As far as the 550 MHz areas getting TNT-HD. When INHD2 goes away TNT-HD will be added to our area to replace it. I've been assured that is the case by Mr. J.
Suck-up... :p :D

Suck-up... :p :D
What ever it takes :D
Actually, I was pi**ed when I got the message about INHD2 going away. The message I got on my box just said it was going away and nothing was going to be added, so I emailed Mr. J. to vent and found out TNT-HD was suppose to be added in all the areas, even the 550 MHz areas..... Wow, it just dawned on me, Santa Rosa never had INHD2 so TNT-HD probably won't be added there. Good thing you have Dish and D* ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

What ever it takes :D
Actually, I was pi**ed when I got the message about INHD2 going away. The message I got on my box just said it was going away and nothing was going to be added, so I emailed Mr. J. to vent and found out TNT-HD was suppose to be added in all the areas, even the 550 MHz areas..... Wow, it just dawned on me, Santa Rosa never had INHD2 so TNT-HD probably won't be added there. Good thing you have Dish and D* ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
How many 550 areas have INHD2? Is Santa Rosa literally under the barrel as opposed to being at the bottom of it?

I got Dish way back when Comcast first got TNT-HD and it never showed up here, I'm glad I did.

It's a bummer Comcast is finally adding TNT when there is really nothing of value going to be on it until basketball season starts. There's about 3 NASCAR races and about 2 eps of The Closer left, and then there's nothing until BB, in my opinion of course.

On the subject of PQ, I'm not sure whether the Voom channels on Dish are 1440 or 1280, but I watched a couple of productions from Japan's NHK last night on Equator, one about the Galapagos Islands and one on Stonehenge, and they looked spectacular, I don't see how they could have looked any better, they had all the snap, detail and color that one expects from HD.

Another thing about the Dish DVR which would be nice on the Comcast Motorola, you can PiP and pause each one while flipping back and forth, it's great for sports like football. :)

It's a bummer Comcast is finally adding TNT when there is really nothing of value going to be on it until basketball season starts. There's about 3 NASCAR races and about 2 eps of The Closer left, and then there's nothing until BB, in my opinion of course.


i can't wait to see the infamous stretch-o-vision

i can't wait to see the infamous stretch-o-vision
It's awful, I never watch anything that's been stretched, thankfully most of the more recent syndicated stuff is full HD so it's not stretched.

BTW, I didn't quite catch the whole blurb, but it looks like TNT is re-airing "Into The West" sometime soon, definitely worth watching.

Channel 724 is alive and well in Rohnert Park. It still shows ESPN2 and its program guide is correct.

Same with Walnut Creek, 724 is ESPN2 and the program guide is correct.

I know there have been multiple questions in the Bay Area about who has ADS, etc. But I am moving from Dallas, TX to Mountain View, CA and am moving into my mother-in-law's house (DON'T ASK WHY! She's moving out at the first of the year :) ) She is in a Digital Rebuild area and I talked to Comcast about upgrading her to DVR, HD, etc. They said that she would be able to use the 3412 box, but my question is the cable lineup on-line makes no mention of ADS. Am I missing something? Will she lose the low end (2-99) channels. If so, she will be pissed at me :mad: and I definitely don't want start this venture on the wrong foot if you know what I mean. I know her lineup includes the ESPN2HD and NFLHD so I'm pretty sure she's in an upgraded area (thank god). Anyone that can help shed some light? Thanks in advance.

The Bay Area Texan

I know there have been multiple questions in the Bay Area about who has ADS, etc. But I am moving from Dallas, TX to Mountain View, CA and am moving into my mother-in-law's house (DON'T ASK WHY! She's moving out at the first of the year :) ) She is in a Digital Rebuild area and I talked to Comcast about upgrading her to DVR, HD, etc. They said that she would be able to use the 3412 box, but my question is the cable lineup on-line makes no mention of ADS. Am I missing something? Will she lose the low end (2-99) channels. If so, she will be pissed at me :mad: and I definitely don't want start this venture on the wrong foot if you know what I mean. I know her lineup includes the ESPN2HD and NFLHD so I'm pretty sure she's in an upgraded area (thank god). Anyone that can help shed some light? Thanks in advance.

The Bay Area Texan
Mountain View has ADS and you will not lose 2-99 unless you downgrade to basic cable, in which case you'll only get the portion of 2-99 in basic cable.

BTW Mountain View is 860MHz so it has plenty of bandwidth for this stuff.

Thanks for the update sfhub

Probably a little old information for most of you, but I found it interesting with quotes from most of the major cable operators and much discussion about 550 Mhz

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA509144.html?industryid=43678

A more recent article is here:

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6355602.html

I've called comcast support a few times and can't seem to get a good answer.

I would like to get the HDTV STB from them *without* the DVR functionality. I am told that HDMI is not supported on these boxes.

My question is - what is? DVI? How about audio?

If I go with the non-dvr box, what is the best/cleanest cable solution? Trying to minimize cables to a wall-hung plasma.

Thanks,

Mike

This morning just got two messages:
1. Add TNTHD to 726, remove INHD2.
2. Add MTVHD to 728

I am in Fremont.

This morning just got two messages:
1. Add TNTHD to 726, remove INHD2.
2. Add MTVHD to 728

I am in Fremont.

we're getting MHD? who else is getting this message??

MHD isn't exactly food network HD, which is the next channel i really want. yes yes, E* already has it. but i hear MHD has great PQ and none of the MTV reality crap, yet.

wow! great news. When are we getting MHD?

I'm in south SJ and I haven't received the message about MHD either.

I am still experiencing problems since yesterday with the Guide for 724 ESPN2. It is still showing TBA. I've power cycled my box (6412 III). I called Comcast and had them give my box a hit, no change. Called back and spoke to a Supervisor. He said it didn't seem like a box problem but I could exchange it at the nearest store. I am fed out of the San Mateo Headend. Anyone else still having the problem?

John

I would like to get the HDTV STB from them *without* the DVR functionality. I am told that HDMI is not supported on these boxes.
My question is - what is? DVI? How about audio?
It's the 6200. It has DVI and SPDIF output (both kinds, I think). Just use a DVI<->HDMI cable and a SPDIF (or analog) for the audio.

In Petaluma 725 just says "COMING SOON HD FOOTBALL" and shows a INHD logo screen. Nothing about TNT-HD or MTV-HD... :mad:

yes, at least my non-DVR HD STB only has DVI and component.

DVI works (and then you can i think use RCAs for Audio), but didn't think it was any better than component and use the DVI input on my LCD to show digital picture slideshows, so that's what i'm doing in spite of the mass of cables required for the data transfer from the box to the TV on the wall. (i hide the cables using a peice of fabric painted the same color as the wall and wrapped around the bundle. beat cutting a hole in the wall and most people without looking closely don't see anything there at all!

I've called comcast support a few times and can't seem to get a good answer.

I would like to get the HDTV STB from them *without* the DVR functionality. I am told that HDMI is not supported on these boxes.

My question is - what is? DVI? How about audio?

If I go with the non-dvr box, what is the best/cleanest cable solution? Trying to minimize cables to a wall-hung plasma.

Thanks,

Mike

wow! great news. When are we getting MHD?

I'm in south SJ and I haven't received the message about MHD either.

Both channels in 9/20.

i'd rather have food net HD too...

MHD isn't exactly food network HD, which is the next channel i really want. yes yes, E* already has it. but i hear MHD has great PQ and none of the MTV reality crap, yet.

It's the 6200. It has DVI and SPDIF output (both kinds, I think). Just use a DVI<->HDMI cable and a SPDIF (or analog) for the audio.

In Petaluma 725 just says "COMING SOON HD FOOTBALL" and shows a INHD logo screen. Nothing about TNT-HD or MTV-HD... :mad:

just the fact that you get 725 i think means ur in at least a 750mhz area, so you should be ok, they have bandwidth. i really hope these two channels are added for everyone that can have it :)

i'd rather have food net HD too...

Does Comcast offer Foodnet HD in other parts of the country?

what the heck is so special about 9/20? its a wednesday. i wonder why they are waiting a month, furthermore.

Does Comcast offer Foodnet HD in other parts of the country?

nope, the only channels i can recall that other markets have that we don't after we supposedly get TNT and MHD is national geographic and UHD. we're catching up!

what the heck is so special about 9/20? its a wednesday. i wonder why they are waiting a month, furthermore.
They have to give you 30 day notice when they change or remove channels.

They have to give you 30 day notice when they change or remove channels.

hrm... this is the first time in 1.5 years that i've had digital service that they actually gave me a courtesy message about any change to the HD lineup. i guess it says something about the rate of change :)

It's actually an FCC requirement:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/part76.pdf

Look on page 290 of the document in Sec 76.1603

Typically notice is given in your monthly statement

How many 550 areas have INHD2? Is Santa Rosa literally under the barrel as opposed to being at the bottom of it?


keenan,
Sunnyvale is under the barrel right along with you.

keenan,
Sunnyvale is under the barrel right along with you.
And with these new channel additions we're getting ground even deeper in the muck below that barrel....and so it goes with the evil empire as they rape and pillage through the 550 systems...

No message here in Moraga (Martinez headend). Although I could care less about MTV-HD. I'm with nikeykid...I'd like to see FN-HD.

No message here in Moraga (Martinez headend). Although I could care less about MTV-HD. I'm with nikeykid...I'd like to see FN-HD.
It's pretty cool, makes you hungry though. :p

It's pretty cool, makes you hungry though. :p

Yeah, but it gives me good ideas for Sunday dinner! :D

Definitely, there's a lot of cool stuff to make, some of it very easy too. I never thought I'd watch a cooking show but having it in HD has me watching it quite a lot.

Definitely, there's a lot of cool stuff to make, some of it very easy too. I never thought I'd watch a cooking show but having it in HD has me watching it quite a lot.

that's exactly what i want to happen to me. i don't watch a lot of food SD but i sure as hell will watch food HD. i will even go as far as saying foodHD will be as important a launch as ESPNHD was.

MHD isn't exactly food network HD, which is the next channel i really want. yes yes, E* already has it. but i hear MHD has great PQ and none of the MTV reality crap, yet.

Can't we just get back UnversalHD (so I can watch BSG before the new season). What I really want is HDnet, and HDnetMovies--since it's obvious that we'll never see soccer (non-World Cup) in HD on ESPN2.

Can't we just get back UnversalHD (so I can watch BSG before the new season). What I really want is HDnet, and HDnetMovies--since it's obvious that we'll never see soccer (non-World Cup) in HD on ESPN2.

UHD is being added back to a few systems back east so there's always hope there it'll return to us.

HDNET will probably never ever show up on comcast, cuban and comcast don't seem to be backing down.

I am still experiencing problems since yesterday with the Guide for 724 ESPN2. It is still showing TBA. I've power cycled my box (6412 III). I called Comcast and had them give my box a hit, no change. Called back and spoke to a Supervisor. He said it didn't seem like a box problem but I could exchange it at the nearest store. I am fed out of the San Mateo Headend. Anyone else still having the problem?

John

Yea. I have the same problem in Santa Clara.

UHD is being added back to a few systems back east so there's always hope there it'll return to us.
Since most of the early matches for the US Open Tennis is on UHD, I wonder if they may again temporarily put it back on in the Bay Area for those matches.

same problem with espn2hd for me in cupertino. nothing working on channel 724 with my 6412. espn2hd was working before on channel 725. now that is showing up as nflhd with the inhd feed.

have not had espn2hd since this last shift in the HD lineup. i called comcast and they have no answer.

Hopefully someone will be able to help us. We've been experiencing increasingly more problems with playback from our 6412 box. During playback I've noticed sporadic pausing, in both video and audio. In most cases it lasts just for a second, but it can occur every few minutes. In the worst cases, the screen goes black and after a while the box switches to live TV. When the program is reselected, it starts back from the beginning, regardless of where you were when it paused. On top of this, we're often getting annoyingly long delays between communication with the remote and the box. When it starts up again, the box quickly cycles through the myriad of commands I've pushed before I realized it was stuck. I'm not sure if it's a Series III box. It was installed in San Francisco in January 2005.

Thank you for any help or advice provided.

same problem with espn2hd for me in cupertino. nothing working on channel 724 with my 6412. espn2hd was working before on channel 725. now that is showing up as nflhd with the inhd feed.

have not had espn2hd since this last shift in the HD lineup. i called comcast and they have no answer.

are you sure you are having the same problems? the previous posters have trouble with the guide info, but they can still see espn2hd on 724. sounds like you aren't seeing the channel period.

Hopefully someone will be able to help us. We've been experiencing increasingly more problems with playback from our 6412 box. During playback I've noticed sporadic pausing, in both video and audio. In most cases it lasts just for a second, but it can occur every few minutes. In the worst cases, the screen goes black and after a while the box switches to live TV. When the program is reselected, it starts back from the beginning, regardless of where you were when it paused. On top of this, we're often getting annoyingly long delays between communication with the remote and the box. When it starts up again, the box quickly cycles through the myriad of commands I've pushed before I realized it was stuck. I'm not sure if it's a Series III box. It was installed in San Francisco in January 2005.

Thank you for any help or advice provided.

try unplugging it and (after plugging it back) see if you still have playback problems. sometimes it just needs a reset. unfortunately, the delayed response between remote and unit is just given with these boxes. you can also go to your local comcast office and swap boxes.

Any word on if/when the Tivo/Comcast partnership will bear fruit for us in the SF Bay Area?

Any word on if/when the Tivo/Comcast partnership will bear fruit for us in the SF Bay Area?
I'll lay 10-1 odds that the S3 TiVo will be available long before we see TiVo software on the Moto boxes....and I'll be first in line to get one so I can start saving about $52 a month on my cable bill, Comcast will become very attractive at $23 a month. Not to mention the S3 will pay for itself in around a year and half, hopefully, plus it's a full-blown TiVo and I'll own it instead of spending that $52 a month forever with Comcast.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=714280
Series3 in the Wild (sneak peak) - AVS Forum

I'll lay 10-1 odds that the S3 TiVo will be available long before we see TiVo software on the Moto boxes....and I'll be first in line to get one so I can start saving about $52 a month on my cable bill, Comcast will become very attractive at $23 a month. Not to mention the S3 will pay for itself in around a year and half, hopefully, plus it's a full-blown TiVo and I'll own it instead of spending that $52 a month forever with Comcast.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=714280
Series3 in the Wild (sneak peak) - AVS Forum

It's been mentioned here before but I forgot: does Comcast in our area charge for the CC? I think the answer is 'yes'...I just wanted to be sure.

It's been mentioned here before but I forgot: does Comcast in our area charge for the CC? I think the answer is 'yes'...I just wanted to be sure.

5.95 or 6.95, its an additional outlet charge. so the TIVO Series 3 won't get you completely off the hook in terms of additiona monthly charges.

It's been mentioned here before but I forgot: does Comcast in our area charge for the CC? I think the answer is 'yes'...I just wanted to be sure.
Yes, they do, $6.95 beyond the first one, but, I only want to record the local HD channels so I shouldn't even need a CableCARD. Of course, I would not put it past Comcast to suddenly encrypt those HD locals as soon as that S3 becomes available...

How do you save $52 a month?

