Does anyone know if the A28 guide update and the additional HD channels in the 800s apply to the Center City Philadelphia apartments/condos(Philadelphia MDU) with comcast????

I hope so because it seems like the center city apartments never get anything. Im not even sure why I pay for HD since I get less than 10 channels, but if I get more with this transition I would be happy! And everytime I express that I have family paying the same money in Delco and now have at least 60 HD channels! Its so frustrating!

We're supposed to be getting the A28 guide this week, which is needed for myDVR. The first update is scheduled for tonight, and the 2nd one should come shortly after that.

What is the A28 guide, and will I see a noticeable difference when it comes on?

Does anyone know if the A28 guide update and the additional HD channels in the 800s apply to the Center City Philadelphia apartments/condos(Philadelphia MDU) with comcast????

I hope so because it seems like the center city apartments never get anything. Im not even sure why I pay for HD since I get less than 10 channels, but if I get more with this transition I would be happy! And everytime I express that I have family paying the same money in Delco and now have at least 60 HD channels! Its so frustrating!I'm on the MDU lineup as well. I was told that for now, we will not be getting the additional HD channels. Many MDU buildings are still analog and don't have the room to add anything. Each building has to be upgraded, and that has to be coordinated with each individual property owner. I was told Comcast is going to be pushing throughout 2010 to get owners on board with upgrades.

As for A28, I don't see why MDU would be treated any differently. I guess we'll find out later this week.

What is the A28 guide, and will I see a noticeable difference when it comes on?
A28 adds a few features like folders, mass delete, etc, and does some background things that let's MyDVR manager work.

http://www.comcast.net/newguide

what's your source? not that i don't believe you, just wondering where you got the info from
It's been talked about quite a bit over on dslreports.com.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/tvcomcast

I got a message on my boxes saying the initial update would be on 1/26, and that it will reset favorites, parental controls, and series recordings for some channels. Other systems in the area have reported that this is the first update, and the next night the second update is pushed through, which updates the guide to A28.

That being said, it doesn't appear that either of my boxes rebooted last night. So I'm not sure if it's been delayed, or if 1/26 means tonight.

Thanks for the info stoli, but it is a little disappointing to hear!

I don't know enough about the infrastructure of a cable system but I thought the analog-to-digital transition for channels occured at the source and did not depend on the equipment on location(ie. if they decided to broadcast more channels in digital at the source, it would free up more bandwith regardless to add more channels and then to access those channels you would need a digital box and HD service). I guess I just don't understand that if all is required for a persons house is to either have a digital box already or to get one of the new digital mini boxes, why that wouldnt work in peoples individual apartments. I can't see comcast having to go to every persons house or street to update the equipment but then again, maybe that is what they have had to do?!

As a side note, I did get a message this morning that my guide was updated. It must have occured today sometime between 3am-8am. The interface hasn't changed-it still looks exactly the same- (hopefully the A28 interface is coming in the next couple days though) but I will say that the guides responsiveness has been improved slightly. I noticed less lag during the few minutes I was looking to see if there were any big changes yet.

It's my understanding that many MDUs have something like a mini-headend (for lack of a better term) in the building that needs to be upgraded in order to handle the bandwidth to handle more digital services. Sometimes even the cable wiring itself in the building needs to be replaced as well. If you notice, we don't even have digital simulcast yet...channels 2-99 on the MDU system are still completely analog.

Also, when a building gets updated it switches from the MDU lineup to the normal Center City lineup. I think the goal is to upgrade all the buildings and the special MDU lineup will go away completely.

I definitely sympathize with you. The HD channel disparity was bad enough before, but now it's completely outrageous with the additions in the 800s. I can't believe we pay the same price and don't get even a third of the HD channels and have to put up with horrible analog service on 2-99.

Amen!

I definitely sympathize with you. The HD channel disparity was bad enough before, but now it's completely outrageous with the additions in the 800s. I can't believe we pay the same price and don't get even a third of the HD channels and have to put up with horrible analog service on 2-99.

Amen!

I am with you on that:eek:

Loving the new HD channels and 800s lineup here in Plymouth Meeting PA.

Dont know where HBO-HD, SHOWTIME-HD are in the new lineup, cannot seem to locate them.

Also really wish we had DIY-HD . thats the only reason I really have to leave the 800s going forward.

Here is a link to the new channel lineup for KoP/Plymouth Meeting/Norristown
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/MontgomeryCounty/KOP-Plymouth-Norristown-HDChannelLineup.pdf

What is the A28 guide, and will I see a noticeable difference when it comes on?

I think the A28 update is what we just got in the KoP/Plymouth Meeting/Norristown area. As far as I am concerned, it blows. I am getting black screens when FF or RW, audio drops, the FF and RW now do not place you where you think you are going to end up when you push play. Something about a 10 second buffer, but it never works. If I 2xFF and then hit play where I want to resume, most of time it starts playback at the exact spot I was in when I hit 2xFF to begin with. So, I have to 2xFF farther then I want, and guess at when I want to hit play. And if you 2xRW for more then 5 seconds (I have only had this happen on ABC), it will instantly start over at the beginning of the recording. And that happens every single time. The new search feature is nice. You can now search for keyword, instead of just title. And, they rearranged the buttons on the "My DVR" screen. "View scheduled recordings" is now BELOW the "Show my recordings" button and not to the right. I have almost got the hang of it, but still a lot of times (out of habit), I select the button to the right, and have to navigate back to get to the "View scheduled recordings".

Seems all around us are getting these tons of new HD channels - anyone know when we in the Willow Grove area are going to be upgraded?

Thanks!

Seems all around us are getting these tons of new HD channels - anyone know when we in the Willow Grove area are going to be upgraded?
I am on the Willow Grove system, also. If you notice, the first phase, scheduled for the 12th, removing ~half of Analog Expd. Basic did take place on the 12th or 13th. However, the other half was supposed to be discontinued on the 26th, but, it wasn't, at least as of ~noon today (29th). EDIT: Phase 2 of Analog Reclamation was not scheduled for 26 Jan., it is scheduled for 9 Feb.

The Analogs, that were removed, still have the 'this channel requires a digital adapter' (paraphrasing) screen; so, no bandwith has been freed up yet. IIRC, once the second half of channels is removed, the message screens for the first half should be removed, so then some HD channels are added. Then in ~two weeks, the remaining message screens are removed, so then more HD channels are added. (Note they have changed the process once already, so it could vary.)

hello all,

do we have all the hd channels with the 800's? anything channels missing?

Seems all around us are getting these tons of new HD channels - anyone know when we in the Willow Grove area are going to be upgraded?
It turns out 'phase 2' in the Analog Reclamation project for WG system was not for 26 Jan., rather it is supposed to be 9 Feb., according to the notice, I just referenced. (Either they varied from the usual time-frame schedule, they had been using elsewhere, (as they have done once already), or I simply recalled incorrectly.)

Also, reading the notice carefully, they have only discontinued 16/43 Analogs, so 27/43 to go (on 9 Feb.) At this point, I think they will leave the 'you need a Digital device for this channel' notice on the 16 Analogs, until they remove the remaining 27 Analogs. (It makes sense, as they want to have that message screen on some channels at all times, until some time after the project is completed.)

Supposedly, the usual schedule was revised, so we should get some HD on ~10 Feb. I don't recall how long after 'phase 2', they are supposed to leave the message screen on; I think two weeks, but maybe it will four again. Whatever the case, after that time has elapsed, we are supposed to get more HD.

hello all,

anyone else lose cable service in the 19426 (collegeville pa) area?

Three days later- and it looks like ZERO new HD channels added to Willow Grove? Any ideas?

Three days later- and it looks like ZERO new HD channels added to Willow Grove? Any ideas?
A couple of issues are are work here.

First, Willow Grove (and Lower Merion) system(s) were delayed from the rest of Mont. County systems, due to technical problems. AFAIK, since they were delayed, they were going to move these systems to the new schedule of removing some Analogs, then getting some HD within 7 days, then repeat.

However, they decided to have WG and LM systems use the old schedule of first removing Analogs in two phases, and then we providing the HD in one phase; but they supposedly wait 30 days for HD, (rather than the newer 7-30 days); leaving that DTA message on the screen.

The other issue is the weather, so, phase two was delayed from 9 Feb.; other areas scheduled for that day, have re-scheduled for to 15 Feb. (We'll see, if WG system will be the same.) Then 30 days until we get the HD in one phase.

Though, I have read that these schedules are still subject to change, yet again, so maybe we will get the HD channels in (much) less than 30 days.

Just took a look at NBC's Olympic schedule. Now I'm even more annoyed that I don't have MSNBC in HD.

this is definitely a problem...

maybe i'm the only one who cares, but not having USA-Canada and Sweden-Finland in HD on the 21st is criminal!

this is definitely a problem...

maybe i'm the only one who cares, but not having USA-Canada and Sweden-Finland in HD on the 21st is criminal!

That is a shame. The KoP/Plymouth Meeting/Norristown area has MSNBC in HD.

I'm in the 19403 area (Audubon) and Comcast just added a slew of HD channels in the 800 range - about time Comcast!

What is this Xfinity stuff they're advertising now?

Xfinity is Comcast's new brand for their TV, phone, internet services. Just like FIOS is the brand for Verizon.

Ok but at least FIOS stands for something other then a silly catchphrase. Xfinity is really ridiculous.

Ok but at least FIOS stands for something other then a silly catchphrase. Xfinity is really ridiculous.

Agreed!

Anyone hearing any update for World of More in Comcast Garden State system? Thanks.

When is Northeasy Philly getting more HD Channels?

Waiting for MSNBC-HD and BBCA-HD :(

Waiting for MSNBC-HD and BBCA-HD :(

fortunately for the MSNBC HD-less like us, hockey is on USA, CNBC and NBC from here on out

great game by ryan miller against canada last night... USA!

Does anyone in Center City have MyDVR Manager yet? Or the new guide? I was told this was coming months ago and haven't seen it.

For those who don't know or were avoiding the 1.0 release, there is an update to the Comcast iphone app to use mydvr. There is a small bug that you must delete the old version and re-install 2.0 or mydvr won't show up.

Does anyone in Center City have MyDVR Manager yet? Or the new guide? I was told this was coming months ago and haven't seen it.

i don't have it yet

Does anyone in Center City have MyDVR Manager yet? Or the new guide? I was told this was coming months ago and haven't seen it.

Pray you don't get the new A28 iGuide any time soon. It messes your DVR up with a ton of issues.

Does xfinity actually mean anything regarding a change in our current service, or is it just a rebranding of Comcast triple-play services?

Nothing but a rebranding from what I've read.

Anyone hearing any update for World of More in Comcast Garden State system? Thanks.

No but I'm starting to feel like never is their plan. :mad:

I heard we should see a little something in Jun! I say do not your fingers Cross!

I'm a new Comcast customer in South Philly zip code 19147. Should I still be on the a25 on screen guide? Maybe other users in the zip code can clarify for me. Also while the MyDVR is supposed to be available to me it will not activate .

Thanks,

Carl

For those of you asking about MyDVR...we've had it for some time in Wilmington & I must tell you, it is still too clunky to be of much value. It is only recently when reviewing my scheduled events online that I've been able to actually tell which programs I have scheduled. Until now it would show the times of events I had scheduled but the info for all programs said "series information not available". When checking yesterday, indeed the names of the programs were there. But when I tried to set up several programs, it would not work. I decided yesterday morning to set the NASCAR race for the DVR, yet it never showed up on the actual DVR. Then I tried to set up a show for my wife & got an error message. I tried to set another which said I had a conflict with another program yet did not give me the option to re-arrange.

So don't get "antsy" about this feature yet, it's still not ready!

Thanks for that info Carl..... MyDVR sounds nice but I'm actually more interested in the a28 on screen guide. From looking at the Comcast page about it, it looks to offer more functionality than what is currently available. I'm new to Comcast coming from Directv for 5 years and see where the a28 onscreen guide offers some similar functions. I guess I'm just surprised that it's not available to me in the 19147 zip code.


Thanks,

Carl

Remote DVR scheduling/MyDVR hasn't worked for several weeks for me. I just get the "loading" screen when I try to bring up my recordings in the DVR popup in the guide. It's just not ready yet.

Strangest thing. An episode of The Office that recorded on Feb 4th was listed in my Now Showing section under the date of Jan 23rd. Picture attached.

Anyone hearing any update for World of More in Comcast Garden State system? Thanks.

I talked to a reliable source at Comcast yesterday. I'm told they plan to do most of South Jersey by the end of the year. :)

oh joy! This means I'll be paying the increased rates for at least 6 months before my service catches up to everyone else!



