No problems here on the Batavia system with my Mitsubishi LT-46231 and CableCARD.
Maybe I spoke too soon. Lately I've had problems with "pixelating" and audio drop outs on WLS and WGN HD (including their sub-channels). WBBM, WMAQ, and WFLD are fine. The only correllation I can think of is that WLS and WGN are 1080i vs. 720 for the others. Is this right?

When I watch WLS and WGN on the ANT2 input via cable, there's no problem. Any ideas before I call Comcast? I've tried removing and reinstalling the cablecard, but the problem showed up again last night.

You got that mostly backwards. WBBM, WMAQ and WGN are 1080i; WLS, WFLD and WTTW are 720p.

Maybe I spoke too soon. Lately I've had problems with "pixelating" and audio drop outs on WLS and WGN HD (including their sub-channels). WBBM, WMAQ, and WFLD are fine. The only correllation I can think of is that WLS and WGN are 1080i vs. 720 for the others. Is this right?

When I watch WLS and WGN on the ANT2 input via cable, there's no problem. Any ideas before I call Comcast? I've tried removing and reinstalling the cablecard, but the problem showed up again last night.
One issue with pixelation is what frequency the channels are using. It's possible WLS and WGN on your system are on the same frequency (two HD's are typically paired), and that frequency had some problems. Here in Schaumburg, WLS and WGN are both on 633MHz (analog 92), along with The Tube (197) and WLS News (217).

Lots of messages from Comcast on the box the past few days. I hope I remember all of them for those of you who don't bother to read them:
Toon Disney en Espanol (605) is being replaced by ESPN en Espanol
WTTW's V-me (WTTW-DT 11.4) will be coming to channel 241 on March 5th
Canal 52MX (603) will move from Digital Classic to one of the spanish tiers
Bloomberg TV (128) will move from Digital Premier to Digital Classic on March 29th.
EDIT 3/4: Forgot that the DMX channels will also be dropped.

And my box STILL hasn't been updated for the new DST rules. Everything from March 11th and later is showing an hour early.

It looks like Comcast finally reconfigured the DST settings here in Schaumburg. Everything from 3/11 on is now correct. If you go through the guide, you can see it jump from 1:30 to 3:00 am on Sunday morning.

I shudder to call Comcast with this question, because I don't think they will be able to answer with any certainty...

We will be moving from the Elmhurst head-end into the city this year. Will we be able to take our equipment -- DVR box and cable modem -- with to the new location or will we have to turn it in and get new equipment from the new local office/installer?

We moved within the Elmhurt head-end a couple of years ago, and there was no problem taking the cable modem with, but didn't have the DVR at that time.

Anyone have experience with moving suburb-to-city or city-to-suburb (or even suburb to distant suburb) and how Comcast treats this transfer of service?

Thanks!

OK... didn't get much in the DVR/HD section... so going to repost it here...

I know there is a talk of the DCH models, Moxi boxes, TIVO upgrades etc. I know there may very well be a post hiding somewhere in the deep realms of these 200+ page threads.... But the question is; "what will be here soon?"

I have heard everything from Q4 2006 to Q4 2008 for TIVO deployment on the 34**/64** Moto boxes. I have also heard rumors that Moxi might be the system Comcast uses in Chicagoland. So are there any insiders that have "the scoop"? Would like to know what toys I see in my future

OK... didn't get much in the DVR/HD section... so going to repost it here...

I know there is a talk of the DCH models, Moxi boxes, TIVO upgrades etc. I know there may very well be a post hiding somewhere in the deep realms of these 200+ page threads.... But the question is; "what will be here soon?"

I have heard everything from Q4 2006 to Q4 2008 for TIVO deployment on the 34**/64** Moto boxes. I have also heard rumors that Moxi might be the system Comcast uses in Chicagoland. So are there any insiders that have "the scoop"? Would like to know what toys I see in my future

I'm not an insider and I know nothing about Moxi, but you should see TiVo on the 34**/64** boxes by Q4 2007 at the absolute latest.

I shudder to call Comcast with this question, because I don't think they will be able to answer with any certainty...

We will be moving from the Elmhurst head-end into the city this year. Will we be able to take our equipment -- DVR box and cable modem -- with to the new location or will we have to turn it in and get new equipment from the new local office/installer?

We moved within the Elmhurt head-end a couple of years ago, and there was no problem taking the cable modem with, but didn't have the DVR at that time.

Anyone have experience with moving suburb-to-city or city-to-suburb (or even suburb to distant suburb) and how Comcast treats this transfer of service?

Thanks!
Equipment that I know of is ONLY good in its Head-End region. If you're moving out of the Elmhurst Head-End region then you would have to turn it in.

Equipment that I know of is ONLY good in its Head-End region. If you're moving out of the Elmhurst Head-End region then you would have to turn it in.

Thank you! Will have to get to watching those old shows at the end of my DVR!

Universal HD announced today, it will be "on" March 29th Channel 207. 'Bout time.

Universal HD announced today, it will be "on" March 29th Channel 207. 'Bout time.

Where did you see this announcement? I'm not disputing the fact (actually, i'd be VERY happy to see UHD, AEHD, and NGCHD added in short order to Comcast's line-up), but i just haven't gotten a message on my box or statement.

Thanks for the head's up!

-dave

Hello guys.
I ran on autoprogram on my sony 50 inch. I noticed that the channels once in the 116-117 subchannels are reassigned to 2.*, 5.*, etc. I hate this by the way. I did notice that the old channels 116.1 for example, still work. However, they wont show up on the channel list. I can't, for instance, use channel up or down to reach them, and they aren't detected by the autoprogram. Any ideas as to why this is happening or what I can do to get my nice hd group back? Thanks in advance.

Where did you see this announcement? I'm not disputing the fact (actually, i'd be VERY happy to see UHD, AEHD, and NGCHD added in short order to Comcast's line-up), but i just haven't gotten a message on my box or statement.

Thanks for the head's up!

-dave

OK... i got the message on my STB tonight. It says UHD will be added on 3/29. Yay! I wonder when we'll get A&EHD and NGCHD.

-dave

OK... i got the message on my STB tonight. It says UHD will be added on 3/29. Yay! I wonder when we'll get A&EHD and NGCHD.
Nothing here in Schaumburg yet. I did get a message today that MoreMax (West) and ThrillerMax are being dropped.

Hi, I was watching the Nascar Race and that was In SD, and FOX Chicago still seems only to be in SD? I have comast Chicago, is this Comcast or is it the local station or is FOX everywhere?

Hi, I was watching the Nascar Race and that was In SD, and FOX Chicago still seems only to be in SD? I have comast Chicago, is this Comcast or is it the local station or is FOX everywhere?


I am hooked up with Chicago locals on DishN 32Fox WFLD did not have the Nascar race in HD either. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. Anyone else?

I am hooked up with Chicago locals on DishN 32Fox WFLD did not have the Nascar race in HD either. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. Anyone else?

People in OTA Feed are having the same problem, sounds like problem with WFLD Fox Chicago Local Station.....

WLFD you have exactly 13 Hours and 19 Minutes until 24 Starts to get this Fixed!!

Switched to D* and watched Fox 5 from NYC and race was in HD and Dolby 5.1 Definitely a local Fox issue.

thanks for the info.

Is Anyone getting Audio Dropouts on the Chicago Local HD Stations with Comcast???

Anyone please respond someone, im dying to know if im the only one having this problem

Yes, 187 WLS-HD, it seems to dropping less as the evening progresses.

Yes, 187 WLS-HD, it seems to dropping less as the evening progresses.

What about the Other Locals Its happening for me on 187-192...??

Can you please call Comcast to report the problem, they said thats the only why they can get it fixed if everyone calls in...they will probaly want to send a tech out, nut you can cancel it when they fix the issue.

Thanks!
Carmine

No problems tonight on WFLD via D* or OTA. House and 24 both in HD.

Please everyone call Comcast and Complain about the local HD Stations if your having that problem, i really want to get this fixed once and for all.

I'm getting audio dropouts on all HD channels. It's been happening all evening. SD channels seem to be ok. I called Comcast, sending a tech Thursday..at least it's reported. Just fix it don't need a tech out.

It seems to be working fine now, anyone else have audio dropouts yesterday (3/12) with comcast?

Hi, I was watching the Nascar Race and that was In SD, and FOX Chicago still seems only to be in SD? I have comast Chicago, is this Comcast or is it the local station or is FOX everywhere?

Hello,

Below is a response my wife received from WFLD in Chicago regarding the HD problem with the NASCAR race last Sunday.


----- Original Message -----
From: John Baich
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 6:06 PM
Subject: NASCAR


Dear Lisa,

Unfortunately, the device that receives the HD signal from the Network failed requiring us to use the backup SD program feed on our HD transmission path. I apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused you, as I am keenly aware of how negatively it affects the viewing experience.

Sincerely,



John J. Baich
VP Engineering & Operations
Fox Television Stations, Inc. - WFLD & WPWR
205 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
312-565-5540

Just wanted to point out that Comcast seems to be sending out the major networks on their actual logical channels now on the Oswego head end if your just using a QAM tuner. For example if I want channel 2 I can go to 2.1 instead of 116.1 where it was before.

Thanks Comcast! :)

Just wanted to point out that Comcast seems to be sending out the major networks on their actual logical channels now on the Oswego head end if your just using a QAM tuner. For example if I want channel 2 I can go to 2.1 instead of 116.1 where it was before.

Thanks Comcast! :)

That's how it was when I got my tv a couple years ago, then it went away and I have the 116.1 now. And when I called, they had no idea what I was talking about.

This may have been a case of your TV remapping rather than anything Comcast did. After all, if they start transmitting 2.1 on actual Ch. 2 (54-60 MHz), basic analog subscribers would be unable to receive the regular analog Ch. 2.

This may have been a case of your TV remapping rather than anything Comcast did. After all, if they start transmitting 2.1 on actual Ch. 2 (54-60 MHz), basic analog subscribers would be unable to receive the regular analog Ch. 2.Actually, Comcast did do something and it was reported in this thread about 3 weeks ago. The remap happened on my OnAir GT without any software changes. At the same time, they started providing EPG for the major networks (for the same channels they remapped). It's not that they changed frequences, e.g. my WBBM is still on QA256 channel 115, but it now shows up as 2-1.

I'm guessing that they are now passing PSIP data (or something like it) so the TV can remap the channels. I don't know enough about how things work on the back end with QAM to say this with any confidence though.

Some new channels have shown up on my tv

211 Free HD
213 HD Premium
214 HD Music

None of them are currently on-air (unless FreeHD is a premium channel somehow).


I have a cablecard instead of a box so I don't get the box messages. Anyone know what these channels are?

Just a way to access HD VOD easier.

That's how it was when I got my tv a couple years ago, then it went away and I have the 116.1 now. And when I called, they had no idea what I was talking about.

I did a digital channel scan and I have them again too!

Some new channels have shown up on my tv

211 Free HD
213 HD Premium
214 HD Music

None of them are currently on-air (unless FreeHD is a premium channel somehow).


I have a cablecard instead of a box so I don't get the box messages. Anyone know what these channels are?
It's what kevin said a couple of messages ago - those are the direct links to the HD VOD pages. They're working on my set, but there's not much worth watching there.

It also looks like these VOD-link channels were added recently:
286 - Local On Demand
419 - Exercise TV On Demand
514 - Free Movies On Demand
515 - Movies On Demand
549 - HBO On Demand
998 - Chicago Style (leads to a music link, which only has Music Choice - WGCI)

Hello guys.
I ran on autoprogram on my sony 50 inch. I noticed that the channels once in the 116-117 subchannels are reassigned to 2.*, 5.*, etc. I hate this by the way. I did notice that the old channels 116.1 for example, still work. However, they wont show up on the channel list. I can't, for instance, use channel up or down to reach them, and they aren't detected by the autoprogram. Any ideas as to why this is happening or what I can do to get my nice hd group back? Thanks in advance.


Does your Sony let you save favorite channels? When I got my Sony last year I entered the local clear QAM channels (116, etc) into my favorites and that is how I access them.

I wonder why your autoprogram won't detect them. I seem to recall that when I re-scanned a few times in the early days of having my set that nothing was lost, more were just added. My friend in NW Indiana with Comcast just got a HD set yesterday & his QAM tuner found the Chicago channels at 2.1, 5.2, etc. Makes me wonder if I should re-scan mine.

Message on my receiver this AM, ch 207 UHD will be available as of 3/29.

Message on my receiver this AM, ch 207 UHD will be available as of 3/29.
Showed up today here in Schaumburg, too.

Is Anyone YET AGAIN getting audio dropouts on the HD Local Channels, Meaning ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, and FOX???

This happens once a week!! Come on please everyone call comcast and complain!!...i want this fixed!!! They will problay want to send a tech out but just sechedule the appointment you can always cancel if you dont need it. At least everyone please report it...Thanks!!!

Is Anyone YET AGAIN getting audio dropouts on the HD Local Channels, Meaning ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, and FOX???

This happens once a week!! Come on please everyone call comcast and complain!!...i want this fixed!!! They will problay want to send a tech out but just sechedule the appointment you can always cancel if you dont need it. At least everyone please report it...Thanks!!!
Sorry, all of my HD locals are coming in just fine. Where are you located anyway? Maybe it's an issue with your head-end.

