Last night the American Idol finale video and audio froze completely for several minutes about a half-hour into the interminable two-hour program. Of course, nothing would've been lost had it frozen for at least another hour.

It wasn't just Comcast .... I had similar problems with video freezes and audio cutouts during "Lost" with HR10-250 HD DirecTivo and over-the-air KOMO-DT. I wish KOMO could solve their continuing network issues.

How bad was it last night? Worse than previous weeks? Haven't watched it yet, and am curious if I should bother with the HD version or just watch the SD version I recorded.

Last night the American Idol finale video and audio froze completely for several minutes about a half-hour into the interminable two-hour program. Of course, nothing would've been lost had it frozen for at least another hour.

I saw this too. Since the problems aren't localized to a single channel, and I'm using a QAM tuner, not a Comcast STB, do you think it's just a general Comcast DTV/HDTV transmission problem?

Freezes on 113:

It also could be Fox or KCPQ (I haven't seen it freeze for this long on other channels).

Freezes on 113:

It also could be Fox or KCPQ (I haven't seen it freeze for this long on other channels).

I was referring to the freezes on Fox/KCPQ as well as the audio pops on KCTS-HD...

The Lost freezes were pretty bad. In fact one time it froze for so long I thought the PVR was at the end of the recording and it had missed the show. Unfortunately one of the freezes was right in the middle of an exciting moment involving high explosives.

I'll agree that KOMO has been the worst lately in getting their signal together. Both Alias and Lost have been having at least 2-4 freeze moment glitches per episode. That being said, you'd have to pry my remote from my cold dead hands before I went back to watching SD on any show that was available in HD.

Frankly I'm just thankful that the 6412 box and software can handle the glitches and freezes without crashing, terminating the recording or otherwise losing the show.

... Both Alias and Lost have been having at least 2-4 freeze moment glitches per episode. ....

I was actually optimistic about Lost, I only had time to watch Alias last night and didn't have a single glitch with it so I was thinking KOMO finally had a good night, but based off of the feedback from Lost today I guess I was wrong. I really hope they get this worked out before the fall season. So frustrating *sigh*

Yup, there was at least a 1 minute freeze in Lost (the worst I've seen to date), at the timepoint already mentioned earlier, right when one of the "expendable / Red Shirt" characters was blown up (the freeze started right before he went to handle the sweating dynamite, and didn't come back until everyone was cleaning up pieces of "Arnst" off of themselves). It was a long enough freeze that I thought something major had gone wrong (either with my hardware, or in the cable network).

There was at least one other (maybe two) freezes / glitches during Lost (which was a 2 hours season finale), but they were relatively minor and only lasted for 1-2 seconds.

The season finale of Deperate Housewives (also KOMO) was fairly smooth, and I noticed only one short freeze / glitch (unfortunately I didn't write down the time).

Cliff

I had multiple audio/video dropouts lasting from 2 seconds to 15 seconds- that's right, no audio and a black screen. I'd say at least every 30 seconds for a good 15 minutes, it ruined the show I saved. That was a USA rerun of Nash Bridges, btw. Go Cheech! :D

Forgive me if this is posted somewhere, I couldn't find it. I had my second DVR installed yesterday, and assumed the power button would be good enough for power on/power off for switching boxes. It works as planned, but what I didn't think of was the second box still processing commands like "menu" while it's off- that changes the output settings and captions.

Now my original box has closed captioning turned on from when I was toggling the menu on the second box. I can't fix it, though! I can cover up the sensor on box two so it doesn't process anything, but now I can't even access the setup menu on box one! I need to get to the main menu during power off to change the closed captioning off, and make sure the output settings haven't changed.

I wish Comcast would offer a larger hard drive, but until then (if ever), I need to get into that menu!

:o

Physically unplug both units, then plug in the one you need to make changes for, make them, then plug in the second unit.

Physically unplug both units, then plug in the one you need to make changes for, make them, then plug in the second unit.
The first box isn't registering anything with box two blocked, that's not the problem.

:confused:

Yes but cycling power to the box "resets" it. Unlike TiVo, which has a "restart system" command to reboot it when it is acting flaky, the Comcast 6412s need the old "hard reset" via no power.

So unplugging the misbehaving box and plugging it back in might get it to accept commands again. I have had to do so once with my own 6412.

Well, I think I found a fix. It's not pretty, but it works. I put a VHS tape in front of the display/remote sensor on box two. Pressing menu immediately brought up the settings to correct the closed captioning on box one. I don't know why it wouldn't work, the whole thing started because it changed when I was on box two. Without a universal remote with different codes on each box, I see absolutely no way around this. I'm losing a few style points, but I can't think of anything else.

:(

I currently am renting the non dvr HD box from Comcast in South King County. Saturday, I received a letter from a Comcast customer care rep in Bothell informing me that ESPN HD will require Digital Classic service as a minimum starting 30 June. However, I can subscribe at no cost for 6 months and after that I will have to pay the regular fee. So I called 1-866-436-4596 and they turned on INHD, etc. Now I guess that in six months I'll have to decide if it is worth paying for. sam

I currently am renting the non dvr HD box from Comcast in South King County. Saturday, I received a letter from a Comcast customer care rep in Bothell informing me that ESPN HD will require Digital Classic service as a minimum starting 30 June. However, I can subscribe at no cost for 6 months and after that I will have to pay the regular fee. So I called 1-866-436-4596 and they turned on INHD, etc. Now I guess that in six months I'll have to decide if it is worth paying for. sam
I was also told I have to have that to get ESPN HD- and mine was installed over a year ago.

any other Mac users in this thread that capture via firewire?

While not within KOMO or Comcast's pervue, I must say it was disappointing that ABC could not be bothered to transmit the Indy 500 in HD. Especially with FOX now showing the Coca Cola 600 in HD.

What is even more galling is in the infomercial run after the race was in HD. :rolleyes:

any other Mac users in this thread that capture via firewire?
I did it once for ten seconds to prove that it works. :) sam

anyone else having glitches today? ive been having them on Komo and while watching OnDemand

anyone else having glitches today? ive been having them on Komo and while watching OnDemand

I saw some "pauses" on KOMO while watching parts of the Spurs-Suns game

anyone else having glitches today? ive been having them on Komo and while watching OnDemand
I was watching Six Feet Under OnDemand and it stopped twice. Since there's no "resume play" with this software (unlike the old STBs), that was a bit frustrating since the fastforward isn't very fast. :rolleyes:

What is the bare minimum Comcast HD subscription? That is, without considering the HSI combo discount (I have HSI already but for the sake of simplicity...), what is the lowest possible Comcast cable combination that allows for HD and how much would it be per month? I don't watch TV all that much but HD is a must as I am looking in to a new widescreen HD TV set for movies and such.

What is the bare minimum Comcast HD subscription? That is, without considering the HSI combo discount (I have HSI already but for the sake of simplicity...), what is the lowest possible Comcast cable combination that allows for HD and how much would it be per month? I don't watch TV all that much but HD is a must as I am looking in to a new widescreen HD TV set for movies and such.

I talked to two CSRs today and both told me you only need limited basic to get the non-pvr HD box ($5.00/month).

To get the HD-PVR ($9.95/month) you'll need to subscribe to digital classic ($11.95/month).

Hope this helps.

What is the bare minimum Comcast HD subscription? That is, without considering the HSI combo discount (I have HSI already but for the sake of simplicity...), what is the lowest possible Comcast cable combination that allows for HD and how much would it be per month? I don't watch TV all that much but HD is a must as I am looking in to a new widescreen HD TV set for movies and such.

If you have a HDTV with a QAM tuner, you can go with Limited Basic for $12+/mo. and not even bother with the non-PVR STB. That's what I have, and while the HD is nice, the number of programs in true HD is pretty limited. Of course, there's still a bunch of SD digital channels that you can pick up with the QAM tuner (much better PQ than with the analog SD).

Just did a rescan of the QAM channels. Got MTV1, CSpan, MSNBC, and several other that were either at a commercial or my feeble mind just can't remember. The conversion to digital seems to be happening. Can anyone confirm?

If you have a HDTV with a QAM tuner, you can go with Limited Basic for $12+/mo. and not even bother with the non-PVR STB.

Yep, that's the set up I've got right now. But only the locals channels are free. To get ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, INHD and INHD2, you'll need the STB and digital classic.

I'm not at all familiar with QAM tuners in televisions; what are some examples of sets that have one?

I'm not at all familiar with QAM tuners in televisions; what are some examples of sets that have one?

I have a Sharp LC-37GD4U. See more info at: http://www.sharpusa.com/products/ModelLanding/0,1058,1394,00.html

A quick review of some of the Sony HDTV tube models shows that they also have a QAM tuner:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=tv_hdtv_tube&ProductSKU=KD30XS955&TabName=specs&var2=

I don't know for sure, but my guess would be that anything that is "HD Built-In" will have a QAM tuner... but you'll need to check each model's specs to be sure.

Steve

Comcast has mapped all of their analog channels to QAM channels! If you own a QAM enabled PC capture card, you owe it to youself to check out www.nightthunder.com. The software at this site will support both the DVico Fusion 3 QAM and the MYHD capture cards. Other HD cards have not been tested but should also work with this software.

You can donwload 13 days worth of guide data and schedule recordings on PC capture cards including the new QAM channels. It's late, so I'll sign off now, but if you are interested in more details, post back here.

I'm not at all familiar with QAM tuners in televisions; what are some examples of sets that have one?

Mitsubishi
http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/televisions/default.asp

Yep, that's the set up I've got right now. But only the locals channels are free. To get ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, INHD and INHD2, you'll need the STB and digital classic.

Which is ordinarily about $12.00 a month, or $3.00 a channel, assuming you want to watch all four. And that doesn't qualify you to get the HD DVR added. I'm about ready to send back the stupid Moto HD box that I never use. It's not worth the $7 or so that I pay for it, and only inertia keeps it in the house.

They did, however, just send me a letter offering the digital classic for free for the next six months. Without a box (e.g. only using a QAM tuner) that would be useless.

How is the quality of the QAM channels compared to their analog counterparts?

How is the quality of the QAM channels compared to their analog counterparts?

Analog channels are variable in picture quality... some are good, some are bad.

For the most part, the digital channels simulcast and picked up by the QAM tuner are much better, and the picture quality appears to be much higher. I now watch analog only when the channel isn't available on Digital...

...I don't know for sure, but my guess would be that anything that is "HD Built-In" will have a QAM tuner... but you'll need to check each model's specs to be sure....I think the majority of "HD Built-In" sets today still have just an ATSC tuner - although more & more are starting to have QAM as well. Definitely check the specs....

Comcast has mapped all of their analog channels to QAM channels! If you own a QAM enabled PC capture card, you owe it to youself to check out www.nightthunder.com. The software at this site will support both the DVico Fusion 3 QAM and the MYHD capture cards. Other HD cards have not been tested but should also work with this software..

Okay, I'm game and will give this a try. I have both a Fusion 3 and MyHD-120. I was debating which one to upgrade (to Fusion 5 or MyHD-130), but if this thing works as advertised, I think it will be the MyHD so that it can deal with QAM.

