From this morning's Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008814281_brier05.html

On March 16, Comcast will begin to switch its expanded basic customers in Washington to digital channels, spokesman Steve Kipp said Wednesday. I'd been hearing from customers that dates for the conversion were starting to trickle out of the company.

The company is switching channels 30 to 70 from analog to digital, a move that mostly affects expanded basic customers. Those customers will have to have some sort of Comcast device on every TV after the switch takes place in order to get digital reception on these channels. Comcast will provide two free; additional units can be rented for $1.99 per month.

The conversion will come in phases. On March 16, it will begin by converting 20 of the 40 expanded basic channels to an encrypted, digital format in certain areas of Snohomish, Pierce and King counties.

Kipp wouldn't say when the move will extend to the rest of the state, but it will happen by the end of the year.

The initially affected communities include parts of Enumclaw, Covington, Black Diamond and Cedar Downs in King County; Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier and Clearview in Snohomish County; and in Pierce County, parts of Buckley, Bonney Lake, Carbonado, Eatonville, Graham, Orting, Prairie Ridge, Roy, South Prairie and Wilkeson.

The first channels to go digital there will be AMC, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CMT, E!, Food Network, FX, HGTV, History, Lifetime, MSNBC, MTV, Oxygen, Sci-Fi, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, TruTV and Versus.

From this morning's Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008814281_brier05.html

20 channels encrypted? I thought that was not possible without FCC waiver. Does this mean they got the waiver?

If it is true, then a lot of people will be pissed.

20 channels encrypted? I thought that was not possible without FCC waiver. Does this mean they got the waiver?

If it is true, then a lot of people will be pissed.The SD digital channels are still unencrypted here and in Portland. I'm guessing that the statement in the Times that the SD digitals will be encrypted is simply inaccurate.

As has been speculated repeatedly, Comcast probably wants to encrypt at some point, but I doubt that it will have happened by the time analogs begin disappearing in two weeks.

It is frustrating that the little bit of information that has been posted in the Times has been so confusing and inaccurate. The original article and subsequent follow-ups on Brier Dudley's blog last December were just like this. Either Steve Kipp is confused or Brier Dudley is confused - either way, the Times articles have created confusion rather than answer questions.

I guess we'll know a lot more in two weeks.

April 3 -- MLB-HD, channel 629, Digital Preferred.
(I assume in all areas.)

April 3 -- MLB-HD, channel 629, Digital Preferred.
(I assume in all areas.)

I'm salivating. Heck, I'm just hoping to get more HD channels in my area period.

I remember waiting with anticipation 8 years ago as the TCI trucks were working along the main arterial near my home - knowing that soon I'd be able to watch the SPEED Channel. I think the worst part about waiting for more HD channels is that I really have no idea when it'll happen. :confused:

...I think the worst part about waiting for more HD channels is that I really have no idea when it'll happen.
...

I believe it will happen shortly after the conversion of Expanded Basic to digital. There aren't many of the new HD channels I watch, but Speed is going to get a lot of use when the F-1 season begins again later this month.

I used to be able to tell when a game would be in HD because it would list on 627. Now they show all their SD feeds on this channel, so I can't tell whether this game is in HD.

I used to be able to tell when a game would be in HD because it would list on 627. Now they show all their SD feeds on this channel, so I can't tell whether this game is in HD.

The UW vs. WSU game will be in HD.

I used to be able to tell when a game would be in HD because it would list on 627. Now they show all their SD feeds on this channel, so I can't tell whether this game is in HD.All Mariners games (in the regular season) will be in HD as well, just like last season! Also, to distinguish if the game will be in HD or not, it will tell you in the guide! Look at some SD programming and it will tell you!

All Mariners games (in the regular season) will be in HD as well, just like last season! Also, to distinguish if the game will be in HD or not, it will tell you in the guide! Look at some SD programming and it will tell you!

I looked at the guide for both channel 30 and 627, which are showing the same lineup, and there isn't anyplace where they distinguish HD from SD content, at least right now. FSN-HD is in fact showing mostly SD content, albeit in a better digital format than lousy Comcast Digital (ABC-HD is another supposedly HD channel which shows mostly SD content.) The UW-WSU game for instance isn't listed as HD, at least in the guide I have.

While I have digital cable with HD, my expanded basic is part of my condo dues. So today Comcast came and gave everyone that wanted one, a couple of free digital boxes. I wanted one because my old TIVO won't be getting above channel 29 in a few weeks.

The boxes are about as basic as it gets. No video out ports, just a RF cable in and out. No On Demand. No cable guide. The remote can be programmed to control your TV, but it isn't even close to being a full Comcast remote. No Favorites or anything else.

As for TIVO, try as I might, I could not get my TIVO to use this box. So that is out. I was able to connect to my RF cable on my LCD-TV, so if both my DVR channels are recording, I will be able to watch something else on the TV. So that is better than nothing. It should also work with a VCR, provided you set your VCR to channel 3. I had no luck getting my TIVO to change the channel of this cable box. My VCR would probably not work either.

I think Comcast went way too cheap. I'm guessing they paid maybe $5 for the entire package they got from China. They should have given out boxes that had the Guide and more importantly for them, boxes that had On Demand. They are missing some potential money.

I think I will call Comcast and get a legitimate box for my TIVO.

The SD digital channels are still unencrypted here and in Portland. I'm guessing that the statement in the Times that the SD digitals will be encrypted is simply inaccurate.

As has been speculated repeatedly, Comcast probably wants to encrypt at some point, but I doubt that it will have happened by the time analogs begin disappearing in two weeks.

It is frustrating that the little bit of information that has been posted in the Times has been so confusing and inaccurate. The original article and subsequent follow-ups on Brier Dudley's blog last December were just like this. Either Steve Kipp is confused or Brier Dudley is confused - either way, the Times articles have created confusion rather than answer questions.

I guess we'll know a lot more in two weeks.Comcast's plan of record *is* to encrypt these channels; not sure why they would announce anything different to the press. Can you imagine them announcing something like "These channels are temporarily un-encrypted (for the 1% of you who actually know what a QAM tuner is) but that might change - if and when we get permission from the FCC". Talk about confusion!

Much as I'd like to see these channels remain in the clear - I think they're doing the responsible thing by only publicizing what their intended, final goal is. Comcast certainly doesn't want to give people unrealistic exepectations: people might go buy a QAM TV just to get these channels, they'll postpone getting DTAs, or even worse: they'll realize that the FCC might actually have the power to control Comcast's behavior, and start demanding more of that!

On a related note - just this Tuesday, Obama officially announced Julius Genachowski as his new FCC chariman, but he still has to be confirmed by the Senate. I think there's also at least one other vacant FCC commisioner seat that still has to be filled. I'm pretty sure Comcast has been waiting to see who they'll be facing, before filing for this encryption-waiver.

...
I think I will call Comcast and get a legitimate box for my TIVO.

That's probably what they had in mind. The DTA is only intended to enable extended basic customers to have access to the channels which have migrated to digital, so it's meant to be as cheap as possible.

While I have digital cable with HD, my expanded basic is part of my condo dues. So today Comcast came and gave everyone that wanted one, a couple of free digital boxes. I wanted one because my old TIVO won't be getting above channel 29 in a few weeks.

The boxes are about as basic as it gets. No video out ports, just a RF cable in and out. No On Demand. No cable guide. The remote can be programmed to control your TV, but it isn't even close to being a full Comcast remote. No Favorites or anything else.

As for TIVO, try as I might, I could not get my TIVO to use this box. So that is out. I was able to connect to my RF cable on my LCD-TV, so if both my DVR channels are recording, I will be able to watch something else on the TV. So that is better than nothing. It should also work with a VCR, provided you set your VCR to channel 3. I had no luck getting my TIVO to change the channel of this cable box. My VCR would probably not work either.

I think Comcast went way too cheap. I'm guessing they paid maybe $5 for the entire package they got from China. They should have given out boxes that had the Guide and more importantly for them, boxes that had On Demand. They are missing some potential money.

I think I will call Comcast and get a legitimate box for my TIVO.

Hey, you get what you pay for. You payed *nothing* and you got *nothing*. Seems fair to me. :D

Actually, it sucks big time, like most things Comcast has done. It is just a bait-n-switch to get you to rent extra Moto boxes that work (well, sorta work). I am in the same boat as you re: Tivo. But if I'm already paying $110 a month, what's another $10 at this point?

Moving from directv to comcast this week...in sammamish, unfortunately, so new channels for us hasn't happened yet.

MGMHD -- is that in the lineup?

...
MGMHD -- is that in the lineup?

No. Not even with the new HD channels.

Anyone know what the current options are for non-DVR HD boxes around here? Are they all the big ugly things like the old DCT I had a few years ago?

I just ordered a couple of HD tvs (sadly, sans CableCard slots) to replace the old CRTs in our bedrooms (already have one for the living room), and I'd kind of like for them to have access to all of the digital and HD channels we get (premiums, etc.), and not have to deal with weird QAM channel numbers. Teaching guests that ABC is channel 4 and "channel 4" is really 104 is hard enough -- teaching them that it's on 104 in the living room (where we have a TiVo Series3) but 82-4 in their room is too much...

Anyway, since these are in bedrooms, I really would rather not have a bulky cable box. Are there any smaller/less ugly options that will still do HD and the channel mapping? Guide would be nice. I don't care about DVR or OnDemand (if I really find myself missing DVR functionality, I'll just buy a TiVo HD -- I'm not subjecting myself to a Comcast DVR again).

Thanks.

No. Not even with the new HD channels.

Dang. What about FXHD? Rescue Me is coming up next month, and I just realized that comcast doesn't carry FX in HD. :(

Dang. What about FXHD? Rescue Me is coming up next month, and I just realized that comcast doesn't carry FX in HD. :(FX-HD is one of the channels that Portland picked up after dumping analog (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15393963#post15393963). Presumably FX-HD will roll out here after analog is dumped.

FX-HD is available in some areas of King County (I have it in Bellevue), but not MGM-HD.

For better or worse, I am a neophyte to HD. After years of being an early adopter, I decided to get on the HD train a few stations down the line, so please be patient with my ignorance:

From the recent pages of this thread, it sounds like HD channels are being added randomly and without notice. We currently have a digital Comcast box and love being able to record shows to watch later while skipping the @#$#@! commercials - can we still do that after we go HD? When Comcast adds the new surprise channels, do they usually behave like the rest of the channels (viewable schedule, recordable, etc).

Lastly, and probably most importantly, does anyone maintain a list of HD channels offered by Comcast in the Seattle area? I'm assuming that Comcast is the last place to go, since they are releasing HD channels without notice :D

It's more of a "bad thing" that we all pay the same rate and get different service. At least with DirecTV/Dish you get the same as anyone else (except locals), so nobody is getting a cooler "Deal" than you are. I will probably be raising a stink about this with customer care and looking to see if we can get a discount for the summer.

For better or worse, I am a neophyte to HD. After years of being an early adopter, I decided to get on the HD train a few stations down the line, so please be patient with my ignorance:

From the recent pages of this thread, it sounds like HD channels are being added randomly and without notice. We currently have a digital Comcast box and love being able to record shows to watch later while skipping the @#$#@! commercials - can we still do that after we go HD? When Comcast adds the new surprise channels, do they usually behave like the rest of the channels (viewable schedule, recordable, etc).

Lastly, and probably most importantly, does anyone maintain a list of HD channels offered by Comcast in the Seattle area? I'm assuming that Comcast is the last place to go, since they are releasing HD channels without notice :DTry out comcast.com - it should answer all your questions. You'll have to supply a zip code to for your particular area's channel lineup.

I live in Queen Anne and somewhere along the way with Comcast messing around with FSN HD I've lost access. When I check on my Moto box it says I'm unauthorized and the screen is just blank on my HD TiVo. Has this happened to anyone else? So far, online chatting with Comcast has been fruitless. They maintain the channel is for special events only despite the fact that the Moto box received a message in late Feb saying the channel was now full time.

I'd like to catch whatever basketball there will be in HD this week plus the Mariners starting next month.

I live in Queen Anne and somewhere along the way with Comcast messing around with FSN HD I've lost access. When I check on my Moto box it says I'm unauthorized and the screen is just blank on my HD TiVo. Has this happened to anyone else? So far, online chatting with Comcast has been fruitless. They maintain the channel is for special events only despite the fact that the Moto box received a message in late Feb saying the channel was now full time.

I'd like to catch whatever basketball there will be in HD this week plus the Mariners starting next month.
It's alive and well in Lakewood (98498)

I live in Queen Anne and somewhere along the way with Comcast messing around with FSN HD I've lost access. When I check on my Moto box it says I'm unauthorized and the screen is just blank on my HD TiVo. Has this happened to anyone else? So far, online chatting with Comcast has been fruitless. They maintain the channel is for special events only despite the fact that the Moto box received a message in late Feb saying the channel was now full time.

I'd like to catch whatever basketball there will be in HD this week plus the Mariners starting next month.

Not only is it still working here in Normandy Park, but my Moto box received an automated message from Comcast this morning notifying me that FSN has been full-time on 627 since February.

Not only is it still working here in Normandy Park, but my Moto box received an automated message from Comcast this morning notifying me that FSN has been full-time on 627 since February.I got that, too!

And, as of Friday, I am leaving Comcast territory and being forced to switch to another cable company (Wave Broadband). They have MGM HD, along with some other channels (including HD Net). But, Comcast still dominates the HD market ... for now.

Latest news on Wave Broadband is that they're working on a deal to carry all NBC Universal channels (USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, etc.) in HD. They already have Universal HD.

I got that, too!

And, as of Friday, I am leaving Comcast territory and being forced to switch to another cable company (Wave Broadband). They have MGM HD, along with some other channels (including HD Net). But, Comcast still dominates the HD market ... for now.

