Most? What is your source for that?

Regardless, seems to me that if you are going to rely on something to be the center-piece of your strategy, you'd charge everyone extra for it.

you're saying you don't pay extra for your hd box?

Over here with any digital package it's $6.00 for HD STB. With standard cable it's $9.00

Promo going on (or at least that's what they tell me) HDDVR for $5.00/mth for 3 months.

you're saying you don't pay extra for your hd box?They don't even offer a non-HD DVR here.

ok, but if they did, it would be cheaper. Just sayin, "They don't charge me a penny extra for HD" is not accurate.

Well, actually, it is accurate. They charge everyone the same price, SD or HD. That's the point. :rolleyes: That's the way it works here.

True. Comcast no longer charges for HD channels.:)

I think we can all agree, however, they would, if they could:D

But they don't, and that's true.:)

But with two price increases in one year, is your bill lower?:(

But officially, on paper, they don't:)

And I'll give them credit for it:)

But I still pay than the competition, so.....:mad:

But I get VOD, which is nice.

But I can't find much to watch, which kinda knocks that around a little:rolleyes:

and where's all those HD "Channels" on VOD I'm supposed to be getting?:rolleyes:

Shouldn't there be hundreds of HD stuff? I think here I've only found a dozen shows; I'm including individual episodes:D

But with two price increases in one year, is your bill lower?:(The price increases were about 10 months apart. Your attempt to make it sound like they were closer together than that is misleading.

Post from the Grand Rapids, MI thread has the following new HDs for Comcast...

Effective March 31, 2008, Local Origination on Ch 20 and Ch 900 is Leased Access and will remain on Ch 20. Ch 900 and Ch 901 will become Comcast Television Network.
Effective March 31, 2008, HD Direct Tune Ch currently available on Ch 210 will move to Ch 253.
Effective March 31, 2008, Cinemax HD will move from Ch 219 to Ch 217, Showtime HD will move from Ch 223 to Ch 218 & Starz HD will move from Ch 227 to Ch 219.
Effective March 31, 2008, Disney HD Ch 230, ABC Family HD Ch 229 will be added to the HD lineup.
Effective March 31, 2008, G4 will now only be available on Digital Starter Ch 162.
Effective March 31, 2008, MTV Jams, MTV 3 and MTV Hits will now be available in the Digital Classic Package.
Effective April 1, 2008, AMC HD Ch 222, Nick HD Ch 228, & Spike HD Ch 225 will be added to the HD lineup.
Effective April 9, 2008, REELZ Ch will be added to Digital Classic Ch 260.
Effective April 9, 2008, AZN Ch 186 will no longer be available.
Effective April 9, 2008, GOL TV will be added to the Sports & Entertainment Package Ch 268.
Effective April 9, 2008, LOGO will be added to the Digital Preferred Package Ch 163.
Effective April 9, 2008, Encore multi-plex Channels 152, 154, 156, 158 & 160 will change service level from Digital Preferred to Digital Classic.
Call 1-888-COMAST for more details.
To receive HD channels, an HD television (not provided) and HDTV equipment are required.

ABC Family HD, AMC HD, Disney HD, Nick HD, Spike HD

True. Comcast no longer charges for HD channels.:)Wrong. They never did.

I think we can all agree, however, they would, if they couldWrong. They can chose to charge how ever they want. It's corporate policy not to charge more for HD.

Post from the Grand Rapids, MI thread has the following new HDs for Comcast...



ABC Family HD, AMC HD, Disney HD, Nick HD, Spike HD

That is great news. Chicago has been great about adding channels shortly thereafter they sign on with Comcast. All we need is FX (and as always, Big Ten Network) and I will pretty much have everything I watch covered in HD.

Wrong. They never did.

Wrong. They can chose to charge how ever they want. It's corporate policy not to charge more for HD.

I disagree, but that's based on what level of HD a subscriber wants. If I want more than just the unencrypted feeds of local HD broadcasts, then I have to subscribe to a Digital Service level which includes the HD feeds of, e.g., ESPN, TNT, UHD, etc., with either a STB or cable card to decrypt the feeds. To my way of thinking, that's paying more for HD.

Furthermore, on this whole discussion of pricing and channel availability, everyone needs to remember that each local franchise seems to have some limited license to set it's own pricing schedule, for both service levels and rented hardware, and channel line-up. Of course, that's based in part on the legacy infrastructure of the franchise. Bottom line, however, is that what I pay for what I get can't always be directly compared to what you pay for what you get.

Wrong. They never did.

Wrong. They can chose to charge how ever they want. It's corporate policy not to charge more for HD.

Wrong. They used to charge $10 for HD here(Twin Cities).

Using "their job to make profit" is a flawed argument for bad service, bad hardware, and being more expensive than the competition.

I guess coming from a former monopoly and still near monopoly those arguments work.

In the competitive environments I always have worked in; we at least pretended the customer came first.

Of course, the desperate "need" to jam HD channels in their 90's bandwidth shows competition is starting to finally have an effect on a lazy industry. Loosing HDTV customers to others, means they are loosing their "higher-profit" customers. Can't live on 60 year olds with 20 inch TV's forever; but they are giving it a good shot.

Remember when cable used to pick on the Sats for limited HD and HD lite compression. Boy things have changed. Now cable has lower HD and is running worse HD-lite and compression.

Back back to the topic of the.....1..2..3..11..12..13.......New HD channels.
Sorry, my laptop regularly has a 5-20 second delay for the keypresses.:D

The price increases were about 10 months apart. Your attempt to make it sound like they were closer together than that is misleading.

Sorry, 2 increases in ten months.

Not one year.

You are absolutely right:D

ABC Family HD, AMC HD, Disney HD, Nick HD, Spike HDBefore FX HD. Hmmmmm...

Sorry, 2 increases in ten months. Not one year. You are absolutely right:DAnd so, in essence, they did the ANNUAL rate increase, a feature of most comparable service companies, a couple of months early. Notable but not very much so. Walt Disney World increased their ticket prices eight months apart months, simply so they could align the price increases with another corporate operation. No big deal.

Most Comcast customers pay an extra $7/month for an HD box.
Well, actually, it is accurate. They charge everyone the same price, SD or HD. That's the point. :rolleyes: That's the way it works here.
In a way, you are both right. Comcast does assess about ~$6.50 more for an HD Box over an SD Box. However, for DVR Boxes, in many areas, they only offer one DVR, an HD DVR, so there is no extra fee for using it for HD channels.

Echoing another comment, it does depend on which services have which HD channels in a given area. If one's area has the SD and HD simulcasts in the same services, sure it isn't more $. Although, one could argue that paying for HD exclusives in another service, just to get those HD channels, is paying more. However, I don't know if any Comcast area has it that way.

A few systems put some HD channels in Expd. and some Digital Classic. Also, I know of a few systems that moved almost or all to Expd.

Our area has them all in Digital Classic with a pre-requisite of Expd. I wouldn't be subscribing to Digital Preferred, if it weren't for the HD channels, so I am indeed paying more for HD. So, in many areas, it really depends on which services one would have gotten, if HD channels didn't exist.

Wrong. They used to charge $10 for HD here(Twin Cities).
I hightly doubt it, but even if it was so, it was a fluke in a very small area.

Sorry, 2 increases in ten months.

Not one year.

You are absolutely right:D
No, you were right the first time, that would be two price increases in one year; but more specifically, that would be one price increase in 10 mos.

However, Comcast, in our area, and others areas, changes the annual price increase month every so often; it has varied from Jan. to April. They started at Jan. and are back to Jan., so it amounts to a price increase once a year.

In a way, you are both right. Comcast does assess about ~$6.50 more for an HD Box over an SD Box. However, for DVR Boxes, in many areas, they only offer one DVR, an HD DVR, so there is no extra fee for using it for HD channels.
...


It seems that it is more like this -- you don't get to pay less if you use the DVR for SD alone.

It seems that it is more like this -- you don't get to pay less if you use the DVR for SD alone.
You are right, and I was going to say that, as well, but thought it would be semantics. Indeed, in Comcast markets that have an SD DVR and an HD DVR, I recall the HD DVR price being in line with other markets' (HD) DVR, with the SD DVR price being less, of course.

So, in reality, it is more for an HD DVR, with many markets not having the choice of getting an SD DVR. The key is, the difference in price from an SD Box to an HD DVR (even if it is the only DVR offered), is the more than just for the DVR functionality, it is also for the HD capability.

That is great news. Chicago has been great about adding channels shortly thereafter they sign on with Comcast. All we need is FX (and as always, Big Ten Network) and I will pretty much have everything I watch covered in HD.







Not only FX & Big Ten, but Science Channel, Biography, Starz channels, Cartoon Network, etc. I am surprised Science HD hasn't been added yet since Comcast added the other three Discovery Networks-Discovery, TLC, & Animal Planet. Looking forward of getting Disney, ABC Family, Nickelodeon, Spike, AMC, ESPN News, Hallmark Movie Channel, MGM, & Fox Business real soon.

Seattle area viewers will get new Disney-owned networks this week:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastadd030308.htm

Seattle added Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Sci-Fi today as advertised.

We did not get Disney or ABC Family as we had hoped.

Seattle added Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, and Sci-Fi today as advertised.

We did not get Disney or ABC Family as we had hoped.










That's Comcast for you & it doesn't surprise me one bit.

That's Comcast for you & it doesn't surprise me one bit.
Didn't the original post say that the Disney and ABC Family channels were "coming soon", not part of the March 4 additions?
I'm not surprised that you're not surprised that Comcast didn't add channels it wasn't going to. I'd be surprised if anyone else was surprised by this. But maybe that's just me. ;)

Didn't the original post say that the Disney and ABC Family channels were "coming soon", not part of the March 4 additions?
I'm not surprised that you're not surprised that Comcast didn't add channels it wasn't going to. I'd be surprised if anyone else was surprised by this. But maybe that's just me. ;)

I'm not surpprised.

Plus, the linked article now says:

"Update: Asked in an e-mail earlier today when the channels would be launched, Moyer said "this week." As of tonight, she had not responded to our follow-up question as to which day this week the channels would be added."

any word on when northern nj will receive the new hd channels?

Didn't the original post say that the Disney and ABC Family channels were "coming soon", not part of the March 4 additions?
I'm not surprised that you're not surprised that Comcast didn't add channels it wasn't going to. I'd be surprised if anyone else was surprised by this. But maybe that's just me. ;)

In the local forum, there was a post that a Swanni article said Disney and ABC would be added on March 4. That article has since been updated to be sometime this week.

I know Northern NJ people wanted those same channels that Ocean/Monmouth were getting, but we're not getting them at the moment.

However, I am pleased to announce SNY-HD will be added to Northern NJ systems effective 3/25.

I know Northern NJ people wanted those same channels that Ocean/Monmouth were getting, but we're not getting them at the moment.

However, I am pleased to announce SNY-HD will be added to Northern NJ systems effective 3/25.

Wish I were pleased to hear it. It can join VS-HD and TBS-HD as another waste of bandwidth, while everyone else gets varied entertainment channels.
Verizon can't arrive soon enough so that I can ditch Com-crap.

