Wow, I can't believe Comcast is finally adding CBS-HD. I had recently contacted the station manager at KPIX to ask why Hayward and San Lorenzo did not get thier HD signal. Maybe that helped trigger something.

I still think we need to push for those added HD channels and increased bandwidth, but this is great news. If only we would have had the HD channels during footbal.

Any word on how soon CBS will be available?

According to my letter, all three new channels should be on by Wed, Feb 2nd (and SHOWHD off). I believe that Hayward/San Leandro/San Lorenzo are all part of the same system. I would assume other 550 MHz systems will be similar.

I received the same letter in San Leandro.

I got a letter today from Comcast that they'll be putting KTVU-HD and Discovery HD into Sunnyvale's system on Feb 2, with the loss of Showtime HD and KRON HD. This is one 550MHz-er who's happy with the swap, and with their timely letter to inform the masses. Hopefully the cutover will be nice and smooth.

(Of course I'll be happier still if they were to give us the full complement of HD channels but that's another story)

I received a letter here in MIlpitas, dated Feb 2, 2005, that said we will be getting KTVU HD (702) and Discovery HD (722) on Feb 2. We will be loosing KRON HD and Showtime HD; An excellent exchange if you ask me.

Now, how much will it cost me to receive Discovery HD? I currently only receive extended basic, no digital channels.

Originally posted by rshaw
I received a letter here in MIlpitas, dated Feb 2, 2005, that said we will be getting KTVU HD (702) and Discovery HD (722) on Feb 2. We will be loosing KRON HD and Showtime HD; An excellent exchange if you ask me.

Now, how much will it cost me to receive Discovery HD? I currently only receive extended basic, no digital channels.


I'm assuming I got the same letter (over in Saratoga since we are on the same system)....Doesnt it clearly say that they are adding DiscoveryHD for Free?

Interesting to see if you have to pay or they send it unencrypted.

Anyway, if its not free...the cheapest package you can add is "Digital Classic"...$9.95/mth and provides DiscoveryHD and ESPNHD + ~20 SD Channels....(of course if we were on an upgraded 750Mhz system you would also get InHD1/InHD2/FSNBA-HD/NFLHD/HD Special Events as part of Digital classic)

OK did anyone watching the HD feed of 24 see a lot of blocking throughout the show? It was every few seconds at some point. When the Mrs. Araz starts slapping Mr. Araz and he pushes her back against the wall, it was really bad.

Or is it just KTVU or Comcast? There was no popping or crackling of the sound. And during the commercials, which of course were in SD, you didn't see any artifacts.

^Hey, lol. Nice seeing you again. I think that was Comcast, because nobody in the 24 thread was complaining about it except for you and I. And yes, I'm glad they are making progress with fixing the audio. Guess they gotta work out the kinks.

I did see a few artifacts in the SD commercials though. Only a couple times. But yeah, the HD was blocking every 10-20 seconds. Still watchable for now.

Originally posted by wco81
OK did anyone watching the HD feed of 24 see a lot of blocking throughout the show? It was every few seconds at some point. When the Mrs. Araz starts slapping Mr. Araz and he pushes her back against the wall, it was really bad.

Or is it just KTVU or Comcast? There was no popping or crackling of the sound. And during the commercials, which of course were in SD, you didn't see any artifacts.

I didn't notice anything wrong with the DirecTV feed.

^Hmmmm...so it's gotta be Comcast. Anybody have any luck getting in touch with somebody higher up than a CSR on the frequent picture tiling?

Either my eye site is going bad or I'm exempt from the problem because I didn't notice and blocking. Or maybe the show is just so darn good that I subconsciously blocked it out... :)

I didn't notice any blocking on 24 last night--except when fast forwarding. I had a business dinner last night and was extremely pleased to be able to watch 24 in HD on my PVR.

I was a bit worried, because last week a couple of shows cut out at 48 minutes into the 60 minute program.

I know that we are all having some problems with our 6412s, but for me, the HD quality is heads and tails better than TIVO, Like others, I am using my TIVO as a backup for "important stuff."

I didn't see any blocking or PQ issues watching the last 30 mins of 24 in HD via Comcast. Maybe its an issue at your specific headend.

Originally posted by davisdog
I'm assuming I got the same letter (over in Saratoga since we are on the same system)....Doesnt it clearly say that they are adding DiscoveryHD for Free?

Interesting to see if you have to pay or they send it unencrypted.

Anyway, if its not free...the cheapest package you can add is "Digital Classic"...$9.95/mth and provides DiscoveryHD and ESPNHD + ~20 SD Channels....(of course if we were on an upgraded 750Mhz system you would also get InHD1/InHD2/FSNBA-HD/NFLHD/HD Special Events as part of Digital classic)

I don't have the letter in front of me now, but I don't remember seeing the word "free". I don't think Comcast likes to use that word a lot. I currently get ESPN-HD so lets hope Discovery-HD will come in free too. I'm really not interested in all the other digital channels; I don't have time to watch all the programming I want, and that's with using my TIVO.

Okay this is pathetic. In my area (Saratoga/los gatos/campbell zone) they are adding discovery HD and fox HD today BUT they are taking away SHOW HD!!!!
Somebody help me on this....I am about to cancel my cable HD....this is absolutely pathetic. Or do you think they will add it back??

Originally posted by Doc Tonic
Okay this is pathetic. In my area (Saratoga/los gatos/campbell zone) they are adding discovery HD and fox HD today BUT they are taking away SHOW HD!!!!
Somebody help me on this....I am about to cancel my cable HD....this is absolutely pathetic. Or do you think they will add it back??

Well, you are not alone in being upset about Showtime. Just when Comcast looks to become the sole provider in my house since with the addition of KTVU-HD I can get all the network HD that I can get with DirecTV, they go and do something asinine like removing Showtime HD, one of the two premiere subscription networks along with HBO. Now I have to keep DirecTV to see Showtime HD. It's too bad that HD is still not that important, otherwise you would think Viacom would seem to have an issue with this move. Depending on how the channel packages stack up, I'm definitely dropping Showtime out of my subscription as I can't even recall the last time I even looked at one of their SD channels.

Wow, taking away an established HD channel. My guess is that there aren't many HD customers with Showtime subscriptions. I'm sure they figured your new Fox HD and/or DiscoveryHD (that is a great channel and you will probably love it) will be more popular than ShowHD.

But if they dropped the premium HD channel I would immediately drop the SD version too. I don't watch SD. I never even surf the 30 or so SD movie channels I have. As my wife reminds me, it is a waste, but movies in HD are great.

Rich N.

Does anyone know if they will be adding Fox HD in the Mountain View before the Super Bowl? And are they removing anything? I like showtime HD and I'd rather not lose that. :(

I must be in the minority that would prefer Discovery HD over Showtime HD. Comcast has had a free preview of Showtime HD for about 1 1/2 month, and I have not seen movie that I wanted to record to DVR.

I would obviously prefer they increase our capacity from 550 to 750 and have all the HD channels available. But in the meantime, I would prefer Discovery HD over Showtime.

--Wolfgang

Originally posted by raidbuck
Wow, taking away an established HD channel. My guess is that there aren't many HD customers with Showtime subscriptions. I'm sure they figured your new Fox HD and/or DiscoveryHD (that is a great channel and you will probably love it) will be more popular than ShowHD.

But if they dropped the premium HD channel I would immediately drop the SD version too. I don't watch SD. I never even surf the 30 or so SD movie channels I have. As my wife reminds me, it is a waste, but movies in HD are great.

Rich N.

The problem is, there probably aren't many customers with HD capability, so taking away ShowtimeHD isn't a big deal...to those people anyway..

Originally posted by Wolfgang
I must be in the minority that would prefer Discovery HD over Showtime HD. Comcast has had a free preview of Showtime HD for about 1 1/2 month, and I have not seen movie that I wanted to record to DVR.

I would obviously prefer they increase our capacity from 550 to 750 and have all the HD channels available. But in the meantime, I would prefer Discovery HD over Showtime.

--Wolfgang

It's not the movies on Showtime, it's the exclusive programming that I'm upset about. Shows like, Huff, The L-Word, Dead Like Me(although this has been canceled) and they have some new ones coming up.

DiscoveryHD is nice, but it is far to repetitious for me.

Trivia: This thread went over 200,000 "views" today.

Wow, that's over 500 views a day since the thread was started..

That's great; there's a lot of interest about Comcast in the bay area. How does this thread activity rate in relation to other threads?

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Trivia: This thread went over 200,000 "views" today.

And I think 199,900 of those views were to see if the DVR and FOX had been announced yet. :D

So, I planned on calling comcast to cancel my premium channels since none of them but HBO come in HD. I called the comcast CSR about them dropping Showtime HD so they could make room for Discovery HD and Fox HD, and she said, " we don't offer Fox HD and I don't see that HD is even available in your area....I'm not sure how you are even receiving HD."

With that...I hung up the phone.

Heheh, I have had Comcast CSR's tell me so many times that "That channel is not available in your area, sir", when in fact "that channel" IS available and HAS BEEN available for 6 months or more, I have lost count.

It's too bad Comcast doesn't have the channel authorization process completely automated-- such as you go on the web and decide you want to subscribe to such and such a tier, you enter your account number and password/code and "presto", without any human interaction or human error, you are now subscribing to a different level of service without having to waste your time with very poorly trained customer servie personnel.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher

It's too bad Comcast doesn't have the channel authorization process completely automated-- such as you go on the web and decide you want to subscribe to such and such a tier, you enter your account number and password/code and "presto", without any human interaction or human error, you are now subscribing to a different level of service without having to waste your time with very poorly trained customer servie personnel.

This is old-hat to us DirecTV folks, piece of cake to add-remove..

Originally posted by keenan
Wow, that's over 500 views a day since the thread was started..

Is that just for you alone? :D

Aw shucks...how did you figure that out...:p

Got my "Dear Valued Comcast Customer" letter today, the one that tells me no more ShowtimeHD..:( :p

One of the points Andrew Johnson tried to make on KGO radio Sunday was that Comcast employs local people to man their call centers so that they are familiar with the local territory. I guess he hasn't called one and asked about his personal account and channel availability. Maybe someday all systems will be the same with the same channel availability. Maybe I'll win the lottery too.

FYI: I just read that in order for D* to add local HD channels they have to launch additional satellites and will be converting to MPEG4. This means that the present equipment will have to replaced with with new equipment. I wonder what happens to the person that spent $999 for a Direct TIVO unit? This may not be the best time to switch to D* if your equipment will become obsolete in less than a year.

Well it's Tuesday... is anyone in the LG-Saratoga-Milpitas area getting 702 yet? I just tried, and it's not on my system.

The only time Comcast bothers to send out a specific communication about HD channels via U.S. Mail, it involves removing an HD channel. How ironic ...

My letter says Feb 2, Wednesday...

Originally posted by rshaw
FYI: I just read that in order for D* to add local HD channels they have to launch additional satellites and will be converting to MPEG4. This means that the present equipment will have to replaced with with new equipment. I wonder what happens to the person that spent $999 for a Direct TIVO unit? This may not be the best time to switch to D* if your equipment will become obsolete in less than a year.

They'll be upgraded at most if not all at DirecTV's expense, they are not about to lose the subs over the cost of a piece of equipment..

It remains to be seen how DirecTV will calculate the credit that its HD and HD Tivo customers will receive. For example, DirecTV could decide that it will credit the depreciated value of an HD Tivo, which might be XX% of the subscriber's purchase price depending on how long ago it was purchased. They will probably also factor in any "customer retention" credits that the subscriber received toward the purchase of the HD equipment.

I checked my Comcast letter again and, believe it or not, it says KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD FREE. I'm pleasantly surprised. I have to give Comcast an at-a-boy for this one.

Originally posted by keenan
My letter says Feb 2, Wednesday...

I didn't save mine, but for some reason I had Tuesday as the date. I must've assumed Monday was the 1st. Let's see what happens tomorrow!

Mine says that too, the KTVU-HD would have been free anyways, but the DiscoveryHD free statement is sure interesting...if Comcast says free, then that means I can go back to basic and also get DiscoveryHD..

Snipped from the "HDTV Programming" thread.......

Originally posted by fsujay:
"I noticed today that NFLTV-HD had been added to my Comcast guide."
Originally posted by GoIrish:
"Many Comcast systems are airing about 25 hours of NFL Network special HD content in the week leading up to the Super Bowl. That's what you're seeing in the guide info."


I haven't seen this in the guide or heard about it anywhere here.
I assume that the Bay Area is not being treated to this? Anyone know for sure?

Originally posted by mds54
I haven't seen this in the guide or heard about it anywhere here.
I assume that the Bay Area is not being treated to this? Anyone know for sure? This would appear on 725, the HD Special Events channel in the Bay Area. However, I have checked the guide and see nothing except for a couple of hours on Friday, which is the regular GOTW in HD.

The 25 hours are supposed to include 30 min. highlight shows of every Super Bowl. I keep checking 725, hoping something will show up, but I haven't seen anything. :(

Everybody who gets 725 (ack, that 550 Mhz issue again ... :eek: ), channel surf to 725 whenever you get a chance and post here if you see anything, I would like some advance warning if this programming does show up.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Everybody who gets 725 (ack, that 550 Mhz issue again ... :eek: ), channel surf to 725 whenever you get a chance and post here if you see anything, I would like some advance warning if this programming does show up.

SonomaSearcher: Thanks for your response!
I made the same assumption that it would be shown here on channel 725. I have checked the channel during the evenings, but have seen nothing there other than the typical SE logo. (I'm in a 750-860Mhz area). I'll certainly post here if I ever find this programming!

Originally posted by rshaw
I checked my Comcast letter again and, believe it or not, it says KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD FREE. I'm pleasantly surprised. I have to give Comcast an at-a-boy for this one.

I do have to give comcast some credit for proactively notifying the 550 customers (very un-comcast like) that they are changing something...but on the otherhand...as you read the marketing dribble in the letter one might that what they are doing is the best thing since sliced bread.

