I'm in Burlingame and have the Digital Gold package, and there is no channel 123. I'll go back and skim the channels to see if it might have moved to another channel number.

Mixed signals on DVR rollout
Comcast customers get the runaround on digital video service
Benny Evangelista, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, December 11, 2004


A series of communication missteps has marred the startup of Comcast Corp.'s digital video recording service this week in the Bay Area.

Andrew Johnson, Comcast's local vice president for communications, acknowledged that the cable company did a poor job of explaining the service and its requirements to both customer service representatives and subscribers.

Comcast had said it would offer Bay Area customers a TiVo-style digital video recorder and service for an additional $9.99 per month starting Thursday. The announcement was made to the news media and to subscribers, some of whom had known about it for some time and were on a waiting list for as long as a year.

The new service includes a dual-tuner Motorola set-top box with a 120-GB hard drive that allows viewers to digitally record up to 60 hours of TV shows.

Viewers can also pause and rewind live programs, schedule recordings for a season's worth of a TV series and record two shows at once while watching a third prerecorded program.

The communications problems occurred soon after the company's announcement.

Posts from customers on a Comcast newsgroup Web site said service representatives told them the service was not yet available in San Francisco, the Peninsula or San Jose, or that it was only available in the East Bay and North Bay. Many were told they would have to wait four months because of a shortage of Motorola boxes.

Mike Forsyth immediately called Comcast after he learned the DVR service was available to Bay Area customers.

But he said the Comcast service representative he contacted erroneously told him the service wouldn't be available in his area until next year.

That angered the Milpitas resident, at least until he received his digital video recorder set-top box Friday morning and learned he had been caught in a series of communication foul-ups and misstatements that confused subscribers.

"I was actually thinking about switching to satellite,'' Forsyth said. "It's a major communications problem. I don't think they were really ready to roll it out, and when they put the word out, everybody didn't have the same words.''

But Johnson said that some service representatives had not heard the news. He said Comcast is going to start delivering the service to thousands of customers who have been on the waiting list, particularly in the South Bay and on the Peninsula, where demand is heavy.

He said the company will fill the orders as soon as possible. He emphasized that supply is not an issue. "We have a significant number of DVR units in our inventory sitting in a warehouse waiting to go,'' he said.

"What is an issue is trying to take care of pent-up demand for the product that has been swamping our offices for the last 48 hours,'' Johnson said.

In another confusing statement, Comcast said in a press release and on its Web site that customers needed to subscribe to the digital cable level of service, which starts at more than $52 a month. That would have meant that a customer with only basic or standard analog cable TV service would have had to upgrade to a costlier service.

While that may be true in other Comcast markets, it won't be the case in the Bay Area.

According to Johnson, Bay Area customers who have standard analog cable service, which averages around $42 a month, can add DVR service without upgrading. The 10 percent of customers with basic service need to upgrade to at least the standard tier to get it.

Comcast and other cable operators are offering DVR services to keep customers from switching to digital satellite TV services that have provided TiVo or similar features for several years.

TiVo, the Alviso company that helped pioneer the technology, has about 2. 3 million customers and has been selling its boxes recently for as little as $100 after a mail-in rebate. Comcast is hoping to lure potential customers who don't want to pay the TiVo subscription fee of $12.95 per month or $299 for the lifetime of the device.

So far, however, dozens of Comcast customers have called TiVo to learn more about its service. "The experience of TiVo is different (from) any you're going to get from a generic DVR from your cable company,'' said TiVo spokeswoman Kathryn Kelly. "And we work with any TV setup.''

E-mail Benny Evangelista at bevangelista@sfchronicle.com.


Page C - 1

Hey Mikef5, way to go, your 15 minutes of fame!! Well, at least one minute..:p

Interesting that the article was a little murky with the facts between the Comcast HD DVR and the Tivo SD DVR, but all in all it's good to see the media is being responsive to citizen input, kind of makes you warm and fuzzy inside...:D

now MikeF5 is famous!!!

But still no site of DVRs in the south bay other than the one Andrew paid him off with :)

and still some misstatements from Andrew Johnson in the article...

1) Don't try and blame it on CSR's not getting the "word"...To defend them a bit (what am I crazy)...they are just looking it up on the computer (by address) and the system comes back and tells them it is not available in that area.

2) Pent up demand in the south bay is causing this backlog...Then why are installs NOT being scheduled at all...maybe there is just one field tech in the south bay and he was tied up all day at Mikes :(

oh well...at least they admit it is being botched (although not the whole truth and nothing but the truth)

Originally posted by spoonman27
]Mixed signals on DVR rollout
Comcast customers get the runaround on digital video service
Benny Evangelista, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, December 11, 2004

<snip>

But Johnson said that some service representatives had not heard the news. He said Comcast is going to start delivering the service to thousands of customers who have been on the waiting list, particularly in the South Bay and on the Peninsula, where demand is heavy.

He said the company will fill the orders as soon as possible. He emphasized that supply is not an issue. "We have a significant number of DVR units in our inventory sitting in a warehouse waiting to go,'' he said...

Supply is not a problem, huh? Man, if that doesn't add insult to injury!

Called Comcast again this AM and got the same story: "It's not available in your area now, but you're on the VIP and list and we'll contact you when it is". I asked to speak to a supervisor and got a voicemail box.

Originally posted by John Mace
Supply is not a problem, huh? Man, if that doesn't add insult to injury!


I'm not sure I believe that one either, from the time I called and got a work order number and then someone else posted their number here was about 3hrs, by comparing my number to theirs, the amount of WOs setup was about 1200. This was Thursday at noon. That's a lot of DVRs there. Granted, there were probably regular cable service install mixed in there, but I would not be surprised at all if supply really was going to become an issue. I have my fingers crossed for this Tuesday but it will not surprise me at all if Comcast calls and backs up my appt.

Just had my DVR install done here in Hercules, which is part of the Berkeley East Bay system, however the tech said there was no new remote, that I should just use the old one. How do I swap tuners with the old silver remote from my 5100??

-Tim

Originally posted by tmaestas95
Just had my DVR install done here in Hercules, which is part of the Berkeley East Bay system, however the tech said there was no new remote, that I should just use the old one. How do I swap tuners with the old silver remote from my 5100??

-Tim As stated previously by SonomaSearcher, et al, to do the swap tuners you will need the ICX Global Enterprise (ENT 6412) black remote. Also I think I read where there is special code for the Harmony remote and maybe others. Call Comcast and tell them the install is not complete and you need the proper remote.

Originally posted by davisdog
[B]now MikeF5 is famous!!!

But still no site of DVRs in the south bay other than the one Andrew paid him off with :)

Wouldn't Milpitas be considered East Bay? I'm still not convided that Mike's experience disproves the "East Bay and North of SF" only roll-out that the CSRs are telling us about.

I would consider it South Bay because it's in Santa Clara County, has anyone else in the south bay received one?

davisdog is probably right..:D

Originally posted by John Mace
Wouldn't Milpitas be considered East Bay? I'm still not convided that Mike's experience disproves the "East Bay and North of SF" only roll-out that the CSRs are telling us about.

Milpitas is part of the southbay (santa clara headend)...Keep in mind Mike got his directly through Andrew Johnson, the local VP who is defending comcast in the media.

ps...

We now have our 2nd news article directly from this thread...

I suggested to John Mace that he contact the SJ Mercury writer who did the story for comcast announcing their rollout the other day and the writer followed up on his article based on the reality AVS members in the south bay were seeing (and quoting John in the article)

From the front page of the SJ Mercury Business Section this morning

"COMCAST DVR not ready for Primetime"

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/10393759.htm

and continued on page 2 as "Comcast DVR service NOT ready for rollout"

Originally posted by davisdog
[B]Milpitas is part of the southbay (santa clara headend)...Keep in mind Mike got his directly through Andrew Johnson, the local VP who is defending comcast in the media.

I see. You're right. Maybe Mr. Johnson should contact the various posters here and set things straight for us. He seems to have time to talk to a lot of reporters, but not to his own people at Comcast...

We now have our 2nd news article directly from this thread...

I suggested to John Mace that he contact the SJ Mercury writer who did the story for comcast announcing their rollout the other day and the writer followed up on his article based on the reality AVS members in the south bay were seeing (and quoting John in the article.

Yeah, I traded a few e-mails with him. I didn't get back to him in time to give him any direct quotes, but he took some from my earlier e-mails to him. He also broght up the issue in his 2nd article that Comcast may be trying to make sure we "West Bay" customers don't try alternative tehcnologies before Christmas. He even quoted someone from Tivo confirming they think so, too.

I called comcast today and they set up an appointment for monday to install DVR, but then told me I was the LAST ONE until january 5th that they had availible. hahahaha. At least I get mine, but this is crazy.

-Zack

Originally posted by davisdog

From the front page of the SJ Mercury Business Section this morning

"COMCAST DVR not ready for Primetime"

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/10393759.htm

and continued on page 2 as "Comcast DVR service NOT ready for rollout"

You know, Andrew Johnson has lost all credibility as far as I'm concerned, in the Chronicle article he says

<<<<"He said the company will fill the orders as soon as possible. He emphasized that supply is not an issue. "We have a significant number of DVR units in our inventory sitting in a warehouse waiting to go,'' he said.">>>>

And then in the Mercury News article he says,

<<<<"Johnson said company representatives were given a script regarding DVR inquiries stating in part that our demand for the product is larger than our supply'` and that ``we'll do all we can to have the equipment for you within two to three weeks.''>>>>

So which is it Andy?

Also, this is a true statement about product rollout with Comcast, I have the mailers to prove it,

<<<<"Mark McKenzie, 47, of San Jose said he was told to call back every two or three weeks and not to phone too frequently. He and several other customers suggested Comcast's DVR announcement was a ploy to keep holiday shoppers from buying TiVo's product.

"I do think that this was probably a scam on their part to hurt their competitors,'' McKenzie said.

TiVo spokeswoman Kathryn Kelly agreed.

"That's exactly their approach -- it's available and it's not,'' Kelly said. "That's been their ploy for over a year now.''>>>>

That last line by Ms Kelly is true to the bone in my experience...

Originally posted by Xaque
I called comcast today and they set up an appointment for monday to install DVR, but then told me I was the LAST ONE until january 5th that they had availible. hahahaha. At least I get mine, but this is crazy.

-Zack

Tell me you are not located in Santa Rosa..:p

1) Don't try and blame it on CSR's not getting the "word"...To defend them a bit (what am I crazy)...they are just looking it up on the computer (by address) and the system comes back and tells them it is not available in that area.

Yeah, well the first one told me that. Then I tried again on-line and I was told A) They are available in Burlingame (yes, she was "certain") and B) I could pick it up for self-install (yes, she was "certain"). Tell that to the Burlingame office, which insists they DO NOT HAVE ANY. (P.S. I have a copy of the "script".

got a 6412 in marin today. I got a silver remote, but it's got swap features.
jb

I ordered 6412 last night and scheduled to 12/28 in Fremont. Is that so hot? I called back today to check any early date and was told it is Jan. 3rd now.

when is tivo hd coming out anyway? for cable. already available for satellite...

Originally posted by gdebruyn
when is tivo hd coming out anyway? for cable. already available for satellite...

Just curious, why would you want to pay around $1000 for an HDTivo for cable? You would still need a cable box and the 6412 is only $5 per month more than the HD cable box.

Does your area have the 6412 yet? It may not have all the features of an HDTIVO, but it certainly does the job.

Rich N.

Originally posted by raidbuck
Just curious, why would you want to pay around $1000 for an HDTivo for cable? You would still need a cable box and the 6412 is only $5 per month more than the HD cable box.

Does your area have the 6412 yet? It may not have all the features of an HDTIVO, but it certainly does the job.

Rich N.

Exactly, why spend $1000 on a box that will be outdated in a year, or cheaper in a year? The Comcast solution is a much better deal, cheaper and when a bigger and better one is available, swap it out. Way less pain in the wallet. Be nice if it had more capacity though....

We have the 6412 in various areas, rollout started Thursday, although at this point I'm guessing only about 100 or so have been deployed, maybe less..

Ok, time for another update.

Yes, that was me in the Chronicle article and for the most part I was quoted correctly. I did what I needed to do, 20 years in the military taught me how to deal with problems and what it takes to get them corrected. I had already decided to leave Comcast if this dvr thing fell through. I had already found an install company to do the install for Voom and was ready to go but things did work out for me, sort of. Anyways, I still believe they were not ready for this roll out and that the initial supply was no where near what the demand turned out to be, hopefully this will be fixed very soon. If any of the CSR's tell the people of the South Bay that the dvr's will not work in this area because of a software glitch, I can tell you for a fact that it does work and works almost with out fault.

I would like to give you my initial findings on this box and what I have found that works and what doesn't.

First, the way I tested was to try to do as much of the testing that I could without reading any of the manuals or instructions booklets. A product should be friendly enough that a manual should be not needed except to tweak settings or performance.

I first did recordings of two SD channels at the same time both manual recording and timed recordings, then the same test using two HD channels. Both of these worked with out a problem. Next test was to do a SD channel and HD channel recording at the same time, again doing manual and timed recordings and again no problems. I next tested a timed recording and turned the box off to see if it would turn on and record and then turn it's self off and yes it worked as advertised. I even tried to schedule a recording that I knew would cause a conflict to see if it was smart enough to know that there was a conflict and it did pick it up and gave you options to fix the conflict. As far as a recording box this thing works and works well.

Next I tried pausing live tv. Not only can you pause live tv but you can on the fly rewind back to catch something that you may have missed or you want to see again, instant replay, and then catch up with live tv. As far as a straight pause, I believe you can pause about 40 minutes in SD and about 15 minutes in HD, that is due to the size of the buffer that it uses for the tuners. It buffers the tuner all the time so it is possible to start watching a program and let's say about 10 minutes in to the program you decide that you would like to record the program, you can and it will save the program from the time that you started watching until you stop the recording. A very nice feature.
If you have any experience with Direct Tv or Dish the interface is very similar. Channel switching is just as fast as the 6200, even with the new guide and the new guide is very nice looking and simple to understand. SD viewing is not as good as the 6200 so use S-Video or below to view that. Digital channels are on the same par as the 6200, nice but looks better if you use the DVI connection ( it is active with this unit ). I haven't tested the firewire connection but the diagnostic screen says it's active. HD channels are best using the DVI connection but component connections look very good also.
There is alot more about this unit I could talk about but this is getting a little long so if anyone has specific questions that they would like me to check out I will try my best.

After all is said and done, this is a nice recording device. Is it perfect, no, there are for sure somethings that could be added or improved but for an initial roll out it works and works well. I only got it to crash on me once and that was on my initial attempt to do a timed recording, since then no crashes at all. My only complaint ( for now :) ) is that you really need a bigger hard drive because it's real easy to fill it up ( gotta figure out how to get it off the disk so I can archive it in it's original format not down res'd ).

So any questions that I can help with I will to the best that I can. Let me say one more thing about Comcast. The roll out was not done like it was suppose to happen and the demand was way more than they figured it would be. They really need to get all the areas on the same page and start thinking about customers and not the bottom line because if you don't the bottom line will be a zero when your customers start to walk out. CSR is CUSTOMER SERVICE representative. Enough of the soap box. Be patient, everyone will get their dvr's in due time, I just wish it had gone smoother.

Laters,
Mikef5

Anyone else that got a 6412 unable to access VOD now? I get "Communications Error" whenever I try to access VOD (either by tuning to channel 1, or through the guide or menu). VOD worked fine on my 5100 before.

-Tim

Well, I am in Mountain View and tried the website route tonight and it accepted my order and the following was the online chat dialogue to confirm the order:

johnathan > Hello. Thank you for choosing Comcast. My name is John. And I will be processing your order. It will take me just a few minutes to pull up your account in our system. I will let you know if I have any questions.
johnathan > At this time DVRs in your area are on back order for an estimated 4-6 weeks while we wait for another shipment to be produced and shipped to us. I can add you to our VIP list so that when they become available you will be contacted.
comcast_guest> Please add me to the VIP list.
johnathan > I've already got you add to it.
johnathan > Is there anything else I can help you with?
comcast_guest> No thank you.


Guess there IS a bit of a supply problem in spite of what Comcast's Mr. Johnson stated.

