Originally posted by jdoe7890
Once you get ADS , you will be underwhelmed at best. ADS only brings about 5-10% improvement imho. If I have to choose between more HD channels and ADS , I will choose HD channels we have to keep in mind we don't all have the same displays/setups. so when this member comments on ADS PQ (essentially his analog/versus digital channels PQ) it will not apply to ALL.

say we have a 1-10 analog PQ scale:
(1)worst analog PQ setup: BIG screen HD display with DVR.
(10)best analog PQ: small screen SD display without DVR.

depending on where you fall within these setups, analog versus digital PQ will vary significantly. adding DVR lowers your PQ with encoding on the fly. and the bigger your display is, the more it will reveal SD's shortcomings.

i have a 61" WS HD display with DVR, so for me analog channels look like complete garbage. i can even tell the difference between the old 64QAM and new 256QAM channels so for me ADS (digital channels replacing my analogs) is a gift. ;)

Originally posted by avic
we have to keep in mind we don't all have the same displays/setups. so when this member comments on ADS PQ (essentially his analog/versus digital channels PQ) it will not apply to ALL.

say we have a 1-10 analog PQ scale:
(1)worst analog PQ setup: BIG screen HD display with DVR.
(10)best analog PQ: small screen SD display without DVR.

depending on where you fall within these setups, analog versus digital PQ will vary significantly. adding DVR lowers your PQ with encoding on the fly. and the bigger your display is, the more it will reveal SD's shortcomings.

i have a 61" WS HD display with DVR, so for me analog channels look like complete garbage. i can even tell the difference between the old 64QAM and new 256QAM channels so for me ADS (digital channels replacing my analogs) is a gift. ;)

I would modify your scale slightly, avoiding another D to A conversion will help.
(1)worst analog PQ setup: BIG screen HD display with DVR and analog output.
(10)best analog PQ: small screen SD display without DVR with digital output.

analog output = rca, s-video, component
digital output = dvi, firewire

I'm seeing people rightfully point out that advertising and sponsorship is probably blocking a deal for comcast to carry Friday night UPN games on NESN HD for Bristol County people...............the real issue at the root of the problem is Bristol County being in the Providence market....if Bristol County was rightfuly included in the Boston Market, it would be a null issue.


Those in Bristol, you are getting the FRIDAY night sox on regular nesn though right? I still don't see why if you recieved it in nesn HD it would be any different.

By the way, Red Sox rights aside, props to UPN38 for showing The Great American West in the middle of Sunday afternoon in full HD. Magnificent.

Originally posted by old64mb
By the way, Red Sox rights aside, props to UPN38 for showing The Great American West in the middle of Sunday afternoon in full HD. Magnificent.


sure, rub it in the bristol people's faces a little more.

:D

is it just me, or have these games from texas seemed to suffer from more pixelation than usual?

Originally posted by macd23
is it just me, or have these games from texas seemed to suffer from more pixelation than usual?

No, not just you. I am seeing it as well.

On a quasi related note, has anybody noticed that Weatherscan no longer covers anything South of Boston? The regional radar was baically Pike north, and the local airports were Boston and Worcester. There is no commercial service in Worcester!

It sems that Comcast Boston is really pushing those of us in Bristol County out of the fold. I understand that the UPN issue is not Comcast, but Viacom.

Originally posted by macd23
Those in Bristol, you are getting the FRIDAY night sox on regular nesn though right? I still don't see why if you recieved it in nesn HD it would be any different.

NO, we are getting the game only on UPN38 SD here in Bristol County! That is why I claim the Boston DMA thing is a load of crap....... If they show the SD channel here, there is no legitimate reason they can't show the HD channel.

Originally posted by discjoker
No, not just you. I am seeing it as well.

Me too - I bet they contracted the same folks who set up FOX to broadcast HD out of the Rangers stadium....:rolleyes:

Obviously different gear than Fenway, Camden Yards, and heck, Yankee Stadium. The picture in those stadiums has been fantastic so far.

Rocky films on TNT this afternoon seem to be streched although they are listed as HD. But the TNT logo is in right AR. Funny.

Originally posted by tcable
On a quasi related note, has anybody noticed that Weatherscan no longer covers anything South of Boston? The regional radar was baically Pike north, and the local airports were Boston and Worcester. There is no commercial service in Worcester!

It sems that Comcast Boston is really pushing those of us in Bristol County out of the fold. I understand that the UPN issue is not Comcast, but Viacom. WeatherUnderground (http://www.weatherunderground.com) is what I use. Tons of local weather stations have popped up in the past year. I'm not sure why people bother with TV weather anymore. They're using Norwood/Boston for my area still for the Weatherscan- that's over 15miles away.

Originally posted by DaveFi
WeatherUnderground (http://www.weatherunderground.com) is what I use. Tons of local weather stations have popped up in the past year. I'm not sure why people bother with TV weather anymore. They're using Norwood/Boston for my area still for the Weatherscan- that's over 15miles away.

I use Weather.com myself,but I do like Weatherscan. No ads.

On the internet I use intellicast and weather.com. It's just that sometimes the PC is off and I need quick weather. I don't get the Weather chanel.

"Comcast, which late last month announced it would add TNT's HD feed to its lineup, said it maintains a policy of not paying license fees for HD content. "

Read more: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=535738

Also mentions that the high def version of HGTV will be ready early next year and they expect full penetration when it launches ? I guess they are dreaming a bit.

I guess this means no HDNET anytime soon on comcast.

-Ken

I asked Bob Yankowitz, the chief engineer for Viacom in Boston, about the Red Sox HD/Comcast/Bristol County topic,and he inquired about it. He confirmed that it was a contractual obligation by NESN that did not permit the Sox Friday night games on WSBK outside the Boston DMA. If you are receiving these games, Comcast is simply screwing up by not blacking them out.

Originally posted by kenvt
"Comcast, which late last month announced it would add TNT's HD feed to its lineup, said it maintains a policy of not paying license fees for HD content. "

Read more: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=535738

Also mentions that the high def version of HGTV will be ready early next year and they expect full penetration when it launches ? I guess they are dreaming a bit.

I guess this means no HDNET anytime soon on comcast.

-Ken

Accept ESPN-HD which with free don't belong in the same sentenced. ESPN is the reason why are bills are so high, but the content is what everyone wants.

Accept ESPN-HD which with free don't belong in the same sentenced. ESPN is the reason why are bills are so high, but the content is what everyone wants.

Except for Sunday Night / or now Monday Night football, you could turn off all the ESPN channels and I could care less. I know that I am not in the majority however.

-Ken

Read somewhere that ESPN (regular SD feed) charges cablecos $2.50 per subscriber.

I suspect that $2.50 would buy you a crapperload of other channels.

But, I assume that if one's already paid the $2.50 for ESPN SD, you're getting the HD channel without any additional subscription fee incurred by either you or Comcast.

Originally posted by kenvt
"Comcast, which late last month announced it would add TNT's HD feed to its lineup, said it maintains a policy of not paying license fees for HD content. "

Read more: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=535738

Also mentions that the high def version of HGTV will be ready early next year and they expect full penetration when it launches ? I guess they are dreaming a bit.

I guess this means no HDNET anytime soon on comcast.

-Ken

They don't want a seperate HD tier mostly because it would most likely be considerd a "pay" tier and not all HD viewers would get it.

OTOH the 51/6200 non DVR boxs can downconvert HD programming to even RF.

Game 5 tomorrow night?

Looks like the Sox is NO HD so 882 could be free.

TNHT is blackout proof so it will be on 833 as well.

I thought I noticed the other night (can't remember the show; I was only surfing past) that TNT seemed to be using an anamorphic stretch, what my Sony HDTV calls "wide zoom," rather than stretching the entire image to fit the screen. Was I imagining things?

No, seems they stretch everything, except the NBA games!

no HD sox tonight?

It's unfortunate that we can't have a "Boston, MA - Comcast (Sports)" and "Boston, MA - Comcast (Non-Sports)" thread... I feel for you sports guys though, you're regularly getting the short end of the stick for weird issues. But the heightened amount of it is at times almost dominating the thread.

Unfortunately Chris, one of the prime advantages of HD is how much it enhances the experience of sports TV. I think you're going to have to deal with that in here for a long time.

Originally posted by Benji
I asked Bob Yankowitz, the chief engineer for Viacom in Boston, about the Red Sox HD/Comcast/Bristol County topic,and he inquired about it. He confirmed that it was a contractual obligation by NESN that did not permit the Sox Friday night games on WSBK outside the Boston DMA. If you are receiving these games, Comcast is simply screwing up by not blacking them out.

Man, for some reason this must be hard to understand. NESN has nothing to do with this. Bristol County is receiving the UPN38 Standard Def broadcast on UPN38, NOT NESN. If we can receive UPN38 SD, there is no reason we should not receive UPN38 HD. Same sponsors, right? Same programming?

Originally posted by dag16
no HD sox tonight?

This is an odd broadcast series in Detroit - they list the 1st 2 games as SD and the Wed/Thurs games in HD. All in the same ballpark. What's up with that?

Could be as simple as driving time for the van, I guess.

Originally posted by kenvt
"Comcast, which late last month announced it would add TNT's HD feed to its lineup, said it maintains a policy of not paying license fees for HD content. "

Read more: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=535738

Also mentions that the high def version of HGTV will be ready early next year and they expect full penetration when it launches ? I guess they are dreaming a bit.

I guess this means no HDNET anytime soon on comcast.

-Ken

Yup, HDNET is not on the rumor radar anytime soon. Comcast won't get unless forced to by competition as they feel INHD's provide the same types of programs. Of course, they are wrong, inHD is quite different from HDNET and both share and are different from DHDT and PBS-HD.

So maybe next year at this time we'll have more rumors for HDNET to discuss.

Rich N.

Finally called in and downgraded to basic only (no expanded) and digital classic. Interesting that the CSR really didn't try to talk me out of it, just asked why I was downgrading and that's it. The tech is coming out Sat. to install the filter, I'll probably keep it this way until the fall when I'll want to get ESPN2/NESN/FSNE back. I'll probably also restart my NetFlix service for movies - must have my OAR ;) - so some of the savings will be reduced there.

I had HDnet with Dish Network, you are not missing much. INHD has far better programing IMO.

Originally posted by pcardoza
Man, for some reason this must be hard to understand. NESN has nothing to do with this. Bristol County is receiving the UPN38 Standard Def broadcast on UPN38, NOT NESN. If we can receive UPN38 SD, there is no reason we should not receive UPN38 HD. Same sponsors, right? Same programming? The only reason I can think of that Comcast won't carry UPN38-DT in Bristol County is that it plans to carry UPN28-DT as soon as it comes on line. Comcast probably doesn't have enough bandwith to carry duplicate networks in HD from both Boston and Providence. In any case if they did carry UPN38-DT they are obligated to black out Sox games on Friday night.

How much is the Digital Platinum tier? (Not including Basic or Expanded Basic). I know it might vary from town to town (I am in Watertown) but just a ballpark.

Does anyone know when the ADS process will begin in Medford? As of last night (Monday, May 3), there were no signs of any ADS channels. I'd appreciate any info on revised timelines.

Originally posted by Dale Pickle
How much is the Digital Platinum tier? (Not including Basic or Expanded Basic). I know it might vary from town to town (I am in Watertown) but just a ballpark.

Digital programming prices are the same.

$46.95

Digital platinum with basic = $52.80

Digital platinum with Standard = $90.31

Originally posted by JDLIVE
Finally called in and downgraded to basic only (no expanded) and digital classic. Interesting that the CSR really didn't try to talk me out of it, just asked why I was downgrading and that's it. The tech is coming out Sat. to install the filter, I'll probably keep it this way until the fall when I'll want to get ESPN2/NESN/FSNE back. I'll probably also restart my NetFlix service for movies - must have my OAR ;) - so some of the savings will be reduced there.

