So you're saying that the FCC should have imposed CableCARD, specifically, on television manufacturers, not giving them the right to produce HDTVs with tuners without CableCARD slots. I suppose that I can see the logic in that.

Yes, they should have, even if they'd given them a few years to get it done before it took effect. My 2004 Mits has a CableCARD slot in it. My 2009 Mits does not. That should not have been allowed to happen. It is worth noting that the cablecos are crying crocodile tears over the whole thing, however. They would much prefer to rent boxes and advanced services while blaming the TV manufacturers --best of both worlds for them.

That's just muddying the issue. You're using loaded language trying to make the cable companies out to be villains, but when you really look at the issue, you very clearly acknowledge and recognize that the issue is strictly a matter of inadequate rules imposed on television manufacturers and retailers. Cable companies are already doing what they need to in order to fulfill the vision you have. Satellite services are not. Television manufacturers are not. Television retailers are not.

Yes, they should have, even if they'd given them a few years to get it done before it took effect. My 2004 Mits has a CableCARD slot in it. My 2009 Mits does not. That should not have been allowed to happen. It is worth noting that the cablecos are crying crocodile tears over the whole thing, however. They would much prefer to rent boxes and advanced services while blaming the TV manufacturers --best of both worlds for them.

So then Dish, DirecTV, AT&T and Verizon are evil too, right? :rolleyes:

Does beating people up (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/103988) and asking for $20 to save someone (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/102606) make you evil?

So then Dish, DirecTV, AT&T and Verizon are evil too, right? :rolleyes:

Did I say evil? I did not. I said the cablecos are happy beneficiaries of others decisions they don't have to take the blame for --and they are. You only need to listen or read Comcast's quarterly analysts call to know how pleased they are at growth in advanced services and box rentals. They trumpet it quite cheerfully in a era of declining video subs for them. I blame the congress/FCC who certainly has the expertise to know that there is a chain of devices/services here that have to be end-to-end compatible with the technology to achieve the desired outcome, and yet they only regulated part of the ecosystem on this issue with the inevitable result. All too typical regulation, unfortunately --look like you're doing something; accomplish little. As I understand it, the satcos however did actively lobby for exclusion and got it. They've played the "poor little us we need special leniency to compete with big bad cable" very effectively over the years.

Quick question, if I get NBATV and NHL Network in SD because I have the digital package they are now included on, shouldn't I also be getting their HD equivalents? They added both NBAHD and NHLHD a little bit ago here, but the cable box says I'm not subscribed to them or something like that. Any ideas what that is all about?

Quick question, if I get NBATV and NHL Network in SD because I have the digital package they are now included on, shouldn't I also be getting their HD equivalents? They added both NBAHD and NHLHD a little bit ago here, but the cable box says I'm not subscribed to them or something like that. Any ideas what that is all about?

You are correct. If you are an HD tier subscriber, and subscribe to NBA and NHL...then you should get the HD equivalents. Time to call Comcast and speak with one of their friendly and well informed (?) CSR's.

According to customer service, DTAs will be available in Baltimore City at the beginning of October.

In the Detroit area, Plymouth, Canton, and Northville areas now have NFL RedZone HD on channel 182.

NFL Red Zone HD seems to be a national launch now. I believe most, if not the entire state of New Jersey as well as the Philadelphia system have it.

The government must balance the desires of consumers and business, not bend-over and placate exclusively the desires of consumers.
As they are too busy bending consumers over for cable companies and other businesses.
Wouldn't this balance you speak of involve open competition, instead of allowing single companies to franchise entire areas? I can pick my long distance company, but I cannot pick my cable company.
...consumers can gain access to the programming that they wish, with their own host equipment...
Unless they want a different choice than their local franchise authority has picked for them. And this knocks out your other favorite tirade about 'everybody has a choice' because we can go satellite. Tell me exactly which satellite provider will work with my HD TiVo? That would be "my own host equipment" wouldn't it?

Tuned In: Comcast expands HD, some channels go digital

Friday, September 25, 2009

By Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On Oct. 27 Comcast will add 11 HD channels on most traditional Comcast systems but not in the City of Pittsburgh.

HD channel additions will include E!, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, NBA TV, Lifetime Movie Network, Biography Channel, Planet Green, Spike, Lifetime, Nickelodeon and MLB,

Two non-HD additions are Retirement Living and Hallmark Movie Channel.

To make room for these added channels on these same systems, AMC, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, Style and Turner Classic Movies will move to the digital starter tier, which requires a digital cable box.

