Same email, and no lines tonight. I downloaded clips from both Yes, Dear and CSI:NY and didn't see them. As always, I did not see lines which watching live or recordings from the DVR.

Your eye for HD quality must be better than mine, although, except for CSI, I don't watch the other shows that often. To me, Still Standing and Yes Dear both looked a little better than CSI, but all looked pretty good. Thinking back, they might have been just a little "softer" than I remember, but I've got my 6412 set to 720p, where in the past it's been set to 1080i.

Has anybody seen the new phase 3 model of the Moto 6412 in CO? I've been reading on other forums that this new model has HDMI and USB 2.0 (compared to DVI and USB 1.1).

There isn't any information on Motorola's website but there is info in the Cox Cable 6412 thread.

Any info is appreciated.

I don't know anything about the "phase 3" 6412, but does it really matter? Can't you get an adapter for DVI to HDMI? Also, does the USB port actually do anything?

Tim

I don't know anything about the "phase 3" 6412, but does it really matter? Can't you get an adapter for DVI to HDMI? Also, does the USB port actually do anything?

I guess it would help people who have HDMI ports on their TV's. They do make adapters for HDMI to DVI. If you've got Firewire on your computer, then USB isn't really worth much, but I haven't heard if it's even enabled.

I guess it would help people who have HDMI ports on their TV's. They do make adapters for HDMI to DVI. If you've got Firewire on your computer, then USB isn't really worth much, but I haven't heard if it's even enabled.

I'm getting a TV that only has HDMI ports and I'd rather not have to mess with an adapter since that probably will result in some type of signal loss.

My laptop doesn't have firewire but does have USB 2.0. so once again, does anybody know if/when Comcast has any plans to roll out the phase 3 6412s?

If bought a phase 3 6412 on EBay or somewhere, would it work with Comcast?

Hello all - I'm new to the forum. I haven't yet had time to scan the whole thread (it's quite large) or all of the Denver OTA thread (it's friggin' huge), but I've got the general layout of the HD situation around here now.

Here's my question: I'm in SW Longmont. Is OTA (including the satellite OTA setups) my only option for local HD? Sounds like this is the only area of Boulder county where Comcast doesn't give us HD or VOD. Am I right in thinking this? Is there any info about Comcast providing HD to the Longmont area?

Thanks!

In my regular call to Comcast to bug them about adding HD channels, the CSR mentioned that at least TNT would be available by the end of September. He made it sound like additional movie (Universal??), sports (ESPN2?), and documentary (??) HD channels also being added by that time too, but he didn't really sound confident about that. Also, the OTA thread mentioned that KTVD (UPN) would be broadcasting HD by the end of the year which, if Comcast decided to carry them, would give us all of the locals in HD (maybe not one of the PBS, but I'm not sure if they carry any different content).

KBDI doesn't actually do any HD, so if you're missing that, you wouldn't be missing any local HD.

Thanks dr_mal. I didn't want to offend anyone by not including PBS in my definition of locals.

I'm getting a TV that only has HDMI ports and I'd rather not have to mess with an adapter since that probably will result in some type of signal loss.

It won't. It's a digital signal, and HDMI carries audio and video, whereas DVI carries only the video signal. Converting between the two should cause no signal degradation.

I'm using an HDMI to DVI cable currently from my HD-TiVo, and it looks great (at least on OTA programming). DirecTV's HDTV programming leaves a lot to be desired, which is why I'm scoping out this thread :)

Sorry if this has been asked, but I can't find anything by SEARCHing.

I've currently got DirecTV and the HR10-250 TiVo. I'm happy with its OTA performance (I get all the stations), but DirecTV channels (like HBO, HDNET, etc) are so compressed that they are unwatchable, IMHO.

I'd consider trying Comcast to get better HD, but I need an HD DVR. What kind of HD-DVR, if any, do they offer in the Denver area (I'm in Littleton). Does it have two tuners, and does it have DVI/HDMI output? Is it worth having compared to the HD Tivo? I could live with less functionality if it worked reasonably well, just don't want a sad excuse for a DVR if I jump ship.

Thanks!

That would be the Moto 6412 DVR. It has a 120gb hard drive & two tuners. The latest incarnation of the 6412 is supposed to have HDMI. I personally have had very few problems with mine. The remote comand delay has been been my problem lately. Here's the thread for it. I know you won't go over the whole thread but they have been talking about HDMI lately.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6175219#post6175219

DirecTV's HDTV programming leaves a lot to be desired, which is why I'm scoping out this thread :)

I currently have DirecTV as well but have been doing some comparision shopping. What don't you like about DirecTV's HD programming? I'd love to get the NFL package in HD but I'm more taken by renting a DVR with the possiblity of getting TIVO programming in the future from Comcast.

Thanks CP :) I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Seems like the Moto 6412 has way more than its fair share of bugs. My HR10-250 has been flawless for a year now, and I'd hate to give that up for the problems others are having with the 6412.

Why is it so hard to do HDTV right?

I currently have DirecTV as well but have been doing some comparision shopping. What don't you like about DirecTV's HD programming? I'd love to get the NFL package in HD but I'm more taken by renting a DVR with the possiblity of getting TIVO programming in the future from Comcast.

What I don't like about DirecTV's HDTV programming is the poor quality. HBO-HD is virtually unwatchable, they're throttling it down to 9Mbps - which is half of what it should be.

ESPN-HD looks pretty good tonight, but HBO and HDNET are really, really bad. Last night's boxing on HBO-HD pixelated anytime there was any motion (and that never happens in a boxing match, right?) It wasn't much better than watching streaming video on the Internet.

If DirecTV would just pass through the signal unmolested I'd be happy. As it is, they're downrezzing and recompressing much of the HD programming and it looks pretty bad because of it.

You might check into Comcast to see if they still have the $59/month deal for "switchers." You'll get Digital Silver, HBO, and high-speed Internet for $59. Add $10 for the Motorola 6412 DVR and you've got a great deal for $70 a month. The pricing lasts for a year, which I figure is enough time for DirecTV to work out their MPEG4 system and HD LiL. The cost of Comcast is pretty high without the promo so I might be switching back in January, but I'm saving money in the meantime, don't have anything sunk into an HR10-250, and will get some cash from my upgraded Sony SAT-T60 on eBay.

Thanks CP :) I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Seems like the Moto 6412 has way more than its fair share of bugs. My HR10-250 has been flawless for a year now, and I'd hate to give that up for the problems others are having with the 6412.

I haven't followed that thread, but I can tell you that I don't have many problems with my 6412 and I've had it since they arrived here. Essentially, I have two problems:

1) Remote commands occassionally don't immediately take effect. Usually this clears up pretty quickly, but it sometimes lasts a minute or so.

2) The guide is wrong far too often. For example, Showtime has been relentlessy re-running "Weeds" and they all show up in the guide as new instead of repeats. This makes a series recording (kind of like a Season Pass) pretty worthless. I have to go through and deselect the ones that I've already seen. Also, they had Letterman's Thursday and Friday shows swapped. I almost missed Jennifer Lopez!

The 6412 isn't as good as a TiVo, but it gets the job done. It only holds about 15 hours of HD, but I can live with that. My first TiVo was a 14-hour model.

Tim

Thanks CP :) I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Seems like the Moto 6412 has way more than its fair share of bugs. My HR10-250 has been flawless for a year now, and I'd hate to give that up for the problems others are having with the 6412.

Why is it so hard to do HDTV right?

Remember though. It's a hand full of people taking about a few problems out of thousands of units. Just like any other product on the market there are a few lemons.

As far as the guid, it's OK for me. There is supposed to be a switch to the tivo guid or something better. Also, except for locals, channels up to 99 are still analog. Sometime this winter all channels will be DT.

As far as premium channels and HD. I can't say but repete what I've heard. Comcast does not compress anything. They streem it at the same compression the networks broadcast it at.

The cost of Comcast is pretty high without the promo

I actually did the cost analysis between the two, including Internet service (Qwest DSL right now), and Comcast came to be a little cheaper without the promos. I'm trying to look at my final cost versus the promo cost. My problem is, I don't move into the new house until Jan/Feb so hopefully Comcast will have the TIVO variety of DVR out then.

What HD channels are available via QAM with Denver Comcast? I get all of the 4:3 digital channels starting at 81.6 and up, but the only 16:9 HD I get is CBS on 18.1, NBC on 91.1 & PBS on 91.2. When I ran a channel search on my new HDTV yesterday I thoght I found ABC on 89.1 & WB on 89.2, but now I just get a "channel not available" response when I try to tune to those channels. Is this normal. Where can I find MNF on ABC tonight?!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I don't have a QAM tuner so I can't tell you where to find it, but you should be able to get ABC HD unencrypted. I'm pretty sure the law says that cable companies have to pass the local channels in the clear. If you can't find it, you should call Comcast and ask.

I don't have a QAM tuner so I can't tell you where to find it, but you should be able to get ABC HD unencrypted. I'm pretty sure the law says that cable companies have to pass the local channels in the clear. If you can't find it, you should call Comcast and ask.

Thanks for the reply mayest. As it turns out, there was a problem with the feed in my area at the time. Everything is coming through fine now. BTW, the QAM tuner really delivers a gorgeous picture; better than through the component signal via my MOT DVR. When I get some time I'll try hooking up via MOT DVI to TV HDMI and see if a digital connection looks as good.

Does any know whether Comcast in Denver has the "Gemstar-TV Guide" data on their network? Will video equipment with this feature be able to retrieve it from the "raw" feed?

Thanks in advance!

I knew that switching back to cable would get me someday.. 652 is having problems but Comcast says they are working on it... Guess it will be standard def MNF tonight :mad:

Brian

Guess I should have checked the standard def channel before openeing my mouth -- Problems there also - Is this an ABC issue or a Comcast problem?

Shouldn't this be in the Denver-Comcast thread of the Local HDTV forum?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6230104#post6230104

Probably -- If somebody can move it that would be great! -- Update - The news for channel 7 said that it is their issue so it is a local ABC problem -- Doh

I would hate to be the General Manager for KMGH after tonight. They really fumbled the ball (pun definately intended) with MNF. I got home from work and saw no recording on the 6412, and spent about 20 minutes going 'WTF, no MNF recording?' Started to read the forums and saw the posts, then sent a comment to the GM. Mad? Yes, but I kept it civil and asked for a rebroadcast during an overnight. At least then I can see the game that everyone else will be talking about.

I knew that switching back to cable would get me someday.. 652 is having problems but Comcast says they are working on it... Guess it will be standard def MNF tonight :mad:

Brian
I didn't see the game, but I wonder if anybody is seeing similar problems tonight? Channel 655 is unwatchable, and 653 is pretty bad. All of the HD channels seem to be breaking up at least somewhat.

I don't know if this is just my neighborhood (we've had total outages twice since Saturday night).

Tim

Well, I called Comcast last night after my post. I reported that 655 and 653 were really bad. They hadn't had any other reports about a problem and said that my box was showing everything was just peachy. A little while later, both of those channels (and a couple of others) went totally blank with the message about the channel being available shortly. I don't know if they fixed the problem because I haven't checked today.

I did (not on Comcast, but getting KDVR-DT OTA). Thought it was my HD DirecTiVo going bad :eek:

Boo that it was messed up both on Comcast and OTA.

Yay that is wasn't my TiVo going bad :)

I'm glad its not just me. KDVR is definitely having problems tonight on Comcast. Interesting that its on OTA as well. Has anybody notified them?

I'm glad its not just me. KDVR is definitely having problems tonight on Comcast. Interesting that its on OTA as well. Has anybody notified them?

When you say they messed up, what is happening? Can you still get the channel in SD? Or is the corruption so bad that you can't view it in either SD or HD?

Ski

Are you people on Comcast getting the Bronco game in HD?

When you say they messed up, what is happening? Can you still get the channel in SD? Or is the corruption so bad that you can't view it in either SD or HD?

Ski

The SD channel was fine. This only affected HD. The problem was continuous really bad picture breakups. It was totally unwatchable. I haven't watched 655 in a couple of days, so I don't know if it has been fixed.

I was getting audio drop outs during The West Wing last night. Anyone else?

BTW, the Donkeys game was not in HD.

Even though I wasn't paying close attention, I'm sure I heard audio drops throughout the evening last night on 653. They seemed to be at random intervals, and not too frequent.

I would say these audio drop outs happened 8-12 times during the hour long West Wing. They were brief (a second or so), but certainly annoying.

Are you people on Comcast getting the Bronco game in HD?

I don't see that you got an answer, but the game yesterday was not produced in HD.

Altitude-HD update:

Altitude-HD will be channel 664 on Comcast. 40 HD Avalanche games, 38 HD Nuggets games. They claim that's more than any other regional sportsnet. I'm not sure about that (I think Philly's Comcast Sportsnet does all home games in HD for example), but it's what they told me.

Enjoy!

Thanks. That's the same as last year, when they took the InHD1 spot for Nuggets games. Has anyone told you about any other HD coming to Comcast, or was this just from a discussion with the Altitude folks?

Thanks. That's the same as last year, when they took the InHD1 spot for Nuggets games. Has anyone told you about any other HD coming to Comcast, or was this just from a discussion with the Altitude folks?
This was from the friendly folks at Altitude.

I'd like to know which 40 games they'll have in HD. Might be worth adding a basic Comcast subscription - at least as basic as I can get to get that InHD1 channel.

Are you people on Comcast getting the Bronco game in HD?
The last 2 games I have seen have not been HD at my home and that includes the Monday night game. Pitty they can not let Fox take over if others can not deliver HD as they never seem to have problems with the game they are showing.

The link below shows most of the Avs games that will be in HD:

http://altitude.tv/news/newsDetails.aspx?NID=106

Note that below it says five more will be added also.

The first 10 minutes or so of Lost last night were in HD, but had no sound. It then switched to SD, presumably to address the audio issues. Was this ABC, KMGH or Comcast? There seems to be an increasing numbre of issues lately with the HD channels.

The LOST forum mentions nothing about this, so I'm guessing it was just local (KMGH). There's some discussion about it on the OTA thread. What a pain.

My problems were finally solved today. I had a tech come out and he found that my signal was very low. He took out some old and unnecessary stuff and the signal levels went back up. Still not quite normal, but good enough. Supposedly a line tech will come out and push up the power a bit. I'm happy for now. This was getting worse by the day. I had even lost several of the movie channels by last night.

Anyone else have volume issues with HD and the 6412.

If I'm watching anything in HD....game or show when they go to commerical the volume goes way up. :confused:

I don't notice any difference in volume between HD and SD. That is, the volume goes up when the commercials come on, regardless of "D".

Oh ya....all channels do it, but it is so bad on the HD channels that it is a reflex to reach for the remote to hit mute or drop the volume. :rolleyes:

Oh ya....all channels do it, but it is so bad on the HD channels that it is a reflex to reach for the remote to hit mute or drop the volume. :rolleyes:

I don't have Comcast but with my regular ole SD set, the volume goes way up on commercials. Fox is the worst. And people wonder why I want a DVR?

Same here. The volume level on Comcast HD channel commercials seems almost twice as loud as regular programming. Very irritating. SD channels also have a higher volume during commercials, but not nearly as bad as HD. I wonder if it's the same OTA?

What I've noticed (OTA) is that the HD programming has a much lower volume level than SD programming. The commercials on HD channels seem to be the same volume as on the SD channels - louder than the SD content, but MUCH MUCH louder than the HD content.

Typically, I listen to SD TV at a volume level of about 55 on my receiver. For HD, it's closer to 70. Either way, 45-50 is a comfortable volume level for commercials (when I'm not skipping past them with my TiVo).