I threw out the letter but I remember laughing as I was reading how wonderful they said this little channel swap would be for us.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/Comcast.jpg

yep...If I had pom poms I'd pull them out and cheer

:rolleyes:

I have been on vacation for a few days and have not picked-up my mail. I was scrolling through the HD (Comcast) channels and suddenly discovered KTVU Channel 2 is now finally broadcasting in HD.

Reading the previous posts - it appears this was scheduled for 2/2/05?

I am now watching American Idol in HD (8 PM PT). I am in Walnut Creek, CA.

It will be great to watch the Super Bowl (and other sports in HD) on Fox finally!

Sentinel,

Most areas actually got it last week(including Walnut Creek)...only a few older systems have to wait until 2/2

I have another idea why they dropped Show-HD on the 550 systems when they added KTVU-HD. First, I would venture a guess that KRON-HD and Show-HD were on the same phylscal channel (MHz) on the 550 systems.

Second, on the more capable systems in the Bay Area it seems that they run KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD on the same channel (111.1 & 111.9, 717MHz). Since they already have the two mulitplexed together on the other systems, all they have to do is to feed that multiplexed channel onto the 550MHz systems. No need to remulitplex.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
It's too bad Comcast doesn't have the channel authorization process completely automated-- such as you go on the web and decide you want to subscribe to such and such a tier, you enter your account number and password/code and "presto", without any human interaction or human error, you are now subscribing to a different level of service without having to waste your time with very poorly trained customer servie personnel. They probably prefer it this way, so that they can instruct the CSRs to try to sell you more stuff while they have you on the phone feeding you false information.

Originally posted by gfbuchanan
I have another idea why they dropped Show-HD on the 550 systems when they added KTVU-HD. First, I would venture a guess that KRON-HD and Show-HD were on the same phylscal channel (MHz) on the 550 systems.


I thought about that, but in Saramilgatos/550Mhz they are on two separate frequecies

704 is on 225Mhz (paired up with 705)
736 is on 517Mhz (paired up with HBOHD)

I think its just marketing...They think DSCHD has more revenue potential than dropping the HD side of Showtime

Originally posted by davisdog
I thought about that, but in Saramilgatos/550Mhz they are on two separate frequecies

704 is on 225Mhz (paired up with 705)
736 is on 517Mhz (paired up with HBOHD)

I think its just marketing...They think DSCHD has more revenue potential than dropping the HD side of Showtime

How can it have more revenue if it's free? In the first paragraph of that letter it states KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD were added to my cable service "for free".

Originally posted by keenan
How can it have more revenue if it's free? In the first paragraph of that letter it states KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD were added to my cable service "for free".

Well for Comcast they added it for free ( it didn't cost them anything ), you will pay for it no doubt.......one way or the other :D

Laters,
Mikef5

> How can [adding DiscoveryHD] have more revenue if it's free?

Two Ways:

1 - More people sign up for Comcast because DiscoveryHD is included for free, and
2 - Any advertisements (not sure if DiscoveryHD has any) cost the advertiser money and a piece of that money might just go to Comcast.

I have no idea about #2, but #1 is a sure bet.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
This would appear on 725, the HD Special Events channel in the Bay Area. However, I have checked the guide and see nothing except for a couple of hours on Friday, which is the regular GOTW in HD.

The 25 hours are supposed to include 30 min. highlight shows of every Super Bowl. I keep checking 725, hoping something will show up, but I haven't seen anything. :(

Everybody who gets 725 (ack, that 550 Mhz issue again ... :eek: ), channel surf to 725 whenever you get a chance and post here if you see anything, I would like some advance warning if this programming does show up.

Should people with Basic cable get the 725 channel? My 725 channel now says Not Authorized. Is it only for those with the digital classic tier? Anyone confirm?

Thanks!

Originally posted by edmc
> How can [adding DiscoveryHD] have more revenue if it's free?


1 - More people sign up for Comcast because DiscoveryHD is included for free, and
, but #1 is a sure bet.

This is what I was getting at, in a somewhat facetious way. All of a sudden DiscoveryHD is free, whereas before you needed a digital tier to get it.

KPIX-HD, KGO-HD, KNTV-HD, KQED-HD, and now KTVU-HD and DiscoveryHD are "free" with just a basic subscription and a $5 a month digital converter box rental. Roughly $23 a month here in Santa Rosa. Sounds like a plan to me..;)

If the content of that letter I posted above indicates something other than that, then Comcast has some explaining to do.

So does everyone get Discovery-HD for free, or is it a compromise/compensation made by Comcast for those stuck at 550mHz?

If so, does anyone know what the QAM is in there area?

I used to see it at 75-1, but no mas.

anyone losing DD5.1?

second time in a week, that the box refuses to spit out 5.1.

first time, i unplugged and it came back.

tonite, i recorded HOUSE on fox and while playing back, my receiver's multichannel light didnt go on... hmmmmm....

so i tune to INHD2 and see the melissa ethridge concert. no 5.1.

so i unplug the box (6412) and waited a minute.

it comes back! even replayed HOUSE and sure enough, that has 5.1 also.

now this is my 2nd 6412 and i only had it a few days after xmas...

anyone else having this problem?

i dont wanna reboot since it takes a while for the e-guide to restore itself...

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Are all the locals out right now? it's 8AM on Wednesday? Using an OTA and it was working perfect a second ago?

Two nights in a row watching 24 and House. Artifacts etc. every 30-40 seconds at my location in Santa Clara. The OTA signal is fine. Only see the problem with 702. Called Comcast of course no problem on their monitors. What causes this pixalization. I have the DCT5100 using DVI. Any body else see this problem?

So has anyone in the 550 MHZ systems seen the new channels yet ?? I know it's still early in the morning but you would think they would have made the change over during the night to have them up in the morning, but then again it's Comcast and so far they are not doing so good recently. I'll give them til noon and then I will make a phone call, Mr. Johnson I hope you are reading this.

Laters,
Mikef5

Just to be thorough, go into the setup menu and go to audio. Make sure that it is set to matrix with compression turned off. Also, when you lose 5.1, go into this menu and see what it shows. This might give a clue about what the box is doing.

jeff
Originally posted by ldivinag
anyone losing DD5.1?

second time in a week, that the box refuses to spit out 5.1.

first time, i unplugged and it came back.

tonite, i recorded HOUSE on fox and while playing back, my receiver's multichannel light didnt go on... hmmmmm....

so i tune to INHD2 and see the melissa ethridge concert. no 5.1.

so i unplug the box (6412) and waited a minute.

it comes back! even replayed HOUSE and sure enough, that has 5.1 also.

now this is my 2nd 6412 and i only had it a few days after xmas...

anyone else having this problem?

i dont wanna reboot since it takes a while for the e-guide to restore itself...

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I also checked this morning at about 8 AM and still no 702 or 722. I thought it would be up in the morning. Maybe they left the switchover to the day shift to accomplish.

Originally posted by rshaw
I also checked this morning at about 8 AM and still no 702 or 722. I thought it would be up in the morning. Maybe they left the switchover to the day shift to accomplish.

Actually, it would've been better to do the shift at night so it would not impact on any viewers and if anything went wrong you could get it fixed before the morning viewers got up and saw that nothing has changed and that we are still on Comcast's bottom of the barrel on things to do. :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
Actually, it would've been better to do the shift at night so it would not impact on any viewers and if anything went wrong you could get it fixed before the morning viewers got up and saw that nothing has changed and that we are still on Comcast's bottom of the barrel on things to do. :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

They must be doing it right now, I don't have 704-KRON and 736-ShowtimeHD anymore, I get a channel will be available shortly message.

Is this work affecting OTA Antenna Reception of HD channels as well?

Originally posted by keenan
They must be doing it right now, I don't have 704-KRON and 736-ShowtimeHD anymore, I get a channel will be available shortly message.

Great, but you are on a different loop than the SaraMilgatos loop but it is a good sign that maybe they are awake and getting this done. We'll see....

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by itzkirb
Is this work affecting OTA Antenna Reception of HD channels as well?


Nope...completely unrelated

Shoot no sooner sent the last message off and 704 and 736 are off ( with message will be back soon ) but no 702 or 722. So it looks like it's happening. To bad I can't do an OTA vs cable for Fox-HD, with the Sutro work going on most of the locals are down ( for OTA ) but hopefully the work on Sutro will be done by tomorrow.

Laters,
Mikef5

Crap, anyone else lose OTA Antenna Reception or am I the only one? Are they working on Sutro now?

edit: I found the SF OTA thread...I'll post there...Sorry for posting here, I didn't see that thread.

Originally posted by jlions
Two nights in a row watching 24 and House. Artifacts etc. every 30-40 seconds at my location in Santa Clara. The OTA signal is fine. Only see the problem with 702. Called Comcast of course no problem on their monitors. What causes this pixalization. I have the DCT5100 using DVI. Any body else see this problem?
I didn't see much in the way of problems with 24 the other night but last night House was a real mess. At times almost unwatchable.
I sure hope this doesn't happen during the Superbowl.:(

Originally posted by Mikef5
To bad I can't do an OTA vs cable for Fox-HD, with the Sutro work going on most of the locals are down ( for OTA ) but hopefully the work on Sutro will be done by tomorrow.

Laters,
Mikef5

To compare PQ? You can bet I'll be doing it with the NY and LA feeds of Fox as compared to Comcast..:p

Well, I no longer have 704 or 736, so it must be happening in LG.

No 702 yet, though.

I watched House last night in Cupertino. It was a good signal throughout the show. Don't know about 5.1 as I don't have a receiver yet.

If you keep having problems, it could be that the signal quality on your feed is low. That is what I would be checking.

Originally posted by Grandude
I didn't see much in the way of problems with 24 the other night but last night House was a real mess. At times almost unwatchable.
I sure hope this doesn't happen during the Superbowl.:(

I live in Dublin and have 2 HD's in my house... both are 50" lcd's... Last night, FOXHD (channel 702) looked fine on one set, but not so good on the other during American Idol and House...

One TV would show artifacts every 15 or so seconds, and it was really annoying for me to watch, though rest of my family didn't notice.

The other TV would start to show artifacts every 45 seconds or so, but they weren't as severe or long-lasting and generally didn't bother me.

So what's causing this difference? Both TVs are in the same house... The only differences are:

Good TV --- DVI Connection, Voltage Regulator/Clean Power System, motorola dct6412 pvr, Panny PT50LC13 - 720p

Bad TV --- Component Connection, plugged directly into wall socket, motorola dct6208 pvr, Hitachi 50v500 - 1080i

So anyway, tonight I'm going to switch the component cables with a DVI cable and see if the problem of artifacts persists... I am concerned as we are hosting a superbowl party, and the BadTV is the one everybody will be watching.

Any other people having similar issues with ch. 702 or have advice on this?

I just noticed that KRON-HD (79.8 or 4.2) has disappeared in Cupertino.
And also that KTVU-HD is now showing up as 2.1 instead of its previous channel of 111.9. So I guess the changes in the 550MHz areas may be having an impact on the other areas?

Originally posted by gfbuchanan
I just noticed that KRON-HD (79.8 or 4.2) has disappeared in Cupertino.
And also that KTVU-HD is now showing up as 2.1 instead of its actual channel of 111.9. So I guess the changes in the 550MHz areas may be having an impact on the other areas?

Further testing shows that KTVU-HD (I goofed it as KNTV in the original post, sorry.) has moved from 111.9 to 79.9, with a PSIP (I think) of 2.1. Also, Showtime-HD is absent. It was on 115.2. Guess we shall see where things playout over the day.

Originally posted by gfbuchanan
I just noticed that KRON-HD (79.8 or 4.2) has disappeared in Cupertino.
And also that KTVU-HD is now showing up as 2.1 instead of its previous channel of 111.9. So I guess the changes in the 550MHz areas may be having an impact on the other areas?

I think its comcast's way of getting the 550Mhz folks to stop complaining about the inferior service...They are going to pull all of the extra HD channels from the 750/860 Networks so we all are the same...no more Showtime, Cinemax, Inhd, FSNHD etc... for anybody :D

Originally posted by Rokkaku
I live in Dublin and have 2 HD's in my house... both are 50" lcd's... Last night, FOXHD (channel 702) looked fine on one set, but not so good on the other during American Idol and House...

One TV would show artifacts every 15 or so seconds, and it was really annoying for me to watch, though rest of my family didn't notice.

The other TV would start to show artifacts every 45 seconds or so, but they weren't as severe or long-lasting and generally didn't bother me.

So what's causing this difference? Both TVs are in the same house... The only differences are:

Good TV --- DVI Connection, Voltage Regulator/Clean Power System, motorola dct6412 pvr, Panny PT50LC13 - 720p

Bad TV --- Component Connection, plugged directly into wall socket, motorola dct6208 pvr, Hitachi 50v500 - 1080i

So anyway, tonight I'm going to switch the component cables with a DVI cable and see if the problem of artifacts persists... I am concerned as we are hosting a superbowl party, and the BadTV is the one everybody will be watching.

Any other people having similar issues with ch. 702 or have advice on this?
I have the same problem with my TV. 702 is the only channel that does it. I'm running a component connection to my TV and I checked out the American Idol special last night so I could see what going on and the picture does have "tiling" every 15-30 seconds. I called Comcast right after that last night and they said they would look into it and send a guy over to my house this Friday. I also made it clear to the CSR to run a check on my area to see if there are any signal problems here.

I would also recommend that you put your specific city under "Location" so that we can compare which areas people in this forum are having the tiling issue with 702.

Originally posted by neoufo51
I have the same problem with my TV. 702 is the only channel that does it. I'm running a component connection to my TV and I checked out the American Idol special last night so I could see what going on and the picture does have "tiling" every 15-30 seconds. I called Comcast right after that last night and they said they would look into it and send a guy over to my house this Friday. I also made it clear to the CSR to run a check on my area to see if there are any signal problems here.

I would also recommend that you put your specific city under "Location" so that we can compare which areas people in this forum are having the tiling issue with 702.

