Any word on ETA for the tivo software for the comcast moto boxes in the Seattle area? I'd rather not buy more TIVO boxes, but may have to...

I'm not sure the Comcast tech that came to my house knows squat, but he said that the TIVO software is more than a year out for most of the country, probably closer to two years given the problems they are having. I think they should just let TIVO develop the hardware and software for a new TIVO box. The Motorola boxes are crap!

The workaround is to call Comcast and to tell them to get a Dedicated FSN-HD channel already. Its especially lovely when you are watching it in HD and it switches back to MOJO if the game runs late. I can't think of a workaround, it frustrates me as well!

I was perturbed to find no FSN-HD service as I was greatly looking forward to every Mariners game in HD. They can dedicate a dozen channels to hockey!

I emailed Rick Germano office with my concern. Here is the answer I received:

From: Comcast ECARE <ecare@comcast.com>
Thank you for contacting the Comcast Office of Rick Germano, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations regarding the addition of FSN-HD to your Comcast lineup. I can certainly understand why this would be of
value to you. I would be happy to look into this for you today.

Comcast is committed to deploying HDTV service. We are working to
provide as many high definition channel broadcasters as possible. Here
are some of the factors involved with expanding our high definition
lineup:

-the negotiation and contract process required to obtain the rights to
carry a specific high definition broadcast, such as TNT-HD and HD-Net.

-the increased bandwidth resources which are required

-the relatively low number of subscribers (currently only a small
minority of customers have high definition compatible television sets)

We will continue to explore additional HD programming opportunities as
more content providers make plans to offer their programming in HD
format.

We appreciate the fact that you took the time to let us know what is
important to you. We hope to expand our high definition channel lineup
as fast as we can. Unfortunately we are unable to provide specific
details regarding the launch of new channels at this time, please keep
an eye on your monthly billing statement as the announcement of any
channel additions will appear on those statements. I have submitted a
request for this to be added on your behalf. The local markets keep
track of how many people are interested in what channels and make
decisions based on the results.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns. Thank you for choosing Comcast, we truly appreciate your
business.

To assure the proper tracking of this issue, we have created the
following customer service ticket:

Please refer to this number should you contact us regarding this same
issue.

Sincerely,
Trina Fediuk
Office of Rick Germano

I am looking for someone that can install a TV antenna. Due to my renters agreement, I cannot go up on the roof of the house I am in. However, if I find someone who is insured that does this for a living, I can get an antenna put on the roof.

Brent

Getting OTA on a Mac :D

I am looking for someone that can install a TV antenna. Due to my renters agreement, I cannot go up on the roof of the house I am in. However, if I find someone who is insured that does this for a living, I can get an antenna put on the roof.

Try the "Seattle, WA - OTA" board instead. DanKurts, who posts on that board, does that professionally.

Anyone besides me getting annoyed with what iGuide says is on versus what is being broadcast?

Had three occasions this week where what was being broadcast did not match with what was shown on iGuide....jeez

That comcast letter is crap, Seattle has one of the highest adoption rates of HD TV's in the nation.........

With Mariners baseball beginning next week, I would like to set a season pass to the mariners HD broadcasts on 664. Unfortunately, the Tivo guide does not display the FSN-HD schedule, only the MOJO schedule on 664 so a Season Pass only picks up the games on channel 30.

Just curious if any of the many Tivo users here have a work around to this, without setting up manual recordings for each game. Kind of defeats the benefits of a season pass if you have to do it manually. :confused:

Thanks!Yes, it's a problem. In fact, the Comcast online guide doesn't even show the correct mix of programming on the combined channel 664.

I don't think there's any easy workaround for recording Mariners games. More than half the games are scheduled for 7pm so what I'll probably do is set up a repeating manual recording for 7-11pm every day and manage the ToDo List on a weekly basis to cancel the ones I won't need. The rest of them will probably have to be set up individually.

Who do I write to at Comcast to request FSN-HD? <ecare@comcast.net>?

Yes, it's a problem. In fact, the Comcast online guide doesn't even show the correct mix of programming on the combined channel 664.

I don't think there's any easy workaround for recording Mariners games. More than half the games are scheduled for 7pm so what I'll probably do is set up a repeating manual recording for 7-11pm every day and manage the ToDo List on a weekly basis to cancel the ones I won't need. The rest of them will probably have to be set up individually.

Who do I write to at Comcast to request FSN-HD? <ecare@comcast.net>?

Send email to VP: Steve_kipp@cable.comcast.com

I saw this interesting post about Comcast re-compressing cable HDTV. Has pics for comparison to VerizonFiOS (fiber-optic service) :

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

Ouch, -1 for Comcast

-the relatively low number of subscribers (currently only a small
minority of customers have high definition compatible television sets)



They seem to allocate a lot of resources to market to this small minority.

That comcast letter is crap, Seattle has one of the highest adoption rates of HD TV's in the nation.........

Not only is it crap, it is just a generic generated letter they send out when you request HD. I received an email almost identical to that almost 2 years ago when requesting more HD... just swap, your name, and channel requests and you have the same exact letter every time.

Anyone besides me getting annoyed with what iGuide says is on versus what is being broadcast?

Had three occasions this week where what was being broadcast did not match with what was shown on iGuide....jeez

When I asked why the onscreen guide was so inaccurate (especially compared to the one on the website) to the e-care, the first response explained how they can offer many different programming choices and touted the parental control feature.

When I replied to this with the same question, they responded by telling me the change to the TV Guide channel was required to prepare for the upcoming Digital TV transition. Then they went on to explain DTV.

When I replied with the same question again.... No response.

Information for those of you who have taped over the message light -- as of April 9 at 12PM, AZN (channel 70) will cease operation.

Information for those of you who have taped over the message light -- as of April 9 at 12PM, AZN (channel 70) will cease operation.

WOOHOO!!!!!!

Only in some area's where Verizon has telephone service. South King County and Seattle are served by Qwest. The Eastside from 520 and north I believe is Verizon territory. Correct me if I am wrong.

In Kirkland, I've had FIOS phone/internet for almost a year -- great improvement. TV still not available, though. Maybe "real soon now"...

Comcast added Disney, ABC Family, AMC, and Science HD in a few markets today. Did someone say we'd be getting these next week?

Information for those of you who have taped over the message light -- as of April 9 at 12PM, AZN (channel 70) will cease operation.

AZN was converted to digital a while ago. There was only color bars in the analog channel if you tuned to it with an analog tuner.

It's actually a sad day. AZN was once a good channel that Comcast completely f**d over, and then decided to turn it off.

Comcast Seattle now has substantially no Chinese language programming, where it used to have a lot.

AZN was converted to digital a while ago. There was only color bars in the analog channel if you tuned to it with an analog tuner.
...

Bummer, if that means that no analog bandwidth will be recovered when AZN goes away.

Comcast added Disney, ABC Family, AMC, and Science HD in a few markets today. Did someone say we'd be getting these next week?I was told by a Comcast insider that April 23 is the planned launch date for Disney, ABC Family, and Science HD. I did not hear anything about AMC-HD.

When I asked why the onscreen guide was so inaccurate (especially compared to the one on the website) to the e-care, the first response explained how they can offer many different programming choices and touted the parental control feature.

When I replied to this with the same question, they responded by telling me the change to the TV Guide channel was required to prepare for the upcoming Digital TV transition. Then they went on to explain DTV.

When I replied with the same question again.... No response.

LOL. Kinda reminds me of the first AI programs back in the 80's. You'd present it with a question that you knew it could not answer and then sit back while it spewed garbage responses on the screen. One such program was supposed to be a relationship coach/shrink called Eliza or something. Hours of entertainment...

Your responses look like either HAL9000 was answering or they do not even bother to read the question (just hit canned response #87 then #44 then DEL).

When I asked why the onscreen guide was so inaccurate (especially compared to the one on the website) to the e-care, the first response explained how they can offer many different programming choices and touted the parental control feature.

When I replied to this with the same question, they responded by telling me the change to the TV Guide channel was required to prepare for the upcoming Digital TV transition. Then they went on to explain DTV.

When I replied with the same question again.... No response.

At least they didn't hit you with the usual response of "Make sure all your coax connections are tight and power off/on your receiver"

It's actually a sad day. AZN was once a good channel that Comcast completely f**d over, and then decided to turn it off...Comcast Seattle now has substantially no Chinese language programming, where it used to have a lot. Ironically, if you get a DTV converter box, you can watch AAT Television (http://www.aattv.com/) on Seattle's KHCV-DT 45.3. Comcast isn't currently carrying this KHCV (http://www.tv45.tv/) subchannel, or the other KHCV DT subchannels, Azteca America (http://www.azteca45.com/) 45.2 and America One (http://www.americaone.com/home.htm) 45.4.

SOON.....

Comcast has said it will also soon add the new Disney-owned channels, ABC Family HD and Disney Channel HD, in the Seattle area.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastadd040208.htm

SOON.....

Comcast has said it will also soon add the new Disney-owned channels, ABC Family HD and Disney Channel HD, in the Seattle area.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastadd040208.htm

old news.
first batch due 4/9 second batch due 4/23.

old news.
first batch due 4/9 second batch due 4/23.

What's in each batch?

What's in each batch?
TBS is broadcasting Baseball weekly now and has the Playoffs... why no HD for TBS???? I believe sat has that already

TBS HD would be a nice addition now that there are weekly baseball games scheduled. As someone who paid $170 for MLB Extra Innings, it's also extremely dispiriting that for the second year in a row the Seattle market is not getting the Game HD channel. (Extra Innings heavily promotes 10 HD games a week that are shows on this channel for subscribers to the package.)

It seems wrong that all Comcast customer nationwide pay the same price for this package but not everyone gets the same level of service. Given that it's 10 games a week, adding this content doesn't seem like it would strain the system very much. Why not just use the worthless VSGOLF channel and pre-empt the content for these baseball games that people are paying a major premium for?

TBS HD would be a nice addition now that there are weekly baseball games scheduled. As someone who paid $170 for MLB Extra Innings, it's also extremely dispiriting that for the second year in a row the Seattle market is not getting the Game HD channel. (Extra Innings heavily promotes 10 HD games a week that are shows on this channel for subscribers to the package.)

It seems wrong that all Comcast customer nationwide pay the same price for this package but not everyone gets the same level of service. Given that it's 10 games a week, adding this content doesn't seem like it would strain the system very much. Why not just use the worthless VSGOLF channel and pre-empt the content for these baseball games that people are paying a major premium for? Yeah it's ridiculous...they're promoting the MLB Package for free this week and it's not hd!! Meanwhile the M's games look terrific on Mojo...We'll see what the road games look like tonight if it's not rained out...Also good article on the home page AVS about HD compression

So, yesterday's away game was in HD. Color me surprised.

Supposedly most, in not all Mariner games will be broadcast in HD on 664 this season.

I understand that all of the Mariners game will be broadcast in HD @ ch664 on Comcast.

I'm very happy the decision Comcast made.
Hope all other MLB games on extra (ch460-472?) channel do the same.

I understand that all of the Mariners game will be broadcast in HD @ ch664 on Comcast.

I'm very happy the decision Comcast made.
Hope all other MLB games on extra (ch460-472?) channel do the same.

Well, that won't happen.

FSN says all of its Mariners games will be in HD this year. Comcast is airing the FSN games on 664.

FYI... the MLB Extra Innings free preview period seems to be in clear QAM again.

Games 1-10 are on Chs. 113-1 through 113-10 and Games 11-12 are on 96-11 and 96-12.

Here's something else...when I change channels, sometimes it just freezes up for about 20-30 seconds maybe longer...Any way to fix this, or what is the cause? Thanks

Comcast is adding 11 new hd channels in SW washington:

The new channels are: Discovery Channel HD; TLC HD; ABC Family HD: Disney Channel HD; Animal Planet HD; CNN HD TBS HD; Sci Fi Network HD; Food Network HD; AMC HD and Science Channel HD.

Looks like Seattle will get ABC Family, Disney, TBS, AMC and CNN soon since SW is getting them.

Comcast Adding 11 HD Channels In Washington
The cable operator includes new Disney networks.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2008) -- Comcast has announced that it will add 11 High-Definition channels in southwest Washington state on May 1.

The new channels are: Discovery Channel HD; TLC HD; ABC Family HD: Disney Channel HD; Animal Planet HD; CNN HD TBS HD; Sci Fi Network HD; Food Network HD; AMC HD and Science Channel HD.

The channels are expected to be soon added to other Comcast local markets in the Washington area.

Comcast said last month that the new Disney-owned channels -- ABC Family HD and Disney Channel HD -- would be added in the Seattle area.

But a company spokeswoman said she was misinformed and that they would be added later.

It seemed until recently that the Food Network HD was a separate channel from the SD version. It only seemed to play HD programing. I noticed this weekend though, that now it's just the East Coast feed of the regular channel, stretched and converted. What gives?

Food-HD -- either it's their idea of an "enhancement" or Ted Turner bought the network and is bringing it inline with his other stretch-o-vision channels.

Ok, so i'm in Bothell using Comcast QAM on my Panny 77u. I still can't get Kiro, Fox, or a couple others since the shuffle earlier this year. When I manually go to 110-2 for Kiro all I get is Channel Unavailable. Anyone have any thoughts?

The ranges don't pop up on an auto-scan either.

Food-HD -- either it's their idea of an "enhancement" or Ted Turner bought the network and is bringing it inline with his other stretch-o-vision channels.

Discovery HD is really starting to annoy me because they stretch the image in both directions (to maintain the aspect ratio) which means the bottom part of the image is cut off. I noticed on "Walking with Dinosaurs" all the titles for the talking heads were cut-off because they extended below the bottom of the screen.

Both my TiVoHDs were black on Cable In (CableCARD), Comcast Motorola DVRs fine this morning. Seems more than just a coincidence.

Anyone else?

Both my TiVoHDs were black on Cable In (CableCARD), Comcast Motorola DVRs fine this morning. Seems more than just a coincidence.

Anyone else?

Mine were fine today, but I've had this problem at least twice before.

I'm not sure if it's caused by a TIVO software update, or whether Comcast is sending a signal to the cable cards and the TIVO box doesn't like it - either way, the TIVO box is left in a bad state. I end up having to pull the power on the TIVO box and after it restarts things are back to "normal" again...

Both my TiVoHDs were black on Cable In (CableCARD), Comcast Motorola DVRs fine this morning. Seems more than just a coincidence.

Anyone else?

Same problem here. Don't know what is going on. Tivo is black and other comcrap box is fine.

Ok, so i'm in Bothell using Comcast QAM on my Panny 77u. I still can't get Kiro, Fox, or a couple others since the shuffle earlier this year. When I manually go to 110-2 for Kiro all I get is Channel Unavailable. Anyone have any thoughts?

