They're hooking me up Wednesday 1/16 8-Noon.

How did this go for you? Now that's it's available on my street I'm ready to take the plunge unless there are good reasons not to.

How did this go for you? Now that's it's available on my street I'm ready to take the plunge unless there are good reasons not to.

Also just become available on my street, I did sign up for the FiOS Triple Play bundle on Thursday but canceled today because I want to find out more from people who have actually had the service for a while, since the change of e-mail address etc. affects my business, and there are also other things to consider.

Although I can't stand Cox and was basically ready to jump, there seems to be a lot of stuff with the FiOS switch that needs to be changed in the entire setup, including getting a new router, which I do not want to use, quite outrageous additional costs for set-top boxes or DVRs you have to use for every TV set that are not included in the big deal they heavily advertise (plus additional fees and taxes), cableCARD compatibility (nowhere advertised or priced on the entire Verizon website but available when you quiz the phone reps), etc.... it is very tempting to switch but it would be great to hear some feedback about experiences from people who have had it installed.

How did this go for you? Now that's it's available on my street I'm ready to take the plunge unless there are good reasons not to.

I have had TV since last June - have had fone & internet since last February. My experience with all 3 has been better than expected. Installation of the first 2 took around 4 hours - no problems (they DID leave all prior existing Cox outside wiring). Internet (5/2) was as fast or faster than Cox. TV install took around 3 hours - all went flawlessly. The PQ on SD is much better with FIOS. HD quality is at least as good - color appears more vibrant and sharp, but that is probably subject to each individual taste - channel selection is great, altho Cox has now surpassed FIOS with number of HD channels but should be about the same in a matter of a few months. I would stay with FIOS just for the choice of having NE Cable News & BBC World on the SD lineup. VZ uses the Motorola 6412, but the 2 I have are much more stable than the ones I had with Cox (went through 6 before I switched). I had some problems with getting my bill straightened out, as there were problems with getting my "triple play" applied, but got adjustments each month until it was finally straighened out. My bill with VZ is $135, and that includes the premium TV package, (no premium channels) 2 DVRs, telephone and internet. Since I have all 3 services they have recently upgraded the internet to 20/5 at no added cost .Customer/technical support has been outstanding, but then again, so was Cox. There have been no outages on any of the services. All in all I am glad I made the switch.

How did this go for you? Now that's it's available on my street I'm ready to take the plunge unless there are good reasons not to.

It went great. The installer ran as many new wires as he needed. It took about 3 1/2 hours. The pictures are awesome on all 4 tv's Only one of them is HD.

I have one question and that is way are more channels a smaller aspect ratio than Cox?

The remote seems to do a lot more and all the channels are in different locations so the learning curve will be slow.

Also just become available on my street, I did sign up for the FiOS Triple Play bundle on Thursday but canceled today because I want to find out more from people who have actually had the service for a while, since the change of e-mail address etc. affects my business, and there are also other things to consider.

Although I can't stand Cox and was basically ready to jump, there seems to be a lot of stuff with the FiOS switch that needs to be changed in the entire setup, including getting a new router, which I do not want to use, quite outrageous additional costs for set-top boxes or DVRs you have to use for every TV set that are not included in the big deal they heavily advertise (plus additional fees and taxes), cableCARD compatibility (nowhere advertised or priced on the entire Verizon website but available when you quiz the phone reps), etc.... it is very tempting to switch but it would be great to hear some feedback about experiences from people who have had it installed.

Set-top box charges and their router/modem were two of my concerns. I'd be curious to see if use of their router affects gameplay of xbox360 live with my wireless connection. Needing a box on all tv's is a bit of a turn-off as well. The rep at the Cranston location (by Johnny Rocket's) also mentioned that I might see higher than expected bills for the first few cycles. This despite the fact that she claimed there were zero charges for installation/initiation. When pressed, she was unable to offer why the bill would vary at all. It was like pulling teeth to get a straight answer about what my actual bill would be each month for the services I wanted. I wanted the 3-way bundle w/ HDTV DVR box plus an additional HDTV DVR box. Seems pretty straight forward.

Set-top box charges and their router/modem were two of my concerns. I'd be curious to see if use of their router affects gameplay of xbox360 live with my wireless connection. Needing a box on all tv's is a bit of a turn-off as well. The rep at the Cranston location (by Johnny Rocket's) also mentioned that I might see higher than expected bills for the first few cycles. This despite the fact that she claimed there were zero charges for installation/initiation. When pressed, she was unable to offer why the bill would vary at all. It was like pulling teeth to get a straight answer about what my actual bill would be each month for the services I wanted. I wanted the 3-way bundle w/ HDTV DVR box plus an additional HDTV DVR box. Seems pretty straight forward.

I think the initial bill will include a pro-rated charge for the time used at whatever point in the billing cycle you actually activate your service PLUS the installation charge for one of the services (reduced w/ bundle but not entirely free) PLUS next month's normal fees, so the first bill would most likely be between 150% and 200% of your "normal" bill.
Something else I noticed during my phone calls over the past days was that the live reps who might actually answer some of your questions seem to be there only during their weekday office hours between 8am and 6pm EST... everything else is automated annoyance.

Something else I noticed during my phone calls over the past days was that the live reps who might actually answer some of your questions seem to be there only during their weekday office hours between 8am and 6pm EST... everything else is automated annoyance.

I do know for a fact that live tech reps are available, at least when I called at 10:30 PM. Had a audio problem which they fixed with a reset.

I do know for a fact that live tech reps are available, at least when I called at 10:30 PM. Had a audio problem which they fixed with a reset.

Good to know, I always needed to reach somebody in the account/scheduling/info department and that's where they go home early :)

Cox added Travel Channel HD on channel 749.

I also put in a request for USA HD and Sci-Fi HD. No response yet.

I wish Cox would be more proactive about announcements and intentions.

I wish Cox would be more proactive about announcements and intentions.

No kidding. I usually find out about these announcements through my Tivo. It'd be nice if Cox would send an email, or something.

What also sucks is that I don't get the Travel Channel or Versus in HD, on my Series 3 Tivo. I'll have to call and complain to support.

Yay, Travel HD...*sigh*

If the real issue with limiting HD channels is Bandwith then stop adding these useless channels and give us USA, Sci-Fi, and FX please. If I wanna see pretty stuff i'll check Discovery Theater HD, Discovery HD, Science Channel HD, or National Geographic HD.

While its nice to add another HD channel, Id still rather have the HDnets, Sci-Fi, USA, or FX in HD. Hopefully Sci-Fi goes live before the start of BSG season 4. At least Cox has the HDNets in Orange County so there is more of a chance of that being released to the other regions.

How is the free 19" Sharp HDTV provided by Verizon for Fios bundle customers?

<rant>
Damn Cox. As a cable-card user, I'm a second-class citizen in their eyes. In order to get Golf/Versus and the Travel channels in HD, I need a cable box. It's so frustrating to not be able to view all the channels I pay for because I don't use the same box as most people. What really sucks is they couldn't just say this when I called support. They had to send a tech, and I had to stay home from work, just so the tech could call someone else in Cox support and be told this.

I'd consider switching to FiOS, but I don't think their HD lineup is nearly as good (even without Golf/Vs & Travel). Maybe Verizon will get with it and add some more HD channels. Oh well.
</rant>

<rant>
Damn Cox. As a cable-card user, I'm a second-class citizen in their eyes. In order to get Golf/Versus and the Travel channels in HD, I need a cable box. It's so frustrating to not be able to view all the channels I pay for because I don't use the same box as most people. What really sucks is they couldn't just say this when I called support. They had to send a tech, and I had to stay home from work, just so the tech could call someone else in Cox support and be told this.

I'd consider switching to FiOS, but I don't think their HD lineup is nearly as good (even without Golf/Vs & Travel). Maybe Verizon will get with it and add some more HD channels. Oh well.
</rant>


The key issue is it looks like Cox may have migrated to a technology (SDV) that cuts out third party providers against the wishes of the FCC.

I have to wait on the SDV USB fix from Tivo that may be out and available in 2008, maybe Verizon, who ever get here first.

If I am wrong about SDV, please let me know.

The key issue is it looks like Cox may have migrated to a technology (SDV) that cuts out third party providers against the wishes of the FCC.

I have to wait on the SDV USB fix from Tivo that may be out and available in 2008, maybe Verizon, who ever get here first.

If I am wrong about SDV, please let me know.

Someone else on the board seems to think that Cox hasn't switched to SDV. Here's a link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12331832#post12331832)

I guess I'll wait until the USB SDV box comes out from Tivo - maybe that'll fix it.

Someone else on the board seems to think that Cox hasn't switched to SDV. Here's a link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12331832#post12331832)

I guess I'll wait until the USB SDV box comes out from Tivo - maybe that'll fix it.

I saw that, now there are two new channels running dead, no signal at all. My guess is that they switched to SDV. Of course, there is no way of asking a Cox rep, it would be beyond thier minimum wage grade.

I saw that, now there are two new channels running dead, no signal at all. My guess is that they switched to SDV. Of course, there is no way of asking a Cox rep, it would be beyond thier minimum wage grade.

YOud be suprised how much the reps make that work for Cox its a lot more than minimum wage. While I agree that there are many people who work there that just dont know the technology its not entirely thier fault. Most of the time its the lack of training or lack of information passed down to them. I used to work for them and can say that from 1st hand experience. At the time I knew more than most just becasue I did my own homework on it.


I did want to add though since I havent seen it ehre listed that Cox add FreeHD Ondemand, the selection suxs but at least its something. Also, it looks like they updated StarzHD OnDemand as it now has a number of movies to watch.

Hopefully COx hears the voices and adds the HDNets and Sci-Fi, USA, FX HD channels in the coming months. TravelHD is nice, but its not one of the ones I wanted.

I just picked up an HD-DVR box from Cox and have hooked it up, all works as expected, although the picture quality on the HD channels is clearly less impressive than pure over-the-air reception, at least for the local networks.

Also, the box seems to get very hot, even when it is not switched on (still connected to AC power though), and the fan is always running, making this whirring noise that I am already hating...

How about the FiOS boxes? Do they heat up like crazy as well?
Any shared experiences would be welcome.

And how does the FiOS signal quality for SD and HD compare to Cox?
According to the ads, it is supposed to look better across the board. What the scoop? :)

And how does the FiOS signal quality for SD and HD compare to Cox?

BLOWS cox away, bit rates are not altered at all and is the best that you can get without receiving the original broadcast programming.

BLOWS cox away, bit rates are not altered at all and is the best that you can get without receiving the original broadcast programming.

Particularly with PQ of SD channels. The boxes (I have 2 DVRs) for me anyway are much more stable. I had a total of 6 replaced when I was with Cox. Still using the same ones since I got FIOS last June.

YOud be suprised how much the reps make that work for Cox its a lot more than minimum wage. While I agree that there are many people who work there that just dont know the technology its not entirely thier fault. Most of the time its the lack of training or lack of information passed down to them. I used to work for them and can say that from 1st hand experience. At the time I knew more than most just becasue I did my own homework on it.


I did want to add though since I havent seen it ehre listed that Cox add FreeHD Ondemand, the selection suxs but at least its something. Also, it looks like they updated StarzHD OnDemand as it now has a number of movies to watch.

Hopefully COx hears the voices and adds the HDNets and Sci-Fi, USA, FX HD channels in the coming months. TravelHD is nice, but its not one of the ones I wanted.

Actually i still work for Cox, as far as the any future HD channel realeases, we don't have the information until 2-5 business days before the release date, due the many ongoing negotiations with various networks. Currently, there's no updated information as of yet, but I will provide them as soon as it becomes available.

Actually i still work for Cox, as far as the any future HD channel realeases, we don't have the information until 2-5 business days before the release date, due the many ongoing negotiations with various networks. Currently, there's no updated information as of yet, but I will provide them as soon as it becomes available.

Thank you. That would really be a valuable contribution to the thread.

Any major negotiations you're aware of that you can spill the beans on? :D

Does anyone have an explanation for the lousy sound and audio/video sync on channel 6 these days?

Recently the sync between video and audio has been horrible on both satellite reception (Directv) and OTA digital (6.1). Also the picture on the local seems to be too low on the screen cutting off the text crawl at the bottom, but as soon as they switch to a national feed it is fine.

The sound overall has been horrible, with glitches and high pitched squeals when they change from national to local on occasion and the difference between commercials and the shows - don't get me started!

Does anyone have an explanation for the lousy sound and audio/video sync on channel 6 these days?

Recently the sync between video and audio has been horrible on both satellite reception (Directv) and OTA digital (6.1). Also the picture on the local seems to be too low on the screen cutting off the text crawl at the bottom, but as soon as they switch to a national feed it is fine.

The sound overall has been horrible, with glitches and high pitched squeals when they change from national to local on occasion and the difference between commercials and the shows - don't get me started!

I've been having the same lip sync issue with channel 6 on my Cox HD box. I also have been losing channels as of late too, i keep losing the weather channel. Might be time for a new box???

Javelin, thanks for the confirmation about the sync problem. I can't say about your weather channel issue, but the channel 6 thing happens on both my TVs using the satellite box (via Directv) or not (getting OTA signal through digital TV tuner) using it so I am pretty sure it isn't a "box" issue.

This may be a dumb question...I know someone selling a Cox digital cable box....I currently have analog cable. First, will this box even work at my location? Second, would I be able to get the standard digital channels and standard HD channels in 700-hundreds? I know the unit has component out.....

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance......

This may be a dumb question...I know someone selling a Cox digital cable box....I currently have analog cable. First, will this box even work at my location? Second, would I be able to get the standard digital channels and standard HD channels in 700-hundreds? I know the unit has component out.....

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance......

If it was me i think i would pass. Sounds like the box might be stolen as Cox only rents their boxes as far as i know. I think you have to call Cox to activate the box also. Not worth it in my opinion!

the box has a serial code on the back. The box is not for public sale like at a store. The box may work for a day. It will deactivate after it sends a discovery signal to cox. The box's serial code is still on someone else's account more then likely. Then the box won't work anymore. If you want digital, pay for it lol I can give a much more techy explanation but that is the gist.

I was disappointed to hear about Comcast offering the Celtic away games in HD then watching last nights Pacers game in SD "fuzzy vision".

Cox's reply below gives me some hope this will be alleviated soon.

"We have received your recent email regarding the broadcast of the
Celtics away games in HD. Please be advised that we have been advised
that the Comcast SportsNet HD will be fully operational very soon. This
is a recent change that requires us to do some re-design. We expect to
have the full-time channel by next week. "

Just noticed the following. Please submit customer feedback to Cox New England to add Speed.HD to their lineup folks!

http://www.speedtv.com/article/get-speed-in-hd-today

~gs2gf
____________________________________________________

*** UPDATE ***

Here's what COX responded to me:

Dear Mr. xxxxxxxxxxx:

Thank you for your inquiry. Cox is committed to providing the best
customer service possible.

We have received your recent email regarding the addition of the Speed
HD channel. Please be advised that we are currently in negotiations with
Speed regarding their HD channel.

(Note: NASCAR has a TV broadcast rights with first 13 races on FOX,
followed by 1 race on Speed, 6 on TNT, 6 on ESPN and ending the
remainder of the season with 11 on ABC. There is only one other race
scheduled, which is a pre-season race, to air on Speed on Feb 14, 2008).

We hope that we have been able to provide you with the information you
requested.

Thank you.
Madelaine
Cox Communications Online Customer Care Team

If you need additional information on other Cox products or services,
please visit our web site at

http://www.cox.com

I was disappointed to hear about Comcast offering the Celtic away games in HD then watching last nights Pacers game in SD "fuzzy vision".