Is Anyone YET AGAIN getting audio dropouts on the HD Local Channels, Meaning ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, and FOX???

This happens once a week!! Come on please everyone call comcast and complain!!...i want this fixed!!! They will problay want to send a tech out but just sechedule the appointment you can always cancel if you dont need it. At least everyone please report it...Thanks!!!

I have never had this problem. Where are you located?

It seems to be ok now.

Is Anyone YET AGAIN getting audio dropouts on the HD Local Channels, Meaning ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, and FOX???

This happens once a week!! Come on please everyone call comcast and complain!!...i want this fixed!!! They will problay want to send a tech out but just sechedule the appointment you can always cancel if you dont need it. At least everyone please report it...Thanks!!!
Once a week if I'm lucky. You can call Comcast, but they can't fix the problem. It's a weak signal that's running to your area, and they can't do anything about it until they make their signal stronger.

What they can do however, especially if you have Comcast Internet on the same cable, is run another cable from your box to your house. That can help a little bit. They can also upgrade some parts in the cable utility box in your yard. Both will help some, but believe me, I've still got the problem.

By the way, I'm located on the West side of Elgin, near Coombs, if you're familiar.

I've about had it with the 6412!

Half way through watching a recording of Lost, the box froze and the hard drive started making a clicking noise. After trying everything I could think of, I resorted to unpluging the unit.

After bootup, a weeks worth of unwatched favorite recordings were gone! What a load of CRAP!

Later, I was able to record and play back, so it was just another one of those annoying ongoing glitches.

I don't know if the 3416's are any better, but I'm ready to find out.

Is Comcast dropping the analog tier??

My sister got a call from Comcast saying they are going to all digital service starting April 10th and to call to get a cable box which will be no charge to her current service. She only gets the analog tier currently. Anyone else get that call? She lives near Midway airport.

This is bad news, but I guess it was inevitable. Comcast needs bandwidth to compete with the increased HD capacity that DirecTV will be adding in 2007.

I would expect them to retain a basic analog tier of maybe 30 channels to satisfy local agreerments and convert the Expanded Basic channels to digital.

I've about had it with the 6412!

Half way through watching a recording of Lost, the box froze and the hard drive started making a clicking noise. After trying everything I could think of, I resorted to unpluging the unit.

After bootup, a weeks worth of unwatched favorite recordings were gone! What a load of CRAP!

Later, I was able to record and play back, so it was just another one of those annoying ongoing glitches.

I don't know if the 3416's are any better, but I'm ready to find out.

Please beware the 3416!!!.... :eek:
If your TV is connected via a HDMI input, DO NOT GET THE MOTO DST3416 STB!!!...
Since Nov '06, after having the HD in my original DCT6412 crap out, I have gone through (3) DCT3416's and dealing with Comcast in finding out why I can not turn on my TV and STB without having to "reset" the 3416 after getting a blank green screen (with audio in the background) upon first turning both on...after 4 service calls, (3) new 3416's and (1) new remote, Comcast has finally "admitted" that there has all this time been a "HDMI" issue and is no longer using Motorola boxes...I have an 5th service call tomorrow (fingers crossed) with Comcast supposedly bringing a "new" box from a new manufacturer...(?) If I actually get one, I will share the info with all...

That's true, that's the first I've heard a specific date. I believe that broadcast basic is still going to be around as analog, but everything else will be digital.

Is Comcast dropping the analog tier??

My sister got a call from Comcast saying they are going to all digital service starting April 10th and to call to get a cable box which will be no charge to her current service. She only gets the analog tier currently. Anyone else get that call? She lives near Midway airport.

Based on a thread over at DSLReports, Chicago - City only - will be dropping the anolog feed for all channels beyond broadcast basic sometime in the near future. Letters are going to be mailed out to subs sometime this week. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18045111

Please beware the 3416!!!.... :eek:
If your TV is connected via a HDMI input, DO NOT GET THE MOTO DST3416 STB!!!...
Since Nov '06, after having the HD in my original DCT6412 crap out, I have gone through (3) DCT3416's and dealing with Comcast in finding out why I can not turn on my TV and STB without having to "reset" the 3416 after getting a blank green screen (with audio in the background) upon first turning both on...after 4 service calls, (3) new 3416's and (1) new remote, Comcast has finally "admitted" that there has all this time been a "HDMI" issue and is no longer using Motorola boxes...I have an 5th service call tomorrow (fingers crossed) with Comcast supposedly bringing a "new" box from a new manufacturer...(?) If I actually get one, I will share the info with all...Do let us know if you get a non-Motorola box. As far as the 3416 is concerned, there are plenty of people using HDMI without problems. Myself, I'm going through a receiver first and everything works fine (didn't have this setup before the v16.20 update).

Please beware the 3416!!!.... :eek:
If your TV is connected via a HDMI input, DO NOT GET THE MOTO DST3416 STB!!!...
Since Nov '06, after having the HD in my original DCT6412 crap out, I have gone through (3) DCT3416's and dealing with Comcast in finding out why I can not turn on my TV and STB without having to "reset" the 3416 after getting a blank green screen (with audio in the background) upon first turning both on...after 4 service calls, (3) new 3416's and (1) new remote, Comcast has finally "admitted" that there has all this time been a "HDMI" issue and is no longer using Motorola boxes...I have an 5th service call tomorrow (fingers crossed) with Comcast supposedly bringing a "new" box from a new manufacturer...(?) If I actually get one, I will share the info with all...

I agree there are problems with the box.. and I think more specifically there seem to be problems in just about all areas that use HDMI. But there are people who are using HDMI both directly to their TV and through switches and receivers without issue.

Do let us know if you truly get a different brand box. I have a bad feeling that you might be disappointed when the tech shows up.

Based on a thread over at DSLReports, Chicago - City only - will be dropping the anolog feed for all channels beyond broadcast basic sometime in the near future. Letters are going to be mailed out to subs sometime this week. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18045111

Any word on when it will happen for the Subrubs?

I agree there are problems with the box.. and I think more specifically there seem to be problems in just about all areas that use HDMI. But there are people who are using HDMI both directly to their TV and through switches and receivers without issue.
I had the green screen problem the first two times turning the box on after getting it. Since then the box has worked with no problem, so I suppose it's hit or miss.

Question, I have an HD DVR, If i buy my own HD DVD from Ebay, do I still have to pay comcast 11.99 for the DVR?? Is this legal?? Also if i dont have to pay anything extra, whats the procedure after i get my DVR from ebay? Do i just hook it up and im ready to go or do i need to have comast program it or something?

Write back
Thanks!
Carmine

I agree there are problems with the box.. and I think more specifically there seem to be problems in just about all areas that use HDMI. But there are people who are using HDMI both directly to their TV and through switches and receivers without issue.

Do let us know if you truly get a different brand box. I have a bad feeling that you might be disappointed when the tech shows up.
well, right you are... :( the service tech came out with a "new" 3416 and said that the last tech that told me of the non Motorola box was LYING to me! :mad:
I can not understand Comcast, how can so many people who work for this company tell so many different "stories"...Since my problem has not been solved, they are going to look for an older 6412 box and see if that works...

I had the green screen problem the first two times turning the box on after getting it. Since then the box has worked with no problem, so I suppose it's hit or miss.
how did your green screen issue just "go away"...I have changed HDMI cables and even called for service on my plasma and still it persists... :confused:
it only happens on the HDMI input, not component...any insight would be greatly appreciated since Comcast apparently can't help....

Any word on when it will happen for the Subrubs?
I wonder if this has anything to do with available bandwidth. Here in Schaumburg, there are digital channels way up at 807MHz. When they started ADS, some of the public access channels were at 825MHz for awhile.

I'm guessing some of these areas in Chicago may only have 500-600MHz bandwidth and Comcast is too cheap to upgrade it, especially with at&t trying to take the cheap way out.

Does anybody at Comcast ever monitor their outputs? Here in Schaumburg, the analog feed for the Hallmark channel (62) looks like somebody cranked up the brightness to 500%. The ADS feed is OK, as was the analog at my parents house in Wheeling.

I just picked up a new LCD with a QAM tuner. I've seen QAM mentioned many times but never really paid any attention to it because it didn't apply to me....now it does.

Is there a list of QAM channels that I can receive?

I see they are similar to the channel numbers I got when I used to use my Samsung STB 6 years ago with my other HDTV (with a rooftop antenna). Are they just the locals or are there others? Are there any other channels the QAM tuner receives in HD other than the locals?

I searched on QAM and channels and it yielded too many pages to count. Would anyone mind posting a quick overview of what QAM is and the channels I can get (and if they are HD) with a QAM tuner?

Thanks.

Question, I have an HD DVR, If i buy my own HD DVD from Ebay, do I still have to pay comcast 11.99 for the DVR?? Is this legal?? Also if i dont have to pay anything extra, whats the procedure after i get my DVR from ebay? Do i just hook it up and im ready to go or do i need to have comast program it or something?

Write back
Thanks!
Carmine

Comcast in Chicagoland will NOT, under any circumstances, activate a "customer owned" Motorola DVR unit.

If it is a Moto DVR for sale on eBay in the US and presented as being able to be used in the US, it is STOLEN and will not ever be able to be used ANYWHERE in the US.

Motorola does not offer their DVR's for retail sale in the states, period.

Carmine, I have to ask you...

are you capable of using the site's search feature?

Are you capable of responding to other poster's requests that you state your location when you spam the thread with demands that we all call Comcast and complain about an issue we don't have???

There are Comcast techs that read these threads, and even one supervisor, that I know of...

BUT!

no one can help you, if you refuse to give us the info we need to help you!!!


Get real!

:mad:

Comcast in Chicagoland will NOT, under any circumstances, activate a "customer owned" Motorola DVR unit.

If it is a Moto DVR for sale on eBay in the US and presented as being able to be used in the US, it is STOLEN and will not ever be able to be used ANYWHERE in the US.

Motorola does not offer their DVR's for retail sale in the states, period.

Carmine, I have to ask you...

are you capable of using the site's search feature?

Are you capable of responding to other poster's requests that you state your location when you spam the thread with demands that we all call Comcast and complain about an issue we don't have???

There are Comcast techs that read these threads, and even one supervisor, that I know of...

BUT!

no one can help you, if you refuse to give us the info we need to help you!!!


Get real!

:mad:


Im Sorry!! Ill never buy that DVR if thats the case, thats what i wanted to make sure of with my question. I thought it might have been legal to buy it as long as comcast activates it. But if thats not the case ILL NEVER BUY IT!!!!!


And if you look further up in the thread you can see that several other people were having that Audio Drop out issue as well around the same times i was.

I just picked up a new LCD with a QAM tuner. I've seen QAM mentioned many times but never really paid any attention to it because it didn't apply to me....now it does.

Is there a list of QAM channels that I can receive?

I see they are similar to the channel numbers I got when I used to use my Samsung STB 6 years ago with my other HDTV (with a rooftop antenna). Are they just the locals or are there others? Are there any other channels the QAM tuner receives in HD other than the locals?

I searched on QAM and channels and it yielded too many pages to count. Would anyone mind posting a quick overview of what QAM is and the channels I can get (and if they are HD) with a QAM tuner?

Thanks.

I would also like to add to this question. I too bought a new LCD with QAM tuner (LC32D62u) and it picked up a bunch of the local digital/HD channels. Funny thing is, 5.2 shows what would be on 5.1, and 5.3 is actually my weather/traffic channel, where OTA it is 5.2...I'm not missing anything, right? Same thing with Channel 9. 9.2 is my HD WGN, while 9.5 is my music network. What gives?

I noticed on a Toshiba LCD with QAM tuner that the actual channel numbers were transposed on the HD locals: CBS 2-1 was on Ch. 114.2 (instead of 114.1), PBS 11-1 was on 114.1 (instead of 114.2). The same thing was noted on Ch. 115 (WMAQ & WFLD transposed), and Ch. 92 (WLS & WGN transposed).

I picked up a HL-S6188 not too long ago and was viewing Comcast through the QAM tuner (since I was about to move and didn't want to bother with a box). It mapped the channels all over the place at first. I just had to slowly go through like 500 sub-channels to find the working ones, then set them as favorites. Later on they remapped to stations that made more sense, like 2-2, 5-2, etc. You should only be able to get the same local digital stations you would get OTA like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WTTWD... but means no digital cable stations (although for some reason I got TNT HD with no sound). This worked well since CBS HD was impossible to get OTA and needed it for football.

After moving last week, got the 3416 box and I am having no problems yet via HDMI despite reading of many problems over the past few months. I didn't ask for the DVR, but I'm sure they are charging me for it. Realized its worth the few bucks for recording HD content alone. Looking forward to the new HD channel.

I noticed on a Toshiba LCD with QAM tuner that the actual channel numbers were transposed on the HD locals: CBS 2-1 was on Ch. 114.2 (instead of 114.1), PBS 11-1 was on 114.1 (instead of 114.2). The same thing was noted on Ch. 115 (WMAQ & WFLD transposed), and Ch. 92 (WLS & WGN transposed).

Weird!

all of mine are definitely as they appear OTA, just a number off. Strangely enough, I get Comcast's INHD channel with no sound. I'm not complaining, since I would usually have to pay for that. I'm just worried that I'm missing out on something.

