Hey all,

I'm watching the NBA game on TNT-HD and the picture isn't as sharp and clear as the other HD channels, with lots of pixelation like it's being compressed. I didn't notice this before during the last series. Has TNT's bandwith been cut?? Using a 8300HD w/auto DVI-HDMI enabled and using HDMI out to my Sony KDF-E42A10.

To whom it may concern:

I have complained to the FCC regarding ensuring that Oceanic Cable has all of the local OTA HD signals sent in the clear.

This means that all OTA digital and/or HD broadcasts would be able to be picked up with a QAM tuner.

I need to know the following:

1. What does one need to pay for the basic HD programming?
2. What does that include?
3. If one has a digital box, does one get the HD programming for free (with a free HD box)?
4. Does anyone have a TV with a QAM tuner (with or without cable card)?

Ed Smith

Anyone being charged an extra $6.95 for the HD pack for each of their HD boxes should call and complain to CS. I called them today to cancel one of my boxes, and they said because I had the box from years ago I was grandfathered in. She did say they just started this policy in the last month or so , so whoever it was who wasn't able to get this same deal call them back. She said they will also refund/credit me from the past two months I was charged this amount.

Anyone know the answer to my question, or experience anything similar?

I was watching the NBA playoffs this weekend. And on the HD ABC station, I noticed there was a 1-2 second lag between the sound and picture. When I watched grey's anatomy later that nite (same station) the lag was not noticable.
Is this problem correctable from my end? or is it a problem with OTW?
Thank you for your help.

This happens all the time; not a problem on your side, something to do with KITV.


Anyone know the answer to my question, or experience anything similar?

I was watching the NBA playoffs this weekend. And on the HD ABC station, I noticed there was a 1-2 second lag between the sound and picture. When I watched grey's anatomy later that nite (same station) the lag was not noticable.
Is this problem correctable from my end? or is it a problem with OTW?
Thank you for your help.

Anyone know the answer to my question, or experience anything similar?

I was watching the NBA playoffs this weekend. And on the HD ABC station, I noticed there was a 1-2 second lag between the sound and picture. When I watched grey's anatomy later that nite (same station) the lag was not noticable.
Is this problem correctable from my end? or is it a problem with OTW?
Thank you for your help.


On Monday nite, they screwed up GREY'S ANATOMY royally! Kept pixellating and dropping out...then would drop back to SD...then go back to HD after a bit... then was WAY out of sync. Then they just dropped back to SD for the last hour.

Eric

To whom it may concern:

I have complained to the FCC regarding ensuring that Oceanic Cable has all of the local OTA HD signals sent in the clear.

This means that all OTA digital and/or HD broadcasts would be able to be picked up with a QAM tuner.

I need to know the following:

1. What does one need to pay for the basic HD programming?
2. What does that include?
3. If one has a digital box, does one get the HD programming for free (with a free HD box)?
4. Does anyone have a TV with a QAM tuner (with or without cable card)?

Ed Smith


They probably would like to thank you for giving them the biggest laugh of the week.

On Monday nite, they screwed up GREY'S ANATOMY royally! Kept pixellating and dropping out...then would drop back to SD...then go back to HD after a bit... then was WAY out of sync. Then they just dropped back to SD for the last hour.

Eric

And last nite Boston Legal was screwed up. Started out HD, then quickly got garbled up and froze. Was SD the rest of the nite.

What's wrong over at KITV? :(

I'm watching the Clev./Det. game right now on TNT-HD and the picture is about as worse I've ever seen for their NBA games. I wonder what happened -- usually during the regular season you could count on them to have an excellent picture.


Hey all,

I'm watching the NBA game on TNT-HD and the picture isn't as sharp and clear as the other HD channels, with lots of pixelation like it's being compressed. I didn't notice this before during the last series. Has TNT's bandwith been cut?? Using a 8300HD w/auto DVI-HDMI enabled and using HDMI out to my Sony KDF-E42A10.

I got a message that the DVI port has been disabled. Stating my tv doesn't support HDCP. I am pretty sure my Sony HDTV doesn't support HDCP.

Unattached the cable and connected with RCA cables and every time I change the channel I am still getting the message. I have to hit exit three times to get video back.

Anyone else have this issue?

For the last week or so, when I turn on my box, I've gotten the message "[copy protection] YPrPb & DVI/HDMI Outputs disabled". But once I press "exit" the message disappears and everything appears to work as normal. I've been meaning to call Oceanic to check on this, but haven't had the time.

For the last week or so, when I turn on my box, I've gotten the message "[copy protection] YPrPb & DVI/HDMI Outputs disabled". But once I press "exit" the message disappears and everything appears to work as normal. I've been meaning to call Oceanic to check on this, but haven't had the time.

I unplugged the box, waited five minutes and let it reset. Now I don't get the message that the dvi is disabled when I change channels. But I still can't use the dvi port. I'm at a lost at how to re-instate the dvi port.

I connect the box to my denon avr-3806 receiver then to my sony KF50WE610 tv. Which according to the Sony site DOES support HDCP via the DVI port.

I don't understand what the deal is.

Any one have a suggestion?

DVI-Fan,

I have the same problem. I connect with a DVI/HDMI cable through my Denon 3806 receiver. Called technical services last week. They said that it was a firmware update that had been sent out and probably caused the problem. I changed my connections to component cables in the meantime. They actually called me back over the weekend and said that they thought they had fixed the problem, but I have not had time to try the DVI port again.

I'm watching the Clev./Det. game right now on TNT-HD and the picture is about as worse I've ever seen for their NBA games. I wonder what happened -- usually during the regular season you could count on them to have an excellent picture.So is this a TNT thing or an Oceanic thing?? I had Oceanic out to fix another problem and I asked them about it. Even showed them how bad the picture was compared to the other HD channels. They claimed it was TNT's signal. Anyone know what's going on???

Right after I made my post I went over to the "HD Programming" forums here and people were complaining about the games also, so I guess it is TNT's signal.


So is this a TNT thing or an Oceanic thing?? I had Oceanic out to fix another problem and I asked them about it. Even showed them how bad the picture was compared to the other HD channels. They claimed it was TNT's signal. Anyone know what's going on???

I am looking for KHNL-DT, I live in Makiki and antennaweb says it should be coming off one of the three towers less than 2 miles away.

Is this true?

I am getting great signal on KHON, KITV and KGMB so I know I at least did something right!

Id appreciate any insight anyone can lend regarding KHNL-DT

By the way in case anyone here cares I do work for Microcom/Dish Network as a installer... and yes that Hawaii Island Journal piece was very one sided...she did conveniently forget to mention that after everything she supposedly went through she still kept dish network. Ironic Huh There was a lot more to the story she left out which I guess makes for good journalism in her mind.

I am looking for KHNL-DT, I live in Makiki and antennaweb says it should be coming off one of the three towers less than 2 miles away.

Is this true?

I am getting great signal on KHON, KITV and KGMB so I know I at least did something right!

Id appreciate any insight anyone can lend regarding KHNL-DT
.

KHON, KITV, and KGMB antennas are in town but KHNL and KFVE antennas are in Makakilo I think or somewhere around there. You need to point your antenna to that side and you should get a (hopefully!) strong signal.

They probably would like to thank you for giving them the biggest laugh of the week.

Time Warner Cable is legally obligated to carry OTA HD unencrypted. Read the other forums. There is a specific FCC rule regarding this matter.

One should be able to plug in a TV that has a QAM tuner and get at minimum the broadcast channels. (presently only KITV... but soon to be more)...

This is a major consumer rights issue.

Soon all broadcast will be digital, do you want to be forced to be tethered to a cable box.

Ed Smith

Wow, so glad to find this local forum!

Has Oceanic released a firmware update for the 8300hd dvr in the past couple months? A rep told me they were working on it. I need it for my HDMI blanking issues. I have a Vizio 50" Plasma from Costco. I know it's a known issue with the box. Funny because the older 8300hd without the firewire ports worked fine. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been pushed yet because I still have the problem.

And has anyone gotten a DVD recorder to work via the firewire port?

Aloha, Kirk

Time Warner Cable is legally obligated to carry OTA HD unencrypted. Read the other forums. There is a specific FCC rule regarding this matter.

One should be able to plug in a TV that has a QAM tuner and get at minimum the broadcast channels. (presently only KITV... but soon to be more)...

This is a major consumer rights issue.

Soon all broadcast will be digital, do you want to be forced to be tethered to a cable box.

Ed Smith


They would have probably taken you seriously if you had corrected the mis-spellings and the grammar was up to the 3rd grade level.

The firewire port is working with my Mits. DVHS player -- I just recorded the RUSH concert on INHD. And the HDMI port works fine on my Sony TV.

Does anyone know if HDMI is suppose to provide a better picture/audio than Firewire? I hooked up the 8300HD to my tv via firewire to see what it would look like and really couldn't tell a difference. Only problem is the menus and guide info doesn't show up with the firewire.


Wow, so glad to find this local forum!

Has Oceanic released a firmware update for the 8300hd dvr in the past couple months? A rep told me they were working on it. I need it for my HDMI blanking issues. I have a Vizio 50" Plasma from Costco. I know it's a known issue with the box. Funny because the older 8300hd without the firewire ports worked fine. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been pushed yet because I still have the problem.

And has anyone gotten a DVD recorder to work via the firewire port?

Aloha, Kirk

Aloha All,

Just wondering if youthnk that I might be able to get OTA HDTV here in Waimanalo? Somehow I doubt it, but I am hopeful. Anyone ever try it?

Thanks so much.

Jeff

... get OTA HDTV here in Waimanalo? Somehow I doubt it, ...
I doubt it too, in view of the cliffs. Antennaweb (http://www.checkhd.com/) gives just KPXO-DT on Oahu and 2 digital stations in Wailuku (for my street address on Hinalea). Please keep us posted if you find out anything.

Does anyone in this forum have a TV with a built in QAM tuner?

The firewire port is working with my Mits. DVHS player -- I just recorded the RUSH concert on INHD. And the HDMI port works fine on my Sony TV.

Does anyone know if HDMI is suppose to provide a better picture/audio than Firewire? I hooked up the 8300HD to my tv via firewire to see what it would look like and really couldn't tell a difference. Only problem is the menus and guide info doesn't show up with the firewire.

What HD box do you have?

Did firewire recording work before or did you have problems?

post deleted.

I'm using the 8300HD to make recordings now, but also have a firewire enabled 3250 that I had specially made from Oceanic back when they didn't have firewire supported boxes. The 8300HD firewire worked from when I picked up the box, which was about a month or so I believe after they arrived at Oceanic. Never had problems with it, except the fact that it can't reliably record off of the archived recorded programs on the hard drive (it comes out all blocky and stuttering); I can only record programs that are currently playing live.

Also my tv does have the QAM tuner, hardly use it though as I go through Oceanics cable box.




What HD box do you have?

Did firewire recording work before or did you have problems?

DVI-Fan,

I have the same problem. I connect with a DVI/HDMI cable through my Denon 3806 receiver. Called technical services last week. They said that it was a firmware update that had been sent out and probably caused the problem. I changed my connections to component cables in the meantime. They actually called me back over the weekend and said that they thought they had fixed the problem, but I have not had time to try the DVI port again.


Glad I am not the only one having the problem. As of last night I was still having the same issue. So I have a feeling the problem is not fixed. Technical services wasn't any help. :-(

I'm using the 8300HD to make recordings now, but also have a firewire enabled 3250 that I had specially made from Oceanic back when they didn't have firewire supported boxes. The 8300HD firewire worked from when I picked up the box, which was about a month or so I believe after they arrived at Oceanic. Never had problems with it, except the fact that it can't reliably record off of the archived recorded programs on the hard drive (it comes out all blocky and stuttering); I can only record programs that are currently playing live.

Also my tv does have the QAM tuner, hardly use it though as I go through Oceanics cable box.

Robert,

Are you saying that your 8300HD firewire recording works? My D-VHS machine doesn't even SEE the firewire from that box. My specially tweaked 3250HD's firewire recording stopped working around the time of the Super Bowl.

Oceanic is aware of the problem and says that SA is working on it.

Eric

Hi Guys,
Just came across this thread while searching for something else. After reading a ton of posts complaining about TWC and available programming I'm wondering why more of you aren't looking at Dish. I'M NOT AFFILIATED WITH DISH IN ANY WAY.

I now have 180+ SD Channels and 23 HD Channels, (All the Voom HD) HD Receivers in 3 rooms, new 622 (MPEG4) (dual tuner HD/SD recordable) for less than $90/month. Have had NO dropouts (although I concede a major storm could possibly affect HD, but it hasn't happened yet). (of course all the free OTA HD stuff via a seperate antenna)

I'd be interested to hear if you are getting more with TWC as I haven't looked at them in a long time.

Jim

I doubt it too, in view of the cliffs. Antennaweb (http://www.checkhd.com/) gives just KPXO-DT on Oahu and 2 digital stations in Wailuku (for my street address on Hinalea). Please keep us posted if you find out anything.


Hey Greg,

You have a PM.

Jeff

Yes, the firewire recording works. I think the reason you can't record has something to do with your machine being a JVC. I have a Mitsubishi and I guess for some reason it can work with the cable boxes.


Robert,

Are you saying that your 8300HD firewire recording works? My D-VHS machine doesn't even SEE the firewire from that box. My specially tweaked 3250HD's firewire recording stopped working around the time of the Super Bowl.

Oceanic is aware of the problem and says that SA is working on it.

Eric

Yes, the firewire recording works. I think the reason you can't record has something to do with your machine being a JVC. I have a Mitsubishi and I guess for some reason it can work with the cable boxes.

I don't think that Oceanic wants us to be able to record via firewire. I asked whether they have ANY firewire enabled boxes and they don't have any. They like to get you to lease the 8300hd for home recording...

Hi Guys,
Just came across this thread while searching for something else. After reading a ton of posts complaining about TWC and available programming I'm wondering why more of you aren't looking at Dish. I'M NOT AFFILIATED WITH DISH IN ANY WAY.

I now have 180+ SD Channels and 23 HD Channels, (All the Voom HD) HD Receivers in 3 rooms, new 622 (MPEG4) (dual tuner HD/SD recordable) for less than $90/month. Have had NO dropouts (although I concede a major storm could possibly affect HD, but it hasn't happened yet). (of course all the free OTA HD stuff via a seperate antenna)

I'd be interested to hear if you are getting more with TWC as I haven't looked at them in a long time.

Jim

Jim,

Where are you located?

