New York, NY - TWC [Text View] - Page 55

LL3HD

11-21-07, 06:38 PM

...Do they have the fiber installed to your block or building?No, there is no fiber or FIOS available in my neighborhood. That’s the irony of it. Verizion is touting FIOS to me when it’s not even available. Their marketing department and CSRs are scarier than TWs. Finally, though, they are sending a new flier for their bogus “triple play” which is- Verizon land line, Verizon DSL and DirecTV.

I guess you haven't had that many TWC outages that make their phone service useless... like I have said, at least three times in the past three years I was OUT of IP connectivity for 3-5 days each time. Plus at least half a dozen times when it was out for under 6 hours.Unfortunately you were (are) correct and I didn’t heed your advice and warnings a few months ago. I got suckered into the TW triple play package seduced by the 30 bucks per month in savings.

My phone has gone down twice with this TW crap, both times in the middle of the night. That’s two more times than I can ever remember my phone crapping out with Verizon or any of its previous incarnations-- going back a few decades.

And, as I mentioned a few months ago, when it first occurred, my home alarm system is tied into the phone line. When the phone goes down all hell breaks lose. Last Thursday night I was awakened out of a glorious slumber by the heart attack inducing sirens. It really sucks thinking that someone just broke into your home or that you’re on fire.

The only thing I could do is go back to Verizon, or AT&T. They’re the same, both expensive as a “single play” situation but I need a real landline for the alarm system.

That’s why I’m revisiting these fliers.
Still, partnering with D*TV is very interesting. There's sure as sh*t something else going on here... once they sign on as such, how would Verizon get the customer to switch to the FIOS TV service? One does have to actually buy the DVR box from D*TV, don't they? Good points, I don’t know the answer.

It's only speculation but somehow I get the sneaky feeling Verizon KNOWS it is going to take years to secure a franchise agreement.I think you are right.

UnnDunn

11-21-07, 10:47 PM

Interesting. Do they have the fiber installed to your block or building? About when did that happen? I'm curious because I still think TWC is actively blocking Verizon in some way from getting that franchise they must have to offer TV services.

I guess you haven't had that many TWC outages that make their phone service useless... like I have said, at least three times in the past three years I was OUT of IP connectivity for 3-5 days each time. Plus at least half a dozen times when it was out for under 6 hours.

Still, partnering with D*TV is very interesting. There's sure as sh*t something else going on here... once they sign on as such, how would Verizon get the customer to switch to the FIOS TV service? One does have to actually buy the DVR box from D*TV, don't they?

It's only speculation but somehow I get the sneaky feeling Verizon KNOWS it is going to take years to secure a franchise agreement.
DirecTV and Verizon have had this agreement in place for years; it was Verizon's strategy to head off the impending phone competition from the cable companies while they built out their Fiber network. You just never heard about it because Verizon wasn't marketing it much. I think they struck this agreement in the late 90s. AT&T (nee SBC) has a similar agreement with Dish Network.

Under such agreements, the phone company is reselling the satellite company's service, so in the case of Verizon/DirecTV, you aren't a DirecTV customer, you're a Verizon customer. Depending on the agreement, Verizon could handle customer support and billing, or it could pay DirecTV to do so -- I have no idea. But at the end of the day, it is Verizon who "owns" you as a customer; they control your price, your features, your service, so they can do whatever they want to migrate you to FiOS when available. It's very much like a cell-phone MVNO such as Helio, that uses Verizon's cell network to deliver its services.

Table5

11-22-07, 12:24 AM

Yup. I tell you what, once we get VS HD and NHL Network HD I won't clamor for additiona sports channels for a while. ;)

Any idea when NHL Network HD is coming online? The whole reason I got an LCD was to watch Center Ice in HD...and now my hockey looks worse than before (considering its a big tv with SD). Makes me seriously consider DirectTV if something isn't coming down the pipeline regarding the issue.

Riverside_Guy

11-22-07, 09:31 AM

My phone has gone down twice with this TW crap, both times in the middle of the night. That’s two more times than I can ever remember my phone crapping out with Verizon or any of its previous incarnations-- going back a few decades.

And, as I mentioned a few months ago, when it first occurred, my home alarm system is tied into the phone line. When the phone goes down all hell breaks lose. Last Thursday night I was awakened out of a glorious slumber by the heart attack inducing sirens. It really sucks thinking that someone just broke into your home or that you’re on fire.

Oh boy, you REALLY feel the pain! Funny, I originally thought I'd never NOT had dial tone when I picked up a recover... going back 30+ some odd years. Long after I made such a statement, something crept back into my head... but it was that they fixed whatever issue the next morning. No "we can schedule a technician in about 3-5 business days from now" that you typically get from TWC "service."

From here in Manhattan, we have twin issues. One is Verizon actually getting the fiber laid all over AND that elusive franchise agreement so they can sell the TV service part. My hood had to wait on "digital TV" and Road Runner service while TWC was laying it's fiber backbone. I remember the frustration was huge (not to fault TWC) because I had a bud who lived in alphabet city who had such services a good 2 years before I could get them.

Trust me, I'd MUCH rather be complaining about FIOS than TWC, somehow I would guess there would be far less to grouse about with them. Somehow I doubt they would arrange for some neighbors to pay a lot less for more services just because of my address.

Riverside_Guy

11-22-07, 09:34 AM

DirecTV and Verizon have had this agreement in place for years; it was Verizon's strategy to head off the impending phone competition from the cable companies while they built out their Fiber network. You just never heard about it because Verizon wasn't marketing it much. I think they struck this agreement in the late 90s. AT&T (nee SBC) has a similar agreement with Dish Network.

Under such agreements, the phone company is reselling the satellite company's service, so in the case of Verizon/DirecTV, you aren't a DirecTV customer, you're a Verizon customer. Depending on the agreement, Verizon could handle customer support and billing, or it could pay DirecTV to do so -- I have no idea. But at the end of the day, it is Verizon who "owns" you as a customer; they control your price, your features, your service, so they can do whatever they want to migrate you to FiOS when available. It's very much like a cell-phone MVNO such as Helio, that uses Verizon's cell network to deliver its services.

Thanks for more info... I suspect that it will be a LONG while before Verizon actually has dark fiber in my hood, so by that time I'd expect them to start with their servoice and not a satellite dish!

Berk32

11-22-07, 11:43 AM

Any idea when NHL Network HD is coming online? The whole reason I got an LCD was to watch Center Ice in HD...and now my hockey looks worse than before (considering its a big tv with SD). Makes me seriously consider DirectTV if something isn't coming down the pipeline regarding the issue.

Staten Island and Woodside, Queens are getting NHL HD on December 13th (direct from www.twcnyc.com)

as for the rest of us...... :mad:

realdeal1115

11-22-07, 09:08 PM

Is tonight's football game on somewhere on TWC? I can't find it... :confused:

Berk32

11-22-07, 09:21 PM

Is tonight's football game on somewhere on TWC? I can't find it... :confused:

LOL...

sorry....

The battle between Time Warner (among other cable companies) and the NFL has been very well known for well over a year...

Not sure how you could miss it....

realdeal1115

11-22-07, 09:26 PM

LOL...

sorry....

The battle between Time Warner (among other cable companies) and the NFL has been very well known for well over a year...

Not sure how you could miss it....

I knew about it but I read THIS (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12215266&postcount=13437) post and thought maybe something had changed... Oh well. :(

nuttyinnyc

11-22-07, 09:52 PM

Thanks for the info. Unless it can provide the service to all its customers, TWC should not be rolling out any new services. We all pay the same rates and fees so we should be receiving the services.

REgards...JL

HAPPY THANKSGIVING To all my TWC buds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While it would be good for TWC subscribers to just hold out and leave everyone with the same service3 per location it wouldn't be big company responsible. They are making obvious attempts to secure their current subscribers with the FIOS threat looming. As NYC slowly gets FIOS ready the HD action and discounts will increase with TWC. NC is a smaller market then NYC/NJ but they have even more regions then we have with many different varying rates. NYC isn't alone with such a diverse offering per location.

It may appear that TWC is or may be trying to stop the city from giving the agreement, but the problem lies with Verizon themsekves, While they have had dixcussions with the Mayor and other politicians they still have not submitted the proper paperwork to the The Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) a sub commitee of the DIOTT. All my research has shown that Verizon was instrumental in getting access to run wire and brace the cable cos for the competitio0n. But I aven't read or uncovered any proof that an franchise agreement has been officially requested. On top of this, the proccess seems to favor TWC anyway. To many people need to receive, read and aqccept before the city makes final approval. IMO a borough by borough approach would have given us faster access but no matter what differences we may have the 5 is always considered 1! This is why LI and upstate NY is having such a successful launch, A town to town approach has a lot less red tape then our great city has.

All we have to do now is sit back and hope Verizon gets aggressive. Without that we will be living with TWC for years to come.

nuttyinnyc

11-22-07, 10:21 PM

As for advertiseing, Guys we are screwed by being in the largest commuter region as well as the #1 TV market. While most of the advertisements on TV are national their will be some local ones because FIOS is making somegreat moves beyond the 5 boroughs. Unfortunately, the surrounding areas share the same TV frequencies for most of the Tri-state area. You would really have to go down in Southern Jersey to see the other local NBC station or as far west as Rochester NY or noth of Albany to see a different NBC sister channel. This is why we in NYC have to observe the onslaught of FIOS commercials. As for the flyers in the phone bill all the way down to flliers in the middle of Mahattan The Verizon land line bill sends us NY residents news letters so the whole state gets them. As for anything you might see in the city, Manhaqttan has Millions of commuting workers. These ads are for them more then the residents of this great city.
We are stuck with them and will hear how great FIOS TV will be with a no relief in site for NYCers like you and me!!!

Berk32

11-22-07, 10:27 PM

I knew about it but I read THIS (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12215266&postcount=13437) post and thought maybe something had changed... Oh well. :(

That post is still correct.

Any NFL Network game involving a NY team will be simulcast in NYC on a local OTA station.

This season - Week 17 - Giants will be on WWOR-My9 HD. (My9 will also have 2 Rangers and 2 Knicks games this season...)

nuttyinnyc

11-22-07, 10:54 PM

pdroth

11-23-07, 07:40 AM

This scares me!!! If you look between the lines they are touting product only as their defense. This could lead to a very small price battle So much for competition being a good thing. It seems like they are saying "We are offering the best so we expect to be paid the best". They have increase dtheir prices yearly just like TWC does but at more of steep %. At that rate they will be caught up basic service charge that TWC already charfes us. Verizon has it in their heads that they will be giving the better servicen which is true from all the reviews we have seen, Is that enough reason to leave? It may be for some, but Saterlitte TV has had superior TV service for years and TWC has survived and profited. Once the discount of their triple play packages run out I see only the same complaints we see here about TWC but now about Verizon.

On a TWC positive note. NGHD looks great. Critical-Situation which was new this week looks far superior then the SD sinulcast and if you guys remember I gave the SD feed good grades last summer.

As one who has both FIOS and TWC I can honestly say that Verizon deserves the money they charge.

Yesterday I moved my dinosaur XBR960 Sony, arguably one of the best HD sets ever made, from my Queens apt to LI. Having watched that TV with TWC for nearly 3 years, I have to tell you I was absolutely stunned when I plugged her into the FIOS box. All I could say was "WOW!!"

It was almost like the TV got a shot in the arm and came back to its beautiful HD glory. When I got home last night and put on TNT-HD (sorry - I like Linsday Lohan), and saw all of the macroblocking and pixilation I was so sad.

Bring on FIOS!!

broadwayblue

11-23-07, 11:58 AM

As one who has both FIOS and TWC I can honestly say that Verizon deserves the money they charge.

Yesterday I moved my dinosaur XBR960 Sony, arguably one of the best HD sets ever made, from my Queens apt to LI. Having watched that TV with TWC for nearly 3 years, I have to tell you I was absolutely stunned when I plugged her into the FIOS box. All I could say was "WOW!!"

It was almost like the TV got a shot in the arm and came back to its beautiful HD glory. When I got home last night and put on TNT-HD (sorry - I like Linsday Lohan), and saw all of the macroblocking and pixilation I was so sad.

Bring on FIOS!!

I don't think it's fair to compare FIOS HD channel quality to arguably TWC's worst HD channel. And I'm far from a TWC supporter.

pdroth

11-23-07, 12:17 PM

I don't think it's fair to compare FIOS HD channel quality to arguably TWC's worst HD channel. And I'm far from a TWC supporter.

Point taken - but I wasn't comparing to that channel. I know TNT was bugging out last night for everyone.

Generally speaking - the quality is far superior. I can even watch SD content on FIOS if I had to and not be disappointed. I could never say that with TWC.

I'll tell you what channel looked absolutely stunning compared to TWC - HDNET Movies. For some reason it just lacks the wow factor that FIOS provides. I was never impressed with the PQ of that channel and now I know it must be because of something TWC is doing - on FIOS it is nothing short of spectacular.

LL3HD

11-23-07, 12:43 PM

Generally speaking - the quality is far superior.
....For some reason it just lacks the wow factor that FIOS provides. I was never impressed with the PQ of that channel and now I know it must be because of something TWC is doing - on FIOS it is nothing short of spectacular.I appreciate the comparison and the review;) but unfortunately, for most (all?) of us in this Thread’s market, FIOS TV is not a viable option. I would love to hear a comparison from someone who has TW and DirecTv.

broadwayblue

11-23-07, 02:37 PM

I appreciate the comparison and the review;) but unfortunately, for most (all?) of us in this Thread’s market, FIOS TV is not a viable option. I would love to hear a comparison from someone who has TW and DirecTv.

Actually, I'd say that most of us in this thread's market have a greater chance of getting FIOS before we could get DirectV.

LL3HD

11-23-07, 02:51 PM

Actually, I'd say that most of us in this thread's market have a greater chance of getting FIOS before we could get DirectV.The fact is, DirecTv is available in our market. FIOS TV, specifically in this city, is not. Obviously a satellite is not conducive to an apartment building but it’s certainly not improbable. And, there are plenty of locations, primarily in the other 4 boroughs, that are certainly more dish capable.

LL3HD

11-23-07, 02:55 PM

Regardless, it probably wouldn’t matter to you anyway, there’s no chance (IMO) of you being able to watch your Rangers in HD (MSGHD) with either DirecTv or FIOS TV.

broadwayblue

11-23-07, 06:44 PM

Regardless, it probably wouldn’t matter to you anyway, there’s no chance (IMO) of you being able to watch your Rangers in HD (MSGHD) with either DirecTv or FIOS TV.

True, but I'm hoping FIOS will negotiate the rights to carry it at some point. Until then I'm stuck with TWC.

Lifeline99

11-24-07, 01:37 AM

I am currently a TWCNYC subscribing, paying lots of $$$ for the "D-Best" package. I am finding myself more and more ignoring the premium channels for movies, and the HBO and Showtime dramas I prefer to watch on DVD. I was wondering if I drop cable TV entirely, but keep RR for data, will I be able to get QAM locals on the wire?

UnnDunn

11-24-07, 08:38 AM

You should be able to get QAM. Strictly speaking, TWC should send a person out to trap out the digital cable signals once you cancel digital TV service, but truck rolls are expensive, and they don't really care all that much as long as you still have some sort of account with them.

