A CSR from Comcast called yesterday regarding my filed complaint of the missing and hidden 4 digit "clear QAM" channels. She was totally unprepared for the upcoming discussion with no knowledge of what a clear channel was, no concept of a QAM tuner, and no knowledge of Comcast's obligations to broadcast these locals.

We talked she learned little but promised to research and call back.
When she did, she told me that I had all the local HD channels on my cable box. It was my fault for not using it properly. :eek:

After I raised her level of anxiety, she again promised to research better this time, and call back again. It was her assigned task to resolve this problem and submit the solution to the FCC.

JRM01, I wish I knew as much about all of this as you do.

Wow, that link from JRM01 is definitely the hard requirement that I've always wanted to see. Wstanko, you probably already have this info, but just in case you don't here's some ammo if they call back and try to hand wave away the requirement based on the following clause:


(1) Digital cable systems with an activated channel capacity of 750 MHz or greater shall comply with the following technical standards and requirements:


I just checked, and the Canonsburg system uses QAM channel 117 (I see three encrypted programs on it: 1601, 1801, and 1803). QAM Channel 117 is at 750MHz, so there is no way to deny that this is a 750MHz system.

Belive it or not the QAM tuners in all devices are not created equal. The channel number is derived from the frequency so it should always be the same (76 in this case). the sub-channel number uses an algorithm to determine the number, and it can vary from tuner to tuner. However, it should be similar to the 2603 number. Have you run a recent scan to find it?

yeah, i did a scan a few days ago.

i get channel 109 which is fox's HD channel, but it is VERY fuzzy/snowy looks like tv you would get from rabbit ears

Wow, that link from JRM01 is definitely the hard requirement that I've always wanted to see. Wstanko, you probably already have this info, but just in case you don't here's some ammo if they call back and try to hand wave away the requirement based on the following clause:

I just checked, and the Canonsburg system uses QAM channel 117 (I see three encrypted programs on it: 1601, 1801, and 1803). QAM Channel 117 is at 750MHz, so there is no way to deny that this is a 750MHz system.

Thank-you all contributors especially you jrm01. I may not have a firm grasp of all the deep specifics, but I know and the understand the basics of the "easy-mode." With that information from all of you printed and placed by the phone, I will carry our flag up the hill and plant it. :D

I forgot to mention what the tech guy I spoke with (mentioned earlier) also told me: they're rebuilding the entire Ross headend this summer in order to upgrade the bandwidth capacity. I can't believe they are waiting that long. Why do I get the feeling that Comcast is way behind the ball?

I forgot to mention what the tech guy I spoke with (mentioned earlier) also told me: they're rebuilding the entire Ross headend this summer in order to upgrade the bandwidth capacity. I can't believe they are waiting that long. Why do I get the feeling that Comcast is way behind the ball?

You know what's the really depressing part? I pretty much got the same quote verbatim this time last year.

They've been "rebuilding the head end in 6 months" for the last 3 years. It's time for them to put up or shut up. They've lost all remaining credibility in that department and I'm convinced that no one there actually has any idea as to what the company is actually doing.

That kind of reminds me of my description of India: It is a country of great potential, and always will be.

However, I kind of believe the folks at Comcast this time and think we will see an upgrade this year.

That kind of reminds me of my description of India: It is a country of great potential, and always will be.

However, I kind of believe the folks at Comcast this time and think we will see an upgrade this year.

Too little too late for me. By summer I will have moved and have other service provider options and they are going to get a full fair shake from me before I even consider going back to comcast.

I'm a newbie confused on how to do a channel scan. Is it done through the menu from the Comcast remote? I don't see an option in the menu.

My TV (Toshiba 42HL167) can do a channel scan/setup but it is always set to HDMI3 with no channels and can't be used.

Too little too late for me. By summer I will have moved and have other service provider options and they are going to get a full fair shake from me before I even consider going back to comcast.
Give 'em an earful before you leave :mad:. And see what news they have of the Ross headend :p.

I'm a newbie confused on how to do a channel scan. Is it done through the menu from the Comcast remote? I don't see an option in the menu.

My TV (Toshiba 42HL167) can do a channel scan/setup but it is always set to HDMI3 with no channels and can't be used.
You have to directly connect your coaxial cable to your TV's CABLE input. From there your TV should be able to easily tune in to the analog channels, but you'll have to dig into the TV menus to find an option to scan all the incoming channels.

Using a cable box and HDMI input prevents you from using this method to find the clear QAM channels (though with a cable box you should presumably already be getting them).

You know, I really can't help but notice that we still have GSN on analog service. They said that on or after Dec 11th, it was going to be moving to the digital tier to presumably free up room for more HD stations. However, here it is January 14th and it's still sitting there. Now, granted "after" is a bit vague, but I would have thought they would have moved it by now.

Grr, I really want ScifiHD before SG-A finishes this season and before the new season of BSG starts.

They seem to have post poned it ... to on or after January 22, 2008 ...

Effective on or after January 31, 2008, Comcast will drop DIY, Channel 121, from the Digital Baic/Digital Classic level of service, and Fine Living, Channel 122, from the Digital Basic/Digital Classic level of service.

Recently, Comcast announced that, on or after December 11, 2007 that GSN will move from Standard to the Digital Starter level of service. GSN's channel number will change to 179.

Also, that the following changes would occour:

Channel Name New Service Level Old Service Level
Encore ActionDigital ClassicDigital Preferred
Encore DramaDigital ClassicDigital Preferred
Encore LoveDigital ClassicDigital Preferred
Encore MysteryDigital ClassicDigital Preferred
Encore WesternDigital ClassicDigital Preferred

The channel numbers will remain the same.

The changes will occur on or after January 22, 2008.

Is anyone getting TLC or Animal Planet HD yet? I assume they will probably show up on channels 191-192? I keep reading about other Comcast areas getting them.

Is anyone getting TLC or Animal Planet HD yet? I assume they will probably show up on channels 191-192? I keep reading about other Comcast areas getting them.

Where are you? I'm in McCandless and have gotten hardly anything new for a long time. I only new thing I've seen is USA HD. Still no Food, TBS, CNN, etc.

Where are you? I'm in McCandless and have gotten hardly anything new for a long time. I only new thing I've seen is USA HD. Still no Food, TBS, CNN, etc.

I am in the Southside of the city. I have had Food, TBS, CNN, etc for a few months now. Sure hope you get them soon; atleast Food and CNN.

Nice, more of the left hand not knowing what the right is doing.

http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/questions/


Q: I hear Comcast is doing away with Fine Living and DIY. I thought they would continue adding channels for the price we pay, not deleting them. What's up with this?

-- Bobby, Moon

Rob: According to Comcast spokeswoman Jody Doherty, this is not true, and the channels are not moving to another tier either.

Despite the fact that the public notice has been out that they are, in fact, doing away with those channels.

Nice, more of the left hand not knowing what the right is doing.

http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/questions/



Despite the fact that the public notice has been out that they are, in fact, doing away with those channels.

Yeah, Comcast lied to Rob Owen -- I have no doubts the PR person had no idea about the public notice.

I have Comcast in Murrysville. Every show I have DVR'd so far on the National Geographic channel (#190) has the sound completely dopping out for a second or so every 15 to 30 seconds. The recorded shows are not watchable it is so annoying. The real-time broadcasts are OK (no problems). No other channels seem to have this issue.

Does anyone else have this problem on this or any other channel? I haven't called Comcast yet but will.

Is anyone in 15232 getting CBS or FOX in HD without a set top box? I get ABC and NBC in HD fine, I get the video for CBS but no audio on 2-1, and I can't find FOX anywhere. I called the tech support line and was told they do not support HD without a set top box. It's just a fluke if any come in at all. Is this true?

Is anyone in 15232 getting CBS or FOX in HD without a set top box? I get ABC and NBC in HD fine, I get the video for CBS but no audio on 2-1, and I can't find FOX anywhere. I called the tech support line and was told they do not support HD without a set top box. It's just a fluke if any come in at all. Is this true?

They are required to provide the local HD channels (unencrypted), but unforunately there is no requirement that they have to support it (even as far as answering questions about it).

I know on my older CRT 30" Sanyo (Walmart variety) I was getting all the local HD channels through QAM. Now that I have a Samsung 4071, I am unable to get PBS and Fox. Don't really care about PBS, but Fox is a big PITA! My tv numbers do not show any of the ones that are needed for any of the local channels and it requires some fandangling to get CBS, ABC, NBC, and WPMY to work. For ABC, I have to type in 106, and then the channel 4-1 is created, but 106-1 does not work.

Here is the line up for my area - http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineupui?Cmd=LocationProgramsWeb&Country=US&Postcode=15601

I was instructed to post here for a possibly solution to receiving Fox.

Thanks,
Wayne

I know on my older CRT 30" Sanyo (Walmart variety) I was getting all the local HD channels through QAM. Now that I have a Samsung 4071, I am unable to get PBS and Fox. Don't really care about PBS, but Fox is a big PITA! My tv numbers do not show any of the ones that are needed for any of the local channels and it requires some fandangling to get CBS, ABC, NBC, and WPMY to work. For ABC, I have to type in 106, and then the channel 4-1 is created, but 106-1 does not work.

Here is the line up for my area - http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineupui?Cmd=LocationProgramsWeb&Country=US&Postcode=15601

I was instructed to post here for a possibly solution to receiving Fox.

Thanks,
Wayne

In design and theory the silicondust website is great in what it tries to do. However, they have a difficult time keeping up with the ever changing location of the clear-QAM channels from cable providers.

In your case, they show WTAE at 107.2101, which was probaly true at one point. It appears that it is now back to 4.1 (where it belongs). Comcast appears to have done this by adding a re-direct at the old frquency. This works fine for WTAE, but causes problems for the other sub-channels on this frequency (WQED in this case). You can not "channel up" from WtAE to WQED because of this re-direct. That means that you have to enter the complete channel and sub-channel number discretely. However, WQED is 107-2103 and many TVs cannot handle four-digit sub-channels, therefore cannot get it.

WPGH (FOX) is another story. According to that site you should get it at 103.1, but I assume that you have tried and aren't getting it. It may have been moved and maybe someone else in Greensburg can report here where it is now.

If Comcast passed on the PSIP information correctly for each QAM channel they would be mapped to their OTA equivalent channel number. However this is not being done. I have initiated conversations with Comcast management, through the help of our Local Franchise Authority, about correcting that in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Four of our seven channels have been corrected (KDKA, WTAE, WPMY, and WPXI). They are still working on the other three (13, 16 and 53). This, by the way, appears to be the same channels that you are having problems with.

They have told me that the problem has been caused by the stations making changes in preparation for the Feb 2009 Digital Conversion. I assume from this that they are not able to properly pickup the PSIP info from the new feeds that they are now getting.

Many people believe that all of the changes are a conspiracy on the part of Comcast to get people to pay for digital service (and I'm not completely ruling that out), but I'm giving them the benefit of doubt right now that they have to make some engineering changes due to the new feeds that they are getting.

I would suggest that you report your problems to your local franchise authority (Greensburg City Council) and have them insist that Comcast live up to the FCC mandate of providing these channels with proper PSIP information.

Wow. Thank you for your very detailed and interesting response. My TV only responds to 3 punched in sub-digits, but has a few 4 sub-digits in the channel list (none having any channels associated).

So, Fox should appear as 53-1? And actually, the website displaying the channel listing seems to have been updated in the last 1-4 weeks (last time i was there) because when I was there before, it showed abs as 106-1, cbs as 107-1, nbc as 107-2, and fox as 108-1 - which is where I think I am still picking them up from here (by plugging in older CRT which doesn't do virtual channels via cable).

I think I'll be contacting either Samsung, Comcast, or the Franchise representative.

Thanks for the help,
Wayne

JRM01 as you wrote :

"... I have initiated conversations with Comcast management, through the help of our Local Franchise Authority, about correcting that in the North Hills ... "

Would you ask comcast why they transmit WPMY-HD, but have yet to add it to the EPG program guide in over 3 months, so ALL customers can view the HD channel ? Comcast really should boot Brian B. S. Roberts. :-)

Yeah, Comcast lied to Rob Owen -- I have no doubts the PR person had no idea about the public notice.

Apparently, comcast has reversed their decision, they must had edited a previous release? i just discovered this:

" ... RECENTLY, Comcast announced that, on or after January 31, 2008, it would cease carriage of DIY (Channel 121) and Fine Living (Channel 122) from the Digital Classic level of service. These changes will not occur. ..."

more at:

http://pa.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp?Page=PublicNotice&AdId=806705

Hopefully, we still see some HDTV additions on 1/22/8 ??

OK Comcast. Pens on VS HD tonight and you have London Live on 226 in North Hills. What gives!

Edit: Oh forget it. It is on GolfVS HD (255) which here in North Hills is listed as Comcast Sport Channel.

Is there any public listing for the QAM channels?

My TV is only scanning the analog and not picking up any of the xxx.xx freqs.

TV is Mitsu, 57731

Thanks!
Chris

well, ch. 52, GSN is now simulcasted in digital on ch. 179 (585 Mhz.). ... Yes, 52 is still analog GSN. WTF ? I did a scan and found nothing new or changed. Still no maping for Fox 53 HD.

