Those of you w/ QAM check out KSTW-DT (81-1?) for MNF on HD!
--
Sang

Those of you w/ QAM check out KSTW-DT (81-1?) for MNF on HD!
--
Sang

And those without, check 111 for the same thing. Looks like the same picture (ESPN) but the sound could use help.

And those without, check 111 for the same thing. Looks like the same picture (ESPN) but the sound could use help.

I agree, the sound is low on the KSTW rebroadcast.

I've also been doing comparisons between the ESPN broadcast and the KSTW rebroadcast. I've switched between 111 and 173. Channel 173 offers a noticeably crisper picture and less pixelization.

I agree, the sound is low on the KSTW rebroadcast.

I've also been doing comparisons between the ESPN broadcast and the KSTW rebroadcast. I've switched between 111 and 173. Channel 173 offers a noticeably crisper picture and less pixelization.

Part of the reason for the sound difference is that KSTW is not retransmitting the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound from ESPN HD.

It's 2 Channel audio on KSTW, 5 Channels of audio on ESPN HD.

Talked with Comcast Tech Support tonight and found out thru an agent, that Comcast is planning on pushing out a big update to all their boxes. This update will include some of the following.

- Bug fixes relating to DVR functionality (FF and REW).

- New improved 'Search' functionality. Using the 'Search' function will allow the user to search the VOD database, as well as guide info.

- and much more (as said by the agent).

Take it for a grain of salt, but I do believe the tech that this is coming, they wont give an exact date, but they said it would be coming in December.

:)

Talked with Comcast Tech Support tonight and found out thru an agent, that Comcast is planning on pushing out a big update to all their boxes...

So, is this supposed to be an update to the Motorola firmware, or to the guide software (in which case it may or may not come to us Microsoft orphans)?

So, is this supposed to be an update to the Motorola firmware, or to the guide software (in which case it may or may not come to us Microsoft orphans)?

To my understanding this would be both.

A firmware update to correct the issues on the DVR, and a Guide update to add the new features.

Our cable box is hooked up with component to a receiver on one hookup and dvi to cable box on another. Our current playback of recordings on both setups are awful. Lots of blocking and loss of sound. The recorded game tonight was almost unwatchable of ESPNHD. Is this just Comcast or is there something we can do to fix it???

Does anyone else have frequent problems with their recordings?

Our cable box is hooked up with component to a receiver on one hookup and dvi to cable box on another. Our current playback of recordings on both setups are awful. Lots of blocking and loss of sound. The recorded game tonight was almost unwatchable of ESPNHD. Is this just Comcast or is there something we can do to fix it???

Does anyone else have frequent problems with their recordings?

Just a guess, but I wonder how good your signal strength is coming into the cable box...

I was able to watch the game without issue and it looked great.

What model box do you have? Are you splitting the signal in any way?

Is the signal considered split if I have it going into my tv two different ways? Or do you mean going to a different area of the house? I do have it going to two separate screens on my tv, one through the DVI and the other component cables.

I don't remember which version of the box I have. It's one of the older ones because of the DVI instead of HDMI connection. This one is "new" for us because our old one (lasted for 2 years) finally went caput.

Is the signal considered split if I have it going into my tv two different ways? Or do you mean going to a different area of the house? I do have it going to two separate screens on my tv, one through the DVI and the other component cables.

I don't remember which version of the box I have. It's one of the older ones because of the DVI instead of HDMI connection. This one is "new" for us because our old one (lasted for 2 years) finally went caput.

Hey Steen,
The signal I'm talking about is the physical coax coming from the wall. Is it split, prior going to the cable box?

Also, do you know how to get into the 'diagnostic mode' on your box so you can see your signal level?

If you have a DCT can use this procedure to get into it:
Enter with remote: Press Cable, Power off, Select, Select
Then scroll down to d04 Inband Status, Select

Then what is your SNR? AGC??

If you want to continue this discussion, then give me a shout on the forum PM, so we can send this thread back to the topic of Comcast for Seattle :)

Awesome, thanks. I think I'm pretty clear now on how all this stuff works.

Two more:

-Is EVERYONE in the Seattle area getting that yellow line on the left side of the screen for NBCHD? Or is it just my specific tv?

-When I get the HD box(which I think I will, since I want ESPNHD and Discovery Channel HD, plus all of the "easier" channel numbers), what more do I need? I've read that better "cables" can improve picture quality for broadcasted tv as well as DVD's. I'd like to have all of this stuff DONE and setup by at the latest next weekend so that I can finally sit back and enjoy my new tv!

I get that sometimes, but I only see it with my projector, which cuts off virtually zero of the picture with the overscan turned off. With my LCD TV, I don't think I see it. You might go through your TV or projectors settings and try turning on the overscan options.

I do see it, but it doesn't really bother me, so I don't turn on the overscan stuff - I want to see the whole picture.

When I got my Comcast box, they gave me a fairly decent set of component cables. Unless you have a nice long run, I would just try the cables they have. My box didn't have HDMI, but it did have DVI. A DVI to HDMI connector allowed me to connect this way, but I went back to component because my LCD allowed more fine tuning when connected via component.

I recently purchased (about a month ago) a Sony KD-34XBR970 with the built in HD tuner, and as a result I don't pay for the HD package from Comcast.

With that said I have noticed that ABC's HD feed (82.4) has a clear picture but the audio consistently stutters so bad that it isn't worth watching....


Any thoughts?

From what I can tell the rest of the HD feeds appear with no problems, but since I am still exploring all the Digital and HD feeds I can't be absolutely sure.

So far this site has been a huge help especially Jingos post a few days ago listing the digital/HD channel lineup.
No thoughts from anyone?

ABC HD's sound quality has been stuttering a lot lately. I was hoping that it would pass.

ABC HD's sound quality has been stuttering a lot lately. I was hoping that it would pass.
Yes I have the same problems intermittently with ABC shows. It's very annoying.

Anyone else having pixelated issues on HD channel 104 this evening? I checked the signal strength on the STB diagnostics, and input 1 level is coming in at 27.9 and input 2 at 32.7. Pretty lousy signal, if u ask me. None of the other channels seem to be giving me any problems.

I saw this in the times today:

"• Due to a conflict with the Sonics, tonight's game will not be televised on FSN but will air on Comcast channels throughout the state, as well as on Fox College Sports Pacific."

If it were I to me, the game would be on INHD. I am a Gonzaga grad and would like to see the Huskies get equal time in HD, especially since the team is so good. All good basketball should be in HD (so the Huskies should take precedence over the Sonics ;) )

Anyone know what channel the huskies will be on tonight? I saw this in the times today:

"• Due to a conflict with the Sonics, tonight's game will not be televised on FSN but will air on Comcast channels throughout the state, as well as on Fox College Sports Pacific."

If it were I to me, the game would be on INHD. I am a Gonzaga grad and would like to see the Huskies get equal time in HD, especially since the team is so good. All good basketball should be in HD (so the Huskies should take precedence over the Sonics ;) )

According to Seattle Times article (on the sentence right after the one you quoted :) )

"The game will be shown on Comcast channel 17 throughout the greater Seattle area, Comcast channel 14 in Spokane and Comcast channel 76 in Bellingham."

Does anyone no the info for the Tacoma/Lakewood/Steilacoom listings?

Anyone know anything about when we'll be offered new DVRs that can store a decent number of HD shows? The current DVR just doesn't cut it, especially if I disappear for a week of vacation (;

1. Yellow line: No, this is not normal. May be a loose cable- more likely a faulty TV- I suggest you check with tech rep at store you bought the TV




The yellow line on NBC is a well known issue, nothing is wrong with his TV.

Do a search in the main HDTV programming section for more info.

According to Seattle Times article (on the sentence right after the one you quoted :) )

"The game will be shown on Comcast channel 17 throughout the greater Seattle area, Comcast channel 14 in Spokane and Comcast channel 76 in Bellingham."

Channel 17 is the Home Shopping Network. I seriously doubt the Huskies will be on this channel. What I think will happen is they will be on one of the Fox regional digital channels, which costs extra money ($5 more per month?). I think the digital tier is called "Digital Sports" with the game being on channel 415, which is FSN-PAC.

Re: Huskies tonight on Ch.17...either all sports newspapers (times, pi, tribnet) got it wrong, or due to Sonics on 30, Comcast is pre-emptying HSN for basketball. We'll see at 7PM I guess...

--
Sang

The Husky game is on 17. I stand corrected. I wonder if this is a one time thing, or we will get more Husky basketball games on this channel.

I've got basic cable, and a great new TV with a built in QAM tuner and a cable card slot. Comcast gave me a free cable card. What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of using the cable card, as opposed to the QAM tuner? do both have same channels ?

I've got basic cable, and a great new TV with a built in QAM tuner and a cable card slot. Comcast gave me a free cable card. What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of using the cable card, as opposed to the QAM tuner? do both have same channels ?

The cable card will be able to get you more channels. With QAM you will only be able to get unencrypted channels. The cable card will get you all the stations you've subscribed to. But if you haven't subscribed to much, you may get stations with QAM you wouldn't get with the Cable card. And you can get your neighbor's on demand viewing.

The cable card will be able to get you more channels. With QAM you will only be able to get unencrypted channels. The cable card will get you all the stations you've subscribed to. But if you haven't subscribed to much, you may get stations with QAM you wouldn't get with the Cable card. And you can get your neighbor's on demand viewing.

What do you mean you can get your neighbor's On Demand viewing? Through QAM? What channel? How?

What do you mean you can get your neighbor's On Demand viewing? Through QAM? What channel? How?Well known issue (or feature, depending on your point of view). It's been discussed here a couple times before. Your OnDemand programs are not encrypted. They are visible to everyone who shares your neighborhood fiber-optic node. There's a "pool" of between 20-40 digital channels reserved to accomodate 20-40 simultaneous OnDemand programs in each neighborhood. I don't know the exact channels #s, whether they are contiguous channels, or if they're even the same in all neighborhoods. You'd probably have to scan thru the channels with your QAM tuner, looking for OnDemand content (FF/REW behavior, etc) to find them.

I only have basic cable no HBO, ESPN HD, etc, so what additional channels, if any, will cable card get me? Still not clear if I should atempt to use it or not. Will SD channels look identical with cable card?

Stumbled into some NGC content in HD On Demand last night.
Pretty Awesome. Maybe that's a sign of a linear channel coming down the road.
Just go to On Demand --> HD On Demand --> Television Entertainment --> National Geographic Channel.

-So, if I have the Comcast Enhanced cable package, and want to view ESPNHD, what exactly do I have to get? I know I can rent the HD set top box from Comcast for an extra $5 a month... but does that automatically give me the extra "premium" HD channels, like ESPNHD, TNTHD, etc? Or do I also need to subscribe to a more expensive service on top of renting the box?

I have the rate card in front of me. Here's what you need:
$45.99 Basic Cable
$11.99 Digital Classic (add'l HD includes: most HD OnDemand offerings, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, Discovery, iNHD, FSN, UHD*, MHD*, and Comcast Sports HD**)
$5.00 HDTV Advanced Set-Top Box***

$62.98 Total Monthly Recurring Charge

*Starts on 12/14/2006
** Starts on 1/3/2007
*** You can get a cable card instead and avoid this charge if you have a "digital cable ready" TV. However, there is no OnDemand with cable cards.

The Husky game is on 17. I stand corrected. I wonder if this is a one time thing, or we will get more Husky basketball games on this channel.


When FSN can't air a game on its own channel due to other conflicts (Sonics last night), they can rent another channel from Comcast to put a secondary game on. Comcast gave them 17 last night, so that's why it was there. I believe that scenario will play out at least one more time this season.

Aren't games on NFL Network supposed to be on in HD somewhere also? It's on 2 channels, neither of which is HD ?

nfl is on 664 in HD...every thursday

nfl is on 664 in HD...every thursday

Oh they must have just switched it...
it wasn't there when the game started.. thanks :)

I'm so confused with this HDTV and digital stuff...Got my first HDTV a couple days ago, and have the Comcast basic package. I thought I understood all the local HD and digital channels on the basic package, thanks in part to the channel lists on this forum. However, while channel surfing last night, I was able to view 5-10 additional channels, in the 9X-X range, above the 91-X channels in the lists I have. I could not identify the networks or programming. What were these channels? Are they temporary or permanent. Doesn't comcast publish an accurate and complete list of ALL these digitals channels? I certainly haven't found it on their website...

