I did not see it, but in the Post yesterday Robert Owens said that it was a Dish Network problem. Sinclair is telling them that in a month they should look into cable for this station!

I did not see it, but in the Post yesterday Robert Owens said that it was a Dish Network problem. Sinclair is telling them that in a month they should look into cable for this station!

That's good to know. I was worried there for a moment. Thanx for the info... :D

In case everyone doesn't already know looks like WB-HD has been added as channel 214. The lineup has been rearranged also. :)

Have any armstrong folks actually gotten a dual tuner HDPVR with the dual-tuner software yet? Or is that still on hold? Thanks...

Does anyone have any idea of Fox 53Hd being available anytime soon on Adelphia? I am a current D* sub and am investigating cable due to the much better HD available. Adelphia would be my provider until Comcast taks over after the merger. For me, FoxHD is a deal breaker due to the NFL. I'm this close to leaving D* but will wait out Sinclair if necessary. Thanks for your help.

Have any armstrong folks actually gotten a dual tuner HDPVR with the dual-tuner software yet? Or is that still on hold? Thanks...
Armstrong pushed out new software last night. Dual tuners now work and the onscreen display is a lot nicer.

Just noticed the new Armstrong software version, it's pretty nice. Time to ask about dual tuners again I think.

From Armstrong:

Dual tuner functionality now works on our Motorola 6412 models. If you have a model 6208 (which I believe you do), you can call our customer service group and upgrade your equipment. There is no difference in monthly cost at present. There would be a trip fee of $17.50 for our tech to make the switch.

Also, fyi we're launching NFL Network on digital and HD tomorrow. The HD signal should be on channel 180. More HD should be coming soon.

NFLHD is up in Dunlevy! If you like the NFL Yearbooks, the quality is better than on ESPNC, but its not HD.
I running the single tuner 6208. I'm not likely to really dual tuners, but are there other compelling reasons to switch. The current box has been solid as a rock. Armstrong's reliability has improved greatly..the HD stuff is quite solid now. Any hints on what the upcoming channels might be? Sure would like to see ESPN2HD, but I'd take FoxSports PGH in straight digital over the analog signal we're stuck with now.

I have two Motorola boxes. My older unit is a 6208. Newer unit is 6412. Fast forward/reverse works much better on the 6412. The 6208 is very slow to fast forward HD programs. The 6412 has a 120 gig drive, 6208 is 80 gig so you will have more recording space on the 6412.

I am getting my 6208 replaced with a 6412 next week.

Switching the 6208 with the 6412 is like night and day, IMO. Do it!

Thanks for your replies...I'll find out how soon I can get a replacement for the 6208. So far, I really like the software update....it seems like the forward works better with just the software, and its nice to have a scale on this display. It would be good to have the 6412 before football season.

My main question is this:
Can a SONY KD-36XS955 with the CableCard slot access Comcast's HD channels at no additional cost?

Here's the full, gory tale:
I'd like to get the local HDTV channels for my 80+ year old grandparents who currently have only the standard (non-digital) tier and refuse to "learn" (their terminology) to use a cable box.

I had a $2.50 RS bowtie UHF connected to the set's ATSC tuner and they could get *all* the local HD channels OTA without having to move it - which made me jealous as hell after spending too much time on my icy roof in serious cold putting up this antenna, taking it down, putting up a different antenna, taking that down and finally finding an antenna to get similar results. Now, I know this would *seem* like the optimal solution for them. But, switching between the "Cable" and "Antenna" inputs was apparently beyond their combined mental capacities and their phone calls to me to "fix this thing" wore on my patience to the point where I simply took the damn bowtie down when visiting over Easter.

The way I read the Comcast website, "Basic service subscription is required to receive HDTV" does not require renting a STB. Correct? The KD-36XS955 has a built in QAM tuner, so that should not be a problem, right?

Lastly, do they charge a monthly fee for the CableCard?

Thanks for any info.

My main question is this:
Can a SONY KD-36XS955 with the CableCard slot access Comcast's HD channels at no additional cost?

Someone from your area can give an answer more specific to your location, but, it should yes, but there is a monthly charge for the CableCARD unless it's the only digital hookup on the account, and in your case it seems as if it would be. You would just be paying for the digital subscription.


The way I read the Comcast website, "Basic service subscription is required to receive HDTV" does not require renting a STB. Correct? The KD-36XS955 has a built in QAM tuner, so that should not be a problem, right?

Lastly, do they charge a monthly fee for the CableCard?

Thanks for any info.
With a QAM tuner and no CableCARD being used, you should get all the locals that are in HD and in many Comcast areas, ESPN and DiscoveryHD although this varies depending on the area. The CableCARD gets you all the encrypted digital channels along with the HD premium movie channels depending on what package you get.

This morning, the 6208 "crashed". First time since the software rollout and it hasn't happened since Armstrong replaced the original box after a string of crashes. I had just finished replaying the Steeler 2004 NFL yearbook and was switching back to HBOHD...when the box reset, lost all guide contents and some of the HD channels are in "available soon" mode. Since the box has been so stable, I assume this is a software problem.

Dish Targets Comcast Subs with Offer
By Steve Donohue Multichannel.com

EchoStar Communications Corp. kicked off a promotion Tuesday aimed at wooing cable customers in six Comcast Corp. markets with an offer of $19.99 per month for a 60-channel digital-video package for 12 months, plus three free months of Home Box Office and Showtime.

Officials at EchoStar wouldn’t comment on why the offer is only available in six cities where Comcast is the incumbent cable operator: Atlanta; Dallas; Kansas City, Mo.; Indianapolis; Pittsburgh; and Sacramento, Calif.

EchoStar noted in a press release that the offer, which expires Aug. 15, shows “disgruntled cable customers there is a better alternative.”

The direct-broadcast satellite provider said new customers in the six cities who sign up for its “Digital Home Advantage” package -- which includes 60 digital channels and local broadcast networks -- will be charged $19.99 per month for the first 12 months of service. Customers who make a one-year commitment will also get a free digital-video-recorder equipment upgrade, EchoStar said.

Digital Home Advantage includes EchoStar’s “America’s Top 60” package, which normally costs $31.99 monthly. The subscription cost for the programming package will go from $19.99 to $31.99 monthly after the first year of service, EchoStar spokesman Mark Cicero said.

Cicero said it is possible that EchoStar may expand the promotion to other cities. “We’re always looking for ways to offer the best offer to new subscribers and offer them the best value in the pay TV industry. At this time, I can’t divulge any of those plans,” he added.

Comcast officials couldn’t be reached immediately for comment Tuesday afternoon.

From Rob Owen's post-gazette.com column, 5/13/05:

Beginning on or around June 1, Comcast will add CN8, its Delaware-based mid-Atlantic regional cable network, to area systems as Channel 188. CN8 will not have a bureau to cover news in Western Pennsylvania, but area experts and elected officials will be featured on CN8 programs.

Market-specific original programming may be developed in the future.

Comcast will also add Tennis Channel (Channel 277), and some systems, including the City of Pittsburgh, will see the addition of WCWB-HD (Channel 214) and new channel positions for Style (from 118 to 66), G4 (162 to 67), Discovery HD (205 to 225), and ESPN-HD (202 to 252).

Still no tnt hd or wb hd, I'm in the north Hills (ross twp) with a 6412

Same here - No TNT HD or WB HD in McCandless....

I do see lines for Verizon's FIOS service being run, so hopefully we won't have to depend on Comcast for too much longer.

Same here - No TNT HD or WB HD in McCandless....

I do see lines for Verizon's FIOS service being run, so hopefully we won't have to depend on Comcast for too much longer.

heh, yep they just ran that on our street about 2 weeks ago.
btw how do you check the mhz of a chennel on the 6412? I can get into the menu to adjust 480i etc but dont see anything about channels.

Night Hawk

See my post #492

Night Hawk

See my post #492

Thanks, just checked a couple channels...discovery hd 505 mhz, pbs hd 500 mhz :(

Guess that means no tnt hd for a while.

Does anyone know of any new channels to hit comcast soon, the last two sucked.

:mad: I just wish they would upgrade the Head-End so we could get HDTV here in our area. :mad:

Are there any Armstrong customers here that record over the 1394 ports?

For the last 6 months I have been able to record to my PC from the 1394 port. After rebooting my 6412, my PC will no longer detect the device. I’ve tried two PC’s and both 6412’s so I don’t think it is hardware failure. I called Armtrong but was told that the 1394 ports are for future enhancements and are not active. I told them that they were active up until last week and mentioned that a FCC law that I found links to on this site states that the 1394 ports must be active. They are going to look into this.

Has anyone else lost the ability to record over 1394? I was thinking that a software upgrade might have disabled this but no one at Armstrong could confirm that there was an update last week.

My 6412 records to my XP box just fine. I did have to reinstall the driver though to get it to detect the new cable box. I just deleted all the devices and followed the instructions again. I thought I might have to edit the INF file to change an ID number or something, but nope, it worked just fine.

Does anyone know of any new channels to hit comcast soon, the last two sucked.

While not "knowing", it seems that Comcast is in negotiations for ESPN2HD and UniversalHD and they will be the next additions (except for any locals not being carried). Nobody knows when or in what order.

Rich N.

KDKA digital has disappeared on Armstrong. I assume this is water/flood damage, but cant find anything on KDKA website or local news reports. Anybody know if digital signal is gone and how long before it might be restored?

Never mind...tonight it is backup.

anyone know when comcast will launch wtrf in hd in the ohio valley, if fyi will be carrying high school football in the ohio valley, when local news and weather will be available on-demand in the ohio valley, and when local telephone service will be available in the region?

I was wondering if anyone is trying to capture from the local HD channels with CapDVHS?

I can record from all the locals using an MDP-130 perfectly fine. When I try using firewire with a Moto 6412 I can only capture on some channels. QED, Fox, WB seemed to work yesterday. NBC, ABC, and CBS wouldn't capture a good file. I tried again tonight and it was strange. Fox wouldn't work during the simpsons but it worked during the ads and the local news.

Any Idea's?
Isn't it illegal to encrypt the locals?

Agtiny,

I read that you already have the firmware upgrade that is coming my way on Monday, according to the Comcast Message flag.

Anyways, did you get any benefits from the upgrade or is it all give back? My Comcast message said that there would be a "new guide." The last time I got a new guide, the improvement was major. I hope we are getting something in return.

Here is the link I referenced: read it and weep.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=564602

I got the upgrade only days after getting the 6412 box, so I didn't really notice any improvements. We had the iGuide prior to this upgrade. The only change I noticed was the removal of the skip button. There is a new "TV Guide" screensaver that comes on if you leave a scene paused for a short amount of time. Not sure if that's new or just part of iGuide. Firewire recording still works the same.

Maybe time will reveal improvements. That flaw that allows unwanted recordings to take place is an annoyance: IE: CSI marked on Thursday will allow recordings to take place at other times even on other channels.

Yeah, the series recording is kinda cool, but records the same episode over and over...

That's what I didn't like about it...if I was gone for a week and recorded "Six Feet Under", I'd get 4 of them.

Does anyone have a reference listing the Steeler games that will and won't be in HD this season?