Is there any public listing for the QAM channels?

My TV is only scanning the analog and not picking up any of the xxx.xx freqs.

TV is Mitsu, 57731

Thanks!
Chris

No list really exists. There are some web sites that try to provide one, but they are usually outdated. Where are you located. Maybe someone from that area can tell you what to look for.

I have a MITS RP set also and it does a good job in finding the channels. Are you using Net Commander? Did you let it also do the Digital Scan?

No list really exists. There are some web sites that try to provide one, but they are usually outdated. Where are you located. Maybe someone from that area can tell you what to look for.

I have a MITS RP set also and it does a good job in finding the channels. Are you using Net Commander? Did you let it also do the Digital Scan?

thanks, man. I figured that out while researching the QAM info last night. Sorry for the QAM newb q's. :) In the meantime I've found most (all?) of the local clear QAM channels.

I don't think I have net commander as I have the 57731. But, perhaps I'm missing the "digital" scan. When I ran a scan multiple times it did pick up some digital channels, but everything was blank (sound/picture).. where the local HD channels it just skipped over. After entering them manually (107.260X) the 57731 renamed it to channel 0.


Oh well.. Freakin' comcast... I filed an FCC Complaint due to them not following the PSIP "protocol" .. Thanks for the link. :)

edit. I'm located in New Castle 16101

thanks, man. I figured that out while researching the QAM info last night. Sorry for the QAM newb q's. :) In the meantime I've found most (all?) of the local clear QAM channels.

I don't think I have net commander as I have the 57731. But, perhaps I'm missing the "digital" scan. When I ran a scan multiple times it did pick up some digital channels, but everything was blank (sound/picture).. where the local HD channels it just skipped over. After entering them manually (107.260X) the 57731 renamed it to channel 0.


Oh well.. Freakin' comcast... I filed an FCC Complaint due to them not following the PSIP "protocol" .. Thanks for the link. :)

edit. I'm located in New Castle 16101

Net Commander is the software user interface available with Mits TVs that provides better interoperability with other Mits products (DVD, etc.). It is an option when you first set up the set (I don't reccommend it).

In either case, the Mis should have found the local HD channels for you. I just reran the scan on my Mits to see how it worked, and it went from analog to digital scan and picked it all up (including 4-digit sub-channel numbers).

Not sure why you aren't getting them.

For those in the North Hills. We are getting closer and closer to the right clear-QAM line up. I just reran the scan and now have:

2-1 KDKA HD
4-1 WTAE-HD
4-1 WTAE Weather
11-1 WPXI HD
11-2 WPXI Weather
11-3 WPXT RTN
13-1 WQED HD
13-2 WQED Digital
13-3 WQED Digital
17-12 CSPAN2
21-302 Fine Living
22-1 WPMY HD
53-1 WPGH HD
73-100 QVC

and also the usual mess of Comcast previews, neighborhood VOD and Music Channels.

The only thing I haven't been able to find is Channel 16 HD.

Some of you couldn't find the hidden WPGH (76-2303). It should be there now on 53-1 for you. Also WQED is back on 13-1 now.

I noticed that 13-1,2,3 showed up now when i turned on my tv . I am still missing Fox - going to rescan though to see if i can get it. *crosses fingers* and thanks for heads up!


EDIT: WOOOHOOO did a combination of several attempts to get Fox to show up and one of them must have worked (didn't check each time)!!!! now i got 53-1!!! So happy. I have been going to my friend's to watch Fox HD instead of on my new Samsung 4071.

Thanks guys,
Wayne

Yep, they (53.1 & 13.1) are back in Canonsburg, too. Thanks for the heads-up jrm01. I wonder if that CSR from Comcast will call back?

Yep, they (53.1 & 13.1) are back in Canonsburg, too. Thanks for the heads-up jrm01. I wonder if that CSR from Comcast will call back?

Excellent! 13.1,13.2,13.3, and 53.1 have returned for me also.
Quick, everyone rescan now before they screw them up again!

Thanks to wstanko and jrm01 for providing some much needed "encouragement" to comcast to get this fixed.

Well it looks like Rob was having fun responding to a bunch of questions likely generated from here this week on TV Q&A.

I'm not satisfied with the response he got back on Comcast regarding ScifiHD. Comcast claims they simply mixed up the feeds for USA HD and Scifi HD and that's why it was put out on the cable network. However, this doesn't make sense for a two reasons.

1) Scifi HD was on it's correct channel, it wasn't occupying USA HD's space
2) I had USA HD at the same time I had Scifi HD, it was History HD that I didn't have while I had Scifi HD.

Comcast PR spouting off half truths again, what a shocker.

sigh...

I recently discovered the clear QAM channels on my Mitsu DLP. Most excellent!

After this discovery, I decided to upgraded to the Tivo HD.

I have Comcast coming out on Monday for the CC install. In the meantime, I figured I'd try and pull in the clear QAM channels I received when coax is directly on the TV, on the Tivo.

I ran a channel scan- nada.. Tried reseting, etc.. I end up with a few QAM mapped to channel 0?? But, still not all of the clear QAM channels I had when I simply had the coax directly to the TV.

Tried to manually enter the QAM channel on the Tivo HD, ie: 33-1 Doesn't work.
Put a coax directly to the TV and manually enter 33-1- works perfect..

Any ideas?
QAM tuners not the same? (Tivo HD XXX_XX format vs. the TV XXX_XXXX format??)
Signal strength not strong enough for Tivo HD but okay enough for the QAM tuner in the TV?


Thanks for any suggestions!!!

While watching WOF last night, I noticed that it is again in HD. And this time, drum roll inserted ;), they got it right. Not one glitch for the entire episode.

Way to go WPXI.

I noticed that 13-1,2,3 showed up now when i turned on my tv . I am still missing Fox - going to rescan though to see if i can get it. *crosses fingers* and thanks for heads up!


EDIT: WOOOHOOO did a combination of several attempts to get Fox to show up and one of them must have worked (didn't check each time)!!!! now i got 53-1!!! So happy. I have been going to my friend's to watch Fox HD instead of on my new Samsung 4071.

Thanks guys,
Wayne

Wayne,

I have been following the North Hills QAM issue for weeks now and I have finally been forced to post on a forum for the first time since I can't get my Samsung 3753H to rescan and have FOX show up in my channel list. I get the other networks and QED but FOX still doesn't show up for me. What kind of thinsg did you do to finally get FOX??? I'm out of ideas so I'm just looking for examples of what you did so I can try them. Hopefully I'll luck out with your help since we both have Samsungs.

Thanks to everyone for the great info!

is it just me or does everyone elses' USA-HD have constant image jarble/ breakup ?

my usa-hd seems ok

So....

Is Comcast ever going to eliminate GSN from the analog tier so we can get more HD goodness? It's been simulcast in digital on its new channel for over a week now.

It is. Go to a TV in your house that isn't using a digital cable box or cablecard. Turn to channel 17 (c-span2) or 52 (GSN.) They don't come in anymore through analog, but they are still present when using a digital cable box.

Huh, that's got to be recent, like in the past 1 or 2 days recent, because I've been checking with my bedroom TV once every couple days since last Tuesday when the digital version showed up.

Ok, one analog gone, that should be good for 2 if not 3 HD slots with the way Comcast compresses things. Lets start adding stations!

I hope so. I am waiting for Animal Planet and TLC.

wstanko

Can you tell me what HD channels/locations you are getting in the clear now? (Besides all the local/community channels and music channel crap) Going to my GF's in Bridgeville tonight (Actually in the canonsburg headend) and want to try to scan again to see if we can pick up FOX now. Super Bowl is Coming and darn would like to watch it in HD!!!

Thanks!

wstanko

Can you tell me what HD channels/locations you are getting in the clear now? (Besides all the local/community channels and music channel crap) Going to my GF's in Bridgeville tonight (Actually in the canonsburg headend) and want to try to scan again to see if we can pick up FOX now. Super Bowl is Coming and darn would like to watch it in HD!!!

Thanks!

After I did a rescan last week, all the major networks appeared in their correct slots according to OTA numeration:
2-1 KDKA HD
4-1 WTAE-HD
4-1 WTAE Weather
11-1 WPXI HD
11-2 WPXI Weather
11-3 WPXT RTN
13-1 WQED HD
13-2 WQED Digital
13-3 WQED Digital
22-1 WPMY HD
53-1 WPGH HD

Enjoy that Super Bowl. :D

BTW, my 1 year old Comcast Bundle expired on the 14th and also that was the time period of the latest price increase. So I really got homered. My bundle was a cable/internet package and it no longer exists and obviously could not be renewed.

A CSR offered me a new bundle for $3 less than what my new rate would be. Not much of a dollar savings, but I now get more channels. Previously, my channels stopped at 99, now I get many of the digitals above that like Sci-fi HD. I also get HBO and Starz for the year. Of course I keep my DVR (my best friend for time shifting.)

I hope so. I am waiting for Animal Planet and TLC.

I just want ScifHD before the new season of Battlestar Galactica starts. Actually, I want it now so I can watch Stargate Atlantis, but that's beside the point.

Aahhhhhhhhh. Life is good again......got FOX HD back ......and in the right place to boot. Did a rescan......everything looked good. But no music channels?

Our internet deal expired in Dec and called in Jan to see what they could do and they said they couldn't do anything but there were able to lower the TV portion by like $13 which made it equiv to when we had a cheaper internet deal. Somehow we also ended up with HBO (think for a year)

Aahhhhhhhhh. Life is good again......got FOX HD back ......and in the right place to boot. Did a rescan......everything looked good. But no music channels?

Our internet deal expired in Dec and called in Jan to see what they could do and they said they couldn't do anything but there were able to lower the TV portion by like $13 which made it equiv to when we had a cheaper internet deal. Somehow we also ended up with HBO (think for a year)

Yeah, they started encrypting the music channels on the Canonsburg head end during one of their changes in the last two months. But they haven't encrypted the On Demand stuff yet. You can still spy on your neighbors!

-justin

Thanks JJC....wondered about the music but not really missing them.

Yea..........haven't spied on the neighbors in a while.....LOL. Do you find it best to do a scan on a Fri or Sat night to pick up the max number of On Demand channels or does it pick them up no matter if there is something currently playing on the channel or not? Seems after rescan last night not as many on demand channels present. (Even blank ones with nothing currently on it)

Comcasts web site is showing wpcw-hd for pgh. Is it really there ?

im still not getting fox in HD (i live in ross/westview area)

i did notice that gsn is gone.. i thought that we would still get these channels since we have cable?

am i going to have to pay for digital cable now to be able to watch tv???

im still not getting fox in HD (i live in ross/westview area)

i did notice that gsn is gone.. i thought that we would still get these channels since we have cable?

am i going to have to pay for digital cable now to be able to watch tv???

Im' ross/west view and i have fox. Are you sure you don't mean ch 22, wpmy in hd ? It is there if you have a qam tuner, but the b*st#rds won't assign it a channel number and add it to the program guide for the set top boxes !!

Im' ross/west view and i have fox. Are you sure you don't mean ch 22, wpmy in hd ? It is there if you have a qam tuner, but the b*st#rds won't assign it a channel number and add it to the program guide for the set top boxes !!

i dont have any box's i just have the tv with the built in tuner


what channel is fox in hd?

53-1 does nothing

channel 52 gets no signal now, so am i to going to be able to watch these channels unless i pay $100 for digital cable now?

i dont have any box's i just have the tv with the built in tuner


what channel is fox in hd?

53-1 does nothing

channel 52 gets no signal now, so am i to going to be able to watch these channels unless i pay $100 for digital cable now?

i believe 53 is on on (analog) 76. You need to re-scan the channels. gsn is only on digital 179 now.

thanks im doing a rescan now, my tv is giving me three types of cable systems: STD, HRC, and IRC

i left it on STD.. will the other two do anything for me?

thanks im doing a rescan now, my tv is giving me three types of cable systems: STD, HRC, and IRC

i left it on STD.. will the other two do anything for me?

std, i'm not sure that hrc, and irc apply to qam tuning. but no reason why they couldn't. hrc is freq. offsets.

thanks for the help, after doing the scan, i still dont have fox in HD

when i went to channel 76, it went to 76-513 (i think, or something similar) but there was no picture, just blank

edit* oops that was 79.. 76 just goes to channel 76-0 and i see snow, then it says weak signal

Pimp,

I'm having the same problem with FOX. What kind of TV do you have? I have a Samsung and I believe there may be a problem with the QAM tuner in Samsung TVs.

Pimp,

I'm having the same problem with FOX. What kind of TV do you have? I have a Samsung and I believe there may be a problem with the QAM tuner in Samsung TVs.

i have a samsung 4671

i have a samsung 4671

Go to the Samsung XX71 thread in the LCD TV forum section and search "QAM Missing channel". You will see some discussion of this problem. MADWAD said he figured it out earlier in this thread with his Samsung but he doesn't describe the actions he took to get FOX to show up with the other network HD channels. Let me know if you figure it out and I'll do the same.

