HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH WTTD -DT ALSO AND a couple of others with sound sysnc and just getting any sound

Of of 5PM on Monday can't get WLS-DT over the air either, not Comcast's fault. Looks like a PSIP issue which was reported a few days ago of happening and being corrected.

Originally posted by rad
Of of 5PM on Monday can't get WLS-DT over the air either, not Comcast's fault. Looks like a PSIP issue which was reported a few days ago of happening and being corrected.

I can pick up WLS on my Mits set, and I can confirm that something is out of whack in the PSIP. The channels aren't remapping to the usual 7.01 and 7.02; they're showing up as 52.01 and 52.02.

WTTW-DT has had nothing but a green screen all night.

I just got my HD hooked up and it seems like I was getting a buffer problem. Picture would start to look like little squares for a second and then com back to normal or sound would drop for 1-3 secs then come back. This is annoying.

Crazy - I had the same thing happen when I first had my HD hooked up. Comcast came out several times to take filters / traps off the main line outside the house, but noting seemed to help. They also replaced the splitter I was using with a newer model (1,000 Mhz - I think) and that seemed to help a little. Finally, the swapped my original 6200 box with another 6200 and I haven't had a problem since.

Basically, you just have to "play the game" until they can figure out what the issue is. Good luck.

Thanks kblee

I am considering changing from Dishnetwork over to Comcast because I live in an apartment in Wheaton and I am sick on always messing with my indoor antenna for local HDTV and not getting CBS. I heard information about a HD DVR from Comcast that is out but they are not advertising. I called Comcast and lady told me their retention center can give them out. Has anyone done this? Would they give me one if I am just signing up? This is one of the main reasons for interest in comcast because I'd rather rent a HD DVR than pay $1000 to buy one from Dishnetwork. I had an installer guy in our apartment complex that said he knew nothing about it so that didn't help. If anyone could help with info and how I can go about getting one that would be great.

Originally posted by BrianEK
I heard information about a HD DVR from Comcast that is out but they are not advertising. I called Comcast and lady told me their retention center can give them out. Has anyone done this?

Lots of us have gone this route. Read a few pages earlier in this message thread and you'll see all the gory details.

[edit] Okay, slight correction. Start reading around page 70 of this thread and you'll see the entire 6208 saga unfold.

..you may have to talk to few reps before you get your dvr box, so just be patient. I asked to talked to the DVR dept. (not even sure if there is such a thing), but when I got the right person on the line it was no problem getting it installed. And all in all I'm liking it so far. Anyone hear when the new dual tuner ones will be coming out? The tech guy who recently installed my 6208 said the 6412 should be out sometime in august. Anyone hear anything differently?

Originally posted by BrianEK
I am considering changing from Dishnetwork over to Comcast because I live in an apartment in Wheaton and I am sick on always messing with my indoor antenna for local HDTV and not getting CBS.

Also keep in mind that Comcast still offers (I'm pretty sure) dish buyback program. They will take yuour old dish and give you $25 credit /month for 18 months

I work at a local electronics store (anonymous) and the comcast rep told us two days ago that the dual tuner HD DVR is available (not advertised of course). Just thought people might want to check on this to see if it's true. Knowing how crappy Comcast workers are this rep might be talking out of his arss. Just thought I'd pass the info in case it's true.

A while back in the thread someone mentioned being able to get basic cable and still being able to get hdtv. I think disconnecting my satellite will be too expensive for me since i'm under contract still. on Comcast's web site it will let me pick the basic cable package ($11.49) and htdv ($5.00) together. Does this mean I can get hdtv for my local stations this way? I only care about getting locals in HD cause i get bad reception with my antenna with satellite for locals. So i just want comcast for local hdtv. I just want to know if this is possible since I heard before you had to have a digital package to get hdtv (and asking comcast probably won't help since they know nothing). I want to know before I call.

Originally posted by BrianEK
A while back in the thread someone mentioned being able to get basic cable and still being able to get hdtv. I think disconnecting my satellite will be too expensive for me since i'm under contract still. on Comcast's web site it will let me pick the basic cable package ($11.49) and htdv ($5.00) together. Does this mean I can get hdtv for my local stations this way? I only care about getting locals in HD cause i get bad reception with my antenna with satellite for locals. So i just want comcast for local hdtv. I just want to know if this is possible since I heard before you had to have a digital package to get hdtv (and asking comcast probably won't help since they know nothing). I want to know before I call.
Yes, you can get the locals only package and add on the hdbox lease for $5, no digital required.

Well My HD is crap so I have a tech coming out today and im in Wood Dale, I ll ask him about the Dual Tuner box.

It wouldn't take much effort to find this out on my own ...but with recording on the DVR - do you have to leave the box on all the time or will the box turn itself on when the show starts and off when it's over?

..I leave my box on all the time.

It will turn on and off on its own.

Any chance that the new 6412 will feature something other than the TVGuide software, possible the Microsoft, or Pioneer interface? I absolutely hate the TVGuide software and would love to have a new IPG.

Speaking of TVGuide software i swear i read in a press release awhile back about a new version of the software that was supposed to be rolled out by the end of the month, anyone know anything about that, or am i just going crazy?

Question to all who have Comcast in Chicago. I tried to use the DVI from the Motorola to a 42 inch Toshiba that is HDCP compliant and I got one of the message across the screen saying I could not receive a signal. Is the Motorola's DVI active and is it HDCP compliant.


Thanks

Robert

..my dvi port has been active for about 6 months or so in st. charles. Maybe you could call comcast and ask.

I've had issues since they upgraded me to version 7.10 - try unplugging the DVI from the back of your monitor and plugging it back in. Your TV may "recognize" the signal and give you a picture.

Originally posted by Kipp Jones
It will turn on and off on its own.

Thanks Kipp.

We got 7.10 in the last week or two near downtown. Now sometimes in the menu screens the box will hang. Then it reboots.

It never did this with 7.07. I wish we'd get 7.14 already. At least the firewire might work with the Mits 2000.

I called Comcast this mourning and was told that DVI would not be active until October. I try again over the weekend.

Thanks


Robert

Does anyone know what the heck Jewelry Television is? It's supposed to start on August 26 on channel 282 according to the message on my cable box.

Who cares its a waste of another channel if you want my opinion, which i guess i just gave whether you want it or not, oh well i suppose maybe 1 in every 100,000 customers may want to watch it, but hey maybe they just did it to get us all excited when we went to our boxes and saw a red light, that would be a nifty little prank, get all the HD nuts excited only to have them shot down by jewelry TV, Hell yeah

i have a 2nd generation sony grand wega lcd projection tv, and a comcast 6208 dvr. what should the setting bee on the cable box for output (1080i, 720p, etc.) any info appreciated. is there anything on the television that also needs to be adjusted? thanks

mark anderson

Originally posted by FSugino
Does anyone know what the heck Jewelry Television is? It's supposed to start on August 26 on channel 282 according to the message on my cable box. Another shopping channel.

Believe it or not, it's an analog channel out here, so it takes up all that bandwidth. So count yourself lucky that where you are it's only taking up 1/8th to 1/10th of the bandwidth it does out here.

Originally posted by mark anderson
i have a 2nd generation sony grand wega lcd projection tv, and a comcast 6208 dvr. what should the setting bee on the cable box for output (1080i, 720p, etc.) any info appreciated. is there anything on the television that also needs to be adjusted? thanks

mark anderson

I would sudjest setting your 6208 to 720p because it is the native resolution of you TV.

b

They added around 10 new international channels including RAI, JapanTV, etc. this morning in upper 600s.

They've been there for a few days, but I always got the not available message when checking them out. Are they active, or is this another subscription tier like the Spanish channels?

It's a subscription. I haven't been looking there in a while so I didn't notice them. There was a message this morning that they added them.

What service level do you need?

Originally posted by Lee Heytow
What service level do you need?

Something more than Platinum - that's what I've got and I have a Not Authorized message for all of them.

I looked and I'm not even showing any upper 600 channels yet

Is it normal for all the channels below 100 to look awful?

Originally posted by dgordo
Is it normal for all the channels below 100 to look awful?

That's one of the problems with the analog channels, the can look really bad. When I gave our recently upgraded Comcast system a shot, the digital channels looked about the same as DBS, overcompressed but there were a couple of analog channels that looked like crap. Comcast was out numerous times to try to fix it but when I cancelled them they still didn't know what was happenin.

Does anyone know what channel 217 is? It says WLSD.

Thanks,

Jack G

..not sure about ch. 217 I was watching it a little and it looks like an abc newschannel. When it wasn't showing my local abc news it was showing abc new now, whatever that is.

Originally posted by Jacktheg
Does anyone know what channel 217 is? It says WLSD.

Yes, it's the WLS sub-channel 7.02. They usually broadcast reruns of the news or 190 N., but this week they're showing coverage of the Democratic convention.

Incidentally, WLS started running weather radar on 7.03 as of last weekend.

..thanks for the info fsugino!..any info if any other subchannels will be available?

That takes WLS-DT's bandwidth right to the wall. But, hey, with 8VSB you're always pumping out 19.3 MB/sec anyway, so why just throw null packets in there as filler?!?

Originally posted by WishIdInventedTivo
Do you have to have a Comcast HD box? What if you have a STB that can decode HDTV over cable (I think it's called 8VSB)? I have a Zenith DTV-1080.

AT&T Broadband was initially putting HD signals on their systems in their native 8VSB OTA format, but over time that is being phased out in lieu of QAM, since 8VSB is a bandwidth hog on cable. 256QAM provides double the bandwidth of 8VSB on each 6MHz channel. This allows them to multiplex two OTA HD signals onto each channel.

Some providers use 64QAM and 16QAM on some channels, but most receivers that can receive 256QAM can also get those modes.

