Anyway, how did you find this deal? I've been scouring the internet for more details on these Comcast "dish buyback" deals but the information is so hard to dig through. Any tips you could offer me would be much appreciated.


Look at comcast.com. Click on "What's available?" and there should be something about a special offer for satellite customers (at least there is at my address). Current offer for me is $39.99 for digital cable w/ HBO or $99 for phone, tv and internet - both offers good for a year. I've been thinking about switching myself, but I'm sort of waiting for Comcast to get their Tivo software available.

And if anyone would like to comment on dumping Dish for Comcast, I'd love to hear it before the fact. They sure seem to have a boatload more HD content on Dish, but it was going to cost me a small fortune to buy a couple of HD-DVRs (without the DVRs I was faced with a mutiny on my own damn ship, even from the dog.) Over the long haul Comcast will cost me more, but I also really missed cable internet (hint: stay away from Earthlink DSL.)

Anyway, football season will be here before we know it, and with my total inability to get Fox 31 OTA in HD (which is another LONG story that my wife would love to tell you,) and Monday Night Football going to ESPN, I figured it was time to make the change.

Thanks!

Well it sounds like you have reason enough to switch. For myself, I'll be pulling the plug totally on Comcast in a week or so after having them for bout 2.5 years I guess it's been. I originally switched from E* HD to them when Comcast first offered HD because THEN they had a deal a person truly couldnt refuse. You got all the HD channels they offered (more or less the same ones they offer today give or take), including the premium movie channel versions for the cost of Basic Cable and the HD box.. about 20.00 a month.

That was for about 6 months. Then of course eventually they starting offering the HD DVR with nothing upfront as well. But a couple months ago I went back to E* with a 622 and just kept Comcast for a while, in a stripped down way, to make sure the 622 was reliable enough.

But for *me* it still comes down to the amount of HD content. And E* just flat blows Comcast in Denver away. The 2 HDNets, TNT, the Duece, Uni.. now HGTV and Nat. Geo.. things Comcast doesnt offer. And of course the Vooms for whatever they're worth. Course in fairness Comcast does have the InHD's and Cinemax HD which E* doesnt offer.

The HD-Lite issue on some channels? Well ya, thats a shame, but I sit only 11' from a 100" screen and by in large I have no real big beef with it. It's more of a principle thing than a reality thing because it's not like I refuse to watch them. And when it comes to Locals, I'm fortunate enough to get them OTA anyways as need be when the PQ might not otherwise be up to snuff.

Anyway, how did you find this deal? I've been scouring the internet for more details on these Comcast "dish buyback" deals but the information is so hard to dig through. Any tips you could offer me would be much appreciated.

Lastly, is reception on channels 1-100 (such as Food Network) really as bad as I hear?

Hi DC,

Yes, reception on channels 1 - 100 is as bad as you hear. Not only that, but when using the Comcast cable DVR (Motorola 6412), you lose about five inches of picture on the left and right. I couldn't believe it when I connected a firewire cable to it and my Magnavox TV. There was suddenly that much more picture, and not just stretched out. Logos that were cut off through the other cables were suddenly there with the firewire cable.

Regarding HD. If you have an ATSC tuner in your television, you have a digital/HD integrated TV. Depending on where you are in the Denver metro area, all you usually need is a pair of rabbit ears with the loop antenna in the middle (UHF) to get all the local channels in digital save one, channel 12 (at least we can't from central Jeffco - Kipling and Belleview).

Connect the antenna to Antenna A or B, and then have your TV search the channels for you.

People have forgotten, but over-the-air TV is still there, and it's free. And there are more local digital channels than you will get on satellite and cable. Channel 2 has channels 2.1 (regular WB programming) and 2.2 (The Tube - music videos of all stripes). 9.1 (regular KUSA) and 9.2 (NBC's 24 hour weather channel). Channel 12 supposedly has 3 digital channel streams, though I've never seen them. Channel 6 runs two different channels. Regular channel 6 (SD) runs the usual stuff and the beg-a-thons, and 6.1 runs Create-TV from midnight to 6 PM, and then runs PBS HD from 6PM to midnight. Very repetitive stuff, unfortunately, but the potential for greatness is there if they just had more variety. One of the religious channels is actually in HD (53.1).

The .1, .2, .3 refers to sub channels. The frequency is so wide, it can be divided into multiple channels.

And for those looking at buying a new TV, ATSC-HD sets are the only way to go. Then you don't need Comcast or satellite to get local HD channels.

I can't quote for some reason, the forum SW is saying I have too many image or URL calls *shrug*

Hmm, sounds like Comcast might not be right for me then since I watch a lot of shows on the networks on channels under 100. It's really unfortunate, though, because I'm dreading putting a satellite dish on the facade of our charming old house.

As for my TV, I'm pretty sure it doesn't include an ATSC tuner. It's definitely HD, but it's a couple of years old and is from a time when HDTV's with built-in tuners were really rare.

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to check out comcast's site with my new address and see if they offer a satellite switcher deal and if the lower cost is really worth it (I really like the normal SD quality of DirecTV).

P.S. What is E*? I've googled for "E*", "E Star", etc but I have no idea what you all are referring to.

Echostar aka Dish Network.

I was with D* for 7 years or so, and the 1-100 channels on Comcast through the 6412 are markedly better than any SD on D*. I have no idea what one is comparing to when saying that the reception is bad. Also, have never noticed logos being cut off or any evidence of image cropping.

For quality, Comcast is probably the best right now. For HD quantity, it's Dish (E*).

Entourage was unwatchable for me last night. The picture was freezing and breaking up. I checked the channel 14 version and it, too, was having problems. The problems were isolated to that channel an, it seems, that program. I gave up about five minutes in and reset my DVR for Wednesday. Did anyone else experience this? It is nice that Entourage is in HD this season though.

Entourage was unwatchable for me last night. The picture was freezing and breaking up. I checked the channel 14 version and it, too, was having problems. The problems were isolated to that channel an, it seems, that program. I gave up about five minutes in and reset my DVR for Wednesday. Did anyone else experience this? It is nice that Entourage is in HD this season though.

Yeah I experienced the same thing. Annoying as hell. I thought the HD was ok. Lucky Louie looked a lot more detailed.

Also we should now have ESPN2-HD running now. We should be up in running in Denver!!! Received a response from my contact and her is the reply:

"I think the equipment came in because we just received an announcement that it’s up! Check your TV tonight and let me know."


I’m not home but if any of the Denver people can chime in and let us know that would be great!

Yeah I experienced the same thing. Annoying as hell. I thought the HD was ok. Lucky Louie looked a lot more detailed.

Also we should now have ESPN2-HD running now. We should be up in running in Denver!!! Received a response from my contact and her is the reply:

"I think the equipment came in because we just received an announcement that it’s up! Check your TV tonight and let me know."


I’m not home but if any of the Denver people can chime in and let us know that would be great!
ESPN2 is not up and running here in denver yet. (well, lafayette, but i think we are on the same system, although ktvd did show up a little later here than it did in denver)

If I don't see it tonight I'll ask again. But good news though, so I think it's safe to say we're getting it.

Ok, my 6412 seems to be toast. Well, a bit better than that, but not much. I can only use one tuner and the DVR functions don't function. I tried unplugging it twice to no avail.

Anyway, I called Comcast and they are sending a tech tomorrow. While I was on the phone, I asked about the switch to all digital. He said that all of the employees are on that now, and that the switchover should be next month.

That's from a CSR, who asked a manager, so take it for what its worth. ;)

Looks like Denver will be rolling out ESPN2-HD on 6/22.

It was delayed due to equipment configuration. It will be ready by the 22nd and on Channel 670.

That's cool with me as long as we're getting it. Don't care much for soccer but for MLB and College Football come this fall.

So, if you're knowledgeable on the addition of ESPN2, can you let us know why Comcast hasn't added any other HD channels in this area?

I just called to complain about my digital voice service not working right with the online functions and asked about ESPN2. The rep that I talked to had just attended a briefing on the launch of ESPN2 and confirmed the 22nd date. She also mentioned that in the Denver area they do have bandwidth for another couple stations at least, but didn't have any details on what may be coming soon.

I just moved back to the Denver area from LA where we had ESPN2 on the Adelphia system.
In surfing the HD channels, I never saw any Hi-Def programs on ESPN2. ESPN has some programming in HD but many were in Standard Definition. I would estimate that ESPN2 has less than 10% of its content in HD. Complete waste of bandwidth. It could be put to much better use for HDNet or others that are 24x7 HD.

I have been told twice in the last couple of days that the ADS rollout will occur sometime in July. I think that ought to make room for a couple more HD channels.

BTW, I always thought that ADS stood for "Analog/Digital Simulcast" but both the CSR and Tech told me it means "All Digital Signal." Still, I haven't heard anything about everybody needing a digital box, so I guess they will still be simulcasting.

I just moved back to the Denver area from LA where we had ESPN2 on the Adelphia system.
In surfing the HD channels, I never saw any Hi-Def programs on ESPN2. ESPN has some programming in HD but many were in Standard Definition. I would estimate that ESPN2 has less than 10% of its content in HD. Complete waste of bandwidth. It could be put to much better use for HDNet or others that are 24x7 HD.

I would think that it is higher than 10%, but the big reason ESPN2 will be nice is the big sporting events like the World Cup that is predominately broadcast so far on ESPN2 and is completely in HD. Most of their normal programming is in SD I am sure, but the big events are in HD and that is well worth it over a channel that may be 24/7 but is just repeats of the same shows over and over for the most part.

FX used to be on QAM 103.6 on Comcast. That is now showing up as encrypted. Does anyone know if FX was moved to a different QAM channel, or did Comcast start encrypting it?

Thanks much!
try COMCAST FX- QAM 103.10

So will the Denver market get ESPN2HD on June 1?
I would not hold my breath.
Just wondering what our chances are?
Slim and none.
Boy, do I sound like a broken record. But I'm happy to be wrong. My DVR says ESPN2 should be available on channel 670. It's not there yet (the first time Comcast has ever put out a message prior to actually adding a channel), but since wmarkw said it would start tomorrow, I have confidence it will be there.

wmarkw - my previous question still stands. Since you have a contact willing to provide this information, is there any way of letting us know why other channels like TNT and UHD have not been added?

I got the same message, I've had the same issue myself before, the message for channel 20 in HD came about a week before the channel worked for me, but it did work for everyone else in denver. I'm in Lafayette.

I have been told twice in the last couple of days that the ADS rollout will occur sometime in July. I think that ought to make room for a couple more HD channels.

BTW, I always thought that ADS stood for "Analog/Digital Simulcast" but both the CSR and Tech told me it means "All Digital Signal." Still, I haven't heard anything about everybody needing a digital box, so I guess they will still be simulcasting.

I must have missed this when it was posted last week.

Does this mean our analog TVs will no longer work on Comcast without a tuner box?

If so, where in heaven's name will they get enough to supply all the need?

Still no ESPN2 on channel 670 for me...

I got the message last night too and was planning on seeing at least the channel there with programming to be TBA and there is nothing. I will check with my contact tomorrow if we don’t have it sometime today. I agree it would be weird if Comcast would post a message and then not broadcast the channel.

Gakon I did ask my friend there why other markets have TNT-HD and we don’t but she didn’t have an answer. But she did firmly state that more HD channels will be coming soon. So hopefully that’s true.

I have ESPN2 this morning and it looks great. I am up in Superior so most everyone in the Metro area should have it by now.

I hope it's true, too. But it all depends on your definition of the word "soon".

yeah i have it here in lafayette now. only 4 more games in the entire cup will be broadcast on espn2 now though. 1 today, 2 tomorrow, and a quarterfinal. Oh well. Still happy we get it, and hopefully most of the wimbledon coverage will be HD.

I would think that it is higher than 10%, but the big reason ESPN2 will be nice is the big sporting events like the World Cup that is predominately broadcast so far on ESPN2 and is completely in HD. Most of their normal programming is in SD I am sure, but the big events are in HD and that is well worth it over a channel that may be 24/7 but is just repeats of the same shows over and over for the most part.

You are right, most of ESPN2HD is SD. But I agree, the several major sports events each week are worth it. There is only so much TV I can watch and now not missing any HD event I want to see is a relief. (Also, I believe ESPN2 had the worst SD analog picture on my 50" TV of any).

Rich N.

I must have missed this when it was posted last week.

Does this mean our analog TVs will no longer work on Comcast without a tuner box?

If so, where in heaven's name will they get enough to supply all the need?

Bob, I seriously doubt that this is the end of analog. I think that this means that all channels will be digital for those with boxes. However, I did get a letter several weeks ago that said I needed to upgrade my box to support digital. I ignored it because I already had the 6412.

By the way, I recently had my phase 2 box replaced after it all but died. I now have a phase 3 (HDMI with no DVI). This new box is great. I haven't experienced any of the command queing problem at all. I hope it stays that way.

I got a new 6412 last week after my phase I box died. I still have the remote delay problem which I expected but the new bug I have is when going to the guide. Or menue for that matter.

The picture does not shrink up to the corner. The first day it did but after that the guide just overlays onto the picture. Does anyone else have this problem?


OH, PS. I've got HD Espn2 here in lakewood. The world cup looks great!

Cool I'm glad it's up and running. I could care less about the world cup but for this fall college football and some MLB games this summer and then college bball in the winter. Any new HD is a step fwd in my book!!

I could care less about it too. I was just saying looks great. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=Couch Patato]I got a new 6412 last week after my phase I box died. I still have the remote delay problem which I expected but the new bug I have is when going to the guide. Or menue for that matter.[QUOTE]

Maybe they finally fixed them just in time for the Panasonic models next year? Murphy's Law.

Looks like everyone has ESPN2 now. For me the World Cup was a big part of the reason I wanted ESPN2... a lot earlier I might add. It only happens every four years. They didn't do it soon enough to save me as a customer, as I had already placed an order to have E* installed by the time I heard they would be adding ESPN2 here. So I'll only have Comcast for a few more days. As soon as Comcast adds HDNet movies, I will consider coming back.

The picture does not shrink up to the corner. The first day it did but after that the guide just overlays onto the picture. Does anyone else have this problem?

I had that same problem about a month or two ago, right after they updated the firmware/software. I fixed it by unplugging the box for about a minute.

Looks like everyone has ESPN2 now. For me the World Cup was a big part of the reason I wanted ESPN2... a lot earlier I might add. It only happens every four years. They didn't do it soon enough to save me as a customer, as I had already placed an order to have E* installed by the time I heard they would be adding ESPN2 here. So I'll only have Comcast for a few more days. As soon as Comcast adds HDNet movies, I will consider coming back.

Any new HD channels would be nice. I don't see Brian Roberts giving Mark Cuban (HDNet's owner) the time of day, let alone exposure or even so much as a nickle via a Comcast subscription. I hope I'm wrong.

Here's the "Dish" from 2004 ... no pun intended (well, maybe a little... ;o) -

http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000873024786/

Not another word from Cuban on his blog since.

I had that same problem about a month or two ago, right after they updated the firmware/software. I fixed it by unplugging the box for about a minute.


I tried that & it didn't work. I'll do it again but leave it unplugged longer this time. Thanks!

I re-scanned my QAM tuner last night because it was not picking up any of the OTA stations except for 18.1 (KCNC-DT). Turns out that was due to my ongoing signal strength issues with Comcast in this multi-unit building wired with RG-59 cable. I'm guessing some tech was out recently and un-did what the last tech did. The interesting thing is that I noticed that Analog 14 (formerly HBO) and 16 (formerly Cinemax) were both carrying fixed messages indicating to tune to the appropriate digital channel. That would free up enough bandwidth for 4 HD channels (or 20 religious shopping channels).

I think Comcast sent out a letter indicating that the premium channels will be moved to Digital at the end of April, thus the need to get a STB if you wanted to keep HBO, etc.? But from what I've been reading that freeing up analog channels will provide us with the chance to get more HD. So hopefully we'll get some more this summer.

I was watching the Rockies game last night on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain, and announcer Drew Goodman said that the games will start to be broadcast in HD starting July 2nd. He did not say whether Comcast will provide an HD channel to show the network's HD offering.

Which brings up the question: As the Rockies (and later, the Nuggets and Avs on Altitude) start to broadcast their games in HD, will Comcast create a channel or channels that cherry-picks these games for their local subscribers? Or is Fox (in July with the Rockies) and Altitude only likely to get their Hi-def broadcasts shown on the dish?

I'm hoping for an announcement on the Rockies soon, but not holding my breath.

They already have been doing that with Nugs/Avs HD games from Altitude. They just pre-empt one of the InHD channels at the time. Presumably I guess they could do the same for FSRM HD games.

I remember seeing in the last couple of months on the INHD channels Rockies games being listed there on occasion. But when you select the channel it was normal INHD programming. So hopefully they'll preempt whatever is on those channels and give us some Rocks!

I was watching the Rockies game last night on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain, and announcer Drew Goodman said that the games will start to be broadcast in HD starting July 2nd. He did not say whether Comcast will provide an HD channel to show the network's HD offering.

Which brings up the question: As the Rockies (and later, the Nuggets and Avs on Altitude) start to broadcast their games in HD, will Comcast create a channel or channels that cherry-picks these games for their local subscribers? Or is Fox (in July with the Rockies) and Altitude only likely to get their Hi-def broadcasts shown on the dish?

I'm hoping for an announcement on the Rockies soon, but not holding my breath.

Well, I wrote Comcast Customer No-Service today about this.

***
Here is what I asked:

Last night on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain, the announcer said beginning July 2, the Colorado Rockies games will be available in High Definition. On which channel will that be available on the Comcast system? INHD2? Or will there actually be a Fox Sports HD channel added to our lineup? Also, I am curious when we will receive TNT-HD? If it is not scheduled, please inform your programmers that we would really appreciate having both of those channels as soon as possible. Thank you!

***
Here is their (chuckle) reply:

Thank you for contacting Comcast.

I understand you would like further information regarding the addition of TNT HD and Fox Sports Rocky Mountain (HD) to your Comcast channel lineup.

Our goal is to provide a wide choice of quality cable networks and local broadcast channels reflecting the diverse programming interests of our customers. In addition to requests from customers, the following factors play a part in our decision making process:

· FCC regulations, such as requirements to carry all local broadcast channels · Requirement by local broadcasters to carry their affiliated cable networks · The number of access channels required by local government · Customer satisfaction with networks carried in other systems · Customer satisfaction with similar networks · Importance of the network to our diverse community · Level of interest across a percentage of our customer base · Per-subscriber programming fees charged by the network versus the value added to the line-up

(Digital Systems Only)
As you may know, we have been investing millions of dollars in new technology to increase the channel capacity of the system through digital technology. So an additional factor in launching new channels is whether or not a particular network is available in the digital format.