Does Comcast charge that much for their DVR?

Is the S3 Tivo going to be able to record the Comcast HD channels? How about D*? Or does it not do MPEG4?

Any estimates of the price and whether the menus are any better?

I guess he's going from full "standard" cable plus "digital" with HD and DVR rental, down to "basic" cable and owning his own Tivo box.

But I mean, the cost of the box is not insignificant ($800??) and you need a Tivo subscription, about $10/mo?

Plus you need a phone line to use Tivo, so add another $15-20/mo. for that if you're one of the many people that got rid of their land line years ago, like myself.

Sure it might be worth it, for the much much more user-friendly and expandable Tivo box. But I don't think it's fair to say that it's much cheaper.

I mean if all you wanted to record are the unencrypted local HD channels you could, right now, lower your Comcast sub. to "basic" and pick up a Media Center type PC, certainly for less than the S3 box costs. :)

But you do need a phone line to use Tivo, so add another $20/mo. for that if you're one of the many people that got rid of their land line years ago, like myself.All Tivos since the original model have supported broadband and don't require a phoneline if you have wired or wireless networking available.
(Plus whatever the Tivo subscription costs.. $10/mo?)Their current plans start at $16.95/month (for a three-year subscription), no lifetime subscription available. I love my Tivo, but I don't think I'd pay $17/month for it.

- Talk

I guess he's going from full "standard" cable plus "digital" with HD and DVR rental down to "basic" cable and owning his own Tivo box.

But you do need a phone line to use Tivo, so add another $20/mo. for that if you're one of the many people that got rid of their land line years ago, like myself.

(Plus whatever the Tivo subscription costs.. $10/mo?)
Yes, to have the DVR costs an additional $52 above Limited Basic, roughly, the actual cost would be a few dollars lower, I'm just subtracting my total bill from what I pay for just Limited Basic.

The phone line is already an existing expense for DSL, the TiVo sub price, I have no idea, but even if it's $10 a month I'll still be saving money.

Now, if Comcast wasn't so greedy, and would allow having a DVR with just Limited Basic(as they do in other parts of the country) I wouldn't even be considering the S3. :p :D

I mean if all you wanted to record are the unencrypted local HD channels you could, right now, lower your Comcast sub. to "basic" and pick up a Media Center type PC, certainly for less than the S3 box costs. :)
Can you record two cable channels at the same time, I can't get OTA up here? I just built a MCE PC for use with the R5000 system and StarChoice but haven't done anything with it quite yet.

I'm no expert, but yeah there are QAM TV tuners, HDTV capable. I don't know if there is one with dual tuners, but there might be, and/or you might be able to use 2 of them in the same PC (PCI slot).

I'm no expert, but yeah there are QAM TV tuners, HDTV capable. I don't know if there is one with dual tuners, but there might be, and/or you might be able to use 2 of them in the same PC (PCI slot).
Yes, now that I think about it there are, the Fusion and MyHD(?) cards can do QAM I think, I had explored this before I put the machine together but basically didn't go anywhere with it.

...Fusion{HDTV} and MyHD(?) cards can do QAM....100% true. The MyHD has easier-to-use QAM software, but both have useable packages (and both, so far, must be used with their bundled software for QAM reception--i.e., no Windows MCE, BeyondTV, etc.).

What about the pcHDTV card - doesn't that work with mythTv? I don't really mind paying Comcast a monthly fee for a DVR box, since it comes with full warranty as in "gee, it doesn't work, swap it out same day at my local Comcast office for a new one" and no horrible upfront hardware $$$ (compared to Tivo). I would, however, like an HD-DVR that ACTUALLY WORKS - unlike, say, the crappy Motorola boxes. I mean, come on, my remote control commands QUEUE UP?!!!! WTF.

What irks me is that they have the gull to charge $7 for piece of plastic with a few chips that probably costs $7 TOTAL to make. To charge the same amount for a CC as they do for an HD DVR just proves how much they rely on PPV/OnDemand surcharges. Comcast: "We'll get your money one way or another".

Well, I tried emailing Andrew Johnson, Regional VP of Communications for SF Bay Area (Andrew_c_johnson@cable.comcast.com) and his apparent boss Tracy Baumgartner, VP of Communications for the Western Division, (Tracy_Baumgartner@cable.comcast.com) to get an update on plans for the Los Gatos and Aptos areas, where we have homes. I got a courtesy call from the QA manager for the area, which was accompanied by no commitments for any improvements for upgrades. Further emails to these two individuals have been ignored. Feel free to let them know your thoughts - maybe it will help.

Now, that said, my choice now is Dish vs. DirecTV. Any ideas on the best place to get educated on these two suppliers and what might work best for me?

Thanks
Mike

mike, i'm in l.g. too and trying to decide between providers. i'm disappointed in comcasts unwillingness to upgrade our system and give us only 10 (approx.) hd channels, so i'm looking at satellite. from what i know so far, dish seems to be better than direct, but, from what i know, dish does not give you all the local ota channels and doesn't give you fox sports. help! do you have any info as to which provider i should choose? this sucks as i'm going hdtv in a couple of weeks and i want as much hd as possible including local channels and fox sports

so much comcast bashing... here's why comcast is better than dish (for me):

1. no upfront costs, like i wanna spend 400 bucks for a dvr when i can pay 10 bucks per month for one (albeit inferior in functionality) but can upgrade before 40 months (breakeven point disregarding any discount factor, do the math)

2. no silly extra compression, there are already reports that dish is adopting more hdlite to squeeze in NFL-HD

3. no mpeg4vsmpeg2 business... one dvr works

4. no second or third dish pointed at different points in the sky. one coaxial cable

5. ondemand, so i can watch coupling!!

6. no voom HD channels... do i really want to see wealth HD? game HD? monster HD? again, all compressed to death too

7. we have FSN HD... and even if you go with D*, coverage is spotty, and disappears from keenan's guide all the time. yeah i pay attention to the threads

8. we pay a little more for the same thing. that way we can justify it by saying "we get great PQ, which is why we're paying the higher price" cognitive dissonance, i've developed much of it by sticking with comcast.

9. comcast watches this thread. so when i beg for things, i can be sure at least they'll glance over it.

10. keenan and mikef5 still have comcast service even though their service area is being treated like crap.

so yeah, just thought i should stick up for the company i give a big part of my paycheck to.

i'm in gatos with comcast unwilling to upgrade to give us their full hd offerings. do you still think comcast is better than dish given we can get 2X as many hd channels on dish. i have to decide on providers in a couple of week so your input would be welcome

I'm watching the Giants game tonight on FSN-SD, and am noticing some stuttering on the picture only during the action. The picture is jerky during commercials as well..... Anyone notice this?

i'm in gatos with comcast unwilling to upgrade to give us their full hd offerings. do you still think comcast is better than dish given we can get 2X as many hd channels on dish. i have to decide on providers in a couple of week so your input would be welcome
Mr. Wally,

I'm in the same loop as you are, the SaraMilgatos area. I've been with cable for over 10 years. First with TCI, then AT&T and now Comcast. At the end of the baseball season I will be leaving cable and switching to Dish because of Comcast not upgrading our area. Will they ever upgrade our area, yes, some time down the line they will have no choice but to upgrade us but not in the near future. If I was in an upgraded system I'd stay but Comcast has made it very clear we won't be upgraded any time soon. Even if they were to start today with the upgrades it would be 6 months to a year before they could complete it. With what I pay monthly to Comcast compared to the programing I receive Comcast leaves me no choice but to leave. That being said, is Dish any better ?? Well, we will see, all the providers have problems but at least I will receive the same programing that everyone else on Dish does no matter what area they live in. In the end you have to decide what's best for you, I have and I'm leaving.

Laters,
Mikef5

I'm watching the Giants game tonight on FSN-SD, and am noticing some stuttering on the picture only during the action. The picture is jerky during commercials as well..... Anyone notice this?

I noticed this every now and then since I went to AD. Usually just pausing and playing fixes it.

dish does not give you all the local ota channels and doesn't give you fox sports.
Dish gives you KTVU, KPIX, KGO and KNTV, all in HD just like Comcast. Comcast also has KQED, Dish does not. Dish also does not have FSNBA-HD, yet. If you can get OTA signals the Dish DVR will record them, in fact, you can record 2 sat HD channels and 1 OTA HD channel all at the same time, plus you can playback a recorded program while all that recording is going on.

the BIG GAME will be in HD!

http://mattsarz44017.tripod.com/2006/week14.html

FSN will also show select pac10 games in HD this year, i think.

This is the reply I got from FSN Bay Area about college football on FSNHD:

The Net is providing us with a number (8 I believe) of HD College Football broadcasts this season. While the details and schedule are still be worked out the likely first game in HD will be Utah @ UCLA on 9/2 at 4pm. I'd be very suprised if we didn't have at least one Cal game in HD and hopefully the Big Game as well.

way to go FSN, both national and bay area. i hear they will also show pac 10 bball games in HD too this year. going HD with sports is suddenly becoming a necessity not a luxury these days :D

i hear they will also show pac 10 bball games in HD too this year.

This is great news! The Pac-10 has had bad TV exposure for a while. This will definitely help.

I noticed this every now and then since I went to AD. Usually just pausing and playing fixes it.
Thanks....I haven't tried it yet but I 've read that several times before......

This is the reply I got from FSN Bay Area about college football on FSNHD: The Net is providing us with a number (8 I believe) of HD College Football broadcasts this season. While the details and schedule are still be worked out the likely first game in HD will be Utah @ UCLA on 9/2 at 4pm. I'd be very suprised if we didn't have at least one Cal game in HD and hopefully the Big Game as well.


I went to tivo.com and used the online scheduling tool to check the one game you listed here (Utha @ UCLA). It is on FSNBA (channel 40) SD at that time, but it is NOT being carried by 719 or 720 (can't remember which broadcasts FSNBA HD).

The HD announcements are encouraging. And when reality catches up, its going to be nice. Its hard anymore to watch sports in SD.

I went to tivo.com and used the online scheduling tool to check the one game you listed here (Utha @ UCLA). It is on FSNBA (channel 40) SD at that time, but it is NOT being carried by 719 or 720 (can't remember which broadcasts FSNBA HD).

The HD announcements are encouraging. And when reality catches up, its going to be nice. Its hard anymore to watch sports in SD.

calbear, can you ask your source if those game will be carried by 720? and what happens after 720 is gone next month?

btw: i got my second message about the channel change, they must really want us to know. nothing about MHD though... was there only one poster that saw that message?

Mr. Wally,

I'm in the same loop as you are, the SaraMilgatos area. I've been with cable for over 10 years. First with TCI, then AT&T and now Comcast. At the end of the baseball season I will be leaving cable and switching to Dish because of Comcast not upgrading our area. Will they ever upgrade our area, yes, some time down the line they will have no choice but to upgrade us but not in the near future. If I was in an upgraded system I'd stay but Comcast has made it very clear we won't be upgraded any time soon. Even if they were to start today with the upgrades it would be 6 months to a year before they could complete it. With what I pay monthly to Comcast compared to the programing I receive Comcast leaves me no choice but to leave. That being said, is Dish any better ?? Well, we will see, all the providers have problems but at least I will receive the same programing that everyone else on Dish does no matter what area they live in. In the end you have to decide what's best for you, I have and I'm leaving.

Laters,
Mikef5

thanks for your input. i share your belief that comcast will not upgrade our systems for years and we have no choice but satellite. from what i've learned dish is much further ahead of direct in their hd offerrings. however, since dish only give us 4 local stations and no fox bay area sports, it looks like we'll still need to subscribe to basic cable for a while. do you concur?

UHD has just come up on channel 726 in Rohnert Park. I still have both INHDs.

UHD has just come up on channel 726 in Rohnert Park. I still have both INHDs.

i thought TNT was going to 726??

UHD has just come up on channel 726 in Rohnert Park. I still have both INHDs.

Wow. He's right. Up here in Moraga on 726...guide and all (at least some of the guide...there are holes).

Wow. He's right. Up here in Moraga on 726...guide and all (at least some of the guide...there are holes).

ok assuming TNT HD takes another slot, and we also get MHD, i think ... the bay area has caught up to every other comcast system! (i think national geographic isn't up quite yet)

UHD is on 726 in Fremont now. For US open?
Meanwhile I lose 703 NBC and 723 ESPN. Both with "ONE MOMENT PLEASE"

ahhhhhhh i'm still at work, someone tell me we didn't lose ESPNHD for UHD. argh.

Hmm...let's see, nothing on 719, 720, 721, 722, 725, 726, etc....same ole sh!t that's been in Santa Rosa since HD made it's debut here over 2 years ago...such progress is staggering...

Hey, thanks a lot for nothing Comcast.

UHD is on 726 in Fremont now. For US open?
Meanwhile I lose 703 NBC and 723 ESPN. Both with "ONE MOMENT PLEASE"
They same thing started happening last night with me. I called Comcast and they are sending a tech to my house on Sunday. I don't know why they have to do that since it is a system problem. Please call them and report the problem so they may start working on it earlier.

Also, prior to the cable outage in Fremont during the heat wave, the signal strength was good (SNR and AGC). Now the signal strength is usually poor (occasionally fair, AGC dropped from an average of 40 to 85). I'll be talking to them on Sunday about the signal strength also.

ahhhhhhh i'm still at work, someone tell me we didn't lose ESPNHD for UHD. argh.
In 860-land UHD showed up and is located on the same RF as ESPN2-HD (RF123/789MHz)

ESPNHD, INHD2, and NBC-HD (KNTV-HD) are all still available.

ahhhhhhh i'm still at work, someone tell me we didn't lose ESPNHD for UHD. argh.
INHD1, INHD2, and ESPN2 are still active in Mountain View with the addtion of UHD at 726 :D. Does that mean BDG in HD :p?

web

INHD1, INHD2, and ESPN2 are still active in Mountain View with the addtion of UHD at 726 :D. Does that mean BDG in HD :p?

web

lets not get TOO Excited yet. they took away UHD once, they might take it away again, especially when they announced TNT-HD will be going to 726. the addition of UHD might be for the USA open, but i just can't fathom how a tennis tournament would make comcast add an HD channel where they are historically slow at it! lets face it, the US open isn't exactly the olympics.

lets not get TOO Excited yet. they took away UHD once, they might take it away again, especially when they announced TNT-HD will be going to 726. the addition of UHD might be for the USA open, but i just can't fathom how a tennis tournament would make comcast add an HD channel where they are historically slow at it! lets face it, the US open isn't exactly the olympics.
It isn't the olympics, but most of the Open is on UHD. Expect it to be terminated after the US Open.

No changes in my area, Walnut Creek. Still have the same HD channels as before, with 725 (NFLHD) saying 'coming soon: football in HD' and the INHD logo playing. No 726 here yet and no mention of MHD in any messages from comcast (I've only gotten one that said we're getting TNT HD on 9/20).

They same thing started happening last night with me. I called Comcast and they are sending a tech to my house on Sunday. I don't know why they have to do that since it is a system problem. Please call them and report the problem so they may start working on it earlier.

Also, prior to the cable outage in Fremont during the heat wave, the signal strength was good (SNR and AGC). Now the signal strength is usually poor (occasionally fair, AGC dropped from an average of 40 to 85). I'll be talking to them on Sunday about the signal strength also.

