Are you seeing anything else? I see Oxygen, and I don't recall seeing Smithsonian before this week, but nothing else looks new...

I got a notice in my mail saying that limited basic channels, including broadcast stations will require either a set-top box or digital adapter starting 1/23/12. I currently use a HD Homerun to tune the HD network stations via QAM. This notice sounds like all clear-QAM is going away in our area on Comcast. Can anyone confirm?

I hate to have to go with an antennae setup, but if I have to, I'd like to know now. I'm on the Vinnings headend FYI.

I got a notice in my mail saying that limited basic channels, including broadcast stations will require either a set-top box or digital adapter starting 1/23/12. I currently use a HD Homerun to tune the HD network stations via QAM. This notice sounds like all clear-QAM is going away in our area on Comcast. Can anyone confirm?

I hate to have to go with an antennae setup, but if I have to, I'd like to know now. I'm on the Vinnings headend FYI.

If you look at the notice, it says that the low-numbered channels are going away, not all clear-QAM.

The notice doesn't say anything about "clear QAM." All the notice says is that "you'll need to verify that all of your TVs are connected to a digital set-top box, digital adapter, or use a cablecard." It also says that "after 1/23/2012, equipment may be required to receive ALL channels, including Limited Basic..."

Reading between the lines, it appears that the analog channels are going away, but clear QAM is staying. It is confusing as the notice makes it appear that Comcast equipment is required to receive Limited Basic, then says that "equipment may be required."

The notice doesn't say anything about "clear QAM." All the notice says is that "you'll need to verify that all of your TVs are connected to a digital set-top box, digital adapter, or use a cablecard." It also says that "after 1/23/2012, equipment may be required to receive ALL channels, including Limited Basic..."

Reading between the lines, it appears that the analog channels are going away, but clear QAM is staying. It is confusing as the notice makes it appear that Comcast equipment is required to receive Limited Basic, then says that "equipment may be required."

Seemed pretty clear to me. All channels will be digital and encrypted and require a setup box or DTA to receive. The only question to me is what will the freed up spectrum be used for moving forward.

I'm hoping now we'll be able to receive the sports packages in HD once there is more room.

This notice sounds like all clear-QAM is going away in our area on Comcast. Can anyone confirm?

It may NOT go away on that day, but eventually it mostly likely WILL be going away everywhere:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/477203-NCTA_to_FCC_Let_All_Digital_MSOs_Encrypt_Basic_Tier.php

So basically, you're going to be SOL using Clear-QAM tuners on ANY cable signals... ;)

Thanks for the link. Does "Basic Tier" necessarily mean the OTA channels? Or is it talking about a larger swath of channels? If the OTA stuff goes away, I'm going to need to set up an antenna to feed my HDHomerun :(

I got my notice this weekend. I read at the bottom that if your TV has a QAM tuner that the list of chanels between 2 and 26 will still be available. I read this to mean that these channels, mostly local stations, will still be in the clear, but all others will be encrypted.

Does "Basic Tier" necessarily mean the OTA channels? Or is it talking about a larger swath of channels?

EVERYTHING (including OTA) - THAT'S the whole point of this... ;)

Right now, with the couple of exceptions the FCC granted to Cablevision, NO cable system could encrypt any OTA local channels - but they COULD encrypt non-OTA channels that happen to be carried on the basic tier, which some systems DO. (eg: Cox cable appears to encrypt everything down to even limited/basic channels, except for OTA's; now they will be able to encrypt those as well)

Best be prepared to get that antenna up... :D

EVERYTHING (including OTA) - THAT'S the whole point of this... ;)

Right now, with the couple of exceptions the FCC granted to Cablevision, NO cable system could encrypt any OTA local channels - but they COULD encrypt non-OTA channels that happen to be carried on the basic tier, which some systems DO. (eg: Cox cable appears to encrypt everything down to even limited/basic channels, except for OTA's; now they will be able to encrypt those as well)

Best be prepared to get that antenna up... :D

The ironic part is that Cox cable encrypts *nothing* within the confines of their own building ;)

Assuming you're using Windows Media Center with the Clear QAM HDHR, after running the HDHR Setup program, you need to manually add the QAM channels in the TV/ Guide settings/Add Missing Channels/Add QAM channel (example 98.803 = WSB HD). Once you do that, you go back into the Guide/Edit Channels, go to the channels you added and Edit Listings to merge the QAM channels with the actual Comcast number (example: 98.803 is merged with 803 so only that number shows in your Guide). Sounds more complicated than it is, but once you have that done, the channel line up in the Guide looks just like what you get on your Comcast DVR.

