I got this response from the latest email I sent about UHD, MHD and other HD additions for Seattle.

"We are seriously considering adding more HD
networks in the near future, including MHD and UHD. My guess is that we
probably will add at least one or two new HD networks by the end of the
year."

ABHD - thanks for sharing the info about new hd channels. Is this reply from customer service or somebody from management?

I contacted comcast through phone, email and chat but got the same generic reply....

ABHD - thanks for sharing the info about new hd channels. Is this reply from customer service or somebody from management?

I contacted comcast through phone, email and chat but got the same generic reply....

That was a quote from Steve, VP communications, hope he doesn't mind me quoting his response here. I was very surprised how quickly he responded. I wrote the email last night and had a response this morning. :cool:

My experience with customer service has also been generic if by email and completely random by phone.

I'm thinking about switching to digital cable now that I have a Panasonic AE900 PJ. I'm thinking about calling and asking to stop my analog cable (telling them I'm switching to satellite) with the hope that they will offer some sort of well priced digital package. Has anyone used this strategy successfully lately?

A couple of months ago, after buying an HDTV, I visited the Aurora office. "Hey," I say, "I keep getting these great offers for digital cable like this one" - $29.99 for Digital Classic for 6 months or the end of 2006 or some such. I get these in junk mail, in the newspaper - you should have no problem finding one. "These offers are for new subscribers," Comcast says. "Gee," I say, "we've been long-time subscribers and sure would like to upgrade. By the way, I get great offers from Dish and DirecTV every week too." I walked out with an HD DVR, a second non-HD digital cable box, Digital Classic and Digital Plus, all for a rate about $10 above basic/enhanced analog, good through the end of the year. Who knows? Maybe they'll forget to raise the price then, we'll see.

Just be nice but let them know you're aware of other options. I think they are glad to get as many customers as possible off analog - that means fewer to convert when they go all-digital in a few years; plus they may get some revenue off On Demand and other services.

I am disappointed, though, that the hardware seems to have such capabilities that aren't being exploited - USB, ethernet, eSATA. I assume these boxes could be used to move video around the home, or stream music or video from a PC. I don't think we'll see it until there's a new FCC though.

Any chance of asking "Steve" if there's any chance at all we'll get OLN-HD (for Hockey season, since they overcompress the NHL Center ICE channels so hard, you can barely find the puck)....OLN-HD is going to be showing a bunch of games in HD (5 in October alone)...

It'd be a shame to miss all that hockey in HD.....and you seem to have the email of the "gods that might smile upon us with HD...."

Pete.

Pete --

Steve Kipp
VP of Communications
Comcast Washington
steve_kipp@cable.comcast.com

Anyone seen CW 111 yet? It's not in my channel list and its 9/18, almost 9/19...

The message said 9/19, so check again in the morning.

It's up, but no guide info, here in Bellevue.

I'm in Olympia and have a Sony KD34XBR960 with built in QAM tuner and I'm using a CableCard. By and large the CC has worked great but I did have the same problem a couple folks noted about getting ch 110 on ch 113. So I reset my CC which fixed that but I lost all my PSIP info (call letters).

BTW, new stations such as ESPN2HD and the STARZ preview show up without any intervention

There have, indeed, been many horror stories about the various HD boxes. Mostly, though, you're hearing from only those that have had severe problems (and are erudite enough to find this site). Not everyone has had a negative experience.

After making the leap from Direct TV, my initial 3412 box lost its DVR brains soon after I got it; the replacement box that I picked-up in Redmond has worked without error for several weeks. Maybe I'm lucky, but I suspect that there are other happy campers out there that we haven't heard from. Your mileage might vary, but don't automatically presume the worst -- your experience will hopefully be a good one.

Granted, it's not TIVO, but it works well enough (for me) at a drastically lower price.

-vic

Well, I finally bit the bullet and called CC to come out and upgrade me to digital/HD cable. I also ordered the HD DVR (in spite of all the bad press I've read here). I'm hoping it isn't as bad as some make it out to be. I thought I would try the DVR for a couple of months and see for myself. What I really want is the Tivo S3 but I think I will wait on the user reports and maybe for the price to come down.

Hi All,

Sorry to ask a question that may have been asked a ton of times before (I tried searching but couldn't quite find the right answer).

We are moving from out of state into a new house and would like to get just the HD local channels from Comcast. We don't need a DVR, just the regular box.

What is the minimum package we will have to subscribe to in order to get the box, etc.

Thanks so much,

Mark

It's up, but no guide info, here in Bellevue.

Is the guide info up for CW yet? I'm at work and took a look at the schedule online.

Wow, look at all the HD content http://paramountstations.com/kstw/proguide/


Is this correct? :(

Anyone in the Seattle area having problems getting the cablecards to work in the new Tivo3?

I have been using cablecards for a year and this one is upsetting. I am getting everything except the encrypted channels.

Is the guide info up for CW yet? I'm at work and took a look at the schedule online.

Wow, look at all the HD content http://paramountstations.com/kstw/proguide/


Is this correct? :(

No, the program info is not up as of 5:11pm. The program guide is correct - HD content on KSTW is quite light. I suspect that it will increase as network programming starts but probably not by much. That's particularly true outside of primetime tv hours.

What is the minimum package we will have to subscribe to in order to get the box, etc.

I just have Basic Cable without the box and feed the cable directly into my QAM tuner for local HD.

Anyone in the Seattle area having problems getting the cablecards to work in the new Tivo3?

I have been using cablecards for a year and this one is upsetting. I am getting everything except the encrypted channels.

Have you posted over on tivocommunity.com? Lots of discussion there about Cable Card issues. Mine are working perfectly, though...

Have you posted over on tivocommunity.com? Lots of discussion there about Cable Card issues. Mine are working perfectly, though...


Ok. I will check it out. I am in the process of resetting it up. Hopefully this works out. For some reason I get the channel 504 dundance or something like that and the center of screen has an alarm clock saying "please wait". Is this supposed to last a long time? been going on for 30 minutes now. Currently have my fp tuned to a dvd so I dont get burn in.

FSN-HD?

I got this reply back from Steve from Comcast. I asked him to add MHD and UHD. Hopefully FSN-HD is coming too...

Thanks for your email. We are considering the two HD channels you mentioned as well as a handful of others. I expect that we will have at least one or two HD additions to announce by the end of the year.

I got this reply back from Steve from Comcast. I asked him to add MHD and UHD. Hopefully FSN-HD is coming too...

Thanks for your email. We are considering the two HD channels you mentioned as well as a handful of others. I expect that we will have at least one or two HD additions to announce by the end of the year.


Just make sure that you ask him to please not compress it to fit more channels. The only reason I am with comcast is because the picture quality in my area is WAY better than dish.

Still no guide info for 111, wah.

The incessant reboot problems our 3412 came down with a few weeks ago appear to be fixed!

My DW called into Comcast yesterday to complain again and they seemed very eager to download new firmware to our machine. So far it's never worked better and every FF and REW speed seems just about perfect. Firewire capturing works great as well.

Tim

Just called Comcast support. They said they've gotten a lot of calls on the missing guide data issue, and they've been working with KSTW on it since last night. He expected the issue to be resolved this afternoon. I hope so, because I've got to schedule some DVR recordings before I go out of town tomorrow morning..

The incessant reboot problems our 3412 came down with a few weeks ago appear to be fixed!

My DW called into Comcast yesterday to complain again and they seemed very eager to download new firmware to our machine. So far it's never worked better and every FF and REW speed seems just about perfect. Firewire capturing works great as well.

Tim

Any idea what level of firmware you have now?

My 3412 is working better also. It hasn't rebooted itself recently either. ;)

Don't know whether comcast updated the firmware or its just me being careful.

The incessant reboot problems our 3412 came down with a few weeks ago appear to be fixed!

My DW called into Comcast yesterday to complain again and they seemed very eager to download new firmware to our machine. So far it's never worked better and every FF and REW speed seems just about perfect. Firewire capturing works great as well.

Tim


Please check to see what firmware version and guide build you have (so I'll know whether to ask them to try 12.35 for me again):

Menu/Settings/Cable Box Options/Diagnostics

Fourth line down has firmware version (GIOS).
First line has guide build.

When I requested a d/l last week, it was changed from 12.35 and 25142S to 12.31 and 25129S.

hi there, been a while since i've posted, but have some questions i'm sure some of you can help with. comcast 6412 dvr customer here from west seattle. is their any new hardware available yet with better features, larger drives, etc?

also, what happened to INHD2 channel 665? it's gone!!!

have there been any new channels added in the last couple months?

thanks in advance-

Any idea what level of firmware you have now?I neglected to check that last night but will post it tonight.

Tim

hi there, been a while since i've posted, but have some questions i'm sure some of you can help with. comcast 6412 dvr customer here from west seattle. is their any new hardware available yet with better features, larger drives, etc?
Some people are starting to get 6416 and 3416 units with 160GB drives, but I'm not sure that they've hit the Seattle area yet.

also, what happened to INHD2 channel 665? it's gone!!!
It's ultimately going away, but Comcast replaced it with channel 174 ESPN2HD a couple months ago.

have there been any new channels added in the last couple months?
Channel 174 ESPN2HD (couple months ago) and Channel 111 KSTW-HD (new-still waiting for quide data).

thanks in advance-

Tim

thanks Tim!

hey one last question

is there any way to archive off of the dvr's yet without having to buy a DVHS firewire setup? i'm guessing not, but thought i'd ask.

looks like some guide data is showing up on CW 111. It's labelling the channel as TVGC, and the guide data only seems to go up to about 5PM tomorrow.

hey, speaking of dvhs. what's the cheapest dvhs box out there right now and can you record off of the pre-recorded shows off the 6412? everything? or just non encrpyted stuff. in other words, if i recorderd a concert or something off of inhd. could i come back and archive it off later onto dvhs? is there ANY way to do this yet or not?

hey, speaking of dvhs. what's the cheapest dvhs box out there right now and can you record off of the pre-recorded shows off the 6412? everything? or just non encrpyted stuff. in other words, if i recorderd a concert or something off of inhd. could i come back and archive it off later onto dvhs? is there ANY way to do this yet or not?

Yes you can record from DVR. I think you can even record stuff like pay per view tho I have never tried it.

If you are looking for a dvhs I have an extra JVC I am thinking about selling. PM me if you are interested.

I have comcast BASIC cable in Sammamish. Comcast says I need cablecard or box to get HDTV. The guys at Video ONly are "100% certain" that with basic cable, and a newer HDTC with built in QAL (?) tuner, I do not need any additional equipment or service, and can get about 8 HDTV channels! The comcast basic cable channel line-up does show some HDTV channels.

Who's right - Comcast or Video ONly?

Video Only is correct. You need a HDTV with a QAM tuner.

Just called Comcast support. They said they've gotten a lot of calls on the missing guide data issue, and they've been working with KSTW on it since last night. He expected the issue to be resolved this afternoon. I hope so, because I've got to schedule some DVR recordings before I go out of town tomorrow morning..


Now...wait a minute...."working with KSTW" on the guide issue....we don't put the guide on comcast....comcast contracts thru TMS (tribune meida services) to provide the guide on their systems. Comcast doesn't use the PSIP guide..that is there and working by the way of the OTA signal. No cable companies that I know of are passing the PSIP info put out by stations..yet.... :rolleyes:

RDiotte
CE, KSTW

hey, speaking of dvhs. what's the cheapest dvhs box out there right now and can you record off of the pre-recorded shows off the 6412? everything? or just non encrpyted stuff. in other words, if i recorderd a concert or something off of inhd. could i come back and archive it off later onto dvhs? is there ANY way to do this yet or not?I've archived extended programming like the Super Bowl via firewire to my JVC 40k DVHS. I've also archived hundreds (perhaps thousands) of favorite clips via firewire to my laptop, where I can burn the MPEGs (Use Womble to edit and convert .ts to .mpg) to DVD. The only things you can't record the raw stream from are those with 5C encryption, and I've only run into it a couple times. I get stuff off INHD (they have some of the best HD programming you'd ever want to see) on a regular basis.

I haven't tried archiving the raw stream from On Demand or PPV because I'm skeptical that it would work and I normally just use a connected ReplayTV to archive it anyway. Maybe I'll give it a try tonight.