What this all means is that we take all requests for new networks very seriously, and that we carefully consider the overall impact of adding each network. While we cannot honor every request, we do take each request into consideration in planning future changes to the line-up.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any more questions.

Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sincerely,

Janet
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

***

So, I wrote the following new message. We'll see where this goes.

Dear Janet or whoever is next in the CSR queue to receive these questions:

I worked for Merrill Lynch about 20 years ago, and about five years of that was in executive-level customer service. Early on, and because there was no such thing as email, we used pre-scripted letters to answer the letters our customers would write us. We did this out of both regional and national service centers, much like Comcast uses now.

Due to the diversity of questions people asked, after a while our pre-scripted replies just didn't work. They wouldn't address the customer's concern at all, making the customer more and more angry with a situation. So, we abandoned the practice in favor of actually answering the customer letters one by one, specifically addressing their concerns.

This is in part how Merrill Lynch customer service won the J.D. Powers award.

Comcast really must stop using scripted answers to questions and comments and, instead, focus on what the customer has written. You must not be afraid to put a straight answer in writing. By answering each question specifically and directly, Comcast will build more customer retention and goodwill into each response. By not answering, Comcast makes the customer angry and gets the customer questioning their decision to stay with Comcast as a provider.

None of what Janet wrote below answers my questions. Not one bit. I am now angry and wondering if it is a good idea to stay with Comcast, considering that the satellite providers have far more HD programming than they.

Now, would you please give answering my questions another try? And this time, please answer, point-by-point, my concerns. We don't want to have to escalate this to a VP.

My questions are very simple. If you don't have an answer, may I suggest you contact or forward my email to the right person and department so they can be properly addressed.

Here goes:

Last night on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain, the announcer said beginning July 2 the Colorado Rockies games will be available in High Definition. High definition programming is, by nature, digital. Therefore the comments below about whether or not the broadcast is digital are really unnecessary. HD = digital. It requires a QAM and ATSC tuner to decode.

So, here we go again.

Very simply, will Comcast carry the Rockies games in HD via Fox Sports?

If so, on which channel will that be available? INHD2?

Will we be lucky enough to have Fox Sports HD channel added to our lineup?

Also, I am curious when we will receive TNT-HD? If it is not scheduled, please inform your programmers that we would really appreciate having both of those channels as soon as possible.

Do you see? These are nice, simple questions that should receive nice, simple answers. The answers should specifically address each question individually. That is how to do good business. That is how to build good will with a customer. That is how to keep a customer paying $9.95/month for an HD DVR that barely works right.

Please answer my questions this time.

Thank you.

***

We shall see, but I won't hold my breath.

Way to go BOB, now ...let us know if they are kind enough to reply.

Thanks for doing this , Bob.

I wrote them with pretty much the same question and got the same canned response. I may try again and suggest that they don't do this anymore. It would be nice if they actually read and responded to our actual questions. I look forward to seeing the response you get.

Bob I love that reponse to the form letter! That should go in a training manual for every CSR call center.

Or to those that have a system that attempts to extract key words from emails and slap a canned letter in an automated reply! - which is what I'm guessing happened here, and "Janet" doesn't exist. :D

Bob, while I think some of your comments about Comcast may be a little harsh, this one is right on the money. Thanks, and keep us posted.

Bob, while I think some of your comments about Comcast may be a little harsh, this one is right on the money. Thanks, and keep us posted.

My friend, the problem is I've been putting up with their nonsense since this company was called Jones Intercable in 1983. My anger and comments sometimes express a level of exasperation reserved to victims of the Spanish Inquisition. I apologize that the comments are not guilded in gold and slide down as easily as if encased in butter.

Over the last 12 months, I've had 10 DVRs-- 10, until they finally outfitted me with a Phase II about February. It works adequately, though it cuts off both sides of the picture and on channels 65 - 99 I get verticle lines due to interference form a Spanish radio station, which Comcast says they can't do anything about. When the Comcast repair guy came out and saw it he said, "I'll be damned." He then tried a Phase III, but when people moved laterally across the screen it stuttered like an old silent movie.

I'm sure the FCC would love to hear about the interference. But with all the graft and "promotion of the industry" going on in DC, and so little oversight, I figure they'd ignore it or, worse, figure out some way to make my life more miserable.

The picture on Fox RM is as grainy as if they shot it through cheesecloth.

TLC plays on TWO channels (22 and 32). The channel lineup says 22 is for Public Access. We haven't had a public access channel since channel 8 went good night about four years ago. What a waste of bandwidth.

Then there's tje FX and Sci Fi channels. Though both are broadcast in stereo by Fox and NBC, they are NOT rebroadcast in stereo on Denver Comcast. A few months ago I was actually able to tune these in via my TV's QAM tuner, in the 100.XX channel range, and both WERE in stereo. But on channels 27 and 48, nope. And, of course, Comcast took away my ability to tune in these channels via QAM. A real bunch of winners.

Friend, all I know is if I were CEO of Comcast, heads would roll and things would change profoundly. The first thing that would change at customer service is the Sgt. Shultz attitude (I know nothing, I see NOTHING!). I'd also make the dial more intuitive, grouping each genre of stations in a specific range: the sports channels together, the cartoon channels together, the news channels, the history channels, the decorating/redecorating, the adventure channels, the shopping channels. Wouldn't that be nice?

The biggest priority would be to do everything technologically and humanly possible to clear up the picture and send through all channels with proper sound. We'd replace ALL of the Motorola and Scientific American boxes as soon as the Samsungs and Panasonics have been FULLY BENCH TESTED and are available... they WILL WORK out of the box. I will go to China and tour the factories to make sure all is well.

And that's just the TV side.

On the cable side if I were CEO, when Net Neutrality goes away due to that evil work going on in Congress, I would make sure Comcast subscribers still had full, prompt access to all WWW web hosts. The current plan, to omit Net Neutrality language from the current communications bill, means each ISP will be able to charge web hosts, like AVS Forum, protection money to allow prompt and quick loading of their pages. If they don't pay up, access may become... dicey.

Won't THAT cut down on our ability to bit.. err, discuss our concerns about cable, phone, and Internet providers! That would sure make it a bit more difficult for us to organize our anger into action, wouldn't it? Imagine... if they control access to the media, the control our ability to communicate. War is Peace. Love is Hate. 2 + 2 = 5.

If you all don't know about this, you need to read up. Your ability to access all of your favorite web sites is about to become far, far more difficult unless they pay protection money to the ISPs, ala the Sopranos.

http://news.com.com/2061-10796_3-6089833.html

Great letter Bob. I'm also get angry when I get the same form letter response to any question I ask of Comcast. It's insulting to our intelligence. Alas, when Dish Network failed to show up in a reasonably timely manner for their "scheduled" installation on Monday (I couldn't stay home from work all friggin' day), that also pissed me off and I held off switching over to them. We just can't win with these companies.

Great letter Bob. I'm also get angry when I get the same form letter response to any question I ask of Comcast. It's insulting to our intelligence. Alas, when Dish Network failed to show up in a reasonably timely manner for their "scheduled" installation on Monday (I couldn't stay home from work all friggin' day), that also pissed me off and I held off switching over to them. We just can't win with these companies.
I had Comcast pull a no show on Wednesday, so I'm home waiting again today. They have degraded my signal by somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-10dB, so that as it gets warmer I lose all of my HD signals (except KCNC-DT on 18.1) and many other digital signals. By late afternoon yesterday my cable modem went out too, and stayed out until about 8, when the signal level came back. Today it is still working (perhaps obviously by this post) but all of the HD signals are already gone.

Bob, you do not need to justify your position, because I'm not really disagreeing with you. My experiences with Comcast just haven't been as bad. I do think you've been unlucky with your DVR's (or you have some local issue with their signal that causes those problems). I've only been through three, and after almost returning the third, I think I might have caused the problems that made me return the first (trying to download recorded programs via firewire). I also don't watch much besides the HD channels anyway. But if you were Comcast's CEO and your profits were riding high with your current level of service, why would you try to improve things?
Fox-RM is bad, but I think MSNBC is even worse.
TLC does not play on 22 here in the Ranch. It's not really local access, but something similar.
How do you know that FX and SciFi are not rebroadcast in stereo? I don't know that my receiver would put out a "mono" indication, but it shows stereo. However, I haven't spent much time listening to them to try to determine whether they're stereo or not.
The QAM issue annoys me. I don't have a TV with a QAM tuner but was planning to get one soon for the bedroom.
By the way, although capability to download programs via Firewire exists on the 6412, both KUSA and KCNC have turned on encryption so that you can no longer copy their programs from your DVR to a computer. 5C is not on, but when I try to play back files on my computer, I see that they have been tagged as "copy once". According to Comcast, they do not set this flag; KUSA never responded to my query about whether or why they did it.

Bob, you do not need to justify your position...

I guess I just needed to vent that.

You know, I wonder if Comcrash knows they're broadcasting TLC on both 22 and 32 in former Jones Intercable territory on the west side of town?

As far as FX and Sci Fi go, I've checked this all the way to the head end techs. They admitted it. Yes, it says stereo. But they say they had a problem (didn't explain what) and have taken one side of the sound image and plugged it into both the left and right pots. Sit next to the TV with the speakers to either side of your head. Turn on a known stereo channel (a movie channel) and then FX and Sci Fi. You'll hear what I mean.

Anyway, no reply yet. Not even an acknowledgment of the follow-up email. Will let everybody know when they reply.

In the meantime, enjoy the 4th! A Capitol Fourth is on PBS-HD. The 1812 Overtrue in Dolby 5.1... howitzer cannons and fireworks.

One word: COOL!

FYI... HDNET, which we don't get, will broadcast the space shuttle launch in HD.

If the sat companies had full HD, I'd be gone yesterday.

I had Comcast pull a no show on Wednesday, so I'm home waiting again today. They have degraded my signal by somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-10dB, so that as it gets warmer I lose all of my HD signals (except KCNC-DT on 18.1) and many other digital signals. By late afternoon yesterday my cable modem went out too, and stayed out until about 8, when the signal level came back. Today it is still working (perhaps obviously by this post) but all of the HD signals are already gone.
Comcast was a no-show again today :(. This time they said the technician was in a vehicle accident. They claim they are coming tomorrow, but I've already missed several hours in the office due to their inability to show up. What a waste of time.

According to the FSN website the Rockies will start broadcasting in HD on July 3rd, not the second. Unfortunately I can't post the link because I have less than five posts, but if you google "FSN HD" the programming schedule will be the first indented result. Also, not all of the games will be in HD, just a handful of the series. Just like the rest of you I'm hoping that Comcast will find a way to carry these games, most likely on INHD2.

Comcast was a no-show again today :(. This time they said the technician was in a vehicle accident. They claim they are coming tomorrow, but I've already missed several hours in the office due to their inability to show up. What a waste of time.


Call customer no-service, insist on talking to a manager, and say you want credit equal to your hourly wage for all the time you took off. They just may give it.

I hope the tech is okay from the accident.

Comcast was a no-show again today :(. This time they said the technician was in a vehicle accident. They claim they are coming tomorrow, but I've already missed several hours in the office due to their inability to show up. What a waste of time.

Wow, I guess none of these companies can keep their act straight.

Any word on the home Rockies games being on Comcast in HD starting on Tuesday? I sent them a more specific e-mail asking the CSR not to send me a canned reply but to find the information and answer my specific question if possible. No reply as yet.

Any word on the home Rockies games being on Comcast in HD starting on Tuesday? I sent them a more specific e-mail asking the CSR not to send me a canned reply but to find the information and answer my specific question if possible. No reply as yet.

No word yet. I figure they're taking the weekend off. :rolleyes:

It looks like Comcast isn't carrying the Rockies in HD. At the beginning of the game there was an image saying, "Presented in High Definition" but it's not on one of the INHDs.

:(

Call customer no-service, insist on talking to a manager, and say you want credit equal to your hourly wage for all the time you took off. They just may give it.

I hope the tech is okay from the accident.
They did come out on Saturday, and it was the same guy that helped fix the problem the last time by removing a splitter. He said that some contract installer had put the line back on the splitter. At this point he did not believe that anything he did outside would likely last, and installed an amplifier on my drop inside my apartment before the splitters. Because of my travails I received the amplifier for free and several days of bill credit. Mostly I'm just glad it is fixed.

I had a cable card installed yesterday on my QAM set. It was really easy and worked really well. The good news is that I get all of the channels I'm supposed to and with the cable card it uses the TV scalar; the Motorola box only outputs 1080i or 720p and does not have a "pass through" mode. The bad news is that there is no program guide; I already knew there was no on-demand but I was expecting some kind of program guide based on queries I made on this board last fall.

Typical of Comcast Colorado, I suspect the Rockies games will eventually start showing up, but like ESPN2, there will be delays getting it going.

Apparently, some Rockies games have been aired on FSN HD.
Since neither Comcast nor any of the DBS sat guys offer FSN HD,
no one in the Denver Metro/Front Range can actually see
the Rockies in HD.
What part of the country, if any, actually gets to see the Rockies in HD?

From what I understand, D* has started the RSNs for live events, including the Rockies series against the Giants, on channel 96 for those with the MPEG 4 set ups. Apparently, there were audio problems for the first few games. According to the schedule, the next HD games will be at the end of the month. Here's to hoping Comcast gets them on.

From what I understand, D* has started the RSNs for live events, including the Rockies series against the Giants, on channel 96 for those with the MPEG 4 set ups. Apparently, there were audio problems for the first few games. According to the schedule, the next HD games will be at the end of the month. Here's to hoping Comcast gets them on.

Who do we call Comcast or FSN?

Who do we call Comcast or FSN?

Comcast is the service provider, so I guess it would be them. I did e-mail them and got a canned reply. I tried again, asking for a specific answer to my question rather than a form reply. I haven't heard back.

An Interesting Comcast Story From Ohio...

Comcast handing out digital set-top boxes in small Ohio town

http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/07/07/comcast-handing-out-digital-set-top-boxes-in-small-ohio-town/

Posted Jul 7th 2006 9:13AM by Matt Burns

Filed under: Cable TV, Deals, Digital TV, News

This is one of those stories that would make your evening news state, "In a surprising turn of events..."

You see, in a small Ohio town, Comcast is going door-to-door handing out digital cable boxes - FOR FREE!

That's right, there is no additional charge for these boxes.

Plus, they get all the family-tier digital stations and high-def stations for the same cost as their normal programming.

Amazing.

Steubenville city council was apparently very concerned about the digital transition and wanted to make sure that all of its residents were going to be fine.

There is no word on how they got Comcast to just give out digital set-top boxes.

They need to put out a ready-made city council kit so everyone can get their local government on board.

Here's a funny situation I have learned about.

About a week or 10 days ago, I noticed that the interactive program guide had some menu changes. The IPG normally shows a reduced picture of the channel you're on in the upper righthand quadrant of the screen. Now, with the change, that reduced picture is replaced with just that portion of the full screen not hidden by the IPG. In other words, the full screen picture is not reduced, and you can't see the full picture as usual.

I called Comcast tech support about this problem, and they were well aware of it. The rep told me that this feature was lost by mistake due to an error from the change in the IPG menu, and there is no way to fix it until a new menu update occurs. I asked when that might be, and she told me that menu changes happen once every two or three months. So apparently all Comcast customers will be without the PIP image feature in their IPG for a couple more months (since the last menu change was in June).

I find it amazing that Comcast knows and is well aware of this problem I described, knows the cause, and has no sense of urgency to repair the glitch for who knows how many months. That is a disappointing attitude, I'd say.

This problem has been reported here before, but it is not happening to everyone. With the changes to the guide, I never experienced the reduced/partial picture problem. I'd persist with them on this one if it really bothers you.

Roxpert,

It may well be that the next update will fix your problem. I don't know, but I had the same problem and I fixed it by unplugging the box for about a minute. One other person reported the problem as well, but I don't think we ever heard back about whether it was resolved or not.

I have a friend who is putting a home theater into his basement with a projector (4805) and a Comcast HD DVR. As I was helping him set things up, I noticed that the box was only outputting 480i. We flipped through a few of the HD channels (HBO, ESPN, Disc. etc) and nothing was showing up as 720p or 1080i. I don't have Comcast so I'm not sure about their boxes. Does he need to do something to enable an HD signal?? Something in the menu?? (He is hooked up with component cables right now.)

Does he need to do something to enable an HD signal?? Something in the menu??Per page 34 of the user's guide:
Power off (but plugged in), press the Menu key on the front of the DVR.
Scroll up or down using the arrow keys to get to HDMI/YPbPr OUTPUT
Scroll left or right to go through the available formats.

DCT6412 User's Guide (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/downloads/DCT6412_UserGuide.pdf)

Thanks, gakon!!

Did anyone else lose the sound on Grey's Anatomy tonight? My recording (on the Motorola 6412) didn't have any sound for the first 20 minutes or so.

Hi guys,

Does anyone know the status of TNT-HD? My wife and I went to the movies over the weekend and I saw an advertisement for a new show called Nightmares & Dreamscapes.

Needless to say... Watching visually rich shows like this in HD is very appealing. Don't think we would watch if it wasn't available in HD.

Do we have this yet and/or plans in the works for this? Frustratingly, I'm not an ESPN-2 kind of guy so if this is the tradeoff, I'm not thrilled. :)

--Mike

Frustratingly, I'm not an ESPN-2 kind of guy so if this is the tradeoff, I'm not thrilled. :)
You and me both. A couple pages back wmarkw indicated that more channels would be added "soon". He had good info on ESPN2, but I no longer get excited when someone says "soon". My prediction, based on absolutely nothing, is that we won't see TNT-HD before that show is done with its first run.

I too saw the adds for Nightmares and Dreamscapes. I checked the TNT website just to see what night it is on and noticed it had started several weeks ago. Just for fun I checked On Demand to see if they had the past shows. They do, in both formats. If you go to TV Entertainment/TNT there are two Nightmares selections...Nightmares and Nightmares HD. You can then go in and pick the past shows you want to watch. Even though they are not broadcasting TNT HD, I guess they are providing some of the shows in HD through On Demand

I saw this too, last night. I watched the first two in SD and missed the next two. I really appreciate Comcast providing these in lieu of having TNT HD full time. Now if they would only put The Closer on there as well.