Wish I were pleased to hear it. It can join VS-HD and TBS-HD as another waste of bandwidth, while everyone else gets varied entertainment channels.
Verizon can't arrive soon enough so that I can ditch Com-crap.

Uh, must disagree there. Better to have a full-time channel since Mets games are ALL in HD, plus they have SportsNite in HD and some other programs as well.

Not like TBS which is 24/7 stretch-o-vision.

Edit: Oh, and those channels that other areas are getting, they'll be getting here. Plus some big changes definitely by the end of the year for our systems. It's hard to manage 5 systems at once, gotta make sure they all have the same channels added at the same time.

Wish I were pleased to hear it. It can join VS-HD and TBS-HD as another waste of bandwidth, while everyone else gets varied entertainment channels.
Verizon can't arrive soon enough so that I can ditch Com-crap.
VS-HD actually carries HD content on a regular basis, whereas TBS-HD does not. Furthermore, VS-HD does not resort to stretching 4:3 content, whereas TBS-HD does.

I actually like VS-HD and watch it regularly. Continue on with the TBS-HD bashing, however -- on that point, we are in full and total agreement.

I should now add that I have confirmed my area is dropping NFL-HD effective 3/25. This is to make room for SNY-HD.

VS-HD actually carries HD content on a regular basis, whereas TBS-HD does not. Furthermore, VS-HD does not resort to stretching 4:3 content, whereas TBS-HD does.

I actually like VS-HD and watch it regularly. Continue on with the TBS-HD bashing, however -- on that point, we are in full and total agreement.

They should drop TBS and add MGM-HD or SCIFI-HD. Sorry, but I've had enough of the sports channels. I understand many fans like to see every game that is ever played, but with events on UHD, ESPN1 and 2, VS-HD, YES-HD,TNT-HD, Network HD, and now SNY-HD...well, some of us would like something a little different every know and then...and not have to lose out for another year! Comcast has had YEARS to prepare for this (yet they have no problem keeping up with their annual rate hikes).

Like it or not, sports channels are the most sought after (and expensive) channels out there. Regional sports networks are even more valuable since they are the only place to see the games they carry within each region. As far as HD, live sports is what people ask for the most. Even with the poor job TBS has done by not having any other HD content, the live games were all in HD.

Yup, good points, Bob. This is yet another example of a gulf between the needs of different groups of customers. Each will be satisfied in the measure to how much doing so satisfies the objectives of the business. I'm actually surprised that we didn't get all the sports channels in HD before we got any of the drama/comedy cable channels in HD.

As far as HD, live sports is what people ask for the most. Even with the poor job TBS has done by not having any other HD content, the live games were all in HD.

Actually, according to a survey that Comcast did last year (although they've never asked me!), movies were the number one most-sought-after catagory for HD, with sports a close second. As is the norm, I guess Comcast decided to ignore the number one consumer desire and went with number two. Personally, I'd prefer to have MGM-HD or HDNet Movies over another sports channel

Actually, according to a survey that Comcast did last year (although they've never asked me!), movies were the number one most-sought-after catagory for HD, with sports a close second. As is the norm, I guess Comcast decided to ignore the number one consumer desire and went with number two. Personally, I'd prefer to have MGM-HD or HDNet Movies over another sports channel

They're not ignoring movies. They are planning to offer over 3,000 HD movies a month with On Demand by next year.

http://www.comcast.com/ces/content/images/ProjectInfinityHD/Project_Infiinity_HD_Released%20FINAL.pdf

Personally I don't care much for On Demand, but that is primarily how Comcast is providing HD movies.

...
Personally I don't care much for On Demand, but that is primarily how Comcast is providing HD movies.

Movies are just about the only programming that OnDemand works well for -- no schedule urgency and no problem with the poor transport control.

Comcast ad on CNN this morning for HistoryHD, yet they don't even carry it here.

Plus the fact is that Comcast has offered us a lot of linear HD movie channels along with the HD On Demand:

HD Channels that show lots of movies: 10
HD Channels that show lots of sports: 6

I do not care for ON Demand ether. Most of the time my On Demand doses not work!!!

And 5.1/OAR movies are hit or miss.

Not only FX & Big Ten, but Science Channel, Biography, Starz channels, Cartoon Network, etc. I am surprised Science HD hasn't been added yet since Comcast added the other three Discovery Networks-Discovery, TLC, & Animal Planet. Looking forward of getting Disney, ABC Family, Nickelodeon, Spike, AMC, ESPN News, Hallmark Movie Channel, MGM, & Fox Business real soon.
Do any of those (besides FX, Big Ten, Science) show any actual HD programming? Or are they all just more TBS-HDs?

ESPN News will show a lot of HD programming, as well as MGM and Fox Biz.

Arlington / Alexandria Virginia get 9 new HD channels:

Discovery Channel HD (239), TLC HD (240), Animal Planet HD (241), USA HD (235), Food Network HD (231), HGTV HD (229), CNN HD (234), Sci-Fi HD (236) and History Channel HD (237)

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/08/comcast-gifts-arlington-virginia-with-9-new-hd-channels/

Plus the fact is that Comcast has offered us a lot of linear HD movie channels along with the HD On Demand:

HD Channels that show lots of movies: 10
HD Channels that show lots of sports: 6

10? What are they? The only all-movie channels (HBO STARZ, MAX, ENCORE) are only available by subscribing to those channels. Except for NFL-HD, none of the Sports channels are Pay services. That just leaves UHD and, even more seldom, MOJO (both of which offer sports). Butn either of them show "lots of movies." TNT also presents movies, but edited/censored, so it's not an option.

As for OnDemand, they're now adding moviies for $6.99 a pop (and one film FLAWLESS, is $9.99!!) Too bad they won't offer HDNet even as a pay service!

How convenient... you exclude any data that you don't like. :rolleyes: Let's see, I'll eliminate all the sports channels that show golf, because that's not really a sport. :D

10 to 6. Comcast has done a good job providing options to both comedy/drama fans and sports fans.

Too bad they won't offer HDNet even as a pay service!

Yes, that's too bad.

Monroe,Nj In Middlesex County,08831.Are we included in any new Hi-Def Channels from Comcast on the 25?

I think so, I believe you're a part of Comcast of Central NJ.

10? What are they? The only all-movie channels (HBO STARZ, MAX, ENCORE) are only available by subscribing to those channels. Except for NFL-HD, none of the Sports channels are Pay services. That just leaves UHD and, even more seldom, MOJO (both of which offer sports). Butn either of them show "lots of movies." TNT also presents movies, but edited/censored, so it's not an option.

As for OnDemand, they're now adding moviies for $6.99 a pop (and one film FLAWLESS, is $9.99!!) Too bad they won't offer HDNet even as a pay service!

The $6.99 films are IFC films that are currently on a limited run. Flawless hasn't even been released yet.

I am on the border of Central New Jersey and South Jersey 08060 I hope we are on the list for the added channels !!

I am on the border of Central New Jersey and South Jersey 08060 I hope we are on the list for the added channels !!

Hmm you seem to be too far south to be on the list of new channels. What's your system called? Are you considered to be Comcast of Central NJ or South NJ/Philly?

I hope south jersey gets these new HD channels on the 25th. Battlestar Galactica comes on April 4th and I want sci fi HD before then :o

I am on the border of Central New Jersey and South Jersey 08060 I hope we are on the list for the added channels !!

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it Daniel. I'm afraid we're SOL.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it Daniel. I'm afraid we're SOL.

That is what I was afraid about:mad:.
DTV is Looking better and Better:confused:

That is what I was afraid about:mad:.
DTV is Looking better and Better:confused:

DTV = Digital TV, as in over the air.

D* = DirecTV

OK, D* for DirecTV

I keep hearing that Philadelphia will be getting 6 new channels, including Sci-Fi HD, on March 18. I just hope it's true.

At CES in January, Comcast said it was looking to have 1000 HD channels.
Tonight, I saw a commercial on TV saying the same thing.
I then starting thinking...how can they have 1000 HD channels when the current cable boxes can only go up to 3 digits (999).
In order to have 1000 HD channels PLUS all the current SD channels and music choice, you would need a box that went up to 4 digits.
I wonder if the new DCX is capable of that.

I keep hearing that Philadelphia will be getting 6 new channels, including Sci-Fi HD, on March 18. I just hope it's true.

James-
It's actually EIGHT new HD's for Philly on 3/18. :cool:

At CES in January, Comcast said it was looking to have 1000 HD channels.You're mistaken. Comcast said it was looking to have 1000 HD choices, not channels.

In order to have 1000 HD channels PLUS all the current SD channels and music choice, you would need a box that went up to 4 digits.The 1000 choices would be available via selection from a menu, not typing in a specific channel number.

I hope south jersey gets these new HD channels on the 25th. Battlestar Galactica comes on April 4th and I want sci fi HD before then :o

Me too. But in Northern NJ, it looks like Comcast isn't going to serve us. FiOS, where art thou!

...
In order to have 1000 HD channels PLUS all the current SD channels and music choice, you would need a box that went up to 4 digits.
...



We all (including Comcast) wish that was the real limiting factor with HD.

Comcast CFO Says Our High-Definition Service Is 'Great'

March 10, 2008: 12:49 PM EST

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK) Chief Financial Officer Michael Angelakis said Monday the company's high-definition offering is a "great service," but acknowledged that rival DirecTV, a satellite provider, has done a "better job" of marketing its HD channels.

Angelakis, speaking during a discussion at the annual Bear Stearns Media Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., said although Comcast is capable of adding more than 150 HD channels to its lineup, "not every HD channel deserves to be in HD, and there are lots of HD channels that aren't watched very much."

Turning to the company's video-on-demand service, Angelakis said Comcast is trying as quickly as it can to add more VOD content, and realizes it needs a better navigation system to make the VOD experience as good as it can be for consumers.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200803101249DOWJONESDJONLINE000494_FORTUNE5.htm

Comcast CFO Says Our High-Definition Service Is 'Great'

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK) Chief Financial Officer Michael Angelakis said Monday the company's high-definition offering is a "great service," but acknowledged that rival DirecTV, a satellite provider, has done a "better job" of marketing its HD channels.

Yeah...it's "great".:rolleyes:

I'd say DirecTV's done a much better job of actually IMPLEMENTING HD channels.

Comcast CFO Says Our High-Definition Service Is 'Great'

March 10, 2008: 12:49 PM EST

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK) Chief Financial Officer Michael Angelakis said Monday the company's high-definition offering is a "great service," but acknowledged that rival DirecTV, a satellite provider, has done a "better job" of marketing its HD channels.

Angelakis, speaking during a discussion at the annual Bear Stearns Media Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., said although Comcast is capable of adding more than 150 HD channels to its lineup, "not every HD channel deserves to be in HD, and there are lots of HD channels that aren't watched very much."