Go to the Samsung XX71 thread in the LCD TV forum section and search "QAM Missing channel". You will see some discussion of this problem. MADWAD said he figured it out earlier in this thread with his Samsung but he doesn't describe the actions he took to get FOX to show up with the other network HD channels. Let me know if you figure it out and I'll do the same.

i remember reading it before, but the directions wernt clear at all

it looked like he just went typed in the channel (like, if fox is 53-1, he typed in channel 53, and pressed the up button, then it started working)

but this didnt work for me

I just bought a Samsung 4665, which won't be here for 2 more weeks, but, the cable guy is coming next weekend to upgrade our current set-top box.

What equipment is Comcast supplying in the North Hills area for HDTV w/DVR?

Are they offering the Comcast/TiVo service yet in this area?
If not, any ideas when it may be available?

Finally, I've heard of others still just running the co-ax from the cable box to the set. If HDMI is available of both, is this the better choice?

ThankX,

Ron

Im located 35 miles from Pittsburgh. In the Pittsburgh Comcast market. Is anyone not getting the game in HD? I get the game but its obviously not HD. I dont know the technical term for that if anyone can help me out so I can let comcast know whats going on here...

Thanks in advace.

For those of you in the NW part of the Pittsburgh DMA WKBN is allocating an HD feed of WYFX fox on 27-3. WKBN's signal is very strong so many of you should get it with an outdoor antenna and I'm sure most in the Lawrence County area could get it with an indoor antenna.

UGH, watching the superbowl in SD SUCKS, i wish the superbowl wouldnt be on fox, its the only HD channel i dont get

I do get fox in HD. The pre-game was fine, after the pre-game it was like someone turned the HD switch off.....

I do get fox in HD. The pre-game was fine, after the pre-game it was like someone turned the HD switch off.....

what channel are you on?

im just using my tv's built in antenna

what channel are you on?

im just using my tv's built in antenna


213... This has happened with other shows on this channel and I am sick of it.

213... This has happened with other shows on this channel and I am sick of it.

ah you must have one of those box's then

the thing that sucks, is i live about a mile away from fox.. it would take me about 15 min to walk to their studio place, but i CANT EVEN GET THEIR CHANNEL IN HD

ah you must have one of those box's then

the thing that sucks, is i live about a mile away from fox.. it would take me about 15 min to walk to their studio place, but i CANT EVEN GET THEIR CHANNEL IN HD

Good thing I dont live where you do....haha

Thing that gets me is I really am not sure who to put the blame on, comcast or fox53.

I do know that my dad who lives a half mile away from me is watching the game in HD via DTV...
I am about to make a switch.

i'm in murrysville... the game is in HD... looks great. ch 706

i'm in murrysville... the game is in HD... looks great. ch 706

Happy that someone is getting it.
Comcast is trying to "resolve" the issue with Fox53. There is no excuse for this, had hd during pre-game and now during game we dont. Thats how this game is played.

I just bought a Samsung 4665, which won't be here for 2 more weeks, but, the cable guy is coming next weekend to upgrade our current set-top box.

What equipment is Comcast supplying in the North Hills area for HDTV w/DVR?

Are they offering the Comcast/TiVo service yet in this area?
If not, any ideas when it may be available?

Finally, I've heard of others still just running the co-ax from the cable box to the set. If HDMI is available of both, is this the better choice?

ThankX,

Ron

Comcast/Tivo was just rolled out in the first market (NEngland) at the beginning of this month. It won't be in Pittsburgh for 4-8 months, depending on how things go there.

Coax from cablebox to TV will not provide HD. In fact it will provide the lowest quality SD that you can get. HDMI is the best choice, Component is the only other choice.

If the game is not in HD it's not Comcast's doing, it's Fox not giving over an HD feed, Comcast has no control over the stations HD "switch" it's a rebroadcast of what the network gives them.

Coax from cablebox to TV will not provide HD.

ThankX JRM, I'll pick up another HDMI cable, if Comcast doesn't supply one.

Wonder if the guy I work with using all co-ax realizes he's not watching HD?

The moto HD DVR box that I have doesn't even HAVE a coax output on it (*). I'm not sure if the newer cablecard boxes or the non-dvr boxes have them, but I would say it's a fair bet that he doesn't even have an HD box at this point if he has it hooked up through coax.


* (It does have a coax output, but not in the form that comast sends it to you. They screw on an external splitter-box that only has one coax connection to feed both tuners and it blocks the coax output.)

Would you switch from Directv to Comcast?

Thanks JJC....wondered about the music but not really missing them.

Yea..........haven't spied on the neighbors in a while.....LOL. Do you find it best to do a scan on a Fri or Sat night to pick up the max number of On Demand channels or does it pick them up no matter if there is something currently playing on the channel or not? Seems after rescan last night not as many on demand channels present. (Even blank ones with nothing currently on it)

That's exactly when I see the most activity on the On Demand channels. Unfortunately, my scan doesn't pick them up if nothing is currently playing.

So, just like you said, I try to do a rescan when I think there will be a lot of activity. I got 10 on demand feeds one Saturday night to replace the three or four I had gotten the previous time. I just wish I could make my scans add to the old channel database instead of replacing it.

Would you switch from Directv to Comcast?
Hell no. You are insane if you do that.

so WPGH screwed up ANOTHER BIG FOOTBALL game? big surprise.

so WPGH screwed up ANOTHER BIG FOOTBALL game? big surprise.


Like always. Although they got it fixed for the 2nd half. That is still unacceptable and there shouldn't be a problem in the first place. I am fed up with comcast for various other reasons that they are responsible for. Especially their price raping, rates are going up....I felt it was ridiculous paying what I pay now, am looking for alternative service...

I felt it was ridiculous paying what I pay now, am looking for alternative service...

Every time I see one of their "Comcast has more HD than DirecTV" ads I want break something. Comcast has next to nothing in HD and I don't even get all of their nothing. Too bad I need to move; I don't face the right way for a dish and my apartment place doesnt get FIOS

Wait - did I hear that right? Comcast did the first half of the super bowl in SD on comcast?

For big events I use my OTA and I had HD the whole game?

Wait - did I hear that right? Comcast did the first half of the super bowl in SD on comcast?

For big events I use my OTA and I had HD the whole game?

*sigh* no you heard it wrong. Comcast doesn't determinte if the broadcast is in HD or not, they rebroadcast what they are given. They don't flip the HD/SD switch, the network does.

Every time I see one of their "Comcast has more HD than DirecTV" ads I want break something. Comcast has next to nothing in HD and I don't even get all of their nothing. Too bad I need to move; I don't face the right way for a dish and my apartment place doesnt get FIOS
Class action lawsuit

*sigh* no you heard it wrong. Comcast doesn't determinte if the broadcast is in HD or not, they rebroadcast what they are given. They don't flip the HD/SD switch, the network does.



yes, I get that, but I was watching the game on my OTA, INSTEAD of my cable box because I think the PQ is better, and I am pretty sure I had the whole game in HD, on PGH??

So, I am confused how that could be the case since your saying comcast doesnt control that.

I'm also confused. I watched and recorded on my DVR the entire Super Bowl from WPGH-DT on the Comcast Greensburg system. It was in HD and looked good the whole way through.

So that indicates to me that it certainly couldn't have been WPGH's problem. Must have been an issue on that particular local Comcast system.

*sigh* no you heard it wrong. Comcast doesn't determinte if the broadcast is in HD or not, they rebroadcast what they are given. They don't flip the HD/SD switch, the network does.

I'm not sure that's correct. On multiple occasions, I have had to call Comcast because something that's supposed to be in HD is not in HD (usually Pittsburgh Penguins games on FSN Pittsburgh), and Comcast admits that THEY are at fault. In fact, I was calling so frequently about this problem that a tech guy from the local office called me and told me just to call his cell phone in the future. He told me that he physically had to flip (or hit, or push... something) a switch. So, at least sometimes, Comcast IS the one who has to flip the switch.

Also, I'm positive that the Super Bowl HD problem was not the fault of the network. Like others who have posted here, I also received the HD feed for the entire game. I'm on Comcast (former Adelphia), and I had all HD all the time on Fox HD (channel 706 here). I also think there would have been a lot more outrage nationwide if it was a network problem. I haven't heard any such complaints on a national scale.

It really just seems like a localized problem to me.

I've currently got two Comcast Moto HD tuners (not DVRs) for the two TVs in my house. Comcast is charging me $5 for each HD tuner a month plus a $5.99 Digital Svc Additional. I'm on a Digital Preferred package.

I just ordered an HD Tivo Series 3 box so I'll be dropping one of the HD tuners and getting two cablecards.

So from what I've read in the thread, Comcast should drop the $5 fee for the tuner I'm returning and then give me the first cablecard free, but charge $1.50 for the second?

And there should be no change for the $5.99 Digital Svc Additional fee because I'll still essentially have two digital tuning devices hooked up in my house?

Do I have the numbers right or has Comcast changed how they are charging for Cablecards?

I've currently got two Comcast Moto HD tuners (not DVRs) for the two TVs in my house. Comcast is charging me $5 for each HD tuner a month plus a $5.99 Digital Svc Additional. I'm on a Digital Preferred package.

I just ordered an HD Tivo Series 3 box so I'll be dropping one of the HD tuners and getting two cablecards.

So from what I've read in the thread, Comcast should drop the $5 fee for the tuner I'm returning and then give me the first cablecard free, but charge $1.50 for the second?

And there should be no change for the $5.99 Digital Svc Additional fee because I'll still essentially have two digital tuning devices hooked up in my house?

Do I have the numbers right or has Comcast changed how they are charging for Cablecards?

Comcast pricing is so convoluted that you will get a different answer every time you call them. However, basically with the Digital Preferred package you should get one HD Converter Box at no additional charge.

There is, however, a charge for the second "Digital Additional Outlet" (don't you think the could have called this "Additional Digital Outlet?). According to the new (Feb. 2008) pricelist that I just got in my bill that charge should be $2.00.

So in your case they should be eliminating the $5.00 charge for the second box and the $5.95 outlet fee, and replacing it with these charges:

First Cable Card $0.00
Second cablecard (same device) $1.50
Digital Additional Outlet $2.00

This should be a net reduction of $7.45 per month.

Good luck in dealing with them.

I have a Tivo S3 and a Tivo HD and it took them 6 months to get the bill straight.

Does COMCAST (Pittsburgh) have a HD/DVR that is bette/newer than the current MOTOROLA-DCT6412 III model?

Does COMCAST (Pittsburgh) have a HD/DVR that is bette/newer than the current MOTOROLA-DCT6412 III model?

Yes a DCH-3416

Yes a DCH-3416

I have the former 6412III at this time. When I "upgraded" to this HDMI model, its reputation was a better SD picture. That is totally untrue, IMO.

What better features are part of the newer 3416 model?

IT has a 160GB hard drive instead of 120. Other than that, it's different looking, and that's about it.

it is also more stable.

What better features are part of the newer 3416 model?

I keep reading the 3416 box is many problems. Is th e switch worth it? Is the picture better, or..?

I keep reading the 3416 box is many problems. Is th e switch worth it? Is the picture better, or..?

I have had no issues with the 3416 - it seems more responsive than the 6412

I was told by Comcast that I can't get one in the North Hills until our sytem is upgraded. The thing that ticks me off is that my father-in-law in Oakmont has one and gets every HD channel Comcast offers for the same price I pay. I know others have whined about this too, but I couldn't hold it in anymore.

He's had no problems with his 3416 FWIW. I have to say it does look much nicer than the 6412 I have though. It did seem faster and the guide was nicer too.

Don't worry, they'll be upgrading us in the North Hills any day now... :rolleyes:

Yeah the box does not have an analog tuner -- so unless you are all digital you can't have one, sorry!

afail, How do I know if I am all digital here in Canonsburg? I know better than to call Comcast tech support for that answer. I am interested in the new 180 gig upgrade. Any other improvement besides that is just icing.

anyone- any ideas here :

(apartment resident)


i have had a comcast repair tech out several times in the last month -
channels 193-195 come in with incredible amounts of breakup and freezes. both boxes replaced/upgraded. lines checked into the apartment read fine for strength/noise


so then the tech says that his supervisor needs to come out and inspect the main building feed (aka before it is piped from main building boxes to specific units in the building)

after waiting and calling back, heard that this has been done and the building lines/boxes suck and need lots of overhaul.

some 2 weeks later, still horrible picture, no major improvement. called back and informed them of status and asked for an updated timeline - no returned phone calls yet.

short of giving up, or moving, what can i do? (satellite is not an option) i basically ONLY watch hd channels (90% plus of the time), i pay an ungodly amount to do so, and i'm not getting nearly all of what i pay for. in particular usahd is of big interest to me: wwe raw, reruns of law and order, and psych.


sad, angry , and frustrated.

anyone else wake up and have the virtual channels for cbs (2-1) and nbc (11-1) not working?

