When I called Comcast a few weeks ago to question when new HD channels would be added, the employee with whom I spoke was quite forthright with their intentions.

He mentioned the shutdown of a lot of analog channels to free up bandwidth for HD, which has been mentioned here. I believe he said it was some time in February or March. Definitely in late winter, early spring. He then suggested we would start seeing new channels in the summer, and I believe the whole thing would be wrapped by the end of the year, if not possibly in the fall.

Again, I'm going from a vague recollection of the conversation, but I would guess that we'll see some new channels in June or somewhere near there. Here's hoping it's soon, but it gives me something for which to look forward.

Again, I'm going from a vague recollection of the conversation, but I would guess that we'll see some new channels in June or somewhere near there. Here's hoping it's soon, but it gives me something for which to look forward.

Great. That's only 2-3 years behind their original plan. Gotta love the Comcast management.

When I called Comcast a few weeks ago to question when new HD channels would be added...

Any word on which new HD channels will be added?

Any word on which new HD channels will be added?

None.

I just got off the phone with Comcast. They're going to start "shutting off the analog channels" on January 19th. The person I spoke with didn't know if the new HD channels were going to be incrementally added as bandwidth is freed up or if they were all going to be added at once when the analog reclamation has ended. Basically, according to the person I spoke with, they don't have details until they can gauge exactly how much added bandwidth they're going to have. The new HD channels may not be added until late summer through November. Yep, almost another year with a static HD lineup.

Sounds fishy to me. I don't understand why they can't have a rough estimate on hand as to how many new HD channels they were projecting to add on either Twin Cities system.

Exactly who did we piss off at Comcast to be treated like this? Comcast moves with all deliberate speed.

They're going to start "shutting off the analog channels" on January 19th.

Any word on whether they'll open up the digital versions of these reclaimed analogs to clear QAM so we don't need another box for basic2 channels? If not that'll push me one step closer to a satellite alternative.

Any word on whether they'll open up the digital versions of these reclaimed analogs to clear QAM so we don't need another box for basic2 channels? If not that'll push me one step closer to a satellite alternative.

I believe, although I'm not 100% certain, that you're still going to need a box for all basic cable channels from Comcast on any Twin Cities system. If someone has a definitive answer I'd love to know it as well.

Anyone catch the "World of More is coming soon" ad on TV this morning? I hope it was market specific instead of a general Comcast ad.

Anyone catch the "World of More is coming soon" ad on TV this morning? I hope it was market specific instead of a general Comcast ad.

Do you remember at what time and on which channel you saw it?

I have to believe it was market specific -- after all -- it may have even been Comcast's equipment inserting the ad. (i.e. Comcast system specific)

I saw the "World of More" ad this morning also - just checking to see if anyone else saw it and if it meant anything.

I saw it sometime between 7am-7:30am and I think it was on ESPN2.

I'm on the St. Paul system

Do you remember at what time and on which channel you saw it?

I have to believe it was market specific -- after all -- it may have even been Comcast's equipment inserting the ad. (i.e. Comcast system specific)

It was around 5:30am while I was watching MSNBC on channel 70.

I saw the "World of More" ad this morning also - just checking to see if anyone else saw it and if it meant anything.

I saw it sometime between 7am-7:30am and I think it was on ESPN2.

I'm on the St. Paul system

When the "World of More" project is complete here it will mean 100+ available HD channels.

I just saw it too, it was on the weather channel at aprox 5:18pm CST. Wasn't descriptive at all, just saying something to the effect of "Coming Soon"

Even though they did get the encryption wavier, i am hoping they leave the tier 2 unencrypted!!!!

When the "World of More" project is complete here it will mean 100+ available HD channels.

Depends on what type of system we have. I don't think we'll have more than 30-40 new HD channels when the World of More is completed by the end of this calendar year. That'll give St. Paul around 80 HD channels.

Anyone know if we're on the 850 MHz system or a small one like a 550 MHz? That'll determine how many channels we have space for. We're probably a minimum of 4-8 months away from those new HD channels going live.

I'm so done with Comcast. I'm planning on moving to a new place in 2011 and I'm going to make sure I can get DirecTV HD installed. I miss DTV like you wouldn't believe.

Anyone know if we're on the 850 MHz system or a small one like a 550 MHz? That'll determine how many channels we have space for. We're probably a minimum of 4-8 months away from those new HD channels going live.



We are defiantly NOT a 550, those only go up to channel 79~80
We are for sure a 760, as i can see digital channels up to 120, but there is also a "test screen" pattern at 134 in analog, which would make us a 860Mhz system. (This is from the Blaine, Mn Area)

It could be higher (Possibly 1Ghz) but easily a 860Mhz system for sure

Minneapolis is 750 MHz while St. Paul is 860.

Comcast is working on DTA's for the SA area and SARA will be replaced with the S series guide.

If CC is going digital in February or March they must already be deploying DTA's soon as they must provide them within 90 days in advance.

Minneapolis is 750 MHz while St. Paul is 860.

Comcast is working on DTA's for the SA area and SARA will be replaced with the S series guide.

Thanks for the clarification.

I just spoke with a CSR and ordered my DTAs - they will be shipped to my house. She could not give me any exact dates on when the analogs will be elimininated but she said "very soon" and I said "by June?" and she said, "Oh yes, I'm sure by June". She said the analogs will be eliminated on different schedules based on which city you are in.

Depends on what type of system we have. I don't think we'll have more than 30-40 new HD channels when the World of More is completed by the end of this calendar year. That'll give St. Paul around 80 HD channels.

Anyone know if we're on the 850 MHz system or a small one like a 550 MHz? That'll determine how many channels we have space for. We're probably a minimum of 4-8 months away from those new HD channels going live.

I'm so done with Comcast. I'm planning on moving to a new place in 2011 and I'm going to make sure I can get DirecTV HD installed. I miss DTV like you wouldn't believe.

Well, in the Comcast forum others are saying that if you don't have 100+ HD channels available to you, then World of More is not complete for you. All of the areas that are complete have 100+.

I'm so glad I held out and didn't get tied into a multi-year contract with satellite.

Greetings all. I just moved back to the state, and it is looking like I will be moving to Richfield, which is serviced by Comcast. I have been unable to get a clear idea how Comcast tiers their HD programming in the area and was looking for enlightenment, or a better link to this info. Basically I am looking to maximize my HD channels at the lowest cost.

I assume with a basic hook up you can recieve the local channels via QAM, and will require some sort of settop box for the others. where I was living before they had a basic/deluxe/premier set up for digital cable, but the HD channels were handled separately so you could get basic digital cable, but add on all of the non-premium HD channels for a set rate. Does comcast have any options like this?

Eventually I plan to roll my own DVR with windows 7 and some of the newly announced cablecard tuners. I have little interest in pay-per-view or ondemand, and find the monthy rental cost of a DVR hard to swallow.

Any thoughts or links to find this info would be appreciated.

It will be interesting to see if any of you in the Minneapolis/Cisco area can get the DTAs now. It would be the first I've heard of Comcast deploying Cisco-compatible DTAs in any market.

I needed to stop at the Brooklyn Park Comcast ofiice to pick up a new HD box so I picked up my two DTAs instead of having them mailed. They are Thomson boxes.

I asked the rep there if they had any pamphlets or anything on The World of More. He went to check in the back and came back out and said that the information is being mailed and it is location-specific. i.e. The changes will be rolled out at different times for different parts of the metro area.

Also, the CSR I first spoke to on the phone said the new version of the guide is very close to being deployed here too. I see Baltimore got it overnight.

Anyone else besides me looking at getting the Ceton 4 tuner cable card for their Media Center PC's when it come out?

Anyone else besides me looking at getting the Ceton 4 tuner cable card for their Media Center PC's when it come out?

I sure am! Already have an M cable card to make it easier. I can't wait!

I changed my mind and went back to the Brooklyn Park office to swap the HD box for a DVR. There are now World of More banners up in the office and they've brought in tables and are training added employees on distributing the DTAs. The CSR said the the notifications will be mailed "in the next few days". Also, when you call the local Comcast phone number, the first voice prompt is now something like "Are you calling about the conversion to all-digital in your area?".

So it is definitely ON.

I just went into the S. St. Paul service center to return my phone service modem. While there I asked when the digital conversionwould happen in Eagan. She did not know for sure but that I'd be getting a letter in the mail. She did offer to give me the DTA's but I declined.

I asked whether the converted channels would be available over clear QAM and sadly she said no, that I would need a converter box. Its just a shame that they go through the expense of providing these boxes when many of us have QAM tuners in perfect working order. I assume anytime I want to switch between HD locals, provided by cable, and standard cable channels I'll have to switch inputs, depending on how the DTA gets hooked up.

Does anyone know if the city of Minneapolis will be included in the Digital Transition?

So we're not going to see the new HD channels until mid-June or mid-July at the earliest?!

Cisco has just unveiled the DTA50 which will allow Cisco based networks to go all digital. The World of More is now possible for the Minneapolis side of the network.

I've had problems with some of my HD channels having video dropouts, I don't know if this is a Comcast issue or my HDTV set. I live in Eagan and receive Basic 2 service directly into my HDTV sets. My main HDTV is a Samsung FPT5084 plasma and exhibits the full video dropout. My 2nd HDTV set (Toshiba) does not show this issue, my 3rd HDTV set (Visio) loses video but seems to recover with sometimes a loss of audio. Wondering if anyone else is having this issue or can provide input on the problem.

The video dropouts occur most frequently on weekends during big-time sport events (like yesterday's Viking-Cowboy game). Fox HD and ABC HD are the only channels affected, the other HD channels work fine. The Fox and ABC channel eventually comes back but it varies from few seconds to many minutes. During the dropout, I get a message of 'scrambled or weak signal'.

Help, Help!!

'scrambled or weak signal'. Help, Help!!

Sounds like "b" since local HD isn't scrambled or encrypted.

How old is your cabling - both inside your house and from your house to the Comcast box?

So we're not going to see the new HD channels until mid-June or mid-July at the earliest?!

Where are you hearing that?

If things proceed as they have in other cities, the analog shut-offs and HDE channel adds would occur in a city by city -- or groups of cities - basis. In other words, the dates will vary based on your location. Also, the analogs will probably be shut off in groups -- not everything at once.

The EARLIEST any of us can have any analog channels eliminated is 30 days when Comcast notifies us due to state law.

Nice to see some familiar handles from Marty's forum. :)

This is from Friday's 01-15-10 Pioneer Press if you haven't seen it.

"Comcast is ready to go all digital.

Comcast is notifying its 560,000 Twin Cities area cable customers this weekend that beginning this spring, it will gradually start turning off the analog signals to their sets and require them to upgrade with a small converter box to an all-digital signal. For most customers, there will be no increased cost, the company said.

The cable provider, the nation's and the Twin Cities' largest, said it is making the switch to provide more high-definition channels, on-demand programming, faster Internet connections and other features.

The company can fit as many as 10 standard digital channels or two HD channels in the space that a single analog signal occupies.

Basic 1 customers, who pay $10 to $12 a month, are not affected.

But Basic 2 customers, as well as customers who bought a digital package with a set-top box for one TV but have cable plugged directly into additional sets, will need to get new digital adapter boxes for those TVs.

These 4-by-5-inch boxes are needed to transmit the signal even if the TV is digital-ready, spokesman Dave Nyberg said. The adapter unscrambles the digital signal's encryption.

Comcast will provide the necessary boxes for up to three TVs free of charge. Additional boxes will cost $1.99 a month to rent.

Customers who make the switch will get 15 new channels, including PBS Kids Sprout, Biography and Bloomberg TV, and they will not have to pay more for the digital signal or new channels, spokeswoman Mary Beth Schubert said.
"We're doing what we can to make it easy for them and ensure it goes smoothly," she said.

The company is starting the transition in the east metro area in River Falls and Hudson, Wis., in mid-March and moving westward. It expects to do the switchover in St. Paul sometime in mid-July. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Philadelphia-based Comcast has been doing this "analog reclamation" in markets ranging from Seattle to Pittsburgh.

"For the most part, from what we've seen, it's been relatively pain-free," said Derek Turner, research director at Free Press, an advocacy group that has acted as a cable watchdog."


As far as the boxes that people are picking up. Do they have On-Demand or a Channel Guide? If not I'll probably keep renting my additional SD box.

Thx, Ray

Where are you hearing that?

If things proceed as they have in other cities, the analog shut-offs and HDE channel adds would occur in a city by city -- or groups of cities - basis. In other words, the dates will vary based on your location. Also, the analogs will probably be shut off in groups -- not everything at once.

The EARLIEST any of us can have any analog channels eliminated is 30 days when Comcast notifies us due to state law.

I know the analogs are going to be shut off in groups based on location. Trust me, I'm not a novice when it comes to this stuff. I just thought the analog shut offs were going to be completed by July here in St. Paul so we'd see new HD channels after that. I already knew about the 30 day rule.

Wonderful. This means no FSC HD in time for the start of the MLS season this year.... pending on if players aren't on strike. But still geez I'm really getting tired of the waiting and waiting and waiting....

Wonderful. This means no FSC HD in time for the start of the MLS season this year.... pending on if players aren't on strike. But still geez I'm really getting tired of the waiting and waiting and waiting....

FSC HD would be fantastic. I wonder if any other Comcast market currently has that HD channel. It's unbearable to watch it in SD on my HDTV.

The company is starting the transition in the east metro area in River Falls and Hudson, Wis., in mid-March and moving westward. It expects to do the switchover in St. Paul sometime in mid-July. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.



Still not regretting my move to D*, except when the Wild are on Versus, particularly as I'm on the far westward of the area! Still, glad for you guys it is at least officially kicking off. The previous uncertainty sucked mightily.

