Do you know the actual QAM channel number?

It is on channel 242 on the cable box (frequency is 735 MHz).

It is on channel 242 on the cable box (frequency is 735 MHz).Thanks. 735MHz is QAM Ch. 114. I just checked and the lineup on that channel is now:

114-1 WBBM-DT
114-2 WTTW-DT
114-3 PBS Create

Let's hope this addition doesn't degrade PQ on WBBM-DT. This is within previous Comcast practice, based on the subchannels carried on channels 92 and 115. Apparantly a QAM channel has sufficient bandwidth for 2 HD channels and one subchannel, so I think it's OK if they don't add anything else on Ch. 114.

I called Comcast last night to switch my package to the 62.99 Digital Plus with HBO/Showtime/Starz for 6 months. While on the line I requested to be switched to the ADS. The CSR said that Downers Grove has not yet been upgraded to do so. Is there any truth to this or should I call again? Anyone in Downers on the ADS system?

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but what can the USB port used for? I was hoping you could do data transfers to a PC, then you could archive your recordings to DVD. Knowing sony though, they have limited this port to periperhal plugins. Does anyone know the possibilites/limitations?

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but what can the USB port used for? I was hoping you could do data transfers to a PC, then you could archive your recordings to DVD. Knowing sony though, they have limited this port to periperhal plugins. Does anyone know the possibilites/limitations?

I believe USB is not active, but Firewire port is and you can do this fairly easily.

Check out:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695

and

http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but what can the USB port used for? I was hoping you could do data transfers to a PC, then you could archive your recordings to DVD. Knowing sony though, they have limited this port to periperhal plugins. Does anyone know the possibilites/limitations?
The USB port is is not active, but it does have power. Some people have used it to power little laptop fans to help keep the box cool.

Thanks. 735MHz is QAM Ch. 114. I just checked and the lineup on that channel is now:

114-1 WBBM-DT
114-2 WTTW-DT
114-3 PBS Create

.

FYI, these all show up on 115 in Chicago, including the new Create.

One my Sony DHG-HDD250 PBS Create shows up on 116.3

I called Comcast last night to switch my package to the 62.99 Digital Plus with HBO/Showtime/Starz for 6 months. While on the line I requested to be switched to the ADS. The CSR said that Downers Grove has not yet been upgraded to do so. Is there any truth to this or should I call again? Anyone in Downers on the ADS system?

I am somewhat nearby in Willow Springs and we are on ADS. I can tell because I was watching Law and Order the other day on USA and the picture started to pixelate like the digital channels will do sometime.

I am somewhat nearby in Willow Springs and we are on ADS. I can tell because I was watching Law and Order the other day on USA and the picture started to pixelate like the digital channels will do sometime.
Maybe, but not necessarily. I occasionally notice on my 10 year old 36" analog tv (cable straight from wall into tv) that a show will pixilate on an analog channel. I believe the blocking/pixilation is a side effect of something done to the signal before Comcast sends it over the line.

I am somewhat nearby in Willow Springs and we are on ADS. I can tell because I was watching Law and Order the other day on USA and the picture started to pixelate like the digital channels will do sometime.
I have noticed the pixelation on TLC more lately, but checking the settings on the 6412 still shows that channel as Analog.

My understanding from here and broadbandreports.com is that only new installs (the 3412) are on ADS, unless you request the switch, too.

Anyone in D.G. on ADS, yet?

I am somewhat nearby in Willow Springs and we are on ADS. I can tell because I was watching Law and Order the other day on USA and the picture started to pixelate like the digital channels will do sometime.

I have had a 3412 for about 3 weeks now and have only see "pixiliation" once on the 2-99 channels. However, on a few of the channels I have noticed a frequent picture freeze. When it is at its worst, the picture will freeze for about 1 second every 15-20 seconds - but audio is unaffected. It's very annoying and I haven't figured out a cause or cure. Luckily, I rarely watch the 2-99 channels, and will even less when/if Comcast ever adds ESPN2-HD.

I've got ADS here in Bolingbrook. My 6412 started stuttering and I asked for "the latest HDMI" box as a replacement. All channels now show as digital (looking at the service menu or by using the info button). SD quality is definately improved.

Most cable channels come from satellite, and are presumably digital. Some may come from landline links. Even some of the local channels are fed to Comcast directly, and not Comcast using an antenna. A glitch anywhere can cause problems.

Further, I assume more and more programs are stored digitally at the source instead of using analog tape. A glitch on the player/computer will cause problems everywhere.

I called Comcast last night to switch my package to the 62.99 Digital Plus with HBO/Showtime/Starz for 6 months. While on the line I requested to be switched to the ADS. The CSR said that Downers Grove has not yet been upgraded to do so. Is there any truth to this or should I call again? Anyone in Downers on the ADS system?

Were you an existing customer? If so, aren't those "special" prices only for new subscribers? And if so, may I ask how you got them to give you the special rate?

aren't those "special" prices only for new subscribers?Apparently not. I signed up with a $40-off Digital Silver 6-month deal last June. When that was about to expire, I called in to see if I could switch to the current "special." The rep replied that he had an even better deal - $39.99 ($50 off) Digital Platinum for 6 months. With Cinemax ala carte and the 6412 DVR, this adds up to $59.99 plus tax for all 16 HD channels. Someone posted that the Platinum deal expired 12/31. It pays to keep up with these specials. They are usually just a few dollars more than the (ever-increasing) cost of Expanded Basic, which they include of course.

Apparently not. I signed up with a $40-off Digital Silver 6-month deal last June. When that was about to expire, I called in to see if I could switch to the current "special." The rep replied that he had an even better deal - $39.99 ($50 off) Digital Platinum for 6 months. With Cinemax ala carte and the 6412 DVR, this adds up to $59.99 plus tax for all 16 HD channels. Someone posted that the Platinum deal expired 12/31.

First off, thanks very much for the reply. Secondly, is the way to go about this simply continuing to play CSR roulette until you hit one that will give you a deal? I only ask because the last one I talked to would not budge, even when threatened with discontinuing service (I know, they must hear that all the time).

I would first check comcast.com to see what the current special is for your zipcode and then tell the CSR there is no mention there of it being reserved to new customers. I guess I got lucky last month and hit a nice person.

It's even worse at DirecTV, to which I also subscribe at present. There are hardliners who claim ignorance of what you ask for, as well as others who offer unexpected account credits. Subscription TV is a bit like buying a car.

I would first check comcast.com to see what the current special is for your zipcode and then tell the CSR there is no mention there of it being reserved to new customers. I guess I got lucky last month and hit a nice person.

It's even worse at DirecTV, to which I also subscribe at present. There are hardliners who claim ignorance of what you ask for, as well as others who offer unexpected account credits. Subscription TV is a bit like buying a car.


Thanks for all of your help. I went to the comcast website, and they are offering the $64.99/month for 6 month deal with HBO/Show/Starz right now. I will try my luck today with getting that deal.

Edit: Do you suppose the same sort of thing works for their high-speed internet service?

Were you an existing customer? If so, aren't those "special" prices only for new subscribers? And if so, may I ask how you got them to give you the special rate?
Yes, I was an existing customer. I just asked to switch my plan to the promotion - he looked through the account, and said given that I've been a loyal customer at my current address since '99 and have paid my bills, he could extend the offer to me.

I had called before when they had the $39.99 deal going, and the woman said flat-out that it was for new customers. So I think it depends on the Rep or perhaps the level of the discount. That would have saved me $25/month rather than saving me $10/month.

Yes, I was an existing customer. I just asked to switch my plan to the promotion - he looked through the account, and said given that I've been a loyal customer at my current address since '99 and have paid my bills, he could extend the offer to me.

I had called before when they had the $39.99 deal going, and the woman said flat-out that it was for new customers. So I think it depends on the Rep or perhaps the level of the discount. That would have saved me $25/month rather than saving me $10/month.


Thanks for the reply!

Edit: Do you suppose the same sort of thing works for their high-speed internet service?

Yes - I orginally signed upunder the $19.99 for 6 month HSI plan. I was able to renew it at $19.99 for another 6 months. After that I called back and they indicated that I would have to pay the full amount for at least 6 months because I had been given back-to-back promotions. After trying multiple times and threatening to disconnect, a supervisor was able to override the system and give me $10 off for the next 12 months ($32.95/mo). It was kind of a pain, but it will save me $120 over the next year. YMMV.

I just called and asked for the 64.98 for 6 months promotion and they switched me no problems. They said it is for new customers but since I have been a loyal customer they could extend it to me.

I also asked about any new HD channels comming up and to my surprise the CSR actually mentoned that they were working on getting National Geographic HD, but of course no timeframe when it might be available.

I just called and asked for the 64.98 for 6 months promotion and they switched me no problems. They said it is for new customers but since I have been a loyal customer they could extend it to me.

I also asked about any new HD channels comming up and to my surprise the CSR actually mentoned that they were working on getting National Geographic HD, but of course no timeframe when it might be available.

Did they charge you a a fee to change programing?

I just called and asked for the 64.98 for 6 months promotion and they switched me no problems. They said it is for new customers but since I have been a loyal customer they could extend it to me.

I also asked about any new HD channels comming up and to my surprise the CSR actually mentoned that they were working on getting National Geographic HD, but of course no timeframe when it might be available.

Did they charge you a fee to change programing?

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all of the advice/experience with comcast. I will be calling soon to try to knock down the monthly rates I'm paying!

Looks like they've switched me to ADS here in Aurora. Last time I checked around Christmas time my 2-99 channels were still analog on my two 6412's. I had noticed the picture quality seemed to have improved the past week or so. I checked today and my 2-99 channels are now reporting at digital on my 6412. Excellent!

Wonder how much I'll have to pay for a digital tuner box down the road when they shut down the analog signal. I still have two analog TV's in my house (kitchen and basement). Hmmm???

Did they charge you a fee to change programing?

They did not mention anything about a fee. If it shows up I'll disupute it :)

There is a $1.99 fee, but if they failed to inform you, they will delete it on request.

Holy crap, a Blackhawk home game on TV. I don't even really like hockey, but I refuse to get into it if they're going to have that BS policy about not televising home games.

I'm watching the HD on Ch 200, and it's skipping every 2 seconds. It's not the fast movement because they did a crowd close up and it was still happening. Does anyone else see this? I am wondering if it's my box, because lately, when watching On Demand at certain times (usually night) it skips like crazy, no matter what I'm watching (notice it more on the free stuff). It happens on all the boxes in my house, but just wondering if anyone else sees this. I don't think it's me on this Blackhawks game those, as all my other HD channels are fine

Looks like they've switched me to ADS here in Aurora. Last time I checked around Christmas time my 2-99 channels were still analog on my two 6412's. I had noticed the picture quality seemed to have improved the past week or so. I checked today and my 2-99 channels are now reporting at digital on my 6412. Excellent!

Would ADS make a difference on non-Comcast boxes? I have a Sony DHG-HDD250 with expanded basic (analog) but about 2/3 of the channels are replicated in digital. They are all over the place however and many do not have sound. Would this be fixed by ADS being activated?

Would ADS make a difference on non-Comcast boxes? I have a Sony DHG-HDD250 with expanded basic (analog) but about 2/3 of the channels are replicated in digital. They are all over the place however and many do not have sound. Would this be fixed by ADS being activated?

You don't want to switch to ADS until you know for sure that Comcast has a duplicate PBS channel mapped as analog. Otherwise, you will not be able to get TVGOS data.

[QUOTE=Bradb21]Looks like they've switched me to ADS here in Aurora. Last time I checked around Christmas time my 2-99 channels were still analog on my two 6412's. I had noticed the picture quality seemed to have improved the past week or so. I checked today and my 2-99 channels are now reporting at digital on my 6412. Excellent!
QUOTE]

How were you able to check to see if you are on digital. I looked at one of the service menus the other night and it indicated digital, but I was not sure this is the correct place to look.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike K.