LL3HD

11-24-07, 01:53 PM

Here’s an interesting article from Fredfa’s HOTP thread

Who's Got the Best HD?
Cable, Satellite, Telcos Claim Top Picture, Channel Selection

By Jonathan Hemingway Broadcasting & Cable 11/26/2007

As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear and Americans add high-definition television sets to their wish lists, viewers will be awash in promotions and ads from MSOs cranking up their HD marketing machines.

As the marketing war heated up earlier this year, DirecTV and Comcast sued each other over advertising that claimed superior picture quality. Comcast was eventually allowed to continue using its ads based on a Frank A. Magid Associates study, while DirecTV was forced to pull its survey-based spots. In October, DirecTV filed a suit against Cox Communications that made claims referencing the Magid study, which was based on Comcast's systems.

Distributors argue over who is offering more HD programming, but DirecTV is spending millions to remind viewers of its 100-plus channel target by year's end. DirecTV's total advertising spending through the first half of the year, at $131.5 million, was on pace to match the 2006 total of $261 million, according to TNS Media.

“If there is a marketing tactic out there we don't employ, let me know and we'll give it a try,” says Jon Gieselman, DirecTV's senior vice president of advertising.

During the summer, DirecTV launched a new satellite, DirecTV 10, to provide extra capacity. In October, it added more than 40 new HD channels, pushing its total to 72, beyond what its competitors were offering. DirecTV's channel tally now stands at 84.“We intentionally held back a significant number of channels until we had critical mass,” says Gieselman of October's launch.

The week of Oct. 15, DirecTV heralded the launch by flooding The Wall Street Journal and USA Today with advertising, ramping up its television ads with 30-, 15- and 5-second spots and launching a blimp with an HD camera system and a giant LED screen. “The idea was to really blast the marketplace,” Gieselman says.

The campaign is meant to have a broad appeal, to those consumers watching in HD and to those who aren't. While they want to attract people who have not yet taken the dive into high-def, Gieselman says they also want to tap that portion of the population who own HD sets but aren't yet hooked up to an HD source. According to Leichtman Research, that number is around 47% of HD set owners.

DirecTV is running a mix of commercials on both high-definition and standard-definition channels and also integrating with programming that Gieselman says “reinforces our brand message.” DirecTV has maintained a presence around sports, such as NFL football and baseball's World Series, but has also struck sponsorship deals with network shows including AMC's Mad Men and USA's Burn Notice.

Is the marketing push paying off for DirecTV? The company's third-quarter operating results provided some insight. DirecTV doesn't disclose how many new customers specifically take its HD package, but in the three months ended Sept. 30, more than 50% of the 1 million new subscribers signed up for advanced services, which include HD and DVR. That is up from 28% in the same quarter a year earlier. DirecTV has a total of 16.5 million subscribers.

Cable operators counter DirecTV's marketing blitz on high-definition superiority with an edge of their own. Cable has the ability to offer video-on-demand, and lots of it. Stressing choices where DirecTV stresses channels, big cable companies are stoking their VOD libraries with more high-definition content. Most cable systems carry an average of 25 linear high-definition channels, but operators are moving to increase their capacity to deliver more channels through plant upgrades and implementation of switched digital video, which sends a signal down the pipe only when a customer requests it, freeing up bandwidth.

For example, Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, carries 250 high-definition offerings on-demand. The second-largest operator, Time Warner Cable, carries between 130 and 200, depending on the system.

VOD has been an Achilles' heel for satellite providers because they lack the interactive signal needed to deliver content on demand. For cable operators, having a VOD platform allows them to expand HD offerings while their capacity to deliver linear HD channels is constrained.

Cable companies are seeing their fair share of HD customers. According to Derek Harrar, Comcast's senior VP and general manager of video services, “Demand for HD is insatiable.” Harrar says much of the demand for its HD product is derived from existing customer upgrades. Of Comcast's digital cable subscribers, 40% were taking advanced services at the end of the third quarter compared to 33% in the same period a year ago.

In an effort to appeal to cost-conscious consumers, some cable companies, such as Time Warner Cable and Cablevision Systems, also emphasize that they don't charge extra for an HD tier. For the holiday season, Time Warner Cable is utilizing resources at its disposal by running tie-in television spots for its “Home of the Free HD” campaign with the Warner Bros. film Fred Claus.

The universe of total HD subscribers is around 16 million, and growing in part because the HD battle is not confined to cable and satellite. A new challenger in the arena is Verizon Communications' FiOS TV. In October, Verizon announced FiOS will match DirecTV's claim to carry 150 HD channels by the end of 2008. A spring 2008 launch will bring its HD channel count to more than 60, but the company is adding programming and presently carries 23 HD channels.

The FiOS network is in the early stages of its rollout, but its fiber to the premises (FTTP) system will have the capacity to deliver a deep lineup of linear channels as well as programs on-demand. Verizon expects to have 1,000 HD on-demand titles by the end of next year.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ind...leID=CA6504742

LL3HD

11-24-07, 02:09 PM

Cable operators counter DirecTV's marketing blitz on high-definition superiority with an edge of their own. Cable has the ability to offer video-on-demand, and lots of it. Stressing choices where DirecTV stresses channels, big cable companies are stoking their VOD libraries with more high-definition content. Most cable systems carry an average of 25 linear high-definition channels, but operators are moving to increase their capacity to deliver more channels through plant upgrades and implementation of switched digital video, which sends a signal down the pipe only when a customer requests it, freeing up bandwidth. If this is cable’s big ace in the hole, :rolleyes: what the heck is taking so long? Give us HD On Demand already, especially with the HD channels that we already have SD On Demand. Stop talking about it and bring it on! Who needs On Demand without HD?
VOD has been an Achilles' heel for satellite providers because they lack the interactive signal needed to deliver content on demand. For cable operators, having a VOD platform allows them to expand HD offerings while their capacity to deliver linear HD channels is constrained.
In an effort to appeal to cost-conscious consumers, some cable companies, such as Time Warner Cable and Cablevision Systems, also emphasize that they don't charge extra for an HD tier. That’s funny; I could’ve sworn that I’m paying extra for a couple of HD channels (that used to be more). :rolleyes:
The FiOS network is in the early stages of its rollout, but its fiber to the premises (FTTP) system will have the capacity to deliver a deep lineup of linear channels as well as programs on-demand. Verizon expects to have 1,000 HD on-demand titles by the end of next year. The dragon slayer.:cool:

John Mason

11-24-07, 03:53 PM

Generally speaking - the quality is far superior. I can even watch SD content on FIOS if I had to and not be disappointed. I could never say that with TWC.

I'll tell you what channel looked absolutely stunning compared to TWC - HDNET Movies. For some reason it just lacks the wow factor that FIOS provides. I was never impressed with the PQ of that channel and now I know it must be because of something TWC is doing - on FIOS it is nothing short of spectacular.
Interesting. Nice to read TWC-FIOS comparisons. AFAIK, no one's posted measuring more than about 1335 lines effective horizontal resolution from NYC's TWC using HDNet's Saturday 6:30 am ET test patterns (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6664456&&#post6664456)(if that's still current). With a full-rez 1080p display, you should be able to resolve ~10.7 on the vertical converging wedge lines (this technique (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424)).

Someone at an Orlando former-TWC site recently measured (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11998675#post11998675) nearly 1920X1080. Seems that ~1300 lines maximum effective rez from NYC TWC versus nearly maximum elsewhere or on FIOS locally points to TWC doing "something" here. BTW, there are mixed reports of HDNet pattern resolutions via FIOS, too, with this non-local measurement (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=10880413&postcount=69) maxing at ~1333 lines, although with a DLP display that apparently couldn't resolve a full 1920 lines.

HDNet Movies, which typically supplies films at ~17 Mbps compared to lesser rates from many other sources, does provide great PQ. Although, if estimates (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9314235&&#post9314235) of telecined film sources being only 800--1100 lines is accurate, it's not clear that local limits of ~1300 lines is serious for movie viewing. It likely is for live broadcasts or other fuller effective-resolution programming. -- John

Lifeline99

11-26-07, 12:07 PM

From everything I have read here, it seems as though the only unencrypted QAM HD channels are the locals and possibly TNTHD. I am less sure about standard def stuff...is the situation the same?

kingasia

11-26-07, 09:09 PM

hi guys
i live in queens and have a 8300HDC with a samsung hpt 4245
with component everything works fine but with HDMI it only outputs at 1080I.. it will not let me output at 720p.. is there a way to make it output at 720 via hdmi?

ANGEL 35

11-27-07, 11:17 AM

Did anyone with a 8300HDC get a cable card update. This is 2nd time i got it. I can not see what it did.This happend on the UWS. New york city.

Riverside_Guy

11-27-07, 12:41 PM

That’s funny; I could’ve sworn that I’m paying extra for a couple of HD channels (that used to be more). :rolleyes:
The dragon slayer.:cool:

It's called HDXtra. Started with 5 HD channels, now it's 3 plus a bunch of SD channels. 9 bucks/month extra unless you have DVR service. Oh wait, they are increasing all rates, I think DVR is up to 10/month.

What a load of crap they are spreading... lots of HD VOD? Poppycock, in the NY Metro area, one of the biggest markets in the county that have all of ZERO HD VOD. Not only that, but all the PPV movies are... SD. Not only that, but most are panned & scanned, from looking over the list I see maybe 3 or so that are widescreen but obviously low resolution.

Having said that, from what I've seen along with various friends in my city, TWC's VOD is not close to being really ready, despite the fact thet've been "doing it" for years and years. All of us have had far more than one experience when we sat down to see a VOD something only to find it doesn't work... all you get is a "your movie can not be accessed at this time, keep trying every five minutes for the next 4 days straight, without sleep, a shower or bathroom breaks and you have a better than 50% chance of seeing what you want." Or words to that effect.

nyy7

11-27-07, 04:21 PM

How do I tell what software I have. It sure is different. Also, is there a manual on-line anywhere so I can learn the functions of the new software?
Thanks,

bruce in Belle Harbor

SRFast

11-27-07, 07:33 PM

Hi. My sister just purchased a 32" Sony Bravia LCD HDTV. She exchanged her TWC DTV STB for an HD STB box and they gave her a Samsung SMT3050. When the STB is tuned to an SD channel, the image is displayed properly with black side bars (4x3). When tuned to an HD channel with HD contentt, i.e. 703 or 713, the image appears in the center of the screen with black top, bottom and side bars. It looks like 16x9 with borders. When SD content is displayed, it appears smaller than the HD content, but still with the black border. The STB is set for 16x9 and 1080i. The TV is set at "Normal" for the aspect. Any ideas why the 16x9 HD content doesn't fill the entire screen? Could it be a TWC provisioning issue?

BTW, another sister has a similar Sony LCD with DirecTV and her HD content fills the screen. I have a 52" Mits DLP with a TWC CC and SA 8300HD and it fills the screen.

TIA....JL

LL3HD

11-27-07, 07:41 PM

The STB is set for 16x9 and 1080i. The TV is set at "Normal" for the aspect.Are there other settings listed in the TV besides “normal” and what are they called?

Berk32

11-27-07, 09:04 PM

AndyHDTV

11-27-07, 09:26 PM

AndyHDTV

11-27-07, 09:31 PM

How do I tell what software I have. It sure is different. Also, is there a manual on-line anywhere so I can learn the functions of the new software?
Thanks,

bruce in Belle Harbor

lf u got a hdc then u have the mystro software. i think the twc website has a lil info on it.

Berk32

11-27-07, 11:50 PM

LOL

New TWC commercial for free HD (and HD football).

Included in their promoted HD offerings.... all of the Sports Tier channels! (which of course are all currently SD for us in NYC... and I'm pretty sure most don't even have an HD feed yet...)

Nice job guys...

Who wants to guess when the Fox College Sports channels will be available in HD?

Edit: so it seems of the 8 sports tier channels - only the 3 FCS channels dont have HD feeds yet... directv will have CSTV and Tennis soon when they launch.... and NBATVHD, Fuel HD, and NHL Network exist... and some are actually getting that last one soon...

But the fact that they are being advertised as being part of the HD offerings............

nyy7

11-28-07, 09:34 AM

I am using a new SA8300HDC with mystro software. I try an HBO on demand movie and do not desire to finish it. How do I remove it from the listing of In Progress movies?

Thanks,
Bruce in Belle Harbor

qbbraveheart

11-28-07, 09:59 AM

csundbom

11-28-07, 10:04 AM

I am using a new SA8300HDC with mystro software. I try an HBO on demand movie and do not desire to finish it. How do I remove it from the listing of In Progress movies?

Thanks,
Bruce in Belle Harbor
Fast Forward through it?

nyy7

11-28-07, 10:12 AM

Thought their might be an easier way.

Bruce

coneyparleg

11-28-07, 10:33 AM

Agent_C

11-28-07, 11:05 AM

Any ideas why the 16x9 HD content doesn't fill the entire screen? Could it be a TWC provisioning issue?

She's got the Sony set incorrectly. On the XBR's...

Normal = 4:3
FULL = 16:9

A_C

Riverside_Guy

11-28-07, 11:25 AM

lee7n

11-28-07, 12:33 PM

My HDMI port got damaged on my 8300HD and I got the 8300HDC yesterday. Other than taking 3 hours to boot it seems ok. I think it was a signal problem. I see a lot of complaints about mystro software but so far it seems better than passsport. The guide is just as fast and there are more options. I love that I can make the sidebars black on sd channels, I could not stand the gray for the last few years. Granted I have not tried to set a recording yet, but if the recording is fine, I believe this is a superior box to the 8300HD. There seem to be complaints about recording on the 8300HD also but I never experienced even one recording problem and I use that feature daily. The only thing I don't like and I never tried this on the 8300HD since I didn't have hdmi on my tv before is that once you set the sound to hdmi, it seems to cut off the optical connection which is annoying since I don't always want to use the tv for sound and prefer my receiver for movies. Just curious what other peoples experiences have been, I will see how it goes for the next few days and maybe revise my opinion.

SRFast

11-28-07, 01:39 PM

Berk32

11-28-07, 02:28 PM

Thanks for your responses.

Berk32:
The problem is probably caused by using the old coax "patch" cable. I believe she got an HDMI cable and I will check it out later. BTW, it's a shame TWC CS didn't mention this when we spoke to them.

Regards...JL

TWC is supposed to provide a set of component cables when you get a new HD box....

When you said she traded the box in - I had a feeling she probably didn't get the new cables - and probably had no idea that the cable box can't send HD to the TV via coax cable

taichi90210

11-28-07, 10:45 PM

First I apologize if this has been covered but searching for "hdmi audio" turned up just about every post. Here's my setup:

TV: Philips 47PFL7422D/37
HDMI 1: PS3
HDMI 2: XBOX 360
HDMI 3: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD Cable Box
AV 3: Nintendo Wii

* All 3 HDMI devices are using HDMI cables only, no optical/coax audio cables.
* TV has latest firmware 64.whatever from around Nov 14 date.

PROBLEM:
In this configuration I get picture and sound from all devices EXCEPT the cable box which gets picture only.

* If I unplug the HDMI cable from XBOX 360 either at the XBOX or TV end the audio INSTANTLY comes on for the TV.
* I can then plug the XBOX HDMI cable back in and still have cable TV audio but when I switch to another HDMI device and then back the audio is gone again.

