Comcast HDTV [Text View] - Page 32

blitzen102

11-19-08, 10:05 AM

Comcast Adds 12 HD Channels in S.F. Bay Area

New Channels Include Bravo, FNC, CNBC and QVC in High Def

By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 11/18/2008 12:01:00 PM

Parts of Comcast Corp.'s San Francisco Bay Area cluster will add 12 new high-definition channels to their lineups beginning Nov. 25.

The added channels include HD versions of Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNBC, E!, Encore, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, FX, Hallmark Movie Channel, QVC, Speed and the Travel Channel.

All those channels, plus TBS HD, will launch Dec. 8 in select central California markets, including Chico, Calaveras, Corning, Davis, Grass Valley, Modesto, Oroville, Patterson, Placerville, Roseville and Tracy.

With these channels and other video-on-demand offerings, these systems now offer consumers more than 1,000 HD choices, according to the operator.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6615591.html

Is San Fran 1 GHz? Or did they remove some analogs to make room for these?

keenan

11-19-08, 11:19 AM

Is San Fran 1 GHz? Or did they remove some analogs to make room for these?

There's several 1 GHz systems in the SF bay are, most of the old 550 MHz systems were upgraded to 1 GHz over the last 18 mos. My area, Santa Rosa, is one of them. Apparently, many of the 750-860 MHz systems will not be getting these new channels per the Comcast PR.

http://comcastnorcal.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=253

jrcorwin

11-19-08, 11:48 PM

Marcus Carr

11-20-08, 03:58 AM

FX HD, Fox News HD, and Speed HD have just been added in Baltimore.

Sparkman87

11-20-08, 10:32 AM

New HD channels on our suburban Chicago system this AM:

266 CNBC HD
278 Bravo HD
279 Fuse HD
280 IFC HD
281 WE HD
282 QVC HD

bigpatky

11-20-08, 01:06 PM

chicago gets a ton new hd channels while the rest of the country gets the same old trio. it's comcastic.

Sparkman87

11-20-08, 01:13 PM

chicago gets a ton new hd channels while the rest of the country gets the same old trio. it's comcastic.

The City of Chicago has gotten all of these new channels until now, but not the suburban areas. These are the 1st new HD channels here in a long time. It looks like many areas are getting FX, Speed, & Fox News, we don't have those yet, nor do we have most of the channels that the SF area gets on 11/25.

Doom878

11-20-08, 02:35 PM

Chicago gets the best channels because of Obama:p

Benji2

11-20-08, 02:50 PM

Chicago gets the best channels because of Obama:p
Guess you'll have to wait until Jeb Bush gets elected to get the same channels.

Daniel Murray

11-20-08, 04:12 PM

Chicago gets the best channels because of Obama:p

Now that is Funny but it might be very true.

Marty Milton

11-20-08, 06:02 PM

I have just received word that Comcast areas which were formerly serviced by Insight via Anderson, IN will receive new HD channels on December 18th.

934 - Animal Planet
936 - Discovery
950 - Fox News
948 - FX
941 - History Channel
938 - Sci-Fi
946 - Speed Channel
944 - TLC
939 - USA
947 - Science

Also, the Vs/Golf channel will split and one of them will replace Mojo.

Here in East Central Illinois us former Insight customers have been getting from Comcast seven of those channels since April 30. I would like to get FX and Speed channels, soon as well.

neil0311

11-20-08, 06:40 PM

282 QVC HD

WTF? Is that for real? QVC HD? How about TV Guide Channel HD...that's about as useful. :D

pianoman41

11-20-08, 08:46 PM

How come every other area seems to have gotten Fox News, FX and Speed together but here in Western MA we only got Fox News and FX? I've been waiting patiently for Speed so what the heck happened.

slowbiscuit

11-20-08, 08:49 PM

Now that is Funny but it might be very true.
They get the best channels because they've been converted to digital. Our time will come.

Daniel Murray

11-20-08, 08:49 PM

How come every other area seems to have gotten Fox News, FX and Speed together but here in Western MA we only got Fox News and FX? I've been waiting patiently for Speed so what the heck happened.

Be thankfull you got them. I do not have any of them. :mad:

donn35

11-21-08, 12:56 AM

Here is a list of the current lineup for the city of Chicago:

169-NFL Network
171-AMC
173-ESPN
174-MOJO (will be Versus HD on December 8, 2008)
175-History Channel
176-TLC
177-Sci-Fi Channel
179-HGTV
181-Food Network
183-WCIU (Independent)
184-WPWR (My Network Tv)
185-Showtime
186-HBO
187-WLS (ABC)
188-WMAQ (NBC)
189-WBBM (CBS)
190-WFLD (FOX)
191-WTTW (PBS)
192-WGN (CW)
195-Cinemax
196-Starz
197-Disney Channel
198-ABC Family
199-Versus/Golf Channel (will be Golf Channel HD on December 8, 2008)
200-Comcast Sportsnet
203-ESPN 2
204-TNT
205-HD Theater
206-National Geographic Channel
207-Universal
208-A&E
209-Palladia
212-Science Channel
216-CNN
218-Discovery Channel
219-TBS
221-USA
224-Animal Planet
226-Cartoon Network
227-Hallmark Movie Channel
229-Lifetime Movie Network
231-ESPNews
234-NHL Network
235-NBA TV
237-Speed Channel
256-Big Ten Network
257-Starz Kids & Family
258-Starz Comedy
259-Starz Edge
261-Planet Green
262-E!
263-Encore
264-Fox Business Channel
265-Fox News Channel
266-CNBC
267-FX
269-Biography (BIO)
270-The Weather Channel
278-Bravo
279-Fuse
280-IFC
281-We
282-QVC
283-Toon Disney
284-MGM

At the moment Chicago has a total of 65 HD channels with more to come. So Boston, how many do you have?

bigpatky

11-21-08, 02:17 AM

well that's 28 more than i get in utah

Sparkman87

11-21-08, 11:00 AM

These are the ones that they are getting in the City that we AREN'T getting up here:

226-Cartoon Network
227-Hallmark Movie Channel
229-Lifetime Movie Network
231-ESPNews
234-NHL Network
235-NBA TV
237-Speed Channel
257-Starz Kids & Family
258-Starz Comedy
259-Starz Edge
261-Planet Green
262-E!
263-Encore
264-Fox Business Channel
265-Fox News Channel
267-FX
269-Biography (BIO)
270-The Weather Channel
283-Toon Disney
284-MGM

I think the only channel positions of these that we actually have other channels using right now are 262-264, duplicates of the Fox college sports channels on 413-415, & 267 a duplicate of Fox Soccer Channel on 401

chambemd

11-21-08, 11:23 AM

Here's the Boston list as far as I've compiled it...

771 HBO HD
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
785 Encore HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Versus /Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
881 Mojo
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD

Note that HBO HD is duplicated twice right now, so it looks like the total is 80. Randomly, in looking at the Comcast channel guide, 887 is showing as the Travel Channel already so another may be on the way.

donn35

11-21-08, 12:57 PM

mgpt6

11-21-08, 01:00 PM

List is only in the City of Boston and Brookline itself,not in the burbs of Eastern Mass, List is only half the size in the subburbs of Boston.

Gene Plantz

11-21-08, 02:51 PM

Here is a list of the current lineup for the city of Chicago:

278-Bravo
279-Fuse
280-IFC
281-We
282-QVC

Are you actually getting these channels?? I see them in my Tivo list but when I select them, I get nothing.

Sparkman87

11-21-08, 02:58 PM

Are you actually getting these channels?? I see them in my Tivo list but when I select them, I get nothing.

Yes, those 5, along with 266 - CNBC, showed up in my lineup yesterday & I was able to watch all 6 last night. I am in Waukegan and do not have the entire lineup that was posted for the City of Chicago. Those 6 channels are all new here as of yesterday.

pianoman41

11-21-08, 03:51 PM

Amazing how just a few miles west in the same state we get a lot less. I've bolded what we get in Western MA:
Here's the Boston list as far as I've compiled it...

771 HBO HD
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
785 Encore HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Versus /Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
881 Mojo
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD

Note that HBO HD is duplicated twice right now, so it looks like the total is 80. Randomly, in looking at the Comcast channel guide, 887 is showing as the Travel Channel already so another may be on the way.

blitzen102

11-21-08, 04:03 PM

Amazing how just a few miles west in the same state we get a lot less. I've bolded what we get in Western MA:

It's not all that amazing. Your system is not all-digital - Boston is.

Daniel Murray

11-21-08, 04:55 PM

Comcast Sucks for HD Cannles in New Jersey

bigpatky

11-21-08, 05:13 PM

chicago gets 28 more channels in hd than i get
boston gets 44 more channels in hd than i get

that is a boatload of extra channels.

slowbiscuit

11-21-08, 05:30 PM

Comcast Sucks for HD Cannles in New Jersey
Your spelling in New Jersey sucks.

Lodef

11-21-08, 06:35 PM

It's not all that amazing. Your system is not all-digital - Boston is.

No matter how many times you tell these people this, they just don't understand and keep asking. Now thats amazing!

kb11

11-21-08, 07:12 PM

Daniel Murray

11-21-08, 07:55 PM

Your spelling in New Jersey sucks.

Yes you are right:eek: That is what I call a brain Fart:D

neil0311

11-22-08, 09:31 AM

chicago gets 28 more channels in hd than i get
boston gets 44 more channels in hd than i get

that is a boatload of extra channels.

We can have them too, if Comcast would do the same thing in all markets and go all digital. Some compromise has to be made between allowing people to hold on to their "the way it always was" thinking and analog, and the cost of providing digital converters or STB's so that the coming majority can have a reasonable amount of HD channels.

Bottom line is that satellite, FIOS, U-verse, and even OTA will require a converter box, and the only kind of TV you can buy is a digital HDTV, so Comcast needs to get to bringing their systems up to the year 2009 and stop catering to hold backs who just don't want to change and cling to analog sets and demand to do it without a box.

How many posts do you see on various forums such as "Comcast sux...they took <insert channel> off the analog tier". People just expect that analog will be around forever and don't want to change. Sorry people....the future started yesterday...get with the plan.

bicker1

11-22-08, 09:42 AM

How many posts do you see on various forums such as "Comcast sux...they took <insert channel> off the analog tier".Loads... you just don't see such posts on advanced high-tech-oriented forums, like this one. You see such comments mostly on the more generalized community forums, and especially in contexts where people who aren't technically sophisticated enough to post online interact.

Sorry people....the future started yesterday...get with the plan.Which is exactly what legacy service providers cannot safely say, everywhere, all at once, without prompting attacks against them by the national media and Congress.

gakon

11-22-08, 10:36 AM

Bottom line is that satellite, FIOS, U-verse, and even OTA will require a converter box, and the only kind of TV you can buy is a digital HDTV, so Comcast needs to get to bringing their systems up to the year 2009 and stop catering to hold backs who just don't want to change and cling to analog sets and demand to do it without a box.

How about just giving me the HD channels I pay for without having to pay extra for box I would rather not use?

bicker1

11-22-08, 10:55 AM

How much extra are you willing to pay for the MSO to, essentially, install an expensive secure switching system outside everyone's home? That's the essential issue here: Putting everything onto the cable in-the-clear basically would mean charging everyone for everything. That's not legal. They have to offer a limited basic package -- by LAW. So there must be a way to control who gets what. All these discussions are about how to accomplish that -- refusing to acknowledge the complexity in doing so, because it is "not the customer's problem" simply leaves one in ignorance of what are potentially viable solutions. People need to start thinking of everything they want in terms of how much it is worth to them, and how much it costs to provide it to them, and recognize that how much they will pay for it should be the higher of the two. That helps put things back in proper perspective and helps people understand what the actual alternatives could be.

gakon

11-22-08, 11:55 AM

The fact that I did not need a box for all of my TV's was one of the reasons I resisted switching from Comcast. Once they require me to have a box for all TV's, they lose that advantage over satellite. Discussions about how Comcast should accomplish secure switching to allow us to actually use our QAM tuners are irrelevant - that IS Comcast's job. If they can't provide that service for a reasonable price, then "the customer's problem" is simply to determine if there are other service or cost advantages for Comcast over other providers, not to consider the difficulties that resulted in the lack of a specific feature.

bicker1

11-22-08, 12:10 PM

The fact that I did not need a box for all of my TV's was one of the reasons I resisted switching from Comcast. Once they require me to have a box for all TV's, they lose that advantage over satellite.It is remarkable how many cable critics have continually refused to acknowledge the value of that advantage, while it existed, and indeed still refuse to acknowledge the value of that advantage, in the many areas where it still exists at least for basic cable.