Originally posted by rad
That's one of the problems with the analog channels, the can look really bad. When I gave our recently upgraded Comcast system a shot, the digital channels looked about the same as DBS, overcompressed but there were a couple of analog channels that looked like crap. Comcast was out numerous times to try to fix it but when I cancelled them they still didn't know what was happenin.


For me it isn't just a couple analog channels, it is all of them. Comcast has been here several times and they now tell me this is as good as it gets, which isn't good. Looks like back to the dish for me.

For me it isn't just a couple analog channels, it is all of them. Comcast has been here several times and they now tell me this is as good as it gets, which isn't good. Looks like back to the dish for me.

That's what's sad about Comcast -- The fact that from service area to service area, the quality of their technicians varies so much.

I have had nothing but good things to say about the Peotone/Monee/Manteno/Beecher Illinois office. My analog channels are as equally clear in Monee as when I lived in Manteno. The compression on the digital channels (through the Comcast box) is actually less pleasant to the eye than the analog channels -- That's how clear my analogs are.

Then, there's Berwyn. Someone I know up there has totally wretched analog service. The tech did zero to fix reception and told her she has to upgrade to digital. I don't even need to point out how many things are wrong with that statement, from a logical to a technical perspective.

I have digital service and the digital channels are pretty good and frankly my analog channels look good too. They are not as good as the digital but they are clean with no background noise. They are not as sharp, of course, but I have no complaints about my analog performance.

so, if the people at comcast won't or don't know how to get my picture better is there anything I can do to try to fix it myself?

Originally posted by dgordo
so, if the people at comcast won't or don't know how to get my picture better is there anything I can do to try to fix it myself?

Have you tried bypassing the STB for the analog channels? Many who have the Moto 6200 have noticed that there is often terrible PQ on the analog channles. If you can, try splitting the signal and running one to the STB and the other directly to your TV.

Originally posted by dgordo
so, if the people at Comcast won't or don't know how to get my picture better is there anything I can do to try to fix it myself?

I use an amplifier to help my picture quality. I got mine thru Smarthome.com

http://www.smarthome.com/7771.HTML

Jack G

Unfortunately it looks just as bad with out the box and the amplifiers i have tried only seem to make it worse. I think the problem may be in the wiring in my building because my neighbors have reception problems also. I may have to go back to the dish or wait for rcn to get hd up and running, maybe they will be more responsive.

Originally posted by dgordo
Unfortunately it looks just as bad with out the box and the amplifiers i have tried only seem to make it worse. I think the problem may be in the wiring in my building because my neighbors have reception problems also. I may have to go back to the dish or wait for rcn to get hd up and running, maybe they will be more responsive.

If they can't get your analog picture quality up to a reasonable level, call customer service and tell them you will not pay for services you are not receiving. Once they get your picture quality improved, you will then start paying your bill, but until that time, you will call every month and request a credit.

Jack G

thanks for the advice, ill call comcast and tell them that.

Dgordo,

A couple of suggestions for checking your system.

First, if you are using the comcast component cable set that they brought, remove it immediately. It is only useful for strangling the cable guy. Go out and get a reasonably decent set of cables (AR Masters, etc) or get a decent DVI.

Second, carefully check each piece of coax. Look for poor connections, loose connections etc. Insure they are tight at each juncture(at the wall and at the stb (do you have any other's) I was using some RS cables that were a screw on to the cable itself and when I would tighten them on one side, the other side would loosen.

Third, don't really expect any help from comcast. I am happy if they don't drool and can walk upright.

Thanks for the advice. I tried all of that and nothing made a difference. I did call comcast and complain. They are only going to charge me half what they were before so at least i don't have to pay $90 a month anymore.

Woke up today to find new message on box stating the launch of comcast sports net chicago on channel 37 and the moving around of some analog channels. Anyways sportsnet not showing up in the guide as of yet but we will see. Also i thought comcast sportsnet was supposed to be an HD channel, i had read an annocment about stating all chicago sports home games in HD

Has anyone on the Crystal Lake/Lake in the Hills system gotten ON DEMAND yet? It is now in the channel listings, and when I go to 001, it tells me to push OK, but nothing happens.

Does it cost money?

Do I need to call customer service to activate the service?

Thanks for your help.

Jack G

I do not yet have OnDemand but from what I understand some of the content on it is free and some cost money. I am sure it will tell you which is which

Any scuttlebutt on the Moxi Media Center for Chicago area yet?
Got my 6208 installed two weeks ago and love the pause and pick up where you left off, as well as the 15 sec backwards jump. Comes in handy at times, especially if the channel has some digital breakups, I have found jumping back 15 seconds gives the tuner time to catch up. Haven't really had the opportunity to record yet. Really waiting for DVR with 2nd tuner. Some one posted a few days back he was going to ask installer. Any word?

Originally posted by LaxStar18
Woke up today to find new message on box stating the launch of comcast sports net chicago on channel 37 and the moving around of some analog channels. Anyways sportsnet not showing up in the guide as of yet but we will see. Also i thought comcast sportsnet was supposed to be an HD channel, i had read an annocment about stating all chicago sports home games in HD

I am surprised too on the channel location. I wonder if the HD broadcast will be on a separate channel???

i'll bet the HD broadcast'll be on INHD like it is in other parts of the country...csn launches on 9/2 btw

yeah i was thinking that, but does that mean they will be blacked out for us since we are home market and have another channel carring it?

Jack G.....I am in LITH and have no "On Demand" yet. I don't think it is available to us yet. Hopefully soon!!!

Gov

Originally posted by LaxStar18
I do not yet have OnDemand but from what I understand some of the content on it is free and some cost money. I am sure it will tell you which is which

LaxStar18, I too am in Northbrook and do have OnDemand. I originally had a problem getting it and thought Northbrook did not have it available. But by coincidence I had a Internet support guy come out because I had trouble with return IP traffic. He then looked at my HD box and found that the signal strength was not enough for OnDemand to work. We bypassed a splitter I had and whala! Apparently the signal strength required to get OnDemand to work is much higher that just regular cable transmission.

You are also right about some free content. Its great if you have little kids Nick Jr, Nick, Noggin, Disney, etc all free.

it won't be blacked out since it'll be a csn chicago broadcast[local area only]

ah good deal about the CSN HD thats good to hear. About the Ondemand though i am in Northbrook i am in Unincorperated and not on the same system as regular Northbrook, but the signal strength is something i will have to check into, do you happen to know what your strength reads at?

The issue of Comcast Sportnet being in HD is a big one. Will it (the HD feed)be on 37? INHD? a seperate channel? Is there anyone here who can clarify?
I'm sooooo confused.

Thanks

it'll be on INHD

Originally posted by vj9999
They added around 10 new international channels including RAI, JapanTV, etc. this morning in upper 600s.

In case anyone is interested, those international channels are available individually for $14.95/month. Ouch!

Hi,
I am getting a Samsung HLP6163 with DVI and HDMI input, it is being delivered next week, my question is: I want to get HD programming soon, I have Dish Network and have thoughts about getting rid of it for Comcast HD, does comcast get the locals in HD..also does there HD box have those digital outputs I mentioned at the top. I also have a 5 other TV,s would I have to have a separate line for the non HD TV's, or does this all happen on one cable line. Does anyone think I should just stay with the Dish Network and get their HD programing...Confused...just want the best I can get!
Thanks,
oe V.

comcast has the local channels, cbs, abc, nbc, wgn, fox (widescreen until fall, then HD I heard), and pbs. The motorola box I have supports dvi and optical out. Overall, I'm content with comcast, although now and again the HD signal will break-up quite a bit and can be annoying. I've found that pausing my DVR for about 5-10 seconds, letting it buffer can help alleviate some of the break-up. Not sure why it does(I'm a dummy), but I noticed this when i recorded something that was having quite a bit of break-up while I was watching at the same time. But later on, when i watched the recording, 95% of the break-ups had disappeared...strange but true, so now I just let it buffer before i watch with good results.

VOD has arrived here in McHenry County!! For the last few days, I saw "on demand" was assigned to channel one, and it kept saying "available shortly". I got tired of waiting since it was longer than shortly to me, so I called and they sent a download to my 6200. After about 30 minutes, walla, I had VOD. Still playing with it and really like it a lot. I just hope they are good about adding more stuff and rotating stuff out. Bring on HD VOD!!!!!!

Gov

Is anyone else trying to record that Venus Swimsuit show? It isn't recording on my DVR box and I'm about to flip out. All other channels are recording fine but this one wont. Does comcast have some kind of block on recording "Adult" (why in gods name is this even considered adult anyway) programming or something?

Originally posted by Lee K
Is anyone else trying to record that Venus Swimsuit show? It isn't recording on my DVR box and I'm about to flip out. All other channels are recording fine but this one wont. Does comcast have some kind of block on recording "Adult" (why in gods name is this even considered adult anyway) programming or something?

You need to setup a manual record. Since this is considared a PPV event (like the Peter Gabriel concert was at it's first showing) and can not be recorded in the typical fashion.

b

I have decided to go with Comcast with HDTV...Dish Network is being canceled tomorrow, can't get all the local channels...Comcast said I would be getting a HDTV box..So which box is the newest and best! God I hope I am doing the right thing!

Joe V.

Anyone having any trouble with the sound on channel 187. I can get the surround sound, but not the announcers.

Thanks,

Jack G

Yeah, they seem to have lost the 5.1 sound somewhere - it's coming through as just Pro Logic. I think that's why they switched to the stretched SD display to get the audio back.

Did anyone watch the Sox on Fox Sports last night? Not only could I not watch it because of the brutality of the Sox pitching staff, but the picture was horrendous - both from my RF directly into my TV and via the 6208 cable box. The 6208 looked to be overloaded with reds, but the picture was so block-y, I thought I was watching an Atari 2600 version of the game or my 1 year old Toshiba HDTV was going out.

