Hmmm.... three for three.

Anyway we can get a message to Mr. Johnson of Comcast and ask him what's going on in Sunnyavle? I'm tired of having to take up the storage on my TiVo to make up for a Comcast/Motorola problem.

BobI can assure you that Mr. Johnson reads this forum quite frequently if not daily. Just one thing you might check. Is your box running hot ?? If you go into the diagnostic menu for the box, look at d13 that will have the temp it is running at and the max temp it has reached. The reason I'm asking is, this box is sensitive to heat and will give you some of the problems that you are seeing. Sort of like what your computer will do if it overheats.

Laters,
Mikef5

I agree. If the FCC starts granting waivers left and right, they're just saying they don't back up their own laws. What I'm not sure is why they think this will affect Tivo. Cable companies aren't asking to waive last year's law of making CableCARDs available to everyone...they're just asking that they not be required to ship boxes who's encryption is integrated. Cable companies will still be required to make CableCARDs available to customers. At least that's how I read it...
I re-read the article and it's really convoluted but the "integration ban" seems to ban the security features of the box from being integrated into the box it's self. From the article

-- The "integration ban" will come into effect on July 1, 2007. It prevents cable operators from offering set-top boxes with built-in security. Instead, operators must supply and support boxes that have "separable security,"---

The Cable Card, that Tivo and tv's use, is an external security device. Tivo doesn't want any waivers for that up coming ban on security integration. But since the cable card hasn't worked out so well, if it were to go away or waived Tivo would be up a creek without an oar, they need that cable card to work with cable. If it were to go away Tivo would not have access to cable and would probably have to license access to it. In Tivo's mind by granting waivers it will spell the death of cable cards and their new cable box, which in my opinion is far superior to what the cable companys are giving us now. If I was a big cable company I'd buy Tivo out and integrate it into my system, that would give them a big edge in their fight with the satellite providers. I mean how many people wouldn't want a new Tivo S3 or something like it with their cable ??

Laters,
Mikef5

Fender,
Something else I noticed. The cable companys would have to put into ALL THEIR BOXES this separable security. Which means they couldn't make a cheap box with all it's features or any other box for that matter without putting that "cable card interface" into it. That's an added cost they don't want to have to put into it, remember it's all about the bottom line.

Laters,
Mikef5

Fender,
Something else I noticed. The cable companys would have to put into ALL THEIR BOXES this separable security. Which means they couldn't make a cheap box with all it's features or any other box for that matter without putting that "cable card interface" into it. That's an added cost they don't want to have to put into it, remember it's all about the bottom line.

Laters,
Mikef5

I understand that part and actually agree. Forcing seperable security in even the low end boxes is pretty much useless. The kind of people who are using those boxes aren't the ones that are going to go out and getting 3rd party STB's anyway.

But where the article is a bit "misleading" is that they make it seem as if an MSO is given a waiver for the Integration Ban then they no longer have to offer CableCARD's as well. I don't think this is true. Straight from National Cable & Telecommunications Association web site:

"FCC rules already require cable operators to make CableCARDs available to consumers who purchase CableCARD-enabled equipment built by unaffiliated manufacturers and subject them to stiff penalties for failing to configure their systems to be fully compatible with such “plug and play” devices. In the six years since CableCARDs became available, not a single violation has been recorded nor a penalty doled out to the cable industry. Further, cable operators already have a built-in, market-based incentive to make the cards work – some 200,000 of the industry’s best digital customers own devices that use CableCARDs and that number is growing daily. It certainly makes no sense to require that every new set-top box leased by cable operators – approximately 8 million per year – use CableCARDs to provide the assurance the FCC and the consumer electronics industry seem to be seeking."

Even the NCTA admits they must continue to offer CableCARD's until a new, better solution is put into fruitition such as DCAS. So again, I'm not seeing where a waiver to the integration ban would hurt Tivo.

The sad part is that the Integration Ban was originally pur forward in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The FCC then set July 2000 as the cut-off date...the pushed it to January 2005...then July 2006...and now July 2007. God, the FCC is a joke.

Fender,
You know the more I read about this the more I think it's just more posturing by both parties. They don't want each other to gain an advantage so they do PR spin, making each other look bad. In the mean time we pay for it. The only thing that would stop me from getting the Tivo S3 is that it uses one way cable cards. They haven't said if it would be able to be upgradable to the new two way cards or not. They both need to get together and work out a standard interface that they both can agree on and support. Like that's ever going to happen.. :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

Fender,
You know the more I read about this the more I think it's just more posturing by both parties. They don't want each other to gain an advantage so they do PR spin, making each other look bad. In the mean time we pay for it. The only thing that would stop me from getting the Tivo S3 is that it uses one way cable cards. They haven't said if it would be able to be upgradable to the new two way cards or not. They both need to get together and work out a standard interface that they both can agree on and support. Like that's ever going to happen.. :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

You're right. It's just frustrating when so many problems could be solved if the government actually followed through with their laws...especially the ones they created over 10 years ago! We all complain about how we waste our money on Comcast but what about all of the wasted tax dollars that go to the FCC when they just sit there with their thumbs up their you know whats. I hate being forced to stick with a piece of crap DVR because yokels on Capitol Hill can't figure out who to take bribes from. Yes...I know...S3. But I would rather spend a little more money, get an HTPC that will not only allow me to get all of my digital cable but I also get to choose what software I use. If it crashes, doesn't record correctly...fine, I'll get another piece of software. Seems simple to me.

While the FCC can make rules that Cable Companies have to make Cable Cards available, the cable companies have been dragging their feet on supporting them, and not pushing them at all. Instead, they push their own STBs for OnDemand, Channel Guide, etc.

Now imagine. What if the rule had been that all STBs had to use separte security stating in 2005. You can bet your life that Cable Card like soludion for OnDemand, interactive channel guide, etc would be available today. But since the Cable Companies don't need to use the separate security devices, they pay lip service to them, but don't invest in them, or push the standards forward.

That is why waivers are a bad thing. They allow the Cable Companies to find other ways to offer services that lock people into their STBs, and just pay lip service to supporting separate security.

Greg

To RBurks and others on KQED and PSIP.

A couple of years ago, when HD was still fairly new on Comcast, they were xmitting KNTV on 116.1 and ESPN-HD on 116.2 on my system.

I have a Sony KDF55 RPT TV. When I scanned for digital channels, my Sony was able to find and remember KNTV at PSIP 11.1, but it would not find ESPN-HD on 116.2. If I manually tuned 116.2, it would play OK, but the Sony would not remember the channel like it dies for other manually tuned channels.

At some later date, Comcast quite carrying the PSIP for KNTV and it reverted to the actual 116.1 on my TV. And now my Sony finds and remembers 116.2 as well.

Today, I don't know of any channels on my system that some stations with PSIP and others without PSIP. And I find that my Sony can find and remember all of the stations.

It sounds like KQED-HD on your system is sharing a channel with a station that has a PSIP. If that is the case, then it may explain the behavior you observe.

It may be that the Sony tuners don't "properly" handle a channel that shares some stations with PSIP and others without PSIP.

My solution was to manually tune the station, then add it to my Favorites. That was the only place I could get my Sony to keep the 116.2 channel.

Since then, the PSIP has disappeared from all HD stations except 2.1 and 5.1, which share channel 79 here. And I don't have any problems with the Sony remembering any stations.

Greg

Ta-dah! PSIP just appeared here for KRON-HD (4.2) a couple days ago for the first time. Its physical location is ch 111.1. Still no KQED PSIP on 117 or KNTV PSIP on 116.

You're right. It's just frustrating when so many problems could be solved if the government actually followed through with their laws...especially the ones they created over 10 years ago! We all complain about how we waste our money on Comcast but what about all of the wasted tax dollars that go to the FCC when they just sit there with their thumbs up their you know whats. I hate being forced to stick with a piece of crap DVR because yokels on Capitol Hill can't figure out who to take bribes from. Yes...I know...S3. But I would rather spend a little more money, get an HTPC that will not only allow me to get all of my digital cable but I also get to choose what software I use. If it crashes, doesn't record correctly...fine, I'll get another piece of software. Seems simple to me.
Fender,
Here's a link to the Engadget site ( good site for all things digital ) that kind of explains this a little clearer and what Tivo is trying to prevent with it's objections to the waivers....
http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/19/tivo-fighting-fcc-over-cablecard-verizons-fios-service/

Laters,
Mikef5

Fender,
Here's a link to the Engadget site ( good site for all things digital ) that kind of explains this a little clearer and what Tivo is trying to prevent with it's objections to the waivers....
http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/19/tivo-fighting-fcc-over-cablecard-verizons-fios-service/

Laters,
Mikef5

That's funny...that's exactly where I got the initial article from (the Engadget story links to the Ars Tech article). But I think I'm seeing where Tivo is worried. They thought that once the ban came about, customers would no longer have to take "special steps" to get the CableCARD installed since everyone would theoretically have to get a CableCARD. I still don't think it's as dire as the article makes it seem...but I see their point.

And going off what gfbuchanan said, I think I have to agree with the cable companies and say CableCARD is not the answer...at least not anymore. Had it been implemented 6 years ago like they said it would, maybe it would have gained enough traction and forced them to make improvements (i.e. CableCARD 2.0). Should we drop CableCARD now? No! Should the telecommunication and hardware companies spend their time/money on technologies such as DCAS and OCAP and get them rolled out ASAP? Hell yes!!

Is this something that's started to happen recently or has NBC always given you problems? When you see these issues, go into the diagnostics and check your SNR and error correction count for that tuner. Could be bandwidth related.

please explain? I'm a relative noob and have no clue what the SNR is... nor how to check "error correction count". Thanks for the help!

To RBurks and others on KQED and PSIP.

A couple of years ago, when HD was still fairly new on Comcast, they were xmitting KNTV on 116.1 and ESPN-HD on 116.2 on my system.

I have a Sony KDF55 RPT TV. When I scanned for digital channels, my Sony was able to find and remember KNTV at PSIP 11.1, but it would not find ESPN-HD on 116.2. If I manually tuned 116.2, it would play OK, but the Sony would not remember the channel like it dies for other manually tuned channels.

At some later date, Comcast quite carrying the PSIP for KNTV and it reverted to the actual 116.1 on my TV. And now my Sony finds and remembers 116.2 as well.

Today, I don't know of any channels on my system that some stations with PSIP and others without PSIP. And I find that my Sony can find and remember all of the stations.

It sounds like KQED-HD on your system is sharing a channel with a station that has a PSIP. If that is the case, then it may explain the behavior you observe.

It may be that the Sony tuners don't "properly" handle a channel that shares some stations with PSIP and others without PSIP.

My solution was to manually tune the station, then add it to my Favorites. That was the only place I could get my Sony to keep the 116.2 channel.

Since then, the PSIP has disappeared from all HD stations except 2.1 and 5.1, which share channel 79 here. And I don't have any problems with the Sony remembering any stations.
That's good info.

Ironically it seems if RBurks wants Comcast to do something to fix his scans it would be to *remove* PSIP from the rest of 117.

If he wants to talk to KQED then the solution would be to add PSIP to 24/7 KQED-HD.

Sounds like the add to Favorites is the easiest workaround.

please explain? I'm a relative noob and have no clue what the SNR is... nor how to check "error correction count". Thanks for the help!
The following gets you to screen that you need in the diagnostic menu.

Select the channel on the STB that you want information for.
Power down STB and within 2 seconds hit Select/OK.
A Diagnositc menu will appear.
Down Arrow to d04 In Band Status and then hit Select/OK.

AGC is probably the most important and if it reaches 99% you will have breakups. If the error correction count is in the 1,000s, you probably also will have a problem.

I have basic cable, no box. I am in Cupertino, CA (near San Jose) I called Comcast and they were of no help. I just got a LCD HDTV, and through the tv setting, the channels are very poor and grainy. Through the DTV setting, the quality is great. The problem is that the channels are listed as 116.2 and 114.3 and I have no idea of what channel corresponds to what programming. I called Comcast and they were of no help. I am sure that there must be a list available. Can someone post a list of them? Thanks.

My second issue is that my TIVO signal is picking up the old grainy signal. Is there a way for the TIVO to pick up the HD signals from the 116.2 and other channels, or am I out of luck. The new picture is great, but I don't want to loose quality TIVO in the process. Help! Thanks

Scott

The following gets you to screen that you need in the diagnostic menu.

Select the channel on the STB that you want information for.
Power down STB and within 2 seconds hit Select/OK.
A Diagnositc menu will appear.
Down Arrow to d04 In Band Status and then hit Select/OK.

AGC is probably the most important and if it reaches 99% you will have breakups. If the error correction count is in the 1,000s, you probably also will have a problem.


So this process works with all motorolla HD DVR STBs? What is "AGC"? So this diagnostic is for only the channel i powered down on? And what do I do if it reaches 99% and/or the error correction count is in the 1000s? Call Comcast and complain?

Thanks guys...

So this process works with all motorolla HD DVR STBs? What is "AGC"? So this diagnostic is for only the channel i powered down on? And what do I do if it reaches 99% and/or the error correction count is in the 1000s? Call Comcast and complain?

Thanks guys...
Most if not all Motorola STBs (5100 and up, maybe 22xx also).

AGC is automatic gain control. Think of it as an internal amplifier in the STB. Larger #s means it needs to amplify the signal more to get a usable signal, which in turn means the incoming signal has been attenuated more.

That statistics are for the channel that was selected right before you turned off the box.

If it reaches 99% you need to add am amp, drop some splitters, and/or ask Comcast to figure out why the signal is so low.

Properly functioning digital should have zero error count. If they tell you it is normal for error counts, they aren't being honest. I've found the error correction in the STBs to be superior to most TV QAM tuners, so often you will notice problems on your TV way before they will show up on the STBs.

