Since you don't get STOHD it's indicating to me that the tuner adapter is not working because STOHD is a SDV channel, so you must be in native TW area.

Pretty basic but is the green light on? I didn't realize it but there is a switch on the front that turns power on and off.


I do get STOHD with TA, its the 5 new HD channels I don't get.

The TA appears to be working:

It is a solid green light after it is initialized.
If unplug the usb it will flash twice every 20 seconds
If I unplug the power and plug back in it will glash for a while and then turn solid green.
TiVo reckognizes whenever I diconnect the TA and lets me know about it.


I don't think the TA is authorized to see the channels?

:confused::confused::confused:

I've been on the internet since 1997. I have never been blackmailed. You probably won't see this post until the next time you go to the library, and I know this is off topic but I just have to hear the explanation for this one.

Guess again, :) a year or so back, my brother called me to tell me his laptop would not function unless he entered a Credit Card number & pressed submit, this would provide him with a link that would uninstall whatever they placed on his PC... now his first response was smashing the laptop, yet Bill Gates made sure Dell did not provide him with XP installation disks, so a reformat was out of the question.

The laptop is running again but not as good as new, a bit slow, he sent it over to me after getting an upgraded laptop. This is one of the many reasons I'm very reluctant to put my new machine on the internet, let alone when I turn it on there is scare-ware telling me my new PC is vulnerable to attack from the cyber geeks. :) ...but of course all will be well if I submit a credit card number. ;)

Sorry we are getting off topic, nevertheless it's similar technology, speaking of which did anyone catch the episode of South Park where Chef got the new widescreen TV? :)

I do get STOHD with TA, its the 5 new HD channels I don't get.

The TA appears to be working:

It is a solid green light after it is initialized.
If unplug the usb it will flash twice every 20 seconds
If I unplug the power and plug back in it will glash for a while and then turn solid green.
TiVo reckognizes whenever I diconnect the TA and lets me know about it.


I don't think the TA is authorized to see the channels?

I'm still pretty sure you didn't get the proper hit to your cards. You really need to have headend get involved, and the only way that probably will happen is via truck. Or you could play the Steve Fry Card. If I were you that's what I would do.

Were you able to get to the diagnostic screen for the tuner adapter? Tivo/Settings/CableCard and other Devices.

Guess again, :) a year or so back, my brother called me to tell me his laptop would not function unless he entered a Credit Card number & pressed submit, this would provide him with a link that would uninstall whatever they placed on his PC... now his first response was smashing the laptop, yet Bill Gates made sure Dell did not provide him with XP installation disks, so a reformat was out of the question.

The laptop is running again but not as good as new, a bit slow, he sent it over to me after an upgrade. This the one of the reasons I'm very reluctant to put my new machine on the internet, let alone when I turn it on there is scare-ware telling me my new PC is vulnerable to attack from the cyber geeks. :) ...but of course all will be well if I submit a credit card number. ;)

You, my friend need to go to the Mac side of the world.:)

Well, I've determined the 0 on my box means either two things. That either the fan is shot, or that it just needs to be reset at the head end. So, I might fuss with it some more and wait for the guy tomorrow.

Should I ask them to make sure to bring out a new box. Is there an older one I should try to request or is the newst one the best I can do? Think I can plug the old box into my computer and try to get the stuff off the hard drive at this time.

What's up with Seinfeld in HD?

I wonder what aspect ratio the show was originally filmed? Caught Seinfeld one night in 16:9 but it didn't seem to have the detail I was expecting...
http://drop.io/download/public/ou06xyoypre6io94nexv/6215bc6dcecb491d42e3978e92812fe26095e7de/5b07b910-3a50-012b-948a-0012799407ec/31286f70-035d-012c-85dd-f6a3024025cf/seinfeld_large.jpg

I wonder what aspect ratio the show was originally filmed? Caught Seinfeld one night in 16:9 but it didn't seem to have the detail I was expecting...
http://drop.io/download/public/ou06xyoypre6io94nexv/6215bc6dcecb491d42e3978e92812fe26095e7de/5b07b910-3a50-012b-948a-0012799407ec/31286f70-035d-012c-85dd-f6a3024025cf/seinfeld_large.jpg

nickdawg will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he said that film is perfect for HD. That's how we see things in HD like Hogans Heroes and movies. I don't believe there is an aspect ratio for the film. I don't know how Seinfeld was made, since they were showing it in HD I would think film.

C'mon SPEED HD!

I believe seinfeld was shot on video in 4:3, using great for it's time cameras. Not quite HD. What they're doing I believe, is taking that 4:3 source, zooming and maybe stretching just a bit, so that it is now 16:9 and then probably upscaling. I can't prove the stretching, but I'm positive it is zoomed.

All the DVDs are 4:3 and all the seasons look excellent, especially the later seasons.

Guess again, :) a year or so back, my brother called me to tell me his laptop would not function unless he entered a Credit Card number & pressed submit, this would provide him with a link that would uninstall whatever they placed on his PC... now his first response was smashing the laptop, yet Bill Gates made sure Dell did not provide him with XP installation disks, so a reformat was out of the question.

The laptop is running again but not as good as new, a bit slow, he sent it over to me after getting an upgraded laptop. This is one of the many reasons I'm very reluctant to put my new machine on the internet, let alone when I turn it on there is scare-ware telling me my new PC is vulnerable to attack from the cyber geeks. :) ...but of course all will be well if I submit a credit card number. ;)

Sorry we are getting off topic, nevertheless it's similar technology, speaking of which did anyone catch the episode of South Park where Chef got the new widescreen TV? :)

You can justify your fears all you want, but writing checks, using your credit card in person, and using the USPS puts you MUCH more at risk than any real threats online in regards to credit card / check fraud, misuse or ID theft. One of many articles discussing this very issue:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/21/60minutes/main3530302.shtml

Obviously, common sense and taking basic safety precautions go without saying. I run two computers, online, 24/7 with a number of other non-computer devices on the same home network 24/7. One of these computers has been online 24/7 for almost a decade. 90% of my personal and company bills paid online, 70% of my personal and business purchases online (lower prices, more selection, no sales tax). Never a problem, not one.

I've been the victim of fraudulent credit card charges three times, all three were not online transactions.

What you pay in postage every month to pay your bills could well rent that TWC box (see, I am on topic :D) you moan about "not wanting to pay for". But using online bill pay to save on postage and FAR less time consuming to use compared to check writing requires conducting business online. :(

Statistically, your way is less secure and costs more in time and money compared to common sense online transactions.

People still fall for the Nigerian lottery scams and good old fashioned telemarketing calls to ones home. But, hey, if you feel more secure letting the waiter walk off with your credit card for five minutes, or you think all those credit card receipts and checks you have floating around out there are properly disposed of, well....sleep easy. :rolleyes: But I assure you, you are living a false sense of security while missing out on the tremendous time and money saving services offered online. :cool:

C'mon SPEED HD!

+ ONE!

......but on WOW Cable. :)

C'mon SPEED HD!

+ ONE!

......but on WOW Cable. :)

Looks like WOW will be offering Speed HD in Evansville this month, so maybe Cleveland will get it soon.

http://www1.wowway.com/channelinfoandupdates/

Looks like WOW will be offering Speed HD in Evansville this month, so maybe Cleveland will get it soon.

http://www1.wowway.com/channelinfoandupdates/

Awsome aj, thanks :)

I feel like we are falling behind with our TWC brethren here in HD ch additions, and this CANNOT CONTINUE!!!

All I've seen from WOW in the last few weeks is them touting their "new and improved email system.....coming soon" crapola. :o

Awsome aj, thanks :)

Does WOW publish any "up and coming" ch additions anywhere? I feel like we are falling behind with our TWC brethren here in HD ch additions, and this CANNOT CONTINUE!!!

All I've seen from WOW in the last few weeks is them touting their "new and improved email system.....coming soon" crapola. :o

I did a google on WOW and SDV and there are no indications that WOW is even thinking about it. However if they are going to remain competitive they will have to.

I saw a few discussions from people hoping for SDV from WOW but that's about it.

With the apparent 10 channels that are due to arrive in the next two months that ought to put us in front of you at that point. Still like I always say quality before quantity. Just because it has HD behind it doesn't mean they are offering a lot of HD programming.

I did a google on WOW and SDV and there are no indications that WOW is even thinking about it. However if they are going to remain competitive they will have to.

I saw a few discussions from people hoping for SDV from WOW but that's about it.

With the apparent 10 channels that are due to arrive in the next two months that ought to put us in front of you at that point. Still like I always say quality before quantity. Just because it has HD behind it doesn't mean they are offering a lot of HD programming.

Yeah, WOW needs SDV or we're going to hit the bandwidth brick wall. :eek:

Ummm Hookbill, Rescue Me starts next week, so MAY 29, 2009 will not be "just in time" for Rescue Me! :mad:. Even when TWC tries to do something good they still stink up the place. What, they weren't able to add ONE channel a month!! :rolleyes: This company still sucks more than an industrial Hoover. At least F/x is coming at the end of May, along with the f*** d*** GOLF CHANNEL! :mad::mad::mad: Yay!! Old men can snooze in front of Golf in HD. Thanks, Steve-O!! :D

Today the second person came, the wiring person. Instead of an actual TWC person in a TWC van, it was a subcontractor, which I guess they use for installations. He pulled a new wire to the TV with the 8300HD (the cable to that one was older) as well as the line between the ground block and the splitter. The new line coming in works fine, the new line to the box works fine, but the picture breaks up. On the same channels. And once again, the incoming signal is fine. He even went up the pole, signal is fine out there. I mentioned interference(nothing about channel 33, since I checked an analog TV last night, 33 is fine, plus I can't get 33 OTA in Akron either). The guy said it might be a problem with the tap, so a call was put in to 'distribution' who will be out to look at that within 72 hours. He said there might be a problem with signals going to and from the tap, since there are 4 houses connected to the one tap.

(sigh)

That's the problem with TWC, everyone seems to have the "that's not my job" attitude. It's taking several days and people to do one job. Ridiculous. Plus, I could tell the wiring guy didn't know as much about the actual equipment. He didn't look at the diagnostic screen once on either box. But when the 8300HD rebooted, without the program guide and digital channels, he was quick to suggest replacing the box(Hook was right on that one ). Of course I said no and immediately went to the 4250HDC box, which had the exact same problems. That's when the problem shifted to outside and the tap. He even said he 'wanted' to replace my box, which is 50% full of recordings and has many series recordings set up!

Today the second person came, the wiring person. Instead of an actual TWC person in a TWC van, it was a subcontractor, which I guess they use for installations. He pulled a new wire to the TV with the 8300HD (the cable to that one was older) as well as the line between the ground block and the splitter. The new line coming in works fine, the new line to the box works fine, but the picture breaks up. On the same channels. And once again, the incoming signal is fine. He even went up the pole, signal is fine out there. I mentioned interference(nothing about channel 33, since I checked an analog TV last night, 33 is fine, plus I can't get 33 OTA in Akron either). The guy said it might be a problem with the tap, so a call was put in to 'distribution' who will be out to look at that within 72 hours. He said there might be a problem with signals going to and from the tap, since there are 4 houses connected to the one tap.

(sigh)

That's the problem with TWC, everyone seems to have the "that's not my job" attitude. It's taking several days and people to do one job. Ridiculous. Plus, I could tell the wiring guy didn't know as much about the actual equipment. He didn't look at the diagnostic screen once on either box. But when the 8300HD rebooted, without the program guide and digital channels, he was quick to suggest replacing the box(Hook was right on that one ). Of course I said no and immediately went to the 4250HDC box, which had the exact same problems. That's when the problem shifted to outside and the tap. He even said he 'wanted' to replace my box, which is 50% full of recordings and has many series recordings set up!


Dear Mr. Fry, etc.

nickdawg will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he said that film is perfect for HD. That's how we see things in HD like Hogans Heroes and movies. I don't believe there is an aspect ratio for the film. I don't know how Seinfeld was made, since they were showing it in HD I would think film.

Yes. If it's on film, it has a higher resolution than HDTV. Depending on how it was filmed then, it could be shown in widescreen, which is what Seinfeld did. Seinfeld was cropped for 4:3 when it was shown in its original run. What they did is open the sides of the picture, so we're seeing more on the left and the right. Also, a little bit has been cropped of the top and the bottom. Normally I am against cropping, but what Seinfeld did is acceptable since we're not just losing something on top/bottom(as in Discovery HD's crop-o-vision) but we're also GAINING something on the left and right.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b262/trstno141/SeinfeldHD16x94x3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b262/trstno141/SeinfeldHD16x9.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b262/trstno141/SeinfeldHD16x94x3-1.jpg

Dear Mr. Fry, etc.

Oh no, I hope not. I'm still waiting on that next person "coming in the next 72 hours" to fix the tap at the pole. If it doesn't work from there, then I think it will be time to play the "Fry Card".

I believe seinfeld was shot on video in 4:3, using great for it's time cameras. Not quite HD. What they're doing I believe, is taking that 4:3 source, zooming and maybe stretching just a bit, so that it is now 16:9 and then probably upscaling. I can't prove the stretching, but I'm positive it is zoomed.

All the DVDs are 4:3 and all the seasons look excellent, especially the later seasons.

Nope. Seinfeld was shot on film, 35mm, and cropped to 4:3 for its original run. It's definitely not stretched, but there is a bit of cropping. See the post above with the "Merv Griffin Show" pictures, you can see that a little of the top and bottom are removed on the HD version, but you can also see more on the sides. It's just trading what's on the top and bottom for what's on the left and right.

Oh no, I hope not. I'm still waiting on that next person "coming in the next 72 hours" to fix the tap at the pole. If it doesn't work from there, then I think it will be time to play the "Fry Card".

Going by the 3 strikes your out rule. OK.;)

Going by the 3 strikes your out rule. OK.;)

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. 3rd time is a charm!

OT: I am a little less scared of the 8300HDC now and OCAP in general now that ODN 3 finally came. I'm trying to run the 4250HDC in my main TV(with the new line from the splitter) to see how it works. It used to take over 5 minutes to boot. The SA/OCAP screen took forever. Today, it booted faster than the 8300HD did yesterday. Also, it worked right away after the boot. The 8300HD was fxcked up and only analog channels worked :confused:. The new ODN works and looks just as good as MDN on the 8300HD. I'm impressed that TWC finally 'fixed' Navigator.

Nope. Seinfeld was shot on film, 35mm, and cropped to 4:3 for its original run. It's definitely not stretched, but there is a bit of cropping. See the post above with the "Merv Griffin Show" pictures, you can see that a little of the top and bottom are removed on the HD version, but you can also see more on the sides. It's just trading what's on the top and bottom for what's on the left and right.

Then I don't get why the DVDs were presented in 4:3. Just to keep them as they were originally shown?

Then I don't get why the DVDs were presented in 4:3. Just to keep them as they were originally shown?

Are they regular DVDs(not HD or BR)? If they're SD DVDs, they probably just used the SD versions that have been around for years in syndication. I believe the HD transfer just happened in 2008, and the HD Seinfelds premiered on TBS last fall. I assume a Blu Ray release might happen in the future. In that case they might be 16:9 HD, the original 4:3 cropped in HD or some combination of both.

Also, Seinfeld is now HD on WJW, along with "The Morning Show". Makes WJW #3 in Cleveland with HD recording/syndication. (applause)

You can justify your fears all you want, but writing checks, using your credit card in person, and using the USPS puts you MUCH more at risk than any real threats online in regards to credit card / check fraud, misuse or ID theft. One of many articles discussing this very issue:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/21/60minutes/main3530302.shtml

Obviously, common sense and taking basic safety precautions go without saying. I run two computers, online, 24/7 with a number of other non-computer devices on the same home network 24/7. One of these computers has been online 24/7 for almost a decade. 90% of my personal and company bills paid online, 70% of my personal and business purchases online (lower prices, more selection, no sales tax). Never a problem, not one.

I've been the victim of fraudulent credit card charges three times, all three were not online transactions.

What you pay in postage every month to pay your bills could well rent that TWC box (see, I am on topic :D) you moan about "not wanting to pay for". But using online bill pay to save on postage and FAR less time consuming to use compared to check writing requires conducting business online. :(

Statistically, your way is less secure and costs more in time and money compared to common sense online transactions.

People still fall for the Nigerian lottery scams and good old fashioned telemarketing calls to ones home. But, hey, if you feel more secure letting the waiter walk off with your credit card for five minutes, or you think all those credit card receipts and checks you have floating around out there are properly disposed of, well....sleep easy. :rolleyes: But I assure you, you are living a false sense of security while missing out on the tremendous time and money saving services offered online. :cool:

Me living in a false sence of security?? Well, obviously you don't know me all that well! ;)

The seneraio you bring up is pure wrecklessness, for the wage I currently live on now, I find my time isn't all that 'valuable' anymore.... $40 a month for cable is out of the question at this point too (staying on topic). I'm taking no one here has felt the downslide of the economy in the past 10 years either? Yes I foreseen a lot of this (but not all) approaching. I like technology too, yet I still like to 'simplify' life, only at times others won't let me, & make it inconvienient for me ... & even if that means using a rooftop antenna! ;)

True, I'm tired of the phonecalls, junk mail ect, but we must honor those who went off to college & aquired a marketing degree, & being paid well using it. :)

Eating out?? that became a luxury too! :)

I'll check out the article, & see how this applies to me...

Today the second person came, the wiring person. Instead of an actual TWC person in a TWC van, it was a subcontractor, which I guess they use for installations. He pulled a new wire to the TV with the 8300HD (the cable to that one was older) as well as the line between the ground block and the splitter. The new line coming in works fine, the new line to the box works fine, but the picture breaks up. On the same channels. And once again, the incoming signal is fine. He even went up the pole, signal is fine out there. I mentioned interference(nothing about channel 33, since I checked an analog TV last night, 33 is fine, plus I can't get 33 OTA in Akron either). The guy said it might be a problem with the tap, so a call was put in to 'distribution' who will be out to look at that within 72 hours. He said there might be a problem with signals going to and from the tap, since there are 4 houses connected to the one tap.

(sigh)


Nickdawg, is there any particular event that triggers the breakup, such as fast lateral motion?

Nickdawg, is there any particular event that triggers the breakup, such as fast lateral motion?
Nickdawg showed a video of it. It was constant.

Well this is some retardunkulous mess. I decided to give my box a manual reboot just now to see how well the boot times have improved. Seems when Navigator got updated the other day, all of it wasn't actually updated. When it rebooted, it went through the process of upgrading the base OCAP firmware (the front panel counts down in hex characters).