Tim

I haven't tried archiving the raw stream from On Demand or PPV because I'm skeptical that it would work and I normally just use a connected ReplayTV to archive it anyway. Maybe I'll give it a try tonight.
Tim

Neither OnDemand nor PPV works with firewire.

Now...wait a minute...."working with KSTW" on the guide issue....we don't put the guide on comcast....comcast contracts thru TMS (tribune meida services) to provide the guide on their systems. Comcast doesn't use the PSIP guide..that is there and working by the way of the OTA signal. No cable companies that I know of are passing the PSIP info put out by stations..yet.... :rolleyes:

RDiotte
CE, KSTW

Looks more like "working without KSTW". Now they have listings for 111, with the name "TVGC" attached -- they're wrong for the current listings, but the same as 11 later on in the week.

Looks more like "working without KSTW". Now they have listings for 111, with the name "TVGC" attached -- they're wrong for the current listings, but the same as 11 later on in the week.


My guide data with my tivo series3 has showed up as KSTWDT a few hours ago. Man this new tivo kicks some serious butt with video and sound quality. I mean WOW the picture deinterlaces beautifully to 720P.

My guide data with my tivo series3 has showed up as KSTWDT a few hours ago. Man this new tivo kicks some serious butt with video and sound quality. I mean WOW the picture deinterlaces beautifully to 720P.

Are you using it on 720p fixed? I originally had it on native (in fact, that was one feature I was excited to have, coming from the 3412). But the resolution changes are a bit annoying, especially going into and out of the TiVo menus. I haven't really been able to discern a picture quality difference (between 720p fixed and native), but I also haven't done any serious testing.

Please check to see what firmware version and guide build you have (so I'll know whether to ask them to try 12.35 for me again):

Menu/Settings/Cable Box Options/Diagnostics

Fourth line down has firmware version (GIOS).
First line has guide build.

When I requested a d/l last week, it was changed from 12.35 and 25142S to 12.31 and 25129S.The Guide build is 1.7.3400 (25129S) and the GIOS is 12.31. I guess it's the older verrsion, but this unit seems to be working better than it ever did before when it would've had the same version.

Perhaps there was something else that changed as well, because my wife said they had to download something to the DVR over the phone line that they claimed would take 20 minutes and would be used to set up the firmware. Not sure what all that means - maybe it's a new "installer" that makes so much difference.

Tim

Are you using it on 720p fixed? I originally had it on native (in fact, that was one feature I was excited to have, coming from the 3412). But the resolution changes are a bit annoying, especially going into and out of the TiVo menus. I haven't really been able to discern a picture quality difference (between 720p fixed and native), but I also haven't done any serious testing.


I am going with 720 fixed. My 1080i sources look much better now then when I had my projector deinterlace it. If and when I get a VP I will pass native into that.

I am still confused with this audio thing. I actually think that the tivo is doing too much work processing and when ever I am watching something and then put up the guide and surf through the guide it stutters. I think the processor can't handle the load. If they do a firmware upgrade I think that will actually take away from any of the picture quality algorithms. I think that a hardware upgrade is the only solution. Needs a faster processor or two.

I just have Basic Cable without the box and feed the cable directly into my QAM tuner for local HD.

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. I don't have a QAM tuner, so I know I will need an HD box from Comcast. My question is whether they will let me have a box if I just subscribe to the "Limited Cable" package, since all we want are the local channels the package is really all we need.

Cheers,

Mark

I've archived extended programming like the Super Bowl via firewire to my JVC 40k DVHS. I've also archived hundreds (perhaps thousands) of favorite clips via firewire to my laptop, where I can burn the MPEGs (Use Womble to edit and convert .ts to .mpg) to DVD. The only things you can't record the raw stream from are those with 5C encryption, and I've only run into it a couple times. I get stuff off INHD (they have some of the best HD programming you'd ever want to see) on a regular basis.

I haven't tried archiving the raw stream from On Demand or PPV because I'm skeptical that it would work and I normally just use a connected ReplayTV to archive it anyway. Maybe I'll give it a try tonight.

Tim

Just so I'm clear on this. You're saying that I can archive RECORDED shows from MY DVR to a DVHS deck as long as they art not 5c encrypted, right? I just can't record OnDemand and PPV content, right? DarthGak, PM sent.

Just so I'm clear on this. You're saying that I can archive RECORDED shows from MY DVR to a DVHS deck as long as they art not 5c encrypted, right? I just can't record OnDemand and PPV content, right?That's how I do it. The downside is that you can only record via firewire in real time, so I usually record as I watch, pausing the recording during commercials. Of course in the case of the Super Bowl I wanted all the commercials as well.

You have to be a little careful with the length and quality of your firewire cable. Too long or cheap and there will be numerous breakups. However, I'm currently using a 20-footer without any problems.

Tim

Just so I'm clear on this. You're saying that I can archive RECORDED shows from MY DVR to a DVHS deck as long as they art not 5c encrypted, right? I just can't record OnDemand and PPV content, right? DarthGak, PM sent.Actually since most DHVS decks are fully 5C-compliant, you should be able to archive *almost any* show - even those that are "5C encrypted". DTCP copy protection (commonly called 5C) has an encryption flag for each show that can be set to one of several different values:

1. copy-freely (not encrypted)
2. no-more-copies (encrypted)
3. copy-one-generation (encrypted)
4. copy-never (encrypted)

Most shows that are "5C encrypted" are actually set to #3 (copy-one-generation), which allows a 5C-compliant device (DVHS) to make a copy. The actual copy that's written to your DVHS tape is then flagged #2 (no-more-copies), and your DVHS deck will prevent you from making further copies.

Non-5C-compliant devices - like a PC with firewire capture - can only copy shows that are #1 (copy-freely), since those are not encrypted.

The #4 (copy-never) flag seems to be mostly used for OnDemand & PPV shows. Even your DVHS deck should not be able to record those.

Which actual shows are flagged by Comcast as #1 (copy freely) vs #3 (copy-one-generation) seems to vary. When I first tried this here in Seattle a couple years ago, everything was flagged "copy-freely", even premiums like HBO. Then they went the other way and everything except digital locals were flagged "copy-one-generation", so they couldn't be archived on a PC. Last I heard all non-premium digital channels were flagged "copy-freely", and premiums flagged "copy-one-generation". But I haven't actually tried this for a while, so I'm not sure what the settings are anymore.

When I found out that a really really small town I used to live in Oregon way out in timbuktu had a better HD channel lineup on Comcast than here in Seattle. I couldn't believe it, so I wrote a few emails to find out what is up and requested more HD. Anyway here is the latest response! :)

"Just a quick update. CW-HD (the combination of what was formerly UPN and WB) launched this past Tuesday 9/19 on Channel 111. The next to launch will be MHD and I believe that will happen within the next two months. The debate is still on with respect to Universal HD, but I feel that we will probably go ahead launch this in the near future as well."

Thanks for the answer. I don't have a QAM tuner, so I know I will need an HD box from Comcast. My question is whether they will let me have a box if I just subscribe to the "Limited Cable" package, since all we want are the local channels the package is really all we need.

Oh, I'm sure they'll let you have it, if you're willing to pay the $10 a month over and above the cable package they charge to rent an HD box.

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. I don't have a QAM tuner, so I know I will need an HD box from Comcast. My question is whether they will let me have a box if I just subscribe to the "Limited Cable" package, since all we want are the local channels the package is really all we need.

Cheers,

Mark
When I went to the Seattle north office a couple months ago they said I had to get a Digital package if I wanted a digital box that gets HD (6200 - no DVR). So I now have Digital Plus. The only way around this that I know is to have a QAM tuner. The HD box is $5.00/mo on top of the Digital Plus package. Total with taxes is about $80/mo.

I didn't opt for the dvr version at the time because of all the problems with the dvr's, plus I have a TIVO to record the few things I want to time shift. At some point I will trade in the 6200 for a dvr version. There just isn't enough HD I want to record (yet).

...Most shows that are "5C encrypted" are actually set to #3 (copy-one-generation), which allows a 5C-compliant device (DVHS) to make a copy...

...But I haven't actually tried this for a while, so I'm not sure what the settings are anymore.I'm guessing most of them must be "copy-freely" now, since I've captured clips to my notebook via firewire from each of channels KOMO-HD, KING-HD, KIRO-HD, KCPQ-HD, ESPN-HD, ESPN2-HD, TNT-HD, DISC-HD, and INHD all within the last two weeks.

When I went to the Seattle north office a couple months ago they said I had to get a Digital package if I wanted a digital box that gets HD (6200 - no DVR). So I now have Digital Plus. The only way around this that I know is to have a QAM tuner. The HD box is $5.00/mo on top of the Digital Plus package. Total with taxes is about $80/mo.
(yet).

I think I pay $6 for the cable box (essentially, just renting a QAM tuner). I don't pay for digital cabel. That pays for all the local HD channels + ESPN2 in hi def.

I think I pay $6 for the cable box (essentially, just renting a QAM tuner). I don't pay for digital cabel. That pays for all the local HD channels + ESPN2 in hi def.

Cool, that's exactly what I was hoping would be the case. I can live without the On-Demand and all that stuff for which I know you need a digital package. I just want to make sure I have the locals in HD.

Cheers,

Mark

CW11 HDTV on Comcast has excellent picture, especially SD material.

I don't know what CW11 is doing differently, but I think their SD over the digital channels looks better than just about all the others. It is sharp and bright, as opposed to some of the others, which look dark and fuzzy. KMQY is both dark and fuzzy. Then there is Kiro 7, where the SD has some terrible edge noise around objects. King 5 suffers from the same thing.

CW11 on the digital channel is doing an excellent job with SD.

As for HD, it looks good on CW11, but is similar to the others. For regular network shows, I think NBC looks better than either ABC or CBS, which both look kind of dark. For sports, ESPN, ABC and FOX probably look the best, with CBS close. NBC is kind of bad on HD sports.

As for local news, hands down KOMO 4 looks the best with outstanding, bright and sharp HDTV.

I wish there wasn't this variation in quality.

I think I pay $6 for the cable box (essentially, just renting a QAM tuner). I don't pay for digital cabel. That pays for all the local HD channels + ESPN2 in hi def.

I think you are lucky to be getting anything but local HD channels in unencrypted QAM signal. I too was getting ESPN HD a couple of years ago via my QAM tuner, but it was soon turned off.

Oh, I'm sure they'll let you have it, if you're willing to pay the $10 a month over and above the cable package they charge to rent an HD box.

Back when I had it I think the HD box was only $5-7 more per month with Limited Basic. They wouldn't let you have a HD DVR with limited basic.

When I went to the Seattle north office a couple months ago they said I had to get a Digital package if I wanted a digital box that gets HD (6200 - no DVR). So I now have Digital Plus. The only way around this that I know is to have a QAM tuner. The HD box is $5.00/mo on top of the Digital Plus package. Total with taxes is about $80/mo.).

Sounds like you talked to someone who either didn't know what they were talking about, or worked on commission.

Sounds like you talked to someone who either didn't know what they were talking about, or worked on commission.Or they had a temporary shortage of HD box inventory. When that happens, they've been known to limit them to Digital customers only.

Or they had a temporary shortage of HD box inventory. When that happens, they've been known to limit them to Digital customers only.

I'd take that as a sign of their HD DVRs not being very popular. It didn't occur to me they could possibly have a sortage of just the HD boxes.

I know there have been a couple of other posts about this, but just wanted to also pass along that the Series 3 Tivo works great on the comcast system here in Seattle in case anyone was wondering...

You don't get the series 3 to save money (the cost of the hardware as well as the 'service' is kind of ridiculous), however, the extra drive capacity (comes with a 250GB drive - which I've had upgraded to a 500GB one to yield 60 hours of HD recording capacity), the improved UI (it's consistent, reasonably quick, and intuitive - IMHO), and the reliability of operation (it records when it's told to, the controls work correctly when playing back content) is well worth the expense and makes the motorola dvr boxes envious. The fact that comcast gives you the cable cards at no charge is also nice. As soon as I get around to watching some programming I have recorded on my moto 6412, it will be going back to the comcast office...

I would really hope the tivo software on the moto dvr boxes cures all of the ills we've been experiencing, but given that the tivo s/w sits on to of the firmware/hardware we already have and the storage capacity won't change (I've seen references to the 160GB drive models, but nothing larger...), it is nice to have an alternative. Now, if comcast would only lease the tivo h/w boxes for $15/mo... :)

Sounds like you talked to someone who either didn't know what they were talking about, or worked on commission.

