It should be! "Stretch" for 480i/480p passes through the signal unmolested. "Sidebar" actually re-scales the image horizontally to make room for the gray sidebars. 480i/480p is 720x480 pixelwise, and to make room for the sidebars the box will have to squish the picture together first (throwing away data and creating scaling artifacts).

I'm sorry. I don't think i understand exactly how this is supposed to work. Could a patient person please explain to me what exactly is done via the TWC remote (for ex, am i going to the advance SETTINGS, or am i using the # thingie on the remote for any of this?), and WHAT is supposed to be done (if anything) to the HDTV settings on my Pioneer plasma display?? Because i don't see any way of changing the display's look on the Pioneer.

The way i have it now, i have NO BLACK BARS whatsoever on the non-HD channels. And no matter what i do, i can't seem to get them back. Do i =want= them?? However, i DO have the black bars on the non-hi-def stuff currently on the TV, like the CBS Evening News. I need someone to break this down, step by step, in as simple a form as possible. Thanks in advance for your patience. :o

And let me add that, when i use the "#" thing on the remote to "stretch" the 4:3 image, it magnifies things, so that i LOSE INFORMATION that's towards the bottom of the screen (like on NY1 News). I assume that's NOT what you guys were talking about when you said to stretch 4:3, because that SUCKS.

And let me add that, when i use the "#" thing on the remote to "stretch" the 4:3 image, it magnifies things, so that i LOSE INFORMATION that's towards the bottom of the screen (like on NY1 News). I assume that's NOT what you guys were talking about when you said to stretch 4:3, because that SUCKS.
I'll take a stab at it.

Assumptions:

1. The Cable Box will output the native resolution of each program, no up/down or cross-conversions. This is to prevent additional scaling steps.
2. All scaling, stretching or aspect ratio correction will be done by the display, in your case your Pioneer.

Steps:

1. Make sure 480i, 720p and 1080i are enabled as output resolutions. Remote keys: MENU->A->Output Formats. Check 480i, 720p and 1080i, uncheck 480p.
2. Set aspect ratio to 16:9 in Cable box. Remote keys: MENU->A->Aspect Ratio. Select "Widescreen (16:9), Stretch 4:3 Picture". You may need to do this for both HD and SD channels to make sure it sticks.

Now the cable box will operate in native mode without converting the signal. Stay away from the "#" button on the TWC remote, you will never need to use it.

On the Pioneer, use "Full" aspect ratio for HD programming and "4x3" or "Wide" for SD programming. "4x3" should get you black sidebars unless your Pioneer inserts gray ones. "Wide" will do a progressive stretch of SD content to prevent burn-in.

Best of luck.

I'll take a stab at it.

Assumptions:

1. The Cable Box will output the native resolution of each program, no up/down or cross-conversions. This is to prevent additional scaling steps.
2. All scaling, stretching or aspect ratio correction will be done by the display, in your case your Pioneer.

Steps:

1. Make sure 480i, 720p and 1080i are enabled as output resolutions. Remote keys: MENU->A->Output Formats. Check 480i, 720p and 1080i, uncheck 480p.
2. Set aspect ratio to 16:9 in Cable box. Remote keys: MENU->A->Aspect Ratio. Select "Widescreen (16:9), Stretch 4:3 Picture". You may need to do this for both HD and SD channels to make sure it sticks.

Now the cable box will operate in native mode without converting the signal. Stay away from the "#" button on the TWC remote, you will never need to use it.

On the Pioneer, use "Full" aspect ratio for HD programming and "4x3" or "Wide" for SD programming. "4x3" should get you black sidebars unless your Pioneer inserts gray ones. "Wide" will do a progressive stretch of SD content to prevent burn-in.

Best of luck.

Excellent, thank you SO MUCH for helping me out. I did exactly what you instructed me to do, including accessing the appropriate "Full" and "Wide" settings on the Pioneer display. But i noticed a couple things that are confusing me, now...do i WANT the sidebars on the 4:3 content? Because, when i followed your directions on the HD channel FIRST, and then switched to an SD channel (as you advised) there WERE sidebars...GREY sidebars, which, as you suggest, are probably put in there by Pioneer. BUT when i went BACK to Settings, while on the SD station, and put in "Stretch 4:3 Picture", there went the sidebars. So now, there are NO sidebars, let alone the BLACK ones. So, is this the optimal setting?

Again, i appreciate your help. :)

Excellent, thank you SO MUCH for helping me out. I did exactly what you instructed me to do, including accessing the appropriate "Full" and "Wide" settings on the Pioneer display. But i noticed a couple things that are confusing me, now...do i WANT the sidebars on the 4:3 content? Because, when i followed your directions on the HD channel FIRST, and then switched to an SD channel (as you advised) there WERE sidebars...GREY sidebars, which, as you suggest, are probably put in there by Pioneer. BUT when i went BACK to Settings, while on the SD station, and put in "Stretch 4:3 Picture", there went the sidebars. So now, there are NO sidebars, let alone the BLACK ones. So, is this the optimal setting?

Again, i appreciate your help. :)
Looks like you're getting there. The software in the cable box is a little buggy, so sometimes you have to make the change on both SD and HD channels for it to take effect. I usually switch back and from between HDNet and NY1 a couple of times after I make the change to make sure it took OK. Assuming you Pio is set to "Full" aspect ratio you will have full-screen display of both SD and HD now, no bars at all. However, SD people will look kinda wide, I suspect. Use the aspect ratio button (Wide button?) to select either "4x3" (should give you black side bars) or "Wide" (progressive stretch that should keep people in the center of the picture looking ok).

Looks like you're getting there. The software in the cable box is a little buggy, so sometimes you have to make the change on both SD and HD channels for it to take effect. I usually switch back and from between HDNet and NY1 a couple of times after I make the change to make sure it took OK. Assuming you Pio is set to "Full" aspect ratio you will have full-screen display of both SD and HD now, no bars at all. However, SD people will look kinda wide, I suspect. Use the aspect ratio button (Wide button?) to select either "4x3" (should give you black side bars) or "Wide" (progressive stretch that should keep people in the center of the picture looking ok).

I saw your reply this morning, JUST as i was leaving for work, so i couldn't respond then. On the SD/4x3 side of things, if i select "Wide", i =lose= the info on the bottom of the screen, which is not acceptable. If i choose "4x3", Pioneer puts a very weird sidebar in there, kinda looks like a broken/cracked mirror, with the edges of the image reflected TWICE, which is ULTRA ANNOYING. My only other choice is to go with "FULL"...which DOES stretch the image in SD...and that seems to be the best of a bad SD 4:3 situation, unless i'm doing something wrong.

I saw your reply this morning, JUST as i was leaving for work, so i couldn't respond then. On the SD/4x3 side of things, if i select "Wide", i =lose= the info on the bottom of the screen, which is not acceptable. If i choose "4x3", Pioneer puts a very weird sidebar in there, kinda looks like a broken/cracked mirror, with the edges of the image reflected TWICE, which is ULTRA ANNOYING. My only other choice is to go with "FULL"...which DOES stretch the image in SD...and that seems to be the best of a bad SD 4:3 situation, unless i'm doing something wrong.
My Sony just squeezes the 4:3 picture, leaving black bars on the left/right of the screen -- exactly the way I want it!

My Sony just squeezes the 4:3 picture, leaving black bars on the left/right of the screen -- exactly the way I want it!

then you are the lucky one. because, when i use the remote on the 8300 to set the sidebars, they are still coming in in GREY, for the most part.

Riverside guy: I've had the TWC triple package for about 3 years and I seriously have never had any major phone/cable/Internet outages. I'm in the Yorkville area (low 90's off 2nd Ave) so maybe I've just been lucky.

Indeed I had a few others say they've never had a moment's downtime. As I tried to say, some of the outages happened only to me (like when they came to terminate a moving away neighbor and cut my lines, then took 5 days to get me back up and connected) and some with a wider reach (almost the entire west side, from 83rd to 108th was out for 2 1/2 days, then when it came back my "modem" was fried). I was only posting this as some data points for those thinking about their VOIP service.

I am fairly sure that the gray sidebars are created by TW (I'd guess the way they have the 8300 configured). My previous "trick" to get back ones was to set any SD channel to "4:3 Stretch." Which I refuse to watch like that. I then set my Samsung to 4:3 for ANY SD channel. So the SD picture came from the 8300 stretched, but when it hit the TV, the TV being set for 4:3 somehow horizontally squeezed the image. The result was NO distortion and black sidebars. BUT, it "fell out of" that setting frequently. AND the guide ended up being horizontally squeezed INSIDE that 4:3 box.

Then came the suggestion to set the 8300 to 4:3 for primary. Made NO logical sense to me, I could NOT puzzle out exactly how it did what it ended up doing. BUT it doesn't "fall out of" this setting, and the guide on SD channels runs the full width (not squeezed). Can't say I noticed it being sharper as Scott has, but now that CBS is NOT using gray sidebars on it's HD channel, I NEVER see gray.

To reiterate, I can only assure y'all this works on Sony & Samsung LCDs.

BTW, per previous postings, I got my bill and there was a second page about al the 6/14 changes. Must say <rant>I'm aghast that instead of reducing the cost for the HDXtra tier having now lost 2 of it's HD channels, adding a bunch of SD channels is totally bogus. It is SUPPOSED to be a pay extra tier for additional HD channels, not a bunch of SD channels.</rant>

MY problem is that I DO watch a bunch of stuff on the 2 HDNets and Mojo. I mean, did ANYONE see that tour of the ISS in HD?

Then came the suggestion to set the 8300 to 4:3 for primary. Made NO logical sense to me, I could NOT puzzle out exactly how it did what it ended up doing. BUT it doesn't "fall out of" this setting, and the guide on SD channels runs the full width (not squeezed). Can't say I noticed it being sharper as Scott has, but now that CBS is NOT using gray sidebars on it's HD channel, I NEVER see gray.

To reiterate, I can only assure y'all this works on Sony & Samsung LCDs.
==============================================

Riv Guy, I'm not following you here. What do you mean by, "set the 8300 to 4:3 for primary"? What does primary mean?? Is that the Aspect Ratio setting that we access via the remote?? And what guide on SD channels are you referring to? Thanks! :confused:

After doing some more "fiddling", i have a decent-looking stretch image, with NO sidebars on the 4:3. if i go into Settings and set it to sidebar 4:3, the sidebars come back in GREY. On my Pioneer, that seems to be my only two viable options. And THIS time, i have the image on the Pioneer side set to "Wide", and i'm getting all the information on the bottom. This is kinda like working on a combination lock, trying to get the perfect combination.

After doing some more "fiddling", i have a decent-looking stretch image, with NO sidebars on the 4:3. if i go into Settings and set it to sidebar 4:3, the sidebars come back in GREY. On my Pioneer, that seems to be my only two viable options. And THIS time, i have the image on the Pioneer side set to "Wide", and i'm getting all the information on the bottom. This is kinda like working on a combination lock, trying to get the perfect combination.

CORRECTION: I'm only getting the complete screen when i put the PIONEER in the "FULL" display....the "Wide" cuts stuff off at the bottom.

then you are the lucky one. because, when i use the remote on the 8300 to set the sidebars, they are still coming in in GREY, for the most part.
It would seem that you still have your aspect ratio settings wrong in the advanced settings menu. When you have your settings as suggested by Riverside_Guy's method, it will be impossible to get grey bars out of the 3800. It's either "full screen" displayed, zoomed (where it cuts of part of the picture), or stretched (also cutting off part of the picture).

BTW, per previous postings, I got my bill
Did anyone else notice how late TWC sent out their bill this month? I didn't recieve mine until 6/2, with a due date of 6/14! I've never heard of any utility or other company sending out a bill with less then 30 days of lead time, much less 12 days.

The bill was interestingly dated 5/24.

This tells me that they intentionally held the bills in the hope that people would miss the deadline and they could collect lots of late fees.....

I usually pay all of my bills together on the 1st of the month, but when I was looking for the June TWC bill, it was nowhere to be found and then it showed up the following day....

It would seem that you still have your aspect ratio settings wrong in the advanced settings menu. When you have your settings as suggested by Riverside_Guy's method, it will be impossible to get grey bars out of the 3800. It's either "full screen" displayed, zoomed (where it cuts of part of the picture), or stretched (also cutting off part of the picture).

Mmmm, not really.

"Primary" means the setting on the left, the one on the right is the "other" or secondary one. Normally, logic says to set it for 16:9 on the 8300. The trick is to set it to 4:3, NOT 16:9.. Which means that the secondary (one on the right) is set for 16:9.

Yes one CAN induce distorted pictures. Keep the 8300 set to "Normal" (I think it's the # button on the remote). But normally you should NOT get a distorted image (which is why I'm a bit confused by what you said).

Like I said, you can NOT set these kinds on things on the STB without considering how the TV is set. The 2 very much CAN interact with each other. I NEVER, EVER watch anything distorted. The ONLY time I use ANY distortion is I use the TV's Zoom function on SD channels that show 16:9 letterboxed content in their 4:3 image (black bars all 4 sides). Note I said TV, if one tired to use Zoom on the 8300, it would zoom inside the original 4:3 box because my TV is "forcing" SD to go inside such a box.

Conversely, I KNOW it's a mistake, but sometimes on HD channels, they will put their 16:9 inside that 4:3 box. So it comes from it's source as 16:9 with black bars all 4 sides. In this situation, I CAN use the 8300's Zoom function BECAUSE the TV is set for 16:9.

Did anyone else notice how late TWC sent out their bill this month? I didn't recieve mine until 6/2, with a due date of 6/14! I've never heard of any utility or other company sending out a bill with less then 30 days of lead time, much less 12 days.

The bill was interestingly dated 5/24.

This tells me that they intentionally held the bills in the hope that people would miss the deadline and they could collect lots of late fees.....

I usually pay all of my bills together on the 1st of the month, but when I was looking for the June TWC bill, it was nowhere to be found and then it showed up the following day....

Oh boy does that ever speak to me... except not TWC but those credit card bandits. 24 hours beyond their "deadline" and you get hit with HUGE late charges. One of my cards is 29, the other 39 bucks! It almost seems I have to call one of these bandits every month... so far I've always got it written off. Yesterday's conversation had me telling them about their statement closing on the 15th, they feel they have a week to actually send it out, but I still get it about the 26th, 27th. Payment is due to them on the 3rd of the next month, I virtually have to initiate payment the day I get the bill. But that wasn't the way I got them to cancel the charges, it was checks sent on the 29th 2 months in a row that one took them 7-8 days to say they got it one time, the other took 2 days. They didn't offer the slightest argument over that, seems clear they KNOW they are holding checks.

As for TWC, I got the bill 2 days ago with a due date of 6/17. THEY are giving me more time to get it paid, AND I've never heard of those 30 or 40 buck late fees (my favorite was a year or two ago I paid a 14 dollar credit card bill 24 hours late and they charged me a 30 buck late fee).

Sorry to rant OT... Scott incited me<g>!

Riverside_Guy, and anyone else who has eliminated grey bars on a 3250HD or 8300HD, without distortion, could you please give us a summary of your settings, equipment, and results...

For example, here is my summary, but I DO HAVE grey bars, just a format example:

================
STB (SA 3250HD)
-aspect ratio: 16:9 primary + widescreen / 4:3 secondary + sidebars
-# zoom: normal
-ouput: 1080i (I can't actually get it to change!)

TV (Pioneer 23HLV87)
-pic size: Full (all the time, no need to switch for SD/HD)

Results
-SD: 4:3 with grey sidebars (no distortion or cutoff)
-HD: 16:9 or with black bars depending on source (no distortion or cutoff)
-action: no need to change any settings when going from SD to HD
-navigating*: no delay in changing channels (even HD); guide not too slow
================

*with some settings, like enabling more output resolutions, I get major delays/blackouts when switching channels (some people have reported up to 5 seconds); on the Pioneer 3510HD the guide was very slow in HD channels.

I just want to confirm, will 451-457 be added as a part of the HD combo pack come 6/14?

I just want to confirm, will 451-457 be added as a part of the HD combo pack come 6/14?

Yes, remember "combo pack" means DVR Service and HDXtra tier. The irony is that the HDXtra tier was marketed and sold as a tier of HD speciality channels, and as we lose HD channel after HD channel, they add s bunch of SD channels!

OK, on the 8300 it's Settings/More Setting/Aspect Ratio as:

Standard (4:3)/Letterbox 16:9 picture

Which seems opposite of what you want. Plus, for this trick to work, you MUST enable all resolutions (it will NOT work if you choose the 8300 to scale to 1080 for all content, I have 1080, 720 and 480 enabled there). Picture setting (# key on remote) is "Normal." Trust me, when I first came across this suggestion, I thought the guy was smoking one of those funny cigarettes.

On the TV you will find that settings and terminology differ widely. On Sony, "full" seems to means that no matter what, the screen gets filled. So for the one Sony i adjusted, it was "Normal" not "Full." On my Samsung, it was 16:9 I set when tuned to a HD channel and 4:3 while tuned to a SD channel (one of many reasons I chose Samsung was their terminology seemed much more straightforward).

Black bars ALWAYS. Nothing distorted/strecthed (except TNT which does it from Atlanta).

Now I know that enabling all resolutions can make for long channel changes, Sony is extra bad at this, my Sammie is much faster syncing to the new resolution. So there IS a decision to make, if your display is particularly slow to change resolutions, you may feel the back bars aren't worth it. I feel the additional second or so is just fine to get rid of the bars.

My sister with the Sony doesn't care although she notices it. Being a girl, she's just not a dial twirler at all. She wants to see something, she puts it on and leaves it there.

Anyone else downtown whose cable is out? Mine has been out for hours now.

All of a sudden I have these gray bars on my display on the non-hd channels. I have the 8300 DVR. I played around the # key on the remote but it just makes the picture look worse. I've never had this problem before and I've had this setup for a while now. The television is a Toshiba 62MX195.

Did something change overnight? Here's a photo of my screen:

http://www.donteverforget.com/20070610_0381.JPG

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

All of a sudden I have these gray bars on my display on the non-hd channels. I have the 8300 DVR. I played around the # key on the remote but it just makes the picture look worse. I've never had this problem before and I've had this setup for a while now. The television is a Toshiba 62MX195.

Did something change overnight? Here's a photo of my screen:

http://www.donteverforget.com/20070610_0381.JPG

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've had the same situation, too, on the non-hd channels. I think the only solution is to put those 4:3 stations in STRETCH mode, using your cable remote to access the settings. It's not a great solution by ANY means, but it's better than the grey bar annoyance. :(

Riverside_Guy, and anyone else who has eliminated grey bars on a 3250HD or 8300HD, without distortion, could you please give us a summary of your settings, equipment, and results...

For example, here is my summary, but I DO HAVE grey bars, just a format example:

================
STB (SA 3250HD)
-aspect ratio: 16:9 primary + widescreen / 4:3 secondary + sidebars
-# zoom: normal
-ouput: 1080i (I can't actually get it to change!)

TV (Pioneer 23HLV87)
-pic size: Full (all the time, no need to switch for SD/HD)

Results
-SD: 4:3 with grey sidebars (no distortion or cutoff)
-HD: 16:9 or with black bars depending on source (no distortion or cutoff)
-action: no need to change any settings when going from SD to HD
-navigating*: no delay in changing channels (even HD); guide not too slow
================

*with some settings, like enabling more output resolutions, I get major delays/blackouts when switching channels (some people have reported up to 5 seconds); on the Pioneer 3510HD the guide was very slow in HD channels.


Danav, Here are my settings, the only time I get bars is HD shows that are SD and don't want to be strectched, everything is stretched, but doesn't have the stretched look that many have complained about.
STB (SA 8300HD & 3250HD)
Setting / More settings
-aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen / 4:3 stretched

-ouput formats: 480p /720p /1080i (I let the TV do the conversion)

TV (Sony 40XBR2)
Wide area: Full
4:3 default Full
Display Area:Full pixel (HD only)

Results
-SD: 4:3 stretched evenly no distortion with reg programing, but spots leave something to be desired but almostr every sport has a corresponding HD channels so watch it there.
-HD: 16:9 black bars on only pure 4:3 shows that for some reason are able to aviod the stretch but are seen with black not grey bars.
-action: Same as yours. Oncce you find settings you like, changing settings will stop.
-navigating*: If you set up this way you will get a delay in changing because the TV is converting the signal not the STB to the proper display res. It is on you to determine which component gives you the better PQ, the TV or STB. Channel guide pops right up with no delay on all channels.

i just noticed: in the COMPONENT video mode, there's NO grey bars on my SD stations, but...in HDMI mode, there ARE grey bars on the SD stations. :eek:

I've had the same situation, too, on the non-hd channels. I think the only solution is to put those 4:3 stations in STRETCH mode, using your cable remote to access the settings. It's not a great solution by ANY means, but it's better than the grey bar annoyance. :(
Really deal and mike, what channel if not all of them? Also a flaw in the remote is you can change everything with out noticing with that dam # buttom. Many people have written or talked to me private about what happened and it ended up being an easy fix by just pressing it again. It depends on your TV but if you look at the settings above that should work to get rid of those grey bars for you guys.