Nice to see some familiar handles from Marty's forum. :)

This is from Friday's 01-15-10 Pioneer Press if you haven't seen it.

"
The company is starting the transition in the east metro area in River Falls and Hudson, Wis., in mid-March and moving westward. It expects to do the switchover in St. Paul sometime in mid-July. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year."


As far as the boxes that people are picking up. Do they have On-Demand or a Channel Guide? If not I'll probably keep renting my additional SD box.

Thx, Ray

Thanks for that, Ray.

In other words, Comcast will be doing the St. Paul system first, then the Minneapolis (Cisco) system.

No, no On-Demand with the DTAs. You see the call letters (i.e. KARE) of the channel you are on but I don't believe you see the program information. I only played with one of mine for a couple of minutes.

By the way, the installation of these DTAs is a breeze. The configuring the of the remote for your TV is VERY slick.

Nice to see some familiar handles from Marty's forum. :)

This is from Friday's 01-15-10 Pioneer Press if you haven't seen it.

"Comcast is ready to go all digital.

--

Customers who make the switch will get 15 new channels, including PBS Kids Sprout, Biography and Bloomberg TV, and they will not have to pay more for the digital signal or new channels, spokeswoman Mary Beth Schubert said.
"We're doing what we can to make it easy for them and ensure it goes smoothly," she said.



If that were the case, then they wouldn't scramble the basic ditigal tier containing all the analog channels, they would supply them in Clear-QAM!!

BTW, I was RobJohansen on HDTVTwinCities. I reserected this old ID I used to use on here for the ReplayTV forum. I'm using MediaCenters now.

I have 1 analog TV that would need the digital-to-analog converter, 5 LCD tvs (all have QAM of course, one supports Cable Card), that would need digital tuner boxes, and 2 NTSC tuners, and a single dual-hybrid tuner (ATSC/NTSC/QAM) in my MediaCenters that would all need tuner boxes or cable cards (as well as 2 ATSCs hooked up to an HD antenna).

I'm going to get screewed in this. Mostly because Comcast won't do Clear-QAM.

Just got a letter in the mail today from Comcast about the transition to digital. At the bottom it states May 3rd as when the "network enhancement" goes live.

Just got a letter in the mail today from Comcast about the transition to digital. At the bottom it states May 3rd as when the "network enhancement" goes live.

My letter says July 12 here in St. Paul. Boo.

Thanks for that, Ray.

No, no On-Demand with the DTAs. You see the call letters (i.e. KARE) of the channel you are on but I don't believe you see the program information. I only played with one of mine for a couple of minutes.

By the way, the installation of these DTAs is a breeze. The configuring the of the remote for your TV is VERY slick.

Thanks for the info B102.


Just got a letter in the mail today from Comcast about the transition to digital. At the bottom it states May 3rd as when the "network enhancement" goes live.

May 3rd? I'm jealous DM. ;) Got my letter today too. My effective date is 07-19 in STPL.

Thanks for the info B102.




May 3rd? I'm jealous DM. ;) Got my letter today too. My effective date is 07-19 in STPL.

Yah. my date is March 29. (St Croix). No mention of "World of More" in the letter. Perhaps because they have not publicised it here or maybe we are not getting 100 HD channels.

Just got my letter today as well. Has a June 7 effective date for Eagan. Oh, I got my cable bill in the mail today a well..... complete with an approx. $23 per month increase. OUCH :mad:

By the way, the installation of these DTAs is a breeze. The configuring the of the remote for your TV is VERY slick.

Hey blitzen what sort of outputs do these boxes have? Composite? S-Video? Component? Thanks.

Just a RF modulator, and an IR output for it's little extender so that you can hide it and still be able to use it.

Received our letter today also. The NW suburbs much be last in the Twin Cities - the letter says August 23rd.

It was disappointing to see that only two converters are provided for free. I have two DVR's and three other TV's that are connected directly. Can any of these units be purchased? They can't be very expensive.

Received our letter today also. The NW suburbs much be last in the Twin Cities - the letter says August 23rd.

It was disappointing to see that only two converters are provided for free. I have two DVR's and three other TV's that are connected directly. Can any of these units be purchased? They can't be very expensive.

Nope, any additional DTA's will be about $1.99 a month.

Does anyone know if the DTAs will be capable of Wide Screen output or will they just be letterboxed WS?
Generally RF sucks for PQ so I'm assuming the quality feeding a DVDR will be relatively poor:( Too bad they didn't have S-video or at least composite, although I suppose Comcast knows exactly that they're doing.....they'd rather have one rent a real box or even better a DVR;)

Just got a letter in the mail today from Comcast about the transition to digital. At the bottom it states May 3rd as when the "network enhancement" goes live.

Aren't you in Coon Rapids? That would suggest a little more complexity in scheduling than the "east to west" bit in the newspaper article is suggesting.

Received our letter today also. The NW suburbs much be last in the Twin Cities - the letter says August 23rd.



Ouch. Which NW suburb? We should try to get a reasonable picture (maybe a post with them) of where is going when. . .

Hey blitzen what sort of outputs do these boxes have? Composite? S-Video? Component? Thanks.

Coax only.

There's an RF etension cable for the remote so you can hide the box behind the TV or wherever you want it.


Just think of the DTAs as allowing you to keep your channels accessed by "(analog)cable-ready" TVs - nothing more.

Well, who knows what "network enhancement goes live" means?? Does that mean when the HD channels will be added and internet speeds will be bumped? Or is that when the first analogs get shut off?

Dates so far:

Blaine - May 3rd
Eagan - June 7th
NW Suburbs - August 23rd
St. Croix Falls - March 29th
St. Paul - July 12th
Golden Valley - August 24th

I recall DM working in Coon Rapids from the other board, but he may not live there. If "NW suburbs" means Quad Cities TV, that would be Andover, Anoka, Champlin, and Ramsey. We'll have to wait and see what JBaumgart says. It would be a little on the odd side for there to be that big a discrepancy (early May vs late August --3.5 months) for adjacent territories both in the St Paul system.

"North Suburbs", which includes me in Shoreview, appears to be Sept. 27 according to my letter.

Received our letter today also. The NW suburbs much be last in the Twin Cities - the letter says August 23rd.

It was disappointing to see that only two converters are provided for free. I have two DVR's and three other TV's that are connected directly. Can any of these units be purchased? They can't be very expensive.

Same here - August 23rd for Brooklyn Park.

Aren't you in Coon Rapids? That would suggest a little more complexity in scheduling than the "east to west" bit in the newspaper article is suggesting.

Blaine actually.

Take this for what it's worth... I spoke to someone from that Comcast cares email when i wanted to drop down to a promotional deal... he said Minneapolis will not be getting the World of More because we are on the old Timewarner lines... what that means I do not know.

He also made it sound like we'll have to deal with the POS menu/guide system as well.

Sounds to me like if you are in MN and subscribe to comcast... St Paul is where you want to be.

Take this for what it's worth... I spoke to someone from that Comcast cares email when i wanted to drop down to a promotional deal... he said Minneapolis will not be getting the World of More because we are on the old Timewarner lines...

That likely means that there is no schedule for the Minneapolis (Cisco) people because they are still testing the Cisco-compatible DTAs.

Wow, we in Roseville are getting jobbed. September 27th here. Considering we're the meat in the east to west, St. Paul to Minneapolis sandwich, that's kinda garbage.

I suppose Comcast knows exactly that they're doing.....they'd rather have one rent a real box or even better a DVR;)

I'm not so sure. According to a flier I got from Direct TV, cable(I know it's not specifically Comcast but...) has lost 1,306,000 subscribers. If they want me to pay to rent more boxes to get what I'm currently getting, I'll be thinking real hard about switching services.

Coax only.

There's an RF etension cable for the remote so you can hide the box behind the TV or wherever you want it.

Just think of the DTAs as allowing you to keep your channels accessed by "(analog)cable-ready" TVs - nothing more.

But today, without a box, I'm able to get the analogs thru my NTSC tuner and the HD Locals thru my QAM tuner, all with the coax running to my only Ant/Cable input. With this new DTA my only coax input is used up getting the SD digitals converted to analog. I end up losing my HD channels unless this thing has pass-thru capability.

Ouch. Which NW suburb? We should try to get a reasonable picture (maybe a post with them) of where is going when. . .

I'm in Plymouth, which is part of their "NW suburbs area".

I am disappointed that I will have to RENT yet another box to receive for what amounts to basic cable, for TV's that I just occasionally use. Right now they work for channels below 100. These new mandatory converters should be made available for purchase. My total cable bill, including internet and phone, is already over $220 per month!

The date listed on a letter in Burnsville is the same as Eagan's: June 7.

I don't know why you guys keep waiting on comcrap for there crappy hd quality - I had DTV hooked up in the fall - watching out of market nuggets game in hd right now (yes I have league pass) Good luck getting that in HD from comcrap - PQ on the out of market channels will crush any national comcrap channel here in the metro. As soon as I had dtv hooked up, you could notice a considerable difference right away.

Comcast should have been completing this LAST YEAR if not sooner, now they are saying end of this year? What a joke

Also D12 had a healthy launch and should be live shortly. Seriously guys don't waste your time for there crappy service. The reason they get away with it is because people stay with them. If you guys start dropping they might get there ass in gear.

Was my comcast service reliable? Yes it was and sure there were advantages to it over dish but bottom line they are worlds behind.

You are going to need to change your NW suburbs theory.

I Live in Ramsey (Quad Cities) and my letter also states May 3rd for completion.

Just ordered my 2 DTAs. Here's their installation guide video:
http://digitalnow.comcast.com/DTAPlayer.aspx

Just ordered my 2 DTAs. Here's their installation guide video:
http://digitalnow.comcast.com/DTAPlayer.aspx

That's funny they have a video - What a tricky install it is :rolleyes:

I agree. DirecTV/Dish have better picture quality and more HD channels in this market than Comcast.

You are going to need to change your NW suburbs theory.

I Live in Ramsey (Quad Cities) and my letter also states May 3rd for completion.

Based on conversations I had with QCTV last year about their limitations to have separate guide info for their local government channels independently (i.e. they couldn't), I've got to believe that means Andover, Anoka, and Champlin are also May 3rd.

But today, without a box, I'm able to get the analogs thru my NTSC tuner and the HD Locals thru my QAM tuner, all with the coax running to my only Ant/Cable input. With this new DTA my only coax input is used up getting the SD digitals converted to analog. I end up losing my HD channels unless this thing has pass-thru capability.

Yep, that is a pain. You'll need an A/B switch.

My two digital TVs have two coax inputs.

I agree. DirecTV/Dish have better picture quality and more HD channels in this market than Comcast.

Yep, they do currently....

....but Comcast has more HD channels than DirecTv does in markets where the World of More is complete and the PQ improves significantly as well.

Yep, they do currently....

....but Comcast has more HD channels than DirecTv does in markets where the World of More is complete and the PQ improves significantly as well.

The picture quality isn't better with Comcast in any of those markets and DirecTV will still have more HD channels once the World of More arrives in St. Paul. DirecTV still has the sports packages in HD which Comcast can't match. DTV is a better fit for me and I'm tired of giving my money to a company like Comcast. Pay more, get less with Comcast. It's Comcastic!

So, I'm done with them.

The picture quality isn't better with Comcast in any of those markets and DirecTV will still have more HD channels once the World of More arrives in St. Paul. DirecTV still has the sports packages in HD which Comcast can't match. DTV is a better fit for me and I'm tired of giving my money to a company like Comcast. Pay more, get less with Comcast. It's Comcastic!

So, I'm done with them.
Well, to each their own, we switched back from D* to Comcast HD for a few reasons, major one was tired of the signal dropping out from rain fade & snow on the dish. Would be playing back from the DVR's and parts of the show missing, and of couse don't know it's happening till it's too late.

If I stayed with D* I would have had to spend more for new HD DVR equipment to add more HD's & a new contract with higher monthly costs, and that was after spending $1000 for HD & SD DirectTivo's in 2003, now obsolete door stops. I was done with Direct TV too.

Our Comcast system supplies an outstanding HD picture, and can't beat the features on my two HD TIVO's, and over 100 HD's due 1st of May (over 60 HD's now). I am extremely happy with Comcast and their great HD picture and fast internet with zero issues.

So for each sub Comcast loses, Direct loses one too, just like cell phone co's. No one really cares, it's to each their own, that's why there is competion.

Enjoy your Direct TV when you have to brush off 12" of snow from the dish.

The picture quality isn't better with Comcast in any of those markets and DirecTV will still have more HD channels once the World of More arrives in St. Paul.

You don't know that.

Yes, you are right in a way, nobody (cable OR satellite) other than DirecTv has NFL Sunday ticket, but there are many, many, many people that couldn't care less. I'm a big NFL fan but I know I would NEVER order it even if it were available.

Yes, we know, you think ComcastSucks. You say you are moving to DirecTv. Please do.

A number of unnecessary comments and replies have been deleted and edited. Please use the Report Post button in the future.

A number of unnecessary comments and replies have been deleted and edited. Please use the Report Post button in the future.

I love it.... a real moderator in action!!!! Thank you Ken

Hello Ken, Thanks so much for cleaning things up. I just hit the "report button" a couple of minutes ago. Sorry for the trouble.

Us new Twin Cities Folks aren't used to a Forum that actually has Mods. :eek:

Really appreciate all you guys do. Thanks for your help. Ray :)

That's funny they have a video - What a tricky install it is :rolleyes:

You would be surprised by how many people need to have their hands held to do such a simple install like that.

The picture quality isn't better with Comcast in any of those markets....That's a matter of opinion, and although you are entitled to yours, consider this:

Comcast does not additionally compress local HD and at least some national HD channels, at a minimum those would look better than DirecTV.

