This may be a silly question but I'm too knowledgeable with all things TiVo - but I was under the assumption that it was a DVR in the same vein as an 8300HD, except you owned it instead of leasing it from the cable company. Also based on a lot of posts here, I'm gathering that you can only use a TiVo box with a cablecard, or can you still use a STB (like the 3250) in conjunction with it? I can see the need for not wanting to have another STB taking up space but if it meant less problems (aka cablecard issues) I'd be fine with another box on the shelf.

I almost bought a TiVo last year, but at the time they didn't support HD recording so I passed on it - when I saw these $300 debut, I thought I'd revisit them and maybe give them a try but only if I can maintain my current setup & programming from TWC.
TiVo is indeed a DVR much like the 8300HD.

The TiVo S3 and the new TiVo HD boxes require CableCARD to receive encrypted channels. Without CableCARD, you will only receive over-the-air local channels. You cannot use them in conjunction with another cable box.

The older TiVo Series2 units were designed to be used with a seperate cable box, but they could not record HD.

TiVo is indeed a DVR much like the 8300HD.

The TiVo S3 and the new TiVo HD boxes require CableCARD to receive encrypted channels. Without CableCARD, you will only receive over-the-air local channels. You cannot use them in conjunction with another cable box.

The older TiVo Series2 units were designed to be used with a seperate cable box, but they could not record HD.

Thanks UnnDunn...so I guess if I want to record HD and go TiVo I'll have to sacrifice OnDemand & deal with possible cablecard issues. I think I'll stick with my 8300HD for a while - in fact, aside from the initial startup a few years ago, as well as a few minor outages, the box has performed exemplary so I hope it never gives me a reason to have to look elsewhere.

What does your magic 8 ball say is the time frame for TWC Manhattan moving over to SDV?

Boy do I wish I had one! What I think I KNOW is that Navigator has to be fully deployed before that can happen. It seems folks in Manhattan have been getting 8300HDC's with Navigator (well, I think it was one report). Caught a post from someone upstate who got word it's planned for quarter one 2008... but I think he was in TWC's SARA territory.

Not only that, but we do know that there are far more than one head end (Manhattan has 2, North and South). Deployment COULD revolve around which head end is ready... but in any event I can't see it NOT happening this fall.

twcinsider

thanks, that's good to hear. any info on:
standard analog elimination in Eastern Queens, Bkyln & Manhattan?
SDV arrival in NYC?
More HD channels for Queens, Bkyln & Manhattan?
software upgrades for current mystro software?

So we have about 75 of those damned analog channels? He says SI still has 30 analogs... I thought they announced there were no more analog channels in SI??

75 analogs means about 175 HD channels, right?

Far as I can tell, SDV arrives with Navigator, the only question is will SDV be deployed by head end or not? As in they deploy navigator to all manhattan South, the turn SDV on while everyone lese waits. My GUESS is that they will fully deploy Navigator before they start SDV services. Then again, they will undoubtedly do it head end by head end and that means I'll have to wait for 2-3 years to get it up here in God's country (aka Manhattan North). After all, I had a bud in alphabet city get RR about 2 years before I could get it (that was due to the fiber rollout).

This may be a silly question but I'm too knowledgeable with all things TiVo - but I was under the assumption that it was a DVR in the same vein as an 8300HD, except you owned it instead of leasing it from the cable company. Also based on a lot of posts here, I'm gathering that you can only use a TiVo box with a cablecard, or can you still use a STB (like the 3250) in conjunction with it? I can see the need for not wanting to have another STB taking up space but if it meant less problems (aka cablecard issues) I'd be fine with another box on the shelf.

I almost bought a TiVo last year, but at the time they didn't support HD recording so I passed on it - when I saw these $300 debut, I thought I'd revisit them and maybe give them a try but only if I can maintain my current setup & programming from TWC.

As I figure it, the ONLY way we will get any further HD channels is going to be via SDV. TiVo does NOT do SDV, so it's sure possible you may be losing out on HD channels by going TiVo.

I'm not trying to shill for the cable company here, but I think people are mischaracterizing TiVo as a discount product. It's not. It carries a significant monthly premium.

Maintaining a DVR on TWCNYC costs $9.65 for the box and $8.95 for the service, totalling $18.60.

Maintaining a TiVo HD on TWCNYC will cost $16.95 for the service plus $3.50 for two CableCards per month, totalling $21.45. And that's after the startup costs, $300 for the box and $53 to have the two cablecards installed. You can mitigate the monthly cost for the TiVo if you pay in bulk or sign a long-term agreement, but at the end of the day, it's a higher cost, and you won't get access to some of the content you pay for on the cable bill.

Is TiVo really worth paying that much more? I used to think so, but nowadays I'm not so sure. I would rather buy a Windows Media Center PC with CableCARD support. The startup costs are very high--in the thousands--but you are getting a fully-spec'd PC for that money, and it will save you $15 off your bill, which compensates for not being able to access on-demand or SDV.

I like you don't have any stock in TWC or TIVO so I am trying to be as straight forward as possible. I may be a little under educated when it comes to this TIVO thing because I just follwed suit and let TWC charge me and I pay it. But I do have some questions.
Is there a monthly fee for TIVO?
Isn't the monthly fee eliminated once you start using the cable cards from TWC?
Are the boxes very reliable?
How good is the warranty?
Is there an upgrade discount or is it full price everytime they upgrade the boxes?
I know there are a lot of people that love Tivo becauseof ease of use, but my question is How much easier are they? The SA boxes I have used have been fast and very easy to use.

When you put it your way, unless you owned Tivo during the one time service charge days, it just doesn't seem cost worthy with a TIVO against a SA STB.

Ok for all you guys I got the lowdown or truths about things we have had questions on. If not I am just talking out my ass giving info you guys already knew. Lets just say I am confirming details. TWC rep came to my house on Monday. Very nice guy and very knowledgeable. At least for the questions I asked him. My problem which I mentioned before On-Demand on my bopx wasn't working. In just under 2 hours he refitted my main feed with a brad new splitter and a new splitter on the outside of the house. to the 3 boxes in my house. (see I keep telling you guys how important splitters are) Anyway, long story short, it ended up being my SA8300 it didn't have a IP address so no 2 way action.
As we were taking in the A/C the questions came out. I know some of his answers have been said here before but I thought it was worth repeating
Can I get Navigator? Only new subscribers are being given it. He informed me that I should NOT rush to get it because it is slow and clunky. Stay with the Passport Echo for as long as you can or as long as they don't send the update. Which by the way is the way he said they will make the change, with updates. However TWC is not going to corner the market anymore with their STB's. He told me the new TWC will welcome prepurchased STB's a change from before where they frowned on competitors boxes. He did tell me it would take 2 cards for the dual tuner to work on the other companies boxes which means it will be $3.50 to start period. He didn't know if 2 way was available but he thinks that is the way TWC would be going because 2 way = money. So you guys with the TIVO boxes can keep them and know that cards will be readily available for you guys. They only problem is the installation charge, as said above it is steep. Don't get cheap make sure you get them both installed at the same time. As for the Navigator he told me this is the begining of a major overhaul, which includes the extra "sales" channels and the SDV is in the works, but he could not give me a date. But with the new cards if they are going to be 2 way, then even the BYOSTB crew will get all the extra HD channels TWC will be able to add with these changes. So River even this rep paints a pretty upcoming picture, like I have told you the future does look bright we just need to be a bit patient. IMO all this is being fast tracked to prevent increased migration to the FIOS dream. They have a number of acceptable casualties and want to make sure that number is less not more when FIOS is up and running. Again this is just a confirmation of things already posted here. It is always good to hear it from the Men & Women that keep our cable working 24/7.

[QUOTE=Riverside_Guy]So we have about 75 of those damned analog channels? He says SI still has 30 analogs... I thought they announced there were no more analog channels in SI??
OK, I was on the understanding that all our channels are digital. They may come to TWC as an analog channel but TW converts all signals to digital for all us kooks with DTV. The only people getting true analog signals are the ones that still have true analog boxes. Answer this, aren't these boxes digital meaning 1's and 0's so how can they broadcast a analog signal?

I also thought I heard the same thing about SI, that the analog feed was shut down in SI because they have 100% DTV subscribers over there. If that is the case why continue the analog feed? it just takes up needed space.

75 analogs means about 175 HD channels, right? River isn't that statement backward?QUOTE]

As I figure it, the ONLY way we will get any further HD channels is going to be via SDV. TiVo does NOT do SDV, so it's sure possible you may be losing out on HD channels by going TiVo.
Actually, I recall some posts by people in areas where SDV is deployed, and the SDV channels that they are getting are NOT HD. Apparently, they are little-watched SD channels.

From what I recall, SDV does not make sense on any frequently-watched channel, as it requires a direct connection to each box that is watching it, which semi-defeats the purpose.

Figure that just about any HD channel that gets added will be at least semi-frequently watched (if not very frequently-watched).

Scott

I like you don't have any stock in TWC or TIVO so I am trying to be as straight forward as possible. I may be a little under educated when it comes to this TIVO thing because I just follwed suit and let TWC charge me and I pay it. But I do have some questions.
Is there a monthly fee for TIVO?
Isn't the monthly fee eliminated once you start using the cable cards from TWC?
Are the boxes very reliable?
How good is the warranty?
Is there an upgrade discount or is it full price everytime they upgrade the boxes?
I know there are a lot of people that love Tivo becauseof ease of use, but my question is How much easier are they? The SA boxes I have used have been fast and very easy to use.

When you put it your way, unless you owned Tivo during the one time service charge days, it just doesn't seem cost worthy with a TIVO against a SA STB.
TiVo assesses a base service charge of $16.95/mo. If you don't pay the service charge, the TiVo box basically becomes a paperweight. Whether or not you are using CableCARDs, you still have to pay the service charge to get DVR functions.

I can't speak much to the reliability of TiVo except to say my Cousin's DirecTV/TiVo box has been going strong for two years, and it never crashes, hangs or loses recordings.

While reading the posts from last few weeks, the general feeling I got was, that I should not upgrade my 8300HD DVR, yet.
Unfortunately, my HD DVR started acting funky 2 days ago.
Currently, when I change the channel, a 4x3 portion of my 16x9 screen would go black. The channel would take a full 20-30 seconds for the channel to change. After the channel changes, the new channel would freeze for 1-2 seconds, then it would be normal. This process makes channel surfing impossible.

Also, when I tried to watch something that was recently recorded, I got a message stating the show "was not available", yellow button to accept.
Called TWC and they said I could make an appt or change the cable box. Available appointments were very inconvenient, so I will change the box tomorrow.

Although I'm generally an early adopter of technology, this is not the case with respect to TWC. I really dont want to change cable boxes. Wish me luck.

TiVo assesses a base service charge of $16.95/mo. If you don't pay the service charge, the TiVo box basically becomes a paperweight. Whether or not you are using CableCARDs, you still have to pay the service charge to get DVR functions.

I can't speak much to the reliability of TiVo except to say my Cousin's DirecTV/TiVo box has been going strong for two years, and it never crashes, hangs or loses recordings.
My friends swears by TIVO also. She has a non-HD DVR box but she cites not an ease of use, like some have said. It is easy now that she learned to use it. But she also praises the folder system. Ease of locating shows. Plus other features. All these DVR boxes do one thing record shows, but I do see her point because If I recorded seasons of 24, Lost and Heroes in SD I would have 72 hours of recording and If I wanted to watch episode 1 of Heroes I would have to scroll through every show because the SA8300 is lined up by calender days. While she would just open her Heroes folder which right there is faster.

While reading the posts from last few weeks, the general feeling I got was, that I should not upgrade my 8300HD DVR, yet.
Unfortunately, my HD DVR started acting funky 2 days ago.
Currently, when I change the channel, a 4x3 portion of my 16x9 screen would go black. The channel would take a full 20-30 seconds for the channel to change. After the channel changes, the new channel would freeze for 1-2 seconds, then it would be normal. This process makes channel surfing impossible.

Also, when I tried to watch something that was recently recorded, I got a message stating the show "was not available", yellow button to accept.
Called TWC and they said I could make an appt or change the cable box. Available appointments were very inconvenient, so I will change the box tomorrow.

Although I'm generally an early adopter of technology, this is not the case with respect to TWC. I really dont want to change cable boxes. Wish me luck.
Charging the box, don't live with problems if you don't have to. Just make sure when you go to TWC, ask them for a box that is running passport Echo not navigator. I had a service call on Moday like I mentioned earlier. The TWC tech told me not to bother with Navigator yet. It needed a few updates before it would come close to what we have now. Chances are you will get a refurbished box that will run passport ECHO, because he made said only new customers are getting the newbies. Any way Good Luck with the exchange. I don't know your hrs, but the Atlantic Ave office is usually very fast to swap out boxes. On 3 different occassions I was out of there in 5 min. All at different times.

My friends swears by TIVO also. She has a non-HD DVR box but she cites not an ease of use, like some have said. It is easy now that she learned to use it. But she also praises the folder system. Ease of locating shows. Plus other features. All these DVR boxes do one thing record shows, but I do see her point because If I recorded seasons of 24, Lost and Heroes in SD I would have 72 hours of recording and If I wanted to watch episode 1 of Heroes I would have to scroll through every show because the SA8300 is lined up by calender days. While she would just open her Heroes folder which right there is faster.

For the life of me I don't understand why the SA8300 doesn't have a folder system. How hard would that really be? The amount of Dora and Diego shows that I have to scroll through to get to anything is insane!!!

For the life of me I don't understand why the SA8300 doesn't have a folder system. How hard would that really be? The amount of Dora and Diego shows that I have to scroll through to get to anything is insane!!!

TWC is about one and only one thing... money. On the one hand, you do have the TiVo option... they lose a bit each month, but are still rake it in for the basic services which are much more expensive. Besides, apparently they require 50 some off bucks just to "install" the cable cards. Other than that, for an awful lot of folks here, there really is no other options. For me, OTA is unavailable (it was scratchy back when the Towers were up, I get nothing from the empire State) and for a lot, Direct isn't available either.

Given this, there is NO incentive to do anything other than what they currently do EXCEPT where they may lose customers. It seems pretty clear that when Verizon gets their franchise, they CAN sign up folks in SI. So THERE, TWC made an aggressive effort to eliminate analog channels so those folks get 30% more HD than we do. Oh, and they pay less, they get 2 years 20% discount contracts that we in other parts of the city do not. They GET more and pay LESS.

I dare say, they will start the enticements when FIOS get a lot closer where each of us lives. I will take GREAT pleasure in telling them at that time that I was dropping them for exactly these reasons, that they screwed me when I didn't have a choice.

Given this, there is NO incentive to do anything other than what they currently do EXCEPT where they may lose customers. It seems pretty clear that when Verizon gets their franchise, they CAN sign up folks in SI. So THERE, TWC made an aggressive effort to eliminate analog channels so those folks get 30% more HD than we do. Oh, and they pay less, they get 2 years 20% discount contracts that we in other parts of the city do not. They GET more and pay LESS.

I dare say, they will start the enticements when FIOS get a lot closer where each of us lives. I will take GREAT pleasure in telling them at that time that I was dropping them for exactly these reasons, that they screwed me when I didn't have a choice.

Why does Staten Island get Fios TV and we don't? I have Fios internet but no TV is available. I've been told that it's a cable franchise issue but I figured that would be citywide.

Why does Staten Island get Fios TV and we don't? I have Fios internet but no TV is available. I've been told that it's a cable franchise issue but I figured that would be citywide.
Mainly because Staten Island and parts of Queens are wired for FIOS and the rest of the city isn't. We already have FIOS Internet and Phone service available throughout the island, we're just waiting for the City to award Verizon a Cable TV franchise or similar agreement in order to get TV service.

To be clear, once Verizon gets the franchise, they can offer FiOS TV anywhere in the City with FiOS infrastructure in place. Right now, that only covers SI and some parts of Queens.

Mainly because Staten Island and parts of Queens are wired for FIOS and the rest of the city isn't. We already have FIOS Internet and Phone service available throughout the island, we're just waiting for the City to award Verizon a Cable TV franchise or similar agreement in order to get TV service.

To be clear, once Verizon gets the franchise, they can offer FiOS TV anywhere in the City with FiOS infrastructure in place. Right now, that only covers SI and some parts of Queens.

So Staten Island does NOT in fact have FIOS TV yet?? Why did I think they did?

I live on Roosevelt Island which is technically in Manhattan and I have Fios (internet.) When Staten Island goes live (any dates announced or estimated?) I would then be live as well?

So Staten Island does NOT in fact have FIOS TV yet?? Why did I think they did?

I live on Roosevelt Island which is technically in Manhattan and I have Fios (internet.) When Staten Island goes live (any dates announced or estimated?) I would then be live as well?
Yes, most likely. Once FiOS TV is available, it will be available anywhere in the city with a FiOS hookup.

Edit: And i now realize I just repeated what you said in the first place. D'oh!

Yes, most likely. Once FiOS TV is available, it will be available anywhere in the city with a FiOS hookup.

Excellent! Are there any rumours about when this might happen?

So Staten Island does NOT in fact have FIOS TV yet?? Why did I think they did?

I live on Roosevelt Island which is technically in Manhattan and I have Fios (internet.) When Staten Island goes live (any dates announced or estimated?) I would then be live as well?

last I heard it was going to happen early summer, but obviously the city hasn't gotten around to it.

maybe late summer or early fall when all these city officials get back from their vacations.

last I heard it was going to happen early summer, but obviously the city hasn't gotten around to it.

maybe late summer or early fall when all these city officials get back from their vacations.

So soon? That's really great news. Hopefully they'll actually do it. You never know what kinda back room deals are being done. When a few men making $60k are overseeing a deal worth hundereds of millions.....

"We are in discussions with TWC to distribute all Starz HD channels as well as Starz On Demand and Encore On Demand services that contain a strong component of HD movies. However, TWC has not yet made such commitments and when they do, they will be rolled out on a market by market basis. Therefore, if you would like to receive the full complement of Starz HD and Starz and Encore HD On Demand services, I suggest you let the general manager of your local system as well as Melinda Witmer (SVP, programming) and Sam Howe (Chief Marketing Officer) of TWC know your desire for such services."


Thanks for your interest and please keep watching Starz.
Ed Huguez | Starz Entertainment

my response:

thank you for responding.
Unfortunately I am unable to swith to DirecTV, as sad as it is here in NYC TWC doesn't even have bandwidth for Starz OnDemand as well as any kind on HD OnDemand. And Witmer doesn't even respond to customers emails about HD channels. (I and others have tried)

thank you, Andy


Response from Starz"

"Don’t give up. Keep bugging them. It works over time, especially bugging the local marketing and management. The president of New York system is Barry Rosenblum. TWC NY will be rolling out switched digital over the next year which will increase bandwidth efficiency and ability to add many HD services to compete with Directv. Good luck."