Cox's reply below gives me some hope this will be alleviated soon.

"We have received your recent email regarding the broadcast of the
Celtics away games in HD. Please be advised that we have been advised
that the Comcast SportsNet HD will be fully operational very soon. This
is a recent change that requires us to do some re-design. We expect to
have the full-time channel by next week. "


I have Verizon FIOS and still no Celtics away games in HD. Did you Cox folks have it last nite? It was shown on my HD channel banner as being on but the instead of a picture showed "not available". My son who lives in Plainville, MA and has Comcast cable has had the HD channel full time with away games in HD for a week or so.

Cox is indeed live 24/7 with Comcast HD. They are the only ones besides Comcast who have been able to get it up and running.

Cox is indeed live 24/7 with Comcast HD. They are the only ones besides Comcast who have been able to get it up and running.

Do you know if there is a problem with other systems getting it on 24/7 or just not doing it?

I think others will eventually get it but it has something to do with the HD signal not coming in the same way as the SD signal. Some type of other connection needed to be made for Cox to get the signal. I would assume other providers are having the same issue.

I think others will eventually get it but it has something to do with the HD signal not coming in the same way as the SD signal. Some type of other connection needed to be made for Cox to get the signal. I would assume other providers are having the same issue.

I have DirecTV and still no Celtics away games in HD. I get speed, tnt, golf, nesn and csne in hd (golf and csne have a seperate hd channel, the others don't) and when the Celtics come on, the program guide does not list it, nor do the Celtics come on the HD channel. I don't think the problem is isolated to Cox. BTW, D*TV has something like 90 real time HD channels (not "On Demand") and this is the only major sport that I know of that doesn't broadcast their away games in HD. It's gotta be an issue with Comcast.

Great road games that look sweet in HD. Even though the end results have been disappointing.

Should be a classic Friday night against Shaq and Phoenix.

Now how can we convince Cox to broadcast the remaining URI games and the A10 tournament in HD :)

Great road games that look sweet in HD. Even though the end results have been disappointing.

Should be a classic Friday night against Shaq and Phoenix.

Now how can we convince Cox to broadcast the remaining URI games and the A10 tournament in HD :)

Yours is the only post stating that you're getting Celtics away games in HD. Who is your programmer? Caveat - I haven't tuned into the last couple of games, so maybe something has changed?

Yours is the only post stating that you're getting Celtics away games in HD. Who is your programmer? Caveat - I haven't tuned into the last couple of games, so maybe something has changed?

COX-RI started showing Celtic road games in HD after the All-Star break.

COX-RI started showing Celtic road games in HD after the All-Star break.

I'll confirm that Cox has been showing Celtic road games in HD.

But where is Verizon FIOS??? :( (OK, no comments from you Cox guys :)

The celts vs. phx away game was in HD for me as well, if you call how terrible it looked HD.

I wonder what the future holds for set top boxes for HDTV. While HDTV service from cable and satellite providers has improved over time thanks to competition, albeit with some bumps in the road, I think the equipment they provide needs updating. Specifically, I am frustrated by the size of equipment like HDTV boxes.

The purpose of this thread is not to discuss OTA as an alternative. Instead, I would like to ask your views about the future of HDTV set top boxes for HD content not provided OTA. Why the heck do they need to be so big and cumbersome? For example, I bought a 19 inch Samsung HDTV for the kitchen. It just fits under the cabinents on the counter very nicely. However, an HDTV box (same size as the Cox-provided Motorola DVR) is larger than the bloody TV itself. These boxes are so large that there is no place to put them. Why do they have to be so big?
Is there a smaller HD box in our future at any time? These huge HD converter boxes seem archaic. Anyone have a crystal ball out there who can share what they think we might see one day.

I wonder what the future holds for set top boxes for HDTV. While HDTV service from cable and satellite providers has improved over time thanks to competition, albeit with some bumps in the road, I think the equipment they provide needs updating. Specifically, I am frustrated by the size of equipment like HDTV boxes.

The purpose of this thread is not to discuss OTA as an alternative. Instead, I would like to ask your views about the future of HDTV set top boxes for HD content not provided OTA. Why the heck do they need to be so big and cumbersome? For example, I bought a 19 inch Samsung HDTV for the kitchen. It just fits under the cabinents on the counter very nicely. However, an HDTV box (same size as the Cox-provided Motorola DVR) is larger than the bloody TV itself. These boxes are so large that there is no place to put them. Why do they have to be so big?
Is there a smaller HD box in our future at any time? These huge HD converter boxes seem archaic. Anyone have a crystal ball out there who can share what they think we might see one day.

IMHO I think our best hope is that the issues with cable cards get resolved in the near future (two-way communication, interoperability, etc). You can read about the trials and tribulations of cable card implementations in these AVS forums.

Below is a link to Cox's info:

http://www.cox.com/digitalcable/cablecard.asp

At the moment I utilize the below device so that I can inexpensively hide my cable boxes in cabinets.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/remote-controls/wireless-rf-remote-control-extender

The product works great.

A higher end solution would be to invest in Harmony universal remote that supports RF.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CS1TLE

If you can do without HD then there are tiny digital cable boxes.

But where is Verizon FIOS??? :( (OK, no comments from you Cox guys :)

You may have to be more specific then that....They are deployed in Warwick and starting deployment in the rest of the state.....If you dont have the internet then it will take some time for them to come to you. They have to wire the neighborhood before doing anything.

I actually just got the mailer last week that it was available. I am holding off though to see what HD channels they add and what Cox is going to add in the coming months.

Since Cox has Mojo and that has one of our favorite shows on it we are not willing to move jsut yet.

When he stated "But where is Verizon FIOS???" I think he was referring to the fact that Cox has Celtics away games in HD whereas to date Fios and D* do not.

When he stated "But where is Verizon FIOS???" I think he was referring to the fact that Cox has Celtics away games in HD whereas to date Fios and D* do not.


That's correct and I'm still waiting:(

...At the moment I utilize the below device so that I can inexpensively hide my cable boxes in cabinets.



Thanks for your input, but you're missing my point ... the current HD set top boxes on the market are so big that one cannot always find a big enough place to hide them. It's frustrating, to say the least.

Does anyone else have COX and use cable cards? I haven't been able to receive any HD stations with this set up since last night. Time to call support I suppose.

I wonder what the future holds for set top boxes for HDTV. While HDTV service from cable and satellite providers has improved over time thanks to competition, albeit with some bumps in the road, I think the equipment they provide needs updating. Specifically, I am frustrated by the size of equipment like HDTV boxes.

The purpose of this thread is not to discuss OTA as an alternative. Instead, I would like to ask your views about the future of HDTV set top boxes for HD content not provided OTA. Why the heck do they need to be so big and cumbersome? For example, I bought a 19 inch Samsung HDTV for the kitchen. It just fits under the cabinents on the counter very nicely. However, an HDTV box (same size as the Cox-provided Motorola DVR) is larger than the bloody TV itself. These boxes are so large that there is no place to put them. Why do they have to be so big?
Is there a smaller HD box in our future at any time? These huge HD converter boxes seem archaic. Anyone have a crystal ball out there who can share what they think we might see one day.

Of course the footprint will shrink until it it ends up at zero. The question is when. Every technological improvement takes longer than expected in my experience. You have two choices - either jump on board now or wait until the new technology costs less. Where the price point affects your decision is is always subjective, IMO.

... You have two choices - either jump on board now or wait until the new technology costs less ...

Jump on board to what (or with what)...? Either one uses the monsterous-sized HD box or you don't have the service (the HD channels not available over the air). I simply have no room for the existing units. Too bad.

I think we may be seeing this channel very soon....They have SpeedHD OnDemand up (empty though). Looks like they may be prepping for the channel to go live.

Now if Cox would offer some these (SciFi, USA, HDNets) I would be happy. I know some of you were interested in this so I thought I would pass it along.

Also, it looks like they added ShowtimeHD OnDemand finally. The selection isnt much, but it is never much in the beginning.


Just noticed the following. Please submit customer feedback to Cox New England to add Speed.HD to their lineup folks!

http://www.speedtv.com/article/get-speed-in-hd-today

~gs2gf
____________________________________________________

*** UPDATE ***

Here's what COX responded to me:

Dear Mr. xxxxxxxxxxx:

Thank you for your inquiry. Cox is committed to providing the best
customer service possible.

We have received your recent email regarding the addition of the Speed
HD channel. Please be advised that we are currently in negotiations with
Speed regarding their HD channel.

(Note: NASCAR has a TV broadcast rights with first 13 races on FOX,
followed by 1 race on Speed, 6 on TNT, 6 on ESPN and ending the
remainder of the season with 11 on ABC. There is only one other race
scheduled, which is a pre-season race, to air on Speed on Feb 14, 2008).

We hope that we have been able to provide you with the information you
requested.

Thank you.
Madelaine
Cox Communications Online Customer Care Team

If you need additional information on other Cox products or services,
please visit our web site at

http://www.cox.com

Now if Cox would offer some these (SciFi, USA, HDNets) I would be happy.

No kidding. Overall, Cox has done a pretty impressive job in making their HD line up competitive here over the last year (thank you Verizon). It makes their failure to bring these channels, particularly USA and SciFi -- easily the in the top tier of HD channels after the broadcast networks IMO -- all the more frustrating.

I'm going to be really irritated if SciFi HD isn't up by April when season 4 of BSG starts.

I'd also note that although I'd really like to see them add the HDNet channels, I don't want to see Cox add a separately priced HD package for channels like HDNet, HD Theater, Universal HD etc. Many of the "free HD" cable providers that have added HDNet have created a separate tier, including that Cox affiliate in California.

Shame on ABC tonight for putting on Old School in SD. I can't watch it, pissing me off that they did not do it in HD. I hate networks that play stuff they could do in HD in regular. CW A&E TBS. The network should commit to HD or don't get in.

Jump on board to what (or with what)...? Either one uses the monsterous-sized HD box or you don't have the service (the HD channels not available over the air). I simply have no room for the existing units. Too bad.

Are you serious or delirous?

The technology is out there now to get tons of channels in HD. It will get better over time. What don't you understand?

The long awaited and much anticipated WEDH 24-1 (DT-45) Hartford & WEDN 53-1 (DT-9) Norwich - July 2008, OTA...the sooner the better...we'll see..

Are you serious or delirous?

The technology is out there now to get tons of channels in HD. It will get better over time. What don't you understand?

Hmmm, "serious or delirous???" ... in response to your condescending response, then tell me what technology is going to permit me to get more than just OTA HD channels on a small HDTV via COX without use of the HD box? I don't have room for the damn huge HD box, that's my frustration.

Now, to be honest, I know nothing about Direct or Dish, but I have too many trees too close to my house just off my property. And FIOS stops just down the street where ALL wiring goes underground to my house (and they will not extend service to my neighborhood). And to the best of my knowledge Cox does not support Cable Cards (not 100% sure). And my 19 inch Samsung HD has no slot.

So, if you're willing to have a civil discussion and provide guidance and education, I am all ears (or eyes, I guess). If you want to act like you're better than all of us, then ....

........

And to the best of my knowledge Cox does not support Cable Cards (not 100% sure). And my 19 inch Samsung HD has no slot.


Cox does offer cable cards. I have two of them in my Tivo. I get almost all the HD stations Cox offers (can't get Travel, Golf/Vs). Not sure what you could do for a tuner though.

Channel 10 OTA

Has anyone else noticed the voice and video are out of sync? This is driving me nuts. Been goin on since Sunday. I sent them an email and they have not responded.

Anyone?

Channel 10 OTA

Has anyone else noticed the voice and video are out of sync? This is driving me nuts. Been goin on since Sunday. I sent them an email and they have not responded.

Anyone?

We are working on fixing this problem hopefully tomorrow we will fix it.

Mark

James, you wrote:

Originally Posted by JamesF in NK
I wonder what the future holds for set top boxes for HDTV. While HDTV service from cable and satellite providers has improved over time thanks to competition, albeit with some bumps in the road, I think the equipment they provide needs updating. Specifically, I am frustrated by the size of equipment like HDTV boxes.

The purpose of this thread is not to discuss OTA as an alternative. Instead, I would like to ask your views about the future of HDTV set top boxes for HD content not provided OTA... [and you went on and on...]

So, to answer your question, I wrote:

Of course the footprint will shrink until it it ends up at zero. The question is when. Every technological improvement takes longer than expected in my experience. You have two choices - either jump on board now or wait until the new technology costs less. Where the price point affects your decision is is always subjective, IMO.

You responded with:

Originally Posted by JamesF in NK
Jump on board to what (or with what)...? Either one uses the monsterous-sized HD box or you don't have the service (the HD channels not available over the air). I simply have no room for the existing units. Too bad.

I took from your response that either you didn't understand what I wrote, or your opening statement (see above) was either forgotten by you, or a red herring to get to the conversation you really wanted, which, by the way, would not get a response on this forum because with little to no investigation it answers itself. And thats why I responded with:

Are you serious or delirous?

The technology is out there now to get tons of channels in HD. It will get better over time. What don't you understand?

Now do you get it?

We are working on fixing this problem hopefully tomorrow we will fix it.

Mark



Thank you so much Mark. I've asked this before and never got an answer. Can you tell me what causes the out of sync condition?

Thx

To all my Cox Communication brethren.

Those of you who have all three services with Cox and are not on any kind of a Max package deal, give em a call.

I call them last night just to change my Movie channel from HBO to CineMax and they offered to put me on a Max bundle package. Why? competition with FIOS of course. I added Cinemax and with the HBO package I am saving $15.00 a month. I told a buddy of mine at work today. He didn't have a movie package. They added HBO and a few more HD channels he wasn't getting and reduced his bill by $10.00 a month.

Give it a try.

To all my Cox Communication brethren.

Those of you who have all three services with Cox and are not on any kind of a Max package deal, give em a call.

Give it a try.

The only problem with that is you have to sign up for at least 1 year, I believe. Personally, I'd rather not commit to them. I'm very interested in switching to FiOS, but I won't switch until their HD lineup is comparable to Cox's. There's no telling when Verizon is planning on adding more HD stations. Say they add a few more within a year, I'd look long and hard at switching.

The one year commitment is the downside. With a $100.00 early termination fee too. I am interested in FIOS too, but like you said their HD lineup is not up there yet. The other thing for me FIOS is not in my area just yet. We'll see in another year or so.

Anyone else having problems watching Discover and TLC in HD on Cox? I get a black screen on both stations. Thanks.

So I saw an article on Engadget saying Cox is testing Tivo in RI, anyone have it? :)

I dont have tivo yet but I did just notice that there is a tv guide icon down at the bottom of the guide... how long has that been there for?

I hope the tivo rumor is true, would love to have tivo again!

I think i will be needing a new receiver soon any way. I have been having a lot of macro blocking with cox HD lately. Also have a few channels that keep disapearing.

I think its more than a rumor

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6538718.html

Cox to Launch TiVo in New England
Operator Follows Comcast’s Boston-Area Rollout
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/5/2008 2:33:00 PM

The northeastern U.S. has evidently become the proving ground for TiVo’s cable partners, with Cox Communications preparing to begin offering TiVo-based digital video recorder service in its New England division.

TiVo president and CEO Tom Rogers, on a conference call Wednesday discussing the company’s quarterly results, said Cox is currently in technical trials and will be launching soon in the region. Cox’s New England division provides service in Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut.

In January, Comcast began marketing TiVo-based DVR service in its own New England market, which serves about 1.6 million subscribers in Boston and surrounding areas.

"With both Comcast a reality and Cox in trial, our mass distribution strategy is making significant in-roads, effectively unleashing the power of TiVo beyond the confines of a dedicated hardware consumer electronic business,” Rogers said.

