What will they do in the future? when there will be nothing but HD, that could be 2 to 5 years.

What makes u think that there will be nothing but HD in 5 years?
All Broadcast video will be digital within 5 years, but there will be no requirements for HiDef.

If that is true then they could get rid of a whole bunch of things that waste a bunch of Bandwidth. What will they do in the future? when there will be nothing but HD, that could be 2 to 5 years. Lack of any competition has created this Monster! I have heard TW was shopping their Cable sub, I hope someone takes it away and turns it into a Google Machine.
Again, if you page back 1-3 pages, you'll see that Time Warner has a pending rollout of Switched Digital Video in NYC, which will, when implemented, will offer a virtually unlmimted amount of channels (SD & HD). When that will roll out here is not publically known by any of us.

good news scott, If TWC doesn't add Max-HD next month. (99.9% sure)
we will still be able to see sometime.


HD 'Star Wars' Will Cycle to HBO
Original Aspect Ratios Will Be Preserved
By James Hibberd posted at TV Week’s HD Newsletter Oct. 12, 2006

This week Cinemax officially announced what "Star Wars" fans have known for months: That all six films will debut in HD for the first time in November. The HBO-owned premium network will marathon all six starting at midnight Nov. 10, with Comcast offering the films on HD video-on-demand.

Two lingering questions have worried fans since they learned the news. Will the HD versions cycle to sister network HBO? And will the films be presented in their original aspect ratios?

The answers are yes and yes, an HBO spokesman confirmed.

The HBO question is key for many, since Cinemax HD seemingly has lower distribution than its HBO counterpart. HBO would not release distribution figures, but neither EchoStar nor DirecTV carry Cinemax HD, while both carry HBO HD.

The complete story is here:
http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=333


At least the good people at HBO like us

Damn Andy, you beat me to the punch! For as long as I remember, everything "exclusive" to Cinemax always makes it to HBO, generally 2-3 months later. I would fully expect to see the HD versions of the whole series down the road a bit.

However, I do recall some consternation among fans regarding "original as shown in theaters" and "remastered with additional scenes" versions of the first three films. Anyone know off hand what we'll be getting?

Oh, thanks Scott for that tip... I didn't think of it! I still find myself ambivalent about it, at this point it seems to boil down to going through a large amount of what I'd consider additional "work" (even with your tip, it still means I'll have to spend a large amount of time deleting stuff, not helped by needing 2 button presses saying "yes I want to delete this"). For now, I made an effort to clear much of the recorded stuff so I have not much waiting to view (2 movies, one HD, one SD plus a 1 hour show). I've been in "record it, watch it soon" mode and it isn't a huge deal right now. Again, this is my whole thing, it may not be applicable to others! Who knows, while I suspect we stand about a 3% chance they will fix the issue before year's end, I like to think it's not 100% impossible we'll see some action sooner.

However, I do recall some consternation among fans regarding "original as shown in theaters" and "remastered with additional scenes" versions of the first three films. Anyone know off hand what we'll be getting?

My guess is that the HD transfers will be from the "remastered" versions of the original trilogy (new special fX, Gredo shoots Han Solo first, etc), but the theatrical versions of the 3 prequels (ugh -- skip right to the 3rd one -- the first 2 are painful to watch!)

My guess is that the HD transfers will be from the "remastered" versions of the original trilogy (new special fX, Gredo shoots Han Solo first, etc), but the theatrical versions of the 3 prequels (ugh -- skip right to the 3rd one -- the first 2 are painful to watch!)

Or, you could do like me and skip them all. The remastered garbage changed too much, and all three prequels are painful to watch. Unless you're inebriated, in which case they're all unintentionally hilarious (if you can get past the rampant racist stereotyping in the prequels).

This may be a stupid question but i'm not sure of the answer. On RCN's website there is a question as to what is required to receive HDTV. It says that you need: "A high-bandwidth video input (Y Pb Pr)"

The box doesn't use HDMI? I thought all HDTV uses HDMI.

Any information on this would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

Steve

Y Pb Pr are I believe usually called "component" inputs. They represent analog transmission of video signals. HDMI is audio and video, digitally transmitted. Both support HD resolution, although there will in the future be issues with component when dealing with certain DRM/content protection systems. My general impression is that all displays marketed as HD should have at least one of each.

HDMI is "newer" than component so I'd guess there are displays that only have component are probably several years old.

Guys, dumb question. The business where I work is moving because the owner of the building has just tripled our rent! :eek: We have until January 31st of '07 to move, and we're looking at two potential new locations that are a block apart between Madison and 5th Avenue on 30th-31st street (Midtown). None are wired for cable or satellite and I'm trying to talk our boss into installing it so I can watch some 1st and 2nd round PGA coverage next year while at work! :D Assuming the new building we move into isn't wired for cable, could we shop around with other cable providers besides Time Warner (like Cablevision or RCN)? Or does TWC control the general area where we're moving into and only they can supply us with service? If only TWC can supply our area/building with cable service then I'd seriously consider going with Dish to avoid giving those f*^@# more of my... I mean, our business' money! :(

AFAIK, Cablevision does not have any rights in Manhattan. Isn't RCN virtually in bankruptcy? Last I heard was they were totally out of money and could not consider any capital expense.

So you work for a business who would even entertain the idea of installing cable so you can watch golf instead of working? WOW!

So did anyone else lose a large portion of their recorded shows in one fell swoop overnight? I know people had said that since the recent firmware update, the timing was way off for how long a show had left before it was deleted, which I noticed as well. But it didn't seem to have an impact until last night. I lost a ton of recorded shows, and the hard drive really shouldn't have been close to full.

Of course, I know that if I call TWC, they'll tell me that it was the box, not them. But it definitely results from their firmware. Anyway, just curious if anyone else has had this problem recently. Thanks.

So you work for a business who would even entertain the idea of installing cable so you can watch golf instead of working? WOW!

As long as it doesn't interfere with work and I pay for it, sure. Heck, I could finally watch The Price Is Right at 11AM instead of primetime during most nights (while the TWC DVR tapes other primetime shows). Ten years on the same job with only the bosses/owners as your higher-ups will get you some privileges! OK, so Cablevision doesn't have Manhattan and RCN is broke. What about Verizon FIOS, has their rollout come anywhere near midtown Manhattan? To have Verizon FIOS at work for both DSL (work) and FIOS (TV/DVR) would rock! :)

Anyone experiencing ocassional digital break-ups on 704 WNBC DT? I don't see it on any other channel so I assume it is not my STB.

So did anyone else lose a large portion of their recorded shows in one fell swoop overnight?
Nope. Didn't happen to me.

Is it possible that you mistakenly set the DVR to record a VERY long show, and it deleted a bunch of stuff to make space?

After a few rough games, seems like Fox HD had their act together last night for the Mets game. Much better than some of the broadcasts during the first round. What do folks think about the MSG HD broadcasts? I caught the Knicks Friday night preseason game and thought it looked pretty good with some pixelization when you looked at the court floor. Otherwise a nice 1080i signal.

I was in Oyster Bay Long Island yesterday at the annual Oyster Festival. There was a big Verizon booth promoting their packages including FIOS. I asked their representative if she had any information regarding FIOS in my neighborhood. She lives in Queens too and bluntly told me, “Don’t hold your breath.” She said that it will be years before they can get FIOS established in Queens.

Anyone watch the Corn concert on INHD last week? I just happened to turn it on towards the end of their last song. I thought my 8300 was imploding. My screen was filled with pixilation and the audio was breaking up horribly.

But it wasn’t the box; it was the censoring by INHD. They were bleeping out the cursing and distorting parts of the image, specifically, when the group was waving their middle fingers around.

It was actually very comical for that minute or to left in the show. Why even bother showing it? I would love to watch the entire concert but there’s no way I’m going to record it under these restrictions.

As long as it doesn't interfere with work and I pay for it, sure. Heck, I could finally watch The Price Is Right at 11AM instead of primetime during most nights (while the TWC DVR tapes other primetime shows). Ten years on the same job with only the bosses/owners as your higher-ups will get you some privileges! OK, so Cablevision doesn't have Manhattan and RCN is broke. What about Verizon FIOS, has their rollout come anywhere near midtown Manhattan? To have Verizon FIOS at work for both DSL (work) and FIOS (TV/DVR) would rock! :)

I figured it had to be a small business anyway!

My best guess for FIOS is about 2 years away in Manhattan... and a lot has to do with how they roll it out, i.e. do they light up neighborhood by neighborhood and what progression might they follow.

Last I heard RCN was still operating in places they already had wired. Call them with your locations.

Anyone watch the Corn concert on INHD last week? I just happened to turn it on towards the end of their last song. I thought my 8300 was imploding. My screen was filled with pixilation and the audio was breaking up horribly.

But it wasn’t the box; it was the censoring by INHD. They were bleeping out the cursing and distorting parts of the image, specifically, when the group was waving their middle fingers around.

It was actually very comical for that minute or to left in the show. Why even bother showing it? I would love to watch the entire concert but there’s no way I’m going to record it under these restrictions.

Indeed odd, it seemed that if you paid for it, they don't censor (sort of, even the pay-a-lot-ton-extra channels are soft core); we pay for InHD and there should be NO censoring. I'd complain (then again, I'm not a Korn fan by any stretch).

I've seen a bunch of HD football, most of it excellent. BUT CBS and the Jets yesterday was terrible. They had a visible 4:3 outline for the beginning of the game that had me scrambling because I thought my display was frakked. The whole thing was so badly washed out, I could not believe it. PQ on 705 for the Giants was 2,000% better. I was already pissed at them for doing the Jets opening game in SD!

I'm not a Korn fan by any stretch).
:D At least you know how to spell the band's name. Corn- Doh! :D
Just as an off topic addendum, we were at the Metropolitan enjoying Faust last Thursday night. When we got home I put the end of that Korn concert on.
How eclectic an evening was that? :D

I was in Oyster Bay Long Island yesterday at the annual Oyster Festival. There was a big Verizon booth promoting their packages including FIOS. I asked their representative if she had any information regarding FIOS in my neighborhood. She lives in Queens too and bluntly told me, “Don’t hold your breath.” She said that it will be years before they can get FIOS established in Queens.

I attended DigitalLife at the Javits Center this weekend. Verizon was pushing their FIOS product, which I am desparately waiting for. Verizon guy stated as fact, that Long Island City and Bayside queens would go live with FIOS Internet this year.

I attended DigitalLife at the Javits Center this weekend. Verizon was pushing their FIOS product, which I am desparately waiting for. Verizon guy stated as fact, that Long Island City and Bayside queens would go live with FIOS Internet this year.

I also attended yesterday and spoke with them, and they confirmed suspicions that manhattan could see it late 07 in to 08.

He also mentioned that apartment buildings will not exactly get the fiber to the premises. The fiber optic line will end at the beginning of the building and then change to coaxial cable.

So it's basically the same as what TWC has in the city now.

Rats! :mad: So close to fiber optic heaven, and yet so far away! :(

Anyone experiencing ocassional digital break-ups on 704 WNBC DT? I don't see it on any other channel so I assume it is not my STB.

I have been getting breakups (pixelization) on WNBC-DT (704) and also WABC-DT (707) for several days now. Several times I have switched to WABC-DT over-the-air (7-1) and have not seen any breakups there. It appears to be from cable. I have gotten it on both my Pace HD (non-DVR) box and my 8300HD DVR.

Cynthia

Sigh...

Running my 8300HD (2.5.066) into a Sharp LCD (37D90). Loving life... but...

Started off using Component only... worked great, but due to grey sidebars and what not, thought I'd throw in an HDMI connection too... hoping to switch back and forth between inputs as needed. Weeks of lurking and researching around here suggested that all video outputs on the 8300HD were active simultaneously - no problem, right? Doh!

1. If I have the HDMI cable plugged in, and I switch to Component, I get no picture - only a grey (sidebar grey, no less) screen... As soon as I unplug the HDMI, I get the Component picture back. Did I misunderstand - is it only S-Video and Composite that I'm supposed to be able to use in paralell with HDMI, and not Component? :confused:

2. Also, in order to get sound over the HDMI cable, I take it I *must* choose "HDMI" in the 8300's audio output options? Neither of the other two choices will pass audio over the HDMI cable? (makes sense, I suppose, and I can always work around that by using the "HDMI+DigitalAudioCable" input on the Sharp)

Help?

1. If I have the HDMI cable plugged in, and I switch to Component, I get no picture - only a grey (sidebar grey, no less) screen... As soon as I unplug the HDMI, I get the Component picture back. Did I misunderstand - is it only S-Video and Composite that I'm supposed to be able to use in paralell with HDMI, and not Component? :confused:

2. Also, in order to get sound over the HDMI cable, I take it I *must* choose "HDMI" in the 8300's audio output options? Neither of the other two choices will pass audio over the HDMI cable? (makes sense, I suppose, and I can always work around that by using the "HDMI+DigitalAudioCable" input on the Sharp)

Help?
#1 -- this assumption was correct only up until the latest release of the operating system that we have on the 8300HD, which was just downloaded about a month ago. With the current release, only the HDMI or component output is active at a time.

#2 -- You've got this absolutely correct.

Anybody that ever went into the diagnostic menu ever realized that SNY-HD is all by itself.
TWC Usually jams 3 HD channels in a frequency.
SNY-HD is on frequency 633 and is program #1 all alone.
hopefully they use program #'s 2 & 3 for 2 additional HD channels by the end of the year.

Hi Folks,

Now, I have no doubt that this has been covered somewhere in this thread, but lord knows I haven't been able to find it--maybe someone can link me?

I've got a plain old non-HD Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300, and the 80 gig hard drive is killing me. I've read a lot about the external SATA drive option, but I just don't think its worth not having the live tv buffer. So, my question at last--is there not any way to switch out the INTERNAL drive?

I'm guessing the answer is no...

Sigh. I miss my TiVo.

I've seen several people mention the existence of an HDMI audio output choice in the setup menus of the 8300HD. I don't have this choice on the setup menus on my unit. There is a choice of digital output format from DD to 2-channel, but nothing that allows you to select which audio output to use. Is this choice located somewhere else other than the setup menu?

He also mentioned that apartment buildings will not exactly get the fiber to the premises. The fiber optic line will end at the beginning of the building and then change to coaxial cable.

So it's basically the same as what TWC has in the city now.

Exactly as I have speculated. There's also the matter of the granting of a "TV franchise" to Verizon, which I believe has not been completed yet. Note a quote from them about "FIOS Internet" for LIC? As for schedule, we know that as TWC rolled fiber out, the services it offers got rolled out in a piece by piece fashion. It happened on the lower east side a good 12-18 months before it was available uptown where I live (near Columbia U.). So it's very possible I won't see the availability of that service until late 08. I dare say that makes it 1-2 years that TWC has SDV implemented.

Ha, talk about eclectic musical tastes, most people would be totally shocked on seeing the list on my Pod. Very wide ranging.

Ah, internal drive upgrades... an interesting topic. Given that the external drive route needs a bunch of extra work to get around a serious bug, my thoughts go to this option. Theoretically, it shouldn't be that big a deal... but there are some aspects that are a tad scary. The drive will need a format, does the firmware in the box allow for that? Then there are many OS pieces that need installation, can those come down the wire via firmware already on the box after the format? Obviously the application (Passport/SARA) is able to be downloaded via the wire, but there ARE several software pieces needed prior to that.