Further, forum consensus is that right now DirecTV HD is not quite as good as Comcast HD, in areas that have undergone analog reduction. Of course this is subject to change as DTV-12 goes live, Comcast goes SDV, etc.

DirecTV will still have more HD channels once the World of More arrives in St. Paul.Wrong. Once the analog reduction is complete, Comcast has over 100 linear national HD channels. Not premiums, not sports subscriptions; national HD channels. DirecTV has 69.

DirecTV still has the sports packages in HD which Comcast can't match.Correct, and well known.

Does anyone know once all these HD channels are added will we finally get HD PPV and HD channels added for the sports packages? I'd be more than happy to spend $80 for Direct Kick if the HD feeds are available on Comcast. Otherwise I'll stick with MLS Match Center Online which is $20. Picture quality on the webcast is nearly the same as the standard def broadcast on Direct Kick so why spend the extra $60, right?

That's a matter of opinion, and although you are entitled to yours, consider this:

Comcast does not additionally compress local HD and at least some national HD channels, at a minimum those would look better than DirecTV.

Further, forum consensus is that right now DirecTV HD is not quite as good as Comcast HD, in areas that have undergone analog reduction. Of course this is subject to change as DTV-12 goes live, Comcast goes SDV, etc.

Wrong. Once the analog reduction is complete, Comcast has over 100 linear national HD channels. Not premiums, not sports subscriptions; national HD channels. DirecTV has 69.

Correct, and well known.


Matter of opinion? Not even close - it's facts not opinion. Where have you seen someone saying comcast hd quality is better than DirecTV? Not even close - I have had both and let me tell you comcast is horrible compare to DirecTV.

Once the analog reduction is complete you think they will have as many channels as DTV? Good Luck -

DirecTV already has a lot of hd capacity and they haven't even lit up D12 yet! Yes DTV has a lot of PPV in HD & Sports but D12 should make way for more national channels. You can't even order a $50 fight in HD on comcrap. I had friends over for a ufc before I had directv and frankly it was embarrassing. It looked horrible on my sammy big screen LCD.

Even when they do add more hd channels - dvrs are going to fill up so fast you are hardly going to be able to record anything. Comcast says they are working on external drive expansion? I have heard this for months and months. Even so mpeg2 fills up a lot faster than mpeg4.

Who sticks up for comcrap hd channels? It's complete garbage compare to what you get with dish. Maybe once the world of less upgrade is done they at least have a little leg 2 stand on but by then D12 will be lit up so back to the drawing board. The DTV commercial pretty much tells it like it is - Good luck with that whole DirecTV HD thing, sounds hard.

Matter of opinion? Not even close - it's facts not opinion. Where have you seen someone saying comcast hd quality is better than DirecTV? Not even close - I have had both and let me tell you comcast is horrible compare to DirecTV.

Once the analog reduction is complete you think they will have as many channels as DTV? Good Luck -

DirecTV already has a lot of hd capacity and they haven't even lit up D12 yet! Yes DTV has a lot of PPV in HD & Sports but D12 should make way for more national channels. You can't even order a $50 fight in HD on comcrap. I had friends over for a ufc before I had directv and frankly it was embarrassing. It looked horrible on my sammy big screen LCD.

Even when they do add more hd channels - dvrs are going to fill up so fast you are hardly going to be able to record anything. Comcast says they are working on external drive expansion? I have heard this for months and months. Even so mpeg2 fills up a lot faster than mpeg4.

Who sticks up for comcrap hd channels? It's complete garbage compare to what you get with dish. Maybe once the world of less upgrade is done they at least have a little leg 2 stand on but by then D12 will be lit up so back to the drawing board. The DTV commercial pretty much tells it like it is - Good luck with that whole DirecTV HD thing, sounds hard.

Wow. Apparently you're not familiar with Ken H....

Let's see...... should I believe him or you?

You had both DirecTv and Comcast at the same time and you compared the Comcast feed of a local HD channel (WCCO, KARE, etc.) side by side with DirectTv's feed?

I'm going to get screewed in this. Mostly because Comcast won't do Clear-QAM.

The Local Channels will still be clear QAM per the FAQ's on Comcasts page.

"If you wish to keep access to broadcast HD channels, you can continue to receive the Limited Basic channels (including broadcast HD) without Comcast equipment......As another alternative, some HD television sets have multiple RF inputs and in this case, you could use a splitter on the incoming cable feed."

So it sure sounds like they will have them in the clear still. So that is good news.

The Local Channels will still be clear QAM per the FAQ's on Comcasts page.

"If you wish to keep access to broadcast HD channels, you can continue to receive the Limited Basic channels (including broadcast HD) without Comcast equipment......As another alternative, some HD television sets have multiple RF inputs and in this case, you could use a splitter on the incoming cable feed."

So it sure sounds like they will have them in the clear still. So that is good news.

I think you missed the point of RoJo's post. Because comcast refuses to open up ALL Basic2 stations to clear QAM, not just local HD's, he is going to have to fork out even more money to get what he has today. Remember he has 5 LCDs and 1 analog tv. You only get 2 DTAs at no monthly charge. And while some TVs have multiple RF inputs many do not. While laying in bed channel surfing, the last thing I want to do is mess with an A/B switch(or more importantly the wife).

If Comcast had been a year faster, I'd still be with them. Nothing like a new 60" TV to inspire anti-SD revolt.

I feel like I won my bet. Based on the dates discussed here, I got a year of a heckofalot more HD (we have all the premiums, sports package, and Center Ice) than I could get with Comcast by going to DirecTV. I'll consider going back to Comcast in 2011 when my contract is up depending on factors then. The extra storage on the D* DVRs is a major consideration too, however.

When the new guide is deployed here (no ETA or firm date yet), the process will delete ALL of your recordings (on purpose).

It is probably a good idea to stay as current as you can on watching your reordings soon after they recorded until this guide update is deployed.

(This applies to the Motorola boxes for sure, I'm not sure on the SA boxes.)

When the new guide is deployed here (no ETA or firm date yet), the process will delete ALL of your recordings (on purpose).

It is probably a good idea to stay as current as you can on watching your reordings soon after they recorded until this guide update is deployed.

(This applies to the Motorola boxes for sure, I'm not sure on the SA boxes.)

Where did you hear that actual recordings would be lost? I have heard that you may need to re set up series recordings but have not seen anything saying actual recording would be lost.

Wow. Apparently you're not familiar with Ken H....

Let's see...... should I believe him or you?

You had both DirecTv and Comcast at the same time and you compared the Comcast feed of a local HD channel (WCCO, KARE, etc.) side by side with DirectTv's feed?


Believe? I'm not trying to do any convincing here - I'm telling it how it is. If you wanna live in your fantasy world thinking comcast has such great hd pq then you go ahead and stay in that world because it just isn't the case. Sure the local comcast hd channels looked great and probably still do but big deal, they provide local channels that look good when all the other channels look like they are being streamed via dial-up compare to dtv.

Just to name a few I notice a HUGE improvement on after I left comcrap - Universal HD, USA HD and Discovery HD. Those are just to name a few - comcrap these channels were so pixilated and crappy it was a joke compare to dtv. Like I said, those are just some of the channels I use to watch a lot so I noticed those right away. Overall pq is still much improved. My locals look fine from DTV and so what, comcast had good local channels.

There is nothing to believe here, set up comcrap and DTV side by side on a nice hdtv and you will be singing a different tune real quick. If you wanna keep your crappy quality service, go right ahead. I'll continue to watch all the nba games and ufc fights in HD which u don't have access to as well a nice helping of national channels.

Believe? I'm not trying to do any convincing here - I'm telling it how it is. If you wanna live in your fantasy world thinking comcast has such great hd pq then you go ahead and stay in that world because it just isn't the case. Sure the local comcast hd channels looked great and probably still do but big deal, they provide local channels that look good when all the other channels look like they are being streamed via dial-up compare to dtv.

Just to name a few I notice a HUGE improvement on after I left comcrap - Universal HD, USA HD and Discovery HD. Those are just to name a few - comcrap these channels were so pixilated and crappy it was a joke compare to dtv. Like I said, those are just some of the channels I use to watch a lot so I noticed those right away. Overall pq is still much improved. My locals look fine from DTV and so what, comcast had good local channels.

There is nothing to believe here, set up comcrap and DTV side by side on a nice hdtv and you will be singing a different tune real quick. If you wanna keep your crappy quality service, go right ahead. I'll continue to watch all the nba games and ufc fights in HD which u don't have access to as well a nice helping of national channels.

Jimminy Christmas, your reading comprehension needs work apparently. Ken is saying that locals have better PQ than DirecTv now (because they are not compressed), and that the other HD channels will likely have the same or better PQ when the World of More is complete here. We agree that the non-local HD channels PQ is now probably not as good as DirecTv.

Nobody is saying what you are arguing on the other side of.

Also, I couldn't care less about NBA games or UFC fights. Why do you seem to believe that the things that are important for you watch are the same for everybody else?

I think you missed the point of RoJo's post. Because comcast refuses to open up ALL Basic2 stations to clear QAM, not just local HD's, he is going to have to fork out even more money to get what he has today. Remember he has 5 LCDs and 1 analog tv. You only get 2 DTAs at no monthly charge. And while some TVs have multiple RF inputs many do not. While laying in bed channel surfing, the last thing I want to do is mess with an A/B switch(or more importantly the wife).


Gotcha....I thought he was saying nothing was going to be free and clear.

I've seen so many posts in various forums that Comcast was going to be encrypting everything after WOM was live. I would prefer my HDHomerun to be on Comcast vs OTA still :)

Where did you hear that actual recordings would be lost? I have heard that you may need to re set up series recordings but have not seen anything saying actual recording would be lost.

I was going by this post:

"I got a message that tomorrow all of my favorites and recordings will be lost due to an update tonight, does anybody know what that means? Am I going to get any new channels from this "update"?"

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17951869#post17951869

I guess this person might have meant program series recordings -- not actaul recordings of programs.

I was going by this post:

"I got a message that tomorrow all of my favorites and recordings will be lost due to an update tonight, does anybody know what that means? Am I going to get any new channels from this "update"?"

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17951869#post17951869

I guess this person might have meant program series recordings -- not actaul recordings of programs.
Yes, after checking with some people I know, it only affects scheduled recordings not actual recordings. I have also been told it may not affect scheduled recording from all channels, just those that have changes made to them on the back end.

Yes, after checking with some people I know, it only affects scheduled recordings not actual recordings. I have also been told it may not affect scheduled recording from all channels, just those that have changes made to them on the back end.

Cool, thanks, hom-y!

Another question - does anybody know the frequency of the VCT_ID for the DTA boxes here? I am assuming people who have picked up the DTA's are able to connect and work with them. What channel (physical) are they getting the channel (virtual) lineup info on?

Jimminy Christmas, your reading comprehension needs work apparently. Ken is saying that locals have better PQ than DirecTv now (because they are not compressed), and that the other HD channels will likely have the same or better PQ when the World of More is complete here. We agree that the non-local HD channels PQ is now probably not as good as DirecTv.

Nobody is saying what you are arguing on the other side of.

Also, I couldn't care less about NBA games or UFC fights. Why do you seem to believe that the things that are important for you watch are the same for everybody else?


Probably? If you ever get a chance to see them side by side on the same tv you will be like wow. Even when (or should I say if) comcast ever completes this thing they should have been completed ages ago. Once they get this thing done DTV will still have double amount of channels and comcast will prop be full. Then they are going to have to go to all mpeg4 instead and it will be YEARS before you see this. Only thing I really miss about comcast was on demand which I actually run DTV on demand over comcast network. It's not as good as comcast but DTV is light years ahead. Plus the new hd tivo will be rolling out hopefully soon. Comcast will always be playing catchup.

Comcast will always be playing catchup.

Possibly, but the history suggests there is a point where it doesn't matter much to the vast majority of people for a variety of reasons. I made my move at a time when locally D* had about a 2-1 advantage in HD channels (if you went full package, and not counting regionals). That kind of advantage will likely never exist again after WoM is complete. There simply isn't enough marginal (i.e. above and beyond what is already available today) content out there period, let alone content that large numbers of people would care enough about to make a move over.

Sure, D* isn't going anywhere --they were a successful company before the HD switchover. There will always be people who prefer it --or even flat-out need it. But this last two years was their golden "make hay while the sun shines" period, and it is coming to an end by probably 1H 2011. Enjoy it, D*, you'll look back fondly someday.

Does anyone know with certainty if the Comcast's new DTA's output will contain stereo sound? Many cable set top boxes don't have stereo sound on their modulated outputs (stereo is more typically available from them only if you use their R/L outputs, of which the new DTA ain't got none!)

Another question, can you control all functions on these with universal remotes? I use Harmony's on 3 different setups, one of which does not include a DVR or other Comcast box.

Does anyone know with certainty if the Comcast's new DTA's output will contain stereo sound? Many cable set top boxes don't have stereo sound on their modulated outputs (stereo is more typically available from them only if you use their R/L outputs, of which the new DTA ain't got none!)

I'm not sure anyone has the DTA converters. I asked a few pages back if they output anamorphic Wide Screen (instead of letterboxed WS) but didn't get an answer, stereo audio is a good question too.
I'm guessing they're just mono and letterboxed but a confirmation would be nice. Extra DTAs are supposed to be $1.99, I wonder how much more a real (A/V out) STB would be. Don't care about HD(will just be feeding a SD DVDR) but anamorphic WS and stereo audio would be a must.

I'm not sure anyone has the DTA converters.

A model number would help a lot. I'm seeing in other threads that people are getting the Thomson DCI1011 DTA recently in other locations. Can anyone confirm or deny?

The Local Channels will still be clear QAM per the FAQ's on Comcasts page.

