Also HDNet and HDNET movies.

Hmmm... we've had HDNet here in Schaumburg (channel 291) for a while. I'm surprised it wasn't added to your system yet.

CLTV and CN100 probably exist only in SD.

A year or so ago, CLTV HD was announced, but I don't think anybody carried it. They had an HD logo in their bug for awhile, but that is now gone.

Hmmm... we've had HDNet here in Schaumburg (channel 291) for a while. I'm surprised it wasn't added to your system yet.

Nope. never added to our system yet. I'm in the Chicago South region.

With the up coming basic analog trun off will they add
CLTV HD?
BIG TEN HD alt's?
Game HD 3-9?
Team HD 2-9?
CN100 HD?


Or how about giving back the premium HD channels they took away a while back.

Romeoville head end never got HD Net either.

Or how about giving back the premium HD channels they took away a while back.

Yeah. I'm surprised there wasn't a whole lot more stink raised on this. Does anybody have any idea why we lost all the secondaries of Showtime and HBO?
Commie never gave me a satisfactory explanation. Just the standard bs line about somebody in corporate makes those decisions. Personally well over half my tv viewing is movies and the loss of those channels really stung.

Generally, dropping the premium HD's was all about $$$. Comcast can make more money by using the bandwidth for channels more people will watch and pay for. People complained when they eliminated the Western time zone feeds. With OnDemand now having a big HD selection, the movie subchannels will probably all disappear.

The one thing I hate about the DTA: no OnDemand. Damn, I miss that.

Anyone's using their Multiroom DVR service? How is it?

I was considering making some service changes myself. Has anyone heard any comments on or used the multi dvr service?

You can check and ask a wider audience at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/tvcomcast

That said, it's somewhat limited right now. You can use the remote boxes to watch recordings, but that's about it. You cannot initiate recordings, and I think not even delete, from the remote box.

Hello Here just a note comcast does not put programming guide for channel 385,687 wjys2
when going to the channel it says local programming guide, The other channel is 392 wock
no programming guide when going to the channel it says asian american network

On that subject, is anyone getting programming information for channel 315, Oxygen HD?  Here in Chicago area 2 it doesn't even have a mnemonic.  If you tune to it you can see Oxygen's bug, so then you can figure out that it will have the same programming as Oxygen SD (which is channel 73 here), but that shouldn't be necessary.

January 10, 2012...Comcast has given us 30 days notice that analogs 2-14, 16-18, 20-1 and 99...the last of them...wil lbe switched off after 30 years of service. A technician on my block says that after that, all of them will be encrypted....including locals.

This includes DeKalb, Sycamore, Rochelle and Flagg Center.



Did they add any new HD channels after turning off the last of the analogs?

Did they add any new HD channels after turning off the last of the analogs?

City of Chicago systems only have like 2-3 analogs left ( I think just looping help videos and maybe a analog that can be used for EAS)

But they have less room and needed to trun off the analog a lot sooner then the rest of Chicago land.

I'll try to remember to check again, but I believe the analog channels with the looping help videos have also been cut off in the city.  Whether there's anything reserved for analog EAS I wouldn't know; I'd have to catch it during an EAS interlude.

My DVR (SA 120 GB model - probably 4 years old or so) has suddenly started to exhibit strange and annoying behavior. It will suddenly lock up and will not accept any remote commands, nor will the buttons on the device itself work. I can't change the channel or even turn off the power with the Power button on the DVR itself. The other day the clock display even froze at 10:45 and stayed there until I shut off the power strip that the DVR is plugged into (which is the only way I have found to unlock it when this happens). However when this occurs whatever program I am watching will continue to play.

I am wondering whether others are experiencing this, which would suggest it may be the result of a bad firmware upgrade that Comcast might be rolling out. If I am the only one then it probably means my DVR is shot and needs to be replaced.

If it needs to be replaced, does anybody know whether Comcast can transfer recordings from the old DVR to the new one? I have a few episodes of certain shows that I haven't yet watched and am loathe to lose! Also, what DVR hardware is Comcast distributing these days and if there is more than one model in current use, which should I ask them to give me?

Programs cannot be transferred. Watch them if you can, or they will be lost for good.

It's gotten confusing a to what is available here. If you are in the Chicago area, it can't be an SA as this is a Motorola market. If it's 4 years old, it's probably a DCT or DCH series. There are several Motorola models (DCT, DCH and DCX series, from oldest to newest), plus I think some Cisco RNG models that are compatible, although I'm not certain if any of them are DVR's.

My DVR (SA 120 GB model - probably 4 years old or so) has suddenly started to exhibit strange and annoying behavior. It will suddenly lock up and will not accept any remote commands, nor will the buttons on the device itself work. I can't change the channel or even turn off the power with the Power button on the DVR itself. The other day the clock display even froze at 10:45 and stayed there until I shut off the power strip that the DVR is plugged into (which is the only way I have found to unlock it when this happens). However when this occurs whatever program I am watching will continue to play.

I am wondering whether others are experiencing this, which would suggest it may be the result of a bad firmware upgrade that Comcast might be rolling out. If I am the only one then it probably means my DVR is shot and needs to be replaced.

If it needs to be replaced, does anybody know whether Comcast can transfer recordings from the old DVR to the new one? I have a few episodes of certain shows that I haven't yet watched and am loathe to lose! Also, what DVR hardware is Comcast distributing these days and if there is more than one model in current use, which should I ask them to give me?
your 4 year old box may not have HDMI. The newer ones have HDMI and 250-500GB HDDS

they cannot do anything to copy your old shows. Our bedroom dvr has tons of kids shows, that they watch over and over. It is hard to deal with when you have to swap boxes. Check on-demand to see if your shows are available. It might take the sting out.