If you see error counts, you definitely call Comcast and complain. The AGC being high you should probably call them, but there could be things you could do to alleviate.

However after rereading your post, it seems you are only having problems with only one channel. In that case it is likely comcast or broadcaster problem.

My second issue is that my TIVO signal is picking up the old grainy signal. Is there a way for the TIVO to pick up the HD signals from the 116.2 and other channels, or am I out of luck. The new picture is great, but I don't want to loose quality TIVO in the process. Help! Thanks

If you have S3, you pretty much have to get CableCards. If you don't have S3, you have to get a Comcast box to record the digital channels.

I have basic cable, no box. I am in Cupertino, CA (near San Jose) I called Comcast and they were of no help. I just got a LCD HDTV, and through the tv setting, the channels are very poor and grainy. Through the DTV setting, the quality is great. The problem is that the channels are listed as 116.2 and 114.3 and I have no idea of what channel corresponds to what programming. I called Comcast and they were of no help. I am sure that there must be a list available. Can someone post a list of them? Thanks.

My second issue is that my TIVO signal is picking up the old grainy signal. Is there a way for the TIVO to pick up the HD signals from the 116.2 and other channels, or am I out of luck. The new picture is great, but I don't want to loose quality TIVO in the process. Help! Thanks

Scott
There is no public list and very few people at Comcast will have access to accurate local mappings. They can sometimes change location quite often and at other times go months without moving. If you want the channels to be at places you recognize you need to get a CableCARD. Every region has the channels at different locations.

If you have regular analog TiVo the only way to get access to the HD signals is to use STB and downconvert.

If you have S3, get the two CableCARDs and your TiVo will do the rest.

I'm also in Sunnyvale and am experiencing major pixelation/audio dropouts on all (or rather, the limited Comcast ghetto) HD channels but ABC. Everything was fine about a week ago, but every day the problem has gotten worse and more channels are unwatchable. A technician came to look at my wiring today and tried replacing the cable box, but he was unable to find anything wrong with the signal and the new cable box had the same problem. He said Sunnyvale was having problems with its HD channels, but it was fixed a couple of days ago. I've basically been left hanging here with only 1 HD channel working... I'm very tempted to give Dish a call.
I am also in Sunnyvale, and had HDTV problems for the last month. Comcast came out five times and was unable or unwilling to fix the problem. I even put my 6200 box outside at the Comcast entry point with a small TV to show that the problem was outside my house.
I gave up a few days ago, and have just had Dish intstalled. Excellent so far.

That's funny...that's exactly where I got the initial article from (the Engadget story links to the Ars Tech article). But I think I'm seeing where Tivo is worried. They thought that once the ban came about, customers would no longer have to take "special steps" to get the CableCARD installed since everyone would theoretically have to get a CableCARD. I still don't think it's as dire as the article makes it seem...but I see their point.

And going off what gfbuchanan said, I think I have to agree with the cable companies and say CableCARD is not the answer...at least not anymore. Had it been implemented 6 years ago like they said it would, maybe it would have gained enough traction and forced them to make improvements (i.e. CableCARD 2.0). Should we drop CableCARD now? No! Should the telecommunication and hardware companies spend their time/money on technologies such as DCAS and OCAP and get them rolled out ASAP? Hell yes!!
If one agrees that the whole point of CableCARD is to have equipment from 3rd parties that are either superior in features to Comcast's offering, less costly than renting from Comcast, or both, then one really needs to step back and look at the big picture.

CableCARD may not be perfect, but it is here now. If CableCARD dies, the next replacement will be 2yrs down the road. Can TiVo survive that long? The PVR market needs to be fostered or it will die and then what you'll be left with is a technology better than CableCARD but no 3rd party vendors.

CableCARD is *already dead* for TVs due to successful strategies of the MSO like foot dragging, delaying, pricing policies, lobbying for extensions, arguing that it will cost the consumer more, etc. The standard MSO response to anything that is not in their best interest is to claim it will end up costing the consumers more, knowing that there will be a large percentage of people that will knee-jerk and agree it is not a good thing for costs to go up. Umm, yeah, when has cost ever stopped the MSOs from doing something that they thought was in their best interests. How much are they investing in VOD? Do you really think VOD is "free"? How about all the rate increases you've been living with to support "free" VOD?

The strategy of claiming the consumer will bear the cost increases for anything they don't want to implement is simple and pure genious. If the consumers are on their side, great, the legislators vote in favor of MSOs. If it should somehow not go their way, they can immediately have an excuse to raise rates and say "see, we told you so, now your rates are going up, blame the legislators" It is a win win argument.

The reality is the consumer will *always* bear the cost of the changes and upgrades. The only question is whether those changes are in your best interest or the MSOs best interest. There is some overlap in areas, but CableCARD definitely isn't one of them. MSOs have zero interest in CableCARD. It is purely something the consumer should want, but isn't experienced enough to know they want. By the time they figure it out, it will be too late.

Is CableCARD perfect? Absolutely not. Is it the best thing available? Yes. Is it functional enough? Yes.

It doesn't do multi-stream - big deal, use 2 cards

It doesn't do 2-way - only matters if you want VOD and future "interactive" services. Besides you can implement 2-way services over an IP network if you want. What MSOs are most fearful is losing control of the TV-top. They want to control your home page and what services you have access to. That is why they can't stand CableCARD. First it allows someone else like TiVo to control your TV-top and second it doesn't allow them to implement the TV-top the way they want to.

It is great TiVo S3 has proven existing CableCARD, while not perfect, is good enough to build a much better product around. You guys who care about PVRs should all be doing everything you can to sustain TiVo (including lobbying for no waivers) because if TiVo doesn't survive, don't expect too many PVRs to come around. I say this irrespective of whether you own TiVo or want to own a TiVo. It is about more than TiVo. It is about your ability to choose superior equipment 3rd party vendors.

If you don't believe me, look at what happened to CableCARD in TVs. Last year most mid to high-end TV included CableCARD. This year, almost none of them do, even the high-end ones like XBR2/3. CableCARD is dead for TVs. If you let the same happen for TiVo, CableCARD really will die and then you won't see any replacement for another 2yrs minimum and the 3rd party PVR market may go away as well.

Remember, the goal is not necessarily the have the perfect most technological capable technology. The goal is to have consumer choice in equipment (and PVRs) Separate encryption is a means to an end. It isn't the end in and of itself. If you can have both, great, but IMO you are really at a crossroads and need to choose one over the other.

So this process works with all motorolla HD DVR STBs? What is "AGC"? So this diagnostic is for only the channel i powered down on? And what do I do if it reaches 99% and/or the error correction count is in the 1000s? Call Comcast and complain?

Thanks guys...
Definately works on 62xx, 64xx, and 34xx STBs.

AGC I think is "Automatic Gain Control".

Yes it is only for that channel since different channels will have different numbers depending on where they reside in the frequency band.

99% means that it cannot amplify the signal any more and when the correction rate is too high breakup will usually occur. Some people say that AGC should be about 50% but I had a cable system amplifier failure last summer and the AGC was 50% before and when they replaced the amplifier it was at 85%. I haven't seen any difference except when it gets very hot and the AGC gets close to 99%. Either problem is either a Comcast cable problem or possibly house wiring and splitters. 50% AGC is better than 90% AGC since noise is also being amplified.

sfhub,

thanks for the post. I am still confused over what is being waived. Two variations:

1) Every STB should have cable cards. It is not enough if the broadcast stream is cableCARD complaiant. -- this is excessive IMO. Why should Tivo care as long Tivo is able to show all channels with cableCARD.

2) It is enough if broadcast stream is cableCARD complaint. To me bay area Comcast is already compliant. I am sure there are other cable systems that are not cableCARD compliant.

Thanks.

Cable TV price war headed for SR
AT&T, in challenge to Comcast, again seeking to offer service in city
...

"The city of Santa Rosa is in discussions with AT&T to allow the company to bury fiber optic cables that will provide some residents another option when choosing TV services, such as HBO, The Discovery Channel and other content historically associated with cable service."

...

full article:
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/NEWS/61020001/1033/NEWS01

1) Every STB should have cable cards. It is not enough if the broadcast stream is cableCARD complaiant. -- this is excessive IMO. Why should Tivo care as long Tivo is able to show all channels with cableCARD.

2) It is enough if broadcast stream is cableCARD complaint. To me bay area Comcast is already compliant. I am sure there are other cable systems that are not cableCARD compliant.
The CableCARD rules intention has always been *all* STBs should use CableCARDs except for possible waivers.

The reasoning is it guarantees a level playing field and everything MSOs can implement in their STBs, a third party can also implement.

The are many reasons I don't believe it is excessive:
1) level playing field - if the original deadline was a hard deadline, you can bet Comcast would have revised CableCARD to work with VOD. The reason IMO VOD doesn't work with CableCARD today is because there was no fire under MSOs but to get it working because they could just delay delay delay. However let's not get fixated on VOD. The overriding theme is if MSOs must use the technology they are offering to third parties, in their own STBs, you can be assured there is no feature Comcast can provide that others cannot. By keeping the 2007 cutover date with no waivers, you are likely guaranteeing that CableCARD 2.0 will come out and it will come out sooner than later.

2) better interop, smoother installs - if all MSOs are forced to use CableCARD 1.0/2.0/etc. you can be assured there will be more interop testing and install problems should be greatly reduced. This makes it easier for 3rd parties to sell there products because pain of installation is a deterrent today.

3) vibrant market, lower prices - if MSOs are forced to use CableCARDs, you vastly expand the CableCARD market, driving down costs, and consumer electronics companies have confidence they are investing design time into a technology that isn't going to disappear. You can see the effect of the uncertainty of CableCARDs existence by looking at how many 2006 TVs have CableCARD slots. It is actually much less than 2005. The TV companies have given up on CableCARDs because they don't think they are going to be around so why bother with it.

4) ensuring survival of CableCARD technology - by guaranteeing a vibrant market for CableCARDs, you block the next logical step in current CableCARD delay tactics. The next logical steps is when 2007 comes around, the MSOs argue that CableCARDs are really crappy solutions that don't meet the market need so they should be thrown out for some newer much better designed solution. There evidence that CableCARDs don't meet the needs of the market will be to look at how many TVs include CableCARDs and how many PVRs use CableCARD. TiVo will then essentially be using a dead technology.

In my opinion forcing MSOs to use CableCARD 1.0/2.0/etc. will guarantee a vibrant market that can foster innovation by 3rd parties. It is a nascent market that will disappear if there is not enough encouragement.

In ohter states Comcast is offering Cinemax for $6.95 for the month of November due to Star Wars, Any idea if this will happen here?

i downgraded my service from digital silver to digital classic. i did it because i just picked up an HDDVD player (drool) and decided TO HELL with hboHD. saved me 25 bucks/mo all in all.

doesn't look like i'll miss much (i still get TNT, ESPN etc), but they said i woudln't get NFLHD. not that i care that much, but it would be kinda nice to still have that for the few games that will be on that waste of an HD channel. will i still get NFLHD with my new package?? 725 still works, even though 730 of course is gone for me.

In Mountain View, 725 NFLHD is part of digital classic.

I have limited basic and digital classic (no expanded basic). Picked up a DCT700 box today. My primary purpose was to get the ADS digital mapping for my S3 CableCards, but I'm still getting the analog version. Any other tip?

I have limited basic and digital classic (no expanded basic). Picked up a DCT700 box today. My primary purpose was to get the ADS digital mapping for my S3 CableCards, but I'm still getting the analog version. Any other tip?
I was having the same problem at first. My Comcast STB was getting ADS but S3 cablecards were not. Then, about two weeks later, I noticed S3 cablecards started getting ADS also. Don't know exactly what changed, whether it was a TiVo s/w upgrade or a periodic update to cablecards sent by Comcast. You might be brave and call Comcast for a cablecard hit, but I opted not to do that because I thought that to be too risky to jeopardize two working cablecards.

I have limited basic and digital classic (no expanded basic). Picked up a DCT700 box today. My primary purpose was to get the ADS digital mapping for my S3 CableCards, but I'm still getting the analog version. Any other tip?
Just a quick question. You picked up a DCT700 box ??? You do realize this box is used to connect a digital cable to an analog tv set ?? The reason I was wondering is the Tivo S3 is a high end cable box which is normally connected to a digital set. So I'm not seeing the reason or purpose of having a DCT700 box. What kind of set up do you have ?? Also, this is the first I've heard of the DCT 700 being used or even seen in the outside world.

Laters,
Mikef5

Rjcrum,

I'm in Sunnyvale too and I still have both of these problems. The latter seems to have gotten worse too.


I'm in Sunnyvale and have always had (during primetime, at least) issues with pixellation and severe audio issues. Doubtful it has anything to do with the box, as these issues have persisted after I ditched my 6200 and got a CableCARD.

Generally, if the issue persists for more than 30sec or so, I'll give a call to customer service. At least that way, the complaint is logged, and I also get some satisfaction thinking that somehow my call cost them money (albeit a miniscule amount). :D

I would encourage you to call CS anytime and everytime an issue makes a show unwatchable for you.

ah crap, why is the cal game on upconverted SD? it was specifically listed as HD on their website.

nm, they must have flipped the switch, looks much better now.

You picked up a DCT700 box ???

Other people have reported getting that box to enable the "ADS flag" in the Comcast account, so that other devices would switch from analog to the ADS digital mapping.

Other people have reported getting that box to enable the "ADS flag" in the Comcast account, so that other devices would switch from analog to the ADS digital mapping.
I asked at the local office to have that done with DCT-6200 and it worked. But that was before I got the S3 and like I said it made no sense that it was getting analog on S3 and DCT-6200 was getting digital. If you get a DCT-700, then the ADS flag is automatically set and since not many Comcast reps know how to manually set the ADS flag, some have gotten the DCT-700 temporarily to set it.

