There was a hockey game on 881 last night. The guide had baseball listed but hockey from OLN-HD was on.
And Saturday's Sabres-Flyers game was also on live on 881 Saturday nite (I watched it) but not shown on the guide.

And Saturday's Sabres-Flyers game was also on live on 881 Saturday nite (I watched it) but not shown on the guide.

Thats strange, I didn't have it on my system. Now I'm wondering if lastnights game was on my system as well. Did anyone else on the North Shore get the game? I'm curious to know.

got the game fine in lynn on 881

L Supreme and Chitchat are correct.

Hopefully you have a CableCard slot in your TV.

I love paying less than 20 bucks a month for HDTV.
Am I missing something? On Comcast web site, Digital Classic is $57/mo and basic is $11/mo. Add on HD which is $9/mo. How do you pay less than $20?

I am a current DirecTV customer, all I want is to watch the Sox on HD and can't get NESN-HD on D*. How do I get the cheapest cable pack to accomplish this?

Does anyone know how Comcast hooks up 1st generation HD televisions with no HDMI, DVI, or component - just RGB? Do they make a box that supports this. I'm considering jumping in to "pay-for" HD.

Thanks,

Mike

The link below should get you what you need HDMI to DVI converter and a DVI to 5 BNC cables.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm (http://)

Am I missing something? On Comcast web site, Digital Classic is $57/mo and basic is $11/mo. Add on HD which is $9/mo. How do you pay less than $20?

I am a current DirecTV customer, all I want is to watch the Sox on HD and can't get NESN-HD on D*. How do I get the cheapest cable pack to accomplish this?

The comcast web site says you need extended basic in order to get any digital package. This may be the case elsewhere but not in Boston.

Basic and digital classic will get you NESN HD. (well the Red Sox games anyway) You will also get ESPN HD,Universal HD and TNT HD to compare with the overcompressed signals Direct TV sends.

The comcast web site says you need extended basic in order to get any digital package. This may be the case elsewhere but not in Boston.

Basic and digital classic will get you NESN HD. (well the Red Sox games anyway) You will also get ESPN HD,Universal HD and TNT HD to compare with the overcompressed signals Direct TV sends.
Thanks for the information, but this package will run about $70+/mo. Hard to justify for just really wanting NESN-HD. I get most of my HD content OTA and have ESP,ESPN2...etc from D*.

Thanks for the information, but this package will run about $70+/mo. Hard to justify for just really wanting NESN-HD. I get most of my HD content OTA and have ESP,ESPN2...etc from D*.

You need Basic and Digital Silver, and you need to CALL this in to get it. The website does not offer this configuration. Call comcast and tell them you want JUST Basic and Digital Silver. If you don't have access on your TV for a cablecard you'll need a box or DVR which is around 10.00 a month.

should run you ~30.00 a month or less including all FCC fees and franchise fees

Basic + Digital Silver + 1 HD Box + Remote + Fees = $49.77 (in Belmont, your fees may differ)

and like pete said...just pick up the phone, don't accept what a website tells you if you want a something different

Basic + Digital Silver + 1 HD Box + Remote + Fees = $49.77 (in Belmont, your fees may differ)

and like pete said...just pick up the phone, don't accept what a website tells you if you want a something different

I'm about ready to jump on this too! Losing FX is the only bummer.

Another question though, would I retain all OnDemand access to channels I don't get anymore. For instance, my kids watch Noggin via On Demand. Can someone tell me if those shows are still viewable even if I only have Basic.

You need Basic and Digital Silver, and you need to CALL this in to get it. The website does not offer this configuration. Call comcast and tell them you want JUST Basic and Digital Silver. If you don't have access on your TV for a cablecard you'll need a box or DVR which is around 10.00 a month.

should run you ~30.00 a month or less including all FCC fees and franchise fees
I have a cablecard slot, do I need to ask for HD? I will call and ask to see what they say.

I'm about ready to jump on this too! Losing FX is the only bummer.

Another question though, would I retain all OnDemand access to channels I don't get anymore. For instance, my kids watch Noggin via On Demand. Can someone tell me if those shows are still viewable even if I only have Basic.

If you get a box, then you get the onDemand for basic channels I believe. You obviously wouldn't get premium onDemand.

I have a cablecard slot, do I need to ask for HD? I will call and ask to see what they say.

Tell them you want basic and Digital Silver and a Cablecard. Should be around 23.00 a month with taxes and fees. Plus a 20.00 charge or so for them to come out and install the cablecard.

Anyone else having problems viewing "Copy Free" (ie: locals) over Firewire? I have no problems with Copy Once, but all of a sudden, the locals don't want to come in (I have to keep turning the cable box on and off, etc).

Wondering if they're fooling around with something?

Edit: Whatever it was, it seems to have been resolved.

My LC32d40 has been skipping. It only skips durign Sox games on NESN HD. I'd say I go 5 days with now issue, and then it skips. My 3412 DVR (I am on my 3rd) is acting up again and is getting replaced, but Comcast claims it is the interlacing of my TV. Is this true?

If so, wouldn't it skip all the time? Also, it doesn't just skip or studder during fast movement, it will do it during shots of the pitcher fixing his hat.

Again, it ONLY does this on NESN and occasionally on other channels. Any thoughts?

I'm about ready to jump on this too! Losing FX is the only bummer.

Another question though, would I retain all OnDemand access to channels I don't get anymore. For instance, my kids watch Noggin via On Demand. Can someone tell me if those shows are still viewable even if I only have Basic.

Yup You retain FULL access to On Demand as you will have digital classic (part of silver)

and yes you will still have 223.

I'm about ready to jump on this too! Losing FX is the only bummer.

Another question though, would I retain all OnDemand access to channels I don't get anymore. For instance, my kids watch Noggin via On Demand. Can someone tell me if those shows are still viewable even if I only have Basic.

Is FX in SD worth $40 a month?

Is FX in SD worth $40 a month?

Good point. I can always order back seasons of shows on Netflix, maybe in HD eventually. I would say, with the Shield, Rescue Me, Over There, and Jennifer Lothrop from DVD on TV, it was worth a solid $20 a month! Less w/o Over There.

FYI... My box got the latest 12.31 firmware update last night. I am in Central Massachusetts and Westford, MA in my head-end. Did anyone else in the area get the update as well? See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7553857&&#post7553857

FYI... My box got the latest 12.31 firmware update last night. I am in Central Massachusetts and Westford, MA in my head-end. Did anyone else in the area get the update as well? See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7553857&&#post7553857


All 3412 & 6412 phase 3 recieved the update overnight.

All 3412 & 6412 phase 3 recieved the update overnight.

Hopefully the 6412p2s get left alone :)

Just ordered basic plus digital silver with cable card for $36.70 per month so I can get NESN HD and also compare the other signal to D*. The CSR I spoke with said I will not get TNT, ESPN, or Discovery HD with this package. I told him of posts here that contradicted him and he did say he could be wrong. He was repeating what someone he asked told him. Anyway, I'll find out next week. Not that important as I will still have D* in any case.

Can anyone with a Pioneer Elite 930 or other size give me any tips on setting up the cable card and getting the built in TV gude to work with it?

Thank you, Jay

Just ordered basic plus digital silver with cable card for $36.70 per month so I can get NESN HD and also compare the other signal to D*. The CSR I spoke with said I will not get TNT, ESPN, or Discovery HD with this package. I told him of posts here that contradicted him and he did say he could be wrong. He was repeating what someone he asked told him. Anyway, I'll find out next week. Not that important as I will still have D* in any case.

Can anyone with a Pioneer Elite 930 or other size give me any tips on setting up the cable card and getting the built in TV gude to work with it?

Thank you, Jay

No TV guide with the cable card.

The cable card decrypts encrypted channels and maps them to the same number designation as a box. Red sox games will be seen on channel 882,though they may move to channel 851.

thanks for the quick reply. I have also been led to believe that Comcast is not compressing the signals on the HD channels the way that D* does. Is there any proven truth to this?

Thanks again, Jay

The CSR I spoke with said I will not get TNT, ESPN, or Discovery HD with this package. I told him of posts here that contradicted him and he did say he could be wrong. He was repeating what someone he asked told him.
Jay

LOL.

Comtastic!

The link below should get you what you need HDMI to DVI converter and a DVI to 5 BNC cables.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm (http://)


Thanks for the info L Supreme & petelang. I'm surprised nobody told me to buy a new TV - oh well, time to put gas in my car.

Thanks,

Checked my cable when I got home and 24-69 GONE, ESPN-HD and others still there.

Thanks guys! I am quiting my job and going to law school fulltime so every savings (w/o compromising my lifestyle) is very helpful

FREAK!

Hey I'm also quitting my job and going to law school full time. I start Suffolk in the fall. Where you going?

Guys, I just bought a second HDTV today. It has built in tuners, so I stuck the comcast cable in and ran the digital channel scan. It picked up a whole bunch of channels, probably more than 20. All with funky numbers like 81-2 and 84-3. I have a couple of questions.

1) Is there any easy way to find out which channels are which? I know I can go through and figure each one out, but a chart would be handy, does such a thing exist?

2) The TV picked up some channels on its original scan, including at least one HBO, and other premuim channels, perhaps Noggin. Now I don't seem to have all those channels. Some of the channels that the tuner remembers now come up as "no signal detected". Do some of these channels come and go? Anybody have insight on this?

Thanks in advance.

1) Is there any easy way to find out which channels are which? I know I can go through and figure each one out, but a chart would be handy, does such a thing exist?

Each town is different and they change it from time to time. So, no, there's no easy way.

2) The TV picked up some channels on its original scan, including at least one HBO, and other premuim channels, perhaps Noggin. Now I don't seem to have all those channels. Some of the channels that the tuner remembers now come up as "no signal detected". Do some of these channels come and go? Anybody have insight on this?

Those are on-demand channels. You are seeing what your neighbors are watching. :)

Each town is different and they change it from time to time. So, no, there's no easy way.



Those are on-demand channels. You are seeing what your neighbors are watching. :)


Thanks. Now I'm having a bit of a problem. I'll be watching NBC for a few minutes and then it will go black and I'll get a message from the TV saying "scrambled programming". If I change the channel and change it back, the programming is fine, but a few minutes later it will black out again. I've seen this on NBC and on PBS; I'm assuming it happens on all these channels. Is this a problem with Comcast or with my TV?

Guys, I just bought a second HDTV today. It has built in tuners, so I stuck the comcast cable in and ran the digital channel scan. It picked up a whole bunch of channels, probably more than 20.


Motorola cablecards are not designed to work this way, they are paired with a particular device and can't swapped between devices without the headend getting the new pairing info. That is probably why comcast forces a truck roll to install cablecards, they don't want customers calling into the headends to get pairing information. Not sure why you are seeing some video, it must be in the clear.

Does anyone know which Moto box (NH) Comcast gives you if you don't order HD? I tried calling Comcast but they wouldn't tell me. The woman actually said they were all the same.

Thanks,

Does anyone know which Moto box (NH) Comcast gives you if you don't order HD? I tried calling Comcast but they wouldn't tell me. The woman actually said they were all the same.

Thanks,

Yeah a dct 2000 (one you'll mostly get), 2500 or a 700. She is right they are all pretty much the same except for that the 700 is the smallest of the 3.

I'm going to have to upgrade to a Phase 3 box being that I have an HDMI input on my TV anyways...

Is anyone else experiencing lots of glitches on 805 (WCVB-DT) this evening? What's odd is that I checked my inband status, and things look fine -- not even any correctable errors being reported on the tuner, but I'm seeing lots of visual glitches (bad blocks) and audio drop outs. It's limited to just the one channel, so I'm guessing it could be the feed.