As I seriously doubt you'd ever get any help of information out of TWC, it comes down to several brave souls who'll take tools in hand and give it a shot.

I've seen several people mention the existence of an HDMI audio output choice in the setup menus of the 8300HD. I don't have this choice on the setup menus on my unit. There is a choice of digital output format from DD to 2-channel, but nothing that allows you to select which audio output to use. Is this choice located somewhere else other than the setup menu?
It only appears as an option if your cable box is currently hooked up to your TV via HDMI and that is the connection that you are currently using (and have selected on your TV).

I've got a plain old non-HD Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300, and the 80 gig hard drive is killing me. I've read a lot about the external SATA drive option, but I just don't think its worth not having the live tv buffer. So, my question at last--is there not any way to switch out the INTERNAL drive?

I'm guessing the answer is no...

Actually, the answer is pretty much "yes". But the problem is more that you are not allowed by your rental terms to open up the DVR. I believe (though I have no independent proof of this) that there are tabs that break or some other method by which Time Warner /could/ tell if the box has been tampered with.

If you don't mind risking it and taking the chance that TWC could charge you for the cost of the DVR if/when you ever return it, then it is a resounding "yes" that you can upgrade the internal drive.

It will absolutely format it for you if you stick a new one in, and there is really nothing at all that you stand to lose in terms of what the box needs to download from the servers, etc., as none of its firmware or config information is stalled on the hard drive.

The only question is how big of a drive it can support, and what brands of drives are supported. I would check the brand in the diagnostic mode (Western Digital, I believe it is?) and make sure to purchase a drive of the same sort by the same manufacturer to ensure connectivity.

I'm pretty sure that I've read about some Canadians who've done exactly this (as their government requires that cable companies offer the option of buying your cable box instead of forcing you to rent them). Since they own the box, they are free to do whatever they want with it. Like the external drives, the internal drives are coded so that they only function on the physical DVR that they were formatted by.

It should go without saying that you must save the current internal drive to swap back in should a tech ever need to come to your home, or if you ever need to trade in the DVR for a new one, or (heaven forbid!) move out of the city.....

Scott

I know that someone posted about this channel being (sorta) available in one of the outer boroughs a few months ago, and I checked my box soon afterwards and it wasn't there....

Well, I decided to check in on it last night, and voila -- there it was.

It's a "classic" music video channel, not in HD, a subchannel of WPIX (Ch. 11/711). To refresh our memories, the only way to tune it is from the diagnostic mode:
Frequency 669.00
Program #004

When I tuned in last night, they were playing a 90s Don Henley video.

I know that someone posted about this channel being (sorta) available in one of the outer boroughs a few months ago, and I checked my box soon afterwards and it wasn't there....

Well, I decided to check in on it last night, and voila -- there it was.

It's a "classic" music video channel, not in HD, a subchannel of WPIX (Ch. 11/711). To refresh our memories, the only way to tune it is from the diagnostic mode:
Frequency 669.00
Program #004

When I tuned in last night, they were playing a 90s Don Henley video.

I mentioned it 2 months ago when I listed all of the HD channels Frequency/Program #s...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8257804&&#post8257804

And I'm in Manhattan.... so it's wierd that it didn't work for you...

I mentioned it 2 months ago when I listed all of the HD channels Frequency/Program #s...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8257804&&#post8257804

And I'm in Manhattan.... so it's wierd that it didn't work for you...
Hmm...Maybe it wasn't enabled for people on the Southern Manhattan head-end until more recently. They have been doing a lot of work on the system lately....

I'm having trouble with my HD8300. When I got it, TWC in Manhattan told me I'd be able to watch one show while recording two others. This feature has NEVER worked. I always get a message saying in need to stop one of the recordings in order to watch the live show. I had passport 112, but TWC did some kind of rev a couple weeks ago and now I'm not sure. Regardless, this problem existed when the STB was first installed and has continued through any software rev. TWC's only response is to send out a techie to swap the box. Of course, I'll lose all my saved shows and waste a lot of time.

Has anyone else had this problem and do you suggest a solution? I've tried all the usual stuff, rebooting, unplugging, having TWC send reset signals. Nothing changes the problem.

Thanks for help and I will be grateful for reply's or even PMs.

Thanks
A

I'm having trouble with my HD8300. When I got it, TWC in Manhattan told me I'd be able to watch one show while recording two others. This feature has NEVER worked. I always get a message saying in need to stop one of the recordings in order to watch the live show. I had passport 112, but TWC did some kind of rev a couple weeks ago and now I'm not sure. Regardless, this problem existed when the STB was first installed and has continued through any software rev. TWC's only response is to send out a techie to swap the box. Of course, I'll lose all my saved shows and waste a lot of time.

Has anyone else had this problem and do you suggest a solution? I've tried all the usual stuff, rebooting, unplugging, having TWC send reset signals. Nothing changes the problem.

Thanks for help and I will be grateful for reply's or even PMs.

Thanks
A

You can only watch a previously recorded show while recording 2 other programs...the third show can't be live.

I'm having trouble with my HD8300. When I got it, TWC in Manhattan told me I'd be able to watch one show while recording two others. This feature has NEVER worked.

SA8300HDs have two tuners, permitting two simultaneous SD or HD recordings to the hard drive. Splitting the incoming cable with a 1-GHz splitter permits watching the limited number of unscrambled analog channels (~30?) with any NTSC tuner while recording two other channels in the 8300HD. Or, if you also have a built-in QAM-type tuner (cable signals), a feature of many displays, you could also watch all the unencrypted TWC digital channels via the splitter while recording two others in the 8300HD. (Curious, if someone's watched a previously recorded show while recording two others, how that works. Seems to imply separate write/read disk drive heads, two being used with the two tuners for recording two channels at once and a third(?) for readout and watching the earlier recorded program.) -- John

SA8300HDs have two tuners, permitting two simultaneous SD or HD recordings to the hard drive. Splitting the incoming cable with a 1-GHz splitter permits watching the limited number of unscrambled analog channels (~30?) with any NTSC tuner while recording two other channels in the 8300HD. Or, if you also have a built-in QAM-type tuner (cable signals), a feature of many displays, you could also watch all the unencrypted TWC digital channels via the splitter while recording two others in the 8300HD. (Curious, if someone's watched a previously recorded show while recording two others, how that works. Seems to imply separate write/read disk drive heads, two being used with the two tuners for recording two channels at once and a third(?) for readout and watching the earlier recorded program.) -- John

I tried taking the coax directly out of the HD8300, but I didn't get any signal. I also tried splitting the signal before going to the STB and this didn't work either. I believe I do have a QAM tuner on my JVCFH97. I've received dual cable signals using the splitter that came with the set when I had basic unscrambled signal from RCN with no problems.

Has anyone gotten the coax output to work? This would seem the best option, yes?

Thanks,
A

I tried taking the coax directly out of the HD8300, but I didn't get any signal. I also tried splitting the signal before going to the STB and this didn't work either. I believe I do have a QAM tuner on my JVCFH97. I've received dual cable signals using the splitter that came with the set when I had basic unscrambled signal from RCN with no problems.

Has anyone gotten the coax output to work? This would seem the best option, yes?

Thanks,
A


I have a splitter before my STB - one feed goes to the internal QAM tuner on my SONY XBR960 and other goes to 8300HD.

With this setup, I can record any 2 shows and watch 3rd ONLY if a) the 3rd program is unscrambled/unencrypted and b) I switch to the cable input on my TV.

I also have been able to record 2 shows and watch a 3rd show that was previously recorded without any issue.

In the old equipment days, didn't we have co-ax into the STB, then co-ax from it to the TV? We had to set the TV to channel 3 or 4, then we got whatever the STB was tuned to.

I tried taking the coax directly out of the HD8300, but I didn't get any signal. I also tried splitting the signal before going to the STB and this didn't work either. I believe I do have a QAM tuner on my JVCFH97. I've received dual cable signals using the splitter that came with the set when I had basic unscrambled signal from RCN with no problems.

Has anyone gotten the coax output to work? This would seem the best option, yes?

Thanks,
A
The coax cable output on the SA8300HD will just output on channel 3 in SD the same thing that your HDMI or Component is outputting. It is not a "pass-thru".

You can spit the signal before your box (as long as the signal is strong enough). But you need a special splitter -- digital cable requires a 1Ghz splitter, and most old-style splitters are rated at lower levels that worked fine for analog cable. Go to Radio Shack (or some other electronics store) and get a splitter that is specifically rated for 1Ghz and it should work.

Scott

The coax cable output on the SA8300HD will just output on channel 3 in SD the same thing that your HDMI or Component is outputting. It is not a "pass-thru".

You can spit the signal before your box (as long as the signal is strong enough). But you need a special splitter -- digital cable requires a 1Ghz splitter, and most old-style splitters are rated at lower levels that worked fine for analog cable. Go to Radio Shack (or some other electronics store) and get a splitter that is specifically rated for 1Ghz and it should work.

Scott

Thanks a lot. I'll try this. I've been using the splitter that came with the JVCFH97. I'll have to check its rating, but I'm willing to bet it is under onGhz.

Thanks again,
A

It was a piece of cake -- took me less than 10 minutes (6 screws, one power supply cable and one plug from the DVR to the drive), and now I've got an additional 320G of space (50+ hours of HD!) on my box.

Yes, I am seeing the bugs that everyone else has reported where I've lost my "trick play" buffer. A couple of things to note:
If you press the "review" button (the one that rewinds a few seconds), it interestingly enough always returns you to the exact point where you tuned to the channel (assuming it's still in the buffer), but you can't FF -- you have to watch it from that point forward.

The "press record" to get back your basic DVR functionality works better and worse than I thought -- it works better than I thought in that it starts the recording from the beginning of the buffer (I expected it to start recording when I pressed the record button), which is good, so that if my Significant Other decides that she wants to pause or rewind something, she can press record at any point (i.e. she doesn't have to remember to press it as soon as she tunes a channel); but it works worse in that I expected it to "magically" return my ability to REW/FF/Pause as soon as I hit record -- but in reality, you have to press record and then select the program to play back from the recorded program list.

Skipping/drop-outs on programs that are going on the external drive seem to be at least on par (if not /better/) then that stuff that is recorded on the internal drive.....

Feel free to ask me for details, and I'll fill you in on specifics if you have any questions.

Scott

Skipping/drop-outs on programs that are going on the external drive seem to be at least on par (if not /better/) then that stuff that is recorded on the internal drive.....
How do you know what drive the recordings are on, or what drive you are watching?

How do you know what drive the recordings are on, or what drive you are watching?
It's pretty easy for me right now, since due to the fact that my internal drive was full, all recordings since then MUST be on the external drive. ;)

Once I watch and delete some stuff from the internal drive, I'll have no way of telling what stuff went on which drive.

now I've got an additional 320G of space (50+ hours of HD!) on my box....Feel free to ask me for details, and I'll fill you in on specifics if you have any questions.Scott
Thanks for the review, sounds pretty good to me.
What equipment did you go with? Costs? Where’d you get it? Did you get one with a fan? Is there a reason you didn’t go with a larger drive?

Wow, 50 hours of HD. Now that’s some breathing room.
I wish TW would give us that amount in the 8300.

bad twc bad fox 7th ining mets picture crap out
boooooooo

bad twc bad fox 7th ining mets picture crap out
boooooooo

I had no issues.

I had no issues.

it cam back bottom of the 8th for me,
UES

bad twc bad fox 7th ining mets picture crap out
booooooooNo problems here in Queens, Flushing :rolleyes: I should add, only problem was that Wright thought he was A Rod and Beltron thought he was a Deer.

To the chants of Jose…
Oooh weeeellllllll
oh well oh well
ooooh welllllll
ooh well oh well :(

Thanks for the review, sounds pretty good to me.
What equipment did you go with? Costs? Where’d you get it? Did you get one with a fan? Is there a reason you didn’t go with a larger drive?

Wow, 50 hours of HD. Now that’s some breathing room.
I wish TW would give us that amount in the 8300.

I bought a 320G Seagate Barracuda:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

And a nice little Rosewill case (that's currently on sale!). Yes, it has a fan (the fan has a switch on the back to turn it on/off -- but I always keep it on -- it's quite warm in there) and some little blinking lights to show when it's being used that I am flirting with disabling:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817173040

Total cost ~$140.

And that's ~50 hours of ADDITIONAL space beyond the internal drive. :)

I actually did make a conscious decision to avoid a larger drive -- some people have reported (on another forum) issues with larger drives (more skipping?). I have no idea if the issues are related to the larger drives or the particulars of their drive or enclosure, but I decided to play it safe. Also, 320G drives, not being the absolute height of technology do have a slightly better price point right now.

I bought a 320G Seagate Barracuda:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

And a nice little Rosewill case (that's currently on sale!). Yes, it has a fan (the fan has a switch on the back to turn it on/off -- but I always keep it on -- it's quite warm in there) and some little blinking lights to show when it's being used that I am flirting with disabling:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817173040

Total cost ~$140.

And that's ~50 hours of ADDITIONAL space beyond the internal drive. :)

I actually did make a conscious decision to avoid a larger drive -- some people have reported (on another forum) issues with larger drives (more skipping?). I have no idea if the issues are related to the larger drives or the particulars of their drive or enclosure, but I decided to play it safe. Also, 320G drives, not being the absolute height of technology do have a slightly better price point right now.Thank you very much, very helpful information. I’ll probably jump into the external hard drive pool soon. It would be great if TW offered a rental STB with a larger internal drive. I guess until that happens, this is the only solution to having more storage space.

Thank you very much, very helpful information. I’ll probably jump into the external hard drive pool soon. It would be great if TW offered a rental STB with a larger internal drive. I guess until that happens, this is the only solution to having more storage space.
One little extra bit of info -- after I put the drive/case together and plugged the power in to the drive, I plugged in the eSATA cable into the back of the drive and then the back of the DVR (w/o even needing to power down the DVR or interrupting something that was recording on the internal drive!), and changed the channel (for some reason, this is when it searches for external drives).

At that point it says "There is an error detected on the external drive" (or something similar). Then, you have to unplug the SATA cable from the back of the DVR and plug it back in, and finally it asks you "Do you want to format?"). After that, everything works fine. But there is the little extra unplug and replug the cable step that could throw people off....

Scott

No problems here in Queens, Flushing :rolleyes: I should add, only problem was that Wright thought he was A Rod and Beltron thought he was a Deer.

To the chants of Jose…
Oooh weeeellllllll
oh well oh well
ooooh welllllll
ooh well oh well :(

LOL!!! Yes a Deer!!!

The "press record" to get back your basic DVR functionality works better and worse than I thought -- it works better than I thought in that it starts the recording from the beginning of the buffer (I expected it to start recording when I pressed the record button), which is good, so that if my Significant Other decides that she wants to pause or rewind something, she can press record at any point (i.e. she doesn't have to remember to press it as soon as she tunes a channel); but it works worse in that I expected it to "magically" return my ability to REW/FF/Pause as soon as I hit record -- but in reality, you have to press record and then select the program to play back from the recorded program list.

Skipping/drop-outs on programs that are going on the external drive seem to be at least on par (if not /better/) then that stuff that is recorded on the internal drive.....