Well at least I can take comfort that I'm not alone. :D

Yea it's very nice to watch something that is recorded.....just skip those loud, bad commericals. (hate those stupid Burger King ones)

Does anyone know where I can find a list of the frequencies comcast uses for each Denver local HD station. I have searched these forums and found other cities lists, (called headends?)I am having issues receiving some of the Local HD channels on my QAM tuner and I am thinking of buying a cable amplifier. THe problem is that most of the cable amplifiers I have looked at only support 54mz - 1 GZ. some of the expensive ones go up to 2GZ but i don't want to spend the money if it is not neccessary

I have had the DTC6200 from Comcast for almost 2 years now and it's time to move on to a DVR model. Can anyone tell me what the latest model number I should be asking for off Comcast in the Denver (Westminster) area. Can you change it out at one of their stores or do you need a tech to come out? Any additional cost per month?

Thanks in advance.

I've been interacting with someone over in the RPTV forum that is saying that he can't get HD locals from Comcast in Longmont. Is that possible? I thought that cable cos like Comcast were required to send unencrypted in-the-clear HD channels (such as KMGH-DT, KCNC-DT, KUSA-DT, etc) and can't deny these to anyone so you can pick them up with a QAM-capable cable tuner in newer TVs or an external QAM-capable cable HD receiver like the Samsung 451 or LG 4200. It is certainly like that here in Lafayette. Why would that not be the case in Longmont?

The Comcast cable in Longmont does not carry any HD at all, just digital cable with SD.

The Comcast cable in Longmont does not carry any HD at all, just digital cable with SD.

Mark,

Do you get digital network channels OTA, i.e. KCNC, KUSA, KDVR etc.?

I thought that Comcast were required by law to provide unencrypted in-the-clear HD channels?

roller11 - I only get KDVR and KWGN OTA - I gave up on the others since my best atttempts were laden with breakups and dropouts. I reduced my antenna footprint to a SquareShooter as it handled the two Lookout stations just as well. I'm just waiting for D* at this point. The west side of Longmont and those not shadowed by the hill on the northeast side can receive some or all of the RP stations. The south side of Longmont is shadowed by a ridge, but some are able to receive RP stations with varying degrees of success.

AkaStp - I don't know if it is required that any HD be carried on a cable system. If it is carried, then I believe that it would be required to be unencripted for the OTA channels carried.

Can anyone tell me what the latest model number I should be asking for off Comcast in the Denver (Westminster) area.
The 6412 is the latest version. There's supposedly a Phase III version that has an HDMI input, but I don't know if they have those here. You should be able to exchange it, but you probably should just call Comcast and ask. If you're paying for HD already, I think the DVR is $5/month.

Which make/model of QAM tuner do you have and which local HD channels are you having issues receiving?

I have a Sony KDF55WF655 with built in HD tuner.
I can always get CBS (18.1)
It seems the higher nuber the less chance I have of receiving the channel
Also it seems that if the program is 480p 4:3 Ihave a better chance of tuning the station.
Widescreen 1080i almost never comes in clear on FOX and PBS.

I have a Sony KDF55WF655 with built in HD tuner.
I can always get CBS (18.1)
It seems the higher nuber the less chance I have of receiving the channel
Also it seems that if the program is 480p 4:3 Ihave a better chance of tuning the station.
Widescreen 1080i almost never comes in clear on FOX and PBS.
I cannot guarantee the following information, but I believe it to be correct allocation of cable channels. The Digital is channel consumes some of the associated frequency range:

KCNC-DT (18.1): 144-150 MHz
KMGH-DT (89.1): 612-618 MHz
KWGN-DT (89.2): 612-618 MHz
KDVR-DT (90.1): 618-624 MHz
KUSA-DT (91.1): 624-630 MHz
KMRA-DT (91.2): 624-630 MHz

You might have some kind of splitter in the line that is attenuating the higher frequencies excessively. I had a similar problem in my current residence, but since I subscribe to Comast HDTV package, they found the problem (which was inside a junction box behind a cable jack wall plate) and replaced the bad splitter. This particular thing didn't impact any of the broadcast channels, but did impact HBO-HD, INHD-1, and INHD-2 for me, as well as some other SD channels. The strange thing for was that it worked better at night than during the day.

roller11 - I only get KDVR and KWGN OTA - I gave up on the others since my best atttempts were laden with breakups and dropouts. I reduced my antenna footprint to a SquareShooter as it handled the two Lookout stations just as well. I'm just waiting for D* at this point. The west side of Longmont and those not shadowed by the hill on the northeast side can receive some or all of the RP stations. The south side of Longmont is shadowed by a ridge, but some are able to receive RP stations with varying degrees of success.



Longmont does seem to be sensitive as to location. For example,
I live at about 17th and Pace, and I get all stations except ABC. My cousin
has an identical setup as me, he lives just north and slightly west of
Main and hiway 66, yet he gets no signal from any RP station.
In fact, I tested the tuner card and the antenna I installed at his house,
a Fusion2 HDTV tuner card and a CM4228. Worked fine at my house,
but taking it just 3 miles to his local, and nothing on CBS, NBC, PBS. And
NBC is typically 90% or more at my house. Also, I obtained still another
CM4228 for a friend in Erie, it was my third. The first two had identical performance, but the third is *way* done in power compared to the others.
I examined it and I can find no difference vs the two that work well.

I hate missing out on all he HD progs on ABC, not to mention the superbowl this year. Satellite is out for getting HD, so I can only hope that Comcast eventually
stops denying Longmont HD. Does anyone have knowledge of how the PQ of
Comcast compares to OTA for HD progs?

I can only hope that Comcast eventually
stops denying Longmont HD. A Comcast tech was at my house a month or two ago due to a broadband issue. She told me that issue and HD are related to capacity problems at their facility at Kimbark. She was told that would be resolved (requires power upgrade and router(?) upgrades in the 4th qtr. She cautioned me, she was given timeframes in the past only to have them come and go w/o any upgrades.

upgrades in the 4th qtr. She cautioned me, she was given timeframes in the past only to have them come and go w/o any upgrades.

I call comcast every couple weeks, and the company line is "Dec 31, 2005".
Well, we don't have HD until we do have HD, so I'm extremely sceptical
since Comcast has repeatedly shown that they have the ability, but not the
will, to give us HD.

BTW, today I called KMGH to ask them if they had any plan to install
a digital transmitter antenna, and all I got was a "no comment".
i.e. the guy (Rick) would neither confirm or deny any rumors.

This appeared today in the Cheyenne thread, posted today by 1kludge1:

Comcast ran an ad in Monday's Coloradoan (10/24) announcing HD channels. It sounded like it was an ad they had to run to meet some FCC thing. I don't have the paper in front of me, but what I remember:

All locals would be offered by late November (11/22? -- maybe confusing with xbox360 launch, but it was definitely late November). The channels they listed were ABC, NBC, CBS, WB, PBS, FOX -- all from Denver.

It stated that other HD channels would be offered "at a later date". ESPN, inHD1/2, etc.

No mention of pricing or PVR.

I'm seriously considering paying for this in addition to D*. When D* finally does Denver locals, then I can drop comcast.

Also posted in the Cheyenne thread: In case there are a few folks from up north interested in HD from cable...

In (Wednesday's) Greeley paper there is a short blurb on camcast. It says that comcast will be making changes to its cable network early next month. It is in an effort to provide advanced services such as on demand and HD services to the Greeley area........

The last paragraph says the changes become effective Nov. 8th.


Comcast has promised HD to Northern Colorado for the past 2 years +, so we'll see how reliable this is. I went into their offices and asked to be called when it was available. At first he told me that I would receive a flyer in the mail when it was ready. When I told him that I had already received a couple of those flyers, he reluctantly added my info into his computer.

I am interested in just the basic (locals) package. I looked around and found that it should be about $12.95. I guess I'd need to rent one of their boxes also ($5 per month?) Does this sound right for those of you getting it now? How about an HD - DVR?? Do they offer such a thing??

I swear KMGH screws up their HD broadcasts more often than they get them right.

Nevermind, at least they got it fixed quickly.

I believe the MNF no sound scenario was an ABC network problem as it has been reported on other threads also - e.g., Dayton-Lima, OH.

Anyone know the status of TNT-HD here in Denver? A friend just told me his Comcast in Philly just turned it on. It makes sense that Philly might get these channels first, but you;d think other markets wouldn't be far behind, because that would signal the deal was done.

I've talked to various CSR's over the past months trying to get the status of ANY new HD on Comcast here. Although I thought they were done with their upgrades, more than one CSR has mentioned that they cannot add more HD channels due to capacity limitations. Your post prompted me to call again, and the CSR said they had no updates at this time. When UPN starts broadcasting HD (maybe soon, according to the OTA thread), I'll start bugging them more. I'd also like to see Universal HD added; some threads are saying that may happen prior to the Winter Olympics (but whether it happens here is another story).
Philly wasn't one of the first Comcast areas to get TNT-HD - Comcast has been carrying it in several markets since May or June.

For what its worth, I heard that Loveland will have Comcast HD on 11/8 and Fort Collins on 11/22. All I know for sure is that the digital channels I had been able to pick up on my Sony TV disappeared over the past couple of weeks.

Just visited the new Best Buy at the new shopping center NE of the US-34/I-25 interchange east of Loveland.

There was a Comcra... er, Comcast booth set up. The rep showed me a photocopy of a Comcast published channel line up for Greely (and several other small area towns) that said something to the tune of effective November 8th. This list included local HD channels from Denver.

He said that Fort Collins, Loveland, and Longmont should all be coming along shortly in the following weeks. He wasn't specific, but he implied all within the November timeframe. He gave me his number and told me to call him later this week to see if he had a live date for Longmont (since that's what I was most curious about).

Still no guarantees and the info is sort of sketchy, but we are definitely (finally) seeing the first rollout of HD locals over Comcast in northern CO.

Hopefully this guarantees that we will all have the chance to see the Super Bowl in HD! (still not holding my breath though...)

"The rep showed me a photocopy of a Comcast published channel line up for Greely (and several other small area towns) that said something to the tune of effective November 8th. This list included local HD channels from Denver."Thanks for the info. I had HD and VOD down in SE Aurora prior to moving to Windsor a couple of months ago, and miss them both! I'll report back if/when either show up here (Windsor ought to be classified as a small area town, wouldn't you think?) ;)

The Comcast website now shows HD channels in the lineup for Greeley. Maybe we are getting closer for the rest of Northern Colorado? Guess we will find out on the 22nd...

Okay guys, I think I'm about ready to pull the trigger and dump D* and get Comcast (not necessarily in that order). It looks like I can save some money in addition to picking up more HD. So far it seems like a no-brainer to me. That said I started reading about the 6412 DVR and I really don't know what to expect with this box. What's the consensus here? Anyone care to summarize the plusses and minuses of this box?

I'm also interested in hearing the consensus for non-HD PQ on Comcast. Last time I had cable PQ sucked...is it better now? Do the analog channels have ghosts? Is the analog PQ as good or better than say an S-Video VCR? What say you???

The Comcast website now shows HD channels in the lineup for Greeley. Maybe we are getting closer for the rest of Northern Colorado? Guess we will find out on the 22nd...


I agree, with Comcast recently updating the channel lineup for Longmont/Loveland area I am hoping something is going to happen soon.

SG

I have had the Motorola 6412 since they were offered here in Loveland. I love the box, think its great. Previously I had recorded shows on my computer and played them back to my TV over the network. It worked, but not as easy for family members as the 6412 is. Here is a list of what I consider pros and cons. Keep in mind that I have never used a Tivo, but I have no desire to as the 6412 does everything I need it to.

Pros:
Can record 2 shows and watch a recorded show at the same time
Can watch 1 show and record 1 show
Can pause/rewind live TV
Seriers Recording - Can record a given TV show regardless of day/time/etc , record only new episodes or all episodes, record only on given channel or all channels, adjust start and stop time by adding minutes to either end (This comes in handy when networks start shows at 6:58pm instead of 7pm)
Only $10 per month, which I think is cheaper than a subscription to Tivo and you do not need to purchase any hardware.

Cons
Picture Quality of non-DT programming. My Sony's tuner runs circles around this box. Part of the problem has to do with digitizing the signal to record it. Some SD channels are being simulcasted as DT, so they look pretty good.
Capacity - 120GB or ~12-15 HRS of HD is not going to cut it once HD is available here in Loveland.
Not Solid State Equipement. Face it, its a computer. And, like a computer, occassionaly it needs to be rebooted. I find myself having to unplug and re-plug it in every couple of months. I have only had to reformat and do a complete reset once, probably due to the infancy of the early firmware. Since I work with computers all the time, this issue is only of a minor concern to me personally. However, my family members can get frustrated if I am not at home to fix it.

Apparently there is a new Phase 3 version of this box. Some (most that I have seen) users have commented that the PQ on analog channels is better, while others say worse. The new box also sports a SATA port for future expansion, if Comcast will ever activate it is another story. My version has the DVI connection, while the new versions have an HDMI connection. There apparently is a firmware issue that is causing some audio issues with the HDMI, from what I have read.

Thanks Greg.
I have the D* HD TiVo but there are times when it and I do not get along.

If I'm lucky I can get KCNC DT without breakups and if I'm really lucky I can get KUSA DT (but only on one tuner). I've got no shot at KRMA or KMGH and I doubt I'll get UPN when they start transmitting from Republic Plaza. I guess what I'll do is call Comcast and get it installed and see how it works out and if it does then cancel D*

Can the 6412 record from OTA channels or is it cable-provided channels only?

Other than KMGH-DT, I think I'd prefer to get the OTA channels since I know they won't be bit-starved (is that even an issue with cable these days?)

Also, are there any active hacking sites for the 6412 (all I'd really NEED to do is upgrade to 2 250GB (at least) drives)

dr_mal: I don't think the 6412 has an antenna input (from what I recall)....

Okay I finally get to a Comcast CSR that knows something. The great deals for Sat subscribers only exist if you give them the sat gear (both STB and antenna). I'm not prepared to do that so it's no deal. If I just chose to go ahead and get cable (without the satellite deal) the monthly price ends up just about what I'm paying now. On the plus side I'd get all the locals in HD but I'd also be losing HDNet (for example). A tradeoff perhaps worth making if I watched more local stuff but I'll just keep what I have.

No, the 6412 does not have the ability to do OTA. But since I dont spend much time watching the only 2 HD channels I can get OTA, that has not been problem for me. :-)

One other comment about the 6412, It really does seem happier if you leave it on all the time. It really is on all the time anyways, but puting it in standby can cause a few issues that I did not mention. Between not putting it into standby (aka turning it off) and newer firmware, it really has been more stable.

The following thread has info on the Phase 3:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=558602&page=1&pp=30

- Greg

Okay guys, I think I'm about ready to pull the trigger and dump D* and get Comcast (not necessarily in that order). It looks like I can save some money in addition to picking up more HD. So far it seems like a no-brainer to me. That said I started reading about the 6412 DVR and I really don't know what to expect with this box. What's the consensus here? Anyone care to summarize the plusses and minuses of this box?

I'm also interested in hearing the consensus for non-HD PQ on Comcast. Last time I had cable PQ sucked...is it better now? Do the analog channels have ghosts? Is the analog PQ as good or better than say an S-Video VCR? What say you???