I wasn't looking for the cheapest way to get HD. I was looking for Digital Cable + HD but no DVR. I was already paying $50 for analog expanded cable. So it is not that they mislead me - I got exactly what I asked for.

so this has probably been answered but does HDMi look better with comcast than componet?

I tried both component out and DVI <-> HDMI out from my Comcast Motorola box. The component out is problematic in that it outputs everything as 1080i no matter what the original single was. I had a few issues

#1. My TV is 720p native so 720p source would upconvert to 1080i and then my TV would downconvert to 720p.
#2. My TV has more format options with SD source than with HD source. So I could tell my TV to always display SD channels as narrow or wide or stretch or stretch plus. When all channels are 1080i, I lost this ability.
#3. I got audio sync problems frequently with the component output. (but just on HD content).

I got a DVI to HDMI cable and all of those problems went away.

Go with the DVI to HDMI solution instead.

You can set the output to 720p if you wish:

Power/Menu

Second line of User Settings is YPbPr Output, which can be toggled to 1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i.

Third line of settings is for 4:3 Override -- 480p, 480i, Stretch, or Off.

RE: component v. HDMI/DVI...

Funny the question was asked because I did a split screen PIP test using HDMI on one side and component the other a few days ago to ask my wife the same question. Why? because I couldn't tell the two apart. For me, HDMI seemed to have more natural color and a *slight* better clarity, but only because I freeze-framed to see if I can detect any difference. With movement, the clarity difference was hard to detect. Most TVs, from what I understand, have better color correction availability with component vs. DVI/HDMI so even the color difference I saw could be adjusted if I wanted to.

But, if the question is straight out-of-box clarity, I'd go with HDMI. If you like to fiddle around with the video settings, component probably is the way to go. So, what am I trying to say.... I guess the answer is...um...up to your eyes.
--
Sang

Can you please explain about the cable cards being free? I had a cable card last year. I was required to have a digital package AND pay $5 a month for the card.

I know there have been a couple of other posts about this, but just wanted to also pass along that the Series 3 Tivo works great on the comcast system here in Seattle in case anyone was wondering...

You don't get the series 3 to save money (the cost of the hardware as well as the 'service' is kind of ridiculous), however, the extra drive capacity (comes with a 250GB drive - which I've had upgraded to a 500GB one to yield 60 hours of HD recording capacity), the improved UI (it's consistent, reasonably quick, and intuitive - IMHO), and the reliability of operation (it records when it's told to, the controls work correctly when playing back content) is well worth the expense and makes the motorola dvr boxes envious. The fact that comcast gives you the cable cards at no charge is also nice. As soon as I get around to watching some programming I have recorded on my moto 6412, it will be going back to the comcast office...

I would really hope the tivo software on the moto dvr boxes cures all of the ills we've been experiencing, but given that the tivo s/w sits on to of the firmware/hardware we already have and the storage capacity won't change (I've seen references to the 160GB drive models, but nothing larger...), it is nice to have an alternative. Now, if comcast would only lease the tivo h/w boxes for $15/mo... :)

Can you please explain about the cable cards being free? I had a cable card last year. I was required to have a digital package AND pay $5 a month for the card.

I walked into the comcast office, told them I needed 2 cable cards, I asked them how much they were per month - they told me free. THEN, they looked up my account info. I asked for clarification as to whether they were free because of my account level (I do have the digital package), and they said "nope - they're free".

I remember on one of the other forums (tivo thread in hdtv recording forum?) someone had linked to a blurb on comcast's site that indicated the cable cards were free - I never read the blurb and don't remember the exact link...

CW11 HDTV on Comcast has excellent picture, especially SD material.


Agreed. I don't know if it's because they have newer equipment or what... but wow! I caught a little bit of Everybody Hates Chris yesterday on CW-HD and the PQ was indeed excellent! The SD picture was also good. I wish all channels that broadcast in SD could look this good.

But one thing I noticed is no DD 5.1 from anything HD on this channel that I've seen so far. Hopefully that will change in the future. I did see the iPod Nano commercial on both CW and on CBS. The commercial shown on CBS was in DD5.1 and there was a big difference in the surround sound effects compaired to the same commercial that aired on CW.

A cautionary tale for any Comcast Seattle customers subscribing to the 'Digital Lite' channel package.

I upgraded from Comcast Seattle's Digital Lite package in June to Classic Digital and a HD DVR. I recently decided to revert back to Digital Lite and now find out that Comcast Seattle will not offer a HD set-top box with the Limited Basic Cable channel package.

I must subscribe to their 'Basic Cable' channel package to qualify for a HD set-top box. Comcast acknowledged that I could still be enjoying the now-defunct 'Digital Lite' package if I had done nothing to change my service level.

above is my post of August 16th.

I was told over the phone on August 16th that Comcast will no longer rent an HD box (sans DVR) to 'Limited Cable' subscribers and that this policy had gone into effect on August 14th.

If any Limited Basic subscribers have been able to initiate an HD box rental since August 16th, I would greatly appreciate confirmation of this.

thanks

The incessant reboot problems our 3412 came down with a few weeks ago appear to be fixed!

My DW called into Comcast yesterday to complain again and they seemed very eager to download new firmware to our machine. So far it's never worked better and every FF and REW speed seems just about perfect. Firewire capturing works great as well.

TimWell, our 3412 has spontaneously rebooted itself in the last couple days and just last night had a problem with the lead-in to the game in New Orleans (I had set up a manual recording from 5:20p to 6:20p). When I got home, the DVR guide showed the reccording but when I tried to play it I was told "the show is no longer available..."

The latest Dish Network offer is starting to look more and more appealing. 29 HD channels??? Anybody know if their HD DVR has firewire output?

Tim

Well, our 3412 has spontaneously rebooted itself in the last couple days...

If you have the 12.35 firmware you can eliminate the rebooting by having Comcast roll it back to 12.31. It's a crapshoot as to the effects on other functions.

P.S.
I just realized that you've already done the firmware rollback -- so it seems that, for you at least, that didn't completely fix the problem. Very discouraging.

Re Comcast not giving out boxes to limited basic customers: If you have an old computer around that works, consider getting a MyHD-130 card. It does QAM and will record, and because it's hardware based it doesn't require much of a computer to function. It's roughly $200 or so, and thus is much more economical than upgrading your cable.

And you get HD recording functionality too, although I'm not sure how good that is with QAM (due to the channel assignments). I have the MyHD-120, which doesn't do QAM, so I have no idea how well it functions.

above is my post of August 16th.

I was told over the phone on August 16th that Comcast will no longer rent an HD box (sans DVR) to 'Limited Cable' subscribers and that this policy had gone into effect on August 14th.

If any Limited Basic subscribers have been able to initiate an HD box rental since August 16th, I would greatly appreciate confirmation of this.

thanks


I just bought a Pioneer Plasma 5070 with a QAM tuner. I also subscribe to Comcast Limited Basic service. With this TV, I should be able to get any HD channels they offer (non-premium) with the QAM tuner, right?

I just bought a Pioneer Plasma 5070 with a QAM tuner. I also subscribe to Comcast Limited Basic service. With this TV, I should be able to get any HD channels they offer (non-premium) with the QAM tuner, right?

Yep, although without a cablecard you'd have to determine the channel assignments (posted above somewhere).

Re Comcast not giving out boxes to limited basic customers: If you have an old computer around that works, consider getting a MyHD-130 card. It does QAM and will record, and because it's hardware based it doesn't require much of a computer to function. It's roughly $200 or so, and thus is much more economical than upgrading your cable.

And you get HD recording functionality too, although I'm not sure how good that is with QAM (due to the channel assignments). I have the MyHD-120, which doesn't do QAM, so I have no idea how well it functions.

Another option is the Fusion HDTV card - also about $200.- it displays/records/plays back HDTV from QAM channels on Comcast Basic Cable.

Currently we are getting ABC, NBC and PBS (but for some reason not CBS) in HDTV. PBS alone is well worth the price of admission with some spectacular programming, i.e. NOVA, Great Performances etc.

The recorded HDTV files are in the .tp format and there is a nice freeware program - VLC Media Player - which can also play these files as well as act as a server to broadcast these files to other PC's on your local WiFi network. :D

But with the Fusion card you need a slightly better computer for playback than what you need with the MyHD card. I own both (but my MyHD is too old to do QAM).

Steve Kipp replied to my e-mail about FSN-HD saying: Discussions are moving forward with Fox, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will have something to announce by the end of the year.

Another option is the Fusion HDTV card - also about $200.- it displays/records/plays back HDTV from QAM channels on Comcast Basic Cable.

Currently we are getting ABC, NBC and PBS (but for some reason not CBS) in HDTV. PBS alone is well worth the price of admission with some spectacular programming, i.e. NOVA, Great Performances etc.

The recorded HDTV files are in the .tp format and there is a nice freeware program - VLC Media Player - which can also play these files as well as act as a server to broadcast these files to other PC's on your local WiFi network. :D


UPDATE: Today, I doscovered that the NBC HD channel (830) is "encrypted" or scrambled... I guess ABC HD and PBS HD will be next... thought Comcast had to carry the HD channels that are available freely OTA? or is that a misconception...

Sooo, if you have a HDTV with a QAM tuner, the Comcast Basic package is not offering much. If and when they scramble/encrypt the PBS HD channel (822) it is time for me to kiss off Comcast and install an OTA antenna. If anyone from Comcast is monitoring this discussion group, I would really like to know why they scramble the a.m. free broadcasts.

It shouldn't be encrypted. Did they perhaps reassign the channels?

It shouldn't be encrypted. Did they perhaps reassign the channels?

The NBC-HD and CBS-HD channels are now both encrypted (as are all the pay channels, of course).

No - Comcast did not re-assign or re-number the channels.

Once again, my question is - WHY does Comcast encrypt these free channels? :mad:

INHD was replaced with NFL HD last night.

NFL Replay for Bucs and Panthers was on.

and

NFL Replay for Steelers and Cincy was on.

The NBC-HD and CBS-HD channels are now both encrypted (as are all the pay channels, of course).

No - Comcast did not re-assign or re-number the channels.

Once again, my question is - WHY does Comcast encrypt these free channels? :mad:

What makes you think they are encrypted? Can you see the PIDs?

Steve Kipp replied to my e-mail about FSN-HD saying: Discussions are moving forward with Fox, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will have something to announce by the end of the year.

Good news, though it sounds like we have no hope for this football season...

Good news, though it sounds like we have no hope for this football season...

...but...for upcoming Sonics season? That would be sweet!
--
Sang

Once again, my question is - WHY does Comcast encrypt these free channels? :mad:

The channels are not necessarily free to Comcast. The local stations can charge Comcast a fee to rebroadcast, or require that in order to rebroadcast, they must also broadcast X, Y, and Z channels as well.

You are obviouslly welcome to view the OTA versions of the channels for free with an antenna.

Back in RI, we didn't have Fox or CBS in HD on local cable because the company that owned both stations wanted Cox Cable to pay a subscriber based fee to be allowed to rebroadcast... For all I know, that's still the case.

What makes you think they are encrypted? Can you see the PIDs?

When I click on the channel that is encrypted...it gives me about 5 seconds of a clear picture and then that is replaced bith a snowy green picture with all kinds of artifacts...

When I click on the channel that is encrypted...it gives me about 5 seconds of a clear picture and then that is replaced bith a snowy green picture with all kinds of artifacts...That sounds more like an HDCP handshaking problem between the cable box and your TV. I presume you are connecting over DVI or HDMI? Could you double-check by trying an analog (Component) connection to your TV instead?

I had my HD turn into a green-pixeled mess last night right after "Smith" on CBS. As of today it's working fine again. This is with the cable hooked up directly to my set's QAM tuner.

That sounds more like an HDCP handshaking problem between the cable box and your TV. I presume you are connecting over DVI or HDMI? Could you double-check by trying an analog (Component) connection to your TV instead?

The cable (RG 6) is connected directly to the cable input on my Fusion HD card - no DVI or HDMI connection needed.

However, tonight NBC-HD (830) is back unencrypted.... CBS is still not viewable ..go figure :(

The cable (RG 6) is connected directly to the cable input on my Fusion HD card - no DVI or HDMI connection needed.