I truly hope Comcast Sports Net is much better.

On a side note, any word on the two tuner DVR? The 6208 is working out well for me, but since the wife refuses to attempt to understand how the HT works, I lose recordings during the day when I'm not home because she wants to check the weather.

Originally posted by dbernhard
but since the wife refuses to attempt to understand how the HT works,

At least I'm not the only one!

As far as Fox goes, it is brutal...

Just received firmware 7.15 and VOD here in Gurnee. (Maybe I might buy that D-VHS I wanted now).

b

is that on 6200 or 6208?

edit: Nevermind. I just read some of your other posts and I see you have 6208. I think this is a first sighting of 7.15 we have seen in our area.

I called this afternoon and requested the 7.15 upgrade that many of the other Comcast areas had gotten (DVI issues with Samsung DLP since 7.10 upgrade). I checked when I got home and I got it sometime today. I've got a moto 6200.

I have the 6208 and my neighbor has the 6200, and in Crystal Lake, neither of us can get our VOD to work. My 6208 has the 7.15 update. Ant ideas?

Jack G

7.15 is not required for VOD. It sounds like it is not launched yet in your area.

kblee. You usually can't request firmware to be sent out. They send it out when your headend is ready to send it out to everybody.

Vj9999, you may be right and it could've been just a coincidence that I got 7.15 today. However, someone in Denver or Boston reported in another thread that they were able to call and get a "hit" sent to their STB for the upgrade. So, I thought I'd give it a try.

Either way, my issues have been resolved and I'm once again a happy camper.

Here in Winnetka it seems as if VOD is very close. When you tune to channel 1 it says this channel will be available shortly. Anyone else on the North Shore getting this, or better yet, have VOD?

I noticed 7.15 firmware just now. Curiously, I switched my input to IEEE-1394 and it was stable, no pixelations, etc. It could be that I was playing a recorded event and not buffering anything. Too late to test, will try tomorrow.

Later,

Love HD

Here in Evanston no VOD yet and still have 7.07 firmware. Can someone post the upgrades in the 7.15 firmware? I will call and ask to be upgraded if they are significant.

You guys that are getting channel one and it says its for VOD and that it will be available soon, call 1-888-COMCAST and ask them to download it to your STB, it should be up and running then.
I am in Lake in the Hills (next to Crystal Lake) and I have a buddy in East Dundee. We both now have VOD after making the phone call for the download. Read my earlier post.
BTW, my firmware is still 7.10

Gov

Originally posted by Gov
You guys that are getting channel one and it says its for VOD and that it will be available soon, call 1-888-COMCAST and ask them to download it to your STB, it should be up and running then.
I am in Lake in the Hills (next to Crystal Lake) and I have a buddy in East Dundee. We both now have VOD after making the phone call for the download. Read my earlier post.
BTW, my firmware is still 7.10

Gov

My box says push OK to activate, and when I push OK, nothing happens. I called Comcast last week, and they thought it should be working, but said they would have someone from the VOD department call me. Of course, no phone call. Do I still need to call, or is my box's signal to weak to activate the service?

Thanks,

Jack G

When I left for work this morning at around 7:45, mine was still 7.07 in Wheeling.

Oh yeah, I also noticed under Menu, and then Main Menu, that they have added a spot for the Olympics. You click on it, and you can browse what channels are showing what sports by time. Nothing great, but it's something.


tim

Still running 7.07 on my 6208 here in Schaumburg, too. I hope 7.15 fixes all the various FireWire problems - my Mits DVHS has been sitting idle since I got the 6208 (at least I was able to record off the 6200).

Called Comcast today and they sent hits to my boxes, both the 6200 and the my DCT2000's, nothing seemed to happen. I am still getting "One moment please" message, it must mean that VOD is not yet live on the North Shore.

Jack G,

Call them and tell them to send the "hit" download, whatever you want to call it. If you are in CL then you are on the same Comcast line up I am in, Carpentersville I think it is. When they send the download to your STB, you will see the letters DL in the display window. You will not have a signal for about 20-30 minutes while it downloads.
Like I said, this worked for me and a buddy, so I think it should work for you too. If it doesn't, something else might be going on.

Good Luck

I have 7.15 here in DG. I will test the 1394 and report back...

OK, all is trouble free and the best part is I am able to dump from the hard drive to my DVHS decks. Whoohoo thanks Comcast!!!!!!

I have the upgrade here in Highland Park, also. VOD does not seem to be functional at this time, though Channel 1 does show the banner.

Maybe "It's Just My Imagination, Once Again, Running 'Way With Me" (my apolgies to the Temptations) but it looks to me as though picture quality has improved. HD looks somewhat better, but SD images on the local digital stations, (ie: live news on the three network stations) looks much improved, almost HD like.

Has anyone else noticed it or is it this Temptations thing like I said.

Mike K.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=433337

Funny you say that Mike, I was thinking the same thing this morning.

A friend of mine just got a DVR in St. Charles and it came with 7.15 .

Nothing new here though. If anybody on Schaumburg headend receives it, please post.

..think you may be right about the SD, but I also switched my viewing modes, (for all you sony owners out there, try pro as the viewing mode), so it's hard to tell. I'm also having less break-up it seems with the 7.15. Still no VOD here in St. Charles.

FW 7.15 has arrived in Lake in the Hills...I do not use DVI and see not difference versus the 7.10

I had Comcast out to my house to work on my VOD. They had the "hits" sent to the boxes and it works on my older DCT-2000. They claim it will not work on boxes with a DVR. Anyone else have VOD and DVR working together?

Thanks,

Jack G

They are confused. It works with DVR box, but you cannot record VOD content (which kind of makes sense).

Originally posted by vj9999
They are confused. It works with DVR box, but you cannot record VOD content (which kind of makes sense).

There were two technicians here and they both swore up & down that it would not work with the 6208. I told them that other people had got their DVR's to work, but they claimed there is a conflict. My DCT2000 and 6208 are right next each other, and the DCT works but the 6208 does not. (The 6208 now has an option at the initial menu for VOD, but there is a communication error. In the setup, the technicians said the 6208 did not get an IP address.)

Any suggestions?

Thanks again,

Jack G

Maybe your headend has issues with it. It has been working fine at my house for past 2 months (I can't believe it has been that long since I got 6208 :) ). When VOD first came out here 3-4 months ago, it was giving that "communication error. But that went away next day and it has been fine ever since. Search this thread few months back. FSugino posted some screenshots of it when it came out and I believe it had that same error as you are refering to.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3659839#post3659839



A buddy of mine had 6208 installed today and the installer was telling him about 6412 and how they are supposed to have training (or maybe it was briefing) on it soon. He said it should be out by October/November (which sounds about right), but then he went to say how there will be 30 HD channels by the end of the year. I thought that was funny.

As of this morning still on 7.07 in Wheeling.

Ok I also have a somewhat stupid question that I can't remember seeing anywhere. My in-laws have Comcast, but don't have an HDTV. When the 6412 comes out I would love for them to get it. It will work with a SDTV right? Seems like it should, but sometimes you never know.


Thanks,

tim

It will work with SDTV and it will also show HDTV channels as well (not in HD of course :) )

Originally posted by vj9999
It will work with SDTV and it will also show HDTV channels as well (not in HD of course :) )

Very nice! :D

To clarify, when the 6412 comes out, with the addition of the $9.95 DVR montly fee, when hooked up to a SDTV, they will get all HD channels (as long as they subscribe to the appropriate digital packages)? If that is the case that will be very cool. I'll also be able to see how HD looks over composite to a SDTV (they do have S-Video but I hooked the DVD player with that).


tim

video is simultaneously output to S-video which you can use to connect to a standard TV. you also need to set the box's YPbPr output to 480i to ouput the graphics (TV Guide menu) as well. with the appropriate package, you can get the HD channels as well, although you will get the black bars when viewed on a standard TV.

I called into tech support and they said the 6208 works with VOD. They sent a hit to my box, and VOD started working. Then POOF, it stopped working and is now giving a META-6 error. When I called back in, they again have told me someone will call me within 48 hours. (I'm not holding my breath that any one will call back!)

Is it possible that in the process of giving my box "hits" that the picture quality could worsen. When watching analog stations through the 6208, it seems like the picture is worse than it was yesterday. Watching the PGA on TNT is brutal. The TNT logo in the bottom right corner looks blotchy. Around the golfers heads, it looks a little blurry, almost like the quality you get when watching a VCD.

Any ideas???????????

Thanks,

Jack G

Hey hey... just in time for the Olympics! WMAQ-DT is now broadcasting in 5.1.

Maybe this has already been covered - is the new firmware update expected to improve PQ through the DVI connection? I have a Sony GWIII Rear Projection LCD display and the PQ through DVI is very disappointing (the PQ through the component input is simply stunning). I'm not sure if this is a Motorola 6208 issue or an issue with the DVI connection on the Sony. As of yesterday, I had not received the 7.15 update.

BTW, I have tried tweaking the picture – nothing seems to work. Any thoughts.

Has anyone had problems with the digital audio on the HDTV Motorola boxes? On 8/11 or 8/12, I noticed that I wasn't receiving the 5.1 Surround Sound or 2.0 Digital Sound from the optical out into my receiver. I still don't get the digital audio. I didn't change any of my settings. Is this a common problem or do I have a hardware problem with the Motorola box?

Originally posted by mchabura
On 8/11 or 8/12, I noticed that I wasn't receiving the 5.1 Surround Sound or 2.0 Digital Sound from the optical out into my receiver. I still don't get the digital audio. I didn't change any of my settings. Is this a common problem or do I have a hardware problem with the Motorola box?

