I didn't go back to it this evening, so I can't really comment on whether it was better or not. I'll probably get a chance to check it out tomorrow.

I mentioned the timing issue between CBS HD and the breakups on HBO to the CSR and the supervisor I talked to earlier in the evening. I don't know if they caught on or not. My impression is that most of these people are not very technically oriented, and all they really know how to do is send out a hit to reset the box. Beyond that they schedule a service call.

Could it be possible this is not a Comcast issue at all, and actually an HBO or satellite problem? Maybe there are sunspots or something, or like at Wrigley Field when the wind blows in. Maybe we're blaming the wrong people................naaah. It's more fun to point a finger at Comcast.

Hopefully, someone there finally figured it out and I can cancel the service call.

Mike.

Originally posted by mikek747
...or like at Wrigley Field when the wind blows in. Maybe we're blaming the wrong people................naaah. Mike.

...too many day games....it's the ivy...the wind always blows in...please don't get me started on the Cubs:D

...I could easily high-jack this thread with Cub comments. I have been so hesitant to get enthused about the Cubs because I know they'll let me down...but I'm starting to come back around.

It's a three step process for me now...if by July 1 they are still in the running I'll be back on the bandwagon. If by August 1 they are still in the running I'll be leading the charges. If by September 1 they are still in the running I'll be the next president of the United States...see there I go again.... :rolleyes:

Ah well...if things are not better today I'll have to start pestering tech support too.

Tom

Originally posted by mikek747
Could it be possible this is not a Comcast issue at all, and actually an HBO or satellite problem?

I think this is a local problem - otherwise, we would be seeing scores of messages from other parts of the country.

Ice Age looks and sounds great this morning - not a single hiccup since I started watching an hour ago.

Well, crap - guess which station is on the blink again?

HBO was bad for me last night...it was bad again tonight during Sopranos.

Not as bad as last night, but bad is bad. Video and audio drop outs...I still consider it unwatchable.

Gimme a refund on my $30 install charge and I'll cut Comcast some slack if they admit they are still in the testing phase.....

Originally posted by STayfair
Any luck with the tech today Sam? My HBO is still freezing too much to watch...it is so bad it won't even switch stations to HBO.

This is just about three days running with this problem...about time they fix it.

Tom Nope, no resolution at all.
They are sending another guy out tomorrow. Not sure what he might contribute to this, but I guess it helps.
I was so exited to watch Star Wars, but I guess maybe next time.
The techs and CSR's are stating they are not aware of this being a big problem. Be sure to call and let these folks know.
Luckily the channel was acting up when the tech showed.

QUESTION:
Does anyone notice this problem becomes worse in the evening?

HBO HD was so bad I haven't tuned in for a couple of days. I've been watching Potter for 30 min (4:30 CST)and NO breakup or pixeliz....

Previously I couldn't watch for more than a few minutes...

Fixed???

I'll add my half hour viewing of Harry Potter this afternoon as good to go as well...hopefully it's fixed and not a nighttime thing as Sam mentioned.

Two episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm and the first 15 minutes of The Time Machine... not a single glitch!

Now if it'll just stay that way until tomorrow night's repeat of Attack of the Clones...

Looks like I can cancel my Wednesday service call. Not sure what they thought they would find, anyway.

Mike K.

WOW,"The Time Machine" looked incredible,no picture disruptions on HBO last night.

I checked out the last 45 minutes or so of Attack of the Clones while I was home for lunch... flawless! Beautiful surround sound, beautiful picture (it wasn't 2.35:1, but it looked darn good at 1:85:1), and best of all no break ups.

I'll check again tonight, but I think Comcast fixed the problem.

i was told basic channels are 13.84 plus $5 for the hdtv. Also the only ch im looking for is cbs. Every other channel comes in at 100% on my OTA. Until someone comes out with a PVR i wont stick with any provider.

The HD channels are just now getting offered in my area. I just tried ordering the HD channels and was told that I have change my package to a Comcast Digital Silver package to get the channels. Can anyone confirm or rebut this? The rep said they had a mtg about this last week and they were informed this was required to make it work.

I currently have the Silver package that AT&T Broadband used to offer. These two packages seem to be tiered differently. As you may recall, the AT&T Silver is/was 56.99/mo and gave me standard digital cable, ENCORE and two premium channels (ie; HBO and Stars). The Comcast Silver is 64.99/mo and gives the standard digital cable, ENCORE and ONE premium channel. So switching packages from AT&T Silver to Comcast Silver will raise the monthly bill by $8.00 per month and I loose one of my two premium channels.

I'd hate to raise my price by $8.00/mo for the package + $5.00/mo for the box rental and still loose one premium channel - all for the 6 HD channels they are offering.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,
Steve

Originally posted by FSugino
I checked out the last 45 minutes or so of Attack of the Clones while I was home for lunch... flawless! Beautiful surround sound, beautiful picture (it wasn't 2.35:1, but it looked darn good at 1:85:1), and best of all no break ups.
That flick looked pretty darn good last night. And yep, no break-ups.

According to the WTTW-HD programming schedule (http://www.networkchicago.com/wttw/hdtv.htm) there's a new loop of HD programming on this week. The new loop consists of:

* Tracks Ahead
* Chefs A' Field: Culinary Adventures That Begin On The Farm
* It'a An Age Thing (Widescreen SD)
* One World: Japan
* Smart Travels: Europe with Rudy Maxa

Also, to the person who asked about national PBS programs in hi-def: tonight's Great Performances will be shown in HD, pre-empting the programs listed above.

WTTW-HD looks great OTA, and it looks pretty sharp (but not quite as good as OTA) via Comcast cable. One request, though: would Comcast please fix their TV listing so the HD channel programs are shown instead of the normal SD programming? Just a minor quibble, but since the HBO-HD problem was fixed this is all I can personally complain about :)

I checked out again what I could pick up lastnight. WTTW via cable does not look quite as good as OTA.

Originally posted by FSugino
According to the WTTW-HD programming schedule (http://www.networkchicago.com/wttw/hdtv.htm) there's a new loop of HD programming on this week. The new loop consists of:

* Tracks Ahead
* Chefs A' Field: Culinary Adventures That Begin On The Farm
* It'a An Age Thing (Widescreen SD)
* One World: Japan
* Smart Travels: Europe with Rudy Maxa Thanks for the tip.

kippjones, you have a HiPix PC don't you? Do you know if the HiPix card supports Comcast's 256QAM over cable? HD over cable is supposed to be available in my area now (Naperville).

The HiPix documentation does not mention 256QAM or 8VSB.

Originally posted by WishIdInventedTivo
Comcast's 256QAM over cable
I have a 256qam tuner. During the last month or so, the channels have gone to crap. CBS and Discovery are gone. HBO and Showtime don't exist (they probably exist, but are scrambled).

As a side note, I wouldn't doubt that cbs2 has been relocated to another channel, but haven't been able to find it. Has anybody found any other channels besides the channels in the 113 - 116 range?

Originally posted by Valuepac
i was told basic channels are 13.84 plus $5 for the hdtv. Also the only ch im looking for is cbs. Every other channel comes in at 100% on my OTA. Until someone comes out with a PVR i wont stick with any provider.


Valuepac- What town do you live in? I'm in Oswego and they told me $15 + $5. Are you sure that you can get just that service without any other comcast TV subscription? I never do believe the CSR's, they don't have a clue usually.

Originally posted by WishIdInventedTivo
kippjones, you have a HiPix PC don't you? Do you know if the HiPix card supports Comcast's 256QAM over cable? HD over cable is supposed to be available in my area now (Naperville).

The HiPix documentation does not mention 256QAM or 8VSB.

WIIT,
no, I do not have that. I use the Mits PM with the QAM tuner. I do not know if the HiPix supports QAM.:)

Thanks. I'll post a message on the HiPix thread but I've never seen it discussed. Maybe if you are bored one afternoon and want to give it a try... :)

Originally posted by WishIdInventedTivo
kippjones, you have a HiPix PC don't you? Do you know if the HiPix card supports Comcast's 256QAM over cable? HD over cable is supposed to be available in my area now (Naperville).

The HiPix documentation does not mention 256QAM or 8VSB.


Is this the DTV-200? According to their web site (http://www.telemann.com/products/description_dtv200.pdf) that card only supports 8 VSB.

Hey guys, how much are HD-HBO and HD-Showtime?

Originally posted by Lee K
Hey guys, how much are HD-HBO and HD-Showtime?

Technically, they're free - if you subscribe to a package that already has HBO or Showtime, you'll get the HD channel, too. If not, then your cost will be whatever upgrade is necessary to get those particular channels.

Oh yeah, plus $5/month for the DCT5100, assuming you don't already have it.

What does everyone have the AUDIO COMPRESSION setting on the 5100 cable box set to?

I have a question. I live in Naperville and I already have Directv which I really don't want to get rid of.
I want to be clear on this. Are you saying that I can get the local channels, CBS, ABC, NBC, in HD and JUST order those channels and the box? I called on this a while back and some lady said I needed the whole digital cable package and I didn't really want to pay for all that. I just want the basic channels but in HD. Some people were saying they were paying $8.36 plus $5 for the box. Is that right? no other charges?

Thx for your replies.

Comcast does not post the package prices anywhere on their website. If you call customer service they will send you a pricesheet for your area.


FWIW

Originally posted by Dean Martin
I want to be clear on this. Are you saying that I can get the local channels, CBS, ABC, NBC, in HD and JUST order those channels and the box?

Toss in Fox and PBS as well...

Originally posted by Lee K
What does everyone have the AUDIO COMPRESSION setting on the 5100 cable box set to?
I'm fairly certain I have mine on Heavy.

I just called about Lake in the Hills. I was told they plan on upgrading the area by September, but that this 'date' is not firm.

Originally posted by Dean Martin
I have a question. I live in Naperville and I already have Directv which I really don't want to get rid of.
I want to be clear on this. Are you saying that I can get the local channels, CBS, ABC, NBC, in HD and JUST order those channels and the box? I called on this a while back and some lady said I needed the whole digital cable package and I didn't really want to pay for all that. I just want the basic channels but in HD. Some people were saying they were paying $8.36 plus $5 for the box. Is that right? no other charges?

Thx for your replies.

Dean, they told me it is $29.99 for the install, $13.24 for their minimum service in Naperville which includes CBS-HD, NBC-HD, ABC-HD, and FOX (480p). The box, which is optional (I specifically asked what if I have a box that can decode 256QAM) is $5.00 per month.

BTW in case you haven't heard, FOX has told the FCC that half their programs will be in 720p HD as of the fall season. Guess they felt left out of all the HD announcements!

