Originally posted by JasonQG
Look again. KRON-HD is there on channel 704 for me. I'm so incredibly pissed off. I want Giants games, damnit. You mean to tell me that people would rather watch college basketball reruns than live Giants games?

Yeah, I do have it, the only one in the 700's, a 10yr old Alex Karras movie, whoopee....

Jim

JasonQG,

If your're really pissed off, get a copy of your Comcast bill, look at the bottom of the page, you will see a phone number for the Franchise Authority for your area. Call them and let them know your feelings about Comcast. Also, try and get a hold of your City Counsel or City Hall and let them know that you don't like what Comcast is doing to our head-end ( or not doing like upgrading us ). This affects us in the Saramilgatos area also. I believe Keenan is also in the Santa Rosa area, he might be able to give you contacts in your area. Don't just be pissed off do something. If you don't complain, then they will think that everything is just peachy and will do nothing.
For the people in Saramilgatos, it is nice to sit here and rant, but that will accomplish nothing. If you do nothing, you will get nothing. I find it hard to believe that people will pay the same price for a service but not get the same product as the rest of the area. You pay the same price for Digital Platium in San Fransisco as you do in Saramilgatos but the package you receive is different and has less channels, Why ???
Ok, enough for one night, I'm in a semi good mood, Giants win one and lose one :)
Back to watching the Doppler

Hi guys,

Just got my Sharp LC374Gu last Friday, and Comcast HD box today. I have a few noob questions if you don't mind. I am in Los Altos and notice that I only have the following:
ESPN HD -- 193
KGO (ABC) -- 184
KNTV -- 185
KQED (PBS) -- 188

Are there any other HD channels I am missing? Also, does HD programming necessarily mean widescreen? My Sharp has modes for 4:3, 4:3 strecth, 2.35:1, and 1.78:1. Are all of the aforementioned channels 2.35:1 or 1.78:1? I tried both modes and can't tell the difference on some of them! Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Pat

Originally posted by Mikef5
JasonQG,

If your're really pissed off, get a copy of your Comcast bill, look at the bottom of the page, you will see a phone number for the Franchise Authority for your area. Call them and let them know your feelings about Comcast. Also, try and get a hold of your City Counsel or City Hall and let them know that you don't like what Comcast is doing to our head-end ( or not doing like upgrading us ). This affects us in the Saramilgatos area also. I believe Keenan is also in the Santa Rosa area, he might be able to give you contacts in your area. Don't just be pissed off do something. If you don't complain, then they will think that everything is just peachy and will do nothing. Yeah, I contacted them via email from a link provided by keenan, but didn't get any kind of response. It might be time to take it to the next level.

KRON doesn't carry Giants games ... ever.. why would they be on that channel?

Originally posted by PATRICKB
Hi guys,

Just got my Sharp LC374Gu last Friday, and Comcast HD box today. I have a few noob questions if you don't mind. I am in Los Altos and notice that I only have the following:
ESPN HD -- 193
KGO (ABC) -- 184
KNTV -- 185
KQED (PBS) -- 188

Are there any other HD channels I am missing? Also, does HD programming necessarily mean widescreen? My Sharp has modes for 4:3, 4:3 strecth, 2.35:1, and 1.78:1. Are all of the aforementioned channels 2.35:1 or 1.78:1? I tried both modes and can't tell the difference on some of them! Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Pat

Hi Pat,

What Package did you sign up for? (ie Digital Classic, Digital Silver etc...?)

It depends on what the Los Altos System has (not all systems have all channels) and what you sign up for.

Here is the list of HD Channels available on various systems in the Bay Area



Free Channels (if you have an HD box)
184 KGO-DT (ABC)
185 KNTV-DT (NBC)
186 KPIX-DT (CBS)
188 KQED-DT (PBS) (on air 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
704 KRON-HD (Old HDNet Content)

Channels Part of "Digital Classic"
193 ESPN HD (encrypted in most areas)
195 InHD (encrypted in most areas)
196 InHD2 (encrypted in most areas)
196 Fox Sports Net-Bay Area (A's, Giants etc HD Games)**
722 Discovery HD Theater

Channels you get if you pay for the Corresponding Premium Channel
197 HBO HD West (encrypted)
198 Showtime HD West (encrypted)
199 Cinemax HD West (encrypted)
200 Starz HD West (encrypted)

**FSN-HD preempts INHD2 when local Sports teams are available on FSN in HD.



Try tuning to those other channels and let us know when you see anything (either a picture or a page sign you are not authorized for this channel). or if your box doesnt even tune to those channels (meaning Los Altos doesnt have them yet)

PS...Your Comcast Box should be set to output in 16:9 which is the same as 1.78:1

-Steve

Steve, thank you so much. I can get
184
185
186
188
704
193
195
196
722
so I guess we have the "Digital Classic." The reason I was not sure is because we only have "extended basic" then added the HD box for an extra $5 a month.

One more question if you don't mind. I set the HD box to output 16:9, and 780p. The next best resolution from the box seems to be 1080I, but 1080I looks worse than 780p. Is this correct? Could you let me know your HD box setup? Mine is currently set to
TV Type: 16:9
YPbPr Output: 780p
4:3 Override: Off
Closed Caption: DISABLED

Thanks again.

Pat,

So..it sounds like Los Altos is a fully Upgraded system (lucky you)...I'm in Saratoga and we are missing 5 channels because we have an older system with less bandwidth.

Anyway, you probably still have Extended basic, but Comcast may not have turned on the encryption capability yet that would prevent you from getting the digital classic channels (they turned iton in Saratoga recently)....So you are getting a bonus now...it may go away, at which point you'd need to call and add "Digital Classic" on top of what you currently have...Its $9.95/mth extra and has those HD channels + about 20 Non-HD channels (National Geographic, golf, Noggin, Discovery Kids blah blah...)

From the specs of your TV it is only capable of 720P (most LCD's are) so you would be best to set the DCT to 720P...Some Channels broadcast 1080i (NBC, HBO, Discovery, CBS)...others do 720P (ABC, ESPNHD mainly)...They argue about what is better...Generally 1080i is better for pretty pictures (more lines of detail), 720P is better for sports (it has a faster refresh)...Regardless the TV/DCT only takes one and converts the other to its native resolution.

-Steve

Originally posted by walk
KRON doesn't carry Giants games ... ever.. why would they be on that channel?

Actually, the people of the Comcast 2% club would rather have FSN-HD which is shown on channel 196 which we don't get due to limited bandwidth. I think what the poster was saying is enterupt the Kron4-HD programming ( which is just repeats of HDNet like from a year ago ) and show the Giants games or any local teams that are being shown in HD. Kron 4 at one time was the NBC affiliate but lost that a couple of years ago and is now just a local station.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Actually, the people of the Comcast 2% club would rather have FSN-HD which is shown on channel 196 which we don't get due to limited bandwidth. I think what the poster was saying is enterupt the Kron4-HD programming ( which is just repeats of HDNet like from a year ago ) and show the Giants games or any local teams that are being shown in HD. Kron 4 at one time was the NBC affiliate but lost that a couple of years ago and is now just a local station.

My sarcasm was even worse than that (although preempting the KRON signal is a great idea...but will never happen sadly....)

KRON-HD doesnt show any KRON shows at all...instead it shows yr old HD Net stuff...Sometimes HDNet does baseball games, so maybe next year will see a replay of this years Giants games in HD (So we know what we missed)...or maybe we'll see last years game now...

Davisdog,
Maybe your humor is being affected by watching to much of the Doppler channel :) It could melt your brain with all that radar stuff........ Go Giants !!!!!

Originally posted by davisdog
My sarcasm was even worse than that (although preempting the KRON signal is a great idea...but will never happen sadly....)

KRON-HD doesnt show any KRON shows at all...instead it shows yr old HD Net stuff...Sometimes HDNet does baseball games, so maybe next year will see a replay of this years Giants games in HD (So we know what we missed)...or maybe we'll see last years game now...

or we'll get to see Barry break the home run record again...hey maybe in high def we'll see who should have kept the ball?

ooo kournikova on kron-dt =/

Originally posted by dailowai
ooo kournikova on kron-dt =/

just spotted that too. pity about who's she's playing though

Originally posted by JasonQG
Yeah, I contacted them via email from a link provided by keenan, but didn't get any kind of response. It might be time to take it to the next level.

How long has it been? Took them about 3 days when I emailed them originally. Getting ready to do it again but only after I talk to a contact I have at Comcast in the next day or so.

Jim

I'm a little confused about what exactly qualifies for receiving all the non-premium HD channels. I thought is was a minimum of Digital Classic, but my neighbor has only the Expanded Basic analog and HBO and they get all the non-premium HD channels plus HBO HD with a 5100. The neighbors have had the same packages for 8 months so it's not a startup deal.

I have Basic analog and had to add Digital Classic to get non-premium HD channels. I wonder if I drop Digital Classic and add HBO will I still get all the non-premium HD channels?

Originally posted by hiker
I'm a little confused about what exactly qualifies for receiving all the non-premium HD channels. I thought is was a minimum of Digital Classic, but my neighbor has only the Expanded Basic analog and HBO and they get all the non-premium HD channels plus HBO HD with a 5100. The neighbors have had the same packages for 8 months so it's not a startup deal.

I have Basic analog and had to add Digital Classic to get non-premium HD channels. I wonder if I drop Digital Classic and add HBO will I still get all the non-premium HD channels?

Hiker,

What I posted above represents the breakdown comcast uses, but as many will attest it is not uncommon for them to setup folks wrong (and sometimes in your favor...your neighbor may just be luckier than you)...also as mentioned..the encryption on non-local HD channels is not enabled on all channels in all areas yet because of equipment issues. Now if you had to get digital classic to get those channels than that leans towards encryption being on and your neighbor being lucky (assuming they dont subscribe to those packages). You can try to drop Digitil Classic to see if some of them still stay on (ie lack of encryption) but adding HBO will do nothing to help you get those channels w/o Digital classic.

Noticed last night that Comcast in SSF now has DWR (Doppler Weather Radar) from KGO on channel 187. Nice to see that HD bandwidth being put to good use. X-(

Originally posted by arachide
Noticed last night that Comcast in SSF now has DWR (Doppler Weather Radar) from KGO on channel 187. Nice to see that HD bandwidth being put to good use. X-(

Just because it's on 187 has nothing to do with it being HD or not.

This is a simple Digital (non-HD) channel that takes minimal bandwidth...a tiny fraction of what an HD channel would require. They are obligated to carry with their KGO agreement.

At least you people in Saramiligatos have some hd! I live in REdwood City and am moving to San Carlos and these fools have been telling me next month for the past year! Unbelievable. If FSN-HD EVER comes to Direct TV or DisH, I'm outta here for sure! Ridiculous!!!

I finally bit the bullet and decided to have Comcast installed at my loft. I'm in the 95112 area code in San Jose.

What box should I expect? I just want to make sure I get the best HD box that I can in my area.

Also, it'll have DVI enabled right? I have a plasma with DVI and I waited this long in part to get DVI out of the cable box. (I bought my plasma in December!!! and never had live TV on it!)

Anything I should look out for during the install to make sure it goes smoothly?

Does the box output in 720P or 1080i or both?

Thanks for answering my newbie questions.

Shige

Now that we know the Seattle beta testing has started, anything more you can tell us about the possibility of Microsoft Foundation on 6412's in the Bay Area? Or at least let us know how soon you think you can tell us more (1 week, 2 weeks, etc.), if anything? Any Comcast employee beta testing on the horizon? Any press releases/announcements coming up sometime soon ....?

I think I've mentioned this before, but the Bay Area (SF, East Bay, and SJ) is the last place Comcast is going to do testing in. The subs in this area are very demanding and quite vocal (to franchise authorities) about any problems in whatever they offer. It makes no sense for them to test these boxes here - they don't get any more money for the service, and get a lot of pain in the customer care dept. They'll work the problems out in others areas and when they think it's stable then they'll give it to us.

Thanks,
Mike

I have posted this question in the HDTV Hardware area, but maybe some of you know the anwer.

Have a new Samsung HLP 6163 connected via DVI to a Comcast Moto 6200. Problem is that I can't get the 'User Settings' menu for the 6200 (the one that allows one to change its output to 1080i, 720p, etc.) to come up on the tv. I think I am following the instructions on pg 10 of the 6200 User Guide: with the tv on, turn the 6200 off and then hit its 'menu' button; the 'User Settings' menu is then supposed to come up on the tv screen. What happens is that '16:9' flashes momentarily in the window of the 6200, then nothing; the tv just sits there saying 'no signal'.

Has anyone else had this problem? Am I not doing something correctly? (Have called Comcast, but you can guess how far that has gotten me!)

Mike,

There is always some form of employee beta testing that goes on before Comcast does an early/non-publicized release of DVR's to customers (to be followed at some point by a fully publicized deployment). When the employee beta testing starts in the Bay Area, we will know that the early release to customers is from 4 to 8 weeks away (my estimated range based on everything that has occurred in other market areas).

MikeSM,

That makes no sense. They test their equipment in areas that the customers don't complain about the product? What kind of testing is that ?? If I had a product that I wanted tested and all the bugs worked out I'd choose an area that will give me input so I could do a good product release. If you don't complain or give input then the person or company having the testing done will think all is well and release a defective product, which in the long run will only piss off customers and give you bad public relations. I spent 20 years in the military doing quality assurance in the nuclear field, and trust me I'd rather have someone come up to me and point out problems than have them sit back and say nothing.

RE: Tests

South Bay tested Comcast Home Networking before is was widely launched. I had 4K down and the Linksys Modem/Wireless/Router for 8 months before it was available.

With employee beta testing, there is more assurance of confidentiality since the employee will be concerned with losing a job (or other, lesser personnel ramifications) if he/she says someting in public about the product before it is released to customers (assuming a signed confidentiality agreement prohibits that).

Presumably, employees who are beta testers will give substantial feedback regarding bugs, improvements, etc. Better feedback than customers who are actually paying for the product? Maybe not, but the confidentiality factor far outweighs that consideration from a business perspective.

Also remember, occasionally Comcast has allowed customers to beta test under limited circumstances, so don't rule that out 100% yet.

And IF Comcast were to come looking for customer beta testers, this thread would be a pretty good place to start. It's doubtful it would happen, but just keep that possibility in mind.

SonomaSearcher,

So let me get this staight. Comcast only beta tests internally ??? Only limited customer testing ?? When Pacbell started beta testing for DSL in the Bay Area they opened it up to customers, I know I was one. I mean you are trying to produce a product that customers want and function like the customer expect so who would be the best people to test a product for customers ??
If Comcast wanted to do it right, they would, after internal testing, find an area that the customers are going to tear the product apart. If it can get past that area then the product is rock solid. If confidentiality is their problem then have them sign non disclosure agreements. What I'm getting at is you don't exclude an area because they are to tough or to vocal, you search them out and use them to make the product a good one. run the gauntlet so to speak.

Mike,

I agree with your points. But this is the way Comcast now does beta testing in all its areas, according to my understanding. The Bay Area is not being treated any differently from any other area as far as beta testing the HD DVR's is concerned.

Disclosure agreements with customers are fine, but an employee has a much greater vested interest in not violating an agreement (his/her job). On the other hand, what is so confidential about beta testing a 6412 (unless there is some proprietary software that hasn't been deployed anywhere else)? Not much, IMHO.

Again, don't completely write off some customer beta testing the 6412 in the Bay Area. Hopefully, Comcast will make up for its erroneous communications to some Bay Area customers that it would be deploying the 6208 late 2003/early 2004 by getting the 6412's into some of those customer hands sooner rather than later. That's not a prediction, and I wouldn't bet on it, but you can't rule it out yet, either.

