Comcast HDTV [Text View] - Page 22

donn35

01-07-08, 01:19 AM

I just got off the phone and confirmed first hand from a Comcast Customer Service Representative that a launch of "Speed HD" will occur by the end of the first quarter of this year in the Chicago area. Given that it is offered to cableco's starting March 1, and given that the end of the first quarter is March 31, and that it's being offered in other Comcast markets on March 1...I'll let you read into it what you will.

Ken H---is it premature to add this as a "coming soon" channel? I am guessing that if Chicago and Massachusetts are getting it, it's being offered nationwide?

Does anyone know when Comcast is going to hurry up & add the following HD channels: Science Channel, FX, Smithsonian, Lifetime Movie Channel, Hallmark, The Movie Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, Fox Business, Weather Channel, CNBC, MGM, VH1, CMT, MTV(not MHD), Fuel, Spike, Biography, Bravo, CSTV, Disney, Toon Disney, ABC Family, ESPNews, etc?

bicker1

01-07-08, 06:47 AM

Of the ones you listed, I believe they only have national agreements covering MGM, NBA, NHL and Fox Business, and maybe the premiums. Most notably, from my perspective, they don't have an agreement for F/X, at least as far as I've read. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. :))

Once a national agreement for carriage is struck, it'll be a local issue as to when (if) you get them.

therob006

01-07-08, 07:34 AM

Does anyone know when Comcast is going to hurry up & add the following HD channels: Science Channel, FX, Smithsonian, Lifetime Movie Channel, Hallmark, The Movie Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, Fox Business, Weather Channel, CNBC, MGM, VH1, CMT, MTV(not MHD), Fuel, Spike, Biography, Bravo, CSTV, Disney, Toon Disney, ABC Family, ESPNews, etc?

That's one huge wish list. Are some of those even in HD? I do not think Toon Disney, ABC Family and ESPNews are in HD. I checked Disney's web site and did not see anything. So until channels are actually in HD, any other provider out there is just stretching the picture.

IMO, The Movie Channel is a waste of HD Bandwidth as well as the Starz channels beyond the main one. There are a few movies on demand that are in HD from Starz. Same difference as having multiple HD Starz Channels.

BRADH

01-07-08, 09:27 AM

Comcast just took over here in the Bloomington In area. Does anyone know if they are going to add any HD channels.

Brad

JamesDax

01-07-08, 10:52 AM

Still no good news for the Philadelphia area I see.

BigDaddyRoy

01-07-08, 12:09 PM

Does anyone know when Comcast is going to hurry up & add the following HD channels: ..., ..., ..., etc?

Ok, here is the most complete answer I can put together for you. I used the various company websites, and the fantastic AVS HDTV Programming Synopsis. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=164671. If everyone read it if they have a channel question before posting, it would cut down on some of the questions / confusion. Anyway;

The following channels are already available on Comcast systems. Channel availability varies by system, check your local thread.
NHL Network (full time), NBA TV (not full time, but the HD games, and studio pre and post game shows are broadcast on MOJO).

The following channels already have deals announced with Comcast. It’s just a matter of them being rolled out to a market or markets.
Fox Business, MGM, ESPNews(according to Broadcasting and Cable, Engadget, and ESPN, though it has not launched yet) Hallmark (In fact, they are the initial carrier, but the channel has not launched yet). Speaking of which...

The following channels have not launched yet (in addition to ESPNews & Hallmark)
Disney, Toon Disney, ABC Family, CSTV.

The following channels have launched, but have been reported with minimal, if no, HD material, according to multiple sources, including the AVS Programming Synopsis. I consider them useless in their current states {Opinion}.
Biography, Bravo, Cartoon Network (it’s been debated as to if they have shown any HD yet), VH1, CMT, MTV(not MHD), Nickelodeon, Science Channel, Spike (which launched in the past week), Fuel.

The following is not an HD channel, they just feed 4:3 SD over an HD signal with extra graphics. Yuk!{Opinion}
CNBC.

Now to the ones Comcast has yet to “hurry up & add” that has some meat to it.

The following channels are additional HD premiums.
Starz Kids & Family, Starz Comdey, Starz Edge, The Movie Channel.
I have not seem much mention of these on this, or any other, Comcast thread on here. While it would be nice as a Starz subscriber myself, additional premiums typically benefit few customers. With other channels that would be available to all with signed agreements (MGMHD, etc?), but not yet rolled out, I can’t see the benefit of “hurry up & add” here.

So that leaves this. The following channels are available, have substantial HD material, and have not been added anywhere, or have not announced deals, with Comcast.
FX, Smithsonian, Lifetime Movie Channel, Weather Channel, Tennis Channel.

As it stands, Lifetime Movies HD is only available to AT&T and Verizon subs. I’ll cry for it from Comcast when it starts getting actually eyeballs. I would rate the remaining four 1. FX (by a mile) 2. Weather Channel 3. Smithsonian (distant) 4. Tennis Channel (even more distant - Opinion).

I know you are frustrated as a subscriber, but 1/5 of the channels you listed aren't even broadcasting. Another 2/5 are showing no, or almost no, HD at all. And another 1/5 either are already on some Comcast or have deals to do so on the next channel rollouts. I frankly am surprised to see your post, though I want to answer it politely, since in at least three separate posts in this thread, you stated that you canceled your Comcast subscription. Still, if you are still with Comcast, I hope Chicago gets you some more channels.

Still, with channel list posts like this, I just with people would read the stickied threads first, (The Synopsis, the Channel Lineup, etc). Otherwise, if I didn't know any better, these would read like some "other providers" propaganda. Couldn't be.

hdtvjunkie247

01-07-08, 12:20 PM

When did MGM HD sign an agreement with Comcast? Just curious.

BigDaddyRoy

01-07-08, 12:23 PM

When did MGM HD sign an agreement with Comcast? Just curious.

Don't know. I hope the moderator answers, since the entry has been in the first post of this thread for quite a while.

blitzen102

01-07-08, 12:47 PM

Comcast just took over here in the Bloomington In area. Does anyone know if they are going to add any HD channels.

Brad

How long ago did Comcast take over? Who was the previous provider? How many HD channels do you have now?

bicker1

01-07-08, 12:50 PM

Great summary Roy. Thanks for doing the research.

jefbal99

01-07-08, 12:57 PM

Tennis Channel HD launched on D* and has shown HD content recently

BDCat

01-07-08, 12:59 PM

... The following channels have not launched yet (in addition to ESPNews & Hallmark)
Disney, Toon Disney, ABC Family, CSTV, Tennis Channel.
...
The following channels are available, have substantial HD material, and have not been added anywhere, ... FX, Smithsonian, Lifetime Movie Channel, Weather Channel.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but according to traffic on some of the D* threads, Tennis Channel HD, Smithsonian HD and Weather Channel HD are all up and running on D*. The sticky at the top of the forum shows the latter two as being available with the former as announced. Maybe it should be updated?

blitzen102

01-07-08, 01:15 PM

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but according to traffic on some of the D* threads, Tennis Channel HD, Smithsonian HD and Weather Channel HD are all up and running on D*. The sticky at the top of the forum shows the latter two as being available with the former as announced. Maybe it should be updated?

What the heck? Why did you leave out part of his quote?

"So that leaves this. The following channels are available, have substantial HD material, and have not been added anywhere, or have not announced deals, with Comcast.
FX, Smithsonian, Lifetime Movie Channel, Weather Channel."

Amnesia

01-07-08, 01:22 PM

Anyone heard any more channels/dates for the Boston area?

BigDaddyRoy

01-07-08, 01:41 PM

Tennis Channel HD launched on D* and has shown HD content recently

A few notes. On Tennis Channel, jefbal99, I messed up. I was using the Winter Programming Synopsis for a lot of this. It was last edited Dec 27th, and it showed Tennis Channel HD as 'Coming Soon'. I will correct it in my big post, but I am sorry I got it wrong.

As for BDCat, well, blitzen already addressed it, but you changed my quote, and chopped out the middle that showed I said the channels had not been added or announced on Comcast. It was not a statement about anyone else carrying it, because this is a Comcast HD thread, and I try to stick to just talking about Comcast and HD channels.

BDCat

01-07-08, 01:54 PM

What the heck? Why did you leave out part of his quote?

"So that leaves this. The following channels are available, have substantial HD material, and have not been added anywhere, or have not announced deals, with Comcast.
FX, Smithsonian, Lifetime Movie Channel, Weather Channel."Not to belabor the point but have not been added anywhere seems pretty explicit to me!:confused:

Maybe another choice of wording?:)

Writers always know what they mean; the trick is to pass it on to others!

BigDaddyRoy

01-07-08, 02:02 PM

Not to belabor the point but have not been added anywhere seems pretty explicit to me!:confused:

Maybe another choice of wording?:)

Writers always know what they mean; the trick is to pass it on to others!

Yes, that is true. Thats why there are standardized rules for writing complex sentences using punctuation. Commas allow you to break up multiple thoughts into a logical grouping within the same sentence. Commas, and other punctuation, can be used to convey what the writer means to the reader as long as the reader understands the proper use of punctuation.

But this isn't a punctuation thread, so I'll stand by what I wrote for the state of the listed channels in relation to Comcast. Others seemed to understand the sentence just fine, so I will leave it as is.