Latest news on Wave Broadband is that they're working on a deal to carry all NBC Universal channels (USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, etc.) in HD. They already have Universal HD.

OMG, you're not going to have SCI-FI in HD? How the heck are you going to watch BSG! The SD version just doesn't cut it. :( :D

NBC did a 14:9 letterbox for selected shows produced in wide screen format. It was OK because it was used selectively. But, the demise of analog transmission means a single approach has to work for everything. As I said before, the stations and networks have decided that center cut is the least objectionable approach. The postage stamp problem with letterboxing will be significant for quite awhile. There's a tremendous amount of native 4:3 content on many channels.

The real solution is AFD, which switches between centercut and letterbox on the fly. But, that requires transmission encoders and reception decoders. You'd need AFD software in set top boxes and TVs, which isn't likely to happen anytime soon.
I want to revisit this topic, because it's been bugging me during Heroes and The Office recently. These shows are very obviously not framed for 4:3, as characters speak while just their forehead is onscreen.

Why can't they switch back and forth between letterbox and center cut on the fly? I gather they used to do this by switching between the analog and digital transmissions. But can't they just go to a letterbox framing during The Office and switch back to center cut when 30 Rock comes on? Surely they can't have to lock in a one choice and run with it 24/7.

Barring that, is it possible for Comcast to give me control over this? I don't mind having to fiddle with my cable box options between shows, as long as I can select my aspect ratio.

There must be a better way than waiting for Comcast to get AFD working or suffering through the center cut/postage stamp dillemma.

I live in Queen Anne and somewhere along the way with Comcast messing around with FSN HD I've lost access. When I check on my Moto box it says I'm unauthorized and the screen is just blank on my HD TiVo. Has this happened to anyone else? So far, online chatting with Comcast has been fruitless. They maintain the channel is for special events only despite the fact that the Moto box received a message in late Feb saying the channel was now full time.

I'd like to catch whatever basketball there will be in HD this week plus the Mariners starting next month.
I'm getting FSN HD here on Queen Anne right now. Using a Tivo XL.

Barring that, is it possible for Comcast to give me control over this? I don't mind having to fiddle with my cable box options between shows, as long as I can select my aspect ratio.
I suppose you could get Comcast's HD box and watch it downconverted, letterboxed for 4:3. The TV networks can do anything they want; it seems they don't care about the 4:3 audience. Far as I can tell, Fox is the only net with separate 4:3 and 16:9 feeds.

I suppose you could get Comcast's HD box and watch it downconverted, letterboxed for 4:3. The TV networks can do anything they want; it seems they don't care about the 4:3 audience. Far as I can tell, Fox is the only net with separate 4:3 and 16:9 feeds.

I came to understand this morning why they can't switch between center cut and letterbox for 4:3 viewers. It's one feed now that has to work for both 4:3 and 16:9. So if they give me Heroes in letterbox, the people with actual widescreen TVs get the postage stamp effect. So I'll withdraw that.

It still seems to me like Comcast should be giving me control over this in my box. The box knows I'm watching SD. It knows I'm watching on a 4:3 screen. Why can't it let me tell it how I want my picture formatted?

Getting Comcast's HD box and downconverting it is a counter-intuitive solution. Would it really work?

NEW HD Channels????

is anybody getting anything between 627 and 660. My TiVo is showing program information for about 11 channels there but no picture.

Thanks, Mike in Issaquah

Well, I don't know about counter-intuitive; it would give you the control you want. It would allow you to view the widescreen video in letterbox on a 4:3 screen via one of the analog SD outputs, like SVHS.

I want to revisit this topic, because it's been bugging me during Heroes and The Office recently. These shows are very obviously not framed for 4:3, as characters speak while just their forehead is onscreen.That particular problem is the content producers. Last fall, NBC said its producers would provide shows where the action and graphics are centercut safe. Apparently, some shows aren't meeting both parts of the commitment.

I suppose you could get Comcast's HD box and watch it downconverted, letterboxed for 4:3. The TV networks can do anything they want; it seems they don't care about the 4:3 audience. Far as I can tell, Fox is the only net with separate 4:3 and 16:9 feeds.I don't think it's Fox. Fox network shows are 4:3 safe, including the bug that works for SD and adds the HD element in the 16:9 area. KCPQ does separate 4:3 and 16:9 feeds to some distributors.

Getting Comcast's HD box and downconverting it is a counter-intuitive solution. Would it really work?Yes, it works. I've tried that myself for other reasons and got a letterboxed output on an older analog set. Switching from centercut to letterbox is not quick and easy, though. The most user friendly approach would involve using two inputs to the TV - the one you are using now for centercut and the other for the HD letterbox. Then you'd simply switch TV inputs depending on the version you want.

Anybody see the announcement? Does this mean they will add FXHD next month for those of us that have to wait for the analog to digital conversion before the additional HD get added to our lineup? They are also changing around the music channels. Annoucement is longer than my scanner will take.

I don't think it's Fox. Fox network shows are 4:3 safe, including the bug that works for SD and adds the HD element in the 16:9 area. KCPQ does separate 4:3 and 16:9 feeds to some distributors.
I guess I need to take a close look at the Fox feed. Looked to me, watching the HD feed, like the Fox SD part of the animated logo, while inside a 4:3 frame, would be outside the 4:3 safe area.

I guess I need to take a close look at the Fox feed. Looked to me, watching the HD feed, like the Fox SD part of the animated logo, while inside a 4:3 frame, would be outside the 4:3 safe area.If you're using a cable box, just push the "OK/Select" button on your remote and whatever you see on the outside of that bar is not 4:3 safe.

I just saw something interesting on KING 5. If you're wanting to see some Comcast technology that is "just months away", watch at 6:30 tonight!

5:00pm (http://www.king5.com/video/dtv-index.html?nvid=341340) | 6:30pm (http://www.king5.com/video/dtv-index.html?nvid=341433)

Hey, you get what you pay for. You payed *nothing* and you got *nothing*. Seems fair to me. :D

Actually, it sucks big time, like most things Comcast has done. It is just a bait-n-switch to get you to rent extra Moto boxes that work (well, sorta work). I am in the same boat as you re: Tivo. But if I'm already paying $110 a month, what's another $10 at this point?

I actually got the cheapo Comcast Digital Adapter to work with my TIVO. I just chose this particular cable box in the Guided setup, and fortunately had my TIVO IR adapter which I had never used before, since I had straight cable to the TIVO. It works now, changes channels and everything, but it took me three or four tries. No idea why it didn't work at first. But the channels are a little off, FSN is on 31, ESPN 32, and ESPN2 33. I guess no speed channel for the adapter. On the negative, this thing changes channels pretty slow. Oh well, this is my backup recorder-TV watcher because the quality doesn't match the full HD box. It is nice to have the ability to watch or record something different if both HD tuners in the DVR are recording something.

We're having cable installed in about a week. As best I can gather from the Comcast site, it appears that we will be getting a DCT5100 box which does not accomodate a HDMI interface. Apparently only the DVR Boxes have HDMI outputs. Any work arounds?

My upstairs box is a Moto DCH3200 which has HDMI connection and is not a DVR. Picked it up from the North Seattle location.

Yep, my old HD box (non-DVR) was DVI. Walked into the comcast store and swapped it out in 2 minutes for an HDMI box.

They did screw me though... they updated the serial number on in the system for the exchanged box, but also assigned a new serial number to my HD DVR as well (how and why they managed to do that, I have no idea). When I got home, the HD DVR box no longer was authorized to connect (being the old serial number). A call to comcast support straightened it out (but only after going down the road of "are all your connections tight" etc).

FYI, something to watch out for if anybody does a box exchange.

We're having cable installed in about a week. As best I can gather from the Comcast site, it appears that we will be getting a DCT5100 box which does not accomodate a HDMI interface. Apparently only the DVR Boxes have HDMI outputs. Any work arounds?
I though when they went to A/D simulcasting a couple years ago, they stopped issuing 5100's (which still have an analog tuner), instead using 3200's (which are digital-only). The 5100's had no HDMI but the later revisions of it did have DVI ports. I believe all 3200's have HDMI. I would call prior to your installation, and tell them to note that you require an HDMI-equipped box.

I though when they went to A/D simulcasting a couple years ago, they stopped issuing 5100's (which still have an analog tuner), instead using 3200's (which are digital-only). The 5100's had no HDMI but the later revisions of it did have DVI ports. I believe all 3200's have HDMI. I would call prior to your installation, and tell them to note that you require an HDMI-equipped box.

Thanks for your quick and helpful input guys. anyone recall the model of the remote that comes with the 3200?

Is the Husky game on HD tonight?

Comcast's plan of record *is* to encrypt these channels; not sure why they would announce anything different to the press. Can you imagine them announcing something like "These channels are temporarily un-encrypted (for the 1% of you who actually know what a QAM tuner is) but that might change - if and when we get permission from the FCC". Talk about confusion!

Much as I'd like to see these channels remain in the clear - I think they're doing the responsible thing by only publicizing what their intended, final goal is. Comcast certainly doesn't want to give people unrealistic exepectations: people might go buy a QAM TV just to get these channels, they'll postpone getting DTAs, or even worse: they'll realize that the FCC might actually have the power to control Comcast's behavior, and start demanding more of that!...Some clarification from Steve Kipp in Brier Dudley's Blog http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/brierdudley/2009/03/11/more_details_on_comcast_digita.html
Q: There's some confusion about whether channels 30 to 70 will truly be encrypted after they're converted from analog to digital.

Kipp: Shortly after the change, in some cases, the channels will not be encrypted. But they will be encrypted due to agreements we have with the cable networks. My advice to customers: If you happen to not have the channels encrypted, enjoy them while you can, because it won't last for long.

Is the Husky game on HD tonight? Yes, on 627. Tomorrow, if they win tonight, the Pac10 championship game will be on KIRO 7 in HD.

113 (FOX HD) has had some picture quality issues as of late. BONES and Terminator both had "frozen" video for a time, though the sound continued. My recording of BONES also stopped at five minutes early (TivoHD via CableCard).

I had the same problem on two hd dvr's

I had the same problem on 2 different Windows Vista Media Centers (each with very different tuner hardware).

At about 9 and then again at 28 minutes into Terminator, the video became corrupted for 2-3 minutes (sound continued). Eventually (about 45 minutes in) the feed switched from Fox HD to Fox standard def (16:9 letterboxed inside a 4:3 frame) and the corruption stopped.

Glad it's not just me -- I was breaking in a new Vista MC machine and the timing of the corruption was unfortunate because it confused me. I almost re-installed the OS.

I had the same problem on 2 different Windows Vista Media Centers (each with very different tuner hardware).

At about 9 and then again at 28 minutes into Terminator, the video became corrupted for 2-3 minutes (sound continued). Eventually (about 45 minutes in) the feed switched from Fox HD to Fox standard def (16:9 letterboxed inside a 4:3 frame) and the corruption stopped.

Glad it's not just me -- I was breaking in a new Vista MC machine and the timing of the corruption was unfortunate because it confused me. I almost re-installed the OS.
Definitely a channel problem. They basically had to drop the true HD output - something was wrong with their HD transmission. The problem was on DirecTV too.

Same problems in Lake City.
Bones (recorded on VMC with a HDHR) had numerous dropouts/freezes. And last nights Terminator (on a TiVo HD with CC)... same problems. Dollhouse dropped to SD midway through...

I was actually glad to see this problem on both my TiVo and my HTPC... at least I knew the problem was not with MY hardware!

Any time a program switches from HD to SD it has to be a problem at the source.

A question on the new HD channels....I am in Kenmore/Juanita area....I am in WA0150 according to my cable bill.

I picked up an extra - Comcast - HD box the other day from the Redmond location. Plugged it in and I receive pretty much every one of the new HD channels in the 600s.

I come back downstairs and try on my Tivo HD....grey screens or 'channel not available' messages on all of them....which has been the case for months (I just figured the channels hadn't been 'rolled out' in my area yet).

Any ideas? Call Comcast or is there something I can do on my end? Thanks

...Call Comcast or is there something I can do on my end? Thanks

Call Comcast.

OK, so officially, I am a Comcast traitor, LOL! But, I just wanted to share with you guys that Wave Broadband's HD looks so much better, and I am using the same cables I had with Comcast. Drag Racing on ESPN 2 ... holy crap!

And, sure ... I know I have 1/3 of what Comcast has to offer when it comes to HD, but Wave Broadband also doesn't have international programming (in SD). Just makes me wonder ... is Wave Broadband refraining from downgrading HD content or do they really not have that much bandwith to work with right now?

Not bragging, just making a statement! :)

113 (FOX HD) has had some picture quality issues as of late. BONES and Terminator both had "frozen" video for a time, though the sound continued. My recording of BONES also stopped at five minutes early (TivoHD via CableCard).


refer to the Seattle OTA thread post by x43x recently...

I got this in the mail today. Says that the "network enhancement" will begin in my area on March 16, 2009. I scanned in everything I got from them for anyone who wants to see. A PDF is attached to this post.So... does anyone have any reports of missing analog stations this morning?

Another update on Comcast's analog dump from Brier Dudley's Blog in the Seattle Times. Click here for the full posting (http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/brierdudley/2009/03/16/comcast_digital_switch_new_list_of_affected_areas.html).Star ting tomorrow, this will be in effect in Enumclaw, Covington, Black Diamond and Cedar Downs in King County; Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier and Clearview in the north end; and in Pierce, parts of Buckley, Bonney Lake, Carbonado, Eatonville, Graham, Orting, Prairie Ridge, Roy, South Prairie and Wilkeson.

The first channels to go digital there will be AMC, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon, CMT, E!, Food, FX, HGTV, History, Lifetime, MSNBC, MTV, Oxygen, Sci-Fi, TLC, TNT, Travel, TruTV and Versus.