I talked to a reliable source at Comcast yesterday. I'm told they plan to do most of South Jersey by the end of the year. :)

I just did a QAM scan and noticed that the analog lineup is now being digitally simulcast in the clear. Boxes aren't mapping to the digital versions yet. Hopefully this is a sign they're getting ready to get the analogs off the MDU lineup and move us closer to the regular Center City lineup.

Does anyone have any more info?

Another step closer to opening up CSN Philly to Directv?

This AP article (http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/features/high_tech/20100312_ap_courtokstvrulesopposedbycomcastcablevision.html) states that Comcast's appeal was shot down, and that the FCC's decision to force cable companies to share channels remains legit.

US Court of Appeals handed this decision down, is there another level of appeal for Comcast? It's not a victory for consumers until Comcast runs out of legal challenges.

They can and probably will take it to the Supreme Court. If Comcast loses there, it's a done deal. I'll dump Comcast the minute Directv adds CSN to its lineup.

I just did a QAM scan and noticed that the analog lineup is now being digitally simulcast in the clear. Boxes aren't mapping to the digital versions yet. Hopefully this is a sign they're getting ready to get the analogs off the MDU lineup and move us closer to the regular Center City lineup.

Does anyone have any more info?

Comcast is supposed to work on my building's system sometime next week, so it looks like they might be finally getting around to upgrading the lagging MDU systems. I have not heard if that means any additional HD channels in the near future though.

I got a message on my cable box this morning that said on or around April 20th, you will need a box or DTA on every TV to view channels. Basically means they are turning on encryption/privacy mode on Digital Starter channels, no more clearQAM for those.

Comcast is supposed to work on my building's system sometime next week, so it looks like they might be finally getting around to upgrading the lagging MDU systems. I have not heard if that means any additional HD channels in the near future though.Let me know if you notice any changes. Hopefully things will start moving soon. I recently made the decision not to pay any more money to Comcast (beyond what I pay monthly to my building for extended basic) until we start getting what non-MDU customers pay for.

I got a message on my cable box this morning that said on or around April 20th, you will need a box or DTA on every TV to view channels. Basically means they are turning on encryption/privacy mode on Digital Starter channels, no more clearQAM for those.

Not necessarily. Sometimes they ignore the fact that QAM tuners exist when writing those messages. They're directed at people with analog TVs.

I got a message on my cable box this morning that said on or around April 20th, you will need a box or DTA on every TV to view channels. Basically means they are turning on encryption/privacy mode on Digital Starter channels, no more clearQAM for those.

Not necessarily. Sometimes they ignore the fact that QAM tuners exist when writing those messages. They're directed at people with analog TVs.

IIRC, the Bensalem system was already converted to DTAs in the Summer (or late Spring). If so, that notice is indeed about clear-QAM being discontinued on Expd. Basic SD, leaving just Ltd. Basic HD & SD. Other Comcast regions of the USA have gotten the same notice before, like systems in areas of Oregon and/or Washington.

Pretty sure it's for encryption. The same message was received in other markets(like Washington/Oregon) before they turned on encryption. The timing is right, we've had DTAs for about a year now and they finished our "world of more" with the exception of a few more premium channels, I think we are at 98 HD channels or very close to 100.

It's a bummer for me personally, since I'll have to put a DTA on the bedroom TV, but since I don't use it enough to warrent getting another box or HD box, it's not that huge a deal. I'm more bummed about losing channels on the HTPC i sometimes use as a secondary DVR. I'll have to wait and see how those Cablecard equipped TV tuners for HTPCs do/look when they come out.

So is this why ABC and NBC are no longer in HD? I'm in Northeast Philadelphia and for my bedroom I just plug the cable line directly into the TV. Over the weekend ABC/NBC are only coming in as Standard Def. I've done a re-scan a few times....not sure why they would take away two HD channels but leave the other networks in HD? Would anyone happen to know why they would do this or what's going on?

Thanks.

Not sure if you guys know but Northeast Philly is getting 51 new HD Channels on or around March 26 :)

http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Philanortheast/

has comcast turned off or remapped clearQAM channels for CC Philadelphia? Specifically, cable channel 266 (PBS 39 sub channel)?

edit: Update--a scan with my HDHomeRun has found the channel so it must have been just remapped. I wish there were a more automated system to update such changes on the HDHomeRun side of things, but at least the channel is still available.

has comcast turned off or remapped clearQAM channels for CC Philadelphia? Specifically, cable channel 266 (PBS 39 sub channel)?

edit: Update--a scan with my HDHomeRun has found the channel so it must have been just remapped. I wish there were a more automated system to update such changes on the HDHomeRun side of things, but at least the channel is still available.A friend mentioned to me a couple days ago that his QAM mapping was messed up. They must have moved them around.

On a related note, I posted a couple weeks ago that for MDUs the analog lineup was finally being simulcast in QAM. It appears that as of this week they have started encrypting those channels. I was also speaking to my MDU customer service rep who said DTAs are now available for MDUs.

So, it looks like we're going directly to an encrypted lineup with DTAs. No mention of when the analogs will be removed though. It can't happen soon enough...maybe then we'll finally get the HD channels everyone else in the city has (or will be getting this week).

So is this why ABC and NBC are no longer in HD? I'm in Northeast Philadelphia and for my bedroom I just plug the cable line directly into the TV. Over the weekend ABC/NBC are only coming in as Standard Def. I've done a re-scan a few times....not sure why they would take away two HD channels but leave the other networks in HD? Would anyone happen to know why they would do this or what's going on?.
No, as was stated, recently Comcast encrypted Digital Expd. Basic SD; so Ltd. Basic (broadcast) HD/SD should not be affected. (BTW, all other HD has always been encrypted.)

However, here, on the Willow Grove system, we haven't been able to get chs. ABC-HD 6 and NBC-HD 10, for a while, either; and yes I have re-scanned several times since then. All of the other broadcast channels are receivable, and, IIRC, they were all mapped correctly, as well.

Somebody should contact Comcast about this, as it sounds like a regional problem. (I use clear-QAM very little, so I'm not going to spend the time trying to get this resolved. The first line reps. usually don't even know what clear-QAM is.) Hopefully, someone else gets this resolved.:)

No, as was stated, recently Comcast encrypted Digital Expd. Basic SD; so Ltd. Basic (broadcast) HD/SD should not be affected. (BTW, all other HD has always been encrypted.)

However, here, on the Willow Grove system, we haven't been able to get chs. ABC-HD 6 and NBC-HD 10, for a while, either; and yes I have re-scanned several times since then. All of the other broadcast channels are receivable, and, IIRC, they were all mapped correctly, as well.

Somebody should contact Comcast about this, as it sounds like a regional problem. (I use clear-QAM very little, so I'm not going to spend the time trying to get this resolved. The first line reps. usually don't even know what clear-QAM is.) Hopefully, someone else gets this resolved.:)

I'm also on Willow Grove Comcast. At least we got our hi-def channels, finally.

No, as was stated, recently Comcast encrypted Digital Expd. Basic SD; so Ltd. Basic (broadcast) HD/SD should not be affected. (BTW, all other HD has always been encrypted.)

However, here, on the Willow Grove system, we haven't been able to get chs. ABC-HD 6 and NBC-HD 10, for a while, either; and yes I have re-scanned several times since then. All of the other broadcast channels are receivable, and, IIRC, they were all mapped correctly, as well.

Somebody should contact Comcast about this, as it sounds like a regional problem. (I use clear-QAM very little, so I'm not going to spend the time trying to get this resolved. The first line reps. usually don't even know what clear-QAM is.) Hopefully, someone else gets this resolved.:)

I called and they told me I need an HD Box connected to my TV in order to receive HD channels. They went on to add that since we have Limited Basic we should not be getting HD channels and there is nothing they can do if I decide to plug the cable directly into my TV without a box... So much for that.

Not sure if you guys know but Northeast Philly is getting 51 new HD Channels on or around March 26 :)

http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Philanortheast/

They are mapped and up :D


Edit to add...................all the HD channels I really wanted. I will happily pay my cable bill this month :)

No problems with missing WPVI/WCAU in Lower Bucks. If you have a cable box(I know not everyone does), tune WPVI or WCAU in HD and go to the diagnostics and find what frequency one of these channels is on, then you will have your answer as to what channel/freq it went to.

CSRs don't realize that the networks in HD are part of limited basic service. All they think/know is that "HD" requires "HD box"

No problems with missing WPVI/WCAU in Lower Bucks. If you have a cable box(I know not everyone does), tune WPVI or WCAU in HD and go to the diagnostics and find what frequency one of these channels is on, then you will have your answer as to what channel/freq it went to.

CSRs don't realize that the networks in HD are part of limited basic service. All they think/know is that "HD" requires "HD box"

I wish there was a better way than calling back to see if I get a rep that knows anything. Hang up, call again, wash rinse and repeat.

Welcome to Comcast Garden State, the world of less. It's why I'm switching to FIOS. They don't add new HD channels here but they do compress the old ones.

I too am on Garden State. I just called to complain about our relatively puny HD lineup. I suggested if bandwidth was the problem I would be looking into FIOS.

I called and they told me I need an HD Box connected to my TV in order to receive HD channels. They went on to add that since we have Limited Basic we should not be getting HD channels and there is nothing they can do if I decide to plug the cable directly into my TV without a box... So much for that.

CSRs don't realize that the networks in HD are part of limited basic service. All they think/know is that "HD" requires "HD box"

The CSR line about not getting any HD w/o a cable box is almost always what they say. Their engineers understand clear-QAM, if you can get to talk to them.

However, the part about Ltd. Basic not including any HD is silly, though they say it sometimes; it is false, of course. Their Channels/Services Card has shown, for many years, that Local Broadcast HD chs. are part of Ltd. Basic.

Also, one of the HD cable box rental prices has even been labeled for 'Ltd. Basic or Standard customers'. As of 1 May, though, the HD cable box rental price will be standardized, so you won't see any service designations anymore.

The updated 'World of More' HD Channels/Services page still shows the Ltd. Basic HD, as expected; I doubt it will change for the forseeable future.

Also, as of this update, each HD simulcast ch. of an SD ch. has been aligned in the same service. HD exclusives are included in whatever service they choose.

I called and they told me I need an HD Box connected to my TV in order to receive HD channels. They went on to add that since we have Limited Basic we should not be getting HD channels and there is nothing they can do if I decide to plug the cable directly into my TV without a box... So much for that.

I think I figured it out....I did a re-scan with my Samsung set to HRC instead of STD. ABC 6 HD and NBC 10 HD both appear fine! This temporary solution should work for LOST tuesdays. The problem is half of everything else is gone or in spanish HD. I am going to try re-scanning in IRC next to see what happens.

Thanks for the insight some of you provided.

If you have a cable box(I know not everyone does), tune WPVI or WCAU in HD and go to the diagnostics and find what frequency one of these channels is on, then you will have your answer as to what channel/freq it went to.
OK, yes, so, I will know the freq. of the channels, but I wouldn't know which QAM chs. they equal (for a clear-QAM tuner). I can't find a QAM freq/ch. chart just yet, but I only searched for a few minutes.

Welcome to Comcast Garden State, the world of less. It's why I'm switching to FIOS. They don't add new HD channels here but they do compress the old ones.

I too am on Garden State. I just called to complain about our relatively puny HD lineup. I suggested if bandwidth was the problem I would be looking into FIOS.

Boy I fell your Pain!!!! I am also on the Garden State system and it sucks!
Lack of HD and HD guilty sucks on most nights. They did take many channels away in the last year and never seen any new HD channels in there place. But My bill stills goes up:mad:
I wish we had Fios I would have left Crapcast long ago!

Boy I fell your Pain!!!! I am also on the Garden State system and it sucks!
Lack of HD and HD guilty sucks on most nights. They did take many channels away in the last year and never seen any new HD channels in there place. But My bill stills goes up:mad:
I wish we had Fios I would have left Crapcast long ago!

Ditto....Verizon claims that they will have all of Philadelphia "FIOS Ready" in 2016 I believe. Oy.

I think I figured it out....I did a re-scan with my Samsung set to HRC instead of STD. ABC 6 HD and NBC 10 HD both appear fine! This temporary solution should work for LOST tuesdays. The problem is half of everything else is gone or in spanish HD. I am going to try re-scanning in IRC next to see what happens.

Thanks for the insight some of you provided.

Just an update on this...re-scanning in IRC provided nothing noteworthy.

The temporary solution is to re-scan in HRC to watch ABC/NBC HD and then re-scan back to STD for everything else.

OK, yes, so, I will know the freq. of the channels, but I wouldn't know which QAM chs. they equal (for a clear-QAM tuner). I can't find a QAM freq/ch. chart just yet, but I only searched for a few minutes.