BDCat

01-07-08, 02:29 PM

Yes, that is true. Thats why there are standardized rules for writing complex sentences using punctuation. Commas allow you to break up multiple thoughts into a logical grouping within the same sentence. Commas, and other punctuation, can be used to convey what the writer means to the reader as long as the reader understands the proper use of punctuation. Oh dear, I'm so sorry you have become so worked up! OK, you wrote a perfect grammatically correct sentence with perfect punctuation and it was my fault for not understanding what you meant.

There is no point continuing this "discussion". Now, hopefully, everyone is fully aware of what you meant and we can continue with the main topic of this thread?

BRADH

01-07-08, 02:43 PM

How long ago did Comcast take over? Who was the previous provider? How many HD channels do you have now?

This month. Insight was the previous provider.

Brad

BigDaddyRoy

01-07-08, 02:44 PM

Now, hopefully, everyone is fully aware of what you meant and we can continue with the main topic of this thread?

Agreed

blitzen102

01-07-08, 02:53 PM

This month. Insight was the previous provider.

Brad

I sent you a private message.

BRADH

01-07-08, 03:12 PM

I sent you a private message.

Got it thanks

maxman

01-07-08, 05:49 PM

Still no good news for the Philadelphia area I see.

Nor New Jersey. Brings to mind The Talking Heads song: "And The Days Go By..."

maxman

01-07-08, 05:52 PM

I just got off the phone and confirmed first hand from a Comcast Customer Service Representative...

Certainly you mean a Comcast Customer Account Executive?:)

sansri88

01-07-08, 06:06 PM

Yup maxman, we're still waiting here. Last I heard, we're not getting HD until SDV is implemented in the summer and when most channels go digital around September. This is from Comcast Corporate, but still won't believe it until it happens.

WilEAdams

01-07-08, 07:07 PM

sansri88

01-07-08, 07:30 PM

I have been wondering the same thing. We didn't even get the additional ads that Insight made in other markets. While I am in Greenwood, I believe we are all fed in this area from Bloomington because we have the same channel numbers, lineup and commercials. I would love to know when, too.

You shouldn't expect much soon until the transition is complete. Your takeover is probably going to be like the Adelphia one--slow for upgrades, but once you get them you get a lot of them (I believe).

WilEAdams

01-07-08, 09:29 PM

Hmmmm. I don't think that the Insight network is in bad conditions like a lot of Adelphia was. I know that Insight performed lots of upgrades when I used to live in their service area, but not sure where they stand as far as open bandwidth. I hope I don't have to wait much longer. Any Insight on this, anybody? Pardon the pun, but I had to do it.

donn35

01-08-08, 05:37 PM

Doesn't Comcast CEO Brian Roberts fully understand that adding more HD VOD than the actual linear channels is just going to make customers switch to the satellite providers & telcos. What's Comcast problem that they cannot give their customers the exact same HD content that both Direct Tv & Dish Network has. Come on Roberts, we want MGM, FX, Cartoon Network, NBA, NHL, Biography, Science Channel, etc.

therob006

01-08-08, 06:13 PM

What's Comcast problem that they cannot give their customers the exact same HD content that both Direct Tv & Dish Network has.

Lack of bandwidth. Comcast just cannot launch another satilite for more channels. It requires new equipment like the DCX Motorola box that increase the bandwith capacity to the 1 Gig spectrum as opposed to the current 750 Mhz. Or follow the steps of the Chicago area and move everything but basic channels to digital which frees up a ton of bandwith.

Keep in mind that as these new satilites launch for the respective providers, customer may need to upgrade their boxes or dishes and sometimes that comes at a cost.

GoIrish

01-08-08, 07:02 PM

Doesn't Comcast CEO Brian Roberts fully understand that adding more HD VOD than the actual linear channels is just going to make customers switch to the satellite providers & telcos. What's Comcast problem that they cannot give their customers the exact same HD content that both Direct Tv & Dish Network has. Come on Roberts, we want MGM, FX, Cartoon Network, NBA, NHL, Biography, Science Channel, etc.

Theroboo's response above makes sense. What also makes sense is nothing in his message says they aren't going to continue to add linear content.

I also don't understand the prejudice of some to video on demand. I look at how we use it in our house and it's frequent. I get all the HD pay channels and rarely watch anything real time. I'm either time shifting with the box recorder or using vod.

Look at the linear channels now and the dearth of true HD on so many; linear content doesn't mean so much from that perspective. If they populate a menu with 1,000 different HD programs I can grab at my leisure, this far surpasses 100 channels that you watch what they schedule for you and it may or may not be HD. They also mentioned hundreds more movies each month in HD and I find that very intriguing.

Should be an interesting year on the programming front.

GoIrish

BigDaddyRoy

01-08-08, 07:03 PM

Doesn't Comcast CEO Brian Roberts fully understand that adding more HD VOD than the actual linear channels is just going to make customers switch to the satellite providers & telcos.

Not necessarily. While I know a handful of people who are big into HD tech, I know way more people who have HD and all they care about is big sporting events, prime time broadcast TV, and rental movies. Most of them don't really use their DVRs, and the ones who do have more recorded on it right now than they could watch, given their schedule, over the next two weeks. Heck, a good portion of them use on Demand to rent movies once the kids go to sleep, to avoid leaving them home to go to the video store. Yet they end up with the SD version because they didn't know the HD version was available for the same price. It's easy spending so much time here on AVS forums, and the like, to forget that we are the minority, not the majority.

More liner HD channels still matter, and they matter to a lot of people, but to varying degrees. Those it matters more to may switch, others may not. Any good effort to increase the amount of available HD is going to help, even if it isn't the same as new linear channels. I will still take more free HD on demand, that I can and do use to view HD, over a channel like Cartoon Network HD that shows no HD at all.

I can say my on Demand usage has increased. I don't bother to use space on the DVR to record the HD version of "Weeds" since I know the HD version is on Demand as well. The last few parties at my house have been accented by some HD concerts from MHD VOD and Music Choice HD VOD.

VOD has incredible value to a lot of people. Comcast wouldn't put the money into upping it if it wasn't making them huge bank. D* wouldn't be working on a nationwide rollout of an internet driven VOD if it didn't matter to people. Netflix wouldn't be making a home VOD box with LG if it didn't matter. Vudu wouldn't have the buzz it does.

caesar1

01-08-08, 07:25 PM

Theroboo's response above makes sense. What also makes sense is nothing in his message says they aren't going to continue to add linear content.

I also don't understand the prejudice of some to video on demand. I look at how we use it in our house and it's frequent. I get all the HD pay channels and rarely watch anything real time. I'm either time shifting with the box recorder or using vod.

Look at the linear channels now and the dearth of true HD on so many; linear content doesn't mean so much from that perspective. If they populate a menu with 1,000 different HD programs I can grab at my leisure, this far surpasses 100 channels that you watch what they schedule for you and it may or may not be HD. They also mentioned hundreds more movies each month in HD and I find that very intriguing.

Should be an interesting year on the programming front.

GoIrish

On demand content is a pain to use -- unless all you do is pick a program and watch it from start to finish.

Assuming you can find what you want in the menu system, if you try to ff or rewind or pause -- its slow and clunky. Its much more efficient and user friendly when you use your DVR (as bad as they can be). And you can't record on demand to your DVR.

I would much rather have 100 full blown HD channels (and if I want to time switch use the DVR), then their random selections of HD choices in on demand.

How much of those 1000 HD choices are new channels -- probably very few. And don't be surprised if there is a charge for most HD movies in on demand.

gakon

01-08-08, 07:37 PM

GoIrish

01-08-08, 07:37 PM

On demand content is a pain to use -- unless all you do is pick a program and watch it from start to finish.

Assuming you can find what you want in the menu system, if you try to ff or rewind or pause -- its slow and clunky. Its much more efficient and user friendly when you use your DVR (as bad as they can be). And you can't record on demand to your DVR.

I would much rather have 100 full blown HD channels (and if I want to time switch use the DVR), then their random selections of HD choices in on demand.

How much of those 1000 HD choices are new channels -- probably very few. And don't be surprised if there is a charge for most HD movies in on demand.

While I agree the VOD feature set of ff/rr/pause isn't Tivo like, it works fine for me. Since most customers who have digital service don't have a DVR, it's a step up from having no control over content at all in a linear environment.

I wouldn't expect 1,000 HD choices to be 1,000 channels but probably a combination of content already carried in linear form and content that is not.

We have different viewing styles, but we both may end up happy in the end, who knows.

BTW, nice theater !

GoIrish

bicker1

01-08-08, 07:59 PM

ABHD

01-08-08, 08:14 PM

I would much rather have 100 full blown HD channels (and if I want to time switch use the DVR), then their random selections of HD choices in on demand.

