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?


I'll take that bet. TWC loves to tell us it's a bandwidth issue. Their favorite, and really only legitimate argument will be gone, assuming they move these premiums. I really think they HAVE to give us something. The only real question as I see it, is how long does it take them to add the new channel(s) after the 15th? I'm crossing my fingers Golf/VS is added by October 8th. Basically that gives them 3 weeks.

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.
that is horrible. Not that TWC is a innocent here, but I am truly surprised that they are releasing such a bad system, even though it was well known that the initial boxes had bugs. This is just a sign of them rushing to implement a software that will in turn increase profit for them. They should have waited. But hey it is just like the LCD's and plasm's out there. The manufacturer rushes to get it to us that they don't give it a total quality test. What do we get? We get problem filled products. This isn't fair, epecially with the new season approaching.

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.

I got the HDC, I really don't like the menu's. Prefer Passport, but the girl told me it was FCC regulation that required this new firmware. Also I did get the $15 package, I love it. Amazing. It's so painful to watch regular TV now, I can't. I find myself just watching the same HD channels. I will look into HDMI soon, I like the idea of eliminating all of my cables down to just one.

Also any word on National Geographic HD? And how do I find a listing of Fox shows recorded in HD? Prison Break, is that HD Widescreen? And finally how do I ascertain info on future HD channels? Thanks:p

Just say no to HDMI. Unless you have "golden eyes" the difference is almost invisible. Unless the 4 extra cables are driving you crazy, it's just not worth the aggravation of dealing with HDMI's idiosyncrasies. For some, it works fine; for others it's horrible.

And if you do decide to try it (after all most of us here are gadget-aholics) then leave the component cables connected so you can easily go back.

Just my 2 cents.

-barry

Noticing the audio isn't 100% synched when I recorded Lord of the Rings on TNT HD via component cables. I'm beginning to really hate this.

Just say no to HDMI. Unless you have "golden eyes" the difference is almost invisible. Unless the 4 extra cables are driving you crazy, it's just not worth the aggravation of dealing with HDMI's idiosyncrasies. For some, it works fine; for others it's horrible.

And if you do decide to try it (after all most of us here are gadget-aholics) then leave the component cables connected so you can easily go back.

Just my 2 cents.

-barry

I've been HDMI for over a year and have had no, nada, zilch issues/problems with it. I did some careful tests of HDMI vs. component and consistently got results showing the component connection was visibly darker than HDMI. But aside from that, I have an additional reason to go HDMI. Normally all audio is routed from my STB to an external AVR system. BUT late at night, this could be an issue (apartment building, downstairs neighbors have little kids). All I have to do is shut off the AVR and switch the STB from "Dolby Digital" to "HDMI" and bingo, I get audio through the TV's speakers.

Noticing the audio isn't 100% synched when I recorded Lord of the Rings on TNT HD via component cables. I'm beginning to really hate this.

It's TNT. I've seen this quite a few times with them (I've seen 3 second long lags between audio and video on TNT). PLUS, they stretch everything, distorting the picture to satisfy all the "less informed" who seem to feel having a distorted image is better than having side pillars. It's a patented TNT thing called "Stretch-O-Vision."

Do my eyes deceive me, or is tonight's UFC actually going to be on HD PPV in NYC (Brooklyn to be exact)?

I'm wary only because it shows as the same price as the regular PPV and I thought the HD version was $10 more.

What movies or OD is HD? I can't find any. And good to know on TNT, I had the same problem with Simone.

It's a patented TNT thing called "Stretch-O-Vision.":D
Never noticed the TNT audio lag, not that I’m a regular there. I only watch their NBA, which is very good HD and I recently watched the mini series The Company. It’s a decent drama (if you haven’t seen it yet, give it a shot, I’m sure they will rebroadcast it) and it’s very good HD too. No stretch-o-vision or audio lag. Perhaps it’s another HDMI anomaly. I use component for video and have both digital and analog audio options.

I've been HDMI for over a year and have had no, nada, zilch issues/problems with it. I did some careful tests of HDMI vs. component and consistently got results showing the component connection was visibly darker than HDMI. But aside from that, I have an additional reason to go HDMI. Normally all audio is routed from my STB to an external AVR system. BUT late at night, this could be an issue (apartment building, downstairs neighbors have little kids). All I have to do is shut off the AVR and switch the STB from "Dolby Digital" to "HDMI" and bingo, I get audio through the TV's speakers.

You're one of those people who have had good luck with HDMI. Based on your reading of this site (as opposed to personal experience) would you really recommend switching from component to HDMI without very good reasons? It sure seems like lots of folks have problems with HDMI.

And Navigator looks to be even flakier vis-a-vis HDMI. I suspect that this "not able to change output resolutions" is just a bug and will be fixed soon, but it would really annoy me. I currently have a Sony TV that takes moderately long to sync up. I'd rather let the TW box convert everything to 1040.

As to specifics: in my case, I used to have a Sharp 37" LCD TV, and the picture quality was clearly worse with HDMI than with component (not as sharp or contrasty). I spent several hours over a week or so trying to fix things, but I never got the HDMI PQ up to the component. Maybe it was a TV issue.

For your audio issue, won't it work just the same with component cables? You'd just have to use analog audio directly to the TV and digital to the amp.

Hi All, I just got an HDTV and am just now experiencing QAM with TWC for the first time.

I do not have a cable box... Does anyone know where I can get a list of non-cable box channel listings for TWC, including HD channels? for instance, PBS is channel 1.13 here.

A couple more questions:

Is there a QAM HD-TNC channel? I assume that Discovery HD is a premium channel?

thanks!

I'm attempting to compile a list of *specific* problems with the 8300 HDC DVR and its new software. Things like "it's slow and clunky" aren't really what I'm after, though that seems to be the major complaint in the searches I've done in this forum. A specific operation that's slow (especially on the new software vs. passport) is more to the point.

Here's what I have so far:
o Cannot do a series recording on a specific time/day of week only
o Needs frequent reboots (mine averages 1 per week)
o No hh:mm demarcation as you scan through recorded shows
o Box shuts off when recording two shows at once
o HDMI is not officially supported, and may or may not work

I'm experiencing recordings that don't record. I set something to record and it simply didn't, even when nothing else was scheduled. I was so annoyed to miss that special TV event thanks to the box.

What is the reason for wasting bandwith by having YES on 708 and 730? Can't TWC give us Versus/Golf on one of these channels?

What is the reason for wasting bandwith by having YES on 708 and 730? Can't TWC give us Versus/Golf on one of these channels?I think it’s one (the same) signal so I believe that it’s not taking up additional bandwidth. Berk32 answered this a while ago.:cool:

yeah, YES-HD & SNY-HD are both duplicated from one signal.

Regarding the Elimination of Analog Premium Channels


From TWC:
"Our ongoing commitment to our customers means that TWC is always upgrading the system. At this time, part of the process includes the phasing out of delivering premium programming via analog signals.

While this particular phase will not provide you personally with the expanded programming options and increase in speed that you desire, I assure you that this project is one that will help us to facilitate those improvements."

All,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I didn't see the word "Tivo" mentioned in this thread. Does anyone here have one of the newer Tivos with TWC NYC Digital Cable? Does it work? I am really getting tired of the space limitations on the DVR from TWC, and the thing has been overheating and needing rebooting all summer.

A friend of mine has an OLDER (1st Gen) Tivo and moans that he can only record one show at a time since he never wants to record one of the few analog channels still left. He also claims that he can't WATCH one digital channel while recording another (but note: this individual, while a dear friend, IS techically not very competent--he may be wrong. Is he?) Is there a way to make the Tivo do the "record two digital channels at once" thing and/or "watch one digital channel while recording another" that the TWC DVR can? I would LOVE to dump the TWC box and get a Tivo.

And yeah, I have followed the other "hack your SATA" thread but I am truly afraid of screwing up the box.

Thanks so much! FWIW, TIVO is running a special now:

https://www3.tivo.com/store/webspecials.do

Thanks again.

I don't have the space for another set-top box, so prefer the all-in-one of TWC box. Also my TWC doesn't appear to allow HD recording and watching another channel, the channel just doesn't change at all for me and it won't even let me pause live TV while on HD and recording HD. Very annoying.

Here's something that just dawned on me when thinking about the HDC box -- at some point, we all know that they are going to shove some version of the Navigator onto our Passport boxes.

And reading that there is no way to set a recurring recording to run from one particular time to another, I got to thinking -- what's going to happen to all of my recurring recordings when my box gets flashed with a new operating system? I sure hope that they consider this and that the new software keeps our programmed recordings, or they're going to have a bunch of really pissed off people!

..when my box gets flashed with a new operating system? ...:mad:I hope that it doesn’t come down to a flash. :eek:

An exchange process will work for me. At this point I don’t care how my two 8300s act up. Unless a cobra snake pops out of it (I just watched that Snakes on a Plane flick :p ) I will not exchange my box!

:mad:I hope that it doesn’t come down to a flash. :eek:

An exchange process will work for me. At this point I don’t care how my two 8300s act up. Unless a cobra snake pops out of it (I just watched that Snakes on a Plane flick :p ) I will not exchange my box!

Oh, it will for sure. At some point. There's no way that they're going to force all customers with SA8000s (and I'd be willing to bet that there are still a TON of those out there), SA8300s, and the 8000/8300HDs to replace their DVRs.

There will be a time when they flash all of the boxes with the new OS. I just hope at that point the system is MUCH more stable/functional than it is right now.

It is entirely possible that the version that is installed on the 8300HDCs that are being given out now is not the latest/most up-to-date version of the software. I'd be willing to bet that they have updates for it in other TWC areas, but they haven't made it here yet.



I've got a question for all of you Navigator people --

How many days can you page forward in the guide?

There was a time (3+ years ago) when you could page forward 14 days in the guide. Now we're limited to 6.

Scott

same, 6 days.

Regarding the Elimination of Analog Premium Channels


From TWC:
"Our ongoing commitment to our customers means that TWC is always upgrading the system. At this time, part of the process includes the phasing out of delivering premium programming via analog signals.

While this particular phase will not provide you personally with the expanded programming options and increase in speed that you desire, I assure you that this project is one that will help us to facilitate those improvements."

Is this in response to an email you sent asking whether the impending phasing out of several analog channels (premiums) would result in additional HD channels and higher speed internet?

Is this in response to an email you sent asking whether the impending phasing out of several analog channels (premiums) would result in additional HD channels and higher speed internet?

Si

All,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I didn't see the word "Tivo" mentioned in this thread. Does anyone here have one of the newer Tivos with TWC NYC Digital Cable? Does it work? I am really getting tired of the space limitations on the DVR from TWC, and the thing has been overheating and needing rebooting all summer.

A friend of mine has an OLDER (1st Gen) Tivo and moans that he can only record one show at a time since he never wants to record one of the few analog channels still left. He also claims that he can't WATCH one digital channel while recording another (but note: this individual, while a dear friend, IS techically not very competent--he may be wrong. Is he?) Is there a way to make the Tivo do the "record two digital channels at once" thing and/or "watch one digital channel while recording another" that the TWC DVR can? I would LOVE to dump the TWC box and get a Tivo.

And yeah, I have followed the other "hack your SATA" thread but I am truly afraid of screwing up the box.

Thanks so much! FWIW, TIVO is running a special now:

https://www3.tivo.com/store/webspecials.do

Thanks again.
The TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD boxes can and will provide the same dual-tuner trickery that the TWC DVR offers. You will be able to watch one show while recording another, and you will be able to record two shows while watching a pre-recorded show at the same time.

If you buy a TiVo Series 3 or TiVo HD, you will have to pay a monthly TiVo service fee ranging from around $9/mo to $17/mo, depending on whether you pay a few years in advance or sign a long-term agreement. You will also need to get two CableCARDs from TWC, at $1.75 each per month. TWC will also charge a one-time fee of $33 to install the first card and $20 for the second card.

With the TiVo, you will have access to all of the channels you subscribe to, including HD channels, but you will not have access to any on-demand channels or pay-per-view. However, TiVo provides access to online video services such as Amazon Unbox.

TiVo HD also allows you to use an external eSATA drive to augment its recording capacity. This is not available on the TiVo Series 3 at this time.

TiVo Series 2 boxes cannot receive digital cable channels without the help of a standard digital cable box.

Si

bastards. :mad:

Once FIOS is released all over NYC, TWC will be in BIG trouble, just like Blu-Ray is now that HD-DVD has Paramount & Dreamworks studios as exclusives!

The end is nigh! Until then I'll try enjoying whatever small HD package TWC has to offer!

I don't think TWC will be in as much trouble as everyone thinks. Verizon FiOS TV, at the end of the day, isn't all that much better than TWCs service. It's merely an alternative. Its promise is it will bring much-needed competition to TWC, not that it will be fundamentally better than TWC.

TWC is already responding to the competition, at least in SI.

For me, the best thing about FiOS so far has been the internet access and customer service. FiOS customer service has been absolutely stellar for us; the few problems we've had were diagnosed or fixed by VZ within hours (literally) of us reporting them. We'd call at 9 in the morning, they'd have a guy out to our house by 1 in the afternoon and the problem would either be diagnosed or fixed by 2. You can't beat that turnaround with a stick.

But FiOS TV looks like it's just going to be the same thing as cable, but with a few extra gimmicks and not much more in the way of HD.

same, 6 days.

I have the 8300HDC box and I could only go forward 3 days.

I don't think TWC will be in as much trouble as everyone thinks.

FiOS TV looks like it's just going to be the same thing as cable, but with a few extra gimmicks and not much more in the way of HD.

I agree. While they may have more in the way of total number of HD channels, they will be lacking some very important offerings. For me, as a huge Rangers fan, I couldn't go solely with Verizon as they don't have MSG-HD. Now that might not matter to the average consumer...but for me that makes it a no go. I guess a lot of it will depend on pricing. If Verizon undercuts TWC by a good bit I'm sure they would be pretty successful sniping quite a few of their customers.

The TiVo Series 3 and TiVo HD boxes can and will provide the same dual-tuner trickery that the TWC DVR offers. You will be able to watch one show while recording another, and you will be able to record two shows while watching a pre-recorded show at the same time.

If you buy a TiVo Series 3 or TiVo HD, you will have to pay a monthly TiVo service fee ranging from around $9/mo to $17/mo, depending on whether you pay a few years in advance or sign a long-term agreement. You will also need to get two CableCARDs from TWC, at $1.75 each per month. TWC will also charge a one-time fee of $33 to install the first card and $20 for the second card.

With the TiVo, you will have access to all of the channels you subscribe to, including HD channels, but you will not have access to any on-demand channels or pay-per-view. However, TiVo provides access to online video services such as Amazon Unbox.

TiVo HD also allows you to use an external eSATA drive to augment its recording capacity. This is not available on the TiVo Series 3 at this time.

TiVo Series 2 boxes cannot receive digital cable channels without the help of a standard digital cable box.

Undunn,

This is a clear and definitive answer. Thanks for that. However, the tone of your response feels more like analysis than experience. Have you (or anybody else on this thread) actually tried the Tivo Series 3? Does it work as promised? Does it integrate smoothly with TWCNYC?

Comments would be appreciated from any NYC Tivo users. I love my 8300HD, but I need a "plan B" for when they force feed Navigator to me.

-barry

Well I was having problems with the new samsung hd box (info button would go to 7pm slot everytime) so i decided to reboot it. Once I power it back on I noticed it said "image dl" and then soon after the dl it started flashing the box. the new version that was installed is 1.7.6 of mystro. so far I have noticed any differences. just giving you guys a heads up incase you are having problems with the samsung hd box.

Undunn,

This is a clear and definitive answer. Thanks for that. However, the tone of your response feels more like analysis than experience. Have you (or anybody else on this thread) actually tried the Tivo Series 3? Does it work as promised? Does it integrate smoothly with TWCNYC?

Comments would be appreciated from any NYC Tivo users. I love my 8300HD, but I need a "plan B" for when they force feed Navigator to me.

-barry
The only TiVo box I've had plenty of experience with is the DirecTV DVR with TiVo, which does for DirecTV what the TiVo S3/HD does for digital cable.

Based on that, I can say I think TiVo's UI is almost as clunky as Passport and a good deal slower with all the menu transitions and when populating the Guide. But I can also say that it is extremely dependable in doing the job it is supposed to do.

Barring any issues with CableCARDs or TWC, I think that is also a fair assessment of the TiVo S3/HD.

I noticed on the 8300HDC boxes, that if your are connected by HDMI, you are now able to select the aspect ratio and the output resolutions. I haven't yet notice any other differences yet.

the fios release will mean competition wich is good for consumers

You're one of those people who have had good luck with HDMI. Based on your reading of this site (as opposed to personal experience) would you really recommend switching from component to HDMI without very good reasons? It sure seems like lots of folks have problems with HDMI.

And Navigator looks to be even flakier vis-a-vis HDMI. I suspect that this "not able to change output resolutions" is just a bug and will be fixed soon, but it would really annoy me. I currently have a Sony TV that takes moderately long to sync up. I'd rather let the TW box convert everything to 1040.

As to specifics: in my case, I used to have a Sharp 37" LCD TV, and the picture quality was clearly worse with HDMI than with component (not as sharp or contrasty). I spent several hours over a week or so trying to fix things, but I never got the HDMI PQ up to the component. Maybe it was a TV issue.

For your audio issue, won't it work just the same with component cables? You'd just have to use analog audio directly to the TV and digital to the amp.

Uh I did give a reason why I would stick with HDMI, I'm not THAT weird that nobody would find value in that reason. Yes I do know that different folks seems to have very different takes on PQ... although I'd generally attribute it to what different cable suppliers do. It actually would NOT surprise me that even though we both are with the same company, we get our signals from 2 different sources (you are Man. South head end, I'm Man. North).

