If I were to bring one of my 6200 boxes over to a friend's Super Bowl party (who has cable, but no HD receivers), and plug it into his cable - would it still work? This would still be on the Seattle Eastside.

Is my box somehow tied to my particular neighborhood node? Would Comcast have to re-activate it or something?

Just curious...

What are the video and audio outputs on the dual tuner HD DVR Comcast’s Auburn, WA office is likely to bring out? I see references from searching this thread to HDMI but the Motorola web page shows DVI out. I need to order some cables to prepare for a plasma installation. If it is HDMI, I assume the coax and/or optical SPDIF audio outputs still work? I don’t plan on hooking any speakers through the Plasma.

Thanks.

My 6412 has component (RCAx3) and DVI. Since my DVD player has HDMI, I use the DVI input on my Toshiba 34" CRT with it and use component for the 6412.

Thanks. I just called Comcast. A tech mentioned the new Dual Tuner HD DVR is a 3412 and has HDMI out. I’ll go back and check Motorola’s web page.

My 6412 has component (RCAx3) and DVI. Since my DVD player has HDMI, I use the DVI input on my Toshiba 34" CRT with it and use component for the 6412.
I orignally used the component outputs from my 6412. Then later I upgraded to using the DVI output to my HDMI input on my Panasonic 42"

Frankly, I can not tell the difference. So use either component- or DVI output to either DVI or HDMI imput (depending upon your plasma's inputs).

Thanks. I just called Comcast. A tech mentioned the new Dual Tuner HD DVR is a 3412 and has HDMI out. I’ll go back and check Motorola’s web page.As long as your area is upgraded to digital simulcast (DS), the 3412 should work fine. It's like a 6412 with no analog tuner or MPEG2 encoder.

Thanks. I just called Comcast. A tech mentioned the new Dual Tuner HD DVR is a 3412 and has HDMI out. I’ll go back and check Motorola’s web page.

This is very interesting. Here is the exact product dcescription posted by Motorola:

DCT3400


The Motorola DCT3400 Series set-top combines the extraordinary features of digital cable - the seemingly endless programming options, interactive program guides (IPG), Video on Demand (VOD), and commercial-free, CD quality music - with dual-tuner all-digital video recording (DVR) for watch and record capability as well as the incredible picture quality of high-definition television (HDTV). The DCT3400 Series all-digital set-tops offer advanced capabilities including a high-end, high-performance microprocessor, expanded memory, enhanced graphics, and a full range of audio and visual inputs and outputs, offering service providers a quick and cost-effective way of realizing the benefits of an all-digital network. Benefits include increased bandwidth for HD and VOD content, on-demand information and entertainment services and content encryption to reduce theft of video services.

The DCT3400 Series set-tops are designed for use as an all-digital platform. They do not support tuning analog channels on the cable plant.

The DCT6400 Series set-top includes a full range of industry standard connectors for video, audio and data applications through USB 2.0, HDMI digital audio/video interfaces (replaces DVI) and a SATA connector for additional DVR capacity with an external hard drive.

I got very excited when reading the last paragraph that mentions a SATA connector and a USB port- finally a way to increase HD recording storage.

But then a closer reading indicates that this prargraph is referring to the 6400 series, which, as we know, does not have USB support or a SATA connector.

SO I am not sure what is going on-- perhaps the 6400 in the last paragraph of the quote was a typo??

I believe the latest (Phase 3) version of the 6412 has both HDMI and SATA (and USB), but the SATA and USB are not active. So Motorola is correct about the hardware, but Comcast is not enabling it.

I found this. Looks like I have some reading to do.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=604142&page=1&pp=30

I believe the latest (Phase 3) version of the 6412 has both HDMI and SATA (and USB), but the SATA and USB are not active. So Motorola is correct about the hardware, but Comcast is not enabling it.
Just to clarify- the last paragraph quoted above that is titled 3412 features refers to the 6412. So the confusion is 1)this paragraph was inadventantly placed in the 3412 description; or 2)the paragraph is correctly placed, but refers to the 6412 by error

A quick review on the AVS link-- all units are using the iGuide.
So does this mean the 3412 will work with Microsoft software?

I see that wareagle has posted over on the 3412 Forum-- Any comments?

A quick review on the AVS link-- all units are using the iGuide.
So does this mean the 3412 will work with Microsoft software?

I see that wareagle has posted over on the 3412 Forum-- Any comments?

I have the 3412 and it uses the "Microsoft Enhanced" guide.

All HD-capable receivers (5100, 6200, 6412, 3412) in the Puget Sound area use the MSTV software, as far as I know. I just got something in the mail from Comcast the other day that says they're rolling out the MSTV guide to the non-HD DCT2000 boxes now, too.

Does anyone here have any clue as to what the future holds for the MSFT guide? It seems to have no more problems than the iGuide (perhaps fewer), and as far as features go, the ability to edit unwanted channels out beats the 30-second skip function (personal preference). But if it continues to be limited to our lovely little corner of the nation, how long can it survive?

I have the 3412 and it uses the "Microsoft Enhanced" guide.
Does your box have a functional SATA connection and/or USB port?

Does your box have a functional SATA connection and/or USB port?

That's a question I can't answer. The ports are there, for sure. But I have no way of testing to see if they work...sorry

FYI you guys, channel 181 is running HD NFL right now. There is an excellent NFL Films presentation about the Hawks versus the Panthers. I don't usually get NFL Net on 181 so this is nice...

so are the 3412's out in the seattle area yet?

so are the 3412's out in the seattle area yet?

Yes, I have had one for 3 weeks

so are the 3412's out in the seattle area yet?Only in those areas with digital simulcast. Remember, no analog tuner....

Looks like Seattle proper just got DS a couple days ago (maybe - did it ever finish upgrading properly?) so 3412s should be soon behind.

Sorry to report that all Seattle proper does NOT have digital simulcast yet. I live in Magnolia and we do not have it.

Hopefully someone who reads this Forum, and who has the 3412, will try it with a USB hard drive, or a external SATA hard drive, and let us know if that feature (additional hard drive storage) is activated on the 3412 box.

Hopefully someone who reads this Forum, and who has the 3412, will try it with a USB hard drive, or a external SATA hard drive, and let us know if that feature (additional hard drive storage) is activated on the 3412 box.

I'm sure we would've heard about it by now if that were the case. I don't have a 3412, but what I see on the 3412 forum would indicate that Comcast has no current plans to provide for external storage.

There are postings on this forum
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=639557
indicating signs of Universal HD in other areas.

Customers with QAM tuners might see if there are any hints in Seattle.

Did anyone else stumble upon channel 117 yesterday? It was a camera feed from SeaTac airport. It's gone now, but I wonder why that was up for 12 hours or so.

That is KIROs second digital channel (shows up as 7.2 when i use my antenna). Sometine it has a video feed from SEATAC, other times it shows the tower cam view of the space needle and downtown. Occasionally it shows KIRO news too.

It seems to me that it is a bit rate issue. Only happens durring high explosion or fast moving scenes. Doesn't matter whether it is going through the set top box or my cablecard connection. Never had this much with dish. The one thing however is that the picture looks way better than the same hdtv channels on dish, it just happens to have massive blocking durring high bit rate scenes. Is it possible that comcast is lowering the bit rate in my area? I had a guy come out and everything looked good as far as strengths. Or did hbo cinemax and starz start sending out reduced bit rate quality for their hd channels.

Hi,

I bought a JVC LT-40FH96 recently. I would like to upgrade to Comcast Digital Classic for more HD channels like ESPN and TNT. My question is: Do they sell Cablecards because my TV is Digital Cable Ready?

Thanks

Do they sell Cablecards because my TV is Digital Cable Ready?

Thanks

They do. Someone who has one may tell you how well it works.

They do. Someone who has one may tell you how well it works.


Does anyone with a Cablecard know if you're supposed to get the Digital Extra (or Digital Sports) Tier or TNT-HD?

I have one (plugged into a Philips 32"LCD), and have un-plugged the set, and done everything else I coud think of to reset it, but I don't get those...

The channels for the Digital Extra Tier (speed, fox college sports, Outdoor) show up, but nothing but black screen.....TNT-HD (662) doesn't even show up in the channel list....(all these work fine on the 6412 box).

If you do get it, I guess this becomes a Comcast issue (not enabling this card for all the subscribed tiers.....).

I noticed that as of yesterday (Sunday 2/5) that TNT HD is now available on 602.

The channels for the Digital Extra Tier (speed, fox college sports, Outdoor) show up, but nothing but black screen.....

Speed is included in Basic Cable. You don't even need Digital.

(Less than 34 days until the first Formula One race.)

I noticed that as of yesterday (Sunday 2/5) that TNT HD is now available on 602.

Do you mean 662? 602 is part of a Spanish package (FSE), and TNT-HD has been on 662 for the past two weeks.

I apologize if this has been addressed already, I searched the thread and scanned dozens of pages of posts and didn't see anyone else talking about it, but it's entirely possible I missed something.

What I'm wondering is how the quality of the HD video from comcast of local stations compare to the OTA HD broadcasts from the same sources. We've got comcasts basic cable package and rented one of the HD boxes to use with our HD ready set to watch the unencrypted HD chanels. Things look pretty good, but I'm wondering how it compares to the same content received OTA. Unfortunately, our signal situation is such that we'd have to put a good deal of effort into an antenna setup before we could see for ourselves, so I wonder what other people's experience is?

Is the comcast delivered HD as good as the OTA HD you get with a good antenna? Or is comcast doing a requant on the bitstream it gets from the local broadcasters before sending it out on the system in order to save bandwidth? Thanks!

I apologize if this has been addressed already, I searched the thread and scanned dozens of pages of posts and didn't see anyone else talking about it, but it's entirely possible I missed something.

What I'm wondering is how the quality of the HD video from comcast of local stations compare to the OTA HD broadcasts from the same sources. We've got comcasts basic cable package and rented one of the HD boxes to use with our HD ready set to watch the unencrypted HD chanels. Things look pretty good, but I'm wondering how it compares to the same content received OTA. Unfortunately, our signal situation is such that we'd have to put a good deal of effort into an antenna setup before we could see for ourselves, so I wonder what other people's experience is?

Is the comcast delivered HD as good as the OTA HD you get with a good antenna? Or is comcast doing a requant on the bitstream it gets from the local broadcasters before sending it out on the system in order to save bandwidth? Thanks!Comcast sends out the exact same bitstream they receive from local affiliates - for better or worse.

Comcast sends out the exact same bitstream they receive from local affiliates - for better or worse.

Thanks! That's good to know.

I trade emails from time-to-time with a senior local person at Comcast. I quiz him a lot about what's happening in HD and he never fails to respond politely, although his responses are mostly of the "no comment" variety. However, I keep sending him emails, if only to let him know that there is a die-hard HD community here.

Last week, I quizzed him about whether or not we would have UHD in time for the Olympics. Today, I got the following response: In reference to the Olympics, we are working through some details but I hope to have some good news for you later in the week.Keep your fingers crossed!

Apparently our local Comcast management hasn't a clue when it comes to promoting their product.

You expect him to "promote" something that may or may not be a done deal?

When did you first hear from Comcast about TNT-HD -- assuming you have heard anything?

When did you first hear from Comcast about TNT-HD -- assuming you have heard anything?Sorry, that's another topic: general Comcast incompetence. I thought you were specifically responding to the post directly above yours, regarding the UHD deal that may or may not happen in time for the Olympics. You can't fault them for not announcing something they're obivously scrambling to make happen. This case is bad planning & deployment, not bad promotion.

In the general case, Comcast news usually comes in the mail with my bill, although it normally hits the garbage can way before I read them. They used to do more online messages informing us about what's happening, but I think they pretty much abandoned this here in Seattle - notably since the MSFT TV platform didn't support these messages at all for something like 6 months after they rolled it out. Remember the furor when they finally re-enabled this feature, and the very first thing they advertised was a special on porno films?

That is KIROs second digital channel (shows up as 7.2 when i use my antenna). Sometine it has a video feed from SEATAC, other times it shows the tower cam view of the space needle and downtown. Occasionally it shows KIRO news too.

I'm getting it on 89-13 QAM but channel 117 is not a channel that my box recognizes at all.

When did you first hear from Comcast about TNT-HD -- assuming you have heard anything?
I got an email on Friday January 20 that TNT-HD would be arriving on Monday January 23. By then, all of us had seen TNT turn up temporarily on channel 800 and somebody had already posted that TNT-HD would be arriving on the 23rd.

That was pretty typical of the sort of info I have gotten from this person - he only shares info when Comcast is ready to go public with it anyway. I really can't blame him for that.

Not the same white screen as has been the last week.

any sightings of Universal HD on QAM ?

Speed is included in Basic Cable. You don't even need Digital.

(Less than 34 days until the first Formula One race.)


Not in Olympia....it's on 408, and only available as part of the additional Digital Extra ($5.99) or Digital Sports ($4.99) tier.

It used to be part of Digital Gold in Bellevue (~$50), but then went to the basic package a few years back.

And yup, can't wait for F1!

It used to be part of Digital Gold in Bellevue (~$50), but then went to the basic package a few years back.

And yup, can't wait for F1!

Glad I'm not in Olympia. I don't recall it ever being digital (pre-ADS). Must've been during my foolish foray into D*.

F1 -- even the qualifying may be interesting this year.

I am sure that all of my problems have been addressed somewhere...but 210 pages...whew..

I just bought a RP Hitachi 51" TV.
I have basic limited cable.
I have some issues.
For instance, I watched the Superbowl and it looked awesome! I mean awesome! I watched it on the HD feed.