SonomaSearcher,

Thanks for the input and I do understand your point of view and if that's the way Comcast does their testing, well that's their way of doing things. The only thing that I wish Comcast would reconsider is the non upgrading of the Saramilgatos area. This really sticks in my craw and has me at a slow burn, and those areas that don't have HD or Internet access really is a disservice to the customer base. To refuse to upgrade ANY area for ANY reason is just bad business practice and promotes bad customer relations. Sort of like that commercial where the new kid gets the good stuff because she's new and special and you aren't, so how does that make you feel. :(

Originally posted by Mikef5
Actually, the people of the Comcast 2% club would rather have FSN-HD which is shown on channel 196 which we don't get due to limited bandwidth. I think what the poster was saying is enterupt the Kron4-HD programming ( which is just repeats of HDNet like from a year ago ) and show the Giants games or any local teams that are being shown in HD. Kron 4 at one time was the NBC affiliate but lost that a couple of years ago and is now just a local station. Probably their contracts do not allow them to just switch channels any time they feel like it, that's why.

I really don't see where people have any right to complain about getting MORE HD channels. Just because the one YOU wanted most wasn't added this time? Well they can't possibly please everyone - until ALL channels are HD that is. Think of it this way.... they can only add new channels one or a few at a time, so everytime they add new channels, it makes way for more to be added later. Maybe you'll get the channel YOU want next time...

If your cable system needs to be upgraded, that's what you should spend your effort to complain about IMO.... Either that or get a Dish. Or move to a different city :)

Here's some interesting information I got from KRON today regarding my inquiry about the programming on their new KRON-HD channel.

Thank you very much for contacting KRON 4. As we are new to the HD game we do not have as many shows to air as we would like YET. Please read the article in today's San Francisco Chronicle regarding our new venture. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/08/19/BUGAV8A83D1.DTL

We are very excited about this new partnership and feel that everyone will get to benefit. Especially you, the viewer. Again, thank you for watching KRON 4, and now KRON-HD. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Sierra Lesjack

Public Relations

KRON 4

Originally posted by walk
Probably their contracts do not allow them to just switch channels any time they feel like it, that's why.

I really don't see where people have any right to complain about getting MORE HD channels. Just because the one YOU wanted most wasn't added this time? Well they can't possibly please everyone - until ALL channels are HD that is. Think of it this way.... they can only add new channels one or a few at a time, so everytime they add new channels, it makes way for more to be added later. Maybe you'll get the channel YOU want next time...

If your cable system needs to be upgraded, that's what you should spend your effort to complain about IMO.... Either that or get a Dish. Or move to a different city :)


did you even read the last few pages in this thread, trying to get the systems upgraded is what everyone is trying to do, some of the guys in here have been talking to their city councils trying to get the systems upgraded.

704 KROND - On now
705 KPIXDT
707 KGODT
709 KQEDDT
719 INHD
720 INHD2
722 D-HDTV - On now
723 ESPN-HD
730 HBO-HD
732 MAXHDW
734 SZHDW
736 SHO-HD

/T

Thank you, Comcast, for moving only the HD channels to the 700's. This makes a great deal of sense.

The 480i digital multicast channels (currently 187, 189, 190, 191, 192 and 194) all belong with the other 480i digital channels.

Thanks again.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Sort of like that commercial where the new kid gets the good stuff because she's new and special and you aren't, so how does that make you feel. :(
Most Saramilgatos customers don't know that they're missing anything, I'd wager.

Are you guys getting KRON?

Originally posted by michaelc
Most Saramilgatos customers don't know that they're missing anything, I'd wager.

Are you guys getting KRON?

Yup...Saramilgatos got KRON HD added the other day...

that's really the uproar...since we are told no bandwidth to add good stuff like InHD, FSNHD or DSC-HD, then all of a sudden KRON HD is added and all we get is 1yr old reruns (not many of us care about the Idaho St Football game last year)

oh well...guess I could sell my place in saratoga and move to somewhere that has them all ;)

Originally posted by walk
Probably their contracts do not allow them to just switch channels any time they feel like it, that's why.

I really don't see where people have any right to complain about getting MORE HD channels. Just because the one YOU wanted most wasn't added this time? Well they can't possibly please everyone - until ALL channels are HD that is. Think of it this way.... they can only add new channels one or a few at a time, so everytime they add new channels, it makes way for more to be added later. Maybe you'll get the channel YOU want next time...

If your cable system needs to be upgraded, that's what you should spend your effort to complain about IMO.... Either that or get a Dish. Or move to a different city :)

Walk,
Do a search on my name and see what I have been saying for the last couple of weeks. The people of Saramilgatos do not have the bandwidth to receive HD channels that are being put on the other Bay Area locations. Comcast has no intention of upgrading our system, none, nada. Move to another town, that really helps the situation, so the people of Saramilgatos don't deserve to get what they are paying for, they don't have the right to express their displeasure of being treating like a red headed stepchild. My suggestion to you is to read the whole tread and educate yourself on the situation that is being discussed here. To put it bluntly your suggestions were not taken well by this Comcast 2% member

Originally posted by davisdog
good stuff like InHD, FSNHD or DSC-HD
FWIW, I believe that InHD and (although at first I was hoping not) Discovery are like owning Myst for your computer back in 1994. Really pretty "ooh" and "ahh" stuff that you show to your neighbor to brag about your television, but never plays anything I would actually want to watch for the sake of watching.

Since NBC decided that HD Olympics should be nothing more than a gimmick, I'm still not inspired to watch any of the HD channels except the premium I subscribe to.

Originally posted by keenan
How long has it been? Took them about 3 days when I emailed them originally. Getting ready to do it again but only after I talk to a contact I have at Comcast in the next day or so.

Jim It's been about a week. Hopefully the delay is because they were swamped with thousands of emails after you posted that link. ;)

Originally posted by walk
I really don't see where people have any right to complain about getting MORE HD channels. Because it's wasting bandwidth we were told we didn't have on a channel that nobody wants. Yes, nobody. If I lived in one of the upgraded areas, I'd be happy about it, but it's complete crap for people in the 2% club.

Yes, the real goal should be to get upgraded, but that won't happen for a while no matter what, so they could at least make the most of what we have for the next 1-100 years until they get around to upgrading.

Originally posted by michaelc
FWIW, I believe that InHD and (although at first I was hoping not) Discovery are like owning Myst for your computer back in 1994. Really pretty "ooh" and "ahh" stuff that you show to your neighbor to brag about your television, but never plays anything I would actually want to watch for the sake of watching.


How about the the last total solar eclipse you'll see for over 3yrs. Brought to us by DiscoveryHD and Japanese NHK in pristine HD, live, real-time from various locations, including a high flying plane as the shadow of the moon crept across Antarctica turning day into night and back in just minutes. The image of the corona is still burned in my brain. The most fantastic thing I have ever seen on my television, courtesy of DiscoveryHD.

For me, this kind of "ooh" and "ahh" stuff blows away the rather boring in comparison, football, baseball, etc.

So, to each is own, but you might consider expanding your viewing choices, you never know what you might see. ;)

Jim

Originally posted by JasonQG
It's been about a week. Hopefully the delay is because they were swamped with thousands of emails after you posted that link. ;)

We can hope!! :D

Jim

Originally posted by walk

I really don't see where people have any right to complain about getting MORE HD channels. Just because the one YOU wanted most wasn't added this time? Well they can't possibly please everyone - until ALL channels are HD that is.

If you don't ask, you don't receive, besides, complaining is an American right, (unless they have taken that one away also:rolleyes: ).

All channels will never be all HD. In fact Congress is in the process of trying to make sure the words "High Definition" is put back into the original DTV legislation which currently, through broadcaster lobbying, only says "Digital". Which means they are completely complying with the DTV/FCC mandate as long as they broadcast in "Digital". Example, KQED, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-4 and 9-5, all crammed into the same bandwidth you currently watch CBS prime time in.

So, we need to continue to be responsibly and respectfully vocal about what we want .

Well, I gotta go watch the radar map now...

Jim :)

Interesting, we have KRON-DT on ch 702 here in the San Mateo county system, but still not discovery-hd on 722. And we have an 860 Mhz system...

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by walk


I really don't see where people have any right to complain about getting MORE HD channels.

you and i pay the same fee to comcast....why should you be enititled to more than me or anyone else in the 2% club? if i'm paying for something why shouldn't it be something i want? your arguement makes no sense whatsoever

I live in area that is upgraded, me complaining to the local city council about a system upgrade for SARAMILGATOS isn't going to help your cause. While your complaining about bandwidth why don't you ask the local authority to move their analog channels to digital side and free up the bandwidth for HD channels. The 2005 date was just confirmation of a date i got from a more offical source.

Originally posted by fitzwest
I live in area that is upgraded, me complaining to the local city council about a system upgrade for SARAMILGATOS isn't going to help your cause. While your complaining about bandwidth why don't you ask the local authority to move their analog channels to digital side and free up the bandwidth for HD channels. The 2005 date was just confirmation of a date i got from a more offical source.

Fitzwest,

No one wants you to complain to your city council about Saramilgatos non upgrade, don't know where you got that idea. If you are in an upgraded system then enjoy it, the people of Saramilgatos can't. Comcast has made it known that they will NEVER upgrade our system. What they are going to do, in 2 to 3 YEARS, is move all the analog channels to digital, then there will be enough bandwidth for Saramilgatos to get what you all have NOW.
The local authority franchise does not have the power to change the analog channels to digital. Comcast would have to renegotiate all their contracts with all the stations, not only that they would have to supply boxes to those people that don't have digital boxes or digital capable tv sets. There are people in low income brackets or seniors that can't afford buying a new digital set or put out more money for the box. Yes, the box is only $5 but on a fixed income that is alot. Again easy for those that have everything to say what's the big deal but try and look at it from their point of view.

OK, enough, I miss my Doppler channel, got to see if rain is coming... :confused:

The KRON HD and KGO weather radar channel message appeared on my 6200 this morning. Message was dated 8/19/04 and said, in part, to get "KRON HD" you need a subscription to "Comcast HD service."

Of course, if you have your own QAM 256 tuner, you can pick up KRON HD (along with other local HD channels) without paying $5 a month for a 5100 or 6200.

Originally posted by Mikef5


The local authority franchise does not have the power to change the analog channels to digital. Comcast would have to renegotiate all their contracts with all the stations, not only that they would have to supply boxes to those people that don't have digital boxes or digital capable tv sets.

Mikef5,

I was not suggesting that they move the normal analog channels but only the Government Access channels. In SC we have five. I thought that the number of GA channels is controlled by the franchise authority. I must admit that the local council meetings are really enjoyable to watch and the rolling adds for Police dispatchers is the kind TV I really find stimulating :).

I heard Moto were about to release a new low cost DCT box that would make moving all but the must carries to digital for the same price as extended basic is now. Then we would have lot's fo free bandwidth.

Fitzwest.

Originally posted by fitzwest

I heard Moto were about to release a new low cost DCT box that would make moving all but the must carries to digital for the same price as extended basic is now. Then we would have lot's fo free bandwidth.

Fitzwest.

DCT700

Size 5.5 x 6.7 x 1.8 inches
Weight 0.85 pounds

DCT700 (http://www.barovelli.com/tv/700b.GIF)

DCT700 front & back panel (http://www.barovelli.com/tv/700.GIF)

Word is All Digital.

Remember TCI's original name for digital cable? Was called AllTV

Originally posted by DCTDictator
DCT700

Size 5.5 x 6.7 x 1.8 inches
Weight 0.85 pounds

DCT700 (http://www.barovelli.com/tv/700b.GIF)

DCT700 front & back panel (http://www.barovelli.com/tv/700.GIF)

Word is All Digital.

Remember TCI's original name for digital cable? Was called AllTV
DCTDictator,

Just downloaded the pdf file for the DCT700, this is not good. There is no component or DVI connections on it, only composite and s-video and cable. So it doesn't do HD. The concept is nice as far as I could get from the documentation but unless they modify it to have HD connections it does nothing for us in Saramilgatos. Unless these are the boxes that you are going to give to customers that don't have digital sets or can't afford the digital box, then this makes sense. Switch to all digital, use the same boxes we're using now, and give the DCT700 to those people that only have analog tv's or can't afford the box. This would work, so...... a guess on time frame :)

There might be light at the end of the tunnel afterall :p

a great idea, but what about the people that don't want to have a set top box, just want to run the cable straight to their tv? or vcr, if they want to tape more than one channel they won't be able to, i see a lot of problems with making it all digital that will have to be worked through...

i'd love to see it happen though, if the NHL ever gets going this year i want the sharks games i'm not at to be in glorious high def on my tv

mossym,

Are all your tv's analog ?? If they are digital you wouldn't need the box except for encrypted programing, then you would use the box you have now. The analog spectrum is going away, eventually you will have to get a digital tv or use the box. I would love to have Comcast do the initial roll out in the Comcast 2% areas, that would be a godsend for us in the 2% areas and give me something else to watch besides my Doppler radar... :)

I know the analog spectrum is going away. my point is it's not gone, so the all digital solution is not going to work for the huge majority of people who have no interest in High definition. for the people wo are reading this thread, i don't think that applies..

mossym,

I understand what you are saying but what should Comcast do ??? Wait until the last minute to switch to digital ??? The FCC wants the analog frequency back and has set a deadline for broadcasters to switch to digital. Also, digital does not equal HD, digital is just a way of broadcasting, HD is an extension of that. Right now channels 2 through 74 ( in Milpitas ) are analog stations anything above that is digital. I'm not asking Comcast to do this system wide just in the areas it has said that it is not going to update from the 550 mhz that we are at now. Comcast is going to do this eventually, now or in the future, it's just a fact of life, they have no control over it. My mom has the same concerns about this, she's on a fixed income so I'll just get her the box or get her a digital tv, but it is coming. I hope this clarify's what I was trying to say...

Ok I just got hooked up, quick question..

I don't have a DVI cable yet, so it's hooked up via analog. In the setup menu (power OFF, push MENU) it says "YPbPr output" instead of "DVI/YPbPr output". Does this mean the box doesn't have DVI enabled? Or does it auto-detect the DVI if you have it hooked up? I'd like to know before I go and blow $90 (or even $50) on a DVI cable..

I was thinking about how you keep people happy who don't want to use the cable boxes or maybe don't understand how they work. I came across a discussion of TV detector vans in the UK http://www.tvlicensing.biz/detection/ .
It is possible to determine the channel a TV is tuned to, therefore you could create a digital decoder box that detected the channel the TV was tuned to, decode that channel using the virtual channel map and using an agile tuner transmit the channel to the TV/VCR. Viola, a digital cable box old folks and technically challenged people could use. I wonder if this is the approach PACE has taken.

Originally posted by Mikef5
mossym,

I understand what you are saying but what should Comcast do ??? Wait until the last minute to switch to digital ??? The FCC wants the analog frequency back and has set a deadline for broadcasters to switch to digital. Also, digital does not equal HD, digital is just a way of broadcasting, HD is an extension of that. Right now channels 2 through 74 ( in Milpitas ) are analog stations anything above that is digital. I'm not asking Comcast to do this system wide just in the areas it has said that it is not going to update from the 550 mhz that we are at now. Comcast is going to do this eventually, now or in the future, it's just a fact of life, they have no control over it. My mom has the same concerns about this, she's on a fixed income so I'll just get her the box or get her a digital tv, but it is coming. I hope this clarify's what I was trying to say...

i 100% agree with you, don't get me wrong, i have no problem with a cable box, i hope comcast implement this as soon as possible, i'm just saying that i think there will be problems if comcast implement it straight away like we would like, your average person doesn't even know that analog television is going away, my point is i'm not pinning my hopes on getting the extra HD channels on comcast going all digital, at least not in the timeframe i'd like!!

does anyone know where you can get data to see how many people use digital cable vs standard analog cable in the bay area? that might be a good place to see how hard it would be to implement this straight away..

mossym,

As far as trying to get data, that's a tough one. The Nielson Ratings don't even take into consideration digital or HD in their rating system. They say it's to small a market to worry about ( it won't before long ). :) But I believe DCTDictator works in distribution for Comcast ( not real sure of job description ) but even then that would only be local. Yes, it is going to be hard to convert but they had to convert from black and white to color in the past, but this one will really be a tough one, not just for Comcast but the broadcasters as well. Most have already made the switch, they broadcast analog and digital programing at the same time. When the time comes to drop analog they just turn off analog and use the digital station. I just want my FSN-HD.
Ok, I'm a big Giants fan but I'm beginning to like the A's too :)

I have the data - read it every week. Share? Sorry.