One other REALLY WEIRD THING:

If all three HDMI cables are plugged into the TV, then if I go to the cable box's settings and choose output formats (1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i) I cannot make changes. As soon as I unplug one of the other HDMI cables I can make changes and they will be applied.
*This was discovered by accident when I wanted to change the sidebars for 4:3 programs.

* Audio Out on the cable box is set to HDMI and not digital output.

* I have tried swapping the HDMI cables around and it still happens.

Any clues? I don't know where to begin. Any thoughts are GREATLY appreciated.

pdroth

11-29-07, 10:53 AM

ANGEL 35

11-29-07, 11:08 AM

Did anyone with a 8300HDC get a cable card update. This is 2nd time i got it. I can not see what it did.This happend on the UWS. New york city.

Well it happend again I got a cable card update last night on the 8300HDC box. I still do not know what it is doing :confused:Is any one getting this??:o

manhattan12345

11-29-07, 11:34 AM

Wider World of HD
By Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/26/2007

In the high-definition arms race, distributors push to add new HD channels when programmers make them available.

A total of 68 national cable networks, including premium services, have launched so far. DirecTV's boast of 70 or more channels includes regional services and East and West Coast feeds of networks like Showtime.

Our list includes 15 channels offered under the Voom umbrella, that is available on EchoStar's Dish network. Here's a list of what's out there:

Animal Planet HD
Animania HD
A&E Network HD
Big Ten Network HD
Bravo Network HD
Cartoon Network HD
Cinemax HD
CMT HD
CNBC HD+
CNN HD
Discovery HD
Equator HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
Family Room HD
Film Fest HD
Food Network HD
Fox Business Net. HD
Fuel TV HD
FX HD
Gallery HD
GameHD (InDemand
Network)
Game Play HD
HBO HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HD News
HD Theater
History Channel HD
HGTV HD
Kung Fu HD
Lifetime Movie Net. HD
MGM HD
MHD
Mojo
Monsters HD
Nat. Geo. Channel HD
NBA TV
NFL Network HD
NHL Network HD
Nick HD
Outdoor Channel 2 HD
Playboy HD
Rave HD
Rush HD
Science Channel HD
Sci Fi Channel HD
Showtime HD
Smithsonian Ch. HD
Speed Network HD
Spice HD
Spike TV HD
Starz HD Feeds
TBS HD
TeamHD (InDemand
Network)
TLC HD
TMC HD
TNT HD
Treasure HD
Universal HD
USA Network HD
Ultra HD
Versus HD/Golf HD
VH1 HD
Wealth TV HD
Weather Channel HD
World Cinema HD
World Sport HD

Source: CTAM, Broadcasting & Cable Research

But we got two new HD channels on the 15th! woohoo!

triscitman

11-29-07, 12:47 PM

I'm thinking about getting the AVR 3808ci soon and was wondering whether the SA8300HD (not HDC) will play nice with HDMI. When I first got this box (~2 years ago I think), I had all sorts of problems with HDMI directly into my LG 32LX2D TV. I ended up calling a CSR and they told me that the 8300 didn't support HDMI yet.

I called again a week or so ago and asked a CSR if the HDMI had been fixed on the 8300 boxes. I was told that I'd have to return my 8300HD to 23rd Street and pick up a new box to get HDMI working again. Since I never ever ever believe TWC CSRs, I came here to figure it out. I'm pretty sure that the HDMI works now in the 8300HD boxes based on the posts here (I have not checked mine yet - don't want to destroy the living room until the 3808 gets here).

The next issue is that I have a SD TiVo also connected to my 8300. With the limited space of the 8300, I added this on to grab all the SD programming wifey tapes. Can I run HDMI and composite out of 8300 at the same time? I've heard that with some boxes, running HDMI will kill the component outs but wasn't sure if HDMI would kill the composite outs as well.

1. Will the 8300HD HDMI out play nice with the Denon 3808ci?

2. Will running HDMI out of the 8300 kill the composite out?

Thanks

Greg in Manhattan

Riverside_Guy

11-29-07, 12:55 PM

But we got two new HD channels on the 15th! woohoo!

Which means that in all of 2007, we got a net of 4 added HD channels (excluding SI and Woodside which got gobs of channels AND lower rates than Manhattan residents get). One could also say that 2 coming at the end of the year shouldn't really be counted because we have had so little time IN 2007 to watch them.

Pathetic.

Berk32

11-29-07, 02:45 PM

Riverside_Guy

11-30-07, 10:04 AM

LL3HD

11-30-07, 11:09 AM

Check this out:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11/30/2007-11-30_cable_tv_provider_deals_with_city_are_up.html?page=0

NOW is the time to file your complaints.

Howard Szarfarc, division president of Time Warner Cable, told me the complaint figures are tiny when compared with the huge number of customers. Time Warner has 1.1 million subscribers in the city, while Cablevision has approximately 600,000. This is the kind of moronic logic that makes me want to throw my TV out to the curb, along with my modem and phone.

By the way, is this true? Cablevision only has about 600,000 subscribers? With the population of Long Island bigger than ever and the other areas in this market that are CV—that’s all they have? This sounds like more crap from the TW president.

5w30

11-30-07, 12:22 PM

This is the kind of moronic logic that makes me want to throw my TV out to the curb, along with my modem and phone.

By the way, is this true? Cablevision only has about 600,000 subscribers? With the population of Long Island bigger than ever and the other areas in this market that are CV—that’s all they have? This sounds like more crap from the TW president.
TW guy is right. He was talking about Cablevision's subs in the Bronx and Brooklyn only.

LL3HD

11-30-07, 12:32 PM

TW guy is right. He was talking about Cablevision's subs in the Bronx and Brooklyn only.:rolleyes: OK, this is true but I think it’s still a moronic defense. I let the blood bubbling over in my head obscure my vision—but forget about the amount of subscribers, he should compare the percentage of complaints (between TW and CV). Perhaps then, he might have a point, or perhaps not.

TonyNYC

11-30-07, 02:13 PM

By the way, is this true? Cablevision only has about 600,000 subscribers? With the population of Long Island bigger than ever and the other areas in this market that are CV—that’s all they have? This sounds like more crap from the TW president.

A co-worker of mine lives in Long Island and he is a DirecTV subscriber. I would assume a good number of LI residents subscribe to the service for savings and options.

therustytrombone

12-02-07, 01:16 PM

LL3HD

12-02-07, 01:27 PM

Is anyone else having trouble with FOX HD today? When I tune to it I get a gray screen. Once I got a dialog box saying "This channel is currently unavailable (Hit A to continue)", and the other time my box rebooted after tuning to the channel for a minute. I'm in NJ using the awesome SA8300HD box. If no one else is having this trouble, it's my box and I won't be able to watch the Giants in HD today :(No problem here in Queens.

I doubt that it would matter but how is your hook up—component, HDMI? Did you try calling TW to see if it’s on their end? Even though your box rebooted on its own, I’d unplug it for a few minutes for a hard reboot.

therustytrombone

12-02-07, 01:32 PM

Hooked up using HDMI. All other HD channels seem to be fine... I called TW and all they ever say is "We can send a tech out next thursday!" I'm gonna just go to the office tomorrow and get my 3rd SAHD8300 (HDD fried on the first one)... thanks for the reply.

seamus21514

12-03-07, 09:24 AM

I have my 8300HD hooked up via component. Will I get better picture switching to HDMI? There is a bad audio lag with component. and i have to turn theTV on an off to correct the problem.

lewisr

12-03-07, 10:33 AM

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 11:42 AM

Point taken - but I wasn't comparing to that channel. I know TNT was bugging out last night for everyone.

Generally speaking - the quality is far superior. I can even watch SD content on FIOS if I had to and not be disappointed. I could never say that with TWC.

I'll tell you what channel looked absolutely stunning compared to TWC - HDNET Movies. For some reason it just lacks the wow factor that FIOS provides. I was never impressed with the PQ of that channel and now I know it must be because of something TWC is doing - on FIOS it is nothing short of spectacular.
while I understand FIOS should have better PQ, they are able to set channels to the proper frequencies. Not compress multiple channels together. And lets not forget new wiring from main transmitter to every point of your house. All these factors should lead better service. But what happens when it expands. Does the FIOS internet get slower, does the PQ on TV start to degrade. Not to defend TWC but FIOS is all new and exciting but do we really know how big a load they can handle before they start being TWC Jr.

Maybe it is my location or the rfact that I have had all my wiring redone twice in the past 5 years. But My HD looks spectacular especially HDNET, I have been OOHHing and AAHHing about Mr Cuban's channels ever since I ordered them. As people know here I have been able to watch SD with limited issues. This is why Verizon really has to WOW me with an offer for me to rewire my house again. But for NYC it still looks months away. The whole city might be wired before they get a franchise agreement.

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 12:11 PM

Having said that, from what I've seen along with various friends in my city, TWC's VOD is not close to being really ready, despite the fact thet've been "doing it" for years and years. All of us have had far more than one experience when we sat down to see a VOD something only to find it doesn't work... all you get is a "your movie can not be accessed at this time, keep trying every five minutes for the next 4 days straight, without sleep, a shower or bathroom breaks and you have a better than 50% chance of seeing what you want." Or words to that effect.

Not to add wood to your fire River, This might be another case of you city folk getting the shaft in service. While I did have that problem initially TWC rewired my entire house and presto chango, I press order and spin spin Video starts. Like you guys know I have been a VOD junky for the past 2 summers,

Apartment dwelle4s like yourself do not get the luxuary of a complete rewiring. Even then if you are one of the fortunate buildings that get a comnplete rewiring what about the overload iof the signal that can happen that lessens your chance of connect to VOD.

But TWC where is my VODHD? the claim 130 items to be the low numbver, but in NYC we have Nothing VODHD., Do we?

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 12:14 PM

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 12:42 PM

HDMI 'should work' well now...

you never know what might happen from box to box though...

I've been using an HDMI cable on my 8300 box since August '05. The original handshaking issues that would randomly pop up early on were fixed with a software update a few months later.

But when an HDMI cable is plugged in - the other video outputs are disabled.
Not true, only for some STB's. My component still works even thought I have HDMI connected. I have the component connected for those not so fresh HDMI days. But the good thing is that those days are becoming a rarity.
You are so right with the box being the luck of the draw. However TWC is becoming 100% HDMI available.

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 12:48 PM

Should I expect any challenges in getting a second HD-DVR box (to swap with a non-DVR HD box) on my second TV?

What I really wanted was an HD Tivo, but given the Sturm und Drang which seems to be associated with getting them to come and install two cablecards (NOT based on personal experience, only on what I've read on the interwebs), I'd just as soon save the $$ and get another box from TWC... I actually don't mind the 8300HD one bit, but then again, I never tried a Tivo.

Thanks in advance!!

Best,
Lewis
as long as you are switching an existunbg box for a DVR box it is an easy 2-3 min stay at the TWC payment center. They have no problem adding cost to your bill. If you were adding a new box then you might have to get a service call. (depending on whp you talk to).

lewisr

12-03-07, 01:35 PM

as long as you are switching an existunbg box for a DVR box it is an easy 2-3 min stay at the TWC payment center. They have no problem adding cost to your bill. If you were adding a new box then you might have to get a service call. (depending on whp you talk to).

Thanks for your reply. When do you go to the (I assume 23rd street) cable store and have a short 2-3 minute wait? I'm being totally serious because the last time I went it was well over an hour, and the first time I went to pick up a cable modem (in september of 2001) I was there for over four hours.

Thanks again,
Lewis

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 01:55 PM

Check this out:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11/30/2007-11-30_cable_tv_provider_deals_with_city_are_up.html?page=0

I dare say NOW is the time to file your complaints.

Mine will run along the lines of some city addresses getting substantially more HD content while paying less.
I have to say, this is the first mention of FIOS TV franchaise actually being close to finalized. That is good news for SI and parts of Queerns, but the rest of us just get to wait out their 5 year plan.

As for th4e complaints, you are absolutely right. Now is the time to fill the Diott's mailbox. But now multiple letters from one, you need to get everyone in your household to write. Friends, family, dogs and cats. Just make it official and remember the complaint is about service or lak there of. Put HD issues aside This is the time to make our voices heard of real issues weith TWC. Like the best one that the artic;e points out. "the prices is going up just as fast as gas prices," and "revenues almost doubled in the past 8 years 1.1 mil to 1.9 mil" That is NYC only numbers lets not forget that this is on top of them losing a lot of customers during those years. Customers like me and yo have financed that increase. While going to those town meeting might not get much done, I still believe the pen is mightier than the sword, so anybody you know that has TWC and has any problem during the past 15 years needs to speak up. They need to know we are not going to take this lying down.

Side note: let's remember I have never experienced some of the major issues that I have read on this thread, But I am a Consumer just like you guys and for this company to double revenue on service that has performed EVEN PAR at best needs to show me proof for yearly increases. why should my bill be equal to our competitors (CableVision, DirectTV, or RCN) if we aree being given less options.

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 02:15 PM

Thanks for your reply. When do you go to the (I assume 23rd street) cable store and have a short 2-3 minute wait? I'm being totally serious because the last time I went it was well over an hour, and the first time I went to pick up a cable modem (in september of 2001) I was there for over four hours.

Thanks again,
Lewis
I am in Queens, I go to the payment center on Atlantic Ave off the Van Wyck expressway. I have been very lucky on the times I have went threre but generally I have been there aftere 3:30 pm. I don't know whatelse is available in Mahattan, but if you could stay away from the stores that would be your best bet. I guess the payment center in the city is on 219 street.
Good Luck!

nuttyinnyc

12-03-07, 02:22 PM

.
Your girl got promoted.

11/28/2007

TIME WARNER CABLE PROMOTES MELINDA WITMER TO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF PROGRAMMING OFFICER

http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=1871&MarketID=50

So now we can write a higher person on the food chain that can ignore us!!!! HA HA!

artguy13

12-03-07, 04:34 PM

I live on W 149th St in Manhattan and have the 8300HDC HD DVR box. Ever since National Geographic HD and FSN NY HD supposedly became available in NYC, I have been unable to view them. The screen says to call customer service. I currently have the starter package and get all the other regular HD channels. I've called customer service and they confirmed I should be receiving these channels and they have performed multiple reboots with me. They've scheduled someone to come out this weekend and replace the box. Has anyone else had this problem? Is replacing the box really going to solve the problem and give me access to these two channels? Any suggestions? (this happened when TBS HD came out too, but rebooting the box solved the problem, I don't know why it doesn't work in this case)

TonyNYC

12-04-07, 10:08 AM

zas

12-04-07, 03:04 PM

broadwayblue

12-04-07, 11:58 PM

Well, looks like hell has frozen over:

DIRECTV to Add MSG HD, FSN NY HD
The new channels are expected to be launched tomorrow.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2007) -- DIRECTV on Wednesday will add MSG HD and FSN NY HD to its High-Definition regional sports lineup, according to well-placed industry sources.

The channels, which carry pro sports from the New York area, have been in high demand from New York-based viewers since DIRECTV kicked off its HD expansion last September.

The satcaster says it now has more than 85 national HD channels, an increase from nine in September.

MSG HD, which is owned by Cablevision, has broadcast rights to the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.