Let me know if you order the service, how long it takes to get installed and how well it works. For the time being I am sitting tight. I just cancelled my Comcast digital phone service and am waiting them to agree to release my phone number back to Ameritech. I know from dealing with Comcast that making any kind of change will probably mess this up.

I'd check your dates on the HD broadcast by Fox. The information I read said the Fall 2004 season.

Mike K.

There was some mention that Fox may do HD by this fall. Maybe.

Dean, they told me it is $29.99 for the install, $13.24 for their minimum service in Naperville which includes CBS-HD, NBC-HD, ABC-HD, and FOX (480i). The box, which is optional (I specifically asked what if I have a box that can decode 256QAM) is $5.00 per month.

Thx for the reply. I don't know if on top of already paying for Satellite I wan't to pay $18.24 more a month really just to get CBS. I mean, even in my attic I can get my antenna to get ABC, NBC, etc. And if what Kipp says, the cable is not as good as OTA I may as well try for a better OTA signal anyway. In the mean time I can wait for Wide Open West to offer HD because I already have their Internet service and I really don't feel like bringing yet another service into the house.
I knew getting HD would have some obstacles but my God man, this is insane. I already invested in 3 boxes a DIRECTIVO and new dish so I definitely want to keep Directv. Besides I really enjoy HDNET.

Also I have an E86 HD box. I don't suppose that would work right?

Originally posted by Lee K
What does everyone have the AUDIO COMPRESSION setting on the 5100 cable box set to?

Mine is set to heavy.

Comcast had an open house for AV retailers yesterday and stated that they hoped to have Discovery, ESPN and HDNET (which they were using for their displays) available in the not too distant future. Of course, no one will say how distant "not too distant" is.

I stand corrected - the president of FOX pleged to the chief of the FCC media bureau that at least 50% of their prime-time schedule will be broadcast in HDTV by the Fall of 2004. Hopefully some sooner, but a significant development in any event.

Originally posted by Dean Martin
I have a question. I live in Naperville and I already have Directv which I really don't want to get rid of.
I want to be clear on this. Are you saying that I can get the local channels, CBS, ABC, NBC, in HD and JUST order those channels and the box? I called on this a while back and some lady said I needed the whole digital cable package and I didn't really want to pay for all that. I just want the basic channels but in HD. Some people were saying they were paying $8.36 plus $5 for the box. Is that right? no other charges?

Thx for your replies.

Hello Dean- The price differs for where you live, but I was given a $15 a month + $5 for the HD Box for all locals including HD. As far as HBO & Showtime, I believe you have to subscribe to that entire package ($16 a month each for me) and then you'll get the additional HD channel.

Originally posted by WishIdInventedTivo
Dean, they told me it is $29.99 for the install, $13.24 for their minimum service in Naperville which includes CBS-HD, NBC-HD, ABC-HD, and FOX (480p). The box, which is optional (I specifically asked what if I have a box that can decode 256QAM) is $5.00 per month.

BTW in case you haven't heard, FOX has told the FCC that half their programs will be in 720p HD as of the fall season. Guess they felt left out of all the HD announcements!

Does that mean the local Fox issue with the HD decoder and no 480p will go away? And if so, do you when?

The other thing is, my directv is already connected to my only HD input and I honestly don't want to keep switching or buy an expensive switching device either.
What a quandry. I don't want to get rid of Directv and there are so many other minor issues. I still may attempt a better antenna hookup.

My other option is to get an internet package, since I already have Wide open west cable internet and then get Cable with it. This way I can get the local HD channels AND get G4 the video game channel too.

Originally posted by drossn
I also have an AT&T Tivo Series 2, which I used to have connected to the DCT2024 via composite video and using serial control. Since the 5100 lacks serial control - I also didn't want the Tivo to prevent me from using the 5100 for HD viewing - I moved my Tivo off to regular analog cable.


So I just read through this whole thread and now can't wait to get Comcast HD when I move into my new place in Lakeview and get the new TV. Big thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences.

I still have one question though. A few people mentioned, similar to above, that they are splitting off HD and analog feeds. I don't quite understand that. I thought the Comcast package was digital cable with a few HD channels also. Where is the analog cable feed? Is it possible to get just analog service from them and the HD channels? Sorry if this is a newbie question, but any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Analog feed is the signal that doesn't require special equipment. I.E. A typical "cable ready" TV will be able to decode these channels fine without a "box" up to say about channel 100, depending on what your local cable company provides.

An old TV that isn't cable ready will be able to decode them to say, about channel 40 or 50 I think, after which the channel/frequency assignments begin to fall outside of it's tuning range.

The HD channels (CBS-HD, NBC-HD, etc.... but NOT "premium" channels like SHO-HD, HBO-HD, etc.) would be decodable without a special box as well, so long as your TV can decode 256QAM which is the format used. Comcast will rent you a Motorola DTC5100 for $5.00/month, however, if your TV doesn't have the appropriate built-in tuner or you don't otherwise have a box that can decode 256QAM.

This all assumes the cable company doesn't have any filters that block a particular range of channel frequencies. It is not uncommon that if all you have is the basic package a cable company will put a filter on the cable before it enters your house to block all channels above a certain number.

A "digital" package as described by a cable company, is yet another source of signal over the same cable, but it is fully encoded. You must rent a decoder box from your cable company which they then activate for you to receive the service. Whether the signal integrity and therefore picture quality is any better, is debatable. But this is what most cable companies force you into if you have any premium channels like HBO, SHO, etc. as well as maybe ESPN, Golf, etc. if not included in the basic packages. Personally I think it's just a way to a) force you into rental of equipment and b) give you an opportunity to purchase pay-per-view stuff.

Internet service rides on the same cable at yet another set of frequencies and requires appropriate equipment to access.

Comcast also offers telephone service over the same cable. I currently have it but am switching back to Ameritech. My wife told me Comcast called today asking if they ever burried my cable. Yes, after 6 months of phone calls they finally burried my cable about 3 months ago, by hand, because their machine was broken. Ameritech is waiting for Comcast to release my phone numbers back so they can provide service again.

Originally posted by WishIdInventedTivo
An old TV that isn't cable ready will be able to decode them to say, about channel 40 or 50 I think, after which the channel/frequency assignments begin to fall outside of it's tuning range.

I think it would tune 2-13 only (VHF), but who still has a TV that old? :)

Originally posted by Todd76
I think it would tune 2-13 only (VHF), but who still has a TV that old? :)

I am pretty sure the cable channels go from the VHF band, to the UHF band, to what one might call an "upper" UHF band and then to what one might call a "super" UHF band. I know in the earlier days of cable TV, but after it had maybe been around for about 10 years, I had worked with some older "cable ready" TVs that could not all tune all of the cable channels. I remember looking at the various manuals where they explained how cable channel numering worked and some of the TVs could receive the highest numbered channels while others were more limited (but could receive a certain number of UHF channels.)

Until recently I had a 20 year old Sony TV that could tune the cable channels up to a point.

Of course we are talking strickly analog channels here, not the digitally encoded ones that require a box from your cable company.

I read recently that the cable industry is trying to standardize on a solution that will provide for built-in tuner capability that replaces the boxes they supply. This way you wouldn't need an external box to tune HBO, SHO, PPV, etc. I am all for that, and imagine the cable companies would still charge you as if you had a box but would just "authorize" your built-in TV CATV tuner, but they wouldn't need to supply you a box. It really amazes me that it's taken 30 years for this. Said solution is supposed to include D/HDTV as well.

Originally posted by Todd76
I think it would tune 2-13 only (VHF), but who still has a TV that old? :)

You are correct Todd76. You can see this by hooking up the cable directly to the RF input of the TV and set the tuner to normal instead of cable. You will only get up to channel 13, 14 is where the cable band begins.

Mike K.

thanks a bunch for the info. Much appreciated.

Any word on Discovery HD or HDNet for us through Comcast?

I would kill for these two channels. :(

Originally posted by Lee K
Any word on Discovery HD or HDNet for us through Comcast?

I would kill for these two channels. :(



I second that!!! Comcast.....????

Originally posted by FSugino
One request, though: would Comcast please fix their TV listing so the HD channel programs are shown instead of the normal SD programming?


Hey hey! I tune into channel 191 today and the program listing reads

191 PBSD1 - HDTV Demonstration

Looking at the extended channel schedule, it looks like they finally fixed this issue. No more guessing what HD show is on next. Nice job, Comcast!

anyone know anything about new stations yet ? On Comcast that is

Originally posted by Golf19
anyone know anything about new stations yet ? On Comcast that is

I am also wondering if they're trying at all to get other channels. I would KILL for HDNet and discovery HD. KILL!!!!!! :p

Originally posted by Lee K
I am also wondering if they're trying at all to get other channels. I would KILL for HDNet and discovery HD. KILL!!!!!! :p

Greetings...I have Comcast Digital in the NW burbs and I see Channels 185-191 are assigned for HDTV Channels (CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, Discovery, HBO, Showtime)...the only one I get anything on is the ABC Channel and that's only audio from WLS-TV.

I'm not sure what the deal is with these channels...the screen tells me "This channel should be available shortly"...not one that says I have to pay extra for it. But then, knowing the cable companies, I'm sure extra service means extra charge.

Any info would be welcome.

Originally posted by IMRadioactive
Greetings...I have Comcast Digital in the NW burbs and I see Channels 185-191 are assigned for HDTV Channels (CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, Discovery, HBO, Showtime)...the only one I get anything on is the ABC Channel and that's only audio from WLS-TV.

I'm not sure what the deal is with these channels...the screen tells me "This channel should be available shortly"...not one that says I have to pay extra for it. But then, knowing the cable companies, I'm sure extra service means extra charge.

Any info would be welcome.

Pardon me if I am too remedial, but it always pays to start with the most basic questions. There is no extra charge for HD channels, but there is a $5.00 per month charge for the High Definition Cable Box. Based on yuor original quote I am guessing that you only have Digital cable, not High Definition cable.

Here is a checklist which may help you:

1. Do you have a High Definition Television? The HD channels will not work on an analog TV.
2. Comcast Digital Cable is not High Definition cable, which cable box do you have? The digital cable box is dark gray, the HD box is silver.
3. If you have the HD box, and an HDTV, how is it connected to your television, with a single co-axial cable, or with a Red, Blue, and Green RCA type cable called a component video cable.
4. If you have the component video cable, and and HDTV, and the silver HD box, which input are you watching on your TV. It needs to be set to the component video input.

Check all these things. If they all check out, then the installer did not initialize the box correctly. Call a CSR and they can straighten it out.

Good luck,

Mike K.