However, tonight NBC-HD (830) is back unencrypted.... CBS is still not viewable ..go figure :(

Neither of them have appeared encrypted to me, and the problem you're describing was experienced by another user on the same two channels (83-x, 84-x) a while back. In his case, the problem was ingress from KWPX (33) and KWPX-DT (32). OTA channels 32 & 33 occupy the same spectrum space as CATV channels 83 & 84. There might be some ingress on the line, either in the house, or on the drop to your house. That'd certainly cause KING & KIRO to lock-on spottily at best.

Thanks for the suggestions for the MyHD 130 and Fusion. I purchased the MyHD after Comcast cut me off from an HD box rental.

I am having no problems receiving the HD channels of NBC or CBS

I recently saw the update to the channel listing txt. file noting KMYQ HD at 96-1 and The Tube at 96-2. I re-did the channel scan for the MyHD 130 but do not see anything at 96-1 or 96-2.

Is anyone else picking up KMYQ HD or The Tube with a MyHD 130 card ?

thanks

Neither of them have appeared encrypted to me, and the problem you're describing was experienced by another user on the same two channels (83-x, 84-x) a while back. In his case, the problem was ingress from KWPX (33) and KWPX-DT (32). OTA channels 32 & 33 occupy the same spectrum space as CATV channels 83 & 84. There might be some ingress on the line, either in the house, or on the drop to your house. That'd certainly cause KING & KIRO to lock-on spottily at best.

That might be it; I suspect the drop box in the street since it is basically open to the elements and the wiring inside is a mess after umpteen installers have fiddled with it over the years since Comcast took over from @Home (remember @Home :) )

Another possiblity might be that the FusionHD card is picking up some OTA signals - but less like since the card is pretty well shielded inside the PC box (which is grounded).

So I will just resign myself to no CBS HD.... :(

So I will just resign myself to no CBS HD.... :(

How's your signal strength? My Fusion 5 flashed a picture then hangs with a blank screen like you describe any time the signal strength falls below 80%. I added a Motorola Signal Booster to the line, and now it works like a champ.

How's your signal strength? My Fusion 5 flashed a picture then hangs with a blank screen like you describe any time the signal strength falls below 80%. I added a Motorola Signal Booster to the line, and now it works like a champ.


Signal strength is 100%.

I "think" I found the problem with the CBS-HD channel and my Fusion HDTV card.

When I do an Autoscan of the digital channels, the fusion software does not list 841 (CBSHD). When I try to add 841 manually, I get the following error message:

"Access violation at address 0048761C in module "FusionHDTV.exe". Read of address 00000004."

I have no idea what this cryptic message means, other than it tells me that the card can not handle that channel. Too bad - I wish the problem was on one of the shopping channels, but c'est la vie :(

Perhaps one of the "gurus" following this thread can enlighten me?

Neither of them have appeared encrypted to me, and the problem you're describing was experienced by another user on the same two channels (83-x, 84-x) a while back. In his case, the problem was ingress from KWPX (33) and KWPX-DT (32). OTA channels 32 & 33 occupy the same spectrum space as CATV channels 83 & 84. There might be some ingress on the line, either in the house, or on the drop to your house. That'd certainly cause KING & KIRO to lock-on spottily at best.

I agree, it sounds like your signal is not clean/you are getting intermittent interference. If the channel was encrypted you would never get a clear picture. The Fusion software says the channel is encrypted but I think that is a result of the way they detect encrypted channels, I dont have proof but I would guess the software looks for un-recognizable digital garbage (ie. encryption and a bad cable could look similar).

You should call comcast and report the problem to them, they can send out a technician the test the line. You also could try changing the coax cable you are using to a higher grade cable. Do you have any splitters in your house, try removing them and connecting just the fusion card.

... When I try to add 841 manually, I get the following error message:

"Access violation at address 0048761C in module "FusionHDTV.exe". Read of address 00000004."

I have no idea what this cryptic message means, other than it tells me that the card can not handle that channel. That's a pretty generic software error message. It just means there's a bug in this software - it tried to access memory it shouldn't have - and it has crashed.

Signal strength is 100%.

I "think" I found the problem with the CBS-HD channel and my Fusion HDTV card.

When I do an Autoscan of the digital channels, the fusion software does not list 841 (CBSHD). When I try to add 841 manually, I get the following error message:

"Access violation at address 0048761C in module "FusionHDTV.exe". Read of address 00000004."

I have no idea what this cryptic message means, other than it tells me that the card can not handle that channel. Too bad - I wish the problem was on one of the shopping channels, but c'est la vie :(

Perhaps one of the "gurus" following this thread can enlighten me?
As jimre said, that message is evidence of a software problem. It could be a conflict with another program or task on the machine or a corrupt file from Fusion. Have you tried reinstalling the software? Have you checked their website for software updates?

As jimre said, that message is evidence of a software problem. It could be a conflict with another program or task on the machine or a corrupt file from Fusion. Have you tried reinstalling the software? Have you checked their website for software updates?

DVICO, the makers of the Fusion HDTV boards, have been struggling to get the software "debugged" for a long time...I have installed..and re-installed their latest version - FusionHDTV 3.41.

However, I would not be surprised if there are still bugs lurking in their software. DVICO is very innovative Korean company - and their boards are great - but their software developers could use some help.

So now I will re-phrase my question: Does anyone (on this discussion thread) use the Fusion HDTV board to successfully view channel 841 - CBS-HD??? :rolleyes:

Has anyone have any idea why I would get vertical lines through channels hosted on 600-700mhz? FM station perhaps?

This problem occurs only in certain colors (orange, yellow, light aqua blue) and it occurs both on the digital frequency 600-700mhz, but it also occurs if I watch these same channels via analog cable (connected coax directly to TV). I've also removed my splitter and it still occurs (all cabling is RG6\U).

Has anyone seen this before? It's really strange I could get interfence since these channels are supposed to be digital signals via 256 QAM ( I realize the actual video is analog and only the carrier is digital, but still ).

Also, my SNR and AGC are fine and like I said earlier, only happens on certain colors. This happens on both my set top boxes and TVs regardless if the set top box is used to view the channel.

I'm pretty much stuck at this point and am having comcast come out, but I'm sure they are going to tell me it's something is my house causing this. Any ideas on how to elevate this issue if needed? I'm in Issaquah and any local contacts to get an actual line tech out would be most helpful.

so I just have to say comcast compresses the crap out of their on demand HD content which sucks.

Thanks for the suggestions for the MyHD 130 and Fusion. I purchased the MyHD after Comcast cut me off from an HD box rental.

I am having no problems receiving the HD channels of NBC or CBS

I recently saw the update to the channel listing txt. file noting KMYQ HD at 96-1 and The Tube at 96-2. I re-did the channel scan for the MyHD 130 but do not see anything at 96-1 or 96-2.

Is anyone else picking up KMYQ HD or The Tube with a MyHD 130 card ?

thanks

They appear to be QAM-64 channels instead of QAM-256. I hope this helps.

DVICO, the makers of the Fusion HDTV boards, have been struggling to get the software "debugged" for a long time...I have installed..and re-installed their latest version - FusionHDTV 3.41.

However, I would not be surprised if there are still bugs lurking in their software. DVICO is very innovative Korean company - and their boards are great - but their software developers could use some help.

So now I will re-phrase my question: Does anyone (on this discussion thread) use the Fusion HDTV board to successfully view channel 841 - CBS-HD??? :rolleyes:

Yes, I watched the bengals/patriots game today without any problems. I have a Dvico Fusion 3 T with the Dvico Software v3.41 over QAM on Comcast in Kirkland.

They appear to be QAM-64 channels instead of QAM-256. I hope this helps.

I cannot seem to find listing for "The Tube" on TVguide.com or zap2it labs. Can you confirm it is logically mapped to channel 116? I dont have a comcast box so I cannot.

Thanks,
Nate

I cannot seem to find listing for "The Tube" on TVguide.com or zap2it labs. Can you confirm it is logically mapped to channel 116? I dont have a comcast box so I cannot.

I haven't seen the notice from Comcast first-hand, not having a Comcast box either, but there were a few posts a month or so back that said it would be mapped to Ch. 116 on 10/11.

I see the same issues on my Panasonic plasma. It seems to only happen on the digital simulcast channels (I have a 3412 box with no analog). I have not seen it ever on a HD program. It's especially bad on SciFi. I've tried all sorts of calibration with my set all without success. The box is set to output 480i for SD and 720p for HD. I haven't tried connecting up via a CableCard yet.

Anyone else have this issue or should I file this under "SD sucks bad and there is nothing much we can do about it"?

-Steve

Has anyone have any idea why I would get vertical lines through channels hosted on 600-700mhz? FM station perhaps?

This problem occurs only in certain colors (orange, yellow, light aqua blue) and it occurs both on the digital frequency 600-700mhz, but it also occurs if I watch these same channels via analog cable (connected coax directly to TV). I've also removed my splitter and it still occurs (all cabling is RG6\U).

Has anyone seen this before? It's really strange I could get interfence since these channels are supposed to be digital signals via 256 QAM ( I realize the actual video is analog and only the carrier is digital, but still ).

Also, my SNR and AGC are fine and like I said earlier, only happens on certain colors. This happens on both my set top boxes and TVs regardless if the set top box is used to view the channel.

I'm pretty much stuck at this point and am having comcast come out, but I'm sure they are going to tell me it's something is my house causing this. Any ideas on how to elevate this issue if needed? I'm in Issaquah and any local contacts to get an actual line tech out would be most helpful.

Same issue w/Hitachi 51SWX20B. This issue just appeared out of the blue about 6 months ago. Have a co-worker with the same issue on a JVC HDTV.

File it under "sucks" I'd say.

Anyone notice really bad audio problems during desparate house wives on KOMO lastnight? Geez, loud screeching and audio dropout for about 1-2 minutes.

-Nate

Anyone notice really bad audio problems during desparate house wives on KOMO lastnight? Geez, loud screeching and audio dropout for about 1-2 minutes.

-Nate

I saw this too via OTA to my Dish ViP622. Also, was noted by another Dish sub on another forum in CA so it seems like it was a source issue, not a Dish/Comcast/KOMO issue.

Anyone notice really bad audio problems during desparate house wives on KOMO lastnight? Geez, loud screeching and audio dropout for about 1-2 minutes.


I noticed the audio drop out during the first few minutes of Bosten Legal last week. Only the rear surround channel was working. No screeching noise though.

Is there something going on with the current firmware that is causing my HD DVR box to reboot while Fast Forwarding through a recording, occasionally?

I'm also seeing the video turning bright solid green, occasionally after turning it on.

thx

Anyone notice really bad audio problems during desparate house wives on KOMO lastnight? Geez, loud screeching and audio dropout for about 1-2 minutes.

-Nate

I heard some popping for a couple minutes viewing the HD channel in Dolby digital. On my other TV (my wife and I were watching in different rooms because she started watching the recorded version later while it was recording and I was watching it live) the recording just stopped around minutes 51-54. When rewinding at 54 it would jump to 51 and fastforwarding at 51 would jump to 54. not the first time this has happened... Man these boxes are buggy.

Is there something going on with the current firmware that is causing my HD DVR box to reboot while Fast Forwarding through a recording, occasionally?

If it's a 3412 with 12.35 firmware, the rebooting is a problem associated with that firmware version. You can call Comcast and have them roll back your firmware to 12.31 to fix it.

If it's a 3412 with 12.35 firmware, the rebooting is a problem associated with that firmware version. You can call Comcast and have them roll back your firmware to 12.31 to fix it.

Anybody know when a patch (or new version) to fix the reboot errors in the 12.35 firmware is coming?

Same issue w/Hitachi 51SWX20B. This issue just appeared out of the blue about 6 months ago. Have a co-worker with the same issue on a JVC HDTV.

File it under "sucks" I'd say.

The comcast line technician that came out is escalating the issue to the Bellevue Head end. It appears to be a problem on their end, I've got the guys cell phone number and hopefully this issue will be resolved shortly.

You may want to let Comcast know you are seeing it, all the senior people haven't heard anyone complain about this issue or witnessed it before (We called about 6 or 7 of them). He assumed that most people just didn't care enough (as this issue is on their end, he's suprised more people haven't told them about it).