If you get a DCT-700, then the ADS flag is automatically set and since not many Comcast reps know how to manually set the ADS flag, some have gotten the DCT-700 temporarily to set it.

I was going to keep that box for a couple of days before returning it, but it looks like I may have to keep it for a while longer to see if my S3 switches over. I watched a free on-demand movie last night, so it's not a complete waste even if ADS doesn't work. :)

Other people have reported getting that box to enable the "ADS flag" in the Comcast account, so that other devices would switch from analog to the ADS digital mapping.I thought ADS meant the provider was simulcasting both analog&digital versions of certain channels, and there was no house specific setting for the head-end to make. Now I know I'm confused. Which channels should one check to see if one is getting the good/digital signal?

I thought ADS meant the provider was simulcasting both analog&digital versions of certain channels, and there was no house specific setting for the head-end to make. Now I know I'm confused. Which channels should one check to see if one is getting the good/digital signal?

The limited basic and expanded basic are analog channels. In ADS area, the same channels are also transmitted in digital form. When you select "channel 2", the Comcast box or CableCard can pick up either the analog channel 2 or the digital version channel wx-yz, depending on how Comcast has programmed the device.

The limited basic and expanded basic are analog channels. In ADS area, the same channels are also transmitted in digital form. When you select "channel 2", the Comcast box or CableCard can pick up either the analog channel 2 or the digital version channel wx-yz, depending on how Comcast has programmed the device.Thanks. For channels < 100, other than the HD ones, my s3 tivo is reporting analog signals. For channels > 100, digital. How am I supposed to know whether or not I'm in an ADS area (the head-end is in San Rafael)?
By "programmed the device" I assume you mean sent some kind of hit to my cablecard (since I have nothing but cablecard). Why wouldn't this have happened already when the cablecards were setup for digital use?

Thanks. For channels < 100, other than the HD ones, my s3 tivo is reporting analog signals. For channels > 100, digital. How am I supposed to know whether or not I'm in an ADS area (the head-end is in San Rafael)?
By "programmed the device" I assume you mean sent some kind of hit to my cablecard (since I have nothing but cablecard). Why wouldn't this have happened already when the cablecards were setup for digital use?
I suggest you go down to your local office and ask to have your account flagged for ADS. They will know if your area has ADS, the CSRs on the 800 number don't know. If your local office doesn't know how to set the ADS flag, have them call the Novato office as they set the flag for me and know how to do it.

Whether the ADS flag will cause your cablecards to recognize ADS is another matter. It works automatically for STBs but you might need to get them to hit the cablecards.

I suggest you go down to your local office and ask to have your account flagged for ADS. They will know if your area has ADS, the CSRs on the 800 number don't know. If your local office doesn't know how to set the ADS flag, have them call the Novato office as they set the flag for me and know how to do it. Wish I could just tweak something on my end to see if I have it and whether or not it's actually better. If it's better, why isn't it on by default? I have no season passes on analog stations so it's probably not worth driving around&standing in line to try and get someone to let me try it.

I'm in Sunnyvale and have always had (during primetime, at least) issues with pixellation and severe audio issues. Doubtful it has anything to do with the box, as these issues have persisted after I ditched my 6200 and got a CableCARD.

Generally, if the issue persists for more than 30sec or so, I'll give a call to customer service. At least that way, the complaint is logged, and I also get some satisfaction thinking that somehow my call cost them money (albeit a miniscule amount). :D

I would encourage you to call CS anytime and everytime an issue makes a show unwatchable for you.

Hello

Noob to this thread, but have been watching HDTV in Sunnyvale (near Homestead High) via Comcast for over a year now. The past several months I also have had problems with pix and audio drops. I don't use a STB, I have clear QAM inputs on my TV and (3rd party) DVR, but see the problems anyway. In fact, when it happens, I can also see interference on the upper (7 and above) analog channels (it appears as white horizontal lines flashing on the screen but does not affect audio). This problem has been on and off for months now, but getting worse.

I recently called CS and when the tech arrived I played him back the symptoms I recorded on my DVR when the problems were happening. (Naturally, no problems on the day he was here.) He said it looked like "hum bars" (??), but definitely said there was a problem. Since the problem was so intermittent, he said he would contact the "network guys" who apparently connect to the line somewhere in the system and monitor for this kind of problem. I said I would keep a log of when the problems occurred and he said give them a week or 2 to collect data.

For info, my log shows problems most of Fri 10/13, saw no problems Sat, Sun, Mon or Tues. Problems returned late Wed night (~11:50pm) and continued through Thurs 10/19 into the late evening. Fri 10/20 was bad late morning through about 1:15pm. Then OK to 9pm w/occas problems rest of night. Did not see any problems yesterday (Sat) and OK today so far (4pm).

I will post again if/when I get any resolution to this problem.

(FYI, the tech also said that an upgrade from the current 550 MHz to a new ~800 MHz cable system was "in the budget" for 2007 for Sunnyvale.)

Jim in Sunnyvale

(FYI, the tech also said that an upgrade from the current 550 MHz to a new ~800 MHz cable system was "in the budget" for 2007 for Sunnyvale.)Sweet!

Sweet!

Anyone in the Sunnyvale area not getting their HD signals in. Today it kept showing the 'One Moment Please... This channel will be available shortly.'

Just about to call CS and see what's up.

Steve

Anyone in the Sunnyvale area not getting their HD signals in. Today it kept showing the 'One Moment Please... This channel will be available shortly.'

Just about to call CS and see what's up.

Steve


Same thing with me in Sunnyvale. Now I have a bunch of 12/31/1989 recordings on my box from tonight's series recordings from the HD channels that won't play and won't delete. I called CS tonight and was pretty much told to buzz off, it's not a system-wide problem, and wait until Wednesday when they can send another technician. I've had one come Thursday and Friday, and he hasn't been able to find any problems, and yet clearly, the HD channels are not working properly and he left with the problem unresolved. A technician was supposed to run more tests on Saturday, but bailed. So much for customer service. :(

Perhaps if more folks from Sunnyvale call in this can get escalated...

(FYI, the tech also said that an upgrade from the current 550 MHz to a new ~800 MHz cable system was "in the budget" for 2007 for Sunnyvale.)
Jim in Sunnyvale
An upgrade may be in the budget for 2007....BUT will it happen next year?!?!? I'll believe it when I see new channels in our lineup.

That's good info.

Ironically it seems if RBurks wants Comcast to do something to fix his scans it would be to *remove* PSIP from the rest of 117.

If he wants to talk to KQED then the solution would be to add PSIP to 24/7 KQED-HD.

Sounds like the add to Favorites is the easiest workaround.


I agree with you (almost). What is interesting is that I get all the other KQED digital cahnnels on 88.x (EXCEPT KQED-HD). So in fact, if they removed the PSIP from the rest of the channels it should work perfectly! ;)

I will do the favorite channel add tonight! Good idea.

An upgrade may be in the budget for 2007....BUT will it happen next year?!?!? I'll believe it when I see new channels in our lineup.
FWIW, this info is from a tech that does not attend budget meetings and has no clue what is or is not in the budget, he is merely propagating a rumor. I've been hearing for over 2 years that they are going to be upgrading the 550 MHz areas and that it's got the funding and it still hasn't happened. So until Comcast makes a public announcement about the upgrades, I would take this with a grain of salt ( maybe a bag of salt ;) ).

Laters,
Mikef5

Anyone in the Sunnyvale area not getting their HD signals in. Today it kept showing the 'One Moment Please... This channel will be available shortly.'

Just about to call CS and see what's up.

Steve
Me too, WTF? I lost channel 702, 705, 722, and 730 in my high def spectrum. Comcast is coming out on Thursday. I also lost a couple of other digital channels. BTW I have a cable card and it had been working working great until Friday night.

Anyone in the Sunnyvale area not getting their HD signals in. Today it kept showing the 'One Moment Please... This channel will be available shortly.'

Just about to call CS and see what's up.

Steve

Funnily, the problem appears to be on one of the tuners :(
Called comcast and they asked me to swap out the box. But it looks like this may not be related to the box :mad:

E* anyone?

Funnily, the problem appears to be on one of the tuners :(
Called comcast and they asked me to swap out the box. But it looks like this may not be related to the box :mad:

Everythings up and running now. Woohoo!

Can someone tell me the QAM channel for Discovery-HD right now?

They might be able to if you can divulge just where in "Silicon Valley Area" you are right now.

FWIW, this info is from a tech that does not attend budget meetings and has no clue what is or is not in the budget, he is merely propagating a rumor. I've been hearing for over 2 years that they are going to be upgrading the 550 MHz areas and that it's got the funding and it still hasn't happened. So until Comcast makes a public announcement about the upgrades, I would take this with a grain of salt ( maybe a bag of salt ;) ).

Laters,
Mikef5

I heard from a tech that the upgrade will occur either late this year or early next year, and that it'd also be 860MHz. Good thing I can stand a high-sodium diet :p

They might be able to if you can divulge just where in "Silicon Valley Area" you are right now.

Mountain View...

Don't bother. Discovery-HD is encrypted in Mountain View.

Me too, WTF? I lost channel 702, 705, 722, and 730 in my high def spectrum. Comcast is coming out on Thursday. I also lost a couple of other digital channels. BTW I have a cable card and it had been working working great until Friday night.

My system is up and running as well.

After not getting the HD channels Sunday/Monday, I called CS Monday morning to see what's up. They hit the box and nothing happened. Then they told me to wait about 45 minutes for everything to load back in and hopefully everything will be okay. If it didn't, someone will come out Tues morning to check it out. I could not wait around since I had to go to work. When I came back home that afternoon, everything was working fine again. I do not know if the reset was the actual solution. Watching HD channels Monday evening seemed to work flawlessly. No breakups or audio dropouts, especially watching my new favorite show, 'Heroes'. I called CS to cancel the tech appointment. Glad that I did not have to wait around for 4 hours for a tech to show up!

There must be something going on in Sunnyvale since my other friends in other parts of Sunnyvale experienced the similar problems with their signals and now is fixed.

On the lighter side of things, when I talked to the CS person, she also mentioned that they were in the process of upgrading Sunnyvale but did not know when this work will be completed. I think she was reading from a script to mention this to all Sunnyvale subscribers to call in to complain.

Steve

I can assure you that Mr. Johnson reads this forum quite frequently if not daily. Just one thing you might check. Is your box running hot ?? If you go into the diagnostic menu for the box, look at d13 that will have the temp it is running at and the max temp it has reached. The reason I'm asking is, this box is sensitive to heat and will give you some of the problems that you are seeing. Sort of like what your computer will do if it overheats.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5,

Nice to hear about Mr. Johnson reading this. Hope he uses it to try to make a difference in level of service we get from Comast.

As for the box, I went to the diagnostics screen last night and saw this:

Temp=126
Max=144
OT=No
Count=0

( I interpret this to be 126 F at this moment....got to 144 in the past....but did not get into an 'overtemp' condition ever. Is that the correct interpretation?)

Also, on some other screen I saw the S/N ration of 33.1 "good" for both tuners, and 0000 correctable and uncorrectable errors, so it doesn't appear that there is a signal problem.

From some other posts, it appears that Comcast may be "mucking" with Sunnyvale. But...I've had this problem since I got the box.

Bob

I heard from a tech that the upgrade will occur either late this year or early next year, and that it'd also be 860MHz. Good thing I can stand a high-sodium diet :p
Once they upgrade, then they'll need to upgrade the DVR.

Does anyone know if Bay Area will get firmware update (12.35/16.20)for 6412/3412 soon? It has been shown up in several other area. I need this to fix the HDMI repeater issue for 12.31.

And did anyone get 3416 in Fremont?

whats up with the fox feed for the world series? watching 702 and its very grainy.. its better than the SD channel, but not even close to the quality that discovery HD theater shows. is it my set (costco 46" sony kv25), or does this broadcast suck?

I agree that the broadcast quality is poor on this game.

Quote:
Originally Posted by russwong
Any one know how the RF Bypass works on this box? I turned on RF Bypass in the menu, but I don't get any output when I connect it to my TV.

Thanks!

Russ

Which box? Tune the TV to channel 3, you should see whatever channel the box is tuned to. That's about all it will do, it doesn't pass thru the full signal unfortunately, just whatever the box is tuned to, on ch. 3.
how do you set the 6412 so that the TV does any upconversion, rather than the STB ?

When I finish my home remodel around year-end, I plan to upgrade to HD and get a TivoS3 and would also like to use cable cards for the other 2 TVs. Is there a problem with not having any STBs?

What's the general status with HD quality/reliability in the San Mateo area? Most of the posts deal with other areas.

Is anyone familar with RCN's HD service? Do they offer cablecards compatible with the S3? Pros/Cons vs. Comcast.

Thanks.

how do you set the 6412 so that the TV does any upconversion, rather than the STB ?
Not sure what you're asking exactly, but I think what you want to do is go into the user menu (box off, push Menu) and set the "4:3" override to 480i.

The RF output is always 480i though....

Temp=126
Max=144
Holy crap that's WAY too hot. You need to pull it out of your entertainment center or whatever... don't stack things on top of it... or set it on shag carpet!

Mine is 106-107F normally, max it got to was 114 during that heat wave last summer, but I mean it was 106F ambient then...

NBA preseason on ESPNHD right now :)

Last night, the onscreen guide for Channel 725 showed that an NFL replay game was to be broadcast. I tuned in, but only the INHD logo showed up. Is Comcast forgetting to flip the switch, or what?

Yes, either that or the guide is just wrong. Every time it's been like that. I don't think we're actually getting any NFL on that channel until the Thurs. nite games in Nov.

We are getting most of the NFL Replay series on 725. They were showing the Eagles/Bucs game this afternoon.

i have the most basic cable but until yesterday i had ESPN-HD now it says not authorized :( anyone else lose this ch?

i have the most basic cable but until yesterday i had ESPN-HD now it says not authorized :( anyone else lose this ch?