I'm so confused with this HDTV and digital stuff...Got my first HDTV a couple days ago, and have the Comcast basic package. I thought I understood all the local HD and digital channels on the basic package, thanks in part to the channel lists on this forum. However, while channel surfing last night, I was able to view 5-10 additional channels, in the 9X-X range, above the 91-X channels in the lists I have. I could not identify the networks or programming. What were these channels? Are they temporary or permanent. Doesn't comcast publish an accurate and complete list of ALL these digitals channels? I certainly haven't found it on their website...Comcast doesn't publish the actual frequencies they use to transmit their digital channels. They may not even be the same from neighborhood to neighborhood. And they change frequently, seemingly on a whim, as Comcast shuffles their bandwidth around.

If you have a Comcast set-top box, or a TV with Cable Card tuner - those devices communicate with Comcast to automatically map the "raw" channel frequencies into Comcast's nice list of published channel numbers. If Comcast shuffles their channel frequencies - these devices automatically re-map them to the correct channel number. The user doesn't have to know anything about it. But if you just have a regular QAM tuner (without CableCard) then you have to deal with the unpublished, ever-changing, "raw" channel frequencies yourself (or with the help of a forum like this).

The extra, unlisted channels you're seeing might be your neighbor's OnDemand shows (see my previous message, about 8 posts back).

Thanks Jimre. I have a cablecard slot, and a cablecard, though have not installed it yet. Sounds like it may be a good idea to install it? As I don't have the digital package, not clear why I get some of the digital channels, but not others? I guess I get the unencypted ones? The CC will not actually unencrypt anything, will it? Any other pros or cons to using the cable card? I don't have on demand or any premium services...

Thanks Jimre. I have a cablecard slot, and a cablecard, though have not installed it yet. Sounds like it may be a good idea to install it? As I don't have the digital package, not clear why I get some of the digital channels, but not others? I guess I get the unencypted ones? The CC will not actually unencrypt anything, will it? Any other pros or cons to using the cable card? I don't have on demand or any premium services...

Pros:
1) The CC will unencrypt based on what package you have
2) You'll get QAM channels mapped to appropriate human readable channels. :D
3) You'll get a channel guide

Cons:
1) You won't get a channel guide

I've read elsewhere in this thread where getting the guide can be problematic. In other words, YMMV.

Sounds like it may be a good idea to install it?

Hopefully, this is a rhetorical question.

As I don't have the digital package, not clear why I get some of the digital channels, but not others? I guess I get the unencypted ones? The CC will not actually unencrypt anything, will it? Any other pros or cons to using the cable card? I don't have on demand or any premium services...

I lost some digital channels when I installed my cablecards . . . but, at the time, I only subscribed to expanded basis. I ended up paying the extra $11 to get digital classic and got those channels back - plus many more. Though the only ones worth having in that package are the HD channels.

On a side note, when I upgraded to digital classic (early October), Comcast gave me 1 year of the encore channels for free. You should ask if this is still available.

"I lost some digital channels when I installed my cablecards"

(I'm not smart enough to figure out that fancy quote box)

That's what I was a bit concerned with. I sense right now, I might be getting a few extra digital channels, but I will loose those if I install the cablecard. Of course, I gues if I loose something good I could remove the cable card. Drew - what channels did you loose by installing the cablecard?

Good news: I got Movieplex and ESPN2HD with and without the cablecard installed.

Bad news (actually not too bad): I lost a few random channels that I didn't care about. Sorry, can't remember what they were.

The only digital channels I cared about adding were TNTHD, DHD, INHD, and ESPNHD. I was also excited about the FSNHD broadcasts before I knew that UW and Gonzaga BBall would only be SD. I think I needed digital classic plus the cable cards to get these channels (and the upcoming HD channels).

Hope this helps, but expect you'll have to try it out before you make your decision.

Regards.

It doesn't seem likely to me that you'd lose any channels that you're *supposed* to get when you move from plain QAM to an authorized Cablecard. Sure, you'll lose the ability to spy your neighbor's OnDemand viewing habits - but other than that?

So I'm going to get a new DVR tomorrow and was wondering if I should get the 3412 or try to get an old 6412? I'm going to use component cables to my PDP (to enable PIP) so I don't need the HDMI use.

Well I didn't get either one, I got a 3416 instead.

Well I didn't get either one, I got a 3416 instead.
Hey, that's even better - larger hard drive than either of the previous two you mentioned.

Hey, that's even better - larger hard drive than either of the previous two you mentioned.

can I just trade my 3412 for a 3416 at a Comcast office for no change in price? I'd like that extra 40gig.

Also - there is a setting for RF pass through on the setup menu. Anyone know what or how one would use this? I tried hooking it to my vcr just to see if I could get it to tune channels and record on it's own but no luck so far.

Patrick

i am not clear if my TV should always get HD Channels via QAM or not.

i am located in Redmond and just bought a new TV set (Vizio vx37L).

i hooked the TV directly to the cable outlet in the wall and run the TV setup. TV found some analog cables but zero digital cable.

i have other TVs in the house with Comcast HD cable box and i do have HD stations.

can it be that all channels in my area are encrypted hence i dont see any digital station?
anyone in the Redmond areas has better luck?

maybe it the TV?

thanks all.

can it be that all channels in my area are encrypted hence i dont see any digital station?
anyone in the Redmond areas has better luck?

maybe it the TV?

thanks all.

None of the digital local channels are encrypted. Federal law prevents this.

i am not clear if my TV should always get HD Channels via QAM or not.

i am located in Redmond and just bought a new TV set (Vizio vx37L).

i hooked the TV directly to the cable outlet in the wall and run the TV setup. TV found some analog cables but zero digital cable.

i have other TVs in the house with Comcast HD cable box and i do have HD stations.

can it be that all channels in my area are encrypted hence i dont see any digital station?
anyone in the Redmond areas has better luck?

maybe it the TV?

thanks all.

Do you get no HD stations or no digital stations? that model should be QAM capable. Perhaps the signal isn't strong enough or maybe you should try rescanning a few times, or maybe there is something special you have to do to get your TV to QAM tune instead of just NTSC tune.

Do you get no HD stations or no digital stations? that model should be QAM capable. Perhaps the signal isn't strong enough or maybe you should try rescanning a few times, or maybe there is something special you have to do to get your TV to QAM tune instead of just NTSC tune.

i don't get any of them, just the analog, i ran it number of times without much success.

from the feedback i am getting so far i sounds like it should have just worked and the fact i don't see anything suggest one of the two alternatives:

1) signal problem
2) TV problem

I am starting to think more and more that i might have a signal issue as i also don't get the full high speed from Comcast high speed Internet service and just recently i had an issue with an HD DVR that decided i am no longer in service of DVR service only to fix itself a week later. Comcast support did suggest it might have noise on the lines but they were suggesting it was the electric outlet that was the reason (something about connecting the DVR to power strip)

that said it doesn't explain how come i am getting those digital channels via the set-top box so maybe it is the TV after all ....

that said it doesn't explain how come i am getting those digital channels via the set-top box so maybe it is the TV after all ....You've said you have multiple TVs getting cable, so you might check your splitter(s) also. Is this new TV fed by the same splitter(s) as the cable box? Does it have to go thru an extra splitter? Each split results in less than half the original signal strength. It's also possible you have an overall weak signal from too many splitters - so that it works marginally with your set-top boxes, but not strong enough for your TV's tuner. You might try an amplifier/amplified splitter if you suspect this is the case.

You should also verify there's no low-pass filters on the cable run going to the new TV (sometimes added to modulate security cameras & such). That could easily knock out digital chanels, while passing analog ones.

Just checking but you are using the DTV cable input and not the TV cable input, correct? On my Vizio plasma I get the basic digital channels and local HD through the DTV input only (no analog channels show up) and the basic analog channels through the TV input. To get the full gamut of what's available in the basic package I have to use both inputs.

Just checking but you are using the DTV cable input and not the TV cable input, correct? On my Vizio plasma I get the basic digital channels and local HD through the DTV input only (no analog channels show up) and the basic analog channels through the TV input. To get the full gamut of what's available in the basic package I have to use both inputs.

hmm ... in this model it seems that DTV and TV are sharing the same input .... dont think I could have gone wrong there.

i also brought in a set-top box (non HD) and that one works just fine with all digital channels (no HD of course).

not sure what else is left to test (i don't really know how many splitters i have on this cable run)

I found the following on Gonzaga's web site regarding Fox's showing of this game:

"On the Fox Sports Net side, the game will be seen live on Fox College Sports Pacific and on FSN in the non-Seattle Sonics territory that is basically anything more than 75 miles from KeyArena, home of the Sonics. "

I think this means that we don't get this game unless we subscribe to Fox College Sports Pacific, which is upsetting, especially since this game has always been a good battle. The Cougs have always put up a good fight, even when the Zags are highly ranked . . . This year the Cougs have a good team, and we won't get the game.

It also seems odd that we cannot watch the game in HD, even though it is broadcast OTA in HD on Spokane's NBC affiliate.

Hey COMCAST - THIS IS TOTALLY LAME!!!!

Gonzaga-WSU: Pretend it's on Wednesday, since there's a replay listed on FSN (30) at 8PM Wed., in additon to the 7PM Tuesday live showing on 415. UW-Gonzaga is on FSN at 8PM Saturday (live). (And blame FSN, since they're showing the Sonics at 7PM Tuesday.)

can I just trade my 3412 for a 3416 at a Comcast office for no change in price? I'd like that extra 40gig.

Also - there is a setting for RF pass through on the setup menu. Anyone know what or how one would use this? I tried hooking it to my vcr just to see if I could get it to tune channels and record on it's own but no luck so far.

Patrick

I'm actually curious about this too.. I'm using the original 6412 Phase II that I got like the 1st day it was available and for some reason didn't realize there are newer versions out? Mine is driving me absolutely nuts w/ little problems lately and would love to get something newer (preferably w/ HDMI) ..

I just called over to the newsroom and asked them to contact engineering to throw the switch... :)

This is ridiculous. How do they forget to flip the switch on one of the biggest season finalies of the year. 15 minutes in and still no HD.

better late than never... king5 just pushed the button (hd is back)

This has happened before on king5 and the windfall finale and it makes me so mad. I am still watching in SD cause I started late and at least knowing the fact it will be in HD soon is keeping watching and not waiting later on some source.

I'm amazed that tv stations manage to stay on the air...

Well, King has been doing part of their news in HD for several years now, and they still haven't figured out that HD cameras have a wider field of view than SD cameras. So what do you expect?

Well, King has been doing part of their news in HD for several years now, and they still haven't figured out that HD cameras have a wider field of view than SD cameras. So what do you expect?
Yeah, and the audio level seems to change whenever they switch between an HD camera and an SD camera.

Gonzaga-WSU: Pretend it's on Wednesday, since there's a replay listed on FSN (30) at 8PM Wed., in additon to the 7PM Tuesday live showing on 415. UW-Gonzaga is on FSN at 8PM Saturday (live). (And blame FSN, since they're showing the Sonics at 7PM Tuesday.)

There is no pretending. The game is on TONIGHT!!! It doesn't matter whether the blockage is Comcast's or Fox's fault. Both of them are LAME for not doing something about it.

Here is a link to the Seattle Times article about the matchup. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003462079_cougs05.html

Too bad many of us won't be able to watch it. :mad:

I'm a noob with a question. I have had Dish Network for my normal tv's for a few years now and am about to upgrade to HD. Should I stick with Dish? I've heard Comcast's quality can fluctuate from area to area. How is it in the Seattle area? Specifically Bothell/Kirkland/Finn Hill if anyone on here is from this area...........

Thanks in advance.

Jim

Their quality can fluctuate from house to house. I suggest checking the HD channel list available on Dish vs the one from Comcast. Then make a decision. sam

Hello! I am a complete and utter newbie to the QAM scene.
I have a Toshiba 42HP66 and Comcast cable service.
Would someone please point me to a good starting point?

Their quality can fluctuate from house to house. I suggest checking the HD channel list available on Dish vs the one from Comcast. Then make a decision. sam

Not want to starting a war, but I mostly disagree with you. Here's where I do agree: it is possible that your neighbors reception is better than yours.

Here's the caveat: If it is better at your neighbors, and you are on the same trunk line (likley since you are neighbors), then the line to your house, cable splitters, splices, etc may be creating the problem. I've learned this from example when I happned to lose just two channels that I was getting previously, 110 and 116. I called Comcast, set up a time, and the tech came out. He was on time, knowledgable, and within the hour had everything back up and running.

