Originally posted by Richo
Does ANYONE know anything about Santa Cruz County? .... Can someone help me out here??

I must rise and defend my lands and honor!

The only box that's not here yet is the 6412, the HD PVR.

I'll tell you that lack of HD in Cruz is not the STBs - I have plenty of 6200 and some 5100s available. It's other things - headends mostly. I've been told "summer???" for Monterey's Hi Def (I live in that system).

That Santa Cruz headend is being totally rebuilt for expantion. Can't put that into the mix, but everything there so far has been ahead of schedule.

No go on my cablecard install today.Install time was between 12 pm and 4pm by comcast,at 3:15 they called and said they had none available for install.After a few calls and some venting to customer service an installer arrived.But could not get the card to work after about an hour of trying.They are going to trouble shoot and hopefully they will get back to me sometime this week.They have not installed any in the south bay area as of yet i was told.I hope it is just a minor problem with cards and not my xbr960.

Originally posted by pt270
No go on my cablecard install today.Install time was between 12 pm and 4pm by comcast,at 3:15 they called and said they had none available for install.After a few calls and some venting to customer service an installer arrived.But could not get the card to work after about an hour of trying.They are going to trouble shoot and hopefully they will get back to me sometime this week.They have not installed any in the south bay area as of yet i was told.I hope it is just a minor problem with cards and not my xbr960.

hmmm...sounds like DCTDictator needs to get an XBR960 for his lab to test it on :) (and then pound some heads over them saying they didnt have any cablecards available)

I write here knowing that upper mgmt may be reading - or be forwarded things, so I'll be kind and say it was a misunderstanding that the tech said there were no cards. Southbay has plenty of cards.

I really wanted to be at the first cablecard install - as I wrote above I'd comp some service for the annoyance of having maybe two extra Comcasters at the install. Let's hope the follow up call has some people that are ready to install the product (I'm just supply and I've read all the training materials - have they?) and aware of the provisioning process.

What I garner from the training docs is that the provisioning process has to take place at the end users' location. Techs may not be familiar with the provision process, it's been done inside the lab for 5 plus years (baked while you sleep). It takes nearly 40 minutes to take a new DCT from carton to firmware/software updated, then a burn in for 2 hours, finally it's ready to roll. CableCards cannot be pre - provisioned like DCTs. I deeply apologize and hope to make good on the service.

I'll predict that it may be a software glitch - the controller or the billing system.

There was another customer who showed up at a service center today wanting a self install and was turned away - cablecard installs are by appointment only, for the start.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
I write here knowing that upper mgmt may be reading - or be forwarded things, so

if they do see this, I'd like to just say that I (and I'm sure others) sincerely appreciate you spending your free time here both helping and elightening us with your knowledge etc...

thanks
Steve

Actually it was someone from " dispatch" who told me there were no cards available.Comcast should of had some training for the installers before july 1.But it seemed like no one at the headend or else where knew how to trouble shoot the problem.The sony xbr960 has a excellent and informative on screen menu that can be accessed when a cablecard is inserted regarding cablecard installation. The thing that pissed me off the most is nobody called until 3:15 to say there was a problem.Four hours i took off work that was wasted.

On and off the immediate topic. I called Comcast customer service to arrange a service call because Discovery HD (722) is crapping out on me by pixelating or stuttering every 5 seconds or so. I made an appointment for Saturday morning because it wasn't worth staying home for, but still, I'm looking forward to HD on one of my favorite channels.

I get a call from the installer, leaving a message on my machine that basically I'm an idiot and that I 'don't get' Discovery HD and that I need to talk to customer service because he's not coming out.... Funny, because I turn on 722 and there it is (you know, stuttering, but still, it's there).

I mean Jeez, you guys change things up like what, once a month? How hard is it to keep your front line tech guys up to date? When I push new software to my users (a web service), I tell my tech support people via email bulletins, which I know they all better read.

On the flip side, I can imagine what a comcast driver makes, and having first hand experience with them, I know they arn't exactly UC graduate rocket scientists.... Still, they have exactly one day job, and keeping up with the product should be a requirement.

Now I need to go through this circus again....

mjlawless, you should probably read through this thread before you start insulting people...you might figure out that some of these "non UC graduate rocket scientsts" are avid members. I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to piss off my cable guy.

Originally posted by MikeSM
Where specifically are you interested in?My house (see left). ;)

In case anyone else in the Walnut Creek area is curious, I did some poking around as far as HD Cable options and why Comcast doesn't yet offer it in this area.

Doesn't have anything to do with Astound having service here, but rather a long and protracted disagreement between the city of Walnut Creek and Comcast over the renewal of their franchise agreement. According to the local Comcast rep in Concord, the company still hasn't reached an agreement, which means that what I was told by a CSR about HD service being available in a couple of weeks seems unlikely.

To make matters worse, Astound doesn't actually serve my part of Walnut Creek, and I can't put up a dish or antenna because I rent and my porch is blocked by all kinds of trees.

Life goes on :cool:

I would kill to have any of the West Oakland Comcast truck drivers be avid readers of this forum. Unfortunately, it clearly isn't so. The nature of any technology like this is that those that truly 'get it' move in to positions of responsibility (rightly so), and those that don't drive McTrucks and carry McScripts.

I read this forum regularly, and no offense to DCDictator and the others at Comcast who clearly know what's up (especially those non-weenies who passionately care to keep up), but when I have to educate Comcast employees about HDTV, or firewire, or my own cable lineup, it's irritating, especially when time and time again, I have to do 2 or 3 iterations to get a problem solved. How many first-adopters of Comcast HDTV had problems getting up and running in May 03? Not because the signal was or was not on your head end, but because no one at CS knew what the hell you were talking about to get you the right box. (I don't want to see a show of hands, but I remember what the related forum was like on first rollout, not to mention my own hassles which were again, 2 wasted appointments because I was more informed than the truck driver.)

I want the red flag on my account that says, 'when this guy calls, he probably knows what he's talking about, so just route him to the person who can really help'. Quite frankly, I'd be happy to accept the flag of 'problem customer' if it would route me to the right agent without wasting my time.

Fix my signal problem if you can, don't fix my signal problem if you can't, but cancelling an appointment last minute because you don't think I have a signal problem when I most clearly I do. That's lame.

Originally posted by mjlawless
I would kill to have any of the West Oakland Comcast truck drivers be avid readers of this forum. Unfortunately, it clearly isn't so. The nature of any technology like this is that those that truly 'get it' move in to positions of responsibility (rightly so), and those that don't drive McTrucks and carry McScripts.

I read this forum regularly, and no offense to DCDictator and the others at Comcast who clearly know what's up (especially those non-weenies who passionately care to keep up), but when I have to educate Comcast employees about HDTV, or firewire, or my own cable lineup, it's irritating, especially when time and time again, I have to do 2 or 3 iterations to get a problem solved. How many first-adopters of Comcast HDTV had problems getting up and running in May 03? Not because the signal was or was not on your head end, but because no one at CS knew what the hell you were talking about to get you the right box. (I don't want to see a show of hands, but I remember what the related forum was like on first rollout, not to mention my own hassles which were again, 2 wasted appointments because I was more informed than the truck driver.)

I want the red flag on my account that says, 'when this guy calls, he probably knows what he's talking about, so just route him to the person who can really help'. Quite frankly, I'd be happy to accept the flag of 'problem customer' if it would route me to the right agent without wasting my time.

Fix my signal problem if you can, don't fix my signal problem if you can't, but cancelling an appointment last minute because you don't think I have a signal problem when I most clearly I do. That's lame.

I would love to see some of them respond on this forum also.

To your rude, obnoxius and condesending insults about people you don't have a clue about.

Who educated you about HDTV etc, were you one of the lucky ones that was born with the knowledge?

Jim :rolleyes:

So what are you guys saying? That Comcast DOESN'T have any clueless people working for them? That every service/install appointment went smoothly? That every phone call to a CSR yielded fast and accurate information?

I don't think what MJ is asking is too much. There are plenty of companies, large ones too, that can handle simple requests without assuming the customer is as clueless as they are. There are plenty of companies, too, that actually TRAIN their employees and keep them up to date with healthy up-to-date corporate communications.

DCT - this is not meant for you. You have always given us intellingent and current information. Nor do I imply that EVERYBODY at Comcast is lame. But there does seem to be an awful lot of poorly trained folks interfacing with customers.

Originally posted by davisdog
if they do see this, I'd like to just say that I (and I'm sure others) sincerely appreciate you spending your free time here both helping and elightening us with your knowledge etc...

thanks
Steve Agreed. DCTDictator's contributions are greatly appreciated create a great amount of good will for Comcast that otherwise might not exist. The most difficult thing about being HDTV early adopters is being in the dark about so many things; thus, when we can be enlightened by non-confidential but difficult to obtain information, it is an extremely positive development. It certainly gives local Comcast a leg up on its satellite HDTV competitors that it would not otherwise have.

Originally posted by dandrewk
So what are you guys saying? That Comcast DOESN'T have any clueless people working for them? That every service/install appointment went smoothly? That every phone call to a CSR yielded fast and accurate information?



Not saying that at all. Every industry and company has employees with less than perfect knowledge about their job or function.

What I objected to was the insulting tone mjlawless used:

<<< Originally posted by mjlawless
I would kill to have any of the West Oakland Comcast truck drivers be avid readers of this forum. Unfortunately, it clearly isn't so. The nature of any technology like this is that those that truly 'get it' move in to positions of responsibility (rightly so), and those that don't drive McTrucks and carry McScripts. >>>

Those sort of remarks are uncalled for IMO

Jim

Does anyone have a good email address for a complaint about customer service?I have had a very frustrating time lately, and would like to pass my complaints on to someone who can do something about the situation. A local higher-up would be the kind of thing I'm looking for. I am in the San Mateo county system (Emerald Hills) if it helps.

Thanks,

B

I agree with Keenan. I will be the first person to shout out about how uninformed many of the Comcast techs/reps are about some of their products. I don't blame them...I blame their management. No matter what your frustrations are though, there's no need to flame anyone -- especially when their peers are nice enough to share valuable information with us "outsiders".

Ok...back to the topic(s) at hand...

Well, I just got a DCT 6200 installed (in the rebuilt San Mateo County system - 860 Mhz plant). This was the first HD install for the comcast tech they sent out, which was great because he could tell I knew what I was doing from my set-up and I showed him how to hook the box up, and we got it installed pretty quickly. I was a little surprised the only cabling he had was a component cable - I had everything ready for the box in terms of cabling, but I can only imagine what these poor guys have to deal with trying to interface a DCT to someone's home theater system who didn't prepare for the install.


I have a replayTV as well, and got the analog outputs of the 6200 connected to it, while the component out and TOS link audio went to my reciever. Getting the replay to find the right channel line up was a pain, but I now have it commanding the 6200 via IR just fine. When I want to watch HD, I push a button the remote which switches the TV to component in and tells the reciever to switch to the proper inputs. It works pretty well.

No discovery HD in the county system yet! The tech was a little surprised since it's supposed to be on in nearby systems, but channel 722 doesn't connect to anything yet.

INHD looks great, as does ESPN-HD. The soap operas from the networks don't have anything special on yet.

All in all, very nice. Now I have figure out a way to get HD PVR implemented through the firewire outputs. :-)

Thanks,
Mike

Am glad to hear that some on the San Mateo County system now have HD. In my neighborhood, the channel lineup hasn't changed yet, so I don't think that it is available. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll happen soon.

B

bfisch, the tech said the rest of the system would get cut over in a couple weeks... So hope is in sight...

Thanks,
Mike

I'm trying to update a master list of OTA HD stations. San Francisco has not yet been updated. Can somebody that knows what networks are broadcasting in HD or HD/DD5.1 go to the following link and post the info?

National List of Stations Broadcasting HD / DD5.1 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=422073)

Thanks....

Originally posted by CPanther95
I'm trying to update a master list of OTA HD stations. San Francisco has not yet been updated. Can somebody that knows what networks are broadcasting in HD or HD/DD5.1 go to the following link and post the info?

National List of Stations Broadcasting HD / DD5.1 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=422073)

Thanks....

There's some info maintained here...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HDTV-in-SFbay/files/


I'll post it on the other thread also

I live in South San Jose(95123) and my area just switched over to the advanced digital programming and finally HD is available. I'm currently on the old AT&T gold package where I get HBO, Starz and Showtime all for $81.99 and month. I also rent another digital box for $6.95 a month. Is it true that if I try and get the HD package, Comcast will switch me over to their gold package that only includes 2 premium channels? Sure I would gain the HD channels, but I would have to choose 1 of my premiums to get axed. Plus my base bill would then go up to $85.99, which is the current price for the Comcast gold package. I guess I'm just trying to find out if this is what will happen if I try and get the HD package. Any info. would be appreciated, thanks.

Originally posted by Ace of Space
I live in South San Jose(95123) and my area just switched over to the advanced digital programming and finally HD is available. I'm currently on the old AT&T gold package where I get HBO, Starz and Showtime all for $81.99 and month. I also rent another digital box for $6.95 a month. Is it true that if I try and get the HD package, Comcast will switch me over to their gold package that only includes 2 premium channels? Sure I would gain the HD channels, but I would have to choose 1 of my premiums to get axed. Plus my base bill would then go up to $85.99, which is the current price for the Comcast gold package. I guess I'm just trying to find out if this is what will happen if I try and get the HD package. Any info. would be appreciated, thanks.

Ace of Space,

Yes and No...

First, lets clarify that there is no "HD Package"

There is a $5/mth surcharge to rent get the HD Capable box (DCT6100). You need that box to get any HD.

Now with your current legacy package (and paying the $5/mth to upgrade to the HD Box) you should be able to recieve ABC, NBC, PBS and CBS in HD along with ESPN HD, HBO-HD, Showtime-HD and StarzHD (if its been added in your area) without changing anything (or paying anything more than the $5/mth HD box surchage)

Now what you maybe missing in a couple of the newer HD only Channels that they only added to the Comcast Packages (basically they are leaving the ATT packages as is since they want people to switch)...namely InHD1 and InHD2 are only available if you have a comcast package that includes "digital classic"...They also have recently started adding Discovery-HD which may only be available on a "Comcast" package (I'm not sure)...Also Fox Sports Bay Area's new HD channel (A's, Giants, Sharks etc..) should be up in the next couple weeks and they may just put that in the Comcast lineup. I'm not sure about the new ones and there's a chance they havent turned on the encryption yet and InHD may still be sneaking through for you (for the time being)

Basically you can keep your ATT package, but the newer stuff isnt being added (and they are trying to give you incentives to switch to comcast packages)...

If I were you (and assuming you have an HD TV)...go ahead and signup for HD (ie pay the $5/mth for the box) and see what you get...it will definetely be worth the $5....If you find you are missing some of the newer channels and you really want them than you'll need to switch to a comcast package..yes its more for less in some respects but they do have some good specials going that can make it break even (for instance...they recently gave me Digital Platinum (ie everything) for $30 for 3 months just for asking...saved ~$200 over that timespan which will ease the pain of the extra $5-15/mth you will have to pay to get the number of premium channels you are used to on the comcast packages.

-Steve

Basically you can keep your ATT package, but the newer stuff isnt being added (and they are trying to give you incentives to switch to comcast packages)...

Not quite true. At least not yet for me. I still have the ATT Silver Pkg (HBO, Starz & Encore) and I am an HD subscriber since 6/03. I do receive all HD channels (except for Show and Max). I have had trouble when they add new HD channels to the lineup, but everything is ok within a few days after launch. I have never been told to switch to a Comcast Pkg in order to receive new channels.