Now I'm without the hardware diag screen. No signal levels, no cablecard info, nothing. Just the (fairly) usesless Navigator diag. Seems the volume up and select buttons on the front of the box trigger the mail icon but I can't get any farther. Tried all of the buttons on the box and a handful of buttons on the remote to no avail.

Well this is some retardunkulous mess. I decided to give my box a manual reboot just now to see how well the boot times have improved. Seems when Navigator got updated the other day, all of it wasn't actually updated. When it rebooted, it went through the process of upgrading the base OCAP firmware (the front panel counts down in hex characters).

Now I'm without the hardware diag screen. No signal levels, no cablecard info, nothing. Just the (fairly) usesless Navigator diag. Seems the volume up and select buttons on the front of the box trigger the mail icon but I can't get any farther. Tried all of the buttons on the box and a handful of buttons on the remote to no avail.

ROFLOL and please don't take this personally. Another SA 8300HDC story.:)

Did you call customer servce? You will need the serial number from the box. That's what those idiots ask me for when
I call even though I tell them I have Tivo. Maybe they can send you a hit.

Pft. Fat chance. The diagnostics are one of those things they have a major bitch fit over if the customers get access to it. Like to consider it their own well guarded secret even though it's hardly the case.

I'll wait a few days though and see if maybe someone else finds a way in again. If not I may decide on calling in if I'm in the right mood to deal with the crap.

Well this is some retardunkulous mess. I decided to give my box a manual reboot just now to see how well the boot times have improved. Seems when Navigator got updated the other day, all of it wasn't actually updated. When it rebooted, it went through the process of upgrading the base OCAP firmware (the front panel counts down in hex characters).

Now I'm without the hardware diag screen. No signal levels, no cablecard info, nothing. Just the (fairly) usesless Navigator diag. Seems the volume up and select buttons on the front of the box trigger the mail icon but I can't get any farther. Tried all of the buttons on the box and a handful of buttons on the remote to no avail.

Sorry dude. That's normal operation for ODN3. My box can no longer get the AXIOM diagnostics screen. And this is confirmed among other Navigator users as well.

I don't know what your box did, but mine had to be rebooted because it looked like it was bricked after the first download/reboot.

If your box updates but doesn't do the hex countdown, then it must not be updated correctly, because even the MDN and Passport boxes used to do that too.

Pft. Fat chance. The diagnostics are one of those things they have a major bitch fit over if the customers get access to it. Like to consider it their own well guarded secret even though it's hardly the case.

I'll wait a few days though and see if maybe someone else finds a way in again. If not I may decide on calling in if I'm in the right mood to deal with the crap.

I know. The main thing holding back my progress at fixing my problem is the diagnostic screen. Can I tell TWC that I flipped through the channels and recorded the tuning frequencies? Am I even supposed to know about SDV frequencies and diagnostics screens?

Nickdawg, is there any particular event that triggers the breakup, such as fast lateral motion?

No. It happens immediately when I change to the channel. Sometimes the picture does not even come on at all.

Here, I'll re-post the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zxdc34t5-4

I know. The main thing holding back my progress at fixing my problem is the diagnostic screen. Can I tell TWC that I flipped through the channels and recorded the tuning frequencies? Am I even supposed to know about SDV frequencies and diagnostics screens?

I don't understand what the big deal is with accessing the diagnostic screen. In my talks with headend I looked at the diagnostic screen frequently.

I don't understand what the big deal is with accessing the diagnostic screen. In my talks with headend I looked at the diagnostic screen frequently.

But you have a Tivo. It's your equipment and I'm sure the instruction manual has some instructions on how to access all the menus. We don't even get instruction manuals from TWC. None of the techs that have come over ever told me how to get into the diagnostic screen. None of the phone CSRs have ever said anything about accessing the diagnostic screen. It's like a secret. In fact, I've read in other topics about CSRs getting pissy with customers who know about their 'secret menu'. They don't like it.

But you have a Tivo. It's your equipment and I'm sure the instruction manual has some instructions on how to access all the menus. We don't even get instruction manuals from TWC. None of the techs that have come over ever told me how to get into the diagnostic screen. None of the phone CSRs have ever said anything about accessing the diagnostic screen. It's like a secret. In fact, I've read in other topics about CSRs getting pissy with customers who know about their 'secret menu'. They don't like it.
The only reason they get p.o.d is the fact that they don't understand it themselves.:)

The only reason they get p.o.d is the fact that they don't understand it themselves.:)

I think so. The subcontractor who came yesterday seemed clueless about it. All he did was the wiring, which was his job. TWC really needs to train ALL their people better. I couldn't believe he didn't check the box, but he did use his computer thingy to check the signal coming in, which was OK. Now I have to wait on the outside people to check the tap, maybe something is wrong there.

But one thing their subcontractor did like is taking my box. He even said that was what he wanted to do, replace the box. Of course I said NO. That's their damn solution to everything: replace the box. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

speaking of Diagnostics there is a channel in the 1000s for Diagnostics look for it in your favorite channels

Sorry dude. That's normal operation for ODN3. My box can no longer get the AXIOM diagnostics screen. And this is confirmed among other Navigator users as well.

Actually, now that I have been seeing what's been going on, these boxes basically come in two or three parts: The 'User Application' in this case being Navigator/ODN. The OCAP firmware that runs and interacts directly with the hardware in the box, and possibly a separate Cablecard firmware (though it's probably combined with the OCAP system).

In my particular case when they updated Navigator on the 2nd, I just got the new Navigator software pushed to the box but the OCAP firmware was left alone. This was how I was able to continue accessing the hardware diagnostics even with Navigator being updated to v3. But when I rebooted this evening it went through the procedure of updating the OCAP firmware and that is when I lost the hardware diagnostics. The Navigator software version did not change at this time. So I don't think it's directly linked to Navigator/ODN, but more related to an OCAP update they decided to push in addition to the updated Navigator version.

But like I said though: Seems like the trigger for the mail icon went from the vol up and vol down buttons to the volume up and select buttons. Unless the procedure has completely changed, it's down to finding what the final trigger button is to get the screen up.

I know. The main thing holding back my progress at fixing my problem is the diagnostic screen. Can I tell TWC that I flipped through the channels and recorded the tuning frequencies? Am I even supposed to know about SDV frequencies and diagnostics screens?

Actually, interesting you say that. On the Navigator diagnostic screens I noticed under one of the SDV menus at the very bottom it had an entry for the SDV Carousel frequencies. In my case I say it had listed: '585:256,573:256' which is of course the frequency locations and 256 for 256QAM modulation. But all that says though is what freuqneices they have opened up for SDV (May just be channels I have actually tuned in or may be the full swath of SDV channels, dunno for sure.), but not exactly what channels in the guide map to what location.

speaking of Diagnostics there is a channel in the 1000s for Diagnostics look for it in your favorite channels

The closest thing I have is the 'Employee On Demand' chanenl on 1608 which I'm not 'subscribed' to.

Actually, now that I have been seeing what's been going on, these boxes basically come in two or three parts: The 'User Application' in this case being Navigator/ODN. The OCAP firmware that runs and interacts directly with the hardware in the box, and possibly a separate Cablecard firmware (though it's probably combined with the OCAP system).

In my particular case when they updated Navigator on the 2nd, I just got the new Navigator software pushed to the box but the OCAP firmware was left alone. This was how I was able to continue accessing the hardware diagnostics even with Navigator being updated to v3. But when I rebooted this evening it went through the procedure of updating the OCAP firmware and that is when I lost the hardware diagnostics. The Navigator software version did not change at this time. So I don't think it's directly linked to Navigator/ODN, but more related to an OCAP update they decided to push in addition to the updated Navigator version.

But like I said though: Seems like the trigger for the mail icon went from the vol up and vol down buttons to the volume up and select buttons. Unless the procedure has completely changed, it's down to finding what the final trigger button is to get the screen up.

You now have to hold down VOL+ and INFO. A menu appears but it is a different looking one than on the previous version. Haven't had a chance to find out all the features of it, but at least we know how to access the AXIOM menu now. And yes, there are a few parts to the firmware. One part is the ODN software, with the diagnostics screen accessed by the remote. The other part is the manufacturer's software. On the SA boxes, that's the AXIOM diagnostic screen(from the AXIOM DVR/OCAP Middleware).

I guess the button sequence changed with the software update. Vol+ INFO.


Actually, interesting you say that. On the Navigator diagnostic screens I noticed under one of the SDV menus at the very bottom it had an entry for the SDV Carousel frequencies. In my case I say it had listed: '585:256,573:256' which is of course the frequency locations and 256 for 256QAM modulation. But all that says though is what freuqneices they have opened up for SDV (May just be channels I have actually tuned in or may be the full swath of SDV channels, dunno for sure.), but not exactly what channels in the guide map to what location.

I noticed that the ODN diagnostics are entirely different than the MDN diagnostics. Under the SDV screen, it lists the "last SDV frequency". When I was watching Duscovery HD (with the problems) the frequency was 585. Then I went to USA HD (it worked fine) and the frequency was 573.

speaking of Diagnostics there is a channel in the 1000s for Diagnostics look for it in your favorite channels

The closest thing I have is the 'Employee On Demand' chanenl on 1608 which I'm not 'subscribed' to.

Channel 1611. It's left over from the Passport days, when that channel displayed Passport's far superior diagnostic screens. On the MDN box, I've just had a blank screen. On the ODN box, I've never tried it.

You now have to hold down VOL+ and INFO. A menu appears but it is a different looking one than on the previous version. Haven't had a chance to find out all the features of it, but at least we know how to access the AXIOM menu now. And yes, there are a few parts to the firmware. One part is the ODN software, with the diagnostics screen accessed by the remote. The other part is the manufacturer's software. On the SA boxes, that's the AXIOM diagnostic screen(from the AXIOM DVR/OCAP Middleware).

I guess the button sequence changed with the software update. Vol+ INFO.

Hmm. Will have to check it on this end.


I noticed that the ODN diagnostics are entirely different than the MDN diagnostics. Under the SDV screen, it lists the "last SDV frequency". When I was watching Duscovery HD (with the problems) the frequency was 585. Then I went to USA HD (it worked fine) and the frequency was 573.

Actually, the reason for this is very clear and goes with everything that has been stated up to this point: MDN is built like Passport and SARA and made to run directly on the hardware and not some middleman junk like OCAP. So the Navigator software on the MDN equipment is capable of displaying more hardware related diagnostics on the remote control triggered diagnostic screen compared to ODN which has to delegate the interaction with the hardware down to the OCAP firmware.

Channel 1611. It's left over from the Passport days, when that channel displayed Passport's far superior diagnostic screens. On the MDN box, I've just had a blank screen. On the ODN box, I've never tried it.

Ah. Yeah, I remember that beauty. I especially LOVED the ability to manually tune to my choice of frequencies, QAM or Analog, and right down to specific PIDs in a QAM. I remember I used this constantly to watch a WGN affiliate which wasn't in the guide but hidden in the system. LOVED it dearly.

And yeah, 1611 is dead here on the ODN equipment. The nearest tune just sends me to PBS ch2. Nearest tune off I just get the blinking ???.

Also nickdawg, I did the button combo you mentioned and if you notice the 'Mfr. Diags...' entry on the left side: Go there and hit the Select button like it says and you'll get the classic diag screen back.

Hmm. Will have to check it on this end.




Actually, the reason for this is very clear and goes with everything that has been stated up to this point: MDN is built like Passport and SARA and made to run directly on the hardware and not some middleman junk like OCAP. So the Navigator software on the MDN equipment is capable of displaying more hardware related diagnostics on the remote control triggered diagnostic screen compared to ODN which has to delegate the interaction with the hardware down to the OCAP firmware.

I took a better look at the Vol + /INFO menu and it offers the following:
-A summary
-A way to the Manufacturer's diagnostics(the AXIOM menu formerly accessed w/ Vol +/- INFO)
-DVR Information
-Reboot (another way to reset)

Also, f*cking YAY! Guess this new diag screen isn't ALL bad. I actually have a page on here that will tell me the copy protection tags of the tuned channels. :D Under 'Cablecard info' and 'Copy Protection' it's got the CCI codes for each stream flowing through the cablecard (up to 6 on this M-Stream card). So I can go through here and check ahead of time and see what will transfer across the firewire connection rather than just throwing out guesses.

EDIT: nickdawg: Make sure to make good use of the left and right arrow keys on the remote on the new diag screen. I've went through it and looks like it contains everything the AXIOM diags did but in a much easier to read format plus a whole ton more.

Me living in a false sence of security?? Well, obviously you don't know me all that well! ;)

The seneraio you bring up is pure wrecklessness, for the wage I currently live on now, I find my time isn't all that 'valuable' anymore.... $40 a month for cable is out of the question at this point too (staying on topic). I'm taking no one here has felt the downslide of the economy in the past 10 years either? Yes I foreseen a lot of this (but not all) approaching. I like technology too, yet I still like to 'simplify' life, only at times others won't let me, & make it inconvienient for me ... & even if that means using a rooftop antenna! ;)

True, I'm tired of the phonecalls, junk mail ect, but we must honor those who went off to college & aquired a marketing degree, & being paid well using it. :)

Eating out?? that became a luxury too! :)

I'll check out the article, & see how this applies to me...

Hey, I use OTA too, I'm not belittling it's use. BTW: How do you like the new 43-2 Look TV? Last night they had an old movie with (very YOUNG) Jane Fonda, James Caan, and Jason Robards. The movie itself was quite silly but I just had to watch for 30 minutes in awe of how young they all looked. That channel is going to make us all feel very OLD! :D

EDIT: ooops......I meant This TV, not Look TV. :)

The article applies to anyone/everyone who uses the "old fashioned" way of conducting transactions (credit cards, ATM's, checks) but mostly focuses on how unsecure your credit card information is in the hands of retailers. Particularly how people feel more "secure" physically handing over their credit card instead of the statistically "more secure" use of credit card transactions over the internet.

It's the same false sense of security people have when they use their seat belt to drive on the freeway, but DON'T use their seat belt to drive to the grocery store. When, in fact, they are far more likely to be involved in an accident driving to the grocery store. ;)

I actually knew a person who bought Flight Insurance when traveling, but refused to have basic Auto Insurance for his vehicle! Talk about a false sense of security! :p

Also, f*cking YAY! Guess this new diag screen isn't ALL bad. I actually have a page on here that will tell me the copy protection tags of the tuned channels. :D Under 'Cablecard info' and 'Copy Protection' it's got the CCI codes for each stream flowing through the cablecard (up to 6 on this M-Stream card). So I can go through here and check ahead of time and see what will transfer across the firewire connection rather than just throwing out guesses.

EDIT: nickdawg: Make sure to make good use of the left and right arrow keys on the remote on the new diag screen. I've went through it and looks like it contains everything the AXIOM diags did but in a much easier to read format plus a whole ton more.

Well, hip hip hooray, you can access the diagnostic screen. Now tell me can you actually watch a show on that thing yet?:)

I'm not certain I'm remembering this correctly but I seem to recall that back in the days of darkness and insecurity (SA 8300) a tech came out and ran a signal check. I believe at that time he showed me on the diagnostic screen how to check my signal strength. This would have been Adelphia.

Reason I mention is the so called secrecy of the diagnostic screen. I don't think it was such a secret then. But maybe there is another way to check signal strength. I just can't recall exactly, it's been a while.

I was going to record it but changed my mind. Due to limited space currently I just didn't want to put it on my S3 and it didn't make sense to put it on my TiVo HD with no sound system.

I did take a look at it last night and man, am I glad I didn't record. FUSE had more commercials then performances. Yes, I can skip through the commercials but still it seemed ridiculous. And there had to be things going on during those commercials.

Still it was the first time they ever showed the induction ceremony live. It would have been better to have it on a HD channel. You would think one of the networks would have picked it up.

The technical quality of 43.2 looks very good compared to others. The Jane Fonda movie seemed to be given the "Sergio Leone" syndrome of long stares and no dialog.
JJK

The technical quality of 43.2 looks very good compared to others. The Jane Fonda movie seemed to be given the "Sergio Leone" syndrome of long stares and no dialog.
JJK

Yeah, all things considered, it does have decent PQ. Although most of the programming seems rather lame (Mr.Ed???) I think the concept makes sense for all parties. OTA Viewers get a bit more choice, local stations have more content to offer and sell ad space for, and the source (MGM) gets to dust off their old crap and squeeze a few more $$$ out of old shows and movies.

It's kinda like a syndicated nat'l network. Let's hope other studios and content owners follow suit and we might actually have *decent* sub-channel programming instead of the worthless weather subs. :D

Got my tech here this morning. An hour early which worked out well. Pretty knowledgeable guy. Just had him swap out my old moto dvr box, for an 8300 hd which is all he had in his truck. He told me he was told on Wednesday that they had been given the go ahead to swap out all moto boxes (couldn't for me since I had 4, 3 of which are still working perfectly fine). He also talked about new Samsung boxes that they were going to test in the next couple of months and that we may see in July.

He didn't know too much about the SDV change other than it was happening in the other areas. Where we are, Avon Lake/Bay Village which is part of the old Elyria/Mentor Comcadt area, I think we have more than enough bandwidth for a while.

So now I'm on one SA box, should i swap this for an HDC? Should I try and swap my other moto boxes? Wonder if they'll even have any non-DVR boxes and/or let me have them without paying another dvr fee? I don't need the dvr, just the hd capability.

Got my tech here this morning. An hour early which worked out well. Pretty knowledgeable guy. Just had him swap out my old moto dvr box, for an 8300 hd which is all he had in his truck. He told me he was told on Wednesday that they had been given the go ahead to swap out all moto boxes (couldn't for me since I had 4, 3 of which are still working perfectly fine). He also talked about new Samsung boxes that they were going to test in the next couple of months and that we may see in July.

He didn't know too much about the SDV change other than it was happening in the other areas. Where we are, Avon Lake/Bay Village which is part of the old Elyria/Mentor Comcadt area, I think we have more than enough bandwidth for a while.

So now I'm on one SA box, should i swap this for an HDC? Should I try and swap my other moto boxes? Wonder if they'll even have any non-DVR boxes and/or let me have them without paying another dvr fee? I don't need the dvr, just the hd capability.

If you have an SA 8300 do not get the HDC. It is a real piece of garbage, even nickdawg will back me on that. You can get non DVR boxes, the SA 4250 is available.

If I were you and that tech says they are going to switch out those moto boxes, which I believed they were going to have to do switch out. Just take them in one at a time to a TW office and say they don't work. That's all you need to say, they will give you new boxes.

No. It happens immediately when I change to the channel. Sometimes the picture does not even come on at all.

Here, I'll re-post the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zxdc34t5-4

Thanks for reporting that link. So it's only the SDV channels that are breaking up?