Comcast will make cable boxes available to customers who do not currently have them, giving standard cable customers access to all the channels available to digital starter tier customers.

"Nobody is incurring any additional charges because of this," said Comcast spokesman Bob Grove.

In Penn Hills, only AMC, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network and TCM will move to digital starter.

On systems in the Ross and Castle Shannon areas, AMC, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, Oxygen, MSNBC, truTV and Hallmark will shift to digital starter. In addition, TV Guide Network and EWTN will remain on basic cable but will shift to digital delivery, requiring a digital cable box, which will also be made available with no change to customers' bills.

Grove said changes for the City of Pittsburgh will be announced "soon."

"These changes are a response to continued customer demand for more HD channels, faster Internet speeds and more advanced services," he said.

New channel numbers for networks listed in the Post-Gazette's TV Week will be reflected in the channel conversion chart of the Oct. 25 issue.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000623-67.stm

NFL Red Zone HD seems to be a national launch now. I believe most, if not the entire state of New Jersey as well as the Philadelphia system have it.Not sure if NJ & Philly, and Detroit for that matter, constitute a national roll out.

HD channel additions will include E!, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, NBA TV, Lifetime Movie Network, Biography Channel, Planet Green, Spike, Lifetime, Nickelodeon and MLB,

I guarantee that my wife STILL wont turn to the HD versions of these channels.

NFL Red Zone HD seems to be a national launch now. I believe most, if not the entire state of New Jersey as well as the Philadelphia system have it.

it's not here in Lancaster. I'm shocked, of course.

I guarantee that my wife STILL wont turn to the HD versions of these channels.

LOL, my wife, daughter, and son all do the same thing. Drives me crazy!!! I have considered using the DVR settings to block the SD versions!

LOL, my wife, daughter, and son all do the same thing. Drives me crazy!!! I have considered using the DVR settings to block the SD versions!

i like that idea. i never thought of it. too bad you can't put up a customized message on a channel saying to tune to a different number (like on channel 2 for WCBS SD, say "tune to channel 233 for WCBS HD").

we suffer and wait for these things, people are on the HD bandwaggon with new HDTVs (whether they know it or not), but there's so many people, even sharing households with us, that either just don't understand or just don't care (not quite the level of "why do i now need a cable box on my TV when before I didn't" or "why are the channel numbers different on my new HDTV").

You are correct. If you are an HD tier subscriber, and subscribe to NBA and NHL...then you should get the HD equivalents. Time to call Comcast and speak with one of their friendly and well informed (?) CSR's.

Just spoke to CSR, as I'm having the same problem. The channels have been added to the guide, but they're not really there yet. They'll say "Not Authorized" until it's hooked up, which is supposed to happen "by the end of October" (in time for NBA fans, but not for NHL).

There was a PBS subchannel in the guide here for months before it was activated.

ESPNU has been there for a while. Took me weeks to find someone at Comcast who knew it wasn't available. Leave that crap out of the guide if nobody can watch it.

Not sure if NJ & Philly, and Detroit for that matter, constitute a national roll out.

I'm seeing commercials advertising that NFL RedZone HD is available on Comcast so I think they are rolling it out nation-wide.

I have the channel in my area, but because Comcast is lax at updating their own channel listing data, let alone sending out updates to Tribune, there's no guide data for it on my TiVo. Not that it really matters since the channel has nothing on it except for Sunday afternoons.

Part 1 of 2

Thought folks might like to see what the Colorado Springs Comcast cable spectrum looks like. We have an analog/digital hybrid still. The cable bandwidth is 864 MHz. A Tektronix 2712 spectrum analyzerwas connected to the cable and 20 dB of attentuation was applied to the signal. The reference level was -20 dBm. All images were obtained by keeping Max Hold on.

To see what how Colorado Springs OTA TV spectrum looks, go to this AVS link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=141193&pp=30&page=209

Notes:

01 Entire Spectrum.jpg is an end to end snapshot of the cable band transmission. The Center Frequency was 500 MHz and the span was 1 Ghz. The drop off around 550 MHz (just to the right of mid screen) is the transition from analog to digital channels.

02 Low End.jpg is a close up of the low end of the spectrum. The Center Frequency is 50 MHz and the span is 100 MHz. Note the two spikes to the left. Those are in the T-Subband region. The first large signal to the right of midscreen is the Ch 2 video carrier. Not sure what the sike to its left is since the Ch 2 audio carrier will be the left bump on the next signal to the right.

03 100 MHz.jpg. A closeup of the 100 MHz span centered at 100 MHz. Not sure what the null is between ~104 and 113 MHz (Ch1?).