When I went to a store recently (skokie), they would not give out the higher capacity boxes. They are being reserved for whole-house dvr installation. The low capacity box they gave me had a bad hdmi port, so I got lucky when the truck that came to replace it had one last high capacity box available.

ar

Hello channel 391 kbc is not working

It's a bit intermittent. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. 389-392 are all WOCK subchannels. They broadcast as channel 13, using RF4 and are rather weak. Comcast probably uses an antenna to pick them up. By me, each of the channels on Comcast is on a different frequency!

If you haven't checked your latest bill, there are price changes effective 2/18. Generally UP as always.
Limited Basic = $3
Starter = $3
Preferred = $4
Additional box = $1
S&E = $1
Internet = $2 (Economy = $3)
In-Home Service Visit = $17
Change service = $3.01

It also looks like hookups are being rearranged. They N/A'd prices for some things, but now seem to package it per product installation ($20 each), plus a $30 Tech visit fee.

If you haven't checked your latest bill, there are price changes effective 2/18. Generally UP as always.
Limited Basic = $3
Starter = $3
Preferred = $4
Additional box = $1
S&E = $1
Internet = $2 (Economy = $3)
In-Home Service Visit = $17
Change service = $3.01

It also looks like hookups are being rearranged. They N/A'd prices for some things, but now seem to package it per product installation ($20 each), plus a $30 Tech visit fee.
Additional box = $1 so now it's $9 a box? for ones that are pushing 5 years old?

Directv is only $6 a box and that is for any box.

Additional box = $1 so now it's $9 a box? for ones that are pushing 5 years old?

Directv is only $6 a box and that is for any box.
"Digital Additional Outlet Service" Old=$7.95, New=$8.95

I just received an e-mail about Disney Junior channel coming in late March. Anybody know if Comcast in our area will get it? Filling in the form does say Comcast will provide the channel in some areas...

Based on a post on another forum, it is replacing SOAPnet, which is part of the Preferred package. Also, from Wikipedia:
Disney-ABC announced that Soapnet is expected to cease most operations at 11:59 PM (E.T./P.T.) on March 22, 2012, with Disney Junior (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Junior) to replace it in its channel space at the stroke of midnight.

If you haven't checked your latest bill, there are price changes effective 2/18. Generally UP as always.
Limited Basic = $3
Starter = $3
Preferred = $4
Additional box = $1
S&E = $1
Internet = $2 (Economy = $3)
In-Home Service Visit = $17
Change service = $3.01

It also looks like hookups are being rearranged. They N/A'd prices for some things, but now seem to package it per product installation ($20 each), plus a $30 Tech visit fee.

leave it to Comcast to raise prices then hog coverage of the local sports.

Has anyone noticed that the SD version of the main local's (WLS, WGN in particular) are VERY LOUD!! They are much louder than the HD versions, and still well above even other SD channels.

With my new receiver, it will say 'Dialog Norm +4dB' on these, whereas it usually says 'Dialog Norm -3dB' on most others. From what I have been able to figure out, this is some code put into the Dolby data stream to help normalize to standard volume levels?

It's most obvious with the main TV and receiver, but still noticeable with the bedroom TV and a DTA.

Keep an eye out on your February bill. It contains the new full price list. Last month's list was just the changes.

Anybody try out the new StreamPix? If you have Preferred Plus or higher, you can get it OnDemand under Premium Channels. For others, it's $4.95/month.

I just noticed that the SD digital feed of WCIU (6 on box, 226-1 or so ClearQAM) has 5.1 audio.

Hello just a note channel 385 wjys2 has programming guide ,but channel 392 work
still has no programming guide.

FYI...Received a notice in the mail yesterday from Comcast that on April 3rd, limited basic will be going all digital and you will need a DTA or digital receiver to receive channels 2-15, 18 and 21. Also of note, notice says that if your TV has a QAM tuner you will still receive limited basic channels.

Got the same notice down here as well; they FINALLY must be doing the last analog reclaim for the whole Chicago region...

Hopefully this means more HD coming after the complete analog shut down.

Anybody notice what the hell happened to WFLD's newscast feed today? It looked like it was streaming from the interwebs! Horrible & choppy, gave my ex-wife a headache.

Anybody notice what the hell happened to WFLD's newscast feed today? It looked like it was streaming from the interwebs! Horrible & choppy, gave my ex-wife a headache.

I thought I was watching Youtube it was so bad on the SD channel!

Mine was coming through a DTA, so I'm not sure if that played a role in the pissant PQ.

:eek:

I thought I was watching Youtube it was so bad on the SD channel!

Mine was coming through a DTA, so I'm not sure if that played a role in the pissant PQ.

:eek:

I was too, but it always looks decent. But this was inexcusable. They didnt give a reason/excuse on their FB page.

Hopefully this means more HD coming after the complete analog shut down.

Like the big ten hd over flows, CLTV HD, fox movie channel HD, Comcast Network HD, HD NET MOVIES, and more.

We just noticed something in the past week or so. With the digital set top box (the kind without DVR, no display, and you can see the Motorola CableCard through the top vents), the SD channels are getting clipped where bottom and top are being cut off (like ESPN crawl at the bottom). HD channels work fine. I tried cycling through the set up of the Panasonic Viera plasma we have for zoom, 4:3, full, etc. and even in 4:3 mode, the video is clipped. Anyone else seen this?

Hopefully this means more HD coming after the complete analog shut down.

Hopefully this means they will bring back all the Premium HD channels they cut last year.

(in my area they got rid of several HBO and Showtime channels to make room for overly-compressed, barely HD versions of BBCA and DIY)

We just noticed something in the past week or so. With the digital set top box (the kind without DVR, no display, and you can see the Motorola CableCard through the top vents), the SD channels are getting clipped where bottom and top are being cut off (like ESPN crawl at the bottom). HD channels work fine. I tried cycling through the set up of the Panasonic Viera plasma we have for zoom, 4:3, full, etc. and even in 4:3 mode, the video is clipped. Anyone else seen this?
With the box off, hit MENU to get the setup screen. Double-check the settings, especially for 4:3 override. It should normally be 480i to pass SD as-is.