I was going to record it but changed my mind. Due to limited space currently I just didn't want to put it on my S3 and it didn't make sense to put it on my TiVo HD with no sound system.

I did take a look at it last night and man, am I glad I didn't record. FUSE had more commercials then performances. Yes, I can skip through the commercials but still it seemed ridiculous. And there had to be things going on during those commercials.

Still it was the first time they ever showed the induction ceremony live. It would have been better to have it on a HD channel. You would think one of the networks would have picked it up.

Wouldn't ya think PALLADIA HD would show that? All they show is concerts and HD mucis videos at night. Why not show this event? Maybe they will show it later?

Got my tech here this morning. An hour early which worked out well. Pretty knowledgeable guy. Just had him swap out my old moto dvr box, for an 8300 hd which is all he had in his truck. He told me he was told on Wednesday that they had been given the go ahead to swap out all moto boxes (couldn't for me since I had 4, 3 of which are still working perfectly fine). He also talked about new Samsung boxes that they were going to test in the next couple of months and that we may see in July.

He didn't know too much about the SDV change other than it was happening in the other areas. Where we are, Avon Lake/Bay Village which is part of the old Elyria/Mentor Comcadt area, I think we have more than enough bandwidth for a while.

So now I'm on one SA box, should i swap this for an HDC? Should I try and swap my other moto boxes? Wonder if they'll even have any non-DVR boxes and/or let me have them without paying another dvr fee? I don't need the dvr, just the hd capability.

You mean they didn't give you an 8300HDC? :confused: I'm shocked and disturbed that they are giving out USED equipment. Even my TWC division still gives out the ANCIENT Passport BD-V1000 series boxes, which are garbage with MDN. But I guess it's no surprise(even though it a shock) that they are giving out old equipment. They're going to kick it around until it is completely dead.

For non-DVR TVs, there is the SA 4250HDC and for DVR there is the SA 8300HDC.

If you have an SA 8300 do not get the HDC. It is a real piece of garbage, even nickdawg will back me on that. You can get non DVR boxes, the SA 4250 is available.

If I were you and that tech says they are going to switch out those moto boxes, which I believed they were going to have to do switch out. Just take them in one at a time to a TW office and say they don't work. That's all you need to say, they will give you new boxes.

Not necessarily Hook. Now that TWC has downloaded ODN3 (for OCAP boxes 8300HDC, 4250HDC) I'm less hateful of the 8300HDC. I've read comments from other areas that have had ODN3 before us and most of the negative comments about the 8300HDC are gone. There still are a few bugs with eSATA external hard drives and the audio settings with HDMI, but those are tiny issues compared to what the problems used to be. (Plus, I don't use eSATA or HDMI, so it's not a worry).

Also, from my comparison, I've found that ODN is far superior to MDN. That's right, the OCAP boxes are now better than the "legacy" boxes. The biggest thing of all is ODN lists info in the guide like "HD", "Letterbox" and even categories for the show; ex: House would say (Drama/Health). Also, ODN has a feature called "Nearest Tune". When enabled, entering a channel number that does not exist, the box automatically tunes to the next channel. This is similar to what Passport used to do in the IPG, but now Navigator does this with channel numbers too. If you enter 4-0-9 (there is no channel 409) it will automatically tune to channel 410 (the next channel).

Pssst, I have a confession. I actually want a 8300HDC now. :D I like the features I have on the 4250HDC like Nearest tune and the better guide. The old box and MDN just feels so "naked" now. :(

Not necessarily Hook. Now that TWC has downloaded ODN3 (for OCAP boxes 8300HDC, 4250HDC) I'm less hateful of the 8300HDC. I've read comments from other areas that have had ODN3 before us and most of the negative comments about the 8300HDC are gone. There still are a few bugs with eSATA external hard drives and the audio settings with HDMI, but those are tiny issues compared to what the problems used to be. (Plus, I don't use eSATA or HDMI, so it's not a worry).

Also, from my comparison, I've found that ODN is far superior to MDN. That's right, the OCAP boxes are now better than the "legacy" boxes. The biggest thing of all is ODN lists info in the guide like "HD", "Letterbox" and even categories for the show; ex: House would say (Drama/Health). Also, ODN has a feature called "Nearest Tune". When enabled, entering a channel number that does not exist, the box automatically tunes to the next channel. This is similar to what Passport used to do in the IPG, but now Navigator does this with channel numbers too. If you enter 4-0-9 (there is no channel 409) it will automatically tune to channel 410 (the next channel).

Pssst, I have a confession. I actually want a 8300HDC now. :D I like the features I have on the 4250HDC like Nearest tune and the better guide. The old box and MDN just feels so "naked" now. :(

I should learn never to count on you to back me upl:p:p Anyway you dress it up anything with SA 8300 is a pos in my book.;)

I should learn never to count on you to back me upl:p:p Anyway you dress it up anything with SA 8300 is a pos in my book.;)

If it was last week, I would be there calling the 8300HDC (and even the 4250HDC) a POS.

Here, look for yourself. This is a video someone else on the Navigator forum uploaded showing off all the menus on ODN3, with the SA 8300HDC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Sdxw-VoxA

If it was last week, I would be there calling the 8300HDC (and even the 4250HDC) a POS.

Here, look for yourself. This is a video someone else on the Navigator forum uploaded showing off all the menus on ODN3, with the SA 8300HDC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Sdxw-VoxA

I got bored after 4 minutes. Sorry, not impressed at all. But that shouldn't surprise you. Oh it looks better then SARA, which didn't work at all but I wouldn't trade my DVR for one of those untrustworthy things.

I found this hookup diagram at twcneo.com. In that diagram, again we see what a huge box the tuning adapter is. I was especting something a bit smaller. :D:D:D

http://www.timewarnercable.com/MediaLibrary/1/1/FAQ/Documents/hookup/Tivo_TuningAdapterSelfInstall.pdf

Hey, I use OTA too, I'm not belittling it's use. BTW: How do you like the new 43-2 Look TV? Last night they had an old movie with (very YOUNG) Jane Fonda, James Caan, and Jason Robards. The movie itself was quite silly but I just had to watch for 30 minutes in awe of how young they all looked. That channel is going to make us all feel very OLD! :D

EDIT: ooops......I meant This TV, not Look TV. :)

The article applies to anyone/everyone who uses the "old fashioned" way of conducting transactions (credit cards, ATM's, checks) but mostly focuses on how unsecure your credit card information is in the hands of retailers. Particularly how people feel more "secure" physically handing over their credit card instead of the statistically "more secure" use of credit card transactions over the internet.

It's the same false sense of security people have when they use their seat belt to drive on the freeway, but DON'T use their seat belt to drive to the grocery store. When, in fact, they are far more likely to be involved in an accident driving to the grocery store. ;)

I actually knew a person who bought Flight Insurance when traveling, but refused to have basic Auto Insurance for his vehicle! Talk about a false sense of security! :p

Darn, that article would not load, have to read on at the library. My cuz sends me up those article links like that also. CC transactions likely invlove a PC anyhow, but I am curious why my PC suddenly stops amongst incoming internet activity, who is looking for what within my PC??... even this site stalls becomes squirllie & wants to be upgraded from Adobe.

As this is Tax crunch time, I would never file online, I'm wondering always about keystroke loggers, ect, of course if you had a mailman like yours truly, I always wonder who gets my mail, as I get others mail several times a week.

I likely caught that same Fonda movie earlier today as they are repeting now... still it's a nice alternative to what is on, especially at certain times of the say, & I DO like Mr. Ed.... haven't see that in years! :)

I found this hookup diagram at twcneo.com. In that diagram, again we see what a huge box the tuning adapter is. I was especting something a bit smaller. :D:D:D

http://www.timewarnercable.com/MediaLibrary/1/1/FAQ/Documents/hookup/Tivo_TuningAdapterSelfInstall.pdf

I didn't see picture probably because I'm using blackberry but directions were good.:)

Yeah, all things considered, it does have decent PQ. Although most of the programming seems rather lame (Mr.Ed???) I think the concept makes sense for all parties. OTA Viewers get a bit more choice, local stations have more content to offer and sell ad space for, and the source (MGM) gets to dust off their old crap and squeeze a few more $$$ out of old shows and movies.

It's kinda like a syndicated nat'l network. Let's hope other studios and content owners follow suit and we might actually have *decent* sub-channel programming instead of the worthless weather subs. :D

Hopefully, but will you think Cleveland will be actually willing to pick anything else up?

I wouldn't call the Wx subs worthless (you suggest the weather channel?), but we absolutely don't need a 3rd one. Look at the much smaller markets & how they are utilizing their subs, ie sports channels... I can remember Independent Ch 51 in Miami (WKID ???), running the Stock tickers afternoons back in the late 70's early 80's.

I also want to point out that I think that either the OCAP or Navigator upgrade seems to also have cured the glitchiness I have been having with my firewire captures where while the playback on the tv may be clear with no pixelation whatsoever, I get pixelation all over the place on the firewire transfer.

I just grabbed a small 5-ish minute clip off WOIOHD during the ACM awards (I'm a HUGE Rascal Flatts fan, so you can probably guess what in particular ;) ) and so far during playback of the TS file it's crystal clear. Never that lucky before.

I also want to point out that I think that either the OCAP or Navigator upgrade seems to also have cured the glitchiness I have been having with my firewire captures where while the playback on the tv may be clear with no pixelation whatsoever, I get pixelation all over the place on the firewire transfer.

I just grabbed a small 5-ish minute clip off WOIOHD during the ACM awards (I'm a HUGE Rascal Flatts fan, so you can probably guess what in particular ;) ) and so far during playback of the TS file it's crystal clear. Never that lucky before.

How's that 8300HDC working out? I'm thinking I'll have to trade in my box now, it seems all fraked up lately. Whenever it boots, the IPG and all the channels do not work, just analog. And this is after at least 5 minutes of watching the mystro "Initializing, please wait" screen. I've had to reboot both boxes and surprisingly the OCAP box boots faster than the old box. Plus the OCAP box has much better features with ODN 3, like showing in the guide when a show is HD and Nearest Tune, which makes entering a channel that doesn't exist tune to the next channel.

Personally I have never really had any problems with ODN2. Except for the firewire pixelation, sluggish input response, and maybe a -slight- miff with the color scheme after first seeing screencaps of ODN3's new colors.

ODN3 though seems to improve on that and more. Better hardware diagnostics now, nicer color scheme, a handful of added features like nearest tune, categories/keywords, just a slight bit faster and more responsive than ODN2 that I have personally noticed (Though it was never a showstopper for me with v2 so may be less noticable in my case).

I have used MDN though a bit. My aunt has an 8000HD running MDN currently with her ~25in HD LCD. I can safely say that MDN doesn't have too many advantages over ODN now. Responsive and has that nice interface fading feature. That's about it.

But MDN is on it's way out though. The only reason it is there is just to keep the old equipment running as to not force people into swapping their boxes on the spot. But once that equipment dies, that is it. With the FCC legislations out now, OCAP/tru2way equipment is soon going to be the only equipment either you or the cablecos are going to be able to purchase (legally) to interact with the cable network and using cablecards or other security mechanisms (such as the integrated chips currently in R&D where the security functions are downloaded from the headend. This will replace cablecards completely soon.).

With the above noted, if you have no problems switching your box out for the 8300HDC, go for it. You may not like what I am about to say here, but you'd be giving TWC a hand in following through with their 'evil plans(tm)' :D

On a side note: I am anxiously waiting for the Samsungs to hit this region. Seems like other regions are grabbing them lately. Charlotte, NC has them, NYC either has them or is in testings, and I think I heard something about SJC getting them too. Once I have wind that they have the samsungs in here, my butt will be out the door on the spot to go swap this sucker.

With the above noted, if you have no problems switching your box out for the 8300HDC, go for it. You may not like what I am about to say here, but you'd be giving TWC a hand in following through with their 'evil plans(tm)' :D

If their 'evil plans' include a guide that identifies HDTV programming(as Passport used to do) and Nearest Tune, then that's an evil plan I can agree with! ;)

Hey Hookbill, does SARA have any of these features? Does SARA include HDTV in the descriptions of shows in the IPG? Does SARA tune the next closest channel when a nonexistent number is entered?

On a side note: I am anxiously waiting for the Samsungs to hit this region. Seems like other regions are grabbing them lately. Charlotte, NC has them, NYC either has them or is in testings, and I think I heard something about SJC getting them too. Once I have wind that they have the samsungs in here, my butt will be out the door on the spot to go swap this sucker.

There is one huge caveat to the new Sammy. Even though the box is capable of true 16:9 guide/graphics, word is from NC that TWC is not using real 16:9 graphics and they're not using the same 4:3 pillarbox guide. The ODN guide is being stretched to fill the 16:9 screen. :mad: All of the cable box UI screens are stretched horizontally(the channel banner, guide, access menu, settings etc) on all channels. :mad::mad::mad: That's bullspit. In 2009, I refuse to be subjected to forced stretchovision UI screens. TWC should be embarrassed and shamed out of the room for dropping the ball in such a huge way. TWC could have a new Sammy there next week, and I wouldn't take it because of my commitment to being anti-stretchovision. Strike that. I would take the box, take it home, see the stretched menus. Then I'd take it back to the TWC office and b***h about "why are the menus stretched/distorted"? Make my anti-stretchovision voice heard. ;)

Actually, the stretched UI issue I would start looking at Samsung to complain about. Unless TWC is pushing a completely different build of ODN to those boxes (which should not be the case for OCAP, but who knows).

Regardless, it's a hit below the belt I'd be willing to take for a much snappier box, hopeful home networking features (do they keep the ethernet hardware in these or are they removed just like every other STB TWC has that offers it in the original hardware spec?), and roughly double the drive space of what the current HD boxes offer.

Actually, the stretched UI issue I would start looking at Samsung to complain about. Unless TWC is pushing a completely different build of ODN to those boxes (which should not be the case for OCAP, but who knows).

Regardless, it's a hit below the belt I'd be willing to take for a much snappier box, hopeful home networking features (do they keep the ethernet hardware in these or are they removed just like every other STB TWC has that offers it in the original hardware spec?), and roughly double the drive space of what the current HD boxes offer.

I think they still have the ethernet, but it might not be active. Someone from NC said it has a "home network" port, and they may or may not have tried it. I get the feeling this is the hardware groundwork for a "Tivo-like" experience, where internet will combine with the TV.

Could it be Samsung's fault? Could that be something in their box's DVR/OCAP middleware that causes the graphics to be stretched? It seems very odd. Like something that would have to be caused, rather than happening accidentally.

I think they still have the ethernet, but it might not be active. Someone from NC said it has a "home network" port, and they may or may not have tried it. I get the feeling this is the hardware groundwork for a "Tivo-like" experience, where internet will combine with the TV.

Could it be Samsung's fault? Could that be something in their box's DVR/OCAP middleware that causes the graphics to be stretched? It seems very odd. Like something that would have to be caused, rather than happening accidentally.

Yeah. In a number of other places it's been going around that a certain model of the samsung box will have both MoCA (box-to-box networking over the house Coax) and ethernet connectivity. Of course Navigator isn't going to have the support NOW, but the ability is there and only needs to have support added in software. Much easier to write a few hundred lines of code and push the update than wait on a new box to be designed, built, sold, and distributed.

And like I said: Unless TWC is pushing a custom ODN build to the Samsung boxes, it's more than likely a bug in Samsung's box or whoever they licensed for their OCAP system. And the way OCAP has been set from the ground up to take Java's stance of 'Write once, run anywhere' so they only need one built, I have high doubts they have a custom build unless they have a VERY good reason to. Otherwise just a waste of manpower.

Yeah. In a number of other places it's been going around that a certain model of the samsung box will have both MoCA (box-to-box networking over the house Coax) and ethernet connectivity. Of course Navigator isn't going to have the support NOW, but the ability is there and only needs to have support added in software. Much easier to write a few hundred lines of code and push the update than wait on a new box to be designed, built, sold, and distributed.

Is that like the different version of the 8300 that's supposed to be multi-room? I remember seeing something else about that where the SA boxes could have the capability to play back recordings from another box in another room, but I don't think TWC(or any cableco) ever went far with that.

Yeah. It's pretty much the same thing going on. SA had a multir-room DVR years ago and even Passport had a MR application available for the Echo platform. But for whatever reason that TWC never utilised it, I have no clue. Just another thing they drug their feet on I guess.

You guys were up late last night.:)

In regards to SARA, yes, it goes to the next available channel, HD is included in the description but you cant count on it. Remember, guide information has to do with the provider of service, not the software and I still think we are using two different service providers for guide data.

FYI, TiVo uses SD graphics too, something that's been a huge complaint in the TiVo Forum, at least it was when I was there. To me the graphics are not important, it just kind of makes the DVR itself either look good or bad but that's like looking at the exterior of a car. Just cause it looks like a sports car like my Saturn S2 did doesn't mean it has the power of one.

I received a "Service Update" on my TiVo HD the other day. Now usually when we get an update we get an explanation of what the update is about, although it may not be as detailed as some of us like. This one had no explanation, no message along with it.

Turns out, that when you pause a message pops up saying "more information on this show press select."

I'll bite, and selected the more information key and it locked up my TiVo accessing the wireless network!:mad:

Apparently it also works as some type of COMMERCIAL when you pause your TiVo but I have not seen that happen. You would still have to launch it to view it.

Anyway, it didn't take long somebody came up with a code to work around it so I input the code and no more box popping up now it just pauses like it's suppose to. This is happening on software version 11.0c and the work around is while playing back a recording pause when the "More About" shows up press arrow down then press play again. After you've done that you enter SELECT-PLAY-SELECT-PAUSE-SELECT code and that nasty window will not show up to disturb your viewing pleasure again.;)

As usual they make a move, we make a counter move.:)

I found this hookup diagram at twcneo.com. In that diagram, again we see what a huge box the tuning adapter is. I was especting something a bit smaller. :D:D:D

http://www.timewarnercable.com/MediaLibrary/1/1/FAQ/Documents/hookup/Tivo_TuningAdapterSelfInstall.pdf

OK I saw the drawing you looked at and really my picture is more accurate. That drawing makes it look like it's half the size of the TiVo. Not true. You can see in my picture a portion of the S3 and height is like 3 of those adapters and it would take about 1 and a half of an adapter to make an S3.

I looked again at the one I have in the bedroom and it actually hangs off the shelf by about two inches. I could probably reduce that by taking a coax cable and cutting it and put a new end on it because rolling up that cable is reducing the amount of available area on the shelf.