Basically, I get all new channels, SD and HD, that are added to the package I subscribe to.

Then again, maybe I'm just lucky.

I live in the Lake Merced area of San Francisco.

Regards,

Jorge

Thanks for the quick replies. I think I'll go for it. Crap! I'm out of component inputs on my Sony. Time to do component switch box research.

Don't bother with a component switch box. You can use an Audio/Video switcher from Radio Shack for like $15.

Zektor makes a nice switcher. I used one before I got my new TV. Handles digital audio also and will switch Toslink to SPDIF and vis versa.

http://www.zektor.com/hds4/index.htm
Zektor HDS4 HDTV A/V Switch


I don't have any use for it anymore, PM me if anyones interested.

Jim:)

I am also an AT&T Silver package legacy with HBO. I get all local HD that Comcast carries, both INHD, HBO and STARZ HD and Discovery HD. The Silver package includes the Digital Classic tier. I think I had to call Comcast for them to authorize the INHD however. Not sure if they made a mistake in authorizing it.

- Phil

I visited an install in progress this morning, along with the tech's supervisor at a job in Cupertino (no stress there for the tech, eh?). It was nice to get out of the office and Cupertino is a real nice, clean town.

Install was truely uneventful - everything was working fine, the set was stunning, though the screen was a bit on the small size for me. The customer also retained his DCT6200.

Few CableCard pointers:

The foul ups experienced earlier was due to computers, of course. Still not totally fixed but there is a work around that is communicated.

The provisioning is called 'Pairing' - a marriage between the TV and cable card. Book says a 2nd set MIGHT not work if you swap the card to a different set - like take your home cable card to a friend's house.

Pay Per View looks to be possible - but by using the ARU, calling a machine and pressing buttons to buy a feature - the only way PPV is supported for one way DCTs. Question is will the ARU still be around when the last one-way DCT gets chaged over to two way?

This particular set could not do digital cable in split screen (Sony's version of PIP) one screen was digital and the other could not tune digital. One digital tuner?

There is no equipment rental fee - only the programming fee. Either the whole charge if it's cable card only, or the nominal duplicate programming fee that anyone with multiple set tops pays per added set top.

DCTDictator,

Firmware version 7.15 for the Moto boxes has started showing up at different locations around the country.

Do you know what that version addresses?


Jim

I've been reading about it over on the hardware thread.

I've been checking my DCT, I am on the NAS, which got 7.10 before the Bay Area DAC did.

Nothing yet. As the norm, I get an email shortly before the update that describes the fixes.. I'll pass it on.

Great, thanks.

Jim

Some folks are getting updates to their Firmware 7.xx? And meanwhile here in Berkeley I'm stuck on 2.48 or whatever it is?

A question on the 6200: how much memory is in the box? There is no information in PDF from Motorola but I figured since it does VOD those packets must be stored in memory.

Is the 6200 going to be HD VOD capable? If so the only way I can imagine that would work would be that the streams would be MPEG-4 and a software update would download an MPEG-4 decoder since the box only has a built-in MPEG-2 decoder. But maybe there is sufficient memory to do this in MPEG-2.

Originally posted by Brian Conrad
A question on the 6200: how much memory is in the box? There is no information in PDF from Motorola but I figured since it does VOD those packets must be stored in memory.

Is the 6200 going to be HD VOD capable? If so the only way I can imagine that would work would be that the streams would be MPEG-4 and a software update would download an MPEG-4 decoder since the box only has a built-in MPEG-2 decoder. But maybe there is sufficient memory to do this in MPEG-2.

Minimal Memory...

64Mb System Ram
16 Mb Flash
256Kb NVRAM

(you can find it in the diag menu).

I don't imagine any of this is intended for VOD usage as its streaming off the server at the Headend.

HD-VOD is already running (or testing) on a couple Comcast Systems back east using these Motorola DCT's (And I dont think it uses MPEG4)

Subs will be able to see VOD with any DCT2000, DCT5100, DCT6200 and even on those universally hated DCT1800s.

Comcast is starting a campaign to recall the only non VOD compatable set tops, the 1000 and 1200 series. Bring your old DCT to a service center for a swap and get a $$ credit Save Comcast the cost of a tech swapping the box and they pass the savings on to you.

Don't worry, I won't put out any DCT1800s. ick.

No DCT made to date has an MPEG-4 decoder in it or a CPU powerful enough to do an effective MPEG-4 decode. It's MPEG-2 only for these boxes. Not that big a deal if you have enough forward capacity in the system.

DCTdictator, doesn't VOD require RF return? Some of the DCT2000's deployed were telco return, and I suspect many folks had a reverse channel filter in their path if a cable modem was present - I know at my house they killed the two-way after the splitter to a seperate drop for the modem.

The DCT's are very limited devices, not just because of the CPU in the box but because of the architecture in the box. I know the 5100's had docsis modems in them but there was no way to get MPEG from the modem to the MPEG-2 hardware decoder to display. I suspect the 6000 series may have the same issues.

Thanks,
Mike

DCTdictator, doesn't VOD require RF return? Some of the DCT2000's deployed were telco return, and I suspect many folks had a reverse channel filter in their path if a cable modem was present - I know at my house they killed the two-way after the splitter to a seperate drop for the modem.

DCT2000s are capable of telco or RF return. When one is provisioned the first time, the model number entered into the controller determines the software the DCT gets and chooses the return path. The upstream modem diagnostic (power off, select) is either a frequency and power level or an 800 number.

I would experiment with different configurations, trying to activate the serial ports or IR blasters or just see what could be done. Once a hacker, always a hacker.

A DCT's return path can be switched anytime by changing the model type in it's profile and sending a hit. This happens all the time when a rebuild completes a node, a script runs that tells the telco and one way DCTs to dump the old software and join the RF revolution. In a normal rebuild there's no need to change out the box.

DCT1200 are also telco/rf but lack the power/memory to do OnDemand.

DCT1000 are telco only. DCT1800, 2500, 5100, 6200 and 6208 are RF only.

So they are all 'two way' capable. Any model can also be made 'one way' using the same procedure. One way DCTs are ones that make you phone in to an ARU or live person to buy PPV.

The 800 number on telco is local. I am not sure about Silicon Valley, but in the 831 between Salinas and Monterey it is a toll call (I personally caught that error, imagine the anger of all those Salinas customers getting dinged for a dozen calls to Monterey every month). You'd think that the phone company charges would outspend any rental fees collected from DCT users that buy no PPV, but there is a toll saver function that only dials in only if there are purchase records to upload. After a period of silence (no buys = no calls) it demands a callback regardless - like mom calling and asking why you have not called her back.

There once was a scheme to change out the telco modems with RF modules for a plan to allow Internet access ala WebTV on any DCT. Modules and wireless keyboards were once on the forecast. Think that was an AT&T project, it might have satisfied franchise requirements that demanded internet access via the cable.

Comcast does not install return path filters by default, it would not allow self intstall of modems. Filters are only installed when there is an issue with noise coming from a particular drop. But there are still many filters (and 330 mhz splitters) out there.

Originally posted by MikeSM
No DCT made to date has an MPEG-4 decoder in it or a CPU powerful enough to do an effective MPEG-4 decode. It's MPEG-2 only for these boxes. Not that big a deal if you have enough forward capacity in the system.

That is correct. Mass video distribution providers (cable and satellite) using either MPEG-4 or WM9 is at least two years away. I believe D* (or maybe it was Voom) said they won't begin using MPEG-4 until 2006 at the earliest. A processor needs to be at least 2.4GHz in order to decode and play an 720p HD signal encoded with that "strong" an algorithm (3.0GHz is required for 1080p). Either way, the jury is still out on whether MPEG-4 or WM9 (or both) will be format used for mass distribution.

Originally posted by fender4645
That is correct. Mass video distribution providers (cable and satellite) using either MPEG-4 or WM9 is at least two years away. I believe D* (or maybe it was Voom) said they won't begin using MPEG-4 until 2006 at the earliest. A processor needs to be at least 2.4GHz in order to decode and play an 720p HD signal encoded with that "strong" an algorithm (3.0GHz is required for 1080p). Either way, the jury is still out on whether MPEG-4 or WM9 (or both) will be format used for mass distribution.

It's Voom who has plans to go to MPEG4/WMV9 and they expect to do it in 2005. There STB was built with an expansion slot that will take a MPEG4/WMV9 card. They'll be starting with SD channels and then moving to HD. If they get it working it will allow 2x + the number of channels in the same bandwidth.

More CableCard confusion. I'm in Sunnyvale (94087) and when I called Comcast customer service, I was told that I could pick up a CableCard at the Sunnyvale Comcast store. Got there, and the person at the counter said that they did not have any, but they could schedule a technician to bring one by, or I could pick one up later when they are sent from the warehouse. But then she also said that I had to pay for a technician visit if I wanted to have the technician to drop it off at my house. So I opted for the pick-up. I am still waiting for them to call me to tell me that it is available at the store.

From what DCTdictator posted, a technican visit is required for CableCard provision. Is that true for Sunnyvale? I feel like I am getting the run-around. TIA.

Originally posted by clau

From what DCTdictator posted, a technican visit is required for CableCard provision. Is that true for Sunnyvale? I feel like I am getting the run-around. TIA.

Listen to what DCTdictactor says....The area he supports includes Sunnyvale

Originally posted by clau


From what DCTdictator posted, a technican visit is required for CableCard provision. Is that true for Sunnyvale? I feel like I am getting the run-around. TIA.

Definetly need a tech call to install - it is not plug and play (yet). I do not know the structure of the cost of the service call.

Thank you for the report, I will pass the word to customer care to stop sending people to service centers for CCArds. There are no immediate plans to put cards in the service centers.

As with everything else, there will be a self install option in the future.

Thanks for the info. I figured they weren't using MPEG-4 yet but am surprised there isn't some buffering for the streams.

Well, there is precious little memory in the boxes for buffering, and besides, the MPEG frames are sent on dedicated bandwidth. No queuing delay due to transit of IP networks, so you the data is always there just in time for decoding, unless the FEC fails to correct a bit error and then you get an artifact, but this shouldn't happen in a properly operating HFC network.

DCTdictator, I understand the way the telco/rf return stuff works in the DCT, but you do need the RF return to do VOD right? That is I can't imagine that level of control being done via the phone. There is no RAM in the box to hold any amount of video data to do a pause, etc...

TCI had deployed reverse filters in the mid 90's in many of the systems out here, but I think in general they have been removed. I also have had experience with some el cheapo splitters and directional couplers failing that AT&T had put in. I have since replaced all of those with channel plus equipment which is good to a Ghz to end the hassles with stuff going bad.

PS I have noticed that since I was converted to the San Mateo county plant that there are some analog channels like TVLAND that are supposed to be there but just show up as static on the plant. Should I call this into comcast as a problem? They show up on the DCT guide, but no signal there when you tune to it.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by MikeSM
I also have had experience with some el cheapo splitters and directional couplers failing that AT&T had put in. I have since replaced all of those with channel plus equipment which is good to a Ghz to end the hassles with stuff going bad.

I too had a splitter in one of my rooms that was brought by an AT&T tech way back when. Turns out it was causing roughly a 6db drop in signal strength from that particular outlet. Because I was only getting about 3-4db's on that outlet, switching the splitter made a world of difference in regards to pixelation (digital) and noise (analog). The new one only drops between 1 and 2db's and from what I understand, you can start to see signal degradation at about -2db's.

[DCTdictator, I understand the way the telco/rf return stuff works in the DCT, but you do need the RF return to do VOD right? That is I can't imagine that level of control being done via the phone. There is no RAM in the box to hold any amount of video data to do a pause, etc...

Right. Must be RF two way.

Also need to meet a ton of specs behind the scenes to get it in your system.

Hi DCTDictator,

I see that Motorola have the 6412 on the web site now. Have you any clue to when they will be deployed by Comcast in the Bay Area? Or are we waiting for VOD before Comcast will even issue any DVR's in our area?

Fitzwest

There's no DVRs in the near-near future. That is the box though. I have had to count & report how many 6208s are ready to ship back - I take that as a good sign.

My loaner BMC8000 has failed to load any software or go beyond it's 'Night Rider' style LED flashing. Could be the DAC controller, I'm going to move it to a NAS system.

My replacement 6208 is working just fine. Cool & Quiet ;) and I never miss 'The ScreenSavers' since the G4 merger.

Out of curiosity, do you ship the 6208's back to Motorola for a refund/credit, or do they go to other Comcast areas which are/will be deploying the 6208?

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Out of curiosity, do you ship the 6208's back to Motorola for a refund/credit, or do they go to other Comcast areas which are/will be deploying the 6208?

Where ever HQ says. Could go to other MSOs, or a broker.

Did anyone see that Philly has Dating OnDemand? Only on Comcast Digital Cable!

http://www.hurrydate.com/datingondemand

Originally posted by DCTDictator
My replacement 6208 is working just fine. Cool & Quiet ;) and I never miss 'The ScreenSavers' since the G4 merger.
I don't miss anything on TTV since the G4 merger, but that's only because everyone's gone to crud since Comcast bought it! ;) *drum/cymbal "Ba-dum CRASH!" sound*


Anyway, KNTV is /STILL/ having audio problems, but I've worked it down to the actual HD programming. Tom Brokaw sounds fine at 5:30, but anything that pops up in widescreen sounds tinnier than all get-out. Please don't tell me that they've forever screwed up the sound for us stereo folks for the 5-speaker surround systems. I don't see myself putting speakers all over my room until very far out in the future.

Re KNTV and stereo sound, I don't think KNTV sends out 5.1. Two channel stereo only. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

The (primetime) KNTV sound comes to my receiver through the optical cable as 3-channel Dolby Digital, although sound only comes out through the L/R speakers.

To check, I turned the little TV in our bedroom to 185 (get sound, no picture), and it sounds the same - like there's a weird echo.

EDIT: And this second TV is a mono-speaker 20" Samsung - the weird echo still comes through.

As posted above by the DCT man, a VOD launch is scheduled tomorrow for a headend in/near San Francisco. Anyone in the area, let us know if it shows up for you.

It's already available from at least one Contra Costa headend (is it the Martinez headend?).

How many headends in the Bay Area anyway?

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
It's already available from at least one Contra Costa headend (is it the Martinez headend?).

I believe the actual headend is in Martinez, however it's officially called the 'Delta Valley' region which encompasses Antioch, Pittsburg, Concord, parts of Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, and Danville (I don't think it extends down to Dublin/Livermore although I could be wrong).

DCT, have you heard anything about the Bay Area switch-over to the iGuide software? Supposedly all Comcast systems are supposed to get it in the next 60-90 days.

Originally posted by cyberbri
The (primetime) KNTV sound comes to my receiver through the optical cable as 3-channel Dolby Digital, although sound only comes out through the L/R speakers.

To check, I turned the little TV in our bedroom to 185 (get sound, no picture), and it sounds the same - like there's a weird echo.

EDIT: And this second TV is a mono-speaker 20" Samsung - the weird echo still comes through.

I have been complaining about this since the Busch race 2 Saturdays ago on the Yahoo Bay Area forum. Even directly to Richard Swank at KNTV and his response was less than informative. I don't think he was really understanding what I was saying.

When it happens it locks my receiver in to Dolby Digital mode, 2.0 and I cannot get it into any other audio mode such as DPLII. I also get that weird echo like a phase shift or something. It is extremely annoying. Does anyone know a engineering contact at KNTV?

