I got a message on my box from Comcast stating that SCIFI will be moving to the digtal channel 160, and everyone will need a digital box to receive it.

I have not heard of them doing this to a major channel before.

Has anyone else received this message?
Maybe it's due to all the 6412 users who keep complaining of lockups while trying to record SciFi's shows!! :p (To be honest, I haven't had an analog lockup for a long time now, even when recording two analog channels. No changes in firmware/software revisions, either.)

If it's true, I'll have one less channel to complain about regarding the analog performance of the 6412. (I regularly switch over to the TV tuner for analog cable channels.)

I will be one very happy camper when Comcast simulcasts all the analog channels digitally.

I got the sci-fi channel message 2 days ago in Darien;
lots of lock ups and poor quality here with the 6412 as well...
Can't decide if its time to go back to satalite or not....

Thre are many people in many threads who place Comcast's HD picture above the satellites' HD picture. So the PQ answer is very muddy and you may want to address the cost difference and channel difference (Comcast has local HDs but no HDNETs, Satellite has HDNETs but no INHDs and no local HD yet etc.).

(Note: I'll bet you'll watch less SD than you think once you see HDTV - then analog SD PQ won't mean very much).

Rich N.

Yes, I watch as little SD as possible now, but unfortunately, some channels, Comedy Channel, Sci Fi (soon to be digital) and a few other popular ones unfortunately are still analog, so thats why the rant about poor quality...

And, I had Direct TV and VOOM, and BOTH of their SD PD and HD PQ was much better than my Comcast; I had them prior to the widespread use of "HD LITE", which I guess is what you basically get now with either Satalite service, so that may not be the case with the PQ now...

Is anyone near downtown getting VOD yet? Channel 1 says "press select to activate", but then I get the "not authorized" screen.

Not to mention that I've been hearing a lot of chatter about Comcast simulcasting many of their SD channels (2-99) on digital channels, making the SD problem a moot point.

It won't make the SD PQ moot, just the SD analog PQ. The channels from 100-199 and above 258(?) are still SD, but transmitted digitally. Those in the 200-258 area are upconverted SD or HD (channel numbers for the Baltlimore and surrounding counties).

Rich N.

It won't make the SD PQ moot, just the SD analog PQ. The channels from 100-199 and above 258(?) are still SD, but transmitted digitally. Those in the 200-258 area are upconverted SD or HD (channel numbers for the Baltlimore and surrounding counties).

Rich N.
Do you have a PQ problem with channels above 100?
If not, I'm not sure what you are getting at?

PhillyC,

I'm in the South Loop and get VOD.

What viewing package do you have? It only works if you have Digital Classic and higher. When I got my 6412 for HDTV, VOD didn't work (got the same message) until I upgraded.

Cable Card Charge
I just placed an order for a DVR (swap out my HD box) and also inquired about a cable card. The sales rep. insisted that there is a $4.95 monthly charge. Everywhere I've seen indicates there is no monthly charge. He said it started about a month ago. What is the real story out there????

KAD

there never has been a monthly charge for the cable card, but since the installers hate it, the inside people hate it, they may be trying to discourage folks from asking for it...
When I had it a couple months ago, there was no charge for it, but they charged 14.95 to "install" it!!!

PhillyC,

I'm in the South Loop and get VOD.

What viewing package do you have? It only works if you have Digital Classic and higher. When I got my 6412 for HDTV, VOD didn't work (got the same message) until I upgraded.

I have Digital Silver with HBO. I get Encore and the channels in the Digital Classic / Digital Plus package. But no VOD.

I guess I should call Comcast. I also have the odd problem of a 6412 that did not adjust to daylight savings time. The box is an hour behind, but so are the times in the guide, so I haven't had any problem with timer recordings.

Thanks.

Yup, Comcast sent a download to my 6412, which corrected the time and gave me VOD.

The correct time is more exciting than the VOD available programs.

I just moved into a townhome in Palatine and purchased the Panny ED plasma. 6412 was installed yesterday and the analog channels are mediocre at best. However, the HD channels are simply incredible. I'm using the component cables that were provided by Comcast and will be trying some better cables to see if that helps the PQ on the analog channels. I'll let you know if it helps.

Hey travels 77, sorry I haven't been able to log on these past few days. You mind if I ask did you get the TH-42PD50U? How does it look? Also what's 6412? Hopefully I will be picking up my TV these couple of days. I'm swinging between TH-42PD50U & TH-37PX50U.

BTW, congradulations on the townhome!

does anyone know if the Tyson fight will be in HD, and if so what channel. Called comcast twice and no one had a clue.

It will be in HD on ppv....only thing is will comcast have it in HD?

Hey travels 77, sorry I haven't been able to log on these past few days. You mind if I ask did you get the TH-42PD50U? How does it look? Also what's 6412? Hopefully I will be picking up my TV these couple of days. I'm swinging between TH-42PD50U & TH-37PX50U.


I got the TH-42PD50U from ABT during their 12% off anniversary sale. I've been very pleased with it so far, but I haven't had a chance to finish setting up all my components so I can't comment on anything but how it looks with cable. I spent a long time looking at a HD vs. ED and ultimately decided on the ED. A lot of the decision was based on what I read in various forums but the true deciding factor was looking at the HD and ED sets side-by-side at ABT and not being able to tell any difference at about 8-10 feet. I couldn't justify spending 1k more if I was going to be the only one who would know the difference. Everyone who has seen my new plasma thinks it is true HD.

The 6412 is the Comcast HD DVR.

Picked up my plasma yesterday. We went with 37" because of viewing distance. Comcast will install HD box in a couple of days. Also picked up a belkin surge protector.
Will keep you guys posted on how the PQ turns out.

I am having the worst time trying to acquire the 6412 from Comcast. Every person I talk to has either never heard of it, or has told me that Comcast is not distributing them to the public. I tell them that is ridiculous, they tell me I've been misinformed. So my question is, what is the magic touch needed to actually get one of these boxes?

Thanks very much for any help!!!



Edit: I know this must be a stupid question, but how do I determine which STB they actually did bring me? The cable guy yesterday who installed my box didn't know what kind it was, and couldn't figure out where to look to find out what kind of box it was. Also, I've been getting mixed messages on the ability to walk into a Comcast location and exchange a DVR box for a different DVR box. I've had some people say it can be done, while others (Customer service reps) tell me no way.

Do you have a PQ problem with channels above 100?
If not, I'm not sure what you are getting at?

Sorry, I really shouldn't have gotten in this discussion because I just don't watch non-HD except for DVDs. Even the SD I watch is on upconverted digital HD channels (like network sports). Once ESPN2HD gets on Comcast I won't be watching any show regularly not in the HD range. My only point was that digital SD can still be pretty bad when one watches a predominance of HD on a big screen. If you want to see practically unwatchable digital channels, try the racing channels.

Rich N.

Are other people having a problem with the sound on the Comcast HD channel? My sound has a kind of hiccup to it only on channel 200. I am assuming it is the channel since all my other HD channels sound fine.

So my question is, what is the magic touch needed to actually get one of these boxes?

<snip>

Edit: I know this must be a stupid question, but how do I determine which STB they actually did bring me? The cable guy yesterday who installed my box didn't know what kind it was, and couldn't figure out where to look to find out what kind of box it was. Also, I've been getting mixed messages on the ability to walk into a Comcast location and exchange a DVR box for a different DVR box. I've had some people say it can be done, while others (Customer service reps) tell me no way.

It looks like this (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412.asp)
The reps refer to it as "the DVR" far as I can tell, and I was told that all DVRs in the downtown area are now the dual tuner DCT6412.

Regarding doing the exchange yourself, I've heard the same thing, that these "are new" and "require a tech to install" but I'd love to be able to return my possibly messed up example myself.. rather than have their hacks behind my TV again.. :(

Edit: I know this must be a stupid question, but how do I determine which STB they actually did bring me? The cable guy yesterday who installed my box didn't know what kind it was, and couldn't figure out where to look to find out what kind of box it was. Also, I've been getting mixed messages on the ability to walk into a Comcast location and exchange a DVR box for a different DVR box. I've had some people say it can be done, while others (Customer service reps) tell me no way.

There's a little white sticker that's on the bottom of the STB - it should say 6412 on it. Someone posted a picture of this on this site, but I can't find it right now. Also, the STB has the words "Dual Tuner DVR / HDTV Capable" printed on the lower left corner of the front face.

I don't think any Comcast location in the Chicago area does walk-up exchanges. I wish they did - the Schaumburg location is about three minutes from my house and I could avoid scheduling four hour blocks of time for a service call.

It looks like this (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412.asp)
The reps refer to it as "the DVR" far as I can tell, and I was told that all DVRs in the downtown area are now the dual tuner DCT6412.

Regarding doing the exchange yourself, I've heard the same thing, that these "are new" and "require a tech to install" but I'd love to be able to return my possibly messed up example myself.. rather than have their hacks behind my TV again.. :(

Thanks so much for your help, I really do appreciate it. The picture in the link you provided does look like the box I have, but I admit to really not being able to tell that much of a difference between it and the 6208. I am clearly pretty ignorant on these boxes. I hate the run-around I am getting from Comcast, and I wish there was a way to just get the 6412 without so much hassle! Do they really just not have enough of them to go around?

I didn't read through this entire thread, did their cable guy mess up your tv??

There's a little white sticker that's on the bottom of the STB - it should say 6412 on it. Someone posted a picture of this on this site, but I can't find it right now. Also, the STB has the words "Dual Tuner DVR / HDTV Capable" printed on the lower left corner of the front face.

I don't think any Comcast location in the Chicago area does walk-up exchanges. I wish they did - the Schaumburg location is about three minutes from my house and I could avoid scheduling four hour blocks of time for a service call.


Thanks for the reply, and for providing some distinctive features of the 6412 I can look for to figure out if I've got one. It is just maddening that I may be unable to get this STB when it is clearly available in the area.

Im sure you are getting the 6412, as far as I know they were only giving out the 6208 as a pre-release, but now that they are advertising the DVR, they are using the 6412. Also one thing i do when a rep is telling me i cant do something i know i can is thank them for there help and hang up and call back. Ive found different reps will give very different answers on some things

There are several clues to tell the 6412 from the 5100/6200/6208 (at least what's different about my 6412 vs previous 5100/6200):
Says 'Dual Tuner DVR / HDTV Capable' on the front, lower-left
Has a lime-green sticker on back that says 'DUAL DVR'
Only has ONE RF connector (for the cable input). NO RF OUTPUT.
The Comcast logo is a sticker inset into a pocket on the front, top-left (the 5100/6200 was silkscreened on the front.)
The upper-right of the display window will say RECORD instead of A/B.

Cubs and Sox at home both in pretty darn nice looking HD.. kudos WGN and CSN.

These night games are so awesomely contrast-y, great picture. That is all. :D

There are several clues to tell the 6412 from the 5100/6200/6208 (at least what's different about my 6412 vs previous 5100/6200):
Says 'Dual Tuner DVR / HDTV Capable' on the front, lower-left
Has a lime-green sticker on back that says 'DUAL DVR'
Only has ONE RF connector (for the cable input). NO RF OUTPUT.
The Comcast logo is a sticker inset into a pocket on the front, top-left (the 5100/6200 was silkscreened on the front.)
The upper-right of the display window will say RECORD instead of A/B.


Thanks for all the help, I will look for these things!

Im sure you are getting the 6412, as far as I know they were only giving out the 6208 as a pre-release, but now that they are advertising the DVR, they are using the 6412. Also one thing i do when a rep is telling me i cant do something i know i can is thank them for there help and hang up and call back. Ive found different reps will give very different answers on some things


After going round and round with one rep for a bit, I did just what you outlined. You're right; you can get very different answers...

Edit: Does the 6412 have a HDMI output?

Are other people having a problem with the sound on the Comcast HD channel? My sound has a kind of hiccup to it only on channel 200. I am assuming it is the channel since all my other HD channels sound fine.

I'm noticing this as well, and it makes watching the channel nearly unwatchable. Are you using a Dolby Digital receiver? I'm thinking that maybe their Doly Digital encoding is causing problems.

@trojanCain, the 6412 has a DVI output, NOT a HDMI; you need to buy a cable or an adapter to hook it up to HDMI; get the cable, as the adapter ALWAYS causes problems.
@mstjohn, and others, the sound problem on Comcast Sports net is in the TRANSMISSION NOT your television or the Set Top Boxes; I work with them on different projects, and the General Manager is a friend of mine; they know they have a problem with their audio signal, and have been trying to solve it for a long time....

Does the 6412 have a HDMI output?

It has a DVI output, but you can use a DVI -> HDMI cable. Here's the one I bought (http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/516-906BK%2520D23466.html) thanks to another thread. Works great; don't waste your money on the $100+ cables, IMO.

Thanks to wase4711 and jwingstrom for the help. It is much appreciated!

As a side-note, i WAS able to get the 6412 from a Comcast location yesterday. I went in and asked if it could be done, the lady called someone up to have a 6412 sent over and I picked it up the next day. So, if anyone else is wondering whether it is possible to exhcange a DVR box at a Comcast location, my experience is that it is.

I'm noticing this as well, and it makes watching the channel nearly unwatchable. Are you using a Dolby Digital receiver? I'm thinking that maybe their Doly Digital encoding is causing problems.

Yes. I am using a Denon 3805 and every other channel works fine. I have had the problem in the past where I have had to turn the box on and off because I have lost DD 5.1 but that always has fixed the problem. I agree though. It does almost make the channel unwatchable.

Has anyone out there tried recording from the 6412 to a DVD recorder using Firewire.

I have a DVD Recorder here and would like to try dubbing some programming.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Mike K.

It will only work if your DVD recorder records streamed mpeg2.