Call me old fasion, but I too generally prefer to surf channels linearly to find something to watch. Sometimes a title/description of a show or movie just doesn't do it justice and may be overlooked if that is all I can see. If I come into a middle of a show or movie that I may want to watch, I can usually just find the next showing and set the DVR. Give me more HD channels, tuners, and hard drive space and allow me to create my own On Demand library. ;)

Don't get me wrong, I still like having On Demand choices as well, but I just find I use it much less often than I do watching linear channels and recording shows with the DVR.

swats

01-08-08, 08:21 PM

Well it's the 8th. Did anyone actually get any new HD channels today? We here in Denver didn't...

keenan

01-08-08, 08:33 PM

OnDemand programs are not even in 5.1 sound, at least here in Denver. If I'm going to spend the time and money, I want the full experience. To me, there's a lot more missing in 2 channel sound then there is by viewing an SD DVD on my upconverting player.

Apparently it's the same here in the SF bay area, no 5.1 audio for HD material on like material from a linear channel, and per some who have posted, the video itself is lacking when compared directly to the linear channel output, "more grain" is the term used. Until those issues are worked out, I have no use for OnDemand either.

ABHD

01-08-08, 08:58 PM

Apparently it's the same here in the SF bay area, no 5.1 audio for HD material on like material from a linear channel, and per some who have posted, the video itself is lacking when compared directly to the linear channel output, "more grain" is the term used. Until those issues are worked out, I have no use for OnDemand either.

yes I've noticed all this too in the Seattle area along with other sparatic problems such as a juddering framerate, or the content not starting after selecting it several times, or even better yet, I was watching a movie once and got all into it, and it stopped about 3/4ths of the way thru and no matter how many times I tried to finish the movie it would not play past that point... never got to see the end.:( That pretty much made me give up with their On Demand services.

Who knows maybe it will get better in the future, but from these past experiences, I tend to avoid On Demand and just record stuff on the DVR instead.

JayMan007

01-08-08, 09:03 PM

Well it's the 8th. Did anyone actually get any new HD channels today? We here in Denver didn't...

Not yet, but the day isn't over ... If I remember, I think that on 11/20 2 channels were added late. I'm thinking it will be soon, if not today, they just turned off an analog channel yesterday.

therob006

01-08-08, 09:30 PM

Call me old fasion, but I too generally prefer to surf channels linearly to find something to watch. Sometimes a title/description of a show or movie just doesn't do it justice and may be overlooked if that is all I can see. If I come into a middle of a show or movie that I may want to watch, I can usually just find the next showing and set the DVR. Give me more HD channels, tuners, and hard drive space and allow me to create my own On Demand library. ;)

Don't get me wrong, I still like having On Demand choices as well, but I just find I use it much less often than I do watching linear channels and recording shows with the DVR.

Call me new school but I'd prefer HD VOD selections to channels that only broadcast 10% HD. In New England, premium VOD is in 5.1 and the best channels for HD are NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, NESN and ESPN. I do not see the value of having twenty channel that are unconverted to HD.

If the focus is going to be more movies and network programming in HD, then its all good.

donn35

01-08-08, 11:46 PM

Does anyone in the Chicago area knows when Animal Planet HD will be added?

Slickone

01-09-08, 12:02 AM

Slick, are you positively sure that Animal Planet HD will be added by the end of this month? I discuss this with a Comcast service rep & they didn't know anything at that moment when the channel will be offered, but I do recall it would be added very soon.

The Supervisor I spoke to @ the Homewood Headend(South Suburbs) says that the date is not solid, 1/23 & or 1/30, nor what channel, but says that because they are going to move ch.3 off analog(CN100) as well as a Cable access channel, that would free up room to add Animal Planet & WCIU-HD before the end of the month. Hope that clears things up a little.

Marcus Carr

01-09-08, 12:39 AM

Big Ten, Comcast are closer … for real

Ed Sherman | On Sports Media and Golf
January 8, 2008

The holidays came and went without the Big Ten Network and Comcast making a deal.

Don't give up, though. There's still a chance area fans will receive a belated gift.

Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said Monday he was "cautiously optimistic" an agreement could be reached with Comcast, the largest cable distributor in the area. The parties began having "productive conversations" in December, Silverman said.

Ed Sherman Ed Sherman Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

"We're cautiously optimistic because we've addressed what we were told were their concerns," Silverman said. "We've been consistent all along. We want to get a deal done. We're looking forward to hearing from them, hopefully shortly."

Comcast spokesman Richard Ruggiero confirmed that discussions were ongoing. "We have continued the dialogue," he said. "We've said all along we're trying to work out an agreement that makes sense for all of our customers."

That's a sharp departure from the previous tone. No negotiations took place in the fall as both sides knocked each other in ad campaigns. The battle was good business for media companies (thank you very much), but it has left fans out in the cold.

As a result, Comcast subscribers missed out on an entire season of conference football on the BTN. Now with conference basketball in full swing, the issue is bubbling up again.

This week the BTN will air seven basketball games, including Purdue-Michigan State on Tuesday and four games Saturday. That's a good helping of college basketball.

Silverman wouldn't get into details regarding what's on the table, but clearly the BTN has extra incentive to reach a deal sooner rather than later. The conference basketball season represents its last line of leverage for a while.

Men's basketball is the jewel of BTN's programming, and the network is counting on fans to continue pressuring Comcast to add the service. Several market analysts maintain that many cable subscribers have switched to satellite providers that carry the network.

But if the BTN can't come up with an agreement soon, Comcast likely will sit on the sidelines until football resumes. So when Silverman says the BTN has addressed Comcast's concerns, you can be sure it has dropped considerably from its initial asking price of $1.10 per subscriber. You also can assume other concessions have been made.

The Big Ten Network is eager to get its product out there. The network aired live studio shows from New Orleans before the Ohio State-LSU title game Monday night.

"We're trying to do the right thing and cover it," Silverman said. "This is a big-time game for the Big Ten."

Silverman was just as excited about being able see the BTN coverage in his New Orleans hotel room thanks to a special hookup.

"This is the first time I've been able to watch the network while I'm on the road," Silverman said. "It makes me feel like we are for real."

Comcast subscribers would like to experience the same feeling.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-080107edshermancomcastbigtennetwork,1,5742397.column?ctrack= 1&cset=true

donn35

01-09-08, 11:22 AM

TLC HD will be added tomorrow on channel 176 in Chicago, but hopefully Comcast can surprise their customers by adding Animal Planet HD or another HD channel as well.

singletb

01-09-08, 11:27 AM

TLC HD will be added tomorrow on channel 176 in Chicago, but hopefully Comcast can surprise their customers by adding Animal Planet HD or another HD channel as well.

You gotta admit, we have been pretty fortunate in Chicago lately with the HD additions. There really isn't much that Comcast has nationally that hasn't been added to the Chicago line-up.

donn35

01-09-08, 06:54 PM

You gotta admit, we have been pretty fortunate in Chicago lately with the HD additions. There really isn't much that Comcast has nationally that hasn't been added to the Chicago line-up.

I guess your right with the recent additions as of late: History, USA, CNN, Sci-Fi, Discovery, & now TLC being added to the lineup tomorrow has pretty much made everyone in the Chicago area fortunate. Comcast is adding local channel WCIU HD on January 30th so maybe Animal Planet or Science Channel are just around the corner so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

gakon

01-09-08, 07:21 PM

Meanwhile, we sit here in Denver with no adds or even a hint of anything on the horizon. :( We weren't doing too bad until the end of last year.

swats

01-09-08, 07:25 PM

Meanwhile, we sit here in Denver with no adds or even a hint of anything on the horizon. :( We weren't doing too bad until the end of last year.

I hear you. I am giving them until summer when my triple play discount runs out, and if Denver doesn't add these new channels by then I am gone for satellite.

rafiks

01-09-08, 08:28 PM

Well it's the 8th. Did anyone actually get any new HD channels today? We here in Denver didn't...

Nada! I actually called them again. ANd now there are saying by the end of JAnuary! :mad:

sansri88

01-09-08, 09:47 PM

I'm not even gonna bother calling-I know they're not going to add channels, they just won't get off their @$$es and get rid of some analog channels here.

maxman

01-09-08, 09:51 PM

I'm not even gonna bother calling-I know they're not going to add channels, they just won't get off their @$$es and get rid of some analog channels here.

It's not worth wasting your time e-mailing them either.

SPACEMAKER

01-09-08, 10:58 PM

What are the odds that Comcast adds SpeedHD when it becomes available on March 1st? (right now only D* carries SpeedHD)

swats

01-10-08, 12:36 AM

What are the odds that Comcast adds SpeedHD when it becomes available on March 1st? (right now only D* carries SpeedHD)

Depends on your local Comcast. In Denver that would be zero. I am not even sure if they have announced a carriage agreement for SpeedHD.

Ken H

01-10-08, 01:17 AM

Depends on your local Comcast. In Denver that would be zero. I am not even sure if they have announced a carriage agreement for SpeedHD.

All known HD that Comcast plans to add is in the first post of this topic.

bicker1

01-10-08, 07:35 AM

I'm not even gonna bother calling-I know they're not going to add channels, they just won't get off their @$$es and get rid of some analog channels here.As long as those with analog service express their willingness to leave the service over losing analog channels more so than those with digital service express their willingness to leave the service over not getting new digital channels, then "they" "win" and "we" "lose".

KK in CT

01-10-08, 07:58 AM

Is there a way to find out what the capacity is of your local Comcast network? I've tried calling, emailing, and chatting, and no one seems to know. The rep on the chat did say that, although he doesn't have that info, Comcast doesn't give that out to its customers anyway. Thanks.

bicker1

01-10-08, 09:35 AM

I've found it in some public filings, but I cannot remember where . . .