The network also airs news and information programs such as The Boomer Esiason Show, starring the former NFL quarterback.

The high-def edition of MSG is a simulcast of the standard-def channel.

FSN New York HD, also owned by Cablevision, has the broadcast rights to the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils and will occasionally air games from MSG when that network has scheduling conflicts. The channel is also a simulcast of the standard-def network.

Most professional sports events broadcast by the two channels can only be seen in local areas.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/dsports120407.htm

What do you think this means as far as FIOS carrying these channels too?

TMSKILZ

12-05-07, 12:40 AM

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/programming/channelchanges.html

"Effective January 15, 2008: Ravi Panjabi will become a premium service (service level change) and cost $11.95/mth.

Also effective January 15, 2008: WAM! will change from DTV and DTV en Espanol service levels to the premium service level."

Zas you mean to tell me you're not excited & doing cartwheel flips over the fact that we are getting Ravi Panjabi Premium service? Come on dude, this is bigger than any new HD CHs! :p

UnnDunn

12-05-07, 01:43 AM

Does this mean DirecTV now carries every NY pro sports team in HD?

Berk32

12-05-07, 01:58 AM

Does this mean DirecTV now carries every NY pro sports team in HD?

yup

Riverside_Guy

12-05-07, 11:54 AM

Not to add wood to your fire River, This might be another case of you city folk getting the shaft in service. While I did have that problem initially TWC rewired my entire house and presto chango, I press order and spin spin Video starts. Like you guys know I have been a VOD junky for the past 2 summers,

Apartment dwelle4s like yourself do not get the luxuary of a complete rewiring. Even then if you are one of the fortunate buildings that get a comnplete rewiring what about the overload iof the signal that can happen that lessens your chance of connect to VOD.

But TWC where is my VODHD? the claim 130 items to be the low numbver, but in NYC we have Nothing VODHD., Do we?

Always thought it way odd the there's no PPV HD. It should start there and not with "free" VOD.

BTW, a pal in Man South has issues with VOD as well (I'm Man North). A tech told him the issues was with the local "computers" in his block. I SERIOUSLY doubt this is how they actually do it. Coming from 2 different headends with the same issue sure SEEMS to be a generic/system issue

UnnDunn

12-05-07, 11:58 AM

yup
So I'm guessing Cablevision will have to stop airing that one commercial. Shame; it was pretty creative.

Riverside_Guy

12-05-07, 12:00 PM

What do you think this means as far as FIOS carrying these channels too?

Given that FIOS is quite a ways off for us Manhattanites, I'm damn sure they will have them by the time I can actually switch to FIOS.

Berk32

12-05-07, 12:57 PM

So I'm guessing Cablevision will have to stop airing that one commercial. Shame; it was pretty creative.

They stopped last week (they now go with the 'free hd' route)

broadwayblue

12-05-07, 11:13 PM

Given that FIOS is quite a ways off for us Manhattanites, I'm damn sure they will have them by the time I can actually switch to FIOS.

I hope you're right. Up 'til now the lack of MSG-HD is basically the only thing that would have prevented me from leaving TWC...had FIOS been available.

Chew13

12-06-07, 02:58 AM

That is great news! Now I really don't have a reason to stay with TW. Unless they plan on adding more HD channels Direct Tv definitely looks like the better choice now for HDTV owners.

coneyparleg

12-06-07, 08:53 AM

That is great news! Now I really don't have a reason to stay with TW. Unless the plan on adding more HD channels Direct Tv definitely looks like the better choice now for HDTV owners.

Well if you take the suggestion of our resident insider our other option is to move:rolleyes:

Chew13

12-06-07, 09:31 AM

lol yeah getting right on that. One sec while I give up my job and apartment :)

Riverside_Guy

12-06-07, 10:19 AM

Well if you take the suggestion of our resident insider our other option is to move:rolleyes:

Somehow the concept of living in Manhattan and having a second house in Woodside seems just so... odd!

MrCivic98

12-06-07, 01:15 PM

Hello all, I have a question for you fellow NYC TWC subscribers. I recently moved to Forest Hills from upstate and unfortunately for me TWC is the provider for my area. I have and HDTV with a QAM tuner, and use it to tune into the local channels. When I do a channel scan, the TV comes up with almost 400 channels, many of them just black coming up "no signal." Unfortunately, I have yet to find NBC-DT though. For the locals, I come up with the following:
1.2- CBS HD
1.4- Rebroadcast of WPIX in HD since Fuse went out of business
1.5- Fox HD
1.7- WABC HD
1.11- WPIX HD
1.13- WNET (PBS) HD (*Personal favorite of the HD channels).

The list goes on a bit more, but I cannot, for the life of me, find the HD NBC broadcast. There is an NBC broadcast on 117.1 (I believe this is the digital broadcast), and although the quality is a bit better than my analog version of NBC (channel 14), it is definitely not in HD. I tried to call TWC but forget it, the customer service rep did not even know what QAM or ATSC meant. Any help?

pdroth

12-06-07, 03:16 PM

MrCivic98

12-06-07, 03:22 PM

104.1 is NBC
93.2 is MY9

Hope that helps!

Thank you very much for the response. Can you confirm that your other local channels correspond to mine (ie. cbs-1.2, abc-1.7, etc)?

pdroth

12-07-07, 08:08 AM

Thank you very much for the response. Can you confirm that your other local channels correspond to mine (ie. cbs-1.2, abc-1.7, etc)?

Yup, looks good. There used to be a lot more in the clear (PPV, VOD) but those days appear to be over.

TNT is also avail in my area - I think it's 93.1

Riverside_Guy

12-07-07, 03:39 PM

If one has a a QAM tuner equipped TV, should not it's "search for all channels" function find them all??

Riverside_Guy

12-07-07, 03:47 PM

I never received ANY sort of notice for a rate increase (only read about it here). 7 (SEVEN) bucks more/month. Checked to see if they updated the website (they did) and found there's another rate increase for Feb next year. Something about the price of the "converter" going up.

See what those 10% discounts everywhere except Manhattan are doing???

And WTF is the reason behind AGAIN moving UnHD's channel number (740 to 734)? It still leaves FSNY kind of isolated at 748 (when it SHOULD have been 731 so it could be in a line with the other HD sports channels).

BrewCrew8

12-07-07, 03:52 PM

Berk32

12-07-07, 03:54 PM

And WTF is the reason behind AGAIN moving UnHD's channel number (740 to 734)? It still leaves FSNY kind of isolated at 748 (when it SHOULD have been 731 so it could be in a line with the other HD sports channels).

They've lined up the HD channels with the SD counterparts.... which is why FSNYHD is 748 (FSNY is 48) while the rest of the sports channels are 26-30/726-730.

UniversalHD has no SD counterpart (USA had been the 'closest' - but now USA-HD exists... and anyways USA was moved from 40 weeks ago) - 34 will never have an HD equivalent - so 734 is being used as such...

Berk32

12-07-07, 03:59 PM

can somebody tell me how much NHL network costs or if I should be getting it regularly?

I have a SA8300 and majority of the HD channels save for HBO etc.. but I was wondering if I will get NHL network HD when it comes

If you get the Sports Tier (450's) and/or subscribe to HDXtra (which comes with the Sports Tier - even though up until now it's all SD) - AND if you are in Staten Island or Woodside Queens, you'll get NHL Network HD on 12/13

manhattan12345

12-08-07, 02:54 AM

Hey guys, does TW provide an HDMI cable or do I have to buy that myself? I've had component for the last two years, but getting a second HD set for the bedroom and would like to use HDMI in there to avoid all the cables. Thanks for any advice.

kennychang

12-08-07, 07:11 AM

It happens and has happened to me. If the reboots did not fix it, the replacement box should. It did for me. Good luck.

i live in flushing and have the same problem. but i have the sa4250hd. the rep told me the 4250hd is not fully compatible with hdmi. should i switch to the sa8300hd to solve the hdmi issue and the problem with not receiving 748 & 765 .also does tw charge extra for the use of the sa8300 even if you do not subscribe to the dvr service.

5w30

12-08-07, 09:53 AM

I never received ANY sort of notice for a rate increase (only read about it here). & bucks more/month. Checked to see if they updated the website (they did) and found there's another rate increase for Feb next year. Something about the price of the "converter" going up.

See what those 10% discounts everywhere except Manhattan are doing???

And WTF is the reason behind AGAIN moving UnHD's channel number (740 to 734)? It still leaves FSNY kind of isolated at 748 (when it SHOULD have been 731 so it could be in a line with the other HD sports channels).
unfortunately in ny they're caught in the middle of broadcast channels.
25 is WNYE. 31 is WPXN ... if hidef versions of those become available they will be 725 and 731, if tw's logic plays out ...
fsny used to be 26 back in the old days before SNY [part owned by TW] ...

AndyHDTV

12-08-07, 12:11 PM

AndyHDTV

12-08-07, 12:14 PM

my 8300hdc seems to be going thru a cablecard updrade.

locogrande

12-08-07, 08:15 PM

margoba

12-09-07, 09:29 PM

I have another Off Topic, but not completely OT, question. Does anybody know of a web site that tells up to the minute current schedules of TV. I'm trying to watch/record "Shark", and I'd like to know what time it starts. Now that the football game is long over, it seems like somebody should know. Is it posted anywhere?

I know I can program my DVR to extend the time, but I'd still like to know when it's being shown.

-barry

Justin85

12-10-07, 01:27 PM

I'm a little confused about the new HD channels that Woodside is getting this Thursday. Some ways back in the thread it was discussed that western Queens would also be receiving the new channels because they're on the same node. Since I live in Astoria should I expect the new channels on Thursday?

AndyHDTV

12-10-07, 02:04 PM

I'm a little confused about the new HD channels that Woodside is getting this Thursday. Some ways back in the thread it was discussed that eastern Queens would also be receiving the new channels because they're on the same node. Since I live in Astoria should I expect the new channels on Thursday?

yes.

"the "woodside" headend feeds western queens (LIC,ASTORIA,SUNNYSIDE,JACKSON HTS,WOOSIDE,ELMHURST,MASPETH) and has a smalled sub and geographic base than the headend that feeds eastern queens. something like a 3:1 radio. channel adds are based on competition and technical/bandwith capabilties."

ANGEL 35

12-11-07, 09:41 AM

my 8300hdc seems to be going thru a cablecard updrade.

I have been getting cablecard updates too. At one time i got 3 in row.One a day for 3 days.I cant see what it did :confused:Does any one know??

manhattan12345

12-11-07, 03:30 PM

Verizon is making 75 high-definition video-on-demand titles available to FiOS TV subscribers in five markets, and is prepping the service for entry in three more.

The telco’s HD VOD initially will be available in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Va.; Tampa; Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Pittsburgh. Verizon said it will launch the service soon in the Washington, D.C., metro area, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and to remaining FiOS TV markets next year.

The move appears intended to keep pace with Comcast’s HD VOD push, said Leichtman Research Group president Bruce Leichtman. Comcast touts 150 hours of enhanced on-demand content and has said it will offer 800 HD “choices,” combining linear HDTV and VOD, by the end of next year.

Verizon FiOS TV is “in many Comcast markets, and Comcast is doing [HD VOD], so Verizon pretty much has to do this if they want to claim to have a product that’s comparable or superior,” Leichtman said.

Interestingly, part of Verizon's initial HD VOD lineup -- a mix of about 75 titles free programs and pay-per-view movies -- includes the miniseries 30 Days of Night: Blood Trails from Comcast’s FearNet horror-genre on-demand and broadband service.

Movies on FiOS TV’s HD VOD service include Transformers, The Hoax with Richard Gere, Mr. Brooks with Kevin Costner and Demi Moore, and the animated Surf's Up. Free HD titles include music videos from MTV Networks and VOD programming from Wealth TV and Golfweek Magazine.

By the end of 2008, Verizon expects to offer more than 1,000 HD VOD titles and 150 linear HD channels.

At the end of September, Verizon reported 717,000 FiOS TV customers in12 states. The service was available to 4.7 million premises, with penetration averaging 15.2% across all markets.
- Multichannel News

It's actually sort of ironic - even Verizon Fios customers in NY are affected by TWNYC's paltry HD offerings; Verizon is first making sure it competes against Comcast systems that offer lots of HD VOD - then it will get around to NY next year. (Although they really don't have to sweat it, as TWNYC will probably still not have HD VOD even then.)

Riverside_Guy

12-11-07, 04:12 PM

a little bit off topic , so i apologize. but don't know where else to go.

to those of you on the upper west side of manhattan - what kind of internet speeds have you been getting up/down?

what is the consensus best site to use to quantify this?

i ask because my speed has been terrible for about a month... my cell phone is faster it seems. i've rebooted the cable modem and router numerous times. i'm at my wit's end.

for example this is what i just got on speakeasy.net

Last Result:
Download Speed: 2884 kbps (360.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 28 kbps (3.5 KB/sec transfer rate)

it fluctuates, but i'm generally around 3000-5000 kpbs down and less than 100 kpbs up.

anyone having similar issues?

I'm also Man North. That speed is terrible.

First, might you be running any bit torrent client? TWC, by observation, does seem to do what Comcast does, severely throttle you if they detect such traffic. Second, what servers are you checking against? I certainly have noticed the farther away from NY, the more the speed degrades. I simply can NOT get any west coast server to be faster than 6-7 Mb/s.

ANGEL 35

12-11-07, 04:14 PM

It's actually sort of ironic - even Verizon Fios customers in NY are affected by TWNYC's paltry HD offerings; Verizon is first making sure it competes against Comcast systems that offer lots of HD VOD - then it will get around to NY next year. (Although they really don't have to sweat it, as TWNYC will probably still not have HD VOD even then.)

When will Verizon TV be in NYC. I know its in parts of NYC but not in MAN.I never use VOD. I want Verizon TV :cool:

skanter1

12-11-07, 07:31 PM

My speed has been terrible as well (w.43rd street). I thought I might have some adware slowing up my system. Did you try calling TWC?

5w30

12-11-07, 08:54 PM

When will Verizon TV be in NYC. I know its in parts of NYC but not in MAN.I never use VOD. I want Verizon TV :cool:

It's not in any part of New York City, except in testing mode at some Verizon employees' homes.
Verizon is in the process of getting a franchise [like any other cable television company] to run their service in New York City.
It's a highly political deal. Plus lobbyists for Time Warner and Cablevision are working within their best interests to have Verizon mirror what the original cable people have done over the past 15+ years or so - community programming, wiring up schools, running the city cable channels and so forth.

Also, it has been rumored that VZ will have to have the majority of the city wired for video - including apartment buildings and especially homes in low-income areas - before a franchise is granted. This comes as no shock since the last time the cable companies got their territories parceled out and started wiring -- apartment buildings and low-income neighborhoods were last on the list.
Capitalism, meet the bureaucracy.

Riverside_Guy

12-12-07, 02:05 PM

This comes as no shock since the last time the cable companies got their territories parceled out and started wiring -- apartment buildings and low-income neighborhoods were last on the list.
Capitalism, meet the bureaucracy.