"If you wish to keep access to broadcast HD channels, you can continue to receive the Limited Basic channels (including broadcast HD) without Comcast equipment......As another alternative, some HD television sets have multiple RF inputs and in this case, you could use a splitter on the incoming cable feed."

So it sure sounds like they will have them in the clear still. So that is good news.

I live in Minneapolis and have very rarely been able to get local (FOX, etc) stations in the clear. :(

Can someone post an example of a station they get straight off the coax with a TV QAM tuner?

I read some of these posts and am in need of service advice.

We have Comcast HD, with 2 rooms with HD boxes. We have most of the channels including the, "encore", package. This along with our high speed internet our total bill per month is $157.63.

I'm looking at Direct TV for a better deal. We only/mostly watch HDTV channels.

Can I get some idea's on service, "encore" package is a must? A 50" DLP and 36" HDTV's.

Thank you.

PS. I need advice on the best internet service for the money that will equal what I have with Comcast.

PS. I need advice on the best internet service for the money that will equal what I have with Comcast.

I'll let someone else answer the DirecTV portion of your question regarding current packages. When I was with them, I was pleased with the service.

As far as Internet, I'd stick with Comcast. You will want to get their lowest price TV package in addition to your Internet package. It costs about $11.00 dollars/month and gives you local channels and a few others. It is cheaper than dropping Comcast TV altogether, since it reduces the Internet price by about $15.00 a month. It isn't a well advertised offering, but you can get it over the phone. Comcast would prefer you do that rather than dropping TV altogether, since they can still count you as a TV subscriber this way.

John

I have a Thomson DCI1011 DTA installed on one of my TVs. It does not have L/R RCA audio jacks. You can get stereo through your TVs L/R speaker or if your TV has R/L outputs.

It is on an old SD 4x3 so I don't know about wide-screen. My guess would be that it will put out 4x3 and if you want to stretch it, that is up to your TV.

Thanks, although if the box isn't sending out MTS stereo on channel 3 you wouldn't be getting stereo out of your TV's audio out. My guess these boxes are basically just for a 4:3 RF only tube TVs and you'd have to pay more to rent a box with any flexibility.

Another question, can you control all functions on these with universal remotes? I use Harmony's on 3 different setups, one of which does not include a DVR or other Comcast box.

Thx Blitzen for verifying the DTA model number. Yes it does show as being supported on the Harmony site JB.

"Success! The device(s) with green check marks are in our Harmony database."

I'll let someone else answer the DirecTV portion of your question regarding current packages. When I was with them, I was pleased with the service.

As far as Internet, I'd stick with Comcast. You will want to get their lowest price TV package in addition to your Internet package. It costs about $11.00 dollars/month and gives you local channels and a few others. It is cheaper than dropping Comcast TV altogether, since it reduces the Internet price by about $15.00 a month. It isn't a well advertised offering, but you can get it over the phone. Comcast would prefer you do that rather than dropping TV altogether, since they can still count you as a TV subscriber this way.

John

You can get the same "Double Play" discounting on Comcast internet from having their phone service as well (i.e. no TV service). That's what I did when I went to D* for TV (and kept Comcast for hi-speed internet), and since I didn't have their phone service at the time, I got "new customer" discounting on that as well.

As far as Internet, I'd stick with Comcast. You will want to get their lowest price TV package in addition to your Internet package. It costs about $11.00 dollars/month and gives you local channels and a few others. It is cheaper than dropping Comcast TV altogether, since it reduces the Internet price by about $15.00 a month. It isn't a well advertised offering, but you can get it over the phone. Comcast would prefer you do that rather than dropping TV altogether, since they can still count you as a TV subscriber this way.
John, just so it's clear, that basic service is analog / standard definition, right? So the reason would purely be for price if all you want is HDTV. I currently have only Comcast Internet.. trying to do without cable for now (way too expensive). Maybe I'll add that back in if it saves me $4.. and I have an SDTV in the basement that's just sitting there at the moment.

On another note - I'm very frustrated that you basically need phone service for Qwest FIOS.. (people use phones other than cell? :)) And who buys their service at their (high) prices anyway?

Does anyone know once all these HD channels are added will we finally get HD PPV and HD channels added for the sports packages? I'd be more than happy to spend $80 for Direct Kick if the HD feeds are available on Comcast. Otherwise I'll stick with MLS Match Center Online which is $20. Picture quality on the webcast is nearly the same as the standard def broadcast on Direct Kick so why spend the extra $60, right?

Figured I'd bump this as it got lost in the shuffle.

Figured I'd bump this as it got lost in the shuffle.

Well, that's the blind asking the blind right there. . . your best bet would be to put that in a thread for an area where WoM has been fully implemented like San Francisco or Seattle or Portland, or the overall Comcast thread here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=424081&page=339

I ended up calling Comcast on the sports packages. The woman I spoke to found out that we should get them in HD but there's no 100% guarantee at this point on it. At this point I'll probably order MLS Match Center online since it sounds like we aren't getting MLS Direct Kick HD until at least early to mid May.

Thx Blitzen for verifying the DTA model number. Yes it does show as being supported on the Harmony site JB.

"Success! The device(s) with green check marks are in our Harmony database."

I have two other TV's to which I just connected the DTA's to. One of them, a Sony, has a remote that can control other devices if programmed correctly, one that I would like to continue using rather than the little black remote that's shipped with the DTA. To do this I need the remote code of the DTA. I called Comcast tonight and the service rep says that such a remote code is not yet available, although he admitted they've had lots of requests for this.

From this forum it appears that the DTA is made by Thomson, and the model number is DCI 1011. Does anyone know if this has a remote code that might work?

2010 Twins Games in HD

The below are the HD games that I can see SO FAR. It looks like there will be more than last year on FSN. Unfortunately, at this early point it looks like lame-o WFTC will NOT be doing any games in HD again this year.

04/06/10 - Twins at Angels FSN
04/07/10 - Twins at Angels FSN

04/23/10 - Twins at Royals FSN
04/24/10 - Twins at Royals FSN

06/22/10 - Twins at Brewers FSN
06/23/10 - Twins at Brewers FSN
06/24/10 - Twins at Brewers FSN

07/26/10 - Twins at Royals FSN
07/27/10 - Twins at Royals FSN

08/23/10 - Twins at Rangers FSN
08/24/10 - Twins at Rangers FSN
08/25/10 - Twins at Rangers FSN
08/26/10 - Twins at Rangers FSN

09/27/10 - Twins at Royals FSN
09/28/10 - Twins at Royals FSN
09/29/10 - Twins at Royals FSN

2010 Twins Games in HD

Unfortunately, at this early point it looks like lame-o WFTC will NOT be doing any games in HD again this year.



Wow, that is lame. I could sort of see why before Comcast and DirecTV are carrying their HD feed they might feel it wasn't worth it to do so. . . but both of those should have them in HD by mid-summer.

I'd imagine we'll get more games announced once we get closer to the start of the season.

Wow, that is lame. I could sort of see why before Comcast and DirecTV are carrying their HD feed they might feel it wasn't worth it to do so. . . but both of those should have them in HD by mid-summer.

Like I said, it is early still. But I see three games for WFTC that do not have an HD designation. I do not see any SD games for FSN at this time. The schedules are in-work right now -- so hopefully it'll change for WFTC.

So.... what year do you folks think we'll get Fox Soccer Channel HD now that its officially live?

I'm predicting 2015 at the earliest which would be so Comcastic!

I posted this on the main Comcast thread here, but it should be here too. This supports the previous March 2010 report mentioned previously.

+++++

Last night I wrote an email to the General Manager of KSTC 45 here in the Twin Cities. The primary purpose of my email was to lobby for more Minnesota Wild hockey games (which they broadcast) in HD this upcoming season. But since I was writing her anyway, I asked her when we might expect to find her station in HD on local Comcast, which today Comcast (and DirecTV, for that matter) only provides an SD feed of her station. You need an antenna today to get KSTC in HD.

I got a much more illuminating answer on the second question than I was expecting.

She replied, "Our understanding with Comcast is that they will be adding us to their HD tier in 2010. They hope to begin the transition in February, but it will take several months to make the transition throughout their coverage area."


Maybe this has been addressed but I just noticed it showed up on my qam tuner as 7-2 here in Blaine. I was looking at silicondust dot com site
and it showed HDNet as 7-2 which I had never seen before. When I tuned in, it wasn't HDNet but instead channel 45 in 720p. I don't know, maybe it has been there for a while...

HDNet used to broadcast on 45's sub channel until early 2004. The current 720p broadcast for 45 has been on and off the past year.

My guess is the channel name on the silicondust website needs to be updataed

My guess is the channel name on the silicondust website needs to be updataed

The site relies on users to upload their listings from their locality.

Obviously, no one has done it from the Twin Cities area in a lonnnnng while.

Quote:
Originally Posted by georule
I posted this on the main Comcast thread here, but it should be here too. This supports the previous March 2010 report mentioned previously.

+++++

Last night I wrote an email to the General Manager of KSTC 45 here in the Twin Cities. The primary purpose of my email was to lobby for more Minnesota Wild hockey games (which they broadcast) in HD this upcoming season. But since I was writing her anyway, I asked her when we might expect to find her station in HD on local Comcast, which today Comcast (and DirecTV, for that matter) only provides an SD feed of her station. You need an antenna today to get KSTC in HD.

I got a much more illuminating answer on the second question than I was expecting.

She replied, "Our understanding with Comcast is that they will be adding us to their HD tier in 2010. They hope to begin the transition in February, but it will take several months to make the transition throughout their coverage area."
Maybe this has been addressed but I just noticed it showed up on my qam tuner as 7-2 here in Blaine. I was looking at silicondust dot com site
and it showed HDNet as 7-2 which I had never seen before. When I tuned in, it wasn't HDNet but instead channel 45 in 720p. I don't know, maybe it has been there for a while...

I noticed that I'm now receiving KSTC45 HD on channel 238

I'm in Roseville and I too am now receiving KSTCD (as it's called) on 238.

Eeeehhhhhhhhhhhh..... this "King Of Queens" broadcast on KTSCD is one of the worst looking "HD" broadcasts I have ever seen that is not on a Turner run network. I mean wow... its UGLY. Looks like they are using a third generation VHS dub with tons of filtering done to it.

I noticed that I'm now receiving KSTC45 HD on channel 238

Cool. It is about time. Now I don't have to worry about the HD Wild games coming up on KSTC.

On "King of Queens", are you sure the feed is HD? I don't think KoQ is providing HD for syndication yet.

On "King of Queens", are you sure the feed is HD? I don't think KoQ is providing HD for syndication yet.

The picture was 16x9 on the rerun.

The picture was 16x9 on the rerun.

It was probably stretched SD then.

I see that HD versions of syndicated KoQ ARE available.

Whether KSTC has purchased the rights to show the HD version --- or if they have equpiment to send it out -- are other possibilities.

(Originating HD from the station is different than just passing along an HD feed from a network (HDNet) or live events like sports (Wild/Timberwolves))

Tivo says KoQ is HD but TVGOS doesn't say HD, it's stretched SD IMO so chalk one up for TVGOS:D
Basically nothing on 45.1 is broadcast in real HD, even programs that were originally shot HD:(

Well, who knows what "network enhancement goes live" means?? Does that mean when the HD channels will be added and internet speeds will be bumped? Or is that when the first analogs get shut off?

Dates so far:

Blaine - May 3rd
Eagan - June 7th
NW Suburbs - August 23rd
St. Croix Falls - March 29th
St. Paul - July 12th
Golden Valley - August 24th

Maplewood - September 27th (I'm on the Oakdale hub according to Comcast)

Looks like we are one of the last.

It was probably stretched SD then.

I see that HD versions of syndicated KoQ ARE available.

Whether KSTC has purchased the rights to show the HD version --- or if they have equipment to send it out -- are other possibilities.

(Originating HD from the station is different than just passing along an HD feed from a network (HDNet) or live events like sports (Wild/Timberwolves))

I watched a bit again tonight. It was true 16x9 as there was no stretched faces that you typically see with stretched SD material. Plus anything 4x3 during ads was pillarboxed. I'm assuming they were broadcasting at 480p at best since everything else on the channel looked pretty bad for "HD."

I watched a bit again tonight. It was true 16x9 as there was no stretched faces that you typically see with stretched SD material. Plus anything 4x3 during ads was pillarboxed. I'm assuming they were broadcasting at 480p at best since everything else on the channel looked pretty bad for "HD."

I set the second of the two episodes tonight to record so I'll take a look when I get home after the Wild game.

I'll take a look when I get home after the Wild game.

You brave sole, I was offered 2 tickets + parking but I didn't want to hassle with the icy roads:( besides I'd have to drive to Minnetonka to pick them up. Go Wild!

You brave sole, I was offered 2 tickets + parking but I didn't want to hassle with the icy roads:( besides I'd have to drive to Minnetonka to pick them up. Go Wild!

I work in downtown Minneapolis and I had to go to western Plymouth to pick up the youngster I was bringing to the game -- then drive back to St. Paul. Traffic really wasn't bad at all -- I took 494 to Highway 5 east to Sheppard Road and we were at the time in time to see the pre-game skate.

I should have probably picked them up, as it was they went unused:(

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/yourmoney/83680977.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Dollars & Sense: Comcast Basic 2 cable customers in for a change
By JOHN EWOLDT, Star Tribune

Mark Lasswell of Eagan recently received a letter from Comcast stating that he will be receiving a free upgrade to his standard cable package. He was skeptical about getting something for nothing, especially from Comcast. "Do I have any options here?" he asked in an e-mail.

Not really, but it's not as painful as it sounds. Lasswell is one of thousands of Comcast standard cable customers in the Twin Cities who have gotten or will be getting letters announcing the change. It affects standard cable customers getting channels 2 through 99 who receive cable from the wall with no set-top box. Comcast is switching the Basic 2 tier of channels (24 to 99 with a few exceptions) from analog to digital to make room on the bandwidth for additional features.