Is anyone else experiencing lots of glitches on 805 (WCVB-DT) this evening? What's odd is that I checked my inband status, and things look fine -- not even any correctable errors being reported on the tuner, but I'm seeing lots of visual glitches (bad blocks) and audio drop outs. It's limited to just the one channel, so I'm guessing it could be the feed.


Its a broadcasting problem with WCVB. Its also happening on their non-hd feed.

Is anyone else experiencing lots of glitches on 805 (WCVB-DT) this evening? What's odd is that I checked my inband status, and things look fine -- not even any correctable errors being reported on the tuner, but I'm seeing lots of visual glitches (bad blocks) and audio drop outs. It's limited to just the one channel, so I'm guessing it could be the feed.

Yeah, its pretty much unwatchable. But I noticed a few audio drops on 804 earlier tonight too. This was on my set with the motorola hd dvr, so I'm not sure that its limited to 805. Anyway, it looks like I picked the wrong day to set up my new HDTV using the built-in tuner. I had Chronical on earlier and must have tried 10 different configurations with cables and splitters. I'll try again tomorrow.

Hey I'm also quitting my job and going to law school full time. I start Suffolk in the fall. Where you going?

I am going to Suffolk as well!
FREAK!

Basic + Digital Silver + 1 HD Box + Remote + Fees = $49.77 (in Belmont, your fees may differ)

and like pete said...just pick up the phone, don't accept what a website tells you if you want a something different


swap out Digital Silver for Digital Classic and you are closer to $25 a month, and you still get every single HD channel (less the premium movie channels like hbo).

I saved $40 by dropping expanded for basic and despite what the misinformed comcast reps said., I still get everything. Love it.

I'm getting the same issue with CVB on Charter cable in Worcester. So it is an issue with the station.

Yeah a dct 2000 (one you'll mostly get), 2500 or a 700. She is right they are all pretty much the same except for that the 700 is the smallest of the 3.

I was thinking of getting a second box for the bedroom. Do you think I would be able tio INSIST on the 700? The bedroom Tv is a small 13' hook up split off from the Internet connection (The split was installed by the installer)

there is no extended basic filer on it so I would use an RF modulator for the box and continue to use the TV tuner for the few times I may want to sneak in a show on channels 24-69. (which is seldom as I am either on the PC,or watching HD in the den :)

I was thinking of getting a second box for the bedroom. Do you think I would be able tio INSIST on the 700? The bedroom Tv is a small 13' hook up split off from the Internet connection (The split was installed by the installer)

there is no extended basic filer on it so I would use an RF modulator for the box and continue to use the TV tuner for the few times I may want to sneak in a show on channels 24-69. (which is seldom as I am either on the PC,or watching HD in the den :)


You can request one, but the best bet to get a 700 is to get one yourself at the local office. Tech's will grab what boxes are available at the warehouse.

Does anyone know how Comcast hooks up 1st generation HD televisions with no HDMI, DVI, or component - just RGB? Do they make a box that supports this. I'm considering jumping in to "pay-for" HD.

Thanks,

Mike

I am hooked up with "Component Cables" for HDTV with a Moto 6412 box. I do not have DVI or HDMI on my TV.

I went to the Lowell Comcast office today to swap out my Moto-6200 for a dvr box. The very pleasant woman behind the counter gave me a brand new moto-3412. She asked me if I needed an adapter , if I had a DVI connected TV. I told her that I did and she gave me a DVI- HDMI cable about 6-9 ft. long !!! I was not expecting this and had ordered an adapter on line.
Now I'm happily waiting as firmware is being downloaded into the new box.

-Ken

Tell them you want basic and Digital Silver and a Cablecard. Should be around 23.00 a month with taxes and fees. Plus a 20.00 charge or so for them to come out and install the cablecard.
OK thanks for all the help on this one everyone. I just called and ordered...

Basic+Digital Classic+CableCard= 21.60/mo + fees so around 26.00

First she swore up and down I would not get INHD or INHD2 which means No NESN-HD..But I pushed her and she finally found someone who confirmed I will. Proof is in the pudding, Monday 5/1 install.

thanks again...

need help.

I live in a condo and I am able to get comcast from a neigboor who does not mind sharring it with me because I am paying part of her cable bill. I am using a splitter with R6 cable.

If I purchase a Comcast HD cable box that is used in the Boston Area... will I be able to recieve any digital channels?

is there a Motorola box somebody can recomend?

the TV I will be using a a new HD Plasma by Panasonic that I will be getting in a few days. any experts know what my options are?

thanks!

need help.

I live in a condo and I am able to get comcast from a neigboor who does not mind sharring it with me because I am paying part of her cable bill. I am using a splitter with R6 cable.

If I purchase a Comcast HD cable box that is used in the Boston Area... will I be able to recieve any digital channels?

is there a Motorola box somebody can recomend?

the TV I will be using a a new HD Plasma by Panasonic that I will be getting in a few days. any experts know what my options are?

thanks!

Your best bet wopuld be to pick up a box at the office.

need help.

I live in a condo and I am able to get comcast from a neigboor who does not mind sharring it with me because I am paying part of her cable bill. I am using a splitter with R6 cable.

If I purchase a Comcast HD cable box that is used in the Boston Area... will I be able to recieve any digital channels?

is there a Motorola box somebody can recomend?

the TV I will be using a a new HD Plasma by Panasonic that I will be getting in a few days. any experts know what my options are?

thanks!


What you are asking Robby is illegal. Not only is sharing cable with your neighbor considered theft, purchasing a Comcast HD box is illegal, since any box from Comcast that you could buy would be stolen. Cable companies (except for Shaw Cable I think in Canada) do not sell their cable boxes.

You can request one, but the best bet to get a 700 is to get one yourself at the local office. Tech's will grab what boxes are available at the warehouse.

That would be the idea,but i don't want to go down there and have the person behibnd the desk not know what I am talking about.

That would be the idea,but i don't want to go down there and have the person behibnd the desk not know what I am talking about.
You're a hundred times more likely to get what you want by going to the office and asking, rather than taking a chance and hoping that a tech shows up with what you want. Most of us who've wanted something specific take the trip to the local office and ask. That's the only way to make sure. Most of these people aren't stupid. They know the difference between the model numbers; if not, just ask for the smallest one. What's the risk in trying?

You're a hundred times more likely to get what you want by going to the office and asking, rather than taking a chance and hoping that a tech shows up with what you want. Most of us who've wanted something specific take the trip to the local office and ask. That's the only way to make sure. Most of these people aren't stupid. They know the difference between the model numbers; if not, just ask for the smallest one. What's the risk in trying?

Just the other day I stopped by local office and asked about the DCT700 for my other non-HD TVs. The rep knew about them but they're not available in my town yet. The rep didn't know if the pricing structure for the '700 would be different but she did say that it would be $7.50 for each additional DCT2000. If the '700s go for that price as additional boxes then it looks like I'll be running analog to my aux TVs for a while...

When you swap out a new digital box, how long do you usually have all the scrambled channels before they turn them off (the ones you aren't paying for) ?
I didn't expect to see all the movie channels still on this morning but they are !!! Lucky me.

When you swap out a new digital box, how long do you usually have all the scrambled channels before they turn them off (the ones you aren't paying for) ?
I didn't expect to see all the movie channels still on this morning but they are !!! Lucky me.


It could be up to 72 hours if your lucky.

need help.

I live in a condo and I am able to get comcast from a neigboor who does not mind sharring it with me because I am paying part of her cable bill. I am using a splitter with R6 cable.

If I purchase a Comcast HD cable box that is used in the Boston Area... will I be able to recieve any digital channels?

is there a Motorola box somebody can recomend?

the TV I will be using a a new HD Plasma by Panasonic that I will be getting in a few days. any experts know what my options are?

thanks!
I'm thinking, if you can afford a Plasma then you can afford your own cable connection and renting an HD box from Comcast is the best way for you to proceed.

Mickey

why is sharring cable with a paying neigbor in the same home illegal?

The cable guy has always allowed me to get cable in my apartment at my mother's home. My mother owned a home with a separate apartment on the top floor. I had my own address... same street number but I also have an optional aparment number I can use if I want. her number is 10... and mine is 10A.

the cable guy said no problem for you to had cable up in my apartment. What are Comcasts rules when it comes to this?

ask your neighbor if you can add a box and a digital tier to the cable plan and you'll pay the difference, if they get a box also then you can split the cost

great idea... but my roomate has decided to bite the bullet and order are own Comcast Service.

we don't have a telephone line yet and no internet service provider.

is the $99 deal the way to go? plus the rental of the HD Box. ($10 or $15(DVI)

It is normally ($55 for the cable tv, $43 for the cable modem (internet-ISP), and $40 for the telephone service.) about $140 total so about a $40 savings.

Is DVI the way to go? verus just the HD Cable Box?

And is Comcasts Telephone Service any good?

great idea... but my roomate has decided to bite the bullet and order are own Comcast Service.

we don't have a telephone line yet and no internet service provider.

is the $99 deal the way to go? plus the rental of the HD Box. ($10 or $15(DVI)

It is normally ($55 for the cable tv, $43 for the cable modem (internet-ISP), and $40 for the telephone service.) about $140 total so about a $40 savings.

Is DVI the way to go? verus just the HD Cable Box?

And is Comcasts Telephone Service any good?

I assume you mean DVR,and yes I would get that. :)

Many folks here get just Basic along with the digital package of our choice to SAVE $40 anyway :> {You do not get channels 24-69,but you STILL GET ESPN HD,TNT HD and Red sox games from NESN HD}

Yes... I meant DVR. So this package should cost us about $120 total a month. Includes Enhanced Cable($55 value), Cable Internet Service, and Telephone service. And the DVR.

Now a DVR question. How do you record DVR to DVD?

I am also going to purchase a DVD recorder by Panasonic that is made to record TV programs. I would like to record Hi-Def and SD. Like the Red Sox games. The hard drive that comes with the DVR can only record 4 hours of HI Def... wich is fine if I know I can also back this up to DVD's or to my computer through a video capture card. And can I replace the hard drive with a larger hard drive? And what is the newest DVR model I should expect to get? The Comcast Salesman recomended to just get the HD Box and then trade it in for the DVR at a Comcast Store... is this a good idea?

For the last couple of days getting a lot of pixelation and sound drops on ABC-HD. Not happening on the other HD stations. When it is local programming on the channel (non-HD), no problems, but as soon as the network kicks in, the problem comes back.

For the last couple of days getting a lot of pixelation and sound drops on ABC-HD. Not happening on the other HD stations. When it is local programming on the channel (non-HD), no problems, but as soon as the network kicks in, the problem comes back.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7559325&&#post7559325

Can you get a DVR without one of the digital packages? My mother is interested, but all she watches (and is interested in) is the basic channels.

For the last couple of days getting a lot of pixelation and sound drops on ABC-HD. Not happening on the other HD stations. When it is local programming on the channel (non-HD), no problems, but as soon as the network kicks in, the problem comes back.

Yeah I was catching up on some DVR'd shows and I noticed it. What great service we pay for. BLECH!

Can you get a DVR without one of the digital packages? My mother is interested, but all she watches (and is interested in) is the basic channels.


yes you can, digital packages are NOT REQUIRED to have the equipment.


Yeah I was catching up on some DVR'd shows and I noticed it. What great service we pay for. BLECH!


sorry to burst your comcast flame, but the problem is with the station. so even if you didn't have comcast, you would still have the problem.