I can't get them to come back - usually it takes just manually punching them in and it pops right back on, but not now... stupid Comcast!

anyone- any ideas here :

(apartment resident)


i have had a comcast repair tech out several times in the last month -
channels 193-195 come in with incredible amounts of breakup and freezes. both boxes replaced/upgraded. lines checked into the apartment read fine for strength/noise


so then the tech says that his supervisor needs to come out and inspect the main building feed (aka before it is piped from main building boxes to specific units in the building)

after waiting and calling back, heard that this has been done and the building lines/boxes suck and need lots of overhaul.

some 2 weeks later, still horrible picture, no major improvement. called back and informed them of status and asked for an updated timeline - no returned phone calls yet.

short of giving up, or moving, what can i do? (satellite is not an option) i basically ONLY watch hd channels (90% plus of the time), i pay an ungodly amount to do so, and i'm not getting nearly all of what i pay for. in particular usahd is of big interest to me: wwe raw, reruns of law and order, and psych.


sad, angry , and frustrated.

First thing, you inform Comcast your bill will not be paid and the Better Business Bureau will be notified unless a suitable signal is restored. Sounds like getting nasty may be your best option.

Speaking of Comcast - North Hills - 6412 III - (using HDMI)

Does you're History-HD channel (196) seem garbled at times (most times)?

All other HD channels appear fine and actually look great.

The SD channels are lousy for the most part.
Comcast upgraded our box and service last weekend, but, we just picked up our new LCD TV this past Saturday, not sure if it's worth calling them or not.

I was trying to calibrate (playing with the controls ;) it to get the SD channels to look good, but, when I realized how well the HD channels were, I quit.

FWIW, the installer mentioned it usually takes 3-4 boxes (swap-outs) to get a good one (6412), the first one he brought in the house was DOA.

Finally, here's a link to the 3416 User Guide.. I'll take one.
http://connectedhome.motorola.com/business/digitalvideo/downloads/DCH3416_User_Guide_537529-001-c.pdf
Ron

FWIW, the installer mentioned it usually takes 3-4 boxes (swap-outs) to get a good one (6412), the first one he brought in the house was DOA.


One I picked up at Corliss street had a fragged harddive from the moment I pugged it in for the first time.

Would it have killed them to plug the damn thing in first before handing it over to me and run it through a set of diagnostics? I mean, the hard drive was audibly CLICKING CLICKING CLICKING when I started it up.

I ended up giving up an HDMI box for a DVI box because that's all the guy had on his truck when he came to swap it out.

Speaking of Comcast - North Hills - 6412 III - (using HDMI)

Does you're History-HD channel (196) seem garbled at times (most times)?

All other HD channels appear fine and actually look great.

The SD channels are lousy for the most part.
Comcast upgraded our box and service last weekend, but, we just picked up our new LCD TV this past Saturday, not sure if it's worth calling them or not.

I was trying to calibrate (playing with the controls ;) it to get the SD channels to look good, but, when I realized how well the HD channels were, I quit.

FWIW, the installer mentioned it usually takes 3-4 boxes (swap-outs) to get a good one (6412), the first one he brought in the house was DOA.

Finally, here's a link to the 3416 User Guide.. I'll take one.
http://connectedhome.motorola.com/business/digitalvideo/downloads/DCH3416_User_Guide_537529-001-c.pdf
Ron


Back when I was having issues with all of my HD stations being garbled the tech that came out gave me a bunch of the wire ends they use. I replaced all of my ends and the quality of all my channels improved. Not saying your problem is line noise like mine was, but it's something to consider.

My box saga goes like this. My first HD box was brand spanking new back in 2003 when Comcast first began offering HD channels (mostly only for Steeler games as some of you may recall). I actually saw the tech cut the sealed plastic bag it was shipped in, that's how new it was.

That box lasted until sometime in 2006 when it began shutting off randomly only when watching HD broadcasts. Really annoying when you're halfway through an OnDemand movie and have to FF to get back to where you were once the box reboots! They replaced it with a used box which is when my HD channels became garbled and I replaced my wire ends.

Late last year I renewed my triple play and for a few bucks more I now have all channels and a DVR (I have 2 TiVos too) which I never had before from Comcast. The tech plugged the first one in, this was in December, and it had a high pitched whine coming from the HD. He swapped that with another one he had in the truck and it seemed to work OK at first. Later I discovered that the HD channels were blurry and the SD channels were just terrible. Took it to Corliss and they gave me another one.

This next one had all kinds of hard drive problems. The DVR wouldn't record, it wouldn't delete shows, shows got cut off in recording, it froze while watching recorded shows, etc. Reboots fixed it temporarily but I got sick of it and headed back to Corliss once again. It's still December at this point.

I complained about the hassle I was going through now and walked out with another box and assurance that I would not have to pay to have a tech deliver another box if this one failed. Fortunately this one works just fine. I asked the girl at the desk this last time about the new boxes and she told me the "we're currently working on upgrading the North Hills system but I don't know when it will be done" line. She also stated that it had to be done before the big switch next year which I'm not so sure is true either.

Anyway, be prepared to have to exchange some boxes if you can't get a new one. These things are getting old and are beat to hell from being banged around in the backs of vans and trucks all the time.

That's why I haven't bothered trying to replace my DVI one with an HDMI one. This one seems to be pretty stable and it's worst quirk right now is that it'll queue up about 15 remote commands sometimes and then execute them all at once.

I live mine on 24/7 though, I've read that's one of the keys to making sure it stays stable while recording.

Back when I was having issues with all of my HD stations being garbled the tech that came out gave me a bunch of the wire ends they use. I replaced all of my ends and the quality of all my channels improved. Not saying your problem is line noise like mine was, but it's something to consider.

The installer already replaced the line from the splitter where it comes into the house, to this TV. The 4 other Non-HD TVs in the house seem fine. We also have they're 'triple play' deal. Phone is fine, but, the internet access is slow at times as well (packet loss / resends ???).

My HD box is definetly used, even has scuff, black tar like marks on the front.
Probably was dragged behind the van for a while..

Ron

Comcast pricing is so convoluted that you will get a different answer every time you call them. However, basically with the Digital Preferred package you should get one HD Converter Box at no additional charge.

There is, however, a charge for the second "Digital Additional Outlet" (don't you think the could have called this "Additional Digital Outlet?). According to the new (Feb. 2008) pricelist that I just got in my bill that charge should be $2.00.

So in your case they should be eliminating the $5.00 charge for the second box and the $5.95 outlet fee, and replacing it with these charges:

First Cable Card $0.00
Second cablecard (same device) $1.50
Digital Additional Outlet $2.00

This should be a net reduction of $7.45 per month.

Good luck in dealing with them.

I have a Tivo S3 and a Tivo HD and it took them 6 months to get the bill straight.

I have digital preferred and use a cable card. Are you saying I should get a digital box for free with my service.

I was considering switching to the triple play, and the lady kept saying I would be charged 10.95 for 1 box and the cable card. I said isn't the 1st card free. She said only without a box. Since I want a box for a 2nd tv, use the cable card in the main on.

The installer already replaced the line from the splitter where it comes into the house, to this TV. The 4 other Non-HD TVs in the house seem fine. We also have they're 'triple play' deal. Phone is fine, but, the internet access is slow at times as well (packet loss / resends ???).

My HD box is definetly used, even has scuff, black tar like marks on the front.
Probably was dragged behind the van for a while..

Ron

One line isn't enough. They did the same thing for my line to the HD box and it worked right for about a day. He left the tips so I could replace the other line ends on the rest of my TVs regardless of them being HD or SD. After I did that my internet speed stabilized (though it wasn't really bad to begin with) and my TVs all looked noticeably better and I haven't had a signal/bandwidth problem since.

Noise from cheap cable/end tips on your HD line is a bad thing, yes. But noise on the other lines in your houst, regardless of which splitter they are on or what kind of TV they go to, is nearly as bad. Any noise introduced into the system can cause problems with your reception. They also gave me some caps in case I had lines hanging out in the air or had an open port on a splitter. The caps seal those open connections and keep noise out.

Hope that helps!

That's why I haven't bothered trying to replace my DVI one with an HDMI one. This one seems to be pretty stable and it's worst quirk right now is that it'll queue up about 15 remote commands sometimes and then execute them all at once.

I live mine on 24/7 though, I've read that's one of the keys to making sure it stays stable while recording.

Mine is a version II IIRC and does not have HDMI either. I don't need it though as my TV is a 4+ year old rear projection without HDMI anyway. In fact, it doesn't even have a DVI connection either so it's all component cables for me. Hopefully the wife agrees that that needs to change real soon. :D

I have digital preferred and use a cable card. Are you saying I should get a digital box for free with my service.

I was considering switching to the triple play, and the lady kept saying I would be charged 10.95 for 1 box and the cable card. I said isn't the 1st card free. She said only without a box. Since I want a box for a 2nd tv, use the cable card in the main on.

If I understand their fine print correctly the $99 Triple Play only gets you a SD box. To get the HD box there is an additional $5 fee. The $129 Triple Play (Preferred Plus) gets you the HD DVR.

If you want a cablecard in another TV it should be free, but they do charge you $2.00 for the Additional Digital Outlet.

If I understand their fine print correctly the $99 Triple Play only gets you a SD box. To get the HD box there is an additional $5 fee. The $129 Triple Play (Preferred Plus) gets you the HD DVR.

If you want a cablecard in another TV it should be free, but they do charge you $2.00 for the Additional Digital Outlet.

I had the $99 triple play last year and did have to pay the $5 fee for the HD box. I renewed my triple play and bumped up to the premier bundle for $159 which gives me every single channel, including all premium channels and sports channels, and a DVR. I now do not pay the extra $5 fee for the HD box I have. But that could have something to do with the fact that my HD box is now the DVR box too. We pay $6 per month for a second SD box on another TV but that's a different animal altogether.

Does anyone else have issues with the clear QAM local channels dropping out every so often? I was watching Lost tonight, and at least 3 or 4 times during the show there would be a two second blip where the audio cut out. It has happened on other channels too such as Fox. I don't watch TV that often but it's really annoying too miss a sentence of dialog during the few shows I do watch.

One line isn't enough. ...

Noise from cheap cable/end tips on your HD line is a bad thing, yes. But noise on the other lines in your houst, regardless of which splitter they are on or what kind of TV they go to, is nearly as bad. Any noise introduced into the system can cause problems with your reception. They also gave me some caps in case I had lines hanging out in the air or had an open port on a splitter. The caps seal those open connections and keep noise out.


Sounds like a project for this weekend.
I'll replace the splitter where the cable enters the house with a F-F connector and connect one line at a time, checking the TV and PC for any improvements...

I should get some end caps as well, since by 'bit bucket' at the end of the unused line may be full ;)

ThankX,
Ron

I had the $99 triple play last year and did have to pay the $5 fee for the HD box. I renewed my triple play and bumped up to the premier bundle for $159 which gives me every single channel, including all premium channels and sports channels, and a DVR. I now do not pay the extra $5 fee for the HD box I have. But that could have something to do with the fact that my HD box is now the DVR box too. We pay $6 per month for a second SD box on another TV but that's a different animal altogether.

I have the same package, but I told them I had no interest in their DVR and was able to get them to throw in the cablecards for my Tivo instead.

BTW, per their new rate sheet your charge for the second SD Digital Outlet (including box) should be $2.00 not $6.00.

BTW, per their new rate sheet your charge for the second SD Digital Outlet (including box) should be $2.00 not $6.00.

When does that change go into affect? I was looking at my Feb statement and it was still showing a charge of $5.99 for the addtl SD box.

When does that change go into affect? I was looking at my Feb statement and it was still showing a charge of $5.99 for the addtl SD box.

I was looking at the same statement, and after checking a second time I see the note after the bundled plans that says the second HD box would be $5.00.

BTW, note that the special $159 bundle is for one year, then the price goes to $211. I hope Verizon has added FSN-HD and VS-HD by then so I can make the switch.

I hope Verizon has added FSN-HD and VS-HD by then so I can make the switch.

FYI, Verizon reps were in our area (off Thompson Run / Amity Rd) last weekend trying to get us to sign-up. I believe he mentioned they do currently offer HD. I have a 2-year deal with Comcast ($99 + taxes for triple play) + whatever the HD & DVR tack on (we just added them 2 weeks ago).

Ron

As I stated in a previous thread all my HD channels looked pretty good except for the History channel and 1 other I don't recall.

Baggs suggested checking the other lines in the house. As it turns out most are new except for 2 runs, but, I believe the real culprits were the line splitters, I had 3 wired in. I swapped 2 around and the 'mosaic like noise' is gone.

The main line went to a 2 way splitter. 1 to the phone/cable modem, the other to a 4-way splitter with runs to the cable box for the HD TV, 2 SD TVs and another 2-way splitter on the opposite side of house servicing 2 other SD TVs.

Now the cable box and cable modem are on the first splitter and all seem well, for now.

Ron

BTW, note that the special $159 bundle is for one year, then the price goes to $211. I hope Verizon has added FSN-HD and VS-HD by then so I can make the switch.