Assuming that you've already checked the connections, it sounds like a problem with the settop box. Call Comcast and ask them to arrange a swap for you.

mchabura - it's the 7.15 upgrade that's causing your problem. I had the same thing and found in another thread the the upgrade defaults the audio settings in the Moto box back to normal stereo. Go to Menu - Setup - Audio and change the Audio Output to "Advanced" and the Stereo Output to "Matrix Stereo". This shoud get back your 5.1 sound.

Originally posted by kblee
it's the 7.15 upgrade that's causing your problem.

Ahhh, good catch! My 6208 is still stuck on 7.07 so I'll have to remember this when the upgrade finally arrives.

Looks like Schaumburg's Comcast is taking its time rolling out 7.15

Originally posted by kblee
mchabura - it's the 7.15 upgrade that's causing your problem. I had the same thing and found in another thread the the upgrade defaults the audio settings in the Moto box back to normal stereo. Go to Menu - Setup - Audio and change the Audio Output to "Advanced" and the Stereo Output to "Matrix Stereo". This should get back your 5.1 sound.

My Dolby 5.1 seems to work regardless of the stereo setting. I can put it on Stereo or Matrix Stereo, and my box puts out the Dolby Surround. Am I missing something?

Jack G

Yeah same here, don't seem to matter what the box is set at as long as I'm using the optical input on my receiver i get 5.1 if the broadcast is in it

The audio settings in the Setup Menu have no effect on the digital output. They are strictly for the analog output.

Mike K.

I have two more HD DVRs coming on 8/18 to replace my two remaining 6200s. Maybe they will show up with 6412s????

If that happens, definately let us know :)

..I called comcast this past weekend and here's what the "dvr dept" rep told me. The 6412's should be available in about six months, cetainly less than a year. They had no additional info on different software and seemed to know little or wouldn't say anything about the status of switching to the microsoft software. He also stated that VOD would be available here in St. Charles in "a couple of months." For waht it's worth, the rep. did not seem very knowledgeable in general, so perhaps his info could be suspect. Just thought I'd pass along the conversation.

I just had the 6208 installed yesterday. One thing I notice is that the box runs (temperature-wise) very hot. Have others experienced this?

I called Comcast (again) to ask about DVR availability near downtown Chicago. The CSR said it is available NOW. So they will deliver a 6208 on Friday.

Once again, there has been no mailing or other notification announcing new services available to my building. I guess that makes me the first around here to get the DVR --- unless some of you have been keeping secrets.

Yippee!!

..both my 6200 and now my 6208 are so hot, you could probably fry an egg or small child on top of them...I wonder why moto haven't placed a fan in there!

Anyone else think comcast needs to do a little cleanup on the channel lineup. I mean i have 2 G4TechTVs, all the fox sports channels twice, The Mtv's are all over the place, I mean in all honesty how hard can be be to fix the damn channel mappings, group some stuff together fix the clutter. Oh well guess its a bit much to ask

Originally posted by kblee
mchabura - it's the 7.15 upgrade that's causing your problem. I had the same thing and found in another thread the the upgrade defaults the audio settings in the Moto box back to normal stereo. Go to Menu - Setup - Audio and change the Audio Output to "Advanced" and the Stereo Output to "Matrix Stereo". This shoud get back your 5.1 sound.

Yup...that was it. Thanks for the info.

By the way...in the Advanced setting there's an option for Compression. Which choice (Heavy, Light, None) will give me optimal sound?

Originally posted by PhillyC
I called Comcast (again) to ask about DVR availability near downtown Chicago. The CSR said it is available NOW. So they will deliver a 6208 on Friday.

Once again, there has been no mailing or other notification announcing new services available to my building. I guess that makes me the first around here to get the DVR --- unless some of you have been keeping secrets.

Yippee!!

I certainly hope you are right, I called them last week (wednesday I believe) and they said that it was unavailable in my area (lakeview) at this time. Hopefully their story changed between this week and last week! I am eagerly waiting in anticipation to get the 6208 b/c I need to start recording the shows that are preventing me from going to the gym at night! Not only are we talking recording TV here, we are talking losing 20 pounds!

(the comcast diet anyone?!)

Originally posted by mchabura
Yup...that was it. Thanks for the info.

By the way...in the Advanced setting there's an option for Compression. Which choice (Heavy, Light, None) will give me optimal sound?

None will be the most dynamic (probably the most optimal), but setting the compression higher will help during late hours of the night (i.e. the softest sounds will not be as soft and the louder sounds will not be as loud creating a more "equal" level).

b

Originally posted by mchabura
By the way...in the Advanced setting there's an option for Compression. Which choice (Heavy, Light, None) will give me optimal sound?

Not positive, but my simplistic logic tells me that compression is "bad" - so I went with none. I flipped between the 3 and couldn't tell much of a difference.

I am in Mundelein, and am now at 7.15 firmware with a 6208. At the same time as the upgrade, I now have channel 1 showing VOD, and a message saying click OK to activate service. When I click OK, nothing happens. A few pages back there were some reports of calling to get a hit sent to activate it.

I have called twice, and both techs said that it is unavailable in Mundelein, and there was nothing they could send to my box or do to my account to activate VOD, even though I have channel 1 showing and the channel info describing VOD as now being available.

Anyone in Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, or anywhere in Lake County with VOD working correctly?

Thanks

Marc

Both 6208 showed up today with the VOD button on the remotes.

Did anyone happen to watch Disco Demolition on WTTW-HD? It was widescreen (not HD I am pretty sure), but afterwards they had Steve Dahl in the studio and they were doing the telethon pledge thing and they were pitching HD and how great it was. Steve kept saying how he watches 11.1 all the time.

I watched the show (actually recorded it) from WTTW-DT 11.2, which is just WTTW11 in SD. Anyway, I didn't watch the pledge drive segment following the show, only the segments in between. Steve didn't mention 11.1 during the times I watched, though.

Received a message on my boxes that NFL Network (as of today I think) will be on channel 168. Bring on the football!

b

Marc,

Three calls to Comcast and two hits to my two converters over 5 days did not do the trick in Gurnee. One box said "Press OK to Activate", the other box said "One moment please" Those messages always stayed on even after the hits. The third CSR said its pointless to send hits and was surprised the first two CSR's even tried. His comment was "I know this for a fact, your area does not have VOD and won't until the fall or possibly the spring". I was certain he knew what he was talking about so I sadly resigned myself to that fact.

That was last Friday, The next day I had a Comcast service call set up to replace my high speed internet modem which had crapped out. Two of them showed up including the tech who had installed my 6208. He asked me how I was enjoying HD and the dvr and asked if I had checked out VOD yet.
I said no and told him about my 3 attemptsand the CSR who was so certain and he just laughed and said, I'll take care of it for ya.

He called in and they re-hit the two boxes. They waited around and 30 minutes later ....VOD in Gurnee! The tech told me I needed to talk to the wright person. Whatever, the one thing I do know is the hits that brought up VOD were different than the other attempts. The boxes powered off and stayed off and all my settings were default when they came back up.

Its worth a service call to ensure VOD, it worked for me.

BTW, my first post here. Good luck!

Originally posted by bkozlowski
Received a message on my boxes that NFL Network (as of today I think) will be on channel 168. Bring on the football!

b

I got the message this morning too. I tuned to channel 168 and it was there. NIce way to start the day :)

Will there be any HD on the NFL Network? I am thinking no, but hoping yes.

Originally posted by Gov
Will there be any HD on the NFL Network? I am thinking no, but hoping yes.

I believe Comcast has aquired the rights to show the "HD game of the week", it will probably be show on INHD or INHD2.

b

From NFL.com website (about NFL Network):

5. NFL Network includes the only year-round news show dedicated to the NFL, NFL Total Access, an Xs and Os show called Playbook, the Emmy-Award winning NFL Films Presents, 54 preseason games in 2004, 22 NFL Europe League games, replays of classic NFL games, plus a revolutionary documentary series called In Their Own Words. There also are coaches' shows, press conferences, and condensed versions of some of the most interesting games from Sunday -- in High Definition!


8. In Game of the Week, which airs Wednesdays and Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET, you will see the two most interesting games from the previous Sunday -- but in a one-hour condensed version. Featuring unique camera angles, sideline sound and you will get the story you didn't see during Sunday's broadcast. Available in High Definition!

Drifty,

Just who is the "right person" to talk to regarding VOD? I also had a hit send to my box this afternoon which did nothing. The CSR took down some information and said someone would get back to me within 48 hours. Based on your experiences with different techs, it doesn't sound like a service call will guarantee the activation of VOD for me.

Anyone in Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, or anywhere in Lake County with VOD working correctly?
I am in Lake Forest, same story except the rep eventually found that they had to change my package to include the vod. No change in package price and it works fine so whatever she did, got it working.
Initially told me Lake Forest was not on the list. I believe if you are getting the message on Channel one then it is available.

mck024, What I mean by a service call, is to get a tech out to your house.
In my case the tech called from my house and talked to who he referred to as "the right person".

I just spoke with a Comcast CSR who told me that VOD was NOT available in my area (Naperville) if I ordered the "Silver Package" (one premium channel) but would be available if I went with Digital Plus Gold or Platinum.

This just doesn't sound right to me. Does anyone know if this is in fact the case?

BTW, she did cofirm that DVR service was available...

Originally posted by Mike Stevens
I just spoke with a Comcast CSR who told me that VOD was NOT available in my area (Naperville) if I ordered the "Silver Package" (one premium channel) but would be available if I went with Digital Plus Gold or Platinum.

This just doesn't sound right to me. Does anyone know if this is in fact the case?

BTW, she did cofirm that DVR service was available...


It is not right at all. VOD is independent of package level.