The frequencies are all the same, doesn't matter if it's an analog channel or a digital channel using QAM256. Just google CATV frequency charts, I found one in <10 seconds. (http://www.eaglecomtronics.com/Cable_Television_Channel_-_Frequency_Chart.pdf) Find your frequency and then you'll see what physical channel number it corresponds to.

The frequencies are all the same, doesn't matter if it's an analog channel or a digital channel using QAM256. Just google CATV frequency charts, I found one in <10 seconds. (http://www.eaglecomtronics.com/Cable_Television_Channel_-_Frequency_Chart.pdf) Find your frequency and then you'll see what physical channel number it corresponds to.

Thanks. I had forgotten that the frequencies are Analog/Digital; no wonder I couldn't find a frequency chart so quickly.:)

I'll see if I can find ABC-HD and NBC-HD on the 'STD' map on our system, but they might be on 'HRC' map, like on the other person's system. Comcast already moves the channels around so much, and now to have to re-scan when changing channels (in some cases) is really ridiculous.:(

FYI: CableCARD four tuner PCI card review

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/03/30/ceton-infinitv-4-cablecard-tuner-review/

Carl Jones-
Can you confirm if the 1st analog cuts went today (3/31/10) in New Castle County?

I went to work out this morning at the Y on 202 - and there was a sign on the gym doors that they can no longer show Food Network or HGTV on the TV's until they get "separate boxes for each TV, as our Comcast service has been modified".

Yes, true. HD channels now "mirrored" in the 800s, no new HD channels yet.

Carl-
Thanks! According to an "insider" over on DSL Reports...

You should see 10 new HD's sometime next Tuesday or Wednesday, with a second analog cut towards the end of April.

Not quite sure why the first HD adds are only a couple handfuls.

I'll need to use you as my validation - as most people I know around me all switched to FIOS. :D

No problem. I'll post when/if changes occur...and thanks for rubbing it in with FIOS! :)

Here, fiber buried in August & then, nothing!

Is anyone else in Delaware County having issues with ABC, CBS, and NBC in HD (231-233). The picture is coming in very choppy and CBS won't even show anything. I get some error code. The problem is only with my DVR box - I have 2 other HD (not DVR) boxes that are fine.

Does anyone else have a similar problem or have you had this problem before?

have you tried the channels up in the 800's?
thats where they are now, the 230's are going to be deleted at some point.

Yes - same issues. I talked to Comcast and they tried to re-send the signal but it didn't work so they have to send a technician.

Pain in the butt!

Since I'd posted on it before, MyDVR Manager seems to be live in my area now. It shows on my box. Still waiting for it to finish "syncing" with my computer, but that can take up to 24 hours according the website.

I'm in Center City BTW.

Since I'd posted on it before, MyDVR Manager seems to be live in my area now. It shows on my box. Still waiting for it to finish "syncing" with my computer, but that can take up to 24 hours according the website.

I'm in Center City BTW.

thanks! i'll try it out too

MyDVR manager has been working for a few days in a row now(a record). Before it was rare it would actually work, for the last 2 months. It's now part of the listings on fancast.com, used to have to use a special link somewhere on comcast.net.

I'm in Montco, not Delaware County but I had horrible issues yesterday that caused me to have to do a hard re-boot 3 times before it came back.

I am in Center City Philadelphia on the MDU lineup/system.

After receiving the STB message back in January that "guide changes" were going to happen back in February(which I guess was to prepare for A28), as of early this morning, both my digital boxes downloaded the new A28 guide. I still have not had ANY new HD channels to my lineup. Which is extra frustrating because I received a "welcome to xfinity" STB message on Saturday, followed by a message dated for today- the day of the A28 update- that stated "As a result of network enhancements, Comcast now offers more than 80 hi-def channels and we'll soon be up to 100! HD Subscribers can find the new HD channels starting on channel 801." I am an HD subscribers yet I have a huge gap in my channel lineup between 784 and 886! I do not know if the analog to digital transition has happened for my building yet (sometimes I see a D in the upper right hand corner of the guide when I change channels- this wasnt their before but the channel quality between channels still leads me to believe there are still analogs there) But I do know the commercials and notices have went out for my building that state if you don't do anything you may lose some channels you have had before.

Maybe the fact that I am paying the same for less than 20 HD channels when others get "more than 80" is made more frustrating when I get these messages sent to my box and I see commercials advertising the new channels that "are available to HD subscribers" yet I am in a place that doesn't get them!!! Its just a tease and I think Comcast loves the torture they put their customers through!

I was so frustrated I decided to call comcast and after being transfered to the 5th person, they put me on hold and 20 minutes later that call was "disconnected." Unbelievable....

Who doesn't loathe Comcast with a passion ?

I don't.

I switched to FIOS today. After having never ending problems with picture stutter and sound drop outs on Comcast I had enough. It wasn't on just one channel it was on many channels. I now have 35/35 HSI internet. Now instead of my internet slowing to a crawl between 9am-12pm every day it just flys. I can now watch a YouTube video without the spinning circle. I couldn't figure out why every video I watched on the internet would stall if it was longer than 90 seconds. My speedtests with Comcast always seem ok. It doesn't matter now because I watch anything on the "net" on the highest resolution and it runs smooth.

I switched to FIOS today. After having never ending problems with picture stutter and sound drop outs on Comcast I had enough. It wasn't on just one channel it was on many channels. I now have 35/35 HSI internet. Now instead of my internet slowing to a crawl between 9am-12pm every day it just flys. I can now watch a YouTube video without the spinning circle. I couldn't figure out why every video I watched on the internet would stall if it was longer than 90 seconds. My speedtests with Comcast always seem ok. It doesn't matter now because I watch anything on the "net" on the highest resolution and it runs smooth.

You sound like me. Your comcast problems are the same as mine. Now all I need is for fios to get into my town.:D

Who doesn't loathe Comcast with a passion ?

i've softened my view on comcast a lot (lots more HD channels will do that, sorry MDU'ers), but i'd still switch to FIOS if they were in the city

my main issue now is the price... and i would hope a little competition from verizon would keep them down (pipe dream i know)

as far as myDVR, i set it up no problem and although it said it needed 24 hours to sync, i was able to set a recording instantly which was cool.

liking the updated UI too... better guide and much, much less lag

DVR / box issues...Monday, I had audio, but no picture via HDMI until a hard reboot. Then last night I discovered the box won''t turn on (although I can get the power off settings menu to come up) and occaisionally flashes a DL or Eb?? code on the box display. (My internet is okay, and my clearQAM tuner still gets its signal.)

I've pulled the power multiple times and let the box sit overnight unplugged, but still the same issue this morning.


Any thoughts about what's up with the box? I'm going to be very unhappy if I can't get CSN for tomorrow afternoon's Phillies game.

DVR / box issues...Monday, I had audio, but no picture via HDMI until a hard reboot. Then last night I discovered the box won''t turn on (although I can get the power off settings menu to come up) and occaisionally flashes a DL or Eb?? code on the box display. (My internet is okay, and my clearQAM tuner still gets its signal.)

I've pulled the power multiple times and let the box sit overnight unplugged, but still the same issue this morning.


Any thoughts about what's up with the box? I'm going to be very unhappy if I can't get CSN for tomorrow afternoon's Phillies game.

don't have an explanation but that's very interesting... the bar i was at last night (10 Stone) was having almost the same problem during the flyers game. difference being the game would be showing, the screen would go black during the DL/Eb flashings, then eventually come back after 20-30 seconds. this occurred every 15-20 minutes or so and only affected one cable box; their other TVs were fine.

watched the 3rd period at home with no problems so i don't know what the deal was...

I am in Center City Philadelphia on the MDU lineup/system.

I do not know if the analog to digital transition has happened for my building yet (sometimes I see a D in the upper right hand corner of the guide when I change channels- this wasnt their before but the channel quality between channels still leads me to believe there are still analogs there) But I do know the commercials and notices have went out for my building that state if you don't do anything you may lose some channels you have had before.

I was so frustrated I decided to call comcast and after being transfered to the 5th person, they put me on hold and 20 minutes later that call was "disconnected." Unbelievable....I feel your pain. I'm in an MDU as well. We haven't received any upgrade notices...I don't know if that's a bad sign or not. I spoke to the MDU rep and she said ALL MDU buildings in Center City would be upgraded this year, starting in May. She said we would have then have the same channel lineup as the rest of Center City.

I have noticed that the analogs are now being simulcast in digital. They aren't being mapped to boxes yet though. But it's definitely a step in the right direction.

The rest of MDU upgrades can't come fast enough. In fact, I downgraded my service to just digital starter (what I pay directly to my building) because I refuse to give them any more money until I get the same level of service as my neighbors.

okay, so my box is back, working with new a newer DVR UI and all my old recordings are still there.

But still it was out of service for 24 hours without much information about why. I think there may have been a mailing a while ago about upcoming potential interuptions, but I really should have gotten an email or something.

I am new to the Comcast Market. I have seen references to the Freedom region. Does that include south south Jersey (Cape May County)?? And does anyone know when they plan to reclaim most of the analog channels in Cape May County?

SD-
From what i've heard - far South Jersey is planned for the 2nd half of this year. Sorry i can't be more specific.

Anyone notice any HDMI changes after the Comcast DVR update? The handshake process isn't as quick as it used to be. And we get a green screen while it's happening.

It's not a problem for us; I'm just noting that they did something under the hood in that area.

Is anyone else seeing extremely slow guide response tonight? It took me forever just to setup a simple recording. I know its not the remote as I can see the cable light blinking everytime a button is pushed. Its like the box just isn't responding quickly any longer.

Got mail from Comcast today, the 2nd. Phase to complete our local digital transfer is to occur April 27th. Maybe then we'll get more HD channels?

Anyone notice any HDMI changes after the Comcast DVR update? The handshake process isn't as quick as it used to be. And we get a green screen while it's happening.

It's not a problem for us; I'm just noting that they did something under the hood in that area.

yeah i've noticed the same thing when i switch between resolutions... just a second or two slower now

I saw a bunch of new HD channels for the first time on my Tivo last night (South Philly). From memory:
MSNBC
HBO2
HBO Zone
HSN
Biography
Fuse
Disney XD

And a bunch of others I can't remember.

Lucky! Garden State Comcast has been static for so long it feels like they are taking HD channels away...

Lucky! Garden State Comcast has been static for so long it feels like they are taking HD channels away...

Boy I know what you mean:D

why is comcast garden state so bad, i live not to far from that area and we are fine

why is comcast garden state so bad, i live not to far from that area and we are fine

Comcast says we care! But they do not! They will not make the right repaires and upgrades on this system. Garden State system is a 25 years old plus system. In all that time they have never upgraded the system. It will cost Comcast way to much money to make it a good system for todays needs! I have bin told this by so many Comcast Reps. and service Men that I talk to.I think all they care about is Money and not the services to there customers. if you could see how bad the Garden State system is you would under stand.

Garden State runs on Scientific Atlanta equipment, not the Motorola stuff that most people get. They have really dropped the ball. I seriously doubt we will ever get a new channel. Nice to know we can watch the Golf Channel in HD but not Comedy Central or SyFy. If you have to have such limited bandwidth, at least make the few HD stations you offer relatively popular!

This summer, when my agreement with Comcast for the triple play is up, I'm leaving them.

chroma601 I know what you mean. I do not want a dish on my house but I am all most ready to give in a get the dish on my house and go with DirceTV. I will be done with Garden State Comcast for good!

I even asked a CSR to see about at least putting the Daily Show and Colbert in On Demand HD.

But they couldn't grasp the concept.

you can watch them online in HD.

Latest info I have for New Castle County, DE folks...

2nd analog cut is scheduled for 4/27 - but might get moved to the 1st week of May.

Unfortunately, unlike the Reading area, DE will not see any new HD's until after the 2nd cut. Most likely mid-late May. But, at that point, it should be the "big bang" add of 40-50 channels.

Latest info I have for New Castle County, DE folks...

2nd analog cut is scheduled for 4/27 - but might get moved to the 1st week of May.

Unfortunately, unlike the Reading area, DE will not see any new HD's until after the 2nd cut. Most likely mid-late May. But, at that point, it should be the "big bang" add of 40-50 channels.