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200803101249DOWJONESDJONLINE000494_FORTUNE5.htm


There are also lots of Analog and SD channels that arent watched very much (and are in Comcasts lineup taking up bandwidth)...So that's not much of a justification unless they have a double standard...But sounds like they are just trying to defend why they are lagging Directv ;)

A Comcast manager just told me they plan to add WGN-HD soon. Anybody hear anything?

There are also lots of Analog and SD channels that arent watched very much (and are in Comcasts lineup taking up bandwidth)...So that's not much of a justification unless they have a double standard...But sounds like they are just trying to defend why they are lagging Directv ;)

lol...yeah, there's definitely some spin doctoring going on in that statement. :p

Comcast CFO Says Our High-Definition Service Is 'Great'

March 10, 2008: 12:49 PM EST

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, CMCSK) Chief Financial Officer Michael Angelakis said Monday the company's high-definition offering is a "great service," but acknowledged that rival DirecTV, a satellite provider, has done a "better job" of marketing its HD channels.

Angelakis, speaking during a discussion at the annual Bear Stearns Media Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., said although Comcast is capable of adding more than 150 HD channels to its lineup, "not every HD channel deserves to be in HD, and there are lots of HD channels that aren't watched very much."



He's invited over to my house to see how "great" that service is. I live about 10 miles from where that confrence was held. I can personally show him how the image breaks up and the pixelization and blocking artifacts on my 50" Pioneer or the 120" diagonal image from my pj. I used to have great PQ from my SA8300HD DVR's but after the latest slate of HD channels they recently addded, I can't honestly say that anymore.

There's not enough bandwidth and the PQ is now on par with what I used to get from DirectTV a few years back and is the main reason I'm looking to switch back to them. I've heard the PQ from the new DirectTV MPEG4 STB's looks vastly better than it used to. I plan on soon finding out if this is true or not. If it is, Comacst will be losing another one of their top paying subscribers, one who has every channel that they offer and leases two of their HD DVR's.

Big Ten Network, Comcast near carriage deal

Posted: March 10, 2008
John Ourand
SportsBusiness Journal

After a flurry of backroom deals, the Big Ten Network appears poised to land its most significant carriage deal to date, as top executives from Comcast and the network have agreed on the framework of an agreement, according to sources from both sides.

A signed deal could still be weeks, or even months, away, as lawyers from both sides hammer out the specifics. Snags still could develop, but sources are optimistic that a deal will get done.

Comcast has about 5.8 million subscribers in the Big Ten footprint, including in Chicago and Detroit. Comcast also has clusters of subscribers in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, key parts of Big Ten country.

BTN is now in about 30 million homes.

Comcast agreed to launch the conference network on expanded basic through most of the Big Ten Conference's eight-state region, as much as 94 percent of it, according to one source. Previously, Comcast was adamantly against launching on expanded basic to such a wide area.

Meanwhile, Big Ten Network relaxed its demand to launch the channel on expanded basic everywhere in the eight-state market. The channel will allow Comcast the flexibility to place it on digital basic in various markets within the footprint, including Philadelphia.

The BTN deal could have been sparked by Fox Sports Net's move to secure the rights to the Detroit Pistons for FSN Detroit, according to sources with direct knowledge of the talks.

Comcast supported FSN's move to pick up the Pistons rights because it meant that two of the cable operator's biggest competitors -- AT&T and EchoStar -- would not get them, according to sources with knowledge of the talks. AT&T and EchoStar were in the mix, trying to pick up those rights and launch a new regional sports network in the market, which Comcast would have had to carry at, probably, more than $1 per subscriber per month.

It's not known how much Comcast will pay for carriage. BTN had been charging a little less than $1 a subscriber a month.

While Comcast appears closer than ever to a deal with BTN, sources say Time Warner Cable, BTN's other big cable holdout, is not close to a deal with the channel.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=378359

A Comcast manager just told me they plan to add WGN-HD soon. Anybody hear anything?

I wouldn't believe it till it shows up. Hell, I was lied to by the VP of Marketing about an advertisement in our area on 2/23. She said an ad in our area said SNY-HD is coming, but a fellow forum member looked in that paper thoroughly and there was no ad.

"...Turning to the company's video-on-demand service, Angelakis said Comcast is trying as quickly as it can to add more VOD content..." http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200803101249DOWJONESDJONLINE000494_FORTUNE5.htm[/QUOTE]

Notice he didn't say "trying as quickly as it can to add more HD linear channels".:rolleyes: But we already knew that.

So that's not much of a justification unless they have a double standard...Which, of course, they do. Several, actually, though only two that apply to analog channels, one government imposed, and one is PR related.

Big Ten Network, Comcast near carriage deal

Posted: March 10, 2008
John Ourand
SportsBusiness Journal

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=378359

Chicago Tribune is reporting the same, but doesn't mention the FSN/Pistons link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-11-btn-chicagomar11,1,1057821.story

I wonder if the BTN will be on digital basic or the sports tier in areas (like mine in Maryland) that are not in the Big 10's geographic area.

Rich N.

I wonder if the BTN will be on digital basic or the sports tier in areas (like mine in Maryland) that are not in the Big 10's geographic area.

Rich N.

My guess is sports tier outside the B10 footprint, and that's fine with me. I'll pay $7/mo for it, far cheaper than the GamePlan/FullCourt combo you'd otherwise have to pay.

Update: Moyer said today (March 11) that there was confusion in the Seattle office, making her believe the Disney channels would be launched last week. She now says they will be launched "in the coming weeks."

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast031008.htm

I had gotten a pamphlet mentioning some new channels for January. Can't trust their mailings either.

Here's the LATEST date for the new Comcast channels (:rolleyes:) according to a postcard I got today: April 9.

CNN HD, channel 234
History HD, channel 237
TLC HD, channel 240

SD channels:
Fuse, channel 148
IFC, channel 164
ION Life, channel 285

Digital converter now required:
ION, channel 20/286
CMT, channel 52/146
G4, channel 62/162

Here's the LATEST date for the new Comcast channels (:rolleyes:) according to a postcard I got today: April 9.

CNN HD, channel 234
History HD, channel 237
TLC HD, channel 240

How many total HD channels will that make in Baltimore Marcus?

My guess is sports tier outside the B10 footprint, and that's fine with me. I'll pay $7/mo for it, far cheaper than the GamePlan/FullCourt combo you'd otherwise have to pay.

For 10 CENTS a month? I would say Digital Classic!

Advance notice for new HD channels in Boston?

Nope! They just pop in :)

How many total HD channels will that make in Baltimore Marcus?

31, counting NFL*:

210 ABC
211 NBC
212 CBS
213 FOX
214 CW
220 PBS
223 A&E
224 National Geographic
225 HD Theater
226 MOJO
227 MHD
228 HBO
229 HGTV
231 Food
232 TBS
233 Cinemax
234 CNN (3/9)
235 USA
236 Sci-Fi
237 History (3/9)
238 Showtime
239 Discovery Channel
240 TLC (3/9)
246 NFL (*only available during NFL season)
248 Starz
249 TNT
250 Universal
251 Comcast SportsNet
252 ESPN
253 ESPN2
254 Golf/Versus

Plus 258 HDPPV

Update: Moyer said today (March 11) that there was confusion in the Seattle office, making her believe the Disney channels would be launched last week. She now says they will be launched "in the coming weeks."

Translation - Seattle will get the Disney channels on its normal schedule, which is six months after everyone else gets them.

Translation - Seattle will get the Disney channels on its normal schedule, which is six months after everyone else gets them.

Consider yourself lucky then. We still don't have Food or HGTV which launched in other Comcast areas 10 months ago in May of '07.

I delivered some packages to the Comcast on Demand Center in Maynard, MA asked the tech there when we were getting more HD. He said they have so much going on right now that he wasn't really sure when we would get more HD. They're busy right now with alot of different things. They're installing the SDV equipment and working on docsis 3.0. He said the New England area should have about 80 HD channel by the end of the year, his words not mine. Personally I wouldn't hold your breathe.

...New England area should have about 80 HD channel by the end of the year, his words not mine. Personally I wouldn't hold your breathe.

Well, they have room for 150 HD channels but you people don't watch 'em!:D

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13342163&postcount=5817

Advance notice for new HD channels in Boston?

Nope! They just pop in :)

Pretty much the same thing here in the Atlanta area. Heck, they don't normally even announce anything AFTER the channels are added, you more or less have to just check the guide periodically. I will say that they may revise their list once a year when they send out the notice about the annual rate increase:)

Our state requires at least 24 hours notification in newspapers for channel additions, 30 days for channels switching tiers or moving to digital. That's how we roll in Jersey..

Our state requires at least 24 hours notification in newspapers for channel additions, 30 days for channels switching tiers or moving to digital. That's how we roll in Jersey..

Don't get a newspaper, don't have the Motorola STB w/messaging, don't EVER get any advance notice in the mail or with the monthly bill. I have to rely on you guys here!:)

Don't get a newspaper, don't have the Motorola STB w/messaging, don't EVER get any advance notice in the mail or with the monthly bill. I have to rely on you guys here!:)

I feel your pain:D

Don't bother with Moto messaging. All Comcast sends are job openings and PPV event information.

We in Knoxville, TN will be getting a new channel soon as a blank one with TBA programming popped up today. It's channel 402. It's between Fox Sports Net HD (which had the Pac 10 tourney blacked out) and ESPN on 403. I don't know if it's ESPN News HD or maybe (I hope) Speed HD. I noticed there is some Speed HD programming OnDemand that wasn't there a couple of weeks ago. I guess we'll find out in a few days.

Don't bother with Moto messaging. All Comcast sends are job openings and PPV event information.

I know. I have long ago realized not to get excited when I see the red message light.

Any word on south jersey getting the new HD channels on 3/18 like philly is?

Here is the response I got from my Comcast. I never get in my monthly billing statement as the announcement of any channel additions will appear on those statements.

Dear Daniel,

Thank you for contacting Comcast Voorhees NJ.

Comcast is committed to deploying HDTV service. We are working to
provide as many high definition channel broadcasters as possible. Here
are some of the factors involved with expanding our high definition
lineup:

-the negotiation and contract process required to obtain the rights to
carry a specific high definition broadcast, such as TNT-HD and HD-Net.

-the increased bandwidth resources which are required

-the relatively low number of subscribers (currently only a small
minority of customers have high definition compatible television sets)

We will continue to explore additional HD programming opportunities as
more content providers make plans to offer their programming in HD
format.

We appreciate the fact that you took the time to let us know what is
important to you. We hope to expand our high definition channel lineup
as fast as we can. Unfortunately we are unable to provide specific
details regarding the launch of new channels at this time, please keep
an eye on your monthly billing statement as the announcement of any
channel additions will appear on those statements.


Sincerely,

Ed
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

Here is the response I got from my Comcast. I never get in my monthly billing statement as the announcement of any channel additions will appear on those statements.

Dear Daniel,

Thank you for contacting Comcast Voorhees NJ.

Comcast is committed to deploying HDTV service. We are working to
provide as many high definition channel broadcasters as possible. Here
are some of the factors involved with expanding our high definition
lineup:

-the negotiation and contract process required to obtain the rights to
carry a specific high definition broadcast, such as TNT-HD and HD-Net.