She offered it to me for 2 years but I wanted to keep my options open since FIOS is around now and I don't plan on keeping all of the premium channels or the sports tier after this is up unless they offer it to me again. I also received a flier from Comcast in the mail the other day to sign up for some kind of valued subscriber program. You get discounts on your bundled services as long as you are not in a special package price agreement or something like that. So that means if I were to choose to keep all of the channels after the $159 deal ends I would save $30 per month on my statement which cuts the $211 down to $181. Lesser bundles save less, like $20 or $10 depending on your level of service. So either way I'm not paying the $211.

As I stated in a previous thread all my HD channels looked pretty good except for the History channel and 1 other I don't recall.

Baggs suggested checking the other lines in the house. As it turns out most are new except for 2 runs, but, I believe the real culprits were the line splitters, I had 3 wired in. I swapped 2 around and the 'mosaic like noise' is gone.

The main line went to a 2 way splitter. 1 to the phone/cable modem, the other to a 4-way splitter with runs to the cable box for the HD TV, 2 SD TVs and another 2-way splitter on the opposite side of house servicing 2 other SD TVs.

Now the cable box and cable modem are on the first splitter and all seem well, for now.

Ron


Ah yes, the splitters. I forgot about those too. The goof they sent out (actually he was a really nice guy) to add our other SD box used the line with the highest output for that box. I can't remember what the tech who came out to fix that problem said was best, but you should have either the line to your HD box or the line to your modem be the one coming from the highest output port on the splitter. They also replaced my Radio Shack cheapo splitter with one of their Regal branded splitters which supposedly makes a difference too.

Glad things are getting better for you finally.

Is it just me or is the New/Repeat flag on the DVR's FUBAR? I tell to only record new programs, and I get all the repeats. Its quite annoying. I miss my Cox/Pioneer explorer DVR, same motorola box, but much better guide and DVR software. I could pick the shows, the dates, even the days of the week to record.

TIVO time?

Is it just me or is the New/Repeat flag on the DVR's FUBAR? I tell to only record new programs, and I get all the repeats. Its quite annoying. I miss my Cox/Pioneer explorer DVR, same motorola box, but much better guide and DVR software. I could pick the shows, the dates, even the days of the week to record.

TIVO time?

It's not just you. For me, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It always works on my 2 TiVos and I can't wait for their software to be available in my area for the Comcast DVR. It really can't come soon enough.

Any word of new channels coming soon? ESPN News HD launches this month, but I guess we won't see anything until next year at this rate.

Where is Lifetime Channel HD, Food Network HD, A&E HD, etc. that they promised us?

Any word of new channels coming soon? ESPN News HD launches this month, but I guess we won't see anything until next year at this rate.

Where is Lifetime Channel HD, Food Network HD, A&E HD, etc. that they promised us?

Food Network and A&E in HD are already available in most areas around Pittsburgh...I have them both.

I'm still waiting for TLC in HD. I wish my area would get that next.

Comcast has indicated they will carry ESPN News HD at launch, but no word on which systems

Comcast has indicated they will carry ESPN News HD at launch, but no word on which systems

What a waste!!! We already have 2 ESPN channels in HD, which features Sportscenter and pro/college sports-specific programming such as Baseball tonight, which are all in HD.

Please Comcast, give us TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, Weather Channel HD, Encore HD, Lifetime HD and the such.

And, not to sound like a broken record, ScifiHD would be nice.

And, not to sound like a broken record, ScifiHD would be nice.

Most areas around Pittsburgh have that already.

Most areas around Pittsburgh have that already.

Yeah, I know. That doesn't escape the fact that they seem staunchly against upgrading the north hills head end no matter how much they promise they are going to do it.

Yeah, I know. That doesn't escape the fact that they seem staunchly against upgrading the north hills head end no matter how much they promise they are going to do it.

Yeah it sucks. I know a few people who live in the North Hills though and they get all of the same channels that I do (South Hills area). I'm not sure what head end they technically use though.

Comcast is just totally screwed up. Some examples...If i go on the Comcast Website it tells me I should get the CW HD on 216 but we all know that's not the case.
Also where I work, we called about getting a second cable internet line into our building (on the Northside of Pittsburgh) and they told us that Comcast wasn't even available for TV or Internet in our area even though we already had both. They kept transfering us to other states to talk to people until finally someone in MA listened and finally believed that we had their services already.

Looks like something is in the works in Bethel Park. Found all these analog channels on the 900 channels.

Looks like something is in the works in Bethel Park. Found all these analog channels on the 900 channels.

Could you elaborate just a little perhaps ?

Nothing really to elaborate. Was receiving analog channels on the 900 channel numbers. Under the channel numbers was test. They are no longer there today. Don't know what the reason is though.

where's espnnewshd comcast? It launched this morning. I . . . WANT . . . NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand they don't havea contract in place yet for ESPN News HD, so I doubt we will see it for a little while. They do have contracts with TLC, Animal Planet, and AMC, yet we have yet to receive those channels. I know they have launced in other areas.

Personally, if I get yet another sports channel in HD before I get some of the other backfill channels that have already been launched in western PA, I'm not going to be too happy.

Have a Comcast Cable Card in Pittsburgh and can get sound on all channels but History HD channel 196. Sound works fine on all other HD channels and on downstairs cable box with analog audio to that set.

Had cable card replaced but no difference. Comcast thinks something may be wrong at head end. If any of you have a cable card, can you get sound on that channel?

Thanks for any replies of tests. ..or ideas.

SIGHTING:

I saw comcast is in the process of installing some new fiber along babcock blvd. (n. hills). It seems to go to the Bauerstown fire hall (shaler area), where there are 3 bundles at a fiber node, apparently a splice location. The other end heads south on mcknight road at babcock, and seems to go towards the ross headend. (once it is off the hangers and fully installed its just about impossbile to tell where it is going). Pehaps, if they hadn't recently removed the fiber network TCI installed thru-out most of alleg. co., the dumb A$$'s wouldn't need to add more capacity.
We can only hope this will get us some more HD, but, it seems more likely it is for project lightspeed (VOD) or perhaps the wasting of (our) money on their business services expansion.
Come on FIOS !!!!!!!!

Sound is fine on History HD here in Ross Twp.

SIGHTING:

I saw comcast is in the process of installing some new fiber along babcock blvd. (n. hills). It seems to go to the Bauerstown fire hall (shaler area), where there are 3 bundles at a fiber node, apparently a splice location. The other end heads south on mcknight road at babcock, and seems to go towards the ross headend. (once it is off the hangers and fully installed its just about impossbile to tell where it is going). Pehaps, if they hadn't recently removed the fiber network TCI installed thru-out most of alleg. co., the dumb A$$'s wouldn't need to add more capacity.
We can only hope this will get us some more HD, but, it seems more likely it is for project lightspeed (VOD) or perhaps the wasting of (our) money on their business services expansion.
Come on FIOS !!!!!!!!

Getting the fiber is good, but you're not going to see many HD channels added in No. Hills until the headend equipment is upgraded, rumored to be this summer.

What happened to my sports channels? 770-780 are completely gone from my guide. It's free preview week for MLB Extra Innings but my boxes tell me those channels don't exist. It shouldn't be because I don't subscribe, it should just say "subscription service not available" or something.

Sound is fine on History HD here in Ross Twp.

Is that with the Cable Box or with a Cable Card???

Have a Comcast Cable Card in Pittsburgh and can get sound on all channels but History HD channel 196. Sound works fine on all other HD channels and on downstairs cable box with analog audio to that set.
Thanks for any replies of tests. ..or ideas.

I have both cablecard on one TV and STB on another and I receive sound fine on both. I am in the Southside.

Anybody have any luck in getting the "free" MLB extra-innings this week? I've tried and can't get anything on 770-782.

Anybody have any luck in getting the "free" MLB extra-innings this week? I've tried and can't get anything on 770-782.

I have it. But Pirate game is blacked out.

I have it. But Pirate game is blacked out.

That's what I was looking for. Did you have to do anything special to get them? I'm assuming that I can't get them since I have cablecards rather than a box.

That's what I was looking for. Did you have to do anything special to get them? I'm assuming that I can't get them since I have cablecards rather than a box.

Nope. Just went to the 700 channels MLB Free Preview. The non-HD games are hideous looking though.

That's what I was looking for. Did you have to do anything special to get them? I'm assuming that I can't get them since I have cablecards rather than a box.

I have a box without a cable card and the channels don't exist for me either

JRM - I think that's something else we don't get in the North.
My buddy in Dormont tried to order the MLB package but it's not carried for him either, I assume he's on the Castle Shannon headend.

Don't worry though, we're scheduled for those system upgrades any day now... :rolleyes:

Speaking of missing stuff in the north, has anyone had HBO HD OnDemand at all in the north hills?

The only things that show up under Premium Channels under HD OnDemand are Starz, Showtime, and Encore. HBO has been absent for months even though tvplanner talks about new HBO HD OnDemand content all the time.

Speaking of missing stuff in the north, has anyone had HBO HD OnDemand at all in the north hills?

The only things that show up under Premium Channels under HD OnDemand are Starz, Showtime, and Encore. HBO has been absent for months even though tvplanner talks about new HBO HD OnDemand content all the time.

Not here. I don't ever recall seeing it and just assumed HBO didn't offer it. Because of that I don't ever really use HBO OnDemand at all and just record what I want off of their HD channel if I can. If I can't, I go elsewhere.

I don't watch much TV on my DLP television hooked up with cablecard but last night I did. When tuning to channel 214 (MyTVHD) I noticed the sound was messed up. Family guy at 7:30 was fine, but the movie Stakeout in HD had stereo sound through the center and two rears. Nothing through the front left and right. It was distracting to say the least. I remember this being a problem with this channel from before, but I forgot about it until last night.
Also, TBS had full 5 channel stereo for Raymond (HD) and friends (SD). But when Harold and Kumar movie came on, sound was fine, correctly doing 5.1.
Anyone else notice this, or is it just me? I assure everyone that my speakers and audio is set up correctly.

Not here. I don't ever recall seeing it and just assumed HBO didn't offer it. Because of that I don't ever really use HBO OnDemand at all and just record what I want off of their HD channel if I can. If I can't, I go elsewhere.

I think we had it at one point, I recall watching that show with the porn chick on HBO On Demand in HD...the Katie Morgan show, whatever it was called.

can you guys (especially in the north hills area) tell me what comcast digital cable packages you subscribe to?

theres like 50 different ones and im not sure what to get...

can you guys (especially in the north hills area) tell me what comcast digital cable packages you subscribe to?

theres like 50 different ones and im not sure what to get...

I think the only one that makes any sense right now is a deal they have for $99 that includes internet, Digital Premium, HBO, and Starz for a year. That may only be a retention package though.

I have that + HD-DVR rental and my bill after taxes comes out to be $117 /month (i also own my own cable modem.) By contrast, if I was just getting ANALOG cable + internet at normal prices it would be like $105.

So, it's April 4th today. Battlestar Galactica season premier is tonight. My dreams of getting Scifi in HD before the last season started have been throughly crushed. I guess my new goal should be watching the final episode in HD. I have a feeling though that I can't rely on comcast for that. I'm going to have to move and switch providers.

thanks, but i dont see digital premium, this is all there is:

Digital Starter
Digital Preferred with HBO
Digital Preferred Plus
Digital Premier
Digital Classic Service

I have the Digital Premier Package which includes everything except for a few foreign stations.

Along with internet and phone the package is $159 per month. However, that is only for one year. My time is up next month and they want to raise it to $229. That ain't going to happen. If FIOS would just get FSN-HD I'd sign up tomorrow for it.

I have the Digital Premier Package which includes everything except for a few foreign stations.

Along with internet and phone the package is $159 per month. However, that is only for one year. My time is up next month and they want to raise it to $229. That ain't going to happen. If FIOS would just get FSN-HD I'd sign up tomorrow for it.

your lucky, im most likely never going to be able to get FIOS

I have the Digital Premier Package which includes everything except for a few foreign stations.

Along with internet and phone the package is $159 per month. However, that is only for one year. My time is up next month and they want to raise it to $229. That ain't going to happen. If FIOS would just get FSN-HD I'd sign up tomorrow for it.

You should be able to keep the 159 if you were willing to do a 2 year contract like Verizon does. Of course then you're under contract at that point.

Penguins fans are pretty screwed in this Ottawa series, huh? Looks like FSN is only showing Game 1 in HD. Game 2 isn't in HD anywhere, but 3, 4, and 6 and their CBC HD feed (that Versus picks up in the States) is going to be blacked out isn't it?

I can't see why they couldn't do all home games in HD at the very least. They're already pre-empting Pirates games in favor of Pens, so get those HD cameras turned on and let's do it. No excuse for anything but HD in the playoffs.

Some day all games will be in HD. I guess we have to be patient in the meantime.

Wow, I just ASSUMED every playoff game would be in HD given how many were during the season. What a bummer.

I wish they could at least black out SD Vs but leave HD Vs. Obviously they should get priority between regular broadcasts but that's pretty awful to say "well we can't do HD so screw it no one gets to see it".

Where are the cameras and equipment going between Wednesday and Friday? I don't get it.

Message on the cable box in the North hills this morning: New program guide coming on the 8th. It must have said May, but, I read it quick and thought it said April, which was yesterday, unless they mean 2009. LOL

Yeah, I got that message too. I don't notice anything different. How about a message regarding new HD additions. Oh right, we don't get those.