I wonder why the change in strategy?

perhaps this is the proper place to post this:

i have a comcast rng110 set top box connected to a panasonic tc-p50g20 plasma television via hdmi. i'm using the comcast supplied hdmi cable. i have the stb set to output at all available resolutions rather than locking it in at only 1080i.

every time i change a channel on the stb, i hear a chirping noise. is this normal? my first thought was that it likely has something to do with this hdmi handshake business, but then i remembered that i've used hdmi between a direct tv stb and an hdtv in the past and never heard any chirping.

it's a very distinct chirp, almost sounds like coil whine on a power supply.

a second question: is there any difference between the 200 range channels and the 800 range channels? or are they just mirrors? i know when i was on directv often times when there were the same channels in different ranges this meant that one set was mpeg2 and one set was mpeg4. of course, i'd rather be watching the mpeg4 versions if this is true of comcast as well.

I wonder why the change in strategy?

It may be because G-d works in mysterious ways and Comcast wants to mirror that.

I saw a bunch of new HD channels for the first time on my Tivo last night (South Philly). From memory:
MSNBC
HBO2
HBO Zone
HSN
Biography
Fuse
Disney XD

And a bunch of others I can't remember.

Replying to myself, the others include Fox Business, most of Discovery's secondary channels, IFC, MGM, Hallmark, Hallmark movies, and Lifetime movies.

What's odd is that, still, NONE of these channels in the 800s appear in the Channel List at comcast.com.

On another note, can someone please tell WPHL to set the HD flag to "on" in the guide data for their Phillies broadcasts?

FYI;

The following NEW HD channels are listed @ http://www.fancast.com/tv-listings for New Castle, DE but are NOT showing up yet;

815 TWC HD
818 MSNBC HD
821 FBN HD
828 CC HD (what's this?)
835 Life HD
840 Travel HD
853 ESPNU HD
854 CBSCS HD
855 Big 10 HD
862 Tennis HD
866 BET HD
872 Green HD
874 Bio HD
891 Encr1 HD
892 MGM HD
894 HMC HD (what's this?)
899 ID HD

I may have missed some but this pretty much covers it other than MASN2 HD 844 which we DO have & appeared ~ the same time as the 800 channel mirrow I think.

828 CC HD (what's this?)

Comedy Central, if you don't already have that.


894 HMC HD (what's this?)

Hallmark Movie Channel

Carl-
From what i've been told, you should see alot more than that added around 5/3.

Hang in there!

Comedy Central, if you don't already have that.



Hallmark Movie Channel

Thanks for the info.

Did Comcast change or eliminate their in the clear QAM channels in the Newtown PA area in the last day or two? My sister asked me what happened to all her channels on her TVs that don't use a STB. I switched to FIOS a year ago and haven't stayed current on Comcast matters. I would have her call a Comcast CSR but I know the odds on her speaking to knowledgeable party.

Thanks for the help,
Frank

I am in Comcast Central Bucks (Doylestown) territory and we lost all QAM channels, except for local and a few others, a couple of days ago.

They are all gone, and I now have to decide on whether I want to rent a Comcast DVR to record these channels or go TIVO.

I can still record the local analog and digital channels on my HDD DVD recorders, but not the encrypted ones.

I have a cable STB and 2 DTAs, but now I need more as I have more than 3 TVs.

More money flowing to Comcast...

They are all gone, and I now have to decide on whether I want to rent a Comcast DVR to record these channels or go TIVO.



You might want to give Moxi a look. It works well with Comcast and while the up front costs are high, there are no monthly fees. There is a huge thread about it here on AVS.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1095015

Comcast has been removing Expd. Basic SD from clear-QAM, as the last phase of 'Project Cavalry', in each area. We got a notice on our April bill, that Willow Grove system is making this change on ~25 May. Depending on one's billing cycle, the notice will be ~4-8 weeks before the change. Depending on the system, the notice should be on the monthly bill and/or a letter, and sometimes on cable box(es), as well.

You might want to give Moxi a look. It works well with Comcast and while the up front costs are high, there are no monthly fees. There is a huge thread about it here on AVS.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1095015

Does Comcast support the 3 tuner version? I assume you have to get the CCs from Comcast, if so, my experience has been they charge a $8.90/month "A/O fee". At least that's what it was for my QAM TV a few years back (which I quickly cancelled).

Does Comcast support the 3 tuner version? I assume you have to get the CCs from Comcast, if so, my experience has been they charge a $8.90/month "A/O fee". At least that's what it was for my QAM TV a few years back (which I quickly cancelled).

Yes, Comcast does support the 3 tuner model. I just have the original 2 tuner model though.

I had the same situation with the A/O fee. When they came out to install the Moxi CC, I had them bring a 2nd CC for my bedroom TV. My local franchise does not charge a monthly CC rental fee, but they do charge a monthly $6 HD access fee for every CC. Since my Moxi replaced my Comcast DVR, it was considered my primary outlet. The bedroom TV was considered an additional outlet, so they charged me $8.90 on top of the $6 HD fee. There was no way in hell that I was going to pay $14.90 every month just for the few extra channels the CC gave me in the bedroom. I returned it to my local office the next day.

One of Moxi's main benefits however is the avoidance of these A/O fees. A 3 tuner Moxi unit with 2 Moxi Mate extenders only counts as one outlet. The main Moxi unit is the only one that needs a CC. The Moxi Mates all run off the main unit via ethernet, so Comcast has no way of knowing that you even have them. I do not think there is any cheaper option out there to feed 3 HDTV's their full Comcast HD channel lineup.

Thank you for info. I was at her house for a birthday party and found it just as described.

I hung two flat screens for her a year ago. Now we have to figure out what to do with STBs.

Frank

Carl Jones-
Word is now next week the big HD add will happen for New Castle County. The Reading, PA area just had 40 added overnight (after the 1st add of 10 a few weeks back).

Carl Jones-
Word is now next week the big HD add will happen for New Castle County. The Reading, PA area just had 40 added overnight (after the 1st add of 10 a few weeks back).

Thanks for the info, although the digital switch is now complete, at this point there haven't been any additions so far. So next week, do we get them all or just the "first wave"?

Carl-
It should be the entire sha-bang! I'm sure you'll let me know if it happens.

Wow, I wish I lived somewhere with enough population to warrant a decent HD lineup like that. Cherry Hill and the Philly Suburbs of New Jersey just don't cut it!

My Triple Play agreement with Comcast is about up. And so is my time with them!

Wow, I wish I lived somewhere with enough population to warrant a decent HD lineup like that. Cherry Hill and the Philly Suburbs of New Jersey just don't cut it!

My Triple Play agreement with Comcast is about up. And so is my time with them!

I feel the pain I am also on the Garden State system.:mad:

Comcast continues to disappoint. This is the second time that they have set a date to update the guide to A28 and failed to do so. It was supposed to be done yesterday and I'm still at A25. Today they are supposed to move 5 analog channels to digital but I have no idea if it has been done. I'm paying the same as everyone who received the "World of More" but I have the "World of Less".

Directv is looking better and better everyday.

Comcast continues to disappoint. This is the second time that they have set a date to update the guide to A28 and failed to do so. It was supposed to be done yesterday and I'm still at A25. Today they are supposed to move 5 analog channels to digital but I have no idea if it has been done. I'm paying the same as everyone who received the "World of More" but I have the "World of Less".

Directv is looking better and better everyday.

Are you on The Garden State System? The new HD channels coming to the Garden State System this month are not coming now. I was told some time in late 2011:mad:

thats ridiculous, how many HD channels do you have

We have a total of including pay channels 40 HD channels.

I'm in Comcast of Turnersville. I called Comcast yesterday to voice my displeasure of paying the same as those with the World of More.

After being bounced around to several departments, I had one rep saying I had the same as everyone else. After reading some of the channels from the Maple Shade lineup, he put me on hold to check. When he came back he transferred me to promotions. I started to speak to a woman there but I was mysteriously disconnected!

Hi -

I apologize, this must have been discussed previously, but I can't find the details, and talking to each company has been not fruitful.

We're moving to Delaware county outside Philly, and wanted to get comcast/verizon service. We're only interested in HD signals for CBS/NBC/FOX/ABC & digital signal for the other channels. We have a Samsung HDTV w/ a QAM tuner (and I get OTA HD signal in the city currently w/ a simple terk antenna).

I was wondering what the least expensive option would be - Limited basic cable? digital starter? Do I need to lease a box for our needs as well?

We don't need DVR, etc. I just want to watch the occasional football game in HD. I'm not sure we'll get OTA signal in our new home, but in case not, wanted to find out what our options were. We're open to Verizon/FiOS as well, but not sure if that will be less expensive?

Thanks,
rj

Hi -

I apologize, this must have been discussed previously, but I can't find the details, and talking to each company has been not fruitful.

We're moving to Delaware county outside Philly, and wanted to get comcast/verizon service. We're only interested in HD signals for CBS/NBC/FOX/ABC & digital signal for the other channels. We have a Samsung HDTV w/ a QAM tuner (and I get OTA HD signal in the city currently w/ a simple terk antenna).

I was wondering what the least expensive option would be - Limited basic cable? digital starter? Do I need to lease a box for our needs as well?

We don't need DVR, etc. I just want to watch the occasional football game in HD. I'm not sure we'll get OTA signal in our new home, but in case not, wanted to find out what our options were. We're open to Verizon/FiOS as well, but not sure if that will be less expensive?

Thanks,
rj

If you just want/care about HD network channels, then you can get by with "Limited Basic". All of the networks are still unencrypted(aka clearQAM) and should be tunable with your Samsung HDTV. You would not need a box of any kind. All limited basic channels are still tunable via clearQAM. Comcast will never tell you this, the robots on the phone do not understand or know what clearQAM is. All they know/think is "HD" means "HD box".

Now if you want any kind of cable channels like ESPN,CNN,Discovery, etc of course you'll have to get at least Digital Starter.

Unless you are out in the Western part of Delaware county you should still be able to get most OTA signals with an indoor antenna, or maybe even a paper clip(minus WPVI of course, you need wide, extended rabbit ears for that).

Carl Jones-
Let me know if you received your HD channel blitz overnight. Schedule was for the big add to happen.

I live in King of Prussia and use a QAM tuner, NON-comcast.

Can someone, for the love of kittens and america, tell me what channel CNN is on?


Please do not make me rescan...I lose all my "favorites" (a feature of my tuner)

I'm in Comcast of Turnersville. I called Comcast yesterday to voice my displeasure of paying the same as those with the World of More.

After being bounced around to several departments, I had one rep saying I had the same as everyone else. After reading some of the channels from the Maple Shade lineup, he put me on hold to check. When he came back he transferred me to promotions. I started to speak to a woman there but I was mysteriously disconnected!
I thought it was just me...but the did tell me sometime in June...that is there cutoff date no world of more or xfinity or whatever renaming it will be time to go to the dish!

Carl Jones-
Let me know if you received your HD channel blitz overnight. Schedule was for the big add to happen.

FWIW, I live in Wilmington, DE area, have Comcast Triple play and use a TiVoHD for STB. I noticed last night some new HD channels showed up in the 800 block (HBOZ HD, GSN HD, E HD, etc.), and just received an automated call this afternoon from Comcast welcoming me to the World or More. Message also mentioned more channels coming.

Well I'm waiting no more. Signed up for Directv today. Installation is Tuesday. Welcome me to the "World of Even More"

I've been reading the Directv HD thread in HD Programming. Its funny reading people complain about Directv's lack of HD channels. If they only knew what we have been putting up with in southern NJ...

I thought it was just me...but the did tell me sometime in June...that is there cutoff date no world of more or xfinity or whatever renaming it will be time to go to the dish!

Hoping someone might be able to help. I have a new HTPC with a Happauge 2250 dual tuner and I am trying to get all the Local HD channels in. I am in Maple Shade NJ so have Comcast as my provider.

Before the HTPC I had a TIVO with two tuner cards so had Comcast delivering the HD channels via the the tuner cards in my TIVO. (I do not think that makes a difference now since I am bypassing it by going direct to the Digital tuner card in my Computer, but thought I would mention it just in case)

Channels I have in HD are
ABC
CBS
NBC

All of the above come in fine but channels I seem to not be able to get are

Fox (On 29.5 it shows WTXFDT but does not come in HD even with HD programing on)
WPHL17 (On 17.5 it shows WPHLDT but does not come in HD even with HD programing on)

Is there something I am missing? I mean the picture is a little bit better than what I get on the SD channels for these two stations, but they are definitely not what I am used to even through my TIVOHD.

Any help anyone can provide would be very welcome.

Your tuner can only pick up "clear" QAM, perhaps. The cable channels may be encoded. The cable cards you had had the decryption key.

Hoping someone might be able to help. I have a new HTPC with a Happauge 2250 dual tuner and I am trying to get all the Local HD channels in. I am in Maple Shade NJ so have Comcast as my provider.