I had TiVo briefly before getting my DVR, so I never got too attached to it. People who have had TiVo do complain about the 6412, but a lot of it is just different, not necessarily bad. But there are some quirks.
1. Several threads and Comcast's CSR's have said to leave the 6412 on all of the time. Since the unit is always buffering, you will hear the hard drive working all of the time if you do this. Supposedly it does not buffer if you put both tuners on the digital music channels, but I haven't tried that. If you do turn off the DVR when you're not using it, there are at least two issues to deal with: if the DVR powered itself on to start a recording, it will be muted while it is recording. A new problem I have recently experienced is that when I turn on the DVR after having it off, it sometimes doesn't display a picture. I have to start playing back a recorded program and then stop it to get a live picture to appear. This only appears to happen if the recording had a problem (which doesn't happen often, so I haven't tried to figure out what the cause of the problem is) and persists until I unplug the DVR. Again, these problems don't exist if you leave it on all the time.
2. I think this has been fixed, but the 6412 used to record multiple copies of a program even if you selected first run only, since the guide didn't have complete information (i.e., if a new episode was shown on Monday and repeated again on Thursday, it would record both). I haven't run into this in a while.
3. If any recordings overlap and you are watching TV at the same time, you may be prompted to stop recording one show. If you want to watch one show while it's being recorded, you may need to swap tuners. But this is really common sense.
In all, I'm pretty happy with it. I don't record a ton of programs, and the problems I mentioned above are not show stoppers (no pun intended).
SD PQ on my DLP is nothing great. I think some of the PQ issues depend on they type and size of the TV (I think Sony LCD's do a better job with SD than Sammy DLP's). I haven't really noticed ghosts, though. Wouldn't ghosts be more prevalent on local channels anyway? All but one of the locals is on in HD, so I really don't watch the SD channels any more (I rarely watch ANY SD). All I want is more HD.

Thanks gakon,
After reading Greg and your comments (and dabbling in the 6412 thread) I could live with the 6412 quirks - like you say it's just different than TiVo. My TiVo also has problems with recording multiple episodes of some programs even though I have first run only selected (American Chopper in particular seems to do this). I think it's just a guide issue and not a tivo problem though. I was all set to jump over to Comcast but no way I'm handing them $1200 of sat equipment up front. Not only that but I'll be moving back to NYS sometime next year and I want to keep my options open (Adelphia or D*).

Yes, the incredibly small hard drive was one of my cons...

Oh, I am seeing HDTV on Comcast via my 6412 this evening... They are probably testing, but encouraging none the less. I am only getting a couple of channels... 9 News in HD looks great! A few channels that were not tuning in disappeared, so not sure how long this will last...

- Greg

dr_mal: I don't think the 6412 has an antenna input (from what I recall)....

Okay I finally get to a Comcast CSR that knows something. The great deals for Sat subscribers only exist if you give them the sat gear (both STB and antenna). I'm not prepared to do that so it's no deal. If I just chose to go ahead and get cable (without the satellite deal) the monthly price ends up just about what I'm paying now. On the plus side I'd get all the locals in HD but I'd also be losing HDNet (for example). A tradeoff perhaps worth making if I watched more local stuff but I'll just keep what I have.


Geof
I just took advantage of this deal a little over a month ago. I didn't have to give them anything, I told them I owned my equipment and they said all I had to do is show them a copy of my last bill. You might want to keep trying with the CSR's.

Just FYI

SG

I just made plunge into the HD world (what a wonderful place to be!!) and made the switch from E* to Comcast primarily because of the OTA situation here...I just wasn't willing to deal with all the trial and error to pull in the stations, especially after reading the local OTA thread and finding out most people can't get KMGH - must have MNF in HD!!

gakon - so that's why my Comcast box sometimes comes on "muted"...I couldn't figure that one out and it's very annoying when it happens 'cause your stuck until the show finishes recording....so if I just leave the box on I won't have to deal with that one any longer - THANKS!

Any one heard anything on when we can expect the FW update to fix the HDMI/DD5.1 audio issues on the phase 3 box? I haven' t called yet, so I'm wondering if anyone else has.

Rick

From what I have heard, the box comes on muted if you have the box off and a scheduled recording turns it on... Then the box turns itself off when its done recording, even if you are watching TV... One of the many reasons to leave the box on...

I had to call a CSR last week because VOD stopped working (reset the box of course and wait for the guide to load, blah blah). During that call, the CSR informed me that I should leave the box on all the time. I thought she didn't know what she was talking about, but now I see there are many reasons to leave it on.

Thanks all.

Geof
I just took advantage of this deal a little over a month ago. I didn't have to give them anything, I told them I owned my equipment and they said all I had to do is show them a copy of my last bill. You might want to keep trying with the CSR's.

Just FYI

SGThanks! I may try it again. I guess it's just like D* - if at first you don't succeed try try again....

The 6412 receiver may have a smaller harddrive, but the nice thing is that you can connect up the receiver via firewire to a computer and pull the content off for archiving! It only works on the non protected channels, which for HD are the locals. Now if I only had enough harddrives on my computer to store all of this HD on.

Steve

The 6412 receiver may have a smaller harddrive, but the nice thing is that you can connect up the receiver via firewire to a computer and pull the content off for archiving! It only works on the non protected channels, which for HD are the locals. Now if I only had enough harddrives on my computer to store all of this HD on.

Steve

Steve - for someone who has never tried this, how is this done?...or where can I find out?

Thanks

Can the 6412 record from OTA channels or is it cable-provided channels only?

Other than KMGH-DT, I think I'd prefer to get the OTA channels since I know they won't be bit-starved (is that even an issue with cable these days?)

Also, are there any active hacking sites for the 6412 (all I'd really NEED to do is upgrade to 2 250GB (at least) drives)

If you google, you'll find some, from what I recall, the largest drive anyone got working with a 6412 (phase I or phase II box) was 160GB. Any larger sized drives (200, 250GB were tried, one a maxtor, one a WD) were reported at 160GB. However, the person said they went back to the 120GB over fears that the box may send information back to Comcast.

thanks frottage, I'll give that a shot.

Steve - for someone who has never tried this, how is this done?...or where can I find out?
If you have a Mac, I put some simple instructions in the Mac OS X Firewire Recording thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6486609#post6486609
If you have a PC, too bad. ;) Actually, you can search for similar threads for Windows and Linux. I don't follow them, but I know they exist.

If you have a Mac, I put some simple instructions in the Mac OS X Firewire Recording thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6486609#post6486609
If you have a PC, too bad. ;) Actually, you can search for similar threads for Windows and Linux. I don't follow them, but I know they exist.


I've been having very good results from the 6412 to DVHS via firewire (JVC DVHS)--plus it's easier for the wife to play things back than when I tried the PC route which was just too painful. If I were to go back to archiving on a computer, I'd pick up a cheap G4 off of ebay and start there instead of with a PC (Windows). I never tried it with my linux box.

The ideal solution (I think): expand the storage capacity using the SATA port. I've been following that thread but so far no dice.

Steve - for someone who has never tried this, how is this done?...or where can I find out?

Thanks

methodair,

Go to the following site for step-by-step instructions to connect it up to a PC:

http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/index.html

Good luck!

Hi All,

I live in Longmont and Comcast told me this week that they're testing HD here now and will be offering it within the next month. I'm currently a dish network customer but I also have Comcast basic cable (it's only $10 and it would cost me $10 extra for internet service if I didn't have it).

Anyway, I'm wondering if the HD locals in Denver are encrypted by Comcast. I'm too far from Denver to get anything OTA besides WB and Fox. If the locals are not encrypted, does that mean that I should be able to pick them up with the QAM tuner in my TV and just the basic cable package? Has anyone else been able to do this successfully? Thanks.

methodair,

Go to the following site for step-by-step instructions to connect it up to a PC:

http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/index.html

Good luck!

Thank you! Much appreciated!

Anyway, I'm wondering if the HD locals in Denver are encrypted by Comcast. I'm too far from Denver to get anything OTA besides WB and Fox. If the locals are not encrypted, does that mean that I should be able to pick them up with the QAM tuner in my TV and just the basic cable package? Has anyone else been able to do this successfully? Thanks.

The HD Locals are not encrypted by Comcast. In Boulder (and most of the Denver Metro Area) you get the following:
KCNC-DT: 18.1
KMGH-DT: 89.1
KWGN-DT: 89.2
KDVR-DT: 90.1
KUSA-DT: 91.1
KRMA-DT: 91.2

Other HD channels, including Showtime-HD, HBO-HD, Starz-HD, Cinemax-HD, Discovery HD Theatre, ESPN HD, INHD-1 and INHD-2 are scrambled.

Without the HD subscription (which is $5 for the HD box rental or $9.95 for the DVR rental which includes HD, but which won't get you any of the other channels), if you have problems you might not be able to get them to service the problem. I have the DVR on one set and just the built-in QAM tuner on the other. The latter is cable-card capable, so at some point I might try out one of those. I also have an LG 3100A tuner which is QAM and OTA capable, but that is currently sitting on the shelf unused.

The PQ and SQ is very good, and reportedly uncompressed beyond what the stations are sending out. KRMA-DT is usually the best quality, but I have been impressed with the quality of live events on other channels too.

Hey HDJello,

I was curious as to how your DVR sees these HD channels that you are receiving with your QAM tuner. I had been able to receive a number of digital channels, now I dont receive any. They all show as UNK (as opposed to CLR=Clear and ENC=Encrypted). I have seen postings that indicated that UNK=Unencrypted, but I do not seem to be able to receive these with my QAM tuner on my Sony.

Thanks, Greg

Hey HDJello,

I was curious as to how your DVR sees these HD channels that you are receiving with your QAM tuner. I had been able to receive a number of digital channels, now I dont receive any. They all show as UNK (as opposed to CLR=Clear and ENC=Encrypted). I have seen postings that indicated that UNK=Unencrypted, but I do not seem to be able to receive these with my QAM tuner on my Sony.

Thanks, Greg
My DVR is the comcast-provided one, which sees the channels on their comcast numbers (KMGH-DT=652, KUSA-DT=653, KCNC-DT=654, KDVR=655, KWGN-DT=656, KRMA-DT=657). In all honesty, I haven't used the DVR that much, but when I did I selected the show from the program guide and it recorded it. I was later able to watch it without a problem. It is connected to an HDTV-ready set that only has an NTSC tuner built-in, via component cables provided by comcast.

My other TV is a Sony Bravia LCD TV with integrated ATSC/QAM tuner. I just put it in cable mode and did a scan, and the unencrypted channels showed up in the list. If I manually enter a number for an encrypted channel (90.2 is ESPN-HD) I just get the words "Not Authorized". I don't know where to look for 3-letter code (but I would have guessed that UNK=Unknown). It sounds like they are still setting things up in Loveland, so maybe you'll need to rescan when things are up and running officially.

HDJello, If you set both tuners to the same digital channel on your DRV (I am assuming that you have the Motorola 6412 DVR), power off your DVR and immediately (w/in about 2 seconds) hit OK/SELECT, it will bring up a diagnostic menu. If you go down to "d06 CURRENT CHANNEL STATUS", it will show you if the channel is analog/digital and the type of encryption (among a number of other things). Mine shows UNK, but I am assuming that they really should show CLR.
Thanks, Greg

gregkauf, which didgital channels did you loose?

I've got a QAM pci tunner in my computer (Fussion 5 Gold) that gets all the local HD channels, plus digital rebroadcasts of the local SD channels, 7 PPV channels and occassionally what I believe are my neighbors OnDemand channels.

Well, it's official. Comcast is closer than I thought to offering HD. I just did a scan with my TV's QAM tuner and I was able to pick up ABC, NBC, FOX, WB and ESPN in HD. I'm a little confused as to why I'm receiving ESPN. I figured that it would be scrambled. Anyway......I'm not complaining and it's probably only available because they're testing.

Has anyone in Longmont tried using a QAM tuner to get HD? If so, have you been able to find CBS? I'd love to see the Broncos game in HD tomorrow. Thanks.

Well, it's official. Comcast is closer than I thought to offering HD. I just did a scan with my TV's QAM tuner and I was able to pick up ABC, NBC, FOX, WB and ESPN in HD. I'm a little confused as to why I'm receiving ESPN. I figured that it would be scrambled. Anyway......I'm not complaining and it's probably only available because they're testing.

Has anyone in Longmont tried using a QAM tuner to get HD? If so, have you been able to find CBS? I'd love to see the Broncos game in HD tomorrow. Thanks.
ESPN-HD may be unscrambled because they are still getting things going. On the other hand, they might be offering a free preview. When HD first went on in the first Denver areas, all of the HD content was initially unscrambled, to get people interested in to subscribing more I guess. That went on for about 3 months, IIRC.

In Boulder, KCNC-DT is on 18.1; you might try manually entering that number. All of the other OTA channels are on 89, 90, or 91 (.1 or .2) so you just might not be looking in the right place.

Good luck!

Slightly off topic, but I've got to give it a shot...

Comcast has had eight HD channels here in Summit County (70 miles west of you all, off of I 70) for almost a year now. None of them are local HD channels, though, just channels they can get from satellites, so I'm missing a lot! For example, 9 news, HD Bronco games, HD Nuggets games, most network HD :(... I have Dish-net HD, but would be much more satisfied with the Comcast HD that my neighbors to the east are getting. I've asked Comcast reps and received conflicting and uninformed answers.

If anyone could provide info on the progress of Denver-locals-in-HD throughout adjacent rural areas, I would, of course, appreciate it greatly - especially Summit County, AKA "Denver's furthest suburb."

After all, ski bums are people too :cool:
-Tim

I had been getting 79.x and 82.x, which were duplicates of the network SD digital broadcasts. I had also been getting some music channels. Now my tuner does not get any digital channels. Either something happened to the tuner in my TV or Comcast changed something. Since Comcast has been getting ready for HD, I was leaning towards that. However, I wanted to see if other people in Loveland are getting any digital programming via QAM or if someone in another region could verify that I should be getting them if they are showing up as UNK via the Motorola 6412. Thanks, Greg

HDJello, If you set both tuners to the same digital channel on your DRV (I am assuming that you have the Motorola 6412 DVR), power off your DVR and immediately (w/in about 2 seconds) hit OK/SELECT, it will bring up a diagnostic menu. If you go down to "d06 CURRENT CHANNEL STATUS", it will show you if the channel is analog/digital and the type of encryption (among a number of other things). Mine shows UNK, but I am assuming that they really should show CLR.
Thanks, Greg
The sample of unencrypted channels all say UNK, and the encrypted ones say ENC. I didn't try all of them by any means, but all that I did try were this way. Hope this is helpful. You might try resetting the tuner in your TV.

For the folks up north -- the word is that Greeley will have the HD channels available early this coming week, and Ft. Collins and Loveland early next week!

I am new to the Comcast forum here (usually in the OTA forum), and had a quick question.
I use comcast only for getting KMGH (channel-7) via my QAM tuner in my TV. Recently I have been having issues with KCNC-DT OTA (channel-4) especially during Bronco games, with a lot of sound breakups and serious pixelation. I now notice the sound and pixelation is even worse over Comcast using my QAM tuner. Are others, and maybe specifically those of you with Comcast leased tuners having problems with KCNC-DT? For the last 3 days, my QAM tuner also doesn't even receive 18.1 now for more than a brief second before it says No Signal. I have tried re-scanning digital channels with no success.

No problems. The Broncos game on Sunday was fine using the Comcast 6412. I hate to admit it, but I watched parts (ok, most) of "Category 7" Sunday night and don't remember any significant breakups. I did not watch anything on KCNC last night.

By the way, Comcast's web site shows the effective date for HD in Greeley to be today. Does anyone actually have HD service there yet?

I very rarely see any problems with KCNC.

Hi All,

As soon as Comcast offers HD in Longmont (should be soon) I'm thinking about leaving Dish Network and signing up for Comcast HD. I use a media center PC and there are various programs to connect the PC to the Comcast set top box via firewire in order to record the programs digitally and in hi-def.

I'm wondering if anyone has used firewire to record in the Denver area and, if so, which channels are 5c encrypted by Comcast?