I think of things like broadcasters going digital - the stuff I read way back was that people would be able to purchase a set top box to continue to watch digital TV on their old set. This would make cable a better value by porting a set top output to analog, preserving the life of a TV. Gosh knows how many Packard Bells with 12 channel tuners were kept alive by cable boxes.

Thinking about the competition - every set needs a box for them, and I hardly ever hear anyone upset over that fact.

Semi-repeat post of My Plan:
Free basic. Off air, PEG and a barker channel.
Collect revenue from broadcasters for putting their signal in every house.
Eliminate manual labor to connect and disconnect.
Eliminate a lot of ingress/egress and wear & tear on line gear. Connect it once, seal it and forget it (one of the largest causes of service calls is drop connectors).

Everything else needs a box or card. Select from a limited amount of CPE from the cableco or buy from any fine consumer electronics retailer. Set tops, PVRs, VOIP, modems, ?? . Plug & Play without waiting for the tech to climb the pole and cut a good connector in the rain and connect the line.

There are addressable taps that can turn on & off service from a console, the cost per passing is very high - you need to spend the same electronics cost on a home that never subscribes as one that does.

Originally posted by Mikef5
I understand what you are saying but what should Comcast do ??? Wait until the last minute to switch to digital ??? The FCC wants the analog frequency back and has set a deadline for broadcasters to switch to digital. Also, digital does not equal HD, digital is just a way of broadcasting, HD is an extension of that. Right now channels 2 through 74 ( in Milpitas ) are analog stations anything above that is digital. I'm not asking Comcast to do this system wide just in the areas it has said that it is not going to update from the 550 mhz that we are at now. Comcast is going to do this eventually, now or in the future, it's just a fact of life, they have no control over it. My mom has the same concerns about this, she's on a fixed income so I'll just get her the box or get her a digital tv, but it is coming. I hope this clarify's what I was trying to say...

Comcast has no mandate from the FCC or anyone else to go all digital. Only OTA broadcasters have any mandate to convert to digital. Comcast sends data through a private cable from their headend to your home, not using the public airwaves like OTA broadcasts do.

HOWEVER, as previously stated in many threads, analog broadcasts do take a lot of bandwidth to deliver, suffer from interference, etc. It's in Comcast's best interest to go all digital at some point. There just is no "mandate" that they do so.

Originally posted by walk
I don't have a DVI cable yet, so it's hooked up via analog. In the setup menu (power OFF, push MENU) it says "YPbPr output" instead of "DVI/YPbPr output". Does this mean the box doesn't have DVI enabled? Or does it auto-detect the DVI if you have it hooked up? I don't have an HDTV with DVI, but I know from reading other threads that the DVI on the menu does not appear until you connect a DVI cable. Once it's connected, the menu will change.

If your box has a DVI port (some 5100's don't have DVI), and your firmware is 7.07 or above, your DVI will work. With firmware 7.10, there are DVI connection issues that are resolved by firmware 7.15.

Originally posted by nightowl
Comcast has no mandate from the FCC or anyone else to go all digital. Only OTA broadcasters have any mandate to convert to digital. Comcast sends data through a private cable from their headend to your home, not using the public airwaves like OTA broadcasts do.

HOWEVER, as previously stated in many threads, analog broadcasts do take a lot of bandwidth to deliver, suffer from interference, etc. It's in Comcast's best interest to go all digital at some point. There just is no "mandate" that they do so.

Nightowl,
Well, you might be right about the mandate being for OTA but Comcast gets its signal from the broadcasters, by direct feed I believe, but if the broadcasters go digital, they are not going to maintain an analog feed just for cable, not cost effective. So it is going to be a digital world one way or the other, maybe not now but it is coming. I'm just looking for a way to get my FSN-HD, another Giants game down the tubes and no HD :(
I wish I could watch the Doppler channel but it seems to be off and so is 184, the ABC HD channel. :confused:
Anyone else seeing this or is it just me??

DCTDictator,

A new question, Cable cards, in the Bay Area yet ???? :)
Sure would alleviate alot of your problems with boxes. I'm thinking of getting a new set with cable card and was wondering if they have shown up in the area yet.

Go Giants

Originally posted by Mikef5
DCTDictator,

A new question, Cable cards, in the Bay Area yet ???? :)

Yes, cable cards are available in the Bay Area (see DCTDicator's past posts -- he talked about them quite extensively).

Sorry for the cross-post:

All,
I just got the Comcast box for HD. I've had OTA via my samsung sirt150 for over 2 years. While I've now got more HD content than I had before (HBO-HD, SHO-HD, ESPN-HD) I think that I'm less than thrilled with the pq for the locals. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this, but I think I'm going to have to install a switcher as I'm maxed on component connections (early adopter with no dvi and only 2 component connections).

Are others, who can/have compared happy with comcast's pq for the locals?

Thanks,
jeff

Originally posted by greeno
Sorry for the cross-post:

All,
I just got the Comcast box for HD. I've had OTA via my samsung sirt150 for over 2 years. While I've now got more HD content than I had before (HBO-HD, SHO-HD, ESPN-HD) I think that I'm less than thrilled with the pq for the locals. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this, but I think I'm going to have to install a switcher as I'm maxed on component connections (early adopter with no dvi and only 2 component connections).

Are others, who can/have compared happy with comcast's pq for the locals?

Thanks,
jeff

I just got my DCT6200 HD box installed 2 hours ago. I live in south San Jose, zip 95123, and my locals don't look that great either. I'm using component inputs on my Sony 36XBR400 and they are a little on the grainy side. I think they looked a little better on my old digital cable box, oh well. On the plus side, the HD channels look wonderful. Razor sharp and full of vibrant color. I can also scroll through the guide at a much faster rate than my old digital box. Channel changes are also much quicker now. Overall, for only $5 a month more, I'm pretty satisfied. I also had to deal with only having 2 component inputs, so I bought a component switch made by Inday. Model is RGB4X-R and I bought it directly from the company for $150, comes with a remote too. I've heard only good things about that switch and it works perfectly. It does switch component video only, no audio. I have my HD box going directly into the TV and use the Inday box for my DVD player and Xbox. I'm using a cheap sony manual switcher to switch the right and left audio, since I haven't upgraded to a newer receiver yet with digital inputs. Absolutely no loss in the picture quality that I can detect. Anyways, I'm off to play with my new toy. Enjoy.

Thanks Ace of Space.

About your switcher, or rather switchers in general. How much bandwidth is necessary for component video? Yours is rated at greater than 230MHz. I've seen some much cheaper rated at only 30MHz but claims to be for component video.

Best,
jeff

Originally posted by Ace of Space
I just got my DCT6200 HD box installed 2 hours ago. I live in south San Jose, zip 95123, and my locals don't look that great either. I'm using component inputs on my Sony 36XBR400

Thanks a whole bunches Ace - I have the same Sony set and am eagerly awaiting the launch of HD in my system. Glad it's sounds like it's working like the sales person said it would.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Thanks a whole bunches Ace - I have the same Sony set and am eagerly awaiting the launch of HD in my system. Glad it's sounds like it's working like the sales person said it would.


DCT...when is HD supposed to launch down there...last I remember you thought you were going to get it installed in July I think?..Time for you to crack the whip so you can break in that TV

Hi,

Comcast just annouced that they were going the install the HD Services in our area. How long does it typically take for the service to be provided from the date of this announcement.

Thanks in Advance

Originally posted by Ace of Space
I just got my DCT6200 HD box installed 2 hours ago. I live in south San Jose, zip 95123, and my locals don't look that great either.

The analog picture quality (channels 1-80) has always looked bad on the HD boxes (5100/62XX)...It has to do with the Analog to Digital conversion...They've steadily been improving it with Firmware upgrades (improving the algorythms) but it still not as good as a straight feed or the older non-HD boxes.

If you really want to get a better picture from the analogs you can split the cable and send a feed directly to your TV tuner...just watch them from their instead of through the DCT...I just use the DCT though, it makes you appreciate the HD feeds even more..

Greeno,

There really shouldnt be much difference between the HD OTA and HD Comcast feed...Comcast is passing the full signal through...what looks wrong with it?

Originally posted by supie
Hi,

Comcast just annouced that they were going the install the HD Services in our area. How long does it typically take for the service to be provided from the date of this announcement.

Thanks in Advance

Anywhere from 1 day to 3 yrs...Typically when they make an announcement it means it's available now..but not always

What city are you in?

Have you tried calling to see if you can schedule an appt for an install?

So firmware on my 6200 updated to 7.15 here in Milpitas and here's how I found out. I was watching the Giants game ( of course ) and the picture froze, couldn't change channels and couldn't even turn it off by using the remote or the on/off switch on the box, so I unplugged it, when the diagnosis cycle finished I went into the menus and lo and behold 7.15 firmware. Thank you Comcast, I now can switch connections from DVI and component and not have to unplug the DVI cable, but why during the Giants game ??? :p
But here's the strange thing, I have a 5100 box in the front room and it did not update it's firmware, not sure why not. DCTDictator, any reason one box would update and the other not?? Same house same cable line .

Originally posted by supie
Hi,

Comcast just annouced that they were going the install the HD Services in our area. How long does it typically take for the service to be provided from the date of this announcement.

Thanks in Advance

If I remember correctly, I think they were in my area doing the upgrade in spring of this year. HD officially became available last month, so I guess that would make it about 3 or 4 months of waiting. Good luck.

Originally posted by Ace of Space
If I remember correctly, I think they were in my area doing the upgrade in spring of this year. HD officially became available last month, so I guess that would make it about 3 or 4 months of waiting. Good luck.

They (probably TCI at the time) originally announced the rebuild of San Jose back in 1994 I think (or was it earlier)...with a completion slated for the following summer (which would have made them HD ready)...I think the completion date is now early 2005 (with some pockets (like yours) been completed recently) :D

generally they announce it when its ready now...the whole san jose thing was a nightmare (and the city was equally to blame)...anyway...

Originally posted by Mikef5
Yes, it is going to be hard to convert but they had to convert from black and white to color in the past, but this one will really be a tough one A lot tougher, because with NTSC, they were able to sneak the color information in there without affecting black and white TVs. Very clever stuff. If you could find a working B&W TV from the '50s, it would still be able to pick up broadcasts today without any special boxes or anything that will be required for the switch to digital.

In downtown SF, with a Moto 6200, Digital Silver+HD.
On Demand has been working -- strangely not via the big red button on the remote, but through the Menu button. This morning I fired up Scarface. This afternoon, getting "Meta-6" error when trying to navigate the On Demand section. Text on the box says to contact service (ugh). Searches here report Meta-6 to possibly be a communication error (~ IP change?).
Anyone in my boat or have better info on Meta-6? Thanks.

Hooked up in Petaluma west (94952) on 8/20/04. I subcribed to "Digital Silver" with HBO and HDTV.

Installer left a DCT 6200 (Firmware 7.15), and 2 good quality cables, a 5-wire Y/Pb/Pr + L/R and an optical digital audio. No DVI cable - "too expensive" the installer said. No complaints here though, for the $15 install I got my money's worth already... Installer did say DVI would work if I got a cable, I'll be doing that today or tomorrow (it's a 15-20mi. drive to get something like that in this cow town :)

Mode set to 16:9, HD out = 1080i, 4:3 override = 480i (played with all the settings, I like 480i since it allows me to use TV's stretch modes on SD channels) - TV is a new Sony KP-46WT510 - 46 inches widescreen rear-projection CRT.

RF Bypass DOES NOT WORK? I tried both menu settings (RF Bypass On or Off) I can only get it to pass the current channel on channel 3, no other channels come thru with the box powered on or off. What's up with this? I'd like to use the TV's PIP/Twin view modes with the analog cable channels.

In the menu, set sound output to "Advanced", "Compression - None" and "Matrix Stereo". AVR (Onkyo TXSR700 6.1) hooked up via optical reports PCM on analog channels (2-82) and DD on digtial channels (120+). Mostly DD 2.0 of course, with a few 5.1.

Here's what I'm getting in DTV/HD.

184 - KGO (ABC) - Mostly upconverted SD. HD shows in prime time -?
185 - KNTV (NBC) - Olymipcs in HD. PQ is mediocre (for HD), noticeable artifacts, especialy on fast motion (ie, most Olympic sports..) On the plus side, DD 5.1 audio.
186 - KPIX (CBS) - upconverted SD so far..
187 - KRON Doppler Radar in SD, PQ is horrid.. but then who cares...
188 - KQED (PBS) - some nice HD content, only on at night.
193 - ESPN-HD - decent amount of HD content, with a nice diffuse pattern (reduces burn-in) pillarbox bars on the 4:3/SD content. As owner of a RPTV, thank you ESPN!
194 - ABC "News" - strictly SD here. ?
195 - InHD1 - various HD shows and movies. Very good PQ, some programs have DD 5.1
196 - InHD2 - same type as InHD1
197 - HBO HD - All HD content. Above-average PQ. DD 2.0 & 5.1
198 - Showtime HD - I don't subscribe but can confirm - it was on briefly when they first hooked up the box.
199 - Cinemax HD - ditto
200 - Starz HD - ditto

704 - KRON HD - Inexplicably blank much of the time (program description is there in the OSD but the picture just freeze-frames from the previous channel you jumped from, and no sound. ? When on, it airs HD content from HDNet as has been noted.
722 - Discovery HD - All HD, pristine PQ, DD 5.1 on certain shows.

Originally posted by walk
RF Bypass DOES NOT WORK? I tried both menu settings (RF Bypass On or Off) I can only get it to pass the current channel on channel 3, no other channels come thru with the box powered on or off. What's up with this? I'd like to use the TV's PIP/Twin view modes with the analog cable channels.


I don't know anything about RF Bypass, but if you want to pipe the analog signal directly to your TV, why not just use a (high-quality) splitter between the cable from your wall and the DCT? In fact, when the technician came to install my 6200, he installed a splitter to put analog cable into my TiVo. Since he provided the splitter I don't know where you can get the right one, but perhaps the Comcast office or someone on this thread can point you in the right direction.

Originally posted by davisdog
DCT...when is HD supposed to launch down there...last I remember you thought you were going to get it installed in July I think?..Time for you to crack the whip so you can break in that TV

Pushed back to September. Sad to not see the Olympics in HD. Looks like we all have to suffer a bit when priorities change.

HD or not, the XBR400 is a TV lover's dream. I was shopping for a 40" - 45" big screen, prepared to spend no more than $1400. Down at my local TV sales/repair store, back in the 'demo room' I was comparing two sets - when I saw out of the corner of my eye the sharpest, bathe-my-eyes in addiction inducing liquid color picture I ever saw. Had to have it - got it on a 12 months same as cash plan.

About 5 weeks into ownership, one morning there was a sharp arc SNAP sound and from then on there was an annoying ( heard by me only ) high pitched sound that drove me crazy. One phone call and it was replaced with no hassle - even though the repair person could not hear the tone.

It's been a great set for over two years now, the only reason I'd change is if my living room suddenly expanded. I was very mesmorized by a 32" widscreen Sony that was at the CableCard install I went to - if they made that set a bit bigger . . .

Originally posted by walk
Hooked up in Petaluma west (94952) on 8/20/04. I subcribed to "Digital Silver" with HBO and HDTV.

Here's what I'm getting in DTV/HD.


Everytime I see a list like that I want to cry, you guys in Petaluma, think we could run a cable up to my place? :D

Jim

Originally posted by Mikef5
here's the strange thing, I have a 5100 box in the front room and it did not update it's firmware, not sure why not. DCTDictator, any reason one box would update and the other not?? Same house same cable line .