Plus, are there just a few of us that are observing this behavior? It is very possible that it is my equipment but after playing with it for a bit it's pretty cut and dried, DD 2.0 or nothing, when using the digital output from the STB

JIm :(

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Re KNTV and stereo sound, I don't think KNTV sends out 5.1. Two channel stereo only. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

This is true, but in the past you could enable DPLII and now you can't. Something has changed in the last couple of weeks.

Jim

Is anyone in the south bay area, particularly Milpitas? Im now a Digital Classic subscriber and as of yesterday still no Discovery HD Theater. Anyone else get the same from Comcast in the south bay? Box doesnt even take 722 as a channel when you punch it in.

A Comcast insider in Los Angeles is saying that the Motorola 6412's are projected to be deployed there by the second week of November, with limited customer beta testing starting at the end of October.

Hopefully, the 6412's will be launched here a little sooner than that, since Los Angeles customers have their 6208's to keep them happy while waiting for the 6412's, while Bay Area customers have no DVR option prior to the 6412. Hopefully.

Originally posted by SpeedyHTPC
Is anyone in the south bay area, particularly Milpitas? Im now a Digital Classic subscriber and as of yesterday still no Discovery HD Theater. Anyone else get the same from Comcast in the south bay? Box doesnt even take 722 as a channel when you punch it in.


Speedy,

The Cable system called Saramilgatos (ie the comcast system feeding Saratoga, Milpitas and LosGatos) is older and only has 550Mhz of bandwidth (newer systems have 750 or 860Mhz). There is not enough bandwidth for InHd1/InHD2/DiscHD/StarHd/CinemaxHD etc....so you will not be able to get those until Comcast finishes rebuilding the system...unfortunately Comcast will not tell residents when that is planned to be completed.

This has probably been answered somewhere already, but I can't find it. For HD or ED, is cable as good as a dish? (I'm in Oakland, so it would be Comcast v. whatever dish network is available.) I. e. does satellite have more digital content than cable? (I'm thinking of getting the full line of channels, without any of the premiums such as HBO.) Or is there some other reason to prefer one over the other?

Originally posted by davisdog
Speedy,

The Cable system called Saramilgatos (ie the comcast system feeding Saratoga, Milpitas and LosGatos) is older and only has 550Mhz of bandwidth (newer systems have 750 or 860Mhz). There is not enough bandwidth for InHd1/InHD2/DiscHD/StarHd/CinemaxHD etc....so you will not be able to get those until Comcast finishes rebuilding the system...unfortunately Comcast will not tell residents when that is planned to be completed.

davisdog,

You don't get Starz or Cinemax? I wonder what's different about your 550Mhz system. We get it here in Santa Rosa on our 550Mhz system. Maybe you have too many public access channels hogging bandwidth being it's covering 3 or more cities?

Jim:(

Originally posted by keenan
davisdog,

You don't get Starz or Cinemax? I wonder what's different about your 550Mhz system. We get it here in Santa Rosa on our 550Mhz system. Maybe you have too many public access channels hogging bandwidth being it's covering 3 or more cities?

Jim:(

Yep...probably just 1 extra <worthless> Analog Channel that is mandated by our Franchise agreement (which takes the space of 2 HD channels)...I'd gladly give up all my analogs for some more HD (well except for animal planet...the little ones would be very upset if that went away).

I wonder if they are holding back bandwidth for Fox pending an agreement (that will not come for ages)...I know they were holding bandwidth in reserve for CBS-HD. It hurts to see all of these people raving about discovery HD etc...

:(

That sucks.:mad:

You know I wonder if Comcast charges everyone the same or close to it for the full monty even though some of us do not get all the available channels because of BW restrictions.

Jim

Jim,

You really don't want to know the answer (they charge the same regardless of bandwidth limitations...just be glad you arent on the 330Mhz section of San Jose)

-Steve

Is there a map or some other way to tell which section of San Jose has what bandwidth?

I'm in 95112 in a one-year old condo.

What is the model of the HD box that Comcast provides in San Jose? I wanted to look up the specs on line.

Thanks,
Shige

Originally posted by TypeShige
Is there a map or some other way to tell which section of San Jose has what bandwidth?

I'm in 95112 in a one-year old condo.

What is the model of the HD box that Comcast provides in San Jose? I wanted to look up the specs on line.


If you have an A/B switch - it's 330 - no HD, no Cable Modem. ET to upgrade - end of year.

If you have single line - it's broadband. Or someone cut the B line.

Equipment issued:

DCT5100 HD, no 1394
DCT6200 HD with 1394
DCT2000 Default Box - no digital outs, no S-Vid
DCT2500 New - going out this week. Smallest DCT ever. has coaxial audio.

No DVRs. Winter maybe.

No DCT1000s no DCT1800s.

DCTDictator, what's the target audience for those 2500 boxes? Just as an upgrade to the 2000's? Will we see those in Santa Cruz? Lastly, how "crippled" will it be? (ie. no s-video or optical out) Thanks, you are truly informative to this thread. Glad to have you around! :D

Originally posted by keenan
That sucks.:mad:

You know I wonder if Comcast charges everyone the same or close to it for the full monty even though some of us do not get all the available channels because of BW restrictions.

Jim

Keenan,

It does suck. You should contact the Comcast people in the email addresses I have listed earlier in this thread. Express your displeasure. Also, contact your city council who has the franchise agreement. Their number will be listed on your bill.

Originally posted by bpearse
Keenan,

It does suck. You should contact the Comcast people in the email addresses I have listed earlier in this thread. Express your displeasure. Also, contact your city council who has the franchise agreement. Their number will be listed on your bill.

The franchise agreement should be public record, no?

I find it hard to believe that a loop hole such as that would be left in it. There must be some provision for the amount of channels carried versus amount of channels available with a tiered cost structure.

Or maybe I'm just dreaming...

Jim

The 2500 is the replacement for the 2000 and 1800. It's a compromise - not as stripped down as an 1800 but not as full featured as a 5100, or even a 2000.

Physically, it has:
Way smaller footprint. The later 2000s were shortened depth-wise, the 2500 is just as deep, but 2 inches narrower.
Silver buttons on a black case. The split pads of the 2000 are out, replaced by little teeny buttons.
2 pairs of audio ouputs, one pair labled To TV and another To VCR.
One coaxial SPDIF output.
One line-level video output.
DB9 Data jack.
Two Way RF return
The external coax jumpers.

It does not have:
No RF bypass is supplied, though is looks adaptable.
Telephone modem or blank plate for one.
Audio bypass
S-video jack or other video interfaces.

Electrically
Zoom Zoom Zoom. Switches channels as fast as a 6200.
I think the power wattage is down, but not by a whole lot.

Where they go? Anywhere they are needed. Placed into circulation as needed.

Sorry to tease but there are 6412s (lots of them) in the bay area . . . in our offices running Foundation Edition 1.7. It's sweet.

We'll see what happens with Comcast around here. I may have more to share soon.

Originally posted by shannonv
Sorry to tease but there are 6412s (lots of them) in the bay area . . . in our offices running Foundation Edition 1.7. It's sweet.

We'll see what happens with Comcast around here. I may have more to share soon.

yes that is a tease :p ...lets see though...we know where your office is (be sure to lock your doors at night if you all ever sleep these days)...we know where DCTdictators office is (can we bribe him into putting in the right codes on the console)..hmmm...

we'll we sure hope to hear some good news from you about deployment schedules etc...(your competitor, Moxiguy, has annouced their immediate availabilty in a few cities for some other MSOs in the past few days)...time for you to get that thing out there ;)

From yesterday's announcements

Beginning today, July 20, customers in our Arroyo On Demand service area will see a new category on the On Demand main menu. This new category titled "Bay On Demand" will feature several National and Local programs. These programs will usually be available to customers On Demand within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the program and will continue to be available for 24 hours.


And yes - Shan & Davis. I'm looking for the 6412 set tops' profile - if I take a 6200 or '08 and fake the system to think it's a 6412 in Shan's building, what would I get? (besides in big trouble?)

Originally posted by shannonv
Sorry to tease but there are 6412s (lots of them) in the bay area . . . in our offices running Foundation Edition 1.7. It's sweet.

We'll see what happens with Comcast around here. I may have more to share soon.

Ok, teaser. :D. Between getting the 6412's, and that HUGE dividend coming from Microsoft, y'all must be pretty giddy.

Would you mind doing a brief compare of the 6412 with TiVO? Will TiVO owners be disappointed?

I'd like to know this as well. We're moving in 3 weeks and I'm gonna need one or the other...bye bye my sweet NFL Sunday Ticket

(next time, can I subscribe without posting?)

rb

Finally got my Comcast CableCard installed. It required a technican visit, as DCTDictator said. Two guys came to do the install, and they were a little apprehensive since this is the first time they have done this. In fact this is the first CableCard install that they know of. The whole process took about 20 minutes, which is probably twice as long as it has to be, since there seems to be a lot of calling around to figure out what needs to be done. The technican needs to call the office to provide the card ID, and the account numbers, but clearly this could be done by the customer.

I have the Panny 42" Viera HD Plasma TV, and I think the picture quality is better with the internal tuner than the Moto 6200. So far, the pros are:

1. One fewer box and set of cables.
2. Apparently a better picture, and possibly better handling of various native resolutions incl. 720p.
3. Much better closed-caption support.

The cons are:

1. No program info.
2. No program guide.
3. A slight lag in channel changes, compared to the Moto STB.

I still have the Motorola box, but I will probably return it to save the $5/mo. rental. BTW, there is no charge for the service call.

Originally posted by rbalaian
(next time, can I subscribe without posting?)

There's a link at the top of each page that says "Subscribe to this thread".

Originally posted by clau
The whole process took about 20 minutes, which is probably twice as long as it has to be, since there seems to be a lot of calling around to figure out what needs to be done. The technican needs to call the office to provide the card ID, and the account numbers, but clearly this could be done by the customer.


I'm with you there. There's two phone calls to make for now, one is to an IS office with no customer contact, then it's to local dispatch. The first call will go away soon, then I'm pushing for self installs.

Thanks for the happy report.

Anyone know what the HD situation is in San Ramon with respect to:

1. What model of STB is Comcast using here?
2. Does it support DVI output?
3. Is there a DVR option available?
4. Where in the spectrum are the HD channels located? When I first had digital cable installed several years ago, my cable run from the junction box up the street was too long. After AT&T pulled new cable, there still wasn't enough signal strength, so the tech installed a bi-directional 10dB amplifier on the line out in my garage. Digital cable has been working fine, but I'm worried that the HD channels will fall outside the bandwidth of the amplifier and/or be too low in strength to sync up with the STB.

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
Anyone know what the HD situation is in San Ramon with respect to:

1. What model of STB is Comcast using here?
2. Does it support DVI output?
3. Is there a DVR option available?
4. Where in the spectrum are the HD channels located? When I first had digital cable installed several years ago, my cable run from the junction box up the street was too long. After AT&T pulled new cable, there still wasn't enough signal strength, so the tech installed a bi-directional 10dB amplifier on the line out in my garage. Digital cable has been working fine, but I'm worried that the HD channels will fall outside the bandwidth of the amplifier and/or be too low in strength to sync up with the STB.

I have a friend who lives in San Ramon and he has the following:

1. The STB is either a 5100 or a 6200
2. The 6200 supports DVI
3. There is no current DVR option in the Bay Area (with the exception of a few beta testers.
4. The channels are located between 184 and 200. DiscoveryHD Theater is on 722. I have 3dB coming out of the outlet that has the HDTV and I have no issues. I believe you can have -2dB and still get good reception -- someone else may refute this though. That's what a Comcast tech told me.

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
[
4. Where in the spectrum are the HD channels located? When I first had digital cable installed several years ago, my cable run from the junction box up the street was too long. After AT&T pulled new cable, there still wasn't enough signal strength, so the tech installed a bi-directional 10dB amplifier on the line out in my garage. Digital cable has been working fine, but I'm worried that the HD channels will fall outside the bandwidth of the amplifier and/or be too low in strength to sync up with the STB. [/B]

The HD channels are intermingled all over the place in the same spectrum as the Analog and digital channels...for instance, in my area they removed a couple Analog Channels and put a couple HD on that spectrum (removing one analog gives space for 2 HD)...The digital Channel number (ie 184) has no relation to where a channel is in the spectrum (they use a virtual channel map)

I doubt you will have a problem if your digitals are working fine now...if you do the tech should be able to solve it.

-Steve

Originally posted by DCTDictator
The 2500 is the replacement for the 2000 and 1800. It's a compromise - not as stripped down as an 1800 but not as full featured as a 5100, or even a 2000.

Physically, it has:
Way smaller footprint. The later 2000s were shortened depth-wise, the 2500 is just as deep, but 2 inches narrower.
Silver buttons on a black case. The split pads of the 2000 are out, replaced by little teeny buttons.
2 pairs of audio ouputs, one pair labled To TV and another To VCR.
One coaxial SPDIF output.
One line-level video output.
DB9 Data jack.
Two Way RF return
The external coax jumpers.

It does not have:
No RF bypass is supplied, though is looks adaptable.
Telephone modem or blank plate for one.
Audio bypass
S-video jack or other video interfaces.

Electrically
Zoom Zoom Zoom. Switches channels as fast as a 6200.
I think the power wattage is down, but not by a whole lot.

Where they go? Anywhere they are needed. Placed into circulation as needed.

So when should expect to see these in Santa Cruz? Can I go to one of the local offices or call to set up an exchange? I'd prefer to do the exchange myself on MY schedule, not a service techs. No offence, but swapping a STB is not rocket science.

Originally posted by Richo
So when should expect to see these in Santa Cruz? Can I go to one of the local offices or call to set up an exchange? I'd prefer to do the exchange myself on MY schedule, not a service techs. No offence, but swapping a STB is not rocket science.

When the 2000s are used up, you may see them there.

Any particular reason for wanting that one? Just curious

Giants in HD Next Friday according to today's Chronicle sports page. Steve Kroner to be exact.

Originally posted by spoonman27
Giants in HD Next Friday according to today's Chronicle sports page. Steve Kroner to be exact.

It's a short blurb in this article he wrote

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/23/SPGE77RASI1.DTL

where about 3/4 of the way down he says

"... FSN debuts its high-definition format in next Friday night's Cardinals-Giants telecast. Thursday's A's-Rangers telecast will be something of a test run for the high-definition format. "

Of course..being on a 550Mhz system I doubt I'll get it :(

this will be sweet for those that do

Anyone has any idea when Sunnyvale will upgrade to the 750MHz from 550MHz? We are still not getting InHD's or DiscoveryHD. Thanks.

Whooohooo!! Man I've been waiting for this all summer. Does anyone have any idea what channel it will be?

Originally posted by DCTDictator
When the 2000s are used up, you may see them there.

Any particular reason for wanting that one? Just curious

Faster channel changes? Especially considering HD is no where in sight here in SC.

Originally posted by clau
Anyone has any idea when Sunnyvale will upgrade to the 750MHz from 550MHz? We are still not getting InHD's or DiscoveryHD. Thanks.

nope...unfortunately comcast isnt releasing dates or schedules for their upgrades :(

btw, S'vale is split into a couple different systems...At least one of which has been 750Mhz for a while...you are just on the wrong side of the tracks in this case (ps...I grew up near S'vale Middle School and that area is still 550Mhz where my parents still live)

Tom and Ralph on KNBR also mentioned that the HD Giants and A's games were going to start next Friday. They probably got the information from the Cronicle article.