I don't understand why two HDTV's in the SAME HOUSE can look so different when they are on the same channel (702 FOXHD)...

I just added my location to my profile.... any other people in the Dublin (tri-valley) or East Bay experience similar problems to me with "tiling"?

Originally posted by Rokkaku
I don't understand why two HDTV's in the SAME HOUSE can look so different when they are on the same channel (702 FOXHD)...

I just added my location to my profile.... any other people in the Dublin (tri-valley) or East Bay experience similar problems to me with "tiling"?

What frequency are they sending Fox on...if its near the high end of the network there's a chance I guess that the signal could be more suspectible to problems...If you have have an extra splitter in the path of the bad set (or a longer cable run, worse connections)...check connections...remove a splitter for a bit? Trade 6412's

To find the frequency, tune your box to 702, then power it off at the box and hit select...use the down arrow to goto menu d06 and hit select again...that should give you the frequency....is it 700 something?

just a thought...

Originally posted by davisdog
What frequency are they sending Fox on...if its near the high end of the network there's a chance I guess that the signal could be more suspectible to problems...If you have have an extra splitter in the path of the bad set (or a longer cable run, worse connections)...check connections...remove a splitter for a bit? Trade 6412's

To find the frequency, tune your box to 702, then power it off at the box and hit select...use the down arrow to goto menu d06 and hit select again...that should give you the frequency....is it 700 something?

just a thought...

That's interesting DavisDog... actually the the cable signal coming from the wall is split between the "Bad" TV Comcast Receiver and another TV in an adjacent room. Are you suggesting removing this splitter and seeing if it fixes the problem? I didn't think about that being the cause, but could the splitting of the cable signal be the cause?

I will have to check this when I get home.

Originally posted by Rokkaku
That's interesting DavisDog... actually the the cable signal coming from the wall is split between the "Bad" TV Comcast Receiver and another TV in an adjacent room. Are you suggesting removing this splitter and seeing if it fixes the problem? I didn't think about that being the cause, but could the splitting of the cable signal be the cause?

Tiling on digital channels can be the equivalent to "noise" on analog channels (ghosting, scan lines, etc.). Many times this is caused by low bandwidth and/or signal degradation. Adding a 2-way splitter can reduce the signal strength by 2-4db. A 3-way splitter can lose as much 6-7db. If the your signal strength coming into the house is already low, the splitter can be the final device that "breaks the straw on the camels back". By the time the signal reaches your cable box, if it's hovering around -5db then you can begin to see picture artifacts on both analog and digital channels. I think you can check the signal strength on the STB's diags menu although I forgot how to do this and I'm not at home. Maybe someone can chime on how to get this.

Originally posted by Rokkaku
That's interesting DavisDog... actually the the cable signal coming from the wall is split between the "Bad" TV Comcast Receiver and another TV in an adjacent room. Are you suggesting removing this splitter and seeing if it fixes the problem? I didn't think about that being the cause, but could the splitting of the cable signal be the cause?

I will have to check this when I get home.

Look at how many splitters you have between the cable entrance and your sets. Remove all that you can.

Do some of the splitters have unused taps? Are the ends of some of the cables connected to the splitters empty? Put a terminator on all unused connections to prevent reflections.

Are you using only 2 taps of a 4 tap splitter? Replace it with a 2-tap. If you need three connections, it is better to use a single 4 tap splitter, then two 2-tap splitters in sequence. As before, put a terminator on the unused tap.

And make sure you are using high quality coax cable (RG-6) and splitters (2GHz). Especially if the run from your cable access to your system is longer than 50 ft. The cheap splitters at OSH and Radio Shack are only good to 500MHz (read the specs on the splitter). Get splitters that are spec'd for Satellite use (2GHz). Home Depot had them last time I looked.

And did I mention to get rid of all the splitters but the first one?

After that, swap your tuners and see what happens. It is possible that the tuner in one box handles a marginal signal better than the tuner in the other box. And that could explain your problems.

Good Luck.

Fox-HD is now on channel 702 in Milpitas, still waiting for Discovery-HD, funny thing is I am getting Discovery-HD on my LG-4200a so it just needs to be mapped to the channel guide. So far so good but still need channel 722 :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Hayward (and thus San Leandro and San Lorenzo) now has 702, 705, and 722! We never had 704, but did lose SHOWHD. Worthwhile trade for me, although I am still upset about not having the full HD complement.

Watched the last 15 minutes of AI and the entire House episode after it last night on 702. PQ was fine, no problems at all. Not as good as CBS HD, but that is a Fox HD network problem that has nothing to do with Comcast or KTVU.

I never go that infamous Comcast letter about the HD line-up changes so I’m hoping that when I go home tonight, San Lorenzo will have Fox-HD, Discovery and maybe even CBS-HD.

I’m crossing my fingers.

Originally posted by davisdog
I think its comcast's way of getting the 550Mhz folks to stop complaining about the inferior service...They are going to pull all of the extra HD channels from the 750/860 Networks so we all are the same...no more Showtime, Cinemax, Inhd, FSNHD etc... for anybody :D

Thank God for smilies!!!
(from an 860Mhz subscriber attempting to get his heart going again......) ;)

I have Comcast in San Jose. Should I be getting FOX-HD? I presume it will come on channel 2.1, keeping with the pattern of the other major networks (CBS 5.1, NBC 11.1, ABC 7.1). Nothing on channel 2.1 yet but I'll keep checking.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Watched the last 15 minutes of AI and the entire House episode after it last night on 702. PQ was fine, no problems at all. Not as good as CBS HD, but that is a Fox HD network problem that has nothing to do with Comcast or KTVU.

I watched a little of Fox-HD, channel 702, and it's an ok picture, a little soft but watchable, no breakups or pixelizations, that was on the Moto box. On the LG box it's alot better but still a little soft, that's on Comcast cable. Sutro is down so I can't compare it to the Comcast picture but from the times that I've watched Fox-HD OTA it is much better than it is on the cable. I'll know better when Sutro comes back up and something in HD is shown, then I can get a better idea of picture quality. Still no 722, Discovery-HD, it's being broadcast because I can get it on the LG box, really nice picture, I really don't know what the holdup is on mapping it to the guide.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by busybee
I have Comcast in San Jose. Should I be getting FOX-HD? I presume it will come on channel 2.1, keeping with the pattern of the other major networks (CBS 5.1, NBC 11.1, ABC 7.1). Nothing on channel 2.1 yet but I'll keep checking.

What network system (digital rebuild) are you on?
Most of San Jose received Fox-HD last week......channel 702.

I'm not sure. How do I find out what system I'm on? Can I verify somewhere based on zip code?

I don't have a set top box. I have a Panasonic HD TV with a built-in digital/QAM tuner. It shows the digital channels as subchannels. i.e.:

5 : CBS Analog
5-1 : CBS Digital/HD
7 : ABC Analog
7-1 : ABC Digital/HD

And so forth.

FOX/KTVU analog is on channel 2.

Originally posted by mds54
What system are you on? Most of San Jose received Fox-HD last week......channel 702.

If you look at the channel numbers that he gave, those are OTA channels ( Over the air ), not Comcast cable channels.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by busybee
I'm not sure. How do I find out what system I'm on? Can I verify somewhere based on zip code?

I don't have a set top box. I have a Panasonic HD TV with a built-in digital/QAM tuner. It shows the digital channels as subchannels. i.e.:

5 : CBS Analog
5-1 : CBS Digital/HD
7 : ABC Analog
7-1 : ABC Analog

And so forth.

FOX/KTVU analog is on channel 2.

Busybee,
Are you using Comcast cable to your Tv or using an antenna connected to the Tv ??

Laters,
Mikef5

I have Comcast standard cable. I can view the digital/HD channels because my TV has a built-in digital/QAM tuner, and the non-premium digital channels are broadcast unencrypted.

Originally posted by Mikef5
If you look at the channel numbers that he gave, those are OTA channels ( Over the air ), not Comcast cable channels.
Laters,
Mikef5

Yeah, I know, but you gotta start somewhere,
and we're here to help!

I know it looks like OTA but I really am using standard cable only. When my TV scans for digital channels, for some reason it maps ABC-digital to 7-1. I'm not sure how it's getting that information, but it must come from the cable line. On my computer, which has an HD capture card and a different kind of builtin digital/QAM tuner, it will map the channel to 117-1. Confusing I know.

Originally posted by busybee
I know it looks like OTA but I really am using standard cable only. When my TV scans for digital channels, for some reason it maps ABC-digital to 7-1. I'm not sure how it's getting that information, but it must come from the cable line. On my computer, which has an HD capture card and a different kind of builtin digital/QAM tuner, it will map the channel to 117-1. Confusing I know.

Boy, that is a strange tuner but if it is like the OTA tuners then you should see Fox on 2-1, you may need to do a rescan to see if the tuner picks it up or you could try and punch the numbers in manually and see if that works. What area, zip code are you in ???

Laters,
Mikef5

busybee,

Which unencrypted non-premium channels do you receive via your QAM tuner?

Originally posted by keenan
To compare PQ? You can bet I'll be doing it with the NY and LA feeds of Fox as compared to Comcast..:p

Keenan, do you happen to be using the HD DirectTivo? If so, maybe this will get you to flip back to Comcast. :-)

DIRECTV Puts HDTV Owners On Pause
More than 500,000 high-def satellite receivers could be
obsolete in the near future. But DIRECTV says help is
on the way. By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (January 31) -- Linda recently upgraded her DIRECTV system
with a $999 High-Definition DVR, which combines a DIRECTV satellite receiver with
TiVo's recording service. With her expensive new toy, Linda can not only watch her
favorite HDTV channels, but she can record them.

However, Linda (who asked that her last name not be used) is upset because she
discovered last week that DIRECTV this summer will require all HDTV subscribers
to get a new dish and receiver to get their local stations in high-def. If Linda wants
local HDTV on DIRECTV, it appears that she will have to dump her $999
DIRECTV-TiVo and get a new one.

"That doesn't seem right," she said in an e-mail to TVPredictions.com. "Why would
anyone buy equipment that will be obsolete by summer time?"

Linda is not alone, although most DIRECTV receivers are far less expensive than her
$999 HDTV recorder. The equipment switch will affect any current HDTV owner who
subscribes to DIRECTV, which the company says numbers roughly 500,000. In
addition, any HDTV owner who buys a current DIRECTV receiver model (and dish) in
the next few months will also have to get a new one this summer to get local HD
signals (and, eventually, all HDTV channels.)

The reason for the switch? DIRECTV is launching four new satellites over the next
two years that will enable it to provide local channels in high-def for the first time,
beginning this summer with 12 markets. (The 12 markets are: New York, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington DC,
Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, and Tampa Bay.) By 2007, the satcaster expects to have
capacity for local HDTV in all major markets -- and up to 150 national HDTV
channels. The new HD services are expected to give DIRECTV a major competitive
advantage in its battle against the cable TV industry and chief satellite rival,
EchoStar's Dish Network.

However, DIRECTV has announced that it will use the new MPEG-4 compression
technology for the local channels (and future national high-def channels). A new receiver and a slightly larger dish will be required to receive the MPEG-4 signals.

DIRECTV spokesman Robert Mercer says the company has not decided when the
new MPEG-4 satellite system will be available for sale, which means any DIRECTV
system sold today would have to be replaced this summer to get local HD signals.

Mercer adds that current receivers and dishes will still be able to display DIRECTV's
existing high-def channels, such as HDNet, HBO and Discovery HD Theater, when
the company starts using MPEG-4 for the local channels this summer. However,
Mercer acknowledges that DIRECTV "will make the transition (to MPEG-4) at some
time for all (HDTV) channels," which means that, eventually, everyone will need a
new dish and receiver to get any channel in high-def.

Mercer did not know when all HDTV channels would be switched to MPEG-4, but he
said that the company would try to ensure that current subscribers are happy with
the transition. He said he could not provide further details on possible offers.

In the past, DIRECTV has provided equipment upgrades for little or no money if the
subscriber will agree to commit to a year-long programming package. (EchoStar,
which plans to switch to MPEG-4 at some point as well, has also previously
provided incentives for customers to upgrade equipment.)

But that may not be enough for Linda. Contacted today by TVPredictions.com, she
said: "We decided to pack everything up and take it back. We'll go back to cable
until things shake out with local HD."

Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been quoted on TV technology
in dozens of publications and by broadcast outlets, such as The Chicago Tribune,
The Hollywood Reporter, Fox News and CNN. If you would like to contact Mr.
Swann, he can be reached at 703-505-3064 or at Swann@TVPredictions.com.

For those who get channel 725, the NFL Network's HD programming is now appearing. It does NOT show in the guide, which still says "Off Air", so you will simply have to tune in to the channel to see what is playing. Or look at the listings for the SD version of the channel (180 or 217) to see what's playing.

Right now, it is a September 2004 GOTW repeat, Eagles v. Vikes, and I see more GOTW repeats on the SD listings, so maybe that's all it is but I have only checked the remaining schedule for today. I hope they show some of the old Super Bowl highlights in HD (converted from NFL Film's 16mm film, of course). Especially 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1995. :)

Originally posted by busybee
I'm not sure. How do I find out what system I'm on? Can I verify somewhere based on zip code?


It seems the most definitive way of knowing what network system you have is by which HD channels
you are able to receive from Comcast. Some folks here have limited channels available because they
are part of the 550Mhz system. Most of San Jose just finished with a digital rebuild, which would put
you in either a 750Mhz or 860Mhz area where you would receive *all* the HD channels that Comcast
offers in the Bay Area. All three systems are apparently now receiving Fox-HD.

I made a spreadsheet once of the digital channels it found with a scan. This list might be outdated now. They change the channels around on some things.