-the increased bandwidth resources which are required

-the relatively low number of subscribers (currently only a small
minority of customers have high definition compatible television sets)

We will continue to explore additional HD programming opportunities as
more content providers make plans to offer their programming in HD
format.

We appreciate the fact that you took the time to let us know what is
important to you. We hope to expand our high definition channel lineup
as fast as we can. Unfortunately we are unable to provide specific
details regarding the launch of new channels at this time, please keep
an eye on your monthly billing statement as the announcement of any
channel additions will appear on those statements.


Sincerely,

Ed
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

Daniel, this is a boilerplate response I've gotten many times over the past couple of years. Don't tolerate it. Respond to "Ed" that as a paying customer you don't want (outdated) boilerplate responses and don't expect to be treated like an idiot. These responses really p*ss me off.:mad:

Good to know they haven't changed their canned response in last 2 years :)

For example : http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8468009

What's wrong with this sentence: Comcast...Customer...Care....Specialist?:rolleyes:

What's wrong with the sentence? You're reading it from a consumerist-bias. If you read it from the perspective of the business, where the objective is to maximize profit, it works fine. The communication was a very polite way of saying, "No." No one here really thinks that businesses would be better off being rude and projecting a negative tone, rather than being polite and promoting the services offered as positively as practicable.

What's wrong with this sentence: Comcast...Customer...Care....Specialist?:rolleyes:

Nothing.

Most businesses believe in it.

Here is the response I got from my Comcast...
-the relatively low number of subscribers (currently only a small
minority of customers have high definition compatible television sets)...
They must not be selling many HD sets in Jersey. They're flying off the shelves here.

Mickey

We in Knoxville, TN will be getting a new channel soon as a blank one with TBA programming popped up today. It's channel 402. It's between Fox Sports Net HD (which had the Pac 10 tourney blacked out) and ESPN on 403. I don't know if it's ESPN News HD or maybe (I hope) Speed HD. I noticed there is some Speed HD programming OnDemand that wasn't there a couple of weeks ago. I guess we'll find out in a few days.

This channel 402 is for the C-USA tournament that CSS is doing in HD. Oh well, hoping to get a new, permanent channel.

MickeyGee, if you go back a some pages, you'll notice a post of mine which states EXACTLY the opposite. NYC metro area is the number one in PERCENTAGE points in # of households with HD sets, which was pre-Superbowl and the NY Giants were in the Superbowl...

That's automated reply from a CSR. The last time a CSR dropped me a stupid answer like this, I replied back asking him how many URLs he wanted me to send back proving that he was wrong re the "low # of HD households". Then another CSR replied back with a more humane-produced answer, when all she said was that our system was maxed out and therefore, no new HD channels for a while until they were able to move more analogs.

About 40 percent said they owned at least one HDTV, but fewer than half of those who do are paying for HD premium service packages, suggesting that more customer education is needed and the existence of unrealized revenue available for the taking...

http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/hd_premium_programming_subscriptions_0311/

[QUOTE=TravelFan1;13377148]MickeyGee, if you go back a some pages, you'll notice a post of mine which states EXACTLY the opposite. NYC metro area is the number one in PERCENTAGE points in # of households with HD sets, which was pre-Superbowl and the NY Giants were in the Superbowl...That's automated reply from a CSR.../QUOTE]


It was just one of my unfunny jokes. Comcast seems to say a lot of different things: Not enough HD subscribers. We're maxed out in Jersey. We have 1,000 HD options. And this from their CFO (from a few pages back):

"Chief Financial Officer Michael Angelakis said Monday the company's high-definition offering is a "great service," but acknowledged that rival DirecTV, a satellite provider, has done a "better job" of marketing its HD channels.

Angelakis, speaking during a discussion at the annual Bear Stearns Media Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., said although Comcast is capable of adding more than 150 HD channels to its lineup, "not every HD channel deserves to be in HD, and there are lots of HD channels that aren't watched very much."

[QUOTE=TravelFan1;13377148]...We're maxed out in Jersey...

They've never said or admitted that. Where are you getting that from?

[QUOTE=MickeyGee;13377567]

They've never said or admitted that. Where are you getting that from?
See post 5856 above. I'm sure they are referring to portions of New Jersey, but the point is about the mixed messages.

Mickey

I just read on Broadbandreports the Philly is now only getting 5 new HD instead of 8 and that SciFi HD didn't make the cut. And if that's not bad enough(and that's pretty frak'n bad) that the date has been pushed back from 3/18 to 4/3. WTF is up with Comcast in thier home town??

[QUOTE=MickeyGee;13377567]

They've never said or admitted that. Where are you getting that from?

Comcast in Northern NJ (Union North, Union Central, and Union South) are all maxed out at the moment. That's why they're getting rid of NFL-HD in order to make room for SNY-HD. A trade-off until they get approval to remove more analog channels and SDV is in place by late summer/fall.

I just read on Broadbandreports the Philly is now only getting 5 new HD instead of 8 and that SciFi HD didn't make the cut. And if that's not bad enough(and that's pretty frak'n bad) that the date has been pushed back from 3/18 to 4/3. WTF is up with Comcast in thier home town??

You have a link for that?

I just read on Broadbandreports the Philly is now only getting 5 new HD instead of 8 and that SciFi HD didn't make the cut. And if that's not bad enough(and that's pretty frak'n bad) that the date has been pushed back from 3/18 to 4/3. WTF is up with Comcast in thier home town??

They do not care!

Not sure if this has already been posted but this is a cool site for checking out the HD channels for any zip code... Where is my HD? (http://www.whereishd.com/)

This is the post on BBR that was being referred to: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20164823-

Anon poster however. Take it for what you will.

A friend of mine in Chicago has RCN & got 46 HD channels: MGM, Big Ten, Biography, Weather Channel, FX, The Movie Channel, Science Channel, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Edge, Starz Comedy, Smithsonian, Speed, etc. Comcast has only 33 & they are larger & with more subscibers in the Chicago area than RCN. Also, the channels mentioned are not carried by Comcast; these are the ones that Comcast customers really want. How come RCN was able to give their subscribers these channels & Comcast couldn't?

Comcast just dose not care!! It is the bottom line with them Money and what they can get away with!

That's not correct. Comcast has less bandwidth, in many parts of their network, than RCN has in many parts of theirs, because Comcast's network is substantially older, in many parts of their network.

That's not correct. Comcast has less bandwidth, in many parts of their network, than RCN has in many parts of theirs, because Comcast's network is substantially older, in many parts of their network.

And you forgot to add substantially larger as well! ;)

Comcast claims to have room for 120 HD channels in Chicago.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=830402&highlight=chicago

That's not correct. Comcast has less bandwidth, in many parts of their network, than RCN has in many parts of theirs, because Comcast's network is substantially older, in many parts of their network.

who's fault is that? Comcast doesnt want to spend the money to update their networks unless they are forced by competition (ie subscribers leaving them for something better)

Comcast claims to have room for 120 HD channels in Chicago.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=830402&highlight=chicago

didn't take them long to start cutting back from the 150 the CFO said they have room for the other day ;)

Not sure if anyone has seen this link yet: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/15/more-details-on-comcast-changes-additions-in-new-jersey/

The Illinois game was on the BTN last nite and I could nt watch it. Bummer.

didn't take them long to start cutting back from the 150 the CFO said they have room for the other day ;)

The 150 came a year after the 120. So they found room for more. But it doesn't matter because there aren't that many that deserve to be in HD. I guess they'll use the room to add 1500 SD channels instead.

who's fault is that? Comcast doesnt want to spend the money to update their networks unless they are forced by competition (ie subscribers leaving them for something better)

QFT.

Not sure if anyone has seen this link yet: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/15/more-details-on-comcast-changes-additions-in-new-jersey/

I was just about to post it; you beat me to it!

Not sure if anyone has seen this link yet: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/15/more-details-on-comcast-changes-additions-in-new-jersey/

Wow, Boston Comcast already has all those channels and some of them for quite awhile now, can't believe you guys are that far behind.

Those channels aren't even on the near horizon for us in my area. Maxed out bandwidth. It mystifies me why corporate hasn't expedited the upgrades to SDV in my area, we're one of the few areas that desperately need it.

Not sure if anyone has seen this link yet: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/15/more-details-on-comcast-changes-additions-in-new-jersey/
Burlington County still gets the shaft. :mad: I don't get it. We're a suburb of their home city! Give us some love!

Burlington County still gets the shaft. :mad: I don't get it. We're a suburb of their home city! Give us some love!

Hi neighbor I live in Eastampton I feel your Pain. We get passed by all the time it seems like. By the way we have some very poor pitcher quality here when it rains. I have spoke to Crapcast and they know what is wrong and they have told me and many people in my town it is to much money to fix the problem.

So It should be no surprise that we get left out again:mad:

I realize that the Phila/Southern NJ region is a little behind with HD channels, but can there be a separate thread for that area? This thread is becoming "Complain about Comcast if you live in the Phillies/Flyers/76ers DMA".

I realize that the Phila/Southern NJ region is a little behind with HD channels, but can there be a separate thread for that area? This thread is becoming "Complain about Comcast if you live in the Phillies/Flyers/76ers DMA".

You're forgetting about my DMA, New York DMA #1

Comcast claims to have room for 120 HD channels in Chicago.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=830402&highlight=chicago








Just more lies to their subscribers!

who's fault is that? Comcast doesnt want to spend the money to update their networks unless they are forced by competition (ie subscribers leaving them for something better)










YES! That's telling them davisdog.

I apologize for making another post in this thread on the same issue, but I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on if Middlesex County will be involved with this influx of HD channels? I could of sworn I heard that my area would be receiving new HD channels but in light of reading this news I'm a little wary that we'll get anything.

Thanks for knowledge.

I apologize for making another post in this thread on the same issue, but I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on if Middlesex County will be involved with this influx of HD channels? I could of sworn I heard that my area would be receiving new HD channels but in light of reading this news I'm a little wary that we'll get anything.

Thanks for knowledge.

Again it depends on the system you're on. If you're Comcast of Central NJ then yeah you will. If you're on Comcast of Union South (NJ II) then no you won't.

Well, apparently an add in todays Inquire confirms that Philly is indeed getting just 5 new HDs on 4/03 but of course Sci-Fi HD is not one of them. We will be getting:

History
CNN
APL
TLC
AMC

What got cut was:

Sci-Fi
USA
Discovery

WTF!!!

I am right across the river in Cherry Hill, and haven't seen any news for our new channels

Again it depends on the system you're on. If you're Comcast of Central NJ then yeah you will. If you're on Comcast of Union South (NJ II) then no you won't.

How do you tell what system your on?

How do you tell what system your on?

That is a very good Question?

That is a very good Question?

We're on the (old) Garden State system. Guess it's now called Cherry Hill.

Well this is a first for the Richmond, VA area. Comcast actually took out a one page ad announcing the analog channels that are moving to digital only and the four new HD channels [CNN HD, History HD, Animal Planet HD and AMC HD] we will be getting on 4/15/2008.

