I too am in S. San Jose, had ch. 702 up since approx. 11am
Guide still says TBD
Wondering what resolution everyone is seeing this in....

Wow good news. I'll have to check when I get home tonite.

Originally posted by spoonman27
Now they just need to put Giants games in HD. :)

They produced about 20 games in HD last year. Of course those of us without KTVU-HD only saw about 66% of those actually IN Hi Def... but that should be a thing of the past with the new agreement. Now, they don't produce *every* game with the HD truck, in fact it seems like they only have 1 truck for the entire Bay Area, so they switch off between Oakland A's and Giants, and maybe SJ Sharks, though I guess we don't need to worry about hockey any more :(

Fox-HD (702) is active in Mountain View at 12:40pm.
Channel guide lists "To Be Announced" as others have posted.

web

I just checked and I have FoxHD and VOD in Fremont

Originally posted by dmlove51
So if I want soccer more than I want FMC, NWI and the "other" unnamed digital channels, I should cancel the Premier Tier and Add the Sports Tier, correct? Yup. Or you can get them all but your bill will go up $5-6 per month.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
GolTV can be added as part of the relatively new Comcast Sports Tier. It's $5 or $6 a month and includes Fox Sports World.

If you want to keep the Premier Tier also (which is what you currently have to subscribe to in order to get FSW), you will continue to pay $5 or $6 per month for that. If you cancel it to save the two lattes per month :), you lose Fox Movie Channel, News World International and a couple of other digital channels.

If I want GolTV, Fox Sports World and Fox Sports en Espanol what's the cheapest way to get the 3 of them?
I know that I can have the first 2 with the Comcast Sports tier for $4.99 but Fox Sports en Espanol only shows in the Selecto tier who is $8.99.

Is there any other way?

Anyone in a known 550MHz system getting KTVU-702 yet?

The fact that Healdsburg has it and Santa Rosa does not yet is giving me some concern.

Originally posted by keenan
Anyone in a known 550MHz system getting KTVU-702 yet?

Not down here in Milpitas. I've just fired off the first of many emails to find out the reason. I've started locally and will work my way up the Comcast chain, just like the last time. I've already got one to go to Mr. Wallack if all this fails. I'll let you know what I find out.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by walk
They produced about 20 games in HD last year. Of course those of us without KTVU-HD only saw about 66% of those actually IN Hi Def... but that should be a thing of the past with the new agreement. You are confusing KTVU with Fox Sports Net Bay Area. They are two totally different networks.

KTVU did Giants games in 2004, but NONE of them were produced/transmitted in HD. Hopefully that will change dramatically this year.

FSN Bay Area was the only channel/network that did Giants games in HD last year.

Originally posted by rsra13
If I want GolTV, Fox Sports World and Fox Sports en Espanol what's the cheapest way to get the 3 of them?
I know that I can have the first 2 with the Comcast Sports tier for $4.99 but Fox Sports en Espanol only shows in the Selecto tier who is $8.99.

Is there any other way? No, the only way to get FS en Espanol is via the Selecto tier. Hopefully that will change in the future.

I wouldn't press the panic button on the 550 Mhz systems yet. Wait until 8:01 pm tonight, then if you are still out of luck, you can start pushing the button at full throttle.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
I wouldn't press the panic button on the 550 Mhz systems yet. Wait until 8:01 pm tonight, then if you are still out of luck, you can start pushing the button at full throttle.

Well, I'm not in panic mode yet :) But it's going to take me most of the day to do the emails to the Comcast chain and get responses so when I call Mr. Johnson tomorrow I'll have all my ducks in a row. I will give Comcast the benefit of a doubt for now but it's always best to be prepared for the worse just in case....

Laters,
Mikef5

It is on in Petaluma (Rohnert Park headend). It's transmitted at 717 Mhz, along with Discovery HD. Mapped to channel 702, of course, with no program listings yet ('To Be Announced').

Well bad news already. Just got an email back from the Comcast web site. They say that there is no signed contract with Fox and that it is not available in our area. So stike one for Comcast. Now the next email goes out. I am not a happy camper... :(

Laters,
Mikef5

I'm not in panic mode yet either, it's just a wee bit curious though that it appears it's coming online in most places, except 550MHz...

Originally posted by Mikef5
Well bad news already. Just got an email back from the Comcast web site. They say that there is no signed contract with Fox and that it is not available in our area. So stike one for Comcast. Now the next email goes out. I am not a happy camper... :(

Laters,
Mikef5

I wouldn't put much stock in that response, if they referred to it as "Fox" then that would be somewhat of a red flag that they really are not aware of what's going on..

Originally posted by keenan
I wouldn't put much stock in that response, if they referred to it as "Fox" then that would be somewhat of a red flag that they really are not aware of what's going on..

They specifically referenced Fox HD and mention that they didn't know if it would be available by the Super Bowl time. I know they read from a script but I do follow the chain to let the higher ups know that I just didn't jump right to them but followed the chain of responsibility. I wish I could post the email but they've wised up since the last time and there is now a non disclosure part in the email.

Laters,
Mikef5

http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/ROTFLMAO.gif

just called the 5yr old at home and had him try...No signal on 702 in Saratoga.

hmmmmm....


So all of the 750Mhz areas that are feed of the Santa Clara Headend have 702 already (SJ, Mtn View etc...), but none of the 550Mhz systems do (Saratoga, Milpitas...)

Obviously the signal is available at the head end but comcast either is having trouble putting it on the 550Mhz legs (which shouldnt be any harder) or they dont have space

Mikef5...hopefully you'll get a definitive answer (from Andrew or otherwise)...If they dont put it on it's like throwing Jet Fuel on a fire (and I beat Keenan really owns a 50Cal)

No sign of KTVU-HD in Sunnyvale/94086 on my 6412 (a 550MHz system), as of about 2pm today. Typing in "702" returns me to the last channel. Paging down from 703 sends me to something in the 500 range.

Anyone know how the 6412's know to rescan for new channels or get their channel map updated? Is it instantaneous? I'm hoping it's "out there" and just waiting for my box to see it, but of course maybe that's just a false hope...

Originally posted by Poochie
I'm hoping it's "out there" and just waiting for my box to see it, but of course maybe that's just a false hope...

It's a false hope...you'd pick it up by manually punching in 702.

your part of sunnyvale (same as my parents)..is still the old 550Mhz plant...Same as Saratoga, Milipitas, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno....none of which have 702 yet...I bet the 750mhz side of S'vale does though :(

On most of the 750 or 860 Mhz systems, Comcast probably had a ready-made bandwidth slot available (at 717 Mhz, where Discovery HD was all by itself).

On the 550 Mhz systems, the existing HD channels pair up evenly in terms of frequencies (two HD channels per one 6Mhz frequency slot), so Comcast needs a new 6 Mhz slot for KTVU HD. So the engineers may have to switch some of the standard digital channels around to different frequencies in order to free up 3 Mhz of bandwidth for KTVU.

I am surprised that they didn't have it all arranged in advance for the 550 Mhz systems, however. Apparently the engineers didn't get the word that a deal was imminent. Or, if they did, they weren't given direction to get that bandwidth rearranged for the new HD channel.

Originally posted by davisdog
Obviously the signal is available at the head end but comcast either is having trouble putting it on the 550Mhz legs (which shouldnt be any harder) or they dont have space

But hey!! We have room for KRON... http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Yeahh.gif

Along with the 50Cal, I have some of these as well..http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Nuked.gif

Sorry, I'm having too much fun with these smilies...:p

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
On most of the 750 or 860 Mhz systems, Comcast probably had a ready-made bandwidth slot available (at 717 Mhz, where Discovery HD was all by itself).

On the 550 Mhz systems, the existing HD channels pair up evenly in terms of frequencies (two HD channels per one 6Mhz frequency slot), so Comcast needs a new 6 Mhz slot for KTVU HD. So the engineers may have to switch some of the standard digital channels around to different frequencies in order to free up 3 Mhz of bandwidth for KTVU.

I am surprised that they didn't have it all arranged in advance for the 550 Mhz systems, however. Apparently the engineers didn't get the word that a deal was imminent. Or, if they did, they weren't given direction to get that bandwidth rearranged for the new HD channel. Hopefully, but I don't remember a delay for KPIX, KRON, Cinemax, or Starz. Then again, I don't think I was home any of those days obsessively checking every 10 minutes.

Keenan,
Where are you getting all those great little graphics from ?? I'd like to send some of them to Comcast :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
On most of the 750 or 860 Mhz systems, Comcast probably had a ready-made bandwidth slot available (at 717 Mhz, where Discovery HD was all by itself).

On the 550 Mhz systems, the existing HD channels pair up evenly in terms of frequencies (two HD channels per one 6Mhz frequency slot), so Comcast needs a new 6 Mhz slot for KTVU HD. So the engineers may have to switch some of the standard digital channels around to different frequencies in order to free up 3 Mhz of bandwidth for KTVU.

I am surprised that they didn't have it all arranged in advance for the 550 Mhz systems, however. Apparently the engineers didn't get the word that a deal was imminent. Or, if they did, they weren't given direction to get that bandwidth rearranged for the new HD channel.

Hey if they juggle around space and add KTVU-HD and slide DSC-HD along side it all is forgiven...

but...they've either had this bandwidth all along or they dont. It's not like they can perform magic given another 5 1/2 hours.

Originally posted by davisdog
but...they've either had this bandwidth all along or they dont. It's not like they can perform magic given another 5 1/2 hours. Dropping KRON isn't magic.

Does 704 actually serve any purpose? Why don't they ditch that in favor of KTVU if they're having problems with bandwidth in the 550MHz areas?

Originally posted by JasonQG
Dropping KRON isn't magic.

But my 5 yr old said there was a really nice looking football game on 704 right now...I dont think he minds that it was taped in 2003....but then again he just wanted was to switch back to Dora the Explorer.

I am sure Comcast has at least 3 Mhz out there on the 550 Mhz systems. Unfortunately it may be a matter of moving some of the SD channels to different frequencies in order to open up 3 Mhz within one 6 Mhz slot. So this maneuvering is probably necessary, but the question 550 Mhz subscribers might ask is: Why wasn't the maneuvering accomplished during the last week or so when it was essentially fait accompli that the deal would be signed?

Hey, is anyone getting a program guide yet. Just curious, also exited to program my DVR for more HD shows.


Also on a different note, I just discovered something awesome that I searched and didn't see anyone else post yet. When setting up the remote I couldn't find anything in the instructions in order to control an audio receiver for vol-/+ and mute while in cable mode. All the say is how to go back to default global volume mode with TV. Anyone that has a receiver probably knows what a pain it is to switch everytime you want to control the volume.

Anyways if you just follow the instructions for Locking Volume to TV Mode except replace TV buttons with Aux you'll control the receiver volume no matter what mode the remote is in. Just press Aux, then hold setup till you see the two blinks, enter 9-9-3 and press Aux again.

Sorry if this is already been dicussed, but I couldn't find it and have been constantly irritated by the having to switch modes to do the volume, especially considering the volume change from channel to channel.

Originally posted by davisdog
but...they've either had this bandwidth all along or they dont. It's not like they can perform magic given another 5 1/2 hours.

I have been of the assumption that BW had been reserved for KTVU, and if true, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't have been reserved where it would eventually be needed.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but things are just a little fishing smelling around my neighborhood(and it ain't the creek outside), and my trigger finger is starting to itch..:p

I highly doubt that Comcast would offer KRON-HD over KTVU-HD in the 550MHz areas. They will get a ton more money in advertising revenue with KTVU and that's pretty much what it all boils down to...money. The only thing that would worry me is that they weren't thinking of this when they signed the KRON carriage agreement. They potentially could have put themselves in a hole because they can't (ok, won't) add bandwidth and they can't just "drop" KRON because I'm sure they have a written contract with them. Hopefully this is all just poor planning from the engineering side and it will come up soon for you guys. Keeping my fingers crossed...

I can't get home until this evening, but now I'm getting depressed that I won't be watching 702 in Milpitas tonight. I don't mind missing one night, but Comcast should have been ready EVERYWHERE for KTVU-HD. I'd drop 704 in a heart beat; I never watch it; there's nothing to watch that's current or interesting. It's just a waste of bandwidth. Give me KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD.

Mikef5, you have PM.

Originally posted by fender4645
and they can't just "drop" KRON because I'm sure they have a written contract with them.

Yes, on the if/come/maybe, it's coming "soon" programing, "we might get another network contract", because we used to be a NBC affiliate, because we have cool call letters, we have the best on-air talent, blah, blah and blah. It's a shame there isn't really a dang thing worth watching on that channel..

Ok, I just received a response back from the script readers on the Comcast web site. I had responded to their email that said there was no signed contract with Cox, I gave them the links to this forum and the KTVU web site where the article about the signing was posted. Their response was "Oh this is good news, but we have no time frame on when it will be available ".
Great, second email goes out to Ms. Nichol, the supervisor for this area. It will be interesting to hear what she has to say, she's no one to mess around with, believe me.

Laters,
Mikef5

I find the SBC+dish offering of basic programming for $29.99 a month that includes HD channels as a savior for 550mhz system po-folks. However I dislike having a dish pimp sticking on the face of my house (faces south).