4-2 KRON-HD / HDnet
5-1 KPIX-HD CBS
7-1 KGO-HD ABC
7-2 ABC NEWS NOW
9-1 KQED HD PBS
9-2 KQED ENCORE
9-3 KQED World
9-4 KQED life
9-5 KQED kids
11-1 KNTV-HD NBC
83-8 Chinese
86-8 TV Land
86-12 OLN Outdoor Life Network
86-15 Music Choice SHOWCASE
86-16 Music Choice TODAY'S COUNTRY
86-17 Music Choice ALTERNATIVE
86-18 Music Choice HIT LIST
86-19 Music Choice EASY LISTENING
86-20 Music Choice OPERA
88-15 Music Choice R&B HITS
88-16 Music Choice R&B AND HIP-HOP
88-17 Music Choice CLASSIC ROCK
88-18 Music Choice ADULT ALTERNATIVE
88-19 Music Choice SOLID GOLD OLDIES
88-20 Music Choice LIGHT CLASSICAL
91-3 Nicktoons
92-15 Music Choice BLUEGRASS
92-16 Music Choice SMOOTH R&B
92-17 Music Choice RAP
92-18 Music Choice ELECTRONICA
92-19 Music Choice JAZZ
92-20 Music Choice BLUES
92-21 Music Choice CLASSICAL MASTERPIECES
92-22 Music Choice GOSPEL
100-15 Music Choice CLASSIC COUNTRY
100-16 Music Choice CLASSIC R&B
100-17 Music Choice METAL
100-18 Music Choice ROCK
100-19 Music Choice ARENA ROCK
100-20 Music Choice DANCE
100-21 Music Choice SOFT ROCK
100-22 Music Choice PARTY FAVORITES
100-23 Music Choice '80s
100-24 Music Choice RETRO-ACTIVE
100-25 Music Choice '70s
100-26 Music Choice SINGERS AND STANDARDS
100-27 Music Choice BIG BAND AND SWING
100-28 Music Choice SMOOTH JAZZ
100-29 Music Choice REGGAE
100-30 Music Choice SOUNDSCAPES
100-31 Music Choice SHOW TUNES
100-32 Music Choice CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN
100-33 Music Choice RADIO DISNEY
100-34 Music Choice SOUNDS OF THE SEASONS
105-1 INHD
105-2 INHD2
105-3 HD SE HI-DEF SPECIAL EVENTS
106-1 NBA LEAGUE PASS
106-2 NBA LEAGUE PASS
106-3 NBA LEAGUE PASS
106-4 NBA LEAGUE PASS
106-5 NBA LEAGUE PASS
106-6 MLS SOCCER
106-7 NBA LEAGUE PASS
107-1 NBA LEAGUE PASS
107-2 NBA LEAGUE PASS
107-3 MSG NBA
107-4 NBA LEAGUE PASS
107-5 NBA LEAGUE PASS
112-1 Travel/OLN
114-15 Music Choice MUSICA URBANA
114-16 Music Choice SALSA Y MERENGUE
114-17 Music Choice ROCK EN ESPANOL
114-18 Music Choice POP LATINO
114-19 Music Choice '90s
114-28 Music Choice SMOOTH JAZZ
116-2 ESPN-HD
118-2 iND In Demand PPV
120-5 MOVIES

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
For those who get channel 725, the NFL Network's HD programming is now appearing.

So, you found it! Thanks for the alert!
As for the program listings, the Zap2It guide that I use for my area
shows channel 725 as "NFLNET" and lists all the actual programming.

Your system is at least 750 Mhz. That much is clear. Enjoy. :)

Yep,looks like at least a 750 Mhz system. Try doing a rescan or manually punch in 2-1. With the numbering system that you provided that would seem to fit the bill.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by busybee
I have Comcast in San Jose. Should I be getting FOX-HD? I presume it will come on channel 2.1, keeping with the pattern of the other major networks (CBS 5.1, NBC 11.1, ABC 7.1). Nothing on channel 2.1 yet but I'll keep checking.

busybee,

Try 79.9 for KTVU-HD. That is the physlcal channel it is on in Cupertino right now. It was moved there this morning. It was previously on 111.9. So you might look there as well. Today it just started showing up as logical channel 2.1. Previously, you had to enter the physical channel to get it.

Comcast is messing with the channel alignment today. So you may want to wait until this evening and do a scan again.

And for those of you wondering about the 2.1, 5.1 etc on Comcast, it comes from not using a Comcast digital tuner. Built-in QAM tuners don't know about Comcast channel maps. So we don't see a channel 702. Rather we see the channels listed on the Logical channel (PSIP I think) or on the actual physical channel. At least that is the way it works on my Sony TV.

gfbuchanan, thanks I tried those. Actually, I tried them via my wife over the phone. I will rescan when I get home and check them all brute force one by one, as she is not terribly keen on my nerdy experiments. ;)

OK. I'm getting FOX (702) and Discovery (722) now. Discovery looks quite good, and the programming is different from the SD channel right now, but it looks to be the sam in primve time.

So I just got off the phone with the Los Gatos city manager's office. Found out that the franchise agreement expires at the end of March, but they are planning on extending it for another 6 to 12 months while negotiations continue. It was due to expire last year, but was extended anther 12 months. Previously, I had sent them a link to the Chronicle story. I was told that the article was wrong and that we are actually higher than 550mhz. I told them that surprised me since in order for Comcast to add two new HD stations in Los Gatos they had to remove two HD stations, unlike the rest of the Bay Area. That tells me that they are maxed out on their bandwidth. Supposedly they are having a meeting with Comcast to discuss the franchise agreement in three weeks. I forwarded on the Contra Costa report. The feeling I got was that the city didn't really have any power to demand upgrades to the system. Hopefully I'll hear something back from them.

Originally posted by John Mace
OK. I'm getting FOX (702) and Discovery (722) now. Discovery looks quite good, and the programming is different from the SD channel right now, but it looks to be the sam in primve time.

That's strange, channel 722 is still not showing up in Milpitas through the Moto box but is showing up on my LG box. It looks like they haven't mapped the channel to the guide so it doesn't know that it's there. John what city are you in ??

Laters,
Mikef5

patmunn, do you have any bandwidth wasted on public access channels? If there were two channels they'd be wiilling to turn off, you could get 3 new HD channels turned on with NO rebuild activity needed at all.

The most important thing is to get the city folks to understand things like VOD and HDTV are far more important to you than public access channels, traffic cameras, etc...

Technically, they can't force comcast to upgrade the network, but they can make life hard for them in other ways. As the number of cable companies have shrunk, and the geographic aggregation increased, the amount of leverage the city posseses has also dropped. If you booted Comcast out, who would take over? RCN? They have no money for a build like you are talking about.

So the real important discussion should be on ways to make the most of the infrastructure you have, like getting rid of public access channels, converting 2nd tier analog channels to digital to make more room for HD, splitting optical nodes to increase the amount of total forward capacity present in the system for VOD, etc... If the city takes this tack, I think you'll find Comcast will be very cooperative.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by patmunn
So I just got off the phone with the Los Gatos city manager's office. Found out that the franchise agreement expires at the end of March.....

This is encouraging news. Having contract discussions occuring right now will increase the pressure on Comcast to do something. I am in Saratoga, which still has several years left on our contract. But since Los Gatos and Saratoga share the same systems, if Los Gatos gets an upgrade, I am betting Saratoga would too.

Today I received word from our Saratoga Mayor, Kathleen King, that she will contact Comcast personally and complain about the poor service. Maybe enough squeaky wheels will get some grease.

I have a MythTV PVR system that I use with Comcast standard cable in Santa Clara and I'm trying to figure out my options with respect to HD. I will be testing an Air2PC HDTV tuner card that can handle unencrypted QAM so I should not need a digital cable box. My understanding is that I should be able to receive the unecrypted HD channels (FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC) without paying an extra $5/month. Is this correct? Are there any unencrypted digital SD channels that I should also be able to receive?

As an alternative, there is also preliminary support for recording over Firewire. To get this to work, my understanding is that I will need to pay the extra $5/month so I can get a cable box, making sure to get one with a Firewire port. Is this correct?

Thanks.

702 on in Vallejo (as promised) - physical 79.2

spear---it is possible to record unencrypted QAM from the firewire port. See the free aps thread of the home theatre computers section.

If you don't subscribe to a digital cable tier or package, the HD STB might be $6.95 per month (or a little more than that after Comcast's rates went up on 1/1/2005).

I almost hate to mention this but... is anyone else getting Showtime for free right now? I don't subscribe but I can get both the Showtime HD channel AND all the Showtime VOD stuff....

Yes a lot of people seem to be.

Watch them cut it out just before the new season of the L Word, which they're promoting heavily.

There is free preview of Showtime that started before Christmas. It lasts two months. Comcast sent a postcard about this to everyone in the mail.

Need your help before I waste my time calling a comcast CSR. I have the 6212 and today I just got fox HD and DiscHD. But, somehow the new firmware or something messed up my box. It no longer displays HD in a nice 16:9 that fills up my screen. Instead its in a small black box with borders and I can't get the 6212 to get into the user settings to change this. Before I think we just hit menu to enter the user settings but I can't get in there now. Anyone have any suggestions??? Thanks.

Originally posted by Doc Tonic
Need your help before I waste my time calling a comcast CSR. I have the 6212 and today I just got fox HD and DiscHD. But, somehow the new firmware or something messed up my box. It no longer displays HD in a nice 16:9 that fills up my screen. Instead its in a small black box with borders and I can't get the 6212 to get into the user settings to change this. Before I think we just hit menu to enter the user settings but I can't get in there now. Anyone have any suggestions??? Thanks. Which channel are you talking about? KTVU (Fox) doesn't have any 16:9 programming until 8pm.

To change the output settings, hit Menu with the box off.

sonomasearcher..thank you very much...saved me much hassle. I didn't realize you need to hit menu with the box turned off. I just needed to change the "TV" back to 16:9 (was watching discovery HD). It defaulted after the comcast upgrade back to 4:3 for some reason. I just love these boards...so much better than comcast CSR...

Originally posted by MikeSM
Keenan, do you happen to be using the HD DirectTivo? If so, maybe this will get you to flip back to Comcast. :-)


No, and even if I did, I'm not too concerned about whether DirecTV will provide an upgrade path to the MPEG4 boxes, I have no doubt they will. As far as the HD-LiL requiring an MPEG4 box to receive the signals, I'm not worried about that either as I'm very confident DirecTV will replace those boxes, and until they do, I will still have the 4 national DNS-HD networks feeds, I just wont have any local programming like the local news, which if I want to watch it I can watch that in SD, no big deal.

So, that one report doesn't alarm me at all, in fact I still have the HD-TiVo as a possible purchase in the very near future, even though it's lifespan may be limited.

And, I haven't left Comcast, yet, in fact, I plan to be pounding on the podium at the City Council meeting later this month in Santa Rosa with regards to the franchise agreement, which The City itself has indicated that it is not happy with. I do plan to cut the sub back down to basic until I see how things shake out though. I'm betting if I make enough noise I can keep the DVR with the basic sub as well. :)

702-KTVU-HD and 722-DiscoveryHD are now up in Santa Rosa, came around 3:00 PM

KTVU-digital works now on Comcast here in San Jose (2-1 on my tuner). Cool dealio. I can now get 24/A Idol/Superbowl in HD :)

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
For those who get channel 725, the NFL Network's HD programming is now appearing. It does NOT show in the guide, which still says "Off Air", so you will simply have to tune in to the channel to see what is playing. Or look at the listings for the SD version of the channel (180 or 217) to see what's playing.

Right now, it is a September 2004 GOTW repeat, Eagles v. Vikes, and I see more GOTW repeats on the SD listings, so maybe that's all it is but I have only checked the remaining schedule for today. I hope they show some of the old Super Bowl highlights in HD (converted from NFL Film's 16mm film, of course). Especially 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1995. :)

Is the 725 channel supposed to be available to those with basic or expanded basic and HD? I used to get the channel, but now it says Not Authorized. Is this a channel that is only supposed to be available to digital classic subscribers? Thanks.

Well, as expected, the word "free" on that letter to the 550 MHz folks was a lie. I have expanded cable, but no digital. Discovery comes up as "not authorized" or whatever. I'll call tomorrow to see if I can convince them to give it to me for free, since that's what the letter said, but whatever. I don't really care that much about the channel. At this point, I just enjoy being a pest to them. :)

Oh, keenan, I'm gonna try to make that city council meeting as well. The only obstacle is that it starts at 4:00, right? It'll depend how busy things are at work whether I can make it on time.

Originally posted by JasonQG
Well, as expected, the word "free" on that letter to the 550 MHz folks was a lie. I have expanded cable, but no digital. Discovery comes up as "not authorized" or whatever. I'll call tomorrow to see if I can convince them to give it to me for free, since that's what the letter said, but whatever. I don't really care that much about the channel. At this point, I just enjoy being a pest to them. :)

Oh, keenan, I'm gonna try to make that city council meeting as well. The only obstacle is that it starts at 4:00, right? It'll depend how busy things are at work whether I can make it on time.

Not sure, don't have any particulars yet.

On the DiscoveryHD free thing, don't give an inch on that. The letter states "FREE" and I plan to force the issue as well.

Originally posted by keenan
On the DiscoveryHD free thing, don't give an inch on that. The letter states "FREE" and I plan to force the issue as well. We'll compare notes. :)

Originally posted by Mikef5
That's strange, channel 722 is still not showing up in Milpitas through the Moto box but is showing up on my LG box. It looks like they haven't mapped the channel to the guide so it doesn't know that it's there. John what city are you in ??

Laters,
Mikef5

Similarly in Sunnyvale, I am now getting 702 KTVU-HD, but no sign of 722 / Discovery HD on my 6412. As expected, SHO-HD and KRON-HD are gone. I'm unable to see if Discovery HD just missing from the channel map, as I've only got the 6412.

Update: Just got off the phone with Comcast. When I talked to the CSR and described the problem of not seeing 722 on my lineup (but seeing 702), she said they were aware of the problem as they have gotten several calls on it. Hopefully it won't take long for a fix to be in.