Use the SiliconDust link above to determine the correct QAM channels numbers for the stations you wish to add.

Thanks for your help. However where did you find that WSB is 98.803? That is not on the silicondust page(s) or anywhere else that I can find. I have set up the locals for QAM reception except for FOX 5 WAGA-HD). Do you know what the actual tuned channel is for that station?


I have run the setup several times, & all of my locals show up there but not in the guide. I ran the wmc_sync thingy several times as well & they still nothing below 8.1 showed in my guide. I manually added WSB, but I can't find WAGA anywhere. Has Comcast started encrypting locals already?

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lovswr/from%20the%20net/hdhomerunsetup.png


edit: Ok I'm an idiot. I see it now :eek:


edit 2: Is there a way I can edit the WMC guide so that 98.803 becomes 2.1 etc...?

EVERYTHING (including OTA) - THAT'S the whole point of this... ;)

Right now, with the couple of exceptions the FCC granted to Cablevision, NO cable system could encrypt any OTA local channels - but they COULD encrypt non-OTA channels that happen to be carried on the basic tier, which some systems DO. (eg: Cox cable appears to encrypt everything down to even limited/basic channels, except for OTA's; now they will be able to encrypt those as well)

Best be prepared to get that antenna up... :D
Comcast has a site set up, digitalnow.comcast.com and when I log in there and start the equipment selection process, it shows the following information for the help next to the "No digital equipment" option:

No digital equipment
Televisions without a digital device may not be able to view any channels. (QAM tuner TVs will continue to be able to view Limited Basic channels without a digital device.)


So it sounds like Clear-QAM for locals isn't going away.

edit 2: Is there a way I can edit the WMC guide so that 98.803 becomes 2.1 etc...?

Sure. I have my 98.803 merged to 803. Go to Settings/TV/Guide/Edit Channels. Click on ch 98.803. Go to Edit Listings. Select the listing for the Channel number you want to use (in your case, 2.1). "Combine channel 98.803 with Channel 2.1". That removes 98.803 from your guide listing and merges it with 2.1.

My girlfriend says that a new fee has appeared on her bill this month called a HD Technology fee for about $8.95. Anybody heard of this?
Michael

It was probably included in a promo that just ran out for her.

This is something new that showed up on my bill with no explanation. We are in an apt complex with a bulk account and have never seen that charge before. Anybody got any poop on it?

Larry the cable guy

Michael wrote:
> My girlfriend says that a new fee has appeared on her bill this month
> called a HD Technology fee for about $8.95. Anybody heard of this?

Checking some previous price lists, I found the "HDTV" fee, at $7.95
in 2010 and $8.50 in 2011. The footnotes indicated that one converter or
CableCard was included in all digital packages.
The 2012 price list called it the "HD Technology" fee and increased
the price to $9.95. The footnotes said it "includes HD converter and
remote" and the digital packages only include a standard definition
converter. Along the way they also kicked all digital packages up $3.
Apparently they previously gave out an HD-capable box to all digital
subscribers. Now it appears they want an extra fee if you get more than
a simple digital adapter (or have a CableCard capable device).

Michael wrote:
> My girlfriend says that a new fee has appeared on her bill this month
> called a HD Technology fee for about $8.95. Anybody heard of this?

Checking some previous price lists, I found the "HDTV" fee, at $7.95
in 2010 and $8.50 in 2011. The footnotes indicated that one converter or
CableCard was included in all digital packages.
The 2012 price list called it the "HD Technology" fee and increased
the price to $9.95. The footnotes said it "includes HD converter and
remote" and the digital packages only include a standard definition
converter. Along the way they also kicked all digital packages up $3.
Apparently they previously gave out an HD-capable box to all digital
subscribers. Now it appears they want an extra fee if you get more than
a simple digital adapter (or have a CableCard capable device).