One thing I'm curious about the tuning adapters is if it has any actual need to hook up the coax? I'm trying to think about this from a technical point of view and I just can't see any way it has of any interaction with the box through the coax. Maybe as a test try running the cable directly to the tivo, bypassing the tuning adapter, but keep the usb plugged in and see if it affects anything?

Granted, it still needs it's own connection to the cable line so they probably just use the passthrough to minimize use of splitters. That's the only thing I can think of.

Otherwise though, maybe you can hide the tuning adapter somewhere else like behind the shelf or somewhere? If it turns out that it's true that wiring the coax for the tivo through the adapter only works as a passthrough, could probably utilize an extra split and an extended usb cable to put it somewhere out of the way.

Also, just another curiosity: But does the DC jack on the adapter give any signs of a power rating? If not, what is listed on the wallwart in terms of output voltage and current? I'm interested in how much juice these things use. Though my next guess is probably for naught considering they have to scream back to the headend for their function. But maybe if the power consumption is low enough they could be powered through usb thus removing one more needless wart from the already cramped power strip/UPS. USB is usually rated for 5V@500ma or 2.5W per each powered port and I use it to power a lot of things very often even if those devices were never intended to be powered by it (but are in the consumption range of USB's given output). I remember even at one time I had a nice big 120mm computer fan wired to a usb plug and had that plugged into my old SA8000 box and the fan laid on top of the box over the hard drive pulling out and it kept the temp down noticeably on the thing.

One thing I'm curious about the tuning adapters is if it has any actual need to hook up the coax? I'm trying to think about this from a technical point of view and I just can't see any way it has of any interaction with the box through the coax. Maybe as a test try running the cable directly to the tivo, bypassing the tuning adapter, but keep the usb plugged in and see if it affects anything?

Interesting theory. I don't know why the signal has to go through the box first. But I'll tell you it's a bit of a pia to undue the cables due to space limitations so now that I got it set I'm going to let it alone.

You are correct the adapter makes the TiVo two way capable by USB. I didn't even think about why I'm hooking up another coax cable.


Also, just another curiosity: But does the DC jack on the adapter give any signs of a power rating? If not, what is listed on the wallwart in terms of output voltage and current? I'm interested in how much juice these things use. Though my next guess is probably for naught considering they have to scream back to the headend for their function. But maybe if the power consumption is low enough they could be powered through usb thus removing one more needless wart from the already cramped power strip/UPS. USB is usually rated for 5V@500ma or 2.5W per each powered port and I use it to power a lot of things very often even if those devices were never intended to be powered by it (but are in the consumption range of USB's given output). I remember even at one time I had a nice big 120mm computer fan wired to a usb plug and had that plugged into my old SA8000 box and the fan laid on top of the box over the hard drive pulling out and it kept the temp down noticeably on the thing.[/QUOTE]

There is no information that came with the Tuner Adapter in regards to voltage output that I recall but I did take a look at the AC adapter itself and it says Input 100-120V-1A 50-60hz, Output 12V 2.5A 30w Max. Now that's the adapter from the wall I'm talking about. There is no information at all on the USB adapter.

I watched the rock hall inductions too. I couldnt believe how long Flea rambled on introducing Metallica. They should ban paper speeches, his looked like it was 6 pages long !. Since the show ran long past what the DVR recorded I missed the ending jam session with Metallica and most of the others (Beck, Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Page)

I watched the rock hall inductions too. I couldnt believe how long Flea rambled on introducing Metallica. They should ban paper speeches, his looked like it was 6 pages long !. Since the show ran long past what the DVR recorded I missed the ending jam session with Metallica and most of the others (Beck, Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Page)

While I ended up not recording it, TiVo recognized it was a live event and offered to add an hour to the recording. I said OK, but eventually cancelled recording. 5 hours just seemed so long.

Interesting theory. I don't know why the signal has to go through the box first. But I'll tell you it's a bit of a pia to undue the cables due to space limitations so now that I got it set I'm going to let it alone.

You are correct the adapter makes the TiVo two way capable by USB. I didn't even think about why I'm hooking up another coax cable.

Yeah. I don't blame ya. ;) But it kinda makes sense though since the Tivo only has a one-way tuner, it'd be back at square one if they relied on that coax between the tuning adapter and the Tivo. And since the Tivo has an available USABLE usb port, it's the next best thing without making huge, unecessary modifications to the box (like the ugly ethernet NICs for the earlier generation tivo's that you needed to string a cat5 cable out a hole under the box and wiggle the card in place in there. That looked like a mess.). So, theorhetically anyway, the only NEEDED connections are the 'cable in' connection on the tuning adapter, the usb cable to the tivo, and of course the power. The connection they have you make from the tivo to the tuning adapter via coax I can only assume is just a passthrough to cut out the need for an extra splitter. The only thing that makes sense at this point.

There is no information that came with the Tuner Adapter in regards to voltage output that I recall but I did take a look at the AC adapter itself and it says Input 100-120V-1A 50-60hz, Output 12V 2.5A 30w Max. Now that's the adapter from the wall I'm talking about. There is no information at all on the USB adapter.

Ah. Well, that i way beyond what I was originally expecting it to be, but I'm not surprised in the least. Basically the output rating being the absolute maximum it can be loaded with, the tuning adapter has to be somewhere within that range. But it's certainly way beyond what usb can support (unfortunately).

Probably overkill, but maybe a similar idea to this would be of help to the UPS space hog situation: http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=9921 I've been meaning to get some of these myself for AGES and just never gotten around to it. Here in my bedroom on my computer desk I have two dollar store 7-8 port power strips mounted on each side both full up (TV, Wii, old laptop used as a media box for the tv, computer tower, 2 monitors, speakers, router, and a fax/printer/sheetfed scanner combo. All of that and between of a few of these using the oversized wallwarts and having to rely on the crappy flimsy extension cords for a few things, I don't feel safe leaving this more permanent than it needs to be. Would certainly LOVE to get a UPS instead, but that is way out of my price range with current budgets (and if I ever did get a hold of one, it'd be prioritized to the modem/EMTA, my router box (generic 400mhz tower running smoothwall), and my server.)

I just got e-mail from Jeanie saying my tuning adapter will be shipping to me via FedEx over the next few days :-) It looks like a generic message to all rather than a response to my correspondence, and does not have any tracking information. There is also a Tuning Adapter hotline number, (330) 572 4116.

They are cutting it fine...

As to whether the tuning adapter needs to be hooked up to the coax, I guess this would depend on whether the Tivo has the ability to transmit back to the head-end built-in. I suspect that it does already, as there appears to be two-way communication between the CableCard and the head-end (for e.g. handshake during firmware update file transfers, and presumably acknowledging hits). It is of course possible the signaling/frequency/encoding of SDV control signals is done differently from what the Tivo transmit hardware is capable of. No doubt this is all explained/buried in the relevant CableLabs docs.

And oh great, looks like the tuning adapter comes with another wall-wart PSU, just what I need :-(

Probably overkill, but maybe a similar idea to this would be of help to the UPS space hog situation: http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=9921 I've been meaning to get some of these myself for AGES and just never gotten around to it. Here in my bedroom on my computer desk I have two dollar store 7-8 port power strips mounted on each side both full up (TV, Wii, old laptop used as a media box for the tv, computer tower, 2 monitors, speakers, router, and a fax/printer/sheetfed scanner combo. All of that and between of a few of these using the oversized wallwarts and having to rely on the crappy flimsy extension cords for a few things, I don't feel safe leaving this more permanent than it needs to be. Would certainly LOVE to get a UPS instead, but that is way out of my price range with current budgets (and if I ever did get a hold of one, it'd be prioritized to the modem/EMTA, my router box (generic 400mhz tower running smoothwall), and my server.)

Don't see that happening. There is no end to fit into the Tuner Adapter.

The Tuner Adapter usb is a square female end. I've never seen anything quite like it.

I just got e-mail from Jeanie saying my tuning adapter will be shipping to me via FedEx over the next few days :-) It looks like a generic message to all rather than a response to my correspondence, and does not have any tracking information. There is also a Tuning Adapter hotline number, (330) 572 4116.

They are cutting it fine...

As to whether the tuning adapter needs to be hooked up to the coax, I guess this would depend on whether the Tivo has the ability to transmit back to the head-end built-in. I suspect that it does already, as there appears to be two-way communication between the CableCard and the head-end (for e.g. handshake during firmware update file transfers, and presumably acknowledging hits). It is of course possible the signaling/frequency/encoding of SDV control signals is done differently from what the Tivo transmit hardware is capable of. No doubt this is all explained/buried in the relevant CableLabs docs.

And oh great, looks like the tuning adapter comes with another wall-wart PSU, just what I need :-(

I don't have that number, thanks. Apparently I lost her card, but I still have Jeanie's email on my computer. I'll bet she's the one handling that hotline.

Has anyone received the new Navigator update in the Cleveland area yet? I'm actually south of Cleveland but I'm using the older 8300HD box and it sounds like the 8300HDC's are the ones receiving the update.

I'm looking forward to the update...SARA is antiquated. I left my Tivo when I went HD and not having the ability to search for programs by name or to be able to tell if a program is new is killing me!

Has anyone received the new Navigator update in the Cleveland area yet? I'm actually south of Cleveland but I'm using the older 8300HD box and it sounds like the 8300HDC's are the ones receiving the update.

I'm looking forward to the update...SARA is antiquated. I left my Tivo when I went HD and not having the ability to search for programs by name or to be able to tell if a program is new is killing me!

We've covered this pretty extensively. It appears that SDV is going to start with SARA, so you will not be getting a Navigator update. This applies to all ex Adelphia areas that used the SA 8300 box.

Sorry, that's just how it worked out. When TW goes to Tru2way you can expect a change at that time.

Has anyone received the new Navigator update in the Cleveland area yet? I'm actually south of Cleveland but I'm using the older 8300HD box and it sounds like the 8300HDC's are the ones receiving the update.

I'm looking forward to the update...SARA is antiquated. I left my Tivo when I went HD and not having the ability to search for programs by name or to be able to tell if a program is new is killing me!

Are you sure the updates happened in a SARA area? Last week, boxes that already had Navigator (ODN 2.4.10_11) were updated with ODN 3.1.1_3. So far, haven't heard anything about SARA areas converting to Navigator.

It will happen, eventually. But I doubt any time soon, as it seems SDV and tuning adapters are the main priority right now.

Are you sure the updates happened in a SARA area? Last week, boxes that already had Navigator (ODN 2.4.10_11) were updated with ODN 3.1.1_3. So far, haven't heard anything about SARA areas converting to Navigator.

It will happen, eventually. But I doubt any time soon, as it seems SDV and tuning adapters are the main priority right now.

If he's in SARA area, he's stuck with SARA I mean that's pretty much a fact.

I still believe there is some type of problem in converting SARA to Navigator. And this is where I'd like to hear something from Cathode Kid, who told me once that this was not a problem and he knew of a box that was converted from SARA to Navigator.

Outside of his comment, I don't know anybody in any part of the country that's been converted from SARA to Navigator.

Are you seeing anything different on the Navigator boards, nickdawg?

I think Vchat20 is right the change for SARA people will happen when TW implements Tru2Way.

Just saved $5.27 a month on my TW bill. No biggy, but every dollar counts. If you are being charged $10/month for the Digital Plus Tier under the old Adelphia billing, it includes the Encore Movie channels and some sports channels. If you don't want Encore, you can have them delete it and just keep the sports channels. That's a savings of $5.27.

And if you're lucky like me, the Encore channels are still there after they said they deleted them!

Just saved $5.27 a month on my TW bill. No biggy, but every dollar counts. If you are being charged $10/month for the Digital Plus Tier under the old Adelphia billing, it includes the Encore Movie channels and some sports channels. If you don't want Encore, you can have them delete it and just keep the sports channels. That's a savings of $5.27.

And if you're lucky like me, the Encore channels are still there after they said they deleted them!

Don't count your chickens before they hatch. I've seen them disappear next day.

Don't see that happening. There is no end to fit into the Tuner Adapter.

The Tuner Adapter usb is a square female end. I've never seen anything quite like it.

Does it look like this USB cable (left side) would go into the tuning adapters female USB port?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030301&p_id=209&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

It's essentially a square connection with two "squared" corners and two "rounded" corners.

If yes (and I highly suspect it is), it's an industry standard connection on the USB device.

Does it look like this USB cable (left side) would go into the tuning adapters female USB port?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030301&p_id=209&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

It's essentially a square connection with two "squared" corners and two "rounded" corners.

If yes (and I highly suspect it is), it's an industry standard connection on the USB device.

I took a look at it and it does look similar. Everything else I have hooked up to USB has a different end. I can't believe I don't have a single USB in the house that doesn't use a standard cable. My printer doesn't. I have a 2 PC's in the house a Laptop, and a Mac not to mention my two TiVo's and nothing has that accept the Tuner Adapter.

I guess nothing I use has a standard USB cable up until now.

I took a look at it and it does look similar. Everything else I have hooked up to USB has a different end. I can't believe I don't have a single USB in the house that doesn't use a standard cable. My printer doesn't. I have a 2 PC's in the house a Laptop, and a Mac not to mention my two TiVo's and nothing has that accept the Tuner Adapter.

I guess nothing I use has a standard USB cable up until now.

Both are standard. ;)

What the difference is between the two I dunno. I have two external USB HD's, a USB Hub/28 Card Reader box, and two USB printers and all use the "square" type connection. It's quite common.

I think the more common ways these two USB connections are used is as follows:
- a device that is intended to utilize other USB devices use the more common end you are used to seeing
- a USB device "to be used by" other devices use the square connection.

It isn't universal (ex: your printer and my printer have different USB connections) but I think the above explanation follows suit more often than not.

Jeanie has just sent me a further, personal e-mail, with tracking number, delivery scheduled tomorrow. Phew.

Jeanie has just sent me a further, personal e-mail, with tracking number, delivery scheduled tomorrow. Phew.

And it will be there early too, mine came at 9:30 am. They FedEx overnight.

You really should consider yourself lucky, all of us should. If we lived in native TW area we would have had SDV for probably two months now I think.

But then again as it stands right now there are only a few stations that are SDV would effect me personally. All the new HD stations will probably be SDV including the 5 we just got.

Glad to hear you got taken care of.

The technical quality of 43.2 looks very good compared to others. The Jane Fonda movie seemed to be given the "Sergio Leone" syndrome of long stares and no dialog.
JJK

Is anyone picking up this station using their QAM tuner? If so, where is it located, 43-2? Thanks Tyler

If your antenna can get WUAB on 43-1, just do a re-scan and 43-2 should show up.

Is anyone picking up this station using their QAM tuner? If so, where is it located, 43-2? Thanks Tyler

The station is not carried on TW yet, they are probably still working out the negotiations...

If/when TW ink's the agreement, hopefully it will pop up in the QAM lineup.

I did a clear QAM scan on my LG DVD recorder on Sunday, which seems to be better at finding stations than my Tivo or HDTV. No sign of 43-2 yet (or indeed any of the new HD channels, which I think most folks here had already figured were scrambled).

Both are standard. ;)

What the difference is between the two I dunno. I have two external USB HD's, a USB Hub/28 Card Reader box, and two USB printers and all use the "square" type connection. It's quite common.

I think the more common ways these two USB connections are used is as follows:
- a device that is intended to utilize other USB devices use the more common end you are used to seeing
- a USB device "to be used by" other devices use the square connection.

It isn't universal (ex: your printer and my printer have different USB connections) but I think the above explanation follows suit more often than not.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/usb1.htm <-- Should explain it in more laimens terms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb#Types_of_USB_connector <-- Should give you a general idea of what the 'standard' connectors are.

Though that's 'standards'. Some manufacturers go the proprietary or retarded route, but not often. But the tuning adapter looks like it just uses the standard USB-A to USB-B cable which just about anything but an eensy teensy device like a cellphone uses.

hookbill: What I was referring to in that original post was in reference to trying to clear out space on the UPS in regards to actual power, not the usb connection.

hookbill: What I was referring to in that original post was in reference to trying to clear out space on the UPS in regards to actual power, not the usb connection.

That wasn't really an issue. For the S3 I just took my DVD player and plugged it to another USB connector that is for smaller electronic equipment. My USB has 6 outlets for battery usage and I really only need it for that brief time where the lights go out and my natural gas powered generator kick in.

TiVo HD I just moved the television to a non battery outlet and when generator kicks in that will come back on.

I just thought I'd pass along to baseball fans that MLB net is going to have "Thursday Night Baseball" as a regular series showing MLB games. First game is this Thursday, Brewers vs. Giants.

Something to look forward to when TW delivers MLB NET in HD.

Satellite people, do you have that already?

Also Tribe announcer Matt Underwood is on Twitter. He's "following" me so I was able to send him a direct message. He was nice enough to respond.

Ah, ye olde AVS Forum. How I have missed thee. How I have forgotten how informative though art.

Question.

I have an LG 46" LCD tv which was purchased about a 1 1/2 years ago and a new LG 26" for the bedroom just purchased yesterday. Both are connected via splitter to a newly installed (2 years ago) OTA broadcast antenna on the roof of the house.

On the 26" tv I can receive channel 25 HDTV (PBS), on the 46" I cannot. Barring the obvious possible difference in the actual digital tuner used in the sets, is there something else I can try/do or that I'm missing?

I can actually get 3-4 digital 25's on the 26", I get none on the 46". All other digital channels on the 46" come through perfectly.

House is on the west side of Cleveland, near the Lakewood border.

Thanks in advance.

On the 26" tv I can receive channel 25 HDTV (PBS), on the 46" I cannot. Barring the obvious possible difference in the actual digital tuner used in the sets, is there something else I can try/do or that I'm missing?

Right off the bat, try removing the splitter and connecting the 46" set directly to the antenna. That will give you 3db more signal. If that fixes it, you can possibly replace the splitter with a 3db directional coupler, and connect the "tap" side to the set that needs less signal, allowing for more of it to flow through to the set that needs more.

You can also purchase a broadband amp and place it between the antenna and the input to the splitter.

Or you could ditch it all and get cable. ;)

I still believe there is some type of problem in converting SARA to Navigator. And this is where I'd like to hear something from Cathode Kid, who told me once that this was not a problem and he knew of a box that was converted from SARA to Navigator.

I can't speak for any of the operators in town, however in general terms -

The firmware that runs on a STB is closely intertwined with the software that runs on the controller at the other end. That software, in turn, needs to be able to communicate with a myriad of other systems including VOD servers, billing systems, QAM modulators and EAS systems. SDV is just another application heaped upon the pile. As long as a box has enough memory and the app is written to run on that OS, there's nothing to prevent it from being deployed without having to do a forklift upgrade of the back-end servers. And SDV apps have been written for most of the major STB OS's including SARA. So I wouldn't sweat about OS conversions.