Marcus Carr

01-10-08, 10:08 AM

In Boston:

Cable news' battle for Boston's business-minded viewers grows fiercer today, with newcomer Fox Business Network debuting on Comcast...

But the biggest surprise may be that Comcast subscribers won't be watching Fox Business's "Money For Breakfast" or "The Dave Ramsey Show" in high definition, which had been a big selling point for the new network. DirecTV has been airing the network's content in high definition, but Comcast spokesman Jim Hughes said the cable provider offers "more HD choices than any other provider, with about 250 choices available to our customers at any given time."

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2008/01/10/fox_begins_battle_for_bostons_cnbc_viewers/

d max82

01-10-08, 10:13 AM

In Sarasota Fl last night recieved HistoryHD, CNNHD, Sci-FiHD, and DiscoveryHD. Can't wait till they can get up there with Satellite so I can quit paying 2 seperate bills.

hdtvjunkie247

01-10-08, 10:22 AM

I'm not even gonna bother calling-I know they're not going to add channels, they just won't get off their @$$es and get rid of some analog channels here.

It's a real bummer, but I did just read in the Asbury Park Press that Comcast will be focusing a lot on HD this year, after slowing subscriber growth. Triple Play was their big initiative last year.

jrusnak

01-10-08, 10:43 AM

But they sure came up with a pretty big rate hike!

I'm not even gonna bother calling-I know they're not going to add channels, they just won't get off their @$$es and get rid of some analog channels here.

bicker1

01-10-08, 10:54 AM

The price hike ($9 between the October hike in the DVR fee and the February hike in the rest of the fees) got me to do the cost comparison with DirecTV again. Comcast is still the better choice for us. It will now be about $10 more expensive per month, for service roughly equivalent to what we have now, but will provide both PBS and CW in HD (which we watch more than FX) and doesn't require us to lay-out any money in advance or make any term commitments. We'll keep an eye on things though.

As soon as Comcast adds FX HD, that'll really clinch it, in our book.

Foxhound12

01-10-08, 11:30 AM

Comcast just added Fox Business Channel in the Chicago area and it is only in 4x3. Isn't FBC supposed to be 16x9?

homcom

01-10-08, 11:33 AM

Comcast just added Fox Business Channel in the Chicago area and it is only in 4x3. Isn't FBC supposed to be 16x9?

FBC added here in Detroit is only the SD version thus 4x3. They do have a 16x9 HD version but it appears that Comcast is not adding that yet.

FSugino

01-10-08, 11:43 AM

Just writing to confirm that Chicago did add TLC-HD on channel 176 today.

Tybee

01-10-08, 12:06 PM

Just writing to confirm that Chicago did add TLC-HD on channel 176 today.

That makes me wonder if they might sneak TLC-HD into the Atlanta lineup. It's one of the few HD channels Comcast started carrying recently that they didn't give us in the recent flurry of added HD channels.

donn35

01-11-08, 02:25 AM

bicker1

01-11-08, 06:29 AM

Instead of focusing on HD VOD, Comcast needs to add all the linear HD channels...Why do you say that? I'm pretty sure they've checked, and apparently they don't agree.

If Comcast thinks that increasing more HD VOD will prevent customers going to Direct TV or Dish Network well they are wrong.Based on what? I keep checking DirecTV to see if it is worth switching, and I just did the math again this past week, and nope, I'm still with Comcast. I suspect I'm part of the data that demonstrates to Comcast that they're making good decisions. They're going to lose customers and gain customers over time, up and down, but the real issue for them is what set of offerings provides the best profit along the way. That is probably why their decisions don't jive with any individual's set of desires.

jmallory

01-11-08, 07:00 AM

Instead of focusing on HD VOD, Comcast needs to add all the linear HD channels that came out last year that everybody really wants, e.g. MGM, Weather Channel, FX, Fox Business, Science Channel, Cartoon Network, NBA, NHL, etc. Also, Comcast & other cable providers will be further behind because new HD channels will be arriving this year like Disney, Travel Channel, Speed, Spike, ABC Family, etc. If Comcast thinks that increasing more HD VOD will prevent customers going to Direct TV or Dish Network well they are wrong.

I am sure Comcast plans to add linear HD channels as well as increasing therir HD VOD choices. HD VOD is viewed as a competitive advantage to them and is fairly easy to implement (versus finding room for 100 HD channels, while still maintaining analog service). Both my Mom and I live in Comcast Areas (Metro Detroit for me; Follansee, West Viriginia for her) and in both cases Comcast doubled the HD channel line up. I went from 16-18 to about 33 or so. She went from 6 to about 18. I am sure by this time next year both counts will double again. I expect to be in the 50-60, she will be somewhere in the 30s. It's not going to be as fast as DirecTV or Dish but it will get done.

vj9999

01-11-08, 09:08 AM

I am all for adding more HD channels and of course more the better. But.. I honestly have pretty much everything I like to watch in HD by now (maybe few more popular HD channels but that's about it).

Local networks, ESPNs, USA, Discovery, TLC and Food (and Showtime for Dexter :) ) gives me enough to watch every day of week.

Again I am not advocating not adding more channels. I still get excited like a kid every time a new channel is added, but the excitement wears of quickly after I tune to the channel maybe once in a month (and some channels never).

drcos

01-11-08, 07:10 PM

So here in Sarasota FL they've turned on History HD, CNN HD, Discovery HD, TLC HD, and Scifi HD, this is good (and my S3 Tivo got new guide data today :)...

But they've yanked all of the 'minor' west coast feeds (All the Encore, Showtime, TMC, and Starz Pacific feeds and all the HBO and Cinemax Pacific feeds except HBO and Cinemax).

This is a fair trade as far as I'm concerned, so long as they keep adding new HD without SDV. I would much rather have Mythbusters, Modern Marvels, and BSG in HD than west coast feeds in the first place.

At this point the only thing I could really ask for would be HDNet, HDNet movies, and TMC HD.
Also what's happening (or not happening) with TCM-HD?

Slickone

01-11-08, 10:57 PM

FBC added here in Detroit is only the SD version thus 4x3. They do have a 16x9 HD version but it appears that Comcast is not adding that yet.

TLC is here, Animal Planet is coming soon(23rd or 30th as spoken to by a Installer Sup)& we get local WCIU-DT on 1/30. Chicago has seen 17 new channels since 1/1/07, and here are the ones I see being added this year sometime by Comcast:

Animal Planet-HD: coming this month

Science Channel-HD: makes sense, would give us all of the Discovery networks.

NHL Network-HD: in time for Stanley Cup Playoffs????(will have to get the Sports Tier, though)

Tennis-HD: in time for Wimbeldon?????(see NHL Network)

Bravo-HD: Only if Top Chef & Project Runway will be cast in HD.

Speed-HD: Comcast has to do something to compete with the Nascar Hotpass(Sports Tier)

FX HD: makes sense, top 20 cable channel.

Spike HD: TNA Wrestling is the key here. UFC will probably go HD this year, their pay-per-views already are.

BIG TEN Network: least confident here, but maybe by the Big Ten basketball tourney, but I see SD only 1st.

Disney Channels: Agreeements will be in place when the channels launch, but how long before we will see them?

Everything else is probably not too high on Comcast's radar. But customers have now got to bully them into getting HDNet & HDNet Movies. Would love to see them on Comcast in my lifetime.

scsa1000

01-11-08, 11:01 PM

i think a few are coming to south florida in the next week i have a few that show up in the guide but don't work they say call to activate when i have the hd package though i dont know i know for sure that animal planet is one and so is usa network hd and scifi hd is here.

Ken H

01-11-08, 11:10 PM

here are the ones I see being added this year sometime by Comcast:See the first post of this for what is known, everything else is speculation.

Ryan48

01-12-08, 12:07 AM

Still nothing here in south jersey :( , I think the last HD channel we got was TBS-HD right before the MLB playoffs.

donn35

01-12-08, 01:42 AM

TLC is here, Animal Planet is coming soon(23rd or 30th as spoken to by a Installer Sup)& we get local WCIU-DT on 1/30. Chicago has seen 17 new channels since 1/1/07, and here are the ones I see being added this year sometime by Comcast:

Animal Planet-HD: coming this month

Science Channel-HD: makes sense, would give us all of the Discovery networks.

NHL Network-HD: in time for Stanley Cup Playoffs????(will have to get the Sports Tier, though)

Tennis-HD: in time for Wimbeldon?????(see NHL Network)

Bravo-HD: Only if Top Chef & Project Runway will be cast in HD.

Speed-HD: Comcast has to do something to compete with the Nascar Hotpass(Sports Tier)

FX HD: makes sense, top 20 cable channel.

Spike HD: TNA Wrestling is the key here. UFC will probably go HD this year, their pay-per-views already are.

BIG TEN Network: least confident here, but maybe by the Big Ten basketball tourney, but I see SD only 1st.

Disney Channels: Agreeements will be in place when the channels launch, but how long before we will see them?

Everything else is probably not too high on Comcast's radar. But customers have now got to bully them into getting HDNet & HDNet Movies. Would love to see them on Comcast in my lifetime.