Wow - very, very impressed that you can get HD content via On-Demand even though TNT itself is not broadcast in HD.

I guess the same doesn't apply for HBO, at least not the last time I checked...

I really was under the impression the only HD content available via On-Demand was the very sparse "HDTV Movies" section. Is there more?

Just checked it out and confirmed it. Had to hunt for it a bit, but it's there. It's only for that one show in particular, but that's exactly what I was looking for.

Meanwhile I also discovered you can catch CSI and NCIS in HD on CBS on Demand for $0.99 each. Useful since we missed the 06 finale...

I think they're starting to "get" it.

Anyone know if the CSU vs CU game will be broadcast in HD or what channel it will be on.

Just checked it out and confirmed it. Had to hunt for it a bit, but it's there. It's only for that one show in particular, but that's exactly what I was looking for.

Meanwhile I also discovered you can catch CSI and NCIS in HD on CBS on Demand for $0.99 each. Useful since we missed the 06 finale...

I think they're starting to "get" it.

Oh, they're starting to "get" it alright.

They're getting that they don't have to give us an HD channel itself and can instead charge us for HD programming on a show-by-show basis.

They're getting that they can make TONS more money charging us for the privilege of watching individual shows than an individual network's content for a whole month.

Open up your wallets, folks. Cafeteria-style HD cable is born.

The evil b--ta-ds.

Open up your wallets, folks. Cafeteria-style HD cable is born.
I'm not so sure that cafeteria-style TV is such a bad thing.

I'm kinda looking forward to just getting the channels I want rather than subscribing to a whole "package" that includes lots of stuff I will never watch.

Oh, they're starting to "get" it alright.

They're getting that they don't have to give us an HD channel itself and can instead charge us for HD programming on a show-by-show basis.

They're getting that they can make TONS more money charging us for the privilege of watching individual shows than an individual network's content for a whole month.

Open up your wallets, folks. Cafeteria-style HD cable is born.

The evil b--ta-ds.

I don't quite understand what you're talking about. The Nightmares episodes are free with HD and On Demand. If you have HD, CSI is "given" to us on CBS for the cost of programming. If you have the DVR and want CSI, then you should record it for the cost of programming. If you miss it, you have the option of paying to watch it.

You're bashing Comcast for providing more options for the viewer, including "free" viewings of Nightmares & Dreamscapes in HD.

I don't quite understand what you're talking about. The Nightmares episodes are free with HD and On Demand. If you have HD, CSI is "given" to us on CBS for the cost of programming. If you have the DVR and want CSI, then you should record it for the cost of programming. If you miss it, you have the option of paying to watch it.

You're bashing Comcast for providing more options for the viewer, including "free" viewings of Nightmares & Dreamscapes in HD.

If it remains free, then I agree. I am wrong to bash them. But all of the reading I do about the cable/satellite industry and HD and On Demand technology suggests they are not spending all this money to provide more "free" viewing options to subscribers. It is to ultimately create new revenue streams.

Wouldn't you agree that Comcast is now offering programs like CSI as pay-per-view programming via On Demand?

Wouldn't you agree that businesses are always looking for new ways to profit using the same products and services they have now, re-packaging those products and services to generate new revenue streams? If not, why are they charging $.99 to view an old episode of CSI in HD?

Wouldn't you agree that, despite pleading with Comcast over and over, they simply refuse to give us all the existing HD channels, channels like TNT-HD? They used to plead it was a bandwidth issue; however, they seem to have plenty of it to devote to VOIP and Internet. Now, they won't even give us actual technical reasons for not supplying the channels. They just send us form emails that don't remotely address the issue.

As I understand it, On Demand is currently available to only those of us with DVRs. One would think a reasonable, budget-minded person with a DVR would record the program and not watch it as pay-per-view via the On Demand. And yet Comcast offers it that way to the same subscribers. I find that strange and interesting at the same time, don't you?

Now let's think about this. They've repackage existing content, like CSI in HD, as a pay-per-view program, focused at the same group of customers who could just as easily record the content. Hmm. Why do you suppose? To generate a new revenue stream? Maybe that's it!

Isn't it possible that if, in seeking new revenue streams from existing content, Comcast discovered a market for TNT-HD programs via On Demand, as they have for CBS's programming, they just might convert it to pay-per-view rather than actually giving it to us on the TNT-HD channel? What would prevent them from doing that?

I am just applying a bit of imagination to this, trying to see it from the business's point of view. I can foresee a day in which all except local program content will be pay-per-view programming, especially if the On Demand experiment proves successful. If the intent of On Demand isn't to generate gobs of revenue, then why are the satellite companies spending millions of dollars to develop the same technology, too?

Do you really think the corporate purpose of On Demand is Mr. T crashing through your shower wall so you will use the Karaoke videos?

Wouldn't you agree that, despite pleading with Comcast over and over, they simply refuse to give us all the existing HD channels, channels like TNT-HD? They used to plead it was a bandwidth issue; however, they seem to have plenty of it to devote to VOIP and Internet. Now, they won't even give us actual technical reasons for not supplying the channels. They just send us form emails that don't remotely address the issue.

ignoring the fact that VOIP and internet don't really use that much bandwidth, are you suggesting they scale back VOIP and internet, some big moneymakers for them, so you and a tiny portion of their subscribers that don't even pay extra for the HD tier can have the food network and hgtv in HD?

HD on demand whether free or not is a very effective use of bandwidth. if you don;t feel that the episodes are worth paying a dollar by all means do not watch them. but having them available could be the thing that turns the tide for people that pay $90+ a month to watch only 13 or 14 channels.

also, the on demand channels are available with any digital cable box, not just DVRs.

and finally yes it is all about them making money. they don't provide us with tv to get the warm fuzzies.

making money is not evil. they are a business.

making money is not evil. they are a business.

Unless your Exxon Mobil !

If it remains free, then I agree. I am wrong to bash them. But all of the reading I do about the cable/satellite industry and HD and On Demand technology suggests they are not spending all this money to provide more "free" viewing options to subscribers. It is to ultimately create new revenue streams.

Wouldn't you agree that Comcast is now offering programs like CSI as pay-per-view programming via On Demand?


This is a fact. I agree.


Wouldn't you agree that businesses are always looking for new ways to profit using the same products and services they have now, re-packaging those products and services to generate new revenue streams? If not, why are they charging $.99 to view an old episode of CSI in HD?


If you check the OnDemand listings, you will see that ALL CBS episodes, SD & HD, are $0.99. That would lead me to believe that this is a CBS issue. All other episodes of shows on all the networks I checked were 'complimentary.'


Wouldn't you agree that, despite pleading with Comcast over and over, they simply refuse to give us all the existing HD channels, channels like TNT-HD? They used to plead it was a bandwidth issue; however, they seem to have plenty of it to devote to VOIP and Internet. Now, they won't even give us actual technical reasons for not supplying the channels. They just send us form emails that don't remotely address the issue.


I don't know that they refuse to give us other networks, and I am frustrated by the form e-mails. When I was with D*, they didn't give any info on why, why not, or when with new channels. It's just the way some companies operate. I don't understand why we got KTVD digital before getting TNT HD. As a subscriber, this bothers me, but I don't presume conspiracy.


As I understand it, On Demand is currently available to only those of us with DVRs. One would think a reasonable, budget-minded person with a DVR would record the program and not watch it as pay-per-view via the On Demand. And yet Comcast offers it that way to the same subscribers. I find that strange and interesting at the same time, don't you?


According to the Comcast web site, you can get OnDemand without the DVR. If you don't have the DVR, I guess $0.99 is a good deal if you miss an episode that you need to see.


Now let's think about this. They've repackage existing content, like CSI in HD, as a pay-per-view program, focused at the same group of customers who could just as easily record the content. Hmm. Why do you suppose? To generate a new revenue stream? Maybe that's it!


For whom is the revenue stream? Comcast or CBS? Isn't it possible that CBS would not offer any of these shows OnDemand without a fee? Based on the current offerings, it sure looks that way.


Isn't it possible that if, in seeking new revenue streams from existing content, Comcast discovered a market for TNT-HD programs via On Demand, as they have for CBS's programming, they just might convert it to pay-per-view rather than actually giving it to us on the TNT-HD channel? What would prevent them from doing that?


I guess it's possible. However, with innovations in technology and increased competition, I don't expect that to be the way they go. If they do move in that direction, I'll just close up the wallet. I no longer do PPV boxing, NFL Sunday Ticket, or MLB Extra Innings because of the cost/value. There are more affordable entertainment options than ever before. If TV providers want to get greedy, I'll find something better to do with my time. (Netflix, with all of the TV shows on DVD now, is a real bargain as well.)

I don't fully understand why we don't have TNT HD yet. I understand that they are looking to increase revenue streams, but providing Nightmares in HD while not yet delivering TNT HD is a good customer service gesture, nothing more.

ignoring the fact that VOIP and internet don't really use that much bandwidth, are you suggesting they scale back VOIP and internet, some big moneymakers for them, so you and a tiny portion of their subscribers that don't even pay extra for the HD tier can have the food network and hgtv in HD?

HD on demand whether free or not is a very effective use of bandwidth. if you don;t feel that the episodes are worth paying a dollar by all means do not watch them. but having them available could be the thing that turns the tide for people that pay $90+ a month to watch only 13 or 14 channels.

also, the on demand channels are available with any digital cable box, not just DVRs.

and finally yes it is all about them making money. they don't provide us with tv to get the warm fuzzies.

making money is not evil. they are a business.

I guess I'm just not making myself clear. Either that or this is a tangent that has absolutely nothing to do with my concerns.

Let me go point by point.

1) I pay $9.95/mo extra for my HDTV. Would you like to see my bill? The line item says the date, then "DVR/HDTV", and then the price: $9.95.

2) If cable is going to all PPV, I think the joke is on us. Then again, the joke may be on them because OTA HDTV looks better than through their network-- stunning, actually. Abd as of last month, the first computer-based HDTV-DVD recorder debuted. Uh oh, Comcast! The only thing keeping me with Comcast is that the sat companies are providing "HD-lite" at 2/3 resolution. So far, Comcast gives us full.

3) I don't know that in all cases "making money is not evil". To make a categorial statement like that seems illogical, acdtually.

I've seen plenty of cases where making money in business is evil, even illegal.

Comcast may be already skating on thin ice legally under the FCC's digital must-carry rule, charging me $9.95 for HDTV through the DVR.

4) Regarding warm fuzzies, that about sums up the "quality" of the sharpness of their channel resolution on a wide-screen HD set for channels 2 - 99, not to mention the verticle lines from about 65 - 99 (due to admitted interference from a Spanish radio station which, under FCC rules, is also illegal).

The bottom line is when I pay for service, I expect to get that service. Fair enough? Or do they have the "right" to ignore quality in the pursuit of profit? If so, I have the right to kick them out of my house.

I don't fully understand why we don't have TNT HD yet. I understand that they are looking to increase revenue streams, but providing Nightmares in HD while not yet delivering TNT HD is a good customer service gesture, nothing more.

There is another I'd like to see, too. Fox Sports HD. I'd love to see the Rockies home games in HD.

Comcast may be already skating on thin ice legally under the FCC's digital must-carry rule, charging me $9.95 for HDTV through the DVR.

You don't have to use the DVR to get HD. If you have a QAM-capable HDTV tuner, you can get all of the unencrypted HD locals. No extra charge.

I guess I'm just not making myself clear. Either that or this is a tangent that has absolutely nothing to do with my concerns.

Let me go point by point.

1) I pay $9.95/mo extra for my HDTV. Would you like to see my bill? The line item says the date, then "DVR/HDTV", and then the price: $9.95.



and? mine does too. equipment rental charge. the HDTV isn't the charge for the HDTV teir, it is to say what type of DVR it is. the HD standard recievers don't cost any more than the SD standard recievers.

2) If cable is going to all PPV, I think the joke is on us. Then again, the joke may be on them because OTA HDTV looks better than through their network-- stunning, actually. Abd as of last month, the first computer-based HDTV-DVD recorder debuted. Uh oh, Comcast! The only thing keeping me with Comcast is that the sat companies are providing "HD-lite" at 2/3 resolution. So far, Comcast gives us full.

I have yet to find a thread on this site that doesn't mention hd-lite.

and cable isn't going ALL ppv. last time i looked at my guide i had a buttload of channels that are all on live and not on-demand ppv. and they ARE still adding channels, i've had 2 HD channels added in the last couple months, channel 20, and ESPN2. if the trend was to move to all PPV then i think it would be more than the few on-demand ppv additions that have come lately. at least we are getting tnt-hd's content. it could be worse with commercials or SD only.

3) I don't know that in all cases "making money is not evil". To make a categorial statement like that seems illogical, acdtually.

I've seen plenty of cases where making money in business is evil, even illegal.

Comcast may be already skating on thin ice legally under the FCC's digital must-carry rule, charging me $9.95 for HDTV through the DVR.
the DVR/HDTV thing is covered above. You knew what i meant. charging for ppv is not evil. making a profit in itself is not evil. sometimes the way the profit is made is
evil, but it sure as hell is not in this case. they are providing high quality content for very low prices that we otherwise can't get. pretty damn good to me.

4) Regarding warm fuzzies, that about sums up the "quality" of the sharpness of their channel resolution on a wide-screen HD set for channels 2 - 99, not to mention the verticle lines from about 65 - 99 (due to admitted interference from a Spanish radio station which, under FCC rules, is also illegal).

so the FCC should do something about the spanish radio station. how is this comcast's fault?

The bottom line is when I pay for service, I expect to get that service. Fair enough? Or do they have the "right" to ignore quality in the pursuit of profit? If so, I have the right to kick them out of my house.

You are getting what you're paying for. you're not paying for CBS On Demand in HD and TNT-HD... or are you the only person in colorado being billed for those by comcast? or do you think that because an entry entitled "DVR/HDTV" is included on your bill you are entitled to every piece of HD content ever created?

so the FCC should do something about the spanish radio station. how is this comcast's fault?


You are getting what you're paying for. you're not paying for CBS On Demand in HD and TNT-HD... or are you the only person in colorado being billed for those by comcast? or do you think that because an entry entitled "DVR/HDTV" is included on your bill you are entitled to every piece of HD content ever created?


Most of your blather was excised. If people want to read it, they're welcome to.

Where in Denver do you work for Comcast? I figure only an employee would take such a ridiculous stand.

I don't begrudge them PPV. I really don't. I'm not happy that they may consider charging me for something I already get for free OTA or as part of my subscription price. If you want to pay out the ass, that's your business. You can be a good sheeple.

Supposedly in our free market system (Comcast is a regulated utility, remember, and NOT operating in the free market system because of its franchise agreement with local municipalities), there is an exchange relationship between buyer and seller. I, as a buyer, have a right to demand specific services and standards of quality in exchange for my cash (in exchange for my labor, really). Indeed if we believe the good old-fashioned principles of Smithian demand-side capitalism, demand creates supply. Apparently Comcast isn't listening to demand and, as a result, are losing cable TV market share. The only places they are making up that revenue is Internet and VOIP.

While it is true we received two additional digital channel recently, KDVR (local channel 20, digital channel 20-1) is a must-carry local station. And it looks like CRAP. Now part of that problem is with KDVR, and plenty of people on the AVR OTA forum are in contact with Don Perez about those issues, but part of it appears to be Comcast, especially the near slow-scan quality of the picture at times. I figure we have ESPN2-HD because the management at local Comcast wants to watch the college football games in HD this fall. I doubt it had anything to do with the end-user.

Comcast is most definitely at fault for the Spanish language station's interference problem. For some reason, their equipment doesn't adequately trap out the signal. They also haven't dealt with the Spanish station themselves. Why should the customer have to contact the FCC for them? It's their business, not mine. After 30 years in the working world, I just don't understand a business not striving for perfection of service or product. I really don't.

You know, about six months ago Comcast allowed those of us with QAM/ATSC to tune these channels manually, bypassing the box. They were transmitting those channels via analog and digital at the same time. The verticle lines don't exist in the digital range. The image for each was really clear. But for some reason, they took away the digital QAM channels, leaving us with muddly, fuzzy pictures filled with verticle line interference. We could also talk about how on the 6412 Phase II box the right and left sides of the image are cut off, with the only way to get them being the use of a IEEE 1394 cable. Yup, it's Comcrashtic all right! And because of it, as a Comcrash employee I'd be ashamed.

What I expect from Comcast is no more or less than they offer in other markets. Via other forums throughout the Internet, we know for a fact what channels exist throughout the country. TNT-HD is almost everywhere else in Comcast's world except Denver. I'd appreciate a real, non-bot scripted reason.

Also, I have another concern. I'm concerned that, because cable companies have been given the right to gobble each other up to the point that only two or three still exist, that their practices may jeopardize HD development in the US. If broadcasters don't have a way for customers to see new HD content, there is no reason for them to make any. As a result, we will see fewer programmers offer state-of-the-art sound and picture. And that would be a shame.

perhaps you should change to satellite then if you have so many problems with cable.

comcast does what it does because it is still able to make tons of profits doing it the way it does now. They don;t have any obligation to provide QUALITY CABLE to you, they just have an obligation to provide CABLE to you.

I do not work for comcast.

my main beef is that i just don't understand a couple things.

1) How someone could actually be pissed off by the fact that since comcast is unable to devote the bandwidth of an an entire channel in HD that they already carry in SD they instead make an on-demand version to satisfy the growing number of requests for said channel

2) How someone so dis-satisfied with the service they are getting still pays for the service

Your signature is not funny. it's not insightful. "it's com-crash-tic" says to me that you're one of the sheeples. You can continue to complain about comcast or have your theories about my motives in replying to your nonsensical rants, but i have laid my cards clearly on the table here. This is how you look:

BobLikesHDTV: I want TNT-HD
Comcast: I'm sorry, but we don;t have the available bandwidth for that channel
BobLikesHDTV: But i pay you $145 a month for service. i want what i want
Comcast: I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do at this time. we have limited resources and you and 2 other people are the only people asking for that channel and that would watch it. we have thousands of customers who add up to much more money than you and your buddies on AVSForums
BobLikesHDTV: But i want it. and food network. and national geographic. and...
Comcast: as soon as we have bandwidth. in the mean time you can watch a few TNT-HD shows on demand
BobLikesHDTV: not good enough because i bet you'll start charging for it just like you do with CBS
Comcast: but CBS makes us char...
BobLikesHDTV But i want it...

see where i'm going with this?