Comcast charges $2.95 per month extra for TiVo service; Cox has not announced its pricing for TiVo-based DVR customers.

For the quarter ended Jan. 31, TiVo posted revenue of $74.1 million, compared with $76.9 million in the year-earlier period. The company reported a net loss of $6.4 million, compared with a net loss of $19.5 million a year ago.

TiVo had 3.95 million cumulative total subscriptions as of Jan. 31. TiVo-owned subscriptions increased by a net of about 33,000 from the prior quarter, up 2% to 1.75 million.

The company reported a net decline of 154,000 “MSO/Broadcaster” subscriptions during the period, to end the quarter with 2.2 million. It cited the fact that DirecTV no longer offers TiVo boxes and that “other mass distribution deals are still in early phases of deployment” for the drop.


AND

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?site=cdn&doc_id=147786

Cox Tees Up TiVo Test Bed

MARCH 06, 2008

What is it about TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - message board), cable, and the New England region?

The three are meshing again now that word’s out that Cox Communications Inc. has launched a tech trial of Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - message board)-made digital boxes outfitted with the TiVo digital video recording (DVR) service.


TiVo announced the Cox trial Wednesday afternoon in concert with the release of its fourth quarter numbers.

In addition to being the site for the tech trials, the New England region will also be home to the first “market launch” of the Cox-TiVo combo, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said during the call.

He did not say exactly when or where Cox will launch the service on a commercial basis. As for location, the going bet is that the MSO will introduce it first somewhere in Rhode Island. “Cox has scattered systems in New England, but Rhode Island is its flagship property,” said Matt Stump, VP of One Touch Intelligence .

Cox officials were checking into any additional details involving the status or launch plans with TiVo. Cox and TiVo announced the deal in August 2006. (See TiVo/Cox Deal: Is It Enough?)

Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) also selected the New England region for its TiVo-cable debut. Comcast introduced the TiVo product on a commercial basis in Boston in January, selling it for an “up-charge” of $2.95 above the monthly nut for the MSO’s more “generic” DVR offering. (See Comcast to Kick Off Boston TiVo Party, Comcast Boots Up TiVo, and Bells 'n' Whistles .)

Rogers has previously suggested that any rollouts with Cox would lag behind those with Comcast by about six months. (See TiVo Set-Tops Trickle Out .)

“With both Comcast, a reality, and Cox moving toward launch, our mass distribution strategy is making significant strides,” Rogers said.

TiVo is not yet specifying how much the Comcast deployment is contributing to the bottom line, but the MSO is starting to tout the DVR service in its marketing, including some new TV spots. (See Spotting TiVo .)

Rogers noted “there isn’t much by way of Comcast” in terms of subscriber contributions in the DVR pioneer’s fourth quarter, which concluded Jan. 31, 2008. TiVo ended the period with 3.95 million DVR subscriptions, and added 109,000 “TiVo-owned” gross adds during the period, down from 163,000 in the year-ago quarter. Of its grand total, 1.74 million are “TiVo-owned” subscribers, while 2.2 million come way of partnerships with MSOs and broadcaster, primarily DirecTV Group Inc. (NYSE: DTV - message board). (See TiVo Posts Q4.)

“We expect marketing... to increase as Comcast gains greater experience with the offering,” Rogers said, adding that recent surveys in the market show “there is a significant wiliness” for Comcast subs to take the TiVo service at the current price point.

He also believes adoption will ramp up once Comcast is able to offer TiVo via automatic software upgrades to the set-top. Today, those installations require a truck roll.

TiVo’s cable deals will continue to complement its stand-alone DVR strategy, which is starting to center on a $299 high-def version with dual CableCARD slots. (See TiVo Courts Cable With New HD-DVR.) Although that box is inherently “one-way,” the cable industry and TiVo are working on a “Tuning Resolver” that will enable the device to tune to linear programs offered in an operator’s “switched” tier. (See CableLabs Spec Brings SDV to the Masses.)

On the litigation front, Rogers said TiVo is “very skeptical” about Dish Network Corp. ’s claim that it has a work-around for TiVo’s “Time Warp” patent. In late January, an appeals court upheld that the satellite TV service provider had infringed on the TiVo patent. (See TiVo Digs DVR Ruling .)

Wow! Max HD is transmitting "The Untouchables" in an actual wide-screen format. 1.85:1 I believe, with the letterboxes!

I just got Max HD, how often do they do this? Is it just certain movies?
Never seen it on HBO.

Motorola DCH3416 PVR users.

Do you find yourself unplugging your box to reset it very often?
Every so often I will turn it on and get no signal and the only thing that seems to work is unplugging the 3416 to reset it.

Motorola DCH3416 PVR users.

Do you find yourself unplugging your box to reset it very often?
Every so often I will turn it on and get no signal and the only thing that seems to work is unplugging the 3416 to reset it.

Yes. I had this error with the 3416 initially. Cox support did a software reset and that solved the issue for me. I think I have had to reset it maybe once in the past six months since Cox support did the reset.

Give it a try.

Yes. I had this error with the 3416 initially. Cox support did a software reset and that solved the issue for me. I think I have had to reset it maybe once in the past six months since Cox support did the reset.

Give it a try.

Thanks!
This "software rest", is it something they do from Cox or do you have to bring it in?

Thanks!
This "software rest", is it something they do from Cox or do you have to bring it in?

They do it from COX. Just call support. Tell them your issue and request that they reset your box.

They do it from COX. Just call support. Tell them your issue and request that they reset your box.

Most likely its just a "soft hit" and not a "hard hit". Both can be done from your home.

Wow! Max HD is transmitting "The Untouchables" in an actual wide-screen format. 1.85:1 I believe, with the letterboxes!

I just got Max HD, how often do they do this? Is it just certain movies?
Never seen it on HBO.

Both HBO and Cinemax show movie in OAR every so often. Dont get too excited as most of the time its not OAR.

StarHD\Showtime is MUCH better at showing movies in OAR. Showtime even shows you on their website if the moves will be in OAR or not.

I think its more than a rumor

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6538718.html

Cox to Launch TiVo in New England
Operator Follows Comcast’s Boston-Area Rollout
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/5/2008 2:33:00 PM

The northeastern U.S. has evidently become the proving ground for TiVo’s cable partners, with Cox Communications preparing to begin offering TiVo-based digital video recorder service in its New England division.

TiVo president and CEO Tom Rogers, on a conference call Wednesday discussing the company’s quarterly results, said Cox is currently in technical trials and will be launching soon in the region. Cox’s New England division provides service in Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut.

In January, Comcast began marketing TiVo-based DVR service in its own New England market, which serves about 1.6 million subscribers in Boston and surrounding areas.

"With both Comcast a reality and Cox in trial, our mass distribution strategy is making significant in-roads, effectively unleashing the power of TiVo beyond the confines of a dedicated hardware consumer electronic business,” Rogers said.

Comcast charges $2.95 per month extra for TiVo service; Cox has not announced its pricing for TiVo-based DVR customers.

For the quarter ended Jan. 31, TiVo posted revenue of $74.1 million, compared with $76.9 million in the year-earlier period. The company reported a net loss of $6.4 million, compared with a net loss of $19.5 million a year ago.

TiVo had 3.95 million cumulative total subscriptions as of Jan. 31. TiVo-owned subscriptions increased by a net of about 33,000 from the prior quarter, up 2% to 1.75 million.

The company reported a net decline of 154,000 “MSO/Broadcaster” subscriptions during the period, to end the quarter with 2.2 million. It cited the fact that DirecTV no longer offers TiVo boxes and that “other mass distribution deals are still in early phases of deployment” for the drop.


AND

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?site=cdn&doc_id=147786

Cox Tees Up TiVo Test Bed

MARCH 06, 2008

What is it about TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - message board), cable, and the New England region?

The three are meshing again now that word’s out that Cox Communications Inc. has launched a tech trial of Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - message board)-made digital boxes outfitted with the TiVo digital video recording (DVR) service.


TiVo announced the Cox trial Wednesday afternoon in concert with the release of its fourth quarter numbers.

In addition to being the site for the tech trials, the New England region will also be home to the first “market launch” of the Cox-TiVo combo, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said during the call.

He did not say exactly when or where Cox will launch the service on a commercial basis. As for location, the going bet is that the MSO will introduce it first somewhere in Rhode Island. “Cox has scattered systems in New England, but Rhode Island is its flagship property,” said Matt Stump, VP of One Touch Intelligence .

Cox officials were checking into any additional details involving the status or launch plans with TiVo. Cox and TiVo announced the deal in August 2006. (See TiVo/Cox Deal: Is It Enough?)

Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) also selected the New England region for its TiVo-cable debut. Comcast introduced the TiVo product on a commercial basis in Boston in January, selling it for an “up-charge” of $2.95 above the monthly nut for the MSO’s more “generic” DVR offering. (See Comcast to Kick Off Boston TiVo Party, Comcast Boots Up TiVo, and Bells 'n' Whistles .)

Rogers has previously suggested that any rollouts with Cox would lag behind those with Comcast by about six months. (See TiVo Set-Tops Trickle Out .)

“With both Comcast, a reality, and Cox moving toward launch, our mass distribution strategy is making significant strides,” Rogers said.

TiVo is not yet specifying how much the Comcast deployment is contributing to the bottom line, but the MSO is starting to tout the DVR service in its marketing, including some new TV spots. (See Spotting TiVo .)

Rogers noted “there isn’t much by way of Comcast” in terms of subscriber contributions in the DVR pioneer’s fourth quarter, which concluded Jan. 31, 2008. TiVo ended the period with 3.95 million DVR subscriptions, and added 109,000 “TiVo-owned” gross adds during the period, down from 163,000 in the year-ago quarter. Of its grand total, 1.74 million are “TiVo-owned” subscribers, while 2.2 million come way of partnerships with MSOs and broadcaster, primarily DirecTV Group Inc. (NYSE: DTV - message board). (See TiVo Posts Q4.)

“We expect marketing... to increase as Comcast gains greater experience with the offering,” Rogers said, adding that recent surveys in the market show “there is a significant wiliness” for Comcast subs to take the TiVo service at the current price point.

He also believes adoption will ramp up once Comcast is able to offer TiVo via automatic software upgrades to the set-top. Today, those installations require a truck roll.

TiVo’s cable deals will continue to complement its stand-alone DVR strategy, which is starting to center on a $299 high-def version with dual CableCARD slots. (See TiVo Courts Cable With New HD-DVR.) Although that box is inherently “one-way,” the cable industry and TiVo are working on a “Tuning Resolver” that will enable the device to tune to linear programs offered in an operator’s “switched” tier. (See CableLabs Spec Brings SDV to the Masses.)

On the litigation front, Rogers said TiVo is “very skeptical” about Dish Network Corp. ’s claim that it has a work-around for TiVo’s “Time Warp” patent. In late January, an appeals court upheld that the satellite TV service provider had infringed on the TiVo patent. (See TiVo Digs DVR Ruling .)

Sounds good to me I have one Moto box that is causing me nothing but troubles. I would like to see who well Tivo gets implemented into the Cox system.

is the tivo box just new software for the current boxes? Im so sick of this underpowered POS, I've gone through 4 of them and they have all been crap.

I wanted to get a HD DVR from cox for 2 months now but Cox has been unable to supply them.

I can only hope they go with the Tivo, at least then I can get one

Kinda makes one wonder why they keep airing a commercial for a product they cant supply

I wanted to get a HD DVR from cox for 2 months now but Cox has been unable to supply them.

I can only hope they go with the Tivo, at least then I can get one

Kinda makes one wonder why they keep airing a commercial for a product they cant supply

You know you can get a Tivo HD now, and just use cable cards. That's what I have.

There are two problems though. First, you don't receive all HD stations (Golf/Vs & Travel). Second, you'll likely run into more issues as Cox doesn't seem to care too much about cable card users.

You know you can get a Tivo HD now, and just use cable cards. That's what I have.

There are two problems though. First, you don't receive all HD stations (Golf/Vs & Travel). Second, you'll likely run into more issues as Cox doesn't seem to care too much about cable card users.

.......

Cox does care about their cablecard users, but Cox is deploying SDV and current TV's and cablecard products don't support the tech (Look at any cable co, they are all doing the same thing). The cards are out there, but the end users market isn't out with the tech now. Using SDV saves Cox bandwidth on channels and we are able to deploy more channels to the user and also increase internet speeds to the user. Also, moving anolong channels to the digital tier will free up needed bandwidth for future channels and also when DOCSIS 3.0 comes out.

Also, Tivo is making a device to support 2 way cablecard support for their Tivo users, no release date has been set yet.
Regarding SDV, do you know if Cox will make available the SDV dongle (http://www.tivoblog.com/archives/2007/11/26/ncta-tivo-announced-sdv-dongle-for-2008/) announced awhile ago? I'd be very pleased if they do so.

I can't release any information regarding that matter, we will just have to see what happens down the road. Anyway, I predict once Cox goes all digital (SDV), they might pull something like Comcast did with their customers in Chicago. Which switching to SDV and making all the channels digital will help them free up bandwidth and also be able to provide more HD Channels. If Cox does plan to do this, I hope they have something like a free tiny box they give out or maybe like first 2 boxes are free and then each other one is a dollar or two. I don't really know what will happen, but I am sure it will be for the good of everyone. Also, I hope if they do move to all digital, they dont encept the 2-80 anolog lineup.

Yeah, Cox already uses up some of their limited bandwidth by simulcasting all the analog channels on their own digital SD channels. If you have a digital TV that can tune digital cable, or a digital cable box, you receive all channels, even those under 100, in digital.

I'd also love Cox to drop all the inefficient analog channels right away. The cox and size of 100% digital set top boxes are very small. Without all the analog tuner stuff inside, the boxes can get very tiny and cheap as they're purely digital. They would need to give these boxes out for free or something when they decide to cut off analog channels. I know many old-school Cox subscribers would cry foul when they're forced to use even a free, very small converter box.

Finally, when analog is removed from their lineup, they better as heck improve the quality of the SD channels.

Yeah, Cox already uses up some of their limited bandwidth by simulcasting all the analog channels on their own digital SD channels. If you have a digital TV that can tune digital cable, or a digital cable box, you receive all channels, even those under 100, in digital.

I'd also love Cox to drop all the inefficient analog channels right away. The cox and size of 100% digital set top boxes are very small. Without all the analog tuner stuff inside, the boxes can get very tiny and cheap as they're purely digital. They would need to give these boxes out for free or something when they decide to cut off analog channels. I know many old-school Cox subscribers would cry foul when they're forced to use even a free, very small converter box.

Finally, when analog is removed from their lineup, they better as heck improve the quality of the SD channels.

analog eats up a TON of bandwidth doesnt it? I forget the figures I heard, but you can fit a bunch of digital SD stations in the same amount of space as one analog or something

I caught a show on OTA reception after the Feb. 09 shutdown. It was on WJAR just after the noon news, I think. It had some good information on ATSC reception with a new TV or a converter box, but it made reception seem much easier than many people are finding. It show an example of hooking a converter to rabbit ears and performing a scan. No adjusting was needed, no mention of most stations switching to UHF or needing a different antenna than used for analog.
John

analog eats up a TON of bandwidth doesnt it? I forget the figures I heard, but you can fit a bunch of digital SD stations in the same amount of space as one analog or something

Yes, depending on how much you compress them, you can fit up to 6 SD digital channels in a single analog channel, and 2 HD channels!

Analog is holding the cable system back.