I am a happy Comcast customer. And no, I do not work for them. Just my $.02

At the risk of stating the obvious, use only screw in cables. The push and pull kind are not very good and can introduce problems into your system

Well, King has been doing part of their news in HD for several years now, and they still haven't figured out that HD cameras have a wider field of view than SD cameras. So what do you expect? This is why KOMO has become my local news channel of choice. I hate the constant bouncing from HD to SD that happens on King 5.

I just called over to the newsroom and asked them to contact engineering to throw the switch... :)


Hrm, I watched it the other day from my DVR, and it was all HD...

This is why KOMO has become my local news channel of choice. I hate the constant bouncing from HD to SD that happens on King 5.

Yup, same here. I don't understand why KIRO hasn't even attempted to do HD news yet.

Yup, same here. I don't understand why KIRO hasn't even attempted to do HD news yet.
Money. That's it. It's a very expensive conversion and KOMO happened to be rebuilding it's entire plant as it moved into a new building and so factored digital & HD into the price.

Hrm, I watched it the other day from my DVR, and it was all HD...

odd. the whole broadcast was HD, but the first 34 minutes or so had a letter boxed SD image (4:3) upconverted to the HD stream (still as 4:3) until they threw the switch/pushed the button then it was full 16:9 HD. at least here on the eastside...

btw - it wasn't until they switched that the logo/bug actually said HD (before that it was the SD NBC logo)

RE: Heroes SD/HD issue

Same here in the Southcenter area. Although I think KING5 may have had some technical difficulties with the HD feed, since what I saw was a full 16:9 freeze frame of something (dunno what, though) for a few seconds, then blank, then the letterboxed SD signal on Channel 115 for 1/2 hr or so until they must've fixed whatever the problem was.
--
Sang

The freeze was of NBC White House correspondant David Gregory, which is why I belive the problem probably originated with NBC. Someone probably noticed the problem and switched the HD feed to the SD since it was working right. When NBC fixed their problem, they switched back.

So anyone know which new channels will be added next after December 15? I really would like to see Food TV and HGTV in HD.

I vote for Spike TV in HD!!! Also SPEED channel.

12/14: UHD on 660, MHD on 661, and some non-HD trash called Fox Reality on 159.

Anyone know why there is a pink line at the bottom of the screen on only the HD channels tonight when using the DVI port on the HD cable box but not with the other ports?

First I've heard of that addition. Very lame. :eek:

First I've heard of that addition. Very lame. :eek:

Another channel to delete from the lineup.

I would really like to see FXHD, but have never seen any references to it existing. :(

If it aint HD I consider it useless. The only non hd I watch are survivor and amazing race. I want more movies,unedited and in OAR with none of those huge bugs on the bottom corner of the screen. Now that I have both HDDVD and BD I am more than likely going to cancel my premium stations or just keep one like HBO or SHO.

THe big ticket item this year for christmas is HD displays and consoles. Comcast please get with the program.

And please comcast don't add any of those crappy voom channels. I want professional programming. National Geographic would be a good one to add. And keep the bit rate the same as the feed coming to you. No downsizing.

This is all I ask.

Anybody know if tonights Husky Gonzaga basketball game will be on any HD channel?

Anybody know if tonights Husky Gonzaga basketball game will be on any HD channel?

If you drive to Spokane, you can watch it on their NBC-HD affiliate.

No such luck for those of us in Seattle. We're stuck watching it on over-compressed FSN-SD. At least Fox/Comcast didn't put the game on FS College (which costs exta) like the Gonzaga/WSU game.

Just got a new TV with QAM (40 XBR2) for the bedroom and I get the channels listed on this thread except some of them drop in and out (unfortunately its the HDTV version of local channels - 82 and 83 their subchannels).

Is there anything I can do? Will a signal amplifier help? I have no splitters or anything.

Thanks!

If you drive to Spokane, you can watch it on their NBC-HD affiliate.

No such luck for those of us in Seattle. We're stuck watching it on over-compressed FSN-SD. At least Fox/Comcast didn't put the game on FS College (which costs exta) like the Gonzaga/WSU game.

I watch the Gonzaga games on Spokane's KHQ-DT and they have not been broadcast in HD before. This game is not listed in the guide as being in HD.

Comcast absolutely destroys most FSN-HD games by compressing the heck out of it. Presumably they do this so they can squeeze more garbage SD channels into their lineup, you know, channels nobody ever watches.

If anyone at Comcast is listening, we see what cr@p you are pulling and we don't like it.

Comcast absolutely destroys most FSN-HD games by compressing the heck out of it. Presumably they do this so they can squeeze more garbage SD channels into their lineup, you know, channels nobody ever watches.

If anyone at Comcast is listening, we see what cr@p you are pulling and we don't like it.And you know this is true because ..... why?

Comcast absolutely destroys most FSN-HD games by compressing the heck out of it. Presumably they do this so they can squeeze more garbage SD channels into their lineup, you know, channels nobody ever watches.

If anyone at Comcast is listening, we see what cr@p you are pulling and we don't like it.

It's so easy to hate Comcast yet ignore what the real problem is. With all respect Mike777, I believe you are wrong. Comcast does not compress the signal, FSN-HD does.

Does HGTV and/or Comedy Central have a QAM channel?

ON FOX HD (comcast 81-1) Seahawks game today, the "closed" captoins appearstuck on , regardless of my TV settings...Anyone lese have this issue?

Hm.. Asked a while back, and unless I'm blind (which is more than possible) didn't see a response.. So I'm going to try asking once again..

If I take my 6412 phase II into a comcast office, can i get it swapped out for something better? I've had this since the day it came out, and the bugs and crummy capacity are driving me nuts.

Thanks.

I took my 3412 to the Redmond office last Thursday and swapped it for a 3416, no questions asked. I subsequently called and had the firmware reverted from 12.35 to 12.31, to avoid the spontaneous rebooting that plagues that release. Call Comcast to determine if your office has the 3416.

Hey, so UHD showed up for me today, but nothing is on it, just guide data. It says "Channel Not Available."

Did they slot it, name it, but not turn it on yet?

Here's my listing provided by Comcast Redmond:

DTV

79-1 NWCN
79-2 KWPX (PAX)
79-3 KOMO (ABC)
79-4 KING (NBC)
79-5 KONG
79-6 CBUT
79-7 KCTS
79-8 KTWB (WB)
79-9 KSTW (CW11 aka UPN)
79-10 KBTC
80-1 KCPQ (FOX)
80-2 KIRO (CBS)
80-3 KHVC
80-4 KWDK
80-6 KBTW
80-7 GOACO23
80-8 KWOG
80-10 KBCB


HDTV

81-1 KCPQ-HD (FOX)
81-2 KTWB-HD (WB, now known as KMYQ)
82-1 KCTSDT
82-3 KCTSDT3
82-4 KOMO-HD (ABC)
82-5 KCTS-HD (1080i, pretty cool for demos)
83-1 KING-HD (NBC)
83-2 KONG-HD
83-3 KING WTHR PLS
84-1 KIRO-HD (CBS, NOW ON 86-2)


More DTV

91-8 HALMRK
102-8 JWLTV
102-9 UWTV
103-4 DSCP (Discovery, wish it was Discovery HD)
104-1 CSPAN
104-2 CSPAN2
104-9 CCHSN
104-10 QVC


Other QAM

116-1 League Pass
118-16 ~ 118-23 Various Español Music
119-10 ~ 119-54 Various Assorted Music


There you have it. If anyone has any updates/changes/etc please fill us all in. Hope this helps everyone out.

Anyone have any updates to the QAM CHANNELS list? And is it the same for Comcast in the Lake City Way area of North Seattle?

I took my 3412 to the Redmond office last Thursday and swapped it for a 3416, no questions asked. I subsequently called and had the firmware reverted from 12.35 to 12.31, to avoid the spontaneous rebooting that plagues that release. Call Comcast to determine if your office has the 3416.I may want to do the same before the bowl games. Does the 3416 have working firewire ports?

Thanks!

Tim

Hey, so UHD showed up for me today, but nothing is on it, just guide data. It says "Channel Not Available."

Did they slot it, name it, but not turn it on yet?

The channel is not scheduled to be turned on until Thursday or Friday.

I may want to do the same before the bowl games. Does the 3416 have working firewire ports?

Thanks!

Tim

I haven't tried the firewire on the 3416, but I haven't seen any indication that it doesn't work.

Hm.. Asked a while back, and unless I'm blind (which is more than possible) didn't see a response.. So I'm going to try asking once again..

If I take my 6412 phase II into a comcast office, can i get it swapped out for something better? I've had this since the day it came out, and the bugs and crummy capacity are driving me nuts.

Thanks.

Take it to the Auburn office and you can get a 3416. I got mine there last week.

Picked up a 3416 today :)

Thanks!

no one has mentioned that KING 105 now has another HD show...Cisco..They showed last Saturday's 10am show in HD..the program credits and beginning were in horrible Zoom mode but the show itself was in HD from some Issaquah tree farm and also at Megan's house...so now King shows evening magazine and Gardening with Cisco in HD..

nice job KING....

Ciscoe in HD -- I suppose the echo on KONG is in HD, too. What a waste of bandwidth that channel (106) is.

I can't wait for Belo to move all their NBC NHL games in HD this year to KONG, advertise that channel as HD, then show all the games in SD all the while blaming it on ratings. You know, like they did last season during the playoffs....

What's up with INHD lately? There have been a few I've switched over to it on different days even, and there's nothing on but a logo or test screen for hours on end, even though the schedule says there is something on.

About a week ago I set my DVR to record Lucas's THX 1138, this was last airing that showed up on the schedule and was supposed to be on last night. I have never seen that movie and wanted to check it out.... but instead I got a recording of 2 hours of the INHD logo with music playing in the background :rolleyes:

Even well after the DVR was done recording, I swithed to INHD to see what was going on, and it said Freejack was supposed to be airing, but there was still that white screen with the INHD logo.

I noticed the INHD problem yesterday as well. I was re-installing a plasma and wanted to test out HD on my newly run cabling so I turned to INHD only to be greeted by a test screen....

I noticed that as well, then last night it showed up as INHDcom

I have to say... OnDemand is cool! Just the other day my family enjoyed the "ninja..." channel OnDemand which had Last Dragon (my guilty pleasure favorite) and Jackie Chan's original Drunken Master!

And now I see that I can convert my HDTV into a HiDef Virtual Fireplace, complete with Yuletide music. How cool is that! Just look for HD programming OnDemand and you'll find the fireplace.

--
Sang

Just curious, but does anybody know what time we will get UHD and MHD?

Since we get them added on the 14th will that mean midnight tonight or sometime during the day tomorrow?

Anyone else getting 5C copy once on Letterman? is that legal?

Anyone else getting 5C copy once on Letterman? is that legal?

Why wouldn't it be legal? Fair use doesn't involve multiple copies, or arguably any copy beyond the one you use to watch it the first time.

My digital TV signal has just disappeared. The analog is still there, but I'm not getting anything through the 3416.

(It's back now -- been sporadic for the last hour or so.)

My digital TV signal has just disappeared. The analog is still there, but I'm not getting anything through the 3416.

(It's back now -- been sporadic for the last hour or so.)


Don't worry. None of us will be able to get tv after tomorrow. At least I have a 5000 watt honda genset to use when all the trees come down. LOL.

yeah, signal has been in and out for me most of the afternoon....sometimes it will freeze on a particular channel and I'll have to switch to another one after a while for anything to come back...

Don't worry. None of us will be able to get tv after tomorrow. At least I have a 5000 watt honda genset to use when all the trees come down. LOL.Not to mention the huge solar flare that's hitting us tomorrow, as well:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16187534/

The promised channels UHD, MTVHD, and Fox Reality all were up this morning. Fox Reality does not have guide information, but the channel is present on 159.

Also, the former Digital Extra channels Bloomburg, BETJ, et. al. were all accessible, since I have the Sports Tier Package.

Good job, Comcast!

Watching red hot chili peppers live on MHD and PQ is great.

I'm watching quantum leap on UHD on 660 and th pq is pretty good for an old program

The promised channels UHD, MTVHD, and Fox Reality all were up this morning. Fox Reality does not have guide information, but the channel is present on 159.

Also, the former Digital Extra channels Bloomburg, BETJ, et. al. were all accessible, since I have the Sports Tier Package.

Good job, Comcast!

Rats, I have to go to work and won't be able to play with this until after the game tonight. :mad:

I second Al Shing, Good job, Comcast! :D :D :D

BTW: Is Battlestar Galactica on UHD?

BTW: Is Battlestar Galactica on UHD?

It's my understanding that only rerun episodes of Battlefield are on UHD.

Anyone know the scoop on tonight's Hawks game? I know it's the NFL Channel gig but doesn't the local market also get the game on a standard channel? Will we get it in HD?