Just a quick stupid question:

All the video from the Comcast HD-STB goes out the DVI right? I don't need to connect the STB to two inputs on my TV?

I assume that's the case...what does the STB do with the SD channels?

Thanks,
rb

(three weeks to move...)

Originally posted by davisdog


Of course..being on a 550Mhz system I doubt I'll get it :(

this will be sweet for those that do

Yeah, I guess we'll have to meet over at fender4645's house to watch..;)


Jim

Comcast 2% Club :D

Originally posted by keenan
Yeah, I guess we'll have to meet over at fender4645's house to watch..;)

Jim

Comcast 2% Club :D

Yup...7 years ago I moved from San Jose to Saratoga...one of the big benefits was getting off the older 330Mhz System and onto the "nice" 550Mhz System which had High Speed Internet (in those days it was @home and uncapped (got 4.5Mb/s down, 800Kb/s up)

Now, SJ is going to beat us to 750Mhz +...maybe I should think about moving back

I wonder if it will make the property values rise above Saratoga ;)

Originally posted by rbalaian
Just a quick stupid question:

All the video from the Comcast HD-STB goes out the DVI right? I don't need to connect the STB to two inputs on my TV?

I assume that's the case...what does the STB do with the SD channels?


If you hook up the DVI cable, then you can use it for all of your channels.

In the picture setup ("Menu" button when power is off on box), set your display type to 16:9, output to 1080i, and then your 4:3 override to either Off (leaves everything up-scaled to 1080i, with 4:3 channels/programming in pillar-boxed), 480p, which sets everything not in HD to 720x480p (non-HD channels will be stretched horizontally, at least on my Samsung DLP), or 480i, which leaves the signal interlaced (not advisable on DVI, as DVI doesn't do 480i).

So if you want your SD/digital, non-HD channels to stay in 4:3 AR, you'll want to turn Override to off, letting the box up-convert the signal to 1920x1080i. Otherwise, you can hook up say an S-Video cable as well, and switch to that input for any non-HD channels.

HTH

Originally posted by keenan
Yeah, I guess we'll have to meet over at fender4645's house to watch..;)

Party over here!!!

I was on comcast's website and noticed they have a digital silver package for $29.99 a month, for 3 months.

Are there any existing customers who have been able to take advantage of this in the past? I just called in to get this package but they said it was for new customers only - even though there is no such restriction listed on the website.

Also, is there perhaps another forum or website that deals with regional cable system issues in general (not just HDTV)?

New customers, as in, you can't do it if you already have Comcast cable. If you are on say DirecTV and switch to Comcast, you get the deal. It's like 3 months of broadband for $29.99 instead of $49.99 -- that's to get new customers to switch over.

Originally posted by bender2929
I was on comcast's website and noticed they have a digital silver package for $29.99 a month, for 3 months.

Are there any existing customers who have been able to take advantage of this in the past? I just called in to get this package but they said it was for new customers only - even though there is no such restriction listed on the website.

Also, is there perhaps another forum or website that deals with regional cable system issues in general (not just HDTV)?

If you are an existing customer, you can get digital silver for $15 (I believe) extra including HBO or Showtime. I think it works out to be a $15 savings. For 3 months only of course.

Actually in many cases (or with the right CSR)..they'll give existing customers the deal if they are on a lower package..it's an incentive to get you to move up to a higher package...I think the only restriction is can't have used a promotion within the last 6 months or something like that.

For instance...I had digital classic a few months ago and they offered these same deals on the website (actually Digital Platinum @ $29.99)...I called and the CSR upgraded me to Digital Platinum @ $29.99 without a problem..Saved me $20/mth from what I was paying and gave me $50 of extra programming (all premiums etc...). The 3 months just ran out and I called back and switched back. Several others on the board have done it.

So...assuming you dont already have digital silver (and this would be an upgrade in service)..then just call again and try a different CSR

Just wanted to chime in and say that I also took advantage of the "Digital Platinum for $29.95 for 3 months" offer. I was an Analog basic customer who was upgrading to Analog +HD. I asked if I could take advantage of the offer and they said of course. I have since backed down to digital classic +HD.

Hi DCTDictator,

I need your help with our SCI-Fi channel feed. According to the TV guide (paper copy) and the yahoo online guide has Stargate Atlantis on at 10 and 12pm. I tune in to find that we have the EAST coast feed on the Santa Clara headend and the last Stargate Atlantis is just finishing as we tune in to watch. Strange thing is, the guide on the box matches the actual channnel. I tried to explain this to two CSR's but they just didn't understand.

Fitzwest

Fitzwest,

DCTDictator should be able to figure this out, but I wanted to mention that you can also contact the SciFi Channel about it. I am sure SciFi wants its West feed coming through in the Pacific Time Zone, since its advertising sales for the West feed are based on a certain number of subscribers watching (or being able to watch) the West feed.

However, since the Santa Clara headend is involved, I am sure DCTDictator can quickly find out what's going on.

This game will be presented in HD locally over KPIX. First game of the pre-season for the Niners (not sure about the Raiders).

August 14th at 5:00 pm.

Comcast is sponsoring the HD presentation, so its name will be all over the broadcast (and probably the stadium-- at the 'Stick) but I am sure it will be in HD both OTA and via Comcast as part of KPIX's regular digital broadcast schedule.

Should be fun!

P.S. This will be one of the few local channel HDTV productions which have occurred so far in the Bay Area. I know KTVU (720p) has done the Chinese New Year Parade (not this year) in HD and also previous July 4th fireworks (courtesy of HDNet's equipment and feed). Can't think of any others right now.

P.P.S. I also posted the above as a separate thread, since it applies to both OTA and Comcast.

Further note: I would not be surprised if, assuming this August 14 HD presentation is a success, the September 2nd 49ers pre-season game vs. the Chargers (also at the 'Stick) is also presented in HD.

I won't venture a guess about the Raiders' home pre-season games (although I note the Raiders play in the same stadium as the A's, whose home games will be shown in HD starting in the next week or two). Of course, the Raiders' ticket sales might be so pathetic, the pre-season games are not televised locally at all.

Certainly, HD presentation of pre-season NFL games depends on the availability of the HD equipment/mobile truck. I am wondering if this August 14 production will be using the same equipment to be used by FSN Bay Area for Giants (and/or A's) home games. If there are no FSN Bay Area home games (Giants or A's) that weekend, I would suspect the answer is "Yes."

If I may ask, why are we still getting stuck with west feeds? I've come from DirecTV after 8 years of subscribership (left for a number of reasons, HD one of them), and have enjoyed watching "live" network shows actually as they're live, and not on some west-coast tape delay while the show is already being discussed on the internet, the viewer interactivity (if any) is already over, etc.

When the Olympics comes around, and I can see everyone on the East Coast going on about stuff that has yet to show here because of NBC's time zone delay, that's when the temperature rises and my blood starts to boil.

Originally posted by michaelc
If I may ask, why are we still getting stuck with west feeds? I've come from DirecTV after 8 years of subscribership (left for a number of reasons, HD one of them), and have enjoyed watching "live" network shows actually as they're live, and not on some west-coast tape delay while the show is already being discussed on the internet, the viewer interactivity (if any) is already over, etc.

When the Olympics comes around, and I can see everyone on the East Coast going on about stuff that has yet to show here because of NBC's time zone delay, that's when the temperature rises and my blood starts to boil.

As Sonoma pointed out, most of it has to do with advertising. There are different demographics between East and West and advertisers are paying top dollar to reach those demographics. Also, that's the way it's been forever so HD shouldn't be any different. While over the last couple years we've been able to receive the East coast feed of premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.) I would doubt we will ever see network feeds of the opposite coast. I would imagine the only reason we get the premium East Coast feeds is because advertising is not involved.

Originally posted by michaelc
If I may ask, why are we still getting stuck with west feeds? I've come from DirecTV after 8 years of subscribership (left for a number of reasons, HD one of them), and have enjoyed watching "live" network shows actually as they're live, and not on some west-coast tape delay while the show is already being discussed on the internet, the viewer interactivity (if any) is already over, etc.

When the Olympics comes around, and I can see everyone on the East Coast going on about stuff that has yet to show here because of NBC's time zone delay, that's when the temperature rises and my blood starts to boil.

Because we're on the west coast? :)

What shows are you talking about specifically? Major network prime time? If so it's would seem obvious, for the advertisements to hit the "prime audience" at the right time. I have Directv also and maybe you're talking about stuff like HBO and such, which would show the Sopranos at 6PM which was nice because then I could watch something else like Alias at 9PM.

One of the reasons I still have Directv,

is because I have no way around this problem because Comcast has not provided any DVR's yet, Comcast are you listening?

Jim :D

Does anyone have a clue about what is going on with the audio on NBC/KNTV, coming back from a commercial at about 8:46PM I got blasted with almost twice the volume and it switched into Dolby Digital only mode...

Jim

Hi, Any one here from Belmont ?
Even though the comcast website says that I can order HDTV, when I tried I got the following reply:
"Unfortunately we are unable to answer your questions regarding High
Definition Television.
The High Definition Television will be available when the area is
rebuilt. We are trying to have all the area rebuilt. Please check with
us in a month and see if the High Definition Television is available
then."

Uh ??? why is their website accepting orders and saying HDTV service is available if it isn't....

I'm trying to see the olympic games in HD, I'm afraid I won't be able to get KNTV OTA so that's why I was trying to get cable...

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience
(I'm in Belmont, south east of ralston and alameda de las pulgas)

dl--

Welcome to the club. I suspect we're in the same boat, Comcastwise, although the response you got back upon ordering HDTV was more informative than the one I got--so maybe that's a good sign?? (Both times I ordered the service on the website, I was told a day or so later that I would be sent an email when HDTV became available, with no ETA mentioned)

TPeterson, thanks for the reply !

I only got that only after asking further information, the first reply I got was :
"Unfortunately we are unable to process your order for HDTV for 2
reasons. First of all it is not available yet. Second if it does become
available later,you would need to subscribe to at least basic cable
service to get the HDTV service."
(To which I said I'd gladly subscribe to basic cable if I could get HDTV but got the other reply... which I personally do not find that informative... asking me to check every month on their progress doesn't seem very transparent, they should have some ETA for completing whatever work they are doing (and then again, why do they claim on their website the service is there...))

Do you get KNTV-DT (NBC) OTA from San Carlos ?

Originally posted by TPeterson
dl--

Welcome to the club. I suspect we're in the same boat, Comcastwise, although the response you got back upon ordering HDTV was more informative than the one I got--so maybe that's a good sign?? (Both times I ordered the service on the website, I was told a day or so later that I would be sent an email when HDTV became available, with no ETA mentioned)

Originally posted by _dl_
Do you get KNTV-DT (NBC) OTA from San Carlos ? Yes, quite strong--it comes in on the back of my 8-bay bow-tie that's pointing Sutro-ward. Another possibility for you is the NBC feed on 49-2 from the SE, which has all NBC network programming and is strong over here, but it may be obscurred by hills too from your place. (PM me if you have more OTA questions, as we're OT for this thread)

I'm supposed to have my HD through Comcast hooked up on Thursday. I believe I will be getting the Moto 6200 with DVI out......My TV has an HDMI input......is there any specific cable that is recommended for the TV connection??

Thanks!!!

While browsing at the Walnut Creek Good Guys this weekend, I noticed they sell a Comcast HD kit for $39 which consists of a Motorola DCT-5100 STB and a mostly empty box with some information as to how to contact Comcast to upgrade to HD.

I already have Comcast digital cable at home, but don't have an HD TV yet (but will be getting one in the next month or two). If I buy the Comcast HD kit now, can I use it to replace my existing 3-year-old Motorola STB (because it doesn't have S-video or component output and because the channel guide and menu navigation are as slow as molasses in January) and use it with standard definition digital cable until I get an HD TV?

I assume that if this is possible, all I'd have to do is call Comcast and give them the serial number of the new STB so they can activate it without requiring a truck roll.

Anyone know if the 5100 included in this kit has the DVI output enabled?

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
While browsing at the Walnut Creek Good Guys this weekend, I noticed they sell a Comcast HD kit for $39 which consists of a Motorola DCT-5100 STB and a mostly empty box with some information as to how to contact Comcast to upgrade to HD.

I already have Comcast digital cable at home, but don't have an HD TV yet (but will be getting one in the next month or two). If I buy the Comcast HD kit now, can I use it to replace my existing 3-year-old Motorola STB (because it doesn't have S-video or component output and because the channel guide and menu navigation are as slow as molasses in January) and use it with standard definition digital cable until I get an HD TV?

I assume that if this is possible, all I'd have to do is call Comcast and give them the serial number of the new STB so they can activate it without requiring a truck roll.

Anyone know if the 5100 included in this kit has the DVI output enabled?

This "kit" is probably just marketing material for Comcast service. Comcast does not sell their STB's in the retail market -- you can only lease. The $39 is probably an introductory rate for the monthly subscription. The only way to get your hands on a 5100 or 6200 is go into a Comcast office and tell them you have an HDTV. They should swap out your old cable box for a new one. Keep in mind, you will need to pay the $5/month fee for the HDTV service/box rental. For DVI, you'll need a 6200 unless you get the right firmware for the 5100 which I don't think was released to public.

This "kit" is probably just marketing material for Comcast service. Comcast does not sell their STB's in the retail market

Thanks for the clarification. Since the Good Guys actually has a 5100 sitting on the self with $39 below it on a tag, I'd assumed they were actually selling the STB itself.

For DVI, you'll need a 6200 unless you get the right firmware for the 5100 which I don't think was released to public.

I live in San Ramon. Will they give me a choice between a 5100 and 6200, or am I pretty much stuck with whatever they give me?

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
I live in San Ramon. Will they give me a choice between a 5100 and 6200, or am I pretty much stuck with whatever they give me?

6200's are in short supply so you'll have to specifically ask for one. If they say they don't have any or don't know what you're talking about, keep prodding them and ask to speak to a manager. By law (yes, by law) they have to offer you a 6200 because of its FireWire capabilities.

Originally posted by Frontrow
I'm supposed to have my HD through Comcast hooked up on Thursday. I believe I will be getting the Moto 6200 with DVI out......My TV has an HDMI input......is there any specific cable that is recommended for the TV connection??

Thanks!!!

I bought a DVI-HDMI adaptor cable online for about $20. Works great. If you want to pay a little more, get the adaptor cable from Panasonic's online store for about $40. Do not get the Monster cable that is sold at Circuit City or Best Buy. It costs over $100, and there is no difference between it and the $20 one. I had both at one time.

You can also use the component inputs on your TV with the Motorola 6200.

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
Thanks for the clarification. Since the Good Guys actually has a 5100 sitting on the self with $39 below it on a tag, I'd assumed they were actually selling the STB itself.

I issued several non-op 5100s to marketing for this campaign. I don't remember if we peeled off the "Failure Diagnosis" sticker before they were issued...

Originally posted by fitzwest
I need your help with our SCI-Fi channel feed. According to the TV guide (paper copy) and the yahoo online guide has Stargate Atlantis on at 10 and 12pm.

Thanks - It's now reported to the proper department. I'll fill everyone in when I get an answer.

Availability of A's/Giants in HD this week?

I believe it was already mentioned that the SF Chronicle is reporting that A's/Giants HD coverage will begin on about Thursday or Friday of this week.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/23/SPGE77RASI1.DTL

This is certainly exciting news, but has Comcast made any official announcement on where one can tune in to these broadcasts? I imagine they will be offered on a separate channel than the regular FSN broadcasts.

