Comcast HDTV [Text View] - Page 20

bicker1

11-17-07, 07:48 AM

I know its on satellite. Does the program info and associated tags come from the network or the service provider?The data comes initially from the network, though a program guide service provider (Tribune or Gemstar/TV Guide). The service provider generally does absolutely nothing with the guide data (except deliver it).

If it comes from the service provider, this must mean that Comcast will be adding the channel very soon.The program guide data would provide absolutely no insight into that. Having said that, there are rumors that Sci Fi is one of the next two HD channels that Comcast nationwide will start offering, however once the channel is available nationwide, each region will then need to slot it into their channel addition plans.

Mwwilliams

11-17-07, 10:53 AM

Finally, some good news for the Knoxville, TN people. We got a card in the mail today from Comcast saying they are adding HGTV HD, USA HD, TBS HD, NFL Netwoek HD, and Food Network HD on December 12. I hate it that NFLN HD won't come until after they have carried a few games, but at least Comcast is putting forth some effort. Now let's hope they'll be adding Speed TV HD by February.

I didn't get that card but am glad to hear it!!

paul?

11-17-07, 04:48 PM

spenbrad

11-18-07, 01:20 AM

Marcus Carr

11-18-07, 06:32 AM

Cool, finally confirmation of Animal Planet. Science Channel is probably a safe bet.

wstanko

11-18-07, 08:38 AM

I live in Utah and my latest bill said this at the bottom:

On 12/11/07, we will launch the following channels: CW HD-656, USA HD-676, HistoryHD-677, Animal Planet HD-678, TLC HD-679, and Discovery HD-680.

You are lucky, at the bottom of my bill it says "Pay the following Amount!" :D

Advanced warning never occurs and my buds in the local Pittsburgh thread help me spot the new arrivals the sneak into the line-up.

vtec4me

11-18-07, 11:45 AM

I live in Utah and my latest bill said this at the bottom:

On 12/11/07, we will launch the following channels: CW HD-656, USA HD-676, HistoryHD-677, Animal Planet HD-678, TLC HD-679, and Discovery HD-680.

Sick!!!
bout time Comcast got this rolling for Utah.
I've been waiting for CW and Discovery.

blitzen102

11-19-07, 10:25 AM

Notice in our local newspapers - Comcast systems in Minneapolis and St. Paul to get TBS HD and Fox Sports Net North HD on December 17th.

Stewpidity

11-19-07, 11:41 AM

I live in Utah and my latest bill said this at the bottom:

On 12/11/07, we will launch the following channels: CW HD-656, USA HD-676, HistoryHD-677, Animal Planet HD-678, TLC HD-679, and Discovery HD-680.

My last 2 bills, have said:

Every employee @ Comcast has made a commitment to provide superior customer service. Your total satisfaction is our number one priority.

:rolleyes:

4hits

11-19-07, 01:00 PM

First weekend with HD!!! Awesome.

But I must say that Comcast's HD offerings suck.

I'm sure their ridiculous claim that they have more HD than satellite - because they count the HD on demand movies/shows - has been discussed ad nausem.

And Comcast's website? - sucks!! I was looking for a channel roll-out schedule for my area. Not there. Technical specs/instructions, etc. for my new HD box. Not there.

I've always liked Comcast for the on-demand stuff, but absent any idea when their HD offerings will equal satellite, I just might be scouting sites for that unsightly dish. ;)

I found myself watching Six Feet Under on Bravo, just because it was in HD.:eek:

raidbuck

11-19-07, 01:18 PM

4hits, welcome to the forum. It would be helpful if you could put your location in your profile when commenting on offerings on your local Comcast system.

I wasn't aware that Comcast had BravoHD. I'm waiting for USA-HD to get L&0 CI.

Rich N.

Amnesia

11-19-07, 01:46 PM

I was looking for a channel roll-out schedule for my area. Not there.That's not surprising. If they detailed their planned roll-out schedule, then people would get upset (or even sue!) if for some reason they couldn't keep to it.

DMClark

11-19-07, 01:47 PM

I just got my bill. Just the good ole rate increase. Still no new channels. :eek:

4hits

11-19-07, 01:56 PM

That's not surprising. If they detailed their planned roll-out schedule, then people would get upset (or even sue!) if for some reason they couldn't keep to it.

The Verizon Wireless website includes future release dates for their new phones.

It's surprising to me that at even one month out of a scheduled new channel offering Comcast can't make post an announcement with a degree of confidence, if they are indeed fearful of being sued.

blitzen102

11-19-07, 02:03 PM

The Verizon Wireless website includes future release dates for their new phones.

It's surprising to me that at even one month out of a scheduled new channel offering Comcast can't make post an announcement with a degree of confidence, if they are indeed fearful of being sued.

You are comparing the release of new cell phones to activation of new HD channels???

Okay..... :rolleyes:

I'm not surprised at all that the announcements come out only a few weeks before the channel goes "live". It is smart business to wait until the channel is up and running and fully tested before you tell people when it will be added to the lineup.

smithfarmer

11-19-07, 02:13 PM

I'm sure their ridiculous claim that they have more HD than satellite - because they count the HD on demand movies/shows - has been discussed ad nausem.

I'm seriously considering filing a class action against Comcast for this very issue. In my area, Comcast's HD On Demand is not available and yet we are continually bombarded with commercials touting how great it is and how much greater of an offering of HD material is available via Comcast. It's pure deception/false advertising on their part.

The only reason I haven't switched is due to the fact my HOA already has a bulk agreement with Comcast and I'd end up paying for a duplication of service.

Marcus Carr

11-19-07, 02:22 PM

I'm not surprised at all that the announcements come out only a few weeks before the channel goes "live". It is smart business to wait until the channel is up and running and fully tested before you tell people when it will be added to the lineup.

I got two messages about My Network HD being added. Never happened. Maybe Comcast was expecting the channel to start showing HD but there was a delay. The local channel went to 720p this year but is still stretching and upconverting all programming. (They aren't even full power OTA yet.) If it ever shows up I wouldn't be surprised if they don't annnounce it ahead of time. I would prefer that to getting a false alarm.

No new channels have been announced since September. We got TBS HD and Food HD on 10/1. I hope we get some more channels this year.

4hits

11-19-07, 02:36 PM

You are comparing the release of new cell phones to activation of new HD channels???

Okay..... :rolleyes:

I'm not surprised at all that the announcements come out only a few weeks before the channel goes "live". It is smart business to wait until the channel is up and running and fully tested before you tell people when it will be added to the lineup.

Appreciate the :rolleyes:. Most welcoming.

Please tell me then to what I should be comparing cable channel roll-out announcements. It is smart business to wait until there is certainty before announcing a roll-out, regardless of product. I don't believe I am advocating roll-out announcements without certainty.

I wrote "one month", you write "few weeks". Okay, we're close. I'll give you a "few weeks". It seems as if you are telling me the Comcast website has a roll-out page - which is the topic of my post - which announces new offerings coming out in a few weeks. I would appreciate a link to the roll-out page.

chad473

11-19-07, 02:46 PM

I'm sure their ridiculous claim that they have more HD than satellite - because they count the HD on demand movies/shows - has been discussed ad nausem.

the newest commercial that touts 3 times the HD as directv makes me want to vomit.

homcom

11-19-07, 02:54 PM

Bill Geiger

11-19-07, 03:04 PM

There were? Here in the Willow Grove, PA area, we didn't receive notice by flyer, bill, or guide of any Analogs being dropped. And since we get new HD channels at the same time as the rest of the region, I guess we'll have to wait for each area to get aligned. :(

They actually were listed at the bottom of the bill. It was listed along with the Fox Business being added., which I believe was last month.

JayMan007

11-19-07, 03:05 PM

I'm sure their ridiculous claim that they have more HD than satellite - because they count the HD on demand movies/shows - has been discussed ad nausem.

I found myself watching Six Feet Under on Bravo, just because it was in HD.:eek:

the newest commercial that touts 3 times the HD as directv makes me want to vomit.

You'll find that when you first get an HDTV you do watch it (anything) because its in HD. My brother said he'd watch grass grow/paint dry if its in HD :)

With HD Ondemand, Comcast may have more total hours of HD programming. While DirecTV does have more channels, actually how much HD programming does it have. (ex. new HD stations like TBS - I don't think they had any HD since the baseball playoffs.)

blitzen102

11-19-07, 03:14 PM

Appreciate the :rolleyes:. Most welcoming.

Please tell me then to what I should be comparing cable channel roll-out announcements. It is smart business to wait until there is certainty before announcing a roll-out, regardless of product. I don't believe I am advocating roll-out announcements without certainty.

I wrote "one month", you write "few weeks". Okay, we're close. I'll give you a "few weeks". It seems as if you are telling me the Comcast website has a roll-out page - which is the topic of my post - which announces new offerings coming out in a few weeks. I would appreciate a link to the roll-out page.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to offend. I was just trying to get you think about you were saying.

I can't come up with anything to really compare it to - it really is unique- but it is very complex. No two Comcast systems are the same. Each has different channels that they carry (local, public access, etc.), different infrastructure (wiring, routers, etc., etc, etc) -- and of of this hardware there are using different manufactures and often different models in each of Comcast's systems.

There also is no "roll-out page". Again, the Comcast systems are different -- and contracts with cities (or cable comissions) they service are different. People in some cities get post cards in the mail announcing new channels, some (like mine) get announcemnt ads placed by Comcast in local newspapers, some get messages on their STB, some get messages on their monthly cable bill, many get combinations of the above.

Satellite companies, hardware-wise, have it easier than cablecos in most respects on this issue. They have the equipment at their home, the statellites, and the STB(s) in the homes to manage. They don't have the ugly gobbledy-gook of a bunch of "un-consistant" networks between the satellites and the STBs to keep straight.

4hits

11-19-07, 03:37 PM

Sorry, I wasn't trying to offend. I was just trying to get you think about you were saying.

I can't come up with anything to really compare it to - it really is unique- but it is very complex. No two Comcast systems are the same. Each has different channels that they carry (local, public access, etc.), different infrastructure (wiring, routers, etc., etc, etc) -- and of of this hardware there are using different manufactures and often different models in each of Comcast's systems.

There also is no "roll-out page". Again, the Comcast systems are different -- and contracts with cities (or cable comissions) they service are different. People in some cities get post cards in the mail announcing new channels, some (like mine) get announcemnt ads placed by Comcast in local newspapers, some get messages on their STB, some get messages on their monthly cable bill, many get combinations of the above.

Satellite companies, hardware-wise, have it easier than cablecos in most respects on this issue. They have the equipment at their home, the statellites, and the STB(s) in the homes to manage. They don't have the ugly gobbledy-gook of a bunch of "un-consistant" networks between the satellites and the STBs to keep straight.

Appreciate the response. And I do appreciate the complexity and uncertainty.

But...;)...on the Comcast website I can type in my zip-code and view my channel line-up. All I am saying is that I would appreciate those new channel announcements to which you are refering (newspaper ads, bill stuffers, messages, etc.) also be included as part of my zip-code related channel line-up info.
I have a web-site design/information dissemination issue is all.

sievers

11-19-07, 03:57 PM

Comcast is one of the worst companies I have ever had the displeasure of paying money to, customer service wise. I wouldn't expect much from their website. But that said, I think they do have the best hd offerings (and pq) and satellite really isn't any cheaper as they claim. So I'm still with them.

Marcus Carr

11-19-07, 03:59 PM

I wasn't aware that Comcast had BravoHD.

