November 19, 2009 at 10:46 am by Pete Dougherty, Staff writer

For the story in today’s Times Union on the NFL Network’s carriage dispute with Time Warner, click below:

Not a game fans are thankful for
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=867831&category=SPORTS

Many Giants faithful won’t get to see telecast because of TV dispute


For a podcast of my “Big Board Sports” interview with Rodger Wyland on WOFX (980 AM), click here.
http://foxsports980.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/player.html?redir=yes&mps=Rodgerwyland.php&mid=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/ALBANY-NY/WOFX-AM/Pete11-19.mp3?CPROG=PCAST?CCOMRRMID&CPROG=RICHMEDIA&MARKET=ALBANY-NY&NG_FORMAT=sportstalk&NG_ID=wofx980am&OR_NEWSFORMAT=&OWNER=&SERVER_NAME=www.foxsports980.com&SITE_ID=1232&STATION_ID=WOFX-AM&TRACK=


Your comments, as always, are welcomed. Below are addition excerpts from the interviews I conducted this week with the two parties:

JEFF UNAITIS, Time Warner vice president of communications, upstate New York

Overall view: “It’s expensive programming. You have as many people telling you that they would not like to pay for a network that they won’t watch if we did have it available.”

“For all but eight games, our customers are very well served by us and our programming partners, between the broadcasters and ESPN. Hundreds of millions of dollars are paid by cable customers today to bring them the NFL and the games they want to see. Clearly the fact that eight games aren’t going to be available to our customers, at least at this point, recognizing that one of those games involves the Giants, which represents an additional challenge, by and large we still think our customers get far more NFL programming than they did 10 years ago.”

Is the opportunity to acquire NFL RedZone help in negotiations? “That’s putting the cart before the horse. I don’t think our customers have asked for it because they don’t know what it is. They haven’t seen it. I had to be reminded exactly what that was, as well.”

Any comforting words for Giants fans who will miss next Thursday’s game? “Understandably that’s a game they’re going to want to see, and while it is on Thanksgiving, it’s unfortunate that it’s not going to be available.”

Why not put NFL Network on basic cable? “That’s why we created the optional digital sports tier, where a lot of this programming finds a home, and the options for those customers who want to pay those additional few bucks a month an opportunity to see that programming.”

Other issues preventing an agreement: “The NFL Sunday Ticket is something that is still exclusively held by DirecTV, to the extent that we would love to offer to our customers but haven’t been allowed to by the same folks that are asking them to carry the NFL Network.”

In summary: “We certainly value sports programming. We spend a lot of our local resources with our own production, our own staff. Nobody is providing local and regional football coverage like Time Warner cable. We value the sport, just not under the terms and conditions the NFL Network is asking.”

“We haven’t really had a lot of calls from customers asking about or complaining about the lack of the NFL Network. That’s down from past years. People have understood the issue from previous years.”

“It’s a sad situation that ultimately comes down to this: We just think we can do a lot more with those programming dollars and touch a lot more of our customers for the money they’d be asking us to spend. We think we can do a lot of other things that a vast majority of our customers would prefer.”

KIM WILLIAMS, NFL Network chief operating officer

Overall view: “We’ve added to our offering NFL RedZone, which is a newly launched channel. Not only has it changed the nature of the conversation, but it from our perspective has given us something to talk about that we’re excited about, and now that it’s launched is proving, not only to ourselves but the affiliates who signed up for NFL RedZone, that it is an incredibly powerful complementary product.

Did the NFL RedZone help in negotiations? “That’s a nice thing to be talking about. That really did change the nature of our discussions. It probably gave Time Warner a little bit more pause. In the end, they made the decision that they made, but I do think that was a big difference this year.”

If other cable companies could strike a deal, why not Time Warner? “I’m as bufuddled as you. You always try to put yourself in the shoes of the others who are across the table from you. It’s not only smart business negotiation, it’s disingenuous not to do so. I have a really tough time understanding why they’re not able to make the economics work and the business model work, where other operators have, operators that are large and operators that are small. I wish I had a good answer for that.”

Is the sticking point having NFL Network on basic cable? “We have been accepting digital basic deals for quite some time now. Digital growth is important, and we feel it’s a real value-add to our partners when they can offer NFL Network on a digital tier that drives digital boxes and, by the way, all the other revenue streams that come along with digital boxes.”

Any comforting words for Giants fans who will miss next Thursday’s game? “They should know we haven’t given up. We haven’t given up from the get-go. We will continue to figure out ways that allow distributors to make the economics work. If anything, I’d want fans to know that we hear them, we feel their pain, and that we’re doing everything we can to try and make this work.”

Are negotiations currently under way? “We have not been in any meaningful conversations since summer and the beginning of the season.”

What about the argument that the NFL Network’s only value are the eight regular-season telecasts? “The National Football League is about the games. That is our product. It is clearly our crown jewel, but we enjoy year-round ratings.”

In summary: “We enjoy year-round viewership. Our (NFL) combine coverage, our draft coverage is tremendous. Our preseason coverage – we have all the preseason games, in HD, on NFL Network. Some live, some are replays. That is one of our highest-rated months, is August. Our past-the-draft coverage, which takes us from Senior Bowl to the draft, is great content.

“When you think about all of the other platforms, like our VOD offering, we have all the player profiles, it’s very compelling programming. Our America’s Game is Emmy Award-winning. Our coverage of our big events – playoffs, Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl – you get coverage you can’t get anywhere else.”

“I appreciate the argument that our games are valuable, but we launched this network long before we had rights to the games, and it was still powerful programming.”

12 Comments »
http://blog.timesunion.com/sportsmedia/not-a-game-fans-are-thankful-for/3096/

so are we ever going to get viacom channels in HD?

Haven't seen any new channels yet, but at least my internet speed has been bumped up to ~15Mbps. Not complaining about that!

Cable Industry Joins MPAA In Asking FCC To Allow Them To Stop Your DVR From Recording Movies | Techdirt
from the without-any-reason dept

Ars Technica has allowed the cable industry lobbyists' top lawyer to explain why the cable industry supports breaking your DVR in a misguided effort to add more windows to movie releases. Not surprisingly, he simply repeats the MPAA's flat out lies and misrepresentations on this particular issue. For example, he claims that the movie studios need this or they won't get content out to the industry early enough. But that's wrong. There is nothing stopping the movie studios from releasing content whenever they would like. In fact, we've already seen that some of the major studios are releasing movies in exactly this manner (prior to DVD release), despite claiming that it's impossible to do so without enabling this form of DRM.

If the movie industry wants to add a new window where they release movies for pay-per-view offerings before they come out on DVD, there is nothing stopping them from doing so today. Nothing.

The claim that this is about preventing "piracy" is flat out bogus. Even the movie studios themselves claim that nearly every movie is already "pirated" by the time the movies hit the theaters. And these pay-per-view offerings (they like to call them video on demand, but it's really pay per view) are for a window later than the theater release. So the movies will already be available via unauthorized channels. That won't change at all.

So, what are we left with? The two main arguments simply don't make sense at all. There's nothing stopping the studios from adding this window now. And enabling selectable output control (SOC) to stop your DVR from recording these movies won't do a damn thing to reduce unauthorized file sharing of the same content. The only thing it will serve to do is make legitimate customers pissed off, because they'll be confused and annoyed when the DVR they purchased to record what comes out of their TV sets refuses to record this movie that they legally are accessing, but want to time shift (which, again, is perfectly legal).

Contrary to the MPAA and the NCTA's bogus claims, this has nothing to do with enabling some "awesome" new service. This has everything to do with trying to lock down your TV and DVR in an age when consumers are finally getting back some control. What's amusing, of course, is that this comes just as the TV industry is finally realizing that letting consumers do what they wanted with DVRs didn't harm the TV industry, but helped it. One of these days, maybe the MPAA and the NCTA will come to that realization as well. In the meantime, though, they want to get a foot in the door to let them stop your DVR from working as advertised, in the misguided belief that they need to push back on what legitimate consumers want to do with the content they watch.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091118/0740516984.shtml#comments

I'm confused, does this apply to new releases on VOD/PPV only? Right now, you can only buy a VOD movie and keep it for 24 hours, but cannot record VOD to the box. You can record regular PPV to the box.

Jack

Anyone else notice the audio cutting in and out during the Sunday night Fox Animation Domination cartoon shows? I have noticed this the last few weeks.

I record Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad to my DVR and when I am watching them later the audio cuts out every once in a while. These are the only shows I have this problem with. I live in Northridge.

Anyone else notice the audio cutting in and out during the Sunday night Fox Animation Domination cartoon shows? I have noticed this the last few weeks.

I record Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad to my DVR and when I am watching them later the audio cuts out every once in a while. These are the only shows I have this problem with. I live in Northridge.

I'm in Sherman Oaks.

I had the same problem with the Simpsons a few weeks ago. Have this weeks on the DiVR, but haven't watched it yet.

Can't get Direct as I'm on a hill with no clear view of the southern sky.
Uverse is in the neighborhood, but not all my neighbors are not all that happy with it.

I just put a rooftop antenna on the house. Quality and quantity of local channels is much better than TWC. I'm a few steps closer to getting a TiVo to record from OTA rather than cable for my locals. I hate TW and their low capacity DVR's and clueless customer support, but changing is hard.

So is it worth it to switch out my 3416 for the DCH3400's?

Received an email from TWC today, stating, in part:

"Thank you for choosing to continue your Time Warner Cable service. We are delighted that you are not leaving us!...We want to make sure we’re delivering exactly what you expect. That’s why we’re asking for your thoughts. Were you considering leaving because of something we did or perhaps didn’t do?"

Then a link for a survey was given. Now, I just traded out my old Moto 6200 for a 3400 DVR, which might have triggered the email. But (believe it or don't) I've never called to complain about TWC's service (guess I'm one of the lucky ones). So the tone of the email sounds a wee bit defensive to me. Or maybe it's a mass email to all customers and they figured, what the hell, just assume everyone has considered leaving at one point or another and write it like that. Either way, it just made me chuckle. :D

Received an email from TWC today, stating, in part:

"Thank you for choosing to continue your Time Warner Cable service. We are delighted that you are not leaving us!...We want to make sure we’re delivering exactly what you expect. That’s why we’re asking for your thoughts. Were you considering leaving because of something we did or perhaps didn’t do?"

Then a link for a survey was given. Now, I just traded out my old Moto 6200 for a 3400 DVR, which might have triggered the email. But (believe it or don't) I've never called to complain about TWC's service (guess I'm one of the lucky ones). So the tone of the email sounds a wee bit defensive to me. Or maybe it's a mass email to all customers and they figured, what the hell, just assume everyone has considered leaving at one point or another and write it like that. Either way, it just made me chuckle. :D
I got a different letter from TW today. It described the various rate INCREASES for 2010.

Time Warner Cable answers reader questions
December 3rd, 2009, 12:08 pm · 44 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

Readers asked questions, and Time Warner Cable’s local presidents responded. Mostly.

Back in October, I told readers Time Warner was letting me meet Deborah “Debi” Picciolo, president of residential services for the West Region, and Clarence Caldwell, president of network operations/engineering for the West Region. Picciolo and Caldwell were willing to answer questions. So, readers asked away.

Picciolo and Caldwell were patient and responsive. And they’re relatively new to Time Warner. Picciolo joined three years ago from Comcast Corp. Caldwell came in 2007 from Cox Communications.

For those keeping track, Time Warner acquired the Orange County operations of Adelphia and Comcast in April 2006. Customers have had everything to complain about ever since, as Time Warner faced merging billing systems, customer service, programming, equipment. In Orange County, Time Warner combined its billing systems last fall. Picciolo said call-center operations consolidated in June.

During the interview, I concentrated on a few major questions:

* How much work is left in Orange County?
* Why are cable prices so high?
* When are we getting more HD channels? (Here’s an answer.)http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/12/time-warner-adding-21-hd-channels-in-december/25981/

And then there is the a la carte question many readers want answered: When will Time Warner let customers pay for only the channels they want to watch? These key questions I split up as separate posts and will publish them in upcoming days.

I went through all the reader questions that made it by my Nov. 1 deadline and categorized them. I edited some for clarity and consolidated duplicate questions and submitted them to Darryl Ryan, director of media relations. My instructions to him: Please answer all questions possible with simple responses. Follow-up questions can be asked later.

Not all questions were answered, but I’ve listed them in case Picciolo, Caldwell or Ryan would like to try again (Update: Here’s the list of unanswered questions).http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/2009/12/03/time-warner-cable-unanswered-questions/28511/

Answers are categorized in these topics:

* Programming
* DVR questions
* Customer service, pricing
* Technical, reception

Here are the questions: http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/2009/12/03/the-2009-time-warner-cable-questions-answered/28235/

Does anybody have a phone number we can call to complain about USA HD pixellating here all over Camarillo for - no kidding - one YEAR. Every time I call the main number they want to send out a technician to troubleshoot. The technician refuses to do anything but a quick signal level measurement and stated the problem is "occuring all over Ventura County.


This is outrageous. I want to put it in writing and send it to the top management in Southern California. I also want to set up a meeting with the most senior engineering people so that a plan of attack can be developed to correct once and for all this outrageous problem. The pixellation occcurs simutaneously at random intervals on 441, 442, 443 and I am not sure the techs are getting this important information relayed back to engineering.

Does anybody have a phone number we can call to complain about USA HD pixellating here all over Camarillo for - no kidding - one YEAR. Every time I call the main number they want to send out a technician to troubleshoot. The technician refuses to do anything but a quick signal level measurement and stated the problem is "occuring all over Ventura County.


This is outrageous. I want to put it in writing and send it to the top management in Southern California. I also want to set up a meeting with the most senior engineering people so that a plan of attack can be developed to correct once and for all this outrageous problem. The pixellation occcurs simutaneously at random intervals on 441, 442, 443 and I am not sure the techs are getting this important information relayed back to engineering.

Just my experience and I hope it helps some little bit.

I'm in Oxnard and don't watch alot of USA-HD but would always record Monk and Psych on Friday nights including last weeks Monk. I haven't seen any of the problems you are describing. Every recording I've made has been fine.

Sorry you are having such issues and they can't get to the bottom of it. Hopefully you can get someone up the chain that will help you out.

Good luck.

Jim

Just my experience and I hope it helps some little bit.

I'm in Oxnard and don't watch alot of USA-HD but would always record Monk and Psych on Friday nights including last weeks Monk. I haven't seen any of the problems you are describing. Every recording I've made has been fine.

Sorry you are having such issues and they can't get to the bottom of it. Hopefully you can get someone up the chain that will help you out.

Good luck.

Jim

In Moorpark here and USA HD always has issues. Every episode of Monk or Psych I've watched has the problem you noted at least 2-5 times an episode.

Thankfully I just signed up for U-Verse so I can drop TWC next Monday. POS service, POS boxes.

In Moorpark here and USA HD always has issues. Every episode of Monk or Psych I've watched has the problem you noted at least 2-5 times an episode.

Thankfully I just signed up for U-Verse so I can drop TWC next Monday. POS service, POS boxes.
I noticed that whenever pixellation occurs it also happens on 442 and 443 at the same time. This tells me some piece of hardware that covers those 3 channels is bad. I am pretty sure if they would let me talk directly to the engineers we could get it sorted out.
Thanks for the information from Oxnard. It is nice to hear you do not have the problem. Several techs have told me it affects "all" of Ventura County. With it continuing for a year it is just outrageous.

Thankfully I just signed up for U-Verse so I can drop TWC next Monday. POS service, POS boxes.

Please post back here after some experiance with U-verse. Most interested in SD PQ and HD PQ vs TWC.

Then how well the box works, etc.

I've heard U-verse PQ was not so good.....Fios was good though...

Thanks :)

Please post back here after some experiance with U-verse. Most interested in SD PQ and HD PQ vs TWC.

Then how well the box works, etc.

I've heard U-verse PQ was not so good.....Fios was good though...

Thanks :)

I signed my mother up for U-Verse 6 months ago and it looks better then TWC, IMO. I really dug how fast the DVR box was, the ability to watch recorded content on any box in the house, setting recordings via online (or iPhone) and how fast the menu was. Very excited to dump TWC.

I signed my mother up for U-Verse 6 months ago and it looks better then TWC, IMO. .

What kind/size TV does she have?

Does anybody have a phone number we can call to complain about USA HD pixellating here all over Camarillo for - no kidding - one YEAR. Every time I call the main number they want to send out a technician to troubleshoot. The technician refuses to do anything but a quick signal level measurement and stated the problem is "occuring all over Ventura County.


This is outrageous. I want to put it in writing and send it to the top management in Southern California. I also want to set up a meeting with the most senior engineering people so that a plan of attack can be developed to correct once and for all this outrageous problem. The pixellation occcurs simutaneously at random intervals on 441, 442, 443 and I am not sure the techs are getting this important information relayed back to engineering.
Both times I have written paper letters, I ended up getting a call from a VP to discuss the issues. I see they changed the website but looks like the best address is to fill out your phone number here:

https://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/about/contactus.ashx

I see they also have a local managment link for the West Region office. Each area (found with the phone number in the above link) used to each have their own President and staff. Not sure anymore. /Dan

P.S. Keep it to the points and I suspect it will be read and hopefully replied to.

In Moorpark here and USA HD always has issues. Every episode of Monk or Psych I've watched has the problem you noted at least 2-5 times an episode.

Out of pure interest, where in Moorpark?

Out of pure interest, where in Moorpark?

http://www.city-data.com/city/Moorpark-California.html

What kind/size TV does she have?

65" Mitsubishi DLP Diamond?

Out of pure interest, where in Moorpark?

I'm over by the Middle School...Arroyo West? Had the same problems when I lived in Peach Hill as well (different DVR - exchanged it when I moved about 7 months ago).

Thinking back...had the same issues when I was in Simi as well with USA HD. Such a POS station.

I'm over by the Middle School...Arroyo West? Had the same problems when I lived in Peach Hill as well (different DVR - exchanged it when I moved about 7 months ago).