Any indication (or guess) as to when Comcast will map the QAM channels to the STB's to replace the analog equivalents?

Which is ordinarily about $12.00 a month, or $3.00 a channel, assuming you want to watch all four. And that doesn't qualify you to get the HD DVR added. I'm about ready to send back the stupid Moto HD box that I never use. It's not worth the $7 or so that I pay for it, and only inertia keeps it in the house.

They did, however, just send me a letter offering the digital classic for free for the next six months. Without a box (e.g. only using a QAM tuner) that would be useless.

I'm getting the hd-pvr this weekend.

Monthly comes to:
Limited basic - $12.30
Digital Classic - $11.99
HD-pvr - $9.95

How is the quality of the QAM channels compared to their analog counterparts?

They most definitely look better. :D

Okay, I'm game and will give this a try. I have both a Fusion 3 and MyHD-120. I was debating which one to upgrade (to Fusion 5 or MyHD-130), but if this thing works as advertised, I think it will be the MyHD so that it can deal with QAM.

Karyk,

The DVico card setup is the more statble of the two cards. It does everything I want! MyHD support will be added today, but there is a severe limitation in that they do not allow you to rename the output of a digital tp stream. Really sucks. I'll have a fix for that in the next dot release (1-2weeks?). For now you'd be better off with the DVico card.

Jim

I'm getting the hd-pvr this weekend.

Monthly comes to:
Limited basic - $12.30
Digital Classic - $11.99
HD-pvr - $9.95

Ask them about the 6-months of free Digital Classic deal, and it may save you some of that.

Sorry for the rookie question but how does one figure out if the QAM channels are picked up or available on a particluar TV? We have less than 1 year old toshiba hd plasma and an panasonic ed plasma. Each is connected to a Comcast Moto hd pvr. Not sure how to look to see if the QAM channels are available in one of the TV menus or some other way.

The digital channels displayed through the pvr/receiver are not very impressive in sd, although great of course in hd. It sounds like the QAM channels produce a better quality digital sd picture than what is coming through the Moto pvr, or have I misunderstood? Thanks.

Not sure how to look to see if the QAM channels are available in one of the TV menus or some other way.

My Sharp LCD has 2 Analog cable inputs and 1 Digital cable input, so I split the cable and put one cable into each of the Analog and Digital inputs. The QAM tuner is connected to the Digital cable input. If your TV doesn't have a digital cable input (not the same as a digital antenna input -- ATSC) then you probably don't have a QAM tuner on the TV.

Here is a list of the new QAM channels and what they map to. It's not complete but should give you a head start. It was caputured off a MyHD card. (PS.attched files don;t seem to be working)

D-13 KCPQ 13
D-22 KTWB 10
82-1 KCTS 9
82-2 KCTS Kids ??
82-3 KCTS ??
82-4 KOMO 4
82-5 KCTS HD ??
83-1 KING 5
83-2 KONG 6
83-3 KING Weather
84-1 KIRO 7
91-1 ESPN2 ??
91-2 SPEED 33
91-3 Travel 36
91-4 OLN 34
91-5 HISTP 37
91-6 FAMILYP 39
91-7 NIKP 40
91-8 MALMRKP 19
91-9 TOONP 42
91-10 CNBC 46
92-1 MSNBC 47
92-2 FNC 48
92-3 COURTP 49
92-4 LIFEP 51
92-5 ARTSP 52
92-6 FOODP 35
92-7 TNTP 54
92-8 TBSP 55
92-9 USAP 58
92-10 VH1P 62
109-1 NFL ??
112-1 sports ??
116-1 MTV2 64
116-2 ETVP 65
116-3 BRAVO 66
116-4 AZN ??
116-5 sports ??
116-6 GOLF 69
116-7 HGTV 68
116-8 jewelry ??
116-9 UWTV ??
116-10 NASA ??
117-1 BETP 56
117-2 FXP 60
117-3 OXYGENP 50
117-5 TLCP 38
117-6 SPIKEP 57
117-7 SFIFIP 59
117-8 AMCP 67
117-9 COMDEYP 60
117-10 MTVP 63
117-11 CMTVP 61
118-1 CSPAN ??
118-2 CSPAN2 ??
118-3 ANIMALPLANET ??
118-4 TRAVEL ??
118-5 ?? ??
118-6 ?? ??
118-7 HSN ??
118-8 QVC ??
118-9 CNN 44

Sorry for the rookie question but how does one figure out if the QAM channels are picked up or available on a particluar TV? We have less than 1 year old toshiba hd plasma and an panasonic ed plasma. Each is connected to a Comcast Moto hd pvr. Not sure how to look to see if the QAM channels are available in one of the TV menus or some other way.

The digital channels displayed through the pvr/receiver are not very impressive in sd, although great of course in hd. It sounds like the QAM channels produce a better quality digital sd picture than what is coming through the Moto pvr, or have I misunderstood? Thanks.Unless your TV owners manual explicitly says it has a built-in "QAM tuner" or "Digital Cable tuner", then it probably doesn't.

The QAM channels they're talking about are "digital simulcasts" of regular analog cable channels - part of Comcast's eventual migration to an all-digital service. Comcast has started feeding them over their cable signal for testing, but they haven't officially turned them on yet. People with QAM (digital cable) tuners in their TVs are just getting an early sneak peek at these channels. When it's ready, they'll enable this feature on all our set top boxes - presumably in the near future.

Here is a list of the new QAM channels and what they map to. It's not complete but should give you a head start.

I assume that the STB channel numbers are listed for reference only, and that "91-2 SPEED 33" doesn't mean that the digital simulcast will be there if I tune to channel 33 (yet).

I assume that the STB channel numbers are listed for reference only, and that "91-2 SPEED 33" doesn't mean that the digital simulcast will be there if I tune to channel 33 (yet).I think those are the existing analog channels for those networks.

I think those are the existing analog channels for those networks.

That's why I said "reference". When the digital simulcast is complete, the digital versions will appear on those STB channels in place of the analog signals, so then the presence of those numbers on the list will be for more than reference purposes. I just wanted clarification that the signals have not yet been mapped to the STB channels.

Here is a list of the new QAM channels and what they map to. It's not complete but should give you a head start. It was caputured off a MyHD card. (PS.attched files don;t seem to be working)

[snip]

I wonder if the QAM channel mapping is region-specific. For example, 82.2 for me is KCTS-HD, 82.4 is KCTS-DT, and 82.5 is KOMO-TV. I also see FSN on 116.1 and KIRO-TV on 84.2. I'm in South Bellevue...

I assume that the STB channel numbers are listed for reference only, and that "91-2 SPEED 33" doesn't mean that the digital simulcast will be there if I tune to channel 33 (yet).

Yes, the STB channels are for reference only. BTW: I don't expect the analog channels to go away. Instead, I suspect they'll map these stations to a new channel range. Unless they reshuffle, one scheme would be to put the digital channels at the STB channel number + 1000. But I have no insight into this.

I was under the impression that when digital simulcast is first implemented the analog signals will remain at the same channels when selected without the STB. Tuning the STB to those channels will get you the digital equivalent. Eventually the analog channels will disappear, but only when there is a low-cost solution to providing access to the digital signals for those who don't currently use the STB. I definitely can't foresee any changes to the channel mapping of the analog channels, as long as they exist, since that would create needless confusion for the majority of the Comcast subscribers.

Karyk,

The MyHD setup for ReplayNT has been vetted and is now on my website. Unfortunately, it can only create file nams based on MYHD's protocol. I hope to have a fix soon.

Jim

BTW: Wareagle, you're probably right about the channel renumbering, at least I hope so!

I am picking up a lot of the channels on that QAM list above, with a Limited Basic Comcast cable subscription and my new Samsung HLR5037W. Does anybody know if this is normal or somewhat peculiar? I had no idea that even I would have "preliminary" access to those channels (until Comcast implements a complete digital transition).

I'm getting the hd-pvr this weekend.

Monthly comes to:
Limited basic - $12.30
Digital Classic - $11.99
HD-pvr - $9.95

That's exactly what I wanted. Maybe I should try another rep for I know they often give different answers.

Do you have Internet too, such that you're really just paying about $22.00? If so, I wonder if that's the reason for the different answer?

Karyk,

The DVico card setup is the more statble of the two cards. It does everything I want! MyHD support will be added today, but there is a severe limitation in that they do not allow you to rename the output of a digital tp stream. Really sucks. I'll have a fix for that in the next dot release (1-2weeks?). For now you'd be better off with the DVico card.

Jim

Well, right now I have only the Fusion 3 and MyHD-120, the latter of which doesn't do QAM at all, so I'm more than 1-2 weeks away from doing any QAM with a MyHD card. ;)

Here is a list of the new QAM channels and what they map to. It's not complete but should give you a head start. It was caputured off a MyHD card. (PS.attched files don;t seem to be working)

D-13 KCPQ 13
D-22 KTWB 10
82-1 KCTS 9
82-2 KCTS Kids ??
82-3 KCTS ??
82-4 KOMO 4
82-5 KCTS HD ??
83-1 KING 5
83-2 KONG 6
83-3 KING Weather

Komo is 82-5 on my system (Fusion w/ Comcast in Seattle proper)

KCPQ is 81 on my system, but it shows up differently than the other channels. Is it HD or not?

Any of you Comcast users having this problem? I posted this to the Seattle OTA thread earlier.

"Since I can't receive any of the Seattle stations OTA, I have to rely on my local cableco (Wave) to receive the locals in HD. For the last several days, I'm not receiving KOMO in HD at all (SD signal only). Wave claims that it's a problem @ KOMO & that it's being worked on (involves replacing a defective part @ KOMO per Wave). I haven't seen a single post about this. Is Wave the only ones having this problem?"

Wave/KOMO-HD outage -- no problem with Comcast in Seattle, so it must be a local issue for you.

"Unless your TV owners manual explicitly says it has a built-in "QAM tuner" or "Digital Cable tuner", then it probably doesn't. "


Thanks for the helpful responses to my earlier rookie question. They were helpful and as a result I was able to find that the Panasonic plasma which has an ATSC tuner was able to find the QAM channels by navigating through some of the onscreen menus and doing a channel scan. Oddly the owner's manual makes no mention of anything other than the ATSC tuner which I thought was just for the OTA digital reception but when connected to the Comcast cable rather than an antenna I was able to find all the QAM channels listed by others here.

Has anyone found any of the HD movie channels such as Starz, Showtime ect. or are they all still scrambled? There were so many channels and subchannels I could not be sure I viewed them all and did not find any obvious HD content on at the time I looked. Thanks again for the good pointers and information.

"
Has anyone found any of the HD movie channels such as Starz, Showtime ect. or are they all still scrambled? There were so many channels and subchannels I could not be sure I viewed them all and did not find any obvious HD content on at the time I looked. Thanks again for the good pointers and information.

They are "scrambled". They have the 5C1 flag set.