Slightly different platforms is all I can think of. Real odd that the download occured durning the day. It may have missed it's call the first time and something triggered it finally - a poll, global refresh or power cycle maybe.

Observation: When firmware updates occur during the midnite hours, the DCTs that are issued out and in lockers, or stored in cabinets at service counters do not get the call. The first time they are powered up, they discover that there is a new firmware and decide to take it's time downloading it, refusing to do anything else. Fiddling with it or power cycling only restarts the download. This annoys techs who expect the pre-provisioned box to show a picture upon power up.

Complete downloads - like when they come new out of the box take 60 to 90 minutes before all the functions and menus are there, even though some channels may not have guide data yet.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
HD or not, the XBR400 is a TV lover's dream.

I hear ya. I got mine in Dec. 2000 and have never had a problem with it. Although now I'm craving a widescreen DLP since I watch a lot of DVD's and now have HD. I'm still a happy camper though with what I have. Next on my list is a new receiver and some more speakers.

DCTDictator,
Just had a thought about why the 5100 may not have taken the update. I understand that this update fixes the DVI handshake problem ( which it does ) so does the box have to have a div cable connected to it in order to get the updated firmware ?? The 6200 had the DVI cable connected and the 5100 didn't that's the only difference.

The analog picture quality (channels 1-80) has always looked bad on the HD boxes (5100/62XX)...It has to do with the Analog to Digital conversion...They've steadily been improving it with Firmware upgrades (improving the algorythms) but it still not as good as a straight feed or the older non-HD boxes.

When you feed analog directly to the TV, the TV's image processing frame doubles the video and usually applies a bunch of processing to take out the noise. My pioneer has a very good frame doubler, and analog looks quite good on it.

When you feed it HD (component of DVI), that processing logic on the TV is bypassed, and the DCT seems to do very little to improve the picture - but it is really what an analog signal looks like at full resolution.

I don't think there is much chance of new code appreciably changing the processing capability on the box. It doesn't have specialized hardware logic for frame doubling and noise processing like your TV does, and the CPU in the box isn't fast enough to do much with it.

You're better off feeding analog directly to the TV and watch analog channels directly. That's what I do and it works pretty well.

Thanks,
Mike

So is anyone able to watch channel 704, Kron4 HD ??? All I get is a frozen screen from the channel I was on and nothing else. This has been all day today as far as I can tell.

Originally posted by Mikef5
So is anyone able to watch channel 704, Kron4 HD ??? All I get is a frozen screen from the channel I was on and nothing else. This has been all day today as far as I can tell.

I just got my HD box installed today and I have the same problem. It was newly added, in the last week or so, and maybe Comcast needs time to work things out a bit. Hope they get it working soon.

Originally posted by Poochie
I don't know anything about RF Bypass, but if you want to pipe the analog signal directly to your TV, why not just use a (high-quality) splitter between the cable from your wall and the DCT? In fact, when the technician came to install my 6200, he installed a splitter to put analog cable into my TiVo. Since he provided the splitter I don't know where you can get the right one, but perhaps the Comcast office or someone on this thread can point you in the right direction. Yes I'll have to get a splitter. I was hoping to avoid needing one though. All you need is one rated for 1000mhz (1Ghz). Of that variety I only have 1, and I'm using it in the computer room to split the HSI cable modem connection to a TV. The other ones I have are only suitable for standard/analog cable.. I forgot to ask the installer for one :(

Originally posted by Ace of Space
I just got my HD box installed today and I have the same problem. It was newly added, in the last week or so, and maybe Comcast needs time to work things out a bit. Hope they get it working soon. Yes same here today, although it was working yesterday. They were showing programming from "HDNet" - not regular KRON programming (no Gary Radnich in HD? Darn!)

KRON HD 704 same here (also 94952, walk). Frozen screen of previously tuned channel-- just like when a game on InHD is being blacked out because of territorial restrictions.

HD locals look great on an XBR400-- no worries, DCTDictator.

Originally posted by keenan
Everytime I see a list like that I want to cry, you guys in Petaluma, think we could run a cable up to my place? :D

Jim Get it from your house to the box outside my house, I'll handle it the rest of the way. :)

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Get it from your house to the box outside my house, I'll handle it the rest of the way. :)

Cool, I just ordered 23x5000ft reels of RG6, see you Monday night, what are we having for dinner once it's hooked up? :D

Jim

Wanted to confirm I have a Hitachi 51S715 HDTV connected to Comcast with the Cable Card in South Livermore.

MOTOROLA 6200 DVI OUTPUT

I have 4 noob questions regarding the DVI output of the Motorola DCT 6200, firmware 7.15, before I go out and buy DVI cables.
1. Is the DVI output enabled? (i.e., I can use it instead of the component video output.)
2. It appears the DVI output of the DCT 6200 is a "DVI-D." Is this compatible with DVI-I, which is the one I have on my Sharp LC37G4U?
3. Is the PQ from the DVI output noticibly better than component (i.e., is gettting a DVI cable woth it)?
4. Are there any drawbacks to using the DVI output? For example, are the SD channels going to look bad compared to using component video?

Thank you very much for any information.

---Pat

Any chance of Comcast and Fox working something out in time for the 2004 NFL season? I've been very pleased with the increase in Comcast's HD Programming over the past months (enough to keep me from switching to a Satellite alternative) and HD Fox for the NFL season would cap things off nicely. Does anyone have new information on the likelihood of a deal getting done?

-Sean

Originally posted by PATRICKB
MOTOROLA 6200 DVI OUTPUT

I have 4 noob questions regarding the DVI output of the Motorola DCT 6200, firmware 7.15, before I go out and buy DVI cables.
1. Is the DVI output enabled? (i.e., I can use it instead of the component video output.)
2. It appears the DVI output of the DCT 6200 is a "DVI-D." Is this compatible with DVI-I, which is the one I have on my Sharp LC37G4U?
3. Is the PQ from the DVI output noticibly better than component (i.e., is gettting a DVI cable woth it)?
4. Are there any drawbacks to using the DVI output? For example, are the SD channels going to look bad compared to using component video?

Thank you very much for any information.

---Pat

1) Yes
2) It will work
3) Subjective...if it is, the difference is subtle
4) I don't think so, but somebody else may know better

Originally posted by smnorton
Any chance of Comcast and Fox working something out in time for the 2004 NFL season? I've been very pleased with the increase in Comcast's HD Programming over the past months (enough to keep me from switching to a Satellite alternative) and HD Fox for the NFL season would cap things off nicely. Does anyone have new information on the likelihood of a deal getting done?

-Sean

In the Bay Area it has nothing to do with Comcast and Fox...KTVU is owned by Cox Communications, so its a matter of a deal between Cox and Comcast...Cox is asking for Compensation (when other locals are not) and being slimy.

It's highly unlikely we will see HD from KTVU on Comcast anytime soon.

In the Bay Area it has nothing to do with Comcast and Fox...KTVU is owned by Cox Communications, so its a matter of a deal between Cox and Comcast...Cox is asking for Compensation (when other locals are not) and being slimy.

davisdog,

Thanks for the clarification and feedback.

Bummer...

-Sean

Pat,

1. Yes, the DVI output is enabled on a 6200 with firmware v7.15.

2. DVI-D is compatible with DVI-I. DVI-D is digital DVI, while DVI-I is integrated DVI (both digital and analog supported in one cable).

3. Maybe, maybe not. The difference between the two will probably be noticable, but not spectacularly so.

4. None that I can think of, unless your display doesn't implement DVI properly.

Well, not exactly. A DVI-I cable (male connector) has 4 extra pins above and below the flat/wide pin.

A DVI-I cable IS NOT compatible with a DVI-D plug - there's nowhere for the extra pins to go into!

You need a DVI-D cable to fit into a DVI-D plug. DVI-I plugs will accept either type though.

In other words, you can use a DVD-D cable with a DVI-I plug, but NOT vice versa.

See here for a good explanation:
http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html

In short, you need a DVI-D cable, it will plug into both the DVI-D on the cable box and the DVI-I on your TV set.

If you don't want to pay $99 for the Monster one, here's the best cheapest one I found, on Amazon. :
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000067SOL/104-0887994-7287962

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Get it from your house to the box outside my house, I'll handle it the rest of the way. :) Heh, right now I'm watching my first game in HD, turned it on right as Bonds stepped to the plate and hit that HR - not to rub it in or anything, but yeah I wet myself it's so gorgeous.. Finally the Giant's home jerseys are the right cream color!

Not all cameras are HD, and the replays are not. They still look pretty good though. DD 5.1 audio, although the mix is strange, with the annoucers on all surround channels... but no complaints here :)

KTVU-HD on Comcast
Let's start a letter writing campaign by writing (email) KTVU and telling them we want their HD signal on Comcast NOW! Sometimes a little pressure helps.

Originally posted by rshaw
KTVU-HD on Comcast
Let's start a letter writing campaign by writing (email) KTVU and telling them we want their HD signal on Comcast NOW! Sometimes a little pressure helps.

Last week, I sent an email to Jeffrey Block, VP General Manager of KTVU.

Here's his response:

Unfortunately, I don't think the chances are very good of seeing KTVU in High Def on Comcast at the beginning of the season. I would hope that later in the season is somewhat of a possibility, although, I must be honest, our negotiations with Comcast for retransmission have not gone particularly well. So far, we've been unable to get them to agree to fair compensation and until that happens, I'm afraid that the only opportunity to view KTVU's High Def of the football games as well as (effective in the fall) most of the prime-time schedule, we be over the air.

I hope that you will also communicate with Comcast of your desire.

Thanks for writing and I hope that I'm being overly pessimistic in my forecasts.


I emailed him back, asking if the HD transmission rights might be tied to an overall carriage agreement and he responded:


Our regular contract does expire soon, but we are not sure if it makes good business sense to tie them together.


As the negotiations are being done by both of our corporate officers I'm not sure who to speak to here, but why not go to the top (as you did with KTVU) and try the General Manager.


Good luck.


Does anyone know the email address of a higher up at Comcast or Cox?

Maz - great work! And thank for the info!

One suggestion for a response to KTVU - ask him if, given their current stalemate with Comcast, if KTVU would be willing to give waivers to Directv subscribers so we can receive the Fox HD national feed.

Originally posted by dandrewk
Maz - great work! And thank for the info!

One suggestion for a response to KTVU - ask him if, given their current stalemate with Comcast, if KTVU would be willing to give waivers to Directv subscribers so we can receive the Fox HD national feed.

I doubt that KTVU will give those waivers. They would be loosing potential audience for a time when they do eventually come to an agreement with Comcast. Don't get me wrong, I think we should bombard KTVU with requests and when DirecTv finally carries FOX pound them for the waivers also. But since D* has yet to carry FOX-HD the request for a waiver carries little value. It's worth a try though. I'm in an area where my only source to get FOX-HD is through Comcast. Cannot get OTA, yet in the grade B contour which precludes getting an out-of-market feed from sat. I fully expect to miss at least half the NFL games this year, I guess I can watch the weather radar on those days:)

Jim

"Fair compensation"? That's a laugh. Advertising drives everything in television. Why should Comcast pay for the priviledge of giving KTVU MORE MONEY (more viewers = more money for advertising).

Actually I just thought of the solution... Comcast pays this extortion fee, then edits and inserts their own advertising. ;)

Actually, if Comcast linked the analog and HD broadcasts together in the same retransmission agreement, it might put a lot more pressure on KTVU to sign on. If they refused, Cmmcast would have to cut off the analog signal to huge numbers of users. KTVU could care about that, even though they don't care about losing HD viewers.

Actually, a note to the FCC about this might be helpful - they are really pushing everyone to get HD out there because they want the analog spectrum back. Spats like this cause people to shun HD adoption. Given that KTVU is owned by Cox, the FCC has lots of ways to make Cox's life harder in the cable arena if they wanted to.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by mazman49
Last week, I sent an email to Jeffrey Block, VP General Manager of KTVU.

Here's his response:

Our regular contract does expire soon, but we are not sure if it makes good business sense to tie them together.

Good luck.


That statement there is the one that bothers me. It looks like someone is thinking about PPV-HD down the line and that is not good.

Jim

dandrewk,
Have you called D* and tried to get a waiver for Fox? I did a couple of years ago and got waivers for Fox, CBS, ABC, but not for NBC. I'm in Novato. Give that a try. I have been getting the NBC HD olympic coverage on chan 84, I'm not sure why, but maybe it's because I have the SF locals package.

I wrote to Cox several times and then got a response from them.

Here is the e-mail address: Bruce.Baker@cox.com.

Lpax

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



We are in negotiations with Comcast hope to resolve our differences soon but as of this writing we have not been able to and so my only response is to tell you we would like nothing other than for you to have access to our signal. We have a beautifully clear signal over the air if you would like to see our signal without the cable pipeline. Pending that we will continue to work to resolve our discussions with Comcast so you may have them as an option. I hope you will also take the time to communicate your frustration with them as well since they are the gate-keeper to your home.

Bruce Baker
Executive Vice President

Bruce Baker
Cox Television
678-645-4285
678-645-5299 (fax)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On the Comcast side here are the email addresses with corporate (from an earlier post by bpearse)

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 believe the issues are on the Cox side.

1) Cox TV is requiring compensation by Comcast above and beyond what any other Local TV Carrier is requiring from a Cable MSO in order for them to broadcast the Digital Signal (Even though Cox freely sends this signal OTA). Comcast is refusing to pay this premium (which would have to be passed on to the users)

2) Cox Cable (a competitor to Comcast and owned by the same Parent)...doesnt pay a premium to carry Local HD signals on their cable system (be it a Cox channel or otherwise)...Seems a little two sided...

3) Cox continues to lie about the reasons...go as far as saying they won't give it to Comcast because they don't want Comcast screwing up their Beautiful HD signal and making them look bad.

davisdog, I agree. Obviously Comcast has been willing to do distribution of HD signals at reasonable trems because all the other locals are being carried. Why would comcast demand something different from KTVU than KRON?

Cox cable is not a competitor of Comcast's - their footprint doesn't overlap, so they don't compete. They are just pushing for more money because they think they can.

The transcoding from 8VSB to 64WAM isn't going to affect the quality of their signal anyway, that's a stupid argument to make. People should really complain to KTVU and ask them why they won't sign the same agreement that KPIX, KGO, KQED and KRON did.

Thanks,
Mike

If I was comcast I'd definately threaten to drop their analog signal, but I doubt that will ever happen since it would effect a much greater percentage of their viewers, then us HD viewers :/

Originally posted by MikeSM


Cox cable is not a competitor of Comcast's - their footprint doesn't overlap, so they don't compete. They are just pushing for more money because they think they can.



Just a side note, but I would consider them direct competitors with each other...They compete head-head for franchise agreements with Cities....and I'm sure if Comcast lost the franchise agreement in the bay area then cox would look to move in...or unseat them (cox has no incentive to want Comcast to suceed)

The email from KTVU makes it sound like the Comcast analog contract expires this year (on December 31, 2004, most likely). If so, I would expect Comcast to not sign another analog contract unless the contract also gives Comcast digital/HD retransmission rights-- Comcast would not be acting intelligently if it signed a new 3 year analog contract without any digital/HD rights.

So what are the possibilities, assuming 12/31/2004 expiration of analog contract:

(1) Comcast and Cox sign a new combined analog/digital-HD contract before 12/31/2004 giving us KTVU DT/FOX HD sometime before 12/31/2004.

(2) Cox elects "must carry" status for analog. Comcast is legally required to carry analog KTVU but Cox gets no compensation whatsoever (cash or non-cash) for KTVU analog retransmission on Comcast. The digital/HD stalemate continues indefinitely into the future.

(3) Cox elects "retransmission consent" but there is no deal in place by 12/31/2004. At that point, Cox yanks the KTVU analog signal from Comcast until a deal is reached.

(4) Same as #3 except Comcast yanks the KTVU analog signal on its own.

(5) Same as (3) except the analog KTVU signal is not yanked from Comcast by either party and a combined deal for analog/digital-HD is reached at some point after 12/31/2004.