Notice on my March Bill:
Effective 4/4/12, these channels will be added to
Digital Preferred: Smithsonian Channel (chl. 153);
BBC World News (chl. 154); CNBC World (chl. 155);
and Inspiration Network (chl. 157).
NOTE: CNBC World will also continue to air on its
current Digital Preferred channel 178 until 4/10/12.
Effective April 5, 2012, Spike TV will no longer be available on
Digital Economy. Spike TV will still be available on Digital
Starter. H2, formerly History International, will be added to
Digital Economy.
Effective April 26, 2012, Tele5, a general entertainment channel,
will be added to the Polish Super Pack, replacing TVP Info.

Cool. I've been waiting for Smithsonian for a long time. From the channel number, it appears to be SD only?

BBCWN was expected, as that was part of the deal to move BBCA to Starter.

My guess is SD only which is kind crazy since Smithsonian HD has been available on-demand for quite some time. While SD additions are OK, I was hoping for HD additions with the elimination of analog basic.

With the box off, hit MENU to get the setup screen. Double-check the settings, especially for 4:3 override. It should normally be 480i to pass SD as-is.

Thanks, Andy. I also happened to stumble across the comcast channel with instructions. Actually, I had to select TV capabilities that 480i was supported. I never saw this menu before and not sure what changed. Oh well. It's fine now.

Any news on FSC-HD or FSC+?

RCN has CLTV HD will comcast add any time soon?

Is HDNet available on Comcast in the Chicago area?

You'll need to be more specific about the location, Mikey Man.  Which municipality, or if you're thinking about a spot inside Chicago, what part of the city?

It is available in Chicago Area 2, but HDNet Movies is not.  Area 3 should be the same.  I can't say about areas 1, 4, and 5, nor about any of the suburbs.

HD Movies is NOT (going to be) available on ANY CC system; their last contract with Cuban was ONLY for HD Net on Preferred. If you look here, it's NEVER been shown as available:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081

On the few systems that did have HD Movies, that CC took over, (like the Insight systems, etc.) it was removed right after the takeover was complete - while HD Net remained on...

You'll need to be more specific about the location, Mikey Man. Which municipality, or if you're thinking about a spot inside Chicago, what part of the city?

It is available in Chicago Area 2, but HDNet Movies is not. Area 3 should be the same. I can't say about areas 1, 4, and 5, nor about any of the suburbs.
HDNet is here in Schaumburg and probably most of the N and NW suburbs fed by the Mt Prospect super-headend.

You'll need to be more specific about the location, Mikey Man.* Which municipality, or if you're thinking about a spot inside Chicago, what part of the city?

It is available in Chicago Area 2, but HDNet Movies is not.* Area 3 should be the same.* I can't say about areas 1, 4, and 5, nor about any of the suburbs.

I'm in the 'burbs, Alsip area.

There's some cool concerts on HDNet. I don't see the channel listed in my zone, but it's some other areas?

HDNet is rebranding itself as AXS TV this summer:
http://www.hd.net/press_articles/axs-q-and-a/

Anyone have any info on the new streampix service? Is there going to be an app for devices like the iPad? Or is it pretty muck the same as on demand? Couldn't really tell anything from the Comcast web site.

Anyone have any info on the new streampix service? Is there going to be an app for devices like the iPad? Or is it pretty muck the same as on demand? Couldn't really tell anything from the Comcast web site.
It's both a premium OnDemand channel (if you use a cable box), or streaming on a device. I think Comcast is working on apps for various devices that should be out soon, if they are not already available.

It's both a premium OnDemand channel (if you use a cable box), or streaming on a device. I think Comcast is working on apps for various devices that should be out soon, if they are not already available.

No app out for the iPad yet other than the xfinity app which has been available for awhile. I am wondering if the content available from Streampix differs from what is available On Demand. Comcast is certainly not providing a lot of information.

No app out for the iPad yet other than the xfinity app which has been available for awhile. I am wondering if the content available from Streampix differs from what is available On Demand. Comcast is certainly not providing a lot of information.

There isn't a separate Streampix app, but it's in the Xfinity TV app. I don't know if on the iPad it's listed different, but on the iPhone version, it's under Play Now > Networks > Streampix

I'm in Lincoln park with 2 DCX3400's boxes and neither of them changed their time last night. Anyone else seeing this?

Getting nowhere fast with Comcast. I can see in diagnostic menu that my DST entry date and ext date are both 2011..

Edit: After 30 minutes talking to someone and texting some friends to see what their boxes are saying (none are right), the tech is now saying all of comcast is wrong. Who knows if that is accurate.

I'm in Lincoln park with 2 DCX3400's boxes and neither of them changed their time last night. Anyone else seeing this?

Getting nowhere fast with Comcast. I can see in diagnostic menu that my DST entry date and ext date are both 2011..

Edit: After 30 minutes talking to someone and texting some friends to see what their boxes are saying (none are right), the tech is now saying all of comcast is wrong. Who knows if that is accurate.

Off the McHenry Headend up here by the IL-WI line, the time on my DCX3400 updated on it's own to DST.

Not a Comcast-wide problem, by any means.

Not a Comcast-wide problem, by any means.

Thats for confirming. I kind of figured as much. I do know at least one other person down the street from me with the same issue.. not sure if its sporatic or my area. I'm done caring for the day, the weather is too nice! haha This all stemmed from my wife not wanting to miss Oprah tonight on the DVR. I'll just set a manual recording around it in case the time updates.