Thanks for the excellent thread - other than relying on CSR info, how can I find out if the HD channels are available in my town? (Bartlett)

Also, do you have to have Digitial Cable for the HD channels or is it available with analog cable as well?

Originally posted by jvos
Thanks for the excellent thread - other than relying on CSR info, how can I find out if the HD channels are available in my town? (Bartlett)

Also, do you have to have Digitial Cable for the HD channels or is it available with analog cable as well?

If Digital Cable is available, then you can get the HD channels. Check their website or call the CSR.

I found the website was not updated for my area though. It said only standard cable, but when I called digital cable was availbe as well as High Speed Internet.

Originally posted by jvos
Thanks for the excellent thread - other than relying on CSR info, how can I find out if the HD channels are available in my town? (Bartlett)

Also, do you have to have Digitial Cable for the HD channels or is it available with analog cable as well?

I just moved to Bartlett a few weeks ago and had Comcast install the HD receiver last week. I get all the locals and HBO (didn't bother with Showtime) just fine.

You do need to have digital cable in order to get the HD channels since they are only available in the digital channel lineup. However, if you have a tv that supports 256QAM signals (such as the newer Mitsubishi's with integrated HD tuners) , you can plug the cable line straight to the tv and get non-scrambled HD channels, which includes the local channels. I can't do this on my set but others have done this successfully.

you do not have to have digital cable to get HDTV through comcast...anyone saying otherwise is wrong

It could be true that digital cable is required if you want HBO HD or Showtime HD. Only Basic Cable (about $14) is required to get the unscrambled digital locals (plus $5 for the HD box).

Thanks for all the help, though seems to be some confusion regarding the need for Digital Cable. I'm going to call Comcast, request locals plus HD be added to my current (analog basic cable) and see what happens.

Originally posted by kevin j
you do not have to have digital cable to get HDTV through comcast...anyone saying otherwise is wrong

Let me clarify a bit, I was not saying you had to subscribe to a "digital pacakage" in order for the option to get HD channels. Here's what they told me and the installer confirmed:


If you have only analog cable available in your area, no HD channels.

If you have digital cable available in your area, you can order the HD Locals "stand alone" for approx. $15 a month plus $5 for renting the HD box.

Just in case you have not been following the ESPN HD threads....our Comcast just today added ESPNHD on channel 173.

Enjoy!

Tom

It's not HD at the moment...looks like stretched SD material...but I'll be watching the ESPN schedule closely now.

espnHD came on at 3pm here

Ch. 173 shows the "This channel will be available shortly" message. Are any of you getting this too or should I give Comcast a call?

i'd say call em

Cool! So we've got ESPN HD now...

But what is this I hear about Discovery HD supposedly being available to us Chicagoland custmers??? Also, I am reading of "InHD" and "InHD2" any more info on these other potential new channels?

In all honesty ESPN HD is probably the least exciting of the channels for me. Especially cause its only in 720p. (my tv upconverts 720p signals so I cant fully appreciate the format -- I'd rather have the higher resolution that I can display natively and know I'm not missing out on anything. :)

Thanks guys!

EDIT: Oh also what about Bravo... any word on if we will be getting that anytime soon through Comcast? It is supposedly a CBS channel or whatever, so I'm hoping that the fact that we already have CBS will help. :D

I just called Comcast and asked them why I wasn't receiving the channel and it seems like none of them know that it's a new channel even though I told them it was just added today. The CSR said they were just "testing" this channel out and that I wasn't a tester so I couldn't receive the channel. Oh well, shows how much they know. Maybe Skokie isn't getting ESPN-HD yet?

On another subject....

The last several days I ahve been getting massive signal drop and pixilation on the HD channels via Comcast. It looks like I am using an OTA on a bad day. Since Comcast gets their signals direct from the broadcasters...should this be happening? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

The first High Definition look at our beloved Bears comes courtesy of ESPN HD on Sunday, September 14th.

They will be carrying the game against the Vikings in Minnesota at 7:30 PM that day. I'm assuming this will be an HD broadcast.

Two weeks later, of course, on Monday, September 29th, is the big Monday Night Football Soldier Field Grand Opening against the Green Bay Packers (boo).

Four other HD possibilities against AFC teams with Oakland on October 5th, (my opinion, this is probably the main game because of the Raiders and would seem to have an excellent chance of being in HD), October 19th against Seattle, November 2nd against San Diego, and December 28th against Kansas City. All these games are at Soldier Field and will be broadcast on CBS. This is assuming CBS does at least one of their games each week in HD as has been rumored.

These are our only chances of Bears regular season HD, unless of course Fox gets their act together, but I'm not holding my breath. :) But there is always the playoffs.
:D

Mike K

ESPN-HD is still NOT showing up here in Skokie. It seems like everybody else in Chicagoland has it. It still has the "This channel will be available shortly" message on Ch. 173 and I have also checked out the signal from a relative's house on their cable box and it has the same message. The channel shows up correctly on the guide as Ch. 173 and it is labelled as "ESPND". It did come on for a few seconds last night but i'm back to not getting anything coming through yet again. Anybody else in the Chicagoland area (more specifically in Skokie) not getting ESPN-HD?

Thanks for the good analysis, Mike. Hopefully the Bears will get off to a great start, making the Soldier Field AFC games more attractive to CBS.

we can also hope that the preseason games[wmaq]might be in HD also

Originally posted by kevin j
we can also hope that the preseason games[wmaq]might be in HD also

I would be real surprised if that happened. I don't think there are enough HD production trucks around, and I think the cost would be prohibitive for a local station to provide HD.

We can hope, though. Being a Bears fan, a Bulls fan, and a Cubs fan I've gotten real good at that.

Mike K.

Anybody? I need help! I'm pretty much the only one in Chicagoland NOT getting ESPN-HD right now and I don't want to miss the Red Sox/Yankees game Sunday night... :mad:

Is anyone having any trouble with their DCT 5100 freezing up?

On occasion the box freezes up and will not respond to the remote control or manual entry on the front of the box (channels, volume, power on/off).

The fix is to just wait anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute without touching any buttons and then the box will all off a sudden respond to all the buttons you just hit when it wasn't working (channel up/down, channel return, etc.).

Then things seem to be fine until it happens again.

I need to call Comcast and I was curious how widespread the problem was.

Tom

Just a question out of curiosity...how many of you who have Comcast HD service with the DCT5100 are using the Comcast supplied component cables?

They seem to be a good heavy duty set of cables and I've been using them since day one and am pretty happy with them.

For no reason other than to try something else, I think today I'll try the set of component cables I currently have on my OTA STB to see if I can tell any difference.

Anyone else's thoughts?

Tom

My DCT5100 freezes up from time to time in exactly the way you describe, but sometimes rather than unfreezing and quickly executing the pending remote commands it does nothing and displays a message that "the interactive program guide is not available". After the mesaage appears I can press any remote button and the guide reappears.

Originally posted by STayfair
Just a question out of curiosity...how many of you who have Comcast HD service with the DCT5100 are using the Comcast supplied component cables?

They seem to be a good heavy duty set of cables and I've been using them since day one and am pretty happy with them.

For no reason other than to try something else, I think today I'll try the set of component cables I currently have on my OTA STB to see if I can tell any difference.

Anyone else's thoughts?

Tom

I'm also using the Comcast supplied cables. It appears as though the performance is very good. I've thought about swapping them with the Acoustic Research cables I have on my DVD player just to get a comparison.

Let us know if you see any difference, and I'll do the same.

Mike K.

Originally posted by STayfair
Is anyone having any trouble with their DCT 5100 freezing up?

On occasion the box freezes up and will not respond to the remote control or manual entry on the front of the box (channels, volume, power on/off).

I had this problem, but I solved it with a combination of a hard reset (pulled the power plug out of the box for a few seconds) plus fresh batteries in the remote. I'm sure the reset did a lot more than the new batteries, but I figured it couldn't hurt.

My HD channels just went out. Anyone else?
I called Comcast and spoke with a CSR, who sent a "hit" to the box. Nothing yet, but hopefully the channels come back soon. I would like to see the ESPN-HD baseball game tonight.

My HD channels are also out. Everything else OK.

It's pretty odd. Everything else is perfectly normal.

Same here in Skokie.

edit*
I just called Comcast customer support and they also sent me a hit to the box. I also don't have anything showing up at the moment. Maybe ESPN-HD will come back on with the rest of the HD stations for me...

same here... everything is out :mad:

I'll join the parade here too....all my HD channels are out.

Just spoke with Comcast CSR as well and he did the same as you others have mentioned, sent a hit out to the box...wait an hour he says and you should be fine...holding my breathe;=) I'm sure it's something else.

I too would really like to check out the ball game tonight.

Funny how when he asked me which channels were out and I told him 173, and 186 - 191...he had no record of 173. Of course I pretty much knew that he would have no idea 173 was up and that was partly why I mentioned it (I couldn't help it).

Tom

Actually, now it seems like all the digital channels over 120 are out, not just the HD channels. How about you guys?

Out here also in 60133 geez i had this for 2 days and out already.I called they sent a hit didnt work they told me a tech needs to come out so there comeing out tuesday :(

Originally posted by sanman19
Actually, now it seems like all the digital channels over 120 are out, not just the HD channels. How about you guys?

Sanman

I still have 120+ channels. Only lost all HD channels.

Originally posted by fartman1234
Out here also in 60133 geez i had this for 2 days and out already.I called they sent a hit didnt work they told me a tech needs to come out so there comeing out tuesday :(


Fartman1234

Have faith, this is the first outage I've seen in 2 months I've had HD.
It is fabulous. I doubt the tech visit will help since we all lost it. My advice, dont waste a vacation day!

Originally posted by sanman19
Actually, now it seems like all the digital channels over 120 are out, not just the HD channels. How about you guys?

Just the HD channels; all the others are fine. 113, 173, 185-191 are all out here.

Sanman

I still have 120+ channels. Only lost all HD channels.

Hmm, I figured that wasn't right. I unplugged my box and viola the 120+ channels are back. Thanks! Still no HD...

Mine are ou t but I was told since I only subscribe to basic that I not allowed to view anything over 101 ?

When I signed up last week the sale person told me I was able to receive
basic anlog and HD channels CBS,NBC,ABC,WGN,WTTW" I was very Clear this is what I was intrested in receiving " now after it was installed and they take away the HD channels? to try to extort me into more money the Mafia has nothing on Cable !
I put in a call to Kevin L. Connolly Executive Customer Relations Specialist
This is B.S. why in th eworld would I rent a HD box for only analog
signals ?

i hope they fix the problem in time for the baseball game on espnHD

All my HD channels are out here in Villa Park too. I tried unplugging the box and plugging it back in, but then it lost ALL channels. I had to call them to have it re-authorized. I told the CSR that the HD channels were still not working...they stopped about 2PM here. She tried to schedule a visit to see what was wrong, but I don't have time to take a day off work for this again.