Last year I didn't buy MLB extra innings. Its free this week. I notice that they are listing HD games. I caught the last out of the Dodgers win over san diego and I thought it looked exceptionally good.

Well darn if that wasn't an HD listed game but I wonder if it was truly HD. Does anyone know is TW showing these listed HD games in HD in the700's? Thinking of buying.

I'm actually a bit surprised about this Palladia channel. At first I thought it was some spanish channel of some sort. Even after seeing it was a music related channel, figured it wouldn't amount to much being an MTV network. But I found quite a number of programs through the keyword searching function that are worth recording.

I can't speak for any of the operators in town, however in general terms -

The firmware that runs on a STB is closely intertwined with the software that runs on the controller at the other end. That software, in turn, needs to be able to communicate with a myriad of other systems including VOD servers, billing systems, QAM modulators and EAS systems. SDV is just another application heaped upon the pile. As long as a box has enough memory and the app is written to run on that OS, there's nothing to prevent it from being deployed without having to do a forklift upgrade of the back-end servers. And SDV apps have been written for most of the major STB OS's including SARA. So I wouldn't sweat about OS conversions.

It's not a question about worrying about the type of application they use. Matter of fact I really don't care, it doesn't bother me one way or another. But it does drive my curiosity in to why they decided to go with two systems?

Vchat20 presented a very good argument on why TW would want to have only one system and one software. Obviously using their own software, Navigator, they can call out enhancements (like the "word search") feature on Navigator. Now I can't be certain but I'm just willing to bet that SARA does not have that feature.

It's pretty obvious that for a while ex Adelphia is going to be stuck with SARA and there has got to be a reason for it. I probably will never get an answer.

I'm actually a bit surprised about this Palladia channel. At first I thought it was some spanish channel of some sort. Even after seeing it was a music related channel, figured it wouldn't amount to much being an MTV network. But I found quite a number of programs through the keyword searching function that are worth recording.

The fact that Navigator has this function gives me new respect for this software. I'd like to see how that one works, but a couple of questions.

On your keyword search does it go within any day of the current schedule to search, or are you restricted to searching within only one days time?

Also how far out does your schedule go? Last I saw it was only 7 days.

anyone having same problem as me..

I am able to pick this up on my Regular TV with a Digital Box..but not on my HD Set with my Time Warner HD DVR Box...it comes in for about 5 seconds and switches to a message saying...you have to pay for it..to receive it..

Regular TV I get it..but not on my HD TV......


any idea whats going on

I said yesterday that it looked like games were available in HD, and that's true if you subscribe to satellite, but not if you're a TW customer.

They have a channel called "Game HD" and that one does not appear on TW's list of channels unless they happen to show it on 437 HD Sports but I've got a feeling it doesn't work that way.

Dodgers and San Diego are on tonight in HD so I'll have to take a look at 437 and see if the game will be there. I think it's doubtful. Come on TW I have to pay full price and I get no HD?

anyone having same problem as me..

I am able to pick this up on my Regular TV with a Digital Box..but not on my HD Set with my Time Warner HD DVR Box...it comes in for about 5 seconds and switches to a message saying...you have to pay for it..to receive it..

Regular TV I get it..but not on my HD TV......


any idea whats going on

Marty, it should be free no matter what box you are using. It's free this week. You should be able to get it no matter what, but good luck trying to talk to a TW rep about this. They probably don't even know it's free this week. Heck I even get it on my TiVos.

Joe Deth:
There are differences in the quality of the new tuners verses the old tuners in sensitivity, speed and the operation of the menu software. How big and what kind is your antenna? Is it UHF only? How long and what kind is the lead in? Is the impedance matching transformer installed at the antenna? (300 to 75 ohm) Did you install the connectors on the lead in or were they factory installed? Does your antenna rotate? Sometimes 1/2" change in direction means on lot. How far away are you from the TV station?
JJK

Right off the bat, try removing the splitter and connecting the 46" set directly to the antenna. That will give you 3db more signal. If that fixes it, you can possibly replace the splitter with a 3db directional coupler, and connect the "tap" side to the set that needs less signal, allowing for more of it to flow through to the set that needs more.

You can also purchase a broadband amp and place it between the antenna and the input to the splitter.

Or you could ditch it all and get cable. ;)

I like the idea of the broadband amp. Recommend one? Maybe from here (http://www.starkelectronic.com/allmatv.htm)? Since I'm not having issues w/ the 26" or any other digital channels on the 46", I'm assuming I don't need a pre-amp, correct?

Also, I will try your other recommendations first. Thanks!

Joe Deth:
There are differences in the quality of the new tuners verses the old tuners in sensitivity, speed and the operation of the menu software. How big and what kind is your antenna? Is it UHF only? How long and what kind is the lead in? Is the impedance matching transformer installed at the antenna? (300 to 75 ohm) Did you install the connectors on the lead in or were they factory installed? Does your antenna rotate? Sometimes 1/2" change in direction means on lot. How far away are you from the TV station?
JJK

All that techo-jargon is over my head. I'll have my wife find the install receipt for the antenna. Definitely not a rotational antenna.

All that techo-jargon is over my head. I'll have my wife find the install receipt for the antenna. Definitely not a rotational antenna.

It's over my head too, JoeDeth. That's why I have cable.;)

All that techo-jargon is over my head. I'll have my wife find the install receipt for the antenna. Definitely not a rotational antenna.

Joe, The main thing is that the newer-generation tuners (used on new sets designed within the last year and a half or so) are significanty better picking up over-the-air signals than the older generation tuners. I suspect your 46" set has an older generation tuner.

Other considerations would be the length of the cable from the splitter to the 46" TV (longer is lossier) and the quality of the splitter itself.

Your antenna installer should be able to help you....

Ron

The fact that Navigator has this function gives me new respect for this software. I'd like to see how that one works, but a couple of questions.

On your keyword search does it go within any day of the current schedule to search, or are you restricted to searching within only one days time?

Also how far out does your schedule go? Last I saw it was only 7 days.

I dunno if they updated the guide length, but it felt like 7 days still. That's another thing that miffs me but not TOO big an issue. What I REALLY miss though is the timed/untitled recordings I can set months in advance (may still be there, but I can't find it)

They keyword search is still pretty limited. You can't use the onscreen keyboard entry for it. Only the given keywords they use in the guide. So for example in my search I went Music > HD > All. The custom keyboard entry only searches show titles. But this is another one of those things that could be improved upon in future updates if TW feels it's something worth adding.

The one thing though that they did a good thing with the whole search function in Navigator is it also looks into all the VOD listings too. So I could look for CSI or CSI Miami and get the available programs on the HD Showcase VOD channel.

Tuner adapter received on time, seems to be a well-built box (the wall wart at least has an IEC 320 C8 socket in it rather than direct mains socket prongs). But the mess behind my AV unit just got worse...

It took several cycles of reboots and USB unpluggings of both it and the Tivo to get them to talk to each other and channels to display. I *think* SDV is working correctly but it's hard to tell as I've LOST all my Digital Basic channels :-( The HD channels are all okay except UHD. Looks like a cablecard rather than an SDV issue, I think my M-card needs to be re-hit.

I've left voicemail on the SDV hotline, if I don't hear back from them in the next few hours I'm going to try calling the cablecard-clueful installer that set me up in the first place..

Sigh.

Tuner adapter received on time, seems to be a well-built box (the wall wart at least has an IEC 320 C8 socket in it rather than direct mains socket prongs). But the mess behind my AV unit just got worse...

It took several cycles of reboots and USB unpluggings of both it and the Tivo to get them to talk to each other and channels to display. I *think* SDV is working correctly but it's hard to tell as I've LOST all my Digital Basic channels :-( The HD channels are all okay except UHD. Looks like a cablecard rather than an SDV issue, I think my M-card needs to be re-hit.

I've left voicemail on the SDV hotline, if I don't hear back from them in the next few hours I'm going to try calling the cablecard-clueful installer that set me up in the first place..

Sigh.

I had some issues with the S3 but that was my fault. First I accidentally unplugged it. Then I had to reboot but I didn't reboot my eSATA properly so I had to redo that.

Then I had the communications problem you discuss. I fixed this simply by moving my network adapter away from the Tuner Adapter. I don't know why but I think the Tuner Adapter is causing some kind of interference with the TiVo adapter.

But losing my channels? Nope, never had that problem. If you can't get digital channels it's probably because your cable cards arn't working correctly, but I have no idea how that could happen.

If you still got the installers number tell him. Maybe he can call headend and just simply have them send you a hit or repair (if more then one card) and that should take care of it.

It's over my head too, JoeDeth. That's why I have cable.;)

No desire at this time to have another bill. :p

So hookbill did you actually get any games in the clear last night? Channels 741 to 751 (Game1 to Game11) are showing the schedule in the clear right now. 752 to 754 (Game12 to Game14) are not coming in and this is where most of the mlb games are.

They're supposed to be a game on 752 right now if anybody can check that and let me know if there's anything there.

So hookbill did you actually get any games in the clear last night? Channels 741 to 751 (Game1 to Game11) are showing the schedule in the clear right now. 752 to 754 (Game12 to Game14) are not coming in and this is where most of the mlb games are.

They're supposed to be a game on 752 right now if anybody can check that and let me know if there's anything there.

Yep I got games last night and right now watching KC vs Chicago on 752, its free this week.

On your keyword search does it go within any day of the current schedule to search, or are you restricted to searching within only one days time?

Sorry. My earlier reply was done by cellphone (LOVE my milspec Nextel phone with collapsible iBoard. :D) so I didn't get all of it I guess.

The keyword and title search both allow you to go out as far as you have guide data for. I dunno how Tivo sets it up, but on Navigator the results are first sorted by show titles in alphabetical order and then when you select a show title it'll give a sub-list of all airings of that show within the period of time you have guide data for.

So for example:
> Show A
> Show B
> Show C
> Show D
All show up in your search criteria. Select Show B and you get this:
> Show A
> Show B
> > 4/8 4:30PM
> > 4/9 4:30PM
> Show C
> Show D
Which if you select an airing time you can of course record it, go to the channel if it's current, see the show info, all the basic stuff in the main guide.

Sorry. My earlier reply was done by cellphone (LOVE my milspec Nextel phone with collapsible iBoard. :D) so I didn't get all of it I guess.

The keyword and title search both allow you to go out as far as you have guide data for. I dunno how Tivo sets it up, but on Navigator the results are first sorted by show titles in alphabetical order and then when you select a show title it'll give a sub-list of all airings of that show within the period of time you have guide data for.

So for example:
> Show A
> Show B
> Show C
> Show D
All show up in your search criteria. Select Show B and you get this:
> Show A
> Show B
> > 4/8 4:30PM
> > 4/9 4:30PM
> Show C
> Show D
Which if you select an airing time you can of course record it, go to the channel if it's current, see the show info, all the basic stuff in the main guide.

Yes, that's much better then what we had with SARA. Unless it's changed, you could only search by title and you had to know at least what day it was on.

The way you describe is similar to the way TiVo works. The big differences of course is length of time, TiVo has more guide data and the Wishlist.

TiVo also has some new search features that I haven't even played around with called Swivel Search. I think it allows you to search like through Netflix, Amazon on Demand, regular cable, OTA (if you have that too) and it's kind of like surfing the internet, you can get into all kinds of stuff.

Still I'm impressed by the fact that the search feature is now at least decent.

Now if only the darn thing ever recorded....:)

Still I'm impressed by the fact that the search feature is now at least decent.

Now if only the darn thing ever recorded....:)

What? The darn thing records just fine.

Another cool thing I noticed about the new ODN 3 is now you can search titles with the letter punch in thingy, broken down by category. If you go to example: THEME>>DRAMA>>SOAP OPERA, then press B, you can search titles in that category by punching in letters. And it only results in shows from that category. EX: Entering 'HOUSE' finds no showings, since it is not a soap opera.

EX: Entering 'HOUSE' finds no showings, since it is not a soap opera.

After watching that tripe for several episodes, I beg to differ. ;):D:p

Well, the cablecard-clueful installer refused to help me until I'd put a call into customer support.

So after an hour on the phone with these guys, about 10 minutes of which I get to speak to the "cablecard company guy", who seems clueful and helpful except for being under the illusion that "all channels above 100 are digital" (oh yeah), I learn:
- there was some issue with SDV boxes yesterday that caused them to block all channels across NE Ohio.
- for no explainable reason someone had deleted Digital Basic from the cablecard in my package yesterday. I guess I'll never know if this was anything to do with SDV, but a bit of a coincidence.
Eventually they fixed it, the SDV box seems to work.

So, I have my service back, and have avoided having to write to Mr Fry by a whisker.
Here comes the brave new world of SDV....

[& what is it about call centers that turns me into Willie the Janitor...?-: ]

Well, the cablecard-clueful installer refused to help me until I'd put a call into customer support.

So after an hour on the phone with these guys, about 10 minutes of which I get to speak to the "cablecard company guy", who seems clueful and helpful except for being under the illusion that "all channels above 100 are digital" (oh yeah), I learn:
- there was some issue with SDV boxes yesterday that caused them to block all channels across NE Ohio.
- for no explainable reason someone had deleted Digital Basic from the cablecard in my package yesterday. I guess I'll never know if this was anything to do with SDV, but a bit of a coincidence.
Eventually they fixed it, the SDV box seems to work.

So, I have my service back, and have avoided having to write to Mr Fry by a whisker.
Here comes the brave new world of SDV....

[& what is it about call centers that turns me into Willie the Janitor...?-: ]

SDV doesn't start for two days. I had no issues with digital channels. This sounds like bull pucky to me. By your location I know you do not have SDV, and you are on SARA software.

Someone deleting digital cable from your services, that seems more likely the answer. Why they picked on you, lord only knows. But a normal CSR should have been able to spot that without you calling the tech.

See the problem is that CSR's know there is something called "TiVo" and cable cards out there but they are clueless as to what it is they do, like the idiot I spoke to that told me "you have to have one of our digital boxes to receive HD." Yeah, right what do you think cable cards do then?

Edit: Technically speaking that guy was right about cable being digital after 100, any analog channels are just mirror channels.

I just checked the 4250 to see if in fact SDV has been active in ex Adelphia land. It doesn't appear to be. Box still shows ready but no activity going on STOHD.

See the problem is that CSR's know there is something called "TiVo" and cable cards out there but they are clueless as to what it is they do, like the idiot I spoke to that told me "you have to have one of our digital boxes to receive HD." Yeah, right what do you think cable cards do then?



Did you tell him: "your boxes have the same cable cards as my Tivo in them"? :p:p:p:p:p

What a clueless fool!! Even their own equipment now has cable cards. The box does nothing, the cable cards do it! :D:D

Did you tell him: "your boxes have the same cable cards as my Tivo in them"? :p:p:p:p:p

What a clueless fool!! Even their own equipment now has cable cards. The box does nothing, the cable cards do it! :D:D

As soon as he said that I asked to speak to another representative. He happily dumped me back into the que.

Yeah, all things considered, it does have decent PQ. Although most of the programming seems rather lame (Mr.Ed???) I think the concept makes sense for all parties. OTA Viewers get a bit more choice, local stations have more content to offer and sell ad space for, and the source (MGM) gets to dust off their old crap and squeeze a few more $$$ out of old shows and movies.

It's kinda like a syndicated nat'l network. Let's hope other studios and content owners follow suit and we might actually have *decent* sub-channel programming instead of the worthless weather subs. :D

There is one program missing from This TV that is seen on virtually every other cable network and OTA station: PAID PROGRAMMING!

Kudos to THIS TV for providing a unique schedule that is 24/7 of ENTERTAINMENT!

Well I hope they don't find the guy that does the Sham Wow stuff. I wonder where they found him? Call now cause I can't do this all day. Hey camera guy. The Germans make good stuff.
JJK

I like the idea of the broadband amp. Recommend one? Maybe from here (http://www.starkelectronic.com/allmatv.htm)? Since I'm not having issues w/ the 26" or any other digital channels on the 46", I'm assuming I don't need a pre-amp, correct?

Also, I will try your other recommendations first. Thanks!

Joe, there are generally two causes of DTV reception failures - inadequate signal-to-noise ratio and multipath reflections. Inadequate signal is easier to fix - just stick an amp between the antenna and the receiver. Multipath interference requires a (more) directional antenna to correct it. The receiver that's having trouble with some channels could be from either cause. Tuners that are older than 5th Generation have more trouble coping with multipath interference, as the algorithims for cancelling out the reflections aren't as good.

At any rate I'm hoping that it's just low signal level. The 8db 4-port amp looks like a good compromise between bandwidth, gain and number of outputs.

Good luck!

That's another question that I don't think anyone answered and is still on my mind for the OTA buffs here: Would I see a notable improvement by adding a balun between my antenna and the coax line feeding my tv? So far it's just been the center conductor of the coax crudely spliced together with the 300ohm balanced feed coming off the antenna. And while the coax being used is fairly long (has to reach from the far end of the attic to the opposite end of the house and down two flights of stairs to the tv), I never got much better a signal than my crude 4ft coax with the end stripped as a coat hanger-ish antenna. Maybe 5% signal improvement tops even trying to pull in distant/weak stations like 33/WYTV or 45/WNEO.

Got the games to work on my "new" SA box. They won't show up on the motos in ex-Comcast land.

Got the games to work on my "new" SA box. They won't show up on the motos in ex-Comcast land.

And you wonder if you should switch out those motos?

That's another question that I don't think anyone answered and is still on my mind for the OTA buffs here: Would I see a notable improvement by adding a balun between my antenna and the coax line feeding my tv? So far it's just been the center conductor of the coax crudely spliced together with the 300ohm balanced feed coming off the antenna. And while the coax being used is fairly long (has to reach from the far end of the attic to the opposite end of the house and down two flights of stairs to the tv), I never got much better a signal than my crude 4ft coax with the end stripped as a coat hanger-ish antenna. Maybe 5% signal improvement tops even trying to pull in distant/weak stations like 33/WYTV or 45/WNEO.

It couldn't hurt. Eliminating any impedance bumps in the downlead can result in reduced return-loss reflections, meaning more energy delivered to the set.

There is one program missing from This TV that is seen on virtually every other cable network and OTA station: PAID PROGRAMMING!

Kudos to THIS TV for providing a unique schedule that is 24/7 of ENTERTAINMENT!

I haven't watched it enough to notice, but that is good news.

I really think Look TV is proving there is an opportunity for any broadcaster (or wanna be) to become their own nationally syndicated network utilizing the now available sub-ch's in OTA-DTV.