Comcast spokesman Dave Nyberg said the upgrade will offer On Demand content (17,000 choices), new channels (Lifetime Movie Network, History International, Biography, PBS Kids Sprout), more international channels and multicultural programming and more high-definition channels. Most, but not all, of the new features are at no additional cost. Nearly 80 percent of On Demand choices (movies, TV series, sports) are free, but some newer movies or sports events are not. Most of the HD channels are free, but can be accessed only if the subscriber pays an additional $7 per month for the first high-definition digital set-top box.

Standard cable customers who don't have set-top boxes (paying about $52 a month before taxes) will receive one free with a universal remote. Customers with additional TVs will get up to two free smaller digital adapters and remotes. The adapters measure 1 by 4 by 5 inches, about half the size of a typical set-top box. Additional adapters are $1.99 per month each. If a customer chooses not to use an adapter on a set that gets cable through the wall, it will receive only channels 2 through 23.

Basic 1 cable customers, who pay about $15 to $28 per month, will not be affected by the change and will not be required to get the adapters because channels 2-23 will still be broadcast in analog.

To order the adapters and an installation kit, customers can call Comcast (1-877-634-4434) or go online (www.comcast.com/digitalnow). The units are sent within five business days via UPS. Installation instructions are included, but video demonstration is available online. Nyberg said it takes 10 to 15 minutes per TV to install the adapter and that more than 80 percent of customers nationwide have successfully installed and activated the adapters themselves. Customers who ask Comcast to do the installation will be charged $16 per outlet.

Most customers will be able to substitute the TV's original remote control with the new one from Comcast. But customers with off-brand TVs such as Initial or Advent might find themselves using two remotes if the programmable code isn't in Comcast's list, said Doug Mamer of East Lake TV in Minneapolis. Ninety-five percent of the codes aren't a problem, he said.

Lasswell's letter indicated that his change wouldn't go into effect until June, but different areas around the Twin Cities have staggered transition times. The east metro and Hudson and River Falls, Wis., will start in March. Minneapolis' schedule has not been finalized, but the entire Twin Cities area is to be completed by the end of the year.

Had a good, bad, and the funny interaction with Comcast service over the weekend.

My cable internet and phone were out Friday afternoon, so I called (on my cell phone) to complain. (that's part 1 of the bad). Comcast scheduled to come out the next day, a saturday (that's part 1 of the good). Both came back late Friday afternoon. Guy showed up on time on Saturday, tested, found nothing wrong at my end and replaced the battery in the phone modem (part 2 of the good). Then he called local engineering and determined there had been a local problem the last 1/2 of last week (Wednesday on) on their network (I'd noticed some weirdness with the phones on Wednesday) that they fixed on Friday afternoon, taking me down while they did it.

That's part 2 of the bad --the phone service reps are clueless about these things, and it is the biggest weakness in Comcast's customer service operation. Engineering and customer service don't have access to the same data. That's not an inherently necessary condition --it *can* be corrected thru systems design and business process changes. If the phone service rep had been able to tell me on Friday afternoon "oh, I see an engineering ticket for your node for today --you'll probably be back up in a few hours" then I would have been satisfied and Comcast could have saved themselves a truck roll on Saturday (yeah it was nice to get the dead battery in the phone modem replaced, but not really necessary --it is plugged into a pretty hefty UPS of my own).

The funny is the guy was dead jealous of my DirecTV on my 60" Mits and had me flipping channels to check it out (we also discussed WoM locally, and how if they'd been a year quicker I'd likely still have their TV too).

I would expect that the Hudson area should get a more urgent/pressing notification soon again about the DTAs and probably an announcement of when the first round of analogs will be shut off.

Had a problem last night with one of the two digital adapters. It somehow lost sound, but only for some of the channels. Tried unplugging it to reset but to no avail. This morning I was going to call Comcast to do an exchange, but for some strange reason the little box was back to normal. I still don't know what the problem was, because the other adopter on a different TV wasn't affected, nor were either of my two DVR's. Just hope this was a one-time occurrence.

Had a problem last night with one of the two digital adapters. It somehow lost sound, but only for some of the channels. Tried unplugging it to reset but to no avail. This morning I was going to call Comcast to do an exchange, but for some strange reason the little box was back to normal. I still don't know what the problem was, because the other adopter on a different TV wasn't affected, nor were either of my two DVR's. Just hope this was a one-time occurrence.
For the sound issue on the DTA, push the "lang" button, you probably got it toggled to SAP

Georule's post reminds me of last week when I had to talk to no less than three reps before finally getting one to look in their system to determine if my internet outage was due to system issues. The first two absolutely REFUSED to even look and quickly tried to pass the buck on my (new) Motorola modem being "defective." The third rep at first argued with me for several minutes before I simply said my modem worked an hour ago, its new, and I doubt something like this would quit working out of the blue. Finally he grumpily looked on the system to find out that in fact there's a reported outage in my area.

Seriously it should NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AT ALL EVER take me three reps just to get B-A-S-I-C information like that. Let alone I shouldn't have to argue with all three of them and get told repeatedly "its your equipment" with no basis on it being my equipment other than assumption on their end.

There ought to be a tab on the customer service screen that ties your account# to every engineering level of detail from lowest to highest in their screen with the current status on all of them and the outstanding engineering tickets on the bottom few levels that would likely to be most relevant to any problem a customer was having at the moment.

It's really just a matter of database design and then training the engineers to get those updated in a timely manner (rather than 'end of the day' or whatever). It's absolutely doable. Does it cost money to design and implement? Sure. . .but it probably pays for itself in a year or two in a large reduction in truck rolls and increased customer satisfaction.

I had the exact same issue as Demoliton Man in St. Paul a few months ago. If I have another problem in the future I will be noting Names, Badge Numbers etc. for all the calls I made to find out it was their problem all along. Then I'll be reporting it here.

http://mn-stpaul.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=108

It's totally legal for us to buy our own modems. No reason we should be treated as second class citizens because we don't rent modems from them. They have a Franchise Agreement with every city they do business in. That's where the complaints need to go to get their attention.

OK I'm done venting. :D

Any news on channel updates? I haven't seen anything.

We live in Richfield, MN and on the DSL forums someone mentioned some enhancements in the Minneapolis area - not had a flier yet here so unsure what they were referring to - seen lots of people in the St. Paul area get update messages on here but no one in our area yet - any ideas what this flier refers to and if and when the Minneapolis Sector of Comcast Twin Cities will bet updated to World of More and actually get the 100+ HD channels - and hoping this includes BBC America, Fox Soccer HD and Fox Soccer Plus HD - we did get a call from Comcast a week ago but they left no message - so cryptic

hoping this includes BBC America, Fox Soccer HD and Fox Soccer Plus HD - we did get a call from Comcast a week ago but they left no message - so cryptic

I would venture there will be .000001% chance we'll get either Fox Soccer HD channel. I wouldn't mind BBC America HD just for Top Gear. However, if other areas don't have BBC America HD then there's no reason to think we will. I'd love to have FSC HD/FSC+ HD...I'm just being realistic about our chances.

The best thing you can do in the meantime is to send Comcast some feedback and request the channel(s) you'd like to have when the World of More goes live on your system.

Hope you get what you want :)

Rumor has it that FSC HD will be added in March to the St. Paul/Anoka system due to "high demand."

Rumor has it that FSC HD will be added in March to the St. Paul/Anoka system due to "high demand."

Honestly, I'm shocked they'd consider adding that channel here unless I'm missing your sarcasm. Trust me, I'll be thrilled if it happens but I'm not optimistic. If they're adding FSC HD then how about throwing in some MLB Network HD considering the season begins in April?

Ah, I see. There was "high demand" for IonHD when they added it even though Comcast claimed there wasn't enough bandwidth to add new HD channels =p

We live in Richfield, MN and on the DSL forums someone mentioned some enhancements in the Minneapolis area - not had a flier yet here so unsure what they were referring to - seen lots of people in the St. Paul area get update messages on here but no one in our area yet - any ideas what this flier refers to and if and when the Minneapolis Sector of Comcast Twin Cities will bet updated to World of More and actually get the 100+ HD channels - and hoping this includes BBC America, Fox Soccer HD and Fox Soccer Plus HD - we did get a call from Comcast a week ago but they left no message - so cryptic

Do you have Motorola equipment (set top boxes) or Scientific Atlanta/Cisco?

If you have Cisco equipment they have not announced enhancement dates for your area yet.

Honestly, I'm shocked they'd consider adding that channel here unless I'm missing your sarcasm. Trust me, I'll be thrilled if it happens but I'm not optimistic. If they're adding FSC HD then how about throwing in some MLB Network HD considering the season begins in April?

Ah, I see. There was "high demand" for IonHD when they added it even though Comcast claimed there wasn't enough bandwidth to add new HD channels =p

From what I have heard Comcat has had plenty of phone calls for FSC HD especially in the past few days since Dish just added the channel. In terms of bandwidth all Comcast would have to do is yank the (currently useless) NFL RedZone HD. I'm pretty sure by September the WOM/Calvary/X-Finity/whatever it is next week will be finished so it would be a complete win for Comcast to do that.

In terms of bandwidth all Comcast would have to do is yank the (currently useless) NFL RedZone HD.

I brought up that point when I asked Comcast to add one of MLBN HD, FSC HD, or GameHD.

Thanks for getting back - we are on a Scientific Atlanta area - the old Time Warner Cable franchise - so I guess it will be when the Cisco DTA boxes are launched - nice to know we still know no news :rolleyes:

Yup we get the old bandwidth argument all the time - when they could or would not launch Olympic HD channels for soccer during Beijing, when we wanted BBC America HD, so I guess FSC and FSC+ in HD are decades away -

We are still on the old guide and would be nice to get a new one - took them years to add us on to channel 1 on demand so no high hopes here I don't think - just wondered why someone in our area the SA area got a leaflet about network enhancements if the schedule is not finalized yet.

Red Zone is taking up as much bandwidth as your local elementary school lunch menu when it displays on one of the community access channels.

Taking the tombstone page down will NOT free up enough bandwidth for an HD channel.

Also, I just checked -- both the SD (266) and HD (268) channels for me here in Blaine are mapped the the same frequency and their current status is "Acquired Not playing" meaning it is receiving a signal from the node -- but there is no active video feed playing on the frequency.

Red Zone is taking up as much bandwidth as your local elementary school lunch menu when it displays on one of the community access channels.

Taking the tombstone page down will NOT free up enough bandwidth for an HD channel.

We were told that there was no bandwidth to add new HD. There has only been a net increase of five HD channels since May 2008. Surely, they have the space to add FSC HD or any number of the 30-40 HD channels Comcast is airing in other markets...if they wanted to...right now.

Surely, they have the space to add FSC HD or any number of the 30-40 HD channels Comcast is airing in other markets...if they wanted to...right now.

The only Comcast systems with 30-40 more HD channels than us have already done some significant analog shutdowns (i.e. World of More)

No, there is not enough bandwidth currently available to add 30-40 HD channels.

No, there is not enough bandwidth currently available to add 30-40 HD channels.

Reading comprehension, please. You must have missed, or not understood, this part of my post:

"Surely, they have the space to add FSC HD or any number of the 30-40 HD channels..."

"any number" meaning one or more...:rolleyes:

Clearly, I know there isn't enough bandwidth at the moment to add ALL of the 30-40 HD channels we're expecting to receive once World of More goes live. However, I'm sure there's enough available bandwidth to have added more than five HD channels in the past 21 months. Four of which are active as of tonight.

Yup I agree - they argue no bandwidth - and can't even put a temporary HD channel on for the Olympics in 2008 for soccer in the Twin Cities - we have been on hiatus for so long it really is time to add something. It is always the same argument - but do we get a discount for not being on World of More or missing out on so many channels or having a guide which was set up by Time Warner Cable. This area needs to see some sign of improvement and adding a requested channel like FSC HD BBC America HD or FSC+HD - instead of the part time Red Zone, Ion, and KSTCH all three of the latter which were laughable channels shows what Comcast thinks of us.
I will eat my hat if we get any of the 3 channels I most want in the world added - the only other two we really watch are Turner Classic Movies and History International.
If we got all 5 of our channels with the HD we watch at the moment we would never need to put on SD ever again - I think we watch PBS most in HD at the moment followed by the regular History, ESPN HD and FSN HD.

Oh and what is most laughable is when the CSR called to discuss no BBC America HD, FSC HD or the upcoming FSC+HD she said we are adding more channels like KSTCH - had to hold myself from commenting on the quality of channels they are picking for us - why not have a panel of customers who decide what we would like to see. We don't even get MLB in HD which would also be cool.

Ok, my bad for mis-reading TCG's post.

But yes, they don't have any avaialble bandwidth to add ANY more channels if they keep the bandwidth allocated to each channel the same as they are now. They could do more compression -- but that would degrade the PQ.

If you have a Motorola DVR, you could prove me wrong by going into the diagnostic/setup screen and tell me which frequncies are wide open and available that they could add more HD channels to.

But yes, they don't have any avaialble bandwidth to add ANY more channels if they keep the bandwidth allocated to each channel the same as they are now. They could do more compression -- but that would degrade the PQ.

Comcast reps said the same thing back in July 2008. Since then, they've added 4-5 HD channels...Big 10 Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, Ion. Quite a stellar list!

If you have a Motorola DVR, you could prove me wrong by going into the diagnostic/setup screen and tell me which frequncies are wide open and available that they could add more HD channels to.

Nah. I have a TivoHD. That Motorola box is a POS.

Comcast reps said the same thing back in July 2008. Since then, they've added 4-5 HD channels...Big 10 Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, Ion. Quite a stellar list!