I guess they don't realize it is out or something....

Originally posted by drossn
I guess they don't realize it is out or something....

I don't think it's the cable box that is in need of a 'hit'.

Tom

you'd think they'd have somebody at comcast to monitor the hd channels so when something like this happens it'd get fixed asap

Originally posted by FSugino
Just the HD channels; all the others are fine. 113, 173, 185-191 are all out here.

Just curious, what's channel 113? I don't have that on my guide here.

Originally posted by sanman19
Just curious, what's channel 113? I don't have that on my guide here.

I haven't watched that in a while but if I recall it was just a second ABC D...nothing different that what you already have on...189 is it?

It's just a repeat.

have the HD channels come back on yet?

Still not back on here in Skokie, and the baseball game is starting in 9 minutes. Oh well...

Still out in Buffalo Grove as of 2 min ago

what piss me the hell off is they dont even say its there prob they say it is are prob and we need to get a tech out THATS BS.I know damn well they have had lots of calls from all over chicago yet they say its are end.


btw still out in 60133

I'm really mad right now.

Well I was hoping on watching the game tonight... but instead I just get to wait on hold with Comcast... still no HD in 60538...

someone needs to tell em IT'S AT THEIR END

btw i just emailed them about the problem and told em this is not just my problem it's systemwide

I hope they get this matter fixed by the end of the game, hopefully sooner.

i hope the phones at comcast are getting flooded with calls about this

Originally posted by sanman19
Just curious, what's channel 113? I don't have that on my guide here.

It's ABC - same as 187. Don't know why it's listed twice...

Originally posted by JohnnyB39
When I signed up last week the sale person told me I was able to receive basic anlog and HD channels CBS,NBC,ABC,WGN,WTTW" I was very Clear this is what I was intrested in receiving

You got some bad info... WGN is not one of the HD channels. Fox should replace WGN in your list.

Originally posted by kevin j
i hope the phones at comcast are getting flooded with calls about this
when you do call,as I did... they tell you your not able to get these channels without subscribing to the digital package ?!
you'd think they would straighten that out by now ?????

the csr's need to get their facts straight

Originally posted by FSugino
You got some bad info... WGN is not one of the HD channels. Fox should replace WGN in your list.
what ever I'll exclude wgn my point was when I subscribed I was told I could sign up for the basic cable for 8.41 rent a HD box for 5.00 and receive the network broadcast HD channels which now I'm informed that I can't
after it's been installed they claim that I have to sign up for a 30.00 a month digital plan to receive HD ???
( was told this by two CSR's and a Supervisor ?????) they claimed that anything over 101 was in the digital plan .......

not to mention the three day of H*ll I've been going threw since the HD box has been installed screwing up my Cable modem which I have to give up yet another day off next Thursday since I'm still having sparse outages
I'd much rather have my Cable modem working then HD over cable !

Comcast can't even give it's employees constant information ? talk to each and get a different answer ?

Originally posted by FSugino
It's ABC - same as 187. Don't know why it's listed twice...

Maybe that's only in Schaumburg because we have nothing on 113 here.

WOAH!!

Right now... PBS (191) is coming in as ABC (I am getting a picture but it's an ABC signal)

And FOX is showing some other HD signal (widescreen HD) but I cant tell what channel it is... cause there is no logo anywhere. Now it just froze. :o

great now I'm getting one moment please on everything once again. :mad:

I think I just caught something interesting happening. :o

at least they're working on it

Originally posted by Lee K
WOAH!!

Right now... PBS (191) is coming in as ABC (I am getting a picture but it's an ABC signal)

And FOX is showing some other HD signal (widescreen HD) but I cant tell what channel it is... cause there is no logo anywhere.

Yeah, same here. PBS (191) is showing ABC, and FOX (190) is showing Showtime. The other HD stations are still off the air...

just checked 191 again and theres another abc HD signal

UGH what are they doing and why cant they just keep us informed somehow. people who are going to subscribe to something like HD this "early" in HD's mainstream acceptance (if that makes any sense) are going to be very critical like us. They should understand that by now. It disgusts me that we're all PAYING for this crap.

The sad part is is that I KNOW if I called them up I would talk to some CSR that would have NO IDEA what they are talking about. They would constantly "correct" all of the stuff I say even though it is them who is completely clueless. :mad:

Cool it looks like I'm getting FREE HBO-HD right now... cause I think the programing that's coming through on the FOX channel right now is "Dead Like Me" which is supposedly being shown on HBO-HD currently.

:o

Originally posted by kevin j
the csr's need to get their facts straight

I couldn't agree more

but not only CSR's But middle management Supervisors

I suggested to the contact I was given by the States attorney's Office when I filed a complaint against Comcast for Unfair Business practices
that he should send a memo to all on just what Comcast's policy is since it seem's no one still know what it is ?

we'l see what he has to say tomorrow .......

I was going threw the channels and stopped on ESPN HD does anyone else thing that the ESPN game is in HD ? it sure looks Upconverted normal signal to me ? really doesn't even look upconverted just zoomed widescreen like Fox did during Football last season , I mean everyone is short and fat ? unless it's only certin camera's ?

I haven't watched much I was just was seeing what channels I had
and looks like the Supervisor was wrong and I'm alright I'am getting HD channels but didn't know if she was able of turning off channels ???

Originally posted by JohnnyB39
I was going threw the channels and stopped on ESPN HD does anyone else thing that the ESPN game is in HD ? it sure looks Upconverted normal signal to me ? really doesn't even look upconverted just zoomed widescreen like Fox did during Football last season , I mean everyone is short and fat ? unless it's only certin camera's ?

I haven't watched much I was just was seeing what channels I had
and looks like the Supervisor was wrong and I'm alright I'am getting HD channels but didn't know if she was able of turning off channels ???

I agree... everything finally just got turned back on and this ESPN HD game looks terrible. Definately not HD. What the heck is goin on?

Looks like they've got everything back except HBO-HD and Showtime-HD. And I finally got a look at ESPN-HD - it's not widescreen HD?! It's still that stretched crap they show all the time... ugh.

Originally posted by FSugino
ugh.

that definately sums it up :D

WOW, after that whole mess with me not getting ESPN-HD at all, and then all the HD channels going out, I FINALLY get ESPN-HD when everything came back. Too bad that like the rest of you, we missed the beginning of the game when it WAS in HD...booo.

*edit

I just noticed something quirky. It seems like I can only get ESPN-HD by pressing 1-7-3 on my remote when I am on Ch. 187 (ABC) first. If i just channel up or down to it, try to get to it from any other channel, or use the channel guide I get the same "This channel will be available shortly" message. Even with that method to get ESPN, sometimes pressing 1-8-7 from another non-HD channel doesn't seem to work too well. Maybe I have a bad cable box? I guess I'm still having some problems here...frustrating...

Anybody please help :mad:

It's about 10:22pm and it looks like all of the channels are back.

yes back here gotta cancel that tech now :)

when i went to bed last nigh[2:30am]espnHD was showing showtimeHDand abc had hbo...don't know if it's back to normal yet

is any 1 haveing probs with FOXHD for me it keep like flickerng every 10seconds

Yeah, I noticed the stuttering when I watched bits of the news at noon. I didn't check OTA, so I don't know if it's just a Comcast issue or problems at WFLD.

Given all of the problems with Comcast HD, I may regret asking this, but does anyone know if it is being offered in the city of Chicago (northside) yet? I couldn't find out in any of these posts, and the CSRs at Comcast (surprise!) know nothing.

Any help appreciated. Also, any word whether RCN offers HD yet?

Thanks.

try to email them there techs there seem to know alot more least from what i have seen

Guys, I'm still having problems getting to ESPN-HD on my cable box. I can ONLY get there when I am on Ch. 187 (ABC) and then push 1-7-3 to get to ESPN. Any other way (channel +/-, guide, or switching from any other channel than from 187) will NOT work for me. :mad:

Maybe I have a low signal or my cable box is bad? Can anyone recommend anything to me? Thanks.

*edit
I went into the menu by turning the box off and pushing "menu on the remote and looked through it. I got:

OOB Status
SNR ~20-22 GOOD
AGC 19% GOOD

INBAND STATUS
SNR ~32 GOOD
AGC 87% FAIR <---I'm guessing that isn't too good.

Although I have NO idea what those numbers mean. I don't think that "Fair" is a good sign...

Besides all the HD channels disappearing two days ago . . are people still experiencing intermittent problems like pictures freezing when changing channels to one of the dead HD ones? Or very long waits (15-60 seconds) before the channels actually change?

The problems sort of fixed themselves Sunday night for me in Chicago Ridge . . . . for the most part anyway. But I'm continuing to have intermittent problems. An HD channel is there . . . and then its not . . for awhile . . . and then its back again later.

How about serious pixelizations (incomplete signals?) at times and frequent sound dropouts?

Some of these complaints I've experienced before the outage but they've increased significantly since. In the number of occasions and length of durations.

I'm not a techie for cable but it seems like a throughput problem. Something is tying up bandwidth and the cable lines or cable box just can't keep up the data stream. At least for the intermittent problems and not the total outages. Or the more cynical answer is they're trying to squeeze down the bandwidth to see what the minimum is that the public will tolerate before dropping cable. Time is money? Well so is bandwidth!

I hate intermittents. They are so hard to track down and fix if it happens to be working at the moment.

Beta . . . what a concept? Better Elevate The Antenna? Basic Electronic Testing Analysis, Better Electronics Through Anything (else)? Brings Everything To A(halt)? *lol* Hey, I needed the laugh. Bill (gates) Envisioned This Already . . . I'm having too much fun here.

Bill made Beta Cool. Now we know who to thank. Didn't MS also invent the "its not our fault it must be on your end" plausible deniability pat answer I've seen quoted here from ComCast(Company Omission Means Can't Assist Stupefied Technicians)? Sorry, still having too much fun. If they admit its their fault they might end up owing someone a refund, times X subscribers. $Kaching$ Won't happen. Money goes into companies, not the other way around. Lying is just an accepted part of business these days to keep costs down. If management actually told its techies or CSR's the truth? Someone might slip and let the public know. Better to look like complete idiots than cost the company money. Hey, its a job. Shrewd Business Acumen. Deny, deny, deny. Its the most cost efficient answer. Somebodies gotta pay the CEO's 25% pay increase this year. Think of all the money he/she saved the company by dumbing down the support staff! Harvard and Yale ain't cheap ya know to learn these kind of things. They've got kids and yachts to support too. *lol* Get use to it. Its the way of the corporate world these days.