I am so fed up with Comcast and their HDTV service. Here's my story:
A technician showed up on Wednesday to bring my new HD box (non DVR). Once the box was reset and finished downloading channels I ended up only with CBSHD, PBSHD and HBOHD. Nothing else! I was so mad because when I signed for the service I was told I would receive ESPN, INHD, INHD2, CSNHD, TNThd, Discovery Home theaterHD and all the local channels.
So I called to complain:
They did a reset hit to my box but it didn't fix anything so I scheduled for them to switch out the box to see if the box was the problem.
Thursday: Tech arrives and switches out box, nothing fixed still only getting PBSHD, HBOHD and CBSHD. called Comcast again and they promised they would send a more competent technician.
FRIDAY: More competent technician arrives I explain problem I'm having and all he does is switch out the box! Says he cannot do anything else to help me! The HD box he ends up leaving me with has a internal cooling fan that never shuts down! It is loud! The only way the fan shuts down is if I unplug the unit from the outlet. I call to complain that I'm still just getting the 3 channels and tell CSR that I was promised about 13 HD channels. Turns out since I have basic service with HBO that I will only get HBO HD with all the local channels. AHHHHH! CSR said I would have to upgrade to a more expensive package to get TNThd, ESPNhd, INHD, INHD2, CSNHD and Discovery Home Theatre HD. My main complaint is that all of these channels are promised on their website and infomercials. What channels are other people getting and what level of service do you have?

Saturday: I am supposed to get a call from Nicole CSR to schedule an escalated tech supervisor to come to my house to see why I am only getting 3 hd channels.

Appreciate any help with my situation and please feel free to post what HD channels you are getting with which level of service you have.
By the way I am on the south side of Chicago.
Thanks,
Hector

You should also be getting NBC (188/194), ABC (187/217), Fox (190), WGN (192), as broadcast is considered part of basic and the channels are unencrypted.

EXACTLY what service do you have? Is it Basic service with HBO and HD? If so, you are very limited. You probalby don't even get regular analog ESPN? To get ESPNHD and others, you probably need at least Digital Classic (Standard/Expanded cable + basic digital), or maybe even Digital Plus (adds more digital channels and multi-Encore).

Also, what part of the Chicago area are you from?

I have Comcast basic and expanded basic. Does Comcast send the HD versions of the local channels with these packages? If I get a new TV with a built in QAM cable ready tuner, will I be able to watch the HD versions of these local channels without using any STB?

Somewhere along the way I thought I found a posting that said yes I would get local HD content, but I cannot locate the message now. Comcast says I need to pay for their "HDTV Equipment Fee", but they could not tell me exactly what that included. If a TV has a QAM tuner, I'm thinking this would be "HD Equipment". Any information or link would be appreciated.

Mike

(I originally posted this under the wrong topic. I appologize for any confusion.)

You are correct. Any QAM tuner should be able to receive the 6 local HD channels that Comcast carries. The QAM channels vary a bit around Chicagoland, but the lineup here is:

92-1 (7-1)
92-2 (9-1)
92-3 (7-2)
114-1 (2-1)
114-2 (11-1)
115-2 (32-1)
115-5 (5-1)
115-6 (5-2)

You should also be getting NBC (188/194), ABC (187/217), Fox (190), WGN (192), as broadcast is considered part of basic and the channels are unencrypted.

EXACTLY what service do you have? Is it Basic service with HBO and HD? If so, you are very limited. You probalby don't even get regular analog ESPN? To get ESPNHD and others, you probably need at least Digital Classic (Standard/Expanded cable + basic digital), or maybe even Digital Plus (adds more digital channels and multi-Encore).

Also, what part of the Chicago area are you from?

HD locals are consider part of basic service and he should get all of them :)

Aslo if there is a seperate price for dgital classic ($5.95) as opposed to $55.95 ,it could technically be considerd an alacarte service and you do not need extended basic.

In Boston there are many folks who get digital platinum without extended basic.

You can get digital plus and basic WITH DVR and pay LESS then those getting just extedned basic (including box changes)

Thank you UncD2000,

My area is serviced by the Elmhurst Comcast location. Now I just have to wait for the new Sony LCD sets to hit the stores and see what they look like.

Mike

Yes. I am using a Denon 3805 and every other channel works fine. I have had the problem in the past where I have had to turn the box on and off because I have lost DD 5.1 but that always has fixed the problem. I agree though. It does almost make the channel unwatchable.

The popping goes away if I connect the box to my receiver using the analog RCA jacks.

Finally got Comcast HD box (DCT6200) set up on my new panny plasma, I agree with travels 77 that analog channels are not good at all but HD channels are amazing, only with a few channels though. I have 575 to 585 showtime movie channels and I'm not impressed with the PQ quality at all, I don't know much about it but the channels look to me like they have been stretched just to fill the 16:9 screen. Right now I'm still using the component cables that come with Comcast.

I have a Q here if anybody had similar experience. I have DVI out on both my comcast box & DVD player. I want to use both to connnect to my plasma HDMI IN to get the best video input possible. Does anyone know if they make a cable with (2) DVI connector at one end and (1) HDMI at the other end?

I will be trying some optical cables for possible best sound performance.
Will let you guys know how they turn out.

The popping goes away if I connect the box to my receiver using the analog RCA jacks.


Anybody else have to connect the box this way instead of an optical cable? Seems strange considering it is only on the Comcast sports channel.

Finally got Comcast HD box (DCT6200) set up on my new panny plasma, I agree with travels 77 that analog channels are not good at all but HD channels are amazing, only with a few channels though. I have 575 to 585 showtime movie channels and I'm not impressed with the PQ quality at all, I don't know much about it but the channels look to me like they have been stretched just to fill the 16:9 screen. Right now I'm still using the component cables that come with Comcast.
With the box OFF, hit MENU and then check the settings. Make certain that the screen is set to 16:9. Things get trickier for the 4:3 override setting. You can try either 480i or 480p and see which works best. I don't think the 6200 itself will stretch the picture. That is probably a setting on your TV. The 6412 does have a strech option.

I have a Q here if anybody had similar experience. I have DVI out on both my comcast box & DVD player. I want to use both to connnect to my plasma HDMI IN to get the best video input possible. Does anyone know if they make a cable with (2) DVI connector at one end and (1) HDMI at the other end?
I don't think you can merge 2 signal together like that. You will need to find a DVI or HDMI switch box, although I assume any out there right now are very expensive.

Finally got Comcast HD box (DCT6200) set up on my new panny plasma, I agree with travels 77 that analog channels are not good at all but HD channels are amazing, only with a few channels though. I have 575 to 585 showtime movie channels and I'm not impressed with the PQ quality at all, I don't know much about it but the channels look to me like they have been stretched just to fill the 16:9 screen. Right now I'm still using the component cables that come with Comcast.

I have a Q here if anybody had similar experience. I have DVI out on both my comcast box & DVD player. I want to use both to connnect to my plasma HDMI IN to get the best video input possible. Does anyone know if they make a cable with (2) DVI connector at one end and (1) HDMI at the other end?

I will be trying some optical cables for possible best sound performance.
Will let you guys know how they turn out.

Yes, they just stretch those channels, so depending on how your tv renders them the PQ will range anywhere from fair to lousy..
There is no such thing as a cable configured the way you are asking, but there are switching boxes out that do the same thing; they are a bit pricey though, ranging from 100-300 and up...
I have the same situation with 2 HD signals, but lucky for me my Pioneer Elite Plasma has 2 dvi inputs, so I don't need a switch box...

I don't think you can merge 2 signal together like that. You will need to find a DVI or HDMI switch box, although I assume any out there right now are very expensive.

Actually, they do make DVI y-adapter cables. This would take his 2 DVI sources and combine them into one for a TV with a single DVI input. But, as he has an HDMI input, he'd also need a DVI to HDMI cable. Assuming he gets quality cables it should work and would still cost less than a switch box.

Actually, they do make DVI y-adapter cables. This would take his 2 DVI sources and combine them into one for a TV with a single DVI input. But, as he has an HDMI input, he'd also need a DVI to HDMI cable. Assuming he gets quality cables it should work and would still cost less than a switch box.

Thanks to others I was given the following site for switch boxes, pretty pricy, as your guys already pointed out,
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI-HDMI-switchers.htm

Kblee, do you know where I would be able to find the DVI y-adapter, once I get that, with a DVI-HDMI cable, I ought to be able to hook up both comcast and Denon DVD to my plasma.

Kblee, do you know where I would be able to find the DVI y-adapter, once I get that, with a DVI-HDMI cable, I ought to be able to hook up both comcast and Denon DVD to my plasma.

This is the only one I was able to find, but should (I think) do the trick if you add a DVI / HDMI cable.

http://www.pacificcable.com/Picture_Page.asp?DataName=DVIY%2D2

When I searched for these about a year ago I found more, but I guess the companies want everyone to fork over $250+ for the switcher box. If you go this route let us know how it works out.

I should also note that WLS-HD and TNT-HD stretch SD material they upconvert. WLS's is horrible and obvious. I usually use 217 if I want to watch the news, or the regular analog 7 for other stuff. TNT's is a bit better, but chops off more of the top and bottom.

hello all, i have read through this post and have gotten alot of my questions answers but i still have a few i was hoping you might be able to answer. I am currently a D* subscriber with a HD-Tivo and want to switch to comcast but my wife loves the HD-Tivo. I just want the White Sox in HD and we have gotten a few letters about our Dish location in our townhouse.

so here are my questions

1. Tivo name "Season Pass" - does the 6412 allow you to record a show like "Lost" automatically, only new episodes that you can setup in the beginning of the year and not worry about all season?

2. Does anyone have multiple 6412 in their house? i currently have 2 HD-tivos, in living room and bedroom.

3. if you can have multiple 6412's do you pay for each one seperate or is it one fee?

4. if you have experience with D* Tivo how does the interface compare?

thank you for all your help, i tried calling comcast and ask these questions and all the rep kept telling me was "we are unaware of what other companies offer" i thought that was strange, she could have still answered the questions.

thanks

so here are my questions

I just want the White Sox in HD
Why?

we have gotten a few letters about our Dish location in our townhouse
screw 'em

1. Yes - But it doesn't work as effectively as Tivo. If the Guide doesn't specify new or repeat, it will get recorded. This happens to me at least once a week with CSI.

3. $10 each

hello all, i have read through this post and have gotten alot of my questions answers but i still have a few i was hoping you might be able to answer. I am currently a D* subscriber with a HD-Tivo and want to switch to comcast but my wife loves the HD-Tivo. I just want the White Sox in HD and we have gotten a few letters about our Dish location in our townhouse.

so here are my questions

1. Tivo name "Season Pass" - does the 6412 allow you to record a show like "Lost" automatically, only new episodes that you can setup in the beginning of the year and not worry about all season?

2. Does anyone have multiple 6412 in their house? i currently have 2 HD-tivos, in living room and bedroom.

3. if you can have multiple 6412's do you pay for each one seperate or is it one fee?

4. if you have experience with D* Tivo how does the interface compare?

thank you for all your help, i tried calling comcast and ask these questions and all the rep kept telling me was "we are unaware of what other companies offer" i thought that was strange, she could have still answered the questions.

thanks


I currently have both the HR10-250 and a 6412 so I'll try to answer.

#1 Yes the box has the feature to record only new shows but from my experience it's poor. Example, I told it to record only new CSI's, which it did for the 8PM showings on the network, but it was also recording the Saturday and Sunday night shows. Same thing for Stargate SG-1, I get all the repeats. I don't know if it's a function of porr guide data or a bug in the box. What I do is just go through all the pending recordings for a week at a time and tell it to cancel what I know are repeats.

#2 The 6412 doesn't allow you to set different remote ID's like the D* Tivo's so that will be a problem for you and is a reason that I'm not sure if I'm going to keep Comcast and the 6412 since I have three D* Tivo's all in the basement to run the entire house.

#3 Don't know, only have one 6412

#4 It has it's good points and it's bad. A nice feature is a window of the current program while in the guide. Bad thing is that the guide will show you all channels, no 'channels you receive' and 'favorites' to hide channels you don't want to see in the guide.

IMHO one item that I didn't know if I'd like or not is the OnDemand feature. Being able to call up a PPV or one of the many other non-PPV shows whenever I want is a REALLY neat feature. I think that could be a DBS killer if E* and D* don't figure out how to match the capability.

I currently have both the HR10-250 and a 6412 so I'll try to answer.

#1 Yes the box has the feature to record only new shows but from my experience it's poor. Example, I told it to record only new CSI's, which it did for the 8PM showings on the network, but it was also recording the Saturday and Sunday night shows. Same thing for Stargate SG-1, I get all the repeats. I don't know if it's a function of porr guide data or a bug in the box. What I do is just go through all the pending recordings for a week at a time and tell it to cancel what I know are repeats.

#2 The 6412 doesn't allow you to set different remote ID's like the D* Tivo's so that will be a problem for you and is a reason that I'm not sure if I'm going to keep Comcast and the 6412 since I have three D* Tivo's all in the basement to run the entire house.

#3 Don't know, only have one 6412

#4 It has it's good points and it's bad. A nice feature is a window of the current program while in the guide. Bad thing is that the guide will show you all channels, no 'channels you receive' and 'favorites' to hide channels you don't want to see in the guide.

IMHO one item that I didn't know if I'd like or not is the OnDemand feature. Being able to call up a PPV or one of the many other non-PPV shows whenever I want is a REALLY neat feature. I think that could be a DBS killer if E* and D* don't figure out how to match the capability.

sounds like the no first run recording thing can be a pain. glad to see they are at least trying. In the 3 years i have had DTivo i dont think it has messed up once on that. I will have to ask the wife how much that matters to her or else i will here it.

the OnDemand thing sounds really cool and would love to try it.

i don't really ever use the "channels you recieve" features anyway so i shouldnt miss that. i think i have maybe only a few channels blocked on D*

Sounds like there is good and bad to both. i want CSNC HD and Locals in HD (townhouse, indoor antenna for locals now and it is bad). I want to have more then 2 TV's, right now the 2 dual tuner tivos take up my 4 D* outputs and i can't justify paying $10.00 a month plus the $100 or so for the multiswitch to watch TV in the kitchen and spare bedroom.