Also, since July 2008, they have moved TV Guide Network and EWTN from analog to digital. So, according to my math, assuming 2 HD channels per QAM, seems like an even trade.

And, also, note the timing of the addition of KSTC-HD to the lineup, just after NFL was over. Thats because Red Zone HD gave up the bandwidth at that time, and by the time it comes back later this year, WOM will be complete in this area.

Honestly, if they had extra bandwidth, they'd use it, but the reality is, there is no bandwidth to spare, unless you want to move to 3 or even 4 HD channels per QAM, which would make the HD channels look like crap. Once they move the 40 channels from analog to digital, they will free up space for up to 80 HD channels (although I suspect we will see more like 60 added to hit that sweet "100 channels" mark.) Do I agree with all the additions? Not really. But some people do watch sports and like the addition of an HD option for KSTC, and the other sports channels. Ion probably elected "Must Carry" for the main HD signal, or do those rules not apply with HD as they did with SD?

NHL, NBA, Big Ten, and RedZone don't appeal to me personally, but we now get them for free rather than as part of the sports and entertainment package. I pay for HBO, but only get ONE of their channels in HD, I'll certainly be looking forward to the addition of the others later this year.

Also, since July 2008, they have moved TV Guide Network and EWTN from analog to digital. So, according to my math, assuming 2 HD channels per QAM, seems like an even trade.

And, also, note the timing of the addition of KSTC-HD to the lineup, just after NFL was over. Thats because Red Zone HD gave up the bandwidth at that time, and by the time it comes back later this year, WOM will be complete in this area.

Honestly, if they had extra bandwidth, they'd use it, but the reality is, there is no bandwidth to spare, unless you want to move to 3 or even 4 HD channels per QAM, which would make the HD channels look like crap.

I can't say for sure, but i actually think they do have bandwidth free on the Minneapolis system. I believe channels ~121 - ~135 are empty (at least i can't see anything on any of my TV's or PC cards)

I can't say for sure, but i actually think they do have bandwidth free on the Minneapolis system. I believe channels ~121 - ~135 are empty (at least i can't see anything on any of my TV's or PC cards)

Isn't the Minneapolis system something like 760mhz? Because if it really is, then that makes sense, as 121 is outside of the 760mhz (at 771mhz actually).

If that's the case, then Minneapolis is indeed out of bandwidth as well.

Comcast reps said the same thing back in July 2008. Since then, they've added 4-5 HD channels...Big 10 Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, Ion.

...and they also eliminated analogs and moved then to "digital only" to free up bandwidth to add these channels, remember??

Isn't the Minneapolis system something like 760mhz? Because if it really is, then that makes sense, as 121 is outside of the 760mhz (at 771mhz actually).

If that's the case, then Minneapolis is indeed out of bandwidth as well.

The virtual channel numbers you see on your STB have nothing to do with available frequencies. The STB's just display to you a channel number -- this channel number is "virtual" -- the STB knows that for a particular channel number, it needs to look at the incoming feeds and display what is at a particular frequency. For example, for me in Blaine, channels 266 and 268 are mapped to a frequency of 627 MHz.

For the Motorola boxes there is a dignostic screen that can be accessed that shows which channel(s) are mapped to which frequency (for the Motorola boxes anyway, I'm not sure about the SA/Cisco ones). It is a pretty big PITA though, to go through them all, accessing the diagnostic screen for each channel is rather cumbersome.

...and they also eliminated analogs and moved then to "digital only" to free up bandwidth to add these channels, remember??

This is a company who doesn't even have HD PPV in 2010 yet found the bandwidth to add IonHD over more than 40 available options. They didn't move enough channels to "free up" the bandwidth for the 4-5 HD additions we've received in the past 21 months. You're just factually wrong.

This is a company who doesn't even have HD PPV in 2010 yet found the bandwidth to add IonHD over more than 40 available options. They didn't move enough channels to "free up" the bandwidth for the 4-5 HD additions we've received in the past 21 months. You're just factually wrong.

Factually wrong? So, where is the proof to back up your claim that this is factually wrong? And I suppose you sat in on the negotiations for these HD channels, and know that there was no must carry demands made, and you read the contracts for carriage of NBA and Red Zone? Please. You don't know any more than we do, the difference is, our claims make sense.

So, if they have bandwidth free, as you claim, why don't you tell us all what parts of the 860mhz spectrum are free? Tivo has a diagnostics screen, as does Motorola. And don't forget to check out which frequencies are being taken up by Internet and Voice too, as well as all the analogs.

If we are factually wrong, please provide proof (as you stated we are factually wrong and that implies that you have the facts to prove it).

If anybody is curious, i uploaded the output of scte65scan, its kinda interesting. Its basically the channel maps for the DTA's for the area and the corresponding QAM channels.

So, if they have bandwidth free, as you claim, why don't you tell us all what parts of the 860mhz spectrum are free?


*sigh*

A cursory Google search will answer your questions. Have at it, fella. Also, I'm just relaying what several Comcast execs have told me over the past 21 months. Believe it, or don't. There's space available on the Mpls system. St. Paul is "almost" full now that they've wasted space with those Ion, NBA TV, etc. additions.

Has Comcast added MSNBC HD here like they have in other markets just for the Olympics? I know they added it on channel 901 in Boston.

No MSNBC HD here in the Richfield - ex TWC area of the Minneapolis Comcast franchise !!!!

Has Comcast added MSNBC HD here like they have in other markets just for the Olympics? I know they added it on channel 901 in Boston.

Not on DirecTV either (he bitterly noted, watching USA vs Canada Olympic hockey in SD).

Not on DirecTV either (he bitterly noted, watching USA vs Canada Olympic hockey in SD).

This game looks like utter ****. I'm glad we're winning but the picture quality is god awful. SD sucks.

*sigh*

A cursory Google search will answer your questions. Have at it, fella. Also, I'm just relaying what several Comcast execs have told me over the past 21 months. Believe it, or don't. There's space available on the Mpls system. St. Paul is "almost" full now that they've wasted space with those Ion, NBA TV, etc. additions.

Sorry, I can't find where Comcast has posted frequency usage or that they have free bandwidth they are just sitting on, care to share? If I'm wrong that's fine and I'll admit that, but I'm asking for proof to back up your claims that Comcast is just sitting on bandwidth.

I am on the St Paul system, and at least in that case I can say with relative certainty that they do NOT have additional bandwidth for any HD channels. They may have space on a QAM or two to add some SD channels, but unless they compress the HD channels they currently have more, there is no way they can fit more HD channels on the system currently.

So, again, you are claiming that there are free QAM channels for HD usage, and I'm just asking you to back that up with some concrete evidence.

Sorry, I can't find where Comcast has posted frequency usage or that they have free bandwidth they are just sitting on, care to share? If I'm wrong that's fine and I'll admit that, but I'm asking for proof to back up your claims that Comcast is just sitting on bandwidth.

There were some posts in a thread on the old HDTVTC site but it's down at the moment. Call the Comcast Executive Offices and have someone there get back to you. That's what I did. Aside from that, I can't be of any further assistance.

Good luck to you.

There were some posts in a thread on the old HDTVTC site but it's down at the moment. Call the Comcast Executive Offices and have someone there get back to you. That's what I did. Aside from that, I can't be of any further assistance.

Good luck to you.

Sorry, thats not how it works. You made a claim of fact, stated it as fact, and to be taken seriously YOU need to back up this "fact" that you claim. It's not my job to prove your facts, its YOUR job.

Sorry, thats not how it works. You made a claim of fact, stated it as fact, and to be taken seriously YOU need to back up this "fact" that you claim. It's not my job to prove your facts, its YOUR job.

Good luck to YOU!! ;)

Sorry, thats not how it works. You made a claim of fact, stated it as fact, and to be taken seriously YOU need to back up this "fact" that you claim. It's not my job to prove your facts, its YOUR job.

Actually, that IS how it works. I've given you the tools to find the information you asked for and considering it was gathered primarily from a telephone conversation (backed with several independently verified posts from a now-defunct website) you need to contact Comcast to get your answer. Now, you can sit there and try to play gotcha on this board or you can be an adult about this and place the call.

YOUR choice. :rolleyes:

I have nothing more to say on the matter. Comcast has the answers you seek. I'm done wasting my time with someone who posts under an alias just to attack others. Try using another alias when you post. It's befitting for you.

Actually, that IS how it works. I've given you the tools to find the information you asked for and considering it was gathered primarily from a telephone conversation (backed with several independently verified posts from a now-defunct website) you need to contact Comcast to get your answer. Now, you can sit there and try to play gotcha on this board or you can be an adult about this and place the call.

YOUR choice. :rolleyes:

I have nothing more to say on the matter. Comcast has the answers you seek. I'm done wasting my time with someone who posts under an alias just to attack others. Try using another alias when you post. It's befitting for you.

Whatever, just bothers me when people state things as factually true when they aren't. Not trying to play any games, and I'm perfectly capable of making phone calls. Half the people I talk to at comcast give different stories anyways.

Personally, I don't CARE whether thats true or not, as I said, it just pisses me off when people like you get on message boards and state something as fact but cannot back it up at all. A phone conversation which may or may not have happened, along with some posts on a message board, does not a fact make.

For whatever reason, Comcast has chosen at this time to not give us any more HD channels. They have stated that more are on the way, and are currently spending MILLIONS to make that happen, but for whatever reason you are not happy with that and feel that you are being lied to, and that comcast is holding back bandwidth.

If you don't like Comcast's services, why don't you just leave? I'm sure I could get more HD choices somewhere else myself, but aside from one or two channels, I'm all set (and I'm sure those two channels will be added during WoM). I get a dependable connection and signal, a service that works with my Tivo, fast internet speeds, and phone service all for around $150 a month. I've looked around and NOBODY can beat that price for the selection I have.

Why should we leave Comcast - why not put the onus on Comcast to provide us with a decent service - the promised World of More - with more HD channels, an updated t.v. guide which has been promised since they took over our area - to name a couple of wants - I hope by the end of this year we will have a full World of More service with 100+ HD channels and a new t.v. guide.

Why should we leave Comcast - why not put the onus on Comcast to provide us with a decent service - the promised World of More - with more HD channels, an updated t.v. guide which has been promised since they took over our area - to name a couple of wants - I hope by the end of this year we will have a full World of More service with 100+ HD channels and a new t.v. guide.

You should leave Comcast if you're not happy with their service or if you believe you've been lied to. Why would you want to be a customer of a company that's dishonest, if that's what you truly believe?

Because we want the service we are entitled to and no-one else out there is a provider we would be happy dealing with and could provide the triple play services we have. We love Comcast Digital Voice and get 100 minutes to call overseas, we love the High Speed Internet - all we want is those two things to complete our package.
We have looked at both Dish and Direct TV and neither company would we want to welcome into our house - Comcast is the lesser of the evils so we feel free to moan about wanting the service we were promised.

Looks like the pointless bickering is beginning here now that HDTV Twin Cities has shut down. Hopefully it can be nipped in the bud.

I'm done wasting my time with someone who posts under an alias just to attack others. Try using another alias when you post. It's befitting for you.

What alias are you you talking about? If you are thinking that mnxmfan and me are the same person --- you are wrong again.

What alias are you you talking about? If you are thinking that mnxmfan and me are the same person --- you are wrong again.

Sorry I missed this. I'm not an alias, just someone who is bothered by people who try to claim something as fact, without actually being able to back that up with a reliable source, email address, phone number to call to verify information, name of person spoken to, etc.

I never posted on HDTVtwincities, because I got tired of the bickering. I'm a fan of TV, former fan of XM, and this SN has been used all over the net (just google it). I realize I'm getting involved in the bickering by calling out TCG when I should just write him/her off as an unreliable source and call it a day.

With that said, lets get back on topic. We now know that WoM is arriving within the next 6-12 months for those in the east metro. For those of you who had a date listed towards end of March, have you started losing analog channels yet?

Also, has anyone heard anything about a timeline for the old TWC system to get WoM yet? One would have to assume that it wouldn't be that far off from the Motorola system here, only because it would be a PR disaster.

With that said, lets get back on topic. We now know that WoM is arriving within the next 6-12 months for those in the east metro. For those of you who had a date listed towards end of March, have you started losing analog channels yet?

Also, has anyone heard anything about a timeline for the old TWC system to get WoM yet? One would have to assume that it wouldn't be that far off from the Motorola system here, only because it would be a PR disaster.

Here, now I'll answer some of my own questions. ;)

Comcast must give 30 days notice to users when alaogs are shut off, so the folks in Hudson should either get a notification in the mail in the next couple of days -- or we'll see a notice in the Strib and Pioneer Press -- or both.

No timeline on the old TWC (Minneapolis/Cisco/SA) system. They are beta testing the Cisco-compatible DTAs but Comcast has not yet certified them for production use. From what I am hearing they will be certified by June.

No timeline on the old TWC (Minneapolis/Cisco/SA) system. They are beta testing the Cisco-compatible DTAs but Comcast has not yet certified them for production use. From what I am hearing they will be certified by June.

How many of those systems does Comcast have around the country? I'm wondering if Mpls is going to get dragged well into 2011 by this issue.

Houston and Philadelphia are 2 other large markets that were once under Time Warner but were swapped to Comcast when Time Warner and Comcast bought the assets the Adelphia.

There are a few other smaller markets they swapped in the deal as well.

Time Warner got the Los Angeles, Dallas, and Cleveland markets from Comcast.

Houston and Philadelphia are 2 other large markets that were once under Time Warner but were swapped to Comcast when Time Warner and Comcast bought the assets the Adelphia.

There are a few other smaller markets they swapped in the deal as well.

Time Warner got the Los Angeles, Dallas, and Cleveland markets from Comcast.