Anyone know the scoop on tonight's Hawks game? I know it's the NFL Channel gig but doesn't the local market also get the game on a standard channel? Will we get it in HD?

I just checked the guide, its showing the hawks game on 13 and 113, no clue if it will be in HD, but I'd bet it will be. Assuming the power doesn't go out and make it impossible to watch the game

:rolleyes:

Looks like the local broadcast for the Seahawks will be on 113 due to Fox having local broadcast rights instead of on the NFL Network. I'm not sure if the SD broadcast will be blocked out locally on 180 but it appears that the simulcast on INHD - 664 won't be there either.

Also - I'm curious. with the new channel additions isn't there now a 665 for Comcast sports events. Does that channel and any information appear in the new guide?

Wouldn't you know, I incorrectly set my 3412 to record 664 starting at 5:00 PM before heading to the office. %^$#

Also - I'm curious. with the new channel additions isn't there now a 665 for Comcast sports events. Does that channel and any information appear in the new guide?

According to the earlier message from Comcast, 665 will appear January 3rd (just in time for -- what?????????)

the game will still be on the nfl network...this is the same setup as monday night football...ESPN had the game and we could watch it, and then they show it on a local station for those that do not have cable or expanded cable...so we should have our choice tonight of 664 HD, 180 no hd, 13 no hd or 113 (could be hd but I bet not)

if they do this right we should see the game in HD on 664...but we are relying on comcast so......

the game will still be on the nfl network...this is the same setup as monday night football...ESPN had the game and we could watch it, and then they show it on a local station for those that do not have cable or expanded cable...so we should have our choice tonight of 664 HD, 180 no hd, 13 no hd or 113 (could be hd but I bet not)

if they do this right we should see the game in HD on 664...but we are relying on comcast so......

There was a notable audio quality difference between the ESPNHD monday night football broadcast local HD broadcast. So hopefully either this won't be the case or we can watch it on 664. I like Dolby Digital...

good memory..that is now what I remember when 111 or whoever had the simalcast in the local area last time...the sound was horrible on the local side...664 should have all we need...

Why do we have 2 SD versions of NFL network?

Why do we have 2 SD versions of NFL network?

Because the NFL Network is available on both the Digital Plus Package and the Sports and Entertainment Package. 180 is for the Digital Plus people, and 417 or whatever is for the Sports tier.

In practice, there is only one stream and both channels map to the same stream.

Just use whichever is closest, although 180 is easier to remember.

There was a notable audio quality difference between the ESPNHD monday night football broadcast local HD broadcast. So hopefully either this won't be the case or we can watch it on 664. I like Dolby Digital...

I hope it is on 664 too. Thanks. I'm hoping the launch of 665 makes it so that we have these games in a guide that can be setup for DVR.

I just checked the guide, its showing the hawks game on 13 and 113, no clue if it will be in HD, but I'd bet it will be. Assuming the power doesn't go out and make it impossible to watch the game

:rolleyes:

I'm curious, has anyone here run their AV stuuf off a generator? Winds aren't supposed to get really bad till after the game, but I have the generator hooked up just in case. I kinda reluctant to run expensive AV equipment off of a generator.

I have..but...the last time the power went out (around 3 weeks ago) the cable seemed to be dead. I hooked up the generator and had the tv on and stove and lights..but oh no, the cable does not work...so I am not sure if cable/internet need power at some stations to get it live to our house..I do know tha I did not have any cable til the power came back on 3 hours later, and the cable worked the same time the power came back on so I do not see that as being coincidence....of course OTA would work..but not where I live..

I have..but...the last time the power went out (around 3 weeks ago) the cable seemed to be dead. I hooked up the generator and had the tv on and stove and lights..but oh no, the cable does not work...so I am not sure if cable/internet need power at some stations to get it live to our house..I do know tha I did not have any cable til the power came back on 3 hours later, and the cable worked the same time the power came back on so I do not see that as being coincidence....of course OTA would work..but not where I live..

Thanks keithaxis!

Good point about the cable. Fortunately I have OTA as an option (haven't used it in quite a while so I think I'll make sure that is working).

That said, what does that indicate for those who have switched to Comcast phone service? Seems kinda dangerous in that you lose your land line 911 capability when you may need it the most. :confused:

That said, what does that indicate for those who have switched to Comcast phone service? Seems kinda dangerous in that you lose your land line 911 capability when you may need it the most. :confused:The voice-over-IP adapter supplied by Comcast has a couple-hour battery backup, and your neighborhood fiber cable node is supposed to have backup power as well. So in theory the cable *shouldn't* go out, unless its a lengthy power outage.

But of course if it was a falling tree that took out the cable line somewhere, then not much you can do. Same goes for regular phone service, too...

The voice-over-IP adapter supplied by Comcast has a couple-hour battery backup, and your neighborhood fiber cable node is supposed to have backup power as well. So in theory the cable *shouldn't* go out, unless its a lengthy power outage.

But of course if it was a falling tree that took out the cable line somewhere, then not much you can do. Same goes for regular phone service, too...

Thanks jimre, that helps. I've been contemplating switching over to Comcast for my land line.

Thanks jimre, that helps. I've been contemplating switching over to Comcast for my land line.Me too - that's what I've found out so far in researching this product.

Can anyone tell a difference between FOX's HD broadcast and INHD's?

Can anyone tell a difference between FOX's HD broadcast and INHD's?

Yes, INHD is DD and Fox is not.

Ah, good to know. I gravitated to INHD over FOX based on sound alone without realizing what separated them.

Its good to see UHD and MHD, there is never to much HD! know I just hope the power does not go out tonight in seattle.

Ah, good to know. I gravitated to INHD over FOX based on sound alone without realizing what separated them.

Fine broadcast, but holy crap these guys suck tonite...... :(

Yes, INHD is DD and Fox is not.

I didn't check INHD, but Fox was DD 2.0 both on Comcast as well as OTA.

so fox which has like 4 shows I like to **** **** up. If I didn't have an hdtv it wouldn't matter, but the one show I watch on thursday, the oc I know my guilty pleasure was aired in SD at 11 when it should be at 9...**** sports no offense I know the look awsome in HD.

Fine broadcast, but holy crap these guys suck tonite...... :(

So well put. Yuck.

Power went off about 1 AM this morning and just came back up. Schools are closed. Looks like a good day for The Old Yule Log.

Can anyone tell a difference between FOX's HD broadcast and INHD's?
INHD normally has some of the most pristine HD, but I thought the Fox channel 13 version looked better, at least for this game.

I was having issues with the OTA QAM channels, which might be computer related, might be weather related, but also I just realized might be related to these new channels. Did the new channels affect the QAM channel assignments?

I assume none of these new channels are unencrypted QAM, right?

INHD normally has some of the most pristine HD, but I thought the Fox channel 13 version looked better, at least for this game.

I wonder what the native resolution for the broadcast was. Was it shot in 720p or 1080i. Each channel broadcasts different. So one of them either upconverted or downconverted. It was kind of hard to tell the difference for me as I had a lumagen processing it.

I wonder what the native resolution for the broadcast was. Was it shot in 720p or 1080i. Each channel broadcasts different. So one of them either upconverted or downconverted. It was kind of hard to tell the difference for me as I had a lumagen processing it.

I think you hit the nail on the head. If I remember right FOX broadcasts in 1080i. Because of the feed, I bet that INHD was at 720.

BTW: Lost power at 9:30 Thursday, got it back at 4:00pm Friday. Internet was down and just came back this morning. Sure wish the power had gone out at 5:00PM on Thursday. :mad: :D

Fox is 720P. Same with ABC and ESPN. Also our local PBS station recently went to 720P. All the rest are 1080i. For sports, I much prefer 720P. While 1080i is slightly sharper, I hate the pixelizing whenever the scene changes quickly.

As far are I know, INHD is 1080i.

No one responded to my post four posts above, about whether QAM channel assignments have changed, but shortly after posting that I figured out my problem.

It was sort of weather related--for if I didn't say that I'd have to admit I was an idiot. About 15 minutes prior to the power outage I unplugged the system and disconnected the cable. I forgot to reconnect the cable! (Only took me about an hour to figure that out!). So embarrasing!

Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know about a new product--the HD Homerun. A two tuner network (plug into your router) device that will record OTA and QAM under SageTV and MythTV (and others in the future). $169 through 9thtee.com (the tivo upgrade people). I had some issues setting it up in Sage that were related to not using a router, but once I got past that it was easy.

I finally got power back around 11:00 am yesterday, but cable, internet, and phone service are still out. I called Comcast and got credit for lack of service yesterday, but no ETA for repairs. The Comcast rep said they have pretty massive damage that they are working around the clock to fix, but can't say when specific areas may come back.

I live in the north end of Sammamish. Does anyone out there have any inside info about when repairs may get done?

Never lost power...except for few hours Saturday night (kinda strange). I'm at Tukwila near Southcenter. Still waiting for Comcast cable/internet to be back on...died right after the game. Called numerous times...got pretty much the same answer.
--
Sang

Never lost power...except for few hours Saturday night (kinda strange). I'm at Tukwila near Southcenter. Still waiting for Comcast cable/internet to be back on...died right after the game. Called numerous times...got pretty much the same answer.
--
Sang

Did your power outage start sometime after 5:00 and last about 4 hours later? If so, might have been due to the pole fire on Beacon Avenue. It affected areas not affected by the other outages. There was apparently something on the lower set of wires that caused a fire when they turned the power back on there, and it burned all day until the top part of the pole collapsed, causing the wires to cross.

Did your power outage start sometime after 5:00 and last about 4 hours later? If so, might have been due to the pole fire on Beacon Avenue. It affected areas not affected by the other outages. There was apparently something on the lower set of wires that caused a fire when they turned the power back on there, and it burned all day until the top part of the pole collapsed, causing the wires to cross.

Could be...although mine died around 10 PM Saturday night and came back around 3 AM. I'm sure it was something similar. What's killing me is that I still had a whole bunch of stuff on DVR I could've watched while Comcast fixes the outage...except now with this brief power outage, DVR rebooted and I can no longer access those programs recorded into the DVR. Is it possible to access them? Anybody?

--
Sang

I got power back on Sunday around 2PM.

Cable and Internet were initially dead, but came back sometime in the evening, I think around 7PM. It went out again at 11:40PM Sunday, and came back around 12:30AM on Monday, and has been stable since. This is in Des Moines.

Typically, cable will lag behind power because the amps and network nodes will need power restored and they may be on a different circuit. Last time (1993), it followed power by a full day.

Obviously, the DVR needs the network to be online in order to reload its operating system to operate the DVR and digital cable.

This whole thing has proved one thing to me, I will not give up my land line with QWEST. I had a constant dial tone, no outage whatsoever. Cable was out for over 24 hrs. Not much good if you have a 911 emergency.

Yep, our Qwest was up the entire time too. Not so sure about cable, since without power, cable is worthless.

DVR rebooted and I can no longer access those programs recorded into the DVR. Is it possible to access them? Anybody?

--
Sang

You will be able to access them once the cable service is restored. That is what happened with mine (twice today, hopefully no more).

What is the story on 665? Is there a schedule for what it will show and when it will exist?
sam

What is the story on 665? Is there a schedule for what it will show and when it will exist?
sam
Comcast will be launching Comcast Sports HD on January 3rd on Channel 665. My understanding is that Comcast Sports HD will simulcast the Golf Channel during the day and Versus during the evening on channel 665. I'm not sure how much HD content there will actually be, but it does mean more hockey in HD and fewer interruptions on INHD (Ch 664).

Does anyone know if Comcast's Redmond branch has a stock of 3416's? I don't have a lot of stuff on my 3412 right now and was thinking about dropping in to swap out my 3412 for the 3416 so that I can get the extra 40 GB of hard drive space on the DVR.

Does anyone know if Comcast's Redmond branch has a stock of 3416's? I don't have a lot of stuff on my 3412 right now and was thinking about dropping in to swap out my 3412 for the 3416 so that I can get the extra 40 GB of hard drive space on the DVR.

I swapped my 3412 for a 3416 at the Redmond office a couple of weeks ago, no questions asked. The 3416 came with the 12.35 firmware, which quickly started its spontaneous rebooting, so I called and had it reverted to 12.31.

Our 3412's unacceptable problems (missed recordings, empty "recordings", stuck "transport") are becoming more and more numerous. Do I have to call the office ahead of time? Or can I just bring our 3412 in to the office in drop-in mode and have it swapped out for at 3416?

Just take it in and swap it

With all the storm problems, I know this these questions are not really that important but...