However, as others have noted, some areas are having problems with the VOD working. A service call that gets a tech out to your place may need to be done.

FYI in Wheeling I seem to be one of the lucky ones that hasn't had a problem with it. Also I do not have any of the movie packages. And we are still on 7.07 here.

HTH,

tim

I was told 6 different things by 5 different rep over three weeks. Having an installer at your house means nothing. (In fact, the two guys both swore that VOD wouldn't work with the 6208)

Just keep calling, and having them reset your box. It took four different hits to finally get my 6208 to have VOD.

Jack G

It's good to know I'm not losing my mind. I thought I had received a message about DIY a couple months ago, but no one else mentioned it. DIY Network is up and running on channel 121 and the Discovery Kids is now on 130. (Still on 7.07 though)


tim

I live in Lindenhurst and my VOD is working.

Thanks to all for the advice. I called again, and finally got someone who did a hit and download for me, and now VOD is working.

He gave me his name and extension, and said to ask for him if I need to call back. He was very knowledgeable. Anyone still having trouble might try and get a hold of him.

Name is Richie in the Schaumburg office at x6540.

Marc

Originally posted by hibs99
I certainly hope you are right, I called them last week (wednesday I believe) and they said that it was unavailable in my area (lakeview) at this time. Hopefully their story changed between this week and last week! I am eagerly waiting in anticipation to get the 6208 b/c I need to start recording the shows that are preventing me from going to the gym at night! Not only are we talking recording TV here, we are talking losing 20 pounds!

(the comcast diet anyone?!)

The 6208 is here (North and Wells) with FW 1.15. You have no excuse for avoiding the gym, now!

Originally posted by BertWoo
I live in Lindenhurst and my VOD is working.

I live in Lindenhurst also and still get the "Press OK to Activate" which does nothing. Have not gotten around to calling CSR yet. Did you need to do anything special to get it to actually work?

KAD

I had the 6208 (with 7.15) installed in Wheaton about 10 days ago. My remote does not have the VOD button. Anyone else in Wheaton getting VOD? I can't even get to channel 1. Am I missing something else?

Originally posted by drengka
I live in Lindenhurst also and still get the "Press OK to Activate" which does nothing. Have not gotten around to calling CSR yet. Did you need to do anything special to get it to actually work?

KAD

Call...call...call, and call

Jack G

oeidesign
I got my 6208 in mid-June. No VOD button on the remote and no sign of VOD anywhere else in the system. Guess it hasn't made it to Wheaton yet.

Hi all,
I live in Palatine, and currently have a DCT5100 with FW 7.07. After seeing all you guys around me having the 6208, I decided to call Comcast yesterday and push them to get answers on availability. I called the toll-free number, and I guess it patched me to the Schaumburg office. The CSR could only find the 5100 in their computer. I really questioned this and after much back-and-forth, it was decided that we transfer my call to the Oakbrook Sales department. I did reference "Richie" at ext. 6540, but she didn't know anyone by that name and when she tried to connect me to that extension, she came back saying she couldn't connect it. I really think she had no clue.

Anyhow, so I talk to a sales person, and within 5 minutes, I have confirmation that a 6208 is available and will be installed for me on Tuesday!!! So, people MAY want to contact sales first, if they are inquiring about a 6208 and/or VOD.

OK, the one question I have, is do you think once they install the 6208, they'll push a new FW to it so that I get up to 7.10 or 7.15? Because I have a HTPC in the works and have been postponing it until I can record via Firewire.

In case I get an idiot of a technician on Tues., what should I specifically ask (or tell) him if the FW still shows up as 7.07 after the install? You guys reference "have a hit sent".... Is that all I have to say?

Thanks much,
Brian

Brian,

I still have doubts that new firmware can be installed by having Comcast send you a hit. It all depends on your local headend and if they have rolled it out and sent it to everyone. That is why everyone who is on Schaumburg headend is still on 7.07. I'm not sure, but I think that Palatine is on Rolling Meadows headend so somebody from your area can let you know if they have 7.15 yet or not.

You can't do anything about the firmware Comcast will update when they do your area, there is no hit that can be sent to update it. Now you may still end up getting 7.10 or 7.15 if that is what is on the STB that they bring you, I'm not sure how often they update their boxes they have in the warehouse, or if they do at all

In Crystal Lake, I had 7.15 and my VOD wouldn't work. I needed repeated hits to get my VOD working, not to upgrade my firmware. In my case, I was already at 7.15.

Jack G

Yeah that is because the firmware and VOD are completly seperate of each oither, the reason people want the new firmware is for the firewire fixes, but there has been alot of talk about VOD in here lately because Comcast is in the process of rolling it out also

Yesterday, I had an outage of most of my HD channels. Comcase finally had to do a 'reprogram' of my box (dtc5100). I have everything working well again but the remote. When I switch to one of the lower (2 digit channels) I have to hit enter. I did not have to do this before and can't find where to make that adjustment.

Lee to fix that go to Menu>Setup>Guide>Turn Auto-tune to ON

laxstar

Thank you

After calling last night for the fourth time, I finally have VOD (Gurnee, 6208). I had been told it's not available, I'm not on the right head-end(?), I don't have enough signal strength(??), I don't have a VOD service package, etc., etc. I told the CSR he needed to send a download to my STB. He said that wouldn't do anything. Like the other CSR's I talked to, he insisted I just had to wait for it to show up.

When I found out he was in the Schaumburg office, I told him to talk to Richie at x6540 and that he knew what to do. He then put me on hold for a while and when he returned he said he was going to try something else. The STB then shut off and the letters "dl" began flashing on the display for about 20 minutes. I assume this means download? Anyway, when the box turned back on there was an option for On Demand. It works perfectly. I believe whatever he did was different than "sending a hit".

It's amazing how many different stories I got as to why it wouldn't work. Thanks to Marc and the others here for your help!

Mike

Originally posted by PhillyC
The 6208 is here (North and Wells) with FW 1.15. You have no excuse for avoiding the gym, now!


WAHOO I just got my confirmation for install on Friday. I live at Sheffield and Diversey, so the 6208 is available in Lakeview!

In case someone else is meeting with difficulity in finding the people to talk to, here is what i dialed and the menu i stepped through:

1-866-372-4215 (generic number)
press 1 for english, 4 for cancel service, 1 for cable tv, 3 for remove service.

I told the CSR that I have service and I wanted to get the DVR installed at my location. He said "I can help you with that", pulled up my account, confirmed my address, and scheduled my install for Friday.

now, when are we getting the 6212's?!?!?! :) :)

Yes I am getting my 6208 this weekend in the southside Beverly area!!!!

Just subscribed for HD in Hanover Park. Installation is scheduled for Tuesday.

Thing that sucks is my HTPC and TiVo will only record SD, so the HD stuff will be for live viewing only at this point. :(

One more quick question. Will the VOD stuff (that I get with my current box) come through in HD if it's available? Like, will I get HD HBO VOD?

Originally posted by jjarmoc
One more quick question. Will the VOD stuff (that I get with my current box) come through in HD if it's available? Like, will I get HD HBO VOD?

Sorry, none of the VOD stuff is in HD right now. It's all SD.

Originally posted by FSugino
Sorry, none of the VOD stuff is in HD right now. It's all SD.

Darn. That's what I figured.

At any rate, I read back through this thread a bit and found out about the 6208 HD/DVR boxes. This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! I've been dying to be able to record QAM HD for a LOOONG time.

Just got off the phone with comcast, and I'm getting my 6208 installed on Tuesday! W00t!

They're kinda nickle and diming me though. $15.99 installation fee, $15.99 to cover the cost of cables ("Since they vary for different HDTVs and can cost $60-100 it's a bargain!") I asked if I could provide my own component or DVI cables to avoid this charge and she said no, and that they can't waive those fees at this time :( $9.95/mo for the box rental.. that's the one charge here I find acceptable.

Only the cable companies can get away with $31 in fees to install a service that'll generate a monthly revenue for them.. *sigh*

I just got the 6208 upgrade, and continue to have the same problem with analog channel PQ. The HD is great as are the other digital high band channels. Anything that could be received without the 6208 or 5200 box is snowy. I only run Component video out to my TV. Comcast has not been able to tell me why this is happening or how to fix it. Could it be the Component cables are creating some compatibility problem? I thought Component input was analog? Any advice would certainly be appreciated.
Thanks!

Is composite your only connection???

Yes, I believe so. If I added S-Video cables or Composite cables would it automatically select which one to use? Is Component the default and it switches down depending upon the video quality? Thanks!

I'm not sure how many of you were watching, but the Monday Night Football game on WLS-DT didn't flip to HD until 35 minutes into the game. This was the 2nd time in 3 weeks that this has happened. I sent an email to the station indicating my frustration. Here's the response I received:

Mr. Lee,
We are quite irritated as well. We are so irritated, in fact, that we are pursuing disciplinary action against technicians who repeatedly commit these errors. These are not "technical" errors, they are operational errors that can be avoided in most cases.
Thanks for your concern.
Regards,
Craig Strom
WLS-TV/DT

Originally posted by jjarmoc
They're kinda nickle and diming me though. $15.99 installation fee, $15.99 to cover the cost of cables ("Since they vary for different HDTVs and can cost $60-100 it's a bargain!") I asked if I could provide my own component or DVI cables to avoid this charge and she said no, and that they can't waive those fees at this time :( $9.95/mo for the box rental.. that's the one charge here I find acceptable.

Only the cable companies can get away with $31 in fees to install a service that'll generate a monthly revenue for them.. *sigh*


Your's is the first instance I've heard of the $15.99 fee to cover cables. That is bull, both for the fee and the part about not using your own cables!! Call back, go through the menu to get a CSR, and then politely ask to speak to a manager. Write down all dates and times of your calls and who you talked to to make future calls easier.