Bill Envisions Total Assimilation

Enough of that . . .

I got the "Please wait a moment" message too when they were all out. Called on Sunday, they tried coming out on Monday and the rocket scientists the techs are couldn't ring my stupid doorbell . . . ? I was online tying up my phone line with caller ID for the internet. Their ID blocked calls went into voicemail with no messages left so I didn't know if it was telemarketers or Comcast calling several times. Needless to say I missed them by the time they finally left a message and I picked it up while online that they were outside my door. Now they can't even get out of their trucks to ring doorbells?

I'll guess they were kinda busy that day.

I am pretty new to these HD stuff, so please bear with me.

Can anyone summarize the types of HD broadcast format from the different network that comcast carries.

I noticed that the WTTW HD (I think channel 191) is always the best. It totally blows the other so called HD channels away. What is different about it when compared to the others. Thanks.

digital kid 97,

Welcome to the world of HD. Here is a list of what the networks broadcast their signal in. There is and always has been a debate as to which format is better 720p or 1080i, and some of that depends on what type of TV you have. Plasma's native display is 720p, while most RPTV's are 1080i.

There is nothing different about the way PBS broadcasts their signal it might just be that the source material was superior than any of the networks contents. With that said CBS does a very nice job with HD as most of their prime time lineup is in native HD.

ESPN - 720p
CBS - 1080i
NBC - 1080i
ABC - 720p
PBS - 1080i
FOX - 480p, soon to be 720p
HBO - 1080i
SHO - 1080i

In addition to the different formats, there are all kinds of reasons as to why one program will look different (I use different rather than better because more clarity or crispness is not always the desired effect) than another.

If you look through the forum here you'll find other post by folks a lot more well informed than myself as to why one program looks "better/different" than another.

I personally love it when a program has that "looking through a window" effect (and I don't mean a saran wrapped window;) ), but from what I gather from reading different threads, that is not always the desired effect when the film is shot.

Soundstage and the PBS demo reel are two great looking HD programs on WTTW.

Enjoy.

Tom

Originally posted by mlx52
digital kid 97,

There is nothing different about the way PBS broadcasts their signal it might just be that the source material was superior than any of the networks contents. With that said CBS does a very nice job with HD as most of their prime time lineup is in native HD.

ESPN - 720p
CBS - 1080i
NBC - 1080i
ABC - 720p
PBS - 1080i
FOX - 480p, soon to be 720p
HBO - 1080i
SHO - 1080i

My RPTV is native 1080i and cannot receive 720P. Does that mean for channels like ESPN/ABC that my cable box (Motorola DCT5100) converts those signals to the 1080i format? Does all other HD receiver do the same thing? How will that affect quality? Thanks.

on my channel list off the comcast web site it says i have Discovery HD Network?

Is this in fact true?

I dont see ESPN - HD listed anywhere...



185 SHOWTIME HDTV DIGITAL EAST
186 HBO EAST HDTV
187 ABC -- WLS-DT
188 NBC -- WMAQ-DT
189 CBS -- WBBM-DT
190 INF -- WFLD-DT
191 DISCOVERY HD THEATER

Originally posted by jim_green_1
on my channel list off the comcast web site it says i have Discovery HD Network?

Is this in fact true?

I dont see ESPN - HD listed anywhere...




The Comcast web site is woefully out of date when it comes to channel listings. Here in the Chicago area ESPN-HD is on channel 173, but I'm not sure if that's true for your area.

Does anyone know if Comcast is providing HDTV in Crystal Lake. If it is in Crystal Lake, what is the cost?

Thanks,

Jack

Originally posted by digital_kid_97
I noticed that the WTTW HD (I think channel 191) is always the best. It totally blows the other so called HD channels away. What is different about it when compared to the others. Thanks.

WTTW-HD is showing a high-def loop - all of the programs you see on channel 191 were shot in high-def video for exceptional clarity. Most of the HD shows you see on the other stations are originally shot on film and thus have a "grainy" look compared to WTTW's programs.

Originally posted by digital_kid_97
My RPTV is native 1080i and cannot receive 720P. Does that mean for channels like ESPN/ABC that my cable box (Motorola DCT5100) converts those signals to the 1080i format? Does all other HD receiver do the same thing? How will that affect quality? Thanks.

Your Comcast DCT5100 is probably set to a 1080i output. I don't believe you would have a picture if the box was set to 720p ouput and your TV is not capable of receiving it. The box is upconverting the 720p signal to 1080i, which is pretty common. My Toshiba HDTV has that capability, also. I was very happy with the upconverted signal during the NHL and NBA finals.

I have mentioned previously that I don't understand the broadcasters decision to broadcast in 720p. I understand it has some advantage for action sports, providing less blurring of objects in motion than 1080i, but very few of the HD capable TV's out there are 720p compatible. I look at it it as being a very small part of what is already a very small pie (people with HD televisions).

Mike K.

Hey guys, I just came home to find that ESPN-HD has no sound. Is it just me?

Picture but no sound on ESPN-HD for me as well.

Originally posted by sanman19
Hey guys, I just came home to find that ESPN-HD has no sound. Is it just me?

Was the same way for me last night too.

And FOX sound was erratic (190) and video was a little jerky.

Tom

No sound on ESPNHD on Comcast in Oak Park last night.

"No sound on ESPNHD" I didn't care though since I was watching the White Sox on Fox sportsnet.I wonder when Fox SportsNet Chicago will start moving towards HD as they are in some other cities?

no sound here either...i hope someone at comcast notices and fixes this problem asap[unless it's an espn problem]

Comcast Press Release...

COMCAST AND ESPN ANNOUNCE ESPN HD DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BRISTOL, CONN. AND PHILADELPHIA, PA., July 31, 2003 - ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Sports, and Comcast Cable, the country's leading broadband and cable communications provider, announced today that they have entered into an agreement for distribution of ESPN HD. Beginning this month, Comcast will make ESPN HD available in markets where it currently offers HDTV service as well as on a broader level as additional HD markets are launched this year. Additional details of the agreement were not announced.

"As the number one sports television brand in America, we are very pleased that ESPN HD will soon be available to Comcast's customer base and its growing audience of high-definition customers," said George Bodenheimer, President of ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. "Sports fans are enjoying access to more and more high-definition content, and we are thrilled to work with Comcast, a leader in the HD arena, to offer them this compelling sports experience."

Added Steve Burke, President of Comcast Cable, "We are pleased to be able to bring our customers outstanding content from ESPN with all the sights, sounds and unbelievable detail of sports programming that only an HDTV signal can provide. The addition of ESPN HD demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide our customers with the most robust high-definition content possible."

One of the first cable companies to offer HDTV, Comcast launched it on systems in the Philadelphia market in 2001. Comcast now offers HDTV service to 11.5 million customers in Little Rock, AR; Huntsville, AL; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and Stockton, CA; Danbury, CT; Fort Myers, Naples, Tampa -Sarasota and Jacksonville, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Detroit and Flint, MI; Kansas City, MO; Central and Northern New Jersey; Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA; Nashville and Knoxville, TN; Seattle, WA; and Washington, DC. The company's compelling HD programming line-up includes local broadcasters, PBS stations, HBO and Showtime as well as Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.-Baltimore. In markets where Comcast offers local ABC affiliates' HD signals, viewers will be able to enjoy NFL Monday Night Football coverage in high definition as well as NFL Sunday Night Football coverage on ESPN HD.

ESPN made a significant commitment to spur the growth of high-definition television on March 30, 2003, when it debuted ESPN HD, the first 24-hour high-definition national sports service in the country. Sports have proven to be the ideal showcase for the HDTV viewing experience and ESPN HD features all of the live, high-profile telecasts as ESPN, including games from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.

Is Comcast broadcasting the HD locals in 8vsb? Can I decode them using my E* 6000? I'm talking about just the locals here; not HBO or SHO or ESPN (thought ESPN would be a nice surprise if it was in 8vsb).

Originally posted by huzefa
Is Comcast broadcasting the HD locals in 8vsb? Can I decode them using my E* 6000? I'm talking about just the locals here; not HBO or SHO or ESPN (thought ESPN would be a nice surprise if it was in 8vsb).

I believe it is 256QAM...I think there is a Mits tuner that can decode the signal (at least for now).

FYI

I think I read that Comcast is offering free SHO 8/1-8/15. Not sure if that includes SHO-HD tho, havent looked yet.

Does anyone know when BravoHD is going to start and what channel it will be on Comcast?

Originally posted by timgo
Does anyone know when BravoHD is going to start and what channel it will be on Comcast?

I don't think they include it. I 'm not too sure I sub to SHO ( through E*)But I seen to recall that the last free preview someone posted that SHO HD wasn't included ?

Originally posted by dwk
FYI

I think I read that Comcast is offering free SHO 8/1-8/15. Not sure if that includes SHO-HD tho, havent looked yet.

yeah I am pissed cause SHO-HD isn't coming in... and when you order showtime you get the HD channels too... so if this is a "showtime preview" why arent we getting the whole thing? (yes I know the word preview can go against my reasoning, but you know what I mean :p)

I will probably give comcast a call about it and I encourage you all to do so as well. How am I going to know if I would like Showtime-HD if they don't include it in the preview. After all, HD stuff is all I watch. Thats the only reason I have Comcast cable.

s

woops, sorry, hey, i just got comcast hdtv hooked up with the dct5100 to my sony 40xbr800 but both of my component inputs are already full. I want to use the dvi hookup that is on the back of my tv and the dct5100. i tried but no picture. it is a firmware thing? can i get it going somehow? If not, can i go to best buy to get a component to dvi cable? I have seen them right?

thanks,
Jeremy Linke

Mount Prospect, IL

The DVI interface is not enabled in the firmware, so don't bother shopping for a cable just yet. Comcast may enable it sometime in the future, but details are sketchy at best on when/if that will happen.

i saw on some guys thread a cable that goes from component to dvi. is this out somewhere? bestbuy or tweeter or something?

thanks

jeremy linke

Originally posted by linkin8r
i saw on some guys thread a cable that goes from component to dvi. is this out somewhere? bestbuy or tweeter or something?

thanks

jeremy linke

jeremy, call up Simply Stereo in Hoffman Estates...

(847) 882-2893 -- ask for Dave

they MIGHT have something you could use. Don't get your hopes up but it's a possibility. :) I know they have a bunch of stuff like this but I'm not sure if they'll have the exact thing you'll need. Worth a shot though. :cool:

Originally posted by Lee K
jeremy, call up Simply Stereo in Hoffman Estates...