But when I go to other HD channels they are grainy and digitized most of the time. I watched CSI Miami last night and on the normal channel 7? it was OK. Not the greatest pic. Very fuzzy. On the digital channel the picture was again ok. On the HD channel the pic rocked but the audio was very out of sync.


When we went to watch Spike the pic was so bad I wanted to cry.

My theories are some of the following:

I don't have 'digital' cable so I am getting a weak signal?

The tuner in my TV is weak and a cable box or external tuner would be better?

there were some problems in my neighborhood so I may be padded?

Non-digital channels will always look like garbage?

Any suggestions on what to try?

On a 51 inch set most comcast channels will look very poor..on my 64 inch they look soft, blurry, and a variety of other terms I shall not use..but the HD is great...

Take a small photo that is already marginal and blow it up to 10 times its size..it will look pretty awful and that is what you get on a large set when not viewing HD or good digital...

I used to watch food tv every single day..since 2000 when I got my hd set I have probably watched it 10 times...all due too such a terrible picture...I do watch it upstairs on small 27" set though and it looks good there....

I can remember when a 27" TV was BIG.

From my source:
Wanted to drop you a quick note in reference to the Olympics. We will be airing UHD’s Olympics coverage on channel 665. For the period of the Olympics we will we pre-empting INHD2.
As Comcast is pre-empting INHD2, I'm guessing we lose UHD after the Olympics.

From my source:

As Comcast is pre-empting INHD2, I'm guessing we lose UHD after the Olympics.

That sucks. Battlestar Galactica is the primary reason I cared for UHD. And INHD2 is the "good" INHD channel as far as I am concerned.

Meanwhile channel 181 plays absolutely nothing(in HD!). Its just sitting there soaking up bandwidth.

I am pretty sure the seattle comcast policies are generated by the same random decision making software that the airlines use.

...
And INHD2 is the "good" INHD channel as far as I am concerned.
...


You'd think they'd preempt the "sports" INHD for sports.

I got back last night from being out of town over the weekend. I had setup my 3412 to record all the Superbowl stuff & 24 on Monday night. NOTHING got recorded. I specifically deleted a bunch of stuff off the DVR right before I left so that I had plenty of space (only 3% used when I left). Only one regularly scheduled program (JoJo's circus for the kids) got recorded Sunday morning, and then after that nothing got recorded again.

When I woke up this morning, a kids show I have scheduled to be recorded at 8am wasn't recording, UNITL I turned on the DVR. Then it started (3 minutes late of course).

Any idea what is going on here? Do I need to reset this thing, and if so, how?

Thanks

Don't turn off the DVR.

Don't turn off the DVR.

Don't turn it off? Ever?

I have had it turned off for most of the time I have had it (3 weeks) and never had a problem with it recording when turned off...

Or is this a known problem?

Sometimes you have to turn it off, but don't leave it off -- especially if you're expecting it to turn on for recording. It will prevent a lot of headaches.

I never had a problem leaving it off, either, but many have reported leaving it on all the time seems to make some of the issues they have go away.

Also, the unit is essentially "on" all the time, anyway (the HDD and CPU are always getting power). So leaving it formally "on" isn't going to increase power usage that much.

I never had a problem leaving it off, either, but many have reported leaving it on all the time seems to make some of the issues they have go away.

Also, the unit is essentially "on" all the time, anyway (the HDD and CPU are always getting power). So leaving it formally "on" isn't going to increase power usage that much.

I kind of figured that. Just have to change the settings in my Harmony remote to leave it on. No biggee...

But, of course, I want to know why this happened. Leaving the device turned on is not part of the "features" of the DVR, it's not working as expected if you have to do that to make it work! I am pretty sure it is related to a "series" of shows I had recorded. In order to make more space on my DVR I deleted a bunch of shows that were in the series of recorded shows. The last show to record correctly was one of those shows. My guess is that somewere in the logic of the software there is a bug when you delete a show recorded as part of a series and then the DVR tries to record a show it had previously recorded (and then I deleted).

I deleted both series of shows and am going to test and see if that fixes the problem.

pthack - I just signed up for Digital plus and got both a cablecard and moto 6200. I called Comcast because I wasn't seeing TNT-HD on the cablecard or the 6200 and they sent a reset signal to both to get them working. Prior to the reset I was able to see all the HD feeds except TNT.

For everyone out there who has been thinking about cablecard, get it. It doesn't cost a thing and the signal quality on all channels is superior to the stuff coming out of the box. I'm keeping the box as well for the guide info but when I want a great feed I switch to the cablecard.

For everyone out there who has been thinking about cablecard, get it. It doesn't cost a thing and the signal quality on all channels is superior to the stuff coming out of the box. I'm keeping the box as well for the guide info but when I want a great feed I switch to the cablecard.

Are you talking about just HD, or SD as well?

A cable card is little more than an encrypted key that unlocks content- has nothing to do with quality. Think of it as a key that unlocks a door. A set top box also unlocks the same door- but in addition, also allows the customer to order ON DEMAND features where 2-way communication is necessary (Cable cards are only one-way-downstream from Comcast to the consumer). Industry is still fighting about what standard to use on 2-way cable cards- it will be years before they decide.

I kind of figured that. Just have to change the settings in my Harmony remote to leave it on. No biggee...

But, of course, I want to know why this happened. Leaving the device turned on is not part of the "features" of the DVR, it's not working as expected if you have to do that to make it work! I am pretty sure it is related to a "series" of shows I had recorded. In order to make more space on my DVR I deleted a bunch of shows that were in the series of recorded shows. The last show to record correctly was one of those shows. My guess is that somewere in the logic of the software there is a bug when you delete a show recorded as part of a series and then the DVR tries to record a show it had previously recorded (and then I deleted).

I deleted both series of shows and am going to test and see if that fixes the problem.


More likely the bug is in the logic that awakens the DVR to record, since you said it started to record as soon as you turned it on.

I know it isn't supposed to matter whether you leave it on or off, but leaving it on is a relatively painless workaround, and seems to avoid problems beforehand.

It seems to me that it is a bit rate issue. Only happens durring high explosion or fast moving scenes. Doesn't matter whether it is going through the set top box or my cablecard connection. Never had this much with dish. The one thing however is that the picture looks way better than the same hdtv channels on dish, it just happens to have massive blocking durring high bit rate scenes. Is it possible that comcast is lowering the bit rate in my area? I had a guy come out and everything looked good as far as strengths. Or did hbo cinemax and starz start sending out reduced bit rate quality for their hd channels.

So nobody on this board sees any macroblocking on the premium hd movie channels? HBO,STARZ,MAX hdtv channels all macroblocking horribly on high bit rate scenes for me. I thought that comcast had a policy to not touch the hd feeds as it is sent out to them from the networks. I must say that it seems as though they are capping the bit rate not to exceed a certian level. I came from dish and I must say they didn't have macroblocking on the same movies, but dish had a much lesser looking quality on non high bit rate scenes. So what is it. Is comcast capping the bit rate or just lowering the whole damn thing.

My box actually got a message from Comcast today:

"From 2/10 to 2/27, watch live NBC Universal Hi-Def coverage of the 2006 Torino winter Olympic Games on channel 665. The INHD2 network will return to channel 665 on 2/28."


No word on whether UHD will ever be carried fulltime on its own channel.

A cable card is little more than an encrypted key that unlocks content- has nothing to do with quality. Think of it as a key that unlocks a door. A set top box also unlocks the same door- but in addition, also allows the customer to order ON DEMAND features where 2-way communication is necessary (Cable cards are only one-way-downstream from Comcast to the consumer). Industry is still fighting about what standard to use on 2-way cable cards- it will be years before they decide. One the best articles I've seen about CableCARD is here. (http://arstechnica.com/guides/other/cablecard.ars)

My box actually got a message from Comcast today:

"From 2/10 to 2/27, watch live NBC Universal Hi-Def coverage of the 2006 Torino winter Olympic Games on channel 665. The INHD2 network will return to channel 665 on 2/28."


No word on whether UHD will ever be carried fulltime on its own channel.

If it is, I'm guessing it won't be any time soon.

C'mon Comcast, get rid of NFL Network HD. One hour of programming a week is not maximizing your bandwidth.

If it is, I'm guessing it won't be any time soon.

C'mon Comcast, get rid of NFL Network HD. One hour of programming a week is not maximizing your bandwidth.


(Especially since we never know when that hour might be!)

You think we could get NBC to twist KING's arm to give up KONG-HD for UHD?

Titan TV web site is on top of things. They have a UPN schedule listed on 665 (along with INHD2). I wonder if our guide will have the schedule (could come in handy for recording those 4AM events). Silly me!

(Especially since we never know when that hour might be!)

You think we could get NBC to twist KING's arm to give up KONG-HD for UHD?

I've never seen any HD content on KONG.

And the 2% of King's daily newscasts don't count.

I've never seen any HD content on KONG.

And the 2% of King's daily newscasts don't count.

The schedule indicates they show reruns of Evening Magazine and Northwest Backroads in HD. I wouldn't know.

Maybe we could convince them to have some NBC station other than KING send them HD recordings of SNL for replay.

I too am having MAJOR issues with my 6412. I have owned it since the first week available and NEVER had a recording problem. Just this week it now has dropped random scheduled shows......not recorded shows......etc. Today I got home and looked for the red light and low and behold NOT RECORDING. I hit power and it instantly started recording

I have NEVER left the power on the box and NEVER had a problem till this week. This is with near daily recordings.

I called Comcast and they took attitude with me and said I didn't get recordings for years with the box off and I am mistaken.....PISSED me OFF!! They then said, "Oh you should never turn off your cable box. Who told you to do that???"


Chris........I DEFINATLY see the mjor macroblocking in explosions and really high speed pans. I have seen this since I've had Hd Comcast service.....especially on HBO.

So nobody on this board sees any macroblocking on the premium hd movie channels? HBO,STARZ,MAX hdtv channels all macroblocking horribly on high bit rate scenes for me. I thought that comcast had a policy to not touch the hd feeds as it is sent out to them from the networks. I must say that it seems as though they are capping the bit rate not to exceed a certian level. I came from dish and I must say they didn't have macroblocking on the same movies, but dish had a much lesser looking quality on non high bit rate scenes. So what is it. Is comcast capping the bit rate or just lowering the whole damn thing.Ah - the old "Comcast is secretly lowering my bitrate" conspiracy theory! I think there have been dozens of discussions about this in many AVS forums, like this one specific to Seattle. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=541855). My opinion - you're seeing compression artifacts introduced at the source (eg, HBO) and Comcast is simply passing the bitstream thru as they receive it. Officially, that's supposed to be Comcast's corporate policy. Makes sense to me - AFAIK, they don't squeeze more than 2 HD channels into a single QAM-256 slot, which means there should be a full 19 Mbit/sec available for each.

Also, it seems that HBO itself (and presumably Starz/Showtime as well) sometimes raises or lowers their own bitrates at different times of the day - even for the same movie. See this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6929895&&#post6929895).

Ah - the old "Comcast is secretly lowering my bitrate" conspiracy theory! I think there have been dozens of discussions about this in many AVS forums, like this one specific to Seattle. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=541855). My opinion - you're seeing compression artifacts introduced at the source (eg, HBO) and Comcast is simply passing the bitstream thru as they receive it. Officially, that's supposed to be Comcast's corporate policy. Makes sense to me - AFAIK, they don't squeeze more than 2 HD channels into a single QAM-256 slot, which means there should be a full 19 Mbit/sec available for each.


UMM. Well then I guess I should get way less than 20 hours HD on my 3412. I am getting 20 hours. So that means the bitrate is not even close to 12. I think they are squeezing it. I never had macroblocking with dish. That is with a bitrate of under 12 on hbo on the 110 sat.

UMM. Well then I guess I should get way less than 20 hours HD on my 3412. I am getting 20 hours. So that means the bitrate is not even close to 12. I think they are squeezing it. I never had macroblocking with dish. That is with a bitrate of under 12 on hbo on the 110 sat.Right. They have to compress the 12 Mbit/sec HBO feed to fit into their 19 Mbit/sec slot. And of course they only do this with the premium channels you pay them extra for. All makes perfect sense to me.....

And what's up with the math? I'm no math whiz, but it seems to me a 120GB drive holds closer to 22 hours of 12 Mbit/sec programming:

12 Mbit/sec * 60 sec * 60 min = 43,200 Mbit/hour
/ 8 = 5400 MBytes/hour = 5.4 GBytes/hour
120/5.4 = 22.22 hours

So nobody on this board sees any macroblocking on the premium hd movie channels? HBO,STARZ,MAX hdtv channels all macroblocking horribly on high bit rate scenes for me. I thought that comcast had a policy to not touch the hd feeds as it is sent out to them from the networks. I must say that it seems as though they are capping the bit rate not to exceed a certian level. I came from dish and I must say they didn't have macroblocking on the same movies, but dish had a much lesser looking quality on non high bit rate scenes. So what is it. Is comcast capping the bit rate or just lowering the whole damn thing.

I get that sometimes, but most noticeably on KCTS-HD. I don't know if it's Comcast or the source and have never persued it. I am interested in what, if anything, you find out.

Right. They have to compress the 12 Mbit/sec HBO feed to fit into their 19 Mbit/sec slot. And of course they only do this with the premium channels you pay them extra for. All makes perfect sense to me.....

And what's up with the math? I'm no math whiz, but it seems to me a 120GB drive holds closer to 22 hours of 12 Mbit/sec programming:

12 Mbit/sec * 60 sec * 60 min = 43,200 Mbit/hour
/ 8 = 5400 MBytes/hour = 5.4 GBytes/hour
120/5.4 = 22.22 hours


Actually the hdd in the recorder is only 110 for recording dvr. The rest is for system and vod stuff.