Hi guys sorry if this has been discussed before. I have a AverMedia AverTVHD MCE A180 and IM trying to scan for Open Qam. Im using My Theater and I cant get any qam channels to scan in. im using an sr of 6900000 and qam 256, I have tryed other settings. Can anyone help?

im also on the homewood system if that helps :)

How were you able to check to see if you are on digital. I looked at one of the service menus the other night and it indicated digital, but I was not sure this is the correct place to look.
There are 2 ways to check if a channel is digital:

1) Look at the info screen when you are tuned to a program. If you see a dolby (double-D) symbol, it's a digital channel. This is not 100% reliable as there is a quirk on some models where the logo will not show on tuner 2 sometimes (on a 6412/3412). You can verify if things are working by tuning to a known digital channel.

2) If you have a 6412/3412, turn the box off and back on. This will guarantee you are on tuner 1. Tune into the channel you want to check. Turn the box off, then hit OK/Select within 1-2 seconds. This gives you the diagnostics menu. Scroll down to 'd04 INBAND STATUS' and hit right arrow or OK/Select. If it doesn't say ANALOG, it's a digital channel.

Anyone have a problem with their recording not having any sound or not responding to ff or rw commands? I read this thread and others pretty regularly and don't remember this problem coming up. Only one of my 6412 does this so maybe a bad box. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

Anyone know the status of ADS in Evanston? It looks like it's partially working.

We just bought a Sony, and its built-in QAM tuner seems to be working perfectly with the cable system here. We get all the HD networks without problems, as well as a bunch of random stuff like the music-only channels. There are a lot of channels in the 70-90 range that appear to be where ADS is being set up. For example, channel 87 had more than 20 subchannels. Most are blank at this point, some are video without audio, and some are complete, working channels. I noticed that most of the local networks and shopping channels had already been set up, as well as C-SPAN and ESPNC.

I'm just wondering how long it will be until all the channels are available digitally so I can delete the terrible analog channels from the TV's channel lineup and go all-digital.

So over the summer there was an incident and the cable running into the house was cut by some hedgeclippers. It was fixed in a less than ideal manner, but has worked for the most part.

Now that I have Comcast HD I am having some signal issues. Some stations are unavailable at times, and some are sketchy at best. Sometimes everything is working perfectly.

Before I start tracking down the problem, I think the obvious place to start is where the cable was cut. I would like to restrip/crimp on connectors and put in a quality barrel connector. After that I will try an amplifier as the signal is ran through a splitter.

Anyways my question is how to identify the type of cable? I don't believe the cable is marked, or its been rubbed off by weather.

Will Radio Shack have good enough stripper/crimper tools and connectors?

Thanks!

I'm also having alot more issues with my 6412 than I did before I started recording HD. I get some 'ghost' recordings at the bottom of my list that cannot be played or deleted. They are unnanmed and have record date of sometime in 1989. If I unplug the box from the wall they will delete themselves. Alot of lag/freeze up issues. Also the guide takes FOREVER to full load. We are talking 2-3 days.

Anyone know the status of ADS in Evanston? It looks like it's partially working.

We just bought a Sony, and its built-in QAM tuner seems to be working perfectly with the cable system here. We get all the HD networks without problems, as well as a bunch of random stuff like the music-only channels. There are a lot of channels in the 70-90 range that appear to be where ADS is being set up. For example, channel 87 had more than 20 subchannels. Most are blank at this point, some are video without audio, and some are complete, working channels. I noticed that most of the local networks and shopping channels had already been set up, as well as C-SPAN and ESPNC.

I'm just wondering how long it will be until all the channels are available digitally so I can delete the terrible analog channels from the TV's channel lineup and go all-digital.
What you are reporting with your QAM isn't any indication of ADS. Once your area goes ADS you won't get any more stations than you are now.

I'm assuming your new television has a cablecard slot??? If so, get a card from Comcast and give it a try. You should then get all stations you pay for over your qam tuner.

What you are reporting with your QAM isn't any indication of ADS. Once your area goes ADS you won't get any more stations than you are now.

I'm assuming your new television has a cablecard slot??? If so, get a card from Comcast and give it a try. You should then get all stations you pay for over your qam tuner.

I'm not seeing any "new" stations, just some of the old analog ones repeated in a digital signal. If it's not the beginnings of ADS, what is it?

Or are you saying that once ADS starts I won't get it anyway because it'll be encrypted and I'll need a cablecard?

The set does have a cablecard slot, and I'd love to get a cablecard for it, but the set is actually owned by the university and I'd have to convince someone to pay the extra $10/month for the cablecard, and that's not gonna happen. :)

Or are you saying that once ADS starts I won't get it anyway because it'll be encrypted and I'll need a cablecard?
That's what I'm saying. This is the reason there are so many channels/subchannels, but they don't tune in.

Is ADS ready to go in Mount Prospect yet? Some of the analogs are pretty bad.

Is ADS ready to go in Mount Prospect yet? Some of the analogs are pretty bad.
Not sure. I've been meaning to stop by my neighbor who just got his dvr installed a few weeks back. I want to see if he has a 3xxx box, which would confirm that we are ADS.

From comments in the 3412 thread, it doesn't sound like it is much of an improvement. I think I'll stick with my Phase II 6412 at this point, but the ADS upgrade might help.

Not entirely true, there will be digital duplicate versions of the SD locals. But anything beyond that (like Discovery) is unfortunately encrypted.

That's what I'm saying. This is the reason there are so many channels/subchannels, but they don't tune in.

That's what I'm saying. This is the reason there are so many channels/subchannels, but they don't tune in.

Quite a few things are still unecrypted. I noticed ESPN and ESPN2, Nick, Speed, and more. They probably will be encrypted eventually, but for now...

I also watched a few minutes of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which I presume someone was watching on inDemand.

there will be digital duplicate versions of the SD locals.
He already gets those in HD. They have been on the line for several years already.

How were you able to check to see if you are on digital. I looked at one of the service menus the other night and it indicated digital, but I was not sure this is the correct place to look.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike K.

Some have mentioned to look for the Dolby Digital logo, but I find this method is seriously flawed. The only reason to tell for sure, is to use the diagnostic menu.

I would tune both tuners to a 2-99 channel (these used to show analog in the diag menu). When I go into the diag screen now, it shows as QAM256 rather than analog.

Per post from Andyross:
If you have a 6412/3412, turn the box off and back on. This will guarantee you are on tuner 1. Tune into the channel you want to check. Turn the box off, then hit OK/Select within 1-2 seconds. This gives you the diagnostics menu. Scroll down to 'd04 INBAND STATUS' and hit right arrow or OK/Select. If it doesn't say ANALOG, it's a digital channel.

Does the current HD Moto box from comcast support HDMI? I just picked up a 32" LCD for my bedroom that has HDMI and need to know what kind of cable to get - HDMI to DVI or HDMI to HDMI.

I want just the basic hd box (is that the 6208?) - not the DVR.

Does the current HD Moto box from comcast support HDMI? I just picked up a 32" LCD for my bedroom that has HDMI and need to know what kind of cable to get - HDMI to DVI or HDMI to HDMI.

I want just the basic hd box (is that the 6208?) - not the DVR.
It's the 6200. I don't recall DVI or HDMI, but here is the 6200 link http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6663046#post6663046

The 6200 does have DVI, but not HDMI.

All you need is a DVI/HDMI cable or adapter and you should be set. Monoprice.com (avs sponsor - link at top of page) has adapters and cables with a variety male/female connectors. If you already have an HDMI cable, then getting the adapter will be much cheaper. If not, the DVI/HDMI cable is a better option. I had the opposite issue going from the HDMI in the new 3412 to my TV's DVI. I already had the DVI cable and picked up the adapter and it has worked flawlessly (and it was 1/4 of the price of similar adapters at BB / CC).

Does the current HD Moto box from comcast support HDMI? I just picked up a 32" LCD for my bedroom that has HDMI and need to know what kind of cable to get - HDMI to DVI or HDMI to HDMI.

I want just the basic hd box (is that the 6208?) - not the DVR.
It depends on the version. The newest boxes are the 6412 Phase 3, and the 3412. Both have HDMI and SATA ports. The 3412 is only used in areas with analog/digital simulcasting (ADS) active. The older 6412's have DVI.

It depends on the version. The newest boxes are the 6412 Phase 3, and the 3412. Both have HDMI and SATA ports. The 3412 is only used in areas with analog/digital simulcasting (ADS) active. The older 6412's have DVI.

The original question was about the non-DVR HD box (6200) not the 6412.

Sorry for the very basic question...
Are the basic HDTV channels available to someone that subscribed to basic analog cable service?
Can I receive the channels with a HDTV tuner card for my PC?
Are all OTA HDTV channels available?

I have standard analog, not basic. On my TV tuner I get CBS, FOX, PBS, NBC. I don't get ABC or WB. I've read that some TVs also get ABC and WB, without cable card.

I read somewhere in this forum that you could pay $5 per month and get a STB for HD and you end up with all the analog channels too because Comcast can't seem to provide HD without all the analog.

I'm 28 miles away in the SW burbs. I connected an amplified UHF indoor antenna and picked up all the HDs, including 26, 38, and 50, but not CBS, since that's a VHF channel. If your tuner can accept an antenna signal that's an option to Comcast.

I read somewhere in this forum that you could pay $5 per month and get a STB for HD and you end up with all the analog channels too because Comcast can't seem to provide HD without all the analog.

That's not corret. Some get the analog channels along with their HD locals because they also have high speed internet, which I assume is within the frequency of the analog channels.

That's not corret. Some get the analog channels along with their HD locals because they also have high speed internet, which I assume is within the frequency of the analog channels.
They had a filter at the box outside my house (before the TV/HSI splitter) which was blocking the non-local analogs. It did not appear to interfere with the internet. Once I got the 6412, they had to remove that filter (at least that's what the installer thought).

Sorry for the very basic question...
Are the basic HDTV channels available to someone that subscribed to basic analog cable service?
Can I receive the channels with a HDTV tuner card for my PC?
Are all OTA HDTV channels available?
Yes, I believe the local networks HD channels are available to anybody with any comcast product (even if you only have cable-phone).
If your pc has a QAM tuner, you can get them. I don't recall which are available, since I've been renting the comcast hd stb for quite some time.

That's right, HD is on top of whatever package you have. So if you just have basic (locals only), you'll just get that plus the locals in HD.

I wonder if it's really $5 though, or if it's the $5 for HD and another $5 for box rental game. Also would you be able to use On Demand and the EPG, or do you need Digital Basic for that?

That's not corret. Some get the analog channels along with their HD locals because they also have high speed internet, which I assume is within the frequency of the analog channels.

That's right, HD is on top of whatever package you have. So if you just have basic (locals only), you'll just get that plus the locals in HD.

I wonder if it's really $5 though, or if it's the $5 for HD and another $5 for box rental game. Also would you be able to use On Demand and the EPG, or do you need Digital Basic for that?
I subscribe to the basic - locals only package. When I had the hd box, I was only paying $5/month, but that varies by area. With the hd dvr I pay $10 month. No other hd or stb fees.

I just started getting On Demand in December. I'm not sure what EPG is? The guide? I do get the guide with the hd dvr (that is how the dvr is programmed) and also got it with the hd stb.

EPG is the guide. I'm amazed that you got them to let you have the DVR with only basic. I've tried several times, and they insist you must have at least Digital Classic.

I subscribe to the basic - locals only package. When I had the hd box, I was only paying $5/month, but that varies by area. With the hd dvr I pay $10 month. No other hd or stb fees.

I just started getting On Demand in December. I'm not sure what EPG is? The guide? I do get the guide with the hd dvr (that is how the dvr is programmed) and also got it with the hd stb.

EPG is the guide. I'm amazed that you got them to let you have the DVR with only basic. I've tried several times, and they insist you must have at least Digital Classic.
I upgraded from the HD stb to the hd dvr about a year ago. At that time, I had to call back 3 times to get somebody to do it. The first two people told me there was no way to do this their computer system. The 3rd person made it happen.

They may have changed the rules since then???

Has anybody successfully ordered locals only and either an HD or PVR box during the last few months?

Getting the just the locals and HD box is no problem. Getting the PVR though is another story.