Hey guys, looking for feedback on CBS-HD NCAA hoops picture quality. I noticed that during some of the regional tournament games covered by CBS the motion macroblocking was unbelievable. Looks like during the pre-game for the March Madness coverage it is the same. Using Cox channel 701 on 52" DLP from 8' away with a Moto 3416. Anyone else seeing this? Trying to determine whether it is CBS main feed, local affiliate, or Cox causing the problem.

Hey guys, looking for feedback on CBS-HD NCAA hoops picture quality. I noticed that during some of the regional tournament games covered by CBS the motion macroblocking was unbelievable. Looks like during the pre-game for the March Madness coverage it is the same. Using Cox channel 701 on 52" DLP from 8' away with a Moto 3416. Anyone else seeing this? Trying to determine whether it is CBS main feed, local affiliate, or Cox causing the problem.

You probably want to find out in the HDTV Programming section, as most of us will have the same feed.

Hey guys, looking for feedback on CBS-HD NCAA hoops picture quality. I noticed that during some of the regional tournament games covered by CBS the motion macroblocking was unbelievable. Looks like during the pre-game for the March Madness coverage it is the same. Using Cox channel 701 on 52" DLP from 8' away with a Moto 3416. Anyone else seeing this? Trying to determine whether it is CBS main feed, local affiliate, or Cox causing the problem.

I was watching the Duke game using an antenna and noticed the same thing

Hey guys, looking for feedback on CBS-HD NCAA hoops picture quality. I noticed that during some of the regional tournament games covered by CBS the motion macroblocking was unbelievable. Looks like during the pre-game for the March Madness coverage it is the same. Using Cox channel 701 on 52" DLP from 8' away with a Moto 3416. Anyone else seeing this? Trying to determine whether it is CBS main feed, local affiliate, or Cox causing the problem.


Like last year, WPRI is simulcasting the 3 alternate digital SD feeds on their digital channel. This takes away from the bandwidth normally earmarked for channel 12 (701 on cox).

Channels 801-803 on Cox Digital Cable are available for free on Cox right now, which allow fans to enjoy the out of market games, but at the expense of perfect picture quality on 701.

Friday's action on 701 is not being shown in HD from WPRI, for some reason. CBS has all games in HD this year, as evidenced by the NCAA's free online streaming.

As I type this, the HD was activated! Yay!

Like last year, WPRI is simulcasting the 3 alternate digital SD feeds on their digital channel. This takes away from the bandwidth normally earmarked for channel 12 (701 on cox).

Channels 801-803 on Cox Digital Cable are available for free on Cox right now, which allow fans to enjoy the out of market games, but at the expense of perfect picture quality on 701.

"at the expense of perfect picture quality" is a huge stretch IMHO. Not sure what you're seeing at your house but I watched 3 different HDTV's in 3 different markets using 2 different cable providers and they were all garbage during motion with tons of macroblocking. A pity.

I noticed on Verizon FIOS channel 877 that the banner says "Channel 12 Pinpoint Weather", altho when no NCAA games are on there is nothing showing. Also checked OTA for 64-2 and 12-2 and nothing there either. Is the weather channel still carried on the Channel 12 sub channels? Am wondering if the channel will be on Verizon after the games are finished.

What is supposed to be on 64-2? It seems to be cbs material but I thought it was a fox station? I thought this was weather a few years ago...

Any news on FIOS being expanded to the East Bay area(Newport,Middletown,Portsmouth, Tiverton).......We seem to be the only ones lacking it in the State

Any news on FIOS being expanded to the East Bay area(Newport,Middletown,Portsmouth, Tiverton).......We seem to be the only ones lacking it in the State

Still waiting for FIOS in Pawtucket too.
Last thing I've read was they were waiting for a license of some kind.

Not that it matters much for me. I called Cox to change my movie station and they threw me a deal. I had to sign on for a year to do so, though.

Motorola DCH3416 PVR users.

Do you find yourself unplugging your box to reset it very often?
Every so often I will turn it on and get no signal and the only thing that seems to work is unplugging the 3416 to reset it.

A couple of days ago I had my defective Moto DCT6200 box replace with one a model DCH3416 by a Cox tech.After he left my apt. and I had a chance to flip through the stations I immediately noticed a significance change in my picture quality and not for the better.HD still looks great but my SD PQ has gotten noticable worst since the new box was installed.With the DCT6200 I actually had quite decent SD PQ but now with the DCH3416 the SD PQ is much duller,not nearly as sharp and quite graining compared to the older model.

The 3416 is hooked to my TV via component cables just as the 6200 was so I would assume the PQ should be relativly the same.I might also mention that the Cox tech did a bit of rewiring in my apt. when he was here.He told me that I was getting TOO MUCH signal to my DVR and internet the way the isisting wiring was and said he was going to set it up to distubute the signal evenly to my TV's,phone and internet.Not sure if the rewiring could have any effect on the loss of PQ.Since the 3416 supports HDMI I have ordered a cable from Monoprice with should be here by the end of the week.I figured I would give that a try before I call Cox to complain.

In any event has anybody else that has had a 6200 or other model DVR box switch out with the 3416 had similar issues?

Thanks

Any news on FIOS being expanded to the East Bay area(Newport,Middletown,Portsmouth, Tiverton).......We seem to be the only ones lacking it in the State

The best thing to do is watch the RIPUC site for updates. Besides that once the roll out begins its a slow one.

Is it me or does the On-screen guide look different now? Yellow in the description area in upper left and the way it wipes when you back to full screen.

"at the expense of perfect picture quality" is a huge stretch IMHO. Not sure what you're seeing at your house but I watched 3 different HDTV's in 3 different markets using 2 different cable providers and they were all garbage during motion with tons of macroblocking. A pity.

I think you misunderstood my post. I was saying that Cox added the alternate CBS feeds which reduced the picture quality on the HD CBS channel 701.

I would guess that almost all CBS affiliates are using their multicast capabilities to provide the alternate channels, which would result in reduced picture quality on the primary CBS HD feed in those same markets.

You will notice the HD quality go back to normal as soon as these alternate digital streams are disabled.

Is it me or does the On-screen guide look different now? Yellow in the description area in upper left and the way it wipes when you back to full screen.

Yes, last night, Cox pushed down new Passport Echo on-screen guide software, as well as new Motorola 64xx code, now at v 16.42.

Another addition to the on screen guide is the little translucent "please wait" in the top right corner when the cable box is "thinking".

Just got the new guide myself. I dont like it though. Seems a lot slower and less responsive. Does anybody know any advantages? I did notice that there is a "new" symbol next to shows in the description area in the guide for first run episodes. I also noticed if u check the disk info screen it displays percentages instead of hours on the HDD. I hope this new update will fix the terrible handling of recorded shows. I hate that this box, unlike the tivo I used to have, will record the same episode of a show over and over again. It should know that it already has that episode and free up that time frame for more recording.

The upgrade does feel a bit sluggish. It puts a star next to your favorite channels on the info banner which I believe is new.

Unfortunately the record light no longer lights up on the DCH3416 (18.34). Thats a step backwoods since you no longer can walk by the box and know it is recording the big game without turning on the TV.

Some additional info here.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software

I think you misunderstood my post. I was saying that Cox added the alternate CBS feeds which reduced the picture quality on the HD CBS channel 701.

I would guess that almost all CBS affiliates are using their multicast capabilities to provide the alternate channels, which would result in reduced picture quality on the primary CBS HD feed in those same markets.

You will notice the HD quality go back to normal as soon as these alternate digital streams are disabled.

No misunderstanding. Just frustrated with horrid PQ and venting at every opportunity. Sorry to drag your post into it. The whole issue of multicasting, bitstarving and creating artifacts in the image gets me going. Seems a slap in the face to those who've spent the money to enjoy a supposed better visual experience. Apparently it doesn't bother everyone else as much as me.

The upgrade does feel a bit sluggish. It puts a star next to your favorite channels on the info banner which I believe is new.

Unfortunately the record light no longer lights up on the DCH3416 (18.34). Thats a step backwoods since you no longer can walk by the box and know it is recording the big game without turning on the TV.

Some additional info here.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software

My record light still works, it was on while the box was off. The guide is also much faster for me. Hopefully it stays that way!

My record light still works, it was on while the box was off. The guide is also much faster for me. Hopefully it stays that way!

What type of box do you have?

My DCH3416 no longer turns on the record light regardless of whether the box is on or off.

No misunderstanding. Just frustrated with horrid PQ and venting at every opportunity. Sorry to drag your post into it. The whole issue of multicasting, bitstarving and creating artifacts in the image gets me going. Seems a slap in the face to those who've spent the money to enjoy a supposed better visual experience. Apparently it doesn't bother everyone else as much as me.

You aren't the only one. I can't stand macro-blocking. That's the main reason I love blue-ray. I can recall watching Planet Earth on Discovery HD theater, and there were water scenes, or a flock of bird flying, and the macro blocking was pretty noticeable. I've rewatched these scenes on blu-ray, and it's so much better.

our menu seems faster with the update, but it really couldnt have been any slower before

I agree, my 6412 version III (the HDMI model) is a bit faster now, even when both tuners are working on HD channels.

The "favorite" star next to channels is probably due to a new feature called "auto-favorites". I suppose it tracks which channels you frequent the most and marks them as favorites automatically. You can turn this feature off by pressing Settings or Menu on your remote, then press A to get the deeper settings panel.

The new guide also uses a new hierarchy scheme when looking at programming by Theme in the Guide. Before it would list every sport and every movie genre, but now it shows the major groups and lets you list only the contents of each major group to save on scrolling. This is also seen in the second level settings menu.

I've also noticed that any program that you're currently playing back will show a little "play" icon next to the name when you're viewing your DVR List.

Also, when your recorded show is done playing, or when you press stop, you will get a new way to select what to do next: delete show, play from beginning, or cancel.

I have not noticed any changes to the OnDemand software.

They've also added a new "Interactive" menu. If you quickly press and release the Menu button, you'll get a flyout menu on the left side of your screen, containing options such as "iTV Games", "iTV Weather" "NewsZone", etc. Pretty neat stuff .... but, then again, I'm a button junkie.

Any news on the TiVo roll out ?

ESPN NEWS is now in HD, any word out there if COX in Rhode Island will be providing it soon?

FYI: Dish Network is now providing NESN-HD for the Providence area, my brother that has Dish Network told me this info.

Oddly when I pick say itv kids from that menu, I suddenly lose signal over HDMI to my TV (it switches to some channel in the 900 range). If I switch back to a normal channel, signal returns to HDMI.

ESPN NEWS is now in HD, any word out there if COX in Rhode Island will be providing it soon?

You wont find anything out untill about a week before it gets released IF it gets put on. I would personally like Sci-FI or other channels over the ESPN News. We have about 5 channels now(if not more) dedicated to sports in HD. Lets work on diversivying the lines up ;).

They've also added a new "Interactive" menu. If you quickly press and release the Menu button, you'll get a flyout menu on the left side of your screen, containing options such as "iTV Games", "iTV Weather" "NewsZone", etc. Pretty neat stuff .... but, then again, I'm a button junkie.

Any news on the TiVo roll out ?

I saw this by accident. The way they have it set up is interesting. With the iTV games you can play blackjack, 5 card draw ect on your box. The News and Sports have 6 channels live at the same time, when you scroll over a channel it put out the audio for the channel.

scottder-I havent tried the kids section, but this did not happen with the news or sports selections. I just wish they showed the HD channels as the "live" selections. YOu may be able to change them, but I havent played with them enough to find out.

YOu may be able to change them, but I havent played with them enough to find out.

Best as I can tell, they're not changeable - yet. In a future release of the software, maybe. More info: http://www.pioneerdigital.com/mosaic/mosaic.asp

Now, for those of you with Fios, I have a few questions. I was visited today by a salesman doing a runthru of my MDU here in W. Greenwich. I've made comparisons of Cox vs. Verizon in the past, so I was interested in what he had to say. Knowing he'd have a lot of over-hyped spiel, I let him know upfront that 1) I'd done research both on tech issues as well as pricing, and 2) I'd worked for Cox for 7 years, so I had *some* knowledge of the products and services. Even with that, I still felt like he was peeing on my leg and telling me it's raining. Anyway ....... Two points that really stuck in my craw: does Fios actually send out a 1080p signal (I'm figuring "no") and do they have truly "unlimited" bandwidth ? (If so, why are they already upgrading their headends/MTCs ?)

PS I did take his name and number, but no appointment was made.

I think the iTv menu is pretty awesome. I hope that in the future we will be able to have a customized channel that displays maybe 6 or less (with larger sample squares) of our favorites on the screen at once. I haven't played around with it too much but you should definitely be able to choose which of the 6 channels are displayed for each channel (i.e. iSports). It would also be cool if you clicked select on a highlighted channel and it zoomed into full screen, and hitting select again would zoom back out. I guess the same thing could be accomplished with just using the "last" button, but a zoom animation would be impressive.

Does anyone know if the "HD zoom" button does anything.

Two points that really stuck in my craw: does Fios actually send out a 1080p signal (I'm figuring "no") and do they have truly "unlimited" bandwidth ? (If so, why are they already upgrading their headends/MTCs ?)

PS I did take his name and number, but no appointment was made.

As for question one I dont think any provider pushes though 1080p as a signal only 1080i max.

For your second question the answer would be no as well.....They are running into bandwidth issues, and as we know are upgrading to resolve those issues. Many of the issues will hopefully be helped with the switch over to Digital only. Right now though the analog channels are taking up a ton of bandwidth.

Cox Cable has made it clear that they will be sharing their bandwidth with analog for three years after the switch over. :( From their web site:

"Cox recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs at this cut-off date. Therefore, Cox will continue to offer analog broadcast signals for at least three years after this deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable. The signal will be down-converted from its digital format, enabling customers to receive digital broadcast programming in an analog format."

Larry

Does anybody here get the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package?....I have it and COX is supposed to be broadcasting "select" games in HD....but I believe there should be another channel for this called, "GAME HD"....I haven't seen hide nor hair of it yet.....just wondering if anybody out there had some info on it....thanks

I am not sure they are going to show the HD feeds. I inquired about the MLB HD after seeing the article stating Cox NE would participate and asked specifically if they would show the games before I spent the $$. After a couple of days I was told they had not decided whether to show the HD games yet and that they were waiting to check on whether there was enough demand. They were not sure they were going to use space for something so few people were going to watch. I only hoped it was a sign of additional HD channels on the near horizon. I responded back yesterday but still have not heard as of tonight.

Cox Cable has made it clear that they will be sharing their bandwidth with analog for three years after the switch over. :( From their web site:

"Cox recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs at this cut-off date. Therefore, Cox will continue to offer analog broadcast signals for at least three years after this deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable. The signal will be down-converted from its digital format, enabling customers to receive digital broadcast programming in an analog format."

Larry

It sounds like they're doing one of 2 possible things: 1) offer just the basic cable in analog (2-23) while moving all other "extended basic" to digital-only, or 2) moving to switched digital video for all the digital channels.

With option 2, they can leave the wasteful analog bandwidth while still having plenty of bandwidth for new services, etc.

It sounds like they're doing one of 2 possible things: 1) offer just the basic cable in analog (2-23) while moving all other "extended basic" to digital-only, or 2) moving to switched digital video for all the digital channels.

With option 2, they can leave the wasteful analog bandwidth while still having plenty of bandwidth for new services, etc.

I know there was talk of Cox going to SDV, but I havent heard anything since.....I am thinking they will keep the "basics" though at analog,as in most likelihood most people with expanded have upgraded to the digital boxes.

I know there was talk of Cox going to SDV, but I havent heard anything since.....I am thinking they will keep the "basics" though at analog,as in most likelihood most people with expanded have upgraded to the digital boxes.