I also vowed to never go back to Comcast but when i went to D* it was for HD and that was before comcast had it in my area.

if only i could make a decision!

if only i could make a decision!

I'm in the same boat. I like having TNT-HD, Starz-HD, Cinemax-HD and CSN-HD. IMHO I also like the programming on the two InHD channels vs. the two HDNet channels on D*, I haven't missed Universal-HD one bit. I also like having the local info on the Weather Channel again and CLTV. But I DO miss my Tivo's and their accuracy in recording what I want as per my settings and the larger drive capacity. The no remote ID feature is also a real pain, I'd have to rent more 6412's or give up being able to have the setup that I have now for the house. I'm waiting for D* to make their big HD announcement, which the rumors said should have happend by now but is delayed for ??? due to Spaceway 2's launch being delayed. ARG!

I'm in the same boat. I like having TNT-HD, Starz-HD, Cinemax-HD and CSN-HD. IMHO I also like the programming on the two InHD channels vs. the two HDNet channels on D*, I haven't missed Universal-HD one bit. I also like having the local info on the Weather Channel again and CLTV. But I DO miss my Tivo's and their accuracy in recording what I want as per my settings and the larger drive capacity. The no remote ID feature is also a real pain, I'd have to rent more 6412's or give up being able to have the setup that I have now for the house. I'm waiting for D* to make their big HD announcement, which the rumors said should have happend by now but is delayed for ??? due to Spaceway 2's launch being delayed. ARG!

exactly, i have been waiting for that announcement forever it seems! I am glad to hear you do not miss HDNet because i catch myself watching that from time to time. How is the Picture Quality between the two? I have a RP LCD so i am used to bad SD content but how is the HD?

the addition of the local feel would be nice too, for awhile it was like i went away from local. had xm radio and have directv. i ditched the XM and good old FM and ipod do the trick now. it like i live in Chicago again!

[QUOTE=andyross63]With the box OFF, hit MENU and then check the settings. Make certain that the screen is set to 16:9. Things get trickier for the 4:3 override setting. You can try either 480i or 480p and see which works best. I don't think the 6200 itself will stretch the picture. That is probably a setting on your TV. The 6412 does have a strech option.

I have a couple of questions for you guys:

1. I have the panny plasma TH37PX50U and comcast box DCT 6200, my understanding is the plasma tv doesn't control the signal, being 480p, 480i, 720p, 1080i, how come yesterday when I was using the "recall" function on the TV, it shows 1080i signals for the HD channels, while tonight they were all 720p, do those tv stations send out different signals from time to time? On the other hand, if my tv can control, how do I go bet'w those signals?

2. Anyone know how to use the "aspect" function on panny plasma? I tried a couple times and it doesn't seem to work w/ the comcast box.

Has anyone ever compared PQ quality on comcast signal between component & DVI-HDMI, tonight I tried a little and the difference is very minor. I think I'm leaning towards keeping the component for tv while use DVI-HDMI for DVD.

Yes. I am using a Denon 3805 and every other channel works fine. I have had the problem in the past where I have had to turn the box on and off because I have lost DD 5.1 but that always has fixed the problem. I agree though. It does almost make the channel unwatchable.

I, too, am experiencing the problem with audio on Comcast Sportsnet (ch 200). I use the digital optical out to my DD 5.1 receiver. I have had the tech out three times for this problem (using the squeaky wheel approach). All have heard the problem but have been unable to diagnose/fix it. If you are having the same problem, call Comcast early and often. We are in such a minority, the frequency of complaints is not great enough to cause action from "those above" in Comcast.

I was told by the tech and thru his boss on the phone that it is a headend problem. My Comcast buddy (yes, he's up there a ways in Comcast) said something about switching headend equipment in the Chicago area and that "crazy problems" like ours arise. He also suggested that the wheel must squeak louder for them to accelerate the fix.

Additionally, after calling for the second or third time, ask for a refund. It seems that the loss of revenue might also make the wheel squeak louder.

Well, I sell to comcast Sports Net, and I can tell you...


They are NOT owned by Comcast; its a joint venture with Jerry Reinsdorf, the Chicago Tribune, and Comcast corporate,i.e. the Sox, Cubs, Bulls, are all partners in this..notice the abscence of the wonderful Wirtz family!!

I am personal friends with the General Manager of the station, and he does acknowledge the problem, his entire engineering staff can't seem to find the source; it happens whether you are using your reciever, or just listening through the speakers, at least at my house
Also, whether its a HD broadcast, or SD, there are still sound issues..

Hopes this helps clarify this....

I, too, am experiencing the problem with audio on Comcast Sportsnet (ch 200). I use the digital optical out to my DD 5.1 receiver. I have had the tech out three times for this problem (using the squeaky wheel approach). All have heard the problem but have been unable to diagnose/fix it. If you are having the same problem, call Comcast early and often. We are in such a minority, the frequency of complaints is not great enough to cause action from "those above" in Comcast.

I was told by the tech and thru his boss on the phone that it is a headend problem. My Comcast buddy (yes, he's up there a ways in Comcast) said something about switching headend equipment in the Chicago area and that "crazy problems" like ours arise. He also suggested that the wheel must squeak louder for them to accelerate the fix.

Additionally, after calling for the second or third time, ask for a refund. It seems that the loss of revenue might also make the wheel squeak louder.


I agree about the squeaky wheel thing but the problem is it is such a hassle for me to schedule a service call knowing I will sit around for a couple of hours waiting for a tech to come out who knows less about the problem and how to fix it than I do. I will call and make them aware of the problem again and maybe try the refund route. At least knowing it is a sytem-wide problem makes me feel a little better.

Don't forget the Crosstown classic's on at 3pm on CSN/WGN....batting practice'll be shown on CSN at 1pm.

I currently have both the HR10-250 and a 6412 so I'll try to answer.

<snip>

#2 The 6412 doesn't allow you to set different remote ID's like the D* Tivo's so that will be a problem for you and is a reason that I'm not sure if I'm going to keep Comcast and the 6412 since I have three D* Tivo's all in the basement to run the entire house.



It is a problem.. one potential (and pricey) solution is an RF based universal remote like this one (http://espn.com.com/Home_Theater_Master_MX_800_RF/4505-7900_7-30479010.html?tag=coco). This will help because you run individual IR transmitters to each component from the base unit..

Been thinking about it as I have 2 6412, one in the living room and one in my office, but it'd make more sense to have both in the living room and therefore combat the limited-drive-space issue..

Hello,

I'm in Chicago, and I have been having some audio drop outs lately, especially on the Daily Show on Comedy Central (10pm broadcast). Audio will simply cut out for several minutes mid-show. It happened last night during the porn-Republican segment. It also happened at least once on INHD. Audio still works on other channels when this happens; the audio only cuts out for the one channel. (It also won't record the audio when played back on the DVR.)

Has anyone else in Chicago had this problem? Can someone please give me a quick recap on what acceptable signal strengths are, and how to check this diagnostic?

Thanks very much!

-Shahid

No problems with Daily Show audio here in Old Town.

Hello,
....

Has anyone else in Chicago had this problem? Can someone please give me a quick recap on what acceptable signal strengths are, and how to check this diagnostic?

Thanks very much!

-Shahid

I also have the audio dropout on other channels. When watching the channel, any channel, the audio will drop for anywhere from 1-5 minutes. To get the audio back up, just do a channel up - channel down change with the remote and the audio will immediately return.

What has me so frustrated is that a company the size of Comcast seems to not have the proper equipment to do ANY signal analysis/back tracing to find the problem and its source. Only recently has the problem made it past the technician level.

I'm in Chicago, and I have been having some audio drop outs lately, especially on the Daily Show on Comedy Central (10pm broadcast). Audio will simply cut out for several minutes mid-show. It happened last night during the porn-Republican segment. It also happened at least once on INHD. Audio still works on other channels when this happens; the audio only cuts out for the one channel. (It also won't record the audio when played back on the DVR.)

Has anyone else in Chicago had this problem? Can someone please give me a quick recap on what acceptable signal strengths are, and how to check this diagnostic?
It may be a bug in your DVR. I haven't had long cutouts, but sometimes I get brief (1 second) audio droputs. Remember that the DVR writes all data to disk, then reads it back for display. If something gets corrupted, it could get confused and drop the audio or video.
When you changed channels, did you actually do a channel up or down, or just swap tuners? Also, if your TV is also connected to cable, you can verify if it's your box or Comcast by tuning your TV to the same channel (if it's an analog below 100).

Thanks for the tips... Next time it happens, I will hopefully be watching live, and will try changing the channel and popping back. Unfortunately, so far I have had some bad luck with drop outs while recording, so I haven't had the chance to change the channel since I only find out upon playback...

Does anyone have any info on when more channels are going to be added to the HD selection on Comcast in Chicago??

I'm moving from a building with a bulk account and have a question about charges. I want to have a 6412 box and a standard def digital box. Comcast wants to charge 9.99 for the 6412 box, but they also want 4.99 for the standard box?

Does that sound right? Should I get one included for free with my digital cable package? They claimed that the 9.99 was the price to upgrade the standard box to the DVR, and that the second box was therefore additional.

<snip> Unfortunately, so far I have had some bad luck with drop outs while recording, so I haven't had the chance to change the channel since I only find out upon playback...

I'm having a horrible time with my 6412 lately. Dropouts, some recordings deteriorate to total black. Now I haven't done any reasonable troubleshooting with regard to signal strength and such, and I do have 2 splitters (and a Motorola amp...) on the line, but I'm just wondering if anyone else in the Chicago area is having issues (more than the USUAL issues) in general with their 6412 DVR and nasty dropouts/freezes/corrupt recordings. It seems to me that the hard drive is having issues...

I'm moving from a building with a bulk account and have a question about charges. I want to have a 6412 box and a standard def digital box. Comcast wants to charge 9.99 for the 6412 box, but they also want 4.99 for the standard box?

Does that sound right? Should I get one included for free with my digital cable package? They claimed that the 9.99 was the price to upgrade the standard box to the DVR, and that the second box was therefore additional.
Sounds like BS to me. I'd call back until I get somebody knowlegable.

I'm having a horrible time with my 6412 lately. Dropouts, some recordings deteriorate to total black. Now I haven't done any reasonable troubleshooting with regard to signal strength and such, and I do have 2 splitters (and a Motorola amp...) on the line, but I'm just wondering if anyone else in the Chicago area is having issues (more than the USUAL issues) in general with their 6412 DVR and nasty dropouts/freezes/corrupt recordings. It seems to me that the hard drive is having issues...
I've had my 6412 since Nov. It was working great until about 3 weeks ago when the darn thing began rebooting every day (and losing guide data. Arrgh!).

What is the HD recording capacity on the 6412? I tried doing a search on this thread but came back with too many hits. Anyone know?

120GB, about 14 hours.

What is the HD recording capacity on the 6412? I tried doing a search on this thread but came back with too many hits. Anyone know?
The Comcast pamphlet I got says about 15 hours of HD. Since digital channels are recorded as-is, the actual time depends on the bitrate. 720p channels and the INHD's (INHD and INHD2 are 1080i, but seem to be highly compressed in color depth and contrast) tend to have lower bitrates than 1080i channels. From the percentage change, it looks like I could get 20+ hours of INHD.

Hey guys , im new to this forum, my question is : is an integrated tuner im my sony hdtv any better or worse than a set top box?????

Hey guys , im new to this forum, my question is : is an integrated tuner im my sony hdtv any better or worse than a set top box?????
Since you are posting in the Comcast forum, I assume you mean a Comcast HD stb. It is really an apples and oranges comparison. The Comcast box can't pick up over the air signals and most integrated tuners can't pick up channels from the cable line. The exception is a tuner that is qam compliant. My Mitsubishi integrated tuner is a qam tuner, but it is a real pain to use it.

I personally have opted for the Comcast DVR stb and rarely use my integrated tuner.

One last point. In general, HD which you pick up over the air thru your integrated tuner will probably have better picture quality than the identical broadcast on Comcast.

Just my .02!

I have a dumb question. Why is it that sometimes when I put on Comcast Sports Next HD i get black bars on the sides? This also occasionally happens with ESPN HD, where I get those ESPN logo-things on the sides. I have a Mitsubishi 52725, and if I change the format to "wide expand" it fills the screen but that just seems to result in stretched images. Do I have something set incorrectly? Again, it's strange since it doesn't happen all the time.

TrojanCain,

It's because the material they are showing isn't widescreen HD. They matte it with the logo bars or blank areas to maintain the correct proportions.

This is much better to me than what ABC does by stretching 4:3 material to fill in the space. I have the same TV and there is no "format" option to return pre-stretched 4:3 back to normal with HD signals.

TrojanCain,

It's because the material they are showing isn't widescreen HD. They matte it with the logo bars or blank areas to maintain the correct proportions.

This is much better to me than what ABC does by stretching 4:3 material to fill in the space. I have the same TV and there is no "format" option to return pre-stretched 4:3 back to normal with HD signals.

Okay, thanks for the info. I just meant that if I hit the "format" button on the television remote, it will then say "1080i Wide Expand" in the upper left corner of the screen. This results in the picture filling the whole screen, but it doesn't look quite right to me. In any case, thanks very much for the reply.