I have Basic with Digital PLATINUM and i know i am not alone with this :)

In my town, WB56 and some other channels went digital about couple of weeks ago. My wife is a fan of the show "Charmed" on WB56. This past Sunday I was watching the show with her and noticed that whenever there was any kind of any kind of dynamic movement (such as they turn their head around or walk fast across the room, etc) in the scene there was a motion lag in the video image. I guess the best analogy I can use...it reminds me of F/X from the Smallville show whenever they want to show Clark Kent moving at superman speed. My wife was watching this show on channel 12. I switched to 856 (hi-def) and did not notice any of the lag motion. (Of course my wife was not thrilled that I was switching back and forth while she was watching her show.) I have seen this show prior to ADS conversion I do not remember noticing this effect. I have not attempted to watch any other shows on this channel, so I don't know if it is specific to this show or may be the PQ of the show was bad and when it went to digital it just became more apparent. Or I'm imagining things!

I've have not noticed this kind of motion lag on other digital channels that I always had. I wonder if anybody else has experienced this on WB or other channels after ADS. Just curious. In the meantime...In name of science I will force myself to watch some other show on this channel...

Is the Celtics game in HD on 882 tonight?

I know it's on NBATV on 881 but that will surely be blackout.

edit: Never mind they just switched over to the FSN-HD but they having trouble with video and audio.

Yes. Lots of technical difficulties going on right now with their pre-game stuff. Seems to be getting better

I was having a lot of audio clipping on UPN HD tonight during Veronica Mars. When it switched to the local feed, for some commercials, it was fine. UPN SD was fine during the whole program. Looks like a problem on the network feed. Anyone notice this? I hope Enterprise is OK Sat night...

So why was Jays-O's blacked out on INHD last night? To protect the Sox game on NESN, I'd guess, though that suggests we're not going to be seeing many out-of-town baseball games this year. Too bad.

Originally posted by caernavon
So why was Jays-O's blacked out on INHD last night? To protect the Sox game on NESN, I'd guess, though that suggests we're not going to be seeing many out-of-town baseball games this year. Too bad.

No they were actually showing Celts-Indy on 881 on NBATV-HD thats why in was blacked out.

A baseball game on 881 was blacked out because 882 was showing the FSN feed of the Celts-Indy game? Becuase that makes so much sense...

Originally posted by caernavon
A baseball game on 881 was blacked out because 882 was showing the FSN feed of the Celts-Indy game? Becuase that makes so much sense...

No no - 881 (INHD1) had picked up NBA-TV and was broadcasting the Celts game. They decided to pre-empt the baseball game for the hoops playoff. And of course in our DMA it was blacked out. Once the Celts are out of the playoffs you'll either get the NBA-TV broadcast of a playoff game or an out of town ball game (as long as the Sox aren't one of the teams)

Originally posted by YesJim
No no - 881 (INHD1) had picked up NBA-TV and was broadcasting the Celts game. They decided to pre-empt the baseball game for the hoops playoff. And of course in our DMA it was blacked out. Once the Celts are out of the playoffs you'll either get the NBA-TV broadcast of a playoff game or an out of town ball game (as long as the Sox aren't one of the teams)

Thats what I said they should have done last friday night ( gm 3 ) when we had no game in HD in this area, someone finally woke up and put the game on 882 ( FSN Feed ) where it should be ;)

Originally posted by Lodef
Thats what I said they should have done last friday night ( gm 3 ) when we had no game in HD in this area, someone finally woke up and put the game on 882 ( FSN Feed ) where it should be ;)

It would have been even better if TNT or ESPN bought the broadcast rights to the Celts game (did anyone else notice how much better the ESPN HD Celts broadcast from Indiana looked than FSN's "Fox-worthy" HD?) and if the NESN truck got to Detroit in time. Then we could have had Sox on 882, INHD Jays-O's game on 881, and Celts on 849/833. Sports HD nirvana!

Could someone explain this to me:

This evening, I noticed that I was getting channels 908, 909, and 910. Further investigation showed that these channels were analog. I then turned in to channels 8, 9, and 10, and found out that they were coming in as 256QAM. (FYI: I am in Medford. 8 is CN8, 9 is PAX, and 10 is WGBX.)

So, I am now getting digital 8, 9, and 10 at their original locations, but am getting the analogs now mapped to 908-910.

I thought for those of us with digital/HD boxes, the ADS conversion would leave channels 2-96 as channels 2-96. We would just be getting the digital simulcats of those channels with no duplicates. Does this mean that once ADS is over, I will be getting digital 2-96 and analog 902-996?

Originally posted by tennberg
Does this mean that once ADS is over, I will be getting digital 2-96 and analog 902-996?

When ADS is complete, the digital version should show on channels 2-99. The 9XX analog version means there's a building served from your headend that replaces the analog channel with a locally inserted security camera. People in condos and apartment buildings that have digital boxes, still need to keep the bad guys out.

Originally posted by noreaster0
When ADS is complete, the digital version should show on channels 2-99. The 9XX analog version means there's a building served from your headend that replaces the analog channel with a locally inserted security camera. People in condos and apartment buildings that have digital boxes, still need to keep the bad guys out.

In Lawrence, the only 9XX analog channel is 903.

however the security channel here is channel 13 and it is only on the house antenna which I do have connected to the NTSC tuner within my HDTV.

Originally posted by FAiello
I had HDnet with Dish Network, you are not missing much. INHD has far better programing IMO.

Some systems carry BOTH INHD and HDNet.
When I emailed cuban about Comcst getting HDNEt,he did admit INHD had some good stuff there.

Does anyone here have the Sports Pack (TVG, CSTV, NBA TV, etc.)? I'm looking at Comcast's website and I don't see it offered when I try to order. I do see something called the Premier Pack for $6.95, but this doesn't seem to be the same thing.

Thanks.

Originally posted by JAMDLP
Does anyone here have the Sports Pack (TVG, CSTV, NBA TV, etc.)? I'm looking at Comcast's website and I don't see it offered when I try to order. I do see something called the Premier Pack for $6.95, but this doesn't seem to be the same thing.

Thanks.


its 4.95. the site probably hasn't been updated. call a CSR to get it

Originally posted by chitchatjf
I have Basic with Digital PLATINUM and i know i am not alone with this :)

I have a 2.35:1 screen, so the lack of quality OAR HD material makes that option extremely unappealing.

Originally posted by L Supreme
its 4.95. the site probably hasn't been updated. call a CSR to get it

It is a different tier. I had it at one time when it was offered with Digital platinum

Originally posted by JDLIVE
I have a 2.35:1 screen, so the lack of quality OAR HD material makes that option extremely unappealing.

JD:

How do you have a 2.35:1 screen? Do you have a projector and are able to mess around with the aspect ratio?

I figured you had a set that was 16:9 (1.78:1).

Celtics game in HD on TNT

NO FS HD

Originally posted by JAMDLP
Does anyone here have the Sports Pack (TVG, CSTV, NBA TV, etc.)?


I do. I have Basic + Digital Classic + Sports Pack. Sports Pack is $4.95.

Originally posted by tennberg
JD:

How do you have a 2.35:1 screen? Do you have a projector and are able to mess around with the aspect ratio?

I figured you had a set that was 16:9 (1.78:1).

Yes, I have a Sony HS10 LCD projector and a (roughly) 9 1/2' x 4' screen. I have some masking on the sides to convert it to a 96" diagonal for 1.78 (and 1.85):1 material. I also have an HTPC which lets me do the appropriate scaling.

I may be in the minority, but well over 75% of the DVDs I have are 2.35:1. It's a shame Showtime and HDNET seem to be the only premium channels that respect OAR, but that's a dead horse for another board. ;)

Originally posted by JDLIVE
Yes, I have a Sony HS10 LCD projector and a (roughly) 9 1/2' x 4' screen. I have some masking on the sides to convert it to a 96" diagonal for 1.78 (and 1.85):1 material. I also have an HTPC which lets me do the appropriate scaling.

I may be in the minority, but well over 75% of the DVDs I have are 2.35:1. It's a shame Showtime and HDNET seem to be the only premium channels that respect OAR, but that's a dead horse for another board. ;)

Earlier this morning I noticed HBO AND Cinemax running scope films from 2003 in their proper aspect ratio

The clipping noise on UPN HD that I noticed during Veronica Mars is there during the Sox game right now. It's not as bad as it was...now more like a clicking/buzzing noise in the background in the center channel. Anyone notice this?

Originally posted by deathstroke
The clipping noise on UPN HD that I noticed during Veronica Mars is there during the Sox game right now. It's not as bad as it was...now more like a clicking/buzzing noise in the background in the center channel. Anyone notice this?

deathstroke:

Yes, I noticed it. I only watched about 5-7 minutes of the game, but I definitely heard what you're describing. I thought it was something one of their microphones was picking up, but it could've been a problem with UPN.

Does anyone know how long the entire ADS rollout is going to take? I believe it started nearly a month ago (if not longer) in Massachusetts. Here in Medford, we've only had 8 (CN8), 9 (PAX), and 10 (WGBX) moved to digital as part of the rollout. At this rate, or at least in Medford, I figure we'll have all analog channels moved to digital some time in late 2008, early 2009 :-)

Originally posted by tennberg
Does anyone know how long the entire ADS rollout is going to take? I believe it started nearly a month ago (if not longer) in Massachusetts. Here in Medford, we've only had 8 (CN8), 9 (PAX), and 10 (WGBX) moved to digital as part of the rollout. At this rate, or at least in Medford, I figure we'll have all analog channels moved to digital some time in late 2008, early 2009 :-)

its gonna move alot quicker than that. hopefully its done before the end of summer

Celtics's game 7 in hi def?

Is it on TNT, 882, or should I call off the party if its only in SD

Originally posted by new2hometheater
Celtics's game 7 in hi def?

Is it on TNT, 882, or should I call off the party if its only in SD

TNT and ESPN are blackout proof during the playoffs so 833 for sure.

I assume 882 will be used for tonight's Red sox game (weather permitting)

Originally posted by tennberg
deathstroke:

Yes, I noticed it. I only watched about 5-7 minutes of the game, but I definitely heard what you're describing. I thought it was something one of their microphones was picking up, but it could've been a problem with UPN.

UPN SD was fine so it probably wasn't a mike problem. I hope Enterprise is OK tonight.

Originally posted by deathstroke
UPN SD was fine so it probably wasn't a mike problem. I hope Enterprise is OK tonight.

Right now, Phanotom Gourmet is on...and the buzzing is still there but not as bad as last night.

Originally posted by chitchatjf
TNT and ESPN are blackout proof during the playoffs so 833 for sure.

I assume 882 will be used for tonight's Red sox game (weather permitting)

They'll bump the Redsox off since during Game 1 which was on ESPN which will be probably the same tonite. I notice FSN had better HD then ESPN (1080i vs 720p), so can't wait to compare 1080i from both stations.

Originally posted by chitchatjf
Earlier this morning I noticed HBO AND Cinemax running scope films from 2003 in their proper aspect ratio

Yes, they do show some OAR movies that were transferred before they implemented their chop policy. And I believe one studio (Lion's Gate?) manages to enforce an OAR requirement. But that only gives you a couple movies a month at best. Showtime is also very good at respecting OAR, but they simply don't get much decent content, again only a couple movies a month that are both OAR and worth watching.

Had to get my Moto 5100 changed out today because my old 5100 would not update.While the tech was switching out the boxes, he told me that ADS should be done by the end of June.he is also told me that my system is a 750 Mhz system. Also, he was told that Comcast will take over Plymouth and Carver from Aldelphia, pending approval.