Scott

Indeed, this is the stuff I kinda "thought" would be the case for doing the "work-around" thing. There's a lot more to it than just hitting the record button every time you switch a channel. Add in the clean up process of multiple button presses to get rid of the recording and you're really increasing the attention it needs to deal with such a basic feature.

My first post here, hello to everyone.

Samsung 40" HD LCD will be delivered this Tues (UES Manh). This is my first foray in HD - really psyched but also apprehensive re: PQ of Standard Digital, which considering TW's general crapulence, I'll be watching a good deal of, particularly football & hockey. I've read thru dozens of thread pages & am still hoping for some reassurance that this investment will be worthwhile, considering reservations aired about SD & Sammy in particular

edit: it's 1080p which exacerbates things, & I've noticed differences in opinion re: HDMI & S-video viz HD vs SD

I've been trying to find out an actually definitive answer whether my set has or doesn't have a QAM tuner. All I've read is speculation, essentially. So maybe a better question to ask is:

Has ANYONE in Manhattan who has TWC-NY service been able to plug the raw cable into the display (bypassing the STB) and have the set "tune" into a HD channel? Simple yes or no. Obviously, I am ONLY asking folks who know for sure their displays DO have QAM tuners.

It would not surprise me in the least that TWC-NY scrambles such signals so no one could receive them, QAM tuner or not. So if nobody can say "yes" it's obvious such "signals" are not available, so the fact I don't get them can not be specifically traced to the display I have. Obviously there is an assumption that some folks have sets that are actually documented to have QAM tuners. The fact Samsung says nothing about QAM may not be significant; they don't list the fact their sets have scalers or deintelacers either.

I've been trying to find out an actually definitive answer whether my set has or doesn't have a QAM tuner. All I've read is speculation, essentially. So maybe a better question to ask is:

Has ANYONE in Manhattan who has TWC-NY service been able to plug the raw cable into the display (bypassing the STB) and have the set "tune" into a HD channel? Simple yes or no. Obviously, I am ONLY asking folks who know for sure their displays DO have QAM tuners.

It would not surprise me in the least that TWC-NY scrambles such signals so no one could receive them, QAM tuner or not. So if nobody can say "yes" it's obvious such "signals" are not available, so the fact I don't get them can not be specifically traced to the display I have. Obviously there is an assumption that some folks have sets that are actually documented to have QAM tuners. The fact Samsung says nothing about QAM may not be significant; they don't list the fact their sets have scalers or deintelacers either.

I have a Mits HD rptv with a DTV cable connector. I have a cable connected that bypasses the SA 8300HD stb and I receive the networks in HD with the internal QAM Mits tuner. I don't find it that useful, except in the extremely rare case where the 8300HD is recording two programs and I want to watch a third HD program live.

-Mike

I took a buddy's recommendation and switched from RCA cables to digital optical audio for my setup. [Note: have the SA 8300HD, Sharp Aquos 45GD7U, and a Sony Dreamsystem HTIB]

The audo is a bit better I guess, but - now I cannot control the volume with the cable remote. No matter what volume level I choose, a single level goes to the sony and thats what comes out.

I dont want to use the sony remote to control the volume and for some reason the cable remote won't control the sony (separate issue)

Anyone else have a similar problem and find a solution?

I've been trying to find out an actually definitive answer whether my set has or doesn't have a QAM tuner. All I've read is speculation, essentially. So maybe a better question to ask is:

Has ANYONE in Manhattan who has TWC-NY service been able to plug the raw cable into the display (bypassing the STB) and have the set "tune" into a HD channel? Simple yes or no. Obviously, I am ONLY asking folks who know for sure their displays DO have QAM tuners.

It would not surprise me in the least that TWC-NY scrambles such signals so no one could receive them, QAM tuner or not. So if nobody can say "yes" it's obvious such "signals" are not available, so the fact I don't get them can not be specifically traced to the display I have. Obviously there is an assumption that some folks have sets that are actually documented to have QAM tuners. The fact Samsung says nothing about QAM may not be significant; they don't list the fact their sets have scalers or deintelacers either. Yes with Sony 34XBR960 :cool:

Finally pulled the trigger and ordered a 400GB SATA Seagate from Fry's.com grand opening sale ($99.99 shipped.) Hopefully I'll have it hooked up tomorrow. Thanks to all those who posted tips and such.

Any update on whether the new TWC firmware allows the 8300HD to work with HDMI switching receivers yet? I'm holding off upgrading my receiver until they work this out.

I've been trying to find out an actually definitive answer whether my set has or doesn't have a QAM tuner. All I've read is speculation, essentially. So maybe a better question to ask is:

Has ANYONE in Manhattan who has TWC-NY service been able to plug the raw cable into the display (bypassing the STB) and have the set "tune" into a HD channel? Simple yes or no. Obviously, I am ONLY asking folks who know for sure their displays DO have QAM tuners.

It would not surprise me in the least that TWC-NY scrambles such signals so no one could receive them, QAM tuner or not. So if nobody can say "yes" it's obvious such "signals" are not available, so the fact I don't get them can not be specifically traced to the display I have. Obviously there is an assumption that some folks have sets that are actually documented to have QAM tuners. The fact Samsung says nothing about QAM may not be significant; they don't list the fact their sets have scalers or deintelacers either.

I also have a XBR960, get only Local HD

Finally pulled the trigger and ordered a 400GB SATA Seagate from Fry's.com grand opening sale ($99.99 shipped.) Hopefully I'll have it hooked up tomorrow. Thanks to all those who posted tips and such.

Any update on whether the new TWC firmware allows the 8300HD to work with HDMI switching receivers yet? I'm holding off upgrading my receiver until they work this out.


good to hear, let us know if everything works well.
I'm looking to make some storage upgrades myself.
I just hope that any future updates from TWC doesn't cause the homemade extended storage device to die.

I also have a XBR960, get only Local HD

Ah, thanks guys, I would expect it would only be the locals, but now I know that TWC-NY DOES have unscrambled HD on their wire. Seems certain my display does NOT have a QAM tuner.

Oh, shop4tech (where one can buy a eSATA box to house a HD for external use) has a 10% off coupon (GC10) AND a $10 off $30 purchase if you buy through "Google Checkout." The following box:

http://www.shop4tech.com/item5165.html

should then become around 27 bucks, free shipping.

Indeed, this is the stuff I kinda "thought" would be the case for doing the "work-around" thing. There's a lot more to it than just hitting the record button every time you switch a channel. Add in the clean up process of multiple button presses to get rid of the recording and you're really increasing the attention it needs to deal with such a basic feature.
This is true, but I personally don't mind a couple of extra button presses if the trade-off is that I'm not always low on space! :)

Check out this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8720801#post8720801

:)

I'm on lower east side manhattan and my 705 and 711 is down. 705 was pixellating on and off during game 1 of the World Series on saturday. Today it is just a gray screen. 711 was working fine saturday but pixellating on and off before and now just a gray screen. Does anybody have this problem? Please check your TV and let me know if it's just me. :( Thanks.

I'm on lower east side manhattan and my 705 and 711 is down. 705 was pixellating on and off during game 1 of the World Series on saturday. Today it is just a gray screen. 711 was working fine saturday but pixellating on and off before and now just a gray screen. Does anybody have this problem? Please check your TV and let me know if it's just me. :( Thanks.

UWS - no issues

I'm on lower east side manhattan and my 705 and 711 is down. 705 was pixellating on and off during game 1 of the World Series on saturday. Today it is just a gray screen. 711 was working fine saturday but pixellating on and off before and now just a gray screen. Does anybody have this problem? Please check your TV and let me know if it's just me. :( Thanks.
East Harlem
Monday
705
711
741
all grey screens, TWC no help

on sunday
704, 704, 707, 707, 711, 721, 722, 741 all grey screen.

Supervisor was suposed to call and never did

me = mad

Check out this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8720801#post8720801

:)

Interesting factoid... over in the "TWC Customer Input" thread, it was stated that SDV was dependant on rolling out of the new "Mystro" IPG. Essentially, no use looking at "when" for SDV unless we are seeing Mystro!

I'm on lower east side manhattan and my 705 and 711 is down. 705 was pixellating on and off during game 1 of the World Series on saturday. Today it is just a gray screen. 711 was working fine saturday but pixellating on and off before and now just a gray screen. Does anybody have this problem? Please check your TV and let me know if it's just me. :( Thanks.
Not an issue in the West Village, lower Manhattan head-end.

So, as some of you know, I've been keeping tabs on my SATA hard-drive upgrade here on this board, and I've reported that (as expected) the "trick play" (Pause, REW, FF) features of the DVR stop working once you hook up the external drive...

Well, this is not necessarily the case. I went away for the weekend, and with all of the liberating free disk space I had, I went a little crazy recording lots of movies.

So, I am watching some of the things I recorded last night, and happened to have the TV tuned to 702 before I started watching it. And I'll be darned if when I finished watching the stuff that I'd recorded, there wasn't a green line with a buffer that I could REW/FF/Pause when I got back to the Letterman show.

I can't explain how or why it happened (only that maybe after the external drive gets filled to a certain level it reverts back to the internal drive?). And the features haven't seemed to have returned permanently (this morning I couldn't do it).

VERY STRANGE.

I'll keep at trying to figure out the secret of getting back the trick play w/the external drive. It's all a bit mysterious....

Any update on whether the new TWC firmware allows the 8300HD to work with HDMI switching receivers yet? I'm holding off upgrading my receiver until they work this out.

had it working on an geffen-like hdmi switcher until a couple of days ago when twc must have sent an update which caused a dreaded HDCP error (my projector definitely supports hdcp). rebooted all my devices and still get the error.

btw, anyone know for sure if twc sent out an update or has something suddenly "broke" in my setup that i should be looking into? has anyone else got this HDCP error as of two/three days ago?

had it working on an geffen-like hdmi switcher until a couple of days ago when twc must have sent an update which caused a dreaded HDCP error (my projector definitely supports hdcp). rebooted all my devices and still get the error.

btw, anyone know for sure if twc sent out an update or has something suddenly "broke" in my setup that i should be looking into? has anyone else got this HDCP error as of two/three days ago?
I am not aware of any update sent to my 8300HD. Nothing on my box (version-wise, nor date-wise in the diagnostic screens) would indicate that any new software has been downloaded by it for weeks.

I am not using an HDMI switcher, though.

I'm slightly bemused about all of the HDMI issues that people are having, because in all honesty, if I were having HDMI problems, I'd switch right back to Component in a heartbeat. The picture quality is extremely close between the 2 different hook-ups. So close, to me, as to be insignificant, which leaves me mystified as to why so many people are working so hard to get HDMI working when they can just use the component outputs.....

Scott

Hello,

I have my 8300HD connected to my panasonic plasma via a component cable. For the first year of this set up I was able to use my panasonic's JUST and ZOOM aspect ratio functions when watching SD. For the last month though I've been stuck with just 4:3 and 16:9. I've gone inside the 8300HD to adjust aspect ratio settings, but not matter what combo I try I seem to have completely lost the ability to ZOOM or JUST.

Any tips?

Hello,

I have my 8300HD connected to my panasonic plasma via a component cable. For the first year of this set up I was able to use my panasonic's JUST and ZOOM aspect ratio functions when watching SD. For the last month though I've been stuck with just 4:3 and 16:9. I've gone inside the 8300HD to adjust aspect ratio settings, but not matter what combo I try I seem to have completely lost the ability to ZOOM or JUST.

Any tips?
This will often happen if your box is configured to only output 720p or 1080i because some TVs won't allow you to zoom hi-def content. Try going into the advanced settings menu, go into "Output formats", and make sure to select 480p as an output format. Then you should be OK.

If that doesn't work, try switching to Component instead of HDMI inputs/outputs and see if that helps.

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I had it set to output all formats, but maybe this switched. I'll try it tonight.

Little confused by your second suggestion: If that doesn't work, try switching to Component instead of HDMI inputs/outputs and see if that helps.

By switching, do you mean a specific setting, or the cords themselves? I'm currently using component cables, not HDMI, to connect my Panny and 8300. Thanks again.

Little confused by your second suggestion: If that doesn't work, try switching to Component instead of HDMI inputs/outputs and see if that helps.

By switching, do you mean a specific setting, or the cords themselves? I'm currently using component cables, not HDMI, to connect my Panny and 8300. Thanks again.
Yes, you got the idea of what I was saying. Most people here seem to be hooked up via HDMI cables....but since you're already running over component, I guess that's not your issue.

Good luck!

Scott

had it working on an geffen-like hdmi switcher until a couple of days ago when twc must have sent an update which caused a dreaded HDCP error (my projector definitely supports hdcp). rebooted all my devices and still get the error.

btw, anyone know for sure if twc sent out an update or has something suddenly "broke" in my setup that i should be looking into? has anyone else got this HDCP error as of two/three days ago?

Happened to me a few times right after the recent software update. I use the Monprice 5 x 1 switcher.

The first time it would not go away, with multiple reboots, until I called TWC. Some very belittling CSR was telling me that I had my cables hooked up incorrectly. After about five minutes of his insulting insistence I asked to be put on to his supervisor. While on hold my box miraculously came back up.

Since then, about three time, it comes back on the first reboot.

Just got my Cable Bill. No mention of any HD channels being added. did said this:

"Effective November 1: WFME launches on channel 96"

I really hope they didn't just add another analog channel?

Just got my Cable Bill. No mention of any HD channels being added. did said this:

"Effective November 1: WFME launches on channel 96"

I really hope they didn't just add another analog channel?
Probably not analog (96 will be a digital channel), but a quick search leads to:
http://www.wfme-tv.com/

Ugh -- another religious channel. How many religious channels can someone watch?

What a waste of bandwidth!!!!

anyone else getting grey screens on 705, 711, 721, 722, 741. TW rep unhelpful, supervisor never called me back. 1st i talked to 2 days said my signal strength was strong, and resent the signals, yet no avail. now they want to send a tech to see if I need a new box, how could that be if I get all the other hd channels? Anyone have any suggestions for a fix?
THX

Just got my Cable Bill. No mention of any HD channels being added. did said this:

"Effective November 1: WFME launches on channel 96"

I really hope they didn't just add another analog channel?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WFME-TV

It operates primarly through its digital channel.... so 96 most likely won't be analog...

While i don't exactly care for its programming... I still think all local digital broadcast channels should be made available on cable... just on principle...

anyone else getting grey screens on 705, 711, 721, 722, 741. TW rep unhelpful, supervisor never called me back. 1st i talked to 2 days said my signal strength was strong, and resent the signals, yet no avail. now they want to send a tech to see if I need a new box, how could that be if I get all the other hd channels? Anyone have any suggestions for a fix?
THX


Mine is OK

Hey coneyparleg, I still have the same problem with 705 & 711, gray screen. Called TWC last night, did a reboot, and they sent a signal and said nothing was wrong with the line. Then the CSR took my IP addr from ch.996 and put a ticket to their IT dept which will take 24-48 hrs. If nothing happens after that he told me to call back them back to further escalate it.