Thinking back...had the same issues when I was in Simi as well with USA HD. Such a POS station.
There is nothing wrong with USA-HD transmission. It works perfectly in Oxnard but nowhere else in Ventura County. Definitely a problem on Time Warners side. By the way it look sgreat in FIOS.

Yeah, TWC side, I know. Just mad that the channel always has issues.

Yeah, TWC side, I know. Just mad that the channel always has issues.
It's good to know that it also affects Simi Valley. I wrote a letter to the President of TW SoCal and it would be nice to have a list of cities it does not work in. So far I have Camarillo, Moorpark, possibly Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley. Reports are it works fine in Oxnard. TW techs in the past have told me it affects "all" of Ventura County.

WTF. TruTV no longer comes in on my bedroom TV (coaxil). Did that get removed?

WTF. TruTV no longer comes in on my bedroom TV (coaxil). Did that get removed?


The following changes will be made on or around December 8, 2009.

The following services that are currently made available to customers in an analog (or both analog and digital) format as part of our Broadcast or Basic Cable Tiers will be made available in a digital format only. These channels will remain in their current tiers. KWHY, The Weather Channel, AMC, ABC Family, ShopNBC, truTV, Oxygen.


http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/programming/local/alerts.html

so when does everyone think well be getting the new channels that are supposed to be available today?

cachookaman, usually they add them between 2 and 3. your box might auto reboot.

Roadrunner is supposed to go from 6Mbps to 10Mbps today, too.

channels are up in 91356 (west valley) not all avaiable yet tho. guess im part of the small batch of channels. no tcm bbc, etc. thought we were to get g4, tvone, and weather as well. donnt seem them as of yet

channels are up in 91356 (west valley) not all avaiable yet tho. guess im part of the small batch of channels. no tcm bbc, etc. thought we were to get g4, tvone, and weather as well. donnt seem them as of yet

west valleys only getting Speed HD 468, ESPNU HD 467, AMC HD 480, E! HD 487, History International HD 455, IFC HD 480, Fuse HD 494, MSNBC HD 446, HLN HD 447, CBS College Sports HD 474 and NBA TV HD 472. im in the eagle rock coverage area and these channels are showing up for me. still no programming though.

Roadrunner is supposed to go from 6Mbps to 10Mbps today, too.Turbo still seems throttled at 10Mbps, although PowerBoost yields 16-17Mbps so it would normally be hard to tell. But it was supposed to go up to 15Mbps I thought.

Downloads of binaries from newsgroups still seems governed at 10Mbps (with sudden startup bursts much faster, due to early PowerBoost).

So I don't know if the speed upgrade has gone in yet.

channels are now live

Only channel 446 MSNBC is actually on in Camarillo as of 7 this morning. The other channels show up but nothing.

i believe if you look at program alerts west valley was supposed to get twc-hd, g4-hd, tvone-hd aswell. also nbatvhd which was put in last night but had no picture when tuned their, has been removed. (i imagine their fixing the feed)

The following changes will be made on or around December 8, 2009.

The following services that are currently made available to customers in an analog (or both analog and digital) format as part of our Broadcast or Basic Cable Tiers will be made available in a digital format only. These channels will remain in their current tiers. KWHY, The Weather Channel, AMC, ABC Family, ShopNBC, truTV, Oxygen.


http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/programming/local/alerts.html

Awesome. They want me to pay $10 more a month for a box just to watch TruTV on my bedroom TV. Big F U to TimeWarner. Instead of dropping those channels why not drop one of the many Hispanic channels?

Can't wait till Monday rolls around and I have U-Verse. I'll happily walk into Time Warner and drop their crap off.

Awesome. They want me to pay $10 more a month for a box just to watch TruTV on my bedroom TV. Big F U to TimeWarner. Instead of dropping those channels why not drop one of the many Hispanic channels?

Can't wait till Monday rolls around and I have U-Verse. I'll happily walk into Time Warner and drop their crap off.

You can get a box for free for a year from TWC if you don't have any boxes all ready. Or you can pay U-Verse for their boxes.

You can get a box for free for a year from TWC if you don't have any boxes all ready. Or you can pay U-Verse for their boxes.

I already have 1 box for my living room. I don't need a second one for the bedroom since I only watch at night.

Already signed up for U-Verse. While they require a second box (for the bedroom), I got a low price on it and it can get anything recorded off the other box in the living room. Way better. Not playing TWC little games anymore.

Already signed up for U-Verse. While they require a second box (for the bedroom), I got a low price on it and it can get anything recorded off the other box in the living room. Way better. Not playing TWC little games anymore.

That low price is only for 1 year, correct? After that it goes up like all the other promotional programs?

That low price is only for 1 year, correct? After that it goes up like all the other promotional programs?

Probably. At that point I will renegotiate and if the price is not good I'll go elsewhere. There is no contract so I am free to leave at any time (plus I get $350 back via Visa Giftcards).

So I'm getting 2 DVRs + same internet speed + more channels + more channels in HD + channels TWC removed months ago + The ability to tell it to record stuff from my iPhone + faster DVR + sharing DVR stuff for the same price as TWC.

Probably. At that point I will renegotiate and if the price is not good I'll go elsewhere. There is no contract so I am free to leave at any time (plus I get $350 back via Visa Giftcards).

So I'm getting 2 DVRs + same internet speed + more channels + more channels in HD + channels TWC removed months ago + The ability to tell it to record stuff from my iPhone + faster DVR + sharing DVR stuff for the same price as TWC.

Point being if you were a new TWC customer, you'd also get a good price/deal.

If U-verse raises your price to non-promotional levels after a year, then they are no better at 'little games' than anyone else, including TWC. Though not having a contract is a bonus (if there truly is no termination fees).

In any case, do keep us updated on how U-verse is for you. I can't get FIOS and would rather not do satellite...

The following changes will be made on or around December 8, 2009.

The following services that are currently made available to customers in an analog (or both analog and digital) format as part of our Broadcast or Basic Cable Tiers will be made available in a digital format only. These channels will remain in their current tiers. KWHY, The Weather Channel, AMC, ABC Family, ShopNBC, truTV, Oxygen.


http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/programming/local/alerts.html

I thought all those channels being moved would be available via QAM tuner, but apparently not.

Point being if you were a new TWC customer, you'd also get a good price/deal.

If U-verse raises your price to non-promotional levels after a year, then they are no better at 'little games' than anyone else, including TWC. Though not having a contract is a bonus (if there truly is no termination fees).

In any case, do keep us updated on how U-verse is for you. I can't get FIOS and would rather not do satellite...

Except I can't get TWC new member pricing since I've been with them for so long. I could(n't) threaten to leave since their was no competition (besides a dish...and not sure my Condo could do it). I called and tried to get a lower price and they wouldn't budge. Keep in mind I'm on the basic internet + internet and its like $101ish a month. Ridiculous.

What bugged me the most was dropping HDNet and now TruTv (analog-wise).

For roughly the same price I get so much more and if U-Verse sucks...I'll switch to something else (or back to TWC). $350 back is like 3.5 months free for me anyway :D My mom loves U-Verse and the ability to record 4 shows at once and watch from any TV in the house is a huge plus.

I thought all those channels being moved would be available via QAM tuner, but apparently not.

I saw a QAM version of TruTV but it was 'encrypted'.

Except I can't get TWC new member pricing since I've been with them for so long.

Understood. I was just making a point that anyone can move from what ever they have to another competitor and usually get a better deal....but that is only due to the short lived promotions everyone offers.

I tend to not like switching at the end of every promotion (and I believe many carriers make you wait something like 18 months or something to qualify for their promotion if you were a previous customer), so I tend to look at the normal 'after' promotion rates...and in that case, everyone seems to be rather similar price wise. There are differences, but it depends on what you want and your set up. I'm basic with 1 HD DVR box, no premiums...I think I paid for 1 extra tier ($5?), so my total is about $67 a month.

Still almost none of the new channels here in Camarillo. Only the new spanish channels and MSNBC.

WTF. TruTV no longer comes in on my bedroom TV (coaxil). Did that get removed?It got moved to SDV. One month ago i got a letter from TWC saying that starting on Dec. 8th they're moving some channels to SDV and my CableCard device will require the use of a Tuning Adapter, and that i could pick one up at my local TWC office. One of the channels in the group was TruTV on ch. 107.

So last weekend i went to my local office (in nearby Hawthorne) and the gal had never heard of a Tuning Adapter. I showed her my letter and she poked around her computer and said they weren't given any and that maybe i can get it at their Chatsworth office (30 miles away!) or call TWC and have one mailed to me (i chose the mail route). I have not received it yet.

But TruTV is still viewable on my Tivo S3 and i recorded several shows while i was at work to test the channel and every recording ocurred normally and play back fine.

TWC here in El Segundo FINALLY added Speed-HD to my lineup, on ch 468 like the other areas that have had it for like a year (along with several other new HD channels). I can tune/record/watch Speed-HD on both of my recently Navigator'd SA8300HDs, but my Tivo Series 3 isn't getting it. I forced a connection and downloaded the new guide data but the Tivo's guide data has it incorrectly mapped on channel 467 insead of 468 where it's supposed to be, and i can't tune it in. The odd thing is that while my 8300HD's guide has it mapped correctly, the Time Warner website's TV listings on their "What's on TV" page shows it being on ch 467 like my Tivo's guide so i'm thinking Tivo's guide data is wrong because it's picking up the error from Time Warner's incorect TV listings. I contacted TWC via their new live chat and finally got the CSR to understand that the channel on their TV listing page is incorrect and he's going to escalate it. We'll see what happens over the next few days . . .

...But i'm really glad to finally get Speed-HD even if i can only watch it on my 8300HD. They've been promising it to my neighborhood for about a year. Yay!

No new channels in Sherman Oaks, as of last night.

Anything new pop up this morning?



FCD

Here in Silverlake I got Speed-HD, AMC-HD, Fuse-HD as of yesterday (well, that's when I noticed).

Maybe some others, but those are the only ones I saved to my fav HD channels.

(i.e., I don't watch sports).

New channels are up and running in the broad Ventura County area. Sure would like to have TCM & Hallmark movies in HD....

What experiences have you had if you subscribe to TWC phone service? I'm thinking very seriously about dumping AT&T and going with TWC. (While we're in an AT&T area, there's no hope of getting u-verse because of our location....)

Thanks.

No new channels in Sherman Oaks, as of last night.

Anything new pop up this morning?



FCD

I had them all on my TiVo last night.

Don't know about TWC's phone service, but I've been very happy with this lot:

http://vylmedia.com/

New channels are up and running in the broad Ventura County area. Sure would like to have TCM & Hallmark movies in HD....

What experiences have you had if you subscribe to TWC phone service? I'm thinking very seriously about dumping AT&T and going with TWC. (While we're in an AT&T area, there's no hope of getting u-verse because of our location....)

Thanks.

I had TW phone service, before dumping cable entirely. It was good stable service it took a day to port our number from Verizon, and a day to port back. They gave us a dual IP/Telephony, modem you can leave your regular cable modem especially if you have the phone and your host computer in different rooms. One thing we did not like about it, which was the deciding factor about the service, was that before the installation we were told it will work with a fax machine. But once we had everything setup it did not work with the fax. Hope this helps.

Are the music channels on a specific tier now? I used to get them, but now I just get the "channel will be available shortly" message. I have the Variety tier, but I thought the music channels were with the generic broadcast tier.

I can get them with a QAM tuner, so they are obviously not encrypted. But then, things could change tomorrow as there have been times when the music channels were not in the clear.

Are the music channels on a specific tier now? I used to get them, but now I just get the "channel will be available shortly" message. I have the Variety tier, but I thought the music channels were with the generic broadcast tier.

I find the music channels come and go.

Look's like Style is now gone as well (Channel 50 for me). It's no longer listed on my DVR.

Can't wait till I get U-Verse tomorrow.

I called TW this morning to ask when we are getting BBCAmerica and Turner Classic Movies HD....perky Sandra who answered the phone said they were not on her list...huh?...We got AMC...Fuse...E...etc but not the two I really wanted...she did take off my DVR subscription for my two DVR.s for an entire year which is nice....of course two seconds later my mail came with a letter saying that prices were going up in January and they were giving me movies for 99 cents ...one a month for a year....that's swell but it does not balance out....

yep,
in my Tivo as well.

Just wish they added more channels I was interested in.

FCD

I had them all on my TiVo last night.

Some areas received BBCA and TCM HD versions and some didn't. Check this links for your area:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/programming/local/alerts.html

I'd be happy with discounts. TWC doesn't really want things to balance out. Its investors want a profit.

Some areas received BBCA and TCM HD versions and some didn't. Check this links for your area:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/programming/local/alerts.html

I'd be happy with discounts. TWC doesn't really want things to balance out. Its investors want a profit.


The list has changed since it was posted earlier (see above postings) guess the didn't get as much bandwidth from the analog switches or something. But why QVC HD?????

And I called, no joy with the discount!

Look's like Style is now gone as well (Channel 50 for me). It's no longer listed on my DVR.

Can't wait till I get U-Verse tomorrow.

So, how has U-verse been working out? SD and HD PQ?

Looks like I may have found what is causing ch USA-HD 441, 442, and 443 to pixellate.
It seems when I shut my iphone 3gs completely down pixellation goes away. It may not be a Time Warner problem at all.

Turn it back on and the 2-5 times per hour pixellation starts again. I do not see how it is possible for a low power 600 mw cell phone to interfere with Time Warners highly shielded system but it does. I have made sure the connectors on my cables are good and making good connections.

Does anybody else out there who is having pixellation problems with USA-HD 441 also have a 3g iphone or some other kind of 3g ATT phone?

The list has changed since it was posted earlier (see above postings) guess the didn't get as much bandwidth from the analog switches or something. But why QVC HD?????

And I called, no joy with the discount!

My area was never scheduled to receive TCM and BBCA so the disappointment isn't too bad. IFC HD being postage stamped is worse. I won't bother calling for a discount since they seem to be given out on a customer service compatibility scale.

QVC and HSN don't have any appeal to me. Shopping online allows more comparisons and choice. Which brings up Roadrunner again. Wasn't the speed supposed to be bumped up? I don't see any increase browing the web or in newsgroups.

Which brings up Roadrunner again. Wasn't the speed supposed to be bumped up? I don't see any increase browing the web or in newsgroups.

You can test your speed here> http://www.dslreports.com/stest

4 of the 5 tests run from dslreports had different results so I went to http://192.168.100.1 which lists my modem's downstream and upstream frequencies received from the modem headend. Down is 6144000 bps. Up is 1024000 bps. So speeds are 6M down and 1M up when I had read downstream is going up to 10M on 12/10 along with the new HD channels added. The upstream speed is an increase from .512M, though.

TWC customer service informed me that Roadrunner speeds will be increased the end of this month or early January.

I thought we were supposed to get the "group 2" lineup in the Eagle Rock area.All I'm getting is 446Msnbc,447Hln,479Amc & 487E!So 4 out of 16 new channels.Some of the other channels show up in the channel descriptions but are just blank screens.Are all missing 12 channels part of some sort of new sports or variety tier you have to pay extra for?

Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got my U-Verse last night; LOVE IT.

TWC begged to keep me.

Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got my U-Verse last night; LOVE IT.

TWC begged to keep me.

So, is the SD and HD PQ better?

I do not see how it is possible for a low power 600 mw cell phone to interfere with Time Warners highly shielded system but it does. I have made sure the connectors on my cables are good and making good connections.


It could also be the lack of shielding inside your TV set, along with a multitude of other leaky places. Get out a signal meter and start sniffing your home.

I thought we were supposed to get the "group 2" lineup in the Eagle Rock area.All I'm getting is 446Msnbc,447Hln,479Amc & 487E!So 4 out of 16 new channels.Some of the other channels show up in the channel descriptions but are just blank screens.Are all missing 12 channels part of some sort of new sports or variety tier you have to pay extra for?

I'm getting those here in Los Feliz (Eagle Rock), plus Speed (468), ESPNU (467), msnbc (446), HLN (447) and NBA-TV (472). The others listed that I'm not getting I'm assuming are on another tier (I have Variety only).

It could also be the lack of shielding inside your TV set, along with a multitude of other leaky places. Get out a signal meter and start sniffing your home.
I affects more than one TV and since it only happens on 3 channels it is RF getting directly into the TW Cable rather than the TV. The sets are connected via HDMI. If it was getting into the TVs it would occur on more than just 441, 442, and 443.

I'm getting those here in Los Feliz (Eagle Rock), plus Speed (468), ESPNU (467), msnbc (446), HLN (447) and NBA-TV (472). The others listed that I'm not getting I'm assuming are on another tier (I have Variety only).

It's not necessarily a Tier issue. For example, I get BBC SD I'm in a group that doesn't get it in HD.

So, is the SD and HD PQ better?

HD probably the same
SD is night and day better. Before, I'd watch Judge Judy/Peoples Court and it looked VHSish. Now, it looks very close to HD (on SD channel).

The DVR is faster, the menu is more well layed out, no more delays when pressing buttons and it can be used as a internet bridge for anything that takes Ethernet connections.

I asked where the rest of the channels listed were via email and got this canned response from a TWC email rep. I'm in 90272 (old Adelphia) so it looks like "Group 2) from their earlier announcements, so no BBC or TCM. I got a bunch of these all ready, looks like the rest to come in after Christmas.

Did you know that analog channels use up to six times more bandwidth than digital channels? That is
why Time Warner Cable has decided to free-up bandwidth by making select channels available in a
digital format only. The good news is that this will allow us to add more HD networks before the end
of 2009.

The following are the new HD Channels to be launched no later than 12/31/2009:

NEW HD CHANNELS TO BE LAUNCHED NO LATER
THAN 12/31/2009
AMC HD
IFC HD
CBS College Sports HD
KFTR HD (Telefutura)
Disney XD
HD KMEX HD (Univision)
E! HD
MSNBC HD
ESPNU HD
NBA TV HD
Fuse HD
Speed HD
G4 HD
The Weather Channel HD
History International HD
TV One HD
HLN HD (Headline News)
And more!