(847) 882-2893 -- ask for Dave

they MIGHT have something you could use. Don't get your hopes up but it's a possibility. :) I know they have a bunch of stuff like this but I'm not sure if they'll have the exact thing you'll need. Worth a shot though. :cool:

may cost a bit more then a gender switcher but I bought a HD Component switcher from Inday and am happy with it .it ran 149. check it out at www.inday.com

DVI is a digital interface while component is analog. Their respective outputs and inputs are incompatible and shouldn't be connected together.

Originally posted by UncD2000
DVI is a digital interface while component is analog. Their respective outputs and inputs are incompatible and shouldn't be connected together.

right -- I was talking of a converter of some sort. :D

Since the Comcast web site is so poor at providing information I have a few questions that I'm sure the users here can help me with. I'm a WOW subscriber that is going to have to switch because WOW has no certain delivery plans for HD in Chicago/Naperville.

Does anyone else know anything different about WOW's HD plans?

Can anyone post or send me a channel lineup for both basic and digital?

In terms of rates, the quotes seem to be all over the board. This morning I was quoted 31.99/mo for basic digital (first year), plus 14.99 installation, plus 15.99 to install the HD/Digital Box, plus 5.00/mo for the box rental. This is the first I've heard of a 15.99 fee to install the Magnavox box.

Thanks for the help! With ESPN added to the line up it's time to make the switch if WOW doesn't get with it.

GOMSU79

I tried to get prices and lineup twice by calling, they said they'd mail it but never did. I finally got it by emailing customer service. They sent detailed info right away. May be different for you so I didnt forward the info.

Thanks dwk. I asked them to mail it to me also and received nothing. I'll try the email route. In Naperville where we have both WOW and Comcast you would think they would have a free install if you are switching providers.

Ok,

so my High Def screens are all ok, no flckering, but when i change to any other regular channel, there is flickering on the top of the screen. anyone esle have this? i didn't think it was doing this two days ago...

help

thanks

linkin8r

man, i am a bone head, one of the cables wasn't all the way in

sorry

Linkin8r

So far on ABC I'm getting no HD but with 4:3 sidebars and DD5.1. The game hasn't started yet, so we'll see if this game is in HD...

*edit

Nevermind, it finally clicked on at 7:10. Looks great.

But for some reason I can't tune into ESPN-HD right now. I don't get a blank screen or anything just a frozen frame from whatever channel I was previously on.

After reviewing this thread carefully for the truth and myth, I bravely called Comcast today to order my HD box. I got a CSR that quickly understood what I wanted. He attempted to talk me into upgrading to the Digital Silver package (I have Basic Cable), but did indicate it was not required for the HD channels, but IS for HBO HD.
Anyway, I held fast and asked to have just the HD channels added. The install charge is $15.99 and the monthly charge is $5 - for rental of the decoder box. My install is scheduled for Friday - I'll report back on how it goes.

Originally posted by jvos
After reviewing this thread carefully for the truth and myth, I bravely called Comcast today to order my HD box. I got a CSR that quickly understood what I wanted. He attempted to talk me into upgrading to the Digital Silver package (I have Basic Cable), but did indicate it was not required for the HD channels, but IS for HBO HD.
Anyway, I held fast and asked to have just the HD channels added. The install charge is $15.99 and the monthly charge is $5 - for rental of the decoder box. My install is scheduled for Friday - I'll report back on how it goes.

I don't think you'll be disappointed;)

How much is Comcast Chicago's basic analog cable and how many channels does it include?

Several months ago basic analog was $14 plus local taxes/fees which came to $15.75 in Mount Prospect. Don't know if this is still current. The trap they use takes out only the expanded basic channels 38-75, so you would get analog channels 2-37 & 96 plus a few scrambled ones. The digital tier (100+), the high-speed internet frequencies, and the Comcast Digital Phone frequencies are not trapped.

jvos
I'll be very interested to hear how things go for you on Friday. I called Comcast today and was told that "yes, HD is available for you there in Wheaton and you must have digital service to get it." Minimum price quoted was $51.48/mo for Digital Classic, $24.99 to install and $5/mo for the HD box.

I have basic cable now and, like you, wanted to just add the HD box. I specifically asked to do that and was told that it was not possible.

Good luck.

I mean the High Def fox station. It like skips a frame or something and is really annoying!!! i'm in mount prospect, IL

thanks

Linkin8r

why do i get these? i want it to be all across like the hbo high def and espn and the otehrs... why side bars?

sanman- they go away sometimes?

linkin8r

Originally posted by linkin8r
why do i get these? i want it to be all across like the hbo high def and espn and the otehrs... why side bars?

sanman- they go away sometimes?

linkin8r

They go away when something is either broadcast in HD or, in 4:3 stretched mode. What that picture is with the sidebars is a 4:3 (SD) picture that is NOT stretched.

If there is a way to watch the HD channels non HD programming in stretched mode, I'm not aware of it (other than to tune in to their counterpart ie 2, 5, 7 etc). I'm not certain, but doesn't channel 7 broadcast in stretched mode all the time now?

ESPNHD (173) will broadcast all the time in stretched mode...so it will fill the screen regardless of whether it is HD or SD.

There is and always will be big debate as to which is the better way to broadcast 4:3...stretched or not.

Hope this helps a little.

Tom

I had Comcast HDTV installed last friday and I noticed that my DCT5100 box has no dvi port in the back. Is this common for the boxes comcast is giving in Chicago area or are they trying to give me less for my money? :) It's not a big deal now, but I am afraid that once the time comes and they do enable DVI on their boxes, I will have to pay the instalation charge again just to have the boxes swaped.

Vlad

I got my dct5100 last week and it has the DVI port on it but I hooked it up to my tv and nothing. Must not be enabled....

Linkin8r

After the CSM told me on the phone that I MUST have digital service to get HD, I stopped by the Comcast Service Center on Roosevelt in Wheaton to talk to a live, in the flesh human being.

I got the same story as jvos, they will hook me up for a $15.99 installation charge and a $5/mo fee for the box. No need to upgrade to digital. OK, it's scheduled, we'll see what happens.

Originally posted by linkin8r
I got my dct5100 last week and it has the DVI port on it but I hooked it up to my tv and nothing. Must not be enabled....

Linkin8r

It's not enabled yet.

Originally posted by Heymike
After the CSM told me on the phone that I MUST have digital service to get HD, I stopped by the Comcast Service Center on Roosevelt in Wheaton to talk to a live, in the flesh human being.

I got the same story as jvos, they will hook me up for a $15.99 installation charge and a $5/mo fee for the box. No need to upgrade to digital. OK, it's scheduled, we'll see what happens.

This is not surprising they must put stupid pills in the water supply at Comcast's office . you would think that by now they would have been able to get their policy out to where everyone knows the same thing ?

I complained to the Corporate level and they confirmed that indeed "no need to subscribe to the Digital tier for basic HD" but it's still hit or miss even after I've had it installed when calling in to report an outage if I'm to receive someone with the knowledge of this ???

Simple answered WE must break up Comcast like was done in the early 80's to the Bell service Comcast to too large and cannot service Customers in a competent or timely fashion. These Cable Companies are just getting too hugh all the time promising bigger and better services but the only thing getting bigger is the price tag! and the payoffs from Lobbiests in Washington !

Originally posted by vj9999
I had Comcast HDTV installed last friday and I noticed that my DCT5100 box has no dvi port in the back. Is this common for the boxes comcast is giving in Chicago area or are they trying to give me less for my money? :) It's not a big deal now, but I am afraid that once the time comes and they do enable DVI on their boxes, I will have to pay the instalation charge again just to have the boxes swaped.

Vlad

I have the same type of box, no DVI. It seems some people have it with DVI port which is not enabled yet. Once DVI is enabled, I would want the box to be swapped. Has anyone asked Comcast on when DVI port may be available and ENABLED on their DCT5100?

HeyMike and others -

Well, the appointment to install my HD box was schedulef 2-4PM today. The tech showed up a 2:15 with a big smile and said "Its your HD day!" He was very knowledgeable, friendly and capable. It took maybe 10 minutes to hook it up, another 5 for the box to download during which he completed paperwork and then he had to phone in to activate the box.

The only HD being broadcast is on 191 (PBS), but man does it look SWEET!

I'll also tell you a little secret - which MUST be why they try to get you onto the Digital Silver package. In addition to the HD Locals, I DO get HBO HD (I have HBO on my package) PLUS 11 HBO channels and 12 Encore channels and music channels 701-735. In other words, as the tech very accurately said "you are basically getting Digital Premium for $5/month". How's that for sweet! He pointed out it is only on THAT TV, not every other TV in the house, but still - SWEET!

The only cold water is he did say that 10% of the time, the box dies in the first few days. My fingers are crossed that mine is in the 90tile.

I can hardly wait for the network primetime stuff!

Originally posted by jvos
[B]

I'll also tell you a little secret - which MUST be why they try to get you onto the Digital Silver package. In addition to the HD Locals, I DO get HBO HD (I have HBO on my package) PLUS 11 HBO channels and 12 Encore channels and music channels 701-735. In other words, as the tech very accurately said "you are basically getting Digital Premium for $5/month". How's that for sweet! He pointed out it is only on THAT TV, not every other TV in the house, but still - SWEET!

/B]

This is not a secret. If you subscribe to HBO's regular service you will get the HD version with the 5100 box included.

Meany -

The HBO HD is news to me, since the CSR told me that was only available with digital cable. Also, the 23 new stations plus music channels was news to me as well.

jvos - Do you subscribe to Encore, or are the 12 new channels a free bonus? Since it is possible to subscribe to HBO, Showtime, & Encore with basic analog cable, it seems that Expanded Basic is not required to get all these extra digital channels with the Moto 5100.

UncD2000 - yes, I was getting 1 HBO and 1 Encore on my analog Expanded cable package. I now get a whole lot more.

I have a question on the Motorola DTC. How can I remove the unsubscribed channels? I love to surf and its a pain that I have to go over a dozen or more "unsubscribed" channels in a row in some spots. This was VERY easy on a previous Dish 6000 - you could just select "Subscribe Only". Please tell me there is an equally easy way with the Motorola.

Originally posted by Heymike
After the CSM told me on the phone that I MUST have digital service to get HD, I stopped by the Comcast Service Center on Roosevelt in Wheaton to talk to a live, in the flesh human being.

I got the same story as jvos, they will hook me up for a $15.99 installation charge and a $5/mo fee for the box. No need to upgrade to digital. OK, it's scheduled, we'll see what happens.