Yep - I just got my bill and there it is: HD Technology $9.95 - they separated the DVR charges (which is now $7.00 on its own). Looks like they upped quite a few charges. My bill is now $10 more per month..... Really getting very expensive now.:mad:

Hello! I just moved to Forsyth County, and signed up for the Triple Play. Installer called and was able to do the install earlier, so that was a plus. But the HD only service box had no sound, and the HDDVR didn't want to do DVR! The tech gave me a loaner HDDVR for the HD only box, and that one worked with DVR service, so I swapped them and I'm good to go.

I have the SA 8300HD box. Can I buy an eSATA drive and attach it for some more storage? I watch way too much TV, so 20 hours is not going to cut it for me. I don't mind making my own box via a drive and external case, but if I can pick up a preassembled box for a few bucks more, I'll go that route. Is there anyone currently using an eSATA drive successfully? And is there a size limit on the drive?

Hello! I just moved to Forsyth County, and signed up for the Triple Play. Installer called and was able to do the install earlier, so that was a plus. But the HD only service box had no sound, and the HDDVR didn't want to do DVR! The tech gave me a loaner HDDVR for the HD only box, and that one worked with DVR service, so I swapped them and I'm good to go.

I have the SA 8300HD box. Can I buy an eSATA drive and attach it for some more storage? I watch way too much TV, so 20 hours is not going to cut it for me. I don't mind making my own box via a drive and external case, but if I can pick up a preassembled box for a few bucks more, I'll go that route. Is there anyone currently using an eSATA drive successfully? And is there a size limit on the drive?

If memory serves, the Motorola HDDVR box has a larger HDD. Comcast shuld swap it out for you if you go into one of their storefronts. I've ben to the one on Ptree Industrial inside the Perimeter. (I'm in Norcross/Duluth area.) Before you look a t larger HDD options, though, I've also noticed that I watch a lot less on the DVR because of On Demand. Many of the programs I used to record (with DTV) are available On Demand so I don't record them now. You may want to wait and see if you really need the extra HDD space. I also seem to recall that the SATA port on the Moto's at least are not activate, so no external HDD can be used. Others please correct me if I'm worng on that point.

rstart is right. You can walk your box into a Comcast storefront to get another one, if they have it in stock. You can call the storefront ahead of time to see if they have it. The largest one right now is the Motorola DCX3400, which holds about 45 hours of HD. To record offline, you can send the digital signal from your box to a digital VHS recorder. Search this thread and others in AVS Forum for details.

Ok, I guess I'll start calling customer service centers to find a DCX3400. On Demand is a great idea, but since you can't skip commercials, I only want to use it for the occasional power outage or inadvertent delete, or maybe to look for a movie or two. I don't want to use it as my "prime" recording medium, since a few shows I watch aren't available via On Demand. Two that come to mind are "2 Broke Girls" and "Modern Family." At least Modern Family is available for streaming via Hulu, but some other shows I'm out of luck.

What's the best stand alone HD receiver? I have to swap one of the HD DVRs for one, so if I can get a better one with a store visit, I'll do it.

rtart,

The Moto box might not work for you. You mentioned the Comcast rep gave you a Scientific Atlanta box and that indicates you are on the old Adelphia cable plant that Comcast purchased a while back.

Before you make a trip, I would call Comcast (more than once) and make sure the Moto box will work on the old Adelphia cable plant. I don't think it will, or it would have been rolled out by now.

i have a DCH3416 - is there a better option currently available in ATL right now?

The Moto box might not work for you. You mentioned the Comcast rep gave you a Scientific Atlanta box and that indicates you are on the old Adelphia cable plant that Comcast purchased a while back.

Before you make a trip, I would call Comcast (more than once) and make sure the Moto box will work on the old Adelphia cable plant. I don't think it will, or it would have been rolled out by now.

Had to make a trip to swap a DVR for STB, and asked about a Motorola box. No luck, not supported in Forsyth County. So the question stands, what is the best method of increasing the storage space on the SA 8300HD? Has anyone successfully done it with any particuaar brand?

Anyone know if Comcast is usng DCX3501 HD DVRs in Marietta? Can I swap for one at the local office?

So among the many blessings of having twins due in 7 to 9 weeks is my wife recently did a 180 on having a TV in the bedroom and decided that we actually very much do need one in there, along with a Blu-ray player and another Comcast box. Okay, it's only 22", but it's 1080p Samsung, and beggars can't be choosers. ;)

So now I'm interested in setting up the multi-room DVR arrangement so I can stream recordings from our living room Motorola box.