We'll see if it all works out and lets hope they can sell the ad space (nationally and locally) to make it financially viable going forward. I'll bet if it is even reasonably successful we'll see some more pop up down the road. Ex: I'd bet networks like TBS and USA would jump at the opportunity to be on OTA nationally.

We'll see if it all works out and lets hope they can sell the ad space (nationally and locally) to make it financially viable going forward. I'll bet if it is even reasonably successful we'll see some more pop up down the road. Ex: I'd bet networks like TBS and USA would jump at the opportunity to be on OTA nationally.

I don't think so.

Really this is no more then what cable channel TVLand has done for years, repackaging old shows. True, HD format but I don't see it as being the "trend" because channels like this get money from cable on top of advertising.

TBS and USA OTA nationally? Well, TBS started out as WTBS then went off the air completely. Why do you suppose they did that? And USA is owned by NBC so I can guarantee that it will stay an exclusive cable network. You could say the same thing about ESPN and you know that will never happen.

I don't believe any longer that the majority of houses still receive just OTA. I have nothing to support this statement but it seems everybody you run into has either satellite or cable.

I'm all in favor of OTA people getting all the programming they can get with this technology, but I think "quality" is subject to debate when we look at what this channel offers. The classic movies? Absolutely. Mr. Ed?

Ohhhhhhh Wilber!:)

I don't think so.

Really this is no more then what cable channel TVLand has done for years, repackaging old shows. True, HD format but I don't see it as being the "trend" because channels like this get money from cable on top of advertising.

TBS and USA OTA nationally? Well, TBS started out as WTBS then went off the air completely. Why do you suppose they did that? And USA is owned by NBC so I can guarantee that it will stay an exclusive cable network. You could say the same thing about ESPN and you know that will never happen.

I don't believe any longer that the majority of houses still receive just OTA. I have nothing to support this statement but it seems everybody you run into has either satellite or cable.

I'm all in favor of OTA people getting all the programming they can get with this technology, but I think "quality" is subject to debate when we look at what this channel offers. The classic movies? Absolutely. Mr. Ed?

Ohhhhhhh Wilber!:)

Yeah, very true. And This TV may well die, who knows.
But your examples of USA and ESPN would be perfect examples of where the big networks could offer some of their non-OTA natl stations via sub-ch's to their affiliates. Anything but the worthless weather subs! Have I mentioned I don't like these???? :D

I have no idea on the number of OTA only viewers remaining, but I am certain it is in the millions. My OTA usage is very little these days as I now get all the locals in HD via cable (save the subs). I only went OTA a few years ago cuz WOW Cable was then only offering the locals (and not WBNX or PBS) in HD plus a couple other stations like TBS and USA (I think). But for the $6 per month to get those lowly few ch's in HD plus a few more $$ to rent an HD PVR just did not make sense. So I invested less in an outdoor antenna and a great Digital STB tuner (plus it was a good excuse to buy another toy). :)

I recorded the Dodger game last night using best quality on the digital channel MLB EXTRA INNINGS. A 4 hour broadcast took 4.52 GB of space on my hard drive, compared to 1 hour of analog (Rescue Me) 3.59 GB.

But just to show that digital doesn't always mean better, the quality of the baseball game(lower number best) showed a whopping .89. That is extremely poor, out of my 83 recordings I don't have a single show with a quality even reaching .30. Rescue me came in at .28 and you can compare that to Law & Order SVU which came in at .21 on WKYC HD.

Amazingly very high in the quality is Smallville WBNX HD at just .13 and also amazing Saving Grace TNTHD at .15. Lost, Life on Mars WEWS HD not so surprisingly show an excellent .14

That's another question that I don't think anyone answered and is still on my mind for the OTA buffs here: Would I see a notable improvement by adding a balun between my antenna and the coax line feeding my tv? So far it's just been the center conductor of the coax crudely spliced together with the 300ohm balanced feed coming off the antenna. And while the coax being used is fairly long (has to reach from the far end of the attic to the opposite end of the house and down two flights of stairs to the tv), I never got much better a signal than my crude 4ft coax with the end stripped as a coat hanger-ish antenna. Maybe 5% signal improvement tops even trying to pull in distant/weak stations like 33/WYTV or 45/WNEO.

Vchat, I am curious as to why you call 45/WNEO a distant/weak station.. they are at 500 kW and have a huge coverage area :

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1274459.html

I have to agree with Hookbill. TV is not moving towards the direction of OTA, especially since viewers are moving towards cable. Cable offers series development with better budgets(in some cases) and almost always more 'freedom' with language and content(think Rescue Me on F/X vs. FOX). And with HD now, subchannels seem even less possible. For example, I could get USA OTA as an add on channel, xx-3 for free, but I'd still rather pay for a TV service that gives it to me in HD.

I have to agree with Hookbill. TV is not moving towards the direction of OTA, especially since viewers are moving towards cable. Cable offers series development with better budgets(in some cases) and almost always more 'freedom' with language and content(think Rescue Me on F/X vs. FOX). And with HD now, subchannels seem even less possible. For example, I could get USA OTA as an add on channel, xx-3 for free, but I'd still rather pay for a TV service that gives it to me in HD.

Oh I agree OTA is a shrinking market, to be sure. But with millions of viewers still using solely OTA it seems like a rather simple way for network owned cable/sat ch's to reach a wider audience. The affiliates already receive the natl feeds via sat, the networks already send the natl feeds via sat (for rebroadcast via OTA, cable, sat) so I'd guess they could piggyback another feed like a USA ch. Then the locals get more use out of their available sub ch's.

Independents like 43 & 55 would have to get additional feeds from a third party, like the MGM This TV "network".

I know *nothing* about broadcasting or the technicalities involved to do this, but if lowly little WUAB 43 can pull it off certainly the networks and their affiliates could do the same.

I'm a cable TV fan and couldn't go without the broad selection of ch's I have now.
If for no other reason: more competition to keep the sat/cable operators on their toes.
Just thinking outside the "box"...get it? :D

And you wonder if you should switch out those motos?

You would think. I tried recording a game on that SA box last night and of course it didn't work. Isn't this your biggest complaint about these boxes?

You would think. I tried recording a game on that SA box last night and of course it didn't work. Isn't this your biggest complaint about these boxes?

Yes, it is. Welcome to the wonderful world of SA.:rolleyes:

You would think. I tried recording a game on that SA box last night and of course it didn't work. Isn't this your biggest complaint about these boxes?

Is the box authorized for service?

Do you subscribe to DVR service?

Is the box 'bricked'? I had this problem after a software download, the DVR functions were not downloaded/activated, so I had to call TWC. That might be the case. Quit blaming the box. The box is just a box.

Cable card issue?

Is the box authorized for service?

Do you subscribe to DVR service?

Is the box 'bricked'? I had this problem after a software download, the DVR functions were not downloaded/activated, so I had to call TWC. That might be the case. Quit blaming the box. The box is just a box.

Cable card issue?

nickdawg, don't make excuses. If he didn't have DVR service how would it OK a recording, and if it does do that then that's a problem in itself. And this is an SA 8300, no cable cards in it. He doesn't have the HDC''.

He's just experiencing what many, many people have experienced with this unit.

Jeanie called me today to check if everything was okay, so that's a nice touch.

As to whether additional sub-channels could be viable, this approach has been pretty successful in the UK on the DVB-T Freeview platform, where there are about 20 additional national clear OTA (digital SD) channels. OTOH there is less cable, more satellite, more public TV, and less HD there, so the market is somewhat different.

I would think with some of the newer encoding/modulation technologies (H.264, MPEG4, QPSK) it should be possible to put more than one HD channel on a single UHF carrier.

The balun should make a huge difference. If it doesnt there is something wrong with the antenna or the coax.

Why isn't last night's Rescue Me on HD On Demand yet? There is a F/X category with several movies and episodes of Damages, but still no Rescue Me. Will it ever be on this channel? They have posted Nip/Tuck and Damages episodes in the past, why not Rescue Me? Or do I have to wait until after May 26, 2009(when F/X HD is added)?

Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 3:35PM.

To whom it may concern at WEWS TV in technical/engineering department, take a look at what is being broadcast on WEWS HD, this is the correct way to broadcast a digital TV channel. Notice that the edge of the picture touches both the top and bottom of the picture on 4:3 content and 16:9 full screen content. Notice that there is NOT a 3/4 inch BLACK BAR at the bottom of the screen(as there has been the past few weeks). Please keep it this way. I have not found one other HDTV channel(or even a SDTV channel) that consistently broadcasts with 3/4 inch of unnecessary black space at the bottom of the screen only. Thank you for finally fixing this problem and I hope it stays fixed this time.

-A Satisfied Viewer

Tomorrow is suppose to be the start of SDV in SARA land. If in fact it does start tomorrow as scheduled, and I hope it does I can check out my equipment and make sure everything is running properly. If it is, I'm going to order MLB Extra Innings, even though I feel we are getting ripped off.

I sent TW an email complaining about the no HD on a premium service. TW's response? No plans to add, however email will be added to requests, blah blah blah.

My brother is watching the free preview and he saw it in HD in friggen Nashville TN. But here in Cleveland we get the shaft.

Sorry about that but nickdawgs crying and whining put me in a mood.:p

Wait, what? You mean all 10 or 15 of the MLB channels in HDTV?

LMAO! :D:D:D:D:D

Those better not be coming until 2010, after all the other WATCHABLE, REGULAR HDTV channels have been added to the lineup.

Wait, what? You mean all 10 or 15 of the MLB channels in HDTV?

LMAO! :D:D:D:D:D

Those better not be coming until 2010, after all the other WATCHABLE, REGULAR HDTV channels have been added to the lineup.

Nope, it doesn't work like that.

If you tune to MLB Extra innings now, any channel that has a schedule up you will see game channels, like 11, 12 etc. All the other areas also have a HD channel. On this ONE channel is where the HD games appear, i.e. the last night the Dodgers were on channel 12 = 752 and also on the HD channel that we don't get.

Don't worry nickdawg I'm not trying to steal all the bandwith. I'm just asking for 1 channel, just like all the other premium channels give.;)

Nope, it doesn't work like that.

If you tune to MLB Extra innings now, any channel that has a schedule up you will see game channels, like 11, 12 etc. All the other areas also have a HD channel. On this ONE channel is where the HD games appear, i.e. the last night the Dodgers were on channel 12 = 752 and also on the HD channel that we don't get.

Don't worry nickdawg I'm not trying to steal all the bandwith. I'm just asking for 1 channel, just like all the other premium channels give.;)

Ahhh, I see. I'm clueless, didn't even know this thing was free this week! Thanks for "thinking like I think, TWC"!! :p:p:p

One channel for HD works. And now I agree with you(again). Why don't they have a MLB HD channel, especially when we have TWO non-existent FSN HD channels.

I was getting worried that TWC was going to make that '100 HD channel' quota by stacking the deck with crap(as D* and E* both did). I was worried about seeing "Showtime 10 West" in HD before some real, basic cable channels.

EDIT: Plus I am very, very irritated with this company. I've even considered diving head first into the unknown world of "AT&T Advanced TV" as an alternative to TWC. :mad::mad::mad: My BS tank is about at maximum full.

Yeah. I have DVR capability and have been using one for the past 3 years.I was able to record everything so far this week without issues, even a couple of series. It just failed to get the game last night.

I'll let you know what happens tonight. Same time and same channel scheduled.

Ahhh, I see. I'm clueless, didn't even know this thing was free this week! Thanks for "thinking like I think, TWC"!! :p:p:p

One channel for HD works. And now I agree with you(again). Why don't they have a MLB HD channel, especially when we have TWO non-existent FSN HD channels.

I was getting worried that TWC was going to make that '100 HD channel' quota by stacking the deck with crap(as D* and E* both did). I was worried about seeing "Showtime 10 West" in HD before some real, basic cable channels.

EDIT: Plus I am very, very irritated with this company. I've even considered diving head first into the unknown world of "AT&T Advanced TV" as an alternative to TWC. :mad::mad::mad: My BS tank is about at maximum full.

You do realize that with their "Advanced" tv you can only record/watch 1 HD show at a time.

Also are you sure you're in an area that has it? Is there an ugly box somewhere in your neighborhood? If there isn't you ain't getting it.

Keep in mind that AT&T and TW were the powers that pushed that law through to make it possible for Advanced Television. AT&T is also very evil.

Back to the baseball thing they reminded me the MLB Net is going to be in HD at the end of the month. Yes, and that's good but it still isn't giving us what everybody else is getting for subscribing to Extra Innings. And they are charging the same price.

Yeah. I have DVR capability and have been using one for the past 3 years.I was able to record everything so far this week without issues, even a couple of series. It just failed to get the game last night.

I'll let you know what happens tonight. Same time and same channel scheduled.

That's problem, you never know. If you record a lot like I do then your chances of missing programming being recorded increase. Also don't put an eSATA on it, that really causes it to screw up.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 3:35PM.

To whom it may concern at WEWS TV in technical/engineering department, take a look at what is being broadcast on WEWS HD, this is the correct way to broadcast a digital TV channel. Notice that the edge of the picture touches both the top and bottom of the picture on 4:3 content and 16:9 full screen content. Notice that there is NOT a 3/4 inch BLACK BAR at the bottom of the screen(as there has been the past few weeks). Please keep it this way. I have not found one other HDTV channel(or even a SDTV channel) that consistently broadcasts with 3/4 inch of unnecessary black space at the bottom of the screen only. Thank you for finally fixing this problem and I hope it stays fixed this time.

-A Satisfied Viewer
The ONLY time I saw WEWS have a picture that touches the bottom is when they put up a crawling message. It my be at the bottom of your screen, but whenever I do the "gray bar" test on my set-up WEWS still has the black bar. It may not be as large as it once was, bit it was still there last time I checked.

That's another question that I don't think anyone answered and is still on my mind for the OTA buffs here: Would I see a notable improvement by adding a balun between my antenna and the coax line feeding my tv? So far it's just been the center conductor of the coax crudely spliced together with the 300ohm balanced feed coming off the antenna. And while the coax being used is fairly long (has to reach from the far end of the attic to the opposite end of the house and down two flights of stairs to the tv), I never got much better a signal than my crude 4ft coax with the end stripped as a coat hanger-ish antenna. Maybe 5% signal improvement tops even trying to pull in distant/weak stations like 33/WYTV or 45/WNEO.
No balun :eek:
You ask for trouble if you leave bare coax exposed. The whole idea of coax to shield the conductor from interference. You risk "ingress" from unwanted signals (i.e. multipath, the kiss of death for digital) and egress (loss of the desired signal by transmitting part of the signal back over the air that otherwise would go to your receiver).

Just be sure that the balun is rated for the antena you use. Some baluns are VHF only. You want to be sure it can handle both VHF and UHF ( rated to at least 700 mhz.)

Vchat, I am curious as to why you call 45/WNEO a distant/weak station.. they are at 500 kW and have a huge coverage area :

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1274459.html

Actually, it was mostly in comparison to what I am getting now. With my current setup and the distance to the transmitter, it is a distant station at least for me. Though I have to say it has greatly improved since they bumped the Tx power. Went from not getting any signal whatsoever and sometimes not picking it up on a channel scan to now getting around 45-50% signal. But it's still well under par to keep dropouts at bay.

No balun :eek:
You ask for trouble if you leave bare coax exposed. The whole idea of coax to shield the conductor from interference. You risk "ingress" from unwanted signals (i.e. multipath, the kiss of death for digital) and egress (loss of the desired signal by transmitting part of the signal back over the air that otherwise would go to your receiver).

Just be sure that the balun is rated for the antena you use. Some baluns are VHF only. You want to be sure it can handle both VHF and UHF ( rated to at least 700 mhz.)

*nod* That's what I was kinda hoping. I just need to get my butt down to the local ratshack and pick one up along with some F connectors to crimp back onto this cable.

That's problem, you never know. If you record a lot like I do then your chances of missing programming being recorded increase. Also don't put an eSATA on it, that really causes it to screw up.

There is also some kind of an eSATA problem with ODN3, which our area has now. Doesn't bother me, as I don't use eSATA. ;)

The ONLY time I saw WEWS have a picture that touches the bottom is when they put up a crawling message. It my be at the bottom of your screen, but whenever I do the "gray bar" test on my set-up WEWS still has the black bar. It may not be as large as it once was, bit it was still there last time I checked.

I checked the "gray bar" on my other TV, it looks OK now. They must have fixed it even more during the day. :D

Keep in mind that AT&T and TW were the powers that pushed that law through to make it possible for Advanced Television. AT&T is also very evil.


IDK, it gets more and more tempting...

# of problems with my AT&T Internet: 0 (ok, technically 1 if you count the time I had to re-enter the modem access code for some reason)

# of problems with TWC: too large to post on screen. :D:D:D:D:D

I started getting all the channels I should get my TA's. They must of flipped a switch some time today.

I started getting all the channels I should get my TA's. They must of flipped a switch some time today.

Interesting. Did you call anybody or just let it slide? You are in TW native. You're already on SDV. SDV starts for SARA areas tomorrow. I'm anxious to see how this plays out.

Interesting. Did you call anybody or just let it slide? You are in TW native. You're already on SDV. SDV starts for SARA areas tomorrow. I'm anxious to see how this plays out.

I called about six times since Friday but gave up. I have a service call for Friday morning I can cancel that now.

Do the channels work?

I have one of their damn boxes and the damn channels don't work.

Maybe I should get a Tivo! :p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p

Do the channels work?

I have one of their damn boxes and the damn channels don't work.

Maybe I should get a Tivo! :p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
You'd just find something about TiVo to complain about.

It is rather ironic isn't it?:)

You'd just find something about TiVo to complain about.

It is rather ironic isn't it?:)

Nope. I said it because I feel like cutting my stay with TWC short, and Tivo would be useless with any other service, other than OTA HDTV. Which is exactly why I'm so against Tivo and their 'lifetime' service contract. :rolleyes:

Nope. I said it because I feel like cutting my stay with TWC short, and Tivo would be useless with any other service, other than OTA HDTV. Which is exactly why I'm so against Tivo and their 'lifetime' service contract. :rolleyes:

I'm not going to debate that although I don't think you fully understand the lifetime offer. Go to AT&T and please let us know how that works out for you.

Well. The recording started at least. After that it was all downhill. Started skipping around. I'm in the first inning for 10 sec. 2nd for a minute. Then the third and fifth. Then frozen. Wow. Sound like a bad hard drive to you guys?

So I flipped to live for the last two innings and I could definitely see what you were saying about picture quality hookbill. Lots of breaking up, both video and a little audio. No wonder it rated so high (low). There's no way I'd pay for this quality if it was like this the whole year (not to mention they don't give us a discount for not having all the HD broadcasts live DirecTV.