The ranges don't pop up on an auto-scan either.

Have you tried looking for Kiro on 7-1?

Both my TiVoHDs were black on Cable In (CableCARD), Comcast Motorola DVRs fine this morning. Seems more than just a coincidence.

Anyone else?

When I woke up, my Tivo HD was on Cartoon Network (44) and it was black. Channeled down to 43 and picture came up. Channeled up to CN and it was fine.

It evidently was fine last night, since it recorded shows at 1am (on CN) with no issue.

Have you tried looking for Kiro on 7-1?

Yup, lost 7, 11, and 13 when they were moved. Auto-scan doesn't pick them up anywhere, nor does manually going to where the were (or are supposed to be now)

3 new HD channels announced today...It was on my messages I believe the launch date is April 23 Disney, Family and Science dang it's not TBS, need hd baseball...also any response to my post about channel freeze and a remedy? Thanks

3 new HD channels announced today...It was on my messages I believe the launch date is April 23 Disney, Family and Science dang it's not TBS, need hd baseball...also any response to my post about channel freeze and a remedy? Thanks

Comcast is on fire for adding new hd channels in seattle area. I hope they continue this hot streak of new hd addition in future.....


Please add ESPNews, Speed...

Hmmmmm.... all those predictions about additions on 4/9 and all we got is an ANNOUNCEMENT of 3 channels on 4/23. Where are the other 7-8 that were promised? It's Comcraptic!

quarque,

It's Comcraptic!

Thanks for the laugh, I needed it after dealing with Comcraptic in the Chicagoland area since January ( meaning only my LATEST Comcraptic episode). I've been a Comcast customer since '94. But only because they were the only game in town. See my post at the Chicago Comcast thread here.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13603349#post13603349

Hope you have better luck in the Seattle area than we've had here in the suburbs of Chicago.

"Every time" Comcast has added new HD channels (and taken away even more other SD OR HD channels of course, while raising their prices too of course) or upgraded equipment or updated software here its literally 3 months on average to finally work the wrinkles out ever since HD was rolled out about 3-4 years or so ago. During the ironing out process the tiling and audio dropouts have been simply horrendous and "actually gotten worse" every time and lasting a minimum of MONTHS. Now they're telling me it'll be well into May before its fixed (i.e. don't hold my breath if it'll ever be fixed). Like I'm likely to believe even that after all the other lame excuses since January (AND LONG BEFORE THAT TOO) and their now predictable performance since HD was first introduced here by Comcast? They play the old game of 'whack a mole' moving the problem around onto varying 'other' channels without ever fixing it for months on end. I've heard every excuse in the book from them without any actual results since January . . THIS TIME. And I tie it directly to them adding the same new HD channels they're rolling out in your area now. Because they rolled them out in my area right when my problems started in January and its STILL NOT fixed. This is AT LEAST the 6th time I've gone through this IN THE LAST FEW YEARS so I've learned their patterns of excuses and eventual repair patterns pretty well by now. Stall, Deny, Stall, deny, deny ("It's still not fixed? We'll try again!) . . . . and wait some more till they finally get around to COMPRESSING their signals EVEN MORE. GRRRRRR!

Also hope you're wired with CAT6 cable TO YOUR SET because that's another excuse they're using NOW to blame our condo complex that was built nearly 20 years ago, we've only got CAT5 cabling in our condos. And of course they're telling me they'd have to rewire all 96 units AT ONE TIME with CAT6 in our complex to fix JUST MY problem, Katching $$$$$ for Comcast! Its not their fault, its mine now. They don't 'do' single condo units, only entire complexes, OR THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED in fixing the problem! Yup, sure, it is actually my problem. I've lived in a condo in an area since '94 where Comcast is the only option other than nothing but OTA. TOO BAD THEY STAPLED THEIR CABLES INSIDE THE WALLS TOO, EH? So pulling new cables will probably require breaking out drywall to reach them to pull them free to pull new ones? In 96 units!!!!!! KATCHING $$$$$ because they didn't run them in conduit so they'd be easy to pull new cables? Ya, that's my fault too. AT&T ran their phone lines in conduit at the same time years ago! AT&T had the 'long term' outlook/insights that Cable didn't! Cable is the next internet boom gone bust.

The last paragraph above tells me Comcast has 'capped out' for bandwidth FOR ANY BUILDINGS WITH CAT5 CABLING for the current 'compression' software they have available and their shortsightedness will byte them in the butt in the end. They're only and finally adding more HD channels . . . BECAUSE AT&T is finally hot on their heels as competition IN MY AREA . . . FINALLY. If AT&T hadn't come to this area for TV too? WE'D ALL still be waiting FOR MORE HD!

I spent 10+ years in the Commercial and Residential Burglar and Fire Alarm Industry from the mid 80's thru the mid 90's so I understand digital data to a better than average degree of the typical cable customer because I did several very large commercial CCTV systems during those years. Then I went onto getting an Associates Degree in Computer Science in '97 so I also understand Networks, which Cable is nothing more than a glorified network pushing video and audio PLUS computer data, its ALL bits and bytes no matter how its phrased. Only so much data can be pushed thru any given 'pipeline' before it maxes out the network regardless of its 'compression' schemes. Cable is only going to go downhill from here when adding more HD without rewiring all the way to your door PLUS newer network cards and servers and MORE and closer TO THEIR CUSTOMER distribution points to add capacity (i.e. customers requesting HD channels, they've already sucked up any excess capacity from LESS BANDWIDTH INTENSIVE SD channels) which means Cable (no matter who your service provider is if its Cable based) has to invest more which means prices are only going to continue growing versus anything else like Fiber or Satellite. Cable is destined to become more expensive than any other provider in the next several years because of the bandwidth limits of 'their' current cables, not just mine. AT&T has fiber optic cables (which blows CAT6 off the planet for bandwidth) which is already in the ground and only has to be 'built out' from their distribution points to the actual customer location to much more easily upgrade over anything cable has or ever will for a long time to come without going back to ground zero again by . . . leasing fiber too? There goes Cable bills, UP again! Cat6 is only a short term LOCAL solution for them before that maxes out too. Bandwidth ends up being the bottom line in the end and cable is dying, just in the early stages is all if they don't invest big $$$$$$$, by charging its customers of course, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

I will be 'so happy' that words fail me when I finally get to say, "YOU'RE FIRED" to Comcast. I'm paying $90.00+ a month (which constantly goes up MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR) for Cable ONLY and I don't even have any premium channels, no High Speed Internet or phone thru Comcast! My ultimate dream is to finally get satellite like my cousin has (where Comcast isn't even available by less than one country block where they stopped literally next door to his house last year, he's too far out in the country, by less than a block) and who doesn't have 10% of my problems even in the worst of Wisconsin weather. But my being in a north exposure condo unit that'll probably never happen unless I move, which regrettably won't be any time soon. Cable will never have the bandwidth of satellite, so I'm just screwed till AT&T brings some competition to my area this year. Its already rolling out in the more affluent neighborhoods near Chicago so this year will finally be my year to dump Comcast and never look back. All I'll have left to do once they're FIRED and gone is wipe the Comcraptic off my shoes. *lol*

Not to totally take a dump on Cable because 'they' all have their limits including AT&T but Satellite will reign supreme for many years to come as I see it. Ever guess where Comcast gets their feeds from? Go to your local Comcast site, its littered with Satellite dishes FOR NEARLY ALL ITS FEEDS! They just compress it before passing it on . . . along with a higher bill of course for being 'the middleman' in that data stream. Bits and bytes is all it REALLY is in this digital age. Too bad we don't get what we pay for when we're at the mercy of the markets available based on where we live. But competition is finally headed our way with Cable no longer having the strangle hold it once had to its captive audience in so many markets. Dump any Comcast stock you might own, I did years ago. Cable is the dinosaur in the digital age now.

The fifth Comcraptic Tech since January was out here today and I was finally told they've done all they can with what they have to work with after adding these new channels so I'm still fired up with their latest lame (MONEY making FOR THEM and expensive beyond words FOR ME AND MY ENTIRE 96 UNIT COMPLEX) excuses (SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS ANYONE?). I really needed the laugh so thanks . . . . . and good luck . . . you're gonna need it if Comcraptic is your ONLY choice too.

Nutt

quarque,

Sorry, to answer your original complaint? Because when the rolled out that many channels at once it fell flat on its face because of complaints like mine? We only got 6 and it still ended up as an (earlier than you) abortion for its effectiveness and they're far from fixing it after more than 3 months at it. Final word? Don't hold you breath waiting for what Comcast promises. But you shouldn't have to wait as long for your bill going up soon. They won't get that part wrong. Mine went up right 'before' they added the channels!

Nutt

If any Seattle-area folks could help me out, I would really appreciate it. I made some futile phone calls yesterday trying to find out why Seattle is not getting the HD games that are part of Extra Innings. The not-so-helpful phone rep read his script ("HD games are not included in this market at this time") and then suggested that it might change if a lot of people called or e-mailed in to complain.

So, that's my favor. If you could write in asking that the games be added, I would just like to see if there is any reaction at all. I know everyone is interested in different channels (Speed, ESPN News, etc.) and I want those too. However, MLB costs nearly $200 and all of the advertising talks about HD games.

So if you have Extra Innings, please file a request/demand that the HD is included. If you don't, please consider telling Comcast you were going to order it until you discovered that our market is not getting the package as advertised. Please note that many other Comcast markets are getting the HD games (usually 1 per day on a channel that's then shut off)--as usual, Seattle gets the short end of the stick.

FYI, Telemundo showed up in clear QAM on 102-43.

...Also hope you're wired with CAT6 cable TO YOUR SET because that's another excuse they're using NOW to blame our condo complex that was built nearly 20 years ago, we've only got CAT5 cabling in our condos. ...Since when can you run cable over unshielded twisted pair? Funny, I always thought it required coax. Maybe that's your problem...

Since when can you run cable over unshielded twisted pair? Funny, I always thought it required coax. Maybe that's your problem...

I wonder if he means RG6 versus RG59?

I wonder if he means RG6 versus RG59?

Yep, when I was having problems, they said my wiring was RGxx (can't remember if it was 59, but it is cheap crapola from the builder) inside and left me with a spool of RG6. And at no charge! Since I have crawl space to almost all my outlets, I've used Comcast supplied RG6 to rewire most of my house! Maybe not a big deal, but I would guess there was 500' on that spool.

My oops,

RG6 is what they're saying I'd need to update to from RG5 or whatever the old stuff is. My oops because the steam coming out of my ears was fogging my glasses. Cat6, RG6, like I'm current with the techno talk they speak? I'm too outdated on that stuff which doesn't take very long these days. *lol* But from Comcast I wouldn't expect anything free. From where their drop point is outside my condo building, up to the buildings attic, across another units 3rd floor ceiling and back down to my 2nd floor unit? I'd easily use up that 500ft box and then some if I did all three outlets in my unit. I'd guess its easily well over 150' plus for each room. Sure, Comcast has credited my bill a few times for the inconvenience. But living with this for literally months at a time, twice or more a year, every time they update or add channels for several years now? It's way past being a minor issue and well into being a major annoyance that keeps repeating itself on a predictable basis. Oh, eventually they get it fixed after 3 or more months of complaining about it without any improvement till they finally fix it at their head end (main distribution point) that serves this whole area of 4 or 5 different suburbs. With even more compression of course which degrades the HD even further. Oh well, they'll get some bandwidth back once all the SD channels go off the air in Feb 2009. Till then, I'm pretty much sol. But after that as more HD Channels are added? It'll be the same game all over again till the buildings are updated to RG6, at OUR expense, of course. And I'm sure our bills will just keep going up without that changing.

The real corker was the fact that the tech told me that they wouldn't update my unit to RG6 unless the entire 96 unit complex was upgraded at the same time . . . Katching $$$$? At the Associations expense of course. Anyone smell a Special Assessment to pay for it? Guess who was being done the favor? It wasn't me OR the Association. Again, they didn't run their cables in conduit which in Cook County (meaning ALL THE BURBS around Chicago's common building codes) even the phone company did that for 'easy' future updates. Anyone here ever 'fished' 500 plus feet of wire, INSIDE WALLS, times 96 units? Think of a 4-5 digit number, best case $,$$$.$$ or worse case $$,$$$.$$ and don't bother thinking of low numbers for 4 digits to rewire that many units with 3 cable outlets in each unit! Comcast ain't gonna go broke on it you can bet the bank on that. In the mean time till AT&T builds out 'the last 5 miles' from their central stations and brings fiber to my address (which is happening this year) I've gotten to live with Comcasts excuses since HDTV was first introduced to our area roughly 3-4 years ago.

I'll be sure to let the door hit them in the ___ when I finally get to fire Comcast. Just saw a new commercial from AT&T tonight. They're going to be introducing an even faster internet service than Comcast ever has or ever will. Fiber is good for anyones diet, except Comcasts. Don't forget to sell any stock you own in them, they're the dinosaurs in this market now or soon to be anyway.

Nutt

I went to bed last night with the cable box on, and got up this morning with it off.
When I went to turn it on, and watch the Saturday ball game, one moment please, your channel should be available shortly...and about half my channels getting that, and alot of other channels pixelating badly....
So called comcast support, the tech said their push last night caused an issue with alot of boxes and they are trying to fix them, and should be fixed in 2-3 days.....but the tech also said she'd try to push a signal to my box to try and fix it.
Still getting issue. She said it may take 45 minutes to update everything, and if it doesn't solve it, they are working on it and it should be resolved in 48-72 hours. Do I get credit...ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
comcraptic is right,

Ric

I went to bed last night with the cable box on, and got up this morning with it off.
When I went to turn it on, and watch the Saturday ball game, one moment please, your channel should be available shortly...and about half my channels getting that, and alot of other channels pixelating badly....
So called comcast support, the tech said their push last night caused an issue with alot of boxes and they are trying to fix them, and should be fixed in 2-3 days.....but the tech also said she'd try to push a signal to my box to try and fix it.
Still getting issue. She said it may take 45 minutes to update everything, and if it doesn't solve it, they are working on it and it should be resolved in 48-72 hours. Do I get credit...ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
comcraptic is right,

Ric

Ummm, Yes. You have to ask for it though.