I'm pasting below an email question I sent to Comcast. Does anyone have a 6412 firmware version higher than 9.19? Anyone using a JVC D-VHS (mine is 5U) to archive? I know that the change with 5C must have come about somewhere between 8/4 and 8/22, as the last movie I had on the 6412 that I could transfer to DVHS was originally recorded on 8/4, and anything on or after 8/22 wouldn't transfer or even pass through the JVC. Even though the change happened in that time frame, it wasn't until this weekend that I couldn't get anything but analog and OTA local HD to pass through.

I'll post their response when I get it.


In the last week there has been a major problem with my 6412 DVR box.
In order to use the HDMI port on my TV with my 6412 and my JVC D-VHS
recorder, I have (since the 6412s came out) routed the firewire
output of the 6412 through the JVC box and used the HDMI output of
the JVC to go to my TV. I have also been able to archive onto tape
the HD content that I want to see when the limited capacity of the
120GB hard drive in the 6412 gets filled. Everything worked fine
until recently. Now, none of the HD channels or even the digital
channels pass through the box. Only analog channels and local HD
channels are able to be viewed. When I check the diagnostics menu of
the 6412, the difference between the channels that can be seen and
the ones that can't are the 5C implementation being set to 0 (can
see) or 1(can't see). The firmware of the 6412 is listed as 9.19.

When can I expect a fix to this problem? There was a message a while
ago saying that a new updated program guide would be coming out, and
although the new guide has appeared on my other cable box (non-DVR),
no change has yet come to my 6412.

I called the HD customer service, but they didn't have anything else
to suggest to me other than have a tech come out. If you have a new
version of the 6412 with larger storage capacity available, or enable
us to attach an external HD to the 6412, that might solve one of the
problems.

Thanks for replying, I know that I can count on your department to
give me real answers to my questions.

... Thanks for replying, I know that I can count on your department to
give me real answers to my questions.:) You're kidding right? This is Comcast we're talking about.

I'm going to be so hot when my 30 second skip goes away.

:) You're kidding right? This is Comcast we're talking about.Hard as it is to believe, I actually have gotten intelligent, informative responses using their online contact form. I used the form one time and saved the email they sent to ask other questions. If the person who gets the email doesn't know the answer, they forward it on to someone who does. I got an initial response yesterday within 1 hour, with a promise of a complete answer within 72 hours. We'll see. Better than beating my head against a wall after talking to one of the phone reps.

That's nice to hear. I just assumed they would be as inept via e-mail as they are on the phone. Like when I was reading here that the Moto 6412 was available at the local Comcast offices. I called to confirm and the lady told me they didn't have them in yet. I went in anyway and sure enough they had them. The phone CSRs are the last to know anything, and sometimes they never do know. I think a lot of them still think INHD is a pay-per-view OnDemand channel.

I'll second the endorsement of the online customer service. I had a billing problem when I got high speed internet added a few months back that 4 phone calls couldn't resolve (they apparently don't know how to pro-rate service for a partial month)...I sent a detailed email and my bill was corrected virtually immediately to my satisfaction.

The only knock I have about that instance is that nobody bothered to reply to my email saying they had addressed the problem at all. But at least it got fixed which they couldn't do over the phone.

I've never been so mad over being overcharged like $4 in my life. It's the principle of it though, if I underpaid my bill they wouldn't be happy either.

Within 15 minutes of my last post I got a phone call from the guy who knows what's going on in Pittsburgh (generated by my email contact, not the phone CSR). From talking to him, I learned that in mid August (between my 8-4 and 8-22 recordings), they put in a new computer software package that handles all of the encryption and firewire settings for all of the channels. These settings are not in the firmware, so there was not a firmware update. One of the new fields added was CCI, or Copy Control Interface, which must be where the flags are set to copy once, never, no more, or freely. I found in the diagnostic menu under Current Channel Status a label for CCI, and on the channels that won't pass through the firewire to my JVC 5U (all digital channels except for local HD), the field is set to 0x02. On the local HD channels, that field is 0x00. He promised to look into it and get back to me by tomorrow. He also said that he would want to get a DVHS recorder to try this out with his equipment.

daverph1,
This doesn't have to do with your issue but while you are on that page, If you are tuned to the local channels is RC Flag = 0x01 or 0x00? This is the problem I am having. Just wondering if someone elses shows up the same.

He promised to look into it and get back to me by tomorrow. He also said that he would want to get a DVHS recorder to try this out with his equipment.

Please keep us posted what you hear back. I'm having exactly the same problem in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area with the Comcast 6412 and the JVC 30K DVHS deck. Here it is just INHD and INHD2 that I can no longer record. I wrote about my problem in this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6159462#post6159462. I also used the web form to send Comcast a question. I'll keep you posted what I hear back also.

Thanks!

Joe

daverph1,
This doesn't have to do with your issue but while you are on that page, If you are tuned to the local channels is RC Flag = 0x01 or 0x00? This is the problem I am having. Just wondering if someone elses shows up the same.All of my digital, premium and local HD channels have RC = 0x02

Well that is interesting. All of my locals except WCWB-DT and QED have it = 1. The WPGH-DT actually sets it to 0 during the local news and commercials. Anyway, It ends up not allowing me to record through Firewire to a computer when set to 1. I was under the impression that it was coming from the stations and not from comcast(at least that is what motorola said.) I wonder why it would be different for you.

I'm not sure what the difference means cause I don't know what the RC flag does or what the settings mean. Although we're both Comcast in Pgh., I don't know if being in different head-end areas might be the reason, unless you're in the N. Hills too. As far as where the settings come from, I'd say Comcast sets them based on my conversation yesterday.

I don't know if being in different head-end areas might be the reason, unless you're in the N. Hills too. As far as where the settings come from, I'd say Comcast sets them based on my conversation yesterday.That is why it sounded strange to me. It is coming from the stations. i just wanted to know it was at your area. This isn't related to your issue because you can obviously record from the locals on your DVHS. I am using a computer. It stands for Redistribution Control Flag and sounds like the broadcast flag based on everyone I have talked to about it. But I can't get a good answer on if the stations are allowed to send it.

Talked to my Comcast friend today, he said that he made a change that he thought might correct the problem. Although he wouldn't specify the change he described it as a handshake problem. He asked if I could view/record HBO HD. At first when I turned the JVC on, I was getting the same grey screen with the error message. I remembered from some other thread that turning the 6412 off then on again would sometimes fix handshake issues, so I tried it, and it worked. I was able to record 'live' although I haven't tried scheduling a recording to the DVR and then archiving it yet. I did try to archive one of my movies recorded after 8/22, but I still got the error message. I'll mess around with it some more later. Any of you out there recording to your pc/mac thru firewire, you might want to give it a try for yourselves.

IMF4, I asked him about the RC flag but he wasn't familiar with where it came from (networks vs comcast). He did confirm that the same signal went out to all of the boxes in their service area.

Anybody notice the little blurb in Today's PG that Fox Sports Net is going to produce 10 Penguins games in HD (incl the opener).
How's anybody going to see it? Fox Sports Net on Armstrong is in the basic (analog) tier. I was hoping they would at least get a digital offering going. Since it's not OTA anywhere, they must be expecting to get on Comcast?

I saw that note too, and wondered the same. You would think they would have a cable outlet already arranged before they would do this. I hope Comcast picks them up.

Unless they produce them for HDnet or the mythical OLN-HD which we probably won't get.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Noticed last night that channel 220 on Comcast, WQED-DT (PBS HD), was not showing what was in the program guide. Instead it was showing some Charlie Rose interview in standard definition 4:3. Checking the analog WQED-13 (Comcast channel 9) it appeared that what the program guide showed for channel 220 was on there.

Was this intentional, or does this have something to do with WQED starting to multicast and we're getting the wrong channel on the digital?

I'll have to check to see if it's still happening when I get home.

EDIT: Still showing non-HD stuff tonight, 9/15.

EDIT #2: what they're showing where PBS HD used to be is something called "pbsyou"

EDIT #3: back to normal PBS-HD as of Friday night.

I heard the FSN PGH and Armstrong plan discussions soon on the HD Hockey productions. Hopefully they will work out something. Its about time FSN went digital.

What about comcast? I want to be able to watch the penguins in hd.

also comcast is building out in new cities around my area, who do i need to contact to find out where they're going to be building new systems and what channels and services will be offered there. I hope they are building out to compete directly with jefferson county cable because I am probably moving to an area serviced by jefferson county cable and they don't have internet or digital cable yet, just 43 channels on analog cable.

I am in Montgomery County Maryland (Washington DC suburb) and recently I found I can get nothing across the firewire from a Motorola 6208 to a JVC DH5U except a 480i 4:3 signal. This is on ALL channels including ALL HD channels: HBO, SHOWTIME, INHD, and all the local HD broadcast available over the air.

The CSR told me that Comcast didn't allow recording from the DVR. I am encouraged by these posts and will try their web page.

I am in Montgomery County Maryland (Washington DC suburb) and recently I found I can get nothing across the firewire from a Motorola 6208 to a JVC DH5U except a 480i 4:3 signal. This is on ALL channels including ALL HD channels: HBO, SHOWTIME, INHD, and all the local HD broadcast available over the air.

The CSR told me that Comcast didn't allow recording from the DVR. I am encouraged by these posts and will try their web page.

Today I got this response to email I posted at the Comcast website:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear William Cruce,
Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable. I will be happy to assist you .
Unfortunately i will have to confirm the information that the CSR gave you. As you
know this action is possible but the port which will allow for such ability is
disabled in Montgomery County. Hopefully this will not be the case in the future.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to respond directly to this email.
We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Thank you for choosing Comcast.
Sincerely,
Nanga
Comcast Customer Care Specialist
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So what's the deal? Does the consumer have any recording rights anymore?

according to the HDTV forum, all the Penguins home games on HDnet will be blacked out locally. this SUCKS. i can't believe that FSN will be doing 10 games in HD this year yet we won't be able to see them. HDnet is broadcasting 3 Penguins home games in HD just in the first month of the season, yet as of today unless things change nobody in pittsburgh will be able to see these games in HD according to all the info in the HDTV Programming forum that was posted. ridiculous.

i got a "No news yet on HD" from a source who talked to FSN. I believe from another forum that HDNET replays the broadcasts and the replays are not blacked out. Can't believe they wont find an outlet on local cable.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05274/580873.stm

Penguins in focus for some viewers
Armstrong Cable first with high def
Saturday, October 01, 2005

By Bob Smizik, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Armstrong Cable customers figure to be the first in the area to see Penguins games in high definition television, but FSN Pittsburgh is hopeful that the programming soon will be available in the homes of all cable customers.

Armstrong and FSN are expected to announce an agreement next week that will enable the cable provider to carry regular FSN programming and also add a channel for FSN HD programming.

FSN will carry 10 Penguins games in high definition this season with the first being the home opener Saturday.

Armstrong is the third largest cable provider in the Pittsburgh DMA (designated market area). Comcast, the largest, and Adelphia, No. 2, have not reached agreement to carry FSN's high definition programming.

However, FSN vice president and general manager Steve Tello said, "Once one of the providers starts to offer HD, we would hope the others would make the same offering to their customers."