Yeah I was catching up on some DVR'd shows and I noticed it. What great service we pay for. BLECH!

petelang - I assumed wcvb hadn't fixed the problem and recorded my ABC shows on wmur (809). If you look over in the OTA thread you will see wcvb has to replace some faulty equipment.

Can you get a DVR without one of the digital packages? My mother is interested, but all she watches (and is interested in) is the basic channels.

You need at LEAST digital classic. That runs around $6.20.
I woukld assume you have it because that is the tier where the HD cable channels are (TNT-HD,Discovery HT,Universal,ESPN-HD,INHD,and INHD2 (including NESN-HD's Red Sox games.))

you do not NEED expanded basic so the total cost will run around $30-35

yes you can, digital packages are NOT REQUIRED to have the equipment.




I thought you needed at least digital classic.

I thought you needed at least digital classic.


nope, no package is require for any box

nope, no package is require for any box

Not true. I had cancelled Digital classic to save money and TNTHD, DISC HD, ESPNHD and UHD went away. I called comcast and complained, they said Digital Classic is required to get these channels.

Comcast falsely advertises that they do not charge extra for HD. If I subscribe to Standard Cable and have an HD box, I should get these channels because they are part of standard cable. By forcing to subscribe to Digital Classic, I was paying extra to get HD equivalent of these standard channels

Not true. I had cancelled Digital classic to save money and TNTHD, DISC HD, ESPNHD and UHD went away. I called comcast and complained, they said Digital Classic is required to get these channels.

Comcast falsely advertises that they do not charge extra for HD. If I subscribe to Standard Cable and have an HD box, I should get these channels because they are part of standard cable. By forcing to subscribe to Digital Classic, I was paying extra to get HD equivalent of these standard channels

Yes, thats true, but not what we are talking about. The question was do you need a digital package to get a DVR, not the extra HD channels.

Also it is true that you get HD w/o a package, but the ads don't say you get all HD chnls w/o a package. U

Not true. I had cancelled Digital classic to save money and TNTHD, DISC HD, ESPNHD and UHD went away. I called comcast and complained, they said Digital Classic is required to get these channels.

Comcast falsely advertises that they do not charge extra for HD. If I subscribe to Standard Cable and have an HD box, I should get these channels because they are part of standard cable. By forcing to subscribe to Digital Classic, I was paying extra to get HD equivalent of these standard channels

It is NOT false advertisting. HD satillite channels are offered at no EXTRA charge as part of the digital cflassic tier. HD locals are considered part of LIMITED BASIC!

There is no persay HD only tier.

My lovely DVR really ticked me off last night. I was getting my son ready for bed so I "paused" 24 on 825. I came up about 20 min into it and the little needle wasn't all the way to the left so I knew I didn't miss any of it. I started watching and every time I FF through the commercials the end of the Rewind would be right up next to my current time. With about 5-7 minutes left in the show, the DVR skipped forward to about 10 minutes past the 10PM. I was bullsnot! Has this happened to anyone else? I don't record 24 as I watch it live. This happened last week too and I thought it was just a fluke. 2 weeks in a row is definitely not a fluke.

Not true. I had cancelled Digital classic to save money and TNTHD, DISC HD, ESPNHD and UHD went away. I called comcast and complained, they said Digital Classic is required to get these channels.

Comcast falsely advertises that they do not charge extra for HD. If I subscribe to Standard Cable and have an HD box, I should get these channels because they are part of standard cable. By forcing to subscribe to Digital Classic, I was paying extra to get HD equivalent of these standard channels

The channels are also not HD equivalents of standard cable channels. UHD does not exist in standard. Discovery HD and TND-HD show different content on the HD channels than the regular channel. ESPN-HD might be the only one that is the same.

The channels are also not HD equivalents of standard cable channels. UHD does not exist in standard. Discovery HD and TND-HD show different content on the HD channels than the regular channel. ESPN-HD might be the only one that is the same.

Dioscovery HT HD is a totally different channel then discovery SD. TNT HD is a HD clone of TNT.

Can you get a DVR without one of the digital packages? My mother is interested, but all she watches (and is interested in) is the basic channels.

If all your mother wants is a DVR for the basic channels then I would suggest she get a TiVo. When you want HD or digital channels then renting from comcast makes sense, but for just the basic channels TiVo's are better.

If all your mother wants is a DVR for the basic channels then I would suggest she get a TiVo. When you want HD or digital channels then renting from comcast makes sense, but for just the basic channels TiVo's are better.

Actually Tivo costs more and sometime soon tivo software will be available with the comcast DVR.

Dioscovery HT HD is a totally different channel then discovery SD. TNT HD is a HD clone of TNT.

Really...i'd never realized they show so much Charmed on TNT...

My lovely DVR really ticked me off last night. I was getting my son ready for bed so I "paused" 24 on 825. I came up about 20 min into it and the little needle wasn't all the way to the left so I knew I didn't miss any of it. I started watching and every time I FF through the commercials the end of the Rewind would be right up next to my current time. With about 5-7 minutes left in the show, the DVR skipped forward to about 10 minutes past the 10PM. I was bullsnot! Has this happened to anyone else? I don't record 24 as I watch it live. This happened last week too and I thought it was just a fluke. 2 weeks in a row is definitely not a fluke.i thought i remember reading that the hd dvr could only buffer 15 minutes of hd at a time. maybe that has something to do with it?

Hi all,

New to DVR world. Have a 3412 and my wife is telling me that the "info" is not matching up to the actual show that she is recording. It is primarily with Oprah (recording ABC-HD channel) and she says that the description associated with a particular show is wrong and is from a previous show. Is there soemthing I can do to fix this? Is this an ABC issue? DVR issue? Comcast issue?

Thanks!

i thought i remember reading that the hd dvr could only buffer 15 minutes of hd at a time. maybe that has something to do with it?


Yeah, I know about the buffer limit. When I was continually FF through commercials to get caught up to real time, the green to the left of the where you are now in time line kept shrinking. Then all of a sudden it just jumped ahead. Really irritating.

Actually Tivo costs more and sometime soon tivo software will be available with the comcast DVR.

TiVo may cost more a month if you already have digital cable, but if you have to add digital cable to get the comcast box then the TiVo would end up being cheaper. My TiVo also did a better job of recording analog channels.

I use the comcast DVR now because it records HD, but if all I was getting was analog channels I would go back to a TiVo. Both DVRs have advantages and disadvantages, but the analog only cable market is the place that I think TiVo wins.

Anyone else having issues with ESPNHD tonight? Lots of break ups and audio drop outs. Not very Comcastic (once again). :mad:

Got disgusted with ESPN so I kicked over to 882 to catch the Sox pregame. Wouldn't you know it, drop outs and poor quality there too!!

Shouldn't Comcast knock $4 off my bill for every day that my service is this Comcastic?

Hi all,

New to DVR world. Have a 3412 and my wife is telling me that the "info" is not matching up to the actual show that she is recording. It is primarily with Oprah (recording ABC-HD channel) and she says that the description associated with a particular show is wrong and is from a previous show. Is there soemthing I can do to fix this? Is this an ABC issue? DVR issue? Comcast issue?

Thanks!

Its someones fault, but not yours. Most likely Oprah and/or the provider of the Guide.

Looking at today, both TitanTV.com and TVGuide.com show "The Big Idea That Made Millions (New)" Which is also what shows up on the Comcast guide (4pm on Ch 5) But yahoo shows "Mothers confess to self-destructive habits." very weird

I Know this is the HD forum, but the knowledgable folk seem to hang here the most. My question is if one has only basic cable at 12.95 or so per month. What is the cheapest upgrade to get NESN (Red Sox) in SD?

Its someones fault, but not yours. Most likely Oprah and/or the provider of the Guide.

Looking at today, both TitanTV.com and TVGuide.com show "The Big Idea That Made Millions (New)" Which is also what shows up on the Comcast guide (4pm on Ch 5) But yahoo shows "Mothers confess to self-destructive habits." very weird

Why would someone want to record Oprah off the HD channel as it is still an SD show?

Why would someone want to record Oprah off the HD channel as it is still an SD show?

Excuse me... How about "Hey epie there is no need to record in HD becasue it is an SD show, save your DVR space"

I Know this is the HD forum, but the knowledgable folk seem to hang here the most. My question is if one has only basic cable at 12.95 or so per month. What is the cheapest upgrade to get NESN (Red Sox) in SD?

Who wants NESN in SD? To do so you would have to get EXPANDED basic and pay an EXTRA $40!

If you just want the Red sox games a DVR and digital classic will edownconvert the HD games from 882. (you need the DVR as non DVR HD boxes are intended only for those with HD sets,though i have connected one to an SD set before.)

Cost around $22 a month and you get on demand to boot.

OK, I just spent about half an hour trying to find info searching the forums, so now I'm going to ask.

I use a tv with a QAM tuner and no cable card (who needs that headache!). I am ablr to tune in all non-encoded digital channels just fine. It's a bit of a pain since the digital channels do not match the channel numbers on the cable box (on my other tv). I have built a long list of channels over time, but many of them are guesses. The interesting thing is that the tvgos includes info for some of them, it's just a pain to figure out what's what.

Has anyone done a more recent mapping? Is it in this thread somewhere? Does anyone know which digital channel 882 maps to?

Does anyone know if NESN-HD is broadcast encoded or not? Yes, I'd like to be able to watch the Sox in HD upstairs sometimes, not just downstairs. No, I really do not want a cable card. :eek:

Thanks!

QAM channel mappings differ from town to town, and change from time to time. I don't think it's easy to have a list for everybody.

Sox HD games are on INHD2 which is encrypted.

Most people have CableCARD installed pretty painless. There really is no reason not to at least try it.

I use a tv with a QAM tuner and no cable card (who needs that headache!).
I have an HP LC2600N TV (with QAM tuner and CableCARD slot) in the bedroom. The CableCARD has been working flawlessly since it was installed; absolutely zero headaches. Much easier to simply punch in "807" for NBC-HD versus trying to keep track of the current channel.subchannel assignment for the local NBC affiliate (which as someone has already noted, can (and does) change).

Tony

I sat down the other night and did the Derry,NH QAM list. If anyone wants it, I can post it.

Thanks for the feedback - I will consider the cbale card.

There are two reasons that I am holding off. First, I do have the HD STB on the tv in the family room. Second, there have been cases where the cable provider has sent out a firmware update to the cable card, which has made the card incompatible with the tv. This then requires a firmware update from the tv manufacturer to get things working again. I do not know how frequently this will happen. But frankly, I don't feel like dealing with it.

I'm not sure why you list having an HD STB on one TV as a factor against using a CableCARD on the other TV; that's exactly how I'm set up (HD DVR for main display and CableCARD for the bedroom set). The cost for the CableCARD is about $2.50/month when you already have an STB.

There are all sorts of "bad things" that have happened in the past with firmware upgrades to STBs, CableCARDs, TVs, etc., and there's probably some chance of them happening in the future, but it seems most of those issues occur during the early adoptor phase. I would have been much more concerned about CableCARD stability a year or so back. It appears that Comcast, Motorola, and their suppliers have sorted out most of the incompatibilities.

In my case it took longer for the Comcast tech to contact their office to supply the numbers to authorize the CableCARD than it did for them to install it and have the TV (LC2600N, basically a re-badged Sharp) recognize the new channel mappings.

Tony

OK, I just spent about half an hour trying to find info searching the forums, so now I'm going to ask.

I use a tv with a QAM tuner and no cable card (who needs that headache!). I am ablr to tune in all non-encoded digital channels just fine. It's a bit of a pain since the digital channels do not match the channel numbers on the cable box (on my other tv). I have built a long list of channels over time, but many of them are guesses. The interesting thing is that the tvgos includes info for some of them, it's just a pain to figure out what's what.

