Originally posted by anthonymoody
Jcc,

At the end of the day I guess we have to agree to disagree. I believe the heart of the bell curve lies firmly in the camp that can tell the difference at normal viewing distances. I've experienced this countless times myself and many times with others, including with plasmas.

Perhaps you've not experienced either type of plasma (particuarly the HD ones) at their post-calibration best. Over driven, over bright, white crushed displays can hide an awful lot of good stuff.

TM

Originally posted by LL3HD


No offense, but you will not win the ED = HD argument, no matter what rational (or irrational argument) you use and I really am not trying to get into an argument with you, I respect your opinion.

Larry

I guess everyone including myself in the Plasma and LCD Flat Panel Display forum must be on drugs because we can't see...

Originally posted by LL3HD


You pay 12 bucks and then rent DVD’s from net flix?? To borrow an expression that should ring a bell JCC-- that’s stone knives and bear skins.

I can not watch a movie on a DVD when it could be viewed in HD on one of the premium channels. The sound might be better on a DVD but there is no comparison with the HD picture. Maybe you’re sitting too far from your ED.

Larry

Have you tried using a good upconverting DVD player like the Panny DVD-S97S or one of those expensive Denons? You'll be shocked at how good the PQ is. Also, the turnaround from Netflix is fantastic because the warehouse is located in Flushing. It's better tha watching movies that THEY (the cable movie channels) want you to watch.

jcc,

Beyond 8-9 feet, Oprah Winfrey begins to resemble Halle Berry, but if you were lucky enough to get real close, would you choose Oprah over Halle ?
Maybe you would, as you prefer ED over HD.......

Conversely, why would you enjoy a 50" top line HD plasma at 8-9 feet so that it looks like a cheap ED set at that distance ?

Heck, if you have a high end HD plasma, you'll want to enjoy it at 5 feet for that theater effect !

You see, at 5-6 feet, a cheap ED set does not look that good, while the 50" HD plasma looks fabulous.

HD sets allows you to get real close. The better the set, the better it is up close. ED can't give you that right now.

Paul




Originally posted by jcc
Beyond 8-9 feet, you can't tell the difference between an ED and a HD PLASMA.

I'm thinking of canceling my TWC cable premiums and then when there is something on that I want to watch, just call up and order it. Customer Service is pretty quick at activating the service on the spot. After the show is over I'll just call back and cancel. Kind of my own version of PPV or On-Demand. ;)

Seriously, I'm enjouying thie whole HD/ED thing, but this is really a thread for another forum. Anyone that has watched Fox widescreen and Fox HD football can tell you that there is a difference. I'm not suggesting that Fox Widescreen was ED, I don't know if it was, but the HD PQ is noticable better.

Originally posted by Paul Chiu
jcc,

Beyond 8-9 feet, Oprah Winfrey begins to resemble Halle Berry, but if you were lucky enough to get real close, would you choose Oprah over Halle ?
Maybe you would, as you prefer ED over HD.......

Conversely, why would you enjoy a 50" top line HD plasma at 8-9 feet so that it looks like a cheap ED set at that distance ?

Heck, if you have a high end HD plasma, you'll want to enjoy it at 5 feet for that theater effect !

You see, at 5-6 feet, a cheap ED set does not look that good, while the 50" HD plasma looks fabulous.

HD sets allows you to get real close. The better the set, the better it is up close. ED can't give you that right now.

Paul

Sorry but I don't know many people who would choose to sit that close to the TV. You can't even put a coffee table between you and the TV at that distance. Boy you must have a really small living room.:D

jcc,

Seems like you just can't appreciate logic or even enjoy some humor.
If you simply enjoy insulting people, there are many other places on the web for that.



Originally posted by jcc
Sorry but I don't know many people who would choose to sit that close to the TV. You can't even put a coffee table between you and the TV at that distance. Boy you must have a really small living room.:D

I thought the new tier was suppose to take effect today? The only two channels that are lost so far are ESPN and HDNet Movies. All the other HD channels are still here....free of charge. Love it!

Originally posted by Paul Chiu
jcc,

Seems like you just can't appreciate logic or even enjoy some humor.
If you simply enjoy insulting people, there are many other places on the web for that.

No insults intended. It seems that it's you who can't enjoy a joke....

Originally posted by jcc
Boy you must have a really small living room.:D


Well, it is New York after all :)

Seriously though, I think for the sake of the thread we should move on from the HD v ED argument since no one with a well formed opinion is going to have their mind changed.

TM

PS - Drew, one last point, prior to converting to 720p HD Fox was indeed broadcasting in ED.

Originally posted by CITY HDTV
Qucik Question.

Im new to the HD scene. TWC gave me a SA3250. I was wondering how if it is possible to know the output (480, 720, etc) and adjust it. TWC rep said the setup procedure in the manuel is not programed yet for the unit. Is this true. I have a sammy 4663. When watching HD channels it says its in 1080, some channels are in 720. Is there any thread or post that deals with setup with these boxes and/or improving picture quality on SD.

If you have a Sammy 4663, then simply hit the Info button on your Sammy remote and a little box will pop up in the upper left corner and will tell you what resolution is being passed by your cable box. Note that if you are getting an interlaced signal there is an "i" at the end, if you are getting a progressive signal there is NOT a "p" at the end (720p shows "1080 x 720 @ 60hz); 1080i shows 1920 x 1080i @ 60hz).

Try a bunch of channels - 705, 707 and 725 are 720p channels; the other HD channles are 1080i and all SD channels are 480i. My guess is that every channel will show up as 1080i on your Samsung, which means you need to fiddle with the options (see below).

Everything else that follows depends on your connection - component vs. DVI:

Ignore the setup manual that TWC gave you with the 3250 b/c it applies to boxes running SARA software and your box is running Pioneer Passport. Holding Guide and Info on the box does nothing. The way to set the output format is to hit "Settings" (on the remote), the "A" for "More Settings". If you are connnected via component there should be an Output Format option in addition to an Aspect Ratio option. If you are using DVI you will only see the Aspect Ratio option. In order to set the Output Format option using DVI, you need to temporarily unhook DVI, hook up component, set the option and then unhook component and rehook DVI (pretty annoying but hopefully you only have to do it once).

On the 3250, if you are using DVI you are forced to choose either 720p or 1080i - if you choose both, it just picks one (I think 1080i but I could be wrong). Since most of the channels are 1080i NR, I choose 1080i so the box doesn't touch most of the channels. Of course for 720p channels, the box scales it to 1080i and the Samsung scales it back to 720p - not ideal but the PQ is still really good. Also, if you are using DVI, you cannot pass 480i, so you have to use one of the other resolutions - either 480p or 720p/1080i.

If you are using Component, you can just enable all of the formats and they should pass as is to the Samsung, which is ideal.

Lots of info, but hopefully this will help.

Originally posted by jcc

Have you tried using a good upconverting DVD player like the Panny DVD-S97S or one of those expensive Denons? You'll be shocked at how good the PQ is. Also, the turnaround from Netflix is fantastic because the warehouse is located in Flushing. It's better tha watching movies that THEY (the cable movie channels) want you to watch.

There is a nice article in today’s Circuits section of the Times on these Upconverting DVD players. Check it out. I wish I had the proper connection on my TV to utilize it. I’d watch more DVD’s too. Geeze, I spent about 700 bucks on my player back in the day. It was one of the first Progressive Scan players, or as my wife calls it, Progressive Scam. I'll just have to wait a while for an upgrade.

By the way, just to respect TM and keep on topic, anyone catch Great Performances on TWC last night, Clapton and company? PQ was adequate, the sound was great, no drop outs on my end. It truly was a-- Great Performance.

Larry

Well gee thanks Larry :D

I didn't catch that but I must say I'm enjoying the 8000HD despite the fact that compared to TiVo it blows :)

A couple questions:
1) Does the box turn itself on to record on schedule (or does it somehow record off)?
2) If you're watching what you're recording and you change channel, does it change the recording channel or is it smart enough to use the other tuner? Asked another way, how do you know which tuner you're using?

Thanks,
TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody

A couple questions:
1) Does the box turn itself on to record on schedule (or does it somehow record off)?
2) If you're watching what you're recording and you change channel, does it change the recording channel or is it smart enough to use the other tuner? Asked another way, how do you know which tuner you're using?

Thanks,
TM

1) Does the box turn itself on to record on schedule (or does it somehow record off)?

It records while in the "off" position.

2) If you're watching what you're recording and you change channel, does it change the recording channel or is it smart enough to use the other tuner? Asked another way, how do you know which tuner you're using?

It gets more confusing when you are recording two things at once. But, if you are recording only one show and you change the channel you default to the other tuner, since the tuner you were on is being utilized in record mode and continues to record. This is easier to comprehend (for me at least) if you use the PIP button. When using this button you see exactly what’s happening with both tuners.

It’s more confusing when you use the "last channel" button. This button gives you the last channel on the specific tuner you were on.


Larry

When are we going to start complaining about not getting UPN and WB in HD?

Seriously, I would really like to watch Veronica Mars in HD. And what about the chances of getting WPIX so we can get Mets games in HD next year? My TV doesn't have a tuner so it would have to come through Time Warner, is this likely to happen? Also, any news about MSG in HD or is that just not going to happen?

Digital phone is available to TWC subscribers in some parts of Manhattan, it seems. For midtown where I live, it's expected to be available this month (so they say). The cost will be $39.95 (plus tax) if you already have digital cable and RoadRunner.

Is there a forum where TWC customers who already have the phone service in Manhattan are discussing the pros and cons, and whatever problems they may have?

Thank you.

Use Vonage. $30 a month including taxes. $31.50 is the exact number I think. I've had it for months and had no problems. By the time you add taxes and other charges to TWC I bet it's $50

DigitalPhone, great! Better make that annual TWC payment of $2400 for cable, internet, phone, HD, DVR, HD DVR, HD Tier, Premiums, 8.00 to get the same programs I pay for turned onto my other cable box, and poor customer service.

Now that's a deal.

I just hope the power doesn't go out, but then again, what are the odds of that happening.

Drew

PS: My TV is 6 - 8 feet away in my NY apt.

Originally posted by mabrym
Use Vonage. $30 a month including taxes. $31.50 is the exact number I think. I've had it for months and had no problems. By the time you add taxes and other charges to TWC I bet it's $50

I'll second Vonage. The voice quality actually surpasses my POTS line. They've got some voicemail issues at the moment, but with email notification enabled I haven't missed any messages.

Since we're off topic I just want to add that I only have my cell phone. No land line. I figure I save about $26 a month. And, no solicitations!

Larry,
Thanks for the info on the tuner functionality.

All,
Re: the phone service issue. I will never, ever, EVER give up POTS. Why? Last summers blackout and 9/11 before that. The only way I could communicate during both of these events, particularly immediately afterwards, was POTS and a simple, battery free phone. Yes, it's an expensive insurance policy to keep a phone line coming to your home. But when you absolutely positively need service there's still no substitute IMO.

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
Larry,
Thanks for the info on the tuner functionality.

All,
Re: the phone service issue. I will never, ever, EVER give up POTS. Why? Last summers blackout and 9/11 before that. The only way I could communicate during both of these events, particularly immediately afterwards, was POTS and a simple, battery free phone. Yes, it's an expensive insurance policy to keep a phone line coming to your home. But when you absolutely positively need service there's still no substitute IMO.

TM

Blackouts-
The pots lines went down after 24 hours also didn't it? After all, the central office also requires power. As soon as the backup power died so did your pots.

Cell towers were also on back-up power for many hours until it too died when the batteries were drained.

can anyone help me change singal on hdtv box?
just tried to connect TW pioneer hdtv 3510HD receiver to early sony plasma flat panel
convert RGB to VGA 15 pin plug thru key digital componet adapter picture is all green!
signal to monitor 1080/60i key says need to adjust to 720.
can this me done?

The POTS lines never went out. Cell towers, which use battery back up did last a while then died, however, POTS remained on through it all.

Drew

I had a CableCard installed this week (in Brooklyn). I get Basic channels and non-premium HDTV stations, but no premium stations, including e.g. 701/HBO and 703/SHO. Is anyone else in this situation? I'm working with TWC on the problem, but in spite of a tech's best efforts this morning, no luck.

Rob

TWCNYC is raising rates!!!!

Back on topic.... and this bit of news (story below) is actually putting me over the top. I will be reducing my services after the new year to basic, HD PVR-tier combo. I will be killing my 2nd PVR and it's all here package. I'll keep the cable modem but that's a write-off anyway.

Drew

-------------------------------------------------------

NEWS
CABLE TV Time Warner to hike rates
BY HARRY BERKOWITZ. STAFF WRITER
447 words
3 December 2004
Newsday
CITY
A08
English
Copyright 2004, Newsday. All Rights Reserved.
In an increase nearly double the rate of inflation, Time Warner Cable will raise prices for standard cable TV service in New York City by more than 6 percent in February, the company said yesterday.
The increase, which translates to about $2.50 per month, comes even though competition is intense with satellite TV, which is drawing away customers from cable.
In addition to the higher prices for standard service, which includes channels such as CNN, ESPN, Nickelodeon and MTV, Time Warner Cable will raise the monthly rental fee for a set-top box and remote control by 9.3 percent, to $7.62.
Time Warner Cable stressed that because the $9.95 supplement for digital cable service will not rise, the overall percentage increase is not as great for digital subscribers, who comprise more than half of its 1.4 million customers in Queens, Manhattan, part of Brooklyn, Staten Island and parts of New Jersey and upstate New York. And prices for premium channels such as HBO will not rise. Fees for Road Runner and Earthlink high-speed Internet service will not rise.
But the increase for standard cable service in New York for 2005 is greater than Time Warner Cable's average increase across the country of 4.1 percent for its 11 million customers next year.
It exceeds Time Warner Cable's nearly 5.3 percent increase for standard service in New York early this year. And it is greater than the 2.1 percent average increase that Cablevision, the metropolitan area's biggest cable operator, has announced for standard service next year.
Time Warner Cable cited soaring costs it pays to the owners of cable channels.
"The costs to acquire programming have increased 12 percent and other costs like labor and fuel have escalated dramatically," said Harriet Novet, a Time Warner Cable of New York spokeswoman. "We made every effort to keep this rate adjustment minimal in comparison to the increased costs."
Novet said that satellite TV providers have raised rates sharply over the past several years but that their increases are not publicized as much.
Also, she said Home & Garden TV is being added to the standard package and digital cable customers will gain several video-on-demand services for free, including AOL Music, Court TV and BBC.
The numbers
Time Warner Cable rate hikes for standard service:
Current New Increase
Queens/Brooklyn $41.01 $43.51 6.1%
Manhattan $40.56 $43.07 6.2%
Digital supplement $9.95 $9.95 0%
Box, remote $6.97 $7.62 9.3%

Originally posted by jcc
I'm only subscribing to their basic service which is the OTA channels plus Discovery and TNT. The best part is that I only pay $12 a month!


JCC,

how are you only paying $12.00 a month in NYC? I am researching the rates and the lowest package I see is 19.63 for basic service?
----------------------
http://www2.twcnyc.com/index2.cfm?c=dtv/pk_pr

Basic Service
Includes Time Warner Cable's exclusive news channel NY1, broadcast, municipal and public access stations, 1 cable box and 1 remote.
----------------------

Maybe you can get this package without the remote and box?

Anyway, I'm thinking that I can get Basic for 20 + 15 for HD-Tier and HD DVR which will give me a couple movie channels, ESPN and TNT. I'm thinking they won't let me add the HD Tier to a basic package??? The 120.00 savings will buy ample movies on demand if needed.

Drew

Originally posted by jcc
Blackouts-
The pots lines went down after 24 hours also didn't it? After all, the central office also requires power. As soon as the backup power died so did your pots.

Cell towers were also on back-up power for many hours until it too died when the batteries were drained.


As Drew pointed out POTS worked the whole time (at least mine did). Re: cell towers having battery backup, it didn't matter. The cell circuit switches were so completely overwhelmed that even though there was "service" you couldn't actually get a call through 9 times out of 10. POTS worked every single time of the many dozens of calls I made and received on those two days.

In any case, on topic, I'm bummin that TWC is jacking us (again) on rates. I may switch to the most basic of basic packages and add the HD tier and HD PVR and see where that gets my bill.

Question: to get HBO and SHO in HD, is there an HD only price for these or do you have to order those two channels ala carte as 2 premium channels?

TM

You have to buy HBO and SHO premium services to get 701 (HBO-HD) and 703 (SHO-HD).

I just hope TWC will now give us MAX and TMC in HD after the rate hikes. At least we'll get more choices.