My ESPN-HD was out in Fremont last night too, Don't worry it is a head-end mess-up. If you go into the diags they have not assigned any frequency to the channel.

They must have messed up the config while they were moving channels around. We need to talk to the network techs to get it fixed. CSR's will not do it. I will see if I can find the number when I get home.

I'm getting a "Not Authorized" screen on my TV for UHD. I don't subscribe to Digital Classic, but I do subscribe to Expanded Basic, Starz and HBO, and I do receive every other HD channel, and I have a DVR. Should I call Comcast to send a hit to my box?

haven't watched UHD in months but they are playing PIANIST right now... great movie, very sad to watch. but what's up with the guide info?

"Two teenage girls become obsessed with a handsome neighbor who is a concert pianist."

??

Just got off the phone with Comcast, and turns out I needed the Digital Classic in order to get UHD, which is weird because this is the first time that I've ever needed a Digital Package to get a new HD channel. Before I received all new HD channels without any worries, even though I haven't had Digital Classic for 2 years.

haven't watched UHD in months but they are playing PIANIST right now... great movie, very sad to watch. but what's up with the guide info?

"Two teenage girls become obsessed with a handsome neighbor who is a concert pianist."

??

This particular "Pianist" is not the 2001 film you are thinking about. This is a 1991 film and the guide is correct.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0102663/

This particular "Pianist" is not the 2001 film you are thinking about. This is a 1991 film and the guide is correct.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0102663/

The 'Pianist' that I saw last night on UHD was the movie set in Warsaw during WWII.

The 'Pianist' that I saw last night on UHD was the movie set in Warsaw during WWII.

Then, obviously, the guide was thinking about the older film. The newer movie is a very good film and I'm glad that UHD is showing great works.

Then, obviously, the guide was thinking about the older film. The newer movie is a very good film and I'm glad that UHD is showing great works.

yes the guide info was very wrong, and UHD just went up a notch in my books for showing the adrien brody version of "pianist"... uncut, uninterrupted! good job UHD. i wonder again if we'll see it after the US open.

Dish gives you KTVU, KPIX, KGO and KNTV, all in HD just like Comcast. Comcast also has KQED, Dish does not. Dish also does not have FSNBA-HD, yet. If you can get OTA signals the Dish DVR will record them, in fact, you can record 2 sat HD channels and 1 OTA HD channel all at the same time, plus you can playback a recorded program while all that recording is going on.The HomeZone HD DVR from ATT/Dish has TWO OTA tuners. It is only in 3 ATT markets right now. But, should be in general release in September/October. I'm looking forward to it.

http://www.att.com/homezone

i think this is because you were grandfathered into the stations you have. for instance, i think if you signed up new from scratch today, you wouldn't get DiscoveryHD or InHD1-2. at least that's what happened for me...i had only limited basic and got every HD channel (except for premiums), but when i moved, i needed to pay for Digital Classic to get channels over 709.


I'm getting a "Not Authorized" screen on my TV for UHD. I don't subscribe to Digital Classic, but I do subscribe to Expanded Basic, Starz and HBO, and I do receive every other HD channel, and I have a DVR. Should I call Comcast to send a hit to my box?

From fredfa's Hot Of The Press thread,

The Business of Television
Calif. Franchise Bill Close to Passage
By Linda Haugsted Multichannel News 8/28/2006

Lobbyists on both sides of the state-franchising issue have until Aug. 31 to make their cases to California legislators. That’s the deadline for passing a telephone company-backed bill that would ease the state’s level-playing-field law and assign franchising duties to the Public Utilities Commission.

All parties are scrambling to tighten the bill’s language as it heads to the Senate for a vote that was expected to occur on Aug. 28. If approved there, the measure would return to the Assembly, which must review the amendments and agree to them before final passage.

The bill is being amended daily: The last published version is dated Aug. 8 and interested parties might not see an official, printed version until the date of the Senate vote.

State officials want to make sure the PUC has time to develop procedures ahead of a crush of state authorization filings from expired franchises.

Those could come from Comcast Corp., which has been operating without a franchise in San Jose for 20 years, and from newly dominant Time Warner Cable in Los Angeles, which inherited city pacts that expired two years ago.

Incumbents want clear language on public, educational and government channel requirements, and assurance that obligations will be shared equally.

Supporters of those channels have lobbied hard for continued funding, proposing a plan dubbed “3-2-1” that would allow communities to pass local ordinances commanding 1% to 3% of gross revenues as a PEG fee, with smaller communities getting the most financial assistance.

California Cable & Telecommunications Association president Dennis Mangers said the 3-2-1 proposal is “off the table, as far as we can tell.” There might be an allowance for local ordinances to require 1% funding, though.

The bill is still the target of intense opposition by the League of California Cities, which is sending daily communiqués to its members. Current amendments address only issues that the telephone companies agree can be addressed, and only “in a manner acceptable to them,” according to one LCS bulletin.

Given the support the bill has received, Mangers expects it to pass by the deadline. It sailed through the Assembly on a 77-0 vote, the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee by 10-0 and, on Aug. 22, the Senate Appropriations Committee supported it 13-0.

Approvals have come even though a Senate analysis has indicated the new bureaucracy will need $1 million from the state budget.

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA6366051

Boy, I don't know, this bill seems like it has bad smell to it,

The bill is being amended daily: The last published version is dated Aug. 8 and interested parties might not see an official, printed version until the date of the Senate vote.
California Cable & Telecommunications Association president Dennis Mangers said the 3-2-1 proposal is “off the table, as far as we can tell.” There might be an allowance for local ordinances to require 1% funding, though.



There shouldn't be any doubt anymore why Comcast has been stalling in areas like San Jose.

State officials want to make sure the PUC has time to develop procedures ahead of a crush of state authorization filings from expired franchises.Those could come from Comcast Corp., which has been operating without a franchise in San Jose for 20 years,

I agree...it's possible this bill could look dandy all the way to last moment when they put some provision in that screws us.

Ok now in Petaluma 726 is UHD. Everything else the same. I have digital "classic".

I haven't gotten any messages about new channels or anything through all this.

Also, will 725 have the game on today (preseason Giants-Jets)?

With the "classic" package I guess I don't get the NFL Network (the SD channel 180)... will I get the HD channel, when it's on? Right now it's just a title screen, but I assume if it wasn't authorized I'd get the "not authorized" screen...

Also, will 725 have the game on today (preseason Giants-Jets)?

With the "classic" package I guess I don't get the NFL Network (the SD channel 180)... will I get the HD channel, when it's on? Right now it's just a title screen, but I assume if it wasn't authorized I'd get the "not authorized" screen...

If by title screen you mean the INHD banner and you get music, you are authorized. In answer to your question will the Giants-Jets game be on, yes it is. It just cranked up at 2PM.

Good viewing. :)

Yeppers, it's on. Though when I checked the sched on NFL.com, I saw that Raiders were on earlier - I guess not in HD though, since it wasn't on 725.

Yeppers, it's on. Though when I checked the sched on NFL.com, I saw that Raiders were on earlier - I guess not in HD though, since it wasn't on 725.

Keep a watch at http://www.hdsportsguide.com/. All of the HD games are listed there. There are 3 on tomorrow, beginning at 6AM. Good luck with that one.....

i think this is because you were grandfathered into the stations you have. for instance, i think if you signed up new from scratch today, you wouldn't get DiscoveryHD or InHD1-2. at least that's what happened for me...i had only limited basic and got every HD channel (except for premiums), but when i moved, i needed to pay for Digital Classic to get channels over 709.

That's what I thought too, but when ESPN2 was added, I got access to it, as well as NFL Network in HD last and this year.

Yep, they are listed on the iGuide. Niners v Cowboys at 1pm.

Yep, they are listed on the iGuide. Niners v Cowboys at 1pm.

Of course you can weatch that 49er-Cowboy game live at 5PM. If it's like last week, it'll be in HD also.

Of course you can weatch that 49er-Cowboy game live at 5PM. If it's like last week, it'll be in HD also.
Nope, but the Tampa Bay/Jacksonville game on KBCW-HD OTA looks very, very good. Looks like CBS is getting their cameras dialed in just in time for the season to start

Berkeley has 726 UHD also...as well as having received messages regarding INHD2 going off, TNTHD being added, and MTV-HD being added.

Maybe they are adding UHD immediately because they only need 30 days notice to remove a channel/make a change to an existing channel?.... according to the messages, MTV-HD is slated for 728 and TNTHD is slated for 726...so hopefully on 9/20 we'll have 726-TNT, 727-UHD, 728-MTV!

Sorry to you 550ers, but this would make a lot of sense for 860 areas with plenty of bandwidth to spare.

Not an HD issue, but...Over the past few days I've been getting a lot of breakup (pixillation, dropped audio) on a couple of channels, notably Comedy Central during the Daily Show and a couple of kids channels. It doesn't seem to affect other channels, and it's intermittent. It happens both when watching live TV and when watching shows off the DVR.

Is this likely to be a general problem at the cable company end, or something about my cable installation?

I am a couple weeks behind, here, so maybe others have responded.
We had no problem w. our 6412 for 15 months. The guy that did the install 15 months ago didn't have a cable for the DVI input - and only had black cable wire to run along the molding to where our plasma was placed. I went to R.S. and bought "std. grade" white cable. (Also supplied my own DVI cable.)
Worked fine til a couple months ago. Suddenly lost Comedy Central (Jon Stewart) for much of the day. All the HD came in, and all the news channels, but the lower SD network channels were out most of the time. (Never watch them in SD- just HD.) Some of the other SD channels were intermittent as well
Called Comcast. Thought is was the DVR. The tech asked whether they installed the cable. Told him the story. He brought out a length of white cable. Ran it across the room to the box. Voilla! Perfect ever since. When he left I installed it along the molding.

...mike

It isn't the olympics, but most of the Open is on UHD. Expect it to be terminated after the US Open.

Is termination of UHD just your conjecture, or actual knowledge of Comcast's HD channel implementation strategy?

Getting Battlestar Galactica in HD again is not something you want to take away from this customer.

Is termination of UHD just your conjecture, or actual knowledge of Comcast's HD channel implementation strategy?

Getting Battlestar Galactica in HD again is not something you want to take away from this customer.

my breakdown:

reasons why we will keep it:
-comcast said (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7082484&&#post7082484) they would put back UHD after they switched it back to INHD2 after the olympics
-other systems have been quietly adding it back on
-it has a designated channel number now, as opposed to replacing INHD2

reasons why we'll lose it:
-it could be the temporary placeholder for TNT HD, as UHD was deemed to be more timely due to the US open. UHD is currently in TNT's designated channel number.
-comcast just likes to f with us sometimes.

i would be optimistic tho, maybe we'll have 726, 727 and 728 as new channels soon. and don't forget 725 has slightly more content now too.

i think this is because you were grandfathered into the stations you have. for instance, i think if you signed up new from scratch today, you wouldn't get DiscoveryHD or InHD1-2. at least that's what happened for me...i had only limited basic and got every HD channel (except for premiums), but when i moved, i needed to pay for Digital Classic to get channels over 709.
But could you add Digital Class on to Limited Basic (~$13/month for the limited basic) or could you only add it to Regular Basic (~$30/month for the regular basic)?

thanks

peter
ps. sorry to hear you lost out when you moved, what you had previously was a fantastic deal

Is termination of UHD just your conjecture, or actual knowledge of Comcast's HD channel implementation strategy?

Getting Battlestar Galactica in HD again is not something you want to take away from this customer.

I was getting a "Not Authorized" and called Comcast. The Service Rep was reading from something that said it was temporary, from 8/28 to 9/10 (or so), for the US Open. So not active for me until Monday and after the end of the open, UHD was going to disappear again. I asked about future channel additions, changes and she mentioned TNT-HD coming on about 9/20 (or whatever the date previously given was).

Take it for what it is worth.

- Phil

But could you add Digital Class on to Limited Basic (~$13/month for the limited basic) or could you only add it to Regular Basic (~$30/month for the regular basic)?

For the record, the $30 per month for regular/standard/expanded basic (whatever you want to call it, I've heard it being called by so many names) is only a promotional price for first 3 months for new customers. The real price is about $50 per month.

This is really a sticking point for many. Compared to other providers like satellite, the channel inventory in standard basic is absurdly limited for a seemingly exhorbitant price of $50 per month. $30 per month is the right price for it, in my opinion.

Yes, it is possible to get just "digital classic" on top of "limited basic" with a CableCard. I don't know if it's possible with Comcast's box.

calbear, can you ask your source if those game will be carried by 720? and what happens after 720 is gone next month?

I haven't heard back yet, but I'm assuming FSN will be carried on 719. They posted the schedule on the FSN Bay Area website, and they will have a game every saturday. Finally some pac ten football in HD :D http://fsnbayarea.com/Sched_CollegeHD.jsp

Yes, it is possible to get just "digital classic" on top of "limited basic" with a CableCard. I don't know if it's possible with Comcast's box.
You can get a HD STB with Limited Basic and Digital Classic but no DVR.

DVR requires Limited Basic+Expanded Basic+Digital Classic+DVR rental fees+local taxes and fees, comes to around $75 a month.

Digital Classic on most 550 systems gets you a grand total of 2 HD channels(ESPN and Discovery-HD).

How depressing that the Emmys weren't in HD...the staff must have been too busy accepting awards from their work at the academy awards to produce it in high def...=P

You can get a HD STB with Limited Basic and Digital Classic but no DVR.

DVR requires Limited Basic+Expanded Basic+Digital Classic+DVR rental fees+local taxes and fees, comes to around $75 a month.

Digital Classic on most 550 systems gets you a grand total of 2 HD channels(ESPN and Discovery-HD).
I haven't yet had a chance to digest the previous 396 pages of Bay Area Comcast HD info in this thread, so please bear with me and feel free to refer me to any previous posts that answer my questions...

I just got a 1080p set and hooked it right up to my existing analog (no STB) Comcast cable in Sunnyvale. The auto-setup seemed to find several (QAM? in-the-clear?) digital SD channels (labeled ##.#), several digital music channels, and a couple of HD channels: ESPN-HD, NBC (11?) HD, ABC (KGO) HD, and PBS (KQED) HD.

I guess I can't complain given that I haven't specifically subscribed to a Comcast Digital or HD package, but I'm a bit confused about exactly what my options are. I was expecting to see INHD and DiscoveryHD but it seems from recent messages that I may have to add a Digital or HD package to get those. Is that correct?

If I add an HD package, will those new HD channels be tunable on my "stock" cable with my TV's built-in tuner? Or will I have to get a (digital/hd) cable box in order to view those (and any other) extra HD channels?

I don't have a cable card slot, and I'd like to avoid having to complicate things with a cable box (at least until the Comcast box is available with TiVo software in it).

Any tips or pointers to an FAQ or previous relevant posts would be greatly appreciated. It seems that this should be a pretty basic "new HDTV owner" FAQ. I just don't want to have to go subscribe to extra packages and STBs if I don't actually need them.