I think (4) is very unlikely as it really makes Comcast look like the bad guy to non-HD viewers.

So I think (1), (3) and (5) are the most likely options. (5) could only last for so long (a couple of months maybe, say until March 2005), after which-- if there is no progress in negotiations--Cox would yank KTVU analog from Comcast and we would be in situation (3).

Here is something very interesting: The Super Bowl is on Fox this NFL season (and after 12/31/2004). What effect this will have, if the analog contract does expire on 12/31/2004, should be very interesting and open to speculation.

Sonoma,

I would think the negotiations dont just involve KTVU, but all Cox TV stations that are in Comcast Markets (for instance CBS in Seattle, ABC in Atlanta) since all of those are in the same boat afaik (no HD retransmission rights). I assume they are going on at the Cox Corporate level.

Here's a document showing Cox Holdings

Slide 2 is TV Stations, Slide 5 is cable markets

http://www.coxenterprises.com/corp/pdfs/Cox_Maps_August04.pdf

-Steve

Yes, although I am not sure that all those analog agreements (Cox-Comcast) expire on 12/31/2004. Some of them might expire on 12/31/2005.

I just have a gut feeling that whenever the precedent is set to allow Comcast to carry one HD Signal from Cox TV it will apply to all.

Like you said, I dont think Comcast can afford to hold the carriage of the Analog Signal hostage until the get the HD rights...Cox on the other hand can hold out the HD rights as long as they want (or until the Public/Market pressures them)

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
The email from KTVU makes it sound like the Comcast analog contract expires this year (on December 31, 2004, most likely). If so, I would expect Comcast to not sign another analog contract unless the contract also gives Comcast digital/HD retransmission rights-- Comcast would not be acting intelligently if it signed a new 3 year analog contract without any digital/HD rights.

So what are the possibilities, assuming 12/31/2004 expiration of analog contract:

(1) Comcast and Cox sign a new combined analog/digital-HD contract before 12/31/2004 giving us KTVU DT/FOX HD sometime before 12/31/2004.

(5) Same as (3) except the analog KTVU signal is not yanked from Comcast by either party and a combined deal for analog/digital-HD is reached at some point after 12/31/2004.

Comcast seems to be content to wait until contracts are up to add new channels to their lineup. CBS O&O HD channels were added upon completion of a new contract with Viacom, etc. They aren't in any hurry to add channels, unless it's at no cost to them. ESPN sort of fell on their lap as I understand it.

I believe that upon the completion of a new contract with Cox (and with Sinclair for us in Sacto without CBS), the digital channels will be added. Cox and Sinclair have nothing to bargain with except their OTA signals. If those aren't carried on cable, they are sunk. Other than the HD viewers, who really has an antenna up and is recieving local channels OTA only?

Guys, I think you need to come at this from a different angle. Start writing letters to the GIANTS organization. Tell them how dissatisfied you are with KTVU and Fox's service and their unwillingness to put the HD broadcasts on cable. It probably won't help for the rest of this season but who knows, it may put some pressure on when they come around to negotiate the contract for next season..

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Here is something very interesting: The Super Bowl is on Fox this NFL season (and after 12/31/2004). What effect this will have, if the analog contract does expire on 12/31/2004, should be very interesting and open to speculation.

This is exactly what happened with KPIX last year...Comcast/CBS recieved an extreme amount of pressure from customers last year to have the CBS O&O stations carry the HD signal in time for the Superbowl. Remember, Fox is broadcasting the big game this year...not CBS. So we once again find ourselves in the exact same situation -- hopefully we'll have the same (if not better) results this time around.

CBS-HD Problem
I'm in Milpitas and last night my wife wanted to watch CBS (CSI). The HD picture kept breaking up every 3-5 minutes and then repainting. I received the Olympics on NBC-HD clearly through the same DCT-5200. Could it be my equipment, or a cable problem?

Originally posted by lpaxmember
I wrote to Cox several times and then got a response from them.

Here is the e-mail address: Bruce.Baker@cox.com.

Lpax

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



We are in negotiations with Comcast hope to resolve our differences soon but as of this writing we have not been able to and so my only response is to tell you we would like nothing other than for you to have access to our signal. We have a beautifully clear signal over the air if you would like to see our signal without the cable pipeline. Pending that we will continue to work to resolve our discussions with Comcast so you may have them as an option. I hope you will also take the time to communicate your frustration with them as well since they are the gate-keeper to your home.

Bruce Baker
Executive Vice President

Bruce Baker
Cox Television
678-645-4285
678-645-5299 (fax) Lpax,

Can you let us know the date Mr. Baker sent this email to you?

Thanks in advance.

I just read Mr. Bakers email and got a kick out of it...

Here's how he should have worded the last sentence


-------------
I hope you will also take the time to communicate your frustration with them as well since they are the gate-keeper to your home. All we at Cox TV are asking is that Comcast (as the gatekeeper) collect some money from you all as a fee to view our beautifully clear (and supposedly free) signal. Please don't lay your frustration on comcast though, since they will be required to hand over all of the fees to us (although those bastards are refusing to collect a toll for us at this point)
-------------

Just a side note, but I would consider them direct competitors with each other...They compete head-head for franchise agreements with Cities....and I'm sure if Comcast lost the franchise agreement in the bay area then cox would look to move in...or unseat them (cox has no incentive to want Comcast to suceed)

This just isn't true. Franchise agreements are done on a city by city basis. And they expire on a city by city basis. For Cox to try and pick up something like Mountain View, when all the surrounding areas are Comcast would be foolish from a business perspective. They'd have to deploy trucks, people, etc... into the market which makes no sense for just one franchise. Cox is the most highly clustered of all the MSO's. They aren't coming to the Bay Area unless they buy all of the systems in it, and COmcast isn't going sell after putting in almost a billion dollars in upgrades.

Sure, they do trades in some outlying markets, but they do not compete with each other.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by davisdog
I just read Mr. Bakers email and got a kick out of it...

Here's how he should have worded the last sentence


-------------
I hope you will also take the time to communicate your frustration with them as well since they are the gate-keeper to your home. All we at Cox TV are asking is that Comcast (as the gatekeeper) collect some money from you all as a fee to view our beautifully clear (and supposedly free) signal. Please don't lay your frustration on comcast though, since they will be required to hand over all of the fees to us (although those bastards are refusing to collect a toll for us at this point)
-------------

That's funny, and truthful! :D

Jim

miatasm posted in the 5100/6200 thread that the Microsoft IPG for the 6412 "is having all sorts of functional / software issues."

Has anyone else heard this? shannon?

I hope not, as I think the Microsoft guide is our best bet for a November launch of the 6412 in the Bay Area.

Crossing fingers here that the rumor is unsubstantiated ...

I got this letter end of June, June 22 to be precise.


lpax

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Lpax,

Can you let us know the date Mr. Baker sent this email to you?

Thanks in advance.

CAn anyone confirm that comcast kpix-dt (HD channel) is solid or not? I'm getting break-ups, frozen screen and green screen during NCIS.

I've got the moto 6200. Hooked up last friday.

Best,
jeff

Originally posted by greeno
CAn anyone confirm that comcast kpix-dt (HD channel) is solid or not? I'm getting break-ups, frozen screen and green screen during NCIS.

I've got the moto 6200. Hooked up last friday.

Best,
jeff

greeno,

I'm watching NCIS here in Milpitas and I don't see the problems that you describe but I've only watched for about 10 minutes ( just finished watching the Giants game ) . How often are the breakups and is this the only station that is doing it ? Do you know how to get into the menus to check signal strength and error rates ?? I'm seeing about 250 errors every 5 seconds but no non correctable errors. You might have a poor connection or to many drops on you line, just a guess.

1.7 is looking good and any rumors of lots of problems (from Moto or Comcast) are false. Either that, or everyone from Moto and Comcast lied on my call this morning. :)

Thanks Mikef. It stopped soon after the show started (within a couple of minutes).

I've have noticed some mpeg artifacts that I don't see OTA on fast pans/action. This is another reason to get my component switcher hooked up so that I have OTA as backup.

Thanks for the quick reply.

On the d04 screen of the DCT diagnostics, my SNR (32db) and AGC (80%) is fair and poor respectively. How does this compare with what others have?

My uncorrectable errors at this time are 0, and the correctables are 0-3 per 5sec.

jeff

Originally posted by shannonv
1.7 is looking good and any rumors of lots of problems (from Moto or Comcast) are false. Either that, or everyone from Moto and Comcast lied on my call this morning. :)

Good to hear Shannon, Thanks for the update...we wish you well and I'm sure everybody is rooting for them to be rolled out in the bay area (and the sooner the better!)

Originally posted by greeno
[B}

On the d04 screen of the DCT diagnostics, my SNR (32db) and AGC (80%) is fair and poor respectively. How does this compare with what others have?

My uncorrectable errors at this time are 0, and the correctables are 0-3 per 5sec.

jeff [/B]

Jeff,

SNR is 35.4 <good>
AGC is 46% <good>

Generally you shouldnt see anymore artifacts on Comcast than OTA...presumably less...Comcast is sending the same datarate (and not suspectible to atmospheric/environmental effects of OTA)

How many splitters to you have in line? Good Cables and Good Connectors?

I got some breakups during NCIS to, usually I don't so maybe there was a problem somewhere. Although a few times over the weekend NBCHD wasn't available, but my VOOM feed was available.

On a side note I got a card in the mail which says the HD channels will be moving starting 9/8 and I see discovery HD in the lineup, hopefully my area will be able to get DSCHD by then!!

davisdog,

I've got high quality cable and connectors (the best comcast has to offer :) ). I have to have at least 1 splitter in the box line, but right now I've got 2. Both are 2GHz high quality ones. I need 4 connections (vcr, stereo, cable box and ant1 of tv). I've got a 2GHz 1 out-to 4 lying in a box. I might try that.

I'm guessing that the AGC is abit high? With OTA, I've never seen an mpeg artifact. But I'm seeing them tonight. Is everyone sure that Comcast is not controlling bandwidth on HD content, i.e. are they giving us full bandwidth of the OTA stream?

I'm very happy with HBO, SHO, MX, ESPN, INHD's HD. The locals I'm still evaluating.

Best,
jeff

Jeff,

Try going down to 1 inline with the box (and then use a 3 way (or similar) on the other leg to feed your other components). The 4 way won't do much since it's loss will be pretty high by itself on each leg...significantly more than a 2 way (it should say on the label)

Having 2Ghz splitters does no harm, but has no benefit...1Ghz splitters are fine on cable (max b/w is 860Mhz on the newest comcast systems)...2Ghz is needed for Sat.

and yes, comcast is sending the full bandwidth they are getting on the feed from the local station (which should be the same as the OTA...unfortunately some local stations multicast on the OTA and compress the signal and that affects comcast since its the same feed..but should be no worse than OTA...hopefully they will switch to providing the full feed to comcast regardless of whether they multicast but that requires more equipment at the station.)

-Steve

I just got HDTV installed yesterday. The box I have is the 5100. It works fine, but it seems others are getting the 6200? What's the difference? Should or could I get the 6200? I'm in San Jose, by the way.

Originally posted by TypeShige
I just got HDTV installed yesterday. The box I have is the 5100. It works fine, but it seems others are getting the 6200? What's the difference? Should or could I get the 6200? I'm in San Jose, by the way.


The only real difference is the 6200 has firewire and the 5100 doesnt
Unless you need firewire (you want to record to a DVHS or Firewire input on your PC) I would not worry about it.

6200 has a slightly faster processor (its newer) but barely noticeable on things like channel changes etc...

What we are looking for is a 6412 (not available yet via Comcast)...That includes a built in Hardrive, two tuners and allows you to record and timeshift HD (with something like the slick Microsoft Foundation software/Interface that Shannonv is working on)

Davisdog,
I re-worked the cables as you suggested. I first checked a straight run (no splits) to the 6200. This gave me goods for SNR and AGC. With one split (1->2) gives good and fair for SNR and AGC respectively. This is an improvement and the numbers were only a bit lower than no split. I wan't seeing any errors at all.

Anyway I'm calling this done. Now I'm waiting on some more interconnects to set up my video switch (I'm out of component inputs). I need FOX HD OTA...

Best and thanks again,
jeff

Any chance Comcast might implement a customizable on screen guide, like the satellite providers have? I would love to be able to remove the channels I don't get from the guide. Kind of annoying having to page up/down through the ones I don't receive.

1.7 is looking good and any rumors of lots of problems (from Moto or Comcast) are false. Either that, or everyone from Moto and Comcast lied on my call this morning.

Not to be cynical, but the MSO's are known for having their development guys tell a vendor everything is great while their ops people are killing the project with senior management because of increases in customer care cost. training etc... Just an FYI.

Good luck,
Mike

I've got high quality cable and connectors (the best comcast has to offer ). I have to have at least 1 splitter in the box line, but right now I've got 2.
Look at one of these. (http://www.cabletvamps.com/drop%20amps.htm) This made the difference between digital cable working and not working for me.

Take this with a grain of salt, but talked w/ a comcast rep that says
san carlos will launch HD on Oct 21st.

Thanks Jerry. My setup is workingfine. It just needed a bit of tweaking.

Best,
jeff

Effective 9/8 All hd channels in lafayette will be moved to the 700's Fox sports hd will be 720 and will stop pre-empting inhd2. I just got a postcard from comcast in the mail today. Fender, this probably applies to you as well.

Same postcard here, however, FSN Bay Area HD still pre-empts InHD2 on channel 720.

spoonman,

Are you sure InHD2 is on a different channel from FSN Bay Area HD on your post card? InHD2 is in black while FSN BA HD is in red on my post card, but both are the same channel number (720).

There is even an asterisk that says "Fox Sports HD shares programming with INHD 2 and pre-empts regularly scheduled programming on INHD 2."

Also interesting for the 2 percent club: There is a double asterisk for KRON HD, INHD and INHD2 (and Fox Sports HD) which says "Not available in non-rebuilt portions of Vallejo." So there are some more members of the 2 percent club out there, but none of them frequent avsforum.

Off topic, but Comcast is "removing" 3 digital channels: GoodLife TV, Ovation and International Channel. I presume this means they are totally dropping from the lineup.

The only one that concerns me is International Channel, which always has an Italian soccer game of the week on Sunday afternoon. It's strange that Comcast is dropping it because Comcast just bought International Channel and all the premium foreign language channels (in the mid- 200's channel range) from Liberty. So Comcast is totally dropping a channel that it owns. And it owns 100 percent of it. Bizarre.

INHD2 still shares with fsn-hd. I just assumed that with all of the new channels fsn was on their own channel. Back in my hole...

Comments re the new channel mapping:

Local HD channels follow their analog counterpart: NBC3 is 703, KRON4 is 704, etc.

Non-locals start at 719 with INHD. So presumably unused channel numbers from 702 through 718 are reserved for local HD channels. (Remember, I am not talking about bandwidth, just the channel mapping scheme.)

719 through 729 appear to be for non-local but non-premium HD channels. 721 is left open, after InHD2 on 720 (and I remember when InHD first started they were talking about eventually adding an InHD3).

Premiums start at 730 with HBO HD, 732 Max HD, 734 Starz HD and 736 Showtime HD, (all West feeds of course), which changes their current order on 197 to 200. 731, 733, 735, 737 are presumably reserved for the East feeds of these channels to be added at some point in the future.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Off topic, but Comcast is "removing" 3 digital channels: GoodLife TV, Ovation and International Channel. I presume this means they are totally dropping from the lineup.
I'm upset about that, but because it had a lot of good Asian programming. Really, really odd choice to drop after they bought it, though, if they own it outright.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Also interesting for the 2 percent club: There is a double asterisk for KRON HD, INHD and INHD2 (and Fox Sports HD) which says "Not available in non-rebuilt portions of Vallejo." So there are some more members of the 2 percent club out there, but none of them frequent avsforum.