Wow, another surprise, I got all the Viacom HD channels today live and working now. So that brings about 100 HD channels in my area. Got my early Christmas present :D

Wow, another surprise, I got all the Viacom HD channels today live and working now. So that brings about 100 HD channels in my area. Got my early Christmas present :D

Uhm, which channels are Viacom HD channels?

So they are having a free preview on showtime right now (I don't normally have showtime). What I don't understand is what appears to be 2 IDENTICAL showtime HD channels>

SHOWD 428
SHOWD 552

Both are HD channels, both have the exact same programming at the exact same time(s) (start/end), both have the Showtime HD logo on the lower right corner of the image.

What's the friggin difference??

:confused:

Uhm, which channels are Viacom HD channels?
459 - Nick HD
491 - VH1 HD
492 - CMT HD
493 - MTV HD
496 - Spike HD
497 - Comedy Central HD
500 - BET HD

So they are having a free preview on showtime right now (I don't normally have showtime). What I don't understand is what appears to be 2 IDENTICAL showtime HD channels>

SHOWD 428
SHOWD 552

Both are HD channels, both have the exact same programming at the exact same time(s) (start/end), both have the Showtime HD logo on the lower right corner of the image.

What's the friggin difference??

:confused:
Nothing at all. Same exact transmission just on different channels. TW likes to group the pay channels together so that is why 552 exists. Note however it is just a channel mapping and does not really add to total bandwidth used on the cable.

Nothing at all. Same exact transmission just on different channels. TW likes to group the pay channels together so that is why 552 exists. Note however it is just a channel mapping and does not really add to total bandwidth used on the cable.

Thanks for the answer, but aren't both of these channels pay channels? The only thinking I could ponder is maybe TW put a Show HD on 428 since that is where most of the HD channels are grouped (including free HD channels, etc.), and then have 552 since that is where all the showtime channels are (SD and HD).

??

Thanks for the answer, but aren't both of these channels pay channels? The only thinking I could ponder is maybe TW put a Show HD on 428 since that is where most of the HD channels are grouped (including free HD channels, etc.), and then have 552 since that is where all the showtime channels are (SD and HD).

??
That is exactly what they have done.

So they are having a free preview on showtime right now (I don't normally have showtime). What I don't understand is what appears to be 2 IDENTICAL showtime HD channels>

SHOWD 428
SHOWD 552

Both are HD channels, both have the exact same programming at the exact same time(s) (start/end), both have the Showtime HD logo on the lower right corner of the image.

What's the friggin difference??

:confused:

552-428=124 The difference is 124. No more and no less. Same thing, different numbers 124 channels apart.

Update: headline was a typo. Should read "triple tuner support?"

Im planning on moving to studio city in a week. I'm interested in the new triple tuner moxi that was recently released but on their page they mention that I need to check with my cable co to see if their sdv supports triple tuners. I called TWC and read them the question right off the website and the lady on the phone didn't understand the question. I tried explaining it and she defaulted to saying "all our devices only support dual tuners".

I was hoping someone here could let me know if this is true or if the triple tuner will work ok? No need for me to spend more for triple if it will only do dual anyway.

Thanks!

New Viacom HD channels just added:

459 - Nick HD
491 - VH1 HD
492 - CMT HD
493 - MTV HD
496 - Spike HD
497 - Comedy Central HD
500 - BET HD

That brings us up to the magic "century" mark. 100 HD channels now available on TWC/LA (to be honest... a few premium dups):

401 KVEA HD (Telemundo)
402 KCBS HD (CBS)
404 KNBC HD (NBC)
405 KTLA HD (CW)
407 KABC HD (ABC)
408 KOCE HD (PBS)
409 KCAL HD (Ind)
410 KPXN (ION) HD
411 KTTV (FOX) HD
412 KCET HD (PBS)

413 KCOP HD (myNetworkTV)
414 Palladia HD
415 TNT HD
416 HD Theater
417 TBS in HD
418 Discovery Channel HD
419 Universal HD
420 Smithsonian Channel HD
421 Crime & Investigation Network HD
422 MGM HD

423 The Golf Channel HD
424 ESPN HD
425 ESPN2 HD
426 ESPNews HD
427 HBO HD (West)
428 Showtime HD (West)
429 Starz HD (West)
430 Cinemax HD (West)
431 HD (Pay-per-view)
432 CNN HD

433 HGTV HD
434 Food Network HD
435 Disney Channel HD
436 ABC Family HD
437 TLC HD
438 A&E HD
439 History HD
440 National Geographic HD
441 USA HD
442 Bravo HD

443 Sci Fi HD
444 CNBC HD
445 Live Well HD (KABC-DT2)
446 MSNBC HD
447 HLN HD
448 BBC America HD
449 Investigation Discovery HD
451 Animal Planet HD
452 Travel Channel HD
453 Planet Green HD

454 The Weather Channel HD
455 History International HD
456 FX HD
457 BIO HD
458 WGN America HD
459 Nickelodeon HD
460 Science Channel HD
461 Toon Disney HD
462 Cartoon Network HD
463 FOX Sports West HD

464 Prime Ticket HD
465 Fox News HD
466 Fox Business Network HD
467 ESPNU HD
468 Speed HD
469 Versus HD
470 MLB Network HD
471 NHL Network HD
472 NBA TV HD
473 The Tennis Channel HD

474 CBS College Sports HD
475 Lifetime Movie Network HD
476 Hallmark Movie Channel HD
478 TCM HD
479 AMC HD
480 Independent Film Channel
481 HBO HD (East)
482 Cinemax HD (East)
483 Showtime HD (East)
484 The Movie Channel HD

485 Starz HD (East)
486 We TV HD
487 E! HD
488 Style HD
489 HSN HD
490 QVC HD
491 VH1 HD
492 Country Music Television HD
493 MTV HD
494 Fuse HD

495 G4 HD
496 Spike HD
497 Comedy Central HD
498 TV One HD
499 Outdoor Channel HD
500 BET HD
502 HBO HD
522 Cinemax HD
552 Showtime HD
572 Starz HD

That brings us up to the magic "century" mark. 100 HD channels now available on TWC/LA

Not available in all Los Angeles TWC service areas & may require additional subscription(s)

Update: headline was a typo. Should read "triple tuner support?"

Im planning on moving to studio city in a week. I'm interested in the new triple tuner moxi that was recently released but on their page they mention that I need to check with my cable co to see if their sdv supports triple tuners. I called TWC and read them the question right off the website and the lady on the phone didn't understand the question. I tried explaining it and she defaulted to saying "all our devices only support dual tuners".

I was hoping someone here could let me know if this is true or if the triple tuner will work ok? No need for me to spend more for triple if it will only do dual anyway.

Thanks!

1 M-Card should do the trick, they can handle up to 4 streams> I have been eyeing Moxi also, for FiOS TV

Seems TWC and News Corp are not playing together very well. Geez it seems like it is always something. I want Fios in my area.....


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-time-warner19-2009dec19,0,5347492.story

I can only hope KTTV 11 DT has upped their transmitter power before then.

I couldn't wait to get Speed-HD for the upcoming Supercross season. I hope this is just each side trying to flex some muscles and see who blinks first but look what happened with TWC and HDNET :mad:

Jim

1 M-Card should do the trick, they can handle up to 4 streams> I have been eyeing Moxi also, for FiOS TV

So on the internet chat support the lady said there was no SDV at my new location in Studio City but I then called the phone support and they said there was. Does anyone live in this area and can you tell me if SDV is rolled out? If so, how do I find out what channels are on SDV and which are not?

Thanks!

Seems TWC and News Corp are not playing together very well. Geez it seems like it is always something. I want Fios in my area.....


http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-time-warner19-2009dec19,0,5347492.story


No way to get OTA where I live. Hope TWC and Fox get their cr*p together--soon. Otherwise, I guess it's DTV.

Anyone else not getting Palladia (414) and TNT (415) tonight (Los Feliz/Eagle Rock)?

Yes,confirmed 414 & 415 "no signal" on Eagle Rock head end.By the way bruce73,do you receive any of the following channels(that we are supposed to get in group 2) 454,455,461,480,486,494,495 or 498??

Yes,confirmed 414 & 415 "no signal" on Eagle Rock head end.By the way bruce73,do you receive any of the following channels(that we are supposed to get in group 2) 454,455,461,480,486,494,495 or 498??
Thanks. As for the others:

454 - no (box does not even go to channel)
455 - not authorized
461 - no
480 - not authorized
486 - no
494 - yes
495 - no
498 - no

I'm on the Variety Tier only, so I don't know how many of the above are excluded because of that. Haven't checked, as most of these channels I'm not interested in anyway. But I think I read somewhere that IFC-HD and HI-HD are expected be the end of the month. :confused:

I was also under the impression SDV was rolled out in Sherman Oaks, but the new channels from the other week are all fine.

Could it be the new Viacom HD channels that are SDV?

Oh, TWC, why are you so intent on confusing your customers?

FCD

So on the internet chat support the lady said there was no SDV at my new location in Studio City but I then called the phone support and they said there was. Does anyone live in this area and can you tell me if SDV is rolled out? If so, how do I find out what channels are on SDV and which are not?

Thanks!

It could also be the lack of shielding inside your TV set, along with a multitude of other leaky places. Get out a signal meter and start sniffing your home.

Honestly, don't believe that this is the problem overall with TW's pix problems. It happens at my location on live viewing of USA and Bravo even if there are no cellphones in the general area. It also happens during DVR recordings when there are no phones even in the house. I've complained to TW until I'm blue in the face - they blame it on the channel providers. FiOS is coming to our street soon so I'm not even wasting my time pursuing it any further with them.

I was also under the impression SDV was rolled out in Sherman Oaks, but the new channels from the other week are all fine.

Could it be the new Viacom HD channels that are SDV?

Oh, TWC, why are you so intent on confusing your customers?

FCD

I went back online and chatted a new analyst and they say that there is SDV in the area but HD channels are not using SDV!?!? Can anyone confirm this? Would a triple tuner Moxi then be able to record the three HD shows without a Tuning Adapter even plugged in?

I currently subscribe to Uverse but Uverse is not available where I am moving to (Westwood). What is available is Time Warner and Direct T.v. through verizon. Can anyone tell me which has better HD quality?

I'm not sure what you mean by "DirecTV through Verizon," but if Verizon FIOS is available that is your best choice.

I'm not sure what you mean by "DirecTV through Verizon," but if Verizon FIOS is available that is your best choice.

FIOS is not available. Basically, where there is no fiber optic cable but Verizon still operates in the area, Verizon has teamed with Direct TV to provide Direct TV to customers who cannot get FIOS.

FIOS is not available. Basically, where there is no fiber optic cable but Verizon still operates in the area, Verizon has teamed with Direct TV to provide Direct TV to customers who cannot get FIOS.

That is strange. It seems Verizon is just being a middleman (getting a cut). Direct TV is satellite which you can get anywhere there is a sight line to the satellite in the sky. The only thing you'll need is a regular phone line (land line), and if you have that, it would make no sense to call Verizon to get Direct TV, unless Verizon is cheaper for some reason (promotions?)...

That is strange. It seems Verizon is just being a middleman (getting a cut). Direct TV is satellite which you can get anywhere there is a sight line to the satellite in the sky. The only thing you'll need is a regular phone line (land line), and if you have that, it would make no sense to call Verizon to get Direct TV, unless Verizon is cheaper for some reason (promotions?)...

I don't really care about the details of the deal between Verizon and Direct Tv, I just want to know how the HD quality of Direct Tv compares to TWC.

I don't really care about the details of the deal between Verizon and Direct Tv, I just want to know how the HD quality of Direct Tv compares to TWC.It depends on the quality of Time Warner's signal in your particular town because it can vary widely. Time Warner here in El Segundo is all fiber optic right up to the pole behind my house my HD picture quality is very good, and a little better than my neighbors with DirecTV. But in other Time Warner divisions i've visited their picture quality isn't as good as mine and sometimes it's downright poor. Do you know anyone in Westwood with Time Warner where you can visit and check out their picture quality on their HDTV?

The good thing about DirecTV is that the picture quality is pretty good, and it's the same no matter what city you're in.

It depends on the quality of Time Warner's signal in your particular town because it can vary widely. Time Warner here in El Segundo is all fiber optic right up to the pole behind my house my HD picture quality is very good, and a little better than my neighbors with DirecTV. But in other Time Warner divisions i've visited their picture quality isn't as good as mine and sometimes it's downright poor. Do you know anyone in Westwood with Time Warner where you can visit and check out their picture quality on their HDTV?

The good thing about DirecTV is that the picture quality is pretty good, and it's the same no matter what city you're in.

That's why I made my post, I was hoping one of the forum members located in westwood could help me out...

I just traded a Motorola 6416 III for a DCX 3400. Would anyone care to comment on the 3400 performance, feature, PQ, etc. basis compared with older Motorola models? There hasn't been any problems in a day but I'd like to know of any quirks.

I just traded a Motorola 6416 III for a DCX 3400. Would anyone care to comment on the 3400 performance, feature, PQ, etc. basis compared with older Motorola models? There hasn't been any problems in a day but I'd like to know of any quirks.Check out this thread dealing with nothing but the DCX box (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=968638).

You'll find lots of comments, tips, complaints, etc. over there.

I don't really care about the details of the deal between Verizon and Direct Tv, I just want to know how the HD quality of Direct Tv compares to TWC.

Can't comment on HD, but can (sort of) on SD.

My boss has Direct TV, SD only.

I have TWC (SD, HD).

We both have the same model of Sharp LED TV's, yet his is a 46", mine's a 32".

His Direct SD appears to be inferior to my TWC SD. But there maybe many caveats to this>
> His Sat box is VERY old. The highest quality video outs are only S-vid!! Not even component!
> His TV is bigger, and that always makes PQ worse than a smaller screen, all things being equal.

I need to watch the same program on each system (say, the daily show, mythbusters, etc.), and at the same screen width to seating distance (say 2x screen width), to better evaluate the SD PQ differences.

FIOS is not available. Basically, where there is no fiber optic cable but Verizon still operates in the area, Verizon has teamed with Direct TV to provide Direct TV to customers who cannot get FIOS.It is weird. Lady at work ordered FIOS in Downey (I think is where she lives). Got Direct TV, DSL and twisted pair phone since fiber not to house. /Dan

Check out this thread dealing with nothing but the DCX box (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=968638).

You'll find lots of comments, tips, complaints, etc. over there.

I'm up to page 51 of 55/6 and there are a lot more complaints than comments & tips. If the box is working, it's pretty much self-explanatory. They are not really built to be changed, even the software. Otherwise, it's bitch-and-moan most of the way for that thread.

Most of the posts refer to Comcast boxes and issues, yourself excluded. Comcast apparantly listens to their customers at the same response level as TWC which is expected and understandable to a degree. I'll be happy if my new box doesn't:

1. lose HDMI handshakes
2. change resolutions unexpectedly
3. pixelate
4. etc.

In the several STBs that I rented over the years, none had a HDD die on me. That's a plus.

Is anyone else experiencing signal problems? None of my channels are working on either of my cable boxes.

And just as I say that my channels are suddenly back

I'm up to page 51 of 55/6 and there are a lot more complaints than comments & tips. Most of the posts refer to Comcast boxes and issues, yourself excluded. I'll be happy if my new box doesn't:

1. lose HDMI handshakes
2. change resolutions unexpectedly
3. pixelate
4. etc.For the most part the doubling of hard drive size is the main reason this new DCX box is so desirable. If you've always run out of room in the past because you time-shift a lot of HD, then you'll take this new DVR and learn to live with its current problem list... hoping that eventually Motorola/TWC will resolve them in future firmware upgrades.

And if you've always wanted "native" (as opposed to fixed 1080i or 720p, with up-converting and down-converting performed by the DVR as needed) resolution from your STB/DVR, again this unit is your [theoretical] answer. This feature, plus a double-size hard drive, is what makes the latest DCX model worth having... along with some caveats.

The issues relating to HDMI handshakes and resolutions reverting from "native" to "fixed" seem to be specifically tied to using an AVR in the HDMI link between the DCX and your HDTV, and the apparent inconsistency between how different manufacturers have implemented HDMI connections and switching. For example, Yamaha seems to have done it "right" (so that the AVR on/last off/first workaround for the DCX, to retain "native") whereas Denon seems to have done it "wrong" (with subtle but significant differences in handling between its different HDMI inputs or HDMI settings).

In fact, while it might seem undesirable (and I agree), connecting the HDMI output of the DCX directly to an HDMI input of your HDTV (plus an optical connection from the DCX to your AVR to handle sound) appears to be a 100% solution to any and all HDMI-related resolution-related complaints, and is for most users a perfectly acceptable workaround (assuming you have at least two HDMI inputs on your HDTV and have the luxury of this approach being available with almost no resulting inconvenience).

Or, if you don't have an AVR but simply use the speakers on your HDTV, it's fair to say that there aren't any HDMI-related issues to concern you.

When the DCX box first was released here to TWC/LA, its firmware was at 22.31 and there were some serious HDMI problems which actually REQUIRED that you bypass using an AVR in the HDMI path to your HDTV. About one month after I got my unit back in September, TWC/LA rolled out (automatically) an upgrade to 22.37, which is still more current than most of the rest of the country (apparently all of Comcast areas) which was only upgraded to 22.35.

While both 22.35 and 22.37 addressed the most serious HDMI problems when using an AVR (at least allowing us to go back to that connection method), there's no question there are still some nagging unresolved issues that hopefully will eventually be resolved by Motorola and which will result in "native" being locked-in even under different HDMI-handhake scenarios influenced by power on/off combinations.

As far as other instabilities in the DCX that have been complained about (e.g. various lock-up scenarios requiring re-booting, unexpected "to be announced" in the Guide and recording lists and current program info), well people have been complaining about their DVRs for years. Motorola is not alone (I had many issues with previous models in this product family, going back to 2004, so the DCX is not unique) and there are numerous complaints about users of Scientific Atlanta equipment as well. These are computers run by software, with complex programs and user-interfaces, and occasionally bugs are going to be encountered (and eventually corrected, if they are reported).