All of the above come in fine but channels I seem to not be able to get are

Fox (On 29.5 it shows WTXFDT but does not come in HD even with HD programing on)
WPHL17 (On 17.5 it shows WPHLDT but does not come in HD even with HD programing on)



I am a Maple Shade subscriber with a 2250 in my HTPC as well. The good news is that there are over 100 QAM channels being broadcast in the clear now. The bad news is that they are scheduled to be encrypted on June 8th.

The channels you are looking for are there, but don't have any PSIP info, so most tuners don't remap them like the other local HDs.Exactly where they are located is a bit tricky. I last rescanned my 2250 3 or 4 months ago. I haven't touched the 2250 since then, and it is still receiving all of the channels I programmed into it. About a month ago, Comcast reshuffled about half of the QAM channels. My 2 TV's with QAM tuners lost all of the channels that moved and needed to be rescanned. Rescanning did find the missing channels. The weird part is that now all 3 devices get all of the QAM channels, but are using 2 different sets of channel locations. I can't see how this is even possible, but the 2250 is decoding all of the channels using their old locations right now, so I don't want to mess with it and screw it up. Anyway, here are the locations I am using now:

MYPHL17 is at 88.1 on the 2250, but is at 29.1 on my TVs.
Fox29HD is 88.2 on the 2250, and 29.2 on the TVs.

A couple of other HD channels that usually don't get mapped are:
CW57HD=116.1
WNJN-HD=67.3
ION-HD=108.1
FMZ-HD=108.2
QVC-HD=56.42

You didn't say which program you were using to map the channels for the 2250. If you are using the WinTV software that came with the 2250, I am afraid I can't help you with that. I never got it to work correctly. The 2250 works great with the Win7 Media Center software, if you need help setting that up, just ask. Good luck.

Thank you for the response. I use Window Media 7 but 88.1 & 2 are not mapped currently. I am going to see what I can do about adding them manually. If you have any insight as to any settings I should make sure are selected it would be very helpful. Also very surprised with the 100 in the clear. Maybe it is just because I pay for limited basic?

You also said something that just chilled me a bit...I just got this system a couple of days ago and spent a few hundred dollars...are you telling me that it is going to be worthless in June? Are they encrypting ALL the channels?

Thank you very much for the response.

Thank you for the response. I use Window Media 7 but 88.1 & 2 are not mapped currently. I am going to see what I can do about adding them manually. If you have any insight as to any settings I should make sure are selected it would be very helpful. Also very surprised with the 100 in the clear. Maybe it is just because I pay for limited basic?

You also said something that just chilled me a bit...I just got this system a couple of days ago and spent a few hundred dollars...are you telling me that it is going to be worthless in June? Are they encrypting ALL the channels?

Thank you very much for the response.

The 100 channels are in the clear, meaning everyone gets them regardless of the package they subscribe to. This is the reason they are encrypting channels in June, so they no longer have to place physical filters on the lines of people only paying for limited basic. And no you didn't waste your money. They are only encrypting the extended basic SD channels like TNT and ESPN. You will still get all of your limited basic channels when they flip the switch in June.

Adding the missing channels is fairly straight forward, providing you answered the questions correctly when you first did your channels scan. 7MC probably found all of the other channels when you did the original scan. It just didn't add them to the guide.

To add the missing channels, start 7MC. Go to Settings>TV>Guide. Choose the first item labeled Edit Channels. The first thing you want to do is go over to the left hand column and make sure Show Preview is selected. This will help you as you go through the list of available channels. Next you want to scroll through the list of channels in the right hand column. Go through each channel and put a check mark in the box for any channel that does not have a little padlock icon next to it. The padlock indicates that the channel is encrypted and you won't be able to tune it. With the Show Preview option turned on, every time you put the check mark in the box, the video should pop up transparently under your screen. When you are finished checking boxes, click the Save button and exit the settings menu. You now should be able to see all of the channels you just added in your Guide. The newly added channels will not be labeled or have any guide data associated with them, but that is normal. You can go back into settings and correct that later.

If you don't find any channels without a padlock icon in the Edit Channels list, you will need to redo your channel scan. Good luck.

Do you happen to know if limited basic is going to include HD or not? I really only care about Local and Local HD so as long as I keep those I will be more than happy.

Also I am running scans again because it looks like I must have set stuff up wrong the first time. This time I am rescanning with Glouster City Maple Shade Comcast (digital) Hopefully I get more with this. If you remember what you chose that would be great. Also, thank you for all your assistance. :)

Do you happen to know if limited basic is going to include HD or not? I really only care about Local and Local HD so as long as I keep those I will be more than happy.

Also I am running scans again because it looks like I must have set stuff up wrong the first time. This time I am rescanning with Glouster City Maple Shade Comcast (digital) Hopefully I get more with this. If you remember what you chose that would be great. Also, thank you for all your assistance. :)

Yes the Gloucester City Digital is the correct data to use. Before you get to that screen be sure you choose the following options.

1.Enter Zip code.
2. Download data and examine TV signals
3. MC will say it found 2 Digital Cable(Clear QAM) tuners and 2 Analog tuner then ask if you want to keep these settings, rescan or manually do it yourself. Choose to manually do it yourself.
4.On the next 3 screens, choose Cable, No set top box, and Digital Cable (Clear QAM)
5.The next screen will list your available Digital tuners. You should see 2 of them labeled Hauppauge WinTV-7164 BDA ATSC-QAM Tuners #1 & #2. Make sure both are checked and click Next.
6. Choose Gloucester City, Comcast Maple Shade(Digital) and click next
7. Do you want to set up another signal? Choose No.
8. Choose next to confirm all of your choices and then choose Download When Connected.
9.MC will download the guide and then start a new scan.
10. When the scan has completed, it should say it found 26 channels. Click Finish.

That's everything you need to do to set up your tuners properly. You will still be missing a few channels. You will need to go back and follow the instructions from my first post. Your missing channels will be in there at the following locations:

29.1 is MYPHL17 HD
29.2 is Fox 29 HD
67.3 is NJN 23 HD
108.1 is ION HD
108.2 is WFMZ69 HD
116.1 is CW 57 HD

While you are in the Edit Channels menu, you can uncheck the boxes of any channels you do not want in the guide. I uncheck all of the xx.5 channels like 3.5, 6.5,10.5 etc since they are just SD versions of my local HD channels and they just wind up cluttering the guide.

That should be everything you need to get your missing channels. As I said before, there will not be any guide data available immediately, but that process is a bit more involved and I don't want to confuse you. After you get all of your missing channels added, I'll walk you through adding the guide data.

I live in King of Prussia and use a QAM tuner, NON-comcast.

Can someone, for the love of kittens and america, tell me what channel CNN is on?


Please do not make me rescan...I lose all my "favorites" (a feature of my tuner)



Please can someone answer.

I couldn't stay appraised of the airline crash in India

hello all,

what's latest hd/dvr box in the pottstown pa area? i'm currently using the motorola dcx3400.

hello all,

what's latest hd/dvr box in the pottstown pa area? i'm currently using the motorola dcx3400.

I am in the King of Prussia area, but I do know that the DCX is the newest DVR that Comcast has available.

Do you happen to know if limited basic is going to include HD or not? I really only care about Local and Local HD so as long as I keep those I will be more than happy.
Ltd. Basic has always included, and will continue to include, Local Broadcast HD (and SD) in the clear. In fact, every channel on Ltd. Basic, HD and SD, should be in the clear.:)

Hi all,
i have a new issue,on a hdtv i have had ,for 2 yrs now a cable line running right to tv no box at all and was getting all the basic channels ie:tnt-tbs-a+e-sifi some in hd some in sd now as of sun into mon im only getting 3/6/10/this/ion/ very few now where as before i was getting around 60 ish channels
I have re scanned tv several times with no luck now im getting very few im in a rented apart that the owner has "done me a favor" and 2 yrs ago split his line and ran in to apt. he has the expanded basic package will he have to get a 2nd lil box called a "digital transport adapter" for me? he has 1 he uses on a non hd tv atm-but my tv is a hdtv,
did comcast change something over the holiday weekend?(im in the hatboro/willow grove area)

thanx all in advance--Go Flyers;)

Comcast did something in king of prussia today

where the **** are all my channels?

I'm experiencing the same issues as well - the big broadcast channels like NBC and ABC are still in the clear, but it looks like everything else has gone encrypted. Really not happy about this, since what is the reasoning other than trying to get me to upgrade to a higher tier and rent equipment when my TV and its built in QAM tuner are working just fine?

Looks like bad news for all that are using digital TV’s with QAM tuners without STB’s. I hooked up two DTA’s with the analog outputs yesterday. I’m sure a lot of people were staying with CC just because they didn’t need the boxes and now that they do they’ll explore their options.

ill just have to do without as well as use hulu more and i guess other sites for my shows BUt what im willing to spend my hard earned money on also is netflix.
I cant get fios(buy the fall they tell me:eek:) as of yet where im at and comcast just sux with there pricing and other bs any more.
And for VS broad-casted sports theres always the corner bar:p --@keaster(tex-mex used to rock is it still cool ?)

Does anyone know what in the clear QAM channels are available on FIOS? I understand from a Verizon Tech there are more than the locals but he didn’t elaborate.

Carl Jones-
Let me know if you received your HD channel blitz overnight. Schedule was for the big add to happen.

Sorry to take so long to respond, I've been out of town for quite awhile. I was VERY pleased to see all the adds when I returned home!

I can confirm that early last week Comcast did what they have been promising for months: they encrypted all but the limited basic channels.

In 10 days I am moving to an area where Verizon has chosen to offer FIOS... Finally I will be free of these chains that have bound me for the last 13 years.

I had Comcast for years and now have FIOS. I don't think FIOS is any better in terms of in the clear channels. Also be aware of their pricing practices I went for the $99/mon deal and my bill is around $140/mon after taxes and 3 boxes (1 HD, 1 SD, 1 DTA, 0 DVR). Picture quality and internet speed are good. I'm not looking to switch back to Comcast; I see it as pick your poison.

Frank

looks like here in southern NJ, Comcast scrambled all QAM channels except locals.

We lost our clearQAM expanded basic channels months ago up in Lower Bucks. Somehow Travel Channel never got encrypted, but that was the only one. A select few like History, Weather Channel, MSNBC, TBS have never been encrpyted until recently. When they first got ADS back in 05 and turned on encryption, they never did for a handful of channels. Then everything was opened up in Jan 2008 for the deployment of DTAs.

ESPN 3D is live on Ch 980 in most of Central PA systems from Harrisburg to Reading. How about you Philly people?

They effed up the PSIP for KYW and WHYY HD

Still on the same frequency (EIA Ch 102, 663 MHz), so it's just a PSIP issue. You wouldn't notice it with a set top box.
26-1 - KYW 3 CBS HD
64-1 - WHYY 12 PBS HD
64-2 - WHYY Arts
64-3 - WHYY Info


USED to map straight to 3-1, 12-1, 12-3, 12-5. Not anymore.

Our expanded basic is still in the clear on QAM. Soon though, it's inevitable, it will be encrypted.

As of a few days ago, on the Willow Grove system, 6 HD and 10 HD have still not been mapped to 6-1 and 10-1, it has been at least 7 months like this; in the past they had been mapped for while. They have moved the QAM freq. once, that I know of. The annoyance is especially when they move them, of course.

I am surprised nobody on our system complained about it yet. I had rarely used clear-QAM until a few weeks ago, so I didn't bother complaining. I was thinking about using BBR's Comcast Direct forum. Is there a better way to complain first?

hello all,

anyone get the message about the "any room dvr" service for $20 a month?
i'm in collegeville pa (pottstown area)

ESPN 3D is live on Ch 980 in most of Central PA systems from Harrisburg to Reading. How about you Philly people?

yeah we got the channel too

hello all,

anyone get the message about the "any room dvr" service for $20 a month?
i'm in collegeville pa (pottstown area)

Yes, + the cost of additional equip to reap the benefit.

carl,

already paying $15 a month for dvr service. hopefullly it only another $5 for the any room service. but it's comcast & we'll see :confused:

As of a few days ago, on the Willow Grove system, 6 HD and 10 HD have still not been mapped to 6-1 and 10-1, it has been at least 7 months like this; in the past they had been mapped for while. They have moved the QAM freq. once, that I know of. The annoyance is especially when they move them, of course.

I am surprised nobody on our system complained about it yet. I had rarely used clear-QAM until a few weeks ago, so I didn't bother complaining. I was thinking about using BBR's Comcast Direct forum. Is there a better way to complain first?

I just moved to King of Prussia(I think my headend is across the river in Norristown somewhere) and noticed when I did a scan that WPVI and WCAU's mux is not PSIP'ed over here either. There are some stations that overlap(like WPVI being on 8-1 physical, and Comcast Network PSIP mapping to 8-1) and would mess up some QAM tuners.