Originally posted by mgpt6
Had to get my Moto 5100 changed out today because my old 5100 would not update.While the tech was switching out the boxes, he told me that ADS should be done by the end of June.he is also told me that my system is a 750 Mhz system. Also, he was told that Comcast will take over Plymouth and Carver from Aldelphia, pending approval.

MY idea would be to give a 6 month transfer period then shut down analog on extended basic channels.

What I would do as an incentive is to give EVERYONE 6 free months of ONE box.

Those with the DVR and/or HD non DVR boxes would get $5.25 off.

No more filters and extra bandwidth for HD channels and/or a FASTER internet :)

Originally posted by roachxp
They'll bump the Redsox off since during Game 1 which was on ESPN which will be probably the same tonite. I notice FSN had better HD then ESPN (1080i vs 720p), so can't wait to compare 1080i from both stations.

Interesting observation. On my CRT set, ESPN blows away both TNT and FSN - both of which show lots of tiling, particularly during fast-motion sequences. ESPN broadcasting the blowout game in Indy was the best I've seen a Celts broadcast yet!

Jim, don't think they will be turning off analog until 2007. Another tid bit from the tech is a new box which will be a "bare bones" Digital box. Extended Basic may go in 2 years or so/

Originally posted by mgpt6
Jim, don't think they will be turning off analog until 2007. Another tid bit from the tech is a new box which will be a "bare bones" Digital box. Extended Basic may go in 2 years or so/

I forgot the model number of the box but it is smaller the 5100 cable modems.

Originally posted by mgpt6
Jim, don't think they will be turning off analog until 2007. Another tid bit from the tech is a new box which will be a "bare bones" Digital box. Extended Basic may go in 2 years or so/

Which means I won't get it in my bedroom anymore.

Currently get standard in my bedroom,digital platinum and basic in the den on my HD set. :)

Originally posted by dozens
I forgot the model number of the box but it is smaller the 5100 cable modems.

Was it the DCT700?
http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/DCT700.html

Originally posted by mgpt6
Jim, don't think they will be turning off analog until 2007. Another tid bit from the tech is a new box which will be a "bare bones" Digital box. Extended Basic may go in 2 years or so/

They took over FIVE YEARS to make HBO digital only.
(Lawrence got digital in March 2000, I was offered installation on the FIRST day of availability but had an appointment that day,so i got it on the second day.

avic , any news on UniversalHD front. Things have been quiet lately.

Originally posted by noreaster0
Was it the DCT700?
http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/DCT700.html

Yes, that is it.

Which means I won't get it in my bedroom anymore.

Do you guys realize how many people are pumping analog cable directly into their TVs without a box ? I know quite a few, I have one digital box and a computer with a tv card (no box), and a bedroom set (no box).
If Comcast was to require a box for these sets and CHARGE for them I think all hell would break loose at this point in time. I'm sure Comcast is aware of this and that is why they are slowly prodding everyone to digital.
If that DCT-700 is available cheap enough, I would probably get one for the bedroom.

-Ken

Comcast charges extra for additional boxes - something called digital access point which is ridiculous. They should encourage customers to get more boxes.

I googled the DCT700 and found one cableco charging 39.99 for the first one and 69.99 for additional dct700s. I would pay a one time 39.99 but no more.

-Ken

Originally posted by deathstroke
Right now, Phanotom Gourmet is on...and the buzzing is still there but not as bad as last night.

The popping on the center channel was there during Enterprise at my house in Natick and my girlfriend's apartment in Brookline.
Avic, is there a problem on the Comcast end that you know of?

Originally posted by chitchatjf
Earlier this morning I noticed HBO AND Cinemax running scope films from 2003 in their proper aspect ratio Well, HBO butchered "The Chronicles of Riddick" this weekend. But that was from 2004, so you may be right. :)

larry

The popping on the center channel was there during Enterprise at my house in Natick and my girlfriend's apartment in Brookline.
Wow, when I watched my PVRed Enterprise on Sunday, it wasn't even in 5.1.

Got my cable bill today. HBO Analog Ch.72 will be gone 5/12/05. HBO subscribers without a digital box will need to get one. Nice compromise would be to get channels 53-69 to digital and keep the first 450 Mhz for analog and give us another 100 Mhz for HD , Digital, and Internet.

Originally posted by kenvt
Do you guys realize how many people are pumping analog cable directly into their TVs without a box ? I know quite a few, I have one digital box and a computer with a tv card (no box), and a bedroom set (no box).
If Comcast was to require a box for these sets and CHARGE for them I think all hell would break loose at this point in time. I'm sure Comcast is aware of this and that is why they are slowly prodding everyone to digital.
If that DCT-700 is available cheap enough, I would probably get one for the bedroom.

-Ken

People will live.

I remember a time here in Lawrence where you didn't need a box to get HBO.

People just tuned to Ch 14A and there it was. :)

First 6B,then 14A,then 28 (needed a box then,for a few years,a box was needed for any channel ABOVE broadcast basic) then 60,now 301,with a stemp analog home of ch 72.

For us,HBO is ch 870 anyway! :)

Originally posted by caernavon
Wow, when I watched my PVRed Enterprise on Sunday, it wasn't even in 5.1.

None of the programs on UPN are 5.1 at this point.

When can we expect it? I hope before July....

I recorded Veronica Mars last night with my Moto 6412. When I watched it, the audio was messed up. It sounded very clipped and choppy. I could tell was what being said but it was very annoying. Is it my unit or was it the broadcast?

My box is locking up even after the patch....

Hi all,

I am new to this and do not understand something. Could someone explain what "ADS" is and how it will affect my service? Or is there a link to some place where I can read and understand it?

Thanks!!!

Originally posted by elbig
I recorded Veronica Mars last night with my Moto 6412. When I watched it, the audio was messed up. It sounded very clipped and choppy. I could tell was what being said but it was very annoying. Is it my unit or was it the broadcast?
I reported the same thing last week in this thread. UPN 38 HD is having audio problems in this area at least on Comcast. No one has figured out where the problem is, either with UPN or Comast. Anyone have an ATSC tuner and can get UPN 38 HD and hear audio problems?

Originally posted by jimrak
Hi all,

I am new to this and do not understand something. Could someone explain what "ADS" is and how it will affect my service? Or is there a link to some place where I can read and understand it?

Thanks!!!

You could go back and search through the last 40 pages or so to find the definition. Here's how I understand it, anyone feel free to correct me.

Analog Digital Simulcast. Basically they'll eventually be simulcasting all analog channels as digital -- the project is underway. So if you have a digital box from Comcast, digital tuner or digital TV you'll see the digital broadcast instead. Which should give you a better picture than analog. This also paves the way to Comcast gaining bandwidth whenever they can stop broadcasting analog signals and move to all digital. First all subs would have to have a digital cable box. One step at a time.

It will suck for Tivo owners when they get rid of analog broadcasts. I suppose they could just have the Tivo control the box.

For those towns that have already started the ADS move:

How many analog channels have been moved to digital in your town? Here in Medford, we *just* started the ADS move and, so far, only CN8, PAX, and WGBX (channels 8-10) have been moved.

I'm curious if other towns are at the same level or if you have 10-20 channels already moved.

Thanks.

Tennberg: Any improvement in PQ?

Chelmsford has but a handful of ADS channels. On my LCD tv there is almost no difference, I guess the de-interlacer built into my set is pretty good. For me ADS is a yawner.

-Ken

Originally posted by tennberg
For those towns that have already started the ADS move:

How many analog channels have been moved to digital in your town? Here in Medford, we *just* started the ADS move and, so far, only CN8, PAX, and WGBX (channels 8-10) have been moved.

I'm curious if other towns are at the same level or if you have 10-20 channels already moved.

Thanks.

No channels have "Moved" to digital. All channels remain available on analog.

In Lawrence, CN8,WB,UPN,PAX,WGBX,WUNI,WNDS,WMFP,Telefutura,Daystar,Disney ,Cspan1,and CSpan2 have made the digital jump. (that is 13 channels)

Originally posted by elbig
Tennberg: Any improvement in PQ?

elbig:

For reference, I have a Sony HDTV CRT set that is connected to my 6412 via high quality component video connections.

I noticed really good improvements in WGBX and CN8. The wavy, snowy patterns are definitely gone and the picture is sharper. The color also seems more "stable". On my set, anything in analog looks like pure crap, so I rarely watch 2-99 (unless it's BG on Sci-Fi or the occassional remodel show on TLC or HGTV).

PAX still is the same. I swear, they must not have the money to broadcast a decent signal.

Once we get Universal HD and if HGTV or TLC go HD, then I'd have no need to venture below 100.

Originally posted by Mdxnh
When can we expect it? (POSTER IS REFERRING TO UHD) I hope before July....

From previous comments avic has made, it seems that it was a big effort to find enough bandwidth just to add TNT.

So the real question becomes; if analog's not going away anytime soon, where will the bandwidth for new channel adds come from in the next couple of years? Or are we just stuck with the number of channels we have for awhile? (I do like avic's idea to replace TNT with UHD after the playoffs.)

IMHO, the bandwidth situation is becoming a serious drag on the whole transition. Why bother launching a new HD channel if it will take years to sign up a significant number of distributors?

BC

Sorry about not trying to look through this 343 page thread, but I had a quick question. I'm using analog comcast in canton, and I just got a panny px50u. The digital locals that come in are all off of 82. Like nbc is 82.4 or something, and wb is 82.7 and so on. Are all of these stations hd stations or just standard def. digital stations, because I'm watching conan right now, and it seems like it's just stretched widescreen sd, and it has bars that resemble 1.85:1 movies. I just got this tv today, so I'm not really experienced with hd yet. It has an atsc tuner, so i'm gonna go buy an antenna and try ota hd tomorrow and see how that goes. This is a little more confusing than I thought it was gonna be. Thanks for your help.

Originally posted by Addicted2HD4Now
You could go back and search through the last 40 pages or so to find the definition. Here's how I understand it, anyone feel free to correct me.

Analog Digital Simulcast. Basically they'll eventually be simulcasting all analog channels as digital -- the project is underway. So if you have a digital box from Comcast, digital tuner or digital TV you'll see the digital broadcast instead. Which should give you a better picture than analog. This also paves the way to Comcast gaining bandwidth whenever they can stop broadcasting analog signals and move to all digital. First all subs would have to have a digital cable box. One step at a time.

Thanks for the info Addicted!!! I am confused about which stations though. I am in Boston and see the HD channels from 802 up. But some other stations (lower numbered channels) seem like they may be HD too. is Comcast placing all HD stations above channel 800, or are they mixing them as they go along?

Also, does anyone know what the cheapest plan is to get HD on Comcast Cable? I see on their plan page that one can get HD with Basic digital. BUT the Comcast web page also says you need the HD Box. So if you rent that, why not get the HDTV Plan? Or is HDTV plan required in addition to basic, classic, or plus digital plans? I'm just trying to figure out what is the best plan for me at the best price.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide me!

Originally posted by jimrak
Thanks for the info Addicted!!! I am confused about which stations though. I am in Boston and see the HD channels from 802 up. But some other stations (lower numbered channels) seem like they may be HD too. is Comcast placing all HD stations above channel 800, or are they mixing them as they go along?

Also, does anyone know what the cheapest plan is to get HD on Comcast Cable? I see on their plan page that one can get HD with Basic digital. BUT the Comcast web page also says you need the HD Box. So if you rent that, why not get the HDTV Plan? Or is HDTV plan required in addition to basic, classic, or plus digital plans? I'm just trying to figure out what is the best plan for me at the best price.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide me!

All HD channels are currently inthe 800s.
HD feeds of local broadcast channels (including the PBS HD channel) are considered part of Basic broadcast service. ($8.15 in Boston)
A box is required if you do not have a QAM tuner (This is NOT the same as ATSC)

We get 4,5,7,25,38,and 56.

