between the other 2 TVs.)

Will report back if/when they show up tomorrow to do the job.

I'd care more if you'd stop using the word "frak". ;)

Of course people are annoyed that we're not getting them, but what is posting on these boards several times a day going to do about it? And remember, it's not the end of the world; it's only television. :)

I do more then just post on these boards. I've been sending emails to comcast as well. I should hope that if more people did the same we might get some results. I posted one of the reponse I got above and know one seems to care about Comcasts BS response. But since I'm being annoying and all I'll just stop posting about Phillys lack of HD channels. Perhaps I'll join in on this exciting conversation about PQ. But why talk about that either. I'ts only television. :p

James-you're not being annoying - to me anyway. I guess we're just at the point where we know we're screwed by comcast and have no alternative but to take what they give us. heck; if I had fios in my area i wouldn't even have comcast.

Maybe they are holding back from Discovery/Sci-Fi/USA in your area specifically because of the backlash with the 3:1 HD picture quality compression.

Maybe they are waiting for a better solution for the Philly area, since it is such a large market.

Finally got another letter from Comcast as to why we aren't getting Sci-Fi HD as well as the USA and Discovery.

Quote:
Each Comcast system makes its own carriage agreements with the channels we provide. The 5 HD channels being added in April made agreements with this region. The other 3 do not have an agreement with us yet. Because those negotiations are confidential, we do not receive any information until the agreement is made.

Sarai Moret
Executive Support Analyst
Corporate Escalations - ESL Philly Metro

So, what do you think? Can this be right are is this just more crap from Comcast?

I say it is BS, because everything I have read, from the experts on AVS, is that Comcast acquires national rights to a given channel. Then Comcast distrubutes that given channel to a each region, as bandwith permits.

Maybe they are holding back from Discovery/Sci-Fi/USA in your area specifically because of the backlash with the 3:1 HD picture quality compression.

Maybe they are waiting for a better solution for the Philly area, since it is such a large market.

Oh, so they are sparing Philly and screwing everyone else. LOL... Well, I guess that's one way to look at it. :D

Edit: So, I just read the AMC HD dosn't even show anything in HD not even thier own HD oringinal program Breaking Bad(which is in HD OnDemand). WTF!! So, they screw us out of Sci-Fi HD to give us a HD channel that's not even HD? Yeah, good looking out Comcast. :(

I checked LyngSat and I cannot even find which satellite or transponder AMC HD lives on. Does anyone know?

Comcast just lowered my bill from $135 to $92 for 6 months(plus free HBO). I called and asked if they would do anything to keep me from switching to FIOS.

And then?

And then he'll call again and get a new deal.

I say it is BS, because everything I have read, from the experts on AVS, is that Comcast acquires national rights to a given channel. Then Comcast distrubutes that given channel to a each region, as bandwith permits.

I'd love to get a confirmation on that too, 'cause that's the excuse I always get from their "customer account executives".:rolleyes:

And then he'll call again and get a new deal.


I hear ya', but for some reason I've never been that lucky. And I suspect that once the fear of FIOS entering a new neighborhood has worn off, Comcast may not be so willing to constantly cut deals with people. But I wish him luck nonetheless. :)

And then he'll call again and get a new deal.


When our 1 year promotion was up recently, I called to downgrade to an affordable plan. I never expected, nor asked for another promo, but was offered one before I could even finish one sentence! The best part is, that it brought the bill to around what I wanted to pay PLUS it gave us a discount on the HSI! Bonus! When this promo runs out, in a year, I will call again, press the button for downgrading my service & go from there.

That said, I am extremely disappointed that we aren't getting the only 3 HD channels that we were actually looking forward to! If I didn't read the forums, I wouldn't know what was being offered elsewhere, but we've never been happy with the picture quality on Sci-Fi. And USA was not much better. I suppose I will email Comcast to let them know that I am hoping to see those channels as well as Discovery HD in the very near future.