Edit: Deal: The Toshiba's have been known to have a good scaler, so a stretched SD PQ should really look good. These aren't the TV's of old. Stretch isn't a crime any more. It can be a pleasure to watch. You have these great TV's you should be seeing the whole screen. Also for both of you make sure you have the TV on WIDESCREEN not standard this is the biggest cause of any grey bars on any technologies TV's.

i just noticed: in the COMPONENT video mode, there's NO grey bars on my SD stations, but...in HDMI mode, there ARE grey bars on the SD stations. :eek:

Becareful Mike, Depending how old your TV is you might have individual input settings. In other words the settings you have for component might be different then the ones you have for HDMI. Just a little change might solve that bar issue with HDMI.
Which TV do you have?

Have people been getting any kind of compensation from TWC for the removal of channels from HDXtra, and what's the best way to get them to give it to you?

Does anyone know when they're going to have STBs with more than 20 hours of HD capacity in Manhattan?

Have people been getting any kind of compensation from TWC for the removal of channels from HDXtra, and what's the best way to get them to give it to you?

Does anyone know when they're going to have STBs with more than 20 hours of HD capacity in Manhattan?

Get this... everyone who had HDXtra lost InHD2 in January. 200 miles from me, in upstate NY they also had ESPN HD moved to the regular digital tier. THEY got compensated with a free full year of Showtime, including it's HD channel. WE get the shaft. They KEEP ESPN HD on HDXtra, only moving it this week. AND they add in a bunch of SD sports channels to that tier that is SUPPOSED to be about ALL HD content. AND they can claim they "owe" us nothing because they added those channels. I don't KNOW this, but I'd put money those upstate folks also got the SD sports channel as well.

My "issue" is that HDXtra carries the 2 HDNets and MOJO. I LIKE those 3 channels, I watch them. At 5 bucks extra (combo lack) they are priced pretty much like a premium after the first 2 (each one after 2 is 5 bucks extra). Dropping them is in my heart, but my brain thinks cutting off my nose to spit my face isn't the smartest move... see the conundrum?

Normally there shouldn't be a need for a larger internal drive as the hardware is ready for external storage (i.e. it has a separate SATA controller for an external drive along with a eSATA connector). The problem is that they seem incapable to delivering reasonable software support for it, so we are awash in what drive, what enclosure, etc. do or don't work.

Get this... everyone who had HDXtra lost InHD2 in January. 200 miles from me, in upstate NY they also had ESPN HD moved to the regular digital tier. THEY got compensated with a free full year of Showtime, including it's HD channel. WE get the shaft. They KEEP ESPN HD on HDXtra, only moving it this week. AND they add in a bunch of SD sports channels to that tier that is SUPPOSED to be about ALL HD content. AND they can claim they "owe" us nothing because they added those channels. I don't KNOW this, but I'd put money those upstate folks also got the SD sports channel as well.

My "issue" is that HDXtra carries the 2 HDNets and MOJO. I LIKE those 3 channels, I watch them. At 5 bucks extra (combo lack) they are priced pretty much like a premium after the first 2 (each one after 2 is 5 bucks extra). Dropping them is in my heart, but my brain thinks cutting off my nose to spit my face isn't the smartest move... see the conundrum?

Normally there shouldn't be a need for a larger internal drive as the hardware is ready for external storage (i.e. it has a separate SATA controller for an external drive along with a eSATA connector). The problem is that they seem incapable to delivering reasonable software support for it, so we are awash in what drive, what enclosure, etc. do or don't work.

I totally agree about the channels, but has anyone tried to call and complain and gotten anything out if it, or do they just say tough luck?

And it would be really nice if they would provide more adequate storage space without making us go to a lot of trouble and expense....

I've had the same situation, too, on the non-hd channels. I think the only solution is to put those 4:3 stations in STRETCH mode, using your cable remote to access the settings. It's not a great solution by ANY means, but it's better than the grey bar annoyance. :(

Use what Riverside Guy says to do:

HAve the cable box aspect be set to 4:3/letterbox (do this when viewing SD channel)

once u set that up u might have to change the channel for it to lock on the screen.

the HD channels should still be at 16:9 when u go to it and do info from tv.

if needed ur tv should have settings for full, wide mode, panoramic, etc. change these to suit ur needs for SD.

I have sony kdsa60a2020 and have HDMI with black bars as a result. No more grey bars.

Becareful Mike, Depending how old your TV is you might have individual input settings. In other words the settings you have for component might be different then the ones you have for HDMI. Just a little change might solve that bar issue with HDMI.
Which TV do you have?

It's a Pioneer plasma, model 4340. I got it about 3 yrs ago. If it has individual input settings, i'm not aware of it.

Use what Riverside Guy says to do:

HAve the cable box aspect be set to 4:3/letterbox (do this when viewing SD channel)

once u set that up u might have to change the channel for it to lock on the screen.

the HD channels should still be at 16:9 when u go to it and do info from tv.

if needed ur tv should have settings for full, wide mode, panoramic, etc. change these to suit ur needs for SD.

I have sony kdsa60a2020 and have HDMI with black bars as a result. No more grey bars.

OK, i give up....it's not worth going crazy over the freakin' grey sidebars. I've tried EVERY COMBO known to man, and suggested by you guys, and, the only way i can get rid of the grey sidebars on MY screen in SD mode is to put it in 4:3 stretch. IF there's sidebars in this mode, they are grey. If there's sidebars in the HD mode, those are BLACK. I'm getting dizzy.

Sorry Mike, but I'm pretty sure I kept saying that there is an interaction between the TV and the 8300 and that some combos just might not work the same way as I know Sony & Samsung seem to so.

But I CAN explain something... while not 100% sure 100% of the time, HD channels (almost) always send out a "true" 16:9 image. If they run 4:3 ads, the black bars ARE added by that channel. I seem to recall that CBS HD used to use gray, but don't any longer. When they DID use gray, it was impossible to change them to black. Far as I can tell, on SD channels, it's TWC putting in the gray sidebars.

Sorry Mike, but I'm pretty sure I kept saying that there is an interaction between the TV and the 8300 and that some combos just might not work the same way as I know Sony & Samsung seem to so.

But I CAN explain something... while not 100% sure 100% of the time, HD channels (almost) always send out a "true" 16:9 image. If they run 4:3 ads, the black bars ARE added by that channel. I seem to recall that CBS HD used to use gray, but don't any longer. When they DID use gray, it was impossible to change them to black. Far as I can tell, on SD channels, it's TWC putting in the gray sidebars.
Well, it's not even TWC putting in the gray bars -- it's the 3800HD that's putting in the sidebars on SD (and only SD) channels.

Hi - Bringing this over from a different thread. No reply there. Maybe someone here knows?

Thanks


[/QUOTE]Good morning All

I did a fairly quick search of the thread to see if anyone encountered this situation before. To summarize, I bought a new component stand and had to disconnect my setup. When I plugged in my 8300HD I noticed now that the LED display no longer shows the resolution. Before, it would display 1080i or 720p or 481i depending on what station I was tuned to. Now it's blank on top. when I'm on an HD station it no longer displays the HDTV indicator either. I think I recollect an indicator that said Auto on the display as well. that is no longer present. I searched through the settings on the box but can not find anything that would activate this feature. When I look at my output formats they are set from 1080i thru 480i.

Any idea if this is a box malfunction or an additional setting I can no longer find. When I hooked up the box originally, the display showed all the info from the get go.

Thanks in advance,
Frank
8300HD - Passport software
Time Warner Cable - Staten Island, NY
Sony KV-36HS510 [QUOTE]

Got my bill yesterday (Queens) and it says the HD package will drop to $1.95 seems like it might be worth keeping now. Was anyone aware of this?

Got my bill yesterday (Queens) and it says the HD package will drop to $1.95 seems like it might be worth keeping now. Was anyone aware of this?

I believe I saw that too on my bill. Only makes sense since there's only about 3 CH's there now.

Got my bill yesterday (Queens) and it says the HD package will drop to $1.95 seems like it might be worth keeping now. Was anyone aware of this?

Its dropping BY $1.95 - not TO $1.95...

Sorry Mike, but I'm pretty sure I kept saying that there is an interaction between the TV and the 8300 and that some combos just might not work the same way as I know Sony & Samsung seem to so.

But I CAN explain something... while not 100% sure 100% of the time, HD channels (almost) always send out a "true" 16:9 image. If they run 4:3 ads, the black bars ARE added by that channel. I seem to recall that CBS HD used to use gray, but don't any longer. When they DID use gray, it was impossible to change them to black. Far as I can tell, on SD channels, it's TWC putting in the gray sidebars.

Thanks, Riv....no problem. The way you're describing it in paragraph 2 is exactly how i'm seeing it now. MEANWHILE, i'm counting the days till ESPN2 HD. :cool:

Hi all, I don't know if I've seen this posted here yet. It was in one of my trade pubs today (I'm in the programming end, not the tech end, as you could probably tell from any of my previous posts.) It will be interesting to see if we get them, considering the shared corporate ownership.

HBO to Offer All Channels in High-Def

By Stephanie Robbins

HBO will make all 26 feeds of its HBO and Cinemax multiplex channels available in high definition, HBO CEO and Chairman Bill Nelson announced Tuesday.

"We have a long history of firsts in technology: satellite, multiplex and SVOD," Mr. Nelson said. "Such a commitment reinforces our tradition of giving our customers the best programming when they want it and how they want it."

With the launch of HBO HDTV in 1999 and Cinemax HDTV in 2003, HBO was the first national cable network to offer high-def feeds.

The network's all-digital multiplex packages include:

HBO (East/West)
HBO2 (East/West)
HBO Signature (East/West)
HBO Comedy (East/West)
HBO Family (East/West)
HBO Zone (East/West)
HBO Latino (East/West)
Cinemax (East/West)
MoreMAX (East/West)
ActionMAX (East/West)
ThrillerMAX (East/West)
WMAX (East)
@MAX (East)
5StarMAX (East)
OuterMAX. (East)
Tags:
Cinemax, HBO, HD

That sounds wonderful, all those movie channels supposedly in HD. But the question has to be, WHEN?? AND, since we KNOW where the real HD stations are located, if those movie channels aren't in the 700 band, they're NOT going to be in HD. Bottom line: i'll believe it if/when i see it. :rolleyes:

That sounds wonderful, all those movie channels supposedly in HD. But the question has to be, WHEN?? AND, since we KNOW where the real HD stations are located, if those movie channels aren't in the 700 band, they're NOT going to be in HD. Bottom line: i'll believe it if/when i see it. :rolleyes:

Yup, that's why I said it will be interesting to see if we get them, considering the shared corporate ownership.

In fact, I doubt we will get too many of them, if any, for that matter.

I certainly don't doubt HBO is going to be offering all those channels in HD, but with the NY capacity issue we probably won't get them.

Ironically, HBO and some of the other programmers (including TW-owned CNN and Cartoon and TCM) will be helping the satellite people fulfill their pledge to be carrying 100 HD channels by the end of the year, while we won't get to see them here in TW's home city.

I've added the new HBO & MAX HD Channels to my Negotiations Unknown section here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=652328&page=1&pp=30

Reorganization June 14th? Not around here (Midtown, East). My channels are all the same. I checked the Changes web page and noticed that the previously announced reorganization is now missing.

Does anyone have a handle on what's (not) happening here?

-Mike

Weren't we suppose to get ESPN2HD and the HD channels rearranged today?

I checked the twcnyc programming changes page and it's no longer there, did they change their mind on this?

EDIT: Beat me to it ZMIKE :)

Reorganization June 14th? Not around here (Midtown, East). My channels are all the same. I checked the Changes web page and noticed that the previously announced reorganization is now missing.

Does anyone have a handle on what's (not) happening here?

-Mike

Why am i =not= surprised? :(

Hopefully by the time i get back from work, they will have "fixed" the problem.

my HD lineup just changed.

Same here. It looks like recording settings were also changed for all moved channels except HBO.

-Mike

Its dropping BY $1.95 - not TO $1.95...

Damn, my billing cycles gets me these notices after most everyone else!

Assuming this price reduction REALLY happens (why am I skeptical about what TWC says...), I'll be unhappy it took so long, but happy to FINALLY get a least some semblance of justice.

That sounds wonderful, all those movie channels supposedly in HD. But the question has to be, WHEN?? AND, since we KNOW where the real HD stations are located, if those movie channels aren't in the 700 band, they're NOT going to be in HD. Bottom line: i'll believe it if/when i see it. :rolleyes:

Absolutely. TWC needs to announce that they WILL carry them. AND there is an actually scary part... how will pricing be affected. BIG unknown.

Still, I think the announcement said second quarter next year, so we ARE quite a ways out. I think Starz and Discovery said this year...

Weren't we suppose to get ESPN2HD and the HD channels rearranged today?

I checked the twcnyc programming changes page and it's no longer there, did they change their mind on this?

EDIT: Beat me to it ZMIKE :)

Mine are changed as of now. Midtown West.

Same here. It looks like recording settings were also changed for all moved channels except HBO.

-Mike

Ah, I was wondering about series recordings I have set up for the channels that were changing. However, I'm in Manhattan North and as of 10:40 AM none of the changes have happened. Just tried a cold boot (when I saw it wasn't implemented around 8 AM I tried the cold boot and no change then either), still no changes, everything is as it was a week ago. Odd, as in the past these things seemed to happen overnight... must be a Manhattan North thing.

NB, NOW it;'s changed... funny, HBO is on 701 AND 780.

my HD lineup just changed.
was espn2 the only new channel, did we not get MHD yet?

My lineup changed (SI.) Now to memorize all the new channel numbers.

I'm surprised they didn't have any sort of onscreen notification about this change; I'd imagine if one didn't pay attention to their bill inserts or to the website, they would've woken up this morning and been totally confused.

was espn2 the only new channel, did we not get MHD yet?
We are not scheduled to get MHD at this time.

was espn2 the only new channel, did we not get MHD yet?

no mhd for us, only SI gets that.

There IS an issue with HBO HD. Was chatting with a pal out of Manhattan South (I'm in North). I STILL have HBO HD on 701, he doesn't. Matter of fact, I have HBO HD on 701 AND 780. I don't recall them SAYING that it would be this way.

There IS an issue with HBO HD. Was chatting with a pal out of Manhattan South (I'm in North). I STILL have HBO HD on 701, he doesn't. Matter of fact, I have HBO HD on 701 AND 780. I don't recall them SAYING that it would be this way.


Not like its coming in on 2 different frequency channels....

It'll probably be corrected within a day

It's a Pioneer plasma, model 4340. I got it about 3 yrs ago. If it has individual input settings, i'm not aware of it.
Mike I checked your model # and you do have individual settings per input and a pretty nice TV. I am not even a plasma guy and was greatly impressed. I know you are at your wits end from reading some of the post after you responded me. But you do have to make sure you set each input seperately for colors, sound, and image space. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.

Did anyone else notice how late TWC sent out their bill this month? I didn't recieve mine until 6/2, with a due date of 6/14! I've never heard of any utility or other company sending out a bill with less then 30 days of lead time, much less 12 days.

The bill was interestingly dated 5/24.

This tells me that they intentionally held the bills in the hope that people would miss the deadline and they could collect lots of late fees.....

I usually pay all of my bills together on the 1st of the month, but when I was looking for the June TWC bill, it was nowhere to be found and then it showed up the following day....

Scott all the bills were late this month. If you want a reason just blame the USPS. TWC mailed out the bills during memorial day weekend. Any holiday weekend leads to postal delays. The basically sit on the old crap because the new crap is oveloaded. oOur bill may be sorted, but the mail from the 27th -29th has to get sorted also then sent. I think I got mine on 30th. Just a way of life with the USPS. However Scott in this day and age, we shoule all be paying online or just know when our payments are due with all the payment reminders we can use through the internet.

Did anyone in NYC get ESPN 2HD??? As of 1:00 p.m. today there was no ESPN2 HD on 729 on the upper east side. Just ESPN HD on 728 and YES HD on 730.

I have ESPN2 HD on 729 as promised.

Got my bill yesterday (Queens) and it says the HD package will drop to $1.95 seems like it might be worth keeping now. Was anyone aware of this?
Read it carefully, I thoiught I was entitled to $1.95 off also until I read further. This is my post trying explain what HDXtra package will look like after tomorrow.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10633678&&#post10633678

It basically should say HDSDXtra because we gain a lot of sport channels that are broadcast in SD. However after further review, these extra channels do broadcast live games in HD so there is a hope of some of the games will switch to a HD channel for live games. Babysteps I guess. The trick is one would have to have a (1)sportstier(which if I recall not many TWC subscribers oreder any of these channel) channel and (2)HDextra or (2)HDcombo.
If you do have both enjoy your 1.95 if not, just enjoy the the 10 channel HDXtra package. That has some promise for HD programing. But as of right now these new staions are in SD.

I totally agree about the channels, but has anyone tried to call and complain and gotten anything out if it, or do they just say tough luck?

And it would be really nice if they would provide more adequate storage space without making us go to a lot of trouble and expense....
We have complained, asked nicely, and some said SAT might have a new customer. Nothing worked, except the wait till June14th. There were many rumors, but the big hit in the face was when they announced that ESPN2HD is finally here but guess what, it will be "free" with sister channel ESPNHD included on the basic service. We all thought that HDXtra will be the home for those 2 channels. I am with you and River. The three remaining channels are worth the $5 (if you divide the HDcombo that way), they do show some of the most amazing HDPQ. Discovery will always be on top but Mr. Cuban knows his HD and has out performed the other stations. If you look my research/predictions, the extra channels might show live shows in HD. TWC is slow to tell subscribers their plans but it does seem like this move will add some more HD in our lives.

Nutty, the post you referenced was about channels, not pricing. There is NO information about HDXtra on the TWC site other than what it costs. Even the supposed SD channels that HAD been listed on the programming changes page are gone.

Under what circumstances would we NOT get the $1.95 reduction?

Me homies need to carefully check their "series" (and future) recordings. Took a look at mine, the problems I spotted were HBO being set to 701 (truth be told, nobody knows if that will magically changed to 780 whenever they get around to closing 701 off in Manhattan North). Saw something I had set for SHO get charged to 779, that's cool. Oh boy, there were several things set for HDNet; PROBLEM it still carries 724 as the channel number.

Hi all, I don't know if I've seen this posted here yet. It was in one of my trade pubs today (I'm in the programming end, not the tech end, as you could probably tell from any of my previous posts.) It will be interesting to see if we get them, considering the shared corporate ownership.

HBO to Offer All Channels in High-Def

By Stephanie Robbins

HBO will make all 26 feeds of its HBO and Cinemax multiplex channels available in high definition, HBO CEO and Chairman Bill Nelson announced Tuesday.

"We have a long history of firsts in technology: satellite, multiplex and SVOD," Mr. Nelson said. "Such a commitment reinforces our tradition of giving our customers the best programming when they want it and how they want it."

With the launch of HBO HDTV in 1999 and Cinemax HDTV in 2003, HBO was the first national cable network to offer high-def feeds.

The network's all-digital multiplex packages include:

HBO (East/West)
HBO2 (East/West)
HBO Signature (East/West)
HBO Comedy (East/West)
HBO Family (East/West)
HBO Zone (East/West)
HBO Latino (East/West)
Cinemax (East/West)
MoreMAX (East/West)
ActionMAX (East/West)
ThrillerMAX (East/West)
WMAX (East)
@MAX (East)
5StarMAX (East)
OuterMAX. (East)
Tags:
Cinemax, HBO, HD
This is good news to everyone. Now we know HBO is broadcasting all their stations in HD. This in turn might make our SD PQ for all HBO shows better. If you have a quality feed going to the Cable company they (in theory) should be able to convert the the picture to a better quality 480p then what we get now. Right now my HBO comes out very good, but if they are able to do the above, The viewing experience would be great.

The way I interpreted the article is HBO is going HD only, meaning SD is out. I hope that is what they are doing because this will give a big bump in viewers at a time when they need it.