But we are losing three Showtime channels. WTF?!?!

When the heck is Comcast going to give us the FX HD channel?!?!

Attached is a picture of the ad...

They might be weighing the value of the Showtime channels compared to the demand for more HD, plus whatever is lost on the linear Showtime channels will most likely be available via Showtime On Demand.

If you get less channels like HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax then they should not keep charging the same. They should lower there cost for theses channels. Over the last couple of years I have lost Some channels from HBO, Showtime, Stars, The Movie Channel, and Cinemax. But my bill never went down but instead it goes up. I pay more and receive less.
Now how is that Fair!!!!!!!
Daniel

Well this is a first for the Richmond, VA area. Comcast actually took out a one page ad announcing the analog channels that are moving to digital only and the four new HD channels [CNN HD, History HD, Animal Planet HD and AMC HD] we will be getting on 4/15/2008.

But we are losing three Showtime channels. WTF?!?!

When the heck is Comcast going to give us the FX HD channel?!?!

Attached is a picture of the ad...

The "lost" premium multiplex channels are ones I would like to see them ADD!

If all the content is still there with On Demand, why do they need to charge less? I agree that if they take something away that they should reduce the price, but all of the extra HBO, Showtime, and Starz channels just look like they are rescheduled versions of the original. I remember paying $11 a month for one HBO channel in 1991, and it wasn't even in stereo. Since then, the price has remained the same with the extra channels, but only because it's the same programming on each channel at different times.
Also, everyone here seems to be demanding more HD, and when Comcast makes room for more HD channels, all we do is complain because we are losing SD channels that we claim we never watch.

Yeah, looks like the multiplex channels show a lot of the same movies.

Let's Go To Prison
328 ATMAX Mon 3/17 12:30 AM
328 ATMAX Thu 3/20 4:15 PM
233 MAXHD Sat 3/22 5:45 PM
319 MAXHD Sat 3/22 5:45 PM
320 MAX Sat 3/22 5:45 PM
322 MAXP Sat 3/22 8:45 PM
328 ATMAX Sun 3/23 11:40 AM
328 ATMAX Sat 3/29 4:15 PM
328 ATMAX Sun 3/30 1:35 AM

Lianna
238 SHOWHD Mon 3/17 12:00 AM
339 SHOWHD Mon 3/17 12:00 AM
340 SHOW Mon 3/17 12:00 AM
343 SHOWP Mon 3/17 3:00 AM
342 SHOCSE Sun 3/23 1:35 AM
345 SHOCSEP Sun 3/23 4:35 AM

They have been taking the channels away but I have not seen any new HD channels in place of. They can't even fix the line problem on my street! They know what the problem is but they will not repair it. I was told by Comcast. So whats UP!!!!!

There is very little HD content in VOD for Comcast. HBO does not allow their HD content be available in the VOD.

I just checked and these are the totals I found available for HD content [free movies] in the premium section of VOD from Comcast in the Richmond VA area...

Starz - 32 free HD movies in the HD premium section of VOD for Starz
Cinemax - 15 free HD movies in the HD premium section of VOD for Cinemax
Encore - 14 free HD movies in the HD premium section of VOD for Encore
Showtime - 3 free HD movies in the HD premium section of VOD for Showtime
FEARnet - 7 free HD movies in the HD premium section of VOD for FEARnet
HBO - NOTHING available in the HD premium section of VOD for HBO

Funny how Comcast stated in their announcement that the movies in the three Showtime channels we are losing but Showtime has the fewest movies [excluding HBO] in the HD section of the VOD for Showtime.

If it wasn't for Showtimes original programs I would never subscribe to that network. The have the worst line up of movies month to month out of all the Premiums. Even Encore is better though not by much but atleast it's free.

Also, everyone here seems to be demanding more HD, and when Comcast makes room for more HD channels, all we do is complain because we are losing SD channels that we claim we never watch.

Hmm...I can't remember anyone ever complaining about losing an SD channel for a non-subscription service. This is the first time I've heard someone complain about the SD subscription channels. So I disagree with "all we do is complain".

Rich N.

If it wasn't for Showtimes original programs I would never subscribe to that network. The have the worst line up of movies month to month out of all the Premiums. Even Encore is better though not by much but atleast it's free.

Perhaps another reason why some of their channels are the ones to be cut.

Well this is a first for the Richmond, VA area. Comcast actually took out a one page ad announcing the analog channels that are moving to digital only and the four new HD channels [CNN HD, History HD, Animal Planet HD and AMC HD] we will be getting on 4/15/2008.

But we are losing three Showtime channels. WTF?!?!

When the heck is Comcast going to give us the FX HD channel?!?!

Attached is a picture of the ad...

Was that is yesterdays paper? If so, I missed it.
I wonder if that will actually happen, the post card they sent out in October saying they were moving 4 analog channels to digital, 1 (Hallmark) is still on analog 58.

Figures that they would start adding more HD. I have a FiOS install scheduled for this Friday.

...Figures that they would start adding more HD. I have a FiOS install scheduled for this Friday.I think you'll be better off, based on what I see in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271).

I can't get FiOS in my area yet, and I wasn't sure I would even bother even if I could, but dumbing down to HD Lite will be the fastest way for Comcast to drive me away if and when I get the option.

[QUOTE=maxman;13378806]

Comcast in Northern NJ (Union North, Union Central, and Union South) are all maxed out at the moment. That's why they're getting rid of NFL-HD in order to make room for SNY-HD. A trade-off until they get approval to remove more analog channels and SDV is in place by late summer/fall.


sansri-

you seem to be the man for NJ.

know anything about the plans for patriot media? supposedly the deal closes and comcast takes over around the 21st. (will we be our own system or will they merge it into another area?)

Simmons totally rebuilt the system (I think it's 850mhz) but I think we're at 31 Hd channels at the moment so not sure if there's much room left.

Seems comcast has access to some channels patriot doesn't have and I'm wondering if there is room would comcast typically just slap them up shortly?

Those channels aren't even on the near horizon for us in my area. Maxed out bandwidth. It mystifies me why corporate hasn't expedited the upgrades to SDV in my area, we're one of the few areas that desperately need it.

wasn't union supposed to be one of hte 4 test head ends for OCAP?
(excuse me.... tru2way)

[QUOTE=sansri88;13381791]


sansri-

you seem to be the man for NJ.

know anything about the plans for patriot media? supposedly the deal closes and comcast takes over around the 21st. (will we be our own system or will they merge it into another area?)

Simmons totally rebuilt the system (I think it's 850mhz) but I think we're at 31 Hd channels at the moment so not sure if there's much room left.

Seems comcast has access to some channels patriot doesn't have and I'm wondering if there is room would comcast typically just slap them up shortly?

Hmmm Patriot Media areas, especially yours, will probably fall under Comcast of Central NJ. Nothing on the "wires" right now, I can put in a request to the headend tech in Union to find out some more stuff. I do recall that PatMedia areas did get some channels before, unless I'm confusing them with NWNJ.

Even if there is room you guys have to get approved to add those channels. Wait until after the 21st. Since you're an 860Mhz system I'd expect an announcement for your area once Comcast fully takes over.

wasn't union supposed to be one of hte 4 test head ends for OCAP?
(excuse me.... tru2way)

Yeah they were and are testing it; however, that has no standing on bandwidth or SDV.

[QUOTE=michaelk;13402491]

Hmmm Patriot Media areas, especially yours, will probably fall under Comcast of Central NJ. Nothing on the "wires" right now, I can put in a request to the headend tech in Union to find out some more stuff. I do recall that PatMedia areas did get some channels before, unless I'm confusing them with NWNJ.

Even if there is room you guys have to get approved to add those channels. Wait until after the 21st. Since you're an 860Mhz system I'd expect an announcement for your area once Comcast fully takes over.

Thanks

we did just get a handfull of new channels after the first of the year. But we dont quite match comcast offerings of the nearby systems as far as I can tell. So I figured that was a parting gift from patriot since comcast still didn't take over yet?

Yeah they were and are testing it; however, that has no standing on bandwidth or SDV.

ohh- :o

I thought OCAP and SDV were married.


Apparently i was mistaken. :D

We got AMC HD in Chicago area (I'm assuming sometimes last night) on channel 171.

Here in Knoxville, TN, Comcast just added a channel 402 called Comcast HD Events channel. It's been online since Friday. But since then, there hasn't been one thing on it. :confused:

Now that regular season college basketball is over, I think Comcast needs to rethink them carrying Fox Sports Net HD. There is rarely anything on it. It's always color bars or a blank screen when a game is blacked out. We got blacked out of the Pac 10 tournament. I like having the channel when something is actually on there. But according to the stats on whereishd.com, it's only HD programming 4% of the time. I'd rather have something that's on all the time.

My understanding is that the SEC tournament was supposed to be on it over the weekend. Maybe with the tornado and the venue switch it didn't happen. FSN HD should be showing HD baseball games coming up in a couple of weeks. I will be checking it out this weekend. I am bringing an HDTV to our Tn condo and already have upgraded our service there to HD. I'm curious to see how it works out.

Apparently Denver is one of Comcast's SDV test areas. I have a few questions regarding how that might affect my HD programming...

1. Can I determine on my DCT3416i if I am part of the SDV testing?
2. Will this mean that I will get SciFi HD before BSG? :eek:

Also, as an FYI (and FWIW) a fellow employee just left to go work for Comcast troubleshooting "new" STBs that haven't been released yet. I'm looking forward to seeing them in 2099...;)

We got AMC HD in Chicago area (I'm assuming sometimes last night) on channel 171.











Great! Now this is one HD channel that's not being carried right now on both Direct Tv & Dish Network.

We got AMC HD in Chicago area (I'm assuming sometimes last night) on channel 171.

A nice addition. As far as Comcast systems go, we (Chicago) aren't doing too badly in terms of number of HD channels.

Comcast Chicago HD Stations

01 - 169 NFL Network
02 - 171 AMC
03 - 173 ESPN
04 - 174 MOJO
05 - 175 History
06 - 176 TLC
07 - 177 Sci-Fi
08 - 179 HGTV
09 - 181 Food Network
10 - 183 WCIU (Independent)
11 - 184 WPWR (My Network)
12 - 185 Showtime
13 - 186 HBO
14 - 187 WLS (ABC)
15 - 188 WMAQ (NBC)
16 - 189 WBBM (CBS)
17 - 190 WFLD (Fox)
18 - 191 WTTW (PBS)
19 - 192 WGN (CW)
20 - 195 Cinemax
21 - 196 Starz
22 - 199 Versus/Golf
23 - 200 Comcast SportsNet
24 - 203 ESPN2
25 - 204 TNT
26 - 205 HD Theater
27 - 206 National Geographic
28 - 207 Universal
29 - 208 A&E
30 - 209 MHD
31 - 216 CNN
32 - 218 Discovery Channel
33 - 219 TBS
34 - 221 USA
35 - 224 Animal Planet

did philly get it's new additions today?