This made me think of another dumb question that I had. I have the Motorola 6412 stb which (I think) has two tuners. Is there any way to switch between the tuners so that if I am recording something on one tuner I can just switch to the other one and watch a different channel? And is it possible to use the dual tuner function of the stb to use PIP on the televsion? Sorry for the dumb questions, I'm a bit new to all of this...

I have the Motorola 6412 stb which (I think) has two tuners. Is there any way to switch between the tuners so that if I am recording something on one tuner I can just switch to the other one and watch a different channel? And is it possible to use the dual tuner function of the stb to use PIP on the televsion? Sorry for the dumb questions, I'm a bit new to all of this...
I have a silver remove and there is a swap button at the bottom, next to the pip buttons. If you don't have the silver remote, request one from comcast. Even though the remote has pip buttons, there is no pip functionality.

If you're in a reading type of mood, here is a thread that answers every possible question you might have about the 6412. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5826782#post5826782

I have a silver remove and there is a swap button at the bottom, next to the pip buttons. If you don't have the silver remote, request one from comcast. Even though the remote has pip buttons, there is no pip functionality.

If you're in a reading type of mood, here is a thread that answers every possible question you might have about the 6412. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5826782#post5826782


I have that same button on my remote, but when I press it nothing happens. At least, I think nothing happens. How would I know if it switched to the other tuner?

Thanks for the link, I will be looking through that thread now!

How would I know if it switched to the other tuner?
At a minimum it would appear as if you were changing the channel.

At a minimum it would appear as if you were changing the channel.


Okay, thanks again. It looks as though I might need a new remote then...

Okay, thanks again. It looks as though I might need a new remote then...

Actually, it might not be a bad remote. You can program it to function as you want it to... If you do a search you will find the codes (sorry, I don't have them on me...)

I don't know how widespread it is, but here in Schaumburg, Comcast has a 'free preview' of the various digital sports channels (Speed Channel, GolTV, etc..) from July 1 through the 14th.

At least I'll get to watch the next two F1 races, assuming the Michelin tire cars actually are racing!!

Just got the message in Schaumburg that SciFi is moving from Expanded Basic on 72 to digital on 160 this August. I sure hope they don't hyper-compress it like it's soon-to-be-neighbor, BBC America.

SciFi is a strange choice for this move. It started out on the old digital tier many years ago.
When the Comcast predecessor of that era (AT&T) improved bandwidth and was able to add channels up to 75 to Expanded Basic, they took a poll and SciFi was the most rerquested addition. Ironic that it is now the first to be sent back. Is it now less popular than Oxygen, Court TV, etc.?

It will be interesting to see what they do with Ch. 72.

SciFi is a strange choice for this move. It started out on the old digital tier many years ago.
When the Comcast predecessor of that era (AT&T) improved bandwidth and was able to add channels up to 75 to Expanded Basic, they took a poll and SciFi was the most rerquested addition. Ironic that it is now the first to be sent back. Is it now less popular than Oxygen, Court TV, etc.?


Is it really? Take a popular channel and move it to a tier that will generate extra $'s. Especially with new seasons of Stargate SG1, Atlantis, BSG starting on 7/15.

andyross63 - how did you find out that they're moving SciFi over to the digital range? Is there a mailing list to subscribe to or something? At my old place in Northbrook, one of my major complaints was the rather low quality of SciFi at analog 72.

Now if only Comcast would add Universal HD so I can see the BSG episodes in HD -- that would be great.

andyross63 - how did you find out that they're moving SciFi over to the digital range? Is there a mailing list to subscribe to or something?

This came across as a Comcast system message. We got it in the Schaumburg area, but past history shows that not all local head-ends broadcast the same message.

yeah, and why aren't they providing a HD feed of WPWR (channel 50) as part of the local HD package???
Is this the only major local HD channel that doesn't had a digital/HD channel assigned to it?

A minor news item for folks with QAM tuners. NFL Network Ch. 168 is not encrypted at the moment in our system. You may want to check it out on QAM 116-7 (747 MHz). Other stuff on Ch. 116 (such as TNT HD) is encrypted, however.

A minor news item for folks with QAM tuners. NFL Network Ch. 168 is not encrypted at the moment in our system. You may want to check it out on QAM 116-7 (747 MHz). Other stuff on Ch. 116 (such as TNT HD) is encrypted, however.
Comcast has a 2-week preview of the digital sports package. Maybe that is why it's unencrypted. See if you can also pick up Speed Channel, GolTV, and others.

SciFi is a strange choice for this move. It started out on the old digital tier many years ago.
When the Comcast predecessor of that era (AT&T) improved bandwidth and was able to add channels up to 75 to Expanded Basic, they took a poll and SciFi was the most rerquested addition. Ironic that it is now the first to be sent back. Is it now less popular than Oxygen, Court TV, etc.?

It will be interesting to see what they do with Ch. 72.
I'm guessing they are moving SciFi to digital for two reasons:
SciFi's viewers tend to be 'early adopters' and 'technically capable', and otherwise more likely to already have or get digital cable.
As rad mentioned, as a way to further push digital cable sales due to the popularity of SciFriday.

As for the current channel, my guess it'll be used to carry more digital channels, including making more room for the forthcoming digital simulcasting, too.

Does Comcast have an interest in channels like Oxygen or the Golf Channel? That's the only reason I can see for them keeping them. Or why they don't dump the 4 scrambled movie channels.

Your reasoning makes sense. Thanks for the tip on the sports package as well. I managed to locate Speed Channel on 86-4, TV Games Network on 94-9, NBA TV on 108-7, and Gol TV on 118-9. I'm sure the four Fox channels are in the clear also, but I think we proved the basic premise.

How do i know if my integrated tuner is qam ? I read in the specs that it is an atsc tuner, dont know what that means, haahha, i have a new sony KDF-55WF655 hdtv and it has the cable card option in the back if that helps anyone out. Any help is greatly appreciated....Also i have located high def channels with decimals ie. 115.5 (wmaq), and my remote has a decimal key and some of my friends with hdtv's dont have this option?????????Im very new so go easy on me guys..............thanks.......

A CableCard tuner like yours is indeed a QAM digital cable tuner. The decimal point (or "delimiter") key will also be found on plain ATSC OTA (over-the-air) tuners that don't have QAM cable tuning. WMAQ's QAM (sub)channel can be expressed as 115-5 as well as 115.5. These channel assignments will vary a bit between one Comcast area and another. Here are some QAM channels that are unencrypted ("in the clear" or unscrambled) in my Comcast system at the moment:

92.1 WLS 7.1
92.2 WGN 9.1
92.3 WLS 7.2
114.1 WBBM 2.1
114.2 WTTW 11.1
115.2 WFLD 32.1
115.5 WMAQ 5.1
115.6 WMAQ 5.2
+ many music channels on various frequencies

2-week freebies
86.4 Speed Channel
94.9 TV Games Network
108.7 NBA TV
116.7 NFL Network
118.9 Gol Network

To gain access to encrypted channels, you need the CARD (which Comcast does not charge for), but of course you have to pay for some kind of digital package.
I recently took Comcast up on a 6-month special price of $29.99 (plus tax) for Digital Silver w/HBO. This adds the following HD channels:

173 ESPN HD
174 INHD 1
175 INHD 2
186 HBO HD
200 Comcast SportsNet HD
204 TNT HD
205 Discovery HD Theater

This package includes basic, expanded basic, and a bunch of non-premium digital channels (like the various Encore movie channels). I picked up on this mostly to get the Cubs/Sox HD games on Ch. 200. Also I don't get INHD1, INHD2, or TNT HD from my DirecTV subscription. I also decided to rent Comcast's 6412 DVR for $9.99/month. A very nice piece of equipment BTW.

Sox fan here. Both the Cubs and Sox are on CSN tonight. The Sox are on CSN plus which is CLTV out by me. I don't believe the game will be broadcast on an HD channel as well though. Since the Cubs are on the road and the Sox are at home, why aren't the Cubs on CSN plus instead so the Sox could be on Channel 200 in HD?

I agree. This is very disappointing. It makes no sense in light of Comcast's preseason announcement that all Sox/Cubs home games to which they had TV rights would be in HD.

BTW, the Cubs are on ESPN HD tonight. Undoubtedly we'll be blacked out so we can catch it in SD on Comcast SportsNet. Maybe CSN will surprise us and pick up the ESPN HD video feed, but somehow I doubt it. We should be getting both the Sox and Cubs tonight in HD; but when Comcast does the math, 1 + 1 probably equals zero HD.

when Comcast does the math, 1 + 1 probably equals zero HD.

That sounds like the same math that the fiscal managers at Comcast use on a daily basis!!! :rolleyes:

thanks for the input UncD2000!!!!!!!!!!, whats funny is i dont get wls, huh??????

Try 108.1 and see if WLS is there. Some Comcast areas have the local HD stations on 108, 116, & 117 instead of 92, 114, & 115. Do you get WGN on 92.2?

Wondering if anyone out there could help in Northbrook area:

I have a new Pioneer 5050HD plasma hooked up with my prior "basic Comcast cable". (has both cablecard slot, and built-in HD tuner)

I can get all the free OTA Chicagoland HD channels (except CBS, which is ok)- and was wondering if it worth it to upgrade my Comcast cable to a better package with HD, and if anyone had suggestions for which package would be the best deal without costing too much extra.
I don't watch sports, so have no interest in ESPN HD.

Thanks.

UncD200, i dont get wgn on 92.2, i did an auto channel search and it found cbs wttw nbc and that was all, but i saw some channels listed in here for the other networks and i punched in fox and it came up but the auto search doesnt find it , but no luck so far with 7 or 9.................kinda wierd.......

kenchi, without changing your package, you can ask comcast for the cable card, which is free. With this you'll get all of the locals in hd. If you up your package to the lowest level digital tier (and use the cablecard), you should also get inhd1,inhd2,tnthd,espnhd and I believe one or two others.


Read UncD2000's post (about 8 posts up) with all of the channel numbers. I believe everything in his email applies to you.

If anyone here has a Comcast Chicago Motorola CableCARD working (authorized and receiving channels) in a Sony TV or Sony DVR, please let me know where you are located or where your local Comcast office is located. You can PM me if this is not the proper forum for this discussion.

I'm desperately trying to "help" Comcast figure out how to get my card working. Maybe I can get my Comcast techs in touch with the techs in your local office. Thanks!

If anyone here has a Comcast Chicago Motorola CableCARD working (authorized and receiving channels) in a Sony TV or Sony DVR, please let me know where you are located or where your local Comcast office is located. You can PM me if this is not the proper forum for this discussion.

I'm desperately trying to "help" Comcast figure out how to get my card working. Maybe I can get my Comcast techs in touch with the techs in your local office. Thanks!


I do. The nearest office would be Carpentersville

I do. The nearest office would be Carpentersville

Thanks, Gov. I will forward this "clue" to my Comcast tech.

Do you have the Sony DVR or a Sony TV?

To gain access to encrypted channels, you need the CARD (which Comcast does not charge for), but of course you have to pay for some kind of digital package.
I recently took Comcast up on a 6-month special price of $29.99 (plus tax) for Digital Silver w/HBO. This adds the following HD channels:


This may sound like a stupid question, but I am thinking of taking up Comcast on a similar offer, is the tax a one time fee or added every month?

this may be so obvious, but have you asked them to try a different card?

it took 2 to get mine working, on a Pioneer Elite 1120HD...

This may sound like a stupid question, but I am thinking of taking up Comcast on a similar offer, is the tax a one time fee or added every month?Every month they add about 5.5% in my area for "Taxes, Surcharges, & Fees", almost all of it designated "Franchise Fee."

this may be so obvious, but have you asked them to try a different card?

it took 2 to get mine working, on a Pioneer Elite 1120HD...

Yup, I'm on the 4th card. Now Comcast is mystified, grasping at straws, talking about maybe a "bad batch" of cards and trying to find an older one to give me. This is why I'd like to find other local comcast customers that have the Sony DVR or a Sony TV with a working CableCARD. We have to teach Comcast how these work.

The tech says they need to do something a little different at Comcast with each new brand/model TV. I don't really understand this. I thought the manufacturers made the hardware to certain specs agreed upon with Motorola and the cableco programming should be the same for any Motorola card in any brand consumer device.

Thanks, Gov. I will forward this "clue" to my Comcast tech.

Do you have the Sony DVR or a Sony TV?


Sony TV

According to this post, http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13870381, the Chicago area will start to see the 9.19 6412 sortware upgrade today.

One last question: I'm going to get a cheap HD ready set for a small room of mine, do the Comcast HD boxes have a digital audio/optical output on the back (for DD5.1 surround sound of the HD telecasts) or am I basically screwed if the back of my TV doesn't have it? TY

EDIT: Also, is there some where on Comcast's site where they show the receivers? I could've sworn I saw it once, but can't find it anymore, possibly on Motorola's site?

One last question: I'm going to get a cheap HD ready set for a small room of mine, do the Comcast HD boxes have a digital audio/optical output on the back (for DD5.1 surround sound of the HD telecasts) or am I basically screwed if the back of my TV doesn't have it? TY

EDIT: Also, is there some where on Comcast's site where they show the receivers? I could've sworn I saw it once, but can't find it anymore, possibly on Motorola's site?


The Comcast HD boxes have digital audio outputs. You can check the Motorola DCT-6412 page (http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dct6412/) for more info.

One last question: I'm going to get a cheap HD ready set for a small room of mine, do the Comcast HD boxes have a digital audio/optical output on the back (for DD5.1 surround sound of the HD telecasts) or am I basically screwed if the back of my TV doesn't have it? TY

EDIT: Also, is there some where on Comcast's site where they show the receivers? I could've sworn I saw it once, but can't find it anymore, possibly on Motorola's site?