Doubtless, the exact display can play a role...Im very familiar with both my Samsung and a Sony LCD HD display and one big difference is the Sony takes FAR longer to sync than the Samsung. Both from Man. North.

Indeed it could be the display that gives me such a different result between the 2 methods... with component I'd have to boost block and white level to their maxes to get the same overall gamma. AND I find that my DVD player (which only has component) does the same "darker" picture (as it has no HDMI, the only test I can do is compare a DVD via component to the exact same film broadcast, which means HDMI from my STB). Fortunately, I can compensate by setting my DVD player to lighten the image... so the same image from the 2 sources is very close.

BTW, for what I am doing with audio, using Component would mean a lot more time/button presses would be needed to accomplish the same end result.

Here's something that just dawned on me when thinking about the HDC box -- at some point, we all know that they are going to shove some version of the Navigator onto our Passport boxes.

And reading that there is no way to set a recurring recording to run from one particular time to another, I got to thinking -- what's going to happen to all of my recurring recordings when my box gets flashed with a new operating system? I sure hope that they consider this and that the new software keeps our programmed recordings, or they're going to have a bunch of really pissed off people!

I'm afraid it may be worse... as I understand it, there are 2 different Navigator versions, one that runs on the HDC boxes and one tat runs on the HD boxes. So we can sit smugly here holding onto out HDs for dear life only to find that we get this "other version" that could very well have even worse problems than the version on HDC boxes. THAT scares the **** out of me as we will have NO CHOICE at that point.

FIOS I'm afraid is years away for us Manhattanites so TWC just doesn't give a flying crap.

TiVo HD also allows you to use an external eSATA drive to augment its recording capacity. This is not available on the TiVo Series 3 at this time.

As I read it, using an external SATA drive with a TiVo is NOT yet officially sanctioned... they have said there will be a software update to allow it. BUT I have also read that with some form of hack, one CAN do that right now.

Other than the "2 way issue" of using a TiVo, the REAL barrier is lack of SDV support. While I do NOT "know for sure," the question is can TiVo provide 2 way AND SDV support with software only. Everything I read implies no... but like I said I don't know for sure.

I don't think TWC will be in as much trouble as everyone thinks. Verizon FiOS TV, at the end of the day, isn't all that much better than TWCs service. It's merely an alternative. Its promise is it will bring much-needed competition to TWC, not that it will be fundamentally better than TWC.

TWC is already responding to the competition, at least in SI.

For me, the best thing about FiOS so far has been the internet access and customer service. FiOS customer service has been absolutely stellar for us; the few problems we've had were diagnosed or fixed by VZ within hours (literally) of us reporting them. We'd call at 9 in the morning, they'd have a guy out to our house by 1 in the afternoon and the problem would either be diagnosed or fixed by 2. You can't beat that turnaround with a stick.

But FiOS TV looks like it's just going to be the same thing as cable, but with a few extra gimmicks and not much more in the way of HD.

I'm reasonably certain that by the time we get access to FIOS TV, TWC and Verizon will be very similar in features and pricing (although I'd anticipate FIOS have much faster Internet connections at the same price point).

But my feeling is that they HAVE screwed us because they could... honestly giving your guys more HD channels for less cost borders on illegal. So even if it's very competitive when FIOS gets up here, I'm changing... and I'll encourage everyone to do the same as I for that very reason.

Not only that, but if they DO shut off the analog premium channels on 9/15, let's see how quickly we get access to those 4 HD channels you guys have access to. I'd bet you it will NOT happen until maybe the end of the year. It bloody well COULD happen on 9/16.

So we can sit smugly here holding onto out HDs for dear life Not that you were describing my position but… personally, my attitude could not be described as smug. ;) I’m more in the style of... “they can have my Passport Box when they pry it from my cold dead hands.” :cool:

Verizon Communications rolled out its FiOS TV interactive media guide to customers in California, the sixth state where the telephone company has launched it.

The IMG, as Verizon refers to the guide, features enhanced TV and video-on-demand listings; tabbed menus; and a search function that spans TV channels, VOD and digital video recordings. It also lets subscribers access personal music and photos over a home network. In addition to California, the guide is now available to customers in parts of Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia and Rhode Island.

Verizon, which originally planned to use Microsoft’s interactive program guide, took over development of the guide with its own internal team of software engineers. The telco said it tested the application over 18 months with more than 2,000 consumers in Boston and Dallas, and performed field trials with customers in New Jersey this spring.

Verizon said future versions of the IMG will add Internet radio, videos, podcasts and games to FiOS TV. Other new features are to include scheduling DVR recordings from a cell phone or Web browser, a capability Verizon is developing with Gemstar-TV Guide International.
-Multichannel News

I got the HDC, I really don't like the menu's. Prefer Passport, but the girl told me it was FCC regulation that required this new firmware. Also I did get the $15 package, I love it. Amazing. It's so painful to watch regular TV now, I can't. I find myself just watching the same HD channels. I will look into HDMI soon, I like the idea of eliminating all of my cables down to just one.

Also any word on National Geographic HD? And how do I find a listing of Fox shows recorded in HD? Prison Break, is that HD Widescreen? And finally how do I ascertain info on future HD channels? Thanks:p

Personally I think that FCC line is a bunch of Crap, just her saying something that sounds legal so you wouldn't argue as much.

I am with you, I pay the $15 dollars happily when I find myself using my DVR daily and watcihing at least 10 to 20 hrs of the 3 HD nets a week.

HDMI is a good buy, but if you can I would see if a friend has the cable first and try it. 1, we don't know how HDMI is reacting with these new boxes. 2, Sometimes people have gotten better PQ with component. Personally I am pro-HDMI. I did see a difference. It is slight but there is one.

As for TWC and extra HD channels. Just sit back and wait like the rest of us. Changes are coming and those SI channels will be given to the remainder of the city before years end(MO). Last season all Fox scripted shows were broadcast in HD. The question on Fox and HD is their reality shows. AI is shown in HD but some of the others are not. Even if they aren't in HD, The HD channel for all networks make the non-HD shows look 10x better than the SD feed looks.

Lemme throw this on into the stew... someone in San Diego reports (another AVS thread) that he took his 8300HDC/Navigator BACK to TWC and was able to get a 8300HD/Passport box back. Which IS perfectly "legal" in that it does NOT violate the FCC's integrated security "regulation."

Of course, this would seem to be stop-gap only, I expect they WILL be pushing that alternate version of Navigator to all HD boxes soon... possibly by year's end.

I'm afraid it may be worse... as I understand it, there are 2 different Navigator versions, one that runs on the HDC boxes and one tat runs on the HD boxes. So we can sit smugly here holding onto out HDs for dear life only to find that we get this "other version" that could very well have even worse problems than the version on HDC boxes. THAT scares the **** out of me as we will have NO CHOICE at that point.

FIOS I'm afraid is years away for us Manhattanites so TWC just doesn't give a flying crap.

Yes, our SA 8300HD boxes have less memory than the so-called "new" kluged-up SA 8300HDC boxes, so they have to run a different version. It could be a good thing or a bad thing, or no-thing.

But there is something much more promising that may (or may not) be out there in the near future. There is a Samsung OCAP DVR, SMT-H3070, that is completely different inside (better) than the SMT-H3050 non-dvr HD box that some people in NYC have received recently. It is said to have a new and improved version of the chip that is in the Tivo S3 and enough memory to run Navigator correctly. There is almost no information available about this box at all. It appeared at one point that TWC was going to Samsung for their next generation HD and HD-DVR boxes. It would be nice if anyone with inside knowledge of TWC could find out if TWC will actually buy the Samsung 3070 HD-DVR box. That could be a good thing for us who hoard those SA 8300HD boxes and dread the day they get "upgraded" with Navigator.

-Mike

Just say no to HDMI. Unless you have "golden eyes" the difference is almost invisible. Unless the 4 extra cables are driving you crazy, it's just not worth the aggravation of dealing with HDMI's idiosyncrasies. For some, it works fine; for others it's horrible.

And if you do decide to try it (after all most of us here are gadget-aholics) then leave the component cables connected so you can easily go back.

Just my 2 cents.

-barry

Sorry Barry I am with River. HDMI is better. The most noticable difference for me is in the sound. But their are some PQ diffrences that make it worth the buck. However I do agree with you with keeping the component cables connected also. HDMI isn't 100%, not because of the cable but because of the STB and cable co. This is a peace of mind move that saves you when and if HDMI connection acts up. In the past year I have had to switch back to component only 5-10 times, which isn't that bad.

Once HDMI 1.3 is more widespread that is when the gap will widen between component and HDMI. Untill then the debate continues.

. The most noticable difference for me is in the sound..:confused:

Here's something that just dawned on me when thinking about the HDC box -- at some point, we all know that they are going to shove some version of the Navigator onto our Passport boxes.

And reading that there is no way to set a recurring recording to run from one particular time to another, I got to thinking -- what's going to happen to all of my recurring recordings when my box gets flashed with a new operating system? I sure hope that they consider this and that the new software keeps our programmed recordings, or they're going to have a bunch of really pissed off people!
I am not going to say TWC would be or is user friendly, but if they think that the software upgrade will erase our DVR. I do believe we will get some warning to watch our saved shows before the upgrade takes place. I don't think they would be that hateful. Especially now with FIOS on their heels. It just seems unprofessional and risky to take a chance on the subscribers that are on the bubble about switching. But then again they have released a problem filled system. We could just hope that the upgrade is as simple as the ones we get now.

:confused:
Sorry Larry, let me explain. With the HDMI the sound comes in clearer and higher at a lower volume, with component the sound comes in lower I would have to raise the volume high to get to the same sound level. To me the sound is crisper with the HDMI. Ex: glass breaking and car crashes just sound better.

With the HDMI the sound comes in clearer and higher at a lower volume, ...just sound better.
:cool: That’s cool, good to know. I never heard any comments (positive or negitive) regarding the audio quality with HDMI.;)

:cool: That’s cool, good to know. I never heard any comments (positive or negitive) regarding the audio quality with HDMI.;)
I was shocked to hear such a difference. But there is one. People probably don't mention it because most people don't have both component and HDMI connected at the same time. Plus the focus is mostly on PQ when it comes to the TV's of today.

...most people don't have both component and HDMI connected at the same time. Plus the focus is mostly on PQ when it comes to the TV's of today.:cool: I have the Digital Optical out and the Analog Out going into my receiver from the STB. I only switch to Analog on those rare occasions when warranted. I also have the analog directly into the display for those even more unusual times when I don’t turn on the receiver.

Once FIOS is released all over NYC, TWC will be in BIG trouble, just like Blu-Ray is now that HD-DVD has Paramount & Dreamworks studios as exclusives!

The end is nigh! Until then I'll try enjoying whatever small HD package TWC has to offer!
TWC will be just fine. They will lose a good amount of subscribers but they expect that. There are the ones that complain here daily that will be gone immediately. Then you have the bubble people like me. What can they offer me that TWC doesn't? Plus, where is the savings? I will not switch if I have to pay more. There are more people on this bubble then you think. FIOSTV is a new service just like Sat was. People made the jump and soon after there were threads like this one with the complaints of the service. TWC is bracing itself for the loss of subvscribers, but it is also making an effort to keep current customers and lure in some newbies.

As for the Blu-Ray & HD-DVD fiasco.

Blu-Ray
Sony Pictures
Columbia Pictures
MGM
Buena Vista
Walt Disney Pictures
Pixar
20th Century Fox
Warner Home Video
Warner Brothers
New Line
HBO
Lionsgate

HD-DVD
NBC Universal
Universal Studios
NBC Studios
Paramount
Dreamworks
Warner Home Video
Warner Brothers
New Line
HBO
Weinstein Co.

As you can see by Paramount leaving Blu-Ray it is just evening the playing field. In turn screwing Joe consumer even more because there is still no end in sight of this so called "format war". I truly don't care who "wins" because the consumer is going to be the biggest loser in all this crap. I can't wait to watch a DVD in true HD but I am not going to get sucked into their war when current DVD's look just fine on my HDTV. The Dual players are the best solution for us, because neither of the formats are giving in. However the prices of these players need to go down.

As you can see by Paramount leaving Blu-Ray it is just evening the playing field. In turn screwing Joe consumer even more because there is still no end in sight of this so called "format war". I truly don't care who "wins" because the consumer is going to be the biggest loser in all this crap. I can't wait to watch a DVD in true HD but I am not going to get sucked into their war when current DVD's look just fine on my HDTV. The Dual players are the best solution for us, because neither of the formats are giving in. However the prices of these players need to go down.

Well DVD looks so so on my HDTV, but HD DVD looks fantastic. Today you can buy an HD DVD player for $210 from amazon and get 8 free movies. Hopefully BD players will come down in price too, and then you'll be able to watch everything you want. Eventually dual players will be affordable too. So who really cares that there's a format war? Just own both and watch whatever you want.

I don't think TWC will be in as much trouble as everyone thinks. Verizon FiOS TV, at the end of the day, isn't all that much better than TWCs service. It's merely an alternative. Its promise is it will bring much-needed competition to TWC, not that it will be fundamentally better than TWC.

TWC is already responding to the competition, at least in SI.

For me, the best thing about FiOS so far has been the internet access and customer service. FiOS customer service has been absolutely stellar for us; the few problems we've had were diagnosed or fixed by VZ within hours (literally) of us reporting them. We'd call at 9 in the morning, they'd have a guy out to our house by 1 in the afternoon and the problem would either be diagnosed or fixed by 2. You can't beat that turnaround with a stick.

But FiOS TV looks like it's just going to be the same thing as cable, but with a few extra gimmicks and not much more in the way of HD.

I totally agree with you. Right now the channel lineup looks the same minus some of cablevisions channels, which might stop me from getting it. Plus the HD choices do not amaze me, if they were offering Voom also then it might be a "must get", but then again that is a Cablevision property so I doubt they will be rushing to sell it to them. The one thing I have read about FIOSTV is that the Locals are extra, that doesn't sit well with me. The other problem is the internet, to get that better speed internet it will cost a lot more than the triple play cost which is already more than what TWC charges.

I have everything Verizon, (land line, DSL, & cell) and you are right. The CSR's are there helping, serving fast and knowledgeable. When I had a problem with my line I was serviced right away. If the people that service me now work with the FIOS division then it is a good positive for them.

Well DVD looks so so on my HDTV, but HD DVD looks fantastic. Today you can buy an HD DVD player for $210 from amazon and get 8 free movies. Hopefully BD players will come down in price too, and then you'll be able to watch everything you want. Eventually dual players will be affordable too. So who really cares that there's a format war? Just own both and watch whatever you want.
You see broadway that is the problem. Sure the prices will come down, but if you want it now you will be spending a lot of $$$ just to own one format then if you choose Blu-ray for Spidey you have to go out and spend more $$$ to get a HD-DVD player to see Shrek. It is the consumer like you and me that get screwed. Sure the dual format will solve the issue, but those are way over priced also.
Don't get me wrong, I know DVD in HD is our future but this little "war" is doing nothing but robbing us of hard earned money. One format will "WIN" which will leave Joe consumer with a player that is a paperweight and send him to the store again to purchase that dual player that will cost him even more $$$$.

You see broadway that is the problem. Sure the prices will come down, but if you want it now you will be spending a lot of $$$ just to own one format then if you choose Blu-ray for Spidey you have to go out and spend more $$$ to get a HD-DVD player to see Shrek. It is the consumer like you and me that get screwed. Sure the dual format will solve the issue, but those are way over priced also.
Don't get me wrong, I know DVD in HD is our future but this little "war" is doing nothing but robbing us of hard earned money. One format will "WIN" which will leave Joe consumer with a player that is a paperweight and send him to the store again to purchase that dual player that will cost him even more $$$$.
Such is the cost of early adoption. The reward is that we get to watch movies in HD that much earlier than those who wait for it all to shake itself out.

Such is the cost of early adoption. The reward is that we get to watch movies in HD that much earlier than those who wait for it all to shake itself out.

That is true, You take a chance with early adoption. However, unlike the early DVD people, my friend being one of them ($650), DVD in HD machines are a lot more and the HDDVD's themselves are much more. At least back in the day DVD attempted to compare it's price to the current tech(VHS). I guess the thing that bothers me the most that people will get screwed. You have people on both sides happy about their unit, as they should be! But one of the formats will fail which will turn those :) into :( for the other guy that needs to pay extra for that dual unit. At least the dual units have come out early so their price might go down at the same pace as the individual players.

All,

Thank you for all the info RE Tivo G3 compatibility with NYC TWC. :D

Now, all I have to do is scrape up the $700 and change for one...eeek...maybe consider it an early birthday gift...

--3M

PS--and no, I don't have an HDTV yet so that's not really an important issue for me...

PS--and no, I don't have an HDTV yet so that's not really an important issue for me...

What, what, what? Are you kidding? Forget TIVO!! A HDTV is way more important. If you have a reg STB the HD boxes are free with TWC. You can save for TIVO later.

This is a clear and definitive answer. Thanks for that. However, the tone of your response feels more like analysis than experience. Have you (or anybody else on this thread) actually tried the Tivo Series 3? Does it work as promised? Does it integrate smoothly with TWCNYC?
I have three Series 3 units, and they work flawlessly. As you were told, you get no VOD or other interactive features, but you do get the marvelous TiVo interface. Also, if you use digital audio, the sound is much better and you always get DD 5.1 if it is available, unlike with the 8300. Also, if you use analog audio, you have a nice feature where you can hit FF one time and you get a 2x FF with audio, which is quite watchable and lets you speed through a show in 1/2 the time. If you do a Google search, you'll easily find a series of remote commands that will enable "one-button-30-second-skip" and also enable the eSATA port. I am now using the same 250GB eSATA drives with my Series 3s that I used to use with the 8300s. Also, the CC install rate is in Manhattan is $33 per UNIT not per CARD, so if you only have one unit, there is only a $33 charge, but if you have them install two units at once (i.e., 4 cards), you will get charged $53. Lastly, do NOT get the cheaper TiVo HD unit as it big problems with pixellation/dropouts. Pixellation/dropouts on the Series 3 are roughly the same as on the 8300.