As of late yesterday, though, there had been no negotiations on the local level between FSN and the two major providers. It is not unusual for such deals to be worked out on the national level.

Tello also said FSN will be doing some Pirates games in high definition next season.

Little has changed in the past month regarding the various cable provider deals with OLN (Outdoor Life Network), which is the major national voice of the NHL.

Most of Comcast's nearly 600,000 customers have OLN as part of their cable package. Armstrong and Adelphia, however, have not come to an agreement with OLN and none appears to be in the offing.

Although OLN has been available to Adelphia customers who have the digital-plus plan, OLN has told the provider NHL games will not be available as part of that package.

David Wittman, the director of marketing for Armstrong, said, "We don't expect to have OLN in time for the start of the hockey season. OLN is in the process of bidding for other sports content with the NFL and MLB. Because of that right now we don't know what they are going to have and what it is going to cost."

HDNet, a high definition network, will carry about 50 NHL games this season.

For those of you not following the HD programming thread regarding OLN's HD hockey coverage, it seems at the very least the OLN national game season opener Wednesday Oct. 5th will be shown on INHD1 on Comcast.

Just got the comcast DVR with an HDMI output, is it worth using the HDMI vs. the component cables?

Plex,

Could you check the Firmware number on your box. I returned two of the Phase III boxes because if you hook up with HDMI, anything recorded does not output sound in 5.1. Greensburg office was no help in solving the problem so I went back to a Phase II box. (The one with DVI.)

Since I have taken the box back 3 weeks ago, apparently some other users on the forum are reporting the problem solved with firmware 12.22.

Thanks.

Armstrong Channel 179 up in the Guide, but with no info. Could this be the long awaited Fox Sports Net HD channel?

from Armstrong CSR...its a temp channel..will not mirror FSN, but will be active during 10 pens games that FSN is doing in HD. To record, set PVR to record for time and channel. the tv guide may or may not show the programming..i got the sense it would not.
i was hoping for a mirror, but this will do.

I just saw on FSN that Adelphia will also carry the HD feed on Channel 769.

So here in the Pittsburgh area (Comcast) we won't have the Pens game in HD? What a waste. They broadcast it in HD, but we can't watch it in HD :(

So here in the Pittsburgh area (Comcast) we won't have the Pens game in HD? What a waste. They broadcast it in HD, but we can't watch it in HD :(

The PG had a large advertisement in the sports section this morning advertising the FSN HD on Armstrong and Adelphia. I am sure that this puts the pressure on Comcast to come into agreement also.
But on the other hand, I thought Direct TV coming into agreement with the Duce would bring Comcast into the fold. Shows what I know about negotiations.

Be sure to email Comcast....you'll get the canned answer, ("...we don't currently offer FSN HD at this time, but I'll pass your request along to the marketing dept...blah blah blah...")
but maybe, just maybe, someone's paying attention.

They are having problems with FSN HD so you are not missing anything. The screen has never even showed a picture. They are yet to broadcast a picture ever on Armstrong 179 FSN HD.

Yup Armstrong FSN HD does not work as i have armstrong and channel 179 is inactive. Im pretty pissed as i would have loved to see the PENS in hidef tonight.

As of 8:29 PM FSN HD is active on Armstrong. Seems as though someone forgot to push a switch or something. Anyways im happy now. Looks good too!

They just got it on now. The whole first period was missed.

drat...quirk in the 6412...i had it set up to record at 7 (for Sportsbeat) and at 7:30-10:15 on channel 179. It appeared to record...chewed up the disk space, but when i tried to playback the recording the 6412 is stuck on 0:00 because there was no signal. Unable to fast forward to the point when Armstrong threw the switch. Too bad I couldn't go to the "end" and rewind.

I had Fox Sports Pittsburgh HD for the Penguin game the other night. They showed one game and now the channel is black. I have ADELPHIA Channel 729 I think. Anyone else have this problem with FOX SPORTS Pittsburgh HD?

I had Fox Sports Pittsburgh HD for the Penguin game the other night. They showed one game and now the channel is black. I have ADELPHIA Channel 729 I think. Anyone else have this problem with FOX SPORTS Pittsburgh HD?I don't know for sure because I'm Comcast and we don't have it, but think that's all there is - there is no FSN Pittsburgh HD content for now except some select Pens home games. Maybe eventually they will simulcast the SD FSN content on there (hopefully without stretching)?

Here's my setup:
Comcast dual tuner box using component cables to a non-high def TV (but TV has component inputs.)

Comcast box is set to 480I to see the picture.

Viewing the high-def channels is amazing, I know its not true hi-def, but what a difference compared to the analog counterpart. NASCAR and Steelers blows people away at my house, and its not even true hi-def.

Question: Talked to a comcast representative today on the phone, and he stated "a high-def signal going to a non-hi def TV will fry the circuit board on your TV" I said even if the TV has component inputs, he said "yes." "Comcast will not be held responsible for any repairs on your TV."

What do you think? I think Comast is crazy about this.

Thanks, Brian

Yes, I think you can safely ignore that rubbish. Unless I'm missing somethign, either a signal can be used by your TV or it can't. It won't "fry" anything.

Absolutely, positively 100% incorrect info from the Comcast rep...(shocking, I know!)

Anyone having problems with cablecard using ADELPHIA service, the reps said that all service is down and keep pushing the box (hard), south hills area

According to FoxSports website, FoxSportsPGH is going to show HD again tomorrow night (Nov 10) for sportsbeat, pens vs habs, postgame, and best damn. Hopefully, Armstrong won't be asleep at the switch.

watched the Pens game on FSN-HD tonight via Adelphia in Monroeville. Looked great. I really hope they do most (all?) of the Pirates home games in HD next season.

When will UPN 19 be going HD?

When will UPN 19 be going HD?See this post from last weekend in the Pittsburgh OTA thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6602063&&#post6602063

includes a link to a post-gazette article, which I'll repeat here:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05308/600378.stm

Some tidbits about KDKA-DT digital audio problems and Comcast HD channels in today's Post-Gazette TV Q&A (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05336/615674.stm).

The talk here is about sound dropouts, which do occur too often, but no mention of the continuing problem of the sound delay (lip synch) on KDKA-DT.Q: In one of your previous Q&As, I remember you mentioning that CBS was going to fix the problem with sound drop-outs of their digital feed. While watching the second part of the two-part "CSI" Nov. 17, the sound drop-outs were constant again. I can understand that HDTV is a new concept, but it seems as if the dropouts always occur during crucial lines. Is there any word on when this is going to be resolved?
My second question is regarding new HDTV channels on Comcast. There hasn't been an addition to the HD lineup since TNT in April. With ESPN2-HD already out for awhile and no carriage and new networks such as FOX-HD, MHD (MTV HD), FOOD-HD expected to launch in early 2006, have we run out of bandwidth for new channels? Is Comcast going to add Fox Sports HD, I believe Armstrong has it.

-- Anthony, Brookline

1) Basically, they're still working on it. Here's what KDKA general manager Chris Pike had to say: "We have been working with our network, equipment manufacturers and area cable systems to resolve the digital audio issue. After attempting some software upgrades, we are in the process of replacing our digital audio encoder, which we are hopeful will fix the problem. Audio is sent to us as data and converted by a decoder to sound and then is converted back to data by the digital audio encoder for the digital audio feed. We believe that this is where the intermittent problem is occurring and have decided rather than try additional software upgrades to replace the entire unit. For all of our digital viewers, we are hopeful that this will be the solution."

2) According to a spokesman, "Comcast is currently finalizing negotiations with dozens of channels to bring additional HD signals to our lineup in the near future. As part of these negotiations, Comcast wants to make sure each of programmers have a substantial amount of HD content to ensure an ultimate viewing experience for the customer. Comcast has plenty of bandwidth available."

Some tidbits about KDKA-DT digital audio problems and Comcast HD channels in today's Post-Gazette TV Q&A (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05336/615674.stm).

According to a spokesman, "Comcast is currently finalizing negotiations with dozens of channels to bring additional HD signals to our lineup in the near future. As part of these negotiations, Comcast wants to make sure each of programmers have a substantial amount of HD content to ensure an ultimate viewing experience for the customer. Comcast has plenty of bandwidth available."

Wow! Is that a Comcast Bill increase in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? :rolleyes:

IMO it is the least that Comcast should be doing for us high rollers with HD service since we pay the highest bills, we should get the largest piece of the pie in return.

Well from what I understand Comcast HAS run out of bandwidth in my area and that's why I don't have INHD2 or TNT-HD like surrounding Pgh. area systems....so could this possibly be another case of a Comcast representative not knowing what they're talking about? Hmmmm.....

Maybe they're using that rate increase to upgrade my system. HA!

nice to see my questions getting so much discussion

Just talked w/service rep, i was told that CC will be upgrading all of there analog channels to digital by march '06 but still have analogs also.

Wondering if anyone else is having this issue:

Most if not all my digital channels seem like their made up of little boxes, which creates blurriness, ghosting, bad response times. Its really bad on the Sci-Fi channel. DVR'd The Triangle, and it was at times almost impossible to watch.

Had Comcast out once, said my signal was low and installed a signal booster. HDTV is just fine with no problems. Comcast Internet has no problems.

Also, I live in the south section of PGH, and my parents live in Versailles Boro, and in my opinion, the quality is just as bad there as it is here, which makes me believe it may not be something wrong with my line.

With Comcast advertising 100% digital quality, my buddies Dish still looks 100% better. Isn't Comcast digital supposed to be on par with the satellites?

Thanks with any input,
Brian

Has anyone been having problems with SciFi and DWTAE reception lately on Comcast?

DWTAE is breaking up intermittently for me right now watching Lost. The last couple Sundays I've been watching Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy in SD on WTAE because DWTAE has been unwatchable.

SciFi has been unwatchable for me for weeks now. I mostly try flipping to it at night and get the "One Moment Please" message forever.

This is happening on both of the Comcast Motorola HDTV tuners in my house in Sq Hill.

I somewhat suspect that maybe one of the cable splitters I'm using doesn't have enough bandwidth, but things were working fine for months with the same wiring setup. Did Comcast do something within the last two months to push those channels up to higher frequencies?

Has anyone been having problems with SciFi and DWTAE reception lately on Comcast?

DWTAE is breaking up intermittently for me right now watching Lost. The last couple Sundays I've been watching Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy in SD on WTAE because DWTAE has been unwatchable.

SciFi has been unwatchable for me for weeks now. I mostly try flipping to it at night and get the "One Moment Please" message forever.

This is happening on both of the Comcast Motorola HDTV tuners in my house in Sq Hill.

I somewhat suspect that maybe one of the cable splitters I'm using doesn't have enough bandwidth, but things were working fine for months with the same wiring setup. Did Comcast do something within the last two months to push those channels up to higher frequencies?
comcast always does somethin

Noticed NFLHD added on channel 209 here in Moon. :)

Go STEELERS!!!

Noticed NFLHD added on channel 209 here in Moon. :)

Go STEELERS!!!Yes, it's on here too. I wonder if that is permanent, or just because of the Super Bowl. Didn't they temporarily put NFLHD on once before, only to pull it later?

I presume that this means we can catch the Game of the Week in HD on here rather than INHD2.