I was just making an example as it says on the website that you can record up to 15 hours of hd content. I am getting at least 20 hours no matter what hd channel I am recording. I mean my dvd's don't macroblock like this hd channels do. In fact my dvd's don't macroblock much at all. When it macroblocks heavy it looks like the t.v. is more like 128x72 rather than 1280x720. I do know that in my area they have had problems. In fact the guy said that a very large portion of the Seattle market for comcast is having problems. They wouldn't tell me what it is. I do notice however that my area just recently went ads. Does that mean anything. Also my area was a former ATT system. I do read that comcast does compress in some areas only because they aren't up to snuff yet. A few big wigs on these message boards confirm that. I have already had a tech come out once and couldn't find anything. I do have to say that without the macroblocking the picture is way better than dish. Just strange how all the complex scenes have major macroblocking.

Actually the hdd in the recorder is only 110 for recording dvr. The rest is for system and vod stuff. Well, then your box is behaving perfectly. 110 GB should hold almost exactly 20 hours of 12 Mbit/sec HBO. I was just making an example as it says on the website that you can record up to 15 hours of hd content.15 hours is probably a good estimate for most HD programming with a higher average bitrate (say, 16-17 Mbit/sec). HBO is notororious for having among the lowest bitrates for "HD" programming, so more of it fits on your hard drive.

Well, then your box is behaving perfectly. 110 GB should hold almost exactly 20 hours of 12 Mbit/sec HBO. 15 hours is probably a good estimate for most HD programming with a higher average bitrate (say, 16-17 Mbit/sec). HBO is notororious for having among the lowest bitrates for "HD" programming, so more of it fits on your hard drive.



Well thats besides the point. The point is the macroblocking is excessive and is not even close to what dish has. Heck dish compresses the pemium channels. So that leads me to believe that it is happening at my head end as well. It is a bitrate thing. I have perfect signal and nothing has changed to my setup. The motorola box macroblocks just as much as when I go through my tv tuner with the cablecard. It is defenitely a bitrate thing. Like I said it is getting to the point where I will just have to get rid of all my premium channels and just watch my OTA stuff instead.

Any way to find out what the bit rate is from starz,hbo,max and show hd channels on average. I know that if I get an average of 12 that is less than the hbo average on dish at 148 bird.

You said my box is behaving perfectly. How do you say that if I average 12 on comcast with hbo and dish averages 14? That tells me comcast is compressing even more.

You just refuse to believe the problem is at the source, with HBO/Starz, etc?

... A few big wigs on these message boards confirm that...
Just out of curiosity, what other boards do you monitor?

You just refuse to believe the problem is at the source, with HBO/Starz, etc?


Why do I even bother telling you over and over. Ive compared them. Only macroblocking with comcast. None on dish with the same movie and same network. Every damn channel on comcast that has a action scene macroblocks on a high bit rate scene. Damn you don't listen. For your info I have a very expensive home theater system. I watch alot of movies. I am going to be calling comcast again. There is no way in hell I am getting a bitrate over 12 on any of the movie channels. I know what low bitrate macroblocking is. It also might be the system comcast has in MY AREA that is not up to snuff.

Remember you live way north of me. COmcast told me there were problems widespread in the Greater Seattle area. Your not in that area.

Would you explain to me why I am having macroblocking on every movie with an action scene and never had that with dish? I am not denying anything. Damn it sounds like your a COMCAST LOVER. I could care less about any of the damn outfits. I just want what I pay for.

It seems to me there is a cap in the bit rate at my house. All the hd channels look ten times better than dish until an action scene comes along and vola huge macroblocking. That is not a HBO issue if it is good on dish and bad on comcast.

I will take a pic of I,Robot durring the scene where the house is being demolished. You will see. I saw the same movie on dish last month and looked perfect.

I am not going to stress over this. Heck I am just trying to figure out if others are having a similar issue. If I still get macroblocking durring this summer I will just cancle my premium movie channels and save $60/month and buy a blue ray player and rent from netflix. That will actually be way cheaper in the long haul. After two years it would be a wash and I would own the player if you take into account spread over two years.

Why do I even bother telling you over and over. Ive compared them. ...Really? You've compared the exact same movie from the exact same network, broadcast at the exact same time, side-by-side? If not, then you're just guessing...

Really? You've compared the exact same movie from the exact same network, broadcast at the exact same time, side-by-side? If not, then you're just guessing...


You know what I guess you don't understand. ALL day long on comcast I have macroblocking on action scene movies. Doesn't matter what premium network it is. ALL day long. And it doesn't matter whether it is starz,hbo,max,showtime 2 hours of any of those movies always comes out to 10% of the recording space for the last month. That alone makes me believe there is a problem with the head end.

On dish I never had that. I had dish from mid summer til last month. I had comcast and dish at the same time for a few days.

All I know is what I see. I have better than average vision.

I hope someone with some sense actually responds to this as your not.

I never see anything like that.

I have just purchased and setup a new Hitachi 50 inch LCD-RP. I connected it to my basic cable and tuned in the local channels using the QAM HD tuner in the TV. The picture looks great, but all of the channels seem to have the audio out of sync with the video. On Boston Legal last night it seemed like I was watching a movie that was dubbed over because the lip movements did not match the words.

Is this type of problem likely due to the TV, the cable setup or something else? If it is the TV then I want to make sure to keep the box to return it back to Video Only, although I would like to solve the problem without going through the hassle of boxing up the TV again.

I never see anything like that.Likewise...

ouch :eek:

well, HD DVD is less than 2 months away :) I just canceled all my movie channels...... looks like im done recording broadcast HD movies....

All I know is what I see. I have better than average vision.



Is it just me, or has this exchange been priceless?

... speaking of this issue, I was watching the grammys tonight on 107 for a while and noticec MAJOR blocking during the opening number with madonna & the gorillaz. there were strobe lights and my tv started blocking up to an almost unwatchable extent. when things settled down it went back to normal. however it never looked anything like the pics he posted.

did anyone else see that sequence and notice any blocking?

You know what I guess you don't understand. ALL day long on comcast I have macroblocking on action scene movies. Doesn't matter what premium network it is. ALL day long. And it doesn't matter whether it is starz,hbo,max,showtime 2 hours of any of those movies always comes out to 10% of the recording space for the last month. That alone makes me believe there is a problem with the head end.

On dish I never had that. I had dish from mid summer til last month. I had comcast and dish at the same time for a few days.

All I know is what I see. I have better than average vision.

I hope someone with some sense actually responds to this as your not.Ah - but your pictures have convinced me! You've finally presented some real evidence, not some bogus claim about how many hours you're recording. Those are far worse than any compression artifacts I've seen on any of these channels. I now agree with you this is probably not happening on the HBO end. This looks more like signal loss, not any sort of deliberate compression - by Comcast, or HBO, or anyone else. Could be a problem with the Comcast head-end, your nighborhood fiber distribution node, or your own house cabling/splitters, etc. In another thread yesterday, you seem to be concerned about your splitters:

...What brand splitters should I use and If I decide to get an amp what kind. Was thinking of getting an amp that has 6 outputs on it to feed the entire inside of the house and keep my cable modem on the first of the two splits on the outside box... I'd suggest having Comcast check your signal levels so you have some way of knowing for sure whether this is their problem or yours. With more than one split - especially if there are 3- or 4-way spliiters - you probably need an amp.

I don't subscribe to any of the premium HD channels, so I can't directly comment on the issue chipvideo is experiencing.

However, I have never seen anything even remotely that poor with any of the networks (104-113) or DHD/INHD(2) (663-665), and I do record a good deal of content on my 6412.

KCTS-HD (108) does suffer some noticeable (but the image is still quite discernable) blocking on fast transitions, but KCTS does evidently run multiple digital channels in their HD bandwith allocation, so there actually is some compression going on - but at KCTS, not Comcast.

I'd ask if this was a 3412 issue, but biz_qwik is having it with their 6412.

I take it these problems manifest themselves during DVR playback?

Likewise, I've seen that kind of problem but not from overcompression, only from momentary signal dropouts. At first I thought it was my 6412 having a hiccup, but watching the same channel side-by-side tuned through the 6412 and through a different QAM tuner the signal loss always happens at the same time, which indicates it's a real signal loss and not the box.

I wouldn't be quite so quick to assume an amp will help; in my case it turned out that my amp was causing problems because it was overdriving my cable modem.

For everyone out there who has been thinking about cablecard, get it. It doesn't cost a thing ....

Huh, WHAT? Comcast charges me $5 a month for mine. Are you really paying nothing for it? Or is it that when you subscribe to digital, you get a $5 credit towards a decoder of some sort, and you've applied the credit to your card?

If Comcast is only charging some of us for a service, we'd like to know!

Thanks,

I don't subscribe to any of the premium HD channels, so I can't directly comment on the issue chipvideo is experiencing.

However, I have never seen anything even remotely that poor with any of the networks (104-113) or DHD/INHD(2) (663-665), and I do record a good deal of content on my 6412.

KCTS-HD (108) does suffer some noticeable (but the image is still quite discernable) blocking on fast transitions, but KCTS does evidently run multiple digital channels in their HD bandwith allocation, so there actually is some compression going on - but at KCTS, not Comcast.

I'd ask if this was a 3412 issue, but biz_qwik is having it with their 6412.

I take it these problems manifest themselves during DVR playback?

Doesn't matter whether I am using my dvr or a live feed with feed directly to the tv using the cable card. I have a good signal, new cable rated up to 3 ghz and the tech tested every outlet. I do believe there is an issue with the head end somewhere. The only reason I am getting an amp is so I can distribute more rooms in the future.

Huh, WHAT? Comcast charges me $5 a month for mine. Are you really paying nothing for it? Or is it that when you subscribe to digital, you get a $5 credit towards a decoder of some sort, and you've applied the credit to your card?

If Comcast is only charging some of us for a service, we'd like to know!

Thanks,


Heck I got two cablecards. Paying nothing for them.

I have just purchased and setup a new Hitachi 50 inch LCD-RP. I connected it to my basic cable and tuned in the local channels using the QAM HD tuner in the TV. The picture looks great, but all of the channels seem to have the audio out of sync with the video. On Boston Legal last night it seemed like I was watching a movie that was dubbed over because the lip movements did not match the words.

Is this type of problem likely due to the TV, the cable setup or something else? If it is the TV then I want to make sure to keep the box to return it back to Video Only, although I would like to solve the problem without going through the hassle of boxing up the TV again.

It is not your setup. It is the station broadcasting it. I have that happen ocasionally with my OTA antena or cable. It only happens once in a blue moon on some shows in my experience.

Ah - but your pictures have convinced me! You've finally presented some real evidence, not some bogus claim about how many hours you're recording. Those are far worse than any compression artifacts I've seen on any of these channels. I now agree with you this is probably not happening on the HBO end. This looks more like signal loss, not any sort of deliberate compression - by Comcast, or HBO, or anyone else. Could be a problem with the Comcast head-end, your nighborhood fiber distribution node, or your own house cabling/splitters, etc. In another thread yesterday, you seem to be concerned about your splitters:

I'd suggest having Comcast check your signal levels so you have some way of knowing for sure whether this is their problem or yours. With more than one split - especially if there are 3- or 4-way spliiters - you probably need an amp.

So far I have a two way split inside the cablebox. One end goes directly to my hdtv. The other end goes inside the house and splits 3 ways. One feeds the cablemodem(SNR of 37, power level of 7 and power of 48 on upstream). The other feeds a bigscreen tv with a moto 6412 just using the svideo hookup and the picture looks fine as it is not hd anyway and dont watch movies on it just stuff with the family. It is split again there and the other end goes to a tv with just the coax input on the tv and the analog looks just fine with no noise.

My hdtv that is run off that one split in the cable box shows on the oob it has 20 SNR and 20 AGC and on the tuner part it shows SNR of 35.5 and 60% and tuner 2 shows 34.5 and 61% so I know it isn't my end. I have clean power and no interference. I value my system. Heck I have $20K just in the sound part.

Seems like this all happened about 3 days after I got comcast.

Since I have cable internet could they be capping the wrong thing instead? Could they have missed anything. I have had cable internet here for years, but have never had cable tv. Do they need to take a filter off or something. What about ads. Do they need to do something there?

I don't know who to call. I would hate to call some regular CSR that doesn't know other than what is printed for him/her. Maybe somone higher up. Since I called last time the guy came out and couldn't find anything wrong.

Since I have cable internet could they be capping the wrong thing instead? Could they have missed anything. I have had cable internet here for years, but have never had cable tv. Do they need to take a filter off or something.

They added a filter (or something - it's a brass in-line coupler) to my TV feed when they installed my cable modem.

I go from the wall to a two-way splitter. One goes into the cable modem (straight coaxial cable) and the other goes to the brass coupler (attached directly to the splitter) and then on to the TV via coaxial cable.

I am guessing that brass thing filters out the cable modem-related stuff...

Called comcast. They will send out another tech who will most likely find no problem. He said if that is the case I will be in conctact with a supervisor or something.

Chip

I get the macroblocking too. I didn't know what it was called until you started talking about it here, but I definitely get it.

B

Called comcast. They will send out another tech who will most likely find no problem. He said if that is the case I will be in conctact with a supervisor or something.

Chipvideo,

See if Comcast can bring a new STB and add a dedicated line to it. It really sounds to me that the problem is either with the box itself, or the fact that your line is being squeezed dry. I had a dedicated line added for my high speed internet and my TV signal improved 100%.