II live in Wheaton and was just installed (Saturday, August 9).
I do NOT have digital cable, the entire install lasted about 20 minutes and it works. I had talked to two different Comcast folks before ordering and was told the same story ($15.99 install, additional $5/mo, do not need digital cable).

The result is an interesting mix of analog and Digital/HD signals - a "half digital" cable package. The HD package gives you the nice channel guide, music stations, and digital/HD access to the local stations and ESPN HD. The DCT5100 that came with the install is much larger than the Toshiba DST3000 I had been using for OTA. Point being that you have to clear a bunch of room for the DCT5100.

The installer was not the most digital/HD savvy person on the planet but friendly and nice enough to leave some splitters and some lengths of cable for me. One note – if you have a cable amplifier between your HD box and the street – the digital/HD stations will not come in and the analog channels will look bad as well. Thankfully the installer encountered this somewhere else and had spent hours trying to debug the problem. After my initial hookup and poor/non-existent channels, he remembered the amplifier issue, we took the amplifier out of the line and everything looks very good.

CBS Note: I had hoped that via cable the Chicago CBS feed would be better than the OTA challenges we have all been dealing with – after one day I have seen the same breakup, drop out issues I received via OTA…but that’s another thread.

Originally posted by jvos
I have a question on the Motorola DTC. How can I remove the unsubscribed channels? I love to surf and its a pain that I have to go over a dozen or more "unsubscribed" channels in a row in some spots. This was VERY easy on a previous Dish 6000 - you could just select "Subscribe Only". Please tell me there is an equally easy way with the Motorola. I'll have to defer to someone else on this as I haven't subscribed to HD cable yet and am not familiar with the DCT5100.

Originally posted by jvos
UncD2000 - yes, I was getting 1 HBO and 1 Encore on my analog Expanded cable package. I now get a whole lot more.

I have a question on the Motorola DTC. How can I remove the unsubscribed channels? I love to surf and its a pain that I have to go over a dozen or more "unsubscribed" channels in a row in some spots. This was VERY easy on a previous Dish 6000 - you could just select "Subscribe Only". Please tell me there is an equally easy way with the Motorola.

You can set up a favorites list just go to the Menu and select Favorites in the Blue column and select the channels you want in this list

jvos and nedryerson

Thanks for the news, advice encouraging input! I'm scheduled for this Saturday, 8/16. I'm really looking forward to ESPN-HD!

jvos and nedryerson

Thanks for the news, advice encouraging input! I'm scheduled for this Saturday, 8/16. I'm really looking forward to ESPN-HD!

Originally posted by nedryerson
One note – if you have a cable amplifier between your HD box and the street – the digital/HD stations will not come in and the analog channels will look bad as well.

I'm assuming that your amp was not a bi-directional digital cable amp? I've had my amp working with a digital cable box in the past, but not the hd box. I'm ordering the hdbox this week and am hoping it works with my amp because basic stations are unwatchable (on an rptv) without it.

Re: ...NOT a bi-directional digital cable amp...

Certainly not...it was a cheap Radio Shack amp that I used as a glorified splitter.

Re: basic stations unwatchable...

I wonder why that is? As an FYI - my installer tested the signal strength coming into my house and informed me that my amp was useless because the signal coming in was so strong. I don't know what he would have done if it was a weak signal but you may want to have your installer poke around.

Good luck. The Cardinals-Braves game on ESPN-HD was stunning.

- ned

I recently had Comcast installed and am noticing that I have many lip-synch problems. More-so with channels 187-191, but I also notice slight lip-synch problems with other channels once in a while. Sometimes it's worse than other times. Have others also noticed this? Or is this possibly an issue on my end? I searched all of the other posts and have seen that there have been issues with "video-stutter" (WFLD and CBS), but I wanted to confirm that others are also having lip-synch issues. Thanks.

I just got comcast hdtv installed today, but the tech used what appear to be rca cables, one is white, the other yellow, and the last one red. I called comcast and there rep told me that, those are what they are suppose to use. I insisted that component cables are red, blue and green, with separate audio connections.

Does everyone else have the rca cables, or do they actually have the red, blue and green ones, and were they supplied by comcast?

Originally posted by singal3
I just got comcast hdtv installed today, but the tech used what appear to be rca cables, one is white, the other yellow, and the last one red. I called comcast and there rep told me that, those are what they are suppose to use. I insisted that component cables are red, blue and green, with separate audio connections.

Does everyone else have the rca cables, or do they actually have the red, blue and green ones, and were they supplied by comcast?

You are absolutely correct. What the tech gave you was a yellow composite video cable and red and white audio cables. The component video cable I received was a white cable with the red, blue and green connectors for the video and red and white for left and right audio.

Call them up and tell them to get their butts out there with the proper cables. If the CSR says you are wrong, go up the ladder until you get to the right person who knows what they are talking about.

Good luck.

Mike K.

Originally posted by Spam
I recently had Comcast installed and am noticing that I have many lip-synch problems. More-so with channels 187-191, but I also notice slight lip-synch problems with other channels once in a while. Sometimes it's worse than other times. Have others also noticed this? Or is this possibly an issue on my end? I searched all of the other posts and have seen that there have been issues with "video-stutter" (WFLD and CBS), but I wanted to confirm that others are also having lip-synch issues. Thanks.

How is your audio and video connected? Are you using an A\V receiver for switching? I'm wondering if you have, for example, the component video going to a switcher and the audio directly to the TV. Perhaps a device in the path is causing the delay.

I have noticed that the digital broadcast lags behind the analog version of the same broadcast. Maybe you are using different feeds for the audio and video signals.

I have only occasionally experience this problem, but have not seen it recently.

Mike K.

Umm, I just checked ch. 190 right now and I'm getting black sidebars. Does this mean the encoder got fixed? It doesn't look as clear as when they were upconverting everything in 720p but it seems like somethings fixed. Anybody else seeing this?

i'm wondering the same thing...anyone know?

I think it's semi-related but before the 480p encoder broke did WFLD ever pass thru DD5.1?

Originally posted by sanman19
I think it's semi-related but before the 480p encoder broke did WFLD ever pass thru DD5.1?

No, their encoder didn't do 5.1.

maybe we'll get 5.1 now[if they have a new encoder]

And they seem pretty proud of it - the channel ID reads "WFLD-DT 480P1"

:)

On a whim last night after reading this forum I called Comcast. They said $15.99 installation plus $5 a month so I said okay. They said, will somebody be home tomorrow between 1 - 5 pm. Literally in less than 24 hours the tech showed up and installed the box. I wish everything was this easy.

He was friendly and seemed knowledgeable. He was a little disappointed when I didn't Ooh and Aah--he said how do you like this HD and I said well this is my second HDTV. So he was a bit deflated. Also, he did not bring cables. Of course, I already had some (good ones), but what if I didn't?

Observations--the only real HD I've watched so far is PBS. It is visually indistinguishable from the OTA version. The sound level is slightly different but that is unimportant. HBO looks terrific. I get the local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, Fox and PBS) plus HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Discovery. I have found them all except Showtime and Discovery. I don't pay for Showtime so I guess that's why I don't get anything there. Have not yet found Discovery, if anyone can tell me what channel number to check I'd appreciate it.

Someone else commented that amplifiers in the line affect the signal. I have not only one but two amplifiers in series. I need both presumably because there is a very long cable run from the street to the house. Anyway, the HD channels come in just fine.

The non-HD channels come in too but there is a flaw in the picture, I will describe it as a horizontal kink in the picture. Also the top one quarter of the screen flutters. Seems like my TV (Sony KW34HD1) has some minor incompatibility, or maybe it's those gosh darn amplifiers after all. To deal with it we connected the box not only to RGB but also to an S-video input on the TV. That means a mild inconvenience, because I have to switch inputs between HD and SD. The S video input does not show the flutter, and on HD material is noticeably better than regular NTSC (I'd say approximately equivalent to DVD, or better).

For what it's worth, I already have digital cable ("Silver Package"). I think you could get this HD without the silver package but you wouldn't get HBO.

The box is silver, attractive enough, and obviously computer ready, with connections for Smart Card, USB, Ethernet, optical sound output and DVI. Technically speaking, there's a lot of sh** in there.

Anyway, the event is significant, for me because I now have HD HBO and ESPN (and Discovery I think) (in addition to local HD networks). More significantly, now that the average Joe Customer can get HD, look for this format to really take off. It's not just for us geeks any more.

I have had Comcast out at my place in Lincoln Park 3 times to fix the signal feeding to my STB. I'm losing signal strength from the back of the house into the STB, but they still haven't completey fixed this.

Anyway, I'm sure after fighting with incompetent CSR I'll get someone out to get the picture clear and enjoy the benefits of HDTV. But be weary of technicians stating they "are trained" in how to install HDTV. My installer was contradicted by his boss on his nextel several times, his battery on the signal strength meter (?) ran out, and I had to explain to him the difference between component and DVI cables. I specifically called for a box with the DVI output, but that request went for naught.

Anyone else having better luck in the near north, north area of Chicago?

Originally posted by Mike2567
I get the local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, Fox and PBS) plus HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Discovery.

I hate to rain on your parade, but WGN and Discovery aren't available in HD via Comcast.

Uh oh. The customer service rep seemed so sure.

last i head DVI was not supported on the comcast boxes (even if you have one with the interface on the back) they said tey may enable it in the future(along with the cable modem, usb ports, smart card reader, etc etc etc)

please correct me if you use the DVI and its working as it should but the box i got in lakeview doesnt even have the connection on it...

Originally posted by sanman19
Umm, I just checked ch. 190 right now and I'm getting black sidebars. Does this mean the encoder got fixed? It doesn't look as clear as when they were upconverting everything in 720p but it seems like somethings fixed. Anybody else seeing this?

The 480P signal was put back on-line Thursday afternoon.

Originally posted by kevin j
maybe we'll get 5.1 now[if they have a new encoder]

Unfortunately, no. The encoder itself can only do Dolby AC-3 in a 2/0 format. To do anything higher requires an external Dolby encoder which we do not have. The encoder will take an external AC-3 signal, and that external AC-3 signal can be 5.1 or 2/0 or even 1/C.

We might be adding an external encoder when we build out for 720P. We have not been given any details on what kind of infrastructure corporate wants us to have for the 720P.

Originally posted by sanman19
Umm, I just checked ch. 190 right now and I'm getting black sidebars. Does this mean the encoder got fixed? It doesn't look as clear as when they were upconverting everything in 720p but it seems like somethings fixed. Anybody else seeing this?

The encoder is fixed. We're doing 480P for now until corporate gives us permission to do 720P.

For the All-Star game, we borrowed an encoder for the day. It only did 720P, so we had no choice for that event.