1) Is anyone else having problems tuning into the two new stations? They seem to work intermittently for me. They rarely tune in immediately and often will come on after having a blank screen for over 30 seconds. Sometimes they'll come on after I've viewed 662 and then scroll back to them. I've got firmware 12.31.

2) I've had lots of problems calling up On-demand HD movies. It's almost like a video game. I have to select the movie several times, often getting an error message many times then finally the movie clicks in. Anyone else having this problem?

Thanks,

Art

Anyone know if the UW v LSU basketball game will be in HD tonight?

Our 3412's unacceptable problems (missed recordings, empty "recordings", stuck "transport") are becoming more and more numerous. Do I have to call the office ahead of time? Or can I just bring our 3412 in to the office in drop-in mode and have it swapped out for at 3416?

Are people who have 3416s with 12.35 firmware experiencing the reboot problems as well? Anyone hear anymore about a firmware update, or Tivo enabled players?

Anyone know if the UW v LSU basketball game will be in HD tonight?

I doubt it. The game is broadcast on FSN, and FSN and/or Comcast have not made UW BBall games available in HD. This is unfortunate, as almost all of UW's BBall games are on FSN.

For what it's worth, many college BBall games broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 have been in HD. UW's first game on ESPN is on Feb 17, against Pittsburg, which is one of the last games of the regular season. The UW/FSN/Comcast relationship is sure lagging behind here. :mad:

On the brighter side, Gohuskies.com now lists two games on "Comcast," which hopefully means the new Comcast hd sports channel. The first is on Jan 13 vs Cal and the second is on Feb 14 vs WSU.

1) Is anyone else having problems tuning into the two new stations? They seem to work intermittently for me. They rarely tune in immediately and often will come on after having a blank screen for over 30 seconds. Sometimes they'll come on after I've viewed 662 and then scroll back to them. I've got firmware 12.31.Art, I have firmware 12.31 and have had problems with UHD (Channel 660) getting stuck on and otherwise malfunctioning when it's recording/buffering. The guide would act like I was on the newly selected channel and the Info button would pertain to the newly selected channel, but the picture would remain on UHD and transport functions were inaccessible. A couple nights ago I had to literally unplug the 3412 in order to get UHD off the screen and watch Monday Night Football on ESPN-HD, which was recording on the other tuner.

Perhaps unrelated, but I was having so many other issues with the 3412 that I brought it in to Comcast (Redmond) to exchange at noon today. They were out of 3416s so I had to settle for another 3412. I sure was hoping to have the larger hard drive for all the upcoming bowl games! :(

Tim

Are people who have 3416s with 12.35 firmware experiencing the reboot problems as well? Anyone hear anymore about a firmware update, or Tivo enabled players?A few posts back wareagle said he had the reboot issue with his 3416 so he quickly had it reverted back to 12.31 firmware.

Are people who have 3416s with 12.35 firmware experiencing the reboot problems as well?

Yes. I had multiple reboots the first day I got the 3416 (several weeks ago), had the firmware rolled back to 12.31 the same day, and haven't had any since.

It took another day for my internet/cable TV to come back on after the power was restored Sunday, and since then I've been experiencing only a couple of hours of "up" followed by half a day of "down." So far today, it seems to have stabilized. I agree, it's minor compared to the continuing power problems some have. One thing this did was pretty well firm up the decision not to let Comcast handle my phone needs.

I agree, it's minor compared to the continuing power problems some have. One thing this did was pretty well firm up the decision not to let Comcast handle my phone needs.You've chosen wisely. We switched over to their phone service last year and this past power outage was the first time I've ever experienced the loss of land-line phone service during a power outage. It's a good thing we've still got Verizon for our cell service.

hey all,

I will be building a HTPC and I want to be able to capture HD from Comcast. Does comcast make a cable card I can use to do this? or am I stuck with OTA HD? Any advice would be tremendously helpful.

Also, if OTA is the only option for direct capture then would I be better off getting their standard HD box and capturing the signal via Firewire?

Thanks!

You've chosen wisely. We switched over to their phone service last year and this past power outage was the first time I've ever experienced the loss of land-line phone service during a power outage. It's a good thing we've still got Verizon for our cell service.But not all landline providers are equal. Out here in the North Bend area, we're stuck with CenturyTel for landline services. Our phone lines went down after about 12 hours. Turns out, in newer neighborhoods, they don't run (powered) copper direct from your house to the central office switch. Neighborhoods like ours have their own local phone switch - which of course requires its own local power. CenturyTel only provides these switches with about a 12 hour backup battery. We had 1/2 day of service, then 3 days of complete phone outage. Finally, some nice CenturyTel techs installed a portable gas-powered generator to run our neighborhood phone switch until power was restored.

It also didn't help that we completely lost our Cingular cell phone service for those same first 3 days - apparently they were having power issues with one or more cell towers between Issaquah & North Bend.

I'm still debating whether to switch to Comcast phone service. After this outage, I learned just how unreliable a traditional "land line" phone system can be. Neither CenturyTel nor Cingular provided me much value during this outage.

ps - we finally got power back just a couple hours ago, after nearly 6 days.

Anyone in Brier having problems with their cable?
Ours has been pixelating badly all day. Internet works great though

Cable just came back to normal

hey all,

I will be building a HTPC and I want to be able to capture HD from Comcast. Does comcast make a cable card I can use to do this? or am I stuck with OTA HD? Any advice would be tremendously helpful.

Also, if OTA is the only option for direct capture then would I be better off getting their standard HD box and capturing the signal via Firewire?

Thanks!

You can get QAM HDTV capture cards, but they will only capture the local HD channels which are unencrypted. So no go on ESPN-HD or any of the other ones that aren't local OTA channels. Even if you get a QAM capable HDTV card, you might still have issues.

As for cable cards and computer capture cards, I think that is totally out of the question. The only thing I know that does this is the new TIVO 3, which is pricey.

Your best bet is a Comcast DVR. I have an OTA HD capture card, which I do use all the time.

hey all,

I will be building a HTPC and I want to be able to capture HD from Comcast. Does comcast make a cable card I can use to do this? or am I stuck with OTA HD? Any advice would be tremendously helpful.

Also, if OTA is the only option for direct capture then would I be better off getting their standard HD box and capturing the signal via Firewire?

Thanks!

You can use some Media Center PCs in combination with your cable box to tune encrypted HD stations.

With an HTPC, you otherwise have to wait for a cablecard. I thought "they" were saying this would be available in April 2007, which probably means April 2012.

...Also, if OTA is the only option for direct capture then would I be better off getting their standard HD box and capturing the signal via Firewire?As long as you're willing to settle for only SD on KIRODT, KCTSDT, KSTWDT, KCTSDT and KCPQDT. They all currently have CCI set to 0x02 on their HD programming, meaning you can "capture" them to DVHS (5C-compliant) but not to a PC (not 5C-compliant).

It's not supposed to be that way and hopefully they'll get it squared away so those OTA broadcasts are set to Copy Free like they're supposed to be according to the FCC, but that's the way it is now.

...I was having so many other issues with the 3412 that I brought it in to Comcast (Redmond) to exchange at noon today. They were out of 3416s so I had to settle for another 3412. I sure was hoping to have the larger hard drive for all the upcoming bowl games! :(

TimWell, I swung back by Comcast just before they closed at 6 and they had more 3416s so I swapped the 3412 for one of them. Unfortunately, now my notebook PC can't capture the firewire output. Has anybody had success capturing firewire out of the 3416 or am I going to have to go back and get another 3412?

I could not get firewire to capture HD coming from my cable box. I didn't even try SD stuff, because what is the point of capturing SD? I have a TIVO for that stuff.

I have a MyHD PCI HDTV capture card that works excellent for OTA broadcasts. This gives me enough recording flexibility, that I don't rent a Comcast HD DVR (which is about $10 per month.) The only local station I can't get in HD is Fox 13 (darn Queen Anne Hill is in the way!), which is why I rent the digital box from Comcast (plus I like the "extra" HD channels that come with digital cable.)

I have a MyHD PCI HDTV capture card that works excellent for OTA broadcasts. This gives me enough recording flexibility, that I don't rent a Comcast HD DVR (which is about $10 per month.) The only local station I can't get in HD is Fox 13 (darn Queen Anne Hill is in the way!), which is why I rent the digital box from Comcast (plus I like the "extra" HD channels that come with digital cable.)

If you have a digital box and get HD channels, you must have a HD box ($5/mo more than standard digital box), so the DVR would only by $5/mo more.

A few posts back wareagle said he had the reboot issue with his 3416 so he quickly had it reverted back to 12.31 firmware.

Thanks. Yeah I saw that message. Which made me curious if others were also having the problem with the 3416 (my unscientific way of trying to find out if the problems are as rampant with the 3416s as they are with the 3412s).

Anyone hear anymore about a firmware update? Right now I'm considering returning my 3412s (at least one of them) for non-dvrs. With the mythtv boxes I'm building the only thing I really miss is recording Showtime and HBO. It's been annoying modifying my viewing habits to not "reboot" the boxes during a recording.

There is something that I am missing here. While I undersatnd that HD cards can be used to record OTA HD signals onto a computer's harddrive, I do not undersatnd how it gets "transported" into my 50" HD plasma? I have absolutely no interest in watching HD TV on my 20" pc monitor- I want to get this HD signal into my plasma. And I do not believe this can be done yet via wires (as opposed to DVD).

I currently juse a Comcast HD DVR to record and store up to 14 hours of HD content (6412 box). I also have an extensive RePlay network (over 800MB of storage) to record analog shows.

You can get QAM HDTV capture cards, but they will only capture the local HD channels which are unencrypted. So no go on ESPN-HD or any of the other ones that aren't local OTA channels. Even if you get a QAM capable HDTV card, you might still have issues.

As for cable cards and computer capture cards, I think that is totally out of the question. The only thing I know that does this is the new TIVO 3, which is pricey.

Your best bet is a Comcast DVR. I have an OTA HD capture card, which I do use all the time.

Anyone hear anymore about a firmware update?When I went into the Redmond Comcast service center last night I met the manager of the center. He volunteered that he understands Motorola has solved the rebooting problem and should be rolling out a firmware update in January or February.

I could not get firewire to capture HD coming from my cable box.Which boxes have you tried it with? I never had any trouble with the 6412 or the 3412.

I put this latest 3416 in the car and plan to exchange it today. It came with firmware 12.31 already loaded, so that wasn't a problem, but it suffered greatly from the slow (and sometimes "no") - response syndrome. Perhaps there was something else wrong about it that caused my notebook to not see it the same way it saw the 3412.

There is something that I am missing here. While I undersatnd that HD cards can be used to record OTA HD signals onto a computer's harddrive, I do not undersatnd how it gets "transported" into my 50" HD plasma? I have absolutely no interest in watching HD TV on my 20" pc monitor- I want to get this HD signal into my plasma. And I do not believe this can be done yet via wires (as opposed to DVD).Depends on what inputs your plasma has, and what outputs your PC video card has. If both support VGA, just hook it up. If both support DVI or HDMI, just hook it up. In other cases you may need to get an adapter or "dongle" for your PC video card to get Component out.

There's a huge HTPC forum here on AVS for discussing just this topic - hooking your PC up to your big-screen display.

There is something that I am missing here. While I undersatnd that HD cards can be used to record OTA HD signals onto a computer's harddrive, I do not undersatnd how it gets "transported" into my 50" HD plasma? I have absolutely no interest in watching HD TV on my 20" pc monitor- I want to get this HD signal into my plasma. And I do not believe this can be done yet via wires (as opposed to DVD).

I currently juse a Comcast HD DVR to record and store up to 14 hours of HD content (6412 box). I also have an extensive RePlay network (over 800MB of storage) to record analog shows.These HD cards always have some kind of digital output - normally DVI - that can be run into the digital input (sometimes requiring a DVI-to-HDMI adapter) on newer HDTVs.

I like to be able to watch HD content on my notebook computer so I can take it with me anywhere. It has a nice 1680 x 1050 widescreen display and a fast enough video (Radeon 9600 Mobility) to make HiDef look really awesome. It's been a great way to view highlights of programming that I like to rewatch and save for posterity.

I have three Replays and DVArchive serve shows from several PCs myself, but I much prefer HD-resolution whenever I can get it. If CCI is not copy free I have to resort to capturing what I want to preserve on one of the Replays (or DVHS tape), but the Replay doesn't preserve all the resolution (or 5.1 audio) and DVHS tapes are not all that portable.

ps - we finally got power back just a couple hours ago, after nearly 6 days.