04 200 MHz.jpg. A closeup of the 100 MHz span centered at 200 MHz. note the flat spot btween 234 and 239 MHz. There was another similar spot at 324-329 MHz. Any ideas?

05 550 MHz.jpg. This 100 MHz span centered at 550 MHz shows the analog to digital transition portion of the spectrum. Analog channels are to the left, digital to the right.

Here is the second part of the Colorado Springs Cable story.

06 Hi End.jpg. 20 MHz span centered at 860 MHz shows the top end of the bandwidth. No signals are above this.

07 Analog Closeup.jpg. This 10 MHz span is centered on at 57 MHz (half way through Ch 2). Video carrier is the large signal to the left and the audio carrier is the small signal to the right. Ch 3 video carrier is the next signal to the right.

08 Digital Closeup1.jpg. A 20 MHz span centered on 750 MHz to show the difference between digital and analog signals. Channels are the elevated signals between negative spikes.

09 Digital Closeup2.jpg. 10 MHz span centered on 753 MHz to show what a digital channel looks like. Note that it occupies nearly the entire 6 MHz bandwidth. Compare this with the bandwidth occupied by an analog channel (see 07 Analog Closeup.jpg). You can see why there is so much interest in converting from analog to digital. A lot more information can be sent over cable on a digital channel than over an analog channel.

part 1 of 2

thought folks might like to see what the colorado springs comcast cable spectrum looks like. We have an analog/digital hybrid still. The cable bandwidth is 864 mhz. A tektronix 2712 spectrum analyzerwas connected to the cable and 20 db of attentuation was applied to the signal. The reference level was -20 dbm. All images were obtained by keeping max hold on.

To see what how colorado springs ota tv spectrum looks, go to this avs link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=141193&pp=30&page=209

notes:

01 entire spectrum.jpg is an end to end snapshot of the cable band transmission. The center frequency was 500 mhz and the span was 1 ghz. The drop off around 550 mhz (just to the right of mid screen) is the transition from analog to digital channels.

02 low end.jpg is a close up of the low end of the spectrum. The center frequency is 50 mhz and the span is 100 mhz. Note the two spikes to the left. Those are in the t-subband region. The first large signal to the right of midscreen is the ch 2 video carrier. Not sure what the sike to its left is since the ch 2 audio carrier will be the left bump on the next signal to the right.

03 100 mhz.jpg. A closeup of the 100 mhz span centered at 100 mhz. Not sure what the null is between ~104 and 113 mhz (ch1?).

04 200 mhz.jpg. A closeup of the 100 mhz span centered at 200 mhz. Note the flat spot btween 234 and 239 mhz. There was another similar spot at 324-329 mhz. Any ideas?

05 550 mhz.jpg. This 100 mhz span centered at 550 mhz shows the analog to digital transition portion of the spectrum. Analog channels are to the left, digital to the right.

lol wtf?

Has anyone switched over to Comcast recently and had them absorb some (all?) of early termination fee charges from your previous provider?

Thanks,
Matt

SatCom15,

interesting stuff, thanks for posting it.

lol wtf?

That post was for the serious RF/Physical Layer Geek showing what the signals look like on our local cable. LOL Hope you enjoyed it :D

Cheers

i like that idea. i never thought of it. too bad you can't put up a customized message on a channel saying to tune to a different number (like on channel 2 for WCBS SD, say "tune to channel 233 for WCBS HD").

That will be a feature in the next iGuide version, A28. It's in this story, towards the end. I could swear I've seen a screenshot of it posted somewhere but couldn't locate it just now.
Comcast Guides DVRs To Web (http://www.multichannel.com/article/339614-Comcast_Guides_DVRs_To_Web.php)
Operator Puts ‘Start Over' Service on Hold In Focusing on IPG Upgrade
Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 9/4/2009 2:19:19 PM EDT

That will be a feature in the next iGuide version, A28. It's in this story, towards the end. I could swear I've seen a screenshot of it posted somewhere but couldn't locate it just now.
Comcast Guides DVRs To Web (http://www.multichannel.com/article/339614-Comcast_Guides_DVRs_To_Web.php)
Operator Puts ‘Start Over' Service on Hold In Focusing on IPG Upgrade
Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 9/4/2009 2:19:19 PM EDT

Does anyone have the new i-guide A28 yet?