One additional note: I do have a channel 75-80 notch filter in my cable line, in order to be able to broadcast my TiVo and BabyCam on the resulting blanked channels using an AVCast system. I may try pulling out the notch filter to see if that restores any additional digital or HD channels. Does anyone know what Comcast digital or HD channels (besides more music channels) might be living in the space between channels 75 and 80, if any?

Thanks in advance!

I haven't yet had a chance to digest the previous 396 pages of Bay Area Comcast HD info in this thread, so please bear with me and feel free to refer me to any previous posts that answer my questions...

I just got a 1080p set and hooked it right up to my existing analog (no STB) Comcast cable in Sunnyvale. The auto-setup seemed to find several (QAM? in-the-clear?) digital SD channels (labeled ##.#), several digital music channels, and a couple of HD channels: ESPN-HD, NBC (11?) HD, ABC (KGO) HD, and PBS (KQED) HD.

I guess I can't complain given that I haven't specifically subscribed to a Comcast Digital or HD package, but I'm a bit confused about exactly what my options are. I was expecting to see INHD and DiscoveryHD but it seems from recent messages that I may have to add a Digital or HD package to get those. Is that correct?

If I add an HD package, will those new HD channels be tunable on my "stock" cable with my TV's built-in tuner? Or will I have to get a (digital/hd) cable box in order to view those (and any other) extra HD channels?

I don't have a cable card slot, and I'd like to avoid having to complicate things with a cable box (at least until the Comcast box is available with TiVo software in it).

Any tips or pointers to an FAQ or previous relevant posts would be greatly appreciated. It seems that this should be a pretty basic "new HDTV owner" FAQ. I just don't want to have to go subscribe to extra packages and STBs if I don't actually need them.

One additional note: I do have a channel 75-80 notch filter in my cable line, in order to be able to broadcast my TiVo and BabyCam on the resulting blanked channels using an AVCast system. I may try pulling out the notch filter to see if that restores any additional digital or HD channels. Does anyone know what Comcast digital or HD channels (besides more music channels) might be living in the space between channels 75 and 80, if any?

Thanks in advance!

- you shouldn't be getting ESPN-HD in the clear, if you are consider yourself lucky.

- without a cable card, you need to get a digital STB from comcast to view other HD channels, since those other channels (INHDs, DISCOVERY) are encrypted.

- you will need to subscribe to a higher tier digital package to get those encrypted channels, get ready to go from 30-40 bucks/mo to 60-70.

- you might be living in a 550mhz system, depends where you are in sunnyvale, which means you may not all the channels other bay area systems are getting ie. INHD, ESPN2HD, etc. other members should be able to instruct you on how to figure what system you live on (ie do you have ON_DEMAND?) if you do live in a 550, the general consensus is f comcast and since they charge exactly the same for less.

also, see keenan's WONDERFUL post on the very beginning of this thread, it summarizes everything under our universe of comcast bay area.

Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14

Comcast HD HBO - Line at top?
I just got Comcst HD service and this is going into a Panasonic 50" 60u PDP through component.

All the HD channels look great and so does HBO, when programming is on. However the short bits in-between programming - the previews/commercials...I get a white flickering line at the top of the broadcast.

I've tried adjusting the screen in the cable STB, this does not alter it. It goes away when any programming starts and is not present on any other channel.

Any ideas...obviously it's coming from the source...but anything I can do to fix or adjust to make it go away? (aside from the obvious - changing aspect) ;-)

Thanks,

Mike

Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14

Comcast HD HBO - Line at top?
I just got Comcst HD service and this is going into a Panasonic 50" 60u PDP through component.

All the HD channels look great and so does HBO, when programming is on. However the short bits in-between programming - the previews/commercials...I get a white flickering line at the top of the broadcast.

I've tried adjusting the screen in the cable STB, this does not alter it. It goes away when any programming starts and is not present on any other channel.

Any ideas...obviously it's coming from the source...but anything I can do to fix or adjust to make it go away? (aside from the obvious - changing aspect) ;-)

Thanks,

Mike
Switch the 4:3 override on the STB from off, 480p, or 480i whichever works best and one of the settings should get rid of the lines.

To get to the STB menu, turn the STB off and click on Menu.

just tried all the options and it didn't go away. It's now showing on 4:3 programming to, Bill Maher's show has it.

just tried that and it didn't go away. It's now showing on 4:3 programming to, Bill Maher's show has it.
Usually that works. Then you may have a problem with not enough overscan. Which TV do you have? Can you adjust the vertical position on the TV? If not, you'll have to go into the Service Menu of the TV and adjust the Overscan or vertical position.

Those white lines are the closed caption.

I have a panasonic 50" PDP a 60u...

Some sets have a problem when closed caption is in the 4:3 stream. I think your TV has a vertical position adjustment in the TV Menu which should get rid of the problem.

Also make sure you do not have your TV set to Dot by Dot as that can also cause a problem. Dot by Dot is usually used for a PC connection and can cause problems when viewing a broadcast.

no dot to dot here, but I think it's the vertical adjustment. I called comcast, they have no idea and reset the signal...nothing.

I for the life of me cannot find this option in the tv settings. I believe it's part of the panasonic service settings.

-Mike

Comcast HD HBO - Line at top?
I just got Comcst HD service and this is going into a Panasonic 50" 60u PDP through component.

All the HD channels look great and so does HBO, when programming is on. However the short bits in-between programming - the previews/commercials...I get a white flickering line at the top of the broadcast.
If you are saying that HBO-HD has the line at the top, then that is Comcast or HBO's problem. They upconverted the in-between programming and didn't crop the line 21 VBI data. Most displays don't let you adjust the overscan for 720p/1080i source content so there probably isn't anything you could do from your end.

- you shouldn't be getting ESPN-HD in the clear, if you are consider yourself lucky.
ESPN-HD is temporarily unencrypted in many areas. It definitely was on Sunday. I didn't check today. As nikeykid implied it probably won't stay that way so count your blessings.

and a couple of HD channels: ESPN-HD, NBC (11?) HD, ABC (KGO) HD, and PBS (KQED) HD.
...
One additional note: I do have a channel 75-80 notch filter in my cable line, in order to be able to broadcast my TiVo and BabyCam on the resulting blanked channels using an AVCast system. I may try pulling out the notch filter to see if that restores any additional digital or HD channels. Does anyone know what Comcast digital or HD channels (besides more music channels) might be living in the space between channels 75 and 80, if any?

It is differen't in every area, but in my 860MHz area, FOX-HD/CBS-HD are transmitted in the area covered by your notch filter.

I see the same 'white line' at the top of HBO promotions, short clips, etc as well.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14

Comcast HD HBO - Line at top?
I just got Comcst HD service and this is going into a Panasonic 50" 60u PDP through component.

All the HD channels look great and so does HBO, when programming is on. However the short bits in-between programming - the previews/commercials...I get a white flickering line at the top of the broadcast.

I've tried adjusting the screen in the cable STB, this does not alter it. It goes away when any programming starts and is not present on any other channel.

Any ideas...obviously it's coming from the source...but anything I can do to fix or adjust to make it go away? (aside from the obvious - changing aspect) ;-)

Thanks,

Mike

Wowsers..Is SF Bay area COmcast going nutty right now or what?

I jumped in here to see if anyone had any inside info on UHD being in TNT-HD's spot, and it seems like they are doing all kinds of changes to settings.

Lately here in Santa Clara I have seen.
1) UHD on 726(future home of TNT HD)
2) Some football on NFL HD and some INHD2, adn some INHD logos. Is this supposed to be extra, like HBO or the other sports channels, or will this always be included in the basic HD package?
3)Several channels that were unable to be watched through firewire now able to be seen..I can now see ESPN, Football Network, ESPN2 and NBC..Discovery, the INHD's, and KGO(I think are still blocked)

I am hoping they keep UHD after the Open..it seems like they added ESPN2 silently for the World Cup and then kept it..

Lately here in Santa Clara I have seen.
1) UHD on 726(future home of TNT HD)
Quick question on channel numbers -- how does a channel like "726" (which I assume is what you see on a STB) compare to the numbers I see on my Sony A2000 built-in tuner? I'm guessing maybe Sunnyvale is one of those 550 systems, as I don't really get anything above 100. I do see digital and HD channels like (IIRC) 33.1 (NBC-HD), 33.2 (ESPN-HD), and 33.3 (NBC-SD) as well as 9.1-9.5 or something like that.

Is there an easy way to translate 33.3 into a three-digit STB channel?

Quick question on channel numbers -- how does a channel like "726" (which I assume is what you see on a STB) compare to the numbers I see on my Sony A2000 built-in tuner? I'm guessing maybe Sunnyvale is one of those 550 systems, as I don't really get anything above 100. I do see digital and HD channels like (IIRC) 33.1 (NBC-HD), 33.2 (ESPN-HD), and 33.3 (NBC-SD) as well as 9.1-9.5 or something like that.

Is there an easy way to translate 33.3 into a three-digit STB channel?
There is a table that says cable box channel 726 is equivalent to RF 123.8, etc. etc. That is the only relationship. There is no formula to get from one to the other. The cable box channel # almost always stays the same, but the RF channel # changes often, as in there are changes in the mappings every few days, but a particular channel could stay at the same RF frequency for months. It just depends on what work they are doing and how they need to rearrange things.

There is a second mapping system using PSIP. It is a concept from ATSC standards that has carried over and allows QAM tuners to take the RF and map it to a virtual channel slot. This is why you see channel 9.1-9.5. Those aren't the actual RF channels, but the virtual mapping. Same concept as the cable box mapping, but implemented using PSIP. Not all channels have PSIP information, which is why sometimes you see the RF channel and sometimes you see the PSIP channel, but you never see the cable box channel.

If you use CableCARD then you will see the cable box channel mappings.

Wowsers..Is SF Bay area COmcast going nutty right now or what?

I jumped in here to see if anyone had any inside info on UHD being in TNT-HD's spot, and it seems like they are doing all kinds of changes to settings.

Lately here in Santa Clara I have seen.
1) UHD on 726(future home of TNT HD)
2) Some football on NFL HD and some INHD2, adn some INHD logos. Is this supposed to be extra, like HBO or the other sports channels, or will this always be included in the basic HD package?
3)Several channels that were unable to be watched through firewire now able to be seen..I can now see ESPN, Football Network, ESPN2 and NBC..Discovery, the INHD's, and KGO(I think are still blocked)

I am hoping they keep UHD after the Open..it seems like they added ESPN2 silently for the World Cup and then kept it..

NFL HD will be on the basic HD level. NFL would go nuts if cable cos started charging for a channel they want maximum carriage on. looks like UHD is temporary, if you believe the CSR that some poster reported saying. sounds like they are getting ready to change a few things around. hopefully that translates to more HD programming.

Quick question on channel numbers -- how does a channel like "726" (which I assume is what you see on a STB) compare to the numbers I see on my Sony A2000 built-in tuner? I'm guessing maybe Sunnyvale is one of those 550 systems, as I don't really get anything above 100. I do see digital and HD channels like (IIRC) 33.1 (NBC-HD), 33.2 (ESPN-HD), and 33.3 (NBC-SD) as well as 9.1-9.5 or something like that.

Is there an easy way to translate 33.3 into a three-digit STB channel?
Once a channel has been reassigned by using PSIP, using your TV tuner/scanner you can only determine the PSIP channel number (such as 7.1, 9.1, 9.2, etc.) and not the original channel number (such as 43.1, 55.1, 55.2, etc.).

3)Several channels that were unable to be watched through firewire now able to be seen..I can now see ESPN, Football Network, ESPN2 and NBC..Discovery, the INHD's, and KGO(I think are still blocked)
I think that was a screw up by Comcast when they configured in UHD. Apparently they also screwed up the Sunnyvale cable system by putting ESPN HD on the system unencrypted. In Fremont, they forgot to configure channels 703 and 723.

Update to channel changes from Mr. Johnson.
____________________________________________________________ ____________

You are welcome to post this on the site.

2006 US Open

Yes, we have made a temporary arrangement with Universal HD to carry the US Open Tennis Championship on Channel 726.

The US Open begins today, Monday, 8/28 and runs through 9/10.

After 9/10, Universal HD will be temporarily removed until it is permanently launched at a later date.

Channel line-ups that have ESPN 2 HD, will get Universal (550 MHz systems will not).

TNT HD Launching on September 20th

TNT HD is launching on channel 726.

In order to receive this channel customers must subscribe to Standard Cable, Digital Classic and HDTV.

Please note that this add takes place on the same day as the INHD2 drop.

INHD2 drops from Digital Classic; channel 720

Effective Date: 9/20/06

FSN Bay Area HD games will continue to be carried on 720.

____________________________________________________________ ________

So that is the official word on the channel changes for now.
UHD will be here temporarily ( for the US Open) and TNT-HD is coming in Sept and INHD2 will be gone.

Laters,
Mikef5

so 720 is the "fulltime" channel for FSN HD assuming if its not in HD, 720 is deadair?

If you are saying that HBO-HD has the line at the top, then that is Comcast or HBO's problem. They upconverted the in-between programming and didn't crop the line 21 VBI data. Most displays don't let you adjust the overscan for 720p/1080i source content so there probably isn't anything you could do from your end.
He is talking about SD and SD on a HD channel. My Sharp 45" (so I expect that yours should also) will allow me to adjust the vertical position on an upconverted HD channel but the adjustment does not affect the true HD channels. Just turn to a channel such as ESPN HD that is displaying SD and also has closed caption and you will be able to bring the closed caption garbage on to the screen with vertical position adjustments.

and no word about MHD?? why did some systems get that message but not ME. lol. egocentric.

I assume 720 will be dead air (or a title card) when FSN is not broadcasting in HD? Just like NFL-HD is now.

"After 9/10, Universal HD will be temporarily removed until it is permanently launched at a later date."
That's what they said about UHD for the olympics last year too. I assume "later date" in Comcastese means "some time between 2008 and 3008".

Once a channel has been reassigned by using PSIP, using your TV tuner/scanner you can only determine the PSIP channel number (such as 7.1, 9.1, 9.2, etc.) and not the original channel number (such as 43.1, 55.1, 55.2, etc.).
You can tell the original channel number by brute force method using the tuner. For example if someone tells you 9.1 is on 117.2, you can press 117.2 and if the TV tunes to 9.1, then you know 9.1 was mapped from 117.2.

Using the scanner (ch+/-), as you said, you cannot tell the original channel #.

He is talking about SD and SD on a HD channel. My Sharp 45" (so I expect that yours should also) will allow me to adjust the vertical position on an upconverted HD channel but the adjustment does not affect the true HD channels. Just turn to a channel such as ESPN HD that is displaying SD and also has closed caption and you will be able to bring the closed caption garbage on to the screen with vertical position adjustments.
I probably don't have the same model Sharp as you do.

My vertical positioning control has the ability to affect all content, HD and SD.

SD and "SD on a HD channel" are quite different things. The reason SD shouldn't be an issue on a Panasonic is because it is overscanned. That is why I suspected he was talking about HBO-HD. In that case the SD upconverted to HD is being done by HBO or Comcast, not by the STB box. Also from the standpoint of the TV, it doesn't know whether you have SD upconverted to HD or HD. It looks the same to the TV so it just assumes it is HD.