Good luck,

tim

Originally posted by jjarmoc
Darn. That's what I figured.

At any rate, I read back through this thread a bit and found out about the 6208 HD/DVR boxes. This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! I've been dying to be able to record QAM HD for a LOOONG time.

Just got off the phone with comcast, and I'm getting my 6208 installed on Tuesday! W00t!

They're kinda nickle and diming me though. $15.99 installation fee, $15.99 to cover the cost of cables ("Since they vary for different HDTVs and can cost $60-100 it's a bargain!") I asked if I could provide my own component or DVI cables to avoid this charge and she said no, and that they can't waive those fees at this time :( $9.95/mo for the box rental.. that's the one charge here I find acceptable.

Only the cable companies can get away with $31 in fees to install a service that'll generate a monthly revenue for them.. *sigh*


How did you get yours on Tue the Lady told me she was fdoing me a favor mby getting me set up for next SAT!!

Ok, so I live in

Mount Prospect

1)
and we finally got the firmware upgrade to 7.07 or something. At least I just did. So, I was now able to hook up the DVI cable to my SONY 40XBR800. So I did this and I can flip between my component and dvi hookup right after each other. I had it on the PBS High Def station 191 and was flipping between the two trying to distinguish between them. The ONLY thing I could see was that the color kinda got a little more duller (sp?) when I was on DVI!!!! I was kinda shocked. I have used the dvd essentials and such to set my tv up and when i first got it I turned the "Red" down a little in the manufacturers setting so why is this happening. Has anyone else seen this? Not a big deal but it seems to me that the component looks a little "better".

2)
also, I called tuesday to get a new box and they set me up for an install for the motorola dct6208 for free. I think i will be paying another $5 a month for this box because of the "tivo" type capabilities of being able to stop pause, record and rewind and stuff....

3)
lastly, anyone using the HARMON KARDON AVR330, 430, or 630? I am thinking of getting one but don't know if I can justify it to my wife. I currently have a Denon AVR-1801


thanks

jeremy linke

Originally posted by PhillyC
The 6208 is here (North and Wells) with FW 1.15. You have no excuse for avoiding the gym, now!

Can someone bring me up to date on VOD. Currently I am using dct5100, dvi active, hd channels working fine. What do I need for VOD, before I call Comcast. I am in the Morton Grove area. I have no idea if VOD has rolled yet there.

Thanks

Rick

A tech is coming out tomorrow, Sat, to install my 6208 :D . I'm very excited to try this as I've never had a Tivo or the like. Regarding fees, my CSR said there is only the ~$30 installation fee. She didn't say anything about a cable fee.

Is there DVI on the 6208? My current 6200 is ver 7.15 and the DVI is active. Also, anyone in Chicago getting VOD yet? I'm in the West Loop and eagerly awaiting this service as well.

Thirty more minutes until my weekend freedom!!!

Originally posted by Ricklynchcorecom
Can someone bring me up to date on VOD. Currently I am using dct5100, dvi active, hd channels working fine. What do I need for VOD, before I call Comcast. I am in the Morton Grove area. I have no idea if VOD has rolled yet there.

Thanks

Rick

Rick,

If VOD is rolled out in your area, you should see it on channel 1. If channel 1 is not available, then VOD is not available yet.

If you get channel 1 and it says in the info that it is VOD, but you get some error message and no VOD menu, then you need to call to have them activate VOD on your box by doing a download. Then you should get the VOD menu on channel 1.

Good luck finding a tech/csr who knows how to do this download. Just keep calling till you get someone with a clue, or try elevating to their manager. It is pretty cool technoogy, but the content is kind of weak other than the new movies for $3.99 a pop.

Marc

Originally posted by jjarmoc
Just subscribed for HD in Hanover Park. Installation is scheduled for Tuesday.

Thing that sucks is my HTPC and TiVo will only record SD, so the HD stuff will be for live viewing only at this point. :(


Get a 6208 DVR instead of a 6200 for $4.95 a month more. Records in HD and SD on one box. (only about 11 hour HD capacity, but better than nothing).

marc

Originally posted by papajackow
A tech is coming out tomorrow, Sat, to install my 6208 :D . I'm very excited to try this as I've never had a Tivo or the like. Regarding fees, my CSR said there is only the ~$30 installation fee. She didn't say anything about a cable fee.

Is there DVI on the 6208? My current 6200 is ver 7.15 and the DVI is active. Also, anyone in Chicago getting VOD yet? I'm in the West Loop and eagerly awaiting this service as well.

Thirty more minutes until my weekend freedom!!!

The current fee here (Old Town) is 15.99 each for "install" and "activation". My activation fee was waived, probably because I only recently was able to get the 6200.

Yup, the 6208 has DVI, but I'm using component because my DVI goes to another HD tuner.

Since you also already have 7.15, your new DVR will download the same firmware upon installation. Mine took about 10-15 minutes. The DVR --- and firewire out to D-VHS --- works great.

No VOD yet, but it's not HD anyway.

Have fun!!

Originally posted by linkin8r
Ok, so I live in

Mount Prospect

1)
and we finally got the firmware upgrade to 7.07 or something. At least I just did. So, I was now able to hook up the DVI cable to my SONY 40XBR800. So I did this and I can flip between my component and dvi hookup right after each other. I had it on the PBS High Def station 191 and was flipping between the two trying to distinguish between them. The ONLY thing I could see was that the color kinda got a little more duller (sp?) when I was on DVI!!!! I was kinda shocked. I have used the dvd essentials and such to set my tv up and when i first got it I turned the "Red" down a little in the manufacturers setting so why is this happening. Has anyone else seen this? Not a big deal but it seems to me that the component looks a little "better".



The DVI inputs on Sony CRT TV's tend to look paler and less punchy than the compopnent inputs, even after a lot of calibration work.
A lot the the advantages of a DVI signal are lost on CRT sets which are , after all, analog devices.

Agreed.

My 6208 box was operating fine except for one slight problem: the FireWire output was crappy. Constant breakups in picture made the 6208 worthless when trying to record to my Mits 1100 DVHS recorder. After hearing reports that Chicago area customers got 7.15 firmware pushed to their boxes, and the FireWire output being crystal clear, I waited. And waited. Weeks after everyone else got 7.15, it seems like those of us in the NW burbs were still stuck with 7.07.

I scheduled a box swap. The Comcast guys came over and I explained why I needed the new firmware. I showed them the broken up signal over the FireWire channel and waited while they hooked up the new box. Great! The new box had 7.15 in there already, and the picture was clear over the FireWire port!

The techs called in and arranged to activate the new box. A hit came, and then the box started downloading firmware. Ruh roh...

After several minutes, the box started back up and the firmware downgraded to 7.07! Argh!!

Anyway, I told Nate the tech about the problem and he's going to kick the issue up the food chain over at Comcast IT to see why the NW burbs are a step behind everyone else in the area. Hopefully something will be done on their end to fix this once and for all.

End result: No firmware upgrade. No FireWire fix. Due to the box swap I lost the movies I had recorded (extended version of Two Towers in HD/OAR).

*sigh* I was this --><-- close to having a working system...

FSugino,

I feel your pain.

Comcast has that special ability to both delight you with their services, and ruin your day with their customer service, or a really stupid service related disrepancy, or the inability to operate or activate their own equipment.

Hopefully you get 7.15 soon. I think analog PQ is much improved, and I get less breakups than with 7.07 (and the FireWire works).

Marc

FSugino, same thing happened to me today :( My 6208 kept locking op 3 times in last 5 days so I called them and they swapped them out. New one had 7.15 and it looked good and then the DL started and back to crappy 7.07 . I hope Schaumburg Comcast updates firmware soon.

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention. I asked the two tech guys about the dual tuner DVR, and they said that it appeared that Comcast was going to let retailers like Best Buy/Circuit City sell the boxes for self installs (like cable modems). Comcast is apparently very eager to get out of the hardware biz and is looking for retailers to ease their burden. I didn't get an exact time frame, but it sounded like early 2005.

Apparently the 6208 is being introduced to retain Comcast customers - I guess they're deathly afraid of the satellite DVR packages.

This is probably a silly question, but you seem like a friendly bunch -- I've got Comcast coming out tomorrow with a couple of Motorola 6208s and I'm all set except in the basement where I've got an HTPC which I'm sure is going to confuse the installer.

Since I won't be home, and my wife does not understand this stuff, I'm wondering if the Comcast guy can just leave me the DVR and let me hook it up myself, or do they have to do it all themselves ????

Mike,

The comcast installer will need to hook each box up to the cable feed, and to the TV in order to activate and authorize the box for you.

Even if you wanted them to, they would not be able to hook up the HTPC as most installers don't even know what that is - they barely know how to get it connected to the TV.

So just leave each of your TVs and the cable feeds accessible, and they will get the boxes authorized, then you can attach the HTPC any way you want to later.

Marc

Originally posted by FSugino
Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention. I asked the two tech guys about the dual tuner DVR, and they said that it appeared that Comcast was going to let retailers like Best Buy/Circuit City sell the boxes for self installs (like cable modems). Comcast is apparently very eager to get out of the hardware biz and is looking for retailers to ease their burden. I didn't get an exact time frame, but it sounded like early 2005.

Apparently the 6208 is being introduced to retain Comcast customers - I guess they're deathly afraid of the satellite DVR packages.

My tech guy said that they should be out by the end of October, November at the latest.

I really hope they don't go through retailers (unless they sell it for a ridiculous low price). Cable's selling point over satellite has always been no equipment cost and if they try to sell me 6412 for retail price (which I am guessing is around at least $600) I don't think I would be very tempted (in comparison to HD Tivo at least).

Thanks for the info Marc!