Expect the switch next in Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Algona, Pacific, Puyallup, Parkland, Fort Lewis, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien and Vashon Island.

Those areas will see the swtich beginning the first week of April, and all expanded channels there should be converted to digital around the first week of May, spokesman Steve Kipp said.

If/when they finally do receive the waiver and encrypt the expanded basic cable stations over QAM, will they attempt to encrypt the HD locals over QAM? I hope they don't try to go that far. I'll probably downgrade to limited basic the minute they encrypt the 30 and higher stations as all I really need from cable is the local HDs over QAM. Otherwise, maybe I'll look into installing and antenna and running that through my house.

Please, at least continue to allow us to get HD locals with just limited basic :).

If/when they finally do receive the waiver and encrypt the expanded basic cable stations over QAM, will they attempt to encrypt the HD locals over QAM?
...

I doubt it. Not sure they're even allowed to do that. They weren't encrypted before this transition came up, and the capability was there to do it since the only boxes with HD tuners have external decryption capability.

I doubt it. Not sure they're even allowed to do that. They weren't encrypted before this transition came up, and the capability was there to do it since the only boxes with HD tuners have external decryption capability.

They are NOT allowed to encrypt locals. Period. As an aside, the OTA signals will also not be encrypted.

If/when they finally do receive the waiver and encrypt the expanded basic cable stations over QAM, will they attempt to encrypt the HD locals over QAM? I hope they don't try to go that far. I'll probably downgrade to limited basic the minute they encrypt the 30 and higher stations as all I really need from cable is the local HDs over QAM. Otherwise, maybe I'll look into installing and antenna and running that through my house.

Please, at least continue to allow us to get HD locals with just limited basic :).The waiver isn't to allow encryption of 30-70. They can already any encrypt non-local/OTA channels whenever they want.

This waiver would be to allow these cheap little DTA boxes to do decryption. Current FCC regulations prohibit *integrated* decryption in cable boxes; since July 2007 any new boxes that Comcast deploys *must* use removable cable-cards to perform decryption (thus allowing 3rd-party competition, from CableCard TVs and DVRs). Unfortunately, Cablecards add something like $100+ (wholesale) to the cost of a cable box.

No way that Comcast is going to give away boxes that expensive for free. Hence, the waiver request to allow them to use the integrated decryption in the free DTA boxes they're now giving people to be able to view 30-70.

Don't worry about OTA/locals - the FCC still requires cable cos to send those in the clear.

The waiver isn't to allow encryption of 30-70. They can already any encrypt non-local/OTA channels whenever they want.

This waiver would be to allow these cheap little DTA boxes to do decryption. Current FCC regulations prohibit *integrated* decryption in cable boxes; since July 2007 any new boxes that Comcast deploys *must* use removable cable-cards to perform decryption (thus allowing 3rd-party competition, from CableCard TVs and DVRs). Unfortunately, Cablecards add something like $100+ (wholesale) to the cost of a cable box.

No way that Comcast is going to give away boxes that expensive for free. Hence, the waiver request to allow them to use the integrated decryption in the free DTA boxes they're now giving people to be able to view 30-70.

Don't worry about OTA/locals - the FCC still requires cable cos to send those in the clear.

Yeah, I understand what the waiver is for, but the end result from my perspective is that it allows them to encrypt those channels and use the DTAs (I do realize they have been encrypted over QAM up until recently). If the can't do the decryption with an integrated cable box then there would be no encryption.

And I have heard (not confirmed) of some areas where the HD locals are encrypted (which I didn't think was legal) from some of my HTPC online people, but maybe they were mistaken or it was a temporary "glitch." Or maybe they were confusing it with the 5c encryption I sometimes see on the HD locals via the cable box firewire output.

One thing is for sure - when/if they do encrypt the expanded basic cables I will drop down to limited. I tune most of my cable with PC capture cards and if those stations aren't analog or digitally available without a box then they are of little use to me. I don't want to set up multiple IR blasters to tune the DTAs and capture the output.

Newlinux,

You probably already know this, but ATI makes a PC tuner card that has cablecard support. No STB required.

Yeah, I understand what the waiver is for, but the end result from my perspective is that it allows them to encrypt those channels and use the DTAs (I do realize they have been encrypted over QAM up until recently). If the can't do the decryption with an integrated cable box then there would be no encryption.I agree - the *net effect* of the DTA-decryption waiver is to permit the encryption of 30-70, as per their current plans. If the waiver is not granted, however, I'm guessing they have one or more backup plans.

Hopefully they would just leave them un-encrypted (over the protests of those channel owners), but they also might:
re-shuffle digital 30-70 to lower frequencies, and go back to putting low-pass filters/traps on non-subscribers lines (expensive truck rolls)
go back on their promise of free DTA boxes for expanded-basic customers, and make them rent a full cable box, perhaps at a discount.
leave the channels un-encrypted until they can develop a cheaper Cablecard or DCAS box with separate, legal decryption that's cheap enough to give away

Newlinux,

You probably already know this, but ATI makes a PC tuner card that has cablecard support. No STB required.

You have to buy one of the specific computers that is certfied to use it ("Windows Vista Digital Cable compatible" - they have a special BIOS and a secondary activation key that enables them to use cable card tuners). You can't just buy the card and add it to any computer, and you can't build your own computer and use one (I prefer to build my own). The PC must be pre-built and certified by CableLabs. Most importantly, it will never work with Linux :)

I agree - the *net effect* of the DTA-decryption waiver is to permit the encryption of 30-70, as per their current plans. If the waiver is not granted, however, I'm guessing they have one or more backup plans.

Hopefully they would just leave them un-encrypted (over the protests of those channel owners), but they also might:
re-shuffle digital 30-70 to lower frequencies, and go back to putting low-pass filters/traps on non-subscribers lines (expensive truck rolls)
go back on their promise of free DTA boxes for expanded-basic customers, and make them rent a full cable box, perhaps at a discount.
leave the channels un-encrypted until they can develop a cheaper Cablecard or DCAS box with separate, legal decryption that's cheap enough to give away

It will be interesting to see what happens. I hope they don't get the waiver, but if it forces them to #2 that's even worse for the consumers... You're probably right about the backup plans... What has happened in other places where they've eliminated the analog service (or a large part of it). I know there was a big stir in Chicago... Maybe I'll look into that...

You have to buy one of the specific computers that is certfied to use it ("Windows Vista Digital Cable compatible" - they have a special BIOS and a secondary activation key that enables them to use cable card tuners). You can't just buy the card and add it to any computer, and you can't build your own computer and use one (I prefer to build my own). The PC must be pre-built and certified by CableLabs. Most importantly, it will never work with Linux :)

Yuck! Like I said, you probably already knew. I had just heard rumors, went to their site, saw the card but did not read up on it. I'm not really interesting in doing an HTPC. But, the information you provided is good to know. :)

Posted this a while back, will try again: Has anyone noticed that for some programs, the odd/even interlaced lines are reversed? This happens through the DCH box or with the cable directly connected to the TV. Seen on two different sets in my house (one Sony and one Sharp).

Another update on Comcast's analog dump from Brier Dudley's Blog in the Seattle Times. Click here for the full posting (http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/brierdudley/2009/03/16/comcast_digital_switch_new_list_of_affected_areas.html).Star ting tomorrow, this will be in effect in Enumclaw, Covington, Black Diamond and Cedar Downs in King County; Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier and Clearview in the north end; and in Pierce, parts of Buckley, Bonney Lake, Carbonado, Eatonville, Graham, Orting, Prairie Ridge, Roy, South Prairie and Wilkeson.

The first channels to go digital there will be AMC, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon, CMT, E!, Food, FX, HGTV, History, Lifetime, MSNBC, MTV, Oxygen, Sci-Fi, TLC, TNT, Travel, TruTV and Versus...
Has anyone in these affected areas checked to see if any of their analog is gone yet?

Has anyone in these affected areas checked to see if any of their analog is gone yet?

Someone in Bonney Lake complained about it today in the comcast dot net forums.

A few weeks ago I got a mailer from Comcast mentioning upcoming improvements to my area (Bothell 98012) starting March 16th. I thought that some grand switch was to finally be flipped this week and all the tauntingly "channel not available" HD stations would spring to life on my Tivo HD. Alas, I just remembered to check today and, as I've become accustomed to... nothing.

Does anyone in my area have the new HD channels yet? And if so, are they functioning on a Tivo HD/Series3?

Has anyone in these affected areas checked to see if any of their analog is gone yet?

I live in Graham and as of today 1/2 of the analog channels from 30-70 are gone. There is only a message on the screen saying that the other 1/2 of the channels will disappear in one month.

curious if anyone had thoughts on the PQ of last night's Sounders game on ESPN2. I thought it was kinda bad, but I've also been working on my tv's display settings so was wondering if anyone else had an opinion.

Has anyone in these affected areas checked to see if any of their analog is gone yet?

I didn't check all of them but at least some of the analogs are gone in Maple Valley. Yay! Maybe I will get some new HD one of these days.

curious if anyone had thoughts on the PQ of last night's Sounders game on ESPN2. I thought it was kinda bad, but I've also been working on my tv's display settings so was wondering if anyone else had an opinion.
It was not the best live HD I have ever seen but it looked very good on my set (Sceptre 42" 1080p display from Moto box HDMI at 1080i). It had almost no pixelating or motion effects which I see on ABC/NBC/CBS sports broadcasts here (due to the subchannel drain on bandwidth). I guess I'd give it 8 out of 10 overall. P.S. Great start for the season!

It was not the best live HD I have ever seen but it looked very good on my set (Sceptre 42" 1080p display from Moto box HDMI at 1080i). It had almost no pixelating or motion effects which I see on ABC/NBC/CBS sports broadcasts here (due to the subchannel drain on bandwidth). I guess I'd give it 8 out of 10 overall. P.S. Great start for the season!

Hmmm.... OK, well thanks for the feedback. Really the only shot I thought that looked BAD was the super wide & high shot they use so much. The cameras on the ground did seem to be better.

I'm really new to soccer (did watch the '06 World Cup a good bit and liked it) and am looking forward to learning more.

Does anyone know if KING/KONG will produce their games in HD?

No number on the remote. Must say that the box is a hunk-o-junk compared to the DISH and Directv boxes. Doesn't appear to be a way to create a "favorites" list or 2 or 3 and have the guide default to the selection...it appears to always go back to the "all channels" list. Also the guide is 4:3 not 16:9.

If anyone has a resolution to these complaints...I'm all ears!

Does anyone know if KING/KONG will produce their games in HD?Yes, they'll be in HD.

A few weeks ago I got a mailer from Comcast mentioning upcoming improvements to my area (Bothell 98012) starting March 16th. I thought that some grand switch was to finally be flipped this week and all the tauntingly "channel not available" HD stations would spring to life on my Tivo HD. Alas, I just remembered to check today and, as I've become accustomed to... nothing.

Does anyone in my area have the new HD channels yet? And if so, are they functioning on a Tivo HD/Series3?

It doesn't look like anyone got new channels this week. I've been checking this thread just waiting for 2 new pages of people saying they finally got them. I also have a Tivo, so it's kind of annoying to have it taunt me by recording shows on channels I don't have. I could take them off my listing, but they could be switched on any day now.

Yes, they'll be in HD.
next Sounders game is 3/28 7:00 PM on KONG but the Guide currently does not say HD so we'll see...

Yes, they'll be in HD.

Great news! I was thinking of trying to figure out the offsides rule and watch the rest of the games..., so long is I could catch the bulk of them in HD.

It doesn't look like anyone got new channels this week. I've been checking this thread just waiting for 2 new pages of people saying they finally got them. I also have a Tivo, so it's kind of annoying to have it taunt me by recording shows on channels I don't have. I could take them off my listing, but they could be switched on any day now.


I am in the same bucket as you. Everyday I come home to a gray screen and my TiVo recording a suggestion for a channel I don't have. But I leave them selected because i have hope!, lol.......

Great news! I was thinking of trying to figure out the offsides rule and watch the rest of the games..., so long is I could catch the bulk of them in HD.

Offsides is quite simple - see this youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwmR6CC0Bk

well maybe not *that* simple :eek:
but the video explains it very well...

I see tht the March Madness games are on two different channels 7. For thse of us with regular tuners, where would we get to see both channels?

I see that the March Madness games are on two different channels 7. For those of us with regular tuners, where would we get to see both channels? Using a Comcast box, KIRO 7.2 is on Channel 117. If you are using a QAM tuner, it's on 110.3.

I built a HTPC a few months back and I'm still working out all of the kinks. I have a Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116007) tuner, and live in Capitol Hill (98102). I have Comcast with no cable box. When I run the cable directly to my TV, it picks up a lot of the HD channels (things like 4-1, 107-28, etc. - don't know if those are real channels, btw). However, I can never get any of these to show up on my PC. Vista's MediaCenter can get all of the SD channels between 1 and 99, but I get absolutely none of the channels of the format "X-Y". I've tried hooking up the cable to both the ATSC and the NTSC tuner on the card (I obviously need the NTSC to get the digital) and haven't had any luck. Is there something I'm doing wrong, or do I need a box from Comcast in order to be able to see these channels on my PC? The TV doesn't have a cablecard.

I built a HTPC a few months back and I'm still working out all of the kinks. I have a Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116007) tuner, and live in Capitol Hill (98102). I have Comcast with no cable box. When I run the cable directly to my TV, it picks up a lot of the HD channels (things like 4-1, 107-28, etc. - don't know if those are real channels, btw). However, I can never get any of these to show up on my PC. Vista's MediaCenter can get all of the SD channels between 1 and 99, but I get absolutely none of the channels of the format "X-Y". I've tried hooking up the cable to both the ATSC and the NTSC tuner on the card (I obviously need the NTSC to get the digital) and haven't had any luck. Is there something I'm doing wrong, or do I need a box from Comcast in order to be able to see these channels on my PC? The TV doesn't have a cablecard.First, NTSC = analog (not digital). QAM = digital cable. ATSC = digital broadcast. If your TV is picking up HD channels via a Comcast feed, then it's using its QAM tuner.