As for complaining, I doubt Comcast would care since they don't really support QAM tuners. But I thought it was a rule that they had to pass through network feeds untouched, including PSIP information/mapping. If you ask anyone about this on the phone or at a payment center they would just look at you like you have 3 eyes and say "You mean HD? You need an HD box for that".

I got ESPN3D on ch 980, and also got the message about the anyroom DVR service.

carl,

i'm shocked, no extra cost for "any room dvr service." but there's a $30 activation fee.

There was a message on my box today that said
" because of recent enhancements comcast now has 80 HD channels and soon 100, you can find the HD channels starting on channel 801."

i checked and there are no new HD channels, anyone else get this message in south jersey?

Not me, I'm in Cherry Hill on the Garden State system. I am in the process of switching to D*, as my Comcast agreement period is over.

Not me, I'm in Cherry Hill on the Garden State system. I am in the process of switching to D*, as my Comcast agreement period is over.

I am in Eastampton on the Garden State system and I am waiting for D* to give me a call back so they can come and see if they can do a dish on my house. Need to make sure I a clean shot in the sky.

I am feed up with Comcast. They never got anything fixed at my house or on my street. Nothing but problems here for the last ten years. I think that has bin more than enough time for Comcast to get it right. I am looking So forward to saying good buy!

thanks frank,

i thought about switching but after heaing a few folks say the same thing i stayed with comcast. verizon dls pisseed me off a fews years ago & that's why i switched to comcast. but rememeber to keep up with the yearly promtions. my price jumped after the one year price plan expired. we just got another promotion to keep the 99/month triple play thing going.

Is anyone getting Univision clear QAM in HD. I am only getting it in 480i and they are broadcasting over the air in 1080i, just like NBC and CBS which they are passing through in the clear at 1080i. I have basic cable with Comcast of Montgomery County.

Is anyone getting Univision clear QAM in HD. I am only getting it in 480i and they are broadcasting over the air in 1080i, just like NBC and CBS which they are passing through in the clear at 1080i. I have basic cable with Comcast of Montgomery County.

I believe i've seen it on my tv's QAM tuner, in KoP. I don't remember the frequency/physical channel though.

I believe i've seen it on my tv's QAM tuner, in KoP. I don't remember the frequency/physical channel though.
Thanks for the response. It comes in for me on 65.1 on 2 different HDTVs and on my Philips DVD recorder but none in HD. Tried rescanning. My friend in Cheltenham got it for a while and now no longer has it, I never had it. Question is are they supposed to pass through the HD feed or are they only required to pass through the channnel in SD? My DVD recorder doesn't record in HD but PQ is much better when recording an HD feed.

I just moved to King of Prussia(I think my headend is across the river in Norristown somewhere) and noticed when I did a scan that WPVI and WCAU's mux is not PSIP'ed over here either. There are some stations that overlap(like WPVI being on 8-1 physical, and Comcast Network PSIP mapping to 8-1) and would mess up some QAM tuners.


Well, yes, depending on the QAM tuner, it would either tune both channels in sequence, or the actual channel, or the mapped channel; I have one of each type tuner.:) In our area, last I checked, no channels were on 6-1 and 10-1, so it is not an issue, even for tuners that just tune the actual channel. Ch 6 HD and Ch 10 HD are on 100-1 and 100-2, only. We have a PBS HD channel, (ch 39, I think), on 8-1, as well as Comcast Network HD mapped to 8-1.

As for complaining, I doubt Comcast would care since they don't really support QAM tuners. But I thought it was a rule that they had to pass through network feeds untouched, including PSIP information/mapping.

I think you are right. I know they have to be in the clear, and I'm almost sure they have to pass the PSIP. I doubt the PSIP, sent by those two stations, has been flawed for so many months; is that possible?

Whatever the case, I can't believe no one with cable (or OTA, if applicable) has complained yet. I also doubt it would take this long to fix it.

If you ask anyone about this on the phone or at a payment center they would just look at you like you have 3 eyes and say "You mean HD? You need an HD box for that".

I know.:rolleyes::D
That is why I would only bother contacting people with tech. knowledge at Comcast; whoever they may be.

anyone get the message about the "any room dvr" service for $20 a month?
i'm in collegeville pa (pottstown area)

Yes, + the cost of additional equip to reap the benefit.

already paying $15 a month for dvr service. hopefullly it only another $5 for the any room service. but it's comcast & we'll see :confused:

i'm shocked, no extra cost for "any room dvr service." but there's a $30 activation fee.

DVR is currently $15.95.
AnyRoom DVR will be $19.95.
-The difference is $4.

It requires a new DVR, Motorola DCX3400m, and new HD box(es), Motorola DCX3200m, for other rooms; Comcast is getting them for this service.
It will be limited to one AnyRoom DVR, plus three of the new HD boxes = Four TVs in the networked configuration.

On a related note, as of 1 May, here, (and in other nearby systems), pricing has been equalized for cable boxes on all outlets for HD DVR and HD box (not SD box).

So, DVR x2 is $15.95 x2 = $31.90
AnyRoom DVR $19.95 + HD box $9.25 = 29.20.
-The difference is $2.70.

If one has three or four TVs, for which they want to have DVR program sharing capability, then the savings would be greater than $2.70.

It depends on what the customer wants:
Either more tuners and storage
-OR-
The ability to watch programs from one DVR on another TV(s).
(Currently, one can record the same program on two DVRs, but that, of course, negates storage space, which is an issue sometimes.)

$30 activation is for a tech. install of a MoCA (Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance) filter.

Also, remember all Cable TV services/boxes incur up to 5% Municipal (or County) Franchise Fee, (here it is 5%), and all services/boxes except what 's included in 'Standard Cable' (now 'Digital Starter') incur an addtl. 6% PA State Sales Tax. So, add up to 11% to all of those prices. :)

The key is additional boxes needed to reap the value of multi room dvr. Pretty soon a 2nd. mortgage is needed! What of the $8.90/month a/o outlet fee? Is that waived?

qz1,

will all this work with the dcx3400 boxes?

qz1,

will all this work with the dcx3400 boxes?
No, as I said, it requires new cable boxes. I had temporarily forgotten the model numbers, and didn't have time to look them up. I have edited the previous post, with the model numbers underlined; HD DVR is DCX3400m and HD is DCX3200m.

The key is additional boxes needed to reap the value of multi room dvr. Pretty soon a 2nd. mortgage is needed! What of the $8.90/month a/o outlet fee? Is that waived?
Remember a 'Digital A/O' is a combo of cable box fee and a service mirroring fee, varying on level of service.

Here, and in other areas in this region (maybe not all, just yet):

---Digital Starter A/O was $4.95, then, in May, it was changed to $6.95.
---Digital Classic/Pref. A/O, to which you must be referring, was 8.90, was changed to $9.25.

(BTW, AFAIK, even with Digital Classic/Pref., one could/can choose to reduce the A/O service, making it a Starter A/O for $4.95.)

After all that, the good news is that those A/O fees now only apply to (and still include) SD boxes; (and very overpriced, I might add).
For HD and HD DVR, the new fees are the same for all outlets; (I mentioned this in the post to which you refer, but I have edited that sentence to be clearer, and underlined it.)

First Outlet

AnyRoom HD DVR $19.95
-OR-
HD DVR is still $15.95.
-OR-
HD Box- (was Ltd. Basic and Starter $9.25, Classic/Pref. $6.50), now it is $9.25 for all.

Addtl Outlets

HD DVR A/O, (was $20.90), now it's $15.95.
-OR-
HD A/O (was Starter A/O $4.95 + HD Box $9.25 = $14.20 -OR- Classic/Pref. A/O $8.90 + HD Box $6.50 = $15.40), now it's $9.25.

Simple, ain't it.:D

So.. I currently have 1 DVR & use Qam on 3 other sets & pay $15.95/month & have digital pref.

To take advantage of any room DVR & to re-gain what I've lost on QAM (and more of course), I'll pay $19.95 + $9.25 x 3 for a grand total of $49.80/month which is $45.80/month more than I pay now, is that correct?

I haven't priced FIOS in awhile because it's not available in my area. I don't have any real issues with Comcast other than the feeling of being "nickled & dimed" to death AND their "clear as mud" pricing scheme, but I wish FIOS was more widely available if for no other reason than to let capitalism work.

Hey all,

Just moved to Philly from Charlottesville, VA and am finally getting my HTPC set-up with our beloved uber-master Comcast. I'm sporting a Digital package and wondering what should my two QAM and trio of Analog cable tuners be picking up? SiliconDust seems to have a variety of listings on their online line-ups and from the sounds of it a lot of channels have been taken out of the Clear, so what's left? Hopefully they left some ESPN HD dangling out there? I really hate having to put a set-top box on the shelf but if that's what it takes to get World Cup in HD then that's what it takes.

Cheers,

Jason

Hey all,

Just moved to Philly from Charlottesville, VA and am finally getting my HTPC set-up with our beloved uber-master Comcast. I'm sporting a Digital package and wondering what should my two QAM and trio of Analog cable tuners be picking up? SiliconDust seems to have a variety of listings on their online line-ups and from the sounds of it a lot of channels have been taken out of the Clear, so what's left? Hopefully they left some ESPN HD dangling out there? I really hate having to put a set-top box on the shelf but if that's what it takes to get World Cup in HD then that's what it takes.

Cheers,

Jason

Univision HD is your only HD option for the World Cup. It is still available after all of the other clear qams were encrypted last week. It shows the exact same HD feed as ESPN, but in spanish.

Thanks for the response. It comes in for me on 65.1 on 2 different HDTVs and on my Philips DVD recorder but none in HD. Tried rescanning. My friend in Cheltenham got it for a while and now no longer has it, I never had it. Question is are they supposed to pass through the HD feed or are they only required to pass through the channnel in SD? My DVD recorder doesn't record in HD but PQ is much better when recording an HD feed.


Finished moving in this weekend and did a full erase settings QAM scan. Univision HD is on physical channel 65-1 in KoP, unencrypted. And yes the SD version is PSIP'ed to 65-1 as well, so that will cause problems with some QAM tuners as they cannot 'understand' why there are two 65-1 channels.

Finished moving in this weekend and did a full erase settings QAM scan. Univision HD is on physical channel 65-1 in KoP, unencrypted. And yes the SD version is PSIP'ed to 65-1 as well, so that will cause problems with some QAM tuners as they cannot 'understand' why there are two 65-1 channels.

I have the same issue with 8-1 being ABC HD and Comcast CN8 or whatever they call it now but the tuners on both tvs and the Philips recorder pick both 8-1's up. But they can't seem to pickup both 65-1's.

So.. I currently have 1 DVR & use Qam on 3 other sets & pay $15.95/month & have digital pref.

To take advantage of any room DVR & to re-gain what I've lost on QAM (and more of course), I'll pay $19.95 + $9.25 x 3 for a grand total of $49.80/month which is $45.80/month more than I pay now, is that correct?
Yes, except $19.95 + (9.25 x 3) = $47.70 :) (+ fees, no tax in DE, AFAIK.)

At least as of last night, it appears that Comcast is now encrypting Comcast Sports Network in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. It was coming in just fine a couple of day ago on 80.3 on our Sony TV, but last night I went to turn on the Phillies game and got, "Signal cannot be decoded". After doing a full auto reprogram, it seems that there are far fewer channels than there were the other day.

Why do I have to get DTV boxes for my 4 television sets? Why can't I just use my built-in ATSC or QAM tuner? Stupid design.

And why is Comcast charging $5 per box? That's outrageous. Just sell the box to me for $40 like those coupon-eligible boxes, instead of raping me month after month after month. Grrr. When they told me it would cost $80 a month to reconnect cable, I hung-up the phone.

Why do I have to get DTV boxes for my 4 television sets?
Because Comcast removed analog format expanded basic tier channels to make room for more HD channels and future upgrades/services/new channels.

Why can't I just use my built-in ATSC or QAM tuner? Stupid design. Umm... ATSC has absolutely nothing to do with cable television. You can't use your QAM tuner because the channels are encrypted, in large part due to pressure from the content providers who want to protect their product.

And why is Comcast charging $5 per box? In Southeast PA(and most if not all the rest of the nation where Comcast has done this), the first 2 DTA boxes are included at no extra charge with your cable package. Starting with the 3rd one, they are $1.99 a month(includes the equipment and no addt'l outlet fee).

Just sell the box to me for $40 like those coupon-eligible boxes, instead of raping me month after month after month.
No such product exists in the consumer marketplace to do what these DTAs do, and if it did it would cost a lot more than $40 because it would have to contain a CableCARD due to the FCC seperable security mandate.