Many TV designs assume HD (720p/1080i) transmissions are properly formatted at the source (there is no line 21 data for 720p/1080i and the aspect ratio is assumed 16x9) so they don't offer you full picture control for HD channels which is why I suggested he complain to Comcast/HBO or just live with it.

I understand some sets allow you to have picture controls for HD 720p/1080i content, I have one of those TVs, but the majority of TVs don't allow those controls (aspect ratio, overscan, positioning, etc.) because the designers didn't expect you would need them.

I probably don't have the same model Sharp as you do.

My vertical positioning control has the ability to affect all content, HD and SD.

SD and "SD on a HD channel" are quite different things. The reason SD shouldn't be an issue on a Panasonic is because it is overscanned. That is why I suspected he was talking about HBO-HD. In that case the SD upconverted to HD is being done by HBO or Comcast, not by the STB box. Also from the standpoint of the TV, it doesn't know whether you have SD upconverted to HD or HD. It looks the same to the TV so it just assumes it is HD.

Many TV designs assume HD (720p/1080i) transmissions are properly formatted at the source (there is no line 21 data for 720p/1080i and the aspect ratio is assumed 16x9) so they don't offer you full picture control for HD channels which is why I suggested he complain to Comcast/HBO or just live with it.

I understand some sets allow you to have picture controls for HD 720p/1080i content, I have one of those TVs, but the majority of TVs don't allow those controls (aspect ratio, overscan, positioning, etc.) because the designers didn't expect you would need them.
My LC-45GD7U does know the difference between source upconverted HD and true HD and I would think that yours does also even though it is an older model (but basically the same TV). Have you tried what I indicated in the earlier thread? It does it on mine. I tried it on the HBO show that he was watching last night (Bill Mayer upconverted HD) and I could position the picture up or down. However, when I changed to a true HD channel, it positioned back to its original position. When I went back to HBO, it repostioned the screen to the setting.

In fact I used to have the same problem that he described at one time and at that time I used the vertical positioning to get rid of the problem. Now my veritcal positioning is set to normal and I don't have the problem anymore. I'm not sure what changed.

My LC-45GD7U does know the difference between source upconverted HD and true HD and I would think that yours does also even though it is an older model (but basically the same TV). Have you tried what I indicated in the earlier thread? It does it on mine. I tried it on the HBO show that he was watching last night (Bill Mayer upconverted HD) and I could position the picture up or down. However, when I changed to a true HD channel, it positioned back to its original position. When I went back to HBO, it repostioned the screen to the setting.
I think you are confused about how Sharp's picture positioning works and thinking it means Sharp recognizes the difference between SD upconverted to an HD channel (at the source) vs HD content on an HD channel.

Sharp doesn't permanently save the vertical (and horizontal) position settings that you configure through the arrow buttons. Those settings are only valid for some period until you do enough actions to get it reset. I don't recall all the reasons the position information gets reset, but switching from 720p/1080i to a 480i channel and back does reset that information as well as switching inputs. Sharp only saves the position information if you do it through the menu system.

I know Sharp allows you to adjust the vertical (and horizontal) position on pictures and you can get rid of the top section of the picture for both SD and HD. I wasn't disagreeing with you about that.

What I was explaining is many *other* TVs do not allow picture controls like positioning, stretch modes, aspect control, etc. when you are receiving 720p/1080i. Since the original poster was using a Panasonic TV I felt this was relevant to his situation.

Second, I was addressing your response and explaining that TVs don't normally recognize the difference between SD content upconverted to an HD channel vs HD content on an HD channel, they just see an HD channel. For both scenarios, the signal is 720p/1080i. Those black pillarboxes are in the signal. How would you propose the TV figure out when the content is SD upconverted to HD vs HD on HD? One could potentially analyze the signal for black pillarboxes, but that isn't something Sharp is doing.

Are you sure what you are considering "SD upconverted to HD" and "True HD" didn't also happen to be 1080i and 720p channels. I wouldn't be surprised if some Sharp models allow independent settings for the 1080i and 720p transmitted content and that happened to match your experiment, but again that is different than recognizing when content on an HD channel has been upconverted from SD.

It is also possible you have chosen different "AV modes" for HBO-HD and the other HD channel you tried and the position information is following the AV mode.

Maybe I'm just not understanding what you are describing and I apologize if that is the case.

Perfect. The 550 systems are all going to eventually end up like San Rafael. Looks like we will lose INHD2 and not gain UHD, even temporarily, or TNT-HD.
Mike

Update to channel changes from Mr. Johnson.
____________________________________________________________ ____________

You are welcome to post this on the site.

2006 US Open

Yes, we have made a temporary arrangement with Universal HD to carry the US Open Tennis Championship on Channel 726.

The US Open begins today, Monday, 8/28 and runs through 9/10.

After 9/10, Universal HD will be temporarily removed until it is permanently launched at a later date.

Channel line-ups that have ESPN 2 HD, will get Universal (550 MHz systems will not).

TNT HD Launching on September 20th

TNT HD is launching on channel 726.

In order to receive this channel customers must subscribe to Standard Cable, Digital Classic and HDTV.

Please note that this add takes place on the same day as the INHD2 drop.

INHD2 drops from Digital Classic; channel 720

Effective Date: 9/20/06

FSN Bay Area HD games will continue to be carried on 720.

____________________________________________________________ ________

So that is the official word on the channel changes for now.
UHD will be here temporarily ( for the US Open) and TNT-HD is coming in Sept and INHD2 will be gone.

Laters,
Mikef5

Sorry, I checked it again and all channels move with the vertical positioning. It just isn't that obvious with the true HD channels. This is the thrid time I've tried it and finaly noticed that all channels were moving.

Perfect. The 550 systems are all going to eventually end up like San Rafael. Looks like we will lose INHD2 and not gain UHD, even temporarily, or TNT-HD.


Mikeaymar, I don't understand the comment on San Rafael. I would have thought you'd have the same coverage as here in Mill Valley, and we have UHD temporarily on 726, including Guide information. I am nervous, though, that we haven't seen any messages about any of it, U-HD, TNT-HD or MTV-HD.

Perfect. The 550 systems are all going to eventually end up like San Rafael. Looks like we will lose INHD2 and not gain UHD, even temporarily, or TNT-HD.
Mike
Mike,
You are in the SaraMilgatos loop like I am. I have been told by Mr. J. that we will be getting TNT-HD when INHD2 is dropped in Sept but we will not be getting UHD. Just another good/bad deal for the 550 MHz area. This is just another example of why Comcast should upgrade ALL the areas to the same level.... You either do it now or do it later but they still will have to do it eventually but that's a sad old story that I'm getting tired of telling :( .

Laters,
Mikef5

You either do it now or do it later but they still will have to do it eventually but that's a sad old story that I'm getting tired of telling :( .
Perhaps you should investigate using a signature? :)

how happy i am to have FSN BA.

sportscenter is playing highlights of the oak-bos game that aired on espn2hd but blacked out here of course... the PQ isn't nearly as good, the contrast was too heavy and it just looked pretty bad. FSN BA however, constantly gives an excellent PQ and all the colors look natural and has that "in the park" feel. I was impressed today as i am everyday. FSN BA gets lauded now by all these D* users that get to watch it now. we are lucky (except 550ers, sorry) to have this gem of a channel. hopefully they will give college football (and my bears) the same treatment.

Perhaps you should investigate using a signature? :)
Not funny and not appreciated......

Much Later,
Mikef5

Not funny and not appreciated......

Much Later,
Mikef5

what did he say? i don't understand. i'm sure he was joking, look at the smiley!

Mikef5,

I'm now totally confused. Is the "UHD is temporary, TNT-HD comes when INHD2 is dropped" message applicable ONLY to 550 mhz areas? Or is UHD temporary everywhere in the Bay Area?

Tom

UHD will not be available on any 550Mhz Systems
UHD will be temporary (for the duration of the Tournament) on 750+ Systems and then will be removed (and probably added back at a later date, TBD)

TNT-HD will replace INHD2 on 9/20 (on all systems that currently have INHD2, although TNT-HD will show on 726)

FSN-HD will continue to show on 720 (for those systems that have it now) when they have HD broadcasts (not sure if that applies to Saramilgatos/550Mhz because of Bandwidth issues).

ps...550Mhz users should dump Comcast and move to DishNetwork...Dish is adding FSN-HD soon, already has tons of HD channels and has a better HD-DVR :)

A comcast representative told me that we should be upgraded in about 6 months out here in Walnut Creek. I will believe it when I see it though.
Mike,
You are in the SaraMilgatos loop like I am. I have been told by Mr. J. that we will be getting TNT-HD when INHD2 is dropped in Sept but we will not be getting UHD. Just another good/bad deal for the 550 MHz area. This is just another example of why Comcast should upgrade ALL the areas to the same level.... You either do it now or do it later but they still will have to do it eventually but that's a sad old story that I'm getting tired of telling :( .

Laters,
Mikef5

A comcast representative told me that we should be upgraded in about 6 months out here in Walnut Creek. I will believe it when I see it though.

they told use the same thing for Saramilgatos (although that was 2 years ago and counting :mad: )...good luck :rolleyes:

TNT-HD will replace INHD2 on 9/20 (on all systems that currently have INHD2, although TNT-HD will show on 726)


What about NFLN-HD (NFL Network)? I have it now on 725, but haven't seen
anything official stating that it is a permanent addition (at least on the 750+ systems)

Not funny and not appreciated......
What's the deal Mike? Lots of people add a signature (which gets appended to every post) so every post automatically explains their position on a policy. Hey, if you get tired of telling your story, then who is going to carry the banner? This way you don't get tired and you still tell your story. I'm not sure how it was interpreted but apparently you felt I was offending you. That wasn't my intention.

I also noticed that both the Starz and Encore free HD VOD movies are gone even though some were supposed to be there until the 31st if not longer. Maybe an anticipated bandwidth problem?

What's the deal Mike? Lots of people add a signature (which gets appended to every post) so every post automatically explains their position on a policy. Hey, if you get tired of telling your story, then who is going to carry the banner? This way you don't get tired and you still tell your story. I'm not sure how it was interpreted but apparently you felt I was offending you. That wasn't my intention.
Sorry Sfhub, I had a real bad night the other day. One of my tv's bit the dust big time and the cable was acting up, pixelating all over the place. Just didn't need more aggravation added to an already stressful day, I should have taken time to calm down before I came on the forum. I realize you were just yanking my chain and I over reacted. All's better for now, bought a new digital tv and the cable is ...well.... cable ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Sorry Sfhub, I had a real bad night the other day. One of my tv's bit the dust big time and the cable was acting up, pixelating all over the place. Just didn't need more aggravation added to an already stressful day, I should have taken time to calm down before I came on the forum. I realize you were just yanking my chain and I over reacted. All's better for now, bought a new digital tv and the cable is ...well.... cable ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

when i have a bad night, i think about how lucky i am not to be a D* customer.

please tell me that annoying banner at the bottom of the guide is not here to stay :mad:

only seeing 4 channels at a time blows!!!

Ahhhh!!!!! I just went to my guide to find a nice program to watch and there's a gigantic add at the bottom of every screen that takes up one of the channel slots! Annoying!!!!

I just noticed that my FW is now 12.31.

please tell me that annoying banner at the bottom of the guide is not here to stay :mad:

only seeing 4 channels at a time blows!!!

If you change the guide height from 'double' to 'single', you'll get 5 at one time. But I'm used to having 7 at one time. Thanks Comcast!!!! You're the best!!!

The CSR I spoke to about the banner ads starting laughing like he was going to shoot himself over the feedback they've gotten (presumably over no more than just the last day).. he pretty much agreed as much as he could that the banner ad would be going away real soon now.

I've used "single height" since we got the new interface.
With the new ads I lose 1 listing per page.
It really screws up the scheme I was using with "favorites" to page thru all the channels that I like/subscribe to.
Now I have to go back and re-do all my favorites. :mad:
Not to mention stare at stupid ****ing ****** ads on every screen...

This aggression will not stand, man.

I called Comcast to lodge a complaint about the banner ads. The CSR I spoke with told me they'd been receiving a LOT of complaints tonight.

"I'll pass this on to my supervisor, and they should be gone within about 30 minutes."

I called Comcast to lodge a complaint about the banner ads. The CSR I spoke with told me they'd been receiving a LOT of complaints tonight.

"I'll pass this on to my supervisor, and they should be gone within about 30 minutes."
What will be gone, the ads or the supervisors?

Comcast has been chomping at the bit for quite awhile about getting this sort of ad placement in viewers faces. It will be even worse when they go to a different updated menu system.

It's 9:30 in south San Jose and it's still there. It's annoying as hell.

"I'll pass this on to my supervisor, and they should be gone within about 30 minutes."

Yeah right!!!!

LMAO :(

More reasons to switch to Dishnetwork...better guide

Its Gone!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Its Gone!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Nice!!

i'm surprised they removed it that fast, it was a stupid idea but shows they do care when everyone of their subs gets pissed off.

i'm surprised they removed it that fast.

I'm more surprised that they had to the bandwidth to fit the ad on Keenan's System :D


...but I must eat my words earlier...the CSR was right for once (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt...even though it took 60 minutes instead of 30 ;)

I've been frustrated with the rising cost of my DirectTV and SBC DSL service and been just using HD OTA for my Vizio TV. Got the Comcast Triple Play mailer and called them. It started to be not such a good deal when it added up to $119 per month plus a $75 installation fee for basic digital cable plus HD DVR. And I didn't really need the voice service.

The person then told me that there's a dish win back promo. For 12 months, I could get Digital Cable plus HBO/Encore, HD and HD DVR, Comcast Internet and installation (2 jacks) for $87/month with no installation. As I was about to go ahead, they said the installation date is 2+ weeks out. So, I can still change. Is this a good deal, ok deal?

Also, with my Vizio 32" (costco) LCD TV, do I need their cable box or can it get everything with the QAM?

Thanks!!!!

Also, with my Vizio 32" (costco) LCD TV, do I need their cable box or can it get everything with the QAM?


You'll need the box to get premium channels like HBO in HD, otherwise many stations are in the clear on your QAM tuner, all the exanded basic HD channels and the occasional 'wild feed'.

Dish buyback means you hand over the satellite equipment. It gets crushed :D so be sure it's not leased to you.

I'm more surprised that they had to the bandwidth to fit the ad on Keenan's System :D


...but I must eat my words earlier...the CSR was right for once (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt...even though it took 60 minutes instead of 30 ;)
It will be back in some form or the other in the future, Comcast has talked about it in the past extensively, with popup up ads on the VOD menus and the like.

As far as it working on my system, I have no doubt they have room to add all sorts of revenue producing items, just not not more HD. You know, like Jewelry Channel II, Home Shopping Network-World Version, crap like that..

It will be back in some form or the other in the future, Comcast has talked about it in the past extensively, with popup up ads on the VOD menus and the like.
You now see the main reason CableCARD is so disliked by MSOs (even though they designed it grudgingly) and why they are happy to help it along to its death.

MSOs want to control your TV-top. TiVos using CableCARD kill that since TiVo (or some other 3rd parth PVR) controls the TV-top. They would need to go through TiVo to put those ads up.

The 2-way stuff is just a smoke screen as is multi-stream.