May have been UHD.

4hits

11-19-07, 04:22 PM

May have been UHD.

I'll check tonight. Sorry for the confusion.

edit: yes, it was UHD

Marty Milton

11-19-07, 04:33 PM

I am in a city that is waiting until our cable system goes from Insight to Comcast. From what I have read about Comcast, I am not really looking into the switchover. It appears we will be losing HD Net and HD Net Movie channels when with Comcast. I think it is time to look at satellite.

McDonoughDawg

11-19-07, 05:37 PM

Here in my local community, Peachtree City, GA, I must say, the gals in the Comcast office are nice.

QZ1

11-19-07, 05:41 PM

They actually were listed at the bottom of the bill. It was listed along with the Fox Business being added., which I believe was last month.
Now that I think of it, you must be right. I recall some mention of SD channels, so I didn't pay attention to it. :) How many channels were dropped from Analog? Since they already have all channels simulcasted in Digital, as it is.

Marcus Carr

11-20-07, 08:26 AM

Comcast Moves HD Channels to Cheaper Plan [in Detroit]

The cable operator says it wants more subscribers to get high-def.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (November 20, 2007) -- Comcast yesterday said Detroit customers will now be able to get most High-Definition channels with a less expensive, "basic" programming package.

That's according to The Detroit News, which reports that the basic package is about $14 a month less than the "preferred" package.

Previously, Comcast subscribers in Detroit needed the preferred package to get access to high-def channels. But the basic plan will now include all HD channels except for the premium networks such as HBO and Showtime.

(The total monthly cost of a basic plan and preferred plan varies by the number of channels the subscriber gets.)

It's unclear if Comcast will make the same offer in other markets. But in Detroit at least, it appears that the cable operator is trying to counter DIRECTV's recent expansion of high-def channels.

The satcaster has raised its total of national HD channels from nine to more than 80 in the last two months.

Although Comcast has only about 30 HD channels, allowing more subscribers to watch the non-premium HD channels could keep them from switching to DIRECTV.

"As TV prices are coming down, more and more people are able to get HD," Travis Frank, Comcast's product manager for Michigan, told the Detroit News. "We'd like to get as many people subscribing to HD as possible."

In addition to the basic package, Comcast subscribers in Detroit will need to rent a high-def box ($7 a month) to get the extra HD channels as part of their service.

Comcast also announced yesterday that it will add four HD channels in Detroit by month's end: USA Network HD, TBS HD, The History Channel HD and CNN HD.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcasthd112007.htm

Marcus Carr

11-20-07, 08:50 AM

Comcast, with 1.3 million customers in Michigan, also announced Monday that it will add four more channels to its HD lineup by the end of this month, including USA, TBS, The History Channel and CNN, bringing the total offered to 29. Comcast expects to add another three HD channels in January.

Comcast playing catch-up

But the cable company still lags Dish Network and DirecTV in the number of HD channels. DirecTV has more than 80, Dish Network offers 75, and U-verse offers 37.

As Comcast aggressively tries to catch up, it's touting its high-definition On Demand service, which allows customers to watch 240 different programs. Comcast also offers Pay Per View in HD.

The company wants to double its HD On Demand offerings by early next year and will continue to add more HD channels.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/BIZ/711200341/1001

Marcus Carr

11-20-07, 08:54 AM

Public hearing on Comcast

Urge Board of Selectmen not to sign another contract

By Patrick Cronin

pcronin@seacoastonline.com

November 20, 2007 6:00 AM

HAMPTON — Several residents voiced their displeasure with Comcast during a public hearing Saturday because they are no longer able to watch CSPAN 2.

Comcast this month moved the channel, which broadcasts the U.S. Senate, from its basic standard cable to the digital cable package. The move means that anyone who subscribes to the basic service will have to upgrade to digital in order to get their fill of U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. on the Senate floor.

Jay Somers, of Comcast, explained the reason CSPAN 2 was moved to free up bandwidth to add more high definition (HD) channels. But residents who attended the meeting said they're losing another channel without seeing a reduction in their monthly cable bill.

"I would like to see Comcast stop arbitrarily changing and canceling channels," resident Skip Webb said. "CSPAN 2 helps us to understand what our government is doing."

Selectmen conducted the hearing to hear additional concerns from residents as they gear up to begin negotiations on a new contract with the cable provider. The town's current 15-year contract with Comcast expires in 2009.

Somers said the cable company has offered residents who lost CSPAN 2 the opportunity to switch to its digital starter package for no additional cost for one year.

He said standard cable and digital starter packages are about the same monthly price. The only difference is a converter box and remote are required for the digital package, which after that one year is up will cost $3.78 per month.

Other concerns brought up at the hearing were the same ones addressed during the first public hearing in October. Residents complained about the cost of digital cable and the desire to be able choose the channels they receive and pay for.

Somers explained a la carte programing wouldn't save residents money and it would probably cost them more in the long run to see niche channels. He said networks such as Animal Planet and the History Channel would never have gotten off the ground without being part of an overall package. Being a part of a package of channels allows these networks to survive because they reach more homes and as a result receive advertising revenue, Somers said.

Edmond St. Pierre, who serves on the town's cable committee, said "competition" will be the key to seeing lower cable costs. He asked selectmen to consider allowing more than one cable company into town so residents would have options if they are unsatisfied.

Ann Moore pushed selectmen not to sign another long contract to make the cable company more accountable.

"The Board of Selectmen gets a three-year term before they face the electorate board, why is it we are giving Comcast 15 years?" Moore said. "I think they would be glad to get a five-year contract."

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/NEWS/711200347/-1/NEWS

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:00 AM

The Verizon Wireless website includes future release dates for their new phones. All those telephones are manufactured in one or two facilities. New channels are "manufactured" in literally thousands of facilities nationwide.

It's surprising to me that at even one month out of a scheduled new channel offering Comcast can't make post an announcement with a degree of confidence, if they are indeed fearful of being sued.I doubt lawsuits are the issue. Rather, they simply don't care to foster an expectation that will result in people calling up on the day-of saying, "Where's my new channel?"

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:03 AM

I'm seriously considering filing a class action against Comcast for this very issue. In my area, Comcast's HD On Demand is not available and yet we are continually bombarded with commercials touting how great it is and how much greater of an offering of HD material is available via Comcast. It's pure deception/false advertising on their part.That is incorrect. Consider this: DirecTV advertises almost 100 HD channels, even to customers who don't have a southwest exposure. Verizon FIOS advertises their all-fiber service, even to customers for whom the choose not to offer FIOS service -- not to mention to customers for whom they're not authorized to offer service.

The ads you're talking about all have the necessary legal disclaimers. Your accusation is off-base.

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:08 AM

Please tell me then to what I should be comparing cable channel roll-out announcements.The best recent example is McDonald's specialty coffee. It is a new service offering that needs "engineering work" conducted at thousands of sites, and so not all sites will be ready to offer the service at the same time.

Another good example was the introduction of self-service check-in kiosks at the airport.

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:09 AM

the newest commercial that touts 3 times the HD as directv makes me want to vomit.Just like DirecTV's commercials touting 100 HD channels made me "want to vomit". DirecTV started this round of ridiculous claims. Due to the nature of the American consumer, competitors are compelled to "respond in kind" or face unfairly losing competitive status.

4hits

11-20-07, 09:11 AM

All those telephones are manufactured in one or two facilities. New channels are "manufactured" in literally thousands of facilities nationwide.

I doubt lawsuits are the issue. Rather, they simply don't care to foster an expectation that will result in people calling up on the day-of saying, "Where's my new channel?"

Again, the topic of my posts was simply this: when Comcast has a satisfactory degree of certainty for whatever, why not include that information on their website, along side the zip-code related channel lineup info. Again, why not complement the newspaper ad/messages/bill stuffer with postings on their website. I would appreciate typing in my zip-code and seeing not only my channel lineup (currently updated I hope) but any location-specific rollout information and other current news.

Sheesh - I never said rolling out channels was easy, I'm just asking for rollout information when Comcast feels confident to release it.

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:12 AM

Public hearing on Comcast

Urge Board of Selectmen not to sign another contractJust goes to show that, even in NH, myopia can be found in abundance. :D

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:14 AM

Again, the topic of my posts was simply this: when Comcast has a satisfactory degree of certainty for whatever, why not include that information on their website, along side the zip-code related channel lineup info.How much more is the typical customer willing to pay for that system to be kept up-to-date? How likely is the typical customer to choose another provider instead because it isn't?

This doesn't matter to most people, so necessarily the company is going to expend its resources on things that do matter to most people instead.

4hits

11-20-07, 09:30 AM

Just like DirecTV's commercials touting 100 HD channels made me "want to vomit". DirecTV started this round of ridiculous claims. Due to the nature of the American consumer, competitors are compelled to "respond in kind" or face unfairly losing competitive status.

My Comcast channel lineup/offering does not have the following channels in HD - USA, History Channel, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, Fox Business, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CMT, CNBC, Discovery, FX, Nick, Smithsonian, Speed, Spike, Science, SciFi, Weather, TLC.

I believe all of the above HD channels are available on D*.

This is why I believe the Comcast claim is misleading.

No sense in going crazy over this matter - some like satellite, some like cable. But we all love HD.:D

4hits

11-20-07, 09:40 AM

How much more is the typical customer willing to pay for that system to be kept up-to-date? How likely is the typical customer to choose another provider instead because it isn't?

This doesn't matter to most people, so necessarily the company is going to expend its resources on things that do matter to most people instead.

Information on new channel releases doesn't matter to most people? And you base this on what? Never mind.

The customer must be willing to pay more to be kept up-to-date? I disagree.

Choose another provider? Kind of tough to do if you want/need to stick with cable.

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:43 AM

This is why I believe the Comcast claim is misleading.Then you didn't pay attention to the words of the advertisement you're complaining about. What do you think Comcast claimed?

bicker1

11-20-07, 09:46 AM

Information on new channel releases doesn't matter to most people? And you base this on what? Just ask around -- real people, at random, perhaps around your office -- you'll see. Nothing I can say will make a difference to you if you don't do the research yourself. However, what you'll find is that the average folks don't get into things like we do on this website. And unfortunately there are so many times more of them than there are of us that THEIR concerns and considerations generally trump ours.

The customer must be willing to pay more to be kept up-to-date? I disagree.I'm not surprised. However, the reality of business is that business shouldn't do anything that has significant cost that doesn't significantly affect purchasing decisions.

Choose another provider? Kind of tough to do if you want/need to stick with cable.Your choice. >shrug<

ak3883

11-20-07, 10:25 AM

Snagglepuss

11-20-07, 10:44 AM

You'll find that when you first get an HDTV you do watch it (anything) because its in HD. My brother said he'd watch grass grow/paint dry if its in HD :)

With HD Ondemand, Comcast may have more total hours of HD programming. While DirecTV does have more channels, actually how much HD programming does it have. (ex. new HD stations like TBS - I don't think they had any HD since the baseball playoffs.)

I don't even think that gives them more hours of HD than satellite. They may have about 200 hours of HD on OnDemand. That's it. HDNet alone has more than that in a week. They have every HD Channel that Comcast does plus 70 others. Granted not all shows are in HD, but they each only need to average 3 hours of HD programming in a month to easily defeat Comcast's claim.

I think cable in general is stuck with a horse-and-buggy delivery system. If they don't quickly figure out how to fit as many bits into the stream as the satellite services, they'll go the way of the H&B.

