Originally posted by drew138
Was anyone else's cable modem basiclly dead last night around 10:30 PM? I couldn't d/l yahoo homepage; tried several re-boots and re-starts?

Everything was find this AM; Just curious if I was the only person in Soho, West Village with this problem?

Thanks

Drew

I've been having dropouts on sat. mornings...but that's the only time i notice...it could be other times as well, but i wasn't logged on.....so much for "always on". I'd call customer service, but we all know how much good that does.

I had plenty of dropouts last night...

I have been suffering short internet dropouts (maybe 30 seconds), once or twice a day, for a few months now.

-barry

Originally posted by John Mason
Perhaps Bob Watson could let us know if the 708 specials channel will be used for this year's Masters golf tournament? In previous years USA Network's weekday HD golf coverage (Thursday, Friday) was available on 708 and CBS took over on the weekends. (A current related thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5294130#post5294130)).-- John

John:

In reading the thread and press release, it looks like the Thursday and Friday coverage will be carried on CBS HD stations. If that's the case, we'll get it on 702.

I can't see the knicks game right now! $@&* you Time Warner! Your HD Lineup sucks a$$ and now this!

Originally posted by John Mason

Perhaps Bob Watson could let us know if the 708 specials channel will be used for this year's Masters golf tournament? In previous years USA Network's weekday HD golf coverage (Thursday, Friday) was available on 708 and CBS took over on the weekends. (A current related thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5294130#post5294130)).-- John

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jergans
John:

In reading the thread and press release, it looks like the Thursday and Friday coverage will be carried on CBS HD stations. If that's the case, we'll get it on 702.
Could be. Can't recall details of all the previous years of weekday coverage. Here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5296214#post5296214) someone says that in 2004, when TWC NYC didn't have it yet, INHD carried the weekday Masters. Recall fuming one or more years because, while others had access to weekday coverage, the channels weren't available on TWC. -- John

Folks, if you want TWC to carry MSG so you can see your Knicks/Mets, call your local member of the City Council and the Mayor's office.

The City Council set up the law that gives TWC the exclusive right to provide cable service in the city. In doing so, they took the free market out of the equation when it comes to determining which services to provide. If we had real choice in cable, either TWC would get MSG back on the air, or every customer who ranks sports as a high priority would switch to another cable provider. As things stand now, TWC doesn't actually have any incentive to provide real customer service.

Normally, the city wouldn't be responsible for intervening in negotiations between two private companies. However, the city has already intervened to create a situation that is supposedly in the best interest of the customers. Once the city intervened to make sure that these cable carriers face no competition, it's the city's responsibility to force them to provide a service that benefits consumers at least as much as a real competative market would. IF we'd be better off with a competative market, why has the city intervened in the first place?
-JMP

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
The City Council set up the law that gives TWC the exclusive right to provide cable service in the city.
-JMP

My neighbor has RCN cable installed and I live on the Upper Westside. How is this, "exclusive" right?

Anyone pay a visit to the Jamaica office to swap out for the 8300 boxes? Wondering if it is worth the trip.. thx!

Originally posted by Rieper
My neighbor has RCN cable installed and I live on the Upper Westside. How is this, "exclusive" right?

If you happen to live in a building where you have a choice between RCN and TWC then you are more fortunate than most of us who are forced into one or the other based on where they live. In my previous building I could only get RCN. Now I can only get TWC. So while not technically exclusive, for all practical purposes they have a monopoly for many of us.

Originally posted by EricScott
If you happen to live in a building where you have a choice between RCN and TWC then you are more fortunate than most of us who are forced into one or the other based on where they live. In my previous building I could only get RCN. Now I can only get TWC. So while not technically exclusive, for all practical purposes they have a monopoly for many of us.

And how exactly are you being "forced"? Just pick up the phone and call RCN, no?

Seems odd a building would care what your cable company is, unless they have a vested interested (ie. contractual agreements with TWC). Is that what's really going on here?

In many NYC buildings, developers sell the exclusive rights to the cable wires to one particular company - usually TWC. That puts a competitor (cable or satellite) in the position of having to re-wire the entire building to offer service. This is usually a difficult process in that it is costly and can require adding moldings to hallways through which to run wires - something that condo and coop boards often do not like to do.

Originally posted by Rieper
And how exactly are you being "forced"? Just pick up the phone and call RCN, no?

Seems odd a building would care what your cable company is, unless they have a vested interested (ie. contractual agreements with TWC). Is that what's really going on here?

Yes exactly. Maybe I'm just unlucky but the three apartment buildings I've lived in in NYC (all high rise doorman buildings) have only allowed you to use one cable company - either RCN or Time Warner. And none of these buildings allow you to put up a dish so if you want anything other than the basic channels, you are forced to go with the cable provider they choose.

Like I said, maybe this is not the way most of Manhattan works but I'm 3 for 3 in 3 different neighborhoods.

edit - Lisa - thanks for your far more eloquent response

There's no RCN available in Brooklyn -- we're carved up between TWC and Cablevision (you don't get to choose which one; the one you get depends on where you live). I don't know if they each still have exclusive rights to their areas, but I think that they do or, at least, did until recently.

This is horrible! My building won't allow a dish and TWC is the only cable provider allowed in this area of Brooklyn. So what reason does TWC have to give a crap if I and others in my position are upset about this? Not like we can take our business elsewhere. If I had another provider to use I'd have canceled my service with TWC the day they took MSG off the air.

I honestly don't see how it's legal for them to be the only provider to an area or building. It sure as hell should not be legal.

The point is, the cable industry is a modified monopoly. Sure, some buildings have had arrangements with different providers. Sure, some subscribers can put up a dish and get satellite. But if you live in a building without a special arrangement with RCN or some other provider, you're stuck with the cable company assigned to your territory by the city as a monopoly franchise. Thus, jmp_nyc is right: TWC has had all of Manhattan and a large portion of the rest of the city since it bought out former providers Manhattan Cable and TelePrompTer (anyone remember what a bargain THEY weren't?) Thus the city has the ability to put pressure on TW to make nice with competitor Cablevision or risk losing the franchise to them or another competitor next time out (and does anyone think that would be a great bargain for us, other than diehard sports fans who would feel a bit safer at getting their favorite programming that way?)

Anyway, these conflicts happen often and result from the fact that the cable companies are also content providers with conflicting interests, which creates a noxious soup for the cable ratepayers (i.e. us) who are generally taken for granted in the process. We are seen as a captive audience and the only threat of reprisal is from the city which assigns the franchises. Good luck.

Jay Gould

In the areas in which it operates in NYC, TWC has an exclusive, City-awarded, franchise to operate as a cable company. As a legal matter, RCN is an "Open Video Service Provider," not a cable company, and is not regulated by the City. With some exceptions, it cannot provide services to an individual apartment building without getting permission from a majority of the residents. These legal nuances are explained in the FAQ section of the DoITT WEB SITE (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doitt/html/cable.html).

Anyone in Forest Hills, Queens getting good reception ?. I have a silver sensor combined with the lg-4200a in my apt and the signal is between bad and fair. The picture is always dropping :(

Originally posted by Mobert
This is horrible! My building won't allow a dish and TWC is the only cable provider allowed in this area of Brooklyn. So what reason does TWC have to give a crap if I and others in my position are upset about this? Not like we can take our business elsewhere. If I had another provider to use I'd have canceled my service with TWC the day they took MSG off the air.

I honestly don't see how it's legal for them to be the only provider to an area or building. It sure as hell should not be legal.

A building cannot prevent you from putting up a dish. There is a federal law giving you the right to install an antenna/satellite dish in an area controlled by you (that is, you cannot install one on the roof of your building, but you could install one on your balcony). This law explicitly supercedes any lease, co-op or condominum restrictions.

Here is a link that provides some helpful information: FCC Fact Sheet (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html)

There is a specific restriction in my rental lease that prohibits me from putting up a dish. Plus I don't have a balcony.

Originally posted by EricScott
There is a specific restriction in my rental lease that prohibits me from putting up a dish. Plus I don't have a balcony.

The law essentially nullifies that restriction.

Q: What types of restrictions are prohibited?

A: The rule prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use an antenna covered by the rule. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions , or similar restrictions on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has an ownership or leasehold interest in the property. A restriction impairs if it: unreasonably delays or prevents use of; (2) unreasonably increases the cost of; or (3) precludes a person from receiving or transmitting an acceptable quality signal from an antenna covered under the rule. The rule does not prohibit legitimate safety restrictions or restrictions designed to preserve designated or eligible historic or prehistoric properties, provided the restriction is no more burdensome than necessary to accomplish the safety or preservation purpose.

Originally posted by jergans
The law overrules that restriction.

Even if I knowingly consent to it?

Originally posted by EricScott
Even if I knowingly consent to it?

See my edited post. Essentially the provision in the contract is itself prohibited. The effect of the FCC regulation is to delete that provision from your contract. And if you press the issue, most management companies in NYC will admit that they cannot prevent you from installing a dish.

Originally posted by jergans
See my edited post. Essentially the provision in the contract is itself prohibited. The effect of the FCC regulation is to delete that provision from your contract. And if you press the issue, most management companies in NYC will admit that they cannot prevent you from installing a dish.

Very interesting. Thanks for the info.

Originally posted by jergans
See my edited post. Essentially the provision in the contract is itself prohibited. The effect of the FCC regulation is to delete that provision from your contract. And if you press the issue, most management companies in NYC will admit that they cannot prevent you from installing a dish.

Why isn't more information like this made available to the general public? This should be on a flyer in every lobby in every building in New York City. They do it with the cigarrete industry, see: http://www.thetruth.com/index.cfm?seek=truth

The question is: if you don't have a balcony, roof or terrace under your exclusive control, where would you put a dish?

well in my case i put my sat dish on the roof--but i have a really cool landlord who gave me written permission. it never hurts to ask nicely.

jim

Unfortunately, in my case I'm in a building with 600 units, I have no roof access, and my windows all face north. The FCC regulation only helps people who have south facing areas under their control.

TWC has a deal with building management so that we all get a slightly reduced rate. Even if the building didn't have the exclusivity deal, a very significant number of tennants would need to want RCN in order for them to justify the expense of wiring 34 floors for their service alongside TWC.

What TWC has essentially told me is that if I want to be able to watch the Knicks and Mets, I need to move. I fail to understand why the city has put themselves in a position where they are contractually obligated to endorse this stance...
-JMP

Originally posted by LisaM
The question is: if you don't have a balcony, roof or terrace under your exclusive control, where would you put a dish?

I have a friend who received excellent reception through a partially open window (keeping the dish entirely inside the apartment). That's not an ideal solution, but if you're desparate...

If it is entirely inside your apartment, I don't see how it could come under the purview of a condo or coop board or rental management company. The FCC regulations are designed to protect people who are forbidden from putting a dish on their own balcony, terrace or exclusive roof.

I agree, btw, I have also heard of people who have had a dish inside their unit with some success.

A building cannot prevent you from putting up a dish. There is a federal law giving you the right to install an antenna/satellite dish in an area controlled by you (that is, you cannot install one on the roof of your building, but you could install one on your balcony). This law explicitly supercedes any lease, co-op or condominum restrictions.

In my situation it's a building in a landmark area and a law prohibiting them from allowing things such as dishes that would "change the look" of the buildings outside seems to win out.

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
What TWC has essentially told me is that if I want to be able to watch the Knicks and Mets, I need to move.


Hey TWC that's MY line! ;)

Seriously though, I feel your pain.

TM

If you put the dish on your balcony how do you run a wire from outside your balcony into your apt?
Is it wireless?

Run it though your window I suppose.


For those Mets fans out there. How do you plan on dealing with this? I am considering ordering MLB.TV

Problem though is... they abide by all the local blackout laws. Meaning I could order it... but i couldn't watch the Mets games anyways.

I am wondering how they determine where your billing blackout rules go to? Do they go by your credit card billing address? If this is the case... I am considering changing my billing address on one of my cards temporarily to an office I have at my job in Los Angeles. Ill order the monthly (maybe the season plan)... and then just change the billing address back. :)

I believe that they go by your IP address.

I ordered MLB.com while I was in South Jersey, which is part of the Philadelphia market. My billing address was still in NYC. I was concerned that my billing address would result in a blackout of the Yankee games. The rep told me that they check IP addresses.

Originally posted by LisaM
I believe that they go by your IP address.

I ordered MLB.com while I was in South Jersey, which is part of the Philadelphia market. My billing address was still in NYC. I was concerned that my billing address would result in a blackout of the Yankee games. The rep told me that they check IP addresses.


Oh man if they go by your IP address... thats even EASIER. I can just proxy through that office and my IP will originate through their servers (LA servers).

Any way to verify this? This makes my life easy as I wouldn't have to mess with my credit card statement.

Call and ask them. That is what I did originally.

Originally posted by LisaM
Call and ask them. That is what I did originally.


Ok i will definitely do that. Thanks. Lets see how long this Cablevision thing plays out. If they are still out come opening day.... then i think its time to order.

where do i go in the Queens Center Mall? I've never been there. Is the TWC office easy to find?

Originally posted by IMaNewbie
where do i go in the Queens Center Mall? I've never been there. Is the TWC office easy to find? Stop at the info center there. It is in the end of the old section if you are familer with it...