Monday morning I will start calling and also stop by my local office to see what they might know.

web

Originally posted by tmaestas95
Anyone else that got a 6412 unable to access VOD now? I get "Communications Error" whenever I try to access VOD (either by tuning to channel 1, or through the guide or menu). VOD worked fine on my 5100 before.

-Tim

Did you add a signal amp or new line splitter?

Originally posted by Mikef5
There is alot more about this unit I could talk about but this is getting a little long so if anyone has specific questions that they would like me to check out I will try my best.

Laters,
Mikef5

How noisy is the hard drive? And does it still run when the box is off/standby?

Originally posted by web
Well, I am in Mountain View and tried the website route tonight and it accepted my order and the following was the online chat dialogue to confirm the order:

Unless there was more to your on-line dialogue than you show, I don't see how it could be said that Comcast "accepted" your order. It put you on the infamous VIP list, that's all. We're all on that list, but I don't think any of us feels like we actually have an order in the system. Am I missing something?

Originally posted by UCSB
Did you add a signal amp or new line splitter?

Nope - nothing new, other than the box....

After waiting for the DVR with everyone else, unfortunately I am in Tokyo on some family business. It has been frustrating, but after some effort, I was able to use e-mail to schedule an install in Rohnert Park for next week. However, I was told there would be an installation fee of 15.99. Even after a followup and a link to this thread, the CSR insisted the charge was correct. I decided to cancel the order and wait until I get back to CA to follow up.

I believe I`ve seen several people mention they were not charged an installation fee correct?

I had problems with my installation, and I asked the CSR if I could get the install fee waived. They said they never intended to charge me for it in the first place.

emiburke,
I am getting an install in Novato on Mon. and was told that I would be charged $15.95 for the install. I think this is standard now in this area.

Originally posted by keenan
How noisy is the hard drive? And does it still run when the box is off/standby?

You can hear the hard drive when the box is on but it's not that loud and after a while you become use to it. When I turned off the box to do the record from off, I couldn't hear the box except once in a while it would seem to write something and then stop. I assume that it is updating the guide information when it does that. But overall if you are sitting back about 10-12 ft it's not bad at all, of course even with computer hard drives, each one is different and could give different results.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
But overall if you are sitting back about 10-12 ft it's not bad at all, of course even with computer hard drives, each one is different and could give different results.

Laters,
Mikef5

Yeah, I'll have to wait and see. I have a pretty quiet room which also doubles as my listening room for music. My computer sits at the opposite end-26' away and during quiet passages of music I can hear my computer, although that may be more fan noise than HDD noise. I had noticed in the 6412 thread that some were complaining about noisy HDDs.

Thanks and congrats, the squeaky wheel does get the grease...:D

DVR now available for ordering online by entering my Campbell address. It wasn't available when I checked on Friday...


Edit: I went ahead and put an order in online... in the chat session, Joanne told me that it really isn't available in Campbell yet, but will be "in a few weeks". The confusion continues...

Sunnyvale 94086 DVR Ordering Online:

Today (Sunday), the Comast website had the option to order the DVR for Sunnyvale 94086 area. However, when you are connected to the chat session to confirm appointments, Joanne, the CSR, told me it will not be available for a few weeks. Geez, why do they allow ordering if it is not available yet! It wasn't available to order Saturday! Oh well, what's a few more weeks anyways...

-Steve

Well after not having the tech show up on Friday for my install, he showed up on Saturday (in Moraga). Very nice guy, seemed to know what he was doing. The install took about 30 to 45 minutes for both boxes. Would have been faster, but it is hard to get to the cables where I have one of the units.

They work great. I set the unit to record the Oakland Atlanta game and started watching it about an hour later. Fastforward through the commercials and half time is great. Picture is great, recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1. Couldn't be happier! The guide goes out to December 27 and moves as fast as you press the buttons. A larger hard drive would be great, but I certainly can't complain. I still can't believe I have them. I was traveling on the east coast most of last week and was monitoring the discussions here. I called on Thursday, with an install scheduled for Friday, which ended up being Saturday. The tech stated Friday was the first day he was doing installs. Anyway, they work great and are definately worth the wait.

Kris

Originally posted by John Mace
Unless there was more to your on-line dialogue than you show, I don't see how it could be said that Comcast "accepted" your order. It put you on the infamous VIP list, that's all. We're all on that list, but I don't think any of us feels like we actually have an order in the system. Am I missing something?

You are correct. By "accepted" I meant that the selection of a PVR was available for my area (Mountain View) and it the website processed my order up to the point indicated by the dialogue I posted earlier.

Hopefully, I will be able to dig up some additional information on Monday when I return home. I am posting this from my sister's house in Henderson (Las Vegas) where she has VOD and PVR available via Cox :( . Trying to talk her into the PVR. Wasn't too impressed with the selection of material available via VOD (Entertainment On Demand from Cox).

The saga continues...

web

Probably should ask this in the iGuide thread, but as local CableCo differences exist, I thought I'd ask this question here first.

Pause Live TV and Viewing Previously Recordings differences are curious.

For Pause Live TV, we read that 40min SD/15min HD buffers limit how far you can be "behind". Mikef5 notes that if you are going to fall too far behind (say, you have to leave and pick up later where you left off), that you can simply convert to recording and it will include the pause buffer contents as well. Very nice.

My question is this. If I Schedule a Recording, can I start to watch it before it has completed?

Note that this is a way to avoid any 40min SD/15min HD Pause Buffer limitation :-). Indeed, I regularly watch TV this way. I have no idea - at the time I schedule a recording - whether I'll be able to watch it at that time or not. But if I am, I don't want to have to wait 'til it has completed to start watching it.

Can any of you lucky 6412 users try this out for me?

Originally posted by keenan
How noisy is the hard drive? And does it still run when the box is off/standby? Not bad at all. I can't hear mine when the HDTV is on (unless sound is muted). When HDTV is off and the house is totally quiet, you can hear it whirring but it's pretty soft, get more than 10 or 12 feet away and it's barely, if at all, noticeable.

Edit: Just read Mike's post about the same issue-- after I came up with my "10 or 12 feet" estimate. :)

Which call center(s) serve the South Bay and West Bay/Peninsula?

I am wondering if part of the problem was the Concord call center (which I am sure takes North Bay and East Bay calls) was given different information, a different script and/or different codes/software data screens for the DVR rollout versus the other call center(s)....

If so, the question is then was the difference between call centers intentional (and for what reason) or unintentional (more incompetence)?

Originally posted by edmc
My question is this. If I Schedule a Recording, can I start to watch it before it has completed? Yes, you can.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Not bad at all. I can't hear mine when the HDTV is on (unless sound is muted). When HDTV is off and the house is totally quiet, you can hear it whirring but it's pretty soft, get more than 10 or 12 feet away and it's barely, if at all, noticeable.


Okay, just so I understand, with the STB/DVR OFF, is there still HDD noise, everything off, TV etc.? If so, that might cause me some consternation, I am not a golden eared audiophile but I do listen to music that has many quiet interludes, and to have a HDD scratching away during those interludes would be distracting, especially if you can hear it at a distance of 10-12'.

Obviously, this is a personal equipment location problem on my part and I guess I will have to see on Tuesday and try and make adjustments, the fact that these STBs can be like little heaters does not help as far as placement..:p

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Which call center(s) serve the South Bay and West Bay/Peninsula?

I am wondering if part of the problem was the Concord call center (which I am sure takes North Bay and East Bay calls) was given different information, a different script and/or different codes/software data screens for the DVR rollout versus the other call center(s)....

If so, the question is then was the difference between call centers intentional (and for what reason) or unintentional (more incompetence)?

I think the differences were intentional ... I think that Comcast was hoping to do an unannounced soft rollout, phased over the Bay Area. Probably because they knew, reasonably, it would be months before they could meet demand. Even after being on the LIST since Nov 2003, I never received a call, a message on my STB, any mail, ads or anything that would have clued me into the fact that this was being offered by Comcast. So where was the rollout??? As we saw, a months worth of service appointments were gone in a day or so. All of the inventory until the next shipment was committed. Realistically, this was probably the best they could do. Their plan would have probably worked reasonably well, if the press stories hadn't dragged who knows how many people into the situation.

I would be critical of them if they had done a big announcement and hyped demand, but they didn't.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Which call center(s) serve the South Bay and West Bay/Peninsula?


I believe at least the south bay is serviced by the Morgan Hill Call Center (I'm not sure if it serves other areas also or if the south bay calls also can go to concord)

The sad thing is Comcast has invested alot of $'s in bringing back local call centers (ATT had outsourced them to areas like Canada etc.) but I havent noticed any increase in the service or knowledge.

Originally posted by davisdog
I believe at least the south bay is serviced by the Morgan Hill Call Center (I'm not sure if it serves other areas also or if the south bay calls also can go to concord)

The sad thing is Comcast has invested alot of $'s in bringing back local call centers (ATT had outsourced them to areas like Canada etc.) but I havent noticed any increase in the service or knowledge.

I love the local call centers!!! They have always worked well for me and quickly resolved problems ... usually with just a reset to my equipment. Let's be thankful. After spending over an hour on the phone with my bank's Indian call center last week, my five minute call to Comcast to schedule my 6412 install was a welcome change.

Originally posted by UCSB
I would be critical of them if they had done a big announcement and hyped demand, but they didn't.

Well, instead they had Andrew Johnson running interference with his "there is no supply problem" b.s. You don't find anything to be ciritical in that? How about just coming out and leveling with us? I have to think that they really are afraid some customers will just give up after waiting so long and go with a different solution. Especially around Christmas/end of the year time.

Originally posted by keenan
Okay, just so I understand, with the STB/DVR OFF, is there still HDD noise, everything off, TV etc.? If so, that might cause me some consternation, I am not a golden eared audiophile but I do listen to music that has many quiet interludes, and to have a HDD scratching away during those interludes would be distracting, especially if you can hear it at a distance of 10-12'.

Obviously, this is a personal equipment location problem on my part and I guess I will have to see on Tuesday and try and make adjustments, the fact that these STBs can be like little heaters does not help as far as placement..:p

Keenan,
I have wall to wall carpeting ( short shag ) in my viewing room. That deadens alot of the noise that is generated by most acoustical sound. If you have no carpeting in your room then you will probably get echoing from the hard drive or any other generated noise but the box that I have is really hard to hear even when everything is off. As far as if the box is hotter than the 6200, I'd say it's about the same, but I give it adequate ventilation just like I do for most of my electrical equipment. As long as you don't block the vents you should be ok.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by UCSB
Their plan would have probably worked reasonably well, if the press stories hadn't dragged who knows how many people into the situation.

I would be critical of them if they had done a big announcement and hyped demand, but they didn't.

UCSB,

The original press stories (Chronicle and Mercury) where initiated by Comcast (and included interviews with Andrew Johnson the local VP)....It was free publicity and I'm sure was meant to be a big announcement (and included much hype from Comcast)...Both stories were then followed up by the reporters when they got many complaints from people that what comcast was feeding the newspapers was not reality (in many cases)...They <comcast> created this mess...I dont believe for a second that they meant to keep it quiet.

Originally posted by davisdog
..They <comcast> created this mess...I dont believe for a second that they meant to keep it quiet.

ABSOLUTELY!! As Kathryn Kelly with TiVo noted in that article, this is SOP for Comcast, and to be fair, it's the same for many, many companies, given that TiVo had some new hot product coming out they would probably be doing the same. Given that cable installs have pretty much slowed to a static status quo, the onus is on the cableco to increase the revenue and services with their current customers.

It is no mistake, or screwup that this DVR thing has come out just before Christmas, whether Comcast has the dang boxes or not, they want you to know they have or will have them soon to stave off any customer desertion to the Satan satcos..:D

After install of my 6412, my VOD no longer works. I called Comcast once today, and they reset the box and said it would be on in 5 minutes. 5 hours later, still no VOD. I get a Communications Error when I tune to channel one. I called back, and was told that VOD is not available when you have the DVR box! Can anyone with a 6412 confirm or deny this??

Thanks.

-Tim

I got my 6412, VOD didn't work, they reset, it works now. GOL TV is still out, though.

Originally posted by tmaestas95
After install of my 6412, my VOD no longer works. I called Comcast once today, and they reset the box and said it would be on in 5 minutes. 5 hours later, still no VOD. I get a Communications Error when I tune to channel one. I called back, and was told that VOD is not available when you have the DVR box! Can anyone with a 6412 confirm or deny this??

Thanks.

-Tim

My VOD did not work until after a reset (the initial reset / download performed immediately after installation; I didn't time it but could have taken 45 minutes). Works fine now.

Just got through on the website/live chat for San Jose area, which wasn't available last week. But I received the same answer....."At this time we do not have the DVR available in your area we are projecting that within the next couple of weeks we should have it available." Supposedly, I'm "on the list" to be notified.....

I think Andrew should make the SJ Mercury News mandatory reading for all CSRs..that way they can see where he/comcast promised it was available in all areas (including San Jose):D

Originally posted by davisdog
I think Andrew should make the SJ Mercury News mandatory reading for all CSRs..that way they can see where he/comcast promised it was available in all areas (including San Jose):D

Well, should it be the Mercury News where he says supply of DVRs is not an issue, or, The Chronicle where he says the supply of DVRs is an issue?!?! :p

Actually, it should probably be both because they will cancel each other out and we'd be back at square one with what the CSRs know, on second thought, maybe they shouldn't see either one as I think they are confused enough already, why pile on?...:D

Seriously though, how can Andrew Johnson make two diametrically opposed public statements and expect his CSR staff to know what the heck is going on?

Sorry for the rant but this sort of disinformation style of marketing bugs me...:cool:

I think we should give Comcast a reasonable time period before forming an opinion on the DVR offering. Perhaps four to six weeks to see how it turns out. They have a huge job and that seems like a reasonable time period to try and bring supply and demand into balance. I will forecast that the DVR program is going to be extremely successful and probably, outside of their great high speed internet product, their best loved product offering ever.

What do I base that on … well my own experience. Comcast installed my 6412 today and I have had enough time to form my own opinion; it is great. It works perfectly. The service technician was nice, considerate, and helpful. He left me a nice remote with all the correct buttons (including swap) and two high quality, easy to use brochures on how to use the recorder. I don’t know what they could have done to improve my experience (except allowing office pickup and self install).

This program is just getting started. My technician started his work week today, so this was his first day back at work since this all started. At 4PM, I was his first DVR install … it is way to early to be ranting about the program.

Like Bill, I've had a mostly good experience the last few days. I got my 6412 installed Friday, and while it didn't go perfectly, we were all learning on the job, and by Friday evening I was recording shows in HD. I've had a full weekend with it now, and it works great if not perfect. The service technician was nice, considerate and helpful. He gave me the correct remote w/swap, although I use an MX-500 so I don't really care, and since the "correct" remote doesn't have a setup button I can't program in the 30-second skip.

So I see why Bill would say it's too early to be ranting. He's right, we need to give them a reasonable time period to try and bring supply and demand into balance.

Except ... like most folks here, I've been waiting since November of 2003. Four to six weeks seems reasonable to get things sorted out ... but it's been more like 56 weeks, and that's not as reasonable. All is forgiven now that I have my box, but I think I understand the ranting.

I have no doubt the DVR works as advertised and have no issue with it or the Comcast people in the trenches, my complaint is with the slipshod and deceiving method in which the DVR was brought to market here. Looking forward to getting mine on Tuesday..

Originally posted by UCSB I think we should give Comcast a reasonable time period before forming an opinion on the DVR offering. Perhaps four to six weeks to see how it turns out. They have a huge job and that seems like a reasonable time period to try and bring supply and demand into balance. I will forecast that the DVR program is going to be extremely successful and probably, outside of their great high speed internet product, their best loved product offering ever.

What do I base that on … well my own experience. Comcast installed my 6412 today and I have had enough time to form my own opinion; it is great.

But your experience is of someone in an area where the DVRs actually WERE available. Is it that surprising that you had a "good" experience, and those of us in the not-avialable area had a "bad" experience? If Comcast ever can install a DVR at my house, then perhaps I'll agree with you.

Originally posted by UCSB
I think we should give Comcast a reasonable time period before forming an opinion on the DVR offering. Perhaps four to six weeks to see how it turns out. They have a huge job and that seems like a reasonable time period to try and bring supply and demand into balance. I will forecast that the DVR program is going to be extremely successful and probably, outside of their great high speed internet product, their best loved product offering ever.