I was running late this morning, so I didn't check, but Wheeling is also still on 7.07.


tim (getting ready to see Sarah McLachlan tonight and see her soundcheck)


:D :D :D

Originally posted by vj9999
My tech guy said that they should be out by the end of October, November at the latest.

I really hope they don't go through retailers (unless they sell it for a ridiculous low price). Cable's selling point over satellite has always been no equipment cost and if they try to sell me 6412 for retail price (which I am guessing is around at least $600) I don't think I would be very tempted (in comparison to HD Tivo at least).

My installer said they wil be selling the dual tuner DVR at stores around the beginning of the year and that he thought they would be more than $600 :mad:

Also, as a side note. I have seen a lot more pixelation and freezes with 7.15 on the 6208 DVR. BUT, the recorded show is not pixelated. Wierd that it would pixelate watching it live, but the recording was fine.

To prod things along, I sent an email to Comcast customer service about the NW burbs lagging behind everyone else with the 7.15 firmware upgrade. Here's the response I got:

Dear Mr. Sugino,

Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable. We are working on this, however
we can not provide a date for you. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sincerely,

Al
Comcast Customer Care Specialist



Someday soon our code will come...

Well, I got my 6208 today in Hanover Park, IL. It's a 7.07, not surprisingly. Seems to be working well so far though. I'm so happy about finally being able to timeshift HDTV!

FOX splicer is online tonight in Chicago. The bug is partially outside 4:3 area.

Just wanted to thank you all for posting your facts/experiences. It helps everyone else cut through the Comcast BS...

I currently pay for "locals only" service and a HD 5100 box.
A month or so ago I called Comcast to order the 6208 dvr. The rep (Robert) told me I had to upgrade to one of the digital packages to lease the 6208. So I told him forget it and hung up. I posted here and a couple of you told me that was BS. I finally called back yesterday. This time, a cocky young dude (Marco) caught me off guard by telling me that my neighborhood can't get a dvr (because there were too many complaints so comcast no longer offers it). I started to go back and forth with him about the BS he was dishing out (in a nice way). Then I realized the conversation wasn't worth the oxygen it was wasting. I said thanks, hung up, and called right back. I got Felicia on the line. She set me up for a Saturday install. :)

The upside: I have an HD DVR for only $5 more per month.
The downside: I couldn't talk her down any on the $32 install fee.

Just wondering, wasnt Comcast Sports Net supposed to come online today? or was that next month?

The "official" launch date is supposed to be October 1st, but I just received my Comcast statement in the mail and it said September 1st (channel 37).

Originally posted by kblee
The "official" launch date is supposed to be October 1st, but I just received my Comcast statement in the mail and it said September 1st (channel 37).

Hmmm, my statement doesn't say anything about the launch. All I see is a blurb about a free preview of digital HBO channels in early October, and a plug for Comcast digital phone service.

i remember a message some time ago regarding a sports tier. does anybody have any more info on this? i was hoping they're adding Gol TV and/or ESPN Deportes.

i went to the comcast sportsnet chicago website last night and it says they're launching october 1st[so i'm thinking the september 1st date's a mistake on comcast's part]

Another feather in Comcast's cap!

Tonight, my boys wanted to watch the Cubs, so I switch to CLTV (channel 29) and get a "service not available" message.

I click around and notice that CNN (37) is now a red screen saying "Comcast Sportnet Coming Soon!".

After a lengthy wait on the Comcast support line, I find out that my channel line up has been changed - but the new lineup has not been sent to the box yet. And because the 6208 will refuse to tune a channel that is not in its guide, I can only tune channels that moved to previously occupied spaces. The CSR asks me to "be patient" and that the bugs should be resolved in 2-3 days.

Fortunately for my kids, CLTV moved to the old Lifetime slot (53), so they got to watch the Cubs game. Unfortunately for me, both CNN and Fox News moved to previously unused channels (55 and 54), so I can't watch the convention coverage tonight.

I'm gonna try the old "unplug and hope for a new guide download" trick, but I doubt it will work.

Color me unimpressed. :mad: Thanks for ensuring an uninformed elecorate in Winnetka!

I've been pretty happy with Comcast. I called to schedule the swap to a 6208 box (DVR). I was told the only way to get this new box was to subscribe to a new package. My current premium package has all the movie channels. Under the new package, I can get the price to be the same only if I drop a couple of the movie channels (TMC, Cinemax).

I'm not sure I want to drop channels. I know I don't want to pay >$100/month.

Has anyone else been told this? Is there a way to get around having to switch to a new package? Do I just "Keep calling back?" or am I stuck with this decision?

Originally posted by WCWIII
I've been pretty happy with Comcast. I called to schedule the swap to a 6208 box (DVR). I was told the only way to get this new box was to subscribe to a new package. My current premium package has all the movie channels. Under the new package, I can get the price to be the same only if I drop a couple of the movie channels (TMC, Cinemax).

I'm not sure I want to drop channels. I know I don't want to pay >$100/month.

Has anyone else been told this? Is there a way to get around having to switch to a new package? Do I just "Keep calling back?" or am I stuck with this decision?

Nope, that is absolutely wrong. You can subscribe to any package and have the 6208. Call back.


tim

Originally posted by WCWIII
I've been pretty happy with Comcast. I called to schedule the swap to a 6208 box (DVR). I was told the only way to get this new box was to subscribe to a new package. My current premium package has all the movie channels. Under the new package, I can get the price to be the same only if I drop a couple of the movie channels (TMC, Cinemax).

I'm not sure I want to drop channels. I know I don't want to pay >$100/month.

Has anyone else been told this? Is there a way to get around having to switch to a new package? Do I just "Keep calling back?" or am I stuck with this decision?

If your current package is one of the old AT&T grandfathered packages, you most likely will have to select a new package if you get any kind of new service. Not 100% sure of course, but I remember how when INHD came out alot of people who had original AT&T pacakges had to get the Comcast's version of the same packe in order to receive it (but in process they would have to lose Starz since it wasn't included in as a freebee in Comcast's digital package).

No, Comcast has changed the "Platinum" plan.

Previously, the Platinum plan gave you all 5 movie packages (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, TMC and Starz) for $85. They have changed that to include only three movie packages (HBO, Showtime and Starz) but dropped the price to $79.

You can now only get Cinemax and TMC ala carte ($10 a pop).

The difference between the "Gold" and the "Platinum" is now just the addition of Starz. I believe they are grandfathering existing plans up until you change service - if you add a DVR or otherwise change service, they will move you to the "new" Platinum plan, and ask if you want to readd the other packages ala carte.

I had the Gold and tried to move up to Platinum and they explained the changes. I am currently grandfathered with TMC (when they originally dropped Starz from digital and moved it to a package, they gave me TMC as a freebie), so moving to Platinum would bump my monthly cost by $5 and simply switch TMC for Starz. Even though Starz is better (has an HD channel), it wasn't better enough...

Last I checked, the website still hasn't been updated to reflect the new plans.

Is there some "magic" wording you need to use to get the DVR for only the $4.95 extra (I have HDTV today)? I've called back a couple of times and they keep telling me that I have to upgrade to Digital Classic in order to get the DVR because I need the on screen guide. Of course, I already see the on screen guide, but the last rep told me there's a different version that only the digital classic provides.

Please help, I would really like to have the DVR, but I will not pay $9.99 for 100+ channels that I'll never watch.

Wow i have not seen anything about the Platinum pacakge being changed, but if that is indeed true I will be taking off running when my package gets changed. That is ridiculus, That will put service will all channels up around $100/month vs. the $80 something it is now. Sure makes DirectTv look even better in a market they are working hard and succeding to be better in. Oh well only time will tell

As of about 1 hour ago (13:30) my ESPN HD and Discovery HD are not working. Anyone else having problems? I called Comcast and spoke to a CSR and they are not aware of any problems, and they don't know why mine is not working. I am in Naperville with a 6200. The screen says "Channel Available Shortly."

I am getting the same message on those 2 channels.

Originally posted by JCF
As of about 1 hour ago (13:30) my ESPN HD and Discovery HD are not working. Anyone else having problems? I called Comcast and spoke to a CSR and they are not aware of any problems, and they don't know why mine is not working. I am in Naperville with a 6200. The screen says "Channel Available Shortly."

I'm getting the same thing on those 2 plus INHD2 and Cinemax-HD.

They are aware of the problem and it is happening at a lot of locations. I just talked to them and they said they will have all them back by the end of the day.
I also don't get Discovery, Starz, Cinemax, Inhd2

Same problem in Buffalo Grove. 173 and 205 out. You can now at 175 out too.

Usual bs fixes from comcast. They didn't know about any outages. They set a service appt for 8 am Thurs. I'll cancel if the channels comes back.

i also lost the nfl network[168]and tvone[172]btw

As of 7:30pm, it looks like all the MIA stations are back up and running.

Originally posted by littlebib
Is there some "magic" wording you need to use to get the DVR for only the $4.95 extra (I have HDTV today)? I've called back a couple of times and they keep telling me that I have to upgrade to Digital Classic in order to get the DVR because I need the on screen guide. Of course, I already see the on screen guide, but the last rep told me there's a different version that only the digital classic provides.

Please help, I would really like to have the DVR, but I will not pay $9.99 for 100+ channels that I'll never watch.
Keep calling back. I have no idea where you live, but if you live around me, read my 9/1 post, then call and ask for Felicia. It took me 3 calls to get the ball rolling.

Im trying to get the basic basic local package for 15 a month, but the people at comcast insist that the cheapest basic they have for my area is 30$ a month which includes espn, usa etc.

Is there something im missing and not telling them? is there a magic phrase?

thanks

Originally posted by HD Rookie
Keep calling back. I have no idea where you live, but if you live around me, read my 9/1 post, then call and ask for Felicia. It took me 3 calls to get the ball rolling.