I went to bed last night with the cable box on, and got up this morning with it off.
When I went to turn it on, and watch the Saturday ball game, one moment please, your channel should be available shortly...and about half my channels getting that, and alot of other channels pixelating badly....
So called comcast support, the tech said their push last night caused an issue with alot of boxes and they are trying to fix them, and should be fixed in 2-3 days.....but the tech also said she'd try to push a signal to my box to try and fix it.
Still getting issue. She said it may take 45 minutes to update everything, and if it doesn't solve it, they are working on it and it should be resolved in 48-72 hours. Do I get credit...ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
comcraptic is right,

Ric


I too had some odd things with my moto box recently. The DVR button would not bring up the full DVR page with options, for example. Then I noticed the guide data was only populated a few hours ahead on most channels. My DVR suddenly went from 60% full to 100% full Friday night and it wanted me to delete something. I always keep a 1-minute recording just for this occasion and used it to make the DVR "happy" about space. I was just about to do the full DVR reset thing outlined in wikipedia but I decided to wait.

Obviously they have been pushing something down the pipe recently (or should I say "flushing" something down...). Today I noticed things are working more or less correctly and the guide is out 1 week+ on most everything. I'm holding off on the reset for now.

have question, the comcast moto cable box,you know the digital one .is really digital or are they comcast taking the signal and converting it back to analog ? reason i ask because the box has a ntsc tuner.if that's the case then in my mind the box is not digital. am i right in this thought. thank you for any reply.

It's digital. The boxes have analog outputs, for the benefit of those with analog TVs, along with digital outputs. Some boxes have analog tuners, but some don't. Having analog tuners doesn't negate the fact that they're digital, it just augments it.

thank you wareagle

Anyplace in the Seattle area selling a Clear QAM set-top box, other than the Samsung 260? The $180 260 is reportedly VERY good as a Clear QAM tuner, but its ATSC OTA tuner may not be as effectove in difficult-reception OTA areas as the new (standard-def-only) CECBs which cannot decode QAM.

In addition to viewing Comcast Limited Cable using my Sony TVs' internal analog cable tuner, I am using two LG/Zenith CECBs to receive OTA subchannel feeds not carried on Comcast Limited Cable. At my location, that specifically includes getting all of the KBTC subchannels (coming in at 90-95% signal strength using an indoor Philips Silver Sensor) and KCTS (coming in around 70% signal strength using the SS).

My goal is to access the nonencrypted QAM channels which Comcast does carry.

Anyplace in the Seattle area selling a Clear QAM set-top box, other than the Samsung 260? The $180 260 is reportedly VERY good as a Clear QAM tuner, but its ATSC OTA tuner may not be as effectove in difficult-reception OTA areas as the new (standard-def-only) CECBs which cannot decode QAM.

In addition to viewing Comcast Limited Cable using my Sony TVs' internal analog cable tuner, I am using two LG/Zenith CECBs to receive OTA subchannel feeds not carried on Comcast Limited Cable. At my location, that specifically includes getting all of the KBTC subchannels (coming in at 90-95% signal strength using an indoor Philips Silver Sensor) and KCTS (coming in around 70% signal strength using the SS).

My goal is to access the nonencrypted QAM channels which Comcast does carry.
We subscribe to Comcast Limited Basic service and we receive all 4 KCTS digital channels: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 (all SD) and 9.5 (HD).

Anyone noticing anything weird with KOMO's audio lately? It seems like it's become much louder than the other channels, so we have to turn down the volume whenever we switch to it. That started some time this week, I think. And right now I'm watching the local news and something seems weird with the surround mix -- far too much of the audio is coming from the rear channels.

Is it just me?

Edited to add: I'm talking about KOMO HD (104) on Comcast, I haven't checked the SD version.

sharding, it's not just you. I've noticed the same thing.

A few months ago KOMO was having a lot of audio dropout and sync issues, they have been suspect for quite a while. Too bad there's another problem...

Ok, so, I know the box deletes shows when you get too full, and that very well may have happened to some episodes, but, I'm just curious, has anyone else found that their box deleted older episodes even when space wasn't an issue? Like, for some reason, it'll only hold 7 episodes of any one series? I lost the first 6 episodes of Torchwood, just because I wanted to wait for S3 of Dr. Who to finish before watching it... You'd think that since most everything else I record is HD, that if I was that low on space, I'd have lost a lot more than 6 episodes of a SD recording....

Can't speak for the Comcast software, but with Tivo, by default it only saves five episodes of a show...

Can't speak for the Comcast software, but with Tivo, by default it only saves five episodes of a show...

Nope, default is All.

KOMO news article about the HD channel crunching issue.

http://www.komotv.com/news/17964774.html

Less I missing somthing, shouldn't Comcast be carrying the Digital signal for KBTC by now under the OTA must carry rules? Assuming their digital signal is acutally HD?

Interesting that this topic is being picked up around the country as well... MSNBC also ran the story
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24238071/

Hopefully technology changes will improve picture quality... odd that we even have to talk about improving picture quality for HD... frustrating

Lest I be missing somthing: shouldn't Comcast be carrying the Digital signal for KBTC by now under the OTA must carry rules? Assuming their digital signal is acutally HD? Apparently, no. At this time, only KBTC analog 28 is carried on Comcast. KBTC (real channel 27, virtual channel 28) has the following DTV subchannels:

28.1 KBTC DT (identical feed to analog 28)
28.2 Create
28.3 Annenberg Media
28.4 MhZ WorldView

My limited understanding is that at this time, cable companies aren't forced to carry the standard-def subchannels. This provision would also explain why some other DTV channels are currently not carried on Comcast:

KTBW Subchannels:
20.2 The Church Channel
20.3 JCTV
20.4 (religious)
20.5 (children's religious)

KWPX Subchannels
33.2 Qubo
33.3 ION Life
33.4 Worship

KHCV Subchannels
45.2 Azteca America (though this might be in a special Spanish-language package on Comcast)
45.3 AAT TV (Chinese-language)
45.4 Sportsman's Network

Ok, so, I know the box deletes shows when you get too full, and that very well may have happened to some episodes, but, I'm just curious, has anyone else found that their box deleted older episodes even when space wasn't an issue? Like, for some reason, it'll only hold 7 episodes of any one series? I lost the first 6 episodes of Torchwood, just because I wanted to wait for S3 of Dr. Who to finish before watching it... You'd think that since most everything else I record is HD, that if I was that low on space, I'd have lost a lot more than 6 episodes of a SD recording....

There is a known problem with Moto DVR's even with the old guide. Through repeated record/erase cycles the hard drive gets fragmented or something and the software can't accurately calculate how much free space is left. Mine recently would not record beyond 60% full no matter what length show was in the queue. I finally got tired of this and did the full reset procedure from wikibooks.org (you can search wikipedia for "How to use a Motorola DVR" and then find the "Reset" topic). There are 2 procedures listed. I tried the HDD reset/format one first and it did not seem to do much so I then did the Factory Full Reset. I never was sure if the HDD was formatted during either of these. But after the second procedure it downloaded the guide software and started to populate the guide (very slowly). Note that you will lose any recordings or Series stored on the drive. I still don't know if it has fixed my problem since I have not yet gotten above 60% full. It is also a good idea to keep a 2-minute "junk" recording on the drive at all times so that if it complains about space you can delete that recording and usually make it happy for at least one more recording. I suspect your problem was due to this HDD space issue not the number of episodes.

Message on the box:

4/22 New HD Channels
Three new HD channels are here! Check out Disney Channel HD on 677, ABC Family HD on 678 and Science Channel HD on 696...

(Of course, they aren't really there, nor do they appear in the guide yet.)

Disney and Science Channel looked okay here in Auburn. Didn't check out ABC Family, but I really don't see watching these channels at all.

The new channels finally showed up in Bellevue -- not that it matters much.

I've seen the available space percent go up by unplugging and replugging the power cord. The guide data is not retained, the the recordings are. Is the guide data stored on the HD or is it store in other RAM?

Well, for me these 3 channels are GREAT addition to the HD lineup as I have 4 kids ranging from 2 to 9 years-old. Besides, ABC Family is home of Kyle XY and few other dramas that my wife and I watch, so thank you Comcast for adding these channels.

--
Sang

I submitted a Tivo "missing schedule data report" for the 98005 zip code. It's my understanding that Tivo, nudges Comcast and Trinity, which results in getting schedule data for everyone in the zip code.

I don't plan on watching these channels, but appreciate Comcast adding any "any" new HD.

I'll start the request for the next additions. I would prefer TBSHD, FSNWHD, and all 4 HBOHD(s), currently available, and the additional 4 HBOHD(s) is adding this year (if HBO hasn't already done so). :D

I'll take Science Channel HD, as I watch a few shows on it. Nothing on my Tivo yet, but it likely needs an update.

I submitted a Tivo "missing schedule data report" for the 98005 zip code. It's my understanding that Tivo, nudges Comcast and Trinity, which results in getting schedule data for everyone in the zip code.

I don't plan on watching these channels, but appreciate Comcast adding any "any" new HD.

I'll start the request for the next additions. I would prefer TBSHD, FSNWHD, and all 4 HBOHD(s), currently available, and the additional 4 HBOHD(s) is adding this year (if HBO hasn't already done so). :D

Weren't the channel adds really effective 4/23? If so I'd wait until after tonight's overnight TiVo update before I go submitting channel reports. It's possible the update is keyed to come overnight tonight.

Anyone else having trouble with repeated breakup of and/or no signal on Ch664 for the last several M's games? (Sometmes there's repeated breakup - "pixelation", other times a black screen with the message "One Moment Please - This chanel should be available shortly.") Right now - 7:15 pm on 4/22/08, instead of what should probably be the first inning, there's the blackscreen with message problem...

My cable box seems to have problems (a terribly unresponsive remote and channels that often won't change until I turn the box off and on - i.e."reboot" - first) and I'm wondering if everyone is having this problem with the Mariner HD broadcasts or if this is yet just another problem with my cable box.

Thanks,
r-gordon-7

Anyone noticing anything weird with KOMO's audio lately? It seems like it's become much louder than the other channels, so we have to turn down the volume whenever we switch to it. That started some time this week, I think. And right now I'm watching the local news and something seems weird with the surround mix -- far too much of the audio is coming from the rear channels.

Is it just me?

Edited to add: I'm talking about KOMO HD (104) on Comcast, I haven't checked the SD version.

A few months ago KOMO was having a lot of audio dropout and sync issues, they have been suspect for quite a while. Too bad there's another problem...

I haven't had any audio problems, but lots of pixelation issues. Really noticed it tonight during Dancing with the Stars and Boston Legal, but have seen a lot the last few weeks.

I noticed a lot of pixelation on Boston Legal last week (haven't watched this week yet); when I checked the signal strength for KOMO it was about 30, compared to 36 for KING.

I checked the HD channel frequencies to determine which ones are in "3-packs", then compared them to a posting of the San Francisco channels:

93 - NFL
99 - KMYQ
111 - HBO, Max, TLC*
231 - HDT, APL, Hist*
507 - Disc, USA, SciFi*
513 - Starz, A&E, HGTV*
519 - UHD, NGC, Food*
525 - SHO, VS
573 - KOMO, KCTS
579 - TNT, MOJO
585 - ESPN, ESPN2
591 - KING, MHD
609 - Disney, ABC Fam, Sci**
711 - KONG, KIRO
717 - KSTW, KCPQ

* - These 3-packs match those in San Francisco.
** - San Francisco doesn't yet have these listed.

San Francisco has a 3-pack of VS, CNN, and AMC, so I suppose some day we may have VS put in with those two new ones.

Message on the box:

4/22 New HD Channels
Three new HD channels are here! Check out Disney Channel HD on 677, ABC Family HD on 678 and Science Channel HD on 696...

(Of course, they aren't really there, nor do they appear in the guide yet.)

Nothing had shown up for me yet on the S3 TiVo. I manually went to 677, 678, and 696, and the channels were there. The TiVo even knew the names of the channels, but since they weren't selected as channels I receive, there was no guide data. So went to the TiVo channel selection and added these in manually. :confused:

Weren't the channel adds really effective 4/23? If so I'd wait until after tonight's overnight TiVo update before I go submitting channel reports. It's possible the update is keyed to come overnight tonight.

Too late. I submitted the missing schedule data request to TIVO for 98005 yesterday. Since it takes 5 to 7 days, and I don't have schedule data for the new channels yes, I'm glad I did.

I noticed a lot of pixelation on Boston Legal last week (haven't watched this week yet); when I checked the signal strength for KOMO it was about 30, compared to 36 for KING.

I get pretty awful reception with ABC HD, FOX HD, and the HD PBS feed. NBC and CBS seem fine though...

Whenever I tune to any of the three new channels, a "Not Authorized" message pops up. Anybody else getting this?

Also, there was a pretty good-sized chunk of the Mariners game on FSN-HD (664) that didn't come in tonight (it was coming in fine on FSN-SD (30). I checked on a few other HD channels and a few of them didn't come in.

Perhaps Comcast is having trouble squeezing all this stuff out to us(?).

Whenever I tune to any of the three new channels, a "Not Authorized" message pops up. Anybody else getting this?

Also, there was a pretty good-sized chunk of the Mariners game on FSN-HD (664) that didn't come in tonight (it was coming in fine on FSN-SD (30). I checked on a few other HD channels and a few of them didn't come in.

Perhaps Comcast is having trouble squeezing all this stuff out to us(?). All of the new channels working fine here.

Whenever I tune to any of the three new channels, a "Not Authorized" message pops up. Anybody else getting this?

Also, there was a pretty good-sized chunk of the Mariners game on FSN-HD (664) that didn't come in tonight (it was coming in fine on FSN-SD (30). I checked on a few other HD channels and a few of them didn't come in.

Perhaps Comcast is having trouble squeezing all this stuff out to us(?).


I also live on the eastside, and when I last checked Tues night, I could still not get those channels. I think sometimes these new channels take a couple of days to show up in all parts of the metro area.

Anyone else noticing the weird aspect ratio of the new SCI HD channel? (the image fits vertically on a 16:9 display, but there are black bars on the left/right side of the image. Not sure if this is just occuring on upconverted content or on all their content (haven't watched long enough to tell the difference).

Also, their HD bug has got to go - it's way too large and seems like it takes 25% of the screen... :p (maybe it's to distract you from the aspect ratio probem)

Whenever I tune to any of the three new channels, a "Not Authorized" message pops up. Anybody else getting this?

I got the same thing last night in east Renton area.

Still can't tonight either.

Anyone else noticing the weird aspect ratio of the new SCI HD channel? (the image fits vertically on a 16:9 display, but there are black bars on the left/right side of the image. Not sure if this is just occuring on upconverted content or on all their content (haven't watched long enough to tell the difference).

Also, their HD bug has got to go - it's way too large and seems like it takes 25% of the screen... :p (maybe it's to distract you from the aspect ratio probem)

I believe it's their SD content feed being stretched to 16:9 format? Nauseates me watching it that way.

Any on screen bug should be swatted off. Unnecessary.