I noticed the audio drop out during the first few minutes of Bosten Legal last week. Only the rear surround channel was working. No screeching noise though.

i got it on boston legal too. Thought it was abc, until tonight and got the same thing on cold case on cbs.

anyone have thoughts?

i got it on boston legal too. Thought it was abc, until tonight and got the same thing on cold case on cbs.

anyone have thoughts?

Do you get the problem using a digital audio connection and with the analog connection? I'm just curious. I'm going to connect both up and switch the next time I hear it and see if there is something buggy about the digital out on the box or just the audio in general on the box with certain transmissions. That will help me narrow down whether it is the digital output, audio output, or the transmission itself...

Do you get the problem using a digital audio connection and with the analog connection? I'm just curious. I'm going to connect both up and switch the next time I hear it and see if there is something buggy about the digital out on the box or just the audio in general on the box with certain transmissions. That will help me narrow down whether it is the digital output, audio output, or the transmission itself...

My box in connected to my receiver via the digital optical cable, with everything else connected to the tv via HDMI.

It's likely the incoming signal as it was recorded to the DVR that way. I tried stop start off on deal and it was still there.

Anyone lose channel 111 on their box? Seems to be missing for me.

Still here in Bellevue

i got it on boston legal too. Thought it was abc, until tonight and got the same thing on cold case on cbs.

anyone have thoughts?

I posted this same question in the Seattle - OTA forum to see if maybe it's the broadcasters.

Now is not a good time for fox to keep messing up! I'm trying to watch the game. The SD and HD channels are cutting out. Now it's just the Q13 logo. They must be having technical difficulties. Picture keeps freezing, and the HD channel isn't transmitting true HD anymore.

If it's a 3412 with 12.35 firmware, the rebooting is a problem associated with that firmware version. You can call Comcast and have them roll back your firmware to 12.31 to fix it.

I had two of these box's and got so upset about the constant resetting. I got rid of them both and got two tivos. I returned one because I think they need to work bugs out. The other is dedicated for hd movie recording only.

I then got a new 3412. Manufacture date was last month. Today I get the dreaded reboot at 9 p.m. on the dot. Firmware 12.35. If I ask them to roll back the firmware how in the heck do I avoid getting it reverted back to 12.35 in the future? Now my video is stuttering bad. Tried turning it off and on again. I am getting ready to make a switch back to dish again when my cheap 1 year cable deal is over unless comcast can figure out the problems.

Chipvideo, I know your pain! I reverted back to the 12.31 firmware last week and have had no reboots since (knock, knock). The ff doesn't work as well but it is tolerable. If you press ff three times, the system hesitates and then goes to x3. I've also noticed that my HD recorded picture can be a little jerky like it skips a frame. This only happens on occasion and I haven't noticed it tonight.

I don't think they'll download 12.35 unless you request it. I think Comcast knows that there are problems with it.

Art

Chipvideo, I know your pain! I reverted back to the 12.31 firmware last week and have had no reboots since (knock, knock). The ff doesn't work as well but it is tolerable. If you press ff three times, the system hesitates and then goes to x3. I've also noticed that my HD recorded picture can be a little jerky like it skips a frame. This only happens on occasion and I haven't noticed it tonight.

I don't think they'll download 12.35 unless you request it. I think Comcast knows that there are problems with it.

Art

Ok. Thanks. I will give them a call now.

Does anyone know why Fox Sports Northwest isn't offered in HD? I called Comcast and they told me that the channel was not available in HD. I feel like I'm being duped, because clearly many Mariners games were broadcast in HD this year. Is it just not on Comcast?

When I surf over to the Fox Sports Net HD programming page, nothing is listed for Fox Sports NW, but many other FSN regions have HD programs upcoming.

Is there some blog or forum where all of the HD channels are listed for Comcast (Seattle/King Co.), and what can be expected in the future. Is there any speculation as to which HD channels are coming online in 2007-2008?

Clearly, I'm new to HDTV and the process of upgrading broadcasting in HD has been slow as molasses in the past few years. I was under the impression however, that the adoption of HD recording and broadcast equipment was picking up pace so I was wondering what the best rumor site was to follow, on the subject.

Greenstork - this has been discussed many times here already; check back thru this thread if you want gory details.

To summarize:
Fox wants to charge Comcast big bucks to carry Mariner HD games. Comcast says "Robbery!"; refuses to pay said big bucks. Stalemate.
Apparently this wasn't an issue for Fox's sister company, DirecTV (both companies owned by Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp). Just Comcast.

Does anyone know why Fox Sports Northwest isn't offered in HD? I called Comcast and they told me that the channel was not available in HD. I feel like I'm being duped, because clearly many Mariners games were broadcast in HD this year. Is it just not on Comcast?

When I surf over to the Fox Sports Net HD programming page, nothing is listed for Fox Sports NW, but many other FSN regions have HD programs upcoming.
FSN-HD doesn't really exist as a channel. Occasionally, FSN-NW carries the Japanese HD video of a Mariners game on more-or-less a "special events" kind of basis. In 2004, Comcast and FSN-NW were able to reach agreement to allow Comcast to carry those HD Mariner games (they were kind of funny to watch because the audio and video often didn't match - Dave Niehaus would be describing the replay being shown on FSN-analog, while FSN-HD would be showing the Japanese signal, which would be focused on Ichiro stretching in the on-deck circle). In 2005 and 2006, Comcast and FSN-NW did not come to terms, presumably because FSN wanted more money than Comcast was willing to pay. The various regional Fox SportsNets are under different ownership, so there is no national deal between FSN and Comcast. Based on things I've read in other discussion threads, FSN-NW seems to do a lot less HD than other FSNs.


Is there some blog or forum where all of the HD channels are listed for Comcast (Seattle/King Co.), and what can be expected in the future. Is there any speculation as to which HD channels are coming online in 2007-2008?

Clearly, I'm new to HDTV and the process of upgrading broadcasting in HD has been slow as molasses in the past few years. I was under the impression however, that the adoption of HD recording and broadcast equipment was picking up pace so I was wondering what the best rumor site was to follow, on the subject.
This forum is probably the best place to find out what's going on in HD around here. At this point, Comcast already carries all of the Seattle-area digital broadcast signals. There are rumors that MHD and UHD will be added here locally pretty soon. Comcast probably needs to move some analog channels to digital to make room for more HD. They have already moved a Jewelry channel off analog to digital and that allowed them to start carrying the new CW affiliate and should have left them space for another HD signal or two.

One over-the-air HD signal that Comcast does not carry is the Vancouver CBC affiliate, CBUT-HD. We currently get their analog signal as part of Limited Basic cable, so presumably Comcast would not have much difficulty in getting permission to carry their digital signal. Maybe we could start in on an email campaign to Comcast to pick it up? I would love to watch Hockey Night in Canada in HD. :)

Is there some blog or forum where all of the HD channels are listed for Comcast (Seattle/King Co.), and what can be expected in the future. Is there any speculation as to which HD channels are coming online in 2007-2008?

So far, this forum has seemed to be the best source I've found out there, if anyone knows where to get better local info please post a link.
I wrote an email to Comcast VP for Puget sound about HD and why we are behind many other areas. He said the next HD additions we can expect are MHD and possibly UHD within the next couple months. This would be consistent with what other Comcast areas have added recently.


Clearly, I'm new to HDTV and the process of upgrading broadcasting in HD has been slow as molasses in the past few years. I was under the impression however, that the adoption of HD recording and broadcast equipment was picking up pace so I was wondering what the best rumor site was to follow, on the subject.

I'm new to HDTV this year as well. I first drooled over HDTV back in 1998 but held out till 2006 ( almost a decade!) because I had heard Comcast was going to add a bunch of new HD in 2006, and figured HDTV would be much further along by now... well Comcast has added several new channels in certain areas, just not Seattle yet. After reading through the forums it seems it just takes months, even years sometimes for them to even add one or 2 HD channels. Hopefully this pace is going to change soon as we approach 2009.

There was an announcement that Comcast was going to add up to 35 HD channels by the end of 2007, but it doesn't specify what areas. Until they upgrade in our area for more bandwidth, I wouldn't count on the 35 channels here in Seattle. Probably places like Philly, Baltimore, Boston etc will get them first since they seem to currently have every HD channel comcast has to offer and don't seem to have the bandwidth problems we do.

There was an announcement that Comcast was going to add up to 35 HD channels by the end of 2007, but it doesn't specify what areas. Until they upgrade in our area for more bandwidth, I wouldn't count on the 35 channels here in Seattle. Probably places like Philly, Baltimore, Boston etc will get them first since they seem to currently have every HD channel comcast has to offer and don't seem to have the bandwidth problems we do.

I thought I heard that Comcast was going to drop analog and go full digital by the end of 2007. That would free up all the bandwidth needed for HD galore.

Is it possible to put in a larger hard drive in the Motorola DVR that Comcast leases?

No.

FSN-HD doesn't really exist as a channel. Occasionally, FSN-NW carries the Japanese HD video of a Mariners game on more-or-less a "special events" kind of basis.


Actually, while that was true in 2004, FSN-NW produced nearly every home Sonics game last season, and 15 home Mariners games this season in HD using their own production facilities (technically, a TV truck rented from a company called Mira Mobile. The truck is M5). Those games were broadcast on DirecTV, and several smaller cable companies in the area, including ClickTV in Tacoma.

If you read the Satellite TV Message boards, it appears that Dish Network is very close to carrying an array of FSN Regionals including NW. When that happens, Comcast will be the lone holdout against FSN's "robbery" rates.

Also, most networks that are branded FSN are actually now owned by News Corp (although there are a couple of non-News FSN's still out there). I belive that it is a "National Deal" that is holding up the negotiations, not a local FSN-NW vs. Comcast-Seattle issue.

Also, most networks that are branded FSN are actually now owned by News Corp (although there are a couple of non-News FSN's still out there). I belive that it is a "National Deal" that is holding up the negotiations, not a local FSN-NW vs. Comcast-Seattle issue.Is FSN-NW owned by News Corp now?

Is FSN-NW owned by News Corp now?

Yes, it has been owned by News Corp. since the late 90's (When Fox bought Prime Sports). The only FSN not owned by News Corp. in the west is FSN Bay Area. That one and FSN New England are owned by Rainbow Sports Networks.

We should all send an email to Steve from comcast to add FSN NW HD before Sonics session kicks off....

INHD was replaced with NFL HD last night.

NFL Replay for Bucs and Panthers was on.

and

NFL Replay for Steelers and Cincy was on.

INHD is still here in Seattle, with no NFL HD in sight. Is it going to get switched soon?

I found the HD programming schedule of all of the various FSNs at:

http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD
FSN-NW has zero HD programming for the entire month of October.

RE: NFL HD/INHD switch

My observation so far has been that whenever NFL HD was showing a game (for now all taped reruns), Comcast would switch INHD to NFL HD. That's a good news, right? for football fans. I hope it means when NFL TV start carrying Thursday games this Thanksgiving and beyond (including a certain local team's Thurs. showing) we'll be able to see the HD version of the game without having to subscribe to NFL Network.
--
Sang

Is anyone else unable to pick up the normally unencrypted digital channels with their QAM tuners today? I've got limited basic cable and usually have no problems picking up abc HD, nbc HD, etc etc etc since they're broadcasted unencrypted and I have a bulit in tuner in my hd set.

Is anyone else unable to pick up the normally unencrypted digital channels with their QAM tuners today? I've got limited basic cable and usually have no problems picking up abc HD, nbc HD, etc etc etc since they're broadcasted unencrypted and I have a bulit in tuner in my hd set.

I had the same problem. I had to do a re-scan and it picked some up but they are all out of order now. Before at least channels 4, 9, 13 were 4, 9, 13. Now they are those high crazy combo numbers. Several pages back somebody posted a list of all the QAM channels. Now that they have changed again a list like that would be great.

I had the same problem. I had to do a re-scan and it picked some up but they are all out of order now. Before at least channels 4, 9, 13 were 4, 9, 13. Now they are those high crazy combo numbers. Several pages back somebody posted a list of all the QAM channels. Now that they have changed again a list like that would be great.

Yah you're right, they seem to be back and at their old locations. I only remember ABC (82-4), NBC (83-1), and CBS (84-1)

I thought FOX was something like 81-? but I can't seem to find it. Seems like they're slowly coming back online because 5 minutes ago CBS was not there and now it is.

*whew* I was worried they stop broadcasting unencrypted :). Does anyone know if they're required to broadcast unencrypted networks by law?