Originally posted by DjPiLL
Ok i will definitely do that. Thanks. Lets see how long this Cablevision thing plays out. If they are still out come opening day.... then i think its time to order.

from mlb.com

"clicking on a live MLB.TV link will perform and trigger a number of checks to make sure that you are located outside of the applicable blackout territory. Due to the foregoing blackout restrictions, you may be required to log in to each webcast (both for free and subscription fee webcasts) with a valid major credit card for address verification"

But they must not do that all the time. It could be a crapshoot for each webcast.

Originally posted by mabrym
from mlb.com

"clicking on a live MLB.TV link will perform and trigger a number of checks to make sure that you are located outside of the applicable blackout territory. Due to the foregoing blackout restrictions, you may be required to log in to each webcast (both for free and subscription fee webcasts) with a valid major credit card for address verification"

But they must not do that all the time. It could be a crapshoot for each webcast.



I wonder if a simple proxy is a good enough workaround for this.

Once I signed up, I never had to sign on again with a valid credit card. It just automatically came on.

Well i signed up today and I have the game on. =) Lets see how long it lasts.

Did you use the proxy server?

YES network back but not MSG? anyone know why?

YES is not related to MSG.
That's why Time Warner will not lose YES. The Evil Empire (Yanks) were smart enough to separate themselves from the true Evil Empire (the folks at MSG and Cable-vision).

They came off together tho? so why not get put back together?

I don't think that YES was ever taken off TWCNYC. You may be thinking of FSNY.

-barry

I live in Poughkeepsie which I guess is part of TWCNYC since the Mid-Hudson TWC site now points to twcnyc.com. Anyway, I am SICK AND TIRED of the garbage 8000HD. Does anyone know if the 8300HD is available in the Hudson Valley and how I can get one? The idiot rep via e-mail said requests for specific boxes can't be honored. We'll see how they can honor it when I threaten to cancel my service. This box is so bad that the only thing holding me back from Voom is lack of G4TechTV and my cable modem. If anyone has any advice or info, please let me know because I'm going nuts with lockups, sync loss between audio/video, lack of DVI-out, dropped audio, etc etc etc!

Originally posted by mabrym
Did you use the proxy server?


I proxied my IP through my Los Angeles office... and for the billing address of the CC.... i used that LA address (which isn't even listed with the CC company). I am surprised the charge went through. :)

I might call the bank to confirm the charge anyways.

When i watched the game i watched from my home (NY) IP. No issues so far. If I have to proxy with that... I will.

I am gonna watch Pedro today at 1pm. Hopefully i won't get blacked out.

If this works out... this is a great interim solution IMO until TWC and CVNY get their act together.

I was asking about this on the TiVo forum and a poster said that verifying someone's location through the IP address was very unreliable. For example, if you have AOL an IP check would show that you live in Virginia, no matter where you actually live. So that makes me think that, no matter where you actually live or what they say, it's the billing address that's the primary determinate. That mention of veryifying through your IP address may simply be there to keep people who don't know this, which is almost all people, from trying to sign up.

In any case, if you use a non-NYC billing address and a proxy server, I don't see how they can know where you live. And I happen to have a brother in NJ.

Can anyone recommend a good and cheap proxy server?

Originally posted by Flavius
I live in Poughkeepsie which I guess is part of TWCNYC since the Mid-Hudson TWC site now points to twcnyc.com. Anyway, I am SICK AND TIRED of the garbage 8000HD. Does anyone know if the 8300HD is available in the Hudson Valley and how I can get one? The idiot rep via e-mail said requests for specific boxes can't be honored. We'll see how they can honor it when I threaten to cancel my service. This box is so bad that the only thing holding me back from Voom is lack of G4TechTV and my cable modem. If anyone has any advice or info, please let me know because I'm going nuts with lockups, sync loss between audio/video, lack of DVI-out, dropped audio, etc etc etc!

Can anyone please answer this? Thanks.

Originally posted by Flavius
Can anyone please answer this? Thanks.


Your only option is to call them and see if its available. If the 8300 is not available in your area yet... you have to wait. The 8000 box sucks... but there is not much you can do until they approve the 8300 in your location.

Flavius,
Is there a walk-in center where you live? If so check by going there - the phone folks are generally useless. Here in NYC the 8300HD is readily available at the walk-in centers in Manhattan (and I think Queens).

TM

Edited to reflect info received from WCBS:

These are the games being shown on WCBSHD/channel 702. Looks like most of these are also being shown on the analog channel.

THURSDAY:
alabama vs wisconsin (milwaukee)--HD
boston college-penn --HD
wake forest-chattanooga--HD
illinois-fdu --Upconvert



FRIDAY:
nc state-charlotte--HD
uconn-central florida --HD
syracuse-vermont --HD
michigan state-old dominion--HD

I just got a message from Gifford Miller's office. (Miller is my local City Council member, as well as being Speaker of the Council.) I pointed out that since Miller was one of the people who stood up and took credit for resolving the problem the last time these stations were taken off the air, he should have some blame for the fact that the temporary settlement fell apart.

In response, I was told that they have taken the position that Time Warner is a Common Carrier, and they therefore cannot in any way shape or form regulate what Time Warner does. I find this extremely interesting.

In 2003, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that phone and internet service provided by cable companies constitutes Common Carrier service, but they said nothing of their cable services. Futhermore, the whole point of a Common Carrier is that they have to carry what the customer wants when the customer wants it. This makes perfect sense for phone and internet service. (ie: as long as you pay your bill, your phone company can't decide which other phone numbers you are or aren't allowed to call.) If the city is really going to decide that this applies to cable service, and it's upheld by the courts, it should theoretically mean that every individual subscriber is entitled to whatever channels they want, providing they pay whatever the original provider of the channel charges. The local cable provider just transmits it, rather than making decisions about what does and doesn't get transmitted.

This is very interesting. I've called the person back, asking for clarification. If she means what she said, I'm going to call TWC in a few hours with a list of channels I expect by the end of the week. :-)
-JMP

Well, I've been enjoying my 8300HD for some time now and I've had my first annoyance. For the last couple of days it turns off whenever I switch the input on my TV.

I have a Samsung DLP connected via DVI with a HDM->DVI convertor plugged into the 8300. When I switch back to DVI I get the no HDCP message on my screen. When I press power the image starts up distorted, it only takes up the top left 1/4 of the screen, which I then have to fix by pressing the List button.

Funny thing is, it was working fine for weeks. :confused: It feels kind of like the problem these TV's had with the Pio 3510HD turning off. Maybe a good old-fashioned reboot will fix it?

My 8300 is starting to act up as well, after a few weeks of complaint-free operation.

Sometimes I turn it on, have no pic/sound on any channel, or blackout boxes on the picture. Hitting List sometimes fixes it, other times I have to power cycle the box.

The PQ has been pretty consistent though and when it records the playback has been pretty much flawless.

Lastly, for the life of me, I can't get the 8300 to record Real Time w/Bill Maher on 701 every Friday night. The only way to do it is set a manual recording. Using Series Manager won't work for some reason. Once I got the black symbol (looked like the no smoking sign) and every other time it just doesn't record.

Originally posted by pdroth
...I can't get the 8300 to record Real Time w/Bill Maher on 701 every Friday night. The only way to do it is set a manual recording. Using Series Manager won't work for some reason. Once I got the black symbol (looked like the no smoking sign) and every other time it just doesn't record.

How far in advance are you trying to record the show?

Make sure when you try to set up the recording that the show (and future new episodes) is (are) listed in the program guide. I believe that if the show is not listed in the guide- as in the “no data” indicator is on screen, you will then get that “no smoking” looking sign. You have to make sure that you download the information. This is usually done by scrolling ahead a few days until you see “loading new data.” Also, make sure that you have enough space available to record the future shows. I am not swearing on this as being factual, it’s just a deduction of mine, since it happened to me and this appeared to be the fix.

Originally posted by vlapietra
... it only takes up the top left 1/4 of the screen, which I then have to fix by pressing the List button.
...


I have the same 1/4 screen problem. (By the way, it also goes away if you change the channel and return to the first channel.) I have a Sony rear projection TV and used to use HDMI to DVI, but a couple of weeks ago, I switched back to component due to DVI problems similar to yours. Everything was working fine until two days ago when the 1/4 screen thing started.

This may (or not) be a red herring, but simultaneously, I'm having very bad problems with my TW internet connection. It's virtually unusable (no connection at all) in the morning and afternoon. It came back last night, but it went away again this morning. They're sending a service person out on Monday.

-barry

Originally posted by LL3HD
How far in advance are you trying to record the show?



I've tried doing this a few times.... each time the program was listed in the guide.

Example: Yesterday, I forwarded 2 days and selected the program, and selected Record All Showings (I think that's what it says). The program appears in my Series Manager but is not listed as Red in the guide or in my B list of Upcoming shows.

It's the only program I've ever had this problem with. Every other show is recorded reliably without issue.

Originally posted by pdroth
I've tried doing this a few times....
It's the only program I've ever had this problem with. Every other show is recorded reliably without issue.

Maybe you have one of those chips in your box that prevents you from viewing Real Time with Bill Maher. It's like the V chip, except this one is called the W chip.
:D

But seriously,
If you have the program listed in the guide and the future programs are listed also, and it doesn’t appear in red, and you have room in your hard drive storage? I’m stumped too.

Instead of "All showings" try just the one "episode."
I guess it can't hurt to try a hard re boot?

Originally posted by margoba
I have the same 1/4 screen problem. (By the way, it also goes away if you change the channel and return to the first channel.) I have a Sony rear projection TV and used to use HDMI to DVI, but a couple of weeks ago, I switched back to component due to DVI problems similar to yours. Everything was working fine until two days ago when the 1/4 screen thing started.

This may (or not) be a red herring, but simultaneously, I'm having very bad problems with my TW internet connection. It's virtually unusable (no connection at all) in the morning and afternoon. It came back last night, but it went away again this morning. They're sending a service person out on Monday.

-barry

I have been having the blackout issue for sometime now with my 8300. Very annoying.

My internet service has also been spotty as of late. I think (and I'm really guessing here) that the recently rolled out VOIP services could be taking a toll on the internet bandwidth available to TWC. Until they can optimize the network we may continue to see these types of issues with internet connectivity.

Drew

Originally posted by pdroth

Example: Yesterday, I forwarded 2 days and selected the program, and selected Record All Showings (I think that's what it says). The program appears in my Series Manager but is not listed as Red in the guide or in my B list of Upcoming shows.

It's the only program I've ever had this problem with. Every other show is recorded reliably without issue.

Do you maybe have "first run only" selected?

-barry

Originally posted by LL3HD
Maybe you have one of those chips in your box that prevents you from viewing Real Time with Bill Maher. It's like the V chip, except this one is called the W chip.
:D

But seriously,
If you have the program listed in the guide and the future programs are listed also, and it doesn’t appear in red, and you have room in your hard drive storage? I’m stumped too.

Instead of "All showings" try just the one "episode."
I guess it can't hurt to try a hard re boot?

I was waiting for someone to let me hear it for watching him. W chip - I'll have to tell that one to my girlfriend - she's the one who really likes to watch.

Anyway, back to business. The only way I can get this show recorded is if I manually set it each week. And it's the only show I ever have to do it with.

Originally posted by margoba
Do you maybe have "first run only" selected?

-barry

I think I tried that and record all episodes. Neither setting worked.

I'd love to have someone else try it and see if it's just me, but asking someone to tape one of the most liberal voices in America is going to be a stretch.

Originally posted by pdroth
I think I tried that and record all episodes. Neither setting worked.

I'd love to have someone else try it and see if it's just me, but asking someone to tape one of the most liberal voices in America is going to be a stretch.

Idiot! (me, not you) I had forgotten that this was a NYC thread, so I could just try to duplicate your problem. I just set up a series recording, and it seems to be working fine. Of course we won't know until Friday night, but it does show up as red in the guide, and it does show up in the "B: Scheduled Recordings" list.

Just a wild thought: are you using HDMI to DVI? Maybe this show is copy protected, and you're having a HDCP problem.

Have you tried scheduling it on the HBO SD channel rather than the HD channel?

-barry

Real Time with Bill Maher issue -- me, too. I can't get it to record the series. I suspect there is something wrong with whatever code they use to indicate first-run, so it thinks they are all repeats and won't record.

1/4 frame -- me, too. My power on sequence is absurd:

The first time I hit power on, the 8300 gives me the HDCP screen. Then I have to hit power again. At this point, one of two things happens. 1. it may give me a signal, or 2. it may power-off the box. In the case of the power-off, I hit power again. Then . . .

I get the 1/4 frame issue, but mine is more variable than others report. It divides my screen up into 4 quadrants and anywhere from 1 to all of them (sometimes they all come on; no issue) will show the picture, with the other quadrants black. This is remedied by hitting almost any button (guide, list, another channel, etc.). Then, and only then, can I get down to business watching glorious Time Warner Cable.

Originally posted by margoba
Idiot! (me, not you) I had forgotten that this was a NYC thread, so I could just try to duplicate your problem. I just set up a series recording, and it seems to be working fine. Of course we won't know until Friday night, but it does show up as red in the guide, and it does show up in the "B: Scheduled Recordings" list.