As for the higher rates, if any of you live in a high occupancy coop or condo building, you may want to ask the building board to negotiate for a "bulk" rate. We did 2 years ago, and out rate is about 10% less. Depending on what the tenants or owners of the co-op currently subscribe to, the bulk rate may be even less for your location.

Paul



Originally posted by anthonymoody
Question: to get HBO and SHO in HD, is there an HD only price for these or do you have to order those two channels ala carte as 2 premium channels?

TM

I'm trying to get a 3250HD working using DVI out with a Sharp LC-45GX6U. If I by-pass the AVC box for this display, I get a double image displaying (one on top of the other). If I go through the AVC box, the image looks great except for noise that results from also passing through a DVI switch-box.

I saw a posting that described a video output setup menu on the 3250HD, accessed by pressing Guide and Info at the same time, and another menu accessed by pressing and holding the select button on the box, but niether of these work for me. Does anyone know how to access advanced menus on the 3250HD where I'd be able to control the signal outputted on the DVI port?

Thanks!

did you try connecting with RGB out?

Yes, component video works fine from the 3250HD, as does DVI when I go through my AVC box.

Am I missing something here - it sounds like if you are a digital subscriber and have one of their packages (I have dBest Package) that your rates won't go up other than the more expensive additional STB rentals. This is consistent with the article in the Wall St. Journal a week or so ago, where many cable cos are raising their basic/standard cable rates but not their DTV rates to encourage peoople to upgrade.

Given that this is the case, why would you downgrade your service? Also don't you need DTV to be able to get a DVR?

Maybe I just have this totally wrong, but for those of us w/ the works, it seems like we are largely unaffected.

Originally posted by drew138
JCC,

how are you only paying $12.00 a month in NYC? I am researching the rates and the lowest package I see is 19.63 for basic service?
----------------------
http://www2.twcnyc.com/index2.cfm?c=dtv/pk_pr

Basic Service
Includes Time Warner Cable's exclusive news channel NY1, broadcast, municipal and public access stations, 1 cable box and 1 remote.
----------------------

Maybe you can get this package without the remote and box?

Anyway, I'm thinking that I can get Basic for 20 + 15 for HD-Tier and HD DVR which will give me a couple movie channels, ESPN and TNT. I'm thinking they won't let me add the HD Tier to a basic package??? The 120.00 savings will buy ample movies on demand if needed.

Drew


Bingo! I don't need a cable box and remote because I can't get those extra channels anyway. I just wanted their clean signal so my Panny plasma can do the work of tuning the SD and HD signals for me. $12 a month!

I don't think they will let you do basic and have the HD package with the HD PVR. They want you to have at least the digital standard to get the HD package....I think...

I take it that you don't have a HD tuner and that's why you need to rent their box?

I stopped paying their ransome long ago. My rates have gone from about $10 to $12 a month over the years (wow, over 20%)...alas,no sweat for me.


Humm...you guys had working pots? Where did your CO get their power from? Over here on the upper east side many pots lines were dead after 24 hours. Perhaps FEMA kept a few COs powered up for emergencies.

Originally posted by robreuss
I'm trying to get a 3250HD working using DVI out with a Sharp LC-45GX6U. If I by-pass the AVC box for this display, I get a double image displaying (one on top of the other). If I go through the AVC box, the image looks great except for noise that results from also passing through a DVI switch-box.


The DVI connector at the back of the TV only accepts 1080p, the TV's native resolution. The DVI output from the cable box is 1080i (2 interlaced 540-line images).

I'd love to see a poll just for the New York group on who has paid the extra $ for the HD tier. Just curious, as I totally didn't see justification during their free month to pay the extra $. Can someone start a poll?

And can someone start the count at 1 for the non-paying folks?

Well, I called up to try and order the extra HDTV tier, and because I have another work order open (I'm having them install another sd box on another floor) they can't actually add the service without canceling the other work order. I was speechless. I though about asking to talk to a supervisor, but I just didn't even want to bother.

Adam

Originally posted by almazza
Well, I called up to try and order the extra HDTV tier, and because I have another work order open (I'm having them install another sd box on another floor) they can't actually add the service without canceling the other work order. I was speechless. I though about asking to talk to a supervisor, but I just didn't even want to bother.

Adam

Basically you'll be paying $8 extra for 2 channels: HDNET movies and ESPN. Is it worth that much to you???

All the others are still FREE!

I'm paying.

TM

PS - at the time of the blackout I lived on 17th Street close to a huge Verizon building so maybe that's why my POTS kept working :) but in any case the more important consideration for me is what happens in non-power related emergencies when everyone and their uncle is trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to make cell calls - at those times pots can be a life saver

I'm not paying. Not until there is more compeling channels. I guess that makes me #2 on the board for non-payers.

I'm paying-I find myself watching all 5 channels at some point in the day and love the quality of the HD.

Originally posted by MazingerZ
The DVI connector at the back of the TV only accepts 1080p, the TV's native resolution. The DVI output from the cable box is 1080i (2 interlaced 540-line images).

Thanks, I figured that was the issue. I guess my only hope to resolve this situation is to hope that when I get an iScan in January (when the HDMI version is released) that it will sufficiently boost and clean the DVI signal.

Originally posted by anthonymoody
I'm paying.

TM

PS - at the time of the blackout I lived on 17th Street close to a huge Verizon building so maybe that's why my POTS kept working :) but in any case the more important consideration for me is what happens in non-power related emergencies when everyone and their uncle is trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to make cell calls - at those times pots can be a life saver

I just have to go to one of the some 10,000 pay phones in the city if I really need to reach out and touch someone in those situations. In the meantime, I'm saving $26 a month!

Originally posted by BelB64
I'm paying-I find myself watching all 5 channels at some point in the day and love the quality of the HD.


You do realize that you're paying for only 2 channels don't you?

I'm paying. I would have paid for ESPNHD alone.

Originally posted by jcc
I just have to go to one of the some 10,000 pay phones in the city if I really need to reach out and touch someone in those situations. In the meantime, I'm saving $26 a month!


Did you try to use a pay phone on 9/11? Uh huh...I didn't think so. It doesn't matter if there are 10,000 in the city. There are only a few near wherever you are at the moment. Best case is there is a phone bank with a few dozen phones like at a train station. But the lines on that day were scores of people long at pay phones. Verizon was gracious enough to make them all free (after a bit) but the lines were so long in the aftermath that you felt neither the ability to talk for long nor the ability to make several calls. If you find that sufficient, so be it. I'll happily pay the price for the insurance of being able to make as many calls as I want in the time that I want - as I did in those days (as did my neighbor who bummed off my phone since he didn't have one...). <$1 a day is a miniscule amount to pay for that guarantee.


Originally posted by jcc
You do realize that you're paying for only 2 channels don't you?


I'd pay for only 1 if it were ESPN. Glad we agree on this Jergans :)

TM

jcc, INHD1&2, HDNET, HDMovies, ESPN is 5 channels. I'm no longer getting any of those channels after the free views.

Im paying , never had to even think about it. What pay 5 grand for a plasma and be cheap over 9 bucks a month....

Not paying . . . yet. $9 for ESPN HD? That's insane. The other 4 channels blow. I miss ESPN in HD after the free trial, but my bill is getting ri-goddam-diculous already. Unfortunately, if/when the Giants have a Sunday night game, I might get sucked in, but I won't be happy about it. :mad:

Originally posted by anthonymoody
I'd pay for only 1 if it were ESPN. Glad we agree on this Jergans :)

TM

I think we've agreed on most things since last year. And I kept my mouth shut after the Yanks gagged...

Anyway the TWCNYC feed of ESPN (non-HD) is so abysmal that ESPNHD is highly recommended even for the non-HD broadcasts.

The Sunday night football games look incredible. Now if they could just do something about that announcing team (even as a die hard Redskins fan, I find Theisman to be one of the worst analysts on TV).

I'd been bitching for 18 months about TWCNYCs lame HD lineup. I have no problem paying $9/month for the extra stations. INHD has some nice NBA and college hoops games every now and then. There are some good movies (Diner, Raising Arizona) on INHD and HDNet. I'd love to see Cinemax HD and StarzHD added soon too, but I'm happy they finally gave us something.

EDITED to add: The Usual Suspects is being shown on HDNet Movies in HD and OAR right now. Occaisionally these new stations show some great stuff.

Originally posted by drew138
jcc, INHD1&2, HDNET, HDMovies, ESPN is 5 channels. I'm no longer getting any of those channels after the free views.

I'm still able to get all except HDNet Movies and ESPN. I'm also using the tuner on my plasma to tune into the HD channels.

Originally posted by jergans
EDITED to add: The Usual Suspects is being shown on HDNet Movies in HD and OAR right now. Occaisionally these new stations show some great stuff.

You do realize that most of these movies shown on HD are not actually HD right? They're upconverts. I can do that easily with any movie that I want with Netflix and my New Panny DVDS97S's HDMI.

Sure, you'll see more and more true HD movies as time passes but for now, dream on...

Originally posted by anthonymoody
Did you try to use a pay phone on 9/11? Uh huh...I didn't think so. It doesn't matter if there are 10,000 in the city. There are only a few near wherever you are at the moment. Best case is there is a phone bank with a few dozen phones like at a train station. But the lines on that day were scores of people long at pay phones. Verizon was gracious enough to make them all free (after a bit) but the lines were so long in the aftermath that you felt neither the ability to talk for long nor the ability to make several calls. If you find that sufficient, so be it. I'll happily pay the price for the insurance of being able to make as many calls as I want in the time that I want - as I did in those days (as did my neighbor who bummed off my phone since he didn't have one...). <$1 a day is a miniscule amount to pay for that guarantee.

TM

Nah, I used the phone at my office. I was at work like everyone else. It worked fine. If I were at home and my cell phone doesn't work I would try my girlfriend's phone which is a different provider. Worst case, I would just go to my lobby and grab the phone from my doorman or I can always bum it off my neighbor like yours did,:D or go to the payphone and even e-mail as a last resort. The point is, there are so many choices that's it's NEVER a concern for me. -->net effect, $26 saved per month.

Originally posted by jcc
You do realize that most of these movies shown on HD are not actually HD right? They're upconverts. I can do that easily with any movie that I want with Netflix and my New Panny DVDS97S's HDMI.

Sure, you'll see more and more true HD movies as time passes but for now, dream on...


jcc,

You're confusing issues. Films transfered (which are not "upconverts" as you call them, it's a transfer process) to HD - which is what is shown on HDNet Movies - have more picture information and therefore look better than a DVD upscaled by an upscaling DVD player. After transfer from film, the quality of the resulting HD image will of course vary depending on the quality of the film print that was transfered - but that applies to DVD as well.

In other words, if the same quality film print/master is used to transfer to HD as well as DVD, and the same amount of care and handling is applied in each case to each process, then the resulting HD picture will always look better than the upscaled DVD picture (again - this is upscaling, not upconverting).

If you're seeing otherwise when comparing DVDs and film->HD transfers of the same movie then either:

1) the original master used for the HD transfer was different (i.e. of lower quality) than that used for the DVD (which is certainly sometimes the case) OR
2) your display is not set up well enough or of high enough quality to resolve the difference OR
3) your eyesight is not good enough to see the difference at whatever viewing distance you use in your set up


Sorry. Dems da facts.

TM

PS - re: the phone issue, I was not at work for much of the time immediately after 9/11, nor were many people I know, nor am I usually there outside normal business hours. In the days and nights following 9/11, my office phone was therefore not available to me when I needed it. Currently, I work from home which means that POTS is all the more crucial for me as I don't have a 9-5 'backup' phone.

jergans, thanks for not rubbing it in when the Yanks imploded :)

Originally posted by jcc
You do realize that most of these movies shown on HD are not actually HD right? They're upconverts. I can do that easily with any movie that I want with Netflix and my New Panny DVDS97S's HDMI.

Sure, you'll see more and more true HD movies as time passes but for now, dream on...

This was a great transfer. Showtime never showed this in HD (to my knowledge) and the DVD transfer of The Usual Suspects is mediocre.

I'm not alone in my praise: Comments on The Usual Suspects on HDNet Movies (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=478345)

On the current theme of minimizing TWCNYC's revenue, I think it's worth mentioning that, for the first time since 9/11, NYC's major DTV stations are likely to resume broadcasting at full strength very soon from a well-sited antenna now that the ESB "combiner" construction project is nearing completion. An article on this development can be found HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4759025#post4759025).

Watched the end of the UNC/Santa Clara game on InHD the other day - can't believe how stupid they are putting the score bar across the top of the entire screen (a la Fox). Makes sense in football but in basketball it totally interferes with the basket shots. Great PQ though.

The audio dropouts were back on Fox during the pregame today. Things have been so good for so long that I'd forgotten how annoying they are.

Jcc, does your plasma have a QAM and/or cablecard ready tuner, or just an HD OTA tuner? What type of plasma do you have.

Thanks

Drew

Originally posted by drew138
Jcc, does your plasma have a QAM and/or cablecard ready tuner, or just an HD OTA tuner? What type of plasma do you have.

Thanks

Drew

I have a Panny TH42PD25up, it's an ED plasma with everything included...:D

Originally posted by Manatus
On the current theme of minimizing TWCNYC's revenue, I think it's worth mentioning that, for the first time since 9/11, NYC's major DTV stations are likely to resume broadcasting at full strength very soon from a well-sited antenna now that the ESB "combiner" construction project is nearing completion. An article on this development can be found HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4759025#post4759025).


Very cool. I have LOS to the top of the ESB so I may give this a try (though I'm sure I'll leave TWC in for now :))

TM

I live NYC have TWC and DirecTV upgrading to HDTV
which to keep which to dump?
Does TWC broadcast in Dolby Digital like DTV?
thanks
Howard

Just noticed something interesting with my 8000HD. I have the output formats set to 480i, 720p and 1080i. Whenever I am watching something live (I know it is really recording) on an SD channel, it is output at 720p (I purposely turned off 480p b/c 720p looks better). I primarily record HD which is probably why I haven't noticed this before, but I went to playback a recorded show from one of the Starz channels, and it was played back at 480i. Is it possible that the 8000HD outputs 480i over component when playing back pre-recoreded SD but when watching live it can't output 480i?

Checked another SD recording and this one played back in 720p. Very confused.

Sorry, this is slightly off topic and more of a venting post than anything, but maybe someone can offer some guidance. First, I went down to 23rd Street to swap my box for the hi-def recorder box. The wait was an hour and a half! Do not even think of going there on a Saturday. Anyway, I got it home only to find that my cable service was out completely as well as my internet connection. I called customer support 3 times and no one could help. The only one who was honest with me said "It sounds like it could only be on thing--an outage, but we don't have any reported in your area". Anyway, it's been out since 6:00 last night and I just called again at 9:00 am this morning and there are still no outages reported.

It seems like too much of a coincidence to me--my service was perfect until I disconnected my old box. I wasn't back in my apartment until 2 days later and that is when I noticed the service was out. Could the fact that I disconnected my box somehow have affected my service? Or did they screw up somehow when they switched me over to the hi-def DVR service? When I called customer support and mentioned that they thought that was maybe what was causing the problem but they double checked and everything appeared to be in order.

Lastly, I called to make an appointment for a service call and the earliest they had available was Thursday. What?!

Does anyone have a contact for management at TWC that I can bitch to about all of this?

do you get any cable signal directly to tv?
I'm curious what model box u get?

No, I've got no signal at all. I actually checked to see if the cable into my apartment had been cut or something...

Originally posted by bofnyc
Sorry, this is slightly off topic and more of a venting post than anything, but maybe someone can offer some guidance. First, I went down to 23rd Street to swap my box for the hi-def recorder box. The wait was an hour and a half! Do not even think of going there on a Saturday. Anyway, I got it home only to find that my cable service was out completely as well as my internet connection. I called customer support 3 times and no one could help. The only one who was honest with me said "It sounds like it could only be on thing--an outage, but we don't have any reported in your area". Anyway, it's been out since 6:00 last night and I just called again at 9:00 am this morning and there are still no outages reported.

It seems like too much of a coincidence to me--my service was perfect until I disconnected my old box. I wasn't back in my apartment until 2 days later and that is when I noticed the service was out. Could the fact that I disconnected my box somehow have affected my service? Or did they screw up somehow when they switched me over to the hi-def DVR service? When I called customer support and mentioned that they thought that was maybe what was causing the problem but they double checked and everything appeared to be in order.

Lastly, I called to make an appointment for a service call and the earliest they had available was Thursday. What?!

Does anyone have a contact for management at TWC that I can bitch to about all of this?

It does sound like it's an outage, but I suppose it's possible that TWC for some reason de-authorized your account. If you have a friendly neighbor who's also a subscriber, you can see whether it's an authorization problem by trying your STB and modem at your neighbor's place. If they're still authorized, they should work at any location.