Discussions about how Comcast should accomplish secure switching to allow us to actually use our QAM tuners are irrelevant - that IS Comcast's job.It is Comcast's "job" and it is NOT irrelevant. If folks refuse to consider the factual realities of the situation, they cannot possibly understand the situation they're discussing. It's like saying that fulfilling your personal expectation to ship your new HDTV to your home within two hours of ordering it is amazon.com's "job", and condemning them for not promising you that they will do so. Because you must not ignore that fact: Comcast does not promise you that they would provide you whatever channels you want in clear QAM. They don't. So your expectation that they will, in absence of their promising that, and without being cased in the context of the realities of satisfying your expectation in that regard, cannot help but be unreasonable.

If they can't provide that service for a reasonable price, then "the customer's problem" is simply to determine if there are other service or cost advantages for Comcast over other providers, not to consider the difficulties that resulted in the lack of a specific feature.And to accept the fact that perhaps the answer is that there is no service provider that offers whatever cable channels you wish without a box at every television.

lawful12

11-22-08, 01:03 PM

bicker1

11-22-08, 01:25 PM

Ho hum. They've run out of HD channels to add that matter AFAIC.

gakon

11-22-08, 01:25 PM

It is Comcast's "job" and it is NOT irrelevant. If folks refuse to consider the factual realities of the situation, they cannot possibly understand the situation they're discussing. It's like saying that fulfilling your personal expectation to ship your new HDTV to your home within two hours of ordering it is amazon.com's "job", and condemning them for not promising you that they will do so. Because you must not ignore that fact: Comcast does not promise you that they would provide you whatever channels you want in clear QAM. They don't. So your expectation that they will, in absence of their promising that, and without being cased in the context of the realities of satisfying your expectation in that regard, cannot help but be unreasonable.

Since we actually appear to agree on the other points, let me clarify this one. While I think Comcast should be able to provide cable HD in clear QAM, I do understand that they most likely will not. But it's not an unreasonable expectation, given that they have been able to accomplish a similar feat with analog. It would be like saying that Amazon used to be able to ship my TV in 3 days, but because I've ordered a better TV, it will now take 5 days.

bicker1

11-22-08, 01:33 PM

Amazon.com used to give my wife free shipping all the time. They don't, much, anymore. Things do change.

Many people want rates kept low. They don't want to cover the cost of maintaining traps; traps are more expensive to maintain than addressable security. They'd (we'd) rather folks wanting advanced services comply with the reality of the separable security mandates that were imposed on cable companies rather than having to subsidize the desire of some to have clear QAM.

chad473

11-22-08, 02:08 PM

Ho hum. They've run out of HD channels to add that matter AFAIC.

ho hum. you're in the minority.

bicker1

11-22-08, 04:20 PM

That is not the case.

Check out the statistics on most popular cable channels. Look specifically at how quickly the numbers drop as you get down past #20 -- after that point, cable networks aren't even getting a million viewers per week!! When they add channels like G4 or TV One, they're incurring the same infrastructure costs (engineering, transport, etc.) yet getting just a fraction of the utility out of that investment.

As far as I can tell, I am in the majority.

chad473

11-22-08, 05:17 PM

it's a good thing people like you aren't making the decisions then. if you were, I fear we'd be sitting here in 2008 with just networks and maybe espn in HD if we used your ideas of what channels were "important"

myself, I'm for progress. I didn't buy an HDTV to only have access to a handful of HD channels. Other operators get that and are making big moves. Comcast will too eventually, once they get the analog shackles off.

wizzy

11-22-08, 07:40 PM

WTF? Is that for real? QVC HD? How about TV Guide Channel HD...that's about as useful. :D

I haven't looked recently, but when we first got QVC HD, it was the same 4x3 picture with sidebars telling you to visit qvc.com.

donn35

11-23-08, 12:43 AM

As noted on my most recent billing statement:

On 12/10, G4 HD (chl 288), TV One HD (chl 289) and Style HD (chl 287) will be
added to Digital Classic.

I think that brings the Chicago HD channel total to 68!

Frank

Thanks Frank! I am usually the one that always contact Comcast on when more HD channels will be added. G4 HD & Style HD I have already known they will be added next month, but TV One HD is a new one for me. I am still praying for Comcast to add the same channels in Chicago like they did in their Boston markets, e.g. Travel HD & all those premium HD channels.

bicker1

11-23-08, 07:48 AM

it's a good thing people like you aren't making the decisions then.I think if you check around, you'll find a lot of people saying that the people making the decisions are making the decisions in consideration of the facts and logic I outlined (which, incidentally, isn't my own personal preferences, but rather simply a reflection of reality). I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you believe in a more rosy view of the situation.

if you were, I fear we'd be sitting here in 2008 with just networks and maybe espn in HD if we used your ideas of what channels were "important"Many folks are indeed "sitting here in 2008" with just local broadcast HDs and HD versions of perhaps the top 15 or top 20 HD channels. Again, that's the reality. I'm sorry if folks find that fact frustrating.

myself, I'm for progress.So am I, but I'm not talking for "myself". I'm outlining the reality that casual readers need to understand they could possibly encounter.

I didn't buy an HDTV to only have access to a handful of HD channels.Remarkably, many people buy HDTVs almost exclusively to watch some sporting events in HD. Not me, but again, I'm not talking for "myself".

Other operators get that and are making big moves.Other operators have a long way to go to get market share. New entrants to a market -- any market -- must always undersell or overserve, to gain market share.

Comcast will too eventually, once they get the analog shackles off.And again, that's mostly a matter of the fact that they'd get viciously punished, today, if they took those shackles off themselves, unilaterally. They need their entire customer base, not just you, to want something different.

Lodef

11-23-08, 01:08 PM

I think if you check around, you'll find a lot of people saying that the people making the decisions are making the decisions in consideration of the facts and logic I outlined (which, incidentally, isn't my own personal preferences, but rather simply a reflection of reality). I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you believe in a more rosy view of the situation.

Many folks are indeed "sitting here in 2008" with just local broadcast HDs and HD versions of perhaps the top 15 or top 20 HD channels. Again, that's the reality. I'm sorry if folks find that fact frustrating.

So am I, but I'm not talking for "myself". I'm outlining the reality that casual readers need to understand they could possibly encounter.

Remarkably, many people buy HDTVs almost exclusively to watch some sporting events in HD. Not me, but again, I'm not talking for "myself".

Other operators have a long way to go to get market share. New entrants to a market -- any market -- must always undersell or overserve, to gain market share.

And again, that's mostly a matter of the fact that they'd get viciously punished, today, if they took those shackles off themselves, unilaterally. They need their entire customer base, not just you, to want something different.

bicker I agree with you except for the last one. Would they be punished? That is only speculation. Given the fact that all the competition is already digital, who would they turn too to save their beloved analog. Last time I checked they were not protesting in the streets of Chicago and Boston to bring analog back. So this last statement then is really either a exaggeration or a personal preference on your part. ;)

bicker1

11-23-08, 01:42 PM

It is pretty clear that the right way to bring about the cable digital transition is slowly, one city at a time. And that's what Comcast is doing.

jrusnak

11-23-08, 03:51 PM

It is pretty clear that the right way to bring about the cable digital transition is slowly, one city at a time. And that's what Comcast is doing.

LOL! More like one state at a time, if NJ is any indication.

Marcus Carr

11-23-08, 06:01 PM

Churn Rise Predicted At Comcast

by Mike Farrell -- Multichannel News, 11/24/2008

Collins Stewart media analyst Tom Eagan reduced his fourth-quarter subscriber estimates for Comcast, writing in a report that basic video and telephone subscriber churn should rise.

Eagan now believes Comcast will lose as many as 125,000 basic customers in the fourth quarter (he previously estimated a loss of 90,000 basic customers), based in part on increased losses in the third quarters of the year. Comcast shed 147,000 basic customers in the third quarter.

Eagan believes that the decline was the result of several factors — increases in bad debt and housing foreclosures have led to involuntary churn and its lower number of HDTV channels has caused some customers to switch to satellite.

Eagan expects Comcast to add 399,000 digital phone customers in the fourth quarter, versus the 569,000 additions he previously predicted. He pointed to wireless substitution — customers who are disconnecting land lines in favor of cellphone service — and competition.

Comcast has acknowledged increased competition from AT&T's U-Verse service affected growth in the third quarter. And cable companies don't seem to be adding phone customers at the same rate that the phone companies are losing access lines. Telco access line losses in the third quarter were up (to 1.8 million) while Comcast's phone adds were down (483,000 vs. 499,000 in the second quarter).

“With Comcast's phone churn down (according to management), this means that the company added fewer gross adds in 3Q08,” Eagan wrote. “With 4Q08 holidays reducing the number of installation days, we expect fewer gross adds in 4Q08 than 3Q08.”

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6616949.html

Rammitinski

11-23-08, 07:17 PM

B.J. Hunnicutt is writing articles for the Multichannel News now? I thought he was involved in poltical activism or something like that.

sansri88

11-23-08, 07:25 PM

Well duh, the utter crap service Comcast provides in NJ is evident of the switch to FiOS and satellites all over the area.

Daniel Murray

11-23-08, 08:20 PM

Well duh, the utter crap service Comcast provides in NJ is evident of the switch to FiOS and satellites all over the area.

Comcast Should come to my town in NJ and see all the Satellites going up in the last year. I bet they lost at least 1/3rd of my town to Satellites. You would think they would try to do better and keep what customers they have left. But it just seems like they do not give a Crap!! So Sad.

bob2274

11-23-08, 09:07 PM

Comcast Should come to my town in NJ and see all the Satellites going up in the last year.

They know that anyone who likes Philadelphia sports there is trapped because they can't get most of the games with a dish.

bob2274

11-23-08, 09:11 PM

It is pretty clear that the right way to bring about the cable digital transition is slowly, one city at a time. And that's what Comcast is doing.

I heard from a Comcast salesperson last week that SDV is already being used in my local system. I'd guess that the expanded HD lineups being tested in Boston and Chicago are just tests before it goes widespread. If my system has so much going on behind the scenes, I'm sure just about all of them do (except southern NJ, of course).

bicker1

11-23-08, 09:16 PM

jrusnak

11-23-08, 11:38 PM

Well duh, the utter crap service Comcast provides in NJ is evident of the switch to FiOS and satellites all over the area.

There will be plenty more switching soon. Verizon has told me that they expect FiOS to be available in my area (NE NJ) during the first quarter of 2009!

jmallory

11-24-08, 06:07 AM

It is already live in a third city -- Detroit, I believe. Again, I suspect that, if it wasn't for recent FCC sanctions, that they'd be adding SDV to more cities, one by one, several per month, perhaps.

I live in Metro Detroit, there has been no talk of SDV here. All Comcast systems in the Detroit Metro Area are 860Mhz with one system at 1Ghz. Comcast has announced that Detroit will be going all digital (ala Chicago and Boston) but this is the first time anyone has mentioned SDV in Detroit.

bicker1

11-24-08, 07:20 AM

Yes, you're right. I'm getting my cities and features mixed up. I don't remember the third city where SDV was introduced.

blitzen102

11-24-08, 09:37 AM

Yes, you're right. I'm getting my cities and features mixed up. I don't remember the third city where SDV was introduced.

Mineeapolis/St. Paul? It has been announced that we are test market, but do you think that they have started a limited deployment?

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

11-24-08, 10:06 AM

no word on FX HD FOX NEWS HD and SPEED for NoVA/Manassas?