It's really sorta like, who cares what only "you" and a select few want this, majority rules, plus C-Cast has limited resources so you lose. This is honestly how it should be b/c it cost money to reach carriage agreements and doesn't help if not that many people watch it. I also look at the fact that the networks force Comcast to charge for that content. Comcast is the only company with this type of content, so this guy should be thankful that it's offered at all. This is also how this country works too, in case that guy didn't know. Majority rules, if yur not among the majority, "you" don't get your way. If your country has limited resources, "you" don't get your way. Yet, I don't see him griping about the U.S's democratic system.


People make such selfish complaints.
I could understand him complaining about a very late roll-out of of a widely deployed product like ADS(my market doesn't have one DS channel yet, but it has the bandwidth and is 750MHz) or somthing else, but this is just one channel. It shouldn't be that serious.

Bah...woke up this morning in Denver and got an unpleasent suprise. We now have TnTHD Stretc-o-vision, nothing more entertaining than squished/stretched Charmed episodes LOL. They replaced InHD2 which at least runs shows in decent HD letterbox with it. Why oh why couldnt they have given us something DECENT like UHD? Oh no can't have that now can we. We have to waste all the HD bandwidth on Sports channels and channels that don't give a darn about distortion, sad really. Im probably in a minority but I like the idea of Alacart, let those that want so dang many sports channels pay for those not me

Dear bratboy,

We are very sorry that you aren't pleased with the addition of TNT-HD to our lineup. However, Bob complained about us not having it, and we were scared to lose his business. Perhaps if you rant loud enough, we will add UHD.

Sincerely,

Comcast :D

There's a lot of discussion that TNT-HD was not added due to bandwidth limitations. But that channel (and UHD) have both been around a lot longer than ESPN2 HD (which shows very little HD from what I can tell) and the latter was added with apparently no problems. So if there wasn't a bandwidth issue for ESPN2, why couldn't they have added TNT-HD back when they signed the agreement over a year ago?

And while Comcast technically "added" an HD channel, they did it by removing another one, so they can't claim that much.

So if there wasn't a bandwidth issue for ESPN2, why couldn't they have added TNT-HD back when they signed the agreement over a year ago?

My guess (and it is just a guess) is that Comcast looked at the market and said if we add ESPN2-HD for the World Cup we will increase subscriber numbers. They have yet to draw a similar conclusion with TNT-HD. That or ESPN strongarmed Comcast to carry it. ESPN is a must-carry for the cable ops and that gives the folks in Bristol a lot of bargaining chips. As GutBomb said, Comcast is a for-profit business and the best way to influence change as a consumer is to vote with your dollar. But apparently Comcast is till better than the alternatives for even the loudest protesters here, so why should they change. They are apparently providing service enough to keep people subscribing, spending unnecessarily would cause me to look twice at management if I were a Comcast shareholder.

the best way to influence change as a consumer is to vote with your dollar. But apparently Comcast is till better than the alternatives for even the loudest protesters here, so why should they change. They are apparently providing service enough to keep people subscribing, spending unnecessarily would cause me to look twice at management if I were a Comcast shareholder.
Actually no their not. Comcasts one decent feature is the dual HD boxes that record locals in hd and if Dish had one I'd of dumped comcast long before now. Once my $400 credit is burned up then I'm gone as well. If things time out right I'll be on DTV by then, but still waiting on the new DTV boxes to be out so I'll be able to record HD locals according to them. Otherwise its byebye CC hello over the air if I must.

Actually no their not. Comcasts one decent feature is the dual HD boxes that record locals in hd and if Dish had one I'd of dumped comcast long before now. Once my $400 credit is burned up then I'm gone as well. If things time out right I'll be on DTV by then, but still waiting on the new DTV boxes to be out so I'll be able to record HD locals according to them. Otherwise its byebye CC hello over the air if I must.
dish does have a dual tuner dvr that you can record the denver locals in HD on (and yes you can record off 2 HD locals at once), the vip622. and before that the 942 (albeit very expensive at the time)

that being said, inhd2 was going away at the end of the month anyway, being consolidated into inhd1. inhd2 as a channel is being completely dissolved so they had to use the bandwidth for something, and TNT-HD is better than using it for a buttload of crappy SD channels.

So what will Comcast do when the Nuggets and Avs are on in HD? Last year we got these games on InHD2. Will they just pre-empt the InHD1 programming? Or are we going to see something else come on line?

Actually no their not. Comcasts one decent feature is the dual HD boxes that record locals in hd and if Dish had one I'd of dumped comcast long before now. Once my $400 credit is burned up then I'm gone as well. If things time out right I'll be on DTV by then, but still waiting on the new DTV boxes to be out so I'll be able to record HD locals according to them. Otherwise its byebye CC hello over the air if I must.

Perhaps that makes the dual HD boxes enough to attract and keep subscribers. If not and you and many others jump ship, you can bet Comcast will adjust their business model. My point is bitching on here while still writing that check every month is not going to effect change.

Yeah I just noticed the TNT-HD. Not sure what to think. I didn't get a message either. Why couldn't they add this when the NBA playoffs were on?? I just did a 3 day scan and nothing but ER/Charmed/LA Law & other lame shows. Maybe I will get into the Closer. I would much rather have MTV-HD with their continuos loop. I guess it's good to see a new channel but they also took one away. I still see that there are MLB games on there so that is good. The Nuggs & Avs should stay I would think.

dish does have a dual tuner dvr that you can record the denver locals in HD on (and yes you can record off 2 HD locals at once), the vip622. and before that the 942 (albeit very expensive at the time)

that being said, inhd2 was going away at the end of the month anyway, being consolidated into inhd1. inhd2 as a channel is being completely dissolved so they had to use the bandwidth for something, and TNT-HD is better than using it for a buttload of crappy SD channels.
Humm, I was told by the Dish ppl that only one of the 2 tuners on the newer VIP handled HD and the other downgraded hd to SD which is why hadn't already given them a try. Figure if the person selling the product said it didn't do something then it didnt do it.

As for losing InHD2 that didnt bother me one bit. Fine that InHD combined but still wasting the opened space on TnTHD is , IMHO, just a shame/waste. UHD would have been a much better choice as far as giving viewers something other than sports and rerun Stretch-O-Vision shows, at least UHD runs current shows as opposed to Tons of Charmed and other defunct shows stretched. I really wish they would come up with a seperate pkg for things like ESPN/2 HD and let just those that want it pay for it and give those of us that have absolutly no interest in them an alternative, like UHD.

Dear bratboy,

We are very sorry that you aren't pleased with the addition of TNT-HD to our lineup. However, Bob complained about us not having it, and we were scared to lose his business. Perhaps if you rant loud enough, we will add UHD.

Sincerely,

Comcast :D

Yup. More evidence of the dumbing down of America, above.

It is amazing how they've trained the sheeple to accept things against their own self-interests.

Majority rules? How about tyranny of the majority! How about the violence of faction. These are old ideas, not mine. They are why we have a republic and not a straight democracy. And because cable is not part of a competitive market, it is regulated. It is not part of the so-called democratic free market place. As a result, I do have a right to make demands.

Whoever said it was stretch-o-vision on TNT-HD sure didn't see The Closer last night. Excellent HD.

I've never been told they don't have the bandwidth to build out their HD. Never. We are never given an answer at all why they don't build it out, frankly. I think we should have Universal-HD, and Fox Sports HD, and if it exists, Navel Contemplation HD. There was a hell of a lot of repetition between INHD and INHD2, but I think we should have that one as well. If the maximum build-out for the system is 20 HD channels, the solution (and the one opted for by the satellite companies) is MPEG 4 compression. The good news is its being built into the new Samsung cable box and Panasonic DVR. Then there will be little technical reason to not carry upwards of 100 HD/digital channels, just economic.

And besides, doesn't Comcrash keep parading about telling us how wonderful it is to have 'DITIGAL CABLE"? Frankly, 100 of their channels are still not digital. And they look like crap. Take out a rabbit ears antenna, connect it to your TV, aim it at Lookout Mountain, and tune in any one of the local channels. You'll throw rocks at Comcast after. And it makes perfect sense that Comcast is supporting Golden's politicians in their attempt to shut down OTA from Lookout Mountain. If people can bring in crystal-clear, wide-screen HD with a $15 set-top antenna, they might just tell Comcrash to shove their $100/mo service. And that would be really, really bad for bidness.

Why do I stay with Comcast? It is the only service that offers full HD for what it does carry in HD. The second the satellite services go to full HD, and I suspect they will once they have a critical mass of boxes with MPEG4 in their customers' hands, I'm gone, gone, gone. And so is my $150/mo in cable and internet subscriptions.

Humm, I was told by the Dish ppl that only one of the 2 tuners on the newer VIP handled HD and the other downgraded hd to SD which is why hadn't already given them a try. Figure if the person selling the product said it didn't do something then it didnt do it.

As for losing InHD2 that didnt bother me one bit. Fine that InHD combined but still wasting the opened space on TnTHD is , IMHO, just a shame/waste. UHD would have been a much better choice as far as giving viewers something other than sports and rerun Stretch-O-Vision shows, at least UHD runs current shows as opposed to Tons of Charmed and other defunct shows stretched. I really wish they would come up with a seperate pkg for things like ESPN/2 HD and let just those that want it pay for it and give those of us that have absolutly no interest in them an alternative, like UHD.

UHD shows first-run programs? The heck they do! They had ONE - Battlestar Galactica. At least that's all they had when Comcast allowed us to watch UHD for the Olympics last winter. They had such wonderful first-run programs as Nightrider with David Hasselhoff. There's nothing like Kit the Car to fulfill my HDTV viewing pleasure.

I'm curious. What are some of the other first-run programs on UHD?

As far as INHD2 goes, it is a copy of INHD1. Every program on INHD1 shows up on INHD2 and vice versa, just a few days later. If we are voting, I'd like HDNET, but that's not going to happen as long as Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcrash, is in a battle royale with Mark Cuban, owner of HDNET

Yup. More evidence of the dumbing down of America, above.

Whoever said it was stretch-o-vision on TNT-HD sure didn't see The Closer last night. Excellent HD.


I didnt say they never show anything in real HD but very limited compared to most of what they show daytime which is exactly that, Stretch-O-Vision. Maybe if all you watch is in the evening you don't see it as much but that is what they do and to me stretch isnt true HD in my books. Nothing more fun than watching Charmed girls that look like escapee's from a dunkin donuts shop with their cheeks full, hehe.

I also didnt say UHD ran 1st run shows but they do run current shows as well as recent shows such as Monk, BG, Surface, Law n Order SUV and in proper aspect HD which is better than TnT does. Yes they do carry stuff like Knight & Equalizer and such but at least even those from my recollection were in proper aspect. Not sure where Century City ranks in there. They also at least show a fair mix of movies.

Simple fact is everyone has their own tastes. now bugger off if all you want to do is pester & nitpick at me and accusing me of saying things I didnt, to the best of my recollection ever say.

Humm, I was told by the Dish ppl that only one of the 2 tuners on the newer VIP handled HD and the other downgraded hd to SD which is why hadn't already given them a try. Figure if the person selling the product said it didn't do something then it didnt do it.

The CSR you talked to was confusing the dual outputs with dual tuners. the 622 DVR can output to 2 tvs, one HD and one SD. it uses UHF remotes so each tuner can be watching a different channel, this is when it is in Dual Mode. When you have the reciever in Single Mode it uses both tuners in FULL HD. In actuality it has 3 tuners. 1 OTA and 2 SAT, all 3 of them capable of recording at once, and all of them recording in full HD.

programs as Nightrider with David Hasselhoff. There's nothing like Kit the Car
Umm...that's Knight Rider and KITT (no "the car" in his name).

Sheesh...no respect for the classics...

Dumbing down of America indeed...

:p :D

Thx Gutbomb, apprciate the explination. Since I only watch HD on one TV being in single mode wouldnt be an issue for me and since OTA I am able to get most of the Local HD's on my old Voom boxes having a 3rd option for recording sounds good. Anyway still have another month of credit with Comcast so I guess I'll burn that up and then either give Dish a try or hope DTV gets its new boxes out by then. I'd of even put up with their current box but as you cant DVR localHD's without the newer box (something to do with needing to be mpg4 I was told). Since most of the stuff I DVR is on those channels seems pointless to switch back to DTV till you can. At least if I end up switching to Dish I'd get at least some of the old Voom Theme Channels.

Have to admit its kind of rediculous how all the providers drag their feet on adding HD stuff. Then again rarely do I see any channels touting SAP. Just think of all the space bandwidth-wise that could be freed up if SAP was pushed. I mean why not do channels like toondisney and others that take up 2 spots, 1 in english and then another exact copy on a diff channel but with spanish it makes no sense to me anyway as that was, as I understand it the whole reason for SAP to begin with.

Oh well enough sobbing on my part,

I, for one, am happy with the TNT-HD addition. I had UHD with D* for months and hardly ever found anything worth watching. I think the move toward HD simulcast is a move toward more full time HD, where HD niche channels are just that, niche channels. Eventually, if all goes the way it should, we won't need special HD channels that are a conglomeration of decent but second-rate HD material, which is what UHD is for the most part. (And on D*, it had artifacts galore. Not sure if that's because of the station or D*)

Well, like I said earlier everyone has different tastes. I'd still take UHD over TnTHD because of things like no or limited commercials on a lot of the shows and their stuff, to the best of my recollection, was never stretched. Heck I think in the last yr or so I've only watched even regular TnT more than 2x. That makes it a waste for me. At least with UHD I'd catch some shows I like or that I was waiting to be on DVD so could be watched in LBx so I havent watched yet.

I still say they need to push SAP, then there would be a fair amount of BW freed up to make room for more HD channels, decent or otherwise.

Wow - help me understand here, about a week ago, I post about TNT-HD and wanting Nightmares and Dreamsacpes... Then someone pointed out it's on OnDemand.

One week later, we actually HAVE TNT-HD?

Was this a long time coming?

I did just look forward ahead about a week. Actually, in addition to The Closer and Nightmares and Dreamscapes, they also have some decent movies (Almost Famous, Sleepy Hollow, etc.). In fact, movie for movie, I'd almost say it beats out HBO HD (there's a lot of crap on HBO HD!).

Are TNT movies censored (uggh)? Commercials? Shortened? In true widescreen aspect ratio?

TNT movies are edited for time and content if necessary, and are interrupted by commercials. Don't recall if I saw an OAR movie on TNT when I was back east.

Proco, maybe you can post about another HD channel you'd like to see. Let's see how your luck holds.

Yep that is something I thought was nice with UHD when I had it long ago. Movies/shows with little to no commercials during. TnT definitly loves commercials from what I've seen thus far

UHD shows first-run programs? The heck they do! They had ONE - Battlestar Galactica...

Yeah, but they are all repeats! It's nice to see, but repeats of episodes you have already seen is pointless, but seriously, UHD over TNT-HD would have been soooooo much better. TNT's lineup is crap.

...hope DTV gets its new boxes out by then. I'd of even put up with their current box but as you cant DVR localHD's without the newer box (something to do with needing to be mpg4 I was told).

that's only to record the mpeg4 versions of the locals off the satellite. the directv hd tivo (yes it is a tivo brand dvr and very good compared to the comcast dvr and dish network dvr) that can record the local HDs via OTA.

I mean why not do channels like toondisney and others that take up 2 spots, 1 in english and then another exact copy on a diff channel but with spanish it makes no sense to me anyway as that was, as I understand it the whole reason for SAP to begin with.

actually on dish network the channels that are shown in multiple languages are the same video feed mapped to different channel numbers so they don't take up any more bandwidth than one channel

actually on dish network the channels that are shown in multiple languages are the same video feed mapped to different channel numbers so they don't take up any more bandwidth than one channel And thats how it should be, I was mainly refeering to Comcast since their the ones I here the BW excuse from is all.

Proco, maybe you can post about another HD channel you'd like to see. Let's see how your luck holds.


SPEED CHANNEL (F1 Races!) and Comedy Central... LOL, is anything on Comedy Central even in 16:9?

Simple fact is everyone has their own tastes. now bugger off if all you want to do is pester & nitpick at me and accusing me of saying things I didnt, to the best of my recollection ever say.

So I'm pestering and nitpicking at YOU! :p

I guess we should ignore who attacked whom at first.

Sure, brat. I'll stop. We wouldn't want this to turn into Beruit. However, just remember this... there are people out here who can throw flames as well as you, and maybe even better. There's is always somebody badder in the world.

And as I said, we should have every HD channel available and each new one that comes on line that is also carried on the SD channels. Universal HD used to be Bravo HD, so I'm all for that one too. And besides, I always did like the Equalizer. Edward Woodward is a heck of an actor, and I wish we would see more of him. The last place I saw him was BBC America in a mystery. He played a priest, and he done it! Now if ever there was a channel I wish was in HD, it is BBC America. If they ever run it again, folks, watch "Rocket Man" with Robson Green. Awesome. And the current mystery series, "Life on Mars", is excellent and unlike anything I've ever seen before on TV!

I, for one, am happy with the TNT-HD addition. I had UHD with D* for months and hardly ever found anything worth watching. I think the move toward HD simulcast is a move toward more full time HD, where HD niche channels are just that, niche channels. Eventually, if all goes the way it should, we won't need special HD channels that are a conglomeration of decent but second-rate HD material, which is what UHD is for the most part. (And on D*, it had artifacts galore. Not sure if that's because of the station or D*)

A year ago next week, Fox reported it was developing a catch-all HD channel that would incorporate programming from all of its channels: FX, Sports Net, Speed (making Proco happy!), etc. I like that idea. Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, The Shield, 24. I haven't seen another article about it since, though.

Now if Comcast did offer these in HD via ONDemand during the same week they air normally for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE, I would support that wholeheartedly. My sole concern is that they perceive this as a new market to exploit for profit, charging us for content we should already get for our tier's subscription fee as part of a simulcast.

Please go back and check my posts. I did not attack you nor for that matter were my posts were even directed at you. It was someone else that made the Bob comment and then you kept refeering to things I didnt say in your posts. I never said TnTHD ONLY does StretchOvision nor did I claim UHD showed 1st run shows yet on each of your reponses you choose to quote me and the implication was of me saying things I did not say or accusing me of Flaming when it was never my intent nor do I think I even did Flame anyone. I was commenting on Comcast, not anyone in the forums. If it wasnt your intent then fine but it is how you came accross.