I'm actually not a big fan of the "flat" (read VERY compressed) SD pics on the sat services. Lacks detail.

As for HD...they are now downrezzing much of the HD on DISH... (commonly referred to as 'HD-lite') to 1280 x 1080i, instead of 1920 x 1080i. There is a BIG difference in video quality there.

Our main HD complaints with Oceanic are the lack of the local stations in HD. DISH won't help us there.

Eric

I don't think that Oceanic wants us to be able to record via firewire. I asked whether they have ANY firewire enabled boxes and they don't have any. They like to get you to lease the 8300hd for home recording...

Not true. They sent me over a specially tweaked firewire box over a year ago just so I COULD record HD.

There are current problems with the firewire and SA is "working on it".

Eric

Yes, the firewire recording works. I think the reason you can't record has something to do with your machine being a JVC. I have a Mitsubishi and I guess for some reason it can work with the cable boxes.

Hmmm... that's weird (especially since JVC invented the format!)

SA really does a lousy job of making their products function in the "real world." I think they test it with one component and if it works, they say it's OK and release it!

Eric

Eric,

I'm in Honolulu.

While I can't argue with what you have seen in SD, I haven't seen that. Had both (cable/Sat) side-by-side for several months before dropping cable. I'm not saying that Sat. SD was better, just that I couldn't see much difference.

I checked with Dish (tech) before responding on the HD rez comment because I had been told that the "HD-Lite" was to be a thing of the past with the 129 Sat. and moving to MPEG4. If he is to be believed (and he sounded very credible), the HD content being sent over the 129 Sat. (which is all of the normal HD and all Voom HD) is at 1920 x 1080i.

I can say that my 1920x1080p PJ displays an amazing HD picture to a 127" Firehawk, and until cable, or Hawaiiantel, can give me this many HD channels, I'll stay with Dish.

They also claim that they plan to send Locals in HD "soon" (whatever that means).

Again, other than using their service, I have no affiliation with Dish and I'm not promoting their serivce, just recognizing that their HD material is excellent.

Jim

Jim,

So they are finally deploying the new MPEG4 boxes in HI? They had a moratorium on HD service here recently. They still do not indicate that VOOM is available here, for instance.
Is your channel lineup "officially supported" by DISH, or did you get a cagey installer who "sneaked you through" the bureaucracy to get authorized?

Eric

Yes, the 622's and 211's have been available ever since the Dish-it-up promo in April, but the programming WAS not.

I've sent you a PM with more details.

Jim

I guess the box can be picky with what it wants to work with -- I know that it won't, or at least didn't, work with the newest JVC HMDH5U recorder. On the HDTV recorder forum here they say the Mitsubishi is more stable and reliable than the JVC machines.


Hmmm... that's weird (especially since JVC invented the format!)

SA really does a lousy job of making their products function in the "real world." I think they test it with one component and if it works, they say it's OK and release it!

Eric

The 8300HD's they have now are firewire enabled. If you just want a regular 3250HD firewire enabled box, call CS and ask to talk to the guy in charge of HD department. There's a good chance they won't know what you're talking about, but just say you have a friend who has this type of box and you need to speak to the guy in charge of the HD tech. department; they will put you on hold and ask around for the info. Sorry, but it's been a while and I forget his name, only remember it was a japanese guy. When I got mine it only took a couple of days and they sent it to the Ala Moana branch for me to pick up.

I don't think that Oceanic wants us to be able to record via firewire. I asked whether they have ANY firewire enabled boxes and they don't have any. They like to get you to lease the 8300hd for home recording...

If you just want a regular 3250HD firewire enabled box, call CS and ask to talk to the guy in charge of HD department. There's a good chance they won't know what you're talking about, but just say you have a friend who has this type of box and you need to speak to the guy in charge of the HD tech. department; they will put you on hold and ask around for the info.

I thought I'd mention that before I got a chance to do that, my non-firewire, non pass-through, 3250HD stopped working after a power outage. I called Oceanic the next day, they checked with their Sears office, and told me they had one I could exchange it for that afternoon. I had forgotten about asking for firewire at that point. I had to have someone do the exchange for me, but when I got the new box I was happy to find out it had firewire ports. Whether or not they're operational I don't know, I would assume so. But I don't care. What I DO care about is that it actually had Pass-Through enabled over the analog outs! That's another story I'm sure no one's interested in hearing. Back on track, it looks like firewire boxes are now the norm? BTW, this was maybe a couple months or so ago...

Actually, all the Voom HD Channels on 129W and 61W are in HD-Lite at 1280x1080i. Anyone that tells you different doesn't know what they are speaking of. That is well documented in many places.

The LA HDTV MPEG2 Locals on 129W are at 1440x1080i (at least KCBS and KNBC which transmit Over The Air in 1920x1080i). KABC and the Fox Affiliate are in their native 720p.

Now, on the other hand, Oceanic is HIGHLY COMPRESSING their HD - which is why HDNET looks like muck on Oceanic - as compared to Dish which is giving it 1920x1080i at a 17.57Mpbs bit rate.

Upfront costs are pretty steep on Dish - especially in Hawaii where you need much bigger dishes - not to mention potential rain fade problems in some of the heavy, though short, downfalls.

So no perfect choice - but Dish isn't a bad one if you can put in 3 good size dishes. Put in a 4th for the higher bitrate 148W for HBO and Showtime - as well as HD PPV and its well worth it.

HDTVfanAtic,
Can't argue with that as I have no personal knowledge about the rez we are receiving. I'm only reporting what I was told by Dish Tech. (for what that's worth :rolleyes: )
I DO know that what I have is an excellent HD picture, which of course could always be better! ;)

Jim

Now, on the other hand, Oceanic is HIGHLY COMPRESSING their HD - which is why HDNET looks like muck on Oceanic - as compared to Dish which is giving it 1920x1080i at a 17.57Mpbs bit rate.
Not all of their HD is highly compressed. KITV HD looks real good and so did KHNL HD when it was on. ESPN and Universal HD look good to me as well. How come the HDNet channels are so compressed? I've read several times on this forum that HDNet imposes a minimum bitrate and resolution in their contracts. Is Oceanic violating the contract or does TWC have a different agreement? There are 3 1080i channels on 1 QAM slot (Discovery, HDNet, HDNetMovies), which means an average 13 Mbps for each of those channels. TNTHD also looks awful sometimes, but that might be TNT's fault.

Kind of off topic now, but speaking of Oceanic... I'm moving at the end of the month to Kamuela here on the Big Island, so I called to schedule a transfer of service on the 15th and they called me back a couple of days later with an install date for the new home: June 19th. That's exactly 5 weeks from when I called! :eek: They still can't get me an earlier date. Bad customer service is one thing... leaving a current customer without service for 19 days is customer mistreatment. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I'll probably need to pay their office a visit.

Kind of off topic now, but speaking of Oceanic... I'm moving at the end of the month to Kamuela here on the Big Island, so I called to schedule a transfer of service on the 15th and they called me back a couple of days later with an install date for the new home: June 19th. That's exactly 5 weeks from when I called! :eek: They still can't get me an earlier date. Bad customer service is one thing... leaving a current customer without service for 19 days is customer mistreatment. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I'll probably need to pay their office a visit.

My friend here in Honolulu had the same problem. What made it worse is he needed the internet for night classes he was taking at an online school (university of pheonix?) . They told him to keep calling back every day to see it theres a cancellation, so maybe they can install it sooner.lucky for him there was so he never had to go without internet. Your case might be slightly different if this is a new house they may have to do a lot more work.

Not all of their HD is highly compressed. KITV HD looks real good and so did KHNL HD when it was on. ESPN and Universal HD look good to me as well. How come the HDNet channels are so compressed? I've read several times on this forum that HDNet imposes a minimum bitrate and resolution in their contracts. Is Oceanic violating the contract or does TWC have a different agreement? There are 3 1080i channels on 1 QAM slot (Discovery, HDNet, HDNetMovies), which means an average 13 Mbps for each of those channels. TNTHD also looks awful sometimes, but that might be TNT's fault.

Kind of off topic now, but speaking of Oceanic... I'm moving at the end of the month to Kamuela here on the Big Island, so I called to schedule a transfer of service on the 15th and they called me back a couple of days later with an install date for the new home: June 19th. That's exactly 5 weeks from when I called! :eek: They still can't get me an earlier date. Bad customer service is one thing... leaving a current customer without service for 19 days is customer mistreatment. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I'll probably need to pay their office a visit.


Quite frankly, I have heard the rumors about HDNET having minimum standards, blah blah blah, but given MC's own posts on avs last year, I don't think they really exist.

I applaud what he has done, but i personally think he's in it just to make a killing selling it off to a major in several years when HD is the norm - just like he did with Broadcast.com - so I don't really know how great his love of quality is over his love for money.....but I am way off topic.

As has been stated before, a digital QAM is 38.81 Mbps. 3x HBOs running about 12Mbps would be tight. However, most HD Signals have higher Bitrate. HDNET for example will run the video at 17.57Mbps WITHOUT the telecine flag (which mean in essence they are really at the equvilant of 14Mbps. While that sounds good, there are some things on SHO that will run in the high 15's WITH THE TELECINE FLAG. I understand StarzHD can be that high as well, though none of us on TWC have ever seen it.

MHD has a bitrate of the high 17s, however most of it is upconverted SD, so there really is not much quality seen.

Simple math tells you that you cannot put 3 14Mbps or higher channels in a single qam.

Quite frankly, as can be seen on avs all the time, many have EDTVs, badly adjusted TVs or are clueless and think it all looks great. Thus Oceanic (and all other providers, btw) have gone for Quanity over Quality.

Simply stated, there are no perfect solutions at this time :(.

It's choose your poison.

Not all of their HD is highly compressed. KITV HD looks real good and so did KHNL HD when it was on. ESPN and Universal HD look good to me as well. How come the HDNet channels are so compressed? I've read several times on this forum that HDNet imposes a minimum bitrate and resolution in their contracts. Is Oceanic violating the contract or does TWC have a different agreement? There are 3 1080i channels on 1 QAM slot (Discovery, HDNet, HDNetMovies), which means an average 13 Mbps for each of those channels. TNTHD also looks awful sometimes, but that might be TNT's fault.

Kind of off topic now, but speaking of Oceanic... I'm moving at the end of the month to Kamuela here on the Big Island, so I called to schedule a transfer of service on the 15th and they called me back a couple of days later with an install date for the new home: June 19th. That's exactly 5 weeks from when I called! :eek: They still can't get me an earlier date. Bad customer service is one thing... leaving a current customer without service for 19 days is customer mistreatment. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I'll probably need to pay their office a visit.

My HDNet looks very good. UHD is quite spectacular, as is DiscoveryHD. TNTHD is lousy unless they are showing live sports. KITVHD is quite good (except for the common operational gaffes the station has...they still have that audio popping sound that's been there for a couple of years)

As for Oceanic installations, West Hawaii has big problems. They can't get and keep good people. And with all the building going on, there's great demand.

East Hawaii is much quicker. Frequently you can get appointments in a day or two.

Eric

My HDNet looks very good. UHD is quite spectacular, as is DiscoveryHD. TNTHD is lousy unless they are showing live sports. KITVHD is quite good (except for the common operational gaffes the station has...they still have that audio popping sound that's been there for a couple of years)

As for Oceanic installations, West Hawaii has big problems. They can't get and keep good people. And with all the building going on, there's great demand.

East Hawaii is much quicker. Frequently you can get appointments in a day or two.

Eric
HDNet is so-so for me. Maybe I have a weak cable signal on that frequency. It is watchable, but not as good as UHD or even Discovery HD, for example. I hear the KITV HD audio popping pretty often... we'll probably have to wait until they get 5.1 working.

You have hit the nail on the head about the installation delay. It turns out they are short on installers. I think they should look into bringing a couple of people over from the East side. My install is still set for June 19th, but I'm on a waiting list in case there is a cancellation.

My friend here in Honolulu had the same problem. What made it worse is he needed the internet for night classes he was taking at an online school (university of pheonix?) . They told him to keep calling back every day to see it theres a cancellation, so maybe they can install it sooner.lucky for him there was so he never had to go without internet. Your case might be slightly different if this is a new house they may have to do a lot more work.
Well, there you go. I very much need broadband for my home office, too. I've been told that because it's a new house there is a lot more installation work to do. However, the house is pre-wired with coax and outlets in every room and all the street cabling is underground (no ladders to put up, etc). According to the developers, there is already a cable run from the utility point to the house, so it should be a pretty basic hookup that can be done from the street.

Replay, just in case you might need it, my friend said they told him they do have a dial up access numbers where RR customers can access the internet. He never bothered looking into it though since he was able to get his installation done earlier.



Well, there you go. I very much need broadband for my home office, too. I've been told that because it's a new house there is a lot more installation work to do. However, the house is pre-wired with coax and outlets in every room and all the street cabling is underground (no ladders to put up, etc). According to the developers, there is already a cable run from the utility point to the house, so it should be a pretty basic hookup that can be done from the street.

Replay, just in case you might need it, my friend said they told him they do have a dial up access numbers where RR customers can access the internet. He never bothered looking into it though since he was able to get his installation done earlier.


Just be aware, I have not double checked these numbers since 2003. I've had a Sprint Wireless Computer Card since then and have not needed these:

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8606/rrhawaiidialin3px.png (http://imageshack.us)


And dont ask me where I got the list because it was 3+ years ago and I honestly don't remember :D

I might suggest google.

The Big Island RR dialup number is (808)933-2157. It's in Hilo.

There is a Road Runner application that you download and install on your machine. It has a database with all of their nationwide numbers in it.


Eric

My HDNet looks very good. UHD is quite spectacular, as is DiscoveryHD. TNTHD is lousy unless they are showing live sports.I agree, but the latest round of playoffs on TNT-HD has been HORRIBLE, at least for me, looking very blocky and HIGHLY compressed. Not anywhere near as clear and sharp as the other channels mentioned including ESPN-HD. What's up with TNT's signal?? Or is this an Oceanic thing??? Very frustrating.

Also for those who have TV's with HD Cable tuners, I did a channel scan the other day on my Sony A10 and it found KHNL-HD on channel 77.4. I'm watching Leno right now and it looks, as Eric mentioned, spectacular!

Also for those who have TV's with HD Cable tuners, I did a channel scan the other day on my Sony A10 and it found KHNL-HD on channel 77.4. I'm watching Leno right now and it looks, as Eric mentioned, spectacular!

Pardon my ignorance. What's a "HD Cable tuner"? Are you getting the signal through cable?