Ed Huguez | Starz Entertainment
-
-
-
Well at least we know starz is talking to TWC, and that their words are going in one ear and out the other!

Excellent! Are there any rumours about when this might happen?

The rumor was that NYC FIOS TV franchise will be signed and delivered in JUNE with service able for broadcast a month after. Unfortunately as we know now that was way off. But our surrounding areas are growing rapidly which can be a good sign. Like I posted here earlier Yonkers has it and that is the biggest city in Westchester county. So if they can get approval there that easy hopefull NYC will be easy also. One other, good thing that I just read. Verizon has pulled out of Massachusetts because of franchise problems and focusing south in NJ. Which we can hope will lead to extra workers for us here. Other then the June sign date there hasn't been any other rumors.

"We are in discussions with TWC to distribute all Starz HD channels as well as Starz On Demand and Encore On Demand services that contain a strong component of HD movies. However, TWC has not yet made such commitments and when they do, they will be rolled out on a market by market basis. Therefore, if you would like to receive the full complement of Starz HD and Starz and Encore HD On Demand services, I suggest you let the general manager of your local system as well as Melinda Witmer (SVP, programming) and Sam Howe (Chief Marketing Officer) of TWC know your desire for such services."


Thanks for your interest and please keep watching Starz.
Ed Huguez | Starz Entertainment



Thank you Andy, that is good news. we already know that the Navigator sytem is the begining of switched digital video plus the fact that Starz and Encore is looking for total HD access. That is great. I have HBO and Showtime, because those have the better movie premieres, boxing and comedy specials. But there has been so many times, more often than not, that I see what is on StazHD and the movie there is more interesting then the ones on HBOHD or ShowtimeHD. I don't think Staz has the per company contracts that HBO and Showtime have because it always seems like the do end up showing the "exclusives" that the others have. But that is a whole different issue.

Major changes are coming, we keep getting little things and facts to trickle in to us. I think it is to little to late for a lot of subscribers, but if they end up impressing me before the franchise agreement I might sign for the 2 year commitment.

The rumor was that NYC FIOS TV franchise will be signed and delivered in JUNE with service able for broadcast a month after. Unfortunately as we know now that was way off. But our surrounding areas are growing rapidly which can be a good sign. Like I posted here earlier Yonkers has it and that is the biggest city in Westchester county. So if they can get approval there that easy hopefull NYC will be easy also. One other, good thing that I just read. Verizon has pulled out of Massachusetts because of franchise problems and focusing south in NJ. Which we can hope will lead to extra workers for us here. Other then the June sign date there hasn't been any other rumors.

You would think that Verizon would be a little more proactive. Have people write in and demand a choice and that sorta thing. Instead their website is entirely information free.

Pulling out of Mass isn't really a good sign as it means that it is possible for the cable companies to defeat them.

ok i haven't read the post in a while and i guess a lot has changed. I tried to catch up but there is a lot of new info here.

I just called to get an additional dvr box for my house and its almost 20bux a month more as everybody knows by now. this is outrageous.

A few questions, im looking to hook up cable to my bedroom tv; dvr isnt mandatory. What is the cheapest way for me to get service in there sans using the same box which im doing now? I read that the cable co's have to allow people to own there own boxes now, is this the best route to go, is a cable card better( i dont have a compatible tv in there though) whats my best options. thanks!

The rumor was that NYC FIOS TV franchise will be signed and delivered in JUNE with service able for broadcast a month after. Unfortunately as we know now that was way off. But our surrounding areas are growing rapidly which can be a good sign. Like I posted here earlier Yonkers has it and that is the biggest city in Westchester county. So if they can get approval there that easy hopefull NYC will be easy also. One other, good thing that I just read. Verizon has pulled out of Massachusetts because of franchise problems and focusing south in NJ. Which we can hope will lead to extra workers for us here. Other then the June sign date there hasn't been any other rumors.
The NYC government folks are being prudent. They want Verizon to wire up most of the city so that everyone gets a fair shot at Fios. VZ being what they are, they haven't wired up lower-income areas of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, let alone all those apartment buildings that need landlord or co-op or condo approval.
They don't want to make the same mistake twice -- many low-income parts of the city had to wait a decade or so before NYC was full wired for cable.

I have an Explorer 8300 HD box. My father in-law just got an HDTV so he went to pick up an HD box and he comes home with an Explorer HDC box... ???

The diagnostic channel displays the Mystro Diagnostics Summary:
Stack Version: Axiom 1.2.25.3 MARCH 19 2007 01:00:00
ODN Version: 2.4.3_3 2007/06/08 12:00


This is totally new to me, I wasn't aware that this new box existed.

The channel guide seems a bit sluggish in comparison with the 8300HD but I was wondering if there were any advantages to the new box? Maybe I should swap my current box out.

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

PS- What does SDV stand for?

SDV stands for Switched Digital Video. It's a protocol whereby certain channels are made available only when they are requested by a subscriber, and then only to those subscribers who requested them. It's sort of like On-Demand, only with live content, not pre-recorded programming.

The idea is by moving some channels to SDV and only serving them when necessary, capacity is freed up to broadcast more full-time channels, especially HD channels.

I have an Explorer 8300 HD box. My father in-law just got an HDTV so he went to pick up an HD box and he comes home with an Explorer HDC box... ???

The diagnostic channel displays the Mystro Diagnostics Summary:
Stack Version: Axiom 1.2.25.3 MARCH 19 2007 01:00:00
ODN Version: 2.4.3_3 2007/06/08 12:00


This is totally new to me, I wasn't aware that this new box existed.

The channel guide seems a bit sluggish in comparison with the 8300HD but I was wondering if there were any advantages to the new box? Maybe I should swap my current box out.

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

PS- What does SDV stand for?

I upgraded 1 of my 2 boxes to the HDC and it is horrible. so dam sluggish, and the DVR works when it wants.
Sometimes dispite watching a channel for some lenth of time it doesn't even rewind, pause or even record.
:(

The NYC government folks are being prudent. They want Verizon to wire up most of the city so that everyone gets a fair shot at Fios. VZ being what they are, they haven't wired up lower-income areas of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, let alone all those apartment buildings that need landlord or co-op or condo approval.
They don't want to make the same mistake twice -- many low-income parts of the city had to wait a decade or so before NYC was full wired for cable.

Perhaps they should stop the sale of Lexus's as well until everybody can have one :mad:

as most of u know that hbo is making its entire multiplex feeds available in hd soon. tw is parent company of hbo so figure out the rest ;-)



"We are in discussions with TWC to distribute all Starz HD channels as well as Starz On Demand and Encore On Demand services that contain a strong component of HD movies. However, TWC has not yet made such commitments and when they do, they will be rolled out on a market by market basis. Therefore, if you would like to receive the full complement of Starz HD and Starz and Encore HD On Demand services, I suggest you let the general manager of your local system as well as Melinda Witmer (SVP, programming) and Sam Howe (Chief Marketing Officer) of TWC know your desire for such services."


Thanks for your interest and please keep watching Starz.
Ed Huguez | Starz Entertainment

my response:

thank you for responding.
Unfortunately I am unable to swith to DirecTV, as sad as it is here in NYC TWC doesn't even have bandwidth for Starz OnDemand as well as any kind on HD OnDemand. And Witmer doesn't even respond to customers emails about HD channels. (I and others have tried)

thank you, Andy


Response from Starz"

"Don’t give up. Keep bugging them. It works over time, especially bugging the local marketing and management. The president of New York system is Barry Rosenblum. TWC NY will be rolling out switched digital over the next year which will increase bandwidth efficiency and ability to add many HD services to compete with Directv. Good luck."

Ed Huguez | Starz Entertainment
-
-
-
Well at least we know starz is talking to TWC, and that their words are going in one ear and out the other!

many reasons. SI is the only boro that fios is wired almost 100%. its sometimes tough to launch a service in parts of a borough. its better to keep it uniform. analog removal happens by systems. queens is made up of 3 systems: western queens(ACQ), eastern queens (BQ), southeast queens (QUICS). SE queens will likely be next for analog removal due to spectrum reclaimation because its less subs than BQ area and high analog theft rate.manhattan south will be last.

Since parts of Queens are on par with SI, can you tell us why Queens hasn’t been graced with the additional HD channels too?

Can you tell us when Queens will get more since it is bandwidth worthy?

all but basic channels remain. basic=local networks, public access, ny1, etc.
the fcc has requested cable companies transition to fully digital by feb 2009 to align with off air transition to dtv. that would free more spectrum after that date.

even if 75 analogs dropped tomorrow there are not 175 hd channels available. direct tv's claim of 100 channels is an inflated number as they count regional sports channels that cant even be seen nationwide as "a channel"

So we have about 75 of those damned analog channels? He says SI still has 30 analogs... I thought they announced there were no more analog channels in SI??

75 analogs means about 175 HD channels, right? ethnic and other niche channels will be first to be on SDV

Far as I can tell, SDV arrives with Navigator, the only question is will SDV be deployed by head end or not? As in they deploy navigator to all manhattan South, the turn SDV on while everyone lese waits. My GUESS is that they will fully deploy Navigator before they start SDV services. Then again, they will undoubtedly do it head end by head end and that means I'll have to wait for 2-3 years to get it up here in God's country (aka Manhattan North). After all, I had a bud in alphabet city get RR about 2 years before I could get it (that was due to the fiber rollout).

even if 75 analogs dropped tomorrow there are not 175 hd channels available. direct tv's claim of 100 channels is an inflated number as they count regional sports channels that cant even be seen nationwide as "a channel"

it would be more like 60 HD channels regionally.
30+ more than what TWC offers us

Well folks the way it looks, TWC will not get rid of some analog channels for some time now if they have 2 systems in qns and bklyn to take care first.
And.. I really don't expect TBS-HD in time for the MLB playoffs in October, or FSNY-HD & Versus-HD in time for the start of the hockey season. Maybe S.I. but not here.
Even if they have the rights to the HD multiplex channels from HBO/MAX will they have sapce for them? NO once again S.I. will get em.

You would think that Verizon would be a little more proactive. Have people write in and demand a choice and that sorta thing. Instead their website is entirely information free.

Pulling out of Mass isn't really a good sign as it means that it is possible for the cable companies to defeat them.

That is true, Verizon might be able to move faster if they got Joe public involved. But it does take time to set up all these cable lines. Unlike Queens and Staten Island, Manhattan will be a barrier because of Condo boards and huge aprtment complexes. Do they rewire the complete building? Who eats the cost of that? Will the city want the line above ground or below ground? Back when Cable was new, it was accepted with open arms because it was new and gave us more options rather then the 7 channel headache of the past. But now everyone is sensitive.

As for the Mass thing, it was more the headache of town by town agreeements taking to long while in NJ they already have, if I remember correctly over 100 agreements already signed. So it does make sense you make the push where you are having success. Out in Long Island it is spreading pretty good also.

But everyday I look closer at Verizon's charges and it seems like their triple play has a lot of extras that we would need to get to match what one has with TWC.

Yes, most likely. Once FiOS TV is available, it will be available anywhere in the city with a FiOS hookup.

Edit: And i now realize I just repeated what you said in the first place. D'oh!

The cruncher is that "FIOS hookup." And whether or not they will or won't run fiber into the apartment or do what TWC does, fiber to a point, copper the rest of the way. Fiber to street nodes then cooper to us took TWC about 2 years to get from the bottom of Manhattan to the northern areas. If Verizon does go fiber into the apartment and if they run south to north, it could be 3 years before I can get that "hookup."

Then again, it is very possible TWC will stop screwing us as soon as the first FIOS TV customer signs up in lower Manhattan.

I have an Explorer 8300 HD box. My father in-law just got an HDTV so he went to pick up an HD box and he comes home with an Explorer HDC box... ???

The diagnostic channel displays the Mystro Diagnostics Summary:
Stack Version: Axiom 1.2.25.3 MARCH 19 2007 01:00:00
ODN Version: 2.4.3_3 2007/06/08 12:00


This is totally new to me, I wasn't aware that this new box existed.

The channel guide seems a bit sluggish in comparison with the 8300HD but I was wondering if there were any advantages to the new box? Maybe I should swap my current box out.

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks

PS- What does SDV stand for?

Mystro was a code name for Navigator, the new IPG we will eventually all get. Most of us are still on Passport. Yes, early reports focus on how slow the guide is... but to many of us, the big news is that we THINK it eliminates the trick play bug, so those of us that use that function a LOT can't add additional storage. As soon as I hear more folks saying that bug is no longer and as soon as I get Navigator, I'm running out to get another 500G of storage.

BTW, there is a forum topic devoted specifically to Navigator...

Mystro was a code name for Navigator, the new IPG we will eventually all get. Most of us are still on Passport. Yes, early reports focus on how slow the guide is... but to many of us, the big news is that we THINK it eliminates the trick play bug, so those of us that use that function a LOT can't add additional storage. As soon as I hear more folks saying that bug is no longer and as soon as I get Navigator, I'm running out to get another 500G of storage.

BTW, there is a forum topic devoted specifically to Navigator...

Since these new boxes are out one would think that someone somewhere had tried to add extra space. I suppose that in the worst case they might not even allow the eSATA expansion.

ok i haven't read the post in a while and i guess a lot has changed. I tried to catch up but there is a lot of new info here.

I just called to get an additional dvr box for my house and its almost 20bux a month more as everybody knows by now. this is outrageous.

A few questions, im looking to hook up cable to my bedroom tv; dvr isnt mandatory. What is the cheapest way for me to get service in there sans using the same box which im doing now? I read that the cable co's have to allow people to own there own boxes now, is this the best route to go, is a cable card better( i dont have a compatible tv in there though) whats my best options. thanks!
The cheapest why would be to have a TV with a cable card slot. $1.75. But you do not have that so a SA3250HD box (I am assuming you have HD) is the way to go at $10. The DVR thing is an outrage because in my view it is the box that does the work and we are already paying for it. They are just double charging us for a service that they have nothing to do with other then being the supplier of the box. If DVR is not needed in the bed room don't waste the money. It does shock me how some people need more then one DVR per house. I know it can be needed, it just seems like overkill. TWC is being open to bringing your own box, but IMO that adds a lot more to your bill. The box itself is $300. Then you will need 2 cards at $3.50 a month plus installation then you take a chance after the warranty expires. If the box goes bad you will keep having to pay for a new one.

If you go 3 pages back there was a big TIVO vs TWC STB's discussion.
I was one that doesn't like TWC charges since we pay for these boxes in full in 1 1/5 years for DVR and 3 years for DTV box. I know it is a business first but they can cut these prices down and not have their profit hurt.

The cheapest why would be to have a TV with a cable card slot. $1.75. But you do not have that so a SA3250HD box (I am assuming you have HD) is the way to go at $10. The DVR thing is an outrage because in my view it is the box that does the work and we are already paying for it. They are just double charging us for a service that they have nothing to do with other then being the supplier of the box. If DVR is not needed in the bed room don't waste the money. It does shock me how some people need more then one DVR per house. I know it can be needed, it just seems like overkill. TWC is being open to bringing your own box, but IMO that adds a lot more to your bill. The box itself is $300. Then you will need 2 cards at $3.50 a month plus installation then you take a chance after the warranty expires. If the box goes bad you will keep having to pay for a new one.

If you go 3 pages back there was a big TIVO vs TWC STB's discussion.
I was one that doesn't like TWC charges since we pay for these boxes in full in 1 1/5 years for DVR and 3 years for DTV box. I know it is a business first but they can cut these prices down and not have their profit hurt.

You could just plug the cable straight into your TV. If it has a QAM tuner you'll get quite a few channels. Both HD and SD. I even got a few that I don't seem to have on my box. This is definetly the cheapest option and the one I use in the bedroom.

as most of u know that hbo is making its entire multiplex feeds available in hd soon. tw is parent company of hbo so figure out the rest ;-)
Those are some thick lines you want us to read between. :confused:

Are you implying that we all might get the multiplex feeds in HD from HBO/MAX.... or just SI will get them?

Well if we all got it... that would be a nice addition. :cool:

But as Andy said—we need TBS HD etc….

So I guess in this order roughly half of the analog channels will be eliminated:

SouthEast Queens
Eastern Queens
Brooklyn
Northern Manhattan
Southern Manhattan

Since it took half the year to do Staten Island & Western Queens I guess it will take the rest of the year to complete Eastern & SouthEast Queens.
And probably all of 2008 for Brooklyn, Northern Manhattan, Southern Manhattan.

You could just plug the cable straight into your TV. If it has a QAM tuner you'll get quite a few channels. Both HD and SD. I even got a few that I don't seem to have on my box. This is definetly the cheapest option and the one I use in the bedroom.


long story short but thats not an option because i have my cable box in the other room and my apartment is wired with cat5 with an NAD (?) adaptor on each end to convert the signal to component.

nuttyinnyc- Is it possible to buy the sa boxes on ebay and use them? Do i have to get a cable card for this to work? Why do you need to cards for that box, for the dual tuner?

The NYC government folks are being prudent. They want Verizon to wire up most of the city so that everyone gets a fair shot at Fios. VZ being what they are, they haven't wired up lower-income areas of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, let alone all those apartment buildings that need landlord or co-op or condo approval.
They don't want to make the same mistake twice -- many low-income parts of the city had to wait a decade or so before NYC was full wired for cable.

I doubt that that. I do remeber the original roll out, Queens got the short end of that stick. But we did get it. We will all get a fair shot. Trust me once they get all the paperwork submitted and the City learns how much money they get and that they do not need to pay to assist financially. Not really like that but all the i's must be dotted and the t's crossed and the city will approve.

I don't agree at all about the lower income issue. They already have SI almost 100% ready and they have a mixed income families there and only 3 areas in Qeens is being wired right now and one of them is Far Rockaway which isn't a high income area either. With the Verizon roll out Manhattan might get the short end of the stick this time because of condo boards that don't like change or multi-partment dwellings that want or need to have a new installation from bottom to top. Never mind the fact about Manhattan areas deciding for above or underground wiring.

You could just plug the cable straight into your TV. If it has a QAM tuner you'll get quite a few channels. Both HD and SD. I even got a few that I don't seem to have on my box. This is definetly the cheapest option and the one I use in the bedroom.
Hey look at that, I missed one. I keep forgetting about that, but it doesn't always work. There were a few people that I know that had a HDTV with a QAM and they used the cable line but it either didn't register any digital channels or get any channels at all. It is an option, but as I write this I see precission wrote back.

The cruncher is that "FIOS hookup." And whether or not they will or won't run fiber into the apartment or do what TWC does, fiber to a point, copper the rest of the way. Fiber to street nodes then cooper to us took TWC about 2 years to get from the bottom of Manhattan to the northern areas. If Verizon does go fiber into the apartment and if they run south to north, it could be 3 years before I can get that "hookup."