There isn't a separate Streampix app, but it's in the Xfinity TV app. I don't know if on the iPad it's listed different, but on the iPhone version, it's under Play Now > Networks > Streampix

Yep. That is where it is at on the iPad app as well. Never looked under networks before. Thanks.

Is there any way to access Streampix, or any value to it, if one doesn't have a smartphone?  Apparently one of its functions is to stream video to the customer's television, which sounds no different from On Demand except for possibly a different set of selections.  But I couldn't figure anything out from what I found on comcast.com.

Is there any way to access Streampix, or any value to it, if one doesn't have a smartphone?* Apparently one of its functions is to stream video to the customer's television, which sounds no different from On Demand except for possibly a different set of selections.* But I couldn't figure anything out from what I found on comcast.com.

It's in On Demand. Under premium networks, I believe. It'll be listed as Xfinity Streampix

It's in On Demand. Under premium networks, I believe. It'll be listed as Xfinity StreampixThank you.  I'd never have thought of looking for it there.

The funny thing is that the reason I posted here rather than phoning Comcast was that I expected a heavily technical answer that a phone rep might not have been able to give me, or not been able to convey correctly.

It doesn't look like there's anything decent under the StreamPix selection. It looks like old stuff, that most would probably not be looking to watch again, IMO.

There is something weird going on with CLTV this morning. It was dead for a bit, and now is showing the feed from different channels. It started as some informercial, then aired Bloomberg for a few minutes. Then Discovery Fit and Health, then Nicktoons, and now NatGeoWild.

A look at the diagnostics show the same frequency and subchannel as always, and these channels are normally on completely different frequencies, and still there on those originals.

Got a message that my tv isn't ready for comcast digital enhancements when watching using my tivo. Tv only works ok, do i need a cable card now even for the basic? If so this is bad.

Anyone else having any problems with On-Demand? Tried watching On-Demand and a message came up saying to unplug our box for a minute and then try again. The same message was on all 3 of our boxes. I unplugged all of them and plugged them back in a few hours ago and On-Demand isn't working on any of them now.

Got a message that my tv isn't ready for comcast digital enhancements when watching using my tivo. Tv only works ok, do i need a cable card now even for the basic? If so this is bad.

Pretty sure you're going to need a CableCARD, unless you want to tune to the QAM channel. Last I checked, the TiVo doesn't have any way to manually map QAM channels to those listed in the guide data. So as an example, if you're tuning to cable channel 2 for WBBM, and you don't have a CableCARD, you're getting the analog feed - which is going away in early April.

You say your TV works fine by itself. Does your TV have a DTA or a box?

Thanks for the reply. i don't have a stb or dta adapter guess the tv has a qam tuner? it is a bedroom tv and the locals is all i need in the bedroom. the tivo as you suggest must need a card so I guess its time to reconnect the antenna to the tivo. i have one tivo with a card and i can stream from it.

Just a note that Disney jr is already up and running on channel 125. It appears to be full encryption, so it will probably require Preferred or higher and not be available on a DTA.

Also noticed WSNS 44.2 (Exitos TV) has been added as channels 394 and 658. It is ClearQAM and PSIP's to 44.2 (50-4 is original RF here in Schaumburg).

Just a note that Disney jr is already up and running on channel 125. It appears to be full encryption, so it will probably require Preferred or higher and not be available on a DTA.

Also noticed WSNS 44.2 (Exitos TV) has been added as channels 394 and 658. It is ClearQAM and PSIP's to 44.2 (50-4 is original RF here in Schaumburg).

What QAM is Disney Jr. on in Schuamburg?

Here with TWC in North Texas we got the SD version only as well and the picture for an SD channel is fantastic! it is 704x480i instead of 528x480i like:

ESPN Classic
SoapNET
Disney XD

Disney Channel in my area bounces from QAM to QAM on the frequencies thanks to SDV:
687MHz
693MHz
699MHz
705MHz
711MHz
717MHz
723MHz
729MHz
735MHz
741MHz
747MHz
753MHz
759MHz
765MHz
771MHz
777MHz
819MHz
825MHz
831MHz
837MHz
843MHz
849MHz
855MHz
861MHZ

I believe since the channel is SDV it gets 3.75Mbps as they only do a maximum of 10:1 QAM SD channels or 6 SD/1HD to a QAM or 3 SD/2 HD to a QAM with SDV.

Just curious could you do a QAM chart for your system haven't seen one in a long time you do a very good job at making those :)

As mentioned, DisJr is on RF50.4, PSIP'd to 44.2.

As far as QAM, there are several ways I find them. For many, I can use the cable box by tuning into the channel, then using the diagnostics to find the frequency. For those in Starter on the DTA, the diagnostics have a channel map page that lists the frequency and subchannel. I also have a TV directly connected that I can sometimes use to find some.

Hello just a note still get channel 109 soapnet did not sign of march 23,2012

SOAPnet will be continuing for awhile until all of the agreements for Disney Jr are done.

FYI...Received a notice in the mail yesterday from Comcast that on April 3rd, limited basic will be going all digital and you will need a DTA or digital receiver to receive channels 2-15, 18 and 21. Also of note, notice says that if your TV has a QAM tuner you will still receive limited basic channels.

As of this morning, Comcast still has not shut off the anolg broadcast basic channels.

Also, this never happened:
Effective 4/4/12, these channels will be added to
Digital Preferred: Smithsonian Channel (chl. 153);
BBC World News (chl. 154); CNBC World (chl. 155);
and Inspiration Network (chl. 157).
NOTE: CNBC World will also continue to air on its
current Digital Preferred channel 178 until 4/10/12.

As of this morning, Comcast still has not shut off the anolg broadcast basic channels.