I know that some providers actually adjust their bandwidth based on a programs content (i.e. Sports and action movies would get more than a chick flick). If a chick flick has a really fast and furious scene in it, the allotted bandwidth won't be able to keep up. I know that Dish Network used to do this - not sure about Comcast.

Regardless, by the screenshots you provided, this isn't want you are seeing. You definately have signal loss somewhere in your $$$ system.

Chipvideo,

See if Comcast can bring a new STB and add a dedicated line to it. It really sounds to me that the problem is either with the box itself, or the fact that your line is being squeezed dry. I had a dedicated line added for my high speed internet and my TV signal improved 100%.

I know that some providers actually adjust their bandwidth based on a programs content (i.e. Sports and action movies would get more than a chick flick). If a chick flick has a really fast and furious scene in it, the allotted bandwidth won't be able to keep up. I know that Dish Network used to do this - not sure about Comcast.

Regardless, by the screenshots you provided, this isn't want you are seeing. You definately have signal loss somewhere in your $$$ system.

So that would mean they would have another line from the street to my box correct? I will ask them to do it. So if they do it I guess I could tell them to let me keep my internet and my 3 other t.v.s to the one line and the other dedicated line to my theater room. Because the hdtv theater is the one that is most important to me. They shouldn't charge I assume. Heck the line I am using to the theater was a line that ATT installed when I got ATT cable internet 5 years ago. It runs outside walls of the house about 70 feet. I wonder If I should have them replace that as well. They never installed any cable when I got comcast last month, so I figure they owe me something.

How much bandwidth can a coax handle at one time.

I mean I have two dvr's so they are both hdtv and I have 4mb internet service.

One thing that is strange is I am paying for 4 meg service and I am actually getting 6 meg. Gone to two different sites that I check and they both register at 6 meg download and 360k upload. Could the internet also affect the bandwidth I am receiving for hd channels. I mean if I have 1 3412 and 1 6412 they are both dual tuners. If one of them is recording a hd channel while watching one there are two hd streams comming down the line and how about the other dvr. Say your watching another hd channel. Or am I missing something here and all the channels come down the pipe all at once.

Another thing I recorded paycheck last night. Guess what it came out to 10% for 2 hours. Everything is always 10% for 2 hours recorded time reguardless of the movie channel I record. Didn't macroblock much at all, because it had black bars so it doesn't require the same amount of bandwidth, however the average bit rate was the same as with all my other recordings. Strange that all 4 hd movie channels have the EXACT same average bit rate no matter what time of day or movie.

How much bandwidth can a coax handle at one time.

I mean I have two dvr's so they are both hdtv and I have 4mb internet service.

One thing that is strange is I am paying for 4 meg service and I am actually getting 6 meg.


Comcast increased the default internet service speed to 6 meg a couple of months ago...

Chipvideo,

See if Comcast can bring a new STB and add a dedicated line to it. It really sounds to me that the problem is either with the box itself, or the fact that your line is being squeezed dry. I had a dedicated line added for my high speed internet and my TV signal improved 100%.

Chip, have you tried using a 2-way signal amplifier (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103092&cp=&kw=cable+booster&parentPage=search)? INHD blocked up on me like crazy until I installed one and I haven't had a problem since. If this has already been suggested and tried and I missed it, I apologize.

Chip, have you tried using a 2-way signal amplifier (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103092&cp=&kw=cable+booster&parentPage=search)? INHD blocked up on me like crazy until I installed one and I haven't had a problem since. If this has already been suggested and tried and I missed it, I apologize.


I orderd an electroline amp with 4 outputs. I don't see how it could be that though as my feed is only split once at the cable box with a two way splitter they installed. The one side of the split cable goes directly to my hd cable box. It never made any difference if I had it go into the box or into my tv with a cable card. This tells me it is not the box. ALso the signal is not bad either. The guy tested it when installed and when they came out last week. I think that between the head end and my neiborhood something is wrong. I wonder if squirls have chewed any of the lines. I do notice in my neiborhood the lines go through a crap load of overgrown trees.

Well tech came out and said if anything the signal is too high. He put a 10dB attenuator on the back of my set top box. Was watching I,Robot at the time and still pixleated like crazy. This doesn't matter whether it is set top or tv tuner. Only on high bitrate starved scenes. I don't think this problem will go away. Its a shame as I spent over $100 dropping dish because of my contract and now I am stuck with comcast now. Would cost me too much to go back to dish now. I need two dvr's as my wife is addicted to it and so am I. Never had a dvr until comcast and boy I couldn't live without one now. Heck it would cost me $300 for a upfront lease with dish for a hdtv dvr.

I guess my only option is to drop my premium movie channels and just watch dvd's that I have and wait for hd dvd as I just lost all my faith in cable. I knew it was going to be the wrong move. Heck I haven't had cable since dish launched and I know why now.

I am new to cable and have recently got comcast digital.I am now wanting to get the dvr and comcast said they will bring one out.My questions is if ,i have a choice, is there a model of dvr that i should ask for.I have a 61 inch plasma with hdmi and component.Thanks for your thoughts.

if you can ask for the 3412

or you can go pick it up at the 94th st. comcast office (by northgate)

chip,

have you looked into the diag. menu of the cable box? are you getting any "uncorectable errors"

wifi
Is the 3412 newer then the 6412?I have a 6200 box now and am not impresed.It is slow and unreliable with channel changes and needs to be rebooted every few days because it locks up.I am hopfull the new dvr will work better.

wifi
Is the 3412 newer then the 6412?I have a 6200 box now and am not impresed.It is slow and unreliable with channel changes and needs to be rebooted every few days because it locks up.I am hopfull the new dvr will work better.

The 3412 is the newest of the Moto boxes. It is basically the 6412 Phase III box (the one with HDMI) but it has just a digital tuner. If the "ADS" (analog digital simulcast) hasn't been enabled in your area you won't be able to get a 3412 yet.

You can call Comcast and they will be able to tell you if you can get one

chip,

have you looked into the diag. menu of the cable box? are you getting any "uncorectable errors"


well I go in there and there is always correctible errors. I took the damn 10db attenuator off after getting a new box because the head end couldn't even get a hit to get to the box with it on. Also wouldn't download any guide data.

With it on my snr was 34 and the AGC was around 75% for both tuners.

Another thing I notice with this new box is that it responds very slugishly to the remotes. Batterys are perfectly new and even with my harmony that I have been using with the other is having problems. You have to point directly at it instead of lazily pointing it with the other box I had. I also had a point last night where the other box you upstairs you could only change channels and not use anything else. I had to call and they reset them for me. So I can't figure out what the heck is going on. Try to replace one problem and get a dozen new ones.

Also on the new box. The AGC numbers are up a full 3 points compared to the other box with no other changes. From 58 to 61. I assume the lower the AGC the better.

UHD guide data are now listed on 665.

UHD guide data are now listed on 665.

Too bad it's only sticking around for two weeks... I'm looking forward to seeing Battlestar Galactica in HD, I'm wondering how it compares to watching the show on DVD upconverted to 1080i.

Too bad it's only sticking around for two weeks... I'm looking forward to seeing Battlestar Galactica in HD, I'm wondering how it compares to watching the show on DVD upconverted to 1080i.

NBC showed the final four of S1 in HD (1080i) during the off-season. They looked gorgeous.

I have a question:

I'm considering upgrading to Digital Classic from Basic Cable. The Comcast Channel Lineup for my area shows channels 30-73 not available on Digital Classic. I also talked to a live chat rep who said they aren't available. I know people that have these channels with Digital Classic, so I'm confused. Also, TNT-HD is not listed or is UND-HD? Can anyone help?

Thanks

I have a question:

I'm considering upgrading to Digital Classic from Basic Cable. The Comcast Channel Lineup for my area shows channels 30-73 not available on Digital Classic. I also talked to a live chat rep who said they aren't available. I know people that have these channels with Digital Classic, so I'm confused. Also, TNT-HD is not listed or is UND-HD? Can anyone help?

ThanksSorry, I don't know which channels go in what Comcast package, but here in Puget Sound TNT-HD was just added 2 weeks ago. Whatever listing you're looking at may not be up to date.

What is UND-HD? Did you mean Universal HD? If so, just look back a few posts in this thread and you'll see it has been added temporarily for the Olympics only, replacing INHD2 on 665 for the next 2 weeks. We don't know exactly what Comcast plans to do after the Olympics.

I have a question:

I'm considering upgrading to Digital Classic from Basic Cable. The Comcast Channel Lineup for my area shows channels 30-73 not available on Digital Classic. I also talked to a live chat rep who said they aren't available. I know people that have these channels with Digital Classic, so I'm confused. Also, TNT-HD is not listed or is UND-HD? Can anyone help?

Thanks

Uhhh -- where are you? What lineup are you looking at?

I have a question:

I'm considering upgrading to Digital Classic from Basic Cable. The Comcast Channel Lineup for my area shows channels 30-73 not available on Digital Classic. I also talked to a live chat rep who said they aren't available. I know people that have these channels with Digital Classic, so I'm confused. Also, TNT-HD is not listed or is UND-HD? Can anyone help?

Thanks

I don't know what your area is -- those channels aren't available on Limited Cable, but are available on Basic Cable and Digital Classic in mine.

Anybody else getting dropouts and temporary loss of picture during the Olympics coverage last night on 105? I'm trying to determine whether it is my setup (though S/N is reading over 35 now) or a matter of NBC having satellte feed issues.

I do love my Olympics. The Salt Lake Opening Ceremonies were the first thing I watched on my HDTV, so if Comcast is screwing up, I want to get a tech out ASAP. Thanks.

Anybody else getting dropouts and temporary loss of picture during the Olympics coverage last night on 105? I'm trying to determine whether it is my setup (though S/N is reading over 35 now) or a matter of NBC having satellte feed issues.

I do love my Olympics. The Salt Lake Opening Ceremonies were the first thing I watched on my HDTV, so if Comcast is screwing up, I want to get a tech out ASAP. Thanks.

It appears that it was due to the snowstorm on the east coast interferring with NBC's feed. We all had the same problems last night.

I'm in Maple Valley with the Digital Classic question. Do you need to pay an extra $5 per month to get those channels with a HDTV box?

5$ is just for the HD box, and no extra programming $ over the cost of digital classic

Anybody else getting dropouts and temporary loss of picture during the Olympics coverage last night on 105? I'm trying to determine whether it is my setup (though S/N is reading over 35 now) or a matter of NBC having satellte feed issues.

I do love my Olympics. The Salt Lake Opening Ceremonies were the first thing I watched on my HDTV, so if Comcast is screwing up, I want to get a tech out ASAP. Thanks.
Same problem on 5.1 OTA last night on the Olympics. I thought I might have an antenna issue, but I get rock solid reception on KING-DT.

Will someone please confirm they are seeing the following PSIP information from comcast?

(Physical Channel 81, first subchannel) "KCPQ Di" channel mapped to 13.1
(Physical Channel 81, second subchannel) "KTWB-DT" channel mapped to 22.2
I am also seeing EPG data for the next ~10 hours!

I have noticed the following PSIP data:
1. Channel call sign
2. Virtual channel number
3. Program time description
4. Program titles

I think KCPQ is misspelled. It should be "KCPQ-DT" not "KCPQ Di". I hope comcast is planning to broadcast PSIP for all their digital, unencrypted channels.

Nate

Nate,

It looks like Comcast might be passing through the same PSIP data available with OTA reception.

I don't have a QAM receiver so I can't check myself, but I have a relative in Kent with a QAM tuner who can check.

Ah - the old "Comcast is secretly lowering my bitrate" conspiracy theory! I think there have been dozens of discussions about this in many AVS forums, like this one specific to Seattle. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=541855). My opinion - you're seeing compression artifacts introduced at the source (eg, HBO) and Comcast is simply passing the bitstream thru as they receive it. Officially, that's supposed to be Comcast's corporate policy. Makes sense to me - AFAIK, they don't squeeze more than 2 HD channels into a single QAM-256 slot, which means there should be a full 19 Mbit/sec available for each.

I am curious about this subject. I plan to run an experiment which has the potential to confirm this theory, I cannot deny theory because of the nature of the assumptions stated below.

Experiment:
I will record 5 minutes of HDTV Program "A" from QAM. Then I will record a different 5 minutes of the same HDTV Program "A" from OTA. If I compare the bitrates of the peticualr subchannel in question. A difference may indicate comcast is recompressing the already compressed signal and rebroadcasting...

If the the QAM bitrate is less than the OTA bit-rate then Comcast is likely re-compressing. Other possibities are that the OTA bit-rate is less or that the bit-rates are the same. Anyone care to speculate on the results?

My assumptions are as follows:
1. The bit-rate for ATSC is Constant and will not change through-out the TV show. Since I have to record a different 5 minutes of the same show, a variable bit-rate can through off the results. (I can confirm if the bit-rate is constant by recording a different window of the same program from the same source, then comparing the bit rates, if it is different then the data is probably variable, if the bit-rate is the same then it is likely constant)
2. The OTA signal is NOT recompressed
3. My Dvico recording software does not mess with the data in anyway.
4. TSReader works as expected and does not give false bit-rate data.

I will report the results in a couple of days. Please let me know what you think.

Nate

Will someone please confirm they are seeing the following PSIP information from comcast?

(Physical Channel 81, first subchannel) "KCPQ Di" channel mapped to 13.1
(Physical Channel 81, second subchannel) "KTWB-DT" channel mapped to 22.2
I am also seeing EPG data for the next ~10 hours!

I really wish I could say that I was seeing it, but I'm not. :(

81-1/81-2 aren't mapping anywhere else for me, and there's no guide data, time, or channel name visible.