Digital Classic entitles you to TNT-HD,ESPN-Hd,Discovery HD theatre,INHD1,INHD2,and NESN-HD. STANDARD CABLE IS NOT REQUIRED.

Premium channels in HD are considered part of the subscription to the underlying premium channel.

Originally posted by BobColby
From previous comments avic has made, it seems that it was a big effort to find enough bandwidth just to add TNT.

So the real question becomes; if analog's not going away anytime soon, where will the bandwidth for new channel adds come from in the next couple of years? Or are we just stuck with the number of channels we have for awhile? (I do like avic's idea to replace TNT with UHD after the playoffs.)

IMHO, the bandwidth situation is becoming a serious drag on the whole transition. Why bother launching a new HD channel if it will take years to sign up a significant number of distributors?

BC

HBO is freeing up a slot by going digital only.
IMHO QVC and HSN should be digital only as well. (save 2 more slots) :)

Originally posted by BobColby

So the real question becomes; if analog's not going away anytime soon, where will the bandwidth for new channel adds come from in the next couple of years? Or are we just stuck with the number of channels we have for awhile? (I do like avic's idea to replace TNT with UHD after the playoffs.)


Is dropping TNT after the playoffs really an option or just pie in the sky wishing ? Isn't NASCAR on TNT also ? I don't watch NBA or NASCAR and have yet to see anything else in HD on TNT so I would be in favor of dropping it.

Originally posted by chitchatjf
IMHO QVC and HSN should be digital only as well. (save 2 more slots) :)

I doubt it will happen soon. Those shopping channels are geared toward stay-home moms who most likely will be watching them on a small TV in the kitchen. i.e. no STB.

But then again, there are HD noon time soap operas now. Who knows. :)

TNT-HD is a joke. Upconverted content all the time.

Well, to be specific, freeing 1 analog channel opens up 2 HD slots.

Or, given the bitrate I've been getting off WFXT-"HD", four Foxes.

Originally posted by toots
Well, to be specific, freeing 1 analog channel opens up 2 HD slots.

Or, given the bitrate I've been getting off WFXT-"HD", four Foxes.

So you've actually monitored the FOX-HD bitrate? HA! EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE that Fox-HD is crap!

My question is...HOW. Is there a Building 19 for HD gear out there? Did Fox purchase factory refurbished gear from CBS or someone? Or are there vendors out there who supply cheaper gear to satisfy both viewer demands for HD content and Rupert Murdoch's desire to maximize his profits?

Oh, pretty trivially really.

I have an EyeTV-500 on my Mac Mini. I've been using it to record 24, and noticed that the file sizes on that show are about half that of any other HD program I record.

So, I got some transport stream analysis tools, and sure enough, it looks like the mean bitrate in those recorded streams is half what I get from, for instance, ABC.

Originally posted by wassim17
Sorry about not trying to look through this 343 page thread, but I had a quick question. I'm using analog comcast in canton, and I just got a panny px50u. The digital locals that come in are all off of 82. Like nbc is 82.4 or something, and wb is 82.7 and so on. Are all of these stations hd stations or just standard def. digital stations, because I'm watching conan right now, and it seems like it's just stretched widescreen sd, and it has bars that resemble 1.85:1 movies. I just got this tv today, so I'm not really experienced with hd yet. It has an atsc tuner, so i'm gonna go buy an antenna and try ota hd tomorrow and see how that goes. This is a little more confusing than I thought it was gonna be. Thanks for your help.

That's stretched SD so you're watching the digital NBC, not the HD. That's why you're seeing the bars on the top and bottom. It's widescreen on SD now that Conan is being broadcast in HD.

If you have a QAM tuner you can get the local HD channels from Comcast which are not encrypted.

Originally posted by YesJim
So you've actually monitored the FOX-HD bitrate? HA! EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE that Fox-HD is crap!



See this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=532636)

Originally posted by dozens
See this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=532636)

I'm skeptical but hopeful that the Fox PQ will improve after reading the above thread. Thanks Dozens!

If the info provided there is accurate, Fox will actually get the last laugh after all.

Anyone else having some breakup issues? I'm even seeing some on my analog TV in the bedroom (no box, straight into the TV). It almost looks like Macroblocking or what you'd get with a weak HD signal, but of course, it's not. Um, trying to think of the channels - not the networks... maybe like TBS/TNT/CNN type channels.

I didn't have this problem before maybe a couple weeks ago.

Thanks,
Chris

Probably a really stupid question, but here goes:

I currently have DirecTV as my main source or programming. However, because I have Comcast for my internet provider, I pretty much get Comcast Basic Cable for free, and so it is plugged into my HDTV as well.

I REALLY want to watch the Sox in HD, but of course DirecTV doesn't have NESN in HD. Is there any way I can just subscribe to NESN HD through Comcast, without having to subscribe to a more expensive baseline cable package? I woudn't mind paying a few extra bucks for NESN, but I don't want to pay the ~$40 whatever it is for more cable than I need.

Sorry in advance is this was indeed a stupid question,
Kevin

just to beat some more on the fox is crap thing. I have recorded on my DVR the pats afc championship against pitt (CBS) and the superbowl. My pj was boxed for the last six months so I watched these live on a 30in direct HDTV and thought fox looked fine. Howver, I viewed them on my 103" screen and fox is absolute ****. The field grass dances with compression junk while CBS shows clear blades of grass. Fox you suck.
FREAK!

Originally posted by kevind2112
I REALLY want to watch the Sox in HD, but of course DirecTV doesn't have NESN in HD. Is there any way I can just subscribe to NESN HD through Comcast, without having to subscribe to a more expensive baseline cable package? I woudn't mind paying a few extra bucks for NESN, but I don't want to pay the ~$40 whatever it is for more cable than I need.

You can just subscribe to Digital Classic on top of the Basic. It's only about $5 in addition to what you are paying for the Basic. But if your TV is not CableCARD ready then you will have to pay additional rental for either a HD STB or DVR.

Originally posted by stephenju
You can just subscribe to Digital Classic on top of the Basic. It's only about $5 in addition to what you are paying for the Basic. But if your TV is not CableCARD ready then you will have to pay additional rental for either a HD STB or DVR.

Thanks for the quick response, but I am confused. According to the Comcast website, basic cable is $7.20, but Digital Classic is $54.90. How do I pull off the $5 addition?

Thanks again,
Kevin

Edited to say: Ahh, I think I may have confused you. I have _Basic_Cable_ ($7.20), not _Standard_ Cable_ ($43.90). If so I apologize.

No you didn't confuse me. Comcast confuses you.

You can have Digital Classic without extended/standard Basic. That's what I have now. I am paying around $15 for Basic + Classic and get all the non-premier HD channels. I also get Red Sox games in HD even though I don't have NESN SD. You just need to call them to get it. The web site doesn't allow tier buy-through.

Originally posted by stephenju
No you didn't confuse me. Comcast confuses you.

You can have Digital Classic without extended/standard Basic. That's what I have now. I am paying around $15 for Basic + Classic and get all the non-premier HD channels. I also get Red Sox games in HD even though I don't have NESN SD. You just need to call them to get it. The web site doesn't allow tier buy-through.

That's great Stephen. Thanks so much for the info!! I'm going to call them now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Kevin

I just called Comcast, and they said that upgrading to Digital Classic is indeed only $5.95 more a month. However, I will need a box as my TV is HD Ready, and does not have a built in tuner. She said the box for Digital Classic is $5.05/month and the HD box is $8.25/month.

Questions. How do I get the HD box without applying for HD services? Do you currently have a box, or does your TV have a built in tuner? And, how are you getting NESN HD without being a NESN SD subscriber?

I want to make sure I'm purchasing the correct services and equipment.

Thanks again,
Kevin

Originally posted by kevind2112
I just called Comcast, and they said that upgrading to Digital Classic is indeed only $5.95 more a month. However, I will need a box as my TV is HD Ready, and does not have a built in tuner. She said the box for Digital Classic is $5.05/month and the HD box is $8.25/month.

I don't have a box so I don't know what the prices for the 2 boxes mean. Does it mean you pay $8.25 for HD box only or that on top of $5.05 digital box? Sorry I don't have an answer.

But do ask to pick up and install the box yourself. That saves the installation fee.

Originally posted by kevind2112
Questions. How do I get the HD box without applying for HD services? Do you currently have a box, or does your TV have a built in tuner? And, how are you getting NESN HD without being a NESN SD subscriber?


My TV has QAM tuner in it and I have Comcast installed CableCARD (for a fee) so I don't have to rent the box.

HD Red Sox games are on INHD2 which is included in Digital Classic package. So are HD Celtics games.

Originally posted by stephenju
I don't have a box so I don't know what the prices for the 2 boxes mean. Does it mean you pay $8.25 for HD box only or that on top of $5.05 digital box? Sorry I don't have an answer.

But do ask to pick up and install the box yourself. That saves the installation fee.



My TV has QAM tuner in it and I have Comcast installed CableCARD (for a fee) so I don't have to rent the box.

HD Red Sox games are on INHD2 which is included in Digital Classic package. So are HD Celtics games.

It was $5.05 for the digital box, OR $8.25 for the HD digital box, so I'm assuming I only need the HD digital box. So as long as INHD2 is actually included with Digital Classic, and I don't need to subscribe to their HD package, I now only need a reason for them to give me the HD box instead of the regular converter box. Hmm.....

Kevin,

There is no HD package to subscribe to, if you have the HD box and digital classic you get the HD channels. Put it this way - people without HD sets that want the DVR box get downcoverts of the HD Channels as well, its a function of the box and requires no seperate package.

-Ken

Originally posted by kenvt
Kevin,

There is no HD package to subscribe to, if you have the HD box and digital classic you get the HD channels. Put it this way - people without HD sets that want the DVR box get downcoverts of the HD Channels as well, its a function of the box and requires no seperate package.

-Ken

Ahh, that makes more sense. I was reading their website wrong. I thought there was an HD package, but it's just for the box rental. I'm going to go pick up the box tomorrow at the local Comcast strore and get it up and running. I'll check back and let you know how I made out.

Thanks!!

Is it me or has WSBK switched over to ADS? I'm watching the Sox (no HD tonight) and noticed the PQ was different. I have a Moto 5100 box and didn't see the Dolby Digital icon - nor did I see the Normal {audio icon} in it's place. I checked the service menu on the box, and channel 14 now appears at 256QAM and appears digital. So it looks like the answer is yes...

The PQ IS better on my Toshy CRT, but it seems like the TheaterWide 1 stretch mode (the one that keeps the middle of the screen normal and stretches the edges) doesn't work quite as well. No clue to why that would be the case.

I'd say the PQ is close to what I see on 838 with the gray sidebars...

Anyone else?

I picked up my Comcast box this morning, added Digital Classic ($5.25) and HD box rental ($8.05) and now I get all the HD channels, including NESN. I can cancel my DirecTV HD package ($11) and it's only costing me a net ~$2. Thanks for all the help guys!! This is awesome.

Hopefully someday soon with the new bird, DirecTV will get the locals and NESN to me, but for the time being, this works great. My wife is not too happy with all the boxes and remotes though :D

Thanks again!
Kevin

Kevin,

Glad to know it works out for you. I was on the same boat as you. Very happy DirecTV customer for several years. But when I jumped into the HDTV scene, I find D's HD offer just can't compete with cable or even free OTA. I had Comcast Basic just to get the bundle discount. So I canceled D and plug the cable to the TV and got all local HD channels. Just in time to see Patriots' SB victory in full (well, Fox-ish) HD glory. :)

Now with $5 more, I have all the HD channels I want and it actually cost me zero after the bundle discount. You can say I am a happy camper.

Originally posted by YesJim
Is it me or has WSBK switched over to ADS?

Anyone else?

A lot of channels have been switched to ADS including WSBK , WB , CSPAN (1 and 2), all the shopping channels , Disney , cn8 and more.