If they don't go to switched digital video and also do not remove some of the legacy analog extended basic channels, they'll have the same bandwidth issues they have today.

They'll have to do SDV or at least remove the bulk of the analog channels to recover bandwidth. With SDV, they will not have to remove any analog channels since the bandwidth savings will be so vast.

It sounds like they're doing one of 2 possible things: 1) offer just the basic cable in analog (2-23) while moving all other "extended basic" to digital-only, or 2) moving to switched digital video for all the digital channels.

With option 2, they can leave the wasteful analog bandwidth while still having plenty of bandwidth for new services, etc.

I agree -- one of two possible things. If your option two is the one, that means that all subscribers that now get analog up to channel 99 will be forced to pay for a box.

I guess it depends on what Cox's definition of analog is.

Larry

If they don't go to switched digital video and also do not remove some of the legacy analog extended basic channels, they'll have the same bandwidth issues they have today.

They'll have to do SDV or at least remove the bulk of the analog channels to recover bandwidth. With SDV, they will not have to remove any analog channels since the bandwidth savings will be so vast.

Are current analog TVs capable of recieving SDV without a converter? Analog TV requires 6MHz per channel. There really is no way around that. It is the only way the TV can recieve and demodulate a signal.

EDIT: I looked further into SDV and admit that I had misunderstood the technical details. Even with SDV, however, the analog channels are unaffected and require 6Mhz per. So it still boils down to how Cox defines analog channels. I will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Larry

Are current analog TVs capable of recieving SDV without a converter? Analog TV requires 6MHz per channel. There really is no way around that. It is the only way the TV can recieve and demodulate a signal.

Larry

No, analog TV's receive analog stations only (2-71). SDV is digital only and currently only Digital Boxes (Regular Digital, HD Boxes....) can receive it because of 2 way communications. Cable Card TV;s are only currently 1 way communications and can't send the signal to the node to tell it that it wants a certain channel. TIVO is working on a tiny box to make SDV (Switched Digital Video) possible on TIVO's. Also, cable companies are working on the issue too.

What would you rather have, 1 analog channel or 8-14 digital channels on one 6MHz channel?
If I didn't have a HDTV and money was really tight, I think I might rather have the 1 analog channel.

Having a HDTV and money not being really tight, I'm not sure I'd want 14 digital channels in that one 6MHz slot as the quality due to the compression used would likely be suspect.

OTOH, there's nothing stopping the cable company from providing a "simple" converter box that provides a RF modulated (on channel 3/4) output to support older TV's - is there? That would potentially free up all analog channel bandwidth, though the total cost of those converter boxes likely wouldn't be trivial.

If I didn't have a HDTV and money was really tight, I think I might rather have the 1 analog channel.

Having a HDTV and money not being really tight, I'm not sure I'd want 14 digital channels in that one 6MHz slot as the quality due to the compression used would likely be suspect.

OTOH, there's nothing stopping the cable company from providing a "simple" converter box that provides a RF modulated (on channel 3/4) output to support older TV's - is there? That would potentially free up all analog channel bandwidth, though the total cost of those converter boxes likely wouldn't be trivial.


Its the cost of the boxes that is preventing much of the analogs from being switched over. I don't think any company is going to offer a box for free. The cost is going to be built in somewhere even if they did.

Just found out that Cox San Diego is having a free preview of Sci-Fi HD for BSG today :mad: ahhh where is Cox new England when you need em :p

What would you rather have, 1 analog channel or 8-14 digital channels on one 6MHz channel?

The one thing that will drive me away from Cox is if they start over compressing their HD channels. You read in these forums that Comcast has begun to increase HD compression to squeeze in more channels i.e. Disney HD, ESPNnews-HD, etc. The feedback so far on pq is not positive.

IMHO picture quality is more important then number of HD channels at this juncture. Under no circumstances do I want to get less picture quality on say ESPN Sunday Night Baseball so I can watch ESPNnews in HD.

Just found out that Cox San Diego is having a free preview of Sci-Fi HD for BSG today :mad: ahhh where is Cox new England when you need em :p

Best information I've found on this is here, a direct post from a guy named Steve at Cox:

http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/3/6325.html?1207240161

Apparently it's actually a permanent addition. The "free preview" description has to do with contractual issues. I'm extremely jealous though holding out slim hope that Cox will add it here today.

Steve actually says:

"after successful negotiations with NBC-Universal, Cox customers"

Doesn't specify whether it's a local affiliate negotiation, but if it is in fact a "Cox corporate" contract (it seems unlikely that negotiations with a group like NBC-Universal would be at the individual Cox affiliate level) this could be very promising for all service areas like this one... not just for SciFi but for other NBC-Universal properties like USA-HD.

The one thing that will drive me away from Cox is if they start over compressing their HD channels. You read in these forums that Comcast has begun to increase HD compression to squeeze in more channels i.e. Disney HD, ESPNnews-HD, etc. The feedback so far on pq is not positive.

IMHO picture quality is more important then number of HD channels at this juncture. Under no circumstances do I want to get less picture quality on say ESPN Sunday Night Baseball so I can watch ESPNnews in HD.

You will find the same situation (over compressed HD) no matter to where you are driven. We live in a Capitalistic society and four channels for the same bandwidth use will trump one every time. Those of us in these forums are a very small fraction of those who watch HDTV. Most viewers just want their screen brightly filled with over saturated color. If that sounds snobbish, so be it. It is not meant to be so.

Larry

This is one reason why Verizon FIOS has now fallen behind in the number of HD channels available. I would much rather have an uncompressed signal than try to keep up with quantity. Once the analog channels are removed next month, you can expect a major increase in HD channels in RI.

FIOS is removing analog channels next month?

Larry

FIOS is removing analog channels next month?

Larry

Yes, should be all digital by May 12th. The first area to be completed is I believe Virginia, on April 14th. VZ is offering a free digital converter to be used on any TV that is connected directly from the FIOS TV network (i.e. coax cable) and not through a set top box or cable card. The entire country should be all digitlal by the end of the year.

Thanks for the info. VZ is doing what Cox said they themselves would not. Thanks again.

The one thing that will drive me away from Cox is if they start over compressing their HD channels. You read in these forums that Comcast has begun to increase HD compression to squeeze in more channels i.e. Disney HD, ESPNnews-HD, etc. The feedback so far on pq is not positive.

IMHO picture quality is more important then number of HD channels at this juncture. Under no circumstances do I want to get less picture quality on say ESPN Sunday Night Baseball so I can watch ESPNnews in HD.

.....

I would take a good hard look at DirecTV, they compress their HD Channels so much more then Cox, a lot of people dont even consider DirecTV to be true HD and call it HD-Lite.

LOL, straight misinformation right from a Cox worker! what a surprise! :)

Listen, that might've been true a year ago but it's completely inaccurate now. Directv's MPEG-4 channels are phenomenal and they blow Cox away IMO. My parents have Cox HD and it's perfectly fine, but IMO it now pales in comparison to Directv's rapidly increasing line-up and high quality. The great majority of Directv's channels are MPEG-4 and the few that are still MPEG-2 (the so called "HD lite" channels) are being phased out and replaced...and actually those channels that are still on there look a whole lot better now even in MPEG-2 since the new bird went up last summer.

For me the MPEG-4 channels look brilliant...even better than some of the OTA feeds we have around here...and this is coming from someone who was quite disappointed in the old MPEG-2 channels they had. The wait was definitely worth it, and it seems people who think the service is still 'HD Lite' haven't had a look at how good the service is and has been now since the new satelitte was activated.

I actually think Cox is the service that is going to be in trouble as they grapple with bandwidth issues. Even with analog shut-off I think the satelitte's offerings are going to be superior, at least their HD quality is, at least for me, far better at this point in time. But to each his own.

LOL, straight misinformation right from a Cox worker! what a surprise! :)

Listen, that might've been true a year ago but it's completely inaccurate now. Directv's MPEG-4 channels are phenomenal and they blow Cox away IMO. My parents have Cox HD and it's perfectly fine, but IMO it now pales in comparison to Directv's rapidly increasing line-up and high quality. The great majority of Directv's channels are MPEG-4 and the few that are still MPEG-2 (the so called "HD lite" channels) are being phased out and replaced...and actually those channels that are still on there look a whole lot better now even in MPEG-2 since the new bird went up last summer.

For me the MPEG-4 channels look brilliant...even better than some of the OTA feeds we have around here...and this is coming from someone who was quite disappointed in the old MPEG-2 channels they had. The wait was definitely worth it, and it seems people who think the service is still 'HD Lite' haven't had a look at how good the service is and has been now since the new satelitte was activated.

I actually think Cox is the service that is going to be in trouble as they grapple with bandwidth issues. Even with analog shut-off I think the satelitte's offerings are going to be superior, at least their HD quality is, at least for me, far better at this point in time. But to each his own.

Ya, sorry for that option of mine, but I just was over my cousins today and he has DirecTV and the picture quality has got better. We will just have to see with Cox what they do. Once analog shutoff starts in a few years, I think it will open up more lanes on the highway. We will just have to see.

OTOH, there's nothing stopping the cable company from providing a "simple" converter box that provides a RF modulated (on channel 3/4) output to support older TV's - is there? That would potentially free up all analog channel bandwidth, though the total cost of those converter boxes likely wouldn't be trivial.

The cost of a digital only, meaning a box that can only RECEIVE digital QAM signals from the cable company, is very inexpensive. It's the traditional set-top box that is expensive and large due to the need to support analog signalling over cable. The analog components are 1) power hungry, 2) get hot, 3) large, and 4) more expensive than simple digital signaling chips.

If you've ever seen a digital-only cable box, you'll see how small and simple and cheap these are. Cox can rent these out at $1-2/mo or customers will be able to make a one-time purchase from Best Buy to get a box that will be compatible. Legislation is already in the works to make this a reality.

Therefore, you can go out and buy a converter box for relatively very little money (or rent for what SHOULD be little money if Cox doesn't try to screw customers), and be able to enjoy all the great features of digital cable TV and still use that with your Sony Trinitron from 1987.

That's odd. References, please.

My 13 inch generic analog-only tv in the kitchen runs so cool that it throws almost no heat -- the whole TV that is. My digital-only Motorola DCH3416 tuner runs very hot.

BTW, analog components today are not power hungry, do not get hotter than digital, are not large, and are not more expensive than digital chips. If you have ever seen an analog-only tuner, you will see how small and simple and cheap these are.

Larry

The cost of a digital only, meaning a box that can only RECEIVE digital QAM signals from the cable company, is very inexpensive. It's the traditional set-top box that is expensive and large due to the need to support analog signalling over cable. The analog components are 1) power hungry, 2) get hot, 3) large, and 4) more expensive than simple digital signaling chips.

If you've ever seen a digital-only cable box, you'll see how small and simple and cheap these are. Cox can rent these out at $1-2/mo or customers will be able to make a one-time purchase from Best Buy to get a box that will be compatible. Legislation is already in the works to make this a reality.

Therefore, you can go out and buy a converter box for relatively very little money (or rent for what SHOULD be little money if Cox doesn't try to screw customers), and be able to enjoy all the great features of digital cable TV and still use that with your Sony Trinitron from 1987.

The cost of a digital only, meaning a box that can only RECEIVE digital QAM signals from the cable company, is very inexpensive. It's the traditional set-top box that is expensive and large due to the need to support analog signalling over cable. The analog components are 1) power hungry, 2) get hot, 3) large, and 4) more expensive than simple digital signaling chips.

If you've ever seen a digital-only cable box, you'll see how small and simple and cheap these are. Cox can rent these out at $1-2/mo or customers will be able to make a one-time purchase from Best Buy to get a box that will be compatible. Legislation is already in the works to make this a reality.

Therefore, you can go out and buy a converter box for relatively very little money (or rent for what SHOULD be little money if Cox doesn't try to screw customers), and be able to enjoy all the great features of digital cable TV and still use that with your Sony Trinitron from 1987.
You either missed my point or I wasn't clear enough. The point was that the TOTAL cost of getting many thousands of these boxes built and in the customers hands wouldn't be trivial. Even if the boxes only cost $50 each, when you multiply that by thousands of boxes you're looking at a significant chunk of change even for a large company.

However, since these boxes would allow them to repurpose the bandwidth used by the analog channels it opens up a lot of possibilities for adding new channels so the cost could prove to be worth it in the long run.

That's odd. References, please.

My 13 inch generic analog-only tv in the kitchen runs so cool that it throws almost no heat -- the whole TV that is. My digital-only Motorola DCH3416 tuner runs very hot.

BTW, analog components today are not power hungry, do not get hotter than digital, are not large, and are not more expensive than digital chips. If you have ever seen an analog-only tuner, you will see how small and simple and cheap these are.

Larry

Hi Larry,

Sure, we've all seen the old school analog cable boxes one used to need to get the "Scrambled" channels like HBO, etc. Those are small compared to the Motorola 64xx boxes, that's for sure. The reason those were so small was because they were analog-only. They didn't have a worry about shielding the analog equipment from the digital circuitry since there is none.

When I say small, I mean the size of a cable modem, which is likely a Motorola Surfboard 5xxx series. The digital-only Motorola DCT700 has these dimensions: W 5.5" X L 6.7" X H 1.8". Tiny! In large orders from companies like Verizon and Cox Communications, these likely cost less than $50 each. These are already rented for $2/mo by some cable operators, and Verizon is looking into providing these boxes out to customers when FiOS goes almost all-digital by the "analog cut-off date".

By the time Cox is ready to drop all but their most essential analog channels (2-13), the trade off in supplying these to customers will be offset by the HUGE bandwidth savings they will enjoy. It will be less expensive to roll these boxes out in a year or so (they'll be even cheaper and perhaps smaller then) than it will be for them to upgrade their entire network for either more bandwidth or switched digital video or both.

These very small digital-only boxes play the role of allowing the average left-over analog TV to enjoy digital cable services such as the additional digital programming, OnDemand, and other interactivity. They even can run an on-screen guide.

I just think that if Cox is already simulcasting all channels under 100 in digital for customers able to receive QAM channels (anyone with digital cable box or digital cable ready TV), while at the same time still offering the traditional extended basic analog channels, that's a waste. Cox knows that the customers with the highest potential for feature/programming sales are the ones who are receiving digital cable. Those still analog-only are not the bread and butter of Cox' customer base. There's nothing new with analog basic cable. Providing these low-cost boxes for free or for less than a gallon of gas a month will bring more customers into their digital family, where they can be sold more diverse programming and other digital-only upgrades.

Has anyone here experienced weak to non existent reception of several of the Boston area TV stations since about a week ago? Specifically, I'm here in Pawtucket, receiving over the air reception, and can no longer receive Boston chs. 25, 38, 56, 68, and constant pixellation (with frequent dropouts) on chs. 2, 4, 5, 7, and 44. I have been using a medium size outdoor antenna in my attic with a Channel Master amplifier and was getting these channels with no problem until last Sunday the 30th of March. I've tried rotating the antenna, changing the coaxial cable, but that did not help. Maybe there's a problem at the Needam and Newton transmitter sites? Anyone else having the same problem?

As of a few days ago, I, also in Pawtucket, had no problems, but I will check again in more detail when I get home. I would suspect a problem with the amplifier, which is the only thing you really can't check without getting a new one to replace it.

SMK

Good evening, ATPTourFan.

Reread my comments. You misundersood. I was not disputing your general points although I disagree with some of your technical statements. The only issue I addressed was that of the physical characteristics of analog and/or digital tuners. You made a strong inference that a digital-only cable box has some inherent qualities that makes it significantly different from an analog-only or a digital-analog box.

There is no basic difference between a digital tuner and an analog tuner. The physics of RF transmission is independent of the type of information contained in a RF signal. Technical decisions by Cox or Verizon will be based upon profit margin not physics.