I am not going to switch to another service. I am very happy with my service, when we have a 3416 that works as it should. Except of course for the stutters that we get on ABC HD. Hmmm, maybe I need to send 2 emails ....... :rolleyes:

Of course we'll probably not see HDNet or HDNet Movies
on Comcast in my lifetime.
These are the only two HD channels I really want and
the reason I'll switch to FIOS in a heartbeat once I get
the chance (since I live in the city of Wilmington it will
probably take a while before that happens).

Instead of HDNet (a REAL HD channel) we get bandwidth
wasters like TBS HD and AMC HD.

More pixilation problems only on the Philly HD channels in the Reading Hub.
Original thread here:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20210066-Pixelation-Problems~start=40#20238981

Ok on Ch 232 (WCAU NBC 10 - Philly)
Comcast - Reading Hub
18 'blips' between 9:05 and 9:59-
9:05
9:11
9:12
9:14
9:15
9:18
9:28
9:32 (Commercial)
9:33 (Commercial)
9:39
9:43 (Commercial) (2 times)
9:44
9:51 (Commercial)
9:52 (Commercial)
9:53
9:58
9:59

15 'blips from 10:00 to 11:00
10:02 (3 times)
10:14 (Commercial)
10:18
10:21
10:26 (Commercial)
10:27 (Commercial)
10:32
10:42
10:46
10:47
10:50
10:53 (2 times)

Then 11:06 Seinfeld 'blipped' on Ch 234 WTXF Fox 29 - Philly.

Ch 232 Signal stats
729 MHz
Tuner 1: SNR between 34.9 and 35.5
Tuner 2: SNR between 32.9 and 34.1

I then pulled up the recording of "The Apprentice", and forwarded to 5 minutes in, and I saw that same 9:05 'blip' that I saw in "Live" mode.

Upcoming Phillies home games bumped to CN8 for Flyers/Sixers road games:

April 16 - Sixers @ Bobcats.

That's the only one so far, but I suspect we'll see more once the playoff schedules are set.

When a potential HD game is bumped to provide a non-HD road game, it really irks me.

I think it's time for that long rumored second Philly sports channel.

No new channels in Cherry Hill :(

Had comcast out this morning. They repaired some of the connectors, fixed some of the wiring which might have been hanging a little low and everything, for the 5 seconds I saw it, is running just fine!

My wife just brought down the hammer on spending and I have to reduce my comcast bill to the VERY basic service they offer. I have a panasonic plasma 700U with A QAM tuner. Can I receive any HD channels with their basic service? I am in the Phoenixville area if that helps which uses the Pottstown head unit. I may also try OTA if this doesn't work.

I have a panasonic plasma 700U with A QAM tuner. Can I receive any HD channels with their basic service?
Yes, Basic service has Local channels only, in Analog and Digital SD and HD, and the latter two can be tuned though QAM.

That's right. I looks like Philly will not be getting the Sci-Fi channel in HD this year. Also, it looks like we won't be getting USA or Discovery either. I've been trying to find out why but the only answer I've gotten so far is that Philly dosen't have a carriage agreement for those 3 networks.

That's right. I looks like Philly will not be getting the Sci-Fi channel in HD this year. Also, it looks like we won't be getting USA or Discovery either. I've been trying to find out why but the only answer I've gotten so far is that Philly dosen't have a carriage agreement for those 3 networks.

Comcast keeps saying this. I don't believe it. Can't anybody confirm or deny this?

My wife just brought down the hammer on spending and I have to reduce my comcast bill to the VERY basic service they offer. I have a panasonic plasma 700U with A QAM tuner. Can I receive any HD channels with their basic service? I am in the Phoenixville area if that helps which uses the Pottstown head unit. I may also try OTA if this doesn't work.
You might want to try OTA even if QAM works. At the very least, it's a back-up to Comcast's system going down. As a positive, you'll get some channels with OTA that Comcast doesn't pick-up ... for example, Qubo is a subchannel (forget which one) that shows kids shows and cartoons. And 17.2 shows a bunch of Olympic style sports (kinda sporadically). Both of these are SD-digital channels.