You guys are killing me with all your pissing and moaning about not getting one channel. Phack, at least you're getting SOME HD content. Us poor saps in Santa Cruz and the other known 550mhz areas get nothing! Quit your bitching! <end sarcasm>

Originally posted by Richo
You guys are killing me with all your pissing and moaning about not getting one channel. Phack, at least you're getting SOME HD content. Us poor saps in Santa Cruz and the other known 550mhz areas get nothing! Quit your bitching! <end sarcasm>

I am in the 550 Mhz system that's why I am bitching..... again :rolleyes:
So why don't you bitch to Comcast about the lack of HD available in our 16% area ??? The more that express their dissatisfaction with Comcast's treatment of the 550 Mhz areas the more Comcast will have to explain to.

Laters,
Mikef5

I guess it does make sense that 704 can't just be dropped. Otherwise, why wouldn't it have been dropped in favor of TDC HD or some other channel already?

If we don't get 702 in LG, Saratoga, and Milpitas tonight, and there's no explanation from Comcast as to why, I think it's time to get our friends over at the Merc to scare up another article about the poor service provided by Comcast.

Pretty stoked about getting KTVU HD finally but how can you tell what mhz system you are on?

I'm in Pinole which was a 'technology test market' under TCI and AT$T (or so I was told by those companies) so I'm assuming we are at least in the 750mhz range....

Originally posted by tfultz
Pretty stoked about getting KTVU HD finally but how can you tell what mhz system you are on?

I'm in Pinole which was a 'technology test market' under TCI and AT$T (or so I was told by those companies) so I'm assuming we are at least in the 750mhz range....

Do you get DiscoveryHD, INHD or INHD2? If so, then you are 750Mhz or higher.

Originally posted by tfultz
Pretty stoked about getting KTVU HD finally but how can you tell what mhz system you are on?

I'm in Pinole which was a 'technology test market' under TCI and AT$T (or so I was told by those companies) so I'm assuming we are at least in the 750mhz range....

I'd guess that if you're getting VOD and/or the "extra" HD channels like Discovery, then you're > 550MHz. If you're not getting any of those things, you're probably 550MHz.

702 viewable now. :D

Originally posted by Mikef5
I am in the 550 Mhz system that's why I am bitching..... again :rolleyes:
So why don't you bitch to Comcast about the lack of HD available in our 16% area ??? The more that express their dissatisfaction with Comcast's treatment of the 550 Mhz areas the more Comcast will have to explain to.

Laters,
Mikef5

Haha, all in jest man, all in jest. However, if someone has a list of emails for Comcast execs that cover my area, I'll absolutely put them to good use. :cool:

Originally posted by Richo
You guys are killing me with all your pissing and moaning about not getting one channel. Phack, at least you're getting SOME HD content. Us poor saps in Santa Cruz and the other known 550mhz areas get nothing! Quit your bitching! <end sarcasm> Well, you'll probably have all the HD soon, and then you can rub it in our faces.

Hadn't seen folks post this type of information yet:

KTVU-DT
549.000 MHz
QAM-256 encoded
Equates to STD Digital Cable Channel 78.2
(Subchannel 2 of the 549MHz Ch. 78)
Appears as "702" in the iGuide EPG

Troublesome, I'm sure, for those 550MHz customers here. Hopefully, there is another available slot lower for those guys...

Have others (with QAM-256 tuners available) been able to see what "physical" frequency band (channel) 702 is actually on in their neighborhood?

Of course the addition of the currently empty EPG row for Ch. 702 was both good and bad. The "good" is that it is possible to at least setup a manual recording on Ch. 702 now - something impossible prior to the EPG including it on my Motorola 6412 DVR. The "bad" is that every time something changes in the EPG, I get hit by that annoying A/D Simulcast flip in my scheduled recordings. Sure enough, each of my Series and Single recordings scheduled for HD stations were converted to their Analog SD equivalents forcing me to have to go back and re-enter them. I just don't see what the benefit of the "This Channel Only" selection is if the DVR is going to change which station it uses to record a program on me.

That "bad" gripe aside, I'm thrilled to finally have KTVU in HD. I know this will also decrease the number of hangs I've been having which seem to always happen when I'm recording Analog (particularly KTVU Analog SD!).

I'm just so amazed that we have KTVU-HD this early. I wasn't going to put up with 24 not being in HD again. So annoying. I figured it was going to be turned on sometime next week but I guess they have a lot of Bay Area advertising to do. I figure we will see a ton of mailers and promos saying..."Whats the easiest way to watch the Super Bowl in High Definition? Why...Comcast of course."

Originally posted by edmc
Have others (with QAM-256 tuners available) been able to see what "physical" frequency band (channel) 702 is actually on in their neighborhood? As shown by the diagnostic page on my 6412, it's on 717 Mhz up here (along with Discovery HD).

Out of curiosity, which channel is 78.1 on your QAM 256 tuner?

NEWS ALERT,

This is directly from Mr. Johnson.

We plan to remove the current HD signals from KRON and Showtime in these
systems and add Fox and Discovery. This change will be in place by February
2nd.

We have to perform a number of technical and administrative steps to make
this switch which will be accomplished by next Wednesday.

These changes will take place in a number of cities including:

Antioch
Bay Point
Benicia
Castro Valley
Hayward
Los Gatos
Milpitas
Pittsburg
Santa Rosa
San Leandro
San Lorenzo
Saratoga
Vallejo

In summary, by next Wednesday, KTVU/Fox and Discovery will be added to your
HD lineup.

So guys, we not only get Fox-HD but we'll get the Discovery-HD also.
I am back to being one Happy Camper. :)

My hat is off to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Nichol who made this happen.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5, you have PM.

Heck, I wont even need my guns and bombs for the franchise meeting up here next month. This statement about playing musical chairs with available channels is proof positive that Comcast is short-changing it's 550MHz customers. I'm flabbergasted that Johnson would make this statement and yet at the same time Comcast says they have no immediate plans to upgrade these areas. Absolutely incredible.

P.S. The smell of fish is quite distinct. :p

P.S.S. Yes, great work Mike..:)

Nice work, Mikef5. I guess I stand corrected about the KRON signal. I am a bit suprised they would remove the Showtime HD channel as that's a direct source of income for them via subscription. At the same time, that is probably the least watched premium HD channel.

Originally posted by fender4645
At the same time, that is probably the least watched premium HD channel.

Hmm.. maybe...I prefer it to HBO because SHO OAR's their movies...and no more Huff on Comcast.

Plus, I'd think Viacom would have a fit as well..

They better not remove Showtime for Discovery!!! Remove KRON for Fox is ok. They also need to use the TV Guide channel for FSN-HD when it is on.

I wonder how they chose Showtime and Discovery. Strange.

Now, can we convince them to take away one of the other movie channels or something for InHD/FSN-HD? Call me crazy, but I think local sports in HD are a little more in demand (no pun intended) than Trading Spaces.

As I stated before, use the TV Guide channel, who needs it.

I am in SFO bay area! I have Direct TV right now!

I want to switch to cable with HD and on demand service!

What is most economical way to subscribe?

I have built in cable card in my sony XS60955 LCD RPTV!

Will use of built in cable card will give us std channels as good as direct tv? and high def equal or better? like if we use HD TIVO with HDMI to HDMI.

I can still get OTA via antenna with built in HDTV tuner!

By the way, I have lost KGO 24 ABC HIGH DEF for GOOD? any luck!?
thnx

Originally posted by Bill
As I stated before, use the TV Guide channel, who needs it. Lots of people use that, especially those without digital cable. I even use it. Sometimes the Motorola box goes nuts and I'm too lazy to open my laptop, so TV Guide channel it is. The software on the cable box is so buggy, that it's sometimes faster to watch the slow scroll How sad is that? I also use it in the bedroom, cause no cable box there.

Lose the public access channels. Nobody uses those, besides the crazy people who make the shows. Actually, I watch them from time to time, because it's good for a laugh. I once saw a show with this lady teaching you how to talk to your plants. It was hilarious. She was talking to a plastic plant!

Good work Mikef5!! Are you sure you aren't actually Mr Johnson, in desguise?

I want FOX HD, so if it takes a two-fer to get it (TDC for SHOWTIME also) then so be it.

Several years ago when TDC was actually a nature channel it might have been pretty cool, but I'm not overly excited about seeing Monster Garage, American Chopper, or Biker Build-Off in HD... The nature shows on PBS HD are absolutely mesmerizing, and I definitely watch some shows that I'd never watch in SD.

But, hurray for FOX HD!! I'll live w/o Showtime HD.

A few months ago, I would have been pissed about Showtime, because of Dead Like Me, but they cancelled that anyways, so it's now a useless channel. But I really don't get how they chose Showtime. Isn't that more popular than Cinemax and Starz? ::shrug:: Maybe it's not.

Oooh, I just thought of something. This could be good. A lot of people are going to get upset when Showtime HD (a channel they pay extra for) suddenly disappears. The more people making noise about this situation, the better our chances are. Come on, people. Let's get loud!

Originally posted by John Mace
But, hurray for FOX HD!! I'll live w/o Showtime HD.

Just to clarify, we're only talking about the 550Mhz systems
here as far as the channel swap & removal, right guys?

JasonQG

You'd rather have the TV Guide channel than FSN-HD??? There are many sources for the TV guide but not FSN-HD! Besides they already preempt it for SD FSN-P.

There are many sources for the TV guide but not FSN-HD

and even if there weren't.....!!!!

P.S. 702 is up and running in Burlingame.

Originally posted by Bill
You'd rather have the TV Guide channel than FSN-HD??? There are many sources for the TV guide but not FSN-HD! Personally, no. But if they took away the TV Guide channel, thousands of people would call and bitch. You have to remember that we're a very small minority with HD. Eventually, TV Guide will probably disappear (or transition into a normal channel, as they seem to be trying to do somewhat now), but for now, it's a more important channel than anything in HD.

The 5 or 6 public access channels in Santa Rosa, however, are not important. The other 550 MHz cities probably don't have as many public acccess channels to play with, though. Even if SR agreed to give up some bandwidth, I don't know if Comcast would do anything with it. They might be treating all of us as a group, and you couldn't have one 550 MHz city happy. That would make too much sense.

TV Guide Channel ???? I don't get a TV Guide Channel. Man, just when I thought I was through bitching.... :)
What's the channel number for this ????

Laters,
Mikef5

Great Job Mikef5
Thanks for all your hard work. Wouldn't it have been better for Comcast to have announced this on their own? They keep shooting themselves in the foot. Good bye KRON-HD. Showtime I'm a little surprised at, and with Kirsti Alley's "I'm Fat" coming out too.

Originally posted by Mikef5
NEWS ALERT,

This is directly from Mr. Johnson.

...


Strange that Sunnyvale (my city, not coincidentally :p) isn't on that list, but other 550MHz cities are. Hopefully that's just an oversight in the note, and not an indication that us in Sunnyvale will miss KTVU in HD. And it sounds like we've got to wait for next Wednesday or so to see...

Anyone know anything definitive for us folks in Sunnyvale, or a good way for us to find out, short of waiting until it's too late to plan for the Super Bowl?

Originally posted by rshaw
Showtime I'm a little surprised at, and with Kirsti Alley's "I'm Fat" coming out too. Yeah, because that's what widescreen TV was made for. ::rimshot::

Sorry. :(

Originally posted by Bill
As I stated before, use the TV Guide channel, who needs it.

Bill,

I dont believe the 550Mhz systems even have a TV Guide channel on the Analog or HD side so that wouldnt buy us anything.

Originally posted by Poochie
Strange that Sunnyvale (my city, not coincidentally :p) isn't on that list, but other 550MHz cities are. Hopefully that's just an oversight in the note, and not an indication that us in Sunnyvale will miss KTVU in HD. And it sounds like we've got to wait for next Wednesday or so to see...

Anyone know anything definitive for us folks in Sunnyvale, or a good way for us to find out, short of waiting until it's too late to plan for the Super Bowl?


...It may have been omitted from the list he provided since only a portion of S'vale is still 550Mhz...I suspect you will also get this same change when they make it in saramilgatos

Originally posted by davisdog
I dont believe the 550Mhz systems even have a TV Guide channel on the Analog or HD side so that wouldnt buy us anything. We do in Santa Rosa...

ouch...can't believe they are pulling showtime HD right before "The L-word" starts its 2nd session....that's almost like having Playboy-HD

guess I'll cancel my Showtime subscription then...

and maybe its just me, but I'd rather have InHD (w/FSNBA-HD mixed in) for the one channel along side fox-hd

Then again..I want all the channels I'm paying for :(

If you are using a QAM256 tuner, then Comcasts channel assignments don't help much.
in Cupertino, KTVU-DT is active now at 717 MHz, physical channel 111.9. Discovery-HD is encrypted on physical channel 111.1.

On my Sony KDF-55WF655 it shows up at the physical channel (111.9) and not the logical channel (2.1). Not sure when, or if, it will get moved to the logical 2.1.

Originally posted by JasonQG
We do in Santa Rosa...