Lucky you. I'm on the Issaquah/Renton border, and still don't have power... I'm going on 7 days now...

Friday update: We got power last night, however still no comcast line for phone/internet/tv.

I doubt it. The game is broadcast on FSN, and FSN and/or Comcast have not made UW BBall games available in HD. This is unfortunate, as almost all of UW's BBall games are on FSN.

For what it's worth, many college BBall games broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 have been in HD. UW's first game on ESPN is on Feb 17, against Pittsburg, which is one of the last games of the regular season. The UW/FSN/Comcast relationship is sure lagging behind here. :mad:

On the brighter side, Gohuskies.com now lists two games on "Comcast," which hopefully means the new Comcast hd sports channel. The first is on Jan 13 vs Cal and the second is on Feb 14 vs WSU.

Thanks for the insightful reply. At this point I'm just happy to get any UW hoops games in HD. It would have been nice to see Hawes and Brockman go off against LSU in HD though. FSN seems to have consistently poor image quality, especially the hoops games. It drives me nuts having to watch it on my SXRD. Blech! :eek:

I'm curious to see what Comcast Sports decides to cover. I'm looking forward to Setanta and Fox Soccer Channel getting some HD content. The EPL is broadcast in HD on the other side of the pond and it's just a matter of time until we get it too.

Those Huskie games listed as being on Comcast will most likely be the same bad SD broadcasts as FSN. At least this is the case when Comcast last did this, broadcasting a game on channel 17, which is normally a home shopping channel.

While I've been pretty critical of FSN SD basketball, the last two games seemed to be better than the SD from even a few weeks ago. Maybe someone is listening and they stopped compressing the digital SD version as much as they were.

I'm guess that zero FSN games will be in HD, no matter how big they are. Our only chance for Huskie basketball in HD is when someone else is showing the game, like ABC, CBS or ESPN. FSN-HD might show a few games, but I bet their coverage for the Pac 10 season is one highlight game per week. I hope I am wrong.

With all the storm problems, I know this these questions are not really that important but...

2) I've had lots of problems calling up On-demand HD movies. It's almost like a video game. I have to select the movie several times, often getting an error message many times then finally the movie clicks in. Anyone else having this problem?


I've had the problem with On-Demand HD movies. it says the box cannot tune to OnDemand and to try again later. I found that if you hit "resume play" it will work within 2 or 3 tries. I have no idea what the problem is but hopefully it will disappear one day soon.

I've also learned that the new sports network on 665 will now be launched as VERSUS/GOLF CHANNEL HD. It will feature programming simulcast from both networks. VERSUS/GOLF CHANNEL HD will be broadcast in 1080i format. This new network was previously planned to be called ComcastHD.

This will be the Programming Schedule -
VERSUS/GOLF CHANNEL HD Hours:
VERSUS HD: 7 p.m. - Noon except for Thursdays and Fridays (through Q3, 2007)
GOLF CHANNEL HD: Noon - 7 p.m. except for Thursday/Friday (through Q3, 2007)

Thursday/Friday Schedule (through Q3, 2007) to allow for PGA Tour primetime replays:
VERSUS HD: Midnight - Noon
GOLF CHANNEL HD: Noon - Midnight

I've had the problem with On-Demand HD movies. it says the box can not toon to OnDemand and to try again later. I found that if you hit "resume play" it will work within 2 or 3 tries. I have no idea what the problem is but hopefully it will disappear one day soon.Could just be all of your neighborhood's OnDemand capacity is being used. I remember reading that Comcast has deployed neighborhood fiber nodes such that they're shared among up to 400 homes. And that each node has OnDemand capacity for something like 10% simultaneous use, so something like 40 max simultaneous OnDemand streams per neighborhood. That's SD streams, HD streams would take 3-5 times more bandwidth. So it seems plausible that you may be able to start up an SD on-demand show (1 stream) but not an HD show (3-5 streams) until some of your neighbors stop their streams.

Of course, you'd think there would be slightly more informative error messages (like "OnDemand capacity is currently full, please try later").

Probably a lot of folks are on vacation already, at home trying out their new HD system. Or maybe everyone is just trying to keep warm by watching the HD fireplace channel?

I've never understood why Comcast is investing in OnDemand. Giving (not renting) everyone a DVR would probably be a lot cheaper.

I've never understood why Comcast is investing in OnDemand. Giving (not renting) everyone a DVR would probably be a lot cheaper.Within a couple years, 100% of Comcast's content will be on-demand (whether you know it or not). You'll tune to "channel 105" and it will start sending you the live, on-demand stream for that program. It's the only way they'll ever have sufficient bandwidth to meet our instatiable demand for more channels, and eventually out-compete satellite providers.

Now that all their channels are digital - it's just totally, monumentally stupid to continuously stream 500 channels to us that we're not watching! Why not just send those channels that we're ACTUALLY watching (or recording on our DVRs)? It would take less than 1% of their current bandwidth usage. What if the Internet worked this way? All 3 billion web pages would be streamed to you continuously, at the same time! Yeah, that'd work really well...

The current OnDemand system is just the first step in replacing our screwed-up cable distribution system with something that actually makes sense.

Well, Jim, you may be right, but I'm sure not going to like it. With some 4 or 5 TVs in the house and most of them analog only, I'm sure not looking forward to each TV requiring a STB sitting next to it requiring a second remote (I can only maintain so many Home Theater Masters - LOL). I've become real accustomed to being able to zip around the channels on my All-in-Wonder Radeon (which is another analog tuner) on my computer while I'm doing other work. Also, it's been a lifesaver to be able to offload programming content that I really want to watch but often don't have time until months later. I highly doubt everything I'd ever wish to have watched will be available in an On-Demand model.

Long live analog!

... Also, it's been a lifesaver to be able to offload programming content that I really want to watch but often don't have time until months later. I highly doubt everything I'd ever wish to have watched will be available in an On-Demand model.Don't think of "on demand" as just being previously-stored programming. Every channel will have a "live" on-demand stream. You tune to that channel, and it's "on", just like today. You'll still be able to record live channels (streams) on your own DVR. And there will of course still be previously-stored programming like today's OnDemand. But the main point is, the data won't be sent over the wire to you until you ask for it - either by "tuning" to a channel, or requesting to play a previously-stored show.

You should be outraged at their current model. You pay Comcast big bucks to give you a measly 6 Mbit/sec of internet bandwidth, while they waste well over 1 Gbit/sec sending you data streams for hundreds of simultaneous channels you neither watch nor record. Think of the internet speed increases possible when they aren't wasting 95% of their bandwidth on un-watched program streams!

This will be the Programming Schedule -
VERSUS/GOLF CHANNEL HD Hours:
VERSUS HD: 7 p.m. - Noon except for Thursdays and Fridays (through Q3, 2007)
GOLF CHANNEL HD: Noon - 7 p.m. except for Thursday/Friday (through Q3, 2007)

Thursday/Friday Schedule (through Q3, 2007) to allow for PGA Tour primetime replays:
VERSUS HD: Midnight - Noon
GOLF CHANNEL HD: Noon - Midnight
In other words, never when Versus is running hockey. Instead I get to watch morons bat a little white ball around. On a tape delay.

God, Comcast sucks.

Don't think of "on demand" as just being previously-stored programming. Every channel will have a "live" on-demand stream. You tune to that channel, and it's "on", just like today. You'll still be able to record live channels (streams) on your own DVR. And there will of course still be previously-stored programming like today's OnDemand. But the main point is, the data won't be sent over the wire to you until you ask for it - either by "tuning" to a channel, or requesting to play a previously-stored show.

You should be outraged at their current model. You pay Comcast big bucks to give you a measly 6 Mbit/sec of internet bandwidth, while they waste well over 1 Gbit/sec sending you data streams for hundreds of simultaneous channels you neither watch nor record. Think of the internet speed increases possible when they aren't wasting 95% of their bandwidth on un-watched program streams!

No, the system will not be totally on-demand.
1. It would take a huge changes with the neighborhood node system Comcast uses to do that.
2. With 3-5+? TV's in each house the switching demands of total on demand would be tremendous.
3. I wouldn't enjoy waiting 3-6 seconds for the picture every time you change the channel.
4. The system is already all-digital QAM256 RF. There will be much more room for HD when they reclaim analog 30-70 spectrum and a tremendous amount more when they shut off all analog at 2-29. You'll be using DVR's with much larger hard drives and -gulp- much more advanced features and UI's.
5. A new QAM algorithm [512 or 1024???] is on the horizon too.
------------------------------------------------------
tluxon said "I put this latest 3416 in the car and plan to exchange it today. It came with firmware 12.31 already loaded, so that wasn't a problem, but it suffered greatly from the slow (and sometimes "no") - response syndrome. "

I was one day ahead of you on the 3416/FW12.31. Mine came to a crawl late last night using FF2. It stopped playing back totally this morning. 3 days...
I switched the power off my new UPS for 5 min., then switched it back on, again waiting 5+ min. and presto, I can play recordings again and the FF2&3 works.
Use your UPS/power strip -switch- to do this. Sparks or a [quick unplug/replug] killed my 3412 Wed. morning. It was totally DOA.

Anyway heres hoping for better firmware in the New Year--Jan./Feb. I hope

No, the system will not be totally on-demand.
1. It would take a huge changes with the neighborhood node system Comcast uses to do that.
2. With 3-5+? TV's in each house the switching demands of total on demand would be tremendous.
3. I wouldn't enjoy waiting 3-6 seconds for the picture every time you change the channel.
4. The system is already all-digital QAM256 RF. There will be much more room for HD when they reclaim analog 30-70 spectrum and a tremendous amount more when they shut off all analog at 2-29. You'll be using DVR's with much larger hard drives and -gulp- much more advanced features and UI's.
5. A new QAM algorithm [512 or 1024???] is on the horizon too.
I agree it will be years before my full scenario of switched IP all the way to the set-top will happen. And yes, it'll take huge changes to their current system. But I believe competition with satellite will force them to start making these changes in just a few years.

PQ for Sonics game was bad tonight. Seems to me that FSN was using SD camera to shot center court.

Anyone happen to know why KIRO HD is showing CHI-DEN while SD is showing SEA-SAN at the moment?

Anyone happen to know why KIRO HD is showing CHI-DEN while SD is showing SEA-SAN at the moment?

KIRO finally got it right. Now HD on KIRO HD and is the Seahawks game.

Yup. Just checked back and saw.

Looks like someone remembered to flip on the HDTV switch.

Hello all, I am in Burlington, WA and am new to the HD stuff.

Currently I have a Samsung 4041D TV after going through several defective budget brands. Across all of these panels, I have noticed more macroblocking than I would like and was wondering if Comcast has always had this problem? For instance, I am watching the Hawks right now and everytime the camera zooms in on a player while they are jogging off of the field, the screen gets blocky.

Based on the small amount of research I did prior to subscribing to HD service, it seemed like the general consensus was that cable offers much higher bandwidth than satellite services. Thus I expected that there would be very little macroblocking. But in least in my area, this is not the case.

With that said, I have a few questions:

1. Is this normal? Have you guys experienced this with your service?

2. Also, I made my own coaxial cable to connect my STB to the incoming line from the local node. The line from the node comes out of the ground on the side of my house. Using a coupler, I connected the 50 ft coax cable I made to this line, ran it under my house and up into the living room. From there I have a splitter which sends one cable to the STB and the other to my cable modem. Is there a problem with this wiring that might be adding to this problem?

3. Finally, my STB is a Motorola 6200. Is there an undated version might inquire about?

Thanks for any help.

Hello all, I am in Burlington, WA and am new to the HD stuff.

Currently I have a Samsung 4041D TV after going through several defective budget brands. Across all of these panels, I have noticed more macroblocking than I would like and was wondering if Comcast has always had this problem? For instance, I am watching the Hawks right now and everytime the camera zooms in on a player while they are jogging off of the field, the screen gets blocky.

Based on the small amount of research I did prior to subscribing to HD service, it seemed like the general consensus was that cable offers much higher bandwidth than satellite services. Thus I expected that there would be very little macroblocking. But in least in my area, this is not the case.

With that said, I have a few questions:

1. Is this normal? Have you guys experienced this with your service?
....Definitely some bitrate issue going on with this broadcast. Lots of macroblocking during fast-changing scenes. Normally not an issue. Comcast just passes thru the bitstream they're sent from the local affiliate, as-is, so most likely something hapenning with the live production, or with the KIRO local stream. I have no way of checking, but I'd guess you'd be seeing the same artifacts on OTA or Satellite, too.