Has anybody successfully ordered locals only and either an HD or PVR box during the last few months?

Funny you should be talking about this, as I just came from the Comcast website. For my area (which I entered my zip code for), it said you MUST subscribe to digital cable to be able to rent the DVR. I'm on the Carpentersville head-end.

Exactly, I had the DVR before I downgraded to basic. I begged Comcast to keep it, but they wouldn't budge. Insisted that digital was necessary for it to work. I suspect there is no actual technical requirement, just trying to force you to buy the more expensive digital package.

I just requested an HD receiver from them. I'm stuck with Comcast for WBBM, and am having problems with QAM. Keep getting "signal scrambled" popping up and the picture goes black intermittently. Not sure if this is Comcast poking the stick at QAM freeloaders, or just a bug. I really don't want to buy yet another receiver to try and solve this. I'll just break down and pay them $5 to get an official receiver.

If I can get OnDemand back in the process that will be a nice added bonus as well!

Funny you should be talking about this, as I just came from the Comcast website. For my area (which I entered my zip code for), it said you MUST subscribe to digital cable to be able to rent the DVR. I'm on the Carpentersville head-end.

Anyone here connected a HD card in a PC to the cable?

I just got this response when I asked if ADS was available in Geneva, IL...

"You area does have the ADS programming available. A DCT700 is needed to receive the All
Digital Simulcast programming."

Isn't a digital tuner with QAM compatability all that is needed for ADS?

Yes.

I just got this response when I asked if ADS was available in Geneva, IL...

"You area does have the ADS programming available. A DCT700 is needed to receive the All
Digital Simulcast programming."

Isn't a digital tuner with QAM compatability all that is needed for ADS?
No, because the channels are scrambled. You need a qam digital tuner with cablecard.

No, because the channels are scrambled. You need a qam digital tuner with cablecard.

I didn't realize the basic 2-99 channels are scrambled when they are the digital versions. Doesn't this screw Tivo units as well as non-CC devices like the LG 3410A? When things go all digital, a non-CC TV with QAM tuner will not be able to get any basic channels?

No, because the channels are scrambled. You need a qam digital tuner with cablecard.

I should have clarified. I only have expanded basic. None of the channels are scrambled nor should they be.

I should have clarified. I only have expanded basic. None of the channels are scrambled nor should they be.
My answer was specific to the ADS channels, which is what I thought you were asking about.

I could be wrong, but I believe they are scrambled and that is definately the intent by Comcast. ADS channels are digital and they are scrambled, at least most of them are. You might find that channels 2-99 still work if you plug the raw cable into your television. That is because comcast is still carrying analog 2-99 in addition to their digital counterparts. When they remove the analogs (which is in the works for next year, I think), you'll need a cablecard or stb to receive 2-99.

Doesn't this screw Tivo units as well as non-CC devices like the LG 3410A?
Yes it will.
When things go all digital, a non-CC TV with QAM tuner will not be able to get any basic channels?
I think we have a 50/50 chance that local network channels will remain unscrambled.

My answer was specific to the ADS channels, which is what I thought you were asking about.

I could be wrong, but I believe they are scrambled and that is definately the intent by Comcast. ADS channels are digital and they are scrambled, at least most of them are. You might find that channels 2-99 still work if you plug the raw cable into your television. That is because comcast is still carrying analog 2-99 in addition to their digital counterparts. When they remove the analogs (which is in the works for next year, I think), you'll need a cablecard or stb to receive 2-99.

Yes, I am talking about ADS but you don't need to subscribe to a digital tier in order to get it. You can have digital versions of just the expanded basic channels. I don't think they scramble the expanded basic channels on ADS. Otherwise everyone would be forced to rent a digital stb just for basic service and customers wouldn't stand for it. It just doesn't seem like it's being implemented properly yet.

I get about 2/3 of the expanded basic lineup replicated in digital but there are channels missing and others with no audio. This is the same on both my Sony DHG-HDD250 and my EyeTV 500. I hooked up the EyeTV 500 at a friend's house about 30 minutes away where they subscribe to all things digital and have a Comcast stb and I picked up more channels (obviously not scrambled) including those on the digital tiers. Still, about 2/3 are missing and the very same channels have no audio as at my house.

Yes, I am talking about ADS but you don't need to subscribe to a digital tier in order to get it.
correct
You can have digital versions of just the expanded basic channels.
correct, that is what ADS is, a digital simulcast of the analog channel.
I don't think they scramble the expanded basic channels on ADS.
I could certainly be way off base, but I believe they will be scrambled. If they aren't now, most will be in the future.
Otherwise everyone would be forced to rent a digital stb just for basic service and customers wouldn't stand for it.
That is correct, it will suck. That is where that new 700 series box and/or cable card comes in.
It just doesn't seem like it's being implemented properly yet.
I agree. They are still rolling it out and working out the kinks.

On ADS the digital versions of the stuff found in limited basic are not encrypted and can be picked up by a QAM capable tuner. Everything else is encrypted.

I could certainly be way off base, but I believe they will be scrambled. If they aren't now, most will be in the future.

My 6412 died a few weeks ago. I called and they switched me over to ADS and brought me a 3412. I was afraid, beacuse of the switch, that I would need a DCT700 on my older bedroom TV. Not the case. Because of the "simulcast" - both feeds are running to my house. The switch is only for instructions to be sent to the 3412. My bedroom TV is still receiveing the analog transmission (2 - 99). And, from what I hear, it's going to be years before that is totally shut off.

My 6412 died a few weeks ago. I called and they switched me over to ADS and brought me a 3412. I was afraid, beacuse of the switch, that I would need a DCT700 on my older bedroom TV. Not the case. Because of the "simulcast" - both feeds are running to my house. The switch is only for instructions to be sent to the 3412. My bedroom TV is still receiveing the analog transmission (2 - 99). And, from what I hear, it's going to be years before that is totally shut off.
I agree with everything you said. Do you recall when they would start yanking the analogs? I thought I read in one of the avsforum threads that it would be in 2007.

I agree with everything you said. Do you recall when they would start yanking the analogs? I thought I read in one of the avsforum threads that it would be in 2007.

I'm not sure they have a hard target date for a total conversion. I've read elsewhere that we're likely to see more moving of channels currently in 2-99 to the 100+ digital tier (ie - SciFi Network). That way, they only make a handful of people mad a given time. This is only speculation, though.

On ADS the digital versions of the stuff found in limited basic are not encrypted and can be picked up by a QAM capable tuner. Everything is encrypted.
What is limited basic? 2-34ish?
Were you trying to say "Everything else is encrypted"? If so, at least that would be some channels. I had heard speculation that there was a chance they wouldn't even leave the HD locals unencrypted.

Limited basic is pretty much the stuff you could get with an antenna. Oops, corrected my error. I did mean everything else is encrypted.

Hard to say on future encryption plans, seems like there has been a lot of debate on that subject. As well as if FCC regulations even allow for it (at least for stuff that could be received OTA).

What is limited basic? 2-34ish?
Were you trying to say "Everything else is encrypted"? If so, at least that would be some channels. I had heard speculation that there was a chance they wouldn't even leave the HD locals unencrypted.

What is limited basic? 2-34ish?
Were you trying to say "Everything else is encrypted"? If so, at least that would be some channels. I had heard speculation that there was a chance they wouldn't even leave the HD locals unencrypted.

Well, Basic consists of all the locals 2-28 plus CSPAN, QVC, HSN and a few local digitals. It also includes the locals in HD except UPN. Expanded Basic includes the usual cable channels 29-76 like TBS, CNN, USA, etc. All of this is unencrypted. Now if you want Discovery HD, TNT HD, INHD, ESPN HD, etc. then you need to subscribe to Digital Classic which is the next tier up as these are encrypted. However, it seems most of the channels on Digital Classic are not encrypted other than the HD ones. It's a mess.

I would think that HD locals would be left alone. There is no need to encrypt them and it may even be against FCC rules or at least frowned upon by them.

I know it varies by area, but at least on the Oswego head end the Expanded Basic stuff is encrypted. Wish it wasn't or I could be getting a lot more channels than I'm paying for ;)

Expanded Basic includes the usual cable channels 29-76 like TBS, CNN, USA, etc. All of this is unencrypted.

I know it varies by area, but at least on the Oswego head end the Expanded Basic stuff is encrypted. Wish it wasn't or I could be getting a lot more channels than I'm paying for ;)

Do you mean that you only pay for Basic (and not Expanded Basic) service? That would explain why Expanded Basic is not available to you. It's available for me because I pay for Expanded Basic. I don't get Digital Classic because I don't pay for it. I was under the impression that aside from premium services encryption wasn't used, you simply were only given what you have paid for. Maybe that is encryption at work? Both my digital tuners pick up digital versions of the analog channels already available to me. They don't pick up channels from the Digital Classic tier for example. There are some channels missing however like MTV and VH1 and some channels like ESPN and ESPN2 have no audio.

This is why it doesn't make sense that ADS would mean that all channels are automatically encrypted and unavailable without a DCT700 or CableCARD. If you have a QAM compatible digital tuner you should be able to pick up the digital versions of all the analog channels you are subscribed to. For example, if I have ADS and Basic service I should get digital versions of all the analog channels on Basic service. If I have ADS and Expanded Basic service I should get digital versions of all the analog channels on Expanded Basic service. Is this not how it works?

Twinbrook, so you're saying you get all the expanded basic stuff as well with just a plain QAM tuner? I'm assuming that you actually rent a box from Comcast.

I think the confusion is coming from how they protect things. On the analog side they use a filter to block a range of frequencies if you have limited basic. On the digital side though these frequencies are well above the range of the filter. So they would have to be protected by encryption. You can't have certain signals encrypted for some, but open for others.

So if you have a box from Comcast you're going to get the digital equivalents for whatever package you have, because they are going to activate your box for those channels.

I hope this makes sense now.

Twinbrook, so you're saying you get all the expanded basic stuff as well with just a plain QAM tuner? I'm assuming that you actually rent a box from Comcast.

I think the confusion is coming from how they protect things. On the analog side they use a filter to block a range of frequencies if you have limited basic. On the digital side though these frequencies are well above the range of the filter. So they would have to be protected by encryption. You can't have certain signals encrypted for some, but open for others.

So if you have a box from Comcast you're going to get the digital equivalents for whatever package you have, because they are going to activate your box for those channels.

I hope this makes sense now.

No, I don't rent a Comcast box. I own a Sony DHG-HDD250 DVR which has both NTSC (analog) and ATSC/QAM (digital) tuners. I pick up the analog channels which come with basic/expanded basic (aka standard basic) with the analog tuner and the same channels (well, somewhat) replicated in digital as well. I also get a few digitals that are not available on analog and the HD locals that are part of the basic package. Nothing above standard basic except that most of the music choice channels show up.

I've got the Sony, too, but I'm only OTA for now (got E*). There must be some way to find out for sure if they are planning to encrypt all ADS in the future, I would think. What sort of encryption method do they use, I wonder? Is it anything like Macrovision?

I've got the Sony, too, but I'm only OTA for now (got E*). There must be some way to find out for sure if they are planning to encrypt all ADS in the future, I would think. What sort of encryption method do they use, I wonder? Is it anything like Macrovision?
Odds are, broadcast and other basic channels would remain unencrypted.

The encryption is whatever format they already use for digital channels. It's not scrambled like analog. The digital data is encrypted and needs a key to decrypt.

I don't see any other complaints here, but last Wednesday (1/18) my 6412 recordings of E-Ring and Law & Order had no sound, except for the background music track. Dialogue could not be heard at all. (Full audio was present on the commercials.) The audio was 5.1 as indicated by my A/V receiver. A recording from the next night on NBC was OK.

Didn't anyone else here have this problem? Or have we given up on NBC? :rolleyes:

The encryption is whatever format they already use for digital channels. It's not scrambled like analog. The digital data is encrypted and needs a key to decrypt.