I stopped looking at the messages, seemed like all they were using it for was to advertise PPV cage fighting (I believe in HD but I can't HD PPV either) :rolleyes:

Well, a new guide (if it is different) may indicate different head end equipment.

Here's something interesting. I'm sure some of you remember my long standing signal issues that I eventually resolved by putting an amp downstairs right off the main building splitter. Well, that resolved all my HD issues and most channels worked fine after that point. However, there were still random digital channels that wouldn't come it.

I noticed a few weeks ago that I can now go through every channel I have. They all work.

I want to slap myself for having hope that they are actually working on improvements.

I also got the message today (April 9) saying that we would receive a new guide on April 8. I even unplugged my box to see if it would do anything, but I still have the same old guide as always.

I also got the message today (April 9) saying that we would receive a new guide on April 8. I even unplugged my box to see if it would do anything, but I still have the same old guide as always.


No guide here either.

Same message here.. can anyone find any information about what this new guide is?

At least the Pens won.

actually here it is.. read all about it. can't find any screen shots. I like the "high resolution design" they mention. I wonder if that means it will finally be 16x9

http://www.comcast.com/customers/faq/FaqCategory.ashx?CatId=278

and more including screen shots:

http://www.comcast.com/newguide/

I can't help but wonder if this is the message from when we got the last guide update. Was the last guide update last April ? LOL, seriously though.

and more including screen shots:

http://www.comcast.com/newguide/

that looks like the screen guide we have now. This is the newer one I think. It has multi channel preview, check out the screen shots.

http://www.comcast.com/seattlenewguide/

yeah i hope so.. but i'm betting it is not that one.. just some updates to the current one..

note the keyboard search, the new parental guide, the guide switch with the guide key.. all stuff we still don't have.. so i bet it's just that one.. but i'll keep my fingers crossed for the seattle one.

that looks like the screen guide we have now. This is the newer one I think. It has multi channel preview, check out the screen shots.

http://www.comcast.com/seattlenewguide/

Watch the video. It's not quite the same guide. The current guide doesn't have an on screen keyboard or saved searches.

I was bored last night so I actually contacted Comcast via live chat to ask what was going on. All I was told was to wait 24-48 hours and that they would add a comment in my account saying I contacted them about it. So then I asked what I should do in 2 days when the guide doesn't change. They said to contact them again via chat or to call. So my response was, why would I waste my time contacting you again? You did absolutely nothing for me this time. They just gave one of their generic responses and I ended the chat session. So who knows what's going on...

That's what I was looking for. Did you have to do anything special to get them? I'm assuming that I can't get them since I have cablecards rather than a box.

I was able to receive the free MLB as well as the free NHL Center Ice the last 2 weeks. I only have cable card and my channels were on 521-540

I think we had it at one point, I recall watching that show with the porn chick on HBO On Demand in HD...the Katie Morgan show, whatever it was called.

yeah - we had it in the south hills for a long time. I was kinda pissed they dropped it. Shouldnt they be adding more HD content to on demand???

Also - I couldnt get the free MLB preview either. Then agian, my tigers suck, so its probably better!

Penguins fans are pretty screwed in this Ottawa series, huh? Looks like FSN is only showing Game 1 in HD. Game 2 isn't in HD anywhere, but 3, 4, and 6 and their CBC HD feed (that Versus picks up in the States) is going to be blacked out isn't it?


this is disgraceful. FSN Pittsburgh is easily the worst channel in the city, aside from Fox itself (WPGH)

I seriously doubt any other team in this country with a team in the playoffs gets less HD coverage. Can anyone prove me wrong?

this is disgraceful. FSN Pittsburgh is easily the worst channel in the city, aside from Fox itself (WPGH)

I seriously doubt any other team in this country with a team in the playoffs gets less HD coverage. Can anyone prove me wrong?

I hate the fact that they show the HD FSN programming on the MOJO Channel. I mean, at the very least if they need to do that they could say on the guide what is actually on.

I guess Comcast even realizes how useless of a station FSN Pittsburgh is and that's why they won't even give it it's own channel.

It's a total joke that the HD broadcasts of the Pens are blacked out.

Anybody have a cable box reset occur last night during the Pens game? I think it was during an intermission break or something because I was actually watching a few minutes of the Caps-Flyers game on Versus-HD (255) at the time. It took quite awhile for the program guide info to repopulate after it came back.

Both before and after the reset I noticed that when I pressed the "My DVR" button there were some strange characters in the information area and no selection bars appearing below (i.e., "My Recordings" and "Scheduled Recordings"). But everything still worked if I pressed the select or arrow keys which made the selection bars visible. Just odd. I'm on the Comcast Greensburg system.

Anybody have a cable box reset occur last night during the Pens game? I think it was during an intermission break or something because I was actually watching a few minutes of the Caps-Flyers game on Versus-HD (255) at the time. It took quite awhile for the program guide info to repopulate after it came back.

Both before and after the reset I noticed that when I pressed the "My DVR" button there were some strange characters in the information area and no selection bars appearing below (i.e., "My Recordings" and "Scheduled Recordings"). But everything still worked if I pressed the select or arrow keys which made the selection bars visible. Just odd. I'm on the Comcast Greensburg system.


Same thing here.

I'm on the Washington system.

Looks like Comcast is sending out the new guide updates and they're screwing up the original software.

Anybody have a cable box reset occur last night during the Pens game? I think it was during an intermission break or something because I was actually watching a few minutes of the Caps-Flyers game on Versus-HD (255) at the time. It took quite awhile for the program guide info to repopulate after it came back.

Both before and after the reset I noticed that when I pressed the "My DVR" button there were some strange characters in the information area and no selection bars appearing below (i.e., "My Recordings" and "Scheduled Recordings"). But everything still worked if I pressed the select or arrow keys which made the selection bars visible. Just odd. I'm on the Comcast Greensburg system.

My box reset to a different default icon on the menu, as though an update had occured here in Ross/west view, but, i don't see anything different.

My box (i'm in West View) reset itself around 4am. I haven't noticed any differences though.

This has me so furious. I called Comcast the night of Game 2 and all I got was a recording saying that the Pens game "would not be broadcast in HD." What is that crap? We /know/ HD equipment was at the game, HD highlights were played on Verses! How do we complain about this? And to whom?

This has me so furious. I called Comcast the night of Game 2 and all I got was a recording saying that the Pens game "would not be broadcast in HD." What is that crap? We /know/ HD equipment was at the game, HD highlights were played on Verses! How do we complain about this? And to whom?

As much as I think Comcast sucks and I would really like FIOS to be available in my area, this is not Comcast's fault.

FOX Sports Pittsburgh has EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS to the broadcast of the game in the Pittsburgh market.

That means that Comcast is forced to show their feed, even though a HD feed is available on Versus. Comcast must black out that feed.

Take that up with FOX Sports Pittsburgh. Ask them why they choose to show the game in the Pittsburgh market in SD rather than HD. I'll bet you it is a money reason, but they certainly wouldn't want to admit that.

Yes it stinks, but this time we can't blame Comcrap.

It was not money. Cannot get into it here, but that's not the reason.

According to FSN Pittsburgh's live broadcast promo during the Pirates/Reds game, and the FSN Pittsburgh Pirates Television Schedule (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/5713576), the game today is in HD and Comcast is NOT showing it!!! This is UNACCEPTABLE Comcast!

According to FSN Pittsburgh's live broadcast promo during the Pirates/Reds game, and the FSN Pittsburgh Pirates Television Schedule (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/5713576), the game today is in HD and Comcast is NOT showing it!!! This is UNACCEPTABLE Comcast!


It was nice of them to finally switch to the HD feed on MOJO around the 6th inning. Bullshit.

haha, mabyee we should make this a FIOS update thread

According to FSN Pittsburgh's live broadcast promo during the Pirates/Reds game, and the FSN Pittsburgh Pirates Television Schedule (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/5713576), the game today is in HD and Comcast is NOT showing it!!! This is UNACCEPTABLE Comcast!

FSN also had a large ad in the Trib sports section saying it was on HD, so I set my TiVo to record the HD channel (have to do it manually since there is no Guide Data to identify FSN-HD). I turned it on to watch at 2:30 p.m. only to find that it was recording MOJO. I thought that I would have to pick it up in progress on SD, but thankfully TiVo was recording the SD broadcast on the other tuner as a Suggestion for me.

Hmm, I had a thought about Comcast and I was trying to figure out if there is a way we can leverage this into kicking their ass into gear upgrading the North Hills or at least get some compensation (or fines levied).

Ok, we know after a certain point last year (June or July) all new box purchases had to be CableCard boxes. Does any one know of a requirements for availability or installed base in an area for those types of boxes?

Here's what I'm getting at. We know CableCards work in the North Hills through TVs or TiVos. However, I suspect at this point that no one in the North Hills (off the Ross head end) has a cablecard box from Comcast. Why? Because I'm pretty sure that the cablecard boxes that they purchased are digital only boxes and the Ross headend doesn't have ADS so they cannot be deployed off the Ross head end.

I'm just wondering if there is anything in the regulations involving cablecards and these new boxes that REQUIRE comcast to make these boxes avaliable to anyone that wants one or have a certain install base percentage off a head end. If so, we may find that comcast is in violation of regulations in the Ross head end by not having a cablecard enabled box that works properly with the service (due to their purchase of digital only boxes and lack of ADS in Ross).

Just a minor thought I had, wondering if we can apply regulatory pressure to force Comcast to actually upgrade their systems. I don't believe for a moment that their claimed "upgrades" are going to be completed this year let alone by this summer since this is the same song and dance we've gotten from them for the last 3 years.

It was nice of them to finally switch to the HD feed on MOJO around the 6th inning. Bullshit.


Only after I had to call Comcast to remind them to "flip the switch". They were completely unaware of the game being on in HD. They finally did switch it in the top of the 4th inning.

I also called FOX Sports Pgh. to inform them the game was not being aired in HD.

Let's hope I don't have to call them again, but I certainly wouldn't count on that.

Question is, should a viewer be responsible to notify the cable company to do something that they should have done in the first place?

Hmm, I had a thought about Comcast and I was trying to figure out if there is a way we can leverage this into kicking their ass into gear upgrading the North Hills or at least get some compensation (or fines levied).

Ok, we know after a certain point last year (June or July) all new box purchases had to be CableCard boxes. Does any one know of a requirements for availability or installed base in an area for those types of boxes?

Here's what I'm getting at. We know CableCards work in the North Hills through TVs or TiVos. However, I suspect at this point that no one in the North Hills (off the Ross head end) has a cablecard box from Comcast. Why? Because I'm pretty sure that the cablecard boxes that they purchased are digital only boxes and the Ross headend doesn't have ADS so they cannot be deployed off the Ross head end.

I'm just wondering if there is anything in the regulations involving cablecards and these new boxes that REQUIRE comcast to make these boxes avaliable to anyone that wants one or have a certain install base percentage off a head end. If so, we may find that comcast is in violation of regulations in the Ross head end by not having a cablecard enabled box that works properly with the service (due to their purchase of digital only boxes and lack of ADS in Ross).

Just a minor thought I had, wondering if we can apply regulatory pressure to force Comcast to actually upgrade their systems. I don't believe for a moment that their claimed "upgrades" are going to be completed this year let alone by this summer since this is the same song and dance we've gotten from them for the last 3 years.

Comcast had to sign a franchise agreement with your local community to provide cable services to that area.

Each township, municipality, city, borough, etc. falls under a seperate agreement.

That being said, you need to obtain a copy of that agreement with the municipality that you currently live, read it thoroughly, and if there are "defaults" of the agreement, then and only then you would have a legal case.

I wasn't really thinking on the local agreement level but at the FCC level right now. There were a whole slew of laws passed related to cablecard equipment and I was wondering if their implementation of the requirements related to their lack of cablecard STBs in Ross due to no ADS rain afoul of any FCC regs. Probably not because, AFAIK, it's only related to new equipment purchases, but you never know.

It was not money. Cannot get into it here, but that's not the reason.

So let's say so.

Is this the last time this will be an issue for the Pens?

I wasn't really thinking on the local agreement level but at the FCC level right now. There were a whole slew of laws passed related to cablecard equipment and I was wondering if their implementation of the requirements related to their lack of cablecard STBs in Ross due to no ADS rain afoul of any FCC regs. Probably not because, AFAIK, it's only related to new equipment purchases, but you never know.

What makes you think that they are not deploying set top boxes with cablecards in them. ADS has nothing to do with cablecards as they will work with ADS or without it.

What makes you think that they are not deploying set top boxes with cablecards in them. ADS has nothing to do with cablecards as they will work with ADS or without it.

Because I have yet to see any of the newer CableCard moto boxes that aren't digital only and my friends that work at comcast have pretty much confirmed that.

Basically, they are only deploying the DCH3416 and not the DCH6416. I don't believe they have a HD DVR box in their inventory that's cablecard and analog/digital capable.