I would also like to add to this question. I too bought a new LCD with QAM tuner (LC32D62u) and it picked up a bunch of the local digital/HD channels. Funny thing is, 5.2 shows what would be on 5.1, and 5.3 is actually my weather/traffic channel, where OTA it is 5.2...I'm not missing anything, right? Same thing with Channel 9. 9.2 is my HD WGN, while 9.5 is my music network. What gives?
Maybe the '.1' is the SD analog feed?

Based on a thread over at DSLReports, Chicago - City only - will be dropping the anolog feed for all channels beyond broadcast basic sometime in the near future. Letters are going to be mailed out to subs sometime this week. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18045111

Sure enough, I got my letter today. It says April 10th is the magic day. I hope they have a surplus of boxes! They have a shipping option if you can't make it to the office and they will waive the shipping fee it says if you call before April 10th.. It makes no mention of what the per box fee is other than to say "a separate small monthly fee applies for each additional digital converter".

EDIT: FYI, I called and ordered my box. Since I already have my 3416, this will add $5.99 to my bill. I figured it would be around there, just wanted to report my findings.

Stopped by my local office out here in the 'burbs today and additional digital box is $5.99/month also.

My Comcast letter (near north side) doesn't have a specific date.

It does say that "the only channels that will be available for viewing on any television set WITHOUT a digital converter are Basic Service channels 2-25, 36, 38, 42, 49, 53, and 95-99."

That's relatively good news - I won't need to add two boxes since those are the channels I usually watch.

My Comcast letter (near north side) doesn't have a specific date.

It does say that "the only channels that will be available for viewing on any television set WITHOUT a digital converter are Basic Service channels 2-25, 36, 38, 42, 49, 53, and 95-99."

That's relatively good news - I won't need to add two boxes since those are the channels I usually watch.

Thats interesting. I am in 60614 kind of at the North end of Lincoln Park. My letter didnt mention channel numbers at all, but had a list on the right side of all the stations I would be losing without a digital converter.

So is this analog phase out just for the city? If I am the suburbs then I am safe for now?

I have a feeling the suburbs won't be too far behind on the phaseout of the Expanded Basic analog channels. They need the bandwidth to compete with DirecTV's plan to add capacity for 150 HD channels in 2007.

I have a feeling the suburbs won't be too far behind on the phaseout of the Expanded Basic analog channels. They need the bandwidth to compete with DirecTV's plan to add capacity for 150 HD channels in 2007.

I think the big question is when are we gonna see more channels? We get Universal this week sometime, but to be honest they dont seem to have much on that appeals to me. I would love to see HBO HD on demand, but I dont know if that product exsits anywhere.

If they kill analog, it will screw me up quite a bit... I will need to purchase 5 more cable box converters..... so about another ~30 a month. I won't be too happy with that.

I think the big question is when are we gonna see more channels? We get Universal this week sometime, but to be honest they dont seem to have much on that appeals to me. I would love to see HBO HD on demand, but I dont know if that product exsits anywhere.

I had an unhappy conversation with a CRS supervisor today. During the conversation, i mentioned that i was thinking about jumping ship to Direct TV to get more HD channels. She said that they are working on a "major upgrade" of the system in our market and that we'd see some big improvements this year. I take what she said with a very big grain of salt, but i do have to wonder if the removal of the analog channels is phase one of this upgrade. Maybe we will see many more HD channels before the end of the year. One can only hope....

-dave

I had an unhappy conversation with a CRS supervisor today. During the conversation, i mentioned that i was thinking about jumping ship to Direct TV to get more HD channels. She said that they are working on a "major upgrade" of the system in our market and that we'd see some big improvements this year. I take what she said with a very big grain of salt, but i do have to wonder if the removal of the analog channels is phase one of this upgrade. Maybe we will see many more HD channels before the end of the year. One can only hope....

I certainly hope that is the intent. I think everyone assumes it is, but they made no mention in "the letter" about this being a prelude to greener pastures.

I am curious if they will be able to handle the amount of requests. I live in a 21 story building where extended basic is part of our assessment, so basically there are 120 or so units that could be asking for 1 or more digital boxes. Most buildings around me have similar deals and many of those buildings are larger. There is gonna be a pretty big demand here in the coming weeks. Im surprised they only gave essentially 2 weeks to get the boxes.

I have a feeling the suburbs won't be too far behind on the phaseout of the Expanded Basic analog channels. They need the bandwidth to compete with DirecTV's plan to add capacity for 150 HD channels in 2007.
But how many of those HD channels will be real channels? Odds are, many will be PPV or feeds for what I heard was a form of OnDemand with DirectTV DVRs (a portion of the drive is reserved for holding movies.)

Comcast has basically dropped PPV except for wrestling and porn, and they are all SD. Comcast will probably rely on OnDemand's dynamic channel load for much of the HD expansion.

Today is suppose to be the day for the roll out of UHD. I'm happy for the new HD station, but I really don't care for some of the programming.

Anyone hear about when A&E HD and National Geographic HD will come to Chicago? These stations were rolled out to other areas of the country and were to come to chicago soon.

I see that HGTV will go HD in early April. Anyone know of Comasts plans to add the station? Comcast was suppose to add close to 30 new HD stations this year. So far I haven't heard of any new ones. The ones mentioned above aren't included, as they are offered to other markets other than Chicago already.

On another note, what has happened to INHD? They got rid of INHD2, and I really miss some of the programming, (Laura Mckinzie Traveler, The Over series, (i.e. Over California), and the 50 states specials). What did they do with all this programming? Bring it back! I really don't care for some of the programing on INHD now, err MOJO, (Beer Nutz, Dr. Danger, etc. ugh!). And I hear that starting May 1st they are offically changing their name to MOJO. Don't do it. This isn't Austin Powers. That movie is 10 years old now, and the saying is like 40 now. And why such terrible movies? The audience interested in HD programming likely aren't into the 30-40 year old movies. I appreciate the sports and music, but I used to really love this channel, now I only watch sparingly.

P.S. They better bring back Geared up, also. I don't see it on the programming guide anymore.

UHD is up and running this morning on ch. 207 .

Now give us AE and NGC!!

Comcast was suppose to add close to 30 new HD stations this year. So far I haven't heard of any new ones.Dropping the analog Expanded Basic channels will have to happen first. There just isn't enough available bandwidth otherwise.

Here in Schaumburg, UHD is on 663MHz (analog 102). That was an unused frequency as far as I could tell, unless it was used for OnDemand.

Anyone ever use the lock codes (to lock your kids out of certain channels or programming) on the DVR? I used them once (just to check it out) and I cannot for the life of me disable it again. I know the PIN, so I'm not locked out, but it's a PITA entering it every time I flip to a show with an R rating.

And now, the box locked up on my completely where I had to pull the plug to unfreeze it, and now the 'enter pin' box comes up every time I change channels...regardless of what the show is.

I'm continually amazed Comcast puts out such a POS, and even more amazed with myself for paying for it. This PIN code issue may well be my fault and hopefully someone here can set me straight, but this DVR has issues that it really shouldn't have at this point in the game.

Did you try to "Clear All Locks" in Locks Setup, Master Locks?

Did you try to "Clear All Locks" in Locks Setup, Master Locks?

Thanks.

I did just try the clear all locks and was able to change the temporary clear all locks from NO to YES, however, was not able to change the permanently remove all locks from NO to YES (I was able to select YES to permanently remove locks, but after selecting that it always reverted to NO back on the Master Locks screen).

So subsequent channel surfing allowed me to surf without the annoyance of the PIN code but I don't know for sure yet if it was the temporary setting that was doing the trick or if it was permanent.

UHD is up and running this morning on ch. 207 .

Now give us AE and NGC!!

Looks great here in DG. I am still working with Comcast on getting ch 109 to work on my cable cards inside my Series 3 Tivo. Comcast has admitted it is their issue.

Anyone ever use the lock codes (to lock your kids out of certain channels or programming) on the DVR? I used them once (just to check it out) and I cannot for the life of me disable it again. I know the PIN, so I'm not locked out, but it's a PITA entering it every time I flip to a show with an R rating.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Using_i-Guide/Parental_Control

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Using_i-Guide/Parental_Control

Hey thanks for that link....ya know, I've even bookmarked that site and used it several times in the past. Ol' memory just doesn't function as it used to.

Thanks again.

Ok Lets Try This Again.....

I am having Audio Dropouts/Pixeling on all the HD Local Channels (I.E. CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, WGN) All the other HD channels are fine, all the SD Channels are fine.

I Live in the Palos HIlls Area...Anyone else have this problem? If anyone notices further up in the thread about a couple pages there were several people having this problem before at once, Several people seem to have the trouble all at once, so Comcast, if you could please look into this.

Thanks!!

Anyone experiencing trouble with Discovery HD 205. Every since UHD came on board, I'm getting no signal from Discovery.

Hey thanks for that link....ya know, I've even bookmarked that site and used it several times in the past. Ol' memory just doesn't function as it used to.
I just started adding some of the I-Guide page information over the past month. As for Parental Control, I still need to add information on using it with individual shows and channels.

Ok Lets Try This Again.....

I am having Audio Dropouts/Pixeling on all the HD Local Channels (I.E. CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, WGN) All the other HD channels are fine, all the SD Channels are fine.

I Live in the Palos HIlls Area...Anyone else have this problem? If anyone notices further up in the thread about a couple pages there were several people having this problem before at once, Several people seem to have the trouble all at once, so Comcast, if you could please look into this.
Here in Schaumburg, I had no problems with Raines on NBC, nor with Leno or Letterman later.

The local HD's are often paired on a frequency, and further grouped together. For example, here in Schaumburg, CBS and WTTW are paired, along with all of WTTW's subchannels, on 735MHz (analog 114).

There have also been some bugs posted on the Motorola DVR forums about intermittent audio dropouts on some channels. It seems to be a bug in the firmware or software, and not always a signal issue. I've also seen where the audio may mute on the channel you are watching if the other tuner has signal problems (assuming you have the 2-tuner DVR.) Also, if both tuners are on channels using the same frequency, the SNR tends to be a bit lower than if they are on separate frequencies. That can cause more problems.

Lastly, I've seen occasional problems by me on channels using 807MHz (SciFi, NatGeo, etc..) That frequency is also used by some cell phones, so I think there is occasional interference. I have good signal and noise otherwise on that frequency.

Here in Schaumburg, I had no problems with Raines on NBC, nor with Leno or Letterman later.

The local HD's are often paired on a frequency, and further grouped together. For example, here in Schaumburg, CBS and WTTW are paired, along with all of WTTW's subchannels, on 735MHz (analog 114).

There have also been some bugs posted on the Motorola DVR forums about intermittent audio dropouts on some channels. It seems to be a bug in the firmware or software, and not always a signal issue. I've also seen where the audio may mute on the channel you are watching if the other tuner has signal problems (assuming you have the 2-tuner DVR.) Also, if both tuners are on channels using the same frequency, the SNR tends to be a bit lower than if they are on separate frequencies. That can cause more problems.

Lastly, I've seen occasional problems by me on channels using 807MHz (SciFi, NatGeo, etc..) That frequency is also used by some cell phones, so I think there is occasional interference. I have good signal and noise otherwise on that frequency.

It was fine yesterday I was Watching Leno Too, but Today its having problems. Also I have Two DVR's, so i know its not my box.

Using Comcast's digital box (not HD) I've been having quite a few picture and audio dropouts on basic cable channels. If I run analog cable into my TV (via a DVD recorder) - no problems. The digital signal is time delayed about 5 seconds behind analog. This afternoon I switched over to CSPAN2 (BookTV) on the digital box (#53, near north side) and they've zoomed the picture. What a mess.

Its Working Fine now.

Do Cubs and Sox games broadcast on WCIU come through in HD with a QAM tuner?

I believe OTA is the only way to get WCIU-DT at present.

Do Cubs and Sox games broadcast on WCIU come through in HD with a QAM tuner?Schaumburg is not too far of a distance to receive WCIU-DT steadily from, with a halfway decent antenna. Depending on how you're situated, an indoor model may even do the trick.

I'm a lot further out NW in Crystal Lake (41 miles), and I don't have any trouble at all getting it with a decent indoor antenna.

Schaumburg is not too far of a distance to receive WCIU-DT steadily from, with a halfway decent antenna. Depending on how you're situated, an indoor model may even do the trick.

I'm a lot further out NW in Crystal Lake (41 miles), and I don't have any trouble at all getting it with a decent indoor antenna.

Thanks also for the reply UncD2000.

Rammi...I have a Samsung SIR T150 that I used to pull in the locals including 2 back five or six years ago when I got my first HDTV. I had a big ol' Radio Shack antenna on my roof (VU190XR) with a rotor and no trouble locking all of them. I've since built an addition on my place and taken the antenna down...wrecked it in the process. I'd prefer not putting one back up if I could avoid it, especially if WCIU is the only channel I gain over QAM in the process.

Is there an indoor antenna that you'd recommend off hand that you or others you know of have had good success with? Which one are you using and is it in a window in your place or in your attic?

Thanks also for the reply UncD2000.

Rammi...I have a Samsung SIR T150 that I used to pull in the locals including 2 back five or six years ago when I got my first HDTV. I had a big ol' Radio Shack antenna on my roof (VU190XR) with a rotator and no trouble locking all of them. I've since built an addition on my place and taken the antenna down...wrecked it in the process. I'd prefer not putting one back up if I could avoid it, especially if WCIU is the only channel I gain over QAM in the process.