Just a wild thought: are you using HDMI to DVI? Maybe this show is copy protected, and you're having a HDCP problem.

Have you tried scheduling it on the HBO SD channel rather than the HD channel?

-barry

Actually I record it off 201 since it is not an HD program. (Have to save my space!)

I am using HDMI-HDMI, but I don't see how that would affect the scheduling of the recording. If anything, it would only affect the playback to my tv, which has never been a problem.

If I get some time tonight I'm going to try the whole operation from the beginning - reboot the box, rub the front of the 8300 a bit for luck, and try to set the recording one last time.

It appears to work for me on channel 201 too.

-barry

Originally posted by pdroth
My 8300 is starting to act up as well, after a few weeks of complaint-free operation.

Sometimes I turn it on, have no pic/sound on any channel, or blackout boxes on the picture. Hitting List sometimes fixes it, other times I have to power cycle the box.

The PQ has been pretty consistent though and when it records the playback has been pretty much flawless.

Lastly, for the life of me, I can't get the 8300 to record Real Time w/Bill Maher on 701 every Friday night. The only way to do it is set a manual recording. Using Series Manager won't work for some reason. Once I got the black symbol (looked like the no smoking sign) and every other time it just doesn't record.


Same for me, on the 8300 HD and the SD DVR. I have no idea why this is, but you are not alone...

I agree.:)

I saw the following and thought member of this forum would be interested...

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20050317/D88SSHO81.html

Bob Watson, any comment on when we migth see this?

This has been in testing for a while now. Unfortunately, everything I've seen indicates that it will be for SD only, at least in it's first release.

I like the idea of location independent viewing, but I like my HD better.

-barry

OK - this thing is driving me CRAZY.

I start from scratch - I do not have "Real Time with Bill Maher" in my Series Manager, nor are any episodes manually scheduled.

I use the guide to go to 11:00 Friday, Channel 201. I select the program, select option to record entire series. I keep the default selections - Record First Run & Repeats, HBO 32 only, All Showings. I hit A to accept. The program is still not red in the guide, doesn't show up on my List of scheduled recordings, but does show up in my Series Manager.

I erase the program from the Series Manager and try something else:

Instead I try the same thing but on Channel 32. Bingo - it works now!

I again erase the program and try again on Channel 201. It works also!

One more time, just to confirm I'm not crazy, back on 32 - doesn't work! 201- doesn't work!

Definitely something screwy going on. Anyway, I kept trying until I got it back and now I'm just going to leave it alone and cross my fingers.

Originally posted by pdroth
I've tried doing this a few times.... each time the program was listed in the guide.

Example: Yesterday, I forwarded 2 days and selected the program, and selected Record All Showings (I think that's what it says). The program appears in my Series Manager but is not listed as Red in the guide or in my B list of Upcoming shows.

It's the only program I've ever had this problem with. Every other show is recorded reliably without issue.

I have the same thing happening with "Real Time with Bill Maher". Must be some bit that's off somwhere. Maybe all shows are tagged "repeats" instead of "first-run" by mistake?

Maybe you can only watch "Real Time with Bill Maher" in real time.
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I have a SA3250HD now I wouldn't mind getting DVR, but I don't want to do it at the expense of PQ. Does the 8300HD have at least as good a picture as the 3250HD ? Is it maybe better especially over HDMI ?

Originally posted by Mixdoctor
I have a SA3250HD now I wouldn't mind getting DVR, but I don't want to do it at the expense of PQ. Does the 8300HD have at least as good a picture as the 3250HD ? Is it maybe better especially over HDMI ?
Perhaps folks getting HDNet would be willing to actually measure possible differences using the Tuesday 8 am test patterns. Find adjectives don't help much myself. With this technique (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424) I measured 1290 lines maximum horizontal resolvable detail with my 8300HD, and another NYC TWC customer reported a nearly identical 1280 lines. Several have mentioned the Pioneer HD converter seems better detail-wise than the 8300HD...but no measurements with HDNet yet. (BTW, my other converter, RCN's DCT6208 HD DVR, provides 1335 lines maximum, but that's so close to my 8300HD's 1290 lines that A-B comparisons of motion-video images--not test patterns--appear quite similar. Oh yes, the fuzzy-image SA8000HD only delivered 890 lines maximum.) -- John

For people having the 1/4 screen (and maybe related power on issues). Is it a new problem or has it always been happening. As I stated in my earlier post, everything was working fine for me up until a few days (maybe a week) ago.

1/4 screen is a new problem for me. It just started a few days ago.

-barry

Same here - maybe a week ago it started, but not much before that.

I've had the 1/4 screen issue from day 1.

Originally posted by Sickman
I've had the 1/4 screen issue from day 1.

Would that be January 1, 0000? :-) couldn't resist.

Seriously, aproximately how long ago was "day one"?

Originally posted by pdroth

Lastly, for the life of me, I can't get the 8300 to record Real Time w/Bill Maher on 701 every Friday night. The only way to do it is set a manual recording. Using Series Manager won't work for some reason. Once I got the black symbol (looked like the no smoking sign) and every other time it just doesn't record.

I haven't yet upgraded my 8000HD to the 8300HD (it's REALLY hard to get all of my backlogged content off.... ;-) ), but here's my experience with the show:

I've got mine set to record each week on Friday nights, on the SD channel (as it is not broadcast in HD), but the interesting thing that I've found is that it won't let me set it to record on channel 201 -- it always changes it to channel 32 (which is also HBO-SD). I think it might have something to do with the way they map/duplicate some of the channels for analog users.

Try to set it each week for ch. 32 and see how you do....

Scott

Anybody else in NYC having consistent connectivity problems. My
internet connection has been down most of the time for two days now.
The "cable" light on the cable modem is off. It comes back for 15
minutes or so every once in a while, but it's basically dead.

I have a service appointment for Monday, but I was hoping to learn
something before then.

Thanks,
-barry

Originally posted by margoba
Seriously, aproximately how long ago was "day one"? I think I've had the 8300 for about a month. It took me a few weeks after they became available to get to 23rd St.

Maybe there's been a minor upgrade? My system is at:
Passport Echo 1.8.095 12/14/2004
PowerTV 6.8.9.4sp 4/11/2004

How about the rest of you.

-barry

Can someone please answer a question for me about channels on TWC? My wife has lost her job and we need to cut expenses, and the STOOOOPID TWC web page does not list which channels come with which packages. At least I can't get it to display.

Right now I have DTV, Basic and Standard, and the HDTV package. What I want is Basic service only with HDTV. Can I get that? I think that saves $30 a month. And what channels would I get, just the networks, NY1 and a couple of others? That would be fine, I hardly watch BBC America or TVLand or the others.

Please tell me they are not going to say that I have to get Standard service if I also want HDTV.

I think that you have to get at least basic and standard - and probably dtv - in order to have HDTV since it is a digital box.

ok, so i have a fujitsu 50" plasmavision that i got a few months ago hooked up to an explorer 3250 hd box. i think the box thinks that the tv is 4:3 or something, cause everything seems to be formatted for 4:3 sets. what happens is that i have to switch the widescreen setting on the tv every time i go from non-hd to hd channels, and it's a real pain in the bum. i've experimented in the setup menu on the cable box with all the options for 16:9/4:3 settings, and nothing seems to work. this can't be the way it's supposed to be set up, can it?

i've tried calling tw, but i can't get an answer out of those people.

Is anyone else getting audio dropouts during the basketball games on CBS-HD?

Originally posted by LisaM
Is anyone else getting audio dropouts during the basketball games on CBS-HD?

yes.

It's worse than audio dropouts; it's audio dropouts plus some full fledged program droupouts. It's 1:00am and I've just watched a couple of shows that I recorded earlier tonight. It's obvious from watching them that "chunks" of the show are missing (maybe 1-5 minutes long), and the length of the show is wrong. For example "Medical Investigation" which normally runs from 9:00 to 10:00 is listed on the recorded version as running from 9:00 to 9:49. I also got similar results with Leno. Oh boy!

-barry

Originally posted by margoba
Anybody else in NYC having consistent connectivity problems. My
internet connection has been down most of the time for two days now.
The "cable" light on the cable modem is off. It comes back for 15
minutes or so every once in a while, but it's basically dead.

I have a service appointment for Monday, but I was hoping to learn
something before then.

Thanks,
-barry

What cable modem do you have. I had the exact same problems with a Toshiba PCX 1100.

Swapped it for a new RCA DCM425 (which also has a 100mbs WAN port) and no more problems.

Originally posted by LisaM
Is anyone else getting audio dropouts during the basketball games on CBS-HD? Audio dropouts and a bunch of freezes. Very frustrating. And during March Madness! An OUTRAGE!

I had the freezes too but forgot to mention it earlier. I also played back a recording of a show from last Sunday and had audio dropouts for the first time ever on the recording.

Originally posted by jin kim
What cable modem do you have. I had the exact same problems with a Toshiba PCX 1100.

Swapped it for a new RCA DCM425 (which also has a 100mbs WAN port) and no more problems.

I do have the Toshiba PCX 1100, but it has been working fine for a year or so, until earlier this week.

Thanks for the tip, though. When TWCNYC comes out on Monday I'll ask them to replace the modem with the RCA one. Who would have thought that RCA makes good cable modems?

Thanks,

-barry

Last night I was getting a ton of audio dropouts on ShowtimeHD. Today all seems well.

Sorry if this was aske and answered earlier in the thread when the 8300HDs first appeared, but was it ever confirmed whether the HDMI output on the 8300HD puts out PC or video levels?

Thanks,
TM

TM,

The levels are video and not pc. The problem I experienced was due to a setting used on the piece of calibration equipment that was used. It was fixed on the second go around and it was confirmed that the levels were proper video levels, not pc.

Thanks a bunch Phil. That's good news b/c my DVD player also puts on video levels. I'll set both my PJ and scaler to expect and pass video levels and hopefully all will be well.

Thanks,
TM

For the first time since I got the 8300HD, I experienced a very odd and unpleasant set of anomalies. Friday night, I recorded two programs (which I have done many times without incident since getting the 8300, replacing about 6 8000HD's in a row, which all failed).

L&O:Trial By Jury (in HD, Ch. 704) was recording along with 20/20 (on 707; yes I know it's probably a waste of space to record SD from the HD channel but I watch and erase VERY quickly).

When I checked the recording, the L&O showed that it had stopped at 10:49 and the stop time was in yellow (usually indicating an abnormal stop). The 20/20 indicated that it had recorded through.

Watching the 20/20, there were freezes, audio dropouts and other anomalies that I had not experienced since I deep-sixed my last 8000. To SD's credit, the error-handling of the 8300HD is superior; the dropouts were at least silent so my SPEAKERS were not at risk like with the older boxes. These anomalies stopped entirely after the first half-hour of programming and the end of the program seemed to save normally. The L&O, though, DID record through the end credits but looked like some unseen hand had edited the episode, removing the opening sequence ("In the criminal justice system...") and title sequence and starting after the first commercial break (the episode credits were still appearing). Obviously there were other incursions; a total of 11 minutes was indeed missing but not from the END where the LIST button seemed to show that the material was missing. Other than the missing material the episode seemed to show without the dropouts or freezing that were happening on the parallel program 20/20 on 707.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any clue whether it's my box/hard drive or something strange that TW or the networks were doing Friday night? Other programming seems to be coming in just fine.

Jay Gould

3 times in the last 2 days, I've had to unplug the box due to it hanging up when trying to play back a recording. The screen would stay gray and would cease responding to the remote or front panel buttons.

Barely over a month old. A shame.

Originally posted by ljaygould
For the first time since I got the 8300HD, I experienced a very odd and unpleasant set of anomalies. Friday night, I recorded two programs (which I have done many times without incident since getting the 8300, replacing about 6 8000HD's in a row, which all failed).

L&O:Trial By Jury (in HD, Ch. 704) was recording along with 20/20 (on 707; yes I know it's probably a waste of space to record SD from the HD channel but I watch and erase VERY quickly).

When I checked the recording, the L&O showed that it had stopped at 10:49 and the stop time was in yellow (usually indicating an abnormal stop). The 20/20 indicated that it had recorded through.

The L&O, though, DID record through the end credits but looked like some unseen hand had edited the episode, removing the opening sequence ("In the criminal justice system...") and title sequence and starting after the first commercial break (the episode credits were still appearing). Obviously there were other incursions; a total of 11 minutes was indeed missing but not from the END where the LIST button seemed to show that the material was missing. Other than the missing material the episode seemed to show without the dropouts or freezing that were happening on the parallel program 20/20 on 707.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any clue whether it's my box/hard drive or something strange that TW or the networks were doing Friday night? Other programming seems to be coming in just fine.

Jay Gould

I experienced exactly the same thing on Friday evening with both Medical Investigations and L&O:TBJ. That is, the recording claimed to be only until 49 minutes after the hour, but the box had clearly skipped some content earlier in the hour, recording a total of 49 minutes during an hour timeframe. I'm still using an 8000HD, so this isn't a problem that's specific to either box.

Each show seemed to start a little late (missing the opening before the title credits), then had one or two more skips during the show.