Then again, it is very possible TWC will stop screwing us as soon as the first FIOS TV customer signs up in lower Manhattan.
Verizon is going Fiber all the way to the living unit, according to people over in the FiOS thread. Once the fiber actually gets to the living unit, they use CAT-5 or Coax.

long story short but thats not an option because i have my cable box in the other room and my apartment is wired with cat5 with an NAD (?) adaptor on each end to convert the signal to component.

nuttyinnyc- Is it possible to buy the sa boxes on ebay and use them? Do i have to get a cable card for this to work? Why do you need to cards for that box, for the dual tuner?
They might be but I wouldn't take the chance. It is well know that the SA boxes are not for sale by SciAtl to the general. The are sold to direct to the cable companies. With TWC being more BYOB friendly SA might sell to consumers in the future.

Anyway, you would be taking a chance because say you do find one, and you probably will, If that person uses a HPF on that box, then he could order pay per view like crazy on that box and would not be charged, but he then sells the box and those purchases are still on the boxes memory then you could get charged for those purchases because the cable co's is constantly polling the digital box for signal levels & purchases. Since there is no way to purchase a SA box, what would your argument be in your defense?

You need a card per tuner because each card gives you the access to the channels or packages you have under your subscribtion. If you only get one you will only be able to record one channel at a a time and/or watch a previously recorded show. Plus if you really want one it would have to be the SA8300HDC, this is the one with the cable card access. We do not have them in our house now, new subscribers are suppose to be getting them. Good luck

Verizon is going Fiber all the way to the living unit, according to people over in the FiOS thread. Once the fiber actually gets to the living unit, they use CAT-5 or Coax.
By living unit you mean, for arguements sake, fibe right up to the front door of an apartment and then reguar cable the rest of the way. What about houses are we going to have it the same way we have it now? I thought Fiber was suppose to go all the way to the TV's. At least that is what that Tech and the little kid is showing.

FTTP = Fiber To The Premisis

however I think that only applies to singe family houses, not apartments.

By living unit you mean, for arguements sake, fibe right up to the front door of an apartment and then reguar cable the rest of the way. What about houses are we going to have it the same way we have it now? I thought Fiber was suppose to go all the way to the TV's. At least that is what that Tech and the little kid is showing.
Yeah, fiber all the way up to the front door of the house/apartment (or more accurately, to a box on the side of the house or inside the apartment), and Coax or Cat-5 inside the house.

The router Verizon supplies (the ActionTec MI-424WR) takes either Coax or Cat-5 for the WAN connection, and you could get either. I don't know what the criteria are for choosing between Coax or Cat-5... could just be whatever the installer feels like putting in that day, or if you have unused Coax lines already running. I have Cat-5, but my Uncle has Coax.

TV is supplied by two Coax lines to a standard Motorola QAM box. One Coax comes from the Fiber box and supplies the actual QAM signal. The other comes from the ActionTec router, and provides two-way data services - your EPG, On-Demand, Impulse PPV, Interactive applications, etc.

Mystro was a code name for Navigator, the new IPG we will eventually all get. Most of us are still on Passport. Yes, early reports focus on how slow the guide is... but to many of us, the big news is that we THINK it eliminates the trick play bug, so those of us that use that function a LOT can't add additional storage. As soon as I hear more folks saying that bug is no longer and as soon as I get Navigator, I'm running out to get another 500G of storage.

BTW, there is a forum topic devoted specifically to Navigator...

Where is that thread?

Where is that thread?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=723830 :cool:

Mystro was a code name for Navigator, the new IPG we will eventually all get. Most of us are still on Passport. Yes, early reports focus on how slow the guide is... but to many of us, the big news is that we THINK it eliminates the trick play bug, so those of us that use that function a LOT can't add additional storage. As soon as I hear more folks saying that bug is no longer and as soon as I get Navigator, I'm running out to get another 500G of storage.

BTW, there is a forum topic devoted specifically to Navigator...

I just got the new Navigator box. So far I am not happy.
I can confirm that the "trick play" does not work anymore. I cannot swap between tuners anymore. The STB does not buffer the other tuner. I used this feature A LOT!! PIP still works, but only buffers the primary channel.
Also, when setting up recordings, I cannot specify record on channel 707, instead of channel 7.
The interface is definitely a little slower, which will take some getting used to.

Verizon is going Fiber all the way to the living unit, according to people over in the FiOS thread. Once the fiber actually gets to the living unit, they use CAT-5 or Coax.

On the one hand, this is good... but on the other hand, it sure as hell extends the rollout considerably.

Buildings putting up obstacles is a whole 'nother issue. On that point, I'm not so sure that any building can prevent Verizon from wiring for service. My co-op did have a small battle with TWC a while back about their desire to break a lot of concrete floors to install a to bottom 6" conduit. We had already buried a lot of wire inside the walls to have a bundle of copper into each apartment. All they needed to do was have a master box in the basement and hook into straight wire runs to each apartment. They refused, the lawyers got into it, and we "lost." At the time, it had to do with TWCs franchise agreement; which apparently stipulated that they could do almost anything to be able to provide service. I know logic doesn't always work, but would Verizon spend all that money to be prevented so easily from supplying service to those who want it? Restraint of trade comes to mind as well.

I just got the new Navigator box. So far I am not happy.
I can confirm that the "trick play" does not work anymore. I cannot swap between tuners anymore. The STB does not buffer the other tuner. I used this feature A LOT!! PIP still works, but only buffers the primary channel.
Also, when setting up recordings, I cannot specify record on channel 707, instead of channel 7.
The interface is definitely a little slower, which will take some getting used to.

Are you using an external drive? The only trick play issue that I'm aware of very specifically involves using an external drive, without one, there has been no trick play bug.

If PIP works, then that should mean it's switching between the two tuners, so you can swap. However, one tuner not buffering sure would be an issue. I assume you've done a cold re-boot, right? Also, can you confirm this is the 8300HDC box?

se queens
brooklyn
e queens
n man
s man

the first 2 areas are high theft areas. some parts of the brooklyn system have addressable taps because of theft (and also diffculity accessing drops for install/disconnect)

analog channel elimination does not mean overnite use of the reclaimed bandwith. all areas are actively targeted for analog eliminiation but how long it takes will depend on customers giving up analog boxes and plant conditions. s.man is the worst since there are many commercial buildings with 550mhz plant and some residential buildings with difficult management that will not allow proper upgrade or rewire.



So I guess in this order roughly half of the analog channels will be eliminated:

SouthEast Queens
Eastern Queens
Brooklyn
Northern Manhattan
Southern Manhattan

Since it took half the year to do Staten Island & Western Queens I guess it will take the rest of the year to complete Eastern & SouthEast Queens.
And probably all of 2008 for Brooklyn, Northern Manhattan, Southern Manhattan.

as most of u know that hbo is making its entire multiplex feeds available in hd soon. tw is parent company of hbo so figure out the rest ;-)

TW is the parent company of Cinemax and it took years to bring it to TWC.
CNN-HD, TBS-HD The Weather Channel-HD, Cartoon Network-HD are all under TW, Does that automatically mean TWC will get them?

Hrm, for some reason there is no picture when I'm viewing using HDMI. I get full audio, but instead of video, I get a blank white screen. The guide, info, settings, etc. menus are work though and show up on screen when selected. The picture is fine through S-Video. The thing is that it was working fine last night and I've never had a problem like this since I've had HDTV since January. Anyone know of the culprit? I'm located in Queens. Thanks!

Edit: I don't know what went wrong, but I restarted it by unplugging it and it's now working fine after bootup. :)

Hrm, for some reason there is no picture when I'm viewing using HDMI. I get full audio, but instead of video, I get a blank white screen. The guide, info, settings, etc. menus are work though and show up on screen when selected. The picture is fine through S-Video. The thing is that it was working fine last night and I've never had a problem like this since I've had HDTV since January. Anyone know of the culprit? I'm located in Queens. Thanks!

Edit: I don't know what went wrong, but I restarted it by unplugging it and it's now working fine after bootup. :)


Rebooting tends to fix a lot of random problems......

Rebooting tends to fix a lot of random problems......

Or before rebooting I'd suggest unpluggind and replugging the HDMI cable. Handshake issues are pretty common, and it's possible that reinserting the cable could be all it takes.

Are you using an external drive? The only trick play issue that I'm aware of very specifically involves using an external drive, without one, there has been no trick play bug.

If PIP works, then that should mean it's switching between the two tuners, so you can swap. However, one tuner not buffering sure would be an issue. I assume you've done a cold re-boot, right? Also, can you confirm this is the 8300HDC box?

Yes, the 8300HDC box.
"Trick Play" may be the wrong term. Here's what I meant.
if there were 2 channels that I wanted to watch at the same time, I would set one tuner on one channel, and the other tuner to the other channel. When I finished watching one channel, I would go to other tuner and rewind to watch the show on the other channel.
Point is, that since I cannot change tuners with new interface, I cannot do this "trick" anymore. I spoke to a CSR and he confirmed that you cannot change tuners anymore with the "swap" button on the remote, however the PIP works fine. I dont like this!!

BTW,
The reason I spoke to a CSR is because the DVR completely stopped buffering live-TV. I could not pausee or rewind.
Rebooting the box initially did not help. After TWC sent a "signal" to my STB, I had to reboot the box again and the problem cleared.

... you cannot change tuners anymore with the "swap" button on the remote, however the PIP works fine... :eek: :rolleyes: :eek: Holy mother of morons!!!! Is this for real????

You are telling me that swapping to the other tuner is now bufferless???? Cheese and crackers…. this is a major set back. :mad:

Was it Andy of Angel that also got this turd called Navigator? Can we have additional verification of this absurdity please?

:eek: :rolleyes: :eek: Holy mother of morons!!!! Is this for real????

You are telling me that swapping to the other tuner is now bufferless???? Cheese and crackers…. this is a major set back. :mad:

Was it Andy of Angel that also got this turd called Navigator? Can we have additional verification of this absurdity please?

yes it was me that has a 8300hdc with non funtioning dvr.

aint this new navigator just the best.
however it seems u might have to call a CSR every so often to fix the problem.
i'm looking foward to my first call.

:eek: :rolleyes: :eek: Holy mother of morons!!!! Is this for real????

You are telling me that swapping to the other tuner is now bufferless???? Cheese and crackers…. this is a major set back. :mad:

Was it Andy of Angel that also got this turd called Navigator? Can we have additional verification of this absurdity please?

Here's ANOTHER thing I cannot do anymore with the 8300HDC:
I used to be able to forward or rewind within a buffer, in 15 minute increments by hitting right-key on the remote when forwarding, or left-key when rewinding.
This is no longer possible.

Also, this software seems buggy.
Twice now, something that was being DVR'ed records fine for first 20 minutes, then just records a black screen. The channnel seems to freeze. I have only had this DVR 4 days and 2 recordings have gotten messed up.
I wish I had my old STB back.

Ok I just rebooted my 8300HDC and my dvr is back and operational but all my recording are gone, all my scheduled recordings are gone.
WTF, I'm gonna have to find time sometime this week and bring this piece of garbage navigator box back to 23rd and get my good ol passport back.

Yeah, fiber all the way up to the front door of the house/apartment (or more accurately, to a box on the side of the house or inside the apartment), and Coax or Cat-5 inside the house.

The router Verizon supplies (the ActionTec MI-424WR) takes either Coax or Cat-5 for the WAN connection, and you could get either. I don't know what the criteria are for choosing between Coax or Cat-5... could just be whatever the installer feels like putting in that day, or if you have unused Coax lines already running. I have Cat-5, but my Uncle has Coax.

TV is supplied by two Coax lines to a standard Motorola QAM box. One Coax comes from the Fiber box and supplies the actual QAM signal. The other comes from the ActionTec router, and provides two-way data services - your EPG, On-Demand, Impulse PPV, Interactive applications, etc.

Thanks dude I feel like the little kid in the commercial learning about the QAMs.Let me ask you something, What is the difference between Cat-5 and Coax? I know Coax is the industries norm. Do you see a difference between your unc's house and yours? If I do change should I request the Cat?

There are 2 lines going to each box now. Interesting. I am assuming these 2 cables would run together at all times. For example, let me get this straight. VIOS agreement is signed. I decide to jump ship. My main phone line is behind the house. maybe they installed the fiber cables there. maybe not for now we will say YES. Right where I have the phone box a small little thing less than 24 square inches. They replace it with a bigger main router box or transferr box. We would have 2 lines heading upstairs for a DTV and Phone( I am assuing the Phone line would be hooked inot the QAM line because the phone is ditgital also.) He drill his hole and runs the 2 cables into the box but has a splitter for the phone. He splits bother lines from the outside of the house to bring INternet another phone and a DTV on the second floor. Towards the from of the House. Does he really use all the slipts or does he make an independent line for each item with 2 being for cable? Does this sound right to you?

Right now as it stands I would need 2 computers, 4 TV"s and 4 phones. That installation might cost more then my 1st 2 bills.

I just got the new Navigator box. So far I am not happy.
I can confirm that the "trick play" does not work anymore. I cannot swap between tuners anymore. The STB does not buffer the other tuner. I used this feature A LOT!! PIP still works, but only buffers the primary channel.
Also, when setting up recordings, I cannot specify record on channel 707, instead of channel 7.
The interface is definitely a little slower, which will take some getting used to.


We have PIP ????? :p ;) It just shows you how much I find a show to watch and I stick with it. I think I used it once and that was by mistake. I pressed the wrong buttom. I still can't see why this is such a major selling point for some people. Gamblers aside!!

Oh no that is unacceptable. the TV starts in just under four months, That 707 thing beter be fixed before they send us the update. I live for primetime TV. Especially the shows that are in HD.

Can I ask you Marcos, How did you get that box? Like I said earlier, last Monday to be exact. My box went bead and he refused to give me that box. Even though I asked for it. He talked it down and told me to wait for the updates.

Hrm, for some reason there is no picture when I'm viewing using HDMI. I get full audio, but instead of video, I get a blank white screen. The guide, info, settings, etc. menus are work though and show up on screen when selected. The picture is fine through S-Video. The thing is that it was working fine last night and I've never had a problem like this since I've had HDTV since January. Anyone know of the culprit? I'm located in Queens. Thanks!

Edit: I don't know what went wrong, but I restarted it by unplugging it and it's now working fine after bootup. :)

watch your turn on order. The cable box needs to turn on first. The is a good way to aviod HDCP warning. If the TV is on first I have seen it Blank or HDCP warnings happen on occassion. It you have the cable remote that controls five components just make sure you have it pointed at the cable box.
Unplugging is th easy bug fuixer also, it ikjs like swating a fly. But sometimes a bigger one comes back. My big fly was me losing my IP address. (end of on-demeand and a weekend to watch every show I had DVRed.)

We have PIP ????? :p ;) It just shows you how much I find a show to watch and I stick with it. I think I used it once and that was by mistake. I pressed the wrong buttom. I still can't see why this is such a major selling point for some people. Gamblers aside!!


I find PIP useful when watching live TV. That way when your primary TV show has a commercial, you can go to a news channel or somesuch and keep yourself entertained until the commercial is over. This is especially true during football (or insert whatever sport you like here) season.

I would really miss buffering of both tuners if it went away.

-barry

Hello Again ********,

1. I recently changed my SA8300HD (DVR) for the 8300HDC model to take advantage of the CallerID on TV function.
Unfortunately for me not only does that function not work but the new mystro navigator software that came along with the new box is horribly buggy and should have never saw the light of day.
It's sluggish while channel surfing, navigating the guide is just as slow & the DVR works when it wants to.
This is the same software that customers in Lincoin, Nebraska had to deal with in the beginning of the year (the worst version), and this software is supposed to be downloaded to all current boxes this fall.

I'm will try to get back my old passport DVR, but in case I can't how much longer will I and whoever got stuck with these boxes have to wait till TWC pushes upgraded software into the 8300HDC?

2. I was told that along with S.I. eliminating their standard analog channels, the Western Queens division did so as well a couple of months ago. I was also told that next on the list in this order to eliminating their standard analog channels is Southeast Queens, Brooklyn, Eastern Queens, Northern Manhattan & then Lastly Southern Manhattan.

Is this true & is their a timetable for this?

3. Cablevision serving the Bronx & Brooklyn has 40 HD channels, I have 23. This is not sitting well with me.
As I mentioned before DirecTV will be launching roughly 21 brand new national HD Networks next month, plus even more that TW doesn't even carry.

Is TWCNYC going to just sit back and add nothing?

When October comes the MLB playoffs will be on TBS-HD (parent company of TW), will this be added?

When October comes the NHL Season starts and games in HD on Versus-HD (which TWC has a contract for), will this be added?

The NHL teams New Jersey Devils & New York Islanders games are in HD on FSN NY-HD, which S.I. already has, will this be added to the rest of the city?

thank you for reading this long email, looking forward to a response to my questions, Andy

I just saw a commercial for HD movies on demand on one of the on demand channels. any idea when this service will actually launch?

Actually, I recall some posts by people in areas where SDV is deployed, and the SDV channels that they are getting are NOT HD. Apparently, they are little-watched SD channels.

From what I recall, SDV does not make sense on any frequently-watched channel, as it requires a direct connection to each box that is watching it, which semi-defeats the purpose.

Figure that just about any HD channel that gets added will be at least semi-frequently watched (if not very frequently-watched).

Scott
If and SDV program is already playing on a local neighborhood node, additional watchers
simply "join the program now in progress"....it's only one-on-one for OnDemand programs.

I just saw a commercial for HD movies on demand on one of the on demand channels. any idea when this service will actually launch?

HD OnDemand is not expected in NYC for a while, but other TWC divisions across the country might offer HD OnDemand.

Can I ask you Marcos, How did you get that box? Like I said earlier, last Monday to be exact. My box went bead and he refused to give me that box. Even though I asked for it. He talked it down and told me to wait for the updates.

I went to the TWC office in the Queens Center Mall, with my malfunctioning 8300HD. THey gave me the 8300HDC. BTW, while waiting on line at TWC, a lot of people were given this new HDC box.

I went to the TWC office in the Queens Center Mall, with my malfunctioning 8300HD. THey gave me the 8300HDC. BTW, while waiting on line at TWC, a lot of people were given this new HDC box.


Igot the new box at 23st. As far as i know all they were giving out was the 8300HDC. I dont think they have the 8300HD any more. I may be wrong time will tell :( :confused:

Hi everybody. I'm in SI. Has anybody hear the rumors that Channel 11 news is going HD soon?

I'm moving from one apartment to another inside the same building. Would it be beneficial to just cancel my TWC service and then have them start over in the new place or should I tell them that I'm moving?

Can anyone help me with this?

What kind of Cable TV system does Time Warner Cable use in New York City?

STD, HRC, or IRC?

Hi everybody. I'm in SI. Has anybody hear the rumors that Channel 11 news is going HD soon?

i haven't heard anything about it.

STD, HRC, or IRC?

Don't even know what these stand for?