Nutty, the post you referenced was about channels, not pricing. There is NO information about HDXtra on the TWC site other than what it costs. Even the supposed SD channels that HAD been listed on the programming changes page are gone.

Under what circumstances would we NOT get the $1.95 reduction?

Me homies need to carefully check their "series" (and future) recordings. Took a look at mine, the problems I spotted were HBO being set to 701 (truth be told, nobody knows if that will magically changed to 780 whenever they get around to closing 701 off in Manhattan North). Saw something I had set for SHO get charged to 779, that's cool. Oh boy, there were several things set for HDNet; PROBLEM it still carries 724 as the channel number.
River this was on the bill, basically they made it seem like everyone will be gettiing the $1.95, but there is only one set of subscribers that gets you the money like I said above.

HDCOMBO & a sport tier or
HDXtra & a sport tier, both of these sets are mentioned in the link above.
This is how they get our hopes up then take it away, How many of you guys actually have any of the sport tiers? I know I don't.
All those Sport tiers are now added as part of the HDXtra package, however all those channels are in the 400 level(non-HD).

If we have HDXtra or HDCombo the only thing we gain is 7 new non-HD channels.

Well, this whole switcheroo has not worked out for the best for all of us. I am among that select group of subscribers who are paying for a package that TWC does not technically offer any more: the $104 triple play "intro" pak. I added on HDxtra and I had a pretty good package for a good price since I really don't ever watch the SD channels. Last year, they took a swing at us when they made YEShd a dedicated channel. Prior to that moment, they would turn it on for us to enjoy. At least, I still had ESPN in the HDxtra tier.

I had held out hopes that today would lead to good fortune, but alas, it did not. It seems that TWC has finally painted me into a corner where I have to learn to adjust to life without ESPN or pay an additional $10 a month to the Empire. Thankfully, I still have Discovery HD. Last time I tried to "upgrade" to the starter pak, they removed Discovery from my channels, so I got them to put me back on the same package. I guess I could pay the additional $10 a month, but I'm afraid to do it because they'll probably turn on ESPN and ESPN2 but turn off Discovery HD unless I pay the additional $25 a month. This sucks. I already pay them way more than I ever cared to. Maybe it's a good time to invest in a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player, a netflix subscription, and just cancel the cable tv service until there is another option or an option specifically catered to those who watch HDtv. I hate paying for 140+ channels that I can't watch, just to have 25 channels that I can.

Read it carefully, I thoiught I was entitled to $1.95 off also until I read further. This is my post trying explain what HDXtra package will look like after tomorrow.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10633678&&#post10633678

It basically should say HDSDXtra because we gain a lot of sport channels that are broadcast in SD. However after further review, these extra channels do broadcast live games in HD so there is a hope of some of the games will switch to a HD channel for live games. Babysteps I guess. The trick is one would have to have a (1)sportstier(which if I recall not many TWC subscribers oreder any of these channel) channel and (2)HDextra or (2)HDcombo.
If you do have both enjoy your 1.95 if not, just enjoy the the 10 channel HDXtra package. That has some promise for HD programing. But as of right now these new staions are in SD.

Channels will not switch to HD.

Some are starting a corresponding 24/7 HD channel soon, but no announcement yet if TWC will carry them

Well, this whole switcheroo has not worked out for the best for all of us. I am among that select group of subscribers who are paying for a package that TWC does not technically offer any more: the $104 triple play "intro" pak. I added on HDxtra and I had a pretty good package for a good price since I really don't ever watch the SD channels. Last year, they took a swing at us when they made YEShd a dedicated channel. Prior to that moment, they would turn it on for us to enjoy. At least, I still had ESPN in the HDxtra tier.

I had held out hopes that today would lead to good fortune, but alas, it did not. It seems that TWC has finally painted me into a corner where I have to learn to adjust to life without ESPN or pay an additional $10 a month to the Empire. Thankfully, I still have Discovery HD. Last time I tried to "upgrade" to the starter pak, they removed Discovery from my channels, so I got them to put me back on the same package. I guess I could pay the additional $10 a month, but I'm afraid to do it because they'll probably turn on ESPN and ESPN2 but turn off Discovery HD unless I pay the additional $25 a month. This sucks. I already pay them way more than I ever cared to. Maybe it's a good time to invest in a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player, a netflix subscription, and just cancel the cable tv service until there is another option or an option specifically catered to those who watch HDtv. I hate paying for 140+ channels that I can't watch, just to have 25 channels that I can.

I don't understand you, maybe you reacted impatiently when you upgraded to the starter pack. First off let me understand this you signed up for the Triple play, but if you did this your "Intro Pak" is the same thng as "Starter Pak" the upgrade would be DTValue. So with your any of these packages all HD channels are included Minus the HDXtra (which is down to 3 HD channels and up 7SD channes as of today). You should of had UniversalHD and DiscoveryHD, plus all the local sprot channels. The one thing that happens early when you get an HD box, there are channels that show that should and channels that should be blocked and you get to see them. This is why I think you might have jump the gun early.

Also as of today ESPNHD & ESPN2HD have been downgraded to basic service which means it is available as part of your basic service. No Extra money for these 2

But I also see you said you have an INTRO Pak that TWC does not have anymore. If that is the case they would usually update to the next package or give you a to give you a set of options. The Starter pk is just a nice comfortable $49.95, it is the add ons that kill most of us in cabel land. But this incledes all HD channels tht you would want. Minus HDXtra of course.

I hope this helped you! It might have just confussed you more. Good luck!

Channels will not switch to HD.

Some are starting a corresponding 24/7 HD channel soon, but no announcement yet if TWC will carry them

That is what is exactly why I think the LIVE games "might" be broadcast on a separate HD feed channel, like a sports tier special channel. We already have all the local sports channels that really are part time HD channels, These channels only broadcast games and some special programs in HD most everything else is converted to HD(at least the coverted shows still look good, Just watch the WHITE SHADOW on YES :) ;) :rolleyes: :p ) I told you it is a possibility. Not something that TWC said. But it does seem a little curious for TWC to put 7 sports channels in a HDXtra package with no long term plans invovled. At least we can hope. :rolleyes:

We have complained, asked nicely, and some said SAT might have a new customer. Nothing worked, except the wait till June14th. There were many rumors, but the big hit in the face was when they announced that ESPN2HD is finally here but guess what, it will be "free" with sister channel ESPNHD included on the basic service. We all thought that HDXtra will be the home for those 2 channels. I am with you and River. The three remaining channels are worth the $5 (if you divide the HDcombo that way), they do show some of the most amazing HDPQ. Discovery will always be on top but Mr. Cuban knows his HD and has out performed the other stations. If you look my research/predictions, the extra channels might show live shows in HD. TWC is slow to tell subscribers their plans but it does seem like this move will add some more HD in our lives.
So what channels are included in the HDXtra now?

That is what is exactly why I think the LIVE games "might" be broadcast on a separate HD feed channel, like a sports tier special channel. We already have all the local sports channels that really are part time HD channels, These channels only broadcast games and some special programs in HD most everything else is converted to HD(at least the coverted shows still look good, Just watch the WHITE SHADOW on YES :) ;) :rolleyes: :p ) I told you it is a possibility. Not something that TWC said. But it does seem a little curious for TWC to put 7 sports channels in a HDXtra package with no long term plans invovled. At least we can hope. :rolleyes:


NBATVHD is already on MOJOHD, along with some Tennis.

So what channels are included in the HDXtra now?

MOJOHD (formerly INHD)
HDNET
HDNET-Movies

and the "SportsPack" (all SD)

whats up over their in S.I.
Did MHD & A&E-HD change channels?

Mike I checked your model # and you do have individual settings per input and a pretty nice TV. I am not even a plasma guy and was greatly impressed. I know you are at your wits end from reading some of the post after you responded me. But you do have to make sure you set each input seperately for colors, sound, and image space. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.

THANK YOU for those comments, nutty. I'm not going QUITE so crazy with this issue as i had been, before. The only thing that consistently makes me crazy is when the 8300 box causes freeze ups, audio dropouts, etc....this continues to be an issue for me (like during THE OFFICE on NBC tonite) and that is EXCRUCIATING! :eek: I -do- see what you mean about the individualized settings, based on component or HDMI cable inputs. As for the set, I remember seeing this Pioneer model in PC Richards, and at the time, it had the sharpest and BEST display of any plasma or LCD that i saw there. My only regret was i couldn't afford the 50" model.

Just an update:

No channels changed frequencies.

ESPN2HD is currently on the new QAM Freq 837, Prog# 30.

o - and ESPN2HD can also be seen on Channel 350 (for now)

THANK YOU for those comments, nutty. I'm not going QUITE so crazy with this issue as i had been, before. The only thing that consistently makes me crazy is when the 8300 box causes freeze ups, audio dropouts, etc....this continues to be an issue for me (like during THE OFFICE on NBC tonite) and that is EXCRUCIATING! :eek: .

I had all those problems until I added an eSATA drive -- then they all disappeared. The 8300HD does not work well when almost filled to capacity.

Is there a website that list all the TWC-NYC HD channels with the correct channel numbers? Sites like titantv.com have not been updated with the TWC changes.

TIA....JL

whats up over their in S.I.
Did MHD & A&E-HD change channels?
MHD moved from 718 to 720
A&E HD moved from 742 to 746
FSNY HD moved from 741 to 748
SNY HD is now on both 726 and 741
YES HD is now on both 708 and 730

Is there a website that list all the TWC-NYC HD channels with the correct channel numbers? Sites like titantv.com have not been updated with the TWC changes.

TIA....JL
702 - WCBS HD (CBS2)
703 - TNT HD
704 - WNBC HD (NBC4)
705 - WNYW HD (FOX5)
707 - WABC HD (ABC7)
708 - YES HD
709 - WWOR HD (My9)
711 - WPIX HD (CW11)
713 - WNET HD (PBS)
714 - Kids13
718 - Discovery HD Theater
720 - MHD (SI only)
726 - SNY HD
727 - MSG HD
728 - ESPN HD
729 - ESPN2 HD
730 - YES HD
731 - NBC Weather Plus
740 - Universal HD
741 - SNY HD
746 - A&E HD (SI only)
748 - FSNY HD (SI only)
750 - WNJN-DT (part time HD)
776 - Cinemax HD
777 - Starz HD
778 - The Movie Channel HD
780 - HBO HD
796 - MOJO HD
797 - HDNet Movies
798 - HDNet

I can't believe I don't get FSNHD here in New Jersey. I live 5 minutes away from the arena and I can't even watch my Devils in HD.... such bs

why do we have 2 SNYHDs?

why do we have 2 SNYHDs?


We don't "really" have two SNYHDs or 2 YESHDs (or 2 ESPN2HDs - see channel 350)

They're coming in on the same signal - same bandwidth - just currently assigned to 2 channels.

Perhaps they felt there was some reason to give people a chance to adjust to the change?

Or maybe there is some deal with those networks that require they stay at a certain channel number....

Bottom line - they are not waisting bandwidth... so dont worry about it....

If they were coming in on 2 separate frequency... wasting bandwidth... then I'd be pissed.

Hey fellow NYCers,

I am going to walk into the TWC store on 23rd St. tomorrow and hand in my SD DVR for an HD DVR. What model am I going to get? Should I be requesting one box over another (as if TWC 'll give me a choice)?

Thanks!

Hey fellow NYCers,

I am going to walk into the TWC store on 23rd St. tomorrow and hand in my SD DVR for an HD DVR. What model am I going to get? Should I be requesting one box over another (as if TWC 'll give me a choice)?

Thanks!

I believe at this point they only give out the SA8300DVR.

Box is perfectly fine. (well.. most are... occasionally one will be faulty... you'll just have to swap it with another... it happens from time to time)

Although it is getting up in age... we hope it gets replaced with newer technology (and a bigger HD) soon.

Hey fellow NYCers,

I am going to walk into the TWC store on 23rd St. tomorrow and hand in my SD DVR for an HD DVR. What model am I going to get? Should I be requesting one box over another (as if TWC 'll give me a choice)?

Thanks!
I do not believe that there is a choice at this point. The Scientific Atlanta 8300HD is the only box that they will offer you for an HD DVR. In the highly unlikely event that they try to pass you off with the 8000HD, the older model, politely ask that they give you the current model.

Scott

702 - WCBS HD (CBS2)
703 - TNT HD
704 - WNBC HD (NBC4)
705 - WNYW HD (FOX5)
707 - WABC HD (ABC7)
708 - YES HD
709 - WWOR HD (My9)
711 - WPIX HD (CW11)
713 - WNET HD (PBS)
714 - Kids13
718 - Discovery HD Theater
720 - MHD (SI only)
726 - SNY HD
727 - MSG HD
728 - ESPN HD
729 - ESPN2 HD
730 - YES HD
731 - NBC Weather Plus
740 - Universal HD
741 - SNY HD
746 - A&E HD (SI only)
748 - FSNY HD (SI only)
750 - WNJN-DT (part time HD)
776 - Cinemax HD
777 - Starz HD
778 - The Movie Channel HD
780 - HBO HD
796 - MOJO HD
797 - HDNet Movies
798 - HDNet

I didn't even know you guys had the movie channel HD. or did u mean showtime -hd on 779?

702 - WCBS HD (CBS2)
703 - TNT HD
704 - WNBC HD (NBC4)
705 - WNYW HD (FOX5)
707 - WABC HD (ABC7)
708 - YES HD
709 - WWOR HD (My9)
711 - WPIX HD (CW11)
713 - WNET HD (PBS)
714 - Kids13
718 - Discovery HD Theater
720 - MHD (SI only)
726 - SNY HD
727 - MSG HD
728 - ESPN HD
729 - ESPN2 HD
730 - YES HD
731 - NBC Weather Plus
740 - Universal HD
741 - SNY HD
746 - A&E HD (SI only)
748 - FSNY HD (SI only)
750 - WNJN-DT (part time HD)
776 - Cinemax HD
777 - Starz HD
778 - The Movie Channel HD
780 - HBO HD
796 - MOJO HD
797 - HDNet Movies
798 - HDNet


708 & 741 will be gone once TWC gets around to doing it. 714 & 731 has been moved to the ditigal channels in the 160's. But 750 - WNJN-DT being a part time HD channel? Has anyone ever seen channel 750 broadcast something in HD.

I didn't even know you guys had the movie channel HD. or did u mean showtime -hd on 779?
Did they add TMC-HD?

I do not believe that there is a choice at this point. The Scientific Atlanta 8300HD is the only box that they will offer you for an HD DVR. In the highly unlikely event that they try to pass you off with the 8000HD, the older model, politely ask that they give you the current model.

Scott


Thanks Fellas!

I had all those problems until I added an eSATA drive -- then they all disappeared. The 8300HD does not work well when almost filled to capacity.


How do you go about doing that, and once done, can you transfer files easily to the computer?

How do you go about doing that, and once done, can you transfer files easily to the computer?

Drive is stuck where it is.

Files cannot be read on a computer (or even another 8300 box).

Drive is formatted to work with a specific cable box.

THANK YOU for those comments, nutty. I'm not going QUITE so crazy with this issue as i had been, before. The only thing that consistently makes me crazy is when the 8300 box causes freeze ups, audio dropouts, etc....this continues to be an issue for me (like during THE OFFICE on NBC tonite) and that is EXCRUCIATING! :eek: I -do- see what you mean about the individualized settings, based on component or HDMI cable inputs. As for the set, I remember seeing this Pioneer model in PC Richards, and at the time, it had the sharpest and BEST display of any plasma or LCD that i saw there. My only regret was i couldn't afford the 50" model.

You're welcome Mike, it always feels good to help someone.

But you are right the drop offs are awful. It is sad that the best STB available gives us the most trouble. However the tradeoff is you get to see shows when ever you want to when you view it with the DVR I have yet to experienced any drop off.

You are right from my research to help you this model did have some good looks to it. As for your regret, that is a widespread regret for almost everyone that buys these TV's. I don't have the normal regret because I would have had to change my whole bedroom around basically all my dresser's would be out of the room. That was not acceptable.

My advice to people now is judge your DVR use, if you don't use it daily or weekly, then save your money. Get rid of it. I had and still have a 3250HD and these problems are all but gone using this box..

I didn't even know you guys had the movie channel HD. or did u mean showtime -hd on 779?
Oops, I missed Showtime HD on 779.

The Movie Channel HD is 778, and Showtime HD is 779. That's what I'm seeing on my guide.

708 & 741 will be gone once TWC gets around to doing it. 714 & 731 has been moved to the ditigal channels in the 160's. But 750 - WNJN-DT being a part time HD channel? Has anyone ever seen channel 750 broadcast something in HD.
I've never actually seen anything in HD on NJN, but they say they do HD on their website (http://www.njn.net/digital/)

Edit: TWC's site says they are only doing the SD simulcast though.

Drive is stuck where it is.

Files cannot be read on a computer (or even another 8300 box).

Drive is formatted to work with a specific cable box.

is it easy to format it? There are certainly times when I run out of space before I can watch everything i want. What is the average MB of an hour TV show in HD, which is virtually all i record?

FWIW, last night my issues got sorted. 701 HBO HD disappeared and I saw my HDNet schedules corrected to the right channel numbers. As stated, I expect the doubling of YES and SNY to be "fixed" shortly. It could be a nasty issue if someone sets a recording for YES on 708 and it records blank space because they eliminated it just as your broadcast started.

As for boxes, I SERIOUSLY doubt we'll see boxes with bigger drives from TWC. July will be a scary time if you need a box change, you'll be getting some (potential) abomination with a cable card to function... assuming they don't ignore the FCC integrated security thing (or find some lame excuse to ignore it without getting fined).

I also noticed that ESPN2 HD CAN be doing HD even if the guide info does NOT indicate it's HDTV. At least it did exactly that last night.

I do not believe that there is a choice at this point. The Scientific Atlanta 8300HD is the only box that they will offer you for an HD DVR. In the highly unlikely event that they try to pass you off with the 8000HD, the older model, politely ask that they give you the current model.

Scott
What happens if he waits until after July 1 when the seperable security requirement kicks in?

Hey fellow NYCers,

I am going to walk into the TWC store on 23rd St. tomorrow and hand in my SD DVR for an HD DVR. What model am I going to get? Should I be requesting one box over another (as if TWC 'll give me a choice)?

Thanks!

Congrats on moving to the big time.
Somone already told you the SA8300HDDVR is the one they might give you. Which is true. That is the unit we all use. Becareful there are stil a few Panisonics floating around make sure they DO NOT give it to you. I am assuming you have read some of the 8300 flaws, well the Panisonics have been looked at as a terrible unit. Also when you are there. Make sure you get a new unit(They have been know to give used units also). This is the store and not a payment center so you might be in the clear.

However, the one thing that scares me is the word STORE, I do not know how they work. At the payment center you can bring your old box in and remote and they give you a new one on the spot no questions asked, even if you don't have the remote they don't care the gave the new one anyway. With this being a store they are looking to make money. What I am basically saying is, you should leave there with out paying nothiing if you are just swaping equipment. Congrats again, sorry for the fear tale.

Oops, I missed Showtime HD on 779.

The Movie Channel HD is 778, and Showtime HD is 779. That's what I'm seeing on my guide.

No 778 in the rest of the city... sounds like you guys got 4 new HD channels while the rest of us got jack (no criticism of you lucky souls, caustic remarks 100% aimed at TWC crooks).

FWIW, I tired a cold boot, SNY and YES are still on both thie old channels as well as the new ones.

Oh, 713 Kids was a SD channel and was moved here. I'd find one lone SD channel in the midst of HD goodness to be just fine IF we had 4 new HD chnannels like you guys<g>!

I had all those problems until I added an eSATA drive -- then they all disappeared. The 8300HD does not work well when almost filled to capacity.

Interesting! I know =nothing= about that product. Is it easy to install?? How expensive is it??

Interesting! I know =nothing= about that product. Is it easy to install?? How expensive is it??There are a few posters that I’m aware of here in our TWCNYC world that have an external drive attached. If they see your question, maybe they might chime in.

I do not have one (yet?) and therefore wouldn’t want to attempt to answer your question with possible wrong information. There is this thread that is fairly long with a lot of information. A good start… if no one answers here. :cool:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559

No 778 in the rest of the city... sounds like you guys got 4 new HD channels while the rest of us got jack (no criticism of you lucky souls, caustic remarks 100% aimed at TWC crooks).

FWIW, I tired a cold boot, SNY and YES are still on both thie old channels as well as the new ones.