Something like this happened to me a year ago, when a neighbor moved and TWC physically disconnected my line instead of hers out in the public stairway where all the lines come together. It took a week to get service restored.

Any word on when the 8300 will be available from TWC NYC/NJ? It's ludacris that I have an HDTV but my cable box essentially downgrades the resolution! What's the point of going for HD when you're not even getting optimal HD PQ???

I have TWC in Lake George, NY and have had the 8300HD for about a month.

Anyone know anything about this new 1.99 service fee to turn on the HD package from TMC NYC. Seems like a BS fee, considering the service was free for the past month or two.

I wonder if anyone has examined whether the fee is valid under FCC regs. Forgetting for the moment that it is usious.

Bill, how does the picture look on the 8300? Are you using the HDMI connection?

Anyone know anything about this new 1.99 service fee to turn on the HD package from TMC NYC. Seems like a BS fee, considering the service was free for the past month or two.

I wonder if anyone has examined whether the fee is valid under FCC regs. Forgetting for the moment that it is usious.

Where did you hear about this fee? Did they tell you this over the phone when you ordered the new HD tier? They didn't mention anything to me about it, and I haven't seen a bill since I ordered the HD tier, but I guess I'll check my bill when it comes.

By the way (putting my lawyer hat on), I think you're thinking of "usury", not "usious". Usury applies to interest rates, so not applicable here. But have you seen all of the fees on your cable and cell phone bills? Doubt the FCC would give a darn about this $1.99 fee. Best you (and we) can do is try to complain to TWC and have the charge removed.

Well, I thought it was complicated choosing an HDTV. Now I see that the complications are just starting.

The present plan is to have a Hitachi 50VX915 RPLCD HDTV delivered within the next week or so. This set has 2 HDMI, 2 Component, 2 Firewire,and CableCard.

So know what? It sounds like TWC offers several different HD boxes in NYC, none of which sound like great shakes. Right now, I have a standard def SA box. What do I ask TWC to give me (and will they pay attention anyway?) in order to take advantage of the new TV.

Thanks in advance.

Makanmata,

The first question you need to answer yourself: do you want an HD dvr? If so, you have only 1 choice: the 8000HD. If not, there are three choices really: the 3250, the 3510, or a cablecard. B/T the 3250 and 3510, one has a firewire output (can't remember which) so that may be interesting for you if you want to archive to D-VHS. Both have DVI output as I understand it.

That said, since your set has fw, you could run DVI to the set (converted to HDMI) and output fw from the set to a D-VHS deck I guess. Re: the cablecard, a couple people have mentioned that they dont get *all* the HD channels with it.

As far as getting the right box, you can always try your luck when you make the appointment (request a specific one and make sure they make a note of it). If that doesn't work, during the appointment you can always call TWC to bitch and have the guy come right back with the right box. Or, go to the walk in center like the one on 23rd and swap out the box...

Hope this helps - and if I've given any bad info someone please correct me..

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
Makanmata,

That said, since your set has fw, you could run DVI to the set (converted to HDMI) and output fw from the set to a D-VHS deck I guess. Re: the cablecard, a couple people have mentioned that they dont get *all* the HD channels with it.



Makanmata,

You may experience handshaking problems going from the DVI out on either the 3250 or the 3510 to the HDMI in our your TV. You shouldn't, but HDMI is relatively new and some of the DVI boxes have issues connecting to a DVI in, let alone converting to HDMI. Curious if others have had success converting DVI to HDMI. My guess is that you have a better chance of the 3250 not having handshaking problems than the 3510 since its a newer box - this is purely a guess though.

Also, you should be able to go to 23rd st. and just trade in your SD box for an HD box. Don't think you need an apointment. This way you can be sure you get the box you want.

If you do want firewire outs, the 3250's that they have at 23rd st. do not have them. You need to specially request a 3250 with firewire out and TW is obligated to provide one.

Originally posted by Makanmata
Well, I thought it was complicated choosing an HDTV. Now I see that the complications are just starting.

The present plan is to have a Hitachi 50VX915 RPLCD HDTV delivered within the next week or so. This set has 2 HDMI, 2 Component, 2 Firewire,and CableCard.

So know what? It sounds like TWC offers several different HD boxes in NYC, none of which sound like great shakes. Right now, I have a standard def SA box. What do I ask TWC to give me (and will they pay attention anyway?) in order to take advantage of the new TV.

Thanks in advance.

Makanmata --

My advice: keep it simple. Your TV has inputs (HDMI and cablecard) that are not reliably supported by anything now available from TWCNYC. I would suggest getting a STB from TWCNYC that can be configured to output a 720p signal (which most closely matchs the Hitachi's native resolution) via the component jacks and avoiding, for the moment, at least, the SA DVR (which does not offer optimal picture quality). That means getting either the SA 3250HD or the Pioneer 3510HD (both of which are excellent boxes) and and avoiding the older SA 3100HD (which can't output 720p). Invest in a high quality (well-shielded) component cable and don't use one that may be supplied by TWCNYC.

is the DVI ouput on 3510HD active?
TWC does not supply a cable so I called
told me it is not supported/active

Howard

Originally posted by howkay
is the DVI ouput on 3510HD active?
TWC does not supply a cable so I called
told me it is not supported/active

Howard

DVI is active on the 3250 and the 3510. TW does not acknowledge this and does not supply the cable, but it works.

Eric

thanks
is picture much better than RGB outputs?
do you know what this DVI plug called?
I have my own issue just had to order a breakout cable
RGB to DVI 15 pin as my plasma only has this input and SVideo
every shop in NY wanted to sell me adapter box not one
stocked cable

Howard

Is anyone else not getting 705 at all right now?

I get nothing but a grey screen through my 8000HD. All the other channels (both HD and SD) come in just fine. I called TWC, and was told that it's a problem on Fox's end, but I'm skeptical, especially since I was told that there were no other reports of any problems with the channel. So, has anyone else here had the problem?
-JMP

Yeah, Fox is out on my 8000 too.

anyone now way around this?
just connected my 3510HD to plasma- picture fine
but sound runs behind when connected thru Tivo back to receiver
need to run audio directly to receiver for this to work

any help appreciated thanks

Seems to be wide variations between cable systems using SA8000HDs regarding soft, low-resolution HD images. Here's a recent post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4776574#post4776574) from vegggas in the HD recorders forum reviewing what may be the problem. Basically he attributes the image softness to low-memory problems with the 8000HD and some cable systems, perhaps aggravated by having to support non-Scientific-Atlanta hardware. Staten Island, while on a separate cable hub, uses a Pace converter.

Left a complaint about soft 8000HD HDTV images at NYC TWC's contact us (http://www2.twcnyc.com/index2.cfm?c=cust_sup/cs_contact_us) last month, and a department has had a work order (#196683) to fix it. From the S.Manhattan headend I measured (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4664241#post4664241) only 890 lines (real time or recorded) with my 8000HD, using HDNet's test pattern (see linked thread). But my SA3100HD puts out ~1290 lines, and my RCN 6208 DVR provides ~1335 lines.

The newer 8300HD may cure the image-softness problem when available here; (needs verification IMO). But meanwhile, if you'd like to see the real HD you're paying for, contacting folks at TWC--if you haven't already--might move a fix along faster. No, customer service's standard reboot "fix" won't help, unless there's a firmware update fix not received automatically. -- John

Originally posted by nbuubu
Yeah, Fox is out on my 8000 too.

Out for me too. Interesting that I don't see any reports of a problem in the NYC OTA thread.

Originally posted by jergans
Out for me too. Interesting that I don't see any reports of a problem in the NYC OTA thread.

I'm not receiving anything on TWCNYC's Ch. 705 this morning, but Fox's OTA Chs. 5.1 and 5.2 are coming in normally.

Originally posted by Manatus
I'm not receiving anything on TWCNYC's Ch. 705 this morning, but Fox's OTA Chs. 5.1 and 5.2 are coming in normally.

So, it's been out for 12 hours on TWCNYC and they still insist it's a FOX problem. Lovely.

Just spoke with TWCNYC. They acknowledge that it is a problem on their end and they are working on it. They are also having problems with one channel in the 800s and one in the 60s.

yes I called TWC this am for HDTV package told me be additional fee of $1.99.
is so EACH time you change package. Told them that's crazy said- "a customer is
calling to buy a product and you charge them extra! You go to Bloomingdales's
to buy a $50 sweater but that will be an extra $2.00 for choosing our store?"
Also "explained" that's the problem with a monopoly they have some nerve and not
sure that is even legal.

She said won't charge me this time and will log my complaint.

Does 5 work? They'll be hell to pay with the gf if the OC doesn't tape tonight :)

Originally posted by EricScott
Does 5 work? They'll be hell to pay with the gf if the OC doesn't tape tonight :)

5 is working. You'll be able to keep up with Seth, Summer, Ryan and the gang one way or the other. But I don't watch...my wife does...really.

Changing subjects, one of my two SA8000HDs crapped out a few days ago. The hard drive failed.

Not a major problem, since we have another 8000HD hooked up to our other TV. If you happen to have two DVRs, though, and have the hard drive space, it's a good idea to tape your favorite shows on both DVRs. Seems like these things fail more often than they should.

Originally posted by jergans
5 is working. You'll be able to keep up with Seth, Summer, Ryan and the gang one way or the other. But I don't watch...my wife does...really.


Thanks. Now I just need to get home b/f it starts to switch the recording from 705 to 5. I don't really watch either but for her it's a religious experience :)

novice question-
is there any Tivo or DVR that will record TWC HDTV?
is TWC SA8000HDVR my only option?

Originally posted by howkay
novice question-
is there any Tivo or DVR that will record TWC HDTV?
is TWC SA8000HDVR my only option?

The only other HD recording option you currently have is to get a D-VHS deck and a 3250HD with firewire out to drive it. People have been using both for a while with good results, I believe. Of course D-VHS is a VCR and you are forced to deal with tapes, etc.

In the next few months, Sony and probably some others are coming out with cablecard DVRs, which you could purchase to replace the 8000HD. However, they are pretty expensive and if IIRC, the Sony only has one tuner, which is pretty limiting after using the 8000HD.

Obviously the best option (if price isn't a huge issues) would be a cable card Tivo similiar to the DirectTV one that is out now. You wouldn't have to deal with IR blasters and could scrap your cable box once and for all. Of course the cable cos don't want that to happen and Tivo doesn't appear to have one in the works.

Back to 8000HD soft picture issue...

I picked up an HDMI cable so that upon hearing the 8300HD DVR is available, I will immediately get it. I'm willing to bet there will be a DRAMATIC improvement in resolution over the 8000 for two reasons. First the notorious soft picture issue will be no more as I've heard the 8300 corrects this, and having an HDMI cable that does not convert the image to analog but rather keeps it all digital should improve PQ as well. The extra storage space is nice too . Needless to say I'm fairly psyched, but I want to know when! Other TWC markets have this available so why not NYC? We should all call and bust their balls until they get on their horse with this...

Question about HDMI for HD STBs. What color space is HD output in? If you have an HDMI STB, would it output YCbCr, like the HDMI DVD players do, or would it output RGB, like a DVI STB would?

My display has one DVI in and one HDMI in, which is currently being used by my Panasonic s97 DVD player. Even though HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI, people who are getting HDMI DVD players and using a HDMI/DVI converter or cable have been reporting various issues with crushed blacks and not being able to pass BTB due to the YCbCr to RGB conversion. If the HD STB (the 8300 is the one I'm obviously thinking about) will output RGB and not YCbCr, I'd imagine I can use an HDMI/DVI converter to connect to the available DVI input on my TV without any problems. If not, I may be forced to use the converter on the DVD player, which may worsen PQ.

Any thoughts?

Did we just loose INHD and INHD2?

INHD1 and 2 are both working for me, and 705 is back up now as well.

EricScott,

I don't know too too much about this, but I would think that it could indeed impact PQ negatively if you had to do such a conversion. But you could always try the converter on each to see where the damage is worst. Also, at some point we'll all have switching capabilities in our pre-pros and receivers though I know that doesn't help you now...

TM

Originally posted by sir_captain
INHD1 and 2 are both working for me, and 705 is back up now as well.

Did you pay The extra $9 for it?

I didn't and was able to receive those two until yesterday...

Originally posted by anthonymoody
EricScott,

I don't know too too much about this, but I would think that it could indeed impact PQ negatively if you had to do such a conversion. But you could always try the converter on each to see where the damage is worst. Also, at some point we'll all have switching capabilities in our pre-pros and receivers though I know that doesn't help you now...

TM

I'm certainly expecting some PQ degredation if/when I use an adapter. Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.

Agreed - HDMI will truly be useful when AVRs have 3 or 4 HDMI inputs and an HDMI output. You can run one cable from each component to the AVR and one cable from the AVR to the display.

Originally posted by jcc
Did you pay The extra $9 for it?

I didn't and was able to receive those two until yesterday...

It seems that JCC is using a Panny EDTV with a built in tuner that is picking up all the HD chanels w/o the monthly fee. These channels are being sent unscrambled over the analog band?????

Anyone else with a QAM tuner getting the HD locals and tier?

JCC, can you confirm?

Drew

Originally posted by drew138
It seems that JCC is using a Panny EDTV with a built in tuner that is picking up all the HD chanels w/o the monthly fee. These channels are being sent unscrambled over the analog band?????

Anyone else with a QAM tuner getting the HD locals and tier?

JCC, can you confirm?

Drew

The TWC signal is digital, not analog. People with "basic service" can't receive the DTV channels because the STB cannot decode the digital signal. If you have an ATSC/QAM tuner, you can decode the non encrypted channels from the TWC feed, but they will not be mapped properly.

Hope this helps...JL

Anyone watch LOTR:FOTR on TNT HD? Even cropped to 16:9 it was fun to see.

TM

Yeah, I was watching it (at least until I fell asleep ;) ). It was nice, and the cropping wasn't really noticable.

Originally posted by SRFast
The TWC signal is digital, not analog. People with "basic service" can't receive the DTV channels because the STB cannot decode the digital signal. If you have an ATSC/QAM tuner, you can decode the non encrypted channels from the TWC feed, but they will not be mapped properly.

Hope this helps...JL


I think that does makes. However, I think that the Panny JCC is using seems to be picking up the non-encrypted channels, which includes the HD Tier. Still waiting for JCC to confirm this, however, I'm not sure I would if I were him ;)

Drew

Just for the record... I called today to get the HD tier added. I said I wanted the $15 package since I already had a DVR.

The guy said there was normally a $1.99 service charge.... but he would waive it. I didn't even know there was a charge.

When I called to add the tier, I was told that there was normally a charge for changing service levels, but that the fee was being waived because I was signing up for a newly offered service. That seemed to almost make sense to me.

I've been getting pretty annoyed with my 8000HD over the last week or so. On four different occassions, I've tried to play something, only to have the machine freeze on the grey screen for a minute or so before rebooting. The worst part is that two of those times have been while it's recording something else, so I lose a couple of minutes of whatever's being recorded. (And it only resumes the recording after I manually power up the DVR, not as soon as it reboots.) Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? The PVR drives me nuts in general. I wish I had an HD device with a Tivo interface...
-JMP

I now have my Tivo on "non HDTV"set and record here
won't get their dvr- I enjoy HDTV but nothing that urgent have to record in it
until Tivo or other perfects a HDTV DVR.

-HK

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
I've been getting pretty annoyed with my 8000HD over the last week or so. On four different occassions, I've tried to play something, only to have the machine freeze on the grey screen for a minute or so before rebooting. The worst part is that two of those times have been while it's recording something else, so I lose a couple of minutes of whatever's being recorded. (And it only resumes the recording after I manually power up the DVR, not as soon as it reboots.) Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? The PVR drives me nuts in general. I wish I had an HD device with a Tivo interface...
-JMP

I frequently get the grey screen/crash/reboot when trying to play a saved program.

Originally posted by jmp_nyc

I've been getting pretty annoyed with my 8000HD over the last week or so. On four different occassions, I've tried to play something, only to have the machine freeze on the grey screen for a minute or so before rebooting. The worst part is that two of those times have been while it's recording something else, so I lose a couple of minutes of whatever's being recorded. (And it only resumes the recording after I manually power up the DVR, not as soon as it reboots.) Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? The PVR drives me nuts in general. I wish I had an HD device with a Tivo interface...
-JMP

Yes, I have consistently had the same problems for the past 5-6 weeks (only had the thing for about 8 weeks).