If all the locals are 5c encrypted and therefore would not work via this firewire solution, it probably wouldn't be worth my time to switch back to comcast. Thanks.

The locals are not 5C encrypted and can be recorded. I am pretty certain that the premium channels are encrypted, and I know that Discovery HD is 5C encrypted (implying that InHD and ESPN are also encrypted).

I've never heard if any of the non-DVR boxes have firewire enabled (that doesn't mean that they don't). But if you have a way to pass the information through such a box, would 5C encryption affect you? You're recording it for the first time on your PC, and 5C needs to allow at least one copy, since the DVR needs to be able to copy it. Unless the PC isn't recognized as 5C compliant and can't record at all.

I just wish they would hurry up on converting to all digital so we can get some more HD channels. TnTHD Im luke warm on but maybe if nothing else UniversalHD would be nice.

fyi - after spending some time this am hooking up my cable directly to the tv (based on someone's post above) and watching some hd. I can confirm locals are here in longmont. I then decided to put in a splitter back to my motorola 6412 and watch tv this way until the channels are officially launched. Would you believe I then checked the 600's and there were the hd channels. While I have no idea if they have been officially launched they do show up!!!!

YEA MAN!!!!

rjrussel,
what do you mean when you say "I then checked the 600's and there were the hd channels"? Do you mean there is a placemarker for them? Or do you mean you can actually watch the channels via your STB instead of via the QAM tuner in your TV?

gakon,

Thanks for the 5c info. I think, from what I've read on other forums, the PC is not considered 5c compliant. Therefore, only the non-5c channels are recordable via firewire onto a PC (or so I've heard). Can you still verify that the locals are not 5c encrypted? Or were you assuming that the one copy would be available to me? Thanks.

Can you still verify that the locals are not 5c encrypted? Or were you assuming that the one copy would be available to me? As recently as last Sunday I was able to transfer content recorded on my 6412 over to my Mac. That was only on one local (NBC), but I think it's valid for all locals. If 5C had been on I would not have been able to make that recording.

rjrussel,
what do you mean when you say "I then checked the 600's and there were the hd channels"? Do you mean there is a placemarker for them? Or do you mean you can actually watch the channels via your STB instead of via the QAM tuner in your TV?


Sorry rblatchley I wasn't clear. There is now a place holder for channels 652, 653, 654 and 655. (abc,cbs,nbc and fox). The QAM tunner also shows pbs and upn they dont exist on the STB.

That's good news gakon. Is there a way to check on the STB if the channel is 5c encrypted........somewhere in the settings or something? I have a friend with a 6412 and I can have him check them all for me. Thanks.

Is there a way to check on the STB if the channel is 5c encrypted........somewhere in the settings or something? I have a friend with a 6412 and I can have him check them all for me.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6517452#post6517452

Just noticed... the Comcast listing for Longmont now includes the following:

652 KMGH (ABC) DT
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD

That's it. No other HD or DT channels listed. I wonder if it's just a coincidence that KMGH is listed as DT and not HD... Perhaps that's Comcast saying that they don't consider 720p 'true HD' ???

Perhaps that's Comcast saying that they don't consider 720p 'true HD' ???That's the same as for the Highlands Ranch listing. But they show ESPN as HD, and it's broadcast in 720p, so I don't think that's the reason (especially since 720p IS true HD).

OK, I did some searching & haven't seen anything yet. Tonight I lost INHD2(665). I get the message " Not Authorized" WTF!!!! INHD1 works as it always has. I thought maybe it was blacked out because of the Avalanche or Nuggets game but as of this moment it's still out. Anyone else loose it?

That's the same as for the Highlands Ranch listing. But they show ESPN as HD, and it's broadcast in 720p, so I don't think that's the reason (especially since 720p IS true HD).
Yeah, I didn't figure that would be it, but I thought I would throw it out there. Seems odd to list KMGH as DT instead of HD since no one has complained that they are only running 480i or 480p.

Regardless, I think it's interesting that they are only showing four channels, and no HD cable channels such as ESPN or INHD1 and INHD2. Hopefully that is just an interim thing.

The HD Locals are not encrypted by Comcast. In Boulder (and most of the Denver Metro Area) you get the following:
KCNC-DT: 18.1
KMGH-DT: 89.1
KWGN-DT: 89.2
KDVR-DT: 90.1
KUSA-DT: 91.1
KRMA-DT: 91.2



Sorry if this is a repost found elsewhere, but in Denver Comcast (Parker), I've discovered:

KTVD-DT: 81.1
KCNC-DT: 81.7
KMGH-DT: 81.4
KWGN-DT: 81.2
KDVR-DT: 81.8
KUSA-DT: 81.3
KRMA-DT: 81.6
KBDI-DT: 81.5

...I've discovered:
KTVD-DT: 81.1
So is there anything in HD on this station? I didn't think they were broadcasting digital yet, but maybe they just hadn't started HD.

OK, I did some searching & haven't seen anything yet. Tonight I lost INHD2(665). I get the message " Not Authorized" WTF!!!! INHD1 works as it always has. I thought maybe it was blacked out because of the Avalanche or Nuggets game but as of this moment it's still out. Anyone else loose it?


Heh......so it wasn't just me. Had some free time so I thought I would watch some of the Nuggets game but noooo.

Sorry if this is a repost found elsewhere, but in Denver Comcast (Parker), I've discovered:

KTVD-DT: 81.1
KCNC-DT: 81.7
KMGH-DT: 81.4
KWGN-DT: 81.2
KDVR-DT: 81.8
KUSA-DT: 81.3
KRMA-DT: 81.6
KBDI-DT: 81.5
These are the "Digital Cable" versions of the standard analog signals of those stations, in SD. They are not the DT signals, and there is no HD there. Sorry to disappoint.

Just call Comcast. They fixed INHD2 for me in less than a minute when I called them. 1-800-COMCAST.

Does anyone have any updates on stuff coming soon? In particular I'd like to know if/when we will see:

- TNT-HD
- Any other HD additions
- Comcast HD Tivo STBs

Thanks!

These are the "Digital Cable" versions of the standard analog signals of those stations, in SD. They are not the DT signals, and there is no HD there. Sorry to disappoint.


Missed that part of the post for "HD locals", those lsited are as you indicated, just the digital SD channels. The HD locals are scattered across a bunch of different channels. Would be nice if they grouped them like the digital SD ones (I know a couple are at 89.1/.2 IIRC)

Whenever I call Comcast I try to ask them about getting new channels, but the CSR's have been pretty consistent lately: none coming. I think they have a capacity issue, since TNT HD is available in other areas served by Comcast.
When UPN/KTVD starts broadcasting HD locally, then I will start bugging them even more (and I hope everyone else does, too) about:

KTVD
Universal HD (probably will provide a lot of Olympics coverage)
TNT HD

There are other HD channels out there, but I don't see Comcast ever adding HDNet, and ESPN2 doesn't have enough in HD to really make a big deal (at least for me) and the others are probably too small (MTV, Wealth). Altitude, OLN, and NBA are already integrated into the InHD channels (those are all part-time HD). You can go here to find the listing of nationally available HD, along with some regional discussion.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=419472

Just noticed... the Comcast listing for Longmont now includes the following:

652 KMGH (ABC) DT
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD

That's it. No other HD or DT channels listed. I wonder if it's just a coincidence that KMGH is listed as DT and not HD... Perhaps that's Comcast saying that they don't consider 720p 'true HD' ???

While browsing this weekend, I found the following HD channels :

KMGH (ABC) ?
KUSA (NBC) 69.2
KCNC (CBS) ?
KDVR (FOX) 69.1
KRMA (PBS) 87.2
KWGN (WB) 87.1

Has anyone come across ABC or CBS ?

Does anyone here have any experience with a Comcast Cable Card? My TV has a slot, and I've been debating whether to live with the built-in QAM tuner, get a cable card, or get an HD box for it. If you use the cable card do you get a program guide?

Just call Comcast. They fixed INHD2 for me in less than a minute when I called them. 1-800-COMCAST.
INHD2 is not working for the Avs game tonight. Anyone getting it? Does one call
fix it for all, or is it going to be a call every time there is a game you want to see.
Seems an inefficient way to operate.

I only checked after the game was over. They were showing the press conference so they must have corrected the problem somewhere along the way. What do you mean by "not working for me"?

As of 11/22, this is what I've discovered (all unencrypted). There are encrypted QAM_256 streams elsewhere.

My Channel Name : Frequency : Modulation : Video PID : Audio PID : Subchannel

MusicChoice:483000000:QAM_256:2816:2817:15
MusicChoice2:489000000:QAM_256:3138:3136:16
MusicChoice3:489000000:QAM_256:2178:2176:17
MusicChoice4:489000000:QAM_256:2242:2240:18
MusicChoice5:489000000:QAM_256:2690:2688:19
MusicChoice6:489000000:QAM_256:2114:2112:20
MusicChoice7:489000000:QAM_256:2626:2624:21
MusicChoice8:489000000:QAM_256:2562:2560:22
MusicChoice9:489000000:QAM_256:2882:2880:23
MusicChoice10:489000000:QAM_256:2946:2944:24
MusicChoice11:489000000:QAM_256:3010:3008:25
MusicChoice12:489000000:QAM_256:2818:2816:26
MusicChoice13:489000000:QAM_256:2754:2752:27
MusicChoice14:489000000:QAM_256:0:3265:1
MusicChoice15:483000000:QAM_256:0:2241:2
MusicChoice16:489000000:QAM_256:0:2369:3
MusicChoice17:495000000:QAM_256:2626:2624:15
PBS-480:567000000:QAM_256:2368:2369:13
PBS-1080:597000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:2
CBS-480:567000000:QAM_256:2240:2241:8
CBS-1080:603000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:2
NBC-480:567000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:9
NBC-1080:591000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:2
KBDI-12:567000000:QAM_256:2176:2177:11
UPN20-480:567000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:12
ABC-480:567000000:QAM_256:2496:2497:10
ABC-720:603000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:1
FOX-720:591000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:1
FOX-31480:567000000:QAM_256:2304:2305:6
WB2-480:567000000:QAM_256:2432:2433:7
WB2-1080:597000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:1

tata

As of 11/22, this is what I've discovered (all unencrypted). There are encrypted QAM_256 streams elsewhere.

My Channel Name : Frequency : Modulation : Video PID : Audio PID : Subchannel

MusicChoice:483000000:QAM_256:2816:2817:15
MusicChoice2:489000000:QAM_256:3138:3136:16
MusicChoice3:489000000:QAM_256:2178:2176:17
MusicChoice4:489000000:QAM_256:2242:2240:18
MusicChoice5:489000000:QAM_256:2690:2688:19
MusicChoice6:489000000:QAM_256:2114:2112:20
MusicChoice7:489000000:QAM_256:2626:2624:21
MusicChoice8:489000000:QAM_256:2562:2560:22
MusicChoice9:489000000:QAM_256:2882:2880:23
MusicChoice10:489000000:QAM_256:2946:2944:24
MusicChoice11:489000000:QAM_256:3010:3008:25
MusicChoice12:489000000:QAM_256:2818:2816:26
MusicChoice13:489000000:QAM_256:2754:2752:27
MusicChoice14:489000000:QAM_256:0:3265:1
MusicChoice15:483000000:QAM_256:0:2241:2
MusicChoice16:489000000:QAM_256:0:2369:3
MusicChoice17:495000000:QAM_256:2626:2624:15
PBS-480:567000000:QAM_256:2368:2369:13
PBS-1080:597000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:2
CBS-480:567000000:QAM_256:2240:2241:8
CBS-1080:603000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:2
NBC-480:567000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:9
NBC-1080:591000000:QAM_256:2112:2113:2
KBDI-12:567000000:QAM_256:2176:2177:11
UPN20-480:567000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:12
ABC-480:567000000:QAM_256:2496:2497:10
ABC-720:603000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:1
FOX-720:591000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:1
FOX-31480:567000000:QAM_256:2304:2305:6
WB2-480:567000000:QAM_256:2432:2433:7
WB2-1080:597000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:1

tata
Do you know what channel numbers these correspond to? I am trying to use the QAM tuner in my TV and have found some of these around 85.x.

I looked them up, here you go:

483000000 => 63.X
489000000 => 64.X
567000000 => 81.X
591000000 => 85.X
603000000 => 86.X

The .X should be the "subchannel" from my list above, but your mileage may vary.

Does anyone here have any experience with a Comcast Cable Card? My TV has a slot, and I've been debating whether to live with the built-in QAM tuner, get a cable card, or get an HD box for it. If you use the cable card do you get a program guide?

I'm using a Comcast cablecard with a Sony HD250 PVR (a Tivo wannabe). It has worked perfectly, no problems at all. As far as the guide is concerned, the Sony has its own guide that comes from Gemstar (TV Guide Online), it does not get the Comcast iGuide (I think they call it). For your TV check the faq's on the Comcast website -- it is quite detailed about what you can and cannot get with various implementations. Hope this helps.

___________________
Jeff

Loveland has Comcast HDTV!!! A message on my HD DVR said I could order the service. I called and sure enough, now I get them all... (well, not HBO/STARS/CINEMAX/SHOWTIME, I dont subscribe to any of those) No extra charge if you have the HD DVR, just a quick call and it was activated!

Greg

Ditto for Fort Collins--I picked up my HD DVR this afternoon (11/22).

Mark

Loveland has Comcast HDTV!!! A message on my HD DVR said I could order the service. I called and sure enough, now I get them all... (well, not HBO/STARS/CINEMAX/SHOWTIME, I dont subscribe to any of those) No extra charge if you have the HD DVR, just a quick call and it was activated!

Greg

Comcast has promised HD in Longmont on Nov.23, 2005. Now, according to the
Comcast rep, there is and never has been a plan to give us
HD cable channels that Comcast offers to everyone else, namely ESPN HD, INHD1, INHD2, Discovery HD. Can anyone confirm that these channels are not available in
Longmont?

Hey roller11, My understanding is that Longmont should be getting the same channels as Loveland and Fort Collins, which should include all those channels you mentioned. If you put in your zip on the Comcast website it shows Fort Collins information, which would seem to confirm this. I would call Comcast as see if you can order it. This is really new, the web site still says "comming soon". I am in Loveland and am receiving the local HD and the HD channels you listed, though the listing on their website only lists 4 local HD stations at this time.

Good Luck, Greg

Hey roller11, My understanding is that Longmont should be getting the same channels as Loveland and Fort Collins, which should include all those channels you mentioned. If you put in your zip on the Comcast website it shows Fort Collins information, which would seem to confirm this. I would call Comcast as see if you can order it. This is really new, the web site still says "comming soon". I am in Loveland and am receiving the local HD and the HD channels you listed, though the listing on their website only lists 4 local HD stations at this time.

Good Luck, Greg

So, just to be clear, you are indeed getting those four cable channels I mentioned,
you have actually viewed them yourself, not just going by what somebody has reported?

I'm not going to pay Comcast a $28.00 installation fee just to find out that the
phone reps are correct,
I can't get the cable HD channels. The conversion from satellite
to cable plus the extra cost of cable makes it not worth it just to get ABC
(I already get NBC, CBS, FOX OTA, so all I gain from cable is ABC)

So can anyone in Longmont confirm what Comcast is claiming, no HD cable channels in Longmont?

So, just to be clear, you are indeed getting those four cable channels I mentioned,
you have actually viewed them yourself, not just going by what somebody has reported?

I'm not going to pay Comcast a $28.00 installation fee just to find out that the
phone reps are correct,
I can't get the cable HD channels. The conversion from satellite
to cable plus the extra cost of cable makes it not worth it just to get ABC
(I already get NBC, CBS, FOX OTA, so all I gain from cable is ABC)

So can anyone in Longmont confirm what Comcast is claiming, no HD cable channels in Longmont?