Sorry, not quite... at least in Manhattan. Those in Alphabet City (lower east side) got digital service AND Road Runner a good 2 years before I got it (TWC's fiber rolled out from the southern tip to the northern tip). My 'hood is very middle class/educated being so close to Columbia.

pier0188

12-12-07, 02:34 PM

It's not in any part of New York City, except in testing mode at some Verizon employees' homes.
Verizon is in the process of getting a franchise [like any other cable television company] to run their service in New York City.
It's a highly political deal. Plus lobbyists for Time Warner and Cablevision are working within their best interests to have Verizon mirror what the original cable people have done over the past 15+ years or so - community programming, wiring up schools, running the city cable channels and so forth.

Also, it has been rumored that VZ will have to have the majority of the city wired for video - including apartment buildings and especially homes in low-income areas - before a franchise is granted. This comes as no shock since the last time the cable companies got their territories parceled out and started wiring -- apartment buildings and low-income neighborhoods were last on the list.
Capitalism, meet the bureaucracy.

My building (61st and WE) is brand new and is already being fully wired for Verizon FIOS, we should have it in less than a month or two. The conduits for the fiber are already run through the building and I can see the tubes bundled outside my door, each apartment will have a termination box apparently. I believe it will offer the triple play, but I am not certain.

LL3HD

12-12-07, 02:47 PM

I believe it will offer the triple play, but I am not certain.You will have the internet speed benefits and phone service advantages (if there are any the with FIOS) but as far as FIOS TV in a triple play package, not happening, not until they strike a deal with the city. However, Verizon does offer a triple play packages with DirecTv as the television provider.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 06:52 AM

Astorian

12-13-07, 07:10 AM

I'm in the Woodside area also and have no picture on 740 (History), 746 (A&E) and 762 (LMN), no sound on 750 (Food Network), 764 (HGTV) and 794 (Vs/Golf). I also am getting the subscription notice for NHLN even though I subscribe to HDXtra. So basically the only new channel I can watch is 720 (MHD). I've rebooted 4 times already this morning with no luck. Hopefully it sorts itself out by tonight...

Prey521

12-13-07, 07:21 AM

Sorry, not quite... at least in Manhattan. Those in Alphabet City (lower east side) got digital service AND Road Runner a good 2 years before I got it (TWC's fiber rolled out from the southern tip to the northern tip). My 'hood is very middle class/educated being so close to Columbia.

Yep, I grew up in Alphabet City and was the first to get Road Runner in my node back in '93 I believe.

joshg7939

12-13-07, 09:19 AM

To those in the Woodside Queens (ACQ Customer) area. Most of the new channels went live this morning except for the History HD on ch. 740. It seems at this time it was replaced with a channel called Actions Sports, but states the service is not available.

As for NHL Network in HD, it is there but asking the customer to call for a subscription. I thought I read a few posts above that this was supposed to be given free to those with the HDXtra package?

Anyway, that is the update for everyone this morning.

Hopefully TWC will catch up and allow for more of you in this forum to access the new channels.
i live in the flushing area.am i suppose to get any of those channels.as of now i have yet to receive 748 & 765.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 09:45 AM

i live in the flushing area.am i suppose to get any of those channels.as of now i have yet to receive 748 & 765.

To be honest, I could not tell you. I would like to think that at the time Flushing was covered by then ACQ cable and not BQ cable.

All I could advise you to do is check the channel lineup changes that came with your bill and tune into those channels listed in the lineup as of 12/13.

joshg7939

12-13-07, 10:34 AM

To be honest, I could not tell you. I would like to think that at the time Flushing was covered by then ACQ cable and not BQ cable.

All I could advise you to do is check the channel lineup changes that came with your bill and tune into those channels listed in the lineup as of 12/13.

thanxs tony,but any reason why i'm not getting 748 & 765.is it my box.should i exchange it. i have done numerous reboot and nothin works.someone said i should be getting 748 & 765.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 11:20 AM

thanxs tony,but any reason why i'm not getting 748 & 765.is it my box.should i exchange it. i have done numerous reboot and nothin works.someone said i should be getting 748 & 765.

Before you decide to even exchange the box, call TWC's customer service. It might be something simple on their end that they can do for you.

You might just need to "soft reboot" your box. Try holding in the power button on your cable box for 6 seconds until you see the word "boot" on the display and then try again to see if those channels come back to you. If not, then call TWC.

Hope this helps.

joshg7939

12-13-07, 11:27 AM

Before you decide to even exchange the box, call TWC's customer service. It might be something simple on their end that they can do for you.

You might just need to "soft reboot" your box. Try holding in the power button on your cable box for 6 seconds until you see the word "boot" on the display and then try again to see if those channels come back to you. If not, then call TWC.

Hope this helps.

twc is useless.i called them up for about a week now.i rebooted the box about 20 times.all they can say is that they can send a tech in.i would lose more money to stay home and wait for this "tech".

Riverside_Guy

12-13-07, 11:43 AM

My building (61st and WE) is brand new and is already being fully wired for Verizon FIOS, we should have it in less than a month or two. The conduits for the fiber are already run through the building and I can see the tubes bundled outside my door, each apartment will have a termination box apparently. I believe it will offer the triple play, but I am not certain.

We heard about some building in the 70s on the east side being fully fibered... but it turned out one of there top execs lived in that building. Now your building across town.

Before any individual building can get wired, the "trunk" of fiber backbone needs to be laid in the streets. Does anyone have any real clue where that process is? I KNOW that TWC's fiber "trunks" were built like a growing tree, it started out at the southern tip and spread north and east/west ("branches" as it were) at the same time. Thus it "hit" the lower east side really early, but took almost 2 years fro those trunks and branches to make it to me. My expectation was Verizon would follow the same route. Now it's sounding very hit or miss.

Might anyone know exactly who to speak to at Verizon? I would like to approach them as I am now a director of my co-op.

LL3HD

12-13-07, 11:55 AM

i live in the flushing area.am i suppose to get any of those channels.as of now i have yet to receive 748 & 765.

I’m in Flushing and I get those two channels-- not the other new ones that are for the “Woodside” area.

If you can’t afford to take off for an appointment and you don’t want to or it’s inconvenient to swap out the box, then I’d schedule an appointment around your time and live without those two channels until then.

If you have an older box- a non navigator one- then I’d try to hold on as long as possible to it. If it’s the new box, I’d be at the TWC in the Queens Center mall in a heart beat demanding a working box and all sorts of credit.

joshg7939

12-13-07, 11:59 AM

I’m in Flushing and I get those two channels-- not the other new ones that are for the “Woodside” area.

If you can’t afford to take off for an appointment and you don’t want to or it’s inconvenient to swap out the box, then I’d schedule an appointment around your time and live without those two channels until then.

If you have an older box- a non navigator one- then I’d try to hold on as long as possible to it. If it’s the new box, I’d be at the TWC in the Queens Center mall in a heart beat demanding a working box and all sorts of credit.

i have the sa4250hdc.is that considered the "older box".

Riverside_Guy

12-13-07, 12:07 PM

You will have the internet speed benefits and phone service advantages (if there are any the with FIOS) but as far as FIOS TV in a triple play package, not happening, not until they strike a deal with the city. However, Verizon does offer a triple play packages with DirecTv as the television provider.

Funny, TWC now seems to have some real specifics about their broadband service, which seem a lot more flexible than before. Foregoing the basic package, we have:

10Mb/512kb = $45 (Standard)
15Mb/768kb = $55 (Turbo)
20Mb/1Mb = $70 (Extreme)

Doesn't FIOS have a 20/20 for about 65 bucks?

Or we could move to Sweden, they have 32Mb/24Mb for around $30 or so.

LL3HD

12-13-07, 12:50 PM

Or we could move to Sweden, .

:D YA! Sounds good to me...http://image.rakuten.co.jp/wshop/data/ws-mall-img/acomes/img128/img10273450292.jpeg

LL3HD

12-13-07, 12:53 PM

i have the sa4250hdc.is that considered the "older box".I’m not familiar with that box, perhaps someone else will chime in but from the HDC suffix I’m pretty sure that box is the new one. I’d take it back to the Queens Center TW and demand a working box.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 01:20 PM

I’m not familiar with that box, perhaps someone else will chime in but from the HDC suffix I’m pretty sure that box is the new one. I’d take it back to the Queens Center TW and demand a working box.

Hmmm. A friend of mine was issued that box from TWC and she lives in Rego Park. I believe it to be a new box that allows cable cards to be used with it.

Here is a link below for the cable box posted.

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/Products/consumers/new_explorer4250HDC.htm

LL3HD

12-13-07, 01:35 PM

Hmmm. A friend of mine was issued that box from TWC and she lives in Rego Park. I believe it to be a new box that allows cable cards to be used with it.

Here is a link below for the cable box posted.

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/Products/consumers/new_explorer4250HDC.htmYeah... that sounds like one of the new boxes with the new software-- Crapigator (as someone :cool: here named it) AKA Navigator.

joshg7939

12-13-07, 02:15 PM

Yeah... that sounds like one of the new boxes with the new software-- Crapigator (as someone :cool: here named it) AKA Navigator.

i'm assuming the box is a piece of "crap" and that i should exchange it for a working one.

LL3HD

12-13-07, 02:25 PM

i'm assuming the box is a piece of "crap" and that i should exchange it for a working one.I’m pretty sure that all boxes available have the new software-- Navigator. Therefore, they all suck. The reality is you have to swap out your nonfunctioning box for one that still sucks but at least works.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 02:29 PM

i'm assuming the box is a piece of "crap" and that i should exchange it for a working one.

I don't think it is the hardware posters here dislike, but the Navigator software operating system installed that seems to be unstable.

The question is, does TWC still have boxes available for exchange without Navigator installed? If this turns out to be your problem, then you might have to go to the Queens Center Mall with your current box and speak to someone there in the hopes of getting an older cable box.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 02:29 PM

I’m pretty sure that all boxes available have the new software-- Navigator. Therefore, they all suck. The reality is you have to swap out your nonfunctioning box for one that still sucks but at least works.

Exactly!! :)

joshg7939

12-13-07, 02:40 PM

I don't think it is the hardware posters here dislike, but the Navigator software operating system installed that seems to be unstable.

The question is, does TWC still have boxes available for exchange without Navigator installed? If this turns out to be your problem, then you might have to go to the Queens Center Mall with your current box and speak to someone there in the hopes of getting an older cable box.

just called my sister and she has the 4250hdc and she's receiving 748 & 765.she lives near flushing meadow park area. i want to thank all you guys or gals for all your help.expected to get this type of help from twc but all they know is to tell you how to reboot your box and send a tech to your place.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 02:55 PM

just called my sister and she has the 4250hdc and she's receiving 748 & 765.she lives near flushing meadow park area. i want to thank all you guys or gals for all your help.expected to get this type of help from twc but all they know is to tell you how to reboot your box and send a tech to your place.

No prob! :)

Well, I guess your next stop will be Queens Center Mall with your box in hand. Just tell the TWC rep that you are having issues with the box and want it replaced. They should not give you a hard time. Actually, they have been pretty quick on replacing their equipment. Check in box A to their system and give you box B once checked out and then bye bye.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 07:29 PM

Well, I thought I would share my experience with TWC customer service with you tonight as I just had a simple question of "Is NHL Network HD apart of the HDXtra package?"

TWC rep: Sir, channel 795 is the NFL Network and you should be getting that?

Me: Ummmm, no. That channel is supposed to be the airing of the new NHL HD channel.

TWC rep: No sir. On my screen it says NFL Network in Woodside.

Me: ??? ..... But ummm, it is in your written bill, on your website and on my TV it says NHL Network HD and asks for a Subscription service. I just want to know if this is apart of HDXtra or not and if it isn't, no big deal.

TWC rep: Sir, that channel is the NFL Network.

*taking a moment to bonk myself on the head with the foam TV brick (something you throw at the TV when a bad play happens but causes no damage) before I respond*

Me: Miss, I am not sitting here telling you a lie. This is pretty much in every single piece of literature sent out by your company. It is on my TV. You cannot make this stuff up.

*15 mins into this call for something that could have been answered in 2 minutes and a goodnight*

TWC rep: I am just not seeing what you are telling me on my screen.

Me: *mutters silently*

Me: If you have a company e-mail address, I will copy and paste what I am reading.

*she is still researching and we are nearing the 20 minute mark*

TWC rep: I found it!!! *I wish I could hit you with the rubber brick through the digital phone service*

Me: Ok, cool. I just want to know please.....if this channel is apart of HDXtra or not?

TWC rep: Do you want to buy this service sir?

Me: Um.... Why would I want to buy it if it might be apart of the HDXtra package? I know you get it for free if you subscribe to the NHL season ticket package.

TWC rep: Hmmm, one sec.....

OK, you get the gist. Problem here is, that TWC's call center is in Flushing Queens. She basically stated that she was flipping the channels in the call center and not receiving them. So I am thinking to myself, how the heck can you help the customer when I am getting more channels than the company's call center?

Anyway, I thought this would be a funny story to share with you all seeing as I pretty much chuckled all throughout the 20+ minutes of fact finding for a 2 minute question.

Maybe I will call back after midnight and get another rep who has had a few beers and in relax mode and can give me a better answer seeing as I am not too sure this rep knew what HD even means.

Night guys. Stay warm.

locogrande

12-13-07, 09:02 PM

I'm also Man North. That speed is terrible.

First, might you be running any bit torrent client? TWC, by observation, does seem to do what Comcast does, severely throttle you if they detect such traffic. Second, what servers are you checking against? I certainly have noticed the farther away from NY, the more the speed degrades. I simply can NOT get any west coast server to be faster than 6-7 Mb/s.

nah, not running bit torrent or anything like that

on speakeasy i generally check against the new york city server.

its the upload speeds i get which seem particularly terrible. routinely under 100kbps

i complained to time warner once... they told me they would not troubleshoot until i disconnected the router and tried again. i did this, no change, but have not mustered the motivation to call back. it takes like an hour to get a hold of a person there.

mikeM1

12-13-07, 09:27 PM

To those in the Woodside Queens (ACQ Customer) area. Most of the new channels went live this morning except for the History HD on ch. 740. It seems at this time it was replaced with a channel called Actions Sports, but states the service is not available.

As for NHL Network in HD, it is there but asking the customer to call for a subscription. I thought I read a few posts above that this was supposed to be given free to those with the HDXtra package?

Anyway, that is the update for everyone this morning.

Hopefully TWC will catch up and allow for more of you in this forum to access the new channels.

First off, i want to thank whomever it was in here that told me that, being so close to Woodside (about a half-mile away), i would get all these new HD channels, too. You were right ON about that. :) But as of 9:24PM tonight, there's just a blank, gray screen for ch. 740, and the NHL Network continues to have the subscription only screen, which is VERY annoying. :mad:

bearman

12-13-07, 09:46 PM

Anyone know when will (BQ customer) get the new channels?

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 10:52 PM

First off, i want to thank whomever it was in here that told me that, being so close to Woodside (about a half-mile away), i would get all these new HD channels, too. You were right ON about that. :) But as of 9:24PM tonight, there's just a blank, gray screen for ch. 740, and the NHL Network continues to have the subscription only screen, which is VERY annoying. :mad:

Well, the funny thing is if I tune into channel 458, the NHL Network is viewable and I do not subscribe to the season package. Yet 795 is requesting subscription.

Channel 740 History Channel HD is also off too on my end.

A&E HD on channel 746 is off.

Lifetime Movie Network HD on channel 762 is off.