One way of telling of channel has undergone ADS, if your Digital box is connected to the RF input (Ch.3) of the TV, an analog station will still trip the stereo indicator, a converted ADS channels will only be in mono. Right now WGBX,WB56, ,HSN, QVC, CSPAN ,CN8 are ADS. To get stereo audio, the box must be connected to the TV via the RCA audio inputs. Also, what happens to the SAP signal if Broadcast or Cable is sending SAP audio as well as Main audio?

Originally posted by jdoe7890
A lot of channels have been switched to ADS including WSBK , WB , CSPAN (1 and 2), all the shopping channels , Disney , cn8 and more.

I wouldn't say "a lot".

13 out of 70 isn't "a lot"

I'll soon be moving to the western suburbs of Boston to a town served
by Comcast.I have a Sony 34XBR960,which has a built-in HD tuner.
What HD channels,if any,am I likely to be able to get without an HD box
with my set? How will the switch to ADS effect what I might get,if at all?

Thanks

Originally posted by kenvt
For me ADS is a yawner.

I agree, I rarely watch anything but the HD tier. This weekend's Red Sox games in Seattle is one of the only times I have watched the formerly analog, now ADS channels for any length of time. I don't see any improvement at all. in terms is picture quality improvement, ADS is much ado about nothing.

As a first step in eliminating analog all together and freeing up bandwidth it is a great thing though/

Originally posted by kenvt
I googled the DCT700 and found one cableco charging 39.99 for the first one and 69.99 for additional dct700s. I would pay a one time 39.99 but no more.

-Ken

Those are Canadian companies and are charging Candian dollar rates.
I am assuming the wholesale rate Motorola would charge comcast would be lower.
They could charge $1.00 or so to rent those.

I would have NO PPV or On Demand on the 700s but the digital package you have on the primary sets would be also on these seconadary boxes.

I have a problem I have a regular HDTV box and I unpluged it to move the HT to the other side of the room now the box does not turn on. I plugged it in for over 8 hrs and the led display keep flashing the 8's with dot in between.
Is the box dead?:(

roachxp, it is a known bug called crazy 8s. Swap it out.

Thanks.

Do you know what causes this? or is it just random.

I notice very little improvement of PQ on ADS channels Still wondering how one will get SAP signal from a digital box (HD or SD) after a channel has been converted to ADS? Also, any word if Comcast will carry WLWC-DT in Bristol County after it goes on the air , since we don't have WSBK-DT here. I would think that Comcast has a list of people that still have old SA analog boxes that they rent and would market it to them to replace with Moto Digital boxes. As far as Direct to connect analog viwers, more channels will have to migrate to digital only like HBO did this week to open up more bandwidth for HDTV.

I know that one gets stereo from RCA audio out jacks on thew Moto box and Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 out of the digital optical out jack, but can only get SAP out of the RF (Ch.3) output jack.

Originally posted by mgpt6
I would think that Comcast has a list of people that still have old SA analog boxes that they rent and would market it to them to replace with Moto Digital boxes.

If you have an SA box then your headend is SA based and the Motorola boxes will not work. Comcast would have to swap out most (all?) their headend gear in order to provide Motorola STBs.

Originally posted by mgpt6
One way of telling of channel has undergone ADS, if your Digital box is connected to the RF input (Ch.3) of the TV, an analog station will still trip the stereo indicator, a converted ADS channels will only be in mono. Right now WGBX,WB56, ,HSN, QVC, CSPAN ,CN8 are ADS. To get stereo audio, the box must be connected to the TV via the RCA audio inputs. Also, what happens to the SAP signal if Broadcast or Cable is sending SAP audio as well as Main audio?

If you have a 6412, you do not have an RF Jack. The iGuide shows the Dolby logo if you press Info on a show if its in ADS. On my 32" Wega (tube) I do see a noticible difference in the ADS channels.

Originally posted by dozens
If you have an SA box then your headend is SA based and the Motorola boxes will not work. Comcast would have to swap out most (all?) their headend gear in order to provide Motorola STBs.

Actually, analog is a different beast. You can run SA and GI analog in the same headend. You can then overlay SA Digital or Motorola Digital since it is a different scheme on how the video and encryption is handled.

Does anyone know what is being done to the SAP audio signal after a channel has been converted to digital after ADS?
Also, I have seen a few old SA analog boxes still kicking around. The people that have should get rid of them as they no longer get PPV or Pay Channels any more with the old boxes. I use the RFoutput from Moto 5100 when I don't wont to fire up my audio surround system which has the component output for video and stereo and Dolby Digital connected to it., My Sony HD set has internal stereo speakers, and can switch between Main and SAP audio via the Sony MTS decoder in the TV set.

Originally posted by dozens
If you have an SA box then your headend is SA based and the Motorola boxes will not work. Comcast would have to swap out most (all?) their headend gear in order to provide Motorola STBs.

I think they may be reffering to the SA ANALOG boxes. They served as tuners and analog descrablers. In the mid 90s they were pretty cool.

Since there is nothing for them to descrabmble anymore ,and virtually every good set out there is ayt least cable compatable,they are pratically useless as little more then an analog tuner.

mgpt6, for SAP on the ADS channels, go into the audio menu and change the language to SPANISH. SAP is there even though it may be in english or whatever. IGUIDE wasn't bright enough to provide a Secondary Audio function.

Those S-A analog set tops still work for Granny Smiths 1950 Silvertone. They also have a nice guide feature.

Originally posted by Mallego
Those S-A analog set tops still work for Granny Smiths 1950 Silvertone. They also have a nice guide feature.

I didn't think they still supported that guide.
The 2000 and even the non DVR HD boxes have RF output as well.

There are starting to be reports of new firmware (9.17) rolling out in other areas. Has anyone here gotten it yet or know what improvements might be in it?

Just checked my box last night for new firmware. Still at 9.15 in Nashua, NH

I hope 9.17 firmware fixes the freezing of the 6200, I am still having freezing problems in the On-Demand menu.

Me too....this is really getting tired. Any word when they will start offering the tivo software?

Comcast said not to expect TiVo software until middle of next year sometime, at the earliest.

Hey everyone, I need some pricing help. I find that Comcast's website is extremely unaccurate. I am moving in with my g/f who is a current Comcast subsriber in Marlborough, MA. She currently pays about $75 for Digital Plus and Internet. I, of course would like to upgrade to HD so that I didn't spend over $2K for nothing. How much would it be to add the HD package, the sports pack, a DVR, and 1, 2, or all premium channels?

She called, but the customer service guy wasn't very helpful. He basically said she could just keep her current prices and all the others would cost additional amounts. But he didn't get into the indvidual prices.

Thanks for any isight you can give.

Hey everyone, I need some pricing help. I find that Comcast's website is extremely unaccurate. I am moving in with my g/f who is a current Comcast subsriber in Marlborough, MA. She currently pays about $75 for Digital Plus and Internet. I, of course would like to upgrade to HD so that I didn't spend over $2K for nothing. How much would it be to add the HD package, the sports pack, a DVR, and 1, 2, or all premium channels?

She called, but the customer service guy wasn't very helpful. He basically said she could just keep her current prices and all the others would cost additional amounts. But he didn't get into the indvidual prices.

Thanks for any insight you can give.

Originally posted by Paul Simoneau
Just checked my box last night for new firmware. Still at 9.15 in Nashua, NH

Lawrence still has 9.15 as well.

Originally posted by JAMDLP
Hey everyone, I need some pricing help. I find that Comcast's website is extremely unaccurate. I am moving in with my g/f who is a current Comcast subsriber in Marlborough, MA. She currently pays about $75 for Digital Plus and Internet. I, of course would like to upgrade to HD so that I didn't spend over $2K for nothing. How much would it be to add the HD package, the sports pack, a DVR, and 1, 2, or all premium channels?

She called, but the customer service guy wasn't very helpful. He basically said she could just keep her current prices and all the others would cost additional amounts. But he didn't get into the indvidual prices.

Thanks for any insight you can give.

The website is sort of accurate. your gf may have a special deal and to change mayu mean giving up on that deal.

Thereis NO HD package. you get HD with the HD box,a DVR or a QAM tuner (HD locals only)
she prooboly gets the basic + digital plus (no extended) you CAN upgrade to Digital platinum AND DVR AND sports pak. and not have to get extended.

Originally posted by JAMDLP
Hey everyone, I need some pricing help. I find that Comcast's website is extremely unaccurate. I am moving in with my g/f who is a current Comcast subsriber in Marlborough, MA. She currently pays about $75 for Digital Plus and Internet. I, of course would like to upgrade to HD so that I didn't spend over $2K for nothing. How much would it be to add the HD package, the sports pack, a DVR, and 1, 2, or all premium channels?

She called, but the customer service guy wasn't very helpful. He basically said she could just keep her current prices and all the others would cost additional amounts. But he didn't get into the indvidual prices.

Thanks for any insight you can give.

Assuming you already have a digital box, the DVR would add $10/mo, the sports pack is what, $4.95? Premium channels are accurate per the web site, I think. You'll be able to get the HD versions of the channels with the 6412 DVR box.

Originally posted by dozens
Just in case the folks at Comcast are listening Is there anyway to change the guide data so Deadwood isn't listed as a first-run all week ? I have a repeat recording for first-runs only on HBO HD and it gets recorded everytime it is on during the week.


Originally posted by L Supreme
This should be fixed with the next guide version. eta May or later.

Will this be fixed just in time for the end of the season :) This bug is starting to get annoying because I am running close to full disk capacity and keep having to cancel the re-recordings of "first-run" episodes.

Tonight's Sox-Braves game on 838: Lots of popping/clicking and no HD. *painful*

The opening shots with Don Orsillo and Remy were in HD and then nothing else. What a disappointment after the long road trip and no HD.

Was tonights Red Sox game advertised to be in HD ?

It switched over in the 2nd inning here...Looks like someone was asleep at the switch.

I didn't watch the game past the first inning. Did the popping sound disappear after it switched to HD?

I must say that I am a bit disappointed with UPN's foray in HD Sox games. Hopefully, it will clear up as the season goes on, or at least for the 2006 season.

I have an idea.

Why don't they just put ESPNU on channel 249 (make it part of digital classic or plus) so we can have ESPN2HD on channel 850.

Or just get rid of TNT-HD since I have yet to see *any* HD programming on there beyond the NBA playoffs, and replace it with Universal-HD. I don't understand who can think that stretched 4:3 programming somehow "looks good".

On a similar note, I think it's great to add an HD channel and say, "Look, you can now watch your favorite [insert name of broadcaster here] shows in HD. However, when you can count the number of shows in HD on that channel on one hand, you've got to wonder.

avic: When will we start getting HD channels like Universal-HD or ESPN2-HD, which will show much more content in HD?

Originally posted by tennberg
avic: When will we start getting HD channels like Universal-HD or ESPN2-HD, which will show much more content in HD?

If ESPN-HD is any indication, I don't think we'll be able to classify ESPN2-HD as having "much more" HD content. ;)

Originally posted by tennberg
I didn't watch the game past the first inning. Did the popping sound disappear after it switched to HD?

I must say that I am a bit disappointed with UPN's foray in HD Sox games. Hopefully, it will clear up as the season goes on, or at least for the 2006 season.

It is ch 38 that is doing Friday night games,NOT UPN.

chitchat: UPN/UPN-38/38 - Same thing. It's just like me saying ABC's Chronicle, even though you might say "Channel 5's Chronicle".

JDLIVE: On a per-broadcast basis, I can definitely say that ESPN-HD shows more HD programming than UPN-HD, TNT-HD, WB-HD do on a weekly basis.