I also find it tends to happen when I'm recording something else, and it is usually an HD channel I'm recording. Usually it freezes right when I play a recorded program. But it doesn't happen exlusively in those situations. I've also had it happen when I've tried to directly tune to an HD program that is currently recording insteaed of going into the list of recorded shows And I've had the box freeze when I'm recording nothing, just trying to watch something I've already recorded. Sometimes I have to go through several attempts and reboots before I can finally 'get into' a show I have recorded. In that sense, there seems to be something specific about particular recordings that cause the freezing.

It seems to me that the machine is just not capable of reliably handling all that it is supposed to. It's very annoying and is close to the point of being completely unreliable.

Knock on wood, but my issues with it haven't been as bad as you guys are describing. Of course it hasn't been perfect, but definitely better than what you describe. Maybe swap yours out for another? Not a great solution, but maybe worth a try.

Also, I find that calling TWC to bitch them out about shoddy products can result in a free month of service, at least partial. IOW maybe you could get a free month or two of DVR service, HD service or even your whole package - depending on the CSR I guess.

TM

Originally posted by drew138
I think that does makes. However, I think that the Panny JCC is using seems to be picking up the non-encrypted channels, which includes the HD Tier. Still waiting for JCC to confirm this, however, I'm not sure I would if I were him ;)

Drew


yes and no, I was able to receive all until last week. The two INHD channels became scrambled a week after the official cut off date. The only paying tier channel I'm able to recieve free of charge now is HDNET. All the other free HD channels are still available such as Disc and TNT.

Regarding the SA 8000 DVR HD problems.

I’ve documented mine here many times in the past. I won’t bore you with redundancies. Most of us are having the same problems.
I’m on my third unit. :confused:

A couple of suggestions, I’ll offer, whether it’s fact or coincidence, I don’t know …

To slow down the inevitable-- the big gray screen freeze up crash and re boot, try and keep the hard drive as free as possible. I know this sounds asinine but, hey, look at what we’re dealing with. It seems that whenever I have more than 14 hours of HD stored, it starts to skitz out. I know it defeats the purpose of having a time shifter when the amount of storage is extremely limited but if this fixes the problem, work on your viewing schedule. I had crashing problems this weekend and I deleted a bunch of stuff and now it appears to be functioning fine.

Also, if I have something on the hard drive and I am not planning on watching it for a while, I’ll title search the show. If it’s on again, I’ll delete it and re-record it in the future. Also, when possible, if I’m watching something and there is something else that I want to record at the same time, I’ll check to see if the show is on at another time, like when I’m not watching anything, and record it then. No sense in utilizing both tuners at once when I have other options.

These little things have kept me in the "three is a charm" club.

Larry

I have two boxes - Pioneer 3510 and SA2100 that have Tivo's attached. Both seem to reboot and shut off at random times which causes havoc with my Tivo recordings - especially when I'm on vacation. I leave both cable boxes turned on 24/7 due to Tivo schedules. I've looked through the menu settings for both cable boxes and can't find that it has an "auto-off" feature turned on. The Pioneer seems to suffer from it more than the SA - weekly on Fridays/early Saturday. Is this a common problem?

As a work-around, I've setup the Pioneer to turn itself on using the scheduler in the settings menu.

Anyone know of a better option to fix this problem?

thanks!

Hi all, I have a minor annoyance that maybe someone here can shed some light on.

I just bought a 4:3 HDTV for my bedroom and picked up my HD box. I went to 23rd Street, and they gave me an SA 3250HD. I have the box set to Standard 4:3 / Letterbox 16:9, which I believe is supposed to fill my entire screen when I watch SD and give me top and bottom bars when I watch HD. However, that is not happening. When I watch SD, I am getting gray sidebars (which makes everybody look tall and skinny), and when I watch HD, it fills the entire 4:3 screen (again, making everybody look tall and skinny). Am I doing something wrong?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Just a thought - maybe it's an AR setting on the TV that needs to be told what to accept from the STB?

TM

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
When I called to add the tier, I was told that there was normally a charge for changing service levels, but that the fee was being waived because I was signing up for a newly offered service. That seemed to almost make sense to me.

I've been getting pretty annoyed with my 8000HD over the last week or so. On four different occassions, I've tried to play something, only to have the machine freeze on the grey screen for a minute or so before rebooting. The worst part is that two of those times have been while it's recording something else, so I lose a couple of minutes of whatever's being recorded. (And it only resumes the recording after I manually power up the DVR, not as soon as it reboots.) Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? The PVR drives me nuts in general. I wish I had an HD device with a Tivo interface...
-JMP

I have had two 8000HD's with exactly the same problem. I lose a couple of minutes of recording. It's happened a number of times. The second HD8000 is a replacement for the first. In each the list screen lists the program several times chronologically with the time for each and a few minutes missing in between. Yesterday while recording, my 8000HD rebooted and the result in the list screen was the program listed chronologically twice with three minutes missing. The cable man is coming Thursday and the rep I spoke with told me he is a higher level person, one who will try to locate the problem. I doubt he will be able to since this you (and probably others have it). Unless you are using a Panasonic TH-42PX25 (that's my TV) and this effect can occur with the TV off, it's presumably not the associated equipment that is causing this. Previous to my 8000HD I had a non HDTV DVR cable box for several months that I used with my old Sony XBR and never had this problem. I think it's a problem with the 8000HD.

Finally, I wonder if it has something to do with the voltage. I just got a new back-up UPS (an APC) for my computer to replace an older APC that went bad. This morning, the software stated that for 5 seconds the voltage was lower and it transferred to the UPS. I believe this happened while I was turning on the computer. Further, I believe it's on a different line from the 8000HD which is plugged into an old Tripplite. But I wonder if the 8000HD is responding to line variations which the non HDTV did not.

Let's see what the cable man comes up with.

Has anyone else here had this problem and was there some kind of solution?

I've also had the grey screen freeze problem.
It usually hapens when I playback shows in my recorded list (both HD and non-HD).
what is strange is that different problems seems to pop up each time and when it goes away, another problem replaces it. I think it has something to do with rebooting the box.

For example, a while back I was getting this annoying lip sync problem when FF or RW. I always had to hit the 15 sec replay button to sync it up.
One day i had to reboot the box because of a freeze.
Now the lip sync problem is gone and I get the buffer problem. If I play back a HD show that is currently recording and it has recorded over 30 mins, I cannot watch from the beginning.
I never used to have this problem, while others in this forum has reported this.
Anyone else experience this phenomenon?
I find myself cursing at the thing all the time.

sorry if this is dumb but-
does TWC send in Dolby Digital?
I only get stereo signal thru receiver is this me or them?
thanks for any response

Howard

Mission: Find out when the 8300 will be available from TWC NYC...

I finally talked the wife into a second HD set, and purchased a Sharp LC37G4U. Having had my HD projector from the start, and having gone through EVERY TWCNYC Manhattan HD cable box-SA, Pioneer, 8000HD-except for the 3250, I needed to call them to talk about a new box. While the DVR has been pretty good to me, since the new set is a fixed pixel one, I thought I would go with a straight DVI enabled box-the 3250, right?
However, my rep claimed that NONE of the HD boxes are DVI compliant (isn't this contrary to everything that I have read here?) In the end, I just agreed to swap out my original non HD DVR for a new HD DVR (8000HD-no 8300HD available yet!). At least there were no new charges involved (although I have to bring my manual and invoice to prove I own the new HD set before I can do the swap!!) What is the real truth? Is the 3250 DVI enabled-but not supported? Is the Pioneer (which died on me) still available-and is it DVI enabled? Does anybody at TWCNY know anything or are they purposefully being dense??? (Don't answer the last question-I have been dealing with them for years and already know the answer!!!:-) )

Originally posted by timewaster

...Now the lip sync problem is gone and I get the buffer problem. If I play back a HD show that is currently recording and it has recorded over 30 mins, I cannot watch from the beginning.
I never used to have this problem, while others in this forum has reported this.
Anyone else experience this phenomenon?
I find myself cursing at the thing all the time.

TW, Trying to understand your problem…

How do you begin to watch the show that you are recording?
Do you just switch to the show?
This would explain the buffer problem.

Or, as I do it and it seems to be trouble free,
do you hit the list button, while the show is being recorded, and then select the play button to watch that show? This should always bring you to the beginning. If you are doing it this way and it still doesn’t go back to the beginning then I’m at a loss.
I’d swap out the damn thing.

Larry

I thought you all might enjoy hearing about the hell I endured last week with TWC. I know this is somewhat off topic but it seems that there are quite a few of us who are frustrated with TWC so I thought I'd get a sympathetic ear here.

First, as I wrote about last week, I was stuck at the 23rd St center for 90 minutes two Saturdays ago when I went to swap out my box for the HD DVR. It was a total zoo in there and felt like the Dept of Motor Vehicles. Really horrible--people were getting into arguments, sitting on the floor, etc etc. A total mess.

My service then went out on Monday of last week. I called for a service call and the earliest they could give me was Thursday, 2-6. So I went 4 days without internet access as well as TV. It was quite painful, and leaving work early was not appreciated by my boss. I was hoping they would show up in the earlier range of the 2-6 time period, but when it hit 5:45 and there was no sign of them, I started to get a bit concerned.

I called and was transferred to a dispatcher, who called me back a few minutes later. He said, and I quote "The guy isn't going to come because it's the end of his shift and he doesn't want to work overtime". I was STUNNED! He said he would "try" to have someone else come but he didn't know when it would be--maybe by 9:00! I called customer service back and went ballistic. They were actually very professional about it and immediately sent me to a supervisor. I was thinking that the supervisor would bend over backwards to help me...I was very wrong.

The "supervisor" was so rude and obnoxious it was almost as if they were playing a joke on me. He told me he didn't know when someone would be there, but the latest would be 9:00. I told him I demanded to know when specifically someone would arrive, since I had been waiting since 2:00 and missed a half day of work for no reason. He snapped at me and said "HEY! What can I tell you? I don't know." I have never been treated so poorly by a customer service rep, let alone a supervisor!

The good news is that the technicians came at 6:35 and fixed the problem fairly quickly. But I was so frustrated and angry, and I drafted a note to the president of TWC telling him what happened. I don't expect to hear back, but we'll see...

Don't you get a free month of service because they missed their appointment? Isn't that compensation enough for an afternoon?
I presume you're not paying $12 like me? That means you're credited with $50 to $125, depending on what you signed up for....that's not too shabby for an afternoon...

I'm getting something, but I don't know what specifically yet. And I'm only getting it because I put up such a stink.

The money is somewhat insignificant to me. It's more a matter of a company respecting me as a customer who gives them rougly $1500 per year and who has been a customer for over 10 years.

Originally posted by LL3HD
TW, Trying to understand your problem…

How do you begin to watch the show that you are recording?
Do you just switch to the show?
This would explain the buffer problem.

Or, as I do it and it seems to be trouble free,
do you hit the list button, while the show is being recorded, and then select the play button to watch that show? This should always bring you to the beginning. If you are doing it this way and it still doesn’t go back to the beginning then I’m at a loss.
I’d swap out the damn thing.

Larry

Yes. I hit the list button, highlight the show that is currently being recorded and hit play from the beginning. If it has recorded over 30 mins, it will not play back from the beginning. Others have reported this problem before.
I never had this issue until recently, so it confounds me as to what causes this. The good thing is that the lip sync problem went away.
Go figure, trade 1 problem for another.

Originally posted by bofnyc



. I was hoping they would show up in the earlier range of the 2-6 time period, but when it hit 5:45 and there was no sign of them, I started to get a bit concerned.

I called and was transferred to a dispatcher, who called me back a few minutes later. He said, and I quote "The guy isn't going to come because it's the end of his shift and he doesn't want to work overtime .


You are absolutely entitled to a free month of service for the missed appointment.

Also, you're absolutely entitled to a credit on the down time of your service. This is minimal but it still is your money and it should be in addition to the free month of service.

Regarding the rest of their rudeness and incompetence’s, you should write and complain.

Good Luck

Larry

Originally posted by howkay
sorry if this is dumb but-
does TWC send in Dolby Digital?
I only get stereo signal thru receiver is this me or them?
thanks for any response

Howard

Yes they do. I get DD 2.0 & 5.1 on my Bose 123 system when using the CableCARD or 8000HD. These devices are connected to the Bose through optical digital audio cables. Using the standard L/R audio cables might not work.

Hope this....JL

ok but only have 3510 no dvr
do I need to get 8000HD?
so are standard cables into receiver only option?
or will single digital audio output of 3510 work?
thanks
-HK

bigd86,

Apparently the DVI outputs are active on both the 3510 and 3250 but not officially supported as such by TWC. That's my understanding anyway...

TM

Originally posted by howkay
ok but only have 3510 no dvr
do I need to get 8000HD?
so are standard cables into receiver only option?
or will single digital audio output of 3510 work?
thanks
-HK

hey howkay

get the 8000HD if you want the recording capability but no, you won't need it just for DD 5.1. if the 3510 has the correct digital output for your receiver you're good to go. i'm not familiar with the 3510 but if you need more options the SA3250 has coax AND optical outputs. good luck & enjoy!!!


jim

LarryKroger..
I have the same anoying turn-off on the pionner every damm
weekend. Terribly annoying for Replay scheduling.
What is the scheduler you refered to in your post?
Does it work?

Originally posted by LL3HD
You are absolutely entitled to a free month of service for the missed appointment.

Also, you're absolutely entitled to a credit on the down time of your service. This is minimal but it still is your money and it should be in addition to the free month of service.

Regarding the rest of their rudeness and incompetence’s, you should write and complain.

Good Luck

Larry

You may feel he is entitled to a month's free service, but when TW cancelled my appointment during the time they were supposed to be in my apartment, I called for whatever amount was due me, and I was told I would just receive the equivalent of 2 days of my monthly bill, the amount for the time I did not get service, for my pain.

Originally posted by AlanMa
You may feel he is entitled to a month's free service, but when TW cancelled my appointment during the time they were supposed to be in my apartment, I called for whatever amount was due me, and I was told I would just receive the equivalent of 2 days of my monthly bill, the amount for the time I did not get service, for my pain.

The right to receive a month's free service isn't a matter of "feeling." It's required by the regulations governing TWCNYC's operations. As explained in the FAQ section of the NYC Department of Information Technology's web site,


Do I have recourse if the cable company fails to keep the appointment?


Yes. All companies are required to give credit for failure, without excuse, to arrive at subscriber premises within the appointment period as follows:

Installation: free installation and one month's credit based on cable services initially selected.

Service repair call: one month's credit based on preceding month's bill. In addition, all companies who fail, without excuse, to complete installation within the appointment period must give you free installation.

The last time TWC missed a service call, it automatically issued me the required credit.

Originally posted by AlanMa
You may feel he is entitled to a month's free service, but when TW cancelled my appointment during the time they were supposed to be in my apartment, I called for whatever amount was due me, and I was told I would just receive the equivalent of 2 days of my monthly bill, the amount for the time I did not get service, for my pain.

Manatus succinctly responded..

Sorry to hear that they smacked you twice, first not showing up, then not properly reimbursing you. I had October free because of this situation.

If you have the confirmation number of the appointment, call them and tell them that you didn’t cancel, they did, they owe you. Unless there are other circumstances, like the appointment was never confirmed..?

Larry

Originally posted by Kingston
LarryKroger..
I have the same anoying turn-off on the pionner every damm
weekend. Terribly annoying for Replay scheduling.
What is the scheduler you refered to in your post?
Does it work?

In the Passport settings on my Pioneer, there is a setting that allows you to schedule your cable box to turn on at a specific time. I just set it up last week while I was away on business and it seemed to work. I guessed that it shuts off sometime on Friday night/Saturday morning so I set it up to turn back on for Saturday afternoons.

Anybody else come up with a better fix?

Last night after spending a ton of time on these boards I attempted to put my explorer into Standard Definition mode to work w/ a tv in another room. It worked, I think. Once i got it to go into SD mode, I immediately tried to go back into HD mode just to be sure everything was cool.

It wouldn't stay in HD mode.....i called timewarner, that was a joke.....the guy says the i did something unsupported by time warner, and that i'd need to get a new box or have a service tech come. He really had no idea what i did, but his only fix was a new box. I told him that a child could've done this (it was just pressing ch + and vol -) by mistake and shouldn't they be aware of something like this. Nothing. I told him he sucked I'd fix it myself and hung up.

So after freaking out a little, pulling out all my wires, resetting the box, yadda yadda....i held down the ch+and vol-, for a a long time and it finally stayed in HD mode to my relief, just minutes before the 8 o'clock tv.

My question is has anyone else had problems getting back into HD mode, because i would like to use the coax out on the box, but i don't want to freak out every time i use it. I was so freaked i didn't even test to see if the outputs worked, i was just happy to get my HD back!

Originally posted by LL3HD
Manatus succinctly responded..

Sorry to hear that they smacked you twice, first not showing up, then not properly reimbursing you. I had October free because of this situation.