My own biggest complaint deals with the firewire interface on this new DCX model... which appears to be broken, confirmed by 100% of its users around the country (TWC or Comcast) who make use of this feature to offload content from the DVR to either DVHS or computer. I know for a fact that Motorola is aware of this problem (as I, personally, have an open "trouble ticket" with Motorola on this subject that has already been "escalated") and hopefully, some day, it will be fixed in a future firmware upgrade. In the interim I've reverted back to a DCH3416 (whose firewire interface works perfectly) near my DVHS VCR, moving my DCX3400 to my second HDTV, as my workaround.

All in all, most thread posters of ANY product-related thread are complaining rather than praising... seeking advice from others for a solution to a problem they've encountered. And the DCX thread is no different. It's a new product, with some first-time new functionality (i.e. "native") dealing with the very delicate HDMI interface which has been difficult for equipment manufacturers and users to make 100% reliable ever since its inception. While the HDMI connection between equipment is much more "industrial strength" and "plug-and-play" today than it was some years back (due to early problems and complaints from users being addressed by manufacturers), I feel it is the nature of HDMI (and HDCP) itself along with the wide range of devices now utilizing HDMI connections which characterize this as currently "unsettled science".

Personally, I like the 320GB hard drive and "reliable native" (my DCX box connects directly to my second HDTV, since there's no AVR in that room). I trust that Motorola and TWC will eventually get most or all of the remaining bugs out of this newly released model.

Native resolution doesn't jazz me only because with the STB set to it analog and digital go into 16:9 stretch-o-vision. I prefer 4:3 for those channels. Otherwise, the box is performing well. It seems faster for menus but does hang when moving the left/right/up/down buttons sometimes. I'm not too sure if it's a bug or what at this point.

Native resolution doesn't jazz me only because with the STB set to it analog and digital go into 16:9 stretch-o-vision. I prefer 4:3 for those channels.Don't know what your settings are, and what your HDTV is. But "native" for me (with 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i boxes checked) forces "480i override -> OFF" (in fact the 480i override option is grayed out, so that OFF cannot even be changed).

With 480i override -> OFF there is no stretch-o-vision. 4:3 is presented as 4:3, just as you (and I) prefer.

There must be some other reason why you're seeing stretched 4:3, but it's not due to "native".

The HDMI/YPbPr output setting can be changed from HDMI to Native. In Native, analog and digital channels go into stretch-o-vision. Check it out. I'm going to stick with HDMI and the settings you listed above instead of Native.

The HDMI/YPbPr output setting can be changed from HDMI to Native. In Native, analog and digital channels go into stretch-o-vision. Check it out. I'm going to stick with HDMI and the settings you listed above instead of Native.Well, I have to say... I don't understand what you're saying.

The "HDMI/YPbPr" setting has values of either "native" or fixed resolution values of "1080i" or "720P', etc. There is no value called "HDMI" as you write, so maybe you just had a typo here. Or else I don't know what you're referring to.

In "native" (which is what I have set) the "480i override" sub-option is grayed out, with the value of "OFF" forced. This is what you would want under any circumstances (grayed out or not) that would PREVENT stretch-o-vision. With "OFF" you get 4:3 presented as 4:3 (with black bars on left and right, assuming you're displaying on a 16:9 screen and you have your display type specified as "16"9".

The only way you can have anything other than "OFF" forced for "480i override", so that you can actually change it to something that WILL affect 4:3 output and could result in stretch-o-vision, is if you have a fixed resolution specified ("1080i", 720p", etc.) rather than "native". So if you specify one of these fixed resolution values, now you can screw wth "480i override" and could force stretch-o-vision if you choose a value other than OFF.

So... I must confess I don't know what setting you're setting to "HDMI". That is not a choice for my DCX3400 in the hardware/setup menu that I assume we're both talking about.

Are we both talking about the hardware/setup menu (DVR powered off and HDTV powered on, and you then push the MENU button on the remote or face of the DVR to produce this hardware/setup menu)? You're not talking about the iGuide menu on the DVR itself, are you?

Please clarify.

Anyway... "480i override" -> OFF will prevent stretch-o-vision. And that is what is forced (and grayed out so that you can't change it) if you choose "native" for the value of "HDMI/YPbPr". And the set of resolutions that your HDTV can accept should be pre-checked by the DVR, automatically set from its HDMI handshake. Presumably 480i through 1080i (and possibly even one or both of the 1080p resolutions, which don't really matter for TWC) should all be pre-checked. No need to fool with them.

What am I missing?

I meant 1080i, not HDMI. What I'm saying is that when set to 1080i with 4:3 Off and only 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i set for supported resolutions, I will have analog and digital channels display in 4:3 AR. if everything is setup the same except native is chosen instead of 1080i for the HDMI/YPbPr option, then my display outputs stretch-o-vision for any channel other then HD.

I meant 1080i, not HDMI. What I'm saying is that when set to 1080i with 4:3 Off and only 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i set for supported resolutions, I will have analog and digital channels display in 4:3 AR. if everything is setup the same except native is chosen instead of 1080i for the HDMI/YPbPr option, then my display outputs stretch-o-vision for any channel other then HD.
What display do you have? My Samsung LED DLP will do this also, at first. But if I set the picture size to 4:3 on the TV itself on an SD channel, it will remember and auto adjust accordingly in the future when changing between HD and SD channels.

It's a Dell LCD and sadly this TV's aspect ratio is fixed whether on SD or HD, i.e. if set to 4:3 SD & HD channels will display at 4:3 and if set to 16:9 then SD & HD will display at 16:9. I'll reset the HDMI/YPbPr back to 1080i and leave the 4:3 override off which will accomplish what I want.

It is weird. Lady at work ordered FIOS in Downey (I think is where she lives). Got Direct TV, DSL and twisted pair phone since fiber not to house. /Dan

No it's not weird that's exactly right. FIOS is the service (some sort of acronym for fiber optic service), Verizon is the provider. I believe you mean she ordered "Verizon service" not FIOS. When there is no fiber optic connection but Verizon still operates in the area you get DSL internet and phone service over the existing twisted pair and t.v. through Direct TV.

As of now looks like Fox will go dark on TWC at 12 am Jan 1. Fox refused TWCs offer for binding arbitration with a third party. I just wish Fox News could be joining it. That would make it all worthwhile.

As of now looks like Fox will go dark on TWC at 12 am Jan 1. Fox refused TWCs offer for binding arbitration with a third party. I just wish Fox News could be joining it. That would make it all worthwhile.

Yeah, Fux News unfortunately isn't included. I wouldn't be too upset about losing KTTV or the other stations like Speed, but the bastards are pulling Fox Sports Net and Prime Ticket. I blame Fux, but if TWC doesn't carry FSN or PT i have choices to make. I may see if they can give me a free teir or lower my bill because losing the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Ducks, USC, Dodgers, Angels, Pro Football etc. is losing a major portion of my lineup, especially since most of the channels, like music and the spanish stations, are worthless to me. And for you people who say "just watch on your computer", i have news for ya....i didn't pay $3000 for a "55" HDTV to watch sports on a crappy computer monitor.

So what channels are we talking about with Fox?

Someone mentioned Speed?

So what channels are we talking about with Fox?

Someone mentioned Speed?

FX, Speed, Fuel TV and a couple of others. Also KTTV which includes American Idol and College (like the Sugar Bowl) and Pro Football. And later on, Baseball. The killer for me is FSN and Prime Ticket. An OTA antenna won't get me FSN and PT.

Losing the Fox channels like FSN, PT, Sunday football games.. the Lakers, Dodgers, etc. just about puts me over the edge with TWC. Why I'm paying for a hundred channels I never will watch in favor of losing what is important is enough to make me go somewhere else. If only Uverse had faster internet, I'd be happy.

if i miss even one lakers home game, then im switching to directv

Let's keep in mind here folks that this time for a change TWC is right. Fox is making outrageous demands by wanting a 300% increase. If Time -Warner gives in all the other channels will expect the same thing and that could result in DRAMATIC increases in the cost of cable.

Deadline looms for Time Warner Cable and News Corp. (Fox)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-cable31-2009dec31,0,4266615.story

I know this is the cable thread, but putting up an antenna to get Fox 11/MyN 13 is an option for many/most, locally.

However, there's probably quite a few viewers on cable that haven't purchased a converter box for older TV's, so that could be a problem. Also, converter boxes are getting scarce on the store shelves.

Deadline looms for Time Warner Cable and News Corp. (Fox)

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-cable31-2009dec31,0,4266615.story

I know this is the cable thread, but putting up an antenna to get Fox 11/MyN 13 is an option for many/most, locally.

However, there's probably quite a few viewers on cable that haven't purchased a converter box for older TV's, so that could be a problem. Also, converter boxes are getting scarce on the store shelves.
Excellent idea. I am in Camarillo though and am not sure how well an antenna will work.

Excellent idea. I am in Camarillo though and am not sure how well an antenna will work.

Few things:

Antenna - I've always maintainted an OTA alternative to TWC. Last two earthquakes - the cable was first to go and the last to come back. It's the perfect time to watch local news. The quality of the image is better OTA anyway. Since Los Angeles is such a major market, most stations are network O&O's. When the parent has a beef with a providor, the locals go as well.

At some point soon I'll get a TiVO and hook it to the antenna. At that point I'll take stock of how much I'm actually using cable. With Netflix, my viewership on non local cable is limited to Jon Stewart.

The whole Fox thing - don't be too fast to jump ship on this. If they get away with this, then they'll surely do it when their contracts are up with Fios, Uverse, Direct and Dish. It's only a matter of time. Others will try it as well. Disney/ESPN or Viacom anyone?

To both TWC and Fox - FU for trying to drag me into your argument. Grow up.

FX, Speed, Fuel TV and a couple of others. Also KTTV which includes American Idol and College (like the Sugar Bowl) and Pro Football. And later on, Baseball. The killer for me is FSN and Prime Ticket. An OTA antenna won't get me FSN and PT.


Darn, I'll (I'd?) miss Speed and FX.

Don't watch sports at ALL, so I won't hurt on that.

So it looks like 2 channels I watch will be (might be) affected.

I wonder> If TWC does drop Fox, shouldn't we get a refund/discount applied to our bill? We get less service than we signed up for, TWC saves/makes more $$ by not having Fox on it's payables anymore, etc. If TWC want's to do damage control, the least they can do is apply pro-rated refunds immediately. That should slow the subscriber base exodus.

Excellent idea. I am in Camarillo though and am not sure how well an antenna will work.

I would suggest trying TVFool.com to check your reception prospects and consulting the LA OTA thread. A general plot for Camarillo shows signals in the pink/red, so it might be doable with a rooftop or possibly an attic antenna.

Woohoo! Finally got NHL Center Ice HD (ch 732) here in Encino. Guide says TBA...but channel is working!

if i miss even one lakers home game, then im switching to directv

+1

How is the HD picture quality in South Los Angeles? I had Dish Network before but it was getting expensive for me and I cancelled. I couldn't live without a DVR so I got Tivo HD for OTA. I want to get cable or satellite now but I am leaning towards TWC because of Tivo.

Can anyone compare the HD picture quality in South Los Angeles to Dish Network's PQ?

Let's keep in mind here folks that this time for a change TWC is right. Fox is making outrageous demands by wanting a 300% increase. If Time -Warner gives in all the other channels will expect the same thing and that could result in DRAMATIC increases in the cost of cable.

I agree, but that's not doing many of us any good. I pay about $140 month and you mean to tell me for that price i cannot watch my local sports teams on my TV? I hate Fox and everything about Fox, but what am i supposed to do? Swallow my pride?

tw and fox agreed to their deal. rest your fears. people, no reason to get flustered when you hear about tw and provider disputes. agreements always get done on time or within a half day at the most.

tw and fox agreed to their deal. rest your fears. people, no reason to get flustered when you hear about tw and provider disputes. agreements always get done on time or within a half day at the most.
I used to think that before HDNET was cut.

The terms of the deal are that TWC will pay $.50 per subscriber for the Fox channels instead of the $1.00 that Fox was demanding. TWC will raise its rates $2.00 to cover the cost. :)

The terms of the deal are that TWC will pay $.50 per subscriber for the Fox channels instead of the $1.00 that Fox was demanding. TWC will raise its rates $2.00 to cover the cost. :)
So typical!!

I used to think that before HDNET was cut.

I was thinking the same thing :)

I still miss HDNET and HDNET movies. :(

Jim

1/1/2010

News Corp.'s Fox, Time Warner Cable strike deal to keep signals on | Company Town | Los Angeles Times

Media giant News Corp. struck a new deal that will keep its Fox-owned television stations -- including KTTV Channel 11 and KCOP Channel 13 in Los Angeles -- and several of its cable networks on Time Warner Cable systems.

The agreement was reached late this afternoon, less than a day after the current contract between the two companies expired. A series of extensions meant that consumers never lost their Fox programming.

The high-stakes game of poker between media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc., the nation’s second-largest cable operator, reached a peak in the last few days, with lawmakers and regulators pleading with both companies to hammer out a deal or face their wrath. While both companies publicly attacked each other, talks continued around the clock among executives hunkered down on Fox’s Century City lot.

For consumers, the good news is that the new pact means they won’t have to hook up rabbit ears to their televisions or find an alternative TV service to watch Fox’s programming, including college football or the return of “American Idol” in two weeks.

The bad news is their cable bill may go up.

Fox had initially been seeking $1 per subscriber each month for its television stations. Time Warner Cable’s initial response was to offer 25 cents to 30 cents. The terms of the new deal could not be immediately learned, but industry observers and analysts had been predicting that the price tag would ultimately be in the range of 50 cents. Typically these deals run for several years and can contain increases in fees over time.

For Fox, securing fees for its TV stations from Time Warner Cable is viewed as an important win. Broadcast networks have long argued that, for their financial health, they need a second source of revenue beyond advertising in the form of fees from cable operators.

The cable industry has resisted paying for those signals, noting that consumers -- albeit a dwindling number -- can get broadcast TV over the air for free. Broadcast networks have countered that most consumers would not subscribe to cable if it didn’t include their local TV stations.

In previous years, TV networks and cable operators had reached a detente of sorts. Instead of charging fees for their stations, networks used negotiating leverage to win capacity on cable systems to launch their own cable channels, such as Fox did with FX.

But there is little room left for new channels on most cable systems, so broadcasters now are pressing for cash, a right provided to them under 1992 legislation.

Time Warner Cable, meanwhile, can claim that it did its part for consumers by holding down the cost of monthly cable TV bills by not caving in to Fox’s demand for $1 per subscriber. Although viewers were spared losing Fox and its cable channels, including FX and sports channels Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket (Fox News has a separate agreement with Time Warner Cable and was not subject to the negotiations), such rifts have been growing more public. They may also be leading to unintended consequences for the cable and broadcast industries down the road.

Both Time Warner Cable and News Corp., for example, were starting to get heat about their stalemate from Washington lawmakers and regulators, who hinted that there could be repercussions if Fox went dark and denied millions of viewers the joys of a New Year’s weekend of football viewing.

Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Commerce subcommittee on communication, technology and the Internet, was pushing for Fox to let Time Warner Cable continue carrying its stations. Earlier in the week, he said that if the Fox signals did go dark on Time Warner Cable, he’d ask the Federal Communications Commission to intervene. On Thursday, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski issued a statement urging “Fox and Time Warner Cable to agree to a temporary extension of carriage.”

However, whether the FCC would have tried to force both sides into a temporary agreement is unclear. Traditionally, the regulatory agency stays out of business negotiations, and whether it could have lawfully asserted itself is a matter of debate.

I'm in the East San Fernando Valley. I haven't checked out On Demand in a while and decided to tonight. What happened to the free HD options? The only HD programming I can find are the current movies. All of the Primetime choices are in unwatchable SD. Any ideas on this?

Even more reason to have 'a la carte' subscriptions. Then the consumer can chose whether to pay the fee's for any said channel...or not. Maybe Fox wouldn't get the $.50 per subscriber (or actually $2 per customer) if the consumer had the choice.

In the last week we've tried to buy two different movies and both times after we paused the films we were unable to resume watching. After freezing for about 30 sec. a box pops up with a Please Call Customer Service message.

I recently changed out a DCT box for the DCX. When I spoke to CS the first time they said they were having trouble with On Demand at their end and would send us a coupon for a free movie. Before I call again, I'm wondering if any of you have had similar problems or think it could be the box.

Thanks for any input!

Are LA Kings broadcasts on FSN West HD in DD 5.1 sound? Sharks fan here out of market and tired of the Sharks dd 5.1 broadcasts not having a true 5.1 mix (if I turn down the center channel, I still hear the announcers in the other front speakers). If you saw the Winter Classic on NBC HD, for example, and turned down the center channel, you could get yourself more of a real-game experience. I do it all the time with other sports but hate when the 5.1 isn't mixed properly.

Hoping that for Monday's Kings/Sharks game (which is on FSN West HD and available on NHL CI), that the sound is DD 5.1 and a true 5.1 mix. Thanks.

Are LA Kings broadcasts on FSN West HD in DD 5.1 sound? Sharks fan here out of market and tired of the Sharks dd 5.1 broadcasts not having a true 5.1 mix (if I turn down the center channel, I still hear the announcers in the other front speakers). If you saw the Winter Classic on NBC HD, for example, and turned down the center channel, you could get yourself more of a real-game experience. I do it all the time with other sports but hate when the 5.1 isn't mixed properly.

Hoping that for Monday's Kings/Sharks game (which is on FSN West HD and available on NHL CI), that the sound is DD 5.1 and a true 5.1 mix. Thanks.

P.S. I'd settle for knowing whether any pro sports on FSN West HD are in true DD 5.1 sound. Thanks!

Ok, nothing takes the buzz kill out of spending a few grand to upgrade your entertainment center than being a TWC customer.