And does anyone believe these broadcasts might be offered on 550 Mhz systems in the Bay Area ? It seems to me that the A's and Giants in HD would be a big enough draw to justify reallocating some channels on the 550 Mhz system, even if just for a few hours.

But I have a feeling we will be SOTL here in San Leandro.

Originally posted by Dick Diablo
Availability of A's/Giants in HD this week?

I believe it was already mentioned that the SF Chronicle is reporting that A's/Giants HD coverage will begin on about Thursday or Friday of this week.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/23/SPGE77RASI1.DTL



The oddity of the SF Chron article is that it states "Thursday's A's-Rangers telecast will be something of a test run for the high-definition format."

The A's are playing on the road in Texas that night - I thought only home games would be televised in HD on FoxSportsNet Bay Area.

Comcast has been good with HDTV services

Originally posted by Dick Diablo
Availability of A's/Giants in HD this week?

I believe it was already mentioned that the SF Chronicle is reporting that A's/Giants HD coverage will begin on about Thursday or Friday of this week.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/07/23/SPGE77RASI1.DTL
And does anyone believe these broadcasts might be offered on 550 Mhz systems in the Bay Area ? It seems to me that the A's and Giants in HD would be a big enough draw to justify reallocating some channels on the 550 Mhz system, even if just for a few hours.

But I have a feeling we will be SOTL here in San Leandro.

I'm gonna bet you (and me) are SOL.

They have the capability to preempt InHD2 for local HD programming (which they might do for FSNHD programming)...but since we dont have INHD..there's really no where I see them putting it because of Contractual obligations for the other channels

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~10835~2297378,00.html

Here is Santa Clara, the guide now has channel 194( a channel in the middle of the HD block) set up with no name.
They currently are showing some "ABC NewsNow" Live coverage of the convention in SD.

Anyone have any info on this? Is this where FSNHD is going(ESPNHD is 193)?

p.s. In the tribune article they said that most would get it on 196, but that is INHD2 for me.....

Originally posted by Zappcatt
p.s. In the tribune article they said that most would get it on 196, but that is INHD2 for me.....

Generally, Comcast will use the INHD2 space to show special, non-24hr programming. I believe other Comcast markets who's FSN is already broadcasting in HD are using this space as well.

Originally posted by Zappcatt
Here is Santa Clara, the guide now has channel 194( a channel in the middle of the HD block) set up with no name.
They currently are showing some "ABC NewsNow" Live coverage of the convention in SD.

Anyone have any info on this? Is this where FSNHD is going(ESPNHD is 193)?

p.s. In the tribune article they said that most would get it on 196, but that is INHD2 for me.....

The Comcast Contract for InHD2 allows the local comcast areas to preempt the preprogrammed InHD2 programming with local HD Supporting events...

Since at least for now, FSNHD will not be anywhere near full time I would expect them to just put HD games on 196 as they come up. They already do that in some areas on the east coast (saves having to set aside a Full HD channel when their is only a few games/week that will use the precious bandwidth)

I would like to ask if HD is really available where I am, Almaden valley in San Jose, 95120. We had the street work (digging) done a few months ago and now all channels are on one cable, not the old A/B system. I received an offer for Comcast high speed internet access, but have not received anything about HDTV. Of course Comcast customer service says HD is available and I can schedule a service appointment, but that's what they told me when I still had the A/B system so I don't trust them. Thanks for any info.

Originally posted by altheg
I would like to ask if HD is really available where I am, Almaden valley in San Jose, 95120. We had the street work (digging) done a few months ago and now all channels are on one cable, not the old A/B system. I received an offer for Comcast high speed internet access, but have not received anything about HDTV. Of course Comcast customer service says HD is available and I can schedule a service appointment, but that's what they told me when I still had the A/B system so I don't trust them. Thanks for any info.

Do you (or a neighbor) have a Digital Cable Box already?

If so what happens if you punch in channel 193 (ESPNHD) on the remote? Does it lock on the channel but not give you a picture (if so, then you likely have HD turned on in your area...just can't see it since you dont have an HD Cable box)....if not (it just jumps right back to the last channel you were on), then no HD yet...

194 is the ABC News Now channel which will run 24/7 through the November election, IIRC. I believe it's a multicast coming through KGO, so it will be interesting to see if there is a decrease in PQ on 184 (KGO/ABC HD) during true HD shows.

Putting the FSN HD games on 196 saves the bandwidth of an additional channel. However, some Comcast systems do have a 24/7 regional sports channel offered in digital/HD-- for example, Comcast Sportsnet HD in Philly and also in DC/Baltimore.

InHD2 does occasionally have unique events/first run events which show up there before they do on InHD, so a conflict will arise eventually between an FSN HD game and something new on InHD2. It shouldn't happen too often however.

Also, other areas with this setup (like Boston) have experienced problems. Mostly, it is someone at Comcast forgetting to "flip the switch" either before or after an HD game. If that happens, the game might not show up right away, or under the opposite scenario, there might be non-HD FSN Bay Area programming on InHD2 long after the game ends (until Comcast figures out that they forgot to flip the switch).

Hopefully, an HD "special events"/PPV channel will show up in the next six months or less, and the FSN HD games will be inserted there (like DirecTV does). HD PPV (or VOD) showing up is only a matter of time.

It will be interesting to watch on Thursday, since the A's game is an away game-- I don't know if there is a true HD feed available from the Rangers' stadium, or if this will just be a 1080i feed (stretched or pillar boxed) of a standard definition production.

Surprising that the Tribune is the only paper to do a full length article on this so far. Usually, the Mercury News does a good job on staying on top of technological advances such as this.

Haven't heard anything new about all the HD channels being moved to the 700's. When it happens, hopefully it will be minus the SD multicast channels (189, 190, 191, 192 and (now) 194). Or, if the SD multicast channels have to be moved, put them all at the very beginning or very end of the 700's.

Any idea if FSN HD will broadcast in 1080i or 720p?

Tuning to INHD (195) shows that the Giants vs San Diego game should be on...but i get no picture? However, the giants are on Fox tonight (2). What's the deal? ANyone else getting this?

Originally posted by Jizzay1
Tuning to INHD (195) shows that the Giants vs San Diego game should be on...but i get no picture? However, the giants are on Fox tonight (2). What's the deal? ANyone else getting this?

Probably being forced by Channel 2 (who owns the rights locally for the game tonight) to block it :(

Originally posted by Jizzay1
Tuning to INHD (195) shows that the Giants vs San Diego game should be on...but i get no picture? However, the giants are on Fox tonight (2). What's the deal? ANyone else getting this?

All games on INHD are blacked out locally.

As I sneek away from the budget bunker and take a break from yelling at people on the phone, here is a few things from the announcment pages.

Don't toss that Comcast Junk mail!
VHS and DVDs will be randomly mailed to 60,000 residents of San Jose and Campbell (only). The VHS and DVD footage contains information about the rebuild and what services are now available to our customers. Out of the 60,000 mailers, 5 People will win High Speed Internet for a year and 5 People will win Digital Cable TV for a year.

Who's on rebuilt plant?
There is some confusion around the services that are available in Los Altos Hills. Please know that Los Altos Hills is fully rebuilt and customers can receive all programming.

Who's on first?
Fox Sports will begin to broadcast select A's and Giants games in High Definition starting on July 30th! These games can be seen on Channel 196 (INHD 2). Customer must subscribe to Standard Cable, ANY Level of Digital Service AND $5.00 HD Equipment Fee.

Digitze the Vote!
“ABC News Now” will begin broadcasting on channel 194 in the Bay Area today, and will run through election night, November 2nd. This is part of a unique 14-week news programming venture that includes both national and local news coverage of the election season. Peter Jennings will anchor more than 23 hours of daily convention coverage.

Back to Work.
PS - second order of Cable Cards arrived - Com'on Southbay, ugrade those TVs!!

Question about billing -- I've gotten 3 different answers/responses from 3 different CSRs at Comcast.

Is the $5 HD equipment/remote rental fee just for the box? Is it for the channels? Is it an upgrade from a digital cable box?

Here's the situation:
I have digital cable and HD, with an HD box in the living room and a digital cable box in the bedroom. My first bill had digital cable, which includes equipment/remote, another $5 for the HD equipment/remote, plus $6.95 for an additional digital cable box.

I called and had the additional $6.95 taken off, because that would mean I'm renting 3 boxes instead of 2. The next bill that came had it on there again. So when I was exchanging my HD box at the Comcast office, I had the CSR take it off again. But as soon as she did, we lost digital cable on the box in the bedroom. When I called and talked to a technician, he said that the $5 fee for HD equipment/remote is actually an upgrade from the first digital cable box, despite the confusing wording on the bill. He put back the $6.95 for the additional digital box and turned the cable back on there. Then I called again a day or two later to ask about this again, because technically the bill says I'm renting 3 boxes (and with TV Japan at $26 a month, we're paying about $93 total a month as it is). That person said that the $5 HD equipment/remote fee is technically only for the HD channels, not equipment. The additional $6.95 is the second box, with one being with the digital cable package and the second being that (1 is HD and other is regular digital).

It seemed to work fine getting rid of the $6.95 the very first month, without losing a signal there. And it feels like I'm getting charged for 3 boxes when 3 CSRs are under different impressions about the HD billing.

Can anyone, especially Comcast insiders, shed some light on this issue?

Originally posted by DCTDictator


Who's on first?
Fox Sports will begin to broadcast select A's and Giants games in High Definition starting on July 30th! These games can be seen on Channel 196 (INHD 2). Customer must subscribe to Standard Cable, ANY Level of Digital Service AND $5.00 HD Equipment Fee.



Isn't the $5 HD equipment fee waived if you use the CableCard?

Originally posted by DCTDictator

High Define (ition) the Vote!
“ABC News Now” will begin broadcasting on channel 194 in the Bay Area today, and will run through election night, November 2nd. This is part of a unique 14-week news programming venture that includes both national and local news coverage of the election season. Peter Jennings will anchor more than 23 hours of daily convention coverage.



Will this be an HD channel?

Originally posted by dandrewk
Will this be an HD channel?

Caught a bug in my creative headline.

No, it's a digital channel. No HD.

Originally posted by clau
Isn't the $5 HD equipment fee waived if you use the CableCard?

My logic says yes. But I get thrown out board rooms for being logical sometimes.

UPDATED UPDATE

If anyone wants an FSN Bay area As/Giants HD schedule, I posted it at the personal site: www.barovelli.com/tv/fsnhd.jpg (http://www.barovelli.com/tv/fsnhd.jpg)

otherwise pm me and I'll email it. (its a scan of a handout, in .jpg format).

UPDATE:

If you get INHD 1 & 2, you get Fox Sports BA HD

DCTDIctator, why are they sticking FSN Bay Area games on INHD2 in all the systems? I have 860 Mhz plant as does a lot of the peninsula now, and it would seem there should be plenty of bandwidth to run it on it's own channel in addition to INHD2 (which is nice for those who don't care for the baseball games). It seems that those of us on 860 don't much much different than other folks.

Also, how come Comcast doesn't carry HDNet like the DBS folks do?

Thanks,
Mike

why are they sticking FSN Bay Area games on INHD2 in all the systems

I don't know, really. Maybe it's being rushed to add and not ready with a modulator?

HDNet - Must be a programming deciscion. Call and say "I Want My HDNet". Worked for MTV. Worked for Maypo.

Originally posted by cyberbri
Question about billing -- I've gotten 3 different answers/responses from 3 different CSRs at Comcast.

Is the $5 HD equipment/remote rental fee just for the box? Is it for the channels? Is it an upgrade from a digital cable box?


Cyberbri,

The $5 is an upgraded box fee. If you didn't have HD they would remove the $5 fee and you would still be paying the $6.95 extra box fee because you have 2 boxes.

Hope that helps.

We have to do lots of crying before Comcast will get it. It took a year of pleas and complaints before they added DiscoveryHD and were surprised at the number of people who really wanted it. HDNET/Movies has the problem that they are very similar to INHD1&2. While a few cable systems have both, most don't.

So keep letting Comcast know that you want HDNET. Remember, Comcast puts most of its effort into income-generating efforts, which is digital (but not HD), broadband and on-demand or PPV. So we have to keep letting them know that HDNET is not a clone of INHD but that they can co-exist and prosper.

I'm sure that eventually, maybe a year or two, Comcast and Cuban will work something out, so they aren't bidding on the same programming, but nothing imminent. HDNET would really be great.

Rich N.

Originally posted by YuriLuzr
Cyberbri,

The $5 is an upgraded box fee. If you didn't have HD they would remove the $5 fee and you would still be paying the $6.95 extra box fee because you have 2 boxes.

Hope that helps.

Yes, thanks. It's good to confirm it.
:)

DCTDictator,

So when is the Milpitas, Saratoga, Los Gatos headend going to be upgraded. I'd really like to know, I can't get anyone from Comcast to give an answer. With all this new programming being added it makes you wonder if we are just going to be left in the dust.

Originally posted by Mikef5
DCTDictator,

So when is the Milpitas, Saratoga, Los Gatos headend going to be upgraded. I'd really like to know, I can't get anyone from Comcast to give an answer. With all this new programming being added it makes you wonder if we are just going to be left in the dust.

Get together with another forum member, bpearse, about upgrades to that area. bpearse is putting a lot of effort toward the cause.

DCTDictator,

Thanks for the input, but you know we shouldn't have to put any effort into getting the service that we pay for. I've called and e-mailed with little or no effect. Just a simple update on what is going on with our area is all I ask for and I get nada from Comcast, if things don't get upgraded soon I guess I will be looking for another provider. Again, thanks for your input in this group, it's nice to know that at least one Comcast member cares.

The A's vs. Rangers is currently showing on INHD2 (Chan. 186).

Looks and sounds great so far!

Can't wait to check out the Giants tomorrow night.

The long FSNBA wait is finally over!

The audio is coming through as DD5.1 - but I just noticed that it doesn't seem to be mixed in 5.1. The same material seems to be coming through all 6 channels, LFE included. I only noticed on the commercials, because they tend to be louder, and it sounded a little funny, all that audio coming through LFE on the sub.

-Tim

Originally posted by Mikef5
DCTDictator,

Thanks for the input, but you know we shouldn't have to put any effort into getting the service that we pay for. I've called and e-mailed with little or no effect. Just a simple update on what is going on with our area is all I ask for and I get nada from Comcast, if things don't get upgraded soon I guess I will be looking for another provider. Again, thanks for your input in this group, it's nice to know that at least one Comcast member cares.

Mike,

You are right, but I have decided to work hard at it anyway . ;)

I recommend the following contacts at Comcast, and you must be persistent:

Brian Robert, CEO of Comcast: brian_roberts@comcast.com
Erika Githens, executive escalations: Erika_Githens@cable.comcast.com, 925-431-7044
Susan Nichol, Susan_Nichol@cable.comcast.com


The staff at the City of Saratoga have been the most helpful people I have found in dealing with Comcast. They are wonderful and very responsive. They helped me solve the lack of firewire in Saratoga a month ago. They are great friends to have in dealing with Comcast:

Cary Bloomquist, City of Saratoga: cbloomquist@saratoga.ca.us
Kathleen King, City of saratoga: kk2king@comcast.net

Since you are not in Saratoga, call the franchise number on your bill (at the bottom, I think) to complain. Enough complaints and Comcast's franchise will be in jeopardy.

Audio kinks still not worked out, but PQ is outstanding. Haven't figured out if this is 720p or 1080i yet.

Audio was unsynched during the pre-game (before the 1st commercial break, after which the game started).