Which box do you have? I have the SA3250 using component. I enabled 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i in the settings. I am thinking of disabling them and reboot since it was disabled when I first got the box. Let me know if you have any luck figuring this out.

had it working on an geffen-like hdmi switcher until a couple of days ago when twc must have sent an update which caused a dreaded HDCP error (my projector definitely supports hdcp). rebooted all my devices and still get the error.

btw, anyone know for sure if twc sent out an update or has something suddenly "broke" in my setup that i should be looking into? has anyone else got this HDCP error as of two/three days ago?

I was actually asking if anyone was passing their 8300HD through an HDMI switching AV receiver, as this has been the big problem up to this point. I'm not aware of anyone having success with this yet.

I have my 8300HD hooked up to a monoprice 2x1 HDMI switcher and it was working very well until recently. Now it's a lot more flaky...and it often doesn't get a handshake when I power the system on. I've found that if I toggle the switcher to the other input and then back to the cable box the handshake is made.

So I got my 400GB Seagate drive today and installed it in my external enclosure...but when I connect it to the 8300 I keep getting error messages. I read the post above that says to unplug the cable from the 8300 and replug...but still the same error. It keeps telling me to check the power and data cables...I know the power is connected because the enclosure light is on. Is there a right and a wrong way to plug the eSATA cable in?

So I got my 400GB Seagate drive today and installed it in my external enclosure...but when I connect it to the 8300 I keep getting error messages. I read the post above that says to unplug the cable from the 8300 and replug...but still the same error. It keeps telling me to check the power and data cables...I know the power is connected because the enclosure light is on. Is there a right and a wrong way to plug the eSATA cable in?

I had the same problem when I followed the instructions of several members. It seems that installation is not the same for everyone. You will eventually get yours to work. I got one of my two 8300HD's to work by pulling the plug on the 8300HD with the eSATA drive on, and then re-plugging (hard re-boot). I got my other one to work by switching off the eSATA drive and switching it back on while the 8300HD was on. The 8300HD was in diagnostic mode and on the drives page when I did it, so I saw the increase in total storage capacity immediately when it installed and formatted.

Good luck...

-Mike

I had the same problem when I followed the instructions of several members. It seems that installation is not the same for everyone. You will eventually get yours to work. I got one of my two 8300HD's to work by pulling the plug on the 8300HD with the eSATA drive on, and then re-plugging (hard re-boot). I got my other one to work by switching off the eSATA drive and switching it back on while the 8300HD was on. The 8300HD was in diagnostic mode and on the drives page when I did it, so I saw the increase in total storage capacity immediately when it installed and formatted.

Good luck...

-Mike


Thanks for the tip...I'll try the hard re-boot method tonight. Sorry for asking as I'm sure it's been posted a hundred times already...but how do you get into the diagnostic mode?

So I got my 400GB Seagate drive today and installed it in my external enclosure...but when I connect it to the 8300 I keep getting error messages. I read the post above that says to unplug the cable from the 8300 and replug...but still the same error. It keeps telling me to check the power and data cables...I know the power is connected because the enclosure light is on. Is there a right and a wrong way to plug the eSATA cable in?
Make sure that your drive is set for 1.5G output and not 3G output. The Seagate drive that I bought has a jumper to control the speed of its output (mine was shipped set for the slower speed), allowing for either speed. I think the 8300HD wants the slower of the 2 speeds.

Scott

So I got my 400GB Seagate drive today and installed it in my external enclosure...but when I connect it to the 8300 I keep getting error messages. I read the post above that says to unplug the cable from the 8300 and replug...but still the same error. It keeps telling me to check the power and data cables...I know the power is connected because the enclosure light is on. Is there a right and a wrong way to plug the eSATA cable in?

One other thing -- when I plugged it in, I had to change the channel for the drive to be recognized.

My experience was this:
Drive is on and powered up with eSata cable plugged into it.
Plug eSata cable into the 8300HD.
Change channel.
Get error message.
Unplug eSata cable from back of 8300.
Plug eSata cable back in.
Change channel.
Get popup asking you to format.
Done. :)

Hey coneyparleg, I still have the same problem with 705 & 711, gray screen. Called TWC last night, did a reboot, and they sent a signal and said nothing was wrong with the line. Then the CSR took my IP addr from ch.996 and put a ticket to their IT dept which will take 24-48 hrs. If nothing happens after that he told me to call back them back to further escalate it.

Which box do you have? I have the SA3250 using component. I enabled 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i in the settings. I am thinking of disabling them and reboot since it was disabled when I first got the box. Let me know if you have any luck figuring this out.

I'm using a 8300 hd dvr
same routine as you except "escalating it" resulted in not even a reboot just some kid who wanted off the phone and was quick to try an schedule a visit, but no weekedn visits were available and neither were managers. This unaccomadating behavior prompted me to send a nice little note to DOITT - depoartment of something or other. Complaints to them results in quick call backs from TWC, I'm still waiting for the originally promised call back.

I had the same problem when I followed the instructions of several members. It seems that installation is not the same for everyone. You will eventually get yours to work. I got one of my two 8300HD's to work by pulling the plug on the 8300HD with the eSATA drive on, and then re-plugging (hard re-boot). I got my other one to work by switching off the eSATA drive and switching it back on while the 8300HD was on. The 8300HD was in diagnostic mode and on the drives page when I did it, so I saw the increase in total storage capacity immediately when it installed and formatted.

Good luck...

-Mike

Thanks for the advice...pulled out the power cord from the 8300HD, and when I plugged it back it it asked me to format the external drive. now I'm in business! wonder how many hours 560GB (less overhead) gives me?

So can anyone tell me how to enter diagnostic mode?

So can anyone tell me how to enter diagnostic mode?

Hold down the exit button & the Select button on the STB

and go to channel 1999

...wonder how many hours 560GB (less overhead) gives me?
....

It's about 6.5GB per hour for HD 1080i material. I believe it is the same for 720p. I do not know what size is for SD material.

For a 560GB drive, you'll likely only get 520GB of real storage space.
So you will get about 80 hours of HDTV recordings. 40 HD movies....

Paul

The last few weeks my 8300HD has been acting a bit strangely. One annoying issue that has been occuring involves it recording shows even after I have cancelled the recording. Just tonight I stopped the recording of the Rangers game on 712 sometime shortly after 9pm (the recording was scheduled from 7 to 11:30.) Lost was also recording on 707 from 9 to 10. I then started watching Criminal Minds live. However at some point during the show the box switched back to 712 and began recording again. I went to the list and stopped the recording. Then I changed the channel back to Criminal Minds and finished watching the show. At 10 I tuned to 706 and started watching another show. About 2 minutes in the box again switched the channel back to 712 and started recording again. Once again I stopped the recording and switched back to 706. For the past 15 minutes it has let me watch without interruption. Any idea why it is doing this?

I'm using a 8300 hd dvr
same routine as you except "escalating it" resulted in not even a reboot just some kid who wanted off the phone and was quick to try an schedule a visit, but no weekedn visits were available and neither were managers. This unaccomadating behavior prompted me to send a nice little note to DOITT - depoartment of something or other. Complaints to them results in quick call backs from TWC, I'm still waiting for the originally promised call back.

Yes! I figured it out. After I called TWC and schedule a tech to come over. I unpluged the converter. 3 hours later I plugged it back in and all my grayed out channels are back to normal!! :D Cablebox mustve been over-heating in my entertainment stand. Customer rep offered to credit me the days till the tech come to fix it. I shouldve waited till then to cancel the appointment.

Anyone know if there is a fan I can use for the SA3250? I am thinking of getting a USB cooling fan since it has an USB input.

Yes! I figured it out. After I called TWC and schedule a tech to come over. I unpluged the converter. 3 hours later I plugged it back in and all my grayed out channels are back to normal!! :D Cablebox mustve been over-heating in my entertainment stand. Customer rep offered to credit me the days till the tech come to fix it. I shouldve waited till then to cancel the appointment.

Anyone know if there is a fan I can use for the SA3250? I am thinking of getting a USB cooling fan since it has an USB input.


thanks I'll let you know if this works for me

I dont know if im in the right place is any one having problems with TWC Road runner EMAILin NYC Thank you.

The last few weeks my 8300HD has been acting a bit strangely. One annoying issue that has been occuring involves it recording shows even after I have cancelled the recording. Just tonight I stopped the recording of the Rangers game on 712 sometime shortly after 9pm (the recording was scheduled from 7 to 11:30.) Lost was also recording on 707 from 9 to 10. I then started watching Criminal Minds live. However at some point during the show the box switched back to 712 and began recording again. I went to the list and stopped the recording. Then I changed the channel back to Criminal Minds and finished watching the show. At 10 I tuned to 706 and started watching another show. About 2 minutes in the box again switched the channel back to 712 and started recording again. Once again I stopped the recording and switched back to 706. For the past 15 minutes it has let me watch without interruption. Any idea why it is doing this?
I don't know for sure, but I have an idea. I've noticed that ever since the new software revision, that when you stop a currently recording program, the recording remains on the list of shows to be recorded (i.e., it still shows up when you turn the list on and press B). When this occurs, the show can, and usually does, restart recording. Likewise, when you delete a yet to be recorded show from the list of to be recorded shows, that it now remains on the list with a stop icon instead of disapearing entirely as it had previously done. This show may actually wind up recording and you have to delete the entry a second time, causing the entry to disapear, to guarantee that the recording won't occur. I think that these two processes interact with each other. I have found a way to get the stopped recording from turning on again: (1) stop the recording, (2) go into the list, press B and delete the item from the list of to-be-recorded shows, (3) delete the entry that will remain on the list but with a stop symbol. The entry should now be entirely gone from the list. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3 until it is. (4) [optional] delete the entry for the partially recorded show from your list of recorded shows.

I've noticed that ever since I've added an eSATA drive to my 8300HD, that many recordings wind up ending about 5-10 minutes before the end of the actual show. This is not like the way that recordings might have stopped previously, where the listing of the show's record time might say something lile 9:00 - 9:46 with the times listed in yellow. With these shows, the times will be shown as 9:00-10:00 and be in white, but the end of the show is missing (and the green bar on the status line doesn't reach to the hour mark). So the 8300 appears to think that it has recorded the show, it is just that it really stopped recording before the end. This is really annoying as it almost always cuts out before an important part of the show (like right before the verdict on Law & Order). Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes! I figured it out. After I called TWC and schedule a tech to come over. I unpluged the converter. 3 hours later I plugged it back in and all my grayed out channels are back to normal!! :D Cablebox mustve been over-heating in my entertainment stand. Customer rep offered to credit me the days till the tech come to fix it. I shouldve waited till then to cancel the appointment.

Anyone know if there is a fan I can use for the SA3250? I am thinking of getting a USB cooling fan since it has an USB input.


Nope didn't work for me. I switched for a new box at 23rd street (made 10/8/06) and I'll post if that fixes the issue. This way we know if these kind of issues are symptoms of problems with the box

I don't know for sure, but I have an idea. I've noticed that ever since the new software revision, that when you stop a currently recording program, the recording remains on the list of shows to be recorded (i.e., it still shows up when you turn the list on and press B). When this occurs, the show can, and usually does, restart recording. Likewise, when you delete a yet to be recorded show from the list of to be recorded shows, that it now remains on the list with a stop icon instead of disapearing entirely as it had previously done. This show may actually wind up recording and you have to delete the entry a second time, causing the entry to disapear, to guarantee that the recording won't occur. I think that these two processes interact with each other. I have found a way to get the stopped recording from turning on again: (1) stop the recording, (2) go into the list, press B and delete the item from the list of to-be-recorded shows, (3) delete the entry that will remain on the list but with a stop symbol. The entry should now be entirely gone from the list. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3 until it is. (4) [optional] delete the entry for the partially recorded show from your list of recorded shows.

But what am I to do when I have this particular program (Rangers game) set to record every time it airs? I don't want to delete all references to it and then have to reschedule the recording every time. Seems like the software should be smart enough to know that I just stopped a particular recording and wait until the next time it's on before recording again.

But what am I to do when I have this particular program (Rangers game) set to record every time it airs? I don't want to delete all references to it and then have to reschedule the recording every time. Seems like the software should be smart enough to know that I just stopped a particular recording and wait until the next time it's on before recording again.
Yeah, I've noticed this as well. When I stopped a recurring recording in progress, but didn't cancel it from the future recordings screen, it does restart immediately after I've stopped it. Definitely a bug.

But on the other hand, recordings that you cancel (and have a circle with a slash in front of them in the future recordings screen) will NOT record. You do not have to do the double delete to make sure they won't record.

problem was my box now we know

So, as some of you know, I've been keeping tabs on my SATA hard-drive upgrade here on this board, and I've reported that (as expected) the "trick play" (Pause, REW, FF) features of the DVR stop working once you hook up the external drive...

I'll keep at trying to figure out the secret of getting back the trick play w/the external drive. It's all a bit mysterious....

have you figured this out? i miss the VCR controls!

World Series? HD? Hmmm.....

World Series? HD? Hmmm.....
Yeah, no HD World Series in Park Slope. Man Fox is lousy when it comes to HD.

World Series? HD? Hmmm.....
yeah im not watching it either now.

freaking artifcating to no end still, and the fact we are still forced to pay for foxhd and sny hd when all the feeds do is get messed up day after day is bs.

but game 3 of the world series not in hd is disturbing.

yeah im not watching it either now.

freaking artifcating to no end still, and the fact we are still forced to pay for foxhd and sny hd when all the feeds do is get messed up day after day is bs.

but game 3 of the world series not in hd is disturbing.

Its Game 4... and technical problems happen...

But at least its not Time Warner's fault...

But what am I to do when I have this particular program (Rangers game) set to record every time it airs? I don't want to delete all references to it and then have to reschedule the recording every time. Seems like the software should be smart enough to know that I just stopped a particular recording and wait until the next time it's on before recording again.
It doesn't work that way. When you pull up the list and press B, you get a list of upcoming individual episodes, and deleting anything there has no effect on repeat recordings (which are controlled on tab C).

It doesn't work that way. When you pull up the list and press B, you get a list of upcoming individual episodes, and deleting anything there has no effect on repeat recordings (which are controlled on tab C).


OK, that makes sense. Guess I can go that route until they fix the bug. Thanks for the tip!

Is anyone using a PChdtv card in Manhattan and getting hdtv channels? I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get this card to work and I'm just wondering if it's even possible. I actually have a friend who works at PChdtv so I know the card is ok and I'm doing the scans properly. I just can't get any HD frequencies no matter what I try QAM/256/64 VSB_8...

As long as I know it's something that can be done then I'll keep plugging away and get it to work.

Thanks

have you figured this out? i miss the VCR controls!
I have some idea, but not 100% sure yet. I've been finding that when you record something that gets recorded on the internal hard drive, you get your "trick play" buffer back; but as soon as you record something onto the external drive, you lose it again. How you figure out which drive something is going to get recorded on is another matter entirely.....I think it always tries to record on the drive that has the most free space on it.....

http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6381154.html

"As the first NBC owned-and-operated station to offer high-definition newscasts, WNBC New York has served as a high-tech proving ground for other stations in the NBC group with various pieces of HDTV equipment.

Now WNBC’s most important technical test is just getting under way: the station’s evaluation of Sony XDCAM, which records video on removable optical discs. The NBC station group is searching for a fresh newsgathering format to replace aging Panasonic DVCPRO tape equipment at its 10 stations and hopes to make a decision by next summer.