The Saramilgatos 2% club is missing InHD1, InHD2 (& FSN-HD), DSC-HD, CinemaxHD and Starz HD

We get KRON-HD for what it's worth.

Although our Channel Lineup card (this is specifically for Saramilgatos) has InHD1/2 listed on it (just to add insult to injury)



:(

Originally posted by davisdog
The Saramilgatos 2% club is missing InHD1, InHD2 (& FSN-HD), DSC-HD, CinemaxHD and Starz HD

We get KRON-HD for what it's worth.

Although our Channel Lineup card (this is specifically for Saramilgatos) has InHD1/2 listed on it (just to add insult to injury)

:(

That's a bummer, our 2% club up here in Santa Rosa gets CinemaxHD and StarzHD.

In fact, this must mean we are actually the "2.5% Club"

Sorry, it's not often we get a chance to brag we have more than someone else does :)

Jim:D

Sorry for not knowing this (and I searched for it), what's 2% club?
Analog cable subscriber?

jeff

Ah..but do you goes have Internet yet ;)

We've had it out here for 5 years or so.

Originally posted by greeno
Sorry for not knowing this (and I searched for it), what's 2% club?
Analog cable subscriber?

jeff

At least in our lingo, It's the 2% of systems that Comcast Acquired from AT&T that have not been rebuilt yet.

The impact is those areas dont have the capability to a) Support HD or b) Dont have enough bandwidth to have all the HD Channels


Santa Rosa is one

Saratoga, Los Gatos, Milpitas is another (collectively called saramilgatos by comcast)

Parts of San Jose and Sunnyvale

and a few others

Okay. We're lucky in Livermore. We were AT&T and we were rebuilt with fiber and we've had HD for awhile.

Are any of you guys analog subscribers (extended package)? What channels do you get via your moto box other than the HD channels?

Best,
jeff

the 2% club has pretty much the same analog lineup (~2-75)...its just the analog eats up most of the bandwidth (1 analog takes the space of 2-3 HD channels or 8-10 Digital Channels)

2% club is mostly 550Mhz (where rebuilt areas are 750 or 860 Mhz) and have limited HD..some of the oldest parts of San Jose are 330Mhz (no HD, no internet and A/B switch)

Originally posted by davisdog
We get KRON-HD for what it's worth.

Although our Channel Lineup card (this is specifically for Saramilgatos) has InHD1/2 listed on it (just to add insult to injury)

I guess that means there's a 1% club that gets Discovery but is missing out on KRON instead.

Originally posted by michaelc
I guess that means there's a 1% club that gets Discovery but is missing out on KRON instead.

afaik, there isnt anybody in the 2% club that gets DSC-HD..although most have KRON....contract wise onthe comcast side I assume KRON HD is mandatory in the bay area, where Discovery HD is optional

We'd gladly dump KRON-HD for DSC-HD or InHD given the option.

Originally posted by spoonman27
Effective 9/8 All hd channels in lafayette will be moved to the 700's Fox sports hd will be 720 and will stop pre-empting inhd2. I just got a postcard from comcast in the mail today. Fender, this probably applies to you as well.

Yup, got mine today too. Except I have KTVU HD listed on 702, UPN HD on 713, and HDNet Movies on 721.
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Just kidding :D

Originally posted by davisdog
At least in our lingo, It's the 2% of systems that Comcast Acquired from AT&T that have not been rebuilt yet.

The impact is those areas dont have the capability to a) Support HD or b) Dont have enough bandwidth to have all the HD Channels


Santa Rosa is one

Saratoga, Los Gatos, Milpitas is another (collectively called saramilgatos by comcast)

Parts of San Jose and Sunnyvale

and a few others

The 2% thing originated from on article about a press release or something from Comcast where they were patting themselves on the back for having 98% of their customers upgraded with the latest and greatest. It mentioned pockets in the bay area and Florida and one other place I think as still being upgraded, which at least in the case of Santa Rosa and the folks in Saramilgatos area we know that to be BS. I think somewhere in this thread there is a post linking to the article in question.

Jim

I just looked get KRON but couldn't find UPN here, but get Discovery HD, and INHD's.

I didn't realize the analogs sucked up so much bandwidth. I'd give them up, but dont' want to pay more than I currently do. AND I need more db at my house. It's better than it used to be, but I'm still right at the edge of good signal.

Best,
jeff

Re number of analogs:

On our 750 Mhz system, we have 71 analog channels, broken down as follows (in no particular order):

3 Local PEG channels

20 local (available OTA) channels

3 CSPAN/California Gov't channels (2 CSPAN + 1 "California" channel)

4 shopping/infomercial channels (not OTA)

1 Digital Cable "Preview"/Barker channel

39 "Expanded" Basic Channels (ESPN, CNN, etc.)

EDIT: 1 TV Guide Channel (not 21 OTA channels)

I am curious as to the numbers on other systems.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Re number of analogs:

On our 750 Mhz system, we have 71 analog channels, broken down as follows (in no particular order):

I am curious as to the numbers on other systems.

Almost the same in Saramilgatos on 550Mhz :(

Seems we are missing 2 shopping channels and the preview channel!..The heck with DSC-HD, InHD1/2, FSN-HD... I want my shopping channels!!!!!


The breakdown is
------------------
68 Channels Total comprising

30 on Basic...
21 Locals, 3 PEG, 3 CSPAN/CAL, Discovery and only 2 Shopping Channels

38 on Expanded Basic (maybe since Discovery is on 29)

I have a 6200 with firmware 7.15 and am having a strange DVI-related problem. This problem doesn't sound quite the same as the one mentioned on here a few weeks ago (blank screen after switching back to DVI).

I have a Fujitsu P50. The 6200's DVI output is connected directly to the P50's DVI input. I have the component output of the 6200 connected to the P50 through a Yamaha receiver.

If I power up the 6200 when the P50's input is set to DVI, everything is fine. If I then switch the P50 input to component, everything is still fine. But if I then switch the P50 back to DVI, something really strange happens. The picture goes into a weird 3-way split-screen mode. It's as if the whole screen has been shifted left about 1/3 of its width with the stuff shifted off the left side of the picture reappearing on the right side of the display. It's broken into an additional vertical stripe about an inch wide sandwiched between the two larger sections. There's a hard vertical line between each of the three sections. It goes back to normal when I power cycle the 6200.

If I power up the 6200 while the P50 input is component, the picture looks fine, but if I then switch to DVI input, it goes into split screen weirdness. It seems that the switch to DVI from component triggers this condition.

This happens when the 6200 is on an HD channel. I haven't tried it when watching SD, so I don't know if it's a problem there too.

None of my other component sources (DVD, etc.) display the splits when switching to them after the 6200 has gone into weird mode.

Has anyone else seen this? Is there a fix?

I have DVI on my DLP but I usually watch on component with the 6208. Sometimes when I turn on the TV I get 2 or 3 screen images as you describe. I got it on SD last night. I have 7.15 also. I mentioned this in another forum and someone else said they had the same problem.

For me I just change the channel and all is well. It may be an HDCP hand-shaking issue when the TV comes on. I don't turn off my 6208. I'll worry about a fix if it happens when we get the 6412.

Rich N.

Sorry for this long post. I still have 2 issues I've noticed after extended viewing:
Here's my original setup for the primary HD display in the house:
- 3-way split for display, VCR and stereo

New setup is:
- 2-way split for 6200 and a 3-way splitter. 3-way spliter feeds ANT1, VCR and stereo for FM.

I tested not splitting the 6200 line and it was essentially the same as the 2-way split for both analog and digital stations.

My analog recpection is not as good as before (not too surprising) especially on cartoon channels (52, 53, 54) and borders on not watchable. Looks the same via 6200 output. I also tested 2-way or 3-way splitting for analog and this gives me my previous good reception.

Here's how AT&T (now serviced by Comcast) re-wired my house 9 years ago for cable:
- cable enters building and runs to master bedroom 1.
- 2-way splitter there feeds primary HD display and second master.

On digital channels (HBOHD for e.g.), the 6200 shows about 32db of SNR (fair) and AGC around 78% (fair) wiht the "New setup". I've got not drop-outs, pixelization and errors appear to be zero with the "New setup" above. Straight line connection to 6200 only dropped AGC down to 75% with only a slight increase in SNR (I forget the actual numbers - sorry).

I'm right on the edge between good and bad I think, but with the extra 3-way split, my analog has degraded.

A couple years ago, the cable company added a drop amp where the cable enters the building. I believe it was flat amplifier not variable gain but I don't know the amount of amplification. At some point after they added it, the signal level increased so that my analog reciever was being over driven. Removing the amp produced my previous good reception.

I see a couple of options:
1) live with crappy analog reception. Not really an option
2) get some kind of amplification. It seems to me that for the 52,53,54 channels, I need to just overcome the loss of a single 2-way or 3-way split. But my higher channels could use a bit more than this. It's probably easiest to add a variable gain drop amp like this one. (http://www.cabletvamps.com/Products/EDA-EQ3100.htm)

Any other ideas would be appreciated before I invest in this amp.

Best,
jeff

greeno,

Have you checked out the Yahoo group that is dedicated to HDTV in the SF Bay Area ?? I think it's called HDTV-in-SFbay, anyway, there is a person there by the name of Chris the antenna doctor that can probably help you out with your cable signal problems. Worth a check and he seems to know what he's talking about.

Thanks Mikef5,
I'm on that group. I know Chris was knowledgable on antenna stuff, but didn't know he also knows cable stuff.

I was looking for some experiences with these high quality special drop amps as it relates to my setup.

Best,
jeff

6200 shows about 32db of SNR
How do you display the SNR and AGC numbers on the 6200?

tune to channel of interest

turn off box

within 1-2 sec, hit the "select" button

look here (http://cjhengineering.com/hdtv/cablehdtv/dctdiag.htm) for details.

jeff

Originally posted by greeno
I'm right on the edge between good and bad I think, but with the extra 3-way split, my analog has degraded.

Couple suggestions I can think of..

1. Get a better 3-way splitter, maybe one with an amp builtin (AC power required).

2. Use the 2-way, 1 goes to 6200, other goes to VCR and loops thru to the TV. If your TV has a loop-thru also you can use that to go into the stereo (assume you want FM).

Personally I found the FM on cable to be fair to poor (bad reception on cable... WTF?) and with digital cable music (ch 900+ try it, it's not bad) and internet radio (I run a SPDIF output from my PC to AVR, use WinAmp for streaming 128bit MP3, sounds awesome) I have very little need for FM. I did hook up the AM antenna though :) so I can listen to Jon Miller on KNBR when the Giants game has the AWFUL Fox commentators. (The delay is annoying though.. I might figure out a way to loop it thru my PC and use a digital delay program..)

Speaking of which, is the game on HD tonite? (8-26 vs Florida) It was on FSN yesterday but NOT in Hi Def? Wtf?

Using the pass-through (from tv is the most convenient) is a possibility. Then I could go to a second 2-way (to feed vcr and ANT1) instead of the 3-way and use the pass-through to feed the stereo.

I was thinking of using the variable gain (forward) drop amp where the cable enters the building to overcome the extra 2-way (3db drop).

Thanks for the idea.

jeff

Jeff-

I'm curious -- do you have VOD in your area yet? If so, are you having any bandwidth issues with that? Or, are you seeing any pixelation issues with the digital channels? I was having some bandwidth problems when I introduced a 3-way splitter that was dropping me to about -3db which, according to the Comcast tech, is right on the brink. It was an old splitter so when I replaced it with a Comcast-provied 2-way splitter, I was at about 1db which seemed to have fixed the problem. However, that only gives me 2 outputs and I need 3 (2 TV's, and cable modem). I'm now wondering if a dropamp would help me raise the number of db's going into this particular outlet so I could go back to the "3-way" configuration.

fender4645,
I believe we have VOD, but I've not used it. I'm also not seeing any pixelization with digital channels. the HD stuff looks good (and I've compared it to my OTA feed). SD looks like SD should - depends on your screen size.

I'm like you and just have low signal. All of my splitters are new and high quality.

My issue is that my analog reception is now "grainy" when before adding the extra splitter it was really good for most of the stations. That's why I'm leaning toward the variable forward gain 7db-14db.

I'm not sure I've helped you, but let me know what you're doing.

Best,
jeff

A couple of recent posts mention splitting one of the cable feeds to your stereo receiver. Does comcast carry FM Radio? If so, what stations? Where does the feed originate?

In the sf bay area they do carry fm. they carry most of the main stations like kkiq, kits, etc.
jeff

As far back as I can remember, they carried FM on the cables around here. Before stereo tv, MTV was pimping their simulcast this way.

Anyway it seems to be a remnant of days gone by, Comcast doesn't officially advertise it, support it, or even have a list of what stations are available in your area. Plus, the reception is terrible on some stations...

Jeff,

Rather than putting my own amp inline I'd get a comcast tech to come out and play with the signal from outside...With the amp you risk just amplifying the noise rather than cranking up the source (also the HD box is more sensitive to too much signal also).
.They usually have ways to turn it up at the street..or they might find a problem in the cable feeding the house...

When they came out to do my HD install they redid the lines and adjusted it at the street so it was much better (at no cost)

-Steve

Steve,
I've had them out in the past, after they re-wired my house. They re-ran the line from the street to the house and then did something a year or two later that made the inline amp they provided unnecessary. But now since I've split analog one more time, pq is suffering.

I'll try and drop down from the 3-way to a 2-way and feed FM via pass-through.

Thanks,
jeff

Jeff,

I hope that works...I just think the signal they are providing you from the tap outside should be stronger...I've got more splits then you (into a couple TVs, VCR, Replay TV, 6200, Cable Modem..) and good snr/agc still

-Steve

For some reason the tv's pass through doesn't seem to pass anything through...

Here are all of my splits:

enters house: 3-way in back bedroom (1 feed tv there, 1 leg to another tv in another bedroom, 1 leg to main HD tv).

With the splits at the HD: 2-way (1 feed 6200, 1 feed 2-way)
2nd 2-way (1 feed vcr, 1 feeds ANT1).

This has brought my analog cable (ANT1) almost back up where it was. the 6200 signal is good.

Since my 3-way drops signal too low, I've got no FM right now. I dont' need much boost, probably 3db would do it (overcome difference between a 2-way and 3-way splitter).

A service call might be in order. It seems like my neighbors cable sucks also.

Best,
jeff

I don't think anyone has yet posted the press release for FSN Bay Area HD's debut, so here is a link to it. Includes a schedule of A's and Giants games (subject to change, of course):

http://www.rainbow-media.com/rainbow/media/release_release.jsp?nodeid=4335

If you are in one of the areas that doesn't receive FSN Bay Area HD (because no InHD2), there are contacts listed for FSN Bay Area and Comcast Bay Area. If it's important enough to you, you might contact one or both to inquire about when FSN Bay Area HD will be coming to your area. (Please be polite if you do. :) )

greeno what kind of TV do you have? Because I found the same thing with my new Sony HDTV, it has a loop-thru but it doesn't seem to actually work, at least not well enough, all I get is 3-4 extremely snowy stations. They are cable stations too, not OTA, so I know it's coming from the cable. Maybe the signal is too low?

I guess FSN is going to get it's own channel soon. I don't know whether that will mean more games in HD though. Probably not.

Walk,
I have a toshiba 50hx81. It seems that I tried to use the pass-through when I first got is for CATV also and it didn't pass that through either. Maybe it is a low signal strength issue, as I know mine is not the strongest in the world.

jeff

Originally posted by xeenman
Take this with a grain of salt, but talked w/ a comcast rep that says
san carlos will launch HD on Oct 21st.

Thanks xeenman, this jibes w/ what my local Foster City office reps said yesterday...
sometime Oct.
I told them I'd seen workers laying new cable etc a few weeks ago, and they acknowledged that, but said work was still going on... I didn't see the workers again, so I couldn't ask them directly :-(
This info is still from the "store" reps, not real techs/in-the-know types, but much better than random phone CSRs :-)

Meanwhile KNTV-DT seems to be working better for me OTA, for olympics HD, w/ fewer glitches than I remember. Not that the HD coverage is very good :-( but it certainly LOOKS nice! (and is kind of handy to have delayed repeat, since I miss some late-night coverage day before...)