One more thing: the Series 3 HDCP works correctly, unlike the 8300. This means that you can use both the HDMI and component connections simultaneously and component still works if your HDMI unit is in standby or turned off. The down-side is that if the content has the no-copy flag set (basically all of the Premium channels and BBC-A), you won't be able to burn viewable copies.

2 things about TiVo. First, the 8300HD has NO issues with DD 5.1 audio. I run an optical cable to my AVR and everything works 100% as I expect it to. TiVo offers zero advantage here.

Second, as soon as TWC starts using SDV, you will realize that TiVo does NOT support it, thus you will NOT be able to get ANY SDV broadcasts. OTOH, there is talk about a 100 buck device to bring that TO a TiVo, so if that product DOES come into existence, it's possible it may come to the TiVo folks eventually. We know there is a 2-way issue with TiVo (for things like ordering a PPV event) and the rumor this device deals with both 2-way communication AND support for SDV. But there also could be issues with OCAP services, but that's probably a bit farther off.

What surprises me is you saying the "cheaper" one is so bad. It seemed that it was essentially the same unit with some slight changes to get it into a far better price range and not piss off the folks who spent 800 bucks. Not saying YOU are doing it, but it would NOT surprise me those kinds of claims came from the folks who spent the 800 bucks who are angry... I know if I HAD gone for the 800 box, I'd sure be pissed.

..the same unit with some slight changes to get it into a far better price range and not piss off the folks who spent 800 bucks..
You get what you pay for. The 800 bucks gets you more features, specifically two tuners and a larger hard drive. I would imagine for someone like rbienstock, (who’s posted in the past about having multi 8300s and now multi tivos), a larger hard drive and multi tuners- in one box is worth the upgrade.

…not to mention the better innards that provides less pixilation… as he’s reporting.

…not to mention the better innards that provides less pixilation… as he’s reporting.
Question? How big is the hard drive on this Tivo series 3? I know it has cool features like folders and other little things but, what good is that if you are recording HD which reduces space faster? I have the 8300 and have seen a very early TIVO at work, but other then the folder thing that is great when you can record 100+ hrs of sd. I press what I want to see and it pops up. I program a show it records. I haven't heard any arguement that would make me favor them over the 8300. Especially with people doing the math and showing me that I will spend just as much to use the TIVO box as I would to use a 8300 and I would lose in-demand with I am a junky for. Never mind the initial fee for the box.

Is there anybody with a more convincing reason?

[QUOTE=rbienstock;11459267]Also, if you use analog audio, you have a nice feature where you can hit FF one time and you get a 2x FF with audio, which is quite watchable and lets you speed through a show in 1/2 the time.

That is a cool feature but if you are only hooked up by HDMI does that mean the feature won't work?

Lastly, do NOT get the cheaper TiVo HD unit as it big problems with pixellation/dropouts. Pixellation/dropouts on the Series 3 are roughly the same as on the 8300.

Why would one do that? If I am going private and want to BYOB, then I ante up and get the best. IMO it is foolish to get the lesser unit that is available. Especially if you want the best for your HDTV.

One more thing: the Series 3 HDCP works correctly, unlike the 8300. This means that you can use both the HDMI and component connections simultaneously and component still works if your HDMI unit is in standby or turned off.

This is not true, I have HDMI and component connected at the same time. They work fine, the only change I have to make is the input, but it does state in the manual that they do not work together so I can understand why you may have thought this. I actual reommend that people have both connectted for those rae times where the HDMI/8300 may act up.

QUOTE]

Is there anybody with a more convincing reason?I’m not in the market for a Tivo right now for various reasons but if I were to get one I definitely wouldn’t get the budget model. Here’s a link with some features. I don’t know if this is the high end model.

.https://www3.tivo.com/store/boxdetails.do?boxName=300hourseries3hd&boxsku=R64825

I’m not in the market for a Tivo right now for various reasons but if I were to get one I definitely wouldn’t get the budget model. Here’s a link with some features. I don’t know if this is the high end model.

.https://www3.tivo.com/store/boxdetails.do?boxName=300hourseries3hd&boxsku=R64825
Thanks for the link Larry, I will tell you after reading that I can't see why people would favor that oveer the box TWC offers us. On top of the $800 price you would have to pay $300 (best price) $1100 upfront plus the $3.50 a month for the 2 cards, But from what I can see it does give you more space 32 hrs compared to 20 for the 8300. It gives you the folders that I mentioed earlier. When recording a show they call it season pass while the 8300 just calls it first run shows. Also that kidzone, Why do they think that is exclusive? Probably just the name because all boxes have parent control, TV's have it also. it is just the problem that the kids know more than the parents when it comes to these features. The online thing looks like fun, but if your TV isn't near your computer that feature is lost. But the one missing thing which is a deal breaker is the lack of on-demand. That is a big minus that TIVO needs to get working.

I am not saying the 8300HD is flawless becsuse it is far from that. But it works and does everything I expect a HDDVR to do. Record in HD and play back the same way. Let me watch a show while recording a show or even record 2 shows while watching a recorded one. What more do we need? Back before HD I know TIVO would have been gold, 300 hrs of SD very hard to move around on one line like the 8300 is, but untill you give me one (DVR)that record over 100+hrs of HD. I think I will have to say TIVO is not for me.

You see broadway that is the problem. Sure the prices will come down, but if you want it now you will be spending a lot of $$$ just to own one format then if you choose Blu-ray for Spidey you have to go out and spend more $$$ to get a HD-DVD player to see Shrek. It is the consumer like you and me that get screwed. Sure the dual format will solve the issue, but those are way over priced also.
Don't get me wrong, I know DVD in HD is our future but this little "war" is doing nothing but robbing us of hard earned money. One format will "WIN" which will leave Joe consumer with a player that is a paperweight and send him to the store again to purchase that dual player that will cost him even more $$$$.

But why does my HD DVD player become a paperweight if BD wins the war? Do my HD DVD movies cease to play? Does the player no longer do as great a job upconverting my old DVDs? I jumped in because the price was great and the picture quality is awesome on my 112" projector.
Now if BD becomes the standard I'll still have enjoyed my HD DVD player for several years, something that those waiting on the sidelines for a winner won't be able to say. A couple of hundred dollars is a small price to pay for the enjoyment...heck for slightly more than most people on this forum pay for 1 month of TWC service they can have a next generation player that plays movies that look and sound better than anything on HD cable. There's always risk being an early adopter...but in this case I think the reward makes it worth it.

But why does my HD DVD player become a paperweight if BD wins the war? Do my HD DVD movies cease to play? Does the player no longer do as great a job upconverting my old DVDs? You’re absolutely right; I believe one can pick up a Toshiba XA2 for around 400 bucks. This model, I’m told, does excellent up-scaling and is a fine HD DVD player. Geeze, I paid about $700 :rolleyes: for my SD DVD player about 7 years ago. The funny thing is, I can’t even say that I got years of use out of that purchase because it wasn’t long after I bought it-- I got HD--- and my frantic DVD buying came to an immediate halt and shortly after that, so did my DVD viewing.

I probably should just buy the XA2, if for only to enjoy the few hundred old DVDs I own but I want to wait and see what happens with this war. Once it comes to some kind of a conclusion, I will then join in and re start a hi-def disc buying frenzy again. ;)

Anybody have experience with the Samsung H3050 that TWC is now installing in Manhattan? I have one and it won't let me send it via HDMI through my Pioneer VSX-82TXS to my TV. I keep getting a message that i need to connect via component.

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.

Well, here's how it turned out....

partyflavor is right that TW seems to have a policy that if you haven't had a service call for a second box then one is required. However, patience and persistence was able to overcome policy.

I went to 23rd at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning, only to be met with the whole service call thing. I explained that I didn't feel that a call was necessary to attach a coax cable to the box and plug it in. The rep didn't seem to see it that way. I requested to speak to a supervisor, only to be told that one wouldn't be in until 9:30. I agreed to wait, but not move from the seat (my apologies to anyone who had to wait any extra time). Forty-five minutes later I was finally told that I could have a box, but

(wait for it...)


if it didn't work, a service call would be required and it would cost $30. Well, that's what I would have expected in the first place. But, why not let me give it a shot first and then see if a call is necessary?

Anyways, as expected, I got the box home and it worked fine (after I found a spare power cord, which they forgot to provide).


Rob

I am not saying the 8300HD is flawless becsuse it is far from that. But it works and does everything I expect a HDDVR to do. Record in HD and play back the same way. Let me watch a show while recording a show or even record 2 shows while watching a recorded one. What more do we need? Back before HD I know TIVO would have been gold, 300 hrs of SD very hard to move around on one line like the 8300 is, but untill you give me one (DVR)that record over 100+hrs of HD. I think I will have to say TIVO is not for me.

I quite agree with you IF we're talking about Passport. But, like it or not, it looks like we'll all be on Navigator by the end of the year. By all reports, Navigator is unreliable about your item#1, doesn't do item#2 or item#3. Frankly, it sounds like a horror show, and I don't have much confidence in TW being able to fix all the bugs before full rollout. Hope I'm wrong.

Anyway, I don't have a Tivo, but I'm seriously thinking about getting one in addition to my 8300HD, as insurance in case Navigator really is as bad as the early reports say.

-barry

But why does my HD DVD player become a paperweight if BD wins the war? Do my HD DVD movies cease to play? Does the player no longer do as great a job upconverting my old DVDs? I jumped in because the price was great and the picture quality is awesome on my 112" projector.
Now if BD becomes the standard I'll still have enjoyed my HD DVD player for several years, something that those waiting on the sidelines for a winner won't be able to say. A couple of hundred dollars is a small price to pay for the enjoyment...heck for slightly more than most people on this forum pay for 1 month of TWC service they can have a next generation player that plays movies that look and sound better than anything on HD cable. There's always risk being an early adopter...but in this case I think the reward makes it worth it.

It becomes a paper weight because I am almost certain that you wil still want current DVD's in HD so you will either go with a exclusive Blu-ray player which I doubt because of the HD-DVD's you already own so you will probably get a dual player so you can play you HD-DVD and the new blu-rays you will have to buy because BD won the "war". Same thing would happen if HD-DVD wins. The existing player you have will still work on current DVD's and your HD-DVD's but that will not help you for any new future titles. This is why I call it a paper wieght if and when there is a clear "winner"

Now if BD becomes the standard I'll still have enjoyed my HD DVD player for several years, something that those waiting on the sidelines for a winner won't be able to say.

This my friend is the best arguement one could have for jumping early. To tell you the truth you are right and wrong. The right part is that sure you get to enjoy HDDVD's way before the sideliners. Same arguement I use for people waiting for that perfect HDTV. So I agree totally with you. The wrong part, IMO, is the fact that all movies aren't available so that must see movie of the summer/winter season that you loved so much might be, for you, Blu-ray exclusive so you do not get to enjoy it in true HD just upconvertHD. Which I know you can agree to just isn't the same. That to me is the biggest problem. The lack of total access to the movie library.

All this will be an afterthought once the dual players become more affordable for the general public because then BD and HDDVD will be able to co-exist like Showtime and HBO have which has the same studio exclusivity like these HDDVD players.

I quite agree with you IF we're talking about Passport. But, like it or not, it looks like we'll all be on Navigator by the end of the year. By all reports, Navigator is unreliable about your item#1, doesn't do item#2 or item#3. Frankly, it sounds like a horror show, and I don't have much confidence in TW being able to fix all the bugs before full rollout. Hope I'm wrong.

Anyway, I don't have a Tivo, but I'm seriously thinking about getting one in addition to my 8300HD, as insurance in case Navigator really is as bad as the early reports say.

That $1100 upfront price scares me, other then that you are right it is a good second unit. It will save you money in the long term as long as it works for more than the 3 years service plan.
-barry

Barry IMO I think it is safe to say, that TWC will be sending us upgraded Navigator systems when the the new systems are uploaded to the ones who have the 8300 already. Why do you I think this? Well I think TWC isn't as bad as some of you think they are. Sure they let loose a monster but by the time we get the upload it will have 2-3 updates added to it and that will be the upload we get. I am not saying it will perfect, but it will be a lot better then the "Beta" version they seem to be sending out now. This is my opinion, you guys can yell and scream at me if they do upload us the same crap that is out now. But I might be yelling also because that upload is going to be given to us right in the middle of the TV season.

I have a question, all this talk about the 8300, is the 3250 going to be running the navigator also? Does anyone have it already?

Well, here's how it turned out....

partyflavor is right that TW seems to have a policy that if you haven't had a service call for a second box then one is required. However, patience and persistence was able to overcome policy.

I went to 23rd at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning, only to be met with the whole service call thing. I explained that I didn't feel that a call was necessary to attach a coax cable to the box and plug it in. The rep didn't seem to see it that way. I requested to speak to a supervisor, only to be told that one wouldn't be in until 9:30. I agreed to wait, but not move from the seat (my apologies to anyone who had to wait any extra time). Forty-five minutes later I was finally told that I could have a box, but

(wait for it...)


if it didn't work, a service call would be required and it would cost $30. Well, that's what I would have expected in the first place. But, why not let me give it a shot first and then see if a call is necessary?

Anyways, as expected, I got the box home and it worked fine (after I found a spare power cord, which they forgot to provide).


Rob
So let me get this straight, the CSR claimed that if you are going to add a box, Not upgrade a stb, You will need a service call to extend the line to the new location? What crap!! I am glad you waited and proved them wrong Rob. they always put in there advertisements that self-installation is free for DSL, cable modems, and SAT so why do they think wouldn't know how to split the cable line and run cable to the new location. I think that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I understand if you are adding boxes in a house that was done on the outside, I personally would want them to make the connections, but anything inside is our domain. We are a lot more electronically intelligent now then we were when cable was the new kid on the block. Anything to increase that profit margin. People be careful!

Well, here's how it turned out....

partyflavor is right that TW seems to have a policy that if you haven't had a service call for a second box then one is required. However, patience and persistence was able to overcome policy.




My additional box quest was resolved yesterday as well--WITHOUT the service call. I couldn't convince anyone to give me the box without the service call although some of the CSRs said that I should be able to get one. The other line I kept getting was that "this specific policy varies from location to location." I finally convinced them that if they had to make a service call, then I shouldn't have to pay for it. They set up an appointment for yesterday.

Yesterday finally arrived, and as is customary with TWC, I waited the entire 4 hour window plus an additional 40 minutes and no one showed up. I called and the CSR told me should couldn't do anything until an hour after the window. It was ridiculous. She suggested that I go to the payment center since I live so close and ask them again. I did. I went back and got the original lady that told me I had to have a service call (I had written her name down on my bill the previous time). She finally relented and went and ran it by her manager and I got my box. I think the kicker was that no one showed up for appointment. Anyway, now I have the box and their "policy" was successfully circumvented. What a waste of effort though.

Glad it worked out for you too, Rob.

... They set up an appointment for yesterday...

...and no one showed up..This is all ridiculous.

From my recollection, whenever they miss an appointment, they’re supposed to give you a free month of service. I don’t know if they still have that policy but if I had a scheduled appointment (with a work order number and a confirmation) and they didn’t show up, policy or not, I know I’d be staring at a reduced bill for that month.

My additional box quest was resolved yesterday as well--WITHOUT the service call. I couldn't convince anyone to give me the box without the service call although some of the CSRs said that I should be able to get one. The other line I kept getting was that "this specific policy varies from location to location." I finally convinced them that if they had to make a service call, then I shouldn't have to pay for it. They set up an appointment for yesterday.

Yesterday finally arrived, and as is customary with TWC, I waited the entire 4 hour window plus an additional 40 minutes and no one showed up. I called and the CSR told me should couldn't do anything until an hour after the window. It was ridiculous. She suggested that I go to the payment center since I live so close and ask them again. I did. I went back and got the original lady that told me I had to have a service call (I had written her name down on my bill the previous time). She finally relented and went and ran it by her manager and I got my box. I think the kicker was that no one showed up for appointment. Anyway, now I have the box and their "policy" was successfully circumvented. What a waste of effort though.

Glad it worked out for you too, Rob.
Party I am with Larry I remember them offering a free month if they do not make the appointment. But I think they made 4 hr windows to end that offer. However after further review I did read this on their web site:

Change Of Service
A change of service is any type of connection, other than the initial cable connection. If you decide at a later date that you would like to receive an additional outlet or VCR connection, there will be a charge. While there is no charge to disconnect or delete any channel or service, there is a minimal charge to change one Premium channel for another.
For additional information regarding this issue, please refer to the "State of New York Public Service Commission Statement of Significant Subscriber Rights" in FYI/NYC. It includes all the legal information on this subject.

All our back and forth and there is SUPPOSE to be a charge. MY BAD!!!! Sorry guys, if you guys got it for free, more power to you.

2 things about TiVo. First, the 8300HD has NO issues with DD 5.1 audio. I run an optical cable to my AVR and everything works 100% as I expect it to. TiVo offers zero advantage here.
Not so. Any time that the 8300 pops up a message on the screen (such as when you can't do a recording due to lack of space), the 8300 stops outputting 5.1 and all you get is 2 channel. The fix is to go into settings, change the audio setting to two-channel only and back to Dolby Digital. Read this thread and/or the other threads on the 8300, the info is there.