Not sure if the 700U has 2 RF inputs, but it's worth it to try a cheapo indoor antenna out just to see what you can get for free.

In my area, Limited Basic is now $18/month. That's over $200 a year. Maybe all you need is OTA.

ft

You also might want to take back the hammer. Who wears the hammer in your household anyway?

You also might want to take back the hammer. Who wears the hammer in your household anyway?

NICE

I plan to cut back to limited basic anyway this summer, I just don't watch enough sports/TV during the summer, I can live with the occasional Phils game on WPSG. Although my digi cable deal is $30/12 months instead of 6 I found out... but to keep the HD it's another $20(digi classic + HD box) or $27 w/ the DVR, it adds up fast. Unless they can give me internet and HD-DVR digi classic for $60, then I'm cutting it. I have heard they seem to be haggling more, and I'm actually seeing BETTER offers for digital cable, the deals I keep seeing on TV commercials are getting better. Up until this year it kept getting more expensive. Now Comcast is scrambling because they are losing subs, and lets be honest, cable bill is one of the first things people are going to cut back on w/ the current state of the economy.

Plus FIOS is being install this month in my neighborhood! If Comcast was too stupid to realize I'm in an apartment(I have a normal address) then perhaps I could tell them that FIOS is being laid right now and they would give me a killer deal. Or get a better deal this fall when college football season starts up.

Saying we don't have an agreement for USA/Discovery/Scifi is total BS. What a coeincidence, those 3 channels are carried together on one slot on the satellite...:rolleyes: They just are 1 QAM slot shy, and choose to cut out that one, I'm guessing. Some systems around here might have the room but there are probably some that don't, and as we know ALL of Philly/'Burbs have to have the same dang HD lineup/config.

I was in Detroit this weekend, the guy who I was staying with had NO I-Guide ads and I think all of the HD channels that Comcast has for now(right around 35).:mad: His 190's were filled with HD channels.

In my area, Limited Basic is now $18/month. That's over $200 a year. Maybe all you need is OTA.
It can vary widely from area to area. Here, it is $10.75/mo. I have heard anywhere from $9-$22/mo. for Ltd. Basic. Of course, nothing beats free (OTA). :)

I know 8VSB OTA reception is location dependant, but I am thinking, even if one picks up all the local channels desired, it is isn't going to be reliable at some locations. So, some people opt for Ltd. Basic. Is that right?

It can vary widely from area to area. Here, it is $10.75/mo. I have heard anywhere from $9-$22/mo. for Ltd. Basic. Of course, nothing beats free (OTA). :)

I know 8VSB OTA reception is location dependant, but I am thinking, even if one picks up all the local channels desired, it is isn't going to be reliable at some locations. So, some people opt for Ltd. Basic. Is that right?

Absolutely. Even in my area (Media PA), QAM is more reliable than my el cheapo indoor antenna. I suppose that if I installed an outdoor antenna (or even attic), I'd get much more consistent signals, but I'm too lazy.

I was just suggesting to Ericthemidget that he should at least give the antenna a shot. Who knows, maybe he lives right under the towers and would get great reception, in which case Limited would be redundant.

ft

I tried an OTA attena, and it did pick up the major channels. However, if anybody moved in the room, the signal got lost.

The good news is that I am getting all of the major HD channels (nbc, cbs, abc, fox, etc) via VERY basic cable service.

I do have 2 other HDTV's in my house that don't have digital tuners built in. Can I buy a digital tuner that can convert cable or are they only OTA?

As for the hammer, my wife rules with an iron fist! If wasn't for the fact that she earns twice what I do and the fake boobs, I don't know what I would do ;-)

I tried an OTA attena, and it did pick up the major channels. However, if anybody moved in the room, the signal got lost. Sounds like QAM is more reliable for your situation. At least OTA can be a back-up plan.

The good news is that I am getting all of the major HD channels (nbc, cbs, abc, fox, etc) via VERY basic cable service. That's great. You might want to check out your Local Area thread to see what others in your area are getting. Typically, you get more than just the HD-Locals. Many places get the unencrypted OnDemand streams. This week, Comcast in my area has the MLB Extra Innings and NHL GamePass on a free preview, so the QAM tuner picks them up. Also, the local thread may give you a heads up when your cable company has a free HBO/Showtime/Etc weekend. We just had one a couple weekends ago.