UPN/UPN-38/38 - Same thing. It's just like me saying ABC's Chronicle, even though you might say "Channel 5's Chronicle".
Not the same thing at all. You're implying that Chronicle and the Friday Sox games are produced at the network level. ABC and UPN have nothing to do with those telecasts; they're both entirely locally produced, by WCVB and WSBK. Their only connection to the networks is the channels they're on.

JDLIVE: On a per-broadcast basis, I can definitely say that ESPN-HD shows more HD programming than UPN-HD, TNT-HD, WB-HD do on a weekly basis.

So they are the tallest midget of those 3? :D

If ESPN-HD is any indication, I don't think we'll be able to classify ESPN2-HD as having "much more" HD content. ;)

I agree.

chitchat: UPN/UPN-38/38 - Same thing. It's just like me saying ABC's Chronicle, even though you might say "Channel 5's Chronicle".

JDLIVE: On a per-broadcast basis, I can definitely say that ESPN-HD shows more HD programming than UPN-HD, TNT-HD, WB-HD do on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, that is so. However, does ESPN even have an 2HD? I'm looking on http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/index and see HD here n there for regular ESPN, but none on ESPN2. I'd rather see shows in HD. Its been said that TNT-HD doesnt even have HD 'cept for Basketball. I'd rather not see the bandwidth wasted for ESPN2-HD. If there is such a thing.. I think at this point, Universal-HD sounds good to me. :)

Unfortunately, that is so. However, does ESPN even have an 2HD? I'm looking on http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/index and see HD here n there for regular ESPN, but none on ESPN2. I'd rather see shows in HD. Its been said that TNT-HD doesnt even have HD 'cept for Basketball. I'd rather not see the bandwidth wasted for ESPN2-HD. If there is such a thing.. I think at this point, Universal-HD sounds good to me. :)

Universal HD charges a monthly fee of 40 cents per subscriber,and comcast is committed to NOT having a seperate extra charge HD tier.

ESPN2HD would offer it to Comcast at no addtional charge,but require that ESPNU also be carried,which if there was bandwidth to do so would not be a bad idea.

Universal HD charges a monthly fee of 40 cents per subscriber,and comcast is committed to NOT having a seperate extra charge HD tier.

ESPN2HD would offer it to Comcast at no addtional charge,but require that ESPNU also be carried,which if there was bandwidth to do so would not be a bad idea.

It seems now that Comcast has added nearly all available national HD channels - PBS-HD (802), CBS-HD (804), ABC-HD (805), NBC-HD (807), FOX-HD (825), TNT-HD (833), UPN-HD (838), Discovery-HD (839), ESPN-HD (849), WB-HD (856), Cinemax-HD (868), HBO-HD (870), Starz-HD (875), Showtime-HD (877), INHD (881), and INHD2/NESN-HD (882) - there are only the following national channels left to add, from what I can gather: ESPN2-HD, TMC-HD, NBATV-HD, Universal-HD, HDNet, and HDNet Movies. (Encore-HD no longer exists.) *Please correct me if I'm missing any national HD channels*

Since Comcast will not pay fees for HD channels, we can cross off Universal-HD, HDNet, and HDNet Movies. That leaves us with ESPN2-HD, TMC-HD, and NBATV-HD. Pretty slim pickings if you ask me.

With the lack of future HD channels to add at no cost, Comcast may be forced by simple market demand to add an additional HD tier to further offer their customers the best in HD programming. Personally, with the demise of VOOM, I'd love to see Comcast add different HD tiers (HD Music, HD Movies, etc.) with the channels that VOOM carried. I'd be very willing to pay a bit more to get more HD programming. I'd also love to see Comcast add hundreds of movies into their HDTV OnDemand section. One can only watch so many IMAX movies before it gets old.

Comcast: My monthly bill is already nearly $150. I'd be willing to add in $0.40 more to get Universal-HD. Heck, I'd even round it up to $1.00 if it helps to offset the cost for a non-HD customer!

Universal is still a possibility. HDNet is most likely a long shot, but I would not cross it out completly.

most VOOM channels are generally HD demo channels.

You will get any HD signals that are not encrypted. I am guessing the broadcasters should come in on your Sony.

You can get all the channels you subscribe to with the addition of a cable card.

Does sci-fi channel broadcast in HD?

Does sci-fi channel broadcast in HD?

elbig: Unfortunately, there is no Sci-Fi HD, so shows like Battlestar Galactica cannot be seen in their HD glory. If you got a chance to see the miniseries on NBC-HD, you'll know why going back to watching it on analog Sc-Fi was difficult. I believe the past season or two of Stargate SG-1 were filmed in HD, since they are broadcast in 4:3 letterbox.

Hopefully, Comcast will find a way to add Universal HD. Since Universal HD (and Sci-Fi) are both products of NBC Universal, this is the place to catch BG in HD.

Universal is still a possibility. HDNet is most likely a long shot, but I would not cross it out completly.

most VOOM channels are generally HD demo channels.

I would pay $5/mo for MonstersHD (formerly of Voom). It is DEFINITELY & DEFINITIVELY not a Demo Channel. I would Pay $10 in a heartbeat for Universal-HD, TMC-HD & MonstersHD.

I would pay $5/mo for MonstersHD (formerly of Voom). It is DEFINITELY & DEFINITIVELY not a Demo Channel. I would Pay $10 in a heartbeat for Universal-HD, TMC-HD & MonstersHD.

Face it many HD channels that empahsise on special HD programming to show off the format are demo channels. Discovery home Theatre,INHD,and INHD2 are Demo channels. It dosen't make them not good.

As for TMC-HD that should be only for those who get the regular TMC on 381 (like i do:) )

835 or 857 for Universal HD.

Hi all,

I'm currently in Orlando, FL and will move to the Boston area in June.

I'm using a JVC DVHS here to archive HDTV programming (Brighthouse SA3250).

So basically I'm only interested in receiving all possible HDTV programming with the ability to archive to DVHS, plus the box should have DVI out :D

What is my best option as far as the box is concerned, what options do I have in the first place and most importantly is it difficult to get those 1394 boxes, or do they have 1394 standard (it sure was a PITA here in Orlando)? Is it 6200 and DVR 6412?

As far as programming is concerned, it seems that I need the "Platinum package" to receive all HDTV channels (premiums). I don't see any possibility to take another package and add single channels. Sure it's more expensive than here in Orlando.

I may be wrong, but I think I need to order (w/DVR):

DVR $15.00

Digital Platinum $100.41

HDTV $8.25

Total ~ $123!!!!!!!!!

Any advice on best box and programming package would be appreciated!

Face it many HD channels that empahsise on special HD programming to show off the format are demo channels. Discovery home Theatre,INHD,and INHD2 are Demo channels. It dosen't make them not good.

As for TMC-HD that should be only for those who get the regular TMC on 381 (like i do:) )

835 or 857 for Universal HD.

chitchat:

Then, in that sense, PBS-HD is also a demo channel to show off HD programming. Sure, some of the stuff is simply widescreen 480, but a lot is in true HD. I don't consider these channels to be "demo" channels, as they constantly rotate their progamming, have series programming, and don't show the same thing on a loop 24 hours a day. If a channel simply showed some IMAX-HD movie on loop, then I would consider that a "demo" channel, just to show people how good HD can be. I think INHD, INHD2, and Discovery are great channels. (I love the INHD Shorts! :-)

Hi all,

I'm currently in Orlando, FL and will move to the Boston area in June.

I'm using a JVC DVHS here to archive HDTV programming (Brighthouse SA3250).

So basically I'm only interested in receiving all possible HDTV programming with the ability to archive to DVHS, plus the box should have DVI out :D

I may be wrong, but I think I need to order (w/DVR):

DVR $15.00

Digital Platinum $100.41

HDTV $8.25

Total ~ $123!!!!!!!!!

Any advice on best box and programming package would be appreciated!
The DVR is the Motorola 6412. YES we do have DVI output (I use component myself) and they may EVEN provide a DVI cable when they do the install.

Your budget includes 53.76 for Standard service. Since you are mainly interested in HD programming only,you may wish to forgo extended basic and whack well over $40 off your total.

(HD locals are considered part of Limited Basic service,which will run around $10 or so give or take a few dollars. In the Boston TV market seven local channels broadcast in HD (Affilates for the networks ABC,CBS,Fox,NBC,PBS,UPN,and the WB.) Comcast carries ALL SEVEN OF THEM!)

The website will not say this,but since they offer Digital platinum a-la-carte,under the Tier buy through law,you do not have to get extended basic in order to get digital programming.

You will miss out on a number of SD channels like CNN,ESPN2,USA,TBS,AnE,Spike TV,Bravo,Comedy Central,and Sci Fi.

You don't get the SD feeds of ESPN and TNT but you DO get the HD feeds as part of digital Classic :)


The $8.25 for HD only applies to a NON DVR box. HD is INCLUDED with the DVR service.

My bill is only around $70. :) and i GET Digital Platinum!

We do not get HDNet,HDNet movies.,UniversalHD or TMC-HD,but we do get generally about everything else,including Most Red Sox games in HD!


CALL COMCAST at 1-800-266-2278.

Thanks chitchatjf!

Ok, so the 6412 DVR seems to be the way to go. How about 1394, that is, do they all come with active 1394, or do I have to specifically order one with active 1394? That was the case with the SA3250 here in FL.

Man, that programming thing is confusing, read your post a few times and still don't get it :rolleyes:

So, I order digital classic for $59,41 and then order the 4 premiums (HBO, ShowT, Starz and Cinemax) a la carte? If that's so, how much are the premiums each?
Anything I have to tell them on the phone, since it's not advertised?

How about INHD1+2, are they also part of the digital classic? How about DiscoveryHD, don't see it on the web page?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is very confusing :confused:

Firewire should be active, and they have 5C enabled though that shouldn't be a problem with your DVHS deck, I guess.

Thanks chitchatjf!

Ok, so the 6412 DVR seems to be the way to go. How about 1394, that is, do they all come with active 1394, or do I have to specifically order one with active 1394? That was the case with the SA3250 here in FL.

Man, that programming thing is confusing, read your post a few times and still don't get it :rolleyes:

So, I order digital classic for $59,41 and then order the 4 premiums (HBO, ShowT, Starz and Cinemax) a la carte? If that's so, how much are the premiums each?
Anything I have to tell them on the phone, since it's not advertised?

How about INHD1+2, are they also part of the digital classic? How about DiscoveryHD, don't see it on the web page?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is very confusing :confused:No.

If you want all 4 premium movie channels just take Basic Cable and then go for the Digital Platinum package. Whether you want Extended Basic (analog) or DVR (which I find is well worth the $8 more) is up to you.

Thanks guys!

Now I'm totally confused, basic package ok, but "go for the digital platinum package" ?, I guess you mean 4 premiums a-la-carte, like chitchatjf mentioned?, because the digital platinum package is $100,41 and includes basic, not?

Taking the premiums "a la carte" cost the same as taking it with the whole digital package. You might as well get the whole deal as long as you're paying for it.

Basic Cable is mandatory- your local basic cable channels in analog. Digital Basic is something else, and comes along with the Digital Platinum package. Extended Basic (analog) is stuff like CNN, MTV, etc.

Yes, it's confusing as hell. If all you're really interested in is getting all 4 HD premium movie channels and everything else HD, then go for the Basic Cable+Digital Platinum.

You do not need extended basic.

So I need to get Basic Cable in addition to the platinum package? Strange thing is that I'm not able to select both online, you can either select basic, or platinum, that is, when I select basic first and then platinum, the basic is removed from the selection.

Makes kind of sense, since I thought that platinum includes everything. :confused:

So I need to get Basic Cable in addition to the platinum package? Strange thing is that I'm not able to select both online, you can either select basic, or platinum, that is, when I select basic first and then platinum, the basic is removed from the selection.

Makes kind of sense, since I thought that platinum includes everything. :confused:


go to www.comcast-ne.com thats the New England regional site. you'll get much clearer info there.