Before you discard your old VCR, open it up. That little 'silver' box about the size of a deck of cards is the analog tuner. It is not large, uses negligible power, does not get hot, and is inexpensive. A digital tuner exhibits the same characteristics.

The exterior dimensions of a digital-to-analog box will not be dependent on the size of the components within. The size of the box will be such that in can contain a viewable display, have some control buttons, and weigh enough so that the RF cable feeding it will not move it. Yes, 6 x 7 x 2 inches seems reasonable for a box that recieves a RF signal, demodulates the digital information contained, converts that information to analog format, and remodulates to RF. Oh, yes -- that little box will contain both digital and analog signals.

BTW, I happen to know quite a bit about those "old school analog cable boxes." ;) They contained a tuner, four chips, a power supply, a few resistors/capacitors/inductors, and a RF modulator. The electronics could have been packaged in a 'wall wart' size box but the display and control buttons dictated a larger size.

This is getting way OT and we're talking by each another -- apples and oranges. Let's drop it. Okay?

Cheers,
Larry

Hi Larry,

Sure, we've all seen the old school analog cable boxes one used to need to get the "Scrambled" channels like HBO, etc. Those are small compared to the Motorola 64xx boxes, that's for sure. The reason those were so small was because they were analog-only. They didn't have a worry about shielding the analog equipment from the digital circuitry since there is none.

When I say small, I mean the size of a cable modem, which is likely a Motorola Surfboard 5xxx series. The digital-only Motorola DCT700 has these dimensions: W 5.5" X L 6.7" X H 1.8". Tiny! In large orders from companies like Verizon and Cox Communications, these likely cost less than $50 each. These are already rented for $2/mo by some cable operators, and Verizon is looking into providing these boxes out to customers when FiOS goes almost all-digital by the "analog cut-off date".

By the time Cox is ready to drop all but their most essential analog channels (2-13), the trade off in supplying these to customers will be offset by the HUGE bandwidth savings they will enjoy. It will be less expensive to roll these boxes out in a year or so (they'll be even cheaper and perhaps smaller then) than it will be for them to upgrade their entire network for either more bandwidth or switched digital video or both.

These very small digital-only boxes play the role of allowing the average left-over analog TV to enjoy digital cable services such as the additional digital programming, OnDemand, and other interactivity. They even can run an on-screen guide.

I just think that if Cox is already simulcasting all channels under 100 in digital for customers able to receive QAM channels (anyone with digital cable box or digital cable ready TV), while at the same time still offering the traditional extended basic analog channels, that's a waste. Cox knows that the customers with the highest potential for feature/programming sales are the ones who are receiving digital cable. Those still analog-only are not the bread and butter of Cox' customer base. There's nothing new with analog basic cable. Providing these low-cost boxes for free or for less than a gallon of gas a month will bring more customers into their digital family, where they can be sold more diverse programming and other digital-only upgrades.

Sox on Channel 3 tonight (Bruins on NESN-HD). I assume this will be in SD.

Does anyone know if the game will be broadcast in HD i.e. will Direct-TV be showing the game in HD or is everyone showing the game in SD.

Is there any hope that Cox will add the GAME-HD channel to the MLB extra innings package? Direct-TV charges more, but offers a large number of MLB extra innings games in HD as well as offering dual feeds.

Sox on Channel 3 tonight (Bruins on NESN-HD). I assume this will be in SD.

Does anyone know if the game will be broadcast in HD i.e. will Direct-TV be showing the game in HD or is everyone showing the game in SD.

Is there any hope that Cox will add the GAME-HD channel to the MLB extra innings package? Direct-TV charges more, but offers a large number of MLB extra innings games in HD as well as offering dual feeds.

Standard Definition only on channel 728 on DirecTv.

Standard Definition only on channel 728 on DirecTv.

You can always watch the replay of the Sox game which is in HD on the normal NESN-HD feed.

Why would I do that?

Why would I do that?

Some may prefer to watch the complete game in HD than watch the game live in SD. In the world of DVRs, this is not an unlikely scenario.

Ya, sorry for that option of mine, but I just was over my cousins today and he has DirecTV and the picture quality has got better. We will just have to see with Cox what they do. Once analog shutoff starts in a few years, I think it will open up more lanes on the highway. We will just have to see.

Fair enough. I was only pointing out that it has, indeed, taken off in the last year, and I sensed a Cox person not being entirely fair there...not that a Cox worker would have an objective opinion mind you. :)

Anyone experiencing transmission problems with 12.1? I've seen a good deal of break up over the last couple of days on both that and 64.1 as well (pre-April 20). Even tonight I've seen 12.1 break up a little, at least down here in Wakefield.

I occassionally notice a little breakup of signal on ch. 12, 69, 28, 36 and a bit more on ch. 6 here in Pawtucket using a good outdoor antenna in my attic. What is more strange to me is that since April 1st I've totally lost the HD signal on several Boston area stations, specifically chs. 25, 38, 56, 68, 46, 62and weak to no reception on chs. 7, 44, and 66. Before April 1st, I have had no problem getting a clear HD picture from these stations. After trying to replace the cable, amplifier and reorienting the antenna , no luck. What's amazing is that chs. 2, 4, 5, 27 are still pretty strong. Anyone having a sudden drop in reception of these stations?

At 11 PM last night tropo propagation was quite strong and I lost WPRI DT I could see wavy lines in both analog chs 10 1nd 12 and sometimes sync bars on 12. This indicates other analog stations are comming in probably from the coast south of us.
John

I was getting pretty good reception down here in Westerly up until about 2 weeks ago. Now, I am having problems with all of the Providence stations. I have been experimenting with different antennas and thought it was all my fault, looks like reception conditions have changed. At this point, I don't know wether to continue or give up to the dish people

Still waiting for the red + white vans to arrive in northern foster (rt. 101 - rt. 94 intersection). Is there a greenlight on the horizon???

Impatiently waiting with dial-up.

Still waiting for the red + white vans to arrive in northern foster (rt. 101 - rt. 94 intersection). Is there a greenlight on the horizon???

Impatiently waiting with dial-up.

I havent heard anything about Foster. All I have seen is the "general" talk nothing specific. I know they are approved for the rollout in Foster, but unser of how they are handling it.


Also, for those of you with Cox...They have finally started to add Primetime shows to OnDemand. Currently they only have ABC and a few shows though, so hopefully they will expand that soon and include HD material with it...

At 11 PM last night tropo propagation was quite strong and I lost WPRI DT I could see wavy lines in both analog chs 10 1nd 12 and sometimes sync bars on 12. This indicates other analog stations are comming in probably from the coast south of us.
John

I was just on the Grand Rapids, MI thread. Someone there is having similar problems with possible interference from either Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI or Traverse City, MI. Could there be something in the atmosphere, say a weather pattern, causing all this trouble?

One wonders if it's atmospheric conditions or perhaps something technical going on. I had no break up for literally months on the Providence stations basically until about a week ago, but I've seen it on 12 and 64 in particular, a little on 6 and 10. Even here in Wakefield I'm still able to get 2, 4, and 5 out of Boston almost perfectly (less break up at least) at the same time. Last night (Monday) wasn't so bad however across the board.

Good to hear others having the same problems, I was worried it was only me for a bit :)

On the heals of the San Diego deal, more evidence that Cox corporate has struck a deal with NBC-Universal from Engadget HD (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/04/22/cox-brings-another-handful-of-hd-channels-to-oklahoma/):

Just two months after Oklahoma City and Tulsa received a new trio of high-def channels from Cox Communications, a new six-pack has found its way onto the on-deck circle. Based on an updated HD channel lineup for both of the aforementioned cities, residents can expect Sci-Fi HD (752), Lifetime HD (759), Bravo HD (763), CNBC (784), Weather Channel HD (785) and USA HD (732) to arrive in short order. Sadly, we're not sure exactly what day to expect the new half dozen, but hopefully "Coming Soon" is just hours (rather than days, weeks or months) away.

Let's hope Cox New England hurries up and follows suit. After the October-January flurry, the utter lack of updates while every other providing (sans FiOS) keeps adding channels has been disappointing... especially with more valuable HD channels like USA and SciFi missing from the line up.

DM2006RI
What kind of an antenna setup are you using? Walter

DM2006RI
What kind of an antenna setup are you using? Walter

Walter I'm using the Channel Master 4228 with a CM Titan 7775 preamp.

The RI stations seem to be coming in fine today (from what I've seen) though I've gotten more break up on the Boston stations, though this seems to be expected -- once the weather starts to get warmer the Boston channels for those of us on the fringe tend to be a lot more inconsistent than they are in the winter.

On the heals of the San Diego deal, more evidence that Cox corporate has struck a deal with NBC-Universal from Engadget HD (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/04/22/cox-brings-another-handful-of-hd-channels-to-oklahoma/):



Let's hope Cox New England hurries up and follows suit. After the October-January flurry, the utter lack of updates while every other providing (sans FiOS) keeps adding channels has been disappointing... especially with more valuable HD channels like USA and SciFi missing from the line up.

I hear you on this one :)...Hopefully someone at Cox New England is listening....One things for sure the website they use is hardly ever updated :(...

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20366949-OK-New-HD-channels-in-the-OKC-and-Tulsa-markets

As posted on the HDTV In Oklahoma site.

»www.hdtvok.com/

Apparently coming on 20 May...

USA HD
Sci Fi HD
Lifetime HD
Bravo HD
CNBC HD
Weather Channel HD

See the screen shot for the channel assignments. FWIW the OKC market also has HD PPV on channel 701 although I have only seen one show listed in the last two months...

Over the air reception seems to have returned to much more viewable levels down here in Westerly, all Providence stations were good the last two nights. Can only hope it continues. Wish I could get a handle on the multipath that went on for the last 2 or 3 weeks. Walter

At Cox New England we don't know of new channels coming in till about 3-5 days before, only high up management knows when it is coming in, but I have seen some change in channel assigements the past few weeks, so I should expect to see some new channels coming soon. Also the past week we just reassiged the new HD lineup that came in January so cable card users can enjoy the channels too, sorry for the past channel messup on cable cards.

Thanks for the inside info. I'm curious about the "tea leafs" behind the channel assignment shuffle.

The high up management at Cox actually understands the need to manage channel assignments and knows the bandwidth available for new channels at any given time? It would seem to me that they would need to inform "lower down the food chain" engineers of their intent to add a few HD channels, who would in turn understand and be able to execute changes like channel assignments. Could be off here, but the point is that the "high up management" types that I know would have no clue how to execute a plan (from an engineering standpoint) to secretly plan for such a change. Maybe information is just well compartmentalized.

Any idea why Cox New England is so tight lipped about their HD plans? Contractual reasons? Fear they'll fail to meet the promises?

Was checking something in the channel line up this evening, and noticed something under HD in the latest online version of the channel line up (http://www.cox.com/newengland/Cable/ChannelLineUps/Residential/042508/R.pdf):

719 Lifetime HD Coming 5/28

Nice to see an announced channel... at the risk of being a broken record here, however, I am concerned that (if they're bothering to list upcoming channels at all) that this may be the only one coming in May, particularly in light of the Oklahoma announcement...

Was checking something in the channel line up this evening, and noticed something under HD in the latest online version of the channel line up (http://www.cox.com/newengland/Cable/ChannelLineUps/Residential/042508/R.pdf):

719 Lifetime HD Coming 5/28

Nice to see an announced channel... at the risk of being a broken record here, however, I am concerned that (if they're bothering to list upcoming channels at all) that this may be the only one coming in May, particularly in light of the Oklahoma announcement...

Nice find, thats one place I would not have looked. Kind of disappointed that they chose to add Lifetime instead of one of the other anticipated channels, but I guess at least its something. I know that channel will NEVER get watched in my house (not even the boss watches that one). If this is the only channel upcoming in the next month or so, this summer may be the summer I leave Cox for another service that offers a greater HD lineup (IMO).

Trust me, there is more coming soon, they are testing other channels in other markets and more is to come soon. By the summer we should have 2-5 new HD channels (cant say much of what is coming, Lifetime HD is one, maybe SciFi HD, USA HD, Weather HD, Bravo HD, CNBC HD, cough....... HDNet & HDNet Movies...........), plus a ton of more HD content ON DEMAND. What ever hits other markets will always hit New England always. New England is one of the test beds for new channels and promos. Look at a couple of months ago when New England got more HD Channels and other markets didn't get it untill a few months down the road.

I very much hope you're right, though there's a big difference between 2 new channels after 4-5 months and 5 new channels. Especially if one of those channels, we now know, is Lifetime HD.

Are you basing this on inside knowledge or your own personal assumptions? It's been many months since HDNet & HDNet Movies started being offered in California (in a premium package that took HD Theater away as a freebie no less). And seeing as New England has been the first to add the new channels on many occasions, I can't help wondering why Oklahoma is getting several "must have" (IMO) channels at least a week or two before we are, at best (assuming Lifetime HD is in fact the only May addition).

I just noticed I am no longer getting the QAM channels for CBS and Fox on Cox in North Kingstown. This just started tonight. I have been getting them without problem for over a year. Both my Tivo HD and TV cannot find them. Does anyone know if they have changed the channel numbers or if this is a broadcast problem?

I just noticed I am no longer getting the QAM channels for CBS and Fox on Cox in North Kingstown. This just started tonight. I have been getting them without problem for over a year. Both my Tivo HD and TV cannot find them. Does anyone know if they have changed the channel numbers or if this is a broadcast problem?

Just noticed that too, well at 10pm when Numb3rs came on. I'll make a scan tomorrow and see if I can find anything. With that channel being added, Lifetime HD :rolleyes:, they probably moved. On a related note, it is not listed in the Cox program guide yet.

I HATE when cox moves the qam channels. My panasonic plasma is a pain about qam anyway, and when they move them it just makes it harder on me. If anyone finds the new numbers for those channels please post them

Just noticed that too, well at 10pm when Numb3rs came on. I'll make a scan tomorrow and see if I can find anything. With that channel being added, Lifetime HD :rolleyes:, they probably moved. On a related note, it is not listed in the Cox program guide yet.

Its still a month away (5/28) so its going to be a few weeks before it even shows up......

FOr those missing the channels, you will have to rescan as Cox is known to "shuffle" the channels every so often...

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/03/cox-adding-four-hd-channels-scifi-included-in-las-vegas-nv/

Make that 3 Cox markets to have added or formally announced SciFi HD before the "leading" New England market...

Folks here might also be interested in an Engadget HD article specifically about FiOS in RI just posted this morning.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/03/verizon-unloading-86-million-on-rhode-island-network-expansion/

CBS from 104-19 to 126-1, FOX from 105-3 to 126-1, WGBH from 106-3 to 128-4 +

Anyone / anyplace where one can get the current complete list of channels that can be picked up from Cox cable by a digitial TV, without a box. Including the HD channels, etc...

~gs2gf

I don't think you'll be able to find a list like that.

If you have basic service, plug the cable into your TV and let the TV scan for available channels. I did this for my mothers new TV just before cox came and hooked up her digital service and the TV found quite a few digital channels.

For HD you will need an HD antenna if you will not be using a box. Depending on your location and reception you should be able to pick up some local HD broadcast.

Hey James, do you have any idea about the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package?.....I have it and every night a few games are labeled HD on the menu but Cox just shows them in STANDARD DEF..... do you know what the deal is with that?....thanks

My latest list after the Cox reshuffle

128.4 GBH
126.3 FOX
126.1 CBS
112.1 CW
111.6 ABC
111.1 NBC

Gone black are 104.19, 106.3, 105.3

A customer friendly company would post these new channel changes

Thanks for the help, these worked fine for me. I agree it would be nice of Cox to put this on their website, but I am sure they want to keep it difficult for people to get the HD channels without getting an HD package.