What do I base that on � well my own experience. Comcast installed my 6412 today and I have had enough time to form my own opinion; it is great. It works perfectly. The service technician was nice, considerate, and helpful. He left me a nice remote with all the correct buttons (including swap) and two high quality, easy to use brochures on how to use the recorder. I don�t know what they could have done to improve my experience (except allowing office pickup and self install).

This program is just getting started. My technician started his work week today, so this was his first day back at work since this all started. At 4PM, I was his first DVR install � it is way to early to be ranting about the program.

Well, UCSB that is a nice idea and for the most part I agree but let me explain my experience with this fiasco with the dvr roll out. I am one of the major ranters in this forum. It started with my interaction with Comcast's non upgrade of the SaraMilgatos area. I talked with Mr. Germano ( West Coast Mannager ) about this. Well, there is NOT going to be any upgrade probably for the next couple of years but I was promised by Mr. Germano that when the roll out of the dvrs was to happen the people of SaraMilgatos and below would be the first to get the roll out. This again did not happen and that is what set me off. To be lied to is not what I expect from a company like Comcast and that is the reason I did what I did. People should not have to do that. Comcast had a year to get this roll out straight, the rest of the country has them and for the most part they are working well ( I personally can vouch for that ). Other states are giving their customers 2,3 and even 4 of these boxes and the Bay Area had none ( until the recent roll out ). So how do you think people would react when they are told there are no boxes to be had for their areas ??? The bottom line for Comcast should be their customers because without their customers there is no bottom line. I do agree that this box is very nice and is going to give D* and Dish a good run for their money but if things don't turn around quickly alot of customers may go to these providers.
Let me end this rant with something positive. Scot, my installer, was very good, I have worked with him before. The whole installation was less than 15 minutes, including authorization and this was his first dvr installation. It has worked flawlessly since then and I am very happy with it and I am sure others will be to. So I agree give Comcast some slack ( but not too much :) ), I am sure you will be happy when you do get your box.

Laters,
Mikef5

I would have been happy to give Comcast the 4-6 weeks they need to get supply in line with demand IF they didn't lie about availability, and IF their CSRs knew what they were talking about (and I don't blame the CSRs here, I'm sure they were saddled with misinformation from above). But between the Mercury News article (supply is not a problem) and the Chronicle article (supply IS a problem), then going on-line where I was told I have to call in, so I did, where I was told it is NOT available in my area, then going on line again (because so many of you said it took multiple attempts), whereupon I was told not only that the CSR was CERTAIN that Burlingame had the boxes in stock and was CERTAIN that I could pick it up for self-install, whereupon I went to the Burlingame office and was told, huh? We don't have ANY of the boxes.......

Seriously, this company should rightfully be out of business by now. If it weren't that it is virtually a cable monopoly.......

So I was one of the ones that was able to "schedule" an appointment online for a DVR install. Just like I feared, I received a call this morning stating that my install was CANCELLED due to the equipment not being available. (Menlo Park, 94025 btw). A call to the CSR which routed me to the dispatcher, who informed me that I was rescheduled for the 3rd of January. Frustrations aside, I took a deep breath, remembered that my wife told me to be "chipper" since it's the holiday season and just wait until the 3rd. So what happened with the other peninsula online appointments? Anyone successful?

-Son

The worst part about this is that Comcast raised expectations of all Bay Area customers for DVR and then defeated those expectations for those in the South Bay and Peninsula.

If Comcast had been up front last week with the media, the newspaper articles would have said that the release of DVRs was being done in phases, with the North Bay and East Bay first and the South Bay and Peninsula/West Bay following 2 or 3 weeks thereafter. But Comcast didn't do that and made it seem that the product would be available equally to all.

If supply truly were an issue, Comcast should have done a soft rollout to those on "the list," without any publicity, in all parts of the Bay Area. Then, after a week or two of soft rollout, launch your publicity campaign and start taking calls.

Also, making it absolutely clear what subscription level is required for DVR service would prevent a lot of defeated expectations and confusion (and wasted CSR time). Even the CSR's don't know what level is required and they are supposed to be taking the orders. A horrible job has been done so far on this front.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
A horrible job has been done so far on this front.

Agreed, but it depends on how you look at it, for everyone one of us here that knows what package is required, there are probably 30-40? folks out there who do not and they are sold something they don't need or want by Comcast, by CSR mis-information and/or by design, I mean, it's no secret that Comcast wants to make as much money off you as they can and they will do it pretty much any way they can, sad but true. It's a case of don't ask, don't tell, don't lie to the customer but don't give them the real deal either unless they ask.

This is a case where the buyer must be very aware of the real facts.

Originally posted by UCSB
I think we should give Comcast a reasonable time period before forming an opinion on the DVR offering. Perhaps four to six weeks to see how it turns out.

I guess that's easy to say when you ALREADY HAVE ONE! :rolleyes:

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
The worst part about this is that Comcast raised expectations of all Bay Area customers for DVR and then defeated those expectations for those in the South Bay and Peninsula.

If Comcast had been up front last week with the media, the newspaper articles would have said that the release of DVRs was being done in phases, with the North Bay and East Bay first and the South Bay and Peninsula/West Bay following 2 or 3 weeks thereafter. But Comcast didn't do that and made it seem that the product would be available equally to all.

If supply truly were an issue, Comcast should have done a soft rollout to those on "the list," without any publicity, in all parts of the Bay Area. Then, after a week or two of soft rollout, launch your publicity campaign and start taking calls.

Also, making it absolutely clear what subscription level is required for DVR service would prevent a lot of defeated expectations and confusion (and wasted CSR time). Even the CSR's don't know what level is required and they are supposed to be taking the orders. A horrible job has been done so far on this front.

I think you are right about alot of the problems that happened with this roll out, but I think a major problem is every area ( loop ) is treated like a franchise, they do different things in different areas and there is no coordination between them. That is the reason in some areas you have to subscribe to a digital package and in others you just have to have a basic package to get the dvr.
The problem with doing a silent roll out to specific areas is that there are no secrets in this forum. If someone was to get a dvr when no one else was getting one, I am sure that they would post it here in the forum and then Comcast would really get reamed for doing it in secret. But like I said they've had a year to get this thing prepared and rolled out. I don't think they realized just how popular this thing would be and the communication to their customers has a lot to be desired.
Again, I don't want to be negative, this is a great dvr and works very well, but Comcast needs to shift to high gear and get this thing rolled out to everyone, now.

Laters,
Mikef5

As I have posted before, even though I called about 8:30 am on Thursday, I was given a Monday install appointment, several days later than many on this list that had called later (yes, the install date is much earlier than those in SJ or the pennisula).

Well, I called today to see if I could get a better sense of the time during the 4 hour window that the installer would show up. It seems, however, that the install date was changed to Thursday, the 16th, in the morning. Of course, I was never told of the change. Comcast seems to have a notation that it was changed on Thursday "at the customer's request"- very unlikely. On further investigation it seems that my appointment was not confirmed for today when I called last Thursday and it was rescheduled for the 16th but neither the CSR nor anyone else at Comcast called me to let me know of the change.

Beyond the 3 day wait, Thursday morning does not work for me so I had to cancel that appointment. The next available appointment was on the 23rd. So I called early on the 9th and got an install for the 23rd.

This one you can blame on the CSR's

They did say that they would give me a $20 credit (out of aa $90 monthly cable bill with the DVR).

- Phil

Is there a specific reason we get the NFL Channel on two different
channel locations (in San Jose)? Do either of them carry any HD?

Originally posted by Richo
Hey, does anybody have some info for Santa Cruz?


Anybody?

Originally posted by keenan
Agreed, but it depends on how you look at it, for everyone one of us here that knows what package is required, there are probably 30-40? folks out there who do not and they are sold something they don't need or want by Comcast, by CSR mis-information and/or by design, I mean, it's no secret that Comcast wants to make as much money off you as they can and they will do it pretty much any way they can, sad but true. It's a case of don't ask, don't tell, don't lie to the customer but don't give them the real deal either unless they ask.

This is a case where the buyer must be very aware of the real facts.

Do we even know the answer to what package is required? Even here I don't think we have any accurate information about what package, and when, and this group is supposed to be the most informed group. Scary if you ask me... Not our fault, pure Comcast fault. Appreciate all the help from Sonoma, DCTDictator, and all the other members who provide as much input as possible, but I'm still at a loss of what I need and when I can get it....

Maybe I'm just dense, but what seemed like only an additional $10 for DVR functionality is turning into an addtional $20-$30 in my case. (I have basic cable, HD package, and additional 2nd HD Tuner.) Just want to switch one for DVR. Currently I pay about $27 and would be willing to pay about $35 total... but what its starting to look like is best case scenario of about $60 ($45 enhanced, $5 for HD, $10 for DVR) a month upwards of about $80.

I'm going crazy and that's with out even talking about When for SF?

Originally posted by mds54
Is there a specific reason we get the NFL Channel on two different
channel locations (in San Jose)? Do either of them carry any HD?

Send one of them up here, we don't get any of them..:D

Originally posted by keenan
Send one of them up here, we don't get any of them..:D


Trade ya a NFL Channel for a DVR!:p

Originally posted by russwong
Do we even know the answer to what package is required?

"In another confusing statement, Comcast said in a press release and on its Web site that customers needed to subscribe to the digital cable level of service, which starts at more than $52 a month. That would have meant that a customer with only basic or standard analog cable TV service would have had to upgrade to a costlier service.

While that may be true in other Comcast markets, it won't be the case in the Bay Area.

According to Johnson, Bay Area customers who have standard analog cable service, which averages around $42 a month, can add DVR service without upgrading. The 10 percent of customers with basic service need to upgrade to at least the standard tier to get it"

The above from post #3254 page 163..

Originally posted by Richo
Anybody?

DCTDictator probably has some info on Santa Cruz, try PMing him, he said he was going to "silent running" for a few days..

Got my 6412 installed today. All went smoothly, it took all of 5 mins. No complaints at all with Comcast except I don't know why they don't allow self installs. I guess they are being extra cautious. Keeping 5100 until the 6412 proves rock solid.

Installer says no 30 sec skip and no plans on fire wire. Correct?

Originally posted by Richo
Anybody? Also there is a thread for Monterrey which might be more appropriate for Santa Cruz.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=210692

Originally posted by hiker
Installer says no 30 sec skip and no plans on fire wire. Correct?

There is a 30 sec skip, you just have to program it in your remote. See here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printpost.php?postid=4636291 for how to program it on a silver Comcast remote.

I went online last night to sign up for DVR (in Mountain View). In typing up my zip (94040), I was told that DVR was available in my zip code. So on I went to sign up online and schedule 3 possible installation times. I then got routed to LiveChat which, after 5 minutes of waiting, told me that DVR wasn't available in my area yet.

I think the most frustrating thing this rollout is that Comcast is utterly and completely wasting our time because they can't get their act together. The customer should not have to be the one that educates their CSRs!

I'd like to know when exactly all the Comcast CSRs will start reading from the same script. This is incredibly frustrating.

Originally posted by hiker
Installer says no 30 sec skip and no plans on fire wire. Correct?

If you're talking about Firewire for hard drive expansion, then no, you can't do that yet (although there is talk that would be enabled eventually). You can, however, use it to dump content to a DVHS or your PC.

By the way, it had been a while since I tried recording from the 6200 to a PC -- it was pretty bad before. I tried it again using the 6412 and some updated instructions and it was surprisingly very easy. Because no one has really implemented 5c yet, I was able to record pretty much everything to PC (I didn't try any VOD content). For those want a good step-by-step, here's the link: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=403695

Originally posted by keenan
"In another confusing statement, Comcast said in a press release and on its Web site that customers needed to subscribe to the digital cable level of service, which starts at more than $52 a month. That would have meant that a customer with only basic or standard analog cable TV service would have had to upgrade to a costlier service.

While that may be true in other Comcast markets, it won't be the case in the Bay Area.

According to Johnson, Bay Area customers who have standard analog cable service, which averages around $42 a month, can add DVR service without upgrading. The 10 percent of customers with basic service need to upgrade to at least the standard tier to get it"

The above from post #3254 page 163..

Yeah, I saw that, unfortunately, all the CSRs seem to think differently and since they are the ones that add the service to my account, they are the ones that matter....

Any one else with Basic cable think this jump is too expensive? It's basically over a $30 increase right?

Just wondering what people in my shoes think.

I agree the price jump from Basic cable to Extended is too big.

I had the DVR installed today, 10 minute operation. I'm pretty impressed so far.

My channel 719, 720 and 725 is still not working. The installer said he would check with the network guys and call me back. I have not recieved a call..........

One more week and I will call them again about it.

I will try and remove the extended cable once my 3 month intro price is up .

Originally posted by russwong
Yeah, I saw that, unfortunately, all the CSRs seem to think differently and since they are the ones that add the service to my account, they are the ones that matter....

Any one else with Basic cable think this jump is too expensive? It's basically over a $30 increase right?

Just wondering what people in my shoes think.

Tell them to check with their boss. The biggest wig for Comcast in this area has publicly stated that it is so. I would not take any other answer from them.

I misunderstood you, you are saying you have basic and the CSR will not give you a DVR unless you add extended which would give what Johnson is talking about, the standard analog package.

Called Comcast on Saturday. They said "Yes" 6412 was available for Marin County, but it required a Technician home Install - no pickup allowed. Install scheduled for Monday Dec 13 (not trusting Comcast phone CSR, I went to the San Rafael Comcast office on Saturday - was told that they had no 6412s in the office for pickup, needed a technician install).

Technician arrived today. I hooked up the 6412. It was his first 6412 and he wasn't all that familiar with it (i.e. service menu switching SDTV to 480p, etc).




QUESTION/PROBLEM: The timeslots for many of Network Series programs (e.g. CSI, NCIS, JAG, etc) are showing up on the Guide as "To Be Announced" which means you can't configure them for DVR recording.

Anyone else have this problem? suggested fix or workaround?

Originally posted by CraigSharrow


QUESTION/PROBLEM: The timeslots for many of Network Series programs (e.g. CSI, NCIS, JAG, etc) are showing up on the Guide as "To Be Announced" which means you can't configure them for DVR recording.

Anyone else have this problem? suggested fix or workaround?


Check it later tonite, I think it takes a few hours at least to download all the guide data..

Originally posted by russwong
Yeah, I saw that, unfortunately, all the CSRs seem to think differently and since they are the ones that add the service to my account, they are the ones that matter....

Any one else with Basic cable think this jump is too expensive? It's basically over a $30 increase right?

Just wondering what people in my shoes think.

Not too sure if it's a $30 increase since I was told that when you pay for the DVR at $9.95, you no longer have to pay the $5 for HD so it's $4.95 in additional. You can always get the Standard Cable 3 months promo and then drop it back down after the 3 months to basic only. How much are they charging you for the 2nd HD box though? I have Digital Plus now which includes a standard non-HD box but I'm still paying $5 for the first HD box and then another $6.95 for the second non-HD box.

russwong,
If you have just the Limited Basic package you should be able to add the Digital Classic tier for $9.95 and qualify for the DVR. At least that's the way it's working for me.

And besides without Digital Classic or another digital tier you're missing out on InHD, InHD2, ESPN-HD, DISC-HD, and more.

With regards to INHD and INHD2 in fremont, I had a call from my DVR installer this morning to tell me that the network guys are still working on it.

So if anybody else in Fremont is still having issues with those 2 channels they are still working it!

Originally posted by hiker
And besides without Digital Classic or another digital tier you're missing out on InHD, InHD2, ESPN-HD, DISC-HD, and more.

Maybe I should just be quiet then and live with out DVR, because I'm getting those channels currently with out the digital classic. Hence, I'm not seeing the value of adding all these packages just to get DVR for $30 MORE a month.


Almight1: My second HD box is also $6.95.

Originally posted by keenan
I misunderstood you, you are saying you have basic and the CSR will not give you a DVR unless you add extended which would give what Johnson is talking about, the standard analog package.

The CSR I spoke with said I had to move to Digital Basic, which would be $54 a month + HD + DVR + additional box. So my monthly bill would be about $70 a month, which is the problem, because right now I pay about $30 and get everything I want except for the DVR.

Sorry for all the confusion.