Interesting, they dont put it on the 550Mhz systems in the Southbay...what channel is it on? (so I can see what we have in that frequency slot)

Originally posted by Mikef5
Antioch
Bay Point
Benicia
Castro Valley
Hayward
Los Gatos
Milpitas
Pittsburg
Santa Rosa
San Leandro
San Lorenzo
Saratoga
Vallejo It's strange that we don't hear people from most of these cities in here complaining with the rest of us. I mean, some of these cities are pretty small, but I checked census numbers, and some of them are pretty-big-sized cities. Hayward, for example, is almost as big as Santa Rosa (the biggest city on the list). Before now, I didn't even know Hayward was one of the "lucky" cities.

Originally posted by davisdog
Interesting, they dont put it on the 550Mhz systems in the Southbay...what channel is it on? (so I can see what we have in that frequency slot) It's channel 11 for us, but our channel #s are different than anybody else. Comcast/AT&T hasn't changed our analog channels much since the CableOne days. That's probably why we have it; it was something CableOne carried.

I miss CableOne...

Originally posted by davisdog
ouch...can't believe they are pulling showtime HD right before "The L-word" starts its 2nd session....that's almost like having Playboy-HD

guess I'll cancel my Showtime subscription then...



I honestly will only believe this when it actually happens. I cannot accept that Comcast would lop off Showtime without some repercussions from the network. Starz must be cheaper for Comcast to carry, and Cinemax is probably a package deal with HBO.

I forgot about The L Word, that's a good show as well as Huff...and you wont have to cancel your sub to Showtime, Comcast is doing it for you. :rolleyes: :p

Is there only a few of us that finds this somewhat incredible, something tells me that with the quickness(after all the noise was made) that KTVU-HD was brought on board that the decisions on what to remove and what to add couldn't possibly have been made and set in stone this quick. There must be some contract renegotiations with Showtime and KRON to effect this change. I don't know, it still smells like dead fish to me....

Originally posted by Bill
They better not remove Showtime for Discovery!!! Remove KRON for Fox is ok. They also need to use the TV Guide channel for FSN-HD when it is on.

I agree, I do not want to lose Showtime...

Originally posted by zoro
I want to switch to cable with HD and on demand service!

What is most economical way to subscribe?

I have built in cable card in my sony XS60955 LCD RPTV!

Will use of built in cable card will give us std channels as good as direct tv? and high def equal or better? like if we use HD TIVO with HDMI to HDMI.

I can still get OTA via antenna with built in HDTV tuner!

By the way, I have lost KGO 24 ABC HIGH DEF for GOOD? any luck!?
thnx

Cheapest way is to get a basic sub and a digital HD STB, about $25.
The cablecard does not allow for OnDemand, IIRC.
The HiDef is as good if not better, on Comcast.
If you can get the stations you want with an OTA antenna(KGO has been having some problems, if you had it before, you should get it back soon) then I wouldn't mess with Comcast, unless there are some cable-only channels you want...

Just tuned my 6200 to 702 and tried watching Friends. It was pixelating and audio dropping quite a bit. Hopefully when it switches to HD that stuff will vanish. I'm in south San Jose, 95123.

JasonQC: It's strange that we don't hear people from most of these cities in here complaining with the rest of us.

Many of us are patiently waiting for the change to take place. My experience is that Comcast generally does what it says it will do. Not all areas come up at the same time, Vallejo one of them. We have the spectrum-it's just not there (cable box or Fusion QAM card).

I have a lot of sympathy for those who want advanced services. I suffered through Cable Oakland and Albany Cable for years. But, this thread took on the personna of "Bay Area Whiners" a long time ago. I seriously doubt that the whining has changed anything. And, it's hard to gather substantive info (which appears from time to time) when faced with pages of constant complaining. Sheeesh!:)

So, chill-out dudes. This time next week, maybe, freak-out.

KTUV mentioned something about a power outage and being on generators.

Originally posted by ez2logon
My experience is that Comcast generally does what it says it will do. What if I don't like what they're saying?

I'm sorry that my whining annoys you, but some of us are trying to get things done. You're welcome to sit around and wait, but that saying about the squeaky wheel really is true. I've seen it all my life, and I'm usually the quiet wheel. You're welcome to add me and the rest of the whiners to your ignore list.

SonomaSearcher, could we maybe have a separate thread for 550 MHz discussion? I do realize that a few of us have taken over this thread when most of the bay area doesn't really care about the few unlucky ones.

The first few American Idol episodes have not been very impressive in HD, since they are just the people in "regular" outifts, and singing without backing music. I think it might be better once they hit the studio.

I can now try to use my OTA setup to get UPN or WB.....though I am not sure if I will even care about anything on there...the only thing on Fox that I used it for was Baseball playoffs and football.(Wife is teh Idol watcher

QAM 75-9

Lost all of my saved ''favorites'' in the process - but for the cause, I hope everyone else thinks it was worth it.

JasonQG: SonomaSearcher, could we maybe have a separate thread for 550 MHz discussion?

That's pretty cool, Jason. My comments were in general, not specific to you. My apologies if I offended you. Good luck.

Seems like the first episode of Battlestar Galactica, "33", was an omen.

Both shows I recorded this week, "Nova (Tue)" and "American Idol (Wed)" recorded only 33 minutes.

My DVR is only 45% full.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Shige

I know it's only Sd but Seinfeld has a soft image, as if it's not fully focused.

720p in SF

OC is grainy and darkly lit in all the interior scenes.

Outdoor scenes look okay but still not as sharp as the other channels.

Not the best first impression of HD on Fox.

I'm still getting video and audio drop outs.

Zoro,
As was mentioned before, if you take advantage of the CableCard option, you will not have to pay ANYTHING for HD, but will not get OnDemand.

I would actually suggest getting digital classic and the PVR. the PVR is only $5 more per month than the HD box, and if you go that way, you will also be paying ZERO to get HD...though that wont stop many of the people on the list from whining about not getting specific HD channels.

Nothing we don't know already, but it does mention the agreement was for 14 other stations also owned by Cox.

http://news.com.com/Comcast,+Fox+strike+S.F.+HDTV+deal/2110-1041_3-5553942.html?part=rss&tag=5553942&subj=news.1041.20
Comcast, Fox strike S.F. HDTV deal | CNET News.com

I'm getting KTVU, but the video is grainy and the audio has been flaky. Other people having that problem? I understanding if it was before 8:00 PM, but this is after the announced "go live" time...

Hope it gets better.

Yeah definitely grainy, some glitching for an instant here and there.

Plus it seems to be overscanned on my 34XBR910. I didn't notice it until I saw the KTVU logo on the lower-right hand corner which is cut off.

Still better than SD. Will make 24 more enjoyable and maybe things look better with the bright environment of a football game.

Audio made The OC unwatchable - kept cutting out. Is this a problem with the feed?

wco81 wrote:

> Plus it seems to be overscanned on my 34XBR910. I didn't notice it until I saw the KTVU logo on the lower-right hand corner which is cut off.

I don't think it's overscanned... that's just the way KTVU is inserting their 2 over the network FOX logo. I've never noticed anything missing around the edges on FOX.

I watched "OC" OTA and it looked fine, so the video and audio problems must be originating in the Comcast feed.

Larry
SF

Larry, good to see you take a break from the Yahoo forum and OTA thread and grace us Comcasters with your presence!! :)

Everyone, listen to Larry. He's an industry veteran who probably knows more about HD then all of us put together. :D

Well, for a quick(did not feel like watching the whole show) A-B comparison of Point Pleasant OTA v Comcast cable, they seemed to be the same grainy picture. I watched the scene in the stairwell...

I don 't think Comcast will lose money by shutting off Showtime-HD. The same channel is carried in a relatively modestly compressed SD signal. That's not like KTVU or KRON which is carried analog only if the HD is shut off. Also, you don't pay extra for Showtime HD if you have Showtime already, so they lose nothing unless subs churn to DBS.

So I can understand the logic here. More people are in a tier that can recieve Discovery than Showtime, so the net result is that more people get more HD channels this way than if you gave priority to Premium channels for HD.

Thanks,
Mike

Hmm. All I have on 702 is a blue cube w/ the Fox logo rotating - so the channel is "there", but no programming? Is/was there an outage tonight, or is all of Oakland (and Piedmont) not yet "on" in HD?

Would someone please clarify the situation? Is the removal of Showtime only a factor for the areas listed? I am in Berkeley ... I already get Discovery HD ... Showtime HD is one of my favorite channels, and I would be majorly pissed if it was to disappear. And on my television, at least, Showtime HD looks better than HBO HD.

Originally posted by Mikef5
My hat is off to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Nichol who made this happen.

I might ask Mr. Johnson to EAT my hat if he removed Showtime HD, but I'm sure not going to thank him.

Originally posted by masoo
Would someone please clarify the situation? Is the removal of Showtime only a factor for the areas listed? I am in Berkeley ... I already get Discovery HD ... Showtime HD is one of my favorite channels, and I would be majorly pissed if it was to disappear. And on my television, at least, Showtime HD looks better than HBO HD. You're fine. Don't worry.

First Impressions of Fox-HD in my area:
-Grainy looking picture, moreso than any other channel.
-Audio kept cutting out, entire words and phrases were lost at times but the audio portion was still audible enough to understand the show.
-Heavy Blocking (but certainly more than on occasion) on the screen in the bottom portion of the screen and occassionally when something on the screen moved too quickly, even a mouth, quick hand movement.
-Rotating blue FOX cube would be there instead of commercials, but who cares.

All in all, I don't watch these shows but I made sure to take a look at both of them to compare and were pretty similarly plagued with these issues. While all this weirdness was happening, it STILL is certainly better than SD and I could be able to watch the show just fine, although somebody with less patience would have been yelling their heads off at the screen.

Hopefully, people have complained about the PQ by now and/or the Comcast techs are already aware of the problem and we can expect the signal to be tuned more in the next few days so we can get (almost?) no issues for next weeks great FOX show, 24. (And of course, the Bowl)

P.S. Anybody notice the that bisexual blond chick on The OC was mind numbingly hot??? If the show wasnt so annoying and childish, I would watch it just to see that face some more. Gimme more of that Olivia Wilde girl. (Yes, I IMDB'd her just now. )

Originally posted by wco81
OC is grainy and darkly lit in all the interior scenes.

Outdoor scenes look okay but still not as sharp as the other channels.

Not the best first impression of HD on Fox.

Agreed. By far the poorest looking HD channel in the line-up. Maybe related to the power issue mentioned? Hope they goose it a little for the Super Bowl.

Bill

FYI...Comcast has started testing Digital Simulcast in Philly (750Mhz+)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5076500#post5076500

The anticipated launch date of KTVU HD is 2-2-05 in the following cities:

Antioch
Bay Point
Benicia
Castro Valley
Hayward
Los Gatos
Milpitas
Pittsburg
San Leandro
San Lorenzo
Santa Rosa
Saratoga
Vallejo

Did anyone watch "Dirty War" on HBO this week? It was a great show, but what's up with that stunted format? I watched it on HBO HD and the aspect ratio was set so that it was clipped at the top and on the sides, using up only about 80% of the screen. Is that some funky European standard...?

Originally posted by Bill Ball
Agreed. By far the poorest looking HD channel in the line-up. Maybe related to the power issue mentioned? Hope they goose it a little for the Super Bowl.

Bill

This is what I was warning you guys about a week ago. That grainy look is pretty much the PQ you will have from FOX until they fix the equipment issues at their affiliates. It's highly doubtful it will be improved by Super Bowl time either. I'm guessing the PQ on close-ups was much better than in larger area views, if so, this fits with what you see from the DirecTV feeds as well.

The audio problems described above seem to more severe than they are on DirecTV, although on DirecTV there will an occasional stutter.

The blocking problem seems to be a Comcast issue, don't see that from the sat feed, so hopefully that is something Comcast will give some attention to.

Some Giants Games "Likely" in HD on KTVU
Article in today's SF Chron by Steve Kroner quotes KTVU general manager Tim McVay as saying it's likely some of KTVU's local Giants telecasts this season will air in HD.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/01/28/SPGJ3B21SM1.DTL

Anyone try to watch the On Demand content for the premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.) without actually being subscribers to those channels?

I can see all the menu items and it looks like it would just work. Maybe they haven't locked down those items from non-subscribers?

Originally posted by mazman49
Some Giants Games "Likely" in HD on KTVU
Article in today's SF Chron by Steve Kroner quotes KTVU general manager Tim McVay as saying it's likely some of KTVU's local Giants telecasts this season will air in HD.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/01/28/SPGJ3B21SM1.DTL That's great news. Thanks for the heads-up.

Audio Stutter on 703 KNTV
I get occasional audio stutter on 703. The picture remains clear but the audio stutters for a few seconds. It's only occasional and unpredictable. Could it be my STB or is it the transmission?

I think 705 (CBS) has the best picture quality and audio.

This is my first post after recently discovering this forum. I wanted to chime in and represent the San Lorenzo, San Leandro and Hayward areas. These cities are all on the 550 mhz Comcast system. Just like many of you, I have written and called Comcast about our lack of service. I’ve also written Todd Wallack and local government officials to alert them to our substandard service.

Currently on our system we get NBC-HD, ABC-HD, KQED-HD, ESPN-HD, HBO-HD and Showtime-HD. I’m hoping that Fox will be up by next Wed. as I saw earlier, but we are still lacking CBS-HD among other channels.