If converting to SDV and MPEG4 doesn't do it (being tested as we speak), my prediction is that they will deliver video content by VDSL or satellite, and use the cable strictly for phone and Internet.

The sad part about the Internet service is, in other parts of the world, simple ADSL speeds exceed 25mbits (we might get 6 - 8, if lucky). So despite what Bob and Karolyn Slowsky say, Comcast Internet is slower than the telephone-based suppliers in places like Japan. And their regular phone service prices are not lower than the phone companies. But because our phone companies low-ball the Internet speeds, too, Comcast seems to work at lightening speed.

Compared to other industrialized countries, America is falling into third-world status in telecommunications. This is very bad, considering what is coming technologically. So much for deregulation.

Ken H

11-20-07, 12:06 PM

From the Detroit News

Comcast on Monday expanded its high-definition services in the Detroit area.

It now offers high-definition service to customers with a basic digital plan. Before, only those with a preferred plan could get HD. The basic plan costs $13.94 less than the preferred plan.

Customers pay $7 per box for a regular HD box, or $11.95 per box for an HD DVR box.

On Nov. 28, Comcast will add USA, TBS, The History Channel and CNN to its HD lineup, for a total of 29 channels in HD. The cable company will add another three HD channels in January, including TLC, Discovery and Sci-Fi.

Amnesia

11-20-07, 12:15 PM

The cable company will add another three HD channels in January, including TLC, Discovery and Sci-Fi."including"? That doesn't seem to be the right word.

But is this the first mention of SciFi-HD on Comcast? And if Detroit is getting it in January, does that mean that those of us in early-channel areas (like Boston) will get it sooner?

Marcus Carr

11-20-07, 12:25 PM

But is this the first mention of SciFi-HD on Comcast?

No.

jmallory

11-20-07, 01:12 PM

I think cable in general is stuck with a horse-and-buggy delivery system. If they don't quickly figure out how to fit as many bits into the stream as the satellite services, they'll go the way of the H&B.

I find this statement interesting. Have we all forgotten that prior to September of this year, DirecTV had, at most, a dozen National HD channels? And that they were all heavily compressed. I remember getting my DirecTV system back in the 90s. It was simple, one 18-inch dish, two receivers, cost me $1500.00 at Sears. I tell you, that was progress, the number of channels, the picture quality. Cable couldn't touch it, they were dead. 10 years later, I am back on Comcast. All my channels are in Digital, I have 25 HD channels, I have On-Demand, 6 Mbps Internet, and Phone. And for less than I was paying for DirecTV, two phone lines, and 56K ISP service back then (back when the American dollar was worth something) Now, DirecTV and Dish have gone from simple, elegant solutions to multi-dish setups and 30-inch reflectors. If cable survived that, they will survive this as the difference is no where near as great. I think we all need to be honest and say that HD rollouts at this point are more hype than anything at this point. Yep, DirecTV and Dish have a lot of HD channels but there is hardly anything in HD on at this point in time. That changes in a few years, but by that time, Cable has caught up. I think as long as you get your locals, premium movie channels, your RSN(s), ESPN, ESPN2, NGC, HD Theatre, Mojo, TNT, and HDNET you already receive 95% of the available HD programming. Everything else adds little HD, although the people on dbstalk.com do mention that the SD programming looks much better on the HD simulcast channels than they do on the DirecTV SD channels. <G>

If converting to SDV and MPEG4 doesn't do it (being tested as we speak), my prediction is that they will deliver video content by VDSL or satellite, and use the cable strictly for phone and Internet.

Even on a 550-Mhz system, there is plenty of bandwidth. Even if you allocate 17 channels to Internet, Voice, and On-Demand. You have room for 80-120 HD channels and 100-120 SD channels (assuming two to three HD streams on 40 6 Mhz channels. and 10-12 SD steams on 10 6 Mhz channels, all QAM256). On a 1 Ghz system, (with voice/data moved out beyond 860 Mhz) there is room for 200-300 HD Channels and 300-360 SD Channels (100 Channels with 2-3 HD Streams each, 30 Channels with 10-12 SD Streams each, 13 Channels dedicated to On-Demand). There's plenty of raw bandwidth once you get rid of those Analog channels. And there is the problem. You start pulling too many analog channels too fast and you are going to piss off too many of your customers. They will get there, and they don't even need MPEG4 or SDV.

The sad part about the Internet service is, in other parts of the world, simple ADSL speeds exceed 25mbits (we might get 6 - 8, if lucky). So despite what Bob and Karolyn Slowsky say, Comcast Internet is slower than the telephone-based suppliers in places like Japan. And their regular phone service prices are not lower than the phone companies. But because our phone companies low-ball the Internet speeds, too, Comcast seems to work at lightening speed.

AT&T U-verse could provide a 25 mbps DSL connection if they wanted to. But they would rather use that bandwidth for Video. I have been to Hong Kong a few times, and they have 100mbit and 1000mbit Ethernet services.

Compared to other industrialized countries, America is falling into third-world status in telecommunications. This is very bad, considering what is coming technologically. So much for deregulation.

I am not sure regulation / deregulation has anything to do with this. I don't think the average North American has a desire for anything else.

Amnesia

11-20-07, 03:00 PM

No.When was it mentioned before? For what city?

blitzen102

11-20-07, 03:09 PM

When was it mentioned before? For what city?

It may have not been mentioned for a particular city before, but the carriage agreement has been known about for a little while. See the first post of this thread.

JayMan007

11-20-07, 03:15 PM

When was it mentioned before? For what city?

In Richmond, VA we got a post card the last week or so of October.
It said that effective 11/20, 4 channels would be moving from expanded basic to digital cable. (as of this, they have not been removed, 3 of the 4 are also on new channel numbers >99)

Moving these will make room for new product enhancements, including more HDTV...
HD channels coming later this year include PBS HD, CNN HD, USA HD, Discovery HD, History Channel HD, Sci-Fi HD and TLC HD.
We got PBS HD on 11/5 when the local station went live with HD.

bicker1

11-20-07, 03:37 PM

I don't even think that gives them more hours of HD than satellite.What they said was that it provide more hours of HD available at any specific time. The numerical advantage of On Demand is that practically all of the programming -- every single hour of it -- is available at all times.

bicker1

11-20-07, 03:38 PM

When was it mentioned before? For what city?There have been two 30-day notices about Sci Fi HD coming on Comcast. Richmond and Detroit. I recall seeing those notes posted either here on or BBR last week I think.

McDonoughDawg

11-20-07, 03:43 PM

I fail to see why either of the satellite companies is even mentioned on this thread. It's not about them, never has been, never will be.

If you want to start a thread to argue about who has the most this/that I say you should do it.

Otherwise, it seems the mods could keep this at least somewhat on point..

In Atlanta, TBS was the last HD Ch we saw, and although it's surely not Comcast's fault, they don't even carry HD.

I do enjoy having the HD on Demand, I think it's a good service.

blitzen102

11-20-07, 03:47 PM

I do enjoy having the HD on Demand, I think it's a good service.

This thread isn't about HD on Demand...

;)

QZ1

11-20-07, 04:44 PM

So does this mean they are moving HD channels to "digital starter"? Around my(and many other) areas you still need "digital classic" to get all the non-premium HD channels.

When they say the 'Basic plan', it means they (like many articles) haven't bothered to look up the fact that they call it 'Standard or Expanded' now (depending on area) Add a Digital box to that, and one has 'Digital Starter'; that is what is sounds like to me.

We used to need just 'Digital Classic', but as of the letter of two months ago, they said 'Expd.' was needed, but it was not clear whether 'Digital Classic' was still needed. But, according to a new sub in the area, 'Expd.' didn't net any non-local HD; if true, both services are needed, IOW, the 'Digital Classic Package'.

Maybe the will change it everywhere soon. But that is only one piece of the puzzle; 'Digital Classic' is needed for a DVR, they would need to change that too. (Unless one has/gets an HD Tivo. I would've, but haven't because of SDV.)

I would love to drop 'Digital Preffered', but keep in mind, that fee includes a non-itemized fee for a Digital Box ~$4. The DVR fee is an upgrade fee. If they start allowing DVRs with 'Expd.' service, I expect the fee to be ~$4 more for 'Expd.' customers than for 'Digital' customers; just as they do with the HD Boxes now. This makes the effective cost the same for everyone. Still a good savings, if it happens.

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

11-20-07, 05:10 PM

Can we assume a similar rollout for the rest of Comcast regarding USA HD 235 and SCI FI HD 236 on 12/11 in the DC MD NoVA area? I hope so!

I'd also like 229 HGTV HD and 231 Food Network HD in Manassas too

Tybee

11-20-07, 05:26 PM

In Atlanta, TBS was the last HD Ch we saw, and although it's surely not Comcast's fault, they don't even carry HD.

Actually, I think Food HD and HGTV HD were the most recent adds in Atlanta. We've had TBS HD for a long time, although now it's actually transitioned to Peachtree TV, a local station, and carries even less (read: none) HD than the national TBS network.

In Richmond, VA we got a post card the last week or so of October.
It said that effective 11/20, 4 channels would be moving from expanded basic to digital cable. (as of this, they have not been removed, 3 of the 4 are also on new channel numbers >99)

Moving these will make room for new product enhancements, including more HDTV...
HD channels coming later this year include PBS HD, CNN HD, USA HD, Discovery HD, History Channel HD, Sci-Fi HD and TLC HD.
We got PBS HD on 11/5 when the local station went live with HD.

That's interesting. One of Atlanta's two PBS affiliates will (finally) be going HD sometime around Christmas (hopefully). I was wondering how long it would be until Comcast then started carrying the HD feed. This gives me some indication.

Hope we get all of those other HD channels as well!

bob2274

11-20-07, 06:58 PM

In Richmond, I think Comcast had an agreement and started showing PBS HD the same day it began broadcasting.

McDonoughDawg

11-20-07, 09:06 PM

This thread isn't about HD on Demand...

;)

I could easily argue that HD on Demand is an HD offering by Comcast. At least it is in my area. Is it not in yours?

One thing for sure, it is a Comcast service that has HD channels. Much more related than the ravings of the folks talking about D* and E*. :)

ghudson666

11-20-07, 11:15 PM

chitchatjf

11-21-07, 12:05 AM

So does this mean they are moving HD channels to "digital starter"? Around my(and many other) areas you still need "digital classic" to get all the non-premium HD channels.

It is not necessarily cheaper.

For a year I was getting ESPN-HD,TNT-HD,Universal HD and Mojo's predecessor INHD withOUT extended basic. (I was getting Digital Classic)

I do understand the reasoning behind it.

vmaxxer

11-21-07, 07:16 AM

That is incorrect. Consider this: DirecTV advertises almost 100 HD channels, even to customers who don't have a southwest exposure. Verizon FIOS advertises their all-fiber service, even to customers for whom the choose not to offer FIOS service -- not to mention to customers for whom they're not authorized to offer service.

The ads you're talking about all have the necessary legal disclaimers. Your accusation is off-base.

I agree that Comcast ads have the required disclaimers, however, your examples are not accurate. Neither DirecTV nor FiOS offer limited features within the realm of service availability. This is quite different than the limited features a lot of customers receive from Comcast.

Please provide an example of either FiOS or DirecTV limiting features of their respective services for those that have these services available to them. I know of no instances where FiOS or DirecTV customers do not get ALL available features of these services, do you?