Oh, 713 Kids was a SD channel and was moved here. I'd find one lone SD channel in the midst of HD goodness to be just fine IF we had 4 new HD chnannels like you guys<g>!
Well, not EXACTLY /jack/ -- we did get ESPN2HD.

What part of the city got TMC-HD?

Well, not EXACTLY /jack/ -- we did get ESPN2HD. I just saw that. Pretty cool! It’s always a great day when a new HD channel is added.

Now I just wish that they got rid of that stupid 750 WNJN garbage. Go with the same logic (50 - 750) and make 750 the Food channel in HD.

And I wish MOJO got bumped to the higher numbers. Right now, when I use the guide, all of the HD premium movie channels are in view. Who needs to see the MOJO in that grouping? I’d rather see HDNetM (or another premium) in that spot- makes more sense.

Overall- I like the new layout. :cool:

What part of the city got TMC-HD?

just S.I.

I guess TWC has the rights to that channel now.

that for sure makes 4 more.

S.I. only:
MHD on 720
A&E-HD on 746
FSNY-HD on 748
TMC-HD on 778

Anyone else downtown whose cable is out? Mine has been out for hours now.

Hello,

My TWC Cable TV and Internet has been out since Wednesday morning. All TWC has been able to tell me is that is a problem in my area. Anyone else with any problems? I am in northern Brooklyn and becoming extremely frustrated.

Thanks,
John

Hello,

My TWC Cable TV and Internet has been out since Wednesday morning. All TWC has been able to tell me is that is a problem in my area. Anyone else with any problems? I am in northern Brooklyn and becoming extremely frustrated.

Thanks,
John

sucks for u, just hang in there, eventually they'll fix the problem(s), just be sure tio request compensation from TWC for the amount of time & days you were without service.

There are a few posters that I’m aware of here in our TWCNYC world that have an external drive attached. If they see your question, maybe they might chime in.

I do not have one (yet?) and therefore wouldn’t want to attempt to answer your question with possible wrong information. There is this thread that is fairly long with a lot of information. A good start… if no one answers here. :cool:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559

Thanks, Larry...will check this out when i have more time, on Sat. :)

Well, not EXACTLY /jack/ -- we did get ESPN2HD.

What part of the city got TMC-HD?

You are correct, we did get 2. I think someone from SI said TMC HD was part of their line-up, which means they actually got 4 new HD channels the rest of us didn't.

Even so, I still think we got jacked in the sense that 200 miles away in the same state, they got a "free" ESPN2 HD 6 months ago AND got a full year of SHO for FREE because of losing InHD2 and having ESPN HD moved to the digital tier. And jacked again in that they added a bunch of SD channels to what was supposed to be a HD tier.

I'll now try and shut up about this, I DO hear the muttering "oh not that old complaint, move the frak on!"

We don't "really" have two SNYHDs or 2 YESHDs (or 2 ESPN2HDs - see channel 350)

They're coming in on the same signal - same bandwidth - just currently assigned to 2 channels.

Perhaps they felt there was some reason to give people a chance to adjust to the change?

Or maybe there is some deal with those networks that require they stay at a certain channel number....

Bottom line - they are not waisting bandwidth... so dont worry about it....

If they were coming in on 2 separate frequency... wasting bandwidth... then I'd be pissed.

Agreed, BUT I see the possibility that a scheduled recording for SNY or YES COULD yield a blank screen if it was set to 708/Old YES and right before it was to start they eliminated 708. My experience with the channel changeover is that EVENTUALLY recordings got "fixed" automatically to the new channel, but in some cases it took 1/2-3/4 of the day for it to happen.

....EVENTUALLY recordings got "fixed" automatically to the new channel, but in some cases it took 1/2-3/4 of the day for it to happen.I had 701, the former HBOHD, channel set as my favorite. When I clicked on it yesterday, 780 came up- the new HBOHD channel. :cool:

Why exactly do they air two nets (SNY and YesHD) on 2 channels instead of putting up new HD networks that we know they have the rights to? I would love to get, for example, TMC and A&E in HD. If Staten island is now getting them, I assume TW has the rights to them...can the rights contracts be so specific that they would only be for one borough? I know the nets would love to be in Manhattan, so why couldn't TWC put them up for us instead of duplicating two nets?

Is there an answer for this mystery that anyone could answer for real, or are we just guessing?

Why exactly do they air two nets (SNY and YesHD) on 2 channels instead of putting up new HD networks that we know they have the rights to? I would love to get, for example, TMC and A&E in HD. If Staten island is now getting them, I assume TW has the rights to them...can the rights contracts be so specific that they would only be for one borough? I know the nets would love to be in Manhattan, so why couldn't TWC put them up for us instead of duplicating two nets?

Is there an answer for this mystery that anyone could answer for real, or are we just guessing?

THEIR IS NO SPACE FOR HD CHANNELS IN MANHATTAN YET, JUST IN S.I.

SNY & YES IS NOT TAKING UP EXTRA SPACE, IT'S JUST TEMPORARILY AVLIBLE ON TWO DIFFERENT CHANNELS.

THEIR IS NO SPACE FOR HD CHANNELS IN MANHATTAN YET, JUST IN S.I.

SNY & YES IS NOT TAKING UP EXTRA SPACE, IT'S JUST TEMPORARILY AVLIBLE ON TWO DIFFERENT CHANNELS.


Just to add....


try flipping between 708 and 730.

Notice anything change?

No... because they're both on the same frequency (even a DVR recording doesn't reset). The box just has it programmed to 2 channels.

No difference in bandwidth.

It's possible the reason both were left "on" is because the SNY and YES Network websites both list where to find their respective HD channels. So this is being done until they are updated.

Truth is - the reason doesn't matter - since it has no effect on available bandwidth.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/twtmc061707.htm

News
Time Warner Adds Movie Channel HD in Staten Island
The cable operator realigns its high-def lineup.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2007) -- Time Warner Cable has added The Movie Channel HD to its high-def lineup in Staten Island.

The channel, a high-def simulcast of the standard TMC, was added on June 14 as part of a realignment of Time Warner's HD lineup there.

TMC HD is now channel 778 on Time Warner Cable in Staten Island.

There is no word that Time Warner has added TMC HD to any other market. The cable operator has a policy of negotiating the rights to carry a channel and then allowing the local system to decide if and when to add it.

A random check this morning of several Time Warner Cable lineups across the country did not show TMC HD being available besides in Staten Island.

The Movie Channel HD, a sister network of Showtime, this month is playing such movies as Four Brothers, Bad News Bears (2005) and Happy Endings.

In Queens, and noticed the realignment of channels.

The only thing I'm really wondering is whether ESPN-HD and ESPN-2HD are now FREE HD (ESPN-HD was part of the pay tier before).

I complained about ESPN-HD being part of a pay tier quite awhile ago, and was told it was due to the carrying rights agreement, which sounded quite bogus. They offered SD ESPN for free (free as in regular cable), so to say they couldn't offer ESPN HD free seemed absolutely false.

Anyway, they're coming in free and clear now, so hopefully that will continue. I'll also look forward to any extra free HD movie channels here in Queens.

In Queens, and noticed the realignment of channels.

The only thing I'm really wondering is whether ESPN-HD and ESPN-2HD are now FREE HD (ESPN-HD was part of the pay tier before).

I complained about ESPN-HD being part of a pay tier quite awhile ago, and was told it was due to the carrying rights agreement, which sounded quite bogus. They offered SD ESPN for free (free as in regular cable), so to say they couldn't offer ESPN HD free seemed absolutely false.

Anyway, they're coming in free and clear now, so hopefully that will continue. I'll also look forward to any extra free HD movie channels here in Queens.
Slik; ESPNhd & ESPN2HD are now included with basic service. So you can relax and enjoy!!
ESPN was on HDXtra to add to the pot back in the day. The other stations were unknown so they had to add something popular to make it worth the purchase. At least that would make the most sense.

To make a correction about my unwillingnees to rush in for NatgoeHD. I have watched NGCSD the past couple of weeks. To me the feed looks very good already. Yes I know there are some of you that find this unbelievable. SD looking very good. Really it is. I have seen The Universe, Critical situation, & others. However if they can improve on the PQ that I see now then by all means let it be. But if they cannot. Save the HD channel space for channels that improve on their SD PQ so we all can enjoy.

To add to this we are slowly getting the TWC rollout of more HD channels, like predicted. Lets see what September will bring us. We already know SI has three more channels or is it only 2?

THEIR IS NO SPACE FOR HD CHANNELS IN MANHATTAN YET, JUST IN S.I.

Well, I know that is the excuse, but I do NOT 100% buy it. There was no space when we got HBO, SHO & Cinemax HD. Or when YES and SNY went full time. Or when ESPN2 HD got added. As I understand it technically, they could have dropped one or two analogs and given us EVERYTHING SI got.

WHY didn't they? At least in most of Manhattan, we have no choice, not even satellite. AND if you CAN see the bird AND get you landlord to allow the dish, AND need the kinds of speeds we get with RR, that also means another 20 bucks/month for that.

In Queens, and noticed the realignment of channels.

The only thing I'm really wondering is whether ESPN-HD and ESPN-2HD are now FREE HD (ESPN-HD was part of the pay tier before).

I complained about ESPN-HD being part of a pay tier quite awhile ago, and was told it was due to the carrying rights agreement, which sounded quite bogus. They offered SD ESPN for free (free as in regular cable), so to say they couldn't offer ESPN HD free seemed absolutely false.

Anyway, they're coming in free and clear now, so hopefully that will continue. I'll also look forward to any extra free HD movie channels here in Queens.

Oh, then you're going to LOVE this one... 200 miles upstate, they got ESPN HD for "free" last January. AND subscribers to HDXtra there got a full FREE year of SHO +HD as compensation. We got to keep paying for it AND got no compensation!

To make a correction about my unwillingnees to rush in for NatgoeHD. I have watched NGCSD the past couple of weeks. To me the feed looks very good already. Yes I know there are some of you that find this unbelievable. SD looking very good. Really it is. I have seen The Universe, Critical situation, & others. However if they can improve on the PQ that I see now then by all means let it be. But if they cannot. Save the HD channel space for channels that improve on their SD PQ so we all can enjoy.

To add to this we are slowly getting the TWC rollout of more HD channels, like predicted. Lets see what September will bring us. We already know SI has three more channels or is it only 2?

Take this as you may, but I've read credible posts from someone who works at NG that their HD channel is about 70% HD.

SI just got their fourth (4th) HD channel that we do not get.

To add to this we are slowly getting the TWC rollout of more HD channels, like predicted. Lets see what September will bring us. We already know SI has three more channels or is it only 2?

S.I. has 4 more!

and if I were a S.I. customer I would ask the local TWC office why Staten Islanders haven't gotten NGC-HD & Golf/Versus-HD yet.

NGC-HD is on in hawaii & Golf/Versus-HD has been added in select divisions.

Well, I know that is the excuse, but I do NOT 100% buy it. There was no space when we got HBO, SHO & Cinemax HD. Or when YES and SNY went full time. Or when ESPN2 HD got added. As I understand it technically, they could have dropped one or two analogs and given us EVERYTHING SI got..As stated here in the past, the reason for more HD channels in Staten Island was because of TW’s aggressive campaign several months ago, when they pushed their customers to switch to digital freeing up bandwidth. This was all due to the fact that competition as in FIOS became available.

Well, I know that is the excuse, but I do NOT 100% buy it. There was no space when we got HBO, SHO & Cinemax HD. Or when YES and SNY went full time. Or when ESPN2 HD got added. As I understand it technically, they could have dropped one or two analogs and given us EVERYTHING SI got.

WHY didn't they? At least in most of Manhattan, we have no choice, not even satellite. AND if you CAN see the bird AND get you landlord to allow the dish, AND need the kinds of speeds we get with RR, that also means another 20 bucks/month for that.
I am with you 100%, they are making room but it is safer to say there is no room to keep the complaints down. Come on, how many of us use HDMI? They say they still don't support this technology. Give answers that lead to less questions. Good strategy TWC HD subscribers have been growing more and more so now they are taking more notice. They showed us this by basically opening a range of 100 channels for HD programming. The do not want to lose any more to SAT. It seems they are ready to compete with SAT but at the same time are bracing themselves for the FIOS loss of subscribers.

Take this as you may, but I've read credible posts from someone who works at NG that their HD channel is about 70% HD.

SI just got their fourth (4th) HD channel that we do not get.

First of River, stop reminding us about the discount upstate. It is still wrong but nothing we can do about it now. PPPLLLLLEEEASS!!!!

2nd; 70% I am for that. You see if NGHD are showng that much in HD and the PQ looks 30% better then I am getting now it would be worth it. Because if you look at all the Local Sports Nets we probably get 20-30% HD and that may be seasonal at best. I know full time HD channels look better across the board then their sister SD channel but we need some more stations that would give us full time HD.
Even the Pay networks aren't giving us full time HD programing. UniversalHD and DiscoveryHD are the only channels that give us full time HD programing on basic cable. We need more like these 2. But 70% is a good start. TNTHD is HD full time but there HD has been questioned here since it's start up.

4 different in SI, that is wrong, wrong, wrong, Which ones? However, I don't think the wait will be long for us to get evened out. IMO I think the extra HD's for SI is a way to keep people interested with TWC and maybe forget about FIOS. Because SI is good to go when the FIOS agreement is made and ready to steal anyone who blinks. Then TWC will bring those channels to us. SI might be their Sample Study to see how the rest of NYC will react when FIOS is available.

Well, I know that is the excuse, but I do NOT 100% buy it. There was no space when we got HBO, SHO & Cinemax HD. Or when YES and SNY went full time. Or when ESPN2 HD got added. As I understand it technically, they could have dropped one or two analogs and given us EVERYTHING SI got.

WHY didn't they? At least in most of Manhattan, we have no choice, not even satellite. AND if you CAN see the bird AND get you landlord to allow the dish, AND need the kinds of speeds we get with RR, that also means another 20 bucks/month for that.


Agreed.... We've all been hearing the some old song and dance for many years and it doesn't stop them from adding new SD channels, HD channels and countless on demand channels. How do we know how much bandwidth is really available? Who's telling us this and where's the proof? I believe the reason why SI is ahead of the game isn't because of the extra bandwidth they have it's because that's the first place where FIOS is expected to become available. If bandwidth was soley the issue then why SI doesn't have every conceivable channel and west coast feed available to TWC, especially since they recently announced they have space for 30 or more HD channels. I suspect there are some bandwidth issues but I truly believe that TWC is playing this as a tired old excuse to save precious bandwidth for other non-cable related services they plan to one day market. The problem that all cable operators face that satellite companies don't is that they must share limited bandwidth with other services that also demand more bandwidth with new and improved technologies.

4 different in SI, that is wrong, wrong, wrong, Which ones?MHD (720), A&E HD (746), FSNY HD (748) and TMC HD (778) are available in SI but not in the rest of the city.

Agreed.... We've all been hearing the some old song and dance for many years and it doesn't stop them from adding new SD channels, HD channels and countless on demand channels. How do we know how much bandwidth is really available? Who's telling us this and where's the proof? I believe the reason why SI is ahead of the game isn't because of the extra bandwidth they have it's because that's the first place where FIOS is expected to become available. If bandwidth was soley the issue then why SI doesn't have every conceivable channel and west coast feed available to TWC, especially since they recently announced they have space for 30 or more HD channels. I suspect there are some bandwidth issues but I truly believe that TWC is playing this as a tired old excuse to save precious bandwidth for other non-cable related services they plan to one day market. The problem that all cable operators face that satellite companies don't is that they must share limited bandwidth with other services that also demand more bandwidth with new and improved technologies.
HD dude you can't ompare HD to SD, SD takes up so much less space and the profit for them is tenfold. Isn't it something like 10 SD channels for every 1 HD channel. Just think of the money they make on those 10 channels. Plus the HD issue, most of them are simicast channels so while they are still hammering out the How's why's & when's for profits on HD channels that are just duplicates of SD feeds. Then you get the actors guiled invovled wanting more money for their commercials that are shown twice while they only get paid once. So it isn't as balck and white when it comes to adding HD or SD stations. You can aggree with me that some of the new channels are pretty good. But that is for a different conversation.
If we want to talk bandwith, Why is their so many channels in the 800 range that are just duplicates of the same channels in the 100 range. At second thought why are there duplicates at all. At first I thought it was for the spanish tier, but after further review the only channels that are dedicated to spanish people are single version channels in 800's but the one that bothers me. Why do we need all the premiums in the 900's for the spanish tier? I am spanish and find that confusing. Are they saying I am to stupid to use the SAP buttom? All TWC is doing is sending the same single with SAP automatically pressed. Wouldn't this clear up a lot of space if ywe do educate people how to use the SAP button. I am first generation Puerto Rican in NYC, but enough is enough. Maybe it is me being greedy and wanting more space or maybe it is me wanting my people to learn by a press of one button they get their channel in Espanol. This duplicating of channels eats up more space then any of the 10 new SD channels they might add per year for the next 5 years. The ethnic mixture of this city is changing so who is to say TWC would add a Acabic, Muslim, or even a Hebrew tier. How high can the channels go. There isn't infinite space on TWC but there is room on SAP to give a selection of languages instead if Tiers for channels that are already broadcasted on lowerd numbers.

Disclaimer: Sorry for the Rant, in no way did I mean to offend anyone. If I did PM me and I will give you a better apology. The topic of this Post was to increase space whihile still offering options to the melting pop of languages we have in this great city. Thank you!

River any feedback on the A&EHD feed is it 70% also. Originally I heard the whole channel would similcast everything in HD. Which is good news but I have to be honest A&E has been a forgoten channel for me for a long time. History and NG have been in and ever since I got HD DiscoveryHD and it's networks have been my main following. Ever since the TV season Ended, I have been catching up on my nature and history.

Question for Northern NJ subscribers:

In NJ, to get ESPN HD, you had to subscribe to HD Extra if you had the DTV Intropak. But as of today, Time Warner is saying that you have to upgrade to DTV starter pack from the DTVIntro Pak regardless if you have HD Extra since ESPN HD is no longer part of the HD Extra package. This will increase your monthly fee from $43 to $50. Anyone know why ESPN HD was removed from HD Extra? And what add'l channels will you get if you "upgrade" to DTV starter pak?

So I just got back from my parents house where I set up their new 50" plasma, SA8300HD, and HD-DVD player. They get Cablevision. Basically I came away with a few observations (other then that I got them a sweet plasma.) First of all TWC needs to get us NGC-HD & Golf/Versus-HD ASAP. NGC had some great programming and the picture was solid. Discovery HD Theater is probably my favorite channel, and NGC makes a great mate. As far as Golf/Versus I'm just jealous that they get the Versus NHL programming in HD and I don't. On the other hand, the software on our 8300HD is light years ahead of what they have. Their channel guide sucks, and unless I'm missing something you have to press two buttons to get to it. I couldn't even find a button that let you scroll ahead a day at a time. Their DVR is so much less user friendly too. I found myself wondering why Cablevision was so far behind with their software. It really is that bad.

Question for Northern NJ subscribers:

In NJ, to get ESPN HD, you had to subscribe to HD Extra if you had the DTV Intropak. But as of today, Time Warner is saying that you have to upgrade to DTV starter pack from the DTVIntro Pak regardless if you have HD Extra since ESPN HD is no longer part of the HD Extra package. This will increase your monthly fee from $43 to $50. Anyone know why ESPN HD was removed from HD Extra? And what add'l channels will you get if you "upgrade" to DTV starter pak?
A quick response to make this simple for you. I have heard about this Intro pak it is given to many people but not listed on their website. which is rude, or maybe it is right there and I am missing it. But either way, a starter Pack is needed for all HD channels minus the HDxtra pack channels. I looked at the NJ page and you channels haven't changed and neither have mine in Queens. But as of the 14 of June ESPNHD is now included with Basic service, plus ESPN2HD was added also to Basic. check your bill from last moth or the month before to confirm these changes for you. ESPNHD is no longer available on the HDXtra teir, only the 3 remaining channels MOJO, HDNET, & HDNET Movies. But to ease the pain they added 7 non-HD channels to the package. All Sport channels in the 450 range. You channels are identical to ours so the changes might be the same. Only SI has been given extra HD channels. Your old bill will be the key, but it does look like a universal change for the entire area. So you might have to upgrade to starter, or call them and yell and say why am I not getting the starter pack channels in the intro package.

OK I found it, you signed on to the DTV Intro Pak* features a mix of over 150 basic, standard and DTV channels for $39.95 per month. This pak has been gone since early last year. You are probably not getting half the channels available on the starter pack. My advice to you since there is so many changes is to call customer service and complain about the channels you lost. With the Intro pack did you get any HDTV channels other then the locals? You said they gave you the option to buy the HDxtra which is weird because what I read said you need a starter pack at a min to get the HDxtra tier. But look inot it. I hope this helps you.