The new TiVo could easily function with 2 CableCARDs instead of a multi-stream card but at $14/month ($6.95 x 2) plus whatever TiVo charges per month, it just won't make sense for most people.

You now see the main reason CableCARD is so disliked by MSOs (even though they designed it grudgingly) and why they are happy to help it along to its death.

MSOs want to control your TV-top. TiVos using CableCARD kill that since TiVo (or some other 3rd parth PVR) controls the TV-top. They would need to go through TiVo to put those ads up.

The 2-way stuff is just a smoke screen as is multi-stream.

The new TiVo could easily function with 2 CableCARDs instead of a multi-stream card but at $14/month ($6.95 x 2) plus whatever TiVo charges per month, it just won't make sense for most people.
Yes, we've talked about it here in the past, it's always been about controlling the portal, and it's going to get even more intrusive.

Regarding the S3 TiVo, if it's the only device you have, you should only have to pay for one of the cards as the first should come rolled into the cable subscription price.

The S3 also works with multistream cards, but I'm not sure if you can decode 2 channels at once which would render the device a single channel recorder.

I am in Lafayette (Concord head end I believe) and have a 750 or 850MHz system (get INHD2, ESPN2HD, Showtime, Max and STARZ HD channels). I subscribe to a grandfathered AT&T package with digital cable and HBO and STARZ HD channels.

UHD showed up last weekend but was Not Authorized. I called Comcast on Sunday and the CSR said (as I posted before) that it was temporary and that it would be active on 8/28 even though several have posted that they were already viewing the channel.

I checked again last night and still Not Authorized. I called Comcast and after sending a signal to my box to reset (or whatever that eliminates the guide), the CSR said the reason the reset didn't work was because UHD was not on my system, nor was ESPN2HD. Not on my system as in the channel (726) did not exist. As I watched ESPN2HD and told her that her information was incorrect, she kept saying that ESPN2HD was not on my system. She even offered to send me a channel listing for my system to prove that I wasn't watching ESPN2HD. She then offered to transfer me to someone else and I agreed.

The second CSR did find the info that UHD was a temporary addition (after I told him about postings on this board and my discussions with the CSR on Sunday). He then sent a second signal that was followed by "dl" appearing on the LED readout of the box. Apparently the box was downloading some software that the CSR thought would enable me to see UHD. The downside was that he said it could take 20-30 min to download for an HD box. There went the season finale of Rescue Me. After about 20 min or so 726 reappeared momentarily and then it went back to "dl" mode. And I went to sleep.

This morning UHD is still not authorized.

Any idea what was downloaded? Didn't check my firmware before or after the download though I did have the commercial on the guide before the download.

As the CSRs seem to be unable to determine how to get UHD to be authorized, I am asking board posters if they have any idea how to get it authorized. I am subscribed to the digital extended tier so that shouldn't be a problem. Is the AT&T package a possible issue? What have other done.

An inquiring member wants to know.

- Phil

Regarding the S3 TiVo, if it's the only device you have, you should only have to pay for one of the cards as the first should come rolled into the cable subscription price.

The S3 also works with multistream cards, but I'm not sure if you can decode 2 channels at once which would render the device a single channel recorder.
Did they fix the problem of not being able to get CableCARDs from MSOs for S3 beta-testers? I had read a while back that the beta testers couldn't get CableCARDs. Don't know if it was an administrative snafu or a directive.

I would hope using a multi-stream card would allow multistream. It would bite if S3 used them as single-stream.

So here's a question, are there any multi-stream cards available from Comcast, whether they be 1.0 2.0 or whatever? Wonder what the pricing on them would be. It would be nice if you could use them as your "free" bundled-in device but it would be annoying if they treated it as 2 tuners, one free/bundled and the other $6.95/month.

As the CSRs seem to be unable to determine how to get UHD to be authorized, I am asking board posters if they have any idea how to get it authorized. I am subscribed to the digital extended tier so that shouldn't be a problem. Is the AT&T package a possible issue? What have other done.

An inquiring member wants to know.

- Phil


Comcast Management said previously that you could keep your Legacy ATT Packages (If you really want....They do NOT want you to), but they would not add new channels to them (as a dis-incentive to keep it)

...that could be the problem...hard to tell unless they swap you to a Comcast package (digital classic or higher)..but if they do, they may not get you back.

If I remember right, the legacy ATT packages included Starz/Encore (?) as a bonus that was not in the new comcast package..but you may have to give it up depending on how bad you want the new stuff

well we didnt even get HD and cable internet until just a couple months ago (walnut creek drama), so I wouldnt be surprised if that was the case.they told use the same thing for Saramilgatos (although that was 2 years ago and counting :mad: )...good luck :rolleyes:

Why wouldnt FSN-HD continue to be aired on 720 in 550Mhz areas?

They are removing INHD2, not INHD, so I dont see why I would lose it.

The only message I have received is that INHD2 will be removed and TNT-HD will be added on 9/20. There was no mention of losing 720 in the message.
UHD will not be available on any 550Mhz Systems
UHD will be temporary (for the duration of the Tournament) on 750+ Systems and then will be removed (and probably added back at a later date, TBD)

TNT-HD will replace INHD2 on 9/20 (on all systems that currently have INHD2, although TNT-HD will show on 726)

FSN-HD will continue to show on 720 (for those systems that have it now) when they have HD broadcasts (not sure if that applies to Saramilgatos/550Mhz because of Bandwidth issues).

ps...550Mhz users should dump Comcast and move to DishNetwork...Dish is adding FSN-HD soon, already has tons of HD channels and has a better HD-DVR :)

Comcast Management said previously that you could keep your Legacy ATT Packages (If you really want....They do NOT want you to), but they would not add new channels to them (as a dis-incentive to keep it)

...that could be the problem...hard to tell unless they swap you to a Comcast package (digital classic or higher)..but if they do, they may not get you back.

If I remember right, the legacy ATT packages included Starz/Encore (?) as a bonus that was not in the new comcast package..but you may have to give it up depending on how bad you want the new stuff

I thought that the AT&T legacy package might be a problem but I have ESPN2HD and I got UHD during the Winter Olympics. Maybe they are just enforcing it now. Neither of the CSRs brought up the AT&T legacy package as an issue (unless the first CSR was implicitly making the argument by saying I didn't have ESPN2HD).

The AT&T silver legacy package means that I get HBO and STARZ for essentially the price of HBO alone. That is why I don't want to change. I was thinking of dropping all the digital tier and just go with basic cable and OTA HD (I have a HD tuner card for QAM) for saving money but then, assuming money improves, I couldn't get back to the AT&T silver legacy package.

- Phil

Why wouldnt FSN-HD continue to be aired on 720 in 550Mhz areas?

They are removing INHD2, not INHD, so I dont see why I would lose it.

The only message I have received is that INHD2 will be removed and TNT-HD will be added on 9/20. There was no mention of losing 720 in the message.

he might be referring to 550 areas that don't even have INHD2 and therefore never even had FSNHD to begin with, ie santa rosa.

Why wouldnt FSN-HD continue to be aired on 720 in 550Mhz areas?

They are removing INHD2, not INHD, so I dont see why I would lose it.

The only message I have received is that INHD2 will be removed and TNT-HD will be added on 9/20. There was no mention of losing 720 in the message.
I just sent an email to Mr. Johnson to see if I can get a clarification on how this is really going to be accomplished in the 550 MHz areas, so when I get a response I'll post his answer. I just sent the message so it might be a while before I get an answer.

Laters,
Mikef5

Why wouldnt FSN-HD continue to be aired on 720 in 550Mhz areas?

They are removing INHD2, not INHD, so I dont see why I would lose it.

The only message I have received is that INHD2 will be removed and TNT-HD will be added on 9/20. There was no mention of losing 720 in the message.

FSN-HD uses INHD2's bandwidth in the 550Mhz systems...

Now they say they are shutting INHD2 off and giving the bandwidth to TNT-HD...

So where does the bandwidth for FSNHD come from in the 550Mhz networks.

...MikeF5 is working on getting the answer so we will wait and see

Did they fix the problem of not being able to get CableCARDs from MSOs for S3 beta-testers? I had read a while back that the beta testers couldn't get CableCARDs. Don't know if it was an administrative snafu or a directive.

I would hope using a multi-stream card would allow multistream. It would bite if S3 used them as single-stream.

So here's a question, are there any multi-stream cards available from Comcast, whether they be 1.0 2.0 or whatever? Wonder what the pricing on them would be. It would be nice if you could use them as your "free" bundled-in device but it would be annoying if they treated it as 2 tuners, one free/bundled and the other $6.95/month.
I don't know if they got the cards or not, I've been following a couple of threads about the S3 but there doesn't seem to have been any beta testers posting.

I don't think any 2.0 cards are available yet. CableLabs has announced that they are a reality though, so who knows when the MSOs will have them, if ever. They may not be required to have anything beyond the original card, I know they have been fighting the things ever since they were introduced.

I could definitely see Comcast charging for 2 digital outlets with a single multistream card, one in the sub and one additional.

Thing is, for what I want to do, record local HD, I shouldn't need any cards at all.

Thanks, I would be very disappointed if I lost FSN-HD :(
I just sent an email to Mr. Johnson to see if I can get a clarification on how this is really going to be accomplished in the 550 MHz areas, so when I get a response I'll post his answer. I just sent the message so it might be a while before I get an answer.

Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks, I would be very disappointed if I lost FSN-HD :(
I can assure you that you will not lose FSN-HD. My problem with what has been put out is how are they going to add TNT-HD to the 550 MHz areas if FSN-HD is going to occupy channel 720 and INHD is still on channel 719. You can't add another HD channel like TNT-HD in our area if FSN-HD occupy's it's own channel. Even if it is only active when they broadcast an HD game there is no room if TNT-HD is added at channel 726. In other words, FSN-HD has to share a channel with INHD in order to add another HD channel like TNT-HD to work in our bandwidth limited area. So it seems to me that we will not get TNT-HD, no room.....

Sfhub, here comes the tired old story again :p
Comcast, you will have to upgrade our area sooner or later, why not do it now and avoid all these problems ???

Laters,
Mikef5

Thing is, for what I want to do, record local HD, I shouldn't need any cards at all.
That would be true in theory, except for the RF frequency changes that happen without warning. I do not know if the guide data is available w/o CableCARD, but it seems only CableCARD equipped TVs are able to use the virtual mappings.

For example, in my area 117 is shared between KQED and ABC and the stream ordering seems to change every few weeks. There are probably ways for S3 to track the streams but for my PC QAM tuner I need to record the full 38.4Mbps channel and manually figure out which stream afterwards. I used to specify the substream to record, but then every once in a while it would record the wrong channel when Comcast had changed the stream ordering.

I can assure you that you will not lose FSN-HD. My problem with what has been put out is how are they going to add TNT-HD to the 550 MHz areas if FSN-HD is going to occupy channel 720 and INHD is still on channel 719. You can't add another HD channel like TNT-HD in our area if FSN-HD occupy's it's own channel. Even if it is only active when they broadcast an HD game there is no room if TNT-HD is added at channel 726. In other words, FSN-HD has to share a channel with INHD in order to add another HD channel like TNT-HD to work in our bandwidth limited area. So it seems to me that we will not get TNT-HD, no room.....
I can think of a couple of answers they might give.
1) we had some bandwidth tucked away for a rainy day
2) we are going to prune an analog channel
3) you'll keep FSN-HD and TNT-HD but FSN will now share bandwidth with TNT-HD instead of INHD2
4) we didn't realize how bandwidth starved you really are and we may not be able to provide both

and whichever other possibilities I haven't thought of.

That would be true in theory, except for the RF frequency changes that happen without warning. I do not know if the guide data is available even w/o CableCARD, but it seems only CableCARD equipped TVs are able to use the virtual mappings.

For example, in my area 117 is shared between KQED and ABC and the stream ordering seems to change every few weeks. There are probably ways for S3 to track the streams but for my PC QAM tuner I need to record the full 38.4Mbps channel and manually figure out which stream afterwards. I used to specify the substream to record, but then every once in a while it would record the wrong channel when Comcast had changed the stream ordering.
My Mits retains the virtual mappings(no CC) and I'd think any competent QAM tuner should as well.

CableCARD doesn't give guide date anyways, that will come from TiVo, it's part of why it costs a sub price every month.

My Mits retains the virtual mappings(no CC) and I'd think any competent QAM tuner should as well.

CableCARD doesn't give guide date anyways, that will come from TiVo, it's part of why it costs a sub price every month.
So your Mits allows you to tune 707 for ABC-HD when you aren't using CableCARD?

I understand S3 is providing the guide data but that guide data is the published guide data based on 7xx channel numbering. The mappings for those channels to the RF need to be provided by Comcast since they vary for every headend and AFAIK Comcast doesn't provide RF frequency changes to Tribune.

My TV can somewhat track the streams if they move within the same RF, but it definitely doesn't track if the base RF frequency changes.

Maybe I'm just not understanding how things work, especially if your Mits is able to tune using 7xx numbering without CableCARD. I guess I should investigate how TVGOS figures out the mappings.

So your Mits allows you to tune 707 for ABC-HD when you aren't using CableCARD?

I understand S3 is providing the guide data but that guide data is the published guide data based on 7xx channel numbering. The mappings for those channels to the RF need to be provided by Comcast since they vary for every headend and AFAIK Comcast doesn't provide RF frequency changes to Tribune.

My TV can somewhat track the streams if they move within the same RF, but it definitely doesn't track if the base RF frequency changes.

Maybe I'm just not understanding how things work, especially if your Mits is able to tune using 7xx numbering without CableCARD. I guess I should investigate how TVGOS figures out the mappings.
I'm sorry, I misunderstood what you asked, what the Mits will do is display and tune by the actual PSIP number regardless of where Comcast puts it in their RF system. It won't tune by the 700 numbers that Comcast uses for their guide system.

My Mits doesn't use the TVGOS system, it uses something called ChannelView which is basically worthless.

Bottom line, all the S3 needs to do is tune the channel the same way my Mits does, and provide guide info, I really don't need anything from Comcast other than the cable feed itself and the PSIP info they should be sending anyways.

I understand S3 is providing the guide data but that guide data is the published guide data based on 7xx channel numbering.
I would hope and expect that TiVo would provide the guide data in both formats as the S3 can be used for OTA as well so it shouldn't be a stretch to think that the OTA channel mappings, or guide info, couldn't be applied to the QAM tuner...I think, I'm not really sure. I'm not even positive it does OTA, pretty sure it does though. The unit is rumored to become available mid-Sept per Best Buy computers.

I can think of a couple of answers they might give.
1) we had some bandwidth tucked away for a rainy day
2) we are going to prune an analog channel
3) you'll keep FSN-HD and TNT-HD but FSN will now share bandwidth with TNT-HD instead of INHD2
4) we didn't realize how bandwidth starved you really are and we may not be able to provide both

and whichever other possibilities I haven't thought of.
Well let's see....