I can not speak for Longmont, but yes, I am getting ESPN HD, INHD1, INHD2, Discovery HD in Loveland. I had to call yesterday to have them activate these channels on my HD DVR (Motorola 6412), as I was already receiving ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB, PBS in HD without having to do anything.

I can not speak for Longmont, but yes, I am getting ESPN HD, INHD1, INHD2, Discovery HD in Loveland. I had to call yesterday to have them activate these channels on my HD DVR (Motorola 6412), as I was already receiving ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB, PBS in HD without having to do anything.

Ok, thanks, this is valuble info. Hopefully some viewer in Longmont can clear this up.

Ok, thanks, this is valuble info. Hopefully some viewer in Longmont can clear this up.

Roller I am in lonmont and I get CBS ABC NBC and FOX in HD. I have not yet called to activate the other channels. I will do that on Sat when I get back to Longmont. Sounds like you talk to one of the less then informed comcast reps. The rep I spoke with last week said we will have the same channels as those in denver.

Roller I am in lonmont and I get CBS ABC NBC and FOX in HD. I have not yet called to activate the other channels. I will do that on Sat when I get back to Longmont.

Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens when you try to activate
those cable channels. Thanks for the post.

Anyway, I'm wondering if the HD locals in Denver are encrypted by Comcast. I'm too far from Denver to get anything OTA besides WB and Fox. If the locals are not encrypted, does that mean that I should be able to pick them up with the QAM tuner in my TV and just the basic cable package? Has anyone else been able to do this successfully? Thanks.

I'm wondering about this too. I recently upgraded my HDTV to a set that has a cable card slot and built in QAM. I was a Comcast cable subscriber, so I was paying an extra $10 per month for not having any cable video plan. I figured for an extra $4 per month, I could get KMGH so I can watch MNF in HD.

I called Comcast and they said that yes, if I add basic service they will roll a truck out to my house (for $28 - I complained and they offered $14) to take off the trap. I said fine, so they did.

Hooked it up to my QAM tuner and couldn't find any HD, just the digital SD at 81.x. Called Comcast, they said that I needed to use a cable card, and that I could pick one up at a connection center for free with no monthly charge.

Went to the connection center, they said they don't have cable cards, they would need to send somebody out, but that even with a cable card I couldn't get HD locals without adding a digital package for like $42 per month.

I didn't find that to be Comcastic. I thought that according to the FCC, they can't charge any extra for HD locals. Can anyone tell me what the real deal is? What does a guy have to do to see one HD NFL game per week?

Roller I am in lonmont and I get CBS ABC NBC and FOX in HD. I have not yet called to activate the other channels. I will do that on Sat when I get back to Longmont. Sounds like you talk to one of the less then informed comcast reps. The rep I spoke with last week said we will have the same channels as those in denver.

Comcast is quoted in the Longmont paper (Wed. Nov.23)
that all No. Colorado communities will get ESPN HD, INHD1, INHD2,
Discovery HD...*except Longmont*. So Comcast is denying Longmont
real HD cable, once again making us the "have nots" class.
Hope you weren't counting on watching Sunday night football in HD anytime soon.

dcpoppy,

As long as you have the very basic cable from Comcast ($10.75 per month I think) and a QAM tuner in your TV, you should be able to pick up the locals in HD. This is what I'm currently doing and it works great. Make sure that your cable connection is connected to your coaxial input for QAM and not your antenna input (on my TV these are two separate inputs - Antenna A and Antenna B: Antenna A is for cable card and/or QAM, Antenna B is for standard cable and/or over the air broadcasts)

Comcast is quoted in the Longmont paper (Wed. Nov.23)
that all No. Colorado communities will get ESPN HD, INHD1, INHD2,
Discovery HD...*except Longmont*. So Comcast is denying Longmont
real HD cable, once again making us the "have nots" class.
Hope you weren't counting on watching Sunday night football in HD anytime soon.

Roller11, does that mean that the package just isn't available to Longmont residents YET, or does that mean that it will not be available to us at all? The really odd thing about that is, when I first did a QAM scan for HD channels in Longmont, I got all the locals except CBS. Where the CBS channel is now, I was getting ESPN HD. It only lasted about 3 days, but it was working unencrypted in Longmont. Hopefully the Longmont paper just means they need to finish testing before offering them. If I had a choice, I'd say get rid of PBS HD and give us ESPN!!

BTW, has anyone verified whether or not you can actually sign up for the HD package yet in Longmont? I guess it's not worth it if you have a QAM tuner and ESPN HD, INHD1/2 and Discovery HD aren't available.

dcpoppy,

As long as you have the very basic cable from Comcast ($10.75 per month I think) and a QAM tuner in your TV, you should be able to pick up the locals in HD. This is what I'm currently doing and it works great. Make sure that your cable connection is connected to your coaxial input for QAM and not your antenna input (on my TV these are two separate inputs - Antenna A and Antenna B: Antenna A is for cable card and/or QAM, Antenna B is for standard cable and/or over the air broadcasts)

Basic is something to the tune of $13.44 in Littleton (or someone is ripping me off). I've got the cable running into a multi-splitter and then into ANT 1 on my Mitsubishi WD-62628. Manual says either ANT 1 or ANT 2 works for QAM.

Maybe it's the splitter? I think I'll try a straight run.

Basic is something to the tune of $13.44 in Littleton (or someone is ripping me off). I've got the cable running into a multi-splitter and then into ANT 1 on my Mitsubishi WD-62628. Manual says either ANT 1 or ANT 2 works for QAM.

Maybe it's the splitter? I think I'll try a straight run.

Well, that was it. Bad port on the 6 way OnQ splitter.

Now I have to decide if I want to start watching shows like Lost and Desparate Housewives... :D

Roller11, does that mean that the package just isn't available to Longmont residents YET, or does that mean that it will not be available to us at all? The really odd thing about that is, when I first did a QAM scan for HD channels in Longmont, I got all the locals except CBS. Where the CBS channel is now, I was getting ESPN HD. It only lasted about 3 days, but it was working unencrypted in Longmont. Hopefully the Longmont paper just means they need to finish testing before offering them.

No, has nothing to do with testing.
According to the Comcast reps, there is no schedule, no plan to provide cable
channels in Longmont. Since all other cities in Denver/Ft.Collins/No. Colo are offered
cable channels, it must be a political reason, not a technical one. This is consistant
with the statement in the paper. So until whatever contractual agreements in effect now expire (in, say, 2-3 years), no HD in Longmont. Being the ONLY community in no. Colo. to
be denied HD just rubs salt in the wounds.


BTW, has anyone verified whether or not you can actually sign up for the HD package yet in Longmont?

Yes, Comcast will be glad to take your money and give you nothing in return.


I guess it's not worth it if you have a QAM tuner and ESPN HD, INHD1/2 and Discovery HD aren't available.

Definitely not worth it just to get ABC, which is all it amounts to since I already get
FOX, CBS, NBC OTA...for free.
The entire time C has been promising "HD in Longmont " I always thought it had that "too good to be true" air about it.

I only checked after the game was over. They were showing the press conference so they must have corrected the problem somewhere along the way. What do you mean by "not working for me"?
The message is "Not Authorized", etc., same as for a channel you haven't subscribed to. Still says that now on InHD2.

Definitely not worth it just to get ABC, which is all it amounts to since I already get
FOX, CBS, NBC OTA...for free.
The entire time C has been promising "HD in Longmont " I always thought it had that "too good to be true" air about it.

Well, looks like they are offering the locals anyway. I mean, I'm getting them via QAM with just the very basic cable. To be honest with you, I'm surprised you're getting all the locals OTA. I've had a heck of a time trying. No need anymore.

So you really think the reason we're not going to get InHD1/2, ESPN, Discovery and the movie channels is contractual issues? My guess is that it's more likely bandwidth issues. Longmont wasn't upgraded to 800 like the rest of Northern CO (according to the tech at my house a few weeks ago anyway). He said Longmont already had 575 Megahertz (I believe) so they didn't invest to bump it up to 800. At that time, he told me to only expect the locals, but when I saw ESPN HD via QAM a few weekends ago, I thought we'd get them all. Still not sure why that was...just a testing fluke I guess.

Well, looks like they are offering the locals anyway. I mean, I'm getting them via QAM with just the very basic cable. To be honest with you, I'm surprised you're getting all the locals OTA. I've had a heck of a time trying. No need anymore.

So you really think the reason we're not going to get InHD1/2, ESPN, Discovery and the movie channels is contractual issues? My guess is that it's more likely bandwidth issues. Longmont wasn't upgraded to 800 like the rest of Northern CO (according to the tech at my house a few weeks ago anyway). He said Longmont already had 575 Megahertz (I believe) so they didn't invest to bump it up to 800. At that time, he told me to only expect the locals, but when I saw ESPN HD via QAM a few weekends ago, I thought we'd get them all. Still not sure why that was...just a testing fluke I guess.

If I go with basic cable, no hd package, will I be able to get ABC/NBC/FOX/CBS in HD
with a QAM tuner? Would I have to get the digital package? I'm asking cause some are saying that the FCC demands that C provide the 'locals' for free if they are available.

If I go with basic cable, no hd package, will I be able to get ABC/NBC/FOX/CBS in HD
with a QAM tuner? Would I have to get the digital package? I'm asking cause some are saying that the FCC demands that C provide the 'locals' for free if they are available.

If you have a QAM tuner in your TV and basic cable ($10.73 per month) you'll get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, PBS in HD. You don't have to get the digital package, or cable card.

If you have a QAM tuner in your TV and basic cable ($10.73 per month) you'll get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, PBS in HD. You don't have to get the digital package, or cable card.

Basic cable is analog and all hd is digital, so how can
I get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, PBS in HD?

Basic cable is analog and all hd is digital, so how can
I get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, PBS in HD?

The purpose of a QAM tuner is to pick up unencrypted digital signals that are sent via a regular cable line. From what I've read on other forums, it's illegal to encrypt the local channels, so they are available to anyone with basic cable and a QAM tuner. Keep in mind that when you order digital cable, Comcast doesn't do anything to the line (well, if you really want to get technical, they remove a filter if you currently have just basic cable), they just give you a converter box that can read the digital signals. Same thing with a cable card. The cable card gives the TV the ability to decode the encrypted signals. If you do a QAM scan, you'll find over a hundred different channels, however, 95% of them are encrypted and are only available to those with a cable card or digital cable box. The other ones will be the unencrypted local channels and the digital music channels (but who cares about the music channels?). You'll also get the basic analog channels.

Anyway, with just basic cable in Longmont, you'll get all the locals in HD (again, as long as you have a QAM tuner in your TV).

Yes, it definitely sucks if Longmont won't be getting ESPN, Discovery and INHD1/2 since we're the bastard step-children of Northern Colorado. However, at least we're getting the locals in HD for next to nothing.

Also, I currently have Dish Network and I just found out that for $10 per month, I can keep the HD channels (no contracts to sign or equipment to buy with dish). Might be worth it for me to go back to digital cable if Comcast offers an incentive. And it might be worth it for you to get Dish network just for the HD package. I think it's $10 per month for ESPN, Discovery, HDNet, TNT, HDNet movies. For an extra $5, you can also get all 10 of the Voom channels. Not sure what I'm going to do yet. I guess I want to get absolute confirmation from Comcast before making any crazy decisions. Have a nice Turkey Day.

Rob

The purpose of a QAM tuner is to pick up unencrypted digital signals that are sent via a regular cable line. From what I've read on other forums, it's illegal to encrypt the local channels, so they are available to anyone with basic cable and a QAM tuner. Keep in mind that when you order digital cable, Comcast doesn't do anything to the line (well, if you really want to get technical, they remove a filter if you currently have just basic cable), they just give you a converter box that can read the digital signals.

This is sorta what I thought. The cable is actually digital and analog as it comes
to your house. So to make it 'analog only' it filters out the digital part.
Do I have to pay extra for the converter box?




Yes, it definitely sucks if Longmont won't be getting ESPN, Discovery and INHD1/2 since we're the bastard step-children of Northern Colorado.

It was bad enough that for over two years, C has denied all of No. Colo. HD
while providing HD to Denver. Longmont was denied, but then so was
Loveland, Ft. Collins, Greely, etc. we were all in the same boat. So this year, they made a major upgrade to No. Colo so we could get HD. All that, and we
STILL don't have HD.

The thing that really pisses me off is that for the past 9 months, C has been telling me that Longmont will have HD in 2005, and the entire time they knew it was
a lie, setting up their Longmont customers for a massive disappointment.



Also, I currently have Dish Network and I just found out that for $10 per month, I can keep the HD channels (no contracts to sign or equipment to buy with dish).


Don't know what you mean by "no equipment to buy". You must buy a HD DVR
for something like $700...up front money.
I have had Dish for over two years now. The reason I was SO looking forward to
C giving Longmont HD is that C gives you a HD DVR for just $10/mon instead of
$700 up front, that's why I never consider Dish as a HD provider, and I still don't.




Might be worth it for me to go back to digital cable if Comcast offers an incentive. And it might be worth it for you to get Dish network just for the HD package. I think it's $10 per month for ESPN, Discovery, HDNet, TNT, HDNet movies. For an extra $5, you can also get all 10 of the Voom channels.


The $10/mo for the programming is trivial, it's the $700 for a HD DVR when
my pc is already a perfectly good OTA/QAM tuner/HD Tivo in it's current state, all for just $100.


Have a nice Turkey Day.Rob

You too, Rob.

I made a deal with the C salesperson that she will refund
my entire installation cost if I am dissatisfied after I get the service up and running.
That means there is no risk in at least getting the installer out here to see
what I can and can't get. But after reading in the paper that C has singled out
Longmont to be the only place in No. Colo to be denied HD, I'm betting that
I will cancel the service immediately, leaving me with NO feasible way of getting
real HD. Now, my mission will be to get an explanation from Comcast as to
why they are going out of their way to deny Longmont.

I think he means that he doesn't have any eqiupment to buy because he already has it.

I think he means that he doesn't have any eqiupment to buy because he already has it.

Actually, Yes and No. I have the equipment, but I never had to buy it. I just signed up for Dish about a month ago (not realizing that Comcast was going to offer at least the locals in HD anytime soon). It cost me $50 for installation, but everything else is leased. I never had to pay $700 up front for the receiver. I have a media center PC so I have 2 regular Dish 311 boxes to feed the pc. I then have a Dish 811 in my living room for my panasonic HDTV and another 811 for my Zenith HDTV in my bedroom. I have to pay $5 per extra receiver, but that's it. I never had to buy the equipment. I paid $50 for installation and never had to sign a contract so I can cut service anytime with no extra charge. I'll just need to send back the equipment (Dish will pay shipping). So basically, if I want to keep just one receiver for the living room HDTV, it will cost me approx. $10-15 per month to get all the HD channels. I'm not sure if the "leasing" deal is only for new customers or not, but I would think that if you called Dish you'd be able to lease an 811 HDTV receiver for $5 extra per month. So, as a dish customer, I called Comcast and they offered me the Silver package for $39 per month (which is a significant savings) including an additional cable box. With Comcast's HD receivers, I would be able to record the local channels to my media center PC via firewire. That would kick ass.

Roller - I realize you're upset about Comcast not offering the additional HD channels (and so am I), but at the same time, the channels I really wanted in HD were the locals and ESPN. It sucks that I'll have to keep Dish just for ESPN, but I'm pretty damn excited that we finally have the locals in HD. With my attic antenna I was only able to get Fox and WB, so this is great. It's just a pain that I'll have to pay Dish every month and struggle with switching inputs.