That post was for the serious RF/Physical Layer Geek showing what the signals look like on our local cable. LOL Hope you enjoyed it :D

Cheers

Yes I loved it! Great post. I could not stop laughing when I read it. I mean that in a good way :)

I don't believe we have A28 yet, but one of the features touted as part of it ("'skip ahead/skip back' to fast-forward or rewind DVR recordings in five-minute increments") has been active on my Moto for a while now. I have it mapped to the Page Up/Page Down buttons on my Harmony and it works like a charm. It's perfect for quickly narrowing in on a desired portion of a program when the recording is at the very beginning or the very end. The 30-second skip and 15-second instant replay and standard rewind/FF took much longer.

World Fishing Network Reels In Comcast Corporate Distribution Deal

Channel Has Fishing License To Reach Out To Operator's Individual Systems

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 9/30/2009 11:31:54 AM EDT

WFN: World Fishing Network has reached a corporate distribution agreement with Comcast. Now, the 24-hour fishing lifestyle channel has to reel in the operator's individual systems.

Under the pact, WFN, which this week unveiled a new branding campaign and logo, has a so-called "fishing license" to reach out to systems, which can launch the network in standard and/or high-definition formats.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Comcast and we look forward to launching WFN in Comcast markets around the country," said Mark Rubinstein, president and CEO of WFN in a statement. "By offering WFN to Comcast customers, our hope is to bring the content that 60 million anglers are passionate about directly to their living rooms."

Launched in December 2005, today WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/356021-World_Fishing_Network_Reels_In_Comcast_Corporate_Distributio n_Deal.php

World Fishing Network Reels In Comcast Corporate Distribution Deal

Channel Has Fishing License To Reach Out To Operator's Individual Systems

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 9/30/2009 11:31:54 AM EDT

WFN: World Fishing Network has reached a corporate distribution agreement with Comcast. Now, the 24-hour fishing lifestyle channel has to reel in the operator's individual systems.

Under the pact, WFN, which this week unveiled a new branding campaign and logo, has a so-called "fishing license" to reach out to systems, which can launch the network in standard and/or high-definition formats.
Interesting how this publicly explains why not all Comcast systems carry all the channels they have signed agreements with.

Interesting how this publicly explains why not all Comcast systems carry all the channels they have signed agreements with.

That is interesting, but is that typical or atypical? We have a case here in the bay area where a few of the HBO HD channels are not being added, supposedly because of legal issues. I've always that was a smokescreen for not enough room or not what "our surveys indicate our subs wanted".

I wonder why that is, are not all Comcast systems owned by the parent company, majority owned at the very least? That really is an interesting comment. It's as if they have to negotiate with the individual systems now, very odd.

Even in a company that owns all it operates, there are still divisions and such that are evaluated on their own performance. With cable television, for example, each system has to deal with different franchising authorities, and different subscribers (and subscribers in the same area may trend towards certain interests that don't really have much weight in other areas) and so each division needs to be evaluated on how well they face the specific challenges that they need to overcome. Forcing them all to follow the same playbook essentially removes the ability for people to do the best job they can dealing with their unique circumstances.

This is an advantage of a certain measure of local control -- something that the satellite providers simply cannot match.

Even in a company that owns all it operates, there are still divisions and such that are evaluated on their own performance. With cable television, for example, each system has to deal with different franchising authorities, and different subscribers (and subscribers in the same area may trend towards certain interests that don't really have much weight in other areas) and so each division needs to be evaluated on how well they face the specific challenges that they need to overcome. Forcing them all to follow the same playbook essentially removes the ability for people to do the best job they can dealing with their unique circumstances.

This is an advantage of a certain measure of local control -- something that the satellite providers simply cannot match.
Yes, all that's perfectly reasonable, although somehow I get the feeling that's not what they're talking about in that PR, logically it very well could be though. It's certainly an interesting subject, to me anyway.

Still doesn't explain a "legal issue" with a few of HBO's multiplex channels. What could possibly be the reason to carry all but 2 of their channels? Comcast national does carry all of them in several of their systems.

Comcast 'Cavalry' Rides Into Pittsburgh

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=182499&site=cdn&

September 30, 2009 | Jeff Baumgartner |

Pittsburgh is apparently next in line to get the "all-digital" treatment as Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) prepares to reclaim gobs of analog spectrum there to create more capacity for linear high-definition television and video-on-demand (VoD) services, and perhaps even more channels for Docsis 3.0. (See Pittsburgh Gets Wideband .)

Comcast was not immediately available for comment Wednesday morning, but a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said the digital migration is expected to start there "in the next few months," and to be wrapped up in all of the MSO's western Pennsylvania systems by the end of next year. About 80 percent of Comcast's subs in Pittsburgh reportedly already subscribe to digital cable.