Is there an indoor antenna that you'd recommend off hand that you or others you know of have had good success with? Which one are you using and is it in a window in your place or in your attic?I have a RS U-75R on the roof and a RS 15-1880 (or amped Silver Sensor) that I use indoors. I'm pretty high up on a hill, which is what helps me a lot. The 15-1880 is long gone from the stores, but the Silver Sensor can be found at many CC's for 25 bucks (under the Philips name). It's about the best, UHF set top antenna out there. If you can get it on an upper floor, of course that should help. If you're getting a steady signal, but you need to add an amp because of a long cable run or whatever, you can do that (as I do - although, if conditions are right, I don't even always need to use it).

WCIU-DT has upped their power in the last year or so, so they're easier to get now than they were before then.

(Also, that early generation Sammy tuner you've got is less sensitive than the newer, 4th and 5th generation ones - just so you're aware.)

There have also been some bugs posted on the Motorola DVR forums about intermittent audio dropouts on some channels. It seems to be a bug in the firmware or software, and not always a signal issue. I've also seen where the audio may mute on the channel you are watching if the other tuner has signal problems (assuming you have the 2-tuner DVR.)

That describes the problems I see on occassions with ESPN2HD (ch 203) and TNTHD (ch 204) on my 6412 in my family room. Doesn't happen all the time, and it can seem to go days or weeks in a row without a problem. But when it does start happening, it'll happen consistently for several days in a row. Basically those two channels will have freezing/stuttering audio and video. And if I have one of those channels tuned in on one tuner but I'm watching something on the other tuner, I'll get a complete audio drop that other tuner. Very frustrating. I have a non-DVR HD box in the bedroom and that one does not have any problems on those channels when the DVR box is having them, so it's not a problem with the signal coming into the house.

I haven't called Comcast to complain about it, but it sounds like there really isn't anything they could do about it since it's not a signal issue. Would it be worth it to ask them to either put a signal booster or something on the line to the box that is having the issue, or to try swapping out the box for a newer one?

Marc

Anyone using a cablecard having trouble bringing in UHD on 207? It shows up in my channel list but won't come up when I change to it. Anytime I call in about a problem like this they send someone out but they always end up having to flash the cablecard from the headend. Last time they switched out cablecards and I lost HBO-HD for a week or so and I don't want that happening with the Sopranos starting next week.

I'd switch to a DVR from them but I'm waiting for the Tivo interface. Anyone have any idea when that's going to happen???

I'm so tired of comcast. I can't wait until ATT can offer IPTV.

Anyone using a cablecard having trouble bringing in UHD on 207? It shows up in my channel list but won't come up when I change to it. Anytime I call in about a problem like this they send someone out but they always end up having to flash the cablecard from the headend. Last time they switched out cablecards and I lost HBO-HD for a week or so and I don't want that happening with the Sopranos starting next week.

I'd switch to a DVR from them but I'm waiting for the Tivo interface. Anyone have any idea when that's going to happen???

I'm so tired of comcast. I can't wait until ATT can offer IPTV.

I have the opposite problem with my Sony DVR. I can tune to 207 but TV Guide On Screen does not have the channel in their line-up so I have no way to get listings or easily record it.

Do Cubs and Sox games broadcast on WCIU come through in HD with a QAM tuner?
NO

I believe OTA is the only way to get WCIU-DT at present.
For the moment, you are correct.

I have the opposite problem with my Sony DVR. I can tune to 207 but TV Guide On Screen does not have the channel in their line-up so I have no way to get listings or easily record it.

They recently added over a hundred "local" channels that no one here can ever get yet they can't add UHD or MHD. :rolleyes:

They recently added over a hundred "local" channels that no one here can ever get yet they can't add UHD or MHD. :rolleyes:

You're so right. I even went to their website and reported MHD, not that they did anything about it.

Anyone having trouble accessing the programs they have recorded on DVR? I just get a black screen :mad:

Anyone having trouble accessing the programs they have recorded on DVR? I just get a black screen :mad:

When this happened to me, unplugging it fixed it.

When this happened to me, unplugging it fixed it.

Yep that did it thanx!! Boy these STB have to be unplugged a lot :mad:

The Pens/Buffalo hockey game was definitely having video problems...

No other HD channels were screwed up.

Anyone here using QAM?

Tonight, QAM tuner won't pick up 7.1 and 9.1-5. Now, it shows 7.1 as being re-routed to 84.1? What the heck? Is there some shuffling going on because of the analogue to digital thing going on?

Did anyone in Chicago take comcast up on their offer to ship a digital box to you so you are ready for April 10th? I called the night I got the letter (March 26th) but still haven't seen my mine... I called and they said it was shipped on the 26th (which right away I know isn't probably right since I called at night on the 26th).. They say it shipped via DHL, but could provide no tracking information...

Anyone here using QAM?

Tonight, QAM tuner won't pick up 7.1 and 9.1-5. Now, it shows 7.1 as being re-routed to 84.1? What the heck? Is there some shuffling going on because of the analogue to digital thing going on?


Great...it looks like those jerks as Comcast are at it again. This would be the third or fourth time in the last twelve months they have moved the local HD channels back and forth between 7-1, 9-1, etc. and 80- and 90- whatever. I now firmly believe they do this for no other reason than to make life difficult for those of us who do not want to shell out more $$ for their upgraded packages and crappy STB. Anyone wish to prove me wrong?

Not in Chicago, but yeah they do seem to have messed it up. I used the QAM tuner in my TV as a second tuner and the mapping I had noticed earlier this month is going. I'm back to having the locals at random channels. Bummer.

Great...it looks like those jerks as Comcast are at it again. This would be the third or fourth time in the last twelve months they have moved the local HD channels back and forth between 7-1, 9-1, etc. and 80- and 90- whatever. I now firmly believe they do this for no other reason than to make life difficult for those of us who do not want to shell out more $$ for their upgraded packages and crappy STB. Anyone wish to prove me wrong?

Hmm, so this isn't anything new, eh?

I called comcast up, and the guy was a downright a-hole. His response was, "well, you're not paying for the digital/HD, so it's not like you're losing anything anyways." Well you know what Comcast? F you.

Anyways, 84.1 is 7.1, and 84.2 is 9.1 ...I still can't find the music network (9.5) so if someone else with a QAM can help, please do.

Not paying? Then what is he implying? That you're stealing them?

They tell you right at the bottom of ALL the program packages that the local digital HD and SD channels are available to you WITH DIGITAL EQUIPMENT - and they don't specifically say ONLY with their equipment.

Maybe this guy needs that pointed out to him.

Most of the call center folks don't even know what a QAM tuner is, let alone how the channels are mapped.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=830402

So there it is. OK, a couple of things...

It looks like us suburban folks will have to wait until the end of 2008 to be completely all-digital. This is reasonable, as there are a LOT of converter boxes which will need to be manufactured between now and then, and of course, not just for us...but nationwide.

Now that Comcast Chicago is doing it, it fires a HUGE shot across the bow to the FCC and other cable companies, that:

1. QAM will apparently be used for people who don't want boxes
2. Analog IS dead, period, by the end of 2008, and the FCC can't stop it
3. If you don't get this done, you'll be forced out of business by the channel line-up and quality of your competition.
4. RCN and WOW are looking down the barrel of a Comcast gun; wonder what they'll do
5. There's ROOM for 120 HD channels. But it won't happen, my guess, because they'll use the space for other services...to speed up broadband, for example.

Discuss!

Well, I don't want a box. At least the 9 million digital channels I get with my QAM tuner will actually be unlocked with AUDIO.

Heck, I'd subscribe to comcast HD if there was a wider selection. I'm not too happy with the current stuff.

2. Analog IS dead, period, by the end of 2008, and the FCC can't stop it.Comcast will still at least keep limited basic analog.

At least the 9 million digital channels I get with my QAM tuner will actually be unlocked with AUDIO.


What information do you have that makes you think this will happen?

Not gonna happen! You'll still need a box or cable card for anything above basic. The channels you see that don't have audio are that way because the audio is encrypted.

If they unencrypted everything, then you'd just be able to pay for basic while getting Platinum Plus.

Well, I don't want a box. At least the 9 million digital channels I get with my QAM tuner will actually be unlocked with AUDIO.

It looks like us suburban folks will have to wait until the end of 2008 to be completely all-digital. This is reasonable, as there are a LOT of converter boxes which will need to be manufactured between now and then, and of course, not just for us...but nationwide.



Still waiting for my box... the lady I spoke with today said that DHL is not keeping up with the demand. My mailroom has maybe 10-15, but none are mine.. I called to order my box the day I got the letter on March 26th.

If I lose the ability to watch anything other than basic on April 10th, I will fully expect some sort of refund until they get me my box.. I jumped through the hoops as soon as I could.. im waiting on them.

Comcast will still at least keep limited basic analog.
Oh no they won't! On April 10, all the "expanded basic" channels gets shut off. But on July 1, ALL analog channels get shut off. This is sending shockwaves through the country's cable TV owners. If the big bad Comcast juggernaut turns of analog completely in podunk, that's one thing. But in CHICAGO? Whoa...

One director of video engineering I talked to today, who read the articles and the news I emailed him, said "that's amazing!". Then he said, "So how much is it going to cost for my two analog TV's?". Answer was $6 per box, first one free. He just rolled his eyes and said "lovely".

You have to understand this: Comcast is losing the prized-by-all-pay-TV-services customers known as HD subscribers. THEY shell out the bucks for not only HD, but also, pay-per-view, video on demand stuff. And, they put Comcast in the black. They don't know about AVSforum, or at least many of them don't, and they buy the satellite guys lines hook, line and sinker. Comcast is absolutely scared of Dish and DirecTV...you can bet when DirecTV announced 100 new HD channels by the end of the year, their people from the Consumer Electronics Show called one of the guys at Comcast HQ and said, "Houston, we have a PROBLEM!". After just 2-3 years of rebuilding all their head-ends, they're going to have to do it *again*! (No sympathy for Comcast here. Borrowing a line from an unnamed fast-food chain: "I'm lovin' it!")

THIS is how competition is supposed to work...we as customers will win out big time from this, although it won't be cheap either way.

By the way, heed my words, smart Chicago Comcast suburbanites: you might want to get those standard digital boxes NOW...or you might be nervously waiting for one or two by the end of this year!

There's ROOM for 120 HD channels. But it won't happen, my guess, because they'll use the space for other services...to speed up broadband, for example.

Discuss!Comcast will add enough HD channels over time to compete with DirecTV and Dish. If they don't, they will lose many HD subscribers to satellite.

Can someone confirm that thir TV with a QAM tuner will still receive channels without having to get a box? If so, what channels are still unscrambled. My understanding is that the locals are required by the FCC to be unscrambled. In most cities with Comcast, people with QAM tuners manage to get their locals and a few other unscrambled channels.

Can someone confirm that thir TV with a QAM tuner will still receive channels without having to get a box? If so, what channels are still unscrambled. My understanding is that the locals are required by the FCC to be unscrambled. In most cities with Comcast, people with QAM tuners manage to get their locals and a few other unscrambled channels.


I didn't check any station in particular, but I didn't seem to be having any issues with any station my QAM tuner picks up...everything seems fine...SOSO.

All this talk of getting new boxes....is that just directed at anyone who does not have a box and does not have a QAM tuner?

I have a 6412 as well as an older non DVR box, it might be 6 or 8 years old. The 6412 is on an HD big screen downstairs and the old box is on a 37" LCD with a QAM tuner upstairs...I only use that box on the LCD for OnDemand and some digital kids channels (Noggin on 120, etc).

Here in Schaumburg, UHD is on 663MHz (analog 102). That was an unused frequency as far as I could tell, unless it was used for OnDemand.


How did find out what freq UHD was on? By me there is nothing at 102 and my TV does have a QAM tuner. Checking online, UHD by me is Comcast/Elmhurst channel 207. Is UHD encrypted?

I have found other channels, such as METV, accidently while scanning. Is there a chart or reference or whatever that is used to cross-reference Comcast channel numbers to "real" channels or frequencies?

All this talk of getting new boxes....is that just directed at anyone who does not have a box and does not have a QAM tuner?

I have a 6412 as well as an older non DVR box, it might be 6 or 8 years old. The 6412 is on an HD big screen downstairs and the old box is on a 37" LCD with a QAM tuner upstairs...I only use that box on the LCD for OnDemand and some digital kids channels (Noggin on 120, etc).

Im not 100% on the QAM tunner question, so ignoring that aspect of it, this is targeted at the consumer who simply plugs the coax into their tv and happily watches channels 2-77 (roughly) and pays no attention to their lack of pay per view, premium channels, etc.

For me, I have a DVR in my main room but also have just expanded basic in my bedroom with no box. My bedroom will now require a box.

How did find out what freq UHD was on? By me there is nothing at 102 and my TV does have a QAM tuner. Checking online, UHD by me is Comcast/Elmhurst channel 207. Is UHD encrypted?

I have found other channels, such as METV, accidently while scanning. Is there a chart or reference or whatever that is used to cross-reference Comcast channel numbers to "real" channels or frequencies?

Different headends use different physical channels. On Schaumburg headend UHD is on a physical (analog) channel 102 in 256 QAM. Comcast than maps it to a "virtual" 207 channel that digital boxes will use.