I’m going to keep putting Comcast’s feet to the fire until everyone gets equal service.

Originally posted by keenan
This is what I was warning you guys about a week ago. That grainy look is pretty much the PQ you will have from FOX until they fix the equipment issues at their affiliates. It's highly doubtful it will be improved by Super Bowl time either. I'm guessing the PQ on close-ups was much better than in larger area views, if so, this fits with what you see from the DirecTV feeds as well.

The audio problems described above seem to more severe than they are on DirecTV, although on DirecTV there will an occasional stutter.

The blocking problem seems to be a Comcast issue, don't see that from the sat feed, so hopefully that is something Comcast will give some attention to.

I'm not so sure about the grainy look being the standard picture quality, but I could be wrong. I've been watching FOX HD via OTA for a while and the picture may not be as great as CBS, but is no where near as bad as what I saw on the Comcast last night. I didn't get a chance to check yesterday's OTA signal, so it may have been an isolated incident. But I've watched 24 and the football on OTA and those have all been pretty good, relative to CBS and ABC.....

Or my vision is just starting to suck more!

Originally posted by rshaw
Audio Stutter on 703 KNTV
I get occasional audio stutter on 703. The picture remains clear but the audio stutters for a few seconds. It's only occasional and unpredictable. Could it be my STB or is it the transmission?

I think 705 (CBS) has the best picture quality and audio.
I get the stutter too. Happens when the show starts from a commercial or occassionally during the show. I think everybody experiences that on that channel. Gotta be the transmission.

And yes, 705 is the best, followed by 707.

I saw the HD highlights from both Fox and CBS on ESPN sportcenter on the day of the NFC/AFC championship games. Fox was really bad compared to CBS. And yesterday's OC was nowhere near Desp HW on ABC or CSI on CBS. So may be Fox still has some technical problems with HD.

Originally posted by russwong
I'm not so sure about the grainy look being the standard picture quality, but I could be wrong. I've been watching FOX HD via OTA for a while and the picture may not be as great as CBS, but is no where near as bad as what I saw on the Comcast last night. I didn't get a chance to check yesterday's OTA signal, so it may have been an isolated incident. But I've watched 24 and the football on OTA and those have all been pretty good, relative to CBS and ABC.....

Or my vision is just starting to suck more!

I have not seen the KTVU-HD feed so it is possible that Comcast has further issues with the PQ. In general, the Fox-HD signal is subpar to the other 3 networks and there are technical reasons for this that are being addressed by Fox. It is waaay better than SD though, no doubt..:)

Originally posted by D-Real
Currently on our system we get NBC-HD, ABC-HD, KQED-HD, ESPN-HD, HBO-HD and Showtime-HD. I’m hoping that Fox will be up by next Wed. as I saw earlier, but we are still lacking CBS-HD among other channels. Wow, you guys are even worse off. The fact that you're missing Cinemax and Starz might help explain how Comcast chose Showtime as the movie channel to drop, but you'd think they'd do something to get you guys KPIX-HD.

Out of curiosity, how many analog channels do you have?

Not sure about the number, but go to the Comcast web site and click on "What's in my Area" at the top. Enter zip code 94580 and then click on "my channel lineup". As you will see, we don't get a lot of channels like in other systems. The funny thing is that we have duplicate channels airing the same thing like EWTV, the religion channel, weather and TV Land.

Originally posted by JasonQG
Wow, you guys are even worse off. The fact that you're missing Cinemax and Starz might help explain how Comcast chose Showtime as the movie channel to drop, but you'd think they'd do something to get you guys KPIX-HD.

Out of curiosity, how many analog channels do you have?

You are probably right, here in Milpitas we don't get Cinemax-HD or Starz-HD, the only movie channels in HD are HBO and SHO. If it were up to me I'd just drop the Kron-HD and leave the rest alone but I don't have enough info to know if there were other factors that came into play with their decision. After the Super Bowl we can go back to bitching about the lack of HD in our system again.:p

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
You are probably right, here in Milpitas we don't get Cinemax-HD or Starz-HD, the only movie channels in HD are HBO and SHO. Oh, wow; I assumed we were all getting the same channels. Hey, I don't feel so bad. Of all the 550 MHz cities, at least Santa Rosa apparently has the most HD channels. Too bad I don't subscribe to them.

I have had problems with Fox too in South San Jose. I also have problems with sound in Discovery channel, is that because they share the same frequency?

Originally posted by JasonQG
Oh, wow; I assumed we were all getting the same channels. Hey, I don't feel so bad. Of all the 550 MHz cities, at least Santa Rosa apparently has the most HD channels. Too bad I don't subscribe to them.

That's why the move to drop SHOW is surprising-- it leaves us with only one HD movie channel. Does Discovery really have much of interest for an HD viewer? I guess we'll be able to see those tats on Jessie James' arms in brilliant detail now. And my, how those chrome pipes will shine!

WOO HOO!!!!

I now have FOX HD in Oakland through Comcast!!

Channel 702

Clear as the other HD channels!!

No more need for OTA for next week's Superbowl...

Party planning will now begin!!!

Originally posted by rsra13
I have had problems with Fox too in South San Jose. I also have problems with sound in Discovery channel, is that because they share the same frequency?

rsra13:
I'm also in South San Jose (95111). Are you referring to ongoing problems, or issues just now resulting from the new Fox-HD feed? With only one night of viewing, I didn't notice any problems with Fox-HD or with the Discovery Channel.

Originally posted by John Mace
That's why the move to drop SHOW is surprising I think it's surprising that we're all not upgraded. For a while, I was kind of understanding where Comcast was coming from; they are a business, after all. But as more and more HD channels come online, and since HD is really catching on now with prices of sets dropping (2005 is "the year of HD," according to Steve Jobs :)), not to mention the other services like VOD that they're pushing so hard, it's insanely stupid that Comcast doesn't yet have the foresight that their reluctance to upgrade our areas is going to cost them in the long run. Yes, the transition from analog to digital will eventually free up a lot of bandwidth, but by then there will be all sorts of new services they'll be wanting to push that will use it all up. That's the nature of technology. By the time they realize this, it will be too late; satellite will have won in the cities where Comcast doesn't seem to care. Even if they realize it today, it may be too late. It's not like upgrades happen overnight.

How did this happen?

Originally posted by JasonQG
I think it's surprising that we're all not upgraded. For a while, I was kind of understanding where Comcast was coming from; they are a business, after all. But as more and more HD channels come online, and since HD is really catching on now with prices of sets dropping (2005 is "the year of HD," according to Steve Jobs :)), not to mention the other services like VOD that they're pushing so hard, it's insanely stupid that Comcast doesn't yet have the foresight that their reluctance to upgrade our areas is going to cost them in the long run. Yes, the transition from analog to digital will eventually free up a lot of bandwidth, but by then there will be all sorts of new services they'll be wanting to push that will use it all up. That's the nature of technology. By the time they realize this, it will be too late; satellite will have won in the cities where Comcast doesn't seem to care. Even if they realize it today, it may be too late. It's not like upgrades happen overnight.

How did this happen?

The Vice-Mayor of Santa Rosa himself has DirecTV... :p

I don't think HD is big enough to drive subscriber growth or losses for cable or satellite. At least not yet.

Cable companies are obviously sensitive to losing subscribers to satellite. Comcast hasn't been hit enough, which is why it hasn't changed its HSI prices while raising cable TV prices every year.

But some systems like Adelphia are bleeding customers, mainly because of financial mismanagement which prevents them from adding services. Comcast in contrast could issue press releases about how it's spending all this money, keeping local workers employed, etc. So that's enough to keep people paying their extortion prices for awhile.

Consumers will benefit when SBC jumps into the fray and it along with Comcast and the satellite companies fight for customers.

I just checked 702 again and I don't have problems anymore. The guide is also showing all the programs for that channel.

Originally posted by wco81
I don't think HD is big enough to drive subscriber growth or losses for cable or satellite. At least not yet.

But Comcast clearly thinks VOD is, or they wouldn't be advertising it like they are-- almost nonstop. I obviously don't understand the whole p&l deal with upgrading our areas, but Comcast clearly has decided that it's not worth it to us locked in to their system via the high level of services offered elsewhere. Speaking for myself, if I make the switch to sattelite, I'm unlikely to switch back. I think that is true of many consumers.

Originally posted by John Mace
But Comcast clearly thinks VOD is, or they wouldn't be advertising it like they are-- almost nonstop.

Yep, they have bet a ton on VOD...and the advertising is all of the placel.

They now how some huge billboards put up along freeways (it pains me to drive by the one at 880/Brokaw on the way to work)....and they are repaiiting all of their trucks in wild colors advertising VOD (and they dare to drive them into our neighborhood on service calls...time to get out the eggs)

Hey guys, can someone help me out here? I've got an open dialog going with a local reporter pointing out the deficiencies/inequalities in the roll-out of Comcast's services to it's customers. (Particularly Santa Cruz area) Looks like we might get a story printed about it and what I'm looking for is the info on what 550MHz areas are receiving HD content for a comparison. Does anyone have that info available?

Thanks!

VOD is Brian Roberts' response to DVRs, in particular the Direct Tivos. They wanted to offer similar functionality without deploying costly set tops in order to combat subscriber attrition to satellite.

The WSJ story talked about how this was mainly about customer retention so they decided not to charge extra for it whereas some cable companies do charge $5 extra to people already paying for HBO or Showtime to be able to view archived HBO or Showtime content. The main benefit, besides keeping customers in the fold, is that customers also have to upgrade to digital.

The premium channels love the idea, which is why you see all the premium content available On Demand. They think it keeps subscribers of premium channels on board instead of dropping their subscriptions after the end of the Sopranos season. But the main networks have not approved putting their content on VOD because they are holding out for money.

Originally posted by rsra13
I just checked 702 again and I don't have problems anymore. The guide is also showing all the programs for that channel.
I guess Comcast is working hard on getting 702 up to code after a less than stellar debut. Guess we gotta see a few minutes of Bernie Mac tonight to see how much has improved.

I was in the 95126 zip code (San Jose, near downtown) last year, and was enjoying HD. We moved at the beginning of this month to a place 2 miles south of there, in 95128. It was still on an old A/B system, so of course there was no HD. They finally got it rebuilt, and I picked up my HD-DVR this morning (my first DVR!). I'm very much looking forward to seeing everything in HD again, and I have Showtime for their 2-month promo since Christmas eve, and another month of HBO with their move-in 2-month free special.

I'll have to go back through the last couple of pages and see what's been going on with the HD around here (channel 702-HDFox, etc.)

Can anyone tell me if Comcast in Santa Clara broadcasts and HD programming in the clear?

I just bought a TV that has a built-in ATSC tuner (Samsung), and I am wondering if I can get any HDTV programming off my cable. I currently have the expanded basic analog package.

I tried scanning the channels using the 3 available modes (STD, IRC, HRC) but didn't find anything. Of course, I don't really know where to look, so scanning probably doesn't help.

Can anyone give me any pointers?

Thanks!

dondon,
An ATSC tuner will not work with cable, only with over the air reception. You need a QAM256 tuner to get HDTV from comcast cable (some TV's now have these built in along with ATSC). You can rent the tuner from Comcast for ony $5 per month.

-Steve

Originally posted by dondon
Can anyone tell me if Comcast in Santa Clara broadcasts and HD programming in the clear?

I just bought a TV that has a built-in ATSC tuner (Samsung), and I am wondering if I can get any HDTV programming off my cable. I currently have the expanded basic analog package.

I tried scanning the channels using the 3 available modes (STD, IRC, HRC) but didn't find anything. Of course, I don't really know where to look, so scanning probably doesn't help.

Can anyone give me any pointers?

Thanks!

ATSC usually refers to over-the-air (UHF) digital broadcasts, not cable...
The cable digital format is QAM (QAM256 for HD).
STD, IRC, HRC all sound like regular, analog CATV formats, not digital.

Double-check the manual and specs for your TV if the digital/HD tuner supports QAM256... even if it says "HD-Ready" (not Capable), it may be ready only for the UHF air broadcasts, not cable.
If it's just ATSC, it really is "free & in the clear" but in the air, not the cable! :)
so, put up a UHF antenna and aim it towards San Bruno etc. :)
(check http://www.antennaweb.org for aiming details)

PS I have a UHF antenna & mast leftover, if you want to drive to Foster City and grab it for cheap :)

Originally posted by Richo
Hey guys, can someone help me out here? I've got an open dialog going with a local reporter pointing out the deficiencies/inequalities in the roll-out of Comcast's services to it's customers. (Particularly Santa Cruz area) Looks like we might get a story printed about it and what I'm looking for is the info on what 550MHz areas are receiving HD content for a comparison. Does anyone have that info available?

Thanks!

Have him contact Todd Wallack from the Chronicle, he has a load of info about Comcast and the non upgrades of the 550 Mhz systems. His email address is
TWallack@sfchronicle.com
Having 2 reporters working on the story may get some notice.

Laters,
Mikef5

One other quick check. If it doesn't have a Cable Card (smart card) slot, then it probably does not support QAM256.