Oops - I just realized that you are in your local thread. Well, my advice still stands.

I do have 2 other HDTV's in my house that don't have digital tuners built in. Can I buy a digital tuner that can convert cable or are they only OTA?You have a couple options for this. I'm only going to list the HD options, meaning the current generation ATSC/QAM DVD Recorders aren't an option.

1. Get a used LG-3410A or Sony DHG-HDD250/500. These are HD DVRs (single tuner) that can pick up QAM signals. They pass along a true HD picture.

2. Samsung DTB-260F. This is an ATSC/QAM tuner (not sure if it does NTSC). They're a little old, but they get good reviews from the people around here. There's a huge thread over in the HD Reception Devices forum.

3. HTPC or HTMac. There are tons of USB and PCI solutions for both the PC and Mac (well, more for the PC). You can hook your HT Computer to the TV and use a tuner to record and watch HDTV.

4. Echostar TR-50. This one is not out yet, but they're shooting for sometime later this year. I'm not sure if it's just ATSC or if it also includes QAM. If it does, expect it to be a big hit. The TR-50 is a dual-tuner DVR with TVGOS. Forget this. The TR-50 is ATSC only. No QAM.

It can vary widely from area to area. Here, it is $10.75/mo. I have heard anywhere from $9-$22/mo. for Ltd. Basic. Of course, nothing beats free (OTA). :)

I know 8VSB OTA reception is location dependant, but I am thinking, even if one picks up all the local channels desired, it is isn't going to be reliable at some locations. So, some people opt for Ltd. Basic. Is that right?

Right, but for many if you have Comcast HSI, then you don't pay any more to receive limited basic. HSI is 42.95 w/ some form of cable(it CAN be the most basic service), or 59.99 w/o any cable service. With Limited basic up to $17 for me, the price is now equal, for internet w/ limited basic or internet and no limited basic. So I might as well keep the limited basic, it costs no more. I'm lucky that I live only 15 miles or so from the towers, and can get all the major networks and several independants with a simple little indoor antenna:) And I do get the small handful of channels that Comcast sends unencypted, along with OnDemand feeds, in addition to the HD locals via QAM.

Of course if you have Verizon DSL then it's a moot issue. I personally don't want a landline phone account, so I don't have much of a choice, and I don't like how DSL requires contracts, and is generally slower.

hey guys, i just moved to roxborough (zip: 19128) a few weeks ago. i am using a hisense HD Tuner i picked up on ebay and have been watching free HDTV OTA. it's not the best reception at times. is good reception harder to obtain during the daytime hours? i used this website: antennaweb.org and almost all the antennas are within a half mile of my apt. i live on the floor of a 4 story complex. any tips for better reception? is there such thing for being too close to the antennas?

i am using a terk unidirectional amplified antenna, but its not powered. thanks!

hey guys, i just moved to roxborough (zip: 19128) a few weeks ago. i am using a hisense HD Tuner i picked up on ebay and have been watching free HDTV OTA. it's not the best reception at times. is good reception harder to obtain during the daytime hours? i used this website: antennaweb.org and almost all the antennas are within a half mile of my apt. i live on the floor of a 4 story complex. any tips for better reception? is there such thing for being too close to the antennas?

i am using a terk unidirectional amplified antenna, but its not powered. thanks!
You're right under the towers. I'd think that being that close, you could stand next to your TV and the metals in your body would be enough.

You might want to try a cheap set of rabbit ears or a loop antenna. You shouldn't need an amplified antenna (which you said that you don't have). You could try a piece of wire.

Oh wait, I re-read your post. You have an amplified antenna that you haven't turned on. From my experience, these antennas don't work well when they're not powered. In fact, they hurt reception. I'd go look for a set of rabbit ears. You can buy them for about $5. Maybe $.50 at a garage sale.