Clearly all providers are not offered in all areas, but once a provider has entered a new service area, then all features of that provider should be available to customers of that provider. Costs for required upgrades to a new market should be absorbed via cost increases of the new market and/or re-allocation of more profitable (established) markets.

I will also agree that Comcast advertising features of their service, then stating that all Comcast features are not available to the markets they are advertising in, are deceptive in nature.

jmallory

11-21-07, 07:36 AM

I agree that Comcast ads have the required disclaimers, however, your examples are not accurate. Neither DirecTV nor FiOS offer limited features within the realm of service availability. This is quite different than the limited features a lot of customers receive from Comcast.

Please provide an example of either FiOS or DirecTV limiting features of their respective services for those that have these services available to them. I know of no instances where FiOS or DirecTV customers do not get ALL available features of these services, do you?

Clearly all providers are not offered in all areas, but once a provider has entered a new service area, then all features of that provider should be available to customers of that provider. Costs for required upgrades to a new market should be absorbed via cost increases of the new market and/or re-allocation of more profitable (established) markets.

I will also agree that Comcast advertising features of their service, then stating that all Comcast features are not available to the markets they are advertising in, are deceptive in nature.

I know my system here in South Oakland County Michigan did not have phone service until this year (when the 1 Ghz upgrade was done) and was the only system in Metro Detroit than did not have it. Comcast ran the phone ads for Metro Detroit on TV / Radio / Print with the "*Where Available" disclaimer. You would go to the website and if you typed your zipcode, it wouldn't allow you to order it. If you called Customer Service, once they had your address they knew you couldn't order it. It would seem to me a quick call to Comcast would verify if they had OnDemand HD or not.

ghudson666

11-21-07, 07:37 AM

Richmond VA just got Discovery HD and TLC today. The info guide is not working for these two [yet] but they are displaying the HD signal and the 5.1 surround sound is working.

I am greedy... Where is FX HD, Sci-Fi HD and USA HD ?!?

The info guide is now working. I hope that they start to show more HD programming. I could only find Mythbusters on Discovery HD with the "HD" tag in the info guide [and that is only the shows in prime time after 9pm] and I could not find any HD programming on the TLC HD info guide. How disappointing to not find the HD tag for the Planet Earth shows that are listed in the info guide on the Discovery HD channel for this coming week.

bicker1

11-21-07, 07:56 AM

raidbuck

11-21-07, 08:09 AM

I've seen two movies on TBSHD actually in HD, so although their regular shows are not, it does appear that they are aware of the technology outside of sports. I didn't actually watch the movies because I assume they are edited and have commercials, but I was encouraged.

Rich N.

vmaxxer

11-21-07, 08:38 AM

You've chosen to focus on a criteria that fits your frustration -- one that makes Comcast look bad. There is no reason to focus on that one criteria as the metric. I think it is far worse to offer something and refuse to provide ANY of it, than to offer something and provide only some of it.

No ... I have focused on your poor examples.

jolietconvict

11-21-07, 08:50 AM

The sad part about the Internet service is, in other parts of the world, simple ADSL speeds exceed 25mbits (we might get 6 - 8, if lucky). So despite what Bob and Karolyn Slowsky say, Comcast Internet is slower than the telephone-based suppliers in places like Japan. And their regular phone service prices are not lower than the phone companies. But because our phone companies low-ball the Internet speeds, too, Comcast seems to work at lightening speed.

Compared to other industrialized countries, America is falling into third-world status in telecommunications. This is very bad, considering what is coming technologically. So much for deregulation.

You do realize that in Japan the phone company (NTT) is still partially-owned by the government and is not driven to the same extent by profit that US telephone companies are right? The government subsidizes the building of FTTH. In Sweden the government has laid fiber itself so that anyone can in essence purchase IRUs from the government. Almost every other country in the world has a government owned PTT as a monopoly phone carrier. If the US had that and they decided that offering high-speed internet was a priority than you would have it.

nakedeye

11-21-07, 09:56 AM

You do realize that in Japan the phone company (NTT) is still partially-owned by the government and is not driven to the same extent by profit that US telephone companies are right? The government subsidizes the building of FTTH. In Sweden the government has laid fiber itself so that anyone can in essence purchase IRUs from the government. Almost every other country in the world has a government owned PTT as a monopoly phone carrier. If the US had that and they decided that offering high-speed internet was a priority than you would have it.

Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

Snagglepuss

11-21-07, 10:34 AM

The best recent example is McDonald's specialty coffee. It is a new service offering that needs "engineering work" conducted at thousands of sites, and so not all sites will be ready to offer the service at the same time.

Another good example was the introduction of self-service check-in kiosks at the airport.

It is so odd that you continually compare apples to oranges. McDonalds is one of thousands of competing fast food outlets, whereas Comcast is a monopoly for the terrestrial delivery of cable television. At the airport, I can choose from many airlines for service.

You do understand the difference between competition and monopoly, between having a choice and having none, don't you?

As I've written before and as the people of Hampton are now flirting with, either Comcast begins to take its expensive service responsibilities seriously, or it may find itself removed as the cable TV provider in many places. If I was a stockholder, I would be profoundly concerned.

Snagglepuss

11-21-07, 10:36 AM

Just goes to show that, even in NH, myopia can be found in abundance. :D

Yeah, what a bunch of rubes for looking out for their own self-interest! Don't they know that full surrender to an unresponsive corporation is always best!

Snagglepuss

11-21-07, 10:49 AM

What they said was that it provide more hours of HD available at any specific time. The numerical advantage of On Demand is that practically all of the programming -- every single hour of it -- is available at all times.

Even with such a vapid qualification, I'm not sure this claim is factual.

I can make my own vapid qualification. If you exclude the PPV HD, there is less than 120 hours of HD on OnDemand. Most of that comes from Encore HD, and most of the films are of 1980s and 90s vintage. If you remove Encore, you are down to about 80 hours. And it is not always available in Denver. The service is intermittent throughout the day.

It also appears that fewer outlets and programs are available on OnDemand HD. Many HD programs that are available on SD OnDemand (ex. Numbers) are not available on HD. Then again, I don't know that we should include CSI in the 80 hours of HD programming, given it is actually a repeat of something broadcast earlier.

I can play the qualification game just like Comcast.

The clock is ticking on cable TV. And come Feb 2009, heaven help the analog viewers.

Snagglepuss

11-21-07, 10:50 AM

This thread isn't about HD on Demand...

;)

It is when Comcast claims it is proof that they have more HD programming than satellite. :p

It will be even more interesting to see if cable TV in general will keep up with the demand for digital boxes and HD programming after so many new HD TV sets find their way into homes over the holidays.

And for those keeping score, Denver got NFLHD this week.

vmaxxer

11-21-07, 10:52 AM

I think it is far worse to offer something and refuse to provide ANY of it, than to offer something and provide only some of it.

Oh ... and btw ... the above statements are oxymoronic.

If something is offered yet not provided it is either a case of discrimination or negligence. I think what you meant to say (in the case of FiOS) is that Verizon has made a business decision to not make the service available in certain areas.

Moreover, at least in some cases, it is NOT Verizon's decision as in certain areas they are prevented by law from doing so.

blitzen102

11-21-07, 11:06 AM

Please stay on topic.

therob006

11-21-07, 11:12 AM

I finally got to see the Comcast commercial that everyone has been talking about. I do agree that the commercial is somewhat misleading. The ad compares apples to apples and oranges. The line "any given moment" shows that Comcast is trying to push its HD content that is available on-demand. Great that DTv is offering 74 channels in HD. So at 3pm, you have 74 HD programs to choose from on DTV while Comcast is offering X amount of channels plus hundreds of programs on-demand. (Boston area the X = 30 if you have all channels).

For those of you who live in an area where there is no HD content available on demand, I would suggest calling and asking about when the content will be released.

I couldn't read the fine print but that is what the ad hints to. Love to here how the CSRs defend this ad.

bicker1

11-21-07, 11:30 AM

No ... I have focused on your poor examples.Clearly we'll have to agree to disagree. My examples are the best possible analogs, given all the considerations.

It is so odd that you continually compare apples to oranges. McDonalds is one of thousands of competing fast food outletsAnd Comcast provides cable service through thousands of head-ends, each of which have to be engineered to support a new HD channel.

Thanks for proving my point to vmaxxer! :)

whereas Comcast is a monopoly for the terrestrial delivery of cable televisionMcDonald's is a monopoly for the delivery of Big Macs. Just like folks can get OTHER burgers from OTHER eateries, folks can get television service from OTHER television service providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network. Thus, no monopoly exists. You can choose to be upset with this reality, but rest assured that if there was a monopoly, the SEC would get involved. No monopoly. Sorry.

You do understand the difference between competition and monopoly, between having a choice and having none, don't you?I sure do. Hopefully, now so do you.

If I was a stockholder, I would be profoundly concerned.Yet, the stock is flying high. So who's wrong? You, or the thousands of people, many of whom are professional investors, who give Comcast's stock a vote of confidence every single day?

bicker1

11-21-07, 11:40 AM

Please stay on topic.Are we even sure what the topic is anymore? Some members have made it clear that they feel that any claims Comcast makes regarding HD programming are open game for this thread. AFAIK, no moderator is inclined to delete all mentions of that advertisement from this thread, so while I disagree with those members about what they're saying, it seems to me that the PTBs here are communicating that this line of inquiry is valid in this thread. >shrug<

Ken H

11-21-07, 11:57 AM

Ok, since everyone has had an opportunity to put in their .02, let's proceed like this:

Keep this topic for programming, and if desired, start a new one for discussion of the ad issues, or other. If you start a new topic, please link it here so your play pals can find you......

blitzen102

11-21-07, 11:58 AM

Are we even sure what the topic is anymore? Some members have made it clear that they feel that any claims Comcast makes regarding HD programming are open game for this thread. AFAIK, no moderator is inclined to delete all mentions of that advertisement from this thread, so while I disagree with those members about what they're saying, it seems to me that the PTBs here are communicating that this line of inquiry is valid in this thread. >shrug<

I haven't forgotten what the topic is. I for sure know what it ISN'T.

The admins don't have time to police every thread every second of every day. Much of it is up to us.

If you want to continue arguing - maybe PMing between yourselves is the way to go.

bicker1

11-21-07, 12:21 PM

Keep this topic for programmingSounds good to me.

If you want to continue arguing - maybe PMing between yourselves is the way to go.That would be my preference.

Heading back on track: Has any area other than Richmond VA or Detroit MI announced the impending availability of Sci Fi HD?

Ken H

11-21-07, 04:09 PM

Off topic comments deleted.

Marcus Carr

11-21-07, 04:59 PM

Comcast is adding between four and eight new HD channels to its systems in central California as of Dec. 12.

National channels that will be added include A&E HD, Discovery Channel HD, History HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, NFL Network HD and USA Network HD. Local CW affiliate channel KMAX HD will also be launched at that time.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6504711.html

Sim-X

11-21-07, 09:28 PM

that's great they are adding 4-8 channels, but when DirecTV add's way way more than that, how do you even compare?

bob2274

11-21-07, 09:49 PM

A lot of DirecTV's new HD channels are regional sports networks. I think there are 30 of them in the U.S., and DirecTV carries 29. Imagine watching "FSN Final Score" on FSN New York, then you can watch it an hour later on FSN Midwest, then on FSN Arizona, and then again on FSN West. Oh, I forgot, 90% of the regional sports net programming is SD. A lot of live games are in HD, but you need to subscribe to the sports packages to get them.
DirecTV does carry the multiple HD feeds of the Big Ten Network if you are a fan of that conference. If not, how much worthwhile programming does this channel offer? Also, HDNet has 2 full time HD channels, but it looks like the relationship between them and DTV is deteriorating.