Cheers

And as I said, we should have every HD channel available and each new one that comes on line that is also carried on the SD channels.
And when I buy a six pack of Coke I should get a case. I'd love to have every HD channel available. But so long as even those most vocal critics keep buying what they're currently selling, they have no incentive to provide more for the same cost. They are regulated you say? Well apparently those regulations don't compel them to offer "every HD channel available and each new one that comes on line."

By the way, one thing I did notice is that the audio for OnDemand Nightmares and Dreamscapes was NOT Dolby Digital, like most modern HD content is. It was just regular sound... Not sure if this is a TNT thing, or a Nightmares/Dreamscapes thing, or the fact that it was on OnDemand vs. regular broadcast...

Yep, I just caught part of a Nightmares / Dreamscapes on TNT HD, it was Dolby Digital (the whole channel seemed to be in Dolby Digital, even the commercials...).

Strange that the OnDemand broadcasts have (apparently) lower quality sound; I don't know to what level the sound is mastered in the first place though.

I'm in Longmont where we still only get four local channels in HD with Comcast. I was recently considering moving to Ft. Collins where Comcast has a broader HD lineup, but it now looks like I will be staying put for awhile.

With no hope that Comcast is going to add any new HD channels in Longmont for some time I am now considering switching to Dish Network. I've been reading about some of the PQ issues with the satellite HD providers, but I'm getting very tired of only four channels.

I would really like your opinion on the quality and service of Dish, if you can. I just don't want to wait any longer for Comcast to get their act together in Longmont.

Thanks in advance for your comments/help.

I saw TnTHD was showing the mummy tonight and decided to flip it on. Guess what, at least to me it looks like they messed with the aspect. Is it my imagination? Brendan looked like a chipmunk to me hehe. I can ALMOST understand doing it to Charmed shows since they were never shot in Lbx but why would they not show a movie like the Mummy in proper aspect.

Eight Legged Freeks looked good.

Nah. The Mummy and From Dusk till Dawn looked bad. Not only was the aspect ratio distorted (it was definitely stretched), but it also looked ZOOMED - the result being that medium closeups had way too much of the "head" chopped off in the shot. Not really watchable IMO.

Shame.

All of a sudden channels 2 - 99 took a turn for the worse, west of Kipling and south of 285. Very grainy, snowy.

Is anybody else seeing this?

Sleepy Hollow looked good last night. However, I got the distinct feeling they were cutting parts out (2 hour time slot - 25 minutes for commercials..., running time 1hr 49 minutes...).

Anyone else watch "History Detectives" on PBS? The last few episodes have looked horrible during the segments shot in the field - as if they were abusing some sort of trendy "smear everything but a tiny spot dead-center" video effect. Could this have been on purpose, or is it some sort of technical glitch?

Anyone else watch "History Detectives" on PBS? The last few episodes have looked horrible during the segments shot in the field - as if they were abusing some sort of trendy "smear everything but a tiny spot dead-center" video effect. Could this have been on purpose, or is it some sort of technical glitch?

It's "artistic". Guffaw.

Looked like somebody smeared vasoline on the lense. I'm sure the people whose situation they were looking into really appreciated having that smeared image as a keepsake.

All of a sudden channels 2 - 99 took a turn for the worse, west of Kipling and south of 285. Very grainy, snowy.
Is anybody else seeing this?
Not here in Highlands Ranch. This was my first chance to check, so I don't know if it was bad when you first mentioned it.

Not here in Highlands Ranch. This was my first chance to check, so I don't know if it was bad when you first mentioned it.

Another problem cropped up last night. I hit the reverse arrow while watching a program, having missed a line in a program. When I hit "Play", the image just sat there frozen.

I finally broke down and called Customer Service. Got the "check the cables and pull out the plug" answer. Did it right before going to bed, so I haven't had a chance to check to see what's what. If it doesn't work, adios 6412 Phase II box.

I also asked about the new generation of set-top and DVR boxes. She said there was no information for the last two months. Either she's full'a beans, or the suits aren't talking. Don't know if that's good or bad, but with Comcast, the assumption is muy mal!

It's "artistic". Guffaw.

Looked like somebody smeared vasoline on the lense. I'm sure the people whose situation they were looking into really appreciated having that smeared image as a keepsake.

Yeah - the pattern I'm seeing is that when someone thinks their material might be a bit boring, they think they need to spice it up for the younger kids with jerky cameras, arbitrary effects, fast cuts and swooshing sounds. Very amateurish.

Is there a reason why Comcast has 2 NFL Network channels? 168 & 417 I believe. And also what are the chances of INHD carrying some of the NFL NEtwork HD games? Also, has anyone ever seen any HD programming on KTVD or UPN? I'm curious why we have it if nothing is in HD. I would think their prime time would be, Veronica Mars, etc.

Actually they did seem to try and do Mars in HD a couple times but each time it was badly messed up and they switched back to SD broadcast. Maybe with the upcoming CW network which is a combo of WB & another but cant recall which they will free up an HD channel for something else. I just really hope they don't waste it on another useless sports channel

Anyone else watch "History Detectives" on PBS? The last few episodes have looked horrible during the segments shot in the field - as if they were abusing some sort of trendy "smear everything but a tiny spot dead-center" video effect. Could this have been on purpose, or is it some sort of technical glitch?

I'm glad BobLikesHDTV answered that it was "artistic". Ridiculous they would do that. My wife asked the same question UserNameTaken did and my response was the same as BobLikesHDTV.

I like HDTV too, watch very little else.

Rich N.

Is there a reason why Comcast has 2 NFL Network channels? 168 & 417 I believe. And also what are the chances of INHD carrying some of the NFL NEtwork HD games? Also, has anyone ever seen any HD programming on KTVD or UPN? I'm curious why we have it if nothing is in HD. I would think their prime time would be, Veronica Mars, etc.


No clue on the NFL channel. I do know, based on a story run on Channel 9 tonight, the NFL is about to kick them off the field and package the video themselves for broadcast on the NFL channel. They no longer want the NFL treated as a news event, apparently. They want to sanitize everything. Can't say I blame them. America is caught in a perpetual spin cycle these days, so why not football too?

HD programming is showing up on KTVD. I saw a new program tonight. Veronica Mars is already in HD. The question is will it go to Channel 2 when 20 converts to an affiliate with MyNetworkTV in early September? One thing is for sure. It will feature two five-nights-a-week nighttime soap operas, with recap shows on Saturday nights: Fashion House and Desire. Chick TV gone wild!

The FCC has a "must carry" rule that, as I understand it, requires them to simulcast any local station offering both digital and analog signals. This will continue until the analog stations finally go dark in '09. KTVD-DT is broadcasting that way, I guess, so Comcast is carrying them. That and they probably want to do right by KUSA/Gannett, which now owns KTVD.

Oddly enough, there are other Denver stations broadcasting in DT and/or HD, and don't have their own digital channels on Comcast: KWHD-DT 53 (a religious broadcaster from Castle Rock, that broadcasts some HD), KTFD-DT (Telefutura) and KDEN-DT (Home Shopping Network).

Actually they did seem to try and do Mars in HD a couple times but each time it was badly messed up and they switched back to SD broadcast. Maybe with the upcoming CW network which is a combo of WB & another but cant recall which they will free up an HD channel for something else. I just really hope they don't waste it on another useless sports channel

Since Channel 20's change of ownership to Gannett (channel 9), Don Perez and his techs have worked a great deal on 20's equipment and signal. As I've heard it, the people at 20, with one foot out the door, hadn't exactly been maintaining the equipment properly. Over the last week, the image is vastly improved both OTA and on Comcast HD. Even though reruns of That 70s Show are in SD, I noticed the colors were just popping. Beautiful. And the Rockies game this last weekend was also 1000 times clearer and more colorful than what we see on 26 (Fox RM Sports).

Well I guess I'll have to tune into V. Mars next time. I swear every time I flip there everything is in SD. I noticed that KUSA is taking up KTVD now and will be re-running their news on that channel, so I'm assuming that will be in HD. I'm probably stepping over my knowledge here, but wonder if it would be possible to have the weather channel 249 be run through KTVD so it will free up some much needed bits for the football game? Also I noticed we have "The Tube" which broadcasts in 5.1! I've never seen a channel that does 5.1 except for the premium/HD channels.

I did email Mr. Perez and expressed my issues with the Football broadcast and he did respond back but said he thought the PQ was fine. I also asked him about the lack of a 5.1 with KUSA and he said he wasn’t sure and would look into it.

Here is my email followed by his response:

Hello Mr. Perez.

I’m extremely upset after viewing NBC’s debut of Sunday Night Football presented in High Definition. I’m not sure if this has to do with my local provider (Comcast), the feed from NBC, or the relay feed KUSA sends to the local providers. I know this was a preseason game for not only the NFL but maybe the NBC video/audio crew as well. The picture quality was absolutely horrendous. I’m not sure how much you know about HD (I’m assuming a lot) but there was considerable noise, macro-blocking and overall fuzziness throughout the broadcast. One thing of major annoyance is the Weather Sub Channel that broadcasts simultaneously on Comcast 249. As you know this Sub Channel takes a good amount of band width to run, which in turn, takes away the bits needed to provide the best picture quality possible from the HD signal. Is it possible to shut down this channel during the Sunday Night Football broadcast? Also why can’t KUSA provide a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio as well? The show is broadcasted in digital sound and if I remember correctly, during the Winter Olympics KUSA did indeed provide a 5.1 sound. If you could look into these issues or forward my concerns to some one who can provide with an explanation I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Mark


Mr. Perez reply:
Thank you for your note. I only saw brief portions of the game, but did not see the artifacts mentioned. I do not expect these issues were cause by our sub-channel, but we monitor it. I will check further in the 5.1 audio for the game. I think that would add to the viewing experience. Again, thank you for the note.

HD programming is showing up on KTVD. I saw a new program tonight. Veronica Mars is already in HD. The question is will it go to Channel 2 when 20 converts to an affiliate with MyNetworkTV in early September?
Yes.

Channel 2 will become the CW affiliate in Denver, and CW has announced that Veronica Mars will be on their schedule this fall.

Mr. Perez reply:
Thank you for your note. I only saw brief portions of the game, but did not see the artifacts mentioned. I do not expect these issues were cause by our sub-channel, but we monitor it. I will check further in the 5.1 audio for the game. I think that would add to the viewing experience. Again, thank you for the note.
Don Perez is a great engineer - he's been kind enough to host a visit at the station a few times, but KUSA - from their GM all the way down to Don - is seriously deluded into thinking that WeatherPlus doesn't seriously impact their main HD channel.

Having experienced HD-DVD (and I'm sure BluRay is the same - not starting a format war here) with 30mbps, now more than ever, I believe that the 19.2mbps specification for OTA HDTV is the bare minimum for effective HDTV. When they take even 1 or 2 mbps away for subchannels, Bad Things Happen (tm)

Well I guess I'll have to tune into V. Mars next time. I swear every time I flip there everything is in SD. I noticed that KUSA is taking up KTVD now and will be re-running their news on that channel, so I'm assuming that will be in HD. I'm probably stepping over my knowledge here, but wonder if it would be possible to have the weather channel 249 be run through KTVD so it will free up some much needed bits for the football game? Also I noticed we have "The Tube" which broadcasts in 5.1! I've never seen a channel that does 5.1 except for the premium/HD channels.

The Tube is also on Comcast 248. Real music videos. It's kinda cool for vegging out.

I learned last year that just because a program is in a 4:3 aspect ratio doesn't mean it isn't in HD. CBS fooled me at holiday time. They advertised that several programs were remastered and would be shown in HD. To be sure, they were superbly clear, sharp and the colors bright, but were in 4:3. I emailed the tech about it and was told it was HD 4:3. Who knew?

Then there's the corollary. Just because it's 16:9 doesn't mean it's HD, as we've discovered with Fox 31's Saturday baseball games.

Regarding KUSA in 5.1 Dolby, you got a really odd response from Don Perez. I wrote to KUSA during the Olympics expressing concern that the audio was not in Dolby 5.1. He said at that time they didn't have the equipment to transmit in 5.1, and wouldn't until the end of the year. That would be nice if they have it now, with the new TV and football seasons starting up.

We think alike on WeatherPlus. The place for it is on 20.2, with the normal programming on 20.1. I can't see how even minimal degredating of the HD image will affect a nighttime soap opera. On 9.1, however, it will profoundly affect the upcoming very expensive NFL games.

I'm curoius. Does anybody know if Comcast customers get the full HD signal from KUSA and not the lower bit-rate one transmitted OTA? To me, the Comcast version seems a bit less sharp and colorful vs OTA.

:D A shameless plug for a new Denver HD locals thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=709744

Ok so what do we need to do to get some answers here regarding the Sunday Night football? Last night was a lot better than last week and actually looked quite good when nothing was moving. But since this is a game where people MOVE, it looked like crap. Glancing at the OTA Denver thread, apparently no one is experiencing the macro blocking like us Comcast people are. Now the question I have, is this a NBC, nation wide issue (think so from the programming thread) and/or can it be solved by waking someone up at KUSA and shutting down the Weather Plus channel? Mr. Perez thinks everything is glory and he probably doesn’t have a HD set up. Getting frustrated!

Also, I noticed the Tube is running through Ch. 2 or WB’s local station (I forget the call sign.) So KUSA only has one sub channel and that’s the weather plus right? Some say the Tube is on their NBC subs.

Besides the macro blocking, I get the “dancing” grass show that was abundant in the FOX football last season. I thought FOX looked pretty good on Thursday, with no dancing grass, now NBC is suffering?

I learned last year that just because a program is in a 4:3 aspect ratio doesn't mean it isn't in HD. CBS fooled me at holiday time. They advertised that several programs were remastered and would be shown in HD. To be sure, they were superbly clear, sharp and the colors bright, but were in 4:3. I emailed the tech about it and was told it was HD 4:3. Who knew?

Then there's the corollary. Just because it's 16:9 doesn't mean it's HD, as we've discovered with Fox 31's Saturday baseball games.



Sure in some cases they can do that. On a simple level think film based content vs video based. With film based stuff there can be more resolution than HD as we know it provides in the first place. So thus they can remaster it and utilize that resolution. Wouldnt work for old ballgames or nature stuff originally done on video with cams that didnt have the resolution.

A couple years ago TNT-HD showed the Wizard of OZ that way. Needless to say the best rendition of that movie ever seen on television from a clarity/color standpoint. ABC has done it with some of thier old Disney stuff. Mind you it's still being sent out in a 16x9 frame as is the case with all HD.. it's just that the bars, not unlike in the case of 4x3 upconverted stuff, are inserted at the broadcast end as opposed to by ones widescreen tv when it's being fed a 4x3 NTSC signal.

And you bet theres a lot of non HD programming thats done in 16x9. The PBS HD National channel has aired no shortage of programs like that over the years.

Apologies in advance if this has been covered, but I have read 15 pages of this thread, search[ed] this thread for terms like "lineup" and gone to Comcast(s) web sites and only found the following HD channels:
652 KMGH (ABC) DT
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN (WB) HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD Theater
664 iN DEMAND1 HD
665 iN DEMAND2 HD

I am relocating to Westminster/Broomfield in 5 weeks and am trying to decide between cable and DirectTV. Does anyone know if the above lineup is complete for those towns? I take it from recent posts that TNT-HD was added, but perhaps that was only for certain areas of the Denver/Boulder region? Also really curious to see if ESPN HD is available, as it's absence would be a deal breaker.

Thanks :)

Remove INHD2 and add TNT. We also have ESPN & ESPN 2.

Here is the latest list. We get little communication on things coming (or going). The TNT HD replacing INHD2 (and getting a different number) was not announced. The ESPN2 HD addition came a couple of weeks after the first markets got it. No news on anything else so far.

650 Showtime HD
651 HBO HD
652 KMGH (ABC) DT
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN (WB) HD
657 KTVD (UPN) HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD Theater
664 INHD
667 TNT HD
668 ESPN HD
670 ESPN2 HD

There are also some offerings via OnDemand, a small number of which are without charge.

For what it is worth, Comcast does not down-res the signal from the sources, as D* is documented to do. On the other hand, Bob will be happy to tell you the DVR isn't the greatest in the world (though I gather that D* has still not released their MPEG4 DVR). And Roller11 will be happy to inform you that the above does not apply to Longmont, which has very few (and all OTA carriage) HD channels.

Ok so what do we need to do to get some answers here regarding the Sunday Night football? Last night was a lot better than last week and actually looked quite good when nothing was moving. But since this is a game where people MOVE, it looked like crap. Glancing at the OTA Denver thread, apparently no one is experiencing the macro blocking like us Comcast people are. Now the question I have, is this a NBC, nation wide issue (think so from the programming thread) and/or can it be solved by waking someone up at KUSA and shutting down the Weather Plus channel? Mr. Perez thinks everything is glory and he probably doesn’t have a HD set up. Getting frustrated!

Also, I noticed the Tube is running through Ch. 2 or WB’s local station (I forget the call sign.) So KUSA only has one sub channel and that’s the weather plus right? Some say the Tube is on their NBC subs.

Besides the macro blocking, I get the “dancing” grass show that was abundant in the FOX football last season. I thought FOX looked pretty good on Thursday, with no dancing grass, now NBC is suffering?

I'd be surprised if the Comcast NBC broadcast was noticeably different from the OTA. Many complaints about this game in its thread in regards to macroblocking and clarity on long shots.

650 Showtime HD
651 HBO HD
652 KMGH (ABC) DT
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN (WB) HD
657 KTVD (UPN) HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD Theater
664 INHD
667 TNT HD
668 ESPN HD
670 ESPN2 HD



Thanks for the info. Discovery and ESPN2 would be improvements over what I have now (though I will be giving up MSG HD & YES HD of course).

For what it is worth, Comcast does not down-res the signal from the sources, as D* is documented to do.
Currently running a Sony XBR960 (CRT) and have been pleased with cable so I'm a little concerned about that. The satelite sports package is tempting, but wouldn't pick up any extra hd content. Haven't even started looking into the signal/quality pros & cons.