Comcast in Southern NJ must be testing. There is a channel 228 in the lineup with no additional information. Perhaps they are preparing for the weeks to come??

Comcast in Southern NJ must be testing. There is a channel 228 in the lineup with no additional information. Perhaps they are preparing for the weeks to come??

no its just for HD ondemand

hey guys, i just moved to roxborough (zip: 19128) a few weeks ago. i am using a hisense HD Tuner i picked up on ebay and have been watching free HDTV OTA. it's not the best reception at times. is good reception harder to obtain during the daytime hours? i used this website: antennaweb.org and almost all the antennas are within a half mile of my apt. i live on the floor of a 4 story complex. any tips for better reception? is there such thing for being too close to the antennas?

i am using a terk unidirectional amplified antenna, but its not powered. thanks!You may get more answers in the Philadelphia OTA thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=620626). It is a discussion for those with antenna issues. This forum is for those chained to Comcast. ;)

Comcast in Southern NJ must be testing. There is a channel 228 in the lineup with no additional information. Perhaps they are preparing for the weeks to come??

See: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20248176-Minor-Changes-Occuring-41-Comcast-in-NJ

Like most people here, I am waiting patiently for some new HD channels to be added to Comcast's lineup. I understand there are bandwidth considerations and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that they are doing their best to add new channels as fast as possible. The one question I do have is once a new channel is added are we stuck with it forever? Does Comcast ever drop HD channels? I never watch a single program on VS/Golf, MHD, NGHD or A&EHD. If they dropped all of them tomorrow, but left them in the guide, I would never even know they were gone. If you go by the messages here and in other forums on AVS, you can tell pretty easily that the most popular channels people are waiting for are SciFI, USA and the Food Network. Doesn't Comcast do any marketing surveys? You would think that identifying which channels your customers find most desirable(and are willing to pay for) would be a pretty high priority for any TV provider, cable or satellite. Apparently, that's not the case for Comcast.

The new channels just popped up on my DHG-HDD250 10 mins ago. Now I get aminal planet hd, USA HD, Sci-fi hd,Cnn hd and TLC HD (basically the same lineup my house in Wash DC had months ago)

you get sci fi and usa hd too?

out here in the delaware county urbs no sci-fi or usa hd.
sorry but animal planet and amc is pointless.

does amc even have any hd programming?
and tlc, what am i learning from that channel, zzzzzzzzz

No usa hd or sci-fi hd here in NE Philly.

On here in DE - Tivo doesn't have listings or channel info yet.

History 217 - 507 MHz - 38 SNR
CNN 221 - 717 MHz - 37 SNR
TLC 225 - 525 MHz - 37 SNR
APL 230 - 507 MHz - 38 SNR
AMC 238 - 717 MHz - 37 SNR

Not sure if any other exisitng channels are on these QAM's to make it a 3 for 1. But today's adds were 2-2-1.

Still waiting for USA, Discovery, and Sci-Fi. It's a shame we didn't get these 3 today also. USA and Discovery have quite a bit of HD programming on them - and they look great (I get them via my DirecTV hookup).

JamesDax - keep hoping!

cmc1002001 - how can you tell such a lie. Shame on you. :)

Anyway, anyone else getting unathorized on AMC HD? What's up with that?


btw, have i mentioned that i really want sci-fi hd? :D

AMC looks just as bad as TBS-HD. CNNHD looks very good. History looked pretty bad too... the program I saw this morning was definitely stretched. Don't know if that is the norm or if it was just that particular program.

no its just for HD ondemand

oops my bad. I did see that in the paper last week. Do we really need all those ondemand channels?? I mean the remote already has the big button on it that says on demand and I'm sure everyone has figured out that channel 1 is for on demand.

So, am I the only one getting Not Authorized on AMC HD?

So, am I the only one getting Not Authorized on AMC HD?

James, why don't you call in and get a hit sent? Sounds like for some reason your box didn't get the decryption keys for that channel.

James, why don't you call in and get a hit sent? Sounds like for some reason your box didn't get the decryption keys for that channel.