Well I checked OnDemand and it seems they have all the premium channels available to watch. I only had access to Showtime before, since I'm subscribed to that channel, but now I can see the shows for the rest of the premium channels HBO, CMAX, Starz and TMC OnDemand.

Of course I don't have access to them outside of OnDemand.

Just got through reading the minutes of the last Franchise Board meeting, for Milpitas, and I'm back to being an unhappy camper. The only thing these guys are worried about is adding another public access channel on our already bandwidth starved system, frigging morons. Well the next public meeting is the 28th of Feb and guess who's going to be there. The Franchise agreement ends 10 April 2005 and if these morons don't do anything it will be 10 years before this agreement ends. I don't know why I should give a rat's behind but it's just pi**ing me off. I think it's time to take timeout break and save my energy for the meeting.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by wco81
I don't think HD is big enough to drive subscriber growth or losses for cable or satellite. At least not yet. Even besides VOD (as others have mentioned), the key phrase here is "not yet." It obviously WILL become a big deal, yet they don't even seem to have it in their plans to do anything, besides wait for analog to disappear. It reminds me of the best advice I ever got from some outsourced-to-India tech support after many calls over a period of weeks trying to get Dell to replace a faulty part: "Give it a few days. Maybe it will fix itself." Comcast has apparently taken that advice.

Originally posted by gfbuchanan
One other quick check. If it doesn't have a Cable Card (smart card) slot, then it probably does not support QAM256. There were quite a few HDTV's that came out before CableCard that did have QAM 256 tuners.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Just got through reading the minutes of the last Franchise Board meeting, for Milpitas, and I'm back to being an unhappy camper. The only thing these guys are worried about is adding another public access channel on our already bandwidth starved system, frigging morons. Well the next public meeting is the 28th of Feb and guess who's going to be there. The Franchise agreement ends 10 April 2005 and if these morons don't do anything it will be 10 years before this agreement ends. Now is the perfect time to get involved and have an influence on the next franchise agreement. Get your City's council and staff a copy of that report done for the Contra Costa County franchise authorities (that said any renewed franchise should require Comcast to take a 550 or lower Mhz system up to 860 or greater Mhz). Even better, get yourself appointed to the franchise board if there's an opening-- it sounds like it's a committee of citizens appointed by the council.

Persuade the franchise board that the City will be better off with one analog and 7 digital PEG channels instead of three analog PEG's. 8 channels is better than 3, and when full digital conversion occurs, they could have even more than 8 channels.

You have a great opportunity to be an influence on the process, since franchise agreements do typically run for 10 years or more. It will be 2015 or 2020 before the next round!

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
There were quite a few HDTV's that came out before CableCard that did have QAM 256 tuners.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Based on what the (thin) manual says, I am guessing my tuner is not QAM256 compatible. When I select the option to scan channels, it does ask me if I want to use QAM (after I select one of STD, IRC, and HRC), but I'm guessing that's a different standard.

My TV does not have a CableCard slot. I am able to pick up a fair number of OTA signals using a silver sensor (albeit at very low signal strength). I guess that will have to do until I get around to installing a real antenna.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Now is the perfect time to get involved and have an influence on the next franchise agreement. Get your City's council and staff a copy of that report done for the Contra Costa County franchise authorities (that said any renewed franchise should require Comcast to take a 550 or lower Mhz system up to 860 or greater Mhz). Even better, get yourself appointed to the franchise board if there's an opening-- it sounds like it's a committee of citizens appointed by the council.

Persuade the franchise board that the City will be better off with one analog and 7 digital PEG channels instead of three analog PEG's. 8 channels is better than 3, and when full digital conversion occurs, they could have even more than 8 channels.

You have a great opportunity to be an influence on the process, since franchise agreements do typically run for 10 years or more. It will be 2015 or 2020 before the next round!

SonomaSearcher,
Do you have a link to that report, tried doing a search of the forum and can't seem to find it.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike,

Check out this post. After you read the report, let us know if you think it will be helpful to your city.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4534559&highlight=franchise#post4534559

Just got off the phone with a Comcast CSR. She claims Sunnyvale will be getting KTVU-HD on Feb 2nd. Hopefully she's right. I guess I'll find out next Wednesday...

Re: STD, IRC, HRC being Analog only

I believe this is not true. My TV (Sharp 45" GX) allows me to select which one even for the Digital (QAM-64/256 capable) tuner. I believe these refer to the spacing/placement of the frequency bands and their equivalent Channel/Station numberings. STD, I believe has defined 6MHz bands for each Channel/Station at published locations. IRC and HRC are slightly different.

Re: The different frequency btwn. 78.1 and 78.2 Physical Channels was asked about in response to my post about KTVU-DT being on 78.2 "physically" which is at 549MHz.

I believe SubChannels all share the same (in this case 6MHz) slot in the frequency band. Hence, 78.1 is also at 549MHz. Anybody more knowledgeable able to confirm this? I'll certainly try this theory out once I get in front of my TV.

Re: My question about KTVU-DT showing up in the EPG...

Mine still wasn't there last night in terms of being filled in. Is it filled in (i.e. other than with TBAs) for anybody's yet? This produced an odd problem for me last night. The TBAs are every 30 minutes. I actually set a Manual Recording on 702 for 8pm to 9pm to catch The OC. I also scheduled The Apprentice on 703 from 8:30pm to 10pm. When 8:30pm came around, I got a pop-up dialog (I was watching 702 at the time) if I wanted to Cancel the recording of The Apprentice or Change Channels. Well, the DVR (6412) has two tuners so this shouldn't have been an issue. I believe - even though I used a Manual Recording for 702 - that this is related to the EPG TBAs ending every 30 minutes. It was odd, though. I eventually crossed my fingers, hit the Swap Key to get over to The Apprentice on 703 and back to 702, then said "go ahead and Cancel the Recording of The Apprentice". Then I promptly started a new Manual Recording on 702. Trouble is this was about 8:33pm. Sure enough, The Apprentice recording WASN'T CANCELLED. And I later realized that what the DVR did was cancel the Manual Recording from 8-9 @ 8:33pm when I started the next Manual Recording @ 8:33pm - i.e. I didn't miss anything. Very odd User Interface issue. I hope the mid-Feb iGuide update helps here. And that this resolves the Recordings "This Channel Only" issue where EPG updates cause the DVR to "default" to the Analog SD equivalents.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Mike,

Check out this post. After you read the report, let us know if you think it will be helpful to your city.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4534559&highlight=franchise#post4534559

I'm going to use this among some other stuff you gave me about amplifier technology for our Council Meeting up here.

Originally posted by wco81
VOD is Brian Roberts' response to DVRs, in particular the Direct Tivos.
.

Yup, VOD is his baby, although it's yet to show any profit for Comcast. And your right about the TiVo stuff, the cable provided DVRs, while they do work, are rather basic, small capacity, and not near as nice or functional as a TiVo box. Plus, I bet the current cable DVR will be the one we are stuck with for at least a year or more, cablecos are not looking to spend money constantly upgraded to better DVRs, VOD is the focus. I'll bet Comcast crams VOD into the 550MHz systems before any more channels are ever added.

Originally posted by Poochie
Just got off the phone with a Comcast CSR. She claims Sunnyvale will be getting KTVU-HD on Feb 2nd. Hopefully she's right. I guess I'll find out next Wednesday...

Your CSR actually had accurate info (amazing). You should get KTVU and Discovery HD ~Feb 2...although you will probably lose KRON-HD (No big loss) and Showtime HD to make room for those.

I only watch broadcast TV, I can't live without a PVR, and I hate paying for things I'm never going to use. Several folks on this forum have said that Comcast will allow you to sign up for basic cable plus Digital Classic plus the HDPVR. If I add up the a la carte prices, the total is around $33/month. I've called Comcast twice, and both CSR's insisted that the PVR requires extended basic, giving a minimum monthly cost of around $65. Do you know anyone who has succeeded in getting the 6412 without also getting extended basic?

I'd gladly just buy a PVR and get OTA HD, but the options seem quite limited at this point (LG 3410a, anything else?).

Originally posted by rocket_ed
I've called Comcast twice, and both CSR's insisted that the PVR requires extended basic, giving a minimum monthly cost of around $65. Do you know anyone who has succeeded in getting the 6412 without also getting extended basic?

I had basic basic + digital silver prior to going HD. Comcast let me first upgrade to HD and then to a DVR without getting extended basic.

Originally posted by mikel51
I had basic basic + digital silver prior to going HD. Comcast let me first upgrade to HD and then to a DVR without getting extended basic.

I think you may have snuck through a back door. Emboldened by your post, I just made call number three to Comcast. They absolutely insist the DVR requires extended basic. I can get basic basic+Digital Classic+HD, but the CSR "checked" (a few minutes on hold), and they will not give me a DVR without also adding in extended basic.

Oh, well. I'll probably just pay the $33 monthly extended basic tax until a decent OTA HD PVR comes along.

Ok I'm watching KTVU 2 - FOX right now, "Jonny Zero"?? in Hi Def, and the sound is crackling like hell. Anyone else getting this?

Also the picture is very grainy, but I can't tell if that's just film grain or what. Earlier they only had Standard-Def KTVU programming, so I dunno.. this is the first "HD" I've seen on this channel...

Is anyone calling to complain about the sound?

Or is it in their OTA signal too?

Originally posted by gfbuchanan
If you are using a QAM256 tuner, then Comcasts channel assignments don't help much.
in Cupertino, KTVU-DT is active now at 717 MHz, physical channel 111.9. Discovery-HD is encrypted on physical channel 111.1.

On my Sony KDF-55WF655 it shows up at the physical channel (111.9) and not the logical channel (2.1). Not sure when, or if, it will get moved to the logical 2.1.

Yep...FOX is showing up on my QAM256 tuner as physical channel 111.9 also. I'm in San Rafael.

P.S. I also have a 55WF655

Originally posted by wco81
Is anyone calling to complain about the sound?

Or is it in their OTA signal too?
The sound on analog CH2 is fine. Just the digital channel is crackling.

Re: The different frequency btwn. 78.1 and 78.2 Physical Channels was asked about in response to my post about KTVU-DT being on 78.2 "physically" which is at 549MHz.

Earlier, I wrote:
> I believe SubChannels all share the same (in this case 6MHz) slot in the
> frequency band. Hence, 78.1 is also at 549MHz. Anybody more
> knowledgeable able to confirm this? I'll certainly try this theory out once I
> get in front of my TV.

Well, I had recalled this correctly. It turns out my Sharp won't report the frequency tuned, I get that from the DVR's Diag Screen (Power Off, then hit Select within 2 seconds) under d06 Current Channel Status.

I can't tune 78.1 because I don't know what EPG-mapped station that is.

But I was able to tune the two InHD stations which are at "physical" Channels 105.1 and 105.2 (i.e. 2 SubChannels of 105). These are two 1080i Channels carried in the same "transport stream" on "Channel" 105.

After tuning InHD1 on one tuner and InHD2 on the other, I powered off and hit Select to bring up the Diag Screen and entered d06 Current Channel Status.

Page/Tuner 1 lists "INBAND FREQUENCY: 681.0000 MHz"

Page/Tuner 2 also lists "INBAND FREQUENCY: 681.0000 MHz"

So I think this proves I was correct in responding that "Physical" Channel 78.1 must also be 549 MHz (i.e. the same as I reported for 78.2, the "Physical" Channel where KTVU-DT[HD] is carried on Comcast in Pleasanton).

Originally posted by wco81
Is anyone calling to complain about the sound?

Or is it in their OTA signal too?
Yeah, throughout all this, SOMEBODY should be calling Comcast to fix this problem ASAP. I'm somebody has already but the more the merrier. Also, you guys with higher up contacts, please use them.

Originally posted by rocket_ed
I think you may have snuck through a back door. Emboldened by your post, I just made call number three to Comcast. They absolutely insist the DVR requires extended basic. I can get basic basic+Digital Classic+HD, but the CSR "checked" (a few minutes on hold), and they will not give me a DVR without also adding in extended basic.

Oh, well. I'll probably just pay the $33 monthly extended basic tax until a decent OTA HD PVR comes along.

I'm in the same boat as you. I don't particularly feel that triple what I pay now is worth it for the DVR. I don't have extended basic, but I have HD, so I pay around $20 a month. I come up with the same calculation as you, it would end up cost me over $60 with the expanded basic and DVR costs and I think that's just too much.

Let me know if you figure out a way around this...

Originally posted by russwong
I'm in the same boat as you. I don't particularly feel that triple what I pay now is worth it for the DVR. I don't have extended basic, but I have HD, so I pay around $20 a month. I come up with the same calculation as you, it would end up cost me over $60 with the expanded basic and DVR costs and I think that's just too much.

Let me know if you figure out a way around this...