Yes, we a renting... and no, we are not pointing to the SE so we can't get satelite or I'd have Direct TV long ago.

I knew there would be problems because that is all any TWC customer has, but the level of frustration is awful.

Here is my question. I live in the San Fernando Valley and it seems that for my area in particular, the NEWEST box is the 4+ year old (?) Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD.

I've had my current box almost 3 years, so maybe they have a new hardware version available?

Our issue is that all non-1080i signals come in with pillar boxes, and the 'stretch' function doesn't hold when you change channels. I basically need to press the # key each time you change a channel if it is non-HD.

One of the 'tech support' guys was telling me to turn off the set and press the 'menu' button on the box...but ours doesn't have one.

Then he said there is nothing else he can do, which leads me to believe that there is possibly a newer version of this same hardware?

I'm basically trying to find out how to get a NEW box and not a recycled piece of !*@& so that maybe it will behave better with the newer hardware out there.

Grrrrrrr.

Ok, nothing takes the buzz kill out of spending a few grand to upgrade your entertainment center than being a TWC customer.
Wrong forum. Merged into local topic.

P.S. I'd settle for knowing whether any pro sports on FSN West HD are in true DD 5.1 sound. Thanks!

No, all FSNs only do DD2.0.

Ok, since my thread got merged in here, maybe I'll ask my question a different way.

Anyone in the Los Angeles area who is stuck with only having the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD as the top box available able to have one with newer hardware that can intelligently display a picture depending on the incoming signal?

The 1080i HD pictures display fine, but the non-HD channels all have pillar boxes.

When I go and select stretched via settings, it also stretched the HD ones to look silly!

Why can't a darn box detect the signal and process it accordingly and not apply stretched or normal, etc. to every signal?

Allegedly since I've had this box for almost 3 years, there is a newer version that has a 'cable card' or whatever built into the back and supposedly provides a better picture...and hoping it also fixes this issue.

But since I can't tell how to detect, the only thing I can do is have a tech come out and if he brings a new one in a closed box, I'll accept it, otherwise send him away.

I'm in Silverlake (griffith park area of LA) and have the Motorola DCT3416 (Scientific Atlanta isn't a choice in my area). My remote has the # button that says 'HD/ZOOM', yet pushing this button has no effect when in a 480 channel or 1080 channel.

All my non-HD channels have pillar boxes (I have a 16:9 tv). I figured this is normal as those SD channels are probably broadcasted that way. I can zoom on the TV remote (tv zooms it). But since SD PQ is so bad, it looks even worse zoomed, so I leave it in the pillar box mode (4:3). Some SD channels/shows are pillar-boxed all the way around (like Top Gear on BBC), as they seem to be produced as widescreen shows, but I only get BBC in SD. I can zoom it on my TV, but not through the cable box.

It seems to me all the SD channels are set up for 4:3 TV's while the all the HD channels are obviously set up for 16:9.

I've had the DCT3416 for about 3 years now. It's a very slow box, especially when watching HD. Hang time is part of it's design it seems :mad:

I'm in Silverlake (griffith park area of LA) and have the Motorola DCT3416 (Scientific Atlanta isn't a choice in my area). My remote has the # button that says 'HD/ZOOM', yet pushing this button has no effect when in a 480 channel or 1080 channel.

All my non-HD channels have pillar boxes (I have a 16:9 tv). I figured this is normal as those SD channels are probably broadcasted that way. I can zoom on the TV remote (tv zooms it). But since SD PQ is so bad, it looks even worse zoomed, so I leave it in the pillar box mode (4:3). Some SD channels/shows are pillar-boxed all the way around (like Top Gear on BBC), as they seem to be produced as widescreen shows, but I only get BBC in SD. I can zoom it on my TV, but not through the cable box.

It seems to me all the SD channels are set up for 4:3 TV's while the all the HD channels are obviously set up for 16:9.

I've had the DCT3416 for about 3 years now. It's a very slow box, especially when watching HD. Hang time is part of it's design it seems :mad:


Ok, gotcha.

Then at least it isn't just me, despite my noobishness.

What gets me is that my wife's mom, younger brother have Direct TV based on my recommendation (LOVED IT at our old place) and they had someone come out to set it up...but every channel is 16:9 and I know that although Direct TV has more HD than anyone pretty much, not EVERY channel can be HD!

Maybe their set top boxes are smart enough to decode the signal appropriately and have better stretching on the SD channels, especially since with Direct TV, you have a large number of boxes to choose from as you wish.

Man, did I say how much I hate being trapped with TWC?

It will be one of my greatest joys when I get to leave them and get Direct TV again.

I'll even set up a blog with my smiling face and Direct TV receiver and cancellation notice from TWC and email all their reps like they emailed us about trying to get us to call Fox on their behalf.

Never wished for a company to go under so badly, but sadly they have other things they do (much better) that will keep them afloat.

I'm not as familiar with SA boxes, but all the Moto boxes can be set to either pass 4:3 native or stretch it. I'd bet the SA box can do the same.

Let me try asking in the 8300 topic, in the HDTV Recorders Forum.

I'm not as familier with SA boxes, but all the Moto boxes can be set to either pass 4:3 native or stretch it. I'd bet the SA box can do the same.

Let me try asking in the 8300 topic, in the HDTV Recorders Forum.


I was looking for such a thread, thanks! (in case I can't find it, can you please link it?)

Ok, since my thread got merged in here, maybe I'll ask my question a different way.

Anyone in the Los Angeles area who is stuck with only having the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD as the top box available able to have one with newer hardware that can intelligently display a picture depending on the incoming signal?

The 1080i HD pictures display fine, but the non-HD channels all have pillar boxes.

When I go and select stretched via settings, it also stretched the HD ones to look silly!

Why can't a darn box detect the signal and process it accordingly and not apply stretched or normal, etc. to every signal?

Allegedly since I've had this box for almost 3 years, there is a newer version that has a 'cable card' or whatever built into the back and supposedly provides a better picture...and hoping it also fixes this issue.

But since I can't tell how to detect, the only thing I can do is have a tech come out and if he brings a new one in a closed box, I'll accept it, otherwise send him away.There is some interplay between TV and DVR settings. So, your TV may be at fault. There are settings on the DVR for what type of TV you have and what you want it to do. The settings on the TV are probably set different for each resolution. I also do not like stretching things that are not sent that way, so I use pillar boxes when sent that way and "dot-to-dot" for 16:9 stuff. Your TV may call it Full Screen, or something similar and may include slight overscan. If stuck, might want to mention TV you have and whether you have had the problem for the full 3-years you have had the DVR. Actually a pretty good machine. Oh, my pillar box is on the TV and has black bars. I think I have the DVR set to stretch all to 16:9 (to get rid of gray bars). It is a weird combination, but it works. /Dan

I was looking for such a thread, thanks! (in case I can't find it, can you please link it?)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=723830&page=367

Here's the answer I was given:

Changing picture size is really easy in Navigator:

1.) Press Settings on the remote.

2.) Go to Picture Size.

3.) Press Select to choose from Normal. Zoom, or Stretch.

4.) Press Select to Accept the changes, OR C to Return to the Previous Screen, or the Exit button to return to watching TV.

5.) The system may or may not reboot. If it reboots, wait till the correct time shows on the screen.

6.) All SD channels will now take the position shown by the Picture Size Preference.

Note: For best results, leave your TV remote picture size alone and use the CABLE BOX remote to make the picture size adjustments. In other words, start with your TV remote (assuming it is an HDTV) and set picture size on your TV remote to NORMAL and the screen resolution to 16x9. Than use the cable remote to adjust picture size.

If you try to do a picture stretch for example with both the TV remote and the cable box remote, your picture will be double-stretch, or if you zoom on both, it will be double-zoomed. If you have cable, let the cable box select the picture size.

Does anyone here with Time Warner Cable that subscribes to the El Paquetazo package get ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD in their package?

In my area, the channel lineup says I get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD. The SD ESPN and ESPN2 come in fine but not the HD channels. I called Time Warner Cable and complained that the channel lineup says I should get those channels but they don't come in. They said that even though the channel lineup says so, I'm not supposed to get them. They said I can add basic cable for an additional $36 per month if I want those two channels.

Can anyone confirm whether they get these channels? If not, it looks like we have a serious case of bait and switch and we've been paying for them all this time but not getting them.

I'm having problems, and I'm trying to determine if it's with my Tivo, or with Time Warner service.

I have a series 3 with 2 cable cards, and last night, everything was working fine.

Tonight, I'm only getting a handful of channels come through - the rest are black.
All of the broadcast channels (both HD & SD) come through, along with a few of the other SD channels. No other HD channels are available.

Time Warner says they can't do anything to help over the phone, and have to send a tech out, which won't be until next week.

Is it possible both cable cards are on the fritz and only allowing through the same random channels, or is it, as I believe, an issue with Time Warner's service?

Any advice/guidance/suggestions greatly appreciated.

thanks,

FCD

I'm having problems, and I'm trying to determine if it's with my Tivo, or with Time Warner service.

I have a series 3 with 2 cable cards, and last night, everything was working fine.

Tonight, I'm only getting a handful of channels come through - the rest are black.
All of the broadcast channels (both HD & SD) come through, along with a few of the other SD channels. No other HD channels are available.

Time Warner says they can't do anything to help over the phone, and have to send a tech out, which won't be until next week.

Is it possible both cable cards are on the fritz and only allowing through the same random channels, or is it, as I believe, an issue with Time Warner's service?

Any advice/guidance/suggestions greatly appreciated.

thanks,

FCD

I had this issue a while back with one of my two TiVo S3 boxes, and it turned out that the cable cards needed to be reauthorized. Despite my assuring them that I could actually read the required numbers off the screen, they insisted on sending out a guy (who then relayed the numbers to the guy at TW while I read them off the screen). The whole thing took about 10 minutes.

Interestingly, this was the same S3 box that had its hard drive fail, and which I replaced with a new drive with a "virgin" image, starting over. I was amazed when the cable cards continued to work without having to be reauthorized after I'd done that.

They worked for several months after that, and I later figured out that the cards "failed" on the exact same day TW turned on the copyright bit on all its programming (except locals).

Coincidence? Perhaps.

Does anyone here with Time Warner Cable that subscribes to the El Paquetazo package get ESPN HD or ESPN2 HD in their package?

In my area, the channel lineup says I get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD. The SD ESPN and ESPN2 come in fine but not the HD channels. I called Time Warner Cable and complained that the channel lineup says I should get those channels but they don't come in. They said that even though the channel lineup says so, I'm not supposed to get them. They said I can add basic cable for an additional $36 per month if I want those two channels.

Can anyone confirm whether they get these channels? If not, it looks like we have a serious case of bait and switch and we've been paying for them all this time but not getting them.

If you're not paying the $5/month for the HD Tier, you're not going to get those channels. If you are, you're entitled to them.

You didn't actually BELIEVE those TW ads about "Free HD!" did you? That only applies to the locals.

those channels aren't on the HD Tier. HD is only the following channels.

419 Universal HD
420 Smithsonian Channel HD
421 Crime & Investigation Network HD
422 MGM HD

I see no reason for anyone to subscribe to the HD Tier.

According to Time Warner's Channel Lineups.. You should get ESPN and ESPN2 in HD. I would point them to their own website.

those channels aren't on the HD Tier. HD is only the following channels.



I see no reason for anyone to subscribe to the HD Tier.

According to Time Warner's Channel Lineups.. You should get ESPN and ESPN2 in HD. I would point them to their own website.I agree. We get in HD (if available) what we get in SD (many tier dependant). /Dan

I see no reason for anyone to subscribe to the HD Tier.


:D No kidding. In fact, when I ordered an extra DVR a couple of months ago, I asked the CS rep what we could trim out of my account to absorb the cost and she said, without missing a beat, "Well, as a start, drop the HD tier -- that'll save you 5 bucks a month."

You didn't actually BELIEVE those TW ads about "Free HD!" did you? That only applies to the locals.

:confused:

I get Nat.Geo, History, Discover, A&E, Paladia, TNT, TBS, ION, USA, Bravo, FX, and many many more for free in HD, none of them are 'local'.

:confused:

I get Nat.Geo, History, Discover, A&E, Paladia, TNT, TBS, ION, USA, Bravo, FX, and many many more for free in HD, none of them are 'local'.No... I'm confused, a little bit any way.

Here in LA NatGeo is part of "Choice Tier", which is $5/month. The other channels are part of "Basic Cable".

The combination of (a) "Basic Cable" plus (b) at least one optional extra tier is what TWC/LA defines as the closest thing to "digital basic" as offered to other parts of the country by TWC elsewhere. This minimum level of "digital" service (as defined by TWC/LA) is required as a minimum for other add-ons, such as DVR service.

Most LA TWC subscribers (85% or more, from what I understand) have opted for "Variety Tier" (also $5/month) as their choice of that one optional extra tier. Sounds like you picked "Choice Tier" as your optional tier.

So we need to agree on whether that mandatory extra optional tier... no matter what it is, it will cost you $5 more than "Basic Cable"... is really "free for digital subscribers" or not.

Not counting local HD OTA channels and the HD channels included with either Variety or Choice, the HD channels included as part of "Basic Cable" at no additional cost are:

414 Palladia HD
415 TNT HD
416 HD Theater
417 TBS in HD
418 Discovery Channel HD
423 The Golf Channel HD
424 ESPN HD
425 ESPN2 HD
432 CNN HD
433 HGTV HD
434 Food Network HD
435 Disney Channel HD
436 ABC Family HD
437 TLC HD
438 A&E HD
439 History HD
441 USA HD
442 Bravo HD
443 Sci Fi HD
444 CNBC HD+
446 MSNBC HD
447 HLN HD
454 The Weather Channel HD
456 FX HD
462 Cartoon Network HD
463 FOX Sports West HD
464 Prime Ticket HD
465 Fox News HD
479 AMC HD
487 E! HD

You didn't actually BELIEVE those TW ads about "Free HD!" did you?

Just saw a commercial that now calls it "No Fee HD".

No... I'm confused, a little bit any way.

Here in LA NatGeo is part of "Choice Tier", which is $5/month. The other channels are part of "Basic Cable".

Most LA TWC subscribers (85% or more, from what I understand) have opted for "Variety Tier" (also $5/month) as their choice of that one optional extra tier. Sounds like you picked "Choice Tier" as your optional tier.



Actually, according to my TWC bill, I have just the Variety Tier, but I get Nat. Geo, SD and HD.

From my Bill:
'Digital cable includes, Broadcast @ $12.14, Basic cable and Variety Tier....$50.95'

:confused:

No... I'm confused, a little bit any way.

Here in LA NatGeo is part of "Choice Tier", which is $5/month. The other channels are part of "Basic Cable".

In the East San Fernando Valley (former Adelphia area), NatGeo (channel 37) is part of plain old analog "basic" and "digital basic."

Yeah, I'm former Adelphia (silverlake), eagle rock office.

I have had Time Warner Los Angeles for about 2 years and think the service is absolutely garbage. My HD quality is so pixelated that I can barely watch any sports or action movies. If it's a talk show where people just sit in chairs the picture quality is excellent. If I watch a show with heavy movement the cable quality degrades so much. That's why I canceled HBO and Showtime. It couldn't handle movies like Speed Racer and We Are Marshall. I bought this beautiful Sony LCD and I still take advantage of my blu ray player as much as I can, but Time Warner is just pushing me closer to DirecTV day after day.

Can one tell me what is the best box that TW offers for subscribers. I am currently using the Motorola DCH3416. I hate that it can't detect native resolutions, not to mention how it freezes and sometimes records the wrong stuff. I see people mentioning the DCX or DCT. Are those better?

Thanks.

I don;'t see much difference between the new DCX3400 and a DCT6416. 1080i tends to do better in non-motion scenes than 720p. See if that makes the pixelation decrease during sports or action movies. Any improvement won't be much, sad to say. Don't expect Blu-Ray quality from broadcast TV. It won't happen anytime soon.

NBA TV HD is now on the variety tier in case anyone doesnt know.

NBA TV HD is now on the variety tier in case anyone doesnt know.

Well that sucks. It used to be free for a short time then you gotta pay again.

Have you guys in TWC Southern California that used to be served by Adelphia or Comcast, received a software update on your STBs/DVRs yet? The only reason why I ask is down here in Carlsbad (TWC San Diego Division, ex-Adelphia area), last night we got Mystro Navigator imported into our DVR according to the online chat I had with our TWC tech. Anyways, this version Mystro Navigator still uses iGuide interface, however overall, I like it better than previous iGuide. It categorizes your DVRd shows into folders by title, and the "Search by Title" feature more of a keypad, where you can use the left/right/up/down function on your remote to type in your search, and there seems to be more info on the initial guide bar on the lower part of your screen when you change the channel. And if your in the if you're using DVR during a live show, the display on the bottom will have the usual "FF", "PLAY", "REW" symbol. However when you catchup to your live broadcast, instead of the "PLAY" symbol on the DVR bar, it will say "LIVE". Also there seems to be more information on the first initial bar graphic when you change the channel. Anyways I posted some pics on http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/19/8039.html?1265305182

The only negative I've experienced thus far and it will take a bit of getting used to is, with this latest software update, it can handle 4 digit channel applications. So if your Motorola box is set to "auto tune" and you type a 3 digit channel number, it will still tune in, however it'll take about 2 seconds to change the channel after you press the final digit. This can be avoided however by pressing 0 then the remaining digits (eg: to tune into KTTV-DT/FOX 11 HD, hit 0411, or 411 then "ok" and it will tune automatically without the 2 second wait) Anyways I know we're in different Time Warner Divisions, but I thought you guys would be interested since most of TWC Southern California was either served by Adelphia or Comcast. And those 2 use the same boxes and software.

I'm in the former Comcast area and haven't received an update...yet. I heard we're suppose to get the iGuide a28 soon, we're currently on a24. I've seen the pics you posted and seems like the iguide a28.