Second, Vista Media Center (VMC) doesn't officially support QAM tuners, unless you install the TV Pack 2008 update - which of course isn't officially available to end-users (comes with new systems, although you can probably find download links by searching here or at The Green Button). Some QAM tuners, like the HD Homerun, have specific built-in hacks to allow use of QAM with regular VMC. I've seen reports on AVSForum about some HVR-1600 users also doing some registry hacks to make it work. But I've also seen reports that some HVR-1600s support QAM, some don't (there's a long HVR-1600 thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=847022) you can check).

In short, you *may* be able to make this tuner work with QAM & VMC, but I think you're in for some serious research and testing.

First, NTSC = analog (not digital). QAM = digital cable. ATSC = digital broadcast. If your TV is picking up HD channels via a Comcast feed, then it's using its QAM tuner.

Second, Vista Media Center (VMC) doesn't officially support QAM tuners, unless you install the TV Pack 2008 update - which of course isn't officially available to end-users (comes with new systems, although you can probably find download links by searching here or at The Green Button). Some QAM tuners, like the HD Homerun, have specific built-in hacks to allow use of QAM with regular VMC. I've seen reports on AVSForum about some HVR-1600 users also doing some registry hacks to make it work. But I've also seen reports that some HVR-1600s support QAM, some don't (there's a long HVR-1600 thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=847022) you can check).

In short, you *may* be able to make this tuner work with QAM & VMC, but I think you're in for some serious research and testing.

I realized my ATSC/NTSC mistake as soon as I posted, but had to rush off for other things - whoops. Anyway, assuming I can get my hands on TV Pack 2008, then MC should be able to pick up all of the QAM channels?

I realized my ATSC/NTSC mistake as soon as I posted, but had to rush off for other things - whoops. Anyway, assuming I can get my hands on TV Pack 2008, then MC should be able to pick up all of the QAM channels?Again - *maybe*. I tried getting QAM to work on a Hauppauge card briefly last year - but gave up, and got an HD Homerun instead. Works great. Suggest you follow up in one of the 1600/QAM threads.

Been lurking here in Renton for a while, finally had to vent some frustration. I live in 98058, visited a buddy last night in Snoqualmie and enjoyed his 29 additional HD channels. Came home from work today and paid my HUMONGOUS Comcast bill, and begged the HD gods for relief. They cannot add those channels on my node fast enough......

There's very little changed in this update, other than

* Change of affiliation for KHCV
* Deletion of analog (broadcast) channel numbers for KVOS, KBCB, and KWPX
* Edited to make more clear that the 117-X MUX, as listed, is for the City of Seattle

I also noted which on channels the clear QAM previews of the different sports packages have most recently been seen.

I noticed on the digital OTA listings for Seattle on TitanTV.com that KOMO has added a secondary channel 4.2, made up mostly of movies along with kids programming and re-runs of a few TV shows. Has anyone heard if Comcast will add this channel ? By that, I mean before Comcast's contract with KOMO for re-transmission is up for renewal. I have to imagine KOMO will eventually require Comcast to carry 4.2 as a condition of re-transmitting 4.1.

I noticed on the digital OTA listings for Seattle on TitanTV.com that KOMO has added a secondary channel 4.2, made up mostly of movies along with kids programming and re-runs of a few TV shows. Has anyone heard if Comcast will add this channel ? By that, I mean before Comcast's contract with KOMO for re-transmission is up for renewal. I have to imagine KOMO will eventually require Comcast to carry 4.2 as a condition of re-transmitting 4.1.In the attached document, it is noted that KOMO This Seattle will be carried on Comcast Channel 114 starting on (or about) 4/15.

Random question: anyone know if/when Comcast is going to add CNN HD around Seattle?

CNN HD is one of the channels added to some systems in this area back in December.

Again - *maybe*. I tried getting QAM to work on a Hauppauge card briefly last year - but gave up, and got an HD Homerun instead. Works great. Suggest you follow up in one of the 1600/QAM threads.

Took about an hour, but it worked! Thanks so much for the help - my Hauppage now sees digital channels just fine (though it's only getting channels under 100...).

Took about an hour, but it worked! Thanks so much for the help - my Hauppage now sees digital channels just fine (though it's only getting channels under 100...).

THE new Windows 7 requires no hacks- it detects QAM natively.

Took about an hour, but it worked! Thanks so much for the help - my Hauppage now sees digital channels just fine (though it's only getting channels under 100...).

Okay, what it actually appears is that Vista's MediaCenter is only picking up the following channels:
4.1 KomoDT
5.1 KingDT
5.2 KingDT2
7.1 KiroDT
7.2 KiroDT2
9.1 KctsDT
9.2 KctsDT2
9.3 KctsDT3
16.1 KongDT
22.1 KmyqDT

I know there are more digital TV channels - my regular TV picks them up! Do I need to manually tune these channels, and if so, where can I get a frequency map? If not, how can I get media center to find these channels?

THE new Windows 7 requires no hacks- it detects QAM natively.

Yeah, I know, but I don't want to upgrade to Win 7 on any of my home PCs until WHS supports Win 7.

Go to the Silicon Dust page and enter your zip...
http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us

In Lake City (98125), I get KSTW 11.1 (can't get KCPQ, 13.1).

Go to the Silicon Dust page and enter your zip...
http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us

In Lake City (98125), I get KSTW 11.1 (can't get KCPQ, 13.1).

It claims for my zip (98102), there are 127 digital channels! However, it doesn't mention any of the ones I found - the listed ones here are all 79.X and higher. Either way, they don't have frequencies, so how do I forcibly tune them?

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineupui/US:98102

It claims for my zip (98102), there are 127 digital channels! However, it doesn't mention any of the ones I found - the listed ones here are all 79.X and higher. Either way, they don't have frequencies, so how do I forcibly tune them?

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineupui/US:98102

Just an FYI: Some of the 79.X and up channels are the same as the ones you received. the numbers you are seeing in your scan are from the channels that comcast transmits PSIP information with. pastiche posted a mapping not to long ago...

Can't help you with Vista Media Center (haven't used it too much), I'm a Linux/mythtv guy myself. If I get a chance, I'll generate a channels.conf file that should have the frequencies. I have to find a time when my tuners won't be used for a while when I can be at the computer...

It claims for my zip (98102), there are 127 digital channels! However, it doesn't mention any of the ones I found - the listed ones here are all 79.X and higher. Either way, they don't have frequencies, so how do I forcibly tune them?
Actually those *are* the actual carrier frequencies. The numbers you listed (4.1, 5.1, etc) are all "virtual" channel numbers instead. They use PSIP data to map to the real underlying frequencies (eg, 79.x and higher). I haven't played with TV pack much - is there some way to tell it to scan for ALL channels, not just those with virtual-channel (PSIP) mappings?

Actually those *are* the actual carrier frequencies. The numbers you listed (4.1, 5.1, etc) are all "virtual" channel numbers instead. They use PSIP data to map to the real underlying frequencies (eg, 79.x and higher). I haven't played with TV pack much - is there some way to tell it to scan for ALL channels, not just those with virtual-channel (PSIP) mappings?

Figured out that it found all of the channels, but it couldn't map it to the program guide, so it hid them. I enabled almost all of them now, and only have two problems. For starters, I had to manually map the channels, so if they change, I'll have to do it again. I assume there's no workaround for this but I figure I'll ask anyways. Second, I didn't pick up anything in the 110 or 117 range. Are those restricted despite the fact they appear to be unencrypted?

...Second, I didn't pick up anything in the 110 or 117 range. Are those restricted despite the fact they appear to be unencrypted?

They are there. See Pastiche's files at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16133596#post16133596

Go to the Silicon Dust page and enter your zip...
http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us

In Lake City (98125), I get KSTW 11.1 (can't get KCPQ, 13.1).

Ever since Ch. 11 & 13 moved up to 111, something has been very flaky about the PSIP data on that MUX. Even on the surface, it's certainly not the same as the broadcast stream, where there's 11-1/KSTW-DT vs. 11-1/CW 11 HD on Comcast.

On a QAM tuner that can't decode PSIP data, they reliably appear as 111-1 KCPQ/Fox, 111-2 KSTW/CW, 111-4 KCPQ/Accuweather.

On different QAM tuners that can decode PSIP data, I've seen strange things: all working as expected, one or more of the three missing, and one or more of the three renumerated.

You might have some luck trying to manually tune the "missing" channels directly on 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, 111-4 (all of which i've seen them show up randomly upon, on tuners that try to make sense of the PSIP on 111-X).

It seems that "something" is not quite right, but different receivers have different ability to cope with it. (The worst I've seen was a built-in tuner on a noname 42" LCD that actually crashed and turned off the set as soon as it hit 111-X during the channel scan!)

I Want My Speed-HD!!!!! Mot@*#$ Fu*#@$ :mad:

Again - *maybe*. I tried getting QAM to work on a Hauppauge card briefly last year - but gave up, and got an HD Homerun instead. Works great. Suggest you follow up in one of the 1600/QAM threads.

I can say from experience that AverMedia M780 also works fairly well for clear qam.

Sigh -- outage in my area (98033) going on 5 hours or so now...

Just ahead of baseball season, MLB Network in HD added as channel 629 here in Mount Vernon.

Not that I'll ever watch it...

Just ahead of baseball season, MLB Network in HD added as channel 629 here in Mount Vernon.
...

In Bellevue, also. A couple of days early.

Just ahead of baseball season, MLB Network in HD added as channel 629 here in Mount Vernon.

Not that I'll ever watch it...

Just got it here in Normandy Park this morning. As a baseball fan, I'm excited. Some of their team preview shows are pretty good, and I really like watching highlights of old World Series from the 1940s, 50s, 60s, etc.

One show I'm looking forward to is "Cathedrals of the Game" which I remember from the pre-MOJO 664 channel. Great visuals and nice insights into many ballparks (food, ambience, tailgating, views, etc).

Still waiting for SPEED Channel HD for my F1 fix.

...
Still waiting for SPEED Channel HD for my F1 fix.

F1 isn't in true HD, but the widescreen certainly makes it a much better experience.

Everytime I see the little red message light on my cable box, I get my hopes up and think they are rolling out more HD channels. Alas, no such luck for me in Seatac. When they switch to full digital for the second half of the expanded basic channels, it seems like we should get more HD stations. Stuff like CNN-HD would be nice. Actually I would prefer MSNBC-HD, but I don't think they output HD.

Everytime I see the little red message light on my cable box, I get my hopes up and think they are rolling out more HD channels. Alas, no such luck for me in Seatac. When they switch to full digital for the second half of the expanded basic channels, it seems like we should get more HD stations. Stuff like CNN-HD would be nice. Actually I would prefer MSNBC-HD, but I don't think they output HD.CNN-HD is already available in upgraded areas of Puget Sound, for example here in North Bend. Non-upgraded areas are waiting for the removal of 30-70 analog before adding these. You can see the HD channels we have available via Comcast's online TV listings - click the link below, set your ZIP to 98045, then click the HD filter button:

http://www.comcast.net/tv/tv-listings/

I don't believe MSNBC offers HD anywhere, yet. Last I heard they originally planned for end of 2008, but that was pushed back to sometime in 2009.

What's up with Comcast losing NFL Network? I usually start watching it around June, getting ready for the season. What happened? So I smell a satellite-only contract?

CNN-HD is already available in upgraded areas of Puget Sound, for example here in North Bend. Non-upgraded areas are waiting for the removal of 30-70 analog before adding these. You can see the HD channels we have available via Comcast's online TV listings - click the link below, set your ZIP to 98045, then click the HD filter button:

http://www.comcast.net/tv/tv-listings/

I don't believe MSNBC offers HD anywhere, yet. Last I heard they originally planned for end of 2008, but that was pushed back to sometime in 2009.

Funny how I finally get a new HD channel (MLB HD) and it's the one not listed on the channel guides. :p

Everytime I see the little red message light on my cable box, I get my hopes up and think they are rolling out more HD channels. Alas, no such luck for me in Seatac. When they switch to full digital for the second half of the expanded basic channels, it seems like we should get more HD stations. Stuff like CNN-HD would be nice. Actually I would prefer MSNBC-HD, but I don't think they output HD.Looks like MSNBC will go HD on June 29 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16182165#post16182165).

Seeing as Comcast carries all of the other NBC/Universal networks in HD, maybe it won't take too long for Comcast to add MSNBC-HD in areas where Comcast has reclaimed most of the bandwidth devoted to analog. I guess we'll know more in three months...

Finally could not wait for comcast to add more hd channels and switched to directv last weekend. Love it so far.
a) Many more hd channels
b) Quality of the hd channels seem much better - did not do a side-by-side comparison, comcast box was disconnected when I connected directv - even locals seem better
c) disk-drive size of the hd-dvr - was constantly struggling with keeping free space with the comcast 120GB box - much better with the directv 320GB (I think) box especially since many of the channels are mpeg4 encoded
d) cheaper for the first year with rebate

Only thing I miss about comcast is the on-demand - debating whether to get the network connection kit to do the "download from internet" on-demand thing.

What's up with Comcast losing NFL Network? I usually start watching it around June, getting ready for the season. What happened? So I smell a satellite-only contract?Still have it on Wave Broadband (Silverdale, WA)

I'm pretty sick of Comcast for the usual reasons - slow HD rollout in Seattle, much of what's on HD channels isn't HD, buggy boxes, bad HDMI behavior. Ridiculous cost, especially for digital STB rental. Kids watching too much TV, and with the end of Battlestar and ER, I won't be watching so much TV either.