When I ordered & the Comcast rep told me I had to upgrade my package, I said that that didn't make a whole lot of sense but agreed to it. Then she said she could to get me the DVR without having to upgrade packages. So I think it just depends on who you talk to/how nice they are. I'd just keep calling back.

Anyone check out VOD tonight? I accidentally hit 1 on the remote and got the VOD screen, and immediately noticed that it wasn't playing that annoying video loop anymore.

Digging further in, the movie lengths are completely screwed up. For example, in the Just In movies section, 50 First Dates is listed as 31342592 minutes long.

Wonder what's up with the service...

Does anyone know how the new channel 37 is supposed to work. Is it in HD or Analog? There is a advertising loop running saying that it is in HD.

Thanks in advance!

Jack G

FSugino. That demo loop hasn't played for 3-4 days now.

I noticed the thing with ridculous numbers for length as well. Also when you try to watch something it actually ask you if you want to buy it even though it is free of charge.

Also, they finally added Discovery VOD content.

Originally posted by Jacktheg
Does anyone know how the new channel 37 is supposed to work. Is it in HD or Analog? There is a advertising loop running saying that it is in HD.

Thanks in advance!

Jack G

I'm pretty sure that 37 will be analog version only. Not sure if they will have a dedicated HD channel for it or if they will just prempt one of INHDs when CSN is showing a HD game.

Anyone else getting these VOD Meta-6 communication errors. I lose VOD after a few days and get this error, then have to pull the powerplug to reset the box, and then it takes a day until VOD works again until it crashes again.

I have called, and had a service call, and all they ever do is send a signal to reset the box, whech generally fixes it, before it gets the error again, or tell me they have no idea what to do, and that it is a head end problem, and they will call me in 48 hours - obviously no one ever calls back. I am sick of resetting my box every few days. I have a 6208 BTW.

Thanks

Marc

Originally posted by jim_green_1
Im trying to get the basic basic local package for 15 a month, but the people at comcast insist that the cheapest basic they have for my area is 30$ a month which includes espn, usa etc.

Is there something im missing and not telling them? is there a magic phrase?

thanks

The next time you call back, try not to use the word "basic".
Is there any chance that the "locals only" package is an Illinois thing? Illinois may be forcing cable companies to offer a locals only package???

The message light on my 6208 was on last night...Comcast just trying to sell phone service. But, the big news, when I hit the "menu" button to get to the message, I saw "On Demand" as an option. It just showed up without a call to anyone.

Very cool! Looks like there is a lot of content worth checking out. Watched an old (1999) Sopranos episope....excellent!

Does anyone out there know the name and address of someone with authority at Comcast? I've been trying to order digital and HD service, and I'm stuck in a maze of customer service reps and supervisors so completely incompetent that it has become a farce.

Call and ask for customer retention department. Tell them that you next door neighbor has HD service through Comcast and the CSR have been giving you a runaround. Maybe mention word Directv or Voom or Dish :)

As I remember, there are few people on here from Naperville that have HD and DVR service.

Originally posted by MarcL
Anyone else getting these VOD Meta-6 communication errors. I lose VOD after a few days and get this error, then have to pull the powerplug to reset the box, and then it takes a day until VOD works again until it crashes again.

I have called, and had a service call, and all they ever do is send a signal to reset the box, whech generally fixes it, before it gets the error again, or tell me they have no idea what to do, and that it is a head end problem, and they will call me in 48 hours - obviously no one ever calls back. I am sick of resetting my box every few days. I have a 6208 BTW.

Thanks

Marc

I had the same thing happen to me at first. I then checked my cable amplifier and I realized that is was one directional (I had the thing for 7 years). I swaped it out for a T2 bi-directional amplifier and I have never had it happen again. I'm not sure if it was the directionality or the gain of the new amp (went from 14dB to 20dB amp) but it seemed to do the trick.

b

Originally posted by MarcL
Anyone else getting these VOD Meta-6 communication errors. I lose VOD after a few days and get this error, then have to pull the powerplug to reset the box, and then it takes a day until VOD works again until it crashes again.

I have called, and had a service call, and all they ever do is send a signal to reset the box, whech generally fixes it, before it gets the error again, or tell me they have no idea what to do, and that it is a head end problem, and they will call me in 48 hours - obviously no one ever calls back. I am sick of resetting my box every few days. I have a 6208 BTW.

Thanks

Marc

Marc,
I've been getting the Meta-6 warning off and on for the last two weeks. It is quite frustrating. I'll have VOD for a day or two and then I'll get the error. I'm glad to hear that it's not just me.

Can anyone confirm that they are getting VOD in Mount Prospect?
I finally upgraded my 5100 box to a 6208 (firmware 7.15), but still no VOD. I do have channel 1, but it doesn't do anything.

I don't want to start calling customer service until I am certain somebody in the neighborhood is getting the service.

Merged.

Originally posted by HD Rookie
Can anyone confirm that they are getting VOD in Mount Prospect?
I finally upgraded my 5100 box to a 6208 (firmware 7.15), but still no VOD. I do have channel 1, but it doesn't do anything.

I don't want to start calling customer service until I am certain somebody in the neighborhood is getting the service.

I can't comment on mount prospect, but my understanding is that if you have channel 1 then you have VOD. What you need to do is call CS and they will send a download to your box to enable VOD. Good luck getting someone who knows how to do this. It took me four calls with the first three telling me that VOD is not available in my area, and the fourth saying no problem, let me send the download and you will be all set. Sure enough 20 minutes later I had VOD. I now have meta 6 errors all the time, but that is another story.

Marc

MarcL

I don't think that is true about vod. I had channel 1 for a while before I got VOD active in Buffalo Grove.

At the request of the Mods, please move all Chicago over-the-air (OTA) discussion to this thread ---> http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444398 so this thread can stay on topic with cable discussion. Your cooperation is appreciated.

I was having all sorts of problems with the volume on WFLD on Sunday. The announcers at the game were very quiet, but the commercials were excessively loud. And when I changed channels to WBBM, it was also much louder than WFLD. It made it really a pain to watch. When I tried to watch with my Dolby Surround Sound, it was even a bigger pain.

Anyone else have problems like this? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jack G

Anyone else experience an outage last night between 9-11pm? I'm in Wheaton and both cable TV and cable internet were down for 2-3 hours. I did call but "their computers were very slow" and could not confirm outage.


BTW, I got VOD on Friday! I guess HD-VOD is too much to ask for? ;)

Originally posted by Jacktheg
I was having all sorts of problems with the volume on WFLD on Sunday. The announcers at the game were very quiet, but the commercials were excessively loud. And when I changed channels to WBBM, it was also much louder than WFLD. It made it really a pain to watch. When I tried to watch with my Dolby Surround Sound, it was even a bigger pain.
Jack G

This is what the networks and cable stations do to us. Some TV's have an automatic function that accounts for this and lowers the volume of commercials. Unfortunately, I have not seen this feature in STB's. For example, the Sammy T-165, LG 3410A, and Moto 6208 all leave us open to this audio attack of the advertisers.

I just noticed this on comcast.com under channel line up:

Channels 187-192 are available on Basic Service with HDTV equipment. Channel 217 requires a digital converter.

We all knew it, but CSRs were never too sure :) So if anybody has hard time convincing CSRs that they do not need digital package to receive locals in HD just refer them to their own site.

Does anyone know if Comcast's HD in Chicago depends on the block you live on? I just called and they said HD was not available at my address, even though digital cable was. Does that make sense to anyone? This was Luci.

Did anybody watch LAX in HD last night and experience audio problems? For audio, it seemed like they were only broadcasting the surround channels without any front channels. I had to switch to the analog channel. I have the 6208.

I had the same problem with LAX - No Voices/center channel - even though it was not 5.1. Weird

Looks like it was screwed up at almost all of the country.
Maybe they will re-air it? I doubt it though.

I had to watch the SD feed also :mad:

I was watching football this weekend (FOX) in HD (LG3150, QAM) and the signal was miserable. The sound was dropping every 5 seconds and the picture was pixilating. At this same time I was Dl/Uploading data at a high rate. Is it possible that this additional data stream was "choking" my high def signal? Or was Comcast having issues with their HD signal?

Brian

Spoke to someone in customer retention today. I was considering going back to D* and he offered me a $10/mo credit for 1 year to stay. He also said dual tuner DVR would be available by the end of Sept:rolleyes: . I'll believe that when I see it.

Mike

Originally posted by BrianKeyes
I was watching football this weekend (FOX) in HD (LG3150, QAM) and the signal was miserable. The sound was dropping every 5 seconds and the picture was pixilating. At this same time I was Dl/Uploading data at a high rate. Is it possible that this additional data stream was "choking" my high def signal? Or was Comcast having issues with their HD signal?

Brian

FROM WHAT I KNOW, they are completely seperate signals -- so you'll never run into that problem.

Do you have a DVR box (6208)? The problem you're describing sounds an awful lot like what happens with the DVR boxes, and it happens quite often. Try pressing PAUSE and then pressing the LIVE button (or the DOWN ARROW if you don't have the live button on your remote). If that doesn't work or you don't have the DVR box, I don't know but I thought I'd throw that out there as that happens to me CONSTANTLY and I have seen it mentioned here by others as well.

I have had HORRIBLE low channel SD reception lately though when using the box, but I don't think the HD channels were affected for me.

Good luck.

Originally posted by oeidesign
Anyone else experience an outage last night between 9-11pm? I'm in Wheaton and both cable TV and cable internet were down for 2-3 hours. I did call but "their computers were very slow" and could not confirm outage.


BTW, I got VOD on Friday! I guess HD-VOD is too much to ask for? ;)

Wheaton is getting closer to me - any news on Downers Grove getting VOD, yet?