All Comcast HD boxes have Digital Optical, Digital Coaxial, and Analog Audio jack on the back. The manuals for the boxes are available here:

http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/support/default.asp?supportSection=HomeEntertainment

For those of you that actually have a cable card installed, does Comcast charge a monthly fee or just a one time installation fee? I keep getting mixed signals on this. The picture quality using the built in digital tuner (Sony) is far superior to that from the DVR box (at least on channels 2 - 99) that I would like to get a card to also cover the upper tier channels, but I don't want another monthly fee added to my bill.

KAD

No monthly fee, but a $24.99 install charge. You'll also need some "luck" for Comcast to get the card to work. Please let me know if you do get it working.

yeah, I originally had the cable card, working fine on my Pioneer Elite, but I missed having a on screen guide, and I wanted to try the On Demand stuff; you do NOT get either with a cable card...
Well, after using the 6412 for awhile, and hating the picture quality on the analog channels, I thought I would just call Comcast, and get the cable card for that reason, and use the MOTO box for everything else..
I was quoted $31.99 for install, and no monthly fee, but I decided I didn't want to pay another install fee just to get the card again...Hopefully, this new software upgrade might help the PQ on the lower channels a bit...
All things consiodered, don't bother with the cable card, unless you can live without a Guide, and On Demand..

I live by Wrigely. I am thinking of adding comcast digitial and one hd box. My internet is from comcast but continue to have problems with it. Anyone know if this would effect the digital cable also???? I called CC and get many different answers.

Larry

yeah, I originally had the cable card, working fine on my Pioneer Elite, but I missed having a on screen guide, and I wanted to try the On Demand stuff; you do NOT get either with a cable card...
Well, after using the 6412 for awhile, and hating the picture quality on the analog channels, I thought I would just call Comcast, and get the cable card for that reason, and use the MOTO box for everything else..
I was quoted $31.99 for install, and no monthly fee, but I decided I didn't want to pay another install fee just to get the card again...Hopefully, this new software upgrade might help the PQ on the lower channels a bit...
All things consiodered, don't bother with the cable card, unless you can live without a Guide, and On Demand..

I am considering getting the Comcast Digital classic package using the stb vs. cablecard - in order to get rid of my OTA HD indoor antenna (which I need to get up and move all the time to get good signal for different channels)-
Do people recommend the stb to get the Guide?

Plus I have too many remote controls...does this mean I will get a 4th remote to use? I know using a cablecard, I won't need a new remote. Also- is there a monthly "rental" fee for the stb (Cablecard has no fee/month which is appealing).
thanks for any input.

I am considering getting the Comcast Digital classic package using the stb vs. cablecard - in order to get rid of my OTA HD indoor antenna (which I need to get up and move all the time to get good signal for different channels)-
Do people recommend the stb to get the Guide?

Plus I have too many remote controls...does this mean I will get a 4th remote to use? I know using a cablecard, I won't need a new remote. Also- is there a monthly "rental" fee for the stb (Cablecard has no fee/month which is appealing).
thanks for any input.
Yes, you'll need a new remote. The guide makes life a whole lot easier.
You do not need to step up to a digital package to get a Comcast HD box. You can get the Basic package for $16. This will give you the locals in HD. If you want/need all of the HD that Comcast has to offer, you'll need to step up to the digital package.
The HD box is an additional $5/month, the HD DVR is $10/month. The DVR is by far the most pleasurable $10 monthly bill I pay.

When I had the standard Comcast hd box (the 5200 I believe), the analog channels (2-99) were unwatchable on my 65" mits. Then I upgraded to the 6412 HD DVR. The analogs are nothing to brag about, they are now watchable.

According to this post, http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13870381, the Chicago area will start to see the 9.19 6412 sortware upgrade today.

I got 9.19 overnight.

I got 9.19 overnight.

Same here - I just checked and my firmware is now 9.19. However, I was a little distressed to find that all my recorded shows had disappeared. Also, all of my series recording settings have disappeared, too.

So consider this a general warning to everyone who gets the new firmware: check your recording settings in case they got wiped out!

Just curious if any of the new phase 3 6412's with HDMI & SATA ports have been sighted in this area yet.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558532
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558602
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5856669&&#post5856669

Got 9.19 here also, still got all my recordings and series records too, thank god

My 6412 lost about 20 minutes in the middle of the 2-3 AM (I think) episode of X-Files that it was recording from TNT-HD last night. Apparently the 9.19 download was occurring then. Everything else was intact. Can't notice any change in operation so far.

Edit: The update in this area must have been in the 2:28-2:50AM interval.

There are a few channels now being digitally simulcast here in Schaumburg:
3: Comcast Network
13: Schaumburg Village
15: Public Access
24: Library Cable Network
26: ARTS
30: TV Guide Channel
96: Leased Access

All are way up at 825MHz (beyond analog 125!!) The Dolby Digital symbol is currently only showing on tuner 1 again. It'll probably fix itself in a few days, as it tends to do.

TVGC is a bit better than before. Much less pixelation on the scrolling text.

Sorry, wrong forum.

There are a few channels now being digitally simulcast here in Schaumburg:Thanks for this memo. I checked on QAM Ch. 129 (824-830MHz) and found that Mount Prospect headend is doing the same:

129-1 analog Ch. 96
129-2 MP Park District
129-3 ARTS/Oakton CC
129-4 analog Ch. 3
129-5 MP access
129-6 test pattern

The PQ on these looks prettty decent. I didn't take the time to listen to ARTS, but I'm curious to see how the audio compares to the quasi-stereo it has on analog 24.

I really wish Comcast would remove the encryption from Comcast SportsNet HD. The 6412 receives it fine on Ch. 200 of course, but that 15-min buffer is a pain. If they would pass it through "in the clear" (it's on QAM 85-1 or 85-2 in our area), I could watch on my LG 3410A DVR which has an amazingly good buffer capacity. I don't know why; it has the same HDD as the 6412. Perhaps it's due to the 6412 having 2 tuners vs 1 on the 3410A.

I think on 6412 (or any other digital cable box), when you tune to channel 3 it is actually giving you the digital version of that channel. That's whay if you go to diagnostics menu you will see that its frequency is 825MHz. Cable box is mapping channel 3 to its digital counterpart (and not the analog one).

Yes, you'll need a new remote. The guide makes life a whole lot easier.
You do not need to step up to a digital package to get a Comcast HD box. You can get the Basic package for $16. This will give you the locals in HD. If you want/need all of the HD that Comcast has to offer, you'll need to step up to the digital package.
The HD box is an additional $5/month, the HD DVR is $10/month. The DVR is by far the most pleasurable $10 monthly bill I pay.

When I had the standard Comcast hd box (the 5200 I believe), the analog channels (2-99) were unwatchable on my 65" mits. Then I upgraded to the 6412 HD DVR. The analogs are nothing to brag about, they are now watchable.


Well, I just ordered and upgraded to Comcast Digital Classic + DVR. I forgot to ask the rep one question though, and instead of waiting on hold on the phone wanted to see if anyone could easily answer:

If i upgrade from previous Standard cable to the above for my main home theatre plasma tv, will my other 2 standard TVs (that currently have standard cable) also be upgraded to Digital Classic channels, or remain standard channel lineup?

thx

Your whole house cable feed will be digital classic but if you don't have digital boxes or cablecards on those tvs, you will notice no difference.

Your whole house cable feed will be digital classic but if you don't have digital boxes or cablecards on those tvs, will notice no difference.

thx, so in other words - the other 2 regular tvs upstairs will remain with
the channel line up for "standard Cable" (not the digital classic) lineup right?

That's correct.

I think on 6412 (or any other digital cable box), when you tune to channel 3 it is actually giving you the digital version of that channel. That's whay if you go to diagnostics menu you will see that its frequency is 825MHz. Cable box is mapping channel 3 to its digital counterpart (and not the analog one).Thanks for pointing this out. I'll edit my post concerning the need for new channel numbers.

HD / OnDemand finally available Downtown!!!

I just had my new HD box installed today in the Gold Coast. The tech said the service went live Monday and I was one of the first installs.

When I called to order I was told that I was still not "rebuilt" but when I insisted they transfered me to a "techinician" who agreed to schedule the install. Finally!!!!!

-Stu

Anyone else experiencing extreme macro-blocking on 204 (TNT)? I'm trying to watch the Busch race and it's beyond aweful. I had to switch to SD because it's so bad. :(

My install is scheduled for Thursday, can't wait, got a great deal because I switched from D*.

My TV has DVI, does anyone know if the installers carry DVI cables or would I have to have my own? I think I heard they bring component, but not sure about DVI

Thanks

My TV has DVI, does anyone know if the installers carry DVI cables or would I have to have my own? I think I heard they bring component, but not sure about DVI

The installers carry component cables; I think you need to provide your own DVI cable.

Anyone else experiencing extreme macro-blocking on 204 (TNT)? I'm trying to watch the Busch race and it's beyond aweful. I had to switch to SD because it's so bad. :(
I didn't watch the race, but I've had problems with TNT-HD here in Schaumburg, especially on tuner 2 of my DCT-6412. I added a Motorola amp and it has helped alot.

Weak signals can come and go. Before I had the amp, TNT-HD would be fine one hour, then be blocky or cut on and off the next. You may want to check the diagnostics menu (turn box off, then quickly hit OK/ENTER within one second) to see what the SNR and AGC levels are. They should ideally both be GOOD, although FAIR will generally work OK. If one or both are POOR, you will have problems.

I noticed an interesting quirk in the simulcast of the TVGuide channel (30 here in Schaumburg). I put my TV in Twinview mode (Sony's widescreen version of PIP) and put the cable box in one window, and the TV's tuner in the other. As expected, the video and clock going through the box was 2-3 seconds behind due to the buffering. What was even more interesting is that the guides were NOT in sync at all. It looks like they are coming from two different feeds.

I also noticed that many of the simulcast channels are in Dolby Digital 1/0, which bizarrely turns on the 'multi-channel' light and Dolby Digital symbol on my receiver. The more normal 2/0 used for analog channels or most digital channels doesn't. :confused:

Anyone else experiencing extreme macro-blocking on 204 (TNT)? I'm trying to watch the Busch race and it's beyond aweful. I had to switch to SD because it's so bad. :(

I've never had a problem with TNT-HD, but I do have problems with Max-HD (195). Certain movies always have the picture freeze up while the audio continues. For example, Contact and The Peacemaker are very frustrating to watch because of said picture freezes. And it seems to be movie specific - I've tried to watch those movies at different times and the broadcast is always terrible. However, other movies showing immediately before/after those movies are fine. Go figure.

I've had the same problem with Kiss the Girls on Max-HD.

Count me in as another one that has had problems with Cinemax-HD freeze ups.

I've never had a problem with TNT-HD, but I do have problems with Max-HD (195). Certain movies always have the picture freeze up while the audio continues. For example, Contact and The Peacemaker are very frustrating to watch because of said picture freezes. And it seems to be movie specific - I've tried to watch those movies at different times and the broadcast is always terrible. However, other movies showing immediately before/after those movies are fine. Go figure.

Well I tuned in again and encountered this. The movie "Donnie Brasco" was on and I had no problems at all. As soon as it was over and the live race broadcast came on, the severe macro-blocking was back. How annoying...

Weak signals can come and go. Before I had the amp, TNT-HD would be fine one hour, then be blocky or cut on and off the next. You may want to check the diagnostics menu (turn box off, then quickly hit OK/ENTER within one second) to see what the SNR and AGC levels are. They should ideally both be GOOD, although FAIR will generally work OK. If one or both are POOR, you will have problems.

I just checked and both are POOR for the current broadcast of todays race. Any suggestions? Outside of the Cinamax issues that several of us have had for awhile, this is the only problem I have encountered since I received my 6412 in November.

According to this post, http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13870381, the Chicago area will start to see the 9.19 6412 sortware upgrade today.

I'm still on 9.12 here is Oswego. I hope they do something soon.

I haven't noticed any improvement at all with 9.19. In fact, I often get kind of a brief freeze/breakup when changing channels that never happened before.

My Cinemax freezups were so bad about a week ago that I called in and asked them to remove Cinemax from my lineup and then reinstall it. This immediately resolved the problem, but it recurred several days later when Kiss the Girls was shown again. Except for that one instance, it's been OK since the removal/reinstall.

I also noticed that many of the simulcast channels are in Dolby Digital 1/0, which bizarrely turns on the 'multi-channel' light and Dolby Digital symbol on my receiver. The more normal 2/0 used for analog channels or most digital channels doesn't. :confused:Same thing in our system. If I tune to ARTS on the Ch. 129-3 digital simulcast, the audio is mono, and my Yamaha displays only the center channel symbol. If I tune to ARTS on analog Ch. 24 (using the same tuner in my LG LST-3410A DVR), the audio is stereo, and left & right channel symbols appear on the display.

A few days ago, Ch. 17 analog (Mt. Prospect local programming) was showing a program that wasn't simulcast. Ch. 129-5 was instead duplicating 129-2 (which simulcasts analog Ch. 15 (the other MP access channel). It may be this way all the time. The PQ on the digital simulcast is about the same as the analog, so it's pretty much of a non-event at this point.

Anyone having Audio problems on the 6412 as I am having?

When I turn on the TV and Box I have picture but no sound. I need to unplug the box and the sound will come back. This is an everyday problem. I called an CSR and they say it is a software problem, it should work itself out in time and Mottorola and Comcast are aware.

Anyone having Audio problems on the 6412 as I am having?

When I turn on the TV and Box I have picture but no sound. I need to unplug the box and the sound will come back. This is an everyday problem. I called an CSR and they say it is a software problem, it should work itself out in time and Mottorola and Comcast are aware.
I believe this is one of a few problems that occur from turning your box off. The simple fix is to leave the box on. I think you can also get sound back by playing one of the dvr recordings.