Originally posted by russwong
Maybe I should just be quiet then and live with out DVR, because I'm getting those channels currently with out the digital classic. Hence, I'm not seeing the value of adding all these packages just to get DVR for $30 MORE a month.


How long have you had those channels? If it has been a short period of time they may go dark on you in awhile, many new subscribers get all of those when they first hook-up service, it's the carrot dangling syndrome..

I'm with you Russ. I too am on basic + HD and all I watch on Comcast are the HD channels. I move over to Dish to watch everything else and enjoy my DVR from Dish. I'm in no rush for Comcast DVR because there is not too much I want to record in HD. Although I do miss the ability to skip back or pause when I'm watching a show, esp football.

If just upgrading to Digital Classic a-la-cart ($10) would allow me to get the DVR, then I wouldn't mind that, but there is no way I'm moving to standard analog package.

In the HD sub-category portion of the iGuide on my 6412, 705, 707, 709, 730 and 736 are all missing. Same for everybody else who has the 6412 and/or iGuide? Anybody else?

I'm on Analog Extended Basic at this time. My Sharp LC-45GX6U's built-in QAM-capable tuner is currently showing the following in Pleasanton - WITHOUT ANY CABLE-CARD:

ESPN-HD
ABC-HD (local)
NBC-HD (local)
Discovery-HD
CBS-HD (local)
HDNet
InHD1
InHD2
PBS-HD (KQED local)

The AutoScan also located a tremendous number of subchannels on various other stations (e.g. 100, 118, etc...) which carry various music channels.

I should comment that my prior QAM-tuning solution was the Sasem OnAir USB2 box plugged into my HTPC. While many of the stations listed above were viewable, DiscoveryHD, InHD1, and InHD2 were not - last I checked. And none of the digital music stations came thru.

Despite this, I'm on the list (appt. is 12/22am) for DVR.

As I had Analog Extended Basic, I was offered the DVR for the $9.95/mo fee and told that I didn't need to change my plan. I'd get the HD stations with the DVR.

But I've opted for the Digital Plus Package anyway - I've been wanting SciFi et. al. for awhile.

One disappointment with Digital Cable, as I understand it, is that all those 1 & 2 digit stations (the non-HDs I watch today of course) will continue to be Analog. Most disappointing. That means the MPEG-encoding capabilities of the DVR will be required - which obviously (from many reports) don't do as good a job as Comcast and/or the Original Program Source can provide.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
In the HD sub-category portion of the iGuide on my 6412, 705, 707, 709, 730 and 736 are all missing. Same for everybody else who has the 6412 and/or iGuide? Anybody else?

I'm thinking off the top of my head ... I'm not on my laptop where I can just look on the teevee ... I'm missing some channels, too, I think only 705 707 709 although I'm not positive. But I did notice an absence or two pretty early on.

edmc,

Your "HDNet" is old HDNet programming recycled for use by KRON on its digital channel. Too bad there is no programming data so we know what's coming on (usually old sports, but sometimes there are other shows whose value are not necessarily decreased by being "stale", like music/concerts).

To update those who care (don't all jump up and down now), I have a new appointment for a 6412 install tomorrow afternoon.

To recount my 6412 install schedule history, I called early Thursday morning and got an install date of Monday, later than many on the list who called later but not bad. I called Monday morning for a better sense of when they would arrive and it seems that the Monday appointment was changed just after I hung up last Thursday but no one called me to let me know. The install was now scheduled for this Thursday am but that didn't work for me so I had to reschedule. This first available time was on the 23rd. I reluctantly agreed and then vented on this thread.

Well, I called this morning to see if I could catch a cancellation and I may have gotten lucky for a change. There was an opening from a cancellation for tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, 12/16.

So I suggest that those of you with delayed install appointments call daily to see if you can get a newly freed-up time (except, of course, you people in SJ and the pennisula- you can still bang you heads on the wall).

Here's hoping for tomorrow.

- Phil

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
In the HD sub-category portion of the iGuide on my 6412, 705, 707, 709, 730 and 736 are all missing. Same for everybody else who has the 6412 and/or iGuide? Anybody else?

Same here, I like the new iGuide though, waaay better than the old one.

From today's Press Democrat(Sonoma County)

SR waits as Comcast rolls out on-demand
Rest of county to get digital cable upgrade this week

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Comcast cable TV will offer movies and programming on demand to Sonoma County digital service customers beginning today in some areas and in Santa Rosa by early next year, officials said Monday.

The on-demand feature follows Comcast's earlier introduction of high-speed broadband Internet access to much of the county as the company adds options to challenge competitors for TV viewers and Internet customers.

Santa Rosa will be the last area in the county to get both broadband and on-demand service. Comcast and the city agreed in January to extend the services to Santa Rosa but still must finalize the deal before the company can make technical improvements to its fiber-optic network.

"It's been something that we've been working on ... and we were very pleased to hear from Comcast that they were ready to implement a solution early next year," City Manager Jeff Kolin said.

Comcast must reconfigure its network in Santa Rosa to provide the new services and still allow the city to use the network to broadcast civic meetings and link fire stations, libraries and schools, as well as other uses.

"It frees up more bandwidth, and we're able to launch new services," said Andrew Johnson, a Comcast spokesman. "We're partnering with the city to try and find a solution, and we're optimistic that we can meet that time frame."

Beginning today and Wednesday, the on-demand service will be available to digital cable customers in Bodega Bay, Cotati, Monte Rio, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Sebastopol. A Christmas week rollout is planned for Cloverdale, Geyserville, Guerneville, Healdsburg and Windsor.

"When we launch in these communities, they're going to turn on their TV and they're going to have a whole new menu available to them," said Erica Eusebio, Comcast communications director for the Bay Area.

Comcast has about 1.6 million Bay Area customers. About 135,000 are in Sonoma County, including about 65,000 in Santa Rosa.

Rollout of the on-demand service in the Bay Area began this fall in San Francisco and parts of the East Bay, and should be completed by spring.

"In the first month of the launch, more than a third of our customers were using it," Eusebio said.

On-demand replaces pay-per-view, where customers paid to watch movies at programmed times.

With on-demand, digital cable customers use a menu to search for three types of programming that can be watched at any time. They can rewind, fast forward or pause movies and programs that can be saved for up to 24 hours.

"It works for your schedule, not when the networks schedule programming," Eusebio said.

About 80 percent of the on-demand programs are available at no extra cost and come from popular cable networks and local programming. So far, customers are watching HBO, children's programs and sports highlights the most, Eusebio said.

Movies make up another 10 percent of the offerings, and premium channels the remaining 10 percent. Movies cost $2.99 to $3.99 each. Customers must subscribe to a premium channel, such as HBO, to have access to its library of shows.

With on-demand, there are about 1,800 hours of programming and movies available, and Comcast plans to expand to 4,000 hours next year.

Digital cable costs $55 to $60 a month compared with about $45 for standard cable.

Broadband and on-demand services have been made available as Comcast completes $600 million in improvements to its Bay Area networks, including installing new fiber-optic cable.

Santa Rosa's cable TV system did not need to be replaced, but an upgrade is needed so Comcast can offer the new services without having to take away bandwidth the city uses.

Selling the services in Santa Rosa is critical for Comcast, given the number of customers who can choose satellite companies for TV programs or phone companies offering digitial subscriber lines for Internet access.

"We want to be able to compete more effectively," Johnson said.

Originally posted by keenan
How long have you had those channels? If it has been a short period of time they may go dark on you in awhile, many new subscribers get all of those when they first hook-up service, it's the carrot dangling syndrome..

For quite some time now..... shhh let's just leave it then as I must be in the introductory period.

Thanks for the story on VOD. I'll be looking for it tonight and/or tomorrow.

I will be looking at it to see if it's really worth the bandwidth.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
In the HD sub-category portion of the iGuide on my 6412, 705, 707, 709, 730 and 736 are all missing. Same for everybody else who has the 6412 and/or iGuide? Anybody else?

On mine in the South Bay 703, 704, 723 are listed, missing 705, 707,709, 730 and 736. So it looks like the same here as yours.

Laters,
Mikef5

I also got some information on the digital switchover, can't say where but you could guess since I got the DVR installed today, and take it for what it's worth. The second install in Santa Rosa, BTW.

The info is very good for folks in 550MHz systems though, at least here in Santa Rosa, the time table to switch to completely digital is March 05, analog only customers will be getting converter boxes to remain compatible with grandma and grandpa's TV's. This switch will supposedly enable 550MHz to leapfrog over even 860MHz systems as far as available bandwidth for more channels, services etc. This was talked about before here and elsewhere in this forum but I was rather surprised to hear it was going to happen this soon. Still not sure how this fits with the FCC's ruling about no STB requirement for basic cable, but the gist of it was that this hurdle was or is being overcome very soon. Each franchise has it's own budget and apparently this route was far less expensive than a physical street by street infrastructure upgrade here in Santa Rosa.

So I have my fingers crossed and we'll see what happens here come March, OTOH, weren't we supposed to have DVR's last year? :p


Sonoma,

Have you done anything yet about the missing channels? Not having them listed is going to make it hard to schedule a recording, no? Just started to play with DVR so I'm not sure about that.

Ohhhh....I just called regarding HD availability for my area (Santa Cruz) and got put on the VIP list. I'm definately not going to hold my breath, but that's more than they've offered in the past. Usually it's just a straight up "Nope. Not available. Don't know when it will be either....."

Also, for you guys thay were put on the VIP list, did you get any kind of confirmation number when put on the list? I was provided a 10 digit number.

Keenan, forgive the cynicism, but I doubt that schedule is right. I am not aware of a single system in the US where DComcast has dumped all analog programming. Aside from the FCC requirement to carry analog, the local franchise boards would not go along with this, and a lot of people will complain about it.

One thing to verify this - ask the local franchise authority if they have already approved it. If not, there will be a whole set of hearings and debates and such that will have to happen before such approval is given.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong on this, but this is not consistent with my undertanding.

Thanks,
Mike

For those with missing 7xx stations in the iGuide, does that also mean there is no way to manually/directly select those channels? I'm thinking that just typing in the missing channel number on the remote might work, but scheduling recordings may be impossible. Could you clarify?

They are only missing from the "HD" shortcut guide. They are in the main program guide so recording is not a problem.

You can get the channels and the guide info just not in the "HD channel" list

Originally posted by MikeSM
Keenan, forgive the cynicism, but I doubt that schedule is right. I am not aware of a single system in the US where DComcast has dumped all analog programming. Aside from the FCC requirement to carry analog, the local franchise boards would not go along with this, and a lot of people will complain about it.

One thing to verify this - ask the local franchise authority if they have already approved it. If not, there will be a whole set of hearings and debates and such that will have to happen before such approval is given.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong on this, but this is not consistent with my undertanding.

Thanks,
Mike

I hear you, apparently Comcast is waiting on approval from the City Attorney's office, from the communications I have had with the City Manager's office they were ready to move ahead with it.

I also concur about the FCC thing, I will have to re-read the ruling, but I think the issue was that the cableco could not require the basic analog customer to have to pay for a STB down-converter. These converters will be provided at no charge, something I failed to mention earlier. I think that is within the bounds of the FCC ruling, it's really no different than having the cable itself and any splitters and so forth that anyone would need to receive cable TV.

So yes, March does seem to be very optimistic, but hey, it has to happen someplace first and Santa Rosa is as fine a place as any. :D

P.S. Just re-read your post again, they are not dumping the analog at all, they will be compressing it to be un-compressed by the DAC(STB) at the residence.

Originally posted by Richo
Ohhhh....I just called regarding HD availability for my area (Santa Cruz) and got put on the VIP list. I'm definately not going to hold my breath, but that's more than they've offered in the past. Usually it's just a straight up "Nope. Not available. Don't know when it will be either....."

Also, for you guys thay were put on the VIP list, did you get any kind of confirmation number when put on the list? I was provided a 10 digit number.

I assume you mean "DVR availability" and not "HD [high def] availability". Or are you guys in SC really that far behind the times. :)

No, I didn't get a number. I suspect if I asked, they would have said "1".

A co-worker of mine just got cable for the first time in Foster City. Even though he only ordered Basic Cable (no digital), the tech still installed a box. When he asked why he needed a box, the installer said that they've been told to install boxes for ALL new installs...regardless if it's digital or not. So it seems they may be already starting to gear up for the digital switchover, that way they won't have to go and install boxes in a few months to every analog-only customer.

Has anyone in the East Bay or up in Marin who was on "the list" gotten a call from Comcast? IOW, is there any evidence that being on "the list" actually means anything? I've seen no evidence that "the list" is anything other than more BS on Comcast's part.

Originally posted by fender4645
A co-worker of mine just got cable for the first time in Foster City. Even though he only ordered Basic Cable (no digital), the tech still installed a box. When he asked why he needed a box, the installer said that they've been told to install boxes for ALL new installs...regardless if it's digital or not. So it seems they may be already starting to gear up for the digital switchover, that way they won't have to go and install boxes in a few months to every analog-only customer.

Is he being charged for the box? If not, then my speculation earlier appears to be true, and this is great, maybe March/05 is doable. :)

Originally posted by keenan
Is he being charged for the box? If not, then my speculation earlier appears to be true, and this is great, maybe March/05 is doable. :)
I was just thinking the same thing...I'll ask him.

Originally posted by John Mace
I assume you mean "DVR availability" and not "HD [high def] availability". Or are you guys in SC really that far behind the times. :)

No, I didn't get a number. I suspect if I asked, they would have said "1".

No, I meant HD availability, and yes, we are that far behind.....although, we do have HSI available. Beats the heck out of DSL, but I want my HD dang it! My Panny PDP is starting to get peeved...:D

Originally posted by Richo
No, I meant HD availability, and yes, we are that far behind.....although, we do have HSI available. Beats the heck out of DSL, but I want my HD dang it! My Panny PDP is starting to get peeved...:D

Wow... Why wouldn't you go with satellite? That's not restricted by region, is it?

Originally posted by John Mace
Wow... Why wouldn't you go with satellite? That's not restricted by region, is it?

No, but my place faces the wrong direction. :(

I did notice that the basic cable service now includes a box without PPV according to the web order page.

There is a channel 1 for VOD on my 6412 now. However, it is not functional yet-- says "Channel Should be Available Shortly." The VOD button on the ICX remote does not work yet.

I had problems with VOD upon installing the 6412 ... a hit to the box solved the problem. My son had problems with VOD upon installing the 6412 ... I believe his is fixed now, too. May be a common, but solvable, problem.

By giving an STB to limited basic customers, isn't Comcast giving them the ability to order PPV-- since there is no PPV on analog anymore?

If enough limited basic customers buy PPV's, the free (i.e., no rental charge) STB's might pay for themselves.

keenan,

The only thing that might put a crimp in the planned all digital/free STB to all Santa Rosans would be if the City Council rejects the City Manager's recommendation. And that would probably only happen if there is some kind of huge public outcry at City Council meetings by the analog only folks who don't want a digital gizmo thingie attached to their vintage 1980's TV.

True, but I am not too worried about that happening, from what I can tell (not much), people around here seem to be pretty apathetic about cable TV, in fact that article today is the first one in years that I can remember being in the paper about the local cableco. From watching a few council meetings on TV there is generally about 5-6 people there and the issue is ususally whether the neighbors new garage is going to obstruct someones view of KMart. :D

Sad, but in this case good for us up here.

Something else I left out earlier and just remembered, which could initiate the situation you referred to, a mailer will going out one month before the rollout of the STBs to notify customers that they will need to contact Comcast if they want to continue watching TV. The feeling I got was that all this has pretty pulled out of the station and that it's just a matter of when as opposed to needing much more in the approval aspect.

RE: DVR, FWIW, The installer mentioned to me that these DVRs are being carefully controlled as far as inventory and when and how they leave that inventory, much more so than the everyday STB because the supply is low, in fact he said that employees were not allowed to have one themselves yet, they were only for customers.

P.S. Remember, anyone who reads this, this is not anything official from Comcast, just the results of a discussion with the installer, who did happen to seem very knowledgeable and had been with the cablecos in this area for many years.

Originally posted by keenan
Is he being charged for the box? If not, then my speculation earlier appears to be true, and this is great, maybe March/05 is doable. :)

I would really, really hate it if Comcast switched to ALL-digital (no analog CATV) for Foster City and other areas. To the point of cancelling.