We have 2 TVs with QAM tuners plus an HTPC with a QAM tuner. We'll continue to have Comcast internet. Here's what I'm wondering: if I drop down to limited basic service for $16 a month or whatever it is, will I still receive channels 30-70 as QAM for free, at least until they are encrypted by Comcast for everybody? Or will they come out and put some sort of block on my line so that I can only receive the OTA and public service channels?

Amen, brother.

if I drop down to limited basic service for $16 a month or whatever it is, will I still receive channels 30-70 as QAM for free, at least until they are encrypted by Comcast for everybody? Or will they come out and put some sort of block on my line so that I can only receive the OTA and public service channels?

So you are basically asking whether you will be able to steal cable? This is exactly why they want to keep things encrypted.

I'm pretty sick of Comcast for the usual reasons - slow HD rollout in Seattle, much of what's on HD channels isn't HD, buggy boxes, bad HDMI behavior. Ridiculous cost, especially for digital STB rental. Kids watching too much TV, and with the end of Battlestar and ER, I won't be watching so much TV either.

We have 2 TVs with QAM tuners plus an HTPC with a QAM tuner. We'll continue to have Comcast internet. Here's what I'm wondering: if I drop down to limited basic service for $16 a month or whatever it is, will I still receive channels 30-70 as QAM for free, at least until they are encrypted by Comcast for everybody? Or will they come out and put some sort of block on my line so that I can only receive the OTA and public service channels?Since you've posted your intentions here, I'm pretty sure they'll now come out and put a block on your line :-)

But seriously - Comcast's publicly-stated intention is to prevent people from receiving 30-70 without a subscription (exactly what you're asking for). They have promised this to their content provider networks. I would expect them to eventually follow thru on this, one way or the other.

When they make the switch to digital for the expanded basic channels, they won't need to "block" any of the channels. They will simply encrypt them so you won't be able to decode them without a Comcast box.

Since I am getting hopeful on more HD stations, what about the Comedy Central in HD?

When they make the switch to digital for the expanded basic channels, they won't need to "block" any of the channels. They will simply encrypt them so you won't be able to decode them without a Comcast box.True, *IF* the FCC approves their waiver to allow the integrated decryption in the new DTA boxes they're giving expanded basic customers. But if their waiver is rejected, we can only guess at their backup plan. They'd have several options, and would likely pick the cheapest:

1) truck rolls to install physical blocks/taps on lines that are only subscribed to limited basic, just like the good old days
2) give each DTA customer a full Cablecard box like the FCC wants
3) leave the channels un-encrypted and compensate the content providers who will be screaming over lost subscription revenue.

There's very little changed in this update, other than...
Is it just me or did Comcast move some QAM channels around again?

Is it just me or did Comcast move some QAM channels around again?

The only difference I'm seeing here is that Sports iN DEMAND added 13th and 14th channels -- 95-13 & 95-14.

This, of course, could change at any moment. :)

So you are basically asking whether you will be able to steal cable? This is exactly why they want to keep things encrypted.

I subscribe to Preferred digital and have six TV's in my house, three of which are HD capable. I have one DVR and one HD box. My other HD TV only uses the QAM tuner without a box to get all the digital channels 2-99 and the local HD channels. If they encrypt 30-99 I will have to add an extra box and lose the HD channels. I don't consider the way it is now "stealing" considering what I pay for what I'm getting.

I subscribe to Preferred digital and have six TV's in my house, three of which are HD capable. I have one DVR and one HD box. My other HD TV only uses the QAM tuner without a box to get all the digital channels 2-99 and the local HD channels. If they encrypt 30-99 I will have to add an extra box and lose the HD channels. I don't consider the way it is now "stealing" considering what I pay for what I'm getting.Obviously you're paying for a full range of channels, and you have every right to expect to be able to use them on all your TVs. I absolutely hope the FCC denies Comcast's waiver to use encryption with DTA boxes. They need to find a different way to capture Expanded Basic revenue without such huge inconvenience to legitimate subscribers.

On the other hand, someone who subscribes only to Limited Basic shouldn't expect to receive Expanded Basic for free (even though right now, you can).

Not to conduct an ethics seminar here - but - is it "stealing" cable to receive expanded basic with a limited cable subscription?

OK, I'd be receiving a service I'm not paying for. On the other hand, it's a service that they are pumping into my home without restriction. I wouldn't be using any equipment that's not legal, just a standard QAM TV tuner. I wouldn't be tapping into their line in an unauthorized (physically) way. If they want to put a filter on my line to prevent me from receiving those frequencies, I won't remove it. If they encrypt those channels in accordance with whatever law is in place at the time, I won't try to defeat it with some kind of hack.

They have a responsibility to protect their signal - if they make it freely available to me, why shouldn't I receive it? On the other hand, if someone leaves an unlocked bike in front of their house, I don't feel entitled to take it. I can't tell you exactly why these situations feel different to me, but they do. Perhaps someone else has some insight as to why they do.

Perhaps one reason is that I/we feel that Comcast has taken advantage of us through their monopoly position and their frustration of legitimate government regulation. In the mid-1990s, the FCC tried to foster a competitive market for set top boxes, to bring lower prices and more capabilities to this market. But the cable companies have dragged their feet for more than 10 years such that you still cannot get full value from your cable subscription with other than a leased cable company box. And their boxes suck and are way overpriced compared to computer or AV equipment of equivalent complexity and processing power. Their monopolistic practices have prevented a market for STBs from developing.

So is it stealing or a minor act of civil disobedience? Is it stealing to listen to public radio without contributing?

True, *IF* the FCC approves their waiver to allow the integrated decryption in the new DTA boxes they're giving expanded basic customers. But if their waiver is rejected, we can only guess at their backup plan. They'd have several options, and would likely pick the cheapest:

1) truck rolls to install physical blocks/taps on lines that are only subscribed to limited basic, just like the good old days
2) give each DTA customer a full Cablecard box like the FCC wants
3) leave the channels un-encrypted and compensate the content providers who will be screaming over lost subscription revenue.


Regarding option (1):
If channel 30-70 is being sent in analog format, I think Comcast will need to come out and block it. Otherwise, an old CRT TV will be able to watch those channels, no?
On the other hand, in the future, *if* channel 30-70 are digital only, and if encrypted, then truck rolls can be avoided.

Regarding option (1):
If channel 30-70 is being sent in analog format, I think Comcast will need to come out and block it. Otherwise, an old CRT TV will be able to watch those channels, no?
On the other hand, in the future, *if* channel 30-70 are digital only, and if encrypted, then truck rolls can be avoided.

That would be what Comcast wants. However, if the FCC doesn't grant them a waiver; they can't encrypt 30-70 without providing a free cable card box to all the subscribers. Providing the box just doesn't make sense financially, so they really only have two options. Don't encrypt the channels and just accept the fact that those with cheap plans and QAM tuners will get the channels for free, or put some kind of filters on the line.

That would be what Comcast wants. However, if the FCC doesn't grant them a waiver; they can't encrypt 30-70 without providing a free cable card box to all the subscribers. Providing the box just doesn't make sense financially, so they really only have two options. Don't encrypt the channels and just accept the fact that those with cheap plans and QAM tuners will get the channels for free, or put some kind of filters on the line.

I find it hard to believe that a basic cable card STB is really more complex or more costly to manufacture than a basic DVD player, which can be purchased for $20 at Christmastime. And whatever happened to DCAS, the digital security software scheme? Comcast wouldn't even need to factor in the cost of the cable card or the cable card slot. I think Comcast will try to get as many people as possible to subscribe to digital cable at the customer's cost, and when effective competition and regulation requires it, they will find a way to provide a digital solution to the rest. They are balancing a number of things: customer inertia vs. defections to satellite/FIOS; analog upgrade hassle vs. new HD and new On-Demand revenue vs. cost of digital boxes; miniscule QAM poaching vs. truck rolls to install filters. But without effective competition and regulation, their offerings will be tilted to what maximizes revenues for Comcast instead of what minimizes cost and maximizes choice for consumers.

Regarding option (1):
If channel 30-70 is being sent in analog format, I think Comcast will need to come out and block it. Otherwise, an old CRT TV will be able to watch those channels, no?
On the other hand, in the future, *if* channel 30-70 are digital only, and if encrypted, then truck rolls can be avoided.We know for sure that analog 30-70 are going away, period. Keeping them analog is not one of their options. They have to free up this bandwidth in most of their areas to make room for the already-promised new HD channels. It's critical to their being able to compete w/ sat and FIOS.

The only question is how they will handle 30-70 once they are digital-only -- either they get the FCC waiver and encrypt them as planned, or it's denied and they find a backup plan (see 3 potential options in my previous post).

I find it hard to believe that a basic cable card STB is really more complex or more costly to manufacture than a basic DVD player, which can be purchased for $20 at Christmastime. And whatever happened to DCAS, the digital security software scheme? Comcast wouldn't even need to factor in the cost of the cable card or the cable card slot. I think Comcast will try to get as many people as possible to subscribe to digital cable at the customer's cost, and when effective competition and regulation requires it, they will find a way to provide a digital solution to the rest. They are balancing a number of things: customer inertia vs. defections to satellite/FIOS; analog upgrade hassle vs. new HD and new On-Demand revenue vs. cost of digital boxes; miniscule QAM poaching vs. truck rolls to install filters. But without effective competition and regulation, their offerings will be tilted to what maximizes revenues for Comcast instead of what minimizes cost and maximizes choice for consumers.I had read somewhere a while back that, for whatever reason, the cheapest cablecard-enabled boxes cost over $100, even for a giant volume buyer like Comcast. These simple new DTAs are $35 (I think those are more analogous to your cheap DVD player). I don't know if the cablecard costs are so high due to inherent comlplexity, some CableLabs licensing scheme, or just economies of scale as they're ramped up.

And I have no idea whatever happened to DCAS - weren't we were supposed to have that by now?

In some areas, Comcast changes the 30-70 channels from analog to digital in phases:
1. Create digital simulcast of these channels;
2. Turn off analog versions (after equipping subscribers with boxes);
3. Move native channels carrying the digital replacements to channels that fall within the range of the old analog 30-70, thus allowing the physical blocking filters to once again block these channels from Limited Basic subscribers.

Two points:

1. The number of people who might poach expanded basic cable via QAM tuners, as I am considering, is pretty small. Comcast probably has years before the number reaches the hundreds of thousands. The great majority of consumers are unaware of this opportunity, don't have QAM tuners, and/or would be unable to set it up.

2. The battle over the cable card waiver just illustrates how totally ineffective FCC regulation has been. The FCC and cable industry must be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a legal battle of remarkably little relevance to consumers. CableCard is an unreliable, obsolete technology. It certainly hasn't resulted in the desired outcome - a market for set top boxes that would bring innovation and pricing options to consumers. The only alternative to renting a cable company STB (at ridiculous rates) is Tivo, and then you'll give up On Demand and have to pay fees for Tivo's program guide. And how Motorola and Comcast are allowed to collude to prevent sale of STBs is a mystery to me.

Furthermore, here in Seattle, which is supposed to be a technologically advanced city, the choices for TV and broadband are terrible! For TV, it's Comcast or satellite. No Fios, no ATT U-verse. For broadband, it's Comcast only. Qwest only has low-speed DSL available at my address (between Green Lake and Northgate). The deck is stacked against consumers. Hope the new administration brings different priorities to the FCC than dirty words and boobs.

There was another public announcement in the Seattle Times this morning announcing new HD channels for south end areas including some of Pierce County. In a previous announcement they had the same channels listed for the FCC Community Unit I live in. After checking I found out my neighborhood doesn't have the bandwidth to support more HD channels and I'd have to wait for the digital switchover. If Comcast gets their way I'll lose my QAM channels if they are ever allowed to encrypt.

I have three HD capable TV's with a DVR, an HD box, and one using the QAM tuner. Hearing Comcast promotions about adding HD, I called and was told I'd have to rent another HD box ($15.95 DVR, $11.60 HD box) to have full HD on all of my HD capable TV's. Their advertisements make it sound like adding HD is no problem; what they don't say is how much extra you have to pay to get it on multiple TV's. I'm a digital preferred subscriber, so why do I have to pay extra to get the same channels I get in SD in HD?

There was another public announcement in the Seattle Times this morning announcing new HD channels for south end areas including some of Pierce County. In a previous announcement they had the same channels listed for the FCC Community Unit I live in. After checking I found out my neighborhood doesn't have the bandwidth to support more HD channels and I'd have to wait for the digital switchover. If Comcast gets their way I'll lose my QAM channels if they are ever allowed to encrypt.

I have three HD capable TV's with a DVR, an HD box, and one using the QAM tuner. Hearing Comcast promotions about adding HD, I called and was told I'd have to rent another HD box ($15.95 DVR, $11.60 HD box) to have full HD on all of my HD capable TV's. Their advertisements make it sound like adding HD is no problem; what they don't say is how much extra you have to pay to get it on multiple TV's. I'm a digital preferred subscriber, so why do I have to pay extra to get the same channels I get in SD in HD?

I guess it is the same theory as to why companies charge more for faster internet. You are using more of their network. at least I think i am right.

...Hearing Comcast promotions about adding HD, I called and was told I'd have to rent another HD box ($15.95 DVR, $11.60 HD box) to have full HD on all of my HD capable TV's. ...

Don't they also charge you for an additional digital outlet for each extra TV that requires a digital box? I thought the HD and DVR box fees were on top of that.

I guess it is the same theory as to why companies charge more for faster internet. You are using more of their network. at least I think i am right.

I don't think that's right. They are broadcasting the encrypted HD channels all the time to everyone, even analog-only customers. There is no additional network burden. But despite the FCC's intent, you can only buy the key to open that lock from Comcast, by renting their equipment at an outrageous price that they set. Let's say you rent one of their HD boxes at $11.60 for five years. That's $696. Do you think that box has more tech/more cost in it than a DVD player ($50 - $100), Blu-Ray player ($299), netbook or basic PC ($350)? Do you think Comcast likes being in the STB rental business? Yeah I think they do.