To that end, WNBC has begun deploying 30 XDCAM cameras among its news crews. “We’re about halfway through, and we’ll be completely rolled out by the end of October,” says Matt Braatz, regional VP of technology, NBC TV Stations.

The new Sony cameras are allowing WNBC, which launched its high-def newscasts with HD pictures from its studio and helicopter but has been relying on standard-definition, 4:3–aspect-ratio cameras in the field, to begin producing live remotes in the widescreen 16:9 format.

Only a handful of those cameras are high-def versions of the XDCAM format, however. So for now, WNBC will mainly be upconverting widescreen SD pictures from the field. That will still be a substantial improvement for HD viewers, says Dan Forman, senior VP, news, and station manager, WNBC.

“The average viewer probably won’t be able to tell the difference,” says Forman, who adds that WNBC hopes to shift to full HD field production in the next six to 12 months. He notes that some footage, such as video contributed from other affiliates, will continue to be shown in 4:3 with a subtle graphic treatment in the side panels.

The station launched high-definition news on Sept. 13, concurrent with the HD debut of NBC’s Today, and is offering 28 hours of high-def news and sports programming each week.

A major stumbling block to HD field production is getting high-bandwidth HD video back to the station. While WNBC does have one HD-capable news van, the station is waiting to install new digital microwave gear that will support high-definition links across the New York market, as part of the 2 GHz Relocation Process being conducted by Sprint Nextel.

The XDCAM HD cameras have been used to produce a few edited packages, such as a segment during the premiere HD newscast that explained the new format to viewers. In those instances, field footage has been physically brought back to the station and edited there.

Interoperability between different vendors’ equipment is the main stumbling block, says Braatz, citing the effort to get Sony’s high-definition codec to work well with Avid’s nonlinear editing systems.

“Part of the reason we haven’t gone full high-def in the field is the editing workflow,” he says. “We still have some work to do with vendors on really improving the workflow. ”

As a standard-definition newsgathering format, XDCAM is working well so far, says Braatz. One of the format’s selling points over Panasonic’s solid-state P2 system was that, as WNBC gradually shifted from DVCPRO tape, it could still replicate a tape-based workflow by taking an XDCAM disc and editing it linearly.

“It’s allowed us to do a step-by-step transition,” he says.

WNBC’s move to HD has also resulted in a tighter integration with the network’s news operations at 30 Rock in New York. The station has now tied its routing system into the network’s routing system and shares editing-storage capacity with NBC News’ large Avid Unity ISIS system.

Key equipment includes a Sony MVS-8000A production switcher, Calrec digital audio console, Evertz virtual monitor wall, Grass Valley Trinix router, Pinnacle Deko 3000 graphics systems, and Miranda upconversion and downconversion gear.

Going HD hasn’t required any significant adjustments to lighting or makeup at WNBC, despite initial concerns by on-air talent that they wouldn’t look as good in the new format. Says Forman, “By and large, we’ve found they look better.” "

Hi folks, new to this forum and I've been trying to educate myself by reading past posts and now have some questions. I'm in Manhattan using TWC so this thread has been very interesting to me. I don't have HD yet, but am looking to get a set around Christmas time. I'm looking to get the Sharp Aquos LC-37D90U and from TWC I've learned I'll be getting a SA8300HD set top box. With that in mind, here are the questions that have occurred to me from reading this thread:

1. I see a lot of complaints about failed or artifact-filled HD channels, particularly for sporting events. Does this mean that you have HD problems the majority of the time, or is this a case of only the complaints being visible on a message board since why bother posting that you have no problems?

2. When you have a problem on an HD channel, you can still just switch to the regular channel instead, right? Seems totally obvious to me that if Fox HD is out you can still grab regular ol' channel 5, but there are no stupid questions right? :)

3. Do we have any word about when the 8300 box will be replaced by whatever is next? I don't hear good things about this box, and I'm wondering when improvements will arrive.

4. I know that HD is going to get better in time with more choice and better reliability, but those of you on HD now, is it worth the current hassles? I'm not forced to upgrade yet, but from what I've been researching this strikes me as a reasonable time to switch. Agree?

Thanks for all the good information you have provided so far. It's been very helpful to see real-world performance being talked about.

1. I see a lot of complaints about failed or artifact-filled HD channels, particularly for sporting events. Does this mean that you have HD problems the majority of the time, or is this a case of only the complaints being visible on a message board since why bother posting that you have no problems?
I think that it's sort of the "squeaky wheel" issue -- people don't post to say "Gee, my HD looks GREAT today!", which (IMO) it generally does. On the whole, I have very few problems with my HD picture, and I'm sure that most people will generally agree with this statement.

2. When you have a problem on an HD channel, you can still just switch to the regular channel instead, right?
Yes! But, once you go HD, you'll NEVER want to tune to an SD channel again. The compressed SD channels look horrible in HD

3. Do we have any word about when the 8300 box will be replaced by whatever is next? I don't hear good things about this box, and I'm wondering when improvements will arrive.
I am not aware of any replacement coming down the pipe for the 8300. I haven't (and I just checked again) seen any new product announcements from Scientifc Atlanta who supplies these boxes, so you'll be waiting a LONG time before anything comes along to replace the 8300HD.

It's really not as bad as you think -- again, I think it's the squeaky wheel syndrome -- the 8300 is not a TIVO, but otherwise, it's the best thing out there. It generally does a very good job at what it purports to do, but people like to complain....


4. I know that HD is going to get better in time with more choice and better reliability, but those of you on HD now, is it worth the current hassles? I'm not forced to upgrade yet, but from what I've been researching this strikes me as a reasonable time to switch.
Yes! Prices are reasonable for HDTVs, and the quality difference is tremendous. It's hard to go back to watching SD TV after spending any amount of time with an HD picture.

Your premise that HD is going to get better is somewhat suspect, though, as most HD content providers seem to slowly be degrading their signal quality -- broadcast stations by adding more subchannels that steal bandwidth from the HD picture, cable companies by compressing the signal to fit more channels into their allotted bandwidth, and satellite companies by lessening the resolution of the picture....

from TWC I've learned I'll be getting a SA8300HD set top box.

Only if you want one. The 8300HD is both a STB and a DVR. If you don't want a DVR, TWCNYC can give you a plain HD-STB. If your TV supports it, TWCNYC can also supply a cable card, eliminating the need for any box, but not supporting viewing video-on-demand programs.

Thanks for the detailed reply, Scott. Right now I have a decade-old 27" TV hooked up to TWC digital cable DVR box. I enjoy digital cable though I notice the artifacts on occasion. So if the problems are occasional, I can live with that. Reading the World Series and football comments had me worried that problems occur more often than not. Good to know that's not the case.

When you say SD channels look bad on HD, do you mean just because you get used to HD and so it suffers in comparison? Or does it look objectively worse on an HD set than digital cable does on a SD set? I mean, I'm used to SD now. If I got my HD set and only watched SD channels, would it look the same to me, or would it look worse?

Is anyone using a PChdtv card in Manhattan and getting hdtv channels? I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get this card to work and I'm just wondering if it's even possible. I actually have a friend who works at PChdtv so I know the card is ok and I'm doing the scans properly. I just can't get any HD frequencies no matter what I try QAM/256/64 VSB_8...

As long as I know it's something that can be done then I'll keep plugging away and get it to work.

Thanks

make sure you have a strong signal, try at the cable entrance with no splitters.
If your PChdtv card is ok you should pick up some QAM channels.

When you say SD channels look bad on HD, do you mean just because you get used to HD and so it suffers in comparison? Or does it look objectively worse on an HD set than digital cable does on a SD set? I mean, I'm used to SD now. If I got my HD set and only watched SD channels, would it look the same to me, or would it look worse?

I think it depends on what size display you have. I do 99% of my viewing on a HD front projector throwing a 112" diagonal image. Needless to say, 240 lines of resolution looks like garbage at that size. As a result I watch maybe 2 to 3 shows (at most) a week that aren't in HD. For me it's not even worth considering...HD is just far and away superior. Now at 37" SD won't look nearly as bad...but it still won't impress you once you're used to HD.

When you say SD channels look bad on HD, do you mean just because you get used to HD and so it suffers in comparison? Or does it look objectively worse on an HD set than digital cable does on a SD set? I mean, I'm used to SD now. If I got my HD set and only watched SD channels, would it look the same to me, or would it look worse?
The reason the SD channels look worse is that you can see much more detail on an HDTV, and you can see the flaws in the SD signal more apparently.

Most SD channels look "washed out", indicating that they are NOT using the full dynamic range
(SD and HD use the same 8-bits x 3 colors = 24-bit color pallet).
Legacy analog recorder/players and digital recorder/players employing 6-bit A/D converters
(which were "state of the art" a few years ago) can severely reduce the video dynamic range.

HDTV's are optimized to display the full range of the HD (and SD) color pallet.
If the input signal has a very limited range between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites,
then it will look "washed out" on an HDTV.

On the other hand, conventional TV CRT's are optimized to display video with a compressed video range,
matching it to the CRT's dynamic range.

There are also other factors involved....

Very interesting. So let's say there's a channel I like that is not yet HD. Since the only way to watch it in the future is via SD on my HDTV, does that mean I won't want to watch that channel any more? Or is it not that bad?

Very interesting. So let's say there's a channel I like that is not yet HD. Since the only way to watch it in the future is via SD on my HDTV, does that mean I won't want to watch that channel any more? Or is it not that bad?

Simply put, you won't want to watch it any more because it isn't in HD. That's really all there is to it. Once you go HD you can't go back.

Ugh. My favorite channel is TCM. But what can I do? I'm already used to some of the movies being less than perfect, so I will grin and bear it.

Thanks for the detailed reply, Scott. Right now I have a decade-old 27" TV hooked up to TWC digital cable DVR box. I enjoy digital cable though I notice the artifacts on occasion. So if the problems are occasional, I can live with that. Reading the World Series and football comments had me worried that problems occur more often than not. Good to know that's not the case.

When you say SD channels look bad on HD, do you mean just because you get used to HD and so it suffers in comparison? Or does it look objectively worse on an HD set than digital cable does on a SD set? I mean, I'm used to SD now. If I got my HD set and only watched SD channels, would it look the same to me, or would it look worse?

IMO, SD looks a =lot= worse on my Pioneer plasma HDTV than it looked on my non-hi def SONY 32" TV from a few years ago. Or better yet, I'd say the SD stations on my Pioneer range widely from mediocre-at-best, to poor, depending on the programming. Maybe, as someone else posted, it's because it picks up the flaws or magnifies the flaws inherent on the SD signal, i don't know, but *one* thing's for sure...definitely once you go HD, you'll =never= want to go back to SD, unless there's no choice in the matter.

EDTV sets are best for SD programs, while allowing you to enjoy HD programs with a quality rivaling that of HDTV sets (with a good set and at the proper viewing distance -- in my case about 9 feet). I have a Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY since two years ago and have been totally satisfied with it. One thing I do, which may partly explain the success I have with SD programs, is run a cable from the S-video connection on the STB to the S-video input of my Panasonic DVD recorder (DMR-E30); there the signal is upconverted to component and passed on to the TV thru component: in other words -- STB to recorder thru S-video, and recorder to TV thru component (the signal simply passes thru the recorder, which somehow improves its quality). For HD programs, the connection is from STB directly to TV thru component. I use a component switcher in my receiver to switch from one to the other.

Hi guys. Quick question. Sorry but this thread is just too huge to read right now. I'm looking to get an HD set soon. Right now I have Direct TV. All this talk about HD-Lite has me wondering whether I should drop Direct TV and switch to TWCNYC once I get my new TV.

So for those of you in the know....is the HD quality for TWC here in the New York City area better than Direct TV's HD-Lite? Or is TWCNYC also pumping out HD-Lite?

I would hate to spend lots of money on a new HD set only to know that I'm not getting the best possible picture.

EDTV sets are best for SD programs, while allowing you to enjoy HD programs with a quality rivaling that of HDTV sets (with a good set and at the proper viewing distance -- in my case about 9 feet). I have a Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY since two years ago and have been totally satisfied with it. One thing I do, which may partly explain the success I have with SD programs, is run a cable from the S-video connection on the STB to the S-video input of my Panasonic DVD recorder (DMR-E30); there the signal is upconverted to component and passed on to the TV thru component: in other words -- STB to recorder thru S-video, and recorder to TV thru component (the signal simply passes thru the recorder, which somehow improves its quality). For HD programs, the connection is from STB directly to TV thru component. I use a component switcher in my receiver to switch from one to the other.

Theoretically, this should not improve the PQ as it is still S-video no matter how it is upconverted. I'm not questioning your statement however, and I may even give the method a try. How would you say PQ is improved?

IMO, SD looks a =lot= worse on my Pioneer plasma HDTV than it looked on my non-hi def SONY 32" TV from a few years ago...

There are a number of factors going on here. And I'm coming from someone who had a top of the line 32" XBR CRT from 5 years ago to a 40" HD LCD. First, looking at ALL the SD channels and you'll see a GREAT variety of PQ. The premiums (HBO, etc.). always looked far better than other cable channels and 10 times better than the broadcast channels (and back when the locals came to me analog. They were almost unwatchable). Right now, with thee best CRT money can buy, you can set up a channels that looks horrid compared to a good quality signal from a HBO.

IMO one issue a lot of folks may overlook is viewing distance. The human eye is an amazing instrument, it can actually compensate a lot more than folks may understand. One of the nice things about HD is that given all the additional resolution, one can move closer to the screen without seeing the kind of PQ drop-off that happened with SD. I suspect some may find that getting back a little farther would "improve" the perceived quality of the SD.

There's also source material to consider. Video source makes for a far more impressive HD picture than that digitized from film. Then add in the artistic choice of the film-maker. A good friend of mine always shoots Fuji stock (too oversaturated for my taste) AND has it developed to get more saturation out of it. She's fine with it, it looks nuclear to me, I hate it! Looks at home some directors add "grit" by producing a very grainy look. Take something like Speilberg's War of the World in HD in a room with 10 people and I'd bet you 4 or more would swear it's SD (if I were to pick put 10 minutes of different scenes, I'd bet that number could go to 8).

Generally, I find SD on my HD LCD to not be that different in PQ from my XBR CRT. Now that I've been doing this for a while, I suspect the AR is be an actualy bigger factor! i.e. I am more "annoyed" at SD because it does not use the whole screen!

So, as some of you know, I've been keeping tabs on my SATA hard-drive upgrade here on this board, and I've reported that (as expected) the "trick play" (Pause, REW, FF) features of the DVR stop working once you hook up the external drive...

Well, this is not necessarily the case. I went away for the weekend, and with all of the liberating free disk space I had, I went a little crazy recording lots of movies.

So, I am watching some of the things I recorded last night, and happened to have the TV tuned to 702 before I started watching it. And I'll be darned if when I finished watching the stuff that I'd recorded, there wasn't a green line with a buffer that I could REW/FF/Pause when I got back to the Letterman show.

I can't explain how or why it happened (only that maybe after the external drive gets filled to a certain level it reverts back to the internal drive?). And the features haven't seemed to have returned permanently (this morning I couldn't do it).

VERY STRANGE.

I'll keep at trying to figure out the secret of getting back the trick play w/the external drive. It's all a bit mysterious....


Did you fill up your external drive and delete some shows on your internal drive?
I read that this might fix the live buffer problem.