They are "scrambled". They have the 5C1 flag set.FYI - the 5C flags are only relevant to Firewire, not QAM. 5C (aka "DTCP") is the encryption technology used between your set-top box and other Firewire-equipped devices. The technology used to scramble premium QAM channels between the cableco head-end and your set-top box is Motorola's Digicipher II (I think).

I've been an Arizona softball fan for awhile, so I'm happy that ESPN HD carries the games sometimes. Today was the second game I recorded, and the second time that I didn't get to see the full game. The first time I missed the final inning, today I missed the extra innings. Isn't there something Comcast can do (send a signal?) to manually change the end time? It's extremely frustrating to pay for a DVR (I actually have two now), and miss the end of the game. Instead of a block of time, why not have an electronic marker to signal the beginning and end of the game, so the DVR actually records the program instead of the block of time it's "scheduled"? Varying times at the end of games is nothing new with sports.

Is there anyone from Comcast that can answer this? :mad::mad::mad::mad:

I've been an Arizona softball fan for awhile, so I'm happy that ESPN HD carries the games sometimes. Today was the second game I recorded, and the second time that I didn't get to see the full game. The first time I missed the final inning, today I missed the extra innings. Isn't there something Comcast can do (send a signal?) to manually change the end time? It's extremely frustrating to pay for a DVR (I actually have two now), and miss the end of the game. Instead of a block of time, why not have an electronic marker to signal the beginning and end of the game, so the DVR actually records the program instead of the block of time it's "scheduled"? Varying times at the end of games is nothing new with sports.

Is there anyone from Comcast that can answer this? :mad::mad::mad::mad:


If it is a important game to me... then I usually just set it to record the next half hour or hour show that is on after... just in case!!!
I don't think there is anything else that can be done.

If it is a important game to me... then I usually just set it to record the next half hour or hour show that is on after... just in case!!!
I don't think there is anything else that can be done.
Doh! :eek: I never thought about changing the time at the end, you are my hero.

Brilliant! :D

I doubt they'll ever be able to do anything like pushing a signal to your box telling it the current show will run over, at least not with the current architecture. Current DVRs all seems to be based on a once-a-day (at most) program guide download.

Closest thing I've seen is on Replay TVs, there's a semi-un-documented feature called "Sportsguard". When enabled, it automatically pads any programming by XX minutes (you choose the amount) but only if a) the program's category is Sports, and b) there's nothing already scheduled to record in the subsequent timeslot.

I always do 90 mins over when I record Nascar.... Who knows how long that will ever go....

My wife gets till Sat to clear out the soaps before Sunday so I have the whole thing full for me!!!!

Does this look right to everyone? I want to make sure I'm not double paying for any services. I have digital cable as well as a cable modem from Comcast.


Monthly Charge(s)
06/08 - 07/07 Digital Classic Package 11.99
Includes: Digital Classic and 1 Standard Digital Set-top Receiver and Remote If Applicable.

06/08 - 07/07 Basic Cable Includes 42.99
(limited Cable $11.39 and Expanded Cable $31.60)

06/08 - 07/07 DVR Service 9.95

06/08 - 07/07 High-speed Internet 45.95
Modem Lease and Multi-product Cable Discount
Subtotal 110.88

Taxes & Fee(s)

06/01 State Sales Tax .16
06/01 State Sales Tax .27
06/01 Franchise Fee 3.54
06/01 FCC Regulatory Fee .06
Subtotal 4.03
Balance Due $ 114.91

...of missed programming.

Now that all the TNT-HD NBA playoff games are over it's time to speculate about how nice the "Into the West" miniseries (starting 6/10) would look in HD. Let's hope they rerun it some day in the far future when we actually can see for ourselves.

...of missed programming.

Now that all the TNT-HD NBA playoff games are over it's time to speculate about how nice the "Into the West" miniseries (starting 6/10) would look in HD. Let's hope they rerun it some day in the far future when we actually can see for ourselves.
I feel the same way about "The 4000" on USA. The intro slaps us with "filmed in HD" like it makes a difference. Is USA HD available anywhere??

I just got an email from Comcast. I followed the link and there was an ad for TNT in HD, it's an ad for Into The West. Doesn't Comcast check what they offer before they send out an ad for it?

http://comcast.p.delivery.net/m/p/com/mic/HD_Index.asp?p=&cid=12781098848&cell=330070

Also, when you click on the left hand side where it says HDTV Programming, TNT is listed under Premium channels with HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax. Huh? Is TNTHD a 'premium' channel (no commercials)?

Monthly Charge(s)
06/08 - 07/07 Digital Classic Package 11.99
Includes: Digital Classic and 1 Standard Digital Set-top Receiver and Remote If Applicable.


I am being charged $15.99 for the identical features....hmmmmmm

All else matches my bill

Thanks Burger. Sounds like I shouldn't call to complain about how expensive it is, they might realize I'm not paying enough.

I just got an email from Comcast. I followed the link and there was an ad for TNT in HD, it's an ad for Into The West. Doesn't Comcast check what they offer before they send out an ad for it?

http://comcast.p.delivery.net/m/p/com/mic/HD_Index.asp?p=&cid=12781098848&cell=330070

Also, when you click on the left hand side where it says HDTV Programming, TNT is listed under Premium channels with HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax. Huh? Is TNTHD a 'premium' channel (no commercials)?

I have TNTHD (dish) and they show commericals. It's not considered a "premium" channel like HBO on dish. You get it with their HD Pack.

anyone else get a message on their DVR box about a parental control software upgrade?\

I just got a phone message...
As well as a message on my Mot 6412

anyone else get a message on their DVR box about a parental control software upgrade?\

Yup. The software update today knocked the GUI off my DCT-2000 for a couple hours, and wiped the Guide on my 6412 from 5:00PM afterwards until about 4ish.

MY 2000 is still just a black screen. I'm in my office just listenting to radio over the internet (as I work), waiting for cable to come back.

I received the messages about software update too but no problems with the interface and scrolling through channels. In a quick view I did not see any new channels (i.e. the now long over due TNT-HD). Any clue as to what the update did?

Footnote/correction: the upgrade was to the on-screen guide per the message. See any differences?

Any clue as to what the update did?

Probably made it so that the clock continues to appear even after you set the software to not display a clock EVEN IF you unplug the box.

Who cares. I just found the address to return my box. I probably paid over $7.00 per viewing hour considering how little I used the thing. I have the cable hooked to my Fusion card at the moment.

Here in Spokane we received the Microsoft guide on the DCT 2000s, we still had the nasty tan guide on them. We received the same message on both our 2000 and our 6412 (which has had the Microsoft Guide for awhile now). Everything seems the same on the 6412.

Does anyone know if Comcast is going to carry any Seattle Mariner baseball games in HD like they did last year. Direct TV has 40 of them but so far I have not heard if Comcast will.

Does anyone know if Comcast is going to carry any Seattle Mariner baseball games in HD like they did last year. Direct TV has 40 of them but so far I have not heard if Comcast will.

Scroll back a few pages in this thread .... the answer is that Comcast is not. DirecTV worked out some sort of exclusive for those games this year.

Looks like my QAM channel assignment changed, and the encrypted channels are once again encrypted. Here's what I have:

81.1 KCPQ (was 13.1)
81.2 KTWB (was 22.1)
82.1 KCTS
82.2 KCTS-HD
82.3 KCTS Learns
82.4 KCTS-DT
82.5 KOMO
83.1 KING
83.2 KONG
83.3 NBC Weather Plus
84.1 KIRO (was 84.2)

Scroll back a few pages in this thread .... the answer is that Comcast is not. DirecTV worked out some sort of exclusive for those games this year.

Not sure about 'exclusive', my cableco-Wave, has all 40 of the Mariner games in HD that DirecTV has.

Not exclusive. Just that Comcast is too cheap to pay what Fox Sports is asking.

It isn't comcast. It is rupert murdock, who owns FOX, FoxsportsNET and Directv. Basically he is putting the games in HD on directv for his foxsportsnet affiliates that do not have an HD channel such as FoxsportsNW (which does not have HD channel). He then, from my understanding wanted 4 times the amount that comcast paid last year for them to show this years games in HD. Comcast rightfully chose to stay pat instead of being overcharged by mr Murdock...I have both services so I am in delight when they show HD M's. I think I have seen 10 games in HD this year of M's and one of them was even an away game in Tampa....I think next year we will have a Comcast sports net station and they will try to get the games away from Fox Sports net....

I have TNTHD (dish) and they show commericals. It's not considered a "premium" channel like HBO on dish. You get it with their HD Pack.

Worse than that, they also edit for time and content, just like any other commercial-driven station. I can always record and skip the commercials, but having a movie cut like that really reduces the number of theatrical movies I would watch on TNT-HD. At least this series was produced to meet broadcast standards and won't need censoring.

Rich N.

It isn't comcast. It is rupert murdock, who owns FOX, FoxsportsNET and Directv. Basically he is putting the games in HD on directv for his foxsportsnet affiliates that do not have an HD channel such as FoxsportsNW (which does not have HD channel). He then, from my understanding wanted 4 times the amount that comcast paid last year for them to show this years games in HD. Comcast rightfully chose to stay pat instead of being overcharged by mr Murdock...I have both services so I am in delight when they show HD M's. I think I have seen 10 games in HD this year of M's and one of them was even an away game in Tampa....I think next year we will have a Comcast sports net station and they will try to get the games away from Fox Sports net....No, when other media outlets (DirecTV, most other area cable providers, ...) are perfectly happy to pay what Fox is asking - then it is very much Comcast's fault for being too cheap. As for "wanting 4 times the amount that comcast paid last year" - that's a joke, since they only got the AUDIO from Fox last year for Mariners HD games. The actual HD VIDEO production came from NHK-Japan, not Fox, and I'm sure they paid next to nothing to use that feed. Also, there was a previous post here saying that Comcast only offered to cover Fox's additional HD production costs; no profit. That's called being cheap.

Go look in other city threads Jimre. They only have the option of viewing on directv also unless they have Foxsportsnet HD. From my research most other regions are showing the games only on Directv 95..and I will say it again. DirecTv is FOX and Fox is direcTv. So these extra HD games are being offered to DirecTv. The guy above who is able to view the HD M's games on cable is a rare case. Maybe Murdock owns that guys small cable company...

i heard that showtime and Xbox and Comcast has a special promotions theses days ... i saw (couldn't hear where i was) an add and even read something about it on the web. however i couldn't find anything about the promotion not on www.sho.com not www.xbox.com not www.comcast.com ....

anyone knows what is the offering and what are its limitation?

thanks

Looks like my QAM channel assignment changed, and the encrypted channels are once again encrypted. Here's what I have:

81.1 KCPQ (was 13.1)
81.2 KTWB (was 22.1)
82.1 KCTS
82.2 KCTS-HD
82.3 KCTS Learns
82.4 KCTS-DT
82.5 KOMO
83.1 KING
83.2 KONG
83.3 NBC Weather Plus
84.1 KIRO (was 84.2)

Mine didn't change here in Seattle (at least for Komo, King and Kiro--the only ones I use).