Comcast converted Houston to all Cisco hardware about a year ago so they are no longer a mixed system.

I just HAVE to laugh. He's someone else's headache now. Trying to keep a dying site alive made me tolerant, I guess I wasn't such a bad mod after all. At least he's only used one name here...some things never change.
Anyway. I'm ordering my free cable box and two digital converters. I initially thought this was going to be a cluster but as I now get a free box for my bedroom (it's QAM now) I came out ahead. Looking forward to those 60 HD channels that'll be here soon...he says with no confidence. I'm in Cottage Grove (St. Croix Valley in Comcast-speak) so we switch at the end of March...

I guess I wasn't such a bad mod after all.

Actually, since you're a passive man and won't ask me directly, I'll answer you: I never posted on the other site.

At least the hockey game tomorrow is on NBC HD. It'll look grand.

Good day, everyone. I hope the World of More arrives to all of you by the end of the year. May peace be upon you. :p

I just HAVE to laugh. He's someone else's headache now. Trying to keep a dying site alive made me tolerant, I guess I wasn't such a bad mod after all. At least he's only used one name here...some things never change.
Anyway. I'm ordering my free cable box and two digital converters. I initially thought this was going to be a cluster but as I now get a free box for my bedroom (it's QAM now) I came out ahead. Looking forward to those 60 HD channels that'll be here soon...he says with no confidence. I'm in Cottage Grove (St. Croix Valley in Comcast-speak) so we switch at the end of March...

Wait a minute JonM, What do you mean you get a cable box and two converters? Didn't you already have digital service? I thought the free cable box was only for analog only customers? I'd love to get a free cable box for the bedroom, currently QAM, but I didn't think I'd qualify since I already have a DVR and cable card.

Wait a minute JonM, What do you mean you get a cable box and two converters? Didn't you already have digital service? I thought the free cable box was only for analog only customers? I'd love to get a free cable box for the bedroom, currently QAM, but I didn't think I'd qualify since I already have a DVR and cable card.

You're right jrn, I mis-read the letter. I get EITHER a free cable box OR two adapters. As the TV in my lower level guest bedroom is rarely used, I'll keep that on QAM for now and just get the cable box for my master bedroom which is now on QAM.

Sorry for the confusion. I defer to the judgement of others in this thread as to my earlier assertion.

EDIT: as it turns out, the letter was correct, the brochure they sent was wrong. I'd only get the cable box if I didn't have any other boxes or DVRs. So, I get the adapters, and thats it. Wonderful.

Comcast must give 30 days notice to users when alaogs are shut off, so the folks in Hudson should either get a notification in the mail in the next couple of days -- or we'll see a notice in the Strib and Pioneer Press -- or both.


Never mind on this. Comcast already gave the notice 30+ days out when they gave us the network conversion dates and said that we will need digital boxes to receive channels over channel 20.

Does anybody have a clue as to what we might see after implementation, new-HD wise? In other words, in areas where WOM has been recently installed, what has been added?

Does anybody have a clue as to what we might see after implementation, new-HD wise? In other words, in areas where WOM has been recently installed, what has been added?

Here is a PDF of a brochure received by subscribers in California last summer after their analogs were pared down:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=147476&d=1247210393

The top shows the HD channels being added and at the bottom is their complete list of HD channels at that time.

More than likely we will see a re-numbering of the channel line-up during this process.

^^^ No Turner Classic Movies(TCM) HD:confused:
Sure glad they'll be freeing up bandwidth for QVC HD:rolleyes:

^^^ No Turner Classic Movies(TCM) HD:confused:
Sure glad they'll be freeing up bandwidth for QVC HD:rolleyes:

No TCM on that mailer - it was added later. WoM cities received new channels in bunches of various sizes at different dates.

For the full list of channels we will have once complete go here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081

The cells shaded in green in the Comcast column are pretty much what we have now.

The cells shaded in orange are very close to what we will have once WoM is complete (we may not get both the east and west versions of some or all channels).

So once they switch and I can get a free standard box, do I have to start paying for it if I go out the next day and rent two HD boxes?

I found the Olympics virtually unwatchable over clear QAM as the fast motion scenes would pixelate. Are they planning on reducing the compression once analog goes away?

I found the Olympics virtually unwatchable over clear QAM as the fast motion scenes would pixelate. Are they planning on reducing the compression once analog goes away?

KARE 11 and the other national OTA locals aren't compressed. My guess is that you have a weak signal. I watched many many hours of the Olympics on NBC and never saw any pixelation.

So once they switch and I can get a free standard box, do I have to start paying for it if I go out the next day and rent two HD boxes?

I found the Olympics virtually unwatchable over clear QAM as the fast motion scenes would pixelate. Are they planning on reducing the compression once analog goes away?

Good question, my guess is no...but only time will tell.

I watched a fair bit of the Oly's at night on my QAM TV in my bedroom and had zero pixelization. Years ago in my old house I had issues like that and Comcast came out and swapped out all the underground cable they'd run
in '95 for a bigger gauge, and poof -- all was well.

You may be on to something there. The drop has been in place since 1986. Water gets in the line and freezes so I have to unscrew it at the house and use a heat gun when it's wet like now, otherwise I can't get a reliable internet connection to my work server.

You may be on to something there. The drop has been in place since 1986. Water gets in the line and freezes so I have to unscrew it at the house and use a heat gun when it's wet like now, otherwise I can't get a reliable internet connection to my work server.

At my old house in Shoreview (built in 1986) I had a lot of problems when first trying to watch HD through Comcast. I called and they came out and replaced all the outdoor wiring (for free) just like JonM and everything cleared up.

At my old house in Shoreview (built in 1986) I had a lot of problems when first trying to watch HD through Comcast. I called and they came out and replaced all the outdoor wiring (for free) just like JonM and everything cleared up.

What stuck out to me on that little excavation was that they hadda dig UNDER my driveway to do it --- as they couldn't break up the asphalt it was fun to watch, and had to be pretty expensve.

For all the %$#@ I think Comcast deserves they have gone to the mat to make sure I'm happy with the service. 4 years ago they came out to my house to fix my internet connection --- on a Sunday.

I've just started noticing some macroblocking on my Comcast HD channels... wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same.

It's gotta be my signal since the macroblocking is recordable, if that makes sense. I can actually rewind and watch it again. It hasn't been an issue in the last 5 years.

Any idea what it might be?

anyone else having problems with reception tonight? broken sound, macrobockling, digital pauses with "blocks" showing up in the picture?

comcast in SW suburbs?

anyone else having problems with reception tonight? broken sound, macrobockling, digital pauses with "blocks" showing up in the picture?

comcast in SW suburbs?

Now is a great time to immediately report issues like these since it is likely there are more Comcast technical people here in the Twin Cities area than usual working on the WoM.

Also, check all your outdoor cable connections, they often loosen up with the cold and warm changes in the weather.

I've also been seeing reception issues lately (1-2 weeks), Comcast in SW suburbs (Minnetonka). Every minute or so random pixelization in a horizontal bar across the screen, brief (one or two tenths of a second) audio dropouts. I have TiVo but this also occurs watching live, any channel (although we almost always watch an HD channel).

Cable comes into the house directly, no outdoor connections except on the pole. There has been a lot of moisture lately, and freeze/thaw cycling.

I've also been seeing reception issues lately (1-2 weeks), Comcast in SW suburbs (Minnetonka). Every minute or so random pixelization in a horizontal bar across the screen, brief (one or two tenths of a second) audio dropouts....


This sounds similar to what I've been getting this past week except mine is less frequent. It's happened to me most years in March when the snow melts.

anyone else having problems with reception tonight? broken sound, macrobockling, digital pauses with "blocks" showing up in the picture?
Yes, same issues starting Friday. I'm right in Minneapolis.

Hmmm....

Anybody having the macroblocking that is NOT on Scientific Atlanta/Cisco equipment?

So far it sounds like people in the former TWC area are reporting the issue.

Hmmm....

Anybody having the macroblocking that is NOT on Scientific Atlanta/Cisco equipment?

So far it sounds like people in the former TWC area are reporting the issue.

I have TiVo, not a Comcast STB. I also have Comcast broadband, using whatever modem TWC provided at the time.

I have TiVo, not a Comcast STB. I also have Comcast broadband, using whatever modem TWC provided at the time.

Ok, so you are in a former TWC area -- that is what I was getting at.

It sounds like all the reports of the macroblocking are from the former TWC areas.

The Macroblocking crap is back again tonight on all or at least most of my HD channels.

I chatted with a Comcast "analyst" via their website whose first language was clearly not English, and he told me it's due to the digital migration and my problems wouldn't go away unless I got a cable box. I have basic 1 cable and have no desire or room for a box in my entertainment center; all of my shelves are full and I have no more open HDMI ports on my receiver. I'm really hoping the analyst didn't know what he was talking about and that Comcast isn't trying to make the QAM HD stations unwatchable, which they currently are (the audio dropouts are the worst).

Issues came back today. Not Macroblocking, but horizontal breaks in picture accompanied with sound garbles and dropouts. It is occuring played back inDVR as well as more than one TV - so it isn;t our TV. Very annoying.

Issues came back today. Not Macroblocking, but horizontal breaks in picture accompanied with sound garbles and dropouts. It is occuring played back inDVR as well as more than one TV - so it isn;t our TV. Very annoying.
Do you have a cable box, or are you using a QAM tuner to a non-Comcast DVR? Thanks.

We have Comcast issued SA HDDVR boxes. SA8530 I believe (too lazy to get up to check LOL)...

We have Comcast issued SA HDDVR boxes. SA8530 I believe (too lazy to get up to check LOL)...
So when the Comcast "analyst" told me that getting a cable box would resolve the glitches I was experiencing, he was clearly wrong, right? Since you have a cable box and are experiencing the same glitches.

anyone else having problems with reception tonight? broken sound, macrobockling, digital pauses with "blocks" showing up in the picture?

comcast in SW suburbs?

Issues came back today. Not Macroblocking, but horizontal breaks in picture accompanied with sound garbles and dropouts. It is occuring played back inDVR as well as more than one TV - so it isn;t our TV. Very annoying.

Tons of it in the last week or so. The ABC HD broadcast of the Oscars was the worst hit for me, with these atypical long-horizontal band pixilation effects(that I have been witnessing in great numbers just recently) - and audio dropouts - occurring several times a minute. Same problem on other channels (SciFi and Kare-HD have been observed, among others). Intermittent problem - hours of programming can be affected - then - pure picture quality.

I'm a Mpls (formerly Time-Warner) subscriber. Scientific Atlanta HD DVR.

Finally spoke with Comcast tech last night who remotely rebooted my DVR. It's too soon to tell if this had an effect (the problem was not occurring when I had time to phone in for support).

UPDATE: We are far from alone in experiencing this problem, I see. Check it out:
http://iconnectdots.com/2010/03/comcasts-oscar-fail.html

... horizontal breaks in picture accompanied with sound garbles and dropouts. ...

This is exactly what I'm seeing. I don't think it's a signal strength issue, my S3 TiVo box shows a typical signal strength of 90 (max 100). I don't see this number wavering during the signal noise transients, but I wouln't expect to see a change from such brief events.

I'm near CR 62, a mile west of 494, in case this problem is local to a sub-region.

Again, report the incidents as often as possible and preferably while the issue is occurring.

The "Cavalry" of techies are in town working on the conversion to the World of More.

Seeing the same glitches in Chaska, since the weekend. It was the worst last night. I just went online to chat with Comcast support and they do not acknowledge any known issues.

I thought it might be related to all the moisture from snow melt, but this thread discards that thoery.

UPDATE: We are far from alone in experiencing this problem, I see. Check it out:
http://iconnectdots.com/2010/03/comcasts-oscar-fail.html

Nice response from blog owner (above link). Comcast told him their engineers are working on the issue (the recent horizontal bar pixilations with audio stutters) - and that it helps to call Comcast in real time as it happens, since their escalation group is working on it.

FWIW, watching a couple hours tonight on several channels, I didn't see the noise/dropout issues. This is the first night in a week that's been so.

Same here in Chaska tonight. Rock solid.

The is a little blurb in the "Whistleblower" column in the StarTribune where at least one customer was given a $20 account credit for this issue. At first he or she was offered a 67 cent credit but said something like "issues like this are making satellite sound better and better" -- and then the $20 credit was offered.

Did no one else watch the 10PM WCCO channel 4 news last night? They actually had a brief report on the problem, which they said affected many (all?) local Comcast customers for the past 3-4 days. Comcast told them it was due to a faulty component which has since been replaced. Interesting, huh? I'm just glad it's revolved.

This seems like it warrants a BBB complaint. They know about a widespread problem, yet they walk each tech support caller to through the 'local troubleshooting' script.

Looks like an attempt to avoid bad PR.

The is a little blurb in the "Whistleblower" column in the StarTribune where at least one customer was given a $20 account credit for this issue. At first he or she was offered a 67 cent credit but said something like "issues like this are making satellite sound better and better" -- and then the $20 credit was offered.

Here's a link to said Whistle Blower column. (http://www.startribune.com/blogs/87346687.html?elr=KArks47cQiU17cQiU47cQUU)

What's odd is that I haven't experienced any of this up here in Blaine. Must of lucked out in this case... for once.

What's odd is that I haven't experienced any of this up here in Blaine. Must of lucked out in this case... for once.

That is because you and I are in Blaine -- the St. Paul -- Motorola system.

If they had to "replace a component" it was likely a Cisco piece of equipment only on the Minneapolis Cisco/SA system.

Well, who knows what "network enhancement goes live" means?? Does that mean when the HD channels will be added and internet speeds will be bumped? Or is that when the first analogs get shut off?