Marcus Carr

11-24-08, 11:14 AM

Despite Verizon Gains, Comcast Raises Rates

Bob Wallace
11/24/2008

Though Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) has rapidly expanded its FiOS TV service area in Greater Boston, Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) has decided to increase its rates for virtually everything TV-related starting Dec. 1 or Feb. 1, and has stopped selling Standard Cable.

The nearly across-the-board increases cover everything from subscription TV monthly rates and equipment installations to customer trouble calls and the cost per hour of technician time. To be fair, a very few items are reduced a minimal amount.

Claiming in its most recent monthly bill to its customers, Comcast claims “it’s investing more than any other time in our 45 year history to hire, train and give our employees the tools they need to serve you better.”

Comcast’s CEO acknowledged the need to improve customer service in a conference keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show this past January, but made no mention of associated costs for it, nor its customers in any region.

The cable giant added: “While we continue to make these investments, Comcast, like many other companies, is experiencing increased business and operational costs from today’s challenging economic environment,” said Peter D’Arcangelo, vice president of Comcast Metro Boston Region. “As a result, certain price for cable services and equipment will change starting Dec. 1.

Neither Comcast, nor their exec, mentioned if these changes were being implemented outside the metro Boston region.

The most recent Comcast news in this specific market came when the cableco colossus announced its was rolling out new bandwidth tiers and higher speeds for current customers thanks to DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding technology.

The memo from the Comcast exec in the monthly bill did not say whether the increase in rates and other items were related to the DOCSIS 3.0 deployment.

The latest Comcast increases come at a challenging time for the cableco in greater Boston as rival Verizon has had the pedal to the metal in its FiOS TV deployment, especially in affluent suburbs. The telco is also pushing bundles that include DIRECTV in areas where it will not, or does not yet have, fiber to the home.

The timing on the increases is tough given the rough economic times that face consumers (as D’Arcaneglo cited), along with an expected cut in holiday spending. Many Comcast customers are unhappy that the firm charges extra for the valued NFL Network, a move made over a year ago that the league itself is against.

Specifically, standard cable climbs from $54.54 a month to $58.30 next month, while Digital Starter goes from $58.49 to $62.25 per month in December. Higher packages, Digital Classic and Digital Preferred, go from $10.95 and $12.95 a month respectively, to $13.95 each next month.

The installation of additional outlets, whether done at the time of installation, or later, both increase. And while the cost of a basic digital cable box drops two dollars a month, the cost for a high-definition box for economy video or digital start customers jumps $1 per month.

Also, HD and SD-DVR services jump $2 and $1 respectively. The biggest increase seems to be for a customer trouble call which goes from $24.95 now to $29.50 in February.

Worthy of note is Comcast’s elimination of Standard Cable from its menu. “However,” Comcast said, “if you currently subscribe to Standard Cable, you will continue to receive the service until further notice, unless you choose to make a change to your service or cable package.”

Interestingly, the company says in a brief question & answers segment on the bill that it spends about $6 billion per year on programming and said “we expect continued increases in costs we pay for programming, especially sports.”

That’s a tad ironic, given that, unlike telco rivals Verizon and AT&T Inc. (T), Comcast and other large cable firms actually own regional sports networks, and in many cases the venues in which teams play.

In further irony, Comcast’s decision to go against the National Football League and charge extra each month for a so-called premium sports package including the valued NFL Network, has started a battle pitting the cable giant against its customers and lawmakers that continues to this day.

It remains unclear how these latest changes will impact current and prospective customers. With the transition to digital TV coming in mid-February, customers on analog TV will have to decide whether to add a converter or sign up for a digital TV service.

http://www.xchangemag.com/hotnews/despite-verizon-gains-comcast-raises-rates.html

gakon

11-24-08, 11:15 AM

Yes, you're right. I'm getting my cities and features mixed up. I don't remember the third city where SDV was introduced.
Denver was also supposedly a test market, but I haven't seen anything about deployment here, either.

bob2274

11-24-08, 02:11 PM

I guess the guy who wrote that article believes that everyone wants NFL Network.

QZ1

11-24-08, 03:43 PM

They know that anyone who likes Philadelphia sports there is trapped because they can't get most of the games with a dish.
But, if one's area has Verizon FIOS, they have CSN-HD.:)

dspadoni

11-24-08, 04:06 PM

no word on FX HD FOX NEWS HD and SPEED for NoVA/Manassas?

Comcast's web site channel lineup for Alexandria/Arlington lists FX HD at 221 and Fox News HD at 222, but guess what - nothing yet. Speed HD is listed at 242, but I haven't looked at that. BTW, that web page also states "Last updated: 01/01/08" :mad:

pianoman41

11-24-08, 05:59 PM

No matter how many times you tell these people this, they just don't understand and keep asking. Now thats amazing!

I didn't know that. And I'm in here just about every day. So there you go.

jrcorwin

11-24-08, 09:43 PM

Comcast's web site channel lineup for Alexandria/Arlington lists FX HD at 221 and Fox News HD at 222, but guess what - nothing yet. Speed HD is listed at 242, but I haven't looked at that. BTW, that web page also states "Last updated: 01/01/08" :mad:
In my area the channel lineup on the website has been incorrect for about a year now and they haven't made any effort to correct it.

chitchatjf

11-25-08, 12:07 AM

But, if one's area has Verizon FIOS, they have CSN-HD.:)

Then why when there is a road CEltics game in Boston there is a blue screen with "HD sports" on CSNNE-HD?

Marcus Carr

11-25-08, 09:43 AM

Cable's Future 'Gigabits' Networks

Cable Modem Inventor Rouzbeh Yassini Discusses Road Ahead For Broadband

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 11/25/2008 5:00:00 AM

Rouzbeh Yassini, inventor of the cable modem, doesn’t see bandwidth demand leveling off anytime soon.

As Comcast begins rolling out DOCSIS 3.0-based "wideband" services that provide up to 50 Mbps, he is already anticipating Gigabit-per-second broadband connections that deliver more than 20 times that. Yassini, founder and CEO of YAS Broadband Ventures, which engages in consulting, research and investments, spoke recently with Multichannel News technology editor Todd Spangler.

Multichannel News: The first cable modems ran at less than 100 Kbps. Today, DOCSIS 3.0 provides 160 Mbps downstream and 120 up -- and more. Did you anticipate cable modems would evolve to these capacities?

Rouzbeh Yassini: Absolutely. In 1988, at LANcity [the cable-modem company Yassini founded] we had a T-3 cable modem with 45 Mbps. Cable modems were originally an Ethernet-to-coax bridge.

People said, “What application are you going to run?” It was too expensive, so we dropped it down to 10 Mbps.

The other part of this is affordability: In 1980, a T-3 was about $100,000 per month. Now you can easily get 100 Mbps for $5,000 -- that’s twice the speed for one-twentieth of the price.

MCN: Where do you see broadband speeds topping out a decade from now?

RY: That will be a gigabits network [more than 1 Gigabit per second]. The only question becomes, what’s the priority for operators? The vision is there. The technology is there. It’s just a matter of lighting it up. I have a commercial connection coming in at 100 Megabits per second -- I am already maxing it out.

MCN: What will people do with all this bandwidth?

RY: The basic application and services you can think about are corporate networking, commercial services to connect buildings. Second, you are talking about running a service bureau or a CAD/CAM [computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing] office out of your home. It’s corporate networking, remote offices, medical services and security services.

MCN: What kind of security do you mean?

RY: Security of our country’s networks. Somebody is going to realize that there is the potential to steal data out of our networks. But you can’t build a wall across the Mississippi overnight... It’s controlling access to the things you have paid for. We don’t have that level of security today. It’s more than just digital rights. It includes the access, the identity of the user, their content -- it’s end-to-end security, real security.

MCN: A 50-Mbps downstream connection is enough for several live, high-definition video feeds. Isn’t broadband fueling the rise of Internet TV businesses, and won’t those compete with cable TV?

RY: Absolutely. I’ll give you this number: 50% of the traffic by 2012 will be video, according to Cisco. That’s why Comcast is working on their Internet video strategy. You need the gigabits network because of the video. Remember, cable operators are very smart. Content is king. If it comes through the Internet, you’re going to pay. Which pipe you use doesn’t matter.

MCN: Your research arm had planned to provide four $50,000 research grants for advanced broadband applications. What’s the status of that?

RY: Good news and bad news. I am personally funding it by myself. We are working with proposals that keep coming in... The best top three research areas are usability [of network applications], security and new services... The cable industry doesn’t spend much on research. The broadband industry needs to start spending money.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6617285.html

Lodef

11-25-08, 09:57 AM

Then why when there is a road CEltics game in Boston there is a blue screen with "HD sports" on CSNNE-HD?

Wow chit, I didn't know you can't get Celtic road games with Fios. That must be one of the best kept secrets Verizon is keeping from subs in NE because that would definitely hurt them from convincing some folks to switch over!

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

11-25-08, 11:33 AM

Comcast's web site channel lineup for Alexandria/Arlington lists FX HD at 221 and Fox News HD at 222, but guess what - nothing yet. Speed HD is listed at 242, but I haven't looked at that. BTW, that web page also states "Last updated: 01/01/08" :mad:

I know I figured if its listed on the lineup we should have it soon but I called them and they can't give me a day. Just have to wait I guess thanks for replying

ak3883

11-25-08, 12:36 PM

Cable's Future 'Gigabits' Networks

Cable Modem Inventor Rouzbeh Yassini Discusses Road Ahead For Broadband

That 250GB cap is just gonna run out sooner.... what Comcast has said is that they think that will be enough for the rest of the life of the internet, they don't appear to have any reason to raise it.

Why do they increase speeds? So you can download more, faster and go over your cap and pay them more money! Brilliant!

bob2274

11-25-08, 03:35 PM

Wow chit, I didn't know you can't get Celtic road games with Fios. That must be one of the best kept secrets Verizon is keeping from subs in NE because that would definitely hurt them from convincing some folks to switch over!

That's only because CSN was not carrying that game in HD. CSN DC doesn't carry all Caps and Wizards games in HD either. They have most, but not all. You're spoiled in New England since NESN has had every game in HD for two years.

chitchatjf

11-25-08, 04:49 PM

That's only because CSN was not carrying that game in HD. CSN DC doesn't carry all Caps and Wizards games in HD either. They have most, but not all. You're spoiled in New England since NESN has had every game in HD for two years.

No they do. CSN dosen't make the CSN-HD feed available to Fios, RCN or satillite for road games.

Morac

11-26-08, 11:00 AM

Why do they increase speeds? So you can download more, faster and go over your cap and pay them more money! Brilliant!

The only problem with that theory is that Comcast doesn't charge you more if you exceed your cap, they simply disconnect you.

shades

11-26-08, 07:14 PM

That 250GB cap is just gonna run out sooner.... what Comcast has said is that they think that will be enough for the rest of the life of the internet, they don't appear to have any reason to raise it.

Why do they increase speeds? So you can download more, faster and go over your cap and pay them more money! Brilliant!

i am no fan of comcast but you are just making things up, they never said the cap was good for the rest of the life of the internet and when you go over the cap they warn you first then they may cut you off.

nakedeye

11-26-08, 07:34 PM

In an odd move, Philly got USA, Sci Fi, and Discovery HD today

Not a bit of warning....

Weird.