Pardon my ignorance. What's a "HD Cable tuner"? Are you getting the signal through cable?Some HDTV's, like my Sony A10, have HD cable tuners built in that can decode unscrambled HD signals. Some also have, like mine again, terrestrial (antenna) tuners that can bring in HD signals as well OTA (off the air). I'm too far away from the transmitters in Honolulu to pick up these signals, but was quite surprised when my HD cable tuner found KHNL.

I can also get ESPN-HD on 952 through my TV tuner, but not any other HD channels. There are a few channels that "cannot be decoded" or are "not authorized". I'm assuming these are also HD channels like INHD or HDNET but Oceanic has them blocked for obvious reasons. I'm just hoping the powers that be get their act together and allow FOX before the upcoming NFL season...

If your HDTV has a built-in tuner, plug the cable directly into the TV, run a channel scan and see what your TV will pick-up. It's worth a shot and you might be surprised at what your tuner will pick-up.

Does the Sony display "KHNL-HD" on channel 77.4 ? My sony doesn't give it any name, and it looks exactly like the digital channel version on channel 88, though not in HD. Was the Jay Leno show in High Definition, or did it just look good?

I agree, but the latest round of playoffs on TNT-HD has been HORRIBLE, at least for me, looking very blocky and HIGHLY compressed. Not anywhere near as clear and sharp as the other channels mentioned including ESPN-HD. What's up with TNT's signal?? Or is this an Oceanic thing??? Very frustrating.

Also for those who have TV's with HD Cable tuners, I did a channel scan the other day on my Sony A10 and it found KHNL-HD on channel 77.4. I'm watching Leno right now and it looks, as Eric mentioned, spectacular!

http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=4487

Cable outage cuts into finales of "Lost" and "American Idol"
Oceanic apologizes to customers on three islands
Erika Engle
eengle@starbulletin.com



As many as 95,000 cable TV subscribers on three islands lost 24-minute chunks of the much-hyped, long-awaited season finales of “American Idol” on KHON-TV and “Lost” on KITV last night, the final night of the May 2006 Nielsen ratings survey, or sweeps.

As many as 95,000 cable TV subscribers on three islands lost 24-minute chunks of the much-hyped, long-awaited season finales of “American Idol” on KHON-TV and “Lost” on KITV last night, the final night of the May 2006 Nielsen ratings survey, or sweeps.

Yep, it sure happened here on Da Big Island. A rather unfortuitous time for something like this to happen. It was kinda weird, though, to see which channels disappeared and which ones stayed. Most of the satellite channels were still there...all of the local channels vanished.

I thought...gee, maybe Honolulu had a power outage or was nuked! ;)

Eric

I was on the computer most of last night, so it didn't really impact me. I did hear
one of my friends having speed issues with Road Runner.Also the CATV network
status page http://www.aroundhawaii.com/cablestatus/#Current was showing
all these outages on the Big Island and Maui. Also the national Road Runner
page was showing outages too.

Some history here,GST built a under sea fiber-optic network connecting Oahu
with Maui,Big Island, Kauai ,Molokai and Lanai. In 2001 due to GST's bankruptcy
Time Warner Telcom bought 12 fiber pairs connecting Oahu to Kauai, Maui,and
the Big Island. Pacific LightNet inherited the other 12 fiber pairs. Thus thats
how Oceanic has a fiber-optic link from Honolulu to the Big island.

www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Orders/2001/da010104.doc

Well for those of you who missed Lost, the entire episode is available online through ABC.com.

Does the Sony display "KHNL-HD" on channel 77.4 ? My sony doesn't give it any name, and it looks exactly like the digital channel version on channel 88, though not in HD. Was the Jay Leno show in High Definition, or did it just look good?My TV doesn't label it HD either, but if you hit the display button, it says the signal is 1080i/16:9. I just found this channel the other night and Leno is definately in HD... no mistaking it. Looks like it did during the Olympics. Awesome picture. Watch Leno tonight and you'll see what I mean. Don't know about other stuff. Guess I'll have to check out the Prime Time line up and see if any other shows are being shown in HD as well.

Wow, that's interesting. Sounds like Oceanic is doing this with their video recorders (?) It would be good to finally see Leno and Conan in HD. I wonder if their doing this without KHNL's permission and we shouldn't be talking about it?


My TV doesn't label it HD either, but if you hit the display button, it says the signal is 1080i/16:9. I just found this channel the other night and Leno is definately in HD... no mistaking it. Looks like it did during the Olympics. Awesome picture. Watch Leno tonight and you'll see what I mean. Don't know about other stuff. Guess I'll have to check out the Prime Time line up and see if any other shows are being shown in HD as well.

Will and Grace is in HD right now; I guess there getting ready to finally put in on ch. 938. I tried taping it to DVHS through the firewire out of my tv but the recorded picture came out all pixel-ized and blocky. Hopefully Conan will be in HD too and Jennifer Aniston will be wearing something like what she wore on Letterman last night.

Hasn't the KHNL-HD signal been on cable for a couple of weeks? I still can't get it with my cable box because it's not in the guide. How come they haven't put it in the guide, yet?

Leno is definately in HD... no mistaking it. Looks like it did during the Olympics. Awesome picture. Watch Leno tonight and you'll see what I mean.Well... KHNL's Prime Time line-up was in HD last night, but after the news Leno was not. Didn't stay up to see if Conan was. Maybe they forgot to flip the switch or something...

Well... KHNL's Prime Time line-up was in HD last night, but after the news Leno was not. Didn't stay up to see if Conan was. Maybe the forgot to flip the switch or something...

Conan was not in HD either :( . I'm wondering why anybody would even bother to flip the switch-- I mean how many people are watching this station? I would think less than 10 people. I mean what are the odds of someone finding this station at 77.4? I regularly do a scan to see what kind of channels I can catch but even I would've missed/overlooked this unless something was playing in HD at that time.

Well... KHNL's Prime Time line-up was in HD last night, but after the news Leno was not. Didn't stay up to see if Conan was. Maybe they forgot to flip the switch or something...

I'm jealous... my TV doesn't have an HD tuner!

http://khon.com/khon/display.cfm?storyID=13922&sectionID=1151

Idol' season finale rebroadcast for Maui, Big Island

Folks on Maui and the Big Island who missed part of the "American Idol" season finale last Wednesday night will be able to see a rebroadcast.

But that second showing will not be available to the people in Kalama Valley on Oahu who had service interrupted.

About 100,000 Oceanic customers were affected by the cable outage.

Fox agreed to the rebroadcast, but only to the affected areas, and Oceanic is not able to show it only to Kalama Valley residents on Oahu.

For the Big Island and Maui, the "American Idol" season finale will air on analog channel 78, at 7 p.m. this Sunday.


Then the Advertiser has this :


HAWAI'I BRIEFS
'Idol' finale to air again on Sunday

Advertiser Staff

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060526/NEWS18/605260346/1029/NEWS

KHON-TV yesterday said it has arranged for cable channel OC16 to rebroadcast the entire two-hour "American Idol" finale for communities on O'ahu, the Big Island and Maui that experienced interruptions to cable TV service Wednesday night.

The rebroadcast will be at 7 p.m. Sunday.

An article posted here previously mentioned that KHET will start broadcasting HD this month. Has anyone picked up the signal?

I read in the paper KHET's OTA transmitter will be down from 5AM-5PM today.
I wonder if this has anything to do with their HDTV upgrade.

OK, here's the skinny on KHET-HD. They are finished...all is go, EXCEPT they haven't received the final license from the FCC! They applied in April and are still waiting. Once they get it, BAM! They are on. But most of the PBS "HD" content is upconverted from SD!

Only about 3-4 hours a week in primetime is real HD stuff.

That said, Oceanic is now getting a direct feed from KHET of FOUR different digital signals. They could NOW (and will eventually, I assume) give us all of them over the cable system. Since it's not coming over the air, they don't have to wait for the FCC license.

Nudge Oceanic, everyone!

Eric

OK, here's the skinny on KHET-HD. They are finished...all is go, EXCEPT they haven't received the final license from the FCC! They applied in April and are still waiting. Once they get it, BAM! They are on. But most of the PBS "HD" content is upconverted from SD!

Only about 3-4 hours a week in primetime is real HD stuff.

That said, Oceanic is now getting a direct feed from KHET of FOUR different digital signals. They could NOW (and will eventually, I assume) give us all of them over the cable system. Since it's not coming over the air, they don't have to wait for the FCC license.

Nudge Oceanic, everyone!

Eric


Only 3-4 hours of true HD? Would Oceanic allow the station to be carried?

Only 3-4 hours of true HD? Would Oceanic allow the station to be carried?

That is apparently the truth of what PBS provides. That's not KHET's fault. PBS was an early adopter of HD, they just haven't made a lot of real HD material thus far.

Eric

OK, here's the skinny on KHET-HD. They are finished...all is go, EXCEPT they haven't received the final license from the FCC! They applied in April and are still waiting. Once they get it, BAM! They are on. But most of the PBS "HD" content is upconverted from SD!

Only about 3-4 hours a week in primetime is real HD stuff.

That's awesome! Those 3-4 hours/week may be little but some of it should be fantastic, like the Nature documentaries. Even when it's not HD source, upconverted SD widescreen with 5.1 sound has to be WAY better analog letterbox with stereo sound.

What's the best way to "nudge" Oceanic? E-Mail, call, snail mail?

Even when it's not HD source, upconverted SD widescreen with 5.1 sound has to be WAY better analog letterbox with stereo sound.

What's the best way to "nudge" Oceanic? E-Mail, call, snail mail?

I've noticed when watching some PBS shows, it states "available in widescreen." Does that mean it's not 1080i but SD picture in a 16x9 picture format?

I've noticed when watching some PBS shows, it states "available in widescreen." Does that mean it's not 1080i but SD picture in a 16x9 picture format?

If it's 16x9, then it was shot in HD.

Eric

If it's 16x9, then it was shot in HD.

Eric
Not in PBS's case. When it says "available in wide-screen TV", then it's SD widescreen (480p?). Example: Austin City Limits is shot in 16x9 widescreen and produced in SD.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2798/vlcsnap8866879yn.png (http://imageshack.us)

When it's high definition, that same screen says "high-definition" (or HDTV?) instead of "wide-screen" and shows HD in the purple rectangle centered on screen. It is indeed a rare sight.

KITV has scheduled the following two World Cup Soccer matches on Saturday, June 10th to air on a 3-hour delay:

England vs. Paraguay (3 AM Hawaii time kickoff) will air @ 6:00 AM
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Sweden (6 AM Hawaii time kickoff) will air @ 9:00 AM

Mexico vs. Iran, the only game on ABC on Sunday, 6/11 is scheduled live. Why the delay for Saturday's games, KITV?? WHY? The games will still be HD, we hope, but that delay is not okay with me. I don't care as much about those two matches as I do care about USA vs. Italy or Brazil vs. Australia on the following weekend being live. If they are scheduled to be delayed KITV will be hearing from me instantly. I'm watching the guide like a hawk!

Kind of off topic now, but speaking of Oceanic... I'm moving at the end of the month to Kamuela here on the Big Island, so I called to schedule a transfer of service on the 15th and they called me back a couple of days later with an install date for the new home: June 19th. That's exactly 5 weeks from when I called! :eek: They still can't get me an earlier date. Bad customer service is one thing... leaving a current customer without service for 19 days is customer mistreatment. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to deal with this? I'll probably need to pay their office a visit.
Just an update here. Oceanic called me earlier this week and they were able to reschedule my appointment to Monday, June 5th. :) Thanks to everyone here who posted suggestions, dial-up numbers and other help. If you're wondering where I'm posting from, I still haven't moved (going to this weekend).

Not in PBS's case. When it says "available in wide-screen TV", then it's SD widescreen (480p?). Example: Austin City Limits is shot in 16x9 widescreen and produced in SD.




Oh well, so much for PBS and HD. I remember when WNET in NY spent many many millions to upgrade their entire studio and broadcast infrastructure for HD years ago. They also started producing many shows in HD, being PBS' largest program supplier. I suppose America needs to shower more contributions on their PBS stations, etc. to get more HD programming.

Forgot about that 480p WS EDTV format. <sigh>

Eric

Episode III looked pretty good on HBO tonight. Toy Story on KITV looks positively great so far but goes blank once in awhile.

Episode III looked about as good as anything I've seen so far on the HD channels; didn't have a lot of those digital artifacts that usually junk up the picture during fast moving scenes. Although I don't really care for the movie I made DVHS copy to put in my "reference material" library.

Episode III looked pretty good on HBO tonight. Toy Story on KITV looks positively great so far but goes blank once in awhile.

I have to agree. Picture quality was pretty darn good, with macroblocking noticed only during a couple of scenes. While better than either Episode 1 & 2, it still pales against the original three.

BTW, has anyone else in the Honolulu area had problems with Road Runner the last couple of days?

BTW, has anyone else in the Honolulu area had problems with Road Runner the last couple of days?

I stumbled upon someone on DSL Reports who was having issues with Road Runner. He lives up Kaimuki area. The cable modem would just sponteously reboot etc.

Another HDTV article in the HA

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060604/BUSINESS/606040313/1071

Another article on Hawaian Telcom's IPTV service.

http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/04/business/story01.html


Here is HawTel's application to the DCCA-CATV division.
http://primeguard.hawaii.gov/catv/cable_operators/hawaiian_telcom/

I WAS having problems with my RR - intermittent connection and REALLY slow browsing. Talked to multiple people in tech support - bounced up to tier 3 at one point. Conclusion - it was my cable modem - apparently new firmware went out that caused some problems for some modems. FWIW, I had a Toshiba cable modem. Swapped it out at Mililani Tech Park for a Scientific Atlanta cable modem (didn't even know that they made them) and everything's hunky dory now.

Spleen

I WAS having problems with my RR - intermittent connection and REALLY slow browsing. Talked to multiple people in tech support - bounced up to tier 3 at one point. Conclusion - it was my cable modem - apparently new firmware went out that caused some problems for some modems. FWIW, I had a Toshiba cable modem. Swapped it out at Mililani Tech Park for a Scientific Atlanta cable modem (didn't even know that they made them) and everything's hunky dory now.

Spleen
Firmware upgrade, eh? Thanks for the info Spleen. I too have a Toshiba modem and have had all kinds of connection problems this past week. Looks like if the problem continues, I'll be getting it swapped out for a new one.