Questions:

From what I can glean, this is done with just a regular HD tuner box in the bedroom, not another HD DVR, correct?

Anyone know how much adding the second tuner (and possibly a charge for multi-room streaming?) will add to our bill?

Will I need a new HD DVR in the living room to support this? I believe I'm currently using a DCX 3400.

Do I need to call to add service or can I just go by the local Comcast office to pick it up and set it up myself? That's what I did when I upgraded my HD DVR about a year ago.

Anyone know if Comcast is usng DCX3501 HD DVRs in Marietta? Can I swap for one at the local office?

I'd also be interested to know the answer to this.

Just a quick response about MRV - the person at the Comcast office said a tech has to come out to sync the boxes. And you're going to need specific boxes. I don't know which ones, so I can't say which ones are required.

Yes, you will need a new DVR, and it costs $5 or so more per month. Additional boxes (which must be a specific model) cost the same as normal additional boxes. And they do require a tech because IIRC they also have to add some additional filters to your wiring.

So it sounds like Clear-QAM for locals isn't going away.Wrong.

Across the country, Comcast has already started the process of eliminating all analog channels and at the same time encrypting all channels. Think of it like phase II of Project Cavalry.

The only question remaining is when for a given area.

I went to the Comcast office on Cobb Pkwy and they did not have the DCX3501.

At first the woman looked at me like I was crazy for even asking; sort of a "why do you care about which model of DVR you get" thing, but when she saw I wasn't going away until she checked, she went back and looked. I guess most people just take whatever junk they are given and don't ask or care.

Anyone in the area seen these units in the wild?

i have a DCH3416 - is there a better option currently available in ATL right now?

I have the DCX3400-M (and I do not use the whole home feature).

I'm pleased with the unit which is 3D capable, with the sole exception of the issue where the "native" resolution setting resets to 1080i every time I power off the TV or AVR. This is a known issue due to the DVR being connected via the receiver. If Motorola would allow it to be locked on "native" this would be a fantastic unit.

I went to the Comcast office on Cobb Pkwy and they did not have the DCX3501.

At first the woman looked at me like I was crazy for even asking; sort of a "why do you care about which model of DVR you get" thing, but when she saw I wasn't going away until she checked, she went back and looked. I guess most people just take whatever junk they are given and don't ask or care.

Anyone in the area seen these units in the wild?

I had the a similar experience in Chamblee last week where the CS person went so far as to tell me that the DCX3501 didn't exist (as I was showing him a picture of one taken from a Comcast site).

Folks, you're just going to have to accept that Comcast customer service just sucks. Every single interface I've ever had with them leaves me shaking my head in amazement. Anything I've ever attempted with them has been an exercise in frustration. My problem is that my alternatives, AT&T for phone and DSL and DTV for TV are sub-par alternatives and/or a lot more money. Comcast ISP consistently gives me 31 Mbps versus AT&T 1.5 Mbps on a good day. It has never dropped me in the six months since I switched while AT&T dropped me daily. DTV has a better HDDVR interface, but has rain fade, an ugly dish, and costs a lot more. I was with them for ten years, and they refused to cut their price to keep me - until I was gone.

It's a real shame that Comcast's customer service falls far short of its technology. Sure wish I had another alternative, like Charter.

Folks, you're just going to have to accept that Comcast customer service just sucks. Every single interface I've ever had with them leaves me shaking my head in amazement. Anything I've ever attempted with them has been an exercise in frustration. My problem is that my alternatives, AT&T for phone and DSL and DTV for TV are sub-par alternatives and/or a lot more money. Comcast ISP consistently gives me 31 Mbps versus AT&T 1.5 Mbps on a good day. It has never dropped me in the six months since I switched while AT&T dropped me daily. DTV has a better HDDVR interface, but has rain fade, an ugly dish, and costs a lot more. I was with them for ten years, and they refused to cut their price to keep me - until I was gone.

It's a real shame that Comcast's customer service falls far short of its technology. Sure wish I had another alternative, like Charter.

Charter is a Comcast wannabe. Comcast, Jr. I have friends with Charter who complain about their clueless customer service.