Has anyone done a more recent mapping? Is it in this thread somewhere? Does anyone know which digital channel 882 maps to?

Does anyone know if NESN-HD is broadcast encoded or not? Yes, I'd like to be able to watch the Sox in HD upstairs sometimes, not just downstairs. No, I really do not want a cable card. :eek:

Thanks!
tune to digital channel ie:882
turn box off and press select within two seconds
arrow down to current channel status then arrow right
type should read digital
if program is encrypted - will read ENC (not viewable)
if program is clear - will read CLR
tuned freq is displayed and represents center QAM freq

googling for
55.25 61.25 67.25 qam eia Gomes de Carvalho scientific atlanta
will result in one page
use this book to find freq and associate with channel number
pages 2-1 through 2-3, refer to new eia channel designation for channel number and standard video for freq column
*note* subtract 1.75MHz from tuned freq displayed on box ie: freq shows 459.000MHz, subtract 1.75 = 457.25MHz - book shows EIA 63
your channel is digital 63 or EIA63 QAM
You'll have to find the mpeg you're looking for on the QAM 63-1, 63-2 etc

Don't want a CableCARD? Get a HD box then. And the above exercise is not going to get your TV tune into INHD2. It's not in the clear.

I have a cablecard with no problems for 7 months. suddenly, ESPN HD goes blank. Called Comcast but they have no idea, though cablecard is immediately blamed. Sending a "technician" out tomorrow. Why are all their remedies turning the set on and off? I explained that I have a bulb based rear projection and that it isn't an option for me. Seems like this was new info (bulb stability issues in HD projection sets) to them.

Anyone with a similar issue?

Thanks.

I have a cablecard with no problems for 7 months. suddenly, ESPN HD goes blank. Called Comcast but they have no idea, though cablecard is immediately blamed. Sending a "technician" out tomorrow. Why are all their remedies turning the set on and off? I explained that I have a bulb based rear projection and that it isn't an option for me. Seems like this was new info (bulb stability issues in HD projection sets) to them.

Anyone with a similar issue?

Thanks.

If its a philips tv, make sure you have the newest firmware version. i believe its 1.1.0.0. I know that the older version 1.0.13.0 had problems with losing espn hd.

Story today on boston.com about Verzion competing with Comcast and RCN in Woburn. In the story ,there was an interview with Kevin Duffy of Comcast that they will have plenty of band width in 2009 when analog goes away. Hope that we dont have to wait until 2009 to have some cable channels go digital only before 2009

I have a cablecard with no problems for 7 months. suddenly, ESPN HD goes blank. Called Comcast but they have no idea, though cablecard is immediately blamed. Sending a "technician" out tomorrow. Why are all their remedies turning the set on and off? I explained that I have a bulb based rear projection and that it isn't an option for me. Seems like this was new info (bulb stability issues in HD projection sets) to them.

Anyone with a similar issue?

Thanks.
My cablecard had been working great for about 3.5 months and then last week I lost all channels above 23 except the local hd's. They had me unplug my plasma and hit the power button on the set twice. Plugged it back in and all channels were working. So, I guess that's why they give that a try first.

Story today on boston.com about Verzion competing with Comcast and RCN in Woburn. In the story ,there was an interview with Kevin Duffy of Comcast that they will have plenty of band width in 2009 when analog goes away. Hope that we dont have to wait until 2009 to have some cable channels go digital only before 2009


Here's the link to the whole story. http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/05/07/verizon_playing_catch_up_against_cable_firms/

This morning WHDH started doing a non-linear stretch (like TNT-HD) on ALL 4:3 material! BASTARDS!!!! @$%!%!@@# That means you can't even get it to look right if you set it back to 4:3 mode on your TV.

Anyone have their phone number to tell them to quit it?

This morning WHDH started doing a non-linear stretch (like TNT-HD) on ALL 4:3 material! BASTARDS!!!! @$%!%!@@# That means you can't even get it to look right if you set it back to 4:3 mode on your TV.

Anyone have their phone number to tell them to quit it?


Whdh-Tv - Channel 7, Programming & Information
Boston, MA 02108
617-725-0676

WHDH-TV
7 Bulfinch Place
Boston, MA 02114
617-725-0777

Channel 7 - Whdh-Tv, News Department
Boston, MA 02108
617-725-0770

One of those should get you what you need.

Here's the link to the whole story. http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/05/07/verizon_playing_catch_up_against_cable_firms/
The article mentions 16 HD channels. On the Verizon/MA thread, it mentions 20. Which is it? Does this vary from town to town? And, 11 hours for installation?

Mickey

WHDH is back to normal (for now). Hopefully enough people called them up to complain. It could have been just a test.

The article mentions 16 HD channels. On the Verizon/MA thread, it mentions 20. Which is it? Does this vary from town to town? And, 11 hours for installation?

Mickey

When the VZ did the install for my FiOS internet it was a couple of hours. VZ came buy previously in the week to run the fibre from the main feed to the house and make sure they had good light. That also probably took them a couple of hours. I figure the more they do it, the faster they get. They really don't need to hand hold technogeeks like myself. I actually helped out the VZ installer to help move things along. Now that the ONT is mounted, all they would have to do is switch the main feed over from Comcraptic to the VZ and swap some cable boxes.

Has anyone figured out what is going on with SD Weatherscan channel mixed in with the HD channels? I find it extremely annoying when channel surfing. I assume everyone's box is the same as mine in that there is a long delay when switching back and forth between an SD and HD channel.

Delete that channel.

Who wants NESN in SD? To do so you would have to get EXPANDED basic and pay an EXTRA $40!

If you just want the Red sox games a DVR and digital classic will edownconvert the HD games from 882. (you need the DVR as non DVR HD boxes are intended only for those with HD sets,though i have connected one to an SD set before.)

Cost around $22 a month and you get on demand to boot.

That's $22 ADDITIONAL per month correct? So we have to add the cost of basic cable to that as well if I'm not mistaken?

That's $22 ADDITIONAL per month correct? So we have to add the cost of basic cable to that as well if I'm not mistaken?

You can say that as $15 of it is going tword the DVR.

$32 - Basic,digital classic and DVR with downconversion of HD channels,including NESN HD

$50 extended basic no box

Has anyone notice that download speeds have been faster?

I have seen downloads of well over 1 meg per second.

can you delete channels from the guide listing?
FREAK!

can you delete channels from the guide listing?
FREAK!

I just do the favorites whioch incudes all HD channels and the few SD channels i muight watch.

NBC Weather plus is on 297 and its Ch 7's.

Quote:
Originally Posted by petelang
Story about VZ on Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/05/07/verizon_playing_catch_up_against_cable_firms/)



Significant quote from article "president of Comcast's northern division, said the cable company has plenty of bandwidth to offer advanced telecommunications services"
If only the whole world had a specturm analyzer!

Don't want a CableCARD? Get a HD box then. And the above exercise is not going to get your TV tune into INHD2. It's not in the clear.

Stephen,

just to be clear - I have an HD STB on the HD set in the family room. I use the direct cable line in and the QAM tuner on the second set in the bedroom. I understand that INHD2 is encoded, so I won't be able to see it without the cable card or an STB, and I may go that route.

I have found MANY digital channels in the clear using the tv's QAM tuner and no cable card, and not all of them are available to me via the STB on the other tv.

Now, it is a bit of a pain figuring out what some of them are. And organizing them in the TVGOS is even more of a pain. The TVGOS set up screen actually lists all of the digital channels, but by default has the 3 digit channel number you would see off the STB. This means that I cannot map them correctly in the TVGOS until I figure out which physical frequency they are.

I figured that having access to the guide on the STB on the other tv might help with this.

Now, the issues that some people are still reporting regarding the use of the cable card are one of the reasons that I have not decided to get one yet. I may still upgrade the STB downstairs to a DVR, and add the cable card upstairs, but have not decided to do so yet.

On another topic - I noticed the "A Quick Brown Fox" in your signature. Have you ever worked in the auditory field by any chance? I seem to recall a phrase like that from my days in auditory psyhoacoustics research.

gkinma,

I was in similar situation too. I didn't care much about Sox games. All I wanted is just the OTA locals. So I took some time tom find out the Comcast raw channels for those stations. However, it's just too much work to remember the odd channel (plus subs) numbers. And the ever changing assignment is even more unbearable. Since the 1st CC is free, so I signed up for the Digital Classic. Problem solved. That's after a prompt and painless install, too.

As for the sig. It's a part of a sentence we used to use in typographical design. The whole thing is "A Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog." It has all 26 English letters in it. So we used it to see how the font comes together.

gkinma,

I was in similar situation too. I didn't care much about Sox games. All I wanted is just the OTA locals. So I took some time tom find out the Comcast raw channels for those stations. However, it's just too much work to remember the odd channel (plus subs) numbers. And the ever changing assignment is even more unbearable. Since the 1st CC is free, so I signed up for the Digital Classic. Problem solved. That's after a prompt and painless install, too.

As for the sig. It's a part of a sentence we used to use in typographical design. The whole thing is "A Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog." It has all 26 English letters in it. So we used it to see how the font comes together.


Ahh! So that's where it's from. It looked so familiar to me.

As for the odd sub-channels, once I correctly match the channel/sub-channel to the Comcast 3 digit channel, I can program the TVGOS to bring up the correct digital channel on the tv. It works pretty well, with the lone exception that there is no logic to the order in which channels are displayed in TVGOS. I can re-organize the listing, but have to do so 1 channel at a time. Uggh :(

Now, following the advice on how to find the transmission frequency from the box, and based on some channels that I already found the hard way, I was able to work out the relationship between "base" channel number and frequency. Which of course is on a piece of paper back home, but is something like:

base channel = (frequency - 81)/6

The 6 represents the fact that channels are separated by 6 MHz. The 81 is an offset that I noticed empirically after working out several stations.

None of this helps with the sub-channel, it just gives a starting point for locating the digital channel using the QAM tuner.

And of course, it does not help at all with encoded channels - you need either the STB or CC to get those.

For what it is worth - I have not noticed that any of the non-encoded digital channels/HD channels have been relocated since I worked out their locations a few months ago. I'm not saying there have not been any, just that I have not noticed any. For example, ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX/UPN/WB/WGBH HD channels have not moved.

Hey, did somebody forget to throw the switch on 882 to send it back to INHD2 after the game last night? They still have NESN on there (and with no game tonight)!

For the moment, I guess we can consider this a preview of what a full-time 851 would be like.

And OF COURSE, the second I post it it's back to INHD2. Wow..

I just find the Channel 7 Weather Plus channel on my Fusion tuner card. But I can't find it on my TV with CableCARD. Does any body know which channel it's on?

I just find the Channel 7 Weather Plus channel on my Fusion tuner card. But I can't find it on my TV with CableCARD. Does any body know which channel it's on?
See chitchatjf's post eight posts above, ch 297

See chitchatjf's post eight posts above, ch 297

Oh, yeah. It's right there. Duh. Thanks.

Oh, yeah. It's right there. Duh. Thanks.

You're welcome!

I have a cablecard with no problems for 7 months. suddenly, ESPN HD goes blank. Called Comcast but they have no idea, though cablecard is immediately blamed. Sending a "technician" out tomorrow. Why are all their remedies turning the set on and off? I explained that I have a bulb based rear projection and that it isn't an option for me. Seems like this was new info (bulb stability issues in HD projection sets) to them.

Anyone with a similar issue?

Thanks.