All this talk of getting new boxes....is that just directed at anyone who does not have a box and does not have a QAM tuner?

I have a 6412 as well as an older non DVR box, it might be 6 or 8 years old. The 6412 is on an HD big screen downstairs and the old box is on a 37" LCD with a QAM tuner upstairs...I only use that box on the LCD for OnDemand and some digital kids channels (Noggin on 120, etc).

STayfair, Tdawg, et al,

If you only have QAM, then all you'll get after they shut analog down are the broadcast channels (standard def and HD), government access/CSPAN stuff, and that is it. You might get some music channels, and you'll get some encrypted audio but usable video from video-on-demand, but otherwise, if you want more...you'll need a box. The 6412 will be fine, you'll keep getting what you are getting now.

Im not 100% on the QAM tunner question, so ignoring that aspect of it, this is targeted at the consumer who simply plugs the coax into their tv and happily watches channels 2-77 (roughly) and pays no attention to their lack of pay per view, premium channels, etc.

For me, I have a DVR in my main room but also have just expanded basic in my bedroom with no box. My bedroom will now require a box.

Thanks. This is pretty much what I thought but I hate being the last one standing when the music stops.

just wondering.. is Comcast Sports Net un encrypted? in the clear?

I will need about 4 more boxes once analog drop off. Does anyone know the power consumption when these units are off?

I know for the 6412.. they take about 30 watts while off..

Cablecard pricing and installation charges in Chicago--what is being charged?

Comcast says on their website Cablecards are free for the first one, and 1.91 for the second, subject to regulation. On calling, they said I would be charged 23.99 for the installation, and 5.99 /month for the second one. Is this what everyone is paying?

This is after mistakenly talking to a rep who was convinced a digital box would work with my Tivo Series 3, despite the fact I wouldn't have the dual tuners.

just wondering.. is Comcast Sports Net un encrypted? in the clear?

encrypted on comcast

Cablecard pricing and installation charges in Chicago--what is being charged?

Comcast says on their website Cablecards are free for the first one, and 1.91 for the second, subject to regulation. On calling, they said I would be charged 23.99 for the installation, and 5.99 /month for the second one. Is this what everyone is paying?

This is after mistakenly talking to a rep who was convinced a digital box would work with my Tivo Series 3, despite the fact I wouldn't have the dual tuners.
It's supposed to be one FREE card PER DEVICE, and $1.99 for a SECOND card IN THE SAME DEVICE (such as a Tivo S3).

What information do you have that makes you think this will happen?

I may have typed what I meant wrong. I was saying, instead of cable cards and boxes, I could use my built in QAM tuner, that way when the day finally comes, I can pay for digital/HD and not have to worry about scrambled channels. That's all

Oh no they won't! On April 10, all the "expanded basic" channels gets shut off. But on July 1, ALL analog channels get shut off. This is sending shockwaves through the country's cable TV owners. If the big bad Comcast juggernaut turns of analog completely in podunk, that's one thing. But in CHICAGO? Whoa...

By the way, heed my words, smart Chicago Comcast suburbanites: you might want to get those standard digital boxes NOW...or you might be nervously waiting for one or two by the end of this year!


I'm a Comcast Elmhurst 'expanded basic' analog customer. Where are you getting those dates as getting any info directly from Comcast is like pulling teeth.

Also, what 'standard' digital boxes are you talking about? I'm new to all this. I joined to help me decide what type of flat panel to buy and get any info I can muster about digital cable. Can I subscribe to their basic digital and still hook up older tv's (for the time being) for secondary use or would I have to buy a digital box to receive the basic channels?

I'm a Comcast Elmhurst 'expanded basic' analog customer. Where are you getting those dates as getting any info directly from Comcast is like pulling teeth.

Also, what 'standard' digital boxes are you talking about? I'm new to all this. I joined to help me decide what type of flat panel to buy and get any info I can muster about digital cable. Can I subscribe to their basic digital and still hook up older tv's (for the time being) for secondary use or would I have to buy a digital box to receive the basic channels?
Try this thread,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=830402&page=1&pp=30
Comcast To Go All-Digital in Chicago, Room For "120 HD Channels" - AVS Forum

and the last 7-8 posts in this thread,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10246115#post10246115
Comcast New Technology Test - AVS Forum

Thanks for the links. They were on page 6 of my search.
That's completely different info than the Comcast rep gave me which is why I came asking. When I called to inquire, I was told that I would need to shell out $23.99 for the first box and $3.99 per month for any additional. I was hoping perhaps there was an aftermarket digital box that consumers could buy outright. I was also told there is a 6 week backlog so I should get my order in soon. This may be the reason to drop Comcast and their broadband internet altogether and go back to DSL and a dish since all the fees add up to much more than we really use the service for.

I have a DCT6412 and a DCT700 up stairs. I ordered a PPV boxing last month and it couldn't be viewed on the tv set with the DCT700 box. Is this cause I ordered the fight on the 6412 and can only be viewed on the box you ordered it from? Or do I just need to upgrade the dct700 box to view the any future PPV?

I have a DCT6412 and a DCT700 up stairs. I ordered a PPV boxing last month and it couldn't be viewed on the tv set with the DCT700 box. Is this cause I ordered the fight on the 6412 and can only be viewed on the box you ordered it from? Or do I just need to upgrade the dct700 box to view the any future PPV?

Order over the phone and you can watch on both boxes.

How did find out what freq UHD was on? By me there is nothing at 102 and my TV does have a QAM tuner. Checking online, UHD by me is Comcast/Elmhurst channel 207. Is UHD encrypted?

I have found other channels, such as METV, accidently while scanning.

<<< Is there a chart or reference or whatever that is used to cross-reference Comcast channel numbers to "real" channels or frequencies? >>>
=====================================================

I have seen a 9 column chart of Comcast channel/freq info .. Cable Box Channel, Analog Tuner Channel, DIGITAL tuner channel, Frequency etc. It had some nice color - green for QAM, magenta for HD and so on. But I'll be darned if I can find it now.

Can someone POST A LINK to current charts - especially for Lake Zurich, IL or Schaumburg, IL?

>>>
=====================================================

I have seen a 9 column chart of Comcast channel/freq info .. Cable Box Channel, Analog Tuner Channel, DIGITAL tuner channel, Frequency etc. It had some nice color - green for QAM, magenta for HD and so on. But I'll be darned if I can find it now.

Can someone POST A LINK to current charts - especially for Lake Zurich, IL or Schaumburg, IL?

That was andyross63's chart that has Schaumburg channels. Link to it is somewhere in this thread.

Comcast seems to have shut off ALL the digital channels available w/ QAM in Palatine as of today (4-11-07). A call to Comcast (and holding for 20 minutes for a supervisor) resulted in being told I'm SOL, and that the channels were probably encrypted to coincide w/ the digital rollout in Chicago. No dice in getting them to connect me to the Rolling Meadows head so I could get some help from someone who would actually have an idea of what I was talking about.

Analog channels on my LCD sucks.

Comcast seems to have shut off ALL the digital channels available w/ QAM in Palatine as of today (4-11-07). A call to Comcast (and holding for 20 minutes for a supervisor) resulted in being told I'm SOL, and that the channels were probably encrypted to coincide w/ the digital rollout in Chicago. No dice in getting them to connect me to the Rolling Meadows head so I could get some help from someone who would actually have an idea of what I was talking about.

Analog channels on my LCD sucks.

Wait, you can't even get the local digital/HD stuff?

I watched American Idol, Lost, and some other stuff without a hitch tonight in Romeoville. Weird. All look pretty good to me!

On another note, I just called comcast and upgraded to digital+HD w/ a cablecard. Good idea or bad idea? I really wanted digital, cos analogue sucks.

Comcast seems to have shut off ALL the digital channels available w/ QAM in Palatine as of today (4-11-07). A call to Comcast (and holding for 20 minutes for a supervisor) resulted in being told I'm SOL, and that the channels were probably encrypted to coincide w/ the digital rollout in Chicago. No dice in getting them to connect me to the Rolling Meadows head so I could get some help from someone who would actually have an idea of what I was talking about.

Analog channels on my LCD sucks.Did you try a rescan? It's happened to me once before (I'm also in Palatine). I can't check ATM, but I will and report back.

Edit: All the digital channels were there on both my TV and the OnAir GT tuner. Are yours ok now?

Jschultz- Nope, not even local stuff. I tried them all, and all I can get is the SD analog signal.

Epsilon- scanned 4 times. Nada. I haven't tried yet today...probably when I get home. Wierd though...they just moved all the channels weeks about 6 weeks ago to coincide with their analog counterparts (e.g., CBS HD used to be 115.2, now it's 2.1). You'd think they'd have shut them off then instead of moving them around.


Anyone have a phone # or address for the rolling meadows head, perhaps I'll just stop by on my way home from work.

Jschultz- Nope, not even local stuff. I tried them all, and all I can get is the SD analog signal.

Epsilon- scanned 4 times. Nada. I haven't tried yet today...probably when I get home. Wierd though...they just moved all the channels weeks about 6 weeks ago to coincide with their analog counterparts (e.g., CBS HD used to be 115.2, now it's 2.1). You'd think they'd have shut them off then instead of moving them around.


Anyone have a phone # or address for the rolling meadows head, perhaps I'll just stop by on my way home from work.

Are you sure they moved them? If you are receiving on your analog tv CBS on channel 2 then it has not been moved. They probably just started sending PSIP info and your tv is mapping it to 2.1

OK, let me clarify. When I first got the tv in November and hooked it up to my cable outlet (Enhanced Basic package from comcast...NO reciever/decoder/box of any sort...just a cable running from the wall to the TV), And ran the Autoscan function, it picked up 69 Analog channels, and 300+ Digital channels. Of these digital channels, only about 20 have anything on them....all the rest were just black with no audio. Of these 20 or so Digital channels, there was the digital, 4:3 SD broadcast of the local ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. There was also the 16:9 HD broadcast of these same channels. A couple of new channels showed up also, like TheTube, WTTW-Digital, and a few others. These Digital channels were initially all over the place, but most fell in the 100-116 range, and were indicated by being a 'point' channel. For Example, CBS HD was 115.2, where as regular ANALOG CBS is channel 2.0 Then, a few weeks ago, these digital channels moved to fall in line with their analog counterparts. NBC Analog is 5.0, NBC HD is 5.1, NBC Weatherplus is 5.4. The DIGITAL channels had moved, but at least they were all still available....the channels scan I did when I saw they had moved showed me the same 69 Analog channels, 300+ digital, of which 20ish have anything on them. Remember now, this was about 6 weeks ago.

Now, all those digital channels are no longer there. I select 2.1 on the TV, and it says "Channel not Available". I select 2.0, and the channel is there, as always. The same crappy looking analog broadcast. When I do a channel scan, which I did at least 4 times last night, it detectst 69 Analog channels, 0 Digital channels. Which leads me to believe that the digital spectrum has been either shut off for now, or encrypted so my TV cannot decode the signal. I just want to verify that this is the case, and not an issue with the tuner in the TV itself.

On a side note, anyone living in downtown Chicago that was affected by the switchover the other day; Do you have to have a STB, or have you been able to use the QAM tuner built into your TV?

leppell - I hate to be the one to break this to you, but -

If you were paying for the "Enhanced" package, you should have been using their cable box all along in order to get the complete benefits of it. All of those analog channels you've been getting all along would also have a digital counterpart that can ONLY be received with their box (or CableCARD). The clear QAM tuner in your TV WAS NOT able to receive, and WILL NEVER pick those channels up (w/full video AND audio). You're also giving up having the "On Demand" feature of Enhanced by not using their box (unless that's not part of the Enhanced package in your area - but it usually is most everywhere now, I believe) A certain amount of the On Demand stuff is free, so you wouldn't necessarily have to pay anything extra to use that feature.

I don't know if you were trying to avoid a rental fee for the box and remote by not going with it (as I'm not even sure if there is any fee - the website seems to only give you the price packages - not the "incidentals"), but you were also not getting the full benefits of the package you were paying for. You could have just ordered the "extended basic" analog package for a couple bucks less, and still gotten exactly what you've been having - and that INCLUDES the local digital SD's and HD's. It appears that they caught up with you're account, as far as what they're sending you now - at least as far as those "non-local" digitals you were receiving. You should't normally be receiving any of those without their box (although, many people often report receiving a "stray" digital here or there - sometimes even HD ones, like Discovery HD - when they're not even paying for it).

As far as the situation with the local digitals, if some others in your area are still receiving them, then they are obviously still passing them along unencrypted. There is a possibility that they've moved them yet again, and you have one of those tuners that just can't get them wherever they are. Panasonic's QAM TV tuners are particularly noted for that.

OK, let me clarify. When I first got the tv in November and hooked it up to my cable outlet (Enhanced Basic package from comcast...NO reciever/decoder/box of any sort...just a cable running from the wall to the TV), And ran the Autoscan function, it picked up 69 Analog channels, and 300+ Digital channels. Of these digital channels, only about 20 have anything on them....all the rest were just black with no audio. Of these 20 or so Digital channels, there was the digital, 4:3 SD broadcast of the local ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. There was also the 16:9 HD broadcast of these same channels. A couple of new channels showed up also, like TheTube, WTTW-Digital, and a few others. These Digital channels were initially all over the place, but most fell in the 100-116 range, and were indicated by being a 'point' channel. For Example, CBS HD was 115.2, where as regular ANALOG CBS is channel 2.0 Then, a few weeks ago, these digital channels moved to fall in line with their analog counterparts. NBC Analog is 5.0, NBC HD is 5.1, NBC Weatherplus is 5.4. The DIGITAL channels had moved, but at least they were all still available....the channels scan I did when I saw they had moved showed me the same 69 Analog channels, 300+ digital, of which 20ish have anything on them. Remember now, this was about 6 weeks ago.