Same in Saratoga...702 is up...722 is not (and 704/736 are gone)

BTW...All 4 networks are broadcasting the same feed right now of the democratic response to Bush's speech (I missed the speech..oh bummer)

703, 705, 707 all look about the same...702 is noticeably worse

wish I had something else to turn the channel to

Anybody else compare the picture quality of tonights State of the Union address on Fox compared to the others (NBC, ABC, etc). It was easy to see that Fox's picture was blurry compared to the rest.

Is this just on Comcast? Do people notice issues on broadcast as well?

Originally posted by mailscott
Anybody else compare the picture quality of tonights State of the Union address on Fox compared to the others (NBC, ABC, etc). It was easy to see that Fox's picture was blurry compared to the rest.

Is this just on Comcast? Do people notice issues on broadcast as well?

I did a comparison of all the channels during the State of the Union both cable going through the Moto box, cable going through my LG-4200a, and OTA. By far CBS was the best not only in picture quality but sound also but NBC was a close second. Fox on the other hand suck the big wahzoo both on the cable and OTA, they had to had problems with their broadcasting equipment, 24 was very good just the other day but today was definitely the worse. I hope this gets fixed and I did email Fox to let them know that the feed was bad.

Oh, yeah, still missing channel 722 on the Moto box, tomorrow I'll bother Ms. Nichol and see what she can do.

Laters,
Mikef5

719 or 720 was pretty good for the SOTU. But I just checked the image briefly. Couldn't listen to it all the way.

Does anyone know where to find QAM info for DiscoveryHD?

Originally posted by Mikef5
I did a comparison of all the channels during the State of the Union both cable going through the Moto box, cable going through my LG-4200a, and OTA. By far CBS was the best not only in picture quality but sound also but NBC was a close second. Fox on the other hand suck the big wahzoo both on the cable and OTA, they had to had problems with their broadcasting equipment, 24 was very good just the other day but today was definitely the worse. I hope this gets fixed and I did email Fox to let them know that the feed was bad.

Oh, yeah, still missing channel 722 on the Moto box, tomorrow I'll bother Ms. Nichol and see what she can do.

Laters,
Mikef5

I had the same impression; Fox was very poor. If I had seen FOX as a sample of HD, I would not have purchased an HD set. I thought CBS was the best and ABC and NBC were a draw.

No Discovery HD yet either. Everyone should hang on to the "Free" letter until this is all streightened out.

Mike, do you plan to call Mr. Johnson too?

Hmm, DiscoveryHD is back on in Cupertino. It had been Not Authorized.

But KRON is black.

Originally posted by gfbuchanan
Look at how many splitters you have between the cable entrance and your sets. Remove all that you can.

Do some of the splitters have unused taps? Are the ends of some of the cables connected to the splitters empty? Put a terminator on all unused connections to prevent reflections.

Are you using only 2 taps of a 4 tap splitter? Replace it with a 2-tap. If you need three connections, it is better to use a single 4 tap splitter, then two 2-tap splitters in sequence. As before, put a terminator on the unused tap.

And make sure you are using high quality coax cable (RG-6) and splitters (2GHz). Especially if the run from your cable access to your system is longer than 50 ft. The cheap splitters at OSH and Radio Shack are only good to 500MHz (read the specs on the splitter). Get splitters that are spec'd for Satellite use (2GHz). Home Depot had them last time I looked.

And did I mention to get rid of all the splitters but the first one?

After that, swap your tuners and see what happens. It is possible that the tuner in one box handles a marginal signal better than the tuner in the other box. And that could explain your problems.

Good Luck.

I'm glad that FOXHD looked much much better tonight thanks to some changes I made. First, I changed from the crappy component cables that COMCAST gave us to DVI... instantly made a big difference... My parents were watching BUSH's State of Union and before I told them that I had changed the cable to DVI, they remarked how much clearer the DVI looked... to me this is proof that DVI is better.

Also, I had wired the TV like an idiot... I had the cable going from the wall into a splitter and then into my cable box... now, I have the cable going directly into the DCT6208, and I am not splitting the direct signal to the "bad" tv...

Watching AI tonight, the picture was a lot more brilliant, and the "tiling" effect was much much less severe and occured far less frequently (maybe 2 times in 5 minutes)...

Anyway, I am happy and can definitely live with this... my advice to people with the DCT6208 is to get DVI hookup directly to your HDTV... made a noticeable improvement over component... also, got remarks throughout the evening that the picture was looking a lot better. :)

ALSO: I thought ABC and NBC were in close competition for best HD picture during the State of the Union... CBS was in a close 3rd, and FOX was the worst... FOX's picture was quite a bit softer than the others. But I preferred to see Nancy Pelosi on FOXHD... all hter plastic surgery and botox really looked heinous on NBCHD.

Yeah, FOX was not as good quality as CBS et al. However, I believe FOX does not broadcast in true HD, but 480p or 720p. Is this true?

KRON-HD/HDnet (4-1) and ABC NEWS NOW (7-2) seemed to have disappeared now.

Originally posted by busybee
[B]Yeah, FOX was not as good quality as CBS et al. However, I believe FOX does not broadcast in true HD, but 480p or 720p. Is this true?/B]

Fox broadcasts in 720p which IS "true HD".

The audio was a LOT louder on CBS on my system; Fox's PQ did NOT look like HD at all compared to the other major networks - which is giving me the willies (again) about the SB on Sunday.

I spent most of the time during the State of the Union speech switching back and forth between FOX and the other networks (Sorry, George). The FOX video was SIGNIFICANTLY worse than all the other channels. It was a bit better than SD, but there were no sharp edges defined, and no sense of 3-D that is so common to HD video. A big disappointment.

But.... I did watch a little bit of American Idol later on and the video was excellent. I would say that show was as clear and clean as any I've seen in HD.

I wonder what the difference was.

BTW, I did not notice any audio break-up in either show, although I was only watching little snippets of AI, just to see the PQ, and didn't stay on it long enough to evaluate the audio over any significant period of time.

Originally posted by AVWH
The audio was a LOT louder on CBS on my system; Fox's PQ did NOT look like HD at all compared to the other major networks - which is giving me the willies (again) about the SB on Sunday.
Well, who wants to waste HD programming on an idiot like Bush anyway? The Super Bowl is much more important and I'm sure Fox is going to wow us. :D

Originally posted by walk
I almost hate to mention this but... is anyone else getting Showtime for free right now? I don't subscribe but I can get both the Showtime HD channel AND all the Showtime VOD stuff....

today my Showtime HD for free stopped working, but all the Showtime SD and VOD channels still work for free as part of what I thought was a 2-month Showtime free trial for everyone starting xmas eve. I will probably add Showtime after the trial expires -- i just upgraded to HD eleven days ago, and I'm very pleased so far, but wouldn't mind an additional HD channel to augment HBO. But I would like to enjoy the free trial for 3 more weeks.

I'm getting KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD here in Los Gatos

Sorry for the semantics. FOX 720p is "true HD" but my understanding is that the other channels (CBS, etc) transmit in 1080. That may explain the difference in quality. FOX explained in their press release that 720 is better than 1080 for moving pictures, such as sports.

ABC and ESPN also use 720P.

Originally posted by busybee
Sorry for the semantics. FOX 720p is "true HD" but my understanding is that the other channels (CBS, etc) transmit in 1080. That may explain the difference in quality. FOX explained in their press release that 720 is better than 1080 for moving pictures, such as sports.

Without getting into another debate on what's better: 720p or 1080i, the fact is it has nothing to do with the PQ on Fox. As JasonQG pointed out, ABC and ESPN broadcast in 720p and their picture, for the most part, looks fantastic. Theoretically, it is true that 720p is better for fast-moving pictures because the scan lines are drawn sequentially rather then odd lines to even lines (as is the case with interlaced pictures). However, I would bet that most of us wouldn't be able to tell the difference if we didn't know what the signal was being transmitted as. I have two HD TV's: one displays 1080i natively and the other can display both 720p and 1080i natively. I personally cannot tell the difference when a 720p signal is upconverted versus a native 1080i signal.

Originally posted by patmunn
I'm getting KTVU-HD and Discovery-HD here in Los Gatos

You are sure you're getting Discovery-HD, channel 722 ?? The reason I ask is that I'm on the same head-end as you are and Channel 722 is not showing up. Is anyone else in the Saratoga, Milpitas, Los Gatos areas receiving Discovery-HD. Before I send off the string of emails I want to make sure this is not just me that the problem lies with.

Laters,
Mikef5

I also was switching between cbs, abc and fox during the state of the union address. I agree that fox was softer than the other two. To me it looked like an sd to hd upconvert. Not sure how that's possible as it seemed that they all were using the same camera?

I agree that idol looked as good as anything else. they must have been using good HD cameras. I did notice periodic/frequent minor pixelation. My signal strength SNR and AGC are all in the good range. My observations are consistent with others.

Best,
jeff

If there is any conceivable way for Comcast to screw something up, they will screw it up.

704 KRON DT and 736 Show HD are not functional here since yesterday. They show up in the guide, but I get a black screen with KRON and a "Subscription Service" message with Show. The diagnostics show that they were moved to 717 Mhz, with Discovery HD going to 741 Mhz being paired there with HBO HD. The diagnostics also show signals coming through in 256 QAM but, again, no video images are coming through.

Petaluma of course has plenty of bandwidth (750 Mhz) and was NOT on the list to have any HD channels removed.

Telephone CSR's are of no help, of course, saying Petaluma IS on the list of localities to have 704 and 736 removed. I don't know why I bother calling.

Edit: KRON HD is functional again, as of a moment ago. Showtime still says 'Subscription Service' and shows up as Encrypted and Not Authorized on the Diags-- even though the SD Showtime channels are not encrypted and coming through fine.

So let me ask this, is there anyone else in a 750 or 860 Mhz area who has had problems with 704 or 736 since yesterday?

DiscoveryHD still has not shown up yet in Milpitas.

Originally posted by Mikef5
You are sure you're getting Discovery-HD, channel 722 ?? The reason I ask is that I'm on the same head-end as you are and Channel 722 is not showing up. Is anyone else in the Saratoga, Milpitas, Los Gatos areas receiving Discovery-HD. Before I send off the string of emails I want to make sure this is not just me that the problem lies with.

Laters,
Mikef5


No Discovery HD in Saratoga as of 8:30am this morning...Fox-HD was up yesterday evening

Mikef5,

Yep, I'm sure. I saw Monster Garage and American Chopper were on last night. Can't really say I "watched" them though. Picture looked good, no drop-outs that I could see.

Originally posted by patmunn
Mikef5,

Yep, I'm sure. I saw Monster Garage and American Chopper were on last night. Can't really say I "watched" them though. Picture looked good, no drop-outs that I could see.

What was the channel number ???
This is really strange that one area in the loop gets it and the others in the loop don't.

Laters,
Mikef5

i have 702 in sunnyvale, came on last night, but no discovery on 722...

patmunn,

Forgot to ask, are you going through the Motorola box or do you have a digital tuner in your Tv ??? If you have a digital tuner you can see the channel, it's just that the Motorola box does not see the channel.

Laters,
Mikef5

It was on channel 722 and I'm using the motorola box.

Maybe it's because I called and complained to the city yesterday about the poor service Comcast provides? j/k

Well, from the response that I've received so far it looks like when Comcast did the remap of the Guide to include channel 722, it took hold on one area of the loop but not on the other areas in the same loop, doesn't seem likely but there is at least one person in Los Gatos that has it in the Guide and seeing it. So it looks like I have to do the email thing again. I've already sent the first one out so we'll see what's going on.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
If there is any conceivable way for Comcast to screw something up, they will screw it up.


Ya think? :p

In Cupertino, using a QAM tuner, on Thursday, 2/3/05 at 10:30am

KTVU-HD (PSIP 2.1) moved from 111.9 to 79.9
KRON-HD (PSIP 4.2) is black
KGO-DT (PSIP 7.2) is running separate news programs in SD
Discovery-HD is in the clear on 115.4
Showtime-HD moved from 115.2 to 111.2 and is in the clear

Other Showtime DT channels in SD in the clear for promotion:

Showtoo 88.3
Showtime East 93.4
Showcase West 93.10
Showtime West 94.4
Showcase East 94.10
Showtime EX 94.13
Showtime Next 108.5
Showtime Family 108.6
Showtime Women 108.7
Flix 108.8

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
So let me ask this, is there anyone else in a 750 or 860 Mhz area who has had problems with 704 or 736 since yesterday?

I was afraid of this.......having the 750/860Mhz areas caught in the swap meant only for the 550Mhz areas. As of 11:30pm Wednesday, I still had Showtime (736) as usual. The iGuide still listed KRON (704) but it was nothing more than a black screen, whereas I've always seen programming there before. (I did not check it this morning, and won't be able to again until tonight). It seems that we are definitely being hit by this :(

Without getting into another debate on what's better: 720p or 1080i, the fact is it has nothing to do with the PQ on Fox.

True, in fact 720p can and does look spectacular depending on who is broadcasting.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the less than stellar PQ on Fox is a known issue and Fox Network is taking measures to improve it. Evidently some additional custom equipment is needed at the stations to work in conjunction with the splicer system Fox uses with their affiliates.

The "fix" is not due to be done before the Super Bowl as the network did not want to try and implement something like this before a major broadcast.

This info is in the Fox PQ thread,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=497185
What can FOX do to improve PQ for the Super Bowl? - AVS Forum

American Idol looked a lot better than the State of the Union fed by FOX News. The speech looked like SD in widescreen. AI looked like HD comparable to other networks.

Not to start more Comcast bashing, but why did they wait until the 11th hour before the Superbowl to make these sweeping changes?

Originally posted by busybee
American Idol looked a lot better than the State of the Union fed by FOX News. The speech looked like SD in widescreen. AI looked like HD comparable to other networks.

Not to start more Comcast bashing, but why did they wait until the 11th hour before the Superbowl to make these sweeping changes?

SOTU address was reportedly a 480i upconvert, which would explain the soft PQ.