Don't they also charge you for an additional digital outlet for each extra TV that requires a digital box? I thought the HD and DVR box fees were on top of that.
I have two other digital boxes (Moto DCT700) I got two years ago for free on a "promotion". Each year I call up and they renew the promotion. I don't have the promotion date on my calendar so I always get a bill with the charges added on. It took two calls this year to get the charges taken off.

Here's a weird one...

Was on the phone with Comcast today trying to resolve a bizarre billing issue when the subject of me canceling MLB Extra Innings came up. I said I was canceling because in Seattle the "up to 10 games a week in HD" is still not included. The woman sighed and said, "I know. You know that's because of the Seattle City Council, right?"

She quickly changed the subject so I didn't get a chance to ask for more info. Was she crazy or is there some connection between the city government and Comcast's continued delays in bringing Seattle proper more HD love?

I thought federal pre-emption prohibits local regulation of cable TV rates and programming. I believe Comcast needs to upgrade its network to carry more HD, and if so, I imagine they are in the permit line with everyone else at the Dept of Planning and Development. Would love to hear specifically what the basis is for the claim that the "City Council" is somehow preventing them from providing more HD.

Here's a weird one...

Was on the phone with Comcast today trying to resolve a bizarre billing issue when the subject of me canceling MLB Extra Innings came up. I said I was canceling because in Seattle the "up to 10 games a week in HD" is still not included. The woman sighed and said, "I know. You know that's because of the Seattle City Council, right?"

She quickly changed the subject so I didn't get a chance to ask for more info. Was she crazy or is there some connection between the city government and Comcast's continued delays in bringing Seattle proper more HD love?

LAME. :rolleyes: How many channels does the City Council have? Does Seattle have 9 to 27 SD channels such that Comcast can't add a couple or three more HD channels... Sounds fishy to me. I'm not promoting anything, but there are ways to get MLB EI HD or sports regionals (HD/SD) by satellite.... However, yes, I am getting a 4 month deal to view the MLB Network and check out the Comcastic HDDVR. ...Well it's a DVR but I miss the MSTV GUI.

I don't think that's right. They are broadcasting the encrypted HD channels all the time to everyone, even analog-only customers. There is no additional network burden. But despite the FCC's intent, you can only buy the key to open that lock from Comcast, by renting their equipment at an outrageous price that they set. Let's say you rent one of their HD boxes at $11.60 for five years. That's $696. Do you think that box has more tech/more cost in it than a DVD player ($50 - $100), Blu-Ray player ($299), netbook or basic PC ($350)? Do you think Comcast likes being in the STB rental business? Yeah I think they do.

Then again, the people on AVS Forum are the types that tend to swap out their Comcast boxes at the drop of a hat. I went from HD only to HD DVR to two HD DVRs to two 160GB boxes, and then had to swap one out because it kept losing everything on the hard drive. If you had to pay for all those boxes in a five year span, it would cost a lot more than $696.

I thought federal pre-emption prohibits local regulation of cable TV rates and programming. I believe Comcast needs to upgrade its network to carry more HD, and if so, I imagine they are in the permit line with everyone else at the Dept of Planning and Development. Would love to hear specifically what the basis is for the claim that the "City Council" is somehow preventing them from providing more HD. I think when the expanded basic channels switch from analog to digital, that will free up a ton of space for HD. Analog are incredibly bandwidth hungry, even compared to full HD digital.

There was another public announcement in the Seattle Times this morning announcing new HD channels for south end areas including some of Pierce County.

Why is it that they're adding the channels in every community around Des Moines, but not Des Moines?

Don't they also charge you for an additional digital outlet for each extra TV that requires a digital box? I thought the HD and DVR box fees were on top of that.Comcast recently raised my bill with an additional $5.00 'digital outlet' fee for my CableCard set (I have an HD DVR on the primary TV). I have had the CC for almost 3 years, but they said they should have been charging me for the 'digital outlet' all along.

I live in Puyallup, and yesterday a bunch of analog channels started to display a screen, with a phone number to call to order a digital cable box. I didn't even realize it until last night, since I only have one TV that doesn't have a digital cable box.

I'm hoping they get all their customers upgraded soon, so they can shut off those analog channels... I smell more HD in my future.

...

I smell more HD in my future.

Yes, Comcast does smell, but not a good smell - more like the blood-sucking vermin you'd find on a alien planet that drains the life out of everything it touches...

KCTS HD on 9-1 shows a blank screen on my QAM tuner with a very low signal. All other channels are fine and it doesn't appear to be encrypted. It shows up fine on my DVR and HD box. Anyone know what's going on?

Try rescanning? It may have moved.

I live in Puyallup, and yesterday a bunch of analog channels started to display a screen, with a phone number to call to order a digital cable box. I didn't even realize it until last night, since I only have one TV that doesn't have a digital cable box.

I'm hoping they get all their customers upgraded soon, so they can shut off those analog channels... I smell more HD in my future.

Same thing for my sisters house in Burien. Boy is she pissed.

But I can't help thinking, OK you jerks turned off the analog in my area, so where are my friggin extra HD channels?

Same thing for my sisters house in Burien. Boy is she pissed.

But I can't help thinking, OK you jerks turned off the analog in my area, so where are my friggin extra HD channels?

According to the ad in the Seattle Times, they should be added to your system around May 12. For the rest of us, it will be sometime in the subsequent 8 months.

Hey, I was watching "Parks and Recreation" the other day on 105 (KING HD), and it seemed to me that the bitrate was lower than I was used to, in that any serious motion caused the image to deteriorate significantly. I'm wondering if Comcast is recompressing their HDTV channels now? I know that once upon a time, they advertised that they weren't doing that, but is that still the case? If I can get better quality using the over-the-air signal, I may just start watching that instead...

Hey, I was watching "Parks and Recreation" the other day on 105 (KING HD), and it seemed to me that the bitrate was lower than I was used to, in that any serious motion caused the image to deteriorate significantly. I'm wondering if Comcast is recompressing their HDTV channels now? I know that once upon a time, they advertised that they weren't doing that, but is that still the case? If I can get better quality using the over-the-air signal, I may just start watching that instead... In the past, this was usually King5's fault, not Comcast. This is a problem all HD OTA stations have, especially 1080i. I find the 720P stations, like Komo4, FOX13 and ESPN have less of these motion artifacts, which I call macro-blocking.

All this being said, I think Comcast is squeezing the digital data even more, so they could very well be adding to the problems.

Hey, I was watching "Parks and Recreation" the other day on 105 (KING HD), and it seemed to me that the bitrate was lower than I was used to, in that any serious motion caused the image to deteriorate significantly. I'm wondering if Comcast is recompressing their HDTV channels now? I know that once upon a time, they advertised that they weren't doing that, but is that still the case? If I can get better quality using the over-the-air signal, I may just start watching that instead...KING degrades their own picture quality by stealing bandwidth for their second sub-channel (currently carrying Universal Sports TV, I believe). This will be the same on cable or OTA.

KING degrades their own picture quality by stealing bandwidth for their second sub-channel (currently carrying Universal Sports TV, I believe). This will be the same on cable or OTA.Yes, it is NBC Universal Sports.

Yes, it is NBC Universal Sports.

The real irony is that some affiliates like KOMO and KING are likely degrading the network feed LESS than the O&Os are. WNBC and KNBC are both running NBC on 4-1, local news/weather on 4-2, and Universal Sports on 4-3. Same deal at WABC and KABC... ABC on 7-1, a second locally programmed channel on 7-2, and local news/weather on 7-3.

On the other hand, we're likely seeing more degradation on KIRO than on a similar O&O. WCBS and KCBS run nothing but CBS on 2-1.

Was flipping channels a few minutes ago, and I noticed that Comcast is already migrating one more LIMITED BASIC channel. KWDK on Ch. 18 (analog) has been replaced with a banner that says:

As of April 2, digital equipment
may be required in order to view
this channel, KWDK (Daystar).
If you do not have digital
equipment and want to continue
to view KWDK please call
1-800-COMCAST

I just scanned the QAM channels and found a bunch of new ones. MSNBC is now 92.1 and FOX News is 92.2, ESPN-something is 91.3 and a whole bunch more… all Clear QAM.

ETA: I'm in Shoreline/Edmonds

I just scanned the QAM channels and found a bunch of new ones. MSNBC is now 92.1 and FOX News is 92.2, ESPN-something is 91.3 and a whole bunch more… all Clear QAM.

ETA: I'm in Shoreline/Edmonds

All of expanded basic has been passed in clear QAM since mid-December. Here's the last update of the listings:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16133596#post16133596

The only change I've noticed since then is Sports iN DEMAND occasionally running 13th/14th channels on 95-13/95-14.

I just scanned the QAM channels and found a bunch of new ones. MSNBC is now 92.1 and FOX News is 92.2, ESPN-something is 91.3 and a whole bunch more… all Clear QAM.

ETA: I'm in Shoreline/Edmonds

Yeah... (and "ESPN-something" is Versus.)
See this: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16133596#post16133596

FX HD on 665 in Seattle (Queen Anne). Only showing "This channel should be available shortly" message right now though. Don't see any other HD additions. Will be great to have Rescue Me in high-def.

FX HD on 665 in Seattle (Queen Anne). Only showing "This channel should be available shortly" message right now though. Don't see any other HD additions. Will be great to have Rescue Me in high-def.FX-HD available and with complete guide data this morning in Sammamish.

Hoping for 665 here in Normandy Park (fingers crossed).

FX HD on 665 in Seattle (Queen Anne). Only showing "This channel should be available shortly" message right now though. Don't see any other HD additions. Will be great to have Rescue Me in high-def. This message has more to do with your particular cable box not getting a good enough signal to view the channel. It isn't a system wide thing. Sometimes it is related to problems Comcast is having, sometimes just in your neighborhood, and sometimes it is related to your particular setup, using too many splitters and stuff.

FX HD on 665 in Seattle (Queen Anne). Only showing "This channel should be available shortly" message right now though. Don't see any other HD additions. Will be great to have Rescue Me in high-def.

Same story here in Covington. I have the channel but it doesn't work yet. But you can already see Rescue Me in HD, if you use On Demand. But I will record it on DVR from now on, it's easier to skip commercials.

Anyone else seem to have lost their clear QAM? Today my HDhomeruns no longer pick up any of the digital channels - neither the extended basic or the locals. I assumed Comcast just moved all the channels but a rescan with the HDhomerun detected the channels with the same channel number, but no picture. I'm in Auburn.

FX HD on 665 in Seattle (Queen Anne). Only showing "This channel should be available shortly" message right now though. Don't see any other HD additions. Will be great to have Rescue Me in high-def.

Hoping for 665 here in Normandy Park (fingers crossed).

Nope, still have the same message here in Normandy Park.

Anyone else seem to have lost their clear QAM? Today my HDhomeruns no longer pick up any of the digital channels - neither the extended basic or the locals. I assumed Comcast just moved all the channels but a rescan with the HDhomerun detected the channels with the same channel number, but no picture. I'm in Auburn.

Saw the same issue, didn't realize it until I tried to watch Lost. Unplugged my Homeruns, plugged them back in and now all seems to be ok again.

Edit: Definitely an HDHomerun issue http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6818

Saw the same issue, didn't realize it until I tried to watch Lost. Unplugged my Homeruns, plugged them back in and now all seems to be ok again.

Edit: Definitely an HDHomerun issue http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6818
I had the same problem - only worse: my Comcast DVR also failed to record Lost. Really weird, but Ch 104 showed "This channel will be available shortly..." right up until exactly 10:00 when Lost ended, then started working again. Other HD channels worked fine during this time.

I rebooted my HD Homeruns, and they now work fine again. But it seems that Comcast must be doing something - moving or re-mapping channels. And why would Ch. 104 go missing *just* during Lost, then start working again exactly when it finished? That's gotta be Comcast's doing.

So much for setting Lost to record on 2 completely different DVR systems (Comcast DVR and VMC) as backup! Next time maybe I should also un-retire my ancient ReplayTV, and record analog ch. 4 for triple redundancy...

Saw the same issue, didn't realize it until I tried to watch Lost. Unplugged my Homeruns, plugged them back in and now all seems to be ok again.

Edit: Definitely an HDHomerun issue http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6818

I had powercycled the HDHomerun before I did the rescan so that doesn't to appear to be my issue. I won't be able to check whether it was a temporary outage until I get home later today.

And why would Ch. 104 go missing *just* during Lost, then start working again exactly when it finished? That's gotta be Comcast's doing...

Simple answer - they moved your island!:p

I had powercycled the HDHomerun before I did the rescan so that doesn't to appear to be my issue. I won't be able to check whether it was a temporary outage until I get home later today.

Apologies to Comcast, I tried connecting the cable to my TV's cable tuner and it picked up and displayed the digital channels just fine. The culprit seems to be the HDHR.

665 is working now in Des Moines.

I wonder why they decided to add this one for everybody, but not any of the other channels that might have been more desirable?

665 FXHD is working for me now in West Seattle.

FXHD still not working for me. Anyone in Queen Anne able to view it? Called on Wed and they tried to get it to come up (has worked before on new channels that didn't appear right away), but no luck. Next step was to try reset on box, but they warned of DVR recordings loss. Didn't want to risk, so I'll wait to see if it appears for a week, then try next week if needed (after I'm caught up on the DVR.)

Got it in Lake City, 98125.
Did anyone notice, the Music Channels got changed around?

I returned my HD DVR and HD boxes to the Comcast store off Aurora today and dropped down to Limited Basic service. Although I wouldn't have taken it, I'm surprised the customer service rep didn't even offer a reduced cost or waiver of box rental for a few months. After all we're decreasing our bill by about $100/mo.