Anyone / anyplace where one can get the current complete list of channels that can be picked up from Cox cable by a digitial TV, without a box. Including the HD channels, etc...

~gs2gf

It depends on wether your digital TV has a QAM tuner and if you have extended basic service(ie the channels above 23 are not blocked with a frequency trap on the line).

It depends on wether your digital TV has a QAM tuner and if you have extended basic service(ie the channels above 23 are not blocked with a frequency trap on the line).Yes, QAM tuner present, yes, extended basic subscription.

~gs2gf

It depends on wether your digital TV has a QAM tuner and if you have extended basic service(ie the channels above 23 are not blocked with a frequency trap on the line).

Are you sure extended basic is a requirement? Because we get all the QAM channels just fine and have only standard basic (over 23 is blocked).

We do have the internet as well, if that has anything to do with it.

Hey James, do you have any idea about the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package?.....I have it and every night a few games are labeled HD on the menu but Cox just shows them in STANDARD DEF..... do you know what the deal is with that?....thanks


There has been no postings yet about the MLB Extra Innings Package in HD, I too have been looking and haven't see anything yet. I am hoping maybe by summer there will be a HD Channel set aside for HD Games.

Cox moved WGBH HD to 128.4 and now its all pixelated and its just pure garbage

Thank you Cox Cable

There has been no postings yet about the MLB Extra Innings Package in HD, I too have been looking and haven't see anything yet. I am hoping maybe by summer there will be a HD Channel set aside for HD Games.

The MLB package on Directv has basically not only every game in HD but also the alternate out of market broadcast (if available) in HD too.

First I've seen of this...anyone know when WJAR is going to start broadcasting?

http://tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/27/daily.6/

WJAR PROVIDENCE ADDING RETRO TV NETWORK

Media General’s NBC affiliate WJAR Providence, R.I., will offer Retro Television Network’s programming lineup of classic TV shows on a digital subchannel in the 52nd DMA beginning in early 2008.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring RTN to Providence and New Bedford,” said Lisa Churchville, general manager of WJAR. “It’s a fun schedule of programs that we all remember fondly—comfort TV!”



“Media General was an early adopter of RTN and the company continues to sign more affiliates,” said Mark Dvornik, executive vice president of RTN. “Our ‘Primetime all the Time’ lineup is exciting for viewers because they are able to enjoy their favorite stars throughout the day, including Ron Howard and Henry Winkler in Happy Days, James Rockford in Rockford Files, Peter Graves in Mission: Impossible, Jack Lord in Hawaii-5-0, Clint Eastwood in Rawhide, David Janssen in The Fugitive, Lorne Greene and Michael Landon in Bonanza and Raymond Burr in Perry Mason and Ironside.”


RTN is a new television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel.

First I've seen of this...anyone know when WJAR is going to start broadcasting?

http://tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/27/daily.6/

WJAR PROVIDENCE ADDING RETRO TV NETWORK

Media General’s NBC affiliate WJAR Providence, R.I., will offer Retro Television Network’s programming lineup of classic TV shows on a digital subchannel in the 52nd DMA beginning in early 2008.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring RTN to Providence and New Bedford,” said Lisa Churchville, general manager of WJAR. “It’s a fun schedule of programs that we all remember fondly—comfort TV!”



“Media General was an early adopter of RTN and the company continues to sign more affiliates,” said Mark Dvornik, executive vice president of RTN. “Our ‘Primetime all the Time’ lineup is exciting for viewers because they are able to enjoy their favorite stars throughout the day, including Ron Howard and Henry Winkler in Happy Days, James Rockford in Rockford Files, Peter Graves in Mission: Impossible, Jack Lord in Hawaii-5-0, Clint Eastwood in Rawhide, David Janssen in The Fugitive, Lorne Greene and Michael Landon in Bonanza and Raymond Burr in Perry Mason and Ironside.”


RTN is a new television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel.

I have not checked if they are broadcasting the RTN network yet, but I love watching the RTN network, it's fantastic retro programming tv and have been watching it for years via FTA television over satellite.

I have not checked if they are broadcasting the RTN network yet, but I love watching the RTN network, it's fantastic retro programming tv and have been watching it for years via FTA television over satellite.

Excellent. I don't think Channel 10 is airing this yet, but I was curious if the insiders might have some news on it.

We are in Westerly and have our house under contract for sale. The buyer was asking about all the cable outlets in each room (9 total). I am only using 2 so a simple splitter will do. He is thinking of keeping more connected. Any suggestions on splitters/amplifiers? he will be using Cox, not OTA.

Dominic

We are in Westerly and have our house under contract for sale. The buyer was asking about all the cable outlets in each room (9 total). I am only using 2 so a simple splitter will do. He is thinking of keeping more connected. Any suggestions on splitters/amplifiers? he will be using Cox, not OTA.

Dominic

Depending on how many outlets you are going to conect, then it would depend on the splitter. Cox uses 2,3,4,8 way splitters. Depending on if you have also HSI, then I would take the drop cable, split that into a 2 way with a leg going to HSI, and then a leg going to another splitter if you are going to do more then 5 outlets. But I would only hook up the outlets you are going to use. It also depends on how much signal you have in the house too and then that would tell a tech what kind of splitter to use (also counting into if you have HSI or other digital boxes).

Also, if you see a cox tech on a road, ask him/her for a splitter since the radio shack splitters are junk imho.

First I've seen of this...anyone know when WJAR is going to start broadcasting?

http://tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/27/daily.6/

WJAR PROVIDENCE ADDING RETRO TV NETWORK

Media General’s NBC affiliate WJAR Providence, R.I., will offer Retro Television Network’s programming lineup of classic TV shows on a digital subchannel in the 52nd DMA beginning in early 2008.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring RTN to Providence and New Bedford,” said Lisa Churchville, general manager of WJAR. “It’s a fun schedule of programs that we all remember fondly—comfort TV!”



“Media General was an early adopter of RTN and the company continues to sign more affiliates,” said Mark Dvornik, executive vice president of RTN. “Our ‘Primetime all the Time’ lineup is exciting for viewers because they are able to enjoy their favorite stars throughout the day, including Ron Howard and Henry Winkler in Happy Days, James Rockford in Rockford Files, Peter Graves in Mission: Impossible, Jack Lord in Hawaii-5-0, Clint Eastwood in Rawhide, David Janssen in The Fugitive, Lorne Greene and Michael Landon in Bonanza and Raymond Burr in Perry Mason and Ironside.”


RTN is a new television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel.


RTN will be here, WJAR 10.3, by the end of June. Walter

Great, nothing like craping out by splitting the HD to HD lite.

Great, nothing like craping out by splitting the HD to HD lite.

I agree. I would be interested to know what the bandwidth allocation will be for the multiple digital channels WJAR will be broadcasting and how that compares to today.

The MLB package on Directv has basically not only every game in HD but also the alternate out of market broadcast (if available) in HD too.

Yeah I know......I had to wait about 4 weeks to get my HD box from Cox (back in February)...came very close to going with Direct TV......anyway, it's frustrating when they say, "Select games shown in HD".....yet your provider doesn't show them in HD........:mad:

Great, nothing like craping out by splitting the HD to HD lite.

yep, another reason to watch 7.1 WHDH

Depending on how many outlets you are going to conect, then it would depend on the splitter. Cox uses 2,3,4,8 way splitters. Depending on if you have also HSI, then I would take the drop cable, split that into a 2 way with a leg going to HSI, and then a leg going to another splitter if you are going to do more then 5 outlets. But I would only hook up the outlets you are going to use. It also depends on how much signal you have in the house too and then that would tell a tech what kind of splitter to use (also counting into if you have HSI or other digital boxes).

Also, if you see a cox tech on a road, ask him/her for a splitter since the radio shack splitters are junk imho.


Thanks, that is how it is now. The drop splits, 1 to the computer and the other to a 4 way splitter for the 2 TV's and VCR's (which are collecting dust)

Dominic

Anybody besides me only receiving 2 ch. PCM audio on HD channels?

The Dolby setting wont save and reverts to PCM.

Anybody besides me only receiving 2 ch. PCM audio on HD channels?

The Dolby setting wont save and reverts to PCM.

:p Oh, yeah. :p
That would be from Cox.

Okay, unplugging the box and resetting it did the trick.


Thanks for your input. You guys have been great!

;) :D

I just lost the QAM HD channels for ABC6 and WJAR on Cox in North Kingstown Does anyone know what the new channel numbers are?
Last week they "relocated" CBS and FOX.

My latest list after the Cox reshuffle

128.4 GBH
126.3 FOX
126.1 CBS
112.1 CW
111.6 ABC
111.1 NBC

Gone black are 104.19, 106.3, 105.3

A customer friendly company would post these new channel changes

I just lost the QAM HD channels for ABC6 and WJAR on Cox in North Kingstown Does anyone know what the new channel numbers are?
Last week they "relocated" CBS and FOX.

The above are the latest that I have seen...Otherwise you might just have to scan for the new ones.......

Well hopefully Cox is planning some really good for us here is a rumor about FIOS HD channels for July:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/08/26-new-hd-channels-for-fios-tv-by-the-end-of-july/
Not many HD fans have had to go through a longer drought without new HD channels than Verizon FiOS TV customers, but with analog channels dropping like flies all across the country, we have a juicy little rumor that we just want to believe -- after all, we already feel lied to with spring half way over. The one thing that really adds credibility to the rumor that 26 newcomers will be added by the end of July is the fact that all but two markets will be analog free just in time for 26 new channels of high-def goodness. Many don't realize that Verizon is out of bandwidth on its QAM infrastructure, so in order to free up enough space for 100 HD channels -- unfortunately not all the new throughput will be dedicated to HD -- and to keep its promise to the FCC, Verizon is eliminating 49 analog stations. The bad news is that Florida and Texaswill have to wait another few months before they'll have access. The full list is after the break.


Rumored HD channel additions to Verizon's FiOS TV lineup:

1. Animal Planet HD
2. TBS HD
3. ESPNews HD
4. Big Ten Network HD
5. The History Channel HD
6. MOJO HD
7. CNN HD
8. The Learning Channel HD
9. Showtime Too HD East
10. Cinemax West HD
11. The Science Channel HD
12. Showtime HD West
13. HBO West HD
14. The Weather Channel HD
15. Starz Edge HD
16. USA HD
17. Versus / Golf HD
18. Starz Comedy HD
19. Bravo HD
20. CNBC HD
21. Starz Kids and Family HD
22. Outdoor Channel HD
23. SCI FI HD
24. Lifetime HD East
25. Smithsonian HD
26. Pay Per View HD (Events)



With with addition of Mojo (one of the only channels really holding me at Cox) I might make the jump if this comes true....This would mean that FIOS would have at least 48 HD channels.....Guess we will have to wait and see what Cox is going to do to "combat" this push...I know one of the claims Cox likes to make is that they offer more HD channels than FIOS in New England, but if this comes true they might have the tables turned on them....

I just lost the QAM HD channels for ABC6 and WJAR on Cox in North Kingstown Does anyone know what the new channel numbers are?
Last week they "relocated" CBS and FOX.


For me its
133.2 CW
132.2 ABC
132.1 NBC

also just noticed Fox went from 1080i to 720p for me

For me its
133.2 CW
132.2 ABC
132.1 NBC

I got slightly different numbers.

126-1 - CBS
126-3 - FOX
128-4 - PBS
132-1 - NBC
132-6 - ABC
133-1 - CW

I wish they would make up their mind.

Hi Thanks for the new channel numbers. I can only get these on three of the QAM devices we have (2 HD Tivo's and one Sharp LCD). The second Sharp LCD will not get any channel above 125 - even if you select it numerically on the remote.

It seems that some of the older QAM devices cannot get channels above 125. I wonder if this was considered when they moved all the local HD QAM channels to above 125.

Hi Thanks for the new channel numbers. I can only get these on three of the QAM devices we have (2 HD Tivo's and one Sharp LCD). The second Sharp LCD will not get any channel above 125 - even if you select it numerically on the remote.

It seems that some of the older QAM devices cannot get channels above 125. I wonder if this was considered when they moved all the local HD QAM channels to above 125.

Probably not as the QAM feature is not one Cox advertises.....Its a "bonus" so to speak....I believe before they were all below 125, but now that channels have changed and the expansion has occurred things has changed....I do know though that users with QAM and channels below 125 can get the "leak" channels ....I know last time I checked there were a few PPV channels(mostly OnDemand, ect feeds) in the 80s somewhere.......

I think as far as Cox is concerned as long as its "available" their end is covered, its up to the consumer to get the channels..

I got slightly different numbers.

126-1 - CBS
126-3 - FOX
128-4 - PBS
132-1 - NBC
132-6 - ABC
133-1 - CW

I wish they would make up their mind.

That explains a few things for me. I can only get up to channel 130 on my Sony tuner. So I can no longer get NBC, ABC, CW.

Now why would Cox have once again moved those channels even higher in the count as opposed to lower? Think about that.

I am absolutely certain that Cox put these channels as high as they could so you have to buy thier package to get the HD channels over cable. To think otherwise is naive.

What they need to remeber is that our other option is to watch over the air (OTA) instead of cable. I wonder if they thought about?

I agree that I think they knew this would cause problems for older QAM devices. I am considering a letter to Cox and the FCC. Although they are following the "letter" of the law, it seems they are making it very difficult for consumers.

Thankfully in my case the one TV that cannot go over 125 has good OTA reception and that is what I will be using. I refuse to order the HD package from Cox to just get the local cannels in HD on that TV.

Anybody besides me only receiving 2 ch. PCM audio on HD channels?

The Dolby setting wont save and reverts to PCM.

:p Oh, yeah. :p
That would be from Cox.

unplugging the box and resetting it did the trick.

Okay!

It happened again. What gives Cox??

Maybe Cox should pass out power cords with a switch built in. At least that way I wouldn't have to keep reaching behind my entertainment center to unplug their POS box.

Has anyone here experienced weak to non existent reception of several of the Boston area TV stations since about a week ago? Specifically, I'm here in Pawtucket, receiving over the air reception, and can no longer receive Boston chs. 25, 38, 56, 68, and constant pixellation (with frequent dropouts) on chs. 2, 4, 5, 7, and 44. I have been using a medium size outdoor antenna in my attic with a Channel Master amplifier and was getting these channels with no problem until last Sunday the 30th of March. I've tried rotating the antenna, changing the coaxial cable, but that did not help. Maybe there's a problem at the Needam and Newton transmitter sites? Anyone else having the same problem?
I have solved the reception problem I was having that I described in my post dated 04-08-08. I purchased the Antennas Direct 8 bay HDTV antenna and installed it in my attic, and after connecting it to my TV's with new RG6 Quad Shield Cable, with a Radio Shack 10db Amplifier and a rotor, the reception is sharper (probably due to the Quad Shield Cable), and I'm getting additional stations. The antenna is actually two 4 bay antennas (which can be used seperately), that you can connect with the supplied bar. Some observations: 1- The installation manual says attic insulations reduce reception by about 50% - not in my case; put the antenna near a window and it is still pretty powerful; 2- The antenna is quite directional so a rotor and amplifier is best. With this new setup, I can now easily pickup the following stations:

Providence area stations: 6-1, 6-2 (ABC), 10-1, 10-2 (NBC), 12-1 (CBS), 28-1 (CW), 36-1, 36-2 (PBS), 64-1, 64-2 (FOX), 69-1, 69-2, 69-3, 69-4 (ION).