Broadway they are probably that far behind because they just started using the SA boxes. All my friends were using everything but the SA. So maybe you can do your parent a favor and look that up for them in their area. I will confirm with my friends which ones they are using now. That would explain the software lag. Cablevision has had a problem of using anything they get deals on instead of staying with one company.

Well, I know that is the excuse, but I do NOT 100% buy it. There was no space when we got HBO, SHO & Cinemax HD. Or when YES and SNY went full time. Or when ESPN2 HD got added. As I understand it technically, they could have dropped one or two analogs and given us EVERYTHING SI got.

WHY didn't they? At least in most of Manhattan, we have no choice, not even satellite. AND if you CAN see the bird AND get you landlord to allow the dish, AND need the kinds of speeds we get with RR, that also means another 20 bucks/month for that.

I couldn't agree more, and let's not forget about the recent 40% increase in internet speed that took some bandwidth to accomplish as well.

There is a finite limit to the amount of signal that can be carried through copper cable. Are there any engineers out there who actually know what the maximum signal capacity of RG-6 cable is and more importantly, can you figure out how much of that capacity is currently in use? It really would be nice to have some facts around here that would either confirm or deny our feelings about whether we are being screwed.

-Mike

A quick response to make this simple for you. I have heard about this Intro pak it is given to many people but not listed on their website. which is rude, or maybe it is right there and I am missing it. But either way, a starter Pack is needed for all HD channels minus the HDxtra pack channels. I looked at the NJ page and you channels haven't changed and neither have mine in Queens. But as of the 14 of June ESPNHD is now included with Basic service, plus ESPN2HD was added also to Basic. check your bill from last moth or the month before to confirm these changes for you. ESPNHD is no longer available on the HDXtra teir, only the 3 remaining channels MOJO, HDNET, & HDNET Movies. But to ease the pain they added 7 non-HD channels to the package. All Sport channels in the 450 range. You channels are identical to ours so the changes might be the same. Only SI has been given extra HD channels. Your old bill will be the key, but it does look like a universal change for the entire area. So you might have to upgrade to starter, or call them and yell and say why am I not getting the starter pack channels in the intro package.

OK I found it, you signed on to the DTV Intro Pak* features a mix of over 150 basic, standard and DTV channels for $39.95 per month. This pak has been gone since early last year. You are probably not getting half the channels available on the starter pack. My advice to you since there is so many changes is to call customer service and complain about the channels you lost. With the Intro pack did you get any HDTV channels other then the locals? You said they gave you the option to buy the HDxtra which is weird because what I read said you need a starter pack at a min to get the HDxtra tier. But look inot it. I hope this helps you.
Thanks, nuttyinnyc. I was on the phone for about 45 minutes with a rep and a supervisor before my original post. I got nowhere with them since they were in Wisconsin. With the Intropak, I was receiving most of the HD channels including all of the sports HD channels except for the premium HD channels and Universal HD and MSG HD. So, let me get this straight: If I drop HD Extra and upgrade to the starter pak, I'll pay about the same monthly fee but I'll gain ESPN/ESPN2 HD and lose HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, INHD2, and MOJO??? I still receive FSNY HD and YES HD. That would suck...

[UPDATE] Just got off the phone with TWC in New Jersey (not Wisconsin). They said that in order for me to receive everything I have now and EPSN/2 HD, I'd have to upgrade to the DTV Value Pak and HDExtra. That would mean a $20 increase in monthly fees!!!! Apparently, DTV Starter Pak has less channels and costs more than the Intro Pak so that's out of the question. I guess I have to go on life without ESPN HD b/c I am not paying more to evil TWC. I hope VERIZON FIOS will hurry up and put up fiber optic in my area.

If I drop HD Extra and upgrade to the starter pak, I'll pay about the same monthly fee but I'll gain ESPN/ESPN2 HD and lose HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, INHD2, and MOJO??? I still receive FSNY HD and YES HD. That would suck...


FYI - InHD2 no logner exists - and INHD IS MOJO.

I've been loving some of the rants on this board for a few months now, and figured I would alert you guys to an opportunity where a rant can get you something pretty cool. Henry Rollins is offering a chance to sound off on an issue for a national audience -- and the person he personally chooses will be flown to L.A. and co-host the “Henry Rollins Show” marathon on IFC (Independent Film Channel) with Henry.

Rollins is inviting anyone to tape a short video “rant” and the person who does the one he chooses will be flown to L.A. (the prize is actually you and a guest for 3 days/2 nights), meet Henry and host the upcoming “Rollins Show” Marathon.

Go to ziddio.com/myrollinsrant and record and upload a 30-second video “rant” on one of the 11 topics Henry has selected (including abortion rights, has the Iraq war made us safer? Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina, is America a dumb country? global warming, etc.)

All entries will be watched by, and the winner chosen solely by, Henry. He encourages anyone to enter, no matter their political persuasion - his only requirement: have “passion and attitude!”

Most of you seem pretty tech-oriented so instead of some lengthy explanation, all you need to know is you can record your rant and then upload it to: ziddio.com/myrollinsrant

Ok, it's not the usual TW kvetching, but I'm sure there's plenty of other things you want to sound off on! :) Give it a shot.

[UPDATE] Just got off the phone with TWC in New Jersey (not Wisconsin). They said that in order for me to receive everything I have now and EPSN/2 HD, I'd have to upgrade to the DTV Value Pak and HDExtra. That would mean a $20 increase in monthly fees!!!! Apparently, DTV Starter Pak has less channels and costs more than the Intro Pak so that's out of the question. I guess I have to go on life without ESPN HD b/c I am not paying more to evil TWC. I hope VERIZON FIOS will hurry up and put up fiber optic in my area.

That is a bunch of crap. DO NOT listen!!! CSR just trying to make more money for corp daddy. Your original thought is correct. Get rid of HDXtra and you only lose HDNET, HD NETMOVIES and INHD(MOJO) and upgrade to the starter pack. Intro was $39.95(not available anymore) starter 49.99 and Value 59.99. But in my opinion if the cost doesn't kill you those three channels have some of the best HDPQ available. Anyway. ESPNHD/2HD are available as part of the starter pack. So is all the Local sports nets, including MSGHD amd UniversalHD.. All TWC HD offerings are included in the starter pack no matter where you are, the only difference might be the line up. In NYC(the three biggies Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queens) we still don't get FSNYHD, TMCHD, MHD, and NGD. Which is offered in SI. So I don't know what your "extras" are, but your system looks identical to ours in Brooklyn and Queens. What ever happens don't let them trick you into the value pack if it is not needed for you.
The true difference between the value pak and starter pak is you will not get On-demand or the channels in the 100-199 range. It depends on personal choice but the just the on-demand freebies are good enough for the $10 more for the Value pack. If you have kids or are interested in science and specialty channels the extra 100 channels would keep you very occupied. But That should be your choice. Get the starter pak and see if that is good enough for you. Then decide what you want. The Website is not reflecting any of the HDxtra changes but the letter we all received informed us that ESPNHD & ESPN2HD will be part od the basic package like all of our other HD channels, so you should be safe wiith the starter.

I hope this helps you.

Broadway they are probably that far behind because they just started using the SA boxes. All my friends were using everything but the SA. So maybe you can do your parent a favor and look that up for them in their area. I will confirm with my friends which ones they are using now. That would explain the software lag. Cablevision has had a problem of using anything they get deals on instead of staying with one company.

I'm not exactly sure what you are suggesting. My parents just got the SA8300HD from the Cablevision store last week. If Cablevision software works the same way as TWC (pushed down to our boxes) aren't my parents at the mercy of Cablevision to get updated software?

And I checked with a co-worker about some of the missing features on the Cablevision boxes. He told me that there is no way to get to the cable guide without pressing two buttons...even if you actually press the button that says "guide." So it seems to me that they are just behind the times.

I'm not exactly sure what you are suggesting. My parents just got the SA8300HD from the Cablevision store last week. If Cablevision software works the same way as TWC (pushed down to our boxes) aren't my parents at the mercy of Cablevision to get updated software?

And I checked with a co-worker about some of the missing features on the Cablevision boxes. He told me that there is no way to get to the cable guide without pressing two buttons...even if you actually press the button that says "guide." So it seems to me that they are just behind the times.
What I was saying is since the 8300 is new to Cablevision they might be using software that we were using five updates ago. Your parents are at the mercy to catch up to the same software we have now to make the machine run at an optimal level. Then it all depends on which type of software they may be using for their service.
The guide thing seems weird because it should turn on with one click. these are all the same boxes so the rteaction from the remote should be the same. But maybe the software is making it a 2 click option. Who knows??
Anyway who cares these are small problems, we have 2 more people that are with us in the HD family. I wish I was there to see their faces when you brought it to them. As long as they know HD is in the 700's (or where ever it is for cablevision) and can tell the difference they will enjoy it for years. Unless they are like my father and watches news and mostly SD content even though he has a HD set.

That is a bunch of crap. DO NOT listen!!! CSR just trying to make more money for corp daddy. Your original thought is correct. Get rid of HDXtra and you only lose HDNET, HD NETMOVIES and INHD(MOJO) and upgrade to the starter pack. Intro was $39.95(not available anymore) starter 49.99 and Value 59.99. But in my opinion if the cost doesn't kill you those three channels have some of the best HDPQ available. Anyway. ESPNHD/2HD are available as part of the starter pack. So is all the Local sports nets, including MSGHD amd UniversalHD.. All TWC HD offerings are included in the starter pack no matter where you are, the only difference might be the line up. In NYC(the three biggies Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queens) we still don't get FSNYHD, TMCHD, MHD, and NGD. Which is offered in SI. So I don't know what your "extras" are, but your system looks identical to ours in Brooklyn and Queens. What ever happens don't let them trick you into the value pack if it is not needed for you.
The true difference between the value pak and starter pak is you will not get On-demand or the channels in the 100-199 range. It depends on personal choice but the just the on-demand freebies are good enough for the $10 more for the Value pack. If you have kids or are interested in science and specialty channels the extra 100 channels would keep you very occupied. But That should be your choice. Get the starter pak and see if that is good enough for you. Then decide what you want. The Website is not reflecting any of the HDxtra changes but the letter we all received informed us that ESPNHD & ESPN2HD will be part od the basic package like all of our other HD channels, so you should be safe wiith the starter.

I hope this helps you.
The problem is that once I change to the Starter or Value Pak, I can't switch back to the Intro Pak since it's no longer offered. I think I'll stick with my Intro Pak since I still get FSNY HD and YES HD (but no MSG HD and NGC HD is not even offered).

FYI - InHD2 no logner exists - and INHD IS MOJO.
Thanks...I didn't even realize that INHD wasn't around anymore...

What I was saying is since the 8300 is new to Cablevision they might be using software that we were using five updates ago. Your parents are at the mercy to catch up to the same software we have now to make the machine run at an optimal level. Then it all depends on which type of software they may be using for their service.
The guide thing seems weird because it should turn on with one click. these are all the same boxes so the rteaction from the remote should be the same. But maybe the software is making it a 2 click option. Who knows??
Anyway who cares these are small problems, we have 2 more people that are with us in the HD family. I wish I was there to see their faces when you brought it to them. As long as they know HD is in the 700's (or where ever it is for cablevision) and can tell the difference they will enjoy it for years. Unless they are like my father and watches news and mostly SD content even though he has a HD set.

Gotcha. Hopefully they push some updates through soon, as it is currently very user unfriendly. And yes, I told them to check out all the 700's first as they should try and take advantage of their great new plasma by feeding it HD whenever possible. Getting them to relearn how to watch television (no live tv) will be the hardest part. But as long as they enjoy it I'm happy. I think they will, although my mom is worried that she won't be able to get my dad away from the television now!

Anybody else having severe problems this morning? My cable box is 7 minutes ahead of the actual time and it won't display live TV. My recorded DVR shows still work, but nothing else will show up besides a gray screen. Can't get through to TWC on the phone either, nothing but a busy signal.

Anybody else having severe problems this morning? My cable box is 7 minutes ahead of the actual time and it won't display live TV. My recorded DVR shows still work, but nothing else will show up besides a gray screen. Can't get through to TWC on the phone either, nothing but a busy signal.

YES! I was getting ready for work this morning and I started freaking out because I thought I was running late when I saw the time on the cable box. I checked my non HD box and it had the same issue, so I assume this is a system wide problem for TWC in this area.

The problem is that once I change to the Starter or Value Pak, I can't switch back to the Intro Pak since it's no longer offered. I think I'll stick with my Intro Pak since I still get FSNY HD and YES HD (but no MSG HD and NGC HD is not even offered).
You are right sir, once you go up you can never go down again. If you are happy with the Intro. Keep it because, once you get into the extras. The bill starts flying upward. Just ask anyone here. I think a top of with TWC was something like $215. It might be more but that is the highest posted rate I have seen here. Is the Intro only a temp rate? I thought it is only good for a year.
You have don't need MSG unitil late this year or maybe next year before the Knicks might resemble a competitive team. You are safe not having MSGHD fo a year or 2.

YES! I was getting ready for work this morning and I started freaking out because I thought I was running late when I saw the time on the cable box. I checked my non HD box and it had the same issue, so I assume this is a system wide problem for TWC in this area.
Cable was totally out this morning. Busy signal at TWC means you aren't the only one calling. This was wide spread issue. Which is good news because wide spread gets fixed easier then local problems. I am in Ozone PK/ Richmond HL area. Neighbors had the same non-service. Maybe someone that always had complaints finally snapped!! My TV stays on over night so the last time and scene was paused on the TV. It happened early but not that early, around 5:30 - 6:00am. Anyone home now just watch a DVD or DVR because it will come back on soon if it hasn't already.

Gotcha. Hopefully they push some updates through soon, as it is currently very user unfriendly. And yes, I told them to check out all the 700's first as they should try and take advantage of their great new plasma by feeding it HD whenever possible. Getting them to relearn how to watch television (no live tv) will be the hardest part. But as long as they enjoy it I'm happy. I think they will, although my mom is worried that she won't be able to get my dad away from the television now!

Hey Broadway, I thought you were an LCD guy, if yes why the Plasma for the parents? Don't you have to baby the plasmas during the first 100 hrs or 2 weeks?

As for your father, Yeah, I think you might be the cause of some trouble with you fanstastic gesture. :rolleyes: :p If they are retire then it should be that bad, the she can get all the chores down by him during the day, but if they are still working, once he gets a view of those Night games in HD, he will not want to do any of his after work chores. (notice that I am not even married But I still know that the house is the women's realm and we should do what they request) Plus he might want to drown her out with the crisp digital sound. ;) :p

Yeah getting them to relearn the channels isn't that hard as it use to be because these cable companies constantly change their channels so one is always updating their FAVS selections.

Anybody else having severe problems this morning? My cable box is 7 minutes ahead of the actual time and it won't display live TV. My recorded DVR shows still work, but nothing else will show up besides a gray screen. Can't get through to TWC on the phone either, nothing but a busy signal.Yeah I noticed it was out here in Flushing at 7:30 AM but all was ok when I checked at 9:15AM.

HD dude you can't ompare HD to SD, SD takes up so much less space and the profit for them is tenfold. Isn't it something like 10 SD channels for every 1 HD channel. Just think of the money they make on those 10 channels. Plus the HD issue, most of them are simicast channels so while they are still hammering out the How's why's & when's for profits on HD channels that are just duplicates of SD feeds. Then you get the actors guiled invovled wanting more money for their commercials that are shown twice while they only get paid once. So it isn't as balck and white when it comes to adding HD or SD stations. You can aggree with me that some of the new channels are pretty good. But that is for a different conversation.
If we want to talk bandwith, Why is their so many channels in the 800 range that are just duplicates of the same channels in the 100 range. At second thought why are there duplicates at all. At first I thought it was for the spanish tier, but after further review the only channels that are dedicated to spanish people are single version channels in 800's but the one that bothers me. Why do we need all the premiums in the 900's for the spanish tier? I am spanish and find that confusing. Are they saying I am to stupid to use the SAP buttom? All TWC is doing is sending the same single with SAP automatically pressed. Wouldn't this clear up a lot of space if ywe do educate people how to use the SAP button. I am first generation Puerto Rican in NYC, but enough is enough. Maybe it is me being greedy and wanting more space or maybe it is me wanting my people to learn by a press of one button they get their channel in Espanol. This duplicating of channels eats up more space then any of the 10 new SD channels they might add per year for the next 5 years. The ethnic mixture of this city is changing so who is to say TWC would add a Acabic, Muslim, or even a Hebrew tier. How high can the channels go. There isn't infinite space on TWC but there is room on SAP to give a selection of languages instead if Tiers for channels that are already broadcasted on lowerd numbers.

Disclaimer: Sorry for the Rant, in no way did I mean to offend anyone. If I did PM me and I will give you a better apology. The topic of this Post was to increase space whihile still offering options to the melting pop of languages we have in this great city. Thank you!

Hey nutty - I wasn't comparing HD to SD. I do agree with you that some and I stress some of the new SD channels are good, however, what a real waste of bandwidth on those 4 ABC and NBC feeds in the 160's. My whole point here is that TWC is talking out of both sides of their mouth when they say there isn't enough bandwidth to add a few available HD channels and then continue to add countless on demand channels and SD channels. I know they're screwing us when they say there isn't enough bandwidth. What they really should be saying is "we are saving our bandwidth for other more profitable services like high speed internet and SD channels". Hey, I have no problem with them doing what's best for their bottom line. It's just that I don't appreciate the misinformation I am being told. I just wish there was a way for us to find out how much bandwidth is available and how many HD channels it could hold. As far duplicate channels in the 900's are concerned. I don't think it really take up any more bandwidth then it would had the original channels work with the SAP button. As far as the Actors' Guild having an impact on what channels choices cable operators can offer is something new to me.

As stated here in the past, the reason for more HD channels in Staten Island was because of TW’s aggressive campaign several months ago, when they pushed their customers to switch to digital freeing up bandwidth. This was all due to the fact that competition as in FIOS became available.

Yes I've know that from the beginning, but they WOULD have the bandwidth if they make the same moves they made in SI, so "we don't have the bandwidth" is untrue.

Yes, I think you hit the nail, it's FIOS breathing down their necks. AND undoubtedly that a far bigger portion of SI has access to satellite than we do in Manhattan.

BUT, it's lying AND having that we all pay the same that really burns me. We get LESS service, we should pay less. Conversely, I'm sure somewhere there's stuff our SI relatives don't get while they pay the same as we who do and that sucks just the same.

My whole point here is that TWC is talking out of both sides of their mouth when they say there isn't enough bandwidth to add a few available HD channels and then continue to add countless on demand channels and SD channels.
Actually, this is not the case at all. TWC can add "on demand" channels into infinity and they don't take up any bandwidth at all!

The way the on-demand channels work is that they don't take up any bandwidth until someone selects a program on them. Then, they select an open bandwidth slot and begin to stream their program. So, the "on demand" channels take up the slot of ONE SD channel only -- no matter if there's 5 of them or 1000 of them. There is a maximum number of VOD slots on each node in the city, but still, that's pretty small.

Adding a couple of new SD channels here and there (of which there have been very few in the last year or so) takes up very little bandwidth -- don't they squeeze something like 30 of them into each slot that an HD channel takes?

Your argument sounds good until you get to the actual nitty gritty details.

I would LOVE to have the new channels that have been added in S.I., but it does seem like we're going to have to wait until TWC gets around to shutting off the analog channels in the other boroughs (which entails them forcing people to upgrade to digital cable and swapping out their ancient analog boxes) OR they get the Switched Digital Video (SDV) in place in NYC (it's been reported to be working just fine in South Carolina).

Scott

MHD (720), A&E HD (746), FSNY HD (748) and TMC HD (778) are available in SI but not in the rest of the city.

I hear the entire Live Aide concert (all 24 or so hours) is being broadcast 16:9 HD DD 5.1 on MHD.

Question for Northern NJ subscribers:

In NJ, to get ESPN HD, you had to subscribe to HD Extra if you had the DTV Intropak. But as of today, Time Warner is saying that you have to upgrade to DTV starter pack from the DTVIntro Pak regardless if you have HD Extra since ESPN HD is no longer part of the HD Extra package. This will increase your monthly fee from $43 to $50. Anyone know why ESPN HD was removed from HD Extra? And what add'l channels will you get if you "upgrade" to DTV starter pak?