Art Howe had the honor of being the first to appear on a true HD shot, as they opened the brief pre-game at 5:00. Shots of announcers, replay shots of previous A's games (highlights) are all in 4:3 pillar boxed.

Must be taking the Rangers' HD video feed, since there is no way they sent their HD truck all the way to Texas for it to return to the Bay Area by tomorrow night for Giants' game. (Unless they have 2 HD trucks, which I highly doubt.)

Congratulations to FSN Bay Area on a great job (and to Comcast for feeding it in flawlessly, 5.1 issues notwithstanding).

And Go A's!

How, if at all, is the game showing up on systems that don't have InHD2?

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
How, if at all, is the game showing up on systems that don't have InHD2?

I'm out of town right now, but I can almost guarantee the answer is "we are screwed"
:rolleyes:

Originally posted by smnorton
The A's vs. Rangers is currently showing on INHD2 (Chan. 186).

Looks and sounds great so far!

Can't wait to check out the Giants tomorrow night.

The long FSNBA wait is finally over!

What channel is CBS on in Fremont if INHD2 is on 186?

Jim

Originally posted by davisdog
I'm out of town right now, but I can almost guarantee the answer is "we are screwed"
:rolleyes:

No game here in Santa Rosa, but hey!, we have the DNC on at least four channels showing the same damn thing...:rolleyes:

Jim

Is anyone else in the East bay experiencing video quality problems with Discovery HD???

Originally posted by keenan
No game here in Santa Rosa, but hey!, we have the DNC on at least four channels showing the same damn thing...:rolleyes:

Jim This is a known problem in the Oakland/Berkeley/Emeryville area and Comcast is "working on it." Problem is obviously originating at the head end. No known ETA on the fix.

A's/Rangers game is rain delayed, one out in top of 8th.

Even the upconverted SD looks outstanding when compared to FSN Bay Area in fuzzy analog.

Saturday's A's/Rangers game will also be offered in HD. They popped a schedule of HD games up on the screen around the 4th or 5th innning.

I hope they do more away games in HD. If they can do this away A's game in HD, why not every other away game where the home team has its own HD production?

What channel is CBS on in Fremont if INHD2 is on 186?

Good catch of my typo. Sorry about that. INHD2 is 196. CBS is 186.

-Sean

I can't believe it, Comcast finally added INHD1/2 today, but today was also the day I had my voom installed!! I find it funny, but now after I've seen INHD1/2 I am going to keep both for a while, and see which one I decide to keep. It was because I didn't get these channels I decided to get Voom, but Voom is great and I'll be able to watch the tyson game in hd for free :) Thnx comcast!!

Want to report that HD is now available in Emerald Hills, along with HSI. The switchover to the new system happened on Monday, but it took me three days to get Comcast to acknowledge the change.

After the switch to the new lineup, my digital box would not register the changes, despite being flashed by Comcast twice. Thus, I could not see if HD channels were actually part of the new lineup, and was unsuccessful in arguing with the CSRs, who kept telling me that HD would not be available in my area until at least Sept or Oct.

However, after some recent frustrating experiences, I do want to give props to the tech support rep who helped me last night. He took about 30 minutes troubleshooting the problem that I was having and finally was able to fix it where two other reps had failed miserably. This allowed me to confirm that the HD channels were part of the new lineup and schedule (this is silly, should just be able to pick up a box) an install. He also set up an install for HSI at the same time. In all, a pleasant and fulfilling comcast experience after some frustration.

I must say that even this helpful and relatively well informed rep had some bad info. When I requested a 6200, he told me that they were not yet available. I told him I needed firewire (he actually knew what that and DVI were!) and he requested it for the install. We'll see what the tech shows up with.

After two months in our new house with dial up and no HD, we are happy to be reentering the 21st century.

Does anyone know if the Motorola DCT-5100 or 6200 outputs on all of its ports simultaneously?

I'd like to connect the DVI and component outputs to my monitor and the S-video output to my TiVo (this is for recording SD programs on the TiVo).

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
I hope they do more away games in HD. If they can do this away A's game in HD, why not every other away game where the home team has its own HD production?

According to the schedule DCTDictator passed out, there are 5 "non-home" games that are going to be in HD:

A's @ Texas (7/31)
Giants @ Pittsburgh (8/11)
Giants @ Pittsburgh (8/12)
Giants @ Atlanta (8/27)
Giants @ Colorado (9/7)

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
Does anyone know if the Motorola DCT-5100 or 6200 outputs on all of its ports simultaneously?

I'd like to connect the DVI and component outputs to my monitor and the S-video output to my TiVo (this is for recording SD programs on the TiVo).

Yes. I have both DVI and S-video hooked up to the same TV, and can hit PIP and see both inputs (DVI main, S-video windowed). It also does the audio out (L/R and digital) at the same time.

InHD2 has not returned for me as of 9:30 am this morning. Anyone else in the Bay Area with the same problem-- Comcast not switching 196 back to the InHD2 feed after the game?

This is one very good reason to have a separate channel for FSN HD. Comcast has this problem in other areas (Boston)-- less than smooth swtiching back and forth between the HD game and the InHD2 feed.

Another good reason to have a permanent FSN Bay Area HD channel is that the 4:3 pillar boxed SD upconverted material looks 100 per cent better than fuzzy analog FSN Bay Area on channel 40. Put a pattern of some kind in the side pillars, like ESPN does, and it will look very finished and professional.

I got a call from Brian Roberts' office (CEO of Comcast) today on the situation in Saratoga. They said that there are no plans to upgrade Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos to provide any further HDTV channels. I pressed hard on how that could be, and the woman, Cynthia Asbury, said that she went to the 'very top' and there are simply no plans. It might happen a year or two out, but probably not sooner.

Too bad, really. I will go back to the City of Saratoga and continue my efforts to replace Comcast. Not what I wanted, and I am not sure anyone else will do better, but Comcast has made their decision not to support Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos, and we must make a decision not to support them.

Bob

bpearse,

I find it hard to believe Comcast has "no" plans to upgrade your system beyond 550 Mhz. I am sure Comcast must have plans to upgrade every system to 750 Mhz or more, it's just a matter of when. (The only thing that might hold it up is difficulties with the franchising authority-- such as the franchise contract may expire soon and the franchising authority is indicating it will not renew the franchise with Comcast. Comcast's reasoning would then be: Why spend a lot of money on rebuild when they soon won't be able to make any income from it?)

Perhaps the person from the CEO's office didn't fully understand what your concern was.

Also, bandwidth for HD can be freed up by eliminating analog channels (or converting them to digital only channels). So even without a rebuild, more HD is definitely possible.

Well, a year or two is a long time to sit around and wait, when there's DirecTV and Voom, etc. out there.

Originally posted by bpearse
I got a call from Brian Roberts' office (CEO of Comcast) today on the situation in Saratoga. They said that there are no plans to upgrade Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos to provide any further HDTV channels. I pressed hard on how that could be, and the woman, Cynthia Asbury, said that she went to the 'very top' and there are simply no plans. It might happen a year or two out, but probably not sooner.

Too bad, really. I will go back to the City of Saratoga and continue my efforts to replace Comcast. Not what I wanted, and I am not sure anyone else will do better, but Comcast has made their decision not to support Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos, and we must make a decision not to support them.

Bob

This is disturbing news, I wonder what the outlook is for Santa Rosa. bpearse can you PM me Cynthia Asbury's email, or whoever you sent it to originally? And maybe a copy of the email?

I find it tough to believe Comcast would take that approach, "sorry, no plans, what you have is what you get" although SonomaSearcher could be right about the franchise agreement.

Jim

Comcast 2% Club

Originally posted by bpearse
I got a call from Brian Roberts' office (CEO of Comcast) today on the situation in Saratoga. They said that there are no plans to upgrade Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos to provide any further HDTV channels. I pressed hard on how that could be, and the woman, Cynthia Asbury, said that she went to the 'very top' and there are simply no plans. It might happen a year or two out, but probably not sooner.

Too bad, really. I will go back to the City of Saratoga and continue my efforts to replace Comcast. Not what I wanted, and I am not sure anyone else will do better, but Comcast has made their decision not to support Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos, and we must make a decision not to support them.

Bob

It's the same situation in Sunnyvale. What they said is that there are many upgrades in the Bay Area to provide high-speed internet that need to be completed first before they look into upgrading existing 550MHz systems. There are over 100 people working on upgrading the San Jose system now. I could not get any date from Comcast as to when DiscoveryHD or InHD's will be available in Sunnyvale. They said they we are in pretty good shape, compared to other neighborhoods, since we do get HSI and some HD channels.

Does VOOM carry FSN HD, anyone?

Originally posted by keenan
This is disturbing news, I wonder what the outlook is for Santa Rosa. bpearse can you PM me Cynthia Asbury's email, or whoever you sent it to originally? And maybe a copy of the email?



Jim,

I listed several contacts above, but let me re-list them and include Cynthia's contact info as well:

Brian Robert, CEO of Comcast: brian_roberts@comcast.com
Erika Githens, executive escalations: Erika_Githens@cable.comcast.com, 925-431-7044
Susan Nichol, Susan_Nichol@cable.comcast.com
Cynthia Asbury, Brian Roberts office: Cynthia_Asbury@cable.comcast.com , 215-640-8964

I strongly recommend working with your local city's franchise organization, whose number appears at the bottom of your Comcast bill.

Cynthia called me, probably to avoid a 'paper trail'. I have never gotten any sort of email response with any details. However, here is the letter I replied back to her with, and copied the City of Saratoga:

==================

Cynthia,

Thank you for your call today regarding the Saratoga situation. Your news was of course very disappointing, but I do appreciate your response. I am copying members of the City of Saratoga staff who are responsible for Comcast's franchise in Saratoga. They are also trying to get to the bottom of this, and I wanted to make sure we are all sharing the same information.

You commented that "there are no plans to address the Saratoga situation". It is distressing that Saratoga will not be getting an upgrade to our cable system in the foreseeable future. My understanding is that 98% of the country has been upgraded based on the following article which quotes a Comcast executive.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/cedailydirect/2004/0704/cedaily040701.htm

I had assumed from this article that the Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos head end was the 'Northern California Bay Area' issue mentioned in the 4th paragraph and that we would finally get upgraded in the next 3 months as mentioned. I hate being treated at the bottom 2% of the entire country, but at least we could see an end to the poor treatment by Comcast. Now, based on your comments, we must assume there is no foreseeable end to the poor service by Comcast.

I am not sure why Saratoga deserves such poor treatment, but I accept that there must be business reasons why Comcast has made this decision. I of course urge the City of Saratoga to look at our alternatives given Comcast's decision not to bring Saratoga out of the 'bottom 2%' of cable service.

Bob Pearse

==========

Now we will see if the City takes any action.

Excellent, thanks.

Jim

Comcast 2% Club

I can't believe it, Comcast finally added INHD1/2 today, but today was also the day I had my voom installed!! I find it funny, but now after I've seen INHD1/2 I am going to keep both for a while, and see which one I decide to keep. It was because I didn't get these channels I decided to get Voom, but Voom is great and I'll be able to watch the tyson game in hd for free Thnx comcast!!

Dalowai, what part of Castro Valley are you in? The reason I ask is that I believe parts of Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Leandro are on the same system head-end, and it would be great news if INHD1/2, and especially FSN HD, were now available for these customers.

I am currently living part-time in San Leandro, and recently tried and quickly dumped Comcast due to their very limited selection of HD channels on the 550 Mhz system here. So I have no way of confirming if the A's/Giants HD broadcasts, or INHD1/2 are now available at my location.

It's a shame that it is so hard to get reliable answers from Comcast CSR's as to local availability of HD channels. If it wasn't for this forum, I'd be completely in the dark. If I can confirm that the A's/Giants HD broadcasts are now available on Comcast in my area, I might be willing to go back on a limited package just for that reason alone.

Otherwise, I'm glad I stuck with DirecTV, especially with their recent announcement of HD Olympics and NBC HD in owned and operated areas. KNTV is the one channel I can't get OTA in San Leandro, so I will no longer need Comcast just to watch Jay Leno and Olympics in HD. But the A's/Giants in HD is a big draw, and I'm surprised Comcast isn't finding a way to make these broadcasts available to all of their local HD customers - it's killing me to miss out on this.

bpearse, disappointing answer but good work in at least getting an answer from the top.

Have any of your saratoga contacts been working with Los Gatos and Monte Sereno to try to work on a joint solution/provider alternative?

In the interim, is comcast providing a customer satisfaction credit of some sort to sarmilgatos (and sunnyvale) since the pricing is the same as other areas but the HD offerings are less?

Originally posted by tivoyahoo

In the interim, is comcast providing a customer satisfaction credit of some sort to sarmilgatos (and sunnyvale) since the pricing is the same as other areas but the HD offerings are less?

I'm in sunnyvale, and while i would love to see this i'm not going to be holding my breath...

Anyone know a sports bar or restaurant that will be showing the Giants in HD tonight? In other words, where can sunnyvale/sarmilgatos subscribers actually see FSN HD?

Originally posted by cyberbri
Well, a year or two is a long time to sit around and wait, when there's DirecTV and Voom, etc. out there.


Well, the year or two estimate is mine, not Comcast. Their official statement was "we have no plans to upgrade Saratoga". It is my interpretation that it is 1-2 years.

As far as DirecTV (and Dish), they really are not as good as Comcast when Comcast is providing its normal service. Mostly because Comcast provides 1394 output and no one else does. Also, Comcast just has a very strong HDTV offering usually. VOOM is no doubt the best, but lack of a PVR or 1394 out is a killer. Anyone I go with needs to have either a (HD) PVR or a unit with 1394 output for time shifting.

So I am left without any real options at this point. But I have decided I will drop Comcast for any TV service and go with DirecTV for thier Tivo boxes (non-HD). I will just go OTA for HDTV for now.

Originally posted by tivoyahoo
In the interim, is comcast providing a customer satisfaction credit of some sort to sarmilgatos (and sunnyvale) since the pricing is the same as other areas but the HD offerings are less?

This is very possible. Comcast has been very good to me in providing discounts when their service has not been up to par. I am sure they would do so for Saramilgatos and other residents who get less than a proper offering. But my issue is not money. I am willing to pay full price or even more but I need to have the full offering. The offering they have now is useless to me as I get all of it already OTA (except ESPN which I do not care so much about).

For the people in the Saramilgatos area you can get a credit for services that you are not recieving, I am getting $10 a month off for 6 months, that was what I was told was the possible date for our system upgrade, but you need to call and do some serious complaining to get it, it took a supervisor to do it. Anyway, I suggest that you all do what bpearse said and file a complaint with your franchise authority, I've already filed with mine in Milpitas. The reasoning for the delay in our area is that Comcast wants to upgrade the 330 Mhz system to completion before they will even consider upgrading our 550 Mhz system and while I agree that they should upgrade that system I feel that it should be done inconjunction with upgrading the other systems not to the exclusion of others. Excluding customers is not a good business practice.

You know, Mike, I think you are right about the 330MHz upgrade being first in line. I just wish Comcast would just say that, and say we will be there in 6 months or so. They really do so many things right: they have spent $$$$ nationwide upgrading systems which prior owners like AT&T totally ignored and they have a good HDTV offering with 1394 output for recording. But their poor customer communication is their Achilles heel.

San Jose is a big system and costs lots of bucks to upgrade, and that's probably taking a huge amount of Comcast's capital budget. Plus, you look at a good 550 system, and you can still run data and most of the video services people want. HD penetration is still small, so from a business perspective, you really have to get to the systems that don't have data and any effective digital services.