I'll take it though.

bob2274

11-26-08, 09:12 PM

I saw an interesting article today about something that could change the way a lot of programmers do business- www.multichannel.com/article/CA6618017.html
If this is for real, and it gets support, it would mean that channels would not be able to demand what package a cable company puts it on. The biggest losers here would be sports channels, which have always been able to demand basic carriage because of the cards they hold with exclusive rights to show games. On the bright side for us, it would free up cable companies to move more channels to digital as they deemed necessary. It also looks like a last ditch effort for Kevin Martin to get some sort of "a la carte" deal pushed through, but this one seems like one that cable companies would love to have.

bicker1

11-27-08, 05:56 AM

The described deal is actually less than wholesale a la carte; Martin's been pushing for retail a la carte (partially for his own personal reasons). The passage of this partial wholesale a la carte (which I think would be a good thing, since it accomplishes something that industry cannot accomplish itself through market forces, since the change needs to happen all at once, or competition will take advantage of first-adopters) should be viewed as a defeat for Martin, and a well-deserved defeat.

slowbiscuit

11-27-08, 11:27 AM

Forced unbundling and the mandatory carriage that goes with it would be the best thing to happen to get to a la carte, IMO.

bob2274

11-28-08, 01:03 AM

One big problem that has evolved is that cable companies (especially Comcast) have come to own lots of channels, and have created a standard of demanding carringe on analog tiers everywhere. Now, just like the NHL team owners did in 2004, the cable companies want to be saved from themselves.
While this might increase prices for some channels, it would certainly make it easier for carriers to add channels if they can simply put them wherever they want. All of the carriage disputes in recent memory are because the programmers are withholding channels since they want certain placement (especially with sports channels). This proposed rule, in my opinion, would pretty much eliminate all of these disputes instantly. While Disney, for example, would still apparently be able to offer all of its channels as a package, it couldn't depend on ESPN channels being on a tier that everyone has. Comcast would be able to pick up channels like ESPN U right away and put it where they want, giving US more choices. Regional sports networks would no longer be able to claim that they want to offer their programming for free on basic lineups, and the NFL Network won't be able to have its way, either.

bob2274

11-28-08, 01:14 AM

By the way, this would really lower the price that sports teams get for TV rights in the first place. I am a sports fan, but why should everyone pay for a RSN that gets ratings of less than 1% during a live event? If most people choose not to get these channels, there is no way that teams can still demand $25, 30, even $60 million a year for a team's TV rights. The NFL sells its TV rights centrally, and ESPN currently pays the league $1.1 billion per year for Monday Night Football. Even with the huge ratings nationally, there is no way that price would stay that high if this new rule applied.
My heart goes out to the team owners.

slowbiscuit

11-28-08, 12:26 PM

Yes, adopting these rules could drastically change the way that the sports networks get their money, which in turn would affect how rights are obtained (probably for the worse if you are an owner). Of course this means it will never happen.

And I agree about the cable companies owning channels - these also need to be part of forced unbundling, which in this case means they must be spun off or sold. If they want to keep their quasi-monopolies, they should not be allowed to be anything more than the pipe to your house. Anything else in this light would be unfair competition with other content providers.

QZ1

11-28-08, 02:01 PM

Then why when there is a road CEltics game in Boston there is a blue screen with "HD sports" on CSNNE-HD?
The comment about FIOS having CSN-HD was in response to availability of Philadelphia sports. It should have been obvious that I was referring to CSN-Philly-HD. ;)

Gt1racer

11-29-08, 12:57 PM

Does anyone know any new information on the The Weather Channel HD being rolled out by Comcast? and when can it be added to all of the Country?

sansri88

11-29-08, 02:12 PM

Comcast NW NJ has TWC HD I believe.

Gt1racer

11-29-08, 02:31 PM

Comcast NW NJ has TWC HD I believe.

Here in Southeast Massachusetts our local Comcast does not have it. also that is the only HD channel i'm looking forward to. The Graphics are simply breathtaking.

JamesDax

11-29-08, 04:53 PM

In an odd move, Philly got USA, Sci Fi, and Discovery HD today

Not a bit of warning....

Weird.

I'll take it though.

LIES!!!

I live in Philly and I have none of those. What part of Philly are you in? And what channels(numbers) are they on?

nakedeye

11-29-08, 08:58 PM

LIES!!!

I live in Philly and I have none of those. What part of Philly are you in? And what channels(numbers) are they on?

Willow Grove head end.... we are 750 MHZ

Umm they are right after starz i think something like 226 227 or so

Marcus Carr

11-30-08, 02:47 PM

Comcast Adds HD Channels In PA

The list includes USA and Sci-Fi.

By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (November 30, 2008) -- Comcast has added three new High-Definition channels in the Philadelphia suburbs of Willow Grove and Montgomery and Bucks counties.

The new channels are: USA Network HD, Discovery HD and Sci-Fi HD. The cable operator says the channels have been added to its system in New Castle, Delaware as well.

“We consistently hear from our customers that they can’t get enough high-definition programming, and we continue to deliver more HD content than any other provider,” said Amy Smith, regional senior vice president of Comcast’s Freedom Region serving the Philadelphia Metro area and New Jersey. “Whether it’s movies, sports, network shows or other programming, we will bring HD to our customers the way they want to watch it – live or on their own schedule.”

The cable operator also announced that it has added the following high-def channels in the Hershey and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area:

Biography HD
Encore HD
Fox Business HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
Planet Green HD

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast113008.htm

sansri88

11-30-08, 03:14 PM

Sweet, time to contact that Amy Smith person to see what's up with the fools that run the NJ systems.

Edit: Nice, no bounce back. Let's see if I can get a response.

QZ1

11-30-08, 04:14 PM

Comcast Adds HD Channels In PA
Comcast has added three new High-Definition channels in the Philadelphia suburbs of Willow Grove and Montgomery and Bucks counties.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast113008.htm
Those areas are not mutually exclusive. The Willow Grove service area is in Montgomery County. So, simply, it is Mont. co. and Bucks co.

Ryan21

12-01-08, 07:19 PM

sansri88

12-01-08, 07:36 PM

Dude! Another Reading, PA person! Cypher will be happy to see another one.

People from your area have been complaining as well over here: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21501556-Comcast-HD-in-Reading-PA

nakedeye

12-01-08, 08:16 PM

Willow Grove ( Philly Suburb ) lost Mojo and added Vs

Hardcore Legend

12-01-08, 11:05 PM

Mojo is officially offline here but they didn't replace it. All we get is test pattern.

Daniel Murray

12-02-08, 07:22 AM

Mojo is officially offline here but they didn't replace it. All we get is test pattern.

We all so lost INHD (Mojo) on the Garden State system. It sucks because I liked that channel. We all so lost more HBO channels:mad:

jrcorwin

12-02-08, 08:43 AM

Everyone is posting that they lost it in their area...of course you did. We all lost it. Mojo is gone. Just go to their website and you will see this:

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/8853/mojogj2.jpg

Hardcore Legend

12-02-08, 09:01 AM

In the Pittsburgh general area today, we woke up this morning with:

The Mojo channel - test pattern still
SpeedHD
FXHD
FoxNewsHD

gakon

12-02-08, 09:56 AM

Mojo was replaced by HDNet yesterday in Denver. Programming wasn't supposed to start until 12/8, but it's already on. We're supposed to get SciFi next Monday.

abeas

12-02-08, 10:25 AM

In the Pittsburgh general area today, we woke up this morning with:

The Mojo channel - test pattern still
SpeedHD
FXHD
FoxNewsHD

Nice! What channels are they and what area of Pittsburgh are you in?

Lodef

12-02-08, 10:29 AM

Mojo was replaced by HDNet yesterday in Denver. Programming wasn't supposed to start until 12/8, but it's already on. We're supposed to get SciFi next Monday.

I think that is a pretty good trade-off! It is also evident that Comcast is replacing MOJO with different channels on different systems. I had thought that VS would be taking that spot from what I had been reading but now that logic seems to be out the window. I'm sure in some areas that will be the case but as usual Comcast will keep you guessing until the day they put something else back in it's slot and then you will know what it is so keep checking every day. As far as maybe adding other channels along with this move, all I can say is good luck with that one!

jrcorwin

12-02-08, 10:34 AM

Hardcore Legend

12-02-08, 11:12 AM

I actually live in Ohio. Our hub is out of Pittsburgh. The system is called New Middletown, OH.

We got:
199 - FXHD
202 - FOXNEWSHD
219 - SPEEDHD
226 - OFF AIR (although some online channel guides have this set as Fox Sports Pittsburgh HD)

I'm wondering if they are leaving 226 to air the FSNHD content as they had been pre-empting MOJO to do. In the last year they gave us FSNHD on it's own channel and then took it away to give us the Big10HD. With the loss of MOJO, they can't shut off a signal to show the FSNHD broadcasts.

Even with that in mind, I would think they would want to place it at 250, with falls between BIG10 HD, both ESPNHD, ESPN2HD and VSGLF.

More than likely, when VS and GOLF split for everyone, we will lose 226 to that.

The current lineup for East Palestine, OH (in HD) is:
193 - Discovery HD
194 - SciFi HD
195 - USA HD
196 - History HD
197 - CNN HD
198 - TBS HD
199 - FX HD
202 - FoxNews HD
209 - Palladia HD
210 - Youngstown ABC HD
211 - Youngstown NBC HD
215 - UHD
217 - Youngstown CBS HD
219 - Speed HD
220 - Youngstown PBS HD
222 - TLC HD
224 - Animal Planet HD
225 - HD Theater
226 - OFF AIR (Fox Sports Pittsburgh)
227 - AMC HD
228 - HBO (East) HD
229 - Disney Channel HD
230 - ABC Family HD
232 - Science HD
233 - Cinemax HD
238 - Showtime HD
248 - Starz 1 HD
249 - TNT HD
250 - Big Ten HD
251 - Versus HD
252 - ESPNHD
253 - ESPN2HD
254 - National Geographic HD
255 - VS/Golf HD (Golf HD)
256 - A&E HD
257 - Food HD
258 - HGTV HD
261 - NFL Network HD

300 - HBO HD (repeat of 228)
319 - Cinemax HD (repeat of 233)
339 - Showtime HD (repeat of 238)
369 - Starz 1 HD (repeat of 248)

The channels in Red are what Comcast's webpage say we should have but the guide hasn't been updated yet.

gakon

12-02-08, 11:45 AM

I think that is a pretty good trade-off! It is also evident that Comcast is replacing MOJO with different channels on different systems. I had thought that VS would be taking that spot from what I had been reading but now that logic seems to be out the window. I'm sure in some areas that will be the case but as usual Comcast will keep you guessing until the day they put something else back in it's slot and then you will know what it is so keep checking every day. As far as maybe adding other channels along with this move, all I can say is good luck with that one!

I agree on the trade off - I only caught the commercial for Bikini Destinations, but that looked like it might be worth catching once or twice. :D
In our area, they will be splitting Vs/Golf into two channels next week (in addition to adding SciFi).
There's a web site locally (Denver Telecommunications (http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denvergov.org/Telecom)) that identifies Comcast's moves about a month in advance. This appears to be government web site, and it's been pretty accurate (covers all changes, not just HD). If you're in a larger city, it may be worth checking to see if the local government has something similar.

Morac

12-02-08, 10:41 PM

Mojo is simulcasting VSGLF in my area.

Daniel Murray

12-02-08, 10:52 PM

I lost the REC. Mode in my DVR and I have no Guide when I press Guide. :eek:I called Comcast in Haddenfield NJ main office for the Garden Satae System. They said they are having BIG Problems and have no fix unless they roll back the hole system at this time:eek: and they will not do it at this time. She all so told me She has been getting calls all day about this. She all so said I should be happy that i do not have Comcast home Phone because it is having problems all so.:eek:

Marcus Carr

12-03-08, 12:52 AM

I just noticed a new iTV submenu on my Comcast menu. The only selection so far is Caller ID.

jrusnak

12-03-08, 11:16 AM

I just noticed a new iTV submenu on my Comcast menu. The only selection so far is Caller ID.

Exact same thing in NJ. This has been there for a month, with no change or selection additions.

gakon

12-03-08, 01:00 PM

Do you guys actually have functioning Caller ID? We don't have any iTV options in Denver (at least not as of this morning).

mchief99

12-03-08, 05:26 PM

Hardcore Legend

12-03-08, 08:00 PM

In anyone actually seeing FXHF OR FOXNEWSHD OR SPEEDHD. My Tivo Guide has the channels added and the program info but no picture. Comcast's web site tv guide also has the new channels. This is Arlington Alexandria, VA

Yes, I am in Eastern Ohio. They've been on for two days now.

VSGolf HD has now been switched to just Versus HD, eventhough the channel listing still says VSGLF. They haven't added GolfHD.

vj9999

12-04-08, 09:17 AM

6 more HD channels in Chicago suburbs this morning.