I know ADS and cablecards have no inherent relationship. What I'm saying is that the equipment that comcast has purchased seems to have made it impossible for them to deploy a cablecard STB to an area that doesn't have ADS because the cablecard STBs that they have purchased all lack analog tuners.

I, living off the ross head end, couldn't go to a comcast office and ask for a newer STB with a cablecard because they don't have one that would work in this system.

on junker and crow today on espn radio, eddy crow said that according to fox, the problem is not money, but the availability of trucks at short notice. in my humble opinion, that's basically just a nice way of saying "we do not have a plan of any kind for dealing with situations like this."

on junker and crow today on espn radio, eddy crow said that according to fox, the problem is not money, but the availability of trucks at short notice. in my humble opinion, that's basically just a nice way of saying "we do not have a plan of any kind for dealing with situations like this."I can buy that to an extent. But to me it can't explain how they could have the HD cameras and trucks in place for Game 1, but not Game 2 two nights later. There was no uncertainty about Game 2 like there is about a Game 5 or 7.

Well, I tried to take it up with Fox Sports Pittsburgh, but I can't even find a way to contact them other than through their website. When I complained about the lack of a high-def broadcast of Game 2 of the Pens/Senators series, I got a form response apologizing for a NASCAR mixup that had nothing to do with hockey.

I sent a follow-up asking a real person with a real brain to respond.

As much as I think Comcast sucks and I would really like FIOS to be available in my area, this is not Comcast's fault.

FOX Sports Pittsburgh has EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS to the broadcast of the game in the Pittsburgh market.

That means that Comcast is forced to show their feed, even though a HD feed is available on Versus. Comcast must black out that feed.

Take that up with FOX Sports Pittsburgh. Ask them why they choose to show the game in the Pittsburgh market in SD rather than HD. I'll bet you it is a money reason, but they certainly wouldn't want to admit that.

Yes it stinks, but this time we can't blame Comcrap.

I can buy that to an extent. But to me it can't explain how they could have the HD cameras and trucks in place for Game 1, but not Game 2 two nights later. There was no uncertainty about Game 2 like there is about a Game 5 or 7.

Absolutely. Games 1-4 are going to take place, there's no question of it. Yet Game 5 is penciled in for HD. Guess what? There may be no Game 5!

what about this new guide? lets get back to that.. when is that coming anyone here anything?

Also why does comast make an annocement that there is going to be a new guide apr 8th, then no guide comes. Why not wait till they are 100% sure the new guide is ready then release it.

Make me think comcast marketing puts comcast engineering under unrealistic deadlines.

Either that or comcast engineering sucks, or they just don't get the support they need to do what they know they have to do. (like management telling them, they need to get this guide out, but not giving them the resources they need to do it)

If i could tell comcast one thing, it would be to let engineering have a bigger say in all matters. Give them what they need. Let them do things correctly.

Because I have yet to see any of the newer CableCard moto boxes that aren't digital only and my friends that work at comcast have pretty much confirmed that.

Basically, they are only deploying the DCH3416 and not the DCH6416. I don't believe they have a HD DVR box in their inventory that's cablecard and analog/digital capable.

I know ADS and cablecards have no inherent relationship. What I'm saying is that the equipment that comcast has purchased seems to have made it impossible for them to deploy a cablecard STB to an area that doesn't have ADS because the cablecard STBs that they have purchased all lack analog tuners.

I, living off the ross head end, couldn't go to a comcast office and ask for a newer STB with a cablecard because they don't have one that would work in this system.


I don't quite understand. You say that they are "only deploying the DCH3416". That is digital only. Where in this market are they deploying that. And what box are they deploying in Ross headend, for DVR and for non-DVR?

It is my understanding that as of last July they had to use the cablecard boxes for everything deployed from that date.

also regarding this games in HD BS. It's total BS to not have enough HD equipment to cover everthing in HD all the time.

Just think about the amout of money being generated by broadcasting sports. They have enough money to have enough cameras to cover all games all the time. Why not just make the inventment to cover everything in HD all the time.

Image if they said.. "sorry we couldn't get enough cameras to the game so we didn't broadcast it period".

HD should be the defacto standard. If they ever buy a new camera it should always be an HD one.

I did hear Steigy on DVE this morning and they asked him about the HD for the games up in Ottawa. He said he didn't know details, but he did know there was no way they could do HD from up there, that it just isn't possible for FSN to do that from Ottawa at present.

He said FSN knows everybody wants HD and they would like to do all games that way but we aren't there yet, hopefully within a year or two.

same deal with the NFL. not every game is in HD. Why not? Don't tell me the NFL doesn't have enough cash to upgrade the entire system to all HD all the time.

How about this: "sorry we didn't get the color cameras to the game, so we are going to have to broadcast in black and white"

I don't quite understand. You say that they are "only deploying the DCH3416". That is digital only. Where in this market are they deploying that. And what box are they deploying in Ross headend, for DVR and for non-DVR?

It is my understanding that as of last July they had to use the cablecard boxes for everything deployed from that date.



They are deploying the DHC3416 in markets that have ADS. I have several friends that live off of other head ends and they all have DCH3416 boxes. Hell, I know someone about 2 miles down the road near the new WPXI building that has a DCH3416 because he just happens to be right outside the area that is serviced by the ross head end. The UI looks pretty much the same, but the performance is much better. Also, they actually look halfway decent instead of looking like something Fisher Price developed.

I have an older DCT6412 HD DVR box. I'm not sure what models they use for the SD boxes or non-DVR boxes as of right now. However, I'm 100% positive I can't have anything other than a DCT6412 box for HD DVR at my current location and no DCT6412 has a cablecard. They are likely just re-allocating the boxes from areas that have ADS by replacing them with the DCH3416 so they still have a supply of the DCT6412 since they likely don't want to purchase the DCH6416 (because areas that don't have ADS are being upgraded eventually) and the DCH3416 doesn't work without ADS.

As of last July, they weren't allowed to purchase any new boxes that weren't cablecard. The deployment rules are what I'm questioning. To my knowledge it is impossible for me to have a cablecard HD-DVR supplied by comcast because the only HD-DVRs they have in stock at Corliss that use cablecard are the DCH3416 and they do not stock the analog/digital DCH6416. I'm wondering if that runs afoul of any FCC regs relating to deployment of cablecard STBs.

Sure, they aren't purchasing any more DCT6412s so they are within the letter of the regs, but the purpose of the regs were to force the cable companies to use cablecard to ensure compatibility with 3rd party devices like TiVo. If all they are doing is buying digital only STBs with cablecards for ADS areas and using those to boost the supplies of the older boxes for non-ADS areas, then Comcast technically isn't deploying any cablecard based STBs out of certain head ends which against the spirit of the law.

That's what I was getting it. In a nutshell, it is pretty apparent that comcast is not purchasing any analog/digital STBs with cablecards (at least as far as HD-DVRs go.) They are solely purchasing digital only boxes with cablecards. This purchasing decision makes it impossible to deploy any cablecard STB to a non-ADS head end. This might not be 100% compliant with the full FCC regulations regarding cablecards, cable company owned STBs, and deployment but they are getting away with it because no one knows any better. If it was found that they aren't in full compliance with FCC regs regarding cablecard STBs, it may be possible to apply regulatory pressure on them to improve their systems so they can be compliant (i.e. upgrading the Ross head end to the point where it has enough bandwidth to support ADS.)

At the very least, it could apply some pain to comcast beyond a disgruntled customer base in relation to following through with their upgrades.

Well, I tried to take it up with Fox Sports Pittsburgh, but I can't even find a way to contact them other than through their website. When I complained about the lack of a high-def broadcast of Game 2 of the Pens/Senators series, I got a form response apologizing for a NASCAR mixup that had nothing to do with hockey.

I sent a follow-up asking a real person with a real brain to respond.

FOX Sports Pittsburgh:

Try 412.316.3800 press "8" (Operations, Wes Goldstein)

As of last July, they weren't allowed to purchase any new boxes that weren't cablecard. The deployment rules are what I'm questioning. To my knowledge it is impossible for me to have a cablecard HD-DVR supplied by comcast because the only HD-DVRs they have in stock at Corliss that use cablecard are the DCH3416 and they do not stock the analog/digital DCH6416. I'm wondering if that runs afoul of any FCC regs relating to deployment of cablecard STBs.



Actually the original wording of the FCC reg said they could not deploy the older boxes after July 1, 2007 (originally 2000, then extended many times).

However, it appears that they have permitted the redeployment of existing boxes.

You could probably complain to the FCC, but I doubt it would get anywhere.

Only after I had to call Comcast to remind them to "flip the switch". They were completely unaware of the game being on in HD. They finally did switch it in the top of the 4th inning.

I also called FOX Sports Pgh. to inform them the game was not being aired in HD.

Let's hope I don't have to call them again, but I certainly wouldn't count on that.

Question is, should a viewer be responsible to notify the cable company to do something that they should have done in the first place?

I have a friend that works for FSN-Pittsburgh. What he as told me about Hd broadcasts is that there is a set number of trucks to be used for HD broadcasts. The trucks need to be reserved. Not every game in every sport CAN be in HD. I'm sure there was an attempt to have every game in HD, but HD trucks were not avaliable for that date. He said If they could all Pirate and Penguin games would be in HD, but It's just not feasible at the present time.

FSN-Pittsburgh makes no more money or adds any viewers If a game is in HD. The number will basicall be the same just split If it's in HD.

It wasn't a matter of the truck for home hockey.

same deal with the NFL. not every game is in HD. Why not? Don't tell me the NFL doesn't have enough cash to upgrade the entire system to all HD all the time.

all the nfl playoff games are in HD. the ottawa-pens games in ottawa are produced in HD in canada (by the cbc) i believe. just not transmitted here obviously, thanks to blackout/local rights/etc.

FSN-Pittsburgh makes no more money or adds any viewers If a game is in HD. The number will basicall be the same just split If it's in HD.

They may not add any viewers by the game being in HD, I have no idea.

I can tell you they lose at least one though when the games are NOT in HD.


yeh, nobody cares. I'm just one guy

Has anyone noticed an excessive number of glitches (audio dropouts, video freeze/macroblocking artifacts) during PBS-HD shows of late? I watch WQED-DT via Comcast (channel 220) and this is becoming tiresome. We've recorded Masterpiece (the Jane Austen series and on Sunday "A Room With a View" and I've seen some other shows the past several weeks and nearly every one of them has these problems. Probably on average about one glitch every few minutes. It's very distracting. I don't know if it's WQED to blame, with their plethora of subchannels stealing too much bandwidth, or Comcast. Maybe somebody who views via OTA would know if it's happening from the source or not.

So Game 4 is not in HD? All I get is Rangers/Devils on Versus, and "a quarterfinal game" at 8 on UHD.

What a joke. Bad enough N.Hills gets shafted as far as channels go, but Comcast is worthless for HD sports. No MLB EI in HD. No NFL ST period. No NBATV in HD, unless it's a week old Sixers/Wizards game on UHD.

So Game 4 is not in HD? All I get is Rangers/Devils on Versus, and "a quarterfinal game" at 8 on UHD.

What a joke. Bad enough N.Hills gets shafted as far as channels go, but Comcast is worthless for HD sports. No MLB EI in HD. No NFL ST period. No NBATV in HD, unless it's a week old Sixers/Wizards game on UHD.


It's produced/broadcasted in Canada in HD via CBC. FSN pittsburgh uses certain CBC camera angles during game replays (the logos are branded in) but they greedily refuse to pass through the CBC HD feed. instead they give us their ridiculous lame SD local rights broadcast only.


watch the highlights on Vs. in HD!!!! LMAO

see the sig! these guys just flat out don't respect us.

An article from the Post Gazette explaining why all the Pens playoff games are not in HD.

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/08108/874172-194.stm

An article from the Post Gazette explaining why all the Pens playoff games are not in HD.

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/08108/874172-194.stm

Well, that's finally a good explanation. It seems that the bottleneck has nothing to do with availability of cameras and equipment locally, but rather the maximum capacity of the FSN facilities in Houston. I'll buy that. But I wish they'd been a little more proactive a couple years ago in getting their infrastructure up to speed. I guess it will all be good in a couple years.

I just wonder what the decision making process is as to what regions/sports get HD?
The Pens have been pulling great ratings, but we're still a pretty small market I guess.

Well, that's finally a good explanation. It seems that the bottleneck has nothing to do with availability of cameras and equipment locally, but rather the maximum capacity of the FSN facilities in Houston. I'll buy that. But I wish they'd been a little more proactive a couple years ago in getting their infrastructure up to speed. I guess it will all be good in a couple years.

so the bottom line is the network was too CHEAP to invest ahead of time in anticipation of the problem. (since surely nobody could predict the outcome that consumers with HDTVs want HD programming)

color me shocked.

You're way off base, Ogg.
How about investigating the situation, understand how things are done and being informed before just going off. Find me one company who will invest millions to upgrade a current facility knowing they will be in a brand new place within a year or so. Name one.

You're way off base, Ogg.
How about investigating the situation, understand how things are done and being informed before just going off. Find me one company who will invest millions to upgrade a current facility knowing they will be in a brand new place within a year or so. Name one.