A couple years ago TNT-HD showed the Wizard of OZ that way. Needless to say the best rendition of that movie ever seen on television from a clarity/color standpoint. ABC has done it with some of thier old Disney stuff. Mind you it's still being sent out in a 16x9 frame as is the case with all HD.. it's just that the bars, not unlike in the case of 4x3 upconverted stuff, are inserted at the broadcast end as opposed to by ones widescreen tv when it's being fed a 4x3 NTSC signal.


Here's all you'd ever want to know about motion picture aspect ratios:

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/2933/favaspectratio.html

The original aspect ratio was almost square at 1.33:1 for silent (4x3) and 1.37:1 for sound. So to create a remastered HD version for HD TV, the appropriate size of the image would be almost square. It was after WWII that movie studios began to play with the size of the image, mostly due to competition from television. People were staying home and not going to the theaters. At first the theaters and studios (which owned most of the theaters) tried to remedy this by giving away things like they used to in gas stations, dishes and glasses and such. That didn't work too well, so they started to widen the screen. One of the first wider screened films was "Fantasia" (actually before WWII). "It's a Wonderful Life" has a wider ratio, too.

But it's not just the wideness for me. It's about the clarity, sharpness and vibrancy of the picture that makes me an unqualified fan of HD.

I'm a big fan of classic films, the kind of stuff on Turner and Retroplex (a new channel in the last few months). I'm also a fan of independent film, like on Sundance, IFC and Indieplex (also a new channel). I'd love for this stuff to be in HD.

It will be interesting to see which classic films make the cut in the HD-DVD and Blueray releases.

I grew up in Los Angeles, and several times a week we would load up the car with friends and go into Hollywood to the revival movie theaters. There is nothing like seeing an old film on a movie screen. The black-and-white is stark. The colors are amazingly vibrant and almost three dimensional (especially the three-color Technicolor films like "Gone with the Wind" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon"). The work of Gregg Toland (cinematographer- mostly black & white: Citizen Kane, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Long Voyage Home ) would be amazing if remastered properly for HD by somebody who actually cares.

Last year I saw an HD remaster of some classic films in b&w film on HBO (they were showing classics on Saturday mornings). They looked every bit as good as when I saw it in the theater many years go. It's too bad they stopped doing this.

For what it is worth, Comcast does not down-res the signal from the sources, as D* is documented to do. On the other hand, Bob will be happy to tell you the DVR isn't the greatest in the world (though I gather that D* has still not released their MPEG4 DVR). And Roller11 will be happy to inform you that the above does not apply to Longmont, which has very few (and all OTA carriage) HD channels.

You're right, Jello. The Magnavox 6412, especially the Phase III, is DVR Hell. Comcast knows it. That's why they commissioned Panasonic to make the next generation of machines after having over 40,000 Magnavox DVRs returned late last year because they didn't operate properly and couldn't be repaired. (Insider info from January '06.)

For those who raised the macroblocking problem, it doesn't exist OTA (or at least it shouldn't). Comcast uses MPEG 2 to compress and decompress signal. This is where the macroblocking comes from. No MPEG compression takes place OTA unless the network itself is bouncing a compressed signal off the satellite to their affiliate stations. If so, that problem isn't going away.

If you have an HD built-in set and you live in the metro area, let me suggest an experiment. Go buy a pair of rabbit ears with the loop antenna or take your old ones out of storage... in other words, go get a cheap UHF antenna. Connect it to the open coax port in back of the TV set. Then aim it towards downtown Denver or at Lookout Mountain, in the case of Fox-31 and PBS-HD. Then press the button on your TV that searches for the channels. Then have a look at the digital ones, especially PBS-HD during a full HD program. You will be STUNNED by the picture quality compared to Comcast's supposed "non-downrezzing" of the image. If you're north of Longmont, try aiming at Cheyenne, WY too. You may do better getting signal from Wyoming than Denver.

The best HD on Comcast is a tie between ESPNHD and DiscoveryHD. No question. Last night's football game was amazing to look at. I think the only local channel that looks a bit better via Comcast is KUSA, but I wouldn't swear to it. They do make me wonder, though, if they are feeding a full-res picture (1080i) to Comcast while broadcasting a slightly downgraded pic OTA, in order to make room for WeatherPlus (which is a waste of time, if you ask me, and nothing you can't get via the Internet)? The Comcast channel with the biggest technical glitches so far is KTVD-DT (channel 20). It actually rolls and vibrates like an old HAM slow-scan TV picture some of the time. When you watch OTA, it looks just fine, except for the Rockies games. I've concluded the problem there is the company that packages the broadcast to both FoxRM Sports and KTVD. They should be ashamed of their blurry, snowy picture.

The truth is HD/DT is still a work in progress.

I have no problem being patient; however, I wish that, like the TV stations do, the cable/satellite companies would work with viewers like us who care about quality, to improve their service all around. Ignoring us simply means the second something better comes along, we're gone. Is that anyway to run a business?

I don't know if you saw the article in today's Rocky Mountain News Business section, http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0,2777,DRMN_23916_4917421,00.html, but Qwest is wiring more homes in Arizona with fiber optic cable, I'd be a bit nervous. Qwest is bundling to these homes Internet at 10 mbps (faster than Comcast -- although in Japan their bundled ADSL services have Internet at, are you sitting down, 26 mbps for about $40/month), cable TV with HD and DVR service, and phone. And some people in Highlands Ranch already have this service.

But I'm not Comcast. I'm a consumer, and that means I love competition. Bring it on!

For those who raised the macroblocking problem, it doesn't exist OTA (or at least it shouldn't). Comcast uses MPEG 2 to compress and decompress signal. This is where the macroblocking comes from. No MPEG compression takes place OTA unless the network itself is bouncing a compressed signal off the satellite to their affiliate stations. If so, that problem isn't going away.


Assuming you are talking about HDTV/DTV, you are absolutely wrong. All digital OTA signals are compressed using MPEG-2.

Most networks send MPEG-2 at a higher rate, say 45 Mbps, to their affiliates. The affiliates decompress, add in whatever logos, etc. they want, and recompress down to ~19 Mbps (or less if they have additional subchannels).

Can some one explain to me how to capture these bit rates? I've researched a little and it seems you need something connected to your pc or is there an easier way?

My Tosh DLP is just a monitor and at my purchase time, I decided that I would always have a STB and that the cost of having the built in antenna wasn’t worth it. I kind of regret that, and now more curious to compare OTA versus Comcast. Oh well. For the most part I’m extremely happy with Comcast, have had no issues with my Moto III dvr, I have a great signal coming into my condo (according to the Comcast tech I have one of the best he’s seen, whatever that means), and my only issue was the lack of channels but that appears to be getting better.

Well I never really noticed any difference between Local HD channels on Comcast and the OTA versions when HD programming was on. But I dont have Comcast anymore so it doesnt matter to me now anyway.

I do notice a slight difference on the HD Locals between Dish Network and OTA though. Course that unit has an OTA tuner built in for viewing/recording so it doesnt matter as much.

I think Bob just exaggerates sometimes. Or at least uses words that makes it seem that way. If he's STUNNED by the difference between PBS HD from Comcast vs OTA, what happens then I wonder if he accidentally tunes to Analog channel 6 instead then? Is he flat out rendered unconscious? ;)

The CU/CSU game will be on CSTV this year per the following:
http://www.buffs.tv/archives/2006/08/17/i_want_my_cstv.html

Does anyone know the price for the sports package that includes CSTV? Can I get it for only one month? I know I could call Comcast, but I've called them each of the past two days for unrelated topics and don't want to call again. I looked on their webpage and can't find a price.

See the article at the link below...

http://themwc.cstv.com/genrel/071906aab.html

Based on some things from that article I would bet it will be included in some of the expanded basic packages. There is also a short blurb towards the end that says Comcast will have the ability to leverage their platform for things like HD. I would imagine that means that they could simulcast on INHD or something similar to what they did with the Nuggets last year.

Hopefully come September 1st when it launches it is part of the standard packages...

See the article at the link below...

http://themwc.cstv.com/genrel/071906aab.html

Based on some things from that article I would bet it will be included in some of the expanded basic packages. There is also a short blurb towards the end that says Comcast will have the ability to leverage their platform for things like HD. I would imagine that means that they could simulcast on INHD or something similar to what they did with the Nuggets last year.

Hopefully come September 1st when it launches it is part of the standard packages...

Unless they open up a new actual "the mtn." channel, I'm betting, inferring from the press release, programs will be on channels 5 (Comcast Entertainment Channel) and 73 (OLN/ soon-to-be Versus), with OnDemand as a catch-all of some sort (replays?). And it seems logical they'd use 664 INHD for any HD programming, as they've done with local games on Altitude. I wish they'd do the same with the Rockies HD games that are apparently shown over the satellite systems on the Fox Sports HD channel. I'd write them to ask Comcast, but we all know what the reply would be. :p

I think Bob just exaggerates sometimes. Or at least uses words that makes it seem that way. If he's STUNNED by the difference between PBS HD from Comcast vs OTA, what happens then I wonder if he accidentally tunes to Analog channel 6 instead then? Is he flat out rendered unconscious? ;)

And I think you mistake exaggeration for pairing a good imagination with a great vocabulary, with me using it, like Bob Ross did his palate and brush, to paint word pictures.

The good news is you don't stun me. If I said you did, then I would be exaggerating... to the point of needing a straight jacket.

Have a nice day. :)

Searched this thread, but couldn't find anything related to my problem. I recently moved from Littleton to Golden and had my Comcast service transferred with us. No problems at the previous house, but in the new house, I'm getting stuttering/freezing on some SD stations. The audio is fluid, just the picture freezes every few seconds. It doesn't happen all the time, mostly during prime time viewing. I switched boxes at comcast (latest Moto w/HDMI) but no luck. Strange thing is that I recorded a program as it stuttered for proof, yet when I replayed the recording, the video came out fine with no stuttering. HD channels do not suffer at all from this symptom. Also, the tv upstairs that is running straight cable (no box) does not stutter at all. Anyone ever experience anything like this?

I have seen this specifically when I switch from an HD channel to an SD channel. If I change to another SD and channel and immediately back to previous SD channel it goes away. I have bothered to call Comcast about the problem, but I suppose I should, but that would go completely against my lazy nature.

I have seen this specifically when I switch from an HD channel to an SD channel. If I change to another SD and channel and immediately back to previous SD channel it goes away. I have bothered to call Comcast about the problem, but I suppose I should, but that would go completely against my lazy nature.
mine does this too on SD stuff. both of my 3412s do this. it's simple to remedy. hit "skip back" once. then the problem goes away.

It does seem to happen after I cycle through some HD channels and then go the SD channels. I'll try your 'skip back' once method though GutBomb. Good idea for a quick fix. I have Comcast coming out tomorrow to see if theirs anything they can do about that and the crappy signal strength I'm getting.

I spoke to one of my Comcast contacts and he said that 2 more channels will be coming on very soon. He said one will be the MTV-HD and he didn't know the other one. I told him it was nice that we finally got TNT-HD and asked if that was the one and he said no. They guy isn't the sharpest tool so I might have to check in with my other friend the one that knows for sure. I'll keep you all posted.

Anyways....has anyone seen any NFL Network HD games broadcasted yet? Didn't know if they replace the lone INHD channel programming over the weekend, I wasn't around. It's nice to see KUSA (NBC) finally broadcast in 5.1.

mark, thanks for the good news. not that i anticipate watching MtvHD still good to have more programming. i suspect the other channel will be NFLHD. cant say im very happy with TNTHD, i cant stand the stretchvision and dont like their programming, but im still glad its there and im happy some people like it.

if its not NFLHD,, what are the other possibilities?

I looked and didn't find any NFL Network HD programming on InHD this weekend. Hopefully they'll be online for the regular season games.

An invitation to all Coloradoans to visit the new Denver, CO - Satellite thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=709744

Please RSVP... ;)

Thanks!
-Tim

mark, thanks for the good news. not that i anticipate watching MtvHD still good to have more programming. i suspect the other channel will be NFLHD. cant say im very happy with TNTHD, i cant stand the stretchvision and dont like their programming, but im still glad its there and im happy some people like it.

if its not NFLHD,, what are the other possibilities?

Food Network HD just debuted, a simulcast of the Food Network channel. (Why? Iron Chef America in Dolby 5.1?)

There's Fox Sports Net HD, for the Rockies fans.

> http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1528357

There's Universal HD, which we saw at Olympics time earlier this year.

There's Encore HD, which might be nice to have. They play some great movies on Encore.

There's National Geographic HD, Home and Garden HD, HDnet (though I think that's unlikely).

With the MPEG-4 capabilities coming soon with the new set-top and PVR boxes, they should be able to re-transmit all available HD channels.

While Comcast are at it, I hope they fix channels 2 - 99 so we get the full benefit of SD digital. It's been so snowy on those channels for the last week, I can almost not watch them.

I looked and didn't find any NFL Network HD programming on InHD this weekend. Hopefully they'll be online for the regular season games.

The only NFL HD I saw last year on INHD was the weekly recap program. Maybe it will be available OnDemand? It's amazing what is available there right now.

Were the NFL HD shows on INHD or INHD 2? Without INHD 2, I hope they have plans for live HD events.

Ahhh, Veronica Mars in HD. :D I'm not 100% satisfied since it's not 5.1, but then it's not so much what she says (at least in reruns).

I just flipped to Veronica and it's not in HD? WTF!? I checked around 830 or so.

It switched back and forth between SD and HD. I wasn't watching consistently (sorry Kristen). The audio was OK through the TV speakers, but seemed to be dropping in and out on my receiver. I don't know how much longer VM will be on KTVD - I assume they will stop the reruns once the CW network starts showing new episodes (10/3 for VM).

I emailed KMGH (ABC-ch.7) regarding if they will be broadcasting Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD beginning 9/11/06 and I think we have a good chance. See the reply below:

Dear Viewer -

We are currently working through the technical issues with King World in order to broadcast both Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD this fall. We hope to be able to resolve these issues before the start of the new season so that we may bring you these programs in HD. Please stay tuned.

Thank you for watching.

Denver's 7 KMGH-TV

Does anybody know the channel number for CBS 4? I've got a friend with a new HDTV with QAM tuner. We plugged in the cable and I was able to locate all of the local HD channels in the 89 to 91 range (might have been some outside that range, I don't recall). However, I couldn't find channel 4's HD channel.

We aren't using cable card, and I don't know if it would be the same channel number or not. It is just cable from the wall straight into the QAM tuner on the TV. Any help would be appreciated.

Does anybody know the channel number for CBS 4? I've got a friend with a new HDTV with QAM tuner. We plugged in the cable and I was able to locate all of the local HD channels in the 89 to 91 range (might have been some outside that range, I don't recall). However, I couldn't find channel 4's HD channel.

We aren't using cable card, and I don't know if it would be the same channel number or not. It is just cable from the wall straight into the QAM tuner on the TV. Any help would be appreciated.
I have always found KCNC-DT on 18.1 in Boulder. The others were 89.1 KMGH-DT, 89.2 KWGN-DT, 90.1 KDVR-DT, 91.1 KUSA-DT, 91.2 KRMA-DT, and 117.1 KTVD-DT.

If you have a cable card then the channels are the same as if you had a box (i.e., KCNC-DT would be 654).

Does anybody know the channel number for CBS 4? I've got a friend with a new HDTV with QAM tuner. We plugged in the cable and I was able to locate all of the local HD channels in the 89 to 91 range (might have been some outside that range, I don't recall). However, I couldn't find channel 4's HD channel.

We aren't using cable card, and I don't know if it would be the same channel number or not. It is just cable from the wall straight into the QAM tuner on the TV. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is what I get for HD with just QAM (no CableCARD). This is for Denver Metro Comcast, NOT Denver County

89.2 = WBHD
117.1=UPNHD
18.1 = CBSHD
89.1 = ABCHD
91.1 = NBCHD
90.1 = FOXHD
9?.? = PBSHD (I think it is 91.2 or 92.1)

Others (Not HD but still cool)

100.7 = Fox Sports en espanol (English and Spanish audio)
100.13 = The TUBE (24/7 music vids, no commericals, says it is chan 2.2 and it is not listed on Comcast's guide)
101.1 -> 101.11 = On/Indemand (you will only find something if someone else is watching)
113.1 -> 113.11 = On/Indemand (ditto)
119.x -> 120.x = Gov/Public access (digital versions of chans 53-60)

Notes: FitTV and SPEED are also in the 100+ range along with all of the Music Choice chans. These are not HD

Finally, HBO and Cinemax are no longer analog (Chans 14 & 16 are snow) so the only way to get those is either CableCARD or if someone else is watching them OnDemand.

If you have anything else that I missed I would be interested in knowing! :)

EDIT: I got beat by a few minutes on this!

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I had recalled seeing some time ago that many of the channels were in the 80s or 90s so that was where I looked. I never would have guessed that CBS would be at 18.1.

I briefly saw the Tube, but I don't recall if it was in HD. I'll have to look again tomorrow.

Frank, we are in Metro Denver, so your lineup should be exactly what we have. I'll let you know if we find anything else interesting.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I had recalled seeing some time ago that many of the channels were in the 80s or 90s so that was where I looked. I never would have guessed that CBS would be at 18.1.

I briefly saw the Tube, but I don't recall if it was in HD. I'll have to look again tomorrow.

Frank, we are in Metro Denver, so your lineup should be exactly what we have. I'll let you know if we find anything else interesting.

Tube is not in HD, but my system is showing it as 5.1 audio (yet, I don't get 5.1 out of it)

My vote is for Encore HD... Definitely some good movies there, I'll sometimes even watch in SD.

Does anybody know if Comcast is running any "Ditch the Dish" promotions in the Denver area right now?

Thanks,
Glen

i think they always have them, they call them the "dish winback"

on an unrelated note, when the hell did the ads start appearing on the guide? i've got ads taking over the bottom row of channels in the guide. thanks for that comcast, gonna lower my rates now? i think not.

on an unrelated note, when the hell did the ads start appearing on the guide? i've got ads taking over the bottom row of channels in the guide. thanks for that comcast, gonna lower my rates now? i think not.

I called and complained about those stupid ads. I hope they get flooded with complaints and they take it off.

I called and complained about those stupid ads. I hope they get flooded with complaints and they take it off.
the ads were gone a couple hours later.

Does anybody know if Comcast is running any "Ditch the Dish" promotions in the Denver area right now?

Thanks,
Glen

I just switched to Comcast a month ago, and I mentioned I was with D* and they had a special. All I had to do was show the installer my last bill. I am paying around $50 for Digital Silver, HBO, Encore and HD/DVR.