ESPNews, Toon Disney, Planet Green, BIO, MGM and Lifetime Movie

That's 12 new channels in last 10 days with few more announced in next couple of weeks.

Renagade

12-04-08, 12:44 PM

vj9999

12-04-08, 03:49 PM

It's 860.

sansri88

12-04-08, 04:05 PM

Plus B2 went digital within city limits.

In NNJ Style (ch 60) has gone digital. Will check on 12/8 to see what things are shifted when Versus HD is added full time.

cubsman78

12-04-08, 11:02 PM

12 new HD channels added today.

266-CNBC
278-Bravo
279-Fuse
281-WE
282-QVC
229-LMN
231- ESPN News (bout time)
261-Planet Green
277-Bio
283-Toon Disney
284-MGM HD
280-IFC

TMilner

12-05-08, 09:42 AM

blitzen102

12-05-08, 09:57 AM

Inexplicably, Comcast Houston has decided to drop HDNET Movies on 12/27. With the drop of MOJO earlier this month, Comcast is dropping back in the HD service contest and will likely soon lose my business.

See posts 7743 and 7749 on HDnet Movies.

As for Mojo, good luck to you in finding it on another provider.

tno

12-05-08, 11:38 AM

This has been covered with no results in another forum, but I thought I'd try here. I have a VistaMCE box with a Avermedia ClearQAM tuner running the TV Packs so that I get native ClearQAM support in MCE. Things work mostly well, but what bugs me most, is that Comcast has chosen to tag several of the QAM channels with the format xxx.xxxx. Those four digits after the decimal are a problem for me because MCE will only recognize channels with the format xxx.xxx. Using the Avermedia software, a farely wonky process with poor recording options, I can get all the channels, but the numbering on those channels uses some weird numeric system so instead of say TBS HD being 85.1101 it's 85.96, indicating it's the 96th QAM channel the tuner has picked up, not that it's actual channel is 85.96.

I am at a loss, and so far no one else I've bugged has even heard of this problem. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

tno

Marcus Carr

12-05-08, 07:23 PM

New HD for Oregon eff. 2/25:

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/315/comcastoregondt1.png

BigDaddyRoy

12-05-08, 09:56 PM

Marcus,

The note about the Oregon systems is really exciting. It makes me hope that moving Expanded Basic from analog to digital is coming to my / our area (Baltimore). Is this the first mention of Comcast related to SpikeHD, NickelodeonHD, and TVOneHD? I haven't seen them mentioned on other Comcast systems yet, not even Chicago and Boston (the two big dogs on the Comcast high HD channel list).

Also, if I am correct, this is the first time I have seen a Comcast system actually committed to turning on GameHD for the MLB Extra Innings and NHL Center Ice, and TeamHD for NBA League Pass. Does anyone else already have these HD channels on their Comcast systems? Again, here is hoping this is a sign of channels to come. If so, maybe I'll actually go back to ordering MLB Extra Innings from Comcast next year.

From my count, that jumps that areas systems from about 37 channels (I used Corvallis zip code of 97330) to 66 channels. That's quite a jump. I'd gladly give up the analogs on my office tv to go from about 40 channels to about 65-70.

FSugino

12-06-08, 12:00 AM

Is this the first mention of Comcast related to SpikeHD, NickelodeonHD, and TVOneHD? I haven't seen them mentioned on other Comcast systems yet, not even Chicago and Boston (the two big dogs on the Comcast high HD channel list).

TV One HD will go live in Chicago next week (Dec. 10) along with G4 and Style.

slowbiscuit

12-06-08, 12:55 PM

Does anyone know whether the HD equivalents of the expanded basic channels are being provided in clear QAM in the converted cities? Or is it just the SD versions?

Ken H

12-06-08, 01:27 PM

Does anyone know whether the HD equivalents of the expanded basic channels are being provided in clear QAM in the converted cities? Or is it just the SD versions?As locations are converted to the current minimum number of analog channels, which will vary from location to location, and as DTA's are rolled out, SD Expanded Basic channels will be in clear QAM. But, Comcast plans on using line filters at the residence to prevent subs from getting channels they don't pay for. It remains to be seen how effective this plan is, as many subs also have High Speed Internet service from Comcast, which the line filters have been known to cause problems with. It also remains to be seen how many resulting truck runs are necessary to implement line filters for all the residences that need them. We shall see.

To the best of my knowledge, in the areas that have HD Expanded Basic channels, they will all be encrypted.

sansri88

12-06-08, 01:36 PM

Rumor mill has it NNJ (yes, including the infamous and crappy Union system) will see 20 or so HD channels and Docsis 3.0 in January.

jrusnak

12-06-08, 02:58 PM

Rumor mill has it NNJ (yes, including the infamous and crappy Union system) will see 20 or so HD channels and Docsis 3.0 in January.

Previous rumor was for the first or second week of December!

sansri88

12-06-08, 03:03 PM

Previous rumor was for the first or second week of December!

Really? I never got wind of that one...all I knew for December was Versus HD on 12/8, and that they were going to probably call it a year for HD "additions".

skimoney22

12-07-08, 11:05 AM

Here in So. Eastern Mass. we had a new temp. HD channel show up last night. HD PPV just in time for the Dey La Hoya fight. Its nice that when they can make a lot of money off of a PPV fight they will allow us an HD channel, but when they remove MOJO they dont have another channel in the line up for a week.

I guess in order to make room for the fight, they had to remove another channel and what better time to drop MOJO.

I still cannot watch the last two additions to our HD lineup. FX and Fox news, they are doing the same thing the Olympic channels were. The picture is jumpy and the audio keeps cutting out. Does anyone else notice the same thing? All of my other channels are OK, but the problem is isolated to these two.

jrusnak

12-07-08, 01:29 PM

Really? I never got wind of that one...all I knew for December was Versus HD on 12/8, and that they were going to probably call it a year for HD "additions".

A year? Well, FiOS will be in my area in a couple months, so perhaps that might be partially why they may add some channels sooner. But it is still too little to late for me. I've just dropped HBO, and all things Comcast will follow the minute FiOS is available. (At that point, Comcast would have to pay ME to keep their "subscribers-be-damned" service.)

blitzen102

12-07-08, 01:34 PM

A year? Well, FiOS will be in my area in a couple months, so perhaps that might be partially why they may add some channels sooner. But it is still too little to late for me. I've just dropped HBO, and all things Comcast will follow the minute FiOS is available. (At that point, Comcast would have to pay ME to keep their "subscribers-be-damned" service.)

I think sansri88 meant that the Golf/Versus HD split would be it for 2008 additions, not that it will be a year until any new ones.

"call it a year" = done for 2008

Marcus Carr

12-07-08, 01:34 PM

New HD channels in Anne Arundel County, MD

Changes effective Jan. 19, 2009.

220- Fox Business Network HD
230-Green TV HD
243-Toon Disney HD
247-Lifetime Movie Network HD
256-ESPNews HD
258-MGM HD
219-Biography HD

Also DOCSIS 3.0 is coming towards select markets in AACO. First communities should see 50/5 plan along with D2 22/4 plan by late December/early January.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21540919-New-HD-channels-in-Anne-Arundel-County-MD

If past history is any indication, should make its way to Baltimore.

BigDaddyRoy

12-07-08, 02:20 PM

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21540919-New-HD-channels-in-Anne-Arundel-County-MD

If past history is any indication, should make its way to Baltimore.

That's great.

Does anyone know if Comcast has had ESPNewsHD be only available as part of the Sports and Entertainment package? Or is it part of one of the digital Preferred or whatever packages? Just wondering.

sansri88

12-07-08, 02:22 PM

Digital classic. HD channels are a part of their SD equivalent's package.

bob2274

12-07-08, 04:12 PM

In my area, they simply put a Versus (SD) simulcast in place of MOJO when the channel ended at the end of November. Vs/Golf HD is still the same until the launch of Versus HD, which I think is this week.

sansri88

12-07-08, 06:28 PM

Tomorrow VS/Golf officially split.

Marcus Carr

12-08-08, 09:08 AM

Comcast adding more HD channels in December... Saw an ad in today's legal notices section of the Kitsap Sun:

************************************************************ *************
Important Notice to Comcast Cable Customers serviced in Kitsap County

On or about Decmber 16, 2008, Comcast will make the folowing changes to its Channel Line-up in parts of the following communities:
Bainbridge Island WA-0323, Hansville (Kitsap County) WA-0537, Kitsap County WA-0382
Neighborhoods in the aforementioned communities and other communities in Kitsap County that do not receive these changes on or about Decmber 16, 2008 will see these changes within 12 months.

Channels being added to the Digital Starter level of service:
WE HD 649
E! HD 651
Bravo HD 652
Lifetime HD 653
Travel HD 654
FOX News HD 655
CNN HD 657
CNBC HD 658
TBS HD 664
FX HD 665
Cartoon HD 680
QVC HD 692
G4 HD 693
BIO HD 694
AMC HD 697
LMN HD 698

Channels being added to the Digital Preferred level of service:
Encore HD 517
ESPNews HD 622
Style HD 650
Fox Business HD 656
Toon Disney HD 681
Fuse HD 690
TV One HD 691
Planet Green HD 695
IFC HD 699

Channels being added to the Sports Entertainment level of service:
Speed HD 620

Channels being added to the Premium Digital level of service:
Starz Kids & Family HD 530
Starz Comedy HD 531
Starz Edge HD 533

Channels being added to Pay-Per-View:
IN DEMAND Events HD 804

************************************************************ *************.

hdtvjunkie247

12-08-08, 10:35 AM

As promised, today I received Vs. HD & Golf HD on separate channels (206 & 207). So the current lineup down in Brick looks like the following:

194- Science HD
195- ABC Family HD
196- MSG HD
197- MSG+ HD
198- SNY HD
200- CSN Philadelphia HD
202- ESPN HD
203- ESPN 2 HD
204- TNT HD
205- HD Theater
206- VS. HD
207- Golf HD
208- Universal HD
209- Palladia
210- National Geographic HD
211- A&E HD
212- YES HD
213- HGTV HD
215/300- HBO HD
216- Food Network HD
217- History HD
218- NFL Network HD
219/319- Cinemax HD
220- TBS HD
222- USA HD
223/339- Showtime HD
224- Discovery HD
226- SCI-FI HD
227/369- Starz HD
230- Animal Planet HD
231- WABC HD (ABC)
232- WNBC HD (NBC)
233- WCBS HD (CBS)
234- WNYW HD (FOX)
235- WPIX HD (CW)
236- WWOR HD (MY Network TV)
239- Disney HD
240- WNET HD (PBS)

Ken H

12-08-08, 11:31 AM

As promised, today I received Vs. HD & Golf HD on separate channels (206 & 207).Yes, Versus HD & Golf Channel HD are now separate HD channels on Comcast systems.

E! & G4 are also scheduled to debut today, but I don't know where they will be available.

bigpatky

12-08-08, 11:32 AM

let me guess- chicago? boston maybe?

Benji2

12-08-08, 12:39 PM

let me guess- chicago? boston maybe?

Not south of Boston anyway.

blitzen102

12-08-08, 01:00 PM

Rumor mill has it NNJ (yes, including the infamous and crappy Union system) will see 20 or so HD channels and Docsis 3.0 in January.

Is this a SDV test area??

QZ1

12-08-08, 02:32 PM

HD channels are a part of their SD equivalent's package.
Usually, but not always in all areas.

jrusnak

12-08-08, 03:13 PM

Tomorrow VS/Golf officially split.

Yep. Currently showing something called THE FEVER, listed as HD but actually showing in windowboxed SD.

Marcus Carr

12-08-08, 03:39 PM

New HD for CT:

NEW POSTING TODAY! Highlights....

Middletown

Dec 8

196 CNN HD
217 SciFi HD
222 AMC HD

Hartford

Dec 10.