When they told me it would cost $80 a month to reconnect cable, I hung-up the phone.

Good for you. Call a satellite provider and switch to them if you don't like what Comcast has done. TV isn't a utility you HAVE to have, you are more than free to switch to Directv or Dish. Or put up an antenna and get FREE television over the air.

In Southeast PA(and most if not all the rest of the nation where Comcast has done this), the first 2 DTA boxes are included at no extra charge with your cable package. Starting with the 3rd one, they are $1.99 a month(includes the equipment and no addt'l outlet fee).
More specifically, a subscription to Digital Starter includes one SD cable box (some areas allow a DTA instead) and two DTAs. Starting with the fourth TV, it is $2 per DTA. The reason this is relevant, is that many people didn't have a cable box before the transition, (they were moved from Standard to Digital Starter), so they should realize that three digital cable devices are included.:)

Umm... ATSC has absolutely nothing to do with cable television....
But you're wrong. I've checked the facts, and ATSC does have a cable standard called 16VSB, and there are a FEW scattered cable companies that use that format. Unless the image is scrambled, you can plug the cable directly into your ATSC television. ...the first 2 DTA boxes are included at no extra charge with your cable package. Not where I live (the PA/MD border). Only the *first* box is free which is why Comcast quoted me $80 (plus tax) to connect four sets. Oh and I still think Comcast should sell me the box. Over five years I will have rented those digital receiver boxes for $5 times 60 == $300. Cheaper to just buy the damn thing directly. (And then when done with it, recoup the cost via selling on ebay.)
.

But you're wrong. I've checked the facts, and ATSC does have a cable standard called 16VSB, and there are a FEW scattered cable companies that use that format. Unless the image is scrambled, you can plug the cable directly into your ATSC television.Although it's in the ATSC standards, I don't know of any cableco's that use 16VSB. There were a few cableco that passed ATSC for local HD only, but that was 4-5 years ago.


Not where I live (the PA/MD border). Only the *first* box is free which is why Comcast quoted me $80 (plus tax) to connect four sets. Oh and I still think Comcast should sell me the box.I think you are referring to HD boxes, not the DTA for SD channels. As noted, the first two DTA's are free, and $1.99 a month after that.

Did the $80 included a service call to install the boxes? You can do that yourself and simply have them mail the boxes or pick them up at a local office.

For just local HD, you can buy standalone tuners (Clear QAM) and subscribe to the least expensive cable package.

This approach is no different than what other HDTV providers, like DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T U-verse are doing. And as already noted, this approach is heavily influenced by content providers.

If you want to buy a box for digital tier HD (ESPN, TNT, USA, etc.) or premium HD (HBO, SHO, Starz), there is always the TiVo HD or Moxi. The required CABLECard rental fee is usually less than $3 per month.

I had Comcast for years and now have FIOS. I don't think FIOS is any better in terms of in the clear channels. Also be aware of their pricing practices I went for the $99/mon deal and my bill is around $140/mon after taxes and 3 boxes (1 HD, 1 SD, 1 DTA, 0 DVR). Picture quality and internet speed are good. I'm not looking to switch back to Comcast; I see it as pick your poison.

Frank

Agreed, there is no advantage AFAICT WRT clear channels. It was just one thing that was a feature that comcast had.

I've moved, have FIOS and canceled my Comcast service 10 minutes ago. I just realized that I had Comcast service since 1995. 15 years. Wow.

I did initially move my Comcast service to the new house. The tech that installed seemed to be a good guy but I wasn't moved in on that day and when I did move in I had to call them 3 times to get my two DTAs and internet activated. Each call was 25 minutes on average and very painful.

Getting FIOS installed was no joy ride, though. They had me scheduled for Friday 8a-5p. I called at 11:30 when they were not here yet and was told "he should be there soon". I called at 4:45 again and after an hour on the phone was finally told they scheduled my install with a tech that was ON VACATION. They made it right the next day and got a guy out here to install it. So yes, I agree it is "pick your poison".

The reasons I switched:
- they could not move my old phone number and could not get me a new 610 number. Verizon at least got me a 610.
- they do not have multiroom DVR although they say they will by July 15 now.
- the activation process was painful and in fact I did not schedule the FIOS install until after I was put through that

Since I have gotten FIOS, I have found:
- There are a more HD channels, a lot more.
- All the movie channels are in HD where with comcast it was only one of each.
- I am getting a few of those movie channels I didn't have with comcast included in the price
- Price is about the same as comcast was with no commitment. I could be $20 lower per month if I locked in for 2 years, but I didn't want to do that, at least not yet.
- The on demand response time for pause, fast rewind and forward is faster
- The DVR and slave HD unit have interfaces that look a lot better. This really does not matter to me but it is just embarrassing for comcast that the guide and DVR interface still looks like an Atari 2600.

Good luck to all you Comcasters. I may be back if they make me an offer I can't refuse.

OK, I have bin getting flyer from Comcast for about a month now and very day. Sometimes I get twice in the mail. Today I got it four times same flyer as always.
It says
More HD Now up to 100HD Channels:eek: Not here on the Garden State System We are about 40 HD with the paying channels.
More On Demand:eek: Good luck in getting to work
Faster Internet:eek: Not here DSL is Faster believe it or not.
I can not believe they are sending out this to people on the Garden State system. What a bunch of CRAP!
Just my two cents

By the way I was told more HD Channels in June I have not seen any as of now:mad:

Not where I live (the PA/MD border). Only the *first* box is free which is why Comcast quoted me $80 (plus tax) to connect four sets. Oh and I still think Comcast should sell me the box. Over five years I will have rented those digital receiver boxes for $5 times 60 == $300.

I think you are referring to HD boxes, not the DTA for SD channels. As noted, the first two DTA's are free, and $1.99 a month after that.
For $5, it is doubtful he is referring to HD boxes, much more likely to be SD boxes; can't be sure with all the regional pricing variations, of course.

Got an automated call from Comcast yesterday. The call indicated that analog will be cut on July 6th.

Why don't cable companies use ATSC-16VSB? It sends about 40 megabit/s per channel. That's just as fast as 256QAM. I think you are referring to HD boxes, not the DTA for SD channels. As noted, the first two DTA's are free, and $1.99 a month after that. How convenient that the Comcast clerk never mentioned that when I asked her, "$80 a month for 4 sets? Really??? Can't I get it cheaper?" and she replied no.

Of course it's also possible Comcast prices vary. I used to be able to get "lifeline" locals-only cable for $7 a month but when I moved to PA it jumped to $20. So maybe the Standard Def boxes really are $5 here.

Why don't cable companies use ATSC-16VSB? It sends about 40 megabit/s per channel. That's just as fast as 256QAM. ...

From Wikipedia:

How it works
Other slower but more rugged forms of VSB include 2VSB, 4VSB, and 8VSB. 16VSB is capable of twice the data capacity of 8VSB; while 8VSB delivers 19.39 Mbit/s (Megabits per second) in a 6-MHz television channel, 16VSB could deliver 38.78 Mbit/s, while making the sacrifice of being more prone to transmission error.

History
While 8VSB is the ATSC digital broadcast modulation format (used in the United States and Canada), 16VSB was planned for cable distribution. 16VSB is about twice as susceptible to noise, therefore less suitable than 8VSB for broadcast, but well suited to the signal-to-noise ratio of hybrid fiber-coax distribution, allowing twice as much programming in a 6-MHz channel.

Technological obsolescence
However, as of 2007, a majority of cable companies have chosen to extend their existing quadrature amplitude modulation-based systems to carry digital television rather than adopting any form of VSB. It is probable that 16VSB has been replaced by ANSI/SCTE 07 2006: Digital Transmission Standard For Cable Television, a cable standard that defines 64QAM and 256QAM transmission for digital cable.

************************************************************ **********************

FWIW, it was recently pointed out in another thread that 8VSB (and therefore probably 16VSB) is still under patent, whereas QAM is, according to the comments in that thread, patent free, and therefore royalties would be a factor in a cable company's selection of modulation format.

Comcast Philly area subs:

Do you get HDNet and or HDNet Movies?

No.

FWIW, it was recently pointed out in another thread that 8VSB (and therefore probably 16VSB) is still under patent, whereas QAM is, according to the comments in that thread, patent free, and therefore royalties would be a factor in a cable company's selection of modulation format.

As I've been told, the patent issue wasn't a concern for cablecos. The choice of QAM was all about the technical superiority of it for cable use.

No.

Thx.

We have HDNet in Reading, PA , which is about 50 miles west of Center City Philadelphia.

It's on Ch 897. Sadly, HDNet Movies did not make it into our "World of More" lineup, however.

We have HDNet in Reading, PA , which is about 50 miles west of Center City Philadelphia.

It's on Ch 897. Sadly, HDNet Movies did not make it into our "World of More" lineup, however.

Thx.

We have HDNet in Reading, PA , which is about 50 miles west of Center City Philadelphia.

It's on Ch 897. Sadly, HDNet Movies did not make it into our "World of More" lineup, however.
I forgot to mention, that we also had the 'World of More' HD upgrade here, on the Willow Grove system, but we didn't get either HDNet channel, (like I said, previously). Hearing that the Reading system got it, but we didn't, is perplexing.

Apparently, Comcast don't think highly enough of the HDNet channels, so they decided to have such a weak roll out.

HDNet Movies is more valuable, IMHO, so at least, we aren't that upset that you got HDNet.;):)

It wasn't even advertised on our "WoM" lineup card. But it showed up on the day of the upgrade.

I had a ticket in with corporate and it took them a few days to put it on the Fancast online listings, so the online DVR scheduler would work with the channel.

Probably one of those weird regional things(which I don't understand), like WGN-HD not being available in SE PA. Reading is Central PA, still weird why they got it and we didn't down near Philly.

It wasn't even advertised on our "WoM" lineup card. But it showed up on the day of the upgrade.

I had a ticket in with corporate and it took them a few days to put it on the Fancast online listings, so the online DVR scheduler would work with the channel.

Probably one of those weird regional things(which I don't understand), like WGN-HD not being available in SE PA. Reading is Central PA, still weird why they got it and we didn't down near Philly.
It sounds to me, that after they printed the "World of More" HD Cards for the Reading system, they decided to have it be one of the test systems for HDNet.

When we got the HD ch. additions, I checked the channel lineup on the DVR Guide several times, and didn't see it. I'll check the Guide again soon, as I do once in a while, in case they add HD channels w/o notice.

Using the built-in QAM tuner on my Panny to pickup digital channels from Comcast. All public hi-def channels work except for WTXF 29.1 which is fine for a few days and then I get the dreaded poor signal quality error. I switch over to WTXF in standard def at 29.5 and its fine.

Any suggestions here or other channels to try for picking up WTXF in hi-def? My other television (Sony QAM tuner) can pickup WTXF in hi-def on 25.1 but the Panny doesn't pick it up.

Using the built-in QAM tuner on my Panny to pickup digital channels from Comcast. All public hi-def channels work except for WTXF 29.1 which is fine for a few days and then I get the dreaded poor signal quality error. I switch over to WTXF in standard def at 29.5 and its fine.

Any suggestions here or other channels to try for picking up WTXF in hi-def? My other television (Sony QAM tuner) can pickup WTXF in hi-def on 25.1 but the Panny doesn't pick it up.

Not much, other than the obvious: double check your connections are tight, eliminate any splitter(s) if you can, make sure the cable you are using isn't old and doesn't have any knicks/cracks in the shielding, etc.

I just moved into a building with Comcast MDU contract. I have all of the analog channels from 2-99. I also get local HD's in the clear.

I use a Tivo S3 so I don't have any guide data for QAM channels. I called MDU operations to schedule cable card installation so I can get those local HD channels mapped correctly. However, on the day of install, I got a call that they don't support cable cards for my building.

Of note, they do offer digital tier and HD cable for my building. Is there a techinical limitation? or do I need to speak to a different person? Thanks

I just moved into a building with Comcast MDU contract. I have all of the analog channels from 2-99. I also get local HD's in the clear.

I use a Tivo S3 so I don't have any guide data for QAM channels. I called MDU operations to schedule cable card installation so I can get those local HD channels mapped correctly. However, on the day of install, I got a call that they don't support cable cards for my building.

Of note, they do offer digital tier and HD cable for my building. Is there a techinical limitation? or do I need to speak to a different person? Thanks

I would speak to a different person. Or, just go to the local Comcast office and pick up the cards yourself.

I would speak to a different person. Or, just go to the local Comcast office and pick up the cards yourself.

I spoke to another person who claimed to have no records of previous conversations or appt schedule. Anyway, she offer to schedule installation for cable cards for later this week.