Second, as soon as TWC starts using SDV, you will realize that TiVo does NOT support it, thus you will NOT be able to get ANY SDV broadcasts. OTOH, there is talk about a 100 buck device to bring that TO a TiVo, so if that product DOES come into existence, it's possible it may come to the TiVo folks eventually. We know there is a 2-way issue with TiVo (for things like ordering a PPV event) and the rumor this device deals with both 2-way communication AND support for SDV. But there also could be issues with OCAP services, but that's probably a bit farther off.

This is pure FUD. First, there's the question of whether one will ever miss anything that TWC puts on SDV. As I understand it, the bulk of what will go to SDV are all the duplicate channels, like most of the stuff above 800. Moreover, if you read the data on the tests of SDV, it is pretty unpopular due to the delays in tuning channels, and also has problems with people lighting up a channel by channel surfing. It isn't 100% clear that SDV will ever get rolled out, I will grant you that it is probably inevitable. But, in any event, this issue is moot because the technology to implement SDV in TiVos has already begun and is approved by the NCTA. See here: http://ibc.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=175784 As to OCAP, that will never happen on a TiVo, given that the whole point of buying a TiVo is to avoid having to use the Cable company's interface. So it is true that the current TiVo implementation won't be able to use OCAP features that do not exist at present, but I could just as easily argue that TiVo will develop a not-yet-existing solution to enable it to access these not-yet-existing services.

What surprises me is you saying the "cheaper" one is so bad. It seemed that it was essentially the same unit with some slight changes to get it into a far better price range and not piss off the folks who spent 800 bucks. Not saying YOU are doing it, but it would NOT surprise me those kinds of claims came from the folks who spent the 800 bucks who are angry... I know if I HAD gone for the 800 box, I'd sure be pissed.

They are NOT the same. Apart from the features that they took out on from the Series 3 to the HD (none of which I need or use), the Series 3 has a Broadcom BCM7038 CPU, while the HD has a Broadcom BCM7401 CPU. While there may be some advantages to the 7401 and the HD has, and can access, more RAM than the Series 3, if you do a search of the Web, you'll see that lots of people are having big problems with pixellation on the HD. You could check out threads like this one: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=361244&page=1&pp=30

Note, that I am pissed, but not for the reason that you state. I'm pissed because after having a perfectly working $800 box, I bought two $300 boxes and had to return them because they were crap and buy two more $800 boxes.

It is theoretically possible that the problems with the HD are all due to the fact that it runs the identical software to the Series 3, and it may need to have the software specifically tweaked for that model. Only time will tell, but as of today, the HD has a raft of problems.

Question? How big is the hard drive on this Tivo series 3? I know it has cool features like folders and other little things but, what good is that if you are recording HD which reduces space faster? I have the 8300 and have seen a very early TIVO at work, but other then the folder thing that is great when you can record 100+ hrs of sd. I press what I want to see and it pops up. I program a show it records. I haven't heard any arguement that would make me favor them over the 8300. Especially with people doing the math and showing me that I will spend just as much to use the TIVO box as I would to use a 8300 and I would lose in-demand with I am a junky for. Never mind the initial fee for the box.

Is there anybody with a more convincing reason?

There's no question that you lose OnDemand and PPV, which is why I have kept one 8300 and one standard cable box, just for that purpose. The main reason that I switched was because I finally just got fed up with the horrible TWC user interface. With the TiVo, shows can be auto sorted alphabetically or by date, and it optionally groups multiple episodes of the same show into folders. You can also implement one-press 30 second skip, which, to me is worth the $800 alone. Plus you can schedule over the internet either through the TiVo site or YahooTV. Now there are stupid things about TiVo that the 8300 gets right, for instance, you can't skip by day in the channel guide, and you can't set up a show recording (what TiVo calls a Season Pass) that will only record at a particular time. Moreover, while you can schedule over the internet, you can't check what is scheduled (what TiVo calls the ToDo list) over the net -- just stupid. Also, I switched to the 8300 from ReplayTV when I went HD, and I still think that ReplayTV is a better interface than TiVo, but both of them have Passport (and SARA) beat by a mile.

The drive on teh Series 3 is 250GB and 160GB on the HD.

if it didn't work, a service call would be required and it would cost $30. Well, that's what I would have expected in the first place. But, why not let me give it a shot first and then see if a call is necessary?

Anyways, as expected, I got the box home and it worked fine (after I found a spare power cord, which they forgot to provide).


Rob

Uh, far as I know that would be a box swap and they have nothing to say about that! Bring old box in, get new box, head home. Done that within the past year.

My additional box quest was resolved yesterday as well--WITHOUT the service call. I couldn't convince anyone to give me the box without the service call although some of the CSRs said that I should be able to get one. The other line I kept getting was that "this specific policy varies from location to location." I finally convinced them that if they had to make a service call, then I shouldn't have to pay for it. They set up an appointment for yesterday.

Yesterday finally arrived, and as is customary with TWC, I waited the entire 4 hour window plus an additional 40 minutes and no one showed up. I called and the CSR told me should couldn't do anything until an hour after the window. It was ridiculous. She suggested that I go to the payment center since I live so close and ask them again. I did. I went back and got the original lady that told me I had to have a service call (I had written her name down on my bill the previous time). She finally relented and went and ran it by her manager and I got my box. I think the kicker was that no one showed up for appointment. Anyway, now I have the box and their "policy" was successfully circumvented. What a waste of effort though.

Glad it worked out for you too, Rob.

Pretty sure that if nobody shows up for a scheduled appointment, you get comped a month for all services. They missed two on me once but argued the second one wasn't 'scheduled" so I only got the one month.

Also, if you use analog audio, you have a nice feature where you can hit FF one time and you get a 2x FF with audio, which is quite watchable and lets you speed through a show in 1/2 the time.

That is a cool feature but if you are only hooked up by HDMI does that mean the feature won't work?

I don't know because I can't do HDMI audio, but I'm guessing that since it doesn't work over SP/DIF, it won't work over HDMI.


One more thing: the Series 3 HDCP works correctly, unlike the 8300. This means that you can use both the HDMI and component connections simultaneously and component still works if your HDMI unit is in standby or turned off.

This is not true, I have HDMI and component connected at the same time. They work fine, the only change I have to make is the input, but it does state in the manual that they do not work together so I can understand why you may have thought this. I actual reommend that people have both connectted for those rae times where the HDMI/8300 may act up.

Not in my setup. In my house, I had the 8300s connected to a projector via HDMI and to a Plasma via component. If the projector was on, everything was fine. If I put the projector into standby, then I got a message over the component outputs saying that I couldn't use that output and should switch to component. Of course, I already was connected to component. It is an acknowledged bug: under the HDCP specs, component should be live when the unit is connected via HDMI to a secure device in standby.

There's no question that you lose OnDemand and PPV, which is why I have kept one 8300 and one standard cable box, just for that purpose. The main reason that I switched was because I finally just got fed up with the horrible TWC user interface. With the TiVo, shows can be auto sorted alphabetically or by date, and it optionally groups multiple episodes of the same show into folders. You can also implement one-press 30 second skip, which, to me is worth the $800 alone. Plus you can schedule over the internet either through the TiVo site or YahooTV. Now there are stupid things about TiVo that the 8300 gets right, for instance, you can't skip by day in the channel guide, and you can't set up a show recording (what TiVo calls a Season Pass) that will only record at a particular time. Moreover, while you can schedule over the internet, you can't check what is scheduled (what TiVo calls the ToDo list) over the net -- just stupid. Also, I switched to the 8300 from ReplayTV when I went HD, and I still think that ReplayTV is a better interface than TiVo, but both of them have Passport (and SARA) beat by a mile.

The drive on teh Series 3 is 250GB and 160GB on the HD.

Ok I understand the internet to be a plus but for someone like me that is a non-feature so that still wouldn't convice me because my whole house would have to be rearranged to access internet. Now for the "folders" Like I said earlier what good is that is you are recordng in HD. HD gobbles up these DVR's space more then anything. During the regular season everything I record is in HD which the Tivo would give me more hrs 32 compared to 20 but that still doesn't give me time to leave it in a folder to watch that much later. Especially since this DVR thing has increase the hrs I record in a given week. I don't understand this statement "you can't set up a show recording (what TiVo calls a Season Pass) that will only record at a particular time." With the 8300 you CAN set up a show to record all the new shows of a series at any time it plays even if it switches schedule.So the season pass isn't as exclusive as it use to be. I give you the 30 sec skip, but what they all need is a complete comercial break skip, but if you have seen my earlier post the cable companies are working to prevent that.

The bottom line is everythime someone talks about TIVO that $800 price tag up front gives me chills. But just like LCD & Plasma there are pros and cons and it will just ennd up being consumer choice.

Robert, now i see your point about audio... but honestly, in the past 18 months I think this message has popped up maybe twice. Maybe it did change, but the frequency this may happen is pretty damn rare.

As for SDV, I think Austin TX has most of their channels in SDV; while there seem to be some smallish issues, from what folks there say on AVS it appears to work about 2345% better than Navigator! If TWC is going to compete with satellite, they HAVE to start using SDV fairly quickly. This is born out 100% by the fact that in Passport areas they are already pushing the software that CAN do SDV while it's in the most terrible shape (I've done software development, from the experiences of those who are stuck it's a pre-alpha, development version in production, not even close to being called beta). The issues are almost legendary at this point.

The issues with the cheaper box do seem a tad odd. More picture defects because of the different CPU just sounds odd in my experience, not saying it can BE that cause.

If those boxes at the hardware level are as bad as your experience, I'm not so sure there's ANY hope for TiVo. According to what I read (quoting sales numbers) there subs are way down compared to last year. Sure sounds like it may be price resistance.

Look, I more than most understand paying more to get better, I frequently do it myself. BUT I do a "how much more for what" analysis. When I did the financial, I came with a range, from more expensive to way more expensive. Complicating that kind of analysis was factoring in the cancellation fee. I can drop TWC tomorrow with NO penalty, facing a $200 bill means I have to include a $$ factor for that.

Better smoother interface sure does have value, but I have to balance that with the fact my Passport box pretty much gives me most of the functions, albeit in a clunkier way. The only real difference seems to be the 14 days of programming. Paying 15-30 bucks extra each month for that just ain't worth it to me.

Of course, when they push Navigator on me I may think again about TiVo; but doubt I'd go that way because of the $$... but who knows!

Not in my setup. In my house, I had the 8300s connected to a projector via HDMI and to a Plasma via component. If the projector was on, everything was fine. If I put the projector into standby, then I got a message over the component outputs saying that I couldn't use that output and should switch to component. Of course, I already was connected to component. It is an acknowledged bug: under the HDCP specs, component should be live when the unit is connected via HDMI to a secure device in standby.

First off, How many boxes do you have? Wow it sounds like a lot of TV's. Maybe it was just the 8300 you had at the time. Not all the HDMI connections were working in the past and still aren't for some people. I don't know when you changed but the 8300 has gotten better since it was initially released. But now unfortunately it is being brought back into the stone age with this Navigator "crap" I use quotes because it really isn't crap it, it is bad but it will lead TWC to better pastures for their HD customers they just need to get it right with a couple of udpdates first.

:eek:Hey RG, get a load of this…
http://cable360.net/technology/news/25393.html

Marcus Carr posted it in the More news thread….

SI is getting Food Channel HD and HG HD

TWC Staten Island

Effective TODAY 8/30

HGTV HD will launch on 764. Food Network HD will launch on 751.

from TWC website....





(i have no comment.....)

Edit - they added them to their channel lineup.... but FoodHD is listed as 750 here... where it "should" be
funny thing.... the big channel shifts from June ARE STILL NOT SHOWN

Any idea if / when Food HD would make it to Brooklyn? Food Network in HD would be awesome, with 4x the calories of SD Food! ;)

wow, this is really getting annoying.
S.I. 6 more HD channels than the rest of us!

it's now official & on the TWC site.

Effective September 15 the following programming changes will occur, affecting the premium services HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and The Movie Channel (TMC):

HBO will no longer be offered in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, on ch. 80 or in Mt. Vernon on ch. 68. It will continue to be offered on ch. 201; Showtime will no longer be offered in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens on ch. 79 or in Mt. Vernon on ch. 69. It will continue to be offered on ch. 221; Cinemax will no longer be offered in Manhattan on ch. 69 or in Mt. Vernon on ch. 67. It will continue to be offered on ch. 211; TMC will no longer be offered in Manhattan on ch. 66. It will continue to be offered on ch. 231.

Anyone know what programming tier HGHD and FoodHD are on? I haven't been home all day and I want to know if I should look forward to watching them...

Anyone know what programming tier HGHD and FoodHD are on? I haven't been home all day and I want to know if I should look forward to watching them...

digital starter

Is it me or id NBCHD broadcast of Giants football games look horrible the last 2 games. I keep seeing the picture breaking up and massive pixelation. Also a bit of fuzz here and there. Is this normal of NBC football?

JBB - I'm watching via D* and getting the same break ups and pixelation. Terrible.

Is it me or id NBCHD broadcast of Giants football games look horrible the last 2 games. I keep seeing the picture breaking up and massive pixelation. Also a bit of fuzz here and there. Is this normal of NBC football?It's always been a blocky mess. Blame NBC and their Weather Plus BS.

Also, anybody in Forest Hills having problems with CBS & NBC HD during the past 3 days or so? Those channels have been flaky for me. I sure hope it isn't some sort of SDV related boondoggle.

Does anyone notice problems on TNT (apart from the usual crappy quality)? I am finding that the HD commercials seem to freeze in the picture, while the audio remains fine. The picture seems to fix itself toward the end of thecommercial. Strange.

First off, How many boxes do you have? Wow it sounds like a lot of TV's. Maybe it was just the 8300 you had at the time. Not all the HDMI connections were working in the past and still aren't for some people. I don't know when you changed but the 8300 has gotten better since it was initially released. But now unfortunately it is being brought back into the stone age with this Navigator "crap" I use quotes because it really isn't crap it, it is bad but it will lead TWC to better pastures for their HD customers they just need to get it right with a couple of udpdates first.
Not so many: 5 boxes, 4 TVs. Basically, I have a home theater with one TiVo and one 8300. The TiVo connects to a projector via HDMI and to a Plasma in my bedroom via component. The 8300 connects to both the projector and the plasma via component because I can't get HDMI and component to work at once. There is a second TiVo in the bedroom system that my wife has programming control over, and a third TiVo in the family room. Finally, I've got a standard cable box that connects to a set in the kitchen. FYI, I just checked 5 minutes ago, and I still can't get component to work on the 8300 with the unit connected via HDMI to the projector with the projector in standby. I get a message over the component outputs telling me I have to use the component outputs.

So I'm pretty much fedup with twc and their lack of hd channels, customer support and numerous other things.
I was thinking about switching to directv now that it is offered in my apartment building (10 hanover square, financial district.)
However, I have heard that fios will be installed first in southern manhattan and possibly by the end of this year.
Does this hold true for multi dwelling units, or does it hold true at all?
is there any fact to this statement or is it all just speculation?
I would LOVE to hold out for fios, because if I sign up with directv i've heard there is a 2 year year contract required.
What do you guys think? should I switch over to directv with all their new hd channels (yes I know about hd light) or hold out for FIOS in my area? Or choice C: none of the above....stay with TWC?

Is it me or id NBCHD broadcast of Giants football games look horrible the last 2 games. I keep seeing the picture breaking up and massive pixelation. Also a bit of fuzz here and there. Is this normal of NBC football?

It's not NBCHD

It's WNBCHD - they have produced the preseason games themselves - not NBC itself.

Does anyone notice problems on TNT (apart from the usual crappy quality)? I am finding that the HD commercials seem to freeze in the picture, while the audio remains fine. The picture seems to fix itself toward the end of thecommercial. Strange.

Yup - had some of that watching LotR earlier this week.

Forget if I was on HDMI or component at the time - there's so much random strangeness watching HD ...sound dropouts, LOUD SD commercials, etc... I've stopped trying to figure it out... beaten into submission.

Yay. Never in my life have I been so happy to live in SI. Not that I'll watch those channels, but TWC has just had a deal done for TBS and CNN HD, so when they both launch tommorow (I think) we'll get them.

But why does my HD DVD player become a paperweight if BD wins the war? Do my HD DVD movies cease to play? Does the player no longer do as great a job upconverting my old DVDs? I jumped in because the price was great and the picture quality is awesome on my 112" projector.
Now if BD becomes the standard I'll still have enjoyed my HD DVD player for several years, something that those waiting on the sidelines for a winner won't be able to say. A couple of hundred dollars is a small price to pay for the enjoyment...heck for slightly more than most people on this forum pay for 1 month of TWC service they can have a next generation player that plays movies that look and sound better than anything on HD cable. There's always risk being an early adopter...but in this case I think the reward makes it worth it.

If HD goes away, sure you can play all the content you currently have. BUT you'll have to then go out and get a BD player to access all the new stuff. AND at some point, the HD player may break and you may NOT be able to get it fixed. BTW, this applies to BD equally.

This is why I get an impression those laserdisc folks are scrambling to preserve their big discs... the point where discs won't play are looming large.

it's now official & on the TWC site.

Effective September 15 the following programming changes will occur, affecting the premium services HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and The Movie Channel (TMC):

HBO will no longer be offered in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, on ch. 80 or in Mt. Vernon on ch. 68. It will continue to be offered on ch. 201; Showtime will no longer be offered in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens on ch. 79 or in Mt. Vernon on ch. 69. It will continue to be offered on ch. 221; Cinemax will no longer be offered in Manhattan on ch. 69 or in Mt. Vernon on ch. 67. It will continue to be offered on ch. 211; TMC will no longer be offered in Manhattan on ch. 66. It will continue to be offered on ch. 231.