Another HDTV article in the HA

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060604/BUSINESS/606040313/1071

Another article on Hawaian Telcom's IPTV service.

http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/04/business/story01.html


Here is HawTel's application to the DCCA-CATV division.
http://primeguard.hawaii.gov/catv/cable_operators/hawaiian_telcom/

Thanks for the links!

Cable operators find it tough to swallow HDTV
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/services/2006-06-04-cable-hdtv_x.htm

When the Oceanic guys came to install our digital box (SA 3250), they programmed the remote to Power On both the cable box and the tv by pressing the power button just once.

I just picked up an 8300 and the lady didn't know how to do it. Anyone care to share the secret?

Thanks for the links!

No problem, anytime

Cable operators find it tough to swallow HDTV
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/services/2006-06-04-cable-hdtv_x.htm


To elaborate on the cable card aspect. Even though the cable cards are cheaper,
it is my understanding there is a lot of compatibility issues and they do not
support interactive two -way services, like VoD or PPV etc. So in a lot of respects
it wouldn't be a huge loss if the cable card concept goes bye bye.

No, I REALLY want CableCard to work. Without it, my dreamed Tivo series 3 won't come to be!

Spleen

CableCard 2.0 is where it's at. Anyone e-mail Oceanic about KHET HD, yet?

Broadcast of all Sunday 6/18 World Cup soccer games delayed by 2 hours on KITV and KITV-DT. Too bad KITV is the only HD source for these games. If Brazil vs. Australia is indeed not live on KITV, I'll watching it live in SD on another channel. Bummer! :(
Japan vs. Croatia @ 5:00 AM
Brazil vs. Australia @ 7:30 AM
France vs. South Korea @ 10:30 AM
Link: http://titantvguide.titantv.com/details/airings.aspx?stationId=5048&psipId=21&scheduleId=264702947&siteid=53439

Anyone have contact info for KITV?

No, I REALLY want CableCard to work. Without it, my dreamed Tivo series 3 won't come to be!

Spleen

Considering the Switch packeting the Time Warner is rolling out for more bandwidth, your HD TIVO 3 probably will end up being of little use anyway.

CableCard 2.0 is where it's at. Anyone e-mail Oceanic about KHET HD, yet?

Raising my cyber hand...although I'm not sure if the recipients received it.

Hello,

I'm on a splash-pak analog service. If I get an HDTV w/ a QAM tuner will I be able to pick up PBS in HD? Any other channels?

If I get a cable card will I get more HD channels than above if I don't subscribe to any premium packs?

Thanks.

PBS does not currently transmit anything in HD locally yet. You *might* (or rather, should) be able to receive KITV-HD with your QAM tuner. I haven't tried it myself so someone else might be able to answer that question better. All other HD channels are only available from subscribing to the premiem tiers or the HD-Pack. Same goes for the cablecard. All it does is authorize you to receive those channels to which you have subscribed to. It's like a cable box without the tuner.....or the box.

Hello,

I'm on a splash-pak analog service. If I get an HDTV w/ a QAM tuner will I be able to pick up PBS in HD? Any other channels?

If I get a cable card will I get more HD channels than above if I don't subscribe to any premium packs?

Thanks.

Maui is probably years away from OTA HD. The HNL stations are too weak to receive from there, too.

Eric

Thanks. I realized that it's not clear that I am using Oceanic Cable analog service.

Coscto has (in-store only) coupons for $300 off their Toshiba 50" Plasma HDTV. No model number on the coupon, but item number is #335016. Coupon also reads, "with 2 HDMI outputs, 1366 x 768 resolution and built-in HD tuner". Coupon is good from June 12 - 18, 2006. Net cost is $2,699.99 plus tax. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11127074&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

Also a Panasonic 52" LCD Projection HDTV with Stand with 2 HDMI inputs 1280 x 720 resolution and built-in HD tuner. Item #335216. $300 off coupon for a net price of $1,699.99 plus tax. Good from June 19 - 25, 2006.

They also have a Maxent 50" HD Plasma Monitor with 2 HDMI Inputs and 1366x768 resolution. $300 off coupon (good from Aug. 21 - 27, 2006) for a net price of $1,999.99 plus tax.

The sign in the store clearly stated that these coupons are in-store only and will not be mailed to members.

I know there has been a good amount of discussion on the NBC feed on 77.4 and I hate to heap more on...but I was wondering if anyone else was experiencing this.

When 77.4 does go to HD (i.e. "Windfall" tonight) my audio is hosed. I can hear all the background music, but all vocals and most sound effects are mute. But when the feed returns to any form of SD (say the commercial breaks) the audio is fine. I checked my TVs audio options and have had no luck correcting the issue. FWIW, I did watch Leno on Monday in HD on 77.4 without this audio issue (although when I checked Leno last night it was back to SD).

I know that "technically" speaking, 77.4 isn't necessarily ready for "customers." I'm wondering if this is just an issue with the feed...

Any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

Are you runnning the audio to a receiver? It sounds like the DD5.1 mix is only passing the left and right channels. The vocals are the center channel, the sound effect are the rears.
If not, then it's an encoding problem at KHNL...give them a buzz but say your watching the OTA digital channel...not the QAM cable feed.

This use to happen on the OTA KGMB-HD signal when they were broadcasting prime time also. Not sure why but it's just like the center channel is turned off if you were watching a movie in 5.1-- all you could here was music and background noise. Anyway, it's definitely not a problem on your end because I had this problem too last night when I tried to watch My Name is Earl. It was only a problem with the QAM feed, I checked their digital channel 88 and everything was fine.


I know there has been a good amount of discussion on the NBC feed on 77.4 and I hate to heap more on...but I was wondering if anyone else was experiencing this.

When 77.4 does go to HD (i.e. "Windfall" tonight) my audio is hosed. I can hear all the background music, but all vocals and most sound effects are mute. But when the feed returns to any form of SD (say the commercial breaks) the audio is fine. I checked my TVs audio options and have had no luck correcting the issue. FWIW, I did watch Leno on Monday in HD on 77.4 without this audio issue (although when I checked Leno last night it was back to SD).

I know that "technically" speaking, 77.4 isn't necessarily ready for "customers." I'm wondering if this is just an issue with the feed...

Any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

Thank you gents for the very informative responses.

You will have to forgive me if I misspeak, as I am new to the HD world. Since QAM and OTA (ATSC) are completely different transmission methods, might this be an issue with only the QAM feed? (I live in Kaimuki and can't pick up the OTA feed to compare...)

If that is case, would calling KHNL and telling them I'm watching the OTA feed help with the QAM issue?

Of course I'm still trying to figure out how I'm picking up 77.4, I see nowhere in my TVs specs (Samsung HPR-4252) that it has a QAM tuner (only ATSC and NTSC). It does say it is "Digital Cable Ready", but I see nothing about a QAM tuner.

One last thing, I found this post on another board...kinda a Introduction to QAM that I found really informative. Hope it helps some of the other new guys out.

http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showpost.php?p=196483&postcount=26

Thanks again for all the assistance...

QAM is simply a modulation scheme for cable, all "DCR" sets by nature can tune QAM signals. At that point it's up to the Oceanic(or any other cable company) as to scramble the signal or not, thus requiring CableCARD to receive the signal. Unless something is wrong with Oceanic's pass through of KHNL-DT...I would suspect that the problem is with KHNL. As Robert pointed out KGMB had some problems with DD5.1(Movies and CSI:Miami) but was fine with DD2.0 programs.

This use to happen on the OTA KGMB-HD signal when they were broadcasting prime time also.
Wanted to double check, they're not doing that any more? Broadcasting primetime stuff in HD OTA, I mean... Just KITV and KHNL/KFVE right now?

Thanks all. :)

KGMB hasn't been broadcasting their prime time shows in HD for over a year already. Does anyone know if KHNL's digital OTA feed is in HD, or is it just the QAM feed on Oceanic?

Wanted to double check, they're not doing that any more? Broadcasting primetime stuff in HD OTA, I mean... Just KITV and KHNL/KFVE right now?

Thanks all. :)

I have always watched my SA8300 Dvr with HDMI.. but now I am thinking of buying the OPPO Dvd player that requires HDMI and I only have one input for HDMI on my TV. I was thinking of trying the component connection on the DVR and using the digital for the DVD. Question; has anyone compared the two connections on the 8300... is it a very noticeable difference? Otherwise I need to buy a HDMI switch for a couple of hundred dollars. What are the majority of you using for HD and DVR's... Oceanic only includes the component cables... but I went and bought the HDMI thinking it would make a difference.

Thanks ... brad

I have used both HDMI and component with the DVR and couldn't notice any difference in the picture quality. I was only "eyeballing" it though and didn't really do any kind of extensive testing. I read elsewhere on these forums that HDMI apparently makes more of a difference when using on fixed-pixel displays (?) like plasma or lcd screens, or at least that what I think I understood it to mean. I have a direct view crt so maybe that's why I couldn't notice a difference.


I have always watched my SA8300 Dvr with HDMI.. but now I am thinking of buying the OPPO Dvd player that requires HDMI and I only have one input for HDMI on my TV. I was thinking of trying the component connection on the DVR and using the digital for the DVD. Question; has anyone compared the two connections on the 8300... is it a very noticeable difference? Otherwise I need to buy a HDMI switch for a couple of hundred dollars. What are the majority of you using for HD and DVR's... Oceanic only includes the component cables... but I went and bought the HDMI thinking it would make a difference.

Thanks ... brad

To whom it may concern:

KITV-HD is now being sent "in the clear" (unencrypted) from Oceanic. Formerly, it was encrypted and not available to those with QAM tuners.

I am also getting KHON on 77. But the have screwed with the aspect ratio so that it is always streched.

Ed

Hi,

Placed a order with BB to purchase a 42" Westinghouse LVM-42w
HD Monitor. This unit has no tuners. How would I hook up a
HD cable box from Oceanic. The inputs are below. Got this for
a very good price. Should I just cancel my order and get HDTV
with tuners built in. I been reading about HDMI and DVI input
problems on the Oceanic HD cable boxes here in this thread,


42" Westinghouse LVM-42w inputs:

HDMI Inputs 1
DVI Inputs 2
S-Video Inputs 1
Component Video Inputs 2
Composite Inputs 1
RGB Inputs 1
PC Inputs No
RF Antenna Input No

The HD boxes from Oceanic do have component outputs, along with left and right analog audio, as well as digital outputs (coax and optical). Looks like your HD monitor has 2 component input connections. I have the HD SA8300 DVR box. At first, I used the HDMI input and luckily, I did not have any problems. Now, I am using component outputs. My HD display only has 1 HDMI input. I put my dvd player on the HDMI instead.

I never did try OTA, so I cannot comment on that.

Hi,

Placed a order with BB to purchase a 42" Westinghouse LVM-42w
HD Monitor. This unit has no tuners. How would I hook up a
HD cable box from Oceanic. The inputs are below. Got this for
a very good price. Should I just cancel my order and get HDTV
with tuners built in. I been reading about HDMI and DVI input
problems on the Oceanic HD cable boxes here in this thread,



I've been using the SA 8300HD with HDMI form months w/o any problems. I also used component before that w/o any problems.

If you are at all interested in OTA HD content from KGMB/KHNL/etc., you'll want an HD tuner. You can get these for around $200 (maybe cheaper now?) from Walmart and other places. You should factor this into the money you are saving if it's important to you. Personally, if I was buying a new HDTV, I would only consider one with a built-in tuner. I like watching the NFL HD content shown OTA and would really like to have my system "cleaned up" by having the tuner integrated with the TV.

Hope that helps,

-Ken

Hi,

Placed a order with BB to purchase a 42" Westinghouse LVM-42w
HD Monitor. This unit has no tuners. How would I hook up a
HD cable box from Oceanic. The inputs are below. Got this for
a very good price. Should I just cancel my order and get HDTV
with tuners built in. I been reading about HDMI and DVI input
problems on the Oceanic HD cable boxes here in this thread,


42" Westinghouse LVM-42w inputs:

HDMI Inputs 1
DVI Inputs 2
S-Video Inputs 1
Component Video Inputs 2
Composite Inputs 1
RGB Inputs 1
PC Inputs No
RF Antenna Input No
Hook the Cable Box through the HDMI port.

You should not cancel your order.

Your monitor has 1080p capabilities.

I have the earlier version and hook it up to my computer.

The display is quite nice.

To whom it may concern:

KITV-HD is now being sent "in the clear" (unencrypted) from Oceanic. Formerly, it was encrypted and not available to those with QAM tuners.What channel do you receive KITV-HD on???

I am also getting KHON on 77. But they have screwed with the aspect ratio so that it is always streched. EdI think you mean KHNL. I get this channel on 77.4. I tried just 77 but get no signal. "Most" of KHNL's Prime Time line-up and "most" of the time Leno and Conan is sent in true HD (16:9@1080i). Other than that what you are seeing is what you describe for the non-HD stuff.

OTA is only useful if you live in a location where you can receive OTA signals cleanly and if you're willing to do the work in terms of installing an antenna (which may even require outside installation and drilling holes through your walls). I tried a multitude of indoor antennas (both amplified and nonamplified) in order to try to receive OTA digital signals in Ewa Beach and could only pick up one (religious station, can't even remember which one now). I think I would have needed to install an outside antenna on my roof to get OTA.

Personally, I do fine with using OTWC cable and their HD boxes. I don't think that a QAM or ATSC tuner is a "make or break" feature on a TV in this day and age, especially in Hawaii with our terrain where many of us get our TV signals from Oceanic or from satellite.

Spleen

[QUOTE=Yawny]What channel do you receive KITV-HD on??? QUOTE]

It's been on channel 936 for a while now. I tried comparing the three signals, OTA, QAM, and 8300's for ABC HD programming and can't really tell any difference between them except for the volume levels. Is KHON channel 77 also broadcasting in HD now? I never noticed this channel before.

It's been on channel 936 for a while now. I tried comparing the three signals, OTA, QAM, and 8300's for ABC HD programming and can't really tell any difference between them except for the volume levels.What TV do you have?? I tried 936 manually and get "No Signal" on my Sony A10. Are you sure you're getting it off your QAM tuner and not the cable box or OTA?? I'm too far away to receive OTA signals. I get KITV-HD through my 8300HD on 936, just not through my QAM tuner. I do get KHNL-HD on 77.4 through the QAM though.

Is KHON channel 77 also broadcasting in HD now? I never noticed this channel before.OOPS! I meant KHNL on 77.4. sorry!

What TV do you have?? I tried 936 manually and get "No Signal" on my Sony A10. Are you sure you're getting it off your QAM tuner and not the cable box or OTA?? I'm too far away to receive OTA signals. I get KITV-HD through my 8300HD on 936, just not through my QAM tuner. I do get KHNL-HD on 77.4 through the QAM though.