Thanks guys!

Now I'm totally confused, basic package ok, but "go for the digital platinum package" ?, I guess you mean 4 premiums a-la-carte, like chitchatjf mentioned?, because the digital platinum package is $100,41 and includes basic, not?

what I meant by a-la-carte is that they do not bundle digital platinum with standard service.

It is a seperate service,therefore you can get it withOUT having to get extended basic.

The total cost will run $61.25 plus whatever they charge for BASIC service in your community.

So I need to get Basic Cable in addition to the platinum package? Strange thing is that I'm not able to select both online, you can either select basic, or platinum, that is, when I select basic first and then platinum, the basic is removed from the selection.

Makes kind of sense, since I thought that platinum includes everything. :confused:

CALL the 800# to order it. Do not order it on the website!

Platinum includes all the movie channels and all the HD channels :)

Both Cox and Adelphia have announced 15/2 HSI access, hopefully Comcast will do the same shortly ;) Then switching to FIOS won't be an issue until they have IPTV.

Taking the premiums "a la carte" cost the same as taking it with the whole digital package. You might as well get the whole deal as long as you're paying for it.

Basic Cable is mandatory- your local basic cable channels in analog. Digital Basic is something else, and comes along with the Digital Platinum package. Extended Basic (analog) is stuff like CNN, MTV, etc.

Yes, it's confusing as hell. If all you're really interested in is getting all 4 HD premium movie channels and everything else HD, then go for the Basic Cable+Digital Platinum.

You do not need extended basic.

THE GBH Digital broadcast channels and the HD locals are also considered part of Basic cable. A QAM tuner or a digital cable box is required.

THE GBH Digital broadcast channels and the HD locals are also considered part of Basic cable. A QAM tuner or a digital cable box is required.

Yet again, FOX HD disappoints in their HD coverage of an MLB game (or any sports game for that matter). I caught the Sox-Yankees game this afternoon and I could've sworn I was watching widescreen 480 (or at times, even less than 480). The color was horrible and everything was severly blurred. I couldn't stand watching it so I tuned into something else.

I know someone mentioned that the FOX bitrate was half that of other channels' bitrate. Is that the only explanation or could it be their recording equipment, etc? Could it just be that it was being broadcast out of the Evil Empire? ;-)

Tennberg -

I watched last Nights game on UPN and while it doesn't look as good as the Fenway NESN HD, it certainly looked better than 480p. I guess Fox was to blame for the bad look today, not the evil empire.

-Ken

Yet again, FOX HD disappoints in their HD coverage of an MLB game (or any sports game for that matter). I caught the Sox-Yankees game this afternoon and I could've sworn I was watching widescreen 480 (or at times, even less than 480). The color was horrible and everything was severly blurred. I couldn't stand watching it so I tuned into something else.

I know someone mentioned that the FOX bitrate was half that of other channels' bitrate. Is that the only explanation or could it be their recording equipment, etc? Could it just be that it was being broadcast out of the Evil Empire? ;-)

FOX will do all regular season games in WS SD only post season and All Star games will be HD.

Thanks all!

Sure will call Chitchatjf.

On their web page (www.comcast-ne.com), as mentioned by LSupreme, they DO NOT allow to select "Basic" ($11,40) with "platinum", they require to select "standard", which is $48,41 :( . The platinum is an additional $46.95.

I'll call them and see whether they allow "basic" with "platinum". :confused:

Yet again, FOX HD disappoints in their HD coverage of an MLB game (or any sports game for that matter). I caught the Sox-Yankees game this afternoon and I could've sworn I was watching widescreen 480 (or at times, even less than 480). The color was horrible and everything was severly blurred. I couldn't stand watching it so I tuned into something else.

I know someone mentioned that the FOX bitrate was half that of other channels' bitrate. Is that the only explanation or could it be their recording equipment, etc? Could it just be that it was being broadcast out of the Evil Empire? ;-)

Bad picture is one problem with FOX, but the worse thing is listening to MCarver and Buck. I swear those two have low definition brains. :rolleyes:

Any new word on either UPN-38 HD or UPN -28 HD,New Bedford /Providence coming to Bristol County on Comcast. Also, any more analog channels getting the ADS treatment soon. Does look like any more since the first batch of channels several weeks ago. Also, any analog channels from expanded basic going to digital soon, to free up bandwidth? thanks....

Thanks all!

Sure will call Chitchatjf.

On their web page (www.comcast-ne.com), as mentioned by LSupreme, they DO NOT allow to select "Basic" ($11,40) with "platinum", they require to select "standard", which is $48,41 :( . The platinum is an additional $46.95.

I'll call them and see whether they allow "basic" with "platinum". :confused:

You'll get it. do tell you have an HD set and they may even toss in a DVI cable. during the install.

Any new word on either UPN-38 HD or UPN -28 HD,New Bedford /Providence coming to Bristol County on Comcast. Also, any more analog channels getting the ADS treatment soon. Does look like any more since the first batch of channels several weeks ago. Also, any analog channels from expanded basic going to digital soon, to free up bandwidth? thanks....

Is there anything even worth watching on UPN 38 in HD other than Red Sox? The Red Sox games would be blacked out in Bristol County if Comcast were to put UPN 38 down there. As far as UPN 28 out of Providence, are they even doing HD yet?

I'm a bit confused about the Comcast digital packages. When I called Comcast, they told me that having Basic + Digital Platinum (i.e., with no extended Basic) means that I will lose TNT-HD, ESPN-HD and NESN-HD. The last one I believe, but the first two seem to contradict what chitchatjf said earlier. Do you need to get an additional add on (digital classic) to get TNT-HD and ESPN-HD?

michy44,

You will lose TNT, ESPN, and NESN SD. HD versions of those channels are included in Digital Classic and above. Well. NESN doesn't really have a HD channel. Comcast put NESN HD shows (Sox games) on INHD2 which is included.

Is there anything even worth watching on UPN 38 in HD other than Red Sox? The Red Sox games would be blacked out in Bristol County if Comcast were to put UPN 38 down there. As far as UPN 28 out of Providence, are they even doing HD yet?

At least the Red Sox play once a week on UPN. Once the NBA playoffs are over (does anyone watch them ?) there is NO point in TNT-HD.

There will be when NASCAR switches to NBC\TNT in July!

At least the Red Sox play once a week on UPN. Once the NBA playoffs are over (does anyone watch them ?) there is NO point in TNT-HD.Occasionally there are some good, unedited movies on (if you don't mind the commercials and the bug).

I just caught The Librarian last week which was pretty cute, and they're showing Arnold's The 6th Day unedited (open matte) this week as well. The Animatrix should roll around again and that was OAR.

Thanks, Steven. The comcast guy also told me I'll lose INHD, so it's nice to know he was wrong!

- Mitch

Hey mitch,

Are you already getting service? I'm getting service around June 15th.
So it seems they will allow Basic+Platinum when you order by phone, although it's not possible when you order online. Would be interesting to know how the Basic and Platinum packages work out for you, that is, HD channel wise.

Is there anything even worth watching on UPN 38 in HD other than Red Sox? The Red Sox games would be blacked out in Bristol County if Comcast were to put UPN 38 down there. As far as UPN 28 out of Providence, are they even doing HD yet?


So, is there an answer to UPN HD coming to Bristol County. Does Comcast charge more to those receiving UPN HD?

At least the Red Sox play once a week on UPN. Once the NBA playoffs are over (does anyone watch them ?) there is NO point in TNT-HD.

Actually, TNT-HD's only saving grace is that they sometimes show Law & Order in HD, especially if the episode was made within the past couple years. Other than that, all other L&O episodes are in SD and are just as easily watched on TNT.

Scuba,

I have DIgital Platinum now, but they won't cancel my extended basic until June 8. So I won't know what I've lost for sure until then. I'll let you know.

Sure hope that I don't lose the NESN feeds - I quite enjoy watching the Celtics and (if I can remember that far back) the Bruins games!

- Mitch

TNT analog was the worst looking channel on my set (Samsung DLP) and TNT-HD is at least passable even if it has black bars for non-HD programs. Not bad if I want to catch some Law&Order without the fuzziness. The NBA alone was worth it for the few games I caught.

Hey guys I'm new here and I'm sorry if this question has been asked before but Comcast technical support has been pretty useless so far and I'm looking for some answers. I live in Watertown, MA and I'm trying to watch the Red Sox in HD. Tonight the game shows up on the menu to be on channel 51 (NESN standard definition), 849 (ESPN HD), and 882 (InHD2). Channel 51 comes in fine. Both 849 and 882 are blacked out... I called comcast to see what was up and they told me this was just the way it is because of licensing issues. They said I'd only be able to see away games in HD. Is this true? Why does NESN advertise for all those games in HD if I can't see them?? Thanks.

Hey mitch,

Are you already getting service? I'm getting service around June 15th.
So it seems they will allow Basic+Platinum when you order by phone, although it's not possible when you order online. Would be interesting to know how the Basic and Platinum packages work out for you, that is, HD channel wise.

ESPN HD and TNT HD are part of digital Classic.
comcast has 16 HD chnannels and you will get all 16 of them. :)

Hey guys I'm new here and I'm sorry if this question has been asked before but Comcast technical support has been pretty useless so far and I'm looking for some answers. I live in Watertown, MA and I'm trying to watch the Red Sox in HD. Tonight the game shows up on the menu to be on channel 51 (NESN standard definition), 849 (ESPN HD), and 882 (InHD2). Channel 51 comes in fine. Both 849 and 882 are blacked out... I called comcast to see what was up and they told me this was just the way it is because of licensing issues. They said I'd only be able to see away games in HD. Is this true? Why does NESN advertise for all those games in HD if I can't see them?? Thanks.

882 should NOT be blacked out.
The clueless person you spoke to may had been as cluseless as the person who said that Comcasts' cutting away from GSN programming at 11:58pm to informercials is a GSN problem.

Up here the game WAS on 882.

Scuba,

I have DIgital Platinum now, but they won't cancel my extended basic until June 8. So I won't know what I've lost for sure until then. I'll let you know.

Sure hope that I don't lose the NESN feeds - I quite enjoy watching the Celtics and (if I can remember that far back) the Bruins games!

- Mitch

You'll lose Ch 51 but NOT ch 882!

Non HD games will not be seen,but HD games (most of them) WILL remain available. :)

Scuba,

I have DIgital Platinum now, but they won't cancel my extended basic until June 8. So I won't know what I've lost for sure until then. I'll let you know.

Sure hope that I don't lose the NESN feeds - I quite enjoy watching the Celtics and (if I can remember that far back) the Bruins games!

- Mitch

Bruins and Sox are on NESN, Celts are on FSN but all are picked up by INHD (882) when broadcast in HD and no black out rules apply. However when they play on the same nights it's hit or miss, you might get one or the other and you won't know which one your getting until that night as we found out this past season.

Agree wholeheartedly Consti. Irregardless that Comcast blames WSBK & vice-versa. Why should Bristol County Comcast customers get ONE less HD channel for the same $'s as the rest of the area. We still get the Sox on UPN-SD............makes no sense why we cannot see it on UPN-HD.

Give us UPN-HD or give us a discount!

Agree wholeheartedly Consti. Irregardless that Comcast blames WSBK & vice-versa. Why should Bristol County Comcast customers get ONE less HD channel for the same $'s as the rest of the area. We still get the Sox on UPN-SD............makes no sense why we cannot see it on UPN-HD.

Give us UPN-HD or give us a discount!


How can you get a discount when your rates didn't change since UPN HD came on the air. Come on now, your sounding ridiculous. If you need UPN so bad why don't you move or buy an OTA HD Tuner?

L Supreme.......................

I should move to get the HD channel everyone else has or buy an OTA tuner..................and I'm ridiculous?