Would be great if they can get HD avail for us by the time new season starts, but doesn't seem likely...
2% club, we'll hang out w/ you compatriots a few more weeks at least !

I've had them out in the past, after they re-wired my house. They re-ran the line from the street to the house and then did something a year or two later that made the inline amp they provided unnecessary. But now since I've split analog one more time, pq is suffering.
There is extreme variation here. It all depends on how far you are from the junction box, the wiring inside your house, etc.

In my case, I had analog cable for a number of years and then signed up for Internet service (back when it was still TCI). The installer came out and installed the cable modem, but couldn't get it to work due to a signal strength problem. Another crew came out and pulled a new cable from the junction box, but the signal strength was still too low. They wanted to pull a thicker low-loss cable (RG-11), but the conduit was filled with crud and wouldn't accomodate the bigger cable.

TCI then sent out a construction crew with a compressor truck to try and blow the crud out of the line. After much effort, they tried pulling the thicker cable, and this time they could get the cable through the conduit, but couldn't get it around the nearly 90 degree bend where the conduit enters my garage. They gave up and repulled RG-6.

It took them 3 more visits (7 total, with 11 different techs, over a 4 week period) before they got the modem working by installing a bi-directional amp in the garage.

The addition of the amp did not change the quality of analog cable, but it makes the difference between digital cable working or not working. In fact, whenever digital cable appears to be not working, I check the power transformer for the amp out in the garage and it's usually come unplugged.

So what I'm trying to say here is that Comcast (and you) needs to evaluate the entire signal path between your junction box and your STB. They may need to replace the coax between your house and the junction, replace or eliminate the splitter(s), pull lower-loss cable, install an amp, or perhaps a combination of all three. Make sure the tech checks the signal strength at the junction box, because if it's not up to snuff out there, it'll be worse after the cable run to your house.

If I were in your position, I'd try buying an amp from cabletvamps.com, because the cost of one of these is much lower than the money I'd loose by taking a few hours off of work to wait for the Comcast tech to show up.

Jerry,
The experience you relay sounds alot like the one I had several years ago. We never got to RG11 as the amp they installed did the trick, at least until something upstream of my house changed and the amp was now overdriving my equipment. (I wish I knew what the amplification was with that one).

I totally agree with you that the cost of the amp is much cheaper than taking time off of work and having to deal with a series of tech's (of course their best don't come until a couple of calls later - more time off).

My only reluctance is that it (the variable forward gain) won't fix me up and will cause some other problem and I'll be out the $70+. I guess I could always sell it on ebay as there is some traffic there in these products.

Right now every single splitter is a comcast (actually tci - I forgot about them before AT&T) provided allied signal (I think is the brand) one. All of the cable is RG6 with good compression fittings.

Also, my high AGC appears to correlate with low signal. Improving the signal has brought AGC down. Less processing is again good, I guess, for decreasing overall noise levels.

Thanks for taking the time to write your lengthy post. It's nice to know about others similar experiences.

I'll keep you guys updated.

Best,
jeff

To davisdog or someone else "in the know",

I am this close to signing a lease agreement at a new apartment complex to make a significant upgrade to my living quarters. However, while I enjoy both the HDTV and HSI available to me from Comcast here in Santa Clara, I wonder if both will still be available to me at a San Jose address with a zip code of 95134 (more specifically, an area between Montague Expwy, Zanker Rd, Tasman, and 880). I guess that this is considered "North San Jose" but it's proximity to Milpitas has me concerned after reading through a couple of pages of this thread. Can I make this move with the confidence that both of the aforementioned services will still be available to me at the new location? The Comcast website says so but, after reading here, I wonder how accurate that is and it would really suck to be tied into a year long lease if, come to find out, I couldn't get both HDTV and HSI from Comcast at my new location.

Thanks,
Chris

Chris-

I would, if possible, ask your new landlord and/or potential new neighbors and see what they have to say. They may not know about the HDTV situation however they will probably know if HSI is offered or not. If it is then the chances of having at least some HDTV are pretty good. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll avoid being the newest member of the 2% club (lower bandwidth = fewer HD channels). Your best bet is to if DCTDictator can find out for you as that is close to his service area.

Good luck.

ANY KNOW IF PITTSBURG GOING TO GET DONE REBUILDING
CABLE .CONCORD IS DONE AND THEY MORE HD AND I WANT VOD IS
COMING PITTSBURG MY FRIEND HAS IT IN CONCORD AND COOL


THANKS

FOUND IT TODAY ON BROADCASTING AND CABLE
Comcast's own rebuild is about 98% complete. As a result, Alchin says,
its capital expenditure profile will be down dramatically for 2004. Unfinisihed rebuild projects in CHICAGO, MIAMI, and the BAY AREA
will be completed within six months, According to BURKE.

usc10,

Would you provide a link to the article about the unfinished rebuild projects ?
I'm very interested what Mr. Burke has to say about the non upgrades here in the Bay Area.

TIA

Originally posted by Mr. Cuddles
To davisdog or someone else "in the know",

I am this close to signing a lease agreement at a new apartment complex to make a significant upgrade to my living quarters. However, while I enjoy both the HDTV and HSI available to me from Comcast here in Santa Clara, I wonder if both will still be available to me at a San Jose address with a zip code of 95134 (more specifically, an area between Montague Expwy, Zanker Rd, Tasman, and 880). I guess that this is considered "North San Jose" but it's proximity to Milpitas has me concerned after reading through a couple of pages of this thread. Can I make this move with the confidence that both of the aforementioned services will still be available to me at the new location? The Comcast website says so but, after reading here, I wonder how accurate that is and it would really suck to be tied into a year long lease if, come to find out, I couldn't get both HDTV and HSI from Comcast at my new location.

Thanks,
Chris Just call 1-800-COMCAST give them the new address and ask what is available.

Yes, walk, that sounds reasonable enough...

However, what are the odds that I get a CSR that can answer that question for me absolutely? I'm almost positive that every one of them would say "sure, both services are available there". But, after reading dozens of pages in this thread and elsewhere and seeing what the general consensus is on just how informed these CSRs really are, I'd feel much more comfortable hearing someone from this forum say "Hey, I live in that neck-of-the-woods and Comcast HDTV and HSI both work fine for me". That's all I'm asking for. Just a little peace of mind :)

Originally posted by Mikef5
usc10,

Would you provide a link to the article about the unfinished rebuild projects ?
I'm very interested what Mr. Burke has to say about the non upgrades here in the Bay Area.

TIA

The link is in this thread somewhere, maybe 4 weeks back I'm guessing, I looked the other day but gave up.

Jim

Keenan,

The reason I want to see the article is to see if his email address was mentioned. Burke is the COO of Comcast and I want to hear from him or someone from his office to tell me that they are not going to upgrade the Saramilgatos area,ever. The article makes it seem like they will upgrade all systems in 6 months but I've heard from a reliable person that they will never upgrade us pass 550 MHz.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Keenan,

The reason I want to see the article is to see if his email address was mentioned. Burke is the COO of Comcast and I want to hear from him or someone from his office to tell me that they are not going to upgrade the Saramilgatos area,ever. The article makes it seem like they will upgrade all systems in 6 months but I've heard from a reliable person that they will never upgrade us pass 550 MHz.

Found the article, no email address, though it seems to me that was posted in this thread somewhere also. I looked and couldn't find it.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/cedailydirect/2004/0704/cedaily040701.htm
CED Broadband Direct News

This is a list of contacts from the Comcast site.

http://www.cmcsk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-contacts
Comcast Press Room --Media Contacts

Jim

Originally posted by Mr. Cuddles
Yes, walk, that sounds reasonable enough...

However, what are the odds that I get a CSR that can answer that question for me absolutely? I'm almost positive that every one of them would say "sure, both services are available there". But, after reading dozens of pages in this thread and elsewhere and seeing what the general consensus is on just how informed these CSRs really are, I'd feel much more comfortable hearing someone from this forum say "Hey, I live in that neck-of-the-woods and Comcast HDTV and HSI both work fine for me". That's all I'm asking for. Just a little peace of mind :) I hear that, but they should be able to do a lookup on your address and tell you what's available. I've never known them to be wrong. Even in 1998 when they were first rolling out HSI they were able to tell me when it was going to be available, and when I moved they were able to tell me that HSI and HDTV were available, and they were not wrong, ever.

Just don't ask them exactly what channels are in HDTV or other complicated questions :)

Heck you should be able to enter your address on comcast.com "what's available" and it will tell you. Will it be right 100% of the time? I don't know, but it's a start. Good luck with your quest. Worst comes to worst, you can get DSL and DirectTV (in an apartment it's a pain but there's always the Dish in a bucket of Cement on the patio option :)

You could at least try it, the 1-800 call is free....

Originally posted by Mikef5
Keenan,

The reason I want to see the article is to see if his email address was mentioned. Burke is the COO of Comcast and I want to hear from him or someone from his office to tell me that they are not going to upgrade the Saramilgatos area,ever.

Try doing a search in the HDTV Programming Forum for Steve Burke. I'm sure you will find his email address.

I've emailed him several times regarding local issues, and he almost always responds directly within a few days and/or refers the question to the person in charge of the local area.

He is very customer service oriented and will tell you as much as he can. Too bad the actual customer service folks aren't that good.

Mr. Cuddles,

I live in 95134 (River Oaks Community inside Montague, Zanker, 880 & Tasman borders). Comcast HDTV is not available yet. I've been monitoring these posts since I moved here a year ago, calling Comcast and visiting the S. 10th Street office. My DLP TV is horrible w/Standard Digital cable and I want my HDTV so I can see what my DLP can really do.

I received a mailing from Comcast dated July that says, "Comcast has completed building the first phase of its state-of-the-art fiber-optic digital network in your neighborhood...During the weeks of August 19th through September 20th, look for more channels, all new digital cable services, overall better entertainment value and greater service reliability." They will also be raising price during the Sept/Oct billing cycle. They included the new channel lineup card which has 11 HD channels.

The back of the mailer discusses HSI and says. "Coming Soon..." and "The wait is almost over."

Finally, they included a postcard asking me to exchange my standard-def cable box for another standard-def (which I did).

Thanks Spathy,

That's exactly the neighborhood that I'll be moving into and your's is the type of personal experience that I was hoping to find here. That is, however, not the answer that I was looking for :( The curious thing is that the Comcast website does say that HDTV is available now but that HSI "not yet available at the address/ZIP code that I entered" :confused: That's really too bad about the HSI because here in Santa Clara I get terrific download speeds and I still have quite a few months left on a great introductory price offer. Oh well, I don't move in until the 2nd of October so maybe HDTV really will be up and running by then and HSI not too far behind it. Until then there is always OTA and dial-up :D

I guess that this means that I'll be joining the infamous 2% club (aka The Limited Bandwidth Club) at least temporarily. "Hello, my name is Chris and I come from a place where Comcast offered me some very neat things. So neat, in fact, that I became very dependent on them. Please, brothers and sisters, help me to overcome this dependency in my time of need." :o

The website can be VERY unreliable regarding availability, as can the CSRs. I don't blame them, as they get their info from the computer, but it can be frustrating. I think that often the data base may not get updated as the system gets upgraded.

The website still says that HSI is unavailable in my area, but it seems to work quite well none the less...my neighbor was unable to get an install until I gave him my work order to convince them that it would work.

Look for the channel lineup changing. That seems to be a good indicator of activated rebuild (at least in areas that have moved from 330 MHz to 860.

For the past two days I've only been able to get KPIX (186) and INHD/HD2, along with 704 and 722.

All the other 18* and 19* stations say, "this station will be available..." and then turns to black when the message fades.

Although, SOMETIMES a highly pixelated picture paints after a few minutes.

Would we say there are signals problems coming from the head end here?

I also wondered, given the heat yesterday in my "organic" living room (No A/C), that the box was getting hinkie re: the heat.

Thoughts?

For the past two days I've only been able to get KPIX (186) and INHD/HD2, along with 704 and 722.
Maybe this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=439839) is the cause.

To summarize that other thread, Sutro Tower digital broadcasts will be down while they perform maintenance today and tomorrow (according to TVGeek5), presumably during daytime hours. I too have had greater difficulty tuning in many of those channels and I have an eye view of the tower from Nob Hill. I think many of you will find that if you use your rotors to make minute adjustments to your antenna, you can get these other channels to come in.
I hope it's just temporary.

Nope working fine here. Unless they get them some other way for Northbay. I would check your signal.

What's the deal with the Giants/Atlanta game on ESPN last nite not being in Hi Def?? It was in HD on Friday, and I could even SEE the HD cameras in some of the shots! :P

Sutro maintenance usually does NOT affect Comcast because Comcast has a direct fiber feed for each local digital signal it carries.

Anyone not getting 136 or 294 ( G4tv ) ??? Just freezes that last channel picture and no picture or sound.

We just received a post card from Comcast with a new HD channel line up (no effective date listed):

NBC (KNTV) - 703
KRON -704
CBS (KPIX) - 705
ABC (KGO) - 707
PBS (KQED) -709
InHD1 - 719
InHD2/FSNHD - 720
Discovery HD - 722
ESPN HD - 723
HBO HD - 730
Cinemax HD - 732
Starz HD - 734
Showtime HD - 736

I do like the 703 thru 709 line-up because it matches the SD channel line up of 3 thru 9.

-Steve

Edit: Oops! Looks like this information was posted a few days ago, I've been out of town and missed it.

I received the following reponse from Rick Germano, VP of Marketing for the Bay Area:

-----------
Thank you for your inquiry. We do have Motorola (single tuner ) boxes that do work; we have not marketed them because we believe they are an inferior solution compared to the two tuner DVR's. Unfortunately, Motorola continues to delay the release of dual tuner DVR's and we now look like "bad guys" for not introducing the single tuner earlier this year. We delayed because we believed Motorola would be ready in Q1 2004.

We are "hopefully" on track for an Oct/Nov full scale launch of dual tuner DVR's coupled with our full scale rollout of VOD.

I certainly appreciate your support of Comcast; I think, in the long run our competitors fall way short; in the short run, we are working very hard to "do things correctly" and not launch products we cannot support.

thank you again.
------------

Looks like they're aiming for an Oct or Nov release, although he put "hopefully" in quotes so who knows.

There was an ad in the 7-30-04 edition of the San Jose Mercury where it stated that these changes would be active on Sept. 1st, at least for the South Bay anyways. Don't know if that's changed or not.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Anyone not getting 136 or 294 ( G4tv ) ??? Just freezes that last channel picture and no picture or sound. No problem here in Novato, looks like may be a local problem.

Originally posted by fender4645
I received the following reponse from Rick Germano, VP of Marketing for the Bay Area:

Looks like they're aiming for an Oct or Nov release, although he put "hopefully" in quotes so who knows.

Nice response. Encouraging, although the part about VOD bugs me as I can't even get everything they offer now. It just seems like we 2%er's are being left at the altar. His remarks about the single tuner DVR might raise some Cain with folks who have them.:D

Jim

In fact D* with BravoHD live today and NBC-HD coming along with FOX-HD, supposedly very soon, Comcast is really starting to loose it's leverage with me.

Jim

Lose.

VOD is Low-Def, is it not?

Netflix is superior.

HD VOD would rock, though. I'm not holding my breath, at least not until ohhh 2010 ?

My point was, Comcast is focusing on things like VOD, HSI and telephony when there are many of us that don't have the BW to get what their full offering of HD is now. And Directv seems they are slowly starting to catch up to offering what I have with Comcast, in fact some content Comcast does not even have.