A nice addition. As far as Comcast systems go, we (Chicago) aren't doing too badly in terms of number of HD channels.

Comcast Chicago HD Stations

01 - 169 NFL Network
02 - 171 AMC
03 - 173 ESPN
04 - 174 MOJO
05 - 175 History
06 - 176 TLC
07 - 177 Sci-Fi
08 - 179 HGTV
09 - 181 Food Network
10 - 183 WCIU (Independent)
11 - 184 WPWR (My Network)
12 - 185 Showtime
13 - 186 HBO
14 - 187 WLS (ABC)
15 - 188 WMAQ (NBC)
16 - 189 WBBM (CBS)
17 - 190 WFLD (Fox)
18 - 191 WTTW (PBS)
19 - 192 WGN (CW)
20 - 195 Cinemax
21 - 196 Starz
22 - 199 Versus/Golf
23 - 200 Comcast SportsNet
24 - 203 ESPN2
25 - 204 TNT
26 - 205 HD Theater
27 - 206 National Geographic
28 - 207 Universal
29 - 208 A&E
30 - 209 MHD
31 - 216 CNN
32 - 218 Discovery Channel
33 - 219 TBS
34 - 221 USA
35 - 224 Animal Planet

You don't have the HD-PPV channel?

You don't have the HD-PPV channel?

Not as a linear channel, no. But most of the HD PPV programs that I've seen announced for Comcast have been buried in the On Demand section under HD / Events. I think there's a UFC program in our listing now for $5.99.

did philly get it's new additions today? I think it was posted earlier that the additions have been delayed until April 3rd.

With SciFi rumored to have been axed from the additions, though, it's a disappointing update for me. :(

did philly get it's new additions today?

Check your cable box messages, new channels announced.... all 5! Boo!

221 For CNNHD
238 for AMC HD

(I forget where the other 3 are going.)

A nice addition. As far as Comcast systems go, we (Chicago) aren't doing too badly in terms of number of HD channels.

Comcast Chicago HD Stations

01 - 169 NFL Network
02 - 171 AMC
03 - 173 ESPN
04 - 174 MOJO
05 - 175 History
06 - 176 TLC
07 - 177 Sci-Fi
08 - 179 HGTV
09 - 181 Food Network
10 - 183 WCIU (Independent)
11 - 184 WPWR (My Network)
12 - 185 Showtime
13 - 186 HBO
14 - 187 WLS (ABC)
15 - 188 WMAQ (NBC)
16 - 189 WBBM (CBS)
17 - 190 WFLD (Fox)
18 - 191 WTTW (PBS)
19 - 192 WGN (CW)
20 - 195 Cinemax
21 - 196 Starz
22 - 199 Versus/Golf
23 - 200 Comcast SportsNet
24 - 203 ESPN2
25 - 204 TNT
26 - 205 HD Theater
27 - 206 National Geographic
28 - 207 Universal
29 - 208 A&E
30 - 209 MHD
31 - 216 CNN
32 - 218 Discovery Channel
33 - 219 TBS
34 - 221 USA
35 - 224 Animal Planet

More channels then Philly will have even after the additions on 4/03. I'm still really pissed and disapointed that they axed the Sci-Fi channel. I just don't understand how they could do this Heck even the sticks of PA and NJ(no offense) will have more channels then Philly.

I think it was posted earlier that the additions have been delayed until April 3rd.
As per the newspaper and from AVS, a subscriber on the Willow Grove, PA system, these new channels will arrive on or about April 3:

History Channel HD- 217
CNN HD- 221
TLC HD- 225
Animal Planet HD- 230
AMC HD- 238

sansri,

It mystifies me why Comcast doesn't do squat in our area. As of 03/27, we'll be officially the worst Comcast system in NJ! And we are the biggest one, with over 200K households! And now to get a measly HD channel(SNY HD), we'll loose one, NFL! Heck, if we are to loose a HD channel, why not the lame TBS HD, which doesn't carry squat in HD anyway until baseball playoffs?

But, as someone posted in dslreports.com, while Wal-mart in Woodbridge,NJ continues to be the numero uno in new comcast subscribers, absolutely NOTHING will be done in our area. That or until our area gets Fios....

sansri,

It mystifies me why Comcast doesn't do squat in our area. As of 03/27, we'll be officially the worst Comcast system in NJ! And we are the biggest one, with over 200K households! And now to get a measly HD channel(SNY HD), we'll loose one, NFL! Heck, if we are to loose a HD channel, why not the lame TBS HD, which doesn't carry squat in HD anyway until baseball playoffs?

But, as someone posted in dslreports.com, while Wal-mart in Woodbridge,NJ continues to be the numero uno in new comcast subscribers, absolutely NOTHING will be done in our area. That or until our area gets Fios....

I'm just as pissed as you are TravelFan. I was thinking, if I ever drop by that Walmart (which I almost never do) I'm gonna talk with those "comcast" guys and see wtf is up with our area and why they don't care about us.

being such a big system it might be heard to upgrade/ and or the needs are diverse so they worry about which SD subs to piss off by pulling their channels. But you'd think you guys would have got in on the SDV trials too. Maybe they were afraid to try OCAP and SDV at the same time.

there's an article bouncing around how like 50% of the US will have HD by year end. lagging way behind DBS is not a good idea for much longer.

sansri,

It mystifies me why Comcast doesn't do squat in our area. As of 03/27, we'll be officially the worst Comcast system in NJ! And we are the biggest one, with over 200K households! And now to get a measly HD channel(SNY HD), we'll loose one, NFL! Heck, if we are to loose a HD channel, why not the lame TBS HD, which doesn't carry squat in HD anyway until baseball playoffs?

But, as someone posted in dslreports.com, while Wal-mart in Woodbridge,NJ continues to be the numero uno in new comcast subscribers, absolutely NOTHING will be done in our area. That or until our area gets Fios....

There will be regular season baseball in HD on TBS-HD this season. And not just Braves games.

By the way, the next HD channel might be ESPNews HD, which Comcast already has an agreement for.

And aindik, yes TBS will have some baseball in HD, but what about everything else? Movies that I've seen on TNT in HD are in stretch-o-vision on TBS. The Office is horrible there, along with other shows.

Edited by Moderator, 3/01/08

Currently Available Comcast HDTV:
Sci-Fi HD
Animal Planet HD
Discovery HD
The Learning Channel HD
NHL Network HD
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
CNN HD
TBS HD
NFL Network HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
National Geographic HD
A&E HD
Local Sports Net(s)
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
TNT HD
HD Theater
MOJO
VSGLF Golf Channel HD / Versus HD
Universal HD
MHD
HBO HD
Cinemax HD
Showtime HD
Starz HD
ABC HD
NBC HD
CBS HD
FOX HD
My Network TV HD
The CW HD
PBS Digital
AMC HD

Coming soon:
Fox Business Channel HD
ESPNews HD
MGM HD (Not yet announced)
Disney HD
ABC Family HD
Nick HD
Spike HD

Please note that not all HD channels are available in all areas.










I don't see Toon Disney HD mentioned in the list as 'coming soon' as well as other channels, e.g. Science, FX, etc.

I don't see Toon Disney HD mentioned in the list as 'coming soon' as well as other channels, e.g. Science, FX, etc.

Because Comcast hasn't announced any contracts with them to add the channels to their lineups. Once it's confirmed that they have an agreement to add those channels then they will be added to the list.

By the way, the next HD channel might be ESPNews HD, which Comcast already has an agreement for.

And aindik, yes TBS will have some baseball in HD, but what about everything else? Movies that I've seen on TNT in HD are in stretch-o-vision on TBS. The Office is horrible there, along with other shows.

No argument from me. TBS-HD is terrible. I was just correcting a post that says TBS only has the baseball playoffs in HD.

I didn't get the message across the river in Cherry Hill. Guess we suck as usual :(

Northern NJ continues to get the shaft as well.

My understanding is that the SEC tournament was supposed to be on it over the weekend. Maybe with the tornado and the venue switch it didn't happen.

We wouldn't have got that here anyway if that was the case, because one of our local stations already carries the SEC tourney games.

Between FSN HD and TBS HD, I'd rather have something else until either of those can carry more HD programming.

By the way, the next HD channel might be ESPNews HD, which Comcast already has an agreement for.

And aindik, yes TBS will have some baseball in HD, but what about everything else? Movies that I've seen on TNT in HD are in stretch-o-vision on TBS. The Office is horrible there, along with other shows.

As they are replacing NFL-HD with SNY, what Comcast ought todo is replace TBS with SCIFI-HD at least for the final BATTLESTAR GALACTICA season. Then they can go back to TBS for the baseball fans. At least it would be SOMETHING!

As they are replacing NFL-HD with SNY, what Comcast ought todo is replace TBS with SCIFI-HD at least for the final BATTLESTAR GALACTICA season. Then they can go back to TBS for the baseball fans. At least it would be SOMETHING!

We get SciFi HD here on Comcast Chicago. For whatever reason, SciFi HD has been showing reruns of Battlestar in letterboxed standard def. So, right now you aren't missing much.

I didn't get the message across the river in Cherry Hill. Guess we suck as usual :(

It might be because they do not want to pay the State Government money. We know that you have to pay to play in NJ.

As they are replacing NFL-HD with SNY, what Comcast ought todo is replace TBS with SCIFI-HD at least for the final BATTLESTAR GALACTICA season. Then they can go back to TBS for the baseball fans. At least it would be SOMETHING!

HD MLB games start April 6th on TBS and there is a game every Sunday. While I do agree that they should start showing as many HD shows as possible,
I don't think any system is going to drop this network once it's on.

While I do agree that they should start showing as many HD shows as possible,
I don't think any system is going to drop this network once it's on.

Agreed.

It might be because they do not want to pay the State Government money. We know that you have to pay to play in NJ.

I work for the US Government :lol: You'd think i'd get a break every now and then

I work for the US Government :lol: You'd think i'd get a break every now and then

So you know what I mean then if you are in the State Government. :eek:
But if you are with Federal Government I have no problems with that.:D

AVS Forums makes it's mark

Hears an article about over-compressed HD channels on Comcast.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/20...y-up-to-snuff/

I have to say most satellite channels are not much better than good SD.
Especially since they started compression in January.

Because Comcast hasn't announced any contracts with them to add the channels to their lineups. Once it's confirmed that they have an agreement to add those channels then they will be added to the list.









Sansri88, you must be a die hard Comcast fan but I want to know how long are you going to stand behind Comcast & support them when it comes to adding more HD channels. Direct Tv has successfully launched their new satellite yesterday to increase their capacity to add 150 HD channels by the end of the year so this mean more Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, & Charter customers switching to Direct Tv in the coming months.

This is a Comcast thread isn't it? Why do people continually come in hear and ask questions like that?

Because we hope some one from up high in comcast might read this. Good luck with that. But you never know.:D

Seeing that there now doing HD-lite, I don't think they care that much. Weve been putting down Direct TV for awhile for doing it and they followed right down that path with them. I can only hope its temporary...