Slick, I hope you're positively right about Animal Planet HD being added by the end of the month. I love to watch that program about the meerkats in high definition.

hooked01

01-12-08, 10:40 AM

scsa1000

01-12-08, 11:15 AM

do you guys think that if we see the channels in the guide and go to the channel and get a order message that they are adding it some time soon since i have the hd package but i get the message on uhd on the 1000's but i get the uhd channel on the 400s so i think it is just getting added the new channels sometime soon. Thanks

BigDaddyRoy

01-12-08, 02:51 PM

Yeah! Starting on 01/15, Pembroke Pines, FL will be getting the following channels:

FoodHD
USAHD
HistoryHD
DiscoveryHD
AnimalPlanetHD
SciFiHD

Now if only these channels would show actual HD content instead of Stretched SD (unlinke A&EHD and TBSHD), that would be great!

You'll be happy to know that FoodHD is an actual 24x7 HD content station. It is not a direct similcast of the SD Food Network channel, and they spent a few years before they went on the air accumulating HD shows. The others, well, I've yet to see History or Animal Planet, but USA, Discovery, and SciFi are mirrors of the SD channels, so not full time. However, these three have been more like A&EHD (some but limited HD) than TBSHD (almost no HD, and all stretched, all the time).

Congrats on the new channels. I'm still waiting on History and Animal Planet.

hdtvjunkie247

01-12-08, 03:35 PM

Can a mod fix the first post in this thread? It says "Edited by Moderator 1/3/07" when its 2008 out there and Discovery is spelled wrong.

Just some pet peeves of mine.

Ken H

01-12-08, 04:44 PM

Can a mod fix the first post in this thread? It says "Edited by Moderator 1/3/07" when its 2008 out there and Discovery is spelled wrong.

Just some pet peeves of mine.

The date reflects the most recent update, not the current date.

I added the 'y'. Happy?

Sparkman87

01-12-08, 06:00 PM

The date reflects the most recent update, not the current date.

I added the 'y'. Happy?

But it was last edited 1/03/08, not 01/03/07. I think that is what he was talking about.

maxman

01-12-08, 07:04 PM

Interesting how much excitement Burke's grand announcement has generated. I can't get over all of the excitement here (yawn).

gakon

01-12-08, 11:00 PM

All that talk of thousands of HD "choices" was laughed at last year. However, that philosophy must be working for Comcast ($$$ relative to adding new channels in all different areas with different infrastructure). I'm still not impressed. I just checked the OnDemand schedule, which contains about 150 "choices", not including the premiums. Some of those 150 are duplicates of what's available on the normal channels, and I'm sure Comcast will be counting them twice. I still don't like the fact that they don't have surround sound when it's available on the normal broadcast. All of my whining isn't going to make them add channels any faster, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop.

Ken H

01-13-08, 12:53 AM

But it was last edited 1/03/08, not 01/03/07. I think that is what he was talking about.

Ah yes. Pardon me. Corrected.

rafiks

01-13-08, 01:40 AM

ghudson666

01-13-08, 09:17 AM

Comcast is betting on the wrong horse if they think more HD VOD is going to keep their customers from jumping to DirecTV. Current standard definition VOD movies look horrible on a HDTV if their are not in HD so the quality of the future HD VOD movies had better be high quality, not overly compressed so that Comcast can squeeze the movies thru their cable lines. I want more HD channels. I do not care about watching Comcast VOD on my computer. I want to watch movies and tv shows on my big HDTV, for that is what I bought it for. Comcast is dreaming if they think that all of their HD customers will be able to download a full HD movie to their HD STB in just four minutes with this new technology that they are talking about. Plus, just how many of these HD VOD dowloads will be free to watch? Netflix will continue to get my money as I can easily rent Blu-ray movies at my convienence.

I would be more impressed if Comcast added all of the new prime time shows to HD OnDemand so that you can watch a new prime time show any time [one day] after it originally aired. That would add value to Comcast.

Anybody else notice that HBO has pulled all of their HD shows and movies from the Comcast VOD? No more HBO HD in VOD. Nice huh?

For me, VOD is not much of a benefit. I use the heck out of my HD DVR almost daily. Luckily I live in a Fios area so Comcast has been pretty quick in giving our area as many HD channels as they currently have for their select few areas of the country. I just want more HD channels but I do not want a box on all of my tv's which is why Comcast is currently the better deal for my house and wallet.

McDonoughDawg

01-13-08, 10:07 AM

RE HBO and On Demand HD, this is certainly not a Comcast issue. It's HBO, period.

gakon

01-13-08, 10:08 AM

That may be true, but if you pay for the premium channels, your choices have been reduced. I wonder if Comcast will be cutting the cost of HBO? :rolleyes:

bicker1

01-13-08, 10:16 AM

They'll probably do so as soon as Time Warner reduces the amount they charge Comcast for HBO.

maxman

01-14-08, 10:51 AM

I'm not even gonna bother calling-I know they're not going to add channels, they just won't get off their @$$es and get rid of some analog channels here.

Today Comcast tells me there will be no new HD channels added in January, but there will be in late February. No word on what they are or how many. Looks like the supervisor I spoke with a week ago lied (what else is new?) to me when he said they'd be adding HD channels in January AND February.

hdtvjunkie247

01-14-08, 01:16 PM

And then late February will turn into March and March will turn into April and before we know it, it will be 2009 and still no new HD.

sansri88

01-14-08, 03:31 PM

maxman, was it a CSR or a supervisor? Maybe I'll call up now and ask to speak to a supervisor.

therob006

01-14-08, 03:37 PM

maxman, was it a CSR or a supervisor? Maybe I'll call up now and ask to speak to a supervisor.

I've called before about when new HD channels are coming and was told "by the end of the year" and it never happened. This was 2006 going into 2007. Most of the times, you are getting a CSR trying to pacify you to get you off the phone. Some reps will actually be bold enough to *shock* tell you the truth. Your average CSR does not know until a few days before the launch. Same thing goes for their supervisors. They are just the messengers for Engineering and Marketing.

BRADH

01-14-08, 03:49 PM

Guys I have a friend that worked for Insight in Bloomington a few years ago. I had him do some checking about more HD channels with Comcast which took over Jan 1. Here is what a guy at the (head-end) told him. There isnt enough room to add more HD channels, and Comcast isnt going to do anything for a while. It looks like we maybe out of luck here.

Brad

ji0005

01-14-08, 03:55 PM

Or follow the steps of the Chicago area and move everything but basic channels to digital which frees up a ton of bandwith.

While we do have more bandwidth in Chicago, we dont have any more HD channels that most cities... In fact we are lagging behind in some cases.

singletb

01-14-08, 03:58 PM

While we do have more bandwidth in Chicago, we dont have any more HD channels that most cities... In fact we are lagging behind in some cases.

I kinda disagree with that statement. Chicago does carry close to everything that is available to Comcast nationally. I'm not sure if any other region can say that (including Philly).

therob006

01-14-08, 04:01 PM

While we do have more bandwidth in Chicago, we dont have any more HD channels that most cities... In fact we are lagging behind in some cases.

We should all admire what Chicago has done with their bandwidth. But in MA, if Comcast suddenly moved all of the expanded channels to digital format only, every senior citizen and their politician will be protesting the move. Can you imagine Kennedy or Kerry giving that speech in D.C.? One day it will happen and Comcast will sign a ton of agreements to carry more HD channels. We are still waiting the Celtics to go full time HD.

ji0005

01-14-08, 04:26 PM

I kinda disagree with that statement. Chicago does carry close to everything that is available to Comcast nationally. I'm not sure if any other region can say that (including Philly).

Yea.. I guess my complaint is that we dont have more than everyone since we already got our expanded basic cut. Boston seems to get everything pretty quick and as far as I know they still have their expanded. I LIKE the concept, I guess I just wish we saw more immediate returns.

I happen to be lucky that my condo has 3 outlets included in our bulk price so im not getting hit for extra boxes.

chad473

01-14-08, 04:44 PM

And then late February will turn into March and March will turn into April and before we know it, it will be 2009 and still no new HD.

at this point I don't really care when it is, I'd just like a date. That way I can stop browsing threads like this looking for info, and seeing tons of other people getting upgraded almost daily while we get nothing.

maxman

01-14-08, 05:46 PM

maxman, was it a CSR or a supervisor? Maybe I'll call up now and ask to speak to a supervisor.

CSE (customer service "executive") today. Supervisor a week or two ago.

aindik

01-14-08, 06:03 PM

I kinda disagree with that statement. Chicago does carry close to everything that is available to Comcast nationally. I'm not sure if any other region can say that (including Philly).

As a matter of fact, Philly seems to lag behind most other Comcast markets. The last channel we got was TBS-HD in October, and the week before that, we got Food, HGTV, A&E and National Geographic.

From the list in the OP, we still don't get:
Sci-Fi HD
Animal Planet HD
Discovery HD
The Learning Channel HD
NHL Network HD
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
CNN HD

maxman

01-14-08, 06:31 PM

As a matter of fact, Philly seems to lag behind most other Comcast markets. The last channel we got was TBS-HD in October, and the week before that, we got Food, HGTV, A&E and National Geographic.