Yep, we've got it too in the North Boros.
It was Super Bowl week(s) last year they added it also, and it was gone the Monday after.

I just don't get how they can "make room" for this for 2 weeks when they claim they can't add other channels, unless they dump something I don't know about during that time.

Game of the week in HD on INHD2? Must be nice... :rolleyes:

I noticed a new message on the box last night, saying that a "Free Preview" of NFL Channel HD will be on Channel 209 through 02/28/06. Will require an HD box or Cablecard, blah, blah.

Now, is that implying that it will be a pay channel after the free preview expires, or will it just disappear, or what?

Also noticed that they showed the NFC championship game in HD on "Game of the Week," both on 209 (NFLHD) and 226 (INHD2) last night.

I noticed a new message on the box last night, saying that a "Free Preview" of NFL Channel HD will be on Channel 209 through 02/28/06. Will require an HD box or Cablecard, blah, blah.

Now, is that implying that it will be a pay channel after the free preview expires, or will it just disappear, or what?

Also noticed that they showed the NFC championship game in HD on "Game of the Week," both on 209 (NFLHD) and 226 (INHD2) last night.

Good question. Did you see the full page ad today in the PG? After the Superbowl what would there be to watch anyways. Save the bandwidth for those "Dozens of new HD Channels to be added." :rolleyes:

Anyways, my bulb blew on Monday, and I'm watching the game on a 19 in Daewoo, so I'm not all that concerned. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Look on the bright side...your bulb could've gone out during the 12 hours of pregame before the Super Bowl...

Armstrong has added Universal HD. Just noticed it tonight.

Do we have Universal HD? I'm still without my bulb and totally without resources to check it, except for you. I use TitanTV to keep track of my HD channels and their programming and today I asked it to add UHD on 228. It did! :confused:

I do not believe it would have unless it is there somewhere; maybe 228 was wrong but is it there? People around the country are having it added and I was wandering if we were included.

Do we have Universal HD? I'm still without my bulb and totally without resources to check it, except for you. I use TitanTV to keep track of my HD channels and their programming and today I asked it to add UHD on 228. It did! :confused:

I do not believe it would have unless it is there somewhere; maybe 228 was wrong but is it there? People around the country are having it added and I was wandering if we were included.

Nothing here in Moon yet. Same old line up still. :rolleyes:
(By the way....228 is HBOHD)

Looks like I spoke to soon. UHD has been added on channel 215! :D

A note about Pirate games in HD on FSN, at least for the fortunate few. What cable companies have this? Armstrong is one I think. Who else? Wonder if Comcast will ever even consider it. Probably not till they get all games in HD like some markets have.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06046/655509.stm (Pirates Q&A)
Q. With the Pirates releasing their television schedule on FSN, I was wondering if they have any intention of broadcasting games in HD? I believe that FSN has or will broadcast up to 10 games in HD this year for the Penguins.

Jeffrey Stonebrook of Murrysville

KOVACEVIC: Yes, Jeffrey, there will be 15 games broadcast in HD, although, as was the case with the Penguins' games, they will be available only through a couple of periphery cable outlets.

That will begin with the April 10 home opener against the Dodgers. A complete list of those ran in the print edition of the Post-Gazette Thursday morning as part of the full TV schedule.

Anyone know anything about when Comcast's digital simulcast will be rolling out for this area?
I called them tonight and got a "huh?" from 3 different people.

Anyone know anything about when Comcast's digital simulcast will be rolling out for this area?
I called them tonight and got a "huh?" from 3 different people.


I was told that roll-out would start after March

I was told that roll-out would start after March

Thanks, Plex!

Hondo21,

About the Pirate games...you are correct Armstrong carries FSP-HD and so does Adelphia.

My question for you guys is this...when my cable switches from Adelphia to Comcast, am I going to lose my FSP-HD and ESPN2HD? I hope not, but I am fearful that I am going to lose it. I was told by a guy at the Bethel Park Adelphia office that the switch would occur in the 2nd quarter of 2006.

My question for you guys is this...when my cable switches from Adelphia to Comcast, am I going to lose my FSP-HD and ESPN2HD? I hope not, but I am fearful that I am going to lose it. I was told by a guy at the Bethel Park Adelphia office that the switch would occur in the 2nd quarter of 2006.

I have ADELPHIA too (Monroeville), and I heard that Adelphia customers willl not lose any of our current HD channels.

What channels are available for HDTV for Armstrong Cable? thanks. Sorry, it is contained in this thread. Couldn't find the exact channels.

What channels are available for HDTV for Armstrong Cable? thanks. Sorry, it is contained in this thread. Couldn't find the exact channels.

102 KDKA CBS - PITTSBURGH, PA
104 WTAE ABC - PITTSBURGH, PA
109 WPGH FOX PITTSBURGH, PA
111 WPXI NBC - PITTSBURGH, PA
113 WQED PBS - PITTSBURGH, PA
120 TNT HD
121 WEALTHTV HD
180 NFL NETWORK HD
185 ESPN HD (HD ADVANTAGE) *
186 HDNET (HD ADVANTAGE) *
187 HDNET MOVIES (HD ADVANTAGE) *
188 UNIVERSAL HD (HD ADVANTAGE)
190 SHOWTIME HDTV*
198 CINEMAX HDTV *
199 HBO HDTV*

What I'd like to know is what happened to Universal HD and NFL HD in my area. I feel like I'm getting ripped off when it comes to HD in the Dormont Area. I know I have less HD channels than other areas but I am paying the same price for them. Here are the HD Channels in this area:

WTAE-TV HD
WPXI-TV HD
KDKA-TV HD
WPGH-TV HD
WQED-TV HD
DISCOVERY HD
INHD
ESPN HD

And of course my pay channels HBO, Showtime in HD.

Where is UHD, NFLHD, INHD2, WCWB-HD, and TNT-HD?

here's a question for Ross twp. comcast people:

i lived in bellevue and i was getting inhd and i was able to get hd movies on demand.

i just moved to ross twp this past weekend, got my hd service activated here, and i come to discover that i can no longer receive the inhd network and there is no section in my on demand menu for hd content. when i try to watch inhd, it says not authorized.

i contacted comcast about this, they said it's possible (but apparently didn't know or bother to look it up) that in ross, i won't get inhd or hd movies on demand. just seems strange since ross is so much larger of an area than bellevue, not to mention the average income is a lot higher, and would theoretically make for more hd subscribers. just seems weird to me, and i'm having trouble getting any definitive answers from comcast (surprise surprise.)

if anyone in the ross area could help me out, i'd appreciate it.

as of right now, these are all of the channels i'm getting:

wpxihd
kdkahd
foxhd
abchd
espnhd
shohd
hbohd
dischd
wqedhd

and like i said, no inhd anymore and no hd on demand anymore.

What, you don't think the blue haired grannies that take 10 minutes to cross Lincoln to catch the earlybird special at the Rusty Nail are into HDTV???? :p
Ahh, they're probably OTA-only...


I don't know the answer to your question about Ross...but I'm over in Avalon and while we have INHD...I haven't seen any HD On Demand content for months and months...so who knows.

I thought Ross/Bellevue/Avalon were all receiving the same offerings, which along with some South Hills neighborhoods, lack a few HD channels that others in the area get.

As far as INHD goes...did you ask them to send the signal to your box? I really think you should be getting that, esp. if it's in your channel guide. If it's not available, it shouldn't even be there in the guide.

HD On demand you're probably out of luck.

scott, i just laughed for about 10 minutes reading your thing about the early bird special....couldn't be more true!!! don't forget about them goin into the kuhn's on lincoln, pullin in without usin their turn signals, because somehow other drivers are supposed to know that they're going into kuhn's.

and thanks for your input. i guess i kind of am screwed with hd on demand. just i know i had it in bellevue, i watched madagascar and was going to watch war of the worlds in hd, there was a seperate section for it in the on demand menu, but oh well, guess i can't have it all.

the inhd does strike me as weird too, i probably should be getting that. i'm going to call them again today to try to get them to send me the signal. it's been about three days since i've had the box installed so that should've been plenty of time.

again, thanks for your hilarious and insightful response!

the deal with Ross has nothing to do with population, but is due to the fact that the system hasnt been upgraded yet from a 550 mhz system. its not that comcast is not letting you have the channels, its just that theres no room for them on your system. hang in there because someday they will upgrade them

I can't get UPN-HD. What channel is it? I also have a sony hard drive recorder and can't find it on there.I live near monroville.

upn-hd isnt on the comcast system. with it becoming CW this fall, that probably will change

upn-hd isnt on the comcast system. with it becoming CW this fall, that probably will change

Not necessarily. As has been discussed here a lot, WNPA has yet to have a digital signal as they have been going around and around with the FCC over their tower construction.

here's a question for Ross twp. comcast people:

i lived in bellevue and i was getting inhd and i was able to get hd movies on demand.

i just moved to ross twp this past weekend, got my hd service activated here, and i come to discover that i can no longer receive the inhd network and there is no section in my on demand menu for hd content. when i try to watch inhd, it says not authorized.

i contacted comcast about this, they said it's possible (but apparently didn't know or bother to look it up) that in ross, i won't get inhd or hd movies on demand. just seems strange since ross is so much larger of an area than bellevue, not to mention the average income is a lot higher, and would theoretically make for more hd subscribers. just seems weird to me, and i'm having trouble getting any definitive answers from comcast (surprise surprise.)

if anyone in the ross area could help me out, i'd appreciate it.

as of right now, these are all of the channels i'm getting:

wpxihd
kdkahd
foxhd
abchd
espnhd
shohd
hbohd
dischd
wqedhd

and like i said, no inhd anymore and no hd on demand anymore.

I am in Ross and I cant either,
My brother lives in Shaler and he too cannot get inhd and tnt-hd.

But I cant understand why they can fit in nfl-hd for a month and I had no problems whatsoever, as well as with universal hd during the olympics.
So there is bandwidth left...
Would be nice to know when they are going to update the system.

From the Pirates TV truck...those of you who can see this game today in HD, let me know how it looks.

I just bought a Samsung LN3251D with built in ATSC tuner. I'm getting analog cable straight from the cable wall outlet via coaxial plug. I'm using regular rabbit ear type antennae to pick up OTA channels. I live in Southside just off Carson St. I live on the 2nd floor and my antennae is right near the window.

First I'm assuming that DT and HD are entirely different. Is this correct? I notice HD signals to be much clearer, except for one (WCWB-HD) I say this because WTAE (ABC) shows up as DT and it doesn't appear very sharp. At times, the faces have that "clay appearance" and some noticeable pixelation. Is this what other people are experiencing? I can only assume its either a regional thing or a signal strength related problem (however, I'm getting 5 out of 8 bars). Other channels seem to be more clear even with 5 bars. Going back to WCWB-HD, it's not as sharp as I'd like it to be and pixelated as well. Again, signal strength seems ok (5 out of 8).

And why does it show up as 4:3 even though the signal says it's 16:9? Only certain channels I noticed actually show up as 16:9. I'm sorta confused.

Is anyone experiencing this problem or do you think its the tv or antennae problem? Thanks for your help!!