Comcast may not be perfect but they are so much better than the AT&T DSL I left (which had previously been Bellsouth). At least Comcast gives you the broadband speed you are paying for, not excuses.

Being an AT&T customer was an exercise in frustration. Left them and went to Comcast/Vonage -- and never looked back.

_____________

Speaking of Motorola set top boxes, they will soon be obsolete: ;)

http://www.nypost.com/f/print/news/business/pulling_the_plug_1ENjOtYFNv3MBNzKw8aAZK

Google looking to unload Motorola's TV set-top box business


By CLAIRE ATKINSON
Posted: 11:25 PM, March 6, 2012

This just in: The TV set-top box is on its deathbed.

Google is looking to unload the set-top box business it will inherit from Motorola Mobility even before it closes on the $12.5 billion acquisition, The Post has learned.

The move appears to be an about-face from last August, when Google CEO Larry Page, in announcing the deal, suggested the business would play a role in his plans for revolutionizing the living room.

Google isn’t the only player looking to get out of the business. As The Post reported exclusively last month, Cisco is also seeking to sell Scientific Atlanta, which along with Motorola has had a near duopoly on the set-top box business.

And at least two other smaller cable-box players, Pace and Thomson’s Technicolor, are also expected to test the marketplace by putting their businesses on the block, sources said.

Once the main conduit to the couch, the clunky cable box is viewed in many circles as an obstacle to a newer generation of software and devices capable of integrating TV and the Web.

Plenty of people predict that the box won’t survive the onslaught. For instance, Google offers its own Internet-connected operating system, Google TV.

“Software is the value, not the hardware,” said one set-top box executive.

Infonetics, a company that tracks the set-top box market, predicted that last year was the peak for the business and that sales will decline this year and beyond.

To be sure, some executives believe the set-top box will shrink but not fade away entirely.

“Boxes will get thinner because more intelligence will be in the ‘cloud,’ but you’ll still need a gateway to the home,” said one executive in the business.

That’s prompting speculation that private-equity firms may look to milk the business by rolling up the main players.

“We’re beginning to hear private equity stirring on how they could put it all together,” said one source.

While Google hasn’t put out a sales book on the set-top box business, it has enlisted Frank Quattrone’s investment bank, Qatalyst Partners, and Barclays Capital to help shop the asset.

“On a long-term basis, legacy set-top boxes don’t win,” one senior tech source said, adding that Google gets “10 times more data from their other devices than they can get from a cable box.”

Other sources have confirmed that, while it is still early in the process, Google is highly likely to sell off the business, in part because cable operators have shunned buying boxes from Motorola ahead of Google’s purchase.

Meanwhile, Motorola, which has been losing share, tried unsuccessfully to sell the business in 2009 for $4.5 billion.

With other devices such as Apple TV and Roku,stealing the show, the price tag is expected to be even lower. One source ballparked the price at anywhere between $2.5 billion and $4 billion.

“We don’t comment on rumor or speculation,” said a Google spokeswoman.

I know that there is 3D content in ONDEMAND, but with the Big East Tournament (& I think some Masters coverage) coming out in Live 3D is Comcast in the ATL showing any of this?

Comcast Atlanta has XFINITY 3D and ESPN3D. I think the Big East Tournament is on ESPN 3D.

Wrong.

Across the country, Comcast has already started the process of eliminating all analog channels and at the same time encrypting all channels. Think of it like phase II of Project Cavalry.

The only question remaining is when for a given area.

Uh, Clear QAM isn't analog, and they are still required to keep OTA channels in the clear.

???

Comcast Atlanta has XFINITY 3D and ESPN3D. I think the Big East Tournament is on ESPN 3D.


Which are apparently 791 & 790, respectively, in the ATL. I hope that I don't have to call in to get them activated.

Uh, Clear QAM isn't analog, and they are still required to keep OTA channels in the clear.

But not for long, if the NCTA gets its way - Comcast et al are petitioning the FCC to encrypt basic cable as well. In return we *may* get a couple of the new HD DTAs for free to go along with the crappy SD DTAs we got when analog got whacked.

Has anyone else's clock not changed yet? My DVR is still on standard time, fortunately the guide's an hour off as well so my shows are still recording...

Comcast has sent me a notice that as of 4/10 I will need new equipment to get the basic channels decrypted. I have been using clear QAM with no box on one TV, so sounds like that is over.