Go with the $60 a month for a few months and then drop it back to basic and see what they do. I plan to try this next week, was going to do it earlier but have not got around to it.

hello everyone,
i've recently just bought a COX moto 6412 from ebay (didn't know it was a COX box at the time of purchase). now i want to be able to use this box to receive sf bay comcast HD signals. the problem is this box already has COX's software installed (some channels will NOT pick up because its pre-programmed). from what i understand, i now will need to 'activate' this box to use for comcast. can anyone here tell me how this 'activation' process works? does a tech 'activate' these boxes onsite or do they do it at their headquarters? or over the phone, ect. also, is there a way for me to 'activate' this box myself. im afraid if its not possible, then i just blew $500 on a very big paper weight.

thanks

Originally posted by mjuevos
hello everyone,
i've recently just bought a COX moto 6412 from ebay (didn't know it was a COX box at the time of purchase). now i want to be able to use this box to receive sf bay comcast HD signals. the problem is this box already has COX's software installed (some channels will NOT pick up because its pre-programmed). from what i understand, i now will need to 'activate' this box to use for comcast. can anyone here tell me how this 'activation' process works? does a tech 'activate' these boxes onsite or do they do it at their headquarters? or over the phone, ect. also, is there a way for me to 'activate' this box myself. im afraid if its not possible, then i just blew $500 on a very big paper weight.

thanks

Not sure about the paper weight, but this may turn out to be a good investment after 50 months. Why wouldn't you just use the Comcast box? The best part about it is not having to purchase something that will be obsolete in a short period of time.

mjuevos,

Get your money back QUICK. That box was probably stolen. It is worthless.

thanks for the replies. i don't think getting my money back is an option. the box does get whatever channel its programmed for. the call letters my not be right, but it does get cable signals. i guess i can always try to put it back on ebay. if not, then it will be nothing more than a paper weight.

lesson learned i guess.

thanks

Originally posted by mjuevos
thanks for the replies. i don't think getting my money back is an option. the box does get whatever channel its programmed for. the call letters my not be right, but it does get cable signals. i guess i can always try to put it back on ebay. if not, then it will be nothing more than a paper weight.

lesson learned i guess.

thanks

Before you pass it off on to someone else, you might try and take it the Comcast office and turn it in. Maybe they will give you a credit on your bill for a couple of months, it's a longshot, but you really don't want someone else to make the mistake you did, do you?

ouch...expensive lesson (considering you could rent a working one for $5/mth)

I wouldnt put it back on ebay...if it is stolen then you are opening yourself up liability.

If you used Paypal or a Credit card I would talk with Cox to make sure it still is there property and if so try to get a refund through your CC or Paypal via the fraud protection insurance that they often have....and turn the seller into ebay..they also have a fraud unit if it's stolen and deceptively advertised.

I'm not sure why eBay allows these types of things to be sold on its website. If it can prevent someone from selling a kidney, they could surely screen out what are obviously stolen cable boxes.

well, looks like im outta luck. thanks everyone for your help/info. maybe i'll just use the box to get regular cable and to record shows in sd.

thanks again

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
I'm not sure why eBay allows these types of things to be sold on its website. If it can prevent someone from selling a kidney, they could surely screen out what are obviously stolen cable boxes.

Check this out, WTF? There's about 400+ "cable boxes" listed, found these 2 in the first 3 pages.


eBay item 5745831788 (Ends Jan-30-05 21:15:00 PST) - Motorola DCT6208/1000 DVR / HDTV cable box/ Used.


eBay item 5747202006 (Ends Jan-31-05 08:01:53 PST) - MOTOROLA DCT-6412 Dual Tuner HDTV DVR Cable Box "NEW"!!

Not sure if this is a new problem. Motorola 6412. I can no longer pause or rewind while watching live TV (HD and SD). Problem started when I got a "freeze" this morning while trying to record a SD Discovery kids show for the kids. Box froze, blank screen - had to change channel to get out of freeze.

Now I cannot pause or rewind live tv on either tuners.

Everything else seems to work. Previously recorded programs on hard-drive seem ok and I can access all DVR controls (pause, ff, rw etc...).

Box had been working fine for the 2-3 months I have had it. Hard-drive is about 85% full, but had it up to 92% and no problem.

Questions is - if I unplug box to force reset, will I only lose the guide. Don't want to loose the programs I have on the hard-drive - especially the Earth Wind and Fire concert.

Any suggestions?? I will call Comcast asap also.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
I'm not sure why eBay allows these types of things to be sold on its website. If it can prevent someone from selling a kidney, they could surely screen out what are obviously stolen cable boxes.

I recall hearing something a while back about Cox Cable back east someplace requiring their customers to purchase an HD cable box if they wanted one, from one of their local electronics stores. Also, I believe that Shaw cable in Canada requires you to purchase your boxes.

So, it's possible that some of those boxes are legit (not that any Comcast customers can use them), but I doubt that all 400 plus boxes listed are that legit...

Originally posted by ricknish
Question is - if I unplug box to force reset, will I only lose the guide. Don't want to loose the programs I have on the hard-drive - especially the Earth Wind and Fire concert.


When I've unplugged mine, all that's lost is the guide - recorded programs remain.

Originally posted by AVWH
When I've unplugged mine, all that's lost is the guide - recorded programs remain.

This was my experience as well when doing a hard re-boot.

Saw this posted on the Yahoo group. ABC is dropping ABC News Now:
http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050127/D87S5EC00.html

I guess that means there should be more bandwidth available for HD, though I haven't noticed any problems lately, so no biggie. On the other hand hopefully, this is a sign of a trend, and NBC will stop with the multicasting.

The ABC News Now channel has been gone for quite awhile on Comcast here hasn't? I haven't seen it in a long time.

I believe the ABC News Chanel was only on from the runup to the National Conventions through the Election....

The article says they extended it to the inauguration. I don't know how long it's actually been missing; my fingers are programmed to scroll past channel ranges I don't care about as quickly as possible.

ABC News Now chan 194 was on until last week. Now it's gone.

Originally posted by JasonQG
Saw this posted on the Yahoo group.
Mind pointing me to this group? I'd like to join it. Thanks.

i have a new lcd tv for the bedroom with build in cable card - does anyone know if i still need a comcast receiever and will i still be charged the 6.95 second line fee? The line is currently active. I know that i wont get ondemand and that's fine - the TV in the living room will continue to have a 6412 PVR.

Good thing this thread is here.

I currently have RCN, and was looking at the comcast site to see what they have available right now.

When I type in my zip code (in San Mateo) it says that they have VOD, an HDTV PVR, in addition to now adding the fox stations.

In reading this thread, it turns out that Fox is not clear, VOD doesn't work in my area, and the DVR has major problems still.

So, I call comcast back to confirm that there at least is no VOD at my location, and they do. This is after the person I had ordered it from talked to me about it and how it was in the area when I first made the purchase. Additionally, there is no launch date for VOD.

So much for my order. Cancelled. It's false advertising saying they have something when they don't, particularly when you enter your zip and THEN they tell you it's there.

RCN has VOD already, and has had FOX for months and months. No problems. It doesn't yet have a DVR but otherwise, it's fairly equivalent, you can get a static IP, and bundled phone service.

Sure, RCN is broke, and new stuff comes slowly, but I don't care for being intentionally lied to by a company, either.

I'll stick with RCN for a while still.

jonvn,

Just to be clear (as much as we bash comcast)....FoxHD is available to you on Comcast (it was just added last week in the Bay Area)...and despite the minor issues with the DVR it is a great benefit (personnally I've had no issues with the DVR). VOD should be available shortly in your area (its in about 1/2 the areas already)

I would say they lied to you...its just the CSRs are clueless (or have lack of information on which of the different 50+ comcast systems in the bay area have which services)

Originally posted by davisdog
jonvn,

I would say they lied to you...its just the CSRs are clueless (or have lack of information on which of the different 50+ comcast systems in the bay area have which services)

And that's where most of the problems lie. There are too many different franchises that are very different from each other. That's why they need to upgrade everyone to the same level of bandwidth and to get the same programming available to all areas. If D* did the same thing as Comcast you would hear an outcry like you have never heard before. When D* or Dish roll-out an upgrade EVERYONE gets upgraded, when they put a new channel on EVERYONE gets that channel, not just certain areas across the country or the Bay Area. Comcast needs to bite the bullet and invest some of that 2 billion dollar profit into upgrading ALL areas... yep, same old story, same old song.. :p

Laters,
Mikef5

Think of the complaint calls that the CSRs will have no clue about how to answer when the calls about Showtime all of a sudden disappears one day, with no explanation. You'd think these idiots would at least send a message to the STB...why do that when you can waste a lot of CSR labor costs...:rolleyes:

Mr. Johnson of Comcast on KGO radio today at 12:00 noon.
I just heard that Andrew Johnson of Comcast is going to be on Michael Finney's Consumer call-in show on KGO radio today at 12:00 noon.

The telephone number to call-in and speak to Mr. Johnson on KGO is 808-0810; I think it works in all bay area area codes.

Originally posted by rshaw
Mr. Johnson of Comcast on KGO radio today at 12:00 noon.
I just heard that Andrew Johnson of Comcast is going to be on Michael Finney's Consumer call-in show on KGO radio today at 12:00 noon.

Just for grin's I looked up Michael Finney...

read the first paragraph in his bio...550 folks will love it (although I doubt Andrew is there to talk about this..problem more about all the great stuff they offer)

http://www.kgoam810.com/showdj.asp?DJID=3555

Anyway, I've got a soccer game, so I'll miss it but would love to hear a summary of the interaction if anybody tunes in (and hopefully calls in)

ps...just found that they archive it for 24hrs so you can listen to it here if you miss it

http://www.kgoam810.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=263588&PT=Archives

and you can contact Michael Finney here (I just did)...

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/7oys/email_7oys.html

Originally posted by davisdog


and you can contact Michael Finney here (I just did)...

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/7oys/email_7oys.html

So did I. :p

Come on you guys, flood his email box with 550MHz questions and maybe he wont be able to ignore it. :D

Originally posted by walk
Ok I'm watching KTVU 2 - FOX right now, "Jonny Zero"?? in Hi Def, and the sound is crackling like hell. Anyone else getting this?

Also the picture is very grainy, but I can't tell if that's just film grain or what. Earlier they only had Standard-Def KTVU programming, so I dunno.. this is the first "HD" I've seen on this channel...


I just found your post after doing a search on this after I got no reply on my post in the Tampa OTA thread. This had to be a nationwide problem from FOX because I tried both OTA FOX channels that I get and both had the popping mostly out of the Left Rear speaker.

Originally posted by neoufo51
Mind pointing me to this group? I'd like to join it. Thanks.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HDTV-in-SFbay

I am in Fremont, 94536.

For HD, most of the time all I see is a screen saying the program will begin shortly.

I got INHD and INHD2 for a few weeks and then it stopped. I get Discovery HD pretty consistently along with KPIX. KRON once in a while. KGO only once. I've never seen the other HD channels in operation.

Has anyone else run into anything similar? Is there something that I need to be doing or having Comcast do?

Originally posted by unagi1
Is there something that I need to be doing or having Comcast do? I'd say call them.

Ghetto!

Originally posted by davisdog
ps...just found that they archive it for 24hrs so you can listen to it here if you miss it

http://www.kgoam810.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=263588&PT=ArchivesToo bad it doesn't seem to work for the hour we want...

You didn't miss anything. They yakked about how wonderful VOD was, some guy called about a Comcast installer wandering around his yard, two days in a row, an elderly lady called about senior citizens discounts, somebody asked about the Tennis Channel, another asked about the DVR and a couple of other mind-numbing things. http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Yawn.gif

i guess all the comcast haters were sifted out. very boring interview, it almost wasn't worth the bandwidth i spent keeping on my desktop. *eh* it was comcast's anyway. boo

Hey yall. If anyone had been checking on the TV Love moblog ( http://dctdctator.textamerica.com ) they'd see that I have been taking some R&R from the Comcast world - I even spent my vaca in a Charter system!!

When I last left there were several things hanging - I knew about the KTVU deals, but what's still unresolved are:

HD's final holdout in SB - Santa Cruz.
Local HD (ANY locals) in Monterey.
DVRs in NAS systems.
Bugs in DVRs - in software terms.
IGuide in all areas - my 6208 got the message too, even though it (and 5100s or 6200s) will not be upgraded at the same time as all the others.

Advice on buying your own DCT - don't. If you cannot buy it at retail establishments or from the service provider, it's not going to be supported. I cannot add it to my 'system' if it already belongs to another system. It's sad to see the customers cancel everything and storm out in a huff when I tell them that the DCT they got for a bargain is property of The Company.

I would be interested in hearing how to get that KGO archive thing to work - I tried 2 different PCs, an iMac, three different browsers - nuthin.

Originally posted by Barovelli
Hey yall. If anyone had been checking on the TV Love moblog ( dctdctator.textamerica.com ) they'd see that I have been taking some R&R from the Comcast world - I even spent my vaca in a Charter system!!

When I last left there were several things hanging - I knew about the KTVU deals, but what's still unresolved are:

HD's final holdout in SB - Santa Cruz.
Local HD (ANY locals) in Monterey.
DVRs in NAS systems.
Bugs in DVRs - in software terms.
IGuide in all areas - my 6208 got the message too, even though it (and 5100s or 6200s) will not be upgraded at the same time as all the others.

Advice on buying your own DCT - don't. If you cannot buy it at retail establishments or from the service provider, it's not going to be supported. I cannot add it to my 'system' if it already belongs to another system. It's sad to see the customers cancel everything and storm out in a huff when I tell them that the DCT they got for a bargain is property of The Company.