When I first signed up for the DVR, the rep insisted it was "just like Tivo." I'm still waiting for it to record a single suggestion, have more than just a week of guide data, or go months at a time without a reboot, let alone being able to transfer programs to my computer. I hope Tivo's newly announced deal speeds up the development process for a cablecard Tivo...
-JMP

It would seem, based on several anecdotes, including my own, that TW was having some serious QC issues on Friday night. I'm glad it doesn't seem that it's my box, but the trend is DISTURBING and I'm willing to bet that TW isn't sharing what the issue is with its phone techs. I didn't even bother to call; I KNOW it would be "we'll set up a service appointment and replace your box".

Jay Gould

There seems to be a report here on AVS and also over at a different site (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=230770&page=1&pp=20)

that YES is going to be in HD on D* exclusively starting on Apr. 3rd. Here in NYC, I'd say that YESHD is one of the "killer apps" that will drive HDTV sales--lord knows it's the channel I want the worst. My point being, those of you here who have Bob Watson's ear, can we try to find out if there's any chance TWCNYC can get in on this as well?

YES HD is definitely my biggest "want" at this point...

Originally posted by margoba
Anybody else in NYC having consistent connectivity problems. My
internet connection has been down most of the time for two days now.
The "cable" light on the cable modem is off. It comes back for 15
minutes or so every once in a while, but it's basically dead.

Thanks,
-barry

Barry - not sure how your service appointment went, but I had been having major connectivity issues last week with Roadrunner as well. Ultimately had to set up an appointment. For some reason, I decided to try one last thing - unplugging the actual cable from the wall, waiting a minute or two, then plugging it back in.

Believe it or not, it's worked for me, twice. Kinda a contradiction I guess, but the first time I did it my connection was restored, and fine for 3-4 days. It went down again, and I did the same, and its been fine ever since - over a week. Thought it might have been some kind of handshake issue or something strange, but I'm not asking questions.

Has anyone else noticed intermittent video stuttering during the NCAA coverage on 702 over the weekend. Seems like the audio and video would both freeze up for about 2 seconds and then catch up to live TV again. It was not the same as the occasional audio stutter I get with the 8300HD.

The last time it happened I skipped back on my 8300HD and the stuttering was there as well. So either the feed was bad, or the 8300 did a bad recording job.

If YES-HD signed an exclusive agreement with D*... i don't see how it will even be possible for any TWC market to get it.

Originally posted by DjPiLL
If YES-HD signed an exclusive agreement with D*... i don't see how it will even be possible for any TWC market to get it.

Well, we don't *know* they did an exclusive deal. And it seems like it'd be really stupid to freeze out millions of NYC cable subscribers who can't get a dish. I'm hoping someone from TWC can shed a little light on this, anyway.

Originally posted by vlapietra
Has anyone else noticed intermittent video stuttering during the NCAA coverage on 702 over the weekend. Seems like the audio and video would both freeze up for about 2 seconds and then catch up to live TV again. It was not the same as the occasional audio stutter I get with the 8300HD.

The last time it happened I skipped back on my 8300HD and the stuttering was there as well. So either the feed was bad, or the 8300 did a bad recording job.

I noticed it. If you check out the programming forum, it seems CBS was having issues with its feed. I didn't notice stuttering as much as what I would describe as blurriness when there was lots of fast action - happen mostly during rebounds. Had the occassional audio dropout/stutter but not too bad.

I found that watching the games on 2 was nearly impossible after watching 702 for a while. Even the non-HD games look dramatically better on 702. It was actually kind of nice that they often played different games on 2 and 702. 2 looked fine in PIP and this way I could track two games at once.

Originally posted by sir_captain
Well, we don't *know* they did an exclusive deal. And it seems like it'd be really stupid to freeze out millions of NYC cable subscribers who can't get a dish.


LOL... it has nothing to do with whether we are local and loyal fans to the Yanks or not. Its about the money... and D* probably paid major cash to YES to be exclusive.

And while you are talking about freezing out fans... have you noticed that there are no Mets currently on TWC cable?

Its all about the dollar bill in the end and these companies don't give a crap who they freeze out in the process.

YES HD on D*

This could be the last straw for me.
I am definitely interested in D*
I’d appreciate it if anyone can suggest threads or forums with opinions
regarding TW versus Direct TV, or anyone here in this thread- if you have had experience with both D* and TW.
I'm interested in pq, channels, price.
YES was the reason why I didn’t originally jump to VOOM but now I can’t see staying with TW if D* has YES in HD. Unless I hear some good arguments to stay with tw.

Has anyone on Staten Island been able to get a 8300 HD yet? I have been calling 2x a week for the past month or more and they still say they dont have the HD version, just regular 8300 boxes :(.

Originally posted by ljaygould
It would seem, based on several anecdotes, including my own, that TW was having some serious QC issues on Friday night. I'm glad it doesn't seem that it's my box, but the trend is DISTURBING and I'm willing to bet that TW isn't sharing what the issue is with its phone techs. I didn't even bother to call; I KNOW it would be "we'll set up a service appointment and replace your box".

Jay Gould

Well, I experienced it with last night's Simpsons and L&O:CI. I called it in, if for no other reason than to have ammo in my neverending ordeal with them. Of course they scheduled a service appointment, but they also told me that I was the only person in all of NYC who had this problem, which I know is not the case.

If you have the chance, give them a call and tell them about the problem. I bet you they claim that no one has reported it, at which point you should feel free to call them liars. (I always find it's fun to taunt the customer service rep by pointing out that you're not calling him/her a liar on a personal level, but that you're calling the company they work for a liar.)

I had a CS supervisor today tell me that I don't even deserve to have the problem addressed because "it's only a problem recording." I responded with "let's play a little game here. Let's pretend that you're a business, and I'm a customer who pays you for a service, and that you want to provide that service." She didn't seem to understand what I was getting at.
-JMP

Just FYI, I too experienced it last night with "The Simpsons". I didn't watch L&O.

-b

Originally posted by randymac88
Barry - not sure how your service appointment went, but I had been having major connectivity issues last week with Roadrunner as well. Ultimately had to set up an appointment. For some reason, I decided to try one last thing - unplugging the actual cable from the wall, waiting a minute or two, then plugging it back in.

Believe it or not, it's worked for me, twice. Kinda a contradiction I guess, but the first time I did it my connection was restored, and fine for 3-4 days. It went down again, and I did the same, and its been fine ever since - over a week. Thought it might have been some kind of handshake issue or something strange, but I'm not asking questions.

Well, in some sense, the repairman did what you recommended. He did more however. He was quite competent - I always force myself to say this when it's true. He replaced two 15 year old splitters, and threw away a 7 year old amplifier (installed years ago by TWCNYC). As of 1 hour after he left, everything is working fine.

Hurray,

-barry

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
... but they also told me that I was the only person in all of NYC who had this problem, which I know is not the case.

...



One more thing. On Friday night's Law & Order, I recorded it twice (on two different 8300's) and it was 10 minutes short on both. It's pretty clearly a system-wide problem.

-barry

Originally posted by margoba
One more thing. On Friday night's Law & Order, I recorded it twice (on two different 8300's) and it was 10 minutes short on both. It's pretty clearly a system-wide problem.

-barry

I also recorded Friday's L&O:TbJ on an 8300HD. When I bring it up using the LIST button, I see "WNBCHD 10:00pm-10:50pm" (with "10:50pm" highlighted in yellow). But when I play the recording, the last 10 minutes of the show are there. The same thing happened with 2 other programs from Sunday night that I've already watched and erased -- LIST indicated a premature cut-off of the recording, but the full programs were recorded.

The "full" programs were recorded with several gaps (totalling 10 minutes I'd bet), so even though the full program was recorded, the total length was 50 minutes. The software probably didn't know how to deal with this so it estimated that the end-time was 10:50.

-barry

One other thing - anyone ever experience when, for an unexplained, unknown reason, it will record parts of a program but not the whole thing?

For example, I tried to record Crimson Tide on HBO HD. It started at 1am, and conveniently recorded until 2:08, chopping off the end of the movie. Unexplainable to me. There were certainly plenty of other recordings that could have been deleted if it was a space issue.

Perhaps your box crashed and rebooted itself. I've had it happen before, but once it rebooted it figured out it was supposed to be recording something and started again, resulting in a loss of 2-3 minutes. My 8300 rebooted last night for no apparent reason. I wasn't even recording. I went to bring up the guide and the image just froze up until the unit crashed.

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
Well, I experienced it with last night's Simpsons and L&O:CI.

Currently I'm playing back my recording of last night's Simpsons. I'm experiencing quite a few freezes and audio dropouts.

Originally posted by adrman
Perhaps your box crashed and rebooted itself. I've had it happen before, but once it rebooted it figured out it was supposed to be recording something and started again, resulting in a loss of 2-3 minutes. My 8300 rebooted last night for no apparent reason. I wasn't even recording. I went to bring up the guide and the image just froze up until the unit crashed.

I've still got the 8000. I haven't rebooted for a few days, but even on those ocassions when I reboot during a recording the behavior is different than what I got this weekend. A reboot during a recording usually causes two separate recordings showing up in the list view (ie: 8:00-8:24 and 8:27-9:00). The recordings that were missing sections from this weekend looked as though someone made an edit with no regard for where they were cutting. While it was usually obvious that the recording had missed a couple of minutes (like a cut from the middle of a commercial to the middle of a scene), the timeline at the bottom of the screen treated it as though it was one continuous recording from the beginning until whenever it ran out of recorded material.

TWC really needs to get their act together...
-JMP

I've had the 8300 for 2 weeks and have been having tons of issues with the box rebooting itself. This is especially a problem when watching one thing and recording something else. Just now I go to start 24 from the beginning in mid recording, and the box couldn't handle it.

Originally posted by vlapietra
Has anyone else noticed intermittent video stuttering during the NCAA coverage on 702 over the weekend. Seems like the audio and video would both freeze up for about 2 seconds and then catch up to live TV again. It was not the same as the occasional audio stutter I get with the 8300HD.

The last time it happened I skipped back on my 8300HD and the stuttering was there as well. So either the feed was bad, or the 8300 did a bad recording job.

I had the same dropout and 2 second skip/jitter as you described.

Drew

Really since friday my box has been very, very unstable. More crashes than ever. Also, even more strange, sometimes (when the box is beginning to feel a little unstable), when I try to rewind a program that I'm NOT recording, it will change the channel and jump me back to the same 5 second clip from an ESPN Classic recording I recorded several weeks ago. Every single time I hit the rewind buttong. Its very, very strange.

I think I read about someone else having a similar problem but it jumped to a NY1 program. Anyone else ever experience this?

Why are all of these 8300 problems just now starting to surface? It was doing very well up until now!

Last night (and I mean VERY late, like 1-2AM) TW was doing some major maintenance that knocked out all DTV, the Guide function on the DVR's, and access to any channels except a few in the 21-76 range. The indication was that the down time would end about 8AM; when I checked at 10, all was normal. HOPEFULLY whatever they did will make some of these problems better. I think most or all of the stuttering and dropout problems are head-end rather than 8000/8300 box issues since they only affect certain stations at certain (peak) times, and are reported here by multiple users on the same programs. Any thoughts?

Jay Gould

Not sure what happened, but Playboy on 336 keeps on rebooting the 3250HD box. So much so that I cancelled 336 for the time being. All other digital channels and HD channels worked. In fact, my older 3100HD box worked for 336, just not the 3250HD. Strange.



Originally posted by ljaygould
Last night (and I mean VERY late, like 1-2AM) TW was doing some major maintenance that knocked out all DTV, the Guide function on the DVR's, and access to any channels except a few in the 21-76 range. The indication was that the down time would end about 8AM; when I checked at 10, all was normal. HOPEFULLY whatever they did will make some of these problems better. I think most or all of the stuttering and dropout problems are head-end rather than 8000/8300 box issues since they only affect certain stations at certain (peak) times, and are reported here by multiple users on the same programs. Any thoughts?

Jay Gould

Originally posted by ljaygould
I think most or all of the stuttering and dropout problems are head-end rather than 8000/8300 box issues since they only affect certain stations at certain (peak) times, and are reported here by multiple users on the same programs. Any thoughts?

Jay Gould

I think you're correct in your assumption. My 8300 had been rock solid up until last Friday. Maybe we're getting a service "enhancement".

Originally posted by randymac88
Really since friday my box has been very, very unstable. More crashes than ever. Also, even more strange, sometimes (when the box is beginning to feel a little unstable), when I try to rewind a program that I'm NOT recording, it will change the channel and jump me back to the same 5 second clip from an ESPN Classic recording I recorded several weeks ago. Every single time I hit the rewind buttong. Its very, very strange.

I think I read about someone else having a similar problem but it jumped to a NY1 program. Anyone else ever experience this?

Why are all of these 8300 problems just now starting to surface? It was doing very well up until now! Sometimes it takes a while for all the little bugs to come out...