As of now I can still receive the Expanded channels via the QAM tuners on the TVs and the PC QAM tuner with Sage TV. Unfortunately the on-screen guides on the TVs aren't very good: they only show one channel at a time, and for expanded basic channels, they don't even show the network, let alone any program information - just the frequency. However, Sage can remap its own program guide to the digital frequencies, and Sage is connected to the two TVs and to the other computers in the house. So as long as we're watching TV in only one location, we can just watch via Sage and have a decent program guide at hand. Otherwise we will have to consult that great pdf of local digital cable assignments to use the TV tuners. We can also record and time-shift via Sage.

So we will miss Mythbusters in HD and a couple of other shows, but for now we have access to 90% of what we want to watch at about 17% of the price, unless/until Comcast encrypts the locals or puts some kind of physical filter on our service. At which point I would probably just mount an antenna to receive local broadcast and totally drop TV service.

FXHD still not working for me. Anyone in Queen Anne able to view it? Called on Wed and they tried to get it to come up (has worked before on new channels that didn't appear right away), but no luck. Next step was to try reset on box, but they warned of DVR recordings loss. Didn't want to risk, so I'll wait to see if it appears for a week, then try next week if needed (after I'm caught up on the DVR.)
FXHD is working for me on Queen Anne. Though, not to be too picky about the lightning fast Comcast service, one FX feed for two channels is a little odd. It would be nice to have both the west coast and east coast feeds. Although, I would take every other channel that is clogging up my channel list instead of two FX feeds, if given the choice.

FXHD is working for me on Queen Anne. Though, not to be too picky about the lightning fast Comcast service, one FX feed for two channels is a little odd. It would be nice to have both the west coast and east coast feeds. Although, I would take every other channel that is clogging up my channel list instead of two FX feeds, if given the choice.

I'm not sure this is something Comcast can control. I think it's up to the network to provide a separate feed.

Gee, I thought we were on the West Coast :-). Is there something different about East/West feeds for FXHD, other than time delay?

FXHD finally working for me today.

Gee, I thought we were on the West Coast :-). Is there something different about East/West feeds for FXHD, other than time delay?
You're right we are on the west coast. Though Comcast has given us two FXHD channels and one feed. They could get rid of one and give us another station, or give us two feeds. Not a huge deal. Just one of those things. Comcast has rubbed a lot of us wrong for a long time and it does get to us. I love going to Bellevue and seeing the 20 extra stations they get for the same outrageously high price. One day I would like to get those same stations...or be given the option to switch to fios.

You're right we are on the west coast. Though Comcast has given us two FXHD channels and one feed. They could get rid of one and give us another station, or give us two feeds. Not a huge deal. Just one of those things. Comcast has rubbed a lot of us wrong for a long time and it does get to us. I love going to Bellevue and seeing the 20 extra stations they get for the same outrageously high price. One day I would like to get those same stations...or be given the option to switch to fios.I'm still having trouble following your point about one feed for two FX channels. What are the two FX channels you are talking about? Are you referring to FX-HD and FX-SD? If so, why are you bothered by that? If not, what two FX channels are you referring to?

As to getting the channels that Bellevue has, you'll see them all some time this year when Comcast dumps most of its analog signals in your area. We're all impatient for this, but it is coming. The folks who have seen analog dumped over the past month or so should be seeing lots of new HD channels in the next few weeks. For the rest of us, our time will come in the next few months.

Even if there were two FX-HD channels (which I haven't noticed), it's the feed that requires bandwidth. The channel is just a number, since they can map a single feed to multiple channels (see 173 & 623; 174 & 624).

Here's a quick update of the QAM list. The changes:

* This TV on 4-2/82-5
* Biography Channel on 107-2
* History International on 107-3
* DTA Activation on 116-11

Also noted that GAME13 and GAME14 periodically are clear on 95-13 and 95-14.

HD channels are the east coast feed. It was great for me while I had Comcast! Only because I could watch WWE Raw on USA Network (672) every Monday at 6:00 instead of 9:00!

I'm still having trouble following your point about one feed for two FX channels. What are the two FX channels you are talking about? Are you referring to FX-HD and FX-SD? If so, why are you bothered by that? If not, what two FX channels are you referring to?

As to getting the channels that Bellevue has, you'll see them all some time this year when Comcast dumps most of its analog signals in your area. We're all impatient for this, but it is coming. The folks who have seen analog dumped over the past month or so should be seeing lots of new HD channels in the next few weeks. For the rest of us, our time will come in the next few months.
There are two channels listed as 665. At least on my Tivo there are. One shows the programming guide for the east coast feed and the other shows the programming guide for the west coast feed. But both are showing only the programming for the west coast feed. Now I realize that because they are both on the same channel number, they are probably one feed, but why have two channels then?

My impatience with Comcast is merely a reaction to high prices and long waiting. The rumor of new channels came about in November and December, only to find out that we (in Seattle, city proper) have no launch date, and those on the eastside and north and other areas (paying the same rates) are inundated with HD channels. Am I the only one who is tired of this. Or am I the only one who is voicing displeasure right now? Because I have read plenty of irritated comments on AVS over the last 6 months, so I know I am not the only one.

There are two channels listed as 665. At least on my Tivo there are. One shows the programming guide for the east coast feed and the other shows the programming guide for the west coast feed. But both are showing only the programming for the west coast feed. Now I realize that because they are both on the same channel number, they are probably one feed, but why have two channels then?
...

It's just a mistake in TiVo's Tribune data (not the only one). Ignore and disable the east coast "channel."

There are two channels listed as 665. At least on my Tivo there are. One shows the programming guide for the east coast feed and the other shows the programming guide for the west coast feed. But both are showing only the programming for the west coast feed. Now I realize that because they are both on the same channel number, they are probably one feed, but why have two channels then?There is only one channel. Sounds like you have a glitch with your Tivo.
My impatience with Comcast is merely a reaction to high prices and long waiting. The rumor of new channels came about in November and December, only to find out that we (in Seattle, city proper) have no launch date, and those on the eastside and north and other areas (paying the same rates) are inundated with HD channels. Am I the only one who is tired of this. Or am I the only one who is voicing displeasure right now? Because I have read plenty of irritated comments on AVS over the last 6 months, so I know I am not the only one.Since early in the year, Comcast has been saying that the roll-out is on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis and will be completed this year. Yes, I would like to have a specific date for my house. However, I have grown used to the idea that some time in the next few months I will get a notice from Comcast that says that I will need to get DTAs for my TV sets without boxes. Once I receive the notice, it will take about three months to get the additional HD Channels (first analog cut six weeks after receiving the notice, second analog cut four weeks after the first cut, new HD about two weeks after the second cut).

In the meanwhile, I'm trying to enjoy FX-HD and MLB-HD.

We are moving into a new Condo in Downtown Seattle and will be installing Comcast HD DVR in Mid May - if there is more than one option for the HD DVR which is the best one?

Thanks

We got FX (665) here a few days ago too. Already I've seen them showing a bunch of 4:3 cut movies... FX was not high even on my list of wanted HD channels...I'm dissapointed. The roll out has been slow.

We are moving into a new Condo in Downtown Seattle and will be installing Comcast HD DVR in Mid May - if there is more than one option for the HD DVR which is the best one?

Thanks

TiVo. But if you're referring to what's available for rental from Comcast it's Motorola DCH3416.

Another interesting DVR is the Moxi. Not as well known but it is built around an MS OS and does NOT require a monthly fee or lifetime subscription. Has expansion capability via external USB drives. Like the Tivo, you own it rather than rent it (re: Comcast DVR).

FX HD went away yesterday and has not yet returned (Lake Meridian, Kent)
sam

Another interesting DVR is the Moxi. Not as well known but it is built around an MS OS and does NOT require a monthly fee or lifetime subscription. Has expansion capability via external USB drives. Like the Tivo, you own it rather than rent it (re: Comcast DVR).

Considering the cost of the Moxi ($800), and the fact that it does not support Cable Cards, you would be better of with a Media Center PC (and a HDHomerun tuner). :)
my $.02

Considering the cost of the Moxi ($800), and the fact that it does not support Cable Cards, you would be better of with a Media Center PC (and a HDHomerun tuner). :)
my $.02

It does support M-cards (multistream cable cards).

Another interesting DVR is the Moxi. Not as well known but it is built around an MS OS ....I'm pretty sure the Moxi box runs Linux - which, last time I checked, was not a MS OS :-)

It does have some MS-friendly features, like being a uPnP/DLNA player. Looks like they also bundle a copy of PlayOn, which is a Windows streaming server app you install on your PC. It turns Hulu/Netflix/Youtube into DLNA-compatible streams (which can then be played on the Moxi).

Oh yeah - Moxi (Digeo Corp) is also owned by Paul Allen, so there's the other MS connection...

FX HD went away yesterday and has not yet returned (Lake Meridian, Kent)
sam

Noticed the same thing here (Normandy Park) before I headed off to work this morning.

I'm pretty sure the Moxi box runs Linux - which, last time I checked, was not a MS OS :-)

It does have some MS-friendly features, like being a uPnP/DLNA player. Looks like they also bundle a copy of PlayOn, which is a Windows streaming server app you install on your PC. It turns Hulu/Netflix/Youtube into DLNA-compatible streams (which can then be played on the Moxi).

Oh yeah - Moxi (Digeo Corp) is also owned by Paul Allen, so there's the other MS connection...
Hmm... Took the word of another poster who stated the OS was Windows. Tried to find out what OS they are using but the info is not readily available. A lot of what is said about the box is stale (over a year old). Doesn't really matter to me though. It's an interesting DVR IMO and having been a ReplayTV owner, I don't have the fears others may have about an $800 DVR. If I was in the market for a DVR, this one would definitely be on my list to look at.

I know previous versions of Moxi used Linux (which is a good thing to me - heck Tivo uses it) so I would guess current versions do too. I remember seeing it somethign about it in Linux journal.

I think it is interesting and worth a look if you are in the market. My homebrew HTPCs most of what it does, but without the CableCard support )-:

I know previous versions of Moxi used Linux (which is a good thing to me - heck Tivo uses it) so I would guess current versions do too. I remember seeing it somethign about it in Linux journal.

I think it is interesting and worth a look if you are in the market. My homebrew HTPCs most of what it does, but without the CableCard support )-:


They still use Linux. I own one and asked someone at Digeo about it.
I have been happy with mine and it's a great alternative to the Comcast DVR.

Hmm... Took the word of another poster who stated the OS was Windows. ...Maybe they were thinking of the old UltimateTV box?

Here's a quick update of the QAM list. The changes:

* This TV on 4-2/82-5
* Biography Channel on 107-2
* History International on 107-3
* DTA Activation on 116-11

What is on 80.3? Looks like it should be KHCV but the guide data does not match.

What is on 80.3? Looks like it should be KHCV but the guide data does not match.

It is KHCV. KHCV dropped America One for AMGTV a couple of months ago, but (KHCV? Tribune?) has never updated the guide data.

Maybe they were thinking of the old UltimateTV box? Or maybe James was just looking for a way to blame some one else for his faux paux. Hey wait minute... Did I just say that out loud? :o :D

Hi, I have a Panasonic plasma TV (model escapes me at the moment), and have been using the TV's tuner to grab stations off of my basic extended analog plan (including the local HD stations that supposedly require an extra fee to get).

What's going to happen on May 1st? Will I not be able to watch basic extended anymore? Or will I be unaffected with my TV's tuner?

I noticed that the basic digital converter that they are giving away has an input and output coax connection. Supposedly, you're supposed to connect the box to each TV and then all of your TVs can get all of the channels. But, you only get 2 of those boxes for free, and then get charged for additional ones.

What if I were to connect the main input line to my house into the basic converter, output to the coax splitter in my enclosure, which is connected to all of the coax ports in the house and my router?

Would that essentially make my entire house able to receive the compressed channels?

ppshooky:

There is no extra fee for using a QAM tuner to receive the local HD channels directly from the cable.

I know of no significance of the May 1 date (other than that NFL channel dispute).

You can continue to receive the extended basic channels using a QAM tuner as long as they remain unencrypted.

I suppose you could insert a DTA where the cable enters your house, but all the TVs connected to the cable after the DTA would be restricted to receiving the same basic/extended basic non-HD channel, and you'd have to change the channel by having the DTA remote sending a signal to the DTA, wherever you placed it -- not a very good idea.

Ah, that's true. I forgot about the remote and restricting the non-HD stations.

I was also mistaken on the date, as it looks like it's a project that is being rolled out across Washington state over the course of a year.

The project I'm referring to is the channel compression project.
http://comcastwashington.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=19

I guess it only applies to digital customers, so I guess I am unaffected since I have analog.

Now, if I can only get them to honor their website's price for my service, rather than the service their computer system says they should be charging me.

EDIT: Spoke too soon, I am affected by this. I don't suppose the QAM tuner in the Panasonic from the 2006 line would be able to still receive those compressed channels?

Hi, I have a Panasonic plasma TV (model escapes me at the moment), and have been using the TV's tuner to grab stations off of my basic extended analog plan (including the local HD stations that supposedly require an extra fee to get).

What's going to happen on May 1st? Will I not be able to watch basic extended anymore? Or will I be unaffected with my TV's tuner?

I noticed that the basic digital converter that they are giving away has an input and output coax connection. Supposedly, you're supposed to connect the box to each TV and then all of your TVs can get all of the channels. But, you only get 2 of those boxes for free, and then get charged for additional ones.

What if I were to connect the main input line to my house into the basic converter, output to the coax splitter in my enclosure, which is connected to all of the coax ports in the house and my router?