BTW - You only need a cable box to get HD channels if your TV does not have either a QAM tuner or a cable card slot. If it has either of these things, you don't need a cable box to get the HD channels. However, if you want to get all of the analog and digital channels, you'll need either a cable box or cable card slot. If you just want the local HD channels, you'll only need to sign up for basic cable.

Also, do you have a media center PC? Sounds like you're getting all your channels off air and recording to your PC, is that right?

I tried to snag a Longmont paper this morning because I wanted to read the article you're talking about (is it an article or an advertisement?). However, nobody had any left this morning and I can't find the article online. Any chance you'd have the means to scan it and either attach it to this forum or e-mail it to me? Thanks a lot. rdblatch@comcast.net

I made a deal with the C salesperson that she will refund
my entire installation cost if I am dissatisfied after I get the service up and running.
That means there is no risk in at least getting the installer out here to see
what I can and can't get. But after reading in the paper that C has singled out
Longmont to be the only place in No. Colo to be denied HD, I'm betting that
I will cancel the service immediately, leaving me with NO feasible way of getting
real HD. Now, my mission will be to get an explanation from Comcast as to
why they are going out of their way to deny Longmont.

Roller - one more thing: What do you mean by "real" HD? Do you mean cable channels in HD as opposed to just the locals (Like ESPN and Discovery)? I mean, Comcast is offering the locals in HD.

Also, you say "That means there is no risk in at least getting the installer out here to see what I can and can't get." Did the salesperson tell you that they'd be getting you setup with an HDTV receiver and getting you HD channels? I guess I'm confused. Did all this happen prior to you reading the article? Keep us posted. Thanks.

Comcast digital adds HDTV

By Alicia Beard
The Daily Reporter-Herald

Welcome to the digital era.
Or at least it will be after 2009, when the Federal Communications Commission requires all broadcasters to switch from an analog to a digital signal.

As part of this transition, new services such as high-definition TV are becoming available. For Comcast digital cable customers in Northern Colorado, HDTV became an option Wednesday.

“Customers subscribing to our HD service in Northern Colorado will now be able to use the features of their high-definition televisions to take advantage of many local high-definition broadcasts, including Denver Broncos games,” said Stan Reifschneider, Comcast general manager for Northern Colorado, in a written statement.

High-definition requires a specific kind of TV and equipment, and it is not yet available by satellite in the area. By transmitting more information through the bandwidth, the picture appears sharper, like watching a movie on a DVD player.

Jim McDonald, chief executive officer of Wind River Group Inc. and a city Communications Technologies Commission member, said high-definition is part of the transition to digital.

He said the switch was born out of the communication challenges that emergency personnel encountered during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since then, lawmakers have called for TV stations to free up some of the broadcast spectrum for radio frequencies, he said.

Digital signals use less of the spectrum than do analog signals, while transmitting more information.

The Federal Communications Commission is mandating that broadcasters make that change by the end of 2009. At that time, McDonald said, people with standard TVs will be able to receive only cable.

“If you have a standard TV set, one of these days it will go dark,” he said.

Many television stations are currently broadcasting from two channels to accommodate the switch, he said. And lawmakers are still speculating on whether to subsidize TVs with high-definition capabilities for low-income viewers.

McDonald said high-definition is the first of many services that digitizing broadcasts will offer. Down the road, instant stock market reports or background music will be commonplace.

“We have such a vast array of information available,” he said. “There’s so many possible uses, it’s only limited by the imagination.”

The Facts

High-definition television became available to Comcast digital cable customers in Northern Colorado beginning Wednesday.

Viewers can tune in to 14 channels with high-definition service.

High-definition is a technology that better utilizes the broadcast spectrum by sending more information through the bandwidth.

Viewers see a clearer picture with a higher resolution and better sound.

The service works only with a TV that has high-definition capabilities.

Comcast customers will need a digital cable box that costs an extra $5 a month. For more information, call (888) 824-4010.

I tried to snag a Longmont paper this morning because I wanted to read the article you're talking about (is it an article or an advertisement?). However, nobody had any left this morning and I can't find the article online. Any chance you'd have the means to scan it and either attach it to this forum or e-mail it to me? Thanks a lot. rdblatch@comcast.net

Here's what it said:

Comcast Cable has announced Tuesday it has begun offering its high-definition television service to subscribers in several northern Colorado communities, including Longmont.

The HD signals put out by the four major TV network stations in Denver, KCNC Channel 4, KMGH Channel 7, KUSA Channel 9 and KDVR Channel 13, will be available immediately to Longmont customers, with other HD channels to be added later.

Other northern Colorado communities will have immediate access to the local channels' HD signals plus other national HD channels including ESPN HD, HBO HD and Discovery HD Theater.

Ultimately up to 14 HD stations will be offered through the Comcast service.

According to the company, HDTV will offer a picture six with six times the sharpness and resolution of traditional television, along with CD-quality surround sound.

Subscribers opting for the HD service must have an HD-compatible television set and use an HD-enabled digital cable box, available from Comcast.

Comcast's digital cable customers can get the HD service for an additional equipment charge of $5 a month.

For customers who have an HDTV set and already subscribe to Comcast's digital video recorder service, HDTV will be available for no additional cost.

For more information on Comcast's HDTV service, customers are asked to call 888-824-4010 or visit www.comcast.com

Thanks JP9.

That doesn't sound that bad. Just says the others aren't available now and "other HD channels to be added later". I know Comcast seems to jerk us all around, but I'm already getting the 4 locals they list plus WB and PBS via QAM. So others are already available, they just haven't been added to the package. And as I mentioned earlier, when I originally did a QAM scan, ESPN showed up unencrypted.......so that one must be out there on the Longmont system too. I have no idea why they're not being offered, but hopefully soon. I agree, definitely frustrating that everyone else is getting all of the channels, but I assumed from the earlier posts that the article stated Longmont would never get these channels. Roller, I'll be interested to find out what the tech tells you when he comes to set you up. Let us know. Thanks.

I think the thing that is most concerning are the words 'added later'. For Cable/Sat providers that could be any time from 1 month to 3 years.

On the plus side at least they didn't make everyone wait until they were able to include all HD channels on rollout....some are better than none (but obvioulsy not as good as all).

I never had to buy the equipment. I paid $50 for installation and never had to sign a contract so I can cut service anytime with no extra charge.


The $700 was in reference to the 942 DVR. I just called Dish and they told me
I could get essentially the deal you just described. Thing is, the 811 is worthless
to me cause it can't record. ( I *never* watch anything live, so if I can't record it,
it doesn't exist.)


Also, do you have a media center PC? Sounds like you're getting all your channels off air and recording to your PC, is that right?

Correct, but i have a winXP PC, not media center. I have a Fusion2 HDTV tuner/recorder card (actually, I have two PC's, a main one and a second one that I use exclusively as HDTV Tivo.
I need two computers cause I need one computer per channel. This setup allows me
to record up to 2 progs at once, which I frequently do) These cards are about $100 each, so for $100, you can convert an existing PC into a HDTV Tivo.

Do you know of anyway that you can record cable channels (i.e. ESPN HD) onto your PC?
If I could do that, then I could get a 811 and be in business.

Do you know of anyway that you can record cable channels (i.e. ESPN HD) onto your PC?
If I could do that, then I could get a 811 and be in business.

Microsoft has added CableCard slots to the Microsoft home theatre pc specification. There are some models of these computers announced, due 2006. Look for a cablecard adapter online, I can't find any with a quick search, but that is what you would need since those are encrypted channels.

Microsoft has added CableCard slots to the Microsoft home theatre pc specification. There are some models of these computers announced, due 2006. Look for a cablecard adapter online, I can't find any with a quick search, but that is what you would need since those are encrypted channels.

Wouldn't it defeat the whole purpose of encryption to allow anyone to
decrypt/record these 'cable only' channels off of a satellite? Seems to good to be true.

Wouldn't it defeat the whole purpose of encryption to allow anyone to
decrypt/record these 'cable only' channels off of a satellite? Seems to good to be true.
A CableCard would only help with encrypted cable channels, and since the issue on this thread is lack of the HD cable channels in Longmont (vs Denver locals), it seems you would be back at square one.

To record unencrypted HD channels broadcast on cable, you only need a QAM tuner that can hook up to your PC. I have no idea of the availability of such tuners. I've had some trouble just trying to get the straight info on HD (ATSC) tuners for PC's.

To get ESPN-HD recorded onto your PC, you definitely need either a cable co Set-Top-Box with a firewire or video output that your PC can record, or a CableCard QAM tuner. The latter isn't available yet, and the former us clumsy and hardly ideal. So, the days of cheaply converting your PC into a DVR aren't quite here yet. Too many hoops to jump through for me.

That [Comcast's sugar-coated announcement] doesn't sound that bad. Just says the others aren't available now and "other HD channels to be added later".

No, it is 'that bad': C has been planning/implementing specific upgrades to No. Colo for several
months, upgrades that are now complete, not ongoing. These upgrades were
designed to increase capacity to the point that the local and cable channels
would fit. Since they were specific upgrades, C had a schedule, that's why they had no reservations telling customers "on or before Dec. 31, 2005". As C is now
stating in their press release, the plan all along was to upgrade equpiment to
enable cable channels (ESPN HD, etc.) in all communities except Longmont.
As for Longmont, the same specific plan called for no/limited upgrades: do just enough to allow locals, and no cable channels.
Point is, that plan is now complete, they're done, finished. Longmont has been
brought up to the target upgrade, so there is no 'on going' upgrade for Longmont.
No further upgrades are scheduled, all work is done. That's why C is no longer giving
a date for adding cable channels to Longmont. The 'Longmont will get cable channels later' is an attempt at sugar-coating the truth, but it's a *prediction*,
not a fact, that someday, a new round of
upgrades will be planned, like when the latest hardware upgrades in Longmont have been fully amortized and depreciated. Large expenditures need to be 'taken off the books', it's an accounting issue to enhance
the bottom line. That's why once an expensive piece of equipment is put into service, it has to remain for a certain period of time (months/years). Longmont's
hardware has less capacity than, say, Loveland's so there's no room for ESPN HD,
etc. So 'cable channels added later' means after these latest upgrades are depreciated, C will likely do another round and *maybe* at that time,
Longmont will get what every other community is getting now. Upgrades happen every 1-3 years, so since we've just had one, expect the next round to be at
least a year away, although that is probably optimistic.


Roller, I'll be interested to find out what the tech tells you when he comes to set you up. Let us know. Thanks.

After reading the official Comcast announcement, I realized there is no chance that
we will get cable channels, so I cancelled the install. So we're still without a
cable-channel solution: Comcast has the HD recorder, but no programming. Dish has the programming, but not the HD recorder.

Roller - everything you say makes sense except for one anomoly: When I did my original QAM scan, I got ESPN HD along with the locals. If there's no bandwidth available in Longmont for cable channels in HD, how can this be? Also, via QAM, everyone is getting ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB and PBS. The package only includes ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, which means there are other channels currently on the upgraded system that aren't being offered in the package? Could these all be added soon? Maybe when testing has concluded that there is sufficient bandwidth to provide these channels?

Just a thought. Trying not to give up hope here.

Roller - everything you say makes sense except for one anomoly: When I did my original QAM scan, I got ESPN HD along with the locals. If there's no bandwidth available in Longmont for cable channels in HD, how can this be?

When you saw ESPN HD for those three days, it was where CBS HD was suppose to be, meaning it was mis-assigned. This mistake was corrected by Comcast, so ESPN HD is
gone. See, it isn't that C can't deliver cable channels to Longmont, it's a matter
of where to put them. Their head-end equipment can only handle so many channels,
so they can't give us cable-only without sacrificing some other channels that are already allocated. So there are two ways of delivering cable-only HD:

1. Go to higher capacity equipment (that's what was done to other communities)
or,
2. Remove some lo-def channels that are already in place, making room for
HD cable-only. C is contractually bound to retain those lo-def channels
that are already there, so they can't kick them out to make room.

Also, via QAM, everyone is getting ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB and PBS.

I haven't seen any evidence of this. In fact, One guy specifically reported that
he has basic cable and could not get any HD local channels in Longmont,
dispelling the myth that "Comcast must provide HD locals on basic cable".
So far, I don't believe anybody is getting WB and PBS in HD on Comcast cable, regardless of what package they have (in Longmont). How are you getting
the locals? Cable card from C, STB from C?
many ppl are getting CBS,NBC, PBS, WB, FOX OTA in Longmont. Where do you live that you can't, and what antenna/tuner setup have you tried? I'm thinking
that perhaps you can with the right equipment.

Roller, I'm getting ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, WB, PBS all via QAM and basic cable - no need for cablecard or set top box. I have a friend in Longmont who is doing the same. As I understand it, anyone in Longmont with basic cable and QAM will get these channels. I have no idea why Comcast is not offering WB and PBS as part of the HD package for Longmont.

After reading the official Comcast announcement, I realized there is no chance that
we will get cable channels, so I cancelled the install. So we're still without a
cable-channel solutionYour comments are pretty definitive. What's your source?

Your comments are pretty definitive. What's your source?

The official Comcast announcement that appeared in the Longmont paper
on Nov.22. Also, conversations with C reps.

Comcast reps say that the firewire port on their STB doesn't work.
Can anyone confirm/deny that claim? Anyone get firewire to work?

Comcast reps say that the firewire port on their STB doesn't work.
Can anyone confirm/deny that claim? Anyone get firewire to work?

It works.

When you saw ESPN HD for those three days, it was where CBS HD was suppose to be, meaning it was mis-assigned. This mistake was corrected by Comcast, so ESPN HD is
gone. See, it isn't that C can't deliver cable channels to Longmont, it's a matter
of where to put them. Their head-end equipment can only handle so many channels,
so they can't give us cable-only without sacrificing some other channels that are already allocated. So there are two ways of delivering cable-only HD:

1. Go to higher capacity equipment (that's what was done to other communities)
or,
2. Remove some lo-def channels that are already in place, making room for
HD cable-only. C is contractually bound to retain those lo-def channels
that are already there, so they can't kick them out to make room.

Also, via QAM, everyone is getting ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB and PBS.

I haven't seen any evidence of this. In fact, One guy specifically reported that
he has basic cable and could not get any HD local channels in Longmont,
dispelling the myth that "Comcast must provide HD locals on basic cable".
So far, I don't believe anybody is getting WB and PBS in HD on Comcast cable, regardless of what package they have (in Longmont). How are you getting
the locals? Cable card from C, STB from C?
many ppl are getting CBS,NBC, PBS, WB, FOX OTA in Longmont. Where do you live that you can't, and what antenna/tuner setup have you tried? I'm thinking
that perhaps you can with the right equipment.

Not to be confrontational but Roller11 I am not sure if you are just being overly pessimistic or just trying to dog comcast... the rep I just spoke with said the rest of the channels will be available by the end of the year. He said any talk of 1 -3 is flat out crazy. His words not mine.

By the way I too have been getting wb and pbs via qam.

Not to be confrontational but Roller11 I am not sure if you are just being overly pessimistic or just trying to dog comcast... the rep I just spoke with said the rest of the channels will be available by the end of the year. He said any talk of 1 -3 is flat out crazy. His words not mine.

By the way I too have been getting wb and pbs via qam.So roller, there is your evidence also a contradiction of what you say the reps told you. Time will tell of course, but the rep was also wrong about the firewire port. Clearly Comcast has not served us in Longmont very well either with service or consistent messages from their reps or via the media. But unless you can provide some other evidence of comments like these:...the plan all along was to upgrade equpiment to enable cable channels (ESPN HD, etc.) in all communities except Longmont. As for Longmont, the same specific plan called for no/limited upgrades: do just enough to allow locals, and no cable channels. Point is, that plan is now complete, they're done, finished. Longmont has been brought up to the target upgrade, so there is no 'on going' upgrade for Longmont.No further upgrades are scheduled, all work is done.I will assume it's just hot air (not necessarily yours, maybe an ill informed rep.)