I really wish I could say that I was seeing it, but I'm not. :(

81-1/81-2 aren't mapping anywhere else for me, and there's no guide data, time, or channel name visible.

I am only getting PSIP for KCPQ and KTWB, no other channels. Here are 2 screenshots to show... Im using Dvico Fusion 3 ATSC.

Well tech came out and said if anything the signal is too high.

Had similar problem and the tech quickly determined I had _copper-braided_ RG-59 in my house and that can cut off the higher bandwidths. She was seeing this high bandwidth cut-off on her meter. Some upper channels I couldnt lock in at all. So I had to drill a new hole and run some RG-6 and now all is well.

Lee

Did a small test last night. Connected my 3412 to my pc via firewire. Did some captures and the header showed 13.1mbps for HBOHD and the other 3 hd movie channels were 14mbps. I assume that this is the max bitrate comcast is sending. It is a constant bitrate. IF this is the case they are either holding back another slot for the freqency so there will be 3 hd channnels per qam. The local hd channels were 17mbps btw.

I knew it wasn't a signal problem. That is what ticks me off. I want to get to the point of this all. I call and talk to csr and they send a damn tech out twice. There is no point in wasting my time with a damn tech checking signal strengths. It is a bitrate issue.

I don't know as much about this as many of you, but if it's a bitrate issue shouldn't we all be seeing the same thing? IRobot has looked fine to me every time I've seen it (and I've seen the whole thing a couple times)? There's no way I wouldn't have noticed a distortion like the one you posted a few days back. Is there no other explanation?

Do you know what the bitrate was when you had DBS? I've ALWAYS heard that Comcast passes these HD feeds through exactly how they receive them.

I'm just thinking outloud, but if your QAM tuner and your DCT give you the same results; and the rest of us don't have the problem; is there a chance that the processor on your tv is starting to get overloaded when the scenes come up with a lot of fast moving changes?

Sorry if these ideas seem stupid, I don't know much about how this technology actually works. Just trying to throw ideas out there...

Had similar problem and the tech quickly determined I had _copper-braided_ RG-59 in my house and that can cut off the higher bandwidths. She was seeing this high bandwidth cut-off on her meter. Some upper channels I couldnt lock in at all. So I had to drill a new hole and run some RG-6 and now all is well.

I used to have that problem, as well. RG-59 wouldn't transmit a handful of stations in the 270s (though stuff above and below came through, fine) where replacing it with RG-6 cured it right up.

Did a small test last night. Connected my 3412 to my pc via firewire. Did some captures and the header showed 13.1mbps for HBOHD and the other 3 hd movie channels were 14mbps. I assume that this is the max bitrate comcast is sending. .No, that's the maximum bitrate that HBO & friends are sending to Comcast.

No, that's the maximum bitrate that HBO & friends are sending to Comcast.

Are you sure about that?

I don't know as much about this as many of you, but if it's a bitrate issue shouldn't we all be seeing the same thing? IRobot has looked fine to me every time I've seen it (and I've seen the whole thing a couple times)? There's no way I wouldn't have noticed a distortion like the one you posted a few days back. Is there no other explanation?

Do you know what the bitrate was when you had DBS? I've ALWAYS heard that Comcast passes these HD feeds through exactly how they receive them.

I'm just thinking outloud, but if your QAM tuner and your DCT give you the same results; and the rest of us don't have the problem; is there a chance that the processor on your tv is starting to get overloaded when the scenes come up with a lot of fast moving changes?

Sorry if these ideas seem stupid, I don't know much about how this technology actually works. Just trying to throw ideas out there...

Not the tv. The pictures I showed were of still frames on pause, so the t.v. wouldn't be using much horsepower. I think maybe that I am just too picky. Quality means alot to me. Rarely do I see any pixleization on the local hd channels even with fast motion. The higher bitrate does justice for hd. Bitrates for explosion scenes take a tremendous amount of bandwidth. I have just decided to not worry about it and wait for christmas to get a hd player at costco. Probably just keep my 3412 and drop all movie channels except hbo and showtime. Showtime does the best as alot of the movies are OAR and have the black bars so they don't require the same bitrate although it is 14 like the others so the movies look much better on showtime than any other movie channel.

Are you sure about that?I can't verify it personally, no. But I've never seen anyone report higher than around 14.7 MBit/sec bitrate for HBO-HD movies - on cable, DirecTV, Dish, even C-Band sat. Which leads me to believe that's what HBO is serving up from their satellites in the first place.

In case this helps anyone considering a 3412 as an improvement over the 6412, it's actually slower responding to FF/RW, and has worst PQ... you would have expected an improvement in the new model but it's actually gone backwards in quality... man do I miss my old Tivo, wish their HD box wasn't $1000...

Background:
Had a year old 6412 Phase I that was having pixellation and dropouts on recordings, Comcast tech came out and went through the signal quality checking stuff and swapped out the 6412 with a 3412, first one he tried would not allow PVR functions (pausing, recording etc.) even after repeated re-initialize signals from the the head office. After about an hour of messing with it he had another Comcast truck drop by another 3412 which appeared to work, until we noticed later that evening the 3412 would reboot itself about once per hour repeatedly, we also noticed PQ for the digital SD channels was noticiably worse and the FF and RW controls were noticeably worse than the 6412, I also experienced some stuttering problems on HD channels that required poweroff/reboot to clear.

Anyhow swapped it out yesterday at the Comcast service center for a re-cycled 6412 which I convinced the friendly lady I needed but she had a hard time finding in the pile of available boxes, it's working great so far <knock on wood> back to the good SD PQ and relatively responsive FF... hoping this 6412 lasts and that the next generation of Comcast boxes get better not worse.

Is anyone with a cable-card getting any of the following tiers in the Olympia area?
:
Digital Sports (specifically SPEED channel 408)
Digital Extra (again, specifically SPEED channel 408)
TNT-HD 662

The digital extra or sports channels show as tunable, but I just get a blank screen and no audio. TNT-HD can't even be tuned....

What do I need to do to fix this? (call the dreaded 9-headed beast, comcast?)

Pete.

Presumably you're subscribed to those packages?

Don't know about Olympia - but here in Seattle area SPEED channel is on analog 33 (simulcast 733). Just requires expanded basic, not digital. TNT-HD (662) just showed up here a couple weeks ago, maybe it's yet to be rolled out in Olympia?

No TNT HD is available in Olympia for users of the 6412 as channel 662. I know because I've watched it.

I am new to the forum to please forgive me if this anwer is buried in the 214 pages of the forum.
When I check the info button on my TV (Sceptre 37" LCD) it says the HD channels I am receiving is 720p....All the other standard definition channels are 480p.

I have the basic expanded cable (No Digital) and am just leasing the comcast box (6200) each month to get the local HD channels.

I have been told that some channels transmit in 1080i (Like CBS).... If this is the case then is the box forcing the signal to 720p or is the info that my TV is showing wrong that everything is 720p.

Thanks, Dwaine

EDIT: I live in Everett by the way.

Motorola hardware can only output a single HD resolution - either 720p or 1080i. All HD programming is scaled to that output, regardless of what the channel's original "native" resolution is. You can change your box's User Settings to choose which resolution it will output for HD, and also for SD programming. See this nice FAQ web site someone put together, specifically how to access the User Settings:
http://cjhengineering.com/hdtv/cablehdtv/dctset-up.htm

I've had the Motorola DCT-6412 for a couple of months but just got an HDTV earlier this week. I have HD working fine but am not sure what I should set the 4:3 override to. My TV has a 720p native resolution, so I have the component output set to that. But, what should I have 4:3 override set to? If I have it set to "OFF" does it output at 720p? Should I trust the scaler in the DCT-6412 to output at 480p or 720p, or should I output at 480i and trust my TV's scaler?

I'm kind of confused as to how I should set this particular setting, so if anyone has any thoughts, that'd be great.

I think the 4:3 override setting depends on how you like to watch SD television: whether you like to use your TV's stretch/zoom modes, and if so - which resolutions can your TV do this for?

Like many TVs - my plasma's stretch/zoom features only work on 480p or 480i inputs, not HD. So I set the 4:3 override to 480p. Whenever I'm watching a non-HD channel, I can then use my TV's controls to set the aspect ratio.

A question for you CableCARD users - are the lower 100 channels Analog or Digital simulcast? TIA - jasg

A question for you CableCARD users - are the lower 100 channels Analog or Digital simulcast? TIA - jasg
Definitely Digital. I can get the analog equivalents by tuning in the 7xx channel range, and the difference is obvious.

(Except for channel 90, which is an analog feed carrying the TV Guide On-Screen information.)

Definitely Digital. I can get the analog equivalents by tuning in the 7xx channel range, and the difference is obvious.

(Except for channel 90, which is an analog feed carrying the TV Guide On-Screen information.)
However, some Comcast users do not yet have this feature- some Seattle residents, Magnolia in particular, are still waiting :-(

I think the 4:3 override setting depends on how you like to watch SD television: whether you like to use your TV's stretch/zoom modes, and if so - which resolutions can your TV do this for?

Like many TVs - my plasma's stretch/zoom features only work on 480p or 480i inputs, not HD. So I set the 4:3 override to 480p. Whenever I'm watching a non-HD channel, I can then use my TV's controls to set the aspect ratio.

Ah, this makes sense. My TV won't let me adjust the aspect at 720p and beyond, so 480p it is. Is there much of a difference in PQ between 480p and 480i? Does the cable box's scaler do a good job scaling the 480i signal to 480p?

Definitely Digital. I can get the analog equivalents by tuning in the 7xx channel range, and the difference is obvious.

(Except for channel 90, which is an analog feed carrying the TV Guide On-Screen information.)Thanks! I picked up a CableCARD at the 94th St. Comcast office on Saturday - I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is no charge for the card! A call to Comcast to initialize it (well, 2 calls) and it is working just fine.

Does anyone know how to activate either of the USB ports on the 6412? I would like to use it for charging my iPod.

The USB ports are powered, although not otherwise active. I have no idea if this helps with charging an iPod, but it will power a fan.

You are right. It is powered. Now I just need to figure out how to make the iPod charge from it. Thanks!

Thanks! I picked up a CableCARD at the 94th St. Comcast office on Saturday - I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is no charge for the card! A call to Comcast to initialize it (well, 2 calls) and it is working just fine.

Did they tell you whether there's a monthly charge, or are they saving that as a billing surprise?

Did they tell you whether there's a monthly charge, or are they saving that as a billing surprise?

I've had a CableCard for over 6 months now and I can confirm that it's free. While the guy that came to install it couldn't believe it was free of monthly charges and that I could use it on the minimum basic package (~$14 / mo), he called and confirm that it was free of charge, other then the one time installation fee. If you can get it now directly from the Comcast office, then it's even nicer!

-eric

If you can get it now directly from the Comcast office, then it's even nicer!

-ericI walked up to the counter on Saturday and asked the woman at the desk what I had to do to get a CableCARD and she replied "Just ask me nicely." - I did and she got a card, scanned it, got my signature and I walked out.

I asked about charges and she said none - and that I would save $5.10/month when I returned my STB. She asked a couple of standard questions to make sure I understood that it had no PPV, On Demand or Channel Guide.

The only other thing I had to do after installing it was to call the toll free service number and ask to have it initialized.

I've had a CableCard for over 6 months now and I can confirm that it's free. While the guy that came to install it couldn't believe it was free of monthly charges and that I could use it on the minimum basic package (~$14 / mo), he called and confirm that it was free of charge, other then the one time installation fee. If you can get it now directly from the Comcast office, then it's even nicer!

-eric


i am confused what use would the cable card be if you only have the $14 package?? I have the same thing and pull the hd channels with my quam tuner, but what could the benefit of the card be

I know we've been discussing the KOMO audio synch problem for years! now. Doesn't anyone else find it a little embarrassing to have friends over to show off your HD system and then the audio synch problems shows its ugly face.

Last night, I had friends over to watch the Olympics and at 9:00 we decided to use the DVR to tape the rest of the commercial ridden Olympics and watch "Desparate Housewives," live, which btw had even more commercials. After a few minutes someone mentioned the audio being out-of-synch. Someone else said, "So much for high tech!"

Have we all given up on this issue? I've sent my share of e-mails to KOMO. In their defense they always have some sort of reason, blown this or that, but after two plus years, you would think they'd have this fixed. No other local station has this degree of a problem.

My rant for now. I want to keep this on the front burner.

Art

Okay, one more rant. I'm trying to keep the newbies up to date. Let's get our annual ineffective campaign together to get Comcast to show the Mariners on HD. (of course, with Carl Everett on the team, I'm boycotting anyway.)

Art

With what little information I have on this subject, I would have to think that efforts to get those broadcast on Comcast should be focused mostly on the people at FSN. Comcast isn't going to pay more for FSN than for ESPN, TNT or any other channel. If there's one thing they're very tuned into it's keeping programming costs down... and why shouldn't they?, eventually everyone wants their service carried by Comcast. Comcast's position has worked out good for consumers too, they're one of the only video providers that offer HD without requiring some sort of "HD Pack" or "HD Tier". They do that by making programmers supply on their terms.

Anyway, that's just my two cents on that rant. I think it's FSN that needs to realize (just like Discovery, TNT, KIRO and all the other did) that it's in their best interest to be on Comcast's system if they actually want people to see their product. If they felt like people were going to turn against them (instead of Comcast) over this issue they'd do a deal tomorrow. Unfortunately, I don't even know how to get in touch with anyone at FSN. I did see an interesting article once in the Times or PI that spoke to this subject and there was an FSN guy quoted but I never tried to see if I could find some contact info.