There is a 6412 thread with more info than you ever wanted to know:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5901089#post5901089

what are the reported features/fixes of the latest firmware? did they fix the "softness" from the DVI outputs? i hear they are adding more stringent copy protection from the Firewire?

what are the reported features/fixes of the latest firmware? did they fix the "softness" from the DVI outputs? i hear they are adding more stringent copy protection from the Firewire?

There's a link to the original posting on Broadband Reports that points to the following:

9.06 introduced support for DCT6412 P2 hardware

9.12 introduced internal hard drive over-temperature handling

9.15 repaired a random video freeze frame problem found with DCT6412 P2 units

9.17 repaired an audio loss related to an epoch value of zero, and other field issues

9.18 repaired field issues related to VOD and trick play functionality

9.19 repairs an audio dropout issue reported in the field on DCT6412 P2.3 units

thanks for the very detailed response, FSugino. looks mostly bug fixes; no new features.

Ok someone help me out here....

I am in Long Grove and called Comcast two days ago and insisted they send me a new 6412 with the firewire active (I currently have a dual tuner 6412 without active firewire). After three transfers and about 1 hour on the phone I was given a supervisor who said it can't be done. I did something I have never done..I hung up in frustration.

Then Comcast did something they have never done. A supervisor called me today at home and said they are sending out a new 6412 box Thursday with the firewire ACTIVE. Huh? Great news I think.

I have a Mits 62725 DLP display, and am picking up a Mits hd2000 DVHS from Tweeter this week. I am looking to record to the DVHS from the 6412 firewire. I am thinking correctly? Or should I be recording from the DLP firewire to the DVHS.

Does anyone else in Chicago have/use an active 6412 firewire for hd recording? I have searched this forum for the answers with no luck.

Thanks....

Does anyone else in Chicago have/use an active 6412 firewire for hd recording? I have searched this forum for the answers with no luck.

I have the 6412, a Mits WS65869 HDTV, and Mits HD1100 DVHS deck and record from the 6412 via FireWire to the DVHS as well as my laptop all the time. It works great.

For more info than you can shake a stick at, head over to the HDTV Recorders & Players forum and check out the Firewire active & recording from Comcast Moto 620x! (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=42) thread for how-to info.

Thanks FSugino. I will do some more reading.

Did you have an issue getting an active firewire box from Comcast like I did? They repeatedly told me that they did not activate firewire for anyone.

Thanks FSugino. I will do some more reading.

Did you have an issue getting an active firewire box from Comcast like I did? They repeatedly told me that they did not activate firewire for anyone.

Unfortunately, you got stuck speaking with uninformed customer service reps. The FireWire port has been active on every 5100, 6200, 6208 and 6412 box I ever received.

I recommend two things: first, always check AVS Forum. Collectively, this group knows a heck of a lot more than the typical Comcast customer service rep. Second, if you get an answer from here that differs from what the CSR tells you, hang up and call again. Speak to another CSR until you find an informed one who can help you. It's unfortunate, but this is about the only way to get anything accomplished when dealing with their customer service department.

Hi all,
so I looked through the last 5 pages or so and saw 'almost' nothign about this..
I'm moving from Boston to Chicago next month, and wanted to get HD through Comcast.
Here in Boston, I get the 6412, basic cable, and digital silver(HBO) with digital classic.
The total comes to around $45, and includes all of the HD channels(outside of showtime and cinemax). Does this work in Chicago?
Can I get the INHDs, CSN, TNT-HD, PBS-HD, ESPN-HD, etc with just basic cable and digital classic?
Thanks,
David

Can I get the INHDs, CSN, TNT-HD, PBS-HD, ESPN-HD, etc with just basic cable and digital classic?
Yep, although I'm not sure about the cost.

Here in Boston, I get the 6412, basic cable, and digital silver(HBO) with digital classic.
The total comes to around $45, and includes all of the HD channels(outside of showtime and cinemax). Does this work in Chicago?
Can I get the INHDs, CSN, TNT-HD, PBS-HD, ESPN-HD, etc with just basic cable and digital classic?

Well, it looks like you're getting a bargain in Boston. The Digital Classic package alone costs $52.98/month, plus $9.99 for the 6412 dual tuner DVR service. And that's without HBO...

There appears to be a sale on the Digital On Demand Silver Plus with HBO for $29.99, but I think that's only for 6 months and then the cost goes back up to $71.99.

Personally, I can't keep these packages straight. You may want to check out comcast.com and see what the available packages out for your new address.

Well, it looks like you're getting a bargain in Boston. The Digital Classic package alone costs $52.98/month, plus $9.99 for the 6412 dual tuner DVR service. And that's without HBO...

There appears to be a sale on the Digital On Demand Silver Plus with HBO for $29.99, but I think that's only for 6 months and then the cost goes back up to $71.99.

Personally, I can't keep these packages straight. You may want to check out comcast.com and see what the available packages out for your new address.


Well, the thing is, you don't pay for extended basic($39?), only basic ($7.95) and digital classic(which is roughly a $6.95 option). So, you lose MTV, E, ESPN, TNT, TBS, etc. but you get TNT-HD, and ESPN-HD, etc, so it almost makes up for it. Comcast doesn't advertise this out east, it's sorta a little trick, and if you ask them, they'll tell you that you won't get them, but you do..

I live in Downers Grove IL. I bought the MPC-130 PCI card and a Panasonic TH42PX50U three weeks ago. I can get CBS, NBC, ABC, WGN, WTTW, and Fox in HD on the MPC-130 via Comcast cable (basic and extended basic service). Although the Panasonic TV has an ATSC/QAM tuner, I only get CBS-HD consistently via the same Comcast cable service. All the other local HD channels are hit or miss. I have called Comcast multiple times, and just about every CSR has said that a set top box or a CableCARD would resolve my issues of getting local HD.

I set up an appointment to have the CableCARD installed on Friday July 22nd. I would like to know if anyone else in the Chicago area (particularly using the service out of Elmhurst) has been able to get the local HD channels through Comcast cable, using a built in QAM tuner.

I have two cards here in DG near 63rd and Main.

Well, the thing is, you don't pay for extended basic($39?), only basic ($7.95) and digital classic(which is roughly a $6.95 option). So, you lose MTV, E, ESPN, TNT, TBS, etc. but you get TNT-HD, and ESPN-HD, etc, so it almost makes up for it. Comcast doesn't advertise this out east, it's sorta a little trick, and if you ask them, they'll tell you that you won't get them, but you do..

I think the basic is about $10 here, but I wasn't aware that you could get just digital classic without the analog (all together, it's usuaully about $56). I've never even thought of that situation, so I guess you might wanna call Comcast or email them to ask, but that not be that great an idea either if you said it's a little trick and since we know how confused CSRs can get. I understand what you're talking about, but don't know if it's feasible, so I guess this post didn't help at all, sorry ;)

I am down the street on 63rd and Woodward. I was trying to avoid getting a CableCARD or a set top box since the MPC-130 card received the local HD just fine on the Comcast feed.

Are you able to get the local HD channels on the Comcast feed without your two CableCARDs?

I would like to know if anyone else in the Chicago area (particularly using the service out of Elmhurst) has been able to get the local HD channels through Comcast cable, using a built in QAM tuner.

The answer is yes. Read through a few previous pages in this thread - there are several messages that include channel numbers and their corresponding stations.

The answer is yes. Read through a few previous pages in this thread - there are several messages that include channel numbers and their corresponding stations.

I should have been more specific in my question. I have read practically every post on AVS about Comcast QAM in Chicago. I can get the channels just fine on my computer using the MPC-130 capture card. My problem is that I can not get the local HD channels consistently using the QAM tuner in the Panasonic TH42PX50U plasma TV. The computer is three feet away from the TV, and both have the same Comcast feed. I get 69% signal strength on every digital channel on the MPC-130 card. I get "Channel Not Available" on those same channels/frequencies on the Panasonic TV most of the time. If I put in the physical channel (as opposed to the virtual channel) repeatedly on the Panasonic TV, the local HD feed will eventually come through.

For example, I tuned the MPC-130 card to WGN-HD at 8 PM tonight to watch the rerun of Smallville. The Virtual Channel showed up as D92-2, and the physical channel showed up as 108. I tried 92-2 on the Panasonic TV for about five minutes, but I kept getting "Channel Not Available". I tried 108 for the next fifteen minutes. After about fifteen minutes, WGN-HD (and ABC-HD on 92-1) came in just fine.

Just about every post that I read regarding Comcast local HD feeds mentions the use of a CableCARD or a set top box. I find it to be really strange that the local HD channels come in just fine on the MPC-130 card, but the Panasonic TV says "Channel Not Available" most of the time. I used the MPC-130 card (and this forum) to locate the local HD channels on the virtual channel and the physical channel. I will go through these posts again, but I do not recall seeing information similar to my situation.

D92-1 (108) WLS-HD (ABC)
D92-2 (108) WGN-HD
D114-1 (116) WBBM2-HD (CBS)
D114-2 (116) WTTW-HD (PBS)
D115-2 (117) WFLD-HD (Fox)
D115-5 (117) NBC5-HD

[

I have a couple of questions for you guys:

1. I have the panny plasma TH37PX50U and comcast box DCT 6200, my understanding is the plasma tv doesn't control the signal, being 480p, 480i, 720p, 1080i, how come yesterday when I was using the "recall" function on the TV, it shows 1080i signals for the HD channels, while tonight they were all 720p, do those tv stations send out different signals from time to time? On the other hand, if my tv can control, how do I go bet'w those signals?

2. Anyone know how to use the "aspect" function on panny plasma? I tried a couple times and it doesn't seem to work w/ the comcast box.



I did not see a response to your post (which I have edited a little in my response). I have the Panasonic TH42PX50U. The instruction manual is the same for all three PX series, the 37, the 42, and the 50. No, the TV does not control signal. The "aspect" function on the remote has a great explanation on page 21 in the instruction manual. The aspect function only works on a 480p/480i signal. Zoom is recommended for letterbox, Full is recommended for anamorphic, and Just is recommended for regular TV viewing. Page 21 has pictures that explain how the aspect will be stretched, too.

This sounds like a problem with your Panasonic tuner. Since those channels are unencrypted, you shouldn't need the CableCARD to tune them. My LG LST-3410A DVR tunes them fine on the actual QAM channels 92-1, 92-2, 114-1, 114-2, 115-2, 115-5, and it does not have the CableCARD feature. The corresponding Comcast channel numbers which you would use with their STB or DVR are 187, 192, 189, 191, 190, 188. Concerning the channel numbers 108, 116, 117 which your MPC-130 calls the "physical channels," I believe some Comcast systems around Chicagoland use those QAM channels instead of 92, 114, 115, but apparently your system is not one of them.

Well, the thing is, you don't pay for extended basic($39?), only basic ($7.95) and digital classic(which is roughly a $6.95 option). So, you lose MTV, E, ESPN, TNT, TBS, etc. but you get TNT-HD, and ESPN-HD, etc, so it almost makes up for it. Comcast doesn't advertise this out east, it's sorta a little trick, and if you ask them, they'll tell you that you won't get them, but you do..comcast.com isn't much help on this. It lists the following for my Zipcode:

$10.99 Basic Cable
42.99 Standard Cable
52.98 Digital Classic (On Demand, Onscreen Guide)
57.98 Digital Plus (On Demand, Onscreen Guide, Music)
9.99 Selecto En Digital (Onscreen Guide)

It looks like the surcharge for the expanded basic analog tier (Ch. 38-99) is $32.
With that amount subtracted Digital Plus drops to a very nice $25.98. With the 3412 it totals $35.97. Has anyone been able to set this up locally?

The Selecto En Digital rate of $9.99/month is also confusing as that package appears to include all the analog and non-premium digital channels. That rate is probably a surcharge for Spanish programming, but the listing doesn't say that.

comcast.com isn't much help on this. It lists the following for my Zipcode:

$10.99 Basic Cable
42.99 Standard Cable
52.98 Digital Classic (On Demand, Onscreen Guide)
57.98 Digital Plus (On Demand, Onscreen Guide, Music)
9.99 Selecto En Digital (Onscreen Guide)

It looks like the surcharge for the expanded basic analog tier (Ch. 38-99) is $32.
With that amount subtracted Digital Plus drops to a very nice $25.98. With the 3412 it totals $35.97. Has anyone been able to set this up locally?

The Selecto En Digital rate of $9.99/month is also confusing as that package appears to include all the analog and non-premium digital channels. That rate is probably a surcharge for Spanish programming, but the listing doesn't say that.

If it works in Boston, it would work in chicago i'd think.
here's a link the the boston thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=226652&page=344&pp=20&highlight=comcast) where it's disucssed.
you can pay 7.35 for basic, 5.25 for digital classic(removing extended basic), and then $15 for the 6412, leaving you with all non pay HD channels and a DVR.
I pay 7.35(basic)+24.95(digital silver)+15(6412)=47.30 for all HDs, HBO, and my DVR.

when you cancel extended basic, they simply put a filter on your line to kill 29-99, so it doesn't change any of your service levels or other channels..

when you cancel extended basic, they simply put a filter on your line to kill 29-99, so it doesn't change any of your service levels or other channels..

Dag-
so when they kill channels 29-99, does that mean you don't get CNN, CNN Headline news, FOX news, USA, etc?

thx

Actually the trap used in Chicagoland by Comcast takes out Ch. 38-78, but yes, you would lose everything carried on those channels. At least you would get to keep SciFi, since it's starting its transfer from analog to the digital tier next month.

dag 16, thanks very much for the link and the detailed info.

Edit: Unfortunately, it looks like the good deal available in Boston isn't possible in Chicagoland, at least in those headends with digital channels on Ch. 61 (see my post #3440 below).