Recorded CSI Miami with my 8300HD and it was quite unstable on playback today with pauses and jerkiness. If it's some type of firmware upgrade it would all be worthwhile IMO if it involved bumping the maximum resolvable detail for this converter from its current ~1190 lines up to a new high. Haven't viewed my stored HDNet resolution wedges to check for any changes. (My RCN cable converter provides 1335 lines with HDNet, with slightly superior HD images it now appears. BTW, got a RCN letter saying they're dropping and shifting channels for a coming change, which I hope is new HD adds.) -- John

Originally posted by adrman
I think you're correct in your assumption. My 8300 had been rock solid up until last Friday. Maybe we're getting a service "enhancement". I doubt that. I have seen these little things since I got the box. Maybe not day 1 but shortly there after. Also check your ventilation. Usually heat plays havoc with any of these boxes. From what I have seen they can get quite hot...

Originally posted by John Mason
Recorded CSI Miami with my 8300HD and it was quite unstable on playback today with pauses and jerkiness. If it's some type of firmware upgrade it would all be worthwhile IMO if it involved bumping the maximum resolvable detail for this converter from its current ~1190 lines up to a new high. Haven't viewed my stored HDNet resolution wedges to check for any changes. (My RCN cable converter provides 1335 lines with HDNet, with slightly superior HD images. BTW, got a RCN letter saying they're dropping and shifting channels for a coming change, which I hope is new HD adds.) -- John I have also seen more jerks and stops recently but I would think since so many have seen this that TWC was having the problem and not the indvudal boxes.

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Also check your ventilation. Usually heat plays havoc with any of these boxes. From what I have seen they can get quite hot...

That shouldn't be an issue in my case. My unit has plenty of space above it. You're right though, it does put out plenty of heat.

Originally posted by John Mason
Recorded CSI Miami with my 8300HD and it was quite unstable on playback today with pauses and jerkiness.

i also was experiencing the jerkiness w/ csi miami last night......something that seems to be a persistent problem w/ the HD channels.....hopefully they'll do something to up the bandwidth or fix the problem b/c these programs are unwatchable as is.

I've been turning off my box as much as possible and setting the sleep timer at night to hopefully prolong the life of the box. Try to keep the heat to a minimum b/c i think i fried my last box.....

Also, I forget who was trying to record the politacal commentary show on HBO, Bill Mahr? or something. Anyway, it was on the other night and I tried to set up a series recording and the DVR would not record the show at all. If you hit "record" on the show it would start recording, but if you hit record from the IPG and select the series recording option, the 8300 will set up the series recording, but will not actually start recording the current show, or future shows. Very odd.

I don't watch the show, but I wanted to let you know that it seems to be a problem with the box, and you are not crazy.

Drew

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
I have also seen more jerks and stops recently but I would think since so many have seen this that TWC was having the problem and not the indvudal boxes.

THis is definitely not an 8300HD problem. There are too many people having the same symptom at the same time. I have had 3 days of 2-3 second drops, just like many others are reporting. It must be a TWC problem. We'll see what happens 2nite.

I had the same problem with CSI Miami and my box has no ventilation issues.
Most of my problems seemed to occur in the first 10 minutes. After that, the broadcast was fine.

I agree - too many reports here to be our individual 8300 units. Has to be a TWC issue.

I also had the jumps again with the beginning of CSI:Miami. As with others, the problems were limited to the first 10 minutes or so. Unlike others, I'm still using the 8000HD.

If it didn't require a half hour on hold to get to a human, I'd call TWC in advance of my upcoming service call to confirm that I'm still the only one who's reported the problem. Has anyone else here called it in?
-JMP

You are NOT the only one that called it in. I called last night and the night before. Last night I was told that the maintenance they were doing should fix the problem. Let's see...any complaints with stuff broadcast tonight? (I was busy but watched a bit of AMERICAN IDOL and it seemed fine).

Jay Gould

Originally posted by ljaygould
Let's see...any complaints with stuff broadcast tonight? (I was busy but watched a bit of AMERICAN IDOL and it seemed fine).

So here's an interesting question. I'm assuming you were watching live tv. Of course, the sort of jumping we all saw in our recordings wouldn't be possible when watching something live. (After all, to suddenly jump ahead 5 minutes would require the DVR having access to things not yet broadcast.) Has anyone noticed the problems in a recording of a program they also watched live? Is there any way to know if the lost parts of the recordings correspond in any way to any kind of noticable blips in a live broadcast?
-JMP

...in fact I was watching after the fact. I am not sure but I'm betting that if we were watching the programs with the anomalies we would have seen periods of frozen screen. There was some malfunctioning bit of equipment at TW's head end; they don't want to tell us what or whether they agree BUT it seems, so far, to be better. I've been watching HOUSE and the News and Letterman - all on delay - since I last wrote in, and haven't seen any signs of trouble so far. Anyone else?

Jay Gould

No problems for me. I watched House and NCIS from recordings earlier tonight.

-barry

I just traded in my 8000 DVR and 3120HD boxes today for an 8300HD, using component out. My initial impression is that the picture looks softer than old hd box using same component cables. NCSI and House tonight were recorded and was not as sharp or crisp. Discovery and PBS were like I remembered them to be.

Is this consistent with what others have experienced? I do not have DVI on my 47" panny rptv.

Also, I've been having a recurring problem since two Sunday's ago (3/11/05) and I thought it was related to my 8000DVR dying a slow death on me, which was what prompted me to replace it with the 8300HD ... I'm a recent subscriber to playboy tv (ch. 336) and everything was great for the first 3 weeks. Then beginning on 3/11 (a Sunday), I was not able to view ch. 336 live for longer than 4-5 minutes before the unit would freeze and/or reboot itself. Also, if I left the box tuned to ch 336 and watched a previously recorded program the unit would reboot after the same 4-5 minutes. So under no circumstances was I able to watch playboy. I called 3 or 4 times to TWCNYC to complain and each time they had me do a reboot, but never able to fix it.

Today, after installing the 8300, still the same problem! TWCNYC is sending out a tech on Saturday - not sure what he's going to be able to do, but what the heck!?!

No problems last night with either viewing from disk or live.

I cancelled my 336, as I had your same problem and the tech guy could not fix it.



Originally posted by rycelover
I just traded in my 8000 DVR and 3120HD boxes today for an 8300HD, using component out. My initial impression is that the picture looks softer than old hd box using same component cables. NCSI and House tonight were recorded and was not as sharp or crisp. Discovery and PBS were like I remembered them to be.

Is this consistent with what others have experienced? I do not have DVI on my 47" panny rptv.

Also, I've been having a recurring problem since two Sunday's ago (3/11/05) and I thought it was related to my 8000DVR dying a slow death on me, which was what prompted me to replace it with the 8300HD ... I'm a recent subscriber to playboy tv (ch. 336) and everything was great for the first 3 weeks. Then beginning on 3/11 (a Sunday), I was not able to view ch. 336 live for longer than 4-5 minutes before the unit would freeze and/or reboot itself. Also, if I left the box tuned to ch 336 and watched a previously recorded program the unit would reboot after the same 4-5 minutes. So under no circumstances was I able to watch playboy. I called 3 or 4 times to TWCNYC to complain and each time they had me do a reboot, but never able to fix it.

Today, after installing the 8300, still the same problem! TWCNYC is sending out a tech on Saturday - not sure what he's going to be able to do, but what the heck!?!

Originally posted by ljaygould
There was some malfunctioning bit of equipment at TW's head end; they don't want to tell us what or whether they agree BUT it seems, so far, to be better.

Apparently they were doing some sort of serious system maintanence late Monday night/early Tuesday morning -- my 8000HD rebooted itself while I was watching something late on Monday night/Tue morn (like after 2:30AM), and when it came back up, it was the old symptom of what happens when it cannot talk to the server -- you just get a few analog channels and no guide.

So I called up TWC and they said they were doing system maint. and that it wouldn't be back up for a few hours and that I should "try not to reboot my box" (which I couldn't help.... ;-) ), and that it was serious maintence and probably wouldn't be back up until 7AM or so. Sure enough, the diagnostic screens claimed that it came back up around 7:15 AM. Who knows what they were doing for 4 1/2 hours...but hopefully it's good for us in the long run. She claimed it was maintence for the On Demand service.

I did notice one thing last night, and I'm not sure it's related, but the somewhat overdriven audio volume that I usually get on Comedy Central seems to have calmed down a bit. (Though I haven't checked the worst offending channel -- E! yet)

I was getting those 2sec freezing moments on Monday during CSI Miami as well. It got so bad... i decided to watch it in my bedroom on my SD television. No issues with SD.

And yeah even if i rewinded it... the dropouts were at the exact same times live or recorded so its definitely a TWC problem. Hopefully they will get this fixed... i want to watch L&O and CSINY tonite.

FWIW - We too have been having many many glitches on our HD channels ever since the 2-day cable black-out we had a few weeks back. Very annoying...

Originally posted by Paul Chiu
I cancelled my 336, as I had your same problem and the tech guy could not fix it.

TWCNY never gave you an explanation? Did it ever work properly for you? Mine was working fine for about 3 weeks and then all of a sudden it starts crapping out on me. Very strange.

None, the usual please hold, then another clueless tech or phone operator. A royal waste of time on the phone.

The tech guy who came is equally as useless. The older 3100HD box worked with 336, just not the newer 3250HD box.

336 worked for nearly 2 years here as well, before this.




Originally posted by rycelover
TWCNY never gave you an explanation? Did it ever work properly for you? Mine was working fine for about 3 weeks and then all of a sudden it starts crapping out on me. Very strange.

Originally posted by Paul Chiu
None, the usual please hold, then another clueless tech or phone operator. A royal waste of time on the phone.

The tech guy who came is equally as useless. The older 3100HD box worked with 336, just not the newer 3250HD box.

336 worked for nearly 2 years here as well, before this.

That's interesting because while ch 336 would not work on the 8000 dvr, it worked fine on my regular HD box. Currently, it will not work either on the 8300.

Originally posted by Paul Chiu
None, the usual please hold, then another clueless tech or phone operator. A royal waste of time on the phone.

The tech guy who came is equally as useless. The older 3100HD box worked with 336, just not the newer 3250HD box.

336 worked for nearly 2 years here as well, before this.

That's interesting because while ch 336 would not work on the 8000 dvr, it worked fine on my regular HD box. Currently, it will not work either on the 8300.

Is anyone else having a similar problem?

Maybe it's our wives or girlfriends who are screwing with the boxes while we're not home. Or the republicans.




Originally posted by rycelover
That's interesting because while ch 336 would not work on the 8000 dvr, it worked fine on my regular HD box. Currently, it will not work either on the 8300.

Is anyone else having a similar problem?

Or the raelians.

TM

For the record: I use time warner staten island cable

does anyone know the ir blaster code for a pace box .. (... im using a Hauppauge PVR150 with SageTV.... )

model pace 510 twc

by scientific atlanta??

attached is a pic of the box... i believe i tried all of the scientific atlanta box codes... but i may be placing the ir blaster wrong - i tried all around the blastic thing with the time (the whole box)

http://htpcnews.com/forums/uploads/post-3-1109898000.jpg

is a picture remove the . in h.ttp


in another forum someone gave me advice of (see below) but im not quite sure how to implement it / use it... i was just looking for an IR code... I dont even know if that is the correct box...

advice from other forum -----v-----

found em however these are for the SA Explorer 2200, however they may work for you.

<code>
ScientificAtlantaUSB 0 0 3 100 100
1 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0859
0 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0857
2 0000 0048 0030 0018 046D 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002F 011E 050A 0115 017B 05B4 0230 05C5 023C 05A8 0198 05B4 0230 05BA 0230 05BA 024D 05A8 018D 05B4 0198 05A8 018D 05B4 023C 05B4 0198 05A8 0181 05BA 018D 05B4 023C 05B4 0198 05A8 018D 05B4 0198 05A8 0247 05A8 0241 05A8 0241 05B4 018D 05B4 023C 00DF 085A 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 085A
3 0000 0048 0030 0018 046D 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002F 011E 050A 00F2 0187 05A9 0248 05A9 0242 05B4 018D 05B4 023C 058C 0265 05A9 0198 05A9 0242 05B4 018D 05AF 0198 05A9 0248 05A3 01A4 05A9 0198 05A9 0187 05B4 024D 0580 01B6 05B4 0198 05A9 0230 05BA 018D 05B4 023C 05B4 023C 05B4 0198 05A3 0242 00D3 085B 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 085B
4 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C1 00C1 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0857
5 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0857
6 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C1 00C1 002F 0093 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0093 002F 0093 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0093 002F 0030 002F 0093 0030 0855
7 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0859
8 0000 0048 0000 0018 00C1 00C1 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0857
9 0000 0048 0030 0018 046C 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0112 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0112 002E 0112 002E 0112 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0112 002E 0112 002E 0112 002E 0113 002E 0112 002E 0112 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0113 002E 0112 002E 0112 002E 0113 002F 011E 0509 00F8 018C 05AD 0230 05AD 0241 05CA 017B 05AD 023B 05CA 0230 05AD 019E 05AD 0198 05AD 018C 05AD 024D 05AD 023B 05B9 0181 05AD 019E 05AD 0198 05AD 0230 05CA 017B 05AD 01A9 05AD 0230 05AD 0241 05AD 024D 05AD 0198 05AD 019E 05AD 023B 00D9 0858 00C2 00C2 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0094 002F 0030 002F 0030 002F 0094 0030 0858

</code>


THANKS in advance

matstars

I have a 3250hd box which works perfectly on my high def TV with 336. However my SA standard def box on my non HD TV in the other room was powering off, rebooting intermittently for the last three weeks on this channel after months with no problem. I exchanged the box myself for a Pioneer Voyager SD which is all TWC had. Now I have the same problem with this box. Evidently it is THEIR problem not the equipment!