If the Sox game is airing on both NESN and ESPN, the ESPN feed will be blacked out. Is this when your ESPN HD went missing? There have been quite a few instances in the last couple of weeks where this has occurred, including tonight, May 15.
Interestingly, during one of the Red Sox-Yankees games the other night in NY, the ESPN feed was blacked out, but INHD1 on ch 881 aired the Yankees YES Network feed for 5 innings until someone at Comcast figured out that it should be blacked out too in order to protect NESN's local rights to the game.

Speaking of NESN, does anyone else get perturbed when they throw up the NESN-HD banner at the bottom of an SD camera shot like they have the last couple of nights. Talk about blatant deception, there should be a law against this practice. It only confuses the average consumer into thinking their watching HD when it's not. Complaining to them doesn't seem to do anything or they wouldn't be using these SD cameras in the first place and this situation would obviously be avoided.

There were posts mentioned that camera is a hispeed one for the slow motion shots. Guess they don't have HD super-slow camera yet. And frankly, NESN is the one channel that does the best HD job (coverage and quality) I've watched so far. I think we New Englanders get spoiled by it. :)

I am not saying you can't complain about that particular camera. Just try not to overreact.

tune to digital channel ie:882
turn box off and press select within two seconds
arrow down to current channel status then arrow right
type should read digital
if program is encrypted - will read ENC (not viewable)
if program is clear - will read CLR
tuned freq is displayed and represents center QAM freq
Here's a channel plan. frequency will be found in the "current channel status" section of the power off diagnostics. Correlate to this chart to find out what channel number the unencrypted qam can be found at tuning cable direct with your qam tuner tv

EIA - MHz Center
Chan. - Frequency
2 - 57
3 - 63
4 - 69
5 - 79
6 - 85
95 - 93
96 - 99
97 - 105
98 - 111
99 - 119
14 - 123
15 - 129
16 - 135
17 - 141
18 - 147
19 - 153
20 - 159
21 - 165
22 - 171
7 - 177
8 - 183
9 - 189
10 - 195
11 - 201
12 - 207
13 - 213
23 - 219
24 - 225
25 - 231
26 - 237
27 - 243
28 - 249
29 - 255
30 - 261
31 - 267
32 - 273
33 - 279
34 - 285
35 - 291
36 - 297
37 - 303
38 - 309
39 - 315
40 - 321
41 - 327
42 - 333
43 - 339
44 - 345
45 - 351
46 - 357
47 - 363
48 - 369
49 - 375
50 - 381
51 - 387
52 - 393
53 - 399
54 - 405
55 - 411
56 - 417
57 - 423
58 - 429
59 - 435
60 - 441
61 - 447
62 - 453
63 - 459
64 - 465
65 - 471
66 - 477
67 - 483
68 - 489
69 - 495
70 - 501
71 - 507
72 - 513
73 - 519
74 - 525
75 - 531
76 - 537
77 - 543
78 - 549
79 - 555
80 - 561
81 - 567
82 - 573
83 - 579
84 - 585
85 - 591
86 - 597
87 - 603
88 - 609
89 - 615
90 - 621
91 - 627
92 - 633
93 - 639
94 - 645
100 - 651
101 - 657
102 - 663
103 - 669
104 - 675
105 - 681
106 - 687
107 - 693
108 - 699
109 - 705
110 - 711
111 - 717
112 - 723
113 - 729
114 - 735
115 - 741
116 - 747
you probably won't find any cc freqs this high
117 - 753
118 - 759
119 - 765
120 - 771
121 - 777
122 - 783
123 - 789
124 - 795
125 - 801
126 - 807
127 - 813
128 - 819
129 - 825
130 - 831
131 - 837
132 - 843
133 - 849
134 - 855
135 - 861

There were posts mentioned that camera is a hispeed one for the slow motion shots. Guess they don't have HD super-slow camera yet. And frankly, NESN is the one channel that does the best HD job (coverage and quality) I've watched so far. I think we New Englanders get spoiled by it. :)

I am not saying you can't complain about that particular camera. Just try not to overreact.

Well when they do a NESN-HD Promo shot it would help to actually be showing a HD picture at the time, to me thats laziness and shoddy producing. there really is no excuse for that. As for the HD slow-mo camera, they have been available for a few years now and for a network that boast it's HD coverage I can't understand why they would not have one yet. I have been watching the Sox in HD for 3 years and would have figured we would be getting a full High Def telecast by now but it hasn't happened yet. I think everyone is spoiled by the amount of Sox games we get to see in HD and are willing to let slide the use of the SD cameras, however I am not one of these people and believe NESN should not just talk the talk but walk the walk as well.

Here is a list of channels for QAM in Derry, NH

75-89 ABC 9
84-1 PBS
84-2 WB 56
85-5 UPN 38
86-1 ABC 5
86-2 NBC 7
87-1 Fox 25
87-2 CBS 4

Anyone know when we will get the 12.31 update for the 6412 PIII? There seemed to be a "national" rollout recently and most areas have reported getting it, but I am still on 12.18 .

Can someone point me to a "map" of what Comcast in Boston broadcasts on their
standard puchase plan? I just got a new HD panny but have not purchased anything
digital or HDTV. I see some interesting stuff on 84-x and 85-x. Could take hours
to decipher - anybody got a cheat sheet?

Second question: What TRUE benefits exist for purchasing a digital set top box?

What TRUE benefits exist for purchasing the HDTV added tier?

Thanks,
--jim hahn

Can someone point me to a "map" of what Comcast in Boston broadcasts on their
standard puchase plan? I just got a new HD panny but have not purchased anything
digital or HDTV. I see some interesting stuff on 84-x and 85-x. Could take hours
to decipher - anybody got a cheat sheet?

Second question: What TRUE benefits exist for purchasing a digital set top box?

What TRUE benefits exist for purchasing the HDTV added tier?

Thanks,
--jim hahn

There is NO "HD" tier persay.
HD locals are considered part of the limited basic service.

TNT-HD,Discovery HT HD,UNiversal HD,ESPN-HD,and INHD1 and 2 are part of digital classic,
NESN HD games run on 882 (INHD2)

HD premiums are part of the underlying premium service.

In most areas one would need to get extended basic AND digital classic before getting ANY HD programming, but not Boston.

Can someone tell me if it is normal to lose audio from optical out when pausing live TV. During "Lost" last night, I paused, came back and noticed only audio was through HDMI out of my 3412 which is directly connected to TV and I lost the optical audio connection to my receiver. I had to shut off STB and turn it back on to get optical audio signal back.

I've had all sorts of issues lately. Audio drops on HD channels, no 5.1 on 5.1 shows, this AM I had some very strange looking scrambled screen on 825 and 809, but it was fine on 013.

Comcastic!!!

Lately I've been getting volume weirdness on my 6412 when I do 30 sec skips on HD shows. Doesn't happen all the time, and it took a while for me to realize it happens after I start using 30 sec skip. The HD volume suddenly gets really low, so I have to turn my tv volume way up to hear it, when I get to commercials, the volume suddenly jumps up to normal, so I have to turn the tv volume back down. If I exit viewing the recording, volume jumps back to normal, and if I go back in to the record, the volume is now normal. It is really strange. Anyone else seeing this happen?

Yes, for several weeks now.

Lately I've been getting volume weirdness on my 6412 when I do 30 sec skips on HD shows. Doesn't happen all the time, and it took a while for me to realize it happens after I start using 30 sec skip. The HD volume suddenly gets really low, so I have to turn my tv volume way up to hear it, when I get to commercials, the volume suddenly jumps up to normal, so I have to turn the tv volume back down. If I exit viewing the recording, volume jumps back to normal, and if I go back in to the record, the volume is now normal. It is really strange. Anyone else seeing this happen?

Yep, noticed that over the past week or so.

Lately I've been getting volume weirdness on my 6412 when I do 30 sec skips on HD shows. Doesn't happen all the time, and it took a while for me to realize it happens after I start using 30 sec skip. The HD volume suddenly gets really low, so I have to turn my tv volume way up to hear it, when I get to commercials, the volume suddenly jumps up to normal, so I have to turn the tv volume back down. If I exit viewing the recording, volume jumps back to normal, and if I go back in to the record, the volume is now normal. It is really strange. Anyone else seeing this happen?


When viewing recorded shows, usually about 1/2 way through the audio volume drops to 50% of what it was. I haven't tried stopping and restarting the show yet to see if that helps. I just figured it was part of our Comcastic dis-service.

Lately I've been getting volume weirdness on my 6412 when I do 30 sec skips on HD shows. Doesn't happen all the time, and it took a while for me to realize it happens after I start using 30 sec skip. The HD volume suddenly gets really low, so I have to turn my tv volume way up to hear it, when I get to commercials, the volume suddenly jumps up to normal, so I have to turn the tv volume back down. If I exit viewing the recording, volume jumps back to normal, and if I go back in to the record, the volume is now normal. It is really strange. Anyone else seeing this happen?

Me too. Another example of COMCASTIC service!

I asked this in another forum but thought it would be a good idea to ask here as the location may have some influence on my decision.

Will be getting my first HDTV in a couple weeks and started reading up on Comcasts HD DVR STB's.
Talked to Comcast Tech support about some other questions i had and asked which box he would recommend. They suggested the newer 3412. Seems after reading here and over in the Official Comcast 3412 & 3416 STB Discussion thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=604142&page=1&pp=30)
that both STB's have their issues.
I can supposedly still get a 6412 if i want and thought id ask here for recommendations.
Also are the normal HD broadcast stations encrypted?
Im wondering with the right HD tuner card if ill be able to tune these in with my HTPC.

Anyone having audio issues? This past week I've had audio go out on in 5.1 on Tuesday during new Scrubs on 807. THen over the weekend it appears that there's no audio/5.1 on 839 or 846. Which really sucked because it was the Battlestar mini series last night and it's looking great but far too quiet.

How long has 12.31 been out? I've noticed my P3 6412 screwing up audio more than usual. It usually happens after some recordings were done - it won't come out of PCM stereo only mode. A simple power off/on fixes it. I checked last night and 12.31 is loaded. I also noticed a fair amount of macroblocking watching War of the Worlds, but that may not be related because I see it from time to time - although that's what led me to look at the firmware version because when I first started noticing the macroblocking it conincided with a firmware update (at least it seems to me) a year or so ago - pre DVR days). Hopefully next generation hardware will fix some of this. However, I'm not holding my breath for this. :)

larry

Anyone experiencing hiccuping on the Sox/Yanks (882)?

Only for half an inning, it's fine now.

Alias is fun tonight. No 5.1 sound - but only during commercials. It simply drops out and comes back during the show.

This amuses me since up until this evening, I've had no sound at all on UHD since Friday. What's weird is that it's sending a 5.1 signal to my receiver because it lights up indicating 3/2 channels and 5.1 but no actual data is coming through it.

Even swapped boxes but it did the same. Now THAT was weird. How can the receiver just not play 5.1 on one station but play it on others? Isn't it an either/or situation?

Anyone experiencing hiccuping on the Sox/Yanks
Well, I don't have Comcast (I'm on DirecTV), but the audio is experiencing a quick drop-out every few seconds. It's been going on the whole game. Is that what you're hearing? The audio stream seems fine though since my receiver never drops out of digital (if the signal is lost, it'll drop back to analog, but I haven't seen that happen).

Nothing weird during commercials and I checked other channels and past recordings and they seem fine. It's only happening during the Sox/Yanks broadcast on NESN.

If it's happening on Comcast too, then obviously it's happening at the source. Probably an ESPN sabotage job. :-)

-Steve

I asked this in another forum but thought it would be a good idea to ask here as the location may have some influence on my decision.
...
Also are the normal HD broadcast stations encrypted?