Ah good catch Andy! So we KNOW 4 analogs are going away, so we should have room for 8-10 premiums. We should get a pool going to see when/if we (i.e. not SI) get those 6, SIX HD channels in SI we don't get.

Anyone know what programming tier HGHD and FoodHD are on? I haven't been home all day and I want to know if I should look forward to watching them...

Oh I got a question for the SI folks... I could SWEAR that at one point you got offered a 10% for one year, 20% for 2 years discount. I'm pretty sure I read that ON the SI portion of the TWC site. Now it's only 10% maximum.

Am I crazy? Did I NOT see what I think I saw?

So I'm pretty much fedup with twc and their lack of hd channels, customer support and numerous other things.
I was thinking about switching to directv now that it is offered in my apartment building (10 hanover square, financial district.)
However, I have heard that fios will be installed first in southern manhattan and possibly by the end of this year.
Does this hold true for multi dwelling units, or does it hold true at all?
is there any fact to this statement or is it all just speculation?
I would LOVE to hold out for fios, because if I sign up with directv i've heard there is a 2 year year contract required.
What do you guys think? should I switch over to directv with all their new hd channels (yes I know about hd light) or hold out for FIOS in my area? Or choice C: none of the above....stay with TWC?

First, Verizon needs a TV services franchise agreement with the city before they can offer THOSE services. Rumor has it this will happen this fall.

If they follow the same general fiber roll out plan TWC followed, it will start at the southern end and run north.

The multidwelling and into each apartment is essentially unknown. While we heard (and saw pictures) one building was wired fiber into each apartment, that building was the residence to one of their top execs. There could be issues with various rental/co-op/condo buildings about access and their ability to run fiber around the hallways. My co-op had an issue with TWC and their plan to re-do their in building wiring, we already had a system we paid good money for to run wire from the basement to all apartments buried totally in the wall; their "reason" was security. Lawyers got involved, it turned out their franchise agreement allowed them to do what they wanted, we had NO CHOICE.

Last year I was a big TWC supporter... no more. A series of multiple events (bad experiences with TWC) has me salivating for FIOS. And while it hasn't happened, it sure seems 100% that I am going to LOSE a LOT of functionality when they force Navigator on me...

I was thinking about switching to directv...
I would LOVE to hold out for fios...

...should I switch over to directv with all their new hd channels (yes I know about hd light) or hold out for FIOS in my area? Or choice C: none of the above....stay with TWC?I’m going to wait it out a little longer. I want to see what happens with the Satellite offerings and the picture quality. Under no circumstances will I switch to an inferior system regardless whether they have more channels.

I do think FIOS will be here sooner than later, especially for my area but they don’t have MSG so regardless, that’s a tough sell. I waited years for MSG to make it to TW and I’m not going to lose that now.

I’m keeping my options open. I don’t hate TW. It would be nice to get more HD, at the least, the HD channels that were added to SI. I certainly will not signup for the contract extension that TW is currently offering.

Oh I got a question for the SI folks... I could SWEAR that at one point you got offered a 10% for one year, 20% for 2 years discount. I'm pretty sure I read that ON the SI portion of the TWC site. Now it's only 10% maximum.

Am I crazy? Did I NOT see what I think I saw?
As far as I can recall, it was always a 5%/10% discount for a one/two-year agreement.

They ran ads on the SI Ferry back when they started the program, saying "Save up to 10% on your bill."

As far as I can recall, it was always a 5%/10% discount for a one/two-year agreement.

They ran ads on the SI Ferry back when they started the program, saying "Save up to 10% on your bill." That’s what I recall. As I said above, I’m not going to lock in with them for that low of a discount especially with options looming on the horizon.

digital starter
Grrr. Both channels come up as "Not Subscribed" on my box, contrary to what the website says.

I hope I'm not going to have to go through this stupid dance with TWC again, like when ESPN/2 HD were taken off HDXtra.

In addition to still not showing the updated channel numbers on the website, it also doesn't show ESPN2 HD, A&E HD, FSNY HD or TMC HD.

Someone at TWC really needs to get their crap together.

Yet again, TWC can't seem to figure out what channels I'm supposed to get. Called customer service, and it turns out we're supposed to get A&E HD, FSNY HD, HGHD and Food HD as Digital Starter. The CSR confirmed this internally. But they're coming up as "Subscription Required."

Never mind that the channel listing on the website is completely ass-backwards.

Meh, hopefully I get another free month of Starz out of them for this.

First, Verizon needs a TV services franchise agreement with the city before they can offer THOSE services. Rumor has it this will happen this fall.

If they follow the same general fiber roll out plan TWC followed, it will start at the southern end and run north.

The multidwelling and into each apartment is essentially unknown. While we heard (and saw pictures) one building was wired fiber into each apartment, that building was the residence to one of their top execs. There could be issues with various rental/co-op/condo buildings about access and their ability to run fiber around the hallways. My co-op had an issue with TWC and their plan to re-do their in building wiring, we already had a system we paid good money for to run wire from the basement to all apartments buried totally in the wall; their "reason" was security. Lawyers got involved, it turned out their franchise agreement allowed them to do what they wanted, we had NO CHOICE.

Last year I was a big TWC supporter... no more. A series of multiple events (bad experiences with TWC) has me salivating for FIOS. And while it hasn't happened, it sure seems 100% that I am going to LOSE a LOT of functionality when they force Navigator on me...


I know a couple rental buildings on wall street have verizon fios for internet and phone but not tv yet. Does tv require seperate cables or does it run thru the same fiber optic cables? If it's on the same cables (which I assume it is) then as soon as an agreement is reached between nyc and verizon then they should switch on the fios tv there as well dont you think?

Also, I talked to the management of my building and they said verizon approached them a couple months ago for installing Fios in our building when it is available and the management agreed and signed a contract.
Now the only thing I dont know is when it will be installed.
If the agreement you speak of is finalized in the fall, how soon would you expect them to start rolling out fios tv?

I’m going to wait it out a little longer. I want to see what happens with the Satellite offerings and the picture quality. Under no circumstances will I switch to an inferior system regardless whether they have more channels.

I do think FIOS will be here sooner than later, especially for my area but they don’t have MSG so regardless, that’s a tough sell. I waited years for MSG to make it to TW and I’m not going to lose that now.

I’m keeping my options open. I don’t hate TW. It would be nice to get more HD, at the least, the HD channels that were added to SI. I certainly will not signup for the contract extension that TW is currently offering.

I've never actually seen Directv's hd quality although i've heard it's not that great.
Can any of you who have seen both twc and d tv hd pq comment on the difference?
Also i've heard that with the new mpeg4 system the "hd lite" issue should be resolved...obviously that is just hearsay but it sounds legit.

I've never actually seen Directv's hd quality although i've heard it's not that great.
Can any of you who have seen both twc and d tv hd pq comment on the difference?
Also i've heard that with the new mpeg4 system the "hd lite" issue should be resolved...obviously that is just hearsay but it sounds legit.
Honestly, on most average-sized 720p LCD/Plasma screens, DirecTV HD really isn't that bad. It's when you blow it up on a gigantihuge 60+ inch 1080p-capable screen that it starts looking awful.

Yo RG, here is the very first information posted regarding the discount, posted a few months ago... never saw anything about 20%


Brooklyn/Queens TWC is offering discounted pricing for 1 & 2 year commitments. Here's the link: http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/Products/Cable/packagesandpricing.html

It is basically a 5% (1 yr) or 10% (2 yr) discount/month on your monthly charges. I converted to the two (2) year commitment and saved $15.50/month. There is a no penalty if you cancel within 30 days of signing up. After that, there is a $75 ETF for the one year commitment and $150 for the two year deal. You can change service levels within the commitment period as long as they are listed on the discounted service list without penalty. I've been with TWC for 25+ years at the same location and I'm not going anywhere in the next two years. If FIOS does show up, I'll just change my TWC plan to video only. No big deal.

Regards....JL

edit: I don't recall ever seeing any posts that were SI 20%

I know a couple rental buildings on wall street have verizon fios for internet and phone but not tv yet. Does tv require seperate cables or does it run thru the same fiber optic cables? If it's on the same cables (which I assume it is) then as soon as an agreement is reached between nyc and verizon then they should switch on the fios tv there as well dont you think?

Also, I talked to the management of my building and they said verizon approached them a couple months ago for installing Fios in our building when it is available and the management agreed and signed a contract.
Now the only thing I dont know is when it will be installed.
If the agreement you speak of is finalized in the fall, how soon would you expect them to start rolling out fios tv?
Verizon is ready to provide FiOS TV within days of getting the franchise from the city, or so they've implied. It uses the same fiber-optic cables to the Optical Network Terminal at the premises/living unit, and from there it uses coaxial cables to the router and QAM cable box.

Verizon is ready to provide FiOS TV within days .:cool: That’s the reason why you (SI) have been rewarded with all of these new HD channels.

As far as I can recall, it was always a 5%/10% discount for a one/two-year agreement.

They ran ads on the SI Ferry back when they started the program, saying "Save up to 10% on your bill."

Damn, I could SWEAR I saw 20% on the packages and pricing page... oh well, thanks for correcting my memory!

That’s what I recall. As I said above, I’m not going to lock in with them for that low of a discount especially with options looming on the horizon.

Ah, that be the question... very much wrapped up in our best guess when FIOS TV will be available. I think I'm more pessimistic than you, but I'm also sure you may have access to it long before I do. I see that way downtown, Verizon is talking to real estate agents about their buildings... and I KNOW that TWC fiber run started out at the southern tip and progressed north. At the time, that meant DTV and RR service, so I know a bud in alphabet city got both about 2 tears before they were accessible to me. AND that 2 years didn't involve running fiber farther than their "500 unit" nodes. If Verizon REALLY is going into the apartment with fiber, I'd expect it would take far longer.

Given that, if I HAD the 10% discount available, I think I would jump on it as I doubt I'd have to deal with cancellation. If Verizon shocks the hell out of me, I COULD stick with TWC until my "contract" was over.

So right now, my "issues" are the discount and the 6 HD channels SI gets that I don't.

I know a couple rental buildings on wall street have verizon fios for internet and phone but not tv yet. Does tv require seperate cables or does it run thru the same fiber optic cables? If it's on the same cables (which I assume it is) then as soon as an agreement is reached between nyc and verizon then they should switch on the fios tv there as well dont you think?

Also, I talked to the management of my building and they said verizon approached them a couple months ago for installing Fios in our building when it is available and the management agreed and signed a contract.
Now the only thing I dont know is when it will be installed.
If the agreement you speak of is finalized in the fall, how soon would you expect them to start rolling out fios tv?

I can only guess, but that it informed by the TWC fiber roll out. It took about 2 years from the time ti was available at the bottom of Manhattan to get to me. Probably another 6 months to get to the Northern tip. IF (very big IF) they really, really will go fiber into the apartment, then I'd expect it to take FAR longer.

Your building was contacted? Care to let us know what neighborhood?

BTW, it's best to add information about your location, box, software etc. just like you see me have. Answers to 95% of all questions you might ask depend heavily on exactly what your setup is.

Verizon is ready to provide FiOS TV within days of getting the franchise from the city, or so they've implied. It uses the same fiber-optic cables to the Optical Network Terminal at the premises/living unit, and from there it uses coaxial cables to the router and QAM cable box.

That might be true for you, but AFAIK there is NO Verizon fiber anywhere close to me. Plus I still find there is NO definitive answer about "into the premises." I have no doubt single family homes, or 2-3 apartment small buildings in the outer boroughs would get it, but it's multi-unit dwellings and exactly what they will do in Manhattan that will dictate the time to get the fiber installed. I live in the middle of a black with 40 units, but on the four corners around me we have 2-300 unit buildings.

We "know" that fiber delivery which switches to copper diminishes bandwidth quite a bit. The question I have is w/TWC I have a roughly 100 yard run from the street node to my apartment (half a short block, then 10 floors up). If Verizon does fiber to my bull ding, then cooper for the 10 floor run, exactly how much extra bandwidth does this REALLY allow.

Ah, so the key piece of equipment it the "Optical Network Terminal" and exactly where it is located... thanks for the data.

:cool: That’s the reason why you (SI) have been rewarded with all of these new HD channels.

100% with you there. The big question now is that we publicly KNOW they are removing 4 analog channels system-wide. That makes room for 8-10 HD channels. Wish means we COULD get the 6 HD channels SI gets. The 4 analogs go away 9/15, wanna take bets if/when we get the "missing 6?"

Ah, that be the question... very much wrapped up in our best guess when FIOS TV will be available. I think I'm more pessimistic than you, but I'm also sure you may have access to it long before I do. I see that way downtown, Verizon is talking to real estate agents about their buildings... and I KNOW that TWC fiber run started out at the southern tip and progressed north. At the time, that meant DTV and RR service, so I know a bud in alphabet city got both about 2 tears before they were accessible to me. AND that 2 years didn't involve running fiber farther than their "500 unit" nodes. If Verizon REALLY is going into the apartment with fiber, I'd expect it would take far longer.

Given that, if I HAD the 10% discount available, I think I would jump on it as I doubt I'd have to deal with cancellation. If Verizon shocks the hell out of me, I COULD stick with TWC until my "contract" was over.

So right now, my "issues" are the discount and the 6 HD channels SI gets that I don't.
Verizon is going with fiber to the living unit (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15348825), wherever possible, putting the ONT and Power Supply in closets inside each apartment.

Where it isn't possible, they are getting as close as possible (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-08-2006/0004316229&EDATE=) to the living unit with fiber, and going with whatever the building has for the rest. But they are certainly not merely running fiber to the curb or basement. At the very least, I would imagine they are getting fiber to each floor.

I can only guess, but that it informed by the TWC fiber roll out. It took about 2 years from the time ti was available at the bottom of Manhattan to get to me. Probably another 6 months to get to the Northern tip. IF (very big IF) they really, really will go fiber into the apartment, then I'd expect it to take FAR longer.

Your building was contacted? Care to let us know what neighborhood?

BTW, it's best to add information about your location, box, software etc. just like you see me have. Answers to 95% of all questions you might ask depend heavily on exactly what your setup is.

I will add that info to my profile..
I live in the financial district at 10 hanover Square. And according to our management they were contacted by verizon a couple months back.
About a month ago there were people handing out flyers on wall street for fios internet/phone which is available at 45 wall street and 43 wall street (the crest) and 99 john street if i'm not mistaken.

Fios is almost ready in SI? WOOT!!! I'l probably switch.

DAMN...i cant watch titanic on tnt hd... last time same problem and this time again!!! wtf is going on with TNT...are they going broke that they cant send enuff signal for the little island of manahttan? WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF?

It'a probably a legal thing, or a matinnce thing. I can see it in SI.

I've had Universal HD for the longest and this week is the first time with the US open and I very thankful for it. Any other tennis fans out there enjoying this great HD picture?

I've had Universal HD for the longest and this week is the first time with the US open and I very thankful for it. Any other tennis fans out there enjoying this great HD picture?Yes it is great.:cool: Can’t believe Maria choking today. :eek:

In past years, before we had Universal HD we did get the tennis in HD on a temporary channel. It was 708, before YES was permanent

I was fortunate to see better than HD last night having two tickets fall into my lap.:)

Yes it is great.:cool: Can’t believe Maria choking today. :eek:

In past years, before we had Universal HD we did get the tennis in HD on a temporary channel. It was 708, before YES was permanent

I was fortunate to see better than HD last night having two tickets fall into my lap.:)

WOW really what matches did you get to see?

We had Universal HD full time in 2006.... (it went "full time" after it was originally supposed to only be temporarily added for the 2006 Winter Olympics)

In 2005, the channel was temporarily put on the "old" "HD PPV" channel 720 (after a day or 2 on 708, if i remember correctly - it was a bit confusing)

Don't know what went on before then....

WOW really what matches did you get to see?It was the evening session, first with Venus over Bonarenko and then Nadel beating Tipsarevic, who had to quit early due to an injury.

It’s a great place to spend an evening. We've been very fortunate to have friends offer free tickets the past three years. I’m not the greatest tennis fan but I do appreciate and enjoy the experience. It’s always fun. Last year we were very lucky to get to see Agassi’s last advance.

Don't know what went on before then....Pretty sure the US Open was in HD a few years ago on 708, before we knew YES was to take that slot. Some other long timers here (John Mason? Tennis? Or is it just golf? :) ) could correct me if I’m wrong.

looks like SDV is going to make a debut in 08 in the city.


SDV Deployment for TWC
AS OF AUGUST 2007


Time Warner Cable Albany, N.Y. **
Time Warner Cable Austin, Texas*
Time Warner Cable Binghamton, N.Y. ****
Time Warner Cable Columbia, S.C.*
Time Warner Cable Green Bay, Wis.*
Time Warner Cable Greensboro, N.C.*
Time Warner Cable Kansas City, Mo.****
Time Warner Cable Milwaukee, Wis.**
Time Warner Carolina North Carolina systems (Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte, Wilmington)***
Time Warner Cable Oceanic (Hawaii)***
Time Warner Cable Portland, Maine*
Time Warner Cable Rochester, N.Y.**
Time Warner Cable San Diego, Calif.***
Time Warner Cable Syracuse, N.Y.*

* Commercially deployed
** Installing system
***Contract awarded, SDV not yet installed/deployed
**** Installation/deployment status not yet known
***** Full deployment expected in next 30 days

I'm confused by your conclusion. The data you pasted doesn't seem to say anything about NYC.

-barry

looks like SDV is going to make a debut in 08 in the city.