Anyone else noticing the weird aspect ratio of the new SCI HD channel? (the image fits vertically on a 16:9 display, but there are black bars on the left/right side of the image. Not sure if this is just occuring on upconverted content or on all their content (haven't watched long enough to tell the difference).
...

HD content looks fine to me on Sci-HD. What you describe just sounds like 4:3 SD content embedded within the 16:9 frame (which beats having it stretched).

I think some of the SciHD content is zoomed, as well. One program today had open captions that were cropped on the bottom.

I think a couple of these channels (have seen it on another channel - cannot remember which) are zooming SD content to fill about a 14:9 area chopping off a bit of the top and bottom and leaving a thinner black bar at the left and right (compared to no zoom at 12:9) - while this chops off a bit of the content at the top and bottom, it does utilize more of the HD screeen without the horrible distortions that channels like TNTHD do.

My TivoHD picked up the new HD channels today, though it only generated a notice about adding Telemundo2(?) on 602.

My TivoHD picked up the new HD channels today, though it only generated a notice about adding Telemundo2(?) on 602.


I got schedule data today in 98005. I've had the 3 new HD channels since day 1.

My TivoHD picked up the new HD channels today, though it only generated a notice about adding Telemundo2(?) on 602.

Not publicized like the new HD Channels, Comcast added mun2 and Telemundo as well with the latest round of channel adds. mun2 is an offshoot channel of Telemundo targeted to the Latino population, but much of its programming is in English:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mun2

The channel is owned by NBC Universal.

I've finally had it with the slow DVR and ordered a Tivo HD with lifetime service while they're offering it. It'll suck losing OnDemand, but it's annoyed me how slowly the HD OnDemand content is growing. Starz offers a lot, but the other premium stations actually are offering less than they used to. I don't bother watching SD shows On Demand because it takes so long to navigate through the menus only to find half of the shows are 5 minute clips.

If I thought the tivo service would be available on the cable box any time soon I would've waited to try it, but the people who have it in Boston don't seem too happy so far. That doesn't make me too optimistic that they'll get it working here properly any time soon. They never should've tried putting Tivo on these crappy Motorola DCT boxes.

My TivoHD picked up the new HD channels today, though it only generated a notice about adding Telemundo2(?) on 602.

Mun-dos is on 603.

Message on the box:

4/22 New HD Channels
Three new HD channels are here! Check out Disney Channel HD on 677, ABC Family HD on 678 and Science Channel HD on 696...

(Of course, they aren't really there, nor do they appear in the guide yet.)

These 3 new channels are still not visible to me in Sammaish, with my cablecard...Can everyone else, in particular on teh eastside, see these? Maybe I need to manually tell my TV to rescan...though it did pick out all the other new channels without me needing to do that...

These 3 new channels are still not visible to me in Sammaish, with my cablecard...Can everyone else, in particular on teh eastside, see these? Maybe I need to manually tell my TV to rescan...though it did pick out all the other new channels without me needing to do that...

The channels became viewable for me by Saturday Evening on my Comcast DVR. Myth Busters shot in HD? Didn't seem stretched.

These 3 new channels are still not visible to me in Sammaish, with my cablecard...Can everyone else, in particular on teh eastside, see these? Maybe I need to manually tell my TV to rescan...though it did pick out all the other new channels without me needing to do that...

I am in Redmond.
For me to get the 3 new channels, I needed to do something like:
(1) Unplug cable card,
(2) Turn TV on.
(3) Turn TV off.
(4) Plug cable card back.
(5) Wait a minute or so.
(6) Turn TV on.
(7) Wait another minute.
(8) Turn TV off.
(9) Turn TV on.

I get the two other new HD channels but not Science Channel in Seattle. Maybe it'll show up later, I don't know.

I think that Comcast is compressing my HD channels because the HD content seems much worse than when I first got HD. After my current deal runs out I'm definitely going to call and let them know that I won't pay full price for all that pixelation and artifacting.

These 3 new channels are still not visible to me in Sammaish, with my cablecard...Can everyone else, in particular on teh eastside, see these? Maybe I need to manually tell my TV to rescan...though it did pick out all the other new channels without me needing to do that...I also live in Sammamish, but have Comcast cable boxes instead of CableCards. All three channels came up for me on the 22nd with no problems.

Any hope that Comcast will add CBUT's CBC Hi-Def feed? It should be easy to negotiate retransmission rights, and could give Comcast a major boost for HD package subscriptions given the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Any hope that Comcast will add CBUT's CBC Hi-Def feed?
...

I'm all for it, but I know better than to hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

Any hope that Comcast will add CBUT's CBC Hi-Def feed? It should be easy to negotiate retransmission rights, and could give Comcast a major boost for HD package subscriptions given the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

I expect to see it on 8/31/2011... when Canadian analog shuts down. :)

Wave has already added it on the peninsula:

http://www.wavebroadband.com/art.php?id=westChannelsHD

It might be of limited value if it's not added before the '08 Olympics since the contract bounces back to CTV for 2010 and 2012. I think that Comcast only carries CTV in Whatcom County.

I expect to see it on 8/31/2011... when Canadian analog shuts down. :)

Wave has already added it on the peninsula:

http://www.wavebroadband.com/art.php?id=westChannelsHD

It might be of limited value if it's not added before the '08 Olympics since the contract bounces back to CTV for 2010 and 2012. I think that Comcast only carries CTV in Whatcom County.I'd take CBC just for Hockey Night in Canada in Hi-Def. Please email Comcast saying you'd like to have CBUT-HD. I do it every other month, just for grins. If a few more folks do it, maybe...

I expect to see it on 8/31/2011... when Canadian analog shuts down. :)

Wave has already added it on the peninsula:
http://www.wavebroadband.com/art.php?id=westChannelsHD

It might be of limited value if it's not added before the '08 Olympics since the contract bounces back to CTV for 2010 and 2012. I think that Comcast only carries CTV in Whatcom County. Hockey Night in Canada obviously remains an attraction for CBC HD.

FYI, the previous CTV affiliates CHAN and CHEK were both carried on Seattle area cable systems during the 1970s and early 1980s. After 1985, CHAN and CHEK were gradually dropped from Seattle-area cable lineups as a condition of retransmission-consent negotiations with local network affiliates (CTV retransmits a significant amount of U.S.-sourced programming). Objections from local network affiliates make it unlikely that CTV Vancouver (CIVT) would be cablecast in the Seattle market.

Hockey Night in Canada obviously remains an attraction for CBC HD.

FYI, the previous CTV affiliates CHAN and CHEK were both carried on Seattle area cable systems during the 1970s and early 1980s. After 1985, CHAN and CHEK were gradually dropped from Seattle-area cable lineups as a condition of retransmission-consent negotiations with local network affiliates (CTV retransmits a significant amount of U.S.-sourced programming). Objections from local network affiliates make it unlikely that CTV Vancouver (CIVT) would be cablecast in the Seattle market.CTV was gone from TCI Cable (which became Viacom --> AT&T --> Comcast) by the time I moved into the area in 1991. Even as a kid, I don't remember CTV carrying much original programming outside news and sports. Now that there are three national sports channels in Canada, I can't imagine there's virtually any original programming on CTV. On the other hand, except for movies, most of CBC's programming is original, especially in prime time. A lot of CBC's imported stuff is British, so even that tends to be programming that's not readily available on U.S. cable.

CBUT-CBC broadcasts at an effective radiated power of 30 kw. Not much for a TV station. The three big networks out of Seattle broadcast at more than a minimum of 25 times that. That makes it pretty damn impossible to pick up their signal down here. I bet a dedicated line would be necessary for Comcast (or anyone!) to get that signal. I'm sure Comcast isn't interested in carrying considering, among other things, the cost involved in set-up and maintenance for a small interested group of HD enthusiasts.

Ok, so i'm in Bothell using Comcast QAM on my Panny 77u. I still can't get Kiro, Fox, or a couple others since the shuffle earlier this year. When I manually go to 110-2 for Kiro all I get is Channel Unavailable. Anyone have any thoughts?

The ranges don't pop up on an auto-scan either.

Yup, lost 7, 11, and 13 when they were moved. Auto-scan doesn't pick them up anywhere, nor does manually going to where the were (or are supposed to be now)

Anyone got any other ideas?

edit: eh, multi-quote didn't work...

I am in Redmond.
For me to get the 3 new channels, I needed to do something like:
(1) Unplug cable card,
(2) Turn TV on.
(3) Turn TV off.
(4) Plug cable card back.
(5) Wait a minute or so.
(6) Turn TV on.
(7) Wait another minute.
(8) Turn TV off.
(9) Turn TV on.

thanks for the tip. Removing and re-installing the cablecard did the trick for 677 and 678. 696 shows as full strength signal, but no picture...I'm guessing it found it, but its scrambled, at least for me?

thanks for the tip. Removing and re-installing the cablecard did the trick for 677 and 678. 696 shows as full strength signal, but no picture...I'm guessing it found it, but its scrambled, at least for me?
Some other post said the cable card provides a better picture than the st box is this true? Anyone compare the two?...(I do like on demand though)

Some other post said the cable card provides a better picture than the st box is this true? Anyone compare the two?...(I do like on demand though)I have a single-stream CC in one of the TVs, a multi-stream CC in each of two TiVoHD's, two Motorola 3426's, and HD via OTA antenna. I can't tell the difference in PQ between any of them on our 46" Mitsubishi LT-46131 LCD-TV or our 55" Mitsubishi WS-55819 RPTV via component.

Anyone else notice how bad the M's game looks right now? They usually look much better.

Anyone got any other ideas?

edit: eh, multi-quote didn't work...

We had similar issues in Kent, after Comcast moved some HD channels to higher native channels (like 110, 111 if I recall).

Had a Comcast tech come out and he found 30-year-old splitters in the condo that he replaced with modern, higher bandpass units and all problems were solved.

Hmmm - interesting...my TiVoHD's just got a message that a change has occurred in my lineup in that channel 664 is now "FOXNWSO". It shows all the Mariners games (Yay!), but none of the MOJO programming now. The Comcast DVR guides still show it as MOJO-HD, so maybe TiVo's guide provider is just starting to try to rectify things and has a ways to go yet.

Anyone else notice how bad the M's game looks right now? They usually look much better.I watched the game yesterday ...can't say if it looked worse than usual, don't remember now, too busy being depressed with all the runners left on base till the ninth lol ...will look carefully at today's game...maybe it's because it's a Cleveland feed? first road game in awhile, also possibly not as good as our home camera setup?

Hmmm - interesting...my TiVoHD's just got a message that a change has occurred in my lineup in that channel 664 is now "FOXNWSO". It shows all the Mariners games (Yay!), but none of the MOJO programming now. The Comcast DVR guides still show it as MOJO-HD, so maybe TiVo's guide provider is just starting to try to rectify things and has a ways to go yet.

I have FOXNWSO schedule data on 664 too, but the program on TV right now is MOJO. The MOJO icon is even there. It would be great, if we got FOXNW in HD. I have many friends that say they are buying plasmas once such occurs.

...It would be great, if we got FOXNW in HD. I have many friends that say they are buying plasmas once such occurs.

I wouldn't expect it to result in a significant amount of additional HD programming. It should help in DVR scheduling.

I have FOXNWSO schedule data on 664 too, but the program on TV right now is MOJO. The MOJO icon is even there. It would be great, if we got FOXNW in HD. I have many friends that say they are buying plasmas once such occurs.It won't result in ANY new programming. Comcast pre-empts MOJO every time FSN has an HD telecast. I guess it might give you HD replays of the Mariners games. As wareagle points out, it would also help you with recording games.

My guess is that Comcast will give FSN a full-time slot once there is enough HD content that interrupting MOJO becomes too big a hassle. Until then, it stays part-time.

If the Sonics leave town, will FSN still cover their games? If FSN were to lose/drop Sonics coverage, they would have almost zero HD programming through the fall and winter. Aside from the Sonics, FSN's fall/winter HD programming consisted of an occasional college football or basketball game. If they lose the Sonics, there would be absolutely zero value in giving FSN a full-time HD slot unless they found something else to cover.

anyone else having problems with guide data for 664 when using a tivo? my normal comcast box has the mojo info, but my tivo lists it as foxnw as many of you have stated, but only displays "sign off" for the majority of the programming.

it was fine until recently when the tivo recognized a programming change. i like a lot of the mojo shows, so it would be nice to be able to record some or at least know what's coming up.

if anyone knows a fix, please let me know. thanks.

anyone else having problems with guide data for 664 when using a tivo? my normal comcast box has the mojo info, but my tivo lists it as foxnw as many of you have stated, but only displays "sign off" for the majority of the programming.

it was fine until recently when the tivo recognized a programming change. i like a lot of the mojo shows, so it would be nice to be able to record some or at least know what's coming up.

if anyone knows a fix, please let me know. thanks.


Try TVGuide or TitanTV online listings. (Strangely enough, Comcast's own TVPlanner and Zap2it are both listing what you see with TiVo.)

Try TVGuide or TitanTV online listings. (Strangely enough, Comcast's own TVPlanner and Zap2it are both listing what you see with TiVo.)


Now that we get all the M's games in HD on 664, I bet a lot of people were complaining that we were not getting schedule data for such.

Now that we get all the M's games in HD on 664, I bet a lot of people were complaining that we were not getting schedule data for such.


That doesn't fit with what they've done. There is no schedule data for anything on TVPlanner or Zap2it, but the Comcast guide has data for both the regular Mojo programming and the M's games.

Try TVGuide or TitanTV online listings. (Strangely enough, Comcast's own TVPlanner and Zap2it are both listing what you see with TiVo.)

i guess i'm pretty new at this as i'm not sure what you mean. can you choose the source from which tivo's guide gets its info? or are you just referring to look at some online listings for programs (which wouldn't help me develop season passes and such). thanks.

i guess i'm pretty new at this as i'm not sure what you mean. can you choose the source from which tivo's guide gets its info? or are you just referring to look at some online listings for programs (which wouldn't help me develop season passes and such). thanks.

Just to look at. I suggested them because of this part of your posting -- "at least know what's coming up".

Is TLCHD (669) working for anyone? I don't remember the last time I tried it (it's probably been over a week), but this morning I can't receive it. TiVo says "Searching for signal" and the CC diagnostics show:

Current Tuning Status: Tuned: Success
Channel: 669
Frequency: 111000 KHz
Modulation: (Keeps switching between QAM 64 and QAM 256)
Connector Type: RF 2
Signal Source: Cable
Channel Bits: 30746
Signal Strength: -
Signal Lock: No
Program Lock: No
Search Complete: Yes
SNR: -
RS Uncorrected: -
RS Corrected: -
RC State: Available
Tune State: In Progress
Last Used Channel Plan: Undefined
CCI Byte: N/A
<snip>

All of the surrounding channels (including the new ones) work fine, and both cable cards are having the same problem.