That's how I compare. I add up what is worth watching and what's really in HD.

sansri88

11-21-07, 10:14 PM

I still waiting for all of these goodies that you people are getting.

Heck, they skipped us for AEHD (which is OK by me).

bicker1

11-22-07, 08:33 AM

that's great they are adding 4-8 channels, but when DirecTV add's way way more than that, how do you even compare?I compare by hours of television I have to watch in SD, that I would be able to watch in HD if I had DirecTV. It is a remarkably small number.

Over the summer, it could have been significant, but DirecTV didn't have the channels I watch in HD back then, so it was pretty much 0 hours. This time of year, I watch mostly the broadcast networks, which Comcast has in HD. Over the next month or so, I'll be watching the Psych Christmas special, but Comcast will have that in HD as well. I'll also be watching a good bit of BBC America, which DirecTV doesn't have in HD yet either. So it basically comes down to Battlestar Galactica... one show that DirecTV will have in HD that Comcast won't. Not worth making the change for that one show, especially since Comcast has provided indications in two cities that they're going to offer Sci Fi HD within a month.

So that's really the best way of comparing. Just count what percentage of hours of television you watch in SD that you could be watching in HD if you had the competing service.

Marcus Carr

11-22-07, 08:56 AM

Comcast adds 5 to its HD lineup

New high-definition channels bring to 27 the number now available.

By Matt Soergel, The Times-Union

Comcast Corp. has dropped Court TV and Fuse from its basic expanded package in the Jacksonville area to help accommodate five new high-definition channels, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Court TV and Fuse moved Tuesday to the upgraded digital basic package, to channels 252 and 148, respectively. In the basic expanded package, meanwhile, the SciFi Network has moved from channel 66 to 47, while E! Entertainment goes from 67 to 34.

On Tuesday Comcast added high-definition versions of the NFL Network, Food Network, HGTV, TBS and CNN, bringing to 27 the number of high-definition channels in the system, said Bill Ferry, a Comcast spokesman.

"We are hearing from our customers that they want more high-def channels," he said. By giving up the bandwidth of one analog channel, the company can add 10 to 12 digital channels or three to five high-definition channels, he said.

Ferry said he had no information on any possible rate changes that would affect the company's 300,000 local subscribers.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112207/bus_219557212.shtml

Marcus Carr

11-22-07, 09:00 AM

Comcast customers face rate increase, gain more HD channels

Sacramento Business Journal - by Melanie Turner Staff writer

The average Comcast Corp. customer's bill in Central California will increase about 3.2 percent starting Jan. 1, according to the cable-television giant.

At the same time, Comcast will launch between four and eight high-definition networks throughout Central California, and move certain networks from a lower level of service to an upgraded level.

High-definition NFL was added Nov. 20. Other additions and changes are set to take place Dec. 12, including the launch of high-definition KMAX-TV Channel 31, A&E Television, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Home & Garden Television, USA Network, NFL Network and History Channel.

The eight additional high-definition networks will be available to customers in Roseville, Placerville, El Dorado Hills and Davis. Sacramento customers get four additions: A&E, KMAX-TV, National Geographic and the NFL Network.

Comcast also is adding, in standard-definition, the Fox Business Network on Digital Classic, Channel 130, throughout Central California, and Oxygen on Digital Class, Channel 165, in Davis and Roseville. The network already is offered in Sacramento.

In order to add the additional high-def channels, the company needs to move certain networks to the starter cable level of service, and others to the digital classic level, according to Comcast.

The move takes those networks away from customers who subscribe to standard cable or digital preferred. For example, in Sacramento County, the Country Music Channel, Court TV and the Game Show Network will move to starter cable, while Oxygen and Toon Disney will move over to digital classic from digital preferred.

Standard cable customers can upgrade to starter cable for no additional cost for one year. After the promotional period ends, Starter Cable is $1 more per month than standard cable.

Comcast is notifying customers with mailers and notices included in monthly billing statements.

Comcast's existing HD lineup includes more than 200 hours of HD programming available through the company's video-on-demand library. The library features almost 10,000 programs.

Comcast has spent more than $663 million improving its Central California network, which serves 128 communities, since it bought the network from AT&T Corp. Philadelphia-based Comcast is the nation's largest cable-television company, with more than 24.1 million customers.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2007/11/19/daily29.html

hybucket

11-22-07, 09:20 AM

Finally! Something that makes sense!

raidbuck

11-22-07, 09:59 AM

What will be the next HD channel for which Comcast will sign agreements? Is WealthTV (ya gotta dream!) any good? What about the VOOM networks? When will ESPNNewsHD be available and then on Comcast? How much HD is there on USA-HD? on HistoryHD?

Rich N.

bicker1

11-22-07, 10:04 AM

Regarding your question: USA HD is actually one of the best in this regard. We're recording Elf this weekend, and Psych is in HD next month. L&O:CI is first-run on USA now. Finally, USA's best is typically reserved for over the summer: Psych, Burn Notice, The 4400.

therob006

11-22-07, 02:05 PM

The next HD channel you might end up seeing (depending on where you live) could come from an independent provider such as BBC. Any major broadcast company (NBC, Fox) may ask Comcast to carry 4 of their HD channels in order to satisfy the want of just one (Sci-Fi, FX). Until more space is freed up (like Chicago did) then the number of HD channels will slowly increase. But there is always VOD HD.

Ken H

11-22-07, 03:11 PM

For the last time, take the non-programming discussion to another topic.

The next time I have to delete an off topic comment, I will suspend the offender.

QZ1

11-22-07, 07:04 PM

It is not necessarily cheaper.

I don't think he said it was.

For a year I was getting ESPN-HD,TNT-HD,Universal HD and Mojo's predecessor INHD withOUT extended basic. (I was getting Digital Classic)

I live in the same metro area as the other person, and it used to be like that here. I remember discussing the letter in the local forum that was sent out two months ago, now also requiring Expd. service for the non-local, non-premium HD; so, here it will save $ to be able to drop Digital Classic/Preferred.

The thing is, as I mentioned before, are they going to drop the requirement of Digital Classic to have a DVR?
I haven't heard of that yet. We will get the '08 Price Card in December, so we shall see.

I do understand the reasoning behind it.

sansri88

11-22-07, 11:39 PM

When will ESPNNewsHD be available and then on Comcast?
Rich N.

ESPNews HD will come out in 2008 (forgot the date) and Comcast already has an agreement to carry it. There was an article on Multichannel News on it, probably posted here by Marcus Carr or myself earlier on this thread.

sansri88

11-22-07, 11:40 PM

The next HD channel you might end up seeing (depending on where you live) could come from an independent provider such as BBC.

True that, BBC America HD launches in 2008. Hopefully Comcast carries it.

Marcus Carr

11-23-07, 03:11 AM

Comcast to carry RFD-TV HD.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/imus110507.htm

Launches 12/1.

sansri88

11-23-07, 09:07 AM

Launches 12/1.

On what systems, just midwest Comcast systems or nationwide?

maxman

11-23-07, 09:51 AM

Ken H

11-23-07, 11:11 AM

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=839263
That's in the Hardware Forum, so I will start a new topic in this forum. Link to come.

Ken H

11-23-07, 11:49 AM

How does one begin a new forum? I'd like to do it. It will be dedicated to savaging Comcast HD for anything and everything one can think about. And it will be only monitored for profanity.

I'm serious.Here is the link for the new topic:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12293410

And as always, there are limits to what can be discussed and how it can be discussed here at AVS, including no blatantly political or slanderous comments. I'm serious too.

NetworkTV

11-24-07, 08:54 AM

ESPNews HD will come out in 2008 (forgot the date)...
April 1st - no kidding.

paintit77

11-24-07, 12:46 PM

Has anyone heard if Comcast is going to add the new CNBC-HD, SCIFI-HD and USA-HD channels anytime soon. It looks like they have the new Time-Warner Owned Channels like TNT-HD and TBS-HD under contract for carriage. Now all they need to do is add CNN-HD and I will have all of them with TBS-HD just added here in Colorado a few weeks ago. It is a waste of bandwidth but hopefully it means that I will be getting CNN-HD very soon. As for the NBC/Universal Channels, I already have UHD but really want SCIFI and USA in HD. If I had those it would keep me from switching to D*. My brother and friend have D* but have yet to purchase the newer MPEG4 converter boxes and probably won't (it sucks they have to re-buy there new equipment to get the new channels).

I liked the picture quality but hate idea of having to buy two HD-DVRs from D* which I get from Comcast for 5 bucks a month.

I did a search and nothing.

Amnesia

11-24-07, 12:49 PM

There is a thread with Comcast programming discussion.

I have Comcast and already have USA-HD. Several Comcast regions have announced that SciFi-HD is coming within the next few months.

Ken H

11-24-07, 12:50 PM

Has anyone heard if Comcast is going to add the new CNBC-HD, SCIFI-HD and USA-HD channels anytime soon.

I did a search and nothing.

Topics merged.

Yes, Comcast is adding new HD channels. See the first post, and read the topic from the last few weeks for details.

bicker1

11-24-07, 01:19 PM

Has anyone heard if Comcast is going to add the new CNBC-HD, SCIFI-HD and USA-HD channels anytime soon.Just reiterating things said earlier in the thread, with apologies to those who have seen this before: USA HD has already been added to Comcast systems in many areas. Comcast has announced that Sci Fi HD shall be added within 30 days, in at least two cities. I haven't heard anything about CNBC HD yet.

Now all they need to do is add CNN-HDCNN HD is also already available on many Comcast systems.

If I had those it would keep me from switching to D*.I'm very much looking forward to Sci Fi HD, and I know it is coming, so I'm sticking with Comcast for now. However, I very much hope they also add FX HD soon... that'll really put the nail in DirecTV's coffin as far as I'm concerned.

paintit77

11-24-07, 08:03 PM

Topics merged.

Yes, Comcast is adding new HD channels. See the first post, and read the topic from the last few weeks for details.

Thanks Ken. :)
I did not see the Comcast thread.
paintit.

MasturB

11-25-07, 04:32 AM

I got a card from Comcast saying I'll get Animal Planet and Discovery HD by December 1st.

Here's the strange thing though, all the channels highlighted in blue in the lineup say they were already added earlier this year. USA HD being one of them. However, I don't get USA HD. The ones that are going to be added Dec 1st were highlighted in green.

My friend who lives about 45 miles outside of town gets USA-HD with Comcast,b ut I don't.

USAHD for me is supposed to be 420, but my box won't go to t hat channel. I'll wait till Dec 1st when the other channels arrive to start complaining about not getting my USA HD.

I'm still angry that I don't get PBS-HD or ABC-HD.

I'm in Savannah,GA here.

BigDaddyRoy

11-25-07, 09:14 AM

However, I don't get USA HD. The ones that are going to be added Dec 1st were highlighted in green.

My friend who lives about 45 miles outside of town gets USA-HD with Comcast,b ut I don't.

USAHD for me is supposed to be 420, but my box won't go to t hat channel. I'll wait till Dec 1st when the other channels arrive to start complaining about not getting my USA HD.

I'm still angry that I don't get PBS-HD or ABC-HD.