I have analog Comcast cable in Boston and a Panny HDTV. The OTA broadcast
HD channels are sent unencrypted over the cable. I count about 10 feeds.
--jim

hi,

i am new here, and i am having trouble finding the info i seek...

i have an HTPC w/ MYHD-120 capture card. i think that does NOT do QAM?

i have basic cable - no boxes, no nothing...running into the house. (I do not have HD package, so i think it is just analog? so maybe a non-starter?)

if I were able to get HD through the basic wire, then i were to go and buy a QAM device, what would this get me?

- would i be able to watch Comcast HD channels?
- how many?
- which ones?
- is it easy to find/change channels? (Can my wife do it?) (Is there a software utility that does this?)
- if it seems worth it, what device shoudl i buy? is there a set-top QAM receiver, or should i just upgrade to a MyHD-130?

(or should i just pay for digital cable and the Comcast DVR?)

thanks for any pointers or answers for this newbie!

( I have spent a couple of hours searching, but still very confused!!)

hi,
i am new here, and i am having trouble finding the info i seek...
i have an HTPC w/ MYHD-120 capture card. i think that does NOT do QAM?
i have basic cable - no boxes, no nothing...running into the house.
if i were to go and buy a QAM device, what would this get me?
- would i be able to watch Comcast HD channels?
- how many?
- which ones?
- is it easy to find/change channels? (Can my wife do it?) (Is there a software utility that does this?)
- if it seems worth it, what device shoudl i buy? is there a set-top QAM receiver, or should i just upgrade to a MyHD-130?
(or should i just pay for digital cable and the Comcast DVR?)
thanks for any pointers or answers for this newbie!
( I have spent a couple of hours searching, but still very confused!!)
Im in the same boat and recently asked a similar question here. As i understand it the major broadcast networks are not encrypted. Im considering the MYHD-130 card which does have a QAM tuner. There is thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=347087) where you can read up on the 120. I have my HTPC built and do not currently have an HD tuner card. My plan is to start off with the Comcast DVR, get frustrated as all hell, and then spend a little more on the right HD tuner and hopefully have a good DVR solution.
Your question might be better answered over in the HTPC forum here at AVS.

i guess the first question really is:

can i get any COMCAST HD via the basic feed i have now? (Or, would I need to "upgrade" with COMCAST to get teh HD package, before they feed me any HD - encrypted or otherwise?)

thanks for the advice and links...i'm headed over there now.

i guess the first question really is:

can i get any COMCAST HD via the basic feed i have now? (Or, would I need to "upgrade" with COMCAST to get teh HD package, before they feed me any HD - encrypted or otherwise?)

thanks for the advice and links...i'm headed over there now.

If you have a HDTV (with QAM Tuner/Cablecard slot) you will get all the unencrypted channels.

FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, UPN, PBS, etc.

Anyone out there besides me experiencing a stutter in the feed on tonight's game. It's not happening on my HD (no DVR) box upstairs but it is on my HD-DVR box (DCT3412)??

Hi just got a 3412 dvr and boy does it blow. I had to be out of town this week so I recorded 24 on Monday night and for no particular reason it started recording late and I missed the first half hour. Tonight I had it set to record LOST starting at 9 p.m. and luckily I walked in at 9:20 to find the red light on, buy no lost in the dvr menu. Is this what I am to expect ? I can never count on the thing to record a show properly ?

-Ken

Does anyone get picture stuttering while watching the Red Sox in HD on 882?
It was bad last night, and I see it often.

From all the negative comments about Comcast DVR's im thinking of just going with the basic HD STB and work on getting my HTPC working for HD DVR purposes.
Does the basic STB from Comcast have stuttering or similar issues with the HD channels? I would think not as it isnt buffering the video like the DVR boxes do.

From all the negative comments about Comcast DVR's im thinking of just going with the basic HD STB and work on getting my HTPC working for HD DVR purposes.
Does the basic STB from Comcast have stuttering or similar issues with the HD channels? I would think not as it isnt buffering the video like the DVR boxes do.

In my opinion, the picture quality on the ADS channels looks significantly better on the new 3412 box in comparison to my old HD only 6200.

-Ken

fox 25 was stuttering too. I am assuming this has to do with not having enough bandwidth.

also, whats with the weatherscan channel. will this ever be in HD ?

From all the negative comments about Comcast DVR's im thinking of just going with the basic HD STB and work on getting my HTPC working for HD DVR purposes.

So long as you're happy only getting the OTA stations, i.e. ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX/PBS, then that would work.

So long as you're happy only getting the OTA stations, i.e. ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX/PBS, then that would work.
Thats all i was planning on getting so itll do the trick. Now trying to determine the best route to take. After reading through a few threads here at AVS, i see people having some success with running a firewire cable from the STB direclty to the HTPC.
Anyone here doing this or tell me if the non DVR STB has an active firewire port. Im pretty sure both the 3412 and 6412 do.

Thats all i was planning on getting so itll do the trick. Now trying to determine the best route to take. After reading through a few threads here at AVS, i see people having some success with running a firewire cable from the STB direclty to the HTPC.
Anyone here doing this or tell me if the non DVR STB has an active firewire port. Im pretty sure both the 3412 and 6412 do.

Yes I was able to output the firewire to my laptop on the moto 6200. One word of caution however, for some reason one or more of the OTA channels was not viewable via this method. It almost looked scrambled. I can't remember which channel it was, so your mileage may vary.

-Ken

Does anyone get picture stuttering while watching the Red Sox in HD on 882?
It was bad last night, and I see it often.



Just on 882, and it is doing it again tonight !!!!!

If you have a HDTV (with QAM Tuner/Cablecard slot) you will get all the unencrypted channels.

FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, UPN, PBS, etc.

So, no NESN. Darn. but looks like could get by...hmmm...what set-top QAM-able device could i go and buy to test?

gotta do some research!

So, no NESN. Darn. but looks like could get by...hmmm...what set-top QAM-able device could i go and buy to test?

gotta do some research!

I have an LG LST-3510A which I got cheap on e-bay, it's works great and has a built in DVD player. It will give you all the clear channels and the PQ is better than my Moto 6412.

So, no NESN. Darn. but looks like could get by...hmmm...what set-top QAM-able device could i go and buy to test?

gotta do some research!

NESN will be present with cablecard reception.

Mine works great.

Is there any rteason for comcast to carry 38 HD anymore?

they have NO HD shows during the day,NO Red sox and the primtime lineup this fall?

Reruns

O we need a SEPERATE channel just so we can see Jepordy and wheel in HD.

Is there any rteason for comcast to carry 38 HD anymore?

they have NO HD shows during the day,NO Red sox and the primtime lineup this fall?

Reruns

O we need a SEPERATE channel just so we can see Jepordy and wheel in HD.

Why not carry every channel in HD?

Is there any rteason for comcast to carry 38 HD anymore?

they have NO HD shows during the day,NO Red sox and the primtime lineup this fall?

Reruns

O we need a SEPERATE channel just so we can see Jepordy and wheel in HD.

Remember that after 2/17/09 they will have to carry the digital version of every broadcast station (that will be all there is). So maybe they just won't bother to take it down, since it's going to go back up again eventually.

And it certainly won't be before UPN goes away (you might not like their shows, but somebody must), so we'll see what happens in September.

Remember that after 2/17/09 they will have to carry the digital version of every broadcast station (that will be all there is). So maybe they just won't bother to take it down, since it's going to go back up again eventually.

And it certainly won't be before UPN goes away (you might not like their shows, but somebody must), so we'll see what happens in September.


Maybe they will ressurect the "movie loft" and show movies in HD.....

Maybe they will ressurect the "movie loft" and show movies in HD.....

The owners are on record as saying they want to make the "new" 38 one of the premiere indie stations in the country. As to how they might do that, remember that we are just at the beginning of the HD syndication market. In a few years there will be a lot more non-network HD programming around for indie stations to pick from.

40 channels of Analog Until at least 2011 :-(


Asked if Comcast would ever get rid of the analog tier altogether or if in the future, the cable operator would always have some form of an analog tier, Roberts said that internally, company executives have debated that 20-40 analog channels would remain until at least 2011.

“It would be better if we don’t have to make the hard decisions like that,” Roberts said. “Let the consumer drive it. If we have to make a big bet and we get it wrong … ouch.”

While Roberts added that several technologies have great potential, for the meantime, the focus will be on rolling out Comcast’s’ digital-phone product.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6337395.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&nid=2226

40 channels of Analog Until at least 2011 :-(


Asked if Comcast would ever get rid of the analog tier altogether or if in the future, the cable operator would always have some form of an analog tier, Roberts said that internally, company executives have debated that 20-40 analog channels would remain until at least 2011.

“It would be better if we don’t have to make the hard decisions like that,” Roberts said. “Let the consumer drive it. If we have to make a big bet and we get it wrong … ouch.”

While Roberts added that several technologies have great potential, for the meantime, the focus will be on rolling out Comcast’s’ digital-phone product.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6337395.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&nid=2226

Here's the thread in Programming (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=680934) that discusses this article. Sorry, I meant to alert you guys about this sooner.

Maybe they will ressurect the "movie loft" and show movies in HD.....

Nope They already planned it

8pm - Dr Phil RERUN

9pm Jeopardy rerun from past seasons

930 Newscast


1000 Fraiser RERUNS

NO HD programming in prime time and they told MKy Netwrok TV to get lost so NO primetime HD claearance in Boston for My Network

and to think,this is post 1000 for me (been around for a little under 2 years)

Nope They already planned it

8pm - Dr Phil RERUN

9pm Jeopardy rerun from past seasons

930 Newscast


1000 Fraiser RERUNS

NO HD programming in prime time and they told MKy Netwrok TV to get lost so NO primetime HD claearance in Boston for My Network

and to think,this is post 1000 for me (been around for a little under 2 years)

"Fox is also planning to transmit MyNetwork on the digital multicast channels of some of its Fox-branded stations."

If that is the case then comcast usually gives us the multicast channels in sd.

Comcast is only adding 1 new HD channel a year 2006 was Universal-HD. Very dissapointing. They can add much more HD if they just drop analog channels from current 65-70 to 50. 15 x6 =90mhz. with QAM a HD channel takes 3 MHz 90/3=30
30 channnels of more HD. There must be 15 channels that could be swithced to digital only to free up bandwidth and not piss off analog STB or direct-connect users.Plus analog goes away in 2009....

Comcast is only adding 1 new HD channel a year 2006 was Universal-HD. Very dissapointing. They can add much more HD if they just drop analog channels from current 65-70 to 50. 15 x6 =90mhz. with QAM a HD channel takes 3 MHz 90/3=30
30 channnels of more HD. There must be 15 channels that could be swithced to digital only to free up bandwidth and not piss off analog STB or direct-connect users.Plus analog goes away in 2009....

I do not think it is the adding as much as getting the rights to add channels. If voom came up to comcast and said you can have all our channels for FREE watch thwem dump analog channels right and left. :)

Comcast is only adding 1 new HD channel a year 2006 was Universal-HD. Very dissapointing. They can add much more HD if they just drop analog channels from current 65-70 to 50. 15 x6 =90mhz. with QAM a HD channel takes 3 MHz 90/3=30
30 channnels of more HD. There must be 15 channels that could be swithced to digital only to free up bandwidth and not piss off analog STB or direct-connect users.Plus analog goes away in 2009....

I guess you didn't read my post above...Comcast is looking to keep up to 40 channels available in analog till at least 2011...it's a competitive advantage for them with all the analog tvs out there.