Guess TWC has a lot of work ahead of them in the morning. A rough deployment so far.

mikeM1

12-13-07, 10:54 PM

The A&E HD channel, 746, is also coming in blank and gray, too. :(

CynKennard

12-13-07, 11:07 PM

In Staten Island, we now have History HD on Channel 740 and Lifetime Movies Hd on ch. 762. Universal Hd was moved to ch. 734.

Cynthia

Berk32

12-13-07, 11:18 PM

Well, the funny thing is if I tune into channel 458, the NHL Network is viewable and I do not subscribe to the season package. Yet 795 is requesting subscription.

Channel 740 History Channel HD is also off too on my end.

A&E HD on channel 746 is off.

Lifetime Movie Network HD on channel 762 is off.

Guess TWC has a lot of work ahead of them in the morning. A rough deployment so far.

NHL Network is not part of the Center Ice package...

It's part of the sports extra pack (which is included if you get the HDXtra group)

TonyNYC

12-13-07, 11:34 PM

NHL Network is not part of the Center Ice package...

It's part of the sports extra pack (which is included if you get the HDXtra group)

Ok. I will be calling TWC in a few minutes in the hopes of not getting a similar rep that does not know what product belongs where.

mikeM1

12-13-07, 11:44 PM

Ok. I will be calling TWC in a few minutes in the hopes of not getting a similar rep that does not know what product belongs where.

Good luck with *that*! Unfortunately, i've got to go to bed. :o Keep us posted, please.

chopsueychris

12-13-07, 11:51 PM

Hey I just got home from the holiday xmas party bs and I don't see food hd and I live in north queens what gives? oh. lol. typical twc. ****ing hate these people.

chopsueychris

12-13-07, 11:57 PM

I am in Bayside,the only change since no change this am before work, ala 8 am, the only change is unihd is playing on 734 and 740. :(

LL3HD

12-14-07, 12:04 AM

Hey I just got home from the holiday xmas party bs and I don't see food hd and I live in north queens what gives? oh. lol. typical twc. ****ing hate these people.Sounds like it was a great party. :p

You’re in the same area as me, which means we’re both chit out of luck as far as receiving those new Christmas channels from TW:rolleyes:.

Some places in Bayside are already hooked up for FIOS. Not TV but the Internet. If I had FIOS Internet then I’d dump TW and go FIOS and DirecTv until FIOS has a TV deal.

Berk32

12-14-07, 12:17 AM

Attention Manhattan Residents (Northern ones... i suppose... maybe southern ones too):

I've updated my 'master' channel list with today's "changes " (not much for us)

If you find something I missed... feel free to let me know (I didn't do a very thorough review this time around)

TonyNYC

12-14-07, 12:33 AM

Well, I got through with a rep that does know the packages, and also does realize I am entitled to the NHL Network HD. Thing is, it seems the issue with the channel might be a Woodside problem and I have to wait it out and call back if not resolved during the day.

It seems those of us who are considered Woodside are all suffering with the same channel problems.

Looks like it is a rough start as I said before. Hopefully things will be better when I get home from work tomorrow.

MintyMan

12-14-07, 12:48 AM

Yeah I'm having problems w/ majority of the new channels (Astoria here) and I got the same response from a CS rep.

"check back in a few days if it's not resolved"

umm.. g'luck.

chopsueychris

12-14-07, 08:43 AM

Sounds like it was a great party. :p

You’re in the same area as me, which means we’re both chit out of luck as far as receiving those new Christmas channels from TW:rolleyes:.

Some places in Bayside are already hooked up for FIOS. Not TV but the Internet. If I had FIOS Internet then I’d dump TW and go FIOS and DirecTv until FIOS has a TV deal.

I live off Bell on 40th avenue, we can get fios tv here, however I am not interested since I've heard issues of people being without any of their services for days or even a week while waiting for repairs etc. Plus there are a few channels on Fios that aren't carried that i enjoy on TWC :( ie. mojo for one. My neighbor got Fios tv and loves it ofcourse.

JR_in_NYC

12-14-07, 09:17 AM

Riverside_Guy

12-14-07, 09:47 AM

Night guys. Stay warm.

No such channel as 795 in Manhattan. Still no 10% discount.

Oh, more rate increases are scheduled for 02/01/08. Probably only in Manhattan.

00Smoove

12-14-07, 11:51 AM

Anyone in Brooklyn having an problems with their cable? Started to have picture issues, rebooted both cable receivers and I'm not getting anything, even the clock isn't syncing correctly. Time to call TW.

I am in Bay Ridge/Fort Hamilton and have not had these issues. My internet went down for a few minutes, that was about it.

LL3HD

12-14-07, 12:16 PM

I live off Bell on 40th avenue, we can get fios tv here, however I am not interested since I've heard issues of people being without any of their services for days or even a week while waiting for repairs etc. Plus there are a few channels on Fios that aren't carried that i enjoy on TWC :( ie. mojo for one. My neighbor got Fios tv and loves it ofcourse.I’m confused. :confused: You have neighbors in Queens that get FIOS TV? I thought that the city has to strike a deal with Verizon in order to have FIOS TV? Or is that just a deal for the borough of Manhattan? Can someone please enlighten me?

eljeffreynyc

12-14-07, 01:19 PM

My uncle lives in Bayside and he just got Fios Internet and DirectTv. Verizon told him that it would be a while before he would be able to get Fios Tv. I tried the internet and its fast, ran a speed test and he was getting 22 Mbps. With the DirectTv I wasnt impressed, I dont know if its the tv he just got(46" Sony KDL-46V3000) or the DirectTv itself. But I can say that HD picture quality looks much better on my 26" Samsung LCD and 32" Sony that I have with TWC. I was thinking of switching to DirectTv for all the HD channels but now im having second thoughts. A friend is getting it next week so Ill go check his out and see how it looks.

LL3HD

12-14-07, 02:18 PM

My uncle lives in Bayside and he just got Fios Internet and DirectTv...OK, that is the way I understand it to be. Chopsueychris’ neighbor has to be getting their TV feed from DirecTv.

joe147

12-14-07, 04:30 PM

dampfnudel

12-14-07, 07:00 PM

I just had my 4250HDC swapped out for a 3250HD after several reboots failed to get back 4 missing channels including CNN International on Ch.133. A few days ago my 4250 became unresponsive (picture freezing, taking too long to change channels, etc.) so I rebooted just like I did a couple of times since I got it two months ago. However, this time those 4 channels were missing.

I have all of the channels now, but there are a couple of things that I don't like about the 3250. The guide is low-res and the SD channels have gray borders instead of the black borders on the 4250. I'm sure all of you 3250 guys are used to this, but for me it feels like a "downgrade". The PQ appears to be the same. The service guy told me that they're having problems with the 4250 and even more problems with the 8300HDC. He said he had a few more 3250s in his van "just in case".

Anyway, I have another CRT which I want to replace with a HDTV by next summer so maybe when I get a 4250 for that new TV, I can upgrade the HDTV I have now back to a 4250 as well. Hopefully by then the OCAP/Mystro software problem (if that's the problem) will be fixed.

Riverside_Guy

12-15-07, 08:49 AM

I am upgrading my set and currently have my cable hooked up via component, i remember reading before that the 8300HD's couldn't output digital audio out when connected via hdmi, is this still true? I'm still on the passport software fyi.

thanks again

Not true. My 8300HD has correctly passed audio on both the co-ax and optical outs while doing HDMI to the TV. I usually ditch the huge audio system late at night by simply changing the 8300's output to HDMI.

Riverside_Guy

12-15-07, 08:53 AM

joshg7939

12-15-07, 09:29 AM

No prob! :)

Well, I guess your next stop will be Queens Center Mall with your box in hand. Just tell the TWC rep that you are having issues with the box and want it replaced. They should not give you a hard time. Actually, they have been pretty quick on replacing their equipment. Check in box A to their system and give you box B once checked out and then bye bye.

Good luck and let us know what happens.
&
well,went to twc at the mall to exchange the box.asked for the supervisor to explain why i'm not getting 748 & 765. she said that certain areas will get it and other areas have to wait on a day to day basis.but you will get it.after a little complaining she decided to give me a free month of hbo.what a surprise!went home and plugged in the new box hoping it was the box.it wasn't.well i guess i will have to wait this out.if this is a problem everytime twc adds a new hd channel i might switch to direct tv.{does direct really sux when you get bad weather}

5w30

12-15-07, 09:46 AM

I seem to recall someone saying we would NOT be shut out of the Giants final game, but I was just persuing the schedule and it sure LOOKS like it's only on NFLN. Nowhere can I find ANY indication anyone else would carry it.
Burn this into your picture tube.
WWOR will carry Giants-Pats.
WWOR will carry Giants-Pats.
It will be the NFL NEtwork feed and announcers.
It will be the NFL NEtwork feed and announcers.
The game will be available in HD.
The game will be available in HD.
End of story.
-30-

LL3HD

12-15-07, 11:30 AM

Burn this into your picture tube.
WWOR will carry Giants-Pats.
WWOR will carry Giants-Pats.
It will be the NFL NEtwork feed and announcers.
It will be the NFL NEtwork feed and announcers.
The game will be available in HD.
The game will be available in HD.
End of story.
-30-:D

But RG, that game will be insignificant :rolleyes:...

...since after this weekend the Pats will no longer have a big round donut in their losses column.

tick

tick

tick

http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/images/2006/09/11/alarm_clock_203_203x152.jpg

Oh never mind...:p:eek::D

Berk32

12-15-07, 02:13 PM

I seem to recall someone saying we would NOT be shut out of the Giants final game, but I was just persuing the schedule and it sure LOOKS like it's only on NFLN. Nowhere can I find ANY indication anyone else would carry it.

Check out channel 709 in the TVguide listings for 12/29.

It's the NFL Network simulcast that all primary markets get when their team is on cable.

slumpey326

12-15-07, 03:54 PM

LL3HD

12-15-07, 04:31 PM

is anyone loosing alot of channels in manhattan, I get no standard channels. Only get the high def channels and the premium channels like hbo, sho. Is something going on with time warner. This just recently started to happen like 2 days ago. Tried rebooting.

Any advice, have a tech coming next friday.I had that today in Queens on NY1 and the Food Channel (both 50 and 1914) but it didn’t last long. They were back within minutes.

slumpey326

12-15-07, 04:50 PM

but i have no standard channels on my hddvr box, only get hd channels and premium channels like hbo, sho.

but whats weird, is that the other cable box in the bedroom which is just a regular cable box gets all the standard channels.

MacAlert

12-15-07, 06:19 PM

Reboot the box.

TonyNYC

12-15-07, 06:22 PM

&
well,went to twc at the mall to exchange the box.asked for the supervisor to explain why i'm not getting 748 & 765. she said that certain areas will get it and other areas have to wait on a day to day basis.but you will get it.after a little complaining she decided to give me a free month of hbo.what a surprise!went home and plugged in the new box hoping it was the box.it wasn't.well i guess i will have to wait this out.if this is a problem everytime twc adds a new hd channel i might switch to direct tv.{does direct really sux when you get bad weather}

On my end, all the channels are up and running except for channel 795 which is supposed to be the NHL Channel in HD, but according to what I have been told by a TWC rep and from what is appearing on the channel lineup for Woodside, it seems like there is a confusion if the channel is going for be for the NHL or the NFL. The channel is still locked out and stating that a Subscription is needed. Guess we will have to wait this one out and see what is going to become of the channel. I know some on here still waiting for the extra HD channels and a fan of hockey might be wondering the fate of the HD channel too in NYC when the channels go live for all 5 boroughs.

Hopefully your channels will come back to you soon and at least you got a free month of HBO service out of it. I honestly wish I could go to Direct TV. It is just not an option for me since my building super will not allow a dish to be placed on the roof of the building.

UnnDunn

12-15-07, 07:17 PM

VS HD and NHL HD are "Subscription" for me. VS HD is listed as a Digital Starter channel, which we have.

*Sigh*, not this crap again.

rsb

12-15-07, 08:43 PM

h2odog

12-15-07, 09:44 PM

Today I returned a faulty TWC DVR and received a SA 8300HDC. Unfortunately I can't use an HDMI connection and get a 16:9 ratio on my Samsung HD T.V. Customer service told me that TWC is in the process of trying to fix this problem and for now the only way to get 16:9 is by using a coax or component cable connection. You would think that they would have tested this box extensively... not informing customers of this problem is shameful, but then again it's TWC.

Berk32

12-15-07, 11:49 PM

I was watching TW via my TIVO HD today and I noticed a few new channels (MTVHD, HGTVHD, FOODHD) and a few more. I checked out the TWNYC website and those channels are only available in Woodside. I tried calling but the wait was just too long. Anyone have any idea if these are rolling out everywhere?

Well where are you located?

Those channels are now available for Staten Island as well as "Woodside" (which includes surrounding areas that are part of the same region)

Goanna

12-16-07, 02:14 AM

Okay, I searched the thread first and didn't find any reference to this, so here goes.

Has anyone noticed the new page listed on the diagnostics screen (the screen you get when holding Select and Exit on the 8300HD)? It's the Multi-Room screen showing that MR capabilities are now enabled.

From what I remember from Scientific Atlanta, any 8300HD can work as part of a Multi Room system as long as there is one 8300HD-MR box present.

So, anyone know if TWC is planning on launching this feature anytime soon, or did Aptiv Digital just include it in the latest firmware update regardless of weather TWC is going to use it or not?

One problem I could see is most (if not all) 8300HD boxes in NYC don't have an external Ethernet port (the diag channel says there is one though, so I bet the connections for the port are on the motherboard, theres just no surface mount rj45 installed to it). So if this feature uses a separate Ethernet network to function then the normal 8300HD boxes might not work with it.

EDIT: Looks like Aptiv has Multi Room fully functioning at this time. Just another case of TWC taking there sweet A$$ time getting new functionality to its NYC consumers. Searching for TWC Multi Room shows that the service is available in other cities right now. I wonder if some complaints to DoItt are in order to get TWC moving on this. They seem to listen to them to some extent, whereas direct requests from consumers go unnoticed.

http://www.aptivdigital.com/passportecho/mrdvr.asp
http://www.timewarnercable.com/stjohn/products/dvr/multiroomdvr.html

buttaskotch

12-16-07, 10:03 AM

SOMEONE HELP!!!!!
I even know what to call this problem.
I have a TWC 8300HDC here in Maspeth, NY
I woke this morning to the box saying, h### scrolling up & down. numbers changing...

buttaskotch

12-16-07, 10:05 AM

SOMEONE HELP!!!!!
I even know what to call this problem.
I have a TWC 8300HDC here in Maspeth, NY
I woke this morning to the box saying, h### scrolling up & down. numbers changing constantly
Whenever I touch a button, it changes to a d### scrolling and goes right back to h### scrolling.
Power button does not work.
The DVD is using the extra outlet and it doesn't power up.
I had to un plug it to check to see that the DVD player is working.
Of course TWC CSR didn't know what to do and says the tech guy will have to come out, 4 days from now
Can someone point me in the right direction???

realdeal1115

12-16-07, 10:18 AM

buttaskotch

12-16-07, 10:21 AM

I did that, still same thing

UnnDunn

12-16-07, 11:04 AM

I did that, still same thing
Take it back to TWC tomorrow.

nycnigel

12-16-07, 09:26 PM

Apologies, I did try searching but couldn't find the answer. Is the sports tier included in the DVR+HDXTRA package of $15? By sports tier i mean the tennis channel etc.