They don't seem to be using encryption for the different tiers though, only for premium content. If hooked up at my home where I get standard cable it gets the digital equivalents of standard cable - though as I mentioned not all the channels show up. If hooked up at my friend's home where he gets digital classic it gets those as well. So it doesn't seem like encryption is being used. Something else is instructing what channels are to be received. Now he also gets premium channels like HBO and those don't show up so those are clearly encrypted and would require a CableCARD.

So the question remains as the whether or not a CableCARD is needed for ADS. Think of it this way - there are plenty of people with standard (analog) cable that don't need to rent a cable box as any modern TV can decode these channels. When buying a newer TV with a digital tuner ADS should allow the same thing with standard (digital) cable then. Most digital TVs don't have cablecards.

I don't see any other complaints here, but last Wednesday (1/18) my 6412 recordings of E-Ring and Law & Order had no sound, except for the background music track. Dialogue could not be heard at all. (Full audio was present on the commercials.) The audio was 5.1 as indicated by my A/V receiver. A recording from the next night on NBC was OK.

Didn't anyone else here have this problem? Or have we given up on NBC? :rolleyes:

It was a WMAQ-DT problem. The WNBC-DT feed via D* was OK but the OTA and MPEG4 feed on D* had the problem. E-mail the station and let them know to get their head out of the a** and treat their DT station as a real station vs. something the government said they had to do.

They don't seem to be using encryption for the different tiers though, only for premium content. If hooked up at my home where I get standard cable it gets the digital equivalents of standard cable - though as I mentioned not all the channels show up. If hooked up at my friend's home where he gets digital classic it gets those as well. So it doesn't seem like encryption is being used. Something else is instructing what channels are to be received. Now he also gets premium channels like HBO and those don't show up so those are clearly encrypted and would require a CableCARD.

So the question remains as the whether or not a CableCARD is needed for ADS. Think of it this way - there are plenty of people with standard (analog) cable that don't need to rent a cable box as any modern TV can decode these channels. When buying a newer TV with a digital tuner ADS should allow the same thing with standard (digital) cable then. Most digital TVs don't have cablecards. I hope you're right. It makes sense. The extra charge over satellite should in essence cover the charge of renting a tuner, like it sort of is now for analog. Plus, like you said, why would they even be putting full range QAM tuners in TV's, anyway (unless it's only because of the way that whatever's included with basic could end up mapping all over the place).

So you are getting the digital versions of stuff like Discovery and the History Channel? If so consider yourself lucky. Once they realize these are going out unencrypted that will be the end of that.

They don't seem to be using encryption for the different tiers though, only for premium content.

Every Expanded Basic channel that is simulcast digitally is encrypted in our Comcast system. Unlike analog, where these channels are grouped together on 37-78 and a trap can remove them from basic-only subscribers, the digital versions are scattered all over the QAM map so that they can't be trapped by a filter. Thus, encryption is the only solution and you will need either a Comcast box or CableCARD to get these channels. If they aren't encrypted, anyone with a device with a QAM tuner can get them free with a Basic subscription. We're fortunate to get the HD & SD locals, access channels, music channels, etc. "in the clear." I understand some systems like WOW are not so generous.

What HDTV card for your pc's are you guys using.. I had an avertech card but it didnt have a windows interface for qam. so I couldnt use it. Im looking for one that can do qam in windows. ;)

I don't see any other complaints here, but last Wednesday (1/18) my 6412 recordings of E-Ring and Law & Order had no sound, except for the background music track. Dialogue could not be heard at all. (Full audio was present on the commercials.) The audio was 5.1 as indicated by my A/V receiver. A recording from the next night on NBC was OK.

Didn't anyone else here have this problem? Or have we given up on NBC? :rolleyes:
It wasn't you; it was WMAQ. I recorded E-Ring and was very disappointed when I finally played it back a couple of days later. If I was watching live I would have switched to the SD feed to hear the audio; no such luck when it's played back later.

I think I've given up on WMAQ. In addition to these audio screw-ups, they also mess up on Conan O'Brien's show about once a week (the show starts in SD and eventually switches over to HD after a break or two). It's kind of hard to figure why this happens when Conan's show starts immediately after Jay Leno, which is also in HD.

Unlike analog, where these channels are grouped together on 37-78 and a trap can remove them from basic-only subscribers, the digital versions are scattered all over the QAM map so that they can't be trapped by a filter. Thus, encryption is the only solution and you will need either a Comcast box or CableCARD to get these channels. If they aren't encrypted, anyone with a device with a QAM tuner can get them free with a Basic subscription. We're fortunate to get the HD & SD locals, access channels, music channels, etc. "in the clear." I understand some systems like WOW are not so generous.

Not true. With the exception of the music channels the digital tuner is only picking up what the subscriber is paying for. I pay for Standard Cable and that's all the digital tuner picks up. When hooked up at my friend's house who pays for Digital Classic it picks up Digital Classic. At another friend's house it only picks up plain old Basic as that is all he pays for. Something other than encryption is determining what channels are received. Maybe they found another way to separate the tiers on ADS and are still working out the kinks. The premium channels like HBO are still encrypted.

Anybody notice a problem with on demand breaking up the past couple of days?

Anybody notice a problem with on demand breaking up the past couple of days?
You may have signal problems. OnDemand just creates a subchannel on an unused frequency set aside for OnDemand. If you have a weak signal, or interference around that frequency, you can get breakups just like with regular digital channels. Also, if you have a 6412 or 3412, I believe it uses whichever tuner you are using at the time. If you happen to be on tuner 2, you get a weaker signal. You can force tuner 1 by turning the box off, then back on. It always turns on with tuner 1 active.

Not true. With the exception of the music channels the digital tuner is only picking up what the subscriber is paying for. What digital tuner are you referring to? It has been reported that some models with CableCARD will not tune certain unencrypted channels without the CARD, but the QAM tuners in the LG LST-3410A and the Sony DHG-HDD250 receive every unencrypted channel. My niece subscribes only to Basic Comcast cable, but at her location the LG scans in 127 unencrypted digital channels, including the 6 HD locals, all the SD locals, the digital simulcasts of the access channels, all the music channels, and a few other things of minor interest. I get pretty much the same things here with the LG & Sony, although the QAM channel numbers are different.
The extra services I subscribe to are encrypted, and only my Comcast 6412 DVR can receive those. Things could be different where you live.

Right now I have standard cable. I just bought a television that has a QAM tuner inside and a cable card slot. Right now with standard cable I can get CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, and WGN HD channels. If I wanted the other HD channels avaliable I would need to subscribe to a Digital package correct? If I get a digital package with a cablecard is there still an additional fee for HD or is that automatically included?

What digital tuner are you referring to? It has been reported that some models with CableCARD will not tune certain unencrypted channels without the CARD, but the QAM tuners in the LG LST-3410A and the Sony DHG-HDD250 receive every unencrypted channel. My niece subscribes only to Basic Comcast cable, but at her location the LG scans in 127 unencrypted digital channels, including the 6 HD locals, all the SD locals, the digital simulcasts of the access channels, all the music channels, and a few other things of minor interest. I get pretty much the same things here with the LG & Sony, although the QAM channel numbers are different.

So she has Basic and not Standard Basic then? The six HD locals and four digitals (such as WWME and NBC5 Weather Plus) are part of Basic service. I tune in the same number of unencrypted channels on both my Sony DHG-HDD250 and EyeTV 500. I've shlepped them around to three different locations and it varried depending on the package subscribed to.

I just don't see why manufacturers would bother with QAM at all if none of the cable companies were going to support it. The FCC would be pretty ticked too as it would impede the move to digital. There are going to be $45 boxes with ATSC/QAM support available for those with older TVs after the analog cutoff. Those people would be pretty ticked as well if all they got were locals off the air unless they paid $5 to $25 a month for a CableCARD or STB. That's a lot for just Basic cable, something they can tune in now with their current TV sets without any additional hardware.

My niece has plain Basic, which in Carpentersville gets you just 28 analog channels. Here in Mt. Prospect, Basic includes 37 channels. In both systems, however, the traps used to remove the analog Expanded Basic tier do not affect the unencrypted digitals above Channel 80. QAM tuners like that in the 3410A will receive them all.

All the major cable companies use QAM modulation now, but differ a bit in the implementation. It seems to be Comcast practice nationwide to transmit the HD locals that they carry without encryption. WOW cable, at least in our area, routinely encrypts them.

On my Comcast channel lineup PDF it states that to receive the HD locals all you need is Basic service and HD equipment. It doesn't specifiy whether than means Comcast's equipment or your own but everyone with QAM seems to get it so I imagine that is what they mean and that it will stay that way.

Your niece doesn't get the Digital Classic or Digitial Premiere tiers though so they must have a way to prevent that. For whatever reason Expanaded Basic and Music Choice are not being blocked but it seems they could if they wanted to and without resorting to encryption.

Your niece doesn't get the Digital Classic or Digitial Premiere tiers though so they must have a way to prevent that. Those are encrypted. Both here and in Carpentersville, if I tune to one of those channels with the 3410A, "scrambled" appears in a little box. About 3 months ago Comcast had a "free preview" of Digital Classic and Gold, and the 3410A was able to receive those channels. They even remove the encryption from HBO HD and Showtime HD when those services schedule a freebie. Strangely, the one channel that is always encrypted is Comcast SportsNet HD. None of the various free previews seem to involve Channel 200.

Those are encrypted. Both here and in Carpentersville, if I tune to one of those channels with the 3410A, "scrambled" appears in a little box. About 3 months ago Comcast had a "free preview" of Digital Classic and Gold, and the 3410A was able to receive those channels. They even remove the encryption from HBO HD and Showtime HD when those services schedule a freebie. Strangely, the one channel that is always encrypted is Comcast SportsNet HD. None of the various free previews seem to involve Channel 200.

Hmmm, definitely not encrypted here in Geneva and Bartlett.

i have the sony HD DVR and am looking into adding CableCard to it. i need a couple of clarifications:
1) will the card tune to the ADS channel automatically or will it show both the analog and digital equivalent at different channels?
2) can you get the ADS channels thru QAM if your service allows it; i.e. if you are currently subscribed to Digital Classic?

memnoch,

The card can be provisioned as either digital or analog. You will get one set of channels only, according to the appropriate channel mapping.

Remember that with digital provisioning your area must furnish a duplicate PBS analog channel for the Sony to receive TVGOS data. If this channel is not in place, request analog provisioning for now.

memnoch,

The card can be provisioned as either digital or analog. You will get one set of channels only, according to the appropriate channel mapping.

Remember that with digital provisioning your area must furnish a duplicate PBS analog channel for the Sony to receive TVGOS data. If this channel is not in place, request analog provisioning for now.
thanks, PhillyC. a csr told me that my area (Schaumburg - near Roselle region) does not have ADS yet... :confused: also, i will still continue to use OTA so couldn't the dvr still download the guide from the OTA PBS analog?
anyway, i have another concern. is there anything special with setting up cablecard on this sony dvr? basically, should the cable guy just treat it as a sony TV?

thanks, PhillyC. a csr told me that my area (Schaumburg - near Roselle region) does not have ADS yet... :confused: also, i will still continue to use OTA so couldn't the dvr still download the guide from the OTA PBS analog?
anyway, i have another concern. is there anything special with setting up cablecard on this sony dvr? basically, should the cable guy just treat it as a sony TV?

Sure, OTA for the TVG host channel should be fine.

Comcast Chicago had some trouble early on with the Sony DVR, but they have figured it out and it is "officially" supported. It should be easy to set up. The card will probably be preconfigured at the local office. Just don't let the tech leave until the card gets a hit and is working. Check any premium channels you should be getting. One note: when you first insert the card and power up the Sony, you may have to wait 2 minutes or more for a screen to pop up with card info.

Anyone notice that SciFi's picture has improved, at least here in Schaumburg? The first few weeks after the move to digital, it was OK, but then degraded. It was very blurry, had major color macroblocking (in scenes with large areas of a solid gray [from 'black' to white], you could see large pale pink and green squares), a noticeable motion-blur effect (several copies of a dark edge would sometimes remain for a split second when something moved), and very high black level (more medium gray than black).