Does the update have any features like Comcast has:
http://www.comcast.net/newguide/

You know petey1287. It turns out you're right. It turns out we got iGuide A28 last night on my Motorola DCX 3400 DVR. It turns out that the TWC chat technician had no idea what she was talking about (Imagine that!:confused:) According to a trustworthy source on the hdtv.forsandiego.com forum Mystro Navigator isn't really compatible with Motorola systems. And for once I think TWC didn't want to totally overhaul iGuide on Motorola systems, and probably figured it was much easier to upgrade the existing iGuide software than blowing it up, starting anew with Navigator or whatever in-house IPG software TWC uses on their Scientifica Atlanta/Cisco systems, especially since iGuide A28 can handle SDV and Start Over.

Hey guys. I'm finally going to upgrade to a HD DVR box. When I call TWC, should I ask for a specific model? Is there one box that's much better than the others? Does TWC even honor specific model requests, or am I stuck with whatever one they decide to give me?

Thanks for the help!

Hey guys. I'm finally going to upgrade to a HD DVR box. When I call TWC, should I ask for a specific model? Is there one box that's much better than the others? Does TWC even honor specific model requests, or am I stuck with whatever one they decide to give me?

You may be. When I called to inquire about a DVR and decided to pick one up at the local office instead of spending extra $$ for them to come out to me, the CS rep told me to ask for a specific model (DCT-6416). The office (Eagle Rock) only had the DCX-3400, so that was that. AFAIK, it's the latest Motorola model, with a 320GB hard drive and native rez setting.

Yej, as someone who has a Motorola DCX 3400 DVR and as bruce73 pointed out, this particular DVR supports native resolution and has a 320GB drive which is twice as much as what a DCH or DCT Motorola. If I'm not mistaken with this DVR can store about 40 hours of HD programming. Anyways IMHO, I'm a big fan of the native resolution setting since the DVR passes through the signal without the any processing and lets the HDTV do all the processing. However native resolution isn't for everyone, since HD channels are broadcast in either 720p or 1080i, and if you're changing channels from a 720p channel to a 1080i channel or vice versa, it'll take an additional second for the channel to show up on the screen using the "native" output setting on your STB/DVR. This can be remedied by setting the STB/DVR to output HD channels to 1080i. Anyways with regards to the best STB/DVR out there, it all depends on what part of Los Angeles you live in. The majority of TWC Southern California use Motorola headends/equipment since they were areas formerly served by either Comcast or Adelphia. However there are a few pockets that TWC serves in the SoCal division that weren't served by those 2 cable companies, and those areas tend to use Scientific Atlanta (now Cisco) headends/equipment.

Have you guys in TWC Southern California that used to be served by Adelphia or Comcast, received a software update on your STBs/DVRs yet? .

I haven't received anything like what you got. Just the same 'ol same old here.

Moto box, Los angeles Silverlake (griffith park/hollywood), former Adelphia.

However native resolution isn't for everyone, since HD channels are broadcast in either 720p or 1080i, and if you're changing channels from a 720p channel to a 1080i channel or vice versa, it'll take an additional second for the channel to show up on the screen using the "native" output setting on your STB/DVR. This can be remedied by setting the STB/DVR to output HD channels to 1080i.

And, just to add, the resolution changes also occur with commercials that are aired in a different resolution that the show (i.e. 1080i commercials during a 720p broadcast). This can be mildly annoying, too, not because you're missing a couple seconds of commercials (god forbid :rolleyes:), but because occasionally the 3400 box doesn't go back to the show's native resolution, but stays on 1080i. A channel toggle will fix that and, fortunately, it doesn't happen that often. So I agree, native rez is the way to go, as I'm assuming my TV does a better job of scaling/deinterlacing than the 3400. YMMV.

Going with OTA for HD. Hulu, Roku and Netflix for other content. Will be getting a TiVO for time shifting broadcast programs.

After being beaten down by repeated contempt and misinformation from the front line, the decision was made for me. I don't like doing business with companies that find the customer an annoyance.

Couple that with disabled eSata ports, slow rollout of HD channels, and all the cr*p channels I have to order to get the one or two I watch. Not to mention the sacking of HDNet movies, the lack of TCM or BBC HD, and that POS DVR.

Not a sports fan. Can't stand the faux reality shows that seem to fill up all the bandwidth. Better quality picture OTA as well. I really don't need TWC at all.

The withdrawals might be nasty. Won't be able to check in on the midget family or the ice road truckers : ). What shall I do?

I might consider U-Verse at some point - but first I'm going to see how it goes.

Good luck jiffyspam!

I was happy using the Tivo/ota setup until some of the locals moved their HD DT to vhf. Suddenly I was without 7-9-11-13 (no line of sight). So I'm back to subscribing to TWC broadcast basic with a m cable card in the Tivo.

Once Sezmi goes public you might check them out as another alternative.

Good luck jiffyspam!

I was happy using the Tivo/ota setup until some of the locals moved their HD DT to vhf. Suddenly I was without 7-9-11-13 (no line of sight). So I'm back to subscribing to TWC broadcast basic with a m cable card in the Tivo.

Once Sezmi goes public you might check them out as another alternative.

Thanks. I've had an antenna on the roof running through a signal amplifier since November. I get about 70 channels (the # includes subs) with no pixelation whatsoever.

This will soooo liberating. Like getting out of an abusive relationship that I was afraid to leave. When the other person focused on other people's infrastructre, keeps telling you empty promises and doesn't follow through, lies about stuff when you're trying to get a specific answer and doesn't give you what you really want from the relationship (HDNET, TCM-HD, more capacity on the DVR) it's time to move on.

I've had an antenna on the roof running through a signal amplifier since November. I get about 70 channels (the # includes subs) with no pixelation whatsoever.It all depends on your viewing habits, as to whether these channels (most of which, for me, are unwatchable foreign-language or shopping channels or irrelevant digital 4:3 sub-channels) satisfy your needs. Of the 80 or so (counting sub-channels) that I can pick up with my building's roof antenna using my computer's ATSC TV Tuner Card, I've got all "hidden" except 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, 11.1, 13.1, 28.1 and 50.1. That would make 71 out of 80 worthless to me.

And that doesn't count the additional "favorites, only HD" that I've got set on my TWC DVR... which comes to about 54 channels. That means an additional 42 cable/premium channels I can only get because I subscribe to TWCand that I cannot get OTA. Honestly, probably 20 of those I would sincerely miss if they disappeared. The others are there in my "favorites, only HD" list just because they're offered in my HD lineup and are not for "kids", and that they might possibly contain something I might actually tune to if I noticed it.

Aside from the 9 OTA channels (also available via TWC, which may or may not have any significant bitrate discrepancy from true OTA versions), I regularly program recordings on no more than 8 of the other cable/premium channels, so I'd say these are my absolute "could not live without, if I gave up cable/satellite for OTA-only".

To each his own.

[QUOTE=DSperber;18124654]It all depends on your viewing habits, as to whether these channels (most of which, for me, are unwatchable foreign-language or shopping channels or irrelevant digital 4:3 sub-channels) satisfy your needs. Of the 80 or so (counting sub-channels) that I can pick up with my building's roof antenna using my computer's ATSC TV Tuner Card, I've got all "hidden" except 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, 11.1, 13.1, 28.1 and 50.1. That would make 71 out of 80 worthless to me.

I agree with you there. Not expecting to get 80 'quality' channels in the switch. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Not a sports fan. Movies come via Roku streaming Netflix. PPV Movies can come from Amazon via Roku. The Daily Show can come in through their website (in better quality than the TWC SD feed I currently get). OTA will get me PBS, the Office and the Simpsons which round out my viewing habits.

There's not much else I need.

I got Time Warner Cable today and the guy didn't know about Cable Cards. I gave him the Tivo instructions and he didn't use them. He put it two M Cable Cards and I told him that it was only one if it was a M card and he said it was two. I kept telling him it was just one! It even says so on Tivo. He saw and just put one. It worked right away though. :D I am surprised to see all those HD channels!

I'm in the East San Fernando Valley. I haven't checked out On Demand in a while and decided to tonight. What happened to the free HD options? The only HD programming I can find are the current movies. All of the Primetime choices are in unwatchable SD. Any ideas on this?

i havent used the on demand service in months but the hd showcase option is gone for me too. everything is in SD now.

HD Showcase is still available and working for me on OnDemand.

buh-bye TWC.

Call me back when you get your act together.

no more a) misinformation about cable cards and eSata ports, b) highly compressed local channels, c) new hd channels coming into every neighborhood but mine, d)lack of investment in the infrastucture due to the fact that we can't get DirectV on our block (steep hill on the south), e) dealing with you.

Would have stayed if they kept HDNet/HDNet Movies. Would have stayed if they added TCM-HD and BBC America like in every other neighborhood in SoCal. Would have stayed if they added Comedy Central HD like in every other neighborhood in SoCal.

TW rep told me to hang on because I'd be getting those channels in 9-12 months.

Not holding my breath. Call me back when you get 'em.

OTA looks great. Far superior to TWC's version - and KCET is in sync too! TiVo does a damn fine job of recording. Laptop streaming will do plugged into HDTV (for Jon Stewart) - and it looks better than their crappy sd feed. Netflix and Amazon Rentals look good coming through the TiVo box.

No more non functioning on demand (it never worked in our neighborhood, even though every rep said it did - every tech that visited anyone said it didn't. We all got tired of asking repeatedly). No more refusal of techs to check the cable connection from the pole unless I get a signed waiver from my next door neighbor as the wire goes over about 3 inches of her property (wasn't a problem when it was being installed). No more missed appointments. Remember whey they paid you $20 for them? I made $100 in one month.

Total cost - $12.95 for TiVo. A Netflix subscription (which I've had for ten years now) runs me $18 for 4 a month.

I've had a cable attached to my house since 1983. Now I have nothing.

I feel so liberated.

buh-bye TWC.

Call me back when you get your act together.

no more a) misinformation about cable cards and eSata ports, b) highly compressed local channels, c) new hd channels coming into every neighborhood but mine, d)lack of investment in the infrastucture due to the fact that we can't get DirectV on our block (steep hill on the south), e) dealing with you.

Would have stayed if they kept HDNet/HDNet Movies. Would have stayed if they added TCM-HD and BBC America like in every other neighborhood in SoCal. Would have stayed if they added Comedy Central HD like in every other neighborhood in SoCal.

TW rep told me to hang on because I'd be getting those channels in 9-12 months.

Not holding my breath. Call me back when you get 'em.

OTA looks great. Far superior to TWC's version - and KCET is in sync too! TiVo does a damn fine job of recording. Laptop streaming will do plugged into HDTV (for Jon Stewart) - and it looks better than their crappy sd feed. Netflix and Amazon Rentals look good coming through the TiVo box.

No more non functioning on demand (it never worked in our neighborhood, even though every rep said it did - every tech that visited anyone said it didn't. We all got tired of asking repeatedly). No more refusal of techs to check the cable connection from the pole unless I get a signed waiver from my next door neighbor as the wire goes over about 3 inches of her property (wasn't a problem when it was being installed). No more missed appointments. Remember whey they paid you $20 for them? I made $100 in one month.

Total cost - $12.95 for TiVo. A Netflix subscription (which I've had for ten years now) runs me $18 for 4 a month.

I've had a cable attached to my house since 1983. Now I have nothing.

I feel so liberated.
You have one problem though. You cannot get Faux News by OTA. Just think you won't be able to lower your IQ by 15 pts by watching it.

Shame on you!! LOL

You have one problem though. You cannot get Faux News by OTA. Just think you won't be able to lower your IQ by 15 pts by watching it.

Shame on you!! LOL

It would do worse than that. It would make me f**king retarded.

(Don't get all worked up, I say this in satire - so it's ok)

Although the exchange I had yesterday at the TWC office when turning in the dvr over a 7 cent balance on my account dragged me down even further.

Me: So I'm all set? We have a clean break?
TWC: Yes, you're all set.
Me: (after looking at the receipt) It says here I owe you 7 cents
TWC: We'll send you a bill
Me: You mean you'd send me a bill rather than have me settle up right here? You'd spend money on postage and I'd have to write a check for 7 cents?
TWC: (emphatically) yes
Me: Can I pay you the 7 cents now and be done with it?
TWC: yes
(I placed a dollar bill on the counter)
TWC: You don't have no change? (exact words - if I didn't have any change the correct answer would be 'yes', but I knew where she was coming from)
Me: No I don't
TWC: I'll just write it off then.
Me: Can I get a reciept for verification that we have a clean break?
TWC: No
Me: How will I know when I walk out of here today that we're done?
TWC: We'll send you a bill
Me: For 7 cents?
TWC: Yes
Me: That seems a bit silly - and didn't you say you were going to write it off?
TWC: OK I'll take your dollar and give you 93 cents change. Is that what you want?
ME: Yes - and a receipt that I've paid my balance in full.
TWC: OK.
Me: Thank you. (thinking to myself - there IS a reason I can't do business with these people).

It would do worse than that. It would make me f**king retarded.

(Don't get all worked up, I say this in satire - so it's ok)

Although the exchange I had yesterday at the TWC office when turning in the dvr over a 7 cent balance on my account dragged me down even further.

Me: So I'm all set? We have a clean break?
TWC: Yes, you're all set.
Me: (after looking at the receipt) It says here I owe you 7 cents
TWC: We'll send you a bill
Me: You mean you'd send me a bill rather than have me settle up right here? You'd spend money on postage and I'd have to write a check for 7 cents?
TWC: (emphatically) yes
Me: Can I pay you the 7 cents now and be done with it?
TWC: yes
(I placed a dollar bill on the counter)
TWC: You don't have no change? (exact words - if I didn't have any change the correct answer would be 'yes', but I knew where she was coming from)
Me: No I don't
TWC: I'll just write it off then.
Me: Can I get a reciept for verification that we have a clean break?
TWC: No
Me: How will I know when I walk out of here today that we're done?
TWC: We'll send you a bill
Me: For 7 cents?
TWC: Yes
Me: That seems a bit silly - and didn't you say you were going to write it off?
TWC: OK I'll take your dollar and give you 93 cents change. Is that what you want?
ME: Yes - and a receipt that I've paid my balance in full.
TWC: OK.
Me: Thank you. (thinking to myself - there IS a reason I can't do business with these people).

That's the Power of You!:D

You got Monty Python for free! And in HD with no compression!

My brain is suffering macroblocking MSNBC/CNBC Olympic syndrome and more commercials than the Super Bowl dyslexia.

I just wish Verizon Fios would become available in the West LA area... I cant take much more of this TWC GARBAGE.

I just wish Verizon Fios would become available in the West LA area... I cant take much more of this TWC GARBAGE.I ran into some Verizon street work going on near me in the Marina a few months back, and stopped to ask them when they might be bringing FIOS to the area. Not for a while, apparently, as there are permits involved and I guess none of that has happened yet.

Then last month there was a Verizon phone guy working in the garage of my apartment building and I asked him the same thing. He seemed more knowledgeable, and said probably not for at least a year, to just get the fiber to the building. Plus, even though the cost of implementing would be totally on Verizon and the building wouldn't have to pay anything, they apparently still have to run cabling in the building to get to each unit (hopefully being able to use existing conduits... but still...), which obviously would require Board approval.

Anyway, it doesn't seem that for me, anyway, it will be a real option anytime in the near or meaningful future.

But honestly, the one thing I'd really like to have but don't with TWC at the moment is "multi-room client/server DVR" functionality. If that were available now I'd go for it, and not miss FIOS.

what about Tivo Multi-room viewing? (MRV) allows any TiVo in your home to view the recordings on any other TiVo in your home.

Well, not ANY TiVo, but starting with 2nd generation, yes.

Also, be aware that only programs without the "DO NOT COPY" bit set can be moved around on most cable systems. That means programs from broadcast stations only. Anything else can not be moved around.

I just got TWC internet and hooked up the cable line to my TV and viola I get some channels sometimes. Sometimes there is no audio but I'm not complaining about free.

Is there a listing somewhere that shows what these channels that are numbered like 94-265 or 99-985?

It's time for cable and satellite subscribers to pay only for the channels they want, rather than the dozens that they don't.

By David Lazarus, March 12, 2010

There's definitely an art to informing customers that you're about to smack them upside the head.

About 500,000 Time Warner Cable customers in Southern California probably knew they were in for trouble when they received a letter the other day that began: "At Time Warner Cable, we strive to bring you the best products and services available."

Does a sentence like that ever signal anything except bad news?

Time Warner takes two full paragraphs to clear its corporate throat before it finally gets to the point:

"We are making some adjustments effective with your next billing statement. Certain services, packages and equipment prices will change."

Even then, the company can't quite bring itself to clearly state that prices are going up again. The letter refers only to "price adjustments," and nowhere does it say that your cable bill is about to get more expensive.

You have to make your way to the back page of an enclosed pamphlet to finally learn that the cost of the typical cable package is rising by as much as $3.04 a month.

That's a more than 4% increase, or nearly twice the inflation rate last year.

The company's latest rate hike, which takes effect April 1, follows an identical increase in January for the rest of Time Warner Cable's nearly 2 million SoCal customers, as well as prior increases last year.

Patricia Fregoso-Cox, a Time Warner spokeswoman, blamed the higher prices on rising costs for content.

"The programming costs are the key driver for our rate increases," she said. "The costs continue rising year after year."

A spat over just this issue kept Walt Disney Co.'s ABC affiliate in New York, WABC, off Cablevision's local network until 13 minutes into the Academy Awards last Sunday. The two sides were bickering over how much Cablevision should have to pay for Disney's shows.

Time Warner and News Corp., owner of the Fox family of channels, had their own such slugfest in December. They managed to cut a deal only after their contract expired and the threat of Fox channels going dark drew lawmakers' attention.

Time Warner joined other leading cable operators this week in asking the Federal Communications Commission to block broadcasters from pulling their shows during contract disputes. They want an official arbitration system put in place.

I say: Enough already. Leave consumers out of it.

Even though the average U.S. home now gets 118 cable channels, the dirty little secret of the industry is that the typical subscriber watches only about 17 channels regularly, according to Nielsen Co.