You ain't laggin' and much as we are: we still don't have Food or HGTV.:mad:

sansri88

01-14-08, 08:50 PM

maxman, adding insult to injury, my area doesn't even have AEHD!

skimoney22

01-14-08, 11:17 PM

Speaking of A&E HD does anyone know if there is a complete list of shows on A&E HD, and TBSHD. That are real High Def? I cannot watch any network when they in that fake hd, stretched mode. I know Paranormal State on OnDemand is HD, but I cannot tell if there is much besides that. It looks like Parking Wars is not stretched but I cannot tell. Usually the HD broadcast shows a little more of the screen on each side of the tv, and some times its a second or two delay. But, that still doesnt mean its HD.

Still no new HD channels here on Cape Cod, but we did get FoxBusiness News like everyone else.

chitchatjf

01-14-08, 11:19 PM

We should all admire what Chicago has done with their bandwidth. But in MA, if Comcast suddenly moved all of the expanded channels to digital format only, every senior citizen and their politician will be protesting the move. Can you imagine Kennedy or Kerry giving that speech in D.C.? One day it will happen and Comcast will sign a ton of agreements to carry more HD channels. We are still waiting the Celtics to go full time HD.

I say TOO BAD! They need to set a specific date to go ALL DIGITAL only and stick to it!

counterpoint

01-15-08, 01:25 AM

Detroit area Comcast will get Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, The Learning Channel HD, & Sci-Fi HD on or about 01/08/08. That will add up to 33 HD channels, with only FOX Business Channel HD and NHL Network HD MIA.

I live 25min north of downtown Detroit and have not received these channels yet. If I don't get Sci-Fi HD by the time Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica rolls around I'll be switching over to satellite.

Ken H

01-15-08, 07:51 AM

I live 25min north of downtown Detroit and have not received these channels yet. If I don't get Sci-Fi HD by the time Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica rolls around I'll be switching over to satellite.

They were delayed, check in the next few days.

therob006

01-15-08, 08:21 AM

I say TOO BAD! They need to set a specific date to go ALL DIGITAL only and stick to it!

There was never an original date to begin with. MA and NH is so filled with wackos and people worried that their cable service will stop working in 2009 if they do not buy a digital box.

Travel channel launched in HD today. According to the press release, Cox and RCN will be carrying the station. Anyone hear of Comcast carrying any part of it? Linear or VOD?

counterpoint

01-15-08, 12:51 PM

They were delayed, check in the next few days.

Thank you for the update. :)

swdude12

01-15-08, 01:49 PM

Comcast channel changes on hold
Community access will stay put for now
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
By The Ann Arbor News and The Associated Press

Comcast cannot move community access channels higher up the dial - and out of the reach of thousands of Michigan cable subscribers with analog televisions - under a temporary order issued by a Macomb County judge.

Chief Circuit Judge David Viviano's ruling could affect 400,000 Comcast customers statewide. Comcast is the major cable provider for Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti and the surrounding communities.

Comcast had no immediate comment.

The cable company planned today to move public, educational and governmental access (PEG) channels across Michigan into the 900-level digital range.

The plan drew sharp criticism locally because it would result in Ann Arbor's Community Television Network channels currently on 16, 17, 18, 19 being moved to 911, 916, 902 and 912, respectively. To access those channels, customers with basic cable service would have to buy or lease a digital converter box or upgrade to digital service.

Comcast had offered to provide customers with a free converter box for one year.

The Ann Arbor City Council in December passed a resolution urging the Legislature to amend state law to require cable providers to keep offering public access and government channels in their customary channel slots. Council members said they had been bombarded with complaints about the proposed move.

Comcast wanted to move the PEG channels to free up bandwidth so it could offer other services, including high-definition channels, to customers paying premium rates.

A federal judge in Detroit issued a similar ruling late Monday in a lawsuit filed by Dearborn and Ingham County's Meridian Township.

Those communities argued before U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts that Comcast planned the change without consulting with the communities, in violation of state and federal law. They also contended that the communities would lose a vital way of communicating with residents.

Viviano scheduled a hearing for Jan. 22 to hear arguments for and against a more permanent order.

I hate this...this is 2008 get digital cable!!!! its all these old people who have no idea about technology and HD. Ridiculous. I WANT MY DISCOVERY HD!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!

gakon

01-15-08, 01:53 PM

I hate this...this is 2008 get digital cable!!!! its all these old people who have no idea about technology and HD. Ridiculous. I WANT MY DISCOVERY HD!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!
Waahh!! You sound like someone who doesn't actually pay a cable bill. :rolleyes:

counterpoint

01-15-08, 03:47 PM

Comcast channel changes on hold
Community access will stay put for now
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
By The Ann Arbor News and The Associated Press

Comcast cannot move community access channels higher up the dial - and out of the reach of thousands of Michigan cable subscribers with analog televisions - under a temporary order issued by a Macomb County judge.

Chief Circuit Judge David Viviano's ruling could affect 400,000 Comcast customers statewide. Comcast is the major cable provider for Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti and the surrounding communities.

Comcast had no immediate comment.

The cable company planned today to move public, educational and governmental access (PEG) channels across Michigan into the 900-level digital range.

The plan drew sharp criticism locally because it would result in Ann Arbor's Community Television Network channels currently on 16, 17, 18, 19 being moved to 911, 916, 902 and 912, respectively. To access those channels, customers with basic cable service would have to buy or lease a digital converter box or upgrade to digital service.

Comcast had offered to provide customers with a free converter box for one year.

The Ann Arbor City Council in December passed a resolution urging the Legislature to amend state law to require cable providers to keep offering public access and government channels in their customary channel slots. Council members said they had been bombarded with complaints about the proposed move.

Comcast wanted to move the PEG channels to free up bandwidth so it could offer other services, including high-definition channels, to customers paying premium rates.

A federal judge in Detroit issued a similar ruling late Monday in a lawsuit filed by Dearborn and Ingham County's Meridian Township.

Those communities argued before U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts that Comcast planned the change without consulting with the communities, in violation of state and federal law. They also contended that the communities would lose a vital way of communicating with residents.

Viviano scheduled a hearing for Jan. 22 to hear arguments for and against a more permanent order.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/NEWS06/801150419

Dear God, now the legal system is involved. Well, thats the final nail in the coffin for me.

Wytchone

01-15-08, 03:51 PM

From the list in the OP, we still don't get:
Sci-Fi HD
Animal Planet HD
Discovery HD
The Learning Channel HD
NHL Network HD
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
CNN HD

Looks like they stealth added those channels in my area in Dec. noticed it on the 29th.

donn35

01-15-08, 04:07 PM

TLC is here, Animal Planet is coming soon(23rd or 30th as spoken to by a Installer Sup)& we get local WCIU-DT on 1/30. Chicago has seen 17 new channels since 1/1/07, and here are the ones I see being added this year sometime by Comcast:

Animal Planet-HD: coming this month

Science Channel-HD: makes sense, would give us all of the Discovery networks.

NHL Network-HD: in time for Stanley Cup Playoffs????(will have to get the Sports Tier, though)

Tennis-HD: in time for Wimbeldon?????(see NHL Network)

Bravo-HD: Only if Top Chef & Project Runway will be cast in HD.

Speed-HD: Comcast has to do something to compete with the Nascar Hotpass(Sports Tier)

FX HD: makes sense, top 20 cable channel.

Spike HD: TNA Wrestling is the key here. UFC will probably go HD this year, their pay-per-views already are.

BIG TEN Network: least confident here, but maybe by the Big Ten basketball tourney, but I see SD only 1st.

Disney Channels: Agreeements will be in place when the channels launch, but how long before we will see them?

Everything else is probably not too high on Comcast's radar. But customers have now got to bully them into getting HDNet & HDNet Movies. Would love to see them on Comcast in my lifetime.

Slick, everytime I speak with a CSR & they haven't got a clue when Animal Planet HD will be added for the Chicago area.

sansri88

01-15-08, 04:16 PM

Hmmmm, do you think Comcast may try to pull the same thing with the PEG channels going digital only in my area? I checked and the PEG channels are mapped to 3 channels in the 900 range here as well (for my township only).

Andy Anonymous

01-15-08, 04:39 PM

Here in the MA/NH area, we still don't have Sci Fi HD, and like counterpoint, that's all I really care about getting before BSG's final season starts. Of course, the other channels would be nice too, as long as they aren't minimum-hours HD channels like we've been getting so many of lately, like all the Turner ones.

sakessler

01-15-08, 08:13 PM

MolsonCanadian

01-15-08, 10:12 PM

No new HD channels here southwest of Detroit (downriver). I see comcast's channel lineup for Royal Oak and Grand Blanc indicate the channels should be active. Can anyone up there confirm they have channels 191-194 showing Sci-fi HD, TLC HD, Discovery HD, and Animal Planet HD?

If so, I'm jealous .... if not, does anyone have any updates?

No new HD channels in Grand Blanc today, they will most likely appear when the rest of Southeast Michigan gets them.

sakessler

01-15-08, 10:19 PM

No new HD channels here southwest of Detroit (downriver). I see comcast's channel lineup for Royal Oak and Grand Blanc indicate the channels should be active. Can anyone up there confirm they have channels 191-194 showing Sci-fi HD, TLC HD, Discovery HD, and Animal Planet HD?