I'm in Savannah,GA here.

Call your Comcast service number, and explain that you don't get USA HD. While this may be normal, there is also a great chance that your box needs either a software reboot, and software update they can do over the line, or to be replaced. It's certainly strange that you're not getting it, and a friend in the same 'area' is.

Stewpidity

11-25-07, 04:42 PM

Panth1

11-25-07, 09:01 PM

I have friends who live less than 5 miles away, who get channels i don't get...Comcast always tells me it's because I am in an old Adelphia area, then again so were they, so who knowsWhat channels? HD channels? I am curious since were are on the same system cluster.

Colorado S14

11-25-07, 10:19 PM

I live in Denver and my folks get things like Speed HD, Smithstonian HD, TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, Sci-Fi HD, and many more with Direct TV that I do not. I am starting to get upset at my low number of HD channels.

Stewpidity

11-25-07, 10:26 PM

What channels? HD channels? I am curious since were are on the same system cluster.

Some people have Cinemax HD, PPV HD I know in Port St Lucie which is farther than 5 miles(that indicated in my earlier post), have TBS-HD...

raidbuck

11-26-07, 08:11 AM

My brother has D* and says that Smithsonian HD is very good. That would be a plus for me and a really new channel since nobody on Comcast has it yet AFAIK.

Rich N.

Scarpad

11-26-07, 08:42 AM

My brother has D* and says that Smithsonian HD is very good. That would be a plus for me and a really new channel since nobody on Comcast has it yet AFAIK.

Rich N.

Smithsonian is one of the better looking HD channels. They all look pretty decent but there is some digital compression artifacts on some of the channels, I've noticed more on MGM HD and HDnet movies

Marcus Carr

11-26-07, 11:09 AM

When they say the 'Basic plan', it means they (like many articles) haven't bothered to look up the fact that they call it 'Standard or Expanded' now (depending on area) Add a Digital box to that, and one has 'Digital Starter'; that is what is sounds like to me.

We used to need just 'Digital Classic', but as of the letter of two months ago, they said 'Expd.' was needed, but it was not clear whether 'Digital Classic' was still needed. But, according to a new sub in the area, 'Expd.' didn't net any non-local HD; if true, both services are needed, IOW, the 'Digital Classic Package'.

Maybe the will change it everywhere soon. But that is only one piece of the puzzle; 'Digital Classic' is needed for a DVR, they would need to change that too. (Unless one has/gets an HD Tivo. I would've, but haven't because of SDV.)

TiVo to Offer Cable Adapter For HD
The device will allow the DVR to operate with Switched Digital Video systems.

...the adapter, which will be available in the second quarter of 2008, will attach to TiVo Series 3 HD DVRs and TiVo's new $299 HD DVR.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/tivo112607.htm

blitzen102

11-26-07, 11:26 AM

http://www.tvpredictions.com/tivo112607.htm

Your link really should be providing this link to the original source - TWICE:

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6504997.html

Amnesia

11-26-07, 12:03 PM

Your link really should be providing this link to the original source - TWICEI think once is enough...

Marcus Carr

11-26-07, 12:09 PM

Your link really should be providing this link to the original source - TWICE:

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6504997.html

Tell that to Swanni.

bicker1

11-26-07, 12:55 PM

Even better, the actual press release:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-26-2007/0004711019&EDATE=#linktopagebottom

Marcus Carr

11-26-07, 01:49 PM

Coming January 8th in Baltimore City, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties;

USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Disc HD, TLC HD, History HD

GoIrish
:cool:

BigDaddyRoy

11-26-07, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by GoIrish View Post
Coming January 8th in Baltimore City, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties;

USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Disc HD, TLC HD, History HD

GoIrish

Silly!

Now I have a date to spread around to my local people. Did anyone get a STB alert, postcard, etc, saying this? I totally believe it, since it's in line with additions around the country, but I always love the verification.

My fiance is going to be excited to hear about USA HD and TLC HD.

nakedeye

11-26-07, 02:04 PM

Any word on Philly with the latest offerings?

Marcus Carr

11-26-07, 02:15 PM

Silly!

Now I have a date to spread around to my local people. Did anyone get a STB alert, postcard, etc, saying this? I totally believe it, since it's in line with additions around the country, but I always love the verification.

My fiance is going to be excited to hear about USA HD and TLC HD.

They've been good about sending me messages this year so I'll be looking for the red dot.

Great news (except for no Animal Planet).

rafiks

11-26-07, 02:16 PM

Help! my local comcast does not have a single HD channel not counting the OTA ones.

blitzen102

11-26-07, 02:20 PM

Help! my local comcast does not have a single HD channel not counting the OTA ones.

I'm guessing Comcast bought out the previous cable provider? If so, how long ago?

rafiks

11-26-07, 03:40 PM

I don't understand why comcast is so way behind satellite in terms of HD... suppose to get E* but I am in an apartment... this really sucks ,I just got my new plasma and I can't get my HD....

chad473

11-26-07, 04:09 PM

anyone with some insight on the harrisburg/lancaster market in PA? I'm *this* close to going to d*, especially after seeing announcements for all these new channels in other areas and absolutely nothing here.

bob2274

11-26-07, 08:09 PM

I don't have any special insight, but I can't understand why service in Harrisburg is so bad. I know you're in an area with access to regional sports networks from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore - Washington, and from what I understand, they don't even carry the 2 RSN's from DC there. I just don't get the lack of HD and sports programming in Comcast's home markets.

Panth1

11-26-07, 08:19 PM

Some people have Cinemax HD, PPV HD I know in Port St Lucie which is farther than 5 miles(that indicated in my earlier post), have TBS-HD...
But I don't think those were ex Adelphia areas. Comcast has legacy systems in Vero and Pt. St. Lucie so I am guessing that is what you are refering to.

vj9999

11-26-07, 09:09 PM

History HD should be added by tomorrow on channel 175 in Chicago area (tv.yahoo.com has it already listed)

Stewpidity

11-26-07, 09:13 PM

But I don't think those were ex Adelphia areas. Comcast has legacy systems in Vero and Pt. St. Lucie so I am guessing that is what you are refering to.

yah your probably right..hard to keep track of what's where....and the CSR's never know...

rafiks

11-26-07, 10:03 PM

But I don't think those were ex Adelphia areas. Comcast has legacy systems in Vero and Pt. St. Lucie so I am guessing that is what you are refering to.

how does one find out what cable company my local cable was before it became comcast??:mad:

Slickone

11-27-07, 12:55 AM

OK, then. We're on Watch here in Chicago for History-HD, so any word on when USA, CNN, or Discovery. Getting tired of watching Discovery in letterboxed SD. :mad::mad:

FSugino

11-27-07, 01:30 AM

CNN-HD, Discovery HD, and USA-HD will launch by the end of the year. History-HD should be on later today.

theguest

11-27-07, 03:15 AM

History HD should be added by tomorrow on channel 175 in Chicago area (tv.yahoo.com has it already listed)

Confirmed by a message on my box

jeepmatt

11-27-07, 08:17 AM

Any word on Philly with the latest offerings?

Some new channels have to be on the horizon for the Philly metro region - especially with the headend work that's been done over the past few weeks to open some space.

I'd definitely say it's good news to see Baltimore with a date. I doubt we'll be much further behind.

JayMan007

11-27-07, 09:37 AM

History HD should be added by tomorrow on channel 175 in Chicago area (tv.yahoo.com has it already listed)

Wow - tv.yahoo.com is ahead of the roll-out... In my area, they are missing 12 of the possible 27 HD channels. TV Planner has USA-HD, which we don't have yet...its missing DISC-HD & TLC-HD which we got last week.

therob006

11-27-07, 05:55 PM

Help! my local comcast does not have a single HD channel not counting the OTA ones.

I don't understand why comcast is so way behind satellite in terms of HD... suppose to get E* but I am in an apartment... this really sucks ,I just got my new plasma and I can't get my HD....

Are you just assuming? I'm sorry but your posts do not make any sense seeing how most of the channels the rest of us from across the country are getting. Have you tried calling comcast? Maybe you need to upgrade your package because different HD packages are on different tiers. Do you have a cable box or cable card? Have you posted on your local comcast thread?

Ken H

11-27-07, 06:33 PM

Are you just assuming? I'm sorry but your posts do not make any sense seeing how most of the channels the rest of us from across the country are getting. Have you tried calling comcast?
No, I checked the Comcast web site for Sebring, FL. It appears they do not have any HD except local HD. I was very surprised; it's the only Comcast system I've ever seen like that.

rafiks

11-27-07, 08:23 PM

rafiks

11-27-07, 08:25 PM

Are you just assuming? I'm sorry but your posts do not make any sense seeing how most of the channels the rest of us from across the country are getting. Have you tried calling comcast? Maybe you need to upgrade your package because different HD packages are on different tiers. Do you have a cable box or cable card? Have you posted on your local comcast thread?

Yeah I posted in Tampa DMA..

BigDaddyRoy

11-27-07, 10:49 PM

No, I checked the Comcast web site for Sebring, FL. It appears they do not have any HD except local HD. I was very surprised; it's the only Comcast system I've ever seen like that.

Ken,

I checked Sebring, FL on Comcast's site too. It appears as you said, except it also shows on channel 420 USA network HD. It's always possible that channel lineups change all the time, but that may be an upcoming or new addition if rafiks isn't yet seeing it.

Or maybe it's just in there incorrectly.

Slickone

11-27-07, 11:38 PM

Yeah. We got it this afternoon. Good to see ch. 175 pop back on the box. Next Target Date in Chicago is Dec. 12, CNBC is being moved to the digital lineup, so we might see one of the other 3 HD channels come then. Fox Business Channel comes on Jan. 10 in SD only though.

chitchatjf

11-28-07, 12:20 AM

I tried calling and they told me to send an email to channel request. I just upgraded my comcast to digital with HBO . I have a DVR right now. I have to attach a rabbit ear in order to get ABC. I only get FOX ,NBC and CW in HD through the cable..

I hate them!!!:mad:

What they have to do it

a)Get rid of HBO Cinemax and showtime on ANALOG!

b)Get rid of those west coast feeds.

c)Where's On Demand?

Quatre

11-28-07, 12:31 AM

No, I checked the Comcast web site for Sebring, FL. It appears they do not have any HD except local HD. I was very surprised; it's the only Comcast system I've ever seen like that.

holy crap no hd channels in SEbring Florida on comcast? wow. i feel bad. dude just get Direct TV and you will go from 0 to 100 hd channels and lose your mind.

therob006

11-28-07, 08:29 AM

What they have to do it

a)Get rid of HBO Cinemax and showtime on ANALOG!

b)Get rid of those west coast feeds.

c)Where's On Demand?

Looks like either Adelphia or TW based on the package names (Diamond!) plus with the west coast feeds, that is clogging up some good bandwidth for HD channels. Dumping the west coast feeds could EASILY provide you with 10 HD channels. Sorry to doubt you but WOW! I am glad I live in New England.

rafiks

11-28-07, 08:52 AM

holy crap no hd channels in SEbring Florida on comcast? wow. i feel bad. dude just get Direct TV and you will go from 0 to 100 hd channels and lose your mind.