Each time I spoke to a different person, I was quoted a different price from free to 50. Does anyone who how much it is supposed to cost? Also can I just pick up cable cards from the service center? Thanks

I would speak to a different person. Or, just go to the local Comcast office and pick up the cards yourself.

If only it was that easy. My cable office, C-Willow Grove, insists on sending out a rep. Guess it's important to them to get the fee.

It looks like I will be leaving Comcast with more than 15 years of service. I just got my 2nd rate increase this year. We have a very poor HD channel lineup with the Garden State System. What is sad is you call Comcast about the 2nd increase and ask why. They said it was needed. I ask can they help me out. I was told no. So I asked to cancel my service I get disconnected. So I called Directv and they are giving me a fare better deal. They are coming to my house this Thursday. I hope they can put the dish out back and not out front. I do not like the look when the dish is seen from the street.
Daniel

I spoke to another person who claimed to have no records of previous conversations or appt schedule. Anyway, she offer to schedule installation for cable cards for later this week.

Each time I spoke to a different person, I was quoted a different price from free to 50. Does anyone who how much it is supposed to cost? Also can I just pick up cable cards from the service center? Thanks

I am not charged for the cable card that I have, and I picked it up from the payment center close to my house. When the cards first came out, they required a tech to come out and install. But now they do not. And if they tell you they have to, try and speak to someone else.

If only it was that easy. My cable office, C-Willow Grove, insists on sending out a rep. Guess it's important to them to get the fee.

You could maybe drive to the Norristown office. They will give you one.

You could maybe drive to the Norristown office. They will give you one.
It doesn't work that way; Comcast customers can only go to Comcast offices in their 'corp.', which is sometimes (or always) two (or more) service areas.

A customer in the Comcast of Willow Grove area can go to their office, as well as the Lower Merion area office, as they are in the same corp.

The disclaimer is, that over the years, this is what I was told on several occasions, and we used to be asked on the phone if we were in the Willow Grove or Lower Merion area; also, some of our literature was both for both areas.

So, while I have not gone to the Lower Merion office, it looks like it we could.

I am looking to put a 15" HDTV in my kitchen and would like to avoid a cable box. The HDTV that I am looking at has a built in HD tuner and I was wondering if anyone had a channel list of the HD channels I can pick up by hooking the cable directly to the back of the TV.I already have Comcast HD in the house but I am paying for 3 HD boxes already and don't want to pay for a 4th.

I think you'll be able to tune into approximately the same channels as if you were using an antenna. Why don't you hook one of your current HD sets directly to the cable do a scan and see what you get. I believe the TV needs to have a QAM tuner.

[QUOTE=biglen;18979793]I am looking to put a 15" HDTV in my kitchen and would like to avoid a cable box. The HDTV that I am looking at has a built in HD tuner and I was wondering if anyone had a channel list of the HD channels I can pick up by hooking the cable directly to the back of the TV.I already have Comcast HD in the house but I am paying for 3 HD boxes already and don't want to pay for a 4th.[/QUOre

http://www.silicondust.com/support/channels/
Try your zip code here

Has anyone else in the Philly Suburb area noticed that TNT HD has been very crappy lately? All kinds of pixelation, little bright dots all over the picture, and very bad color and picture overall?

Has anyone else in the Philly Suburb area noticed that TNT HD has been very crappy lately? All kinds of pixelation, little bright dots all over the picture, and very bad color and picture overall?

No but I noticed that on recordings of Rescue Me on FX(HD) the show breaks up at least twice every episode. The dialog continues but the picture freezes. This does not happen on any other program. I'm using a TiVoHD.

No but I noticed that on recordings of Rescue Me on FX(HD) the show breaks up at least twice every episode. The dialog continues but the picture freezes. This does not happen on any other program. I'm using a TiVoHD.

I currently don't record on FX HD, not until SoA starts back up. Hopefully, I won't have that issue. Have you watched any TNT HD lately? It is pretty bad in my area.

No but I'll check it out tonight.

Also notice the NFL Channel is cutting out, freezing and pixelating.

Mine's been freezing the picture (but not the audio) on almost all channels about every half hour. It occurs on live and recorded shows on the DVR so its not just one channel.

Mine's been freezing the picture (but not the audio) on almost all channels about every half hour. It occurs on live and recorded shows on the DVR so its not just one channel.

It's only the one channel TNT HD on mine. It doesn't freeze, just a very bad quality picture, always really grainy, and color smear, and periodically a bunch of really bright dots.

No but I noticed that on recordings of Rescue Me on FX(HD) the show breaks up at least twice every episode. The dialog continues but the picture freezes. This does not happen on any other program. I'm using a TiVoHD.

i also get this on my rescue me recordings... quite annoying

How are the 3d offerings by Comcast? Anyone know if Comcast in Philadelphia areas has more or less 3d content then DirecTV?

I guess DirecTV still can't carry Comcast sportsnet philly as Comcast has maliciouisly blocked them from carrying it.

DirecTV fought them in court for years and won about a year ago, only for Comcast to appeal it and win it back. they can't stop fios or other providers from carrying sportsnet but somehow blocked DirecTV from carring sportsnet because its satelite.

most other cities have their RSN (regional sports network) many of which are comcast. Philadelphia is one of the only cities where Comcast has succesfully blocked DirecTV from carrying it.

I basically dislike the 3 major tv providers for various different reasons and they all have their pros and cons. FIOS if your area has it was the clear winner for some time now with the most HD channels and the best quality (uncompressed unlike comcast) but now ppl with 3d tvs want 3d content and FIOS doesn't have it yet and not due until the fall or end of the year.

FIOS customers did not get the World Cup or X-Games 16 in 3d. FIOS just needs to add ESPN 3D for starters but hasn't done it yet.

so i guess most ppl here only know of the 3d content from Comcast. but maybe we can get a comparison of 3d content between Comcast and DirecTV to see which has more for ppl really fiending for more 3d content for their 3d tvs.

How are the 3d offerings by Comcast? Anyone know if Comcast in Philadelphia areas has more or less 3d content then DirecTV?

I guess DirecTV still can't carry Comcast sportsnet philly as Comcast has maliciouisly blocked them from carrying it.

DirecTV fought them in court for years and won about a year ago, only for Comcast to appeal it and win it back. they can't stop fios or other providers from carrying sportsnet but somehow blocked DirecTV from carring sportsnet because its satelite.

most other cities have their RSN (regional sports network) many of which are comcast. Philadelphia is one of the only cities where Comcast has succesfully blocked DirecTV from carrying it.

I basically dislike the 3 major tv providers for various different reasons and they all have their pros and cons. FIOS if your area has it was the clear winner for some time now with the most HD channels and the best quality (uncompressed unlike comcast) but now ppl with 3d tvs want 3d content and FIOS doesn't have it yet and not due until the fall or end of the year.

FIOS customers did not get the World Cup or X-Games 16 in 3d. FIOS just needs to add ESPN 3D for starters but hasn't done it yet.

so i guess most ppl here only know of the 3d content from Comcast. but maybe we can get a comparison of 3d content between Comcast and DirecTV to see which has more for ppl really fiending for more 3d content for their 3d tvs.

I have 3 3D channels on my guide, I think they are 980-982 or something. One is ESPN3D, the other 2 are reserved for live 3D events. I don't think it is the same as that 3D "channel" being launced on Directv that Sony is heavily invested in. But for the limited 3D content/live events so far and in the next year, I don't think you'd get much more on Directv. Comcast made it clear they are onboard from the start, all the providers seem to think this is the next "HD" and do NOT want to be left in the dust on this one.

I believe Philadelphia is the ONLY city where the terrestrial exemption applied. A couple years ago the FCC put an end to that, and forced the other CSN networks(Chicago, New England, Mid-Atlantic, etc) onto Directv, but made an exception for Philadelphia, no doubt in part to lobbying and under the table deals/bribes by Comcast. However the money must have ran dry with the latest FCC ruling(Comcast said they would not appeal), and Directv has refiled a complaint again stating that Comcast refuses to negotiate fairly for CSN carriage.

Seems like FIOS does have some 3D content in the pipeline, just not in the Philly area.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/verizon-fios-scores-the-first-nfl-3d-broadcast-with-giants-patri/

I got a minor update to the A28 guide this week on my 3416 DVR, noticed the box had rebooted the last two nights(this morning it showed 4:30AM on the clock, around 9AM!). A full 14 days worth of guide data has been restored, the original A28 update knocked it down to 10.

I got a minor update to the A28 guide this week on my 3416 DVR, noticed the box had rebooted the last two nights(this morning it showed 4:30AM on the clock, around 9AM!). A full 14 days worth of guide data has been restored, the original A28 update knocked it down to 10.

Actually, you should have 15 full days of the schedule.

Press of AC reporting that Comcast of Avalon / Wildwood has added a bunch of new HD channels.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/article_2d7b5173-15e2-5752-89fd-de0b2fa1df0c.html

Has anyone heard anything about the status of the "World of More" upgrades to the old Garden State system in the Cherry Hill area? I am hearing (third and fourth hand) that it will be at least March 2011 before anything happens here, and that seems incredible.

I have had essentially the same limited HD lineup for the last few years, and I cringe every time I hear Comcast's claim "More HD; More than Anyone." Then I see the local FiOS lineup, and I cringe even more. I really do not want the hassle of switching to FiOS, but I'm paying the same as Comcast customers elsewhere who get a full HD line-up, and it's getting old.

Can anyone remind me of the requirements for getting the NFL RedZone? Is it free with Digital Preferred and above or was the opening weekend just a free preview? I know I needed the S&E package last year with Starter but I wasn't sure if I still needed it now that I have Preferred.

Has anyone heard anything about the status of the "World of More" upgrades to the old Garden State system in the Cherry Hill area? I am hearing (third and fourth hand) that it will be at least March 2011 before anything happens here, and that seems incredible.

I have had essentially the same limited HD lineup for the last few years, and I cringe every time I hear Comcast's claim "More HD; More than Anyone." Then I see the local FiOS lineup, and I cringe even more. I really do not want the hassle of switching to FiOS, but I'm paying the same as Comcast customers elsewhere who get a full HD line-up, and it's getting old.

They are not coming:eek: I was told by Comcast Rep. It would be hopefully by 2015.
That is why I went to D* and boy do I Love it. By the way the HD pitcher blows away Comcast.:D and I have 164 HD channels the last time I counted. :D

King or Prussia PA resident

So I have my new Mitsubishi 65" DLP hooked up to the newer Comcast HDMI boxes (they just replaced old) and have been having a bunch of problems just like with the old box.

1. When watching sports or movies where there are fast paced scenes or with lots of scene cuts, I get pixels or big blocks that you can see all over the screen like the feed is lagging or something. It's extremely annoying and definitely is noticeable. Has anyone ever had this problem with Comcast and how did they fix it?

2. When watching sports such as baseball, if you get close to the screen it looks like fuzzy outlines around the people sometimes. Anyone experience this?

The tech came out 3 weeks back, switched out the box and said everything was working however its still there.

King or Prussia PA resident

So I have my new Mitsubishi 65" DLP hooked up to the newer Comcast HDMI boxes (they just replaced old) and have been having a bunch of problems just like with the old box.

1. When watching sports or movies where there are fast paced scenes or with lots of scene cuts, I get pixels or big blocks that you can see all over the screen like the feed is lagging or something. It's extremely annoying and definitely is noticeable. Has anyone ever had this problem with Comcast and how did they fix it?

2. When watching sports such as baseball, if you get close to the screen it looks like fuzzy outlines around the people sometimes. Anyone experience this?

The tech came out 3 weeks back, switched out the box and said everything was working however its still there.

I have a Mitsubishi 73" DLP and live in the KoP areas and I am having no issues like you described. Make sure all of the Video "enhancements" on the TV are set to off, and see if that improves anything?

I have a Mitsubishi 73" DLP and live in the KoP areas and I am having no issues like you described. Make sure all of the Video "enhancements" on the TV are set to off, and see if that improves anything?

It's been years since I've had a Comcast box. Do they have a "native" output mode, or are you stuck having the box convert 720p to 1080i for you instead of having your TV do it? They didn't have that mode back before I got my TiVoHDs.

If Native exists, use that. If not, make sure whatever setting you're on, you are viewing a channel that is natively in that resolution before diagnosing a problem. IOW, if you're watching Fox or ABC, make sure the box is set to output at 720p before you evaluate how the signal looks.

The CBS station for Comcast of Garden State was lost and I did a rescan to find it, however I had lost all the HD channels for all the locals. Anybody else had this problem this weekend?

HDNet was added in N.E. Philly today on channel 897.