Those ads in the guide were ridiculous--unbelievable!

Yep, & they're back up tonight. I'll bet they'll be up only during prime time.

Yep, & they're back up tonight. I'll bet they'll be up only during prime time. Thats my suspicion, that the ads will only show up during primetime. Just one more reason I want to find a different provider and soon!

Here's the reply I recieved after I emailed Comcast voicing my displeasure with the new Guide advertisements showing up in prime-time:

***********************
Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable.

I understand you have some concerns regarding the banner ads now appearing on your Interactive Program Guide (IPG).

Comcast is using our technology to educate our customers about the value of Comcast Digital Cable service. The banner ads you are seeing on your guide, which will run during prime-time hours, provide tips and instructions on how to use certain features, like Parental Controls and Favorites. They also promote various programs that are in your regular channel line-up, and provide you with the option to easily set a reminder or recording, tune directly to the program, see other show times, and perform the other functions available on the program information screen.

You will not be charged for view details of any banner ad. The banners simply lead you to information on programs that may be of interest to you. You will only be charged if you order a program with an associated charge - for instance, a Pay Per View or ON DEMAND program or movie.

If you would like to scroll through your television listings without highlighting the ads, use the Page Up and Page Down buttons on your remote.

Comcast is planning to continue showing these ads, however, we do appreciate you sharing your point of view. It is our goal to make sure your Digital Cable television experience is as valuable to you as possible. Thank you for your feedback. I will be happy to share it with the Comcast team that is working on these ads.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

**************

What if I don't want to be educated about the "value" of Comcast Digital Cable Service? I've been a subscriber for several years. Now if the ads gave free, 5-10 minute previews of channels that I'm not subscribed to, THAT would be of "value" to me. But showing ads for basic channels like the History channel aren't going to make me watch them more. If anything it'll turn me away :mad:

Ken

What if I don't want to be educated about the "value" of Comcast Digital Cable Service? I've been a subscriber for several years.

Then I guess you go to satellite or OTA.

Her answer is nonsense. These are not navigational suggestions. These are program advertisements for specific channels. It is likely yet another revenue stream for Comcast which means if you don't like it, you can hold your hand on your nether regions.

The sad part is no service, cable or satellite, is striving to be user friendly. None wants to deliver the best picture humanly possible. If they are, I can't see it, can you? And seeing is believing.

Hmm.... NFL Network (Chargers at 49ers) live on 664/INHD.

The sad part is no service, cable or satellite, is striving to be user friendly. None wants to deliver the best picture humanly possible. If they are, I can't see it, can you? And seeing is believing.

For that matter, neither are many OTA stations when they have sub-channels that arent necessarily "important".

But the thing is, the majority of people value greater channel selection than they do pristine picture quality.. whether it was in the SD world, or the HD world.

And it's not like they're all purposely depriving people of less than perfect PQ. It's in large part just a by-product of the total number of channels they offer.

Take satellite for example. As if it's not bad enough that there has to be like "8,000" SD channels in this universe that they feel compelled to offer, but now theres HD versions of some of them that they have to offer also taking up that much more bandwidth. Then when it comes to Locals, about the time they're finally finished with offering everybody in the countries' SD Locals, they have to start offering the HD ones as new bandwidth allows.

"Best it could be" PQ was never a priority in the SD world and it never will be in the HD world. Thats just how it is. For someone who is saddened by that, I guess all about all they can hope for is a new provider aside from the local cable co and the 2 DBS co's that focuses primarily on PQ.

Good luck to them though because we saw what happened to a 3rd DBS provider in the case of Voom who tried to sell something along those lines. Even though they had every national HD channel known to man at the time, they coudnt even get any appreciable number of the HD or Bust crowd to join in... nevermind anyone else. Meanwhile each of the existing DBS co's (even with their uncaring, crappy PQ service) were still getting as many new subs every 2 weeks as Voom got in a year.

LOL, In a way we can blame all those who had/have D* or E* that didn't sign up for Voom when they could have. It would still be around if they would have & ALL the sat. providers would be trying harder to dring us better HDTV.

Voom was just 5 years too early.

Course the opposite could be said in some ways too, Couch.

For myself and many early HD people, Voom was too late to get our business (not that half the channels were even in existence in the early days to offer a service like that in the first place). I would've went with Voom like white on rice if it was there when I was making my first HD purchases. But I never did consider switching to them. Wouldnt now either if it was an option.

We were already entrenched with D* or E* because at least they were offering some HD compared to most cable co's around the country who couldnt even spell HDTV back in '99, '00, '01. Here in Denver it was the end of '03 when they finally started offering some. So why didnt all the peeps who adopted to HD for the first time about the time Voom launched go with Voom instead of whoever they went with?

But as we know because of whats still happening currently, just because one outfit has more national HD channels than another, that in and of itself doesnt mean any massive number will switch to the one with more. If that were the case Comcast wouldnt have hardly any HD subs here in town.

Theres many diff reasons why households pick the provider they do. HD household or otherwise. And it may not have anything at all to do with the number of HD channels or the PQ on the system as a whole.. unless the PQ was flat out hideous.. which it's not on any of them or that company wouldnt have any business at all. And it's for those reasons that a company that would try and hang their hat on PQ as their main selling point (if it meant less channels/services overall) would have a long row to hoe. Within a given amount of bandwidth they'd stand to lose more customers over lack of channel selection/services than they'd gain just because they had better PQ then the next guy.

The point of all this is to say that nevermind a startup, even if one of the existing Big 3, D*, E* or someones local cable co started touting their HD PQ because there was as little degradation as possible (plenty of bandwidth, high enough bit rate) there wouldnt be any mass exodus to that provider from the ones that didnt do that. Too many other things come into play.

Obviously if that actually was the golden egg, one of them would do it right? Afterall, bottomline is they're all money grubbing SOB's aint they? ;)

Good luck to them though because we saw what happened to a 3rd DBS provider in the case of Voom who tried to sell something along those lines. Even though they had every national HD channel known to man at the time, they coudnt even get any appreciable number of the HD or Bust crowd to join in... nevermind anyone else. Meanwhile each of the existing DBS co's (even with their uncaring, crappy PQ service) were still getting as many new subs every 2 weeks as Voom got in a year.

The reason I never signed up for Voom was because they didn't have a DVR. That was a deal-breaker for me.

And though it's not very good, at least Comcast has one.

Word has it the TIVO Comcast DVR is being beta tested by customers. I'm hoping the MPEG4 in future DVRs will allow those who hope to broadcast in full HD to do so.

If full HD is not available to broadcasters, I can't see too many more going to the expense of converting over.

Theres many diff reasons why households pick the provider they do. HD household or otherwise. And it may not have anything at all to do with the number of HD channels or the PQ on the system as a whole.. unless the PQ was flat out hideous.. which it's not on any of them or that company wouldnt have any business at all. And it's for those reasons that a company that would try and hang their hat on PQ as their main selling point (if it meant less channels/services overall) would have a long row to hoe. Within a given amount of bandwidth they'd stand to lose more customers over lack of channel selection/services than they'd gain just because they had better PQ then the next guy.

PQ flat-out sucks on channels 2 - 99 through my Comcast connection, with FSN-RM (26) and about 65 - 99 with verticle LINES though it, all of which is unfixable according to Comcast. Why they can't make 2-99 look as good as 101 to end via the DVR just doesn't make sense. I thought it was all supposed to be "digital" cable. But it's not. At least not in my neighborhood, west of Kipling and south of 285.

I hear ya, Bob. Theres things that suck about all the providers. Obviously you (and presumably other people in your neighborhood that might have the same issues) must think that theres something even suckier about the competition as a whole though or you'd all switch.

You have a beef with the DVR functionality and a beef with a pretty good chunk of channels.. yet you know theres things about the DBS co's that make them even less desireable.

Sad state of affairs, aint it?

I spoke to one of my Comcast contacts and he said that 2 more channels will be coming on very soon. He said one will be the MTV-HD and he didn't know the other one. I told him it was nice that we finally got TNT-HD and asked if that was the one and he said no. They guy isn't the sharpest tool so I might have to check in with my other friend the one that knows for sure. I'll keep you all posted.

Anyways....has anyone seen any NFL Network HD games broadcasted yet? Didn't know if they replace the lone INHD channel programming over the weekend, I wasn't around. It's nice to see KUSA (NBC) finally broadcast in 5.1.

On the TV Guide web page listings for the Boulder Comcast Rebuild (TV GUIDE (http://online.tvguide.com/listings/flatgrid.aspx?rnd=679.0997) ) they list MHD at channel 671. It isn't on my guide yet though.

Yes, all of the NFL Network games been shown on 664 since yesterday evening here in Fort Collins. Not on the guide though.

Bill

The reason I never signed up for Voom was because they didn't have a DVR. That was a deal-breaker for me.

And though it's not very good, at least Comcast has one.

Word has it the TIVO Comcast DVR is being beta tested by customers. I'm hoping the MPEG4 in future DVRs will allow those who hope to broadcast in full HD to do so.

If full HD is not available to broadcasters, I can't see too many more going to the expense of converting over.


Sad thing was, Voom was JUST about to launch there PVR. It was basically done beta testing & was to be released about a month after they decided to close the doors.

I went to the Comcast web site this morning, and this is part of the HD channel lineup listed:

664 INHD High-Definition TV
665 INHD 2 High-Definition TV
667 TNT HD High-Definition TV
668 ESPN HD High-Definition TV
670 ESPN2 HD High-Definition TV
671 MHD High-Definition TV

I don't currently have INHD2 or MHD. I've heard we're getting MHD, but is INHD2 returning to the lineup in the future?

On the TV Guide web page listings for the Boulder Comcast Rebuild (TV GUIDE (http://online.tvguide.com/listings/flatgrid.aspx?rnd=679.0997) ) they list MHD at channel 671. It isn't on my guide yet though.

I walked by my DVR this morning and the hard drive was going a mile a minute, though the unit was off. A download in progress?

Have a look at the nice, new face on http://www.comcast.com .

They also have MHD listed here in central Jeffco on the Comcast web site; however, they still have channels 2 - 66 double listed in their channel lineup grid.

The MTN channel is now with us on 411. This is where the NCAA's Mountain West conference will show its games. The CSU game looked pretty good yesterday for an SD broadcast. Nice PQ, and not muddy-looking like the Broncos game from Arizona via 664 last Thursday. Wasn't that just horrible!

MTN is also 112.3 for those without CableCARD or a STB. I still cannot find TNTHD, ESPNHD/2, or MHD.

Also, the 102.x chans are also In/Ondemand

I still cannot find TNTHD, ESPNHD/2, or MHD.

TNTHD is on 106.x (frequency is 687 MHz). ESPN2HD is on 60.x (frequency 441 MHz). I don't know how to determine the subchannel for either. As they are likely encrypted, you shouldn't get them without a cable card anyway.

My best guess for ESPN2HD would be 60.6 as that is the only channel that shows up in my TV's auto programming system. TNTHD would be either 106.1 or 106.2 as, again, those are the only two that show up on the show/hide channel thingy.

All of those channels are black, but go from "Tuning" to "No Signal" the quickest, much like the In/OnDemand ones when there is nothing on them.

Comcast has a new online guide at http://www.tvplanner.net/ and it is pretty nice. I guess the plan is that, someday, you will be able to set recordings for the DVR from the Web site. Here is the story:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6368422.html

Edit: This online guide shows MHD content. Anybody have a clue as to when that channel will actually show up? I haven't checked today, but it wasn't there last night.

This online guide shows MHD content. Anybody have a clue as to when that channel will actually show up? I haven't checked today, but it wasn't there last night.Comcast's online guide http://www.comcast.com/customers/clu/ChannelLineup.ashx also shows InHD2 back in the lineup, and some of the HD stations on different channels than the current ones. None of that shows up on my DVR yet. And, unlike previous updates (the ones that actually preceded the change), there are no notes or links to say when these changes would become effective.

it's been fixed. inhd2 is no longer there (at least for my address) but mhd is there. all the channel numbers seem right.

I have no idea where to put this so forgive me if this if this is in the wrong place- anyone know what channel that the re-release of the new HD Star Trek episodes are going to be on? In case you haven't heard, CBS is replacing many parts of the shows with CGI. Music has been re-recorded and all shows will be in HD and digitally remastered.

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/23775.html

I have no idea where to put this so forgive me if this if this is in the wrong place- anyone know what channel that the re-release of the new HD Star Trek episodes are going to be on? In case you haven't heard, CBS is replacing many parts of the shows with CGI. Music has been re-recorded and all shows will be in HD and digitally remastered.

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/23775.html
the episodes have been remastered in HD but as of yet no affilliates anywhere are actually carrying it in HD. the delivery method CBS is using to distribute it is SD only, so until stations have the equipment and ask for it in HD, we are only gonna get it in SD.

the episodes have been remastered in HD but as of yet no affilliates anywhere are actually carrying it in HD. the delivery method CBS is using to distribute it is SD only, so until stations have the equipment and ask for it in HD, we are only gonna get it in SD.


Thanks for the reply. At this point, I would just be happy to see them. Sounds pretty interesting.

the episodes have been remastered in HD but as of yet no affilliates anywhere are actually carrying it in HD. the delivery method CBS is using to distribute it is SD only, so until stations have the equipment and ask for it in HD, we are only gonna get it in SD.

Will CGI and new music be the "colorization" of the 21st century, making everything old into some marketable again? Ted Turner learned hard that colorization pissed off far more people than liked it, and sales of colorized films are now a thing of the past.

I'm hoping the CGI has a similar look to the most recent series, Enterprise (Cpt Archer). That series is supposedly the prequel to the Captain Kirk series, so everything should look like the next model or two up. Will they replace all the computer screens onboard Kirk's Enterprise with flat panels, like on Archer's Enterprise?

I don't know if this is an oversight in the article, but it's a shame if they don't make new prints from the original negatives, restoring the images and then making the transfers. It says they are making the digital masters from film. And I'm not sure the fans are going to like that they aren't going to air them in order.

Even so, if it looks as good as the HD 4:3 remaster CBS did for Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, people will be very happy. I imagine this will be 4:3, also.

Can't wait for them to remaster "Gilligan's Island" and "I Dream of Jeanie" next. ;o)

Can't wait for them to remaster "Gilligan's Island" and "I Dream of Jeanie" next. ;o)
I, for one, would love to see Barbara Eden and/or Dawn Wells in HD! :D

I, for one, would love to see Barbara Eden and/or Dawn Wells in HD! :D

I learned yesterday from Don Rooney, Director of Operations & Engineering at KWGN, who contacted CBS-Paramount based on all of the articles floating around the Web, that these are not in HD. They were digitally remastered with CGI work. And that's too bad.

They ARE in High Deff! Will we see it? Probably not, but they are in HD.



This is from the StarTrek.com itself.

To allay any fears, and to answer your most common questions, we've compiled a list and presented them to the experts, the ones actually overseeing the all-new and improved digital effects while striving to maintain the integrity of the Original Series.

Mike Okuda – Former Star Trek (multiple series) scenic art supervisor, technical consultant and author
Denise Okuda – Former Star Trek (multiple series) scenic artist, video supervisor and author
Dave Rossi – Former Star Trek (multiple series) producer, production associate and overseer of special projects.



"Will all the Original Series episodes be redone?
They are all being remastered in high definition and all 79 episodes will have visual effects work done. The extent of that work depends on the episode.



http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/25055.html

I'm hoping the CGI has a similar look to the most recent series, Enterprise (Cpt Archer). That series is supposedly the prequel to the Captain Kirk series, so everything should look like the next model or two up. Will they replace all the computer screens onboard Kirk's Enterprise with flat panels, like on Archer's Enterprise?



Will computer displays be upgraded too?
Not generally. The computer displays had a distinct style that we don't want to change. In a very few cases, we are planning on bringing up some shots to the quality of the rest of the show. For example, in "Where No Man Has Gone Before," we are planning on re-setting the text of Gary's book to eliminate the use of typewriter text.

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/25055.html?page=1

They ARE in High Deff! Will we see it? Probably not, but they are in HD....This is from the StarTrek.com itself.
]

I think StarTrek.com is a fan web site. CBS-Paramount is the successor name for Desilu Productions, which was the original producer of Star Trek.

CBS-Paramount has told local channel 2 it is not in HD. I figure because they are the ones who own the rights to the program, they know. And if you read the text of the other articles out there, they keep saying "digitally remastered" and not "HD".

There is a great deal of confusion, for sure. The article says they are reformatting all of them for HD; however, it does not say the HD versions are in this syndication package. If anything, the following answer seems to suggest they will not be part of this package:

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/25055.html

Will the episodes be broadcast in 1080i 4:3 HD and 5.1?

At the current time, the majority of affiliate stations cannot handle HD transmission unless they are live events (sports, news, etc.). As stations develop their capacity to air things in HD, CBS/Paramount TV will certainly be working with them towards that goal.

Bob - startrek.com is an official Paramount-owned site.

In the "Hot Off the press" thread, there was lots of churn over this same issue. Here's my understanding of what the final answers were:

Paramount: We're mastering them in HD, but since no local stations can timeshift HD [ed: we're lucky in the mountain time zone; all our local stations have to be able to timeshift HD, so theoretically, if anywhere, in the mountain time zone we should be able to get Star Trek in HD] we're just going to send it out in SD.

Local stations: Not our fault; they're not sending it in HD, we have no reason to invest in HD timeshifting equipment.

Distribution network used by Paramount: We can handle HD (even though all we do is SD right now). If Paramount ever asks us to distribute Star Trek in HD, we'll be able to. Probably.

At this point, I'm planning on picking up the shows on HD-DVD. The syndicated versions will be further chopped to make room for more commercials, so I'm not at all interested in them.

Bob - startrek.com is an official Paramount-owned site.

In the "Hot Off the press" thread, there was lots of churn over this same issue. Here's my understanding of what the final answers were:

Paramount: We're mastering them in HD, but since no local stations can timeshift HD [ed: we're lucky in the mountain time zone; all our local stations have to be able to timeshift HD, so theoretically, if anywhere, in the mountain time zone we should be able to get Star Trek in HD] we're just going to send it out in SD.

Local stations: Not our fault; they're not sending it in HD, we have no reason to invest in HD timeshifting equipment.

Distribution network used by Paramount: We can handle HD (even though all we do is SD right now). If Paramount ever asks us to distribute Star Trek in HD, we'll be able to. Probably.