1) we had some bandwidth tucked away for a rainy day.... This is a very good possibility not very likely but possible.
2) we are going to prune an analog channel.... Ha Ha Ha Ha.... not in this analog loving area :rolleyes:
3) you'll keep FSN-HD and TNT-HD but FSN will now share bandwidth with TNT-HD instead of INHD2..... I would guess more that they would share with INHD ( which they own ) rather than TNT-HD.
4) we didn't realize how bandwidth starved you really are and we may not be able to provide both......... They know exactly how bad off this area is ..... but it maybe a greater possibility that we won't get TNT-HD at all that's what I see by the message. I would prefer that they share channels with INHD and FSN-HD and give us TNT-HD but hey I'm just a customer what do I know ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

5) Comcast will be giving you a free subscription to Dish Network. :p

5) Comcast will be giving you a free subscription to Dish Network. :p

oh...maybe I should wait to switch to Dish...I was all ready to pay for it myself :p

:D

It's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkk !!!!!

Yes, the fun ads are back on the menu system :eek: :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

I really don't need anything from Comcast other than the cable feed itself and the PSIP info they should be sending anyways.
You guys have PSIP for every local HD? My area only has it for FOX/CBS. ABC/KQED we get for a few weeks when someone complains, then it is gone again when they move stuff around slightly. Everything else is missing PSIP.

You guys have PSIP for every local HD? My area only has it for FOX/CBS. ABC/KQED we get for a few weeks when someone complains, then it is gone again when they move stuff around slightly. Everything else is missing PSIP.
I only have the local HD channels selected in my scan list and yes, every time I use the Mits tuner the channels are there, numbered just like their OTA counterparts, 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, etc.

I just checked and added in the sub-channels for KQED, KGO and KNTV and they're all there as well. No KRON of course because Comcast doesn't even send the signal.

I checked the guide info and while there is some info for a lot of the channels there's a lot missing for each channel. For example, it will show CSI at 9pm and then jump to something at say 2am, certainly not reliable.

It's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkk !!!!!

Yes, the fun ads are back on the menu system :eek: :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

They seem to be putting it on in prime time. Comcast, we want it gone completely as it serves no real purpose except to annoy.

They seem to be putting it on in prime time. Comcast, we want it gone completely as it serves no real purpose except to annoy.
That's the point, if it's annoying you, you've seen it. If you've seen it, it's served it's purpose.

I find it hard to understand that ticking off your customers is seen as a good thing by Comcast.

I wouldn't mind so much if they were targeted or more specific -- like "Monster Garage is now on the Discovery channel". Just telling me that the Discovery channel is there is utterly useless as I can already see that in my guide.

A couple or three random odd observations.

Mill Valley still hasn't received any message on the cable boxes regarding Universal-HD, TNT-HD, or anything else. We've got Universal-HD on 726, though, even if unannounced.

The guide data for Universal-HD, which correctly identified US Open Tennis on the first day of the Open, now has the blocks of time correct (e.g., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the daytime session) but only reports the program as "To Be Announced."

Channel 725, which on the iGuide on the Motorola 6412 is identified as "coming soon: football" nows shows up on my CableCard Sony Bravia as "HDSE(2)" instead of HDSE. I'm wondering if 720 will be the new HDSE and will switch to FSN-BA for their high definition content and to "other special events" when needed and the slot is available. Regardless of the name, 725 still has that GREAT rock out music that goes with the place card. ;)

Any rumors along the lines of FSN-HD appearing in Sunnyvale before 2009? :rolleyes:

(To probably reiterate what's been discussed to death on this thread...) I just don't understand the bandwidth logic for my system, i.e.:

1. SD KQED (Ch9) is simulcast on 96 (just a waste of bandwidth -- is there a purpose/plan here?)
2. Other systems have Sci-Fi on digital-only (I recall Mountain View having this) while it's eating analog bandwidth here...
3. Using analog bandwidth for CMTV? If this is a long-term contract situation, I guess I understand, but this just isn't a market (the whole Bay Area, much less Sunnyvale ) hungry for this...
4. ... same thing for AZNTV. Why isn't this just digital like most other foreign-language channels (TFC/ZTC/TVJPN/ZEETV/TVAsi/etc.)?

That said, I don't mean to imply that these channels are useless (they're just not important to me), or to imply that I truly think Comcast should broadcast "exactly what I want to see" -- I'm just having a hard time understanding the decision making process here.

If Comcast is really, truly, opposed to upgrading Sunnyvale's (or other places, for that matter) 550MHz system anytime soon, why not make some compromises? I've read (and understand) that there are network-contract issues that may prevent/delay moving some networks to digital, but aren't some systems all-digital (the ones with the 34xx series of STBs, correct me if I'm totally wrong about this)?

While the reason for not/delaying upgrading a 550MHz system may be that a large number of subscribers on said system are analog-only, why not offer them some incentive to upgrade? A real incentive, like 12 months of Digital Classic for the same rate they're currently paying; move a few lesser-viewed channels to digital and tell the folks that complain "tough -- but we're still offering 12 months of upgrade at no cost". Essentially, I've been told the same thing -- tough -- for close to a year now regarding getting (any) more HD programming (when really all I want is the Sharks in HD when FSN is carrying it ;) For a provider who advertises the "Best Sports", is that so much to ask?). In a situation like this, I'd think that the cost to Comcast for shelling out some free digital (for a limited time) would somehow balance the savings from me paying the same amount for less content than other systems.

</RANT> Sorry :p

Any rumors along the lines of FSN-HD appearing in Sunnyvale before 2009? :rolleyes:

</RANT> Sorry :p

No Rumors of anything being done on the Comcast side..

Although Dish should have FSN-HD before the Sharks start (within the next 30-60 days). Direct already has it (was watching it on D* at my brothers)..although E* has a better HD-DVR and more HD channels (then D* or Comcast)

..although E* has a better HD-DVR and more HD channels (then D* or Comcast)
..combined.. :p

Seriously though, if your desire is a lot of HD, and you're in a 550 area, Comcast is not the right choice at all, not by a long shot.

I find it hard to understand that ticking off your customers is seen as a good thing by Comcast.

Agreed. In the meantime, is there a hack to get rid of this? It's taking away a line of text, which is an unacceptable infringement on my screen. I pay 5x what cable is really worth due to their monopoly (in a country where monopolies are supposed to be illegal, and there's supposed to be a separation of church and state, checks and balances between the three branches of government, and a free press that keeps the public informed and capable of voting intelligently) and I never consented to additional advertising.

...and I never consented to additional advertising.

I bet you did ;)

did you read all of the fine print they have :mad:

..combined.. :p

Seriously though, if your desire is a lot of HD, and you're in a 550 area, Comcast is not the right choice at all, not by a long shot.

Agreed. But unfortunately I'm stuck with it (because I'm not about to give up my awesome apartment). Furthermore, I'm not interested in "a lot of HD", I just want to be able to see local sports teams in HD, which I would think makes me part of a very lucrative demographic for Comcast.

So I figure the best I can do is make my voice heard here, where at least (I'm told) some folks from Comcast actually read what's posted...

What gets me is that Comcast is clearly aware that it's leaving customers in my area out in the cold at a time when it's facing real competition from satellite (even though it's not an option for me). Seems like textbook "head in the sand" behavior, which is surprising for a company which invested so heavily in upgrading to modern infrastructure across the entire Bay Area.

In light of the existing satellite competition, Comcast isn't in the "oh well, they'll keep paying" position that it's predecessors held. It never ceases to amaze me how few companies truly appreciate just how far making your customers feel good about you goes. How many companies can say they have average customers actively evangelising their products? I have that kind of relationship with Apple, and I still have it with Comcast's HSI (love it, and I've had 5+ DSL providers since 1996).

But Comcast DTV? I tell people I know to look elsewhere...

So I figure the best I can do is make my voice heard here, where at least (I'm told) some folks from Comcast actually read what's posted...

What gets me is that Comcast is clearly aware that it's leaving customers in my area out in the cold at a time when it's facing real competition from satellite (even though it's not an option for me). Seems like textbook "head in the sand" behavior, which is surprising for a company which invested so heavily in upgrading to modern infrastructure across the entire Bay Area.
...
But Comcast DTV? I tell people I know to look elsewhere...
Let's hope they're reading. I'm also in Sunnyvale. Just got my first HD set. I waited and waited because my old set still worked and I figured it was too soon. Then the old set died, and I wish it hadn't. I'm floored at how little there is to watch in HD. I now know why people told me they'd watch just about anything in HD just because it was HD. Meanwhile, I get a few network HD feeds on my "expanded basic" service (for ~$42/month?) and if I want a few more channels (like DiscoveryHD and InHD?) I have to pay almost twice that, and forgo my built-in tuner to use their HD STB? Ick.

I'd look elsewhere but it seems that (from my quick look so far) satellite isn't such a great deal either, at least not for someone like me who doesn't watch all that much TV but just wants a bit more HD content available.

I'm thinking (hoping) that perhaps the real HD content selection will come (on demand) over the 'net, like to a Mac Mini (connected via DVI to HDMI cable for 1080p output). Maybe iTunes, maybe something else. But just let me pick what I WANT to watch without having to pay $100/month for cable (or $50/month for sat plus equipment fees -- same diff) for a whole bunch of multicast content that I could care less about.

I think I'm spoiled from having weaned myself from "live" TV with one of the first TiVo boxes way back when. It records what we want, and we watch it whenever. I want that for HD, and I'm not really interested in paying for anything else that we're NOT watching...

I think I'm spoiled from having weaned myself from "live" TV with one of the first TiVo boxes way back when. It records what we want, and we watch it whenever. I want that for HD, and I'm not really interested in paying for anything else that we're NOT watching...

How about one of the HD DVRs? I have the Dish ViP-622 with 26 satellite HD channels and 8 local HD channels available for viewing. You should be able to find plenty to watch in HD with 34 channels. There's certainly more HD on there that I want to watch than I have time for.

I pay $67 a month for the Dish Bronze package. That includes all the HD channels, except the pay channels and National Geographic channel, plus about 80 SD channels.

By the way, it's been reported that 80% of this fall's prime time line up will be in HD, plus "Today", "GMA", "The View", one of the CBS soaps, "Jeopardy" and "Wheel", "The Tonight Show", "David Letterman" and "Conan O'Brien". That doesn't count PBS HD and the cable/satellite HD channels. That should be enough for you.

Larry
SF

I bet you did ;)

did you read all of the fine print they have :mad:

You're probably right. But when there's a monopoly, consumers don't have any real bargaining power. State regulation helped with that, by enforcing rules based on a public good, but since corporations have convinced the government that governing is unamerican, greed wins.

One ad may seem a bit innocuous to set off this reaction, but it's really the straw that's breaking this camel's back.

They seem to be putting it on in prime time. Comcast, we want it gone completely as it serves no real purpose except to annoy.

I wouldn't mind it so much BUT, as you scroll through the choices, you have to hit the add.... *THAT's* unacceptable. Comcast, if you listening, delete this add. It serves no purpose whatsoever!

jeff

How about one of the HD DVRs? I have the Dish ViP-622 with 26 satellite HD channels and 8 local HD channels available for viewing. You should be able to find plenty to watch in HD with 34 channels. There's certainly more HD on there that I want to watch than I have time for.

I pay $67 a month for the Dish Bronze package. That includes all the HD channels, except the pay channels and National Geographic channel, plus about 80 SD channels.

By the way, it's been reported that 80% of this fall's prime time line up will be in HD, plus "Today", "GMA", "The View", one of the CBS soaps, "Jeopardy" and "Wheel", "The Tonight Show", "David Letterman" and "Conan O'Brien". That doesn't count PBS HD and the cable/satellite HD channels. That should be enough for you.

Larry
SF

What are those 34 HD channels? How many of them are former Voom channels?

So for locals, there are the 4 networks, PBS and?

How are the locals picture quality wise?

How reliable is that DVR? Is it dual-tuner? What capacity? Any concerns about the Tivo suit ultimately shutting down the DVR service or requiring higher payments?

Does that $67 a month include more than one receiver or would you have to pay $5 mirroring for each additional receiver?

How much to add HBO?

What are those 34 HD channels? How many of them are former Voom channels?

So for locals, there are the 4 networks, PBS and?

How are the locals picture quality wise?

How reliable is that DVR? Is it dual-tuner? What capacity? Any concerns about the Tivo suit ultimately shutting down the DVR service or requiring higher payments?

Does that $67 a month include more than one receiver or would you have to pay $5 mirroring for each additional receiver?

How much to add HBO?
These links will answer your questions.......

http://www.dbstalk.com/index.php
http://www.satelliteguys.us/

Laters,
Mikef5

Looks like the California Senate just passed their version of the State Franchise Bill. Look in Freda's " Hot off the Press" forum or go to this link and read for yourself ....http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-fi-cable31aug31,0,7538461.story?coll=cl-tvent

Laters,
Mikef5

Looks like the California Senate just passed their version of the State Franchise Bill. Look in Freda's " Hot off the Press" forum or go to this link and read for yourself ....http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-fi-cable31aug31,0,7538461.story?coll=cl-tvent

Laters,
Mikef5
AT&T and Verizon lobbied heavily for the measure, AB 2987. AT&T spent nearly $18 million in lobbying efforts and donated $500,000 to political campaigns, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

The carriers controlled the process so thoroughly, Taylor said, that "on amendments we would send over to the Legislature, we'd hear back, 'Sorry, but AT&T said no.' "
You just have to love the legislative process. :rolleyes:

You just have to love the legislative process. :rolleyes:
Opposition from cable TV companies evaporated two months ago when a Senate subcommittee amended the bill to allow them to escape key local contract provisions and opt into the state system once phone company competition arrives. and it seems you may have been right on why Comcast was/is stalling on upgrading the 550 MHz areas.

Laters,
Mikef5

This date seems appropriate

If more than 300 changes to the bill pass muster with the Assembly, the legislation would make California the eighth state to streamline its franchising rules. California would invest the Public Utilities Commission with the authority to grant pay-TV franchises statewide, beginning no later than April 1......... ;)

and it seems you may have been right on why Comcast was/is stalling on upgrading the 550 MHz areas.

Laters,
Mikef5

The worst part is that AT&T is not going to be building out their video service anywhere close to the cable footprint. It's not economical given their technology and the issues they are running into given packet loss in the DSL loop. Driving that loop longer increases the loss which makes the service unreliable.

They are going to concentrate their attack in high-margin areas, and cable is happy to fight them in the marketplace if they get out of their own set of franchise restrictions.

I know the AT&T lobbying power in Sacramento. It's VERY strong. Cable could have forced them into having to deal with real buildout requirements, but being able to ignore the local franchise authroitries that have been a pain in their side for some time is a pretty valuable give to Cable.

I'm not sure the consumer gets much out of this however.

Thanks,
Mike

So some of you have probably heard Cinemax is running all 6 Star Wars movies in HDTV in November. My question is, I have Digital Classic now, what's the minimum package I need for Cinemax, or can you get it ala carte (what, stop laughing)?

Actually 2 questions, the 6 films are about 15 hours of HD, is that going to fit on the 120gig 6412/3412 drive, with any room to spare?? Is Cinemax 720 or 1080i? Damn that was 3 questions, I'll come in again...

So some of you have probably heard Cinemax is running all 6 Star Wars movies in HDTV in November. My question is, I have Digital Classic now, what's the minimum package I need for Cinemax, or can you get it ala carte (what, stop laughing)?