While all-digital does make sense for limited-bandwidth areas like 2% (or Santa Rosa I guess) to increase offerings, and it means fewer customer visits by DCTDictator to administer service,
it is a HUGE loss (for us customers) that have enough current bandwidth for full analog, plus HD & VOD & other services!


Why?
Because I have at least...4-8 OTHER cable-tuner devices (Tivo's, DVD-recorder, VHS deck, other TV's, PIP TV, etc., all that work & require ANALOG BROADBAND (all-channels) CATV.
All CATV-tuner devices will now be USELESS if analog is dropped- unless you give me a seamless, FREE, settop box (tuner) for each and every one of them.
Right now, I'll bet myself and every other advanced, multi-device digital cable subscriber, has a RF SPLITTER before the cable box, to avoid just this problem (and thanks Comcast for disabling the RF passthru, I had to pay for a splitter!) With no more analog, this workaround fails!

The huge problem with Settop-boxes (all of them so far), is they are a BOTTLENECK.
You only get a SINGLE tuner, for everything downstream. (The 6412 dual-tuner recording a big, but limited, exception.)

Every other TV/video device, MUST go off that single tuner as a result- or, EACH device has to get its own box. More $$$, more hassle/complicated connections, more remotes, more IR-blasters (if even available- how can I get my VCR to change cable-box channel to record on timer?!?!)
...basically, more upset grandmas and non-techies! They get no benefit, just more hassle.

Not to mention another pet peeve of the "digital cable" revolution:
the picture quality I've seen of digital cable and STBs, is WORSE THAN ANALOG. (maybe less snow, but lots more compression & A/D conversion artifacts, etc.)
My expensive TV has lots of circuitry to improve & give a great signal from analog TV/video.
The STB doesn't have that, and PQ is often noticeably poorer.
Even worse, the regular analog channels I used to get for free, often look worse routed/converted through the STB!

Please comcast, do NOT convert (all) the analog channels to digital. You'll have a revolt.
Save it for cases where it is NEEDED to provide service (like 2% area.)

Now, if someone were to invent a BROADBAND, multi-channel settop box (eg, will decode and send out ALL channels, not just output the single tuned channel to Ch3 or Svideo)-
now, that I could go for. But I can't see how that's possible (120 simultaneous MPG decoders, and CATV encoders!?!?)

Not until every existing CATV-tuner video device suddenly becomes eg CableCard compatible, for free, would such a conversion be painless...

sorry for the Luddite rant, but this STB trend is extremely annoying pet peeve to me.
HD/Digital OTA conversion requirements is a big enough problem already... if cable now does the same, there is no alternative!

I only pay for Limited Basic, because that fits my need. I hate the cable box. I'm also not an anti-techie person. As a matter of fact, I was an early adopter of Tivo over 5 years ago. I'm using Windows Media Center now. Used other PVR programs like Sage and SnapStream and back in the day 3dfx voodoo cards to capture video.

All of this was easily done, because I have analog cable and was able to split the cable and let each device control it's own destiny. The only reason I have a digital box was for HD and that was because I couldn't get certain channels OTA, but if I had a choice I wouldn't use the cable box. Are the cable card setups as fast and seemless as the analog method? If so, that might be the direction I go, not sure how that will work with Tivo, MCE, etc...

Russ

After I got home tonight, my wife informed me that contrary to what she had told me earlier today, she will not be home tomorrow afternoon so I had to cancel the 12/15 appointment. My previous twice resheduled appointment of 12/23 was no longer available, so now I will have to wait until after Christmas on 12/27 for installation.

I'll try a Comcast office tomorrow.

- Phil

I agree with both cgould and Russ -- this should initially only happen where the bandwidth is starved.

However, we all have to realize this day will eventually come for all of us. Whether it's in 3 months or 3 years, there are going to be people who will have obsolete/non-functional devices at the time of the change. It's up to Comcast to decide how they want to handle these customers. I remember reading a while back that by the time the switch-over occurs, mini converter boxes will be available to do the digital-to-analog conversion. I'm sure you guys won't be thrilled with having to hook up a little box for each analog device however you may have no choice. I'm not sure of the numbers (and this is total speculation) but if you don't already have digital cable, Comcast may not really care about you. In their eyes, you're only giving them $30/month or less and I would bet they're barely breaking even with these customers in terms of infrastructure cost. And with the majority of customers only sending the cable to a TV (i.e. not splitting and using analog tuners), the potential fallout would be minimal. This is all just speculation though.

Originally posted by fender4645
I agree with both cgould and Russ -- this should initially only happen where the bandwidth is starved.

However, we all have to realize this day will eventually come for all of us. Whether it's in 3 months or 3 years, there are going to be people who will have obsolete/non-functional devices at the time of the change.


Just a quick thought, AFAIK, the cable company is only providing a feed to one device, IIRC, in the past if you wanted a cable hookup in another room for instance I think you had to pay for that hookup. In other words, if the cablco knew you were feeding 3 tvs they could/would charge you for those 3. Since people have become pretty savvy with extending cable throughout their domicile I don't think it has really been an issue. I don't really know what the real deal is with that anymore, but I'm going to try and find out.

And you are right, there will be upset people for sure. People are already upset that there just purchased-recently-HDTV with component inputs only is not going to work for up-scaling DVD or HD-DVD players down the road. These need a digital connection(DVD-HDMI). The onslaught of advancing technology is always going to leave someone in the lurch, an unfortunate situation to be sure.

BTW, did your co-worker mention if he was paying a box rental?

Yet another data point for how feeble Comcast's internal implementation planning is: I was in Rohnert Park's office yesterday begging for a DVR self-install. While there, the very nice CSR and I started chatting about VOD. She mentioned they were testing VOD in the office there but had no information in her system about when it would be implemented to customers. She said she was surpised that DVR was actually available before VOD. (She said they also had little preparation around the DVR's but was at least taking orders and they have apparently been doing some installs).

So, I see here someone mentioning VOD, turn on the TV, and of course there it is...

My begging for the self-install didn't work, but at least I do have an appointment for next Tuesday.

Originally posted by keenan
BTW, did your co-worker mention if he was paying a box rental?
Nope...he only works half-days on Tuesday's (slacker). I'll ask him tomorrow morning and report back.

Getting VOD now. There is some HDTV, although very little. HBO has a decent selection of free movies (SD) and under "Cable Favorites" there's actually a nice selection of i.e. Comedy Central, BBC, etc... all for free.
*Also under "Cutting Edge" is a bunch of good stuff, a couple of Anime sections, and Adult Swim selections (comedy, Space Ghost, Aqua Teen, etc.. and anime).

I've already watched UCB on Com. Central and Monty Python on BBC. Picture quality is mediocre at best, the interface is ugly and clunky, and the pause/rewind/etc controls are extremely unresponsive.. heh. But hey, I like it. I mean if you gotta watch crap on TV might as well be crap you like? Can't wait for more HDTV stuff, movies, etc to be available.

Really can't wait for DVR. Postcard I got in the mail today, with the new lineup and announcing VOD, still says "DVR Coming Soon!" :P

I've played around a bit more with the VOD also. It might hold some interest at first, but unless there is more HDTV, I doubt I would be using it much.

Originally posted by walk
Picture quality is mediocre at best, the interface is ugly and clunky, and the pause/rewind/etc controls are extremely unresponsive
The inteface is much better and faster on the 6412 w/ iGuide.

Originally posted by russwong
Maybe I should just be quiet then and live with out DVR, because I'm getting those channels currently with out the digital classic. Hence, I'm not seeing the value of adding all these packages just to get DVR for $30 MORE a month.


Almight1: My second HD box is also $6.95.

Yeah, I guess maybe you should wait until you lose those channels before you get the DVR. Hmm, so the second HD box is $6.95? I was told the second HD box would cost $11.95 since you had to pay $5 for the HD for each box.

Originally posted by russwong
The CSR I spoke with said I had to move to Digital Basic, which would be $54 a month + HD + DVR + additional box. So my monthly bill would be about $70 a month, which is the problem, because right now I pay about $30 and get everything I want except for the DVR.

Sorry for all the confusion.

Actually, what you can do is get the Standard Cable promotion for 3 months at $24.99 a month or the Digital Class/Plus or Silver package for $34.99 a month with the DVR and then downgrade back to what you have now 90 days later or just do one of these until the DVR is installed then downgrade.

When will we have enough time to watch all the programming thats going to be available via VOD. I have a TIVO and have a problem keeping up with the shows it records.

As we only get a limited number (very limited) of HDTV stations in Milpitas, I'm going to wait to get a DVR until more HDTV content is available.

Not meaning to rub salt in the wound of folks still unable to get DVR, but it appears that - for East Bay/Pleasanton anyway - Comcast is ramping up their ability to deploy the boxes.

Having read of others who's appointments were anonymously rescheduled (for later), I called to confirm my 12/23 date. I was told that I could actually have an install this Thursday (12/16). Mentioned that I couldn't make that slot, they countered with Sunday (12/19) - yea, I said Sunday!

At least in my area, I have to compliment Comcast for taking steps to address demand. I hope others get similar "pleasant surprises" like this...

Actually, if you have limited basic and needing to get one of the higher tiers to get the DVR, you can do quite well with the following (like I did):

1) Go to Bestbuy store, and sign up for Digital Cable (even the Silver package with 1 premium channel) which is available for $29 for 3 months.

2) On top of this, you will get a mail-in rebate for $100 (Comcast vouchers).

3) You will need to pay $9.99 to get this "packet", which is refunded by mail-in rebate.

On top of all this, if you're buying, or have bought a Samsung HDTV, you can get $200 back if you upgrade to digital+HDTV as above. I think somewhat similar offers might be available for other brands.

Only Cable Can (http://www.onlycablecan.com/samsung/)

These offers are so attractive, you might want to do this even if you don't need the DVR.

Anyone have an idea why Comcast decided to shaft the SJ/penninsula/SF folks on the DVR? Did they flip a coin and it came up East Bay = heads? Was there limitted supplly, and they felt that demand would be lower in the East Bay? I'm just wondering. Is there a method to this "madness", or are we just unlucky?

Comcast cable and HSI deals are thoroughly discussed here:

Fatwallet.com (http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=212660&highlight_key=y&keyword1=comcast)

My brother just received a $100 rebate from the deals.

I talked to a CSR this morning to see if there was any news on SF. She confirmed that initially they were rolling out only to north and east bay, but now they are beginning to schedule SF. They said I could not schedule an appointment right now but that they were only calling people on the VIP list (in-order) for appointments. She said that she new for certain that her office was already calling up VIP's for appointments and that if I was on the list I would get a call for sure. She asked me when I got on the list, and I said 'a few weeks ago', and she said 'oh' in that said 'poor puppy' sort of tone. Sounded like there were a lot of people ahead of me.

Take this for whatever it is worth.

Originally posted by John Mace
Anyone have an idea why Comcast decided to shaft the SJ/penninsula/SF folks on the DVR? Did they flip a coin and it came up East Bay = heads? Was there limitted supplly, and they felt that demand would be lower in the East Bay? I'm just wondering. Is there a method to this "madness", or are we just unlucky?

I could be mistaken, but I think the peninsula was the last area to be/is being upgraded, other than areas that will not be upgraded, like my area and a large portion of the south bay. I think the idea was to rollout DVR to "BW poverty" areas first. Of course I am sure there are pockets all around the bay that may get hurt by that. Seems to me I read something concerning this earlier in the thread.

Originally posted by edmc
Not meaning to rub salt in the wound of folks still unable to get DVR, but it appears that - for East Bay/Pleasanton anyway - Comcast is ramping up their ability to deploy the boxes.

Having read of others who's appointments were anonymously rescheduled (for later), I called to confirm my 12/23 date. I was told that I could actually have an install this Thursday (12/16). Mentioned that I couldn't make that slot, they countered with Sunday (12/19) - yea, I said Sunday!

At least in my area, I have to compliment Comcast for taking steps to address demand. I hope others get similar "pleasant surprises" like this...

;) Still very hot in Fremont, move one day up from 28th to 27th. Will keep calling.

After being resheduled to the 27th (see my earlier messages), I stopped by a the Comcast Contra Costa Blvd office in Pleasant Hill as I was going to work late after a dentist appointment. I thought a 6412 would ease the pain. I asked if I could pick up a 6412. They said SURE! They noticed that I had a 27th install appointment but were fine with me taking one early. After filing out paper work, scanning the bar code on the machine and I signed my life away, I walked out with a 6412, black remote, cabling, and a motorola manual and a comcast booklet on recording.

I decided to delay my commute slightly and disconnected the 6200 and connected the 6412 (component cables). Same back as the 6200 except no coaxil out. After setting the output setting, the picture came on without calling the office to activate the box or waiting for a long download. The Comcast office in PH must have done it there. The menu was new and, of course, wasn't filed up much. The HD stations seemed to be listed in the menu. I believe the firmware was 9.12 (or was it 9.15?).

As work did call, I didn't have time to try the recording feature. The analogue stations seemed somewhat worse than the 6200. Will investigated further. Curious if the box will have downloaded anything (other than a full schedule) while I am at work.

- Phil

P.S.- I am on the old AT&T Silver Package (STARZ plus one of HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, TMC) but at least for the HD stations, I was getting HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime HD but not STARZ. See if I get Showtime non-HD channels tonight and wonder if that will change.

Originally posted by Philip Klein
I walked out with a 6412, black remote, cabling, and a motorola manual and a comcast booklet on recording.


A black remote? I got a silver one with a black bottom, looks like the old 6200 one, only a little bigger and more buttons...must be an indicator of the shortage of remotes..

Originally posted by keenan
A black remote? I got a silver one with a black bottom, looks like the old 6200 one, only a little bigger and more buttons...must be an indicator of the shortage of remotes..

Keenan, does your remote have the 'swap' button and does it say 'Comcast' on it? If so, you may have one of the new ones. The ones that I got are the same as Philip's -- black, non-Comcast branded. I was told the new ones would be available in a few weeks to which I could trade up for them. I think the new remotes are going to look similar to the current non-DVR remotes, except it will have DVR functions and a swap button (as well as the Comcast logo).

fender4645

Yes, it is an elongated version of the previous remote. It has the black OnDemand button, right below it has all the DVR functions and down at the bottom it has an outlined area for Picture-in-Picture with 5 buttons with one of them being the swap button, the other buttons in the PiP box do not seem to active...I try a take a pic of it you like..

It's just like this one, with the addition of 5 black buttons in the area where that red sticker is. On-Off, Swap, Move, Plus and Minus.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4812357#post4812357
Official Comcast 6412 w/ iGuide Discussion - AVS Forum

The biggest problem with the newer remote is it doesn't have a setup button so you can't program a 30-second skip into it.

Originally posted by keenan
It's just like this one, with the addition of 5 black buttons in the area where that red sticker is. On-Off, Swap, Move, Plus and Minus.
Interesting. I could be wrong but I think that is the new remote. The one I got was the ICX remote (the pictured below the post in the link you sent me) except it's black.

BTW, I got a mailer today that said Santa Rosans were getting Style-ch183, G4techTV-ch136 and Comcast Sports Net West-ch400. Supposed to be active today, 12/15, but they're not, anyone else in my area getting these? Does everybody else(non-2% areas) already get these channels? The flyer indicates that according to their 2004 Customer Channel Survey, these were some of the most highly requested channels.....mmmm....I guess, better than a poke in the eye..:D

Originally posted by fender4645
Interesting. I could be wrong but I think that is the new remote. The one I got was the ICX remote (the pictured below the post in the link you sent me) except it's black.

Probably is, it's got the Comcast logo and looks like a big brother to the previous one.

masoo,

Is there a way to program a button to do the 30sec skip? I guess I am going to have to read that already looooong 6412 thread... :(

Originally posted by keenan
BTW, I got a mailer today that said Santa Rosans were getting Style-ch183, G4techTV-ch136 and Comcast Sports Net West-ch400. Supposed to be active today, 12/15, but they're not, anyone else in my area getting these? Does everybody else(non-2% areas) already get these channels? The flyer indicates that according to their 2004 Customer Channel Survey, these were some of the most highly requested channels.....mmmm....I guess, better than a poke in the eye..:D

Keenan,
I've always received 183 and 136 but the 400 channel is new to me, seems to be Comcast Sports Net, I've rather have FSN-HD though... :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by keenan
Is there a way to program a button to do the 30sec skip? I guess I am going to have to read that already looooong 6412 thread... :(

Here's the 30sec skip:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printpost.php?postid=4636291

Originally posted by Mikef5
Keenan,
I've always received 183 and 136 but the 400 channel is new to me, seems to be Comcast Sports Net, I've rather have FSN-HD though... :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Um Umm, I see, so you are not really a true 2% club member because you have something WE DIDN'T!!! Just kidding...:D

I agree, FSN-HD would be nice, I seriously doubt I will watch any of these channels(highly requested, mind you) except for G4techTV on occasion.


tmaestas95, Thanks for the link, I'll have to check it out..