OOPS! I meant KHNL on 77.4. sorry!

Yes, I'm getting it through my tuner. I'm watching the 5 O'clock news now, on C936. It's labeled on my Sony (34XBR960) as HKITV .

Yes, I'm getting it through my tuner. I'm watching the 5 O'clock news now, on C936. It's labeled on my Sony (34XBR960) as HKITV .That's weird. Wonder why my Sony can't pick it up. I'm on Maui so I'm unable to pick up anything OTA...

Hey guys... HKHNL is now on 960. As of this morning Wednesday 6-14-06

Hey Brad is that 960 cable box or QAM? Thanks...

DaBuggah

I'm picking up KHNL on 938 via the 8300HD (it's 9:45am right now.) Now if we can get them to stop stretching SD automatically...

It changed from 960 to 938 in the last hour, funny :) Cable box

Thanks Guys, this is great news, now I can record the US open golf tournament in HD(hopefully).

-DaBuggah

Watching Hockey on HKHNL but I'm not getting any sound. Picture is great!!!

Yes no sound... they'll get it together. I am so glad they are finally on!!!

Thank you Oceanic and KHNL for coming to an agreement. Now, all you need to do is set the channel so that it doesn't auto stretch SD programs. Viewers watching pillarboxed SD programs on their HDTVs can easily stretch it to fill the screen if that's how they want to watch it. That's why HDTV manufacturers have included this function in their sets. But we cannot unstretch it if you send it to us pre-stretched. Please give us this choice. I personally find stretched SD unwatchable.

Of course we can toggle to channel 88 and watch in square format. I think they will work things out over the few next days...

Of course we can toggle to channel 88 and watch in square format. I think they will work things out over the few next days...
That's still an option, but I wonder if 88 will stay on. Notice there is no SD digital version of KITV.

Just to confirm, yay!, HKHNL is showing on channel 938 here on the Big Island (Kona system). None of the shows on the guide are marked as HD, though.

Update: caught the end of Leno and start of Conan in HD. sweet!

That's still an option, but I wonder if 88 will stay on. Notice there is no SD digital version of KITV.

Just to confirm, yay!, HKHNL is showing on channel 938 here on the Big Island (Kona system). None of the shows on the guide are marked as HD, though.

Update: caught the end of Leno and start of Conan in HD. sweet!

Watched a bit of Leno tonight on 938 in HD on Oahu - the video feed kept "crashing" and would either freeze up or blank out. Hopefully they will work out the kinks in the next few days. Still, glad to see another local channel in HD.

I think 88 will continue because it was created due to many people having a problem watching channel 8 in some areas. For instance 8 is unwatchable in my area.

Here's something interesting...just to note:

This morning, 938 was no longer stretching SD. Good news.

Here's the interesting part (and I imagine it is temporary)...at 8:05 this morning, 938 was showing an east coast NBC feed (six hours ahead). In other words, the Today show should be on, and the 2:00pm soap opera is currently on. I was hoping to catch any form of local station ID on 938, but have yet to see any.

Also, the SD feed on 938 right now (East coast feed) looks greatly improved over the usual KHNL SD feed (at least in my humble opinion).

FWIW, 8 and 88 are currently showing the Today show.

Jay Leno was not in HD last night? I wonder why they are on and off. Maybe I'll call.

.... brad

Watching US Open in HD on 938, outstanding!!!

-Dabuggah

Watching US Open in HD on 938, outstanding!!!

-Dabuggah

http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/16/business/bizbriefs.html

KHNL to go high-definition on Oceanic Time Warner
Subscribers to Oceanic Time Warner Cable's high-definition TV package received phone calls yesterday with news that KHNL-TV's high-definition signal is available on digital channel 938.

The offering is temporary, but also a sign of more to come.

"Much like (with) the Olympics, (viewers) will have KHNL on 938 for U.S. Open Golf coverage," said John Fink, vice president and general manager of KHNL.

The KHNL high-definition signal will go away when the tournament ends. However, Fink expects to have high-definition carriage agreements with Oceanic in place for both KHNL and KFVE-TV "in the next 30 days."

"The offering is temporary, but also a sign of more to come.

"Much like (with) the Olympics, (viewers) will have KHNL on 938 for U.S. Open Golf coverage," said John Fink, vice president and general manager of KHNL."

DARN IT!

I got the Oceanic recorded message call telling me that KHNL is now available to HD subscribers on 938. I find it hard to believe that they would go through the trouble of telling everyone this only to cut off the service after this Sunday (end of US Open). It would make for very poor customer relations. I think it's here to stay. However, I did not listen to the entire message, so I may have missed something that stated it was only temporary. Anyone listen to the entire message?

"The offering is temporary, but also a sign of more to come.

"Much like (with) the Olympics, (viewers) will have KHNL on 938 for U.S. Open Golf coverage," said John Fink, vice president and general manager of KHNL."

DARN IT!


Odd, because I just happened to be in Oceanic's Hilo office a couple of days ago when the CSR received the email on her machine about the "new PERMANENT addition of KHNL HD to channel 938".

Eric

That's odd. Did anyone listen to those automated phone calls Oceanic made telling us we now can get KHNL-HD? Did it say it was only temporary? I hung up right after picked up since I figured it was only an announcement about the new channel which I already knew about. Anyway, I hope they at least keep it on that 77.4 channel after the U.S. Open.

edit: lol, didn't read Delar's post; I guess a lot of us probably just hung up the phone on that message

It didn't say anything about it being temporary.

The KHNL high-definition signal will go away when the tournament ends. However, Fink expects to have high-definition carriage agreements with Oceanic in place for both KHNL and KFVE-TV "in the next 30 days."
next 30 days? Rolling my eyes here. I hate to be a skeptic, but if KHNL HD goes away again I doubt it'll come back before September, probably the week before Sunday Night Football starts.

Once I heard that Tiger Woods didn't make the cut at the US Open, I almost expected 938 to go blank!

Eric

SNL looked great last night...so did Jennifer Love Hewitt on the Tonight Show a couple nights ago.
:):)

SNL looked great last night...so did Jennifer Love Hewitt on the Tonight Show a couple nights ago.
:):)


SNL had sound problems.

Last night for HKHNL????

Anyone have a suggestion for a HD OTA antenna that's locally available on Oahu? I am looking for an in-door antenna less than $50 that I can place behind my parent's HDTV to catch local HD channels. Given the mountains and other interference in Hawaii, I want to be able to return it easily (therefore, I don't want to order from the internet) if it doesn't work. Thanks!

Time Warner Cable Has added Starz-HD & Cinemax-HD in Austin & San Antonio, ask them about your area receiving these channels.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/sanantonio/programming/updates.html

Radio Shack has a good return policy... I didn't have any luck with an antenna in Waikiki

I'm not sure if you will find something. pearl ridge radio shack used to have a little better selection than some others. I use a combo UHF/VHF yagi-style antenna in my attic with preamp (mililani town). I get good signal except KHNL/KVFE which i think is due to having to point the antenna in one direction (century Center). But I do get KIKU fine, which I thought their antenna was in the same general location above Makakilo as KHNL. There are also a couple electronics stores in the ahua st area (look up in the phone book). They have a little more variety than the chain stores.

scott s.
.

I use a Silver Sensor Antenna from Phillips that I bought from Walmart. It's an indoor antenna and it works the best for me. Cost about $30. I live in town and use it during the NFL season for the HD games on Fox and CBS. Walmart has an easy return policy. A few months ago before KHNLHD was available on cable, I tried buying an amplified HDTV antenna from Walmart hoping the amplification would let me somehow catch KHNL OTA HD signal when people were reporting it was going out OTA. It was actually a lot worse than the Silver Sensor for me though, and I ended up returning it no problem.


Anyone have a suggestion for a HD OTA antenna that's locally available on Oahu? I am looking for an in-door antenna less than $50 that I can place behind my parent's HDTV to catch local HD channels. Given the mountains and other interference in Hawaii, I want to be able to return it easily (therefore, I don't want to order from the internet) if it doesn't work. Thanks!

OTA HKHNL is showing NBC Weather Plus and no regular NBC programming as of today.

I use a Silver Sensor Antenna from Phillips that I bought from Walmart. It's an indoor antenna and it works the best for me. Cost about $30. I live in town and use it during the NFL season for the HD games on Fox and CBS. Walmart has an easy return policy. A few months ago before KHNLHD was available on cable, I tried buying an amplified HDTV antenna from Walmart hoping the amplification would let me somehow catch KHNL OTA HD signal when people were reporting it was going out OTA. It was actually a lot worse than the Silver Sensor for me though, and I ended up returning it no problem.


Thanks for the collective tips. I will check out Walmart and Radio Shack and let you know how it goes.

Is the Tonight show in HD at the moment?.... one time I saw that it was and next time I looked and it wasn't. ... brad

Is the Tonight show in HD at the moment?.... one time I saw that it was and next time I looked and it wasn't. ... brad

It wasn't last nigh.

Came home this afternoon and turned on the Mariners-Dodgers game on ESPN only to find it blacked out. I have never seen any game from any sport blacked out on ESPN. Heck, I remember ESPN showing a couple UH football home games that weren't even close to being sold out. The game isn't being carried on FSN either, and even if it were, we used to be able to watch them on both channels. What gives?

Ok, last night Conan and Leno were on in HD but with NO sound. SD commercials had sound and then back to silence.

I am new to the Maui and was wondering if anyone in HI is using MythTV with either Time Warner or a Satellite provider.

I did OTA with pchdtv cards on the mainland. Seems like TW here in HI does not offer any HD content without subscribing to the HD package which means I cannot get any HD content with the QAM capabilities of the pchdtv cards.

Mahalo
Joe

An update on the Over the Air antenna search:

I purchased both the Philips Silver Sensor (mentioned earlier) and the newer Philips MANT510 from Walmart. Both were about $28. Both were powered with "signal boost", but only the MANT510 gave a number, 50dB (they also had slightly cheaper versions with less boost). Tried them on two Vizio LCD TV's with ATSC tuners. One, in Mililani town, could catch only 1 channel on both. Interestingly, it was either KIKU or HKABC, but never both. The other one was in East Honolulu, and neither antenna could catch anything, zero. Needless to say, both will be returned.

Now I don't feel so bad that my PDP doesn't have a tuner. These mountains must really hurt reception if you don't have a clear shot of Honolulu.

I just picked up the Sony Bravia KDL-32S20L1 from Costco and hooked it up Saturday evening to my Oceanic cable service (it's the $12/month basic analog package, I don’t have a cable box.). I did an auto program on the digital channels and it came up with 5 digital signals :

81.3 Music Choice (480p, 4:3)
83.1 No picture, no sound, just black screen but I do have a signal. (480i, 4:3)
343 Discovery Health Channel (480i, 4:3)
787 Fit TV (480i, 4:3)
938 KHNL-HD (1080i, 16:9)

I can also receive channel 77.4 (KHNL-HD), which I knew about by reading this thread, by manually entering it on the remote. 77.4 seems to be identical to 938. Curiously, my tuner would not find 77.4 during the auto-program. It makes me wonder what other channels are being broadcast but not being picked up via auto-program.

I know KITV is supposed to be on channel 936, but as of this morning (6/27/06), I have not been able to get that signal.

The HD broadcast of SNL on Saturday night was spectacular. I was really impressed with how good the image was.

All non-digital content was wretched at first and then after some picture adjustments became, at best, mediocre.

In general, digital reception is very sporadic. There are a lot of drop outs (i.e. I lose the signal completely) and a lot of image pixelization. KHNL seems to be the most solid out of the all of them in terms of dropouts, but I still get frequent pixelization.

Discovery Health will, at it's worst, drop out about every 2 seconds and, at it's best, seriously pixelize about every minute. However, when it is working, some shows on DHC have a rather nice image, much better than the regular broadcast channels, even though the tv reports it's still a 480i image. I'm not sure why that is.

Some time around 1 or 2 am Sunday morning, all digital broadcasts went away. I was not able to get a signal back until Sunday evening (maybe 5 or 6 pm) at which time all channels came back.

I picked up a Radio Shack Indoor VHF/UHF/HDTV Antenna (Model: 15-1892) to see I could get a digital signal and I got zilch. I tried various channels and rotated the antenna to various positions and not even a hint of a signal. I live in the back of Palolo so I thought my chances were pretty slim anyway.

Some things I was wondering about are: Did Oceanic change the channel of KITV from 936 to something else? Did anyone else experience a total drop out of digital OTA during the time that I did?

I'm wondering if the filter they have install on my line restricting me to the very basic cable service is somehow restricting my getting other channels (or letting others through).

It sounds like that filter is somehow keeping you from getting some channels; I got a Sony too and get a lot more channels thru the auto program. I just checked and I don't get anything on 938, though it still shows up on 77.4. KITVHD still shows up on 936 for me.

I just picked up the Sony Bravia KDL-32S20L1 from Costco and hooked it up Saturday evening to my Oceanic cable service (it's the $12/month basic analog package, I don’t have a cable box.). I did an auto program on the digital channels and it came up with 5 digital signals :

81.3 Music Choice (480p, 4:3)
83.1 No picture, no sound, just black screen but I do have a signal. (480i, 4:3)
343 Discovery Health Channel (480i, 4:3)
787 Fit TV (480i, 4:3)
938 KHNL-HD (1080i, 16:9)

I can also receive channel 77.4 (KHNL-HD), which I knew about by reading this thread, by manually entering it on the remote. 77.4 seems to be identical to 938. Curiously, my tuner would not find 77.4 during the auto-program. It makes me wonder what other channels are being broadcast but not being picked up via auto-program.

I know KITV is supposed to be on channel 936, but as of this morning (6/27/06), I have not been able to get that signal.

The HD broadcast of SNL on Saturday night was spectacular. I was really impressed with how good the image was.

All non-digital content was wretched at first and then after some picture adjustments became, at best, mediocre.

In general, digital reception is very sporadic. There are a lot of drop outs (i.e. I lose the signal completely) and a lot of image pixelization. KHNL seems to be the most solid out of the all of them in terms of dropouts, but I still get frequent pixelization.

Discovery Health will, at it's worst, drop out about every 2 seconds and, at it's best, seriously pixelize about every minute. However, when it is working, some shows on DHC have a rather nice image, much better than the regular broadcast channels, even though the tv reports it's still a 480i image. I'm not sure why that is.