I'm moving from one apartment to another inside the same building. Would it be beneficial to just cancel my TWC service and then have them start over in the new place or should I tell them that I'm moving?

if your new apartment has wiring already inside you probably could just hook up the box and you should be alright.

but why complicate matters, tell them your moving.

Don't even know what these stand for?

Are you asking me? If so, no I don't know. My guess is that STD stands for "Standard".

if your new apartment has wiring already inside you probably could just hook up the box and you should be alright.

but why complicate matters, tell them your moving.

I figured that maybe there is a "new" customer rebate or something like that.

I figured that maybe there is a "new" customer rebate or something like that.

yeah i think their is.

I remember seeing the comercial for Digital Phone & Road Runner for 29.95 for 12 months.

Here's ANOTHER thing I cannot do anymore with the 8300HDC:
I used to be able to forward or rewind within a buffer, in 15 minute increments by hitting right-key on the remote when forwarding, or left-key when rewinding.
This is no longer possible.

Also, this software seems buggy.
Twice now, something that was being DVR'ed records fine for first 20 minutes, then just records a black screen. The channnel seems to freeze. I have only had this DVR 4 days and 2 recordings have gotten messed up.
I wish I had my old STB back.
I wonder if both of these effects that you're seeing with navigator (no buffering on the other tuner, no 15 minute notch forward/backward) are related to Navigator being built upon the SARA operating system. Both of these features might be part of the Passport OS....

Yes, the 8300HDC box.

BTW,
The reason I spoke to a CSR is because the DVR completely stopped buffering live-TV. I could not pausee or rewind.
Rebooting the box initially did not help. After TWC sent a "signal" to my STB, I had to reboot the box again and the problem cleared.

I have a newly-installed 8300HDC that has the same problem; so I guess a 4th call to TWC after I installed it on Saturday is in order. In addition to not pausing live TV, I am not able to record anything; everything says there is a scheduling conflict (even if I try to record something in progress, when the unit clearly isn't recording anything else). Did you (or anyone else) have that symptom?

Also, what about series recording on this box? When I schedule a series, it finds all instances of that on all channels at all times. There doesn't appear to be an option to record only from a particular channel at a particular time. The answers-on-demand channel shows how to do that, but my record series option screen allows me to change only the # of recordings, start/stop time of the recording, and all vs. first run episodes. But of course I want all reruns only at a specific time/channel. I never had the old TWC PVR (I had a ReplayTV for years, which I grudgingly gave up to go HD); is it the case that the older PVRs had that capability and the 8300HDC doesn't?

I have a newly-installed 8300HDC that has the same problem; so I guess a 4th call to TWC after I installed it on Saturday is in order. In addition to not pausing live TV, I am not able to record anything; everything says there is a scheduling conflict (even if I try to record something in progress, when the unit clearly isn't recording anything else). Did you (or anyone else) have that symptom?

Also, what about series recording on this box? When I schedule a series, it finds all instances of that on all channels at all times. There doesn't appear to be an option to record only from a particular channel at a particular time. The answers-on-demand channel shows how to do that, but my record series option screen allows me to change only the # of recordings, start/stop time of the recording, and all vs. first run episodes. But of course I want all reruns only at a specific time/channel. I never had the old TWC PVR (I had a ReplayTV for years, which I grudgingly gave up to go HD); is it the case that the older PVRs had that capability and the 8300HDC doesn't?

WOW. And I thought I had a few good reason to hate the 8300HDC.
I really think this new operating system was not ready to be deployed.
At one point, my 8300HDC stopped buffering, so i could not pause/rewind. I had to do a hard reboot. I have not had any problems (yet) scheduling a series, but you're right that now you cannot specify to record from the HD channel only. I was able to do this in the past.

UN-watchable with the freeze-ups and digitizing on my screen, from the 8th inning on...forcing me to go to the SD version. I tried all the usual "solutions", changing channels, etc..NOTHING is fixing the problem. :mad:

UN-watchable with the freeze-ups and digitizing on my screen, from the 8th inning on...forcing me to go to the SD version. I tried all the usual "solutions", changing channels, etc..NOTHING is fixing the problem. :mad:


Just watched my recording.

Lots of problems in the 8th inning (cleared up for the 9th though).

Don't know if it was TWC or YESHD....

Just watched my recording.

Lots of problems in the 8th inning (cleared up for the 9th though).

Don't know if it was TWC or YESHD....I forgot to record it this afternoon but I just watched it on the YES ENCORE.
No problems with the picture, maybe a little crazy around the 5th inning but overall PQ was ok.

I did have a little static coming out of my rear channels every now and then.

That ENCORE is a great thing, especially when you’re able to keep your head in the sand during the day. :D

is ESPN2HD working for anyone right now? (Giants game was a late addition to the schedule...)

is ESPN2HD working for anyone right now? (Giants game was a late addition to the schedule...)

nope, it's black

nope, it's black

grrrr... do i even bother calling?

probably not even worth it... the ABs i care about will be on ESPNHD anyways.

it's not working here *either*....inexplicable, inexcusable, and infuriating. just a blank grey screen. :mad:

is ESPN2HD working for anyone right now? (Giants game was a late addition to the schedule...)Can’t help you there… I’m watching the Thurman Munson funeral day game on Yankees Classic. Singleton just homered off of Guidry. What a special night. :( I can’t believe it’s been almost three decades already. It feels like it was last year.

By the way, it’s not HD. :p Pretty funny graphics, lack of cameras, and this was a network broadcast. Makes you really appreciate how far the coverage of a sporting event has come.

Can’t help you there… I’m watching the Thurman Munson funeral day game on Yankees Classic. Singleton just homered off of Guidry. What a special night. :( I can’t believe it’s been almost three decades already. It feels like it was last year.

By the way, it’s not HD. :p Pretty funny graphics, lack of cameras, and this was a network broadcast. Makes you really appreciate how far the coverage of a sporting event has come.


I'm recording that


Just got off the phone with customer service (I called just for the hell of it).

The guy was actually helpful (somewhat) - once i convinced him that I didn't need to restart my box.

There was some "planned" outage for some work that involved turning off the channel for a few hours - accoriding to him... whatever that means...

At least he didn't try and give me some "blackout rules" crap.

I'm recording that. :cool: Ok… so I won’t tell you what happens… :p :cool:

Thank you for your note.

"Just so you know, Caller ID is not yet available in any TWC / NYC neighborhood. It is unfortunate that for some reason, you were under the impression that you’d have Caller ID with a new box. Additionally, all new HD boxes have the Mystro software you reference and as you probably know, it is up to the manufacturers to upgrade it."

"As to the other questions and information you seek to confirm, either the information is not available here at the moment, or the answers are proprietary and I am not at liberty to discuss them at this time. As you know from our past correspondence, it is our policy to let customers and media know as soon as possible when new programming, services or developments arise."

Actually, what led to me to believe that the "Caller ID On TV" function was active was the video demonstrating it on channel 100 (Answers OnDemand). Under a tab labeled "Caller ID".
As well as the option to turn "Caller ID On TV" on & off in mystro's navigator software settings.
These obviously shouldn't be there if Caller ID On TV is not active as it is misleading.

The two Manufactures of the new Boxes are Samsung and Scientific Atlanta, both who are not responsible for the software just the hardware. MDN & ODN (which is giving me problems) is 100% made by TWC and updates come from them and each division sends updates when they see fit.

As for my other questions, I'm disappointed that not one of the questions dealing with more HD had any details behind it, given that we are one month away from an explosion of HD content.

With all the Customers running out purchasing expensive HD sets & renting new HD Boxes from TWC that are glitchy. It will hard to find a happy customer. I will be keeping my eyes open in October to see if by any miracle any HD channel pops up.

again thank you for your time, hope to hear some good news soon.
Andy

I'm recording that


Just got off the phone with customer service (I called just for the hell of it).

The guy was actually helpful (somewhat) - once i convinced him that I didn't need to restart my box.

There was some "planned" outage for some work that involved turning off the channel for a few hours - accoriding to him... whatever that means...

At least he didn't try and give me some "blackout rules" crap.

"A few hours"??.....it's STILL out, as of 8:25AM, TUE!! INEXCUSABLE! :mad:

Caller ID is not yet available in any TWC / NYC neighborhood. It is unfortunate that for some reason, you were under the impression that you’d have Caller ID with a new box. Sorry to hear that... especially since I posted that incorrect information about a month ago.

I was informed by the TW CSR when I added the phone service that the new box would be needed to display caller ID on my display. At that time I wasn’t interested in losing my recordings and experimenting with the new system—Navigator / Mystro/ Turd… whatever they want to call it.

I’ve had the TW phone service for about a month now and it’s a lot cheaper than my Verizon service (and I’m not talking about the free two months) and I get more—long distance, unlimited, yadda yadda…

I’ve had Verizon since day 1 and now they are trying every scummy way to get me back as a customer. I don’t know if I want to deal with these types when FIOS TV comes out. This reminds me of when MCI played the same style of hardball screwing over customers that tried to switch.

I told Verizon I left them because they don’t offer HD yet. Hopefully my drop of water in their ocean will amount to some type of pressure. Regardless of whether I’d go to FIOS TV when that day comes, the bottom line is that we all need some more options. That is the key.

The one positive thing I have to say about TW is that they are fighting the battle with Verizon for me.

I have the new samsung hd box and was wondering if there is a way to jump to a channel and see whats on from the info button. Before with my old SA hd box i was able to press the info button twice and enter a channel number and see whats on without changing the channel. With this new software on the samsung it doesnt let me do that. It always changes the channel for some reason.

I'm not looking forward to this new software. My 8300HD has been essentially trouble free for a few years now, why can't they just get it right before they roll it out?

To save them money, of course. They get us to do the testing for free. In fact, we have to pay to do it.

Ok I just rebooted my 8300HDC and my dvr is back and operational but all my recording are gone, all my scheduled recordings are gone.
WTF, I'm gonna have to find time sometime this week and bring this piece of garbage navigator box back to 23rd and get my good ol passport back.

Uh, theoretically they COULD give you a "reconditioned" 8300HD box (which still runs passport in NYC), that doesn't violate any FCC "order." Whether they WILL is another story.

It sure is sounding like Navigator is more cocked up then even the folks who already have it are reporting. It sure SOUNDS like it has a bunch of issues we seem to be hearing for the first time... and I'd doubt the box hardware has anything to do with it...but one never knows.

Some more info about the transition to digital. TWC informed me that they will be terminating service to customers who have analog boxes in September. This is not for all customers with analog boxes, but starting with those in certain areas. A 70 unit coop on 63rd street is one such building where this will happen. I'm not sure if it's the whole block, selected buildings in this area, or just this particular building...but I'm told they are in the process of phasing out the analog boxes. Customers have been sent letters stating that they must swap our their box for a digital one prior to September or they will no longer receive cable service.

Some more info about the transition to digital. TWC informed me that they will be terminating service to customers who have analog boxes in September. This is not for all customers with analog boxes, but starting with those in certain areas. A 70 unit coop on 63rd street is one such building where this will happen. I'm not sure if it's the whole block, selected buildings in this area, or just this particular building...but I'm told they are in the process of phasing out the analog boxes. Customers have been sent letters stating that they must swap our their box for a digital one prior to September or they will no longer receive cable service.

Is this West or east?? :cool:

Is this West or east?? :cool:

Sorry, East. But he told me that they would be doing one area at a time...so I'm not sure whether they will go block by block in an orderly progression, or skip around. I'll try and get more info. Sounds like good news though.

Sorry, East. But he told me that they would be doing one area at a time...so I'm not sure whether they will go block by block in an orderly progression, or skip around. I'll try and get more info. Sounds like good news though.

Next time u ask, ask about this:

next in this order to start eliminating their standard analog channels is Southeast Queens, Brooklyn, Eastern Queens, Northern Manhattan & then Lastly Southern Manhattan.

Some more info about the transition to digital. TWC informed me that they will be terminating service to customers who have analog boxes in September. This is not for all customers with analog boxes, but starting with those in certain areas. A 70 unit coop on 63rd street is one such building where this will happen. I'm not sure if it's the whole block, selected buildings in this area, or just this particular building...but I'm told they are in the process of phasing out the analog boxes. Customers have been sent letters stating that they must swap our their box for a digital one prior to September or they will no longer receive cable service.

While this is good news that they have at least started this, I can't help but recall 5+ years ago when I was helping my mother, who had just signed up for HBO, to get all the various HBO channels, and what the CSR told me. I KNEW they had an analog box and needed a digital one, but they did say they were "looking" to transition everyone to the digital boxes. Sure seems like they "forgot" that notion for many, many years and are only now reviving a campaign they said they had to do 5-6 years ago.

Of course, as we know, it means squat until the entire island is rid of analog boxes. Or maybe they will do north and south separate so one area can get a lot more HD while the other waits for another three years!

Is anyone else having issues in Staten Island this AM ??
My wife jsut called to tell me that the cable is out, we are on the north shore.
'Your cable is currently disconnected'

and yes, I am up to date on my bill, paied ontime every month

thanks

when I left the house this morning (south shore) my wife & son were watching Noggin so the TV seemed ok - and while I don't leave my PC on, the lights were flashing normally on my modem & router.

However, when I sent an email to my account at home from work, it got bounced back as undeliverable with no explanation - maybe something is up?

Is anyone else having issues in Staten Island this AM ??
My wife jsut called to tell me that the cable is out, we are on the north shore.
'Your cable is currently disconnected'

and yes, I am up to date on my bill, paied ontime every month

thanks

Staten Island had intermittent problems thourought the entire borough this morning.

I actually went to TWC on Richmond Road to bring back a box and heard people complaining about it.

Also, Staten Island TWC on Richmond has new Samsung NON DVR Hd box. When I asked for the HD DVR, I was told they did not have it.

I did pick up the new SA8300HDC box.

so far so good on Mystro.

Is anyone else having issues in Staten Island this AM ??
My wife jsut called to tell me that the cable is out, we are on the north shore.
'Your cable is currently disconnected'

and yes, I am up to date on my bill, paied ontime every month

thanks
I woke up this morning and my box was showing "Please call your operator" on the front-panel display, and the box wouldn't come out of standby.

Rebooted, and all was well.

Yes, most likely. Once FiOS TV is available, it will be available anywhere in the city with a FiOS hookup.

I was at a cousin's place in Bridgewater, NJ who just got FiOS installed. He had internet and FiOS TV up and running. I didn't have much time to play with it, but I was quite jealous of FoodTV HD.

Unfortunately, internet speed tests were only showing a 4.6Mbps down, 2.0 Mbps upload. Should speeds really be that bad?

I was at a cousin's place in Bridgewater, NJ who just got FiOS installed. He had internet and FiOS TV up and running. I didn't have much time to play with it, but I was quite jealous of FoodTV HD.

Unfortunately, internet speed tests were only showing a 4.6Mbps down, 2.0 Mbps upload. Should speeds really be that bad?
Verizon does offer a 5Mbps/2Mbps budget FiOS Internet plan; that's probably what your cousin has.

Igot the new box at 23st. As far as i know all they were giving out was the 8300HDC. I dont think they have the 8300HD any more. I may be wrong time will tell :( :confused:
But was your box loaded with the navigator?

I find PIP useful when watching live TV. That way when your primary TV show has a commercial, you can go to a news channel or somesuch and keep yourself entertained until the commercial is over. This is especially true during football (or insert whatever sport you like here) season.

I would really miss buffering of both tuners if it went away.

-barry
Come on Comercials aren't that bad. Some are actually very entertaining. Unless you are watching late at night that is when all the crap commercials air. I know all sports fanatics use it, but even then as a sports person myself I leave the game on that I am watching. In this day and age I find this feature to be the least important but I still see people saying no to a TV because of the lack of PIP. Having PIP on the cable boxes have given extra sales to those TV companies that ommited it.

...I find this feature to be the least important but I still see people saying no to a TV because of the lack of PIP. Having PIP on the cable boxes have given extra sales to those TV companies that ommited it. :confused: Not understanding your point...but that's ok ;)

PIP in a cable box and PIP in the TV are two different animals.

The cable box gives the viewer the ability to utilize one input with two buffered tuners.

This allows for an efficient viewing experience-- banging back and forth at will eliminating any waste whether it’s commercials or any other filler.

The PIP in the TV can only function with two inputs-- two signals going into the TV. An example-- If you have an OTA antenna hooked into one input and have the cable in another, then you can use the TV PIP with those two signals… and also use the STB at the same time giving even more options. I used to play with all of them but now I rarely use the TV’s PIP.

I would be furious to not have PIP in the STB…AND more so if both tuners were not buffered.

Hello Again ********,

1. I recently changed my SA8300HD (DVR) for the 8300HDC model to take advantage of the CallerID on TV function.
Unfortunately for me not only does that function not work but the new mystro navigator software that came along with the new box is horribly buggy and should have never saw the light of day.
It's sluggish while channel surfing, navigating the guide is just as slow & the DVR works when it wants to.
This is the same software that customers in Lincoin, Nebraska had to deal with in the beginning of the year (the worst version), and this software is supposed to be downloaded to all current boxes this fall.

I'm will try to get back my old passport DVR, but in case I can't how much longer will I and whoever got stuck with these boxes have to wait till TWC pushes upgraded software into the 8300HDC?

2. I was told that along with S.I. eliminating their standard analog channels, the Western Queens division did so as well a couple of months ago. I was also told that next on the list in this order to eliminating their standard analog channels is Southeast Queens, Brooklyn, Eastern Queens, Northern Manhattan & then Lastly Southern Manhattan.

Is this true & is their a timetable for this?

3. Cablevision serving the Bronx & Brooklyn has 40 HD channels, I have 23. This is not sitting well with me.
As I mentioned before DirecTV will be launching roughly 21 brand new national HD Networks next month, plus even more that TW doesn't even carry.

Is TWCNYC going to just sit back and add nothing?

When October comes the MLB playoffs will be on TBS-HD (parent company of TW), will this be added?

When October comes the NHL Season starts and games in HD on Versus-HD (which TWC has a contract for), will this be added?

The NHL teams New Jersey Devils & New York Islanders games are in HD on FSN NY-HD, which S.I. already has, will this be added to the rest of the city?

thank you for reading this long email, looking forward to a response to my questions, Andy

Hey Andy, I am shocked you are usually on top of these things. You should never have jump on the chance to upgrade to an unproven system. We have been chatting here for at least the past ten pages how the new 8300 boxes installed with Navigator are POOR at best. I know you wanted to get the add-ons for youir phone service but you should have known that you still might have problems. Tpo answer youer question, in Nebraska they aren't complaining as much so I would think give it a week or 2 before you get the first update. HGopefully when they send us the update they skip 1-5 and get to the working version. That is #1.

#2) Rumors and speculation of the shut down has been widespread. Plus the good folks at AVS are on the ball with this one. The list you have is accurate. The sooner they do it the better. However, as for a time table. That all depends how many true analog cable TV viewers TWC has left. It is up to the CSR's to convince all those stallwarts to get DTV at a great price.