Jim

Well, if D* gets FSN-HD, then I'm definitely gone. I just got off the phone with another rep. and it is official, Comcast will not upgrade the 2% areas ever. We will be at 550 MHz for the duration and it won't be until the analog channels go away and they switch to all digital before we get any HD programs added. One more thing before I leave Comcast is to relay this situation to the media. I've been holding off until I got an official response to our non upgrade. So Comcast can explain to the S.F. Chronicle and ABC on their position of excluding our area from upgrading. If you read the article in the Chronicle Mr. Burke the COO of Comcast said that it would be 3 to 6 months before ALL AREAS would be upgraded, so what are we chopped liver ?? Anyway, what is needed is more people of the 2% club to write or email the Chronicle and ABC and let them know what is happening. If you don't voice your opinions then you deserve what you get and from Comcast that is nothing. Enough of the soap box, guess I should see what deals D* is offering new customers.

Originally posted by keenan
His remarks about the single tuner DVR might raise some Cain with folks who have them.:D

I've had a single tuner DVR since they were testing them, and can absolutely attest to them being sub-par. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad to have it, and it's worked great, but until the last software upgrade, there have been issues with them. If they had deployed the boxes, they would certainly have had some customer support problems with them.

I have sort of calmed down when it comes to the DVR. When I sat down and thought about it, there's really not too many things I would actually record on a consistent basis in HD. Sure there are things I would like to record every now and then but most of the shows I watch are either only shown in SD or we don't even get the HD channel (eehhhhFOXehhhh). Couple that with a buggy box that may not even record the program anyway, I would just assume wait for one that's more tried and tested -- and has the dual tuner. I have my ReplayTV's to record SD material and that's held me over for 2 years now...I can wait a bit longer.

Mikef5, I'm not sure who gave you the "official" word but if it was a basic phone rep...can you guess what I'm going to say next??? :) Before you leave the wonderful world of Comcast, PM me and I'll give you Rick's email address -- he seems to be the #1 guy in the Bay Area. He may just blow sunshine up your a** but he also may tell you something favorable too.

The issues with the 6412 right now are not hardware. Some ISVs blame Moto for bugs that the ISV can't figure out, can't work around or won't fix so Moto probably recieves more blame than it deserves.

As I keep saying, FE 1.7 is running swell in our offices.

Having dealt with Comcast extensively on this project, one thing I can say is that the Comcast folks are hard core about EVERY issue, even the seemingly small ones, which impact video quality, regulatory compliance, operations, etc. So while some MSOs might be okay letting something go that, for example, impacts audio sync on 1394 out after an emergency alert, the Comcast folks will beat up Moto to fix it.

I expect that the DVR roll out will be slow at first as kinks in the install process, ISV software, firmware, etc. get worked out. Think of it like HD - some bumps at first and little marketing with mostly early adopter purchases. Now, over a year later, HD is ready for prime time and has lots of marketing. Plus, HD boxes are cheaper for Comcast to deploy now so they won't go broke rolling it out big time.

Now, replace "HD" with "DVR" above and you'll have a good prediction of how DVR rolllout will proceed in my estimation.

Originally posted by fender4645
Mikef5, I'm not sure who gave you the "official" word but if it was a basic phone rep...can you guess what I'm going to say next??? :) Before you leave the wonderful world of Comcast, PM me and I'll give you Rick's email address -- he seems to be the #1 guy in the Bay Area. He may just blow sunshine up your a** but he also may tell you something favorable too.

yup...MikeF5, VP of Marketing for the Western Region is about your best bet to get a real answer...I suggest you email him and see what he says..make sure you frame the question right and do ask nicely (and be sure to let us all know).

...of course he does put the marketing spin on his answers it seems...every other Comcast region went with the single tuner...they knew the dual tuner was not going to hit Q104 at that point.

Originally posted by shannonv
Having dealt with Comcast extensively on this project, one thing I can say is that the Comcast folks are hard core about EVERY issue, even the seemingly small ones, which impact video quality, regulatory compliance, operations, etc.

Thanks, Shannon. This is exactly what I wanted to hear. As I said, I would much rather have a tried and tested product rather then a half-tested piece of equipment that was forced onto the masses because Marketing either spoke too soon or the company wants to make their Q1 numbers. I manage a software QA group (specifically in the OEM realm) and I know what it's like to deal with not only multiple companys' technical people but with their marketing folks as well -- it can be downright ugly sometimes. The hardest part is getting all sides to agree the product is ready to go without sacrificing too much quality. Judging by your comments, it looks like things are going well...much better then the 6208 did.

Hi guys-

I've got a bit of an off-topic question. DCTDictator & Sonoma, you might know this through your experience: is there any correlation between Comcast's channel listings and the actual frequencies they are broadcasted on? For example, INHD broadcasts on 105.1 (channel 195), INHD2 broadcasts on 105.2 (channel 196), and DiscoveryHD broadcasts on 110.1 (channel 722). I know in the past the channel lineup has varied from market to market but now they seem to be getting everyone on the same page and I was wondering if there was any rhyme or reason as to what actual frequencies they broadcast on. The reason I ask is because I have a friend who works for a company that builds Mac-based DVR equipment (hardware and software) and they're trying to figure out the best way to map channels in the software for their Comcast customers.

Any thoughts?

Last week I posted here describing a DVI switching problem I was having with my 6200 (switching away from and back to the DVI input on my Fujitsu P50 resulted in a 3-way split-screen effect). The 6200 had v7.15 firmware and the problem was reproducible 100% of the time.

Now, a week later, the 6200 still has 7.15 firmware (according to the information screen), yet I can't make the problem happen at all. Strange.

Does Comcast sometimes send out minor firmware updates without changing the version number? I can't think of any other explanation for why this problem suddenly went away.

Anyone know if the Westgate mall area of San Jose has been rebuilt or is still 330 mhz? A friend of mine has satellite now and just bought an hd set and is wondering if he should switch to cable instead of buying a satellite hd decoder. His set has an OTA hd tuner now and he's getting the locals, so he's interested in adding hd content above and beyond the locals, and specifically FSN HD would be a big plus for cable over satellite, if it's available at his location. Unfortunately he doesn't have cable now so I couldn't check his channel lineup to try to figure out what system he might be on. For all I know it could be an A/B system - I guess we'd have to check with one of his neighbors who has cable. Does an A/B switch system mean 330mhz and no HD?

I know parts of san jose are lagging behind. Anybody know specifically about the residential area just east of Lawrence Expressway and west of saratoga ave. (Doyle Rd.) and north of westgate west and south of Mitty High School.

How can you get a reliable answer from Comcast? I see numerous posts about hd installs being scheduled only later when the installer gets there do they figure out that hd is not available at the location.

Thanks.

Is there an HD station on Comcast in San Francisco that shows test patterns at some time of the day?

Mikef5, I think the issue here is the cost of the upgrade vs the additional cash flow coming from these markets. The big deal is data service, which these markets already have. Until HD is a significant revenue generator, or churn reducer, it's hard for comcast to justify pouring in the money to upgrade these markets. They have already spent more than 1/2 a Billion dollars into the Bay Area. Thats a whole lot of capital!

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by MikeSM
Mikef5, I think the issue here is the cost of the upgrade vs the additional cash flow coming from these markets. The big deal is data service, which these markets already have. Until HD is a significant revenue generator, or churn reducer, it's hard for comcast to justify pouring in the money to upgrade these markets. They have already spent more than 1/2 a Billion dollars into the Bay Area. Thats a whole lot of capital!

Thanks,
Mike

So let me get this straight. Comcast thinks this area, the Saramilgatos area, is not worth it's time, effort and money to upgrade. It is fine for them to collect the $109 a month that I pay for their service but I'm not worth upgrading to improve the system here that I support. I really hope that is not their attitude, it would be a bad business practice to exclude areas that in their opinion are not worth upgrading or not a money making area. So, what's to stop them from doing this to other areas ??? Once they get a foothold in an area, they just stop upgrading or adding other services. Comcast wouldn't do that ???? Read the Chronicle article, Burke the COO of Comcast said ALL AREAS would be upgraded in the next 3 to 6 months, did he lie or did I miss read the article ?? I'm not disputing what you are implying but don't you think that it would leave a bad taste in anyones mouth that lives in the Saramilgatos area ??? Sort of reminds me of that commercial that the new guys are special and get the new stuff but your not new and don't deserve anything new. Makes me want to run out and buy some Comcast stock. :confused:

F.Y.I NFL Network will be available on 9/3 ch 256

"Upgraded" means different things. The classic definition of upgraded in the cable world is that a system has been equipped with fiber overlay that supports a reasonable number of homes per fiber node, and is two-way active. Before comcast took over from AT&T, most of the users in the bay area didn't live in "upgraded" areas. By the classic definition, all of the bay area will be upgraded soon (SJ isn't all rebuilt yet).

This kind of upgraded plant can offer voice, video and data services. Now, on a 550 system, it's not going to handle large numbers of HD channels, but still can support VOD and other advanced services if the node size is small enough.

So I think Burke's statement as read by a traditional industry observer would be correct.

I'm not saying I don't feel for you, but I don't think comcast was trying to be deceptive here. They have their issues, but this isn't typically one of them.

As I said before, I think you would be better off getting your franchise authority folks involved. They can push the issue in the long term, and in the short term tell comcast to take back the spectrum used for crappy public access channels that NOBODY watches and use it for additional HD programming. I'm sure comcast would love to do that too. They don't want to lose premium subs any more than you want to switch. The fact that so much analog spectrum is wasted on this tripe is criminal, and your local government has all the power it needs to fix this problem for you today. I'm being serious about this - it's about time somebody pushed to disturb the status quo.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by CMG1976
F.Y.I NFL Network will be available on 9/3 ch 256 What's NFL network? They show games or what?

It's gonna suck here not getting 49ers (on Fox) in HD...

re: non upgraded areas - Seems to me it's time to get a Dish. Vote with your pocketbook as it were. I wouldn't be happy with that kind of service , but I wouldn't keep sending them my money either. :p

MikeSM,

Thanks for the input. Just an update, I've sent two emails, one to Steve Burke the other to Rick Germano, I am waiting for their response. With those responses I will contact the Franchise Authority in my area for a resolution, if that is not satisfactory then I will send off email to the Chronicle reporter that did the interview with Mr. Burke to see if he will do a follow up with Mr. Burke and get Mr Burke's response to be printed in the paper. It's fine to sit here and bitch and moan about this problem but it gets nothing done. I hope others will do the same as I am doing. If the problem is not know it can not be fixed, the more people that complain and make the problem visible the more the chances are that they can be resolved. I have been with cable since the days of TCI, through the AT&T years and now with Comcast. They have done alot and I do appreciate that but that doesn't cut it when you are in an area they they now deem unprofitable and not worth upgrading. Put yourself in my position, what would you do ???

Mikef5, if I were in your position I would push the issue with the Franchise board. And I would definitely push hard on dumping the public access channels. If you can get a few people in your area to do the same, even if the franchise folks don't agree, they'll recognize how important the issue is and try and work with comcast to get your the HD channels without having to give up the stupid public access channels.

In short, make them own the problem if they refuse to remove the public access channels. You have a solution, and they need to find another solution if they don't like yours. These folks will not like being in that position.

If they stall, then call up the Chronicle and have them do a feature on the head of the franchise commission for not supporting you in removing these channels so you can get the additional HD channels. The Chron has a feature where they keep a bureaucrats picture in each edition until they deal with the situation. This might be a good feature for the cable board.

Thanks,
Mike

You might also bring up the point to the local authorities that their wonderful and beautiful city or town happens to sit in the bottom 2% of the rest of the country when it comes to cable TV service. That's the kind of thing city councils and local business and housing groups get upset about, tell them they are being slighted.

Jim

Keenan, it may be the bottom of the bay area, but this definitely not the case that it's in the bottom of 2% of system in the US. There are many systems that still do not have 2-way data running on them, much less 750.

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by MikeSM
Keenan, it may be the bottom of the bay area, but this definitely not the case that it's in the bottom of 2% of system in the US. There are many systems that still do not have 2-way data running on them, much less 750.

Thanks,
Mike

Bottom of the Comcast system it is, by there own statement.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/cedailydirect/2004/0704/cedaily040701.htm
CED Broadband Direct News

Jim

Jim, you're misreading this statement. Burke is saying they are 98% complete with the upgrades that are underway. This is NOT saying that they are "rebuilding" 100% of their systems, just that the set of upgrades and rebuilds they started when they bought AT&T Broadband are 98% complete. They never started rebuilding your system, so it never got counted here. Comcast is a good operator, but there is NO WAY they have 98% of their systems completely rebuilt with the latest equipment. In another 6 months, he'll tell folks the upgrades are complete, but lots of comcast systems will still not have 750 Mhz plant.

You can get more detail from the comcast financial statements on capex growth.

Thanks,
Mike

Here's the quote from CED Magazine,

"Comcast Cable President Steve Burke estimated that the MSO is about 98 percent finished with the rebuilds, with some work still to be done over the next three to six months in the California Bay Area, Chicago metro and in Miami. "

Read it as you will, what they are doing is still wrong. MikeSM, your input is appreciated and I take most of it to heart but wrong is still wrong no matter how you slice it. This situation should not exist and good sense of what is right and wrong , on Comcast's part, should prevent this from happening. You lose more business by not doing the right thing in the first place and you avoid customer dissatisfaction.
For the people of Milpitas, the Telecommunication Committee meets on the 3rd Monday of the month, that's the Franchise Authority for our area.

Originally posted by MikeSM
Jim, you're misreading this statement.



Maybe, maybe not. The following statement comes from the article:

"Comcast said it is ready to move quickly with a variety of new services and applications because its extensive network upgrade -.including those acquired from AT&T Broadband - is almost complete."

The italics are mine. We, here in Santa Rosa were AT&T Broadband.

Add the above statement to:

"Comcast Cable President Steve Burke estimated that the MSO is about 98 percent finished with the rebuilds, with some work still to be done over the next three to six months in the California Bay Area , Chicago metro and in Miami. "

Again italics are mine. Given those two statements I don't see how I am mis-reading what they are saying. Now, if there was something lost or mis-represented by the reporter then that's another thing altogether.

Jim :)

Saratoga and Los Gatos are 2 of the wealthiest communites in the Bay Area. Many technologists live in this area and would be among the first to adopt technologies such as HDTV, DVR, etc. I don't understand comcast's thinking on this one.

Eric

You can forget about getting rid of public access channels, those are mandated by local laws. It would be a violation of their franchise to remove them.

Originally posted by walk
You can forget about getting rid of public access channels, those are mandated by local laws. It would be a violation of their franchise to remove them.

What MikeSM is saying is go to the franchise Authority (ie the city) and make it clear to them that you would rather have HD then Public Access Channels...The francise authority works for the people and has the power to remove them from the agreement (in which case Comcast would be granted permission to remove them and free up lots of bandwidth for what the people really want)

Originally posted by ethune
Saratoga and Los Gatos are 2 of the wealthiest communites in the Bay Area. Many technologists live in this area and would be among the first to adopt technologies such as HDTV, DVR, etc. I don't understand comcast's thinking on this one.

Eric

Eric,
It's hard, but look at it this way (as a comcast share holder...which I am not).

By spending millions of $ to upgrade saratoga is it going to result in millions more of revenue just by providing 5 more HD channels? Or are their going to loss millions of dollars in revenue if they don't by people leaving for Satellite...It's all about ROI and we could be screwed if you look at the numbers.

The other thing against Saratoga is population density (or lack their of when compared to SJ)...It costs them the same to string a line down a street in Saratoga or San Jose...which Million $ worth of cable will get there service available to more residences.

damn...what am I saying...I want Saratoga upgraded despite that ;)

Unfortunately I think Saramilgatos is already considered a "rebuilt" cable system...and MikeSM definitions support that...we were just rebuilt at a point when 550Mhz was availabe about 5 years ago..

what we need is an upgrade to support 750Mhz+

Unfortunately the article doesnt spell out specifics like saying we are upgrading all of our systems to at least "750Mhz"

Why not eliminate the HD OTA channels from the non 750mhz areas. We can get those channels with an antenna, in my case a UHF loop.