Now, all those digital channels are no longer there. I select 2.1 on the TV, and it says "Channel not Available". I select 2.0, and the channel is there, as always. The same crappy looking analog broadcast. When I do a channel scan, which I did at least 4 times last night, it detectst 69 Analog channels, 0 Digital channels. Which leads me to believe that the digital spectrum has been either shut off for now, or encrypted so my TV cannot decode the signal. I just want to verify that this is the case, and not an issue with the tuner in the TV itself.

On a side note, anyone living in downtown Chicago that was affected by the switchover the other day; Do you have to have a STB, or have you been able to use the QAM tuner built into your TV?

What I am trying to say is that CBS-HD is most likely still on 115.2 (or whatever it was). Comcast used to (then they stopped for a while) broadcast PSIP information (similar to what you would get from OTA) which tells your tv that physical channel is on 115, but it should be mapped to 2.1.

Can you clear all your scanned channels and rescan? I doubt they will get rid of locals in clear QAM, but who knows.

leppell - I hate to be the one to break this to you, but -

If you were paying for the "Enhanced" package, you should have been using their cable box all along in order to get the complete benefits of it. All of those analog channels you've been getting all along would also have a digital counterpart that can ONLY be received with their box ...

.... You could have just ordered the "extended basic" analog package for a couple bucks less, and still gotten exactly what you've been having - and that INCLUDES the local digital SD's and HD's....

....There is a possibility that they've moved them yet again, and you have one of those tuners that just can't get them wherever they are. Panasonic's QAM TV tuners are particularly noted for that.

uuuhhhh....I hate to be getting caught up in confusion/flaming/could shoulda type stuff after finally joining; but it's developing into that. Maybe I'm just not making myself clear.

I DID order the "Extended Basic" analog package. Re-read my last post and it's right there....first line. I bought my HDTV in November, a Black Friday deal built by Westinghouse; I went with it (the cable package) because when I first signed up with Comcast, I only had a SD television set, and digital cable was about $10-$15 more. I have a Harmony remote, so no need for their remote. Not too interested in OnDemand. I waited for a TV that had built in QAM and ATSC tuners so I could get OTA content and such. Most the shows I watch are on FOX, NBC, CBS, and CW, so no need to get the full blown package....I like Cartoon Network, but you aren't going to see a lot of difference b/w analog and digital on an episode of Sealab 2021. The digital channels that I'm getting for the most part ARE local. The exceptions would be like TheTUBE, but that's provided by WGN, a local station. The HD feeds carry local news. I acknowledge the possibility that they've been moved. That's why I'm posting, to find out if other's are having the same issue, because I can no longer locate them by both tuning into to where they were located (including where they were before the last move), or be wiping the channel memory and doing a new scan.


Can you clear all your scanned channels and rescan? I doubt they will get rid of locals in clear QAM, but who knows.
I would think so too; My tv clears EVERYTHING but picture settings when I do an Autoscan.

I DID order the "Extended Basic" analog package. Re-read my last post and it's right there....first line. Hmmmm.....unless I'm really losing my eyesight, the first line in your post implicitely states, "Enhanced Basic package". But, no biggie.

Anyhow, if you don't get any satisfactory answers from others, consider that last possibility that I mentioned. It's actually more common than you might think. All QAM tuners are not necessarily equal.

Maybe check into the "Flat Panel LCD" section of the forum, and ask if anyone else there with the same model TV has had a similar issue with the tuner not picking up all or some of their local digital channels. (Or better yet, maybe someone here in your area has the same set as you.)

:)

To clarify some of this confusion: You don't need expanded or extended anything to receive the QAM channels that are in the clear. I'm in Palatine and pay $10.99/mo for "Basic Broadcast" and get all the local digital stations. I do also have a 3416 (for $11.99 more), which I hardly use (I only need cable for WBBM and I use my OnAir GT to record that). The rest of channels (cable and OTA) I record via my ViP622.

About the only way I can think of the channels can be blocked is if they installed a tap on your line without you knowing, although I don't see why they would do that when you have extended basic. They removed my tap when I got the Motorola and I wouldn't be surprised if they put it back on if I returned their DVR.

I have seen a 9 column chart of Comcast channel/freq info .. Cable Box Channel, Analog Tuner Channel, DIGITAL tuner channel, Frequency etc. It had some nice color - green for QAM, magenta for HD and so on. But I'll be darned if I can find it now.

Can someone POST A LINK to current charts - especially for Lake Zurich, IL or Schaumburg, IL?
http://home.att.net/~andyross/Schaumburg_Cable_Channels.zip

I just updated it last week for UHD and other recent changes, and also put in the OnDemand link channels (they don't take up a frequency, but they are there to see what channel numbers are used). I haven't done a full re-check since the software update, so it may not be 100% correct. I've found I have to be very careful turning the box back on after being in the diagnostic or user menus. If I turn it back on too fast, it sometimes reboots.

TV, heal thyself.

Seems it was only a temporary thing. Got home today and the Autoscan found 69 Analog channels, and 333 Digital (most of which have nothing on them). At first glance, all the channels seem to be in the same place as before my little blackout period.

Something strange happened with my 6412 STB last night.

All of the text in the guide, my recordings and scheduled recordings disappeared! The recordings are still there. If I curser to a blank line and press info, I can see a description of the recorded show and play it.

I am reluctant to reboot until I have viewed all of the recordings for fear that they will be delated.

Will the quirkiness of Comcast never end?

After spending weeks trying to interface a V7 TV Guide system to Comcast Skokie's system, I think I know the answer, and would appreciate someone confirming this answer, and directing me as to who I could contact on this issue.

I can interface the system to a Motorola 6200 HD box fine.
When I scan for TVG data it doesn't find the host channel... and stops at channel 94, but doesn't get data correctly.

I've been told that Comcast sets aside channels 94 through 97 for TVGOS channels....

Channel 94 is WTTW, Channel 11-0, which is the TVGOS V8 primary transmitter in Chicago.

The box I'm trying to interface is a TVGOS V7 box, and that would need WFLD Channel 32-0 signal...

That channel WFLD with it's TVG V7 signal, is NOT in the channel 94 to 97 range.
There are OPEN CHANNELS still available in the 94 to 97 range...

WHO do I contact to request that TVG V7 channel be put in that range, so I can get TVG Data for Cablebox control???

Thanks

Jan

About all you can do is connect the box directly to the cable (use a splitter before the 6200). That way, it can directly grab the analog feeds, assuming Comcast isn't stripping the TVGOS information off the VBI.

Given that Comcast is dropping most (or maybe all??) analog channels in the city of Chicago itself, your TVGOS box will be dead soon in a year or so anyways as they expand that to everywhere. In 2 years, even an old-fashioned antenna won't work as analog broadcasting is terminated.

In 2 years, even an old-fashioned antenna won't work as analog broadcasting is terminated.

Well, the analog-only TV will be dead, but the antenna will still work just fine for digital broadcasts. :)

I have seen a number of posts about dropouts, tiling etc. on the local HD channels. Here in Crystal Lake, I am seeing this particularly on Ch 187 (WLS-HD) and Ch 192 (WGN-HD), which I believe are paired on the same frequency. On rare occasions I have seen it on Ch 189 (WBBM-HD) and Ch 191 (WTTW-HD). I have never seen an issue on cable only channels such as HBO-HD, TNT-HD, ESPN-HD, etc. I do not believe it to be a signal strength issue as it has been checked by Comcast and I cannot seem to affect the issue by varying the signal strenght by adding splitters, etc.

My TV is a Panasonic plasma with Cablecard, the odd thing is I am not seeing this on another LG LCD TV I have in the house also using a Cablecard, or with my front projector using a set-top box. I have contacted Panasonic before and the SNR seems to be at well above what they consider acceptable. I am speculating that whatever signal anomolies that might exist are better handled by the LG than the Panasonic...I have seen many comments that the QAM tuner in the Panasonic is not very good, but due to the number of similar complaints on this thread I am not sure if it the whole story.

Has anyone who has had this problem been able to successful resolve it? Anyone seeing this have a Panasonic plasma?

Let me post it another way.....

WHO do I contact to request at Comcast that a TVG V7 channel (WFLD 32-0) be put in that range, (CH94-97) so I can get Version 7 TVG Data for Cablebox control???

Just hooked up a new 32" Vizio LCD HDTV. I am utilizing the QAM tuner in the TV (no cable box yet). I am experiencing frequent tiling and sound breakups on CBS (2.1) and WTTW (11.2). None of the other local HD feeds are showing the same issues. The problem doesn't seem to exist on my Sony using its QAM tuner to get local HD's right off the cable feed. Is this an issue with 1) the QAM tuner in the Vizio, 2) the Comcast signal for those particular channels or 3) cable wiring?

Looks like Comcast really F'd up last night. I had a manual recording on my 6412 covering the Adult Swim block on Cartoon Network. It recorded the opening segment of The Oblongs, but after that, only recorded the Comcast inserts every half hour. It would just jump to them. It looks as if there was no signal at all, except for their inserts.

I had the same thing happen too. It was also affecting Discovery channel, on both analog and digital. Usually it's only on analog when stuff like this happens. Someone on an Adult Swim forum that I go to was complaining about it that was from Chicago, but no one else on the forum was effected, so definitly a local thing. It's really dissapointing that this would happen since you rely on the cable to work and sometimes it doesn't. I wonder why they only goofed on two channels.

Here in Schaumburg, all of the following are on 795MHz (analog 124):
21 - Discovery
28 - VH1
31 - TLC
36 - AMC
38 - MTV
42 - Disney
44 - Nick
47 - Comedy
49 - BET
52 - Toon
54 - USA

I guess the entire transmitter lost it's feed, except for the inserts for some odd reason. The analogs appear to be the digital simulcast just reconverted back to analog.

Another interesting thing is that channels 15, 17, and 24 don't work on digital currently, but are fine on analog. I just get a black screen. They are all local channels to Schaumburg, as one is for the Park District, one for the City Hall, and the last for the Library. This seems independant from the other problem as far as I can tell.

Just got my cablecard/digital/HD installed.

Where is INHD? It's not even in Comcast's channel lineup on their website anymore. What gives?

Where is INHD? It's not even in Comcast's channel lineup on their website anymore. What gives?
I just checked Comcast's web site and it's still there at 174 - iN DEMAND HD 1

Aha! Why they call it that, I don't know.

Thanks!

INHD is renaming itself to MOJO on May 1st.
http://www.inhd.com/press/pressDetail.jsp?pressId=72

Did Anyone Else that when watching Law & ORder SVU on NBC HD, that the first half the show is in HD and the 2nd half is back to the SD Feet With the black bars on the side.

That happens to me a lot with NBC content.

To clarify some of this confusion: You don't need expanded or extended anything to receive the QAM channels that are in the clear. I'm in Palatine and pay $10.99/mo for "Basic Broadcast" and get all the local digital stations.


Epsilon,

Can you please clarify? I currently have Comcast "Basic Service". It is their lowest advertised package and i pay $25.49/mo. This package is basically an OTA antenna replacement with no expanded or premium content (which I don't need or want). There is no lower package available... I checked their website. I live inside the Chicago city limits, Near North. How do I go about getting this $10.99 package?

Epsilon,

Can you please clarify? I currently have Comcast "Basic Service". It is their lowest advertised package and i pay $25.49/mo. This package is basically an OTA antenna replacement with no expanded or premium content (which I don't need or want). There is no lower package available... I checked their website. I live inside the Chicago city limits, Near North. How do I go about getting this $10.99 package?Prices of the basic service in the Chicago area vary greatly by headend. Sounds like in Chicago the price is significantly higher.

Epsilon,

Can you please clarify? I currently have Comcast "Basic Service". It is their lowest advertised package and i pay $25.49/mo. This package is basically an OTA antenna replacement with no expanded or premium content (which I don't need or want). There is no lower package available... I checked their website. I live inside the Chicago city limits, Near North. How do I go about getting this $10.99 package?


Move to Evanston! The same service is $8.29 per month.

Looks like it's $18.95 here for their basic package.

Move to Evanston! The same service is $8.29 per month.Now that is a real bargain. Basic was $2.99 when I first signed up for cable 25 years ago, but that was primitive compared to today with so many digital offerings.

What is the best way to contact Comcast to ask for the Big Ten Channel to be added to the line up. I figure calling a CSR is just wasting time. Is there a more direct contact? Is there an e-mail contact.

Thanks

I just order Comcast, switching from dtv.

Couple of questions, the person who handled my order said I would get 2 boxes, one for SD (digital) I am assuming, another for HD. This seems odd, wouldn't the HD box handle all channels?

Also anybody in the city have any insights on what is still aviable with QAM tuners? I hoping HD locals are available.

Couple of questions, the person who handled my order said I would get 2 boxes, one for SD (digital) I am assuming, another for HD. This seems odd, wouldn't the HD box handle all channels?