If you have the confirmation number of the appointment, call them and tell them that you didn’t cancel, they did, they owe you. Unless there are other circumstances, like the appointment was never confirmed..?

Larry

I just phoned Time Warner again and once again told the rep. that Time Warner had cancelled the repair appointment. I was told there was no record of my first complaint (when I was told I would be given 2 days credit) and was told I would be given credit of $10.60 based on days I did not have service for the one box. This is about one ninth of my month's bill. I told the rep I had been informed that I should receive one month's credit.l She said that there is no TW policy about this. I suggested it might be an FCC requirement (just to make it sound official) but she repeated that she had no information about this. I have just reread your statement and see you do cite a source. I will phone tomorrow and see if a supervisor can help. Thanks.

Originally posted by AlanMa
I I have just reread your statement and see you do cite a source. I will phone tomorrow and see if a supervisor can help. Thanks.

I cited a source but didn't post a link to it. Here it is (go to the FAQ page): NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doitt/html/consumer/consumer_cable_service_form.shtml). This is the city agency primarily responsible for regulating TWCNYC. I've found that filing a complaint with it is a highly effective way to get the company's attention and a favorable result. Good luck.

BigBlueBong,

I've noticed that it is a little tricky to get the box to stay in HD mode when you try to switch it back. The reason is that "SD/HD" on the display has a significant delay to what mode the box is actually switching to.

I've found that the best way is to *NOT* hold down ch+ and vol- to do this. A much better way is to just hold down ch+ (like a shift key) and then quickly "tap" on the vol-. Let go of of the ch+ and stand back, in a second or so "HD/SD" will show up on the display and it will switch to that mode.

Originally posted by timewaster
Yes. I hit the list button, highlight the show that is currently being recorded and hit play from the beginning. If it has recorded over 30 mins, it will not play back from the beginning. Others have reported this problem before.
I never had this issue until recently, so it confounds me as to what causes this. The good thing is that the lip sync problem went away.
Go figure, trade 1 problem for another.

I'm having this issue with the 8000HD as well. Interestingly enough, for the last couple of months before I traded in my 8000 for the 8000HD, I was having the same problem with it(only with the 1hour buffer). Before that I was able to play currently recording shows via the list menu from the beginning regardless of how long they had been recording.

Originally posted by timewaster
Yes. I hit the list button, highlight the show that is currently being recorded and hit play from the beginning. If it has recorded over 30 mins, it will not play back from the beginning. Others have reported this problem before.
I never had this issue until recently, so it confounds me as to what causes this. The good thing is that the lip sync problem went away.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I figured it out!

The other day when timewaster posted this, I went home to tape a show. It was about 40 minutes into the show, beyond the supposed 30 minute buffer. I tried to watch the show from the beginning as indicted above. I could not view the show from the start. I had the same stupid problem. In fact it appeared that I lost the beginning of the show, or actually, it seemed like the recording started later than scheduled. This was apparent from looking at the bottom of the screen, that long green play line, or time line.

But this was not the case. The way I resolved the situation was by shutting off the box. Not re booting, just shutting it off. This basically cleared my tuners. There was no more buffer memory. I then went to the list and selected the show and it started from the beginning.

The way I figured it out was by seeing that green play line. Since the buffer was basically full, it kept shifting along. The start time kept moving.

Make sense? Beats me. Next time it happens, try it out.

Larry

My second 8000HD is almost as bad as the first. It reboots at times, it records programs in time pieces at times, and so on. The proof is in the list where one program may be listed 3 times, the timing indicating that it stopped and started again recording, with a few minutes omitted in between. I have just had the cable man here. He did check the wiring to the box in the building hallway and replaced a splitter near my cable box. But he said that my problems are endemic to the hard drive in the 8000HD, that he has seen these problems many times, that a new box may not be any better. He did say if they continue I should ask for another box but he can't guarantee that it will be any better. (Previous to my new HDTV set, I had a non-HDTV TW cable box with DVR and had none of these problems.) I do have a non-HDTV box for a different input for back-up. Further, I am getting a Zenith indoor antenna. (Though the room in which the TV is in does not have direct view to the new HDTV antennae which are now going up, I live in midtown, walking distance to the Empire State Building.) But now I wonder if I can hook in my own HDTV hard drive, if available and not expensive, and get rid of the HD8000. The HD8000 DVR is totally unreliable. Any suggestions?

Not HD Related, but this seems to be the most aggregrated form of TWCNYC subs i've found with similar issues/interests....

Good news for a change. More speed (3mg to 5 mg) for the same price? It's true..... No word on upload speeds???

NY comming this tuesday; or could be already since the article was posted on tuesday.

------------------
Road Runner to Run 2 Mbps Faster
Online Staff
206 words
14 December 2004
Multichannel News
NO
Volume 00, Issue 00
English
© 2004, Multichannel News, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Time Warner Cable said Tuesday that it will boost the speed of its Road Runner high-speed-data service to 5 megabits per second from its current 3-mbps rate.
New York and New Jersey Time Warner subscribers will be the first to hit 5 mbps, beginning Tuesday, with the MSO’s customers in the rest of the country accelerating in January.
Road Runner’s premium service is also picking up 2 mbps, jumping to 8 mbps downstream from 6 mbps.
And Road Runner has added another feature at no extra charge: “Video Mail,” powered by Vibe Solutions Group, will allow subscribers with Web cams to use video to make their e-mail communications more meaningful and personal.
Time Warner said Video Mail is being made available to Road Runner customers immediately and no special ordering is necessary.
“We have consistently marketed Road Runner as the fastest way to experience the Internet and, with this enhancement, we continue to deliver on that promise,” Road Runner president Jeff King said in a prepared statement.
“We are always looking for ways to improve our residential high-speed-data service and provide consumers with the best possible value,” he added.

LL3HD,

Funny (or not!) - I just experienced the same exact thing for the first time and came up with another successful "fix." I stopped the current recording, and from the live picture pressed the record button. I was then able to watch the first portion of the show (about 40 minutes worth) from the beginning. When it ended, I picked up the show from the 2nd recording. Not a great solution, and I lost about 10 seconds of show in the process, but it worked at least.

Anyway, I like your fix better - I'll try that next time!

Thanks,
TM

Originally posted by LL3HD
Originally posted by timewaster
Yes. I hit the list button, highlight the show that is currently being recorded and hit play from the beginning. If it has recorded over 30 mins, it will not play back from the beginning. Others have reported this problem before.
I never had this issue until recently, so it confounds me as to what causes this. The good thing is that the lip sync problem went away.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I figured it out!

The other day when timewaster posted this, I went home to tape a show. It was about 40 minutes into the show, beyond the supposed 30 minute buffer. I tried to watch the show from the beginning as indicted above. I could not view the show from the start. I had the same stupid problem. In fact it appeared that I lost the beginning of the show, or actually, it seemed like the recording started later than scheduled. This was apparent from looking at the bottom of the screen, that long green play line, or time line.

But this was not the case. The way I resolved the situation was by shutting off the box. Not re booting, just shutting it off. This basically cleared my tuners. There was no more buffer memory. I then went to the list and selected the show and it started from the beginning.

The way I figured it out was by seeing that green play line. Since the buffer was basically full, it kept shifting along. The start time kept moving.

Make sense? Beats me. Next time it happens, try it out.

Larry


Thanks!
i will definitely try this out.

Originally posted by LL3HD

But this was not the case. The way I resolved the situation was by shutting off the box. Not re booting, just shutting it off. This basically cleared my tuners. There was no more buffer memory. I then went to the list and selected the show and it started from the beginning.

Larry [/B]

I tried this last night. It worked perfectly. Thanks!

drew138, any idea if the speed increase will apply to earthlink subscribers using TWC?

broadwayblue,

Not sure exactly, but I have to imagine that the speed increase will be unilateral. Good question. I'd guess that the rollout of VOIP requires a higher level of service/speed in order to maintain quality of service. Just a guess.

I use CNET's bandwith meter once and a while....

http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html

1520 kbps is what I get through my 802.11g. I generally get between 1.5 and 1.8. I plan to check again on tuesday or wednesday to see what happens.

You might want to power cycle your modem so that you re-connect with the main server and download a new config file for the modem sometime on Tuesday/Wednesday.

Drew

Originally posted by broadwayblue
drew138, any idea if the speed increase will apply to earthlink subscribers using TWC?

I use TWC-RR and my sister uses Earthlink/TWC in NYC and we both have the 5meg speed as of Tuesday.

Hope this helps.....JL

SRFast,

When you say you "have" the 5meg speed do you mean you've tested it as such and registered such speeds? Or were you somehow notified that you were now getting this service?

I just tested using the speed tests at dslreports.com (go to tests+tools in the left nav bar, then click on speed tests). I'm getting 2.7+ down, 220 up, pretty consistently in the West Village.

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
SRFast,

When you say you "have" the 5meg speed do you mean you've tested it as such and registered such speeds? Or were you somehow notified that you were now getting this service?

I just tested using the speed tests at dslreports.com (go to tests+tools in the left nav bar, then click on speed tests). I'm getting 2.7+ down, 220 up, pretty consistently in the West Village.

TM

The limit has been raised in Jamaica, NY. Here are my http://nyc.speakeasy.net speed test results:

2004-12-18 11:11:10 EST: 4316 / 359
Your download speed : 4419813 bps, or 4316 kbps.
A 539.5 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 368030 bps, or 359 kbps.

You should be getting the upgrade next week. BTW, my DSLR handle is SRF26.

Regards...JL

I just rebooted my cable modem, before reboot it was 2862/285 and after the reboot it's now 4370/345. (Washington Heights)

From the Far West Village, after a modem reboot:

2004-12-18 11:54:26 EST: 5472 / 357
Your download speed : 5603864 bps, or 5472 kbps.
A 684 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 366434 bps, or 357 kbps.

Results from TWC here in Forest Hills, NY

2004-12-18 12:09:01 EST: 2865 / 360
Your download speed : 2934719 bps, or 2865 kbps.
A 358.2 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 368912 bps, or 360 kbps.

Then I powered down the modem, I got:

2004-12-18 12:13:48 EST: 4728 / 359
Your download speed : 4841936 bps, or 4728 kbps.
A 591 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 368459 bps, or 359 kbps.

I think you'll need to upgrade your service to get higher than 360 upload speeds with TWC Road Runner. This upload thing is important if you play games online, upload large photos, or teleconference with live video to name a few...

Paul

i power cycled my cable modem and ran the broadband reports speed test again...but got the same results. 4454kbps down, 354kbps up. i have no complaints about the download speed but wouldn't mind faster uploads as i sometimes get complaints about voice quality on my end when using VOIP through VoicePulse. do you think i would benefit from swapping out my 3 year old cable modem (Toshiba PCX2200) for a newer model?

I changed my cable modem a few months ago, it's not the modem. I don't think Road Runner in NYC offers any faster upload speed service. RCN cable service offers upload speeds up to 600+. If you visit the speed test site, you can see the reported averages from RR and RCN cable users.

A friend has RCN annnd he uses VOIP al the time. He does notice the improvement in the sonics.

Paul

Originally posted by broadwayblue
do you think i would benefit from swapping out my 3 year old cable modem (Toshiba PCX2200) for a newer model?

I rejoiced too soon:

2004-12-18 13:34:53 EST: 111 / 362
Your download speed : 114369 bps, or 111 kbps.
A 13.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed is much faster than down.. have you tweaked?
Your upload speed : 370759 bps, or 362 kbps.

That does not look right, have you powered down the modem. Reboot your computer as well.



Originally posted by Manatus
I rejoiced too soon:

2004-12-18 13:34:53 EST: 111 / 362
Your download speed : 114369 bps, or 111 kbps.
A 13.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed is much faster than down.. have you tweaked?
Your upload speed : 370759 bps, or 362 kbps.

I rebooted my modem and router and reran the test, got pretty much the same results as before...2.7+ down, 200+ up. Will reboot PC later and see if that changes anything...

TM

Today I had TWC to upgrade me to HD and to hook up my new Hitachi 50VX915 RPLCDTV.

I decided to have them install both a Cable Card as well as an SA3250 STB.

The first tech arrived and only installed the STB. The Cable Card techs arrived shortly thereafter, and prepared me for a rocky ride. In fact, it was somewhat, taking a total of nearly three hours. This was due to the first card apparently containing a defect, and the second needing to download a firmware upgrade. In the end, it all worked out.

I'm extremely happy now, though I don't know if I would be so happy if I didn't go with the Cable Card. Everything on the Cable Card looks absolutely terrific. HD is simply perfection, ranging from filmlike (HBO and SHOW) to just plain realistic (Discovery HD and HDNet). SD ranges from good (Fox News) to near HD on many channels. This is a relief, because I thought it would look terrbible in SD. My only problem with the Cable Card is that several channels in the 800s have signal problems, though I don't know if this is temporary or permanent.

I don't think I would have been nearly as happy had I skipped the Cable Card -- as TWC tried mightily to convince me to do -- and just gone with the STB. I have to say that the PQ from the box is mediocre compared to the cable card. I have it going to directly to the TV via component (I will pick up a DVI to HDMI cable during the week) and also via composite through Tivo. Not surprisingly, the Tivo is pretty poor, and I will definitely get rid of it as soon as some competitor offers a viable digital alternative. Also, although they promised me a unit with firewire, the techs told me that this unit didn't have it, and that Firwire boxes were special order (I thought I had ordered specially in any case). I am wondering if I should connect the STB via Firwire, instead of DVI?

In any case, although TWC will I highly recommend that you forget the cable card, and the techs will reinforce that when they arrive, in a last ditch effort to dissuade you, don't buy it. For the $1.75/month that it adds to your bill, it is greatly worthwhile for the improved PQ. I doubt that I will be watching any live TV through other sources.

P.S. My roadrunner is still 2.8 mb down/350kb up.

Looks like you are all set!

If you like to archive HD movies, get a 3250HD with firewire and a D-VHS VCR and record 1080i or 720P films in full HD.

Paul

Originally posted by Makanmata
Today I had TWC to upgrade me to HD and to hook up my new Hitachi 50VX915 RPLCDTV.

I decided to have them install both a Cable Card as well as an SA8250 STB.

Paul,
The D-VHS is a good thought, but I don't really care to monkey around with tapes. I have to hope that somebody will have a usable digital DVR soon.

And I will add my recent Eureka moment.

The only downside of the cable card is the lack of a program guide. Using PIP however, I was able to put my Tivo program guide in one window (controlled with the Tivo remote) and the cable card program in the other (controlled by the TV remote). Now, I can have an interactive guide, and the PQ quality of the cable card.

I wish I could stay home to watch TV tonight!

what makes the picture so much better with the cable card? is this by design or is it due to some other reason?

makanmata,

Thanks for sharing your cablecard experience. VERY interesting. A question: do you have all the HD channels with the cablecard? Reason I ask is b/c someone here (a few dozen pages ago) said that they were actually missing some of them. It may be worth comparing the channel list on the 3250 with that in the cablecard...

Also, and I assume you know this but will say so just in case, TWC does offer the 8000HD DVR. Whether it's useable is of course another question! :) But it is a DVR, and it is HD...

TM

PS - still about 2.8 down and 300 up after a reboot :(

I too had TWC install a cablecard last week. Unfortunately my experience was not so good. I have a new Sony 42XS955 and it has been running for a few weeks with a SA3250. I have the SA3250 connected through component and DVI/HDMI (I find the component to be better, at least part of the time, because the STB does no 1080i->720p or 720p->1080i conversion - my TV is 1024x1024 so the fewer conversions the better).

In any case, the cablecard installer came and pleaded with me to remove the SA3250 which I refused. He also wanted to rewire the equipment, which I also refused to permit (he did disconnect the optical cable from the TV to the receiver so the cablecard produced no sound, but that did not seem to bother him). In any case, he finished his install in less than one hour (unfortunately I was not home to inspect).

I should mention also that before the cablecard was put in, I had had my TV self-scan the digital channels from the CATV input and gotten most of the non-scrambled HD and SD digital channels to come in, but not at the proper TWC channel mapping. The cablecard fixed the channel mapping perfectly. Unfortunately, all of the channels that were found initially but produced a "no signal" (I suppose because they were scrambled) still do not come in. In other words, I receive the "Basic Service" channels (2,3,7,9, etc), many HD channels (702,704, etc - the non-HD Tier and non premium() but not the SD statndard tier (TNT/3, NIK/6, TBS/8 etc), not the premiums (HBO, etc) and not many of the upper HD on the premium tier (no 721,722,723 and 725 - HDNet is the only one that works). I also do not get HD HBO or SHO (701,703).