Anyone else get pause and breakup on the end of "Late Night"?

Anyone else get pause and breakup on the end of "Late Night"?

With Conan? I don't know, but I have had some sort of wierd issue with my recording of The Late Show w/ Leno this week. I suspect it's some sort of signal issue.

I signed up for the InHD guide email a while back and recently received a survey about new InHD channels that they were considering. I hate to say it, but I was actually a little excited to help them out since there's not that much great HD content out there. But when I saw the two new channels they were testing... jeez, what a bunch of crap.

One, tentatively titled "MEN" (Men's Entertainment Network), described as:

Introducing a new channel that's in sync with the aspirations, spirit and lifestyle of successful men. The channel will be a showcase for your HDTV and home theater. It's your home on television with shows that match many of your interests and give you a road map for how to get the most out of life - like sports & music, health & indulgence, cars & gadgets, leisure & adventure, food, wine, travel and the good things in life. All presented with intelligence and wit, style and substance, and in larger-than-life HD and surround sound.

Hmmm... Not interesting.

The other one, tentatively titled "Versus", described as:

Introducing a new channel that goes beyond sports to cover the drama and excitement of all kinds of competition. You'll see a variety of sports including MLB, college sports, AFL, extreme sports, golf and tennis. You'll also see Poker Tournaments and new kinds of challenges from Speed Golf to Competitive Eating. The channel will feature business and political showdowns, reality elimination shows and the quests to break major world records. Whether it's the battle to the finals or the battle of the sexes, you'll find it here. And this new channel brings all of this to you in larger-than-life HD, and surround sound.

Competitive *eating*? Are you frickin' kidding me?

So I guess the guys at InHD aren't very smart or creative and they clearly have no taste.

Which makes me wonder when is Comcast going to do a deal with Mark Cuban (smart and probably an idol of many of us)? When are we going to get HDNet?

I signed up for the InHD guide email a while back and recently received a survey about new InHD channels that they were considering. I hate to say it, but I was actually a little excited to help them out since there's not that much great HD content out there. But when I saw the two new channels they were testing... jeez, what a bunch of crap.

. . .

Competitive *eating*? Are you frickin' kidding me?

. . .



Actually, I always did want to see one eating-related scene in HD. Remember the eating contest in the movie "Stand By Me"? Now that's ENTERTAIMNENT!!

Anybody watched Tarzan yesterday on KOMO and experienced audio breakups (~0.5-1.0 seconds)?

I got 3 breakups at around 15 minutes in the movie and then 2-3 breakups again at about an hour in it. There was about 10 seconds between the breakups within each group.

I tried playing with the audio compression options without any luck.

I'm also having serious breakups (audio + video) with Discovery and InHD1-2, but since the locals seemed to come in rather well, I didn't care about that until now. I would just like to confirm if others had the breakups on KOMO yesterday.

Thanks.

-eric

Yes, I think it's the same old KOMO issue. Fortunately, it's getting better, but it will be nice when it's fixed.

Which makes me wonder when is Comcast going to do a deal with Mark Cuban (smart and probably an idol of many of us)? When are we going to get HDNet?

Wow, I haven't heard that INHD was looking to expand its channel lineup. Of course, the channels themselves are hardly compelling, but....

Could anything be more explicit indicating that Comcast will never get HDNET?

It does seem silly for INHD to investigate new channels without covering the one area that HDNET has an obvious superiority: News-type shows. Both World Report and Deadline are going to supported by a world-wide system of HD stringers (this directly from MCuban in another thread). And we lose out.

Oh, well, in 5 years or so we may actually see some local (in the Baltlimore DMA) or national HD news.

Rich N.

Does Comcast own part of InHD? Is it certain they won't take HDNet?

from INHD.com:

INHD and INHD2 are owned and operated by iN DEMAND Networks--the company's shareholders are Comcast iN DEMAND Holdings, Inc., Cox Communications Holdings, Inc., and Time Warner Entertainment - Advance/Newhouse Partnership.

Hardly seems exclusive given that iN DEMAND ownership is shared by Comcast's competetion as well. I think that implies there's still hope.

Of INHD's three owners (all cable companies) - only Time/Warner seems to offer HDNET on their cable system. Given how cheap Comcast is - I'd guess the only way they'd offer HDNET was if Mark Cuban paid them.

i heard that showtime and Xbox and Comcast has a special promotions theses days ... i saw (couldn't hear where i was) an add and even read something about it on the web. however i couldn't find anything about the promotion not on www.sho.com not www.xbox.com not www.comcast.com ....

anyone knows what is the offering and what are its limitation?

thanks

Anyone?

I am being charged $15.99 for the identical features....hmmmmmm

All else matches my bill


I'm also charged $15.99 for this component, but it is worded, "Digital Plus Package $15.99 Includes: Digital Classic, Digital Plus and 1 Standard Digital Set-Top Receiver and Remote if Applicable".

So, what is "Digial Plus" that "Digital Classic" isn't? Obviously not the Mariners HD broadcasts... (sigh...)

BYW, not surprisingly, I never received the courtesy of a reply from either Comcast or the Mariners to my "why no Mariniers HD boradcasts on Comcast this year" e-mail which I posted here last month before e-mailing to those two non-responsive discretionary dollar entertainment companies... The lack of any response comes as no real surprise, as they are each among the least Customer Service oriented companies I've ever had the misfortune to deal with... (other than perhaps for each of Comcast's predacessor entities - AT&T Cable, Viavom, Teleprompter, etc. all of which came from the same mold...)

The cable ownership changes but the local management seems to remain the same, which is why the communication skills never seem to improve. They need an injection of Mark Cuban attitude, I think.

What happened to the Mariner games in HD?

What happened to the Mariner games in HD?

See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5641129&&#post5641129 and all of the other posts related to DirecTV getting the Mariners in HD (but not Comcast)

What happened to the Mariner games in HD?


Rather like a sucker's shell game in which subscribers are the victims, this year they seem to be under the Direct TV walnut shell... Where will they be hidden next year? Who knows... (Place your bets, anyone?) Very shabby showing (though quite typical and not at all unexpected given the players...) by the Mariners, Comcast and Fox, all three...

I never subscribed to any HD or digital cable service but for a few weeks I picked up a bunch of digital and HD on my new Samsung DLP set, presumably via the QAM tuner. Now I'm no longer picking them up. My guess is that Comcast decided to scramble them or otherwise safeguard them from such...liberal reception?

I never subscribed to any HD or digital cable service but for a few weeks I picked up a bunch of digital and HD on my new Samsung DLP set, presumably via the QAM tuner. Now I'm no longer picking them up. My guess is that Comcast decided to scramble them or otherwise safeguard them from such...liberal reception?

That was my experience too. They're probably protecting their revenue stream from those of us who have Limited Basic. You should still be able to get the broadcast stations in digital and HD, since those *are* free with Limited Basic.

have we gotten any new HD channels lately?

i've been out of the loop for a while

have we gotten any new HD channels lately?

i've been out of the loop for a while


To my knowledge, just one fewer, as in the previously discussed, "no Mariners HD broadcasts" this year...

I dont watch Baseball so I dont know much about it.

But I just saw SEA vs SD going on 113 in HD. Finally baseball game in HD this year on Comcast.

_Golu.

I dont watch Baseball so I dont know much about it.

But I just saw SEA vs SD going on 113 in HD. Finally baseball game in HD this year on Comcast.

_Golu.

It's only Fox Widescreen, which I believe is 480p.

A quick look reveals that FOX 113 will televise the Mariners again NEXT SATURDAY against Texas at 1PM

And more likely than not, that won't be HD either.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=552825

It's only Fox Widescreen, which I believe is 480p.

On QAM 81.1 (Fox HD) my display shows 720P, but it's definitely not an HD source given its fuzziness. The Yankees/Red Sox game a week or two ago on Fox HD had much better PQ, and was probably HD.

On QAM 81.1 (Fox HD) my display shows 720P, but it's definitely not an HD source given its fuzziness. The Yankees/Red Sox game a week or two ago on Fox HD had much better PQ, and was probably HD.

Anything shown on that channle would show 720p. They upconvert it.

Even the clearly SD commercials would show 720p. If they didn't upconvert it, and show everything in one resolution, some TVs would go through gyrations as it switched back and forth.

Does anybody know if there will be anything from the LIVE8 concerts broadcast in HD available via Comcast? I know that MTV is showing it all day and will have some of it on several stations (there are 8 concerts, after all), but MTV, MTV2, and VH1 all are analog and look like shyte on my 92" screen.

I was just watching the InHD Duran Duran concert in 1080i DD5.1 and hoping that I could get something nearly that nice looking for LIVE8 where they'll have other dinosaurs I loved growing up reunited (Pink Floyd among others).

Does anybody know if there will be anything from the LIVE8 concerts broadcast in HD available via Comcast?


There's a listing for Live8 on KOMO Saturday, 7/2, 8-10PM, but it's not labeled HD. A search reveals no HD listings (at least through Tuesday, 7/5, which is where my guide stops).

There's a listing for Live8 on KOMO Saturday, 7/2, 8-10PM, but it's not labeled HD. A search reveals no HD listings (at least through Tuesday, 7/5, which is where my guide stops).

Worse, is that the show will not be broadcast in Dolby Digital. KOMO is actaully quite good at providing the DD 5.1 flag. For example, Empire which is on next week shows up as DD 5.1 and HD.

If it's only 2 hours I hardly see how it would even be all that interesting anyway. Likely just to have a few highlights. I'm really surprised that InHD or HDNet aren't picking it up. Then again, they have pretty lame budgets and a live HD telecast from 8 spots around the globe probably ain't cheap.

Due to heavy partying over the weekend in San Antonio, and getting up at the equivalent of 2am PDT to get home, I was not awake for the evening's fireworks so I set the DVR to catch KOMO and KING.

Once again, KING wins this one hands down, with an actual 16:9 HDTV broadcast that just destroyed the limp 4:3 SD KOMO offering. Where KOMO colors were muted (the sky was grey), KING's popped. Didn't bother with KCPQ or KIRO, since KCPQ's showing last year was even lamer then KOMO's (which I TiVo'd back then as we had just the 62xx non-DVR model).

I actually thought the NBC broadcast from New York City was the best of all last night (comparing to the KING/Seattle and the PBS/Washington DC). NBC did a great job. They seemed to always have the camera pointed at the right place, at the right time. The HD production, the color and the sound mixing were all brilliant.

KING's picture was great but they were mostly too zoomed in or too wide. Lk Union and Ivar's sure pailed in comparison to the huge NY display. Too bad there aren't many places to see both Lk Union and Ivars.

At the start of the KING coverage did anyone else hear the two young men talking over Dennis Bounds for about 30 seconds? At first I thought they were technicians for KING but they said things like "we don't know here the hell we are", "they told us us to watch this bombed out building". Weird, sounded like they may have been in Iraq.

yes I heard the phone call and figured it must have been someone's cell phone or something interfering with their communications. I was wondering if it went out over channel 5 analog as well.