Originally posted by keenan
True, in fact 720p can and does look spectacular depending on who is broadcasting.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the less than stellar PQ on Fox is a known issue and Fox Network is taking measures to improve it. Evidently some additional custom equipment is needed at the stations to work in conjunction with the splicer system Fox uses with their affiliates.

The "fix" is not due to be done before the Super Bowl as the network did not want to try and implement something like this before a major broadcast.

This info is in the Fox PQ thread,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=497185
What can FOX do to improve PQ for the Super Bowl? - AVS Forum

I went through a bunch of pages at the Fox PQ thread. Makes no sense. Why does AI and 24 look great on Fox? Why the problem with the State of the Union address. Why do SOME football games look perfectly OK on Fox? If AI and 24 and some games look fine, why shouldn't the Super Bowl and other HD content? If this is explained in the other thread, I must have not gone far enough into it.

Thanks,

Bill

Well, I just got off the phone with Comcast regarding the letter that said "free" Discovery HD. It went about as well as I expected. The woman I talked to was unaware of the letter, so she put me on hold for a long time. The only conclusion she came up with was that it's "free" only if you have a digital package. I said that $9.95/month was a silly definition of "free," and she agreed, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. I didn't feel like trying to escalate the call up the ladder; maybe some other time.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
So let me ask this, is there anyone else in a 750 or 860 Mhz area who has had problems with 704 or 736 since yesterday?

SonomaSearcher,

Last night, in Livermore, I had no 704. I've not had 736 all week. I've also lost DISC-HD, but I only have expanded basic, so I think I'm not supposed to get DISC-HD.

Best,
jeff

Originally posted by Bill Ball
I went through a bunch of pages at the Fox PQ thread. Makes no sense. Why does AI and 24 look great on Fox? Why the problem with the State of the Union address. Why do SOME football games look perfectly OK on Fox? If AI and 24 and some games look fine, why shouldn't the Super Bowl and other HD content? If this is explained in the other thread, I must have not gone far enough into it.

Thanks,

Bill

Well, PQ can be a subjective thing. I myself have never seen a Fox NFL game that looks as good as CBS or ABC, and with ABC it's the same 720p style broadcast. Also, House or 24 have never looked as good as say CSI or NYPD:Blue.

As far as the thread, look for posts by member fox-guy, I think that's the name of the guy who presented the info. Ken H also confirmed the custom equipment info.

Maybe this is the wrong thread to ask this question, but since it seems to be on the discussion table...

With some channels broadcasting at 720p and others at 1080, should the settings on the Moto box be set to output 720p to get a better PQ? Is the Moto box upconverting the 720 to 1080 and making it look worse? If that is true then wouldn't it be better to downconvert the 1080 to 720?

Also, when will Comcast add TNT-HD? :D

Your display will convert the incoming signal to whatever it's native resolution is anyway, so you are kinda stuck with how well the Moto box does the conversion for output, whether it's for a 720p or 1080i display.


What would really be nice is a SDI output on the Moto boxes..:D

Originally posted by YuriLuzr
Maybe this is the wrong thread to ask this question, but since it seems to be on the discussion table...

With some channels broadcasting at 720p and others at 1080, should the settings on the Moto box be set to output 720p to get a better PQ? Is the Moto box upconverting the 720 to 1080 and making it look worse? If that is true then wouldn't it be better to downconvert the 1080 to 720?

Also, when will Comcast add TNT-HD? :D

Try them both to see if you see a difference. Usually it is suggested to set the box to output at the native resolution of your display. But if the box has a marginal scaler, and your high end TV has a good scaler, then you might get a better signal by setting the box to output at its native resolution, and let the TV do the scaling. Only way to tell is to try both and see.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
So let me ask this, is there anyone else in a 750 or 860 Mhz area who has had problems with 704 or 736 since yesterday?
SonomaSearcher,
I too am in Livermore and was not get anything from Ch704 last night, just a black screen, but I was still getting 736 Showtime HD. I presently subscribe to their "gold" digital service. Up until about a month ago, I used to get the seldom programed 725 HDSE channel, but now all I see is "Not Authorized." I called up Comcast asking why I no longer receive this channel, and the CSR told me that I was being billed for an older "grandfathered" gold package which gave me three premium channels (HBO, Starz, and Showtime. ) The CSR told me that Starz is now a seperate premium channel and that if I wanted to have Ch 725 I would have to drop my present package and then take either their new gold service (only 2 premium channels) or upgrade to Platinum service where you get all available premiums. I guess what they were telling me was, I would be trading Starz Ch734 in for Ch725 HDSE.
Hummmmm, doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

Originally posted by NorCal
SonomaSearcher,
I too am in Livermore and was not get anything from Ch704 last night, just a black screen, but I was still getting 736 Showtime HD. I presently subscribe to their "gold" digital service. Up until about a month ago, I used to get the seldom programed 725 HDSE channel, but now all I see is "Not Authorized." I called up Comcast asking why I no longer receive this channel, and the CSR told me that I was being billed for an older "grandfathered" gold package which gave me three premium channels (HBO, Starz, and Showtime. ) The CSR told me that Starz is now a seperate premium channel and that if I wanted to have Ch 725 I would have to drop my present package and then take either their new gold service (only 2 premium channels) or upgrade to Platinum service where you get all available premiums. I guess what they were telling me was, I would be trading Starz Ch734 in for Ch725 HDSE.
Hummmmm, doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

A lot of us had to go through this a couple of years ago when HD was first introduced into the Bay Area -- specifically when they started offering INHD. Comcast offered totally separate tiers then AT&T so instead of forcing everyone at the beginning to switch over, they left everything as is but only added new channels to the Comcast tiers -- not the AT&T tiers. If you wanted the new channels then you had to switch over to the "Comcast way". I too was a little bummed because I had the AT&T Silver package which gave me HBO, Starz!, and Encore. When I wanted INHD, Starz! went away. I would had to have either added it a-la-carte or gone up to the Gold package.

Well, I got an answer to my first email and to no surprise they don't have a clue, they said they didn't know when Fox-HD would be available..... they didn't even read the email... so second email has left and we'll see what becomes of that. You would think that since the Motorola box has a message function on it that they would USE IT, a prefect time in which to USE IT.

Laters
Mikef5

In LG, I'm getting both FOX and DISCOVERY in HD, same as yesteday.

Originally posted by John Mace
In LG, I'm getting both FOX and DISCOVERY in HD, same as yesteday.

Same here, I just wrote to Ms. Nichols to see if she know what going on and what's being done about it. It just seems funny that the LG box sees it but the Moto box doesn't. I can only think that it ( channel 722 ) didn't get remapped to the Guide or there is a problem doing it but right now I feel like a mushroom ( being kept in the dark and fed s**t ). :eek:

Laters,
Mikef5

Hi, i'm new to this thread and forum, and it seems like this is where i can get my questions answered. i didnt have time to read thru the plethora of pages of messages, so please don't flame if this has been discussed previously. Thanks in advanced!

Sooo... i recently got the new motorola 2-tuner DVR from comcast (i live in the east bay, pleasant hill area). unfortunately, i got a rly bad unit and had them come back within a week to replace it. basically, the unit would record less than the alotted time for shows. (e.g. i only got 40 minutes of fox's 24! unacceptable!) also, some times it just locked up on me. i'd turn my tv on and it appeared to be paused on a show that was on like 6 hours ago! i'd push a bunch of different buttons to no avail! eeventually, swapping between tuners helped.

the new unit came, and now i dont see the first problem, but my unit does still lock every oncee in awile. also, some times my unit will lock up and just shut down. one time it shut down and lost all oof the guide! like it had to download it all again over night! that... and my scheduled programming/subscriptions had to be redone!

has anyone had these problems? is there a solution? are all of the moto's whack? the guy that replaced my unit seeemed too think it was specific serial# units. i'm not so sure, but i have noothing to base my conclusions on. i dont want to give up nor do i want to switch to satellite tivo. but i dont want to keep replacing my dvr units every week!

thanks again for any input/opinions/advice!

Originally posted by keenan
Your display will convert the incoming signal to whatever it's native resolution is anyway, so you are kinda stuck with how well the Moto box does the conversion for output, whether it's for a 720p or 1080i display.


What would really be nice is a SDI output on the Moto boxes..:D

My display will switch to what ever resolution it is seeing from the moto box, which when it is on an HD channel always seems to be 1080i, never noticed if it switch to 720 when going to ABC. Is there a setting in the moto box to output "native"? I thought a while back I read there was a setup where you selected what output resolution you wanted, but maybe that was for analog. Guess I will have to play with it when I get home.

Originally posted by sans_abri
Hi, i'm new to this thread and forum, and it seems like this is where i can get my questions answered. i didnt have time to read thru the plethora of pages of messages, so please don't flame if this has been discussed previously. Thanks in advanced!

Sooo... i recently got the new motorola 2-tuner DVR from comcast (i live in the east bay, pleasant hill area). unfortunately, i got a rly bad unit and had them come back within a week to replace it. basically, the unit would record less than the alotted time for shows. (e.g. i only got 40 minutes of fox's 24! unacceptable!) also, some times it just locked up on me. i'd turn my tv on and it appeared to be paused on a show that was on like 6 hours ago! i'd push a bunch of different buttons to no avail! eeventually, swapping between tuners helped.

the new unit came, and now i dont see the first problem, but my unit does still lock every oncee in awile. also, some times my unit will lock up and just shut down. one time it shut down and lost all oof the guide! like it had to download it all again over night! that... and my scheduled programming/subscriptions had to be redone!

has anyone had these problems? is there a solution? are all of the moto's whack? the guy that replaced my unit seeemed too think it was specific serial# units. i'm not so sure, but i have noothing to base my conclusions on. i dont want to give up nor do i want to switch to satellite tivo. but i dont want to keep replacing my dvr units every week!

thanks again for any input/opinions/advice!

Welcome to the group! In regards to the lock up, there are issues that Comcast/Moto are aware of and they're supposed to send a firmware update in the coming weeks. With losing your programming data, yes, any time you unplug your unit, all programming data will be lost and has to re-download it again. Your recordings are safe, though. Not sure if they will fix this in the future (my guess is they will eventually).

UPDATE

Well, I got an answer from Ms. Nichol and everone in the Saratoga, Milpitas, and Los Gatos areas should now have channel 722 ( Discovery-HD ) , I do :)
I knew if I got to her level with my emails it would get done and done right .

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
So let me ask this, is there anyone else in a 750 or 860 Mhz area who has had problems with 704 or 736 since yesterday?

The Showtime channels at 5xx all were available, even though I don't subscribe to Showtime, but 736 gave me the "you must subscribe" message. Channel 704 was black; 725 had shows all evening, but with no info in the guide.

Originally posted by keenan
Well, PQ can be a subjective thing. I myself have never seen a Fox NFL game that looks as good as CBS or ABC, and with ABC it's the same 720p style broadcast. Also, House or 24 have never looked as good as say CSI or NYPD:Blue.

As far as the thread, look for posts by member fox-guy, I think that's the name of the guy who presented the info. Ken H also confirmed the custom equipment info.

I suppose it could be the live equipment (cameras, boards, etc.). If the Super Bowl PQ sucks, Fox will never hear the end of it, from me, at least.

Bill

Originally posted by cgw
The Showtime channels at 5xx all were available, even though I don't subscribe to Showtime, but 736 gave me the "you must subscribe" message. Channel 704 was black; 725 had shows all evening, but with no info in the guide.

Same here in Alamo but 704 came back on this morning with the usual old, old, but nice-looking HD Net content. 704 Guide info never matches the actual content, at least in my area.

Bill

Mikef5
Another great job, thanks.

Did Ms. Nichol give you any reason for the delay in adding Discovery HD?

Originally posted by rshaw
Mikef5
Another great job, thanks.

Did Ms. Nichol give you any reason for the delay in adding Discovery HD?

No she just said that she did not know that there was a problem and made a phone call to the tech department and in about 20 minutes channel 722 was showing up on my box. Now if they would just upgrade us pass the 550 MHz I'd be a happy camper again....
and thank you Ms. Nichol were ever you may be ( insert bad Jimmy Durante impression ) :p

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by YuriLuzr
My display will switch to what ever resolution it is seeing from the moto box, which when it is on an HD channel always seems to be 1080i, never noticed if it switch to 720 when going to ABC. Is there a setting in the moto box to output "native"? I thought a while back I read there was a setup where you selected what output resolution you wanted, but maybe that was for analog. Guess I will have to play with it when I get home.

I don't think the Moto 6412 has a "native" setting for HD, at least not as deployed for us ... in the setup screen you tell it to either output 720p or 1080i, and it'll scale the other format to the one you've set. So if you've got it set to 1080i, and watch ABC it'll convert it to 1080i.

A bit of a pain, since you cannot enter that setup screen without "turning off" the box AFAIK - especially if the box is currently recording something. But I'll occasionally set it to 720p in anticipation of watching ESPN-HD/ABC (and now Fox), but otherwise just leave it in 1080i which still looks fine for 720p material and is "native" for the majority of what I watch (PBS/NBC/CBS).

Originally posted by cgw
The Showtime channels at 5xx all were available, even though I don't subscribe to Showtime, but 736 gave me the "you must subscribe" message.

Are 750/860MHz subscribers losing Showtime-HD (channel 736) along with the 550MHz subscribers? If so, I will fight that since I've been paying for Showtime-HD since day 1 and I expect to get it. I don't need to lose it in order to get Fox-HD, which I've had since last Thursday. Does anyone that's *supposed* to get Showtime-HD (and KRON-HD for that matter) still have it?

cgw: Since you don't subscribe to Showtime, wouldn't that message be valid for you?

Everyone should be getting Discovery HD in Milpitas, Mikef5? Everyone??

Originally posted by Poochie
I don't think the Moto 6412 has a "native" setting for HD, at least not as deployed for us ... in the setup screen you tell it to either output 720p or 1080i, and it'll scale the other format to the one you've set. So if you've got it set to 1080i, and watch ABC it'll convert it to 1080i.