I think this is part of the typical disparity we see in services and pricing even miles apart. In the city, ESPN HD was made "free." Well, by that I mean it's available on the only 2 "plans" available, called Value and Starter Pack.

BUT I think you may want to look at a larger picture. What else go you get for the 7 bucks? Here, Value is 10 bucks more per month and has a TON of additional channels. No bearing on how many you like/want, it's simply more stuff, more money. If you hate ALL the more stuff, pay less.

Oh, one BIG difference is I think all the music channels are only on Value. I really think most don't think about this, but it is kinda like XM or Sirius. All music, NO talk, better quality than broadcast broken down by 50 or so genres. I'd bet you 95% of TWC customers never even tuned one of those channels!

has anyone used HDHomeRun to get "clear qam" with TWNYC?

thanks
c

I couldn't agree more, and let's not forget about the recent 40% increase in internet speed that took some bandwidth to accomplish as well.

There is a finite limit to the amount of signal that can be carried through copper cable. Are there any engineers out there who actually know what the maximum signal capacity of RG-6 cable is and more importantly, can you figure out how much of that capacity is currently in use? It really would be nice to have some facts around here that would either confirm or deny our feelings about whether we are being screwed.

-Mike

Well said, in MANY cases this is going to be a big part of exactly what FIOS can or can't do. It's only speculation, but I think FIOS is going to be fiber to the street or maybe the basement, then co-ax. So my question has to do with the length of co-ax AND what effects on bandwidth various other devices in the line do (i.e. can TWC put a LOT of content at reduced output then boost it back up when it hits the basement vs. FIOS).

My problem is that fiber rollout for TWC meant I had to wait almost 2 years for services from TWC that they had in alphabet city! Most significantly, the had RR close to 2 years before I had it.

I would LOVE to have the new channels that have been added in S.I., but it does seem like we're going to have to wait until TWC gets around to shutting off the analog channels in the other boroughs (which entails them forcing people to upgrade to digital cable and swapping out their ancient analog boxes) OR they get the Switched Digital Video (SDV) in place in NYC (it's been reported to be working just fine in South Carolina).

Scott

I was kind of ambivalent about MHD... until I heard the entire Live Aid concert was going 16:9, HD, DD 5.1 on MHD. Instead they will probably only do bits and pieces on their fuzzy 4:3 with 10db over modulated audio channel that I refuse to subject myself to such audio distortion on.

We've seen positive reviews of SDV from Rochester. Actually, in 2 weeks, supposedly they can't hand out any more 8300HD like we all have. I have read it's still a 8300, but it has to have a M-Series cable card. BUT, some of the services we now get ion that config may require OCAP. AND OCAP only comes with Navigator.

At least that's how I synthesize what I read, of COURSE TWC is keeping all this stuff way hidden. I hear that their employees have been read the riot act about shutting the frak up.

Anyway, during the trials we saw they are CAPABLE of sending Navigator to only certain boxes. So it is possibly some may get it with the new box while the rest of us don't. So we REALLY need one of our best writers to get one and start relating experiences to the rest of us! And YOU, my pal, would make the PERFECT person, logical, well spoken, succinct, with a good knowledge of the technology involved.

Hey nutty - I wasn't comparing HD to SD. I do agree with you that some and I stress some of the new SD channels are good, however, what a real waste of bandwidth on those 4 ABC and NBC feeds in the 160's. My whole point here is that TWC is talking out of both sides of their mouth when they say there isn't enough bandwidth to add a few available HD channels and then continue to add countless on demand channels and SD channels. I know they're screwing us when they say there isn't enough bandwidth. What they really should be saying is "we are saving our bandwidth for other more profitable services like high speed internet and SD channels". Hey, I have no problem with them doing what's best for their bottom line. It's just that I don't appreciate the misinformation I am being told. I just wish there was a way for us to find out how much bandwidth is available and how many HD channels it could hold. As far duplicate channels in the 900's are concerned. I don't think it really take up any more bandwidth then it would had the original channels work with the SAP button. As far as the Actors' Guild having an impact on what channels choices cable operators can offer is something new to me.


Hdtv, Someone more technical would have to let us both know however if I recall correctly. I don't think those channels take up much bandwith because they are generated from NBC's or ABC's main feed then divided up. One of the pluses we get from Digital technology.

But you are right they should say it "we are saving our bandwidth for other more profitable services like high speed internet and SD channels" but why would they. Then can never make it seem like they are "making money" I don't believe for a min that the bandwith isn't there they are just catering to their core group of subscribers at all times. Do I hear "TRIPLE PLAY" Once HD STB egual more than 40% of their consumers then HD channels will be added at the same pace of SD channels . 10+ per year. There is an article I read from the same company that suplies the STB we use, SA. There is an easy fix, a fix they can do internally. whether TWC did it or not, they will NEVER tell us.

It isn't the Actors guile having any say in chioce we get. They have say or issues because of these duplicate channels. Think of it this way. We have a HD feed and a SD feed, which in turn the shows and comercials are being shown twice. They want to get paid for that 2nd showing. Kind of like the Texas thing when the cablecaster didn't want to air the HD channels because they wanted to get paid for the extra channel even though it is the same channel with better quality. I think as HD gets bigger you will hear more nosie from them.

BUT, it's lying AND having that we all pay the same that really burns me. We get LESS service, we should pay less. Conversely, I'm sure somewhere there's stuff our SI relatives don't get while they pay the same as we who do and that sucks just the same.

This Coming from you River is shocking. I thought you of all peole would be more understanding. You are sounding like the I own TWC and expect everything to be done for me crowd. You even write above that you know this move in SI is nothing ore then a move to save customers in that area. Once the switch(agreement) is on, SI is 100% connected and ready to see a mass exodous from TWC. They have to do anything in their power to combat that. The big advertised moved is extra HD channels, but maybe there is more that is goidng out to only SI people.

We have to remember HD is an add on. We here at AVS complain a lot about the lack of channels, but that is because we have HDTV's. The best HD this and the best HD that. However, the majority of NY's if you go by today's latest national stats is only about 30-40% HD capable. (Never mind the group that have HDTV's and don't watch HD)Just by that we need to look at TWC realistically. The majority of people watch SD television and still think it looks great because DTV really does on a non-hd screen. DTV was the big thing less then 5 years ago. It improved the quality greatly. So TWC hasn't stopped cartering to these consumers because they are the the majority. We are not. River, The extra channels will roll to us, but we just need to be patient(I know some of you have been waiting for years) as FIOS grows so does our HD content.

But also for River sake, you are in the Manhattan so you might be one of of the last to get the extra channels.

So the big question is—what really happened this morning? Was this a city wide situation? Did anyone check to see if any new updates were rolled out or was it just a basic “cable down” situation?

I was kind of ambivalent about MHD... until I heard the entire Live Aid concert was going 16:9, HD, DD 5.1 on MHD.Can I ask for clarification on this, or a link? I don't see it posted anywhere else. Live Aid was shot & recorded in analog NTSC with a ton of interference, and to this day can't be rebroadcast in its entirety due to contract problems.

Are you talking about Live Earth? According to this press release (http://www.tvpredictions.com/liveearth061507.htm), it'll be shown in its entirety in HD on Universal HD.

I think this is part of the typical disparity we see in services and pricing even miles apart. In the city, ESPN HD was made "free." Well, by that I mean it's available on the only 2 "plans" available, called Value and Starter Pack.

BUT I think you may want to look at a larger picture. What else go you get for the 7 bucks? Here, Value is 10 bucks more per month and has a TON of additional channels. No bearing on how many you like/want, it's simply more stuff, more money. If you hate ALL the more stuff, pay less.

Oh, one BIG difference is I think all the music channels are only on Value. I really think most don't think about this, but it is kinda like XM or Sirius. All music, NO talk, better quality than broadcast broken down by 50 or so genres. I'd bet you 95% of TWC customers never even tuned one of those channels!
In order to get the same amount of channels that I had previous to the sudden lineup change, I would have to get both the Starter Pak ($59.95) and HD Extra ($7.95). Right now, I only pay for DTV Intro ($41.95) and HD Extra. I am not paying $18 for just ESPN HD. That's crazy.

Hdtv, Someone more technical would have to let us both know however if I recall correctly. I don't think those channels take up much bandwith because they are generated from NBC's or ABC's main feed then divided up. One of the pluses we get from Digital technology.

But you are right they should say it "we are saving our bandwidth for other more profitable services like high speed internet and SD channels" but why would they. Then can never make it seem like they are "making money" I don't believe for a min that the bandwith isn't there they are just catering to their core group of subscribers at all times. Do I hear "TRIPLE PLAY" Once HD STB egual more than 40% of their consumers then HD channels will be added at the same pace of SD channels . 10+ per year. There is an article I read from the same company that suplies the STB we use, SA. There is an easy fix, a fix they can do internally. whether TWC did it or not, they will NEVER tell us.

It isn't the Actors guile having any say in chioce we get. They have say or issues because of these duplicate channels. Think of it this way. We have a HD feed and a SD feed, which in turn the shows and comercials are being shown twice. They want to get paid for that 2nd showing. Kind of like the Texas thing when the cablecaster didn't want to air the HD channels because they wanted to get paid for the extra channel even though it is the same channel with better quality. I think as HD gets bigger you will hear more nosie from them.

Good for the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Pay up, broadcasters and cablecasters.
No matter how many time the pig is sliced up, someone's got to pay for it ...
and since this is broadcasting, the price of the squeal is included.

So the big question is—what really happened this morning? Was this a city wide situation? Did anyone check to see if any new updates were rolled out or was it just a basic “cable down” situation?
They would be able to turn down the systemm for updates, big money involved. Remeber business first, service to comunnity second. It was ut after 7 and that means the morning shows lost NYC viewrs, oh that Horror. Plus all the local comercials that TWC sells, they now how to give buy back sopts. We will never know! Maybe there was test to show the terrorist that they can knocked down our TV's and it won't effect us at all. OOPS did that test ever fail.

Good for the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Pay up, broadcasters and cablecasters.
No matter how many time the pig is sliced up, someone's got to pay for it ...
and since this is broadcasting, the price of the squeal is included.
Don't get me wrong there should be compensation, but it needs to be done quietly, no blackouts, no shut downs, just work the dam crap in you orginal contracts so we can all get the service we deserve instead of the consumer always getting screwed by corporate greed and special interest inteferance. You would think since we are in the Media/technology age we would have learned from the Music industry that rules need to be changed. But no we are dragging our feet and waiting till lawsuits start ppopping up and who pays, we do. HD is an extea channel and if they get paid per play then they should get that money, just like the Cast of TV shows should get something for the online free streaming of their TV shows. I think in NYC these issue have been worked out already, but I can be wrong. TWC made DTV agreements with the locals which covered HD channels. As for the comercials, we will see.

In order to get the same amount of channels that I had previous to the sudden lineup change, I would have to get both the Starter Pak ($59.95) and HD Extra ($7.95). Right now, I only pay for DTV Intro ($41.95) and HD Extra. I am not paying $18 for just ESPN HD. That's crazy.
I am not sure if I asked you this already. Do you watch MOJO, HDNET & HDNETMOVIES? If you do watch you need to keep HDXtra, if not, then get rid of it and get the starter pack. The price will even out. The starter pack is 49.95 not 59. the DTValue is $59.95 and the HDxtra is $9, So if you added starter and eliminated HDextra your bil would be cheaper.

I really need for you to show me, what channels are offered with your INtro Pak. As I see it now, you lose a lot of good channels by staying with that pack. Personally I don't think you get all of the top10 channels. I could be wrong but I remember the intro pak being offered when DTV was introduced originally, but it didn't have half the channels I watched at the time. You give me a kist and I will give you a non-solicited objectional answer for whcich way you should go. Don't cheat either give me all the shopping channels and the all the News channels. If you want PM me with the list if you don't want to bother anybody else here with this issue.

ok, i am getting twc hooked up next week when i move to NYC, and when i booked my installation a week ago they told me espnhd was not included and i had to pay an extra $8. so i did it, i need that channel!
reading the past few pages, can anyone confirm that espnhd is now included with basic service? i'm in midtown east, if that matters

thanks

ok, i am getting twc hooked up next week when i move to NYC, and when i booked my installation a week ago they told me espnhd was not included and i had to pay an extra $8. so i did it, i need that channel!
reading the past few pages, can anyone confirm that espnhd is now included with basic service? i'm in midtown east, if that matters

thanks
Call them and reconfirm/change your order. You do not need the HDXtra pakage to get ESPN HD or for that fact ESPN2 HD anymore. All Sprots channels are available with just the starter pak service. If you are getting a HDDVR already, IMO it is worth the money for the only 3 HD channels left on HDXtra(MOJO, HDNET & HDMOVIES). Because you get the DVR and the pak as a combo, so the three channels only cost $5 more. These channels are widely regarded as some of the best HDPQ available. Midtown east doesn't matter for TWC True NYC, but the question isn't as far fetched as you might think. SI has been given more extras lately that the rest of the city is lagging way behind.

Anyway just, be prepared when you talk to them. make sure they don't try to talk you into any service that you don't want. But you should look into the triple play and double play packages, these will save you some money if you haven't decided on you Phone or internet service as of yet. Plus in NYC any savings is a good start. The one bill helps you save on postage also if you still use snail mail. Just some advice, Welcome to this great city. Where are you coming from?

I was kind of ambivalent about MHD... until I heard the entire Live Aid concert was going 16:9, HD, DD 5.1 on MHD.
Not true.

The press release has said that the "Live Earth" concert is going to be broadcast on *UHD* in its entirety in HD -- for 23 hours or something.

This is the channel we'll be getting it on.......

For your reference, the HD channel list again, with the required programming package appended to each.

DS = Digital Starter
DTV = DTValue
HDX = HDXtra

702 - WCBS HD (CBS2) - DS
703 - TNT HD - DS
704 - WNBC HD (NBC4) - DS
705 - WNYW HD (FOX5) - DS
707 - WABC HD (ABC7) - DS
708 - YES HD - DS
709 - WWOR HD (My9) - DS
711 - WPIX HD (CW11) - DS
713 - WNET HD (PBS) - DS
714 - Kids13 - DS
718 - Discovery HD Theater - DS
720 - MHD (SI only) - DS
726 - SNY HD - DS
727 - MSG HD - DS
728 - ESPN HD - DS
729 - ESPN2 HD - DS
730 - YES HD - DS
731 - NBC Weather Plus - DS
740 - Universal HD - DS
741 - SNY HD - DS
746 - A&E HD (SI only) - DTV
748 - FSNY HD (SI only) - DTV
750 - WNJN-DT - DS
776 - Cinemax HD - Cinemax
777 - Starz HD - Starz Moviepack
778 - The Movie Channel HD (SI Only) - The Movie Channel
779 - Showtime HD - Showtime
780 - HBO HD - HBO
796 - MOJO HD - HDX
797 - HDNet Movies - HDX
798 - HDNet - HDX

This is taken from the on-screen guide in Staten Island, the channels I receive as a Digital Starter subscriber, and the information on TWCs website.

Note that A&E HD and FSNY HD are part of DTValue now. If you have Intro Triple Play or Digital Starter, you won't get them, even if you have HDXtra.

Can I ask for clarification on this, or a link? I don't see it posted anywhere else. Live Aid was shot & recorded in analog NTSC with a ton of interference, and to this day can't be rebroadcast in its entirety due to contract problems.

Are you talking about Live Earth? According to this press release (http://www.tvpredictions.com/liveearth061507.htm), it'll be shown in its entirety in HD on Universal HD.

mea culpa, it looks like I did my best dyslexic move and transposed the channels. Then again, I did "hear" it, so dementia is clearly knocking on my door!

Note that ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, A&E HD, FSNY HD and MHD are part of DTValue now. If you have Intro Triple Play or Digital Starter, you won't get them, even if you have HDXtra.

Funny, I just gone to double check, turns out it's impossible to tell from the TWC site, their "channel lineup" seems to be still what was so before 6/14 (I even changed location to Staten Island). Where DID you find this info (not doubting you, I just can not seem to find anything current, not even what the hell SD channels HDXtra now gets)?

It is logical for the HD ESPNs to be on the Value, from your info and all the music channels, I'd say it's actually quite the bargain, especially from a company that tends to have major issues with value of services to it's customers.

As for HDXtra, 8 bucks is a rip, considering that if you have 2 premiums, you can get a third for 5 bucks more. BUT I'm surprised someone with serious HD leanings who does NOT have DVR service. With DVR service, it's 5 bucks more.

Yes, one DOES have to realize that package deals is the way to of with TWC. I don't have an inherent issue with combo services being less than 2 al la carte services. I understand the squeals from those who want everything a la carte, but I also think that means BIG danger to most who want a lot of stuff for their money.

Oh just noticed you listed 731, that got moved in Manhattan. YES and SNY are still doubled so it's POSSIBLE a recording may get screwed up if they drop the dupes. AND I'm still mystified they left a single SD channel in the 700s.

For your reference, the HD channel list again, with the required programming package appended to each.

DS = Digital Starter
DTV = DTValue
HDX = HDXtra

702 - WCBS HD (CBS2) - DS
703 - TNT HD - DS
704 - WNBC HD (NBC4) - DS
705 - WNYW HD (FOX5) - DS
707 - WABC HD (ABC7) - DS
708 - YES HD - DS
709 - WWOR HD (My9) - DS
711 - WPIX HD (CW11) - DS
713 - WNET HD (PBS) - DS
714 - Kids13 - DS
718 - Discovery HD Theater - DS
720 - MHD (SI only) - DTV
726 - SNY HD - DS
727 - MSG HD - DS
728 - ESPN HD - DTV
729 - ESPN2 HD - DTV
730 - YES HD - DS
731 - NBC Weather Plus - DS
740 - Universal HD - DS
741 - SNY HD - DS
746 - A&E HD (SI only) - DTV
748 - FSNY HD (SI only) - DTV
750 - WNJN-DT - DS
776 - Cinemax HD - Cinemax
777 - Starz HD - Starz Moviepack
778 - The Movie Channel HD (SI Only) - The Movie Channel
779 - Showtime HD - Showtime
780 - HBO HD - HBO
796 - MOJO HD - HDX
797 - HDNet Movies - HDX
798 - HDNet - HDX

Note that ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, A&E HD, FSNY HD and MHD are part of DTValue now. If you have Intro Triple Play or Digital Starter, you won't get them, even if you have HDXtra.
IS This the updated list for NY & NJ? Thank you for the outline of DTV and DS channels. That will help me help others better now. The only problem is the Letter officially stated the 2 HD ESPN's wil be included as part of Basic, which is all the channels on the starter pak, plus extras. Why wouldn't the letter state that the ESPN's will only be available with DTValue service. The web site has not been updated so that is no help what so ever.

Either way this helps. Thank you. Sabt, check the list out so you will know what will be available with the packages I told you about.

Funny, I just gone to double check, turns out it's impossible to tell from the TWC site, their "channel lineup" seems to be still what was so before 6/14 (I even changed location to Staten Island). Where DID you find this info (not doubting you, I just can not seem to find anything current, not even what the hell SD channels HDXtra now gets)?

I have been checking the site for days, to help the NJ people but for some reason the site will be the last to be updated.

It is logical for the HD ESPNs to be on the Value, from your info and all the music channels, I'd say it's actually quite the bargain, especially from a company that tends to have major issues with value of services to it's customers.

I am against, it being on Value. They claim all hd at no extra charge, they should stick to that. All these extra HD channels should be part of Standard. The HD teir is understandable loop hole they use to charge us more. But that loophle only has 3 HD channels now. Don't get me wrong I do Have DTValue. But I get a lot of channels just for that $100 increaese, channels I do watch


As for HDXtra, 8 bucks is a rip, considering that if you have 2 premiums, you can get a third for 5 bucks more. BUT I'm surprised someone with serious HD leanings who does NOT have DVR service. With DVR service, it's 5 bucks more.

True, No DVR. DO NOT BOTHER. The three channels are worth it for $5 but not for $8.95. No Way.


Yes, one DOES have to realize that package deals is the way to of with TWC. I don't have an inherent issue with combo services being less than 2 al la carte services. I understand the squeals from those who want everything a la carte, but I also think that means BIG danger to most who want a lot of stuff for their money.