Unfortunately ,Dish was my first choice ,the installation crew was already in my apartment ready to install but ... they can't get a line of site for their HD satellite dish. I didn't know that they need 2 satellite dish for analog and HD. Also my landlord doesn't allow me to punch holes in the wall ,,so double bummer.. "lucky" for me I already have analog cable. .. hahah!:cool::(

rafiks

11-28-07, 09:04 AM

Ken,

I checked Sebring, FL on Comcast's site too. It appears as you said, except it also shows on channel 420 USA network HD. It's always possible that channel lineups change all the time, but that may be an upcoming or new addition if rafiks isn't yet seeing it.

Or maybe it's just in there incorrectly.

Hmm,,I checked channel 420 ..I don't have that channel ..Is USA a premium channel like HBO? I don't see it.

rafiks

11-28-07, 10:28 AM

Renagade

11-28-07, 10:29 AM

USA, CNN, History and TBS HD are now up in Detroit area.

BigDaddyRoy

11-28-07, 10:50 AM

I just called them again today. They said they "will be standardizing everything by next year and you'll be getting more HD channels by January or Feb" .. hmm .. how long does it take for them to "standardize" things?

Well, at least that is good news that you will be 'shortly' getting more HD channels. No one was able to figure out for sure what other type of system this was, but it seems it wasn't Comcast.

Standardizing seems to take quite a little bit of time to do. Keep in mind that each cable operator uses it's own equipment and configuration. There is a lot of unique equipment that goes into delivering service to an area. This can include the cables that go into the areas / neighborhoods. Also, each system gets to uniquely decide which channels it will have on it's analog band, digital band, special packages, etc, and those decisions effect bandwidth and channel availably.

Comcast, in almost all of their major areas they have owned the systems for years, has already moved premium channels like Showtime Cinemax, and even HBO off of the analog channels and onto the digital tier. They also typically remove all the excessive West Coast feeds of channels like that. Since analog cable broadcasts take up so much more bandwidth, moving 2 or 3 analog channels to digital can make room for 4-6 HD channels, more or less.

Expect that Comcast will move a lot of the channels around on your system. They will even group channels in the same way as they do in a lot of other markets for consistency and ease of administration. As you see these things happen, hopefully, since you aren't technically able to get either Sat service, you will see more HD.

As for USA HD, it is not a premium. Sometimes channels get listed online on company web sites ahead of the launch date. USA HD may be the first planned HD addition to your system. I would just keep an eye on your on screen guide around the other HD channels every couple of days or so to see if they add it on. As you can see from the 1st post, most Comcast systems have quite a few HD channels. Since you can't get Sat, hopefully your 'standardization' goes fast, and you will have the 20-30 HD channels seen by so many of the other Comcast systems. Good luck.

rafiks

11-28-07, 11:19 AM

I was asking also about their Video on demand why its not available . They said they are still working on it.. Shouldn't I be getting some sort of a credit since they are advertising this service and its not available...

bicker1

11-28-07, 11:21 AM

They don't charge for VOD, nor is any part of any package service fee attributable to it, so no, no credit is warranted.

ecbeasley

11-28-07, 12:04 PM

Any idea of who to complain to at Comcast about their HD lineup? Discovery HD was quietly dropped recently, along with INHD and INHD2 for Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ken H

11-28-07, 12:07 PM

Any idea of who to complain to at Comcast about their HD lineup? Discovery HD was quietly dropped recently, along with INHD and INHD2 for Indianapolis, Indiana.Check your channel guide for these changes:

- Discovery HD is now called HD Theater.
- INHD / INHD2 are both gone and replaced by MOJO.

Sparkman87

11-28-07, 12:08 PM

Any idea of who to complain to at Comcast about their HD lineup? Discovery HD was quietly dropped recently, along with INHD and INHD2 for Indianapolis, Indiana.

INHD 2 now longer exists, INHD became MOJO, I'd bet it is on your lineup. Discovery HD theatre became just HD Theatre, I'd bet that is still on your lineup. Discovery HD is a relatively new HD network that most cable companies are adding, I can't see that it would have been dropped yet by anybody.

4hits

11-28-07, 04:30 PM

rafiks

11-28-07, 08:35 PM

Thanks for the clarification on Discovery HD and the new MOJO. I watched a show about Ralph Lauren's car collection on HD Theater - now I know it was really Discovery.:)

Odd though that MOJO does not show up on my "HD only" channel guide, but it does show up on the general, "every channel" channel guide.

Yeah! my HD channel guide only shows 1 channel eventhough I have a measly 3 channels . I dunno how the guide knows which channel is HD..

MasturB

11-28-07, 10:33 PM

So since Discovery HD turned into Mojo, how is it I now have Mojo and Discovery Channel HD?

Discovery HD = Discovery Channel HD?

or what?

MasturB

11-28-07, 10:35 PM

Hmm,,I checked channel 420 ..I don't have that channel ..Is USA a premium channel like HBO? I don't see it.

420 is also supposed to be my USA-HD channel.

I however am not receiving it for some reason.

I'm in Savannah Georgia BTW. Someone else I know can receive USA-HD, but i'm not.

jacindc

11-28-07, 10:50 PM

So since Discovery HD turned into Mojo, how is it I now have Mojo and Discovery Channel HD?

Discovery HD = Discovery Channel HD?

or what?

INHD = Mojo, not Discovery.

old Discovery HD = HD Theater

Sparkman87

11-28-07, 10:51 PM

So since Discovery HD turned into Mojo, how is it I now have Mojo and Discovery Channel HD?

Discovery HD = Discovery Channel HD?

or what?

INHD turned into MOJO. Discovery HD did not turn into MOJO.

MasturB

11-28-07, 11:14 PM

Yeah that's what I meant sorry. So let me get this straight.

So Discovery HD = Old Discovery Channel HD network?

Then it turned itself into HD Theater? Now there's a new Discovery Channel HD network that was just added onto my lineup. Is this a 2nd try at Discovery Channel HD, or was Discovery HD not the same as Discovery Channel?

temeone

11-28-07, 11:22 PM

old Discovery HD = HD Theater

Is this 100% accurate? I was planning on upgrading to Comcast HD, but my friend said they do not give Discovery HD, which is the channel I want the most. I just want to verify that HD Theater (which is listed on the online channel lineup, whereas, there's no mention of Discovery HD anything) is actually Discovery HD?

MasturB

11-28-07, 11:25 PM

Is this 100% accurate? I was planning on upgrading to Comcast HD, but my friend said they do not give Discovery HD, which is the channel I want the most. I just want to verify that HD Theater (which is listed on the online channel lineup, whereas, there's no mention of Discovery HD anything) is actually Discovery HD?

I will tell you right now I have HD Theater (Discovery HD) and recently added Discovery Channel HD.

I'm nto sure if Discovery HD = Old Discovery Channel HD.

chitchatjf

11-28-07, 11:27 PM

jacindc

11-28-07, 11:53 PM

Is this 100% accurate? I was planning on upgrading to Comcast HD, but my friend said they do not give Discovery HD, which is the channel I want the most. I just want to verify that HD Theater (which is listed on the online channel lineup, whereas, there's no mention of Discovery HD anything) is actually Discovery HD?

What used to be known as the Discovery HD Channel has morphed into the HD Theater channel, so that a new Discovery HD channel can launch, as it has in some areas already. The new Discovery HD channel I assume is more of a direct sibling to the "real" Discovery channel.

BobColby

11-28-07, 11:54 PM

I will tell you right now I have HD Theater (Discovery HD) and recently added Discovery Channel HD.

I'm nto sure if Discovery HD = Old Discovery Channel HD.
Lemme explain.

There used to be a channel called "Discovery HD Theatre". It was a separate channel from Discovery, with all HD content (and lots of repeats). Then Discovery Networks decided to launch HD simulcasts of four of their channels (Discovery, Animal Planet, Science Channel, TLC). This would have made two channels with "Discovery HD" in the title - confusing! So they changed the old "Discovery HD Theatre" to "HD Theatre", and are using "Discovery HD" for their simulcast of the regular Discovery channel. It has a fair amount of both HD and SD content. Hope that makes it a bit clearer.

MasturB

11-28-07, 11:59 PM

Lemme explain.

There used to be a channel called "Discovery HD Theatre". It was a separate channel from Discovery, with all HD content (and lots of repeats). Then Discovery Networks decided to launch HD simulcasts of four of their channels (Discovery, Animal Planet, Science Channel, TLC). This would have made two channels with "Discovery HD" in the title - confusing! So they changed the old "Discovery HD Theatre" to "HD Theatre", and are using "Discovery HD" for their simulcast of the regular Discovery channel. It has a fair amount of both HD and SD content. Hope that makes it a bit clearer.

Yes it does. Thank you.

temeone

11-29-07, 12:12 AM

Marcus Carr

11-29-07, 10:36 AM

Comcast to Carry Hallmark Movie Channel HD. The HD channel launches in March 2008.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071129005248&newsLang=en

Sim-X

11-29-07, 12:00 PM

What they have to do it

a)Get rid of HBO Cinemax and showtime on ANALOG!

b)Get rid of those west coast feeds.

c)Where's On Demand?

Since when has HBO or any premium channel for that matter been on analog? I remember back in the day seems like everyone had a black box. Those were the days :cool:

bobby94928

11-29-07, 12:13 PM

Even the old black boxes were analog.

homcom

11-29-07, 12:18 PM

Since when has HBO or any premium channel for that matter been on analog? I remember back in the day seems like everyone had a black box. Those were the days :cool:

Some cable companies in select areas still have some premium channels on analog. They are a dying breed but a few areas remain.

ak3883

11-29-07, 12:44 PM

Since when has HBO or any premium channel for that matter been on analog? I remember back in the day seems like everyone had a black box. Those were the days :cool:

Old apartment in 2004-2005 had HBO on analog. This is 'burbs of Philly, Comcast. Got it w/ a promo for 6 months then cancelled the digital(less channels, and the bill jumps by 50%:() but they never came out and trapped out HBO, so we got it for the rest of the year on analog still.

blitzen102

11-29-07, 01:01 PM

Comcast subscriber here received a letter from Comcast stating (bold is mine):

"And in 2008, you'll enjoy dozens more HD channels from Comcast and significantly more HD ON DEMAND content"

therob006

11-29-07, 02:34 PM

Comcast to Carry Hallmark Movie Channel HD. The HD channel launches in March 2008.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071129005248&newsLang=en

Under the new deal, Comcast systems will have the right to distribute Hallmark Channel and both the standard definition and high definition versions of Hallmark Movie Channel. Hallmark Movie Channel plans to launch an HD version in March 2008

Just because Comcast will have the right, it does not mean that your area will be getting it. For areas like us in Mass, space is extremely limited so we may not see these channels without sacrifising an analog channel here and there. For an area like rafkins, the sky is the limit once comcast organized the Adelphia mess.

wstanko

11-29-07, 03:03 PM

Marcus Carr

11-29-07, 03:11 PM

Just because Comcast will have the right, it does not mean that your area will be getting it. For areas like us in Mass, space is extremely limited so we may not see these channels without sacrifising an analog channel here and there. For an area like rafkins, the sky is the limit once comcast organized the Adelphia mess.

Well since we're getting six channels on 1/8, either we have room or Comcast is willing to make room for more channels. We'll get it eventually just like all the other channels.

ak3883

11-29-07, 04:23 PM

Comcast subscriber here received a letter from Comcast stating (bold is mine):

"And in 2008, you'll enjoy dozens more HD channels from Comcast and significantly more HD ON DEMAND content"

Sure. Dozen in the plural form would imply at least 2 "dozen" which would mean 24 channels. Yea right.