That is a new one. If you have one TV and it is HD, you should just need the HD box and it will get all the channels including SD.

That is a new one. If you have one TV and it is HD, you should just need the HD box and it will get all the channels including SD.

It may have been the way I phrased the question, I just wanted to know that if I paying an additional $5 a month for a HD box, that I got an HD box in additional to what I would be getting nromally.

I guess I will see what they show up with. What are they sending out for HD STBS? 6200?

What are they sending out for HD STBS? 6200?
My understanding is that it's usually the 3416 or 3412 now.
Here's the Wikipedia pics/specs (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Identifying_your_model#DCT_3412)

Prices of the basic service in the Chicago area vary greatly by headend. Sounds like in Chicago the price is significantly higher.
Move to Evanston! The same service is $8.29 per month.
Looks like it's $18.95 here for their basic package.

LOL, why is it I feel like I'm paying some big husky guy to violate my privates? :eek:

Well I'm glad I found this thread. Up until now, I had no clue that I "might" be able to receive my locals in HD over unencrypted QAM via Comcast Basic Service. I'd feel quite a bit better if this is the case. I don't currently own a HDTV simply because I can't receive OTA HD even though I'm less than 2 miles from the Loop.

My understanding is that it's usually the 3416 or 3412 now.
Here's the Wikipedia pics/specs (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Identifying_your_model#DCT_3412)

Thanks but those are DVR's. I might just bypass the HD box altogether if I can pull the local HD's via QAM.

LOL, why is it I feel like I'm paying some big husky guy to violate my privates? :eek:

Well I'm glad I found this thread. Up until now, I had no clue that I "might" be able to receive my locals in HD over unencrypted QAM via Comcast Basic Service. I'd feel quite a bit better if this is the case. I don't currently own a HDTV simply because I can't receive OTA HD even though I'm less than 2 miles from the Loop.

How the heck are you that close and not getting OTA? Sheesh!

But on July 1, ALL analog channels get shut off.
Did you get notice in writing of All of Analog ending on 1 July?
Because the various AVS threads don't get me any clear info. on this,
nor do the Tribune and Sun Times articles.
Reading the articles, it is not clear whether Basic will turned off on 1 July '07 or on 17 Feb. '09 to coincide with the OTA transition; the articles seem to say both, therefore the contradiction.

Did you get notice in writing of All of Analog ending on 1 July?
Because the various AVS threads don't get me any clear info. on this,
nor do the Tribune and Sun Times articles.
Reading the articles, it is not clear whether Basic will turned off on 1 July '07 or on 17 Feb. '09 to coincide with the OTA transition; the articles seem to say both, therefore the contradiction.

And - do we have word on the future of QAM in the clear? It seems that I've seen contradictory info regarding that too. I'm in the market for a new TV for the bedroom. If I get one with a QAM tuner, what channels should I expect to be able to pull in without having to get a box once this transition is complete?

It may have been the way I phrased the question, I just wanted to know that if I paying an additional $5 a month for a HD box, that I got an HD box in additional to what I would be getting nromally.

I guess I will see what they show up with. What are they sending out for HD STBS? 6200?


What Comcast told me is that the additional $5/month is to upgrade a SD digital STB to an HD digital STB. Still only one box, but an HD version.

And - do we have word on the future of QAM in the clear? It seems that I've seen contradictory info regarding that too. I'm in the market for a new TV for the bedroom. If I get one with a QAM tuner, what channels should I expect to be able to pull in without having to get a box once this transition is complete?

Comcast is currently encrypting all non-local digital channels and there is no reason to think that this will change. Therefore, if you want more than local channels you will need a box or a cablecard enabled TV.

Anybody else on the Oswego head end having problems with the HD local networks tonight? Except for CBS and NBC they vary between pixelated to totally blank. Checked my signal levels in the diagnostic menu and they look fine, so I don't think it's a problem at my end.

I tried calling Comcast, but after 15 minutes on hold I ran out of patience.

Edit- Never mind, looks like they fixed it. Everything is back to normal as of a few minutes ago. :)

Question...Do I need a QAM tuner in order to get local "OTA" stuff through my cable line? My TV with QAM tuner is defective, and I need to return it. I found a Samsung HLS5087 for cheap, and it only has NTSC/ATSC tuners. Will they see the OTA channels in the line as ATSC?

Thanks!

Question...Do I need a QAM tuner in order to get local "OTA" stuff through my cable line? My TV with QAM tuner is defective, and I need to return it. I found a Samsung HLS5087 for cheap, and it only has NTSC/ATSC tuners. Will they see the OTA channels in the line as ATSC?Your question is not very clear, but:

ATSC tuner: tunes in digital OTA channels
QAM tuner: tunes in digital cable channels

So, if you're asking whether you'll be able to tune in locals via cable with your ATSC tuner, the answer is no.

epsilon, thanks for the clarification.

I just pulled the trigger on that Samsung, and it only has ATSC/NTSC...luckily it has dual coax inputs for AIR/CABLE

My second question is: How well does an OTA antenna work to pull in CBS/2? I'm on the 2nd floor of an apartment, about 28 miles from the loop. Every so often i have the urge to watch Letterman in HD :)

That far out you practically have nil chance of picking up channel 2 with an indoor antenna. For $7 ($12 for DVR) a month you can get an HD box from Comcast.

An article on the Comcast analog / digital changes from an industry publication:

Analog Slashed in Chicago
Comcast Move to Clear Room for 100 HD Channels
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 4/16/2007 http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6433928.html

The Windy City will be the test case for Comcast in flipping analog subscribers en masse over to digital cable. On July 1, the nation's biggest multiple-system operator plans to eliminate the analog transmission of 38 channels on its expanded-basic tier throughout its Chicago systems.
[... snipped]

Hmm.

Yeah, my tv wouldn't pick up CBS/2 at all. Oh well, life goes on!

My second question is: How well does an OTA antenna work to pull in CBS/2? I'm on the 2nd floor of an apartment, about 28 miles from the loop. Every so often i have the urge to watch Letterman in HD :)I hear ya'.

I'm about 41 miles out, and I can get everything from downtown really well, even with an indoor antenna - except WBBM-DT, of course. I just put a small, UHF-only model on the roof so that I can get Letterman from Rockford on WIFR-DT.

Like you, that's the only thing I ever care to watch on CBS regularly.

If you've got a clear shot downtown, and you can find a set of rabbit ears with at least a 90" wide extension, you may have a slim shot at getting WBBM-DT from indoors, assuming you're higher up like you say. If you get a signal, but it's not strong enough, try it with an amp. I can even get it from out here when I get the appropriate type of antenna up high enough. (I've experimented plenty, but haven't had the chance to get one up outside permanently yet.)

I hear ya'.

I'm about 41 miles out, and I can get everything from downtown really well, even with an indoor antenna - except WBBM-DT, of course. I just put a small, UHF-only model on the roof so that I can get Letterman from Rockford on WIFR-DT.

Like you, that's the only thing I ever care to watch on CBS regularly.

If you've got a clear shot downtown, and you can find a set of rabbit ears with at least a 90" wide extension, you may have a slim shot at getting WBBM-DT from indoors, assuming you're higher up like you say. If you get a signal, but it's not strong enough, try it with an amp. I can even get it from out here when I get the appropriate type of antenna up high enough. (I've experimented plenty, but haven't had the chance to get one up outside permanently yet.)

My rabbit ears aren't that wide, but still no dice. I suppose I can try an amplifier, but I'm really not dying to get CBS that bad. Maybe I'll buy one of those hardcore laserbeam shooting type of antenna's and see how that works.

Quick question...I'm having digital cable installed next weekend. When I ended my service a few months ago, my DVR did not have an HDMI option. However when I signed up today, they informed me that my DVR will have HDMI. When I had my cable installed previously they provided the component cables. Will they also provide the HDMI to HDMI cable? If so, is there any reason I should go out and buy my own (i.e. quality improvement)?

Thanks!

Quick question...I'm having digital cable installed next weekend. When I ended my service a few months ago, my DVR did not have an HDMI option. However when I signed up today, they informed me that my DVR will have HDMI. When I had my cable installed previously they provided the component cables. Will they also provide the HDMI to HDMI cable? If so, is there any reason I should go out and buy my own (i.e. quality improvement)? Thanks!
I don't know if Comcast is supply HDMI cables, yet. Given the issues they still have with HDMI and the Motorola boxes, they may still only 'officially' support component.

HDMI is a digital signal. Generally, you will get something or nothing. I would avoid a bargain-basement WalMart cable, but spending $Monsterous on a 6' cable is not worth it.

I just got a hdmi box from them, and they did NOT provide cables..the installer said they do not provide them with HDMI boxes..

You can get a nice one for between 40-80 bucks; look around at BB and CC, and you should find something in your budget..

Quick question...I'm having digital cable installed next weekend. When I ended my service a few months ago, my DVR did not have an HDMI option. However when I signed up today, they informed me that my DVR will have HDMI. When I had my cable installed previously they provided the component cables. Will they also provide the HDMI to HDMI cable? If so, is there any reason I should go out and buy my own (i.e. quality improvement)?

Thanks!

Do not spend 40-80 bucks as suggested, buy from Monoprice.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?spcDB=10240&spcWord=Video%20Cable%20-%20HDMI&keyword=hdmi

Do not spend 40-80 bucks as suggested, buy from Monoprice.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?spcDB=10240&spcWord=Video%20Cable%20-%20HDMI&keyword=hdmi

Thanks for the feedback. Monoprice cables have been ordered.

Anybody else on the Oswego head end having problems with the HD local networks tonight? Except for CBS and NBC they vary between pixelated to totally blank. Checked my signal levels in the diagnostic menu and they look fine, so I don't think it's a problem at my end.

I tried calling Comcast, but after 15 minutes on hold I ran out of patience.

Edit- Never mind, looks like they fixed it. Everything is back to normal as of a few minutes ago. :)

I Live in the Palos Hills Area and I have that same exact problem about once a week. Its ALWAYS the HD LOCAL CHANNELS, never any other station. I think Comcast has a system wide problem with that set of channels for some reason. I heard a bunch of other people on this thread saying the same thing.

Here in the South Loop, same audio drops. If I recall, this has repeated every Friday night at around dinner time.

Here in the South Loop, same audio drops. If I recall, this has repeated every Friday night at around dinner time.

Same here, It happend Last Friday for sure and I Think the Friday before that, and its happening Right now AS I TYPE.

Here in Schaumburg (NW burbs), I generally haven't noticed a problem. I wonder if those with problems have their head-ends getting the signal from a common source.

Last night's HD recording of Bill Maher was loaded with audio dropouts (Chicago - Old Town).

Last night's HD recording of Bill Maher was loaded with audio dropouts (Chicago - Old Town).

Yeah HBO Has the problem too. Its Channels 186-192. I think those are probaly all on the same frequency thats why that keeps happening once a week only to those channels, There might be something interferring with that frequency.

Yeah HBO Has the problem too. Its Channels 186-192. I think those are probaly all on the same frequency thats why that keeps happening once a week only to those channels, There might be something interferring with that frequency.
There are never more than 2 HD's on a frequency. Here in Schaumburg, HBOHD and ShoHD share 717MHz. MaxHD is shared with several sports SD channels on 435MHz. StarzHD is shared with Discovery HD Theater on 753MHz.

The two channels I always have a problem with are ESPN2 (203) and TNT (204). They had been great for about a month...ever since Universal HD was added. I thought my problems were solved. Then last week my DVR had an issue...I got a message that it was full but I only had like 5 programs saved on there. I deleted Entourage because I had already seen it (didn't want it to record again during the week as HBO shows will do if you delete them the week that they were "new") and the % full dropped from 100% to 15%...a 30 minute show shouldn't take up 85% of the hard drive space. But then when I tried to play one of the recorded programs all I got was a black screen. So...unplugged the box, waited 30 seconds, plugged it back in, DVR functions working fine again. But since then, ESPN2 and TNT are back to the constant audio/video drops, "channel not available" messages, etc. ESPN2 was watchable for a few hours on Saturday evening during the NFL Draft coverage but that's about it. No luck with the basketball games on TNT. Tried to reset the box a few times but no luck. :mad:

The two channels I always have a problem with are ESPN2 (203) and TNT (204). They had been great for about a month...ever since Universal HD was added. I thought my problems were solved. Then last week my DVR had an issue...I got a message that it was full but I only had like 5 programs saved on there. I deleted Entourage because I had already seen it (didn't want it to record again during the week as HBO shows will do if you delete them the week that they were "new") and the % full dropped from 100% to 15%...a 30 minute show shouldn't take up 85% of the hard drive space. But then when I tried to play one of the recorded programs all I got was a black screen. So...unplugged the box, waited 30 seconds, plugged it back in, DVR functions working fine again. But since then, ESPN2 and TNT are back to the constant audio/video drops, "channel not available" messages, etc. ESPN2 was watchable for a few hours on Saturday evening during the NFL Draft coverage but that's about it. No luck with the basketball games on TNT. Tried to reset the box a few times but no luck. :mad:
The 100% bug is well known. A possible workaround is to configure recordings so that they can be automatically deleted as needed.