Theoretically, this should not improve the PQ as it is still S-video no matter how it is upconverted. I'm not questioning your statement however, and I may even give the method a try. How would you say PQ is improved?
Clearer PQ. I tried S-video output from STB directly to S-video input on TV and it was more fuzzy, that's how I know that the setup I have gives a clearer picture. Sometimes it's so good that I have difficulty telling if it's a SD or HD program! (I'm not kidding). Try it and let us know the result. Mind you, my set is EDTV. I don't know how the PQ would behave with a HDTV set.

Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.

Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.

I received a flyer from TWC about the complete Star Wars marathon on Cinemax in HD. I called a CSR who said Cinemax will be HD in the future, but not now.

Take with a grain of salt, as TWC CSRs usually don't have a clue... :rolleyes:

Did it mention the channels numbers?


Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.

Did it mention the channels numbers?

Here are caps of the annoucement

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3973/vlcsnap41579cy8.th.jpg (http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap41579cy8.jpg)


http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1362/vlcsnap41644ll3.th.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap41644ll3.jpg)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5391/vlcsnap41686kd7.th.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap41686kd7.jpg)

Here are caps of the annoucement


WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

ABOUT TIME!!!!

SWEEEEEET!!!!

Thanks a ton Meteor!

Thanks also for DVR for those shots!

Post #8888 sure is lucky.
Get that DVR hard drive cleared for those 6 HD Star War movies!

Say you'll need about 13.8 hours or at 6.5GB per hour, roughly 90GB of free space to record them all in 1080i.

Paul

Did it mention the channels numbers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DND
Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.
====================
It will be nice to =finally= have SOMETHING new to look at on the HD/700 band side, BUT...MSG HD is NEW?? What are they talking about?? I don't =think= so, we've had it for about 2 years now, IIRC, so, not THAT big a deal. Now ESPN2, =that= would be a big deal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DND
Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.
====================
It will be nice to =finally= have SOMETHING new to look at on the HD/700 band side, BUT...MSG HD is NEW?? What are they talking about?? I don't =think= so, we've had it for about 2 years now, IIRC, so, not THAT big a deal. Now ESPN2, =that= would be a big deal.

Well.... MSG-HD will now be on 24/7 instead of just for Knicks and Rangers home games... which is nice (no more f*ck ups on whether or not a game is supposed to be on in HD...)

Also, like SNY, they will have more HD content (for example other MSG events....).

New channels are always good news. But damn, football yesterday was brutal. The Jets game was in 4:3 SD and looked horrible, the Fox early game, not much better.

Generally, I find SD on my HD LCD to not be that different in PQ from my XBR CRT.

Thank you. What I have right now is not good at all in comparison. Old equipment, not set right. I suspect I'll be more than pleased with SD programming on my HD LCD even if it won't look as nice as HD.

Ugh. My favorite channel is TCM. But what can I do? I'm already used to some of the movies being less than perfect, so I will grin and bear it.
You'll develop new favorite channels in HD. We get HDNet Movies which shows quite a few classic movies each month, and INHD1/INHD2, which show some classic movies as well.

Check out the websites and schedules for these channels and you'll see what type of content we get on them....

Trust me -- once you start to watch movies in HD, there's no going back. It's a night-and-day difference between watching films in HD vs. on your SD TV. Seriously -- even watching films on DVD pales (generally) in comparison to HD. Eventually all good stations will offer HD versions (including TCM).

Scott

Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.
If this really happens it would be HUGE!

Boy am I glad that I got that expansion drive! :o

No sh*t Scott! I had given up Cinemax partly for nu HD, partly because the HDXtra was so compelling (I'd totally recommend anyone with a HD display to go for this tier, it's 5 bucks a month of you already do the DVR service). I've been contemplating dropping Starz, but hesitated because stuff shown there stays there, while ALL Cinemax stuff gets to HBO 2 months or so later.

Actually, I think a good part of the HD experience is the 16:9 aspect. I used to kind of poo-poo it back when all I had was 4:3, but now that I've been "widescreened" I can't go back.

No sh*t Scott! I had given up Cinemax partly for nu HD, partly because the HDXtra was so compelling (I'd totally recommend anyone with a HD display to go for this tier, it's 5 bucks a month of you already do the DVR service). I've been contemplating dropping Starz, but hesitated because stuff shown there stays there, while ALL Cinemax stuff gets to HBO 2 months or so later.

Actually, I think a good part of the HD experience is the 16:9 aspect. I used to kind of poo-poo it back when all I had was 4:3, but now that I've been "widescreened" I can't go back.
Yeah, we're on the same page here. I can't even watch a film in SD 4:3 anymore. My fiancee noticed that "Coming To America" was on Comedy Central last night, and wanted to watch it, but I was like "Do you really want to watch the crappy SD picture on Comedy Central?" She gets it, though. :)

Starz is definitely the big jaw-dropper for me. Just a quick glance at their November HD schedule yields the following movies that I'm PSYCHED to see in HD:
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zisou
Shopgirl
Sky High
Sin City
The Brothers Grimm
American History X

...and that's just a quick glance. I used to subscribe to Starz back in the day (pre-HD), and I sort of recall that their total film selection is sort of limited, so once I get past the inital set of movies that I want to see in their lineup, I suspect that my viewing of the channel will drop precepitiously, but initially, at least, I'm psyched!

Yep, TWC will soon be getting more $$$ out of me every month as I add 2 more movie channels to my bill!

One other thing I'm psyched about in terms of the 24 hour MSG-HD channel is a little known new music series they've been showing (and promoting as an HD show) -- "The Jammies" that is on Friday nights. As a big music fan, I've been recording it in SD, and I'll be happy to see it in its full HD glory!

Apparently this is part of an effort of the MSG network to expand beyond sports into other types of content that relates to the MSG brand (i.e. concerts that they have featured at the arena).

Seriously -- I'll believe it all when I see it.....

OMG. Finally, more HD. Now that I just got my PS3 preorder from Toysrus this weekend, November is gonna be the begining of a busy time for my HD Set.

Simply put, you won't want to watch it any more because it isn't in HD. That's really all there is to it. Once you go HD you can't go back.

I would disgree to some extent...

1. Some SD channels or programs look great; others are miserable. I have a hard time living with e.g. SD football games, but e.g. CNN or Animal Planet look just fine... I would guess 60% OK to good, 40% painful

2. Screen size and viewing distance matter a lot. I'm on a 37" 1080p set, and viewing at 6 feet a good SD channel will look OK, but at 9 feet it will actually look amazing. A bad SD channel will be unpleasant at 6', but OK at 9 feet

3. Different models (even of the same size) will give different SD results based on their internal processing, so.... your mileage will vary.

4. Different viewers will have different standards - my wife has no problems watching SD on the 37" (barely prefers the HD channels), but I tend to watch SD as a fall-back if nothing interesting is on the HD channels.

I still watch a bunch of SD, but at 37", I'm obviously at the smaller end of things. The bigger the set, the less forgiving SD will be, and the more distance you will need to enjoy SD.

You'll develop new favorite channels in HD. We get HDNet Movies which shows quite a few classic movies each month, and INHD1/INHD2, which show some classic movies as well.

Check out the websites and schedules for these channels and you'll see what type of content we get on them....

Ah.......nope. Thanks, Scott, for your detailed opinion, and I believe you. But I did check out HDNet and they don't even begin to approach classic movies in the sense I define them. I did a search and found nothing by Lloyd, Chaplin, Bogart, Marx Brothers, and so on. It will be TCM for me even if it looks bad. I'm not that picky and I go for quality of story over quality of picture if I'm forced to choose.

I realize this is a minority opinion here, and I respect what the rest of you are saying. But I'm not switching entirely to HD just because the picture is better. Any channel that doesn't know what "Speedy" is will not be a channel I can treasure. :) However, I will say that I am encouraged by the movies HDNet does show. They have some good ones I would enjoy watching, even if their selection of silent film is lacking.

I think I am going to fall into the area heinriph talks about. A 37" screen in the living room where I will be around 9- or 10-feet away, and a 27" in the bedroom where I will be about 6 feet away. The Aquos models I've got in mind are reviewed as being good for SD viewing. I think I'll manage to put up with the SD channels even while enjoying baseball in HD goodness.

I have 42" Panny at 9-10' and can no longer watch movies in SD -- not even interested in 480i DVDs much. HDNET package provides lots of good old ones, and premium channels HBO and Showtime, TNT, more as well. Cinemax and Starz go HD in November here on TWC in NYC -- not sure if it's worth extra costs.

Ah.......nope. Thanks, Scott, for your detailed opinion, and I believe you. But I did check out HDNet and they don't even begin to approach classic movies in the sense I define them. I did a search and found nothing by Lloyd, Chaplin, Bogart, Marx Brothers, and so on. It will be TCM for me even if it looks bad. I'm not that picky and I go for quality of story over quality of picture if I'm forced to choose.

Ah....Now I see what kinds of films you're talking about. None of the HD channels feature silent (or even black & white) films -- EVER. I've only seen a couple of B&W films on the HD channels.....

Of course, there's nothing to prevent you from watching SD on your HDTV. :-) And one bonus is that you have the "zoom" button which works excellently when you've got a letterboxed SD movie playing (on a widescreen TV, that will leave you with boxing on all 4 sides, which makes it a perfect candidate for the zoom button).

I do think that maybe the SD looks so bad to me is that I'm not too far from my 32" TV -- maybe 8 feet?

Best of luck!

Scott

I guess I will forge ahead and see, but I really do appreciate the answers I've gotten here. Gives me a much more realistic picture of what I'm going to be experiencing.

Indeed, TCM is a great channel. I usually go for the marathons, like put 5 Hitchcock films in the DVR, stuff like that. I'm 8-9 feet with a 40" LCD and a lot of SD looks just fine; especially thing like old B&W films.

Initially I kept Starz because they got a lot of exclusives of some decent films. The SD PQ was just fine, but I did get a tad "disgruntled" at the lack of widescreen. Unfortunately, they never ran letterboxed versions... which makes sense, I remember being disgruntled by letterboxing back in my CRT days.

Yes, the zoom button I do use; mostly because I get off on several SciFi series; those are typically always letterboxed. So I blow 'em up on the big screen. They are a tad softer, and they do have an occasional glitch (may be due to my Samsung) where 1/3 of the picture is offset by a quarter inch or so, but that only lasts 3-4 seconds.

Don't forget that HDXtra tier channels (2 HDNets, 2InHDs) do more than movies, I've seen some interesting travel things, a LOT of music concerts, some old series that were critically not bad but only lasted 1-2 seasons.

I said that I'd still be watching lots of SD when I got the big set, but things didn't work quite that way. I will hit the most compelling things (oh, I just saw Memoirs of a Geisha on Starz, can't wait for the HD version!) but the average stuff is HD only.

Still, I'm wondering about the HDXtra tier; looks like we're gling to lose one soon as InHD seems to be going to a single channel. Oh boy, I'd love to see NG go in that tier!

I will hit the most compelling things (oh, I just saw Memoirs of a Geisha on Starz, can't wait for the HD version!)
Unfortunately, Starz isn't presenting Geisha in HD. Checked the schedule for November:
http://www.starz.com/features/guides/0611sthd.pdf

And while it's being shown widescreen, it is not being presented in HD. :(

looks like we're gling to lose one soon as InHD seems to be going to a single channel.
What would lead you to believe this? I haven' t seen anything that would indicate we'd be losing INHD2. The INHD website still has programming listed as being scheduled all the way through the end of November.....

... I did a search and found nothing by Lloyd, Chaplin, Bogart, Marx Brothers, and so on. It will be TCM for me even if it looks bad.
.My 2 cents… :)
You will absolutely love HD! Don’t wait. Just get the biggest and best display that fits into--- your budget, your room and your viewing situation.

I’m sure that you will discover a plethora of entertaining programming. I understand your dilemma. You prefer seeing Rufus T Firefly fill your screen. Well you still can and a whole bunch more.

TCM happens to be one of the non HD channels that looks great. And as Scott and others here mentioned, if you’re watching a letter box movie on an SD channel, the zoom feature is a wonderful necessity.

Regardless of the complaints, HD is the greatest. It is inconceivable to be in a world without HD. :cool:

What would lead you to believe this? I haven' t seen anything that would indicate we'd be losing INHD2. The INHD website still has programming listed as being scheduled all the way through the end of November.....

It has been rumored to be gone by the end of the year... I believe a number of systems have already replaced inhd2 with other HD channels they were "missing", knowing it will no longer exist soon.

http://www.hdsportsguide.com/singleNews.php?page=300

http://www.tvpredictions.com/hdrumor103006.htm

YES-HD has moved from QAM 639 program#3 to QAM 633 program#2

ESPN-HD has moved from QAM 597 program#3 to QAM 633 program#3

YES-HD has moved from QAM 639 program#3 to QAM 633 program#2

ESPN-HD has moved from QAM 597 program#3 to QAM 633 program#3

I had checked for any changes last night at around 10:30pm.... this happened sometime after that...

YES-HD has moved from QAM 639 program#3 to QAM 633 program#2

ESPN-HD has moved from QAM 597 program#3 to QAM 633 program#3
Maybe MSG-HD will become QAM 633 program #1?

New channels are always good news. But damn, football yesterday was brutal. The Jets game was in 4:3 SD and looked horrible, the Fox early game, not much better.

I agree with you, TOTALLY.

Maybe MSG-HD will become QAM 633 program #1?


633 - 1 is SNY HD

MSG HD was already 603 - 3

The 2 slots for Starz and Cinemax seem obvious now...
Nice that they aren't putting more than 3 HD channels in a Frequency slot...

Still don't understand why TheTube isn't assigned to an actual channel.. if they're already sending the signal....

Before 10/30 Starting 10/30
Freq Program # Channel # Channel #
597 1 724 HDNet | 724 HDNet
597 2 723 HDNetMovies | 723 HDNetMovies
597 3 725 ESPN-HD | has a video PID
597 4 ---- | ----
603 1 706 DiscoveryHD | 706 DiscoveryHD
603 2 710 TNT HD | 710 TNT HD
603 3 712 MSG HD | 712 MSG HD
603 4 ---- | ----
633 1 741 SNY HD | 741 SNY HD
633 2 ---- | 708 YES HD
633 3 ---- | 725 ESPN HD
633 4 ---- | ----
639 1 721 InHD | 721 InHD
639 2 722 InHD2 | 722 InHD2
639 3 708 YES HD | has a video PID
639 4 ---- | ----
669 1 ---- | ----
669 2 705 WNYW HD | 705 WNYW HD
669 3 711 WPIX HD | 711 WPIX HD
669 4 WPIX-2 (TheTube) | WPIX-2 (TheTube)
675 1 704 WNBC HD | 704 WNBC HD
675 2 707 WABC HD | 707 WABC HD
675 3 731 NBC+ | 731 NBC+
675 4 732 NBC4.4 | 732 NBC4.4
675 15 729 WABCNow | 729 WABCNow
675 16 730 WABC+ | 730 WABC+
681 1 702 WCBS HD | 702 WCBS HD
681 2 713 WNET HD | 713 WNET HD
681 3 714 Kids13 | 714 Kids13
681 4 715 13World | 715 13World
693 1 703 SHO HD | 703 SHO HD
693 2 701 HBO HD | 701 HBO HD
693 3 HBO/Max OnDmnd Info | HBO/Max OnDmnd Info
693 4 709 UHD | 709 UHD

My 2 cents… :)
You will absolutely love HD! Don’t wait. Just get the biggest and best display that fits into--- your budget, your room and your viewing situation.