#3) Cableviosion has VOOM which adds 15 HD channels. The VOOM company is part of Cablevision Corp but a ugly step brother part that Cablevision finally took a part of so they can complete with SAT. Echostar or echo whatever the SAT comp name is, also has been using VOOM. Each channel caters to a certain part of the viewing audience, plus it is 15 24/7 HD programing. As for TW getting it. I would have to say, YES. IMO TWC just like the other companies are planning for over 100 channels of HD service and VOOM goes a long way in bridging that gap. Right now there is just about another 5 maye 10 that are available that we don't have. Voom would be the right move especially right now with FIOS knocking on their door.

You are looking to far in the future. October, HA :p ;) TWC is making changes now. But they really need all of ous to have Navigator installed in our houses and the analog feed to be gone. Then and only then, in theory the flood gates can open for us HD lovers. IMO the first priority would be to get all the sport channels up and running, then unite the NYC cable system, in other workds what ever SI has the rest of the city will have. Third move would be to add What ever SD channels that have a sister HD channel, last would be to add VOOM, because despite the increase of 15 channels, it would add money to a competitor, Cablevision. Do you shake hands with one beast to try to kill a pending beast?

I hope this helps you Andy. But again. WHY, WHY oh WHY did you give up your box? Hopefully, by fall they mean before the TV season starts or you will have a tough time during premiere week.

:confused: Not understanding your point...but that's ok ;)

PIP in a cable box and PIP in the TV are two different animals.

The cable box gives the viewer the ability to utilize one input with two buffered tuners.

This allows for an efficient viewing experience-- banging back and forth at will eliminating any waste whether it’s commercials or any other filler.

The PIP in the TV can only function with two inputs-- two signals going into the TV. An example-- If you have an OTA antenna hooked into one input and have the cable in another, then you can use the TV PIP with those two signals… and also use the STB at the same time giving even more options. I used to use to play with all of them but now I rarely use the TV’s PIP.

I would be furious to not have PIP in the STB…AND more so if both tuners were not buffered.
My point sorry if I was not wordy enough, HA HA. Is that I have seen people walk away from buying a TV because it didn't have PIP. That blows me away. Especially in this day and age when the STB have it. But even then I don't see it as a walk away point. Hey everyone has their own preference.

:rolleyes: But was your box loaded with the navigator?

YES. :(

I would be furious to not have PIP in the STB…AND more so if both tuners were not buffered.

There were several reports about buffering on 8300HDC's w/Navigator being mostly non-functional; scary stuff that!

Then again, one person claimed a friend swapped out the drive on a 8300HDC/Navigator and it functioned fine after the drive swap.

FYI, I believe Mystro was the code name for Navigator... at this point there doesn't seem to be any real reason to refer to it by it's code name, it's in production in more places that the early tests.

FYI, I believe Mystro was the code name for Navigator... at this point there doesn't seem to be any real reason to refer to it by it's code name, it's in production in more places that the early tests.

Though when my HDC box boots, it displays "Mystro" during the entire time. Which to me implies either that that's the name, or that the software on my one-week-old box is out-of-date. Someone please tell me it's the second case :-) [but wouldn't it have done an upgrade when it connected to the network?]

Though when my HDC box boots, it displays "Mystro" during the entire time. Which to me implies either that that's the name, or that the software on my one-week-old box is out-of-date. Someone please tell me it's the second case :-) [but wouldn't it have done an upgrade when it connected to the network?]

On the box it self it says ocap. What does this mean?? :confused:


Any one ??? :o

Though when my HDC box boots, it displays "Mystro" during the entire time. Which to me implies either that that's the name, or that the software on my one-week-old box is out-of-date. Someone please tell me it's the second case :-) [but wouldn't it have done an upgrade when it connected to the network?]

Boy, that REALLY solidifies my feeling they are deploying alpha software in production! And that their programming practices AND management of said function are strictly amateur. Or actually worse (what's below "amateur?"); no shareware software author I know would EVER, EVER do something like this. And with any of the commercial software vendors I've had relationships with, people would get fired for doing something like this.

PS: how about "completely inept?"

The time displayed on my SA 8300HD and my Pace STBs is running about two minutes slow. This started a day or two ago. The problem is that the beginning of recordings are missed unless I start them early. I have rebooted the Pace box but the time comes back up the same.

I called customer service and they sent some signal. It made no difference. She said there was nothing further that could be done as the time is set by satellite.

This is weird! How could the time be off unless they are sending it out this way?Otherwise, recording and playback and the program guide are normal.

Cynthia

I have the Scientific Atlanta box and a Samsung plasma. It's always worked fine but today most of my channels don't work - I'm just seeing a solid grey screen.

A few HD channels work right now - YES, ESPN, Discovery, Cinemax, etc. None of the networks (702 CBS, 704 NBC, 705 Fox, 707 ABC) have worked all day. 703 (TNT) has worked intermittently.

On some channels, when I access them either directly or from the Guide, a status bar shows up at the bottom showing how far along the program is (for example, at the 1:13 mark of a 1:00 - 1:30 program). On other channels this does not appear.

Sometimes when I try to select a program from the Guide, I get the DVR option screen of view/record, etc.

A couple times my box has rebooted itself, and other times I've hit a command and it has switched over to channel 01.

None of my SD channels work. I just see the grey screen on all of them except the OnDemand channels, which will display the list of programs but when I select one, just shows me a status bar showing that it is at the 59 minute mark of a 1:00 hour long program.

The automated system and the tech on the phone were predictably helpless and want to send a tech after having me reboot the box and unplug it so they could refresh the signal.

This forum's never let me down before. Let me know what you suggest!

Thanks in advance,
Dan

Hello, my fellow New Yorkers. I'm a Time Warner cable Brooklyn, New York subscriber. I have the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR. I believe the box I have software is Passport. Here I took a photo-->img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=59996124bo7.jpg I want to buy western digital My DVR Expander to add more storage space to my dvr. It's compatible with Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVRs. It would be connected via the eSATA port. Is the eSATA port active on the 8300HD DVR that time warner provides, or did time warner cable disable the port? Also how much space are you suppose to have? I can have 6-8 hours of HD program recorded, and maybe 2 hours of SD program recorded, and it will start deleting things on it's own. Is that normal, or should I get a new box? Any help would be deeply appreciated. :)

Hello, my fellow New Yorkers. I'm a Time Warner cable Brooklyn, New York subscriber. I have the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR. I believe the box I have software is Passport. Here I took a photo-->img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=59996124bo7.jpg I want to buy western digital My DVR Expander to add more storage space to my dvr. It's compatible with Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVRs. It would be connected via the eSATA port. Is the eSATA port active on the 8300HD DVR that time warner provides, or did time warner cable disable the port? Also how much space are you suppose to have? I can have 6-8 hours of HD program recorded, and maybe 2 hours of SD program recorded, and it will start deleting things on it's own. Is that normal, or should I get a new box? Any help would be deeply appreciated. :)

Yes, the eSATA port is active. I honestly can't remember how many hours you should get from the 8300HD as I've been running my external eSATA drive (Azio enclosure with Seagate 400gb drive) for quite a while. I get about 40 hours of HD storage now.

Hello, my fellow New Yorkers. I'm a Time Warner cable Brooklyn, New York subscriber. I have the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR. I believe the box I have software is Passport. Here I took a photo-->img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=59996124bo7.jpg I want to buy western digital My DVR Expander to add more storage space to my dvr. It's compatible with Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVRs. It would be connected via the eSATA port. Is the eSATA port active on the 8300HD DVR that time warner provides, or did time warner cable disable the port? Also how much space are you suppose to have? I can have 6-8 hours of HD program recorded, and maybe 2 hours of SD program recorded, and it will start deleting things on it's own. Is that normal, or should I get a new box? Any help would be deeply appreciated. :)

You are supposed to get about 20 hours of HD.

On some channels, when I access them either directly or from the Guide, a status bar shows up at the bottom showing how far along the program is (for example, at the 1:13 mark of a 1:00 - 1:30 program). On other channels this does not appear.

Since getting the Nagivator/Mystro 8300HDC box, none fo the channel guides show the hour:minute mark anymore.
So, if I recorded a 2 hour show, and want to proceed to the 1:13 mark, I have to guesstimate, by looking at the scroll/progress bar, without any hh:mm demarcation.

I sent an email to TWC complaining about the vairous "features" that are no unavailable with the 8300HDC box. Their reply was basically, that I was sh-t out of luck.

Hey guys TWC isn't going out without a fight. Which I expected but didn't expect them to throw a punch right at Verizon. Very humorous. They have launched a commercial, probably more then one but right now it is all I have seen and yes I do watch commercials sometimes. They have a guy eating FIBER and the door bell rings. It is a guy selling FIOS and showing the light streams that the FIOS technician shows the little boy. But the Guy tells him that TWC has been running on Finer optic cables for the past 10 years. Then the guy looks sick and the guy tells him he needs some fiber in his diet and offers his FIBER cereal.

Not a bad counter commercial to the upcoming FIOS invasion. Commercials like this can and proabably will lead to a price war. That means that 10% discount will just be the beginning. Despite a lot of people's willingness to leave TWC once FIOS is up and running it will come down to price once the promotion period is over. IMO There is no way Verizon can keep the prices they have now and stay in the competition.

The time displayed on my SA 8300HD and my Pace STBs is running about two minutes slow. This started a day or two ago. The problem is that the beginning of recordings are missed unless I start them early. I have rebooted the Pace box but the time comes back up the same.

I called customer service and they sent some signal. It made no difference. She said there was nothing further that could be done as the time is set by satellite.

This is weird! How could the time be off unless they are sending it out this way?Otherwise, recording and playback and the program guide are normal.

Cynthia
That Cynthia is a serious problem that needs fixing before the season starts in 3 weeks. I don't know what you have set up so let me ask you a few questions first. That CSR was wrong to dismiss your problem that fast. Fast advice is to call them again but be strong and angry, :mad: ask for a supervisor and complain about that SAT answer. This is a real problem that should be addressed and not pushed aside like some X-file. :eek:
All the boxes are running slow, :( I know you have tried all the basic reboots. but maybe you can try something unconvetional while you are on hold waiting for a supervisor. You have three boxes, I am assuming.
#1 try disconnecting the cable from the main cable before it splits off. if possible. leave it off for a few min.
if that doesn't work, :o
#2 disconnect the all the boxes again but only connect the SA 8300, let it reboot and see what happens.

If you are asking yourself why would I think this would work. well to be honest I did have this probelm with the old analog boxes but it wasn't until I eleminated the SIGNAL did the time catch up or reset. Just losing the power wasn't enough. Hey if this works I am a genius, :p if it doesn't it keeps you busy while you hold for a supercvisor. :D

Since getting the Nagivator/Mystro 8300HDC box, none fo the channel guides show the hour:minute mark anymore.
So, if I recorded a 2 hour show, and want to proceed to the 1:13 mark, I have to guesstimate, by looking at the scroll/progress bar, without any hh:mm demarcation.

I sent an email to TWC complaining about the vairous "features" that are no unavailable with the 8300HDC box. Their reply was basically, that I was sh-t out of luck.
Marcos, you are S@#$ out of luck. That really sucks to be honest but there might be light at the end of the tumnnel. It might not be bright but it is a slim hope that I can give you. Where did you get your box from? I know you said it before but I do not remember. But here is your light. My friend just upgraded to the HD DVR he went to the Atlantic Ave office and to his supprise he was given the 8300hd box with passport echo. Not the Navigator that you have given some very positive ;) :p raves about. Maybe they are holding the new ones there just for new customers or maybe a few boxes were missed and not upgraded. Just trying to throw out an option for you.

Another idea is to disconnect your box and take a good drive around the 'hood. There is always a chance you find a TWC technician and you might be able to plead your case for a box with passport.

Good luck to you,
However I am thankful to that technician that came to my house and made sure I didn't get or want a new 8300hdc. If he is a AVS member, TY.

Hello, my fellow New Yorkers. I'm a Time Warner cable Brooklyn, New York subscriber. I have the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR. I believe the box I have software is Passport. Here I took a photo-->img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=59996124bo7.jpg I want to buy western digital My DVR Expander to add more storage space to my dvr. It's compatible with Scientific Atlanta 8300 series DVRs. It would be connected via the eSATA port. Is the eSATA port active on the 8300HD DVR that time warner provides, or did time warner cable disable the port? Also how much space are you suppose to have? I can have 6-8 hours of HD program recorded, and maybe 2 hours of SD program recorded, and it will start deleting things on it's own. Is that normal, or should I get a new box? Any help would be deeply appreciated. :)
That sounds like a defective 8300 box. If you are only getting to record 6-8 hrs of HD before erase, like Berk said you should be able to record 20 hrs of HD. Forget about SD you can record 90 hrs if it is SD alone. At 13 hrs of HD recordings you should be getting the warnings "about a week left" on the bottom show on your list. At 15 hrs it would show "about a 2 days left", At 17 "about a day left, meaning watch it or lose it. But remember it takes in account what is scheduled to be recorded also so be carefull when you get a properly working one.

Ok thank you guys. I'm going return the box I have, and get a new one.

Hey guys TWC isn't going out without a fight. Which I expected but didn't expect them to throw a punch right at Verizon. Very humorous. They have launched a commercial, probably more then one but right now it is all I have seen and yes I do watch commercials sometimes. They have a guy eating FIBER and the door bell rings. It is a guy selling FIOS and showing the light streams that the FIOS technician shows the little boy. But the Guy tells him that TWC has been running on Finer optic cables for the past 10 years. Then the guy looks sick and the guy tells him he needs some fiber in his diet and offers his FIBER cereal.

Not a bad counter commercial to the upcoming FIOS invasion. Commercials like this can and proabably will lead to a price war. That means that 10% discount will just be the beginning. Despite a lot of people's willingness to leave TWC once FIOS is up and running it will come down to price once the promotion period is over. IMO There is no way Verizon can keep the prices they have now and stay in the competition.

I actually like the Cablevision commercial asking if you can name all 9 of the local sports teams, and then they tell you there's only one way to watch them all in HD. You can't get it with satellite, not even the telephone guys. Nope, just Cablevision.

Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils.

Fortunately TWC gives us most of them in HD.

Ok thank you guys. I'm going return the box I have, and get a new one.

One thing to try before you swap boxes is to do a hard reset: unplug the box, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in. Sometimes this causes the box to recalculate the remaining space a fixes your problem.

-barry

I actually like the Cablevision commercial asking if you can name all 9 of the local sports teams, and then they tell you there's only one way to watch them all in HD. You can't get it with satellite, not even the telephone guys. Nope, just Cablevision.

Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils.

Fortunately TWC gives us most of them in HD.
Now we are talking hardball. You know Cablevision is already signed with TWC for the last 2 channels but the are waiting to ro it out like some great jesture of an agreement that Verizon cannot sign as of yet. These 2 cable COMPS ARE NOT GOING TO LIE DOWN AND CRY LIKE BABIES. I think the 40-65 % acceptable subscriber loss is something they threw out to create a buzz. You heard me say it here first 15% maybe less will be the loss is SI.

This problem started happening to me about 2 weeks ago and i'm surprised no one mentioned it. Maybe its just me...

At times, when I FF/RR on an HD channel, the screen would go blank for a few secs and you cannot see what you are FF/RR on. I noticed this happens whenever they output a comerical in 480p on an HD channel (u can see the output setting on the front of the 8300) and when u FF/RR on it, my tv blanks out for a few secs. It is extremely annoying.

I didn't know it was possible to output SD commercials on an HD channel?
This does not happen to all the commercials, only some.
I've seen this happen on TNTHD and the Mets HD sports channel.
Anyone else experience this??
I am on the passport software.

The time displayed on my SA 8300HD and my Pace STBs is running about two minutes slow. This started a day or two ago. The problem is that the beginning of recordings are missed unless I start them early. I have rebooted the Pace box but the time comes back up the same.

I called customer service and they sent some signal. It made no difference. She said there was nothing further that could be done as the time is set by satellite.

This is weird! How could the time be off unless they are sending it out this way?Otherwise, recording and playback and the program guide are normal.

Cynthia
I thought that I would give the latest status of the above problem. I finally contacted a CSR that actually had current knowledge (after a long bout with their voice recognition system!). She admitted that there was an Island wide problem that they are working on. At this time the displayed time is still wrong, but I am sure they will have it fixed soon.

Cynthia

I thought that I would give the latest status of the above problem. I finally contacted a CSR that actually had current knowledge (after a long bout with their voice recognition system!). She admitted that there was an Island wide problem that they are working on. At this time the displayed time is still wrong, but I am sure they will have it fixed soon.

Cynthia
See Cynthia calling them back paid off. I knew that first CSR was just telling you some bogus blaw blaw and hoping you accepted their answer. You still have the probelm but at least they gave you a "OOPs our fault. we will get to it soon" answer. But unfortunately you still have the problem. you should parlay this problem into some freebies. Just my opinion. I know I would.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/13/time-warner-readying-modified-fast-forward-functionality-for-dvr/

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/13/time-warner-readying-modified-fast-forward-functionality-for-dvr/
Oh, this "Start Over" technology has been "coming" for a LONG time. It doesn't have anything whatsoever to do with modifying what our DVRs do -- it's really a "virtual" DVR which is closer to video on demand than anything else....

Oh, this "Start Over" technology has been "coming" for a LONG time. It doesn't have anything whatsoever to do with modifying what our DVRs do -- it's really a "virtual" DVR which is closer to video on demand than anything else....

Exactly, it has nothing to do with the DVR. It is dealing with a new free service. Here is a more detailed article from today’s NY Times.

August 13, 2007
Advertising
A Variation on the DVR, Without Ad Skipping

By LOUISE STORY
In a move that is certain to delight advertisers, Time Warner Cable is about to offer its customers a free recording feature for their televisions — one that will not allow them to zap through the commercials.

The service, called Look Back, will let cable customers watch certain shows later on that they missed, just the way a digital video recorder does, but without an extra monthly fee. The fast-forwarding function will be turned off, however, and consumers will be limited to watching programs later on during the day they are shown, anytime before midnight.

Time Warner Cable plans to start offering Look Back in October in South Carolina and then gradually introduce it around the country.

The service will be something of a test case both for consumers, who will have to weigh how much control they need over their television viewing and how much they are willing to pay for it, and advertising executives, who in the past refused to pay for commercials shown during time-shifted viewing because they thought most advertisements were skipped.

Time Warner Cable, which is taking a radically different approach from other companies that sell DVR services, is convinced that the interests of advertisers and consumers are more closely aligned than is commonly assumed.

“Many customers do fast-forward through commercials when given the choice, and that is an obvious and undeniable benefit of a digital video recorder,” said Peter Stern, executive vice president for new product development at Time Warner Cable. “But the digital video recorder is principally about enabling customers to watch what they want, when they want. It returns control to customers over the television schedule.”