If so, I'm jealous .... if not, does anyone have any updates?
Thank you MolsonCanadian for updating us on your area HD channel status. The literature about channel lineup changes (including Sci-fi HD) sent to me earlier this month (via snail-mail) said January timeframe for new HD channels ... I'm not holding my breath!

swdude12

01-16-08, 09:33 AM

Waahh!! You sound like someone who doesn't actually pay a cable bill. :rolleyes:

i do pay my own cable bill...i just want more HD channels. is there anything wrong with that? how long has digital cable been around? comcast offered people free cable boxes for a year untill next year when that Digital Channel law comes into effect and people are still fighting it.

TeeJay1952

01-16-08, 09:58 AM

Ken H

01-16-08, 10:52 AM

Can anyone up there confirm they have channels 191-194 showing Sci-fi HD, TLC HD, Discovery HD, and Animal Planet HD?They are showing up today all over the Detroit area, check the local topic for details.

captainjy

01-16-08, 02:49 PM

Anyone hear when any new HD channels are coming to Denver?

xgalaxy

01-16-08, 04:01 PM

Anyone know when SciFiHD is going to hit the Eugene Oregon area? =(

sakessler

01-16-08, 04:36 PM

I can echo many in Detroit area as having the 4 new channels including Sci-Fi HD ... can't wait to see what's on .... oh yes, there's Animal Planet and TLC and Discovery, which are cool but ..... come on! sci-fi HD!!!! happy happy joy joy ....

.... now I'll have to see what levels of compression are being used on all the new mix of HD channels .... football sometimes looks a bit compressed on Fox and NBC. CBS is generally good.

chad473

01-16-08, 05:12 PM

for those that don't browse BBR, Comcast has announced the following additions for Central PA (Reading/Lebanon/Lancaster/Harrisburg areas) on 2/14:

A&E
Food
TLC
Discovery
Sci Fi
USA
TBS
HGTV

maybe some other surrounding areas as well, who knows. Comcast put an ad announcing this in the Reading Eagle today.

MRM4

01-16-08, 05:58 PM

Does anyone know if Comcast plans to add Speed HD to any of their markets soon? It would be nice to have it in time for all the Daytona coverage.

Slickone

01-17-08, 03:31 AM

Does anyone know if Comcast plans to add Speed HD to any of their markets soon? It would be nice to have it in time for all the Daytona coverage.

No Word on Speed-HD yet, but in my market, you'll probably need the sports tier to to get it.

sansri88

01-17-08, 06:16 AM

No Word on Speed-HD yet, but in my market, you'll probably need the sports tier to to get it.

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure about it. It is a basic channel, so probably on expanded basic.

Marcus Carr

01-17-08, 08:52 AM

Speed is a digital non-sports pack channel here. It's in the middle of the sports pack channels.

MRM4

01-17-08, 01:28 PM

If Comcast doesn't offer it by the time DirecTV offers my local HD channels through the dish, I'll be making the switch.

Cal1981

01-17-08, 03:54 PM

In the San Francisco Area we still haven't gotten:

Sci-Fi HD
Animal Planet HD
The Learning Channel HD
NHL Network HD
CNN HD
Food Channel HD

QZ1

01-17-08, 04:39 PM

No Word on Speed-HD yet, but in my market, you'll probably need the sports tier to to get it.
Eh, I wouldn't be so sure about it. It is a basic channel, so probably on expanded basic.
In our area, the SD channel is on Expd. Basic; therefore, in this area, the HD channel will probably require Digital Classic and Expd. Basic, as other HD channels with SD equivilants do.

sansri88

01-17-08, 05:55 PM

I think it's Detroit that changed their pricing structure once they had those channels added, only Exp. Basic was needed to get them.

paintit77

01-17-08, 06:31 PM

Soybean

01-17-08, 08:44 PM

voyt

01-17-08, 10:34 PM

Sparkman87

01-18-08, 10:24 AM

I don't get this comcast stuff. What is up with A&E, Animal Planet, FX, USA - those channels are numbers 20,etc. and the guide says they are in HD and they are not. The only HD channels that I have are the ones in 200s. I am in North Jersey - Hudson County.

Comcast's guides use the same info on their SD channels that they do on their HD channels. If you are watching on the SD channel and the show is listed on the guide as being in HD, switch to the HD channel! They will also list in the guide, HD, on networks such as FX, as network they are not yet carrying in HD. There is no way for you to watch that show in HD on Comcast.
That's just the way Comcast does things, at least on our local system.

jrusnak

01-18-08, 10:43 AM

Comcast's guides use the same info on their SD channels that they do on their HD channels. If you are watching on the SD channel and the show is listed on the guide as being in HD, switch to the HD channel!

He can't. None of those channels are offered in HD by Comcast in North NJ.

Sparkman87

01-18-08, 11:13 AM

He said he had HD channels in the 200's. By his post it sounded like he had those HD channels. If your system doesn't carry the HD channel, then you can't watch it in HD. Actually, I don't think Comcast offers FX HD anywhere, and that's why I added this sentence: They will also list in the guide, HD, on networks such as FX, as network they are not yet carrying in HD. There is no way for you to watch that show in HD on Comcast.

nlowhor

01-18-08, 02:10 PM

I got USAHD and SciFiHD in Germantown, MD yesterday.

elockett

01-18-08, 03:01 PM

Anyone hear when any new HD channels are coming to Denver?

I get Comcast HD in Denver as well and looked into your question. It proved to be an exercise in frustration. The paraphrased answer I consistantly got was: "We don't know in advance either and they'll just come when ready". I spoke with a half-dozen reps in different departments and couldn't get useful information from any of them. The sad thing is, I really only need two more channels to stay with them (Sci-Fi, and HGTV).

I'm tempted to drop Comcast now and move to D* or E* but given that I'm living in an apartment at present preparing to build a new house, I guess I'll wait until it's completed. If Comcast's HD offerings do not improve by then I'll definitely switch. Compared to the lineups I'm reading about from other cities, Denver has to be among the worst, epecially given its relative size.

bicker1

01-18-08, 03:46 PM

HD offerings are more a matter of the specific age of the cable infrastructure rather than the population of the city.

voyt

01-18-08, 03:54 PM

Yes I do have HD channels and they work properly (like news and sports on NBC, ABC, CBS, HDT, MOJO, some movies on TNT, etc.) they are listed as an HD and so they are. They are listed under 200s in Comcast guide. My concern is that some of the channels such as those I mentioned are listed under sd channel numbers e.g. (Miami Ink on A&E) but the guide says that they are HD. They are in SD though and not available in HD.

MRM4

01-18-08, 04:03 PM

Ditto for me too. I really don't want to have to spend $600.00 for two Direct TV HD-DVRs but if they don't offer Scifi by then, its audios.

I bet if you tell them you'll go to Dish, they'll make you the deal you want.

Audixium

01-18-08, 04:47 PM

The sad thing is, I really only need two more channels to stay with them (Sci-Fi, and HGTV)...

...Compared to the lineups I'm reading about from other cities, Denver has to be among the worst, epecially given its relative size.

I'm in the same boat. Heck, I'd take just Sci-Fi in HD before BSG Season 4 starts. "Can't tell you...", the BS just is thicker every day (not interfering with P2P, unlimited service, oh - now there could be a fine so we really are traffic shaping, but it doesn't kill the session [yeah, right], etc.).

It's simple - if I don't have Sci-Fi in HD in time I'm switching.

QZ1

01-18-08, 05:22 PM

I think it's Detroit that changed their pricing structure once they had those channels added, only Exp. Basic was needed to get them.
Well, not actually their pricing structure, but their HD channels placement, as you say, only needing Expd. Basic.

Some areas, like Boston metro, have some HD channels on Expd. Basic, others on Digital Classic, and some require both.

Pixel Dude

01-18-08, 09:34 PM

I get Comcast HD in Denver as well and looked into your question. It proved to be an exercise in frustration. The paraphrased answer I consistantly got was: "We don't know in advance either and they'll just come when ready". I spoke with a half-dozen reps in different departments and couldn't get useful information from any of them.

Compared to the lineups I'm reading about from other cities, Denver has to be among the worst, epecially given its relative size.

Believe me, I hear your frustration. I have been dealing with Comcast in Denver for many years, and that has been my experience, as well. They've been promising The Tennis Channel for years, and we still don't have it. Other cities have HD channels that we still don't get. :mad:

When I call them or e-mail them, they usually know next to nothing. Getting upset with them or trying to stress the importance that they need to wake up from a deep slumber accomplishes nothing. They are as unresponsive as a cold rock. The recent Comcast ads about massive HD offerings are incredibly fraudulent, and I've told them that. I don't want satellite because of its pitfalls, but I also have to say that Comcast is one of the WORST companies I have ever had to do business with. They should truly be ashamed for priding themselves on treating their customers like mushrooms in the dark.

Awful, awful, awful customer (dis)service...

bicker1

01-19-08, 06:40 AM

I think that's a bit unfair. The people you speak to are CSRs. They're there to help you with billing questions and maybe if they're technicians help you with technical problems. They are not the decision-makers for the company. They truly cannot "respond" to your requests for specific services. All they can do is note your concern on the record, and then that is reviewed by others -- folks customers do not have direct access to. That's a very standard arrangement in any company with more than few hundred customers, and Comcast has tens of thousands in any specific local area.