243 Bravo HD
244 CNBC HD
252 Hallmark Movie Channel HD
281 QVC HD
284 E! HD
287 Cartoon HD

Plainville

Dec 10

252 Hallmark Movie Channel HD
254 MGM HD
255 Toon Disney HD
259 ESPN News HD
284 E! HD
287 Cartoon HD

Vernon

Dec. 10

252 Hallmark Movie Channel HD

New Haven

Dec. 10

252 Hallmark Movie Channel HD
254 MGM HD
255 Toon Disney HD
259 ESPN News HD

Norwich, Old Lyme

Dec 10

725 Hallmark Movie Channel HD

Effective Jan. 9, CN8 will be deleted.

sansri88

12-08-08, 06:28 PM

Is this a SDV test area??

No, we're not an SDV test bed. That'd be the Garden State system, Cherry Hill.

bob2274

12-08-08, 10:08 PM

As promised, today I received Vs. HD & Golf HD on separate channels (206 & 207). So the current lineup down in Brick looks like the following:

You can always boast about having the most regional sports networks anywhere in the country, including one that isn't available on satellite. I know that CT has just as many RSN's available, but I haven't heard of a cable system there willing to carry all four NY channels and NESN.

tamahome02000

12-09-08, 11:49 AM

Rumor mill has it NNJ (yes, including the infamous and crappy Union system) will see 20 or so HD channels and Docsis 3.0 in January.

Know which channels?

risk235

12-09-08, 07:43 PM

Man I am jealous of y'all guys. Here in Houston we haven't received any new HD channels since last year and they are planning to take away HDNETmovies from us. When is Comcast-Houston going to get off their butts and add new channels

gakon

12-09-08, 10:25 PM

sansri88

12-09-08, 11:13 PM

Hardcore Legend

12-09-08, 11:25 PM

Since the split, half of my HD channels no longer work and the other half have static. I mean, real static like I'm using rabbit ears here.

grumble, grumble!

gakon

12-10-08, 12:13 AM

Since the split, half of my HD channels no longer work and the other half have static. I mean, real static like I'm using rabbit ears here.

grumble, grumble!

If you're looking for confirmation of a problem in your area, you might want to let us know where "here" is.

What did Comcast say when you called?

TravelFan1

12-10-08, 08:44 AM

Know which channels?

Nope. Its just a rumor for now. No specifics.

Docsis 3.0 looks more like a guarantee that it'll be here this month or next month. I think I found the QAM channels for downstream (110, 111, and 112).
here's the rumor:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21535382-Comcast-NJ-HDComing-Sooner-Than-You-Think

Based on the frequency analysis sansri88 made, DOCSIS3 is very likely, but no way we'll get 20 HD channels. We probably have space for a few, I'd guess, around 6 or so. To get the so-called "20" HD channels, we'd need to lose quite a few analogs, which, according to NJ regulations, requires a minimum of 30 days notice.

dyhrdmet

12-10-08, 11:10 AM

here's the rumor:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21535382-Comcast-NJ-HDComing-Sooner-Than-You-Think

Based on the frequency analysis sansri88 made, DOCSIS3 is very likely, but no way we'll get 20 HD channels. We probably have space for a few, I'd guess, around 6 or so. To get the so-called "20" HD channels, we'd need to lose quite a few analogs, which, according to NJ regulations, requires a minimum of 30 days notice.

OK. Here's a thought. Comcast removes some analogs (gotta leave the real basics live all the local/regional stations for now), but makes them UNENCRYPTED on the digital side, so at least those with digital tuners on sets without a real set to box can watch them like nothing's different. If Comcast wants to make some good PR, they can do that while helping those without digital tuners get them simply (not having to learn another remote or how to manage a universal remote) so they can move away from analog channels.

I have one of the 90s "cable ready" TVs that's analog only, and I don't want a full cable box, but I'd be willing to buy a small digital TV if I could get the same programming on it (mainly channels that show sports, local news, and Family Guy). An incentive from the government or cable company would help greatly.

tamahome02000

12-10-08, 11:13 AM

This is probably the wrong place to ask, but any idea why my little comcast motorola cable modem would randomly hand out a '192.168.100.2' ip address to my router?

Marcus Carr

12-10-08, 01:52 PM

Style, G4, TV One now available in Chicago.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=255885&page=254

Hardcore Legend

12-10-08, 03:06 PM

If you're looking for confirmation of a problem in your area, you might want to let us know where "here" is.

What did Comcast say when you called?

Just a few posts up, I posted my location. The problem, besides some random blocking on other channels, is now limited to CNNHD and HBOHD.

I don't call Comcast. There solution is to reset your box over the phone, which deletes the contents of your DVR. They've done it to me 3 times, the last two times after I specifically asked them not to. Someone else will have to be the guinea pig in my area on this one.

blitzen102

12-10-08, 03:10 PM

I don't call Comcast. There solution is to reset your box over the phone, which deletes the contents of your DVR. They've done it to me 3 times, the last two times after I specifically asked them not to.

Then just try powering your box off and unplugging it for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.

You won't lose your DVR recordings, but the guide data will need to re-load.

jb724689

12-10-08, 03:29 PM

Just a few posts up, I posted my location. The problem, besides some random blocking on other channels, is now limited to CNNHD and HBOHD.

I don't call Comcast. There solution is to reset your box over the phone, which deletes the contents of your DVR. They've done it to me 3 times, the last two times after I specifically asked them not to. Someone else will have to be the guinea pig in my area on this one.

I'm like 30 minutes east of Pittsburgh. This has been happening to me too. Were some completely black and then others tiling/breaking up? I had someone from comcast come out because when I reset my box it didn't change (they had me unplug it- not do the hard reboot like you). The picture was fine the day comcast came of course and he said the signal and connection outside were fine. sure enough the next day it was back with these intermitten blackout on certain channels and the tiling. It comes and goes.

blitzen102

12-10-08, 04:19 PM

This may help a little eventually:

Comcast Unleashes Video Probes

Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is deploying a legion of software-based video probes aimed at boosting the reliability of its video services much in the same way it has already has for its digital voice and high-speed Internet services.

Service reliability has become crucial for video and broadband service providers, said John Schanz, Comcast's executive vice president of national engineering and technical operations, who presented this morning at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York.

Rather than telling Comcast whether the video service is up or down (it already has this capability), the new probes, which will be installed in set-tops and will communicate with customer call centers, will examine impairments more closely and pinpoint their locations.

In other words, Comcast will know whether a problem, such as a video-on-demand (VoD) stream that refuses to start, is happening in just one house or the broader neighborhood. Schanz said the MSO is installing the probes across its entire operations.

The hope is that Comcast could defuse potential problems before they affect customers.

Schanz didn't specify who's making the probes, but IneoQuest Technologies Inc. , Mixed Signals Inc. , and Symmetricom Inc. (Nasdaq: SYMM - message board) are among those that have jumped on the video quality bandwagon. (See Mixed Signals Beefs Up Video Monitoring, IneoQuest Probes SDV , and Symmetricom Expands Cable Play.)

Comcast has similar probes installed in its cable modems and embedded multimedia terminal adapters (E-MTAs) to keep close tabs on voice and Internet services. The MSO also is already checking the heartbeat of its 115,000 fiber nodes at all times, going as far as creating a scoring system that tells Comcast when network problems are emerging.

Solving cable's capacity crunch
Schanz also addressed how Comcast intends to manage bandwidth using a variety of tools, including node splits, "digital optimization" (acquiring high quality digital program feeds directly from the source and employing advanced video encoding), reclaiming analog spectrum, and employing switched digital video (SDV).

Mostly, he talked about Comcast's all-digital effort. Comcast has already completed its digital simulcast phase (replicating analog channels in the digital domain) and is starting to trim down the channels offered in analog. The regained spectrum is being applied to Docsis 3.0, expanded high-definition television menus, and a tru2way rollout. (See Comcast IDs First DTA Market, and Comcast Seeds Digital Shift With Free Boxes, Comcast Rolls Wideband in the Pacific Northwest, and Denver, Chicago First to Get Tru2way TVs.)

Comcast has been less aggressive with SDV, a technique that delivers channels in a "switched" tier only when customers in a given service group select them for viewing. Following initial tests in Cherry Hill, N.J., and Denver, there's been some evidence of trial work in the MSO's Minneapolis/St. Paul markets. (See Comcast Expands SDV Test Pool and Comcast Reveals SDV Test Beds.)

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=169002&site=cdn

keenan

12-10-08, 05:57 PM

This may help a little eventually:

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=169002&site=cdn

I hope so, their current policy of 3 calls within 15mins for the same issue before any action is taken is bollocks.

Panth1

12-10-08, 09:08 PM

Comcast has already completed its digital simulcast phase (replicating analog channels in the digital domain) and is starting to trim down the channels offered in analog.
News to me. :confused: No digital simulcast yet here in our 700k plus sub system.

Hardcore Legend

12-10-08, 11:00 PM

Marcus Carr

12-11-08, 01:48 PM

Comcast Speeding Up Internet In Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore (CMCSA)

Dan Frommer | December 11, 2008 12:00 PM

More Comcast (CMCSA) markets are getting the cable company's fastest Internet offerings: Comcast says today it's upgrading its Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Fort Wayne, Ind. markets to so-called "DOCSIS 3.0" before the end of the year.

What's this mean? Subscribers will be able to purchase Internet service as fast as 50 Mbps download speed -- which means downloading at up to 6.25 megabytes per second, about six times faster than typical cable modem speeds. (It'll take some time to roll out in each market. But Comcast is getting to its goal of building out 20% of its network with the faster service by the end of the year.)

What's the point? As phone companies like Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T) go after Comcast's customers with fast, fiber-based Internet offerings, Comcast needs to keep up. This should help.

And the speed increases will make streaming HD content from Comcast's new video rivals -- Hulu, Apple's (AAPL) iTunes, Netflix (NFLX), etc. -- a much better experience. And it'll help out content delivery networks like Akamai Technologies (AKAM), which has complained that most Americans don't have fast enough Internet service available for HD video streaming.

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/12/comcast-speeding-up-internet

Marcus Carr

12-11-08, 02:07 PM

Comcast: 50Mbps Now Available In 20% Of Markets

'Wideband' DOCSIS 3.0 hits Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Wayne

11:42AM Thursday Dec 11 2008 by Karl Bode

Comcast this morning stated that the nation's soon to be largest broadband operator would be deploying their new "Extreme 50" 50Mbps DOCSIS 3.0 tier in parts of Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Comcast says that initial deployment will cover only some of these cities this month, with the remainder of those markets getting finished up in early 2009. Comcast spokesman Charlie Douglas tells me that with these launches, they've now completed their goal of upgrading 20% of their markets with DOCSIS 3.0 by the end of 2008.

50Mbps arrived in the Twin Cities last April, with Metro Boston, Philly Metro, Northern New England and Southern Massachusetts markets arriving in October. November saw launches in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, and Eugene.

In upgraded markets, Comcast is not only upgrading existing speed tiers ($42.95 "Performance" 6Mbps/1Mbps and $52.95 "Performance Plus" 8Mbps/2Mbps tiers became 12Mbps/2Mbps and 16Mbps/2Mbps), but is adding two new tiers to the mix ($62.95 "Ultra" 22Mbps/5Mbps and the aforementioned $139.95 "Extreme 50" 50Mbps/10Mbps).

One recurring theme we've seen in our forums is that the new speeds have many users downgrading. In both forum threads and polls, many customers on Comcast's 16Mbps/2Mbps tier say they're downgrading to their 12Mbps/2Mbps tier -- apparently because they don't think an additional 4Mbps downstream is worth $10. Customers used to be willing to pay the additional $10 for double the upstream speed, but there's no longer an upstream difference between the tiers.

Meanwhile, $139.95 for broadband remains a little too rich for most people's blood. The less expensive 22Mbps, $62.95 tier seems more popular among speed freaks. As always, curious users can track deployments and customer experiences in our Comcast forum.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-50Mbps-Now-Available-In-20-Of-Markets-99625?nocomment=1

blitzen102

12-11-08, 02:10 PM

News to me. :confused: No digital simulcast yet here in our 700k plus sub system.

How are you determining that there is no digital simulcast on your system?