Some time around 1 or 2 am Sunday morning, all digital broadcasts went away. I was not able to get a signal back until Sunday evening (maybe 5 or 6 pm) at which time all channels came back.

I picked up a Radio Shack Indoor VHF/UHF/HDTV Antenna (Model: 15-1892) to see I could get a digital signal and I got zilch. I tried various channels and rotated the antenna to various positions and not even a hint of a signal. I live in the back of Palolo so I thought my chances were pretty slim anyway.

Some things I was wondering about are: Did Oceanic change the channel of KITV from 936 to something else? Did anyone else experience a total drop out of digital OTA during the time that I did?

I'm wondering if the filter they have install on my line restricting me to the very basic cable service is somehow restricting my getting other channels (or letting others through).

It sounds like that filter is somehow keeping you from getting some channels; I got a Sony too and get a lot more channels thru the auto program. I just checked and I don't get anything on 938, though it still shows up on 77.4. KITVHD still shows up on 936 for me.

I may need to call Oceanic and ask them to change the filter. As long as I get 77.4, I can get 938. Do you have a filter on your line as well? I wonder why you don't get 938.

This evening, around 6:50pm or so, all channels came in reasonably well. Including 83.1 which is ESPN.

As of this moment, all digital channels are pretty much unwatchable do to signal loss. Only HKHNL has a signal but very sporadic... on for 1 or 2 seconds then off for 3 or 4 seconds, both audio and video. It's been this way for at least the last twenty minutes.

Is this typical of the OTA digital stations?

humboldt,

It sounds like from what you are saying that the filter is attenuating the signals across the board. That would cause the dropout of the digital channels your trying to catch.

As for KITV-HD over cable try entering 114.1 manually. Might work, might not.

I may need to call Oceanic and ask them to change the filter. As long as I get 77.4, I can get 938. Do you have a filter on your line as well? I wonder why you don't get 938.

This evening, around 6:50pm or so, all channels came in reasonably well. Including 83.1 which is ESPN.

As of this moment, all digital channels are pretty much unwatchable do to signal loss. Only HKHNL has a signal but very sporadic... on for 1 or 2 seconds then off for 3 or 4 seconds, both audio and video. It's been this way for at least the last twenty minutes.

Is this typical of the OTA digital stations?


My signal is always good when watching the QAM stations , don't have a problem with dropouts. I have digital cable though so there is no filter-- I don't really watch the QAM stations much since I have the box. I agree with charles, the filter seems to be causing you problems. I've never had the kinds of problems you describe. You also should be getting a lot more channels.

Thank for your replies.

I just got off the phone with Oceanic and they said that the ability to receive both QAM and ATSC signals with a television's built-in tuner (i.e. no cable box) is a "bug" and "completely unsupported". According to them I (and you) should not be able to receive any digital or HD transmissions without a digital cable box. The guy I talked to likened the television's built-in tuners to "black boxes" aka illegal descramblers.

They also said that to receive any HD broadcast, including local stations, would require the purchase of their HD package.

This is a bit irrating since the Star Bulletin article "Getting a bad reception" states:

Oceanic Cable, which does not pay
local TV stations for rights to offer their
standard-definition channels, doesn't
want to pay for HD versions of those
channels.

"They want to charge the cable company
for carrying their signal," [Allan] Akamine said.
"That's never been done before."

So Oceanic is saying that I need to pay extra to recieve the HD broadcast of local channels that are being broadcast OTA and to them for free. But because I live in a valley I'll have to pay for Digital Service + cable box + HD package.

Since the signal is already coming down the wire and I'm already paying Oceanic for cable service and it's a local, freely available broadcast (assuming you live within range), I would think that I would be able to utiltize my televsion's built-in, and quite legal, hardware to receive that signal. I guess I'm wrong.

Quite irritating indeed.

I was reading Hawaiian Telcom's latest response to DCCA-CATV division today.

Hawaiian Telcom Docket (http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/catv/cable_operators/hawaiian_telcom/)

Latest Response (http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/catv/cable_operators/hawaiian_telcom/first_request_for_info_responses.pdf)

I found out something very interesting. There was an Honolulu Advertiser article
in May that stated you'd have to be Hawaiian Telcom DSL customer to get IPTV
service. Apparently they've backtracked from that requirement.

http://aaronstene.blogspot.com/2006/06/hawaiian-telcom-iptv-service-update.html

I just got off the phone with Oceanic and they said that the ability to receive both QAM and ATSC signals with a television's built-in tuner (i.e. no cable box) is a "bug" and "completely unsupported". According to them I (and you) should not be able to receive any digital or HD transmissions without a digital cable box. The guy I talked to likened the television's built-in tuners to "black boxes" aka illegal descramblers.

They also said that to receive any HD broadcast, including local stations, would require the purchase of their HD package.
Isn't there some FCC rule that local stations, including digital versions, need to be clear (unscrambled) to cable customers? Anyway, you could try getting the regular cable package, which would likely have them remove the filter on your cable.

Isn't there some FCC rule that local stations, including digital versions, need to be clear (unscrambled) to cable customers? Anyway, you could try getting the regular cable package, which would likely have them remove the filter on your cable.

I don't think so. It looks like there won't even be "must carry" rules to carry the various multiple digital sub-channels that will be offered.

There's still a bunch of stuff to be resolved with the digital situation, but that probably won't go into effect until Feb 2009 anyway, when the TV goes all-digital.

Eric

Isn't there some FCC rule that local stations, including digital versions, need to be clear (unscrambled) to cable customers? Anyway, you could try getting the regular cable package, which would likely have them remove the filter on your cable.

There's hearsay to that effect but I haven't seen any more than that. I'm with BHaren in thinking there's probably no such rule.

No doubt Oceanic would remove the filter if I upgrade my package, but I'd have to upgrade to their digital package if I wanted to receive a supported digital signal. At this point I'm not willing to do that.

I was hoping to receive the digital and HD equivalent versions of the analog channels I receive with my Basic package. Since this is not possible, I decided that I'm going to return the equipment I purchased and try to get my old 4:3 television repaired.

I will be anxiously waiting for Hawaiian Tel to come out with their service. If they do end up following the mainland prices for a combined televsion/internet/phone service, then I will definitely sign up for that and drop Oceanic altogether.

Maybe by the time that happens, I'll be able to get a 1080p television and HD DVD player for the same price I paid for the current equipment.

I'm with BHaren...

Sorry, I meant to say egcarter.

Isn't there some FCC rule that local stations, including digital versions, need to be clear (unscrambled) to cable customers?
I found some discussion of this here (http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/111055.html) from Jan. 2005. My superficial reading of this suggests there is such a rule (references are given in the discussion), but it's complicated by the fact that stations may get waivers allowing them to scramble locals.

I sent this message off to the FCC. I'll post their response if/when I get one.



I have a question regarding what signals my local cable provider must provide with the basic tier service.

My cable provider is:

Oceanic Time Warner Cable
P.O. Box 30050
Honolulu, HI. 96820-0050

I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and subscribe to the basic service with Oceanic. I receive all local broadcasts in analog format with the basic tier subscription. In addition to the analog signal, Ocean provides a digital signal for all of the local stations as well as an HD signal for two of the local stations.

I own a television that has factory installed QAM and ATSC tuners, thus I have the capability, without a cable box, to receive unencrypted digital and HD signals.

An Oceanic representative informed me that in order to receive any "supported" digital or HD signal i.e. one which I legally receive and can place a trouble call on, I'd have to be in possession of one of their cable boxes as well as upgrade my subscription to one of their higher tier digital services.

I've had discussions with various people indicating that the Oceanic must provide all broadcast signals (unscrambled) for the service tier to which I'm subscribed and other discussions indicating Oceanic has no such obligation.

Could you please provide me a definitive answer on this subject?

Any help you can provide on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

I sent this message off to the FCC. I'll post their response if/when I get one.


I'm pretty certain that if you subscribe to analog service, that's exactly what you are entitled to...Analog channels.

Through some fluke, you're getting some digital channels, but that's certainly not part of the package with analog service.

At a minimum, you need to subscribe to digital service...maybe you want cablecard, although that has proven to be somewhat buggy thus far.

Eric

I'm pretty certain that if you subscribe to analog service, that's exactly what you are entitled to...Analog channels.Through some fluke, you're getting some digital channels, but that's certainly not part of the package with analog service.


I concur it is a fluke you are getting some digital channels with your analog service.
As for cable cards, I would not consider getting that. As they cannot communicate two way. Thus no VoD or interactive features.

Maybe it's not fashionable to say this... but I am very happy with our HD DVR and the HD channels including HD HBO. Sure I want more channels and cheaper would be great, but boy I am having a ball with the new state of video. I can hardly believe that its possible to have a 52 inch TV with awesome HD picture and surround sound. I am coming from growing up in the fifties with a black and white wooden TV with the smallest screen you can imagine. I thought it was great as a kid when I got a shoe box and light bulb with a magnifying glass for a lens and cut up comic strips to project them on the wall. I thought I invented the slide projector :) If you paused too long the strip could catch on fire!! For me it feels like "Back to the Future".

Aloha ... brad white (pan-flute.com)

I sent this message off to the FCC. I'll post their response....


Here is the name of the law:
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 part 76 section 640. Section 630

I found this link:
www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/part76.pdf

I too, am interested in what's going on. I would like to use my QAM capable capture cards on my HTPC. Not sure how this will affect me on Maui though. There are currently no OTA ATSC signals but TW packages are the same as Ohau.

Joe

Maybe it's not fashionable to say this... but I am very happy with our HD DVR and the HD channels including HD HBO. Sure I want more channels and cheaper would be great, but boy I am having a ball with the new state of video. I can hardly believe that its possible to have a 52 inch TV with awesome HD picture and surround sound. I am coming from growing up in the fifties with a black and white wooden TV with the smallest screen you can imagine. I thought it was great as a kid when I got a shoe box and light bulb with a magnifying glass for a lens and cut up comic strips to project them on the wall. I thought I invented the slide projector :) If you paused too long the strip could catch on fire!! For me it feels like "Back to the Future".

Aloha ... brad white (pan-flute.com)
I'm mostly happy with the way things are with Oceanic's HD service. Sure, things could be better. But they could also be worse. Troubling to me, however, is what I perceive to be a drop in PQ on their SD channels, especially the premiums (HBO2, SHON, Encore, etc). For most of the last two years I've been very happy with the PQ on these channels, thinking how good they looked for an SD channel. I cannot say that now, and I'm not entirely sure of the reason. It could be my TV, though nothing has changed with it since I purchased it 2 years ago. I'm no expert, but to me they look like they're being compressed. I'm seeing a slight shimmering effect similar to what I see on DiscoveryHD. The images also look blurier or less defined than I remember them being. Maybe it's just me, I don't know.

Yes, there is a law. However, as with most things, lawyers got ahold of it and its unclear as to the true meaning. In one section it makes it looks like it was referring to basic signal over cable - the other makes it appear that is in reference to copy flags for reproduction.

I saw one part of the law 2 years ago and said this is pretty cut and dry - until someone showed me the other part and it was pretty clear how there could be confusion.

As typical, it will take another law or a court challenge to clarify it. I think we can all assume we know what they meant, but why should a cable company give away something if they can hold you to pay for it while the law is unclear? That's cable!

Some cable companies have been pretty good about putting the OTA TV Stations in the clear - ie - Comcast.

Others such as TW have been less open - and in some cases it has depended on the market.

My take is you don't want them looking closer at the system because you remain about the only TWC system in America where an audit has not figured out your 5c is off - but then again, that's never stopped people before.

My take is you don't want them looking closer at the system because you remain about the only TWC system in America where an audit has not figured out your 5c is off - but then again, that's never stopped people before.
5c is as good as implimented here now that Oceanic is using a firmware in their 3250s that causes your PC to crash upon connecting the 2 devices. Yeah, you can use a DVHS as an intermediary, but that process is way too humbug to bother with. Unlikely, but it may even be possible that Oceanic knowingly loaded this broken firmware into the 3250s because they couldn't get 5c to work properly. Who knows.

I'm mostly happy with the way things are with Oceanic's HD service. Sure, things could be better. But they could also be worse. Troubling to me, however, is what I perceive to be a drop in PQ on their SD channels, especially the premiums (HBO2, SHON, Encore, etc). For most of the last two years I've been very happy with the PQ on these channels, thinking how good they looked for an SD channel. I cannot say that now, and I'm not entirely sure of the reason. It could be my TV, though nothing has changed with it since I purchased it 2 years ago. I'm no expert, but to me they look like they're being compressed. I'm seeing a slight shimmering effect similar to what I see on DiscoveryHD. The images also look blurier or less defined than I remember them being. Maybe it's just me, I don't know.

I almost only watch Hbo in the HD version these days... just now I did go over to take a look at the other HBO channels and they look very good for SD. I live in the Waikiki area and watching on a Philips 52'. Maybe have them come out to take a look? I have noticed some days are better than others on channels, like Discovery HD.

Has anyone seen 2001 and 2010 now showing in HD? Wow 2001 is great and holds up very well even after almost 40 years...

Here is Eberts comments....

"So. You have to make some distinctions in your mind. In one category, "2001: A Space Odyssey" remains inviolate, one of the handful of true film masterpieces. In a more temporal sphere, "2010" qualifies as superior entertainment, a movie more at home with technique than poetry, with character than with mystery, a movie that explains too much and leaves too little to our sense of wonderment, but a good movie all the same. If I nevertheless sound less than ecstatic, maybe it's because the grave eyes of the "2001" Star Child still haunt me, with their promise that perhaps someday man would learn to teach ten thousand stars how to sing."

I've seen 2001 probably more than 25 times, and I still don't get it. It is one of my favorites though and was happy to see how good it looked. I saved it to DVHS along with 2010.

The "starchild" that showed up in both movies, is that something that could actually be seen? I mean did the Roy Scheider character (Heywood Floyd) actually see the "starchild" in the Discovery? That wouldn't make any sense.



Has anyone seen 2001 and 2010 now showing in HD? Wow 2001 is great and holds up very well even after almost 40 years...

Here is Eberts comments....

"So. You have to make some distinctions in your mind. In one category, "2001: A Space Odyssey" remains inviolate, one of the handful of true film masterpieces. In a more temporal sphere, "2010" qualifies as superior entertainment, a movie more at home with technique than poetry, with character than with mystery, a movie that explains too much and leaves too little to our sense of wonderment, but a good movie all the same. If I nevertheless sound less than ecstatic, maybe it's because the grave eyes of the "2001" Star Child still haunt me, with their promise that perhaps someday man would learn to teach ten thousand stars how to sing."