Actually 2 questions, the 6 films are about 15 hours of HD, is that going to fit on the 120gig 6412/3412 drive, with any room to spare?? Is Cinemax 720 or 1080i? Damn that was 3 questions, I'll come in again...
Cinemax is $16.99 a month(probably more than 3 times what Comcast pays TW for it, but that's another story for another day). Cinemax is 1080i and it will probably fit all the movies as the movie channels typically run lower bitrates.

The worst part is that AT&T is not going to be building out their video service anywhere close to the cable footprint. It's not economical given their technology and the issues they are running into given packet loss in the DSL loop. Driving that loop longer increases the loss which makes the service unreliable.

They are going to concentrate their attack in high-margin areas, and cable is happy to fight them in the marketplace if they get out of their own set of franchise restrictions.

I know the AT&T lobbying power in Sacramento. It's VERY strong. Cable could have forced them into having to deal with real buildout requirements, but being able to ignore the local franchise authroitries that have been a pain in their side for some time is a pretty valuable give to Cable.

I'm not sure the consumer gets much out of this however.

Thanks,
Mike

Good article on AT&T's technology at the below link. Basically, the tech-FTTN, is something the dinosaurs may have used. Folks in Verizon markets may see some benefit, but AT&T needs to re-think their system, IMO.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8329592#post8329592
AT&T Lightspeed - AVS Forum

The worst part is that AT&T is not going to be building out their video service anywhere close to the cable footprint. It's not economical given their technology and the issues they are running into given packet loss in the DSL loop. Driving that loop longer increases the loss which makes the service unreliable.

They are going to concentrate their attack in high-margin areas, and cable is happy to fight them in the marketplace if they get out of their own set of franchise restrictions.

I know the AT&T lobbying power in Sacramento. It's VERY strong. Cable could have forced them into having to deal with real buildout requirements, but being able to ignore the local franchise authroitries that have been a pain in their side for some time is a pretty valuable give to Cable.

I'm not sure the consumer gets much out of this however.

Thanks,
Mike
MikeSM,

Comcast is not building out all the areas right now, I know I'm in one. I have no idea what AT&T will do or not do about building out areas but RIGHT NOW Comcast is not upgrading all their areas. For the first time cable will have credible competition, will this benefit the customer, time will tell, but for the interim I'll go with Dish and wait to see the fall out between Comcast and AT&T. Two 800 lb gorilla's duking it out, might be interesting to see the outcome.

Dish allows a no commitment deal so when things change I'll put my hard earned money into the company that gives me the best service for my buck. I don't care how they do it FTTN, FTTP.... I just want them to get off their butts and just do it.

Laters,
Mikef5

My mistake earlier on saying Los Gatos would be like San Rafael. I meant Santa Rosa. Hey, I'm a South Bay guy and get those northern cities confused!!! Kind of like knowing the difference between Finland/Norway/Sweden!!!
Anyway, things still seem a bit confusing and not positive for those of us in the 550 areas, although at least we get FSN-HD in Los Gatos.
I also sent a note expressing my concerns to Mr. Johnson at Comcast. He sent a reply saying that Comcast is committed to 're-investing' in the 550 systems. He said that the system in Antioch, Pittsburg, and Bay Point is being upgraded now. He also said there will be announcements in the next 90-120 days as to which systems are next. He emphasized that they are committed to re-investment in Los Gatos, Saratoga and Milpitas. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I will wait the 90-120 days, but if there is no news I'm joining Keenan on Dish.
Mike

Mike,
You are in the SaraMilgatos loop like I am. I have been told by Mr. J. that we will be getting TNT-HD when INHD2 is dropped in Sept but we will not be getting UHD. Just another good/bad deal for the 550 MHz area. This is just another example of why Comcast should upgrade ALL the areas to the same level.... You either do it now or do it later but they still will have to do it eventually but that's a sad old story that I'm getting tired of telling :( .

Laters,
Mikef5

Ugh, the ads are back in the guide again. I called and the CSR said the ads are here to stay during prime time hours. I said I'd like to file a formal complaint for annoying their highest paying customers by taking up so much screen space showing them stuff they don't care about and don't want to see. She said she'd pass on the feedback to her manager but she couldn't guarantee anything. I suppose it might help if more people call to complain, but then again, this is Comcast and they seem to like to ignore any consumer feedback (it's Comcastic!), especially when dealing with other DVR bugs. This just might be the straw that broke the camel's back to make me consider switching to satellite.

How about one of the HD DVRs? I have the Dish ViP-622 with 26 satellite HD channels and 8 local HD channels available for viewing. You should be able to find plenty to watch in HD with 34 channels. There's certainly more HD on there that I want to watch than I have time for.

I pay $67 a month for the Dish Bronze package. That includes all the HD channels, except the pay channels and National Geographic channel, plus about 80 SD channels.
Huh. I'm paying about $40 or so to Comcast, and part of that makes my cable Internet service cheaper (I'm not interested in going back to DSL as even though I'm in Sunnyvale I'm far, in wire-feet, from the C.O.). So that $67 would be mostly on top of what I'm already paying, plus the hardware startup fees, plus the fact that it would all only work on one TV.

I really like having a bunch of channels available on every TV in the house (five) with regular cable. I really dislike the idea of needing a satellite or set-top box, or paying $67/month even if it wasn't in addition to my Comcast bill.

However, as things move from analog to digital it seems that an extra box (at least on older analog sets) will be unavoidable, but ideally instead of a cable or satellite box it would just be a networked video-streaming box that plays content off of an in-house media server, like a TiVo S3 or Mac Mini...

I also sent a note expressing my concerns to Mr. Johnson at Comcast. He sent a reply saying that Comcast is committed to 're-investing' in the 550 systems. He said that the system in Antioch, Pittsburg, and Bay Point is being upgraded now. He also said there will be announcements in the next 90-120 days as to which systems are next. He emphasized that they are committed to re-investment in Los Gatos, Saratoga and Milpitas. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I will wait the 90-120 days, but if there is no news I'm joining Keenan on Dish.
If that really is the case those folks will go from ghetto to primo beach front, with the latest and greatest equipment. Of course believe it when you see it.

Well it looks like it's time to start getting all my programs off the DVR and find the old remote for this box so I can send it back. After repeated calls it would seem the EPG ads are here to stay and UHD is not. That plus the consistent level of "Comcastic!" service has finally gone too far. I don't pay over $100 a month to watch these horrible people make more money and offer less service.

I'll be calling Alameda P&T (http://www.alamedapt.com/cabletv/channels.php) tomorrow and talking about installation options. They offer pretty much all the same cable Comcast does for less money. Only reason I didn't sign up for them before was because they don't have the HD carriage agreement with CBS (read: Les Moonves wasn't able to convince them to shove their money through a tube to his house). But with a new tv and some configuration of a HTPC I'll just get CBS OTA. Something that seemed like a bit too much trouble before, but now something I'd do gladly to be rid of Comcast.

This is just ridiculous. California has some of the most monopolistic legislation in the country and now it's even worse. The whole "AT&T said no" quote is just too much. That and the whole Net Neutrality fight. These companies make me want to revolt and set up guillotines in front of their corporate headquarters. It's just outrageous what they get away with and how much further they want to take it.

Teasing us with UHD and taking it away twice and ads on the EPG may seem like small things to some people but to me it's just the last slap in the face in a long line of screwings we've all been subjected to since Comcast bought this system area. They really are one of the worst companies in America. Only internal debate I have about that is who's worse. AT&T or Comcast?

Ugh.

I just spent another 45 minutes on with 2 comcast CSRs trying to get my UHD to be authorized. They both said that they had no indication that UHD was even on my (Lafayette) system. They said they could not find it on their system (they said they were in Concord and not on a 550 Mz system).

I told them about all the postings on this board about UHD being temporarily available on non-550 Mz and Mr. Johnson's email. But they said as this wasn't a Comcast board, it meant nothing. (Of course the channel listing on the official Comcast website is worthless as it is out of date as even they admit). They asked is I knew of anyone in Lafayette getting UHD presently. I know fender is in Moraga. Anyone in Lafayette getting UHD?

So 2 requests:

1) Would anyone in Lafayette getting UHD please PM me so I may give Comcast an example of a Lafayette home getting UHD.

2) Is it possible I can get Mr. Johnson's title/email/phone number/contact information by PM so that I can have the CSRs to contact him to confirm the status of UHD.

Or any other suggestions on getting UHD authorized.

- Phil

Ugh, the ads are back in the guide again......

I have not been seeing any of this.....no ads at all.....my guide is the same as it has always been (so far......)

Anyone get a cablecard recently? Does it still require a technician to come out? I just got the new Pioneer Elite 50" PRO-1140HD (got an amazing deal) with media capabilities and it supports cablecard. Was wondering if I had to do an appointment, or could I just go get one.

Russ

What are those 34 HD channels? How many of them are former Voom channels?

So for locals, there are the 4 networks, PBS and?

How are the locals picture quality wise?

How reliable is that DVR? Is it dual-tuner? What capacity? Any concerns about the Tivo suit ultimately shutting down the DVR service or requiring higher payments?

Does that $67 a month include more than one receiver or would you have to pay $5 mirroring for each additional receiver?

How much to add HBO?
The Dish Network web site will give you a complete list of channels. 15, I believe, are Voom channels. Go to: http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/dishhd/offer/index.shtml

There are four HD locals via the satellite - KGO-ABC, KPIX-CBS, KNTV-NBC and KTVU-FOX. Using the OTA tuner I get those four plus WB20, KBCW44, KRON4 and KQED in HD.

The 622 DVR has been very reliable. I've had it since February and have had no trouble with it. It has three tuners... two satellite and one OTA, 350 GB hard drive, and good 9 day program guide.

I'm not worried about the court cases.

The $67 is for one DVR that is good on one HD set and as many other sets that you want to tie into its RF distribution system. I have two analog TV's hooked up to it.

HBO? I have no idea. You'll have to check the site I gave you above.

So that $67 would be mostly on top of what I'm already paying, plus the hardware startup fees, plus the fact that it would all only work on one TV.

I really like having a bunch of channels available on every TV in the house (five) with regular cable.

(snip)

...ideally instead of a cable or satellite box it would just be a networked video-streaming box that plays content off of an in-house media server, like a TiVo S3 or Mac Mini...
Sounds like you want a lot but don't want to pay for a lot, Lem. You've probably got the best deal you're ever going to get.

Networked streaming video is coming, but not for a while... and I bet they'll charge a lot for it too.

Larry
SF

i got this message on my box, looks redundant on the surface... "FSN-HD is on 720, check it out"... but maybe it is signalling the start of the FSN fulltime HD channel. with national HD feeds coming in now, it may not be so useless afterall to have a dedicated channel.

So a friend of mine in Palo Alto gets UHD and subscribes to just expanded basic + HD.

In SF, UHD is saying not authorized and I subscribe to limited basic + HD.

We are both grandfathered HD subscribers.

Anyone in SF getting it?

those annoy me so much. It makes me want to punch the screen :(
It's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkk !!!!!

Yes, the fun ads are back on the menu system :eek: :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

I added Cinemax and Starz on top of my existing gold package for an additional $13/month.

Also, I have about 5 HD movies on my DVR now, one of them is Star Wars, Episode 3 or 5, cant remember (it aired on HBOHD) and I still have ~25% left to record on my 6412.

Oh and cinemax is 1080i.
So some of you have probably heard Cinemax is running all 6 Star Wars movies in HDTV in November. My question is, I have Digital Classic now, what's the minimum package I need for Cinemax, or can you get it ala carte (what, stop laughing)?

Actually 2 questions, the 6 films are about 15 hours of HD, is that going to fit on the 120gig 6412/3412 drive, with any room to spare?? Is Cinemax 720 or 1080i? Damn that was 3 questions, I'll come in again...

I am in Walnut Creek and am NOT getting UHD. That probably doesnt help you much though.
I just spent another 45 minutes on with 2 comcast CSRs trying to get my UHD to be authorized. They both said that they had no indication that UHD was in even my (Lafayette) system. They said they could not find it on their system (they said they were in Concord and not on a 550 Mz system).

I told them about all the postings on this board about UHD being temporarily available on non-550 Mz and Mr. Johnson's email. But they said as this wasn't a Comcast board, it meant nothing. (Of course the channel listing on the official Comcast website is worthless as it is out of date as even they admit). They asked is I knew of anyone in Lafayette getting UHD presently. I know fender is in Moraga. Anyone inLafayette getting UHD?

So 2 requests:

1) Would anyone in Lafayette getting UHD please PM me so I may give Comcast an example of a Lafayette home getting UHD.

2) Is it possible I can get Mr. Johnson's title/email/phone number/contact information by PM so that I can have the CSRs to contact him to confirm the status of UHD.

Or any other suggestions on getting UHD authorized.

- Phil

So a friend of mine in Palo Alto gets UHD and subscribes to just expanded basic + HD.

In SF, UHD is saying not authorized and I subscribe to limited basic + HD.

We are both grandfathered HD subscribers.

Anyone in SF getting it?
Your friend has Standard Cable(Limited plus Expanded), you can't get just Expanded Basic by itself. I'm not sure what the "+ HD" means.

I just spent another 45 minutes on with 2 comcast CSRs trying to get my UHD to be authorized. They both said that they had no indication that UHD was even on my (Lafayette) system. They said they could not find it on their system (they said they were in Concord and not on a 550 Mz system).

I told them about all the postings on this board about UHD being temporarily available on non-550 Mz and Mr. Johnson's email. But they said as this wasn't a Comcast board, it meant nothing. (Of course the channel listing on the official Comcast website is worthless as it is out of date as even they admit). They asked is I knew of anyone in Lafayette getting UHD presently. I know fender is in Moraga. Anyone in Lafayette getting UHD?

So 2 requests:

1) Would anyone in Lafayette getting UHD please PM me so I may give Comcast an example of a Lafayette home getting UHD.

2) Is it possible I can get Mr. Johnson's title/email/phone number/contact information by PM so that I can have the CSRs to contact him to confirm the status of UHD.

Or any other suggestions on getting UHD authorized.

- Phil

One further note. We are on a 850 Mz or so system, getting all 4 premium HD stations (HBO, STARZ, Showtime, Cinemax), INHD 1&2 and ESPN2HD. I also got UHD this February for the winter olympics. But not for the US Open evidently.

- Phil

Your friend has Standard Cable(Limited plus Expanded), you can't get just Expanded Basic by itself. I'm not sure what the "+ HD" means.

Yeah that's correct, I was kinda implying that, sorry for the confusion. The +HD is the $5 to add HD.

Yeah that's correct, I was kinda implying that, sorry for the confusion. The +HD is the $5 to add HD.
I've been confused on this ever since I've seen/heard about it. How is that listed on the bill? On my bill it lists "DVR Service With HDTV......$9.95". I don't recall, but I'm guessing if you just have the HD-capable STB, the 6200, it would be listed as "HDTV Service...$5.00"?

I guess Comcast doesn't really list the equipment, they instead list the "service"....which is interesting because Comcast has always claimed they don't charge for "HD".

Let me ask this, does anyone have this $5 HD charge with just Limited Basic and no STB?