Would that essentially make my entire house able to receive the compressed channels?Presumably the May 1 date you reference is when Comcast is planning to switch off Analog Expanded Basic (ch 30-70) in your neighborhood. At that point, you'll still be able to receive LOCAL digital stations - both SD and HD - without a DTA (converter) box. Just make sure your TV has a QAM tuner that can receive un-encrypted digital cable channels.

You MAY be able to also receive digital versions of Expanded Basic (ch30-70) without a converter box, at least for a while. Comcast has stated that they intend to eventually encrypt those channels, which means your TV's QAM tuner won't work. But they can't encrypt these channels until they get permission from the FCC, which is not decided yet at this point.

And yes, you could hook the DTA output to your household coax splitter, but of course every room would be watching the same channel (whatever the DTA box is tuned to). If that's OK, you'd probably want some type of remote IR repeater so you can tell the DTA to change channels from other rooms.

...The project I'm referring to is the channel compression project.
http://comcastwashington.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=19

I guess it only applies to digital customers, so I guess I am unaffected since I have analog....No, it ESPECIALLY applies to analog-only customers, since they will be switching off analog channels 30-70 completely.

Thanks, jimre.

I just re-read it a little closer and saw that I was affected by this after all.

I have a Panasonic TH-42PX60U, how would I be able to find out if it would be able to get the stations that will be compressed.

I am not a big fan of being forced to castrating myself so that I can get the higher stations at the cost of HD, or vice versa. Not to mention that I have more than 3 TVs at my house and will now be forced to pay more just so those TVs could get the higher stations.

...
I have a Panasonic TH-42PX60U, how would I be able to find out if it would be able to get the stations that will be compressed.
...

You keep referring to compression, but the term is actually migration (from analog to digital). Nothing is being compressed, and you should be able to get the same QAM channels as you do now, as long as Comcast doesn't encrypt them.

If killing off redundant, bandwidth-sucking analog channels to make room for more HD is "castration" - then I'm all for it! :-)

Unless there's another way to get HD channels to 3 HD TVs without having to pay extra for more advanced DTA boxes, I'm all ears.

Unless there's another way to get HD channels to 3 HD TVs without having to pay extra for more advanced DTA boxes, I'm all ears.Comcast's switching off analog 30-70 *in no way* affects existing HD channels. Distributing HD channels to your 3 HD TVs will work the same as it does right now:

1) if the TVs have digital cable (QAM) tuners - like most sold in the last few years - then they can tune local HD channels directly. Sounds like you're already doing this on your plasma. Comcast provides local HD channels un-encrypted with just a Basic subscription, and that's not planned to change.

2) Non-local HD channels are encrypted; if you want them you'll need to pay for a digital subscription package and either rent a Comcast HD Receiver box (not a DTA), or get a TV or DVR with a CableCard slot. Each TV will need it's own HD Receiver or Cablecard - it's not feasible to distribute a single HD receiver's output to your coax splitter.

3) and of course there's always free Over-The-Air (OTA) HD broadcasts for your additional TVs, if you're within antenna range of these stations.

Comcast's switching off analog 30-70 *in no way* affects existing HD channels. Distributing HD channels to your 3 HD TVs will work the same as it does right now:

1) if the TVs have digital cable (QAM) tuners - like most sold in the last few years - then they can tune local HD channels directly. Sounds like you're already doing this on your plasma. Comcast provides local HD channels un-encrypted with just a Basic subscription, and that's not planned to change.

2) Non-local HD channels are encrypted; if you want them you'll need to pay for a digital subscription package and either rent a Comcast HD Receiver box (not a DTA), or get a TV or DVR with a CableCard slot. Each TV will need it's own HD Receiver or Cablecard - it's not feasible to distribute a single HD receiver's output to your coax splitter.

3) and of course there's always free Over-The-Air (OTA) HD broadcasts for your additional TVs, if you're within antenna range of these stations.
Understood regarding the local-HD. What I meant, if I were to get the Digital Starter package (which is apparently the same price as the Basic analog with extended channels), I would supposedly get the Digital Package's HD stations included in that package. Is that not the case?

On Comcast's website, it says that there is a possibility of equipment rental charges.

Going off of KOMO's website regarding this changed over, the Advanced Set Top Box and the Basic Set Top Box are free, but neither can do HD. Link (http://www.komonews.com/news/consumer/41121082.html)

So, I basically have 3 options:
1) I do nothing, and continue to get local HD stations. But, I lose channels 30-79.
2) I switch to Digital Starter (which would cost the same), which gives me channels 30-79 plus a lot more. But, I lose local HD and can't view the encrypted HD stations, since the free boxes can view HD. If I want to see any HD content, I need to rent a box from Comcast for each TV I need to be able to watch HD content on (3x $6.50 = $19.50).
3) Build or buy a DVR and connect a cable card to it, which is going to cost several hundred dollars (on the to-do list, but not making any plans to do this anytime soon).

Please correct me if I'm wrong. My dad is convinced that the advanced set top box that he received from Comcast (even though he's already has digital service and is using his TiVO w/ cable card) can get HD by itself.

Regarding local HD...it would be my guess that if you add a basic (free?) ccast box, you'd lose the local HDs. Ccast wants you to pay $9 a month for their hd box or more ($15.95?) for the dvr hd box, which by the way is a hunk-o-junk (compared to DISH and Directv's boxes)....CCast hd subs can advise you whether they charge an extra fee for the hd service above and beyond the monthly charge for the box.

With the Comcast digital box you would need to split the incoming cable before the box and connect the cable directly to the TV to get the HD channels (just as you receive them now), unless you rented an HD cable box. Cablecard makes the box unnecessary.

With the Comcast digital box you would need to split the incoming cable before the box and connect the cable directly to the TV to get the HD channels (just as you receive them now), unless you rented an HD cable box. Cablecard makes the box unnecessary.
Thanks. I managed to do this with a friend's setup so that they could use their digital and get a direct line to the TV to get local HD stations.

The problem, however, is that my Panasonic only has 1 coax input. I suppose I would need to get a switch to pull that method off.

Last week I turned in my Comcast cable boxes and dropped down to limited basic service. Today I saw a Comcast employee leaving the yard - said he was making the change to limited basic. I looked later, and it seems he put a filter on the cable input to the house - at least I don't remember it being there and it seems logical. I re-scanned my TV which has a single coax input for analog and digital signals. It picked up 44 analog stations and 127 digital (some of which are radio simulcasts of course). So that's a pretty happy outcome - even after filtering for limited basic, you can still pick up the entire expanded basic lineup on unencrypted QAM plus the locals in HD, all for $16 or whatever per month, as long as you have a QAM tuner. Although I could easily remove the filter, I don't have any motivation to tamper with it (would not feel right about it either) and will leave it in place.

Someday Comcast may go all-digital and someday they may encrypt the QAM. But those might take a long time, and by that time, there might be enough HD available to make it worth subscribing to a higher tier again. Really the thing that made me the craziest was the excessive rental fees on their buggy and under-featured boxes. I hope we see DCAS TVs, boxes, and tuner cards someday. And I hope the FCC doesn't let them encrypt QAM until we do.

Thanks. I managed to do this with a friend's setup so that they could use their digital and get a direct line to the TV to get local HD stations.

The problem, however, is that my Panasonic only has 1 coax input. I suppose I would need to get a switch to pull that method off.

If you have a cable box with other outputs than coax (s-video, composite, component, or HDMI) any of those would work better than coax. Standard cable boxes (not the DTA) have other outputs.

My brand new Panasonic found more than 100 digital channels with no special boxes or connections. You shuld not need any weird system. Of course it would be nice if Comcast would publish the actual channel numbers versus their advertising scheme.
sam

Anyone else suddenly lose the Mariners braodcast of FSN and FSN HD?

Anyone else suddenly lose the Mariners broadcast of FSN and FSN HD?

Yes

This is the third time (that I've seen) so far in the 2009 season

Last night's FSN issues were particularly bad.

Atlanta uplink station was evidently hit by lightning.

Does someone have a QAM list that includes the HD versions of ESPN, Fox Sports, HGTV, FX and any other channels available for digital starter assuming that they are not encrypted? sam

Does someone have a QAM list that includes the HD versions of ESPN, Fox Sports, HGTV, FX and any other channels available for digital starter assuming that they are not encrypted? sam

I never see the HD versions of those channels in my QAM scans so I think they are encrypted. I think the only HD stations available via unencrypted QAM are the locals. A little earlier in this thread is a listing of the available unencrypted QAM stations (from pastiche).

Does someone have a QAM list that includes the HD versions of ESPN, Fox Sports, HGTV, FX and any other channels available for digital starter assuming that they are not encrypted? samThey are encrypted. The list that Pastiche posts here periodically has all the un-encrypted channels.

This is the post they are referring to:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16294642#post16294642

Last night's FSN issues were particularly bad.

I'm with Charter over in Kennewick and it was bad here as well, so it was the actual broadcast, not just Comcast.

I'm with Charter over in Kennewick and it was bad here as well, so it was the actual broadcast, not just Comcast.As someone posted previously, FSN's main uplink facility in Atlanta really was stuck by lightning. Not only the Mariner game, but hockey games, etc at several regional FSN channels all went off the air - both on cable and satellite. Link to MLB statement (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090423&content_id=4402560&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea&partnerId=rss_sea)

Anyone know of any set-top boxes that accept cable-cards? Rather than get a DVR, I'm just look for a set-top box that I can put a Comcast's cable card into?

i'm in the renton/kennydale area-98056 and have a tivo hd. No new HD channels but i see the listings in the guide, Don't think they have hit my area yet, if anyone knows different, please let me know.


Also has anyone noticed on their Tivo hd's that the music channels are messed up in terms off channel mapping? For example soundscapes is actually on 934 (used to be 932 but i think in the guide now its 933) but shows guide data for a different channel, its seem the channels are all skewed by one. This started after they made changes to the music channels but none of the 900 numbered music channels in the guide actually match their respective music stations

Thanks. I managed to do this with a friend's setup so that they could use their digital and get a direct line to the TV to get local HD stations.

The problem, however, is that my Panasonic only has 1 coax input. I suppose I would need to get a switch to pull that method off.

Even the free Comcast Digital Adapter has a video out jack, so you split the incoming COAX to both your digital box and your QAM capable TV. Connect the box via the video jack, same as you connect a DVD player. The COAX jack on the TV is connected straight to the splitter.

You don't need a switch, just a splitter. You switch between input ports the same as you always do, with your TV remote.

Just thought I'd update:

Still no new HD channels in 98203. :(

Even the free Comcast Digital Adapter has a video out jack, so you split the incoming COAX to both your digital box and your QAM capable TV. Connect the box via the video jack, same as you connect a DVD player. The COAX jack on the TV is connected straight to the splitter.

You don't need a switch, just a splitter. You switch between input ports the same as you always do, with your TV remote.

Is the DTA audio line out stereo?

Is there any lawsuits addressing the required Comcast DTA box that now kills the use of Picture in Picture (PIP) of most TV's, or the ability of many DVR's to access TV guide information for recordings? A decoder or cablecard box would have sufficed. Instead Comcasts desire to monitor the TV shows being watched in households has led to a sub standard device being used.

Is there any lawsuits addressing the required Comcast DTA box that now kills the use of Picture in Picture (PIP) of most TV's, or the ability of many DVR's to access TV guide information for recordings? A decoder or cablecard box would have sufficed. Instead Comcasts desire to monitor the TV shows being watched in households has led to a sub standard device being used.No need for a tinfoil-hat consipracy theory here - it has nothing to do with "monitoring". Comcast picked the *cheapest possible device* they could give away for free, period. Industry articles put Comcast's per-unit cost for the cheapest cablecard-enabled box at >$100, while it's just around $30 for the DTA.

Is there any lawsuits addressing the required Comcast DTA box that now kills the use of Picture in Picture (PIP) of most TV's, or the ability of many DVR's to access TV guide information for recordings? A decoder or cablecard box would have sufficed. Instead Comcasts desire to monitor the TV shows being watched in households has led to a sub standard device being used.
I don't think there will be any lawsuits.
Neither a decoder or a cable card box would make any difference. They would still disable your pip function on your tv. I don't know whatDVR you are talking about that is available other than Tivo.
They do use 1 way cable cards that work on Comcast.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a big comcast supporter. The real problem is All the Video service providers trying to control the market with their rental boxes.
Kind of like Ma bell before it got broke up.
Tv manufacturers have shied away from cable cards after they were first introduced because it became a financial burden it created on tech support.
Most of the problem was the cable card manufacturers producing bad cable cards and cable company tech support that wasn't trained on how to activate cards.

Even the free Comcast Digital Adapter has a video out jack, so you split the incoming COAX to both your digital box and your QAM capable TV. Connect the box via the video jack, same as you connect a DVD player. The COAX jack on the TV is connected straight to the splitter.

You don't need a switch, just a splitter. You switch between input ports the same as you always do, with your TV remote.

Darn it, I was wrong. The cheapo digital adapter only has COAX! What a piece of junk. I think you can rent the cheapest digital box, which has the online guide and On Demand for a couple of bucks per month, so that would be worth it.

Darn it, I was wrong. The cheapo digital adapter only has COAX! What a piece of junk. I think you can rent the cheapest digital box, which has the online guide and On Demand for a couple of bucks per month, so that would be worth it.
Don't need On Demand. I just want my local HD and the analog channels they are getting rid of (there are a bunch on digital channel 116 that are receiving a poor signal...cutting out CNN, Travel Channel, and Animal Planet).

They are most likely going to switch me to the digital starter package, which costs the same. I'll have more HD options, but I lose control with changing channels with my TV remote and I have to pay $6.50 per box.

My parents' ReplayTV lasted them 6 years, I believe. If their HD box were to last that long, in 6 year period I'm paying $468 for the life of that product. Comcast's DVR is $15 a month? That's $180 a year, and $1,080 for 6 years.