Yes I lost mine also - I have expanded basic but no digital package. Many months ago it was encrypted and then one day it appeared in the clear. Stayed that way until yesterday. (Keep checking every so often, it may reappear again.)

Jim in Sunnyvale

I recorded a program that was shown on the History Channel onto my DVR and want to put it on a DVD, but the history channel uses 5C copy right protection for some reason, and it won't let me transfer the program onto my PC. Is there any way I can put it onto a DVD? Or bypass that 5C protection?

Just thought I'd post that my HD/digital problems in Sunnyvale have finally been resolved after the 4th technician (this time a "network technician") came out yesterday to look at the problem. He said there was a network problem in my area and apparently fixed it. After talking to a CSR about the problems, my account was credited for the last week for video service due to the outage, so kudos to Comcast for doing the right thing. The CSR said that normally network technicians aren't dispatched so quickly, but since there were multiple people calling in from Sunnyvale (I like to think partly because of this forum), the problem was fixed sooner.

Perhaps in resolving this network problem, ESPN-HD is now encrypted? I'm not having any problems getting it here with Digital Classic.

The ESPN-HD and ESPN2HD encryption began yesterday in a much larger area than Sunnyvale. I guess the unofficial free preview is over. ;) Goodbye MNF. :(

We are getting most of the NFL Replay series on 725. They were showing the Eagles/Bucs game this afternoon.
Yeah but they forget to flip the switch about 90% of the time.

I recorded a program that was shown on the History Channel onto my DVR and want to put it on a DVD, but the history channel uses 5C copy right protection for some reason, and it won't let me transfer the program onto my PC. Is there any way I can put it onto a DVD? Or bypass that 5C protection?
S-video to a capture card like the Happauge or ATI All-ins.

Can someone tell me the QAM channel for Discovery-HD right now?
In your area it is 741MHz, ch115.

i have the most basic cable but until yesterday i had ESPN-HD now it says not authorized :( anyone else lose this ch?

Same here. Too bad. It was great while it lasted. By the way, my PBS 9.1 is also gone. This happened before and I got it back by re-setting and re-scanning all the channels. This time it didn't work.

Durny1

i have the most basic cable but until yesterday i had ESPN-HD now it says not authorized :( anyone else lose this ch?I'm pretty sure I still had it last night while I was flipping channels. I hope I'm not surprised when I get home today. Might have to finally switch to satellite.

Edit: Nope...ESPN-HD still on in Santa Clara :).

Might have to finally switch to satellite.

You would switch to satellite because Comcast isn't giving you something you don't pay for? I hope there are other reasons...

You would switch to satellite because Comcast isn't giving you something you don't pay for? I hope there are other reasons...

thank you, i was about to say the exact same thing.

You would switch to satellite because Comcast isn't giving you something you don't pay for? I hope there are other reasons...OK. Good point. I guess I had thought to switch to satellite, but as long as I got all these 'free' channels, it wouldn't make sense. Actually, I probably would never get rid of cable since I watch HD on my QAM system, but I would consider satellite as well. I only care for ESPN as I don't watch INHD or Discovery HD that much.

I live in Saratoga and have a question regarding QAM access. I looked through the forum and couldn't find the answer.

To my understanding, Comcast is required to provided unencrypted QAM access to the 702-709 channels, regardless of subscribing to the HDTV package. Is this correct? If so, is there any documention that supports this?

With my MDP130, I was able to receive the 9.1-9.5 (PSIP mapped) channel until recently? I have rescanned for the channels and still not luck. Do I have the right to contact Comcast and complain about not receiving the QAM stations?

Thanks,
Warren

Hi Warren... I live in Saratoga, and before I switch from DirecTV to Comcast (to get a Series 3 Tivo), I wanted to confirm exactly which HD channels you get in Saratoga.

Comcast answered an email question about this with the following:

Thank you for contacting Comcast via e-mail.I understand that you are interested in Comcast's HD programs. I have provided a list of the HD channels currently offered for your area.

650 Showtime HD
651 HBO HD
652 KMGH (ABC) HD
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN HD
657 KTVD HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD
664 iN DEMAND1 HD
665 iN DEMAND2 HD
667 TNT HD
668 ESPN HD
670 ESPN2 HD
671 MHD DIGITAL HDTV


We're very excited about the potential of HD, and while we do not have agreements with all programmers that would allow us to carry their HD programming, we continue to have discussions with a number of them in the hopes of reaching an agreement to carry their signals.

Since we know they aren't exactly all that reliable via customer support email, would you mind if I ask if that's the lineup you get in Saratoga?

Thanks,
--josh

Hi Warren... I live in Saratoga, and before I switch from DirecTV to Comcast (to get a Series 3 Tivo), I wanted to confirm exactly which HD channels you get in Saratoga.

Comcast answered an email question about this with the following:

Thank you for contacting Comcast via e-mail.I understand that you are interested in Comcast's HD programs. I have provided a list of the HD channels currently offered for your area.

650 Showtime HD
651 HBO HD
652 KMGH (ABC) HD
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN HD
657 KTVD HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD
664 iN DEMAND1 HD
665 iN DEMAND2 HD
667 TNT HD
668 ESPN HD
670 ESPN2 HD
671 MHD DIGITAL HDTV


We're very excited about the potential of HD, and while we do not have agreements with all programmers that would allow us to carry their HD programming, we continue to have discussions with a number of them in the hopes of reaching an agreement to carry their signals.

Since we know they aren't exactly all that reliable via customer support email, would you mind if I ask if that's the lineup you get in Saratoga?

Thanks,
--josh

Josh,

Not sure what Comcast Support was smoking, but did you look at the list you just posted from them...That's the list for Denver, Colorado (?)

In Saratoga you will get a very very limited selection since Comcast has not upgraded Saratoga to the latest standards and is out of bandwidth for new stations (and has not provided any schedule/plans to upgrade the area). Saratoga's system is only 550Mhz, while new areas are 50% more (750 or 860Mhz of Bandwidth).

You will get the Local ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS stations. Plus if you Subscribe to Digital Classic you will get ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, InHD1 and FSNHD. They also offer HBOHD if you pay extra for HBO.

That's it...you'll notice that other areas outside of Saratoga get more (such as ESPN2HD, MTVHD, UniversalHD, TNTHT, ShowtimeHD, CinemaxHD, NFLHD etc...), but they dont have room in Saratoga for those (although you'll pay the same price ;)

Anyway, I'd think twice about switching in Saratoga until Comcast actually invests in Saratoga. I recently dumped comcast because of this and switched to Dish (I now get all of those channels + more and am happy with Dish's new HDDVR (VIP622))

-Steve

Hi Warren... I live in Saratoga, and before I switch from DirecTV to Comcast (to get a Series 3 Tivo), I wanted to confirm exactly which HD channels you get in Saratoga.

Comcast answered an email question about this with the following:

Thank you for contacting Comcast via e-mail.I understand that you are interested in Comcast's HD programs. I have provided a list of the HD channels currently offered for your area.

650 Showtime HD
651 HBO HD
652 KMGH (ABC) HD
653 KUSA (NBC) HD
654 KCNC (CBS) HD
655 KDVR (FOX) HD
656 KWGN HD
657 KTVD HD
658 KRMA (PBS) HD
661 Starz HD
662 Cinemax HD
663 Discovery HD
664 iN DEMAND1 HD
665 iN DEMAND2 HD
667 TNT HD
668 ESPN HD
670 ESPN2 HD
671 MHD DIGITAL HDTV


We're very excited about the potential of HD, and while we do not have agreements with all programmers that would allow us to carry their HD programming, we continue to have discussions with a number of them in the hopes of reaching an agreement to carry their signals.

Since we know they aren't exactly all that reliable via customer support email, would you mind if I ask if that's the lineup you get in Saratoga?

Thanks,
--josh

that CSR is an idiot.

I haven't met a smart CSR yet, especially from Comcast. Smart CSRs don't last long, they'll eventually move out of the cust. service role and do something more fulfilling.

ON a separate note, I stopped getting kpix, abc, and fox in HD. Using cable card in a samsung tv. Anyone else have similar experience here?

Josh,

Not sure what Comcast Support was smoking, but did you look at the list you just posted from them...That's the list for Denver, Colorado (?)

In Saratoga you will get a very very limited selection since Comcast has not upgraded Saratoga to the latest standards and is out of bandwidth for new stations (and has not provided any schedule/plans to upgrade the area). Saratoga's system is only 550Mhz, while new areas are 50% more (750 or 860Mhz of Bandwidth).

You will get the Local ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS stations. Plus if you Subscribe to Digital Classic you will get ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, InHD1 and FSNHD. They also offer HBOHD if you pay extra for HBO.

That's it...you'll notice that other areas outside of Saratoga get more (such as ESPN2HD, MTVHD, UniversalHD, TNTHT, ShowtimeHD, CinemaxHD, NFLHD etc...), but they dont have room in Saratoga for those (although you'll pay the same price ;)

Anyway, I'd think twice about switching in Saratoga until Comcast actually invests in Saratoga. I recently dumped comcast because of this and switched to Dish (I now get all of those channels + more and am happy with Dish's new HDDVR (VIP622))

-Steve

Thanks, it seemed bizarre to me, but they insisted, even after another email exchange when I said "are you SURE, that doesn't seem right".

I knew this was still a 550mhz system so it just seemed impossible... glad the forums are here for the quick "sniff test" by knowledgeable people.

Thanks, guess I'll have to hang on to DirecTV and my HR10-250 for a while (long while) longer...

--josh

Did you explain to them that they were showing you the lineup for Denver, CO when you were, in fact, in Saratoga, CA? If you did, then they really are idiots.

Thanks, it seemed bizarre to me, but they insisted, even after another email exchange when I said "are you SURE, that doesn't seem right".

I knew this was still a 550mhz system so it just seemed impossible... glad the forums are here for the quick "sniff test" by knowledgeable people.

Thanks, guess I'll have to hang on to DirecTV and my HR10-250 for a while (long while) longer...

--josh
Well, keep the emails and insist they get those channels working. Maybe you'll get some free months credit for your troubles.

i want to add the digital premier tier to my limited basic is this possible??

i want to add the digital premier tier to my limited basic is this possible??

I added digital classic to limited basic. I don't see why digital premier would be any different.

Has there been any news about the availability of additional HD channels? At one point, prior to the limited-time-rollout of Universal-HD for US Open Tennis, there were a few who posted that they had received messages on their STBs that MTV-HD was going to be added. The promised switchover of 726 to TNT-HD occurred, but of course Universal-HD is gone and MTV-HD has never been seen, I don't believe.

Has there been any news about the availability of additional HD channels? At one point, prior to the limited-time-rollout of Universal-HD for US Open Tennis, there were a few who posted that they had received messages on their STBs that MTV-HD was going to be added. The promised switchover of 726 to TNT-HD occurred, but of course Universal-HD is gone and MTV-HD has never been seen, I don't believe.

MTVHD is supposed to be added today or tomorrow to the non-550 areas.

Well MHD was, in fact, added today to San Francisco, but it's showing up as non-authorized. I have the Digital Silver package so I'm sure I should be getting it. Should I give it a little time or call CSR?

Same thing in Rohnert Park. I've got the Platinum package so I know I should get it. Give it a little time for them to get it authorized.

patience...It takes them time to get it setup right...

I'm sure if you call a CSR they wont know what you are talking about

MHD chan 728 is viewable now on DCT-6200 and TiVo S3. Watching WHO concert. I guess Comcast beat the sat providers with this one.

MHD is now authorized in Rohnert Park.

wow as i said, there is actually music played on this channel. upconverted music videos??

Got MTVHD here in San Rafael. No guide data yet on my s3 (just the channel name). Wish I could trade it for NGCHD :)

FEARnet free VOD also has three HD offerings: Carrie, Dracula and Flatliners.

MTVHD in San Carlos; no guide data. Some boy-band playing by the looks of the crowd. Back to FM and CDs while tending to the trick-or-treaters.

I've noticed that since the UPN/WB merger the picture quality on the new CW channel has become terrible with pixellation and blocking so bad that its hardly watchable. Is anybody else seeing this? This happens to this particular channel when passed thru the cable box. Another TV connected directly to the cable seems to have better quality for that channel.

Thanks.

What CW channel are you referring to? The ADS digital version of the NTSC channel (OTA channel 20) or are you now getting via cable the OTA HD channel (OTA rf19, virtual channel 20.1) which I suppose would have some 7XX number on Comcast's box?

Hmm, what channel is MTVHD?

I get TNTHD on 726 but I'm not authorized (basic cable subscription which still gets 719, 720, 722, 723, 724, 725).

What CW channel are you referring to? The ADS digital version of the NTSC channel (OTA channel 20) or are you now getting via cable the OTA HD channel (OTA rf19, virtual channel 20.1) which I suppose would have some 7XX number on Comcast's box?

No, its channel 12 on the box, and its not HD so presumably its the digital version. I'm on the San Mateo head-end.

Hmm, what channel is MTVHD?

I get TNTHD on 726 but I'm not authorized (basic cable subscription which still gets 719, 720, 722, 723, 724, 725).

For me, its channel 728. No guide info, but it was playing some boy band when I looked a couple of hours ago.

This is really weird. I've been keeping MHD on in the background as I do some work and for the last few hours they've been playing nothing but music. No game shows, reality shows, boy vs. girl contests...just music. I don't think I've seen MTV do this since 1992. I'm flabergasted.