Worcester area stations: 27-1 (UNI), 66-1 (FUT).

Boston area stations: 2-1, 2-2 (PBS), 4-1 (CBS), 5-1 (ABC), 7-1, 7-2 (NBC), 25-1 (FOX), 38-1 (IND), 44-1, 44-2, 44-3, 44-4 (PBS), 46-1 (ShopNBC), 56-1 (CW), 68-1, 68-2, 68-3, 68-4 (ION).

The antenna works the best of any antenna I've had, and is small enough for an attic.

Someone on Engadget HD posted this in a comment:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/15/lifetime-networks-grabs-popcorn-gets-cozy-with-cox/comments/12148186/

"Cox is adding the following HD channels in CT on 6/25...

733 CNBC HD
734 USA HD
755 SciFi HD
763 Bravo HD
738 AMC HD"

Don't know what the source of the information is, but considering we have the same channels as CT (part of Cox NE), and we have those channel assignments open, this could be very encouraging news! Just wish it wasn't 1.5 months away.

UPDATE: posted in the Cox CT forum here too.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=592183&page=37

:-)

UPDATE 2:
Definitive source.
http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DPUCUndocketed.nsf/6e9beec82815c42f85256a61005a47fc/85256a63004def968525744900648278/$FILE/Cox%20Programming%20chart.PDF

Someone on Engadget HD posted this in a comment:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/05/15/lifetime-networks-grabs-popcorn-gets-cozy-with-cox/comments/12148186/

"Cox is adding the following HD channels in CT on 6/25...

733 CNBC HD
734 USA HD
755 SciFi HD
763 Bravo HD
738 AMC HD"

Don't know what the source of the information is, but considering we have the same channels as CT (part of Cox NE), and we have those channel assignments open, this could be very encouraging news! Just wish it wasn't 1.5 months away.

UPDATE: posted in the Cox CT forum here too.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=592183&page=37

:-)

UPDATE 2:
Definitive source.
http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DPUCUndocketed.nsf/6e9beec82815c42f85256a61005a47fc/85256a63004def968525744900648278/$FILE/Cox%20Programming%20chart.PDF

Hopefully this comes true, but this is around the same time that VIOS is supposed to upgrade thier HD package as well and it will be very stiff competition against Cox in RI....Time will only tell..

Has anyone else been experiencing problems with pixelation and audio dropout on the ABC HD QAM feed from Cox recently? Ever since the latest QAM channel reshuffling that sent ABC from 111.1 to 132.1 (for me at least), I've been noticing sporadic instances of pixelation coupled with audio dropout that last for anywhere from 2-10 seconds at a time, occurring at random intervals (maybe 3 or 4 times over the course of an hour). This happens only on ABC - the rest of the QAM channels are fine. Also this was never a problem before the reshuffling, back when ABC was still on 111.1.

I've been trying to figure out whether I need to pick up a cable signal amplifier (though the fact that it's isolated to ABC leads me to believe it's not a general signal strength issue), or if this is something I need to contact Cox to take care of.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Has anyone else been experiencing problems with pixelation and audio dropout on the ABC HD QAM feed from Cox recently? Ever since the latest QAM channel reshuffling that sent ABC from 111.1 to 132.1 (for me at least), I've been noticing sporadic instances of pixelation coupled with audio dropout that last for anywhere from 2-10 seconds at a time, occurring at random intervals (maybe 3 or 4 times over the course of an hour). This happens only on ABC - the rest of the QAM channels are fine. Also this was never a problem before the reshuffling, back when ABC was still on 111.1.

I've been trying to figure out whether I need to pick up a cable signal amplifier (though the fact that it's isolated to ABC leads me to believe it's not a general signal strength issue), or if this is something I need to contact Cox to take care of.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

It has been happening to me as well. I assumed that it was just my box crapping out. I'm using a moto box instead of a QAM set up though, and it is happening on multiple channels. I just dont want to send in or go get a new box because than I would lose all of my scheduled recordings.

I can confirm that the same problems over my DVR. I've also experienced a lot of audio dropouts on Discovery HD in the past week.

Its a little frustrating, because now I can play Solitaire in my home theatre (thanks, but no thanks), but I still cant get a reliable Audio/Video feed from my cable company...

I had a lot of pixelation and audio dropouts with my DVR last week too. I unplugged the box to reset it and it's been good since then.

I hope the new HD channel rumors come true, COX is long overdue to add some new channels!

Both ABC and NBC are almost unwatchable this morning thru the Moto box. They seem to be fine OTA and over QAM on the same cable. Has Cox made some kind of change in their system that their converter can't handle? Anybody been talking to COX? Anybody have any solutions?

I have solved the reception problem I was having that I described in my post dated 04-08-08. I purchased the Antennas Direct 8 bay HDTV antenna and installed it in my attic, and after connecting it to my TV's with new RG6 Quad Shield Cable, with a Radio Shack 10db Amplifier and a rotor, the reception is sharper (probably due to the Quad Shield Cable), and I'm getting additional stations. The antenna is actually two 4 bay antennas (which can be used seperately), that you can connect with the supplied bar. Some observations: 1- The installation manual says attic insulations reduce reception by about 50% - not in my case; put the antenna near a window and it is still pretty powerful; 2- The antenna is quite directional so a rotor and amplifier is best. With this new setup, I can now easily pickup the following stations:

Providence area stations: 6-1, 6-2 (ABC), 10-1, 10-2 (NBC), 12-1 (CBS), 28-1 (CW), 36-1, 36-2 (PBS), 64-1, 64-2 (FOX), 69-1, 69-2, 69-3, 69-4 (ION).

Worcester area stations: 27-1 (UNI), 66-1 (FUT).

Boston area stations: 2-1, 2-2 (PBS), 4-1 (CBS), 5-1 (ABC), 7-1, 7-2 (NBC), 25-1 (FOX), 38-1 (IND), 44-1, 44-2, 44-3, 44-4 (PBS), 46-1 (ShopNBC), 56-1 (CW), 68-1, 68-2, 68-3, 68-4 (ION).

The antenna works the best of any antenna I've had, and is small enough for an attic.
I just started to receive WYDN-DT 48 from Worcester (the Daystar affiliate) last night. It is coming in with a pretty strong signal here in Pawtucket, and the station's digital transmitter is on the WBZ-TV transmitter site in Needham, MA. Anyone else receiving this station - you may have to do a rescan on your digital tuners to get the station. With WYDN going digital, practically all the stations in the Boston/Worcester/Providence market (wth the exception of the low power Providence Telemundo affiliate on analog ch. 50 and I have not heard when the station will have a digital signal on air) have a digital signal on the air.

All my Moto boxes went out for close to an hour this morning about 8 am. Every thing seems ok now though???

All my Moto boxes went out for close to an hour this morning about 8 am. Every thing seems ok now though???

Any new channels? New box firmware?

Any new channels? New box firmware?

My first thought was a new channel lineup but no such luck. Not sure what the problem was???

Any new channels? New box firmware?

We should see LifetimeHD next week, then at the beginning of June 5 more....Might have been a fluke for his boxes, as I didnt have this happen with mine...

I ended up calling Cox tech support yesterday afternoon because 3 stations, 700,702,705 were completely off for an extented period with the temp off air screen up. Before calling I had checked all cables and had done a cold start of the box. I was getting signal OTA and via QAM for those stations. After talking to COX a while and them hitting the box a couple of times, they wanted to send a tech out. I said no and was just going to swap boxes at the local support store.

I then went to double check all my wiring. I have my cable split several ways. I removed the splitter and when home run to the Moto box. Eureka! Channels are back!! I wonder what had changed? I have had the same splitter arrangement for years. Any ideas?

I ended up calling Cox tech support yesterday afternoon because 3 stations, 700,702,705 were completely off for an extented period with the temp off air screen up. Before calling I had checked all cables and had done a cold start of the box. I was getting signal OTA and via QAM for those stations. After talking to COX a while and them hitting the box a couple of times, they wanted to send a tech out. I said no and was just going to swap boxes at the local support store.

I then went to double check all my wiring. I have my cable split several ways. I removed the splitter and when home run to the Moto box. Eureka! Channels are back!! I wonder what had changed? I have had the same splitter arrangement for years. Any ideas?


Be sure your splitters can pass at least 900 MHz you will see that printed on the splitter. Cox has moved some QAM channels up to the 800 MHz and higher range.

Mark

Great Tip! Thanx. Switched out one my splitters and all is great. Who knew.

Be sure your splitters can pass at least 900 MHz you will see that printed on the splitter. Cox has moved some QAM channels up to the 800 MHz and higher range.

Mark

Wow, maybe thats why my panasonic plasma has such a problem with it then? right now Im only able to get cbs fox and pbs in HD, none of the others. Its always kind of had a crappy qam tuner though

it may be the filter, or it may just be that the tuner does not go that high

Has anybody noticed WLWC is doing Everybody Loves Raymond in HD?

Hi, I'm Amy from Cox Communications New England. We have added Lifetime HD to our channel lineup (channel 719). Enjoy!

Cool. Thanks Amy!

Keep 'em coming!

Hi, I'm Amy from Cox Communications New England. We have added Lifetime HD to our channel lineup (channel 719). Enjoy!Great, love to see more HD. And welcome to the community, thanks for contributing, hope you will stop by regularly.

~gs2gf

Hi, I'm Amy from Cox Communications New England. We have added Lifetime HD to our channel lineup (channel 719). Enjoy!

Amy - always glad to see someone from Cox participating on the board!

Any more news you can share? :D

Amy - always glad to see someone from Cox participating on the board!

Any more news you can share? :D

The only news she probably could share is the 5 channels we are getting in June:
AMC HD
Sci Fi HD
CNBC HD
USA HD
Bravo HD

While I could have done without Lifetime, I am sure there are some "bosses" ;) that are happy about it.....

Has anybody noticed WLWC is doing Everybody Loves Raymond in HD?

I believe that the HD rights just became available recently, so right now we should slowly see the shows that were shot in air in HD where available....

While I could have done without Lifetime, I am sure there are some "bosses" ;) that are happy about it.....

Mine too, he just went by wearing a red wig and doing cartwheels, singing, "Reba, Reba, I just met a girl named, Reba!"

Hi, I'm Amy from Cox Communications New England. We have added Lifetime HD to our channel lineup (channel 719). Enjoy!


Amy can you tell us why Cox moved the rebroadcasted HD stations like channel 10 so high up the tuner ladder? Or was it just to force us to get cox HD ?

Amy can you tell us why Cox moved the rebroadcasted HD stations like channel 10 so high up the tuner ladder? Or was it just to force us to get cox HD ?

IMO it was most likely to "make room" for the upcoming channels. Usually around the time that new channels are added Cox moves the channels around.....We will probably see another move sometime in June when we get the 5 other channels....
I personally still am able to get all the QAM channels from Cox, so I am unaffected by the changes. There are older Tvs that cant tune taht high, but I think a majority of the TVs made within the last 2 or so years will be able to pick them up....Its just one of those things that you have to take into consideration as far as technology goes, sooner or later you are going to be "outdated" and i this case the older QAM tuners have been.....I also wouldnt say Cox is trying to "force" you to buy an HD box, IMO its the limitation of the equipment that you have that is causing this. Cox simply cant just sit around and wait for everyone to upgrade their equipment to be ready for future moves, if they did that we'd be stuck with just analog stations still...

Especially now with FIOS making moves within the state I think it is imperative that Cox makes moves to advance their offerings, if they dont they will be steamrolled by Verizon\Satellite. I know it sux for those of you with older tuners that cant get the stations anymore, but we should be happy that we are getting more HD now and that there are advances being made....

Be sure your splitters can pass at least 900 MHz you will see that printed on the splitter. Cox has moved some QAM channels up to the 800 MHz and higher range.

Mark

Wow! You know I never knew that was even a factor? I just looked at the one behind my 26" Sanyo LCD HDTV here in central Connecticut. The two outputs are labled "3.5 db", while the splitter itself says "5 to 1000MHz". Comcast here in New Britain passes through local ABC, CBS, CW, FOX and NBC with the first subchannel for NBC and the second subchannel for CBS.

Especially now with FIOS making moves within the state I think it is imperative that Cox makes moves to advance their offerings, if they dont they will be steamrolled by Verizon\Satellite. I know it sux for those of you with older tuners that cant get the stations anymore, but we should be happy that we are getting more HD now and that there are advances being made....

When did you start taking money from Cox Cable?

When did you start taking money from Cox Cable?

Hasn't he/she already identified themselves as a Cox employee? I thought that was made clear earlier in this thread.

When did you start taking money from Cox Cable?

Sorry I havent worked for Cox since 2000....I am not even in the same industry, I just play devils advocate a lot.....

Hasn't he/she already identified themselves as a Cox employee? I thought that was made clear earlier in this thread.

Former employee that is, I know there are a few CURRENT employes here, but I am not one of them....

The point I was trying to make is that technology advances, and people get left behind all the time, in this case its users with older QAM tuners....As I said I think it sux for them as now if they want HD they need a Box or to go OTA......If Cox were deliberately doing this (which there is no proof either way) then I would definately back those complaining about it. I was just giving my opinion on the matter, as I cant complain if my TV doesnt fall within spec of current standards. One day I know I will probably be left behind in one way or another, but I cant complain, because it was my choice not to upgrade.....

Cox knows that older tuners can not go that high and that Cox could just as easiliy put the rebroadcasted stuff a few channels lower so that those older tuners could use the signal. There is really only one reason that I can see to put those stations right above where the tuner could reach them.

Is there some other benefit to Cox to put them that high?

So I guess if the oil companies changed the forumula for gasoline and your car would no longer run , then that would be ok, since it was your fault not to buy a new car?

[QUOTE=Ken27;13983701]Cox knows that older tuners can not go that high and that Cox could just as easiliy put the rebroadcasted stuff a few channels lower so that those older tuners could use the signal. There is really only one reason that I can see to put those stations right above where the tuner could reach them.QUOTE]

I agree that this seems to be case as well, and it is not just older tuners. Out of 4 HD LCD TV's, only one can get the new channels. All were bought within the last 12 months. Even within the same manufacturer there are differences. One Sharp can tune these fine, the other cannot.

Whatever Cox's intentions were, this is more likely to make me drop their service, rather than "upgrade". For now, I am using a combination of antenna and HD Tivo's for my local HD.

I agree that this seems to be case as well, and it is not just older tuners. Out of 4 HD LCD TV's, only one can get the new channels. All were bought within the last 12 months. Even within the same manufacturer there are differences. One Sharp can tune these fine, the other cannot.

Whatever Cox's intentions were, this is more likely to make me drop their service, rather than "upgrade". For now, I am using a combination of antenna and HD Tivo's for my local HD.

I had a visit from a Cox tech this past week for signal issues and I asked her about it. She said that as far as she knows, that is why they put those channels up so high. I'm just lucky my 3 year old Panasonic can go that high.

I have been following this thread pretty regularly but I don't remember anyone mentioning a new box from Cox. My uncle just moved, got new service, and the box he has is different than the moto one that I have. I wasn't able to get the specific numbers but it is still from moto but looks totally different. Even uglier IMO. Does anyone know of any advantages this box has over the last one? Larger HDD maybe?!?

I have been following this thread pretty regularly but I don't remember anyone mentioning a new box from Cox. My uncle just moved, got new service, and the box he has is different than the moto one that I have. I wasn't able to get the specific numbers but it is still from moto but looks totally different. Even uglier IMO. Does anyone know of any advantages this box has over the last one? Larger HDD maybe?!?You might check motorola's site, they have a fair amount of info on the set top boxes there.

http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/home_entertainment.asp

Another resource that might help is:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR

~gs2gf