Actually the trap used in Chicagoland by Comcast takes out Ch. 38-79, but yes, you do lose everything carried on those channels
We should also keep in mind that cable internet subscribers won't receive a trap on their line or it would disrupt their internet service.
dag 16, thanks very much for the link and the detailed info.
Yes, and I'll be patiently waiting for someone in this area to post a detailed "how to properly speak with a Chicagoland csr" to describe their account of making this happen.

I have no idea how or what Comcast is doing but at my place, we have HSI & limted basic cable and we only get TV channels up to thirty something. All the channels above that are blocked.

I have no idea how or what Comcast is doing but at my place, we have HSI & limted basic cable and we only get TV channels up to thirty something. All the channels above that are blocked.
If you were to add the $5/month HD box or $10/month dvr that would all change.

Are the Chicagoans happy with Comcast. I was paying alot for internet and said I would switch and they totally gave me a great price for the year($19.00) plus like $49 for digital with hbo and on demand. $5 for HD or $10 for dvr.
Cable would go up after the 7,8,9-12 th month and cap at $74 .

I was told that the cable card issue is programmers not putting in the correct information and they are aware of the problem.

Any comments,]

Larry

Are the Chicagoans happy with Comcast.
Larry, you can't find a better deal on an HD DVR. Also, I've had very good service with the HSI. I feel $43 is a little too much for internet service, but my HSI regularly runs at 4meg (using cnet broadband tester), which is pretty quick for home use. My house is now running quicker than my connection at work.

If you were to add the $5/month HD box or $10/month dvr that would all change. Edit: I believe you are correct on this (see my post #3440 below).

I am no longer paying the $49month for internet they brought it down to $19. They told me that it is going from 4 now to 6 at the end of August. I have sbc at work and the fastest is 3 but that is working ok.

Larry

I wouldn't count on this. The trap that removes expanded basic doesn't interfere with digital cable or HD service.
Unc, you are probably correct, but that isn't my experience. I'm under the impression that the combination of Basic cable (locals only), with the HD box and HSI makes a trap unusable.

Unc, you are probably correct, but that isn't my experience. I'm under the impression that the combination of Basic cable (locals only), with the HD box and HSI makes a trap unusable.Sorry. I struck out on this one. I'll go back and delete that post.

I forgot that there are 8 SD digital channels on Ch. 61, so the expanded basic trap would remove these. One of them is Trio on 61-2 (which is presently unencrypted for some reason). There are no HD services on Ch. 61, so in theory there would be no problem with Basic Cable, the Ch. 38-78 trap, and an HD box or DVR, but I don't know if they are setting anyone up this way.

This situation probably does make it impossible for us to subscribe to Digital Classic without Expanded Basic. Unless Comcast removes the digital stuff from Ch. 61, I don't guess we could get the deal that dag16 has in Boston.

Okay, just had the install from hell today. The guy just left, I don't even have a frickin manual for my 6412 or other receiver, he didn't even know what HDTV was. Nothing digital works, and analog looks like crap, even on a TV that I used to have cable with where analog was decent (not like it is now). Will an Amp help (I think they're putting that tomorow) a lot? Will it only help the nonHD Tvs, or also the HDTV in my house (It's a small CRT so I didn't think it'd be bad)

Also, did it take long for everyone's digitals to show up? The guide has been updating slowly, the CSRs don't know how to help and are sending people tomorow (not really their fault, Comcast hires/sends imcompement contractors or installers). I keep getting "the channel should be on in a moment" message, but it's been upgrading slowly, and slowly setting the time and guide info. Something like a telephone connection wouldn't help, right?

Well, long story short, installer from 8 am- 12 showed up past 4 and left around 7, and it's now midnight and the best I can get is analog. My 6412 only shows analog (which is the worst, looks like it keeps trying to recompress itself), while the other SD receiver is completely dark on 0, and the funny thing is that it was working at first, and the idiot called them and told them to shut it for a little bit! And I was trying to remember why I left Comcast...

Da Truth,

And I am going to call them today to put in my order.......

Call and have a supervisor meet you at your house while they are there!!!!!!

I have a home run and just need them to put the connection at this area. Hopefully they can do this.

Larry

I just got my Comcast DVR and must say that I am happy with the upgrade :)

Question- does anyone know if there is a limit to how many "Complimentary" On-demand movies you can view/download per day?

thx

Wondering if anyone has been able to convince an onsite tech you have poor signal quality rather than just poor signal strength. Here's my sorry story..

I have a lot of devices on my feed- 2 6412's, cable modem, 2 analog TV's. If I plug the main feed directly into a 6412, on a 256 QAM channel I am getting about SNR 29dB (fair-poor) and AGC 80% (poor). The 2nd tuner is poorer as noted in many threads and sure enough I see around SNR 28dB and AGC 80%.

I picked up a Motorola Signal Booster. With it between the main feed and a 6412, the 6412 totally fails to tune any channels on 256 QAM. It's as if the signal is too strong- the readings show "invalid" but occasionally click in for a moment, where I can see they're at SNR 25dB (poor) and AGC 56% (good).

I don't know what to make of this- seems that I have a poor signal quality in the first place, and am only amplifying "garbage" with the amp. I know the 6412 is extremely sensitive to signal strength and quality, but I'm not sure I've seen it posted where too MUCH signal causes trouble. Funny thing is, the cable modem won't lock signal when it's downstream of the amplifier, whether or not there's a -7dB splitter in the line between them.

Had a tech out, and he measured my signal strength downstream of the amp- "+19" as he put it, he said this is way high. OK I'll buy that, we removed the Motorola amp... and now I don't have enough signal strength; the 6412's on a splitter show SNR @ 28dB "poor" with the AGC cranking at 76% "fair" and I have dropouts and pixelations on 256 QAM channels.

what to do.. might I have a defective Motorola amp? I'm near Wrigley for what it's worth.

Will an Amp help (I think they're putting that tomorow) a lot? Will it only help the nonHD Tvs, or also the HDTV in my house (It's a small CRT so I didn't think it'd be bad)

Try checking your signal quality/strength in the menus to get an idea what you're dealing with. Check this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5620545&&#post5620545) to see how.. to that I would only add- before entering the diagnostics, be sure you tune to HD channels that are actually showing HD content at the moment.

Has anyone had any luck getting Comcast to lower or waive the installation fee for the DVR? I already have a digital box and have a hard time coughing up 32.00 for something I could do myself.

Has anyone had any luck getting Comcast to lower or waive the installation fee for the DVR? I already have a digital box and have a hard time coughing up 32.00 for something I could do myself.
I believe the charge is actually 2 $16 fees. They seem to be pretty tough in the Chi area about waiving the fees. When I got my first hd box, I couldn't talk them down, but when I replaced the hd box with the hd dvr, I was able to get one of the $16 fees waived.

Has anyone had any luck getting Comcast to lower or waive the installation fee for the DVR? I already have a digital box and have a hard time coughing up 32.00 for something I could do myself.

HD Rookie's right - I think there's an installation fee and an activation fee. I called the day after I had my 6412 installed and complained about the activation fee (I had the 6208 so I already had the DVR service). The CSR I spoke to agreed to credit my account for the activation fee, but I still had to pay for the installation (truck roll).

Wondering if anyone has been able to convince an onsite tech you have poor signal quality rather than just poor signal strength. Here's my sorry story..

I have a lot of devices on my feed- 2 6412's, cable modem, 2 analog TV's. If I plug the main feed directly into a 6412, on a 256 QAM channel I am getting about SNR 29dB (fair-poor) and AGC 80% (poor). The 2nd tuner is poorer as noted in many threads and sure enough I see around SNR 28dB and AGC 80%.

Had a tech out, and he measured my signal strength downstream of the amp- "+19" as he put it, he said this is way high. OK I'll buy that, we removed the Motorola amp... and now I don't have enough signal strength; the 6412's on a splitter show SNR @ 28dB "poor" with the AGC cranking at 76% "fair" and I have dropouts and pixelations on 256 QAM channels.

what to do.. might I have a defective Motorola amp? I'm near Wrigley for what it's worth.My setup with respect to splitters in the line is pretty much identical to yours, but with no amp at all I am reading "good" on SNR & AGC on both 6412 tuners on the HD channels. My incoming signal level is +12.1dB (low channels) and +10.8DB (high channels). Since the digital stuff is on the high channels, it seems like the 6412 is pretty sensitive and does well with around 0dB input.

Has anyone had any luck getting Comcast to lower or waive the installation fee for the DVR? I already have a digital box and have a hard time coughing up 32.00 for something I could do myself.

I agree with you in the waste of $$$ in the install fee--
the two installers (i don't know why they needed 2 people) who came didn't even plug in the component cables correctly on my plasma (I had to show them where to plug in)...all they did was literally walk into my house with the DVR and I did the rest of the install, then they left. Later, I had to call Comcast myself because the box wasn't activated, and many of the channels were still locked...which they unlocked remotely.

Last night I even tried the "I am thinking about switching to Dish" tactic and that didn't work. They told me this is a special set up and required technical installation. I asked what was different between that and the digital box I have now and they couldn't answer.

I suppose there are a lot of people out there that wouldn't know how to hook these things up but it would be nice if they gave those of that do the option. My initial reaction was that they were just trying to make another 32.00 off me but the more I think about it, I don't see where they would be making money off of this. I would think it costs them more than that to have tech come out and do the installation once you figure their wages, gas, etc into it.

If these things had a larger storage capacity I would probably go ahead and get one but for 15 hrs of HD I can't justify the extra monthly charge plus the installation.

Get a media center and you can have as much storage as you want.

Larry

I suggest you call and push the buttons to the disconnect/discontinue service section. They will ask why you want to disconnect, tell them because of the $32, then see what happens.

Does Comcast offer GolTV? I have GolTV On Demand from the sports section, but don't see it anywhere on the lineup

Does Comcast offer GolTV? I have GolTV On Demand from the sports section, but don't see it anywhere on the lineup
I noticed last week that there are quite a few soccer channels (including goltv) in the 250-500 range.

BTW, last week I watched 5 minutes of golf, then 5 minutes of soccer. Then, to add a little more excitement to my life, I put a new coat of paint on my shed and watched it dry. :D

Does Comcast offer GolTV? I have GolTV On Demand from the sports section, but don't see it anywhere on the lineup

It's on channel 268. You have to pay extra for it, though - it's one of those specialty subscription channels.

For those with Comcast in the city, do you guys get the Travel Channel? If so what channel is it on?

I spoke with 2 reps & they both tell me I'm supposed to have it but the channel they say that it's supposed to be on is not it.

Thanks

Does Comcast offer GolTV? I have GolTV On Demand from the sports section, but don't see it anywhere on the lineup
Here in Schaumburg, it's on several channels. 268 is English, and requires an additional Digital Sports package ($5/month, and includes SpeedChannel, NFL Network, several Fox college channels, and NBA TV). The Digital Sports package is SEPARATE from any other package, including silver, gold, etc... A spanish language version is on 622, and requires the 'Selecto Completo en Digital' package ($13.99/month, which includes may other channels)).

Just saw a note in the TVGuide channel scroll here in Schaumburg that the analog HBO, Showtime and Cinemax (4, 17, 97) will be dropped on August 23rd. With SciFi moving to digital on the 9th, that opens up 4 analog channels. Enough for 32-48 digital channels, depending on how much they are compressed.

Just saw a note in the TVGuide channel scroll here in Schaumburg that the analog HBO, Showtime and Cinemax (4, 17, 97) will be dropped on August 23rd. With SciFi moving to digital on the 9th, that opens up 4 analog channels. Enough for 32-48 digital channels, depending on how much they are compressed.
Or more HD channels -- maybe ESPN2-HD, Universal-HD?

Or they could just be making room for digital simulcast of the analog channels (which I don't believe they're doing yet, are they?)

Or maybe they're moving the bandwidth over to the internet side -- who knows. I guess we'll have to see.

It's most likely to make room for simulcasting. They are already simulcasting a few channels here (just public access and TVGuide so far.) The upcoming 2MBit increase in cable speeds probably also plays into it.

Here in Boston, they're about 30-50% done with the ADS, and I must say, there's very little improvement in PQ.
not like I'd watch anything in SD anyways, but it's not a big change, more for a marketing tool to compete with Sat. saying all of their channels are digital.

Here in Boston, they're about 30-50% done with the ADS, and I must say, there's very little improvement in PQ.
not like I'd watch anything in SD anyways, but it's not a big change, more for a marketing tool to compete with Sat. saying all of their channels are digital.
Also, it will help with the people who are not pleased with the analog picture quality on the 6412, or any of the HD boxes for that matter.

Has anyone else lost the 720P output on their DTC5100 cable box.

My wife told me the cable stopped working on our plasma TV. After swapping boxes and a lot of messing around, I found that the box no longer put out 720P through the DVI cable. Works OK on 1080i with the DVI cable.

Seems as though they are not putting out 720P any longer, or maybe it is just a glitch in my box. Another possibility is a problem with the DVI cable, but that would seem unlikely as it does work on 1080i.

Let me know if anyone can confirm this as a change. If not I guess I'll call Comcast to come out and swap the box.

Thanks for your response.

Mike K.

nope, something is wrong with you box; I just checked and was able to get 720P with no problem..

Anyone know if tonight's Cubs game at Philadelphia will be broadcast in HD on Comcast Sports Net? CSN Philly does the Phillies home games in HD. It is scheduled to be on INHD tonight, but I'm sure that channel will be blacked out. As they are "sister stations", I don't know why they couldn't show the HD broadcast on channel 200. As simple as it sounds I just have a feeling that I'm not going to be pleased...

Does anyone have any new news on when more HD channels are going to be added to Comcast in the Chicago area? I am hoping for ESPN2HD, Universal HD, and the upcoming Turner Classic Movies HD.