Yeah, thats just what I was thinking. :D

Called the local number and they said that they were also getting not authorized and that would have to send an email to the techs to find out what was going on. So, in other words they are working on it.

I just joined because I had to comment. I live in Glenside, Pa, Abington Twp, and I am a Verizon cable-splicing technician. FiOS is on the way in Abington, but Verizon is building it by central office coverage. The central office is the local phone exchange building. Half of Abington has Willow Grove exchange TN's;i.e., 638, 657, 659, and we've been building Willow Grove for over a year. The other half of Abington (except the Rockledge area) is served by the Jenkintown central office which has TN's 884,885,886,887,576,517, etc. Verizon is just now starting to build FiOS out of the Jenkintown office. When you see orange plastic tubes sticking up at the base of poles in the area, they are the innerduct for the future fiber lines. FiOS is awesome, Comcast sucks. Look for me in my white bucket truck around Glenside.

Welcome! I am in the heart of Glenside (884 number too), right down from the Keswick Theater. Will be EXTREMELY happy when Fios is up and running. Be sure not to forget us and let us know your progress.

Installed AVerTV Combo PCI-e tuner card and receiving HD/DT qam channels from Comcast Cherry Hill with VMC Premium. Any recommendations or tips on available channels? Have a list of all the channels located, if anyone is interested.

I live a few blocks from the Keswick Theatre, too, and I get my hair cut at Ralph's, and my son works at O'Neill's market. I've been in Glenside about 17 years, but I grew up in Jenkintown.

I am about a block from Ralph's...and go to O'Neill's often.

Thanks for the continued updates.

The channel lineup for Center City and South Philly on Comcast.com now shows:
217 History Channel HD*
221 CNN HD*
225 TLC HD*
230 Animal Planet HD*
238 AMC HD*

I haven't checked to see if these are active yet.

There's an Infra-Source line truck putting up new strand for FiOS on Cliveden Ave today. Infra-Source used to be Chowns Communications, and Verizon uses them as contractors often. They're putting up the basic stuff because our linemen are too busy. I live on Sylvania Ave. A little closer to FiOS every day...

Okay, very close to me...Keswick! Anyway, I'll keep my eye out for ya.

There's an Infra-Source line truck putting up new strand for FiOS on Cliveden Ave today. Infra-Source used to be Chowns Communications, and Verizon uses them as contractors often. They're putting up the basic stuff because our linemen are too busy. I live on Sylvania Ave. A little closer to FiOS every day...

Great stuff, welcome and we appreciate the inside info!

I've seen utility work around my neighborhood, and signs that say "Verizon is upgrading your service... with an Infra-Source logo on the signs" CATV flags all over the sidewalk areas. I wonder what that means...:D

Too bad I'm in an apartment though, and as I understand it the complex has to pay for the MDU equipment.

earlier this week in Phoenixville, guys were out spraying the crap out of our rodes and putting arrows on the ground with CATV written all over them. I hope this means that we are getting FIOS soon!

earlier this week in Phoenixville, guys were out spraying the crap out of our rodes and putting arrows on the ground with CATV written all over them. I hope this means that we are getting FIOS soon!

I had fiber laid in my neighborhood about 9 months ago. FIOS internet became available for me shortly thereafter. Still no FIOS tv though. Maybe if we keep calling to ask things will speed up at Verizon...

Eric

I'm not a moderator but shouldn't splice be posting this in the Philly Verizon thread???

Any word on when Gloucester County is supposed to get the new channels? The frustrating thing for me is that Comcast of Gloucester County seems to bring up the rear when it comes to the Philly market (which seems to bring up the rear nationwide).

I'm not a moderator but shouldn't splice be posting this in the Philly Verizon thread???
Sorry! I'm new to this, I just figured it out, and I'm posting on the Verizon thread now. See you there.

Does anyone really know how long this current package will last ?
Thanks Owenf

Any word on when Gloucester County is supposed to get the new channels? The frustrating thing for me is that Comcast of Gloucester County seems to bring up the rear when it comes to the Philly market (which seems to bring up the rear nationwide).