Panth1

12-11-08, 08:15 PM

How are you determining that there is no digital simulcast on your system?When I tune to the analog channels on the cable box, the analog channels display. The cable box diagnostics show the matching ntsc channel frequency and that the tuner is in analog mode.

Maybe they are testing digital simulcast and it's not deployed to the whole system yet. That has been done with other services before here.

JTH182

12-11-08, 09:00 PM

Does that mean the Chicagoland area, or just the city itself?

We in the suburbs were a little behind the city in getting our new channels in HD.

Marcus Carr

12-12-08, 08:05 AM

AlanBuck

12-13-08, 09:29 AM

I'm like 30 minutes east of Pittsburgh. This has been happening to me too. Were some completely black and then others tiling/breaking up? I had someone from comcast come out because when I reset my box it didn't change (they had me unplug it- not do the hard reboot like you). The picture was fine the day comcast came of course and he said the signal and connection outside were fine. sure enough the next day it was back with these intermitten blackout on certain channels and the tiling. It comes and goes.

I went through similar issues for about a YEAR. Endless service calls, and many times it was acting up when they came to my house. They even ran a line from the box by the street through my front door and used a new box as well..still not good. They then reported it to 'maintenance' which always comes days later, and reports all is well at the moment THEY check it. Round and round it went. I finally got some line techs phone numbers and called them when it was acting up. This was finally the solution. Sure enough something was wrong in the neigborhood, just like the in-home techs had been telling them for months. Check with your neighbors to narrow down the source of your issues. If they are having problems also, it can wake up the powers that be to find a system problem, versus one in your house. I was really upset to eventually find my neighbor was having all the same problems I was, but he never bothered to complain to Comcast. Had he done so, Comcast and myself would have saved a lot of wasted time.

dyhrdmet

12-13-08, 12:36 PM

Comcast customers will need digital conversion [Seattle]

06:53 AM PST on Tuesday, December 9, 2008

By GLENN FARLEY / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – For months, cable television users have been told they won’t need to do anything when the analog television signals are shut off in February and TV stations nationwide go digital.

Now we’re learning that won’t be true for some Comcast cable users.

If you have an older analog TV, and you have Comcast’s most basic package, you won't have to change a thing when it comes to watching channels two through 29.

“What we're talking about here are the channels above that. From 30 to about channel 80,” said Comcast regional spokesman Steve Kipp.

Those viewers who get about 80 analog channels they now control right from their TV tuner will need a small converter box and start running their TV with a remote.

That new box is separate from the digital converter boxes that the government has been giving out $40 coupons for. The Comcast box is small and can be placed behind your TV.

This move is something Comcast has been working on for awhile and just happens to be coming at about the same time as the big nationwide DTV switch.

Comcast cable customers will need to add this box to their TV for the digital switch.

Comcast says by converting some of these analog channels into digital, they actually create more room for high definition channels, and that's where the demand is coming.

Comcast says it will let people use three boxes a month for free - two of the new little guys and a larger digital box that will have programming guides. Beyond that, it's a $1.99 a month for the little boxes.

If you can't set it up on your own, Comcast will send out a technician to set it up for you.

Comcast has been seeing increased competition from video rental services like Netflix and Blockbuster and Verizon’s new FiOS broadband service, which includes TV service.

Comcast serves over 1 million customers in Washington.

The digital switch happens February 17, 2009.

http://www.king5.com/localnews/consumer/stories/NW_120808BUBTIMES_comcast-cabel-switch-JM.42181bf3.html

I like that Comcast is making the effort to migrate away from analog signals, but I think they should do more to work with the customers. I don't know what's available in that area, but I thought I read somewhere that clear QAM went away in Washington. It's the OPPOSITE of where Comcast should be moving. It would be a better PR move to make the former and current analog channels available unencrypted to QAM tuners and work with customers (maybe through money from local/state/federal governments) to either buy a converter (similar to the converters for the DTV conversion) or upgrade to a TV with a digital tuner (hence adding to clear QAM). But if they aren't going down that route, it means that they're forcing more people to rent converters (even at $1.99 per month) to get something they used to get without a converter, and all it does is pad the bottom line and hurt public perception. They need good PR and customer relations to help compete with Verizon, in addition to the additional space for HD channels. there's a lot of people who don't know about clear QAM (customer reps included) or the difference between analog, digital, and HDTV, and they need to work better in education, otherwise, they'll never be able to survive in the digital and HD world.

bicker1

12-13-08, 03:40 PM

Verizon, the upstart, doesn't make expanded digital cable channels available via clear QAM, either.

bigvinny

12-13-08, 09:00 PM

any info on ESPNU/ESPNUHD ????????

jimre

12-14-08, 12:14 AM

I like that Comcast is making the effort to migrate away from analog signals, but I think they should do more to work with the customers. I don't know what's available in that area, but I thought I read somewhere that clear QAM went away in Washington. It's the OPPOSITE of where Comcast should be moving... Apparently you read wrong. Clear QAM (mostly local SD and HD channels) works just fine on Comcast here in the Seattle area. They come in just fine on my HD Homerun.

donn35

12-14-08, 03:48 AM

I have spoken to Penny, a customer service representative from Comcast Chicago office & she has announced that the city of Chicago will be getting the following HD channels on December 18, 2008:

HBO 2
HBO Signature
HBO Family
HBO Comedy
HBO Latino
HBO Zone
MoreMax
ActionMax
5 Star Max
ThrillerMax
WMax
@Max
OuterMax
Showtime 2
Showtime Showcase
Showtime Extreme
The Movie Channel
The Movie Channel 2
Tennis Channel
CBS College Sports Network

Also, Game HD & In Demand Pay per view will be added on that date.
The total will bring Chicago having 89 linear HD channels by the end of the year.

sansri88

12-14-08, 09:02 AM

Apparently this January rumor for HD in Union might just be true...Time to keep an eye out in the newspaper over the next week to two weeks..

Daniel Murray

12-14-08, 11:20 AM

sansri88 any news for the Garden State system here in South Jersey? Or are we left out in the cold again?

b_scott

12-14-08, 01:34 PM

Sweet! I just got HBO and I've had Showtime a couple months - but I never watch the SD channels. So that will triple my movie stations :)

What's HD in Union?

tamahome02000

12-14-08, 01:42 PM

Maybe they should put messages about new hd channels on the screen. Call me crazy.

sansri88

12-14-08, 03:38 PM

I don't know anything about Garden State, sorry.

Union is a Comcast system in Northern Jersey.

dyhrdmet

12-14-08, 06:31 PM

Sweet! I just got HBO and I've had Showtime a couple months - but I never watch the SD channels. So that will triple my movie stations :)

What's HD in Union?

we don't get much in Union (NJ). the 7 locals (WABC, WNBC, WCBS, WNYW (FOX), WPIX (CW), WWOR (MyNetwork), WNET (PBS)), 4 regional sports networks (MSG, MSG+, SNY, YES), 4 movie subscriptions (HBO, MAX, SHO, STARZ), and a few basic cable (ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, HD Theater, Versus, Golf, UniversalHD, Palladium, Nat Geo) and 1 sports package channel (NFL Network)...up to 26 total, pending subscriptions.

dyhrdmet

12-14-08, 06:33 PM

Maybe they should put messages about new hd channels on the screen. Call me crazy.

I've said this too. you're not crazy. Comcast isn't smart. Of course, it wouldn't be there for people who only have analog cable or QAM tuners.

Hardcore Legend

12-15-08, 01:03 AM

Maybe they should put messages about new hd channels on the screen. Call me crazy.

Must save message space for the latest boxing or UFC bout that no one is going to pay to view.

LongRufus

12-15-08, 02:31 AM

Must save message space for the latest boxing or UFC bout that no one is going to pay to view.

Don't forget the Comcastic Career Opportunities too..

donn35

12-15-08, 03:33 AM

TravelFan1

12-15-08, 09:13 AM

Apparently this January rumor for HD in Union might just be true...Time to keep an eye out in the newspaper over the next week to two weeks..
This statement is based on what exactly? Hope? Wishful thinking?
Sorry, but we may get one or 2, but I don't really see we getting the so-called 20 new HD channels... no way they'll just give a 30 days notice to drop the 7 analogs that would be required for 20 new HD channels - too many analog subscribers would be upset.

jrusnak

12-15-08, 11:06 AM

This statement is based on what exactly? Hope? Wishful thinking?
Sorry, but we may get one or 2, but I don't really see we getting the so-called 20 new HD channels... no way they'll just give a 30 days notice to drop the 7 analogs that would be required for 20 new HD channels - too many analog subscribers would be upset.

I've been told by FiOS that they expect their service will be available in my area (NE NJ) during the 1st quarter. Comcast must surely know that they will lose even more subscribers (myself being first in line), so perhaps it may be their too-little-too-late last ditch effort. (By the way, they've been able to add at least a few HD channels without dropping analogs, as demonstrated during the Olympics. They just chose not to bother.)

Assomeone else noted, they've only been offering a measley 20 channels (less subscriptions). They've had YEARS to prepare for this, but again...chose not to bother. Even if they did add 20 channels, at their rate, it might be years before they even add another 20! But they'll still hike their rates anyway!

TravelFan1

12-15-08, 11:35 AM

jrusnak, if your system is Comcast of Union - you did not specific your town, so I can't know for sure, sansri88 has done an excellent job of figuring out the frequencies of our system:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21548685-Comcast-Union-frequency-chart

Analyzing the frequencies, you'll see that, unless Comcast drops a few analogs, there isn't that much space available, yes, they could add a few more, like 5 or 6, by starting to put 3 HD channels in one 6Mhz frequency, and, maybe, could add another 1 or 2, but, to add 20, they for sure need to drop quite a few analogs.

I've also heard that 1st or 2nd Qtr 2009 is when Woodbrige will start going live with Fios. That said, many of Union towns already have Fios available, and that hasn't made Comcast move their .... a bit to add a significant # of HD channels in Union system.

n o o d l z

12-15-08, 01:04 PM

Maybe they should put messages about new hd channels on the screen. Call me crazy.
I typically get messages about channel changes/additions here in SLC.

tamahome02000

12-15-08, 01:17 PM

I've also heard that 1st or 2nd Qtr 2009 is when Woodbrige will start going live with Fios. That said, many of Union towns already have Fios available, and that hasn't made Comcast move their .... a bit to add a significant # of HD channels in Union system.

Fios in Union County? Only Springfield has it.

TravelFan1

12-15-08, 01:46 PM

Fios in Union County? Only Springfield has it.
For sure Westfield has it. So does Verona, which, even though is in Essex County, it belongs to the COmcast of Union system - like my town, Woodbrdige, which is in Middlesex co.

Actually, if you look into the Verizon New Jersey web page, you'll notice that all those Union County Towns have Fios available as of 10/08:

Union County
Berkeley Heights
Clark
Cranford
Fanwood
Garwood
Hillside
Kenilworth
Mountainside
New Providence
Plainfield
Scotch Plains
Springfield Twp
Summit
Union Twp
Westfield

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/nj/nj_pdfs/nj_fiostvtowns_100808.pdf

tamahome02000

12-15-08, 01:49 PM

Ok, I was going by http://www.fiberexperts.com/new-jersey-fios.html , although when I give verizon my address, it still says it's unavailable. Guess it will be soon, as my town is in the pdf. :)

("Verizon is still building its network is some of these communities")

davidm727

12-15-08, 04:38 PM

When will Comcast put all the HD channels together instead of scattered across the universe?

b_scott

12-15-08, 04:56 PM

they basically do, in Chicago. It's like 160 or something, up.

FSugino

12-15-08, 06:03 PM

they basically do, in Chicago. It's like 160 or something, up.

No they don't. The HD channels range from 169 - 289, and there are over two dozen SD channels stuck in that range.

sansri88

12-15-08, 06:15 PM

Comcast needs to do a reorg of their lineups..and make it like FiOS's...group by genre and HD channels...

Foxhound12

12-15-08, 06:17 PM

Why is there no HBO HD On Demand on Comcast?