Basically, cable companies and programmers are duking it out over a bunch of channels that most people don't even watch -- yet we're all left holding the bag for the full cost of these bloated cable packages.

It's time for cable and satellite subscribers to pay only for the channels they want, rather than the dozens that they don't.

Yes, this will require an overhaul of how the industry does business, but, hey, cable companies aren't the only ones facing a new revenue reality (see: "newspapers, effect of Internet").

I've heard rumblings from cable industry insiders that smaller packages are on the horizon -- 40 or 50 channels, say, instead of two or three times that number. That would be a step in the right direction, but it's not good enough.

It's time for so-called a la carte pricing: giving consumers the power to design their own programming packages. Want Turner Classic Movies but not AMC? Help yourself. ESPN but not the Golf Channel? Go for it.

Or if subscribers have to receive a minimum number of channels to make cable or satellite service commercially viable -- say, 20 or 30 channels -- then let us choose from a menu of programming options, rather than let someone else decide what we can watch.

It's a different media world. Just as iTunes lets people buy specific songs rather than whole albums, cable companies need to end the heavy-handed practice of forcing customers to buy unwanted channels.

And if cable companies can't find the wherewithal to do it themselves, lawmakers and federal regulators should do it for them.

David Lazarus' column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus12-2010mar12,0,5272886,full.column
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cJtZAJxDOM

Yeah, baby! unless it costs more to choose from an a la carte menu. I picture TWC and every other cable system telling consumers a nearly constant adding and unsubscribing of channels by customers costs them more and more and more. Needless to say, the general public will be charged for having the a la carte choice, too.

March 12th, 2010, 9:25 am by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

In case you spotted today’s L.A. Times story headlined, “What?! Another Time Warner Cable rate hike?” don’t freak out. At least if you live in Orange County.

The story mentions a 4 percent rate hike that goes into effect April 1. This “follows an identical increase in January for the rest of Time Warner Cable’s nearly 2 million SoCal customers, as well as prior increases last year.” That statement plus the headline made me think that a second price hike was coming for 2010. Did I miss something?

I checked with Time Warner to verify what was going on. Company spokesman Darryl Ryan immediately called me back to say, no, this isn’t a second increase this year. This adds in the rest of Time Warner’s Los Angeles customers who didn’t get hit with the 4 percent increase in January.

“Any price adjustments affecting your readers has already been adjusted,” Ryan said.

Whew!

Now, of course, this doesn’t explain why Time Warner had to hike our bills in the first place. But keep in mind, the cable company wasn’t the only one to raise prices this year. Cox Communications, Verizon FiOS, DirecTV and AT&T U-verse all raised their prices in recent months too. See links to those reports on the right. The same companies all raised rates last year too.

Time Warner, like all TV providers, face increasing fees from the TV channels. Most of the time, the TV providers pay the new price. Occasionally, negotiations go public when the two sides can’t agree on a new price. Most recently, Walt Disney threatened to pull ABC from Cablevision viewers on the East Coast, which meant no Oscars. In the end, the two sides made amends but cable customers missed the awards show introduction. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is investigating such disputes to prevent the loss of TV service to consumers in the future.

comments:

Will says:
Do not see the big deal here. Cable is a discretionary expense. Just cancel it, spend that 1400 bucks per year on something better, like a weekend getaway, a new bike, music lessons.

I have an idea, have a poll on what you would spend that 1400 dollars on if you canceled your cable.

We canceled our cable and put the money we saved on piano and guitar lessons. Now, we spend way more quality time doing things like fishing, biking, running, reading, board games, etc. I never realized how much of a time and money suck cable was in our lives.

Mike says:
We are in the third world city of Santa Ana where the cable and phone companies provide the minimum service. As such, we refuse to pay them for this. We get most all programs we wish to watch over the air with a networked ATSC tuner and an HTPC. We pull other programs of interest off the internet or simply buy the DVDs of the shows. We feel no need to see the latest show on the day it comes out. The money we save more than pays for the few DVDs of any program series we buy off of Ebay for pennies on the dollar. Cable is not a necessity people. They provide very few channels that one would be interested in. Having had satellite with most everything for a couple of years I can tell you that we ended up only watching about a dozen channels at most on any sort of consistent basis. Needless to say, the satellite is in the trash and we are saving about $1400.00 a year.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/2010/03/12/more-time-warner-price-increases-coming-nope/37649/

I have been trying to get an answer to whether I will lose TWC cable features (VOD, PPV, etc.) by replacing the TWC HDDVR STB (Motorola DCT6416 III) with a Tivo Premiere using a tuner adapter and an m-card. TWC tells me I will lose the cable features with the Premiere, but, I am quoting TWC here, "if you get a Tivo Series 3 which have (sic) 2 slots for cablecards you will definitely get all the features like VOD, PPV, i guide etc." Comments on AVS, Tivo website, and TWC website seem to indicate otherwise, i.e., that I would lose all interactive cable features with a Tivo, Premiere or Series 3. Was the TWC rep incorrect? Has anyone replaced their TWC STB with a Tivo and been able to retain the TWC cable features? WeaKnees says I will lose all the cable features, but gain the internet features, which I know. It's TWC's answer about the Series 3 that puzzles me.

I have been trying to get an answer to whether I will lose TWC cable features (VOD, PPV, etc.) by replacing the TWC HDDVR STB (Motorola DCT6416 III) with a Tivo Premiere using a tuner adapter and an m-card. TWC tells me I will lose the cable features with the Premiere, but, I am quoting TWC here, "if you get a Tivo Series 3 which have (sic) 2 slots for cablecards you will definitely get all the features like VOD, PPV, i guide etc." Comments on AVS, Tivo website, and TWC website seem to indicate otherwise, i.e., that I would lose all interactive cable features with a Tivo, Premiere or Series 3. Was the TWC rep incorrect? Has anyone replaced their TWC STB with a Tivo and been able to retain the TWC cable features? WeaKnees says I will lose all the cable features, but gain the internet features, which I know. It's TWC's answer about the Series 3 that puzzles me.

Rep you talked to was kind of - er - WRONG.

With a TiVo (any model) you will lose VOD and PPV. You will have access to far superior on demand options through the internet such as Netflix Streaming and Rentals from Amazon. You will lose the iGuide, but it will be replaced by the TiVo version which is much easier to navigate. You can program your box to record from your blackberry, iphone or internet.

What you gain IMHO far outweighs what you lose. Go for it an ditch the POS box TWC gives you.

I thought the TWC rep was wrong, but he wrote it in an email so I have it in writing--alot good that will do. I think you are right--the benefits outweigh loses and the added memory is a lifesaver when you have kids wrangling for DVR space. Thanks

I thought the TWC rep was wrong, but he wrote it in an email so I have it in writing--alot good that will do. I think you are right--the benefits outweigh loses and the added memory is a lifesaver when you have kids wrangling for DVR space. Thanks

If you go the TiVo Premiere route I’m curious to know how it goes. Particularly any SDV hassles for us LA/Westside folks.

Thanks in advance,

CVB

Amazingly, about 2 months ago I moved from the 90025 zip code in West LA (Borderline Santa Monica area) to the 90035 zip code (Borderline south of Beverly Hills).

I have not had a SINGLE issue with my TWC service. In addition, I regularly get 12-13MB downloads using RR Turbo/Extreme whatever their fastest speed is these days.

I've gone from being a generally unhappy TWC customer to someone who is now enjoying the service quite a bit. Hopefully it lasts!

I have not had a SINGLE issue with my TWC service. In addition, I regularly get 12-13MB downloads using RR Turbo/Extreme whatever their fastest speed is these days.Just in passing, Roadrunner Turbo is their top offering, and it's throttled at 10Mbps. So if you start a significant download from a good source, and you look at your "download meter" you'll see essentially a constant 10.2Mbps (at least that's what I get, once things enter "steady state").

On the other hand, their "Turbo Boost" feature actually supports short-duration spikes of much faster download (I've seen metered rates of up to 24Mbps in very short bursts, typically right after a download gets started). But if your application persists to download data for any significant volume/duration, the throttled 10Mbps rate for Turbo will once again take over.

$100 million dedicated to teach kids technology-related subjects

* By Rachel McGrath
* Posted March 26, 2010 at 5:57 p.m.

Local Time Warner Cable employees showed off their company’s new educational initiative to promote science, technology, engineering and math at their Simi Valley offices this week.

The program, called Connect a Million Minds, was officially launched in November, and Time Warner says it’s committed to spending $100 million to get the new curriculum into the hands of youth organizations and schools across the nation over the next five years.

The initiative is in response to President Obama’s Educate to Innovate campaign, which called for private-public partnerships to encourage young Americans to improve their performance in the four subjects.

“Over the next 10 years, more than 80 percent of jobs are going to require some level of science, technology, engineering and math, and so we want to make sure our youth is prepared to deal with this job market,” said Darryl Ryan, a spokesman for Time Warner in Ventura County.

On Thursday afternoon, a dozen or so kids from Boys & Girls Clubs in Simi Valley and Moorpark were invited to try their hands at the Cracking the Codes in the Digital World technology curriculum for middle school students. Time Warner employees staffed several learning stations designed to show how a digital signal is created, transmitted and received.

At one station, employee Ryan Whaley showed how a digital picture is created out of pixels by seeing if the kids could reveal a hidden message by matching colored pieces of paper to codes in the right order.

“I think this is simple enough that they get the concept,” said Whaley, a technical supervisor based in Chatsworth.

Across the room, Nick Raigoza, 13, who attends Valley View Middle School in Simi, was learning how the TV in his home is connected to the cable company.

“This shows how the connection goes back and forth down the fiber-optic cable,” he said. “It’s a good way to teach kids.”

Stevee Kassan, 13, a ninth-grader at Royal High School in Simi, said she enjoyed learning how a satellite sends signals to Earth. She thinks kids who don’t study science and technology “are missing out on a lot.”

Initially, the Cracking the Codes program is only going to be offered to after-school programs in Ventura County, said Ryan. For more information, visit http://www.connectamillionminds.com

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/mar/26/time-warner-promotes-educational-initiative/

Right now I pay the following:

Digital Video Recorder Service - $10
Digital Video Receiver - $6.50
Additional Digital Video Receiver - $8.50

That's a total of $25

I want to replace these two DVR's with two Tivo's and two Cable Cards at $2.75 for the first and $3.75 for the second.

Question: Will I still have to pay the "Digital Video Recorder Service" of $10?

You would no longer pay TWC a DVR service fee however in addition to the cost of the hardware Tivo charges for their service.

These are the current service plans available from their website:

Tivo service plans

Monthly with 1 year commitment $12.95
Annual service 12 months for price of 10 $129.00
3 year service for the price of 2 $299.00
Product Lifetime for the life of your box $399.00

each additional Tivo would be about 7.00/mo

special pricing offers are available from time to time (like an upgrade for current subscribers)

Does anybody know if Time Warner has Switched Digital Video in Playa Vista?
Also I am looking to get a Moxi DVR and a guy from Time Warner told me that beginning this Monday, March 29th, TW won't work with Moxi anymore even if you have TW Cable card. Could that be true? It seems like bullcrap.

Right now I pay the following:

Digital Video Recorder Service - $10
Digital Video Receiver - $6.50
Additional Digital Video Receiver - $8.50

That's a total of $25

I want to replace these two DVR's with two Tivo's and two Cable Cards at $2.75 for the first and $3.75 for the second.

Question: Will I still have to pay the "Digital Video Recorder Service" of $10?

My first cable card is $2.75; each additional one is $4.75, and includes the "Digital Programming Fee".

With two HD TiVos (4 cards), I pay a total of $17 for that part to TW. I do not have to pay for their DVR Service.

Does anybody know if Time Warner has Switched Digital Video in Playa Vista?
Also I am looking to get a Moxi DVR and a guy from Time Warner told me that beginning this Monday, March 29th, TW won't work with Moxi anymore even if you have TW Cable card. Could that be true? It seems like bullcrap.

That is a load of crap!!!
All you need to do is order a CableCard: http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/site.faqs/Cable/CableCARD/What-is-a-CableCARD-
and a
Tuning Adapter: http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/site.faqs/Cable/SwitchedDi/What-is-a-Tuning-Adapter
Although the following page says they currently do not use Switched Digital Video (SDV): http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/site.faqs/Cable/SwitchedDi/Will-I-continue-to-get-the-cha
Maybe the CS rep meant that Monday, March 29th they will be switching to SDV, Keep calling back until you get someone who knows what they are doing.
Here is your channel line up and it does state at the bottom:"*Viewing on certain television sets may require additional equipment that can be provided by Time Warner Cable or that may be available for purchase from retail stores in certain locations." http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/support/clu/clu.ashx?linkid=0

Much More Info:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/support/policies/cablecard.html
http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/support/policies/cablecard_unavailable_channels.html

Hell, They even show a Moxi on thier website: http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/site.faqs/Equipmenta/DigitalCab/Moxi
It is possible the CS rep meant TWC will not be providing Moxi as a lease option after Monday, Make sure you tell them it is a retail Moxi that you will be purchasing from Moxi.

You will however lose access to Video On Demand, unless you lease a set top box (STB).
Tuning Adapters can be unreliable, from what I've read, Also if you have a Scientific Atlantic DVR, currently the tuning adapter (which is manufactured by Cisco) will limit you to using only two of the three Moxi tuners . Personally have not made the move to Moxi yet myself.

Just in passing, Roadrunner Turbo is their top offering, and it's throttled at 10Mbps.

On the other hand, their "Turbo Boost" feature actually supports short-duration spikes of much faster download Something must have changed recently with Turbo service...

Just did an extended upload, and it's now at 2Mbps instead of the previous 1Mbps.

And just did an extended download, and it's now at 15Mbps instead of the previous 10Mbps.

Also... the Turbo Boost short-period speed increase just measured at 35Mbps!!!

Definitely not complaining.

Something must have changed recently with Turbo service...

Just did an extended upload, and it's now at 2Mbps instead of the previous 1Mbps.

And just did an extended download, and it's now at 15Mbps instead of the previous 10Mbps.

Also... the Turbo Boost short-period speed increase just measured at 35Mbps!!!

Definitely not complaining.

I started seeing ads last night touting exactly what you just described, but talking about download speeds only, if I remember correctly. As always, the improvement was described as UP TO 15Mb/s, but apparently they're determined to kill DSL once and for all.

So at long last I'm thinking of ditching DSL and my fax phone line, and going with TW's Internet and phone for one of my phone lines.

So how reliable are TW's phone and Internet service in the Eagle Rock subdivision? The cable service itself has been rock solid for the three years I've been with them.

And what kind of a deal can I expect to get by bundling the additional services? I'm currently paying $93/month for Digital, 3 tiers, HBO, and 4 cable cards.

Thanks.

DD

Something must have changed recently with Turbo service...

Just did an extended upload, and it's now at 2Mbps instead of the previous 1Mbps.

And just did an extended download, and it's now at 15Mbps instead of the previous 10Mbps.

Also... the Turbo Boost short-period speed increase just measured at 35Mbps!!!

Definitely not complaining.Yes, they did change at least in areas they have other competition. For me it was Jan 1 and I have "mid rate plan" which is/was 10/6Mb down, 1/0.765Mb up. /Dan

Hey Guys,

Here is a ridiculous thread between Time Warner and I on the concept of Clear QAM. They don't understand it. Please give me your feedback on this issue. Feel free to share your same experiences with them in SFV.

Thanks,
///Arash

Knowing that Alexander D. will not answer this question (for the logic behind my suspicion, the new agent should see the thread of messages from this morning), my new question is as follows.

How does your organization's reply of needing...

"to state a commitment with the local
government. [And,] We are allowed to provide with different channels according with the local government
policies and the channel network providers."

...make any sense whatsoever? There is no West Hills Mayor, or North Hills Mayor. There is no new municipality or different government entity between North Hills or West Hills. Your answers are beyond reason. I hate it when you guys give intelligent subscribers to your service a bunch irrelevant information to substantiate your obvious lack of understanding the original questions on or the phenomena of Clear QAM.

I am going to post this entire message thread on AVSforum.com, and have their intelligent user base provide more accurate indications of what concepts your organization doesn't understand. In addition, I will ask them for their unbiased opinion of how I should rate you on the survey you guys want me to fill out. My opinion of your truth-telling, solution presenting abilities has established a definite bias by now.

Sincerely,
///Arash



On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 6:07 PM, Los Angeles (Support) <los.support@twcable.com> wrote:



Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable Email Support. At the end of this email, you will be
given the option of taking a brief survey.

I understand that you are wondering why 91304 have more Clear Qam channels than 91343.

I will be more than happy to assist you with your request.

In order to provide our customers with service, we need to state a commitment with the local
government. We are allowed to provide with different channels according with the local government
policies and the channel network providers.

There are some circumstances that prevent us from provide the same channels in different areas.

Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this email or contact our Live Chat at the
following link:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/chat/chat.ashx

Customer support is available 24x7.

We value your opinion and want your feedback! Please click on the link below to receive a brief
survey:
http://www.twcurl.com/csat/SurveyFormEng.asp?AID=jsoto&LOC=1&KanaID=433467&DIV=West-LA

Sincerely,
Alexander D.

Time Warner Cable Online Customer Service

Please include all previous correspondence if you reply via email.
Messages are not saved indefinitely after they are responded to.


Original Message Follows: ------------------------
The problem with your organization, it appears, is that three different people have weighed in on
the requests to my question. No clear, direct answer was given to my last question: Why does 91304
have more Clear Qam channels than 91343?

Best regards,
///Arash




On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 3:58 PM, Los Angeles (Support) <los.support@twcable.com> wrote:



Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable Email Support. At the end of this email, you will be
given the option of taking a brief survey.

I understand that you want to have some of the QAM channels but in this moment they are not allow in

Time Warner.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and I will be happy to assist you with this
issue.

Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate your feedback in regards to the channel . Currently these

channels are not in our lineup. Here at Time Warner we make every effort to provide our customers
with the services they enjoy and as our customers requests grow, we will make every effort to
provide the channels they would like to see. We thank you for your patience and support with this
issue.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this email or contact our Live Chat at the
following link:
https://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/about/contactus.ashx

Customer support is available 24x7.