-Ken

Just was hoping that Comcast would be in the process of getting down to 20-40 analog channels from the current 65-70 analog channels Free up from 400MHz up. for digital/HD

The owners are on record as saying they want to make the "new" 38 one of the premiere indie stations in the country. As to how they might do that, remember that we are just at the beginning of the HD syndication market. In a few years there will be a lot more non-network HD programming around for indie stations to pick from.

8pm - Dr Phil RERUN

9pm Jeopardy rerun from past seasons

930 Newscast

1000 Fraiser RERUNS

Doesn't exactly scream, "One of the premiere indie stations in the country," does it? You'd think someone would have figured out by now that showing the same old crap that every other 2nd rate UHF channel shows is not the best way to get viewers to notice.

Wow, remember UHF? :p

What else they gonna do? Be another shopping channel?

OK, Comcast has finally worn me out. I can't wait for Verizon. Is Directv my best option? Need HD and at least 1 DVR.

Hope you like HDTV Lite. Some of them sat companies downsample their HD channels. Say what you will about Comcast, but that's one thing they don't do.

Hope you like HDTV Lite. Some of them sat companies downsample their HD channels. Say what you will about Comcast, but that's one thing they don't do.



What does that mean?

That means that channel X transmits a 19Mbps bitstream that represents their HD channel. Satellite company Y, trying to save on bandwidth, downsamples it to 9 Mbps, so they can fit twice as many "HD" channels in the space normally occupied by one HD channel.

Of course, the picture doesn't look as good as the original 19Mbps version, but I guess if you don't notice...

That means that channel X transmits a 19Mbps bitstream that represents their HD channel. Satellite company Y, trying to save on bandwidth, downsamples it to 9 Mbps, so they can fit twice as many "HD" channels in the space normally occupied by one HD channel.

Of course, the picture doesn't look as good as the original 19Mbps version, but I guess if you don't notice...


Ever hear of Directv doing this?

For what it's worth, I have both DirecTV including High Def package, and now Comcast HD via Cablecard, with the Basic + Digital Classic package (18 bucks/month, gotta love it!).

I was very pleasantly surprised how good the HD signals are from Comcast. DirecTV compresses the heck out of alot of stuff - while it still definitely looks better than SD channels of any sort, I would have to give the nod to Comcast in terms of pure picture quality of the HD broadcasts.

For the record, I get 95+ signal strength on my DirecTV to all satellites, and my Comcast signal was also excellent, with the installer noting about 8db signal strength.

Take that for what it's worth.

For what it's worth, I have both DirecTV including High Def package, and now Comcast HD via Cablecard, with the Basic + Digital Classic package (18 bucks/month, gotta love it!).

I was very pleasantly surprised how good the HD signals are from Comcast. DirecTV compresses the heck out of alot of stuff - while it still definitely looks better than SD channels of any sort, I would have to give the nod to Comcast in terms of pure picture quality of the HD broadcasts.

For the record, I get 95+ signal strength on my DirecTV to all satellites, and my Comcast signal was also excellent, with the installer noting about 8db signal strength.

Take that for what it's worth.

Have you done a direct picture to picture comparision iof a channel that is on both systems like ESPN HD?

If I could have a dish and had the $ I would do a similar setup but wioth dish netwoork on their Voom channels.

Ever hear of Directv doing this?

Yes. Them specifically.

Here's one claim that they do. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7722272&&#post7722272) It also claims that some cable companies do the same, but I can say from personal experience (watching the bitrate on the channels I get) that Comcast in New England does not do this. As close as I can tell, I'm getting the full bitrate on all New England local HD stations, with the possible exception of Fox, which often runs at around 9Mbps, although the last time I mentioned that, I was told that it's the Fox network itself running the low bitrate and Comcast is just passing it on.

Have you done a direct picture to picture comparision iof a channel that is on both systems like ESPN HD?

If I could have a dish and had the $ I would do a similar setup but wioth dish netwoork on their Voom channels.

Yes, I have done direct comparisons on my Sony Qualia of ESPN HD in particular. The only way I can describe it is that the Comcast channel has more depth and definition. Objects are crisper, faces perfectly defined. The DirecTV equivalent is not as sharp and doesn't look as 3 dimensional...not enough depth to the picture.

Also, for the record, my Qualia has been calibrated for all inputs by UMR/Jeff Maier, whom you may see posting on other threads on AVS regarding high end PQ. He has personally tuned over 50 Qualia 006's, and knows the device cold. He made sure that all inputs were calibrated to the same levels.

I think the reference that toots made to the post by Steve S. is right on. I think it has alot to do with where in the country you live, and the local cable signals you receive. Maybe for once in the Boston and surrounding areas, we got us some better technology here :-)

By the way, can I just say, that 882/INHD2/NESN HD for Sox games looks absolutely stunning!! It is easily the best way to watch the game other than being there. It also helps when they win I suppose...amazing picture, I could watch it all day...

But then I'd have no job, and no HD, so I guess that idea is out!

Ever hear of Directv doing this?

Thats funny when considering half the threads in the HD programming forum are dedicated to exactly that. :D

By the way, can I just say, that 882/INHD2/NESN HD for Sox games looks absolutely stunning!! It is easily the best way to watch the game other than being there.
I must disagree. IMO, it's the best way to watch the game, period. :)

If you're at the game, you only get one camera angle. You have to put up with getting to the game, getting home from the game, and all the idiots sitting around you. You can't pause the action to use the bathroom or get a snack. You don't get instant replays, or digital sound.

I watch the games projected onto a 7ft diagonal screen. It's a beautiful thing.

Like I tell my brother: "It's like being there, but better."

:p

I have to agree that HD is the only thing that makes football look good.

Of course, it also makes golf, basketball, curling, hockey, and paint drying look good, too.

Why do HD football telecasts insist on showing us a view 10 yards BEHIND the offense instead of shifting the line of scrimmage view downfield so we could see the defensive alignments and view the defensive backs' coverage?

Why do HD football telecasts insist on showing us a view 10 yards BEHIND the offense instead of shifting the line of scrimmage view downfield so we could see the defensive alignments and view the defensive backs' coverage?

I believe that's because the games are still shot with consideration to SD viewers watching on 4:3 screens. They are still the largest percentage of people watching the broadcasts. The line of scrimmage will be somewhere near the middle of the screen, so when watching in 4:3 you won't see the empty space behind the running backs.
If and when HD viewership gets the most consideration, I think we'll see what you're suggesting. The same goes for hockey, where the endboards behind the goal will be on the edge of a widescreen broadcast and the entire offensive zone will be seen. Right now, you get a lot of shots of the goal in the middle of the screen and plenty of seats filled with spectators at the edge.

I believe that's because the games are still shot with consideration to SD viewers watching on 4:3 screens. They are still the largest percentage of people watching the broadcasts. The line of scrimmage will be somewhere near the middle of the screen, so when watching in 4:3 you won't see the empty space behind the running backs.
If and when HD viewership gets the most consideration, I think we'll see what you're suggesting. The same goes for hockey, where the endboards behind the goal will be on the edge of a widescreen broadcast and the entire offensive zone will be seen. Right now, you get a lot of shots of the goal in the middle of the screen and plenty of seats filled with spectators at the edge.

Which is why we NEED to start LETTERBOXing the games.
Shoot for 16:9 using ONLY 16:9 cameras.

Which is why we NEED to start LETTERBOXing the games.
Shoot for 16:9 using ONLY 16:9 cameras.

ROTFL. J6P would start rioting in the streets. Network engineers across the land would fear the mob coming for them with torches and pitchforks.

Not gonna happen.

ROTFL. J6P would start rioting in the streets. Network engineers across the land would fear the mob coming for them with torches and pitchforks.

Not gonna happen.

Actually, the Sox had a thing last seaon called "Widescreen Wednesdays" where the Wednesday SD games were letterboxed, so that J6P could experience a bit of what they were missing.

No civil unrest that I can remember. Then again, I don't know if they're still doing "Widescreen Wednesday" (very spotty in my viewing this year), so maybe there were some complaints..

Well, I realize these are heretical comments, but if the majority of the viewing audience is still watching on 4:3 sets, then they probably should broadcast an aspect ratio that caters to them. It isn't like there's some debate about preserving the artistic intent of the football game or anything, so there really isn't an original aspect ratio to preserve.

What would be nice, if "nice" could ever be applied to a sports broadcast, would be to have one feed catering to/composed for 4:3 SD and another for 16:9, but that gets into the expensive range of things.

ROTFL. J6P would start rioting in the streets. Network engineers across the land would fear the mob coming for them with torches and pitchforks.

Not gonna happen.

OK so what is going to happen in the fall of 2009? J6p will probobly have a box conencted to his 4:3 set.

I say start preparing them NOW!

OK so what is going to happen in the fall of 2009? J6p will probobly have a box conencted to his 4:3 set.

I say start preparing them NOW!


chitchat - can you READ ? Comcast is going to keep 20-40 channels available in SD well beyond the analog shut off date.

-ken

Any chance we'll get ESPN2 HD in time for the World Cup?

chitchat - can you READ ? Comcast is going to keep 20-40 channels available in SD well beyond the analog shut off date.

-ken

Most programming will be 16:9 and will be LETTERBOXED!

From reading a few other threads in the HDTV Programming board,I can see that comcast may be adding a bundle of HD channels in a month in select areas.

It looks like we could end up with everything HD under the sun with the likely exceptions of Voom and the HDNet channels.

Systems that added UHD in Feb and have kept it seem to be what they mean by select areas.

It looks like we could end up with everything HD under the sun with the likely exceptions of Voom and the HDNet channels.


The More HD the merrier, I say.

When in a month? July 1st? Got any links in particular?

I am fortunate enough that I'll have a choice between cable providers once Verizon starts to officially offer FiOS TV in my area. My town just recently gave Verizon a cable license so the pressure is on for Comcast to not sit around. In Comcast's defense they do offer very good PQ on their HD channels. As far as the SD ones go, they're ok at best. Verizon is not only delivering state-of-the-art technology with their 100% fiber to the premise network, they're looking at adding almost every niche channel that is available and doing so with superb PQ from all the reviews. Some of these channels from what I understand are in the works for Verizon FiOS TV: NESN HD, Voom HD Networks, RealMadrid Television, INHD 1+2, sports packages, i.e. MLB, MLS, NHL, NBA and in HD! I also believe Setanta Sports USA (new soccer channel) is talking with Verizon but I cannot confirm this. Not to mention they offer almost every single HD channel that's currently available. Not saying Comcast is going to lose this battle against Verizon but they cannot afford to sit pat.

Well, it ain't like it's a done deal for Verizon.

I find that any time I try to do business with Verizon, it eliminates any desire I may have had to do any further business with them. They're challenged enough at getting POTS to work. I have no confidence that they'll manage a wide scale FiOS roll-out without shooting themselves in the foot.

Toots I agree that its not a slam dunk for them, but if they are serious enough about this venture then I believe they will be very successful at it. Look, they've just spent billions and they'll have to spend another couple of billion to really get into the mainstream. Its no doubt an uphill battle for them, but there's no question that the fiber optics give them a huge advantage in the bandwidth/capacity category. If Comcast wants to continue to stay on top, they're going to have to invest a lot of money at upgrading their systems, including moving eventually to all fiber.

From reading a few other threads in the HDTV Programming board,I can see that comcast may be adding a bundle of HD channels in a month in select areas.

It looks like we could end up with everything HD under the sun with the likely exceptions of Voom and the HDNet channels.

Systems that added UHD in Feb and have kept it seem to be what they mean by select areas.

Only the ESPN2 speculation in those threads seemed to have any actual facts to back it up. What CSRs and installers tell people should be taken with more than a few grains of salt.