This has probably already been posted somewhere else, but lightreading is predicting that San Jose and SF will be one of the next areas ATT rolls out it's IPTV service to, before the end of 2006!! Bring on the competition, it can only improve conditions for the consumer.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=109292&WT.svl=news1_1

This is really weird. I've been keeping MHD on in the background as I do some work and for the last few hours they've been playing nothing but music. No game shows, reality shows, boy vs. girl contests...just music. I don't think I've seen MTV do this since 1992. I'm flabergasted.

told you so. unfortunately that's the very reason why i'm bored of it. watching music played is not inherently that interesting, even if there is excellent PQ.

but don't worry, MTV's MO is to use the cheapest production possible for their reality programming so I doubt we'd see "date my mom" in HD for a long while.

Got MHD in San Jose

This has probably already been posted somewhere else, but lightreading is predicting that San Jose and SF will be one of the next areas ATT rolls out it's IPTV service to, before the end of 2006!! Bring on the competition, it can only improve conditions for the consumer.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=109292&WT.svl=news1_1

AT&T is having a lot of issues with their system. I wouldn't count on them doing much, esp. this year. And with the re-coding of HD to save bandwidth, I don't think it will compete with the comcast or Dish HD offerings.

Thanks,
Mike

told you so. unfortunately that's the very reason why i'm bored of it. watching music played is not inherently that interesting, even if there is excellent PQ.

but don't worry, MTV's MO is to use the cheapest production possible for their reality programming so I doubt we'd see "date my mom" in HD for a long while.

Hahaha. :D On a different note, for those who consider themselves Gen Xers, VH1 Classic is really good for background noise. They play videos from the 80's and 90's -- when MTV actually played videos.

Anyone know of how I can get the schedule for MHD? WWW.MHD.TV does not seem to be working for me and the Comcast guide still shows TBA.

Has anyone heard anything about when the telco TV offerings (AT&T's service and Verizon's FIOS) will be available here? It seems like the Bay Area would be a great market for these things...some parts of SoCal already have FIOS, so I don't get why Verizon wouldn't want to come here. I hear the PQ, especially HD, is great via FIOS. Plus I'd like to see true competition to Comcast.

Thanks in advance for any info you might have

Has anyone heard anything about when the telco TV offerings (AT&T's service and Verizon's FIOS) will be available here? It seems like the Bay Area would be a great market for these things...some parts of SoCal already have FIOS, so I don't get why Verizon wouldn't want to come here. I hear the PQ, especially HD, is great via FIOS. Plus I'd like to see true competition to Comcast.

Thanks in advance for any info you might have

It would probably be the #1 place. But, remember we are ALWAYS, the last to get anything good. DSL and Cable are still sporadic here. I figure if we get it by the end of the decade (or maybe within a decade) we'll be doing quite well. Remember when TechTV debuted, it was filmed in SF, but NO local able company carried it. (Remember reading a review of it by some journalist that had to fly to somewhere in the midwest to a Motel 6 to watch it.) I'd love to say move to Stolkholm and get their 100Mb internet service, they I could just stream everything to my place.

MHD showed up late 10/31-early 11/1, but, was initially unwatchable due to the macroblocking issues. Checked signal and was 'GOOD', so tried again this afternoon and much better. Though I noticed that the shows are in HD, but, the videos are certainly upconverted. And listening to the Alicia Keys' 'Underground' the audio mix was pretty weak, could barely hear the horns and backing vocals, rather muddy mix--are these real 5.1 mixes or matrixed?

Hahaha. :D On a different note, for those who consider themselves Gen Xers, VH1 Classic is really good for background noise. They play videos from the 80's and 90's -- when MTV actually played videos.

And for early, early Gen Xers, Max-FM 95.7 (channel 971 on Comcast box in San Carlos) is pretty darn good for background music (no picture) -- "70's, 80's, whatever we feel like" -- nice mix of music from a wide variety of genres but most all of it from 70s and 80s.

I feel so sorry for all you people out in the bay.... You don't get TheTube Music Network! It's available via KTXL 40-2 and on Comcast Channel 198 in Sacramento.

AT&T is having a lot of issues with their system. I wouldn't count on them doing much, esp. this year. And with the re-coding of HD to save bandwidth, I don't think it will compete with the comcast or Dish HD offerings.

Thanks,
Mike

I agree. AT&T's offering is hardly an alternative to cable, or even satellite for that matter. With their bandwidth allocation/restrictions and only allowing a total of 4 video streams (1 being HD), that just wouldn't cut it unless you had one TV in the house and only care about recording on HD channel at a time.

yes comcast, i'm expecting you to keep up the pace. my money is on UHD being added permanently. then foodHD.

Comcast is keeping up the pace all right and we can expect big rate increases coming in Jan. See what one Chicago subscriber is reporting here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4538107&&#post4538107).

I agree. AT&T's offering is hardly an alternative to cable, or even satellite for that matter. With their bandwidth allocation/restrictions and only allowing a total of 4 video streams (1 being HD), that just wouldn't cut it unless you had one TV in the house and only care about recording on HD channel at a time.
Fender, are you saying that with AT&T you couldn't watch one HD channel live and record another at the same time?

So i really don't care if i get MHD or not, but since I am paying for it I at least want the opportunity towatch it. However I am getting the message that i am Not Authorized.

Instead of spending over 2 hours on hold with comcast i thought i would come here first. I live in San Mateo, boarding Foster City, and I h ave Silver package with the full HD option. I get the guide for the channel now. I have the same issue with the channel 725. Any help any one could provide is appreciated.

I just got a 3416, and was curious if anyone else has experienced a problem w/the 3416 receiving On Demand, and even better, found a solution. Story:

1) Had a first gen 6412 that finally gave up the ghost

2) Went to the SF Comcast office and picked up a 3416

3) Box worked great, except I received the "Communications Error" message when trying to go to channel 1, the On Demand station. Note that the old 6412 received On Demand w/no problem, as does another HD box connected to the same feed.

4) Called tech support, not expecting much, and that's what I got. She reset the box remotely, but that made no difference. She suggested swapping boxes - which seems to be their answer for everything.

5) Yesterday I got the new 3416, and have the same problem.

I live in an apartment, with one cable feed into our unit. Yes, I do have a splitter attached, but it is a bi-directional 2Ghz model, so I doubt that's the problem. I tried another high-quality splitter w/the same results.

Note that a cable modem attached to the same splitter has worked fine throughout all of this.

Any ideas? I dread having a tech come out . . .

Comcast is keeping up the pace all right and we can expect big rate increases coming in Jan. See what one Chicago subscriber is reporting here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4538107&&#post4538107).

YAY.

one day HDTV will be the basic tier. sigh......

Comcast is keeping up the pace all right and we can expect big rate increases coming in Jan. See what one Chicago subscriber is reporting here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4538107&&#post4538107).
Based on Chicago #s

7.5% increase for digital classic service factoring the $2.50 expanded basic increase and the $2 digital classic increase.

So i really don't care if i get MHD or not, but since I am paying for it I at least want the opportunity towatch it. However I am getting the message that i am Not Authorized.

Instead of spending over 2 hours on hold with comcast i thought i would come here first. I live in San Mateo, boarding Foster City, and I h ave Silver package with the full HD option. I get the guide for the channel now. I have the same issue with the channel 725. Any help any one could provide is appreciated.

I live in Belmont, and I have the same package/head-end and I get those channels without problems. If you haven't already done so, ask the Comcast rep to hit your box and see if that makes any difference.

Fender, are you saying that with AT&T you couldn't watch one HD channel live and record another at the same time?
Unless something has changed, that is the way it currently works due to bandwidth issues. Currently it doesn't seem to be a very good competive option for HD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Verse

so what is the newest ST box that comcast is issuing these days? 3412? 3416?

apparently my area is now ADS and I am going to upgrade my 6412 this week.

I have Comcast in the South Bay area with dual cablecards in my Tivo S3. Everything working fine. I have HBO and Starz for premium service.

I want to get a box for my Tivo S2 (Non-HD) in the bedroom so I can access HBO and Starz there too.

What box should I request? (assuming one has benefits over another)

Thanks,
Tim

if i were to go the cablecard route and get my own DVR would i still suffer from the horrible remote lag? is this lag a comcast service thing, or is it their STBs?

Leftheaded,

Are you asking about my Tivo S3? If so, I have quite frisky reponse from my Tivo remote using the Cablecards.

You do lose VOD and PPV, unless you call an operator to request a movie though. This was not a barrier to me as I never considered either.

I've never used a Comcast box so I can't comment performance with one.

Tim

so what is the newest ST box that comcast is issuing these days? 3412? 3416?

apparently my area is now ADS and I am going to upgrade my 6412 this week.i just started my service in september 2006. they gave me a 6412 phase II (no hdmi). the DVR was not working, and just 2 weeks ago they gave me 6412 phase III (hdmi included).

i'm in alameda if that matters

I have Comcast in the South Bay area with dual cablecards in my Tivo S3. Everything working fine. I have HBO and Starz for premium service.

I want to get a box for my Tivo S2 (Non-HD) in the bedroom so I can access HBO and Starz there too.

What box should I request? (assuming one has benefits over another)

Thanks,
Tim
The DCT-700 is a very small, simple STB that should work ok with the S2 TiVo. It does not have S-Video output, only composite and coax, if that is an issue.

I have quite frisky reponse from my Tivo remote using the Cablecards.

hmm sounds like it must be comcast's service. thats too bad, but moot i suppose - i don't want to give up VOD. thats the only thing comcast has on dish lol

if i were to go the cablecard route and get my own DVR would i still suffer from the horrible remote lag? is this lag a comcast service thing, or is it their STBs?

Remote lag doing what? VOD?

When I tried the DCT-700, changing channel was very fast compared to my S2 and S3 TiVos.

Remote lag doing what? VOD?

When I tried the DCT-700, changing channel was very fast compared to my S2 and S3 TiVos.

6412 HD-DVR remote lag, mostly during ffwd/rvs during playback, but basically ANY remote commands to the box. Box can become unresponsive for minutes at a time.
Had that fairly frequently on mine.. it's the Moto box (or software, or both.)

I have NO such problems on my Tivo S3, even handling multiple HD streams. (even though apparently it has same CPU as the 6412.)
Nice that it even correctly displays ClosedCaptioning correctly on FFwd (first speed), whereas 6412 garbled it...

Some people had reported S3 remote problems, but seemed to be an infrared noise/interference problem esp w/ plasmas, not box itself...

6412 HD-DVR remote lag, mostly during ffwd/rvs during playback, but basically ANY remote commands to the box. Box can become unresponsive for minutes at a time.
Had that fairly frequently on mine.. it's the Moto box (or software, or both.)

I have NO such problems on my Tivo S3, even handling multiple HD streams. (even though apparently it has same CPU as the 6412.)
Nice that it even correctly displays ClosedCaptioning correctly on FFwd (first speed), whereas 6412 garbled it...

Some people had reported S3 remote problems, but seemed to be an infrared noise/interference problem esp w/ plasmas, not box itself...hmmm that is promising. the lag really is horrible. and it happens to me daily. usually its under a minute, but i've had it lag for over 5 minutes before. these motorola boxes are ridiculous.

well, if the motorola boxes are indeed the problem i'm going to setup my HTPC with DVR and return this 6412. i suppose i'll lose VOD, but i have netflix

are there any 3rd party places that provide VOD (in lieu of comcast and needing their moto boxes)?

Got a message on the box that BETJ (481) is gone as of yesterday. Hopefully they'll be adding something good. So much for the 30 day notice rule.

Joe.

Unless something has changed, that is the way it currently works due to bandwidth issues. Currently it doesn't seem to be a very good competive option for HD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Verse


Yup. The reason being (as the Wiki states) is AT&T decided to go FTTN (Fibre To The Node) instead of FTTH (Fiber To The Home). This means for up 3000 feet data is traveling over copper wires. IIRC, this limits each house to about a 25Mb/s pipe...one HD channel can take anywhere between 12 to 18 Mb of bandwidth. That doesn't leave very much for everything else including Internet and phone. This may be helped by better compression algorythms (i.e. MPEG4) but not enough.

Yup. The reason being (as the Wiki states) is AT&T decided to go FTTN (Fibre To The Node) instead of FTTH (Fiber To The Home). This means for up 3000 feet data is traveling over copper wires. IIRC, this limits each house to about a 25Mb/s pipe...one HD channel can take anywhere between 12 to 18 Mb of bandwidth. That doesn't leave very much for everything else including Internet and phone. This may be helped by better compression algorythms (i.e. MPEG4) but not enough.
The only thing that I can figure what AT&T is doing is that they are hoping that new technology can somehow get the bit rate up to at least 40 mb/s and MPEG4 hardware encoders will work as well as the software encoders in the near future. If that doesn't happen, I don't see how that product will be around for very long.

The only thing that I can figure what AT&T is doing is that they are hoping that new technology can somehow get the bit rate up to at least 40 mb/s and MPEG4 hardware encoders will work as well as the software encoders in the near future. If that doesn't happen, I don't see how that product will be around for very long.

I think the original intent of Project Lightspeed was to do FTTH but they realized that would cost too much so they decided to just bring fibre to the local node. Many people think that it was DOA when they made this decision.

I think the original intent of Project Lightspeed was to do FTTH but they realized that would cost too much so they decided to just bring fibre to the local node. Many people think that it was DOA when they made this decision.
No kidding. I was hoping that Lightspeed would provide serious competition to Comcast, but one HD stream is cetainly not going to make it work for me. I hadn't heard much discussion of Lightspeed's limitations. I wonder how much disclosure there will be on AT&T's part when marketing the service here in the Bay Area.

My TiVo S3 just told me that Comcast added Fox Reality to my lineup, yet my Comcast DVR doesn't have this yet at all, and it shows a gray screen on my TiVo. Anyone know if this is actually coming?

jason

The only thing that I can figure what AT&T is doing is that they are hoping that new technology can somehow get the bit rate up to at least 40 mb/s and MPEG4 hardware encoders will work as well as the software encoders in the near future. If that doesn't happen, I don't see how that product will be around for very long.