If mlb.tv is better than last year and could let me start a game from the beginning an hour or so after it starts (since I'm in class 4 nights a week), that would be the way to go.

Well. The recording started at least. After that it was all downhill. Started skipping around. I'm in the first inning for 10 sec. 2nd for a minute. Then the third and fifth. Then frozen. Wow. Sound like a bad hard drive to you guys?

So I flipped to live for the last two innings and I could definitely see what you were saying about picture quality hookbill. Lots of breaking up, both video and a little audio. No wonder it rated so high (low). There's no way I'd pay for this quality if it was like this the whole year (not to mention they don't give us a discount for not having all the HD broadcasts live DirecTV.

If mlb.tv is better than last year and could let me start a game from the beginning an hour or so after it starts (since I'm in class 4 nights a week), that would be the way to go.

Do you have SDV?

I'm not going to debate that although I don't think you fully understand the lifetime offer. Go to AT&T and please let us know how that works out for you.

I have to agree. And this coming from someone who is perfectly happy with his Navgator box (*gasp*). At this point in time for subscription tv services, you either have 'the traditional cable company', AT&T's Uverse garbage, FiOS (I'm not sure if they've went full IPTV yet or are still using classic QAM services. In the latter case, Tivo is usable just the same as TWC, Comcast, or their ilk.), or Satellite.

AT&T is pretty much a non starter unless you are REALLY desperate or just retarded. Unless FiOS goes full IPTV, the current generation of Tivos are capable of being used on either FiOS or current cable company offerings just as easily. Satellite is obviously out of the game, BUT (and this is a huge BUT and more theorhetical than anything) if DirecTV or Dish bring out their PC tuner offerings for media center devices (DirecTV's is usb based, Dish's looks to be a classic VIP DVR but act like a Homerun box through the LAN), Tivo has the possibility of adding Sat support with the current HD boxes (if they support mpeg4. I forget if the newest models do or not. If not, I'm sure they have one in the works).

Tivo's lifetime service package is actually a good deal unless you are like nickdawg here who has a major vendetta against the cablecos or your only option is Satellite service out in the boonies. You can take your Tivo to any cableco and it'll work (for the most part barring any stupidities.) so you could move like 12 times in a year and still keep your box, the recordings, season recordings, various settings, etc..

I've said it before: I'd LOVE to get a Tivo and get rid of these nasty boxes. But my current budget isn't anywhere NEAR forgiving enough for the ~$200 purchase and either an extra monthly fee or another $100 or so for the lifetime sub. And a somewhat lesser issue being the lack of proprietary features like the Caller ID (though I'm sure the Tivo is capable, TWC's offering is just different enough from a technical standpoint to not be the same thing), VOD, PPV, and possibly future applications they decide to add on.

In reality though, I'd chop off an arm and a leg and my left nut to have a Windows 7 based Media Center with digital cable and SDV working, but that literally costs an arm and a leg anyways (considering the asses at Cablelabs have required you to buy a pre-built ~$2000 box from the likes of HP or Dell to be able to use a cablecard. No homebuilt media centers.)

Do you have SDV?

I doubt it, but I can always check for it. On what page of the diagnostic would I find that?

I doubt it, but I can always check for it. On what page of the diagnostic would I find that?

Is it a SA box with Navigator?

If so, hold the select button on the remote until the (envelope) light on the front panel blinks. When the envelope light is blinking, press the arrow down button. Use Page +/- to change pages until you find one that says Switch Digital Video. I believe it is Page 7 on ODN.

Also, one little tidbit I read on the new Samsung boxes at least it is stated on the website is that you can upload new software to the box through a USB flash drive. VERY ponderous. Now we just need someone who is smart enough to write something for it that works with the OCAP system. If it's really possible that way, it would be /EPIC/. I would love to see a tru2way OS project on sourceforge someday full with CVS access and GPL licensing.

Though with our luck, we can kiss that idea goodbye. :p

I have to agree. And this coming from someone who is perfectly happy with his Navgator box (*gasp*). At this point in time for subscription tv services, you either have 'the traditional cable company', AT&T's Uverse garbage, FiOS (I'm not sure if they've went full IPTV yet or are still using classic QAM services. In the latter case, Tivo is usable just the same as TWC, Comcast, or their ilk.), or Satellite.

AT&T is pretty much a non starter unless you are REALLY desperate or just retarded. Unless FiOS goes full IPTV, the current generation of Tivos are capable of being used on either FiOS or current cable company offerings just as easily. Satellite is obviously out of the game, BUT (and this is a huge BUT and more theorhetical than anything) if DirecTV or Dish bring out their PC tuner offerings for media center devices (DirecTV's is usb based, Dish's looks to be a classic VIP DVR but act like a Homerun box through the LAN), Tivo has the possibility of adding Sat support with the current HD boxes (if they support mpeg4. I forget if the newest models do or not. If not, I'm sure they have one in the works).

Tivo's lifetime service package is actually a good deal unless you are like nickdawg here who has a major vendetta against the cablecos or your only option is Satellite service out in the boonies. You can take your Tivo to any cableco and it'll work (for the most part barring any stupidities.) so you could move like 12 times in a year and still keep your box, the recordings, season recordings, various settings, etc..

I've said it before: I'd LOVE to get a Tivo and get rid of these nasty boxes. But my current budget isn't anywhere NEAR forgiving enough for the ~$200 purchase and either an extra monthly fee or another $100 or so for the lifetime sub. And a somewhat lesser issue being the lack of proprietary features like the Caller ID (though I'm sure the Tivo is capable, TWC's offering is just different enough from a technical standpoint to not be the same thing), VOD, PPV, and possibly future applications they decide to add on.

In reality though, I'd chop off an arm and a leg and my left nut to have a Windows 7 based Media Center with digital cable and SDV working, but that literally costs an arm and a leg anyways (considering the asses at Cablelabs have required you to buy a pre-built ~$2000 box from the likes of HP or Dell to be able to use a cablecard. No homebuilt media centers.)

FWIW there is no way that cable can beat TiVo's VOD. Netflix alone would do it but add Amazon on demand and there is far more choice then cable.

I doubt TiVo will ever have caller iid.

Is it a SA box with Navigator?

If so, hold the select button on the remote until the (envelope) light on the front panel blinks. When the envelope light is blinking, press the arrow down button. Use Page +/- to change pages until you find one that says Switch Digital Video. I believe it is Page 7 on ODN.

CRAP! It's Page 8. I was almost there! ;) Page 5 is where you can determine if a channel is SDV too, usually the channel name has "SDV" in it.

FWIW there is no way that cable can beat TiVo's VOD. Netflix alone would do it but add Amazon on demand and there is far more choice then cable.

I doubt TiVo will ever have caller iid.

FWIW, Tivo has had caller ID for some time in certain forms. Didn't the original boxes have it through the integrated modem? Do the newest models still have that connection? There's also third party apps that do caller ID over the LAN (In particular there is one called YAC: http://sunflowerhead.com/software/yac/ where you have one 'server' on a windows machine hooked up to a phone line and then it distributes it to other windows machines with the software and there's also a Tivo app for it.)

Yeah, I have no doubt Tivo's VOD offerings can beat out cable's in a landslide. And if they can add support for Youtube's HQ and HD videos, even moreso. But there are still some things (although few and far between) that are on TWC's VOD selection that I doubt Tivo's offerings can match.

Does Tivo have anything like game apps like card games, puzzle games, simple stuff like that? Probably a stupid feature to some, but something that I actually miss from Passport that -hopefully- Navigator will get back sometime soon.

Also, one little tidbit I read on the new Samsung boxes at least it is stated on the website is that you can upload new software to the box through a USB flash drive. VERY ponderous. Now we just need someone who is smart enough to write something for it that works with the OCAP system. If it's really possible that way, it would be /EPIC/. I would love to see a tru2way OS project on sourceforge someday full with CVS access and GPL licensing.

Though with our luck, we can kiss that idea goodbye. :p

I have no doubt that some people right here on this site could write a better program than TWC's Navigator or SARA or Passport.

I'd like to order MY software: something that LOOKS like SARA but WORKS like Tivo. That way it's super fast without all the bells and whistles of fancy looking menus. :cool:

FWIW there is no way that cable can beat TiVo's VOD. Netflix alone would do it but add Amazon on demand and there is far more choice then cable.

I doubt TiVo will ever have caller iid.

Doesn't Tivo have a phone input for software/program guide downloads? If it does, then there should be an on-screen caller ID. Even the D* box I had in 2002 had that option. Except I don't have caller id.

And TWC's proprietary POS is another thing I hold against them. :mad:

Well. The recording started at least. After that it was all downhill. Started skipping around. I'm in the first inning for 10 sec. 2nd for a minute. Then the third and fifth. Then frozen. Wow. Sound like a bad hard drive to you guys?

So I flipped to live for the last two innings and I could definitely see what you were saying about picture quality hookbill. Lots of breaking up, both video and a little audio. No wonder it rated so high (low). There's no way I'd pay for this quality if it was like this the whole year (not to mention they don't give us a discount for not having all the HD broadcasts live DirecTV.

If mlb.tv is better than last year and could let me start a game from the beginning an hour or so after it starts (since I'm in class 4 nights a week), that would be the way to go.
I'm not trying to ki k the SA8300 but what I saw delivered by tivo did not have the symptoms you described. That is typical of what I saw with SA8300, SARA.

Well, from all the crap I can see in there, I think I can at least understand that the software version is think it was 2.4 something MDN (I assume that's different than ODN). The number at the top said 6.4 something. Is there any place where it'll just flat out tell me if it's SARA or Navigator or Passport without rebooting the whole box?

I have a switched digital broadcast page that is 21 of 28. Remember I'm in Avon Lake (old comcast area with i think lots of bandwidth). I'm having no issues getting STOHD if that helps you.

So I think I figured it out. Little more research leads me to thinking MDN means Navigator. Ok, so where do I go from there?

Well, from all the crap I can see in there, I think I can at least understand that the software version is think it was 2.4 something MDN (I assume that's different than ODN). The number at the top said 6.4 something. Is there any place where it'll just flat out tell me if it's SARA or Navigator or Passport without rebooting the whole box?

I have a switched digital broadcast page that is 21 of 28. Remember I'm in Avon Lake (old comcast area with i think lots of bandwidth). I'm having no issues getting STOHD if that helps you.

If it says MDN, that means you have Navigator(and should have SDV already). The current version is 2.4.4-16 (which is the same version I have).

Because it says MDN, that means you have Navigator, and it is a non-cable card box. MDN = Mystro Digital Navigator, the version for existing boxes.

I would try rebooting the box anyway. Then re-check those baseball channels and try another recording. It might be a correctable box error. If not, it might be a SDV problem, like the one I had. In that case, I have no clue what is causing it.

Coaster let's keep it simple. Do you have a real ugly purple guide? That's SARA.

Looks like this. Just haven't stretched it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=138713&d=1238799097

And yes. I stole this from Time Warner Navigator Thread.

Chat tivo has never had caller I'd.

Your point on VOD goes without question as a cable advantage.

Actually, when doing comparisons maybe you can use my post back here for visual confirmation: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16173908&postcount=18162

Coaster: If you can tell us which guide you have inside that post, it'd be great.

Looks like this. Just haven't stretched it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=138713&d=1238799097

And yes. I stole this from Time Warner Navigator Thread.

Ok. That's a good start. Now what model is your box? Does the model number have an HDC on the end or just HD?

Definetly like these ones. Running an 8300HD.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15115064&postcount=6046

But my diagnostic screen looks different and there is 28 pages to it.

Looking through those, are you guys saying you didn't have the ability to prioritize your recorded series?

Actually, when doing comparisons maybe you can use my post back here for visual confirmation: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16173908&postcount=18162

Coaster: If you can tell us which guide you have inside that post, it'd be great.

Also, just an update I added screenshots directly in the post for both ODN v2 and ODN v3 so you can compare between SARA, Passport, Passport Echo, ODN2, and ODN3.

Looks like this. Just haven't stretched it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=138713&d=1238799097

And yes. I stole this from Time Warner Navigator Thread.

Actually, that's not stretched by the user. That's how the new Sammy outputs the Navigator UI. It has the capabilities for a true 16:9 guide, but TWC's "new" antiquated software isn't capable of that. So somewhere in the mix, the Samsung DVRs output a horizontally stretched UI.

Definetly like these ones. Running an 8300HD.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15115064&postcount=6046

But my diagnostic screen looks different and there is 28 pages to it.

Looking through those, are you guys saying you didn't have the ability to prioritize your recorded series?

The first version of Navigator (again, check my linked post for a screenshot. It's the old one with the unbearable white on blue guide) didn't have series recording priority. The newer version with the black guide does though. This in addition to a handful of other additional features in the update.

Also, just an update I added screenshots directly in the post for both ODN v2 and ODN v3 so you can compare between SARA, Passport, Passport Echo, ODN2, and ODN3.

Definitely closest to ODN v3.

Just for fun since we're comparing guides. This is what I had been looking at for 2 years. Still am looking at this guide on the moto boxes I still have.
http://www.brothersontech.com/files/images/Comcast-Motorola-DCT6412-guide.JPG

It's from this page comparing it to a Series 3. Check out the laughable search method.
http://www.brothersontech.com/blog/brian/tivo-series-3-vs-comcast-motorola-dct6412

Definitely closest to ODN v3.

Just for fun since we're comparing guides. This is what I had been looking at for 2 years. Still am looking at this guide on the moto boxes I still have.
http://www.brothersontech.com/files/images/Comcast-Motorola-DCT6412-guide.JPG

It's from this page comparing it to a Series 3. Check out the laughable search method.
http://www.brothersontech.com/blog/brian/tivo-series-3-vs-comcast-motorola-dct6412

Thanks. I had totally forgotten about Comcast's own guide/IPG being retained in the old Comcast areas. I'll make sure to add that as well.

Anyone know what Adelphia has used for their boxes? Was theirs just SARA?

The search feature on ODN3 is far superior to that Comcast Abomination. So I take it "Comcastic" means "crap-tastic"? :p ;)

I like the search on ODN3. Judging by those photos, it looks like the Tivo fails in the UI with the full screen menus. I prefer the 1/4 video window that all ODN menus have.

Never Again do i want to hear about SARA being 'ugly'.

And if I was you, I'd be in line at TWC tomorrow with three boxes in hand, walking out with three new SA 4250HDC boxes. :D :cool:

Never Again do i want to hear about SARA being 'ugly'.

What do you mean? SARA /IS/ ugly. Just wait till the next time I visit my brother and I'll get you a nice 8MP photo of the SARA guide at 1080i on a 1080p native 52" set. Just make sure you have the barf bag ready. :p

What do you mean? SARA /IS/ ugly. Just wait till the next time I visit my brother and I'll get you a nice 8MP photo of the SARA guide at 1080i on a 1080p native 52" set. Just make sure you have the barf bag ready. :p

Sorry, I'm gonna have nightmares about that Comacast guide for months now! :D

I really do like SARA, it's like the old Passport, which I have always thought was the best. Too bad its not around anymore. :(

Ahh the good old days. Before SDV, before HD, before digital. When the old passport guide and Pioneer boxes just "worked". :):):):) I'd trade everything I have now to go back to those good old days.

<flameon>A Navigator Fan! *gasp*</flameon>

(sigh) (grunt) (moan) (shriek) :(

Before SDV
Eww...
before HD
Double Eww...
before digital
Triple Eww...
When the old passport guide and Pioneer boxes just "worked". :):):):) I'd trade everything I have now to go back to those good old days.
Now this I agree with but not if it meant losing HD, digital, and DVR services. /DEFINITELY/ not getting rid of the DVR capability. They can have it when they pry it out of my cold, dead fingers. :p

Sorry, I'm gonna have nightmares about that Comacast guide for months now! :D

I really do like SARA, it's like the old Passport, which I have always thought was the best. Too bad its not around anymore. :(

Ahh the good old days. Before SDV, before HD, before digital. When the old passport guide and Pioneer boxes just "worked". :):):):) I'd trade everything I have now to go back to those good old days.
You're a trip. After complaining about no SDV now you're complaining that its here

Now this I agree with but not if it meant losing HD, digital, and DVR services. /DEFINITELY/ not getting rid of the DVR capability. They can have it when they pry it out of my cold, dead fingers. :p

They can have it back any time, I'll gladly bring it back chained to the bumper of my car!! :D:D:D:D

And they can have the 4250HDC back, well what's left of it when I'm finished! LOL! :p

I went on a tour of the MLB channels. Two of them were macroblocking like a mofo and one was just "Not Available". And they think this free preview will make me want to buy this service? :eek:

You're a trip. After complaining about no SDV now you're complaining that its here

It's not my fault. The way it was talked about, I thought it was going to be the best thing since sliced bread. In reality, it's equivalent to an enema the size of a garden hose. ;)

I complain so much, so I'll end the day on a positive. At least Discovery HDT still works. I need my daily fix of outrageous design thanks to 'Trading Spaces' (and recording it at 6AM). :D

Getting somewhat back on topic: For someone who knows better what new HD channels are planned in the coming months in TWC territory, is there any signs of the weather channel being added in HD?

(TWC SD seems to be another clear channel here. Probably by coincidence that they have to do a fresh analog to mpeg2 encode at each headend that has it's own star rather than requantising the incoming mpeg2 feeds off the sats and keeping the upstream CC data. Managed to get a clip last night that even looks good on YT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_XzOZeCpk0 Only hoping it stays that way when the HD simulcast rolls around and they start delivering the HD stars.)

Getting somewhat back on topic: For someone who knows better what new HD channels are planned in the coming months in TWC territory, is there any signs of the weather channel being added in HD?

(TWC SD seems to be another clear channel here. Probably by coincidence that they have to do a fresh analog to mpeg2 encode at each headend that has it's own star rather than requantising the incoming mpeg2 feeds off the sats and keeping the upstream CC data. Managed to get a clip last night that even looks good on YT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_XzOZeCpk0 Only hoping it stays that way when the HD simulcast rolls around and they start delivering the HD stars.)

We never got off topic. We were talking about SDV and trying to help a fellow forum member determine why his box was getting crummy recordings. We help step him through to find out he 1. has Navigator software and 2. Has an SA 8300 which is a pos and therefore is not recording as it should.:p

OK, in regards to your questions we know what's coming up for the end of this month and somewhere somebody had posted a list of channels for next month as well which included FX but that is unofficial. I don't recall The Weather Channel being in HD.

Heres' whats upcoming:

On or after April 29, 2009, the following services will be added to Standard HD: Bravo, CNBC, The Learning Channel, Animal Planet, ABC Family,

On or after April 29, 2009 the following services will be added to HD for customers with the digital basic tier: ESPN News and MLB.