Ok, I'll try this one more time...
We are airing Friday's Pirates/Cubs game in HD on Adelphia and Armstrong.
If you are able to see the game, please let me know how it looks.

Mark,

I had a chance to see a little of both the Pirates home opener and the Friday night game at my brother's home on FSN HD on Adelphia. The tv is a new Samsung 50" DLP and everything looked stunning! No complaints at all. That is except that I am still unable to receive FSN HD on Comcast in Moon. I sure hope Comcast comes around soon.

As do I, being a Comcast subscriber myself. Thanks, Eric.

Is anyone locally getting ESPN2 HD yet? Nothing in my area as of 6am but that is typical.

a friend said it showed up for him this morning... he is in West Moreland County near New Kensington. Channel 253 he said I believe. I am in a different state.

up on 253

Is anyone locally getting ESPN2 HD yet? Nothing in my area as of 6am but that is typical.

253 here in Canonsburg. We have plenty of bandwidth in this area, UHD was never removed and TNT, INHD, INHD2 were always here.

It did not look very special this morning, an obvious upconvert of a radio program.

Yeah, I figured it would be 253...if anyone in the Ross/Bellevue/Avalon service areas gets it please give us a shout. I'm not holding my breath since we don't have UHD/INHD2/TNT either. Even if we do get it, in my 'hood, I expect it to be a temporary thing for the World Cup along the lines of UHD for the Olympics.

Please Verizon, bring FIOS to my neighborhood since the $150/month I donate to poor old Comcast apparently isn't enough to offset the cost of upgrading our local infrastructure. :rolleyes:

It's on 253 in Oakdale also. The ESPN2 World Cup feed is the best looking HD sports I've seen yet.

Thanks to Comcast for adding this in time for the tourney. And BS to ESPN/ABC/Disney for putting the biggest global sporting event mostly on ESPN2 so that they can show Sportscenter re-runs and The View on the other channels.

Err maybe if we put the World Cup on ESPN2, people will ask their cable/satellite providers to add the station...

Question for CableCard users in Pittsburgh -- who manufactures the cards used by Comcast -- Motorola, Scientific Atlanta or ???

mds

Anyone have an new HD stations, or hear of anythng coming to the area. I live in Penn Hills and have had nothing new!

Nope, nothing in Ross/Bellevue/Avalon, still the same old stuff, although I did notice that HDTV on demand was back as an option after it had disappeared for a while (with about 6 outdated movies I have absolutely zero interest in watching! YAY!)

Monopolies are the greatest!!

First time poster here, long time HDTV viewer. I see some people in Chicago and New England area have gotten MHD, and N. England people got NEFSN. My girlfriend, who lives in Upper St. Clair and has adelphia, receives Pittsburgh Fox Sports Network in HD. I believe Armstrong offers this too, when watching pirates games on FSN I see "Watch it in HD on such and such channel on Adelphia or Armstrong." Any word on Comcast getting us Pitt FSNHD, or MHD. Do we have enough bandwidth to add anymore channels at this time? It is nice to have ESPN2 though I will say. I'm glad they rolled that out here in the southside, and Pittsburgh.

I live in Upper St Clair and just switched from Dish and OTA HD to Adelphia, "soon" to be Comcast. The Fox Sports network in HD is great, but for some reason Fox and WB are not in HD. Looks like I'll have to put back the $19.99 rabbit ears for Fox 53 (never was able to get 22 WB HD).

Oh man, check this thread out! Hello all.

After reading this thread, though, I am disgusted. Why are certain areas not receiving additional HD channels? I'm in Baldwin Boro, out of the Castle Shannon head-end. We have half of the national HD channels the rest of my neighbors have. I'm very concerned that NFL HD is not here but some of you have it. I guess I'll have to find a different place to watch the Browns game in Dec if I want to see it in HD :(

Anybody know why we are suffering compared to others? I have full HSI (8 meg) and CDV here, is bandwidth really the issue?

I don't know why we are left out of the fun, all I know is I haven't had a full time permanent HD channel added in well over a year and I'm not happy about it!!

Made the switch to Dish...very happy with my choice.

Well, I've been a Comcast customer for the past 10 years (including the AT&T years). I've never really liked them, especially since I'm in the North Hills and we don't get most of the HD channels. However, I never really liked the idea of getting satellite service so I stuck with Comcast.

Well, I recently moved into a newly constructed home. About two weeks before I moved in, I asked Comcast to set up service. This would require running a new cable line to one utility pole and then running it underground to the house. I had previously installed conduit for the underground run, so they wouldn't need to do any digging.

When I called, they told me it would be about a month to get the engineering survey done to get my new address added to the system. This seemed like a long time, but I figured it was my fault for not calling sooner. After a month went by, I called and they basically had no record of my order (even though I had talked to the Comcast guys that were doing the job one day at my place). The lady I talked to this time said it shouldn't take a month and that it should be done in one week. I called back in a week...they still couldn't tell me anything about my order but would call me back with details. Of course I didn't get a call back so I called again a couple of days later. Still no update. Called again...no update. This went on for another two weeks. I probably called a total of 5 times. Each time they said they would call me but they never did.

One of the last reps I talked to "Guaranteed" that she would have more information for me last Monday (it was Wednesday). I told her that if I called on Monday and they didn't know anything, I would go with Dish. Well, I called on Monday and guess what...they still didn't know anything. I told them to cancel my order because I was going with Dish.

I called Dish Monday night, and they scheduled my install for Saturday. I needed a second satellite dish, so they came out on Sunday to complete the installation. Talk about customer service! I waited two months on Comcast, and Dish gets me installed in less than a week...and even worked on Sunday.

As a side note, Comcast did get my outside installation complete after I had told them to cancel my order. Needless to say, I'm not starting service with them...especially after they poked some screw holes in my siding to mount their cable. These holes were not at all necessary and were made after I cancelled.

As for Dish, the only downside is that they don't have the HD locals. They are supposed to be in Pittsburgh in the next couple of months, so I'll suffer with an OTA antenna until then.

I couldn't be happier to be away from Comcast. I have FIOS for my Internet and Dish for my TV. Maybe I'll switch to FIOS TV when it's ready, but maybe not. The only thing I know is no more Comcast for me.

I too have had problems with Comcast customer service lately. We had a small power outage and my DVR reset this past Saturday. The only problem was, when the power came back on, it never could download our media guide info, we lost our DVR recordings, On Demand didn't work, etc. etc. All the channels however still worked.

I called them and they couldn't send a signal, so they set me up with a service technician to come by yesterday. I never saw or heard a technician come by, so when I called to find out why they didn't stop by, the rep said that they mistakenly assigned my service call to a technician "THAT DOESN'T EXIST". They apologized, gave me some credits, blah blah, but the fact that we were waiting around for someone who didn't exist created quite a bit of frustration. We now have another scheduled service for Wednesday, but how can I trust that they'll show up. Luckily, my wife was willing to take some time off from work today and plans to pick us up a new DVR, sacrificing the fact we will not recover any of our DVR recordings.

The plusses of being hostage with Comcast is that replacements and service are free, but I guess we have to compromise those plusses with poor customer service.

One of those win, lose situations.

I live in Canonsburg and lost INHD2. I called Comcast and they had no idea what I was talking about. I can't possibly be the only one who lost it. They told me that they will call me back on Friday ..... (It's Tuesday) GOD I LOVE COMCAST!!!

I live an Canonsburg and lost INHD2. I called Comcast and they had no idea what I was talking about. I can't possibly be the only one who lost it. They told me that they will call me back on Friday ..... (It's Tuesday) GOD I LOVE COMCAST!!!Don't bother. INHD2 (227) is now gone. But MHD (209) has now appeared. That's Music High Definition, by MTV. Doesn't even have program guide information yet. It's happening in Comcast markets all over the country lately.

I just noticed last night that when I went to use guide, there were advertisements at the bottom. Is this a new thing, or has this been going on and I just didn't notice it?

I just noticed last night that when I went to use guide, there were advertisements at the bottom. Is this a new thing, or has this been going on and I just didn't notice it?

Really sucks doesn't it. I called Customer Service 5 minutes after I saw it and told them so. The only reason I should have to tolerate commercial ads on the EPG is if they just got a lot of money from someone and plan to "share the wealth" with us by adding a whole lot of the new HD channels that are now available to others but not us. :rolleyes: Yea, that's the ticket.

Just to let you guys know, HDTV is going to be $5 a mo. charge starting next month. Notice should appear on your next bill.


The ad's are gone!

If they dare start charging me for that joke they call an HDTV package I am going to go ballistic.

I pity the fool that answers my customer service call that day...

Just to let you guys know, HDTV is going to be $5 a mo. charge starting next month. Notice should appear on your next bill.

You have gotta be kidding me! I love Monopolies!! Why can't PA just let Verizon bring Fios TV here and maybe this kind of crap would stop. You go out and pay $2k for a decient TV and they feel that they should squeeze you for another $60/year. Give me FSN-HD, HDNet, HD Net Movies and National Geographic HD and I'll gladly give you $10 per month.

Trying to watch Pitt vs Cinn on ESPN2. It's bad enough that Comcast won't upgrade their equipment to give us the HD version in the North Hills, but this SD signal is unbearably bad. This is a national broadcast? It looks like something out of the 1950s, no resolution, jaggy lines, jerky motion, horizontal rolling scan lines. I know that the Moto 6412 (Phase2) has bad SD, but this is worse than anything I've ever seen.

if i were stuck on a 750mhz system, i would have ordered the dish a year ago

You're right about the dish. I left D* when Comcan't brought out the 6208. It's obvious they will never upgrade our system here. I normally don't watch anything in SD, but on occasion I have to and that's when I notice how bad it is. It didn't improve when I watched the analog signal without going through the dvr. What I can't understand is, the game was being broadcast on ESPN2-HD. They had to be starting out with a decent enough signal. Why down-rez and compress it so much that it becomes unwatchable? If they start charging extra for 'HD package', I'm gone. Glad I left my dish on the roof.

Does anyone know anything about when WPCW will be on digitally??

Does anyone know anything about when WPCW will be on digitally??

Rob Owen TV Q&A from September 22, 2006

Q: Yet another question about the new CW network. I have a high-definition TV and have been enjoying watching over-the-air broadcasts in HD. Last season Channel 19 didn't have HD, but Channel 22 did. Now that the new CW network is on Channel 19, will they be broadcasting in high definition, or will I be forced to suffer through watching "Supernatural" in low-def? If they're not broadcasting in high definition, any idea when they'll start?


-- Rose, Pittsburgh

Rob: Get ready to suffer. And blame the government. WPCW Channel 19 is still awaiting permission from the FCC to begin construction that will make an HD signal available to local CW viewers.

if i were stuck on a 750mhz system, i would have ordered the dish a year ago
What's wrong with a 750MHz system? Most of them have more than a decent HD line-up, all digital simulcast, and CDV. You must be referring to a 550MHz plant. 750MHz is the most prevalent for Comcast markets and is the second most efiicient as there are some 860MHz plants out there(as in Comcast markets, I know that higher bandwidth systems exist in other companies).

Speaking of digital simulcast, I just realized there was such a thing. I live in Moon Twp. Anyone know if there are any plans to roll it out here?