It's actually worse than that. Microsoft did the software for the client and all the backend software. It's not reliable. Alcatel is doing all the networking infrastructure, another strike. And the SBC outside plant has it's issues. They have discovered a lot more bit error rate even with reduced copper distances. So it might be 24 Mbps, but has a lot of packet loss, so they are doing a lot of buffering in the system causing responsiveness problems.

The thing is a complete disaster in progress.

Thanks,
Mike

My TiVo S3 just told me that Comcast added Fox Reality to my lineup, yet my Comcast DVR doesn't have this yet at all, and it shows a gray screen on my TiVo. Anyone know if this is actually coming?

jason

Yes - read it today. Maybe a week out. Is this what I've been waiting for all my life? The FOX all-police chase channel?

so what is the newest ST box that comcast is issuing these days? 3412? 3416?

apparently my area is now ADS and I am going to upgrade my 6412 this week.

New 3412s and 3416s are sent out. The 6412 will handle ADS just fine.

Huzzah! PSIP data for KQED-HD and ENCORE are back!

Rburks, take note--your TV now should again find those channels and show them as "9.1" and "9.2".

Anyone else having trouble with the 3416 box and receiving OnDemand? I'm getting the "Communications Error" message. This is the second 3416 I've tried, and my previous 6412 worked fine on the same connection.

Huzzah! PSIP data for KQED-HD and ENCORE are back!

Rburks, take note--your TV now should again find those channels and show them as "9.1" and "9.2".

Duly Noted! And Thanks.

I will rescan tonight. BTW is this 9.1 the 24/7 KQED or the HD that starts at 8pm?

Thanks again.

24/7.

Yes - read it today. Maybe a week out. Is this what I've been waiting for all my life? The FOX all-police chase channel?
No - it's the Fox "use real families in set-up situations and then pretend it's a reality show" channel.

(Remember The Princes of Malibu (songwriter/producer David Foster got "tired" of his stepsons tossing his money around, so he told them they had to raise money on their own, resulting in one insane stunt after another), which was called a "reality show" despite the fact that the credits included both "day players" and "promotional considerations"? After it was cancelled by Fox after two episodes, the series continued its run on Fox Reality.)

-- Don

So i really don't care if i get MHD or not, but since I am paying for it... live in San Mateo, boarding Foster City, and I have Silver package with the full HD option. I get the guide for the channel now. I have the same issue with the channel 725. Any help any one could provide is appreciated.

I live in Belmont, and I have the same package/head-end and I get those channels without problems. If you haven't already done so, ask the Comcast rep to hit your box and see if that makes any difference.

Same package (w/ STB: 6412pIII) in Mountain View and I do get MHD. Though having issues with macroblocking on TNTHD (really bad during the end of 'Drumline' Friday night).

Note From KQED :
From: Red Dana, KQED TV9-DT9 Viewer Services
For any other feedback: <tv@kqed.org>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First: a tech update for some Comcast viewers who lost access to KQED's digital channels at the end of September:

KQED has purchased a 2nd PSIP encoder, which now feeds our OTA PSIP information through the fiber feed to Comcast as well. For those Comcast viewers who were using "cable ready" DTV's/QAM tuners with a basic subscription, and who lost access to KQED's digital channels, you may need to do a rescan to restore the digital channels to your sets, to receive the Over the Air schedules for our channels (KQED Life 6am-5pm, KQED HD 5pm-6am, the other 3 channels 24/7).

Veerry interestink! The PSIP EPG data on rf117 do indeed indicate that KQED-HD is only on from 5 p.m. until 6 a.m., despite the fact that it's actually on right now. I guess that means that KQED is doing a half-assed job on the cable feed by not creating a corrected EPG stream for the 24/7 version and, as Red's note indicates, simply is sending it with the OTA version. :(

Oh well, beats having some DTVs not able to tune it at all!

Veerry interestink! The PSIP EPG data on rf117 do indeed indicate that KQED-HD is only on from 5 p.m. until 6 a.m., despite the fact that it's actually on right now. I guess that means that KQED is doing a half-assed job on the cable feed by not creating a corrected EPG stream for the 24/7 version and, as Red's note indicates, simply is sending it with the OTA version. :(

Oh well, beats having some DTVs not able to tune it at all!
And it is also proof that Comcast can sometimes be responsible for the loss of PSIP because my area didn't have PSIP before the 24/7 KQED-HD change, didn't have it afterwards, and still doesn't have it despite other areas now having PSIP.

Is the Sharks game on FSNHD (720) tonight? It's not listed, but then neither is the Stanford/USC game that I'm watching on that channel right now!

Is the Sharks game on FSNHD (720) tonight? It's not listed, but then neither is the Stanford/USC game that I'm watching on that channel right now!

No, today's Sharks game is on Fox Sports Net Plus (channel 410).

No, today's Sharks game is on Fox Sports Net Plus (channel 410).
But that's what the guide said about the Stanford/USC game. How did that end up on FSNHD?

Anyone know the QAM channel for MHD in Mountain View?

(I wanted to try the MyHD card and see if it is encrypted or not)

But that's what the guide said about the Stanford/USC game. How did that end up on FSNHD?

The Stanford/USC game was on FSN Bay Area, FSN Plus Bay Area and FSN Bay Area HD. :eek:

But today's Sharks game was never scheduled (http://www.sjsharks.com/schedule/index.html) to be on FSN Bay Area HD in the first place. :(

And it is also proof that Comcast can sometimes be responsible for the loss of PSIP because my area didn't have PSIP before the 24/7 KQED-HD change, didn't have it afterwards, and still doesn't have it despite other areas now having PSIP.

It's been a while since I read the spec, but I seem to recall that the PSIP data that the TV station provides has a PID number in the 0x1000 through 0x1ffa range and the cable operater (Comcast) is supposed to transmit pointers to that data on PID number 0x1ffb. Looking at the PID filter on the DTV card in my PC, the only transponder transmitting PID 0x1ffb is the one that carries KTVUHD and KPIX-DT.

The Stanford/USC game was on FSN Bay Area, FSN Plus Bay Area and FSN Bay Area HD. :eek:

But today's Sharks game was never scheduled (http://www.sjsharks.com/schedule/index.html) to be on FSN Bay Area HD in the first place. :(
The Stanford/USC game may have been the national game for FSN-HD. There's a schedule somewhere at the FSN site that lists all the games and what game(s) will be shown nationally. The national game probably pre-empted whatever was originally scheduled as they are picked much later than when the local teams schedules are setup.

The Stanford/USC game may have been the national game for FSN-HD. There's a schedule somewhere at the FSN site that lists all the games and what game(s) will be shown nationally. The national game probably pre-empted whatever was originally scheduled as they are picked much later than when the local teams schedules are setup.

Perhaps, but it doesn't appear that Saturday's Sharks game was ever scheduled to be on HD.

Fortunately, this Tuesday's game against Minnesota is.

Anyone know the QAM channel for MHD in Mountain View?

(I wanted to try the MyHD card and see if it is encrypted or not)
It's on ch100 but it is encrypted.

It's on ch100 but it is encrypted.

Thanks... Oh well...

Message from Comcast that will affect CableCard users only
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beginning Monday, November 6, 2006, a third party Call Center (UEI) will be contacting Comcast customers that have CableCARDs and taking them through their television menu to capture host information relative to the CableCARDs connected to their television.

Accounts that do not have the necessary host information will lose digital channels at the beginning of next year, once we activate the mandated Copy Protection Management System.



What is Happening:

· UEI will call customers who have a CableCARD on their account.
· The UEI representative will talk customers through the process to access the CableCARD, Host, and Secure Data IDs from the setup/menu screen of the customers TV.

· UEI will leave "live" messages on answering machines, asking customers to call back so that we can obtain necessary information relating to their CableCARD. The number being left (866-612-0584) goes directly to UEI.

Why this is Happening:

· This is an FCC mandated initiative.
· When we launched CableCARDs there was and is a secondary piece of information that we should have been collecting from the customers at the time of install.

· Once a “card” is installed in a set there is returned data (a series of numbers) which is called the host information. We currently do not have that information keyed into our billing system as required by federal regulations.

Customer Impact:

Customers will be contacted by phone and asked to go through a series of steps through their television menu in order to provide Comcast with necessary information relating to their CableCARD.

Q. What if the customer does not want to provide the CableCARD information needed?

A. Accounts that do not have the necessary host information will lose digital channels at the beginning of next year, once we activate the mandated Copy Protection Management System.



Q. Why are we using a third party call center to obtain this information?
A. UEI provides two significant advantages for this project.

· Their infrared data base contains codes (Advanced Functions) for all brands and models of TV features. Even if the customer no longer has the TV's original remote control, these Advanced Functions provide a method (only available to UEI) to access all brands and models of TVs menu and setup screens using UEI's patented Advanced Function codes.

· Their technical expertise in cable video troubleshooting and repair support. Should subscribers require additional repair support, UEI will troubleshoot and resolve the problem, or schedule a repair appointment if necessary.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This affects CableCard users only. Have a good day and don't shoot the messenger ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Wow! That's all I have to say...wow!

I'm assuming the TiVo S3 will be affected?

I wonder if the CPMS will affect STBs like the S3 connected via component?

Does the broadcast network HD channels use CPMS?

Yes, the S3 will be affected, they should have been collecting this info when they do the install, it's right there on the screen.

My question is, what exactly is Accounts that do not have the necessary host information will lose digital channels at the beginning of next year, once we activate the mandated Copy Protection Management System.

and who mandated it?

This sounds like the FCC slapping Cable's hand for not handling CableCARDs correctly.

This sounds like the FCC slapping Cable's hand for not handling CableCARDs correctly.

This actually may be good news in the long run. If the FCC finally starts to crack down on the implementation of CableCARD's, it will make the "run around" not as easy for the MSO's.

Message from Comcast that will affect CableCard users only
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why this is Happening:

· This is an FCC mandated initiative.
Uhh ... not really. This is very poorly worded.
· When we launched CableCARDs there was and is a secondary piece of information that we should have been collecting from the customers at the time of install.Very true.

Comcast is upgrading their head-end / CA from a system that does NOT require host-identification to one that does. This step is / was always in the CA vendor's roadmaps. They could have been collecting the host information from the start ... but they didn't ... so, now they have to call everyone to get it.

See the following CableCard support document from Motorola. Describes (pretty well) what / why this is happening. Even describes the "Copy Protection Management System" headend device.

http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/product_documents/CableCARDpaper_sept03.pdf

This sounds like the FCC slapping Cable's hand for not handling CableCARDs correctly.This has always been part of the cable companies' / CA vendors upgrade plans:
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/product_documents/CableCARDpaper_sept03.pdf

I have no clue where Comcast get's the "FCC mandated" part from.

Duly Noted! And Thanks.

I will rescan tonight. BTW is this 9.1 the 24/7 KQED or the HD that starts at 8pm?

Thanks again.


Well I didn't even need to rescan, as my "broken" QAM tuner on my "Product of the Year" Sony SXRD did it all by its lonesome. Must have a little troll living in there who checks for PSIP updates and then adds it to the "shown" list.

:D :D :D

Actually I do believe its a pretty sophiscated QAM tuner as it stores a seperate list of all "found" digital channels, then identifies channels that actually have a "signal". I assume it determines the signal from the header, and can add channels dynamically, but in any event very cool that I now know I do not need to continually rescan.

One other thing, someone said NBC-HD was now mapped to 3.1, but I still have it at 116.1 - Anyone else?

Also KRON-HD is now mapped to both 4.1 and 111.8.

I have never seen KNTV-HD on Comcast here with any PSIP--ergo, it's not "mapped" anywhere but lives at program 1 on channel 116. (Program 2 is ESPN-HD, now encrypted, and program 3 is KNTV's NBC Weather, which is 11.2 on its OTA station)

The "111.8" for KRON-HD is its real location (program 8 on channel 111, which actually has only two programs: "1" and "8"--dunno why they changed it from 2 to 8) and its PSIP virtual channel is 4.2. I presume that your "4.1" is a typo.

This has always been part of the cable companies' / CA vendors upgrade plans:
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/product_documents/CableCARDpaper_sept03.pdf

I have no clue where Comcast get's the "FCC mandated" part from.
Thanks for the info dt_dc, when it comes to FCC stuff dt_dc is the guy to go to. :)

The "FCC mandated" part is probably because it's coming from Mr. J and the person he got it from probably didn't give the correct details, either that, or it's just more hot air from a company that has a huge supply of the stuff. :D

One other thing, someone said NBC-HD was now mapped to 3.1, but I still have it at 116.1 - Anyone else?
Even when my area did have PSIP for NBC-HD it has never been mapped to 3.1. It was mapped to 11.1 (KNTV-11)

Hey, hub. Guess who's been reading the Sac'to thread? :D

The "FCC mandated" part is probably because it's coming from Mr. J and the person he got it from probably didn't give the correct details, either that, or it's just more hot air from a company that has a huge supply of the stuff. :D
I think it just follows a long history of MSOs blaming customer woes on the FCC (including rate increases) *if* they can find anything even remotely linking it to the FCC. I agree it is poorly worded.

FCC did mandate CableCARD to give consumers choice. As part of CableCARD spec negotiation, CCI (copy once, copy freely, etc.) was included to address content provider concerns. So I guess if you push it, you could rationalize that the calls from UEI to record host/pairing info are the result of an FCC mandate.

CCI (copy once, copy freely, etc.) requires the host/pairing info be provided to the CPMS system to implement full functionality.

In reality what happened was Comcast's billing database didn't have fields to store host/pairing info so all that info they were supposed to be recording during the CableCARD installs for the last 2 years went into the bit bucket. Motorola actually recommended that MSOs store this information to avoid just such a flood of customer service interaction.