Under pressure from advertisers, the Nielsen Company, which rates TV viewing, introduced a system this year that shows how many people were tuned in during commercials, a departure from the old measure of how many people watched the program. Confronted with Nielsen data showing that many DVR viewers do watch advertisements, most advertisers agreed this year to pay for television viewing based on how many people watch their commercials either live or on DVR within three days of the initial showing.

In essence, Look Back will provide the kind of time-shifted television viewing that has persuaded millions of Americans to pay $10 or so every month to cable companies or to TiVo. DVRs are now in about 17 percent of American households, but that figure is growing rapidly as more cable operators sell the service.

Time Warner Cable is the nation’s second-largest cable provider, behind Comcast, and — as with most cable companies — it benefits when people watch commercials, because it often sells many of the local ones.

But the company, a unit of Time Warner, has other reasons for wanting to make sure customers watch the commercials on its system. For one, Time Warner has been a leader in developing ways to deliver more interactive and customized commercials, and it is in the company’s interest to find ways to keep people watching those advertisements.

Perhaps more significant, the cable operator is part of a large media company that has long earned much of its money by selling advertisements. Time Warner includes Warner Brothers Entertainment, the producer of many television shows; AOL, the online company that aims to make most of its money selling advertisements; and Time Inc., which includes magazines like People, Time and InStyle.

The point is not lost on Time Warner Cable executives. “We have a particular sensitivity to the needs of business in every stage in the value chain, because we’re part of a diversified media company,” Mr. Stern of Time Warner Cable said.

Time Warner started down this path in late 2005, when it introduced a free feature called Start Over. Now available in six of its 23 cable markets, Start Over allows viewers to begin watching television programs from the beginning, after they have started playing. During a half-hour show, for example, viewers can start fresh anytime within 30 minutes of when it began.

Similar to Look Back, which will allow late viewing until the end of the day, the fast-forward feature is turned off in Start Over. Time Warner plans to introduce Start Over in eight more of its markets by March.

Another benefit of both free services is that neither Start Over nor Look Back requires viewers to remember to record programs. But unlike DVR services, Look Back will not let people keep a library of older recorded programs. Time Warner does not pay networks for the content — but because it blocks the fast-forward feature, networks are assured that their advertisements are not being skipped.

Time Warner is also hoping to persuade Nielsen that the shows viewed on Start Over and Look Back should be counted as live viewing, rather than delayed viewing, because the ads cannot be skipped.

Time Warner has negotiated deals with TV networks and program producers to store the shows on its own servers. For Start Over, the cable company has deals with every major network except CBS, Mr. Stern said. Time Warner is negotiating deals for Look Back. MTV Networks, which includes MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, has agreed to have its programs become part of Look Back, an MTV Networks spokesman confirmed.

Other cable companies, which do not have the same goals as Time Warner, are not focusing on blocking fast-forwarding. Comcast, for example, offers 9,300 programs through video-on-demand, where many of the programs are free and allow fast-forwarding through commercials.

Comcast is planning to offer a Start Over tool similar to Time Warner’s, but has not decided whether to disable fast-forwarding, said Derek Harrar, Comcast’s senior vice president and general manager of video services.

Cox Communications, another cable operator, announced a video-on-demand deal this spring with ABC, where fast-forwarding is turned off for several of the programs.

If more cable operators begin providing time-shifted television watching at no cost, it will be hard to predict whether sales of DVRs and DVR subscription services will taper off. TiVo, whose surveys have routinely showed that viewers value time-shifting more than fast-forwarding, is aware of this potential threat and has begun offering new services, like downloads and searches of Internet content.

TiVo has also built a business — sold on a subscription basis to companies in the media industry — of monitoring which advertisements people tend to skip and which they seem to like. “People are voting with their remotes on what they do want to watch or what they don’t want to watch,” said Todd Juenger, vice president and general manager of audience research and management at TiVo.

Time Warner is aware that it may lose some DVR subscribers as its Start Over and Look Back features become more widespread, Mr. Stern said. But it believes it can make more money in the long run by providing free time-shifting, accompanied by ads.

“People are used to advertising. A good number of people like the advertising,” said Jeffrey L. Bewkes, the president of Time Warner Inc. at a cable industry conference in late July. “Our research and our in-market tests show people would rather have free everything you want, when you want.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/13/business/media/13adcol.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

This problem started happening to me about 2 weeks ago and i'm surprised no one mentioned it. Maybe its just me...

At times, when I FF/RR on an HD channel, the screen would go blank for a few secs and you cannot see what you are FF/RR on. I noticed this happens whenever they output a comerical in 480p on an HD channel (u can see the output setting on the front of the 8300) and when u FF/RR on it, my tv blanks out for a few secs. It is extremely annoying.

I didn't know it was possible to output SD commercials on an HD channel?
This does not happen to all the commercials, only some.
I've seen this happen on TNTHD and the Mets HD sports channel.
Anyone else experience this??
I am on the passport software.

It's been happening on SNYHD since at least the beginning of baseball season. I usually just watch the box when I fast forward during a game. You'll see the resolution lights on the front change and you can go to play. I have the SA8300 set to output all resolutions including 480i, so I'm not sure if just setting the box to one output resolution would change this behaviour.

It's been happening on SNYHD since at least the beginning of baseball season. I usually just watch the box when I fast forward during a game. You'll see the resolution lights on the front change and you can go to play. I have the SA8300 set to output all resolutions including 480i, so I'm not sure if just setting the box to one output resolution would change this behaviour.

maybe it is because I am using the HDMI output?
it might be related to that HDMI flickering problem on HD channels which I get alot?

maybe it is because I am using the HDMI output?
it might be related to that HDMI flickering problem on HD channels which I get alot?
Just go into the advanced options and make sure to deselect 480i and 480p as output formats. Your problem should go away as the box will upconvert the commercials (and everything else) to 1080i or 720p.

Scott

Hey guys
have any of you got the new hd dvr's that twc has gotten?
I just called them up and am going to exchange my sa8300hd dvr for the new boxes...
I'm really REALLY hoping they fixed the hdmi handshake issue...that's the only fix i'm really looking for as it's become extremely annoying to get the "tv does not support hdcp " error message...

Can anyone update me as to any fixes and if the hdmi issue has been addressed?
Is the interface any better?

Hey guys
have any of you got the new hd dvr's that twc has gotten?
I just called them up and am going to exchange my sa8300hd dvr for the new boxes...
I'm really REALLY hoping they fixed the hdmi handshake issue...that's the only fix i'm really looking for as it's become extremely annoying to get the "tv does not support hdcp " error message...

Can anyone update me as to any fixes and if the hdmi issue has been addressed?
Is the interface any better?

So I looked thru the thread and saw that quite a few of you have gotten the new boxes (and have quite a few problems!)...I don't see any info regarding the hdmi handshake issue though...any info?

So I looked thru the thread and saw that quite a few of you have gotten the new boxes (and have quite a few problems!)...I don't see any info regarding the hdmi handshake issue though...any info?
DON'T DO IT!!!

Look back a few pages and you'll see complaint after complaint about the new OS on the latest DVRs. Resist the temptation until the thing works!!!!

thanks scott!
I guess i'll be holding off

Just go into the advanced options and make sure to deselect 480i and 480p as output formats. Your problem should go away as the box will upconvert the commercials (and everything else) to 1080i or 720p.

Scott

Actually this will not help if you are watching a 1080i station because the box converts 480 to 720P. I have set my box to just output 1080i, my native res, and the problem went away. If you have a power outage, the box resets to output all resolutions, and you'll need to change it again.

This problem started happening to me about 2 weeks ago and i'm surprised no one mentioned it. Maybe its just me...

At times, when I FF/RR on an HD channel, the screen would go blank for a few secs and you cannot see what you are FF/RR on. I noticed this happens whenever they output a comerical in 480p on an HD channel (u can see the output setting on the front of the 8300) and when u FF/RR on it, my tv blanks out for a few secs. It is extremely annoying.

I didn't know it was possible to output SD commercials on an HD channel?
This does not happen to all the commercials, only some.
I've seen this happen on TNTHD and the Mets HD sports channel.
Anyone else experience this??
I am on the passport software.

First, this is one of the very few things TWC is NOT responsible for. Yes I have seen it, yes having to sync back and forth is dumb, dumb, dumb. My guess is that they finally got around to finding out how much they were derided for their patented "TNT Stretch-O-Vision" and this is some kind of revenge on those watching their channel.

So, "TNT Stretch-O-Vision" has become "TNT ReSync-O-Vision." Both designed to make out viewing lives difficult.

BTW, they probably knew that "Stretch-O-Vision" had been negated by most by ONLY watching TNT shows from recordings to FF through the commercials. So they figured out a way to stick it to those that FF! BUT, think about this... when the commercials seem to be over, the screen will go to complete black for a second or so... damn if this isn't an even more obvious point to let up on the FF button!

Hey guys
have any of you got the new hd dvr's that twc has gotten?
I just called them up and am going to exchange my sa8300hd dvr for the new boxes...
I'm really REALLY hoping they fixed the hdmi handshake issue...that's the only fix i'm really looking for as it's become extremely annoying to get the "tv does not support hdcp " error message...

Can anyone update me as to any fixes and if the hdmi issue has been addressed?
Is the interface any better?
if component is working fine and HDMI isn't that important I wouldn't even consider it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/13/business/media/13adcol.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Very interesting Reading Larry, I for one welcome it. I would miss waiting a week or 2 to watch my shows, but given 24 hrs to watch a show. I could make time for it and will save on my cable bill. Commercials are our lives. We just need to realize how important commercials being seen truly is. I look on my desk a work and I see an replay of the comercials I saw last night during America's got Talent. Bottle of Pepsi, Hostess Donettes, Dell computer and a JVC Radio. All compnaies that wouldn't still be around if it wasn't for these so called commercials. The thing that suprises me is that the companies are making a big deal about it now when VCR's were taking away more commercial time then DVR's ever will. I guess it is the cable co's way of taking the lead(Control) of the commercial thing. Making sure they don't lose a percentage from their advertising revenue. While in the dy of the VCR there wasn't such a percentage.

I would get rid of my DVR for this, How many else would? The $10 a month savings would be worth it.

First, this is one of the very few things TWC is NOT responsible for. Yes I have seen it, yes having to sync back and forth is dumb, dumb, dumb. My guess is that they finally got around to finding out how much they were derided for their patented "TNT Stretch-O-Vision" and this is some kind of revenge on those watching their channel.

So, "TNT Stretch-O-Vision" has become "TNT ReSync-O-Vision." Both designed to make out viewing lives difficult.

BTW, they probably knew that "Stretch-O-Vision" had been negated by most by ONLY watching TNT shows from recordings to FF through the commercials. So they figured out a way to stick it to those that FF! BUT, think about this... when the commercials seem to be over, the screen will go to complete black for a second or so... damn if this isn't an even more obvious point to let up on the FF button!
Are you sure that the commercials originate from TNT? TWC inserts many of its own commercials on many cable channels. . My guess is that if you look at the content of the specific commercials that are causing this problem it *is* TWC's issue.

TNT couldn't care less about peoples' complaints about stretch-o-vision. It's the way 90% of HDTV owners watch their SD content anyway, so we "purists" are a tiny fraction of the HDTV watching population. I don't think I've ever seen any HD network change its output resolution -- EVER. This is surely something downstream from the network.

Scott

Any whispers on the HD front from TWC? We're getting close to the start of the NHL season and I'm really getting annoyed that we still have no word on the Golf/Vs HD channel. The Vs. NHL broadcast schedule is out and the Rangers are on 8 times. So TWC is preventing us from seeing 10% of the season in HD. I'm tired of all the excuses and BS. They even get the channel for free, which makes it more insulting.

Any whispers on the HD front from TWC? We're getting close to the start of the NHL season and I'm really getting annoyed that we still have no word on the Golf/Vs HD channel. The Vs. NHL broadcast schedule is out and the Rangers are on 8 times. So TWC is preventing us from seeing 10% of the season in HD. I'm tired of all the excuses and BS. They even get the channel for free, which makes it more insulting.


Yeah I heard "We aint getting Sh@#!!" :p ;) :D

Is seeing the rangers in HD that important? :rolleyes:
I know you are fumming with that question, I really am kidding. I was also going to ask you if you really will be watching every single game, but duh. Your screenname says it all. Go Rangers!!!!!
Any Sporting event looks better in HD. After having to watch the Yankees in SD on 9 last year. I learned that even a enhanced game on a HD channel looks better than a reg game on any SD channel.
I am one to promote big changes are coming with TWC(Gut feeling), so I think you need to keep the faith that something is brewing they just aren't saying. Arguements aside, who is to say those game won't show up on Mojo. Just because we don't have VSHD doesn't mean they won't broadcast the game in HD. Don't hate me for this comment, but I for one am for TWC holding out part time HD channels for more full time channels. Eventhough I think FSNY should be added way before VSHD. I would prefer 24/7 HD stations before another part timer which VsHD might be. JMO.

any updates on any new hd channels?

Are you sure that the commercials originate from TNT? TWC inserts many of its own commercials on many cable channels. . My guess is that if you look at the content of the specific commercials that are causing this problem it *is* TWC's issue.

TNT couldn't care less about peoples' complaints about stretch-o-vision. It's the way 90% of HDTV owners watch their SD content anyway, so we "purists" are a tiny fraction of the HDTV watching population. I don't think I've ever seen any HD network change its output resolution -- EVER. This is surely something downstream from the network.

Scott

Ah, you do have a point Scott (it may be TWC). Hard to tell what they were because I lean on the FF key to skip through commercials. But there is a logical following to the channels that purposely distorts it's picture...

Yes I am also distressed that so many folks this is the "way." I know TNT is catering to the idi... er fans of distorted imagery.

Right around the addition of ESPN2 HD, I noticed a BIG uptick in mostly audio dropouts that were seriously marring any show they happened on. The issue wasn't that they happen (they always do) but the frequency... like a dozen times each hour. I know this happened from both M-North and M-Southl. I posted about this but only one person said they saw this uptick. Well, for the past week, this behavior has seemingly decreased to the levels like before the channel was added.

I don't know if this is normal for the other people who have the 8300HDC box, but mine just went out then through a 5 minute boot process on its own.

Commercials are our lives. We just need to realize how important commercials being seen truly is. I look on my desk a work and I see an replay of the comercials I saw last night during America's got Talent. Bottle of Pepsi, Hostess Donettes, Dell computer and a JVC Radio. All compnaies that wouldn't still be around if it wasn't for these so called commercials.
I would get rid of my DVR for this, How many else would? The $10 a month savings would be worth it.

Huh??? Comercials are whose lives?? TV ads are among the most obnoxious intrusions in MY life. They are noise pollution, annoying interuptions, and just plain mindless propaganda! I wouldn't give up my DVR if they PAID me $10/month! Just curious - how do you feel about ad "pop-ups" that appear on your screen in the middle of movies and shows? Makes me want to throw a shoe at the set...

Just go into the advanced options and make sure to deselect 480i and 480p as output formats. Your problem should go away as the box will upconvert the commercials (and everything else) to 1080i or 720p.

Scott

Thanks!
that worked. I had to deselct everything except for 1080i.
Leaving 720p still did not work.
I guess that means my tv's native resolution is 1080i?

Huh??? Comercials are whose lives?? TV ads are among the most obnoxious intrusions in MY life. They are noise pollution, annoying interuptions, and just plain mindless propaganda! I wouldn't give up my DVR if they PAID me $10/month! Just curious - how do you feel about ad "pop-ups" that appear on your screen in the middle of movies and shows? Makes me want to throw a shoe at the set...


Those pop-ups are a cause of the initial problem. The companies are not getting their product time to US. If we never had VCR's now DVR's the advertisers would know that their message was seen by that 10 million per show(it was 20 million back in the 80's & 90's). however, now the advertisers know about DVR and now pay % less for the viewers they lose because of DVR FFing. I know they can be boresome and intrusive, I don't want to know when a girl is being irregular or a guy is not saluting long enough. :p ;) :D But that commercial revenue has to be made up by the networks so now they have pop-up commercials. If we would have just sit back and watched the full shows w/commercials alternate means wouldn't have been nescessary. Don't count your FF DVR as a mean for a commercial free world. There is technology our there that would send a commercial to play during your fast forwarding. It is suppose to be a 15-30 sec spot either a short commercial or just the Logo. So be careful what you ask for.

Just like that article pointed out. There is a trickle down effect to these commercials not being seen. That trickle has bottom out with a pop-up ads. Which in my view needs to stop, (TNT is the biggest villian here, new shows are interupted with bottom screen ads with sound, just horrible!!)but like I said it is a cause of the FFing of shows in the first place.

Just like that article pointed out. There is a trickle down effect to these commercials not being seen. That trickle has bottom out with a pop-up ads. Which in my view needs to stop, (TNT is the biggest villian here, new shows are interupted with bottom screen ads with sound, just horrible!!)but like I said it is a cause of the FFing of shows in the first place.

Awful. Glad I've never found anything worthwhile to watch on TNT. I was happy when they added TNT-HD...but that stretch-o-vision ran me off.

so what are you guys saying eventually im gonna get a couple 30 sec. spots added into my dvr shows eventually?

I don't know if this is normal for the other people who have the 8300HDC box, but mine just went out then through a 5 minute boot process on its own.


it is normal

so what are you guys saying eventually im gonna get a couple 30 sec. spots added into my dvr shows eventually?

The technology is there, it is just up to the Cable or Sat provider to add it. If they feel their bottom line(commercial revenue) is being affected by all the FFng. The "Look BacK" service is the way for them to save ad revenue. If it doesn't get to the mainstream public, actually get their money back. Then the obvious next move is to implement the FF commercial.

At least they aren't going back to the old days, with sublimminal messaging, like they "supposedly" did in the 50's & 60's at movie theathers. Every tenth frame of the picture either have a bucket of popcorn or a cup of soda and like magic people were in the mood. Was it true? I think it was. can they do it today? yes! are they? who knows. But I know I am in the mood for some Hot Pockets :D

Awful. Glad I've never found anything worthwhile to watch on TNT. I was happy when they added TNT-HD...but that stretch-o-vision ran me off.
I have to disagree because of the repeats of Witout a Trace,TNT has added a new show to my normally dull sunday night DVR time, plus it gives me a good show to watch in HD or as you so kindly put it Stretch-o-vision.

The technology is there, it is just up to the Cable or Sat provider to add it. If they feel their bottom line(commercial revenue) is being affected by all the FFng. The "Look BacK" service is the way for them to save ad revenue. If it doesn't get to the mainstream public, actually get their money back. Then the obvious next move is to implement the FF commercial.