Yesterday (1/27), most of the issues were improved. The macroblocking was mostly gone, the resolution seemed higher, and the motion-blur was less pronounced. The black level is still way too high though. I have to crank down my TV's brightness to get it watchable, then remember to turn it back up for other channels.

Well, I had the Comcast guy out today to install the HD box. I received a DCT6200, and they did take off the trap. He indicated that I would be charged now for Standard Cable. However he did not make any notation of the change on the paperwork or call it in, so we'll have to see what actually happens. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

The only bad thing is they didn't put me on ADS. I called support and the rep sent a hit to the boxm but no go. That said I don't think she had a clue what ADS was.

I sent them an email asking about it. I'm sure I'll get back a canned response telling me to call support with my questions. I suppose I'll probably just have to wait until they get around to upgrading everyone to ADS.

Oh boy, they sure are dense. Here's the response I got back. I send them a explination and a link to a discussion board where this is being talked about. Clearly there hasn't been any training on ADS yet.


Thank you for choosing Comcast. Please explain what you are
asking at this time. If the service is not coming through
the digital box at this time we do not configure services
for individual boxes. If the service is not working it
is not available at this time.

Sincerely,

Sarah
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

A question for Comcast customers in high rise buildings:

In my building, we had a lobby security camera on channel 18. (Mostly used to see who's at the door.) We have a bulk rate deal where everyone has digital boxes. For the last several months after Comcast's various changes, we've lost that camera. Our management company doesn't seem to have much luck getting response from Comcast.

Do you have access to building cameras? What channel(s) are used?

Oh well, I give up....

Thank you for choosing Comcast. At this time Comcast has not
released this new feature. This would be automatically updated
in your services throughout the Chicagoland market not on a
individual bases.

Sincerely,

Sarah
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

Oh well, I give up....

Thank you for choosing Comcast. At this time Comcast has not
released this new feature. This would be automatically updated
in your services throughout the Chicagoland market not on a
individual bases.

Sincerely,

Sarah
Comcast Customer Care Specialist Damned monopolies.

Do you have access to building cameras? What channel(s) are used?

Our lobby camera (near North and Wells) is also on channel 18 and is working OK. If you have a problem, I'm sure Comcast will fix it. They are just slow and building management doesn't have any extra pull beyond that of an individual customer. It's hard to believe, but that's the way Comcast is.

The bulk rate deal sure is great, though. Unfortunately, we have it only for basic cable. Each resident must order additional packages individually. If there weren't so many fuddy duddys in this building, we could have gotten good deals on HBO, etc, for everyone.

Yeah well, the feeling's probably mutual. I'm suprised they haven't changed my name to something rude yet on my bill. Pretty much the customer from hell. :)

Damned monopolies.

They need another round of being put in their place. They're probably getting cocky again because they're getting more customers back from satellite because of the HD locals and the package bundling and because people have caught on that the picture quality on satellite is generally worse. Plus the deals.

The tech who brought my 3412 last month (and who seemed to be clued) said ADS should be rolled out everywhere by summertime. Of course things can and will change.

They frustrate me with being so stubborn. Especially when I know several others who got it added. They called support and they added it without argument. Now they either don't seem to know what I'm talking about, or just plain don't want to add it.

The whole reason I brough this up was I upgraded to standard cable. With the DCT6200 the picture on analog stations is fuzzy and all around awful. I can switch to the tuner on my TV as a work around. But it would be nice just to be able to get everything from one source. If the tuner in the 6200 wasn't such a piece of *@#! we wouldn't be having this conversation!

ADS in Mount Prospect
UncD2000, you had asked me a week or so ago about ADS in our neighborhood. I was at a neighbors. He got the DCT6200 before the holidays. I tuned the box to a channel in the 50s, which was being blocked. The service menu showed that the channel was QAM 256. In addition, the guide displayed the DD icon. I would say it is safe to assume we are fully simulcast.

I wonder how much trouble it would be to get it activated. Even though I don't watch much SD, it would be nice to have via the 6412. One downside is that Classic Arts Showcase, which I take a look at occasionally when it's on Ch. 24, has mono audio on the digital simulcast, but is in stereo (such as it is) on analog. The solution is simply to watch it via an analog cable tuner rather than the 6412.

UncD2000 - I posted this awhile back:


Well, I did it. I finally found a Comcast employee that was willing to got the extra mile and now I'm set up on ADS (have to wait until I get home form work to see the results).

If you are interested, here's what you need to do (Thanks to Rob in Video Support in the Schaumburg office):

1. Get through to a Video Support Supervisor (preferrably from the Schaumburg office as Tinley Park office has not had as much training).
2. Have them go to the "house screen" and determine your Node #
3. Once they have the Node #, have them find someone on your same Node who is already set up on ADS (I found out that my next door neighboor already had ADS)
4. Have them copy the ADS related info into your account and send a couple of hits to your box
5. Enjoy ADS

Hope this helps!!

Thanks. I read that when you posted it, but this time I'll make some notes.

I'm pleased to report that I am now on ADS!

I know i have seen this problem posted before but couldnt find it in the search. People that have the DVR and get lots of pixelation/break up when playing back a recorded program what is the solution? comcast wants to swap boxes, anything easier? thanks!

I noticed that HGTV is now listed in the digital section of the grid in the Channel Guide magazine. Does this mean that it will be the next channel to be moved from analog to digital?

What is the obsession with ADS???

I noticed that HGTV is now listed in the digital section of the grid in the Channel Guide magazine. Does this mean that it will be the next channel to be moved from analog to digital? Probably.

What is the obsession with ADS???

With the current Moto boxes, the analog channels (2-99) look horrible to most people. Switching to ADS gives you a digital version of these channels which is noticeably less horrible.

noticeably less horrible.

Well put!! :rolleyes:

is everybody aware of a recurring monthly charge for a digital cable outlet? apparently, you get one free and $5.99 each afterwards. this means that every digital stb (after the first one) will be subject to this charge every month, kinda like how satellite providers have a mirroring fee for every additional stb. this is on top of the box rental fee!
i originally had a dvr and a hi-def box and only paid $9.99 for the dvr and $5 for the hd box. i should supposedly be paying $5.99 for the extra outlet... but when i added cablecard over the weekend, signal to the hd box stopped and when i called in to have it activated, they mentioned the digital outlet fee. and i do see it in the latest price list.
i wanted to check here if people know about it, especially those with 3 or more digital stb's around their house... i am now seriously considering switching to dish sat as soon as they release their mpeg4 dvr, despite the reported lower hd quality. i could be saving $15-$20 a month, and so i guess i'll get what i pay for ;) anyway, most of the shows i watch in hd are ota anyway which i can get in its full quality over my rooftop antenna...

those with the sony dvr and cablecard, are you getting listings for INHD2 and Comcast Sportsnet (both the SD and HD channels)? i got listings for Discovery HD a day later. i didn't get listings for TNT-HD as well but just re-mapped the SD channel to the HD channel since HD is just a simulcast anyway...

I think it's pretty common for those two channels to be absent from the list, from most reports here.

I noticed that HGTV is now listed in the digital section of the grid in the Channel Guide magazine. Does this mean that it will be the next channel to be moved from analog to digital?
I don't see that here in Schaumburg. I did notice that Playboy is duplicated on both 543 and 853.

is everybody aware of a recurring monthly charge for a digital cable outlet? apparently, you get one free and $5.99 each afterwards. this means that every digital stb (after the first one) will be subject to this charge every month, kinda like how satellite providers have a mirroring fee for every additional stb. this is on top of the box rental fee!Thanks for the warning. First I've heard of it. I wonder if it applies if you have two 6412's connected to the same outlet.

No HD on WFLD on ch 190 right now. Seems to be OK OTA. Anybody else having this problem?

I am having a problem with Fox as well..

No HD on WFLD on ch 190 right now. Seems to be OK OTA. Anybody else having this problem?
The DirecTV MPEG4 feed, my OTA and Comcast cable all are not able to get WFLD-DT at 7:18. D* has a slide up on the MPEG4 channel saying local station problem.

Just kicked back on, reset my whole box, still no guide.

Any Glen Ellyn HD users here?

A friend connected a FusionHDTV5 USB to the Comcast cable (with basic service).
The tuner seems to find unencrypted channels. However the picture is blank. OTA works. Any ideas?

Wow - just saw in another thread that the Olympic events being shown on UHD are supposed be shown on one of the INHD channels. And, it's been reported that a Comcast customer in Nashville had UHD show up in their guide today. So, we might even see a full-time UHD channel in the near future. Anyone seen anything like this around here??

Any Glen Ellyn HD users here?

A friend connected a FusionHDTV5 USB to the Comcast cable (with basic service).
The tuner seems to find unencrypted channels. However the picture is blank. OTA works. Any ideas?
If the picture is blank, why do you assume the channels are unencrypted? I guess I've always assumed the oposite. With my QAM tuner I get a ton of channels when I do the channel search, but most of them have no picture because they are encrypted. The local networks are about all that ever worked.

Wow - just saw in another thread that the Olympic events being shown on UHD are supposed be shown on one of the INHD channels. And, it's been reported that a Comcast customer in Nashville had UHD show up in their guide today. So, we might even see a full-time UHD channel in the near future. Anyone seen anything like this around here??
kblee, what does UHD stand for?

kblee, what does UHD stand for?

Universal HD. The HD programming section has plently of info about the type of programming they have. Seems very similar to TNT-HD.

Wow - just saw in another thread that the Olympic events being shown on UHD are supposed be shown on one of the INHD channels. And, it's been reported that a Comcast customer in Nashville had UHD show up in their guide today. So, we might even see a full-time UHD channel in the near future. Anyone seen anything like this around here??

Just a quick note: it was mentioned by JWhip in that other thread that UHD on INHD was a temporary arrangement to accomodate the Winter Olympics. Although UHD is supposedly coming to Comcast (along with ESPN2-HD), this isn't the real launch of the channel.

And no, as of last night I didn't see UHD show up in the channel listings.

HD Rookie,

That is just it. The software finds encrypted and unencrypted ones. The unencrypted being some local channels.I would expect that I could see such channels?

HD Rookie,

That is just it. The software finds encrypted and unencrypted ones. The unencrypted being some local channels.I would expect that I could see such channels?
Ahh, I misunderstood. Yes, I would agree that you should be able to see the locals.

Perhaps the software is trying to apply 64QAM tuning to 256QAM channels.

I subsrcibe to HBO & Starz but the channels 518,528,530,534,551 & 557 do not come in on any of my boxes. When I called about this they told me I should be getting them so they re-sent signals but that didn't do anything. Am I really supposed to get these? They seem to all be "west" channels. I'm in Elk Grove.

I subsrcibe to HBO & Starz but the channels 518,528,530,534,551 & 557 do not come in on any of my boxes. When I called about this they told me I should be getting them so they re-sent signals but that didn't do anything. Am I really supposed to get these? They seem to all be "west" channels. I'm in Elk Grove.
If they are using the same frequencies as Schaumburg, all of them are the same: 261MHz (analog 30). It should also affect channels 561, 565, 576, 580, 582, and 593 (more west feeds.) Either something is interfering or blocking that frequency, or their 'transmitter' is down on that frequency. It is working here in Schaumburg as of nearly 5pm on Feb 6.

Do you get 'not authorized' or 'Channel will be available soon' errors?

In the next few days we'll find out if there is enough bandwidth inthe Chi. market to add UHD as a full time channel. I would think we do. The vast majority of mens and womens Olympic hockey in HD will be shown on UHD. They claim its hockey like you've never seen before. We'll see what that all means.

If they are using the same frequencies as Schaumburg, all of them are the same: 261MHz (analog 30). It should also affect channels 561, 565, 576, 580, 582, and 593 (more west feeds.) Either something is interfering or blocking that frequency, or their 'transmitter' is down on that frequency. It is working here in Schaumburg as of nearly 5pm on Feb 6.

Do you get 'not authorized' or 'Channel will be available soon' errors?
Channel will be available shortly.