Bob Howell

Comcast has sent me a notice that as of 4/10 I will need new equipment to get the basic channels decrypted. I have been using clear QAM with no box on one TV, so sounds like that is over.

Did you happen to look down at the (tiny) print at the bottom of the notice, that says "Clear QAM TV's will continue to receive limited basic channels"??? ;)

I will go check, but the big print said the local HD channels would require a cable card or box. Is there a crack I don't see in the words?

Bob

Well I have looked closely and guess I don't understand my definitions and jumped to conclusions. Actually I don't know what it means and bet it was planned that way. I can no longer get the local channels but will get clear QAM?? Hmmm. Numbers and words. Meaning!!

ARRGGH... Set up a series to record EVERY episode of a show. My SA box decided to record about 15 versions of the same show at 11 PM last night, wiping out everything I had previously recorded. Looks like it started recording an episode, then ran out of space, so it stopped. Then cleared some space, and started recording again, but kept each copy, each one having a little bit extra storage. I guess I learned a lesson, not to record all copies.

The worst part? Another two series I have marked to only record NEW episodes, and the box manages to record every one of those shows, even ones that specifically have REPEAT in the description. I guess I can only wait for the newer boxes once my area gets multi-room viewing. Maybe their software will be different.

Or just get a Tivo, problem solved.

Or just get a Tivo, problem solved.

Except for the monthly cost, the fact that if it breaks I have to buy a new one vs. just visiting a Comcast store, and that you can't do PPV. Otherwise it's great!

I had a TiVo and DirecTiVo, but once DirecTV switched to MPEG-4 codecs, the TiVo just wasn't worth it. And I rather got to liking the D* HD DVR interfaces. Bring THAT software to Comcast, and I'd be very happy.

Your loss, you have to put up with crap like you posted instead. You can buy lifetime Premieres on fleabay or craigslist for $500 or so, and which will pay for themselves in less than 3 years vs. renting really bad DVRs. And OnDemand is coming soon to the Premieres. Oh, and you can already do PPV just have to call Comcast and order ahead of time.

You know you can build your own Cablecard HTPC too, right? With Xboxes as extenders? And that Ceton is going to come out with their own Cablecard DVR and extenders later this year?

So, there's not much point in bitching about the SA/Moto junk when there's better solutions.

Not sure if this is the best place for this or the HTPC forum but...

I have had an HDHR Prime since January. When I first got it all standard cable channels (ESPN, CNN, etc) were copy-freely. Now, they are copyonce. Has anyone else experienced this?

Not sure if this is the best place for this or the HTPC forum but...

I have had an HDHR Prime since January. When I first got it all standard cable channels (ESPN, CNN, etc) were copy-freely. Now, they are copyonce. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have a HDHR Prime as well and it still get ESPN and CNN. I'm in Decatur and I believe we are served out of the Stone Mountain hub. I have Digital Preferred, but those channels should be in Digital Starter but not Digitial Economy.

I have a HDHR Prime as well and it still get ESPN and CNN. I'm in Decatur and I believe we are served out of the Stone Mountain hub. I have Digital Preferred, but those channels should be in Digital Starter but not Digitial Economy.

I get ESPN and CNN when I use Windows MediaCenter since that supports copyonce. When I first got my Prime I began messing around with a MythTV box which requires copy-freely. It worked in January but I went back to it today and see everything copyonce.

ETA: I live in Midtown if that matters.

I get ESPN and CNN when I use Windows MediaCenter since that supports copyonce. When I first got my Prime I began messing around with a MythTV box which requires copy-freely. It worked in January but I went back to it today and see everything copyonce.

I use mythtv and again no problem those channels come up copy-freely for me.

OK this is a strange one that I haven't seen in my almost 4 years of Tivo HD use - the NASCAR Nationwide Darlington race on ESPN2 last night didn't record because Tivo said that 'the channel was not authorized, I didn't pay for the event, or it was not available in my area'.

ESPN2 works fine of course, I just tuned it again with no problem. I can only surmise that somehow a PPV flag was set on the broadcast by mistake by Comcast or someone else, or somehow my Cablecard auth got messed up even though everything else recorded fine last night (Fringe and other shows). It certainly wasn't blacked out and I've never had a problem with any race recording before. Anyone else seen this?