At least they aren't going back to the old days, with sublimminal messaging, like they "supposedly" did in the 50's & 60's at movie theathers. Every tenth frame of the picture either have a bucket of popcorn or a cup of soda and like magic people were in the mood. Was it true? I think it was. can they do it today? yes! are they? who knows. But I know I am in the mood for some Hot Pockets :D

If they do I'll just get a TIVO or other likewise thing. In the end they can't beat it without in program popups or On-demand like content. IN teh latter can probably be beat though.

Speaking of commercials, has anyone watched a late night show live (Letterman etc.)? After midnight, we're talking 5 minutes of show content followed by 7 minutes of commercials... so how about those animated network promos that used to take up the lower eight of the screen and are now running about 1/3 of the vertical height?

Just wait... pretty soon you'll see all the "premium" channels having commercials and promos that take up 1/2 the screen... during your favorite show! And by the time that happens, you'll be paying 50 bucks per month for those services!

I don't know if Tivo would be immune to this. They have their subscription fee and STB cost but will that be enough to survive, they too will resort to advertisements to make revenue. It is an on going cycle that brings me to my first statement, which I left out a couple of words, "commercials are part of our lives." We will never be able to escape them so we might as well embrace them. The more we avoid them the more they will look for alternate means supply them. One only stops when the other listens.

The "Look Back" service is the first time the cable companies can sit sit back and say they are trying to save us money. Even though in the long run they are earning more money on the back end because of it.

Speaking of commercials, has anyone watched a late night show live (Letterman etc.)? After midnight, we're talking 5 minutes of show content followed by 7 minutes of commercials... so how about those animated network promos that used to take up the lower eight of the screen and are now running about 1/3 of the vertical height?

Just wait... pretty soon you'll see all the "premium" channels having commercials and promos that take up 1/2 the screen... during your favorite show! And by the time that happens, you'll be paying 50 bucks per month for those services!

Any FOX channel is the biggest crimminal to these huge adds. The worst part of it now, which I stated earlier, they add sound now. Why is that necessary? I understand the fight for viewership is strong and you need to advertise your shows. But do we need a car getting a tire chnge and racing away(FX), or Kyra Sedgwick's mug taking a good third of the screen accompanied with sirens. NBC was calm and cool last season with it's "clicker" and they only had line items showing what show is next or which show is on when. "friday night lights tues at 8pm" Nice and simple no sound and short.

Thank god I haven't seen these promos happen on the premiums as of yet, but I have seen the premiums cut into the final credits, I know they are just the credits, but the whole point of the premiums is to see a complete movie uninterrupted, that includes the credits.

Any plans for more HD content coming up? I thought 07 was supposed to be "filled with great things from TWCNYC"

Any plans for more HD content coming up? I thought 07 was supposed to be "filled with great things from TWCNYC"

It was...we got ESPN2. ;)

Seriously, they really need to hurry up and get us some more channels already. It sucks that I have to pay for hundreds of channels I never watch, and while all other cable/satellite systems seem to be adding more HD material all the time, we get practically nothing.

when did this site change their look?? i'm not all that thrilled by it, to tell you the truth. a little harder to read now. anyone else? :(

when did this site change their look?? i'm not all that thrilled by it, to tell you the truth. a little harder to read now. anyone else? :(

I agree, my screen is way too bright now.

AVS, Bring back the black background with yellow text!

Any plans for more HD content coming up? I thought 07 was supposed to be "filled with great things from TWCNYC"

I dunno, but they better add something by October 1st.

I agree, my screen is way too bright now.

AVS, Bring back the black background with yellow text!

Well, you know what it is, Andy? You can get a darker screen by going into UserCP (see the tab up on top?) and make that adjustment to simulate approximately what it =used= to look like. You'll have to scroll almost to the bottom of the page, but you'll find that option on that page. But the issue that bothers me more is, everything looks more cramped on the posting page, to make room for the advertising on the right hand side...THAT'S what's annoying me even more than the color scheme. :mad:

I dunno, but they better add something by October 1st.

I wouldn't hold my breath for the hockey. :mad:

I was just channel surfing and was about to watch the ending of the movie "About Schmidt" at around 4:45am and was shocked to see porn on TBS. somebody at Time Warner Cable messed up big time.

LOL

when did this site change their look?? i'm not all that thrilled by it, to tell you the truth. a little harder to read now. anyone else? :(:)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/announcement.php?f=&a=113

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11340925#post11340925

good *deal*, Larry, thanks for those links. and indeed, maybe someone was listening, because i see NOW that, the annoying advertising strip that =was= on the right hand side of this page, causing these boxes to be much narrower than before, has disappeared. and that is a good thing. :)

I don't get TW There is premium HD content A&E, Music... and a bunch of other things out. why not add something? Not eveyone is a sports fan.

I don't get TW There is premium HD content A&E, Music... and a bunch of other things out. why not add something? Not eveyone is a sports fan.

Well to be fair... the largest bulk of regular HDTV watchers are sports fans....

Meanwhile... A&E has very little HD content...

And they use the "bandwidth limitation" card to not add more.... but Staten Island does have both MHD and A&EHD.... so its obviously in their plans "eventually" for the rest of us....


Actually... in the last year or so - we've gotten more non-sports related channels.... True we got the long awaited ESPN2HD, but we also got StarzHD, CinemaxHD, UniversalHD, and WWOR-My9HD...

This is a heads up for anyone who is still a subscriber under the Triple Play INTRO package (no longer offered). You can upgrade to digital starter pak and save money right now. They're doing the triple play starter pak for $79.95 a month for 12 months. It will save you some money and you will actually pick up a lot of HD channels. I tried to upgrade a few months ago and ended up with less HD channels than I had before, but this time it really worked out for my benefit. Hope someone else can benefit from this as well.



Well, you can totally ignore the above paragraph. Shame on me for thinking that I would have one good experience with TW customer service. After talking to 9 different people today, the end result is that I still have the intro package and don't have ESPN and YES and etc. Apparently, the guy tried to give me a package for new customers and someone else caught it later and undid, reset my cablebox and returned me to the status quo. I am THISCLOSE to giving up completely on them. In fact, if I didn't rely on them for my internet connection, I would have dropped them tonight. What a freaking nightmare it is trying to do anything with this company. At the beginning of the day, I was ready to pay the extra $10 a month for a few more channels, but at this point, they'll be lucky if I'm a customer tomorrow. At any rate, their company is not going to be rewarded by me paying them MORE of my money.

Anyone is getting an annoying lipsync problem on SHO HD? The delay varies from movie to movie but is always there.

Actually... in the last year or so - we've gotten more non-sports related channels.... True we got the long awaited ESPN2HD, but we also got StarzHD, CinemaxHD, UniversalHD, and WWOR-My9HD...
...not to mention the "full time" versions of YES & MSG HD -- those were odd "part time" channels that only came on when a game was on, but were turned off when the game was supposed to end (which sometimes resulted in the ends of games being cut off).

This is a heads up for anyone who is still a subscriber under the Triple Play INTRO package (no longer offered). You can upgrade to digital starter pak and save money right now. They're doing the triple play starter pak for $79.95 a month for 12 months. It will save you some money and you will actually pick up a lot of HD channels. I tried to upgrade a few months ago and ended up with less HD channels than I had before, but this time it really worked out for my benefit. Hope someone else can benefit from this as well.



Well, you can totally ignore the above paragraph. Shame on me for thinking that I would have one good experience with TW customer service. After talking to 9 different people today, the end result is that I still have the intro package and don't have ESPN and YES and etc. Apparently, the guy tried to give me a package for new customers and someone else caught it later and undid, reset my cablebox and returned me to the status quo. I am THISCLOSE to giving up completely on them. In fact, if I didn't rely on them for my internet connection, I would have dropped them tonight. What a freaking nightmare it is trying to do anything with this company. At the beginning of the day, I was ready to pay the extra $10 a month for a few more channels, but at this point, they'll be lucky if I'm a customer tomorrow. At any rate, their company is not going to be rewarded by me paying them MORE of my money.

I think there is a law stating no Customer may in any way whatsoever get any breaks from TW Cable. Including Human eror:)

...not to mention the "full time" versions of YES & MSG HD -- those were odd "part time" channels that only came on when a game was on, but were turned off when the game was supposed to end (which sometimes resulted in the ends of games being cut off).

Except I think all of the "extra" content is all SD anyway.

Except I think all of the "extra" content is all SD anyway.

Which is hardly TWC's fault. Though I've seen some HD concerts on the full time MSG-HD when sporting events were not on.

But, the main thing was that it relieved a whole host of problems that people were having with the DVR because the channels were part time and they couldn't schedule recordings in advance (remember?).

I think there is a law stating no Customer may in any way whatsoever get any breaks from TW Cable. Including Human eror:)

So true. After all that frustration yesterday, I called today and got things squared away. It took another 45 minutes, but I now have more channels for the price they told me yesterday, only I dropped my phone service. I found out that the 79.90 for triple play for 12 months is only for people who are new OR haven't had digital phone in the last 30 days. I got rid of the phone and in a month or so, I'll see if I want to pick it back up, but as for now, TWC is getting less of my money. They're also picking up the "service call" fee to give me an extra box. What a stupid policy. I live 5 blocks from the payment center in Brooklyn and they say they're required to send a tech before I can have another box. Oh well, hopefully things are resolved now and it will be a while longer before I have to deal with the most inept customer service system in the country. Let me just add that I have nothing against the people on the phone, it's not their fault they aren't given the right information or don't what is going on, it's the way the whole system is set up. I liken it to trying to deal with the government. You've got several different layers of bureaucracy and you cannot get anything done the easy way.

AVS changes, so preeettty!! Somebody needs to inform them we are creatures of habit and don't like change. :rolleyes::D

Anyway, can someone explain to me why SciFi looks horrible while USA coud pass for a HD channel? Reason: I was surfing last weekend and caught the title on my guide Flash Gordon(at the time I didn't even know it was scifi's new friday series). I recorded it and scheduled the series to be DVRed also. But come Sunday I watch the USA version(ep 1) and then the SciFi (ep 2). The best description is the show went from good to horrible. If you are the guys that complain about SD, are seeing what I saw on episode 2. Then I am with you because it was unviewable. It was the worse SD viewing experience I have ever had. Every flaw that LCD's were claimed to have I saw it on the Scifi feed. USA on the other hand was great. During any fast scenes blur was min at worst which speaks volumes for a SD channel. The PQ looked clear and the dark scenes were visable. Does anyone have a reason or a thought why these channels vary so much? I didn't see the second episode of FG on USA, which will suck if I would have to watch it on Scifi. That is some PQ I CAN live ouy seeing.

If anyone is wondering, Not a bad series. After 2 episodes I feel it is moving a little bit to slow for my liking. But I give most shows 4 views before I give up on it. So hopefully the next 2 will be better and on USA.

So I finally got the SO to allow the purchase of an HD set the other day.

I called TW CS today to see what the story was on getting an HD STB, in addition to the existing SA 2000 STB that I currently have. The rep informed me that a service call would be required (@ $30 (not a big deal) + the whole wait around the apt for 4 hours (a big deal)). I informed her that it wouldn't be necessary since all of the wiring is already in place and I would be happy to go over to the 23rd Street office to pick up the box. She told me that an additional box requires a service call in order to set up the box, the account, and provision the line. I wasted a 1/2 hour waiting for a supervisor, only to be told that they were all in a meeting, so I thought I would throw the question out to the community before I waste any more time.

Does anyone know if a second box really requires a service call?

Also, if anyone could be so kind, what's the current status on boxes with active firewire ports? I know a while back TW would only supply them if you could prove a need. Is this still the case or will they provide one just for the asking?

Thanks,
Rob

The rep informed me that a service call would be required (@ $30 (not a big deal) + the whole wait around the apt for 4 hours (a big deal))... She told me that an additional box requires a service call in order to set up the box, the account, and provision the line.

Does anyone know if a second box really requires a service call?That’s nuts. I don’t know for sure if that is the rule. I never paid for a house call regardless of the situation.

I would call back-- at night-- and speak to a different CSR. I find the folks at night are usually local and they are much more accommodating than the Canadian CSRs :rolleyes: I get during the day.

It’s a good thing for a tech to come over and check everything out but you shouldn’t have to pay for the service call.

I would call back-- at night-- and speak to a different CSR. I find the folks at night are usually local and they are much more accommodating than the Canadian CSRs :rolleyes: I get during the day.


Well, you nailed that one.

I just got off the phone with CS, and I was told just to bring ID down to 23rd Street and they would supply me with an additional HD box. No service call required, though I could have a service call if I wanted one (didn't ask if there would be a charge).

Thanks.

Well, you nailed that one.

I just got off the phone with CS, and I was told just to bring ID down to 23rd Street and they would supply me with an additional HD box. No service call required, though I could have a service call if I wanted one (didn't ask if there would be a charge).

Thanks.

Don't get your hopes up too high. I literally tried to get another box yesterday and got the same line of crap about the service call. I live 5 blocks from the payment center in Brooklyn and they told me that if I had not previously had a service call for a second box then I would have to have one. And it would cost $30. This is what the lady at the office told me after I had three different phone reps tell me I just had to go pick it up. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did, but I ended up scheduling an appointment. I did manage to get them to waive the fee. I am going to go back to the payment center tomorrow and see if I can't get them to let me have another box without the service call so I don't have to sit around waiting. It's a very stupid policy, and apparently it is not applied company wide and depends on local offices. Let us know how it turns out for you.

My friend's 8300HD crapped out on her last week so she went in and exchanged it and received a 8300HDC. She HATES it, so do I. The new software is slow and clunky looking. The banner is huge and is not at all translucent. Along with all the other things that have been documented here, she discovered another bug that I have not seen noted. When you have two things scheduled to record at the same time and you are watching another show, it does not ask you what you want to do, it just turns off!
There is one benefit that I haven't seen mentioned. When watching SD channels the side bars are black. Small favors.

I am going to pick up a box today or tomorrow on 23rd, which HD-DVR box should I ask for? The call center rep told me the 8300HD DVR is the one I need with HDMI.

Also is the $15 package worth it? The one with DVR service and extra HD channels?

Does anyone know when we be able to buy our own boxes? I thought there was some law going into effect regarding this.

Don't get your hopes up too high. I literally tried to get another box yesterday and got the same line of crap about the service call.When you call the CSR to workout your situation get a work order number from them.

When you go into your local center, give them the work order number. There will be no new surprises because everything will already in the system.

Does anyone know if a second box really requires a service call?


My limited experience...

When I got my first HD set last year and went to the Brooklyn office to pick up an HD box, after waiting 1.5 hrs in line, I finally got to the CSR who promptly told me there was no way she could give me an additional box (I already had two SD boxes) - I would have to schedule a service call (although it would be free).

I was almost homicidal from the waiting, but I played nice with her and pleaded and told her I had checked the signal levels and they were good, and after much head shaking and muttering from her, she agreed to give me a box but told me if there was any problem with the installation, I would have to pay for them to come fix it.

Took the box home, plugged it in, and never looked back.

Go in person, expect to be told no, try to get on the good side of the CSR - if they're annoyed they'll probably stick to the rules and regulations - and hopefully you can go home with a box.

I just got the new 8300 HD DVR from Time Warner NY. I hooked it up and find that when I change stations and the resolution changes from station to station, the picture on my TV goes from picture to black to picture to black and stays black for about 5 seconds. I called Time Warner about this and they said they don't support HDMI (or DVI) and to use the component cables I was given. I told them that the cable doesn't give as sharp a picture as the HDMI. They said they couldn't help me and that is the way the box works. I called Scientific Atlanta and they said I have to go into the service menu in the box and I can choose just the 1080 resolution and that should solve the problem. I am not sure that I believe this but I am willing to try it. The problem is that Time Warner has the code (what buttons to press either on the box or the remote to get into the menu) and they won't give it out. They say the box shouldn't be changed. Considering the amount of my cable bill each month I am not willing to accept second rate cable. Is anyone else having this problem and what can I do about it? It is extremely annoying and I am considering going to Direct TV.

I can choose just the 1080 resolution and that should solve the problem. I am not sure that I believe this but I am willing to try it.
Yes, this will solve your problem. It comes up on this board on a pretty regular basis, and it's a very simple fix. You could've saved yourself a lot of trouble by posting your issue here first.... :)

The question is how do I get in to the service menu on the DVR. No one can tell me.

The question is how do I get in to the service menu on the DVR. No one can tell me.You can do what Scott is suggesting by going into the “settings” and then the “more settings” switch by using the remote.

If you want to go into the “Diagnostics” mode of the box, that can be done by pressing and holding select and exit on the cable box ... not the remote.

You can do what Scott is suggesting by going into the “settings” and then the “more settings” switch by using the remote.

If you want to go into the “Diagnostics” mode of the box, that can be done by pressing and holding select and exit on the cable box ... not the remote.
Correct. This is not done in the "Service" or "Diagnostic" mode. This is a common user function.

There is nothing user-configurable whatsoever in the Diagnostics mode. It is useful only to tell how much space is free on your hard drive and to potentially diagnose signal problems.

I have gone into settings. On the new DVR's there is no "more settings" function. A menu comes up at the bottom that you scroll across. You can go to display and pull up that menu. It gives you a resolution menu but, when you are using HDMI or DVI you get no choices. It says that the resolution when using HDMI or DVI CANNOT (they use caps like I did here) be changed. I can change the resolution when using component cables. I did not have this trouble on my old DVR. I went in to settings and changed the resolution. Very easy. With this new box that I got just a few weeks ago this can't be done. You have to go into a service menu in the DVR itself according to SA and this is what I don't know how to do.

I have gone into settings. On the new DVR's there is no "more settings" function. A menu comes up at the bottom that you scroll across. You can go to display and pull up that menu. It gives you a resolution menu but, when you are using HDMI or DVI you get no choices. It says that the resolution when using HDMI or DVI CANNOT (they use caps like I did here) be changed. I can change the resolution when using component cables. I did not have this trouble on my old DVR. I went in to settings and changed the resolution. Very easy. With this new box that I got just a few weeks ago this can't be done. You have to go into a service menu in the DVR itself according to SA and this is what I don't know how to do.

Oh....you didn't really specify that you seem to have the new 3800HDC (which is Mystro/Navigator based instead of Passport). Sorry to hear that. If you page back through the last 4-5 pages you'll see lots of posts of people posting about issues with this new box. If you have the ability to take it back and ask for the 8300HD (not the HDC) you should. Apparently this new software is somewhat clunky, slow, buggy, and missing a number of functions that the 8300HD had.

If not, why not switch to component cables? Yes, they are a bit more work, but the picture quality is hardly different between the 2. I've tested both, and at least on my system, the only time I can see any difference is on non-HD channels, and it looks just the tiniest bit better with the HDMI connections. I would have no issues with going to component if I ever had to.