I heard it too , was really wierd

i should have kept it on the DVR for further analysis :p

I mostly watch my programs between 11pm-3am. Things are starting to annoy me. Half the time I'm getting guide updates/slow menus. When do they do this? Because it seems everytime I'm trying to watch/surf I get the guide update message.

So not sure if this question goes in this forum or somewhere else, but since I live in the Seattle area (Shelton actually) I figure you guys might be able to tell me. I just purchased my TH-42PD50U and am getting ready to experience HD for the first time. I know that there is probobly no chance in the world of me picking up OTA HD signals, but I was wondering since the PD50U comes with an ATSC tuner with QMA can I order just Limited Basic cable from Comcast (12.95 a month or whatever it is) and pick up the "must carries" HD broadcasts, or will I only get an SD signal without subscribing to their Digital Classic service. Basically Comcast wants to charge me an additional 9.95 or whatever it is for Digital Classic, plus the $5 for the STB, which I would be fine paying, but above and beyond that they claim they won't offer HD with limited basic and that I would be required to update to expanded/extended whatever it is basic that is 40.99/month plus all the digital charges which takes me over $60! If that is what I have to do, that is what I have to do, but I really could care less for all the additional cable channels, I really don't watch that much TV, but I would love to have KING, KONG, KCPQ, etc in HD if possible... for a reasonable price of $15-$25/month, not the $60/month that Comcast wants to shaft me with by forcing me to buy service I don't even want.

Okay, I am finished ranting, does anyone know if I can pick up the local HD broadcasts with limited basic? Comcast reps claim no, but I think other people have hinted that in fact they are disseminating misinformation (which wouldn't be the first time) so maybe someone here can chime in with a definitive answer.

Ryan

You should be able to get the HD locals with just a QAM tuner, unless Shelton is somehow different that most the rest of the country.

I have Limited Basic Analog cable in Bellevue from Comcast, and am getting the must carry stations in Digital/HD. The HD that I get depends on the station (KCTS-HD is offered only after 5PM), but that's not different than what you get OTA. In my opinion, even the non-HD digital channels are better than their equivalent analog versions.

Comcast is correct that for ESPN-HD and the other "premium" HD channels you'd need to spend much more $$$.

Minor improvement -- KCTS-HD (108) is now available at 3PM instead of 5PM.

I have been a loyal Directv customer for about 6 years now but I have finally decided to switch to Comcast. I remember when I first got DTV, and I swore I would never go to cable again. Their picture quality was the best in the business and they offered the most channels at a good price. I have been a HDTV customer for about 2 1/2 years but I have finally had enough of Directv.

I am not bitter towards Directv, but I am just dissapointed. I would try and convince everyone I know how great Directv was, but I really feel that they are taking advantage of their customers. It seems like they charge us HDTV customers for every cent, and don't appreciate how much money we spend. From equipment prices, to the lack of new HDTV channels for the past couple of years, it has finally time for me to leave. I will miss my NFL sunday ticket, but I will save a lot of money each year!

Now I am sure that now that I am quitting, the MPEG4 hardware will come out and locals will finally show up in HD. But I have to stay strong at least for a year, and see that Directv is showing the love that HD customers deserve.

Sorry I had to vent, but now to my question. How do my fellow Seattle forum vistors like Comcast in Seattle? I am getting the PVR, but I was curious how the quality of the signal is and how do you like the hardware? I know that I am going to lose HDnet and HDnet movies, and the great Univeral HD (I will miss you Battlestar Galatica) but I will gain all my locals, InHD, Starz and Cinemax in HD. any feedback would be great on Comast in Seattle.

Directv and Tivo, we had some good times together, and I will think of you fondly.

there should be a seattle thread in the local forums... ask there.

I have been a loyal Directv customer for about 6 years now but I have finally decided to switch to Comcast. I remember when I first got DTV, and I swore I would never go to cable again. Their picture quality was the best in the business and they offered the most channels at a good price. I have been a HDTV customer for about 2 1/2 years but I have finally had enough of Directv.

I am not bitter towards Directv, but I am just dissapointed. I would try and convince everyone I know how great Directv was, but I really feel that they are taking advantage of their customers. It seems like they charge us HDTV customers for every cent, and don't appreciate how much money we spend. From equipment prices, to the lack of new HDTV channels for the past couple of years, it has finally time for me to leave. I will miss my NFL sunday ticket, but I will save a lot of money each year!

Now I am sure that now that I am quitting, the MPEG4 hardware will come out and locals will finally show up in HD. But I have to stay strong at least for a year, and see that Directv is showing the love that HD customers deserve.

Sorry I had to vent, but now to my question. How do my fellow Seattle forum vistors like Comcast in Seattle? I am getting the PVR, but I was curious how the quality of the signal is and how do you like the hardware? I know that I am going to lose HDnet and HDnet movies, and the great Univeral HD (I will miss you Battlestar Galatica) but I will gain all my locals, InHD, Starz and Cinemax in HD. any feedback would be great on Comast in Seattle.

Directv and Tivo, we had some good times together, and I will think of you fondly.

Wow this is like the same exact situation as mine (except I'm in Chicago). I loved D* and swore I'd never go back to Comcast, until I discovered HD. Now I'm giddy as a schoolgirl waiting for them to bring me my HDDVR on Thursday for a monthly fee less than I pay with D*.

I've been looking around, there's a lot of PVR threads in the HDTV Hardware or Recorder section. I don't know if it's different in different areas, but I'll be getting the 6412

I need D* for sunday ticket. I've been dissapointed with PQ, but figure their new Mpeg4 format will put them back at the top of the game in no time. (Of course, i'm in the LA market, so I'll be getting the benefits early)

check out the Motorola 6412 with MSTV (washington only) thread in the HDTV recorder forum....

Check out the Seattle thread. Bottom line, great HD PQ for locals, somewhat problematic DVR. I only have the limited basic, which is $3.95 a month after $10.00 broadband discount.

got to keep the thread alive...... :)

Comcast is correct that for ESPN-HD and the other "premium" HD channels you'd need to spend much more $$$.
Yup, I got the same story. I'm sure they could easily do it, but the CSRs can only tell us what they've been told. :rolleyes:

We could complain about TNT-HD. :)

got to keep the thread alive...... :)

I live in South King and last spring I complained that I was losing my HD every day at noon. It returned before dinner. They fixed it (after 3 different visits). Now I am losing all HD around 5 pm and it returns around 8. Last night, all local channels 104-113, 173, and 663-665 went out for 3 hours. Did anyone else lose their service? I wanted to watch pbs (108)!

I was listening to Mitch in the morning on KJR AM and he was taking calls about whatever. This guy calls up and said, "Mitch and Sandmeyer, you do the the Comcast commericals, maybe you could use that for us and get us some TNT-HD or ESPN-HD."

Mitch said something like, "Well I almost said it but I can't, just hang tight, something is on the way."

Now I hope it's another channel but it might mean another fee. :^)

I was listening to Mitch in the morning on KJR AM and he was taking calls about whatever. This guy calls up and said, "Mitch and Sandmeyer, you do the the Comcast commericals, maybe you could use that for us and get us some TNT-HD or ESPN-HD."

Mitch said something like, "Well I almost said it but I can't, just hang tight, something is on the way."

Now I hope it's another channel but it might mean another fee. :^)


I wonder what possible benefit the local Comcast commandant derives from keeping customers in the dark about plans to add channels -- especially those for which contracts already have been negotiated. It just seems dumb to me.

Very true indeed.....

Yeah, no kidding huh? It’s not like they are in an industry with any competition.

I wonder what possible benefit the local Comcast commandant derives from keeping customers in the dark about plans to add channels -- especially those for which contracts already have been negotiated. It just seems dumb to me.

Okay, I have a small problem -- Dan the Antenna man (Hi Dan!) put in an HD antenna for me and used a Channel Master amp. Problem is, my son ripped the 0747 preamp power thing from it's place and a connector came off of it. Now I can't get HD until I replace that power box (0747). Where in the seattle area can I get one of those pronto?

I seems I only get KCTS HD & SD (the ugly logo channel), ABC and WB in HD only, are CBS and NBC available in HD on Comcast cable here (Renton area) ? These channel are in the 81-1ish area.

I can pick up the SD digitals in the 71-1 area.

The analogue channels are pretty fuzzy though, especially the higher channel numbers. Channel 99 is one reason I have cable.

Did anyone notice over last weekend that channel 800 was listed as HDPayperView? I noticed both Saturday and sunday. It was listed as teh next channel after the iNHD's...I was hoping this was going to be a sign of espn2 hd or some others but now that channel 800 is gone....it was there though and saying HD so something is up....

The last time I got one of those annoying messages from Comcast (7/12) it was pimping some boxing or wrestling ppv that was also going to be available in HD, and I believe I recall it mentioned channel 800.

Dunno if anyone has found this to work or not, but with Cox and a 6412, if you're fast forwarding and hit the Right Arrow key on the remote, it'll jump forward 15 min. Same goes for reverse, Left Arrow will go back 15 min...

Saw someone mentioning that it was a pain to FF, so if anyone wants to try this out to see if it works with Comcast's 6412...

According to KIRO's website, the Torchlight Parade will be in HD.

No, that does not make up for preempting Veronica Mars with crap.

According to KIRO's website, the Torchlight Parade will be in HD.

No, that does not make up for preempting Veronica Mars with crap.

According to TitanTV listings, VM is on KIRO-HD at 2:05AM 8/6 and 2:35AM 8/13.

All of the close up interviews had a audio/video sync problem on my set.

Anyone else have the sound be ahead of the video by a second??

Have never had this problem with any other HD broadcast

According to TitanTV listings, VM is on KIRO-HD at 2:05AM 8/6 and 2:35AM 8/13.

The 7/29 showings were on the DVR guide earlier in the week, and I set the DVR to record them. On Friday, they were gone, replaced by a couple of KIRO specials. The 2AM showing was replaced by Paid Programming.

I would expect the future scheduled eps to be preempted as well.

Off topic, but part of the Seattle Comcast services.

In case some people didn't know, the Seattle area now has an upgrade available for internet services. Instead of the standard 4Mbit/384kbit down/up, for $10/mo extra, you can get 6M/768k. This is available to everybody (not just businesses).

Furthermore, supposedly this month, the basic service will go up to 6M/384k and the $10 extra will provide up to 8M/768k bandwidth. This information was given to me when I upgraded my line to 6M/768k.

Anyways... it's nice to see Comcast upgrading our bandwidth every so often at no extra cost... (Was it just last year that we were still on 3M/256k?)

-eric

The 7/29 showings were on the DVR guide earlier in the week, and I set the DVR to record them. On Friday, they were gone, replaced by a couple of KIRO specials. The 2AM showing was replaced by Paid Programming.

I would expect the future scheduled eps to be preempted as well.

VM showed up as scheduled in the wee hours of this morning, but not in HD. KIRO must use an SD TiVo instead of a 6412 for delayed showings.

VM showed up as scheduled in the wee hours of this morning, but not in HD.

Which really frosted me. I mean, sheesh, even NBC could be bothered to show BSG in HD.