I called service because it seems the cablecard descrambler does not work. I speculate that the cablecard is either defective or not authorized (either possible with TWC). The insaller clearly had not done testing because no sound came out with the optical cable connection to the receiver removed (the TV's intenal speaker is set to off). In any case TWC set up an service call for 4 days later (tomorrow) at a time that I may not be able to make (they only give 4 hour windows and I am available for the first half only). The phone rep also explained that the cablecard cannot deliver premium channels (HBO etc) but should get ESPN-HD and TBS. He apologized for the "incorrect" information I had been given previously and gave me a free month of "STARZ" as a concession (wow - now there is value!!!). I gave up trying to explain to him that he is wrong.

I have I figure a 50/50 shot of getting the repair person tomorrow. If I miss, I am away until the new year so the conclusion will have to wait. I know others have TWC cablecards so this will just be a matter of brute force until I get a decent service tech to get it right.

I will say that the cablecard picture on the channels that do come in is superior to the STB, but it is also the same picture that I get directly without the cablecard.

Originally posted by anthonymoody
makanmata,

Thanks for sharing your cablecard experience. VERY interesting. A question: do you have all the HD channels with the cablecard? Reason I ask is b/c someone here (a few dozen pages ago) said that they were actually missing some of them. It may be worth comparing the channel list on the 3250 with that in the cablecard...

Also, and I assume you know this but will say so just in case, TWC does offer the 8000HD DVR. Whether it's useable is of course another question! :) But it is a DVR, and it is HD...

TM

PS - still about 2.8 down and 300 up after a reboot :(

I was missing the HD channels added after 10/08/04, but the problem has been resolved. The current SA CC firmware (build date 10/19/04) has resolved problems relating to the decoding of encrypted channels. I believe the CC produces a higher quality PQ because there is minimal "handling" of the cable signal before it is reproduced on the display.

To TWCNYC CC users: How is the PQ on channels 55-60? I get ghosts and other interference on these channel. The 8000HD has no such problems.

Regards.....JL

market you are in if you expect to get some direction or input regarding CC issues.

pgershon:
Sorry to hear about your negative CC experience. From your post, it appears your cableco has no idea on how to set up the CC or what it can or can't do. If you are not getting the service you expect, the CC has not been provisioned correctly. Your CC service should be exactly the same as your STB service and if it isn't the cableco screwed up. Since the CC is only a "one way" device, there are some services you will not have access to. Check this link for a CC vs. STB comparison:
http://www3.twcnyc.com/NASApp/CS/ContentServer?GXHC_gx_session_id_=GXLiteSessionID--2711063512106245854&GXHC_area=NM&pagename=twcnyc/dtv&mysect=dtv/cablecard


BTW, it is to your advantage to know the SA CC firmware version and build date. Check your TV owners manual on how to access the CC menus.

Hope this helps...JL

SRFast:

Thanks for the suggestions. I am in Manhattan (TWC NYC). I do not know how to get the firmware but will look in the TV's manual tonight. If I have an older version, how do I get it updated? Can this be done without a physical service call (can TWC do it by phone)? The fewer TWC technicians who come to my house the better.

pgershon,

I think that I would not have had a happy ending either had I not been present during the install. My first CC didn't work (after a 1 hour firmware download), and I don't know if the techs would have continued in their efforts had I not been there to encourage them to continue. They did tell me that it is common for the cards to be bad, and came into the apartment with a few of them to try out. After the first didn't work, they tried again, waited for it to download the new firmware, communicated with various parties at TWC, and I think that they were as surprised as I was that they got it to work. Most of the HD channels worked immediately, but the premiums didn't come in for another 20 minutes or so. Now they do all work -- although I have had some problems with flickering on a few in the 800s -- and I have no ghosting issues on any of the channels that another poster has described.

In short, be prepared for a long installation process. My own took around 3 hours, and it sounds as if that is typical. Also, don't take no for an answer. The techs and TWC will do anything to dissuade you from putting this in. TWC incorrectly told me I wouldn't get any HD. The techs told me I was crazy for wanting the CC, and that very few TVs are really compatible. Be polite but firm. Your tech can be your ally if you are friendly enough to give him some reason to be and wait this out with you.

The only thing I am missing is my DVR capability. I understand that I can get this through the SA8000, but I doubt the quality will be as good, and that device really sounds like a nightmare (but perhaps that is overblown?). In any case, I am probably going to wait for the SA8300 to arrive in NYC, and or check out third party solutions that might do the trick. I would really like something with HDMI/DVI inputs/ourputs, so that I can run it through an HDMI STB. I can't believe that Tivo is prepared to cede this market to others, but that seems to be their present incomprehensible strategy.

I think the issue is less that TiVo is willing to cede the market than it is that the STB guys have frozen them out.

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
I think the issue is less that TiVo is willing to cede the market than it is that the STB guys have frozen them out.

TM

I don't know that I agree with this enirely. I think that Tivo will always have value added vis a vis any STB, due to the information service that they provide with it, some of which is due to patents nobody else can offer. I think that they have a lot of loyal customers, whom would gladly pay a few extra bucks over a SA or MOT offering, if it could capture HD and have digital input/output.

Originally posted by pgershon
SRFast:

Thanks for the suggestions. I am in Manhattan (TWC NYC). I do not know how to get the firmware but will look in the TV's manual tonight. If I have an older version, how do I get it updated? Can this be done without a physical service call (can TWC do it by phone)? The fewer TWC technicians who come to my house the better.

Pgershon:
You're in my neck of the woods so I can speak with a high level of confidence about the CC. The current level of TWC-NYC SA CC firmware has an OS Build date of 10/19/04. Earlier FW builds could not decode encrypted channels consistently resulting in "No Signal" or "Channel Does Not Exist" messages. I suspect your FW is either dated 3/04 or 4/04. It is important you confirm this by accessing the SA CC menu. BTW, the early FW has two(2) screens in the CC menu and the lasted FW has three(3). If you need the FW update, I would call TWC and speak to a supervisor. CC FW upgrades are "pushed" over the air to your CC and no visit is required. From my experience, the TV must be powered on with the CC as the input source. You should see a "an update in progress" message as the update is received and applied. If you had the updated FW and still have problems, you need to work with TWC to verify your CC has been provisioned/set up properly. I beta tested the 10/19 FW for TWC-NYC so I know it works.

Hope this helps....JL

For those of you with OTA capability, this notice from WPIX-DT may be of interest (especially since TWCNYC doesn't carry that channel) (I'm receiving a very strong signal on OTA Ch. 33):

Hello all,

At 5:12 PM tonight (12/19/04) WPIX-DT started test transmissions on RF channel 33 from the Empire State Building. We are transmitting through the new master combiner system into the antenna heretofore used exclusively by WCBS-DT. (WCBS is also transmitting this way.) Here are a few things to know:

1. There is still considerable work to be done to complete all portions of the combiner system and its connection to the antenna. Consequently there will be a number of times over the next few weeks that WPIX will be unable to transmit on channel 33 due to logistics or safety considerations, and so for the time being we will continue transmissions on RF channel 12 too.
2. As a precaution, since not all portions of the combiner system are complete, we are temporarily limiting our channel 33 transmitter to ¼ power.
3. WPIX’s digital transmissions on RF channels 12 and 33 will be identical. Digital television receivers are supposed to be able to handle this dual transmission and in fact this scenario is explicitly described in the Consumer Electronics Association CEA-CEB-12-A PSIP recommended practice. (This situation might occur in regions where stations use translators to serve remote portions of their market.) Consequently we don’t expect this temporary dual transmission to be a problem, but would like to hear if you as the viewer find otherwise. Please post on this forum if you have any problems. (Please use the call letters WPIX in your post.)
4. Many combo satellite/OTA receivers receive information on available DTV RF channels from the satellite provider (VOOM, DISH, DirecTV). At such time as we are entirely comfortable that our transmissions on channel 33 are finalized we will notify these carriers to appropriately update their guide. Until that time you may have to manually add in channel 33.
5. Lastly, we are not fully aware of the status of the other stations that will use the combiner (WNBC, WABC, WWOR, and WNET), and so don’t feel it is appropriate for us to comment on when they will originate broadcasts through the combiner. Needless to say there is considerable work going on here, so “stay tuned”!

Thanks much for your interest in WPIX and the WB!

Andy Bater
Tribune Broadcasting/WPIX

SRFast:

Thanks again. I have it working now. TWC needed to reauthorize my cablecard (this is actually what I requested last Thursday but this time they actually did something). Firmware was up to date. All channels now come in well. BTW, my channels 55-60 look fine with the cablecard.

Originally posted by Manatus
For those of you with OTA capability, this notice from WPIX-DT may be of interest (especially since TWCNYC doesn't carry that channel) (I'm receiving a very strong signal on OTA Ch. 33):

Hello all,

At 5:12 PM tonight (12/19/04) WPIX-DT started test transmissions on RF channel 33 from the Empire State Building. We are transmitting through the new master combiner system into the antenna heretofore used exclusively by WCBS-DT. (WCBS is also transmitting this way.) Here are a few things to know:


Andy Bater
Tribune Broadcasting/WPIX

Thanks for the info Manatus, I wish they get out of channel 12 altogether, for a more than a year they're interfering my communications equipment.

Originally posted by Makanmata
I think that Tivo will always have value added vis a vis any STB, due to the information service that they provide with it, some of which is due to patents nobody else can offer. I think that they have a lot of loyal customers, whom would gladly pay a few extra bucks over a SA or MOT offering, if it could capture HD and have digital input/output.


I don't disagree with this, but that's distinct from what I'm saying. I'm saying that Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Pioneer et al (i.e. the people who control the set top box market) have made the decision to go with other, cheaper alternatives for the UI and software. But it has nothing to do with TiVo "ceding" a market - they are out there busting their butts trying to get into STBs for cable the way they did with satellite STBs. But they're not getting those wins. The STB guys are freezing them out.

TM

in midtown I see:

Your download speed : 2703320 bps, or 2639 kbps.
A 329.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 195407 bps, or 190 kbps.

this is after rebooting my modem. I usually a higher upload speed but this is the same thing I have seen for a year. I am eagerly awaiting the upgrade although I find that RAM is more important in how fast your surfing is. If your pc is fast, the overal experience is faster. I really want a higher upload speed.

Is anyone else having problems accessing their recorded "List"? I unplug the receiver and I am able to access the recorded list again. This has been happening almost daily on both my 8000HD DVRs

Anyone know what could be causing this? thanks

It took a lot of persistence, but I am finally scheduled to receive an SA3250 with an active Firewire output.

The Firewire capability is important to me, as my TV has only 2 HDMI inputs, and one of which is disabled due to my installation of a cable card. I would like to put an upconverting DVD Player -- probably the Sony -- into the second HDMI. So, I'm effectively out of HDMI inputs, and I can't deal with the PQ of the component outputs on my present 3250.

The problem is that TWC claims that the Firwewire will not transmit analog signals, but only digital ones. Firstly, I am wondering if this is true, as they have told me all sorts of stuff to convince me not to get the STB. Secondly, I am wondering how many analog channels are there anyway, and what I would be giving up (although I suppose I can just switch to component to watch these anyway).

Thanks.

Is anyone else having problems accessing their recorded "List"? I unplug the receiver and I am able to access the recorded list again. This has been happening almost daily on both my 8000HD DVRs

Anyone know what could be causing this? thanks

___________________________________________________________
ensyed,

the only time i've had this problem was when my hard drive died......it was making a weird clicking noise and i couldn't access my "List" Had to get a new box......hopefully that's not your case, but it's the only instance i've had where that's occured.

Originally posted by Makanmata
The problem is that TWC claims that the Firwewire will not transmit analog signals, but only digital ones. Firstly, I am wondering if this is true, as they have told me all sorts of stuff to convince me not to get the STB. Secondly, I am wondering how many analog channels are there anyway, and what I would be giving up (although I suppose I can just switch to component to watch these anyway).

A few years back NYC TWC duplicated all its analog channels in the digital format, too. So with a digital converter you can tune them all as digital cable. Well, almost all. When I checked back then only a few locals (21, 31, maybe more) were switched analog, not digital. Accessing a converter's diagnostic mode lets you examine each channel's data/format. You can count analog channels by plugging the incoming cable (via a 1-GHz splitter as an option) into any NTSC tuner (set, VCR, etc.) and running a channel sweep. I counted about 100 earlier, with about 30 non-scrambled for direct viewing. TWC here recently dropped some analog channels to provide more HDTV bandwidth. -- John

I have an unconfirmed report that the 8300HD is available in NYC.
A friend of mine just bought an HDTV and when the technician came over to install the non DVR box, he asked the technician if the 8300HD has been released in NYC. The technician told him they started releasing it and is available in limited supply.
I'm not sure how credible this guy is, but my friend said he seemed fairly knowledgable.

I still have a ton of stuff to watch on my 8000HD, so i probably won't be switching soon until I catch up with all my shows.

I'm not sure how good this info is, but might be worth checking out if you are in the mood to waste some time at the time warner store.

Originally posted by timewaster
I have an unconfirmed report that the 8300HD is available in NYC.
A friend of mine just bought an HDTV and when the technician came over to install the non DVR box, he asked the technician if the 8300HD has been released in NYC. The technician told him they started releasing it and is available in limited supply.
I'm not sure how credible this guy is, but my friend said he seemed fairly knowledgable.

I still have a ton of stuff to watch on my 8000HD, so i probably won't be switching soon until I catch up with all my shows.

I'm not sure how good this info is, but might be worth checking out if you are in the mood to waste some time at the time warner store.

Can this really be possible? I have a Sharp Aquos 37" supposidly being delivered today, and I was going up to Broadway and 219th to pick up an 8000HD-if they really have 8300HDs available, I will do my best to grab one-active DVI, better pix quality, hopefully not so flakey, etc. As soon as I get back form my TWC adventure, I will post and let you all know the sordid details!!!

Whoa that's potentially exciting. It's frickin freezing but if I can find my way near 23rd street I'll stop in and ask...

TM

I don't think that the 8300 is available, but will be happy to hear that it is. I spoke only yesterday with the TWC employee in charge of special orders, Cable Cards, Firewire boxes, and such, and she told me specifically that the 8300 was not available, and she had no idea when it might be available other than that it was not imminent.

It is entirely possible that she was not telling me the truth, but if it is available, I don't know why she wouldn't tell me so.

By now I think we all know that any information given to us by any employee of TWCNY has less than a 10% chance of having the least bit of accuracy-expecially whan it is equipment related. We can go to pick up a promised box, be told that it is not available-make a bit of a fuss-and it magically appears!!! Why they treat us like this-the most loyal, technical, and the most likely to inform the rest of the masses as to the goodies available, could one day fill a book of corporate failure-but for now, we have to deal with it. As soon as my new set arrives (along with invoice and manual to prove my HDTV worthiness), I will head uptown and see what is actually available. If anyone goes downtown to check their situation, I would sure be glad to hear the results.

Has anyone had a problem with a loud, sharp "break" sound occuring when you switch between some of the HD channels? I don't seem to have the problem when flipping thrugh the HD extra tier (ESPN, etc), but from channels 701-710, it occurs quite frequently.

I have a SA Explorer 3250HD and am using the optical audio out.

Thanks.

Same here, not just the optical outs either.

Originally posted by jlee121212
Has anyone had a problem with a loud, sharp "break" sound occuring when you switch between some of the HD channels? I don't seem to have the problem when flipping thrugh the HD extra tier (ESPN, etc), but from channels 701-710, it occurs quite frequently.

I have a SA Explorer 3250HD and am using the optical audio out.

Thanks.

does anyone know if the DVI and component outputs are supposed to be active at the same time on the 8300HD?

The break sound you're hearing may be a result of the way your receiver or pre/pro handles the dolby digital bitstream being sent or in this case, not being sent. If the audio cutout b/t channel changes is long enough, the receiver may be losing lock on it. When the audio signal comes back (on the new channel), it may be a second or so before the receiver recognizes the stream as dolby digital. In that second, it passes the signal through as PCM and sounds like digital hash. My old Theta Casablanca (I) had this problem - very slow to lock onto DD streams. Just a thought.

TM

Thanks... very helpful. I guess from your description it is something that I have to live with.

I believe component and HDMI are both active on the 8300

jlee,

Maybe, though Theta ultimately fixed it in subsequent upgrades. Whatever it is that 'recognizes' the bitstream they made much quicker. Maybe your equipment provider can be pestered into solving this too.

One cautionary note: one time the hash was so long, bad and loud that it fried a driver in one of my speakers. It only cost $100 to replace the driver but still...

TM

thanks again... I will look into it.

Along with my bill yesterday, I was surprised to get a good news/bad news flyer from Time Warner NYC:

Bad news - rates going up again.