Now since you need digital service to get their "free" HD I don't understand the meaning of paragraph two. But that's how it is written.

I've noticed in the commercials TW is saying "Free HD with digital basic" now, probably to eliminate confusion from those who had just analog cable and thought they would get HD. Of course there are still ways around that by either cable card in set which will give you at the very least locals in HD and QAM tuners.

They can have it back any time, I'll gladly bring it back chained to the bumper of my car!! :D:D:D:D

And they can have the 4250HDC back, well what's left of it when I'm finished! LOL! :p

I went on a tour of the MLB channels. Two of them were macroblocking like a mofo and one was just "Not Available". And they think this free preview will make me want to buy this service? :eek:

The "unavailable" one that was probably The Tribe game? That would get blacked out because of STO.

I haven't had any video issues that I can see with MLB Extra Innings. I watched most of the game I recorded the other day and while it looked more analog then digital it didn't have macro blocking or anything of that nature at all. It looked SD, which is what it was. My TiVo will make adjustments for signals that come in poorly like this and that may be why CoasterGuy2 had more problems then I did, quite honestly he is using a device who's hardware is known to have an inferior design to it (SA 8300). It's not all about the software and I wonder if the SA 8300 HDC didn't get better designed hardware?

Anyway you know your problems are related to the outside line. TW is dragging their butts in getting it fixed. Why haven't you played the Fry card? I know it's frustrating but do that first, get it fixed and then fire them.:D

But there is still no sign of life on my 4250.

I went to the SDV carousel and it's showing that there is no activity going on, I had the channel set at STO HD.

I should also be able to tell by accessing the the tuner adapter diagnostic screen on TiVo. I'll keep my eye on it.

I have a quick question since I couldn't find the answer on the TW website. How much does a premium channel like Showtime cost per month, and does it include all the variations of that channel such as HD and On Demand?

Also, if there was an event that I wanted to watch for one evening could I suscribe that channel for one day, cancel, and pay a pro-rated amount, or would I be required to pay for the whole month? Thanks!

No sign of SDV in my corner of ex-Adelphia land yet, though there are sufficiently many diagnostics pumped out by the SDV box it's hard to be sure which to look at (user interface essentially the same from TiVo as to the cablecard).

I'd *love* it if someone could port a half-decent open source software alternative to SA/Moto cableco boxes, such as MythTV or something else Linux-based. DMCA has probably been the main deterrent to people trying this already :-(

I'd also love it if we could get Weather Channel in HD soon - the current picture quality is *shocking*, an HD source squeezed into v low-bandwidth SD digital then delivered by fuzzy analog. Yuk.

No sign of SDV in my corner of ex-Adelphia land yet, though there are sufficiently many diagnostics pumped out by the SDV box it's hard to be sure which to look at (user interface essentially the same from TiVo as to the cablecard).

I'd *love* it if someone could port a half-decent open source software alternative to SA/Moto cableco boxes, such as MythTV or something else Linux-based. DMCA has probably been the main deterrent to people trying this already :-(

I'd also love it if we could get Weather Channel in HD soon - the current picture quality is *shocking*, an HD source squeezed into v low-bandwidth SD digital then delivered by fuzzy analog. Yuk.

It's not that hard to figure out. On the first page of the diagnostic menu go towards the bottom and you will see SDV. Select that, and then go to the SDV Carousel. It's exactly the same as it is on the 4250. And you're right there is nothing going on as of now.

I have a quick question since I couldn't find the answer on the TW website. How much does a premium channel like Showtime cost per month, and does it include all the variations of that channel such as HD and On Demand?

Also, if there was an event that I wanted to watch for one evening could I suscribe that channel for one day, cancel, and pay a pro-rated amount, or would I be required to pay for the whole month? Thanks!

About 10 bucks a month, it has all the Showtime channels plus On Demand.

And you can buy it for one day and cancel the next, they will prorate you for one days service.

Wow, the screen information on the tuner adapter is exactly the same as on the 4250. Here is a shot of the SDV Mini Carousel info followed by a shot of the same screen on the 4250. As you can see no activity is going on (may be a bit blurry, but you can tell. :)

Edit: I forgot to mention This was done on both sets while channel was set to a definite SDV channel, 752 MLB Extra Innings.

About 10 bucks a month, it has all the Showtime channels plus On Demand.

And you can buy it for one day and cancel the next, they will prorate you for one days service.

I agree with this....but ...There may also be a service charge to actually make a change to your service though. So you could get rocked for signing up and again for shutting down.

Ray

I agree with this....but ...There may also be a service charge to actually make a change to your service though. So you could get rocked for signing up and again for shutting down.

Ray

I've never done it for one day but I have cancelled and reordered and I was told there is no additional charges, specifically, even if you cancelled the next day.

Now common sense tells me they wouldn't tolerate you doing it once a week but if you do it just once it shouldn't be a problem.

Originally Posted by ErieMarty View Post
About a week ago I sent Mr Fry an E-Mail asking him about getting Fox Pitt added to our HD Lineup..

Friday I received a letter from Time Warner..(not from Mr Fry but someone who is high up and works for him..not going to mention the persons name).

what the letter said..

We are working towards an agreement with Fox Sports Pittsburgh HD and we are optimistic that we will secure the approval to add the service to our customers in Western PA soon.. While I know it seems like a simple change of programming, like many of the services we carry, the HD service is considered SEPARATE from the Standard Definintion...

So it looks like we are going to get Fox Pittsburgh in HD sometime soon.

The Letter also mention them adding 5 to 7 new HD Stations each month...they included the Stations they are planning on adding through the end of May 2009..

here they are... (not going to include March)

on April 29, 2009

Bravo 466
CNBC 486
TLC 450
Animal Planet 452
ABC Family 460
ESPN News 432
MLB Network 438


now for May 26, 2009 (first time I have seen these mentioned anywhere)

Golf 439
Nat GEO 453
Science 451
FX 478
Fox News 485
CNN 483


So Maybe..Maybe...Time Warner if finally catching up to other TW Systems around this area with their HD Program.

May HD Channels in bold

*snip*I don't recall The Weather Channel being in HD.*snip*
Actually, it's been in HD for a while, whether or not that is what you are referring to. When they had their massive studio change last year it was all for the HD broadcast (why they moved to using the big screens for the visuals rather than the classic green screen method /FOR HD/ I have absolutely no clue. Probably some smartass who thought he was being cute and the two-fries-short-of-a-happy-meal execs went along with it.)

The only thing that isn't HD at this point AFAIK (dunno about specific programming. The live in-studio pieces are in HD as are the in-the-field segments.) is the 'local on the 8s' as this uses proprietary systems at each cable headend (more commonly known as the Intellistars) and the current implementations can only do SD. Word on the street is they are currently working on the HD version but nothing out in the field yet. HD viewers just get the national locals direct from the headquarters so far.

Actually, it's been in HD for a while, whether or not that is what you are referring to.

I was referring to it being on TW in HD.:)

OK, so I'm looking at my TiVo Diagnostic screen and it tells me some very interesting information: Tuning Adapter: Operational Last Status: Ready and finally Channel List Received: Yes

I've never done it for one day but I have cancelled and reordered and I was told there is no additional charges, specifically, even if you cancelled the next day.

Now common sense tells me they wouldn't tolerate you doing it once a week but if you do it just once it shouldn't be a problem.

I may have been thinking Dish Network when I had them They may have had a sevice charge for changes to service. Its good to know you can do this with TWC though.

Ray

I was referring to it being on TW in HD.:)

Ah. Gotcha. But this is known. ;) TW falls behind on this stuff everywhere unless you are in a super-snobby region like LA or Manhattan and then they get the royal treatment. :rolleyes:

At this point I have all the HD channels I need with what we got a couple weeks ago. Out of the channels listed for April and May, about the only one(s) of interest is MAYBE the Science channel and ABC Family only if Whose Line is in HD (which I highly doubt). After that, gimme MSNBC, Cartoon Network (yeah, I know the whole 'no content in HD' argument. Don't gripe at me.), Spike, CMT, and of course TWC above all else. At that point I'd be content with the selection.

Ah. Gotcha. But this is known. ;) TW falls behind on this stuff everywhere unless you are in a super-snobby region like LA or Manhattan and then they get the royal treatment. :rolleyes:


Hold on, bud, you do realize I'm from Los Angeles do you not?;)

Anyway, in other TW news I ordered MLB Extra Innings today and I wanted to pay for the whole thing right now. I have a credit card that I have to use it or lose it because it's got a zero balance and you know what's going on with banks today.

But TW doesn't want me to pay for it. The nice lady who took my order told me I could pay for it but I would lose the discount, translation, 39.00 more. For paying upfront, it cost more.:confused:'

Obviously a system problem but geeze, doesn't anybody pay for something when they order it?

And one other thing. MLB Extra Innings is advertising during the games at a price of 169.00, $30.00 off regular season price if you order by 4/12. TW only charges 160.00. I guess the 9.00 discount is because they don't have any games in HD!:rolleyes:

I checked again today, Rescue Me for 04-07-09 is only available on PTOD (Primetime On Demand) in STANDARD DEFINITION! :mad::mad::mad: Even though there is a category for F/X on HD On Demand, Rescue Me has not been added to that list. Just old episodes of Damages and about three or four movies. :mad: Guess I'm going to start watching Rescue Me midseason, whenever F/X HD shows up. :mad:

Ah. Gotcha. But this is known. ;) TW falls behind on this stuff everywhere unless you are in a super-snobby region like LA or Manhattan and then they get the royal treatment. :rolleyes:

Snobby, or cable theft is a large problem! :p

NYC went all digital to prevent cable theft. Since one incoming cable line can be split almost infinitely and you have buildings with large numbers of people in them, it's a problem. I think it was all channels above local broadcast were put on encrypted digital, which still frees up 60 some analog channels that were used for HD. And no SDV. Lucky bastards! :D

I have a little secret, forget the weather channel!! When you want weather info, tune to channel 372, WKYC Weather Plus. They show weather, all day!! Unlike the weather channel, that seems to be a talk show/documentary channel that rarely shows local weather info. I've completely stopped watching The Weather Channel after being pissed about having to wait through commercials with no weather info on screen bottom and waiting for Local on the 8. WKYC Weather Plus, actually just WKYC Weather, is a weather paradise. No screaming weather people, just maps and forecasts. :D I love it.

I would nickdawg, but I'm a weatherstar/Intellistar nerd. I live for the local on the 8s. :p

They even have a full featured emulator for the old Weatherstar boxes and I've been itching to run it on a machine with tv out and modulate it through the house on an empty cable channel. That way it truly is 24/7 weather and my own choice of music. :D

I would nickdawg, but I'm a weatherstar/Intellistar nerd. I live for the local on the 8s. :p

They even have a full featured emulator for the old Weatherstar boxes and I've been itching to run it on a machine with tv out and modulate it through the house on an empty cable channel. That way it truly is 24/7 weather and my own choice of music. :D

Ahh, I see. I miss the old Weather Channel, from when it was a channel that showed weather. Now it's talk and documentaries. I'm just waiting for the first Weather Channel movie and reality show. Seems to be the way every network is going. Are the old Weatherstar graphics the ones that had the SARA Diagnostics screen fonts? ;)

I checked again today, Rescue Me for 04-07-09 is only available on PTOD (Primetime On Demand) in STANDARD DEFINITION! :mad::mad::mad: Even though there is a category for F/X on HD On Demand, Rescue Me has not been added to that list. Just old episodes of Damages and about three or four movies. :mad: Guess I'm going to start watching Rescue Me midseason, whenever F/X HD shows up. :mad:

Are you out of your mind? You want to miss the first part of the show that hasn't been on for 2 years just because it isn't in HD?

I'll take the SD episodes, and be patient for my HD thank you very much.

Are you out of your mind? You want to miss the first part of the show that hasn't been on for 2 years just because it isn't in HD?

I'll take the SD episodes, and be patient for my HD thank you very much.

I'll take the On Demand versions instead. Commercial free and the digital PQ on the VOD channel is far superior to the regular F/X channel. I took a look at it the other day, it was puke-worthy. :D

I have a little secret, forget the weather channel!! When you want weather info, tune to channel 372, WKYC Weather Plus. They show weather, all day!! Unlike the weather channel, that seems to be a talk show/documentary channel that rarely shows local weather info. I've completely stopped watching The Weather Channel after being pissed about having to wait through commercials with no weather info on screen bottom and waiting for Local on the 8. WKYC Weather Plus, actually just WKYC Weather, is a weather paradise. No screaming weather people, just maps and forecasts. :D I love it.
"Weather Plus" has gone downhill since NBC dropped their part of the package. The local weather persons also are gone :( All that is left is a constant radar screen and their never-ending/in a loop theme music :eek: WYTV out of Youngstown has the same kind of weather channel on 33-3 with the similar looping music. Hearing the looping music over time can make you loopy!:rolleyes::confused: I'm not kidding, there is a psychological affect from hearing the same musical pattern looped ad-nauseam.

Love them or hate them, at least WOIO's weather channel still has live weather persons.

Are the old Weatherstar graphics the ones that had the SARA Diagnostics screen fonts? ;)
Yeah. Pretty much. Here's a couple links:
http://www.taiganet.com/
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=weatherstar+4000+emulator+taiganet&aq=f

What happened? I've been watching "In the Motherhood" and "Samantha Who" recorded from earlier tonight on WEWS. At first, it was HD. Then after the first commercial break it was HD, dropped to SD. Came back to HD right before the commercial break. After the second break, briefly HD and back to SD, where it stayed the rest of the show. I checked WEWHD live (at 10pm) and it is still in SDTV. Something else must be really wrong there. What a shock. :rolleyes:

What happened? I've been watching "In the Motherhood" and "Samantha Who" recorded from earlier tonight on WEWS. At first, it was HD. Then after the first commercial break it was HD, dropped to SD. Came back to HD right before the commercial break. After the second break, briefly HD and back to SD, where it stayed the rest of the show. I checked WEWHD live (at 10pm) and it is still in SDTV. Something else must be really wrong there. What a shock. :rolleyes:
Somebody screwed up. I've seen this many times before it's just some type of technical error from the broadcaster.

Chill, dude.:)

Somebody screwed up. I've seen this many times before it's just some type of technical error from the broadcaster.

Chill, dude.:)

I've seen it before too. But lately it seems they've been very good about not having these types of problems. At the beginning of Samantha Who, there was about 3/4 second of HD before it went back.

I've seen it before too. But lately it seems they've been very good about not having these types of problems. At the beginning of Samantha Who, there was about 3/4 second of HD before it went back.

I agree, we saw this a lot in the last couple of years but not much recently. Still, stuff happens.

.

Love them or hate them, at least WOIO's weather channel still has live weather persons.

That's exactly why I love WKYC. I hate the on-camera meteorologists. I don't need someone telling me all the weather. I turn on WKYC, wait until Akron comes up in the 5 day forecast, take a look at the maps, and move on.

WOIO's channel is far worse than any channel on TV. They interrupt the weather to show COMMERCIALS. That's unforgivable. :cool:

That's exactly why I love WKYC. I hate the on-camera meteorologists. I don't need someone telling me all the weather. I turn on WKYC, wait until Akron comes up in the 5 day forecast, take a look at the maps, and move on.

WOIO's channel is far worse than any channel on TV. They interrupt the weather to show COMMERCIALS. That's unforgivable. :cool:

The nerve of these broadcasters! Making money by selling advertisements! :rolleyes:

The nerve of these broadcasters! Making money by selling advertisements! :rolleyes:

Notice I said WOIO. They're not making money, they're straight up greedy!! They're known for dumping primetime programming for paid programming. Both WUAB and WOIO have done this. Also, they have the most paid programming(other than WVPX or WOAC). They hardly need the extra money made by selling ad space on WOIO-2.

Besides, you already know how I feel about this issue of advertising and 'money making'. ;)

That's exactly why I love WKYC. I hate the on-camera meteorologists. I don't need someone telling me all the weather. I turn on WKYC, wait until Akron comes up in the 5 day forecast, take a look at the maps, and move on.
I can't imagine watching weather on TV. That was fine in the 1970s, but today we've got the internet. You can get accurate weather from any of a dozen sites. And you can get the actual text from the National Weather Service and not have to put up with the "spin" that the local broadcasters do to it.

In case you haven't noticed, they always predict higher highs in the summer, lower lows in the winter, more rain, more snow, more extremes in general whenever possible - just to get people to watch. Sells more advertising, but it doesn't really help if you want an accurate forecast.

I get my weather here:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=44022

or here:
http://www.uswx.com/us/wx/oh/44135/ (be sure you have popups turned off)

Both sites provide direct NWS forecasts and lots of additional info. But there are countless others.

........WOIO's channel is far worse than any channel on TV. They interrupt the weather to show COMMERCIALS. That's unforgivable. :cool:

Capitalist PIGS! :eek:

Capitalist PIGS! :eek:

He's amazing, isn't he?:) Kind of like the guy in that AT&T commercial. He should switch to Advanced TV.

I can't imagine watching weather on TV. That was fine in the 1970s, but today we've got the internet. You can get accurate weather from any of a dozen sites. And you can get the actual text from the National Weather Service and not have to put up with the "spin" that the local broadcasters do to it.................

Completely agree! I don't mind the 8 minute weather "recap" and forecast (read: guesstimate) on the local news, when I bother to watch the local crap.

What I find particularly NUTZ are those that will watch a weather ch (any) for hours on end! After 10 minutes you've seen/heard all they have to say (current and predicted conditions) then it simply repeats.... over.... and over..... and over..........

When I bring this point up to the weather ch fanatics I usually get the response..."well, yeah, but I like to have something in the background while I'm working around the house". Hey, that's cool, I have music playing 24/7 in my home, I can understand that. But why they would choose the same repeated LOOP of info and bad elevator music, from a 400 watt TV which they aren't even really watching, instead of turning on a simple radio is beyond me. :confused::confused::confused:

I'm always amazed at how they can expand 15 seconds of weather into 20 minutes. And how did the school kids waiting for the bus ever survive without knowing the chill index? Humidity index? Rain? Snow? Wind gusts? School closings? We could tell when the schools were closed when the busses never showed up. Then we would go outside and play all day in the snow at -5 below.
JJK

He's amazing, isn't he?:) Kind of like the guy in that AT&T commercial. He should switch to Advanced TV.

Ha! Yes. :)

I love nickdawg and his postings as he has a way with words. I must meet him in person some day.
BTW hook: isn't it your turn to host the Cleveland HDTV AVS-Forum bash this year???