True x 10. The biggest thing in the 80's when cable was new was the increase from the same 3 networks and 3 locals plus PBS. Then we had 55 channels then we topped off at 89 before the new and improved DTV was in line. 200 plus channels with interactive features and music that we can enjoy for hours. Since most everyone has the TV hooked up to a surround sound that music soudned even better then OTA broadcast crap and the icing was it that we had specialty based channels. But now we have 200 plus TV channels and a good 10% - 20%that want to gain in ratings and give us good quality new shows. Something A-la carte would have restricted to just the popular channels. Because we of these ex:
Sci-fi was a repeat only channel but has blossomed with their new shows, but would you really waste a choice on a repeat laden channel if alacarte was available back in 94. S.ame thing with Comedy central. We all watch 20-30 channels so the study said, but it didn't tell us about all the channels we watch while surfing.


Oh just noticed you listed 731, that got moved in Manhattan. YES and SNY are still doubled so it's POSSIBLE a recording may get screwed up if they drop the dupes. AND I'm still mystified they left a single SD channel in the 700s.

Yeah that is true, But i saw 2, but still move them, but TWC did recently sign NBC's contract so maybe it is suppose to stay near UniversalHD. I really don't know whay Kids13 and NBC weather s still there, other then to make it seem like there is more HD then we really have.

You have don't need MSG unitil late this year or maybe next year before the Knicks might resemble a competitive team. You are safe not having MSGHD fo a year or 2.

:eek: How's he supposed to watch the Rangers in HD? MSG-HD is the ONLY reason I couldn't move to FIOS (if it were available in NYC)...until Verizon carries it I'm stuck with TWC.

Hey Broadway, I thought you were an LCD guy, if yes why the Plasma for the parents? Don't you have to baby the plasmas during the first 100 hrs or 2 weeks?

As for your father, Yeah, I think you might be the cause of some trouble with you fanstastic gesture. :rolleyes: :p If they are retire then it should be that bad, the she can get all the chores down by him during the day, but if they are still working, once he gets a view of those Night games in HD, he will not want to do any of his after work chores. (notice that I am not even married But I still know that the house is the women's realm and we should do what they request) Plus he might want to drown her out with the crisp digital sound. ;) :p

Yeah getting them to relearn the channels isn't that hard as it use to be because these cable companies constantly change their channels so one is always updating their FAVS selections.


My primary display is an LCD 720p front projector. Nothing beats HD FP imo. But I've always had a slight preference to plasma over lcd for the "small" displays. That may change as the new LCDs are supposed to have made great strides in contrast level.

I did lower the picture settings to make sure their panny breaks in nicely. Next time I visit I'll crank them back up a bit.

Funny, I just gone to double check, turns out it's impossible to tell from the TWC site, their "channel lineup" seems to be still what was so before 6/14 (I even changed location to Staten Island). Where DID you find this info (not doubting you, I just can not seem to find anything current, not even what the hell SD channels HDXtra now gets)?Back when MHD, A&E HD and FSNY HD were added here, I called up TWC asking why I couldn't get them since they were listed on TWC's website and on the printed channel guide as being part of Digital Starter (which we subscribe to.) Well, only MHD was listed as such, the other two were not listed at all, but I fudged them into my complaint.

Big back and forth between me and TWC ensued, with them sending someone out to check our equipment, and me swapping out boxes. Eventually I just had them add DTValue to our account to see if the three channels would come up, and they did.

We still have Digital Starter, and ESPN/2 HD are blocked, so I assume they are on DTValue as well.

At the time, I verbally advised them to update their online and printed channel lists. They gave me a free month of Starz for my trouble. I guess they haven't updated the lists yet. :rolleyes:

Edit: I just checked MHD, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, and they come up now. :) So I guess they are on Digital Starter as well. A&E HD and FSNY HD remain blocked.

Jeez, I wish TWC would just make up their minds about this stuff.

:eek: How's he supposed to watch the Rangers in HD? MSG-HD is the ONLY reason I couldn't move to FIOS (if it were available in NYC)...until Verizon carries it I'm stuck with TWC.

Uh, when do you think you'll be ABLE to get FIOS service? I agree, no MSG HD WOULD be a big issue, but my best speculation says FIOS MAY be available at the southern end of Manhattan in 6-9 months and up where I live (by Columbia) in about 2+ years.

I also think out SI neighbors will be the frist ones to get FIOS services, that where TWC actually made an effort to free up space for more HD and why they have 4 channels we do not.

:eek: How's he supposed to watch the Rangers in HD? MSG-HD is the ONLY reason I couldn't move to FIOS (if it were available in NYC)...until Verizon carries it I'm stuck with TWC.
Verizon doesn't have MSGHD, When was the last time you guys looked at their channel lineup? I thought I read all the local sports nets on the lineup. Guess I have something to look for after lunch.

My primary display is an LCD 720p front projector. Nothing beats HD FP imo. But I've always had a slight preference to plasma over lcd for the "small" displays. That may change as the new LCDs are supposed to have made great strides in contrast level.

I did lower the picture settings to make sure their panny breaks in nicely. Next time I visit I'll crank them back up a bit.

I hear that FP's can be the way to go, but you really have to have a dedicated TV room. Plus the cost savings is unbelieveable. But then again the added cost for the stadium seating and window removal might make me look back at the flat panels again. :p ;)

Do you mind if I PM you about you front projector? I never knew anyone with it and would like some info.

The LCD's are making huge strides in all parts of PQ. They aren't out selling plasma's because of price, because plasma is still cheaper.

I've updated the channel list (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10835968&&#post10835968) I posted, placing ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and MHD in Digital Starter. Unless TWC decides to change things around again tomorrow without telling anyone, that should be correct for the foreseeable future.

Verizon doesn't have MSGHD, When was the last time you guys looked at their channel lineup? I thought I read all the local sports nets on the lineup. Guess I have something to look for after lunch.

Read what he wrote again.... Thats exactly what he said.

Also, note that kids 13 moved to channel 160.

Here’s an interesting article from fredfa’s Hot Off The Press thread…

fredfa
Cable is touting switched digital as a magic bullet which will allow it to compete with telcos and DBS in offering HD capacity. But there are major problems as this article explains.

The Business of Television

How Time Warner Austin Did Switched Digital
Bowen: Channel Selection Is Key

By Todd Spangler Multichannel News, 6/21/2007

Orlando, Fla. --- Todd Bowen, director of digital systems for Time Warner Cable’s Austin, Texas, division, delivered a key piece of wisdom for those deploying switched digital video: Be sure to get the right channels in the mix.

“The most important decision you’re going to make is which channels to switch,” Bowen said. “If you don’t pick the right channels, it’s going to bite you.”

That’s because if those channels are too popular -- that is, if they’re being watched by someone virtually all of the time -- those will potentially eat up all of the space set aside for the SDV pool, defeating the whole purpose of the technology.

Bowen gave a presentation here at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers’ Cable-Tec Expo 2007 on “lessons learned” from his SDV rollout over the past three years.

The MSO initiated its first beta-test in July 2004 in Austin. The division launched SDV systemwide in spring 2006. It now switches 75 standard-definition and eight HD channels, using Scientific Atlanta’s switched-digital servers.

“Before SDV, we were bandwidth-sparse,” Bowen said. Moving to switched digital, he added, “allowed us to launch digital simulcast.”

Time Warner, an early proponent of the technology, is betting big on SDV to let it keep pace on HDTV. It expects to increase the rollout from eight divisions at the end of 2006 to at least one-half of its 23 divisions this year. SDV will let the MSO offer “virtually unlimited” HD capacity, chief operating officer Landel Hobbs said at a Wall Street conference earlier this month.

At the operational level, the key question for Bowen was: Which to switch? He offered a few insights from Austin's experience. First, he said, anything in a tier -- like a sports tier or a non-English-language tier -- is a good candidate, because obviously, not everyone takes that tier of service. Alternate-time-zone feeds and pay-per-view channels are also likely to be among the least-viewed channels.

“Event pay-per-view, sports pay-per-view, that’s low-hanging fruit,” he added. “Those are 8-10 channels that are wasted when there are no events.”

But there are exceptions to the rules. For example, in Austin, the West Coast feed of a certain kids’ channel (“the channel’s company has a large theme park up the road,” Bowen noted) happens to be extremely popular. “It’s the babysitting channel,” he said. “It’s always on.”

Then there are blockbuster PPV events, like high-profile boxing matches. For one such bout recently, Bowen said, customers who subscribed to the event hadn’t followed Time Warner’s instructions to boot up their set-tops to download the SDV client from the SA servers, so they couldn’t tune to the PPV channel. The call center was swamped with irate subscribers. “It was a classic example of, ‘Whoops,’” Bowen said.

Time Warner Austin has since moved its main PPV-events channel back into regular digital broadcast, although Bowen added that other PPV channels work very well in a switched environment.

In the final analysis, in selecting the channels to be switched, “There’s no magic chart that goes, ‘yes-no-yes-no,’” he said. “It’s a case-by-case basis.”

Another of Bowen's findings: Some video with lots of motion, like live sporting events, needs more than the 3.75 megabits per second that ordinary SDV streams can comfortably be limited to. “Some channels take up six, seven, eight megabits, so rather than rate-shape those, we take up two channels -- 7.5 megabits -- so we don’t have video issues,” Bowen said.

To offer the 75 SD and eight HD channels in the switched group, Time Warner Austin dedicated eight quadrature-amplitude-modulation channels for SDV. “We put [the QAMs] on the high end of the spectrum, adjacent to VOD,” Bowen said.

He added that he doesn’t let QAM utilization for SDV rise more than 70%. If usage is consistently around that much for a given service group, he said, his team will reconfigure the group or do a node split to minimize the chance that SDV channels will be blocked.

All things considered, Time Warner Austin encountered relatively few customer-service issues with the SDV rollout, according to Bowen, who added, “We thought there would be 20,000-30,000 service calls in Austin, but we didn’t have that at all.”

http://www.multichannel.com/index.a...cleID=CA6454447

__________________
Hot off the Press! The Latest TV News and Info
Prime Time Nielsen TV Ratings

I've updated the channel list (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10835968&&#post10835968) I posted, placing ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and MHD in Digital Starter. Unless TWC decides to change things around again tomorrow without telling anyone, that should be correct for the foreseeable future.

So I was not wrong in helping my intro pak friends by telling them they are included with the Starter pak. Thanks unndunn.

Read what he wrote again.... Thats exactly what he said.
I should have put a "!" because I was shocked by reading that instead of a coma. Plus a couple of corrections to get what I really meant out. I originally read the NY channel lineup which included MSGHD last month. It has been a while since I have seen an updated channel guide from Verizon so I was caught of guard when I read his post.
This is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

Verizon doesn't have MSGHD! When was the last time you guys looked at their channel lineup? I thought I read Verizon's lineup and all the local sports nets were available in HD. Guess I have something to look for after lunch.

I should have put a "!" because I was shocked by reading that instead of a coma. Plus a couple of corrections to get what I really meant out. I originally read the NY channel lineup which included MSGHD last month. It has been a while since I have seen an updated channel guide from Verizon so I was caught of guard when I read his post.
This is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

Verizon doesn't have MSGHD! When was the last time you guys looked at their channel lineup? I thought I read Verizon's lineup and all the local sports nets were available in HD. Guess I have something to look for after lunch.


None of Cablevision's competitors have access to MSGHD or FSNYHD (they include all satellite companies and FiOS)

This wont change any time soon

wow, next week cablevision we have the 15 voom HD channels.

FOR FREE! bringing their total # of HD channels to 40.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6454390.html

Uh, when do you think you'll be ABLE to get FIOS service? I agree, no MSG HD WOULD be a big issue, but my best speculation says FIOS MAY be available at the southern end of Manhattan in 6-9 months and up where I live (by Columbia) in about 2+ years.

I also think out SI neighbors will be the frist ones to get FIOS services, that where TWC actually made an effort to free up space for more HD and why they have 4 channels we do not.


I live downtown in the financial district.
About 4 buildings down here just got fios and my building is having the installation done very soon. I'm at 10 Hanover Square which is just off Wall St.
Can't wait! Hoping it comes sooner than later!

I hear that FP's can be the way to go, but you really have to have a dedicated TV room. Plus the cost savings is unbelieveable. But then again the added cost for the stadium seating and window removal might make me look back at the flat panels again. :p ;)

Do you mind if I PM you about you front projector? I never knew anyone with it and would like some info.


PM me any time. My FP was just about the best purchase I've ever made. You couldn't get me to trade it for any plasma or lcd available, with the exception of the panny 103" plasma...but that wouldn't fit through my door. You'd be surprised just how far the technology has come. You don't HAVE to have a dedicated TV room. I use my living room as my theater and just project on a brown unfinished wall. The picture looks great. At 112" it creates an experience you just can't get with a plasma or lcd. some of the newer models throw off even more light, so you can enjoy the projector with a good bit of ambient light too. Personally I think everyone should own a projector. Everyone who comes over is just floored. The look on their faces is priceless.

PM me any time. My FP was just about the best purchase I've ever made. You couldn't get me to trade it for any plasma or lcd available, with the exception of the panny 103" plasma...but that wouldn't fit through my door. You'd be surprised just how far the technology has come. You don't HAVE to have a dedicated TV room. I use my living room as my theater and just project on a brown unfinished wall. The picture looks great. At 112" it creates an experience you just can't get with a plasma or lcd. some of the newer models throw off even more light, so you can enjoy the projector with a good bit of ambient light too. Personally I think everyone should own a projector. Everyone who comes over is just floored. The look on their faces is priceless.

I see you also live in manhattan..
assuming that space is somehwhat limited here as you know..you dont think that a fp is overkill in a manhattan apartment?
I personally dont at all, but I would have a hard time convincing my wife that it would be suitable.
Also my wall that faces opposite my tv positioning is all windows and floor to ceiling ones at that.
I'm assuming that would be way to much ambient light for a fp to look good in, correct?
I dont like the idea of having to darken the room everytime I want to watch tv, but it is something I would consider.

I see you also live in manhattan..
assuming that space is somehwhat limited here as you know..you dont think that a fp is overkill in a manhattan apartment?
I personally dont at all, but I would have a hard time convincing my wife that it would be suitable.
Also my wall that faces opposite my tv positioning is all windows and floor to ceiling ones at that.
I'm assuming that would be way to much ambient light for a fp to look good in, correct?
I dont like the idea of having to darken the room everytime I want to watch tv, but it is something I would consider.

An entire wall of floor to ceiling windows would not be kind to a FP. That said, you could purchase shades. Personally, I'm usually not home during the day, so the light issue mostly only effects me on the weekends (1pm Sunday NFL games is probably the biggest issue.) For those events I zoom my PJ all the way in to make a smaller picture (mine gets down to about 60") which has increased brightness and does a better job combatting the ambient light. But if the sun is shining directly on your image (whether it be a wall or screen) it's going to be an issue. If that is your situation I'd suggest a plasma/lcd AND a projector. Use the former when the sun is up and the latter for the real show in the evenings.

An entire wall of floor to ceiling windows would not be kind to a FP. That said, you could purchase shades. Personally, I'm usually not home during the day, so the light issue mostly only effects me on the weekends (1pm Sunday NFL games is probably the biggest issue.) For those events I zoom my PJ all the way in to make a smaller picture (mine gets down to about 60") which has increased brightness and does a better job combatting the ambient light. But if the sun is shining directly on your image (whether it be a wall or screen) it's going to be an issue. If that is your situation I'd suggest a plasma/lcd AND a projector. Use the former when the sun is up and the latter for the real show in the evenings.


I just got a 50 inch samsung plasma which I love.
So do you have your fp ceiling mounted or some other way?

I just got a 50 inch samsung plasma which I love.
So do you have your fp ceiling mounted or some other way?

My Panny is shelf mounted on the wall above my couch. The lens shift feature makes installation a breeze. I watch everything on my FP...for the most part it's my main TV. I put about 100 hours on it per month. Really, I think it was an awesome purchase for $1704 27 months ago. Today you can get a better unit for less.

wow, next week cablevision we have the 15 voom HD channels.

FOR FREE! bringing their total # of HD channels to 40.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6454390.html
The only Voom channel I would be remotely interested in is GamePlay HD.

TWC messed up their own press release.


"• TCM in HD – Turner Classic Movies features commercial-free classic movies from Turner Entertainment, MGM, United Artists and RKO film titles from the 1920’s forward. Available on Channel 778, Staten Island only. Digital HD converter required."

http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=1731&MarketID=50

Not true.

The press release has said that the "Live Earth" concert is going to be broadcast on *UHD* in its entirety in HD -- for 23 hours or something.

This is the channel we'll be getting it on.......

I dont like the line up. It seems a bit old n washed up or just typical american rock or hip hop. Quite dull really. shame that.

TWC messed up their own press release.


"• TCM in HD – Turner Classic Movies features commercial-free classic movies from Turner Entertainment, MGM, United Artists and RKO film titles from the 1920’s forward. Available on Channel 778, Staten Island only. Digital HD converter required."

http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=1731&MarketID=50I’d take that mistake in a heart beat-- Turner Classic over The Movie Channel in HD. Who needs another premium rehash channel of movies that have already been on HBO, SHO, or Starzz? At least with Starzz now we get a better selection but I don’t see any advantages to TMC.

Give me some classic movies in HD—TCM is something to look forward to—that’s on the sole condition that the movies are properly transferred to HD… otherwise don’t bother.

I live downtown in the financial district.
About 4 buildings down here just got fios and my building is having the installation done very soon. I'm at 10 Hanover Square which is just off Wall St.
Can't wait! Hoping it comes sooner than later!

Did Verizon get their franchise license to offer FIOS TV services in Manhattan? My understanding is that this event hasn't happened and speculation seems to indicate late fall. And logic tells me that TWC is hard at work figuring out ways to delay (or prevent) this as much as possible.

AFAIK it's possible to get "FIOS" for phone and internet service, but I'm pretty sure the TV service part MUST have a franchise agreement with the city prior to their marketing and selling it.

TWC messed up their own press release.


"• TCM in HD – Turner Classic Movies features commercial-free classic movies from Turner Entertainment, MGM, United Artists and RKO film titles from the 1920’s forward. Available on Channel 778, Staten Island only. Digital HD converter required."

http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=1731&MarketID=50

OMG, TCM sure as hell is in my top 5 "desired" channels! I thought it was going to be a while before they (TCM, not TWC) did HD... of course, it seems this marks another HD channel in SI we don't get.

Looking at your link, it seems it damn close to SI getting 50% more HD channels for the same rates we pay. AND not one peep out of TWC about when the rest of us will get all these channels.

I dont like the line up. It seems a bit old n washed up or just typical american rock or hip hop. Quite dull really. shame that.

Well, the real issue is that we WILL get it, no matter what you may think of the acts.

None of Cablevision's competitors have access to MSGHD or FSNYHD (they include all satellite companies and FiOS)

This wont change any time soon
Really I did not know that. How rude is cablevision? Say I am here in TWC land and want to swtch to SAT(that will never happen TWC or death) I would lose my Knicks and Ragers because of their pettiness. Don't they make more money with more exposure? Makes no sense they are going to lose the subscribers anyway so they might should just make the money the good ole fachionway, by broadcasting a channel. Oh well. Thanks berk

Really I did not know that. How rude is cablevision? Say I am here in TWC land and want to swtch to SAT(that will never happen TWC or death) I would lose my Knicks and Ragers because of their pettiness. Don't they make more money with more exposure? Makes no sense they are going to lose the subscribers anyway so they might should just make the money the good ole fachionway, by broadcasting a channel. Oh well. Thanks berk

Rude? Pettiness?

It's business.

They know that anyone who wants those channels will stick with them.

TWC messed up their own press release.


"• TCM in HD – Turner Classic Movies features commercial-free classic movies from Turner Entertainment, MGM, United Artists and RKO film titles from the 1920’s forward. Available on Channel 778, Staten Island only. Digital HD converter required."

http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=1731&MarketID=50
Either way, I don't care because it won't be heading our way till the end of the year, if that. But TCM would be a nice touch in HD, but that would be the first HD channel I would have no interest in at all!. TMCHD is nice but they only will be showing shows that Showtime played a month earlier.

Did Verizon get their franchise license to offer FIOS TV services in Manhattan? My understanding is that this event hasn't happened and speculation seems to indicate late fall. And logic tells me that TWC is hard at work figuring out ways to delay (or prevent) this as much as possible.

AFAIK it's possible to get "FIOS" for phone and internet service, but I'm pretty sure the TV service part MUST have a franchise agreement with the city prior to their marketing and selling it.


To my knowledge, it's being added to most new developments downtown. Not sure if that's the case across Manhattan or if only internet service is available but they're definitely marketing both (including by handing out flyers at street corners in the Financial District).

wow, next week cablevision we have the 15 voom HD channels.