I would love to have a clearer picture on the SD channels, without having to hear the wife complain about having to tune to 235 or whatever because *I* think 24 comes in clearer in the hi-def digital than in the analog. In our case it is merely a matter of clarity, as we don't have a hi-def set, but do have the DVR.

Now into the second season of FSN-HD Penguins coverage and no FSN-HD on Comcast. Way to go, Comcast. Can't wait to watch the Buccos in SD this summer!

Speaking of digital simulcast, I just realized there was such a thing. I live in Moon Twp. Anyone know if there are any plans to roll it out here?

I would love to have a clearer picture on the SD channels, without having to hear the wife complain about having to tune to 235 or whatever because *I* think 24 comes in clearer in the hi-def digital than in the analog. In our case it is merely a matter of clarity, as we don't have a hi-def set, but do have the DVR.

The 3 times I've inquired via telephone about this to Comcast, I've been told there is no such thing and that all channels were available in HD with the correct box.
I really wish they'd get the CSR folks up to speed on this already, even if it's not coming to us that soon. It just makes them look bad when they obviously have no clue what digital simulcast is.

Now into the second season of FSN-HD Penguins coverage and no FSN-HD on Comcast. Way to go, Comcast. Can't wait to watch the Buccos in SD this summer!

MrGonk,

Where have you been? You started this thread and then you were gone, gone, gone. "Gone like the 59 Cadillac!"

Anyways, here is good news from the Post's online only this morning.

Q: When will Fox Sports Pittsburgh be made available to Comcast customers in high definition? It makes no sense that people who live in Pittsburgh are unable to pull Penguin and Pirate games in HD. Are there any plans to make this happen soon?
-- Greg, Pittsburgh

Rob: You're in luck, Greg, and you have excellent timing.

"We're pleased that we will soon be able to add Penguins and Pirates games to the list of HD programming and hope to communicate with our customers shortly about this latest enhancement," a spokeswoman wrote in a statement. No word on a channel number or when the FSN-P HD channel will join Comcast's 17 other HD channels, but I'll be sure to mention it in the paper when it happens.

The link if you want to read this area regularly. http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/questions/

Thanks wstanko, you beat me to this.

"17 other HD channels" HA HA HA. Where's the disclaimer?

I'm sure this is yet ANOTHER channel we won't be getting in the North Hills while our neighbors do.

Is this the current list of channels we can't get in HD that others in the area enjoy on their comcast system?

INHD2
MHD
UHD
ESPN2
TNTHD

Soon to be FSN HD????

Does anyone have a full time NFL Network HD?

Thanks wstanko, you beat me to this.

"17 other HD channels" HA HA HA. Where's the disclaimer?

I'm sure this is yet ANOTHER channel we won't be getting in the North Hills while our neighbors do.

Is this the current list of channels we can't get in HD that others in the area enjoy on their comcast system?

INHD2
MHD
UHD
ESPN2
TNTHD

Soon to be FSN HD????

Does anyone have a full time NFL Network HD?


if i was on a system that was getting limited HD, i would switch to sat.. I bet if Comcast was losing customers left and right, they would make greater efforts to upgrade these areas.

It seems like either deal with limited choices or deal with the headaches that go with satellite (HD lite, installation, equipment costs, etc.)

That's what really annoys me is that I feel like I really don't have much choice but to stick with Comcast. I'll just keep complaining to them....

It seems like either deal with limited choices or deal with the headaches that go with satellite (HD lite, installation, equipment costs, etc.)

That's what really annoys me is that I feel like I really don't have much choice but to stick with Comcast. I'll just keep complaining to them....


have you checked verizon availbility yet? i think suburban areas w/o exclusve agreements with Comcast are up

Not recently...I signed up for email notification when it is available. Thanks though, that's my only hope...

hey I'm new to the forum. This is a list of channels I am able to get in the clear with my $8.49 Comcast basic cable. I live in the South Hills and I was a Aldephia customer and now its comcast.

I am tuning these with my internal Qam Tuner:

109.7 cbs HD
89.3 abc HD
89.4 nbc HD
83.1 fsn HD (only comes in for some games)

109.8 has something in HD on it, but i dont know what channel it is

I get all the digital music channels they come in on 92.1-92.49

Thats about all i can find. I wish I could get Fox, but i guess I'll continue to use OTA for that.

Is anybody else able to tune any other channels with their qam tuner?
thanks

It looks like they upgraded the on screen guide overnight (at least for the Moto 6412 - Ross Service Area). I didn't have a chance to check it out, anybody notice any real improvements?

All I picked up on was that it now says "HD" next to the dolby digital, etc. for HD shows.

Something else is different though...either the text or layout. Maybe the station number and call letters on the far left? Is that new/changed?

I was hoping there would be a new HD channel tucked away somewhere too but no luck.

BOOOO Comcast.

Yes, I do see visual changes and also changes to the way things are selected. Notice that now choosing MY DVR goes not to the listings as before, but instead to what used to be a main menu selection.

Check out the new Comcast Screensaver, a real lame Comcast logo with the time that only moves a tiny bit on the huge area that is possible.

I noticed when I go to one of the channels in my "Favorites" list it now shows a little tab on the info bar labeled "List 1." So I went to Setup in the Menu and it looks like you can now define multiple Favorites lists and name them what you want. I didn't do it yet, so I'm not sure exactly how that works with the Favorites button on the remote.

Yes, I do see visual changes and also changes to the way things are selected. Notice that now choosing MY DVR goes not to the listings as before, but instead to what used to be a main menu selection.

Yep - when it takes 2 clicks to do what 1 click did before, you know you have received a major upgrade - I learned that progress lesson from Bill Gates.

It was quite a download - I was watching a recording when the DVR shut off and "dl" appeared on the display along with a rotating cursor - went on for abour half an hour followed by reboots and installs and more reboots.

I notice that changing a channel is now possible during a recording (without using the Swap button), as if it's finally aware it has 2 tuners!

And it seems you can access OnDemand while one recording is in progress - but that could be a feature of the 6412 III that I recently switched to.

Wish I had a complete list of all the changes.

I noticed when I go to one of the channels in my "Favorites" list it now shows a little tab on the info bar labeled "List 1." So I went to Setup in the Menu and it looks like you can now define multiple Favorites lists and name them what you want. I didn't do it yet, so I'm not sure exactly how that works with the Favorites button on the remote.

I'm puzzeled by this change also. I renamed my only list, HD, and then wondered why there was an option to create another list. So I did. After naming it, SD (2 channels), it became the default list with no options to change from one to the other. I had to delete the new list to get my old one back. :confused:

The screensaver is formatted to 4:3 and since I do not stretch my 4:3 content, it sits in only the sweet spot of the set. Another confusing addition.

the update is supposed to be more user friendly. many users could not find all the dvr settings, which were scattered all over the place.

theres more to come soon on this update, stay tuned

Has anyone else noticed a lot of compression of the channels that are NOT HD? I used to have a lot of freezing & audio sync problems on the HD channels. Now, those seemed to have cleared up, but everything else looks compressed as hell. Certain channels, KDKA and the FSN West/East, etc sports channels, are almost unwatchable as anything with graphics on it look blurry. This was a problem I had with DirecTV compressing everything, now is Comcast doing it too?

Also, this seems to have become a problem after the recent "upgrade" to the on-screen guide.

When will we get a keyword search instead of just a title search?

i noticed VH1 was unwatchable

I'm puzzeled by this change also. I renamed my only list, HD, and then wondered why there was an option to create another list. So I did. After naming it, SD (2 channels), it became the default list with no options to change from one to the other. I had to delete the new list to get my old one back. :confused:

Press MENU on the remote. Use the left and right arrows to highlight the "heart" symbol. Press OK/SELECT. You should see a display of all the favorites lists that you've defined. (I made four: movies, news/sports, learning, and general entertainment.) Highlight the one you want and press OK/SELECT. You get a program guide for the channels in that list; if you just want to surf the list, EXIT the program guide.

At least that's the way I figured it out by trial and error. One would have thought that Comcast would have communicated with us about this. "A new feature is coming, and here's how to use it!"

Press MENU on the remote. Use the left and right arrows to highlight the "heart" symbol. Press OK/SELECT. You should see a display of all the favorites lists that you've defined. (I made four: movies, news/sports, learning, and general entertainment.) Highlight the one you want and press OK/SELECT. You get a program guide for the channels in that list; if you just want to surf the list, EXIT the program guide.

At least that's the way I figured it out by trial and error. One would have thought that Comcast would have communicated with us about this. "A new feature is coming, and here's how to use it!"

Thanks Tbuck, that does work. I don't read programming/installing directions for anything usually. But this one is so far from intuitive that I missed it.

Holy crap did anyone catch the Pens game in HD last night from Fox Sports PGH?!

I couldn't believe it. Just stumbled across it on 226, INHD.

I hope that is permanent.

Holy crap did anyone catch the Pens game in HD last night from Fox Sports PGH?!

I couldn't believe it. Just stumbled across it on 226, INHD.

I hope that is permanent.

No I did not watch it but..............................................

Randomly putting Fox Sports HD, or the NFLHD on INHD is not satisfactory. We already have that channel (that used to be 2 channels!) and maybe I wanted to watch the regularly scheduled programming (because I missed the other 452 airings of that showing :rolleyes: :rolleyes: )

If you are going to do this, the least you can do is send out one of those messages ahead of time. This past week I got 2 very unimportant messages that should never have been sent. Why not this instead?

Anyways, we are promised new channels that aren't appearing and they are a really using up all the goodwill that is in the barrel from the heydays of adding those HD local networks. Since that is what I watch the most, I stay on board. Comcast is lucky that the satellites do not.

End of rant.

No I did not watch it but..............................................

Randomly putting Fox Sports HD, or the NFLHD on INHD is not satisfactory. We already have that channel (that used to be 2 channels!) and maybe I wanted to watch the regularly scheduled programming (because I missed the other 452 airings of that showing :rolleyes: :rolleyes: )

If you are going to do this, the least you can do is send out one of those messages ahead of time. This past week I got 2 very unimportant messages that should never have been sent. Why not this instead?

Anyways, we are promised new channels that aren't appearing and they are a really using up all the goodwill that is in the barrel from the heydays of adding those HD local networks. Since that is what I watch the most, I stay on board. Comcast is lucky that the satellites do not.

End of rant.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. I'm one of the forgotten low-bandwidth subs...I've got it even worse. I never even had INHD2 for them to take away...

If they don't have the bandwidth for all these channels, they should just have an HD utility channel for the NFL Network HD games, FSN Pitt, NHL HD on Versus, etc...WITH CORRECT GUIDE INFO...rather than pre-empting INHD.

BTW, FSN had it running in their ticker scroll where to find the game in HD on different systems (Adelphia, Comcast, etc.) so maybe it was a "last minute" thing.

I did notice it, but unfortunately it was continually breaking up and stuttering, with repeated audio dropouts for me.

They need to give FSN-HD a dedicated channel for sure.

They need to give FSN-HD a dedicated channel for sure.