Berk32

12-16-07, 09:46 PM

Apologies, I did try searching but couldn't find the answer. Is the sports tier included in the DVR+HDXTRA package of $15? By sports tier i mean the tennis channel etc.

Yes

(Its definitely not something that is made well known by Time Warner for some reason... we got notices about it in our bills when the change was made...)

margoba

12-17-07, 12:08 AM

Goanna

12-17-07, 12:29 AM

There are a couple of confusions here. First, and most important, TW is in the process of replacing Passport (and Aptiv) with their own internal product Navigator, so it is extremely unlikely that we will ever see an Aptiv version of MR.

Second, since you asked about the external ethernet port, the Aptiv MR functionality doesn't use ethernet cables. It runs MR by use of the existing TW cabling.

Third, just as an FYI, the Aptiv MR capability is SD only :-(

-barry
Thanks for clearing that up. I wasnt sure on the ethernet ports. I think the Verizon Moto boxes that do Multi Room do require it, so I wasnt sure if SA handled it the same way.

So the 8300HD-MR box probably only works with SARA based STB's then I guess.

Any word on the inclusion of multi room capabilities of TWC's navigator product?nctionality?

FroggerJoe

12-17-07, 10:24 AM

Anybody in Brooklyn (Bay Ridge/Ft. Hamilton) area having an outage? Second time this week where my HD/Internet has been down for at least 12hours. First was on Tuedsay (12/11) other started last night during 3rd Quater of Giants/SKins game. As of now, still down.

thanks!

margoba

12-18-07, 01:05 AM

Thanks for clearing that up. I wasnt sure on the ethernet ports. I think the Verizon Moto boxes that do Multi Room do require it, so I wasnt sure if SA handled it the same way.

So the 8300HD-MR box probably only works with SARA based STB's then I guess.

Any word on the inclusion of multi room capabilities of TWC's navigator product?nctionality?

I'm pretty sure that the MR capability is built around SARA. However, the regional TW cable companies seem to have considerable independence, so one region may support one set of features, while another region supports a different set of features. It hardly seems to act like one coherent cable company. That may, indeed, be one of the reasons that TWC is moving to Navigator.

TWC seems to be having LOTS of trouble getting Navigator to work at all, so I suspect that MR capability is way down on the list.

Be warned that, in the NYC area, if your 8300HD box breaks and you have to get a new one, you will now get the 8300HDC which runs the aforementioned very buggy Navigator. Hopefully, all our 8300HD boxes will hold out until TWC gets some of the bugs ironed out.

-barry

mikepier

12-18-07, 07:23 AM

Check out channel 709 in the TVguide listings for 12/29.

It's the NFL Network simulcast that all primary markets get when their team is on cable.

What stinks is last year, NFL network had the Giants/Skins game on WNBC which is 1080i, and MY9 is 720P. I notice a difference when the Yankees play some of their games on MY9, it does not looks as good as YESHD.

Gooddog

12-18-07, 11:15 AM

ANGEL 35

12-18-07, 11:27 AM

Its at it again.My 8300HDC is upgrading the cablecard. It does this every day. I cant see what it does Any one know?? I dont see any thing new.

coneyparleg

12-18-07, 11:44 AM

http://www.tvpredictions.com/twhd121807.htm

"Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2007) -- Time Warner CEO Glenn Britt says the cable operator will soon be able to offer an "unlimited" amount of High-Definition programming......."

That would be great but I am not counting on it happening soon.

I think they mean unlimited fo Staten Island only:rolleyes:, can't mean Manhatttan.

Also to respond to a point in the article I would rather have "HDTV channels that don't broadcast full-time in high-def" and see HD from them sometimes, than to not have those channels in HD at all

Berk32

12-18-07, 12:00 PM

Berk32

12-18-07, 12:07 PM

LOL

Just got another one from them:

"webmaster@twcnyc.com to me

test"

Riverside_Guy

12-18-07, 12:19 PM

Check out channel 709 in the TVguide listings for 12/29.

It's the NFL Network simulcast that all primary markets get when their team is on cable.

Funny, could swear I tried and they wouldn't list that date...

The official NFL schedules seemed to indicate when a local channel was broadcasting, but they only listed NFLN for that game.

Of course, at this point all I got to say is they don't deserve to be IN the playoffs. That Washington game was <MULTIPLE expletives VERY deleted).

Berk32

12-18-07, 12:21 PM

Funny, could swear I tried and they wouldn't list that date...

The official NFL schedules seemed to indicate when a local channel was broadcasting, but they only listed NFLN for that game.

Of course, at this point all I got to say is they don't deserve to be IN the playoffs. That Washington game was <MULTIPLE expletives VERY deleted).

Don't worry...
When I went to tvguide.com - it was the last available date...
Just good timing on my part :)

I'm sure we'll be seeing ads (paid for by time warner and cablevision) very soon in the newspapers saying where the game can be found (if they haven't started already).

Riverside_Guy

12-18-07, 12:28 PM

http://www.tvpredictions.com/twhd121807.htm

"Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2007) -- Time Warner CEO Glenn Britt says the cable operator will soon be able to offer an "unlimited" amount of High-Definition programming......."

That would be great but I am not counting on it happening soon.

Seems to be hugely dependant on your address. If it's Manhattan, you aren't going to get any additional HD channels until... probably fourth quarter 2008. Maybe. That will mean that the honchos will get their multi-million dollar bonuses for making all Manhattan residents pay MORE each month to get LESS CONTENT. The holy grail of profit.

Riverside_Guy

12-18-07, 12:34 PM

E-mail i just got from TWC an hour ago:

webmaster@twcnyc.com to me

Dear Time Warner Cable Customer:

Due to a computer error, you may have seen a rate increase in your December bill before receiving notice of this change. As a result, if you were affected, you will be given an appropriate credit, which will effectively delay your rate increase until January 18. You may view our current Rates and Policies grid by clicking the link below.

http://www.twcnyc.com/2007Notifications/twc_rate_manhattan.html

Thank you for being our customer.

Sincerely,

Time Warner Cable

Interesting. I said earlier that I got NO NOTICE of any rate increase until I paid my December bill. The ONLY notice I got was a post here on AVS.

Did you get it on your RR e-mail address? I only use RR for outgoing, BUT every mail check checks them as well as my hosting outfit.

Matter of fact, those TWC bastards have sold that e-mail address to the Meadowlands, from which I continue to get spam. NOWHERE will they allow me to "opt-out." AND I have never used that address in any way, shape or form.

scott_bernstein

12-18-07, 12:36 PM

Seems to be hugely dependant on your address. If it's Manhattan, you aren't going to get any additional HD channels until... probably fourth quarter 2008. Maybe. That will mean that the honchos will get their multi-million dollar bonuses for making all Manhattan residents pay MORE each month to get LESS CONTENT. The holy grail of profit.
Of course, that is unless at a corporate level they have decided to step up the adoption of SDV (which seems likely since that is what the focus of this particular article is). That should give us some hope that SDV is coming sooner rather than later. Hopefully SDV implementation doesn't force Navigator upon us!

Riverside_Guy

12-18-07, 12:39 PM

I'm sure we'll be seeing ads (paid for by time warner and cablevision) very soon in the newspapers saying where the game can be found (if they haven't started already).

Like I said, I am thoroughly disgusted with the team at this point, that game Sunday was like a frakking Knicks game. Still, you REALLY think they will spend one red cent informing us of ANYTHING?

BTW, I actually looked at my previous month's bill... NO MENTON of a rate increase. The bill WITH the rate increase (the "December" bill) said that effective 12/1, new rates are in effect.

Bastards.

Berk32

12-18-07, 12:42 PM

I never set up my RR e-mail....

I got it on my regular e-mail - i get my bill emailed to me monthly....

And i never said the Giants would pay for ads.... TWC and Cablevision will (they did last year)

Riverside_Guy

12-18-07, 12:42 PM

Of course, that is unless at a corporate level they have decided to step up the adoption of SDV (which seems likely since that is what the focus of this particular article is). That should give us some hope that SDV is coming sooner rather than later. Hopefully SDV implementation doesn't force Navigator upon us!

As I understand it, they can NOT do SDV until they are 100% Craptigator. And while we see a myriad of issues with Craptigaotr on the more RAM equipped HDC boxes, imagine the experience on the HD boxes...

slumpey326

12-18-07, 06:33 PM

TonyNYC

12-18-07, 09:35 PM

I have a sony xbr4 1080p, I just got the SA 8300HDC DVR from Time Warner. I use to have the 8300HD DVR but it died so they gave me the new one.

I am using an HDMI cable connected from the cable box to the tv. I noticed that I cant change the resolution anymore via the settings menu on the remote with the new cable box.

Before with the old cable box, I could set it to 1080i only for HD channels and 480p for standard. With the new box, I cant do this. It automatically does 480 for standard channels and 720p for HD channels like ABC and 1080i for channels like CBS.

How can I do it where it only does 1080i channels for HD. I dont want it to display 720p.

Hmmm. I hope that they do something about this with a future firmware release. I was planning on getting the same model Sony BRAVIA after New Years and I would hate for the box to have to switch between the output formats on its own. I have the box set to 1080i only for my current HDTV.

Guess I better cross my fingers for my current 8300 to give me a few more years of service so I can avoid that new 8300HDC.

slumpey326

12-19-07, 08:46 AM

the bravia xbr4 is excellent, it is the cable box.

Has anyone been able to adjust the resolutions

Gooddog

12-19-07, 10:04 AM

Seems to be hugely dependant on your address. If it's Manhattan, you aren't going to get any additional HD channels until... probably fourth quarter 2008. Maybe.

I'm not in Manhatten and I have no hope of seeing "unlimited" HD at any point next year. As noted in http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=652328 unless you live in the Albany district and west from there, TWC SDV status is unknown at this time.

scott_bernstein

12-19-07, 01:34 PM

As I understand it, they can NOT do SDV until they are 100% Craptigator. And while we see a myriad of issues with Craptigaotr on the more RAM equipped HDC boxes, imagine the experience on the HD boxes...

...which might be why they're pushing the new software so heartily -- maybe it's related to a push from the corporate side to get SDV deployed. I think that we're going to get it one of these days soon enough, and there's nothing we're going to be able to do about it.

I only hope that their upgrade is done somewhat intelligently so it doesn't erase all of the saved programs on your DVR. Otherwise TWC will have a virtual mutiny on their hands -- not just from us, but from Joe DVR user who has a ton of crappy SD TV episodes saved!

TonyNYC

12-19-07, 07:31 PM

Anyone here from Woodside Queens area getting channel 795 NHL Network HD or is it still coming up as Subscription Service?

Thanks.

lee7n

12-19-07, 09:56 PM

There isn't any way as far as I know. You can make a second input using component cables. I don't think the difference between 480i and 480p is very noticeable anyway. The box is kinda of screwy but i like that you can make the side bars black the gray was really annoying. Thats the most important thing for me so i am fairly happy with the box, it has missed recordings though and takes forever to reboot and i have do that at least 2 times a week so far. It is much quieter too than the 8300hd and i live in a studio and it was annoying.

JSY

12-19-07, 10:59 PM

Anyone here from Woodside Queens area getting channel 795 NHL Network HD or is it still coming up as Subscription Service?

Thanks.

I am near the Queens Center Mall. Is that considered Woodside? (Funny, I used to live in Woodside, haha..) Anyway, 795 is coming in fine and actually has been for me since I discovered it last week. Oh, and Isles rule. ;)

TonyNYC

12-19-07, 11:33 PM

I am near the Queens Center Mall. Is that considered Woodside? (Funny, I used to live in Woodside, haha..) Anyway, 795 is coming in fine and actually has been for me since I discovered it last week. Oh, and Isles rule. ;)

Damn! I was hoping you would tell me it wasn't. After the 6th CSR, it looks like I am going to have to bring in my 8300 for the 8300HDC.

Signal after signal and they cannot get the channel to work for me.

Thanks for checking. I am near the mall and will switch it on Saturday morning.

Oh and the Isles rule at teaching Chris Simon new ways to step on people with the blade of his skate. :)

JSY

12-19-07, 11:57 PM

Damn! I was hoping you would tell me it wasn't. After the 6th CSR, it looks like I am going to have to bring in my 8300 for the 8300HDC.

Signal after signal and they cannot get the channel to work for me.

Thanks for checking. I am near the mall and will switch it on Saturday morning.

Oh and the Isles rule at teaching Chris Simon new ways to step on people with the blade of his skate. :)

Very strange - I know I haven't visited here in ages, but it looks like all my data and post count was reset, etc. I though I used to have it say Elmhurst, NY under my name as well. Anyway, yep - I am literally a block away from JCPenney and 795 comes in fine with both boxes I have - even the 8300 that I have that seems like it's going to blow up. In fact, I'm going to bring it in to replace in soon.

LOL, you mean Chris Simon the ex-Islander? :)

Riverside_Guy

12-20-07, 11:57 AM

It automatically does 480 for standard channels and 720p for HD channels like ABC and 1080i for channels like CBS.

How can I do it where it only does 1080i channels for HD. I dont want it to display 720p.

What I recall reading was that the HDC box did 1080i for all HD channels. This SOUNDS like the HDC does NOT change or mess with what the channel boradcasts in... which is MY preference.

Riverside_Guy

12-20-07, 12:12 PM

...which might be why they're pushing the new software so heartily -- maybe it's related to a push from the corporate side to get SDV deployed. I think that we're going to get it one of these days soon enough, and there's nothing we're going to be able to do about it.

I only hope that their upgrade is done somewhat intelligently so it doesn't erase all of the saved programs on your DVR. Otherwise TWC will have a virtual mutiny on their hands -- not just from us, but from Joe DVR user who has a ton of crappy SD TV episodes saved!

About the only intelligent thing TWC NYC does is raise rates for their customers who get less and provide discounts for those customers that DO get a lot MORE. More profits equals million dollar bonuses for the guys who decide this stuff.

They also know that any "mutiny" will only be verbiage around forums like here. AND there seem to be many folks upset that some of us call it "Crime Warner" or refer to it as "Craptigator." I hear the sound of MUCH snickering at TWC HQ, it's costs them nothing and they see customers acting like their own thought police without paying them (well, only a GUESS they aren't being compensated for putting down the malcontents).

Now it's also true I have a bunch of "crappy SD" stuff saved. I have been somewhat piling them up in anticipation of a lot less prime time network fare. I think I have 6 or so Nip/Tucks, 3 or 4 Flash Gordons to tide me over!

slumpey326

12-20-07, 12:29 PM

Riverside_Guy , I want the cablebox to only show 1080i for all HD channels but currently it shows 720p for channels like ABCHD and 1080i for channels like HBOHD.

How can I make my new 8300HDC box only show 1080i.

What cablebox do you have, by looking at your signature you have the old 8300 HD DVR box which I used to have. I could manual set it on 1080i only which I cant do now.

sgf

12-20-07, 03:36 PM

Sorry in advance for crossposting this but since I am unsure of culprit in the following problem I am posting this here as well as HDTV recorders forum.