A bit of a pain, since you cannot enter that setup screen without "turning off" the box AFAIK - especially if the box is currently recording something. But I'll occasionally set it to 720p in anticipation of watching ESPN-HD/ABC (and now Fox), but otherwise just leave it in 1080i which still looks fine for 720p material and is "native" for the majority of what I watch (PBS/NBC/CBS).

Thanks Poochie, that's what I thought and what I was wondering; if there was any noticeable difference between having it at 720 or 1080.

Originally posted by YuriLuzr
My display will switch to what ever resolution it is seeing from the moto box, which when it is on an HD channel always seems to be 1080i, never noticed if it switch to 720 when going to ABC.

You sure about that? If you have a fixed pixel display, most likely it is 720p native. If it's a CRT based(direct view, RPTV) it's probably 1080i. With either a 720p signal or a 1080i signal input, it will pass or scale the input to the native rate of the display. What type of display do you have?

Originally posted by mds54
Are 750/860MHz subscribers losing Showtime-HD (channel 736) along with the 550MHz subscribers?

No, only 550MHz systems will/have lose/lost ShowtimeHD.

Originally posted by fender4645
A lot of us had to go through this a couple of years ago when HD was first introduced into the Bay Area -- specifically when they started offering INHD. Comcast offered totally separate tiers then AT&T so instead of forcing everyone at the beginning to switch over, they left everything as is but only added new channels to the Comcast tiers -- not the AT&T tiers. If you wanted the new channels then you had to switch over to the "Comcast way". I too was a little bummed because I had the AT&T Silver package which gave me HBO, Starz!, and Encore. When I wanted INHD, Starz! went away. I would had to have either added it a-la-carte or gone up to the Gold package.

fender4645,
Did you ever get rid of your old plan and "move up" to the higher package? I was curious as to what other channels I am supposedly missing out on by staying with the older tier? ( besides the 725 channel ....no big deal) I asked the CSR that same question, but she had no idea. She said if I moved up to the Platinum package I would receive any new channels they've added. I'm in the Livermore area, which has the upgraded system. By the way Comcast now calls the Livermore area......the Comcast Delta Valley

Originally posted by NorCal
fender4645,
Did you ever get rid of your old plan and "move up" to the higher package? I was curious as to what other channels I am supposedly missing out on by staying with the older tier? ( besides the 725 channel ....no big deal) I asked the CSR that same question, but she had no idea. She said if I moved up to the Platinum package I would receive any new channels they've added. I'm in the Livermore area, which has the upgraded system. By the way Comcast now calls the Livermore area......the Comcast Delta Valley

I did get rid of the old plan and moved to the Silver package. This was over a year ago so I have no idea what you would get if you were still on a grandfathered AT&T plan. I would look on their web site (under "What's in my area") and take a look at the Delta Valley channel lineup. If you have the old Gold package then you should assume you get everything. If you see something in the lineup that you don't get then that may answer your question.

What have folks heard about when the Sunnyvale neck of the woods will get upgraded to whatever it is that enables the distribution of more than eight or so HD channels? We now now KTVU(Channel 2/FOX)-HD and Discovery HD but lost KRON-HD (not a big loss) and Showtime-HD, just as the letter Comcast sent said would happen. Until such an upgrade occurs, I'll probably downgrade my Comcast service and spend the savings on Netflix.

SI

My KRON HD came back this morning and after spending some quality time with the CSR's-- actually a supervisor was good enough to spend the time to talk to the DAC department and call me back, my compliments to her-- Showtime HD is back.

It sounds like even some of the 750/860 Mhz systems had some changes for whatever reason, including putting KRON and Showtime HD on different frequencies. Here, they both moved to the 717 Mhz slot, and Discovery HD was moved to 741 Mhz (next to HBO HD). Changing the frequencies screwed something up so that neither channel was coming through until the fixes happened this morning.

Originally posted by SI67
What have folks heard about when the Sunnyvale neck of the woods will get upgraded to whatever it is that enables the distribution of more than eight or so HD channels? We now now KTVU(Channel 2/FOX)-HD and Discovery HD but lost KRON-HD (not a big loss) and Showtime-HD, just as the letter Comcast sent said would happen. Until such an upgrade occurs, I'll probably downgrade my Comcast service and spend the savings on Netflix.

SI

Don't hold your breath. Comcast said they arent going to do an upgrade to add bandwidth, instead they will wait for the conversion to all-Digital that will free up more bandwidth...and that's later in 2006 (if you are lucky)

feel free to express your displeasure with Comcast.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
My KRON HD came back this morning and after spending some quality time with the CSR's-- actually a supervisor was good enough to spend the time to talk to the DAC department and call me back, my compliments to her-- Showtime HD is back.

Showtime HD back here as well. Looks like you took care of everyone! ;)

Bill

Is anyone getting the OC in HD right now? We called Comcast and we called KTVU, but it still isn't in HD on 702.

Yeah it's strange, OC wasn't in HD but now, about 45 minutes in, I switched channels and it's in HD.

I switched to KNTV to watch Joey in HD. Then the first part of Will and Grace was in HD and then after a commerical break it was in SD. So switched back to OC to see it in HD.

Got to be the stations right?

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Everyone should be getting Discovery HD in Milpitas, Mikef5? Everyone??

As far as I know it's not encrypted, I get it on my LG-4200a digital receiver, check 722 and see if you got it.

Laters,
Mikef5

For everyone in Milpitas, there is a Franchise meeting Feb 28 at 7 pm. If you are tired of being treated like red-headed stepchildren be there and let the committee know about it. The address is 455 E. Calaveras Blvd. Milpitas. I hope to be there if at all possible.

Laters,
Mikef5

I'm tired of this bug...
I fixed my series recordings this morning, from ch5 back to 705, come home tonight, reverted back to ch5 SD.
This time I couldn't cancel the old recordings! I couldn't schedule new HD recordings, since both tuners used (2x record SD.)

I unplugged the box, it still had my recordings set (TBA...), let the guide data reload... finally was able to cancel the old ones (set one manually, from the TBA no-data guide earlier)...
and 5 minutes later, it reverted back to SD. I finally was able to cancel it.
But, now it wouldn't record the HD channel! I clicked record multiple times, etc...
tried a manual recording for immediate/right now... nothing.
Finally I waited for an ad, powered off (not unplug, just power), tried again...
and finally it recorded.
Sheesh!

I can understand bugs of shifting it around, but why wouldn't it even record when I hit "rec" on live?!?

Originally posted by wco81
Yeah it's strange, OC wasn't in HD but now, about 45 minutes in, I switched channels and it's in HD.

I switched to KNTV to watch Joey in HD. Then the first part of Will and Grace was in HD and then after a commerical break it was in SD. So switched back to OC to see it in HD.

Got to be the stations right?
I saw the same thing. The OC wasn't in HD till 30 min in or so. Also, 702 is about 15-20 seconds ahead of the SD Channel 2 broadcast.

If the powers that be think this belongs in the HDTV recorders section, fine, but....

When I schedule series recordings (Moto 6412) on HD channels here in Sunnyvale and then check the Scheduled Recordings later, I find that for recordings I scheduled on Channels 705 and 707 later show up as scheduled for 5 and 7, respectively. In other words, the SD channels. Is anyone else seeing this? At first I thought I'd been screwing up when I discovered some of my expected HD recordings were on the SD channels, but now I know what's happening. Sort of.
I did the scheduling today, checked it all afterwards and it was as expected. I left for work and when I came home, I checked the Schedule Recordings and saw that I was going to get NCIS, JAG, and Alias in recorded inSD instead of the HD I'm paying for! 705 and 707 don't show up in the HDTV on-screen guide, but 702 and 703 do, and so far I haven't had the problem on 702 and 703. I'd bet that this is no coincedence; this must be two symptoms of the same problem. What's up with these stations not showing in the HDTV guide? It may have been mentioned here, but I didn't notice it.

I'm going to see if the same thing occurs when I schedule individual recordings rather than series.

I'll gripe to Comcast 'bout this when I call to drop my now HD-free Showtime.

SI

Also, 702 is about 15-20 seconds ahead of the SD Channel 2 broadcast.

True. I was watching American Idol on 702 the other night, and talking on the phone to my son who was watching on Ch. 2 - definitely not "in sync".

When The OC finally did switch to HD at 8:37, at least there were none of last week's audio problems.

Originally posted by dmlove51
True. I was watching American Idol on 702 the other night, and talking on the phone to my son who was watching on Ch. 2 - definitely not "in sync".

When The OC finally did switch to HD at 8:37, at least there were none of last week's audio problems.
Did you experience any "tiling"? (blocking or pixelation of the picture) I called Comcast about it on Wednesday and they wanted to send a tech to my house after simply asking me if my cable connection is secured to the wall. I won't have the tech here until Tuesday since they had no time slots available due to the Super Bowl and a huge number of people calling in about issues. Guess I might be getting a slightly messed up Bowl viewing unless I'm lucky and somebody else in my area reported the same problems and we all get it fixed in my area.

Anybody else experiencing issues with 702? I mean, it looks fine for the most part but every 30-45 seconds or so I get some tiling on my picture for a fraction of a second. Used to be every 10-15 seconds last week along with the audio problems.

Originally posted by keenan
You sure about that? If you have a fixed pixel display, most likely it is 720p native. If it's a CRT based(direct view, RPTV) it's probably 1080i. With either a 720p signal or a 1080i signal input, it will pass or scale the input to the native rate of the display. What type of display do you have?

You're right Keenen, I have a CRT based display, which only supports 1080i/480p/480i. When I switch between HD and analog channels I see the display switch between 1080i and 480p, and I assumed that it would switch to 720p. Of course if I put the Moto box as 720p I can't see the menu any more. ;) So I had to refresh my memory and check my manual to look at the input resolutions available and found what you stated.

On another note, I noticed that the FOX HD picture seems to be zoomed in a bit, the FOX logo in the corner on my set is almost not visable, as opposed to the ABC/NBC/CBS logo is always neatly displayed in the corner. Anyone else notice this?

Originally posted by YuriLuzr
You're right Keenen, I have a CRT based display, which only supports 1080i/480p/480i. When I switch between HD and analog channels I see the display switch between 1080i and 480p, and I assumed that it would switch to 720p. Of course if I put the Moto box as 720p I can't see the menu any more. ;) So I had to refresh my memory and check my manual to look at the input resolutions available and found what you stated.

On another note, I noticed that the FOX HD picture seems to be zoomed in a bit, the FOX logo in the corner on my set is almost not visable, as opposed to the ABC/NBC/CBS logo is always neatly displayed in the corner. Anyone else notice this?
I have a Projection TV which supports only those 3 as well. I once freaked out since I couldnt see the picture and later found out that somebody in my house somehow switched it to 720p.

Yes I noticed the halfway cut logo.

Originally posted by neoufo51

Yes I noticed the halfway cut logo.

I haven't noticed the logo yet. I like the one Fox uses for the LA station though, really, really small, highly transparent and tucked real tight down in the corner. Wish they all did it that way, or not at all..:p

Originally posted by keenan
I haven't noticed the logo yet. I like the one Fox uses for the LA station though, really, really small, highly transparent and tucked real tight down in the corner. Wish they all did it that way, or not at all..:p

I agree, out of all the major networks, the FOX logo is the most tolerable with its very faded style and placement tucked very low in the bottom right. I too wish the networks would do the same or omit entirely. If they need them, why couldn't they just fade in and out after returning from commerical.

Originally posted by Bill Ball
Showtime HD back here as well. Looks like you took care of everyone! ;)

Bill

my free trial Showtime HD on 736 was back yesterday evening as well.

Originally posted by spear
I have a MythTV PVR system that I use with Comcast standard cable in Santa Clara and I'm trying to figure out my options with respect to HD. I will be testing an Air2PC HDTV tuner card that can handle unencrypted QAM so I should not need a digital cable box. My understanding is that I should be able to receive the unecrypted HD channels (FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC) without paying an extra $5/month. Is this correct? Are there any unencrypted digital SD channels that I should also be able to receive?


To repeat spear's question- what channels are available to a non-cable box QAM tuner? I am thinking of getting the new MIT MyHD-130 card which has a QAM tuner (both 24 and 256) but I want to know what channels I could get from Comast cable.

People seem to agree that the broadcast OTA channels would be available, both SD and HD. And I am sure that the premium channels would not work (what about Showtime now on the free trial?).

But what about the analogue channels in expanded basic such as ESPN, TNT, etc.? In the digital tier such as BBC America? TCM?

What channels are people with the built-in QAM tuner in their sets (such as the Mitsubushi I think) getting?

- Phil

Originally posted by Philip Klein
To repeat spear's question- what channels are available to a non-cable box QAM tuner? I am thinking of getting the new MIT MyHD-130 card which has a QAM tuner (both 24 and 256) but I want to know what channels I could get from Comast cable.

- Phil

In Cupertino, with a QAM tuner in a Sony TV I get unencrypted:

The four local channels in HD (KTVU, KGO, KNTV, KPIX).
Also InHD and InHD2, Discovery-HD.
There are a few other digital channels that are not encrypted, but I don't have time right now to list them all.
And with the Showtime promotion, all of the Showtime channels are unencrypted, so you can see them until the promotion is over.

Without a cable card, or a Comcast digital receiver, you will not be able to get the Digital Basic channels, as they are almost all encrypted.

Of course you still get the analog channels that you subscribe to.
I gave a list of many of the channels in a earlier post (back about 50 posts).

Did anyone else have a problem with the first few minutes of Stargate Atlantis? The entire first segment before the first commercial break was a black screen with the SciFi logo in the bottom right. Not sure if this is just my new 6412 DVR screwing up again (I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it was, boy is thing buggy). It seems like the picture has come back for the commercials and then after the commercial break... hopefully it won't screw up any more, especially for BSG. Stargate SG1 had no problems the hour before.

The widescreen movies on comcast VOD look very strange. The black bars cover almost 60% of the screen.

Do I need to set any settings on my TV or the 6412?