Good news - a whole mess of new free on-demand channels (none of them High Definition, alas). This is what the list specifies:
1001 - Special Events
1002 - AOL Music On Demand
1003 - Kids On Demand
1004 - G4 Tech TV On Deman
1005 - Comedy Central On Demand
1006 - Food Network On Demand
1007 - DIY On Demand
1008 - HGTV On Demand
1009 - Golf On Demand
1010 - A&E On Demand
1011 - BBC America On Demand
1012 - CNN On Demand
1013 - Court TV On Demand

Says they are coming "Starting in January" (it doesn't indicate any specific date in January, though).

They do not indicate any new HD content coming for 2005 at all, specifically touting that they "offer the newst & most sought-after HDTV channels available at <B>no additional monthly cost</B>." And it describes the HDXtra package.

The new pricing scheme includes a new and (IMHO) questionable separate charge from the digital cable/DVR box called "Digital Navigator" ($3.00/household) that "Includes interactive P-I-P program guide, 46 channels of Music Choice, access to IN DEMAND PPV, On Demand programming, Digital International Packages, and Navigator Movie Packages". As if you could use the digital cable box without the "Navigator". Sounds like a slimy way to get $3.00 out of us each month....

Scott

That's great. 24/7 of iron chef with Food Channel on demand.

So now I’m dumbfounded. The solution that I presented recently regarding- trying to watch a program from the beginning while it’s recording- has failed me.

My solution was to clear both tuners by shutting off the box. This solution has worked before but last night I had to wait for the show, or the recording, to be completed before I could watch it from the beginning. I was going to try Anthony’s solution, which I’m sure would work. His suggestion was- stopping the recording and restarting the recording and watching it as two recordings. I didn’t do this because I was too preoccupied trying to figure out why my solution worked before but not now.

I guess Anthony’s solution is the only way. It really is frustrating. These boxes seem to be possessed. It will function perfectly one day and the next day everything is ass backwards.

On another unrelated (or maybe related) problem.
A while back there were discussions here regarding the channel changing malfunction. Sometimes when the channel is entered the channel changes as it should. Other times, when the pathetic box has an urge to spit out pea soup, the channel does not change. The select button has to be pressed.

Someone here had a fix for this. I don’t remember who but I believe they said that pressing random buttons solves the problem, or, pressing random buttons actually causes this problem. Anyone know the secret code? I know whenever my box is acting up, (as in the playing from the beginning problem mentioned above), I could bet the farm that if I try and change the channel—I’ll have to press select. I wonder if there is any correlation?

Larry

Strange Larry - my wife and I have adopted your measure successfully the last few days. But it doesn't at all surprise me that the box flaked - again! Argh when will they get this right? BTW our box also has the problem whereby sometimes you need to hit select and sometimes not...

Re: those On Demand channels...argh!!! As a stockholder in SeaChange Intl (NASD: SEAC) i'm happy that they're doing this. Plus I've gotten oddly hooked on all those renovation shows on HGTV. However, as an HD fan this pisses me off so long as there are HD channels we don't currently get...

TM

Originally posted by jlee121212
Has anyone had a problem with a loud, sharp "break" sound occuring when you switch between some of the HD channels? I don't seem to have the problem when flipping thrugh the HD extra tier (ESPN, etc), but from channels 701-710, it occurs quite frequently.

I have a SA Explorer 3250HD and am using the optical audio out.

Thanks.

Do the breaks coincide with changes from channels that broadcast in 720p to channels that broadcast in 1080i? With the 8000HD I've got and my tv, I find that there is a noisy delay - both audio and video - when switching between HD channels with different outputs (e.g., nbc to fox). Switching the 8000HD's output to either 720p or 1080i (instead of having both outputs enabled all the time) eliminates this problem for me. I'm not sure if this is causing your problem, but you might try fooling with these settings (if they are available on the 3250HD)

Steve

Hi all,

I'm a newbie to this thread and picked up an SA-8000 about a month ago. I can assure everyone that my experience with TWC is as annoying as ever. Regarding the box itself, I spoke with a supervisor who told me that the problems with this box have been rectified but when I got it home, my DVR list was not accessible. Rebooting fixed it in the short term, and then it would not record again. A supervisor on the phone told me that you can't record PPV events, which is a lie and when I called him on this he said nothing. Now, I have to reboot the box on a daily basis, which I often don't do, to get the thing to work. Great.

I am running strictly component and have an outstanding picture on HD and some digital broadcasts, but most SD runs from poor to just below average. Any suggestions?

Also on the box settings, I have fiddled with the formats and find if I select 1080 only, this seems to produce the best PQ and I am able to change channels much faster. Is this the reccomended way to go?

Lastly, I have the total package and just wanted to make sure the only HD channels are 701-725. Am I missing anything?

Thank you in advance and I hope this is not a terribly redundant post. I did my best to search back a bit.

Dino

Originally posted by dizwip

...picked up an SA-8000 about a month ago....Now, I have to reboot the box on a daily basis, which I often don't do, to get the thing to work. Great.


Hey Big Dave,

I have had similar problems. Seems like the life expectancy on the DVR is about a month. Sounds like yours is ready for the dumpster. Have them replace it. I know that isn’t the best answer but I would not keep any box that requires a daily re boot. My experience (I’m on my third) suggests that these boxes do not heal, they just get worse.

Happy and healthy Holiday to all!

Larry

Originally posted by dizwip

I am running strictly component and have an outstanding picture on HD and some digital broadcasts, but most SD runs from poor to just below average. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the information. Try S-video or other video outputs if you're only using YPbPr. Unfortunately, until SA8300HDs arrive, getting S-video out with a 8000HD apparently requires manual STB switching (see various threads/posts). If your display has a 480p-only mode (no scaling), try that, too with the same 8000HD setting.

Also on the box settings, I have fiddled with the formats and find if I select 1080 only, this seems to produce the best PQ and I am able to change channels much faster. Is this the reccomended way to go?
If you're using only 1080i and YPbPr, many 480i sources suffer since they lack the quality for such upscaling--especially with a mass-produced, low-priced STB circuit. Some displays present too-fuzzy, poor-contrast images from such upscaling. Enabled 1080i and 480p with my CRT-based RTPV and endure the long format-switching pauses; my set loses sync with a 480i YPbPr input.

Lots of 'soft-image' HD complaints about the SA8000HD, depending on the cable system. Using HDNet's Tuesday 8 am test patterns, which records easily for freeze-frame display, I measured (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4664241#post4664241) only 890 lines horizontal resolution (full width) with the 8000HD. That's not even the limiting resolution of 720p HD, so it seems the 8000HD isn't delivering quality HDTV. But since it looks better than SD it's apparently easy to mask the 8000HD's problems. As discussed in the HD recorder forum (see TWC 8000HD, Passport system threads), it may be a 8000HD firmware problem in NYC. Someone else posted a nearly identical reading to mine.

BTW, with a TWC 3100HD converter I measure 1290 lines of resolution, and with a RCN Cable 6208 converter 1335 lines from HDNet's pattern. -- John

John, the soft picture thing kills me. So irritated that I have HDTV and I'm not reaping the full benefit. I'm not returning the 8000 because I do enjoy having a DVR. However, I do have the HDMI cable waiting for the day the 8300 is released...

Let's put it this way, I had the 3100 and the images were awesome. I'd watch the nature channel just to be wowed. Now, with the 8000 I don't watch those channels...

I just received my SA8000HD yesterday and I noticed that the picture on my new TV is very dark but not when I view DVD's.I was wondering if any adjustments needed to be made to the settings within the box? Can anyone help me out?:confused:

Originally posted by shyguy3763
I just received my SA8000HD yesterday and I noticed that the picture on my new TV is very dark but not when I view DVD's.I was wondering if any adjustments needed to be made to the settings within the box? Can anyone help me out?:confused:

Shyguy --

The 8000HD's limited features don't include any that allow fine-tuning of picture quality. You could, of course, simply have an demon-possessed box (there are many of those), or you may need to adjust/calibrate the input on your TV to which you have the 8000HD connected to produce a quality picture. In my own setup, for example, my TV's DVI input has been professionally adjusted for use with my OTA tuner and DVD player, and its component inputs for a TWC STB.

Anyone notice that when Fox displays their self-promotion thing about how they broadcast in the finest 720p standard and Dolby 5.1, they do it in a 4:3 window? Hmmm...call me crazy, but wouldn't you brag in widescreen?

Fox has been bragging about their stupid finest in high definition standard for nearly a year now. Until their video is as good as Discover-HD, Fox is not telling the truth.



Originally posted by thoomin
Anyone notice that when Fox displays their self-promotion thing about how they broadcast in the finest 720p standard and Dolby 5.1, they do it in a 4:3 window? Hmmm...call me crazy, but wouldn't you brag in widescreen?

While Fox has been crowing about their video for several years, they have only been providing HD in large quantities since this past October.

Changing gears, has anyone noticed that the commercials on today's NY Jets game on WCBS-DT are a lot louder than the game? I've had to turn on the "heavy" loudness compresion to make them sound the same (and that can't be good.)

Hope I'm not beating a dead horse but anyone know if DVI is coming for the SA8000?

Just bought a LCD and noticed a very annoying green bar that slowly scrolls up the screen. At first I thought the LCD was the issue but then I connected it to my SA3250 and the picture is just great. I hope I dont have to switch boxes. what a pain this is becoming.

So, last night after returning from a few days up north for the holidays, I noticed that my 8000HD was making some strange ticking noises, almost as if it was writing data. It did not stop. It never stopped, even when the box was not recording anything. It sounds like the noise that your hard-drive makes when its accessing a program or other data/information.

I live in a studio, so when I went to sleep I had to unplug the damn thing because it got so annoying. Anyone know what this is? This is my first box (one of the first in Manhattan to be released), and from what I read, I've been fortunate to have had such a trouble-free experience.

Has anyone else experienced this? Will it go away, or should I abandon ship and pick up a new box on 23rd?

I am also interested to know if this noise is normal.

I have the exact same sounds that you’ve described on my current SA 8000 HD DVR and my previous one, straight out of the box.
This is my third. I don’t remember hearing any noises on my first box but that doesn’t mean it was quiet.

I’ve become used to the digital chatter gurgling beneath my TV --
but if some of these units are quiet,
then maybe there is a correlation between the noises and the malfunctions.

Larry

After having DVR for two months without any real problem, besides the annoyingly soft picture, the box nearly died this weekend. "Cannot access list" was the error i was getting with ability to playback or record. If you try to access the list more than once, the system hangs.

8300 this week, anybody know???

I'm getting the same noise from my 8000HD. The combo of bad picture and noise forced me to move it from my bedroom to my living room. Was getting hard to sleep. Since this is a DVR and is constantly recording, I dont think there is anything to do. It is not for people who want slience.

The more people complain to TWC and demand replacements, the quicker they will be to introduce the 8300.

Originally posted by kristcnj
After having DVR for two months without any real problem, besides the annoyingly soft picture, the box nearly died this weekend. "Cannot access list" was the error i was getting with ability to playback or record. If you try to access the list more than once, the system hangs.

8300 this week, anybody know???

This is a relatively common problem. If a "soft" reboot (i.e. hold down the power button until it says "boot" and reboots) doesn't make it go away, the hard reboot likely will. To "hard" reboot, just pull out the power plug.

Note that there is a thread on this site just for Time Warner SA8000HD box users (in addition to the explorer_8000 group on Yahoo groups), that might be a better location for posts like this.

Scott

Originally posted by randymac88
So, last night after returning from a few days up north for the holidays, I noticed that my 8000HD was making some strange ticking noises, almost as if it was writing data. It did not stop. It never stopped, even when the box was not recording anything. It sounds like the noise that your hard-drive makes when its accessing a program or other data/information.

I live in a studio, so when I went to sleep I had to unplug the damn thing because it got so annoying. Anyone know what this is? This is my first box (one of the first in Manhattan to be released), and from what I read, I've been fortunate to have had such a trouble-free experience.

Has anyone else experienced this? Will it go away, or should I abandon ship and pick up a new box on 23rd?


I think all of the 8000HDs make this (admittedly somewhat sleight) noise. Note that it is ALWAYS recording whether you have programmed it to or not. Note that you can turn your box on, and rewind back to the beginning of the buffer for whatever channel you're currently tuned to -- which might be the last channel you were watching, or a channel that you recently viewed something on.

In fact, even when it's off, it's constantly recording *2* channels -- the one that EACH tuner is tuned to. To verify this, you can press the "swap" button at any time to see what the 2nd tuner is recording, and that can be rewound to the beginning of its buffer as well.

Scott

Originally posted by scott_bernstein

1001 - Special Events
1002 - AOL Music On Demand
1003 - Kids On Demand
1004 - G4 Tech TV On Deman
1005 - Comedy Central On Demand
1006 - Food Network On Demand
1007 - DIY On Demand
1008 - HGTV On Demand
1009 - Golf On Demand
1010 - A&E On Demand
1011 - BBC America On Demand
1012 - CNN On Demand
1013 - Court TV On Demand


Interestingly enough, I was fooling around in the Diagnostic mode this weekend, and sure enough most of these channels are already up and working (and even delivering some on-demand content) this weekend. For those enterprising individuals, you can go into the diagnostic mode & check them out yourself (at your own risk, of course ;-) ).....

I verfied AOL Music, Kids On Demand, G4, Comedy Central, Food Netwrok, DIY (I think), HGTV (I think), CNN, and Court TV. The others were not yet operational. There is not a whole lot of content there yet, but there is *some*.

Scott

Apologies if posting in the wrong forum.. (please redirect me, if so, this is my first post)

Brief History:
I've recently got a home theatre system as a gift, and as a result decided to upgrade my 6yr old 20 inch TV, to something better and bigger. After doing some research, went ahead and bought Samsung 27" HDTV (TX-P2775HD) @ circuit city (got a decent deal too--$599). Decided not to go for widescreen for now (nor didn't have the dough for a flat screen). Anyway, HDTV warranted a cable upgrade from DTV to HDTV Cable Box, so I now have the 3510HD box.

Problem Descriptions:
Problem 1:
When connected through Component Cables to the TV, the TV has trouble recognizing signals. E.g., when box set to tv-type: 4:3:, 16:9-letterbox, the TV stretches the letterbox up and down. Additionally, the guide doesn't fit the entire TV, and is 'squeezed' (having 2 'gray TV lanes' on each side). The problem(s) seems to go away when switching to the antenna connection, but the quality of the picture is not there anymore on antenna connection. (the clarity of picture on component connection is far superior).

Possible solution to 1:
Right now I plan to replace the cables that came with TWC box, with cables from Radio Shack, however I don't plan on going crazy with cables. The TV also has a DVI input, so is the cable box, I might try that as well.

Problem 2:
I am not sure if this the the quality of the signal, or the quality of the Box, or the quality of TV, but while watching TV i frequently get a lot of digital 'noise' (not sure what the proper term is), the kind of noise I don't recall seeing (at least in such frequency) on the old DTV cable box. Basically (seems to happen most frequently on fast movements on screen), it seems like there isn't enough bandwidtch for the picture to refresh, and the pixels enlarge into noticeable squares of maybe a dozen or more pixels on each side. How can I fix this problem?

Lastly, the box somehow gave me access to all the premium channels (I only used to have HBO prior to it), and I have no idea how long it'll last, but I'd prefer not to replace it, so would prefer to try work with this one, if at all possible.

Thanks for any advice or pointers,

Andrey

Andrey/Netcomrade

Since I'm sure most people don't want to answer these types of questions i'll ablige since i'm not busy...

To get rid of the bars on the you have to adjust your viewing mode.....hit settings, then A for more settings....you then set your TV type to 4:3, and your viewing mode to letterbox 16:9. You can also do this by pressing the pound key or the video source button on your remote to adjust the viewing mode. This works on the 8000HD, but i'm not so sure on the 3510.

The blocks you see are artifacts caused by crappy reception, screen quality or hookup, sometimes an upgrade to your signal stregnth which you have to call twc to fix. It's also probably since your watching standard definition tv...you should see no artifacts at all on hd channels. sometimes a hard boot will help as well.

it also sounds like your getting your new subscriber free movie channels...if you upgrade service you will receive these sometimes as well. It could last 30-90 days, but don't think you're getting anything for free.....that'll never happen.....

BigBlue:

The settings you mentioned are already set (4:3 for type of TV, and letterbox for 16:9), the problem is, they don't seem to work properly when connected via component cables, but with antenna connection they work perfectly, except that the picture comes out to be pretty bad quality (as compared to component). Which surprises me a bit, since I recall reading about how coax connections have really great bandwidth.. maybe that was because it was talking about 10+ year old networking technology.