In fairness Motorola's DAC and CPMS systems weren't using this info yet, but it was clear they would be doing so in the future. It isn't really that difficult to create a single table database of host/pairing info they could later import into the billing, DAC, and CPMS systems.

So besides the one-time annoyance of having customers read this information to UEI, what does it mean? If they intend to bring up the full CPMS system I imagine the usage of the CCI flags will start to become more prevalent. Without the host/pairing info, I think the system defaults everything to CCI = Copy Freely which is nice for Firewire users.

I would guess folks using the Firewire interface would be the ones most affected going into the future.

Firewire and maybe third party DVRs. There have been some cases, one that I remember reading about in Texas, where the S3 would not record a broadcast channel program because of "incorrect" CCI settings, it gave some message the program being copy-protected. I think it allowed a down-converted version to be recorded, I don't recall the details, it was talked about over at TiVo Community.

If Comcast does their job right, I don't see any impact to third party CC equipment.

You know, it's funny, when I had my CCs installed in the S3 I asked "don't you need that information?" and the tech said no. :rolleyes:

You know, it's funny, when I had my CCs installed in the S3 I asked "don't you need that information?" and the tech said no. :rolleyes:
Don't blame the tech, there is no way he could predict there would be a (cough, cough) FCC mandate. :rolleyes:

I think it just follows a long history of MSOs blaming customer woes on the FCC (including rate increases) *if* they can find anything even remotely linking it to the FCC. I agree it is poorly worded.

FCC did mandate CableCARD to give consumers choice. As part of CableCARD spec negotiation, CCI (copy once, copy freely, etc.) was included to address content provider concerns. So I guess if you push it, you could rationalize that the calls from UEI to record host/pairing info are the result of an FCC mandate.

CCI (copy once, copy freely, etc.) requires the host/pairing info be provided to the CPMS system to implement full functionality.

In reality what happened was Comcast's billing database didn't have fields to store host/pairing info so all that info they were supposed to be recording during the CableCARD installs for the last 2 years went into the bit bucket. Motorola actually recommended that MSOs store this information to avoid just such a flood of customer service interaction.

In fairness Motorola's DAC and CPMS systems weren't using this info yet, but it was clear they would be doing so in the future. It isn't really that difficult to create a single table database of host/pairing info they could later import into the billing, DAC, and CPMS systems.

So besides the one-time annoyance of having customers read this information to UEI, what does it mean? If they intend to bring up the full CPMS system I imagine the usage of the CCI flags will start to become more prevalent. Without the host/pairing info, I think the system defaults everything to CCI = Copy Freely which is nice for Firewire users.

I would guess folks using the Firewire interface would be the ones most affected going into the future.

this is what its all about.

slannes

The "111.8" for KRON-HD is its real location (program 8 on channel 111, which actually has only two programs: "1" and "8"--dunno why they changed it from 2 to 8) and its PSIP virtual channel is 4.2. I presume that your "4.1" is a typo.

Correct TYPO. It is 4.2

Q. Why are we using a third party call center to obtain this information?
A. UEI provides two significant advantages for this project.

· Their infrared data base contains codes (Advanced Functions) for all brands and models of TV features. Even if the customer no longer has the TV's original remote control, these Advanced Functions provide a method (only available to UEI) to access all brands and models of TVs menu and setup screens using UEI's patented Advanced Function codes.

BTW in case people aren't familier with UEI, they are the company behind OneForAll remotes, and they OEM manufacturer remotes for many companies, including Motorola, TiVo, ReplayTV, Radio Shack, etc. etc. They have a very large database of IR function codes.

People with JP1 programming will be very familiar with UEI/OFA. As the post indicated, they should be able to get the UEI Motorola remote to control most any TV set out there either through a directly supported device or through some advanced function codes (in case you lost your original TV remote)

In July 1997, the Clinton Administration submitted the treaties to the Senate for ratification and submitted proposed implementing legislation to both the House and the Senate. As the treaty implementation bills worked their way through Congress, it became apparent that both bills faced significant opposition from many private and public sector interests, including libraries, institutions of higher learning, consumer electronics and computer product manufacturers, and others. The debate on the treaty implementation legislation highlighted the dual priorities of promoting the continued growth and development of electronic commerce, while at the same time protecting intellectual property rights. Both Congress and the Clinton Administration used these international treaties as an excuse for passing a broad, sweeping changes to U.S. copyright laws that were urged by the entertainment industry , despite the fact that such changes to U.S. copyright law were not required by the treaties themselves.

The United States Congress ultimately enacted The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, more commonly referred to as the DMCA, which was signed into law on October 28, 1998.

FYI to all Tivo users:

Tivo announced they will be raising the monthly rate to $19.95/month (up from $12.95) for those 1-year commitments. Alternatively, you can go to a 2-year commitment and pay $14.95/month, or 3-year commitment and pay $12.95/month. You can also save a bit more if you pay all of your monthly fees up front ($199, $299, $349 for 1, 2, and 3-year commitment respectively).

http://www.tivo.com/5.11.6.asp

FYI to all Tivo users:

FYI - I talked to COMCAST last night, and they have given the call center folks a script to read now about the new TIVO software for Comcast boxes. The good news is it is slated to roll out late Dec / early Jan. The script did not say which boxes it would work with (I assume ALL DVRs) and whether it would be a download or you would need to pick up a new box.

So another option, and perhaps why they are making it so hard for 2 cable card installs w/ S3?

Oh and 1 other point - grandfathered AT&T we are not getting MTV-HD (not authorized). There was nothing they service center was given like when TNT was added (you don't get it), but I assume if we are patient it will show up in about a month. THey did try to reset my box with no joy.

hmmmm, thats what I am going to turn back in, a 6412 III

I will probably just pickup a 3412 when I turn in the 6412.
i just started my service in september 2006. they gave me a 6412 phase II (no hdmi). the DVR was not working, and just 2 weeks ago they gave me 6412 phase III (hdmi included).

i'm in alameda if that matters

meh, my 6412 is a POS. I am constantly having issues with DVR playback and the remote lagging. Not to mention, there were times that the sound would completely cut off.

In addition, the 3412 is smaller than the 6412 which will fit better on my stand. I just wanted to know if there was a more current STB than the 3412.
New 3412s and 3416s are sent out. The 6412 will handle ADS just fine.

The 3416 is more current than the 3412. The only difference is a 160 gb HD instead of a 120.

About remote lagging....when I called comcast about this, the csr said to unplug the pvr/stb and wait ten seconds. It worked, but I'm tired of going through this dance weekly. Does anyone know of a real fix to this?

About remote lagging....when I called comcast about this, the csr said to unplug the pvr/stb and wait ten seconds. It worked, but I'm tired of going through this dance weekly. Does anyone know of a real fix to this?

My real fix was to buy an S3 Tivo :D Fixed all the other annoyances too! :)

Seriously, it will be interesting to see if the coming Tivo software update, will fix the 6412 lag problem... supposedly the S3 has the same CPU etc, not sure about codec chips, but if it can handle the load better than the 6412, maybe it's just a bug/problem in the 6412 software...?

My real fix was to buy an S3 Tivo :D Fixed all the other annoyances too! :)

Seriously, it will be interesting to see if the coming Tivo software update, will fix the 6412 lag problem... supposedly the S3 has the same CPU etc, not sure about codec chips, but if it can handle the load better than the 6412, maybe it's just a bug/problem in the 6412 software...?

IIRC, the remote problem is in the Moto's firmware so unless the problem only surfaces when the firmware and IPG software interact with each other then I would expect the same problem with the Tivo software (unless of course they fix the firmware when they start offering the Tivo software).

I think within the past couple of days, the signal strength (as measured by TiVo S3) has dropped roughly from 87 to 77, for the local HD channels 702-709. Video and audio break up quite often now. Anyone else with similar problem in Mountain View?

I'm in Mountain View and had CableCards installed for S3 yesterday. Limited basic ~$15 and $1.50 for two CableCards. No additional monthly services/fees required.

Hi. Exactly what Comcast channels do you get with this combination limited basic + CableCard? I'm trying to understand the benefit of adding a CableCard to my basic cable service. Thanks.

Hi. Exactly what Comcast channels do you get with this combination limited basic + CableCard? I'm trying to understand the benefit of adding a CableCard to my basic cable service. Thanks.
You'll get the 30 or so analog channels that come with Limited Basic, which includes all or most of the local stations(in Santa Rosa it's all of them), plus you'll get the HD channels for KPIX, KNTV, KGO, KTVU and KQED. Some areas also have KRON-HD I believe.

I just returned my 6412 today and my monthly bill from Comcast will be $17.63 plus local fees and taxes. This includes Limited Basic plus one CableCARD charge of $1.50, first one is free.

Hi. Exactly what Comcast channels do you get with this combination limited basic + CableCard? I'm trying to understand the benefit of adding a CableCard to my basic cable service. Thanks.

All unencrypted channels. With TiVo, I must get the CableCard to map physical QAM channels to Comcast published channels, in order to get programming data for SeasonPass, WishList, etc.

Anyone here using SageTV with either the MyHD or the Fusion QAM tuner cards? I'm looking for comments on which card works the best with Sage and Comcast.

Thanks.

I think within the past couple of days, the signal strength (as measured by TiVo S3) has dropped roughly from 87 to 77, for the local HD channels 702-709. Video and audio break up quite often now. Anyone else with similar problem in Mountain View?


I was experiencing the same thing here in El Cerrito over the weekend. The signal strength was similar as measured by the power meter on my TV. I have only had the TV for a week so I don't know if this is an intermittent or persistent problem.

Is anyone else's box clock off by about 3 minutes? All the shows I recorded tonight (on different channels) recorded about 3 minutes late. I rebooted last night so I'm not sure if that's what caused it or if as system-wide thing.

You'll get the 30 or so analog channels that come with Limited Basic, which includes all or most of the local stations(in Santa Rosa it's all of them), plus you'll get the HD channels for KPIX, KNTV, KGO, KTVU and KQED. Some areas also have KRON-HD I believe.

I just returned my 6412 today and my monthly bill from Comcast will be $17.63 plus local fees and taxes. This includes Limited Basic plus one CableCARD charge of $1.50, first one is free.

But how much is the Tivo fee?

But how much is the Tivo fee?

http://www.tivo.com/2.0.plans.step.1.asp

Exactly. I heard about the new prices.

Are they in effect right now?

Pay $800 for the DVR and then pay $20 a month for fricking programming guide data?

Tivo overestimates the premium people are willing to pay for the brand. Beyond the diehards.

S3 is less than $700. If you even think about paying $20/month, TiVo is not for you. Lifetime can still be purchased with transfer offer, or much lower monthly fees are available. I'm definitely not paying $70/month for Comcast DVR.

But how much is the Tivo fee?
I went with the 3 yr prepay, so $8.31 a month.

In the end, I'm paying about $25-30 less per month and still getting the HD channels I wanted in the first place, plus it's a TiVo-simply a much better piece of equipment than the Moto 6412, plus I own it, plus I can increase the recording capacity until the cows come home, my Moto box would reach 95% in about 3 days, completely worthless if I wanted to take a week's vacation. Plus it's got the best OTA tuners on the market.

Also, no more stalled responses on the Moto STB from remote commands, sometimes it's the little things that can really make the overall experience so much more enjoyable.

So this should show you a little what it's like to be in a 550 MHz area, we pay the same as the rest of the Bay Area and get less, Fair ??? not in my view.

Laters,
Mikef5

How do I find out if I am in a 550 MHz area? I'm located in South San Jose.

Also, I'm considering switching over to E*, so I came here to read about Comcast feedback in San Francisco area, since Comcast quality varies from city to city. Read through several pages and couldn't find info on how Comcast picture quality, both HD and SD, in South San Jose compares to E*. Any help appreciated. Thanks. :)

I don't doubt S3 is better than the Comcast DVR.

But is it better than the HR20 at over twice the price before any D* subsidies?

There are several things I miss from the Tivo interface but not that price, a big monthly fee, or the slowness of the menus.

I don't doubt S3 is better than the Comcast DVR.

But is it better than the HR20 at over twice the price before any D* subsidies?

There are several things I miss from the Tivo interface but not that price, a big monthly fee, or the slowness of the menus.
The menus on the S3 are very fast IMO, I wouldn't compare it to the DirecTV HR10-250 as the S3 is much faster, the guide is a little slow but not a problem.

As far as different providers, that's personal choice, but in my opinion, Comcast still has the best PQ and that's why I've always wanted to keep the locals and the ability to record them. Yes, the S3 is expensive, but once I've spent the money it's gone, out of sight and out of mind, whereas with Comcast DVR is the constant reminder each month that I'm paying $75 to record 5 local HD channels.

The S3 is not for everyone, and it probably makes less sense for me as I get next to nothing as far as OTA, but for folks that do, I think the S3 is great product, the ability to record cable HD and OTA HD seamlessly is not a small thing.

So you can only record 5 local HD channels on your S3?

My problem would be I want to record HBO, Showtime. I also want TNT HD, MTV HD and any other national HD channels.

But Comcast package pricing is so unattractive and then you have to lay out money for the Tivo hardware and software.

That is why we need the telcos in here. Preferably Verizon but I know that won't happen. Taken alone, telco video programming won't be any better (and I guess you can't use Tivo) but you want to see satellite, cable and telco fight each other. Those seem to be our only choices for video or those companies with deep pockets willing to do video.

With Comcast DVR, you're forced to pay $35 for expanded basic. With S3, you can skip it. Use the monthly savings to pay for the TiVo hardware + service. My S3 is used for channels 702-709 only. That's all I need.

Right but for people who want HBO or Showtime, you have to get the Silver at least.

HBO and Showtime have programs more worthy of being recorded and watched than anything between 702-709 for many people.