Are the digital channels compressed with Qam64? If so, why couldn't they be switched to Qam256 to free up bandwidth on the non upgraded systems?

Originally posted by jasonander
Did anyone else have a problem with the first few minutes of Stargate Atlantis? The entire first segment before the first commercial break was a black screen with the SciFi logo in the bottom right.

Yep, same thing here, however I do not use a 6412, I have a 6200. It probably was a network issue.

Originally posted by Bill
Are the digital channels compressed with Qam64? If so, why couldn't they be switched to Qam256 to free up bandwidth on the non upgraded systems? Comcast is switching to QAM 256 for all digital channels everywhere in the U.S. during 2005 (as part of digital simulcast of the analog channels on 750 and 860 Mhz systems). If the switch frees up significant bandwidth, you would think Comcast would also do it on 550 Mhz systems, albeit without spending the new bandwidth on digital simulcast.

How much bandwidth would switching the standard definition digital channels from QAM 64 to QAM 256 free up?

Note that a few SD digital channels are QAM 256 already-- the KQED multicast SD channels that share a slot with KQED HD (and KGO HD). I don't know if there are any others.

I want to refer someone, who doesn't want to purchase via the internet, to local stores where he can buy a D-VHS. The East Bay, North Bay or the City are the areas where he's prefer to go (he's in northern Contra Costa).

Any suggestions?

Anyone know if the new i-guide is still going to be rolling out for the non-DVR cable boxes this coming week? I had read in an earlier post that maybe on Feb. 8th is when this would happen. Cheers.

Ace
New guide is for all DCT-1800, 2000 and 2500.

Nothing yet for 5100 or 6200

Never for 1000 or 1200

Date is about right, AFAIK

Originally posted by Ace of Space
Anyone know if the new i-guide is still going to be rolling out for the non-DVR cable boxes this coming week? I had read in an earlier post that maybe on Feb. 8th is when this would happen. Cheers. I went in to the local store and asked on Thurs. I was told that new guide would come on 2/7 and be for the 5100 and 6200, contrary to what Barovelli has said. But who knows if the ladies that work in the store really know. I received a message on my 6200 that new guide was coming soon.

256QAM needs a higher carrier/noise ratio for reliable operation. It's not really a problem with modern HFC equipment and good engineering, but a lot of the older AT&T systems had issues with it from what I understand. Almost all of those have been or are being rebuilt, so they are now in a position to do 256QAM on a pretty comprehensive basis.

As for capacity, that's simple. 64 QAM is 5 bits/hz of coding (2^(5+1)=64). 256 QAM is 7 bits/hz (2^(7+1)=256). So 64 QAM on a 6 Mhz channel gives you 30 Mbps, and 256 QAM on a 6 Mhz channel is 42 Mbps, or not quite a 40% increase in coding density. That's assuming of course FEC and other overhead remains the same - I'm sure sure at this point if they are running a more aggressive FEC at 256 QAM, but in any case it's a lot more bit capacity. I think almost all the cable boxes out there support 256 QAM, though I am not sure about the really old boxes.

Hope this helps. This enables them to do digital simulcast without taking a huge number of analog channels out of service. Note HDTV locals are already carried with 256 QAM, which is why 3 HD channels on cable fit into 2 analog (6 Mhz) channels of bandwidth.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by hiker
I went in to the local store and asked on Thurs. I was told that new guide would come on 2/7 and be for the 5100 and 6200, contrary to what Barovelli has said. But who knows if the ladies that work in the store really know. I received a message on my 6200 that new guide was coming soon. Believe Barovelli. Not the ladies at the store. ;)

Originally posted by MikeSM
256QAM needs a higher carrier/noise ratio for reliable operation. It's not really a problem with modern HFC equipment and good engineering, but a lot of the older AT&T systems had issues with it from what I understand. Almost all of those have been or are being rebuilt, so they are now in a position to do 256QAM on a pretty comprehensive basis.

As for capacity, that's simple. 64 QAM is 5 bits/hz of coding (2^(5+1)=64). 256 QAM is 7 bits/hz (2^(7+1)=256). So 64 QAM on a 6 Mhz channel gives you 30 Mbps, and 256 QAM on a 6 Mhz channel is 42 Mbps, or not quite a 40% increase in coding density. That's assuming of course FEC and other overhead remains the same - I'm sure sure at this point if they are running a more aggressive FEC at 256 QAM, but in any case it's a lot more bit capacity. I think almost all the cable boxes out there support 256 QAM, though I am not sure about the really old boxes.

Hope this helps. This enables them to do digital simulcast without taking a huge number of analog channels out of service. Note HDTV locals are already carried with 256 QAM, which is why 3 HD channels on cable fit into 2 analog (6 Mhz) channels of bandwidth.

Thanks,
Mike

For older systems, can adding more nodes along with the HFC equipment accomplish the desired SNR required for increased usage 256 QAM?

I currently have analog cable expanded service. If I were to rent the HDTV box from Comcast ($5/month, right?), what box would I get? Does this box have an operational FireWire port?

I was just reading an article that says that the FCC has made an interpretation that customers must be provided cable boxes with working FireWire ports on demand. Is Comcast complying with this?

Source: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-225A1.pdf

Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin,

Comcast is complying. You need to request a Motorola 6200. The Motorola 5100, which Comcast also uses for HD, does NOT have firewire ports.

Keneen, generally node size and length of the amp cascade affects the SNR in the forward much more than if it's a 550 vs 750 system. Do you know the node size in Santa Rosa's system?

BTW, I am pretty sure your system is fine for 256 QAM as is. HD is currently carried with 256 QAM, and if you aren't seeing dropouts or errors, then you are probably fine. I think Comcast runs the HD at the high end of the spectrum, and the higher frequencies tend to be the most problemmatic for SNR in the downstream (aside from the channels in the FM band of course - 98 and 99). So my bet is you are probably fine for 256 QAM.

If you are seeing errors in HD but not in SD, this could be a sign of problems with a 256 QAM conversion. But as I said, I think Comcast really wanted to fix the crappy systems they inherited from AT&T pretty quickly, so I don't think there are systems like that in the Bay anymore. I could be wrong, but the HD channels' performance is the best indicator of capability to run 256 QAM.

From the optical perpsective, 256 QAM isn't going to make things worse than 64 QAM. It's the analog channels that you have to worry about in avoiding laser clipping, etc...

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by MikeSM
Keneen, generally node size and length of the amp cascade affects the SNR in the forward much more than if it's a 550 vs 750 system. Do you know the node size in Santa Rosa's system?

Thanks,
Mike

I'm guessing 500 for node size but I really have no idea. The times I have checked the diagnostics on the HD channels I don't recall seeing any gross error numbers, generally there are none, with no un-correctable ever being posted.

I'm just looking for things to throw at the City Council as ways for Comcast to bring us into the 21st century here. The Council has shown interest in the problems with Comcast and I am fairly certain they are not aware of a lot of the options. Bullets for their gun, so to speak. OTOH, I am very interested in what bullets Comcast has in their gun, what the City wants and demands are. I need to get a copy of the Franchise Agreement.

I went down to Comcast today and I asked about the $5 digital box. They gave me one, but it's the DCT5100 model. I specifically asked for the model 6200 by name and that I wanted the firewire port, but I was told it's all they have.

The CSR told me that I could move to a DVR box for $10 / month and get a different box, but she didn't indicate a model number. Any ideas?

So I plug the thing in, make my phone call to activate the box, and I am up in about 15 minutes.

There are a LOT more stations available than I was expecting. I am getting SD versions of 3-4 HBO stations, a few Showtime, Encore, and a few stations that I never had before such as SciFi. Is this a short term deal until the box reprograms or is something else going on?

I have analog basic + expanded service.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Kevin

Originally posted by avekevin
Is this a short term deal until the box reprograms or is something else going on?Any ideas?

Thanks,
Kevin

The programming that you are receiving, but not paying for will disappear. It happens whenever you get a new box.

Originally posted by avekevin
I went down to Comcast today and I asked about the $5 digital box. They gave me one, but it's the DCT5100 model. I specifically asked for the model 6200 by name and that I wanted the firewire port, but I was told it's all they have.

The CSR told me that I could move to a DVR box for $10 / month and get a different box, but she didn't indicate a model number. Any ideas?


DVR is the 6412. They all have firewire ports.

Anyone else lose ABC-HD tonight?

Sorry - SF

^Nope, I'm good. You should really post your location under your name so we can coordinate our efforts to zero in if this happens.

Just saw some other(s) in the OTA thread having similar problems with both 7-1 + 7-2.

Anyone else having a problem with NICK locking up? I'm in Pleasanton and I have a 6412. Every other channel is ok but NICK (53) plays for a few minutes and then freezes.

Hi everyone... I just got my comcast DVR box yesterday. I noticed immediately the loud buzz or hum coming from the unit. Even when its off its easily audible. This unit looks new...so am I to assume its "normal" for this unit? Also... HD channels are really clear, but the regular analog channels are horrible. Would a signal amp help? Any suggestions?

Originally posted by deaf_ears
Hi everyone... I just got my comcast DVR box yesterday. I noticed immediately the loud buzz or hum coming from the unit. Even when its off its easily audible. This unit looks new...so am I to assume its "normal" for this unit? Also... HD channels are really clear, but the regular analog channels are horrible. Would a signal amp help? Any suggestions? I got a 6412 on Thursday, and there's a hum coming from mine as well. It sounds like it's a fan(?). It's not too audible from where I sit - about 14' away... As far as SD channels go, they do look pretty bad. I'm not comparing them to Comcast HD, I'm comparing them to D*, which I've had for the last 6 years. They are more blurry and washed out (colors) with Comcast. I am very happy with the channel line-up we have in the Bay Area though (gained FOX HD, Cinemax HD, Starz! HD, and KRON HD over D*'s $100+ package). I just hope we'll get UPN HD and WB HD soon!

Originally posted by deaf_ears
Hi everyone... I just got my comcast DVR box yesterday. ... Also... HD channels are really clear, but the regular analog channels are horrible. Would a signal amp help? Any suggestions?
Sorry... No, a signal amp won't help. In order to allow viewers to pause live TV, DVRs encode the incoming live analog signal (whatever is selected on the tuner) using MPEG2, write it to the hard drive, and then decode the MPEG2 for display. So, analog signals go through a lot of (potentially unnecessary) processing and manipulation. As a result, analog channels can look really ugly. The same principle applies to Tivo and ReplayTV as well. Note that digital SD and HD signals are already MPEG-encoded at the transmission end, so no further manipulation is necessary in the set top box (STB) - they are simply written to the hard drive as they are acquired.

What are your options?
1. Do nothing. Get used to it.
2. Wait for Comcast to simultast all analog channels in SD digital, presumably later in 2005 (but they have a poor track record in keeping their promises)
3. If your TV has an internal analog cable tuner, split the cable signal and connect it to the TV directly (as well as the DVR). You can then watch analog channels using your TV's internal tuner.
4. Ask Comcast for an additional non-DVR tuner (like te 6200 or below). Split the cable signal and watch analog channels using the non-DVR tuner. You might also want to complain to Comcast about the picture quality on analog channels and see if they'll give you the second STB for free.

Looks like it will be an OTA viewing of Super Bowl for me, still have just enough pixalation with HD broadcast on 702 to drive me nuts. Comcast tech came out yesterday to relay news that I have a huge roll off at the high end of the frequency band (due to Old cable) which is causing the bad picture. If this is true Fox must be at the very end of the band (Anybody know). Odd that this is the only channel I seem to notice this.I messed with the diagnostics of the DCT5100 the In Band Signals were good for SNR and AGC. They were supposed to bring another STB to check out my issue with the DVI connections side bars being dark grey vs. blk on the component, this instruction never made it to the work order. Always something, its time for a beer and Football!!!!

I am not receiving Discovery HD (Chan 722) - I am getting the "This channel should be available shortly" message. Wasn't this one of the channels that was added to the free service?

Thanks,
Kevin

Just a head's up - I lost my audio on the 6412 input a minute ago (this happened once last week, too). unplugging the box and plugging it back in about 20 seconds later restored the sound, but while I was on the phone, the CSR told me they had been notified by Fox about 1/2 hour ago, that Fox is having problems transmitting the sound with the HD broadcast, but "it should be fixed by 3:00". In the meantime, there might be intermittent audio outages on Fox.

Originally posted by dmlove51
Just a head's up - I lost my audio on the 6412 input a minute ago (this happened once last week, too). unplugging the box and plugging it back in about 20 seconds later restored the sound, but while I was on the phone, the CSR told me they had been notified by Fox about 1/2 hour ago, that Fox is having problems transmitting the sound with the HD broadcast, but "it should be fixed by 3:00". In the meantime, there might be intermittent audio outages on Fox.

Performance anxiety.

Originally posted by avekevin
I am not receiving Discovery HD (Chan 722) - I am getting the "This channel should be available shortly" message. Wasn't this one of the channels that was added to the free service?

Thanks,
Kevin

Well, that's what the "You are the Greatest Customer in the World" letter said.

" On Feb. 2, Comcast will add two new high-definition channels to your cable service for free--KTVU HD (FOX) on channel 702 and Discovery HD Theater on channel 722."

Fact is, I think you need at least Digital Classic to get the DiscoveryHD channel. So it's not "free" as in KTVU-HD being free. Someone didn't proof read that letter before it went out.

We were getting DiscoveryHD free with expanded basic in Healdsburg up until a couple of weeks ago. We're still getting InHD 1 and 2, but I really miss DiscoveryHD and I'm thinking about upgrading to Digital classic just to get it back.

BTW, Fox HD on Comcast is still having problems today, pixelating every few minutes. It'd sure be nice if it cleared up by game time, but I wouldn't bet on it.

-Steve

Super bowl looks amazing so far. :D

^Yep, looks great.

I told you guys in the "Super Bow PQ Wah Wah Bitch Bitch" thread that it was going to be fine.

Definitely the best looking game I've seen on Fox all season.