South Jersey is generally over 6 months behind PA & DE. For instance, PA got TNT-HD in Dec, while NJ had to wait until the following June. The one exception seems to be channels with major sporting events coming up. ESPN2-HD arrived at the same time in both PA & NJ just before the last World Cup started. Same deal for TBS-HD and the MLB playoffs last year. I wouldn't expect to see any of these new channels until the fall, at the earliest.

Any word on when Gloucester County is supposed to get the new channels? The frustrating thing for me is that Comcast of Gloucester County seems to bring up the rear when it comes to the Philly market (which seems to bring up the rear nationwide).

10 channels next friday probably, thats when burlington county is getting them and the old garden state cable systems which i believe we are part of

South Jersey is generally over 6 months behind PA & DE. For instance, PA got TNT-HD in Dec, while NJ had to wait until the following June. The one exception seems to be channels with major sporting events coming up. ESPN2-HD arrived at the same time in both PA & NJ just before the last World Cup started. Same deal for TBS-HD and the MLB playoffs last year. I wouldn't expect to see any of these new channels until the fall, at the earliest.

6 months is generally what it feels like, although I haven't done any sort of analysis as to when X gets Y content. I look around now, and it also seems like many other markets have more HD content than we do over here.

10 channels next friday probably, thats when burlington county is getting them and the old garden state cable systems which i believe we are part of

There's next Friday (hopefully), then someone over at DSLR posted a 5/15 target date for HDs of Science Channel, ABC Family and Disney. What's unclear is what's allegedly coming next Friday. I'm presuming it's at least the 5 which Philly just got, but I've dimmer hopes for the "golden trio" of the moment - DSC, USA, Sci-Fi.

Verizon now says I'm eligible for Fios. I'm cooking up a master comparison chart encompassing Comcast, Verizon, Direct and Dish, including SD+HD, package & equipment pricing, and links to any kind of "roadmap" type information/evidence I can find. If there's interest, I'm happy to share it back with you guys. :)

Phils game today on WPSG looks to be in SD widescreen! Not real HD but better than 4:3!

Phils game today on WPSG looks to be in SD widescreen! Not real HD but better than 4:3!


yeah it will just be like the flyers games, either HD or widescreen from now on

Phillies produce wide screen road game. Hope this continues for the remainder of the year, and eventually the Philadelphia sports teams will get a commitment for HD road games.

Anyone else in CC having problems with the new HD channels not coming in well? Actually it's not just them. HD Theater is breaking up too....

HBO HD was all kinds of messed up today.

HBO HD was all kinds of messed up today.

Same here, I was just watching John Adams and I had all sorts of audio popping problems and a few blank frame skips. FYI, here, in Center City, HBOHD is on the 315mhz QAM along with Cinemax HD and AMC HD

Phillies produce wide screen road game. Hope this continues for the remainder of the year, and eventually the Philadelphia sports teams will get a commitment for HD road games.

How much better does an SD widescreen Phillies game on CSN-HD look than the same game on CSN (SD)? Worth the extra hard drive space?

The Phillies-Mets games in NY this week are not marked in the guide as being in HD. Can we expect them to be in widescreen SD?

Didn't CSN show games at Shea Stadium in HD last year? I thought they did, but maybe it was the widescreen SD? I assumed it had something to do with the fact that the Mets RSN is also owned (in part) by Comcast, so there was some agreement to share cameras. I suppose I just made that up.

The Phillies-Mets game on Wednesday night is on ESPN2 in HD. Anyone know how to determine if the game will be blacked out in Philly or not?

i'd bet, on blacked out.

i'd bet, on blacked out.

I was afraid of that.

So, what will air on ESPN2 in Philly and New York? Whatever it is (ESPNews, probably), you'd think they'd have some way of getting that into the guide data instead of the Phillies-Mets game, so that my TiVo wishlist doesn't hit a game that's not there (or, better, decides correctly to record it where it is, on Comcast SportsNet).

usually espn news