Also, this never happened:
Effective 4/4/12, these channels will be added to
Digital Preferred: Smithsonian Channel (chl. 153);
BBC World News (chl. 154); CNBC World (chl. 155);
and Inspiration Network (chl. 157).
NOTE: CNBC World will also continue to air on its
current Digital Preferred channel 178 until 4/10/12.

As an update, channel adds will now be 4/12/12 per my latest bill.

Comcast Analog finally disabled here in far West Suburbs (St. Charles). (Wheaton feed?)

I have the Digital Transport Adapter box and watch local HD via splitter switch. Flipped the splitter to watch baseball in HD this afternoon, and channel 3 was a white screen with black text that states:
"If you can see this message, the TV you're watching isn't ready for Comcast's digital network enhancements. Call 1-877-634-4434 to restore services."

Local Clear QAM is unaffected.



For giggles, I flipped to analog channel 70, and it's still running the (now two year old?) video showing how to plug in your Digital Transport Adapter.

Comcast Analog finally disabled here in far West Suburbs (St. Charles). (Wheaton feed?)

I have the Digital Transport Adapter box and watch local HD via splitter switch. Flipped the splitter to watch baseball in HD this afternoon, and channel 3 was a white screen with black text that states:
"If you can see this message, the TV you're watching isn't ready for Comcast's digital network enhancements. Call 1-877-634-4434 to restore services."

Local Clear QAM is unaffected.



For giggles, I flipped to analog channel 70, and it's still running the (now two year old?) video showing how to plug in your Digital Transport Adapter.


Getting the same message in Joliet. Local Clear QAM is unaffected also.

Should I get be able to get WCIU 26-1 and WPWR 50-1 without a DTA or STB? All the other local HD channels come in fine with the cable direct to my tv's cable input.

Yes, My50 and WCIU should be available in clear QAM. Didn't have a problem watching them a few nights ago in HD without the DTA.

Might need to re-scan the channels in case Comcast moved their frequency. They're good for doing that.

Yes, My50 and WCIU should be available in clear QAM. Didn't have a problem watching them a few nights ago in HD without the DTA.

Might need to re-scan the channels in case Comcast moved their frequency. They're good for doing that.

thanks! rescanning worked

Just got snail-mail from Comcast today here in Schaumburg. On May 30, the analogs go bye-bye. I assume this will also apply to many other NW suburbs fed off of Mt. Prospect.

Hello i got a letter in mail today with new equipment i can get channel 386 mctv and also
you can get music choice channels on the digital adapter because now you do not get this channel 386 mctv and the music choice channels .

Analog cable shut off earlier this week in Alsip.

This sucks! The basic cable was fine for my VCRs, DVDRs, and SD TV sets. Now, I have to connect DTA to everything. What a PITA, more cables, more power plugs, more remotes. If I wanted a box at EVERY viewing location, I would have gone DirectTV.

I have ONLY cable TV through Crapcast, and pay nearly $130 a month. That's for 3 boxes (one a DVR) and NO premium movie channels. Tell me more about all the HD choices you offer. 900 channels of mostly garbage. There is only a dozen channels I watch regularly.

Satellite, offer me a deal. It's time to cut the cable!

Anyone else notice the following un-announced channel adds?
239 - WYIN (56) HD
376 - WYIN Kids (56) HD
426 - Word Fishing Network (SD)

What I can't understand is why Comcast is adding SD channels like Smithsonian and WFN when every other MSO is adding HD channels. And still no information as to when they plan on a channel re-alignment like they have done in the North East.

Anyone else notice the following un-announced channel adds?
239 - WYIN (56) HD
376 - WYIN Kids (56) HD
426 - Word Fishing Network (SD)

What I can't understand is why Comcast is adding SD channels like Smithsonian and WFN when every other MSO is adding HD channels. And still no information as to when they plan on a channel re-alignment like they have done in the North East.
For grins, I tried those channels on my DTA, and 376 shows up for me in SD.

I've always wondered why DirecTV can offer HD and SD on the same channel number, yet Comcast separates them and often creates duplicate (or triplicate) SD channels.

Here in Schaumburg, I only see 426. It's NOT AUTHORIZED, so I assume it's probably in S&E.

As for SD vs HD, it may be a combination of agreement costs and bandwidth. It may take awhile for Comcast to get new equipment up and running to add new HD frequencies. Also, for national HD stuff, Comcast typically triples them up using high-end combiners in Colorado, then feeds them nationally. They may not have HD feeds of some channels available yet.

Here in Schaumburg, I only see 426. It's NOT AUTHORIZED, so I assume it's probably in S&E.

As for SD vs HD, it may be a combination of agreement costs and bandwidth. It may take awhile for Comcast to get new equipment up and running to add new HD frequencies. Also, for national HD stuff, Comcast typically triples them up using high-end combiners in Colorado, then feeds them nationally. They may not have HD feeds of some channels available yet.

426-WFN, is part of Sports/Entertainment pack.

For grins, I tried those channels on my DTA, and 376 shows up for me in SD.

I've always wondered why DirecTV can offer HD and SD on the same channel number, yet Comcast separates them and often creates duplicate (or triplicate) SD channels.

Iguide? comparably with the older boxes yes the SD boxes can see HD channels on comcast.

Other cable systems have auto HD or HD on sd number + 1000.

as for duplicates well 0-99 is not the same at each area head-end. And parts of the 100's has alot of old analog to digital moves from 5+ years ago.

oddly you see 285 info HD (CSN + HD) in areas that get CSN Chicago even when they have all there HD in 800's or far from the 200's.


also more odd stuff is the use of CLTV for CSN + for some time this year they used 101 for CSN + SD but now back to CLTV?? and if useing CLTV why not add CLTV HD on the info HD slot?