...Does anyone know if they're required to broadcast unencrypted networks by law?As far as I know, the FCC has not yet made local digital channels "must carry" for cable, like they've done with analogs. So Comcast doesn't really have to carry them at all, if they don't want to - encrypted or not.

has anyone noticed CBS HD problems? every night during their shows the audio cuts out and a green line comes across the screen.

Yah you're right, they seem to be back and at their old locations. I only remember ABC (82-4), NBC (83-1), and CBS (84-1)

I thought FOX was something like 81-? but I can't seem to find it. Seems like they're slowly coming back online because 5 minutes ago CBS was not there and now it is.

*whew* I was worried they stop broadcasting unencrypted :). Does anyone know if they're required to broadcast unencrypted networks by law?


I can't find Fox either which is bad bad bad...Prison Break, House, NFL. If anyone can figure out where Fox is that would be great.

has anyone noticed CBS HD problems? every night during their shows the audio cuts out and a green line comes across the screen.

Yup. "CSI" last week and "Jerihco" this week. Haven't caught last night's "CSI", but I am guessing from this post it happened again.

I'm currently getting the network channels at the following locations

81-1 KCQP in Hi-Def Fox
81-2 KSTW in Hi-Def the CW
82-1 KCTS Digital PBS
82-3 KCTS Learns PBS
82-4 KOMO in Hi-Def ABC
82-5 KCTS in Hi-Def PBS
83-1 KING in Hi-Def NBC
83-2 KONG in Hi-Def
83-3 KING-4 Weather Plus
84-1 KIRO in Hi-Def CBS
96-1 KMYQ in Hi-Def My Network TV
96-2 The Tube

I had to rescan yesterday and when I did, KOMO, KCTS, KSTW and KCPQ were no longer remapped. In addition, I lost the secondary digital KIRO channel (the one that had the camera trained on SeaTac most of the time).

Yup. "CSI" last week and "Jerihco" this week. Haven't caught last night's "CSI", but I am guessing from this post it happened again.

Yep, I had audio and freezing problems with CSI

has anyone noticed CBS HD problems? every night during their shows the audio cuts out and a green line comes across the screen.
yes happens to me all the time everyone tells me im nuts.

So I did another scan and it pickup up a few of the channels I was missing, including FOX. I must have rescanned last night right in the middle of comcast switching some of the channels over.

It was hard enough trying to show my parents how to switch between digital and the cable box. Now I'm going to have to explain that channels 4, 5, 7, and 13 aren't really 4, 5, 7, and 13. Oh boy.

... It was hard enough trying to show my parents how to switch between digital and the cable box. Now I'm going to have to explain that channels 4, 5, 7, and 13 aren't really 4, 5, 7, and 13. Oh boy.Yikes! It's asking for trouble even trying to explain stuff like this to parents. The extra $5/month to upgrade them to the HD Comcast box might be the best money you'll ever spend :)

I got an HDTV guide from comcast today in mail and it mentioned that MHD is coming soon....

Tried to record Auburn-Arkansas game on channel 7 this morning. I went to watch it about half time and found nothing there. I tried manually surfing channels and found 2-7 black but 8 was OK. I noticed a lot of other channels black up to ESPN. Did anyone else have trouble with these channels? I found channel 7 on 107 as well (I'm new to this HD stuff) as I was surfing and it was OK. I'm not sure if it was OK for the first half.

Is there any difference in SD quality between 4,5, and 7 and the HD equivalents 104,105, and 107. In other words, should I record one over the other?

I am using the Motorola 3125 if that makes any difference. I'm recording WA-USC and Fla-LSU(HD) right now and all seems well.

Thanks for listening.

With the built in QAM tuner I lost Fox again. It was 81-1 but I think it moved again and I haven't rescanned yet. Anyone know?

And yes CBS is royally messed up. Watching college football today had major audio and video issues. Good thing the Oklahoma-Texas game is on ABC.

The extra $5/month to upgrade them to the HD Comcast box might be the best money you'll ever spend :)

Very true but do you have to have digital cable to get the basic HD channels. Right now they have the plan that is around $47, which is enhanced basic I think. The cheapest digital plan is around $58 plus $5 for HD box.

Very true but do you have to have digital cable to get the basic HD channels. Right now they have the plan that is around $47, which is enhanced basic I think. The cheapest digital plan is around $58 plus $5 for HD box.
I recently got enhanced cable with hd as well. I just called and signed up for the two at the same time. I have heard that it is not possible, but I had no problems what so ever. I got it about 3 weeks ago.

I recently got enhanced cable with hd as well. I just called and signed up for the two at the same time. I have heard that it is not possible, but I had no problems what so ever. I got it about 3 weeks ago.

Do have just the basic hd channels, 4,5,7,9,13, WB MyQ etc or do you get espnHD, TNT and INHD?

Is anyone getting Fox? I can't seem to get it with my built in tuner.

Actually, the cheapest plan with HD is the limited basic plan. Price is $12.15/month plus fees and taxes. This gets you all the standard analog local broadcasts, a few extra cable channels plus the following in HD

KOMO, KING, KONG, KIRO, KCTS, KMYQ, KSTW and KCPQ

and the following in digital SD

KCTS, KCTS Creates and KING 5 Weather Plus

If you don't have a QAM tuner, you will need to rent a HD box for $5/month.

Is it me, or do some of the Comcast HDTV channels in the Seattle area really vary widely is quality? Sorry if it has been mentioned, 280+ pages it a lot of reading. HD CBS regularly looks horrible along with ABC sometimes, however FOX and premium HD channels (starz, hbo, etc) generally look amazing.

Do have just the basic hd channels, 4,5,7,9,13, WB MyQ etc or do you get espnHD, TNT and INHD?

Is anyone getting Fox? I can't seem to get it with my built in tuner.
I get 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113 - ESPN+ ESPN2 + TNTHD + Discovery + INHD. Hopefully more soon...like UHD.

I still can't get Fox with my built in QAM tuner. Can anyone else? If so what channel is it. Thanks.

I still can't get Fox with my built in QAM tuner. Can anyone else? If so what channel is it. Thanks.

I'm getting Fox on 13.1 with the QAM tuner on my Sonys. One Sony get KIRO on 84.1, the other isn't getting it at all. KIRO was "missing" for 3-4 days last week. Fortunately, I get KIRO HD on my Dish Vip622.

Man.....so I busted out a pair of rabbit ears and can get all the local channels in HD except FOX. Must be a problem with the local transmission. I'm in the SouthCenter/Tukwila/SeaTac area. Is anyone else having this problem?

Last week I made a request to Comcast to show the Movie "City of God" in HD. I made this request via their website. I just tried to find the area of the comcast.com website for the sake of this post and I cannot find it. It seems as though Comcast has removed the online request area for On-Demand content. Now they have a general feedback "email us" area that does not specifically mention On-Demand request.

1. I would like to see the movie I requested on HD On-Demand because its the best movie ever made
2. If in fact I am not in error searching for the On-Demand request area on the comcast.com website, I would like to know what the history is behind removing it..?
3. Do request ever get read?
4. What is the process getting content On-Demand?

At the moment Comcast is my only souce for watching HD Movies

Man.....so I busted out a pair of rabbit ears and can get all the local channels in HD except FOX. Must be a problem with the local transmission. I'm in the SouthCenter/Tukwila/SeaTac area. Is anyone else having this problem?
I'm getting KCPQ just fine OTA.

Man.....so I busted out a pair of rabbit ears and can get all the local channels in HD except FOX. Must be a problem with the local transmission. I'm in the SouthCenter/Tukwila/SeaTac area. Is anyone else having this problem?

I live at zip 98188 (Tukwila/Southcenter) and Nope...I can't get KCPQHD via indoor antenna either. Maybe with outdoor antenna you can..dunno. As I'm an avid viewer of KCPQHD (24, House, NFL, MLB, etc), I cannot get rid of my ComcastHD.
--
Sang

I still can't get Fox with my built in QAM tuner. Can anyone else? If so what channel is it. Thanks.

Now Im having the same problem as you but with KOMO-DT. It must be a localized problem, just the people on my local backbone cannot see the channel. I dont think it is a reception issue because KCTS-HD is multiplexed with KOMODT (or it used to be). If it was a reception issue then KCTS-HD would have problems too. If it is not fixed tonight I am going to call Comcast.

Nate

Now Im having the same problem as you but with KOMO-DT. It must be a localized problem, just the people on my local backbone cannot see the channel. I dont think it is a reception issue because KCTS-HD is multiplexed with KOMODT (or it used to be). If it was a reception issue then KCTS-HD would have problems too. If it is not fixed tonight I am going to call Comcast.

Nate

I'm in Seattle (Magnolia) and I have trouble getting KOMO-DT, which appears to have one of the worst digital signals, along with KCPQ-DT. I can get it but I have to point my antenna just so, stand on one leg, touch my nose, waive dead chickens, etc.

And although I have a problem getting KOMO, I receive at least 3 KCTS stations without issue, doesn't matter how I position the antenna. I suspect that if KCTS and KOMO were once linked, they are no longer.

Has anyone noticed that Comcast is offering HD VOD channels now or have I just missed it in this thread? They sure haven't publicized it much. Have they?

There are some free movies and some PPV. No recording though. Picture quality appears adequate.

Bill

Some of you folks discussing OTA reception problems might get more help on the Seattle OTA thread instead of this Comcast cable thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8611231#post8611231

Has anyone noticed that Comcast is offering HD VOD channels now or have I just missed it in this thread? They sure haven't publicized it much. Have they?

There are some free movies and some PPV. No recording though. Picture quality appears adequate.

Bill

I like that CBS is on top of the VOD game, although it's a bit disappointing that CSI (Vegas one) is the only one in HD. No commercials though (yay!) Since I'm recording Ugly Betty and Smallville at the same time, I miss out on Earl and Office. Would love to see NBC shows on VOD (please!)
--
Sang

Please! Everyone send an e-mail to: steve_kipp@cable.comcast.com requesting FSN-HD for the end of the Huskies season, the Sonics season, and next year for the Mariners!

I got an HDTV guide from comcast today in mail and it mentioned that MHD is coming soon....

Yep got that in the mail too. I know probably a lot of people aren't that excited about this channel, but I read on some other posts and forums that this channel is actually suprisingly good. Having played music all my life, I am really stoked about this addition and the fact Comcast is finally adding more HD in our area. Hopefully, UHD will follow soon after, as I was told in an email.

btw, I just emailed Steve also about adding FSN-HD and NFL-HD( saw this on INHD and really want this channel in HD now! ). Keep requesting for more HD everyone! :D

I just emailed steve for FSN-HD...Let's see what he says.

I'm in Seattle (Magnolia) and I have trouble getting KOMO-DT, which appears to have one of the worst digital signals, along with KCPQ-DT. I can get it but I have to point my antenna just so, stand on one leg, touch my nose, waive dead chickens, etc.

And although I have a problem getting KOMO, I receive at least 3 KCTS stations without issue, doesn't matter how I position the antenna. I suspect that if KCTS and KOMO were once linked, they are no longer.

I am not using OTA, I am refering to digital cable, QAM in the clear.

KCTS-HD and KOMO-HD are (atleast for me used to be) multiplexed on digital cable.

Thanks for your email. I wish we could add FSN-HD too. As far as I know, Comcast and Fox are still talking to each other about this. My hope is that we will have something to announce soon. Stay tuned.

I just got an piece of mail from comcast all about there HD and it says that MHD is coming soon. Which is good but I would like to see Universal HD more...mmm Battlestar

INHD is still here in Seattle, with no NFL HD in sight. Is it going to get switched soon?