If they are using the same frequencies as Schaumburg, all of them are the same: 261MHz (analog 30). It should also affect channels 561, 565, 576, 580, 582, and 593 (more west feeds.) Either something is interfering or blocking that frequency, or their 'transmitter' is down on that frequency. It is working here in Schaumburg as of nearly 5pm on Feb 6.

Do you get 'not authorized' or 'Channel will be available soon' errors?
These are the only channels that don't come in - the others you mentioned come in fine.

I just recently purchased a Sony HD DVR HDD500. I was told by the salesman that the unit has problems, or will not work, with the Comcast Cable Card.

Is anyone here in the forum using one of these systems with Comcast and a Cable Card? Is it working? Was there any problems getting it to work?

Thanks,

Chris

I just recently purchased a Sony HD DVR HDD500. I was told by the salesman that the unit has problems, or will not work, with the Comcast Cable Card.

Is anyone here in the forum using one of these systems with Comcast and a Cable Card? Is it working? Was there any problems getting it to work?

Thanks,

Chris
i have the 250 with CableCard for about two weeks now. have been recording OTA & cable fine. the forums report an error# 169-1 or something like that, and sony can take your unit and do an upgrade to fix it.
interestingly, when cable guy first came in to install the CableCard, he brought two cards. the first one immediately showed the "169" error, but the second one has been working since.

Sony HDD500 with Chicago Comcast CableCARD here. It's been working for months now. All initial setup problems were the fault of Comcast's provisioning.

There is one problem, which I have only just begun to investigate. Some pay HD channels will have failed recordings with the "not permitted by service provider" message, although there are no flags set and the CC info screens all look normal. Usually the recording will take place, but NOT for two programs in a row on the same channel. This has happened on HBO-HD and ESPN-HD.

Everything else works great.

In the next few days we'll find out if there is enough bandwidth inthe Chi. market to add UHD as a full time channel. ...snip...

Just replace that HD "Special Events" channel on 208 with UHD. 208 almost always seems to show "Off Air" in the guide, so I can't imagine why anybody would want to keep it when it could be replaced with a real, full time HD channel...

Ch. 208 is just a "virtual" channel number. It has no permanent frequency assignment that could be used for UHD. If Comcast wants to show something on "Ch. 208," bandwidth must be "borrowed" from somewhere, perhaps from PPV or subscription sports channels not in use at the time. Finding bandwidth for a permanent 24-hr HD service is much more difficult than for an occasional special HD event.

How many 6Mhz slots are open right now? It looks like about 10-11 slots + 801Mhz seems to be the last used frequency (So in 850Mhz system, that leaves another 7-8 unused slots). So maybe 17-18 open slots.

I'm not sure how many of those are used for VOD or HSI, but would it be safe to assume that there is plenty bandwidth (even with ADS) for at least 2-3 of those to be used for HD (4-6 HD channels)?

UHD is on 175 right now instead of INHD2. Guide still shows INHD2 data.

How many 6Mhz slots are open right now? It looks like about 10-11 slots + 801Mhz seems to be the last used frequency (So in 850Mhz system, that leaves another 7-8 unused slots). So maybe 17-18 open slots.

I'm not sure how many of those are used for VOD or HSI, but would it be safe to assume that there is plenty bandwidth (even with ADS) for at least 2-3 of those to be used for HD (4-6 HD channels)?
You could look at my spreadsheet:
http://home.att.net/~andyross/Schaumburg_Cable_Channels.zip

So far, I see 107MHz (ch97), 543-573 (77-82), 651 (100), 705 (109), 777 (121), 807+ (126+) as open, although I assume some of the lower ones are used for OnDemand. My modem uses 711MHz (110).

I've been hearing commercials on the radio about Soapnet, with the message 'On Comcast channel 120.' Here in Schaumburg, 120 is Noggin/TheN, and there is no Soapnet at all. Does anybody have it?

You could look at my spreadsheet:
http://home.att.net/~andyross/Schaumburg_Cable_Channels.zip

So far, I see 107MHz (ch97), 543-573 (77-82), 651 (100), 705 (109), 777 (121), 807+ (126+) as open, although I assume some of the lower ones are used for OnDemand. My modem uses 711MHz (110).

I did reference your list (just forgot to give you credit) :)

From looks of it, I wouldn't think we have any bandwidth constraints (even with ADS) for new programming.

UHD is on 175 right now instead of INHD2. Guide still shows INHD2 data.They have to be kidding. INHD2 is one of my favorite channels. UHD has been on D* for quite a while, and it's a mediocre offering. Surely Comcast can do better than this. They must have some type of contractual arrangement with INHD that requires them to carry INHD2.

They have to be kidding. INHD2 is one of my favorite channels. UHD has been on D* for quite a while, and it's a mediocre offering. Surely Comcast can do better than this. They must have some type of contractual arrangement with INHD that requires them to carry INHD2.
I wouldn't fret too much about it just now; I believe INHD2 will return to its normal programming once the Olympics are over, and we'll once again have to wait until UHD gets its permanent channel assignment.

Comcast just implemented 5c "record once" flag in Oswego, IL for the HD channels, except local HD channels sometime in the past 2 or 3 days.

They have to be kidding. INHD2 is one of my favorite channels. UHD has been on D* for quite a while, and it's a mediocre offering. Surely Comcast can do better than this. They must have some type of contractual arrangement with INHD that requires them to carry INHD2.
I just canceled two movies I had set to record before they get messed up if they finally update the guide.

I just noticed that WLS-DT has finally stopped using 'Stretch-O-Vision' when airing SD programs.

I called couple of days ago to ask about UHD and they promissed me a callback. They called back today to let me know it is on channel 175 (which I already knew :) ). I asked if it is going away after olympisca and they said that as of right now it is going to be only temporary for they Olympics.

IT was nice of them to call back though. Got to give them props every once in a while.

I just noticed that WLS-DT has finally stopped using 'Stretch-O-Vision' when airing SD programs.

Since my TV only has a wide stretch option for HD resolutions, I avoided WLS like the plague. They are forgiven now. ;)

I just noticed that WLS-DT has finally stopped using 'Stretch-O-Vision' when airing SD programs.
Andyross:

Did you also notice the horrible pixelization on Channel 7 itself? It is not doing that on my DirecTV feed for Channel 7.

Unfortunately, 175 is still blocked for HD locals-only subscribers. Fortunately for me, I can get UHD via E*.

Did you also notice the horrible pixelization on Channel 7 itself? It is not doing that on my DirecTV feed for Channel 7.
I haven't noticed it recently. It could be you have a marginal signal.

Is it on 187 or analog 7 (or do you have ADS active?) Basically, turn the box off, then back on again to guarantee you are on tuner 1. Change to the problem channel. Turn it off again, and within 1-2 seconds, hit OK/Select. This brings up the diagnostics menu. Scroll down to 'Inband Status' and hit right or OK. If you see FAIR or POOR, or too many errors, you may need a signal booster.

If you see FAIR or POOR, or too many errors, you may need a signal booster.

Or trouble shoot your splitters/connections etc. I had a similar problem and it turned out one of my drops was bad inside the house.

Has anyone been seeing pixelation on analog channels? And I do mean 100% analog, as I'm seeing them on my bedroom TV with it's own tuner. I've seen it several times on Cartoon Network.

Has anyone been seeing pixelation on analog channels? And I do mean 100% analog, as I'm seeing them on my bedroom TV with it's own tuner. I've seen it several times on Cartoon Network.

Yes, with digital cable Comcast always took the original analog and digital sources and compressed the hell out of them. For analog cable they simply passed the analog source along. Now they are taking the severely compressed digital source and converting it back to analog to use with analog cable. Get used to seeing pixelation, macroblocking and other digital artifacts on analog with Comcast. Now their digital service actually looks better than their analog service. Both have digital artifacts now but analog has additional noise. It's pretty clever of them actually. No more excuses paying up for that upgrade to digital cable now, right?

God, does this s--t never end? That's not clever, that's devious. Evil would be even a better word. Pretty soon I'm gonna turn into Michael Douglas in "Falling Down". This country is just getting totally out of hand. I guess like they say, it comes from the top on down.

Not to distract the current line of thought here....but is Universal HD on 175 just during the Olympics?

Been pretty busy with life lately and haven't had much time to watch or keep up with this forum.

Thanks.

Tom

Not to distract the current line of thought here....but is Universal HD on 175 just during the Olympics?

Been pretty busy with life lately and haven't had much time to watch or keep up with this forum.

Thanks.

Tom

Yes, INHD2 will return after the Olympics. In fact, as of last night our guide was showing as NBCUD, but the programming listed was still INHD2. This is in Waukegan.

Yes, INHD2 will return after the Olympics. In fact, as of last night our guide was showing as NBCUD, but the programming listed was still INHD2. This is in Waukegan.

It's been showing that way since the weekend. It has INHD2 programming listed except when the UHD Olympic events are on. I'm OK with that, as it let me set up recordings for the USA Hockey games.

Yes, INHD2 will return after the Olympics. In fact, as of last night our guide was showing as NBCUD, but the programming listed was still INHD2. This is in Waukegan.

The last couple of nights, InHD2 programming has been on the InHD Special events channel on our system (Mundelein). guide shows off air.

The last couple of nights, InHD2 programming has been on the InHD Special events channel on our system (Mundelein). guide shows off air.

I think that is only pre empted INHD programming when they are showing NBA basketball on INHD1.

I think that is only pre empted INHD programming when they are showing NBA basketball on INHD1.

I could have sworn that last night the logo was InHD2 on the special events channel, but then again I could be wrong.

I thought UHD was supposed to be showing the Westminster Dog Show in HD the last two nights. Isn't this so?

I know it's been on from time to time because I saw some of it...not sure when that was though.

I thought UHD was supposed to be showing the Westminster Dog Show in HD the last two nights. Isn't this so?

It was on last night. I watched the end (9:30-10:00) as they awarded Best in Show to Rufus the Colored Bull Terrier.

He might not be every person's choice, but God, what a perfect dog!

INHD2 is on except when olympics (hockey, anything else?) is on, but, now the NBC HD feed has bad audio for olympics.

What's with the horrible pixelization on some local channels? It was very noticeable on Channels 2 and 7 the last week or so; now they look fine, but last night's Illinois-Northwestern game on the U (Channel 6) broke up so much it was virtually unwatchable.

I watched the game last night and didn't notice pixelation. Do you happen to have the 3412 box? If so, it has been noted that many see a stuttering picture on the 2-99 channels after switching from a channel 100+. To remedy this stuttering issue, simply change to another 2-99 channel and back to the channel you originally wanted to watch and it should be OK.

I watched the game last night and didn't notice pixelation. Do you happen to have the 3412 box? If so, it has been noted that many see a stuttering picture on the 2-99 channels after switching from a channel 100+. To remedy this stuttering issue, simply change to another 2-99 channel and back to the channel you originally wanted to watch and it should be OK.

I usually just pause and play and it fixes it self.

What's with the horrible pixelization on some local channels? It was very noticeable on Channels 2 and 7 the last week or so; now they look fine, but last night's Illinois-Northwestern game on the U (Channel 6) broke up so much it was virtually unwatchable.
There are a few possible reasons.

If you have a 3412, or an older box programmed to use ADS (analog-digital simulcasting), you are actually watching digital versions of the analog channels, and may have had noise or weak signal issues.

Even if you are using a TV's analog tuner, or a box actually tuned to analog, it could be Comcast reconverting the ADS to analog and they are having signal problems.

There are a few possible reasons.

If you have a 3412, or an older box programmed to use ADS (analog-digital simulcasting), you are actually watching digital versions of the analog channels, and may have had noise or weak signal issues.

Even if you are using a TV's analog tuner, or a box actually tuned to analog, it could be Comcast reconverting the ADS to analog and they are having signal problems.

I have a 6412. . .would this have the same problems you indicate for 3412?

INHD2 is on except when olympics (hockey, anything else?) is on, but, now the NBC HD feed has bad audio for olympics.

Our area does not have INHD2 on at all, we are getting UHD 24/7. Have watched a couple of Knight Riders. Guide is still wrong tough and it is listing INHD2 programming under the NBCUD name. Msg on 6412 said INHD2 will return when Olympics are over.