The fact remains that Bristol County Comcast customers have one less HD channel than the rest of the area (althoug hwe pay the same rate). And from the posts I don't think I'm alone in thinking that isn't right.

FMD: How many HD channels does the Hartford market get ? I bet not as many as you, and I doubt it has any effect on the price they are charged. After all, I think my HD box was all of $3 more per month than my non hd digital box.

-Ken

You know, if you don't like the way Comcast is obeying the rules given to them with respect to UPN, you do have other providers to go to. Not that they are any better in terms of blackouts or even the number of channels.

This thread used to have a ton of information, more recently it has become one be whine-fest. "Comcast isn't doing this, comcast needs this..." You know two years ago when I bought my HD set, there where what three broadcast channels (2,5,7) and a few pay channels. Now look at how many we have. Would it be nice to have more, sure, but coming here and complaining left and right that something hasn't been added yet, is honestly getting old. Just my opinion of course.

Yes, its annoying that UPN is blocked out in some parts of the state, but its been covered many times that by the broadcast blackout rules Comcast has no choice in this matter. Why they violate it on the SD channel I have no idea, but my advice would be careful about complaining, you might find yourself with *no* UPN Sox games.

Whats with the gang up on a forum member, he didn't get personal with anyone of you yet everyone was quick to jump in and flame. IMHO he has a legitamate complaint, living less than 1/2 an hour from Boston and can't get the Sox in HD , it's not like he's in another state. Regardless of who's fault it is I would be bummed and so wouldn't you if the shoe was on the other foot.

end of rant

...This thread used to have a ton of information, more recently it has become one be whine-fest. "Comcast isn't doing this, comcast needs this..." You know two years ago when I bought my HD set, there where what three broadcast channels (2,5,7) and a few pay channels. Now look at how many we have. Would it be nice to have more, sure, but coming here and complaining left and right that something hasn't been added yet, is honestly getting old. Just my opinion of course...
I have to agree. Although things could always be better, Comcast has come a long way. They have been making a lot of infrastructure improvements and are always looking to add new things (VOD, HD-DVR, Internet, telephony, etc.).

Mickey

I just signed up for digital cable + DVR in Canton, MA and got the Moto 6412 box. The box is really nice and seems much better than the SA8300 I had before with charter. I have one question though - Guide data downloading seems to be extremely slow. I've had it for two days and I still only have about one full day of guide data. I would hope that one day in advance is not as far as the guide data is provided, otherwise it would make scheduling recordings quite annoying, so I'm guessing that it's just taking a long time. Is it normal for a new box to take that long to update its guide data?

Scuba,

I have DIgital Platinum now, but they won't cancel my extended basic until June 8.Ask for a manager.

Bruins and Sox are on NESN, Celts are on FSN but all are picked up by INHD (882) when broadcast in HD and no black out rules apply. However when they play on the same nights it's hit or miss, you might get one or the other and you won't know which one your getting until that night as we found out this past season.

Bruins (if they EVER play again because of the ongoing strike) and Celtics (which may strike as well) HD coverage is limited to home games.

I just signed up for digital cable + DVR in Canton, MA and got the Moto 6412 box. The box is really nice and seems much better than the SA8300 I had before with charter. I have one question though - Guide data downloading seems to be extremely slow. I've had it for two days and I still only have about one full day of guide data. I would hope that one day in advance is not as far as the guide data is provided, otherwise it would make scheduling recordings quite annoying, so I'm guessing that it's just taking a long time. Is it normal for a new box to take that long to update its guide data?

If you unplug your box and plug it back in it takes 15-30 minutes for the first 4 hours of guide data to load up. Then for the remaining 20 hours it takes sometimes 10-14 hours from what I've seen. Beyond that usually takes a couple of days to get the full 14 days worth of guide data. So... word to the wise... don't lose power! :)

Ask for a manager.

They told me that they needed someone to come in to take care of this. Not a big deal - I just have to pay for a week more of extended basic.

- Mitch

L Supreme.......................

I should move to get the HD channel everyone else has or buy an OTA tuner..................and I'm ridiculous?

The fact remains that Bristol County Comcast customers have one less HD channel than the rest of the area (althoug hwe pay the same rate). And from the posts I don't think I'm alone in thinking that isn't right.


Unfortunately for you, the Sox, as owners or part owners of NESN, only gave Channel 38 the rights to the Friday night games, and only in a certain area in the radius of Boston. The remaining area is reserved to NESN who covers the game.
This allows NESN to reap ad revenue.

Unless the Sox/NESN make a deal with the new UPN affiliate that I have read here may appear or relent, I don't think the existing situation will change.



Gary

They told me that they needed someone to come in to take care of this. Not a big deal - I just have to pay for a week more of extended basic.

- Mitch

The day you ordered the Basic and digital only is the day you should stop paying for the extended basic part .

They do have to install the 24-69 filter.,though

Semi-off topic . . .

Just wondering if when your area began getting ADS, if you noticed a few channels used as "staging" channels? We have 3 channels currently listed as "Local Access Programming" that are in the 700's (there are no other channels in the 700s in CT) that are currently carrying CN8, UPN and PAX. Comcast says they're "security channels" but we're thinking maybe they're beginning ADS in our area.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Scott

If you unplug your box and plug it back in it takes 15-30 minutes for the first 4 hours of guide data to load up. Then for the remaining 20 hours it takes sometimes 10-14 hours from what I've seen. Beyond that usually takes a couple of days to get the full 14 days worth of guide data. So... word to the wise... don't lose power! :)

Speaking of guide data, what is up with the cartoon network the past week or so ? My son is going through Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles withdrawal because the guide keeps list them as being on but when it gets records it is some other cartoon. I keep forgetting to call comcast about this :)

Semi-off topic . . .

Just wondering if when your area began getting ADS, if you noticed a few channels used as "staging" channels? We have 3 channels currently listed as "Local Access Programming" that are in the 700's (there are no other channels in the 700s in CT) that are currently carrying CN8, UPN and PAX. Comcast says they're "security channels" but we're thinking maybe they're beginning ADS in our area.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Scott


They are security chnls. They are for apartment complexes with security systems that you can see who is at the entrance using your tv. Those systems are analog only so now customers with digital boxes would have to put the box on 703 or 903 instead of 3, since 3 is now an ADS chnl. For CT you should have atleast 10-15 chnls that have been converted. To determine this, put the box on UPN, turn it off hit select or ok then go to inband status. If the chnl is in digital the mode should say 256 QAM

Speaking of guide data, what is up with the cartoon network the past week or so ? My son is going through Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles withdrawal because the guide keeps list them as being on but when it gets records it is some other cartoon. I keep forgetting to call comcast about this :)


Not Comcasts fault. CN gave TV Guide the info a month ago & then decided to change the program thats on. If you pick up a print tv guide, it will say that TMNT is supposed to be on aswell. If you call all they will tell you is that there is nothing that can be done.

Not Comcasts fault. CN gave TV Guide the info a month ago & then decided to change the program thats on. If you pick up a print tv guide, it will say that TMNT is supposed to be on aswell. If you call all they will tell you is that there is nothing that can be done.

I know comcast gets the guide data from someone else but I would assume that comcast has enough pull that they can request updated guide data and TV Guide would provide it...assuming they know what is on.

They are security chnls. They are for apartment complexes with security systems that you can see who is at the entrance using your tv. Those systems are analog only so now customers with digital boxes would have to put the box on 703 or 903 instead of 3, since 3 is now an ADS chnl. For CT you should have atleast 10-15 chnls that have been converted. To determine this, put the box on UPN, turn it off hit select or ok then go to inband status. If the chnl is in digital the mode should say 256 QAM

L Supreme,

Thanks for the response. I'll check for digital simulcast channels tonight. As always we're never told when something like this is happening. I'm still waiting to be notified that our local WB is available in HD and that happened months ago.

Thanks,
Scott

I'm just a DTV newbie--digital hi-def since Monday. Have Comcast basic. (Not a big-time TV hound.) Bought set with built-in digital tuner. Was pleasantly surprised to find that it receives clear digital channels straight off the cable. (I was figuring I would have to go OTA for DTV. I wasn't even aware set had QAM tuner.)

Here's my question: channel search found all the hi-def stations I expected to:
84-2: WB56
85-5: UPN38
86-1: ABC
86-2: NBC
87-1: FOX25
87-2: CBS
except for WGBH. I do get something called PBS HD at 84.1, but that's not GBH. (Or is it?) And I do get a 480i 4:3 WGBH at 82.1.
I know that WGBH HD is 802 on Comcast cable boxes. But I can't find out its QAM channel number. I've already stumped Comcast customer support with this one. Should I be able to get GBH HD off Comcast without a cable box or cable card?

I do get something called PBS HD at 84.1, but that's not GBH. (Or is it?) And I do get a 480i 4:3 WGBH at 82.1. I know that WGBH HD is 802 on Comcast cable boxes. But I can't find out its QAM channel number. I've already stumped Comcast customer support with this one. Should I be able to get GBH HD off Comcast without a cable box or cable card?

That is it. 802 is the same programming as 84.1, which is the national PBS-HD feed. If you got it OTA, then 84.1 and 82.1 would be 19.2 and 19.3 (or re-map to 2.2 and 2.3).

riwabo,

PBS HD is WGBH HD (2.2 OTA). I can't find WGBH SD (2.1 OTA) with my QAM tuner.

You should also be able to tune in the 3 digital SD WGBX channels (44.2 to 44.4 OTA).

This actually got me thinking if Comcast uses the digital SD signal it gets from WGBH and WGBX for the ADS? Why digitized analog signal if you have the digital one already?

Semi-off topic . . .

Just wondering if when your area began getting ADS, if you noticed a few channels used as "staging" channels? We have 3 channels currently listed as "Local Access Programming" that are in the 700's (there are no other channels in the 700s in CT) that are currently carrying CN8, UPN and PAX. Comcast says they're "security channels" but we're thinking maybe they're beginning ADS in our area.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Scott

These" security channels" are for the conveience of apartment complexes that have a scurity channel showing the front door. In Lawrence,there is only one on channel 3/903 (though our building's security channel is channel 13 and it is only on the house antenna system which does get ATSC HD!

I would just like to give a big Thank You to L Supreme for pointing out www.comcast-ne.com. I have been struggling to understadn the standard comcast site for months, this regional site is MUCH clearer.

Thank you L Supreme.

I would just like to give a big Thank You to L Supreme for pointing out www.comcast-ne.com. I have been struggling to understadn the standard comcast site for months, this regional site is MUCH clearer.

Thank you L Supreme.

Not a problem, I wish the ads up here gave that website versus the national one.

Unfortunately for you, the Sox, as owners or part owners of NESN, only gave Channel 38 the rights to the Friday night games, and only in a certain area in the radius of Boston. The remaining area is reserved to NESN who covers the game.
This allows NESN to reap ad revenue.

Unless the Sox/NESN make a deal with the new UPN affiliate that I have read here may appear or relent, I don't think the existing situation will change.

Gary

Wrong, wrong wrong!!!!!!!! We get UPN38 Standard Def here in New Bedford and Bristol County. We can watch the UPN38 SD Red Sox broadcast. What we do not get is UPN38 HD. There is no excuse for this whatsoever!!! Comcast and UPN38 do nothing but point fingers at each other when I call & write in. We have recevied UPN38 SD here in Bristol County for as long as I can remember! This is inexcusable!!!!!

Not Comcasts fault. CN gave TV Guide the info a month ago & then decided to change the program thats on. If you pick up a print tv guide, it will say that TMNT is supposed to be on aswell. If you call all they will tell you is that there is nothing that can be done.

I called a friend with Tivo and his guide say TMNT will be on today 5pm and Comcast list some other show at the time. If Tivo is correct then I will be giving Comcast a call.