Any ideas?

Is TLCHD (669) working for anyone?

it's working for me. not sure what to do if it's not though.

Over the last week or so I have noticed that the audio on KING-HD sounds like it is being recompressed to a lower bitrate.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Should I blame the TV station, Comcast (cable cards), or my Tivo HD?

I have a series 3 Tivo, and I have noticed the same issue with King's audio. It's been terrible for about 2 weeks now, and I too was wondering if it was my box or the station.

Over the last week or so I have noticed that the audio on KING-HD sounds like it is being recompressed to a lower bitrate.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Should I blame the TV station, Comcast (cable cards), or my Tivo HD?

Yes, I have too. Which reminds me, since I work in the same building as K5, I will ask an engineer next time I see one. I'll let you know what I find out.

I just went to the Lynnwood store to trade my DVR in for an M Card. Funny that the Lynnwood store is set up just like a DMV. Take a number. I've only been to the one in North Seattle where it's just a small counter with 2 or 3 people.

It would've been pretty quick except they were having computer problems. The people at the counter were very nice about it. They knew what the Tivo was and what I had to do. When I called to activate the card the lady on the phone went right through it. I'm just waiting to see if it worked right now.

So other than their IT dept and their crappy Motorola boxes I'm fairly satisfied.

I was told mistakenly by a very reliable source if you are in the kirkland to lynnwood area and have the 8mb internet service you will be automatically upgraded to 16 mb 2 up service for free sometime this week. So not tv info but good news nonetheless.

it's working for me. not sure what to do if it's not though.
It was working for me on the cable box yesterday, but now that I have my Tivo set up it is not. Could that be the difference here? Is TLC HD on switched digital video possibly? I'm getting all my other channels, including the premiums.

That internet rumor makes me want to upgrade to 8, but then I probably wouldn't get it and pay extra for no noticable advantage.

Over the last week or so I have noticed that the audio on KING-HD sounds like it is being recompressed to a lower bitrate.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Should I blame the TV station, Comcast (cable cards), or my Tivo HD?

It appears to be Comcast. Talked to the top Engineer at KING and he said, as far as he knows, nothing has changed. Said they've gotten quite a few complaints. He also said call Comcast to complain.

Okay, i have a question, apologies if this has been asked in the 400 page thread:

Why does KOMO show primtime shows in HD, but shows like Jeopardy are not broadcast in HD, but they are in other markets.

Okay, i have a question, apologies if this has been asked in the 400 page thread:

Why does KOMO show primtime shows in HD, but shows like Jeopardy are not broadcast in HD, but they are in other markets.I emailed KOMO a long time ago about getting Jeopardy / Wheel of Fortune in HD. My recollection of the response I got is that those shows are syndicated in 1080i while the ABC network uses a 720p feed. The KOMO person told me that they currently lack the equipment accept the 1080i feed.

Of course, when you think about your Motorola DVR being able to accept both 1080i and 720p feeds from Comcast and then push them to your TV set in the format that you prefer, it makes you scratch your head that KOMO can't relatively cheaply implement a commercial-grade solution to the same problem. Presumably, the problem is a lot more complex and/or expensive than I have assumed it to be.

I emailed KOMO a long time ago about getting Jeopardy / Wheel of Fortune in HD. My recollection of the response I got is that those shows are syndicated in 1080i while the ABC network uses a 720p feed. The KOMO person told me that they currently lack the equipment accept the 1080i feed.

Of course, when you think about your Motorola DVR being able to accept both 1080i and 720p feeds from Comcast and then push them to your TV set in the format that you prefer, it makes you scratch your head that KOMO can't relatively cheaply implement a commercial-grade solution to the same problem. Presumably, the problem is a lot more complex and/or expensive than I have assumed it to be.

Thanks, of course this hasnt stopped other affiliates from displaying Jeopardy/WOF/Oprah/ etc. in 720P, but the syndication thing makes perfect sense. Thanks for the reply. and boooo to KOMO, :)

Thanks, of course this hasnt stopped other affiliates from displaying Jeopardy/WOF/Oprah/ etc. in 720P, but the syndication thing makes perfect sense. Thanks for the reply. and boooo to KOMO, :)

I thought I jeopardy was in HD - just 4x3, not 16x9...Are you CERTAIN its not HD, or are you just assuming that because its 4x3

I thought I jeopardy was in HD - just 4x3, not 16x9...Are you CERTAIN its not HD, or are you just assuming that because its 4x3

No it is not. For instance I am going to California tomorrow and when I am stopping by my parents I know for a fact they will have it Tivo'D in 16x9 full HD. The logo may say HD on Jeopardy, but it is not being shown in HD. Also the difference in PQ is night and day better than KOMO's feed. I realize that its just a game show, but Ive always wondered why it isnt. Imagine if lost was like that...........

My recollection of the response I got is that those shows are syndicated in 1080i while the ABC network uses a 720p feed. The KOMO person told me that they currently lack the equipment accept the 1080i feed.
ABC transmits This Week with George Stephanopolous in HD every Sunday morning and KOMO sends it in SD. No excuse for that, far as I can tell. They don't respond to my Emails.

It was working for me on the cable box yesterday, but now that I have my Tivo set up it is not. Could that be the difference here? Is TLC HD on switched digital video possibly? I'm getting all my other channels, including the premiums.

Could be, but I haven't heard any other mention of SDV happening around here. It's still not working for me on my TiVO, and I don't have any other devices (no cable box) to try it with.

Can someone else with a TiVo give it a try? Has anyone else heard anything about SDV being rolled out here?

Could be, but I haven't heard any other mention of SDV happening around here. It's still not working for me on my TiVO, and I don't have any other devices (no cable box) to try it with.

Can someone else with a TiVo give it a try? Has anyone else heard anything about SDV being rolled out here?


("It" is TLC-HD, channel 669.) I'm sure there is no SDV in Seattle.

ABC transmits This Week with George Stephanopolous in HD every Sunday morning and KOMO sends it in SD. No excuse for that, far as I can tell. They don't respond to my Emails.Airing shows live in HD is a different matter than recording them and playing them back in HD. Lots of stations don't have the routing and/or server infrastructure to support the record and playback of HD material. It doesn't seem like it should be that way. But, it is.

I am not familiar with KOMO's specific situation. So, my comments are of a general nature. But, I suspect if they aired the show as it was being fed instead of delaying it until later in the day it would be in HD.

It appears to be Comcast. Talked to the top Engineer at KING and he said, as far as he knows, nothing has changed. Said they've gotten quite a few complaints. He also said call Comcast to complain.

I did an online chat with Comcast. Here is what they said:

Wesley: Channel 105 sounds slightly compressed
Milton: Hello Wesley_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Milton. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Milton: Is it happening only on the one channel?
Wesley_: yes, and if I switch to channel 05, which is the same only non hd, it sounds better
Wesley_: I starting noticing it about 2 weeks ago
Wesley_: its very subtle
Milton: Wesley, let me report it
Wesley_: ok
Milton: Do you have more than one tv this affects?
Milton: Have you unplugged the box for one minute and plugged it back in?
Milton: Have you checked the connections
Milton: And unplug the box for one minute then plug it back in
Wesley_: no, but it seems unlikely to be a connection problem, because its just the one channel
Wesley_: ok, I'll try that
Milton: All steps in the reporting
Milton: Have you plugged it back in yet?
Wesley_: yes
Wesley_: sounds the same
Milton: Okay
Milton: Mute and unmute the tv and turn the volume all the way down and then all the way up.
Wesley_: the sound is coming from a receiver
Wesley_: but i tried it on the receiver and it had no effect
Milton: At this time it is advised that a truck roll may be necessary,
Wesley_: what is a truck roll
Milton: A service callo]
Wesley_: I am reading online that other people are encountering the same issue
Wesley_: "Over the last week or so I have noticed that the audio on KING-HD sounds like it is being recompressed to a lower bitrate"
Wesley_: "Yes, I have too. Which reminds me, since I work in the same building as K5, I will ask an engineer next time I see one. I'll let you know what I find out."
Wesley_: "It appears to be Comcast. Talked to the top Engineer at KING and he said, as far as he knows, nothing has changed. Said they've gotten quite a few complaints. He also said call Comcast to complain.
Milton: Any response from them?
Wesley_: they claim it is comcast
Milton: Rather than have a service call, let me forward the complaint and note it is affecting several in your area.
Wesley_: thank you, that makes sense
Milton: The ticket reporting the issue is CR123909421
Milton: Is there anything else I can help you with at this time?
Wesley_: how can I track this issue?
Milton: As it goes to a different department at this point, it will be looked at by the local Comcast engineers.
Wesley_: ok, is there any way I can be kept informed of progress on the issue?
Milton: It will not report back to this ticket
Milton: I can get you the local service center number, they may be able to check it.
Wesley_: ok
Milton: That number is 877 824 2288
Wesley_: so I can just refer to CR123909421 and they will let me know what is the status?
Milton: I am not sure if they can or not, but that is where I would start, since it appears to be a local problem
Milton: Is there anything else I can help you with at this time?
Wesley_: I think thats it, thanks
Milton: You are welcome. Thank you for choosing Comcast as your Cable service provider.

Airing shows live in HD is a different matter than recording them and playing them back in HD. Lots of stations don't have the routing and/or server infrastructure to support the record and playback of HD material.
I understand that completely, having worked in TV. But, KOMO clearly has the ability to record HD, since many of their local commercials are in HD. I believe they've had HD production & recording capability for 2 or 3 years now.

I understand that completely, having worked in TV. But, KOMO clearly has the ability to record HD, since many of their local commercials are in HD. I believe they've had HD production & recording capability for 2 or 3 years now.KOMO has said here before they receive & store Jeopardy show files several days in advance, using an automated store & forward system called Pathfire for syndicated shows. This article (http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/information-services/6785670-1.html) suggests the Pathfire service can't currently handle HD content, and they are working to add that capability. It also suggests that airing Jeopardy in HD currently would require a lot of extra work ($$$) to manually record & play it back - and therefore few stations are doing it.

I understand that completely, having worked in TV. But, KOMO clearly has the ability to record HD, since many of their local commercials are in HD. I believe they've had HD production & recording capability for 2 or 3 years now.I agree that it looks like it ought to be possible. But, do you think they would air This Week in SD if it were a simple matter to do a tape delay in HD?

Clearly KOMO has problems with that process, since Wheel and Jeoprady have been distributed in HD for a quite a while, but still air locally in SD. With a show like This Week, the problem could be closed captioning on HD playback.

KOMO and KIRO also can't do 16:9 sports highlights on newscasts.

KING used to be unable to air Saturday Night Live in HD because they started it 5 minutes late, replaying the Eastern feed instead of taking the Pacific feed live. It took a couple of years for KING to fix that.

A station's ability to air HD commercials and do local HD production does not seem to mean they can do the seemingly simple job of recording a program for playback later in HD.

Hello to all my AVS Forum friends. Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am no longer with Fisher Communications, or KOMO TV. Life is too short for high stress and politics. I guess this means I need to figure out how to change my name on this board huh?

Anyway while I'm trying to determine what to do next, I will be taking a few much needed days off to get some domestic projects done, (and there are a lot), plus working on a new HD-DTV related website.

With over 17 million estimated OTA viewers of television being effected by the turn-off of analog TV next year, I wanted to join in the education experience providing some of my knowledge from the broadcast side, combined with consumer-based reviews, all the way to granular technical FAQ about transmission and reception of DTV and HD signals. The URL is: http://www.DTVrules.com. Right now there is just a placeholder parked there, and I hope to have vers. 1.1 up in about two weeks, if not earlier. Please jump in and say hello!

I may leave the discussion board duties to the AVS Forum, because really the intent of DTVRules.com revolves more around an informational site with help for the less technically inclined, all the way to ATSC standards information. Of course nobody will want to read my blatherings all the time, so I'm looking for other contributors willing to write weekly blogs or a column as well. Please feel free to send me an E-mail here on the Forum, or contact me via DTVRules.com in the next few days. Any suggestions of what to put on the site are very welcome, since it is a work in progress.

Alright enough self-promotion for the time being. Thanks to everyone for their comments while we were fine tuning the HD gear at KOMO-TV. Rest assured that I will still be around the AVS forum also, just with a new "handle", (that is if I can change it).

All The Best,

Kelly

Can someone else with a TiVo give it a try?

Channel 669 (TLC-HD) comes in just fine on my TiVo S3 here in Sammamish.

They're also outside making a mess all down the street with a sign up that says, "Cable replacement in progress -- please be patient." :confused:

A station's ability to air HD commercials and do local HD production does not seem to mean they can do the seemingly simple job of recording a program for playback later in HD.
I guess that's the answer. As long as Fisher is unable to update whatever they do to delay broadcasts, we're stuck with SD. I'm also not happy that they delay This Week until afternoon. So many decisions that local stations make seem to get me more and more interested in DirecTV or Dish. Where I live I could get NY and LA network channels. In HD.

KOMO has said here before they receive & store Jeopardy show files several days in advance, using an automated store & forward system called Pathfire for syndicated shows. This article (http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/information-services/6785670-1.html) suggests the Pathfire service can't currently handle HD content, and they are working to add that capability. It also suggests that airing Jeopardy in HD currently would require a lot of extra work ($$$) to manually record & play it back - and therefore few stations are doing it.Here's another article http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510938.html on the subject. Pathfire does distribute HD, but it sounds like the process is not very well automated at this time.

Sadly, I feel the need to write this same rant about once a year. Maybe I'm hoping that someone has an idea to fix the problem. The lip-sync issue has been a bit better than years past. However, I still find "Late Night with Letterman" to be nearly intolerable on Channel 107 and many prime-time shows on 104 and 108 are also off.

I run the DCH-3416 directly to my Yamaha receiver for sound (optical cable) and directly to my XBR for the picture (component or HDMI). I think the picture comes first and then the audio is behind. Is that what other people see? Lips first, then words. In this case, all of the manipulations that my receiver can do are useless. With my receiver, the audio synch adjustments slow down the audio not the picture.

Any new thoughts on this?

Sadly, I feel the need to write this same rant about once a year. Maybe I'm hoping that someone has an idea to fix the problem. The lip-sync issue has been a bit better than years past. However, I still find "Late Night with Letterman" to be nearly intolerable on Channel 107 and many prime-time shows on 104 and 108 are also off.

I run the DCH-3416 directly to my Yamaha receiver for sound (optical cable) and directly to my XBR for the picture (component or HDMI). I think the picture comes first and then the audio is behind. Is that what other people see? Lips first, then words. In this case, all of the manipulations that my receiver can do are useless. With my receiver, the audio synch adjustments slow down the audio not the picture.