I would be interested in hearing how to get that KGO archive thing to work - I tried 2 different PCs, an iMac, three different browsers - nuthin.

Another thing that is still unresolved is the non upgrade of the SaraMilgatos area. Comcast thinks it's resolved but I for one don't.... :eek:

Hope you had a good vacation now get back to work :D

Laters
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
Another thing that is still unresolved is the non upgrade of the SaraMilgatos area. Comcast thinks it's resolved but I for one don't.... :eek:

Hope you had a good vacation now get back to work :D

Laters
Mikef5

I see a new piece of hardware in the future, one that helps resolve limited bandwidth issues :
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=385

For the second week in a row, American Dreams on KNTV-HD is not in HD (it's on right now). We called Comcast to complain and they spent 5 minutes arguing that its a problem with our television - it's not, they just forgot to flip the switch (other channels are coming in fine in HD). My question is, is this a Comcast issue or a KNTV issue?

Oh, and I'm getting major freezing right now. Edited: Checked the recording - it was frozen and skipped from 20 minutes to 42 minutes. Completely unreliable. Lucky I was recording on TiVo, too. Do I need to get a new box?

Originally posted by Barovelli
I see a new piece of hardware in the future, one that helps resolve limited bandwidth issues :
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=385

Saw that too, but I'll be retired a second time before we see this and an all digital cable system from Comcast. :)
I sure miss my Doppler radar.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Barovelli
I see a new piece of hardware in the future, one that helps resolve limited bandwidth issues :
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=385

I remember seeing that and it gives the MSO a relatively cheap way to provide a STB to its basic/expanded basic customer but I'm not sure Comcast has the kahuna's to undertake the battle of converting the 550Mhz networks to all digital anytime soon.

What would be really nice if somebody could come up with a cheap box that could go outside the house and convert back from digital to analog on 1-80...That way comcast could digitize everything and squeeze it all on the 550Mhz path and then once it gets to the individual houses they could expand it back out as large as the need on the internal cabling (and everybody could still get the "analog's" on their old TV tuners w/o an STB.

anyway...welcome back.

Originally posted by dmlove51
For the second week in a row, American Dreams on KNTV-HD is not in HD (it's on right now). We called Comcast to complain and they spent 5 minutes arguing that its a problem with our television - it's not, they just forgot to flip the switch (other channels are coming in fine in HD). My question is, is this a Comcast issue or a KNTV issue?

Oh, and I'm getting major freezing right now. Edited: Checked the recording - it was frozen and skipped from 20 minutes to 42 minutes. Completely unreliable. Lucky I was recording on TiVo, too. Do I need to get a new box?

The problem with American Dreams not in HD is caused by KNTV. Comcast just provides the link that KNTV provides them. So you might want to contact KNTV about this issue with them not showing the program in HD.

Originally posted by Mikef5
And that's where most of the problems lie. There are too many different franchises that are very different from each other. That's why they need to upgrade everyone to the same level of bandwidth and to get the same programming available to all areas. If D* did the same thing as Comcast you would hear an outcry like you have never heard before. When D* or Dish roll-out an upgrade EVERYONE gets upgraded, when they put a new channel on EVERYONE gets that channel, not just certain areas across the country or the Bay Area. Comcast needs to bite the bullet and invest some of that 2 billion dollar profit into upgrading ALL areas... yep, same old story, same old song.. :p

Laters,
Mikef5

I don't think them building up their entire system simultaneously is really a practical suggestion. It's just too big to do all at once.

What I'm really annoyed about is that they have this thing where you type in your zip code, and it supposedly lists the features available in your area.

Except it lists things that aren't there. Then when you call, the guy on the phone doesn't bother to mention it.

RCN might be falling behind techincally, but at least they've been fairly honest in their dealings.

When they do have VOD in my area, I'll probably sign up for comcast again, unless RCN improves its VOD service. They also don't have the DVR. But they do have HDNet.

They also have 10mbit download speeds for the internet, so maybe it's a wash....Guess I'm staying with what I got for a while still.

Originally posted by jonvn
I don't think them building up their entire system simultaneously is really a practical suggestion. It's just too big to do all at once.

What I'm really annoyed about is that they have this thing where you type in your zip code, and it supposedly lists the features available in your area.

Except it lists things that aren't there. Then when you call, the guy on the phone doesn't bother to mention it.

RCN might be falling behind techincally, but at least they've been fairly honest in their dealings.

When they do have VOD in my area, I'll probably sign up for comcast again, unless RCN improves its VOD service. They also don't have the DVR. But they do have HDNet.

They also have 10mbit download speeds for the internet, so maybe it's a wash....Guess I'm staying with what I got for a while still.

Comcast has already upgraded most of the Bay Area to at least 750 Mhz, that is the minimum that the cable industry says is an upgraded system. There are areas in the Bay Area that are 550 Mhz and below, which means they do not have the bandwidth to have half the programming that is available to the other systems. Yet these same systems are paying the same price for their cable bill and getting less for their money. Santa Cruz is at 330 Mhz and doesn't even get high speed Internet but they are in the process of updating them eventually to 860 Mhz. Comcast can if motivated enough upgrade all the Bay Area systems to the same bandwidth levels. I pay $108 a month for my cable bill and I expect to get at least what the rest of the Bay Area gets in programming. I don't care what Comcast does for the rest of the country, I care about the Bay Area and especially the South Bay, the SaraMilgatos areas. Sorry for the rant, but I'm tired of Comcast's song and dance about costs and what areas are worth their while to upgrade or not.

Laters,
Mikef5

Can anyone list some HD programs which have Dolby Digital 5.1 sound please? I am on Comcast in the east bay. Thanks!

I don't care what comcast does for the rest of the country, either. In fact, I don't care what they do for the rest of the bay area, either. I simply want them to not tell me that they have something when they don't.

Fortunately, I have a choice in cable companies. It's too bad this is not more common.

I think, though, if I were in your shoes, I'd just get direct TV.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Comcast has already upgraded most of the Bay Area to at least 750 Mhz, that is the minimum that the cable industry says is an upgraded system. There are areas in the Bay Area that are 550 Mhz and below, which means they do not have the bandwidth to have half the programming that is available to the other systems. Yet these same systems are paying the same price for their cable bill and getting less for their money. Santa Cruz is at 330 Mhz and doesn't even get high speed Internet but they are in the process of updating them eventually to 860 Mhz. Comcast can if motivated enough upgrade all the Bay Area systems to the same bandwidth levels. I pay $108 a month for my cable bill and I expect to get at least what the rest of the Bay Area gets in programming. I don't care what Comcast does for the rest of the country, I care about the Bay Area and especially the South Bay, the SaraMilgatos areas. Sorry for the rant, but I'm tired of Comcast's song and dance about costs and what areas are worth their while to upgrade or not.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike, actually, that's not a completely true statement regarding Santa Cruz. I live on the East Side of town, Pleasure Point area, and it is a 550Mhz system w/HSI. In fact, when I lived out on the West Side, out by the Natural Bridges, it was also a 550Mhz system. (I think I was in the first group of people to HSI in Santa Cruz when I lived there.) HSI became available around August or so if memory serves correctly. With all that said, I'm sure there are areas that are indeed still at 330Mhz. (Most likely mountain areas.) Those people unfortunate enough to be in that situation might as well just move to D* or E* right now and be done with it.

Anyway, I totally agree with what you're saying about the billing issue though. I'm paying around $75 and the only "extra" I have access to is HSI. Don't get me wrong, it's much better than DSL, but man, what a good day it will be when we can actually get some HD content on this side of the hill. Until then, it's OTA for CBS, FOX and NBC HD feeds. (No ABC feeds out of Salinas/Monterey.)

Come on Comcast, I want my HDTV!

Originally posted by jonvn
I don't care what comcast does for the rest of the country, either. In fact, I don't care what they do for the rest of the bay area, either. I simply want them to not tell me that they have something when they don't.


Just went through this a week or so ago. Checked for services in my area and it said the DVR was now available. Signed up for it on line and got an email the next day asking to call them regarding my order. When I called to find out what was up, I was informed that the DVR was NOT available in my area with no time frame given as to when it might be. :rolleyes:

davisdog> What would be really nice if somebody could come up with a
davisdog> cheap box that could go outside the house and convert back
davisdog> from digital to analog on 1-80...

This has been discussed before on this thread :-)

Just think about how such a device is different from today's settop boxes. That box would have to demodulate each channel (i.e. "tune" each one), MPEG-2 (presuming that's the encoding used for such a signal) decode the compressed digital stream, buffer each stream in its memory, then finally RF Modulate each onto your house cable.

Sure, this is exactly what a current settop box does today for only one channel. You are asking the box to do the same thing for 80 channels simultaneously.

Alas, this is a very tall order.

That said, I believe it would be more than affordable to do this for a large neighborhood. So, assuming the neighborhood is not the 550 MHz limiter "in the chain", perhaps this might be a solution.

Just not per house...

Fremont Comcast HD
I am in Fremont, 94536.

For HD, most of the time all I see is a screen saying the program will begin shortly.

I got INHD and INHD2 for a few weeks and then it stopped. I get Discovery HD pretty consistently along with KPIX. KRON once in a while. KGO only once. I've never seen the other HD channels in operation.

Has anyone else run into anything similar? Is there something that I need to be doing or having Comcast do?

Unagi1 it sounds like you have a signal strength problem. I'm in Fremont (94538) and have had similar problems.

Due to the cable used the higher frequencies are always much lower signal strength than the lower ones. Your signal strength much me right on the edge. Try removing all your splitters and see if it helps. Otherwise get comcast out there.

Discovery is at 110Mhz so it always works reliably. KPIX and KRON are at ~550 so they also work fine. KGO and KQED are at 751Mhz so they are very high up.

Kevin

Anybody notice that 703 was out on Sunday night?

Also, I'm pretty glad that 702 has less and less breakup on it as time goes on. I caught a few minutes of that Arrested Devolopment show and it looked pretty clean cept for a bit of graininess and some tiling from time to time.

Hey, I'm getting free On-Demand HBO/STRZ/CIN/TMC and of course Showtime since it's supposed to be free right now. Is anyone else getting this. If I go to the HBO channel I'm not getting that and before it used to say you must subscribe to HBO to watch their VOD movies. Am I just lucky or is this supposed to free right now.

Is it because 705 and 707 have the same names as the analog channels?

Did anybody observe this? All of the local channels have different names,
like KTVUD, KROND but CBS and ABC have the same names as their analog channels.

Just a thought.

Anybody notice that 703 was out on Sunday night?

What do you mean by "went out"? My 703 was not in HD (we called to complain and had a 5-minute discussion with Comcast about how this was a problem with the feed, not with out TV), AND it froze for 21 minutes in the middle (presumably this is a box problem). Fortunately, we still use TiVo to back up the 6412, since the latter is not so reliable yet.

Originally posted by lpaxmember
Is it because 705 and 707 have the same names as the analog channels?

Did anybody observe this? All of the local channels have different names,
like KTVUD, KROND but CBS and ABC have the same names as their analog channels.

Just a thought.

Hmm, you may have a point there- I did notice that NBC (KNTV) has never reverted WestWing etc. to analog, it stays HD. KQED, DiscoveryHD also stay correct.
The others (CBS, ABC) lose it regularly. (Naturally they're the ones I record the most...)
It does this for Series recordings as well as "manual" ones.

I changed my HD recordings this weekend, and already it's reverted back. Extremely annoying, although I'll admit successfully recorded analogSD is better than a hung/crashed partial one, that others have problems with (esp on analog)...

I checked w/ my local Comcast office, they had nothing re this issue in their FAQ/troubleshooting guides... they did have the hang/crash issue listed. Not sure how much they have this issue on their radar, or how widespread they think it is?
Maybe we need to complain to them more.

Originally posted by neoufo51
Anybody notice that 703 was out on Sunday night?



This has nothing to do with Comcast.
KNTV is in the process of moving their broadcast center and the switching during HD programs to splice in local commercials is being done from NBC in Burbank. Evidently they're not paying attention down there(Burbank) when something goes wrong.

Originally posted by edmc
Just think about how such a device is different from today's settop boxes. That box would have to demodulate each channel (i.e. "tune" each one), MPEG-2 (presuming that's the encoding used for such a signal) decode the compressed digital stream, buffer each stream in its memory, then finally RF Modulate each onto your house cable.

Sure, this is exactly what a current settop box does today for only one channel. You are asking the box to do the same thing for 80 channels simultaneously.

Alas, this is a very tall order.


I agree, I don't think there is such a device yet that can do all that. That DCT700 mentioned earlier is only good for an all-digital system and on top of that, it's still an STB, which by FCC mandate is not required for basic cable. I think the industry is really over-estimating how soon everyone will have a digital TV, there's analog TVs in people homes that will still be in those homes 10-15 yrs from now and the FCC and/or the government is not going to leave those folks out in the cold.

KNTV Telephone Numbers or Names?
Anyone have any telephone numbers and/or contacts in engineering at KNTV? I went to their web site to inquire about the HD problems and find there is no place to post a technical question. I sent one to the Programming Department but engineering would be better. I even had worse luck trying to call them. Their telephone system makes sure you can't reach a live person, "no operator available to take your call".