Does any with RCN know if you get CSN + HD on CLTV HD channel?

also CSN + 2 has been on a few different slots.

as for long term planing there may be a need for CSN + 3 or + 4. worst case is 5 feeds (fire + bulls + cubs + sox + and blackhawks.

there may be a plan for Comcast network 100 HD or a part time feed. Also nice to have BIG ten alt HD.

A other good thing with directv is the alt feeds are right next to the main feed no hunting.

and they get NBC Sports Channel alt (so you get all the games in full)

Anyone else still getting the following on the former analog channels that Comcast took down 2-3 weeks ago? "If you can see this message, the TV you're watching isn't ready for Comcast's digital network enhancements. Call 1-877-634-4434 to restore services." You would think by now Comcast would just shut off the analog feed once and for all.

2-3 weeks is a pretty short time.  In the city, or at least in area 2, we still got that message for months after they'd removed all programming from the analog channels.

They would probably keep them up, especially for the most common channels, until they need the frequency for something else.

They would probably keep them up, especially for the most common channels, until they need the frequency for something else.

Hopefully they need those frequencies soon for new HD channels.

Some of that space will probably be used for more OnDemand space, and maybe even HSI.

Some of that space will probably be used for more OnDemand space, and maybe even HSI.

Comcast needs to start using SDV. Look at BHN down in central Florida. Their HD line up is unbelievable and they still have analog. While we may have more on-demand choices, my vote is for more HD channels, especially when it comes to the InDemand sports packages. I would consider MLB Extra Innings, but with 1 or 2 games a night, in HD, it's not worth it. Watching some of those games in SD on the regional Fox Sports Nets with black bars top, bottom & sides, it looked like I was watching the game on 25 inch TV instead of 42!

Comcast needs to start using SDV. Look at BHN down in central Florida. Their HD line up is unbelievable and they still have analog. While we may have more on-demand choices, my vote is for more HD channels, especially when it comes to the InDemand sports packages. I would consider MLB Extra Innings, but with 1 or 2 games a night, in HD, it's not worth it. Watching some of those games in SD on the regional Fox Sports Nets with black bars top, bottom & sides, it looked like I was watching the game on 25 inch TV instead of 42!

my TWC area has 135 HD channels and we have SDV but do not get all of the Indemand Sports Package HD channels :( Instead we have GAME1 and 2 HD and TEAM HD

Comcast apparently did some SDV experiments, but decided it wasn't worth the costs right now. It may first show up in older areas where Comcast decides it's cheaper than upgrading a system to 850MHz or more.

As it is, at least by me (850MHz system), there are 9-10 channels already unused. With the analogs dropped, that will add another 29.

I tried to watch Cook's Country on demand and when it plays, it's just the white screen "you need digital hardware" message. I guess they need to reprogram their source of when they store the programs for on demand viewing.

I'm on the Batavia feed.

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me out. I'm in Evanston, and I pick up my TV from the free channels that Comcast broadcasts in the clear over their cables.

When I plug the cable directly into the back of my TV, I pick up everything just fine. However, I also have a home-built DVR (running Mythbuntu, if it matters). I recently upgraded it and after doing so have not been able to get my DVR to tune to any of the HD WLS channels (7.1 7.2 7.3) or the WGN channels (9.1 or 9.2). (There may also be some other channels I can't pick up, but those are the only two I noticed. I can get WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WTTW, etc just fine.)

I understand that the 7.1 "channel" is not a "real" frequency. Does anyone know what the real frequencies that Comcast is broadcasting these at is? I checked on silicondust (their channel tables) and all of the frequencies I get in my scan match up with what they have except for WLS and WGN, which I can't seem to find. I.e., according to silicondust, WLS-HD should be broadcasting on real channel 29-1, which corresponds to frequency 255MHz. (If I'm wrong about this please someone let me know.) However, when I scan that frequency I get nothing.

Does anyone know if that data is still correct? I'm trying to nail down if it's a problem with my software or with something else going on.

Thanks in advance,
Q

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me out. I'm in Evanston, and I pick up my TV from the free channels that Comcast broadcasts in the clear over their cables.

When I plug the cable directly into the back of my TV, I pick up everything just fine. However, I also have a home-built DVR (running Mythbuntu, if it matters). I recently upgraded it and after doing so have not been able to get my DVR to tune to any of the HD WLS channels (7.1 7.2 7.3) or the WGN channels (9.1 or 9.2). (There may also be some other channels I can't pick up, but those are the only two I noticed. I can get WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WTTW, etc just fine.)

I understand that the 7.1 "channel" is not a "real" frequency. Does anyone know what the real frequencies that Comcast is broadcasting these at is? I checked on silicondust (their channel tables) and all of the frequencies I get in my scan match up with what they have except for WLS and WGN, which I can't seem to find. I.e., according to silicondust, WLS-HD should be broadcasting on real channel 29-1, which corresponds to frequency 255MHz. (If I'm wrong about this please someone let me know.) However, when I scan that frequency I get nothing.

Does anyone know if that data is still correct? I'm trying to nail down if it's a problem with my software or with something else going on.

Thanks in advance,
Q


On a somewhat similar note, a friend in Crystal Lake cannot get any channels anymore, even with a scan. Can others there verify that they've encrypted everything?

I understand that the 7.1 "channel" is not a "real" frequency. Does anyone know what the real frequencies that Comcast is broadcasting these at is? I checked on silicondust (their channel tables) and all of the frequencies I get in my scan match up with what they have except for WLS and WGN, which I can't seem to find. I.e., according to silicondust, WLS-HD should be broadcasting on real channel 29-1, which corresponds to frequency 255MHz. (If I'm wrong about this please someone let me know.) However, when I scan that frequency I get nothing.Those are the physical channel numbers for OTA from the stations, not for Comcast's QAM delivery of them.