Good luck with that one. I called today to see if this was going to happen. They told me that they didn't offer FSN-HD at this time. You can imagine my surprise since I watched the Penguins last week in HD. I think that they might have been talking about not offering Fox Reality. Comcast might have the least informed customer service reps I've ever delt with.

Has any one had a successful CableCard installation (to include Premium channels such as HBO/Showtime/etc) on a TiVo Series 3. Comcast has tried three three visits and all else is working as expected. But the premiums work not at all.

Michael

Good luck with that one. I called today to see if this was going to happen. They told me that they didn't offer FSN-HD at this time. You can imagine my surprise since I watched the Penguins last week in HD. I think that they might have been talking about not offering Fox Reality. Comcast might have the least informed customer service reps I've ever delt with.

reps dont know anything -- there is little knowledge transfer. its coming soon, *probably* in time for the next Pens HD game.

reps dont know anything -- there is little knowledge transfer. its coming soon, *probably* in time for the next Pens HD game.

That would be fine if we didn't have the channel already. It did seem like it was a last minute thing. I only knew they added FSN-HD because I saw the ticket on Sportsbeat.



Anyone here anyting on A&E HD or National Geographic HD?

I read that some viewers received FSN Sports in HD in Pittsburgh. Does anyone know the channel.

I read that some viewers received FSN Sports in HD in Pittsburgh. Does anyone know the channel.

FSN-HD on my system (Canonsburg) pre-empted INHD last week for the Pens game.

I read that some viewers received FSN Sports in HD in Pittsburgh. Does anyone know the channel.
I am on former Adelphia (Bethel/Upper St. Clair), now Comcast, which had/has FSN-HD on 769.

I am on former Adelphia (Bethel/Upper St. Clair), now Comcast, which had/has FSN-HD on 769.

Then do you have HDNet too. If so, it is very strange indeed. (no smiley face for jealous)

Then do you have HDNet too. If so, it is very strange indeed. (no smiley face for jealous)
Yep. But the On Demand features are reduced since the change to Comcast, and all the functionality things that have been mentioned here (different favorites list) haven't happened. And I guess I don't know what I don't have that other Comcast viewers have in other areas. I don't have Fox HD, but I can get it OTA fine. But the HD selection on Adelphia/Comcast is not bad. The Pirates games this past summer were great in HD.

Holy crap did anyone catch the Pens game in HD last night from Fox Sports PGH?!

I couldn't believe it. Just stumbled across it on 226, INHD.

I hope that is permanent.

I guess all of you saw the ad in the Post-Gazette Sports today. 20 Penguin HD games on FSN HD this season. Tonight is another pre-emp of INHD at 7:30. The full schedule was there.

I didn't, I'm online only...the newspaper is for getting the fireplace going... :p

Was it a Comcast ad or an FSN ad?

Thanks for the heads up.

Anyone else missing audio on Comcast for the Pens game?

I didn't, I'm online only...the newspaper is for getting the fireplace going... :p

Was it a Comcast ad or an FSN ad?

Thanks for the heads up.

Here's a copy for you.

I didn't see the entire game, but the parts I did see looked good, and I did have sound and it was good, unlike the last time where it kept breaking up and stuttering.

I'm glad we finally can get FSN-HD on Comcast for these games, but since they also use INHD (226) for other sporting events (NFL network games, NBA, etc.) at some point there will probably be a conflict unless they start using another channel or two.

Thanks for posting the schedule. I don't get the paper either.

Thanks for the schedule!
It looked good, I agree.

Hi all - New here and I apologize if this has been addressed. I'll admit that I didn't read through the entire thread.

Regarding the Pens shown on INHD - what exactly do you have to have regarding Comcast plans to get INHD. Mine always says "Not authorized." INHD and UHD are the only two I don't get (other than the premium pay channel ones).

I didn't know about the Pens on INHD so I am really looking forward to their next HD game to see if my station tunes in.

Great site BTW.

Brighton, you don't have to have anything other than digital cable and an HD-capable box to get INHD on 226 or UHD on 215. If yours say "Not authorized" that is a problem (it's happened to me temporarily on some channels in the past). You need to call Comcast to have it resolved. They will probably first try to "ping" your box and if that doesn't work they will send out a truck.

So does anybody know why the Pens game on FSN-HD was not on Comcast 226 (INHD) tonight? It was supposed to be according to the schedule posted above. But when I tried to tune in there was boxing on instead. I couldn't find it anywhere else, or did I miss it?

So does anybody know why the Pens game on FSN-HD was not on Comcast 226 (INHD) tonight? It was supposed to be according to the schedule posted above. But when I tried to tune in there was boxing on instead. I couldn't find it anywhere else, or did I miss it?

You missed it. They didn't show the first 10 minutes of the game then they cut in. I called Comcast and was told that they weren't authorized to carry the game. I get so sick of the wrong information that they put out. Some one was probably asleep at the switch and didn't change the feed in time for the game. I wonder what they will do if there is an HD Pens game on a night where NFL network has a game. Comcast needs to give FSN it's own channel now.

thanks. It figures. I didn't get to watch much of the game. Was there for the beginning and then the last part, but by then I just didn't bother to check INHD again. I agree, let's get a dedicated FSN-HD channel already. They could at least have a digital version of the normal SD programming then.

Looks like we don't get the Versus HD feed of the Pens vs. Caps on Monday night. I LOVE COMCAST!!!

Looks like we don't get the Versus HD feed of the Pens vs. Caps on Monday night. I LOVE COMCAST!!!How do you know?

How do you know?

You cannot go by the on screen guide, that's for sure.

According to the INHD site the Pens Caps will be live on INHD2 with the replay on INHD at 11pm. If I were a betting man I'd say we won't get it.

That makes sense. If it's actually going to be on lame duck INHD2 then it seems that those of us who no longer have it (most everybody by now) wouldn't get it. We'll see.

That makes sense. If it's actually going to be on lame duck INHD2 then it seems that those of us who no longer have it (most everybody by now) wouldn't get it. We'll see.

should be on INHD 1.

Does anyone know the correct HD frequencies for Comcast in the North Hills area (i.e. Ross/Shaler). Or can these only be reached with Comcast's cable box?

My A2000 is supposed to have a QAM tuner but it's only finding the odd 480i channel and the music ones.

Thanks.

Has anyone else noticed a lot of compression of the channels that are NOT HD? I used to have a lot of freezing & audio sync problems on the HD channels. Now, those seemed to have cleared up, but everything else looks compressed as hell. Certain channels, KDKA and the FSN West/East, etc sports channels, are almost unwatchable as anything with graphics on it look blurry. This was a problem I had with DirecTV compressing everything, now is Comcast doing it too?

Also, this seems to have become a problem after the recent "upgrade" to the on-screen guide.

When will we get a keyword search instead of just a title search?
Has anyone heard of a fix for this? I've called comcast 3 times had them out 2 times, and still no resolution! I'm getting incredibly frustrated!

Please help!

My HD is grainy.

Just got a Samsung 4096D 1080p set with a cable card option.

I called Comcast before I ordered to inquire about cable card availability at my existing service in Ross township. I was told that they were available and I could simply pickup one at their nearest service center and install it myself. Of course I found out when I tried to do that that a technician had to come out and install it. Installation did work fine, however, and all the channels were available. Of course the cable card is only one way so no pay per view, etc. -- not that I really care.

Before the cable card, I let the set QAM scan the cable channels. Got most of the lower ones to 125 but interestingly:

1. Some of the channels like Biography at 115 did not show up as they are at a
different location.

2. The local HDTV showed up at their analog locations at their local OTA broadcast
UHF frequency. I don't remember is FOX showed up but do remember that
most did. Interestingly, WQED was displaced to channel 80 (probably because
something was already on Cable Channel 38)

Had a talk with the technician, who said that the cable card was clearly superior
in quality to the Comcast set top box.

At any event, this was my experience. Hope this helps someone.

Regards,
Dickmc

Hey all, is the Moto 6412 (120 GB) still the largest capacity DVR offered by Comcast?
The one I have still has DVI out...is there one with HDMI now?

i have the HDMI output model, i just asked sevice rep to bring it out when unit need replaced. panisonic and comcast have a partnership to come out with a new DVR ~250GB with three turners, it should be out by feb or Mar '07. tech told me that they will only replace older moto units with new panny's if you ask and only if you ask.

Cool, thanks for the info Plex. Hopefully the Panasonic boxes will have a little better picture on SD material, although I don't know if I really need 3 tuners. Feb or March, eh? So in reality, more like June or July... :p

I saw this issue raised way back in the thread about a year ago, whats up with the 5c protection on the firewire port? I just have a regular motorola hd box (6200?) and only wcwb and inhd seem to not have copy protection. I thought all the locals shouldn't have any protection turned on?

Anyone in the Pittsburgh area get any new HD channels lately?

Armstrong just added Music HD on channel 118, not sure when exactly but we first noticed in on NYE. Wish they'd add Discovery HD. :(

Nothing new for me. Still the same bare bones suckfest. :mad:

I'm in the Bellevue/Avalon area and on our last bill TNT-HD was listed as a channel we'll be getting soon. Which is interesting because we've already had On Demand TNT-HD available for a bit. *sigh* Comcast sucks.

:mad:

Well, that's encouraging news. I'm in Avalon but didn't see that. The only problem with going paperless, I don't actually look at the statement except for what I owe them.

I guess TNT HD is better than nothing. I'll take WATCHPAINTDRY-HD at this point.

Noticed a new channel 217 tonight, LOC (Local Access Programming). All it is right now is a blue screen with this unwelcome text:The Comcast/Sinclair agreement for WPGH-DT (FOX) and WPMY-DT (MY NETWORK) expires shortly. Comcast may be required by Sinclair to suspend carriage of channels 213 and 214 as early as 2/5. We will try to avoid service disruption.I sure hope we don't lose Fox HD (24, etc.) soon. I can't believe they went through all the pain and anguish to get this deal done a year ago (I think that's when it was) and now it's expiring already. I wish Sinclair would shrivel up and die and let somebody better own these affiliates.

Yep...time to drag out the OTA box and start screwing with the antenna again... :rolleyes:

Armstrong just added Music HD on channel 118, not sure when exactly but we first noticed in on NYE. Wish they'd add Discovery HD. :(


We also just got A&E HD the other day.

Also, in case you didn't see it, I started a Pittsburgh/Armstrong thread so we don't have to use the Comcast thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=781653

We need a channel dedicated to FSN-Pittsburgh. The first period of the game wasn't on in HD. I called and the rep said he would check on it and call me back. I am still waiting on the call back and the game is over. Awesome customer service!! The icing on the cake had to be the channel going back to INHD right before the shootout. Thanks Comcast. I can't wait until I have a real alternative to this crap.

I'm a little upset the The Tube was removed. We kinda liked having it on on weekends when friends come out and have a few. I'm curious if I can receive it OTA out here in the boonies of New Sewickley, Beaver County.

I'm a little upset the The Tube was removed. We kinda liked having it on on weekends when friends come out and have a few. I'm curious if I can receive it OTA out here in the boonies of New Sewickley, Beaver County.I think that Sinclair dropped the subchannel carrying The Tube altogether. So it's gone completely, both on cable and OTA.