I saw something very weird this morning while using my bedroom TV (NO cable box, just directly through the tuner.) Many channels were either freeze-framed or blank. This lasted for awhile. I happened to have the Weather Channel on, which was working. Then it went completely off the air (no signal), but the other channels started working. Then finally, everything was working.

Can someone explain this to me. Whenever it gets cold (ie below 20) I get terrible pixilation on my HD channels, infact, some don't even work at all. I had a tech out here in Naperville last time it was really cold, and he told me that it is due to the cold weather, and Comcast would be sending out another tech to adjust my signals so they wouldn't be affected the next time it got cold. Well, it is cold again and I can't get even one clear HD channel. Does anyone know why cold weather would do this?

I saw something very weird this morning while using my bedroom TV (NO cable box, just directly through the tuner.) Many channels were either freeze-framed or blank. This lasted for awhile. I happened to have the Weather Channel on, which was working. Then it went completely off the air (no signal), but the other channels started working. Then finally, everything was working.
It just happened right now at 8:40AM Sunday. Spongebob just froze up!! (You wouldn't think this cold weather could reach Bikini Bottom!) :D
This is the list of dead channels right now: 21, 25, 28, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76. All that is working is the locals and similar, except for Disney and ESPN Classic.
I thought this might be related to ADS (although this is with my TV's built-in tuner), but there is no real match between dead channels and their ADS frequency (some working channels use the same frequency as dead ones.)

UPDATE: Everything started working just before 9:30am.

Can someone explain this to me. Whenever it gets cold (ie below 20) I get terrible pixilation on my HD channels, infact, some don't even work at all. I had a tech out here in Naperville last time it was really cold, and he told me that it is due to the cold weather, and Comcast would be sending out another tech to adjust my signals so they wouldn't be affected the next time it got cold. Well, it is cold again and I can't get even one clear HD channel. Does anyone know why cold weather would do this?
There are a bunch of amplifiers a signal passes through, and one could be getting flakey. Also, the cold causes the wires to contract. A bad contact or crack could pull apart a conductor.
You might want to consider an RF amplifier if you cannot simplify your cable wiring. The stronger signal may help a bit if there isn't too much noise to begin with.

Anyone else fed off the McHenry headend missing The Weather Channel?

I'm in Round Lake Beach and it's been out since 7 PM last night!!!

:eek:

Regards,

Randy

Anyone know if there is a pci tv tuner card for a pc that will be able to pick up the hd channels thru my comcast, my hdtv does with the built in qam tuner"delimiter", but very curious if a pc tuner card with that capability exists.......I was thinking about getting a ati tv wonder pro card for my pc but i have a gut feeling you wont be able to tune into hd channels, ie: 116.1 cbs hd...................hope someone is knowledgeable on this , thanks....

Anyone know if there is a pci tv tuner card for a pc that will be able to pick up the hd channels thru my comcast, my hdtv does with the built in qam tuner"delimiter", but very curious if a pc tuner card with that capability exists.......I was thinking about getting a ati tv wonder pro card for my pc but i have a gut feeling you wont be able to tune into hd channels, ie: 116.1 cbs hd...................hope someone is knowledgeable on this , thanks....
Cable capable HDTV tuners are iffy right now. There might be some that can handle unencrypted QAM. CableCard support is coming, but will be VERY restricted. Supposedly, ENTIRE SYSTEMS must be certified, not just a card. In other words, you won't be able to build your own home theater with HDTV CableCard. You'll be forced to buy it from a big-box manufacturer, and never plan on upgrading it.
http://arstechnica.com/guides/other/cablecard.ars/1
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060131-6081.html

The other kicker is HDCP. There still isn't a final standard. The problem is, NO video card actually supports HDCP yet! Some state they do, but it's actually not enabled and CANNOT be enabled once manufactured! You would have to buy a new card.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060214-6177.html

WLS has been running ads that the local news will be going HD in March.

The other kicker is HDCP. There still isn't a final standard. The problem is, NO video card actually supports HDCP yet! Some state they do, but it's actually not enabled and CANNOT be enabled once manufactured! You would have to buy a new card.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060214-6177.html

HDCP is final. Most consumer electronics (TVs and DVD players primarily) use it now in the form of DVI-HDCP or HDMI ports, both of which are HDCP compliant. You might be thinking of AACS which isn't.

Unfortunately, video cards makers are in the chicken and egg scenario waiting for Windows Vista and the next gen DVDs before they do anything.

The real kicker is even if you had an HDCP card, you still need an HDCP monitor! Almost every computer monitor ever produced is out of luck (including my Dell 2405). That STILL irks me much more than the video card situation because people swap out monitors much less than video cards.

Some part of it has not been finalized. Maybe just stuff involving computers. Either way, the card makers can't make HDCP active until they can get the appropriate encryption keys, which are not yet available.

andyross63,

AFAIK, this is the Firing Squad article (http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_nvidia_hdcp_support/) that got the ball rolling on this discussion recently. The reason most video cards don't have HDCP is actually more choice than waiting on a standard. Sony has HDCP support in their VGX-XL1 (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=tv_DigitalLivingSystem&ProductSKU=VGXXL1&TabName=feature&var2=) for example. Maybe with all this bad press, the video card guys will pony up the $0.005/device for the keys and this issue will go away.

We are premiering our HD Helicopter in March. I will be another year before we go to HD news.
ABC 7

Anyone know if there is a pci tv tuner card for a pc that will be able to pick up the hd channels thru my comcast, my hdtv does with the built in qam tuner"delimiter", but very curious if a pc tuner card with that capability exists.......I was thinking about getting a ati tv wonder pro card for my pc but i have a gut feeling you wont be able to tune into hd channels, ie: 116.1 cbs hd...................hope someone is knowledgeable on this , thanks....

I have the ATI HD All in Wonder and the MyHD MDP-130 PCI card. The MyHD card has a built in QAM tuner. It works just fine for tuning in and recording unencrypted digital channels on Comcast. The ATI HD All in Wonder just has built in NTSC and ATSC tuners, no QAM.

I have my 57F710A QAM tuner connected directly to the coax. I have not been able to receive WLS and WGN like others have. Did a scan last night and I get them now on 84-1 and 84-2. Just like "Friends" I also got free porn :D . Unlike Friends it didn't last long. Also got a Starz channel showing Dawn of the Dead and a couple other movie channels, one with an old Jack Nicholson movie. This morning I get none of those movie channels but I still get WGN and WLS.

I have my 57F710A QAM tuner connected directly to the coax. I have not been able to receive WLS and WGN like others have. Did a scan last night and I get them now on 84-1 and 84-2. Just like "Friends" I also got free porn :D . Unlike Friends it didn't last long. Also got a Starz channel showing Dawn of the Dead and a couple other movie channels, one with an old Jack Nicholson movie. This morning I get none of those movie channels but I still get WGN and WLS.
Some of those movie channels are probably OnDemand feeds. OnDemand just creates a temporary channel and sends the video, apparently with no encryption.

That must be it. I get this strange OnDemand advertising screen on 85-3 that has the same picture, pint size, diagonal from each other. Most of the screen is black. Tonight I got the Sopranos earlier on 89-3 and now Real Time with Bill Maher on 88-6. I must say the picture is stunning considering it's 480i. Much better than analog cable.

Yes, whenever someone in your neighborhood orders something On Demand you will receive it. Of course the channel mapping is random and you never know when or where something will be on. It's funny though because you will see exactly what the person who ordered it sees and that includes Pause, Fast Forward and Rewind functions. The channel you described above is the On Demand preview channel but on Comcast boxes only the inset picture in the upper right hand corner appears while the rest of the screen contains related text and graphics. The are On Demmand channels for Starz, HBO, Showtime, etc. but also channels like Nickelodeon, Boomerand, Discovery, etc.

Yes, whenever someone in your neighborhood orders something On Demand you will receive it.

Why don't they send it over with encryption?
This reminds me of way back when I was a little whippersnapper on vacation with my parents I would take a standard cable box with me, hook it up between the cable outlet and the hotel room tv. Then I'd take the remote with me and peer into a neighboring hotel room and order a movie with the remote, go back to my room, find the channel it was on and watch it.

You mean to tell me that 10 years later, it's exactly the same thing, only digital?
And how can they fit all of that programming over the cable without using something like video-over IP/DOCSIS?

You mean to tell me that 10 years later, it's exactly the same thing, only digital?
And how can they fit all of that programming over the cable without using something like video-over IP/DOCSIS?
Remember that they can stuff 10-12 or more SD channels into one analog channel. Also, I assume the head-end may be split up a bit into different areas, each of which can reuse the same 'channels' for OnDemand. Finally, they try to size the available space by how many customers they guess may use it at one time.

This is one reason why OnDemand HD is pricey and has such a small choice. They can only get 2 about HD shows per channel.

When OnDemand first came it, it looked like it created the temporary channel right off the bat, as every time you went to channel 1, the preview would start from the beginning. Now, it starts with a dedicated preview channel, and the viewing channel is created when you start the show.

Tonights Bulls game will be in Hi-Def via NBATVHD. INHD channel carries the games (for me at least) but I was wondering if it's going to be blacked out.

WCIU is doing the local broadcast and they aren't HD yet, correct? I wonder what the picture is going to look like.

Yes, whenever someone in your neighborhood orders something On Demand you will receive it. Of course the channel mapping is random and you never know when or where something will be on. It's funny though because you will see exactly what the person who ordered it sees and that includes Pause, Fast Forward and Rewind functions. The channel you described above is the On Demand preview channel but on Comcast boxes only the inset picture in the upper right hand corner appears while the rest of the screen contains related text and graphics. The are On Demmand channels for Starz, HBO, Showtime, etc. but also channels like Nickelodeon, Boomerand, Discovery, etc.

Thanks for the explanation. Every so often the show would fast forward. Guess that must have been a boring part. I need better neighbors though, at least neighbors with better taste in movies :)

Hello all

I have really had it with directv and I want to switch to comcast but I cant for 1 reason. With the world cup coming up and many games being shown on ESPN2 HD I need to have that channel. Are there any rumors about ESPN2 HD showing up on comcast anythime?

Thanks

I just noticed that my 6412 has been reprogrammed to use ADS for the 'analog' channels.

I happened to notice a new channel 94, which is WTTW. I checked, and it was analog, but on 11's analog frequency. I then checked 11, and it was digital. I spot-checked a few other 'analog' channels, and they all appear to now be ADS. I don't get Dolby symbols on either tuner yet, but I do on previously digital channels. Unfortunately, I do see some softness, but there is less noise, as expected.

I happened to notice a new channel 94, which is WTTW. I checked, and it was analog, but on 11's analog frequency. I then checked 11, and it was digital. I spot-checked a few other 'analog' channels, and they all appear to now be ADS.

Channel 94 is an analog duplicate of WTTW for those who have devices with TV Guide On Screen as they can only receive listings via analog. I believe WTTW and WBBM are the two channels in the area that transmit this data.

Channel 94 is an analog duplicate of WTTW for those who have devices with TV Guide On Screen as they can only receive listings via analog. I believe WTTW and WBBM are the two channels in the area that transmit this data.
So those devices would have to control the cable box and tune it to 94 to get the signal? Do any do that? Wouldn't they be directly connected to the cable and just tune in the regular 11? Or is it for some 'digital' TVs with CableCard that somehow need it?

So those devices would have to control the cable box and tune it to 94 to get the signal? Do any do that? Wouldn't they be directly connected to the cable and just tune in the regular 11? Or is it for some 'digital' TVs with CableCard that somehow need it?

It's best to split the incoming cable to the TV or non-Comcast DVR. If the device has a CableCARD that is provisioned as digital, you MUST have the duplicate PBS mapped as analog to receive TVGOS data. Without a card, the device simply picks up the analog simulcast channels, but can't receive the scrambled digitals.

I just noticed that my 6412 has been reprogrammed to use ADS for the 'analog' channels.