My guess is KIRO - since they hadn't flipped the HD switch on earlier in the day (either accidentally, or because they were having equipment problems).

jimre, thanks for the reply. Might there be anything on my end that contributes to this problem? For instance, the cabling method I described above, STB, or the technology involved in my TV (i.e. LCD)?

Hello all, I am in Burlington, WA and am new to the HD stuff.

Currently I have a Samsung 4041D TV after going through several defective budget brands. Across all of these panels, I have noticed more macroblocking than I would like and was wondering if Comcast has always had this problem? For instance, I am watching the Hawks right now and everytime the camera zooms in on a player while they are jogging off of the field, the screen gets blocky.

Based on the small amount of research I did prior to subscribing to HD service, it seemed like the general consensus was that cable offers much higher bandwidth than satellite services. Thus I expected that there would be very little macroblocking. But in least in my area, this is not the case.

With that said, I have a few questions:

1. Is this normal? Have you guys experienced this with your service?

2. Also, I made my own coaxial cable to connect my STB to the incoming line from the local node. The line from the node comes out of the ground on the side of my house. Using a coupler, I connected the 50 ft coax cable I made to this line, ran it under my house and up into the living room. From there I have a splitter which sends one cable to the STB and the other to my cable modem. Is there a problem with this wiring that might be adding to this problem?

3. Finally, my STB is a Motorola 6200. Is there an undated version might inquire about?

Thanks for any help.

1. Yes and No. First off, it's not the service. Although there is some macroblocking, it's not really excessive IMO. I have a Samsung 5078. The DNIE is probably what is at fault. The DNIE really exacerbates the problem with fast moving pictures. I've had my set professionally calibrated and as part of that DNIE was turned off. It greatly reduced the "perceived" macroblocking. If I had to take a guess, I would think that the edge enhancement in DNIE ceates the biggest problem with fast moving pictures. Satellite will not improve this at all. DNIE is not your friend.

2. No.

3. Huh? BTW: Get the DVR version. It's only $5.00 more per month.

Above are my opinions. YMMV.

BTW: I am getting a really bad feeling about this game. Can we just quit dropping the freaking ball?!!!!! Jeez.

Definitely some bitrate issue going on with this broadcast. Lots of macroblocking during fast-changing scenes. Normally not an issue. Comcast just passes thru the bitstream they're sent from the local affiliate, as-is, so most likely something hapenning with the live production, or with the KIRO local stream. I have no way of checking, but I'd guess you'd be seeing the same artifacts on OTA or Satellite, too.

My guess is KIRO - since they hadn't flipped the HD switch on earlier in the day (either accidentally, or because they were having equipment problems).

I'm not seeing it here in Lakewood.

I'm not seeing it here in Lakewood.It's really noticable here (North Bend) - much worse than I've ever seen on a NFL HD game before. It's most noticable on 1) closeups of moving players' helmets, and 2) when the CBS sports logo zooms out to cover the entire picture. Both are cases where large parts of the picture change from frame to frame. Wide shots of the field & crowd look great.

I don't think this has anything to do with local signal strength or noise (which usually results in green or black "missing" macroblocks or sporadic picture loss or freezing).

I also don't think it has anything to do with DNIE or other TV scaler issues. This is much worse than I've seen before, and nothing has changed with my Panasonic plasma (which obviously isn't a Samsung & doesn't have DNIE).

It looks to me like a low-bitrate issue, somewhere in the production/broadcast chain.

jimre, thanks for the reply. Might there be anything on my end that contributes to this problem? For instance, the cabling method I described above, STB, or the technology involved in my TV (i.e. LCD)?Nope. Like I said, I think we're seeing a production problem.

Thanks, itis comforting to know that you have a plasma (w/o DNEi) and still have the same issues.

It's really noticable here (North Bend) - much worse than I've ever seen on a NFL HD game before. It's most noticable on 1) closeups of moving players' helmets, and 2) when the CBS sports logo zooms out to cover the entire picture. Both are cases where large parts of the picture change from frame to frame. Wide shots of the field & crowd look great.

I don't think this has anything to do with local signal strength or noise (which usually results in green or black "missing" macroblocks or sporadic picture loss or freezing).

I also don't think it has anything to do with DNIE or other TV scaler issues. This is much worse than I've seen before, and nothing has changed with my Panasonic plasma (which obviously isn't a Samsung & doesn't have DNIE).

It looks to me like a low-bitrate issue, somewhere in the production/broadcast chain.

Touchdown! Whatever macroblocking issues are occurring, I doubt that my signal in Lakewood is any better than in any other area. Sooo... Just because I don't see it does not mean it's not there. Maybe I just don't know what to look for. In any event, my blood pressure just went down a notch!

Definitely some bitrate issue going on with this broadcast. Lots of macroblocking during fast-changing scenes. Normally not an issue. Comcast just passes thru the bitstream they're sent from the local affiliate, as-is, so most likely something hapenning with the live production, or with the KIRO local stream. I have no way of checking, but I'd guess you'd be seeing the same artifacts on OTA or Satellite, too.

My guess is KIRO - since they hadn't flipped the HD switch on earlier in the day (either accidentally, or because they were having equipment problems).

Well the cable companies don't quite pass the bits through per se. Depending on the cable system, most receive a HD signal either via a digital circuit from the local station and is delivered as digital ASI, or (in most cases), demodulate the ATSC signal via Over The Air at the cable head-end, then remodulate to QUAM for your cable viewing pleasure.

Since CBS uses 1080I HD video, sports and in particular replay video, is where you will notice the most of what they call "motion artifacts". I'm watching the game today via OTA, and the picture looks pretty good to me, but I do notice the typical Interlace motion artifacts during the game, however that's not KIRO's fault.

Well the cable companies don't quite pass the bits through per se. Depending on the cable system, most receive a HD signal either via a digital circuit from the local station and is delivered as digital ASI, or (in most cases), demodulate the ATSC signal via Over The Air at the cable head-end, then remodulate to QUAM for your cable viewing pleasure.

Since CBS uses 1080I HD video, sports and in particular replay video, is where you will notice the most of what they call "motion artifacts". I'm watching the game today via OTA, and the picture looks pretty good to me, but I do notice the typical Interlace motion artifacts during the game, however that's not KIRO's fault.Kelly, I defer to your greater knowledge, but my point was that Comcast's policy is to NOT lower the MPEG2 bitrate fed to them by networks or affiliates (eg, the "rate shaping" that some satellite providers do). Yes, the stream is demodulated & remodulated, but as far as I know the MPEG2 stream isn't decoded & re-encoded, or otherwise altered.

Most of the HD NFL games I've watched were on Fox, so I guess it could be the 1080i vs 720p difference. Like I said, the relatively static shots look great. But it's definitely something I hadn't noticed before during a game.

For me, its not just NFL games as I have noticed the blockiness on several channels and it seems to have gotten worse in the past few weeks.

Not sure what some are seeing on cable, so therefore I can't comment on whether the artifacts are a bitrate issue, or too many missing bits. Usually one can see lower bitrate in high contrast portions of the picture in black or dark areas where you can see blocks in the picture. If there is freezing or green tiles suddenly appearing in the picture, then typically that is a function of packet frames that didn't make it.

jimre, thanks for the reply. Might there be anything on my end that contributes to this problem? For instance, the cabling method I described above, STB, or the technology involved in my TV (i.e. LCD)?I didn't get any of the "macroblocking" you described, but I've seen something similar when the signal getting to the box is weak. It's not always simply "on" or "off" as is often associated with digital TV, but bits can be "lost" and a picture still displayed. I believe it's possible this could be mistaken for mactroblocking.

With the length you described and splitter, you may be well served by installing a signal amplifier. Several years ago Comcast came out to our house and installed an amp free of charge when I complained of a weak signal at a few of our sets.

The problems that were visible with the Hawks game on CBS were specifically motion-related. Whenever large chunks of the screen were moving quickly (large frame-to-frame changes) it was like the picture resolution got reduced to big square "macroblocks" instead of pixels.

It's been suggested this was simply the normal difference between 1080i and 720p, but to me it seemed more like the MPEG encoder (and whatever bitrate it was set to) had to reduce resolution to keep up with fast changes.

Being interlaced, 1080i (which is what NBC and CBS transmits HD on) is going to have a harder time with fast motion then progressive 720p (which is what FOX, ABC and ESPN transmit HD on). I admit I didn't watch most of the game (I expected the Hawks to get killed), but I didn't notice any severe artifacting here in Bellevue from my 6412 to my Toshiba 35" CRT.

Being interlaced, 1080i (which is what NBC and CBS transmits HD on) is going to have a harder time with fast motion then progressive 720p (which is what FOX, ABC and ESPN transmit HD on). I admit I didn't watch most of the game (I expected the Hawks to get killed), but I didn't notice any severe artifacting here in Bellevue from my 6412 to my Toshiba 35" CRT.All very true, but I didn't think that interlacing artifacts would show up as large, square, color macroblocks. Rather, you'd see jagged diagonal lines, etc. Macroblocks during motion would be more indicative of insufficient bitrate.

All very true, but I didn't think that interlacing artifacts would show up as large, square, color macroblocks. Rather, you'd see jagged diagonal lines, etc. Macroblocks during motion would be more indicative of insufficient bitrate.

Aye, perhaps there was some bandwidth constraints somewhere along the line...

For me, its not just NFL games as I have noticed the blockiness on several channels and it seems to have gotten worse in the past few weeks.

Ok, at least maybe I know it's not just me or my equipment now. I've noticed this too. Even channels like DHD, the PQ is still pretty good but not as good as it used to be from what I recall. Also KOMO news on 104 the logo seems to have a double image, out of focus look to it. I was thinking it might be because of the storm causing Comcast some problems or the new equipment I got.

When the power was restored I still had the 3412 box and everything looked sharp, then I bought an HDMI receiver and turned in the 3412 for a 3416. After hooking it all up, the first thing I watched was Thursday night football on 664 and it looked horrible. At first I thought maybe the receiver was introducing noise and blockiness, so I connected the 3416 straight to the TV, but same problem...

Unfortunately I didn't keep the 3412, so I have no way of telling if it's the 3416 or if Comcast is having issues. Anyone else having PQ issues lately?

Anyone else having PQ issues lately?

Not that I have noticed, but with most of my network shows on hiatus at the moment, I've been watching far more SD content then HD on my 6412.

Channel 7 CBS where the Seahawks were on TV last week, has a tendency toware macro-blocking when the scene changes fast. This is inherent in the 1080i format, which tries to squeeze too much data into too small a digital channel. That being said, 1080i isn't bad, but I think the broadcasters like CBS try to get by with the minimum data rate, which means it is going to pixelize. This is why I much prefer 720P for sports.

whats with the Sonic games recently on 664 , they look terrible and are certainly not HD

whats with the Sonic games recently on 664 , they look terrible and are certainly not HD

There center shot was horrible.

FYI - UW vs UCLA game will be in HD.

Channel 7 CBS where the Seahawks were on TV last week, has a tendency toware macro-blocking when the scene changes fast. This is inherent in the 1080i format, which tries to squeeze too much data into too small a digital channel. That being said, 1080i isn't bad, but I think the broadcasters like CBS try to get by with the minimum data rate, which means it is going to pixelize. This is why I much prefer 720P for sports.


Macroblocking isn't a problem with 1080i per se. It is an issue of bitrate/bandwidth. CBS isn't really at fault. Our local affiliates receive their signal from the networks at a very robust bitrate, and then transmit to us at a reduced bitrate. Generally 18-19mb/s is the high end for quality mpeg2 bitrate, both for 720p and 1080i. The reality is that Seattle affiliates are in the 12-17 range. KOMO-DT is by far the leader in bitrate at just under 18mb/s. KCPQ is close at about 15. The 1080i stations such as KING-DT and KIRO-DT are way too low, KIRO is just plain awful at about 11mb/s. They are devoting 5mb/s to their traffic cam that nobody watches. KING is a little better at about 13 mb/s, again they are devoting precious bits to their Weather Plus channel. This is all bitrate from over the air digital reception. Comcast likely gets exactly what you would get from OTA, which is to say not good, especially the 1080i stations around here.

Personally I find KOMO-DT to have the best PQ. Their programming may not be quite as sharp as a 1080i channel, but there is very limited macroblocking. All of their bits are devoted to one channel. KCPQ, the other 720p channel, doesn't multicast either, but for some reason, they just cannot match KOMO's bitrate, and it shows.

One bright spot is that cablecos and satellite are not required to carry all digital sub channels of an affiliate, and since very very few people receive their HDTV from OTA, there may be little incentive for these stations to continue multicasting. Hopefully that means more bits for the main HD channel.