Any new thoughts on this?

Nope, just the opposite. Sound first, then lips. My TV has a known delay of ~110ms (Sammy DLP 5078). I've dialed that into my reciever and all is well.

I've mentioned this before but perhaps this could help. If your TV has speakers, turn on the volume for both the speakers for the TV and the reciever. Make sure the delay in the reciever is set to zero. If I'm right, you'll hear an echo. This should be caused by the picture delay built into the TV. You can now start adjusting the delay on the reciever until the echo goes away. That should get rid of the lip sync issue.

I know you are saying that you see motion first then sound which this technique cannot help you with but I think you would have to admit it is somewhat difficult to determine if that is what is really happening. Not trying to put down your power of observation. If the technique described does not work for you 9get rid of the echo), then you most like have picture ahead of sound as you said and I do not believe you have any way to correct that (at least with the reciever).

Finally, from what I see, at least on my cale boxes the sound is in sync.

Sadly, I feel the need to write this same rant about once a year. Maybe I'm hoping that someone has an idea to fix the problem. The lip-sync issue has been a bit better than years past. However, I still find "Late Night with Letterman" to be nearly intolerable on Channel 107 and many prime-time shows on 104 and 108 are also off.

I run the DCH-3416 directly to my Yamaha receiver for sound (optical cable) and directly to my XBR for the picture (component or HDMI). I think the picture comes first and then the audio is behind. Is that what other people see? Lips first, then words. In this case, all of the manipulations that my receiver can do are useless. With my receiver, the audio synch adjustments slow down the audio not the picture.

Any new thoughts on this?

Have you tried a test where audio and video are fed to the TV only (preferably via HDMI) and then use the TV speakers? I have a similar setup to yours: 3416 HDMI to LCD TV for video and then 3416 optical to a Kenwood receiver. If there is any sync issue I sure don't notice it and I watch Letterman religiously. How much delay are you seeing? Could it be your receiver? There have been articles all over about receivers adding to the sync issue.

I know we just got a whole lot of new HD addtions recently, but any word or rumors on when the next round will come? Will they add Speed and FX next I hope?

I've been out of the loop on checking these forums for awhile and don't see anything new mentioned here browsing thru quickly, but did read they will be coming in other markets, so I'm hoping we will get them by this summer.

Channel 669 (TLC-HD) comes in just fine on my TiVo S3 here in Sammamish.

They're also outside making a mess all down the street with a sign up that says, "Cable replacement in progress -- please be patient." :confused:
OK, no switched digital video yet. I took my splitter out and TLC HD is working. I noticed SciFi seemed to drop some frames which was why I tried taking the splitter out. That is one thing the Motorola boxes seem to get right, they pull a signal in better than anything else.

Here's an update of the QAM List. Changes since January:

* Univision deleted from 91-4
* Leased Access added to 115-14 (Ch. 79)
* PSETV deleted from 117-1060 (Ch. 26) - Likely still there in South King County
* Puget Sound Access deleted from 117-1065 (Ch. 77) - Likely still there in South King County

pastiche
FYI, have been in Olympia on a job, and they had Comcast there. Did a scan on QAM and found that some of the Portland channels were there, too! Didn't see the music channels, but then didn't have time to sort through them all. Seattle HD was there, and the FM radio channels, lineup slightly different.
Pass it along as needed.
Dan

FYI, have been in Olympia on a job, and they had Comcast there. Did a scan on QAM and found that some of the Portland channels were there, too! Didn't see the music channels, but then didn't have time to sort through them all. Seattle HD was there, and the FM radio channels, lineup slightly different.

Dan,

I can't assemble these first-hand, but I think I've found a way that I can probably piece together listings for the entire Seattle system (incl. outlying areas).

silicondust.com has time-lapsed screen grabs of peoples' channel scans (using their HomeRun product.) The screen grabs are obviously as accurate as can be, though the assigned channel labels are far from 100% accurate. Since we've long known that 117-X is inserted headend by headend, I started there. Here's what I found so far. I'll try to get more detailed when I can pour through the scans headend-by-headend:

In (some points to) the south:
117-1097 KATU (2/ABC/Portland)
117-1098 KGW (8/NBC/Portland)
117-1100 KPTV (12/Fox/Portland)

In (some points to) the north:
117-1018 CIVT (32/CTV/Vancouver)
117-1021 KVOS (12/Bellingham)

So the Mariners were playing a fairly thrilling game against the Rangers tonight. After turning it off when they were losing, I saw on the web they had come back in the 9th...flipped back on 664 and watched...The Exorcist 3. FSN disappeared at some point and was replaced by Mojo.

I know many of you are not huge sports fans, but this Mojo/FSN HD situation is stupid. This is not the first time an exciting game has been flipped off because--I presume--some timer expired and the feed was turned off.

I tried using Comcast's handy chat function to get the game put back on to no avail...IM transcript pasted below.

Why can't FSN HD have it's own channel and only be available when there's a live broadcast? Would 3 hours of additional HD content blow up Comcast's whole system? This channel sharing thing makes no sense...

Problem : The Mariners game is still going on but the HD version on 664 switched back to MOJO

Chris > The Mariners game is still going on but the HD version on 664 switched back to MOJO

Chad > Hello Chris_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Chad. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Chad > Thank you for contacting Comcast! My name is Chad. Please give me one moment while I locate your account.

Chris_ > Hi, the Mariners are in HD on channel 664. The game went to extra innings but the channel switched to some movie

Chris_ > can someone turn it back on?

Chad > One moment please while I look into the issue

Chad > Ok looking into the issue I do apologize for the inconvenience, however if something like that happens it is a network choice and you would need to go the regular channel the game is on.

Chris_ > but the Mariners are on 664 when their games are televised. It doesn't matter now--the game just ended

Chad > Ok well I do apologize for the inconvenience it is just a network choice. They are usually televised also not in hd.

Chris_ > Yes I know that, but they have been advertising that every game is in HD and this one was until about 45 minutes ago

Chris_ > The ads don't say "All Mariners games in HD unless they last longer than 3 hours"

Chris_ > There's nothing to apologize for--this happened to a few college basketball games over the winter. I assume that there's some sort of timer on the feed and it switches back automatically unless someone is paying attention

Chris_ > I was just trying to get it switched back

Chad > Yes and it is a network choice and the issue would have to be brought up with them as we do not control it, we only broadcast what they are playing. We do not have the numbers to contact them either. Sorry

Chris_ > 664 is Mojo unless FSN HD is on to show a Mariners game.

Chris_ > I'm pretty sure it's Comcast's choice

Chris_ > They are 2 different networks

Chris_ > Mojo continues to exist during the game--just not here in Seattle

Chad > No it is not Comcasts choice as it is a network choice.

Chris_ > which network/

Chris_ > ?

Chad > Whatever channel it is playing on. If it is MOJO or FSN HD you would have to contact them, as I said we do not have there numbers though

Chris_ > What I'm saying is that channel 664 is Mojo. When there is an FSN HD game on, that is broadcast on 664 until the game ends

Chris_ > They are 2 networks sharing 1 channel

Chris_ > Most people would prefer that FSN HD have its own channel to prevent this but Comcast hasn't done that yet

Chad > Ok, you would then need to contact MOJO as they are the Network originally who broadcasts FSN. At this time I am not showing that as happening anytime soon either.

Chris_ > Are you showing any other HD channels being added soon?

Chad > As of current I do not show any, more will likely be added towards the end of the year

Chris_ > ok

Chris_ > thanks

Dan,

I can't assemble these first-hand, but I think I've found a way that I can probably piece together listings for the entire Seattle system (incl. outlying areas).

silicondust.com has time-lapsed screen grabs of peoples' channel scans (using their HomeRun product.) The screen grabs are obviously as accurate as can be, though the assigned channel labels are far from 100% accurate. Since we've long known that 117-X is inserted headend by headend, I started there. Here's what I found so far. I'll try to get more detailed when I can pour through the scans headend-by-headend:

In (some points to) the south:
117-1097 KATU (2/ABC/Portland)
117-1098 KGW (8/NBC/Portland)
117-1100 KPTV (12/Fox/Portland)

In (some points to) the north:
117-1018 CIVT (32/CTV/Vancouver)
117-1021 KVOS (12/Bellingham)

pastiche
Very cool!
I can see where it misses some of the channels. I was able to get a bunch of the FM radio channels that they hadn't listed. Curious, are you still getting the music channels, 900 through 940 something I believe......? I had them for a while, then noticed on some customers sets they were gone, others had them.
Thanks for keeping up witht this. Owe you a cheeseburger or two !
Dan

I called to complain about this and was told that there is a 4 hour limit for the FSN broadcasts on MOJO. I tired to expain to her that baseball has no time limit. She agreed and just suggested I try Ch30.

Hmmmm, here in Auburn, it played on MOJO not only through the game but the entire post-game show. After the game, I actually wanted to watch Exorcist III, but it didn't come on even after the post-game, showing only test pattern color bars until the top of the hour.

I couldn't much take it anymore... I had direcTV installed yesterday - and so far so good. The DVR is a little quirky but no more so than the comcast dvr, just in different ways (this is a first impression). No CW in hidef is an issue. I still have my cable service (haven't turned it off yet) and will probably keep basic cable though for access to the QAM stations (I have a distributed mythtv DVR system that runs through multiple rooms through the house which works best with cable). What is the least expensive package I can get that will allow me access to the QAM stations?

Comcast does not officially offer QAM as a service. However the cheapest package that has QAM is "Limited Basic". "Basic cable" is different and has more analog channels.

Comcast does not officially offer QAM as a service. However the cheapest package that has QAM is "Limited Basic". "Basic cable" is different and has more analog channels.

Thanks.
Yeah, I know QAM isn't offered as a service. To differentiate limited basic from basic cable do they come out and put some type of filter on your line?

Thanks.
Yeah, I know QAM isn't offered as a service. To differentiate limited basic from basic cable do they come out and put some type of filter on your line?

I have had Limited Basic for many years. Yes they did put a filter in the line at the pedestal where my drop wire starts. I still get every local digital channel than can be received with an OTA antenna.

Limited Basic here in Renton was $13 for a long time. It is somewhere around $16 now. Still a bargain. I also have DirecTV, but only the older MPEG-2 HD equipment for now (HD DirecTiVo units).

Something which isn't officially mentioned either, but if you have Internet via Comcast, then you essentially get limited basic (=ClearQAM channels) as well. Comcast charges $10 more for Internet without TV, which is why $16 is actually a rip off ...

Something which isn't officially mentioned either, but if you have Internet via Comcast, then you essentially get limited basic (=ClearQAM channels) as well. Comcast charges $10 more for Internet without TV, which is why $16 is actually a rip off ...

Good point. seems to me, that if they don't actually come to your house and put a filter on your line and you have internet access you'll get basic cable instead of limited basic... Well, in any event, I know what the least I can pay is to still get the QAM channels. Thanks guys.

They came to my place and installed the filter so I have to sign up for the limited service. :(

Here's another article http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6510938.html on the subject. Pathfire does distribute HD, but it sounds like the process is not very well automated at this time.

Actually I can comment on that, as I was in touch with the folks from Pathfire, prior to my recent departure from Fisher. Pathfire has been claiming they would have a HD delivery solution for Wheel and Jeopardy for the past two years. According to the rep I talked with, Pathfire once again is promising a solution for delivery this fall. If they make good on their promise, then it should be easy to capture and play Wheel and Jeopardy, along with other Pathfire delivered programs in HD.

Currently Wheel and Jeopardy is delivered as a file from the syndicator via Pathfire in 4:3 Standard Definition, and then is automatically "flipped" to a different type of file to suit the playout video/audio playout servers at KOMO.

The HD version of Wheel and Jeopardy is currently delivered via satellite in 1080I, (Sony's standard of choice). KOMO would need to convert the signal from the satellite feed via a format cross converter to their house standard 720P, then record it to tape. There is only one tape machine at KOMO that can record and play 720P HD content, and that is used commonly for HD network delay. As you can tell, the workflow and chances for foul-ups are increased significantly by all the format conversion, recording and playing via tape, etc. Really it's not worth the risk.

I found several posts out here from Seattle folks who could no longer get high def feeds from ABC (KOMODT) or PBS (KCTSDT5) via QAM on Comcast. I was in the same boat – I use the HDHR unit to capture QAM feeds on my SageTV server via Comcast basic cable option – missing out on HD Frontline/Nova/Lost episodes was really tweaking my nose, so I got serious about figuring it out last week – thought I’d share what I found in case other folks run into the same thing.

Short version is it’s a signal strength/quality issue. Channel 82 contains the HD feeds for both KCTS and KOMO and both are considerably weaker than my NBC/CBS/FOX feeds. I drug my laptop, extension cord and HDHR unit outside and plugged the cable coming into my house in directly and took measurements of the signals – all above 90% strength. Good. I then moved to the end of the line in my wiring closet and measured again, still 90%. Good. Then I tried every bloomin’ splitter and cable combination I could lay hands on to see which is the best.

I have a cable modem as well and capture analog shows via Hauppauge 150s in my SageTV server so I needed to split my inbound cable feed into at least 5 slots – I could live with 4 but 5 is ideal. I tried various passive splitters, even the Monster Cable TGHZ-2RF Two Gigahertz Low-Loss which is supposedly the best of the bunch dropped the signal quality by a good 4 or 5 on my feeds and dropped ABC and PBS right off – no programs were found on channel 82 at all. Not good. So I tried a couple different amplified splitters that support cable modems (active return path support).

The RCA one from Best Buy just sucked – don’t bother. But the Electroline EDA FT08100 8-port rocked. Yes – it’s pricey (north of $150 probably still), but it gives me 8 solid feeds and my cable modem numbers were good according to the Motorola testing numbers, the QAM numbers were good (KOMO hovered around low 90s, high 80s, everything else was solid in the 90s). Life was good.

Then a couple months ago something changed and the signals once again dropped for KOMO and PBS. LAME! I figured it was Comcast jacking everyone around until last week when I got fet up and did some more testing on my end before bothering to whine to Comcast about it (they’ll take one look at my wiring closet and run for the hills). I ended up improving everything quite a bit by just replacing all my cables – I had been using what I thought were high quality 3 and 6 foot coax cables – I even had a couple from those marketing wizards at Monster. I ended up getting plain-jane 6 foot Terk RG6 outdoor cables – it’s listed as their “high performance 2.25 GHz digital- HDTV certified”. It runs about $7 for a 6 food section (as opposed to $20+ for the same length of Monster). The Terk blew all the other cables out of the water for signal strength. I couldn’t believe it… All my QAM signals are rock solid in the mid 90s again and I’m back in business.