There is a forum rumor about DirecTV adding ESPN2 HD by Sept. 8. Maybe Comcast will follow suit.

I thought I read about a free Showtime preview August 5-12, but none of those channels was available around 9 AM.

SHOWTIME HD UNENCRYPTED

The 1-week Showtime free preview has begun, and even the HD channel is available this time for our QAM tuners and DVR's. Try Ch. 111-2.

Here's the complete lineup with regular Comcast channel number in parentheses:

(185) Showtime HD 111-2
(575) Showtime East 93-4
(576) Showtime West 82-4
(577) Showtime Too - East 99-3
(578) Showtime Too - West 91-3
(579) Showtime Showcase - East 93-10
(580) Showtime Showcase - West 82-10
(581) Showtime Extreme - East 93-13
(582) Showtime Extreme - West 82-13
(583) Showtime Next 101-5
(584) Showtime Family/Zone 101-6
(585) Showtime Women 101-7 (still encrypted at 1:00 PM)
(586) FLIX 101-8

These are the Mount Prospect QAM channels. YMMV

Last i heard Espn2HD's coming by next month.

I'm trying to confirm something told me yesterday by Comcast.
On their HD cablebox:

When receiving a Standard Definition channel (SD), the RF output of the box, set to channel 3 or 4, will output that channel as a SD RF channel. In other words, a TV Set connected to the RF output of this Cable box will receive that channel on channel 3 or 4.

When Receiving a High Defination Channel (HD), the RF output of the box, set to channel 3 or 4, will output that channel as a HD RF channel. In other words, a HD Tuner connected to the RF output of this Cable box will receive that HD channel 3 or 4.

I'm still on Analog cable, so I can't test it...

Thanks

Jan

I'm trying to confirm something told me yesterday by Comcast.
On their HD cablebox: . . . When Receiving a High Defination Channel (HD), the RF output of the box, set to channel 3 or 4, will output that channel as a HD RF channel. In other words, a HD Tuner connected to the RF output of this Cable box will receive that HD channel 3 or 4.I'm gonna go watch the Sox in HD and let someone else tackle this. If this were true, the IEEE1394 capability of this box (presumably the 6200) would be inferior and dedundant. It would reduce the appeal of the 6412 DVR, because you could rent a couple of 6200's and record to an LG 3410A or the new Sony DVR. Would probably put 169time out of business as well. Still, anything's possible until proven otherwise I guess.

Saw this in Multichannel News (www.multichannel.com/article/CA632528.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP) and thought you folks might be interested. If it's old news, sorry for the intrusion, although I am curious how basic and expanded basic subs are reacting to this...

Comcast: Sci Fi to Digital in Chicago
By R. Thomas Umstead 8/5/2005 5:05:00 PM

In a surprise move, Comcast Corp.’s Chicago system is moving the highly rated Sci Fi Channel from its basic service to its digital-basic tier beginning next week.

The 1.7 million-subscriber system will move Sci Fi -- which has been on a ratings roll with the success of such series as Battlestar Galactica and Stargate Atlantis -- to its digital-basic tier, which is in front of about one-half of the system’s subscribers.

Comcast Chicago vice president of communications Patricia Andrews-Keenan said Sci Fi was already on a digital tier in a number of areas within the Chicago DMA, so the move will make the tier uniform throughout the whole system.

The MSO will replace Sci Fi on its analog tier with Comcast-owned The Golf Channel.

Sci Fi representatives would not comment on the matter.

The MSO will replace Sci Fi on its analog tier with Comcast-owned The Golf Channel.

Sci Fi representatives would not comment on the matter.

Golf channel was already on Analog Cable... What are they going to do, add another one???

The HBO & Showtime thing is a big pain in the ASS.

Someone line up the genius's who are to blame and SLAP THEM!!!

Tonight ESPNHD was blacked out for me for Cardinals @ Brewers. I don't think it's different for providers, but a Cardinals or Brewers regional game had never been blacked out from me with DirecTV. It must be the Brewer connection, since I just saw Florida/St. Louis on in HD last Monday night, but I remember seeing the Brewers at home on ESPN on DirecTV. Goof by them?

Yeah i had the blackout and was wondering about that too, i also noticed the yankees/sox was blacked out on INHD only to be played not in HD on CSN. Oh how i love love blackout rules

If you don't have digital cable, you may have now lost SciFi. It changed over today and moved from 72 to 160 in some areas.

So far, it is obviously cleaner. It also seems a bit fuzzier, but hard to tell since mine was a bit noisy, plus going through the 6412's compression tends to make analog SD look worse. Here in Schaumburg, it's on 585MHz, using 64QAM. Of channels I've figured out the frequencies of, the only other ones I have for 585 are OLN and WE. I assume some of the movie channels are using the rest of 585.

If anyone has the Motorola DCT5100 cable box, would you please check a couple things for me?

1. Using YUV settings of 1080I or 720P, and override set to OFF, Please confirm that the RF output of the DCT5100 is at HD format, at either channel 3 or 4 and at 1080i or 720P.....

2. Is the a switch for the RF ouput, to allow CH3 or CH4 operation? or is it only outputting on CH3?

Thanks much!

As far as I know there is no way that the RF output can output HD resolution, it can output the HD content but it will not be in HD. If you wish to watch glorious HD you need to use either the DVI output or the Component Video outputs

LasStar18. Thanks for your input.
Let me follow up: You have a DCT5100, and if so, is the a channel 3/4 switch?

I no longer have a 5100, i had one before, went from 5100>6200>6208>6412, i just cant live without a DVR since Ive had one, and one that does HD and has 2 tuners oh my. Im not sure about the channel 3/4 switch as a dont have the box anymore although im sure you can find the moto pdf with that kinda information around here or motos web sites. One thing i do know is after the 5100 the RF output was removed from the HD boxes as you can not use it for HD anyways

The Setup Guide for the DCT5100 has a view of the back of the unit with notes, and no Ch. 3/4 switch is present. There is a note later on about connectivity to a VCR or TV with Ch. 3 or 4 input, so the selection is probably made in an onscreen setup menu. That's how it works on my DirecTV receiver (Sony SAT-HD300) that has RF output. When you're watching HDTV via component, the RF outputs a letterboxed 480i picture on ch. 3 or 4.

Anybody else notice on the 'new' digital SciFi that the picture is undersize? My TV has about 3% overscan, and I can see a tiny bit of letterboxing (just a few scan lines) on the top and bottom. The sides do not have any extra pillarboxing visible. Other digital channels do NOT have this. I wonder if they are trying to cheat bandwidth by reducing the picture size!

I think my Mits is set to 3% overscan, and I don't see any issues on tonight's episode of Firefly that I recorded. Is there a particular show where you see this happening, or all programs?

It's everything that is supposed to be 'full screen' on SciFi.
I turned up the brightness to make it stand out, then tried to take a picture. It's verry fuzzy as my camera doesn't focus well that close. You can see the gray band near the bottom (there is a matching band at top). It looks to be roughly 3-4 scan lines tall. I took this while it was airing some informercial, which should be full 4:3.
http://home.att.net/~andyross/DCP_0737.JPG

They're running a 4:3 program now, and I see the black bands at top and bottom on Comcast Ch. 160. They're 3/8" tall (on a 38" CRT). These are not present on SciFi Channel from DirecTV (which has a bit sharper image on SciFi than Comcast digital. Comcast does look better on the HD channels that I receive from both services, however.) Looks like the switch of SciFi to digital is no improvement over the analog at this point.

Last night I noticed a herringbone on lower VHF feeds on cable.... After some snooping, I added a 12 DB pad to the cable feed, and it went away.... They must be doing something on the levels, and screwed it up....

Jan, following up on your interest in the RF output of the DCT5100 (and I think the DCT6200 STB may have it as well), you should be aware of the following probable scenario. When you have the resolution of such boxes set to 1080i in order to watch HD on your main TV, the HD programming will be output on Ch. 3 or 4 from the RF output in 480i, BUT the picture will be anamorphically squeezed (compressed horizontally) if viewed on a 4:3 TV. In order for an HD program to be letterboxed from the RF output, so that it will display properly on a 4:3 TV, you may need to change the resolution on the STB to 480i. Needless to say, this is a big inconvenience, and accounts for the desirability of DirecTV receivers like the Sony SAT-HD300 (& HD200) which have a resolution button on their RF remotes.

Thanks UncD2000....
If there is no HD RF ouput from box, then I don't need to worry about Channel 3.
Was going to put the HD RF output (if it existed) on CH3, and modulate the SD Audio & SVideo to Channel 4 (This way, my 3410a would be able to record the HD signal, and tape decks the SD signal).

I've got the 'stuff' mounted on a board, and once Showtime & HBO goes away off analog cable, will add this to house RF system, and take any unused AV inputs to put a temporairy signal on CH4 (and experiment with CH3) for the next month or so. This will give me time to correctly insert this and make sure all is happy with the RF system here, prior to any upgrade here.
It will also give Comcast a month to twist in the wind without the $21 fees we're paying now for HBO & Showtime.
Maybe that will convince them that a 'deal' should be made.

I did a quick test last week with ch3 & 4 combiners, and it will work, but I'd need a handfull of antenuators to balance it out 'just so'... I got the Antenuators a couple days ago, just in time to need them last night.... Don't know what Concast did, but the obviously mis-balanced something.... By adding a 12Db pad to their feed, I minimised it... A quick check of signal levels indicated it wasn't a bad connection.... and was about to give up when I thought it might be just the opposite of the weak signal levels that I at first thought...

Maybe if I get the time to let the signal strength meter 'warm up' (Tube type, circa 1960-70's) I could then take visual and aural carrier level readings.... (VHF only), for relative level reference....

Once I know my idea works good, then I'll consider an upgrade....

EDIT!!! Concast must be working today!!! They removed the signal imbalance... 12Db pad removed, and pix quality back to where it was 2-3 days ago!

does anyone have a contact at Comcast who knows what they are doing to get a cable card running properly, I can't get by the "scanning for signals" text box in the middle of my screen, I have spoken with about 10 diff. comcast reps and have two panasonic reps who are ready to help me out. Comcast is the worst!

ps- working with motorola comcast cable card.

Try posting in this (www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13883644) forum and/or post a message to Comcastguy (www.dslreports.com/profile/1107926) at the same forum. I believe he works for Comcast in Chicago and has been pretty helpful to the members at that forum.

Thinking of switching back to Comcast because of the discounts that are out there right now. I've heard that the last shipment of 6412's that came in are the new phase 3 models. Anyone know if it's possible to request a certain model be installed? Phase 3 instead of the phase 2 box?

Thinking of switching back to Comcast because of the discounts that are out there right now. I've heard that the last shipment of 6412's that came in are the new phase 3 models. Anyone know if it's possible to request a certain model be installed? Phase 3 instead of the phase 2 box?

Of course you can specify the phase of the box you want installed...

and there IS a tooth fairy, Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, and we WILL win the war in Iraq..
OOOPS, sorry about the political commentary!!

There is NO CHANCE IN THE WORLD that you could specify the "phase" of the box you want, so don't bother aggravating yourself by trying to...
I mean, this is COMCAST we are talking about!!! :rolleyes:

Couldn't you specify a Phase 3 box to the sales folks, indicating that if a Phase 2 unit arrives, it will be refused?

You might have better luck requesting a DVR with HDMI output. This feature would be the most noticeable aspect of the upgrade. The term "Phase 3" may not even be part of the product description that Comcast has in their computer.

Hi all,

I just got Comcast installed yesterday. I have two 6412 DVR’s one has a DVI port the other has HDMI. My Z3 projector has only HDMI – I ordered a DVI to HDMI cable (a few days ago) assuming I would get DVR’s with DVI port. Now I am thinking that since I have one with HDMI I should just change my order to a HDMI only cable. If I don’t change it and use the DVI to HDMI cable for the projector in the DVR with the DVI port am I going to suffer in any way? Is the box with HDMI better in any way? Would a straight HDMI cable have any advantage over using the DVI to HDMI cable?

Thanks!

You might have better luck requesting a DVR with HDMI output.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Otherwise I'd probably get a response of "You want a phase what?"

Is the box with HDMI better in any way? Thanks!Is there a SATA port on the back? If activated by Comcast, this would permit an external HDD to be attached to increase recording capacity.

Is there a CC button on the remote of the HDMI 6412, or is it still necessary to turn the unit off and access Menu to activate/deactivate the closed captions (very inconvenient).

Is there a SATA port on the back? If activated by Comcast, this would permit an external HDD to be attached to increase recording capacity.

Is there a CC button on the remote of the HDMI 6412, or is it still necessary to turn the unit off and access Menu to activate/deactivate the closed captions (very inconvenient).

As far as i know i think you still have the access closed captions via the menu - same remote as the other one i have with DVI.

I

Well, have Comcast coming out Thursday afternoon. Told them I needed the DVR that has the HDMI output which the rep added to the work order. Currently have an SATA drive hooked up to my 8300HD from WOW, so come Thursday, hopefully I'll be able to test the SATA port on the 6412.

I am curious about this as well. I have a Son KDFE42A10 rear projection that has and HDMI input. What would be the ideal set up for this with a Comcast HDTV box? Would it be a HDTV box that has HDMI output? I also thought about requesting and HDMI output box when I call Comcast. Wouldn't that be the ideal setup and then get and HDMI to HDMI cable?

I am new to all this stuff and am trying to learn as a I go.

Anybody have an idea what Channel 4 of Analog cable will have after HBO gets removed?

I'm considering notching it out and putting another channel 4 signal in it's place.

Thanks in advance!

Chs. 4 & 20 are trapped in many installations, so they may remain blank for awhile. Chs. 72 and 97 should be available for digital, however. Maybe we'll get 4 new HD channels!!