I just got a call around 10:30 from an automated system at TWC confirming my appointment and asking me if I want to cancel. Interestingly, it's a 10-2 appointment. I can't imagine how screwed up their internal systems must be if their automated system is making this call during the appointment window.
-JMP

So the rep showed up at about 12:05. He got a really annoyed look on his face when I told him that the problem was with a high def DVR, and I got an annoyed look when I saw that he came into the apartment with an 8300SD. After he decided that the way to fix the problem was to replace the box (even though I suggested that the evidence was to the contrary), he took my box and said he was just going downstairs to get another box from his truck.

I neither saw nor heard from him for another 45 minutes.

When he came back, I asked what had taken so long, and he said he'd had to drive to the depot to get an HD DVR. I pointed out that I'd specified that the work order should mention that the problem was with an HD DVR specifically so that whoever showed up would have the right equipment from the getgo. He said that in order to increase efficiency and reduce paperwork, they don't get copies of work orders anymore. The jobs are assigned via wireless computer over the course of the day, based on each truck's availability, since there's no predicting how long a given job will take. He also said that each truck is only given 1 HD DVR each day.

Surely having a second box on the truck would be more efficient than spending 45 minutes doing nothing but picking up another box. No wonder TWC's rates are so high...
-JMP

It really does makes sense that Time Warner stock is still off some 80% from it's all time high.

Sorry for your experience, not much different from mine.





Originally posted by jmp_nyc
So the rep showed up at about 12:05. He got a really annoyed look on his face when I told him that the problem was with a high def DVR, and I got an annoyed look when I saw that he came into the apartment with an 8300SD. After he decided that the way to fix the problem was to replace the box (even though I suggested that the evidence was to the contrary), he took my box and said he was just going downstairs to get another box from his truck.

I neither saw nor heard from him for another 45 minutes.

When he came back, I asked what had taken so long, and he said he'd had to drive to the depot to get an HD DVR. I pointed out that I'd specified that the work order should mention that the problem was with an HD DVR specifically so that whoever showed up would have the right equipment from the getgo. He said that in order to increase efficiency and reduce paperwork, they don't get copies of work orders anymore. The jobs are assigned via wireless computer over the course of the day, based on each truck's availability, since there's no predicting how long a given job will take. He also said that each truck is only given 1 HD DVR each day.

Surely having a second box on the truck would be more efficient than spending 45 minutes doing nothing but picking up another box. No wonder TWC's rates are so high...
-JMP

Time Warner gets away with poor service because they essentially have no competition in the city. Satellite isn't accessible to most people, and RCN only services very small areas.

If there were real competition, say TW vs. Cablevision vs. RCN, then service would improve, prices would be more competitive, and we the consumers would have a real choice.

Interesting, so the problem with ch. 336 is not just with dvr or hd-dvr but with standard cable box as well? What gives?

Originally posted by Digiti
I have a 3250hd box which works perfectly on my high def TV with 336. However my SA standard def box on my non HD TV in the other room was powering off, rebooting intermittently for the last three weeks on this channel after months with no problem. I exchanged the box myself for a Pioneer Voyager SD which is all TWC had. Now I have the same problem with this box. Evidently it is THEIR problem not the equipment!

Originally posted by pdroth
Time Warner gets away with poor service because they essentially have no competition in the city. Satellite isn't accessible to most people, and RCN only services very small areas.

If there were real competition, say TW vs. Cablevision vs. RCN, then service would improve, prices would be more competitive, and we the consumers would have a real choice.

My parents are in Florida where HD is available via both cable (Adelphia) and satellite. They wanted to switch from Directv to the 8300HD. The installer showed up on three different occasions with the wrong boxes - first, an 8000HD, then a 3250 non-dvr and lastly, an 8300 SD.

I used to think that TWC's service issues revolved around their having no competition in the City. However, I have now seen the same issues in Florida - where there is plenty of competition. Perhaps it is just "the cable company"?!

Originally posted by LisaM
I used to think that TWC's service issues revolved around their having no competition in the City. However, I have now seen the same issues in Florida - where there is plenty of competition. Perhaps it is just "the cable company"?!

As soon as 2-way Cablecards and equipment that uses them are readily available, cable companies will start switching to DirecTV's model of making the consumer buy the converter. You'll have the option of buying through the cable company, online, or through local retailers.

I can't imagine that the cable companies wouldn't do this. They would be able to stop spending huge sums not only on the boxes, but on supporting the boxes. Anyone remember when the phone company used to own the phones and lease them to consumers? Back then, if there was any problem with your phone, they had to send someone out. Once consumers started providing their own equipment, the phone company was able to put in punative charges for any service calls for problems that were caused by the consumer's equipment.

If TWC gets Cablecards working, and can provide all the on demand services using them, they will stop being in the business of providing boxes. They'll be in the business of providing signal and cablecards. Service will get worse, but service calls will be less frequent.

Box manufacturers will feel the heat, since they'll no longer be able to fall back on their contracts with the cable companies. With Tivo's latest deal with Comcast, they're more likely to come out with a Cablecard box. Why would anyone buy a buggy SA HD-DVR when they could get a Tivo?

Of course, that might all be wishful thinking, but I can't imagine that TWC really wants to stay in the box business, especially since the box rental fee is theoretically only a small part of the cable bill...
-JMP

Having used the 8300hd-dvr for several days over component cable, I must say that I'm not very impressed with the pq over the 3250hd on my panny rptv. Just doesn't seem as sharp and colors appear flat compared to my old setup. SD programming appear the same.

matstars,

The Pace 550 is not an SA box; it is made by Pace. The IR detector is located in the black display window just left of the time and channel display. As for the code, I can't help you there.

Cynthia

I'm just now watching last evening's broadcasts.

First I watched 20/20, which recorded with no problems. Then I started to watch Dateline and the SOUND IS TERRIBLE. It goes in and out, both on program material and on the ads. L&O - TBJ is just as bad. The picture is fine throughout from what I can see, but the sound stutters repeatedly and constantly. Did anyone else experience this? (Or has anyone seen it before? I never have.) I want some AMMUNITION before I start calling TW Tech Support!!!

Thanks...

Jay Gould

Anyone elese notice that the color kept changing on 702 last night during the first game (Duke/MSU)? At first I thought it may be my set but the 2nd game in Syracuse didn't do that at all.

Originally posted by ljaygould
I'm just now watching last evening's broadcasts.

First I watched 20/20, which recorded with no problems. Then I started to watch Dateline and the SOUND IS TERRIBLE. It goes in and out, both on program material and on the ads. L&O - TBJ is just as bad. The picture is fine throughout from what I can see, but the sound stutters repeatedly and constantly. Did anyone else experience this? (Or has anyone seen it before? I never have.) I want some AMMUNITION before I start calling TW Tech Support!!!

Thanks...

Jay Gould

TWCNYC is probably not the villain here. The problems with NBC's prime-time programs that have been reported here this week are echoed in the NYC-OTA thread. The source of these common glitches can only be NBC and or WNBC.

The good news (and I hope this can be useful for others) is that if you bypass the digital audio you can at least somewhat enjoy the program; the pulsing that seems to be causing the digital dropouts is somewhat audible but does not cut out the analog sound from the RCA outputs from the 8300HD. If you're going out to a VCR or DVD recorder you can switch to that input and at least watch the programs...

Jay Gould

I was just about to head over to the TWC office to switch out my 8300HD box due to various PQ problems (pixelated and blank channels) when it dawned on me to first try connecting the 8300HD to another connection.

Low and behold everything worked great! After some fiddling around, I realized my splitter, a Digimax DM2R by PCI, was the source of my problems. I grabbed an old splitter I had kicking around and everything seemed to be fixed.

Anyone else have problems with this brand? This is my second unit; the first one just burned out, killing the internet connection but still passing the video w/o problems. Of course, I had to sit around 3 days w/o an Internet waiting for the tech to come by and diagnose the problem.

With this new unit, the PQ used to break up about 1-2 an hour on certain channels, but once I switched out my Pio 3250HD, it got dramatically worse. I guess it really burns me is that I tolerated this problem so long due to some damn cheap splitter!

Anyone else have a problem recording The Office the other night? I tried to watch - it appears on my List - but appears not to have recorded anything at all. West Wing and ER were fine FWIW.

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
Anyone else have a problem recording The Office the other night? I tried to watch - it appears on my List - but appears not to have recorded anything at all. West Wing and ER were fine FWIW.

TM

It recorded fine for me. Outstanding PQ for an NBC show by the way.

Originally posted by CynKennard
matstars,

The Pace 550 is not an SA box; it is made by Pace. The IR detector is located in the black display window just left of the time and channel display. As for the code, I can't help you there.

Cynthia
\
thanks a ton, im gunna fool around with it tommorrow night probably and get it to work!

Originally posted by alexnyc
With this new unit, the PQ used to break up about 1-2 an hour on certain channels, but once I switched out my Pio 3250HD, it got dramatically worse. I guess it really burns me is that I tolerated this problem so long due to some damn cheap splitter!

I had a similar problem....it's earlier in the thread....but once again:

DON'T USE CHEAP SPLITTERS.

Call timewarner to split the line for you, or if you already have a cheap splitter, have them come and replace it w/ their proprietary units......it makes a difference.

A dozen or so pages ago, a few of us were wondering, whatever happened to the City Drive Live DOT camera channel.

I accidentally stumbled on it this morning. It is up and running on channel 93. Not sure how long it’s been there, it used to be in the 70’s. It’s not even listed in the program guide.

Thanks Jergans. Hmm, well I'll keep trying and see if I can get the show to record for me. Maybe it's a playback issue?

TM

Do any of the other TWC divisions have Cinemax, Starz or other HD channels that we don't have here in NYC? I've heard some roumors that other divisions have been rolling out HD On Demand.

I'm just looking to stir up some controversy. Need more HD.

Originally posted by drew138
I'm just looking to stir up some controversy. Need more HD.

How about any of the three channels that will regularly broadcast Mets games in HD this season? That would be WPIX-HD, FSNY-HD, and MSG-HD. Of course we need to get TWC and Cablevision to stop bickering first.

It would also be great to get ESPN2-HD, since ESPN seems to be making it a real priority to produce more content in HD...
-JMP

Excellent Drew - we've been far too compacent about the recent HD additions! Let's start griping again :D Seriously though, it does seem like we're *almost* caught up on HD channels. Other than VOOM exclusives, it would seem that Cinemax, Starz and Playboy are the only HD channels we don't get (leaving alone the Cablevision networks for the moment). What others are out there?

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
Other than VOOM exclusives, it would seem that Cinemax, Starz and Playboy are the only HD channels we don't get (leaving alone the Cablevision networks for the moment). What others are out there?

TM

WPIX-HD, UPN-HD, Universal (formerly bravo), TMC-HD?

Just to stir the pot a little and b*tch...The re-emergence of Audio and Video dropouts is frustrating. Even though we had an explanation of Channel 708, it is nothing more than a wasted place holder and if they have the bandwidth to actual use it, then give us another worthwhile channel, ESPN-2, Universal etc.

#1 on my list of HD channels is YES-HD for the upcoming Yankee season. I hope rumors of Directtv exclusivity for this channel are inaccurate. MSG-HD would also be nice (as would getting back the regular MSG).

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
How about any of the three channels that will regularly broadcast Mets games in HD this season? That would be WPIX-HD, FSNY-HD, and MSG-HD. Of course we need to get TWC and Cablevision to stop bickering first.

It would also be great to get ESPN2-HD, since ESPN seems to be making it a real priority to produce more content in HD...
-JMP

Amen! Let's start making those emails and phone calls.

I want my Mets (HD)TV

As we do not have ESPN2-HD, and the Yankees - Sox opener is being broadcast on it, is it possible that Time Warner will finally put 708 to good use? Can we suggest this to Mr. Watson?
I personally will see the game in highest definition as I will be there, but it would be nice to watch the game again in HD if it were record-able...

Originally posted by Mattdoc
As we do not have ESPN2-HD, and the Yankees - Sox opener is being broadcast on it, is it possible that Time Warner will finally put 708 to good use? Can we suggest this to Mr. Watson?
I personally will see the game in highest definition as I will be there, but it would be nice to watch the game again in HD if it were record-able...

In the NYC area, the game is only being shown on YES, so ESPN2-HD is not an issue here. The real question is whether or not TWCNYC will be carrying YESHD starting on Apr. 3rd the way that DirecTv will be.

Originally posted by Mattdoc
As we do not have ESPN2-HD, and the Yankees - Sox opener is being broadcast on it, is it possible that Time Warner will finally put 708 to good use? Can we suggest this to Mr. Watson?
I personally will see the game in highest definition as I will be there, but it would be nice to watch the game again in HD if it were record-able...