<Petulant Carman Voice> I want my Kristen Bell HD goodness! </Petulant Carman Voice> :D

fyi - KIRO is showing Seafair events in HD today. coverage is supposed to run until 5 PM.

Here's the schedule of events for today...

Airshow - Sunday

10:10-10:35 a.m.: Red Baron Pizza Squadron show
11:30-11:50 a.m.: Boeing 737 and 777-200LR flybys
11:50 a.m.-1 p.m.: Blue Angels
1:50-2:30 p.m.: Air Force Reserve Dream Machine, Red Baron Pizza Squadron and Team Oracle shows
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Coast Guard helicopter rescue simulation and Air Force C-17 flyby


Hydros-
10:35-11:30 a.m.: G-Boat Race 2, Heats 2A and 2B Unlimiteds
1:10-1:50 p.m.: Heats 3A and 3B Unlimiteds
3:15-4:20 p.m.: Provisional heats, Unlimiteds and Lights, G-Boat final
4:20-5 p.m.: Championship heat, Lights; followed by Chevrolet Cup unlimited hydroplane championship heat
5 p.m.: Awards ceremony

A buddy of mine had comcast HD installed last week and the installer said that after Labor Day comcast was supposed to be broadcasting their analog stations in digital. Granted that 2006 is after labor day... :D but, has anyone heard anything regarding this? I remember them freeing up bandwidth a while back, but haven't heard anything for the last several months as to what their status is.

I don't think it's in HD. At least it's not right now for the qualifying races. And the sound is crackling a lot on 107 for me.

It could be HD. Looks better then widesceen digital (480p). But yes, I too am hearing a lot of static in the audio.

NBC's NASCAR coverage looks and sounds fine.

If this is HD, i'm throwing away my HD set :). I'm pretty sure it's not HD. Comcast doesn' t have it listed as HD either.

... And the sound is crackling a lot on 107 for me.

yeah, this is VERY annoying - it's not on the analog broadcast (actually, the sound is much better on the analog side). anyone know whether this is also part of the OTA signal? I'm assuming so...

I DVR'ed the races and was totally impressed with both the HD video and the 5.1 audio. (Yes, it was HD). Kudo's to KIRO for breaking out the bucks for this. If they could just figure out the newcasts now.

I noticed that KOMO is up to it's old audio over-compression problems on the newscasts.
Don? Are you out there?

You guys see durning the Nascar race the little snip from Sony Audio with the car doing circles? That sounded so good on my system. Going around and around the speakers...

I DVR'ed the races and was totally impressed with both the HD video and the 5.1 audio. (Yes, it was HD). Kudo's to KIRO for breaking out the bucks for this. If they could just figure out the newcasts now.

You think that was HD? If so, KIRO should never be allowed to do HD again. The picture quality was aweful. I did some flipping between it and the analog station and they looked nearly the same.

I noticed that KOMO is up to it's old audio over-compression problems on the newscasts.
Don? Are you out there?

I haven't heard it off the air. I will pay close attention tonight. It is possible that something has changed.

Don

I haven't heard it off the air. I will pay close attention tonight. It is possible that something has changed.

Don

I haven't been around long enough to know if this is the same problem... but I always hear a high pitched noise throughout the entire KOMO news casts. I only notice it during the newscasts, not during any other HD programming.

Seafair was either really good SD or horrible HD. :^(

Well, I can confirm that it was in HD if you were there =D

We had a front row seat for both the Hydros and the Blue angels tied up to the logboom 1/2 way down the back straight.

Cheers,

Rich

Any news or rumors about TNT HD? Sure would be nice to watch the golf tournament tomorrow.

Here's a Comcast forum thread on the subject:
http://forums.comcast.net/thread.jspa?threadID=43555&tstart=0

As of 8/8 Steve Kipp still says, "We don’t have any immediate plans to launch TNT-HD in this market."

Ok. I got tired trying to get stable OTA HD reception from KCTS and KCPQ from my Broadview abode. (Trees?) I yanked the Winegard 9065 loose from the Samsung SIRT451 and plugged in the Comcast line. (I only use Comcast for internet access, don't subscribe to any TV service at all. If that makes a difference....)

After searching for signals, the STB found some QAM channels but I could not infer any relationship between the displayed channel 'number' and the local off-air channel number (analog or digital assignment). And there were some 'in the clear' programs that seemed to be dynamically re-assigned to other channels on a regular basis. Wierd. (PPV?)

Anyway. Is there a crib sheet for the OTA > Comcast QAM assignment matrix?

Thanks.

(For some reason I thought that the OTA HD quality seemed better than that from the cable, but a rapid A-B comparison isn't possible with this STB.... I don't think.)

Anyway. Is there a crib sheet for the OTA > Comcast QAM assignment matrix?


This link http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5738560&&#post5738560 shows some of the basic channels. I also get some SD simulcasts on 116 thru 118 (check all of the subchannels).

Steve

And take into account that the assignments will change a few times a year, as they have on a regular basis in the past.

-eric

NFL Network

Has anyone in the Seattle Comcast market lost the NFL Network recently?

I have had it since it launched last year and about 10 days ago - I realized it had dissapeared from my lineup (both the SD & HD feeds are gone)...

Anyone else? I'm gonna call Comcast later if I have the time...I sure hope they didn't add this channel to one of their other packages, making me pay even more :(

Channel 180 is still there, but 181 (the HD version) disappeared completely after last season.

wareagle

Try Channle 417 for the HD feed of the NFL Network...that is where mine has been for quite some time now....

I will be giving them a call here shortly....

wareagle

Try Channle 417 for the HD feed of the NFL Network...that is where mine has been for quite some time now....

I will be giving them a call here shortly....

Mine is also still avaiilable on 417 (Digital Sports Pack).

Have you tried 180?

What channels in the sports pack are in HD?

What channels in the sports pack are in HD?

None.

I am confused.

mbunting said: Try Channle 417 for the HD feed of the NFL Network. But there is none sports package channel in HD?

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Both 180 and 417 are SD and identical, and always have been. Last year there was an HD equivalent on 181, but it's no longer there.

Now I am confused...i thought 417 was indeed HD? Looks like it to me....but I could be wrong.

I got my NFL Network up and running...but I had to upgrade my programming from a $11.99 package to a $15.99 package...not really sure why, but the football season is upon us...and I needs me my football!

Both 180 and 417 look the same to me. 4x3, with very apparent blockiness rippling through as the channel is first tuned in. When 181 was active it was 16x9 and obviously HD (easy to compare, since the subject matter was the same as the others).

I have a LG 3410 PVR that I'm not using all that much. I was thinking about sending it to some family members in Seattle, before the start of the new fall season. I was just wondering how well Comcast QAM works with this PVR in this area. Basically all the need is recording of ABC, CBS, FOX. Since I know this DVR is a bit "tricky" any experience, quirks, any opinions are welcome.

I have a LG 3410 PVR that I'm not using all that much. I was thinking about sending it to some family members in Seattle, before the start of the new fall season. I was just wondering how well Comcast QAM works with this PVR in this area. Basically all the need is recording of ABC, CBS, FOX. Since I know this DVR is a bit "tricky" any experience, quirks, any opinions are welcome.
I didn't have an LG, but I did use an RCA DVD/PVR combo that worked fine for all channels. I sold it a few months before the roll out of the Comcast PVRs knowing it'd be an expensive brick, though. I doubt they'll have any problems, but I admit I'm not sure what you mean by QAM. The RCA had a built in guide, but it wasn't very good. I ended up setting manual recordings (daily, weekly, one time). The biggest difference I noticed was the delay. Because everything was on a delay going through the PVR, pausing and changing the channel was slightly annoying. I think the speed of the Comcast DVR is great, that alone makes it worth the monthly charge. It sounds like you're sending it as a gift though, so I'm sure it'll be appreciated- but I wouldn't suggest it for use with the main set.

Maybe that helped..? :p (edit: I found out what QAM is, I still left the post. :D)

Forgive me if this is posted somewhere obvious, but I'd like to know if I'm missing any HD channels. Here's what I'm aware of:

104 - 113, ESPN-HD, HBO-HD, & 663 - 665 (inHD). I have the package for ESPN-HD, and HBO. Are there any others I may have? Thanks! :)

That's all at the moment, unless you get the other movie channels. At various times they had Mariner games on 100 and NFL on 181 in HD, but no longer:

104 KOMO in Hi-Def

105 KING in Hi-Def

106 KONG in Hi-Def

107 KIRO in Hi-Def

108 KCTS in Hi-Def

110 KTWB in Hi-Def

113 KCPQ in Hi-Def

173 ESPN HD

532 STARZ! HD

549 HBO HDTV

563 Cinemax HDTV

574 Showtime HD

663 Discovery Channel HD

664 INHD

665 INHD2

Maybe that helped..? :p

Nope that does NOT HELP AT ALL!!:D I thought the LG was a very specific product. It's a HD PVR for recording OTA HD as well as HD from cable via QAM. They have a hard time getting decent reception via antenna. plus it has 1394 that the newer Sony HDD250/500 dont have. They do have D-VHS, so 1394 is handy. I have doubts that a competing non cable company box product can do that. They only have basic cable.

VM showed up as scheduled in the wee hours of this morning, but not in HD. KIRO must use an SD TiVo instead of a 6412 for delayed showings.


HD this week -- but still not enough to get me to watch it.

Nope that does NOT HELP AT ALL!!:D I thought the LG was a very specific product. It's a HD PVR for recording OTA HD as well as HD from cable via QAM. They have a hard time getting decent reception via antenna. plus it has 1394 that the newer Sony HDD250/500 dont have. They do have D-VHS, so 1394 is handy. I have doubts that a competing non cable company box product can do that. They only have basic cable.

IMHO, you would have a workable scenario, depending somewhat on whether the folks using the LG unit are comfortable with or intimidated by home electronics. I believe you could talk them through set up and operation.

If they are in a Comcast cable service area, they should be able to receive all major local channels as QAM with just basic cable. I know several folks who are doing the same. There have been some small variations in which specific HD channels are available in certain Comcast service areas, e.g., Bremerton and Kitsap County are slightly different than Seattle.

One confusing part might be the QAM HD channel numbers, which are "native" to the cable system and don't correlate logically to the OTA channel numbers. I simply made a cross-reference table for my sister-in-law when I installed her HDTV with an external Samsung QAM HD tuner (not a DVR). QAM works fine for her in a condo where the association provides Comcast expanded basic cable.

I have a friend who lives in a house and subscribes only to Comcast basic cable ($13/month) and he gets the same HD channels QAM, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox, WB and more.

One thing for sure: Comcast service reps (phone center folks) have NO understanding of unrestricted QAM capabilities and their availability with ANY level of cable service. One friend talked to a handful of service reps and two Comcast engineers, and NONE of them understood unencrypted QAM for HD local channels. All Comcast employees told him he had to subscribe to a digital cable package and rent a Comcast box. WRONG!!! I had to convince my friend to try it before he bothered with a cable card or an HD set top box from Comcast. He simply hooked up his new HDTV with built-in OTA/QAM tuners, did a channel scan and everything worked.