I really wish I could say that I was seeing it, but I'm not. :(

81-1/81-2 aren't mapping anywhere else for me, and there's no guide data, time, or channel name visible.

Nate, if it's any help, I've seen this now, too. My hunch is that not all QAM decoders will display PSIP data, even if it's present. My LG set-top is definitely ignoring it. Over the weekend I did see 81-1 and 81-2 remapping to 13 and 22 on a friend's LG integrated set, though.

i am confused what use would the cable card be if you only have the $14 package?? I have the same thing and pull the hd channels with my quam tuner, but what could the benefit of the card beOne benefit is that since only 13/22 seem to be using PSIP data (see above), a CableCARD will map the local HiDef channels to the easier to remember 104/105/106/107/108/109/110/113 etc. Another is that it probably lets you get at the Digital simulcast channels for 2-99 - IMHO, a big win in pq over the analog equivalents.

I'm putting together an HTPC for a new Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK plasma (http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=94540&catGroupId=14624&modelNo=TH-50PHD8UK&surfModel=TH-50PHD8UK) and am generally new to the HD thing. I've been thinking I'll probably use the Fusion 5 OTA HD card and I've been told over in the HTPC forum that Fusion 5 card will capture (and record) the uncrypted HD digital broadcasts such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, etc...; with a subscription to the basic analog cable service (Such as Comcast basic cable). Is this true for Pierce County Comcast?

In other words, if I've subscribed to Comcast basic analog cable, and plug the cable into the Fusion 5 card in my HTPC, I can record NBC's Law and Order in HD? Meaning, I don't need an OTA HD antenna on my roof (connected to the Fusion 5)?

Is there a sticky or tutorial about this some where in this thread? And is there a list of channels that I would receive if I was subscribing to basic analog cable in Pierce County, using the Fusion 5 card?

Thanks!

With what little information I have on this subject, I would have to think that efforts to get those broadcast on Comcast should be focused mostly on the people at FSN. Comcast isn't going to pay more for FSN than for ESPN, TNT or any other channel. If there's one thing they're very tuned into it's keeping programming costs down... and why shouldn't they?, eventually everyone wants their service carried by Comcast. Comcast's position has worked out good for consumers too, they're one of the only video providers that offer HD without requiring some sort of "HD Pack" or "HD Tier". They do that by making programmers supply on their terms.

Anyway, that's just my two cents on that rant. I think it's FSN that needs to realize (just like Discovery, TNT, KIRO and all the other did) that it's in their best interest to be on Comcast's system if they actually want people to see their product. If they felt like people were going to turn against them (instead of Comcast) over this issue they'd do a deal tomorrow. Unfortunately, I don't even know how to get in touch with anyone at FSN. I did see an interesting article once in the Times or PI that spoke to this subject and there was an FSN guy quoted but I never tried to see if I could find some contact info.




Id almost agree with this quote except its always comcast who comes to an agreement late. Directv, and the 3 other local cable co's all had no problem coming to an agreement with FSN-HD to show Sonics/M's games in HD, its been nearly a year . We missed last seasons M's games in HD and this seasons Sonic games in HD, its a complete joke. Why is it Click, directv and etc can all come to an agreement except Comcast, Id be more than happy to pay extra for an HD tier, its worth it to pay extra for something you want. If we could have ESPN2 and FSNHD and TNT HD earlier i would have been the first to pay up, but no, as always comcast lags behind with their tireless negotiations to keep costs down!!!! ya right, who here thinks their comcast bill is low, i dont. Id switch in a second if i could have a dish

I agree that it is very frustrating that Comcast has continually failed to be a leader in local HD sports. Unfortunately Fox Sports is owned by News Corp which also own DirecTV. Therefore carrying FSN HD is a competitive advantage for DirecTV and it seems that it is in their best interested to keep this content out of the hands of Comcast. That being said I’m sure FSN would sell Comcast the rights to some of their HD content but probably at exorbitant prices. I’ve complained to Comcast many times asking them if they could put a package together that I would pay extra for but they don’t seem to be willing or able to do so. I am planning on switching to DirecTV as soon as the MPEG-4 \ local HD service is up and running in Seattle. That way I don’t have to deal w/ Comcast anymore : )

One benefit is that since only 13/22 seem to be using PSIP data (see above), a CableCARD will map the local HiDef channels to the easier to remember 104/105/106/107/108/109/110/113 etc. Another is that it probably lets you get at the Digital simulcast channels for 2-99 - IMHO, a big win in pq over the analog equivalents.

For me, the main reason, beside not having to remap channels every so often because of the occasional QAM remapping, was simply to try to take advantage of the TVGOS (TV-Guide-On-Screen) that my last TV supported, since it wouldn't pick it up any other way. But unfortunately, even with the CableCard, the downloading was so unreliable that I decided to turn the whole feature off.

-eric

Question - analog channels on channels 7xx

I'm on Capital Hill and don't get any 7xx channels. Is this the status for Seattle?

Will someone please confirm they are seeing the following PSIP information from comcast?

(Physical Channel 81, first subchannel) "KCPQ Di" channel mapped to 13.1
(Physical Channel 81, second subchannel) "KTWB-DT" channel mapped to 22.2

I think KCPQ is misspelled. It should be "KCPQ-DT" not "KCPQ Di". I hope comcast is planning to broadcast PSIP for all their digital, unencrypted channels.


This is what I see on QAM channel 81 too, just KCPQ and KTWB. KCPQ isn't exactly misspelled, your software is just cutting it off. It's really "KCPQ Digital Television" or something like that. I don't remember exactly, but my software (Linux) didn't cut it off.

These are the only channels where I was able to get the network name. The rest might be a software issue or maybe the data isn't broadcast, I don't know.

I was able to find the SD digital simucasts. Almost all of them are encrypted, even though the analog channels aren't. I don't think you can get them with an STB or an HD-TV, even with CableCard. They aren't broadcast in an allowed ATSC resolution, but are 528x480 at 60fps interlaced. That's a sub-DVD resolution that's pretty close to SVCD (480x480). They appear to be variable bit rate, around 2.5 - 5 Mbps, with 128 kbit AC-3 2.0 audio. There are 10 virtual channels at 555 MHz (channel 79? 84? can't remember) that are unencrypted. There might be more, I haven't finished checking.

I was wondering if anyone has a logical explanation for the continued presence of the "7xy" analog channels being output by the box in areas with ADS implemented. Other than to compare the picture quality to the corresponding "xy" channels, I can't think of any. They do tend to clutter up the search results, and could lead to accidentally selecting the wrong one of the pair to record. Fortunately, you don't have to put up with them in the regular guide listings, but I'd prefer not to even be aware of them.

Definitely Digital. I can get the analog equivalents by tuning in the 7xx channel range, and the difference is obvious.

(Except for channel 90, which is an analog feed carrying the TV Guide On-Screen information.)


So what do I need to get my cable card to get this.....not only do I NOT get the simulcast channels below 100 (I still get the old crummy analog signals), I don't get the 7xx channels at all, and as my earlier post says, I don't get the subscribed digital extra tier or TNT-HD.....

the cable box on the same account gets all this stuff....

Do I need to call and yell at comcast? (I've had the cablecard reset itself (or at least re-detect itself) a couple of times....I can tell when it does, since the Philips LCD set will pop up a message box saying it's now using the cablecard channel list, and I can't get the box to go away without the original philips remote (no equivalent button on my pre-programmed remote).

Pete.

Regarding the last 3 posts, here is what I saw with the digital simulcast channels and a CableCARD.

- I agree that most of the digital simulcast channels are encrypted - when scanning QAM channels I found a few that were not encrypted (looked like those in 'limited' cable).

- once I added a CableCARD I could see all of the simulcast channels - remapped from the QAM numbers to the expected ones.

- My set has separate Analog & Digital cable inputs - if I add a splitter & connect both, I can see both '7xy' & 'xy' channels. I removed the splitter and only use the Digital input - the 7xy channels are gone.

- On both my CableCARD set & my STB - I removed the 7xy channels from my list of stations - on the STB I no longer have to look at them in the guide or step through them when tuning.

- I doubt that you have a Comcast problem. I've not had a problem with my HP set & the CableCARD 'resetting itself' - I wonder if your Philips set has a firmware problem or something like that? Or is your card resetting on some event like losing power?

Calling Comcast to have them re-initialize it is a pain (had to do it twice when I got the card) but they were happpy to help & fairly quick about it.

AVSer meetup @ the bellevue magnolia to see the Toshiba HD-DVD demo on a Sony Ruby. Sat 2/25 4pm

link: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=648502

reply in that thread if your interested

I just had delivered last week a Hitachi 42HDT52 Plasma with a digital and analog tuner built in (yes, I'm new to the wonderful world of HD). I only have the Comcast expanded basic cable (Seattle-Comcast), but when I did my initial channel search, I picked up quite a few HD channels. (My upstairs neighbor has digital cable with HD channels and I'm wondering if I'm picking up some of his signals...as some of them are HBO, Showtime, etc.).

Anyway...the channel numbers are shown in the display as 82-4 (KOMO HD), 83-1 (KING HD) among others (93-2, 93-8, 93-11, 100-5, 101-9, 114-9, etc.). Bottom line is that I can't find anywhere that maps these channel numbers to the actual channel that's being shown.

Can anyone provide the mapping or point me to a source where I can go to find out what these channels are? I'd appreciate it.

Post #5678 of this forum has a file with channel mappings, but I don't know if they're current.

CDH-555 - You are seeing the unencrypted digital channels that everyone can see - it has nothing to do with you neighbor. The 'funny' numbers are QAM channels you see via the Digital Cable tuner in your set.

To see the other encrypted QAM channels, your set can take advantage of a free CableCARD (you can just pick one up at the Comcast office). Once you do that you'll get 'normal' channel numbers & it should get the digital versions of channels 2-99 - which are much better appearing on your new set. (folks call this digital simulcast)

If you do not get the digital versions of 2-99, then you might need to sign up for digital cable. I think you can get the 'Digital Lite' a la carte package for $4.95 - or Digital Classic for $11.99.

I'd haggle with them because you won't be getting the full advantage of digital with just a card. (CableCARDs cannot get the digital features of a program guide, video on demand & pay per view - a drawback to you & to Comcast since they can't sell you movies;)

Thanks JasG & wareagle...that helps!

Anyway...the channel numbers are shown in the display as 82-4 (KOMO HD), 83-1 (KING HD) among others (93-2, 93-8, 93-11, 100-5, 101-9, 114-9, etc.). Bottom line is that I can't find anywhere that maps these channel numbers to the actual channel that's being shown.

Can anyone provide the mapping or point me to a source where I can go to find out what these channels are? I'd appreciate it.

Here's the most recent version of the list I'd put together a while back. Channels 93 through 101 are On Demand for your node, so there's no way to really list them.

I've read that the DCT-6412 DVR box supports native mode for HDTV output, has anyone been able to confirm this, or set it? I don't trust my box to do 720p or 1080i scaling and would rather have it simply output to my TV what's being broadcast without any conversion done being on the cable box. However, for the component video settings, I'm only given the option for 480p, 720p, or 1080i. Why can't it just pass through whatever it's being broadcast as and let my TV do the up/down conversion?

If anybody has an answer for this, I'd be interested in hearing it.

I've read that the DCT-6412 DVR box supports native mode for HDTV output, has anyone been able to confirm this, or set it?

Unfortunately, this is not true.

I used to get KIRO HD at 84-1 but have been getting a weak signal message for a month or two. I still get all the other HD channels okay. Is KIRO HD just a little weaker than the others?

Thanks

I used to get KIRO HD at 84-1 but have been getting a weak signal message for a month or two. I still get all the other HD channels okay. Is KIRO HD just a little weaker than the others?

Ch. 84 shows identical strength (about two-thirds of the meter) to the others (81, 82, 83) on my receiver. Splitters (especially those that re-split), bad (or old RG-59) wire, poor F-connector fittings, or water seeping into the coax at any of these kind of junction points can cause erratic reception across some (or all) parts of the bandwidth. If none of these are at play, it's also possible that Comcast's dropping inadequate signal into your house/apartment.

The signal into my apartment "walks the line". A three way splitter works, but I have to put the analogue-only set and cable modem on the 7db loss legs of the splitter, and the digital tuner (with analogue pass-through to the TV) on the 3.5db loss leg of the splitter, or I get drop-outs on digital.

I'll second pastiche's comment about bad connectors. I recently discovered that a bad connector was causing intermittent problems on just a narrow range of digital channels - indicated 52-58, but not 55 - not sure what those were on QAM. This was just on one outlet of my home (which is massively split - but removing the splitters did not alleviate the problem).

This is what I see on QAM channel 81 too, just KCPQ and KTWB. KCPQ isn't exactly misspelled, your software is just cutting it off. It's really "KCPQ Digital Television" or something like that. I don't remember exactly, but my software (Linux) didn't cut it off.

These are the only channels where I was able to get the network name. The rest might be a software issue or maybe the data isn't broadcast, I don't know.

I was able to find the SD digital simucasts. Almost all of them are encrypted, even though the analog channels aren't. I don't think you can get them with an STB or an HD-TV, even with CableCard. They aren't broadcast in an allowed ATSC resolution, but are 528x480 at 60fps interlaced. That's a sub-DVD resolution that's pretty close to SVCD (480x480). They appear to be variable bit rate, around 2.5 - 5 Mbps, with 128 kbit AC-3 2.0 audio. There are 10 virtual channels at 555 MHz (channel 79? 84? can't remember) that are unencrypted. There might be more, I haven't finished checking.