It's a moot point. ESPN2 and ESPN2-HD will either be blacked out or showing alternate content during the Yankees-Red Sox game on Sunday night. This game isn't part of ESPN's exclusive Sunday night package (when they get broadcast priority), so they get blacked out in NY and Boston. We get YES instead. It's just like when ESPN broadcasts local teams on Wednesday nights during the season.
-JMP

Yep, Yankees in HD is my number-one priority. Is YES-HD already up and running?

For those who are annoyed about the whole Cablevision-TWC fight, the State Assembly might be taking a little action to help push things along.

While the state can't regulate which cable channels have to be carried by cable carriers, the state does other business with both TW and Cablevision. The basic idea of the legislation being worked on is to revoke any tax abatements both companies get if they don't resolve this silliness once and for all. (Most of this is in the form of real estate tax breaks for Madison Square Garden and the Time Warner Center.)

Call your local member of the NY State Assembly. Tell them that Adam at Assemblymember Bing's district office is working on sorting out the details.

If these companies don't have to respond to market forces because of their natural monopoly, at least the government can refuse to give them extra perks until they treat consumers equitably.
-JMP

Originally posted by gregeas
Yep, Yankees in HD is my number-one priority. Is YES-HD already up and running?

It is as of April 3rd. DirecTV is going to be carrying it for all home games. I called YES, and the woman on the phone claimed to me that YES was in negotiations with other outlets, but didn't have any more info for me than that. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

I doubt that TW would be able to pull anything off in 3 days.

But, if you are talking about another foreign language pay channel, that can be on the lineup in a matter of minutes.

Ha! So true.

I read a news story somewhere on the net today that said only about a dozen Mets fans have complained to TWC so far. This ain't going to get it done, although complaints may increase once the season starts.

TWC is not the villian in this case, it CB's ridiculous 20% or more price increase. Unfortunately, I don't think CB really cares, and so it's only pressure on TWC, from a consumer standpoint anyway, that is going to make a difference.

Originally posted by mabrym
I read a news story somewhere on the net today that said only about a dozen Mets fans have complained to TWC so far. This ain't going to get it done, although complaints may increase once the season starts.

I'd be very interested to see that story, if you can provide a link.

TWC is not the villian in this case, it CB's ridiculous 20% or more price increase. Unfortunately, I don't think CB really cares, and so it's only pressure on TWC, from a consumer standpoint anyway, that is going to make a difference.

It takes two to tango. Both companies are part of the problem. The fact of the matter is that in areas where they control cable service, they have exceptionally little reason to provide the sort of pricing or customer service they would have to provide in a truly competative marketplace. The last few times I had to call TWC, it took at least 25 minutes to reach a human. A company facing competition would never allow that to happen.

Phone companies are feeling (a little) pressure because of competition from VOIP. Cable companies see no threat from anything over phone lines.

The government has deregulated the cable industry in the hope that the market would dictate the sort of services that people want/get. Instead, cable companies treat customers as prisoners. Channel owners dictate that cable companies have to carry channels with relatively low demand if they want to carry the higher demand channels -- a practice which has been deemed illegal in other areas of the marketplace. (Why is this practice any different than Microsoft forcing users to get IE with Windows, which was ruled illegal in Fedral court?) As a result, all sorts of bandwidth is taken up by channels that would never be on the air if the market really defined channel lineups. However, since most cable companies are also channel owners, they allow the practice to continue as long as they benefit from it. Since consumers aren't directly being forced to buy these same take it or leave it packages, we can't initiate the complaint.

On a side note, I'm kinda curious if the statement "Now anything's possible" on the twcnyc website constitutes an advertizing claim that they're legally required to back up. I'm tempted to find out what Eliot Spitzer would have to say about it...
-JMP

TWC is still pissing me off. My second 8000HD is crapping out on me. It keeps rebooting itself during recording, it locks up constantly, and the newest thing, during playback of a show, it gets to a point in the show and start looping it, usually towards the end, and I usually cant get passed it, so I miss the ends of all my shows.

Now, I have to take the damn POS into the Staten Island office and get another 8000HD because Staten Island STILL DOESNT HAVE THE DAMN 8300HD!

I just filed my 3rd complaint with DOITT about this. I dont know what else I have to do. It seems like TWC replies to a DOITT complaint just because they have to, but I can tell you they copy and paste the damn replies. I tried responding to their replies directly, and they do not reply back unless its an official DOITT complaint!

On a side note, is NBC HD still having problems? I have noticed alot of the programs that are usually broadcast in 16:9 are coming in 4:3 instead from the last week or so. Audio seems to go in and out more then any other channel also.

Originally posted by Goanna
TWC is still pissing me off. My second 8000HD is crapping out on me.
....Staten Island STILL DOESNT HAVE THE DAMN 8300HD!

I just filed my 3rd complaint with DOITT about this.
.

It is mind-boggling that the 8300 is still not available in Staten Island. When they responded to your complaints, was it by letters only, or did they call you? I received a call from some dude. I think his name was Ed Urbonoski or something. I’d still file more complaints. I would also encourage others from Staten Island to file them too. Maybe if they came from a couple of other people it would carry more weight.

On another topic, YES HD- any insider info yet? Will we see the Yanks Red Sox opener Sunday in HD? 708? INHD? Direct TV is looking real smart scoring the rights to this channel. Once again, TW seems to have their head in the sand.

Originally posted by jmp_nyc


It would also be great to get ESPN2-HD, since ESPN seems to be making it a real priority to produce more content in HD...
-JMP

I really disagree with this. It would be nice for twc to add espn2 but only because espn is being extortionist. Maybe they're making an effort to produce more hd content, but not nearly enough to warrant a second HD channel.

Personally I think the amount of HD content espn offers is sad. Other than Sunday night football, what is there? Sportscenter? Sure, but so much of the footage is SD. Obvioulsy not all their highlights are shot in HD, but my dissapointment is that they show a lot of SD highlights that are available in HD. I think they've had maybe two NBA games in HD all year long (and I'm pretty sure at least one was because they had the cameras in place for another event). That is so pathetic. Next week they are showing two NBA games in HD on the same night for the first time all season. The NBA is one of their biggest properties and they can't manage to broadcast in HD when both the NFL and MLB are in their offseasons. Never any HD tennis. I'm waiting to see how many of 2005's MLB games are done in HD but considering that they couldn't manage to do the 2004 playoffs in HD, I'm not optimisitc that there will be much after opening night.

Anyway, the point of all this is that I'm not going to place the blame on TWC for this one. ESPN offers minimal HD content on one channel and now they want providers to dedicate scarce bandwidth to a second channel. It is shameful what they are doing on opening night; taking a premier event that clealry belongs on their main channel and placing it on the deuce so that providers look bad in the consumer's eye. That's ridiculous. Fill up one HD channel before you have the nerve to force a second one.

I have been having issues with my 8300HD box lately. It seems to freeze up a few times a day and then turn itself off and reboot. It just did this a few minutes ago, and when it came back, the majority of the programming I had saved on the HD disappeared. In fact, several programs that I know I had deleted reappeared, while new programs I had recorded were not there. Anyone else having similar issues? Any advice? I called TWC and the customer service rep says this is the 1st problem he has ever heard with the 8300HD box. I almost choked I starting laughing so hard.

Originally posted by LL3HD
On another topic, YES HD- any insider info yet? Will we see the Yanks Red Sox opener Sunday in HD? 708? INHD? Direct TV is looking real smart scoring the rights to this channel. Once again, TW seems to have their head in the sand.

Apparently, Comcast has signed on board YES-HD as well for the NYC DMA, and will show the games on INHD2. Can anyone with Bob Watson's ear start on him about this? I've called TWC several times and as usual, talked to utterly clueless CSR's.

I just spoke with someone at YES and they told me that there's nothing in the works with TWC regarding HD, and that she's gotten several complaints from TWC subscribers about how backawards TWC is. She did assure me, at least, that it's not because of any sort of exclusivity with D* and that it's just a matter of legal stuff, etc. So sounds like this is just another case of TWC sticking it to us fans.

Originally posted by zEli173
It is shameful what they are doing on opening night; taking a premier event that clealry belongs on their main channel and placing it on the deuce so that providers look bad in the consumer's eye. That's ridiculous. Fill up one HD channel before you have the nerve to force a second one.

You know, I appreciate this viewpoint, because I thought it was really strange that they're putting MLB opening night on the deuce - and you make a great point. I agree that there is really no need for ESPN2 as there's an alarming lack of HD sports out there to support a second channel.

That said, I do have faith that we'll see more HD once MLB gets rolling...with any luck Baseball Tonight will broadcast HD highlights like NFL Primetime did. So, the net/net, let's wait to judge ESPN until there's actual HD content being produced, and they are not airing by choice (of course, disregarding basketball, which is a concern).

No matter what the case, I do want to take this opportunity to mention that both

CABLEVISION AND TIME WARNER SUCK

for their squabbles that result in us Mets fans not getting to see the first competitive Met team fielded in four very long and difficult seasons play. That is a cold, hard, and harsh fact and it is truly pathetic that you can't figure this out. Just pathetic.

Time Warner, If you didn't have a monopoly on my building, I would dump your ass so fast...so fast.

Time Warner, If you didn't have a monopoly on my building, I would dump your ass so fast...so fast.

So would I. :mad:
In fact, I'm going to look into RCN.

I've called TW every day this week and have sent e-mails.

Pressure needs to be applied or they won't budge. Pick up those phones!

Originally posted by sir_captain
Apparently, Comcast has signed on board YES-HD as well for the NYC DMA, and will show the games on INHD2. Can anyone with Bob Watson's ear start on him about this? I've called TWC several times and as usual, talked to utterly clueless CSR's.

After further thought, I doubt that we will see the game in HD.

I would love to see the big season opener Sunday night in HD. However, as we’re all hopefully speculating, I can’t fathom how TW would allow it to be on INHD 2 or 708, or whatever. The only way the thieves at TW would allow the HD broadcast would be if it’s on ESPN HD, or, only if a deal was struck with YES. Why would they permit the game on a special channel? Why let sports fans see what they are missing without a satellite? This would only light the flame beneath the hide of those who CAN switch to Direct TV – to switch.

I think our chances are slim to none.

Originally posted by LL3HD
...This would only light the flame beneath the hide of those who CAN switch to Direct TV – to switch.

Definitely exploring that option, be it now or in the future as things are shaping up for DirectTV to offer an awful lot of HD programming. Value Electronics is in Scarsdale, is a forum sponsor, and seems to be a good source of information related to DirectTV as well as being able to handle the sale and installation.

WTF?? I know today is April 1st, but according to this thread YES-HD is up on TWC-Albany, and it is not a joke. YES-HD, TWC-Albany (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=526165)

Originally posted by randymac88

CABLEVISION AND TIME WARNER SUCK

for their squabbles that result in us Mets fans not getting to see the first competitive Met team fielded in four very long and difficult seasons play. That is a cold, hard, and harsh fact and it is truly pathetic that you can't figure this out. Just pathetic.

Time Warner, If you didn't have a monopoly on my building, I would dump your ass so fast...so fast.

Actually they all pretty much suck, Cablevision, Time Warner, Direct TV, the Yankees (why do they need their own channel).

Originally posted by pciav
Definitely exploring that option, be it now or in the future as things are shaping up for DirectTV to offer an awful lot of HD programming. Value Electronics is in Scarsdale, is a forum sponsor, and seems to be a good source of information related to DirectTV as well as being able to handle the sale and installation.

I was just reading the Albany news in one of the many YES HD threads.

As you said, exploring the Direct TV option is logical.
To embellish on a stale ad line, overly used by TW,

Direct TV, “it’s the place to be.”

Unfortunately, the smart thing to do is hold off until at least June, when the new birds are transmitting, since new equipment, i.e., different dishes, will be required. At that time, we make the jump, unless these bandits at TW can provide us with something other than a rate increase.

Originally posted by pciav
Definitely exploring that option, be it now or in the future as things are shaping up for DirectTV to offer an awful lot of HD programming. Value Electronics is in Scarsdale, is a forum sponsor, and seems to be a good source of information related to DirectTV as well as being able to handle the sale and installation. yea but their DVR cost around $800.00 with no lease... Listen I hear you.. I have D*/V*/TWCNY just to get what I really want.. a lot of HD/sports /DVR on a lease :mad:

Only a few hours left to post any final whinings . . .

Forum closing (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/announcement.php?s=&forumid=63)

:D Geeks may know a lot... but geeze, most lack the funny gene

Originally posted by LL3HD
:D Geeks may know a lot... but geeze, most lack the funny gene Na .. just they geeks have a dry sense of humor..:D

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
yea but their DVR cost around $800.00 with no lease... Listen I hear you.. I have D*/V*/TWCNY just to get what I really want.. a lot of HD/sports /DVR on a lease :mad:

That’s the quandary, for me. I prefer renting the equipment. When TW’s box craps out, send it back for another. I don’t know how comfortable I’d be with buying an HD DVR STB. More importantly, with the ever changing technology, who wants to dump a grand on equipment that could be seriously out dated in a year? (See 8000 to 8300) That said, if Direct TV does as they are advertising, 100’s of HD channels, etc. by this summer, everything will then have to be re-evaluated. Have to see what deals or packages they offer. So far, it’s looking very interesting. Unfortunately for many, a dish is not an option

The cost of Satellite Equipment is always a concern. If a TWC-NYC subscriber were to switch to DirectTV today, we would lose INHD 1&2, but gain Universal-HD, HD-PPV and apparently YES-HD. If DirectTv can do what they are saying, getting new birds and more programming by the end of the year, I will definitely look into it. Nothing would please me more than to drop TWC-NYC.