One more point of confusion: Our local PBS station (KCTS, OTA channel 9) offers 3 SD digital channels daily until 3 PM, and then 1 SD and 1 HD channel after 3 PM. This can be confusing for initial channel setup.

There are many experienced folks here that can answer almost any Seattle-area specific question you have.

Good luck!

thanks Dave, that answered a lot of questions.

Seems like viewing is not much of an issue. Only thing left is, has anybody recorded COMCAST QAM on a HD PVR without issues?

thanks Dave, that answered a lot of questions.

Seems like viewing is not much of an issue. Only thing left is, has anybody recorded COMCAST QAM on a HD PVR without issues?

Tony,

Sorry, I have no experience recording QAM.

Only thing left is, has anybody recorded COMCAST QAM on a HD PVR without issues?


I have an LST-3410a DVR. It can record all local stations carried by Comcast via QAM. The local stations REQUIRE Comcast to provide these DTV channels in the CLEAR. No scrambling allowed...

Where I live I can also receive all the locals OTA/ATSC. Also channel 11-1/UPN-dtv is not carried by comcast yet so you must get it OTA.

scenic,

Thanks for correcting me on UPN-11 digital not being carried by Comcast here. I keep forgetting that since I am using OTA at home. I only tested Comcast QAM at home and then took the QAM receiver to my sister-in-law's condo for her new HDTV.

Wasn't there a QAM chennel for Fox Sports Northwest (for Mariner games) at one point? Does that still exist?

This link http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5738560&&#post5738560 shows some of the basic channels. I also get some SD simulcasts on 116 thru 118 (check all of the subchannels).

81.1 KCPQ (was 13.1)
81.2 KTWB (was 22.1)
82.1 KCTS
82.2 KCTS-HD
82.3 KCTS Learns
82.4 KCTS-DT
82.5 KOMO
83.1 KING
83.2 KONG
83.3 NBC Weather Plus
84.1 KIRO (was 84.2)
Steve

Wasn't there a QAM chennel for Fox Sports Northwest (for Mariner games) at one point? Does that still exist?

Looks like 79.5 is FSN. It appears that most of the simulcast SD limited basic channels are on 79 and 80 now.

hi guys and gals, happy friday!

few questions. i've got an 8412 pvr (i think that's the bugger) and it works great. only problem i have is that for hd, it's just not that much space. more stuff i want to see comes up before i have time to watch what i've recorded. i have a htpc hooked up into my home theater and have been contimplating getting a my-hd130 card for it. it's my understanding that those cards have the ability to record hd directly from our comcast feed pre-stb. is this correct? it is also my understanding that something in the laws and production of these cards changed this summer that made the cards no longer able to record qam. now i'm not sure about that last part, but before i go spring for one of those cards, i want to make sure it's going to work. can anybody comment? also, anybody out their own this card? is it a good one? i used to use an ati aiw card, but it kind of sucked and obviously wouldn't pick up qam. pleae advise-

oh so, i did some more reading

is it just the "must carries" that are unecrypted? can i record espn, inhd, inhd2 and dhd with the cards?

will comcast ever carry a "cable card" that we can install in our own systems? do these cards exist today that will decode the encrpyted feeds?

oh so, i did some more reading
is it just the "must carries" that are unecrypted? can i record espn, inhd, inhd2 and dhd with the cards?

will comcast ever carry a "cable card" that we can install in our own systems? do these cards exist today that will decode the encrpyted feeds?
As I understand it, the cards exist today and their firmware/software is "beta". You may be able to record off a firewire connection if you have one. sam

need more info, anybody?

I just bought a Fusion 5 Lite card and have been trying to get anything QAM related to work with it and I can't seem to make it happen. I would love some input on how to make this work if anyone has gotten this to work with Comcast Seattle.

I have both the DVIco Fusion 3 QAM and and the MYHD 130 cards. They both record unencrypted QAM pre-stb. I found that the DVIco card seems to be a little tricky in that it needs a really clean signal. Do not put too many splitters ahead of it. Also, the DVICO software has a nasty habit (even with the latest software release) of crashing when doing QAM autoscan. Most annoying. On the other hand, the MYHD card has never crashed on me although as of right now I am not using either card very much so YMMV. You cannot record premium channels with these cards, the signals are encrypted and I do not see how you ever will be able to record premium channels with these cards. They would need to have a cable card slot. Good luck on that.

BTW: If you buy one of these cards, you owe to yourself to check out the software at my website. It has guide data and allows you to set up recordings on both of these cards (+ more). I'm busily working on improving the software for the fall season so I really don't have much time to actually watch or even record shows at this time.

I just bought a Fusion 5 Lite card and have been trying to get anything QAM related to work with it and I can't seem to make it happen. I would love some input on how to make this work if anyone has gotten this to work with Comcast Seattle.

I didn't have any issues with a Fusion 3 once I got past the channel scan that was part of the install. The trick to the channel scan is to hit the error boxes that pop up as quickly as you can! It's like "Whack-a-mole." The error boxes pop up for every encrypted channel, which is quite a few on the local Comcast system.

Anyone heard that Comcast will be swapping the DVR boxes in 2006 and going to a TIVO type box that has more storage and encodes in MEPG4??

A buddy of mine had comcast HD installed last week and the installer said that after Labor Day comcast was supposed to be broadcasting their analog stations in digital. Granted that 2006 is after labor day... :D but, has anyone heard anything regarding this? I remember them freeing up bandwidth a while back, but haven't heard anything for the last several months as to what their status is.

I have been asking Comcast about this for about a year. On August 20, 2005 one of their tech's was over. He said all of the current analog channels would be available in SD on about September 15, 2005 in South King county. Seattle will follow soon thereafter. Apparently it is already being tested in the employees homes. He said the analog channels would be phased out at the end of 2006.

While driving home yesterday and listening to the Mariners game on the radio (first inning, if I recall) I was struck by the irony of the ad I suddenly heard on the radio broadcast. The ad was for Comcast HD!!! It touted Comcast's HD service in a very general way... with of course no specific reference to Mariners games on Comcast HD, because... well, because that would be an out-and-out lie, rather than just the sad irony it was...

I haven't been listening or watching too many Mariner radio or TV broadcasts this year (partly because of the lack of Mariner games on Comcast in HD this year and partly because the quality of Mariner baseball this year hardly justifies the time absent a really good excuse, such as a great picture, which of course there isn't this year...) So, does anyone know if the placement on a Mariners radio broadcast of that ad for Comcast HD was a one-off anomaly - or if it is a regular, every-game "here's mud in your eye" insult to all of Comcast's Seattle area HD TV subscribers??

I have heard the Comcast HD ad on every radio broadcast I have listened to, which is not very many (guessing 10-12). I do watch as many games as I can spare time for on channel 95 DirecTV HD channel. I have basic Comcast, but lacking a QAM HD tuner, I get my local HD channels OTA and a few more from DirecTV.

I've notice in the past few days all HD programs KOMO are shown in SD (4:3). What gives? The only HD program on these days is local news and in that the audio seems to come and go.

the best way to watch the Ms in super hi-def is to get off yer butt and go to Safeco...support them - crystal clear - and good weather....tix are easy to come by nowadays---so no excuse and no more bitchin' about the games not in HD

I've notice in the past few days all HD programs KOMO are shown in SD (4:3). What gives? The only HD program on these days is local news and in that the audio seems to come and go.

Someone posted a quote from a Bay Area Comcast exec to the effect that ABC is upgrading their HD facilities this week, and wouldn't be sending out any HD to affiliates from Tuesday (8/23) through Friday (8/26). For all the good it did here, the Seahawks game was in HD where it wasn't blacked out Monday.

Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought a QAM box just to see what was out there, and I'm floored. The analogue simulcasts look great compared to, well, analogue, and the HDs look better, too, though that might just be because my old Samsung set-top (and its antenna) were getting a bit long in the tooth.

I can't believe how much programming there is unencrypted on that wire! :-)

Well, as a longtime M's season ticket holder (since before '95 - back in the days when the phrase "hapless" was used to describe the Mariners so frequently most folks thought "The Hapless" was the first part of the team's official name), thank you, but I will indeed continue to bitch and moan about the games not being in HD this year on the M's advertiser, Comcast... I indeed do "get off my butt" to see about 1/4 of the home games - and share the tickets for the remaining 3/4 of the games with others... For those I don't attend in person, the lack of a HD option for watching them - in this age of increasingly commonplace HD broadcasts of most everything else - is indeed reason enough to not watch, especially given the way the team is playing... But more than that, it is a slap in the face to those fans w/HD who, by and and large, have & pay for Comcast Cable, but who receive no Mariner games in HD this year... yet who, it seems, get the prvilege of hearing ads for Comcast HD on Mariner radio brodcasts... Talk about management teams (both the M's & Comcast...) without a clue....

Anybody have any indication of whether the new 6412 boxes (which add HDMI and SATA, although it's unclear whether the latter is actually active) might be rolled out in Seattle at some point? I'm guessing that they may come to Seattle later than everywhere else.

In case anyone hasn't seen the thread about them, it's at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558602

Just bought a new panny plasma and contacted Comcast about a cable card so here is the deal. They want to charge 15.99 for the setup which involves a tech coming out and sticking the card in your Cable Card ready TV. Then from there on out there is no charge for the card, so like I already have the silver package, so the card gets programmed with the silver package and I don't have to pay for a box. I won't get VOD or PPV, but will get all HD and SD channels I am subscribed to. Plus the sd signal looks way better cause its not going through a crappy cable box.

Oh and no they won;t let you go pick up the card yourself or mail it to you or anything

Have you tried using the TV without the cable box or CableCard? I'm curious whether any digital cable channels can be received by the TV's tuner alone.

Just bought a new panny plasma and contacted Comcast about a cable card so here is the deal. They want to charge 15.99 for the setup which involves a tech coming out and sticking the card in your Cable Card ready TV. Then from there on out there is no charge for the card, so like I already have the silver package, so the card gets programmed with the silver package and I don't have to pay for a box. I won't get VOD or PPV, but will get all HD and SD channels I am subscribed to. Plus the sd signal looks way better cause its not going through a crappy cable box.

Oh and no they won;t let you go pick up the card yourself or mail it to you or anything
I am sure that you realize that for another $10/month you can get a DVR with 2-tuners (Motorola 6412) from COMCAST. You can record one HD show and watch another. If you have never considered "time-shifting," and never considered not having to watch a commerical again, you should consider this. It is similar to a TiVO-- except it records HD content (TiVO/RePlay only do analog)- and you do not have to buy a box.

Yeah we have 1 HD DVR box already for a different TV. This is for our game room, and I didnt want to pay yet another 10 bucks to comcast.

Right now I have just the cable line screwed into the tv and with the QAM built in tuner I can get all the local channels in HD.

I coudln't find a good listing of all the QAM channels (not just HD) on Comcast, so I sat down with a pad, pencil, and the remote, and made a cheat sheet of my own. I thought it might be useful to others, so here you go. I understand that QAM varies by area, so this might not be useful outside of the City of Seattle.