FYI - UW vs UCLA game will be in HD.

That is a great start. Which channel? Where did you get the information? The Gohuskies.com schedule only shows the game being broadcast on FSN. I hope your information is reliable.

That is a great start. Which channel? Where did you get the information? The Gohuskies.com schedule only shows the game being broadcast on FSN. I hope your information is reliable.

It was announced during the Sonics game last night. Little ad popped up and it said HD and even Kevin Calabro said this game will be in HD. I don't know if Comcast will put it on 664.


http://www.hdsportsguide.com/

Go down to Sunday Dec 31 and the game is listed in hd

Macroblocking isn't a problem with 1080i per se. It is an issue of bitrate/bandwidth. CBS isn't really at fault. Our local affiliates receive their signal from the networks at a very robust bitrate, and then transmit to us at a reduced bitrate. Generally 18-19mb/s is the high end for quality mpeg2 bitrate, both for 720p and 1080i. The reality is that Seattle affiliates are in the 12-17 range. KOMO-DT is by far the leader in bitrate at just under 18mb/s. KCPQ is close at about 15. The 1080i stations such as KING-DT and KIRO-DT are way too low, KIRO is just plain awful at about 11mb/s. They are devoting 5mb/s to their traffic cam that nobody watches. KING is a little better at about 13 mb/s, again they are devoting precious bits to their Weather Plus channel. This is all bitrate from over the air digital reception. Comcast likely gets exactly what you would get from OTA, which is to say not good, especially the 1080i stations around here.

Personally I find KOMO-DT to have the best PQ. Their programming may not be quite as sharp as a 1080i channel, but there is very limited macroblocking. All of their bits are devoted to one channel. KCPQ, the other 720p channel, doesn't multicast either, but for some reason, they just cannot match KOMO's bitrate, and it shows.

One bright spot is that cablecos and satellite are not required to carry all digital sub channels of an affiliate, and since very very few people receive their HDTV from OTA, there may be little incentive for these stations to continue multicasting. Hopefully that means more bits for the main HD channel.Thank you - this is an excellent point. I think many of us in the Seattle market have incorrectly attributed this to 1080i vs 720p differences, when it fact it's all about the bitrate. Macroblocking is generic to all MPEG2 compression (that's how it works) and becomes visible when the bitrate is too low to keep up with fast-changing scenes. It's not specific to interlaced or progressive. It's just a coincidence that our lowest-bitrate local stations happen to use 1080i.

It's too bad the local stations can't just pass the network feed thru to Comcast - but of course this would make it difficult or impossible to insert local ads.

Hello. I am new to this forum. I am moving from hillbilly hell southern Indiana to work for Boeing in Everett in a few weeks and am looking for advice. Currently I own a 50" Sony SXRD. I have Comcast here, and it is able to pull in HDTV channels straight from basic cable. I was thinking about getting basic cable and doing the same thing when I move, but I wondered if maybe the cable company is smarter than Billy Bob. Am I out of luck? Thank you.

Hello. I am new to this forum. I am moving from hillbilly hell southern Indiana to work for Boeing in Everett in a few weeks and am looking for advice. Currently I own a 50" Sony SXRD. I have Comcast here, and it is able to pull in HDTV channels straight from basic cable. I was thinking about getting basic cable and doing the same thing when I move, but I wondered if maybe the cable company is smarter than Billy Bob. Am I out of luck? Thank you.

With basic cable, you get all of the local HD channels. Most of the other HD channels are encrypted and come with the Digital Classic package, including the 2 new channels (UHD & MHD) that were just added. I believe Digital Classic will also include comcast sports hd, when we get it on 1/3.

Hello. I am new to this forum. I am moving from hillbilly hell southern Indiana to work for Boeing in Everett in a few weeks and am looking for advice. Currently I own a 50" Sony SXRD. I have Comcast here, and it is able to pull in HDTV channels straight from basic cable. I was thinking about getting basic cable and doing the same thing when I move, but I wondered if maybe the cable company is smarter than Billy Bob. Am I out of luck? Thank you.

Comcast passes through all of the OTA networks [except the shopping channels] here with no problem on lifeline analog cable. Cable networks like ESPN-HD and DiscoveryHD, you would need to subscribe to Digital Classic and use a Cablecard or a HD box to get those. I originally hail from NW Indiana myself. I had a college friend from the hills outside Paoli, IN and got to see *real* rural S. Indiana. Dirt roads the last 10 miles or so... Congrats on the new job.

Comcast passes through all of the OTA networks [except the shopping channels] here with no problem on lifeline analog cable. Cable networks like ESPN-HD and DiscoveryHD, you would need to subscribe to Digital Classic and use a Cablecard or a HD box to get those. I originally hail from NW Indiana myself. I had a college friend from the hills outside Paoli, IN and got to see *real* rural S. Indiana. Dirt roads the last 10 miles or so... Congrats on the new job.

Thanks for the info. Im from originally from Indy but have been working fairly close to Paoli in Seymour for close to 4 years. Nothing like seeing a guy drive to work in a tractor because he had too many DUIs. Paoli has a man made snow "mountain". I hope the skiing is at least as good in Wa. Ive gotten used to ESPN, Disco, TNT, INHD 1 & 2, and all the locals for free. Oddly, my TV cant find the ESPN2 signal. Looks like Im going to have to bite the bullet.

Well, the snow will make up for the missing free HD channels -- our hills are quite a bit steeper than those in Indiana.

Comcast passes through all of the OTA networks [except the shopping channels] here with no problem on lifeline analog cable.

Fear not, if you are jones'n to purchase Hummel figurines, you can even get the shopping channels on limited basic cable through Comcast.

KHCV digital channel 44.2 is Jewelry Television and is carried on Comcast channel 15. Comcast does NOT carry the KHCV analog channel 45 which is Azteca America (a Spanish language channel). I thought FCC "must carry" rules applied to all analog channels but apparently not in this case.

KBCB analog channel 24 which carries "TV Superstore" from midnight to 4pm most days is also on Comcast channel 14.

Neither QVC nor HSN current have an OTA affiliate in this area but can be seen on Comcast channel 16 (QVC) and 17 (HSN)

KUNS analog channel 51 used to have ShopNBC and continues to be carried on Comcast channel 29. With the new year, it has changed to become a Univision affiliate. Which means that Comcast subscribers have two Univision channels to choose from 29 (KUNS) and 98.

Thank you - this is an excellent point. I think many of us in the Seattle market have incorrectly attributed this to 1080i vs 720p differences, when it fact it's all about the bitrate. Macroblocking is generic to all MPEG2 compression (that's how it works) and becomes visible when the bitrate is too low to keep up with fast-changing scenes. It's not specific to interlaced or progressive. It's just a coincidence that our lowest-bitrate local stations happen to use 1080i.

It's too bad the local stations can't just pass the network feed thru to Comcast - but of course this would make it difficult or impossible to insert local ads.
While the above is all true with regards to the bandwidth, 720p caters somewhat better for fast moving scenes (by giving up on resolution compared to 1080i). 720p tends to show less macroblocking given the same amount of bandwidth. A good example is KCTS HD, which switched to 720p a couple of months ago. When they used to broadcast in 1080i, the macroblocking was pretty bad (given that have at least 2 sub channels).
Another part of the equation is your display as well, since it might need to convert the format to its native resolution. Displays that use 720p natively display that resolution better than 1080i (and vice versa), because there's no further conversion needed.

While the above is all true with regards to the bandwidth, 720p caters somewhat better for fast moving scenes (by giving up on resolution compared to 1080i). 720p tends to show less macroblocking given the same amount of bandwidth. A good example is KCTS HD, which switched to 720p a couple of months ago. When they used to broadcast in 1080i, the macroblocking was pretty bad (given that have at least 2 sub channels).
Another part of the equation is your display as well, since it might need to convert the format to its native resolution. Displays that use 720p natively display that resolution better than 1080i (and vice versa), because there's no further conversion needed.I'm certainly not an expert on MPEG2. You're saying that given the same bitrate, MPEG2 can more efficiently encode 60 frames of 720 lines, vs 30 frames of 1080 lines? Such that when KCTS switches from 1080i to 720p - with the same limited bitrate - there's fewer blocking issues? Sounds plausible.

But again, it still boils down to bitrate. If a station gave more bitrate to 1080i, it could result in less macroblocking than 720p, even on fast action sequences. It's really nothing to do with "interlacing", per se.

As for your display and conversion to native resolution - yes, that could cause PQ issues, but I don't think you'd see MPEG2 macroblocks as a result. Those are introduced at encoding time.

...Even channels like DHD, the PQ is still pretty good but not as good as it used to be from what I recall. Also KOMO news on 104 the logo seems to have a double image, out of focus look to it. I was thinking it might be because of the storm causing Comcast some problems or the new equipment I got.

When the power was restored I still had the 3412 box and everything looked sharp, then I bought an HDMI receiver and turned in the 3412 for a 3416. After hooking it all up, the first thing I watched was Thursday night football on 664 and it looked horrible. At first I thought maybe the receiver was introducing noise and blockiness, so I connected the 3416 straight to the TV, but same problem...

Unfortunately I didn't keep the 3412, so I have no way of telling if it's the 3416 or if Comcast is having issues. Anyone else having PQ issues lately?

I think there is a minor issue with my 3416 [w/rolled back firmware]. This is only on HD, using 1080i component (no HDMI here). I can bring up the DVR menu of recorded shows and look to the right of the black lettering, there are shadows. I can see shadows :eek: to the right of logos, ex. the KOMO Bug. [edited-not channel related]. I first noticed shadows to the right of white lettering on top of light colored backgrounds. I occasionally see some very light vertical shadows/lines through peoples faces when still (HD-only). This is very often hard to spot. The 64xx's I saw at Video Only in Lynnwood (on component) do not have this problem on DHD. I will check again to see if this shows on firewire.

My 3412 was pretty bad, losing the 15 minutes of CSI [VOD helped], dumping all recordings/scheduled recordings twice, even w/rolled back firmware, then a unplug/replug fried it... At least it's rerun season for now. I'm staying put for now on exchanges, and will see if this is a common issue. Not at all sure about these 34xx's.... Hope the New Year brings better firmware, Tivo :cool: and maybe a Panasonic HD-DVR box.

Channel 665 schedule just downloaded. As expected, a combination of golf and VS channels. I'm sure everyone will be pleased with the two movies showing on the first night: Rockie IV and Rockie V. WTF are they thinking??? Hopefully, they're not trying to lower expectations. :cool:

I'm certainly not an expert on MPEG2. You're saying that given the same bitrate, MPEG2 can more efficiently encode 60 frames of 720 lines, vs 30 frames of 1080 lines?

Never mind. I'm an idiot! :o
jimre,
Your frame rate is correct. If you saw my post before my edit try not to think too badly of me. :D

How many people realized that 518 Encore is in HD? I didn't until I was flipping around and saw that they are playing 12 Monkeys (even though the guide says Twelve Months). I turned to it and said to myself, Wow, this channel looks good... I hit the info on my projector and saw that it was in 1080i mode! Sweeet. Just a heads up for others who may be interested.


Edit: Nevermind... False alarm, I was (and still am) watching UNIVERSAL HD. Oops.

I'm certainly not an expert on MPEG2. You're saying that given the same bitrate, MPEG2 can more efficiently encode 60 frames of 720 lines, vs 30 frames of 1080 lines? Such that when KCTS switches from 1080i to 720p - with the same limited bitrate - there's fewer blocking issues? Sounds plausible.

But again, it still boils down to bitrate. If a station gave more bitrate to 1080i, it could result in less macroblocking than 720p, even on fast action sequences. It's really nothing to do with "interlacing", per se.

As for your display and conversion to native resolution - yes, that could cause PQ issues, but I don't think you'd see MPEG2 macroblocks as a result. Those are introduced at encoding time.
I don't think that this about more effective encoding. It's just that the two resolutions both have their pros and cons. The macroblocking effect is more obvious on 1080i than it is on 720p. But on the other hand a 1080i picture offers you a higher resolution instead, which is beneficial for content that's not moving very fast.
Another aspect here is your screen size. The resolution difference becomes more obvious the larger your screen is. Many people have screens in the 40-50inch range. I doubt that you see a lot of differences by comparing (a still) picture at that screen size between 720p and 1080i. But if you do the same comparion e.g. for >60inch screens a 1080 resolution becomes better.

This game will air on channel 664 in HD.

This game will air on channel 664 in HD. I hope so, but I won't believe it until I see it.

I hope so, but I won't believe it until I see it.

Check your channel guide for 664 then you will believe me.