I'm sure it's a matter of priorities. As long as people aren't leaving the system, it's a secondary priority. HD isn't making comcast any bucks right now. It's mostly a feature to prevent defections to DBS.

As for communication, Comcast is better than most.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

Comcast is better than most what? Cable companies provide the worst customer experience of any US industry.

http://www.theacsi.org/scores_commentaries/commentaries/Q1_04_comm.htm

Give me a break! :rolleyes:

Well, I was comparing Comcast against other cable companies. When you consider the complexity of the offerings cable has compared to even DBS, it's a hard service to support. How many people know how to debug a 1394 connection between the STB and TV? Let's cut these guys a little slack.

Thanks,
Mike

Well there isn't Discvovery yet either, doubt that will happen anytime soon or as any channels, but I live on Palomares Hills, don't know if you know where that is but its all the way down east castro valley blvd, so I'm closer to the pleaseanton/dublin side then san leandro.


I am currently living part-time in San Leandro, and recently tried and quickly dumped Comcast due to their very limited selection of HD channels on the 550 Mhz system here. So I have no way of confirming if the A's/Giants HD broadcasts, or INHD1/2 are now available at my location.

It's a shame that it is so hard to get reliable answers from Comcast CSR's as to local availability of HD channels. If it wasn't for this forum, I'd be completely in the dark. If I can confirm that the A's/Giants HD broadcasts are now available on Comcast in my area, I might be willing to go back on a limited package just for that reason alone.

Otherwise, I'm glad I stuck with DirecTV, especially with their recent announcement of HD Olympics and NBC HD in owned and operated areas. KNTV is the one channel I can't get OTA in San Leandro, so I will no longer need Comcast just to watch Jay Leno and Olympics in HD. But the A's/Giants in HD is a big draw, and I'm surprised Comcast isn't finding a way to make these broadcasts available to all of their local HD customers - it's killing me to miss out on this. [/B][/QUOTE]

I just discovered this thread. I am expecting my power buy 4663 delivery in about a week and have scheduled Comcast to install the HD receiver in two weeks.

In reading the threads it seems that Saratoga/Milpitas/Los Gatos do not receive all the service we should. I would like to join the effort to pressure Comcast, through our city governments, to upgrade their service to the latest available technology.

I would appreciate anyone in Milpitas letting me know what channels I can expect to receive. I don't currently have digital so it would be just what's available through the HD receiver.

I've read about 330 MHz, 550MHz and 720 MHz. I take it that the higher bandwidth is better and that Milpitas is the lower of these. Also that Milpitas, Saratoga and Los Gatos all share the same headend and that this is what limits our channels.

Any info will be much appreciated as this is all new to me.

Would it be possible for somebody to post a screenshot of an FSN HD game for those of us in the 2% club to see? I just want a taste of what I'm missing.

rshaw,

Milpitas is 550Mhz...so they have room for some, but not all of the HD available from comcast.

If you just have them install an HD Box ($5/mth) along with Analog Cable then you will get CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS HD channels. If you add the lowest Digital Package (Digital Classic + $10/mth) then you will pick up ESPN HD also (along with some non-HD Digital Channels)...If you were on a 750Mhz or higher system you would also get InHD1, InHD2, Discovery HD and FoxSports Bay Area-HD with Digital Classic (550Mhz networks dont currently have the bandwidth for that...that's what everybody is upset about). If you subscribe to HBO or SHowtime then you would also get the appropiate HD channel in milpitas...Comcast also has Starz and Cinemax HD channels (available if you subscribe to those channels), but they are not available on most 550Mhz systems either.

-Steve

Hmm. A new channel just showed up on our 550MHz system in Saratoga on channel 194. At first, I was hoping this might be a new HD channel given its location, but it is ABC News Now, whatever the hell that is.

Anyone else getting this?

Originally posted by bpearse
Hmm. A new channel just showed up on our 550MHz system in Saratoga on channel 194. At first, I was hoping this might be a new HD channel given its location, but it is ABC News Now, whatever the hell that is.

Anyone else getting this?

There's a thread on that here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=427017

HELP! DVI on 6200 Problematic?

Anyone seen this? I have a BenQ LCD flat panel (model DV2680) connected to a Moto 6200 from Comcast (picked up at the SF Potrero office 7/29/04) via DVI. Note that the BenQ interface is HDCP compliant.

The problem: if I turn the BenQ off, and then on again, it will not display a picture using the DVI input. The ONLY fix seems to be to unplug the 6200, and then plug it back in. The picture then returns - and is wonderful. Just powering off the cable box does not fix the problem.

Seems like a weird handshaking problem. Any advice on accessing the more sophisticated menus on the 6200 (beyond just "Menu" after powering off the box) to fix this would be wonderful!

That's a known problem for the 6200, and has been known for a long, long time. It's the 7.10 firmware on the 6200, and some people already have the 7.15 firmware, where this is supposedly fixed.

The only way to keep from having to re-insert your DVI cable (doing the power cord means you have to wait for the box to re-download everything, which can sometimes take 5-10 minutes or more) is to make sure the cable box is turned OFF before you turn off the TV/projector or even switch inputs on it. Also make sure he TV/projector is turned on and switched to the DVI input before you turn the 6200 box on. If you remember to turn it on second and off first / before switching inputs, you should be fine.

Cyberbri - what you suggested works - turning off the cable box, then the display (when powering down), and then turning on the display, and then the cable box (when powering up). Thank you so much - although it's only a temp fix, at least I can use my new gear.

Questions:
1) When the tech from Comcast comes, can he flash my box w/v. 7.15 of the firmware, or do I need a new box?

2) Can anyone confirm that 7.15 fixes this DVI problem?

Thanks again Cyberbri!

bpearse,

I have 194 in Milpitas also, it's a 24 hour news station from ABC, just what we needed :( and it's a complete waste of bandwidth. Here's something else that's really odd. Channels 136 and 294 are both G4TechTv, not only are they the same channels they show the same exact thing at the same exact time, nothing different, again a waste of bandwidth that we don't have.

dcci,

You're very welcome. Some areas have the 7.15 update, and others, like mine, don't. I don't think a tech can just "flash" the box. Your area has to have the update -- I don't know why some would have it and other wouldn't - it should just be a software update for the hardware they're getting from Motorola.

If that's the only reason you're having your tech come out, you might want to cancel the appointment. It's a known problem, at least to the higher-up techs and people at Motorola. But there's nothing a tech can do for you if that's the only problem.


Mikef5,

Channel 194 was set up to cover the Democratic National Convention in Hi-Def, IIRC. It looks like they've left it on...

Tech TV and G4 were separate channels, G4 on 136 and Tech TV on 294, unitl about May 28. Then they combined into one channel (I didn't get TechTV on my digital tier, but I did get G4) that day, and the channel apparently has remained on both tiers. Yes, they could get rid of one of them, sometime down the road - so people who are used to watching one of the two don't get confused when that channel is dropped and only the other kept.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
.

InHD2 does occasionally have unique events/first run events which show up there before they do on InHD, so a conflict will arise eventually between an FSN HD game and something new on InHD2. It shouldn't happen too often however.

Also, other areas with this setup (like Boston) have experienced problems. Mostly, it is someone at Comcast forgetting to "flip the switch" either before or after an HD game. If that happens, the game might not show up right away, or under the opposite scenario, there might be non-HD FSN Bay Area programming on InHD2 long after the game ends (until Comcast figures out that they forgot to flip the switch).

.

The way they do it in boston is the switch gets on one hour before the game and then goes until 3am.
I ve seen them do this even when the game is on another channel. (local broadcast)

Originally posted by Mikef5
bpearse,

I have 194 in Milpitas also, it's a 24 hour news station from ABC, just what we needed :( and it's a complete waste of bandwidth. Here's something else that's really odd. Channels 136 and 294 are both G4TechTv, not only are they the same channels they show the same exact thing at the same exact time, nothing different, again a waste of bandwidth that we don't have.

not that its worth any bandwidth at all..but 194 is taking almost no bandwidth (about 1/10 the bandwidth of an analog channel)

even though G4techtv is showing on 2 channels, its only using up the bandwidth of 1 little digital SD channel (1/10 an analog channel)...They are using Virtual Channel Mapping (VCM) to make it appear in 2 different channels (since G4 and tech tv used to be separate channels before comcast acquired techtv)

Originally posted by chitchatjf
The way they do it in boston is the switch gets on one hour before the game and then goes until 3am.
I ve seen them do this even when the game is on another channel. (local broadcast) Thanks for the comparative info.

The other day when the game ended (Friday night's Giants game, IIRC), they switched back to InHD2 within 4 or 5 minutes of the end of the game, so hopefully that will continue.

Three FSN HD games so far, 2 A's away games, one Giants home game (and Giants are on ESPN HD right now-- Sunday Night Baseball) and all looked great from my perspective.

I wonder why they didn't do the A's game today in HD, since it was from the same location (Arlington) and both Thursday's and yesterday's games were in HD. Maybe the local FSN in Texas charges FSN Bay Area extra for the HD feed, and it just isn't in the budget to pay for all available away game video feeds in HD. Or, maybe the video just wasn't available in HD for some reason (HD truck went to another event?).

I also was wondering about the A's game today.

Do you know if it might be tied to a contractual obligation to only preempt InHD2 every so often? I feel sorry for non sports fans who feel that InHD2 is one of their favorite channels when they have Sports events pre-empt their shows..often without much warning.

I hope that FoxSportsNet starts taping thier studio shows in HD, so that we can get a 24/7 FSNHD channel, instead of pre-empting Inhd2 sometimes. It would be cool if they used other FSNHD feeds to fill up the time slot with HD material, if they don't want to just mirror their SD stuff.

Can I take my current digital cable box (Moto DCT-2000) down to my local Comcast office and swap it for a 5100 (or better yet a 6200) and install it myself? I'd rather not take time off from work and wait around for the Comcast tech to arrive.

If not, what does the tech do that I couldn't do myself?

davisdog,

Thanks for the info on Virtual Channel mapping, that at least explains how they can show the same shows on different channels and not use up bandwidth.

cyberbri,
I watched the DNC on channel 194 and it was never in Hidef, digital yes, Hidef no. Don't know what they are going to do with it but since the convention has been over they keep showing repeats of it. I just wish they would give us Fox sports net HD and I'd be one happy camper.

Now for something entirely different. I was reading the Friday edition of the San Jose Mercury ( yes, I know it's Sunday, I'm a slow reader ) and Comcast had a section in it that tells of it's plans for channel changes for the different areas. As of 1 Sept. we people of the 550 system will have all the HD channels moved to the 700 channel area and 2 new channels will be added. The 2 channels are Nicklelodeon Too on channel 216 and BYU-Tv on channel 228, also channel 182 Ovation with be dropped from the Digital Premier tier. That's it, no HD channels were announced but it does seem that with the channel movement there maybe hope in the future, maybe.....

Originally posted by Jerry Gardner
Can I take my current digital cable box (Moto DCT-2000) down to my local Comcast office and swap it for a 5100 (or better yet a 6200) and install it myself? I'd rather not take time off from work and wait around for the Comcast tech to arrive.

Sure - if you want a 6200, request a swap for a 1394 equipped box.

It may need a refresh hit, but customer support can do that with you over the phone.

Originally posted by DCTDictator on the 29th
Digitze the Vote!
“ABC News Now” will begin broadcasting on channel 194 in the Bay Area today, and will run through election night, November 2nd. This is part of a unique 14-week news programming venture that includes both national and local news coverage of the election season. Peter Jennings will anchor more than 23 hours of daily convention coverage.


I'm just repeating information I got - I assume that Peter Jennings will not be anchoring 23 hours a day.

Originally posted by Mikef5

That's it, no HD channels were announced but it does seem that with the channel movement there maybe hope in the future, maybe.....

Mikef5,
you may have already know, but all the channel movement has nothing to do with freeing up bandwidth in this case...It's all done in the VCM, so they existing HD channels will still use the same slots (and bandwidth) that they already had, just the channel mapper makes them appear somewhere else.

No if you ever see them make take away one of the Analog Channels...then that's a different story (and each disappearing analog channel would give them room for at least 2 HD channels)

By the way...do they still publish that stuff on page 2B of the Merc?...I used to look there but it was so infrequent I quit.

-Steve

Originally posted by Mikef5


cyberbri,
I watched the DNC on channel 194 and it was never in Hidef, digital yes, Hidef no. Don't know what they are going to do with it but since the convention has been over they keep showing repeats of it. I just wish they would give us Fox sports net HD and I'd be one happy camper.


I could've sworn it was. Maybe it was on 195. But I know we watched it a little on one of the early evenings, maybe Monday or Tuesday. It was in HD widescreen, as our scroll bar was only in the middle part of the screen and the picture was incredible. Or maybe we just had it in our area (San Jose, 95126), and you didn't in yours...

Cyberbri - what you suggested works - turning off the cable box, then the display (when powering down), and then turning on the display, and then the cable box (when powering up). Thank you so much - although it's only a temp fix, at least I can use my new gear.

Questions:
1) When the tech from Comcast comes, can he flash my box w/v. 7.15 of the firmware, or do I need a new box?

2) Can anyone confirm that 7.15 fixes this DVI problem?

Thanks again Cyberbri!

dcci,

1) I don't think so, but DCTDictator is the final authority on this question.

2) According to Comcast subscribers outside the Bay Area who have received 7.15, yes.

I have not heard any reports of 7.15 in the Bay Area yet.

dcci,

You're very welcome. Some areas have the 7.15 update, and others, like mine, don't. I don't think a tech can just "flash" the box. Your area has to have the update -- I don't know why some would have it and other wouldn't - it should just be a software update for the hardware they're getting from Motorola.

If that's the only reason you're having your tech come out, you might want to cancel the appointment. It's a known problem, at least to the higher-up techs and people at Motorola. But there's nothing a tech can do for you if that's the only problem.

FSN Bay Area HD interesting fact:

The games show up on the TV Guide IPG listings for InHD2. The generic title is "Baseball." Click on info and it shows the game, e.g., "Cincinatti at San Francisco."

I didn't know TV Guide could insert this local (Bay Area) programming guide information into the listings for a national channel (InHD2) when the local programming is inserted into the national channel. So at least you can use the "Reminder" feature to lock onto the FSN HD games (and surf the InHD2 listings to look for future games).

davisdog,

The article was on page 12D, sports page I believe, that's why I noticed it, love those Giants and A's :)

I realize that the channel movements have nothing to do with freeing up bandwidth but it usually is the first step to adding channels. I just wish they would even out the work load of updating the 330 Mhz area to all the area's that need to be updated. It really can't be that hard to update from 550 Mhz to 750 Mhz. My brother was an installer for TCI and AT&T so I know most of the area in Milpitas is pretty up to date, don't know about the headend though.

DCTDictator,
Are we in the Bay Area ever going to see firmware 7.15 ??? Getting real tired of having to unplug my DVI cable everytime I switch to any other connection and then reconnecting. Just a status check....

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mikef5


MikeF5,

I agree they should be able to work on Saramilgatos in parallel...most of the work is contractors...but I'm sure they have their reasons :(

Our cable should be fine (unlike SJ where I assume they have to replace it all)..but I believe one of the major problems is they have to replace all of the amps that are along the lines (the little black boxes that are spaced out on the cables along the poles)...it can get worse if they spacing of the amps has to change...The headends should be fine, I assume they have a fiber distrubution setup also..although all speculation on my part based on what I've read etc...