When my cable bill arrived today (with the scheduled increase sheet), I observed that I was in for a $3.5 increase. After studying the sheet for quite awhile, it occured to me that I was paying $15 dollars for a digital tier I never watched and was not required to continue HD.

Dave, a great CS, set me up with a cable/internet package that cut my bill by $27! :D and I only lost the above 99 channels that I never watched.

I think that Sinclair dropped the subchannel carrying The Tube altogether. So it's gone completely, both on cable and OTA.

It is not Sinclair's fault on the Tube. New FCC regulations require educational programming on all subchannels.

Noticed a new channel 217 tonight, LOC (Local Access Programming). All it is right now is a blue screen with this unwelcome text:I sure hope we don't lose Fox HD (24, etc.) soon. I can't believe they went through all the pain and anguish to get this deal done a year ago (I think that's when it was) and now it's expiring already. I wish Sinclair would shrivel up and die and let somebody better own these affiliates.


Was this issue with Sinclair and Comcast fixed? I noticed 217 is no longer on the air.

Was this issue with Sinclair and Comcast fixed? I noticed 217 is no longer on the air.I hope so, but not necessarily. Somebody said on the Sinclair thread in HDTV programming that Comcast could have put this up when they did in order to satisfy a "30 day notice" requirement, but there isn't a requirement for them to continuously air it. I would expect that if some new agreement is reached it would be announced in a press release.

I got an email message from WPXI yesterday informing me about the status of HD recording/playing equipment they have installed. They will be sending Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune out to us in HD starting on Monday, 2-5.

Vanna in HD works for me.

i have comcast hd in the harrisburg, pa area.
i have a 40" sony xbr3

hd channels - great PQ
sd channels - better than expected

It is not Sinclair's fault on the Tube. New FCC regulations require educational programming on all subchannels.

Huh? That's going to be something of a surprise to WPXI with its WeatherPlus on 11.2, and WPGH's SD signal at 53.2 . Where can we read more about this new FCC regulation you speak of?

Huh? That's going to be something of a surprise to WPXI with its WeatherPlus on 11.2, and WPGH's SD signal at 53.2 . Where can we read more about this new FCC regulation you speak of?

the Weather stations are in themselves educational.

Don't have the link to the FCC reg. but there is a thread about it on AVS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=780123&highlight=tube

I keep seeing other cities getting new channels like National Geographic, A&E, and FSN (their local station) in HD. Why the hell haven't we got these? I live in the southside of the city. Are we out of bandwidth? Or is there some reason why Baltimore and other areas get these now and we don't? With reports of TBS, USA and other stations slated to go HD this year, comcast better get on the ball....assumming my area has enough bandwidth to add these channels.
I did get MHD (ch. 209) a few months ago but have since watched every program on that station at least once.

I keep seeing other cities getting new channels like National Geographic, A&E, and FSN (their local station) in HD. Why the hell haven't we got these? I live in the southside of the city. Are we out of bandwidth? Or is there some reason why Baltimore and other areas get these now and we don't? With reports of TBS, USA and other stations slated to go HD this year, comcast better get on the ball....assumming my area has enough bandwidth to add these channels.
I did get MHD (ch. 209) a few months ago but have since watched every program on that station at least once.

your correct, we are maxed out. comcast is going to be working with switched video, a technology which will increase bandwidth

the Weather stations are in themselves educational.

Don't have the link to the FCC reg. but there is a thread about it on AVS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=780123&highlight=tube

Now this makes more sense than blaming educational content:
According to the station engineer for the Sinclair station in Baltimore, the reason for dropping the Tube has to do with meeting the FCC requirements for being able to broadcast the Emergency Alert System on all sub-channels. The FCC requirement went in effect on January 1, 2007. Sinclair decided to drop the Tube than spend whatever time and effort was needed to meet the requirement for the less important sub-channels. So there will be more bandwidth for the HD channels on the Sinclair stations, which is ironic in a odd way.

Thanks for the link.

your correct, we are maxed out. comcast is going to be working with switched video, a technology which will increase bandwidth

Why do we seem to be maxed out with only a few HD channels but other markets seem capable of handling many more HD channels? Is Comcast's infrastructure that out-of-date in the Pittsburgh market compared to other markets? Do we have more analog channels than other markets?

For some reason I think that once FiOS TV becomes available here we'll start to see a lot more HD channels appear in Comcast's lineup (without the need for switched video).

-Aaron

Why do we seem to be maxed out with only a few HD channels but other markets seem capable of handling many more HD channels? Is Comcast's infrastructure that out-of-date in the Pittsburgh market compared to other markets? Do we have more analog channels than other markets?

For some reason I think that once FiOS TV becomes available here we'll start to see a lot more HD channels appear in Comcast's lineup (without the need for switched video).

-Aaron

i looked into this more. the city itself has the BW, but some areas don't, as mostly everyone reading this knows.

ADS is the goal now, before the addition of HD

Two questions, 1.) Does anybody have any problems with there Comcast HD DVR? Mine recently has been terrible. Sometimes when I'm changing stations my screen goes GREEN and locks up with sound. No correct it I have to turn off the cable box. But also other times the whole system locks up. And I have to unplug the cable box from the wall. And today most of my recordings on my DVR while watching lose sound and still mantain the picture. To correct it, I have to STOP what I'm watching and PLAY it again. And the sound comes back. Has anyone have/had any of these problems?

2.) The Comcast HD DVR I have is the Motorola DCT 6412 III. Does anyone know If there is a newer/better one avalible in the area through Comcast?

Thanks in advance.

i have the 6412 dvr and it just started doing the green screen thing. last night my screen looked like it was in 256 color mode or almost a cell shaded look. a reboot fixed both issues though. maybe it's a new firmware bug?

i remember reading on here that comcast will have a new dvr not from motorolla. you will specifically have to ask for the new one.

and comcast struck a deal with tivo to use their interface so hopefully that will show up soon.

Hi im new here but i live in the north hills of pittsburgh and i was wondering if comcast has released any word of new hd channels being released. I know ive heard that directv has launched new satelites and will be releasing a bunch of new hd channels in not that long of time. Any info would be great. Thanks!

Two questions, 1.) Does anybody have any problems with there Comcast HD DVR? Mine recently has been terrible. Sometimes when I'm changing stations my screen goes GREEN and locks up with sound. No correct it I have to turn off the cable box. But also other times the whole system locks up. And I have to unplug the cable box from the wall. And today most of my recordings on my DVR while watching lose sound and still mantain the picture. To correct it, I have to STOP what I'm watching and PLAY it again. And the sound comes back. Has anyone have/had any of these problems?

2.) The Comcast HD DVR I have is the Motorola DCT 6412 III. Does anyone know If there is a newer/better one avalible in the area through Comcast?

Thanks in advance.


I been seeing GREEN for about three months now, i thought it was the TV. It seems to happen when I get agressive with the buttons, i also have to shut down wait and restart. These boxs are touchy i'm going slower with the buttons and it seems to help.
Panisonic and comcast have a partnership to come out with a new DVR ~250GB with three turners, it should be out by late '07 for this area, i think it now in eastcoast big markets first and will make it this way hpoefully before years end.

Hi Im in Youngstown and have one cable box through Armstrong. Does anyone know what they charge for a 2nd box?

Hey guys. Long time reader, first time poster. I'm from the South Hills area (Brentwood), and I was wondering if anyone knew if we would be getting ESPN2-HD and/or other HD stations sometime soon? I was at my buddy's apartment last weekend in the South Side and he had just got HD service, and he receives ESPN2-HD, TNT-HD, just to name a few. Do we not have the bandwidth in the South Hills area yet to add new stations? How come the city has it but not everyone else?

As mentioned, the city has the bandwidth, but some of the suburbs don't. People who live in Upper St Clair have ESPN2HD, but that's because they were adelphia before hand, and comcast kept that channel.

I get the green screen on mine, but it is HDMI related. Sometimes when I turn on the cable box and TV the HDMI doesn't handshake, and the screen goes all green. Sometimes this can be fixed by turning the cable box off and back on, other times I have to turn everything off, which I hate to do because it's not great for the lamp in my DLP. Yesterday it wouldn't sync up at all and all I got was the green screen everytime. I am now getting cablecard for this TV Saturday and moving the ****** DVR box upstairs to the other HDTV.

So does anyone have Cablecard from comcast in pittsburgh? I have heard some TVs have problems with these. I have a Samsung, and with my luck, it will cause my house to burn down when they install it. I plan on using my TVs TV Guide feature for a program guide with the card, and the optical out to my reciever to achieve DD 5.1 when it applies.
Can anyone with cablecard in Pitt share his or her experiences with CableCard?

I get the green screen on mine, but it is HDMI related. Sometimes when I turn on the cable box and TV the HDMI doesn't handshake, and the screen goes all green. Sometimes this can be fixed by turning the cable box off and back on, other times I have to turn everything off, which I hate to do because it's not great for the lamp in my DLP. Yesterday it wouldn't sync up at all and all I got was the green screen everytime. I am now getting cablecard for this TV Saturday and moving the ****** DVR box upstairs to the other HDTV.

So does anyone have Cablecard from comcast in pittsburgh? I have heard some TVs have problems with these. I have a Samsung, and with my luck, it will cause my house to burn down when they install it. I plan on using my TVs TV Guide feature for a program guide with the card, and the optical out to my reciever to achieve DD 5.1 when it applies.
Can anyone with cablecard in Pitt share his or her experiences with CableCard?


I have 2 TV's that are using CableCard from comcast and 1 TV with DVR & HDMI out. I can see a better pitcure with the CC then with my box w/HDMI. Both of my TV had problems at first setting up the cards, the man (Pickles, not joking) is the one who does the system switching for pgh. The problem i had was i could get most channels but not all HD's. The trick was that the system commands needed to be entered in a specfic order (email from Pickles 6/06). Jodi was the man that seems to know the most about CC in pgh, ask for kim if your going to get CC or at least remember his name when the installer comes.

So what exactly is the holdup with getting Versus/Golf HD on Pittsburgh area Comcast systems that have the available bandwidth? Anybody have some info on when we can expect to see it?

I'd also like to see a dedicated FSN-HD channel. The hockey post games on INHD look so much better than the analog FSN channel, even when not in HD.

Just got home from work and noticed on channel 255 Vs/GolfHD. Doesn't look like too much on there will be exciting, but it's nice to see a new HD channel.

I have Comcast and live in Pittsburgh, but I don't have it! :mad:

Do you have ESPN2HD and MHD? I know some people out in the North Hills didn't get those. Maybe Penn Hills area has less bandwidth? Funny though because I was told Pittsburgh city area was out of bandwidth, and here I am with another channel.

Do you have ESPN2HD and MHD? I know some people out in the North Hills didn't get those. Maybe Penn Hills area has less bandwidth? Funny though because I was told Pittsburgh city area was out of bandwidth, and here I am with another channel.

I have neither ESPN2 hd or MHD :mad: I can't catch a break with HD channels

Wow, that really sucks. I guess Penn Hills is like the North Hills then. I guess I am lucky living in the city still. It must be that extra percentage I pay in school and city taxes.

Well, Comcast out of Greensburg now has VS./Golf on 255 too, but without the extra school, city, or sales taxes. :)