GoIrish

11-29-07, 05:25 PM

It wouldn't surprise me to see 18-24 between now and the end of next year in most areas.

GoIrish

dabadestalbo69

11-29-07, 05:52 PM

maxman

11-29-07, 06:33 PM

sansri88

11-29-07, 06:34 PM

well not sure when it was added but was looking through my HD channels and they finnaly added TBS and USA HD. There was another channel that was gone, AZN TV and im guessing another HD channel will take its place.

Was AZN analog for you? I've heard that it was analog for some areas, maybe they moved it to digital. Try channel 191--that's what it is here.

dabadestalbo69

11-29-07, 08:08 PM

Im in macomb, michigan. I dont care for AZN just saying it was moved and most likely another HD channel will get that spot.

2cats1dog

11-29-07, 09:07 PM

I'm in north Oakland- Here they moved AZN to 186 so try that.

Im in macomb, michigan. I dont care for AZN just saying it was moved and most likely another HD channel will get that spot.

dabadestalbo69

11-29-07, 09:23 PM

just checked they also added CNN HD and History HD. im happy they added more but nothing really great since id ont watch any of the channels only History channel has some good things on once and awhile.

Ken H

11-29-07, 09:36 PM

Was AZN analog for you? I've heard that it was analog for some areas, maybe they moved it to digital. Try channel 191--that's what it is here.It was already digital in the Detroit area, it was just moved to a slightly different channel number; 191.

Ken H

11-29-07, 09:37 PM

As for CNN HD, they actually had a number of remotes in HD!

sansri88

11-30-07, 06:22 AM

As for CNN HD, they actually had a number of remotes in HD!

Damn, we still don't have CNN-HD here. Our last additions were NFLHD and NGCHD on 10/10 (TBSHD came on 10/3). We're HD deprived over here in North NJ...

chitchatjf

11-30-07, 08:46 AM

It wouldn't surprise me to see 18-24 between now and the end of next year in most areas.

GoIrish

and they did say MORE

raidbuck

11-30-07, 08:59 AM

It wouldn't surprise me to see 18-24 between now and the end of next year in most areas.

GoIrish

Wow, so maybe by this time next year we'll have 50 HD channels. In 5 years from 4 to 50 is pretty decent without a dish. And that's not counting the HDNETs and VOOM channels. I hope it is counting MASN. What's amazing is that locally SD still rules.

So when is C-SPAN going HD? I need those book reviews in crystal-clear HD.

Rich N.

Tybee

11-30-07, 10:04 AM

It kind of seems like we should of been one of the first to get CNN HD, seeing as it's based here and all....But I guess it doesn't work that way.

blitzen102

11-30-07, 10:50 AM

and they did say MORE

Yes but my area doesn't have any of the newly added channels yet.

There are at 12 channels that are in the first post that haven't been added in my are yet. Getting 13 more than that doesn't sound too tough.

chad473

11-30-07, 10:50 AM

jrusnak

11-30-07, 01:12 PM

Damn, we still don't have CNN-HD here. Our last additions were NFLHD and NGCHD on 10/10 (TBSHD came on 10/3). We're HD deprived over here in North NJ...

That's for sure. And since there is NO HD prohramming on TBS, it is a waste of bandwidth. Does anyone out there have any idea why the most densely populated state in the country has one of the fewest amount of HD channels???

bicker1

11-30-07, 01:46 PM

I don't know, but maybe cable facilities happened to be rebuilt there last just before the last time there was a quantum leap in facility specifications.

sansri88

11-30-07, 03:08 PM

I don't know, but maybe cable facilities happened to be rebuilt there last just before the last time there was a quantum leap in facility specifications.

Don't think so, we're a 750MHz system just like many areas. They moved 3 analogs to digital when they added NGC and NFL (TBS-HD came before they moved the analogs so they had room then). No new additions since then.

blitzen102

11-30-07, 03:38 PM

I remember hearing something similar last year.

"hearing"??

Links??

Ken H

11-30-07, 08:02 PM

I remember hearing something similar last year.When was that? Who said it?

sansri88

11-30-07, 11:48 PM

maxman

12-01-07, 12:08 AM

NHL Network HD has shown up in Boston on channel 822 as per a post here: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19541684-NHL-HD-now-in-Boston-channel-822

And in response to that post, you will see my short rant =P

Let's face it Sansri; North Jersey, South Jersey, we ain't gonna get NOTHIN' in the way of new HD channels until months and months after other areas get them. What we WILL get is a rate increase 1st of January like clockwork. :mad:

chad473

12-01-07, 12:14 AM

"hearing"??

Links??

When was that? Who said it?

from comcast. granted, they didn't mention "dozens" but they've been promising much more HD since I can remember. It's more frustration than anything watching other systems get new channels while the dust piles up on your own. Forgive me if I don't trust their promises one bit, especially when according to them we already have "3 times" the HD of competitors.

sansri88

12-01-07, 12:37 AM

Let's face it Sansri; North Jersey, South Jersey, we ain't gonna get NOTHIN' in the way of new HD channels until months and months after other areas get them. What we WILL get is a rate increase 1st of January like clockwork. :mad:

Well, my bill comes mid month, so would I see it in the upcoming bill December 14th? Or January 14th? I'm hoping for some good news tomorrow in the Star Ledger, since it has been on Saturday's that they announce channel changes (at least for the last 3 changes).

bob2274

12-02-07, 09:32 PM

Now that NHL Network HD is starting to be added, has anyone noticed GAME HD / TEAM HD being added in their markets up near the NHL and NBA channels?

therob006

12-03-07, 01:34 PM

Chew on this one

Multichannel.com is reporting that ESPN will be launching ESPNU-HD starting next August. Comcast is one of the few providers NOT carrying the channel. Here in Massachusetts, ESPNU-SD is not carried and was removed off of the old Adelphia packaging.

ESPNU will become the fourth ESPN network to go the high-definition route, when it kicks off coverage of the 2008 college football season.

The college sports service, which currently counts some 20 million subscribers through deals with Charter, Cox, DirecTV, Dish Network Network, AT&T’s U-Verse, Insight Communications, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and Verizon’s FiOS TV, among others, will begin telecasting in the HD format on Aug. 28, 2008, according to George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports.
Projected to air more than 200 HD events in its first year, ESPNU HD, in addition to presenting college football action in the enhanced signal format, will present basketball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling and hockey contests. In addition, ESPNU HD will offer encore presentations from ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and ABC HD college sports content.

The shift to HD will also allow for additional sponsorship opportunities on the network, said network officials

Does anyone know if this channel (ESPNU) will be launched anywhere else or if it is being carried in their area now?

vj9999

12-03-07, 03:41 PM

For what it's worth (Chicago area).

On my Guide in Vista Media Center (not sure who they get the guide info from):
216 - CNN HD
218 - HDT (HD Theater same guide info as 205 HD Theater - maybe this will be one of the other Discovery networks , probably Discovery HD)
221 - USA HD

jeepmatt

12-04-07, 09:30 AM

Seriously - I'd really like to see ESPNU - SD. I can't still beleive Comcast hasn't ironed out a deal.

blitzen102

12-04-07, 10:15 AM

Seriously - I'd really like to see ESPNU - SD. I can't still beleive Comcast hasn't ironed out a deal.

I can believe it. Many people, like myself, couldn't care less about ESPNU.

bobby94928

12-04-07, 10:16 AM

and just as many, or more, do care...........

blitzen102

12-04-07, 10:38 AM

and just as many, or more, do care...........

You don't know that - and it's probably not true.

Addicted2HD4Now

12-04-07, 11:18 AM

You don't know that - and it's probably not true.

Our system just got History HD, Discovery HD and USA HD today (12/4). When will the rollout of TLC HD begin, January?

JayMan007

12-04-07, 05:48 PM

Our system just got History HD, Discovery HD and USA HD today (12/4). When will the rollout of TLC HD begin, January?

We (Richmond, VA) got Discovery HD & TLC HD on Nov 20. -I don't think I've seen any true HD programing on that channel. By the end of the year we are supposed to have CNN HD, USA HD, History HD & Sci-Fi -- just in time for the rate increase. :)

sansri88

12-04-07, 06:09 PM

We (Richmond, VA) got Discovery HD & TLC HD on Nov 20. -I don't think I've seen any true HD programing on that channel. By the end of the year we are supposed to have CNN HD, USA HD, History HD & Sci-Fi -- just in time for the rate increase. :)

At least you got HD. It looks like we'll get our rate increases in January and no new HD since Nat Geo and NFL in October.

maxman

12-04-07, 06:33 PM

At least you got HD. It looks like we'll get our rate increases in January and no new HD since Nat Geo and NFL in October.

You've got NFL-HD???

bubba5

12-04-07, 06:48 PM

At least you got HD. It looks like we'll get our rate increases in January and no new HD since Nat Geo and NFL in October.

What happened to all the HD Channels you keep say we are going to get by the end of the year in North Jersey, maybe your source ment 2008 or 2009.

sansri88

12-04-07, 07:01 PM

You've got NFL-HD???

Yep, since October 10th. It was unencrypted until yesterday. In the morning it was fine, and then after school it just went *poof*

sansri88

12-04-07, 07:12 PM

What happened to all the HD Channels you keep say we are going to get by the end of the year in North Jersey, maybe your source ment 2008 or 2009.

Even though it looks unlikely we'll see new channels anytime this month, I still am clinging to some hope. The following are snippets from emails from Meredith Black, Senior VP of Marketing, Comcast of North New Jersey

While we can not disclose specific information until the programming contracts have been approved, we are looking forward to providing our Northern New Jersey customers with several more HD channels by year end (some of which you mentioned) and numerous others in 2008. This email is from August 6th

Although Comcast has national carriage agreements for certain networks, we are not permitted to disclose specific information until is has been approved for release. While we can not provide more details at this time, rest assured that we are looking forward to providing our Northern New Jersey customers with several more HD channels by year end (some of which you mentioned). This is above and beyond the three additions in October. This email is from October 1st, right before the launch of TBS-HD and a week and a few days before NGC and NFL.

In response to your additional questions about upcoming HD launches in New Jersey, as I have stated previously, I am not able to confirm any upcoming channel additions until final deals are signed and approvals are received for launching these channels in our market. I can share with you that some of the channels you have mentioned are currently under consideration for Q4 and early 2008 launches.

...

Thank you for your continued business with Comcast. I am confident that you will find through our actions for the remainder of 2007 and into 2008 that Comcast is dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible HD viewing experience. Email from October 23rd.

She is pretty much the highest up in Comcast of NJ and she deals with what channels will be implemented in Comcast of NNJ. You can decide for yourself from these snippets whether we will get new HD soon or not. Remember, notices can come up to 30 days in advance, or as late as 24 hours before launch.

Throughout our correspondence, I had repeatedly mentioned Discovery HD, CNN HD, and USA HD. Every time she responded, that some of the channels you have mentioned will be added by the end of the year. Now, which of those channels (or maybe all 3+) I do not know, and she is unable to tell me. I will email her again, since the last time we have talked was late October. My other source does not know as of yet (something I have said already to you in the local thread).

For anyone else in different areas that wants to really find out what new channels they might be getting or at least if you'll be getting new channels soon I recommend contacting the Senior marketing Rep of your area.

Interesting snippet from the conversations: Specifically with regard to HDNet and HD Net Movies, I believe I shared in an earlier e-mail that we are not aware of any current consideration being given to these two channels. No HDNet on the horizon at all for Comcast...