Last I checked Comcast's QAM feed here in Chicago Area 2, WLS and WGN feed were somewhere in the 105-115 channel number range (I don't know how many MHz that is), as were the programming of, if I remember right, WBBM, WMAQ, WTTW, WCIU, WFLD, WCPX, WSNS, and WPWR as well.

But that is probably not extrapolatable to your location.

When I plug the cable directly into the back of my TV, I pick up everything just fine. However, I also have a home-built DVR (running Mythbuntu, if it matters). I recently upgraded it and after doing so have not been able to get my DVR to tune to any of the HD WLS channels (7.1 7.2 7.3) or the WGN channels (9.1 or 9.2). (There may also be some other channels I can't pick up, but those are the only two I noticed. I can get WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WTTW, etc just fine.)

Q

I don't have a solution to your problem, but I am also having only trouble receiving 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1 and 9.2 in Lake Forest. I tried rescanning, but that did not help. All other digital channels are fine.

Sounds like it's localized to the North feed then.

I had to do a re-scan as Comcast moved the location of My50 and WCIU's stations. Have all the digital local Clear-QAM channels with no issues. Wheaton feed.

I don't have a solution to your problem, but I am also having only trouble receiving 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1 and 9.2 in Lake Forest. I tried rescanning, but that did not help. All other digital channels are fine.

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

In an update today I could sometimes get the computer to tune to those channels, say 1 out of 10 times I tried. Very weird. Maybe I'll wait a little while and see if something resolves on the signal end.

On a somewhat similar note, a friend in Crystal Lake cannot get any channels anymore, even with a scan. Can others there verify that they've encrypted everything?
At this time I can confirm they have not encrypted any of the local HD or SD channels. Most of Limited Basic is also still in the clear.

As already noted, all cablecos will encrypt all channels, once the FCC approves the request currently before them, but it hasn't happened as yet. Soon, but not yet.

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

The local HD channels will typically be only two packed on a single QAM, in most cases with no other SD channels.

In other words, regardless of what the virtual channel or real over the air channel is (e.g. WLS ABC Chicago is virtual channel 7, real channel over-the-air UHF 44), Comcast may put WLS on channel 118.1, for example, and put WBBM (virtual channel 2, real channel VHF 12) on 118.2.

Comcast may have previously used channel remapping to put WLS on channel 7 for example, or other, but it may now not have the virtual channel remapped to 7, or other, and thus WLS may be located anywhere a QAM tuner picks up channels.

All cablecos move QAM channel locations on a regular basis for system maintenance. Unfortunately when they do, it may be somewhat troublesome to find them again for the average end user. In spite of what some believe, thinking this is a plot to prevent them from getting clear QAM channels, they have so few clear QAM users that it simply isn't much of a concern for them.

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

In an update today I could sometimes get the computer to tune to those channels, say 1 out of 10 times I tried. Very weird. Maybe I'll wait a little while and see if something resolves on the signal end.

WLS and WGN QAM stations were clear for me this morning. WGN is a little pixalated, but not bad. My TV shows WLS and WGN on digital station 117.

The broadcast QAM's usually mirror the way they are broadcast. If there are subchannels, they are using the same QAM as the HD.

There could be minor signal strength issues. By me, with my normal setup, my main TV (has a cable box, but also has a direct as backup/experimenting) cannot normally pick up the QAM (RF115) for WMAQ/WFLD here in Schaumburg. It will work if I slightly rearrange things to give it a bit more signal. It's not a big deal as it's only a backup anyways. On another TV, and when I do get it in, the signal strength doesn't seem any different than other channels.

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

In an update today I could sometimes get the computer to tune to those channels, say 1 out of 10 times I tried. Very weird. Maybe I'll wait a little while and see if something resolves on the signal end.
I'm not sure if your question was ever really answered.

You're able to see all the channels on your TV so obviously the channels are on your cable feed and are not scrambled.

I see two possible problems:

1. Your software may not be setting up the correct links to the cable feed. There should be some utility with the software to check the linkage. And where the channels are on your cable feed should be irrelevant, the software should be able to find them. This problem seems unlikely since you say it works intermittently.

2. The tuner on you home made DVR may not be very sensitive, or may even be failing, and Comcast may not be providing a strong enough signal in your area. My experience is that the Comcast signal level can vary a lot. Try accessing the channels at a time when few people would be watching and you should get a better signal. If this works, you may need to ask Comcast to boost the signal in your area.

Lots of changes here in Schaumburg soon, and probably related areas:

IMPORTANT CHANNEL UPDATES
Effective June 1, 2012, The MTN.-Mountain West
Sports Network (Sports Entertainment Package
channel 421) will no longer be available on the
Comcast channel lineup. This network is going
dark on that date.
Effective June 12, 2012, NHL Network (channel
404) will move from the Expanded Basic level of
service to the Digital Preferred level of service.
On the same date, NHL Network HD (channel 234)
will move from the Digital Starter level of service
to the Digital Preferred level of service. NHL
Network and NHL Network HD are also available
on the Sports Entertainment Package.
On 4/26, World Fishing Network (WFN) was added on Sports
Entertainment Package channel 426. On 5/15, BabyFirst
Americas will be added on Digital Preferred channels 129/659.
On 5/30, WYIN-Lakeshore Kids will be added on Limited Basic
channel 376, WYIN HD will be added on Limited Basic channel
376, and Spike TV and Spike HD will be added to MultiLatino
Max and MultiLatino Ultra.
On 5/31, Smithsonian Channel will be added on Digital
Preferred channel 153, BBC World News on Digital Preferred
channel 154, CNBC World on Digital Preferred channel 155, and
INSP (Inspiration Network) on Digital Preferred channel 157.
CNBC World is also available on Digital Preferred channel 178.
On 6/6, Outside Television will be added on Sports
Entertainment Package channel 409. On 6/19, ESPN Deportes
channel 609 will be added to Digital Preferred.
On 6/28, Aspire will be added on Digital Preferred channel 482,
GMC channel 475 will move from Digital Preferred to Expanded
Basic, and GMC HD channel 299 will move from Digital
Preferred to Digital Starter. Also on 6/28, Food Network channel
25 & Turner Classic Movies channel 16 will both move from
Limited Basic to Expanded Basic. On 7/10, CNBC World will no
longer be available on Digital Preferred channel 155 or 178.The CNBC World thing is a bit weird. It says it will be added on 155 (it's currently on 178). Then it says on 7/10 it will no longer be available on either the old or new numbers??