SDV Deployment for TWC
AS OF AUGUST 2007


Time Warner Cable Albany, N.Y. **
Time Warner Cable Austin, Texas*
Time Warner Cable Binghamton, N.Y. ****
Time Warner Cable Columbia, S.C.*
Time Warner Cable Green Bay, Wis.*
Time Warner Cable Greensboro, N.C.*
Time Warner Cable Kansas City, Mo.****
Time Warner Cable Milwaukee, Wis.**
Time Warner Carolina North Carolina systems (Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte, Wilmington)***
Time Warner Cable Oceanic (Hawaii)***
Time Warner Cable Portland, Maine*
Time Warner Cable Rochester, N.Y.**
Time Warner Cable San Diego, Calif.***
Time Warner Cable Syracuse, N.Y.*

* Commercially deployed
** Installing system
***Contract awarded, SDV not yet installed/deployed
**** Installation/deployment status not yet known
***** Full deployment expected in next 30 days

I'm confused by your conclusion. The data you pasted doesn't seem to say anything about NYC.

-barry

Exactly.... nothing in NYC going on right now... so don't expect it any time soon

I'm confused by your conclusion. The data you pasted doesn't seem to say anything about NYC.

-barry

I should have read your post before reading his list 10 times trying to figure out why I was unable to find NYC. ;)

Exactly.... nothing in NYC going on right now... so don't expect it any time soon

You know what...I'd be ok for 6 months if they would just add 4-6 HD channels from the bandwidth they will free up on the 15th. Give me Golf/Vs in time for opening night of the NHL season, Nat Geo, Travel, Food, and 1 or 2 more of their choosing and I'll be a happy camper for a while.

I should have read your post before reading his list 10 times trying to figure out why I was unable to find NYC. ;)
:D I did the same thing.

I think Andy got that info from here. CV is listed as the MSO starting SDV.:cool:
http://www.lightreading.com/blog.asp?blog_sectionid=419&doc_id=132254&site=cdn

DAMN...i cant watch titanic on tnt hd... last time same problem and this time again!!! wtf is going on with TNT...are they going broke that they cant send enuff signal for the little island of manahttan? WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF?i'm having the same issue in forest hills. has it been resolved in your area? i've had TWC the past year and it's easily the worst cable provider I've ever had.

No TNT in Queens either.

DAMN...i cant watch titanic on tnt hd... last time same problem and this time again!!! wtf is going on with TNT...are they going broke that they cant send enuff signal for the little island of manahttan? WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF?

I seem to be seeing the commercials, but when the movie comes up it just goes to nothing (grey cable box 'I have nothing' signal). It's really, really weird. This added to the regular sound sync problems TNT has, it just has to be the weirdest channel on cable!

OK now I see what is going on: the movie came back, and I am seeing a still image while still hearing the sound. This freeze-o-rama with continual sound seems to happen quite often on TNT during commercials (and only on TNT, it should be noted). But i've never seen it occur on actual programming on TNT (or on any other channel at all, ever, I will repeat).

i'm having the same issue in forest hills. has it been resolved in your area? i've had TWC the past year and it's easily the worst cable provider I've ever had.

I'm not so sure that was TWC's issue. TNT-HD always seems to have something funky going on. I'd have to think, too, that virtually no one likes their forced stretching on SD content.

I'm having the same problems with TNT-HD in Bayside. Who's at fault?

been like for weeks here in NYC as well! watching "Law & Order" than channel locks! :D

You know what...I'd be ok for 6 months if they would just add 4-6 HD channels from the bandwidth they will free up on the 15th. Give me Golf/Vs in time for opening night of the NHL season, Nat Geo, Travel, Food, and 1 or 2 more of their choosing and I'll be a happy camper for a while.

EXACTLY! But, I'd add the 10% discount SIers have had for the past 2-3 months.

Still, it's almost worth a pool to see when we MAY get this. HOWEVER I'm having a bad feeling because they seem comfortable to publicly post they are dropping 4 analogs WITHOUT saying anything about the delivery of "the Staten Island 6" HD channels to the rest of the city.

Not so. Any time that the 8300 pops up a message on the screen (such as when you can't do a recording due to lack of space), the 8300 stops outputting 5.1 and all you get is 2 channel. The fix is to go into settings, change the audio setting to two-channel only and back to Dolby Digital. Read this thread and/or the other threads on the 8300, the info is there.
This is no longer true. This problem was fixed with the last update. The box stays in 5.1 when a message pops up these days.

Staten Island is getting more channels? I hope so. What channels are they taking off?

Not that we'll get it here in NYC, TW's corporate headquarters, but CNN is about to flick the HD switch according to this Broadcasting & Cable article...



Global news giant CNN is ready to launch a full-time high-definition service, CNN HD, that will initially be carried by satellite service DirecTV and likely find additional carriage with major cable operators.

CNN HD was slated to begin operations Saturday, Sept. 1, though consumers may not see it for a few weeks. DirecTV won’t be ready to carry new HD networks such as CNN HD until its DirecTV 10 satellite becomes fully functional in mid-September. At press time, no other cable or satellite operators have yet committed to carry CNN HD, though CNN says additional carriage deals will be announced over the next few months.

While CNN is the first cable news network to launch an all-HD channel, it follows more than a dozen other networks, including the broadcast networks, HBO, Discovery and others. The new service will be a high-definition simulcast of the main CNN network. CNN will be producing its video in widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) high-definition wherever possible, and deriving a 4:3 version from that feed to serve standard-def viewers. That single-production, dual-output technique has become standard among major networks for cost-effectively producing live sports and news programming.

TRUE VS. LEGACY

All of CNN HD’s programming won’t be produced in true high-definition at the start. For now, the high-definition portion will consist of shows from CNN’s New York studios at Time Warner Center, such as “American Morning,” “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” and “Anderson Cooper 360.” CNN documentaries and special events will also be offered in HD, along with replays of the New York studio shows, for a total of more than 60 hours a week in HD.

“All of our programs that originate out of New York will be produced in HD,” says Bob Hesskamp, vice president of CNN broadcasting engineering and systems technology. “The graphics and the studio shots will all be 16:9. But we still have a legacy of 4:3 library material, and the newsgathering will obviously be 4:3.”

Broadcasts originating from CNN’s Atlanta studios, as well as the bulk of field coverage, will continue to be produced in 4:3 standard-definition and upconverted to the 1080-line interlace HDTV format. “The Situation Room” with anchor Wolf Blitzer, which originates from Washington, D.C., will also remain in standard-def. But CNN’s Washington bureau will be able to take in HD feeds from locations such as the White House, and will have some HD editing capacity.

When showing 4:3 video, CNN HD will fill the 16:9 screen by adding graphic sidebars, says Hesskamp: “We’re not going to stretch our video.”

While CNN won’t disclose the total investment required to launch CNN HD, it is certainly well over $10 million. Much of the Time Warner Center studios, which were completed in 2004, were designed with HDTV in mind, and as such, studio cameras, production switchers and many cable runs were already HD-capable. But other parts of the infrastructure had to be upgraded, including a new router, editing and graphics tools, an HD server for long-form programming, and the rest of what Hesskamp calls the “digital glue”: digital-to-analog converters, upconverters, downconverters and the like.

“We’ve invested a lot up there, but we were as ready as we could have been in 2004,” says Hesskamp.

CNN has created a brand new HD master control in Atlanta, along with a new quality control area that is used to monitor outgoing and incoming HD feeds. It has also added high-definition post-production capacity in Atlanta to support long-form programming.

CNN HD hasn’t yet created an HD set in Atlanta, but that is planned, along with other additions to the network’s high-definition production capability as part of its ongoing renewal and replacement budget.

“Obviously, we’ll buy HD gear when equipment is to be replaced, and we’ll look strategically at what we have to add to the replacement budget to create HD production capacity,” says Hesskamp. “We’re still in the decision-making mode on the next phases. It was a lot of work just getting to this point.”
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

In the field, CNN is investing in Sony’s XDCAM HD optical-disc-based camera format, which will replace aging Sony Betacam SX gear and will be phased in over the next few years.

CNN’s global transition to XDCAM HD, first announced at the NAB show last spring, is “going great,” says Hesskamp. The network has purchased a number of XDCAM camcorders, distributing them domestically, and to a limited extent, internationally.

“The video we have shot so far looks fantastic, but we’ve been focusing on workflows and training,” says Hesskamp.

CNN HD has also deployed some HDV-format camcorders as another high-definition video source, and viewers should expect to see some HD footage from the field this fall.

“We’re going to study those things individually on a shoot-by-shoot basis,” says Hesskamp. “Our goal, obviously, is to get as much HD content on as we can. But we’re not going to have HD crews everywhere; we can’t do it overnight.”

CNN HD is already shooting and editing documentaries in high-definition that will premiere this fall, including “CNN Presents: Planet in Peril” with hosts Anderson Cooper, Jeff Corwin and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, which airs Oct. 23 and 24. CNN HD will also produce upcoming debates in the 2008 presidential race in high-definition, including the Democratic debate in Las Vegas on Nov. 15 and the Republican candidates’ debate in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Nov. 28. CNN already produced the July 23 “CNN/YouTube” debate between Democratic candidates in Charleston, S.C., in HD as a test run.

Says Hesskamp, “I think the biggest change for us is that nothing is really plug-and-play anymore. Every single piece of equipment has to really be tweaked and tested.”

Fox Business Network has secured that expanded basic channel position with Time Warner Cable of New York. It will launch on channel 43. In concert with FBN’s launch on the Time Warner Cable systems serving upper and lower Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and western Brooklyn, Fox News Channel will move to channel 44 from channel 46.

When showing 4:3 video, CNN HD will fill the 16:9 screen by adding graphic sidebars, says Hesskamp: “We’re not going to stretch our video.”
[/B]
It would be nice if they put some useful quick facts in that space, instead of using generic pillarboxes.

Move the 4:3 image to one side of the screen, and fill up the space created with some useful information.

Here we go again more HD channels are popping up and we are left in the dark over and over. I mean TWC has to do something in the city. We deserve more HD then this. I'm really getting annoyed with this.

Here we go again more HD channels are popping up and we are left in the dark over and over. I mean TWC has to do something in the city. We deserve more HD then this. I'm really getting annoyed with this.

We're waiting for September 15th.
4 Analog channels are being removed - thus creating A LOT of space for up to 8 HD channels... so lets see what happens (since we've already learned that they barely announce anything in advance...)

What analouge channels? I'm in SI, so there are no analouge channels, so would the new HD channels be ones that we in SI already have? I hope they can put up CNN HD and Discovery/TLC HD

What analouge channels? I'm in SI, so there are no analouge channels, so would the new HD channels be ones that we in SI already have? I hope they can put up CNN HD and Discovery/TLC HD

O shut up and go to hell


:p

We're waiting for September 15th.
4 Analog channels are being removed - thus creating A LOT of space for up to 8 HD channels... so lets see what happens (since we've already learned that they barely announce anything in advance...)

up to 12 HD channels can take the place of 4 Analog channels
3 per analog channel.

up to 12 HD channels can take the place of 4 Analog channels
3 per analog channel.

sure.... but I'd rather get the "full" HD quality and you dont get that if you shove 3 in....

What analouge channels? I'm in SI, so there are no analouge channels, so would the new HD channels be ones that we in SI already have? I hope they can put up CNN HD and Discovery/TLC HD

and for the last time S.I. still has "Basic Cable" in Analog, roughly 38 channels.

S.I. got rid of "Standard Cable" which is a completely different set of roughly 38 channels.

sure.... but I'd rather get the "full" HD quality and you dont get that if you shove 3 in....

not all channels are broadcast in the 1920x1080 19mbps standard.

...I'd rather get the "full" HD quality and you dont get that if you shove 3 in....:cool: It's all about the PQ.

HD channels?!? We don’t need no stinking HD channels… (especially if they look like crap!)

Watch this... the TW executive has the big hat on... just insert HD channels... where needed ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqomZQMZQCQ

Watch this... the TW executive has the big hat on... just insert HD channels... where needed ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqomZQMZQCQ

LOL

and for the last time S.I. still has "Basic Cable" in Analog, roughly 38 channels.

S.I. got rid of "Standard Cable" which is a completely different set of roughly 38 channels.

I'm afraid not. They made everyone switch their boxes, including people who just got the locals and NY1. If anything, just the locals are Analouge, although I'm pretty sure they're digital also. They sent us a notice about it.

well I guess I can only go by what was reported by media and by TWC.
I don't live in S.I. so I can't verify.

plug your cable wire directly into the tv and if you have 30+ analog channels, then i'm right.
If nuthing comes up, then you're right
:)

I just tried it. Nothing came up. There was a Staten Island Advance article on it, but It seems to have been taken off.

I just tried it. Nothing came up. There was a Staten Island Advance article on it, but It seems to have been taken off.

I guess u win this one!!!

I guess u win this one!!!No, actually he loses, no analog to lose, no bandwidth to gain, SI will never ever get another HD channel again-- not ever, never…








:p





:D



;)

No, actually he loses, no analog to lose, no bandwidth to gain, SI will never ever get another HD channel again-- not ever, never…
:p
:D
;)

If only that was true my friend, if only that was true.

Somehow I envision S.I. getting TBS-HD, Golf-Versus-HD, CNN-HD & even NGC-HD before we even get 1.

Well Im think of switching to FiOS, as I already have the internet and phone. Is it worth waiting with TWC since I live in SI?

Well Im think of switching to FiOS, as I already have the internet and phone. Is it worth waiting with TWC since I live in SI?Sure it’s worth entertaining FIOS when it surfaces, if you don’t mind not having MSG, especially if you’re not a KNICKS fan (or watch anything else on MSG). I’ve heard nothing but positive comments regarding FIOS PQ. Just don’t lock into the bogus TW contract / discount charade if you think you might jump over to them.

edit: I forgot, do you folks already have FIOS available in SI?

We have Internet and phone, and supposedly the TV contract is coming very soon.

Anyone else see the (new?) ads on Discovery HD Theater for their 4 new HD channels...Discovery HD, Animal Planet HD, TLC HD and The Science Channel HD.

Throw us a bone TWC!

http://dhd.discovery.com/simulcast/simulcast.html

We have Internet and phone, and supposedly the TV contract is coming very soon.

Don't you get a little bit of "all your eggs in one basket paranoia". If you get FIOS TV, and FIOS goes down, then you have no TV, not internet, no phone. I guess you could read. :-)

And, if you use a DVR, I think you cannot play back your recorded stuff unless cable is working.

I've been thinking that it makes sense to use different providers for cable TV and internet.

-barry

Fox Business Network has secured that expanded basic channel position with Time Warner Cable of New York. It will launch on channel 43. In concert with FBN’s launch on the Time Warner Cable systems serving upper and lower Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and western Brooklyn, Fox News Channel will move to channel 44 from channel 46.

LOL... thats only the beginning... (note this happens on 10/15)

Network: Old # - New #
FBN - xx - 43
MSNBC - 43 - 14
ABCFam - 14 - 38
Bravo - 38 - 18
Disc - 18 - 66 (next to National Geographic... TMC = 66 until 9/15)
FoxNews- 46 - 44
SciFi - 44 - 17
Hist - 17 - 40
USA - 40 - 16
A&E - 16 - 46

This is gonna be fun....

Note that all of the channels moving into the teens are NBC Universal owned networks (I wonder if the already existing HD channels in SI will be shifted to match)

LOL... thats only the beginning... (note this happens on 10/15)

Network: Old # - New #
FBN - xx - 43
MSNBC - 43 - 14
ABCFam - 14 - 38
Bravo - 38 - 18
Disc - 18 - 66 (next to National Geographic... TMC = 66 until 9/15)
FoxNews- 46 - 44
SciFi - 44 - 17
Hist - 17 - 40
USA - 40 - 16
A&E - 16 - 46

This is gonna be fun....

Note that all of the channels moving into the teens are NBC Universal owned networks (I wonder if the already existing HD channels in SI will be shifted to match)
Will the HD-equivalent channel numbers change as well? Specifically, will Discovery HD Theater move from 718 to 766 (as Discovery is moving from 18 to 66), and will UniHD move from 740 to 716 (as USA is moving from 40 to 16)?

Will the HD-equivalent channel numbers change as well? Specifically, will Discovery HD Theater move from 718 to 766 (as Discovery is moving from 18 to 66), and will UniHD move from 740 to 716 (as USA is moving from 40 to 16)?

Read my last line....

"I wonder..."

thanks Multichannel!!!

they provided us a new contact at TWC.
Director, Public Relations Suzanne Giuliani

Suzanne.Giuliani@twcable.com

who want to be the first to send an email with your questions?
I'm exhausted.

It would be nice if they put some useful quick facts in that space, instead of using generic pillarboxes.

Move the 4:3 image to one side of the screen, and fill up the space created with some useful information.

Hmmm, that's a VERY interesting idea, move the 4:3 and fill up the larger remaining space with usefulness. Unfortunately, they all read your post and now we'll see the 4:3 box moved with COMMERCIALS filling that larger space!

Even so, reasonably consistently, the sports guys (SNY, YES, ESPN, my market of course) put their own "designs" on the side pillars. Even better, a few rare times I see them take a sliver of the 4:3 signal from each side, blur it and use it as the sidebar. If you look closely, you can see imagery that is repeated, but if you don't look intently, it has a very good feeling to it. You get picture across your widescreen display, nothing is distorted, and if you don't look closely, it almost appears normal. I dare say this will only work well on sports, but they ALL should be doing it on 4:3 content!

and for the last time S.I. still has "Basic Cable" in Analog, roughly 38 channels.

S.I. got rid of "Standard Cable" which is a completely different set of roughly 38 channels.