Dates so far:

St. Croix Falls - March 29th
Blaine - May 3rd
Eagan - June 7th
St. Paul - July 12th
NW Suburbs - August 23rd
Golden Valley - August 24th
Maplewood - September 27th

Before anyone freaks out, remember that --- according to the letter, these are the dates that the analog channels above channel 20 willl be shut off. Comcast has NOT announced that new HD channels will be added on these dates.

Any new HD channels will come probably a few weeks later.

More than likely, Comcast takes a couple weeks to get the new channels added to the system and completely tested out before they update the STBs mapping so subscribers can actually view the channels.

Did no one else watch the 10PM WCCO channel 4 news last night? They actually had a brief report on the problem, which they said affected many (all?) local Comcast customers for the past 3-4 days. Comcast told them it was due to a faulty component which has since been replaced. Interesting, huh? I'm just glad it's revolved.

I did and they said it only effected Minneapolis, I believe they said the old TW area. They said it was very rare for that particular part to fail.

Before anyone freaks out, remember that --- according to the letter, these are the dates that the analog channels above channel 20 willl be shut off. Comcast has NOT announced that new HD channels will be added on these dates.

Any new HD channels will come probably a few weeks later.

More than likely, Comcast takes a couple weeks to get the new channels added to the system and completely tested out before they update the STBs mapping so subscribers can actually view the channels.
Just thought you might know — will those of us just using QAM tuners get anything new, or have us basic 1 cable subscribers gotten all of the HD we're going to get? Thanks.

Is it just me or does KARE 11 just dreadfully awful tonight? Both Comcast and OTA has a ton of compression artifacts.

Has anyone noticed a much improved HD picture on all channels in the last few days? For instance, TNT and History HD which has always sucked is now nearly as clear as ESPN/ESPN2 and NBC which have always been my best looking HD channels. With the mess last weekend (tiling and video dropouts) I was instructed to get a new box because apparently no one at Comcast knew they were having problems with the system. When I went to the Comcast office they were out of 4350HD boxes so the gave me an Cisco RNG 150. The RNG is buggy as hell, But my PQ is MUCH better all of the sudden starting about Wednesday (swapped the box on monday).

Now I don't think this is due to the box, as I swapped it Monday and still had the normal comcast lackluster compressed picture for 2 more days. But after they had what has so far been the final system issues Tuesday night my quality has been drasticly improved on most of my HD channels. My OnDemand doesn't work with the new box, the PQ is so good right now I'd be reluctant to give if this box if it is cause of my improved picture.

I am helping a downtown bar get set up for the Twins season. They have access to both cable and satellite. MLB extra innings is going to be important. I can't seem to get an answer from Comcast about MLB extra innings in HD? They were supposed to call back yesterday,but never did.
I suspect they don't have the bandwidth for Extra Innings HD? Satellite of course has it available. Anyone know about the status of MLB in HD on Minneapolis Comcast?
Thanks!

I am helping a downtown bar get set up for the Twins season. They have access to both cable and satellite. MLB extra innings is going to be important. I can't seem to get an answer from Comcast about MLB extra innings in HD? They were supposed to call back yesterday,but never did.
I suspect they don't have the bandwidth for Extra Innings HD? Satellite of course has it available. Anyone know about the status of MLB in HD on Minneapolis Comcast?
Thanks!

You won't get the ENTIRE MLB EI package in HD. DirecTV has an exclusive agreement with MLB to carry EI HD. However, they do allow cable operators to broadcast select EI games in HD on the GameHD channel. Comcast has never carried the GameHD channel in the Twin Cities and they aren't going to carry it until, at the earliest, the Cavalry comes through town. Comcast should have the bandwidth to add that channel along with the HD PPVs so we can finally watch UFC/boxing/wrestling events in high def when the World of More arrives. Then again, we're talking about Comcast so I'm not getting my hopes up.

DirecTV has an exclusive agreement with MLB to carry EI HD. However, they do allow cable operators to broadcast select EI games in HD on the GameHD channel.

Do you have a source for this? I know DirecTv shows more HD games than the standard EI package, but I don't think they have an "exclusive agreement" to carry more. They just carry more because they can -- they can map EI subscriber's STBs to allow them access to the regional HD channels that are showing the games. Also, I believe that they can block the regional broadcast's commercials -- which EI would want.

Do you have a source for this? I know DirecTv shows more HD games than the standard EI package, but I don't think they have an "exclusive agreement" to carry more.

My wording might not have been clear but what IS clear is that DirecTV has the exlclusive right to air out of market HD broadcasts through Extra Innings on every channel. Comcast only carries ONE EI HD channel and that's the GameHD channel.

"Major League Baseball and DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite provider, today announced a seven-year agreement that continues carriage rights to the MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription package of out-of-market games and includes the launch of the MLB Channel as part of DIRECTV's basic package. Included within the agreement, DIRECTV will be a minority partner in the MLB Channel, and will work with MLB to develop the network, which will launch in 2009.

Additionally, in keeping with MLB's desire to provide as much MLB programming to as many baseball fans as possible, MLB and DIRECTV have agreed to include a provision that allows MLB EXTRA INNINGS to be offered to other incumbents - In Demand and DISH Network - at consistent rates and carriage requirements with a deal to be concluded before the baseball season begins. The provision also requires the incumbents to agree to carriage rights to the MLB Channel proportionally equivalent to DIRECTV's commitment. Should the incumbents decide not to match DIRECTV's commitment, the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package will be exclusive to DIRECTV. All out of market games continue to be available on MLB.com.

"With the advent of The MLB Channel, our new agreement with DIRECTV will result in more MLB programming being available to more fans than ever before," said Major League Baseball President Bob DuPuy. "The deal complements our deals with FOX, Turner and ESPN for network game coverage and furthers MLB's initiative to continue to enhance fans' viewing experience and reinvigorate our telecasts with unique and innovative features."

"Just as we did with NFL SUNDAY TICKET and NASCAR HOTPASS, DIRECTV will invest millions of dollars to deliver a spectacular fan experience," said Chase Carey, President and CEO of DIRECTV. "DIRECTV will offer more games in HD and apply its award-winning technology to MLB EXTRA INNINGS broadcasts on an unprecedented scale, taking fans deeper inside the game than ever before."

DIRECTV, continuing its 10-year relationship with MLB and its fans by providing MLB EXTRA INNINGS, will bring new innovations that will enhance the fan experience. The MLB Channel will be the first and only network dedicated to providing baseball programming to MLB fans 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a year-round basis.

DIRECTV will expand the MLB EXTRA INNINGS options to include a game mosaic channel, a Strike Zone Channel that takes viewers to live cut-ins of MLB games in progress at key points; detailed player and team stats, real-time scores and live updates from other games; and other innovations that complement the sport of baseball, entertain viewers and provide fans with a great entertainment value. Beginning in 2008, DIRECTV will provide most, if not all, of the package in High Definition. "

http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2007/m03/d08/c1833910.jsp


They just carry more because they can -- they can map EI subscriber's STBs to allow them access to the regional HD channels that are showing the games.

Wrong. Comcast still has Game1 - Game14 for EI in SD and it's been that way since at least as far back as the 2006 season. I'd know since I'd had EI in this area since then. If you were a subscriber you'd know that. You really have absolutely no idea what you're talking about and I don't know why you've replied to something you don't have a clue about. Comcast could easily carry the HD broadcasts of games that are already broadcast in SD on the local FSN stations...but they don't have the bandwidth AND they aren't contractually able to over what is alloted for the GameHD channel (I believe it's up to 10 games per week but ZERO are broadcast here on Comcast's GameHD since has NEVER been offered!)...here in the Twin Cities, EI is a broadcast of the regional OOM SD feed...usually FSN [insert region here]. The Marlins are FSN Florida. Cardinals are FSN Midwest. Astros are FSN Houston.

Also, I believe that they can block the regional broadcast's commercials -- which EI would want.

The Game1 - Game 14 channels show the MLB EI logo during the commercial breaks of out of market regional broadcasts. Obviously, if you're in your home team's market you're blacked out from watching the game on EI. I'm not sure what that has to do with this discussion.

Thumb around this site if you have more questions: http://www.indemand.com/sports/mlb/ I'm not doing your legwork.

Additionally, in keeping with MLB's desire to provide as much MLB programming to as many baseball fans as possible, MLB and DIRECTV have agreed to include a provision that allows MLB EXTRA INNINGS to be offered to other incumbents - In Demand and DISH Network - at consistent rates and carriage requirements with a deal to be concluded before the baseball season begins. The provision also requires the incumbents to agree to carriage rights to the MLB Channel proportionally equivalent to DIRECTV's commitment. Should the incumbents decide not to match DIRECTV's commitment, the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package will be exclusive to DIRECTV. All out of market games continue to be available on MLB.com.


Dude. Seriously. Read what you posted.

This just says that Extra Innings would be exclusive to DirecTv if the other providers did not carry MLB channel. But since Dish and Comcast (and many others) DO carry the MLB channel, DirecTv does NOT have exclusive rights to carry E.I. (obviously since Comcast and others carry it).

Dude. Seriously. Read what you posted.

This just says that Extra Innings would be exclusive to DirecTv if the other providers did not carry MLB channel. But since Dish and Comcast (and many others) DO carry the MLB channel, DirecTv does NOT have exclusive rights to carry E.I. (obviously since Comcast and others carry it).

*sigh*

Fine, explain why you're wrong when you said:

They just carry more because they can -- they can map EI subscriber's STBs to allow them access to the regional HD channels that are showing the games.

*sigh*

Fine, explain why you're wrong when you said:

I meant that DirecTv is providing the extra HD feeds because they CAN (they have the equipment and bandwidth) to do it. It is not because they have an exclusive deal to do it.

If another provider had the equipment and bandwidth to do it, they probably would. It is not just a simple "add more bandwidth" thing, though. There are lots of legal issues involved like blocking some commercials on the RSNs, etc. Cable companies will want to do this as soon as they can. SDV would be be perfect for sports packagaes. When cable does it they will likely want to insert their own commercials during the commercial breaks since in most cases the advertisers are only paying to have their spots shown on the RSN for subscribers who always get the RSN -- not nationally as part of a sports package.

What does the "proportionally equivalent" language mean in real world terms?

What does the "proportionally equivalent" language mean in real world terms?

It means that the MLB Channel needs to be available in a similar programming tier or package (similar to where DirecTv has it).

It sounds like the Cisco/SA compatible DTAs have been certified by Comcast and are ready to be deployed:

http://www.dcrtv.com/

3/17 - With Montgomery and Loudoun counties area converted to mainly digital, area cable TV giant Comcast has set it sights on three other DC area cable systems for the conversion, which will allow the firm to add a batch of new high-def channels and more broadband services branded with the Xfinity moniker. This spring, Washington DC, Prince George's County, and Reston are being switched over to digital, expect for the most basic tier of local broadcast and public access channels. DC and PG will be done in a two-step process in March and April, while Reston will have a three-step process through May. Reston, we're told, is one of the first Comcast systems to go digital that doesn't use Motorola converter boxes, and therefore is a bit of a more complicated switch. Comcast is providing up to three additional devices for free to subscribers of those three systems, who'll need the gear to continue watching most expanded basic channels, a la ESPN and CNN. Comcast says it hopes to have the remainder of its DC area systems, including Arlington, Alexandria, and Prince William County, converted to digital by later this year.....

Hopefully dates for the Minneapolis Cisco system conversion will be announced very soon.

Oh Comcast we understand you're always looking for new ways to increase the capacity of your network, but we'd hoped you learned by now that bit starving HD wasn't one that would go un-noticed. Some providers wean off analog channels, others deploy SDV and still others move VOD to IP or start using more efficient codecs like H.264. Now all of those have their drawbacks, and we appreciate you always trying to find a better way. But testing out ways (that appear to be snake oil from Arris, BigBand Networks, Harmonic, Imagine, and others) to fit four quality HD channels in one 38Mbps QAM channel while still using MPEG2 seems about as likely as our dear old grandma winning the lottery. So while we want you to keep on keeping on the good fight to improve your infrastructure, we just hope you don't forget that not everyone who watches Comcast HD doesn't mind if it looking like a mosaic.

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/03/20/comcast-looking-to-compress-hd-even-more/

Thoughts?

Some providers wean off analog channels

That's what they are doing.

That's what they are doing.

Right. I didn't type that. It's a cut/paste from the referenced article.

Not to mention that SARA will be replaced with S25.2.

Has anybody in St. Croix Falls (or anybody else) gotten anything more than the initial system upgrade (analog shut-off) letter? Is Comcast running scrolls on the analog channels saying that you will need a box to view them starting March 29th?

Oh Comcast we understand you're always looking for new ways to increase the capacity of your network, but we'd hoped you learned by now that bit starving HD wasn't one that would go un-noticed. Some providers wean off analog channels, others deploy SDV and still others move VOD to IP or start using more efficient codecs like H.264. Now all of those have their drawbacks, and we appreciate you always trying to find a better way. But testing out ways (that appear to be snake oil from Arris, BigBand Networks, Harmonic, Imagine, and others) to fit four quality HD channels in one 38Mbps QAM channel while still using MPEG2 seems about as likely as our dear old grandma winning the lottery. So while we want you to keep on keeping on the good fight to improve your infrastructure, we just hope you don't forget that not everyone who watches Comcast HD doesn't mind if it looking like a mosaic.

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/03/20/comcast-looking-to-compress-hd-even-more/

Thoughts?

I think it is way too early to worry about this and there may not be anything to worry about anyway.

I think it is way too early to worry about this and there may not be anything to worry about anyway.

Right, if they kill everything above channel 24 (that's where basic 1 ends where i live) that should give them enough space to add aprox 90 NEW HD channels without any re-compression. I have a hard time believing they have any need to start doing 4 HD's per channel.