The "starchild" that showed up in both movies, is that something that could actually be seen? I mean did the Roy Scheider character (Heywood Floyd) actually see the "starchild" in the Discovery? That wouldn't make any sense.
If 2001 were science fiction, such questions would have answers, since SF tries to explain things. It's supposed to be reasonable. But (as I heard Arthur C. Clark remark in an interview) 2001 is not SF. Kubrik made it Art. It's not supposed to make sense -- just be wonderful.

I've seen 2001 probably more than 25 times, and I still don't get it. It is one of my favorites though and was happy to see how good it looked. I saved it to DVHS along with 2010.

The "starchild" that showed up in both movies, is that something that could actually be seen? I mean did the Roy Scheider character (Heywood Floyd) actually see the "starchild" in the Discovery? That wouldn't make any sense.

Evolution...or is it Intelligent Design?

The monolith put its big black finger into the development of "us" more than once. You see it first millions of years ago when it gave those apes a kick-start to manhood by using implements as weapons to improve their situation...

When man digs up the monolith on the moon 4 million years later it signals the alien intelligence that their little charges have reached a certain level of advancement...then the giant monolith in orbit zips Bowman to their little chambers where another leap forward in development occurs...in the embodiment of the Star Child.

Eric

I recently had digital phone installed and have since then noticed a decrease in Roadrunner.

Has anyone recently switched to Oceanic Digital Phone service and experienced a drop in internet connection?

I recently had digital phone installed and have since then noticed a decrease in Roadrunner.

Has anyone recently switched to Oceanic Digital Phone service and experienced a drop in internet connection?


Do you mean your RoadRunner is slower when you're not using the phone?

Eric

Do you mean your RoadRunner is slower when you're not using the phone?

Eric

Yes when phone is not in use.

Last week there was a state wide RR slow down due to some server problems... that is what I was told. I have Broadvoice and have not noticed any speed decrease since I installed it.

Last week there was a state wide RR slow down due to some server problems... that is what I was told. I have Broadvoice and have not noticed any speed decrease since I installed it.

I saw that on Oceanic's site. But the speed decrease persisted even after the post was removed form the status page.

The Time Machine (1960) will be on this Sunday... HDNET I think. I saw it as a kid in the movie theater and it stayed with me for years... it wasn't until I was an adult that it was being shown again. Sure parts look dated now but there is something magical about it still. I think this is the first time in HD

2:15 PM
07/09/06 HDNTM
944 Digital Cable The Time Machine
(HD, 1960, ***)

I saved it to DVHS along with 2010

How does one save an HD movie beside using the HDdvr provided? It can't still be in HD format, can it? ... brad

Last week there was a state wide RR slow down due to some server problems... that is what I was told. I have Broadvoice and have not noticed any speed decrease since I installed it.

Believe it or not, a RR tech told someone who posted in another forum that the
slowdown was due to someone hosting World Cup Soccer videos.

How does one save an HD movie beside using the HDdvr provided? It can't still be in HD format, can it? ... brad


On D-VHS using firewire you get a great HD copy of the programming. Unfortunately, the firewire stopped working for me about 4-5 months ago.

Supposedly there is a trouble ticket in at Scientific Atlanta to fix the problem.

Eric

FYI, Google has a feature called ADWORDS...that's where a website can pay to have their search results appear in a "favored", targeted position on the search pages after your query. One such configurable feature is to target particular geographical areas. Google implements this via your IP address.

Well, since Oceanic's RR service was "hijacked" by Time Warner on the mainland a few months ago, this feature no longer works in Hawaii. Our DNS is handled out of Orange County, California, and I believe our traffic is also routed through there. (That's when lots of performance issues started rearing their ugly heads).

As a result of this, Google thinks we are in California...so if you do a google search you are likely to see some results on top or on the side of the results page that say "CALIFORNIA" under them. We used to get results that say "HAWAII", meaning that this particular website had configured their ADWORDS to target people in Hawaii.

Eric

Sorry if this is a repeat question, but is KHON broadcasting in HD? I could have sworn I was able to get it with an amplified antenna(its been awhile since I checked), but now I have a regular antenna in a new location.(lower Nuuanu) Thank You.

Well, since Oceanic's RR service was "hijacked" by Time Warner on the mainland a few months ago,

I think it was more than few months ago. When Road Runner nationally upgraded
to 5Mbps, Oceanic Time Warner's management refused to do the upgrade since
they claimed they were not ready. Due to this reason, Time Warner took control of Road Runner here Hawaii and moved the NOC to Orange County California.

How does one save an HD movie beside using the HDdvr provided? It can't still be in HD format, can it? ... brad


The only way to do to it now, at least until recordable blu-ray or hd-dvd comes out is with a DVHS-player via the firewire out of a cable box. I love the format, it copies HD movies and programs with no loss; the only drawback is that it's to a VHS tape, and the DVHS format is dying out, hopefully giving way to recordable HD dvd's.

KHON as far as I know still doesn't broadcast prime time in HD. You can get their digital signal OTA on 2.1 or something like that, but it's not HD. They still do the live sports in HD though. The saturday baseball game I believe is still just widescreen, not HD.

I've seen 2001 probably more than 25 times, and I still don't get it.


I was like you . . . until I read the book back in the late 60's. ;)

Finally got my Westly LVM-42w2. Most of you know this is only a HD monitor no tuners. Right now I am running a SA non-hd dvr from Oceanic hooked up to a 35" Crt Mitsu. This sucker is about 12 years old. The LVM-42w2 will replace that tv in my bedroom. I picked up the LVM-42w2 friday and it is still in the box downstairs.

I called Oceanic last night to ask about getting the HD package and the 8300HD Dvr. She told me it would only cost $6.95 for the HD package and they would just swap my non hd dvr for the 8300HD dvd model.

I asked the operator if the 8300HD dvr could output SD and HD outputs at the same time. She or who ever she was asking could not give me a answer. Since I record mostly Korean dramas I only record 2 channels. Digital channels 80 & 82. At the moment I have my non hd dvr composite/s-video outpits to my Panasonic E-500 amd then to the Mitsu tv. So I can record those 2 sd channels. I want to also know if I can send the HD output either be Hdmi, Dvi, Component from the 8300HD dvr to the LVM-42w2 hd inputs and also get a signal at the same time. Is this possible. I do not want to go the RF route since for some reason when I hook the Panny dvd recorder this way I do not het a clear picture. So anyone know if it is possible to output SD and HD signal at the same time?

I have had both my HDMI and s-video pluged into my monitor and could switch back and forth and signal was being sent on both... so I would guess yes.

On my panasonic DVD writer I have both the cable (split from the DVR) and component input from the dvr. I usually record a show later onto the Pan DVD writer from my recorded queue... at the same time I can watch another recorded show in HD and record two other shows all at the same time. When I need even more recording I will record from the DVD tuner and the split cable... mostly it looks good

... brad

I have had both my HDMI and s-video pluged into my monitor and could switch back and forth and signal was being sent on both... so I would guess yes.

On my panasonic DVD writer I have both the cable (split from the DVR) and component input from the dvr. I usually record a show later onto the Pan DVD writer from my recorded queue... at the same time I can watch another recorded show in HD and record two other shows all at the same time. When I need even more recording I will record from the DVD tuner and the split cable... mostly it looks good

... brad

Brad thanks for the info. I guess I will go and pick up the 8300HD Dvr from Oceanic. I'm surprised the Oceanic and her supervisor had no idea if this was possible.

When you say Panasonic Dvd writer is that a dvd recorder or a dvd burner hooked to a computer? I am just curious.

I new to the whole HDTV thing so I could use some advice.
First I'm finally going to get myself an HDTV, but with or without the tuner is the question.

I live downtown in a residential apartment buildng which offers free basic cable including HBO. Currently I have analog/ no box. I called Oceanic and was told that I could get digital for around $7.00 for the box rental. I assume digital is currently being broadcast in the building for free.

Sorry if this sounds confusing but if I get a tv with a built in tuner will I be able to pick up any of the digital stations without the box? Or is digital cable and an ATSC tuner unrelated.

Next thing, will I be able to view anything in HD on standard digital cable. From what I've read in this forum, I would need to subscribe to Oceanics HD line up or use an over the air antenna. Like I see many shows that say broadcast in HD. Does that mean its up to the cable company to show it or not?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer, this whole HD thing gets very confusing.

Aloha

Jim

I have a dvd recorder Panasonic DMR-E55 as an additional way of keeping some broadcasts. Wish I could record HD though.

To Jim, I had no luck getting any over the air digital signals or HD without the HD package from Oceanic. So get the HD package... My TV was a 52' Philips HD rear projection CRT... which they are not even going to make anymore. When it has a HD channel showing it has the best looking picture quality that I have ever seen in any store at any price. It may not be the thinest TV, but I never expected to see such a beautiful clear and vivid picture. I can hardly bring myself to watch any non HD content anymore.

I new to the whole HDTV thing so I could use some advice.
First I'm finally going to get myself an HDTV, but with or without the tuner is the question.

I live downtown in a residential apartment buildng which offers free basic cable including HBO. Currently I have analog/ no box. I called Oceanic and was told that I could get digital for around $7.00 for the box rental. I assume digital is currently being broadcast in the building for free.

Sorry if this sounds confusing but if I get a tv with a built in tuner will I be able to pick up any of the digital stations without the box? Or is digital cable and an ATSC tuner unrelated.

Next thing, will I be able to view anything in HD on standard digital cable. From what I've read in this forum, I would need to subscribe to Oceanics HD line up or use an over the air antenna. Like I see many shows that say broadcast in HD. Does that mean its up to the cable company to show it or not?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer, this whole HD thing gets very confusing.

Aloha

Jim

Jim,

Unfortunately I think the only way you would know if you can catch the stations OTA is to try it out. I live in Makiki and catch the live sport HD broadcasts on CBS and FOX (All Star Game!) no problem. I can also get ABC HD OTA now too, I think they recently upgraded there signal or something. Every place is different, I think it matters if you have a relatively clear site toward honolulu, where they have the antennas for CBS, FOX, and ABC. It may be a waste to pay the extra $$ for the HD tuner if you're not able to catch anything. You should be able to get HD over cable via the tuner, but even that you have to check it out for yourself to see how much you can get from where you're at. Someone posted here that they couldn't get much channels, maybe it had to do with the fact he didn't have digital cable and they put a filter to keep some channels out. I can get ABC and NBC HD channels this way.

I have a dvd recorder Panasonic DMR-E55 as an additional way of keeping some broadcasts. Wish I could record HD though.

To Jim, I had no luck getting any over the air digital signals or HD without the HD package from Oceanic. So get the HD package... My TV was a 52' Philips HD rear projection CRT... which they are not even going to make anymore. When it has a HD channel showing it has the best looking picture quality that I have ever seen in any store at any price. It may not be the thinest TV, but I never expected to see such a beautiful clear and vivid picture. I can hardly bring myself to watch any non HD content anymore.

Brad,

what is a rear projection CRT? Is that the similar to front projection where they hang the unit on the ceiling? Or is it one of those old-school all in one units? I may be moving soon and am looking to upgrade for a "theatre" room, and would like something that's "the best looking picture that I have ever seen in any store at any price". If it has "the best" picture I don't care about size either of the unit either.

Its one of those all in one units that many years ago I use to see around... but then they didn't have a very good picture... but it was big. Now with the HDTV version I was totally shocked at how good it is. This Philips was on sale online (circuit city) in January for under $1000 with free delivery... in the local Honolulu store it was $1500. But it was delivered from that exact same local store for the internet price. So make sure check on these online sales. Now I got this as a gift from an old friend who decided just to surprise... So I really didn't know what to think, because I was remembering the ones I had seen years ago. So I have had this for 6 months and I still can't believe the quality of the picture. I have gone to all the major stores and checked out some very expensive units... and I've never seen anything the equal of what's in my livingroom. Perhaps I am not seeing them at their best, that is likely. But these soon to be gone rear projecting crt (the phillips is what I have) are really something ... and much cheaper. I bought a 3 year warranty. That is my opinion anyway. I think I have a discerning eye.

Aloha ... brad (pan-flute.com) if you want to see what I do :)

No one doubts that rear-projection CRT technology can deliver a superb picture - especially amongst the different types of rear projection. Blacks are superior to DLP and LCD rear projection technology. The problem is maintenance - the CRT guns tend to go out of alignment and require frequent convergence adjustments to maintain resolution. This, along with the fact that it tends to take up more space than other rear-projection technologies, is the reason why they went the way of the dinosaur (plus from a marketing standpoint, it's hard to sell anything these days that has the word "CRT" associated with it).

Otherwise, it suffers from all the defects normally associated with rear-projection - difficulty in bright rooms, problems with off-axis viewing, etc. etc.

Spleen

No problem in a bright room here... none. You do have to sit within the angle. Picture after I calibrated in January has continued to be excellent.

I only know my own experience ... brad

I just wanted to add that I am so glad I got one of these before they disappear... I figure by the time I am ready for the next TV the technology will have come a long way... and prices will have dropped. I am really spoiled now, as far as picture quality goes. ... brad

I just wanted to add that I am so glad I got one of these before they disappear... I figure by the time I am ready for the next TV the technology will have come a long way... and prices will have dropped. I am really spoiled now, as far as picture quality goes. ... brad

Hmm, maybe I was looking at the wrong models. I never could get use to the lpicture on those type of tv's. The picture seemed blurry to me, and you had to sit at just the right position for the sweet spot, and it didn't seem bright enough. I'll take another look since it's been a few years; i'm sure technology has improved them. I also don't think I've seen an HD picture on them yet, just DVD.

Hmm, maybe I was looking at the wrong models. I never could get use to the lpicture on those type of tv's. The picture seemed blurry to me, and you had to sit at just the right position for the sweet spot, and it didn't seem bright enough. I'll take another look since it's been a few years; i'm sure technology has improved them. I also don't think I've seen an HD picture on them yet, just DVD.

Yes I thought the same thing... I mean this friend just called me and said you better make some room we just bought you guys this TV... Then I was thinking what if I hate this TV our friends are giving us... how awkward would that be!

I remember seeing these blurry rear projection TVs at a couple of peoples houses year ago. But after I got this (51 inch) TV and the HD programing what a huge shock... I have never seen tv look like this. I rented from Netflix a calibration DVD... Now I've gotten into all of this... read everything, follow the sites and so on. I always look in any store to see what they have. So far I have never seen a better picture than what is happening in our living room. Now combined with surround sound and an OPPO DVD player with HDMI, DVR and a HDMI switcher (my tv has only 1 HDMI input). I don't watch TV anymore... its really a home theater. I will probably never step into a movie theater again... it could never compare to my home experience. I am a very technologically savvy type of person.. Built all my radios and first stereo (when stereo was brand new)... have had computers in my home since 1980 and so forth.