Can you get the signal info on your problem channels?
1: Turn the box off, then back on (this guarantees you are on tuner 1)
2: Tune into the channel
3: Turn the box off, then within 1-2 seconds, press OK/Select.
4: Scroll down to 'd04 - Inband Status' and press OK/Select.
The upper part will give information about tuner 1's channel. The frequency, SNR, and error counts can be helpful. I'm guessing ESPN2 and TNT may be sharing a frequency on your system (here in Schaumburg, both are on 357MHz, analog 46).
You may also want to try with a few other channels, and see if you can find one with a nearby frequency (frequencies are in 6MHz increments.) If the SNR is better on those, then you may have a noise issue on the one frequency. If the problem one is the highest frequency you can find, it may be a signal strength issue.

The previous firmware used to give AGC%, which could give an indication of strength. The newer firmware doesn't, so it's hard to tell if the problem is a weak signal or something else.

The Comcast digital version of Basic Cable channels has a variety of problems compared to the analog version for me. (Near North side, about 3 year old GI box.) I'm getting frequent video blackouts for a second or so, though the audio usually is not interrupted. About once every five minutes... On 53 (CSPAN-2) today the aspect ratio was goofed up -- it stretched the 4:3 to 16:9 and then cropped to the center 4:3. The analog version was fine. BTW, the digital version is delayed about five (5) seconds from the analog version.

Anyone else observed anything similar?
edit: I also noticed that the aspect ratio on channel 7 was affected.

Last week I purchased a Samsung LED DLP HL-T5089S. A few days ago I had my cable box upgraded to the Comcast DVR. I'm connecting to it through an HDMI cable. When I'm watching the HD channels, the sound will break up or disappear for a few seconds. Sometimes this seems like it happens every 20 or 25 minutes, but other times I can get clean sound for hours at a time. Has anyone else encountered this? Does this sound like a problem with the digital transmission, the cable box, or the TV? Any help would be appreciated. BTW, I'm in Brookfield.

Last week I purchased a Samsung LED DLP HL-T5089S. A few days ago I had my cable box upgraded to the Comcast DVR. I'm connecting to it through an HDMI cable. When I'm watching the HD channels, the sound will break up or disappear for a few seconds. Sometimes this seems like it happens every 20 or 25 minutes, but other times I can get clean sound for hours at a time. Has anyone else encountered this? Does this sound like a problem with the digital transmission, the cable box, or the TV? Any help would be appreciated. BTW, I'm in Brookfield.

If you look further up in the thread there is several people reporting the "Audio Drop Out" Problem with Cocast's HD LOcal Channels, Its going to happen about once a week, I dont know why comcast just doenst fix this already, Your probaly having that heppen on the hD LOcal Channels only right?

Hello everyone, im told that if i needed some info on my hd tv it could get answered here, my question is: i am thinking about purchasing the sony kds-60a2000 hdtv and it doesnt have the cable card on it and i think it has qam tuner............, but the sony hdtv 55" 1080i tv i already have does and im able to decode the hd channels ie? 5.5 for nbc , and so on, it also has the qam tuner built in and the new sony tv im looking at also does but no cable card, so if someone who has a little more knowledge than me let me know if the new tv i will buy will be able to decode the channels for free like the current set im using? thanks.........

As long as it has a QAM tuner, you will be able to receive the local HD channels.

The CableCARD is only needed if you want to receive any other normally encrypted channels. It's basically used in place of their digital cable box.

Keep in mind though, that sometime, maybe even in the near future, your cable company will drop the extended basic analog channels, and you will have to have a box or CableCARD to receive the digital versions (if you have ext. basic now, or think you will ever want it. You still won't need it for the locals, though.).

thanks 4 the reply, the guy at the local store said sony is dropping the cable card feature, so i can assume it has nothing to do with the qam tuner? those r 2 seperate things all together, i thought they were related on the tv for functionality...learn something new, every day, thanks..........by the way des anyone have input on the sony ks-60a2000? Is it a good buy or do u reccomend something else, i appreciate all comments...................

No, they're not separate. The QAM tuner is what tunes ALL of the digital cable channels in. The CableCARD is just a "decoding card" which is inserted into a slot on the back of the DVR (or display), that unscrambles the digital channels (other than the locals, which are "in the clear" and don't need the card to be viewed).

1,) QAM tuner: receives digital cable broadcasts.

2.) ATSC tuner: receives digital over the air broadcasts.

3.) NTSC tuner: receives analog cable and analog over the air broadcasts.

Anyone else see this in Teddy Greenstein's colum in today Tribune:

Comcast Chicago and South Bend will add CSTV to their channel lineups on June 27. The college sports network, which will be available on Comcast's Sports Entertainment Package, has boosted its subscriber total to 21 million homes.

Now they just need to add ESPNU!

where can I find a complete list of analog and digital channel numbers for Comcast Elmhurst? We live in Willowbrook,but I think we get our channels from the Elmhurst head end...its easy to find the analog channels, but listings for things like 2.1, 5.2, 7.2, 7.3 etc are impossible to find...
Thanks so much!

Anyone else having error problems with NBC and Fox HD local? The AGC reads fine, its just there are tons of errors.

Anyone else having error problems with NBC and Fox HD local? The AGC reads fine, its just there are tons of errors.
Don't know about NBC, but WGN and Fox are giving occasional bursts of noise (it's worse on WGN).

where can I find a complete list of analog and digital channel numbers for Comcast Elmhurst? We live in Willowbrook,but I think we get our channels from the Elmhurst head end...its easy to find the analog channels, but listings for things like 2.1, 5.2, 7.2, 7.3 etc are impossible to find...
Thanks so much!Aren't they listed on their website after you punch in your zipcode and package? They should be. Although, if they used to be on higher channel numbers, and they've now mapped them to their "normal" ones, they might not have that updated info. (They start around 184 for my area, so look somewhere in that vicinity.) But they should at least tell you which channels you have, and you should be able to match them up and figure it out. Then just write them down, so you'll memorize and get used to them.

(www.comcast.com, under "Programming", and then "Channel Lineup".)

Aren't they listed on their website after you punch in your zipcode and package? They should be. Although, if they used to be on higher channel numbers, and they've now mapped them to their "normal" ones, they might not have that updated info. (They start around 184 for my area, so look somewhere in that vicinity.) But they should at least tell you which channels you have, and you should be able to match them up and figure it out. Then just write them down, so you'll memorize and get used to them.

(www.comcast.com, under "Programming", and then "Channel Lineup".)

well, they list the long number, (204, 524, etc), but they do NOT list things like 2.1 5.2, 7.1. 9.2, etc...I am watching these hd channels using my buit in tuner, so the numbers that come through for the hd versions of the local channels all have a . after them( nbc hd is 5.2, the nbc weather channel is 5.3, etc)
I haven't found a guide anywhere yet that shows these channels this way..

well, they list the long number, (204, 524, etc), but they do NOT list things like 2.1 5.2, 7.1. 9.2, etc...I am watching these hd channels using my buit in tuner, so the numbers that come through for the hd versions of the local channels all have a . after them( nbc hd is 5.2, the nbc weather channel is 5.3, etc)
I haven't found a guide anywhere yet that shows these channels this way..

Check the OTA thread for Chicago. You'll find the information you are looking for there.

thank you so much, travels 77....

Sorry. I post on there regularly, but I completely forgot they were listed right there at the beginning of it :rolleyes: :o.

Comcast was supposed to install a CableCARD into my Sony DHG-HDD500 DVR today but the installer didn't bring one even though I specifically mentioned it with my order. It was also listed twice on the work order itself but apparently they don't read the "Notes To Technician" section. They rescheduled me for Saturday 5/12 which really ticked me off. They're the ones who screwed up. They should have come back with one this afternoon. Then Comcast online support told me I could pick up a CableCARD from the local payment center and just call back with the info to have it activated. I drove 40 minutes and when I got there they told me they don't do that. Then I found out the rescheduled Saturday 5/12 date was cancelled and rescheduled again for Tuesday 5/15 for no apparent reason. When I called again to see if I could get this changed back to 5/12 I was given the old "CableCARDs are for TVs only, we cannot install one in a DVR" line and almost lost it. So I guess in additon to the CableCARD instructions I'll have to print out the FCC documents that state they cannot discriminate between a TV and DVR and are required by law to install it. Anyone have a link? After today I want to be prepared for the worst. Supposedly there is a "Comcast University" manual on installing CableCARDs into TVs and DVRs including the Sony and TiVo but I haven't been able to find one. That would be even better.

Just out of curiosity but is anyone else having any problems with their MTV or their OnDemand? My MTV had been all pixalated and impossible to watch for a while and now i just get the this channel will be available shortly message and as for my OnDemand it just seems to not be able to tune the OnDemand preview channel, i get an error message but the menu still comes up and i can still watch the content, its weird

Comcast was supposed to install a CableCARD into my Sony DHG-HDD500 DVR today but the installer didn't bring one even though I specifically mentioned it with my order. It was also listed twice on the work order itself but apparently they don't read the "Notes To Technician" section. They rescheduled me for Saturday 5/12 which really ticked me off. They're the ones who screwed up. They should have come back with one this afternoon. Then Comcast online support told me I could pick up a CableCARD from the local payment center and just call back with the info to have it activated. I drove 40 minutes and when I got there they told me they don't do that. Then I found out the rescheduled Saturday 5/12 date was cancelled and rescheduled again for Tuesday 5/15 for no apparent reason. When I called again to see if I could get this changed back to 5/12 I was given the old "CableCARDs are for TVs only, we cannot install one in a DVR" line and almost lost it. So I guess in additon to the CableCARD instructions I'll have to print out the FCC documents that state they cannot discriminate between a TV and DVR and are required by law to install it. Anyone have a link? After today I want to be prepared for the worst. Supposedly there is a "Comcast University" manual on installing CableCARDs into TVs and DVRs including the Sony and TiVo but I haven't been able to find one. That would be even better.From what I've heard, people that run into this problem are just telling them it will be installed into a TV, but once the tech is there, they tell him to put it in the DVR. And he usually agrees to it with no hassle, once he sees your actual setup for himself.

Does any one know why I am not getting the ABC HD on my fusionhdtv. My panasonic is able to get it on 7-1 E4_1 WL

Thank you in advance.

Saw two new channels:
102 - Cable Marketplace 2
103 - Access

Both are just 24/7 commercials.

Does any one know why I am not getting the ABC HD on my fusionhdtv. If it is QAM capable, and you are connected to Comcast, give 92-1 a try.

If it is QAM capable, and you are connected to Comcast, give 92-1 a try.
Yes this card is QAM capable. No it does not come up.
I am getting the WTTW-HD and NBC-HD , CBS-HD and FOX-HD .

Din't noticed others.

Thanks for your input.

Anyone having recent CableCARD issues? I found today that I can only get channels 2-13 and 57. Everything else is a black screen :confused: Before this, I have never had a problem!

Yes this card is QAM capable. No it does not come up.
I am getting the WTTW-HD and NBC-HD , CBS-HD and FOX-HD .

Din't noticed others.

Thanks for your input.Comcast will usually carry 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 9-1, & 9-2 on a single QAM channel. If you don't find them on Ch. 92, you may locate them on another channel with a little trial and error.

Yes this card is QAM capable. No it does not come up.
I am getting the WTTW-HD and NBC-HD , CBS-HD and FOX-HD .

Din't noticed others.

Thanks for your input.

Giving us your location might help. Every headend has channels on different frequencies. Schaumburg headend has WLS-HD and WGN-HD on 92. I have Fusion usb and get it without any problems.

Anyone having recent CableCARD issues? I found today that I can only get channels 2-13 and 57. Everything else is a black screen :confused: Before this, I have never had a problem!

I've had this happen a few times on one of my cards. Comcast has been able to send a signal out to the card to get it working again. It can be a bit of a hassle depending on the person you actually speak to, I have had to ask for a supervisor a couple of times because the first person either wouldn't do it or didn't know how.

I've had this happen a few times on one of my cards. Comcast has been able to send a signal out to the card to get it working again. It can be a bit of a hassle depending on the person you actually speak to, I have had to ask for a supervisor a couple of times because the first person either wouldn't do it or didn't know how.

That is exactly what they did and it is fixed now!! I spoke with a guy named "Greg" and he say he specifically works on CableCARD issues. He was suprised that after two years with my card this problem occurred. He says that usually this problem occurs within the first year or so. He is interested in whether or not this happens again to me.

Well, I just had my FOURTH service call, trying to get a stupid cable card to work on my TV, and they STILL can't figure it out; I have had supervisiors, linemen, and all sorts of inside cable card "experts" here and on the phone for the last 7 days, and I just threw the last tech out of here, with his non working cable card...

My advice is to avoid these like the plague..It sux that Comcrap makes you pay for a cable box if you want On Demand, or have any premium channels, and cant make the cable card technology work the way it is supposed to..They should provide boxes at no charge if you subscribe to their over priced services, but hey, its Comcast, and corporate greed and making their executives rich is the ONLY thing the Corporate people care about...


I plan on dumping their video services, for this exact reason, And go back to satalite...

That is exactly what they did and it is fixed now!! I spoke with a guy named "Greg" and he say he specifically works on CableCARD issues. He was suprised that after two years with my card this problem occurred. He says that usually this problem occurs within the first year or so. He is interested in whether or not this happens again to me.

The same thing happens to me randomly. I've gone for months without a problem. Then it will happen two or three weeks in a row. Of course the problem is initiated on Comcast's end, but they have no idea how it happens. At least most CSR's can now send the correcting hit without any further hassles.