This has nothing to do with Comcast.
KNTV is in the process of moving their broadcast center and the switching during HD programs to splice in local commercials is being done from NBC in Burbank. Evidently they're not paying attention down there(Burbank) when something goes wrong.

Last edited by keenan on Today at 09:44 AM

And is there anything we can do about it?

Originally posted by dmlove51
And is there anything we can do about it?

I called Comcast as well, at about 8:20. At about 8:25, the signal itself went out until 8:42, then came back on in widescreen (4:3). I noticed at the beginning of the show, it said "Broadcast in Widescreen" (not HD), so it looks like the analog channel is getting the letterboxed widescreen version, same AR as the HD version. But they're not broadcasting the HD version.

I noticed over the weekend (maybe Friday night) at another time the channel was out for a while as well - good thing I didn't need to watch NBC at the time...

Originally posted by dmlove51
And is there anything we can do about it?

Richard Swank with NBC-Uni at KNTV was "summoned" by AVS and Yahoo HDTV SF Bay Area forum member and ex-KGO engineer Larry Kenney this morning, I'm sure we will have a answer very soon.

Again, it is not an issue with Comcast.

Originally posted by keenan
I agree, I don't think there is such a device yet that can do all that. That DCT700 mentioned earlier is only good for an all-digital system and on top of that, it's still an STB, which by FCC mandate is not required for basic cable. I think the industry is really over-estimating how soon everyone will have a digital TV, there's analog TVs in people homes that will still be in those homes 10-15 yrs from now and the FCC and/or the government is not going to leave those folks out in the cold. The FCC rule requires no STB for only the local and PEG channels, I am almost certain.

So what the DCT700 could do sooner rather than later, especially with the approval and encouragement of the local franchise authority, would be to convert the "expanded basic" channels (29 and above on the Petaluma system) to digital, thereby freeing up gobs of bandwidth.

And Comcast could rent the DCT700's for "free", although I am sure the cost of the DCT700's would eventually be built into the rate structure, i.e., expanded basic rates go up at the next opportunity after the DCT700's are given out.

This would also save significant labor and cable theft costs for Comcast. "Expanded basic" channels would be authorized remotely via the DAC-- there wouldn't be anymore of the tech visits to remove and install frequency filters and the most common type of cable service theft (getting expanded basic by removing filters) would be eliminated.

So I read that ABC's News Now was going off the air, so I check the guide and yes it is off the guide and you can't just punch in the numbers to get it. Great, more bandwidth freed up..... NO.... I hooked my LG 4200a to the cable, did a scan and it's still being broadcasted ( I'm watching it now ). So it's still being broadcasted and wasting bandwidth, you just can't see it normally. Hopefully Comcast will turn it off and not just block the Moto box from seeing it.
Anyway, 2 more days and Fox-HD.... I hope :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Has anyone been able to get a response from the City of Saratoga on the upgrade issue? I have been in contact with Kathleen King, the city Mayor who is a great person, but have gotten no action from the city whatsoever. Here is her contact info, btw:

kk2king@comcast.net

So far, the city has done nothing on this issue and does not appear to think it is worth their time. I recommend people talk directly to Kathleen or their council persons to raise the importance of the issue.

Re Saratoga,

I would suggest you find out when the franchise expires. The sooner it expires, the more pressing an issue it should be to elected city officials and city staff. However, if expiration is 5 or more years out, it is likely they will take the attitude that they have bigger fish to fry for now (unless they are HD enthusiasts like us).

Originally posted by Mikef5
So I read that ABC's News Now was going off the air, so I check the guide and yes it is off the guide and you can't just punch in the numbers to get it. Great, more bandwidth freed up..... NO.... I hooked my LG 4200a to the cable, did a scan and it's still being broadcasted ( I'm watching it now ). So it's still being broadcasted and wasting bandwidth, you just can't see it normally. Hopefully Comcast will turn it off and not just block the Moto box from seeing it.
Anyway, 2 more days and Fox-HD.... I hope :)

Laters,
Mikef5

I bet this channel is at least a 1:12 ratio (A/D) so you'll need to have them wack off another 5 Digital Channels if you want space to keep KRON ;)

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Re Saratoga,

I would suggest you find out when the franchise expires. The sooner it expires, the more pressing an issue it should be to elected city officials and city staff. However, if expiration is 5 or more years out, it is likely they will take the attitude that they have bigger fish to fry for now (unless they are HD enthusiasts like us).


Sadly it expires 9/15/2008

and at least 6mths ago the City Manager was defending Comcast in this article
http://www.svcn.com/archives/saratoganews/20040721/sn-letters2.shtml

Somehow I must have missed the substantial upgrade we got last year ;)

As mentioned they get funding indirectly from comcast and unless they get alot of complaints they will never do anything.

Well, Fall '08 is better than Fall '10 or Fall '12. It's not too early for the City and Comcast to start talking about a renewal. Also, does that correspond to when the terms of some Council members expire (2008)? That is always a factor-- those who are up for re-electioin could gain some political capital by negotiating that 860 Mhz upgrade sooner rather than later.

Originally posted by cityscapex5
i have a new lcd tv for the bedroom with build in cable card - does anyone know if i still need a comcast receiever and will i still be charged the 6.95 second line fee? The line is currently active. I know that i wont get ondemand and that's fine - the TV in the living room will continue to have a 6412 PVR.

The purpose of the cable card is so that you don't need a cable box. However, I believe there are channel mapping issues and stuff and I'm not sure how the installs have gone. I think we only heard of one or two on this forum. Let us know how it goes.

From today's Merc News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/columnists/10777517.htm

Posted on Mon, Jan. 31, 2005

Bigger glitch with Comcast's DVR service

By Mike Langberg

Mercury News

I received a lot of comments and questions from readers after my Jan. 3 column praising the new Motorola digital video recorder offered by Comcast in the Bay Area. There have been some developments since then, and I want to bring you up to date.

First, I wrote about how I encountered ``a few small glitches.'' Turns out the problem was bigger than I realized. A number of readers told me their new Comcast DVRs were freezing up or failing to record programs. I've also encountered freeze-ups with the Motorola DCT6412 at my house.

I called Comcast last week and got the following response: ``A limited number of Comcast DVR customers are experiencing technical issues with their DVR,'' related to a software bug. I asked for a definition of ``limited number'' and was told about 1 percent of DVR subscribers have reported problems.

Comcast also said a software fix from Motorola is almost ready, and should be automatically downloaded to all its DVRs within three weeks.

I'm always skeptical when the cable company claims a technical malfunction is small and will soon be under control, but I'll give Comcast the benefit of the doubt -- for now.

In happier news, Comcast announced an agreement last week with KTVU (Ch. 2) to add the Fox station's high-definition signal as channel 702. The timing is particularly good because Fox will broadcast the Super Bowl in high definition Sunday.

Originally posted by davisdog
I bet this channel is at least a 1:12 ratio (A/D) so you'll need to have them wack off another 5 Digital Channels if you want space to keep KRON ;)

Kron ???? Argh !! Maybe Fox Sports Bay Area HD.... :p

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by AccuView
Can anyone list some HD programs which have Dolby Digital 5.1 sound please? I am on Comcast in the east bay. Thanks!

These are the things that I know about or look for:

CSI's are now in 5.1 lately on CBS
Alias, Desperate Housewives and the other ABC HD shows seem to be 5.1
Some programs on INHD and INHD2 are in 5.1 depends on the program
24 on FOX
If I remember correctly, NFL programs have been in 5.1 as well.

Originally posted by davisdog
Sadly it expires 9/15/2008

and at least 6mths ago the City Manager was defending Comcast in this article
http://www.svcn.com/archives/saratoganews/20040721/sn-letters2.shtml

Somehow I must have missed the substantial upgrade we got last year ;)

As mentioned they get funding indirectly from comcast and unless they get alot of complaints they will never do anything.

In that article, it states the city gets less than 2 complaints a month. Well, we need more people complaining to the city about the poor cable service! Email the mayor at the address above and let her know we are not happy campers!

And that city manager is not doing his job. Saratoga was, in fact, one of the last cities in the entire country to get 3MB/s upgrade in July 2004 for internet service. Similarly, Saratoga is on track to be one of the last to get 4MB/s upgrade that is now being implemented for internet service. Our city employees are not on top of things at all.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
The FCC rule requires no STB for only the local and PEG channels, I am almost certain.


If that is true, then we would be "in like Flint", although people would need to be "handled" in some way about not being able to tune in those expanded-basic channels..

Originally posted by davisdog
Sadly it expires 9/15/2008

and at least 6mths ago the City Manager was defending Comcast in this article
http://www.svcn.com/archives/saratoganews/20040721/sn-letters2.shtml

Somehow I must have missed the substantial upgrade we got last year ;)

As mentioned they get funding indirectly from comcast and unless they get alot of complaints they will never do anything.

This is a bummer, I feel pretty good that Santa Rosa has the cable issue on their agenda and it's apparent they are not happy with Comcast..must be the liberal, "blue-state" blood up here.. :p

As far as those dates, 2010 and further, I can't see the FCC and the USG letting the analog thing drag on much further than 2008.

I wonder if that 5% is pretty standard or do they vary a lot...

Originally posted by dmlove51
And is there anything we can do about it?

"Although the last week of KNTV's DTV operations has not been one of stellar performance, and one I hope not to see again, KNTV has not given up on HDTV. We experienced a mechanical failure (due mostly to the move of the antenna system) in our program delivery satellite system which has prevented us from broadcasting the NBC HDTV programming since Friday. This will finally be able to be repaired today and we will resume with our HDTV transmissions with the next NBC HDTV program.

There are a great many problems associated with automating, especially at the same time you move to a totally new facility, and I'm sorry our viewers have been forced to experience many of them this past week. Most of these have been remedied or will be very soon so I look forward to proper operations going forward.

I am happy that a good many of our viewers have noticed the improved video quality that our new digital operations have to offer. It is evident in NTSC as well but really noticeable in our upconverted programming as it never goes analog. The dynamic range improvement of the audio should be obvious as well.

Again there were a great many comments made about our DTV problems this weekend. For those I thank you for caring and taking the time to pass your thoughts on to us.

Regards,

Richard Swank
VP of Engineering
KNTV NBC-11
San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland"

Keenan, thanks for the post from KNTV (I had just emailed them, but haven't received the response yet). I hope they get it right, now, but must point out that the problem predated last Friday. Last week, American Dreams was in SD on 703 for the first 52 minutes, and in HD for the last 4 minutes!

This is a little off-topic but I couldn't find a forum/thread that is an exact fit.

Just had Comcast service installed with HD service. Was previously a Directv subscriber (still am until I have the service turned off).

Must say, HD picture is awesome, when you can get the channel (KNTV has been a problem). However, I'm really disappointed with the quality of the other channels (non-HD). Compared to Directv, SD picture quality is very poor. Has anyone else noticed this?

Any solution to the problem?

Originally posted by samw97
This is a little off-topic but I couldn't find a forum/thread that is an exact fit.

Just had Comcast service installed with HD service. Was previously a Directv subscriber (still am until I have the service turned off).

Must say, HD picture is awesome, when you can get the channel (KNTV has been a problem). However, I'm really disappointed with the quality of the other channels (non-HD). Compared to Directv, SD picture quality is very poor. Has anyone else noticed this?

Any solution to the problem?

Sam,

Are you talking about just 1-80 (which are sent as analog signals?) or all of the channels.

I'm guesing just 1-80...The Comcast HD box does a pretty bad job in converting the Analog signals and outputing them as Digital. The only work around is to split the Cable and provide a feed directly into your TV and use your TV's internal Analog Tuner for those channels...Your TV tuner should do a much better job than the Comcast box...Just a hassle since you have to change inputs.

Depending on where you are located (I suggest you add your city to your profile so we can see), Comcast will be starting to send all of the Analog Channels out on a digital channel as well later this year (so the quality will be similar to what you see on channel 273 for instance)...that is called digital simulcasting and will help since your cable box wont have to do the Analog conversion.

Originally posted by samw97
This is a little off-topic but I couldn't find a forum/thread that is an exact fit.

Just had Comcast service installed with HD service. Was previously a Directv subscriber (still am until I have the service turned off).

Must say, HD picture is awesome, when you can get the channel (KNTV has been a problem). However, I'm really disappointed with the quality of the other channels (non-HD). Compared to Directv, SD picture quality is very poor. Has anyone else noticed this?

Any solution to the problem?
This is a known issue with the HD boxes Comcast uses. I forget the exact reason, but it just doesnt handle 480i well at all when connected through component. It's a lot grainer than even the standard black motorola box. Basically, you can either connect your box to your TV with S-Video and watch non-HD channels through that input and switch them back and forth. I suggest you connect your box to your receiver (hopefully) with a coax or optical cable for the sound in HD channels, and the stereo cables for your TV and standard tv viewing.

Good news for those in Hayward. I just got a letter today saying that not only will we get 702 FOX and 722 DISCHD on Wed, but we will also get 705 CBS! We will indeed be losing SHOWHD, but we can finally watch a decent broadcast of The Amazing Race!! Sad to believe that we weren't even getting CBS before, but at least now I will have all the major networks. This should tide me over until either an upgrade or all digital move.