Again I am just relating what my two eyes are telling me.

I am looking for an HDMI switcher.
May I ask which one you purchased and from where?
Are you pleased with the ease of use and performance?
Thanks.

I started looking for switches months ago and at first everything I found was so expensive... but then I found this. It has worked without flaw... very happy and only a fraction of the cost of the others... it's gotten good reviews.

Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch at monoprice.com

I also bought an HDMI cable from them and that has been fine as well... again much cheaper.

I started looking for switches months ago and at first everything I found was so expensive... but then I found this. It has worked without flaw... very happy and only a fraction of the cost of the others... it's gotten good reviews.

Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch at monoprice.com

I also bought an HDMI cable from them and that has been fine as well... again much cheaper.


I too was looking at this switch, but didn't think I needed it when I read somewhere that the OTW 8300HD doesn't look as good through HDMI as it does through Component. This maybe display dependent. Does anyone that has seen a 8300HD hooked up through HDMI care to comment on how it looks compared to component (especially SD)?

I too was looking at this switch, but didn't think I needed it when I read somewhere that the OTW 8300HD doesn't look as good through HDMI as it does through Component. This maybe display dependent. Does anyone that has seen a 8300HD hooked up through HDMI care to comment on how it looks compared to component (especially SD)?

Tigershark,

My 8300HD improves rather markedly thru HDMI over component. That's with a SIM2 front projector. (Once they fixed the darn firmware a few months ago!)

Eric

I am looking for an HDMI switcher.
May I ask which one you purchased and from where?
Are you pleased with the ease of use and performance?
Thanks.

Both monoprice and octava offer good economic hdmi switches. You can't go wrong with either.

I just wanted to add that I am so glad I got one of these before they disappear...
Me too. I have a 47" Panasonic rp crt. Great picture, great price. However, there are reasons lots of people like other types of TV better. The rp crts are bulky, dim, blurry, and often have a reflection problem. The reflection problem is a consequence of the dimness -- you don't notice room reflections so much with TVs that have higher light output.

The dimness is no worse than that of a movie screen when you're seated roughly in front of the TV screen. But when you stand up, you see the rp crt screen dim considerably, because the light is beamed out perpendicular to the screen.

The blurriness is due to greater picture fidelity. Some other TV types, especially at the low end, have trouble reproducing blurry lines because they can't distinguish many luminance levels. So lines that are supposed to be blurry come out looking sharp due to "false contouring".

In our living room if you are SITTING in any chair or couch it looks perfect. HD channels are simply spectacular. DVD's look really nice... Non HD programs(SD TV) are not so great, but I think when you blow an SD channel up to 51 inches every imperfection stands out. However I manage to keep alot HD content in my queue all the time. Our screen was so bright I have lowered it.. I read in the calibration instruction many TVs are set too high for instore display. Again I only know the Philips that I own and its hard to even find CRT projection now... I am comparing to what the latest sets on display in stores now are. If you can find a large RP HD TV for under a $1000 I think you will enjoy it and it will serve you well. Mine was on sale at Circuit City online.

It's going to be interesting to see what a few years will bring to us.

I did the same as you several months ago...
Oceanic now broadcasts the two OTA HD channels that they carry "in the clear"...
The FCC told me that they had accidentally scrambed them and now had realized their mistake.

I sent this message off to the FCC. I'll post their response if/when I get one.



I have a question regarding what signals my local cable provider must provide with the basic tier service.

My cable provider is:

Oceanic Time Warner Cable
P.O. Box 30050
Honolulu, HI. 96820-0050

I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and subscribe to the basic service with Oceanic. I receive all local broadcasts in analog format with the basic tier subscription. In addition to the analog signal, Ocean provides a digital signal for all of the local stations as well as an HD signal for two of the local stations.

I own a television that has factory installed QAM and ATSC tuners, thus I have the capability, without a cable box, to receive unencrypted digital and HD signals.

An Oceanic representative informed me that in order to receive any "supported" digital or HD signal i.e. one which I legally receive and can place a trouble call on, I'd have to be in possession of one of their cable boxes as well as upgrade my subscription to one of their higher tier digital services.

I've had discussions with various people indicating that the Oceanic must provide all broadcast signals (unscrambled) for the service tier to which I'm subscribed and other discussions indicating Oceanic has no such obligation.

Could you please provide me a definitive answer on this subject?

Any help you can provide on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
I did the same as you several months ago...
Oceanic now broadcasts the two OTA HD channels that they carry "in the clear"...
The FCC told me that they had accidentally scrambed them and now had realized their mistake.

All OTA should now be viewable with a Clear QAM tuner equipped TV.

I did the same as you several months ago...
Oceanic now broadcasts the two OTA HD channels that they carry "in the clear"...
The FCC told me that they had accidentally scrambed them and now had realized their mistake.

All OTA should now be viewable with a Clear QAM tuner equipped TV.

Is there a way to confirm if this true here in Maui too? I know our cable feed is from Honolulu.

Joe

Aloha! I'm moving to Hawaii next week (Kanehoe) and have scheduled Oceanic cable to be installed with the SA 8300 HD DVR. Does anyone know what software Oceanic uses on these machines?

Aloha! I'm moving to Hawaii next week (Kanehoe) and have scheduled Oceanic cable to be installed with the SA 8300 HD DVR. Does anyone know what software Oceanic uses on these machines?


It's SARA. I checked the version numbers a couple of weeks ago and I know it's not the absolute latest version that's out. I think it was 1.87 something or other. (from sometime last year?)

Eric

It's SARA. I checked the version numbers a couple of weeks ago and I know it's not the absolute latest version that's out. I think it was 1.87 something or other. (from sometime last year?)

Eric

Thanks!

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060720/BUSINESS21/607200314/1071/BUSINESS

Posted on: Thursday, July 20, 2006
Hawaiian Telcom's TV plans backed

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

A plan by Hawaiian Telcom to start offering television service received generally positive support from about 40 speakers during a hearing late yesterday.

Hawai'i's major phone company is seeking a cable franchise license from the state, which would give Hawaiian Telcom the right to offer video service in Honolulu over its phone lines in competition with Time Warner Oceanic Cable. Hawaiian Telcom, which is facing growing competition for phone customers, wants to offer video as a means of retaining and adding customers.

The state Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs is expected to decide whether to approve Hawaiian Telcom's application in September.

Hawaiian Telcom, which has 1,800 employees, plans to launch the Internet-based TV service by year's end.

The company has not revealed the price of its proposed television service.

They can hardly run the telephone company they took over from Verizon this year. Can you imagine adding video into the mix??? We have had months of mistakes over billing and don't even think of trying to reach a customer service operator.

I am seriously thinking of dropping our landline.. now with Cel and internet phones (we have Broadvoice) they seem very last century.

Anyway I don't think they will be offering HD... or not for a long while. ... brad

Is there a way to confirm if this true here in Maui too? I know our cable feed is from Honolulu.

Joe

Yes, on Maui channel 936 KITV and 938 KHNL are in the clear. What's really cool is ESPN HD ch 952 is also in the clear.

k

Yes, on Maui channel 936 KITV and 938 KHNL are in the clear. What's really cool is ESPN HD ch 952 is also in the clear.

k

Excellent.

This is very weird. It's only 9 pm and the HD KHNL is showing Conan O' Brian, while the normal KHNL channel is showing "Medium" (as the TV Guide shows, should be playing).

...ESPN HD ch 952 is also in the clear.
I'll be sure to email my Oceanic contact regarding this oversight. ;)

This is very weird. It's only 9 pm and the HD KHNL is showing Conan O' Brian, while the normal KHNL channel is showing "Medium" (as the TV Guide shows, should be playing).
Makes me think we're watching the west coast feed live. Strange.

Linda - sounds like the HD KHNL feed is coming from the West Coast?

Spleen

HD KHNL had Leno in HD on at the right time last night, but the feed was looping. It would show the monologue, go to commercials, then show colored bars, an HD banner with the episode number and start the show all over again. This went on until 11 PM or so. Later on they switched to the SD feed, which was working fine all along.

Just a little update on the OTA side, KPXO-DT is now broadcasting at full power (34kw).
Receiving signal easily here in Kakaako, transmitter is on Wiliwilinui Ridge(above Kailua).
Although not HD, KPXO does multicast OTA:
66.1 i-Network(delayed to HST)
66.2 i-Network(Live Feed)
66.3 Worship

It's DT channel 41 if a scan doesn't work.

Does anyone in here subscribe to Direct TV???

I'd be interested in hearing about DIRECTV experiences in Hawaii too.

Any word on a CW affiliate in Hawaii starting September after UPN shut down?

Any chance Oceanic Time Warner will start broadcasting CBS HD and FOX HD anytime soon?

I'm not to sure about FOX and CBS HD. I sure hope so, with the NFL season approaching, it will be frustrating to not have those sunday games in HD. In addition to the fact that TWC will not be carrying the NFL network which will be showing I believe 8 live games this season. In addition to showing replays of the games of the week.
That is why I was inquiring about Direct TV's services. I really want to get NFL Ticket, but I'm still curious about how there regular services are. Will the FOX or CBS games be available in HD over the air? Does anyone recieve OTA transmissions in Kailua, Oahu? Thank you for your responses.

Forget about CBS HD on cable... at least until Emmis sells KGMB. Emmis demands to be paid for the HD station and TWC will not pay a fee. CBS gets the superbowl this year, too. Yikes!

I'm not holding my breath for KHON (FOX) in HD. The new owners are settling in. I would encourage you to go on KHON's site and e-mail them to put some pressure on them. There was an article a few months ago saying they were in talks with Oceanic... it could be a while.
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - I Want My HDTV (http://starbulletin.com/2006/05/07/business/story01.html)
KHON is also in negotiations with Oceanic, DirecTV and DISH Network for carriage of its HD signal, according to Joe McNamara, president and general manager.

Kenny Elcock, director of engineering, said, "The infrastructure is ready. It's a matter of moving one cable from one part of the plant to the other part," he said.


Now my question. Is KHET broadcasting digital, yet?

I'm not to sure about FOX and CBS HD. I sure hope so, with the NFL season approaching, it will be frustrating to not have those sunday games in HD. In addition to the fact that TWC will not be carrying the NFL network which will be showing I believe 8 live games this season. In addition to showing replays of the games of the week.
That is why I was inquiring about Direct TV's services. I really want to get NFL Ticket, but I'm still curious about how there regular services are. Will the FOX or CBS games be available in HD over the air? Does anyone recieve OTA transmissions in Kailua, Oahu? Thank you for your responses.

The NFL games on Fox and CBS were in HD the past two seasons OTA. I don't know if you can get the OTA signals in Kailua though.

The NFL games on Fox and CBS were in HD the past two seasons OTA. I don't know if you can get the OTA signals in Kailua though.

Is KGMB/CBS still not showing Primetime shows in HD OTA?

I remember something about a media server problem, is that still what's holding them up?

How about KHON/FOX?

:)

Is KGMB/CBS still not showing Primetime shows in HD OTA?

I remember something about a media server problem, is that still what's holding them up?
KGMB is one of the few stations that Emmis still owns in the country and last I heard it was up for sale, so I'm sure they'd rather drop the HD time shifting problem in the lap of the new owners. Besides that, they have no intention to put the HD version of their station on cable, so their HD audience would be nil as far as they're concerned.
How about KHON/FOX?
see the thing I quoted a couple of posts ago. If they're ready to put HD on cable, then why isn't their prime time programming in HD OTA???? It doesn't make sense to me :confused: ...unless they plan to use Oceanic's media server to timeshift HD.

KGMB is one of the few stations that Emmis still owns in the country and last I heard it was up for sale, so I'm sure they'd rather drop the HD time shifting problem in the lap of the new owners. Besides that, they have no intention to put the HD version of their station on cable, so their HD audience would be nil as far as they're concerned.
suckers :mad:

see the thing I quoted a couple of posts ago. If they're ready to put HD on cable, then why isn't their prime time programming in HD OTA???? It doesn't make sense to me :confused: ...unless they plan to use Oceanic's media server to timeshift HD.
Good question.

I've been excited about getting a new TV w/ an OTA tuner, but I guess that won't be as useful as I thought it would be.

I was watching Pacific Business News with Howard Dicus tonight.
Nate Smith of Oceanic was on talking about new services etc.
It was rather amazing OTW has 200,000 digital cable customers (400,000
overall)and 200,000 Internet customers.

I saw a commercial for Time Warner on ESPN.
It indicated that Time Warner would be offering viewers the opportunity to select what NFL games to watch.
It sounded similar to the package offered by Direct TV.
It's not clear from the commercial whether Oceanic will be offering the package.
Does anyone have information about this?

Actually, it's practically the opposite. Oceanic's parent company Time Warner and the NFL are having a spat over the NFL Network. Time Warner wants it in a sports tier, the NFL wants it on a basic digital tier.
Time Warner's ad campaign is that they already offer NFL games from CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN, including your local teams, many in HD ...well except Oceanic doesn't carry CBS and Fox HD channels....but that's a different bird.

Read more here: http://www.nflgetreal.com/

Just noticed for the first time last night that the PBS Hawaii banner now has call letters for the digital station KHET-DT. The banner comes on before every show (usually at the hour). Anybody on Oahu picking up a signal? I'm on the Big Island, so no chance for me.

Just noticed for the first time last night that the PBS Hawaii banner now has call letters for the digital station KHET-DT. The banner comes on before every show (usually at the hour). Anybody on Oahu picking up a signal? I'm on the Big Island, so no chance for me.


It's been on there for quite awhile now.

Eric

They ran some test transmissions about 3months ago on 11.1 and11.2 (18.1 18.2) but nothing lately. I scan for them here in Pearl City every few days but nothing. I can see their antenna on the ridge in the daytime with my bi-nocks. I have an antenna in my attact and I can get all local digital stations but for KITV.For some reason their signal is not strong enough to reach me. I cannot see why because the transmitter is only 2-3 blocks from KGMB&KHON.(note I did not say"HD" only KHNL sends most of its nighttime shows inHD)KGMB&KHON only send out some sports on weekends in HD also K-5 has some nighttime shows in HD. So I look forward to one day seeing NOVA &NATURE in HD .