...not necessarily yours, maybe an ill informed rep.The reps are ill informed?! I'm shocked! :eek:

the rep I just spoke with said the rest of the channels will be available by the end of the year.

At least five different Comcast phone reps have
emphatically assured me that there is no schedule for further upgrades in Longmont, and certainly not by Dec.31,2005. If you doubt this, call Meg at 303 603 2463, extension 58205.

It works.

Really? Have you tested it yourself? How does one use it to transfer HD video
files to a PC?

Really? Have you tested it yourself? How does one use it to transfer HD video
files to a PC?


About a third to one half way through the thread they start taking about the 6412.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=353608

Really? Have you tested it yourself? How does one use it to transfer HD video files to a PC?[/ I have done this several times. I use a Mac, but the firewire port is enabled. You cannot transfer files that are protected by 5C encryption (HBO, SHO, etc., and even Discovery and ESPN). There are a few threads that discuss the methods by which to transfer files.

Loveland has Comcast HDTV!!! A message on my HD DVR said I could order the service. I called and sure enough, now I get them all... (well, not HBO/STARS/CINEMAX/SHOWTIME, I dont subscribe to any of those) No extra charge if you have the HD DVR, just a quick call and it was activated!

Greg

This is good news...

Tonight I decided to do a new search on the qam tuner and I found all the local hds and a few new sd channels as well. (I only have basic right now) hd channels are abc 68-1, cbs 68-2, fox 69-1, nbc 69-2, wb 87-1 and pbs 87-2.

The new sd channels are local access 66-15, encore drama 76-3, 7news weather 90-11, 9news weather 90-12. local sd stations are still there 79-6~79-13.

I am now considering getting digital cable, but am wondering what hd stations are available for loveland... can someone give me some info on channels/pricing? which package is best for the price? with the limited info the website gives i am not noticing too much difference between the cheaper packages. It looks like the hd dvr is worth it for $10 a month since the non hd dvr tuner is $5. Anything i am missing here?

thanks, chris

I've read Kevin Moye's DVHS capture posts, but can anyone point me to a way to effectively copy a 6412 recorded program to a PC hard drive via firewire as a file, delete it from the 6412, and later copy it from the PC back to the 6412 in usable condition (preferably with the same name, date, time, channel info etc)? This would resolve the 6412 hard disk space problem.

Thanks, Bill

Did you in the Denver/Boulder area get this week's home Avs and Nuggets games on INHD or INHD2? I did not here in Fort Collins.

Thanks, Bill

I've read Kevin Moye's DVHS capture posts, but can anyone point me to a way to effectively copy a 6412 recorded program to a PC hard drive via firewire as a file, delete it from the 6412, and later copy it from the PC back to the 6412 in usable condition (preferably with the same name, date, time, channel info etc)? This would resolve the 6412 hard disk space problem.

Thanks, Bill

Nothing that I have seen or read on this allows you to copy the content back to the 6412. It only works from 6412 to PC. Why would you want to copy it back? Once it is on you PC and you can play the files back via the PC (assuming you have it connected to your HDTV) and it is in the same quality as on the 6412.

Did you in the Denver/Boulder area get this week's home Avs and Nuggets games on INHD or INHD2?I recall seeing at least one Nuggets game, although for a time it had a lot of problems. But I did not watch most of that game, nor did I look for the Avs game. Did you call Comcast?

Did you in the Denver/Boulder area get this week's home Avs and Nuggets games on INHD or INHD2? I did not here in Fort Collins.

Thanks, Bill

I am in Loveland and have yet to see the Nuggets in HD. One night it was supposed to be on I just got a blank screen with no sound. Another night it was supposed to be on it was just normal programming. The good thing is that I dont really watch basketball anyway. Now for the bad news. I have been able to "watch" the Avs twice on INHD2. Both times the stream kept breaking up. It would pause for a second or two and then would skip to the current point. It is very difficult to watch hockey this way.

I contacted Comcast customer service and they were, of course, no help. They suggested that I contact Altitude, since all the other programming on INHD2 works fine. I sent Altitude an email a couple of days ago. If I ever get a response, I will try to post it here.

Good luck, Greg

This is good news...

Tonight I decided to do a new search on the qam tuner and I found all the local hds and a few new sd channels as well. (I only have basic right now) hd channels are abc 68-1, cbs 68-2, fox 69-1, nbc 69-2, wb 87-1 and pbs 87-2.

The new sd channels are local access 66-15, encore drama 76-3, 7news weather 90-11, 9news weather 90-12. local sd stations are still there 79-6~79-13.

I am now considering getting digital cable, but am wondering what hd stations are available for loveland... can someone give me some info on channels/pricing? which package is best for the price? with the limited info the website gives i am not noticing too much difference between the cheaper packages. It looks like the hd dvr is worth it for $10 a month since the non hd dvr tuner is $5. Anything i am missing here?

thanks, chris

The HD DVR is the best deal. For $10 you get HD and a DVR, granted it only has a 120GB HDD, its still a pretty good deal. Otherwise you pay $5 for INHD, INHD2, Discovery HD and ESPN HD. If you subscribe to any of the premium movie channels, you should also get an HD version of that as well. You can also get ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX and WB in HD. I was getting all the locals w/out adding the HD package to my DVR. Since I had the HD DVR, they added the HD package at no additional charge and I was able to receive the 4 channels I listed above.

My apologies in advance if this is off topic or has been answered (did a search and didn't find it). There have been rumors floating for quite awhile that Comcast was going to go all digital in Denver and, eventually, discontinue simulcasting the analog channels (generally ch 2 - ch 95). Have they announced or does anyone know when this is going to happen? Although I do have an STB (Motorola 6412) I am curious because when this happens my TV's PIPs obviously won't work (I use this feature for the news channels) and I have a couple of TVs connected directly to cable that I need to find some alternate solutions. Thanks.

Jeff

Roller, I'm getting ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, WB, PBS all via QAM and basic cable - no need for cablecard or set top box. I have a friend in Longmont who is doing the same. As I understand it, anyone in Longmont with basic cable and QAM will get these channels. I have no idea why Comcast is not offering WB and PBS as part of the HD package for Longmont.

Rob,

I'm getting only (HD) CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC on channels 652-655 on my Mot 6214 box.
No WB or PBS. What channels numbers are you seeing hi def WB and PBS
in Longmont?

There have been rumors floating for quite awhile that Comcast was going to go all digital in Denver and, eventually, discontinue simulcasting the analog channels (generally ch 2 - ch 95).
I've been thinking that they could do this as a way of gaining capacity (so maybe we could get more HD channels), but can they legally do this before the analog shut off date? If they do this, then they would need to provide a cable box to every one who currently doesn't have a digital tuner in their TV(s).

The HD DVR is the best deal. For $10 you get HD and a DVR, granted it only has a 120GB HDD, its still a pretty good deal. Otherwise you pay $5 for INHD, INHD2, Discovery HD and ESPN HD. If you subscribe to any of the premium movie channels, you should also get an HD version of that as well. You can also get ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX and WB in HD. I was getting all the locals w/out adding the HD package to my DVR. Since I had the HD DVR, they added the HD package at no additional charge and I was able to receive the 4 channels I listed above.

I'm assuming that pricing is on top of the basic digital package. Is that correct? I currently have DTV (HR10-250) and an OTA but can pull in ABC for obvious reasons. I was curious as well as to the cheapest package one can get from comcast to get all the locals in HD.

Can someone clarify the CHEAPEST comcast package to get HD with the DVR? From their website the DVR is $10 a month, HDTV is $5 a month so that would be $15 a month on top of one of their digitial cable packages. Now if I could ONLY get the HD channels from them that would be great as that is all I would want since I already get everything else I need from DTV.

If you only want locals in HD, then you should be able to get the basic cable service plus HD plus the DVR for $28.39/month. The web site lets you select these services (plus rips you off for $58 for installation), but in order to get this you have to select "I already have digital cable" which wouldn't be true. But I think they have to at least offer the basic + HD by law; they may be able to withold the DVR unless you get digital cable. You'd have to call and find out (and if you call a few different times you might get the answer you want). If you want more than the locals (Discovery HD, InHD1 and 2, and ESPN HD), then you have to get one of the digital packages, and you'll end up paying about $63/month for this.

I'm assuming that pricing is on top of the basic digital package. Is that correct? I currently have DTV (HR10-250) and an OTA but can't pull in ABC for obvious reasons. I was curious as well as to the cheapest package one can get from comcast to get all the locals in HD.

Can someone clarify the CHEAPEST comcast package to get HD with the DVR? From their website the DVR is $10 a month, HDTV is $5 a month so that would be $15 a month on top of one of their digitial cable packages. Now if I could ONLY get the HD channels from them that would be great as that is all I would want since I already get everything else I need from DTV.
Actually, the $10 for the DVR includes the $5 for the HD, so you need to pay for the most low tier basic cable package offered, plus $10. That basic package is typically in the $10-20 range, but it varies by community. You would have to call Comcast (probably several times) to find out what it would really cost.

By the way, Comcast will probably increase its rates early next year by about 5%. IIRC, we've received only one new HD channel since the last increase, and that was a local channel that they're going to have to offer anyway. I talked with a CSR who seemed pretty knowledgeable, who said that the number of HD channels offered was not just a function of capacity (which exists), but also subject to local government franchising rules. According to her, every few months there is an insert in the Comcast bill that provides phone numbers of local agencies to contact. You can also call Comcast and ask them to put this request in for you. Honestly, I've never heard of this, and I get my bill electronically and I don't recall this insert, but it can't hurt to contact Comcast to request more HD.

Actually, the $10 for the DVR includes the $5 for the HD, so you need to pay for the most low tier basic cable package offered, plus $10. That basic package is typically in the $10-20 range, but it varies by community. You would have to call Comcast (probably several times) to find out what it would really cost.

Has this been done? Does anyone have Basic Cable and the DVR Service? I have an appointment to add Basic Cable this Saturday. I just went online to add the DVR service to my install. I went into live chat to confirm and the person said they couldn't add the DVR service unless Basic DIGITAL Cable was subscribed to. So, no luck for me...

Update: I was reading through Comcast's FAQ HERE (http://www.comcast.com/Support/Corp1/FAQ/FaqDetail_177.html) and thought, well, if I can't get the DVR, then I should be able to get just a regular HD STB (no DVR) for $5 per month. So, I called again. The guy initially said that I needed Basic DIGITAL Service. I said that I just wated to be able to tune the LOCAL HD channels, and didn't care about receiving the "encrypted" HD channels. He put me on hold to check. After coming back on the phone, he said that I could, in fact, rent one for $5. I then asked him about the DVR for $10 and he said he couldn't see why not. So, I guess it is possible!

The only problem is that the window they had set up for my install isn't enough time to do the DVR install. So, the guy suggested that I drive down to the pay center and pick one up myself, after the Basic Cable install is complete.

The last I heard, Comcast is only simulcasting the local broadcast channels, but not the rest of the analog channels. This info is based on a recent conversation with an engineer that works in the Denver broadcast center where they receive the fiber link from the satellite uplink center.

I also heard they are working towards simulcasting all channels, but I wouldn't expect analog to go away anytime soon.

The last I heard, Comcast is only simulcasting the local broadcast channels, but not the rest of the analog channels. This info is based on a recent conversation with an engineer that works in the Denver broadcast center where they receive the fiber link from the satellite uplink center.

I also heard they are working towards simulcasting all channels, but I wouldn't expect analog to go away anytime soon.Sorry for being ignorant, but I don't understand what you are saying, can you explain a bit more, thanks.

The last I heard, Comcast is only simulcasting the local broadcast channels, but not the rest of the analog channels. This info is based on a recent conversation with an engineer that works in the Denver broadcast center where they receive the fiber link from the satellite uplink center.

I also heard they are working towards simulcasting all channels, but I wouldn't expect analog to go away anytime soon.
You're probably right since they raised the rates on that tier this week. At least my PIPs will work for awhile. But there are two things that raised my cuiosity -- one was the fact that they removed HBO & MAX from the analog tier (Denver) in late October; then came through my condo complex and removed all the traps. The other is kind of interesting. I noticed on my Sony HDD250 DVR that it was getting TV Guide on Screen (tvgos) data from ch 80. Huh? There is no ch 80 in Denver, not on any lineup I've seen. Tuned it in on the Sony & 6412 and its an an encrypted (my TV's tuner can't tune it) analog version of KRMA 6. I am told that tvgos and some of the other info KRMA broadcasts (eg, time data for VCRs, etc.) can only be passed via analog. So I was thinking maybe this is how Comcast is going to solve that problem when it goes all digital.

Update: I was reading through Comcast's FAQ HERE (http://www.comcast.com/Support/Corp1/FAQ/FaqDetail_177.html) and thought, well, if I can't get the DVR, then I should be able to get just a regular HD STB (no DVR) for $5 per month. So, I called again. The guy initially said that I needed Basic DIGITAL Service. I said that I just wated to be able to tune the LOCAL HD channels, and didn't care about receiving the "encrypted" HD channels. He put me on hold to check. After coming back on the phone, he said that I could, in fact, rent one for $5. I then asked him about the DVR for $10 and he said he couldn't see why not. So, I guess it is possible!

The only problem is that the window they had set up for my install isn't enough time to do the DVR install. So, the guy suggested that I drive down to the pay center and pick one up myself, after the Basic Cable install is complete.

I'm working the same issue, so please get back to us if you find that you can indeed
get basic only W/ HD recorder for only about $20.00/mo.

Yesterday I had a talk with an informed C installer and got some insight as
to why Longmont was not upgraded to HD.

The guy explained that the reason that Comcast didn't upgrade Longmont is that the infrustructure here
is old, it can only do up to 550 Mhz. Ft.Collins, etc. have newer 800 Mhz equipment(i.e. infrustructure) , so all they had to do was
upgrade the head-end (basically, one box) and the rest of the signal distribution (i.e. infrustructure) was already HD capable,
so the upgrade was cheap. To do Longmont, all the nodes and neighborhood boxes would have to have
electronics replaced (to reach 800 Mhz) at an expense of $4,000,000, and this takes 9-12 months. C was simply too cheap to spend the money. Doing this would bring Longmont up to the same hardware level as Ft. Collins, Denver, Loveland, so we would
get the same level of service. But, there is another way to solve the problem: all digital. Now, All of Colorado is a analog/digital mix.
Problem is, analog takes more bandwidth than digital. If you convert all analog to digital, then you save space and all HD would fit
in the 550 Mhz that we already have. So going all digital would be the cheap/quick way to get HD to Longmont,
cause all C would need do is change the head-end (one box) to digital. The only reason not to do this is that some current
C customers have only analog service (not digital) so they'd have no way to tune digital if they have an older TV with no ATSC tuner, so C would have to either provide them a digital box to interface to their
analog TV's, or face the chance of losing them to other providers, like satellite/OTA.
Currently, C execs are doing an analysis of the best way to go:
1. Go all digital (downside: lose a few customers)
2. Upgrade the current infrustructure to 800 Mhz (downside: expensive, takes a long time)
3. Do nothing (downside: no HDTV in Longmont)

The analysis is being done locally, but that analysis will be forwarded to Philadelphia (corporate HQ)
and execs at C will then decide what they want to do, if anything.
Of course this proves what I suspected all along: there was never a plan to upgrade Longmont
to HD status. It also explains why there is no schedule for HD, there is currently
only the default "do nothing" plan. Hopefully, C will change their mind and go all digital.
That would clearly be the best for us.