Oh....you didn't really specify that you seem to have the new 3800HDC (which is Mystro/Navigator based instead of Passport). Sorry to hear that. If you page back through the last 4-5 pages you'll see lots of posts of people posting about issues with this new box. If you have the ability to take it back and ask for the 3800HD (not the HDC) you should. Apparently this new software is somewhat clunky, slow, buggy, and missing a number of functions that the 8300HD had.

If not, why not switch to component cables? Yes, they are a bit more work, but the picture quality is hardly different between the 2. I've tested both, and at least on my system, the only time I can see any difference is on non-HD channels, and it looks just the tiniest bit better with the HDMI connections. I would have no issues with going to component if I ever had to.

Thre is no 3800HDC Only a 8300HDC.As far as i know you can get only get 8300HDC at 23st. :confused:

Thre is no 3800HDC Only a 8300HDC.As far as i know you can get only get 8300HDC at 23st. :confused:

Sorry for the typo -- I meant 8300HD. They've got to have some of the non-HDC boxes around. If you make enough noise/talk to enough "supervisors" maybe you can get one. Sorry...that's all the advice I can give. Otherwise you may be stuck.

Some new info on TWC (Possibly HD related)

You may remember a couple weeks ago I posted about a building I manage being notified that their analog service was going to be discontinued. Well after some additional research and another conference call with the TWC real estate division I got some new info.

I have learned that effective September 15 TWC will be removing the premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and The Movie Channel) from analog service. Here's a paragraph from the letter that was sent to shareholders of the coop:

You were recently sent a letter requesting that you exchange your analog
cable boxes for digital cable boxes in order to ensure that you continue
to receive HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and The Movie Channel which, as of
September 15, will only be delivered digitally. This letter was sent to
you in error, as your building has not as yet been upgraded to receive
our digital service. As of the above date, these services will no
longer be available to subscribers who cannot receive our digital
service.

So basically they told me that this transition was taking place throughout the city. If this information is correct this is huge news. There are what, 8, 10, maybe even a dozen of these channels, right? That's a huge amount of bandwidth freed up in only 3 weeks time. Maybe we will get Golf/VS HD in time for hockey season...and a few other new HD offerings in the next month or two. One can hope, right?

Sorry for the typo -- I meant 8300HD. They've got to have some of the non-HDC boxes around. If you make enough noise/talk to enough "supervisors" maybe you can get one. Sorry...that's all the advice I can give. Otherwise you may be stuck.

If you can get 8300HD box Sooner or later they will send you Mystro/Navigator softwere. I think every one may be stuck with it.:confused:

Some new info on TWC (Possibly HD related)

You may remember a couple weeks ago I posted about a building I manage being notified that their analog service was going to be discontinued. Well after some additional research and another conference call with the TWC real estate division I got some new info.

I have learned that effective September 15 TWC will be removing the premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and The Movie Channel) from analog service. Here's a paragraph from the letter that was sent to shareholders of the coop:

You were recently sent a letter requesting that you exchange your analog
cable boxes for digital cable boxes in order to ensure that you continue
to receive HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and The Movie Channel which, as of
September 15, will only be delivered digitally. This letter was sent to
you in error, as your building has not as yet been upgraded to receive
our digital service. As of the above date, these services will no
longer be available to subscribers who cannot receive our digital
service.

So basically they told me that this transition was taking place throughout the city. If this information is correct this is huge news. There are what, 8, 10, maybe even a dozen of these channels, right? That's a huge amount of bandwidth freed up in only 3 weeks time. Maybe we will get Golf/VS HD in time for hockey season...and a few other new HD offerings in the next month or two. One can hope, right?

this just turned my frown upside down :)

Dear fellow New Yorkers,

This year the MLB Playoffs will be on a new HD station: TBS HD.

Does anyone know if Time Warner Cable plans to carry this station in time for the playoffs?

I sent an email to Time Warner Cable NYC and got this response "As of now we have no word if we will have TBS in High definition that would be a decision TBS would need to make."

What can we do to ensure that TWC carries this station so we can watch the playoffs in HD?

Thank you,
Ben

I am going to pick up a box today or tomorrow on 23rd, which HD-DVR box should I ask for? The call center rep told me the 8300HD DVR is the one I need with HDMI.

Also is the $15 package worth it? The one with DVR service and extra HD channels?

Well I got the Pioneer 3510HD which supports HDMI (even though I use the component hook-up), and I walked right in to 23rd st. and picked it up. They never tried to tell me I needed a service call...

AVS changes, so preeettty!! Somebody needs to inform them we are creatures of habit and don't like change. :rolleyes::D

If anyone is wondering, Not a bad series. After 2 episodes I feel it is moving a little bit to slow for my liking. But I give most shows 4 views before I give up on it. So hopefully the next 2 will be better and on USA.

Well I for one, LIKE the new clean AVS look. Never liked light colored text on dark backgrounds, every see any newspaper or book made that way (it IS well know black text on white is far and away the best for readability). Besides, there's a pop-up menu at the bottom of every page where you can set it to 4 different looks).

As for SciFi, I find their channel to be among the better SD channels. All the stuff there is letterboxed so I usually watch it in Zoom mode. As for Flash, the pilot was in HD on UnHD, but I haven't seen any further episodes being shown there... but can guess they WILL eventually run there (UnHD and SciFi are both part of the NBC-Uni empire).

I am going to pick up a box today or tomorrow on 23rd, which HD-DVR box should I ask for? The call center rep told me the 8300HD DVR is the one I need with HDMI.

Also is the $15 package worth it? The one with DVR service and extra HD channels?

You may not have a choice... if the box is a 8300HDR, it's running the new, awful oft ware. If it's a 8300HD, it probably is running passport, which seems for now to be far preferable.

As for the 15 bucks... absolutely worth it. 10 bucks is for DVR service, need I say more. The other 5 gets you HDNet's 2 channels and MOJO. Myself and a good pal watch more of HDNet than almost any other channel (save DiscHD).

this just turned my frown upside down :)

Except the quote from TWC makes no sense at all. Far as I know, ALL of Manhattan is "wired" for "digital service." That means fiber underground to the node that switches to copper and is supposed to carry no more than 500 installations.

The quote seems to clearly say everyone in that building will lose HBO on 9/15.

My folks live in such a building (that gets a separate deal with TWC that gives them much smaller rates than most of us). They had subscribed to HBO, but having an analog box, could only get a single HBO channel, not the 6 others. It took a year for them to agree with me to swap it for a digital box... and this was at least 3 years ago.

Except the quote from TWC makes no sense at all. Far as I know, ALL of Manhattan is "wired" for "digital service." That means fiber underground to the node that switches to copper and is supposed to carry no more than 500 installations

It actually makes sense to me.
As stated by TWC Insider in the past some buildings have the 550mhz system, so those are limited to just analog service. I guess they thought they would upgrade all of them by 9/15, but then realized they could keep up. So I guess they decided to go ahead with shutting off those analog channels anyway still affecting customers but not a large %.

my guess.

Except the quote from TWC makes no sense at all. Far as I know, ALL of Manhattan is "wired" for "digital service." That means fiber underground to the node that switches to copper and is supposed to carry no more than 500 installations.

The quote seems to clearly say everyone in that building will lose HBO on 9/15.

My folks live in such a building (that gets a separate deal with TWC that gives them much smaller rates than most of us). They had subscribed to HBO, but having an analog box, could only get a single HBO channel, not the 6 others. It took a year for them to agree with me to swap it for a digital box... and this was at least 3 years ago.

Yes, everyone will lose HBO because digital service is not available in the building. TWC has been requesting that the building allow them upgrade the wiring for years now. The original letter that went to shareholders indicated that they needed to swap out their analog boxes for digital ones. But this letter was sent in error as they will not allow shareholders to obtain digital boxes until such time as the wiring is upgraded. They say this must be done because the wiring is in such a state that they can't guarantee the digital service will work...and it would be too costly to repair/maintain. For what it's worth I'm told there are very few buildings that will be affected by this move.

But regardless of this, the real point is that at a minimum 4 analog channels will be removed from the system next month. That will open up space for up to 8 new HD channels, right? Even if they steal some of the extra bandwidth for other services you would think we'll get 3 or 4 more HD channels? Maybe Golf/Versus HD, National Geo HD, Food TV HD, and MTV HD? Who knows...but I can't imagine them not throwing us at least a couple new HD channels.

most of the time 3 Hd channels are packed in the space that had a 1 analog channel.

so TWC could provide 12 HD channels for the elimination of 4 Analog chanels.

Dear fellow New Yorkers,

This year the MLB Playoffs will be on a new HD station: TBS HD.

Does anyone know if Time Warner Cable plans to carry this station in time for the playoffs?

I sent an email to Time Warner Cable NYC and got this response "As of now we have no word if we will have TBS in High definition that would be a decision TBS would need to make."

What can we do to ensure that TWC carries this station so we can watch the playoffs in HD?

Thank you,
Ben

O trust me... we're all very aware of TBS-HD.......

And right now not one Time Warner Cable region has not made anything "official" yet in any market (other than something that just came out in Hawaii this week).

What can we do? probably not much.... I'm sure TWC is aware that the majority of HD viewers consider HD sports a huge priority.

We have just learned that they may be ditching a few Analog channels on 9/15... so thats a very good sign.... but with TWC.... they tend to not tell anyone anything....

most of the time 3 Hd channels are packed in the space that had a 1 analog channel.

so TWC could provide 12 HD channels for the elimination of 4 Analog chanels.

Does this come at the expense of a noticeable decrease in picture quality? And while I doubt they will hook us up with 12 new HD channels, what you are saying is that they could still give us 6 channels and keep half the extra bandwidth for other purposes. Sounds good to me.

Ok. Thanks for getting back to me.

Right now I'd say I'm very concerned. If I have to watch the MLB playoffs in standard def I'm going to be really annoyed.

Is there anyone I can call/email to bug them about adding TBS-HD to the lineup?

Does this come at the expense of a noticeable decrease in picture quality? And while I doubt they will hook us up with 12 new HD channels, what you are saying is that they could still give us 6 channels and keep half the extra bandwidth for other purposes. Sounds good to me.

This also assumes that this analog channel mini shutdown is occurring system-wide. It seems to me that they might do this in certain areas on a rolling basis.

broadwayblue, where was this building?
Man-North, Man-South?

Is there anyone I can call/email to bug them about adding TBS-HD to the lineup?

Bob Watson
VP Programming & New Business Development
Time Warner Cable of NY & NJ
120 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
212-598-7363 | Fax: 212-364-9810
Email: bob.watson@twcable.com

Dear fellow New Yorkers,

This year the MLB Playoffs will be on a new HD station: TBS HD.

Does anyone know if Time Warner Cable plans to carry this station in time for the playoffs?

I sent an email to Time Warner Cable NYC and got this response "As of now we have no word if we will have TBS in High definition that would be a decision TBS would need to make."

What can we do to ensure that TWC carries this station so we can watch the playoffs in HD?

Thank you,
Ben

Doesn't FOX usually carry the MLB Playoffs ? I cannot believe that no local channel will be carrying the games, are you sure that is accurate ?

My apologies Ben, I just saw an article on it. Now I am concerned as well.

broadwayblue, where was this building?
Man-North, Man-South?

Man-South. East 63rd Street.

Doesn't FOX usually carry the MLB Playoffs ? I cannot believe that no local channel will be carrying the games, are you sure that is accurate ?

http://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0,,113630,00.html

Fox has some games as well.

You may not have a choice... if the box is a 8300HDR, it's running the new, awful oft ware. If it's a 8300HD, it probably is running passport, which seems for now to be far preferable.

As for the 15 bucks... absolutely worth it. 10 bucks is for DVR service, need I say more. The other 5 gets you HDNet's 2 channels and MOJO. Myself and a good pal watch more of HDNet than almost any other channel (save DiscHD).

Thanks for the response, I am going down to 23rd right now. I feel worried but will try to avoid any problems with the reps:(. I hope it's not a long wait either to get my box exchanged and that I don't get lip about service calls. I don't have HDMI cables yet, so going to just use the comp ones supplied. I can't wait to get back home and enjoy HDTV!!:D

My friend's 8300HD crapped out on her last week so she went in and exchanged it and received a 8300HDC. She HATES it, so do I. The new software is slow and clunky looking. The banner is huge and is not at all translucent. Along with all the other things that have been documented here, she discovered another bug that I have not seen noted. When you have two things scheduled to record at the same time and you are watching another show, it does not ask you what you want to do, it just turns off!
There is one benefit that I haven't seen mentioned. When watching SD channels the side bars are black. Small favors.
So instead of switching to the first programed show it would shut the box down? Not even a question of which channel would you like to see, Interesting. I tell you guys the more I hear of the trouble on these newbies the more I have to thank my service rep for not giving me one of those new boxes when my 8300 went bad.

I am going to pick up a box today or tomorrow on 23rd, which HD-DVR box should I ask for? The call center rep told me the 8300HD DVR is the one I need with HDMI.

Also is the $15 package worth it? The one with DVR service and extra HD channels?

Do Not get the 8300HDC, that would have the dreaded Navigator. Try to get the 8300HD only, But at this point you may not have a choice.

The $15 is a savings and but you reallyu have to look at it as $5 for 3 HD channels. They (HDnet, HDNetMovies, & Mojo) are some of the best looking HD channels available, DiscoveryHD being the best. If you are a sports fan you get another 7 sports channels with the package, which I feel will include extra HD access in the future. I personally have kept it as a package because I do find myself watching a lot of movies on HDnetmovies. The quality just looks so nice and they do have a good rotation of movies.

You can use the HDMI on the 8300HD, but it isn't necessary. You can use component cables also. Personally I would use the HDMI because it is a better transfer, but sometimes it just doesn't work for people.

Does anyone know when we be able to buy our own boxes? I thought there was some law going into effect regarding this.

It isn't a law, it is just TWC and other companies being more accessible to companies like TIVO. I also think Pioneer or motorola is suppose to make their boxes available for the public. Sci Atl is staying contracted to the cable co. for now. TWC is openning the door for a BYOB service. But I think the math was done earlier in this thread and the monthly fee still came out the same as TWC.

So instead of switching to the first programed show it would shut the box down? Not even a question of which channel would you like to see, Interesting. I tell you guys the more I hear of the trouble on these newbies the more I have to thank my service rep for not giving me one of those new boxes when my 8300 went bad.
She is also switching to component because her HDMI keeps losing sync, sometimes even when just changing channels. Has to turn everything off and start over. What a nightmare. She had no problem with her old 8300HD.

Originally Posted by Helvetian
I am going to pick up a box today or tomorrow on 23rd, which HD-DVR box should I ask for? The call center rep told me the 8300HD DVR is the one I need with HDMI.

Also is the $15 package worth it? The one with DVR service and extra HD channels

Well I got the Pioneer 3510HD which supports HDMI (even though I use the component hook-up), and I walked right in to 23rd st. and picked it up. They never tried to tell me I needed a service call...

Considering Helvetian's first question, the response could easily be misinterpreted. The Pioneer 3510HD has a DVI connector and is not a DVR box.
The current TWC DVR box is the SA 8300HDC (with HDMI connector) which has been universally panned by members of this group who have received it.
There is hope. TWC's actual replacement for the SA 8300HD is supposed to be a Samsung DVR box that is completely different inside (better) than the non-dvr box that TWC is now distributing. Almost no information at all is available on this box and there's no way to tell when they will have it available. This SA 8300HDC box looks like an attempt to kluge up a temporary solution to a regulatory problem. It's not even listed as a box on the SA website.

-Mike

That somehow doen't suprise me TW's grip remains tight as a Steel Trap!

It actually makes sense to me.
As stated by TWC Insider in the past some buildings have the 550mhz system, so those are limited to just analog service. I guess they thought they would upgrade all of them by 9/15, but then realized they could keep up. So I guess they decided to go ahead with shutting off those analog channels anyway still affecting customers but not a large %.

my guess.

Hmmm, I actually never considered the "building wiring." Because something like 4 years ago, TWC decided to not just re-wire, but put a whole new system in my co-op (involved 6" pipes run through the floors bottom to top, plus huge distribution boxes on each floor). We had already spent a small fortune to route ALL the typical wires that run around hallways through in-wall conduits. Running through that would have actually been MORE SECURE for TWC than those pipes... and we had many lawyer to lawyer discussions. Turned out their franchise agreement allowed them to essentially do what they want.

Oh, we are NOT a large building, only 39 units, of which maybe half are TWC subscribers.

Which is why the "the building refuses to allow TWC to re-wire" just didn't sound right.

Man-South. East 63rd Street.

Ha, I grew up on that street (between York and First)! I remember when Fridays (on the corner of First) was a total dive bar... and when it drew hundreds of B&T folks who clogged that corner all night long.

Which is hardly TWC's fault. Though I've seen some HD concerts on the full time MSG-HD when sporting events were not on.

But, the main thing was that it relieved a whole host of problems that people were having with the DVR because the channels were part time and they couldn't schedule recordings in advance (remember?).

Indeed I do remember!

Still, TWC sure as hell touted it as new, additional HD channels we got... which was a bogus claim!

most of the time 3 Hd channels are packed in the space that had a 1 analog channel.

so TWC could provide 12 HD channels for the elimination of 4 Analog chanels.

What they SHOULD do is give us those 4 HD channels SI gets that we don't. AND give us the 20% discount SIers get.

Wanna bet that we actually get noting, nada, zip, zilch?

BTW, there can/should be HUGE incentives for those with any of those premiums. If one is only using the analog channels, one is getting only 1 out of 7 (HBO) possible HBO channels. PLUS going to digital boxes will bring the 50 or so music channels... which are FABULOUS, great quality and absolutely NO talking (was riding around the city recently with a pal with an XM system in his car, there were no actual commercials but a lot of djing going on).

Hmmm, I actually never considered the "building wiring." Because something like 4 years ago, TWC decided to not just re-wire, but put a whole new system in my co-op (involved 6" pipes run through the floors bottom to top, plus huge distribution boxes on each floor). We had already spent a small fortune to route ALL the typical wires that run around hallways through in-wall conduits. Running through that would have actually been MORE SECURE for TWC than those pipes... and we had many lawyer to lawyer discussions. Turned out their franchise agreement allowed them to essentially do what they want.

Oh, we are NOT a large building, only 39 units, of which maybe half are TWC subscribers.

Which is why the "the building refuses to allow TWC to re-wire" just didn't sound right.

It's not so much that the building is refusing to allow TWC to re-wire, just that the layout of their hallways are such that the Board was worried about the aesthetics of the new conduit. Instead, we were able to find a work around where TWC's contractors will run the cables under the hallway carpeting to an entry point at each apartment door.

This method requires that the building install new carpeting in conjunction with the wiring, which is in itself a project. The Board, Management, TWC, and the carpet vendor have been working to coordinate this project...but it looks like it will not be completed until after the Sept. 15th cutoff date. We are trying to see whether it is possible to get an extension considering that the building is agreeing to the upgrade, but TWC's stance seems to be that this is a hard date.