Reading the Albany thread really pisses me off. Get rid of that useless channel 708 and make sure YES-HD is up and running for Sunday's night opener.

&*^%*#! damn TWC-NYC.

Looks like TWCNYC modified their website slightly (glad to know they are busy doing something :) ). They really seem to be pushing digital phone service. Even the DTV package rates are quoted w/ phone service included.

Originally posted by pciav
The cost of Satellite Equipment is always a concern. If a TWC-NYC subscriber were to switch to DirectTV today, we would lose INHD 1&2, but gain Universal-HD, HD-PPV and apparently YES-HD. If DirectTv can do what they are saying, getting new birds and more programming by the end of the year, I will definitely look into it. Nothing would please me more than to drop TWC-NYC.

Reading the Albany thread really pisses me off. Get rid of that useless channel 708 and make sure YES-HD is up and running for Sunday's night opener.

&*^%*#! damn TWC-NYC.

Is it possible for a building to setup equipment (satellite dish) to service many/all tenants within the building, in NYC? I do not have a window facing south and I am getting sick of the yearly TWC increases, without anything to show for it.

My building in Tribeca is wired for both TW and Direct TV. If it weren't for the cable modem, which has a very fast connection, I'd switch in a second. YES-HD adds fuel to the fire. Access in Albany but not NYC? WTF?

Response from TWC about YES-HD:

"At this time the channel you have mentioned is not part of our cable
lineup.

We want you to know we share your view of this channel as a quality
service and can assure you that suggestions such as yours are not going
unnoticed.

If you are requesting a new channel please send a letter with your
location and channel request to:

Robert Watson
VP Programming, New Business Development
Time Warner Cable
120 E. 23rd Street 9th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Please refer to our website @ www.twcnyc.com for any future plans,
services and news updates."



If only they provided an e-mail address.....

I've just encountered a very weird issue with my 8300HD (TWC). Certain SD "digital cable" channels no longer output sound through the optical cable -- I think they used to. This is using HDMI --- > DVI to a 42ED7UY plasma. Note that 5.1 sounds is output for HD, and most SD channels work but not, FOOD TV, CSPAN, and a few others. Oddly, the Food TV on Demand channel displays no picture either (although that channel works on my other digital cable box connected to an ordinary TV. Thoughts?

This may be a glimmer of hope, or just purely coincidental.

708 on my 8300 box is no longer showing the message that has been on for the past few weeks. Instead it displays whatever was on the previous channel.

I'm hoping they're gearing up to launch YES-HD, although my previous post referring to the reply I received from TWC tonight doesn't sound promising.

arlodevl,
Getting audio from the Food channel via digital out currently (S. Manhattan head end). A while back several local channels (21, 25, etc.) were switched analog even when tuned as supposedly digital channels, and didn't have any digital audio out. But they now have digital audio; perhaps TWC no longer has switched-analog channels via digital converters.

If it's not a temporary glitch, there might be clues on the 8300HD diagnostic pages. Switch to a non-HD channel, hold down EXIT and SELECT on the 8300HD until 'diag' appears on the panel, release the buttons, then press them again to tune channel 1999 if it's not already tuned automatically. There's a generalized page that outlines channel audio properties. (Haven't been able to check H/DTV channels on diagnostics here with several generations of converters.) -- John

Originally posted by pdroth
Response from TWC about YES-HD:

"At this time the channel you have mentioned is not part of our cable
lineup.

We want you to know we share your view of this channel as a quality
service and can assure you that suggestions such as yours are not going
unnoticed.

If you are requesting a new channel please send a letter with your
location and channel request to:

Robert Watson
VP Programming, New Business Development
Time Warner Cable
120 E. 23rd Street 9th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Please refer to our website @ www.twcnyc.com for any future plans,
services and news updates."



If only they provided an e-mail address.....

Bob Watson's email is bob.watson@twcable.com

Originally posted by John Mason
arlodevl,
Getting audio from the Food channel via digital out currently (S. Manhattan head end). A while back several local channels (21, 25, etc.) were switched analog even when tuned as supposedly digital channels, and didn't have any digital audio out. But they now have digital audio; perhaps TWC no longer has switched-analog channels via digital converters.

If it's not a temporary glitch, there might be clues on the 8300HD diagnostic pages. Switch to a non-HD channel, hold down EXIT and SELECT on the 8300HD until 'diag' appears on the panel, release the buttons, then press them again to tune channel 1999 if it's not already tuned automatically. There's a generalized page that outlines channel audio properties. (Haven't been able to check H/DTV channels on diagnostics here with several generations of converters.) -- John

John,
I live in Queens and based on my Mits HDTV+TWCNYC CableCard, the channels you mention above are still analog signals. I am using the digital audio port for audio, but when I view channel 21, 25, 31, 50, etc. I have to switich my AVR source from the digital audio input to the RCA (stereo) input to get audio. 99.9% of "digital" channels have digital audio. The only exception I've experienced is OLN/122. It is a digital channel and my AVR detects the DD 2.0 audio, but there is no audio output. Switching to the AUX input produces audio. BTW, when using using the 8300HD connected to the AVR via the optical audio cable, there is audio output for all the channels.

Regards.....JL

In today's Times, Richard Sandomir says that the two sides haven't talked in weeks, and that it's not likely that TWC subscribers will see any of the Mets games on MSG or FSNY this season.

The full article can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/02/sports/baseball/02tv.html.

I'm beyond pissed about this, since every TWC phone rep has been trained to say "we're working on getting the channels back." Apparently, working is a euphamism for doing nothing.
-JMP

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
In today's Times, Richard Sandomir says that the two sides haven't talked in weeks, and that it's not likely that TWC subscribers will see any of the Mets games on MSG or FSNY this season.

The full article can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/02/sports/baseball/02tv.html.

I'm beyond pissed about this, since every TWC phone rep has been trained to say "we're working on getting the channels back." Apparently, working is a euphamism for doing nothing.
-JMP

I happen to live in a building that offers RCN-but never upgraded to the digital service (still microwave!!). Thus, no RCN HD, etc. Naturally, I eat the $20 charge on my maintenance bill and go with TWC. Fortunately, since RCN could not use the cable originally installed in the building and supplied by TWC, we have 2 sets of cables running in the moldings. Last night I went up into the molding, pulled out the RCN cable, attached a cable to it, ran it under the door to a small spare set near the door (this was my max allowance "wife acceptance factor") and now I have a METS tv (complete with METS flag in unused antenna hole). I really feel for ALL TWC METS fans, and that fact that TWC and Cablevision are not even talkling to each other proves to me that we, as customers, mean little in this "who can maximize their profit" pissing contest between these two companies.

I finally just picked up the Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR box today. I can't figure out what aspect ratio and output settings I need. I forgot to check when I returned the old one and I think the SA might work differently than the HD box I had before.

I have a 4:3 Zenith HD TV that does the awesome "squeeze" for HD images giving them a full-res 16:9 HD image. What do I set the cable box to? When the TV is set to "set by program" it should automatically set the aspect ratio according to whether the input is 480i or 1080i but I can't find the right combo.

Originally posted by cinemagotham
I finally just picked up the Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR box today.

Which model --8000HD or 8300HD? There are differences between them that would need to be considered in responding to your question.

Thanks. It's the 8300. I need to read up on this machine, altho it's not like they gave me a choice. I did figure out the settings: It's 16:9 with stretch 4:3 picture and all output formats enabled. Yipee!

ETA: How on earth is your average shlub without a ton of gadget noodling experience ever supposed to figure this stuff out?

Having MAJOR HDCP handshake issues again. My set up can lock onto the HDCP signal no problem from my HDCP enabled DVD player. But my 8300HD - nothing seems to work. You may recall from an earlier post that I sometimes have trouble when changing channels - that sometimes the signal is dropped and must redo the handshake. Most of the time this happens successfully though not always - sometimes I have to switch from STB to DVD and back to STB to get it to re handshake.

Anyway, now, no matter what I seem to try, I'm now getting the "Your set does not support HDCP please switch to component" message all the time - it can't successfully handshake at all. DVD player still works fine so I'm pretty sure it's the 8300HD. I've switched the HDMI routing and get the same thing - no problem on the DVD player, and nothing but the HDCP message with the STB.

I've tried rebooting, disconnecting and reconnecting all the cables, and still nothing. Any thoughts? It worked fine (except for the occassional drops) for several weeks...

TIA,
TM

Hey Guys...I am having a problem in a few channels and was wondering if you could help.

I have the HD DVR 8300 hooked up with a Panny Plasma via compenent. HD looks great except of FOX, ABC, and ESPN, where I get the sound but the video is verry blurry cant see any picture at all. Does anyone know why this three stations only might not work???? I have tried rebooting and checked all the connections. Also all the output formats are checked.

Hey it's Problemfest 05!

My menu guide isn't coming on. If I hit menu nothing happens. And the onscreen display as i change channels says "No Data." I rebooted and it didn't fix it. i've only had the 8300 for one day!

Also, some shows that I set to record are only recording something like 9:59-9:59 (i.e. nothing) What's the deal?

Originally posted by bleader
... HD looks great except of FOX, ABC, and ESPN, where I get the sound but the video is verry blurry cant see any picture at all. ... Also all the output formats are checked.

I'm pretty sure all of your problem channels are 720p (while most of the other HD channels are 1080i), so your TV probably doesn't support 720p. Go to the menu where you can set your output formats, and uncheck 720p. That should fix it.

-barry

Originally posted by cinemagotham
Hey it's Problemfest 05!

My menu guide isn't coming on. If I hit menu nothing happens. And the onscreen display as i change channels says "No Data." I rebooted and it didn't fix it. i've only had the 8300 for one day!

Also, some shows that I set to record are only recording something like 9:59-9:59 (i.e. nothing) What's the deal?

Sometimes, TWCNYC doesn't properly configure your central profile for the new DVR. Give them a call and be sure they have you set up for an 8300.

Also, it's a long shot, but you could try a cold reboot (unplug the box). Sometimes that does good things.

-barry

TWC told me it is becuase of cablevision and their disupte that FOX, ABC, and ESPN HD is not available. DOes this make any sense?? Do you guys still get those chanels in HD

Originally posted by bleader
TWC told me it is becuase of cablevision and their disupte that FOX, ABC, and ESPN HD is not available. DOes this make any sense?? Do you guys still get those chanels in HD

There's no general problem with those channels. Try the solution already posted by Margoba -- those 3 are broadcasting 720p, and it's very likely that your TV doesn't support that format.

Fixed it guys. Thanks. My tv only takes 480p and 1080i. TWC has no idea what they are talking about.

Originally posted by margoba
Sometimes, TWCNYC doesn't properly configure your central profile for the new DVR. Give them a call and be sure they have you set up for an 8300.

Also, it's a long shot, but you could try a cold reboot (unplug the box). Sometimes that does good things.

-barry

I have cold rebooted a number of times - no luck. Is there another way to reboot?

As for the configuration, it was working fine yesterday. But then again I was also getting HBO etc... yesterday (it's not on my plan) and now I'm not. I don't mind not getting those premium channels, since I don't pay for them. I wonder if cutting them off also cut off some other aspects of the box. I'll call.

Calling sounds like your only option.

Just FYI, you can reboot by pressing, and holding for ten seconds, the power button on the box (not the remote). I call this a warm boot as I once had a problem that this warm boot wouldn't fix, but a cold (unplug it) reboot did.

-barry

For those successfully using HDMI (or DVI) from the 8300 - does it also output over component at the same time? How about s-video?

For those successfully using HDMI (or DVI) from the 8300 - does it also output over component at the same time? How about s-video?

Originally posted by dkan24
For those successfully using HDMI (or DVI) from the 8300 - does it also output over component at the same time? How about s-video?

All outputs are simultaneously active.

this really blows. can't watch my mets in any definition...and i won't be able to see the yanks in high definition even though it's an HD broadcast. i wouldn't feel so bad if my cable bill wasn't over $150/month. :(

Somebody in another thread is claiming that ch. 708 in their guide is listed as YES-HD. My guide still says HD Specials, anyone else care to confirm?

Originally posted by QMAN71
Somebody in another thread is claiming that ch. 708 in their guide is listed as YES-HD. My guide still says HD Specials, anyone else care to confirm?

Mine says BOTH (YES HD in the list of channels and HD Specials in the list of programs). Only a blank screen appears though when trying to view Ch. 708.

Originally posted by QMAN71
Somebody in another thread is claiming that ch. 708 in their guide is listed as YES-HD. My guide still says HD Specials, anyone else care to confirm?

My god! Mine actually does say YES-HD! It could be a miracle! There's nothing playing on it, and there's nothing listed for 8pm, but it does say YES-HD!

Confirmed: My Guide is currently showing Yes HD on channel 708. However it is a grey screen, and the programming is still listed as "HD Specials".

Channel 708 definitely says "YES HD" on my guide (and info). The screen is completely blank.

-barry