At this point, I'm planning on picking up the shows on HD-DVD. The syndicated versions will be further chopped to make room for more commercials, so I'm not at all interested in them.

Disappointing. I would have thought for something as significant as a 40th Anniversary that they would have made some agreements with get them to the public in HD, at least one or two episodes like City on the Edge of Forever , Amok Time or Mirror, Mirror. I for one, am glad they decided to do this. I heard rumors of this several years back and think it's a great idea. I too will get these on HD-DVD when the come out.

we're just going to send it out in SD.

Local stations: Not our fault; they're not sending it in HD, we have no reason to invest in HD timeshifting equipment.

Distribution network used by Paramount: We can handle HD (even though all we do is SD right now). If Paramount ever asks us to distribute Star Trek in HD, we'll be able to. Probably.

At this point, I'm planning on picking up the shows on HD-DVD. The syndicated versions will be further chopped to make room for more commercials, so I'm not at all interested in them.

Mal, I think you are spot-on correct. I had another email from KWGN further clarifying things. They can handle the HD, as you say. It is CBS-Paramount who is not offering it to them.

Frankly, I think there are two reasons. First, the one you cited above. Next, I think home entertainment software providers, like CBS-Paramount, have learned a valuable lesson from Bill Gates on how to make bazillions and bazillions of dinero. And it all boils down to one word:

Versions.

Put out the digitally remastered versions with CGI now. Then, in a few years, sell the same DVDs to the same people, only this time in HD. Once that's all sold, offer it in HD OTA. And who knows, maybe as a PPV in HD in-between the SD digital sale and the HD sale?

If people are willing to pay, I'd sell them that way. Why not? Maybe tie in some merchandizing, too.

I'm wondering if they will ever remaster the Star Trek Saturday Morning cartoon series? Anybody remember that?

Moving away from the StarTrek and back to Comcast... Is anyone else not getting 90.1 anymore (Fox HD)? It is black for me and has been that way for 3 days now.

Moving away from the StarTrek and back to Comcast... Is anyone else not getting 90.1 anymore (Fox HD)? It is black for me and has been that way for 3 days now.
Looks like there has been some frequency rearrangement: KDVR is now on 135 MHz, which would be Channel 16. Check 16.1 or 16.2 (or some other subchannel) to see if you find it there. The other moves I have seen are in scrambled channels:
Discovery HD ==> 147 MHz ==> 18.x (not .1 since KCNC is 18.1)
ESPN HD ==> 135 MHz ==> 16.x
I cannot say what they are up to. At any rate, I have a cable card so the frequency changes happen automatically for me now.

The MTN channel is now with us on 411. This is where the NCAA's Mountain West conference will show its games. The CSU game looked pretty good yesterday for an SD broadcast. Nice PQ, and not muddy-looking like the Broncos game from Arizona via 664 last Thursday. Wasn't that just horrible!
CSTV has to be the worst quality video I've seen on any tv (CSU v. CU). It looks like garbarge on 412 and 73 (OLN). It looks like garbage on a regular Sony CRT on channel 73. You can barely distinguish the teams from one another on the field.

HDJello: Thanks for the help! KDVR is 16.1, DISCHD is 18.2 (guess based on lag time), ESPNHD is 16.2 (again guess based on lag time)

ColoThistle: I agree. The PQ on that CU/CSU game was quite terrible!

CSTV has to be the worst quality video I've seen on any tv (CSU v. CU). It looks like garbarge on 412 and 73 (OLN). It looks like garbage on a regular Sony CRT on channel 73. You can barely distinguish the teams from one another on the field.

The close shots were okay. The play camera shots looked like they smeared Vasoline on the lens. Maybe they had a problem with the camera? If so, at half-time they should have swapped it out for one of the sideline cameras.

We would swap back and forth between the CU-CSU game and the Notre Dame game in HD on KUSA-HD 653. I remarked, "Can you believe the difference between these two pictures? Scary! Comcast should be ashamed of itself."

411 looked a bit better than 73, but only marginally.

We went over to my brother's house at half-time, and watched on a SD Mitsubishi projection set with signal courtesy of DirectTV. It looked fine-- better than on my 55" Mitsubishi HD. Sad, isn't it?

The good news is everybody with an HD set and Comcast who is a CU or CSU graduate along the Front Range saw the same thing. I'm hoping that's several thousand. Let the letter writing campaign begin!

Looks like there has been some frequency rearrangement: KDVR is now on 135 MHz, which would be Channel 16. Check 16.1 or 16.2 (or some other subchannel) to see if you find it there. The other moves I have seen are in scrambled channels:
Discovery HD ==> 147 MHz ==> 18.x (not .1 since KCNC is 18.1)
ESPN HD ==> 135 MHz ==> 16.x
I cannot say what they are up to. At any rate, I have a cable card so the frequency changes happen automatically for me now.

Hi - Any chance someone knows if Fox HD may be on another channel on Comcast Suburbs? I am in Castle Rock, and used to get it on 90.1. My tuner does not detect any signal in the 16.x range at all. Wondering if maybe Fox might be hiding somewhere else as well? Thanks.

dd2: if it was on 90.1 it should be on 16.1 now. My Sony TV is nice because if it finds a signal, encrypted or not, on a channel that I manually type in, it will automatically add it to the channel list :)

We would swap back and forth between the CU-CSU game and the Notre Dame game in HD on KUSA-HD 653. I remarked, "Can you believe the difference between these two pictures? Scary! Comcast should be ashamed of itself."

I don't get the connection between CSTV (the picture quality was horrendous) and Comcast. CSTV appears to be owned by CBS (see http://www.cstv.com/cstv). On this particular point, why should Comcast be "ashamed of itself"?

I don't get the connection between CSTV (the picture quality was horrendous) and Comcast. CSTV appears to be owned by CBS (see http://www.cstv.com/cstv). On this particular point, why should Comcast be "ashamed of itself"?
because bob blames comcast for the ills of the world.

We would swap back and forth between the CU-CSU game and the Notre Dame game in HD on KUSA-HD 653. I remarked, "Can you believe the difference between these two pictures? Scary! Comcast should be ashamed of itself."A better comparison would have been the live broadcast vs. the recap on KUSA-HD for the 10 pm news. I doubt KSA could have actually provided enough cameras, but they were enough for the highlights (of the game, as well as the bloody, drunk fans). Of course, none of this has anything to do with Comcast.

Mal, I think you are spot-on correct. I had another email from KWGN further clarifying things. They can handle the HD, as you say. It is CBS-Paramount who is not offering it to them.

Frankly, I think there are two reasons. First, the one you cited above. Next, I think home entertainment software providers, like CBS-Paramount, have learned a valuable lesson from Bill Gates on how to make bazillions and bazillions of dinero. And it all boils down to one word:

Versions.

Put out the digitally remastered versions with CGI now. Then, in a few years, sell the same DVDs to the same people, only this time in HD. Once that's all sold, offer it in HD OTA. And who knows, maybe as a PPV in HD in-between the SD digital sale and the HD sale?

If people are willing to pay, I'd sell them that way. Why not? Maybe tie in some merchandizing, too.

I'm wondering if they will ever remaster the Star Trek Saturday Morning cartoon series? Anybody remember that?

Sorry HDJello to keep this going, but let me add one more thing- Bob, cartoon episodes are coming to DVD on Nov. 21st. I remember them and glad that they are finally coming!

Sorry to put this Trek stuff in here. I was really interested to know if this would show up anywhere locally.

because bob blames comcast for the ills of the world.

I wrote that because, a few weeks ago, the Denver Post reported it as a Comcast subsidiary. If it's CBS's fault, then CBS should be ashamed of itself. All I know is if I owned a cash register like a TV network or channel, I'd treat it and it's ultimate source of revenue, it's viewers, with a bit more respect, giving them the best PQ possible at whatever resolution used.

And GB, a bit of advice. Resentment is the killer of souls. Get over yourself. Comcast is a bloody mess. Don't believe me? Check out any forum on the Internet that features a Comcast forum. It's nationwide.

Is anyone else having a problem with ABC HD? The 9/11 docu-drama thing is completely unwatchable--audio only half the time, about two audio and visual glitches every second. It was like this last night, too. WTF?

All I know is if I owned a cash register like a TV network or channel, I'd treat it and it's ultimate source of revenue, it's viewers, with a bit more respect, giving them the best PQ possible at whatever resolution used.Comcast is a bloody mess. Don't believe me? Check out any forum on the Internet that features a Comcast forum. It's nationwide.
If I were Comcast and my stock had gone up by ~30% since the start of the year, I might not be worried about internet forums or PQ - I'd think that what I was doing was on the right track. Most of Comcast's viewers probably are watching TV's that don't magnify PQ issues as much as the TV's of people on this forum.
My own gripes with Comcast are pretty limited - other than the 6412 (which has had more and more problems responding to commands recently - even from the buttons on the front). They've got pretty knowledgeable CSR's when it comes to troubleshooting cable modem issues (and I don't have those very often), and I just switched over to their phone service, so we'll see how that goes. Certainly I'd like a better DVR, but I'm still enjoying the fact that I have one, even though it's been two years.

My own gripes with Comcast are pretty limited - other than the 6412 (which has had more and more problems responding to commands recently - even from the buttons on the front).
Interesting that you should mention that. Several months ago my first 6412 finally died. They new one had none of the delay in the responding to commands. Lately, though, the problem is cropping up and it seems to be getting worse. Still nothing like the previous unit, but it is annoying. It seems odd that these things deteriorate over time.

Well I just spoke to an engineer at channel 7 and she did indicate that they were working on getting the equipment to broadcast the game shows in HD, but she also said that they’re waiting on a “corporate” decision as when to get the equipment. So I bet it will be several months.

Here is the official response I received from Mickey Petty @ ch.7

Thank you for the email about Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in
High Definition. We are not yet able to deliver that signal to you in
HD - we hope to do so early in 2007.

Feel free to write again - and thank you again for writing.

Didn't they know about this? I would think they would be ready to roll. Oh well.

If I were Comcast and my stock had gone up by ~30% since the start of the year, I might not be worried about internet forums or PQ - I'd think that what I was doing was on the right track. Most of Comcast's viewers probably are watching TV's that don't magnify PQ issues as much as the TV's of people on this forum.
My own gripes with Comcast are pretty limited - other than the 6412 (which has had more and more problems responding to commands recently - even from the buttons on the front). They've got pretty knowledgeable CSR's when it comes to troubleshooting cable modem issues (and I don't have those very often), and I just switched over to their phone service, so we'll see how that goes. Certainly I'd like a better DVR, but I'm still enjoying the fact that I have one, even though it's been two years.

I find it interesting that the gripe you have is with the machine through which you access their cable service. Exactly my point.

Comcast's profits were up based on increasing users of Internet and Phone service as bundled with the existing cable. I wonder what happens once the $100 for bundled services lapses after six months and people end up paying $80/month for cable, $49.99 for Internet, and $40 for phone? Will Comcast's profits remain up, or will there be price-forced attrition?

Qwest's current offer of $29.99/mo permanently for DSL (and enhanced DSL is not that far away, at 26 mbps) will certainly hurt them in this market each time somebody looks at their Comcast bill, asking what that extra $20/mo can buy during the upcoming recession predicted by Denver-based US Bank Chief Economist Tucker Hart-Adams?

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/09/11/daily11.html

In Econ they call it opportunity cost. What other way can the money be better used to take advantage of other opportunities?

Right now their profits are up. What about a year from now? I predict by then pretty much everybody who would take advantage of the $100 six-month bundled package contract will have. And then, assuming "rationality" as economists do, they will begin to fall off as they learn of other, lower-priced opportunities that essentially deliver the same service.

I would also expect the number of subscribers to the bundled products fall off, since (I believe) Comcast has rolled out all of their services in most markets. They are going to be entering a maintenance mode. But the lower priced opportunities you mentioned aren't necessarily same service. Qwest does not deliver HDTV service, at least not in my area. I know of more people that have problems with DSL vs. those who have problems with cable internet. And, even when my special for Comcast's phone service expires in 12 months, the price will be less than Qwest's for the same service. But those other opportunities already exist. Why hasn't there already been a massive jump from Comcast's internet service with the Qwest offer? Certainly some people will switch to those other services once they start paying Comcast's full price, but most people probably went into the offer knowing what they were going to pay eventually, and are planning to stick with it. And just because there is another opportunity doesn't mean everyone who could save a couple of dollars is going to switch, either because of inertia, or because it doesn't really matter that much, or any number of other reasons. And if a new opportunity or service comes up that really threatens their subscriber base, Comcast will probably formulate some type of response. I don't see their stock continuing the climb that it's had over the past 9 months, but that doesn't mean that they're going to be headed down the tubes.

Qwest does not deliver HDTV service, at least not in my area.

I just received a flier in the mail from Qwest yesterday. They now offer HDTV in my area - Highlands Ranch. On their list of local stations carried, they listed both PBS channels even though KBDI does not do HD, included KWGN, but did not list KCNC. They limit you to two HD receivers and I didn't see any mention of an HD DVR.

I know of more people that have problems with DSL vs. those who have problems with cable internet.

I've had Qwest's DSL service for about 5 years now. Initially, the modem they installed was bad and they replaced it. Haven't had a problem since, so maybe I'm just lucky. I also get a $5 credit each month since I also have their landline phone service.

Why hasn't there already been a massive jump from Comcast's internet service with the Qwest offer?

I don't know about a "massive" jump, but if it's any indication, my sister, who also lives in Highlands Ranch, moved from Comcast's to Qwest's internet service a couple of weeks ago. She went with the Qwest bundle of phone/DSL/Direct TV.

I just received a flier in the mail from Qwest yesterday. They now offer HDTV in my area - Highlands Ranch. On their list of local stations carried, they listed both PBS channels even though KBDI does not do HD, included KWGN, but did not list KCNC. They limit you to two HD receivers and I didn't see any mention of an HD DVR.



I've had Qwest's DSL service for about 5 years now. Initially, the modem they installed was bad and they replaced it. Haven't had a problem since, so maybe I'm just lucky. I also get a $5 credit each month since I also have their landline phone service.



I don't know about a "massive" jump, but if it's any indication, my sister, who also lives in Highlands Ranch, moved from Comcast's to Qwest's internet service a couple of weeks ago. She went with the Qwest bundle of phone/DSL/Direct TV.
Yeah, you're lucky. Qwest made an investment in infrastructure when Highlands Ranch was being built up - which is why it's the only part of metro Denver where they sell IPTV. I'd imagine that infrastructure helps them deliver DSL more reliably.

Has anyone here gotten any cable cards? I went to a service center and they said they cannot give them out there and the only way to get them is to schedule a service call. I'm not paying $20 to pay someone to put a card in a slot. Any recommendations?

Has anyone here gotten any cable cards? I went to a service center and they said they cannot give them out there and the only way to get them is to schedule a service call. I'm not paying $20 to pay someone to put a card in a slot. Any recommendations?
I have one, but I think I only had to pay $16 for someone to put the card in the slot. It works great as far as reception goes: It uses the internal TV tuner and scalar so you don't have to deal with the Moto box's lack of passthrough mode. There is no program guide (where as someone on here told me there would be), and of course there is no OnDemand type service or DVR. They still charge you for having this, but it is the $6.95 (in Boulder) charge for having a second digital outlet (which is the non-HD rental fee). If you were to have a box and HD also, it would be another $5 (total $11.95) to get the HD box. If this is your only TV, I think you would get it included in the Digital package and not have to pay $5 extra for HD.

I have one, but I think I only had to pay $16 for someone to put the card in the slot. It works great as far as reception goes: It uses the internal TV tuner and scalar so you don't have to deal with the Moto box's lack of passthrough mode. There is no program guide (where as someone on here told me there would be), and of course there is no OnDemand type service or DVR. They still charge you for having this, but it is the $6.95 (in Boulder) charge for having a second digital outlet (which is the non-HD rental fee). If you were to have a box and HD also, it would be another $5 (total $11.95) to get the HD box. If this is your only TV, I think you would get it included in the Digital package and not have to pay $5 extra for HD.

Hi Jello,

I have a couple of questions, if I may ask them.

First, can one also hook up a YPrPb cable from Moto to TV in addition to the cable card, allowing use of the OnDemand and menus? Unless they turn off all other out ports on the Mitsu, this should still work.

Second, I also wonder if the cable card allows use of the TV's internal Guide, if the TV has one? When I go OTA, my Mitsubishi has a guide that allows me to see what is playing for several hours at a time on all of the channels?

Thanks!

Hi Jello,

I have a couple of questions, if I may ask them.

First, can one also hook up a YPrPb cable from Moto to TV in addition to the cable card, allowing use of the OnDemand and menus? Unless they turn off all other out ports on the Mitsu, this should still work.

Second, I also wonder if the cable card allows use of the TV's internal Guide, if the TV has one? When I go OTA, my Mitsubishi has a guide that allows me to see what is playing for several hours at a time on all of the channels?

Thanks!
You could certainly hook up a YPbPr cable to the TV as well. At one point I connected my old OTA antenna in this manner and it worked fine (the box to set connection, not so much with the OTA). Presumably an HDMI output would work too.

I don't know of any way of configuring the guide in my set to to ever display anything useful; I suspect that in my case the guide is OTA only. I read somewhere earlier on this thread of someone trying to find out how to configure a guide to talk to Comcast, but noone ever responded.

I've a Sony widescreen with built-in QAM256 tuner. This forum has been useful for finding the unencrypted HD channels, but I'm curious if anyone knows if there is a definitive list of unencrypted channels, analog, digital & HD?

Comcast, of course, will not talk about any of the above unless you buy the "extra" services from them.

Thanks.

I noticed last night that there is a new HD complete section in the OnDemand menu. It has about 7-8 categories underneath it if I remember correctly, most of which was free or free with the premium channel subscription. One thing I noticed was the early premiere of Chronicles of Narnia in HD from Starz.

It seems some of the work there may be in preparation for the new season of shows on the major networks(CBS, ABC, NBC) and a plan to provide much of that content in HD at the typical $0.99-1.99 price per episode.

Although I wish we had a ton more content at this point, we are a far cry from even last year let alone 2-3 years ago...

Has anyone heard if we'll get Friday's coverage of the Ryder Cup in HD? Universal HD is broadcasting it and I know in the past Comcast has used INHD2's channel for such events, but we no longer have INHD2.