Comcast has agreements in place with these channels, so they can't just drop them when people get sick of them.

Sansri88, you must be a die hard Comcast fan but I want to know how long are you going to stand behind Comcast & support them when it comes to adding more HD channels. Direct Tv has successfully launched their new satellite yesterday to increase their capacity to add 150 HD channels by the end of the year so this mean more Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, & Charter customers switching to Direct Tv in the coming months.

I have my reasons for supporting Comcast. I'm also stuck with them because they carry certain channels that I want that D* or E* don't (like on D* they don't have Zee TV, on E* no YES Network). If one of the two had the channel that I want, cable TV would have been out of my house a long time ago. Comcast is the only provider that carries BOTH of those channels in my area, so I stay with them.

I'm stuck on the internet end with Comcast as I am too far from the CO to get DSL. Comcast has taken care of me well, I have DVR+HD for $5 a month, I've switched to their triple play to save over $50 (Verizon was milking money out of me for phone service). I think I can hold out until the end of this year, as SDV is currently being installed at our headend for a late-summer 2008 rollout. Also we're gonna get DOCSIS 3.0 :)

I'm on a mission to get somebody at Comcast to explain why Philadelphia got screwed out of getting Sci-Fi HD. I want to know why other areas are getting 6-8 new HD channels since the first of the year, but Philly is only getting 5. And someone is going to explain why, when the decided to cut us from 8 to 5, Sci-Fi HD and USA HD was axed instead of Animal Planet, The Learning Channel, History, or CNN.

I hope others in the Philadelphia area will join me.

I have my reasons for supporting Comcast. I'm also stuck with them because they carry certain channels that I want that D* or E* don't (like on D* they don't have Zee TV, on E* no YES Network). If one of the two had the channel that I want, cable TV would have been out of my house a long time ago. Comcast is the only provider that carries BOTH of those channels in my area, so I stay with them.

I'm stuck on the internet end with Comcast as I am too far from the CO to get DSL. Comcast has taken care of me well, I have DVR+HD for $5 a month, I've switched to their triple play to save over $50 (Verizon was milking money out of me for phone service). I think I can hold out until the end of this year, as SDV is currently being installed at our headend for a late-summer 2008 rollout. Also we're gonna get DOCSIS 3.0 :)

That's nice for you, but Philadelphia won't be getting SDV or DOCSIS 3.0 until probably 12/21/12 and of coures by then it will be too late. :)

...Also we're gonna get DOCSIS 3.0 :)

What's DOCSIS 3.0?

... I'm on a mission to get somebody at Comcast to explain why Philadelphia got screwed out of getting Sci-Fi HD.That's good! (I never watch Sci-Fi HD). I'd also like to know why South Florida was denied CNN-HD!

I want...

Good luck with that!

Very disturbing article if this turns out to be true... Is your Comcast HD quality up to snuff? (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/20/is-your-comcast-hd-quality-up-to-snuff/#comments)

I had seen this thread before but what hoping it was just one persons bad experience in their local area... Comcast HD Quality Reduction: Details, Screenshots (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271)

Anybody know an easy way to find out how many HD channels Comcast is stuffing per QAM channel? I can only hope that Comcast is not stuffing three HD channels per QAM in my system in the Richmond VA area?

What's DOCSIS 3.0?

Upgraded internet speeds. Much faster than what we get now.

Anybody know an easy way to find out how many HD channels Comcast is stuffing per QAM channel? I can only hope that Comcast is not stuffing three HD channels per QAM in my system in the Richmond VA area?

If you read the linked AVS article, which the Engadget article was based on, you will learn how to find out what Comcast is doing on your area. Bottom line is that if you aren't getting 3 HD channels per QAM now, you will be soon.

If you read the linked AVS article, which the Engadget article was based on, you will learn how to find out what Comcast is doing on your area. Bottom line is that if you aren't getting 3 HD channels per QAM now, you will be soon.

The way it seems like in my area we'll get SDV before they go to 3:1....

Good luck with that!

Thank you!

That's good! (I never watch Sci-Fi HD). I'd also like to know why South Florida was denied CNN-HD!

I'll trade you CNN HD for Sci-FI HD.

I sense Spike TV as a possible next HD channel for systems that can swing it.

:(I have my reasons for supporting Comcast. I'm also stuck with them because they carry certain channels that I want that D* or E* don't (like on D* they don't have Zee TV, on E* no YES Network). If one of the two had the channel that I want, cable TV would have been out of my house a long time ago. Comcast is the only provider that carries BOTH of those channels in my area, so I stay with them.

I'm stuck on the internet end with Comcast as I am too far from the CO to get DSL. Comcast has taken care of me well, I have DVR+HD for $5 a month, I've switched to their triple play to save over $50 (Verizon was milking money out of me for phone service). I think I can hold out until the end of this year, as SDV is currently being installed at our headend for a late-summer 2008 rollout. Also we're gonna get DOCSIS 3.0 :)










Sansri, I fully understand what you're coming from & I apologize to you, blitzen, & anyone else on this website; however, I am trying to stick with Comcast until my lease is up & find a place where I can have satellite. I am paying over $90 a month for digital cable with HD only because I watch a whole lot of HD channels & I am a home theater/HD enthusiant, e.g. 60-inch Sony 1080P HDTV, Playstation 3, Sony Blu-ray player, Sony 1080p HD receiver, Sony surround speakers, Sony HD camcorder, Minidisc deck player, Sony Hi-Fi VCR, Sony cassette deck, Sony 300 CD changer, Sony Ipod charger, Sony Direct DVD recorder, a Sony 32-inch LCD HDTV that is hanging on the wall in my bedroom, & over 1000 DVDs (100 of them are Blu-ray). The building I live in wouldn't allow me to have satellite so I had no choice but to stick with Comcast which is why in the next couple of months I am going to purcahse either a house or condo where I can have what I want.
Comcast hasn't add certain channels like Big 10 or MGM & I always visit my cousin's place where he has Direct Tv & is paying less on his monthly bill. Also, I have stopped contacting Comcast regarding when are they planning on adding more channels because they never really know; I am paying way too much on my cable bill but isn't getting what I am asking for which is why I am so frustrated with Comcast.

:(
Sansri, I fully understand what you're coming from & I apologize to you, blitzen, & anyone else on this website; however, I am trying to stick with Comcast until my lease is up & find a place where I can have satellite. I am paying over $90 a month for digital cable with HD only because I watch a whole lot of HD channels & I am a home theater/HD enthusiant, e.g. 60-inch Sony 1080P HDTV, Playstation 3, Sony Blu-ray player, Sony 1080p HD receiver, Sony surround speakers, Sony HD camcorder, Minidisc deck player, Sony Hi-Fi VCR, Sony cassette deck, Sony 300 CD changer, Sony Ipod charger, Sony Direct DVD recorder, a Sony 32-inch LCD HDTV that is hanging on the wall in my bedroom, & over 1000 DVDs (100 of them are Blu-ray). The building I live in wouldn't allow me to have satellite so I had no choice but to stick with Comcast which is why in the next couple of months I am going to purcahse either a house or condo where I can have what I want.
Comcast hasn't add certain channels like Big 10 or MGM & I always visit my cousin's place where he has Direct Tv & is paying less on his monthly bill. Also, I have stopped contacting Comcast regarding when are they planning on adding more channels because they never really know; I am paying way too much on my cable bill but isn't getting enough which is why I am so frustrated with Comcast.

I'll tell you straight up that $90 is excessive. What do you get with $90? Do you get all premiums? HDDVR? Sports pack?

I have the Comcast Preferred Plus triple play with 1 HDDVR and 1 SD STB, Zee TV, SPP for ~$170 a month. That includes internet, phone, and TV (HBO, showtime and starz included). Give Comcast a call, work a deal out with them. On the surface it looks like you're paying way to much, like I was before I got the triple play ($150 for TV+Internet, $60 for phone service with Verizon/AT&T).

Edit: By the way, no apology needed. It's the internet, one should never take ANYTHING personally :)

And, I can't really get satellite because of the trees around my house, so I'm in a similar boat like you. However, I'll hold out until the end of the year, I smell some big changes coming. *sniff* *sniff*

nothing new in michigan yet

who's fault is that?Let's say I'm older than you. Who's "fault" is that? What does "fault" have to do with it? I'm talking about reality.

Comcast doesnt want to spend the money to update their networks unless they are forced by competition (ie subscribers leaving them for something better)Properly: Comcast wants to spend money updating their networks in direct proportion to the extent that provides better return on investment as the alternative. They're not going to irresponsibly spend their owners' money, as it seems you are advocating they should.

If you get less channels like HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax then they should not keep charging the same.They haven't been able to charge extra for multiplex channels. So the reduction in fee should be commensurate with that, i.e., nothing.

I have the Comcast Preferred Plus triple play with 1 HDDVR and 1 SD STB, Zee TV, SPP for ~$170 a month. That includes internet, phone, and TV (HBO, showtime and starz included).

Altho I have the 4 premium movie channels, I don't have ZEE TV, SPP, phone, or an SD STB and I'm paying $175.00 a month! Maybe they should change from Com-Crap to Con-Cast.

They haven't been able to charge extra for multiplex channels. So the reduction in fee should be commensurate with that, i.e., nothing.

As a data point, Comcast charges roughly 30% more for those premium channels than other providers, specifically DBS. IIRC, the channels are sold at around $6 from the content provider(HBO/SHO). DBS charges around $11-13 and Comcast charges around $18.

If the OP is losing those multiplex channels, like HBO-Signature, etc, etc, then I can see why he would be upset. They're already very expensive, and now he gets even less for his money.

OTOH, it's all relative, how much do you want to spend to get what you want? Personally, there's no way in hell I'd pay the $18+ a month/per channel Comcast wants for those premiums. But that's just me...

In my area $40.50 is the difference between Digital Premier and Digital preferred.

I'll tell you straight up that $90 is excessive. What do you get with $90? Do you get all premiums? HDDVR? Sports pack?

I have the Comcast Preferred Plus triple play with 1 HDDVR and 1 SD STB, Zee TV, SPP for ~$170 a month. That includes internet, phone, and TV (HBO, showtime and starz included). Give Comcast a call, work a deal out with them. On the surface it looks like you're paying way to much, like I was before I got the triple play ($150 for TV+Internet, $60 for phone service with Verizon/AT&T).

Edit: By the way, no apology needed. It's the internet, one should never take ANYTHING personally :)

And, I can't really get satellite because of the trees around my house, so I'm in a similar boat like you. However, I'll hold out until the end of the year, I smell some big changes coming. *sniff* *sniff*









I have all the premium channels, including HD, and the sports entertainment package.

As a data point, Comcast charges roughly 30% more for those premium channels than other providers, specifically DBS.Yes, but they're not allowed to charge extra for the multiplex channels. Remember that, unlike DBS, Comcast has to provide lifeline service, sometimes at less than cost, so therefore I bet they make up for how much money they lose out on from providing lifeline service by charging more for higher levels of service.