Originally posted by keenan
Is there a way to program a button to do the 30sec skip? I guess I am going to have to read that already looooong 6412 thread... :(

Someone already pointed you in the right direction. Problem is, you need a remote with a setup button, which is the "old new" remote ... the new new remote has no setup button and so I, at least, haven't seen anyone explain how we can program it. I use an MX-500, but I need to get the skip into the original remote before I can transfer it to my MX-500.

Originally posted by keenan
Um Umm, I see, so you are not really a true 2% club member because you have something WE DIDN'T!!! Just kidding...:D

I agree, FSN-HD would be nice, I seriously doubt I will watch any of these channels(highly requested, mind you) except for G4techTV on occasion.


tmaestas95, Thanks for the link, I'll have to check it out..

Actually, G4techTv is no longer worth watching, the only thing I watched was Screen Savers and Call for Help and that's gone downhill big time. When G4 merged with TechTv they got rid of everything that made the shows worth watching. When they fired Leo I saw the writing on the wall. In case you didn't know G4 is owned by Comcast which explains a lot of what is happening with that channel :eek:

If Comcast is still reading this thread I highly request getting FOX-HD and FSN-HD for ALL THE AREAS. Just a thought :D

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by masoo
Someone already pointed you in the right direction. Problem is, you need a remote with a setup button, which is the "old new" remote ... the new new remote has no setup button and so I, at least, haven't seen anyone explain how we can program it. I use an MX-500, but I need to get the skip into the original remote before I can transfer it to my MX-500.

The new-new remote does have a setup button and it lights up as indicated in that link but after punching the codes in and trying it nothing happened, so I don't know...

Originally posted by Mikef5

If Comcast is still reading this thread I highly request getting FOX-HD and FSN-HD for ALL THE AREAS. Just a thought :D

Laters,
Mikef5

Yup...still got my DirecTV setup and with a little bit of luck, 24 be lookin' gooood come January, Fox-HD went live again the other day on 88 and 89 for those with engineering cards, so maybe Santa Claus is on his way..:D

Originally posted by foobart
Actually, if you have limited basic and needing to get one of the higher tiers to get the DVR, you can do quite well with the following (like I did):

1) Go to Bestbuy store, and sign up for Digital Cable (even the Silver package with 1 premium channel) which is available for $29 for 3 months.

2) On top of this, you will get a mail-in rebate for $100 (Comcast vouchers).

3) You will need to pay $9.99 to get this "packet", which is refunded by mail-in rebate.

On top of all this, if you're buying, or have bought a Samsung HDTV, you can get $200 back if you upgrade to digital+HDTV as above. I think somewhat similar offers might be available for other brands.

Only Cable Can (http://www.onlycablecan.com/samsung/)

These offers are so attractive, you might want to do this even if you don't need the DVR.

Interesting. So exisiting Comcast customers can sign up at BestBuy too since I always thought it was for people who don't already have Comcast already.

For those of us that need to upgrade their service to "qualify" for DVR service and follow the advice being given in this thread to just take advantage of the 3 month offer and then downgrade at the end of the 3 months, what makes us believe we will be able to keep the DVR unit after the downgrade? Since the CSRs do not have codes to enter the DVR service at my lower (limited basic) level, it seems that when we downgrade to that level after the 3 month offer, the DVR codes would still not be available and we would have to turn in our DVR for a 6200 again.

Thoughts on this anyone?

Originally posted by masoo
Someone already pointed you in the right direction. Problem is, you need a remote with a setup button, which is the "old new" remote ... the new new remote has no setup button and so I, at least, haven't seen anyone explain how we can program it.

I figured out how to get into programming mode - hold down the "cable" button until the light stays on. The codes posted here don't seem to work for that remote. Now, unfortunately, I've made that remote useless, so I have to rely on my Harmony.

Tivo has a full-page ad in today's SF Chronicle, jumping on the Comcast DVR availability glitch... offering some FREE Tivo boxes (still need service subscription), to any Comcast customer, tomorrow 11a-1p at their HQ.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/16/BUGGBACHPM1.DTL
http://www.tivo.com/ilovetivo.asp

Sigh... if Tivo had an HD-capable box (QAM/cable compat, NOT satellite), I'd take it in a heartbeat (not if cost $1000 though :( )
Tivo interface & operations (and importantly, the accuracry/timeliness of their EPG) blow away everyone else, easily.
(Anyone w/ 6412 & Tivo, how do they compare? Seems like it's closer...)

too funny...too bad I dont need a stand alone SD Tivo...maybe I'll grab one just to help Tivo's numbers.

and according to our friend Andrew...

When told of the TiVo promotion, Comcast spokesman Andrew Johnson declined to comment. But he said Comcast has corrected nearly all of its internal miscommunication woes "and is filling orders for DVRs throughout the Bay Area"

hmmm...so that means I can call right now and schedule an install in the San Jose area (part of the Bay area right?)...NOT!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, exactly! Though maybe I'll take that quote down to my local office, to beg for a 6412 :)

I begged my friend at Tivo to get a cable-compat HD box... guess it's just hardware dev issues (since they don't make the HW...) oh well.
I didn't want to get satellite, though I was tempted last year, since tired of waiting for HD & DVR...

however, one thing for Comcast to keep in mind, relating to my previous comments re keeping analog cable (vs all-digital):
What's the MAIN competitive benefits of cable, vs satellite?

1. Cable is CATV, only requires STB for digital/PPV channels- satellite requires a converter box for each TV/device.

2. Cable doesn't require sat dish/install (though sat often does cheap/free, is hassle); geographic positioning sometimes means dish is impossible. (But some places don't have cable either.)

3. Cable doesn't require year-long commitments.

If Comcast goes all-digital, there goes benefit #1!

-----------------------------
Originally posted by Almighty1

Interesting. So exisiting Comcast customers can sign up at BestBuy too since I always thought it was for people who don't already have Comcast already.
__________________

It looks like anyone can use these offers, as long as they do not have "Digital Cable", which I read as one of the digital packages. Extended basic folks should qualify too, as long as they didn't have one of the digital packages before.

I have Limited Basic, and HD (for a month), and HBO/Max . I signed up for Digital Silver package through this(with HD). I'm hoping this should qualify me for this as well as the $200 Samsung rebate(bought my HLP5063 at CircuitCity). I don't see why I should not qualilfy, but mine might be considered a bit non-standard, because the main targets are probably supposed to have had no HD to begin with, and no digital box at all.

Originally posted by nightowl
I figured out how to get into programming mode - hold down the "cable" button until the light stays on. The codes posted here don't seem to work for that remote. Now, unfortunately, I've made that remote useless, so I have to rely on my Harmony.

Here is a set of instructions that I picked up on the iGuide thread ... unfortunately when I saved this in a MS Word file I lost the original author.

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Enter 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (don't hold) the "Setup" button
5) Enter 00236 (code for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the swap function to. i used the "tv/vcr input" button since it has no real function.

These are the instructions for Swapping Tuners. To overcome the fact that the box goes into Mute if it starts recording when off use code 00141. 30 SECOND SKIP CODE IS 00173. All of this info is from the lengthy iGuide thread. These work on the silver Comcast remote, I used them on my old 6200 remote. Then transferred the codes to my Pronto 3000.

If anyone knows how to program the black ICX remote please post.

DVR available in San Francisco. I just go off the phone with Comcast. DVR is now available in San Francisco. I have an appointment for Saturday. The CSR told me it would take about an hour to do the installation. The CSR told me they just got the information about the availability 10 or 15 minutes before I called. I was expecting to be put on the list. This is a pleasant surprise. I am now paying $5 for the HDTV box. I will only have to pay $9.95 for the new box so I will only pay an additional $4.95 a month.

No DVR yet - for me at least - in Sunnyvale. Just got off the phone, the friendly CSR at first put me on hold for awhile to set up an appointment. Thoughts of a DVR before Christmas entered my head. Then she came back in a few minutes to apologize that there's no availability yet in my area. I even mentioned the Chronicle article. She confirmed I'm on "the list" and claimed to say she'll mark my entry as "urgent" as I have been asking for the HD DVR since (IIRC) the summer. The waiting continues.

Originally posted by davisdog
too funny...too bad I dont need a stand alone SD Tivo...maybe I'll grab one just to help Tivo's numbers.


This is great, I love this in-your-face style of competition between competing companies, it really cuts down on a lot of the BS. Go TiVo!!

I just called Comcast and they said they would call me back today with an DVR appointment date. Wonder if this is more BS.

YESSSSSS! After scores of phone calls to Comcast over the last year, I've got an appointment to have a 6412 installed tomorrow in SAN FRANCISCO!
Merry Christmas everybody!

It looks like Comcast is all confused today about DVR availability in the Bay Area after the free Tivo box news hit. I first called Comcast and was told it's not available, no ETA. Then I noticed it became available for order on the website, went through the process, connected to a CSR for live chat and was told it's not available. Finally I called customer service again and this time I got a nicer more helpful person. He told me that it would be available in the next 4 to 6 weeks, and just when we were going to end the call he said "oh wait, hold on, I just got handed a memo about DVR in your area, let me read it...", and then comes back and says "yup, it's available, I can take your order now!". I thought, well great timing! ;-) So now I have a confirmation number, which he says means I have a box allocated for me, and will be given a call back tomorrow to make an appointment for the next week or two. I asked him if he had heard about the Tivo news today because I was considering doing that and he said "yup, I see it right here in the same memo I was just given". Seems like Comcast is reacting quickly to the news! I hope this works out for me.

P.S.: I meant to post this here instead of creating a separate thread, sorry!

How funny (or not) that as soon as Tivo comes out with its competitve offer taking advantage of Comcast's buffoon-like customer service, all of sudden the CSR's all get a memo that DVR is "now available" in all areas. Looks like the marketing department finally caught up with the PR department-- because Tivo forced it to.

Yeah, i just called Comcast and was able to setup an appointment, but after figuring out the new price for the service in order to get DVR, it doesn't look like it's going to be worth it for me, since I pay about $29 now with limited basic and 2 HD boxes. To get DVR, I have to move to the standard cable as show in the previous posts. After you add it all up, it will be a little over $60 a month for DVR. So I guess I'll be passing on the DVR. I get all the channels I want now at the limited basic price...

Anyone want to get an extra DVR and I'll pay you directly the $6 or $7 monthly fee?

Russ

Yep -- it's happening in San Jose!!!
I just called and set up an installation appointment for Monday! CSR did not even hesitate to take the order, and actually offered an appointment for tomorrow although I could not take it. I also asked about getting the new remote with the Swap function button, and he said that he would note it on my order, but there may be a shortage of those remotes right now. There is a one-time charge of $15.95 for installation (even if you do it yourself). Thanks to Tivo for lighting the spark!

Same on the Peninsula (Emerald Hills). Was able to schedule for Saturday!

Finally!

B

Alright I'm confused...
The web page says DVR is available for $9.95/mo.
That would be the 6214 box right?
But that box can recieve and output HDTV right? So why is the HDTV another $5/mo? Or do I not need that?
(I have a 6200 now, for $5)

Wow Wow, Just re-instated my account. The tech comes tomorrow to install the DVR.

You'll be paying an additional $4.95/mo for the new DVR (6412)
added to the original $5/mo for HD (was your 6200) = $9.95/mo total charges.

Originally posted by walk
Alright I'm confused...
The web page says DVR is available for $9.95/mo.
That would be the 6214 box right?
But that box can recieve and output HDTV right? So why is the HDTV another $5/mo? Or do I not need that?
(I have a 6200 now, for $5)

Yahoo!!!!

Got an appointment this Saturday for a DVR install. I had to upgrade my package to the Digital Silver $34.99 promotion. I guess I will try to downgrade in 3 months and see what happens.

I have an install date set for Monday.

They offered Saturday, but Monday works better for me.

Anyone got a link to the Tivo offer? I haven't seen it yet, but would like to check it out as an alternative.

got my call back.... I also have an appointment for Saturday. Can't wait!

Tivo offer link: http://www.tivo.com/ilovetivo.asp

isnt it amazing how fast they can react when they are forced (tough to ignore this group)

just called and this time, yes they can schedule an appt..Offered Friday, but unfortunately I'm going golfing :D

scheduled saturday afternoon ;)

Returned the 6412 DVR today that I've had for 3 days and canceled Comcast completely.

Be warned that you need Standard cable for DVR or the the computer will bill you for it. The CSR that took the order said that Limited Basic and Digital Classic would do and that's what the work order showed. Installer also said Standard package was not necessary. Today when I returned the 5100, the receipt showed a high balance due and when I asked at local office they said I was being billed for Standard even though I was receiving ony Limited Basic channels! Comcast really has poor customer retention and would not bend except for a $10 credit/mo. for 6 mos.

I guess I'll have to be happy with D* and wait for the HD TiVo to be affordable. The 6412 isn't too bad, so enjoy. There just isn't enough HD on Comcast right now to spend all those $'s. No more MNF in HD until D* gets ABC-HD. :(

As a certified HD junkie whose had a RePlay TV for eons, the prospect of HD sports without commercials (I'll program my Pronto to do multiple 30 sec skips) is about as close to media nirvana as you can get. Baseball is coming up and I saw about 40 Giants game last year. I'm not sure I care about the cost at all.

Originally posted by jandrade
got my call back.... I also have an appointment for Saturday. Can't wait!

Tivo offer link: http://www.tivo.com/ilovetivo.asp

Can it record Hi Def? The ad doesn't say. And which one do you get. The product link from that site has 2 (one cheap, one expensive).

Originally posted by dartinbout
Baseball is coming up and I saw about 40 Giants game last year. I'm not sure I care about the cost at all.

Exactly! I didn't enter the HD arena expecting to pinch pennies.
I knew it would be an expensive undertaking, but it's well worth it to me!
I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to improve my HD experience.
YMMV.......

I called twice this morning, both times told that it's not available yet. While trying to get in touch with a supervisor, the CSR came back and said she just got an "urgent" message saying she could set me up with an appointment Saturday pm, the first day of the installs in SF according to the CSR. (hopefully they've been briefed by their East and North Bay counterparts or I may be looking at a no-show!).

OK, so here's my question. Is there an FAQ about all the things I should check while the tech is still at my house? I recall several issues coming up, but don't remember all the specifics. Issues that I vaguely recall are:

1. Did they deliver the right remote? (What is the remote that I should request?).

2. Does VOD still work.

3. Are all of my channels showing up in the guide (will I be able to know while the tech is still at the house, or do I need to wait several hours for the guide to download?).

4. Is the DVI enabled? [this one's complicated, because I still haven't used the DVI connection on my 6200, but I'd like to soon]. If so, are there issues I should know about before switching to DVI?

5. Should I have him/her check the strength of my signal? I have a few splitters, so should they replace them if they degrade the signal?

6. I vaguely remember something about 480i vs. 480p. I have the 6200 outputting 480i; is that the way the DVR should be configured?

Any other things I should know to ask about?

Thanks.

Jim

Originally posted by davisdog
[B]isnt it amazing how fast they can react when they are forced (tough to ignore this group)

Yeah, kudos to all of us for making a stink. I'm not sure this would've happened without us.

Does anyone have a quickie product comparison between the 6412 and the Tivo box that is being offered? Per my other post, it wasn't at all clear to me which box was being offered and whether or not it could record in HD.

just called and this time, yes they can schedule an appt..Offered Friday, but unfortunately I'm going golfing :D

I'm golfing tomorrow, too. Should be a great day for it. Hit 'em straight!

Originally posted by John Mace
Can it record Hi Def? The ad doesn't say.