Also, I successfully recorded a program from my Mot 6412 box to my PC
using the 1394 interface jack on the back of the 6412. Has anyone tried this
with the basic non-recorder digital box?

I am wondering which channels from (expanded) basic analog are offered in digital format right now.
I am still trying to decide if digital is worth the extra money or not and the small HD offering is not enough to make me switch yet. However, if my pq is going to increase on a lot of other channels I might just do it.

Thanks, Chris (Loveland)

Since I got HD, I rarely switch to ANY SD channels, digital or otherwise. I try not to think about how much extra HD is really costing me, just so I can watch CNN or SciFi when absolutely nothing else is on (and I can't pull myself away from the couch). I doubt your PQ will increase that much - I'm not sure ANY of the expanded basic channels are digital. The DVR is worth it, though.

I understand that the local broadcast channels are being simulcast in digital but that all of the other channels (up to 100) are analog only.

that's what i figured but had to ask anyway.
it's about $20 more a month to go to digital classic w/ dvr. guess i have to decide if it's worth it for an on screen guide, hd dvr and a couple extra digital channels that i probably won't watch very often! i have a qam tuner so i am getting the local sd and hd channels already.

if i could get my tvgos working on the dvdr i wouldn't even want comasts osg... anybody in loveland getting tvgos?

thanks, chris

I'm in Longmont and at this point I still have analog cable. I called Comcast and was told If I pick up my HD box at the payment center on Kimbark I will be able to get the 4 local's on HD. I plan on doing that this afternoon. I have a Panasonic ae100 projector and I while I don't expect true HD, I hope it looks a lot better then what I currently have.

I upgraded to digital cable + HD DVR set top box a couple weeks ago. This weekend I bought a Digital Cable Ready television for upstairs since that's where we watch most TV. It can tune in the unencrypted hi-def locals with no problem.

I went in to Comcast today to ask about getting a cablecard for my second set. I was told it would be $6/month and had to be installed by them ($15 visit). Their web site said the cablecard was gratis but I guess that is only the case if you use the cablecard for your one primary tap.

I'm paying $10/month for the HD DVR but I guess that doesn't matter? $6/month sure seems like a ripoff to me.

Robert

I'm working the same issue, so please get back to us if you find that you can indeed
get basic only W/ HD recorder for only about $20.00/mo.

Well, I went to the payment center in Loveland today over lunch. I'm thinking now that it really does depend on who you talk to.

So far, I've:
- Talked to a guy on live chat that said I can't have DVR with *just* basic analog cable
- Talked to two people on the phone who initially denied being able to have a DVR with *just* basic analog cable, and then after being put on hold to "check", came back and said it was possible.
- Talked to the person at the payment center and was told they they can't give me a DVR unless I sign up for Digital Classic. I was told that the DVR needs a special tier code activated (that is at least part of the Digital Classic package) or the DVR will eventually stop working/functioning/recording. One of the people there said that someone had just returned one that wouldn't work or stopped working while only having basic analog cable turned on. Hmmm. :confused:

So, I then asked if I could rent a non-DVR STB so that I can at least tune to the HD Locals. And this, I was allowed to do, for $7 per month (I thought it was $5, but there were some other "fees" associated with only have Basic Cable).

Anyway, feeling a bit confused, decided to the tuner box now and try and figure out the $5 vs $7 issue later. And, I might try and give a call to someone who would be willing to rent me a DVR with just basic cable.

I went home and hooked the STB up and was able to tune to the analog locals (that are a part of the Basic Cable service), as well as the 6 digital HD Locals (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB and PBS).

When I called to "activate" the receiver, I asked the person if I could have a DVR instead. The person said "no", but really didn't give a good reason. I had enough at that point and thought I'd try again later.

I'm in Longmont and at this point I still have analog cable. I called Comcast and was told If I pick up my HD box at the payment center on Kimbark I will be able to get the 4 local's on HD. I plan on doing that this afternoon. I have a Panasonic ae100 projector and I while I don't expect true HD, I hope it looks a lot better then what I currently have.


David, I currently am looking at Basic cable for Local HD to go with my DirectTV. I called Comcast today and they said that Local HD wouldn't be available for Basic cable I would have to get Digital package instead, I personally think their crazy. Would you post back once you receive your HD box and tell me if you are able to receive local HD with your basic cable service.

Much appreciated.

Jeff

David, I currently am looking at Basic cable for Local HD to go with my DirectTV. I called Comcast today and they said that Local HD wouldn't be available for Basic cable I would have to get Digital package instead, I personally think their crazy. Would you post back once you receive your HD box and tell me if you are able to receive local HD with your basic cable service.

Much appreciated.

JeffI was told the same story when I called them last Friday. I called again on today and was told all I needed to do was pick up the box and then call to activitate. I got the box this afternoon, activated and just watched a few minutes of HD ABC (MNF) and the Out of Practice. Previously I would never watch regular TV on my 100" diag. screen, standard def blown up to that size was horrible. I did watch the occasional sports but rarely. At this point the best my projector will do is 480p but damn, it looks good. It compares (not surprisingly) to DVD quality. Not HD, but tons better than what I had. I get ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, plus all the other channels of course (I have the extended basic analog plan). I'm def. going to keep it through March Madness, well worth the $30.

Maybe the tax man will be nice to me and I'll be able to upgrade my projector to 720p and maybe Comcast will (I can dream) add the other HD channels next year.

I went home and hooked the STB up and was able to tune to the analog locals (that are a part of the Basic Cable service), as well as the 6 digital HD Locals (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB and PBS).

When I called to "activate" the receiver, I asked the person if I could have a DVR instead. The person said "no", but really didn't give a good reason. I had enough at that point and thought I'd try again later.

I just went through the exercise of connecting the 1394 port on the back of my
6412 DVR (HD) to my PC. I verified that I can get a true transport stream (.tp)
copied to my hard disk, at least on all the HD 'locals' and some of the other channels
(like discovery, TCM, ESPN, and a few others). The obvious question is, can the
same thing be done with the basic digital box that is not a recorder. Could you test
this and get back to us?

BTW, after copying HD material onto my PC from the 6412, and then watching
the playback using my Fusion HDTV software, I found that the image quality
is definitely 'soft' on the output of the 6412 vs OTA. For a proper comparison
I replayed the same program on both my PC and the 6412 simutaneously
and the 6412 was visibly inferior. So if one wanted to get superior
PQ, you could record to your PC instead of to the 6412. This seems to answer the
question "is Comcast PQ just as good as OTA"? Answer is "no".

So if one wanted to get superior
PQ, you could record to your PC instead of to the 6412. This seems to answer the
question "is Comcast PQ just as good as OTA"? Answer is "no".

Very interesting find roller11! Thanks for the testing and the post! A bit of a bummer though that the PQ is "soft" on the 6412

So maybe bandwith isn't a problem in longmont?

Just notice a new option on my PVR, OnDemand.


hmmm, maybe ESPN is right around the corner

Very interesting find roller11! Thanks for the testing and the post! A bit of a bummer though that the PQ is "soft" on the 6412

I have definitely noticed this, and I think that it has something to do with the extra compression that Comcast is doing to the OTA channels. I can't get solid reception on the OTAs at my house, so Comcast is better then nothing.

So maybe bandwith isn't a problem in longmont?

Just notice a new option on my PVR, OnDemand.


hmmm, maybe ESPN is right around the corner

To get ESPN HD in Longmont, Comcast would have to spend $4,000,000
to upgrade the infrustructure. That would need to be offset by $4,000,000
in HD subscriptions. At $10.00 per customer (the increase in monthly rate to get
HD), it would take 400,000 subscriber months for C to recover it's
investment. If C got, say, 5,000 HD subscriber upgrades, it would take
80 months or 6.7 years for C to recoupe their investment.

I have definitely noticed this, and I think that it has something to do with the extra compression that Comcast is doing to the OTA channels. I can't get solid reception on the OTAs at my house, so Comcast is better then nothing.

No, it isn't a matter of extra compression vs OTA. Like OTA, the 6412 captures
a video stream (aka .tp). The stream itself is identical to the OTA stream as proven by my experiment. I know this because I sent the 6412 captued stream to my PC via
1394, and played it from my PC. The PQ was identical to OTA captured
with my fusion HDTV card. But that same stream played through the 6412
box was "soft", proving that the display hardware in the 6412 was the problem,
not the video stream itself. The difference is not what I'd call dramatic, not it
is noticeable. Better than a top quality DVD, but not as good as OTA from my Fusion
card.

Just received a mailer from Comcast yesterday in Longmont for Basic and HBO for $49.00 per month, The very last words on the fine print said "NO HD"

Just received a mailer from Comcast yesterday in Longmont for Basic and HBO for $49.00 per month, The very last words on the fine print said "NO HD"

They do have HD locals in Longmont. No ESPN per Roller11 (but I think its coming by the end of year).

Just received a mailer from Comcast yesterday in Longmont for Basic and HBO for $49.00 per month, The very last words on the fine print said "NO HD"Their website hasn't been updated showing HD available either. Regardless, I've got the 4 HD channels.

To get ESPN HD in Longmont, Comcast would have to spend $4,000,000
to upgrade the infrustructure. That would need to be offset by $4,000,000
in HD subscriptions. At $10.00 per customer (the increase in monthly rate to get
HD), it would take 400,000 subscriber months for C to recover it's
investment. If C got, say, 5,000 HD subscriber upgrades, it would take
80 months or 6.7 years for C to recoupe their investment.I'm not sure Comcast would view the financials the same way. I would think the upgrade would provide more then simply capacity for additional HD channels. I would think it would help with additional capacity for new subscribers, new services, additional Internet capacity, VOIP capability. I don't know of course, but it makes sense to my little brain.

The obvious question is, can the same thing be done with the basic digital box that is not a recorder. Could you test this and get back to us?

I'd like to try this out, but I don't have a PC w/ firewire at this point and I haven't invested the $20 or whatever to get one. I would get one if I knew that I was going to have a HTPC, but I'm not sure that I am. That becomes really expensive very quickly.

I'm still hoping to be able to get the DVR w/ just basic service. I'm so used to TiVo and being able to record shows and watch them when I want that it's hard to see the value in renting a non-DVR STB. I guess something is better than nothing...

Does anyone actually have the DVR w/ just Basic Cable Service? If so, how'd you get it set up...via scheduled appointment or just drive down to the local payment center to pick one up?

To get ESPN HD in Longmont, Comcast would have to spend $4,000,000
to upgrade the infrustructure. That would need to be offset by $4,000,000
in HD subscriptions. At $10.00 per customer (the increase in monthly rate to get
HD), it would take 400,000 subscriber months for C to recover it's
investment. If C got, say, 5,000 HD subscriber upgrades, it would take
80 months or 6.7 years for C to recoupe their investment.

Like David said they will be able to offer a lot more than just more HD channels. Comcast views OnDemand as something that will make them a lot of money in the future. We are also talking about phone service, more SD channels, faster more expensive internet tiers, etc.
Plus $4 million for Comcast is chump change.

No, it isn't a matter of extra compression vs OTA. Like OTA, the 6412 captures
a video stream (aka .tp). The stream itself is identical to the OTA stream as proven by my experiment. I know this because I sent the 6412 captued stream to my PC via
1394, and played it from my PC. The PQ was identical to OTA captured
with my fusion HDTV card. But that same stream played through the 6412
box was "soft", proving that the display hardware in the 6412 was the problem,
not the video stream itself. The difference is not what I'd call dramatic, not it
is noticeable. Better than a top quality DVD, but not as good as OTA from my Fusion
card.

Jeff, could this be due to the connections to your TV? If you're using DVI from your computer but component outs from the 6412, I would expect that the display would be a little softer from the 6412.

Jeff, could this be due to the connections to your TV? If you're using DVI from your computer but component outs from the 6412, I would expect that the display would be a little softer from the 6412.

Excellent question. I thought of this, so I connected the 6412 via DVI (I have only
one DVI input on my TV). Most of the degradation is from the cables, since DVI
looks better than component (aka RGB). Still, DVI doesn't look quiet as good
from the 6412 as the same program looks coming from my computer through the
same DVI cable. This is interesting because I would have thought that since
in both cases, the data is a binary encoding, it would have to be indentical.
In my experience, I have seen little if any benefit from using DVI over RGB, but in this case, the difference is substantial.

In my experience, I have seen little if any benefit from using DVI over RGB, but in this case, the difference is substantial.That's interesting. Do you have a DVI DVD player? I notice a huge difference between DVI and component from the DVD player, but not nearly as much (w.r.t. PQ) from the 6412. I've also noticed that the picture from the 6412 is much brighter (more washed out, depending on your perspective) via DVI vs. component if I leave the TV settings for brightness and contrast where they are when connected via component.

That's interesting. Do you have a DVI DVD player? I notice a huge difference between DVI and component from the DVD player, but not nearly as much (w.r.t. PQ) from the 6412. I've also noticed that the picture from the 6412 is much brighter (more washed out, depending on your perspective) via DVI vs. component if I leave the TV settings for brightness and contrast where they are when connected via component.

No DVI DVD player. My experience is a Voom box which was hooked up via
component, and the PQ was superb, I guess that's why I'm surprized that
the 6412 has poor PQ through component.
Also, I have compared the PQ from my PC using both DVI and 15 pin sub D (VGA).
Try as I might, I can't tell a difference even with the very HD best source,
such as NBC's Office and CBS Still Standing. Since both VGA and component are
analog, I guess I expected they would comparable.
I replayed Bernie Mac from the 6412 Friday night. I spent awhile debugging,
changing settings in the setup screen, trying
to figure out why the picture seemed "rough", and the whole time it never occured
to me that the prob was with the component interface. Now I understand why
I could never get it right. Starting today, I now convert all progs on the 6412 to .tp
files by copying them to my PC via the 1394 connector as I described
above. Once on my PC, I use my Fusion HD card to play them. A lot of trouble,
but the PQ through component is simply unacceptable.
BTW, I find the PQ "washed out" exactly as you say.

Last night the video on several of the HD channels, and I think some of the SD channels as well IIRC, was jerky (I'm not sure how else to describe it). Whenever there was motion it wasn't smooth, it was jerky. It wasn't constant but was happening very often. I really noticed in the boxing match on one of the INHD's last night. I know it's not my TV because my recorded programs didn't exhibit this behavior. And I know it was happening on more than one channel, Discovery HD and INHD both were doing it for sure.

I'm guessing it's the box, but I'm wondering if it's maybe just Comcast having a bad day in my area. Has anyone else exeperienced this?

I've had that happen occasionally. I think last week's Veronica Mars (SD) was like that, and a Nuggets game a few weeks ago on InHD was virtually unwatchable (VM is always watchable).

When the jerkiness happens to me I switch over to the cablecard and 90% of the time its not jerky on the cable card so I unplug the DVR and plug it back in and it solves the problem.

Until Nov.22, ABC primetime was unavailable in Longmont. Now that Longmont is finally getting ABC over cable, I'm trying to
'catch up' with a few shows that look interesting.
I saw "lost" for the first time Dec. 7. How did they get to the island? Why are there various
groups and what is their significance, i.e. the 'hugo' group, the dog group,
the baby group, etc. Any info would be appreciated.
Ditto 'Alias'. Desperate Housewives seems self-explanatory.
Thanks.

You can also buy episodes of Lost on the iTunes music store from Apple. Still off topic I know, but I think that legal downloading of TV episodes is going to be a fascinating business to watch develop.

Still OT, but there are various threads that discuss Lost (so you can become even more lost), and probably Alias, although the latter has been canceled. I wouldn't go to the Lost threads until you see the first season - this is not a show that can be recapped in a couple of posts, and the second season doesn't really stand on its own. But to answer your first question, plane crash (suspension of disbelief is required).