If the OP is losing those multiplex channels, like HBO-Signature, etc, etc, then I can see why he would be upset. They're already very expensive, and now he gets even less for his money.Yup, no question. It just isn't the type of change that would result in a reduction in fee. The best way to communicate dissatisfaction with this change is to cancel the HBO subscription, and be sure that the CSR notes down why.

OTOH, it's all relative, how much do you want to spend to get what you want? Personally, there's no way in hell I'd pay the $18+ a month/per channel Comcast wants for those premiums. But that's just me...I dumped them about 9 months ago due to the price, preferring Netflix instead.

Great news for Comcast of NJ II Union customers. We will be seeing 8 new HD channels added effective 5/15. Here is the list of changes that will occur on 5/15:

TCM migrate from 43 to 43,169 (digital only)
Cartoon Network migrate from 72 to 72,126 (digital only)
History Channel migrate from 57 to 57,177 (digital only)

New HD channels:

Add Discovery HD channel 224
Add Food Network HD channel 218
Add HGTV HD channel 213
Add A&E HD channel 211
Add History Channel HD channel 217
Add SciFi HD channel 226
Add USA HD channel 220
Add Animal Planet HD channel 230


That is all for now. Also 3:1 compression should be implemented at the same time.

Great news for Comcast of NJ II Union customers. We will be seeing 8 new HD channels added effective 5/15. Here is the list of changes that will occur on 5/15:

TCM migrate from 43 to 43,169 (digital only)
Cartoon Network migrate from 72 to 72,126 (digital only)
History Channel migrate from 57 to 57,177 (digital only)

New HD channels:

Add Discovery HD channel 224
Add Food Network HD channel 218
Add HGTV HD channel 213
Add A&E HD channel 211
Add History Channel HD channel 217
Add SciFi HD channel 226
Add USA HD channel 220
Add Animal Planet HD channel 230


That is all for now. Also 3:1 compression should be implemented at the same time.

any idea if that will apply to South Plainfield? thanks

any idea if that will apply to South Plainfield? thanks

Honestly I have no clue. I found out from TravelFan1 who saw this in the Avenel office. I'll try to find out.

Edit: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/23/nine-hd-newcomers-headed-to-northern-new-jersey/

That's me that tipped them off!

New HD channels:

Add Discovery HD channel 224
Add Food Network HD channel 218
Add HGTV HD channel 213
Add A&E HD channel 211
Add History Channel HD channel 217
Add SciFi HD channel 226
Add USA HD channel 220
Add Animal Planet HD channel 230


Also 3:1 compression should be implemented at the same time.

The old saying "Be careful of what you wish for" will most likely apply and if it does, you'll see an obvious degradation to your current PQ. As soon as Comcast added those channels to my system I began to notice that what had been considered great PQ is no more. Pixelation and blocking artifacts are abundant. Yes, we now have more channels but the price to be paid is a reduction of PQ and definitely nothing to be excited about.


If you haven't seen it already, there is a recent thread dedicated to this and it has screenshots showing what you have to look forward to.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

The old saying "Be careful of what you wish for" will most likely apply and if it does, you'll see an obvious degradation to your current PQ. As soon as Comcast added those channels to my system I began to notice that what had been considered great PQ is no more. Pixelation and blocking artifacts are abundant. Yes, we now have more channels but the price to be paid is a reduction of PQ and definitely nothing to be excited about.


If you haven't seen it already, there is a recent thread dedicated to this and it has screenshots showing what you have to look forward to.

Believe me I was one of the first posters on that thread, I know what's coming. The headend techs are gonna try what they can to prevent a huge drop in PQ, but I don't think they can do much.

By the same token, we've now noted a significant improvement in PQ since the initial downturn a month or so ago. It took a week or two to tweak things.

By the same token, we've now noted a significant improvement in PQ since the initial downturn a month or so ago. It took a week or two to tweak things.

Lucky you. We're approaching 2 months without even the slightest increase in PQ.

By the same token, we've now noted a significant improvement in PQ since the initial downturn a month or so ago. It took a week or two to tweak things.

I doubt that since in pretty much all areas with 3:1 compression there have been complaints.

They thought they had it perfected, but it's not the case.

It was bad; now it isn't. It is the case. :rolleyes:

It's not like I don't have eyes! :D

Where the heck is my Speed HD? Comcast was supposed to start carrying it on March 8, 2008.

I haven't seen any official notice from Comcast that they'd start carrying it everywhere by now.

The old saying "Be careful of what you wish for" will most likely apply and if it does, you'll see an obvious degradation to your current PQ. As soon as Comcast added those channels to my system I began to notice that what had been considered great PQ is no more. Pixelation and blocking artifacts are abundant. Yes, we now have more channels but the price to be paid is a reduction of PQ and definitely nothing to be excited about.


If you haven't seen it already, there is a recent thread dedicated to this and it has screenshots showing what you have to look forward to.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

Yup...the free MAX preview is terribly macroblocked during action scenes...tis a shame, Comcast had pretty good quality HD till now

Great news for Comcast of NJ II Union customers. We will be seeing 8 new HD channels added effective 5/15. Here is the list of changes that will occur on 5/15:

TCM migrate from 43 to 43,169 (digital only)
Cartoon Network migrate from 72 to 72,126 (digital only)
History Channel migrate from 57 to 57,177 (digital only)

New HD channels:

Add Discovery HD channel 224
Add Food Network HD channel 218
Add HGTV HD channel 213
Add A&E HD channel 211
Add History Channel HD channel 217
Add SciFi HD channel 226
Add USA HD channel 220
Add Animal Planet HD channel 230


That is all for now. Also 3:1 compression should be implemented at the same time.


Look at this crap. Yet another comcrap area get 8 new HD channels including Sci-Fi HD. But Philly gets cut from 8 to 5 and we lose Sci-Fi HD. WTF kind of crap is that?

I believe that on Comcast NJ II/Union, Food Network HD is going on ch.216 and not ch.218.

I believe that on Comcast NJ II/Union, Food Network HD is going on ch.216 and not ch.218.

Oops yeah it is 216. The picture I got this stuff off of was blurry, you couldn't tell the difference between 216 and 218.

Where the heck is my Speed HD? Comcast was supposed to start carrying it on March 8, 2008.

I second that.

Anyone else getting a channel called Comcast HD Events? I can't tell what's on it because they haven't showed one thing on it. It's been on our system for almost 2 weeks. It would make a good place for a channel that actually shows something. :confused:

I second that.

Anyone else getting a channel called Comcast HD Events? I can't tell what's on it because they haven't showed one thing on it. It's been on our system for almost 2 weeks. It would make a good place for a channel that actually shows something. :confused:

It a special events channel for HD PPVs and other one off type programming, such as an HD RSN that only does game time HD broadcasts.

Comcast Adds SportsNet NY HD In NJ:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastnj032408.htm

By the same token, we've now noted a significant improvement in PQ since the initial downturn a month or so ago. It took a week or two to tweak things.

this is the first post that i've seen anywhere that they've improved anything lately. the overwhelming consensus with 3:1's is quality drops. I know that's what I've seen.

this is the first post that i've seen anywhere that they've improved anything lately. the overwhelming consensus with 3:1's is quality drops. I know that's what I've seen.
I think what bicker1 was saying is that several channels were bad immediately after the switch to 3:1, but that some of them have recovered significantly after the initial drop in quality. Maybe not to where the level where they started from, but much better than they were.

At my house in the Seattle area, USA-HD in particular took a big hit in quality initially when Comcast rolled out six new HD channels. During the first week after the rollout, I DVRed a couple of Monk episodes that were essentially unwatchable due to macro-blocking and audio cut-outs. I am guessing some tweaks were made to the system, because over the past couple of weeks, I have not had any significant problems with picture quality.

At my house, the picture quality certainly looks much better than it did a couple of weeks ago. Is the picture as good as it was two months ago? I don't know. Maybe I'd notice a drop in PQ if I had two sets sitting side by side (one with the "pure signal"), but right now things look OK on my screen.

Comcast Adds SportsNet NY HD In NJ:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastnj032408.htm

What else is new South Jersey is left out again:mad::(

What else is new South Jersey is left out again:mad::(

Legally South Jersey can't get that channel. SNY is an RSN for the NY DMA.

Great news for Comcast of NJ II Union customers. We will be seeing 8 new HD channels added effective 5/15. Here is the list of changes that will occur on 5/15:

TCM migrate from 43 to 43,169 (digital only)
Cartoon Network migrate from 72 to 72,126 (digital only)
History Channel migrate from 57 to 57,177 (digital only)

New HD channels:

Add Discovery HD channel 224
Add Food Network HD channel 218
Add HGTV HD channel 213
Add A&E HD channel 211
Add History Channel HD channel 217
Add SciFi HD channel 226
Add USA HD channel 220
Add Animal Planet HD channel 230


That is all for now. Also 3:1 compression should be implemented at the same time.

any idea if that will apply to South Plainfield? thanks

Honestly I have no clue. I found out from TravelFan1 who saw this in the Avenel office. I'll try to find out.

Edit: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/23/nine-hd-newcomers-headed-to-northern-new-jersey/

That's me that tipped them off!

Believe me I was one of the first posters on that thread, I know what's coming. The headend techs are gonna try what they can to prevent a huge drop in PQ, but I don't think they can do much.

I doubt that since in pretty much all areas with 3:1 compression there have been complaints.

They thought they had it perfected, but it's not the case.

I believe that on Comcast NJ II/Union, Food Network HD is going on ch.216 and not ch.218.

Oops yeah it is 216. The picture I got this stuff off of was blurry, you couldn't tell the difference between 216 and 218.

Comcast Adds SportsNet NY HD In NJ:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastnj032408.htm

What else is new South Jersey is left out again:mad::(

Legally South Jersey can't get that channel. SNY is an RSN for the NY DMA.


I really hate to flame on Jersey as some of the above is actually relevant to new Comcast HD channels, but you guys sure like to hijack this thread.

I really hate to flame on Jersey as some of the above is actually relevant to new Comcast HD channels, but you guys sure like to hijack this thread.


You must look at it this way We have North Jersey, Central Jersey and South Jersey. We are not on or near the same Comcast system. in Burlington County there is three Comcast systems going right now and Burlington county is in South and Central Jersey
That might be why you see a lot of New Jersey on here. Plus we have the most people.
Daniel

I really hate to flame on Jersey as some of the above is actually relevant to new Comcast HD channels, but you guys sure like to hijack this thread.

And how many HD channels is Comcast giving you singletb?

What else is new South Jersey is left out again:mad::(

And Northern NJ doesn't have CSN Philly...

And how many HD channels is Comcast giving you singletb?

Actually, quite a few. Would I like a few more such as FX? Yes. Other than that, I am quite happy with Chicago's HD lineup. I generally stick to the Chicago forum for Chicago discussion though.

That is great news. Chicago has been great about adding channels shortly thereafter they sign on with Comcast. All we need is FX (and as always, Big Ten Network) and I will pretty much have everything I watch covered in HD.

maxman this should tell you how many he gets.