Those five, plus probably Discovery-HD as it's still not encrypted up here as far as I know, should know later today. Plus, KBCW-HD and KRON-HD from OTA. I supplement that with Dish Network which gives me duplicates of the 4 Comcast local HD channels, plus HBO and Showtime along with about 30 other HD channels, Dish costs me $111 a month for every HD channel they have. Comcast doesn't have Showtime-HD in Santa Rosa, and besides, Comcast's prices for those premium channels is outrageous, $17-18 a month when you can get them from DirecTV or Dish for $10-12 a month.

With Comcast DVR, you're forced to pay $35 for expanded basic. With S3, you can skip it. Use the monthly savings to pay for the TiVo hardware + service. My S3 is used for channels 702-709 only. That's all I need.
Same here, plus the other two bay area OTA HD stations which I'm lucky enough to get, although I never watch KRON-HD, which also isn't available with Comcast in Santa Rosa.

I think within the past couple of days, the signal strength (as measured by TiVo S3) has dropped roughly from 87 to 77, for the local HD channels 702-709. Video and audio break up quite often now. Anyone else with similar problem in Mountain View?

Well, I've been having trouble with TNTHD (725), and MHD (728), but, somewhat sporadically. Haven't noticed anything on the lower channels. Seems they're still working out the bandwidths for the HD section of channel. I keep checking signal on my 6412, and don't see anything obvious (TNTHD, MHD). In MV near downtown.

Well, I've been having trouble with TNTHD (725), and MHD (728), but, somewhat sporadically. Haven't noticed anything on the lower channels. Seems they're still working out the bandwidths for the HD section of channel. I keep checking signal on my 6412, and don't see anything obvious (TNTHD, MHD). In MV near downtown.

My channels 702-709 went back to normal (around 90) this morning. Maybe someone called in because they were so bad last night. Since I don't have another QAM tuner besides the S3, I didn't know if it was my equipment problem or Comcast.

Based on comcast.com, limited basic for Mountain View has increased from ~$15 to ~$20.

Wow, that's a huge increase. I think it's gone from $15-something to $16.13 in Santa Rosa during the last 3 years.

I'm relatively new, and have only read the last several pages of this thread, so I apologize if these questions have been answered.

I'm a Comcast customer in the Oakland area, and considering getting a Panny Panasonic TH-42PX60U with a TiVo S3. The Comcast website and its online chat representative was _not_ helpful for my questions.

I'm currently subscribed to SD, standard cable package, with my cable signal out of the wall directly via RF. I have a few basic questions:

1) Do I need to upgrade from Comcast's standard to digital cable to receive HDTV? I'm looking for broadcast and non-premium cable channels such as ESPNHD. I'm not sure what "encryption" refers to in the first post of this thread.

2) If my TV has a built-in HDTV tuner (which I believe this model does), do I need Comcast's $5/month HDTV box?

3) Any tips on installing CableCARDs myself, or does Comcast forbid that practice?

Thank you in advance.

I can only answer 1 and 2.

1) You don't need Comcast's digital cable for HDTV. You may get ESPNHD included. I did when I lived in Fremont.

2) If your TV has a QAM tuner, you don't need the $5/month box, but you won't get ESPNHD or a few other nice channels thrown in as they are 'encrypted'.

The QAM tuner can pick up non-encrypted channels.

Thanks for the information Karl. Can cableCARDs receive encrypted HD channels (and eliminate the need for an HD STB?)

Also, based on what you said, encrypted HD channels can be received from Comcast's standard (non-digital) cable. Does this mean that the below quote from the first post in this thread is outdated?

To get INHD and ESPN HD, if encrypted, you need Digital Classic tier at $9.95 per month. Premium HD channels, if encrypted, are received with any a la carte or package subscription that includes the SD versions of those channels.

Well...I think INHD, Discovery HD, and ESPNHD were supposed to be included only with Digital Classic (or whatever it's called), but for years now, Comcast has included it with just the HD box. I've had just the HD box almost from day 1 when I lived in Fremont and amazingly, I got several 'free' channels. In fact, in the beginning I also got HBOHD and Showtime HD, but that lasted only about 2 months. When I moved to Santa Clara 1 1/2 yrs ago, I got the same channels.

I've been waiting for the day when Comcast takes away ESPN and I will have to figure a way to get it since I like Monday Night football. I might add satellite as well as keep the cable because I have another QAM system (my HTPC with a HD video card) in my bedroom.

Well...I think INHD, Discovery HD, and ESPNHD were supposed to be included only with Digital Classic (or whatever it's called), but for years now, Comcast has included it with just the HD box. I've had just the HD box almost from day 1 when I lived in Fremont and amazingly, I got several 'free' channels. In fact, in the beginning I also got HBOHD and Showtime HD, but that lasted only about 2 months. When I moved to Santa Clara 1 1/2 yrs ago, I got the same channels.

I've been waiting for the day when Comcast takes away ESPN and I will have to figure a way to get it since I like Monday Night football. I might add satellite as well as keep the cable because I have another QAM system (my HTPC with a HD video card) in my bedroom.

if when you moved from Fremont to Santa Clara, you "transferred" your account, you got to keep ESPN, etc. under a "grandfather clause." i lost mine because i had a few week break between residences and now have to do digital classic to get those extra stations and my Sports fix. so, no promises, but i think you'll be set into the forseeable future...no mistake made i don't think, you just have a grandfathered account.

Looks like KQED won't show Prime Suspect VII on 11/12 and 11/19 in HD. Just on their regular SD channel.

Could be that PBS didn't pay for an HD transfer from the film source (going by the previous editions).

if when you moved from Fremont to Santa Clara, you "transferred" your account, you got to keep ESPN, etc. under a "grandfather clause." i lost mine because i had a few week break between residences and now have to do digital classic to get those extra stations and my Sports fix.

Where do you live now? I wonder if Comcast varies its encryption of ESPNHD by local offices.

Sorry if this has recently been discussed. I read back a few pages and did not see anything recent....

I live in Antioch. I received a letter in the mail about a week ago from Comcast. It pertains to service in Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point. It says that in the next two to three months we are going to see some changes as they are upgrading the system in our neighborhood and that we will be getting On Demand and more channels.

Could it be? Finally? Not to get my hopes up but.... are we finally getting off our 550Mhz system????

Sorry if this has recently been discussed. I read back a few pages and did not see anything recent....

I live in Antioch. I received a letter in the mail about a week ago from Comcast. It pertains to service in Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point. It says that in the next two to three months we are going to see some changes as they are upgrading the system in our neighborhood and that we will be getting On Demand and more channels.

Could it be? Finally? Not to get my hopes up but.... are we finally getting off our 550Mhz system????

I believe so. Comcast I'm sure realizes that the Antioch/Pittsburgh area is only going to grow and they don't want another fiasco like Walnut Creek where a small section wasn't upgraded but all the surrounding areas were.

Is there any way to check if I can receive any HD channels in my Comcast analog standard cable (I live near Oakland)? I can't tune my TiVo to any channels past 99.

Does your TiVo have a QAM tuner? If not it won't get any digital channels at all directly off the cable. What model TiVo are you talking about?

It's a series 2, Humax DRT400. But I thought some HD channels were included in standard cable in some areas.

They're there, but you need an HD (QAM) tuner to view them and your Humax seems to be NTSC only.

I believe so. Comcast I'm sure realizes that the Antioch/Pittsburgh area is only going to grow and they don't want another fiasco like Walnut Creek where a small section wasn't upgraded but all the surrounding areas were.
Like Sonoma County vs Santa Rosa? :p Supposedly though AT&T is coming to town so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, Comcast does up here.


BTW, dropped Expanded Basic from my sub and apparently the block doesn't cover cover all the EB channels, I still get 1 at the start of the block and 6 or 7 at the end of the block.

Like Sonoma County vs Santa Rosa? :p Supposedly though AT&T is coming to town so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, Comcast does up here.

But is the Santa Rosa area considered a "high growth" area? I'm not at all condoning Comcast's thinking but the Delta region (Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburgh) is expected to double in size over the next 10 years.

But is the Santa Rosa area considered a "high growth" area? I'm not at all condoning Comcast's thinking but the Delta region (Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburgh) is expected to double in size over the next 10 years.
I don't really know, the area has grown quite a bit and there are huge tracts of land slowly being cleared for more housing on the west side of town. Plus, 101 is being widened in a lot of spots and I think there is talk of extending BART into Sonoma County(we've been paying for it for years in our taxes). Probably not as much as NE CC, but it is growing.

Where do you live now? I wonder if Comcast varies its encryption of ESPNHD by local offices.

i dunno about your second comment (although there has been some discussion about it being in the clear for a long time until recently.

i moved from Santa clara to Santa Clara. again, i just immediately ended up going with Digital Classic after the move in order to keep FSN-HD so i could catch the Giants game although seeing how they played down the stretch, maybe that wasn't such a good use of money... :(

Way off topic here but is anyone using Comcast Digital Voice for their home telephone? Are there any obvious advantages over other VoIP providers such as Vonage?

But is the Santa Rosa area considered a "high growth" area? I'm not at all condoning Comcast's thinking but the Delta region (Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburgh) is expected to double in size over the next 10 years.
Probably not. I think we already did most of our growing. I think we're the 4th or 5th biggest city in the bay area.

Way off topic here but is anyone using Comcast Digital Voice for their home telephone? Are there any obvious advantages over other VoIP providers such as Vonage?

Of course I've had it since June. Been great. Reliability better than expected. Don't talk to me about AT$T's reliability. . .

QOS. Not riding on the Internet. Finally sanctioned by some major alarm companies.

Not riding on the Internet.

Doesn't it use the same coax, or does it really have separate wiring?

Wow, that's a huge increase. I think it's gone from $15-something to $16.13 in Santa Rosa during the last 3 years.
Shh!, Quiet! :) I think just like talk of unencrypted channels maybe Comcast just forgot to "upgrade" your area.

Shh!, Quiet! :) I think just like talk of unencrypted channels maybe Comcast just forgot to "upgrade" your area.
I think they've made up for it with the Expanded Basic increases. Some areas of the bay area only pay about $13 for Limited Basic if I remember some of the posts correctly. $15 to $20 is huge, hard to imagine the local franchise authority would let that happen.

I don't really know, the area has grown quite a bit and there are huge tracts of land slowly being cleared for more housing on the west side of town. Plus, 101 is being widened in a lot of spots and I think there is talk of extending BART into Sonoma County(we've been paying for it for years in our taxes). Probably not as much as NE CC, but it is growing.
I'm glad to see somebody finally getting around to widening 101 (it is two lanes in each direction in spots between Novato and Santa Rosa). Shame about that proposed sales tax increase to fund a commuter train from Windsor to the Larkspur ferry terminal going down, but that's what happens when you include pretty much everybody from San Rafael to Sausalito on a tax for which they will see very little benefit. I for one think that northern Sonoma will build faster than northeast Contra Costa, especially if they're still serious (Antioch? Brentwood?) about making new homeowners sign papers saying that they realize that there is a significant traffic problem.

But where do you get the idea that "Sonoma has been paying for BART for years in taxes"? Property taxes? Sonoma has never had to pay the 1/4% extra sales tax that SF, Contra Costa, and Alameda have been paying since the 1960s. (From what I've read, Marin and San Mateo were part of it as well, originally, until San Mateo decided to put its eggs in the CalTrain basket and engineers decided that it would not be safe to run BART on the "lower deck" of the Golden Gate Bridge, so Marin dropped out.) Besides, even if they did want BART in Sonoma, how would it connect to the rest of the system?

-- Don

It's been awhile since I read about, and I could be wrong, it may have been the Marin/San Mateo thing you mention, I could have sworn that money was getting sucked out of here for BART though. Probably some long term plans that never came to fruition.

I think Sonoma County is going to grow more as well, but with house prices falling, and the fees alone to build new pretty high, it will probably be quite awhile before there's much of an increase in housing around here.

Doesn't it use the same coax, or does it really have separate wiring?

Same coax, different carrier - er channel. Like a private second Internet just for CDV.

Same coax, different carrier - er channel. Like a private second Internet just for CDV.

If something is wrong with the coax, then all three of Comcast's Triple Play services may go down at the same time.

Guide update on 16-17 Nov. and possible problems with HDMI and phase 3 boxes
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You are welcome to post this on the Forum.

Motorola has informed us there may be some HDTV set specific issues with the HDMI output on the DVR 6412 P-3 Digital Set Top box as a result of the upcoming A-24 TV Guide release.

This latest version of the guide is scheduled to be downloaded to our set-tops during the 1am to 5am maintenance window on the mornings of November 16 and November 17.

This issue has been escalated to the software developers and will require further development to create a fix. We do not have an estimated date when this work will be completed.

In the mean time, any customers that may have an issue should use the component outputs until the software patch is released.

Note: The customer will only get true High Definition from the HD channels when using the component cables. The RF cables will deliver a picture, however the picture will not be in true High Definition.

And to repeat, only some HDTV sets may be impacted, not every HDTV model will experience this issue and for those that do, please use component cables and outputs versus HDMI.
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So it looks like we are getting an updated Guide. I'm pretty sure this is not the expected Tivo Guide just an updated standard Guide and it may cause problems with some HDTV's HDMI connections but a patch is on the way. Great I'd rather have my area upgraded instead... ;) You had to know I would have to say that, maybe one day we will get upgraded. Maybe before the 49er's move to Santa Clara.... :eek:

When this upgrade happens, I'd be interested to know which HDTV's were affected and which were not. So post here if you have a problem with your HDMI after the upgrade on the 16th.

Laters,
Mikef5

Using the remote on the pvr to change channels, record, view tv listings etc is very slow at times.

Called Comcast CSR and they said to unplug pvr and wait for about a minute before plugging it back in.

I don't see this slowness in the non-pvr HD box I also have.

Is this a design flaw, or can it really be corrected without having to unplug/plug pvr box?