When in doubt, check the basics…

Time to go see if Bedard can have a decent outing tonight and turn these M’s around - c’mon, you guys are making me sad. I’m having memories of early 80’s games in the King Dome …

I can see where it misses some of the channels. I was able to get a bunch of the FM radio channels that they hadn't listed. Curious, are you still getting the music channels, 900 through 940 something I believe......? I had them for a while, then noticed on some customers sets they were gone, others had them.

Dan,

I finally had a little while to sit down and pour through some of the zipcodes on silicondust and try to identify things. What I found:

* Except for QAM 117-X, things seemed to be the same throughout the entire west of the state, and seemed to jive with the list that I normally keep updated.

* On the captures of QAM 117-X, I found about 100 PEG channels (no more than 10 to 12 per headend) along with some other interesting channels. I've tried to identify the PEGs as Pub/Edu/Gov, and the others with some other useful identifier. I know there are quite a few missing that I couldn't identify for lack of a screen-bug. Some may also be incorrectly marked where programming is shared (i.e. the PSETV school "affiliates".) See attachment.

As for music... on both of my receivers, I lost the DMX and MC channels a long time ago, but I get the FMs with no problem, still. (Some of them sound a bit staticy, as if they're picked up off-air, though.)

I found several posts out here from Seattle folks who could no longer get high def feeds from ABC (KOMODT) or PBS (KCTSDT5) via QAM on Comcast. I was in the same boat – I use the HDHR unit to capture QAM feeds on my SageTV server via Comcast basic cable option – missing out on HD Frontline/Nova/Lost episodes was really tweaking my nose, so I got serious about figuring it out last week – thought I’d share what I found in case other folks run into the same thing...
Lower signal level KOMO/KCTS could be why I get audio & video dropouts regularly on only those two channels. I have no splitters, though. The cable feed goes directly into my Comcast DRV.

I found several posts out here from Seattle folks who could no longer get high def feeds from ABC (KOMODT) or PBS (KCTSDT5) via QAM on Comcast. I was in the same boat – I use the HDHR unit to capture QAM feeds on my SageTV server via Comcast basic cable option – missing out on HD Frontline/Nova/Lost episodes was really tweaking my nose, so I got serious about figuring it out last week – thought I’d share what I found in case other folks run into the same thing.

Short version is it’s a signal strength/quality issue. Channel 82 contains the HD feeds for both KCTS and KOMO and both are considerably weaker than my NBC/CBS/FOX feeds. I drug my laptop, extension cord and HDHR unit outside and plugged the cable coming into my house in directly and took measurements of the signals – all above 90% strength. Good. I then moved to the end of the line in my wiring closet and measured again, still 90%. Good. Then I tried every bloomin’ splitter and cable combination I could lay hands on to see which is the best.

I have a cable modem as well and capture analog shows via Hauppauge 150s in my SageTV server so I needed to split my inbound cable feed into at least 5 slots – I could live with 4 but 5 is ideal. I tried various passive splitters, even the Monster Cable TGHZ-2RF Two Gigahertz Low-Loss which is supposedly the best of the bunch dropped the signal quality by a good 4 or 5 on my feeds and dropped ABC and PBS right off – no programs were found on channel 82 at all. Not good. So I tried a couple different amplified splitters that support cable modems (active return path support).

The RCA one from Best Buy just sucked – don’t bother. But the Electroline EDA FT08100 8-port rocked. Yes – it’s pricey (north of $150 probably still), but it gives me 8 solid feeds and my cable modem numbers were good according to the Motorola testing numbers, the QAM numbers were good (KOMO hovered around low 90s, high 80s, everything else was solid in the 90s). Life was good.

Then a couple months ago something changed and the signals once again dropped for KOMO and PBS. LAME! I figured it was Comcast jacking everyone around until last week when I got fet up and did some more testing on my end before bothering to whine to Comcast about it (they’ll take one look at my wiring closet and run for the hills). I ended up improving everything quite a bit by just replacing all my cables – I had been using what I thought were high quality 3 and 6 foot coax cables – I even had a couple from those marketing wizards at Monster. I ended up getting plain-jane 6 foot Terk RG6 outdoor cables – it’s listed as their “high performance 2.25 GHz digital- HDTV certified”. It runs about $7 for a 6 food section (as opposed to $20+ for the same length of Monster). The Terk blew all the other cables out of the water for signal strength. I couldn’t believe it… All my QAM signals are rock solid in the mid 90s again and I’m back in business.

When in doubt, check the basics…

Time to go see if Bedard can have a decent outing tonight and turn these M’s around - c’mon, you guys are making me sad. I’m having memories of early 80’s games in the King Dome …

Checking the basics first is always a great idea to be sure!

One other thing that many people miss when using amplified or non-amplified splitters is the importance of terminating unused spigots with 75 ohm terminating resistors. Leaving unterminated ports can cause impedance unbalances resulting poor equalization, and extra loss, both upstream and downstream of the split.

Is TLCHD (669) working for anyone? I don't remember the last time I tried it (it's probably been over a week), but this morning I can't receive it.

So, I apparently have discovered the cause of this problem, but I don't fully understand it. I have some new pieces of coax behind the TV. I had forgotten that I'd replaced those pieces (it had been a few weeks), so it took me a while to remember to try swapping them out. I found that if the cables are screwed all the way in (tight), the signal quality (as shown in the TiVo's diagnostics) drops noticeably. That's apparently enough to make TLCHD stop working for me. If I back the connectors off half a turn or so, things work great, including TLCHD.

Does this make any sense? I guess it could be that the signal is too strong, and unscrewing the connectors effectively attenuates it a bit, but I'd be surprised if that worked as consistently as I'm seeing. To attenuate the signal, the connection would have to be less than perfect, and in my experience, imperfect electrical connections tend to fluctuate in their performance. But I'm seeing a very steady signal with these connections. Also, last time the cable company tech was here and measuring things, the signal was adequate, but at the lower end of the acceptable range. I don't think the new cables would bring a big enough improvement to send a mediocre signal beyond the limit (the old cables were decent, and not much longer than the new ones)...

So, I apparently have discovered the cause of this problem, but I don't fully understand it. I have some new pieces of coax behind the TV. I had forgotten that I'd replaced those pieces (it had been a few weeks), so it took me a while to remember to try swapping them out. I found that if the cables are screwed all the way in (tight), the signal quality (as shown in the TiVo's diagnostics) drops noticeably. That's apparently enough to make TLCHD stop working for me. If I back the connectors off half a turn or so, things work great, including TLCHD.

Does this make any sense? I guess it could be that the signal is too strong, and unscrewing the connectors effectively attenuates it a bit, but I'd be surprised if that worked as consistently as I'm seeing. To attenuate the signal, the connection would have to be less than perfect, and in my experience, imperfect electrical connections tend to fluctuate in their performance. But I'm seeing a very steady signal with these connections. Also, last time the cable company tech was here and measuring things, the signal was adequate, but at the lower end of the acceptable range. I don't think the new cables would bring a big enough improvement to send a mediocre signal beyond the limit (the old cables were decent, and not much longer than the new ones)...

Easiest explanation is that the shield around the cable is shorting (or coming to close) to the core solid copper when tightened. Easing it off a bit would explain that. Howver, if true, I would suspect the connectors and redo them. If the connectors are installed properly, this should not be happening. This would be on the male end of the connectors on the coax, not in the STB or splitter.

Easiest explanation is that the shield around the cable is shorting (or coming to close) to the core solid copper when tightened. Easing it off a bit would explain that. Howver, if true, I would suspect the connectors and redo them. If the connectors are installed properly, this should not be happening. This would be on the male end of the connectors on the coax, not in the STB or splitter.

Yeah, that could be it. The cables came pre-terminated and were purchased from a well-respected cable vendor (not Monster), so I'd be surprised if that were the problem, but anything is possible...

For the last couple days ABC 104 has had major Pixilation and audio drop-offs. Is this a problem for others in Seattle Area?

For those of you wishing Comcast would make FSN-NW a full-time channel, FSN may finally give Comcast a reason to do so: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1030944

For those of you wishing Comcast would make FSN-NW a full-time channel, FSN may finally give Comcast a reason to do so: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1030944Good to know - but since most of those games will not involve local teams I don't know if it will be enough to nudge Comcast on a local basis. Perhaps a precedent would be set by Comcast on a national basis which would pressure local providers to follow.

Good to know - but since most of those games will not involve local teams I don't know if it will be enough to nudge Comcast on a local basis. Perhaps a precedent would be set by Comcast on a national basis which would pressure local providers to follow.I'm still curious to see what FSN-NW will do if the Sonics relocate to Oklahoma City. I've got to believe that FSN will either drop the Sonics or ask for a BIG rebate on whatever they paid to get the rights to the Sonics. I can't imagine that the Sonics will draw much of a Seattle TV audience if they leave.

If FSN-NW does drop the Sonics, what will FSN have available to broadcast from October to March?

Several shows posted to SMITHSONIAN HD under the News & World Section of HD On Demand. I watched one last night and it was pretty well produced. Looks like a nice addition. (PS seems to obviously be HD Lite - although I don't really know what that means, I think I know it when I see it?!)

For those of you wishing Comcast would make FSN-NW a full-time channel, FSN may finally give Comcast a reason to do so: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1030944

Of course, this only applies to FSN owned regional networks, while FSN-NW was acquired by and is owned by Liberty Media, along with Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh, as part of the Direct TV purchase.

In the HOTP thread, fredfa says he would not expect this announcement to cover FSN-NW.

Hey guys me and my dad just purchased two tv's yesterday. They are the same model and they both have a QAM tuner and ATSC built in also. I had the tv's do a channel search and I only get local channels in HD. I was under the impression that as long as you have a QAM tuner you could just plug in the normal cable. I guess not, i wish to get espn 1 and 2, discovery, and tnt hd. I called up comcast they said I had to purchase a stb, is this true? I thought the QAM would descramble the hd channels? But yeah if anyone has any input especailly before I order a STB.

...I thought the QAM would descramble the hd channels?
...

You need cablecard(s) or an HD STB to receive any of the encrypted channels. Here is a posting of the unencrypted channels you can pick up with QAM:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13296715#post13296715

I just noticed advertisement on the bottom of the guide, approximately 2 channels worth of space being used for this new service. If you can call it that.

UG!

Comcast is back at it. The onscreen program guide has advertising again! Though it is only at the bottom of the screen versus all over the place as before, it is still VERY annoying. Neither of the satellite competitors (Directv or Dish) do this - WHY MUST THEY?!

Oh yea, so they have a reason to charge extra for the TIVO system when finally released.

It is very annoying!

UG!

Comcast is back at it. The onscreen program guide has advertising again! Though it is only at the bottom of the screen versus all over the place as before, it is still VERY annoying. Neither of the satellite competitors (Directv or Dish) do this - WHY MUST THEY?!

Oh yea, so they have a reason to charge extra for the TIVO system when finally released.

Tivo already has ads on its main menu screen.

Anyone else notice a lot of pixilation/macroblocking during the recent Mariners/Boston games on 664? Seems like when the camera panned the signal was breaking up. Pretty annoying.

For the last couple days ABC 104 has had major Pixilation and audio drop-offs. Is this a problem for others in Seattle Area?

Yeap..Same in Renton area.

Hey guys me and my dad just purchased two tv's yesterday. They are the same model and they both have a QAM tuner and ATSC built in also. I had the tv's do a channel search and I only get local channels in HD. I was under the impression that as long as you have a QAM tuner you could just plug in the normal cable. I guess not, i wish to get espn 1 and 2, discovery, and tnt hd. I called up comcast they said I had to purchase a stb, is this true? I thought the QAM would descramble the hd channels? But yeah if anyone has any input especailly before I order a STB.

you gotta get a box from Comcast if you want all there "selection" of HD channels.

Anybody heard when we might be getting ESPN News in HD in the Seattle area?

Why aren't their any new posts in this thread since June 1?

Why aren't their any new posts in this thread since June 1?

Everyone in Seattle is satisfied?

Everyone in Seattle is satisfied?

:) I still get limited cable service but I've moved over to direcTV. I miss a couple channels but all of the HD is great. My wife was watching a non-HD channel the other day of a movie from 2007 and she says "That looks like a 1980s movie." I told her she has just gotten too used to watching things in HD :) (true story).

Everyone in Seattle is satisfied? Not exactly. The main reasons I keep Comcast Limited Cable Service are three:
1) The multi-product discount with Comcast High Speed Internet, which remains a pretty good service;
2) In my suburban condo location, I can't yet get 100% reliable reception from a Zenith DTT900 CECB. PQ from the Zenith on local channels is significantly better than the Comcast feed;
3) I enjoy occasionally viewing the government-access and educational channels, and definitely like watching CBC affiliate CBUT.

When better "Smart Antenna" aerials come onto the market later this year, people like me who primarily watch local OTA channels could well be in a position to say "bon voyage" to the so-so picture quality of Comcast. However, it could turn out that "Smart Antenna" technology is just another example of "over-promise, under deliver" consumer product technology. Stay tuned!

Why aren't their any new posts in this thread since June 1?

People got fed up and went over to DirectTV??? :rolleyes:

I'm wondering if we're ever going to get the guide update that fixes the guide hanging during remote inputs (I seem to remember they said it was because of a problem with the menu bar), and the firmware upgrades that fixes the recording light they broke previously. Supposedly these fixes are out in some parts of the country.

Not quite sure where to ask this question, so but I am hoping to find a Seattle Area subscriber who may know the answer...Question is regarding running a modulated signal within the home for example an outdoor Security cam, centralized TIVO, and or Replay TV unit within the home....On an Unused Analog Channel...I have the Comcast Triple Play package (Internet, TV, Phone) and used to run a modulated signal on channel 88 within this house...but ever since I got the phone pacakge, I believe this area/frequency is now occupied....Can a Seattle area Comcast subscriber who also runs a similiar setup within the home comment on this? I would love to know what areas of the frequency spectrum are free when one has the Triple Play setup....etc....THANKS!

Not quite sure where to ask this question, so but I am hoping to find a Seattle Area subscriber who may know the answer...Question is regarding running a modulated signal within the home for example an outdoor Security cam, centralized TIVO, and or Replay TV unit within the home....On an Unused Analog Channel...I have the Comcast Triple Play package (Internet, TV, Phone) and used to run a modulated signal on channel 88 within this house...but ever since I got the phone pacakge, I believe this area/frequency is now occupied....Can a Seattle area Comcast subscriber who also runs a similiar setup within the home comment on this? I would love to know what areas of the frequency spectrum are free when one has the Triple Play setup....etc....THANKS!As someone who's tried this with 4 security cameras - just get used to the idea that there are NO un-used channels anymore. Pretty sure Ch 88 range is used by digital cable - maybe a fixed channel, maybe in the OnDemand pool (which may or may not be in-use on any given day in your neighborhood) -- not sure which.