Just took delivery of a 40XBR4 after lurking and reviewing threads here for what seems forever. First I would like to thank everyone for all these as they have truly assisted in my decision making.

So far the picture looks great (Sept 07 build). However I've been really unable to fully evaluate/calibrate it due to the need to concentrate on this audio dropout/cutout problem.

Audio dropouts/cutouts (as in a poor cellphone connection) are occurring intermittently on some HD channels (primarily PBS). The problem often manifests while switching back and forth between SD and HD. Once it starts it seems to go on for a while.

I've spent the last 2 days trying to determine whether it is the cable box, the signal or the TV causing the problem.

I have a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD running passport (After reading posts about HDC w/Navigator problems i was able to secure an older HD box). Connection is via a 6 foot Monoprice HDMI 1.3a cable. Feed is via Time Warner Cable in NYC (Manhattan).

Yesterday I called TW and they told me the problem was a low signal which needed to be refreshed. Whether this was a coincidence or not the problem immediately resolved itself after the refresh, only to reappear this morning.

Today the TW rep told me that the problem was not that the signal strength was low - and in fact it was now, according to her "critically low" but rather that the culprit was the HDMI cable. She said the 8300HD definitely did not support HDMI cable and that was causing the dropouts. I was told to switch to component cables. A supervisor told me the same thing. She also did another refresh but the problem continued.

Another possibly related issue that occurred this morning - on turning on the TV I got picture but no sound at all, again on an HD channel. Not the dropout problem but no sound whatsoever. I changed input momentarily to another input and back to HDMI at which point the sound came on. As I said I don't know whether this is related or not.

Third and also possibly related to using HDMI cables with the 8300HD: I changed the output settings on the 8300HD to allow 720p (ABCHD), after which the picture became unstable - flickering in and out - that is alternating with black. I did not try to resolve this but called Sony instead.

Sony also pointed to HDMI with the 8300HD as the probable culprit. However they had not documented any such dropout problems but rather just problems with no sound/no picture totally. Representative told me she had heard of this but rare. I switched to a second HDMI input on the Sony and problem continued.

So I switched to component cables and the problems all SEEM to have gone away, though i can't be 100% sure yet as the dropout problem has been intermittent.

I don't have any other devices with HDMI output so can't therefore test and confirm that the problem is not with the Sony HDMI inputs. Sony told me that the could send a tech out but if there was no problem I would have to pay for the call :( I don't expect to get an HD DVD Player for a while, and would hate to find out after the warranty ends that it was the HDMI inputs.

I was under the impression that there was no problem at all in using HDMI. Could it be this specific 8300HD that is at fault?

I will also post this in the HDTV recorders section but thought it wise to also post under LCDs.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

TonyNYC

12-20-07, 06:30 PM

Interesting. The 8300HD works with my HDMI cable just fine and I have never had a problem with it. I am not sure about the newer 8300HDC model though.

As for the changes in output format, I have always had mine set to 1080i just to avoid the automatic changes between formats. You might just want to keep the format default at 1080i.

Maybe you have a bad HDMI cable? If there is a CompUSA near you, I would go there and get one for dirt cheap since they are going out of business. There is one at 59th Street, Columbus Circle.

After going through 6 reps in 4 calls and getting all sorts of excuses for why my problem can't be fixed, you might just want to check every option you can with the 8300HD before you possibly settle on getting the new 8300HDC craptastic model.

scott_bernstein

12-20-07, 06:41 PM

Audio dropouts/cutouts (as in a poor cellphone connection) are occurring intermittently on some HD channels (primarily PBS). The problem often manifests while switching back and forth between SD and HD. Once it starts it seems to go on for a while.
[SNIP]
Yesterday I called TW and they told me the problem was a low signal which needed to be refreshed. Whether this was a coincidence or not the problem immediately resolved itself after the refresh, only to reappear this morning.

For a LONG time, it has been known that when you have lots of audio/video glitching, it is often caused by a weak singal to the box. You need to have a tech come out and fix your weak signal problem -- whether it is faulty wiring inside your apartment, your building, or from the junction box in the street, or whatever.

They cannot do anything from the TWC offices to correct this. Sending a "signal" to your box, resetting it, or whatever will not help.

Whether they support it or not, HDMI works. Frankly, if you can't use HDMI, it's not a huge loss. I can barely tell the difference between when my HDTV is being fed via HDMI or component. On my setup, the only noticiable difference is that the SD channels look a hair sharper via HDMI, but that's it.

Scott

sgf

12-20-07, 07:21 PM

slumpey326

12-20-07, 07:56 PM

I cant change the 1080i resolution, the cable box doesnt let me.

Anyone here with an 8300 HDC cable box been able to disable 720p. If so, how.

It isnt like the 8300 at all/

vincentnyc

12-20-07, 09:18 PM

are you guys getting tbs hd channel on your cable box yet?

margoba

12-20-07, 09:27 PM

TonyNYC

12-20-07, 09:35 PM

Berk32

12-20-07, 09:42 PM

Off Topic Rangers Question: A friend just asked me if I knew what TWC channel the Rangers game was on tomorrow (Friday) night. The Rangers web site seems to say MSG2, but I cannot find out what that means in TW-speak. Is the game on cable tomorrow night at all?

Thanks in advance,
-barry

http://nyoverflow.com/

This season - MSG2 is always supposed to be ch 60 (FSNY2 almost always 51)

Obviously no HD from MSG2 - and it doesn't look like there will be road-HD when MSG joins the game in progress at 9:30...
(they are getting the road HD treatment tonight... as are the Knicks tomorrow)

(TWC does screw up from time to time though when it comes to MSG2 and FSNY2....)

I don't understand at all why the home game next week on Wednesay is on MSG2.... Knicks aren't getting road-HD (only time this month actually...)

It really looked like MSG was being smart about its scheduling between MSG and MSG2.... but they 'missed' 2.... (the second one is coming on 1/16 vs Buffalo.... but I'm going to guess that the Knicks will get HD for their game in NJ.... Knicks website schedule for HD road games doesn't go past December at the moment...)

margoba

12-21-07, 12:14 AM

Thanks guys. This will be a big help to my friend.

-barry

chopsueychris

12-21-07, 01:53 AM

are you guys getting tbs hd channel on your cable box yet?

I've had it on 708 personally since the MLB Playoffs here in Bayside. I love the fact they phony upconvert the office when they air it on tuesdays.

Berk32

12-21-07, 02:03 AM

I've had it on 708 personally since the MLB Playoffs here in Bayside. I love the fact they phony upconvert the office when they air it on tuesdays.

Since baseball ended... they upconvert/stretch every second of content.... outside of a few comedy specials a few weeks ago.... they even use a "Available in HD" graphic in front of a bunch of programming.... yet its not....

Prey521

12-21-07, 05:21 AM

Anyone here in the Newburgh, NY area (Orange County) know if the local Time Warner hubs are deploying the 8300HDC DVR box if you trade in your old 8300HD? I ask because I can't take it anymore with the bad optical port constantly dropping audio, but at the same time, I don't want to have to use the analog audio ports either and I don't want to have to buy a coax --> optical adapter either, since I have enough components in my unit. Also, my Harmony 880 just took a dump and my dog chewed up the original cable remote, so now I've reached the point where I just want to trade in the box, but not at the expense of having them swap it out with the HDC garbage. I appreciate the input.

pdroth

12-21-07, 08:14 AM

to update my audio dropouts problems it now appears to be the XBR4. I borrowed a friends tiny HDTV and plugged the same HDMI cable into it from the 8300HD. Got perfect audio in the other TV. Went back to the Sony and back to the dropouts.

Again the problem only occurs on HD channels. Sound is fine with SD channels via HDMI.

I have a Sony XBR4 also - just got it about a month ago. I have the same exact problems you are having. I ruled out the cables and the TV though - the other 2 HDMI inputs work absolutely fine with my PS3 and XBOX, and I've done the cable/input swap to try to narrow it down. Unfortunately for TWC - it comes back to the 8300.

However, I haven't been motivated enough to start making calls about this problem. And honestly I wouldn't even know where to start. TWC will send a tech who will tell me to use component, and I don't even know what Sony would say.

Let me know if you make any progress - I'd like to get this fixed also.

jw1

12-21-07, 08:54 AM

has anyone compared twc hd with a good upconverting dvd player (i have an oppo dv-970hd)?
i'm considering dropping a couple of premium channels and doing netflix instead.

pdroth

12-21-07, 09:56 AM

has anyone compared twc hd with a good upconverting dvd player (i have an oppo dv-970hd)?
i'm considering dropping a couple of premium channels and doing netflix instead.

I'll tell you what - I watched "Into the Blue" on SHO-HD and compared it with my Blu-ray by switching inputs. The difference is incredible, which speaks volumes about how bad the HD feeds are that we are receiving from TWC.

I've also done the same with CSI on CBS switching back and forth between the 8300 and my Silver Sensor antenna. Although not as dramatic, the antenna PQ is better than cable.

Berk32

12-21-07, 10:58 AM

I'll tell you what - I watched "Into the Blue" on SHO-HD and compared it with my Blu-ray by switching inputs. The difference is incredible, which speaks volumes about how bad the HD feeds are that we are receiving from TWC.

I've also done the same with CSI on CBS switching back and forth between the 8300 and my Silver Sensor antenna. Although not as dramatic, the antenna PQ is better than cable.

Both forms of high def DVD will always look significantly better than any HD broadcast source (1080p vs 1080i/720p) - even if you take video compression out of the equation...

And its not just Time Warner that compresses HD... all providers do it...
1 QAM frequency is allocated roughly 38.4 Mb/s... an OTA station's digital signal will use 19.39 Mb/s max (not all for its HD signal - especially when there are subchannels).
TWCNYC stuffs most HD channels into groups of 3... so they are compressing the video down to ~13 Mb/s (this is not the case with the local stations... no more than 2 total are on a QAM channel (along with its subchannels) - so we see very close to what 'should' be seen OTA)

Digital SD channels are sent out at between 3-5 Mb/s.

(if you are wondering - I believe Cablevision actually stuffs up to 4 HD channels on 1 QAM frequency in some cases)

btw - jw1 was asking about upconverting DVD players..... they wont be nearly as good as HD on TWC....
TWC-HD is still significantly better than any Standard Def DVD... even if it isn't the best HD

pdroth

12-21-07, 12:06 PM

Both forms of high def DVD will always look significantly better than any HD broadcast source (1080p vs 1080i/720p) - even if you take video compression out of the equation...

And its not just Time Warner that compresses HD... all providers do it...
1 QAM frequency is allocated roughly 38.4 Mb/s... an OTA station's digital signal will use 19.39 Mb/s max (not all for its HD signal - especially when there are subchannels).
TWCNYC stuffs most HD channels into groups of 3... so they are compressing the video down to ~13 Mb/s (this is not the case with the local stations... no more than 2 total are on a QAM channel (along with its subchannels) - so we see very close to what 'should' be seen OTA)

Digital SD channels are sent out at between 3-5 Mb/s.

(if you are wondering - I believe Cablevision actually stuffs up to 4 HD channels on 1 QAM frequency in some cases)

btw - jw1 was asking about upconverting DVD players..... they wont be nearly as good as HD on TWC....
TWC-HD is still significantly better than any Standard Def DVD... even if it isn't the best HD

I did get a little off-topic... I guess in short I was trying to say that a good upconverting player will probably be on par with TWC-HD. But a blu-ray/HDDVD will be a big boost in the PQ department.

Uptown193

12-21-07, 12:41 PM

John Mason

12-21-07, 12:43 PM

Albany Time Warner Cable added following new HD channels around 11PM on Thursday, December 20th:

• CNN
• Food Network
• Fox Business News
• HGTV
• History Channel
• Lifetime Movie Network
• National Geographic
• Outdoor
• Versus/Golf
• Weather Channel

Wow. Remarkable what some so-called edge servers for switched digital video (SDV)can do for HD availability. From this post: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12551595&postcount=3152

twcinsider here mentioned a while back that rarely watched international subscription channels here--we've got LOTS of them--would likely be the first on SDV; assume no one's found them listed as SDV in diagnostic mode. Also assume everyone on the Albany TWC system doesn't have an SDV-capable 8300HDC with Navigator yet, and not sure what STB operating system they're running. -- John

carl2680

12-21-07, 01:12 PM

Anybody know when Crime warner cable in NYC will deploy Switch Digital Video In Manhattan?

bahill

12-21-07, 01:29 PM

TonyNYC

12-21-07, 01:34 PM

TWC sucks in HD programming only like approx 22 with Direct having 65 now. Why dont we all cancel TWC and move to Direct TV, if we the people did this TWC would have not other choice but to upgrade their service fast. but we the people are dumb and stupid and keep on payin TWC for lame channels. We are all getting ripped off, i guess no one cares but me. CANCEL TWC AND GET DIRECT TV. WE ARE ALL BEING DUMB AND STUPID.

Not to start a flamewar but this is just a thoughtless post. Not all of us in the 5 boroughs have this option. I for one cannot go to DirecTV even though I want to due to the rules of the apartment building I live in. They do not want dishes on the roof of the building and sticking it outside my window is not an option since I cannot point the dish south when I am on the northern side of the building.

The people in this forum for the short time I have been coming here are very in tune with the workings of cable TV and its equipment and have been more than helpful. To call people dumb and stupid without knowing the limitations of switching to a service like DirecTV makes you look dumb and stupid with off the wall posts.

If you have an option to switch services like DirecTV, then by all means switch and be merry. Some of us here have limitations and will be stuck with one service provider for some time to come.

TonyNYC

12-21-07, 01:40 PM

Yes, NY/NJ (Hudson Valley) is deploying HDC's w/ Mystro/Navigator installed. I have one, and actually, I think it's fine. It was very buggy just 3-4 months ago, but recent code updates have made it quite solid.

I wouldn't be afraid of it.

I am going to switch to the 8300HDC tomorrow morning. I hope mine works out as good as yours.

Berk32

12-21-07, 02:05 PM

Riverside_Guy

12-21-07, 02:25 PM

For a LONG time, it has been known that when you have lots of audio/video glitching, it is often caused by a weak singal to the box. You need to have a tech come out and fix your weak signal problem -- whether it is faulty wiring inside your apartment, your building, or from the junction box in the street, or whatever.

They cannot do anything from the TWC offices to correct this. Sending a "signal" to your box, resetting it, or whatever will not help.

Whether they support it or not, HDMI works. Frankly, if you can't use HDMI, it's not a huge loss. I can barely tell the difference between when my HDTV is being fed via HDMI or component. On my setup, the only noticiable difference is that the SD channels look a hair sharper via HDMI, but that's it.

Scott

While I agree it CAN be traced to a weak signal to the box, it also very much can be overloaded bandwidth. I very much remember the skippage (glitching) rose to historic proportions last summer right after the 2 new HD channels arrived. I know it was the same out of Man South. Took many weeks for it to very slowly get better. AND I think it was you that noticed recorded shows started taking a lot less disk space, pointing to a conclusion they were being compressed more (rate shaping). Very much lie they squeezed them more to avoid glitches... and I can at least say, glitches went way down.

Logical conclusions and direct observation sure seem to all point in the same direction. I DO remember when the worst of the glitching started, I kept checking signal strength and it stayed at a OK level.