As for reception, I'll try upgrading the cable, and will give a call to TWC too. I am seeing the 'blocks' on HDTV as well as DTV.

Too bad I won't be getting 'free' stuff forever :), for 80$ a month I feel I should be getting more anyway (for net, i use DSL, and for phone, i don't make more then 20 calls a month anyway)

Thanks

Originally posted by NetComrade
BigBlue:

The settings you mentioned are already set (4:3 for type of TV, and letterbox for 16:9), the problem is, they don't seem to work properly when connected via component cables, but with antenna connection they work perfectly, except that the picture comes out to be pretty bad quality (as compared to component). Which surprises me a bit, since I recall reading about how coax connections have really great bandwidth.. maybe that was because it was talking about 10+ year old networking technology.

As for reception, I'll try upgrading the cable, and will give a call to TWC too. I am seeing the 'blocks' on HDTV as well as DTV.

Too bad I won't be getting 'free' stuff forever :), for 80$ a month I feel I should be getting more anyway (for net, i use DSL, and for phone, i don't make more then 20 calls a month anyway)

Thanks

It sounds like you've configured the STB box correctly, but I suspect that you need to adjust the TV itself to accept the kind of signal it's receiving from the box. The STB's antenna-out jack is not capable of transmitting a HD signal. The only HD-capable outputs are component and DVI. You may be having a signal strength problem, as suggested earlier. You may also be suffering problems because of the poor quality of the TWC-supplied component cable. Because they carry analog signals, component cables are highly susceptible to electrical interference. Buying a well-shielded (and the shortest possible) component cable is a wise investment.

Mantus is probably right....sounds like you need to adjust your aspect ratios on your tv to get rid of the bars.....also i've noticed that the box will sometimes switch back to a different viewing mode...you may want to check that it was accepted by the box or just cycle through the different modes w/ the video source/# button.......

BigBlue/Mantus:

The TV has basically two settings: 'standard' (4:3) and letterbox (16:9). I have it set at 4:3. The regular channels are finem including the guide. The HDTV channels are screwed up though
a) instead of letterbox, i get a 'stretched' vertically letterbox
b) the guide becomes 'squeezed'
The question is then, is it the cable box that's sending the signal wrong, or the TV not accepting the signal right.

I can fix the 'vertical stretch' by adjusting TV to 16:9, but that's probably not how it's supposed to work, in addition, the guide will become double squeezed, vertically and horizontally... Anyway, seems like I have to try swapping the cables and try to call TWC to 'upgrade' the signal, before further guessing.

thanks.

Originally posted by NetComrade
BigBlue/Mantus:

The TV has basically two settings: 'standard' (4:3) and letterbox (16:9). I have it set at 4:3. The regular channels are finem including the guide. The HDTV channels are screwed up though
a) instead of letterbox, i get a 'stretched' vertically letterbox
b) the guide becomes 'squeezed'
The question is then, is it the cable box that's sending the signal wrong, or the TV not accepting the signal right.

I can fix the 'vertical stretch' by adjusting TV to 16:9, but that's probably not how it's supposed to work, in addition, the guide will become double squeezed, vertically and horizontally... Anyway, seems like I have to try swapping the cables and try to call TWC to 'upgrade' the signal, before further guessing.

thanks.
You might repost your question in the HDTV Direct-View (CRT) forum (HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=64)). Also did you mean "Sony" instead of "Samsung" when identifying your TV's manufacturer? I ask because I tried finding its manual online, and the only TV I could find with your model number is a Sony. Also, though it probably has nothing to do with your problem, you should verify that the STB's selected output formats match those which your TV can accept.

Ooops.. I am sorry.. I have considered the Sony, and accidentally posted the sony's model # here. The model # of the samsung is TX-P2775HD. I generally don't like Sony's, but the model above had 'rave' reviews everywhere I could find, especially when talking about displaying regular TV channels. I generally don't like Sony's, b/c at some point I had the non-pleasure working in an electronics store, and the majority of TVs returned has been SONY, maybe b/c the majority sold was SONY.. but I also don't like Sony for making their own technology, and never allowing anyone else in on it (e.g. Memory Sticks, etc). In the end, my wife said the Samsung was prettier :) Sony has a huge footprint too.

What does STB stand for? You mean 'outputs' like 480i, 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i? I tried playing with those; that didn't help.. I should read the TV manual though. What formats does TWC broadcast in? From my understanding the standard TV should be 480i, and HDTV should be 720p, those are the ones I have checked (maybe 1080i too, but as I mentioned earlier, playing with outputs didn't help)...

Just briefly looked through the manual, it doesn't seem what the TV supports, but in the section for connecting digital cable it mentions 480p, 720p, 1080i.

STB = Set Top Box (Cable Box)

I picked up the 8000HD unit today - what an improvement over the 3100HD I had previously. I particularly like the fact that I no longer have to change inputs depending on whether I'm watching HDTV or not - and of course HD DVR is nice.

Curiously, I now seem to be getting ALL the channels (including all foreign channels, all of Starz!, Cinemax, Showtime, Encore, etc) which I don't subscribe to. I added the HDExtra package (15/mo for that and the HD DVR), but nothing else.

Is this normal with a new unit? Are they running some promotion I don't know about?

tmarman,
That all-channel tuning usually doesn't last long, after your registered channels kick in.

Glad you're enjoying your 8000HD. I kept my 3100HD when getting a 8000HD and find the 3100HD delivers significantly better resolution than the 8000HD. In fact, because NYC TWC apparently can't provide the right firmware driver for the 8000HD's ATI output video chip, I only measured 890 lines (full width) (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4664241#post4664241). That's the source of numerous 8000HD 'soft image' reports. If you get the special HD tier with HDNet you could record the test patterns next Tuesday (see linked thread) and make your own measurements. 890 lines is less than the limiting resolution of 720p, so with good-quality 1080i programs there's a huge drop in delivered (for 8000HDs) resolvable detail (http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=2118466#post2118466). With my setup the 3100HD, despite its slightly 'fogged' images, delivers much crisper images, and a 6208 DVR from RCN Cable provides still-better HD images. -- John

tmarman,
all-channels lasted about 5 days for me :(

Originally posted by John Mason
tmarman,
a 6208 DVR from RCN Cable provides still-better HD images. -- John

What sort of HD and HDDVR is RCN offering at the moment. Is it worth considering a switch?

Woodside & Flushing (Kissena) locations are CLOSING !!!


I just went to Woodside today to swap out my 8000HD for another (damm box died yesterday - third one now).

There was a big sign on the door saying "We're MOVING!". Guess what.... they are opening up a new location INSIDE the QUEENS CENTER MALL (I guess somewhere in the new space). They will be closing down *both* the Woodside and Flushing locations.

At first I thought they were only closing down the Woodside location which pissed me off enough.... but the CSR inside told me that Kissena is also closing.

My god that new place in Queens Center is going to be a ZOO. There is no parking over there (only paid parking)... and I am sure it will be a major madhouse.

God this sucks. The sign said the new location would open Mid-January.

Originally posted by Makanmata
What sort of HD and HDDVR is RCN offering at the moment. Is it worth considering a switch?
RCN has Starz and Cinemax HD that NYC TWC doesn't. NYC TWC has 2 INHDs and TNT HD that RCN doesn't. RCN lacks some of the DTV (non-HD) SDs, such as ABC News and NBC Weather, that NYC TWC has.

RCN has the DCT6208 HD DVR, which delivers at least 1335 lines of resolvable horizontal resolution (on my set) compared to NYC TWC's 8000HD's terrible ~890 lines maximum. RCN might now have the newer 2-tuner DVRs; haven't checked.

Most of RCN's SD channels are analog and noisier/poorer quality than NYC TWC's all-digital lineup. Haven't compared prices but they're on the websites. I've canceled all of my RCN HD except for Starz and Max, after adding everything offered earlier this year. Don't plan to switch completely. -- John

Originally posted by DjPiLL
Woodside & Flushing (Kissena) locations are CLOSING !!!


the CSR inside told me that Kissena is also closing.

...Queens Center is going to be a ZOO. There is no parking over there (only paid parking)... and I am sure it will be a major madhouse.

God this sucks. The sign said the new location would open Mid-January.

Thanks for the crummy news.

Queens Center, ugh! Haven’t been in that hole for over 20 years.

I’m surprised they’re moving it there, knowing Time Warner’s great customer support. I figured they’d outsource it to Toronto. I could see it now, "I’ll be back soon dear, I’m going to swap out my DVR, did you see my passport?"

Larry

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LL3HD
Hey Big Dave,

I have had similar problems. Seems like the life expectancy on the DVR is about a month. Sounds like yours is ready for the dumpster. Have them replace it. I know that isn’t the best answer but I would not keep any box that requires a daily re boot. My experience (I’m on my third) suggests that these boxes do not heal, they just get worse.

Happy and healthy Holiday to all!

Larry [/QUOTE

i think the problem with the boxes is that they don't have fans. i think the circuits overheat over time and start to fail. i'm on my second box already.

Yes, keep them away from heat-generating components, and give them plenty of ventilation. I've done this, and have had no failures with my 8000SD in the year-plus I've had it.

I had no issues with my 8000SD as well when I had it. But the HD version of the box is just bad.

Has there been any word about the 8300?

Was at a friend's place down in FL this past weekend and he had an 8300HD from Adelphia. The box has a really nice looking exterior - makes me even more anxious to get this thing.

Agree that the 8000HD is far less stable than my 8000SD used to be, but overall I've been lucky with the 8000HD - still on my first box.

It sucks for you but for the most part is good for TWC and most of our other 400k subs in Queens. The Woodside location is out of the way for most people and only reachable by car. The Flushing location is convenient only for those living in the area. Queens Center is a centrally located location right off the LIE and right outside the subway. Since the mall generates lots of traffic with the expansion, it's an opportunity for us to sign new customers.


Originally posted by DjPiLL
Woodside & Flushing (Kissena) locations are CLOSING !!!


I just went to Woodside today to swap out my 8000HD for another (damm box died yesterday - third one now).

There was a big sign on the door saying "We're MOVING!". Guess what.... they are opening up a new location INSIDE the QUEENS CENTER MALL (I guess somewhere in the new space). They will be closing down *both* the Woodside and Flushing locations.

At first I thought they were only closing down the Woodside location which pissed me off enough.... but the CSR inside told me that Kissena is also closing.

My god that new place in Queens Center is going to be a ZOO. There is no parking over there (only paid parking)... and I am sure it will be a major madhouse.

God this sucks. The sign said the new location would open Mid-January.

the more you complain, the more TWC will try to work out problems with existing equipment than introduce new ones

Originally posted by Makanmata
The more people complain to TWC and demand replacements, the quicker they will be to introduce the 8300.

John, that is correct. All local and PEG, shopping, and UHF locals, NY-1 will remain in analog. NY1 & 2-13 locals are digitized but will always still be available in analog format for TV w/o STB and subs still using analog boxes. The digitized 2-13 eliminates a lot of the ghosting problems experienced in N & S Manhattan and in the Western Queens (Formerly ACQ) area since the networks are broadcast on the proper channel. Other parts of Queens and in Western Brooklyn (Formerly BQ) most network channels are shifted by 10 (WCBS on 12, WNBC on 14, etc) All the former metrochoice channels have been converted to digital as I reported here months ago. That let us reclaim bandwith that is being used for the recently launched HDTV channels that take 2-3 analog channels. Some of the bandwith will be used for FOD and rest reserved for future use


Originally posted by John Mason
A few years back NYC TWC duplicated all its analog channels in the digital format, too. So with a digital converter you can tune them all as digital cable. Well, almost all. When I checked back then only a few locals (21, 31, maybe more) were switched analog, not digital. Accessing a converter's diagnostic mode lets you examine each channel's data/format. You can count analog channels by plugging the incoming cable (via a 1-GHz splitter as an option) into any NTSC tuner (set, VCR, etc.) and running a channel sweep. I counted about 100 earlier, with about 30 non-scrambled for direct viewing. TWC here recently dropped some analog channels to provide more HDTV bandwidth. -- John

Scott,

sorry you are wrong. The digital box CAN not have the navigator. You will not see the PIP guide and when you scan channels you will only see channel number and ID on screen as opposed to channel number, logo, and program information









The new pricing scheme includes a new and (IMHO) questionable separate charge from the digital cable/DVR box called "Digital Navigator" ($3.00/household) that "Includes interactive P-I-P program guide, 46 channels of Music Choice, access to IN DEMAND PPV, On Demand programming, Digital International Packages, and Navigator Movie Packages". As if you could use the digital cable box without the "Navigator". Sounds like a slimy way to get $3.00 out of us each month....

Scott [/B][/QUOTE]

Originally posted by twcinsider
John, that is correct. All local and PEG, shopping, and UHF locals, NY-1 will remain in analog. NY1 & 2-13 locals are digitized but will always still be available in analog format for TV w/o STB and subs still using analog boxes. The digitized 2-13 eliminates a lot of the ghosting problems experienced in N & S Manhattan and in the Western Queens (Formerly ACQ) area since the networks are broadcast on the proper channel. Other parts of Queens and in Western Brooklyn (Formerly BQ) most network channels are shifted by 10 (WCBS on 12, WNBC on 14, etc) All the former metrochoice channels have been converted to digital as I reported here months ago. That let us reclaim bandwith that is being used for the recently launched HDTV channels that take 2-3 analog channels. Some of the bandwith will be used for FOD and rest reserved for future use
Appreciate all the New Year details, twcinsider. Thanks.

Your earlier comment that TWC, with 8000HD complaints, will only try to iron out the problems rather than introducing the 8300HD is a bit worrying, though. Would you agree with vegggas's conclusion (in the HD recorders forum) that the likely 'soft HD images' problem with 8000HDs is the wrong firmware drivers for the ATI video-output chip? He believes some cable companies can't provide the right drivers if there is non-Scientific-Atlanta hardware within their systems, such as Pace 550s(?) on Staten Island (a separate hub).

Seems to me, since I only measure ~890 resolvable lines horizontal resolution with my 8000HD, as have others, that I'm barely getting HD from the 8000HD. (Measuring ~1290 lines with my SA3100HD, and ~1335 lines with my RCN Cable DCT6208 HD DVR. Thanks. -- John

John, I'm a believer that the SA8000HD is only resolving <1000 lines of horizontal resolution.

I haven't been following the HD recorders thread, but it sounds like Veggga's thread and hypothesis' could be a valid argument. I have a hard time believing that SA would intentionally leave a box on the market that had such poor, visible to the naked eye, resolution, unless they were driving cable operators to upgrade to a different box.

Personally, I'd be fine if they got the 8000HD working properly. Other than the DVI being disabled, the box basically works as expected.

Drew

PS: twcinsider, thanks for the continued updates. It's good to see you post more frequently.

A sign that we may be closer to having the 8300HD available in NYC appeared earlier today in the Yahoo Groups SA8000 forum in the form of the first report that I've seen of the deployment of the 8300HD with the Passport OS, in that case in Charlotte, NC. That report ("Runs great
and even better than my 8000HD did") can be found HERE (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/explorer_8000/message/8330) (I don't know if the link will work without a Yahoo Groups ID and password).

Some people including one in Texas and Long Island are using it already...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=489919

Cablevision just started their DVD rollouts. Since they just launched it... I believe they are only using 8300HD models (no 8000s). This would explain the LI person having it.

Hey,

After spending a few hours on hold this weekend, and restarting my box dozens of times I am still missing my Fox HD channel. I was missing all my local HD programming, but most have seemed to return. This is the second or third time this has happened and now i have a tech coming out this weekend....again!! Has anyone else had this problem and what was done to fix it?

Hopefully they'll upgrade my cables b/c it would seem that i'm not getting enough bandwidth. right?

So I'm very behind in the world of HD. I just noticed that TWCNYC added HDNet and other HD channels a few days ago! It's unbelievable that you have to pay a premium for those channels. Aren't they standard everywhere else? Are they worth it? How much is it? I can't find the info on their stupid website.

ETA: Just found it. $9. Feh. Is it really worth it? I can't afford that right now anyway.

I will upgrade to the HD tier as soon as TWC NYC deploys the 8300HD STB. Why pay more for sub-standard HiDef picture quality?

I agree marcos_p.

I would do the same but I already got suckered into getting the 8000. Having seen HD with a good box and with the 8000, there's no comparison. I caught the first few games of the NFL season in true HD and the resolution on the 8000 is terrible. I don't want to go back twice for the old box and then again for the 8300, but I have the HDMI cable ready to go when they launch the 8300. I called last week and the CSR said she had to replace hers 4 times. Doesn't that tell you something TWC??? She acted like it was fine, which it was for her since she has to go there anyway. Can a brother get an 8300 sometime soon????