I coudln't find a good listing of all the QAM channels (not just HD) on Comcast, so I sat down with a pad, pencil, and the remote, and made a cheat sheet of my own. I thought it might be useful to others, so here you go. I understand that QAM varies by area, so this might not be useful outside of the City of Seattle.

Thank you SO MUCH, this was a godsend. I just got my analog cable yesterday and using the QAM scan I found all these channels, input the labels and it works great (and is right on)!

On a side not, is anyone else having audio problems on KOMO-HD? It is REALLY annoying, but I didn't notice it last night. Right now the little league World Series is on and I can barely even understand the broadcasters because of all the jittering. I am worried it might be my connection though, wondering if anyone else is seeing this.


EDIT: Nevermind, looks like KOMO was notified of the problem, the audio just fixed itself, so I am glad to hear that it wasn't my connection problem.
Ryan

Thanks alot for the list. I'm in Kirkland WA, and the mapping is the same. What happened to CNN VH1, MTV, and a few other stations? Does this new scheme mean I now have to get a cable card or set-top box to receive the missing stations? I'm confused, and the rep at Comcats CS wasn't very helpful.


I coudln't find a good listing of all the QAM channels (not just HD) on Comcast, so I sat down with a pad, pencil, and the remote, and made a cheat sheet of my own. I thought it might be useful to others, so here you go. I understand that QAM varies by area, so this might not be useful outside of the City of Seattle.

Thanks alot for the list. I'm in Kirkland WA, and the mapping is the same. What happened to CNN VH1, MTV, and a few other stations? Does this new scheme mean I now have to get a cable card or set-top box to receive the missing stations? I'm confused, and the rep at Comcats CS wasn't very helpful.Keep in mind the digital simulcast stations aren't officially released yet - AFAIK, Comcast is still just testing these - and folks with QAM tuners can see their "pre-release". I'd be surprised if the Comcast reps were even allowed to mention their existence yet. Seems unlikely that EVERY analog channel would also have a digital simulcast, but who knows. In any case - the channels you mention are still available as analog - right?

It's interesting. With my little 13" analog tv I can get the traditional analog channels. But with my QAM Sony, the analog channels are all gone-I can't receive any of them. My channels now start at 79.1. I've tried rescanning to no avail. It's very wierd, and Comcast CS is absolutely clueless.

Keep in mind the digital simulcast stations aren't officially released yet - AFAIK, Comcast is still just testing these - and folks with QAM tuners can see their "pre-release". I'd be surprised if the Comcast reps were even allowed to mention their existence yet. Seems unlikely that EVERY analog channel would also have a digital simulcast, but who knows. In any case - the channels you mention are still available as analog - right?

It's interesting. With my little 13" analog tv I can get the traditional analog channels. But with my QAM Sony, the analog channels are all gone-I can't receive any of them. My channels now start at 79.1. I've tried rescanning to no avail. It's very wierd, and Comcast CS is absolutely clueless.So it's Comcast's fault that you can't figure out your Sony TV?

The TV is fine.

Say goodnight Gracie.

So it's Comcast's fault that you can't figure out your Sony TV?

Regarding the Comcast Special Events channel

Have they actually broadcasted an event? How can you tell if there is going to be an event on?

Anybody have any indication of whether the new 6412 boxes (which add HDMI and SATA, although it's unclear whether the latter is actually active) might be rolled out in Seattle at some point? I'm guessing that they may come to Seattle later than everywhere else.

In case anyone hasn't seen the thread about them, it's at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558602

Instead, I would hope we get whichever box has the Ucentric Digital software:

http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,,5636_5621_23,00.html

http://www.newstarget.com/009072.html

http://www.ucentric.com

I note that channel 181 is back in the guide listings, duplicating those for 180 and 417 (NFLNET), although thus far I haven't seen anything on the channel other than the static "HD/SE" slide. At least 181 is active again, so perhaps the HD version of the NFLNET programming will appear at some point.

A little update that some people may know about and that others might not. I had a cable card install done yesterday on a new panny plasma and its great. The good news is a tech I talked to said that by mid next year they will have cable cards that will be 2-way allowing VOD without a box. And also semi-soon (year or so) all channels will be digital. So it looks like they are upgrading stuff to try to get rid of all analog signals.

"http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=41979&stc=1.jpg"

How many people got this email? I got it on Aug 16th. I have been looking forward to this free HBO for the whole month. I get up this morning, turn on the TV and nothing. I call Comcast and they said, "Not enough people in Washington were interested in participating, so it's not being offered in Washington." What the heck are they talking about? And why email me about a free offer that's not going to happen? LIARS!

"Not enough people in Washington were interested in participating..."



Now how could they possibly determine that????

I had a cable card install done yesterday on a new panny plasma and its great.Does the CableCard do anything to renumber or reorganize the digital channels, similar to a cable box?

by mid next year they will have cable cards that will be 2-way allowing VOD without a box.
The best information that I have is that 2-way cable cards are no where near ready to distribute. In fact, the major players (Comcast, etc) have not even agreed to what standard to use. I have been told to look years away, not months, and most certainly not days.

Messages from Comcast.....

Was watching the Husky game in sucky SD with my son yesterday and he asked if I was recording something on the DVR as a light was on. I said not that I was aware of. He then said "Oh you must have a message or messages from comcast" to which I said "Huh???"

Appears there is a selection in Menu==>setup that allows you to view messages from Comcast. Went and checked and sure enough there was a message about an upcoming boxing match..I cleared it and the indicator light went out..

Anyone else besides me not know there is a message from the motherhship feature in the set top box??

Messages from Comcast.....


Anyone else besides me not know there is a message from the motherhship feature in the set top box??

No, I believe you're the only one -- but you must be the latest one to discover that they never tell you about anything important. When they first implemented the MSFT guide the messages "feature" quit working but, unfortunately, that's no longer the case.

The cablecard has the same channel numbers as a digital box. HBO-HD is 549, DiscoveryHD is 663 ect ect. It also on my set labeled all the channel numbers so when I am just flipping channels it says what station you are on.

OK I've had my Samsung DLP set for several months now, and the TV Guide On-Screen has not once displayed actual listings; it always says "there is no information to display" or whatever it says. I went through the configuration multiple times, yet it's still the same. I've got Comcast Limited Basic, if that matters.

OK I've had my Samsung DLP set for several months now, and the TV Guide On-Screen has not once displayed actual listings; it always says "there is no information to display" or whatever it says. I went through the configuration multiple times, yet it's still the same. I've got Comcast Limited Basic, if that matters.

I'm having this exact same problem with my Sharp LC-37D5U unit. It looks like Gemstar TV Guide information isn't broadcasted on the signal anymore in WA.

I wonder if having a cablecard would help in this case.

Does anybody have an "on-screen guide"-enabled TV that has the guide working? How did you make it work?

-eric

In South King County, channel 181 is active with a banner that reads HD/SE Hi-Def Special Events. What is this and what will they show? Why not ESPN2 HD or TNT HD etc?

humm I have another message today... onDemand is under going maintence... at least in my area.

ericjut,
I have a LG LST3410 that does download TVGOS info at my condo in Kent. I've had the LG for a year now and it was installed first in an apartment in Bothel. I did buy a new LG plasma with TVGOS capability a couple of months ago but it wouldn't load. I finally gave up on that tv for other reasons. Weird thing is that my LST3410 is still downloading. I thought at first that I had always had an antenna hooked up to it (dual tuners) but during my 3 weeks with the LG tv my antenna was hooked to the tv (also dual tuners), not the 3410. Maybe something in the implementation of the newer versions in tv's is causing the download problem.

Thanks for the information ddz.

I'm going to continue testing this, because I would really like to make it work. I wondering if having the super-basic cable blocks the channel that has the information in my case. Or maybe it's just picky about signal strength.

I'll have to play with those variables I guess.

Anybody else have information regarding TVGOS support on their TVs?

-eric

I have the same TV with cablecard and digital package, no information either. Anyone gets TV guide via cablecard?

OK I've had my Samsung DLP set for several months now, and the TV Guide On-Screen has not once displayed actual listings; it always says "there is no information to display" or whatever it says. I went through the configuration multiple times, yet it's still the same. I've got Comcast Limited Basic, if that matters.

"http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=41979&stc=1.jpg"

How many people got this email? I got it on Aug 16th. I have been looking forward to this free HBO for the whole month. I get up this morning, turn on the TV and nothing. I call Comcast and they said, "Not enough people in Washington were interested in participating, so it's not being offered in Washington." What the heck are they talking about? And why email me about a free offer that's not going to happen? LIARS!

UMMM... I actually have some info on this... some people got emails and post cards etc. but they are an exception. also I believe there is mention of the preview on the channel that plays when you hit the "on demand" button and navagate that because that channel is programmed on the national level.

Unfortunately, they are not offering the free preview in Washington because they were not notified in time to meet their legal requirements for notifying customers of any changes to their channel lineups.

I don't know why the CSR told you what they did, other than they misunderstood.

they will set up a non-hbo subscriber with a special deal that starts out with a free month if you call in asking about the preview. you have to cancell it after the first month or it goes to $7.99 for a year and then regular price. Of course, getting that deal depends on the CSR reading their emails and being aware of what's going on around them.

In other news. 4Mbps service goes to 6Mbps on 9/8/05...
PBS Kids "Sprout" launches on 9/28/05 Channel 118 (digital classic)
Logo launches on 9/28/05 Channel 139 (digital plus)
Movieplex launches on 9/28/05 Channel 149 (digital lite/classic)

Encore East, Ovation and Wisdom TV will be deleted 9/28.

VH1 Soul moves from Plus to Classic on 9/28

VH1 Country moves from Classic to Plus on 9/28

All digital simulcast will launch in Federal Way on 9/27.

I have no idea why TNT-HD isn't on the list of additions other than they are stretched for bandwidth while carrying all 2-99 on both analog and digital.

In other news. 4Mbps service goes to 6Mbps on 9/8/05...
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All digital simulcast will launch in Federal Way on 9/27.
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Since no speed upgrades have been reported west of Minnesota, should that be 9/28 rather than 9/8? Today seems unlikely.

Will digital simulcast appear elsewhere in the Seattle area on 9/27, or is Federal Way "special"?

First, thanks for the heads up about the HBO special. Couldn't get the free month but did get $7.99 for a year.

Question. I'm frustrated with how easy it is to fill up the DVR with HD recordings. With the digital simulcast, will there be a nonHD digital station for the current HD stations. In other words, will there be a channel showing "Survivor" in nonHD digital that I could record for a picture that would be better than the analog "7" but not take up all of the room of the HD "107".

Thanks,

Art

Art --

Channel 7 will be the digital SD equivalent of 107, and should be clearer and take up less disk space than the current analog 7 (we hope). Almost all the HD channels either have current SD digital equivalents or current analog equivalents which will be digital. The exceptions seem to be 664 and 665 (along with 663 and 108 which have SD programming on various channels but no exact equivalents).