As previously mentioned, look for NFL Network HD content on 664, only when they are on the air with HD content. This will also be the case for the following NHL games produced by OLN/Versus:

DATE GAME CITY TIME (PST)
Tue, Oct 10 Philadelphia @ NY Rangers New York City 4:00PM
Tue, Oct 17 Philadelphia @ Buffalo Buffalo 4:00PM
Tue, Oct 24 New Jersey @ Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA 4:00PM
Mon, Oct 30 Chicago @ Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA 4:00PM
Tue, Nov 7 Carolina @ New Jersey Meadowlands 4:00PM
Tue, Nov 14 New Jersey @ NY Rangers New York City 4:00PM
Tue, Nov 21 Carolina @ NY Rangers New York City 4:00PM
Mon, Nov 27 Dallas @ Detroit Detroit 4:00PM
Mon, Dec 4 Boston @ Montreal Montreal 4:00PM
Mon, Dec 11 Pittsburgh @ Washington Washington, DC 4:00PM
Mon, Dec 18 Detroit @ Columbus Columbus, Ohio 4:00PM
Mon, Jan 1 Boston @ Toronto Toronto 4:00PM
Mon, Jan 15 Montreal @ Detroit Detroit 4:30PM
Tues, Jan 23 Young Stars Game Dallas, TX 5:00PM
Wed, Jan 24 NHL All Stars Dallas, TX 5:00PM
Mon, Jan 29 NY Rangers @ Boston Boston 4:00PM
Mon, Feb 5 Detroit @ NY Rangers New York City 4:00PM
Mon Feb 12 Detroit @ Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA 4:00PM
Mon Feb 19 Boston @ Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA 4:00PM
Mon, Feb 26 Atlanta @ Boston Boston, MA 4:00PM
Mon, Mar 5 NY Islanders @ NY Rangers New York City 4:00PM
Mon, Mar 12 Washington @ Atlanta Atlanta 4:00PM
Mon, Mar 19 Pittsburgh @ NY Rangers New York City 4:00PM
Mon, Mar 26 Anaheim @ Detroit Detroit 4:00PM
Mon, Apr 2 St. Louis @ Dallas Dallas, TX 4:00PM

Actually, the cheapest plan with HD is the limited basic plan. Price is $12.15/month plus fees and taxes. This gets you all the standard analog local broadcasts, a few extra cable channels plus the following in HD

KOMO, KING, KONG, KIRO, KCTS, KMYQ, KSTW and KCPQ

and the following in digital SD

KCTS, KCTS Creates and KING 5 Weather Plus

If you don't have a QAM tuner, you will need to rent a HD box for $5/month.

The problem is that comcast wont support QAM. No channel listings, no confirmation that a channel is being broadcast and they wont even admit that QAM is part of limited basic cable.

I setup an online chat with them and I just wanted them to confirm what QAM channel KOMO-HD was broadcast on but they wont/cant tell me. He tried to tell me 104, but I know that is the logical channel as it appears on the comcast box and QAM channels all use sub channel notation (82.4, 82.1, etc...) I tried to ask the comcast rep if KCTS-HD was still muiltiplexed with KOMO-HD but they wouldnt tell me. Every question I asked they said I dont get QAM over limited basic, I was pretty pissed because I pay for this service and the least they could do is give a channel listing for their digital in the clear lineup. argh..

The bottom line is: If you have Limited Basic Cable and are having QAM difficulties, i.e. KOMO-HD stopped working the last week and Lost is on soon, you should expect Comcast to care, since you are paying for cable, but they won't.

Nate

Or just switch to Dish, as I just did today! Goodbye Comcraptic! I'm loving the 26 channels of HD, the PIP (even with HD channels), 30-second skip, and just a generallly way more advanced DVR than the Comcast POS.

I'm new to this whole HD thing, but I recently bought a Olevia LCD 32 from office depot and I use to get some free HD channels via QAM. But last night I got on Demend from comcast and no longer got those HD channels. So I disconnected the cable box and everything to see if I could get them back(mostly for Fox since I like to watch football on sundays) but to no success. And the TV tuner won't even try to search for any channels at all. Anyways is there any way I get them back?
Tacoma, WA
Thanks

I'm new to this whole HD thing, but I recently bought a Olevia LCD 32 from office depot and I use to get some free HD channels via QAM. But last night I got on Demend from comcast and no longer got those HD channels. So I disconnected the cable box and everything to see if I could get them back(mostly for Fox since I like to watch football on sundays) but to no success. And the TV tuner won't even try to search for any channels at all. Anyways is there any way I get them back?
Tacoma, WA
Thanks

In order to get QAM this TV MUST do a search for channels. You are saying that the TV refuses to do this search? I have never heard of this problem. I think that you need to read the manual. If it truly won't search for channels it is broken and you need to take it back.

I also don't understand why you disconnected the cable box.

I came home after comcast and I couldn't scan for channels at all. I disconnected the cable box because I made sure that I ruled it out from the problem. PLus the box goes through my componet cables which makes the tuner on the TV useless because I have to get my channels the input

Is your QAM tuner getting a signal from the cable coming into your house, or are you only routing cable to the box? If so, you need to split it so the box gets a signal, and your TV gets a signal.

if you have a cable box plug it back in, set your tv to the component input, and put the cable box on channel 113. if you don't get FOX, what do you get? there is no "on demand" package that blacks out the free QAM channels (104-113). if they're not coming through you may just need to call in and have a hit sent to your box to initialize it.

I'll try the split idea. Also when on the 113 channel I get audio but no video.

I'll try the split idea. Also when on the 113 channel I get audio but no video.

Do you have the right resolution selected? The comadt box can output 480i,480p 720p and 1080i. If the box is set for a resolution your set cannot display then you would probably see a blank screen but still get sound.

In the blind, you can change the resolution on your comcast box by first turning it off, wait, hit menu, wait, down arrow once, wait, right arrow repeatedly until you see a picture. This will switch between resolutions and the numbers on the front of your box will change as you right arrow.

Good luck!

I couldn't get the menu button display to show. I tried waiting after shutting down and tried doing right after I shut down. Also I got the split and still doesn't work. I'm at a lost now, wish I never got digital cable just so I could watch HD Fox for this sunday. Also I looked at the cable box and got model # DCT2244/ abcdeg?

I'm at a lost now, wish I never got digital cable just so I could watch HD Fox for this sunday.

Sound w/ no picture on an HD channel usually means you have the cable box plugged into an input in the back of the TV that is not HD. This will allow other channels to show w/ audio only on HD channels. Either way, whatever the problem is, Comcast does not charge for trouble-calls. Call them and they will try to fix it over the phone. If they can't they will send someone out. If you'd have done this in the first place it would already be fixed.

Do you have the right resolution selected? The comadt box can output 480i,480p 720p and 1080i. If the box is set for a resolution your set cannot display then you would probably see a blank screen but still get sound.

In the blind, you can change the resolution on your comcast box by first turning it off, wait, hit menu, wait, down arrow once, wait, right arrow repeatedly until you see a picture. This will switch between resolutions and the numbers on the front of your box will change as you right arrow.

Good luck!

James is right on. I had the same issue- sound but no picture. Get to User Settings as described above- user arrows on remote to get to 4:3 Ovreride. Then turn 4:3 Override to OFF.

I did some more searching on this forum and looks like menu trick only works on the dvr boxes. Mine is just a plain old cable box made by motorola. However I can get to the diagnostics menu. I called comcast and there was a 30 min wait. I'm calling the Tv company right now to see if they can help me out. Thanks for all the help. :)

Hi, newbie question.

Tried to find the answer by searching the thread but couldn't find it.

I've already had one standard definition Motorola set-top box from comcast and would like another one. But found out that Comcast charges $5 (monthly) per additional box.

So if I buy the comcast set-top box from e-bay or from craiglist, will the box work just buy plugging in?
If it does which model (either standard definition or HD box) should I buy?
I live in Mukilteo.

Thank you.

So if I buy the comcast set-top box from e-bay or from craiglist, will the box work just buy plugging in?

Don't waste your money, since it won't work.

Is anyone getting FOX HD using a QAM tuner? It seems like everytime I sit down to watch baseball or football (like today) the 81-1 channel is blacked out. Of course it always manages to come back on when there's something lousy to watch.

I get Fox on 13.1 on the QAM tuner. It's been on 13.1 for quite awhile.

It finally came back on at 81-1 at around halftime of the game. It used to be on 13-1 for me but they switched a bunch of channels around a few weeks ago.

Several times in the past week or so I've tried to make firewire captures from MLB Baseball and the Seahawks-Rams game without success. Everything else from all the other HD channels captures just fine, but the FOX-HD captures have something wrong with the header and create files that I can't open.

Anybody know if Comcast is toggling the encryption on FOX-HD lately?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Tim

channell 117....that is our next HD assignment...


now the when?....

How do you know hd channel will be assigned to 117?

It might be MHD

MHD is supposed to be the next HD addition and The Tube is on 116 now, so it would make sense maybe to put the music channels close to each other.

But yes, how do you know the next HD channel will be 117?

Speaking of The Tube, has anyone actually seen anything other than a blank screen show up on 116?

I tuned over there a couple of days ago and they were showing an anamorphic music video.

Speaking of The Tube, has anyone actually seen anything other than a blank screen show up on 116?

Yes I checked it out over the weekend. I never got a message about this channel being added but I remembered reading about here in this forum. So I punched in 116 and there it was, The Tube. It's SD and the PQ is kind of crappy, but it was in DD5.1 and it sounded really good on my system.

Tube is working for me!!!

Like ABHD - Pq quality is bad but sound is good.

Strange. I get a blank screen, no audio, and all tuner data are missing when I check Current Channel Status for 116.

Try unplugging your receiver for 30 second and plug it back and see if you get 116.

Well, I think it's not a fair trade -- waiting for the guide data to replenish isn't worth whatever 116 may have to offer. I'll make a note to check it after the next power failure.

FYI: 116 works as advertised for me. SD video, but great 5.1 sound. And I (over 60) like almost all of the music- Dave Mathews as I type this!

Dave Mathews as I type this!

In that case, I may try the power cycle.

So once again FOX HD is kaput via my QAM tuner. Does anyone have any idea why this keeps happening with such regularity? Some days it's there at 81-1 and others it's gone.

I tried the power cycle this morning, but still no signal for 116. Anyone else experiencing that?

Channel 116 works aok in Tukwila.

It just occurred to me that I should check the signal on 110, and it turns out that one is blank, too. Either something has happened to "MYQ" in this area, or I have a good taste filter on my cable!

I just got a DVICO Fusion USB tuner for my computer. I can't find the list of QAM channels that I have seen here in this thread before. If someone knows where it is, could you link to it for me? Or reply with the list? Thanks a bunch. I am going to try recording Lost tonight to test this thing out.

Here's the posting with the channel list attached:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8447004#post8447004

FSN-HD news?

Got a new Mitsu DLP (WD-52628 with build in QAM) with the very basic Comcast and am trying to set up to view the local digital channels. I got it to where I scanned all analog and digital off the cable but when I go to the digital channels (81-1, etc) all I get is audio with no video. I can sometimes turn the PIP on and off and the digial feed comes through for about 20 seconds, then I get the blue screen.

Is it me or the signal? The signal meter says its a pretty good signal.

Any ideas?

Hey, they moved analog TV Guide channel on 74 to a digital channel. Anyone know where it moved to?

I found it.

BTW, I also noticed that they moved Kiro in HD from 84-1 to 86-2. Not sure what happened to Kiro-DT. Now how will I find out if the airport is busy? :)

Hey, they moved analog TV Guide channel on 74 to a digital channel.This is VERY good news! Moving a channel from analog to digital creates room for a couple of HD channels. This is likely a sign the Comcast is very close to rolling out MHD and it will also leave Comcast space to add another HD channel or two. When they moved the Jewelry Channel to digital a few weeks ago, the new CW channel (11) appeared right away. With the guide channel moving, hopefully we will see something new on the HD front soon.

MHD is what again?

thnx

MHD: http://www.mhd.tv/

When the Jewelry channel went digital on 9/14 we got CW-111 on 9/19, 5 days after.

So with that in mind, I wonder if we'll see be seeing MHD next week? Although, I have not seen any messages on my dvr about it like I did about CW and the other changes.

I tried the power cycle this morning, but still no signal for 116. Anyone else experiencing that?

I have the same problem. I tried power cycling but I still get a blank screen on 110 and 116.
I'm in Maple Valley.

I have the same problem. I tried power cycling but I still get a blank screen on 110 and 116.
I'm in Maple Valley.

So I'm not alone. I haven't called Comcast yet, but will if I get a chance tomorrow. A friend in Kent who doesn't have the problem says they're both on 99.0000 MHz.