We value your opinion and want your feedback! Please click on the link below to receive a brief
survey:
http://www.twcurl.com/csat/SurveyFormEng.asp?AID=jsolano&LOC=&KanaID=433467&DIV=West-LA

Sincerely,
Jorge S.

Time Warner Cable Online Customer Service

Please include all previous correspondence if you reply via email.
Messages are not saved indefinitely after they are responded to.





Original Message Follows: ------------------------
At my mother's, in the 91304-7 zip code areas, more clearQAM channels are available than in my Time
Warner build. Comedy Central, Nick, and FX all come in clear.If these distant carrier contracts are
not finalized, then why don't you extend these channels in the neighboring Time Warner San Fernando
service areas?

Also, TitanTV does not tell you the QAM frequency.

Best regards,
///Arash




On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 2:34 PM, Los Angeles (Support) <los.support@twcable.com> wrote:



Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable Email Support. At the end of this email, you will be
given the option of taking a brief survey.

I understand that are concerned about the amount of channels you are getting vs. what you can get
with an antenna.

I will be more than happy to assist you with the information that you need to understand our
Broadcast service.

We recommend all of our customers to use digital service, however you can get the same HD stations
over cable as you do over the air by using a clear QAM tuner with basic service. You simply need to
tune to the QAM frequency that the HD signal is carried on. The QAM frequency is usually listed next


to the channel number or call letters of the station in most listings, or at titantv.com. No you
still cannot tune in digital or premium channels without a cable box. All cable companies are
required to carry the HD signals in the clear, but this only applies to stations which already
broadcast HD signals OTA in your area. TWC and other cable companies have carriage agreements with
distant carriers such as Discovery Channel HD, ESPN HD and other "premium HD" channels which can
only be accessed by using a cable box or cable card and paying an additional subscription fee for
them, and we are not required to provide these channels in the clear because we pay the carriers for


them.

If you face any issues with your services in the future, please contact us back and we will be more
than happy to assist you and resolve the issue as soon as possible.

We value you as a customer!

If you have any further questions, please respond to this email or contact our Live Chat at the
following link:
https://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/support/chat/chat.ashx

Customer support is available 24x7.
We value your opinion and want your feedback! Please click on the link below to receive a brief
survey:
http://www.twcurl.com/csat/SurveyFormEng.asp?AID=jescalante&LOC=&KanaID=433467&DIV=West-LA

Sincerely,
Jairo E.
Time Warner Cable Online Customer Service
Please include all previous correspondence if you reply via email.
Messages are not saved indefinitely after they are responded to


Original Message Follows: ------------------------
I don't understand why I get more digital channels via an antenna vs. your service which is called
"broadcast?"

Why is there such a discrepancy?

Best regards,
///Arash




On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 11:29 AM, Los Angeles (Support) <los.support@twcable.com> wrote:

Dear Arash

Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable Email Support. At the end of this email, you will be
given the option of taking a brief survey.

Thank you for your inquiry. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have on QAM
channels.

Unfortunately, we do not support Clear QAM channels. Typically, networks like NBC or FOX will be
present, along with public access, shopping, local, PBS, and perhaps some radio channels. Digital
Cable is typically encrypted or encoded so that you need a cable box or CableCARD to view it.

If you have 500 digital cable channels that you receive with a cable box, then the majority of these



channels will be encrypted. A Clear QAM tuner can not receive encrypted digital cable; it can not
receive the majority of your digital cable channels.

Therefore, different products like EyeTV Hybrid (?08), EyeTV 250 Plus (?08) or HDHomeRun only
receive a few digital cable channels, those that are Clear QAM (unencrypted). You can not use a
cable box via Clear QAM, and you can not receive most of your channels via Clear QAM. If you wish to



use a cable box, you will have to use analog input (like composite or S-Video for those products
that have it), and HDTV content will not be available.

The channels Clear QAM tuner can receive vary city by city, and some channels may be there one day,
and gone in a few months. Clear QAM tuners can receive HDTV content, if available. For example, ABC
may start airing HDTV content at 8PM nightly.

That may be 720p or 1080i, depending on the channel. Clear QAM also sometimes offers more than one
channel on the same frequency. In that case, EyeTV can open up all channels on the same frequency,
at the same time (or any combination of channels on that frequency). Unfortunately, we do not have a



channel lineup of Clear QAM channels.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this email or contact our Live Chat at the
following link:

https://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/support/chat/chat.ashx

Customer support is available 24x7.

We value your opinion and want your feedback!

Please click on the link below to receive a brief survey:

http://www.twcurl.com/csat/SurveyFormEng.asp?AID=alizano&LOC=&KanaID=433467&DIV=West-LA

Sincerely,

Alejandro L.

Time Warner Cable Online Customer Service.

Please include all previous correspondence if you reply via email.

Messages are not saved indefinitely after they are responded to.

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
First Name: Arash

City: North Hills
State: CA
ZIPCode: 91343
Category of Your Question: Cable/Video Technical Support
Comment/Question: Hello, I need the ClearQAM channel listing guide. Please do not send me the
channel listing guide that you have posted online for your cable boxes. I just want to know the
names of channels, like 135-709.

Thank you,
Arash

Channel lineups can vary within the City of Los Angeles due to different cable systems served by different head ends. And this is all legal with the city. The reasons there are different lineups in different areas is because the systems were originally built at different times, by different companies, with different capacities. TWC is trying to simplify this and make everything the same, its just not done, yet. It may take years to upgrade all the systems to make them the same city wide.

What they mean by "support clear QAM" is not that they don't exist. Of course they do, they just aren't going to help you find out the channel numbers and names, or provide you any more support for the issue you are asking about. The frequencies and what's on come and go. At least they are remapping the network channels like 2-1 and 4-1 and 28-1 to make it simpler to tune. But the rest beyond the off-air signals is just "gravy." Be glad we get what we do.

And RR Turbo is now a lot faster here in 90272.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/764475112.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

The channels that are supposed to be in the clear with a QAM tuner are those listed under the BROADCAST color for that area. Anything else you or they get is probably just temporary. I wish all the BASIC CABLE channels were unencrypted, but they are not.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/support/clu/clu.ashx

Hi Guys,

Ever since the new iguide upgrade (the one that sorts all the DVR recordings and provide the new folder icons) I noticed that I can't get into the special menu that shows you stuff like Free Memory, Free Hard Drive Space (to the byte), Tuner Frequency channel status, etc.

You can still get to the 'user settings' by turning your box off and pressing Settings but I'm looking for the sequence on how you get to the other status screen. This is with a 3400 DCX although I think it would be the same for any MOTO (3416, 6416, etc.)

Thanks,

Synchron :cool:

Don't have an answer, but what is the sequence to get into the 'other status screen'?

Ever since the new iguide upgrade (the one that sorts all the DVR recordings and provide the new folder icons)I assume you're describing the A28 firmware (i.e. 78.* in the "S/W" software version number shown in the configuration screen from the Setup -> cable box setup -> etc. dialog path)

You are in the TWC/LA area, but this is the first I've heard of the new A28 software being rolled out here. I'm Marina Del Rey (former Comcast) and still have A24 (i.e. 74.* shown as the "S/W" version) shown on my DCX3400.

When did you get A28?

Do you still have firmware 22.37, or do you have a newer version (some Comcast users have reported receiving 22.48)?

If you also have a newer firmware version, do you have a DVHS VCR connected to your DCX3400? If so, I'm sure you've noticed that recording via firewire (which always worked perfectly with earlier DCT/DCH boxes) no longer worked with the new DCX box. So, if you have firmware newer than 22.37 and you have a DVHS VCR, does firewire recording now work?


I noticed that I can't get into the special menu that shows you stuff like Free Memory, Free Hard Drive Space (to the byte), Tuner Frequency channel status, etc.On my A24 software, this "diagnostic menu" is reached by pushing POWER (to turn off the box) and then pressing OK/Select within 1-second. That still works for me on my DCX with A24 software.

I assume I have A28 because the list of all recorded shows are now sorted into folders with 2 or more of the same recorded shows. This was something that was not there last week. You can tell that the complete menuing system, including OnDemand, has gone through a face-lift, although nothing major.

I'm a former Adelphia customer and my remote has a separate button for 'select' and 'OK'. Not sure if that has anything to do with it but I found out that in order to get to the service menu, now I turn the box off, press 'select' once to show the User settings menu , press 'select' again to turn it off and finally press 'OK' which will get me to the service menu.

In addition, in a recording, the PageUp can be used to skip 5 minutes ahead and the PageDown can go back 5 minutes, something that I assume was also part of this update. It's a little buggy and when you do it the 1st time the time indicator does not advance so you do it again and then it advances 10 minutes. But still, a nice feature.

I will report back on the versions tonight when I get home.

Synchron :cool:

I've been getting lots of ads from ATT U-verse. I guess it has recently become available in my area (Encino). I'm surprised there are not more comments about it in this forum. Does anyone have it? If so, can you provide some sort of review? While I'm reasonably satisfied with my TWC set up, it might be nice to: pay less, get better picture, have less incidents of pixilation, have one dvr control all my tvs instead of one in every room.

visit the national thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=700011

at some point when there is enough interest local threads start.

I've been getting lots of ads from ATT U-verse. I guess it has recently become available in my area (Encino). I'm surprised there are not more comments about it in this forum. Does anyone have it? If so, can you provide some sort of review? While I'm reasonably satisfied with my TWC set up, it might be nice to: pay less, get better picture, have less incidents of pixilation, have one dvr control all my tvs instead of one in every room.

Well, it is a TWC forum, hence why there isn't much U-verse discussion.

I do have a friend that got U-verse when he moved into a new condo, and hated it. Lots of pixelation, etc.

I don't remember whether he had Sat. or TWC before.

And part of the problem comparing say TWC to U-verse is that TWC can deliver different results dependent on the area. Since U-verse uses phone lines(?), I believe performance is area dependent also.

OK the version I now have is:

S/W Ver:78.44 - A28p0-2.0908.r-4
Firmware:22.37

Oh, and excuse my other post: 'Settings' button replaces 'Select' button on my remote. 'Select/OK' replaces 'OK'. So the sequence to get to the Service Menu (the one that says DIAGNOSTICS on top) is:

MASTER PWR OFF, SETTINGS (View User Settings), SETTINGS, SELECT/OK.

I've gotten this update about a week ago. Is Simi Valley actually getting things first in Sou Cal? That's a first!

Other new things I see with this version is they revamped the search feature and allow you to save your searches. There is a DVR Setup with Folders turned ON but you can disable so it looks like A24, although I kinda like it. Not sure what exactly DVR 5 minute clipping does but I turned it off. On the downside, the new iGuide only shows up to 7 full days of content. On the 8th day you start seeing lots of TBA cells and by the 9th day its all TBA.

More importantly, for the past week, no recording foulups. With A24, there were occasional times when I would see a recording in the list only to find that it wouldn't work and you couldn't navigate the buffer. I'm convinced this was S/W not H/W since I swapped boxes and the problem didn't go away. I'm hoping that A28 is an improvement in this area.

Crossing my fingers,

Synchron :cool:

OK the version I now have is:

S/W Ver:78.44 - A28p0-2.0908.r-4
Firmware:22.37

Oh, and excuse my other post: 'Settings' button replaces 'Select' button on my remote. 'Select/OK' replaces 'OK'. So the sequence to get to the Service Menu (the one that says DIAGNOSTICS on top) is:

MASTER PWR OFF, SETTINGS (View User Settings), SETTINGS, SELECT/OK.

I've gotten this update about a week ago. Is Simi Valley actually getting things first in Sou Cal? That's a first!

Other new things I see with this version is they revamped the search feature and allow you to save your searches. There is a DVR Setup with Folders turned ON but you can disable so it looks like A24, although I kinda like it. Not sure what exactly DVR 5 minute clipping does but I turned it off. On the downside, the new iGuide only shows up to 7 full days of content. On the 8th day you start seeing lots of TBA cells and by the 9th day its all TBA.

More importantly, for the past week, no recording foulups. With A24, there were occasional times when I would see a recording in the list only to find that it wouldn't work and you couldn't navigate the buffer. I'm convinced this was S/W not H/W since I swapped boxes and the problem didn't go away. I'm hoping that A28 is an improvement in this area.

Crossing my fingers,

Synchron :cool:

Ever since we got A28 in North San Diego County back in Feb. of this year, there has been only 2 recording foulups. Synchron, just out of curiosity, ever since you got the update, have you noticed any remote lag? Since we got it, it seems to have been totally eliminated, and now I'm not waiting half a minute or more for remote commands to be accepted.

Ever since we got A28 in North San Diego County back in Feb. of this year, there has been only 2 recording foulups. Synchron, just out of curiosity, ever since you got the update, have you noticed any remote lag? Since we got it, it seems to have been totally eliminated, and now I'm not waiting half a minute or more for remote commands to be accepted.

No, I don't think the remote lag went away, although, it seems to happen less when you have more disk space, say. less than 50% full.

Also, I notice big lag when selecting the VOD button and the occasional Error message that VOD didn't work. So, from now on, I just enter channel 001 which gets me to VOD 95% of the time.

Synchron :cool:

I have admit that the new A28 SW seems to have a lot less lag than what I remember with A24. It's, dare I say, acceptable performance now, while I found it to be clearly unacceptable before the new SW.

I have noticed that On Demand access has been difficult lately however, often requiring several attempts. Not sure if this started when the SW changed or before.

Darrell

I have admit that the new A28 SW seems to have a lot less lag than what I remember with A24. It's, dare I say, acceptable performance now, while I found it to be clearly unacceptable before the new SW.Where are you located?

When did you get A28 on your DCX3400?

Exactly what is the full designation of that software version in the Configuration->display screen? 78.???

Does that software version display screen also show a new firmware version level (in the lower right) that is other than 22.37? Do you now have, say 22.48 or something else as part of this software/firmware rollout?

Thanks.

(here in the Marina I still have A24 and 22.37)

I'm in Silverlake (Eagle rock former Adelphia), DTC3416, S/W 74.54-4003, firmware 16.57.

So I guess I'm still A24?

Has anyone with A28 noticed an increased delay time at the end of a recorded show, that is, from the time the video freezes to the time it prompts you to Delete/Yes or No? I'm seeing a good 15 -20 second delay and whats annoying is that I can't seem to go back to the listings with the Stop button and I just have to wait it out.

Synchron :cool:

I'm in Simi as well. If I remember correctly I have the DTC3416. I'll check the exact SW numbers when I get home tonight.

Darrell

I actually have a DCT6416 III. The 3416 kicked the bucket a couple of years back.

I got the S/W update maybe a week and a half ago.

To get to the configuration:
Turn box on
press setting twice
scroll down & select "setup"
scroll down & select "cable box setup"
scroll down and select "configuration"

S/W 78.44-A28P0-2.0908.r-4
Firmware 16.58


No delays deleting a show on my box.

Darrell

Has anyone with A28 noticed an increased delay time at the end of a recorded show, that is, from the time the video freezes to the time it prompts you to Delete/Yes or No? I'm seeing a good 15 -20 second delay and whats annoying is that I can't seem to go back to the listings with the Stop button and I just have to wait it out.

Synchron :cool:

Yeah, I've noticed that as well. To me its a very minor annoyance. In that situation, I just hit "info", hit the "right" button, and it'll prompt the "do you want to delete?" sequence.

is the west valley ever gonna get the new hd channels? i know our system is old but c'mon

Yeah, I've noticed that as well. To me its a very minor annoyance. In that situation, I just hit "info", hit the "right" button, and it'll prompt the "do you want to delete?" sequence.

OK, I'll try your suggestion as I never thought to hit the "info" key. I just know that the logical 'Stop' key does not respond. Of course the guys who write this stuff are probably not logical end users.

And just to be clear, deleting a show from the list works fine. I'm only referring to when you're viewing a recorded show and getting to the end of its buffer.

Synchron :cool:

I'm well aware of the "getting to the end of its buffer" part, that was where the suggestion was towards.

is the west valley ever gonna get the new hd channels? i know our system is old but c'mon

don't hold your breath. I recently saw a TWC ad on KABC-7 which clearly showed BBC America HD, Comedy Central HD and TCM-HD logos fly by.

I thought about coming back (I'm currently OTA/Netflix only). Contacted them. They first said the channels were available. I checked myself on their website. When hard pressed they said the channels were not available, but showed up in the ads because they 'may be available soon.'

I dumped them when I realized that all I watched were locals or streaming netflix. They pulled HD-NET. Most of their cable offerings consist of reality TV or stretchovision. I'm not a sports fan.

I'm still happy with my decision - although if they got TCM-HD I'd probably go back.

I'm well aware of the "getting to the end of its buffer" part, that was where the suggestion was towards.

Sorry, my response for that was to Darrell, the post above yours.

Your 'info' trick works which means the box isn't busy during this time. Like I said earlier, it's in 'Play' mode and one would think the 'Stop' key should get it out of play. BTW - Rewind works also.

Synchron :cool:

Does anyone know if the DCX3400 does PIP?

I am amazed and confused as to why the DCT boxes have 2 tuners, but don't do PIP.

Darrell

Can anybody enlighten me on how to setup a series recording on the DCX 3400+TVGuide [or whatever the name is for the programming system]?

I have a hard time figuring this out. It appears that the series either record all the episodes [if you select "new only" + "all episodes(?)"+"keep one only"], or none [even if the settings are like the previous]. I guess some episodes are marked as "new" multiple times per day/week, and the system can't differentiate or doesn't follow the settings [new only+one episode]

Another issue I have with this system, compared to the old Moxi, is that apparently you can't select to record "series" if they are somehow not recognized as such by the system. In Moxi, I could setup recordings for any shows [for ex. Formula I broadcasts, which are either weekly or biweekly] as series, or repeat shows and don't worry about it. Now, I have to manually enter some recordings since apparently they are not recognized as series.