NO....it records/plays SD only, unless you get the DirecTV HDVR w/Tivo. From their FAQ:
"Is TiVo compatible with HDTV?
TiVo® boxes are designed to support standard definition television broadcasts. They will not support High Definition broadcasts. It is possible to connect your DVR to a High Definition television, and to some High Definition cable boxes or satellite receivers. However, the DVR will only record programs from standard definition channels, and all recordings will be displayed in standard definition. DIRECTV does have a HD DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® service available. "

Yes!! Got a Monday appointment in Milpitas for the 6412.

Now just waiting for Fox/WB/UPN. Anyone know anything new on that front?

John (Mace),

I believe it's the 40 hr version... Not sure if it's a Series 2, but I think it's likely to be. It cannot record HD... that's one of the two cons... the other is the monthly fees... or you can go lifetime... alright, I thought of a third con... it only has one tuner. We've had ours for many, many months and love it. Even so, can't wait for the Comcast DVR in order to record HD.

Free TiVo box doesn't do HD. It does only analog cable channels internally. You would still need Comcast box for digital SD channels but TiVo will record and control Comcast box. TiVo cost $12.95/mo. TiVo user interface is better but doesn't have 2 tuners.

Get a 6412.

yep...as much as I'd love to hook up a tivo to comcast, what Tivo offers for Cable pales in comparision to the 6412 (if you want HD)

The Tivo unit will not record HD, only has 1 tuner and that tuner only works on the Analog Cable (but the interface is slick..but costs $12/mth)

If you have DirectTV, for $1000 you can get a HDTivo (only works with Directv) that beats the 6412

I was amazed too, I just called for a DVR install (Emerald Hills area), and they gave me two slots on saturday to choose from. I guess that Tivo ad in the Merc really fried someone at corporate.

Thanks,
Mike

PS I also put in a request for the Good Life TV network to be restored. :-) Hey, if you are calling them to order DVR, put in a channel request for Good Life TV and HDNet while you are at it! I'd be Obliged!

http://www.tivo.com/ilovetivo.asp

I just called in to ask for DVR in Foster City, now that I know HD is there (got last week)-
she said that actually, some parts are NOT built out yet/updated to "handle" DVR yet (maybe she was confused about VOD?? I asked to upgrade to DVR-HD box...)

She didn't mention about rollout or box unavailable issues, at least :)

Also, I haven't been getting Discovery-HD for some reason... said "channel available shortly", she confirmed that DiscHD is not avail in my area yet. (??)

I did see some CanAm orange-shirt guys poking around again recently, and I don't think all parts of Foster City are completely rebuilt yet for HD... so might be valid.
Not sure what "upgrades", they still need to do equipment-wise, to enable DVR and DiscHD?
I do get all the other HD channels, incl HBO-HD, INHD1-2, ESPNHD, locals...

Anyone else heard this near Foster City/recently rebuilt areas, or I just got a bummer CSR?

Since the DVR is a one day only deal, I'm a little nervous that Comcast will back out of its commitments to us after Friday. After this whole fiasco, I just don't trust those guys one bit. If they do back out, I'm bailing for good. I don't care what it costs, I won't want anything to do with these guys.

Originally posted by John Mace
Since the DVR is a one day only deal, I'm a little nervous that Comcast will back out of its commitments to us after Friday. After this whole fiasco, I just don't trust those guys one bit. If they do back out, I'm bailing for good. I don't care what it costs, I won't want anything to do with these guys.

I was thinking the same thing. The "rollout" is on Saturday, one day after the TiVo deal? Of course, I'm sure lots of the folks who were given an install time for the 6412 would completely cancel Comcast, which would make an even larger PR fiasco for them.

More likely, they will honor those who request an install today and tomorrow, then say they have low stock after that, if that is in fact the problem.

Either way, good for Tivo to jump on this blunder by Comcast, and good for the consumer that it made Comcast act!

Wait a minute, are you saying there ARE boxes/installations being done on the Peninsula now? Who do I call (again?) (Burlingame).

Thanks everyone for the heads up!

I just got off the phone with Comcast and scheduled an appointment tomorrow morning between 8am-12pm to get "the new high definition dvr" in the words of the CSR. I live in San Jose near the Milpitas border.

just got a appointment for SF. Saturday =)

not sure if this has been mentioned...

heres a tip waive installation charged, kinda...

CS told me to try Starz for $1 a month for 3 months and the DVR install is free, so instead of $15, you only pay $3

Finally for me too! Just got home, noticed a comcast # on my caller ID from yesterday (but no message). Called up at 6:45pm, got lucky since the person I talked to was quite knowledgable about the DVR. I told her I wanted to find out about availability of the DVR for me, and I also mentioned they called me yesterday but left no message. She said it was probably about the DVR, and they were instructed to call back rather than leave messages.

Saturday install for me, in Sunnyvale. Offered Friday afternoon, but I couldn't take that (12pm is in the middle of work for me). So I guess "the list" was actually being used for notifications, and that I'll hopefully be using the DVR by Sunday.

After being told twice earlier this week that it would be 4-6 weeks before installation would be available in Mountain View, I called again this evening after reading the earlier posts.

Yessssss! :D

The DVR is now "suddenly" available and I was offered an installation as earlier as tomorrow between 8am-12pm and was told there was no problem on subsequent days (Sat, Sun, Mon...) if tomorrow was not convenient. I opted for Saturday from 8am-12pm. The CSR I talked with did not know about any promotion with Starz as stated in the earlier post. But, she waived the installation cost after I told her that my business partner's wife worked for Tivo and I still waited for Comcast to roll out the 6412.

The CSR confirmed there was a "hot" memo that was distributed internally that referenced the Tivo offer and "new" availability of DVRs for the Bay area. Anyway, we will see what occurs on Saturday morning.

web

Maybe I am just imagining it, but the 6412 seems to have a better picture than the 6200 it replaced. Am I seeing things(pun intended) or has anyone else noticed this? Maybe my 6200 was less than perfect...:confused:

Aaargh... (but yeah for local guys Tivo - if the HD Tivo wasn't so darn expensive I'd be long gone from Comcast)

I was reasonably happy last week that I was in the North Bay "DVR probably available" zone and had an install appointment for 12/21. Called several times today and I still can't get them to change it. I hope there not all gone by 12/21. I sent an e-mail to the Mercury-News, Chronicle and Cnet to make sure they keep following this thread for the latest since they will get more pertinent info here.

Originally posted by keenan
Maybe I am just imagining it, but the 6412 seems to have a better picture than the 6200 it replaced. Am I seeing things(pun intended) or has anyone else noticed this? Maybe my 6200 was less than perfect...:confused:

My 6412 PQ seems better, also.

Originally posted by UCSB
My 6412 PQ seems better, also.

Me, three! The HD pictures looks better than my old 6200, and I haven't seen any problem with SD like I read about in some other forums.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
keenan,

The only thing that might put a crimp in the planned all digital/free STB to all Santa Rosans would be if the City Council rejects the City Manager's recommendation. And that would probably only happen if there is some kind of huge public outcry at City Council meetings by the analog only folks who don't want a digital gizmo thingie attached to their vintage 1980's TV.

You are forgetting that THE advantage was that you could feed an unlimited number of TVs in the home with basic cable. Cable companies, for a long time, touted this as an advantage over satellite.
DBS companies are now offering 3 sat. boxes w. their service to combat that argument.

...mike

I['ve been following this thread for a few weeks.
Question: Does everyone who gets a 6412 have an HD capable set? Why get an HD DVR if you don't, other than it's almost free? I ask this only because w. the number of people responding here it is hard to believe they all have an HD system.
I'm going to wait until after the first of the year. We get the networks now via BEV (more networks than Comcast offers) - so there is no rush. I'll wait til after I get back from CES. I'll try to get a handle on whether VOOM is really coming out w. a DVR. (We do have Comcast basic.)

...mike

Originally posted by snidely
I['ve been following this thread for a few weeks.
Question: Does everyone who gets a 6412 have an HD capable set? Why get an HD DVR if you don't, other than it's almost free? I ask this only because w. the number of people responding here it is hard to believe they all have an HD system.
I'm going to wait until after the first of the year. We get the networks now via BEV (more networks than Comcast offers) - so there is no rush. I'll wait til after I get back from CES. I'll try to get a handle on whether VOOM is really coming out w. a DVR. (We do have Comcast basic.)

...mike

I have a HD set ... but, I want to just caution people that don't have a HD set about getting this DVR. You really need a TV with at least component video or DVI inputs. This is because the menu system is only shown on the component and DVI inputs. It really can NOT be operated on the s-video input. OK ... now having said that I need to say that I have my DVR output set to 720p and that may be affecting the menu system. If anyone is using this box at a lower screen setting and getting menus, please add your comments.

Originally posted by jharkin
Me, three! The HD pictures looks better than my old 6200, and I haven't seen any problem with SD like I read about in some other forums.

I have just watched CSI and I'm now watching Without A Trace and there is no question, the PQ is definitely improved, whether that is attributable to the 6412, I don't know, but it is better. Maybe it's the new remote..:p

Along the lines of the digital conversion,

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From MC News


Adelphia Talking Digital Simulcast
By Ted Hearn 12/16/2004 5:46:00 PM

Another cable company is making plans to offer a digital simulcast of its analog programming.

Adelphia Communications Corp. has told federal regulators it plans to “to take several of its systems digital, in order to recapture analog spectrum” and make room for more HDTV services and more digital-tiering options.

A cable-industry source said Adelphia was referring to a digital simulcast, and not a complete conversion to digital that would reclaim all analog spectrum and require analog customers to obtain digital set-tops.

Adelphia disclosed its digital-simulcast plans in a Dec. 15 meeting with Federal Communications Commission officials that also touched on the company’s opposition to the July 2006 ban on cable-operator deployment of new integrated set-tops. Analog-only boxes are exempt.

Last week, Comcast Corp. chief technology officer David Fellows said his company would launch a digital simulcast across most systems by the end of 2005. Comcast is the largest U.S. cable company, with about 21 million subscribers.

Like Adelphia, Comcast is opposed to the integrated-set-top ban, saying that it would raise consumer-equipment costs and frustrate the company’s transition to an all-digital-transmission system.

If the ban goes into effect, cable operators would have to provide customers with set-tops with CableCards, devices that authorize receipt of encrypted programming services. Thousands of cable customers are using CableCards with their plug-and-play digital-TV sets.

I have a HD set ... but, I want to just caution people that don't have a HD set about getting this DVR. You really need a TV with at least component video or DVI inputs. This is because the menu system is only shown on the component and DVI inputs. It really can NOT be operated on the s-video input. OK ... now having said that I need to say that I have my DVR output set to 720p and that may be affecting the menu system. If anyone is using this box at a lower screen setting and getting menus, please add your comments

If you set the output to 480i (not 480p,720p or 1080i) the onscreens will come out on the s-video or composite. The box can only generate the onscreens on one resolution at a time and it chooses the best one to generate them on. If ony 480i is supported they will appear on all outputs.

Ok so I posted a while back that my VOD didn't work after my DVR was installed. AFter 3 hits to my box, finally they got it working. Sorta. Now I can get into the VOD menu, and watch all the free stuff, but when I try to select any HBO stuff, I get "Communications Error, Call 800 COMCAST to subscribe to this package" - like I wasn't authorized, even though I have HBO on my Digital Silver package. Incidentally, I get the same error on stuff that I'm NOT authorized for, like the Showtime on demand stuff. CSR's are clueless...I've talked to 3 of them, and their supervisors. They have removed and re-added HBO to my auth and still no luck. So now I get a technician coming out on Monday, who I'm sure will say "Sorry, it's an authorization problem, nothing I can do", if he shows up at all. Any chance anyone out there can help?

-Tim

Does VOD work in Fremont?

Originally posted by tmaestas95
Ok so I posted a while back that my VOD didn't work after my DVR was installed. AFter 3 hits to my box, finally they got it working. Sorta. Now I can get into the VOD menu, and watch all the free stuff, but when I try to select any HBO stuff, I get "Communications Error, Call 800 COMCAST to subscribe to this package" - like I wasn't authorized, even though I have HBO on my Digital Silver package. Incidentally, I get the same error on stuff that I'm NOT authorized for, like the Showtime on demand stuff. CSR's are clueless...I've talked to 3 of them, and their supervisors. They have removed and re-added HBO to my auth and still no luck. So now I get a technician coming out on Monday, who I'm sure will say "Sorry, it's an authorization problem, nothing I can do", if he shows up at all. Any chance anyone out there can help?

Tim-

I was getting the same errors a few months ago when VOD first became available in my area. I first tried exchanging boxes and that didn't help. When the tech came out, we realized it was a signal problem. Because I had a 3-way splitter coming out of the wall, I was only getting -6db into the STB which is borderline bad. After swapping the 3-way splitter with a 2-way splitter (which gives an extra 3 or 4db) it worked fine. If you have any splitters, try taking those out and see if you get better results. Also, when the tech comes out, make sure he checks the signal level of the coax that's going to your STB.

Originally posted by keenan
Last week, Comcast Corp. chief technology officer David Fellows said his company would launch a digital simulcast across most systems by the end of 2005. Comcast is the largest U.S. cable company, with about 21 million subscribers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't a "digital simulcast" mean that it's actually going to take up more bandwidth? Unless they're talking about the consumer having the choice of whether or not they want to have analog channels coming into their home. That would definitely reduce the bandwidth at the tail end of the chain (into the home) but would increase the amount of data on main system because you would both analog and digital versions of ~70 channels.

That's what I have always assumed as well, that article is not very detailed, but I think the key is right here,

Adelphia disclosed its digital-simulcast plans in a Dec. 15 meeting with Federal Communications Commission officials that also touched on the company�s opposition to the July 2006 ban on cable-operator deployment of new integrated set-tops. Analog-only boxes are exempt.

Now if I read that correctly, those analog only boxes might be the ones that will be doing the digital to analog conversion at the TV. The statements in that article seem to conflict with each other. I saw another one today that went into more detail, I'll try and find it and post it.

The ban on new set-tops is something that confuses me as well, there is no way that every TV is going to be CableCard ready by July 2006...What happens come August-2006, the cableco can't deploy any more 62xxs for example? There is something I am missing here. I don't know...

BTW, did you find out whether your co-worker was paying for that STB?

Originally posted by tmaestas95
Ok so I posted a while back that my VOD didn't work after my DVR was installed. AFter 3 hits to my box, finally they got it working. Sorta. Now I can get into the VOD menu, and watch all the free stuff, but when I try to select any HBO stuff, I get "Communications Error, Call 800 COMCAST to subscribe to this package" - like I wasn't authorized, even though I have HBO on my Digital Silver package. Incidentally, I get the same error on stuff that I'm NOT authorized for, like the Showtime on demand stuff. CSR's are clueless...I've talked to 3 of them, and their supervisors. They have removed and re-added HBO to my auth and still no luck. So now I get a technician coming out on Monday, who I'm sure will say "Sorry, it's an authorization problem, nothing I can do", if he shows up at all. Any chance anyone out there can help?

-Tim

Had exactly this experience lasts night, the first time I decided I would try VOD. Called Comcast and got the same response! A tech is coming out the 21st. Anything I should be sure to suggest he try?

Like someone a couple pages back I just stopped by my local Comcast office (Pleasant Hill) two days ago and asked if they had it. The guy was happy to give me one and canceled my install appointment. Setting this thing up was trivial (no activation needed - just plug it in and go) so I have no idea why they are telling people they need to get an in-home install.

Honestly, hooking up the 6412 made HD really come-of-age. Its amazing! I've been getting HD (via Comcast) for a while now but without the ability to timeshift it just wasn't worth watching. With the 6412 I think I'll probably go from watching about 5% of my shows in HD to 80%...that is HUGE. Even the dumbed-down HBO HD is a joy. Dual tuners just rocks and works perfectly.

The iguide interface doesn't seem to be quite as newbie friendly as my old TiVO but my wife who has little tolerance for figuring out electronics was able to pick up the remote and play a couple shows for my daughter without any instruction on my part beyond "hit the CBL button and then Menu" :). I have the black ICX remote which seems to work ok (haven't looked into 30 second skip or even if that is doable). My only quibble so far is that the box doesn't have a native signal passthrough option. Not a huge deal though.

overtime

Just got off the phone to schedule my appt. CSR told me boxes were available but that they were having problems confirming time slots in their system; said they were swamped. She asked me if I could be available either on Sat. or Sun., which I replied yes. Said they would call me back later in the day to confirm the day and time slot.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

BTW - Keenan, I'm sending you a PM re: your choice in loudspeakers.