I gave up on this, but fortunately I had run two coax runs to every room when we built our house. Originally one run was for DirecTV, but we no longer use that. So my 2 coax runs now consist of:

1) full-spectrum digital cable
2) analog cable /w modulated security cameras (ch > 125 filtered out).

ps - I don't have triple-play: just TV and internet (no phone)

I'm wondering if we're ever going to get the guide update that fixes the guide hanging during remote inputs (I seem to remember they said it was because of a problem with the menu bar), and the firmware upgrades that fixes the recording light they broke previously. Supposedly these fixes are out in some parts of the country.
If they had fixed the delay I probably wouldn't have bought a Tivo last month. They need to speed up the guide and allow external hard drives, even if it's just one overpriced model like Tivo uses. Apparently Scientific Atlanta boxes can use eSATA drives.

I can live without Tivo's pretty menus and search features, but the speed is frustration free and adding a 500 GB drive finally gives me breathing room so I don't have to delete shows that I haven't gotten around to watching just to make room.

I just picked up a comcast box for my HDTV and all the HD channels appear to be in letterbox. I have a 16:9 tv so shouldn't the letterbox go away? Sorry I'm a newb at this thing, so if somebody could advise me on how I can get rid of the black areas that would be greatly appreciated.

I just picked up a comcast box for my HDTV and all the HD channels appear to be in letterbox. I have a 16:9 tv so shouldn't the letterbox go away? Sorry I'm a newb at this thing, so if somebody could advise me on how I can get rid of the black areas that would be greatly appreciated.
The box has no way of knowing what your TV's aspect ratio is. You need to go into the hidden User Settings menu, and set the box for 16:9. See this guide for details:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup

The box has no way of knowing what your TV's aspect ratio is. You need to go into the hidden User Settings menu, and set the box for 16:9. See this guide for details:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup


Be sure to set the output to 1080i or 720p and use HDMI/DVI or component connectors, too.

I am still getting bad dropoffs in sound on PBS HD both 108 and 109...Lately some audio/video on 104 ABC-HD anyone else? what the heck can de done about this????

Not quite sure where to ask this question, so but I am hoping to find a Seattle Area subscriber who may know the answer...Question is regarding running a modulated signal within the home for example an outdoor Security cam, centralized TIVO, and or Replay TV unit within the home....On an Unused Analog Channel...I have the Comcast Triple Play package (Internet, TV, Phone) and used to run a modulated signal on channel 88 within this house...but ever since I got the phone pacakge, I believe this area/frequency is now occupied....Can a Seattle area Comcast subscriber who also runs a similiar setup within the home comment on this? I would love to know what areas of the frequency spectrum are free when one has the Triple Play setup....etc....THANKS!I'm not sure if I can help. We got Triple Play a few years ago and I was running two ReplayTV sources through a Channel Plus 3025 until 16 months ago. I believe the last channels I was able to use were 123 and 125, but of course that was only going out on analog and one of the TVs in the house couldn't even tune that high.

Ultimately, when everything in the house went digital, I just bought a Channel Vision CV3102-78 low pass filter (about $25 at Worthington Distribution) and that cleared everything up on the new analog line.

I am still getting bad dropoffs in sound on PBS HD both 108 and 109...Lately some audio/video on 104 ABC-HD anyone else? what the heck can de done about this????
I sometimes have a problem with 104,108,109. Choppy Picture no sound. Then it mysteriously works. Comcast came by to check it out and of course found no problems. Signal strength was great.

I am still getting bad dropoffs in sound on PBS HD both 108 and 109...Lately some audio/video on 104 ABC-HD anyone else? what the heck can de done about this????Both have been discussed here many times in the past. Not much we (or Comcast, apparently) can do about them. The PBS audio dropouts are happening at a number of PBS affiliates nationwide, and is specifically some kind of incompatibility between the Motorola set-top boxes and PBS' new higher-bitrate audio encoding. See this post for details (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13260149#post13260149). It still happens to me on quite a few PBS shows.

And it seems like occasional bad picture/sound on KOMO/104 has been an ongoing problem as long as this thread has been active...

High bit rate encoding has nothing to do with it. Here at KCTS we decode completly to baseband audio and video. This means we take it clear down to digital video and audio. After we're done doing what we do with it we re-encode the audio to AC3 using a Dolby Labs DP569 encoder operating at 384kbps.

I have clearly demonstrated on more than one occasion that the problem is with the software in the Motorla STB's. An important thing to note is that I say software and not hardware. The same boxes did not have an issue when they were running the old Microsoft branded software.

KCTS did have a problem relating to PCR timing in our HD audio that was cleared up months ago but the problem with the Motorla boxes continues.

So what's the viewer to do? Send an email to me (tschall@kcts9.org) and let me know if it's happening to you. As many particulars regarding both your setup and the show you were watching as possible will be helpful. I would also appreciate knowing if you've not seen the problem. Depending on the number I may not reply to each and everyone but they will be read.

I'll keep a tally and consult with other engineers in the PBS chain to see if they saw similar issues with the same show in other markets.

A couple of notes: The problem does not seem to occur with HD-Tivo's on the Comcast system. The problem does not occur with my OTA system at home.

High bit rate encoding has nothing to do with it. ...Sorry, the "high bitrate" comment was my attempt to interpret & reconcile previous KCTS explanations:

1) your previous post here about your encoder technology, saying that "We push the technology harder than pretty much anyone else ..." and

2) an email I got from KCTS about this issue during "The War", stating "We have been told by PBS that there was more digital information to process than their equipment was initially able to handle...

I appreciate your continued work on this problem. It was first really noticable during Ken Burns' "The War", making that series almost un-watchable. It still happens sporadically, most recently I recall during an episode of American Experience "The Presidents", the one about George Bush Sr., I think.

The symptom seems to always be the same: periodic drop-out of audio for 1-3 seconds. The problem repeats at a regular interval, every couple minutes. This is on a Comcast/Moto 6412 DVR box. The symptoms are the same, whether watching live or watching a recorded program. I'll send you an email next time it happens, thanks.

I have been getting those damn 1-877-824-2288 Comcast calls two times a day for the last two weeks. When I see it on my caller Id I just have been ignoring it.

Today I answered the call and told the person calling that I considered this call harassment and want these calls stopped.

To my surprise I was asked if I would like to be put on the Comcast do not call list for promotions to which I said YES!!!

Sooo..it looks like you can opt out of this Comcast phone spam if you have a land line.

...
Sooo..it looks like you can opt out of this Comcast phone spam if you have a land line.

I ignore all incoming calls from toll-free numbers. They never seem to be made for my benefit.

Has anyone else noticed a free comcast preview going on? I've got limited basic cable and accidentally entered in the wrong channel and found that I seemed to have some premium channels (comedy central, mtv, etc). I'd be happy if it wasn't a preview and comcast is screwing up and giving me all those channels for the limited basic price :p

Has anyone else noticed a free comcast preview going on? I've got limited basic cable and accidentally entered in the wrong channel and found that I seemed to have some premium channels (comedy central, mtv, etc). I'd be happy if it wasn't a preview and comcast is screwing up and giving me all those channels for the limited basic price :p

Sounds like the tech just didn't put on the limited filter. So just keep hush hush about it and hope they don't notice that if you have service tech out.

Is anybody else experiencing audio hiccups accompanied with pixelation on ESPN? Its been happening to me for almost a month, but its sporadic...

ESPN has been really bad all afternoon for me too.
(Redmond)

I haven't, no. I'm in Anacortes.

You need cablecard(s) or an HD STB to receive any of the encrypted channels. Here is a posting of the unencrypted channels you can pick up with QAM:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13296715#post13296715

I just had a Tivo HD delivered, and I called Comcast about getting a CableCard for it. The person I talked to said that the CableCard wouldn't get any HD channels beyond the local ones, and that I would need a set-top box for a channel like TNT HD.

Can anyone refute this? Are you able to record, say, TNT in HD on your Tivo HD using only a CableCard?

I just had a Tivo HD delivered, and I called Comcast about getting a CableCard for it. The person I talked to said that the CableCard wouldn't get any HD channels beyond the local ones, and that I would need a set-top box for a channel like TNT HD.

Can anyone refute this? Are you able to record, say, TNT in HD on your Tivo HD using only a CableCard?

I'm in Redmond for the summer. I picked up a cablecard for my TiVo HD at the Comcast offices last week. I get all of the HD channels, and am able to record everything without any problems. The person you talked to is incorrect.

Thanks for the reality check, mtomd. I thought the Comcast person was wrong, but I'm glad to have the confirmation.

Thanks for the reality check, mtomd. I thought the Comcast person was wrong, but I'm glad to have the confirmation.

If you give it a bit of thought, what would be the point in cablecards if they could only pick up channels you could tune without them?

If you give it a bit of thought, what would be the point in cablecards if they could only pick up channels you could tune without them?

Well, not all HDTVs have QAM tuners, and the Tivo HD doesn't either. I admit my fear was somewhat irrational; it's much more likely that Comcast will try to screw me over in some way that doesn't violate FCC requirements.

Can anyone refute this? Are you able to record, say, TNT in HD on your Tivo HD using only a CableCard?

I am watching my recording of the Sonoma NASCAR race telecast on TNT-HD on ny TivoHD right now. :)

Has anyone noticed that the quality of USA HD is often subpar? When I compare to other channels it just doesn't match up. Am I the only one noticing? I get a lot of weird blocks when there is even the slightest motion.

Well, not all HDTVs have QAM tuners, and the Tivo HD doesn't either. ...

The TiVo HD does have a QAM tuner, which is used to receive digital cable channels, with or without the cable card.

The TiVo HD does have a QAM tuner, which is used to receive digital cable channels, with or without the cable card.

My mistake. What I was thinking of was the fact that the Tivo HD can't associate channel guide data with those channels, so any recording has to be done manually, meaning the QAM tuner is of limited use. (I'm basing this on the thread on tivocommunity.com about this problem. I haven't actually hooked up my Tivo HD yet.)

My mistake. What I was thinking of was the fact that the Tivo HD can't associate channel guide data with those channels, so any recording has to be done manually, meaning the QAM tuner is of limited use. (I'm basing this on the thread on tivocommunity.com about this problem. I haven't actually hooked up my Tivo HD yet.)

Another common misperception is that people think you cannot get Pay Per View through a TiVo. This is incorrect. You cannot currently get On Demand, which may change with a USB dongle. You just have to order PPV by phone to get it, but it is available for TiVo owners with cablecards.

For the past day or so, Food Network, both HD and SD channels, have disappeared. Anyone else experiencing this?

I'm in the Wallingford area.

For the past day or so, Food Network, both HD and SD channels, have disappeared. Anyone else experiencing this?

I'm in the Wallingford area.
I am in Redmond.
Food Network HD and SD have been fine.

My "old" Comcast HD cable box (Motorola DT6200/2005) has finally "bit the dust" - essentially inoperable - and the phone representative told me I should go to the Cable Store and have it replaced . So, today I'll be visiting the Cable Store in North Seattle to swap it out for a new box. Is my "old" box still the box currently in use? As I've long ago lost track of these things, what box/model number should I get? (Is there even a choice and what difference would any choices make?) I seem to recall from several years ago that back then there were several boxes available/in use and unless you knew what to ask for you might be handed an old one that was not the most current release. Is this still the case and if so, which one should I inisit on/hold out for? (Or is this no longer the case...)

Any pertinent advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
r-gordon-7

When will we be getting FXHD and other new HD channels?

Well to begin to answer my own question (because I had to go to the Cable Store today during the noon hour and couldn't wait any longer for a response here), the person behind the counter started to give me a newer style box - I didn't catch the make or model number, though I did notice it seemed to have a silver and black smoked glass front panel that was more "rectangular looking" than the somewhat "curvy looking" gray front panel on the Motorola DT 6200/2005. However, just as they were briniging this new box out to me, they asked if I needed an HDMI output - which I do need for connecting to my TV - a 2003 model Sony 42" Plasma... Anyhow, when I said yes to the need for HDMI, they took back the box they had been bringing to me and said I needed a replacement of the same model I had brought in, as the model with the more rectangular faceplate didn't have HDMI. So, they went back and got another Motorola DT6200/2005 to give me.

When I asked if there was any difference (image quality, features or anything else) between the Morotola DT6200/2005 and the box they almost gave me, they told me there was no difference between the two other than that the first box was a newer model and had different connection options, but did not have HDMI as the DT6200/2005 did...

Anyone know if all this is correct?

Thanks,
r-gordon-7

r-Gordon-7

Are you talking about an HD-DVR, or just a HD box without a hard drive?

That doesn't sound right to me. I have the DCH-3416, which is the newest DVR from Comcast with a 160 GB drive. I picked it up at the Redmond store and it definitely has an HDMI output. I wonder if they thought you needed a DVI output. In that case, you would need an older model. I think the DCH series is all digital. It is the newest model with the rectangular smoked glass front

I'm just talking about a Hi Def digital box w/out a hard drive or any recording function...

r-gordon-7

I need to go swap my HD DVR with a new one...I'm plagued with the menu slowdown/freezes and it's driving me nuts. I'm just too lazy to do anything about it. Summer's here and my DVR is nearly empty, so time's right I think.

Was the line/wait at the N.Seattle store short like it usually is? I don't think I've ever waited more than 2 minutes there to get help.

I was there at noon today. Three windows were open and there were just two customers - myself included. So, I was able to walk right in and out - less than 4 minutes total...

r-gordon

Looks like I haven't been able to get FOX HD for a couple of days now. I live in Sammamish. Anyone else picking up FOX over QAM on channel 111.1 these days? Thanks.

...Anyone else picking up FOX over QAM on channel 111.1 these days?...

That's where it is here in Bellevue.

Looks like I haven't been able to get FOX HD for a couple of days now. I live in Sammamish. Anyone else picking up FOX over QAM on channel 111.1 these days? Thanks.

Been missing here in North Kitsap for a couple days... I'll do a rescan and see if it has moved, but often I've found stuff just "dissappears" for a day or more then suddenly starts working again. Frankly this seems to happen often enough that I've come to chalk it up to Comcast's standard "screw-you" attitude. Doing a rescan with my TV and then having to re-delete the 50 or so useless and duplicate analog channels is a PITA.

Edit: Rescan found 13.1 again. It must have been moved, but I have no way of seeing what the physical channel number is.
Maybe comcast is getting ready to give us another HD channel in brilliantly over-compressed pixelvision :)