Verizon's roll-out of FiOS in South Nashua seems to be going well. I was installed in late December, and with the exception of a short outage due to a blown card in the Central Office, my Verizon broadband connection has been rock-solid. Ditto for the telephone service. Upload speed of 2M for the lowest cost package beats Comcast, as does the price (about $8/month less).

I hope Nashua gets their act together soon with respect to a Verizon TV franchise. I'd like to see the effects of real competition for our broadband and cable TV dollars.

Tony

SonyHD, what town are you in? I'm waiting for Fios in Stoughton, even though neighboring Canton has had it for some time.

From the "for what it's worth" department. A lady from Comcast told me this past sunday at the Hot Dog Safari that Comcast would be adding several new HD channels in the Boston area. She also said it would not be for several months.

-Ken

Blah blah blah. We all know the next two channels will be MTV and ESPN2, neither of which I care about very much. National Geographic might be next.

All I want is HDNet, which I doubt we'll get any time soon.

Blah blah blah. We all know the next two channels will be MTV and ESPN2, neither of which I care about very much. National Geographic might be next.

All I want is HDNet, which I doubt we'll get any time soon.


HDNet, the only channel I would be happy to pay extra for. I could care less about ESPNHD2 but MHD might be interesting as I'm a big music fan.

June 28th may be a big day for Comcast and TWC. The day the bankrupucy court signs off on the Aldelphia purchase. May not be big for us HD fans for several more months. I believe that Aldephia -NE has HDNet on their HD tier.

June 28th may be a big day for Comcast and TWC. The day the bankrupucy court signs off on the Aldelphia purchase. May not be big for us HD fans for several more months. I believe that Aldephia -NE has HDNet on their HD tier.

That means nothing.

They are grandfathered in. The terms under which Aldelphia systems carried HDNet will apply to these systems under Comcast.

It dosen't mean other NE systems will get the channels.

Comcast greatly values consistency. They'll likely seek to either get out of the grandfathering, or seek to offer HDNet to the entire region (though it may take years for that consistency to be achieved).

Why do HD football telecasts insist on showing us a view 10 yards BEHIND the offense instead of shifting the line of scrimmage view downfield so we could see the defensive alignments and view the defensive backs' coverage?

I've always thought it was because nobody wants a long pass bouncing off the SkyCam. :)

I got 2 free movie tickets in the mail yesterday for filling out a survey from Comcast when I shut off my HS Internet service. FiOS internet is much better.

SWEET!

I got 2 free movie tickets in the mail yesterday for filling out a survey from Comcast when I shut off my HS Internet service. FiOS internet is much better.

SWEET!

What is the difference in price and d/l, u/l speeds for the two services?

Here in Nashua Comcast provided ~6Mb download and ~384k upload; cost was about $43 per month if you also had Comcast cable TV. Verizon's lowest tier offers 5Mb download and 2Mb upload; cost is about $35 per month if you commit to one year. Verizon offers free installation and a free wireless router with the one year commitment. If you have Verizon local telephone service you get a $5/month package discount.

Verizon also offers a 10M/2M package for about $10 per month more, or a 30M/5M package for quite a bit more. In some areas (New York, etc.) Verizon offers the 10M/2M service at the $35/month price to give themselves a competitive edge over the cable companies.

Tony

Comcast greatly values consistency. They'll likely seek to either get out of the grandfathering, or seek to offer HDNet to the entire region (though it may take years for that consistency to be achieved).

If Dtv was to start carrying NESN they may want to make a New england deal but I assume Cuban is holding out for a National deal.

Here in Nashua Comcast provided ~6Mb download and ~384k upload; cost was about $43 per month if you also had Comcast cable TV. Verizon's lowest tier offers 5Mb download and 2Mb upload; cost is about $35 per month if you commit to one year. Verizon offers free installation and a free wireless router with the one year commitment. If you have Verizon local telephone service you get a $5/month package discount.

Verizon also offers a 10M/2M package for about $10 per month more, or a 30M/5M package for quite a bit more. In some areas (New York, etc.) Verizon offers the 10M/2M service at the $35/month price to give themselves a competitive edge over the cable companies.

Tony

That's better than I get from Cox here in CT. 5mb down and 384kb up for $40 a month. The customer service is very good, though.

This is still a few months away but expect to see more HD on WGBH has they will have their new tv and radio studios up and running by this fall. Some local show will be in HD other SD widescreen. They are also going to have also a new web feed with intergated CC when you mute the Windows Media player the CC will appear.

HD Sports Guide has just announced that Comcast has reached a deal to carry ESPN2 just ib time for World Cup!

Sixdoubleseven I'm in Wakefield but as of yet nothing has been released (brochures or any promotion material) to us. But from what I understand it should be very soon as they can now officially begin to offer cable service in my town.
By the way it looks as if ESPN2 HD will indeed be here in time for the World Cup. At least Comcast is not standing pat.

HD Sports Guide has just announced that Comcast has reached a deal to carry ESPN2 just ib time for World Cup!

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=870634&highlight=


official press release:

omcast to Offer Comprehensive HD Coverage of World Cup Tournament With the Launch of ESPN2 HD

ESPN2 HD Lineup Also Will Give Comcast HD Cable Customers HD Coverage of the WNBA, NCAA College World Series and More

PHILADELPHIA, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast, the country's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, today announced that ESPN2 HD, the high-definition simulcast of ESPN2, will be added to its HDTV lineup in several markets beginning Friday, June 9.

With the addition of ESPN2 HD to Comcast's lineup, viewers will be able to enjoy ESPN2 HD's extensive coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament - which begins tomorrow - as well as many more sporting events and series, with stunning, lifelike images and crisp digital sound. The first two matches of the FIFA World Cup will be on ESPN2 HD kicking off at 11:55 a.m. ET with Germany taking on Costa Rica followed by Poland vs. Ecuador at 2:55 p.m. ET.

ESPN HD, ABC HD and ESPN2 HD will combine to present live coverage of all 64 matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in high definition from Friday, June 9 through Sunday, July 9 from 12 cities in Germany. In addition, the high- definition services will feature the 2006 World Cup studio programs including the pre-match, halftime and post-match segments.

"We're thrilled to expand our leading HDTV lineup with the addition of ESPN2 HD," said Matt Bond, Executive Vice President of Content Acquisitions for Comcast. "Watching events like the World Cup and the NCAA College World Series in crystal-clear HD is the next best thing to being in the stadium for all of the action."

"We look forward to ESPN2 HD joining ESPN HD on Comcast's lineup to enhance viewing for high-definition subscribers and sports fans across the country," said Ben Pyne, President, Disney and ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. "Comcast has a proven focus on high-definition television with its robust package of compelling high-definition content."

Comcast now offers an average of 15-17 HD channels per market, including ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD, TNT HD, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, Starz HD, INHD, INHD2, regional sports networks and local affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, UPN and PBS.

For more information about Comcast's HDTV service, customers can call 1-800-COMCAST or visit http://www.comcast.com.

Sixdoubleseven I'm in Wakefield but as of yet nothing has been released (brochures or any promotion material) to us. But from what I understand it should be very soon as they can now officially begin to offer cable service in my town.
By the way it looks as if ESPN2 HD will indeed be here in time for the World Cup. At least Comcast is not standing pat.


it will be here ALOT SOONER than you think :rolleyes:

it will be here ALOT SOONER than you think :rolleyes:

OK so why is there no channel 850 yet?

ESPN2 is here! YES!!!!!!!!!

ESPN2 is here! YES!!!!!!!!!

850 still marks as Not Authorized and to be announced. I assume tit will be different come noontime.

Channel 850? As in ESPN2, or Al Kaprelian?

OK so why is there no channel 850 yet?


you have to have standard cable to get 850

Yes! ESPN 2 HD is finally here. (850)Now I can watch the world cup in HD.
I actually called Comcast to complaint yesterday about not having ESPN2 HD yet. and the customer rep told me that there is not sign or they have not been informed that we were going to get it. I'm glad that Comcast keeps their reps informed!!

Yes! ESPN 2 HD is finally here. (850)Now I can watch the world cup in HD.
I actually called Comcast to complaint yesterday about not having ESPN2 HD yet. and the customer rep told me that there is not sign or they have not been informed that we were going to get it. I'm glad that Comcast keeps their reps informed!!

For something minor like this, a channel addition, reps are told last minute so it wasn't until late last night they were aware.

It's there and working !!!! SWEET !!!!!

haven't been here in a while.

Do I need to add Standard cable to get ESPN2?

Don't really feel like uping my bill $49 for just espn2.

haven't been here in a while.

Do I need to add Standard cable to get ESPN2?

Don't really feel like uping my bill $49 for just espn2.


YES

Now that we have ESPN2-HD, I hope they don't stop there and will add some more channels especially NGHD or HDnet. And lets give NESN it's own channel, maybe once UPN goes away we can replace it with that if there is any bandwidth problems.

YES

That sounds semi stupid considering we get ESPN 1 in HD.

OTOH I know the $2+ fee per subscriber for ESPN 1 SD we do not pay.

Something tells me once NESN HD pops up on 851 it could be the same way or they may shut off ESPN HD and TNT HD.

I would not mind a Limited basic only surcharge to get aLL the HD channels. (excluding Premium HD)

and NOT $40!

haven't been here in a while.

Do I need to add Standard cable to get ESPN2?

Don't really feel like uping my bill $49 for just espn2.

$40 (We still get limited basic)

Now that we have ESPN2-HD, I hope they don't stop there and will add some more channels especially NGHD or HDnet. And lets give NESN it's own channel, maybe once UPN goes away we can replace it with that if there is any bandwidth problems.

theres more on the way trust me on that one

Really. No Expanded basic = No ESPN2HD ? There are a lot of us who have dropped expanded basic for the savings, but have been able to get the HD NESN's, TNT's and others because of our digital packages.

Really. No Expanded basic = No ESPN2HD ? There are a lot of us who have dropped expanded basic for the savings, but have been able to get the HD NESN's, TNT's and others because of our digital packages.


Exactly. No other way to get ESPN2HD w/o getting expanded.

Price for value.

Exactly. No other way to get ESPN2HD w/o getting expanded.

Oh well, that's still not enough to tip the balance for me. $32.40 for a bunch of SD channels I never watch, and 1 HD that I might watch, a couple of hours a month ? Hopefully they won't have the same restrictions with any other new HD's they add. Or, like chitchatjf suggested a limited basic surcharge or maybe some type of HD package.

Wow, that is interesting strategy by Comcast. I am generally a Comcast supporter but this rubs me the wrong way. I could care less about the world cup or anything on ESPN2 (unless it starts showing NFL games) and I am still not happy about this ! à la carte can't get here soon enough.

I agree that this was a bad decision by Comcast. After all, I do get ESPN News with my Digital Package so I think they could have given ESPN HD station as long as you have a digital package. IMO, it makes more sense to give us digital subscribers ESPNHD then it does NESNHD because we don't even get NESN with the basic package. Believe me, I'm not complaining about getting NESNHD but just fail to see the logic here in this decision. Seems inconsistent.

I agree that this was a bad decision by Comcast. After all, I do get ESPN News with my Digital Package so I think they could have given ESPN HD station as long as you have a digital package. IMO, it makes more sense to give us digital subscribers ESPNHD then it does NESNHD because we don't even get NESN with the basic package. Believe me, I'm not complaining about getting NESNHD but just fail to see the logic here in this decision. Seems inconsistent.
I believe that if/when they give NESN-HD its own full-time channel (851), you will also lose that.

Mickey