I’m sure that you will discover a plethora of entertaining programming. I understand your dilemma. You prefer seeing Rufus T Firefly fill your screen. Well you still can and a whole bunch more.

TCM happens to be one of the non HD channels that looks great. And as Scott and others here mentioned, if you’re watching a letter box movie on an SD channel, the zoom feature is a wonderful necessity.

Regardless of the complaints, HD is the greatest. It is inconceivable to be in a world without HD. :cool:

Heh, thanks for the encouragement. Or should I reverse it and say I wouldn't want to be part of a service that would have me for a member? :)

Thanks for the TCM report. Fact is, I'm slowly building up my DVD collection with nice quality classic movies. So eventually I'll just pop in a DVD when I want to satisfy my craving for Harold Lloyd (folks, I meant what I said about "Speedy" earlier. If you haven't seen that 1928 film, it's worth seeking out. Not only do you see NYC as it really was back then since it was filmed on location with real New Yorkers who mostly didn't know they were being filmed in the crowd scenes, but it also shows Yankee Stadium and it features Babe Ruth himself in a bit part -- plus it's Harold Lloyd hilarious). But I love discovering stuff on TCM that I never heard of and wouldn't have sought out.

Back to the topic of this thread, I'm glad to see that TWC is planning on new channels of HD for our area. From what I've read this will only continue in the next few years, so I think I'm hopping onto the bandwagon at the right time. It's no longer the bleeding edge, but it's still fairly early in the game.

I've budgeted to get my screens in late December/early Jan. I should have it in place for the Super Bowl which I'm hoping will wow me. And shortly thereafter, baseball. As for movie channels, yes, after TCM that's my favorite thing to watch and I will probably grab a bunch of them to maximize my HD choices.

OK, so it sounds as if football wasn't so much fun to watch yesterday. Question: What is the cause of this? Why was the Jets game shown as 4:3 SD?

OK, so it sounds as if football wasn't so much fun to watch yesterday. Question: What is the cause of this? Why was the Jets game shown as 4:3 SD?

CBS only shows 3 games a week in HD (of their 5 to 7 weekly games)

FOX shows 6 games a week in HD (of their 5 to 7 weekly games)

So there is no guarantee the NY games will be in HD on a weekly basis.....

http://www.hdsportsguide.com/nfl.php shows which games will be in HD (fully updated a week in advance...)

Starz-HD guides
http://www.starz.com/features/guides/0611sthd.pdf

Cinemax-HD guides
http://www.hbo.com/guidepdf/2006-11/hbo_nov06_ee.pdf

Starz-HD guides
http://www.starz.com/features/guides/0611sthd.pdf

Cinemax-HD guides
http://www.hbo.com/guidepdf/2006-11/hbo_nov06_ee.pdf

So Starz shows only a FEW of their movies in HD?

It wasn't clear what was HD on Cinemax. In general, both look disappointing...

So now that MSG-HD is coming to channel 712, does that mean we can schedule recordings? I hope so. I haven't been able to get any Rangers games on HD recorded, even though I have a series recording for it.

Unfortunately, Starz isn't presenting Geisha in HD. Checked the schedule for November:
http://www.starz.com/features/guides/0611sthd.pdf

And while it's being shown widescreen, it is not being presented in HD. :(


What would lead you to believe this? I haven' t seen anything that would indicate we'd be losing INHD2. The INHD website still has programming listed as being scheduled all the way through the end of November.....

OMG, if ever there was a movie that cried for it, Geisha is. Looking through the schedule, it seems that there are a lot of stuff on their HD channel that aren't HD. SHO does the same thing, they do show a lot of SD on their HD channel. What's REALLY annoying is a letterboxed SD program (I've seen that on SHO HD). There's just NO excuse for that!

I've seen various news outlets talking about a consolidation of InHD. The last one was EnGadget.

So now that MSG-HD is coming to channel 712, does that mean we can schedule recordings? I hope so. I haven't been able to get any Rangers games on HD recorded, even though I have a series recording for it.

Yes - no more channel shutdown during non-game times.... which means the channel will finally act normally.

I'm slowly building up my DVD collection with nice quality classic movies. So eventually I'll just pop in a DVD when I want to satisfy my craving for Harold Lloyd (folks, I meant what I said about "Speedy" earlier. If you haven't seen that 1928 film, it's worth seeking out. Not only do you see NYC as it really was back then since it was filmed on location with real New Yorkers who mostly didn't know they were being filmed in the crowd scenes, but it also shows Yankee Stadium and it features Babe Ruth himself in a bit part -- plus it's Harold Lloyd hilarious). But I love discovering stuff on TCM that I never heard of and wouldn't have sought out..
Before I jumped into HD I was doing the same thing. I started amassing and viewing an eclectic DVD collection but once I started watching HD my DVD screening and buying slowed down to hardly ever. Eventually, when it’s available, I’ll pick up an up-converting dual format HD / Blue Ray player and either resume collecting or join Netflix. Until then, I’m fine with looking forward to whatever surprises are on in HD.

Regarding Lloyd, yes he was terrific. Unfortunately for me, primarily because of what films were accessible, I’m more partial to the other greats of that period. The rest of Hal Roach’s ensemble was keeping me laughing.

Didn't see this mentioned, but I saw a ticker on the weather ch today which says MSGHD, Cinemax HD and Starz HD will be added on Nov. 1st.
Interestingly enough, I tuned to TWC, and did not see the ticker that you describe. I only saw something about some upcoming PPV sporting event.

Still a bit skeptical, but willing to be surprised. I'll believe it when I see the new channels myself! :-)

Before I jumped into HD I was doing the same thing. I started amassing and viewing an eclectic DVD collection but once I started watching HD my DVD screening and buying slowed down to hardly ever. Eventually, when it’s available, I’ll pick up an up-converting dual format HD / Blue Ray player and either resume collecting or join Netflix. Until then, I’m fine with looking forward to whatever surprises are on in HD.
Seems like a common thread. Count me in on this as someone who had been building up a "favorite movies" collection (as well as a ton of great live music) of DVDs, but my purchases have slowed to a trickle since going full-steam HD, and I let the DVR be my current library of films to watch (temporary though it might be).

The only DVDs I'll buy these days are ones that I don't expect to ever have any benefit on HD-DVD or Blu-ray (old TV shows, live concerts not filmed in HD, etc.)

Interestingly enough, I tuned to TWC, and did not see the ticker that you describe. I only saw something about some upcoming PPV sporting event.

Still a bit skeptical, but willing to be surprised. I'll believe it when I see the new channels myself! :-)
I was upstate near Woodstock this weekend and on their weather channel, which btw they have twc too, it said the same thing, those three channels coming as well on nov 1, so it looks to be across the board for all ny area twc companies.

Good news for skeptics:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?ChannelFilter=HDTV&Zip=10023&CLUID=536

Good news for skeptics:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?ChannelFilter=HDTV&Zip=10023&CLUID=536
OK, I guess I can finally believe it.

Seems like I'll be needing to place a call to Time Warner to subscribe to Cinemax/Starz in the next 24 hours! :)

Good news indeed! Now we just need them to run a ticker showing the following...

714 National Geographic HD
715 Food Network HD
716 MHD
717 HGTV HD
718 The Movie Channel HD
726 ESPN2 HD
727 NFL HD

Can't hurt to dream, can it?

Good news indeed! Now we just need them to run a ticker showing the following...

714 National Geographic HD
715 Food Network HD
716 MHD
717 HGTV HD
718 The Movie Channel HD
726 ESPN2 HD
727 NFL HD

Can't hurt to dream, can it?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmfoood

One of my favorite SD channels

Good news indeed! Now we just need them to run a ticker showing the following...

714 National Geographic HD
715 Food Network HD
716 MHD
717 HGTV HD
718 The Movie Channel HD
726 ESPN2 HD
727 NFL HD

Can't hurt to dream, can it?
;)

But hey, you never know!

With the all-of-a-sudden appearence of 2 of the biggest channels we've been waiting for in HD (and this despite the fact that they've been claiming to be "out of bandwidth" for years), I wouldn't put anything past TWC.

If I had to guess, the order probably came from TWC corporate to get the channels on their systems!

My next-most-wanted channel is MHD....just 'cause I'm a big music fan.....

I can see the sides of Starz-HD in diagnostic mode on frequency 597 program #3

I can see the sides of Starz-HD in diagnostic mode on frequency 597 program #3
..and you could see the whole thing by pressing the "A" button repeatedly, which plays with the transparency of the diagnostic screen. :)

..and you could see the whole thing by pressing the "A" button repeatedly, which plays with the transparency of the diagnostic screen. :)

wow, thanks didn't know i could do that

and Cinemax HD is at 639 - 3

Just like I figured....

Now all we need is MSG HD to be turned on for good....

Guess the channel update isn't happening at midnight...

as of 4 am here in queens, we only have msg on ch 712.

you can get to cinemax and starz by pressing 710 and 720 on your remotes, but scrolling channels you cannot acces it yet.

MSG comes up but no 720 in the City just yet. I tried direct remote and a reboot. It's great there will be more HD content. Bandwidth out of nowhere for TW and it comes just in time for Nov Sweeps.

D9,
I was wondering the same thing. How did TWC get enough bandwidth for 3 permanent HD channels, all of a sudden?
Did they remove analog channels?
Is SDV involved?
Was TWC improperly "claming" lack of bandwidth?

According to the channel guide, HDSpecials-712 has a name change top MSG HD. Did a bit of scrolling for the next 6 days and it kinda looks like before, "No Programing Available" except for Knicks or Rangers games.

719 & 720 aren't in the program guide, you can't access them with the channel up or down buttons, but as mentioned above, you CAN access them by entering 719 or 720 manually on the remote! Obviously, there is no "program data" for 720 (I'm already a Starz subscriber). My guess is that sometime in the middle of the day, they'll push the program data aspect.

D9,
I was wondering the same thing. How did TWC get enough bandwidth for 3 permanent HD channels, all of a sudden?
Did they remove analog channels?
Is SDV involved?
Was TWC improperly "claming" lack of bandwidth?
Sadly I think the latter is most likely

STARZ is up now. Direct input from remote, what CH is Cinemax? I just don't understand TW No info, no nothing. Any other kind of Business where competitor is not such a Monopoly this would never hold water. I would not have watched this Costner Movie if not such a nice PQ in HD. 2 cents

Max-HD 719 Chevy Chase in HD, Nice.

According to the channel guide, HDSpecials-712 has a name change top MSG HD. Did a bit of scrolling for the next 6 days and it kinda looks like before, "No Programing Available" except for Knicks or Rangers games.

719 & 720 aren't in the program guide, you can't access them with the channel up or down buttons, but as mentioned above, you CAN access them by entering 719 or 720 manually on the remote! Obviously, there is no "program data" for 720 (I'm already a Starz subscriber). My guess is that sometime in the middle of the day, they'll push the program data aspect.

You're right. The program guide now has the added channels. TVGuide also has them in their listing now.

-Mike

Woohoo!!!

OK - so now MSGHD will always be on... no more TWC crap about turning the channel on and off... (and hopefully more HD content to go along with it).

And 719 and 720 are available in the guide and can be flipped to!
Guide still said "no data" when i left for work at 9:15...
We'll see if that updates later today...


But overall... Woohoo! This is the biggest day for us NYC HD people in a long while...

Here on the Upper West Side, all new channels are listed, but StarzHD (720) is just grey screen (all HD sets, two seperate apartments). Can anyone else up here get StarzHD?

Here on the Upper West Side, all new channels are listed, but StarzHD (720) is just grey screen (all HD sets, two seperate apartments). Can anyone else up here get StarzHD?


All 3 channels worked for me when i left my apartment this morning.

Are you a Starz subscriber? Channel won't work if you aren't....

All 3 channels worked for me when i left my apartment this morning.

Are you a Starz subscriber? Channel won't work if you aren't....

I subscribe to all!!!

Just a side note about MSGHD...

They finally figured out how to schedule games...

ALL (except 1 - January 31st) Knicks and Rangers Home Games (not on an exclusive national network like Versus, NBC, etc.) will be on MSGHD... the infamous MSG2 (used when both teams are playing at the same time), that obviously has no HD feed, will be used by the team on the road....

About time they figured that out... I hated how the Knicks always had precedence last year on MSG, causing some Rangers home games to be stuck without HD.

Of course.... now lets see how many road games the network can add in HD this season... (if any...)


Note: The 1 Rangers game on 1/31 will actually be on FSNY.... which does have an HD channel... just not for us....

I subscribe to all!!!


Try a reboot.... then call.....

Try a reboot.... then call.....

Did that. Done that. I hate calling because I seem to ALWAYS get the clueless-first call this time I actually got someone who knew about the new channels, but I was cut off (naturally!) and when I called back, well "Wow! New channels-you learn something new every day!" (Actual rep quote!). At least she didn't suggest a useless tech visit-even though she couldn't find a problem (naturally!) she said she will submit my account info to "technical support" and they will fix it from their end. Oh well-we will see!!

Hi,
I am going to pick up a HD DVR tonight from my TWC center because my HTPC and HD don't play nice together. I am just wondering if there is a way to get recorded shows off of the DVR box (which I assume will be an SA 8300) and onto my PC.

I know that any HD content that I record is probably going to be locked down, but is it possible to move SD recordings from the DVR to my PC?

Any info would be great.

Thanks,
Chris

Hi,
I am going to pick up a HD DVR tonight from my TWC center because my HTPC and HD don't play nice together. I am just wondering if there is a way to get recorded shows off of the DVR box (which I assume will be an SA 8300) and onto my PC.

I know that any HD content that I record is probably going to be locked down, but is it possible to move SD recordings from the DVR to my PC?

Any info would be great.

Thanks,
Chris

If you mean moving by S-VHS or other analog connection, maybe yes. If you mean moving by DVI, FireWire, HDMI, SATA--whatever, I don't think so. I can't even move anything to a compliant DVCR from the 8300HD using a digital (FireWire) connection.

-Mike

Had problems with StarzHD being grayed eariler, but it all seems well now. :)

Had problems with StarzHD being grayed eariler, but it all seems well now. :)

Yea, I knew that StarzHD was back when my Dolby audio went out and I had to go to the menu to fix it!! Figured they did something......... :D

Just to reiterate:

YIPPEEE!

Yes!!! It's about time. 3 new hd channels!!!

Hey boys,

I've been off the boards for a while but I just saw the SA now offers an 8300HD MR (multi-room), does anyone know if this is available for TWC Manhattan yet?

Thanks,
dac

now that we have Starz we have something new to complain about.
These dam Non-HD movies are already driving me nuts and it's only day 1.
It's not TWC's fault, Just Starz.
gonna have to email some suits over at Starz.

Hey boys,

I've been off the boards for a while but I just saw the SA now offers an 8300HD MR (multi-room), does anyone know if this is available for TWC Manhattan yet?