Great, thanks for confirming that you are seeing PSIP on Comcast QAM. The spelling "KCPQ Di" now makes sense, interesting.

I see 20 digital channels from 79-1 through 80-10. All of those channels are re-broadcasts of my analog channels (I pay comcast for Limited Basic service).

Can anyone shed any light on the release of FSN HD or ESPN2 HD on Comcast in Seattle?

Thanks

Ch. 84 shows identical strength (about two-thirds of the meter) to the others (81, 82, 83) on my receiver. Splitters (especially those that re-split), bad (or old RG-59) wire, poor F-connector fittings, or water seeping into the coax at any of these kind of junction points can cause erratic reception across some (or all) parts of the bandwidth. If none of these are at play, it's also possible that Comcast's dropping inadequate signal into your house/apartment.

The signal into my apartment "walks the line". A three way splitter works, but I have to put the analogue-only set and cable modem on the 7db loss legs of the splitter, and the digital tuner (with analogue pass-through to the TV) on the 3.5db loss leg of the splitter, or I get drop-outs on digital.

Thanks for all the info pastiche and jasG. I'm pretty split-up I admit, my cable is from the early 80's and runs a circuitous route for at least 250ft through 2-way and 4-way splitters and 2 other in line connections...it's a little embarrassing...but everything else comes in just fine. I did notice that here on Mercer Island the channel line-up is somewhat different than yours. I'm actually not getting anything on 84-1 ( no weak signal strength or even entry numbers) so maybe KIRO HD isn't at that location. I did a channel scan again and checked all channels that came up and no KIRO HD. Next I'll try bypassing the splitters. Thanks again!

Has anyone here gotten a CableCard to work with a Philips TV (I have the 50" Plasma that was on sale at Costco recently)?

I drove to the Comcast store on 94th yesterday and picked up a CableCard. When I plug it into my TV, it tells me that it has detected a CableCard and that the favorites list has been set to what's on the CableCard. However, I don't see any channels and the Channel Up/Down buttons will only scroll between the external inputs.

I called Comcast and they told me I should be able to go to autoprogram to have my TV now synch up to the new channel list. However, the "Cable" option on the autoprogram appears to be disabled. Trying to autoprogram it with the antenna gives me about 12 analog channels.

I called Philips and they seem to think that as long as the TV can detect the cable card and the Cable Card Applications menu shows up on the Settings menu, they have done their job. I tried every one of the options on the Cable Card Applications menu but none of them seemed to do anything.

What do I need to do to watch digital TV?

Has anyone here gotten a CableCard to work with a Philips TV (I have the 50" Plasma that was on sale at Costco recently)?

I drove to the Comcast store on 94th yesterday and picked up a CableCard. When I plug it into my TV, it tells me that it has detected a CableCard and that the favorites list has been set to what's on the CableCard. However, I don't see any channels and the Channel Up/Down buttons will only scroll between the external inputs.

I called Comcast and they told me I should be able to go to autoprogram to have my TV now synch up to the new channel list. However, the "Cable" option on the autoprogram appears to be disabled. Trying to autoprogram it with the antenna gives me about 12 analog channels.

I called Philips and they seem to think that as long as the TV can detect the cable card and the Cable Card Applications menu shows up on the Settings menu, they have done their job. I tried every one of the options on the Cable Card Applications menu but none of them seemed to do anything.

What do I need to do to watch digital TV?

I believe you need to have Comcast send you an authorization code based on a code your TV gives you. This will set up the handshake and allow you to tune in digital TV.

Can anyone shed any light on the release of FSN HD or ESPN2 HD on Comcast in Seattle?

Thanks

I believe you need to have Comcast send you an authorization code based on a code your TV gives you. This will set up the handshake and allow you to tune in digital TV.The word 'send' here is potentially confusing.

You need to call the 1-800 number for Comcast and ask for a service tech who can activate your CableCARD - in my experience they don't all have the ability to do this and they may have to refer you to a special tech.

They will 'send' a special series of codes to your CableCARD (the office on 94th kept a record of the card's 'address' - and they will send information over the cable network to your card at your street address). Wait 5 or 10 minutes after they do this until you try the new channels - I had to call twice because I changed channels and interupted the first initialization.

All the codes do are to tell your CableCARD which channels can be decrypted so your TV's tuner can display them.

They do pretty much the same thing with a STB when you call to add or remove a premium channel.

Can anyone shed any light on the release of FSN HD or ESPN2 HD on Comcast in Seattle?

Thanks

No. Call Comcast and complain.

Thanks for all the info pastiche and jasG. I'm pretty split-up I admit, my cable is from the early 80's and runs a circuitous route for at least 250ft through 2-way and 4-way splitters and 2 other in line connections...it's a little embarrassing...but everything else comes in just fine. I did notice that here on Mercer Island the channel line-up is somewhat different than yours. I'm actually not getting anything on 84-1 ( no weak signal strength or even entry numbers) so maybe KIRO HD isn't at that location. I did a channel scan again and checked all channels that came up and no KIRO HD. Next I'll try bypassing the splitters. Thanks again!

Okay pastiche and jasg...I bypassed the 4-way splitter and now I'm getting the weak signal message then KIRO HD pixelating in and out so once again the crummy cable connections are the culprit. Thanks so much again for your help. Now I just have to figure out how to recable the place!

Did Lost switch from HD into SD partway through for anyone else last night, or was it just me? It wouldn't surprise me if it was KOMO being stupid, but I figured I'd check here. :)

Did Lost switch from HD into SD partway through for anyone else last night, or was it just me? It wouldn't surprise me if it was KOMO being stupid, but I figured I'd check here. :)

I don't know about Lost (not one of my habits), but KOMO doesn't just drop the ball -- they dribble it all over the court. I've pretty much gotten used to seeing the first segments of HD programs in SD, and sometimes without voice tracks.

You're all assuming KOMO is making the mistake. It could be a problem at ABC. And, yes, I noticed Lost switched to SD and back to HD during the show.

It is a local KOMO issue and always has been...if it was not you would see it the issues posted all over the Lost thread...KOMO does this almost daily, when the issue happened they also cut from lost and showed the preview for the nightly news on accident...KOMO has serious engineering problems and has for some time now..but we have no choice but to put up where their lethargic attitude...I have sent them numerous emails and given them many phone calls when they mess up the digital station...

I'm surprised. Of all the Seattle stations, I've always considered KOMO the most sophisticated technologically-speaking. These could be human-caused problems. Art

I agree most are human related...at the same time you would think in these modern ages they would apply software updates that would take out some of the human error...

I think KOMO being one of the first to really do HD here is that the equipment they have is probably close to 10 years old now...well, maybe it is time to update some of that..and have simple automated switching between HD programs and SD programs and keep the loose hands off the digital stuff...

I believe our local KOMO engineer has noted that the station has been consistently upgrading it's HD broadcast infrastructure over the past few months to correct issues.

that is wrong..I have had HD since 2000 and there has been serious degradation at KOMO as far as the digital station over that time. The issues are way more common over the past 2 years than they were 4 or 5 years ago..but I just say what I see as a very common user of KOMO's digital station...

Okay pastiche and jasg...I bypassed the 4-way splitter and now I'm getting the weak signal message then KIRO HD pixelating in and out so once again the crummy cable connections are the culprit. Thanks so much again for your help. Now I just have to figure out how to recable the place!

This is really good to hear, Limitedcable. I had one final thought that might be of some assistance to you. CATV 84 occupies roughly the same spectrum as OTA 33. If signals from Tiger Mountain are particularly hot where you live, you might have a problem with ingress on your line from KWPX's analogue OTA signal. That would certainly cause the KIRO digital signal on 84-1 to appear "low" to you. Cleaning up the cable run, however, should also work wonders on any ingress issues you might be having.

As far as KOMO goes, personally I have found their digital broadcasts to be rock solid lately. Since they fixed their audio/video dropout problems last year the only issue I've had is the occasional switch to SD, like Lost the other night. From what I've heard this usually is done because they are seeing a potential problem with their HD feed or equipment and are switching over to keep the show running. When the 'teaser' for the news flashed on it was right before they went back to HD if I remember correctly, so they were probably trying to switch back to HD and switched to the wrong feed.

Anyways, I've been pretty happy with all the stations digital broadcasts lately I am getting them OTA not cable right now so maybe my results are different. The biggest gripes I have today are all with KING, namely their method of HD local news and the constant switch between HD and SD, and the lack of Saturday Night Live in HD.

I admit about the only thing I watch on KOMO is "Lost", so I can't comment much on their other HD programming. I notice glitches with pretty much every episode, but this week's were the most...grievous...I have seen in a while.

Don (the KOMO engineer who frequents this thread) can provide authorative input on the issues and how/if KOMO is addressing them.

I watch Lost and a few other shows and I almost never notice problems. Audio has been solid, video has been solid, no dropouts, or loss of audio. I have no complaints with the exception of the occasional (and by occasional I mean I think I can count the instances on one hand in the last 6 months) switch to SD content for a brief period.

I know some people have mentioned problems so I'm guessing that some brands of equipment (receivers both audio and video) are working better than others when it comes to KOMO. I can only comment on my setup.

KOMO has had issues with Lost for at least one year that I have been viewing and trying to listen to it. I have never noticed consisten problems on any other KOMO broadcast

No picture on 105 tonight. Wife is grumbling about Las Vegas in SD. Anyone else having problems tonight?

king hd has been off the air today. no onded seems to know why.

yep, having problems with king as well. same with ota. they stopped broadcasting digital for some reason.

I can confirm that KING 83.1 and KING weather 83.3 is not present on both my TVs tonight (both TVs connected to Comcast cable using the TVs internal QAM tuners)

Also, I've recently noticed that my 32" Philips LCD can't get 81.1 KCPQ and 81.2 WB. I don't usually watch these channels so I can't be sure it was ever receiving them. My Pio 50" plasma can get them and I jut checked my dad's Philips 32" LCD (same model as mine) and his seems to have the same problem as well. Checked the stored channel maps and 81.1 and 81.2 are missing - I'm beginning to think there's a software problem with the Philps causing them to skip channels in the 81 range.

Anyone with a Philips TV have problems receiving 81.1 & 81.2 ?

king hd has been off the air today. no onded seems to know why.

Talked with Comcast service. The problem is with KING. They (KIMG) hope to have it fixed by noon today. Not a Comcast issue.

ColorBurst: KCPQ is on 13.1 now and WB is on 22.1.

I also called Comcast and was told the same thing regarding King- 105.

While on the phone I asked them why I still wasn't getting digital 2-99 channels. The service person insisted that I was and said that all of Seattle was now digital. I checked the diagnostic menu and confirmed that I was still analog. She then said she would "send" me a signal which would correct the problem.

Five minutes later, I was all digital. Since I was able to observe the change pretty closely, I would say that the digital picture is significantly more clear and less noisy! I checked mostly on channel 30 which was awful on analog and now okay on digital. 730 analog still looks bad. One reason why this change is useful: now I can record a nonHD show like "Survivor" on 7 and use just a small fraction of the space that 107 used up (nonHD show on HD channel).

Okay, last thing, everybody call and request Mariners on HD this season.

KING seems to have corrected the HD broadcast issue late this morning. I was beginning to think is was my comcast HDDVR box, but a call to comcast yesterday confirmed there was indeed an issue with channel 105. All is good now!!

I also called Comcast and was told the same thing regarding King- 105.

While on the phone I asked them why I still wasn't getting digital 2-99 channels. The service person insisted that I was and said that all of Seattle was now digital. I checked the diagnostic menu and confirmed that I was still analog. She then said she would "send" me a signal which would correct the problem.

Five minutes later, I was all digital. Since I was able to observe the change pretty closely, I would say that the digital picture is significantly more clear and less noisy! I checked mostly on channel 30 which was awful on analog and now okay on digital. 730 analog still looks bad. One reason why this change is useful: now I can record a nonHD show like "Survivor" on 7 and use just a small fraction of the space that 107 used up (nonHD show on HD channel).

Okay, last thing, everybody call and request Mariners on HD this season.
Thanks so much, Art. I just called Comcast, who at first said there was nothing they could do- a staggered roll-out, etc. Then I read, verbatim, your post. I now have the digital simulcast! To clarify for others, the signal sent is to the Digital Box (Motorola 6412).

I am not overwhelmed with the new picture, however. But it must be the digital simucast since it periodically "pixelates.

Thanks again for sharing this info.

You can always check the Seattle OTA thread to see if it's a King or Comcast issue. ;)

While your requesting about M's in HD, also request ESPN2 HD, too!

How does one know if one is receiving channels 2-99 in digital or analog?

How does one know if one is receiving channels 2-99 in digital or analog?

If you have a digital cable tuner box, and can also tune channels 702-799, then 2-99 should be digital when using that box.

ColorBurst: KCPQ is on 13.1 now and WB is on 22.1.
Thanks!!!!!
I discovered this late today while checking all available channels on my Philips TV - should have checked back here first.

Here's another strange angle on the same subject... my Pioneer 50" Plasma with QAM tuner still receives KCPQ HD on 81.1 and WB HD on 81.2 and gets nothing in the new locations 13.1 & 22.1 !?
The Philips LCD only gets them in the new locations.
Is Comcast sending a signal that causes the Philips to remap them during a channel scan? (I'm not using the cable card slot)
Maybe the Pioneer will put them in the new locations if I re-scan?
It's been quite some time since I scanned channels with the Pioneer and I like to avoid it as it does not have the auto channel sort feature the Philips has (removes blank and scrambled channels).

Btw… is there a up to date listing of all the available QAM channels on Comcast?