FWIW that jibes perfectly with the fact that the rest of the city is burdened with 73 analogs... still I HAD been under the impression they got rid of ALL analog channels in SI. Of course, this means they could very well have done the same thing in the rest of the city, kept the 38 for those with the most basic subscriptions, but NOT create a situation where some folks have had 6 MORE HD channels than the rest of us. At this point I want the 2 things SI has over us, 6 more HD channels AND the 10% discount they get. Dare I hope they really REALLY do the right thing and give us the discount retroactive to when SI got it? Nah, they heard the head of the MTA has a million dollar Ferrari and the head of TWC-NY wants one for himself.

well I guess I can only go by what was reported by media and by TWC.
I don't live in S.I. so I can't verify.

plug your cable wire directly into the tv and if you have 30+ analog channels, then i'm right.
If nuthing comes up, then you're right
:)

Uh, that's a bad test... remember they scramble everything other than 2-13.

...the sports guys (SNY, YES, ESPN, my market of course) put their own "designs" on the side pillars. In my market too :p:D

I want the 2 things SI has over us, 6 more HD channels AND the 10% discount they get. Dare I hope they really REALLY do the right thing and give us the discount retroactive to when SI got it? Nah, they heard the head of the MTA has a million dollar Ferrari and the head of TWC-NY wants one for himself.
:confused: The discount has always been available to the entire city. You just have to commit to two years.

Well Im think of switching to FiOS, as I already have the internet and phone. Is it worth waiting with TWC since I live in SI?

Dood, you pay LESS than the rest of us and GET MORE (6 HD channels unavailable to the rest of the city). Of course, the pay less DOES mean you get locked to TWC for that year.

FIOS is a tough call on SI. First, they must have the franchise agreement with the city (they CAN supply phone and Internet, just not TV until that happens). Then they have to actually offer it ( it COULD be that they need another 6 months to get the front end ready to deliver TV services). Do we assume that every single street in SI has Verizon fiber under it so all they have to do is run the last bit into the home?

I could care less about Knicks, but I do watch hockey and would have an issue without MSG at all. I suspect Verizon knows about this and will figure out a way to carry it by the time the rest of us may be able to get FIOS... and I firmly think's going to be at least 2 years before I can "buy" FIOS TV service (I WOULD go triple play, phone, Internet and TV, I will NOT do that with TWC as my Internet part goes out way too frequently to trust phone to it).

Read my last line....

"I wonder..."
Oops, my bad.

Don't you get a little bit of "all your eggs in one basket paranoia". If you get FIOS TV, and FIOS goes down, then you have no TV, not internet, no phone. I guess you could read. :-)

And, if you use a DVR, I think you cannot play back your recorded stuff unless cable is working.

I've been thinking that it makes sense to use different providers for cable TV and internet.

-barry

Well in the past 3 years I have had 2 major (204 days) outage of Internet from TWC, plus in the past few weeks it has gone down for under and hour 3 separate times. In 30 years of Verizon phone service, I simply can't remember ever picking up the phone and not getting a dial tone (during the last blackout, I plugged in an ancient, totally analog phone and got dial tone, even though my family all have phones that depend on power, which is why I hold onto that ancient phone).

Do we assume that every single street in SI has Verizon fiber under it so all they have to do is run the last bit into the home?
The fiber lines in SI are mounted on phone poles, not buried underground. It's easy to tell if your street is wired for FiOS, because it'll have Fiber Distribution Boxes hung up on poles every few houses. We have a distribution box literally right in front of our front steps. I'll take a pic when I get some batteries for my digicam.

Just about every street I've been on in SI has these boxes.

When they install FiOS on a single-occupant building, they simply connect a smaller fiber optic cable to the distribution box, string it to the premises, install an ONT outside the building with a power supply and battery backup inside the building, and wire the whole thing up. Takes all of three hours, depending on complexity.

:confused: The discount has always been available to the entire city. You just have to commit to two years.

And where do you get that notion? When it broke a few months ago that SI was getting a discount, I saw it listed on the Packaging and Pricing page. I have never seen it on Manhattan's equivalent page.

I suspect Verizon knows about this and will figure out a way to carry it by the time the rest of us may be able to get FIOS... .MSG is part of Cablevision. They compete with FIOS in the same markets. IF CV gives FIOS MSG, then it will definitely be on a separate costly tier.

And where do you get that notion? When it broke a few months ago that SI was getting a discount, I saw it listed on the Packaging and Pricing page. I have never seen it on Manhattan's equivalent page.It’s been posted here many times by different people.

I called and got confirmation from a CSR earlier in the summer and about a month ago I received a letter in the mail spelling out the whole discount thing. This has all been posted here. Perhaps Manhattan is excluded? But I strongly doubt that.

Nah, they heard the head of the MTA has a million dollar Ferrari

Actually he has 20 Ferraris.

Perhaps Manhattan is excluded? But I strongly doubt that.

Manhattan is Excluded, I called last week and asked why I wasn't able to save $ while the rest of the city was. the CSR couldn't give me an answer.

But we all know it's becasue fios is not going to be widely deployed in the city anytime soon

Manhattan is Excluded,
:eek: Wow, that really does suck. Sorry RG, :confused: I always thought it was for all of the Boroughs. I guess the posts I read here regarding the discount were from non Manhattanites.

Someone joked that the head of the MTA has a million dollar Ferrari and the head of TWC wants one too. I bet he already has one, because that place is a #&$*money-printing machine. Not only do they get our monthly subscriber fees, not only do they get local advertising dollars, not only do they get paid by the networks to carry them - they also get fat fees for better placement on the dial. Multichannel News mag, reporting on the channel changes coming in October to accommodate the launch of FBN, reports:

"Sources familiar with the moves indicate that NBCU paid up to “several million dollars” for the enhanced channel positioning and to ensure separation on the dial for Fox Business Network from CNBC."

Ugh.

Someone joked that the head of the MTA has a million dollar Ferrari and the head of TWC wants one too. I bet he already has one, because that place is a #&$*money-printing machine. Not only do they get our monthly subscriber fees, not only do they get local advertising dollars, not only do they get paid by the networks to carry them - they also get fat fees for better placement on the dial. Multichannel News mag, reporting on the channel changes coming in October to accommodate the launch of FBN, reports:

"Sources familiar with the moves indicate that NBCU paid up to “several million dollars” for the enhanced channel positioning and to ensure separation on the dial for Fox Business Network from CNBC."

Ugh.
This is nothing new for multichannel TV providers with control over channel positions. Sky in the UK does it, DirecTV does it, I'm sure plenty of companies around the world do it. I would have been surprised if TWC were not doing it.

Most of SI has FiOS, and I was told by a FiOS rep that they have everything needed, they just need to get the OK from the city, which is supposed to be within the month. Even though TWC has more HD channels, It's still crap.

MSG is part of Cablevision. They compete with FIOS in the same markets. IF CV gives FIOS MSG, then it will definitely be on a separate costly tier.
Larry I don't think so they will have to bite the bullet here and pay what cablevision wants for the channels, At TWC we get all the major sport nets included with the DTValue, so Verizon will need to match that to stay competitive. They won't be competative if they start charging extra for this and extra for that. It already looks like there is a extra charge for the local channels, that is a big problem in my list of comparisons.

pay what cablevision wants for the channels, .Who says that CV will / or/ is offering it? Why don't they have it now?

Sports isn't an issue for me, News is, and FiOS has both ABC News Now and BBC World, which are rarities.

Most of SI has FiOS, and I was told by a FiOS rep that they have everything needed, they just need to get the OK from the city, which is supposed to be within the month. Even though TWC has more HD channels, It's still crap.
Becareful SIer's I got a leter from Verizon offering their triple play with FIOS (eventhough my area isn't connected)but the sneaky part is that it is for FIOS phone and internet and Direct TV. I am in one of the many parts of Queens that hasn't been wired. They probably thought since I have one bill(DSL, Phone and wireless) that I would be interested in an upgrade or just a mistake on their part.

Who says that CV will / or/ is offering it? Why don't they have it now?
Think of it this way, right now they have maybe 200,000 (guesstimate)LI customers. So in LI they face a loss of customers But once that 8 million NYCer's get the access that means a possibility of extra money for them(CV). I think it is safe to say they are on the "wait and see" team. I think they are in talks, but are moving slowly and waiting until the city give the OK.

Sports isn't an issue for me, News is, and FiOS has both ABC News Now and BBC World, which are rarities.
What? what? sports isn't an issue. What planet are you from?:D;):p

Don't we already have those 2 chanels? I know we have BBC somthing, not one of my views, sorry. But ABC News now is one we have.

BBC America is general entertainment, BBC World is a news channel. We have Eyewitness News Now, which is really just a weather station, but ABC News now is a full fleged news channel.

has anyone figured out what's up with the audio dropouts?
i get them more and more, mostly on hd channels and i think on sd channels as well.
i have an 8300hd box running passport and i'm using the component and analog l/r connections.

has anyone figured out what's up with the audio dropouts?
i get them more and more, mostly on hd channels and i think on sd channels as well.
i have an 8300hd box running passport and i'm using the component and analog l/r connections.

Not sure what's up on your end. I am getting them much less frequently than I had been a few months ago.


Something else I recently noticed:

Since they added the last new batch of HD channels (ESPN2, etc.), I have noticed that my HD recordings that I make on the DVR take up a LOT less space on most channels, indicating to me that they've reduced the bandwidth that most channels have.

In particular, HBO, Cinemax, UHD, and a few others seem to take up a small fraction of the space that they used to take up on the drive (it used to average about 6G/hour). I noticed some stuff on UHD taking up only 1G/hr, and some things on HBO/Cinemax taking up ~2G/hr.

On the other hand, Showtime and the regular broadcast channels (CBS, PBS) seem to have remained about the same. CBS & Showtime seem to give us the most bandwidth of any channels (CBS consistenly puts out 7G/hr, and Showtime is right up there).

Scott

Not sure what's up on your end. I am getting them much less frequently than I had been a few months ago.


Something else I recently noticed:

Since they added the last new batch of HD channels (ESPN2, etc.), I have noticed that my HD recordings that I make on the DVR take up a LOT less space on most channels, indicating to me that they've reduced the bandwidth that most channels have.

In particular, HBO, Cinemax, UHD, and a few others seem to take up a small fraction of the space that they used to take up on the drive (it used to average about 6G/hour). I noticed some stuff on UHD taking up only 1G/hr, and some things on HBO/Cinemax taking up ~2G/hr.

On the other hand, Showtime and the regular broadcast channels (CBS, PBS) seem to have remained about the same. CBS & Showtime seem to give us the most bandwidth of any channels (CBS consistenly puts out 7G/hr, and Showtime is right up there).

Scott

I have felt for some time that Showtime's PQ was better than HBO. I assumed that because HBO crops widescreen movies, that reduced the quality as there is obviously some loss of information in the cropped part.

Cynthia

Something else I recently noticed:

Since they added the last new batch of HD channels (ESPN2, etc.), I have noticed that my HD recordings that I make on the DVR take up a LOT less space on most channels, indicating to me that they've reduced the bandwidth that most channels have.

In particular, HBO, Cinemax, UHD, and a few others seem to take up a small fraction of the space that they used to take up on the drive (it used to average about 6G/hour). I noticed some stuff on UHD taking up only 1G/hr, and some things on HBO/Cinemax taking up ~2G/hr.

On the other hand, Showtime and the regular broadcast channels (CBS, PBS) seem to have remained about the same. CBS & Showtime seem to give us the most bandwidth of any channels (CBS consistenly puts out 7G/hr, and Showtime is right up there).

Scott

From a practical standpoint, reducing HBO's bandwidth makes no sense. It's a TW product, and what company would eschew its own in favor of giving full bandwidth to a competitor?

I get the oddest dropouts audio dropouts on HBO. They frequently occur when the end credits are rolling and there's a music track. Very odd.

Has anyone been monitoring the TWC HD channel space in "test" mode to see if there's anything cooking, like CNN-HD, etc.?

Has anyone been monitoring the TWC HD channel space in "test" mode to see if there's anything cooking, like CNN-HD, etc.?

There is no "test" mode like DirecTV has going.

There is "DIAG" mode though....
And none of us are expecting anything to be hidden there until after 9/15, when some major bandwidth is opening up...

The fiber lines in SI are mounted on phone poles, not buried underground. It's easy to tell if your street is wired for FiOS, because it'll have Fiber Distribution Boxes hung up on poles every few houses. We have a distribution box literally right in front of our front steps. I'll take a pic when I get some batteries for my digicam.

Just about every street I've been on in SI has these boxes.

When they install FiOS on a single-occupant building, they simply connect a smaller fiber optic cable to the distribution box, string it to the premises, install an ONT outside the building with a power supply and battery backup inside the building, and wire the whole thing up. Takes all of three hours, depending on complexity.

Ah very interesting information. Also makes it really clear that "wiring" SI is a far, far faster process then getting most of the rest of the city ready. Like I said many times, it took TWC close to three years to get ALL of the fiber run in Manhattan (to the point where they could offer the services it brought, I could NOT get DTV or RR until they got the fiber to my node while a pal in alphabet city had it 2 years before I cloud get it; AND I'm not at the northern tip, those guys waited longer than I had to).

Not sure what's up on your end. I am getting them much less frequently than I had been a few months ago.


Something else I recently noticed:

Since they added the last new batch of HD channels (ESPN2, etc.), I have noticed that my HD recordings that I make on the DVR take up a LOT less space on most channels, indicating to me that they've reduced the bandwidth that most channels have.

In particular, HBO, Cinemax, UHD, and a few others seem to take up a small fraction of the space that they used to take up on the drive (it used to average about 6G/hour). I noticed some stuff on UHD taking up only 1G/hr, and some things on HBO/Cinemax taking up ~2G/hr.

On the other hand, Showtime and the regular broadcast channels (CBS, PBS) seem to have remained about the same. CBS & Showtime seem to give us the most bandwidth of any channels (CBS consistenly puts out 7G/hr, and Showtime is right up there).

Scott

I recall it was you and I that noticed this right after the 6/14 channel changes and addition of ESPN2 HD. Indeed, it is a lot less frequent now, even though it still does happen. The pisser was that a good pal I had been trying for a year to go HD finally did... just as the issue started happening. His first 2 weeks with HD were a mess of unwatchable content! Fortunately, he didn't totally blame me...

Currently, I figured they had done some tuning up to get the drop-outs much less frequently; but had no idea exactly what they did. Indeed, less disk space consumed sure does point to reduced bit rate! Must say that I did NOT notice any visual effect from this... could be that were subtle enough that made them not obvious.

STILL, 9/15 sure looks like a day for a big boost in available bandwidth... even if we get all 6 SI has, that still leaves a fair amount of room for another 4+ HD channels. HOPEFULLY that CAN mean that we don't have to be forced into SDV capable Navigator quite so quickly.

I have felt for some time that Showtime's PQ was better than HBO. I assumed that because HBO crops widescreen movies, that reduced the quality as there is obviously some loss of information in the cropped part.

Cynthia

Are you aware that there ARE movies that are done 1:2.35 for theater presentation and 16:9 for DVD/broadcast? Or that Stanley Kubrick insisted his DVD release be 4:3 even if they were shown in theaters as 16:9 widescreen?

So I' not so sure one can lay any "blame" on HBO. Besides, I find that there more HD movies on HBO than SHO.

From a practical standpoint, reducing HBO's bandwidth makes no sense. It's a TW product, and what company would eschew its own in favor of giving full bandwidth to a competitor?

I get the oddest dropouts audio dropouts on HBO. They frequently occur when the end credits are rolling and there's a music track. Very odd.

Ah, I have always wondered about this during end credits... I have been seeing this since I first got a HD display (May 06). Theoretically, they should need LESS bandwidth for those, they are mostly black & white.

BTW, Man-North and Man-South both seemed to have the MOST drop-out issues on HDNet far more than any other channel.

AND in a brain teasing way, right now almost all of my audio drop outs seem to occur on SD channels, not HD ones. Which sort of seems to impacted my "feeling" they were part of a bandwidth issue when they added ESPN2 HD.

Are you aware that there ARE movies that are done 1:2.35 for theater presentation and 16:9 for DVD/broadcast? Or that Stanley Kubrick insisted his DVD release be 4:3 even if they were shown in theaters as 16:9 widescreen?

So I' not so sure one can lay any "blame" on HBO. Besides, I find that there more HD movies on HBO than SHO.The point I got from CK was that Showtime usually broadcasts in the original aspect ratio while HBO typically shows a movie in a full screen 16x9 frame-- regardless. Therefore artifacts can be more apparent with an altered HBO presentation.;)

From a practical standpoint, reducing HBO's bandwidth makes no sense. It's a TW product, and what company would eschew its own in favor of giving full bandwidth to a competitor?

I get the oddest dropouts audio dropouts on HBO. They frequently occur when the end credits are rolling and there's a music track. Very odd.

The practicality is that TWC in Manhattan is squeezed for bandwidth and they have multiplexed the HD video to squeeze more channels into less frequencies, so they are cutting back on picture quality by squeezing the bandwidth to fit more channels in (at least to a point). Obviously they are under a lot of pressure to add more channels, and they responded when they added the last batch of channels, but cut back on the bandwidth of some of the channels.

Last night I watched a movie from UHD, the excellent Jim Sheridan film "The Boxer", and when I removed it, I found that the whole movie only took up 6G even though it was a full 2 hours. That's about 1/2 of what I used to get on that channel, and 1/2 of what I get on the broadcast networks and Showtime. I haven't tested many other channels.

Scott

IMust say that I did NOT notice any visual effect from this... could be that were subtle enough that made them not obvious.
I notice the bandwidth reduction on occasion, though it's not obvious. Where you can really see it is during fast action and during scene transitions.