And even more confusing was this in my bill:
Partial Month Charges & Credits
Because we had already billed you when the latest changes
were made to your account, we have adjusted this bill.
Listed in this section are credits and/or charges for these
changes.
Effective 05/18/12, Dual Tuner DVR Service at a monthly
rate of $8.00 was removed from your account.
Effective 06/02/12, HD DVR Service Package at a monthly
rate of $8.00 was added to your account.
Adjustments for services removed 05/18/12
Dual Tuner DVR Service 05/18 - 06/01 3.87
15 days @ $0.2580/day based on a monthly rate
of $8.00
Adjustments for services added 06/02/12
HD DVR Service Package 06/02 - 06/17 4.26
16 days @ $0.2662/day based on a monthly rate
of $8.00
Total Partial Month Charges & Credits $8.13I'm not certain what is going on, or why there is some future change? Worse, why does the partial service equal 8.13 for the month, instead of 8.00?

Lots of changes here in Schaumburg soon, and probably related areas:
The CNBC World thing is a bit weird. It says it will be added on 155 (it's currently on 178). Then it says on 7/10 it will no longer be available on either the old or new numbers??

And even more confusing was this in my bill:
I'm not certain what is going on, or why there is some future change? Worse, why does the partial service equal 8.13 for the month, instead of 8.00?

So nhl network is only starter for the regular season and round 1 and 2.

Dual Tuner DVR Service that has got be some really old fee / name that is being killed off.

While other providers and also Comcast in other markets adds HD channels, what do we get, crap SD channel adds with the exception of WYIN-HD. Un-believable.

While other providers and also Comcast in other markets adds HD channels, what do we get, crap SD channel adds with the exception of WYIN-HD. Un-believable.

why can't they ADD CLTV HD?? put it in the CSN + HD slot.

I think that is what RCN does CLTV HD is also CSN + HD. Just like CLTV SD is used for CSN + SD.

Here in Schaumburg, the analogs will be removed on the 31st. Give a few months for them to rearrange and update equipment to add more HD's. But, I also assume some of that bandwidth will be used for more OnDemand and HSI.

Here in Schaumburg, the analogs will be removed on the 31st. Give a few months for them to rearrange and update equipment to add more HD's. But, I also assume some of that bandwidth will be used for more OnDemand and HSI.

Schaumburg and other areas have a lot room (most are 860MHz or higher) but the city of Chicago areas may be lower they may wait to upgrade them before add more HD to the Chicago land systems.

Schaumburg and other areas have a lot room (most are 860MHz or higher) but the city of Chicago areas may be lower they may wait to upgrade them before add more HD to the Chicago land systems.

The city of Chicago has more HD channels than we do here in Schaumburg.

The city of Chicago has more HD channels than we do here in Schaumburg.

and yet we have more room in Chicago land so what is the hold up. They want to get all systems ready to have all of the same HD channel before doing any big adds?

Chicago Near North side - Problem with Clear QAM for WBBM and WTTW

I'm using clear QAM on my bedroom TV (a recent LG LCD) and with a Pinnacle USB tuner stick for computer recording. Over the last few weeks I was getting very poor "reception" on WTTW (HD and Prime) and on WBBM-HD. In the last few days, those channels are pretty much DEAD. All the other channels I've checked are just fine. (The SD feeds of those channels through an old LG tuner are fine.) I've done a full rescan with the USB tuner stick with the same result.

Bizarre! Any thoughts?

If it's anything like here in Schaumburg, WTTW-HD and WBBM-HD are on the same frequency. Do you also have problems with WTTW's sub-channels? Normally, they share the same frequency as the main. The SD copies use a different set of frequencies.

Basically, it sounds like your signals are marginal, and WTTW/WBBM is a bit weaker than the others.

If it's anything like here in Schaumburg, WTTW-HD and WBBM-HD are on the same frequency. Do you also have problems with WTTW's sub-channels? Normally, they share the same frequency as the main. The SD copies use a different set of frequencies.

Basically, it sounds like your signals are marginal, and WTTW/WBBM is a bit weaker than the others.
Thanks, Andy. I think you've hit the "nail on the head."

My notes on the channels found by my old LG tuner show that WBBM-HD is on 73.1 and WTTW channels are 73.2, 73.3, 73.4, and 73. I use the LG tuner on 73.2 and 73.6 regularly and they are fine. The Pinnacle tuner stick is connected to RF out from that tuner but it no longer gets 73.2...

I have a couple of two way splitters in the setup. The old LG tuner (and Pinnacle) is connected to "output 1" from the first splitter. The new LG TV is connected to "output 2" from the first splitter (with other stuff along the way). As the TV has developed the same problem, I suspect that the source of my problem is a reduction in the Comcast signal level.

Curiously, both FOX-HD and NBC-HD are just fine and they appear to be on the adjacent channel, at 74.2 and 74.5.

Perhaps an amplifier/splitter would solve my current problem with much less aggravation than calling Comcast. I see that some models have an "active return path" and others have a "passive return path". Any recommendations? (BTW, I'm not using a cable modem if that makes any difference.)