That's not what I'm saying, I'm saying why was the investment not made 3-4 years ago to have the 'infrastructure' in place today? Did they really not think that HD would take off? That is the only conclusion I can make.

It's a lot like how we treat energy (and infrastructure) problems in this country sadly. .. wait till its completely broken, then decided to fix it :mad: Maybe I'm just letting my frustration with overall short-sightedness and lack of forward in general to combine with my dissatisfaction with not having good HD coverage of our local team here set me off too far.... :(

I'll be leaving this thread/topic as I am far too negative I guess

I read the article in the paper the other day, but the thing that boggles my mind, is that the Pirates are getting priority HD broadcasting rights over the Penguins. Who in their right mind wants to watch them stink up the place? The less they're on TV, the better.

Has anyone noticed an excessive number of glitches (audio dropouts, video freeze/macroblocking artifacts) during PBS-HD shows of late? I watch WQED-DT via Comcast (channel 220) and this is becoming tiresome. We've recorded Masterpiece (the Jane Austen series and on Sunday "A Room With a View" and I've seen some other shows the past several weeks and nearly every one of them has these problems. Probably on average about one glitch every few minutes. It's very distracting. I don't know if it's WQED to blame, with their plethora of subchannels stealing too much bandwidth, or Comcast. Maybe somebody who views via OTA would know if it's happening from the source or not.
Yes. I don't have OTA, but I do have channel 220 and I've noticed.

I watched the Frontline episode on 4-15 about universal healthcare and there was a dropped bits/blocking artifact storm.

Also, why is the picture on WQED-HD so freakin' soft? It looks like an upconverted 480p feed. Motorweek always looks blurry. How does some of the programming look OTA?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24228712/

This is a link to an interesting article on compression of HD signals on cable and satellite TV.

Comcrap better figure out a better way of delivering HD signals through its system, given the future of HD Television and the ever-growing list of channels who are offering their signal in HD.

Maybe with the switchover of broadcast television to all digital in February 2009, this would be a good time for the cable companies to free-up bandwidth on their systems by doing away (completely) with the analog signals which are taking up way too much bandwidth space.

Sure, we all know that this switchover only pertains to over-the-air signals, but if the cable companies go all-digital, and supply digital-converters to their customers free of charge (which they should do in the first place instead of making them pay extra for each digital box---the way Comcrap does), then a lot of space would be freed-up for a lot more HD channels.

Question is, will Comcrap have enough foresight to do this?

Will they finally supply the converters free of charge instead of charging $ 5.99 per month for each digital converter?

It isn't a matter of foresight. It is a matter of economics and customer demands. Right now over 80% of Comcast customers have at least one tv hooked up for analog only (no box) and less than 25% with HD.

The analog-only connection for secondary TVs (as well as some primary TVs) is still a competitive advantage for cable.

I can't see them doing away with analog for quite some time, but I think we might see the number of analog channels reduced to 25-30 sometime soon.

Until recently I had one HD TV and six other TVs connected to analog-only. They wouldn't make much money if they gave me six free cableboxes. Even now, I have two HD and 3 analog-only.

It isn't a matter of foresight. It is a matter of economics and customer demands. Right now over 80% of Comcast customers have at least one tv hooked up for analog only (no box) and less than 25% with HD.

That's because Comcast CHOOSES to conduct business this way. They need to change their philosophy, and what better time than to correlate that with the upcoming digital mandate. The typical technological un-saavy consumer wouldn't know the difference. Tell them that their entire system is going the way the rest of the market is going, and that's ALL DIGITAL.

The analog-only connection for secondary TVs (as well as some primary TVs) is still a competitive advantage for cable.

And the more people buy high-end televisions, the more people are going to realize how much analog tv really sucks. Analog is a dinosaur, and it needs to go.

I can't see them doing away with analog for quite some time, but I think we might see the number of analog channels reduced to 25-30 sometime soon.

That is still too many.

Until recently I had one HD TV and six other TVs connected to analog-only. They wouldn't make much money if they gave me six free cableboxes. Even now, I have two HD and 3 analog-only.

If you have satellite TV like Dish or DirectTV, doesn't that require a sepatate "box" for every TV hookup?

JRM, a little forward-thinking would be appropriate here. That sounds like the typical SW Pennsylvania provincial attitude "we can do that because we never done it that way before." That's a perfect recipe for nothingness.

You know as well as I do that if Comcrap was to supply boxes for every telivision in everone's home that they would certainly make up for it in their fees. Their not going to give away anything. What corporation does?

I know that comcast (and Verizon) are experimenting with other ways to ditch analog and not require a box per TV in other areas.

It basically boils down to a tuner box/multiplexer setup. There is a single box in your house that tunes and decodes the appropriate QAM channels for your tier of service and then multiplexes them into an analog cable stream. This allows them to send all digital to your house and still allows all the analog TVs in your house get signal without a box.

That should allow you to get up to 125 analog cable channels. Granted, the tiers that they offer this service with (if they offer it at all) would likely have significantly fewer channels than that, but there are solutions.

Honestly, I would love to see these providers move toward a home server/thin client setup for the home. Instead of several STBs, you have a single device that acts as DVR/tuner/server for the whole home that connected to the network and have simple media extenders that are connected via IP network to that box that are just dumb thin clients. All the heavy lifting is done by this box you have hidden away and you have a nice tiny little box that only needs to be connected to the home network to output video to your TV. If you make these boxes wireless capable, it becomes very easy to extend your cable/sat TV to anywhere in the house.

This will likely become a reality on sat before cable. DirectTV is working with Microsoft right now to incorporate media center into their systems and the first beta tests are starting up soon. This replaces your STB with a Media Center Server and, in theory, any Media Center Extender device can access content from it.

I know that comcast (and Verizon) are experimenting with other ways to ditch analog and not require a box per TV in other areas.

It basically boils down to a tuner box/multiplexer setup. There is a single box in your house that tunes and decodes the appropriate QAM channels for your tier of service and then multiplexes them into an analog cable stream. This allows them to send all digital to your house and still allows all the analog TVs in your house get signal without a box.

That should allow you to get up to 125 analog cable channels. Granted, the tiers that they offer this service with (if they offer it at all) would likely have significantly fewer channels than that, but there are solutions.

Honestly, I would love to see these providers move toward a home server/thin client setup for the home. Instead of several STBs, you have a single device that acts as DVR/tuner/server for the whole home that connected to the network and have simple media extenders that are connected via IP network to that box that are just dumb thin clients. All the heavy lifting is done by this box you have hidden away and you have a nice tiny little box that only needs to be connected to the home network to output video to your TV. If you make these boxes wireless capable, it becomes very easy to extend your cable/sat TV to anywhere in the house.

This will likely become a reality on sat before cable. DirectTV is working with Microsoft right now to incorporate media center into their systems and the first beta tests are starting up soon. This replaces your STB with a Media Center Server and, in theory, any Media Center Extender device can access content from it.

That sounds great, Bull.

Now THAT'S the RIGHT kind of thinking!!!

It just makes me really frustrated sometimes to think of what they COULD be doing with today's technology (and cheaply even) when in reality the glacial pace of these providers has barely gotten us 90's level of technology.

Any data consumed within the perimeter of a home should be packetized and accessed over a standard TCP/IP network. The entry and exit points can use whatever proprietary network and hardware setup that's wanted or required, but they should feed data to your network for consumption within the home. Power and cat 5e (or cat 6) should be the only wiring within a home. Terminate the network wiring in a closet somewhere with a patch panel and get a decent (but affordable) gigabit switch. You then cover the inaccessible places with wireless coverage and call it a day. Viola, every service you subscribe to is accessible anywhere in your home.

Then, you take this one step further and define a standard protocol to access and control subscription video services over a home network and require that all providers become compliant. Finally, you instantly gain so much more than the failed cablecard initiative has tried for years to accomplish. All sorts of devices could leverage that protocol and you could end up with really neat and useful things. All types of AV gear (TVs, receivers, even dvd players) could interface with the standard and become a client for the server. You could have tons of handheld devices as well. Imagine apple or microsoft releasing an updated firmware to allow your ipod touch or zune to stream video from your home network.

No longer would you think "I'm going to finish watching this program and then go wash the dishes. No, you just grab your hand held with a kick stand and take it to the kitchen to continue watching the program wirelessly. Any computer in the home would become a TV as well with the right client software.

Tell me it wouldn't kick ass to just decide "You know what, i'm going to watch the rest of this evening's TV out on the porch tonight in the fresh air" without stringing a ton of special wiring and buying extra equipment.

Well guys, i should claim i am psychic, but i saw this channel line up change at a friends house in edgewood, 15206. Probably coming our way (n. hills) ... someday. Since they seem to require prior notice for channel changes, I'd say not any time soon.
I think there was one more, this is from comcasts web site.

analog to Digi. Starter
183 MSNBC
184 EWTN
185 Tru TV
186 C-SPAN2 *
187 Hallmark Channel

hd additions:
214 wpmy-hd
256 A&E - HD High-Definition TV
257 Food Network - HD High-Definition TV
258 HGTV - HD

It just makes me really frustrated sometimes to think of what they COULD be doing with today's technology (and cheaply even) when in reality the glacial pace of these providers has barely gotten us 90's level of technology.

Any data consumed within the perimeter of a home should be packetized and accessed over a standard TCP/IP network. The entry and exit points can use whatever proprietary network and hardware setup that's wanted or required, but they should feed data to your network for consumption within the home. Power and cat 5e (or cat 6) should be the only wiring within a home. Terminate the network wiring in a closet somewhere with a patch panel and get a decent (but affordable) gigabit switch. You then cover the inaccessible places with wireless coverage and call it a day. Viola, every service you subscribe to is accessible anywhere in your home.

Then, you take this one step further and define a standard protocol to access and control subscription video services over a home network and require that all providers become compliant. Finally, you instantly gain so much more than the failed cablecard initiative has tried for years to accomplish. All sorts of devices could leverage that protocol and you could end up with really neat and useful things. All types of AV gear (TVs, receivers, even dvd players) could interface with the standard and become a client for the server. You could have tons of handheld devices as well. Imagine apple or microsoft releasing an updated firmware to allow your ipod touch or zune to stream video from your home network.

No longer would you think "I'm going to finish watching this program and then go wash the dishes. No, you just grab your hand held with a kick stand and take it to the kitchen to continue watching the program wirelessly. Any computer in the home would become a TV as well with the right client software.

Tell me it wouldn't kick ass to just decide "You know what, i'm going to watch the rest of this evening's TV out on the porch tonight in the fresh air" without stringing a ton of special wiring and buying extra equipment.

I agree with you Bull, but way too many people are change-indifferent.
They can go the rest of their lives watching fuzzy interference-filled analog television and that would be just fine with them. Hey, that's the way it's always been, so why change anything?
Btw, I am 100% in your corner. Too bad the rest of society isn't.

according to FIOS website, I am able to get both TV and internet in 15227

Here I come!!

Good news for hockey fans: FSN Pittsburgh will only carry three games of the Pittsburgh Penguins v. New York Rangers series. Versus has exclusive rights for Game 1 and 4, and NBC has Game 2.

FSNP has 3, 5, and 7, so hope for another sweep and we'll only have one game broadcast in standard definition.

(Nothing against FSNP, but I prefer high def anytime I can get it - so this is good news, given FSN's limited HD capacity.)

Has anyone started receiving TLC, Animal Planet, AMC, Disney, or ABC Fam in HD yet? I know a lot of other states have them.

Has anyone started receiving TLC, Animal Planet, AMC, Disney, or ABC Fam in HD yet? I know a lot of other states have them.


Until Comcast comes to their senses and frees up bandwidth by removing their analog channels, it is going to be difficult for them to keep adding more HD channels.

That's just the cold, hard truth.

For those interested, Tuesday's Game 3 from the Garden will be in HD on FSN Pittsburgh.

For those interested, Tuesday's Game 3 from the Garden will be in HD on FSN Pittsburgh.

That's great news, Mark! Thanks for keeping us informed.

Has anyone noticed anything different? I was watching a couple of shows in the last couple of days, mostly SD, and off the DVR, and it looked like it was shot with a 1990's stedicam (not normal). Did Comcrap jack the compression again? If I wanted to watch TV on my computer I would.

Hold on to your butts people. I had the following conveyed to me from one of my contacts at comcast.

625 MHz Systems - Rebuild Project Now Moving to Ross/Etna



The rebuild project that was started in Castle Shannon in November will be moving to the Ross/Etna area next week. Comcast will be rebuilding the areas from a 625 Mhz to a 1 Ghz system. This work is being done to enhance our current network and to offer more services in the future.

I have no idea on a timeframe to completion at this point, but it appears as though there's actually movement on things. AND we will be getting a 1ghz system!

Comcast just reported that they lost 56,000 cable subscribers in the first quarter. Wonder where they all went?

Earnings were up due to price increases. I'm sure that will help retain customers.

I have no idea on a timeframe to completion at this point, but it appears as though there's actually movement on things. AND we will be getting a 1ghz system!

I was told in January that it would be upgraded in Ross by July.