A lot of what you're concerned about is the nature of mass-market subscription television service. Go to the Cox forum and you'll see the same thing. And with Time Warner. And with DirecTV. The specific concerns might vary, but you'll always find people who are unsatisfied with some aspect of the service being offered, and translate that into a personal feeling of being ignored. However, nothing is hardly ever personal in business; it's truly just business.

Comcast added 10 HD channels last year in our area. That shows they're responsive to our needs. They didn't add 12 HD channel, again, because they are responsive to our needs: That's because some of us have different needs than others have, and some folks "need" analog channels. We're not all one homogeneous group of customers. My mother actually watches the home shopping channels. And I'm sure someone watches the Golf Channel... go figure. There are no clear-cut answers when you have so many different customers to appeal to, as well have having an obligation to satisfy investors.

smithfarmer

01-19-08, 03:31 PM

bicker,

I hate to say it but I think you are by far, the most ardent apologist for a particular company that I've ever seen in all my time here on AVS. Granted, sometimes you bring up valid points but many times I believe you're way off base and sometimes I get the feeling that you're nothing more than a company rep paid to post here. I know this likely isn't true, but from the viewpoint of many dissatisfied Comcast customers posting here, I'd imagine that's how your posts might come across to them as well.

You may have very good reasons for being happy with Comcasts HD rollout in your area and that's fine, but many others here aren't and have very legitimate reasons for feeling the way that they do. Nevertheless, we can always count on you to come along and downplay those stated reasons, whatever they may be.

As to Comcasts CSR's lack of knowledge, this is obviuosly Comcasts corporate philosophy and we have every right to be a bit miffed about it. As far as I'm concerned, there's absolutely no valid reason why they can't keep their CSR's up to date on pending channel deployment so that they can disseminate this info to inquiring customers.

I'd further venture that being upfront with their customers would be better in the long run with regards to retention goals rather than having customers come away from a call to a CSR thinking Comcast is a clueless company that really doesn't care about their customers desire for more HD channels and be even more inclined to switch over to one of the Sat. Co.'s.

JMHO and I won't post further on this matter.

bicker1

01-19-08, 03:42 PM

I hate to say it but I think you are by far, the most ardent apologist for a particular company that I've ever seen in all my time here on AVS.First: I haven't said anything personal against you or anyone else, so your comments are inappropriate. Second: My comments are generic -- look at my signature. Disney, American Airlines, TiVo, JC Penney, Microsoft, etc. Comcast is just one of many companies that people unfairly assail online. I reply to every message that I believe is unfair, regardless of which company is being maligned. I'm an equal-opportunity realist. I'm sorry if that upsets you, but I think it is important to keep the discussion balanced. Your upset in this regard surely don't rationalize your personal attack.

Granted, sometimes you bring up valid points but many times I believe you're way off base and sometimes I get the feeling that you're nothing more than a company rep paid to post here.If all these companies paid me, I'd be living a lot better than I am! :D

Nascar#43

01-19-08, 03:58 PM

elockett

01-19-08, 05:16 PM

At the risk of sounding like Mr. Appeasement, I think Pixel Dude, Smithfarmer, and Bicker1 all made valid points. Pixel Dude with his observation about the Comcast tv ad proclaiming their superiority in HD content compared to competitors. I've heard this ad in Denver recently and asked out loud "What-compared to who"? Bicker1 made a good point concerning CSR knowledge. They comprised most of the individuals I spoke with and realizing this, did not become billigerent with them-they simply could not answer my questions about future availability of the Sci-Fi and HGTV channels in HD (I intentionally made my question very specific). However, I also agree with smithfarmer that if the CSRs could not answer my question, they should have been able to direct me to someone one or two levels up who could. In their defense, a couple of them tried to do this, but one directed me to a Spanish speaking rep with no knowledge of HD programming, and the other directed me to tech support, who at least confirmed that adding the channels was not an infrastructure issue.

And when the rubber meets the road, Bicker1 makes another good point that will apply in my case: No programming provider (at least at present) can be the best provider for everyone. Given that my goal is to receive the widest (or even just acceptable) selection of HD channels available with the highest quality, I'll stay with Comcast until my new home is completed. At that time, I'll evaluate the usual HD provider suspects in my area and go with the one who best meets my goal. Right now, that would not be Comcast but in 6 months, who can say...?

QZ1

01-19-08, 06:13 PM

Well, not actually their pricing structure, but their HD channels placement, as you say, only needing Expd. Basic.

Some areas, like Boston metro, have some HD channels on Expd. Basic, others on Digital Classic, and some require both.
QZ1, It's Comcast taking money out of your pocket again. There are 5 HD channels they have put in Digital Classic and it's $10.00 more a month for it. I can get them in SD but it's not the same. I can't see how they can charge you twice for the same channels.
I don't follow Boston's placement of each new HD channel, but it all depends on which HD channels one wants to receive, as to which service(s) are required. As far as Comcast taking our $ away, by paying twice for a given SD/HD simulcast, that shipped sailed around here a long time ago. Here, there have never been an HD channels in Expd. Basic.

Actually, here, for several years, only Digital Classic was needed; so, if one didn't care about SD, Expd. Basic could be dropped. Of course, for the vast majority this would have meant the loss of too many worthwhile channels; so they would keep Expd. Basic, and pay for some channels twice.

As of ~four mos. ago., the HD channels portion of Digital Classic now carry a pre-requisite of Expd. Basic; so, there is no choice but to get Expd. Basic, in order to have any of those non-local/non-premium movie HD channels.

General Klinger

01-20-08, 10:15 AM

I got ESPN2 HD friday That's the only new one for me :(

I'm in Cherry Hill NJ

maxman

01-20-08, 10:52 AM

I got ESPN2 HD friday That's the only new one for me :(

I'm in Cherry Hill NJ

I'm :confused: confused :confused: - we've had ESPN2-HD for about a year now. :confused:

sansri88

01-20-08, 11:14 AM

Lol, I think we've had ESPN2HD for a while now also. Probably going on 2 years I think.

General Klinger

01-20-08, 11:48 AM

Lol, I think we've had ESPN2HD for a while now also. Probably going on 2 years I think.

In Cherry Hill? Perhaps I didn't notice it. I thought it was new for me :(

maxman

01-20-08, 12:18 PM

In Cherry Hill? Perhaps I didn't notice it. I thought it was new for me :(

You're on the same system as I am, I believe - the old Garden State system (Scientific Atlanta STB).

Witt19

01-20-08, 01:44 PM

Speed TV

sansri88

01-20-08, 04:11 PM

In Cherry Hill? Perhaps I didn't notice it. I thought it was new for me :(

I'm Comcast of NJ II-Union/Verona. Not your system, but I assumed all systems on NJ had that channel.

Slickone

01-21-08, 12:39 AM

donn35

01-21-08, 01:10 AM

I just got a bill insert Friday in Chicago, stating that they are removing West Coast Feeds of all of the Premium Channels eff. 1/30. Total of 14 channels being removed. Plus they just moved some local cables access channels to the digital lineup. Could be a good sign of what may come here in Chicago for Q2 of 2008. What in terms of HD, we don't know yet, but it seems as though Comcast at the very least, is getting themselves in position for the digital conversion. Sure would like HDNET sometime this year, make it happen Comcast!!!

I still would like to know when Comcast is going to add more HD channels because they are still far behind Direct TV & Dish Network. Where's Animal Planet, Science Channel, MGM, Movie Channel, FX, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, NBA, NHL, Smithsonian, Biography, Travel, Big Ten, Tennis Channel, the Starz channels (Comedy, Edge, Kids & Family), Weather Channel, etc?

General Klinger

01-21-08, 06:54 AM

You're on the same system as I am, I believe - the old Garden State system (Scientific Atlanta STB).

I have the Motorola 3416 STB

d2s2

01-21-08, 07:47 AM

I just got a bill insert Friday in Chicago, stating that they are removing West Coast Feeds of all of the Premium Channels eff. 1/30. Total of 14 channels being removed. Plus they just moved some local cables access channels to the digital lineup. Could be a good sign of what may come here in Chicago for Q2 of 2008. What in terms of HD, we don't know yet, but it seems as though Comcast at the very least, is getting themselves in position for the digital conversion. Sure would like HDNET sometime this year, make it happen Comcast!!!

At least you received a notice. But don't expect any additions after the removal in the near term.

JayMan007

01-21-08, 09:12 AM

At least you received a notice. But don't expect any additions after the removal in the near term.

So True.

In Richmond, we received a post card in October that they were moving 4 analog channels to digital on 11/20 and that they would be adding more HD including CNN, USA, Discovery, History Channel, Sci-Fi & TLC by the end of the year. On 11/20, they moved CMT(analog) and we got Discovery & TLC. on 12/18, they moved Oxygen (analog) and we got Sci-Fi & USA. In early January, they moved TVGuide(analog) and we got nothing.. and Hallmark(analog) is still broadcasting. -I would think that would allow for Animal Planet-HD & Science Channel-HD.

So, the end of the year came and went, and as of now, we still don't have CNN & History Channel, and one of the analogs still hasn't been moved.