STILL, 9/15 sure looks like a day for a big boost in available bandwidth... even if we get all 6 SI has, that still leaves a fair amount of room for another 4+ HD channels. HOPEFULLY that CAN mean that we don't have to be forced into SDV capable Navigator quite so quickly.
We'll see what plans TWC has for this bandwidth. Their goals do not always match ours.....

Ah, I have always wondered about this during end credits... I have been seeing this since I first got a HD display (May 06). Theoretically, they should need LESS bandwidth for those, they are mostly black & white.

BTW, Man-North and Man-South both seemed to have the MOST drop-out issues on HDNet far more than any other channel.

AND in a brain teasing way, right now almost all of my audio drop outs seem to occur on SD channels, not HD ones. Which sort of seems to impacted my "feeling" they were part of a bandwidth issue when they added ESPN2 HD.



I have the HBO credits dropout problem too, but oddly it didn't happen on the last Sopranos episode (ha ha). Overall my dropouts are getting much WORSE and PQ is getting BAD.

HDNET, HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX - all of them are giving me dropouts. Haven't watched any broadcast TV in a while so we'll see in a couple of weeks when the new season starts up.

HBO PQ is noticably worse than ever now. It was painful to watch the last episode of Entourage with so much fuzziness and motion blur.

BTW - If you haven't seen HD on FIOS, you really are missing out. My house on LI is wired and the diff in PQ between TWC and FIOS is very noticeable. When they finally start lighting up the city, TWC is going to be in serious trouble if they ever showcase "Ours vs Theirs" to the masses.

...I get the oddest dropouts audio dropouts on HBO. They frequently occur when the end credits are rolling and there's a music track. Very odd.There is a change in the audio signal when the movie is over. Maybe this is part of the drop-outs-- at the end of a movie(?).

When the movie is over and the credits roll the Dolby Digital indicator on my receiver goes off and the audio is “reduced” to Pro Logic.

All they channels in TWC SI have a 2 second audio delay. It's quite horrendous, and horrible service from TWC.

All they channels in TWC SI have a 2 second audio delay. It's quite horrendous, and horrible service from TWC.

I have no problem in Staten Island with audio delay; however I am connected by component to the TV and digital audio to the receiver. If you are using HDMI and especially if you are taking the audio from the TV and passing it to your receiver, the delay is probably occcurring because of the longer path. I don't think this problem can be blamed on TWC.

I also get audio breaks on many channels, especially when there is stationary text on the screen. I wonder if the minimum amount of MPEG2 needed at the point where there is little or no change in the video leaves less space than needed to add in the audio. This thought is based upon my understanding of MPEG2 which may not be accurate.

Cynthia

I have the HBO credits dropout problem too, but oddly it didn't happen on the last Sopranos episode (ha ha). Overall my dropouts are getting much WORSE and PQ is getting BAD.

HDNET, HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX - all of them are giving me dropouts. Haven't watched any broadcast TV in a while so we'll see in a couple of weeks when the new season starts up.

HBO PQ is noticably worse than ever now. It was painful to watch the last episode of Entourage with so much fuzziness and motion blur.

BTW - If you haven't seen HD on FIOS, you really are missing out. My house on LI is wired and the diff in PQ between TWC and FIOS is very noticeable. When they finally start lighting up the city, TWC is going to be in serious trouble if they ever showcase "Ours vs Theirs" to the masses.

Honestly, I'm surprised a bit... our experiences seem quite different. I WAS at the point you seem to be at 4-6 weeks ago... it was very bad. But gradually got better.

The only logical thing is that we must be served by different head ends. Which is why it's so important to list your exact location... as you can see from the additional info I add to all my posts via the signature/nick functions.

I have no problem in Staten Island with audio delay; however I am connected by component to the TV and digital audio to the receiver. If you are using HDMI and especially if you are taking the audio from the TV and passing it to your receiver, the delay is probably occcurring because of the longer path. I don't think this problem can be blamed on TWC.

I also get audio breaks on many channels, especially when there is stationary text on the screen. I wonder if the minimum amount of MP3 needed at the point where there is little or no change in the video leaves less space than needed to add in the audio. This thought is based upon my understanding of MP3 which may not be accurate.

Cynthia

Cyn I doubt MP3 encoding plays any role here... AFAIK it's PCM or AC/3. From what I have seen over the past few months, it's a very logical conclusion they were squeezing too much into the available bandwidth (except for SI, we got 2 or so HD channels after they said they could NOT add any more). Scott tumbled onto the space issue, so it now seems clear they dealt with the bandwidth issue by reducing bit-rate.

I do think audio breaks are kind of inherent; I only get in gear by frequency of them, not the fact of their existence.

Cyn I doubt MP3 encoding plays any role here... AFAIK it's PCM or AC/3. From what I have seen over the past few months, it's a very logical conclusion they were squeezing too much into the available bandwidth (except for SI, we got 2 or so HD channels after they said they could NOT add any more). Scott tumbled onto the space issue, so it now seems clear they dealt with the bandwidth issue by reducing bit-rate.

I do think audio breaks are kind of inherent; I only get in gear by frequency of them, not the fact of their existence.

Sorry for the error. I just realized that I meant MPEG2.

Cynthia

It's still there, but to a lesser extent. I'm connected via component.

What are people expecting after the bandwidth frees up September 15:
More HD channels
More Digital channels
More bandwidth for existing channels
More bandwidth for RoadRunner (Optimum Online is now up to 40Mbit down/2Mbit up in some areas, compared to to RR's 10Mbit down/768k up, which is worse than OOL had YEARS ago on the base/nonpremium tier)
Or perhaps -- Nothing ?

If you expect something, how long do you think until it happens?

My theory may be that nothing will happen for a while, and they will probably save the bandwidth for internet and wait until FIOS becomes more of a threat before actually enabling the higher BW, but that HD is mostly not a threat.

Thoughts?

What are people expecting after the bandwidth frees up September 15:
More HD channels
More Digital channels
More bandwidth for existing channels
More bandwidth for RoadRunner (Optimum Online is now up to 40Mbit down/2Mbit up in some areas, compared to to RR's 10Mbit down/768k up, which is worse than OOL had YEARS ago on the base/nonpremium tier)
Or perhaps -- Nothing ?

If you expect something, how long do you think until it happens?

My theory may be that nothing will happen for a while, and they will probably save the bandwidth for internet and wait until FIOS becomes more of a threat before actually enabling the higher BW, but that HD is mostly not a threat.

Thoughts?

There will be some HD additions within a few weeks afterwards

Too many channels are going HD now (Including ones owned by the "Papa Company")

We should see CNNHD and TBSHD.
(They dont do everything based purely on competition... otherwise we'd see nothing changed ever....)

Also, they aren't in any hurry to expand bandwidth on Road Runner.

Well I do know for a fact that RoadRunner has recently made some major backbone upgrades specific to NYC that have not been made anywhere else on the roadrunner network - so it's quite possible they are ramping up to upgrade speeds there ...

What are people expecting after the bandwidth frees up September 15:
More HD channels
More Digital channels
More bandwidth for existing channels
More bandwidth for RoadRunner (Optimum Online is now up to 40Mbit down/2Mbit up in some areas, compared to to RR's 10Mbit down/768k up, which is worse than OOL had YEARS ago on the base/nonpremium tier)
Or perhaps -- Nothing ?

If you expect something, how long do you think until it happens?

My theory may be that nothing will happen for a while, and they will probably save the bandwidth for internet and wait until FIOS becomes more of a threat before actually enabling the higher BW, but that HD is mostly not a threat.

Thoughts?

I don't know what it takes to bump up the speed on the internet?
But I guess 1 analog slot would be used for internet as we are at 7 and S.I. is at 10.
and 3 analog slots for up to 9 HD channels.

hopefully! :p

Any one having problems with on demand channels on the 8300HDC box. Getting error 106 Try later.

I don't know what it takes to bump up the speed on the internet?
But I guess 1 analog slot would be used for internet as we are at 7 and S.I. is at 10.
and 3 analog slots for up to 9 HD channels.

hopefully! :p

The addition of 9 HD channels would be a huge shock...but one that I'd gladly accept! As I said earlier, give me 4-6 channels (Golf/VS, Travel, Food, Nat Geo, and a couple of their choosing) and I won't say a bad word about TWC's limited HD offerings for 6 months. ;)

So I recorded a movie, tried to watch it today.....HORRIBLE!! Non-stop breakups, pixelating...HORRIBLE. I can't believe I am paying for this crappy service!!

looks like cablevision customers recently got some new channels. my parents now have several of the zoom channels, including Equator HD and a few others (kung fu, horror, etc.) Sucks that we only have Discovery HD Theater, while they have that as well as National Geographic HD and Equator HD. Considering all the new HD channels popping up I'll be very upset if TWC doesn't use most of the extra bandwidth to stay competitive on the HD front.

looks like cablevision customers recently got some new channels. my parents now have several of the zoom channels, including Equator HD and a few others (kung fu, horror, etc.) Sucks that we only have Discovery HD Theater, while they have that as well as National Geographic HD and Equator HD. Considering all the new HD channels popping up I'll be very upset if TWC doesn't use most of the extra bandwidth to stay competitive on the HD front.

Cablevision adding Zoom is pretty old news....

What are people expecting after the bandwidth frees up September 15

While I'm hoping for a ton more HD content, my reasoned guess is that we will get one or two HD channels, a couple of digital channels, and a whole bunch of international subscription-only channels. The latter are very profitable for TWCNYC, according to someone I spoke with over there, and I would be shocked if they didn't focus on them first.

Cablevision adding Zoom is pretty old news....

Well my parents didn't have those channels the last time I visited them in July. Some research revealed that it's been at most 6 weeks since the channels were added...to me that still qualifies as recently:

Cablevision Adds VOOM Channels
2007-07-21 19:37:00
The nation’s fifth largest multi system operator Cable vision announced recently that it will add 15 new high-definition (HD) channels from VOOM HD Networks. This brings the total number of HD channels available to its iO digital cable customers to 40. VOOM is a division of Cablevision’s Rainbow Media Network and was previously available only on DISH Network. Cablevision also indicated that it will have the capability to carry more than 500 HD channels on its fiber optic network by the end of 2007. Multi system operators (MSOs) Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications have all been publicizing HD capability as direct broadcast satellite provider DirecTV increased pressure earlier this year by announcing that it will soon have the capacity to offer over 100 HD channels. cablevision, hd capability, voom hd

...to me that still qualifies as recently
A page ago on this forum is considered old news.:p

The general feeling I’ve surmised from lurking over at the CV thread (and listening to friends’ comments) regarding these new VOOM channels is- yes they are additional HD-- woohoo :rolleyes: but most of the stuff is old reruns, including dated sports coverage. It’s just a bunch of filler that’s been in the possession of the younger Dolan and now they finally got it on their CV system. If not for only the one reason-- to bolster their advertisements.

The reality is, I’m sure there are a lot more homes in the CV market compared to our TW market that have the option to switch to satellite. CV needs the hype. They can now run ads bragging about the amount of channels they provide.

Big deal, give me quality over quantity. They don’t even have HDnet.

A page ago on this forum is considered old news.:p

The general feeling I’ve surmised from lurking over at the CV thread (and listening to friends’ comments) regarding these new VOOM channels is- yes they are additional HD-- woohoo :rolleyes: but most of the stuff is old reruns, including dated sports coverage. It’s just a bunch of filler that’s been in the possession of the younger Dolan and now they finally got it on their CV system. If not for only the one reason-- to bolster their advertisements.

The reality is, I’m sure there are a lot more homes in the CV market compared to our TW market that have the option to switch to satellite. CV needs the hype. They can now run ads bragging about the amount of channels they provide.

Big deal, give me quality over quantity. They don’t even have HDnet.

While I would agree with you that most of the stuff is old reruns (Kung Fu and Horror channels), I did like Equator HD. Watched it for a couple of hours last night. Pretty good show on the endangered biodiversity in Madascar, and some other stuff that looked like it was filmed recently. As a nature lover, and someone who has Discovery HD Theater high on his list of favorite HD channels, I'd certainly welcome it to the TWC lineup, along with National Geographic.

While I'm hoping for a ton more HD content, my reasoned guess is that we will get one or two HD channels, a couple of digital channels, and a whole bunch of international subscription-only channels. The latter are very profitable for TWCNYC, according to someone I spoke with over there, and I would be shocked if they didn't focus on them first.

This could also be a benefit for us. They are wasting a huge amount of bandwidth on international analog channels. It is this way because most viewers of foreign language channels are older people who dont speak english and dont care about the digital service, and prefer just using their normal tv controls.

Say hypothethetically they add an Arabic language channel, digital only, and make it free for digital subscribers if they subscribe to an arabic language analog channel, it may entice enough of the Arab users to switch to digital where TWC would be able to just force the rest of the users onto digital and make that channel digital as well, freeing up even more bandwidth...

I'd certainly welcome it to the TWC lineup, along with National Geographic.I’d welcome NG HD too, along with any HD music or movie channel. My point is that the VOOM additions in CV land is more of a propaganda smoke and mirrors gimmick.

We absolutely need VS and TBS in HD. I could care less about CNNHD (speaking of propaganda;) ) but I could see that coming sooner than later since it’s under the same roof.

I wish TWC would get us VS in HD. All those hockey games that end up on there that are being broadcasted in HD and we are stuck with standard definition.

A shame that channels with live coverage of events do not get some form of priority. I am not trying to take away from those that want more movie channels in HD, but live is live and should receive some form of precedence.

I'm trying to watch the FIFA Women's World Cup on ESPN2 HD (729) and there are these constant dropouts, breakups and macroblocking. Anyone else seeing it?

I wish TWC would get us VS in HD. All those hockey games that end up on there that are being broadcasted in HD and we are stuck with standard definition.

A shame that channels with live coverage of events do not get some form of priority. I am not trying to take away from those that want more movie channels in HD, but live is live and should receive some form of precedence.
I will tell you guys, I see many hockeys fans on this fourm a lot hoping for VsHD, but the ratings and ticket sales don't reflect the same passion I see here. I think TWC will and does take the latter into account (ratings)when they look at a HD channel to add. Not for the ratings themselves but for the usage of said channel. Why would they rush an HD channel that will have decidely lower ratings then the already low Ranger SD games? If the Ranger fans or,The Islanders and Devils (All 3 were in the playoffs last season had games that were beaten by huge margins by early season baseball and late season Basketball)for that fact which still don't have HD channels on TWC, don't come out and support their teams on the regular SD channels on a daily basis. Why would TWC rush for this channel? Honesty guys, how many Local games are we truly talking about? 10 total? We should all be looking at the VsHD as a non factor right now untill the ratings start making upward trends.

ticket sales

Rangers sold out every game last season.

I will tell you guys, I see many hockeys fans on this fourm a lot hoping for VsHD, but the ratings and ticket sales don't reflect the same passion I see here. I think TWC will and does take the latter into account (ratings)when they look at a HD channel to add. Not for the ratings themselves but for the usage of said channel. Why would they rush an HD channel that will have decidely lower ratings then the already low Ranger SD games? If the Ranger fans or,The Islanders and Devils (All 3 were in the playoffs last season had games that were beaten by huge margins by early season baseball and late season Basketball)for that fact which still don't have HD channels on TWC, don't come out and support their teams on the regular SD channels on a daily basis. Why would TWC rush for this channel? Honesty guys, how many Local games are we truly talking about? 10 total? We should all be looking at the VsHD as a non factor right now untill the ratings start making upward trends.

Because it's free! How many other networks give their channels away for nothing?

Rangers sold out every game last season.
I really meant that for all three teams. But if the Rangers are such a tough ticket, why do you think the ratings are so poor? This thread more then any has shown me there is a good following. But where are the viewers that can't get or afford the game.
Also, The games might be sold out but they aren't occuppied sell outs. Which to me is just as bad. There were a few games I watched last year and was wondering, where the fans were? Remember the NHL has been questioned on inflating the numbers since the strike to look better then they are.

Because it's free! How many other networks give their channels away for nothing?
How would it be free? No Channel we get is on Cable or Sat are for free. All these extra HD channels have included some carriage aggreement. Which includes fees or advertisement discounts or freebies. VsHD would have to be a reworked contract if they didn't have it included on the original Vs channel agreement. The same way TWC re-work the deals with all other channels that added an HD feed. Nothing is for free in this world. It may seem free but somewhere someone has to pay for it. Whether the cost falls on us or TWC isn't sure.

How would it be free? No Channel we get is on Cable or Sat are for free. All these extra HD channels have included some carriage aggreement. Which includes fees or advertisement discounts or freebies. VsHD would have to be a reworked contract if they didn't have it included on the original Vs channel agreement. The same way TWC re-work the deals with all other channels that added an HD feed. Nothing is for free in this world. It may seem free but somewhere someone has to pay for it. Whether the cost falls on us or TWC isn't sure.

No... Its free

Comcast (the owner of the network) is including the VS-GolfHD channel for no additional charge to all cable/sat providers that have both Vs and Golf on the basic tier

I really meant that for all three teams. But if the Rangers are such a tough ticket, why do you think the ratings are so poor? This thread more then any has shown me there is a good following. But where are the viewers that can't get or afford the game.
Also, The games might be sold out but they aren't occuppied sell outs. Which to me is just as bad. There were a few games I watched last year and was wondering, where the fans were? Remember the NHL has been questioned on inflating the numbers since the strike to look better then they are.

Their rating AREN'T poor...

I mean... they aren't "great" ratings - but they are among the top NHL draws (which is why they get so many National games)... and games they are involved in do the best nationally, compared to other teams

It seems that they've added another new SD channel this past weekend -- Ch. 135 is "Russia Today". Can't recall what it used to be....