FOR FREE! bringing their total # of HD channels to 40.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6454390.html
Congrats to you guys for getting Voom, maybe TWC might open the purse strings, because these channels have been know to show some fantasic HD programing. It is just the lack of content they might have untill they get big and make money.

Me don't get it, Cablevision owns VOOM? Why wouldn't they have it sooner? They sell service to Echostar which keeps it alive and kicking but just barely. Now they make the deal and claim 500 HD channels. Why go that high if we all know there wouldn't be that many HD broadcasters available? I know you want to beat Sat's claim "150 channels 2/3rds more than cable" But be realistic.

SV is the future and we all know that it will add enough space for channels galore, but unless HD keeps growing they will add more SD channels first and we don't want that.. Just look at that link, Cablevision only has 734,000 HD customers but that is less than 25% of total subscribers. That is horrible.

Hopefully TWC has better numbers then we would be the primary group they would try to make happy.

Rude? Pettiness?

It's business.

They know that anyone who wants those channels will stick with them.
That is ture. But like you said it is business, my example still stands. I am "stuck" with TWC because I can't the knicks on Sat. But hey, the Dloans are the Dolan's. Who else can have 5 straight losing seasons with the highest payroll?

Congrats to you guys for getting Voom, maybe TWC might open the purse strings, because these channels have been know to show some fantasic HD programing. It is just the lack of content they might have untill they get big and make money.

Me don't get it, Cablevision owns VOOM? Why wouldn't they have it sooner? They sell service to Echostar which keeps it alive and kicking but just barely. Now they make the deal and claim 500 HD channels. Why go that high if we all know there wouldn't be that many HD broadcasters available? I know you want to beat Sat's claim "150 channels 2/3rds more than cable" But be realistic.

SV is the future and we all know that it will add enough space for channels galore, but unless HD keeps growing they will add more SD channels first and we don't want that.. Just look at that link, Cablevision only has 734,000 HD customers but that is less than 25% of total subscribers. That is horrible.

Hopefully TWC has better numbers then we would be the primary group they would try to make happy.


VOOM was the center of a big fight between the Father and Son Dolans. Son runs Cablevision and Father created VOOM.
Son initially wanted nothing to do with it - so thats why it wasn't seen on Cablevision after the satellite venture failed.

To my knowledge, it's being added to most new developments downtown. Not sure if that's the case across Manhattan or if only internet service is available but they're definitely marketing both (including by handing out flyers at street corners in the Financial District).
I would make sure. I know River is right, no aggreements have been made yet. If it was there would be a lot of happt SI people braging on this thread. It might just be FIOS internet, not TV. That is available anywhere as long as the wiring is done.

VOOM was the center of a big fight between the Father and Son Dolans. Son runs Cablevision and Father created VOOM.
Son initially wanted nothing to do with it - so thats why it wasn't seen on Cablevision after the satellite venture failed.
yeah I was reading about that, (Information at our finger tips) I read the sat venture failed but the channels are still active and pretty good. Thank god for Echo star or it would have been shut down. But now 2 companies have it and hopefully more will follow. Just like a lot of people say here once you go HD you never go back to SD. So those 15 channels would give us a lot more choices for our HD enjoyment. Come on who wouldn't want to see Holloween in HD, what about the Evil Dead? All that blood.

I live in Jamaica (11432) and ever since TWC added ESPN2-HD (729), the reception has been crappy or non existent on this channel. This problem exist on both my CableCard and 8300HD so it is the signal source, not my equipment. Has anyone else experienced problems with ESPN2-HD? There are no problems with ESPN2 on channel 29.

TIA....JL

I live in Jamaica (11432) and ever since TWC added ESPN2-HD (729), the reception has been crappy or non existent on this channel. This problem exist on both my CableCard and 8300HD so it is the signal source, not my equipment. Has anyone else experienced problems with ESPN2-HD? There are no problems with ESPN2 on channel 29.

TIA....JL
While I haven't watched it for any length of time, it has seemed perfectly clear and crisp to me in lower Manhattan.

You should put in a service call to TWC.

While I haven't watched it for any length of time, it has seemed perfectly clear and crisp to me in lower Manhattan.

You should put in a service call to TWC.

Thanks for your reponse. I called TWC CS before my original post and they were totally clueless. It could be a localized problem.

Regards...JL

I live in Jamaica (11432) Has anyone else experienced problems with ESPN2-HD? There are no problems with ESPN2 on channel 29.

TIA....JLNo problem on my side of Queens.

While I haven't watched it for any length of time, it has seemed perfectly clear and crisp to me in lower Manhattan.

You should put in a service call to TWC.

Same here out of Manhattan North, it looked really good the few times I checked in. Matter of fact, whatever I tuned to was NOT listed as "HDTV" in the guide but very definitely was in HD.

i spoke to a guy handing out the fios flyers as i live downtown also, and he said it was just internet and phone, no tv. yet. and i live at 10 hanover too, khurram, so i'm curious where you got your info from.

i spoke to a guy handing out the fios flyers as i live downtown also, and he said it was just internet and phone, no tv. yet. and i live at 10 hanover too, khurram, so i'm curious where you got your info from.

Hi Ryanloral,
cool to find a neighbor on here.
I contacted vanessa in the management office after I saw the flyers being handed out on wall street.
She said verizon approached them about all three services, internet, tv and phone.
Also, they mentioned they would be installing these services in phases (probably internet and phone first and then tv).
They have signed a contract with verizon and the installation will begin soon although she could not provide a solid date.
Just a question, are you using directv in ure apt or twc?
I have twc, but I was thinking about getting Directv just for the nfl sunday ticket.

However, I keep hearing how crappy dtv's hd quality is.
I'm assuming because your posting in this thread your on twc.

I live in Jamaica (11432) and ever since TWC added ESPN2-HD (729), the reception has been crappy or non existent on this channel. This problem exist on both my CableCard and 8300HD so it is the signal source, not my equipment. Has anyone else experienced problems with ESPN2-HD? There are no problems with ESPN2 on channel 29.

TIA....JL

It's been perfectly fine over here in Jackson Heights, too...and i've watched a bunch of their programming.

I know it's kinda off topic for this posting board, but...i always hear that WFAN is "broadcasting in HD"....does anyone here actually use HD radio??...and if so, is it WORTH it?? Can it be patched in to one's entertainment center?? Thanks. :)

I know it's kinda off topic for this posting board, but...i always hear that WFAN is "broadcasting in HD"....does anyone here actually use HD radio??...and if so, is it WORTH it?? Can it be patched in to one's entertainment center?? Thanks. :)

never actually heard the difference between FM/AM vs. HD Radio.
I believe it's comparable to CD quality sound.
and TWC out in Cali actually broadcasts some of the digital radio signal thru cable, jus like music choice.

U will need a special receiver with HD radio built in.

How do I get into the 8300HD advanced setup? Pressing Guide-Info buttons at the same time doesn't work.

Thanks

How do I get into the 8300HD advanced setup? Pressing Guide-Info buttons at the same time doesn't work.

Thanks

press Exit & Select on the Cable Box, for a couple of seconds.
Then tune till channel 1999

I live in Jamaica (11432) and ever since TWC added ESPN2-HD (729), the reception has been crappy or non existent on this channel. This problem exist on both my CableCard and 8300HD so it is the signal source, not my equipment. Has anyone else experienced problems with ESPN2-HD? There are no problems with ESPN2 on channel 29.

TIA....JL


I have occasional breakups on ESPN2 HD. Something might be going on at their end. How much do you pay monthly for the cable card?

OK, since I moved to a new place so I went to 23rd st to order Digital cable. When I asked the rep if ESPN HD was part of the basic package, he said no, it was still part of the HD Xtra package. Is this true, or is this guy BSing or doesn't know what he's talking about?

OK, since I moved to a new place so I went to 23rd st to order Digital cable. When I asked the rep if ESPN HD was part of the basic package, he said no, it was still part of the HD Xtra package. Is this true, or is this guy BSing or doesn't know what he's talking about?The rep is wrong. espn hd and espn2 hd are part of the basic lineup

The rep is wrong. espn hd and espn2 hd are part of the basic lineup

Considering TWC can't update its own website properly - its no wonder the customer rep has no clue....

Did anybody else lose their programming guide tonight? I wasn't able to load in new data tonight so decided to reboot my STB. When it came up again - no programming guide whatsoever....

Anyone using this new HD STB in any borough? Holl_ands mentioned (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10872361&&#post10872361) it was slated for NYC TWC testing back In Jan., and provides links. He provides more details in a TWC San Diego post (http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/2/5868.html) (about 1/2 down).

Satisfied with my 8300HD for a few years now, but curious whether the Samsung could deliver more than the ~1280 lines (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424) maximum effective horiz. rez from HDNet's test patterns that most seem to measure. Vegggas in the HD-recorders forum suggested that restricted resolution is caused by memory limitations in typical STBs, perhaps coupled with excessive STB memory demands in cable systems using multiple STB brands. -- John

I haven't seen HD Net's test patterns in a long while, anyone have any clue when they put these one or plan to again?

Speaking of set-top boxes - was just helping a friend with Cablevision install his AV equipment, and noticed that his SA8300HD box has a card in the card slot, which I (we?) on TW do not.... anyone have any idea why they might have a card, and what it might do?

I haven't seen HD Net's test patterns in a long while, anyone have any clue when they put these one or plan to again?
Next two Saturdays at 6:30 am. ET. See: http://www.hd.net/program_search_results.html?keyword=test&whattosearch=title
They're shifting air dates/times so go to:
Hd.net
Schedule (drop down menu)
Search programming (HDNet). Use "Test" as keyword for Title.
--John

Suggest you do I did, grab the test pattern and lock it down (never delete).

To the guy with a cable card slot in friend's 8300, I think this is the 8300HDC, which is the "new" box they are required to hand out on 7/1, the one that does NOT have integrated security. Looks like Cablevision is already giving them out... but most of us are anxious about what TW is going to do. There is some logic to think Navigator might be on those new boxes (from the trials, it seems they are capable of doing one software one some boxes and a different one on other boxes).

I'm surprised I don't see any discussion on an issue I'm seeing.

I'm Manhattan North and a good bud out of Manhattan South just got a HD set a few weeks ago. He noticed an issue and sure enough I'm seeing the same issue. He calls it audio breakup, the result is you lose 2-5 seconds of audio, in many cases, making a key phrase or sentence unavailable.

Now we all talking about these kinds of glitches, and the consensus was all about the signal from TWC. What I'm talking about is the frequency this happens. IMO, we are always going to live with the occasional glitch, I have no issue with that. BUT I very much DO have an issue when it happens so frequently.

I remember 9 months or so ago, I adopted the trick of having the second tuner set to a non buffering channel. That absolutely seemed to help with this skipping issue. BUT, in the past 2-4 weeks, it sure seems the issue is back, and worse than ever.

I just wonder if this has anything to do with the most recent HD channels we got, My9 HD and ESPN2 HD.

Because my pal and I are on different heads ends, it seems this may be more system wide... but as I said, I'm REALLY curious why I don't read a lot more about this recent issue???

Scott, my pal is east village...

I'm surprised I don't see any discussion on an issue I'm seeing.

I'm Manhattan North and a good bud out of Manhattan South just got a HD set a few weeks ago. He noticed an issue and sure enough I'm seeing the same issue. He calls it audio breakup, the result is you lose 2-5 seconds of audio, in many cases, making a key phrase or sentence unavailable.

Now we all talking about these kinds of glitches, and the consensus was all about the signal from TWC. What I'm talking about is the frequency this happens. IMO, we are always going to live with the occasional glitch, I have no issue with that. BUT I very much DO have an issue when it happens so frequently.

I remember 9 months or so ago, I adopted the trick of having the second tuner set to a non buffering channel. That absolutely seemed to help with this skipping issue. BUT, in the past 2-4 weeks, it sure seems the issue is back, and worse than ever.

I just wonder if this has anything to do with the most recent HD channels we got, My9 HD and ESPN2 HD.

Because my pal and I are on different heads ends, it seems this may be more system wide... but as I said, I'm REALLY curious why I don't read a lot more about this recent issue???

Scott, my pal is east village...
I have recently started seeing a touch of what I would call more "audio dropouts" than skippage. The skippage always involves a combination of a video glitch accompanied shortly after by an audio glitch. But the new thing that you're describing and what I'm seeing is an audio dropout which is NOT accompanied by a video glitch.

In my own observation, I haven't seen it frequently enough (West Village) to raise any flags, but I have seen it on occasion.

[QUOTE=John Mason]Anyone using this new HD STB in any borough? Holl_ands mentioned (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10872361&&#post10872361) it was slated for NYC TWC testing back In Jan., and provides links. He provides more details in a TWC San Diego post (http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/2/5868.html) (about 1/2 down).

A friend picked up the samsung hd box on friday at the queens center office. i will prob go by today and see if they have any left.

I'm surprised I don't see any discussion on an issue I'm seeing.

I'm Manhattan North and a good bud out of Manhattan South just got a HD set a few weeks ago. He noticed an issue and sure enough I'm seeing the same issue. He calls it audio breakup, the result is you lose 2-5 seconds of audio, in many cases, making a key phrase or sentence unavailable.

Now we all talking about these kinds of glitches, and the consensus was all about the signal from TWC. What I'm talking about is the frequency this happens. IMO, we are always going to live with the occasional glitch, I have no issue with that. BUT I very much DO have an issue when it happens so frequently.

I remember 9 months or so ago, I adopted the trick of having the second tuner set to a non buffering channel. That absolutely seemed to help with this skipping issue. BUT, in the past 2-4 weeks, it sure seems the issue is back, and worse than ever.

I just wonder if this has anything to do with the most recent HD channels we got, My9 HD and ESPN2 HD.

Because my pal and I are on different heads ends, it seems this may be more system wide... but as I said, I'm REALLY curious why I don't read a lot more about this recent issue???

Scott, my pal is east village...

I've had audio dropouts and "stutter" on both 8300HD boxes here in Sutton for many months now at random and on different stations, both SD and HD. Picture dropouts and "stutter" at the same times as well. My signal has been verified by TWC as strong at around +7 and SNR is 38 on the cable modem and the boxes. I'm resolved to this level of service at this point. :( The alternative is endless complaint followed by endless waiting followed by "technicians" screwing up everything that was working right. What do you want for $225 a month :(
I haven't heard anything from anyone claiming to have had these problems fixed.

-Mike

I'm surprised I don't see any discussion on an issue I'm seeing.

I'm Manhattan North and a good bud out of Manhattan South just got a HD set a few weeks ago. He noticed an issue and sure enough I'm seeing the same issue. He calls it audio breakup, the result is you lose 2-5 seconds of audio, in many cases, making a key phrase or sentence unavailable.

Now we all talking about these kinds of glitches, and the consensus was all about the signal from TWC. What I'm talking about is the frequency this happens. IMO, we are always going to live with the occasional glitch, I have no issue with that. BUT I very much DO have an issue when it happens so frequently.

I remember 9 months or so ago, I adopted the trick of having the second tuner set to a non buffering channel. That absolutely seemed to help with this skipping issue. BUT, in the past 2-4 weeks, it sure seems the issue is back, and worse than ever.

I just wonder if this has anything to do with the most recent HD channels we got, My9 HD and ESPN2 HD.

Because my pal and I are on different heads ends, it seems this may be more system wide... but as I said, I'm REALLY curious why I don't read a lot more about this recent issue???

Scott, my pal is east village...

I've noticed an increase in audio dropouts too! At first, I thought it was just a buffering issue, but it has persisted. Then I looked on here and no one has posted anything so I figured that it was probably just something with my box or maybe locally since the line up change. The other reason is that I've been watching mainly HDnet Movies the last few weeks and so I wasn't sure if it was just the one channel. To hear that others are experiencing this too makes me think it is a bigger problem.

I'm surprised I don't see any discussion on an issue I'm seeing.

I'm Manhattan North and a good bud out of Manhattan South just got a HD set a few weeks ago. He noticed an issue and sure enough I'm seeing the same issue. He calls it audio breakup, the result is you lose 2-5 seconds of audio, in many cases, making a key phrase or sentence unavailable.

Now we all talking about these kinds of glitches, and the consensus was all about the signal from TWC. What I'm talking about is the frequency this happens. IMO, we are always going to live with the occasional glitch, I have no issue with that. BUT I very much DO have an issue when it happens so frequently.

I remember 9 months or so ago, I adopted the trick of having the second tuner set to a non buffering channel. That absolutely seemed to help with this skipping issue. BUT, in the past 2-4 weeks, it sure seems the issue is back, and worse than ever.

I just wonder if this has anything to do with the most recent HD channels we got, My9 HD and ESPN2 HD.

Because my pal and I are on different heads ends, it seems this may be more system wide... but as I said, I'm REALLY curious why I don't read a lot more about this recent issue???

Scott, my pal is east village...


I'm in Queens and have been noticing it too. It's been happenning for about 2 weeks now.

I also notice that HBO HD is much softer - I saw a lot of motion artifacts as well when watching Entourage last Sunday.

I'm in Queens and have been noticing it too. It's been happenning for about 2 weeks now.

I also notice that HBO HD is much softer - I saw a lot of motion artifacts as well when watching Entourage last Sunday.

FWIW, I've been having the same issues over the same timeframe.

I have been having similar problems, too. And this MORNING, a rare time for it to happen, i was having screen freeze and audio drop issues during the 6-7AM hour....i NEVER got that before, and that's including watching FOX 5, an SD station as part of my PIP! SO, my question has to do with a previously discussed possible solution: is it true that if we UNPLUG the box overnight, the screen freezes will STOP?? And we =won't= lose whatever we've saved up on the DVR side?? Thanks for your help. :(

is it true that if we UNPLUG the box overnight, the screen freezes will STOP?? And we =won't= lose whatever we've saved up on the DVR side?? Thanks for your help. :(
This does not seem at all likely to fix the issue here.

is it true that if we UNPLUG the box overnight, the screen freezes will STOP?? And we =won't= lose whatever we've saved up on the DVR side?? Thanks for your help. :(As Scott said, that won’t fix the problem and to answer the second question, you would not lose the stored recordings on the DVR.

Since folks have been chiming in here with their audio break-up problems, I’ve tried to stay away to avoid the inevitable jinx. :rolleyes:

The only audio freeze ups that I’ve experienced are the normal once every 90 minute or so minor hiccup. Nothing that a quick little rewind, a pause and a switch to closed captioning hasn’t taken care of. This usually happens during inclement weather or when I have my hard drive closer to full. This is nothing compared to the constant audio break ups I encountered with the original 8000 unit a few years ago.

We need more HD programming!

[QUOTE=John Mason]Anyone using this new HD STB in any borough? Holl_ands mentioned (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10872361&&#post10872361) it was slated for NYC TWC testing back In Jan., and provides links. He provides more details in a TWC San Diego post (http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/2/5868.html) (about 1/2 down).

A friend picked up the samsung hd box on friday at the queens center office. i will prob go by today and see if they have any left.
Thanks. Customer service (not surprisingly) wasn't aware of any Samsung STB model. If more users develop, maybe someone, hopefully a 1080p-display owner (with resolvable 1920X1080), will check HDNet's Saturday 6:30 am ET (or whatever's current) test patterns, using this technique (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424), and report whether a Samsung STB delivers better effective resolution. A typical reading is only ~1300 lines, while HDNet's pattern is supposedly ~1920 lines. Posts here a while back suggested the Pioneer STB provided better HD quality. -- John

Speaking of set-top boxes - was just helping a friend with Cablevision install his AV equipment, and noticed that his SA8300HD box has a card in the card slot, which I (we?) on TW do not.... anyone have any idea why they might have a card, and what it might do?
Cablevision uses the NDS Security system, which uses a Smartcard:
http://www.nds.com/conditional_access/smart_card_technology.html
NDS Smartcard security system is also used by DirecTV and other sat systems
(incl original VOOM Receiver).....and is frequently subject to theft and hacking.....

The Smartcard is about the size of a credit card and fits into the front panel
slot (bottom right), see STEP 1:
http://www.optimum.com/pdf/user_guides/io_install_1.pdf

The FCC provided provisional approval of Cablevision's Smartcard to fulfill the
separable security requirement, but not beyond Jul 2009:
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=114443&site=cdn
Availability of Smartcard/CableCARD Adapter was important in getting approval.

I haven't seen HD Net's test patterns in a long while, anyone have any clue when they put these one or plan to again?
Does the Test patterns help optimize your TV's performance?,I have been very stiafied with the HD and SD perfomance but have always wondered if it can look better. Maybe not, in my view, however one it dooesn't hurt to try.