I happened to notice a new channel 94, which is WTTW. I checked, and it was analog, but on 11's analog frequency. I then checked 11, and it was digital. I spot-checked a few other 'analog' channels, and they all appear to now be ADS. I don't get Dolby symbols on either tuner yet, but I do on previously digital channels. Unfortunately, I do see some softness, but there is less noise, as expected.

I've been curious about one thing. In your situation, does channel 94 show up on your TV or other device that receives only the analogs? Or does it appear in the mapping only on the Comcast box that has been programmed for the digitals?

I hope my LG LST-3410A DVR can deal with Ch. 94 if Ch 11 analog disappears completely.
This could actually help the easily confused LG, which often changes Host Channel for no apparent reason, but only time will tell.

Channel 94 is an analog duplicate of WTTW for those who have devices with TV Guide On Screen as they can only receive listings via analog. I believe WTTW and WBBM are the two channels in the area that transmit this data.Whose moronic idea was it to have it on, of all stations, the hardest one for most people to get- WBBM? (Actually, you may be thinking of WYCC - a couple of my units get it from there.)

Whose moronic idea was it to have it on, of all stations, the hardest one for most people to get- WBBM? (Actually, you may be thinking of WYCC - a couple of my units get it from there.)

My Sony DHG-HDD500 gets TVGOS from WBBM and sets the clock via WTTW. I wish it were the other way around. WYCC doesn't even pass the VBI test on mine.

My HDD500 was getting it from 11, But recently it's been all screwed up. I'll have to check it. I'm pretty far out like you in Crystal Lake. If it's only getting it from WBBM now, I'm pretty well screwed as I can't get them at all. Unless I can get that antenna put up outside in the spring like I want.

I've been curious about one thing. In your situation, does channel 94 show up on your TV or other device that receives only the analogs? Or does it appear in the mapping only on the Comcast box that has been programmed for the digitals?
94 only shows up on the box, as it's mapped to analog 11. The box's 11 is mapped to the ADS version. There is no analog 94.

I got my first HDTV last week. I hooked up my cable to the QAM tuner this week until the cable guy can come out and install the cablecard. The TV did a scan and found a bunch of digital channels including the local HD and TNTHD (no sound)

1) Why are my HD channels mapped to numbers no one else uses (ie WGNHD is 117.2 - Comcast lists it as being 192)? Is it possible that I am getting OTA signals without an antenna. I do live within a mile of the ST and JHB.

2) Are my SNR/AGC numbers okay - In 32-33db/20%, out 0db? It seems a little low but the picture is okay. Should I ask the techie to boost it while they are here?

Thanks!
Chris

I believe with a CableCard, you should be seeing Comcast's channel numbers. The xxx.yy numbers are the raw numbers that the signal is actually on. The broadcast WGN will usually show up as 9.1, even though the actual channel is broacast 19 (roughly same frequency as cable channel 70).

The SNR #'s are somewhat marginal. I think 32+ is ideal. The 0db (signal strength?) looks like it's ideal if it's suposed to be similar to a modem (+15 to -15). The AGC is somewhat low due to the good signal strength.

SNR is how much noise is mixed in with the signal. There isn't too much you can do to help it as long as the signal strength is good. Mainly, making certain you have clean connections, as few connectors/splitters as possible, and quality RF cables.

Anyone using a FusionHDTV or MyHD PC HDTV card to tune channels in Chicago (specifically the 60612 and 60622 zip codes)?

If successfull, which channels do you get and what are your frequencies?

I recentely got a FusionHDTV5 card and can't tune any QAM channels. So now I'm trying to figure out why. I have a Motorola 6412 which sees all the HD channels just fine.

Thanks..

-- John

I didn't see this posted. Anyone getting ABC News Now? It is not mapped in my channels on the cable box, but scanning the QAM (with my new FusionHDTV5 usb - which is great :) ), on channel 92 I get WGN-HD, WLS-HD, and 2 wls subchannels (one of them is same as channel 217 that shows news rebroadcasts and the other one is ABC News Now).

When watching the NBC HD channel, I've noticed that during the transitions between a show and a commercial and vice-versa (and at times, transitions between commercials), there is a crackly sound and also a slight static on the screen as well. I've only noticed this while watching the NBC HD channel and not on other channels Has anybody else noticed this? Is there anything I can do about it?

When watching the NBC HD channel, I've noticed that during the transitions between a show and a commercial and vice-versa (and at times, transitions between commercials), there is a crackly sound and also a slight static on the screen as well. I've only noticed this while watching the NBC HD channel and not on other channels? Have anybody else noticed this? Is there anything I can do about it?

This happens when they switch between sources recorded in Dolby 2.0 and 5.1 surround sound. It's a station / network issue.

I just read another thread about numerous CBS stations setting up multicasting for the first few rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament that begins on Thursday. Any word on whether or not WBBM will do this?

If they do, will Comcast provide it (via either a mapped channel or through my QAM tuner), or will I need to get an antenna to pick it up OTA?

Looks like ADS just popped up here in Highland Park. I noticed earlier in the day that I wasn't getting the Dolby Symbols on the digital channels, and now have noticed that I get the symbol on the digitals and lower analog channels, too.

The bad news, is that I'm missing some of my digital\HD channels. I'm tyring to call Comcast, but their line is busy. Probably happening to a lot of folks around here.

Mike

I'm not certain when it started, but my recording of Leno last night (3/13) on WMAQ-DT was just a test pattern. It was still a test at 7am, but seems to be back to normal by 10.

I just read another thread about numerous CBS stations setting up multicasting for the first few rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament that begins on Thursday. Any word on whether or not WBBM will do this?

If they do, will Comcast provide it (via either a mapped channel or through my QAM tuner), or will I need to get an antenna to pick it up OTA?


They will not. Here is there posted schedule (as of now):

Here are the NCAA basketball games CBS 2 will be airing on Thursday, March 16, 2006

First Games:
CBS 2 Analog Oklahoma vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee (11:25am)
CBS 2 Digital Wichita State vs. Seton Hall (11:20am)

Second Games:
CBS 2 Analog Marquette vs. Alabama (1:40pm)
CBS 2 Digital Marquette vs. Alabama (1:40pm)

Third Games:
CBS 2 Analog Illinois vs. Air Force (6:25pm)
CBS 2 Digital Illinois vs. Air Force (6:25pm)

Fourth Games:
CBS 2 Analog Indiana vs. San Diego State (8:40pm)
CBS 2 Digital Duke vs. Southern (8:30pm)

FYI: If you are far enough north, CBS 58 in Milwaukee does multicast & shows every games on its digital signal.

I'm not certain when it started, but my recording of Leno last night (3/13) on WMAQ-DT was just a test pattern. It was still a test at 7am, but seems to be back to normal by 10.
They were having transmission problems of some sort, I don't know why. We had to switch to a different channel news broadcast at 10pm.

They will not. Here is there posted schedule (as of now):

Here are the NCAA basketball games CBS 2 will be airing on Thursday, March 16, 2006

First Games:
CBS 2 Analog Oklahoma vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee (11:25am)
CBS 2 Digital Wichita State vs. Seton Hall (11:20am)

...

Thanks. Just to clarify, I'll need an antenna to pick up both games?

I'm not far enough north (Lakeview), so will have to take what I get.

Thanks. Just to clarify, I'll need an antenna to pick up both games?

I'm not far enough north (Lakeview), so will have to take what I get.

If you have Comcast HD service, you can watch both feeds, SD on Comcast Channel 2, and the HD game on Comcast 189.

HTH!

Regards,

Randy

If you have Comcast HD service, you can watch both feeds, SD on Comcast Channel 2, and the HD game on Comcast 189.

HTH!

Regards,

Randy

Perfect, thanks!

Anyone other CableCard users having as much grief as I am?

I got CableCard a couple of months ago because the QAM tuner in my Panasonic was pretty much a failure at picking up more than two Basic HD channels.

Set-up of the card went perfectly and it worked fine for a few weeks, and then it dropped all but the "Basic Service" channels (ie., pretty much 2-27 plus CSPAN). I have "Standard" service, and could still receive all of its channels through my VCR's tuner.

Comcast sent out a tech who replaced the CableCard with a different Motorola version, which he said was "the right one," and once again set-up went perfectly and I was happily tuning all channels via the TV once more.

This lasted maybe two weeks...and I'm back to Basic Service again, and watching my channels via the VCR.

I know CableCards are still an emerging technology, but is this the sort of thing I can expect every few weeks? Is there somethng occuring at my end, or the head-end, that causes the card to keep "dumping" most of its channels?

I don't want the set-top box, but hey...it's starting to look better...

I know CableCards are still an emerging technology, but is this the sort of thing I can expect every few weeks? Is there somethng occuring at my end, or the head-end, that causes the card to keep "dumping" most of its channels?


Comcast has pretty much figured out the cards in the downtown area, AFAIK. Where are you located? Do others on your headend have problems?

There is always the possibility of some glitch between a particular brand of card and your model TV. Have you checked into this? Otherwise. experience seems to show that 99% of all card problems are the fault of the cableco.

BTW, what is the firmware version of your new Moto card? There is a known problem on certain equipment with v. 4.05 where you sometimes cannot record digital channel programs. FW v. 4.21 has been reported to solve this. Chicago Comcast people know about this version, but I don't know when it will be rolled out. There is also some question as to whether it can be done remotely.

Anyone other CableCard users having as much grief as I am?

I got CableCard a couple of months ago because the QAM tuner in my Panasonic was pretty much a failure at picking up more than two Basic HD channels.

Set-up of the card went perfectly and it worked fine for a few weeks, and then it dropped all but the "Basic Service" channels (ie., pretty much 2-27 plus CSPAN). I have "Standard" service, and could still receive all of its channels through my VCR's tuner.

Comcast sent out a tech who replaced the CableCard with a different Motorola version, which he said was "the right one," and once again set-up went perfectly and I was happily tuning all channels via the TV once more.

This lasted maybe two weeks...and I'm back to Basic Service again, and watching my channels via the VCR.

I know CableCards are still an emerging technology, but is this the sort of thing I can expect every few weeks? Is there somethng occuring at my end, or the head-end, that causes the card to keep "dumping" most of its channels?

I don't want the set-top box, but hey...it's starting to look better...
You don't mention what service you pay for??? Just recently the ADS "switch" was flicked in my neighborhood. I now only get 2-35 (plus hd network channels) on my 6412- which is all that I pay for. As with you, I do still get 2-99 from the analog cable.

Comcast has pretty much figured out the cards in the downtown area, AFAIK. Where are you located? Do others on your headend have problems?
I'm in Deerfield; haven't heard of issues from others w/CableCard here.

There is always the possibility of some glitch between a particular brand of card and your model TV. Have you checked into this? No, I haven't...I'll have to dig deeper into the post for Panny Plasmas. The QAM tuner issues are pretty well documented.

BTW, what is the firmware version of your new Moto card? I don't know. I can't tell by looking at the technician's work order notes.

Thanks

You don't mention what service you pay for??? Just recently the ADS "switch" was flicked in my neighborhood. I now only get 2-35 (plus hd network channels) on my 6412- which is all that I pay for. As with you, I do still get 2-99 from the analog cable.

Checked our recent invoices; we have been paying for Basic! So...perhaps the jig is up. Not sure why, after the earlier trouble call, we got all the "Standard" channels again for a while, though. What does ADS stand for, by the way?

Currently I am receiving 2-27, plus 35 (Weather Channel), C-SPAN and the HD locals. Seems weird they would transmit a different channel set (ie., 2-99) on analog.

Thanks

Checked our recent invoices; we have been paying for Basic! So...perhaps the jig is up. Not sure why, after the earlier trouble call, we got all the "Standard" channels again for a while, though. What does ADS stand for, by the way?

Currently I am receiving 2-27, plus 35 (Weather Channel), C-SPAN and the HD locals. Seems weird they would transmit a different channel set (ie., 2-99) on analog.

Thanks
ADS = Analog to Digital Simulcast
I'm guessing you pay for Basic + an HD box + Cable Modem? That combination of services allows analog channels up to 99 to "seap" through. Due to ADS, Comcast is now able to filter the channels you don't pay for - when you use the STB or CableCard.