Thanks again for the help!

Thanks!!!!!
Here's another strange angle on the same subject... my Pioneer 50" Plasma with QAM tuner still receives KCPQ HD on 81.1 and WB HD on 81.2 and gets nothing in the new locations 13.1 & 22.1 !?
The Philips LCD only gets them in the new locations.
Is Comcast sending a signal that causes the Philips to remap them during a channel scan? (I'm not using the cable card slot)
Maybe the Pioneer will put them in the new locations if I re-scan?
It's been quite some time since I scanned channels with the Pioneer and I like to avoid it as it does not have the auto channel sort feature the Philips has (removes blank and scrambled channels).

Btw… is there a up to date listing of all the available QAM channels on Comcast?

Colorburst,

getnate discovered that KCPQ & KTWB are passing their PSIP data (program information, time/date, and channel name/number) on cable a couple of weeks ago. Not all receivers can apparently decode this information when using QAM, however. (My LG set-top does NOT re-map, however a friend's LG ingtegrated set does.)

And, here's the latest update of the QAM list. (No changes from the last post.)

My Pioneer DVD Recorder last night detected a change in the "Channel Lineup", and asked me to select the correct lineup from a list that included
Comcast (3713)
Comcast (25781)
Comcast (25790)

Neither Comcast nor Pioneer know which I should select - apparently these numbers come from TVGOS. Pioneer is supposedly checking with TVGOS to see if they can get a description of these three.

I thought I'd check here and see if anyone else has encountered this, and may already have the answer for me.

Thanks.

Gary, in Edmonds.

And, here's the latest update of the QAM list. (No changes from the last post.)

Pastiche, for some reason I can never download your QAM list - I always get an error from Internet Explorer saying it can't find the site. It might have something to do with security settings (I'm running a firewall that sometimes gets over-protective), but I haven't been successful in many attempts. Is your list posted anywhere else I could pick it up?

Thanks.

Gary

The only way I could download the QAM list is by right-clicking on it and chossing 'Save Target As...'

The only way I could download the QAM list is by right-clicking on it and chossing 'Save Target As...'

I had tried that and it also failed. Just tried again, and it worked. Thanks!

This is really good to hear, Limitedcable. I had one final thought that might be of some assistance to you. CATV 84 occupies roughly the same spectrum as OTA 33. If signals from Tiger Mountain are particularly hot where you live, you might have a problem with ingress on your line from KWPX's analogue OTA signal. That would certainly cause the KIRO digital signal on 84-1 to appear "low" to you. Cleaning up the cable run, however, should also work wonders on any ingress issues you might be having.

Thanks pastiche for the additional input. We do face east from atop a hill though my sinuous and antiquated cable is most likely to blame. At any rate a better connection should solve the problem either way. Is there a rule of thumb for maximum distance, splitters etc. to get an adequate signal for HDTV. My apologies if this has already been covered somewhere else.

ColorBurst: KCPQ is on 13.1 now and WB is on 22.1.

These are the "re-mapped" channel numbers. KCPQ and KTWB are on QAM channel 84. They couldn't be on 13 or 22, those are still analog. There is information in the PSIP that lets the station appear on a different number on the TV's list. This way stations can broadcast on their new digital channels, but still let people see the old channel number they are used to.


And, here's the latest update of the QAM list. (No changes from the last post.)

You channel list doesn't seem to have the same STB channel numbers as mine. This is what I have, for Seattle - Wallingford. I've included more information, but it's not finished yet. Channel 89-13 appears to have a Sea-Tac airport cam from KIRO. I can't find this channel anywhere on my comcast STB, is it a channel only people with the own tuners can get?

Channel 89-13 appears to have a Sea-Tac airport cam from KIRO. I can't find this channel anywhere on my comcast STB, is it a channel only people with the own tuners can get?

It's probably 117 on the STB.

It's probably 117 on the STB.
Strange, my STB didn't used to have a 117 "DT3". I'm sure it went directly from KINGDT to SPROUT with no 116 or 117. I reset my cable box recently because it was locking up so much, I wonder if that added the channel? Or maybe comcast just added it in the last week and it's just a coincidence?

I noticed that some of the digital simulcasts, such as KCPQ and KIRO, have two audio channels. One is AC3 2.0 192 kbit, the other is AC3 1.0 92 kbit. I guess the mono channel must be the SAP audio.

On KIRO the mono channel is marked as 'spa', and if you select spanish in the STB's settings menu, you get mono sound (but still in english). INHD has the same thing, there is an AC3 2.0 spanish track, but of course they don't have spanish for most of their programming. It seems like this would be annoying to people who really wanted spanish, as when there is no spanish available they still get their audio downmixed to fewer channels.

On KCPQ the mono track is marked english and there doesn't appear to be any way to select it with the STB. Maybe KCPQ is smart, and only marks the track as spanish if they are really broadcasting spanish. Or maybe they have no clue what they're doing, which appears to be something quite common with digital broadcasting.

We just completed some interesting experimental work here at KOMO-DT on the audio side, and will be testing it for a few days. For the first time, KOMO-DT will be full time DD5.1 surround. Unlike in the past, there should now be surround audio for all your speakers depending on content of course. For example, with a mono source there will be much more center-channel audio than the other channels, rightfully so.

The other thing this experiment may solve, is the Comcast STB's or some OTA receivers that need to resync when switching between stereo and DD5.1. Now that we are sending surround audio all the time, the need to switch is no longer required.

So I would be curious as to your observations on this experiment. We in engineering land are feeling pretty good about the changes, but realize there are a lot of variables out in reception land.

Kelly

Thanks for participating, Kelly. It is great to have you, and KOMO, on board. And you have not to worry: if there are issues, you will hear about them through the good members to this Forum :-) And I suspect that you will also hear is everything is going right, too.

I found NBA League Pass listed on 116-1. Is that only for subscribers then?

Thanks

Kelly --

While you're at it, remind them to throw the HD switch when the programs begin, rather than waiting until after the first commercial.

Kelly: Thanks for hanging out with us. I know how hard you guys are trying. What has happed to Don W? We haven't seen him around here lately.

Strange, my STB didn't used to have a 117 "DT3". I'm sure it went directly from KINGDT to SPROUT with no 116 or 117. I reset my cable box recently because it was locking up so much, I wonder if that added the channel? Or maybe comcast just added it in the last week and it's just a coincidence?

Ch 117 (from KIRO) is available to broadcast 13 World Baseball Classic games. When the games are not being shown, it will have a mix of other programming - most popular seems to be the Seatac camera, not the most action packed viewing available.

There are no plans for the channel to be around after the games are done. The last one is 3/15.

Hope this helps! :)

We just completed some interesting experimental work here at KOMO-DT on the audio side, and will be testing it for a few days. For the first time, KOMO-DT will be full time DD5.1 surround. Unlike in the past, there should now be surround audio for all your speakers depending on content of course. For example, with a mono source there will be much more center-channel audio than the other channels, rightfully so.

The other thing this experiment may solve, is the Comcast STB's or some OTA receivers that need to resync when switching between stereo and DD5.1. Now that we are sending surround audio all the time, the need to switch is no longer required.

So I would be curious as to your observations on this experiment. We in engineering land are feeling pretty good about the changes, but realize there are a lot of variables out in reception land.

Kelly

I just swiched to komo from king5 and my receiver didnt make the click
noise (going from 5.1 to prologic)... looks like its working! thanks!

I just swiched to komo from king5 and my receiver didnt make the click
noise (going from 5.1 to prologic)... looks like its working! thanks!

Wi-Fi,

Thanks for the observation. However just to be on the safe side, we don't recommend changing to other stations from KOMO DT for risk of "Ear Confusion". Now that KOMO broadcasts in only surround, we would prefer you just leave it on KOMO DT for the maximum effect. ;)

Best Regards,

Kelly

like someone above said..maybe it is also time to turn the HD switch when there is HD programming...KOMO showed all but a few minutes of the 1st NBA game last weekend in SD...and then someone at KOMO woke up and turned on the HD at halftime..if other companies had that sort of quality they would not be employed..

nice job on the sound changes though...one issue getting better,,but one huge one to go...get a person who can do their job of getting the show in HD at the correct time!

Kelly: Thanks for hanging out with us. I know how hard you guys are trying. What has happed to Don W? We haven't seen him around here lately.

I am still here, I just haven't had many answers. Thanks for asking, though.

Kelly is the guy that can make things happen. I am a retired KOMO engineer retained to help with digital reception issues.

Don

Don W.,

Is it time to equip your boat so you can do reception testing from Shilshole on up to Port Townsend? That seems to be the (intentional) weak area for your DT signal. I think you should be able to write off the fuel and more so. You should check every popular marina in the path for both daytime and nighttime reception. So it may take some time to complete this.

Later, when the transmitting antennas are reconfigured, you may have to repeat these tests. And perhaps varying weather conditions would call for more testing.

Let me know if you need a deck hand (chuckle!).

Rescanned Comcast channels last night on my Philips 32" LCD w/QAM and discovered 10 sub-channels in the 105 range that have 4 digits (to the right of the decimal point).

(105.1049 (Seattle Channel), 105.1050, 105.1053, 105.1059, 105.1061, 105.1062, 105.1063, 105.1066, 105.1067, 105.1072)

My other TV did not scan these QAM channels and only seems to be able to register sub-channels with 3 digits to the right of the decimal point.

Anyone else notice this?

Don W.,

Is it time to equip your boat so you can do reception testing from Shilshole on up to Port Townsend? That seems to be the (intentional) weak area for your DT signal. I think you should be able to write off the fuel and more so. You should check every popular marina in the path for both daytime and nighttime reception. So it may take some time to complete this.

Later, when the transmitting antennas are reconfigured, you may have to repeat these tests. And perhaps varying weather conditions would call for more testing.

Let me know if you need a deck hand (chuckle!).

Works for me, Dave. Do you suppose that Kelly would buy off on it?

Don

Works for me, Dave. Do you suppose that Kelly would buy off on it?

Don
Sorry, I don't know Kelly well enough to hazard a guess.

I have not had the time to listen to much of your audio experiment with full-time DD5.1 transmission of all forms of audio sources. The little bit I did hear sounded fine during some before-prime-time programs on Monday evening.

Things are quite busy at our house with my son, his wife and two toddlers living here until their new house closes around the end of the month. I don't get much time to watch my live or TiVo'd TV programs, except maybe Dora the Explorer on TiVo (could not find the HD version, ha!).

I've noticed that the Comcast DVR isn't very good at detecting what a "repeat" is when recording a series. For example, Stargate-SG1 on sci-fi. I've set the series to record only new episodes and I get every episode broadcast.

I called customer service on the problem, and they sent a signal to the box that I'm assuming is a firmware update, but it didn't solve the problem. Are other folks experiencing this and is there a way to follow status of bugs in the device?

Thanks!

Check out the Wikipedia bug entries. Some bugs may differ between the MSFT and iGuide software versions, but I believe this one is a function of incomplete program data provided to the guide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_6412

I've noticed that the Comcast DVR isn't very good at detecting what a "repeat" is when recording a series. For example, Stargate-SG1 on sci-fi. I've set the series to record only new episodes and I get every episode broadcast.Does it actually RECORD every episode? Or are you just seeing every upcoming episode listed under "Scheduled to Record"? I think the latter is how the unit usually works for me. It seems to list every episode under "Scheduled", but then doesn't actually record the ones that are repeats. It's as if it waits until the last second - the actual record start time - to make the decision whether to record it or not.

Hmmm. I prune my scheduled recordings list to prevent extras taking up space, so I'm not sure whether they would actually be recorded. Perhaps an experiment is in order.

Does it actually RECORD every episode? Or are you just seeing every upcoming episode listed under "Scheduled to Record"? I think the latter is how the unit usually works for me. It seems to list every episode under "Scheduled", but then doesn't actually record the ones that are repeats. It's as if it waits until the last second - the actual record start time - to make the decision whether to record it or not.

It records every episode. If you want to see what I'm seeing, schedule the series Stargate-SG1 on Sci-Fi, select record only new episodes and record at any time. You'll get every durned episode they broadcast. I checked wikipedia as Wareagle advised, and they do have an entry for this bug.

It does seem likely that it's a problem in the guide information they are using, I'm just wondering if they have any plans to resolve it. I really don't like having to spend time managing PVR data or having to pick through old episodes to find the new one's.

I'm curious if the upcoming TiVo Series 3 release is effecting thier (MSFT/Comcast) plans to continue to invest in these devices.

I'm curious if the upcoming TiVo Series 3 release is effecting thier (MSFT/Comcast) plans to continue to invest in these devices.

And I'm wondering how long they'll continue the MSFT "experiment" here, before they either shut it down or expand it.

(But this whole discussion belongs in the Washington State - Comcast 6412 w/ MSFT Software forum.)

It records every episode. If you want to see what I'm seeing, schedule the series Stargate-SG1 on Sci-Fi, select record only new episodes and record at any time. You'll get every durned episode they broadcast. I checked wikipedia as Wareagle advised, and they do have an entry for this bug.

I get the exact opposite with my 6412. When set to Record New Episodes Only, both showings will appear in my Scheduled Recordings list. However, only the first showing will be recorded. It does the same if I have it set to record New Episodes and Repeats. The unit detects I already have a copy, so it will not record the second showing.

Only if I have it set to Record All Showings, Including Duplicates will it in fact record both showings.

This applies to any channel that has a seperate East and West Coast feed (SciFi, Cartoon Network, HGTV, all the Discovery Channels, etc.).

Speaking of Cartoon Network, I see they finally fixed that image glitching...