MHD: http://www.mhd.tv/

Thanks. Wow, its not another sports channel! :eek:

Over in the HDTV Recorders forum in the How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP thread, ak3883 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?userid=7506037) said in this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8406721&&#post8406721), Doesn't 5C=0 mean 5C is off? If local HD channels over cable have 5C on, that is ILLEGAL and prohibited per the FCC. You should call the cable company and try to get to someone who knows what you are talking about. The first thing I would ask the person who answers the phone is "Do you know what 5C is?" If the answer is no, ask to be transferred to a higher up or someone in engineering.
Does anybody know if this is really true??? Where can I find that statute and who would back me up?

I had only been having trouble capturing certain shows (namely MLB Baseball and NFL Football - Seahawks-Rams game) from FOX-HD (Comcast 113 - KCPQ-DT) over the last week or so. That is, until Tuesday night, when for the first time ever I ran into the same problem with CBS-HD (Comcast 107 - KIRO-DT) when trying to capture the Maria Sharapova segment on Letterman. When I look at the CCI (Copy Control Information) status while such programming is on it says 0x02. I've looked since then during other programming and CCI is back to the normal 0x00.

Now 5C for my box (Motorola DCT-3412, firmware v12.31) remains at "0", so CCI is apparently being toggled back and forth (on certain locals) at someone's whim. I really want to know where it's being done so I know who to appeal to. I highly doubt it's the local affiliates, so is it Comcast?

Can anybody please help?

Thanks!

Tim

So I'm not alone. I haven't called Comcast yet, but will if I get a chance tomorrow. A friend in Kent who doesn't have the problem says they're both on 99.0000 MHz.

It has to be something with the cable box, because I have another TV with a digital tuner and I can get both stations.

wareagle and seattlesuburbia,
I initially saw 110 and 116 when they first aired both on my comcast box and my sony hdd250 (cablecard). About a week ago I noticed they were both gone on my hdd250 and just assumed my cablecard was now not authorized. For some reason I left it on 110 for a couple of minutes one day and saw a flash indicating it was trying. I went to the back of my tv where I have a 3way splitter and upon touching it the signal came in. My input connector was slightly loose and upon tightening it both channels were fine and still are. Somehow the freq the channels are on, 96.1 and 96.2 QAM, was getting trashed. The odd thing is that was the only freq messed up, the lower and higher ones were still fine. I still received all 81 to 84 subchannels fine and 112.1 (weather channel 101) and 114.9 (movie channel 149). Weird how that works......
If it is your cable box a call to comcast to have them hit a reset to your box should work.

Over in the HDTV Recorders forum in the How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP thread, ak3883 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?userid=7506037) said in this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8406721&&#post8406721),
Does anybody know if this is really true??? Where can I find that statute and who would back me up?

I had only been having trouble capturing certain shows (namely MLB Baseball and NFL Football - Seahawks-Rams game) from FOX-HD (Comcast 113 - KCPQ-DT) over the last week or so. That is, until Tuesday night, when for the first time ever I ran into the same problem with CBS-HD (Comcast 107 - KIRO-DT) when trying to capture the Maria Sharapova segment on Letterman. When I look at the CCI (Copy Control Information) status while such programming is on it says 0x02. I've looked since then during other programming and CCI is back to the normal 0x00.

Now 5C for my box (Motorola DCT-3412, firmware v12.31) remains at "0", so CCI is apparently being toggled back and forth (on certain locals) at someone's whim. I really want to know where it's being done so I know who to appeal to. I highly doubt it's the local affiliates, so is it Comcast?

Can anybody please help?

Thanks!

Tim


what are you using to capture it with? QAM tuner? PC/Mac via firewire?

No problem recording via firewire to D-VHS on my JVC 40k. Where the CCI=2 problem kicks in is capturing to Win XP on my notebook PC.

Reading back about a month ago on the firewire thread on the HDTV Recorders forum, I see something related to what I've brought up has been discussed. Based on what I've read over the last few days and reconciling that with the symptoms I've experienced, I think what Ron (dr1394) said in this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8520228&&#post8520228) over there may explain it best.

DTCP/5C is (or was) an approved way of implementing the Broadcast Flag, so they are tied together. In DTCP, there is a special mode called EPN (Encryption Plus Non-assertion). In this mode, the stream is encrypted, but the CCI is set to "Copy-free". By encrypting the stream, redistribution (especially to PC's) is controlled. But with DTCP devices, copying is unlimited.

My guess is that what folks are seeing with the inability to record OTA stations is an implementation of the Broadcast Flag that was never turned off when the Broadcast Flag was repealed. Many OTA stations are still sending the Broadcast Flag in their bitstreams. The cable companies and STB's were ready for the Broadcast Flag, so the software exists (remember, it got repealed at the last second).

People complain when an OTA stations forgets to "flip the switch" to HD. In this case, the cable companies and OTA stations have forgot to "flip the switch" back to no Broadcast Flag and/or recognition of it.

Ron

Based on the seemingly arbitrary relationship between each channel, the type of programming, and the CCI setting for each (***see below***), I doubt that Comcast is doing anything with these settings. It makes more sense that this is being invoked on a station-by-station basis, and most likely mistakenly so.

Does anybody have contact information for things of this nature at KIRO-TV?
Otherwise, perhaps a firmware update to the 3412 DVR could correct this (by making the box NOT "ready for the broadcast flag").

Thanks!

Tim

***Channel CCI settings as of 10/21/06
KOMODT 104-CCI=0x00
KINGDT 105-CCI=0x00
DONGDT 106-CCI=0x00
KIRODT 107-CCI=0x02
KCTSDT 108-CCI=0x02
KCTSDT 109-CCI=0x02
KMYQDT 110-CCI=0x00
KSTWDT 111-CCI=0x02
KCTSDT 112-CCI=0x02
KCPQDT 113-CCI=0x00
KINGDT 115-CCI=0x02
KMYQDT 116-CCI=0x00
ESPNHD 173-CCI=0x00
ESPN2H 174-CCI=0x00
TNTHD 662-CCI=0x00
DHD 663-CCI=0x00
INHD 664-CCI=0x00

Notice how all the "Copy Once" values are on locals - but not all?

My problem with 110 & 116 was a very slightly loose cable connector. When I made my first halfhearted effort to tighten it nothing happened, but I went back and tried again and they came in OK.

My problem with 110 & 116 was a very slightly loose cable connector. When I made my first halfhearted effort to tighten it nothing happened, but I went back and tried again and they came in OK.

Did you have to power cycle to pick them up, or just go to the channel?

I guess it's time to start playing with cables....

Did you have to power cycle to pick them up, or just go to the channel?

I guess it's time to start playing with cables....

No power cycle -- I just tuned to 110, started working the connectors, and while I was doing that the signal started to come in sporadically. Then I tightened it a bit more and it stayed.

No power cycle -- I just tuned to 110, started working the connectors, and while I was doing that the signal started to come in sporadically. Then I tightened it a bit more and it stayed.

I got mine working. I guess that frequency is quite sensitive.

DONGDT 106-CCI=0x00



Typo or not, it's funny and appropriate. :)

Is anyone else having problems receiving KIRO HD (CBS)? It used to be on channel 84-1 (= D840) on my FusionHDTV 3, but when downgrading back to software/driver version 3.41, since 3.50beta2 caused Windows BSODs, FusionHDTV now claims D840 and all 84-x other subchannels are encrypted and will not display anything.

According to the latest channel list posted in this thread, KIRO HDshould indeed be where I am looking for it: 84-1 KIRO HD 107

I have no problems with the other major network channels in HD.

I was wondering what happened to KIRO also. I rescanned and finally found it on 86-2.

A few other channels moved too, at least for me.

81-1 FOX
81-2 CW
82-1 KCTS
82-4 KOMO


Is anyone else having problems receiving KIRO HD (CBS)? It used to be on channel 84-1 (= D840) on my FusionHDTV 3, but when downgrading back to software/driver version 3.41, since 3.50beta2 caused Windows BSODs, FusionHDTV now claims D840 and all 84-x other subchannels are encrypted and will not display anything.

According to the latest channel list posted in this thread, KIRO HDshould indeed be where I am looking for it: 84-1 KIRO HD 107

I have no problems with the other major network channels in HD.

Thanks! I found KIRO now. The channel showed up as encrypted after scanning, but by deleting, then adding it back, FusionHDTV was able to tune properly.

I received this response on Sunday from Comcast VP when enquiring about whether they would begin picking up some of the FSNNW-HD content:

"We should have something to announce, regarding when we will begin offering FSN-HD within the next week or two. Stay tuned."

Hopefully a good number of Sonics games are in HD this year!

Too bad the Husky Football season will be pretty much done before they get around to putting FSNNW HD on the system.

Too bad the Husky Football season will be pretty much done before they get around to putting FSNNW HD on the system.


What was the deal with the last Huskies game? It was on FSNW (SD - channel 30), but the network icon read, "FSNW HD." Was the game available in HD?

What was the deal with the last Huskies game? It was on FSNW (SD - channel 30), but the network icon read, "FSNW HD." Was the game available in HD?
The game was available on DirecTV and other smaller cable outlets. Not Comcast or Dish, though.

Anyone here with Comcast HD cable seeing brief interruptions of video and audio (less than one second) when watching KIRO-DT (channel 107 or 86-2)?

Folks on the Seattle OTA forum are reporting these brief interruptions occuring a few times per hour, mostly on CBS HDTV programs.

I will be asking the KIRO Engineers to read through relevant posts in this thread (starting from this one) to get more input from cable viewers of KIRO-DT HDTV programs.

In the OTA world we have seen these interruptions on DVR and non-DVR receivers from various manufacturers. In the DVR cases, the interruption appears on the recording and repeats in the same place if rewound and played back again.

i have been getttin the interrupts the past day or three for a few seconds here nad there..I thought I may have some wiring that needed looking at...my box is the 3412...

I noticed several of these interruptions while watching a recorded episode of 'How I Met Your Mother' on my Moto 3412.

For me, CBSHD blips/Hiccups occur on following DVR'd shows at least once or twice during the show: CSI, CSI: Miami, Jericho, Without a Trace, and Numbers.(3412)

Also, I noticed on my Samsung OTA while watching a football game on KIROHD7.1 a few weeks ago. I thought it was some sort of static anomaly...
--
Sang

I have the 3412 box also and 2 times on channel 107 I have experienced a lockup after rewinding on this channel and then hitting the "live" button during commercials. After hitting the live button it resumes as normal for a few minutes and then eventually freezes up. I had to reboot the box both times to get it to work again, missing part of the show. This seems to only happen to me on CBS channel 107 so far. I have not had this happen on any other channel, yet...

Is anyone else having problems receiving KIRO HD (CBS)? It used to be on channel 84-1 (= D840) on my FusionHDTV 3, but when downgrading back to software/driver version 3.41, since 3.50beta2 caused Windows BSODs, FusionHDTV now claims D840 and all 84-x other subchannels are encrypted and will not display anything.

According to the latest channel list posted in this thread, KIRO HDshould indeed be where I am looking for it: 84-1 KIRO HD 107

I have no problems with the other major network channels in HD.

If you upgrade you Dvico software does the channel come back? If so, then it is most certainly a Dvico software issue. The Dvico software sucks in windows, I would suggesting going back to an even older version that works for you. Dont update unless there is a new feature of fix you can't live without.

I too use the FusionHDTV card but in my Linux MythTV DVR. I had a problem for 2 weeks where I could not receive KOMO-HD, similar to your issue. I updated my mythtv software from .19 to .20 and viola, it works now.

This discussion probably belongs in another forum.

KIRO-HD appears to be one of the few stations that has recently had CCI (Copy Control Information) set to "2" 24/7 starting just a couple weeks ago. It has prevented me from being able to view HD programming in full resolution on my notebook PC via firewire from my Comcast 3412 as I had become accustomed to.

I suspect the interruptions you guys are seeing could possibly be due to an unnatural relationship between the broadcast flag (that's been repealed for at least the time-being) and the CCI flag that gets embedded in the Mpeg stream.

I contacted KIRO about this and I got a response from Pat Otis saying they would look into it since they have recently put up a new encoder.

Dave (Budget_HT), if you have any contact information for KIRO engineering would you mind sharing it with me?

Tim

Tim,

Pat responded to my inquiries also. He wanted to know if I had only seen problems with my HD TiVo units (receiving OTA). I told him that's all I had hooked up right now, but that other folks in the Seattle OTA thread had reported the same problem with multiple DVR and non-DVR HD OTA receivers.

FWIW, I don't have any FireWire outputs because all of my HDTV receivers are from DirecTV, who does not believe in such things.