The 16:9 feeds will be reconnected after I return from vacation. I have to rebuild the signal path and some control interfaces that were dismantled during our conversion of Master Control to an all digital system and the incorporation of WPWR/UPN into our space.

well at least we'll have 16:9 in time for the bears season and the baseball postseason

Originally posted by Bob_Olsen
The encoder is fixed. We're doing 480P for now until corporate gives us permission to do 720P.


Bob, good you have you here giving 1st-hand information. Thanks.

Anyone happen to see the station labeled INHD on 174?

Originally posted by HD Rookie
Bob, good you have you here giving 1st-hand information. Thanks.

You been boozen???:) :) :)

Is this just me, or is Fox's audio "switched" (i.e. left to right movement on screen is heard as going from right to left). I have noticed this on ALL TV's in my house. I have a WinTV PC Card, two TVs hooked up no DCT 2244's with coax, one hooked up to DCT2244 via red-yellow-white RCA cables, and one hooked up to a DCT2244 with a surround system using the SPDIF output (surround sound sounds SWEET :) ).

I have noticed this with many shows (mainly The Simpsons has the most left to right sound effects) and only with the Fox Channel located on channel 12, no HDTV yet.

Another thread in the forum states that INHD currently has a preview running and that Comcast has listed the channel on 174. However, all the posts state that the "Not Authorized" message is all that is received.

Anybody getting INHD on 174?

No,channel 174 is labeled iNHD but says not authorized.

Originally posted by Heymike
Anybody getting INHD on 174?
I see it there, but nothing is shown.

I called Comcast about INHD, she said it wont be rolled out until the end of this month.


FWIW

I just called comcast and after trying to explain to them that the channel actually exists but I'm getting a "Not Authorized" message, she decided to send a hit to my cable box and see if that will do anything.

Amazingly, it worked and I am watching it right now!!!

V

Has anybody else called and tried to get Comcast to send their box a hit? I want to know if there's a good chance I could receive the channel if i call.

*edit*

I can confirm that calling Comcast and asking them to send a hit to your box brings up the iNHD signal. Try it.

espnHD's showing the whitesox game which is blacked out in the chicago area btw

Originally posted by sanman19
Has anybody else called and tried to get Comcast to send their box a hit? I want to know if there's a good chance I could receive the channel if i call.

*edit*

I can confirm that calling Comcast and asking them to send a hit to your box brings up the iNHD signal. Try it.

I called Comcast and had them send out a 'hit' to my box (twice actually) and it didn't work for me either time.

On channel 174 I see the INHD channel label as well as what is showing, but get the black "not authorized for HD" screen.

Tom

Same thing for me. A couple hits to the box and still no INHD on 174. A service tech is coming out to the house today to figure it out. After my last experience with their poorly trained technicians, that doesn't inspire confidence. Stay tuned.

Is HD available on all Comcast systems in Chicago? I have a friend that lives in the city, about 1 mile east of the Kennedy by the Edens/Kenedy split (the 4400 block of North Keokuk 60630). He has a Sony HD set and I told him to call Comcast and get HD service but he was told by Comcast that they don't provide HD service in his area. He has cable internet so the system is HFC which I thought was s good indication that they could get HD. I'm confused

Two things.

First I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. A hit to my cable box and I'm now getting iNHD on 174.

Second, not all of Chicago and the suburbs is able to get HD service from Comcast. The fact that the cable modem service is available is a good sign that it might be available soon in that area, but I've never seen anything from Comcast where they have been specific about completing the HD service launch for all of Chicago.

Originally posted by rad
Is HD available on all Comcast systems in Chicago? I'm confused


So is Comcast in many cases. If I was him I would call a few times and get differant CSR's to many sure it is not availalbe there yet.


Although he is wired, they seem to have been having problems getting installers up to speed, and that seems to have slowed the rollout. If it is not available, he should keep trying as Im sure it will be very soon.

I think this thread should be relabled "Comcast Surburbia Sprawl" At this point it looks like Kenosha will join our lovely metropolis before Chicago gets HD over cable.

-Stu

I'm setting up cable service for my new apartment in the bucktown area(zip 60647) and was told by comcast that they don't offer hdtv in that area yet. do i have any other cable provider options or am i stuck with directv and OTA for hd? also, slightly offtopic, but generally speaking, how is comcast in chicago with respect to picture quality and service. thanks.

Originally posted by stukoch
I think this thread should be relabled "Comcast Surburbia Sprawl" At this point it looks like Kenosha will join our lovely metropolis before Chicago gets HD over cable.

-Stu

Since Kenosha is Time Warner they may have it already. Heck, Libertyville/Mundelein/Grayslake/Wauconda system still hasn't been upgraded for cable internet access yet let alone being able to get HDTV via cable.

Has anyone gotten a hookup in Roscoe Village yet? I live near Roscoe/Damen (actually on Damen, on the East side of the street which makes a difference I think).

I was told once that I could get it and today when I was ready to order they told me it was not available and they had no idea when it would be.

I do have cable modem available, their website says the hdtv channels are available, and the press release from june says the entire 60618 zip code has it. Grrrr.

I'll probably try to get a different CS later today.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

OK, I started to dig a bit, in this Comcast Press release, dated 6/11/03, http://www.cmcsk.com/pressroom/news/20030611-111209.cfm it has this key sentence in it:

Comcast's HDTV service will be available in areas where the company's cable plant has been upgraded to accommodate two-way services.

So they live in the city of Chicago proper and they have two way cable internet service. So according to the press release, where they told the FCC Chairman it's available, they should be able to get HTDV at my friends house. But the CSR and the Comcast web site both say no.

It seems as though the INHD preview is literally a "hit" or miss occurance (please pardon the pun). I just got off the phone for a third time with a Comcast CSR and a supervisor, and it seems they don't know a thing.

They are telling me it is not available in my area, despite the fact it shows up as a channel, and is listed in the channel guide. As a matter of fact the supervisor "Mia" ( I truly wonder if it is really a supervisor at all, or maybe just the person at the next desk and they take turns saying they are the supervisor) was pretty rude in telling me I was wrong, and refused to let me talk to her supervisor.

I like what Comcast is doing about HD, but I find it pretty disturbing that we are better informed about their product than their own CSR's.

Mike K.

I just flipped to INHD and I have it (preview). No hit, or call to Comcast.
Very nice! Says two HD channels coming in Sept. I'm sure they will charge for them...??

HOLY COW!!!!!!!

I was JUST ABOUT TO CALL COMCAST. Like literally I had the number entered in my phone and was about to press TALK.

And then all of the sudden I heard sound coming from my TV. Low and behold, it suddenly came on at that exact second.

Let me just say that it the little demo loop they keep showing (about 2 minutes in length) is by far the most stunning HD I have EVER SEEN.

I'm COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY.

I LOVE Comcast right now, and I LOVE this forum and everyone on here even more because without you guys I wouldn't have had a clue about this!!

<-----very happy guy right now. :D

i'm hoping that next time i turn on 174 there it'll be and not the not authorized message

Still have the Not Authorized message here. This despite two box hits last night, and a tech visit a couple of hours ago.

I did manage to get this much info out of his visit. Apparently a "global hit" was sent today, but it seems to be reaching different towns at different times. The tech didn't know about channel 174, and neither did a couple of people he spoke to over the radio. He finally spoke to someone at the head-end and got the word that yes, channel 174 does exist, and yes - it should be up and running. Unfortunately, it looks like I'll just have to wait until iNHD comes in on its own. It sounds like it's popping up in the surrounding towns, so hopefully my wait is down to hours or minutes.

The tech was grateful to learn about this web site. I showed him a couple of messages from this and other threads pointing out the towns where channel 174 was up and running, and he mentioned that when it came to HD information the customer was always way ahead of the techs, CSRs, and almost everyone else at Comcast. Memos regarding changes in channel line-up seem to be few and far between. Hopefully he'll spread the word about AVS Forum to the other techs at Comcast. Maybe they'll get smart and make this site mandatory reading :)

There is no additional programming charge for the two new INHD channels - they come with a subscription to digital cable, in the Comcast-world anyway.

I've got INHD. Even though I called the CSR and she told me it is not available for me. I told her I was watching it as we spoke.
She told me my account does not show that I have HDTV. (I've been watching HD since May :rolleyes: ).


Oh well, way to go COMCAST, great channel!!

:p:

i still am getting a not authorized message on my tv screen on 174

Um, am I watching ESPNHD on channel 173 right now? Oh please, let it be...

where have i been!

i'm still hoping to get inHD in time for tomorrow nights us open coverage[if comcast'll turn it on]

Hi There,

First post to the forum for me. Is anyone watching the ESPN HD baseball broadcast tonight having any issues? My picture doesn't appear to be in HD. It has that squished look to it. The PBS feed (191) is always amazing, but the ESPN channel (173) doesn't compare at all.

I just recently had the digital package that was forced upon me back in May taken off of my account. I along with many of you have been getting a different story everytime I would call Comcast. First they said the HD would be $5.00 per month and a digital package wasn't required. Then when the installer came he couldn't get any HD signals to come in and said it was due to the fact that I didn't have a digital package. He had someone at the home office send the bronze digital package signal through and the HD channels began coming through. I stated that I had been told numerous times that a digital package wasn't required and I didn't want to pay for it. He said someone from billing would call me to take care of this issue. Of course no one ever called.

Recently I noticed the same conflicts are still going on here in this forum. One would think they would have resolved any conflicting communication since May, but this has not been the case. I called Comcast and asked if a digital package was required. They said no it wasn't, and they removed the bronze package (all channels over 100 except the HD ones).

I guess I'm wondering if getting rid of the digital package might have anything to do with the inferior image I seem to be getting on the ESPN channel. I saw some of the US Open earlier on CBS and it was a great picture, and as I said earlier, PBS is always great. Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

Originally posted by KBKellyUSA
Is anyone watching the ESPN HD baseball broadcast tonight having any issues? My picture doesn't appear to be in HD. It has that squished look to it. The PBS feed (191) is always amazing, but the ESPN channel (173) doesn't compare at all.

The majority of programming appearing on ESPN-HD is the SD broadcast from ESPN stretched out to fill the width of the 16:9 screen. Tonight's baseball game is a prime example of that. However, there are an increasing number of football games and baseball games that are actually broadcast in HD. You just need to read through the various message threads here to keep tabs on when those will be shown.

You're right next door in Arlington Heights - just out of curiosity, are you able to see iNHD programming channel 174? A few towns have it available already, but a few of us are stuck starting at a NOT AUTHORIZED message. Comcast customer support is absolutely worthless and I'm curious to see how many towns are still waiting to get turned on.