Thanks,
dac
interested to know this too - also can somebody explain what exactly the MR device is? I currently have 2 dvrs but i record pretty much the same thing on both, would this mean i could get rid of 1 of them and just keep 1 mr box?? My bill is already 150 a month (including internet), and now i plan on adding stars and cinamax for hd, this bill is killing me.

interested to know this too - also can somebody explain what exactly the MR device is? I currently have 2 dvrs but i record pretty much the same thing on both, would this mean i could get rid of 1 of them and just keep 1 mr box?? My bill is already 150 a month (including internet), and now i plan on adding stars and cinamax for hd, this bill is killing me.

Yes, my bill is big too and I'm looking for ways to cut down (although Starz HD is very enticing). From my reading of the SA site, you need another standard (non-dvr) set top box in addition to the 8300HD MR in order to use it on multiple sets. Knowing TWC, they would charge you the equivalent of 2 DVR subs in order to use the MR, maybe 1 or 2 dollars less. The only drawback of having one MR and one regular box is that you can't pause live TV on the non-dvr boxes, which only makes sense. I mean, I would probably go for it though, if I'm leasing this thing, I might as well always have the latest and greatest.

Here is the spec sheet and FAQ from the SA site:
http://www.sciatl.com/products/consumers/new_explorer8300HDMR.htm

Yes!!! It's about time. 3 new hd channels!!!

So let me get this straight. I have the HD extra tier thing, but i'm NOT getting STARZ HD ( just get the "subscribe now" annoyance on my screen) because i haven't subscribed to it yet?? "Funny" i haven't subscribed to CINEMAX *either*, but i'm getting THAT on my screen tonite. :mad:

Any idea what they're gonna charge me, JUST for the STARZ channel??

So let me get this straight. I have the HD extra tier thing, but i'm NOT getting STARZ HD ( just get the "subscribe now" annoyance on my screen) because i haven't subscribed to it yet?? "Funny" i haven't subscribed to CINEMAX *either*, but i'm getting THAT on my screen tonite. :mad:

Any idea what they're gonna charge me, JUST for the STARZ channel??


CinemaxHD and StarzHD have nothing to go with the HD Extra Tier...

You have to subscibe to them to get their respective HD channels...

If you're getting one of them now without a subscription... it will probably fix itself eventually... (this is the sort of thing happens with new accounts.... guess it can happen with the adding of new channels to the system as well...)

Any idea what they're gonna charge me, JUST for the STARZ channel??


I was quoted $10.95 just for STARZ. I already had everything all other channels (except Encore).

CinemaxHD and StarzHD have nothing to go with the HD Extra Tier...

You have to subscibe to them to get their respective HD channels...

If you're getting one of them now without a subscription... it will probably fix itself eventually... (this is the sort of thing happens with new accounts.... guess it can happen with the adding of new channels to the system as well...)

OK, thanks. I subscribe to the very expensive "D Best" package, tho.....what does -that- do for me, in terms of this deal? I get all the HBO's and SHOWTIMES, i guess.

Turn the TV on to watch the knicks, and wham MSGHD is on, naturally I only have DTV-INTRO package and i don't get msg, but i did get the HD Specials channels... now all i can watch is the nets whom I don't fancy. I'm really irritated now

Turn the TV on to watch the knicks, and wham MSGHD is on, naturally I only have DTV-INTRO package and i don't get msg, but i did get the HD Specials channels... now all i can watch is the nets whom I don't fancy. I'm really irritated now


According to their channel listing on the website - neither HD Specials (YESHD) or MSGHD are part of the DTV-Intro Pack...

Guess HD Specials was never set up the way it was supposed to be....
No surprise there...

Kool got in from work 1hr ago & was flipping through the CH's when I came across MSG-HD, Cinemax-HD & Starz-HD, I immedately called in to subscribe to Starz & Cinemax for HD! Expensive $10.95 each, but it seems worth it!

Kool got in from work 1hr ago & was flipping through the CH's when I came across MSG-HD, Cinemax-HD & Starz-HD, I immidately calle din to subscribe to Starz & Cinemax for HD! Expensive $10.95 each, but it seems worth it!

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/products/cable/packagesandpricing.html

It's not $10.95 each... it's $10.95 for the first, $7 for the 2nd, and $5 each for the rest..

So if you already had HBO and Showtime, then its only another $10 to get Starz and Cinemax

"D-Best" is an ancient package! When I dropped Cinemax and added HDXtra, they really goofed up my bill, so I had to talk to them. They were actually nice and helpful about the whole thing. As I already HAD DVR service, swapping those 2 premiums should have meant my monthly toll didn't change. Under the D-Best, somehow it came out to be more. However, they suggested I "switch" to the new package and under that plan, yes my bill was under a buck cheaper. FWIW, my pricing seems more transparent now, it's DTV Value (cable & Internet) for 99, HDXtra Combo (DVR+HDXtra tier) for 15, and Premiums (HBO, SHO, Starz) for 23.

Now that we have the new HD channels, I thought of going to the extra 5 bucks to add Conemax, but I decided to hold the line; all it means is that I'll see the good stuff from there 1-2 months later.

Of course, being greedy, we have to talk about the premiums VOD channels. I think the deal is that if you subscribe to 2 or more premiums, they are free. BUT what about VOD HD?

The dbest package at my co-op is 80.73 (which includes new Cinamax-HD, but still no Movie Channel-HD...and the mid speed (6MB down) Road Runner)

I added hdxtra for 8.95

2 Additional Converters

1 extra premium

With fees it's 149.89

This has been about $3 more than a year ago...

I think it'll be $8 or $9 more to add Starz-HD.

hmmm....

I've had a dBest package for about a year and a half...
Came with 4 premiums (guess i lucked out with the 2 I picked that werne't HD at the time) + Internet
=$127.95

added HDxtra Combo for $15

Is there a better deal out there that I could get That I'm missing?

According to their channel listing on the website - neither HD Specials (YESHD) or MSGHD are part of the DTV-Intro Pack...

Guess HD Specials was never set up the way it was supposed to be....
No surprise there...
Well I don't get UniverstalHD when its part of Intro so I guess it was a trade.

I wonder what the remaining 700 channels will be....

127.95 and my 149.89 is about the range now. I don't think there is a better deal....

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/products/cable/packagesandpricing.html

It's not $10.95 each... it's $10.95 for the first, $7 for the 2nd, and $5 each for the rest..

So if you already had HBO and Showtime, then its only another $10 to get Starz and Cinemax

Well when i called to activate the Starz & Cinemax last night, after it was done, I asked the TWC Rep on the phone what the cost of the 2 were & he stated it was going to be $10.95 each.

I already have HBO & the HDxtra package, so was I given wrong pricing info or are they trying to get over on me?

UPDATE: Just got off the phone with another TWC Rep & he informed me that I was misquoted the pricing last night. It's as Berk32 posted, $10.95 for the 1st Premium CH. then $7 for the 2nd & $5 for the 3rd, so basically, for all 3 Premium CH's I pay a total of $22.95.

UPDATE: Just got off the phone with another TWC Rep & he informed me that I was misquoted the pricing last night. It's as Berk32 posted, $10.95 for the 1st Premium CH. then $7 for the 2nd & $5 for the 3rd, so basically, for all 3 Premium CH's I pay a total of $22.95.
You beat me to your correction...
http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/products/cable/packagesandpricing.html

edit: I see that Berk already posted the same site above. All the answers are there.

Are all the movies in listing of Starz HD and Cinemax HD in HD?

Are all the movies in listing of Starz HD and Cinemax HD in HD?

Most... not all (just like HBO and Showtime...)

The movie information will show "HDTV" if it is....

Most... not all (just like HBO and Showtime...)

The movie information will show "HDTV" if it is....

Thanks.

Edit: I just checked the Starz HD listings, and it seems that the majority of movies do NOT list "HDTV". If the listings are correct, I'll have to think twice about subscribing -- although I guess a test run wouldn't hurt...

Is UniversalHD up now or what? Is it part of the pay HD tier or is it free? If it's free anyone know what the channel is on an ATSC tuner?

hmmm....

I've had a dBest package for about a year and a half...
Came with 4 premiums (guess i lucked out with the 2 I picked that werne't HD at the time) + Internet
=$127.95

added HDxtra Combo for $15

Is there a better deal out there that I could get That I'm missing?

That's exactly what i'm paying, Berk...btw, i swapped TMC for Starz, so i didn't have to pay extra for Starz.

Need espn2hd by college hoops season!!! COME ON TWC!

when I called back, well "Wow! New channels-you learn something new every day!" (Actual rep quote!).
Ha! My customer service rep said the same thing when I called to add Starz & Cinemax. He was like "Nice -- Cinemax & Starz in HD -- I can't wait to go watch them when I get home!" Hee hee....

now that we have Starz we have something new to complain about.
These dam Non-HD movies are already driving me nuts and it's only day 1.
It's not TWC's fault, Just Starz.
gonna have to email some suits over at Starz.
You can go to the Starz website and see which movies will be in HD over the course of the month from this schedule:
http://www.starz.com/features/guides/0611sthd.pdf

If the movie doesn't say "True HD" next to it, it's not in HD......

Not all of the movies are in HD, but a good portion of the ones I'm interested in are....

Some co-op/condo buildings have separate deals with TWC; my mother is in one such building and what she gets is definitely cheaper than the rate card.

I just wonder if the HD on Starz might be like I saw sometimes in audio... the premiere broadcast was in DD5.1, but for some reason, repeats weren't. Geisha is one movie that screams for HD; yet the rebroadcasts scheduled for this month seem to be SD. Did they REALLY premiere this movie a few months ago on the HD channel in SD? I'd be very surprised if they did.

Boy, this is a "have any of you seen this totally weird thing happen?

Few weeks ago, was watching a recorded show (Star Trek, NBC HD) when all of a sudden, the audio level drops and I start hearing what can best be described as someone doing rapid finger snaps. Like alternating as fast as you can from one finger to the other. I have a good audio system, this stuff sounded like it was happening in front of a decent quality mike, as in almost live. Damn thing went on for 4-5 minutes or so then quit. I grumbled someting about Vulcan's messing with my head and went on.

Then was watching ABC HD the other night. Live. Boom, audio level drops markedly, on comes the finger snapping. I switch around to 2 other channels, it's only happening on ABC. 3 times I switch "back" the ABC, three times it starts up. Then it stops, maybe 2 minutes worth.

Being live, it sure seems to be a channel specific thing. Happening on 2 different channels seems to tell me the issue may be someone in the TWC control room fooling with us.

Could this be the damndest thing you've ever heard of?

Damn thing went on for 4-5 minutes or so then quit. I grumbled someting about Vulcan's messing with my head and went on....Then was watching ABC HD the other night. Live. Boom, audio level drops markedly, on comes the finger snapping. I switch around to 2 other channels, it's only happening on ABC. 3 times I switch "back" the ABC, three times it starts up. Then it stops, maybe 2 minutes worth....Could this be the damndest thing you've ever heard of? :D :D Sorry to hear, or not hear.
I have plenty of guesses but none of them are constructive. ;)

I was a Vulcan mind trick. Honest!

Few weeks ago, was watching a recorded show (Star Trek, NBC HD) when all of a sudden, the audio level drops and I start hearing what can best be described as someone doing rapid finger snaps.
I've never seen or heard anything like this. Doublechecking that your audio cables are firmly connected to your cable box and your receiver is all I can offer on this one.

Boy, this is a "have any of you seen this totally weird thing happen?

Few weeks ago, was watching a recorded show (Star Trek, NBC HD) when all of a sudden, the audio level drops and I start hearing what can best be described as someone doing rapid finger snaps. Like alternating as fast as you can from one finger to the other. I have a good audio system, this stuff sounded like it was happening in front of a decent quality mike, as in almost live. Damn thing went on for 4-5 minutes or so then quit. I grumbled someting about Vulcan's messing with my head and went on.



On two occassions ran into something even stranger. Similar to you, the audio level dropped, then all of the sudden I heard av oice coming through my system saying something like "We are a go on all four!" Almost sounded like chatter coming from a broadcast control room. The weirdest part....I backed up my DVR, and nothing. The voice was not there. It was the strangest thing. It scared the crap out of me, cause through my system it sounded like the person was in my living room. Happened twice.

there is a video conference channel somewhere -- 1892 maybe?

idle speculation at best tho

there is a video conference channel somewhere -- 1892 maybe?

idle speculation at best tho

it is lol

employee discount for grinch on broadway through ticket master promotional code PLUM3

QVC 20% discount ends soon

LOL

Boy, this is a "have any of you seen this totally weird thing happen?

Few weeks ago, was watching a recorded show (Star Trek, NBC HD) when all of a sudden, the audio level drops and I start hearing what can best be described as someone doing rapid finger snaps. Like alternating as fast as you can from one finger to the other. I have a good audio system, this stuff sounded like it was happening in front of a decent quality mike, as in almost live. Damn thing went on for 4-5 minutes or so then quit. I grumbled someting about Vulcan's messing with my head and went on.

Then was watching ABC HD the other night. Live. Boom, audio level drops markedly, on comes the finger snapping. I switch around to 2 other channels, it's only happening on ABC. 3 times I switch "back" the ABC, three times it starts up. Then it stops, maybe 2 minutes worth.

Being live, it sure seems to be a channel specific thing. Happening on 2 different channels seems to tell me the issue may be someone in the TWC control room fooling with us.

Could this be the damndest thing you've ever heard of?

exact same thing happend to me the other night while watching a dvr recording of 'the nine'

Watched my Spurs beat the MAVS in fake HD on TNT-HD Thursday night, then last night watched them lose @ home to the CAVS in HD on ESPN-HD!

Man sports is such a rollercoaster ride! :(

Let's go Tony Romo & Cowboys this Sunday!

exact same thing happend to me the other night while watching a dvr recording of 'the nine'

Ah, I was afraid I was hearing ghosts in the machine! TWC is playing with our sanity, clearly.

Could this be the damndest thing you've ever heard of?
Toshio? :-)

Anyone know if the Mayweather PPV fight tonight is offered in HD?

Anyone know if the Mayweather PPV fight tonight is offered in HD?

The fight will most likely be offered in HD, but not here on TWCNYC as they do not carry PPV-HD anymore.
Wait till next week and watch the HD replay on HBO.

INHD2 is history as of 01/01/07

"In Demand may try to put a magic spell on its HD networks.

The supplier of pay-per-view and on-demand programming decided to merge its two HD channels, INHD and INHD2, into one Jan. 1, president Rob Jacobson said. That would, he added, create a best-of HD service.

Some cable operators already dropped INHD2, which shows some exclusive IMAX movies and concert events that will shift over to INHD.

What will the new channel be called? That will be announced “sometime next year,” Jacobson said. But there’s a “pretty good likelihood” that INHD will be renamed Mojo. That’s the name given to blocks of original HD programming that currently run from 9 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays and Sundays, featuring such shows as Wall Street Warriors, Dr. Danger, After Hours with Daniel and London Live.

In Demand is looking at adding a third night of original shows and possibly a fourth of Mojo before it changes the name of the service itself, Jacobson said."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6388356.html?display=Breaking+News

that free's up a slot for another HD channel.

if by 1/1 TWC corporate hasn't reached an agreement for all those HD channels out there. What would you like to see be added next, from the HD channels that might be easyier for them to add?

like:
MY9-HD
FSNY-HD
PPV-HD / OnDemand-HD