Originally posted by keenan
BTW, did you find out whether your co-worker was paying for that STB?

He said he looked at his last bill and nowhere did he see a box rental fee. He was all ready to call Comcast and compain about the charge but it looks like they're not charging him at all for the STB. Further proof about Comcast's plans...

With everyone calling for weekend appt's, I'm getting nervous about my Monday time slot. I wonder how many boxes will be left by then. I think I'll stop by my local Comcast office today and see if I can sweet talk the ladies there into letting me do a self install.

Question about VOD. Is this a service you have to sign up for (ie, pay more fore) or is it just "there", like PPV? Also, can those of us slobs in the 550MHz area get VOD? Jsut wondering, as a lot of folks here seem to be talking about VOD, but I didn't see anything about signing up for it or that it was restricted to only certain areas.

Originally posted by John Mace
With everyone calling for weekend appt's, I'm getting nervous about my Monday time slot. I wonder how many boxes will be left by then. I think I'll stop by my local Comcast office today and see if I can sweet talk the ladies there into letting me do a self install.

Question about VOD. Is this a service you have to sign up for (ie, pay more fore) or is it just "there", like PPV? Also, can those of us slobs in the 550MHz area get VOD? Jsut wondering, as a lot of folks here seem to be talking about VOD, but I didn't see anything about signing up for it or that it was restricted to only certain areas.

I wouldnt worry about them running out by monday...they had lots of boxes and can only do so many installs over the weekend (mine being one...)

No need to sign up for VOD...it will just be there (as a menu item in the guide) when they roll it out in your area...some of the content will be free (news, network shows etc...), some will be PPV (movies). They havent disclosed wether the 550Mhz networks will get it (its all about bandwidth...personnally I'd rather see FSN-HD, DSC-HD, InHD etc... and just use the DVR as my VOD source at this point)

Good news is that I have a DVR appt. set up. Unfortunately they couldn't do it this weekend, so it's scheduled for Monday PM.

Bad news is that they made me reconfigure my programming package. I'm currently getting the Paqueto Completo, a Spanish language package that includes about 15 additional Spanish channels in the 600 range (e.g., CNN, Fox Sports, MTV, Gol TV, etc.). The great thing about this package is that it also comes with HBO, but not only HBO espanol but all the HBO channels, including HBO HD. When we originally signed up, the package was about $50 - I believe it's $55 now. Anyway, in addition to that package, I was paying $5 more for a handful of sports channels including Fox Sports World and Speed Vision. CSR told me today that I'm not able to keep that $5 package anymore, and that if I wanted to keep FSW (the only one I really care about), I have to add Digital Classic for $15/mo. Although she told me this was independent of the DVR addition, she said she wasn't able to close out the DVR order without first rectifying the other stuff. I decided that I didn't want to pay another $10 just to get FSW, so I had to cancel it. :mad:

I guess the silver lining is that there will be no change to my cable bill since the +$5 for the DVR will be offset by the -$5 from the sports channels.

My plan is to wait for the install, call back, and then see if they can add FSW individually for me. They did this for me once before and only charged me $1/mo. for it.

So after all the run-around I got last week, I was going to call later thhis morning. Then just now an email popped up on my screen at work - "DVR is now available in your area".....I called, and I got an appointment for tomorrow morning from 8-12. I'll be amazed if this works out, but it was easy, and pleasant so far (that is, starting 5 minutes ago....). I did ask about self-install but that was a no-go. It'll be worth the $16 if it works!

Originally posted by davisdog
I wouldnt worry about them running out by monday...they had lots of boxes and can only do so many installs over the weekend (mine being one...)

Yeah, that's what the ladies at the local office said-- I just got back from there. They didn't have any there to give me even if they wanted to, btw.

No need to sign up for VOD...it will just be there (as a menu item in the guide) when they roll it out in your area...some of the content will be free (news, network shows etc...), some will be PPV (movies). They havent disclosed wether the 550Mhz networks will get it (its all about bandwidth...personnally I'd rather see FSN-HD, DSC-HD, InHD etc... and just use the DVR as my VOD source at this point)

Amen! VOD seems cool if they have a good movie library, but I'd take the other HD channels instead in a heartbeat. Especially FSN-HD. After watching any sporting event in HD, going back to SD just doesn't cut it.

Comcast came by this morning (north San Jose) as promised and installed the 6412 and black ICX remote. It works flawlessly and looks great.

While the tech was on the phone with the office, the office told the tech about the TiVo giveaway this afternoon.

Also, the tech said he received 6412 training yesterday and this was his first install.

I got the "DVR avail in your area" email this morning , so I called back to schedule an install...
bingo, no problem, sched for Tues am. $9.95/mo, $15.99 install (no self-install.) Foster City is up.
Didn't even have to play the "I can run down to Milpitas for a free Tivo" card :)
This in comparison to "not avail" runaround yesterday :)

I checked the local office also, she said they did not have any boxes in the offices for self-install, and likely wouldn't for some time... said to call to schedule instead.
although the other lady in the office also said it's not available in the peninsula yet :) hehe! (she didn't seem very informed, compared to the other one.)

They said DiscoveryHD should be available also, prob just need to send a hit to my box; will do that this wkend after tweaking my splitters (to make sure I don't have some glitch in 2-way data.)
I haven't seen anything on CH 001 (VOD) either, don't expect it to be avail yet in our brand-new upgrade, but I'll check again w/ the 6412 install & the tech to update the forum & all you helpful guys :)

PS: One note to people calling in, they're asking for your account # to verify identity, so have a bill handy... hadn't seen anyone mention yet so FYI.

Originally posted by fender4645
He said he looked at his last bill and nowhere did he see a box rental fee. He was all ready to call Comcast and compain about the charge but it looks like they're not charging him at all for the STB. Further proof about Comcast's plans...

That's definitely interesting, is it a 5100? Or a non-HD box? You may have said, I don't recall...


platypus,

I will look for that PM.


davisdog,

I'm with you on the VOD versus more channels. but I'm willing to bet Comcast will do whatever it takes to that VOD on our 550MHz systems, they would certainly want us buying something instead of watching DVR recordings for "free". I think we will probably not get those channels until this digital conversion thing that was touched on earlier happens, whenever that may be.

Sorry to repeat myself, but my inquiry yesterday got buried amidst the flurry of posts.

I'm scheduled to get the 6412 installed tomorrow, and can't recall all the advice posted since the installs began. What do I need to know in advance of the install?

1. What is remote that I should be getting? I assume I should resist if they insist my old remote will work, right?

2. Should I check to see if VOD still works while the tech is there? HBO VOD? (sounds like a yes).

3. I haven't taken advantage of DVI yet, but am considering it. Should I get a DVI cable before the install? What issues should I be aware of?

4. Should I have the tech check the strength of the signal into the cable box? I have my cable split, and plan to continue to do so in spite of the two tuner DVR.

5. Is there a chance that all of my channels won't show up? Will I be able to know while the tech is there?

Anything else?

Thanks.

Jim:confused:

Originally posted by zooey91
Sorry to repeat myself, but my inquiry yesterday got buried amidst the flurry of posts.

I'm scheduled to get the 6412 installed tomorrow, and can't recall all the advice posted since the installs began. What do I need to know in advance of the install?

>>> Make sure you/ technician have easy access to your equipment to connect up cables ... know how you want the device connected (component video, DVI)

1. What is remote that I should be getting? I assume I should resist if they insist my old remote will work, right?

>>> They will give you a new remote. Black ICX is nicest, but can't add 30 second skip (after tech leaves). Silver updated Comcast remote can be reprogrammed.

2. Should I check to see if VOD still works while the tech is there? HBO VOD? (sounds like a yes).

>>> They will reset the STB and will take about 45 minutes or so to download new info ... tech will leave before download is complete. But, while tech is there you can test VOD ... it may or may not work.

3. I haven't taken advantage of DVI yet, but am considering it. Should I get a DVI cable before the install? What issues should I be aware of?

>>> If you want DVI, you should have cable available. You can add it later, if you don't have cable when tech is there.

4. Should I have the tech check the strength of the signal into the cable box? I have my cable split, and plan to continue to do so in spite of the two tuner DVR.

>>> Tech will do this before installing the 6412, it is standard procedure.

5. Is there a chance that all of my channels won't show up? Will I be able to know while the tech is there?

>>> Downloading programming will take a while ... don't worry, your channels will show up.

Anything else?

>>> 30 second skip feature is a great tweak. Don't worry this is a piece of cake ... 6412 is extremely easy to use.

Thanks.

Jim:confused:

As many have commented, you can custom program a 30 second skip function on your programmable remote for the 6412. I just wanted to point out that you can stack these in a macro to get longer skips. I have a Pronto TSU3000 and have added buttons for +30 seconds, +60 seconds, +120 seconds. Stacking the replay button also works quickly and great. Added -10 seconds, -30 seconds. Try it you'll like how it works.

As I understand this, people in San Jose are getting DVRs that are using the new Iguide. Anyone know when this new guide will be up and working for Comcasts other STBs, like the DCT6200 or older 2000 series?

Thanks!

I assume there are instructions somewhere about how to program the 30 second skip, or expanding the replay.

I'm not clear about the following statement, though:

Originally posted by UCSB
>>> They will give you a new remote. Black ICX is nicest, but can't add 30 second skip (after tech leaves). Silver updated Comcast remote can be reprogrammed.

Are you saying I should try to get the Silver remote if I want to program the skip?

Jim

I got the phone call this morning that VOD is now available in Marin County. I went over to the set and tuned to channel 1. I got a revolving screen - the first said "press ok to activate service". The other one said "channel will be available shortly". This went on for quite awhile.

I called Comcast, and the tech did a hard reset. This dumps all data, and it takes about 30 minutes for the box to come back up. So I could not diagnose anything while on the phone.

The box came back up, and now when I tune to 001, I get "communication error". I am assuming this is because all the guide data hasn't been downloaded, which probably will take a few hours.

To sum up: VOD has come to the north bay! I just hope it works now with the 6412.

Any of you north bay folks having the same experience?

Originally posted by zooey91

Are you saying I should try to get the Silver remote if I want to program the skip?

Jim

They will give you one of these two remotes. I don't know which one. I got the ICX. But, others have recently received the new Silver Comcast remote. So you will just have to wait and see which one you get. If you get the silver one you can add the 30 second skip to it by changing the programming on one of the buttons. If you get the silver remote and want to know how to program it scan the iGuide thread or just come back here and ask.

ADDED: If you have a Motorola 6200 now, you may have the Comcast silver remote that came with it. It can also be programmed to have the 30 second skip. Most of us are just using these Comcast remotes to program our own universal remotes. Many have Philips Pronto or the Harmony or countless others.

lmsyl asked this, but let me ask again:

Does VOD work in Fremont?

I have a Mot 5100 (getting Mot6412 this Monday-21st), and when I press "ON DEMAND" nothing happens. Looks like it tried to change to 001 or something but didn't change to 001.

----------
Edited and Added:
----------

Found this on the Comcast (east bay) website:

On Demand is currently available to Comcast Digital Customers in the following cities: Albany, Berkeley, Crockett, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Port Costa, Rodeo, San Pablo, Hercules, and Richmond

Fremont is not on the list..

Originally posted by keenan
That's definitely interesting, is it a 5100? Or a non-HD box? You may have said, I don't recall...

I'm pretty sure it was a 2000 series box -- they don't have HD.

Thank you Tivo for my 6412 in San Mateo!

Originally posted by dandrewk
The box came back up, and now when I tune to 001, I get "communication error". I am assuming this is because all the guide data hasn't been downloaded, which probably will take a few hours.

To sum up: VOD has come to the north bay! I just hope it works now with the 6412.


I had the same thing in East bay when I first got my 6412, even though I'd had VOD for awhile already with no problem on my 5100. Eventually I was able to get into the ondemand menu, after they reset the box several times, however I'm still unable to watch HBO on demmand. One thing I did notice was that when I wasn't able to get into On Demand at all, when I looked at the box's setup menu, and displayed the config, it said iPPV: No - now that they've almost fixed it, it says Yes. They have a technician coming out on Monday to try and diagnose my problem with being unable to watch HBO On Demand - all the free on Demand stuff seems to work fine.


-Tim

Originally posted by foobart
-----------------------------
Originally posted by Almighty1

Interesting. So exisiting Comcast customers can sign up at BestBuy too since I always thought it was for people who don't already have Comcast already.
__________________

It looks like anyone can use these offers, as long as they do not have "Digital Cable", which I read as one of the digital packages. Extended basic folks should qualify too, as long as they didn't have one of the digital packages before.

I have Limited Basic, and HD (for a month), and HBO/Max . I signed up for Digital Silver package through this(with HD). I'm hoping this should qualify me for this as well as the $200 Samsung rebate(bought my HLP5063 at CircuitCity). I don't see why I should not qualilfy, but mine might be considered a bit non-standard, because the main targets are probably supposed to have had no HD to begin with, and no digital box at all.

Hmm, that would leave me out since I woulld already have Digital Plus, Standard Cable, Jade Channel and the Premier Tier. So basically I had to go with the $34.99/month for 3 months Digital Silver promotion which will still be cheaper than what I'm paying now... Comcast told me that you can take a promo once every 60 days and no longer was it like before, every 6 months.

russwong, I think you got lucky with the second box because when I talked to Comcast, I was told that the second non-HD box is $6.95 but you have to pay $5 for HD for each tv so it's $11.95 total.

Originally posted by bbqny
DVR available in San Francisco. I just go off the phone with Comcast. DVR is now available in San Francisco. I have an appointment for Saturday. The CSR told me it would take about an hour to do the installation. The CSR told me they just got the information about the availability 10 or 15 minutes before I called. I was expecting to be put on the list. This is a pleasant surprise. I am now paying $5 for the HDTV box. I will only have to pay $9.95 for the new box so I will only pay an additional $4.95 a month.

I'm in San Francisco and I got this e-mail earlier today with the subject: "Comcast's Digital Video Recorder is now available in your area". I just talked to Comcast CSR at 1-888-824-4146, this goes directly to the department that handles repairs without the menus and they said they are waiting for the DVR's and it's not available as of yet.

Now i'm really confused.

I already have a 6200 and when i tried to order the DVR, the lady said it would be $10 more a month, for a total of $15!

She said the DVR box rental is $5/mo and the service is $10/mo! Is she on crack, or has it always been like this?

I think there is a lot of confusion over the DVR. When I made my all yesterday, the CSR said the same thing. I replied, No delete the HD box and add the DVR. I could be wrong.

Almighty1

Try 1-800-COMCAST (2662278), repair department wouldn't be my recommendation of who to call.

I just called again and about that $10 more per month. If you wanted a DVR but you don't have a digital package, then you would have to pay $9.95 + $5 HD. If you had a digital package, then you would pay $9.95 and the $5 HD would be included already so you'll be paying $4.95 extra. I also asked about the 2nd HD box and got two different answers. One said that I would just pay $5 for the second box and I'll be saving $1.95 a month over the second non-HD box. The other said the second box will cost $6.95 + $5 HD fee.

Originally posted by fender4645
I'm pretty sure it was a 2000 series box -- they don't have HD.

This is good, I wonder how many other installs are following this approach?

I scheduled my appt for tomorrow morning (Saturday from 8-12 a.m.). I sent a text message to my husband which said "dvr install sat 8-12". When he got home, he told me he was going to go in and demand a self-install....he thought I meant Saturday, AUGUST 12th!!

http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Funny-Above.gif

Well, they're here. Problem no. 1 - can't get the new remote to change the channels on the box (the old remote works and the 6131 works, so it's obviously the remote). The remote does work to turn the TV on and off, so it's got to be mis-coded or something for the cable box. Problem no. 2 - the analog signal is, so far, decidedly worse than with the 5100 (unacceptably so), but he's going to work on that in a moment.

Does anyone have this set up in a configuration with a TiVo, too? How are you connected - component to TV and S-video to TiVo?

Edit - Ok, its up and working - signal is fixed, remote is working. I didn't realize the new silver remote is a universal and will even control my TiVo. I'm about to try.