PaulGo

12-15-08, 07:10 PM

Why is there no HBO HD On Demand on Comcast?

Because HBO chooses not to offer it!:mad:

For some reason the executives at HBO think they don't need VOD HD. I think it is pretty stupid. Cinemax offers some VOD HD but that is pretty small. Hopefully some day they will realize that most people who have HD enjoy VOD HD.

kb11

12-15-08, 07:23 PM

A Comcast sales representative has addressed to me via e-mail that next year more HD channels will be added. The following mentioned are: MLB Network, Nickelodeon, Spike, Comedy Central, Lifetime, MTV, VH1, CMT, Travel Channel, Smithsonian, BET, Crime & Investigation Channel, ESPNU, HDNet, HDNet Movies, MSNBC, etc.

Comcast does not have ESPNU. Hopefully this means they have come to
terms but I have not heard anything yet. Anyone else hear anything?

keenan

12-15-08, 07:24 PM

Because HBO chooses not to offer it!:mad:

For some reason the executives at HBO think they don't need VOD HD. I think it is pretty stupid. Cinemax offers some VOD HD but that is pretty small. Hopefully some day they will realize that most people who have HD enjoy VOD HD.

Guess HBO should do something with this web page then. :D

http://www.hbo.com/hboondemand/

Nevermind, I see the subject is HD-VOD

Does Comcast even have HBO VOD period?

TravelFan1

12-15-08, 07:45 PM

yes, if you subscribe to HBO, you get HBO On Demand. A while back there was something in HD, I believe, for a brief time, The Sopranos. But that was it.

tamahome02000

12-15-08, 08:33 PM

They had HBO's John Adams on demand in HD, but in the SD section, lol.

b_scott

12-15-08, 10:51 PM

No they don't. The HD channels range from 169 - 289, and there are over two dozen SD channels stuck in that range.

Oh, I haven't noticed that. It's mostly HD from 170-200 or so, I know that. Who cares anyway, everyone uses a DVR now. I almost never watch live TV - just delete out the SD channels if you only want HD. Then they're all right next to each other, doesn't matter the channel #.

MWJones

12-15-08, 10:56 PM

Comcast needs to do a reorg of their lineups..and make it like FiOS's...group by genre and HD channels...
I prefer what Time Warner did in the Kansas City/Overland Park market, make the HD channel the same at the SD channel plus 1,000. The only exception is the local affiliates with all of their sub-channels.

Of course they are on SA equipment, so they can do that.

Link to TWC's Overland Park Channel Lineup (http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?CLUID=273&Zip=&Image1.x=53&Image1.y=5)

But even where Comcast has SA equipment, they don't seem to want to break out of the 3-digit channel scheme (shoot, we can't seem to get new HD channels, let alone a numbering scheme that makes sense in Houston).

Marty Milton

12-15-08, 11:44 PM

Unannounced our Comcast system in Champaign-Urbana, IL just started getting Fox News, FX, and Speed in HD, today, December 15. On an unrelated note I wanted everyone to know that I will be marching in the Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC on January 20. I am with the World Famous Lawn Rangers. Here is a link to an article at the Washington Post.com that talks about it. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/12/_perhaps_the_most_famous.html

Any DC members planning to attend the parade? I will be staying at my cousin's house in Maryland if anyone wants to get together that weekend.

chambemd

12-16-08, 12:43 AM

Big update in Boston (also posted in Boston forum):

Several channels aren't in the guide yet, but the big news is HDNet and Travel HD. Additionally - it looks like they're now showing the West coast feed of about 10 movie channels? Very unexpected.

New channels bolded:
*762 HBO FH
*763 HBO ZD
*764 TMC WD
*765 SHO 2H
*766 SHO HD
*767 Not in guide yet
*768 MXHDW
*769 HBO 2H
*770 HBO HD
771 HBO SH
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
*783 HDNet
*784 Travel Channel HD
785 Encore HD
786 G4 HD
787 Style HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
716 TV One HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
*838 Not in Guide Yet
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
*856 Not in Guide Yet (Looks like a CBS Sports Channel)
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
865 Versus HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
*869 Not in Guide Yet (Looks like a movie channel)
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
*881 SHO CW
*882 AMX DW
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD

raidbuck

12-16-08, 12:35 PM

Unbelievable. I got my first HDTV in April 2003. Comcast (Baltimore area) had ABC, NBC, HBO, SHO and that was it until September when INHD1&2 (remember them?) came. This is amazing, although we don't get anyway near the number of above channels. I want one channel that I'm sure nobody else does: Extra Innings HD. 2-3 HD games each weekday. Oh well....

blitzen102

12-16-08, 12:59 PM

I want one channel that I'm sure nobody else does: Extra Innings HD. 2-3 HD games each weekday. Oh well....

Game HD and Team HD have both been announced for the Salem, OR area, so you should get them soon in Boston.

jeepmatt

12-16-08, 01:39 PM

Additionally - it looks like they're now showing the West coast feed of about 10 movie channels? Very unexpected.

Totally competing against FIOS, as they just rolled out all of the West Coast feeds in HD in the past few months nation-wide.

jrusnak

12-16-08, 02:59 PM

Totally competing against FIOS, as they just rolled out all of the West Coast feeds in HD in the past few months nation-wide.

Nationwide? If only...!

Daniel Murray

12-16-08, 05:04 PM

Nation wide LOL I can see NJ Garden State System will get left out again on that one

sansri88

12-16-08, 05:08 PM

NJ in general will be left out of everything...I don't even think we exist in Comcast's eyes...

Daniel Murray

12-16-08, 05:13 PM

sansri88 That is how I see it. I all so have notice that many channels in the last month or two are now gone. We have got nothing in replacement. But my bill keeps going up.

chambemd

12-16-08, 06:13 PM

The missing channels that I posted about last night (that were not yet showing in the guide) include the Tennis Channel HD, CBS College Sports Network, and a few more premiums. I posted the full list again in the Boston forum.

By my count, that now brings us up to 100 HD Channels in Boston, not counting the HD PPV station.

donn35

12-17-08, 01:50 AM

I just happened to scroll the tv guide & out of nowhere HDNet is on channel 291 for the city of Chicago. Comcast is also going to add the 20 HD channels on December 18th. With the addition of HDNet, Chicago will have 90 HD linear channels by the end of the week, yes!

BobColby

12-17-08, 03:26 PM

Daniel Murray

12-17-08, 05:02 PM

I wish we had Half!!!!!!!!!

Marcus Carr

12-17-08, 06:21 PM

TV One-HD has launched ... on Comcast systems in Boston, Chicago, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, with additional launches expected in early January 2009, according to network officials.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6623650.html

njirnet

12-17-08, 07:57 PM

Any ideas when North Jersey may be adding some of these other HD channels???
This is the current list:
196 - MSG HD
197 - MSG+ HD
198 - SNY HD
202 - ESPN HD
203 - ESPN2 HD
204 - TNT HD
205 - Discovery HD Theater
206 - Versus HD
207 - Golf HD
208 - Universal HD
209 - Paladia HD
210 - Nat. Geo. HD
212 - YES HD
215 - HBO HD (repeated 300)
218 - NFL HD
219 - Cinemax HD (repeated 319)
220 - TBS HD
223 - Showtime HD (repeated 339)
227 - Starz HD (repeated 369)
231 - WABC HD
232 - WNBC HD
233 - WCBS HD
234 - WNYW HD (Fox)
235 - WPIX HD (CW)
236 - WWOR HD
240 - WNET HD (PBS)

bigvinny

12-17-08, 08:30 PM

small Update today in Charleston, SC

cartoon network HD channel 427 (clone wars!!!)
MLB network (not HD) channel 205
Versus HD

Daniel Murray

12-17-08, 09:51 PM

bob2274

12-17-08, 09:59 PM

Central New Jersey gets all of the regional sports networks from both NYC and Philadelphia because it is is one of those places designated as the "home territory" of the teams in both markets.. The southern part of the state is designated by the sports leagues as Philadelphia territory, and the northern part is NY territory. It would be totally useless for any cable company to show these channels outside of its territory since they wouldn't be able to show any live games there.

sansri88

12-17-08, 10:10 PM

WWOR HD is our local My Network affiliate, My9.

Daniel Murray

12-17-08, 10:54 PM

Ok But you still have more.

cubsman78

12-17-08, 11:38 PM

227 Hallmark
237 Speed
263 Encore
264 Fox Bus
265 Fox News
267 FX
285 Comcast Info

That makes 18 new HD channels in the last month here in Elkhart,IN.
Anybody know what system and how much bandwith I have?

smithfarmer

12-18-08, 12:36 AM

When viewing non premium channels, at least once every 30 minutes for what has seemed like an eternity, Comcast has been utilizing it's unsold ad space to annoy it's subscribers with ads about the upcoming digital transition by proudly proclaiming that "If you are a Comcast customer there is nothing for you to do. You're already set and ready for the future. Comcast customers needn't worry about the upcoming digital transition."

Well I just saw one of those ads again only this time there was a slight twist to the message, "If you are a Comcast customer and your TV is connected to a digital box you are ready for the future. Comcast customers needn't worry about the upcoming digital transition."

Anyone else happen to catch the new language of these ads?

lambertman

12-18-08, 08:18 AM

Marty Milton

12-18-08, 10:05 AM

Comcast (former Insight) in Noblesville, Indiana rolled out a fat Christmas gift this morning - ten new HD channels (along with the SD MLB Network).

New additions are USA, Sci-Fi, Discovery, Animal, TLC, Science, FX, Fox News, Speed and History.

Assuming the same goes for all the other former Insight areas in Indiana.
As a Comcast, former Insight system in Champaign-Urbana, IL, we already had most of those channels, and then got FX, Fox News, and Speed just this Monday. As I said in a previous post, those three channels appeared unannounced. I hope we can get more in the near future.

wareagle

12-18-08, 10:56 AM

We just received a bunch of new HD channels today in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue. The total lineup is listed here, with new channels noted.

104 - KOMO
105 - KING
106 - KONG
107 - KIRO
109 - KCTS
110 - KMYQ
111 - KSTW
113 - KCPQ
418 - NFL
517 - Encore (new)
530 - Starz Kids & Family (new)
531 - Starz Comedy (new)
532 - Starz
533 - Starz Edge (new)
549 - HBO
563 - Cinemax
574 - Showtime
620 - Speed (new)
622 - ESPNews (new)
623 - ESPN
624 - ESPN2
625 - Golf Channel
626 - Versus
627 - FSN Special Events
649 - WEtv (new)
650 - Style (new)
651 - E! (new)
652 - Bravo (new)
653 - Lifetime (new)
654 - Travel Channel (new)
655 - Fox News Channel (new)
656 - Fox Business (new)
657 - CNN (new)
658 - CNBC (new)
660 - Universal
661 - Palladia
662 - TNT
663 - HD Theater
664 - TBS (new)
665 - FX (new)
667 - Animal Planet
668 - Discovery
669 - TLC
670 - A&E
671 - History
672 - USA
673 - National Geographic
674 - HGTV
675 - Food
676 - Sci Fi
677 - Disney
678 - ABC Family
680 - Cartoon Network (new)
681 - Toon Disney (new)
691 - TV One (new)
692 - QVC (new)
693 - G4 (new)
694 - Bio (new)
695 - Planet Green (new)
696 - Science
697 - AMC (new)
698 - Lifetime Movie Network (new)
699 - IFC (new)
804 - PPV Events in (new)

jimre

12-18-08, 12:41 PM

Just to add to Wareagle's post above: in addition to the 20+ new HD channels here in the Seattle suburbs, the Expanded Basic SD channels (now in the "Digital Starter" tier, approx ch. 30-80) are now being transmitted as in-the-clear QAM, no longer encrypted. I can now tune them on my HD Homerun. The analog channels are still being transmitted as well - it may be a while before Comcast shuts those off here.

We'll see how long these Digital Starter channels remain un-encrypted. I've read that Comcast intends to seek an FCC exemption next year to enable some type of "privacy" on these, for use with the new DTA adapters.

Hart5150

12-18-08, 01:25 PM