I think the channel lineup changes are more for syncronizing the channel lineups in the region as opposed to doing any bandwidth reallocations...

oh well....I'm a Giants fan also...sure which we had FSN-HD

Woohoo! The guy's out back now up on the pole to swap amplifiers for the HDTV, etc., upgrade in my neighborhood. He estimates "a couple of weeks" for the transition here. (I know--he's a contractor from NY and probably knows zip about local Comcast actual schedules but it's nice to see the action finally)

davisdog,

I have a pretty good idea on why Comcast is concentrating on the 330 Mhz area instead of our area. Let's say the 330 mhz system is 200,000 people ( just a number for arguement sake ). In that area they have no HD cable only basic cable and no cable internet access. Their choices are DTV, Dish, Voom etc. for HD programming and SBC for internet access. That is virgin territory for Comcast, no market penetration. Let's say there is also 200,000 people in the 550 mhz area. About 80% of the area gets their HD through Comcast and they have internet access with Comcast as well, in other words they compete well in that area. If you look at strictly the business side of this it makes sense to go after the area that you have no penetration in. Does that make it right to exclude the rest of the areas for this preferred area ??? I guess it depends on where you live.

Originally posted by Mikef5
davisdog,


DCTDictator,
Are we in the Bay Area ever going to see firmware 7.15 ??? Getting real tired of having to unplug my DVI cable everytime I switch to any other connection and then reconnecting. Just a status check....

Just turn off the cable box if you need to switch inputs on your TV.

I wish we could get it too, though. Isn't it just a piece of software that needs to be uploaded so the boxes can dl it?

cyberbri,

Just turning off the cable box doesn't work unless I turn the tv off also and there's a 2 minute cooldown for the tv bulb. Kind of inconvinent don't you think, when the firmware update fixes that DVI handshake problem and makes it work the way it is suppose to work. Not trying to be a smart a** but I just want things to work the way it is suppose to and this is a known problem and there is a firmware fix for it. Just for info sake, the set worked fine until they upgraded the firmware to 7.10.

Oh, okay. It works on my TV (Samsung DLP). Didn't realize it was that bad on other sets. I can leave my TV on, turn the 6200 off, switch to PC, component, etc., switch back to DVI, and then turn the cable box back on and it's fine.


Yeah, I'm waiting for the fix too. Sometimes if I turn off the cable box and hit Menu too soon (to turn on/off closed caption), the signal won't get through and I'll have to re-insert the cable. It's just a piece of software, so you would think it would be relatively easy to distribute, considering some areas already have it, and Comcast is getting the boxes from Motorola anyway...

It really can't be that hard to update from 550 Mhz to 750 Mhz.

If only that was the case! The issue when going from 550 to 750 is amplifier spacing changes. The distance between amps on a 750 system is smaller than on 550, which means you can't just go in and swap out the fiber node and amp modules. You actually have to install new modules in different locations. This also means you have to change the locations of the power supplies, since the 750 amps draw more current than the 550 ones.

This gets very expensive and can't be done without a lot of disruption to the existing service.

Of course, given the hassle involved, Comcast is also going to 860 instead of 750 in rebuilds, and also laying additional fiber in many areas to reduce node size. They did that in redwood city even though that was a 550 plant with ~600 HP/node.

You can take heart that when they rebuild your system, they are putting in the best infrastructure that they can.

Thanks,
Mike

There's an article in today's Chronicle centered around HD. Most of the stuff we know but it's nice to see some local writers talking about it. They also mention cable cards and such.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/08/02/BUGUO7URKV1.DTL

MikeSM,

I understand that it might be expensive to do the 550 to 750 but don't you think that it would be MUCH more expensive to go from 330 to 750 ?? I mean the 330 system doesn't even have fiber optic laid, that is a complete rebuild from the ground up. Don't get me wrong, the 330 system needs to be upgraded from the stoneage but not with the exclusion of the other systems. Again it is a business decision that Comcast has made, more profit in that area. Also, I realize that I have the luxuary of going somewhere else for my cable services and maybe the 330 mhz system doesn't have that luxuary and it is something I am looking into, it's just right now Comcast is just more convenient for me. You know what would really make my day ?? If Comcast would just come out and let us know what their plans for upgrading are. So far they have said nothing so people assume that nothing is being done or even concidered being done. Information would make things so much easier to deal with and I don't think that is to much to ask for. Thanks for the input though, it nice to vent once in a while :)

Mikef5, true, most of the 330 Mhz systems don't have fiber, but most of them are 2 cable systems (A/B) like San Jose. The nice thing about that is that you can put all the equipment on the "B" cable, and leave the A cable in service while you do it. This makes installing new amps and taps a lot easier, and that cuts down on labor cost.

Fiber installation isn't that bad these days. The contractors that do it have pretty efficient techniques for stringing the fiber along the coax on the poles. In any case, unless you are going down to very small nodes, I think the coax part of the rebuild is more expensive.

Most MSO's allocate their capital planning several months before construction starts. The contractor force can also accomodate only so much build activity as well without incurring too much additional cost. But the franchise negotiations can really impact the schedule. If a city gets too fussy, they shift capital to another city that isn't so much a pain to work with. Why do you think San Jose is getting done after San Francisco?

Thanks,
Mike

Hey TPeterson, I live just adjacent to San Carlos, and I have an HDTV install now scheduled for this Wednesday (this seems to be "for real" after a number of false starts). So maybe the long wait is over.

I am wondering whether our area will be wired at 860MHz from the get-go ... seems as though it should be, since it is a very recent upgrade. If so, then based on davisdog's earlier post, the Analog package should include CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS' HD channels, and the lowest Digital Package (Digital Classic + $10/mth) will add ESPN HD, InHD1, InHD2, Discovery HD and FoxSports Bay Area-HD. This sounds worthwhile. Can anybody confirm, as to the mid-Peninsula area?

Might be happening Tuesday night/Wednesday AM in NAS areas.

Email says it includes 7.15. The Moto announcement does not mention version numbers or DVI issues, just a slew of EPG and VOD updates for 5100, 6200 and 6208s.

That's all for now!

FAQ - how do I get the update?
Set tops discover a software update in the data stream and replace the old software with new, that's about it. There are no procedures to 'force' an update from my lab or any console. Still, some boxes are deaf to the update (I had one that kept the old TCI Purple menu for a long time . . ) A power cycle can initiate a firmware search.

Didn't see anybody mention it but the Cardinals/Giants game on ESPN-HD (D116.2 in Pleasanton) was fantastic - except, of course, for the outcome. Barry's two splash hits were great except that they were foul balls. But the real benefit was being able to see more of the action than on the SD broadcast I flipped between several times.

I used the Sasem box (USB2 to HTPC) with the QAM-capable beta s/w to view the program. Avoiding the stations which cause the HTPC to BlueScreen, fortunately ESPN-HD is a "safe one". The rest of the games on InHD2 will be a problem for me as those are definately "not safe" :-(.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Email says it includes 7.15. The Moto announcement does not mention version numbers or DVI issues, just a slew of EPG and VOD updates for 5100, 6200 and 6208s.

Any word on when the EPG will switch over to iGuide?

edmc,

How do you like the Sasem USB-HD box ??? Just went to the site and it looks promising and it looks like it might support QAM cable. Couldn't find any manuals to check the specs on it. Seems that it is kind of touchy with QAM signals like the Fusion III is prone to.

Originally posted by fender4645
Any word on when the EPG will switch over to iGuide?

No word related to the pending update - I'd hope that someone would be telling me about that one in advance.

It's sometimes a crazy place, so it would not surprise me. I mentioned the announcement about iGuide (that I learned of from here, BTW) to some others and got the same blank look I get when try and explain why the RG6 connectors have black compression rings instead of blue. OK, I'll go back to reading my parts catalogs now. . .

Totally OT - Oracle 11i - Tomorrow. A GUI to call my own.

Mikef5> How do [I] like the Sasem USB-HD box ???

It beats the pants off the DViCo FusionHDTV 3 QAM prototype I also have in my HTPC for playback. I've never, ever, seen any "stutters" with the Sasem box. The stutters are frequent with the DViCo.

The S/W seems to be a bit behind DViCo in some respects, but I'm certainly no thorough evaluator of the S/W.

I'm focused on getting a QAM solution. The DViCo seems to have taken steps to improve (though not solve) stability (e.g. "stutters"), but each release seems to have deleted features rather than added them. At this point, I'm only able to receive both Audio & Video on D79.1, the local CBS-HD affilliate.

With the Sasem, the 2.70 (odd how both DViCo and Sasem are at the same version number these days) Beta has introduced QAM capability. I've been playing with it and have found the following:

1 - AutoScan seems to find many more stations than DViCo
2 - AutoScan will eventually BlueScreen my HTPC when it gets to D80 or so
3 - Shuning the AutoScan, I'm able to select 4 HD Locals and ESPN-HD
4 - The two InHD stations receive Audio but no Video
5 - Selecting other channels (even ones which AutoScan found) BlueScreen HTPC

I'm hoping updates resolve the BlueScreens. In fact, I just read that Sasem has posted an update (2.701?) which I'm about to try.

HELP, please. I'm getting my first HD tv (Samsung dlp) this week and up-grading my Comcast digital to HD.

Can anyone tell me what HD STB is now being offered in the Berkeley-Kensington-El Cerrito area, and what Firmware is running on it? When I call Comcast to try to find out, I can't get to anyone who even knows what I'm asking! Unbelievable.

Millerwill,

Welcome to HDTV!

If you want the most advanced HD STB from Comcast, be sure you specifically request a box with firewire ("IEEE 1394"). You have to specifically request it to obligate Comcast to provide it to you. ("It" is the Motorola 6200.)

Otherwise (if you don't request a firewire equipped box), you will probably get the somewhat less advanced (but still very serviceable) Motorola 5100.

6200 has a faster processor and two firewire ports. Also, some of the 5100's do NOT have DVI ports; all 6200's have DVI ports.

Firmware should be 7.10, with upgrade to 7.15 coming soon. You may have 7.15 already preloaded on your box.

As you have found out, Comcast's customer service line cannot answer most questions about Comcast's HD service (or, if an answer is given, it is often wrong!). So feel free to post your questions here.

SonomaSearcher: Thanks very much for the prompt and straight-forward answer! (Now WHY can't Comcast be able to do this?)

Originally posted by edmc

5 - Selecting other channels (even ones which AutoScan found) BlueScreen HTPC

I'm hoping updates resolve the BlueScreens. In fact, I just read that Sasem has posted an update (2.701?) which I'm about to try. [/B]

Does the BlueScreen force a complete reboot? or are you able to "end task" out of it? What should appear onscreen for encrypted channels like InHD? just a black screen?? Please let us know what you find with the new update you mentioned.

FYI, this was posted in the Press Democrat public notice section on Sunday. It concerns Sonoma County Comcast customers,

Effective September 1, 2004

KNTV-HD 703
KPIX-HD 705
KGO-HD 707
KQED-HD 709
INHD-1 719
INHD-2 720
ESPN-HD 723
HBO-HD 730
Cinemax-HD 732
Starz-HD 734
SHO-HD 736

It also lists some channel re-assignments from one program package to another..

Jim

Originally posted by millerwill
SonomaSearcher: Thanks very much for the prompt and straight-forward answer! (Now WHY can't Comcast be able to do this?)

Centralization for one. Cannot have all the details for all areas, only a generalization like "Yes there is an HD Set top". It's getting better as local call centers go on line and gain product knowledge.

User groups like this are the best source - even for me, a Comcast employee with little time to spend looking for info and not wanting to wait for it to come to me.

____________________________________

Totally OT, Oracle 11i is live and well in the house. Tommorow it's 7.5 then Doom III also releases - coincidence?

me> 2 - AutoScan will eventually BlueScreen my HTPC when it gets to D80 or so
me> 5 - Selecting other channels (even ones which AutoScan found) BlueScreen HTPC

tivoyahoo> Does the BlueScreen force a complete reboot? or are you able to "end task" out of it?

Uh, the Blue Screen is otherwise known as the Blue Screen Of Death a.ka. BSOD. It's when your PC crashes. Oddly, this usually auto-reboots but, on occassion, I have to get up and push the reset button. So no, "end task" is not an option :-(

me> I'm hoping updates resolve the BlueScreens.
me> In fact, I just read that Sasem has posted an update (2.701?) which I'm about to try.

tivoyahoo> Please let us know what you find with the new update you mentioned.

While the 2.701 Release which was posted recently did improve things, no, the BSOD issues were not resolved. As noted in the Release Notes, the Driver has *still* not been updated. The BSOD is, undoubtably, a problem in this old Driver. I've asked Sasem for details on their plans to work on this BSOD problem and an update to this stale Driver.

tivoyahoo> What should appear onscreen for encrypted channels like InHD? just a black screen??

While most of what I must assume are encrypted channels BSODs my HTPC, the InHD stations are different. I get Audio, but no Video. Indeed, one other channel, D115, shows up with 3 SubChannels. The first two yield neither Audio nor Video, but D115.3 is a 480i broadcast of KGO.

Hope this helps. I'm eagerly awaiting a driver update. The few issues I have with the GUI app I can live with. The Driver BSODs, however, are hard to stomach.

Ed

The wonderful folks at Comcast are coming to 'install' my cable/HD service on Tuesday.

Anything I should look out for? I've requested the 1394 STB (Moto 6200) and have a spare DVI cable standing by.

Thanks,
rb

Game is on Comcast 196, but just SD here in San Ramon. Anyone getting an HD feed?

Same problem here in Lafayette. Sound doesn't seem synchronized right either. Hopefully, these kinks will be worked out soon.

Unfortunately SD here in Fremont too.

I turn on my computer just to reply here =) BUT yeah :mad: SD here also in Sacramento. I had a bad feeling when they started to show the interview before the game in SD, that they were going to show this in SD. WTF. I was looking frwd to Bonds in HD again =) Damn, what's up with this? This must be a Comcast issue. The commentaries have not yet mention that they are not showing this in HD due to some tech. issues. Though they did mention that it was in HD. What gives?

Same in SF (Giants/Reds in SD only, no HD) on Comcast ch. 196, normally INHD2.

Same in South SJ. Are you guys getting the black bars on the sides?

Same everywhere. SD 4:3 with black bars.

Growing pains. (I just hope it wasn't someone somewhere forgetting to "flip a switch.")

Originally posted by DCTDictator
User groups like this are the best source - even for me, a Comcast employee with little time to spend looking for info and not wanting to wait for it to come to me. And thank you for your contributions to this user group!

By the way, your PM box is full ... ;)

My DCTs in the NAS plant are on 7.15 firmware. No big changes, same EPG.

Sonoma - it's cleared!

Originally posted by DCTDictator
My DCTs in the NAS plant are on 7.15 firmware. No big changes, same EPG. 7.15 downloaded overnight to my 6200 here also.

Software version is new also, says 51.88. S/W was 51.42 for a long time. I don't notice any obvious differences based on a quick look.

Trivial question from one with their first HD set-up:

Got the 6200 STB from Comcast yesterday, and connecting it seems straight-forward--EXCEPT the audio optical cable doesn't seem to want to fit all the way into the hole for it in the STB (or into the one in the AV receiver). I don't want to force it too much. Any suggestions on what I;m not doing right?

Thanks to anyone!!

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
And thank you for your contributions to this user group!



DTCDictator,

I second SonomaSearcher's comment. It is probably not said enough, but we all really appreciate your support of this forum. My impression of Comcast is much better because of your contribution that it would be without. I hope Comcast somehow learns how much value you are providing them in terms of increased customer satisfaction (or at the minimum, reduced dissatisfaction).