Comcast's initiative, internally called "Project Cavalry," calls for the MSO to migrate about 40 channels from the advanced basic tier from analog to digital (the basic tier remains in analog). To help with the transition, Comcast is giving advanced basic subs one interactive digital box (capable of handling apps such as VoD and the interactive program guide) and two one-way Digital Terminal Adapter (DTA) devices for free as long as they remain Comcast customers. (See Comcast Seeds Digital Shift With Free Boxes.)


The operator is also using DTAs in apartment buildings and other multiple-dwelling units (MDUs), but is expected to deploy a new digital-to-analog gateway device developed by Vecima Networks Inc. (Toronto: VCM) to help reduce conversion costs in those environments. (See Vecima Ready to Ride With Comcast's 'Cavalry'?)


Comcast now has Project Cavalry actively underway in at least a dozen markets, including Seattle; San Francisco/Bay Area; Atlanta; the Philadelphia region; and Chattanooga, Tenn. Portland, Ore., was the first Comcast market to complete the process.


Comcast plans to have about 33 percent of the transition complete by the end. The MSO has said the entire process will cost about $1 billion and require more than 20 million DTAs (and presumably a sizable number of those Vecima thingies). (See Comcast's $1B Bandwidth Plan , Comcast Seeds Digital Shift With Free Boxes, Comcast 'Cavalry' Rides Into NoCal , and Comcast Speeds Up '09 Wideband Goal .)


Thomson (NYSE: TMS; Euronext Paris: 18453), Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO), Pace Micro Technology , and Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) have been identified as DTA suppliers to Comcast. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. may also be in the running for future DTA business at Comcast, as sources have indicated that the Chinese giant has signed a license to use "Privacy Mode," a content-protection scheme that's burned into all Comcast's DTAs, but requires a firmware upgrade for activation. (See Huawei Takes On US Set-Top Market and Comcast's DTAs: Security Optional .)


Although Comcast has clearly picked analog reclamation as the tool it will use initially use to clear up room for more advanced services, the MSO has indicated recently that it still has interest in deploying switched digital video (SDV), another bandwidth saving technique it has tried out in a limited number of markets. (See Burke Gives SDV Some Hope .)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Cable Digital News

Comcast plans to have about 33 percent of the transition complete by the end.

That seems about right for Comcast. They'll be a third finished when they're done. :p

I'm surprised Comcast went with Vecima Networks...although maybe the Terapix by Broadlogic is more for single family homes instead of apartments?

I'm thinking the Vecima networks product is going to be this one: http://www.vecima.com/products.php?line=1026&item=1083

That seems about right for Comcast. They'll be a third finished when they're done. :p

Well, in an article at a techsite where the author uses the word "thingies" you can figure that accuracy may not be a high point.

I hate comcast HD. I have tons of pixelation problems on certain channels, ESPN being the worst channel for it. If I wasn't such a big Philly sports fan I'd be else where by now.

Is there a way to improve the picture quality?

I hate comcast HD. I have tons of pixelation problems on certain channels, ESPN being the worst channel for it. If I wasn't such a big Philly sports fan I'd be else where by now.

Is there a way to improve the picture quality?

I feel your pain:mad:

I feel your pain:mad:

I guess there is no other options for us huh? Fios is a while away for me(CapeMay).

Is Comcast about to buy (or has already purchased) NBC-Universal from G.E. for $35 BILLION dollars? The "Hot Off The Press" thread has the story: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17276634#post17276634.

I guess there is no other options for us huh? Fios is a while away for me(CapeMay).

I was told I will see it in the next two years:mad:

^My Comcast service had tons of pixelations on fast movements. I don't see that with D*.

Comcast/GE Discussing Joint NBC Universal Venture

The new company would be majority controlled by Comcast which would own a 51% stake in NBC Universal versus General Electric’s 49%

By Claire Atkinson -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/1/2009 2:17:29 PM EDT

Comcast is discussing the formation of a new joint venture company in partnership with General Electric, according to executives familiar with talks.

The new company would be majority controlled by Comcast which would own a 51% stake in NBC Universal versus General Electric’s 49%. Comcast’s only cash outlay would be in the $4 billion to $6 billion range, according to one person in the midst of talks. CNBC had reported that Comcast would kick-in as much as $7 billion. That point appears to be one of many still under negotiation. One executive said General Electric would also contribute $12 billion in debt to the spun-off entity. Comcast’s assets include: E!, Style, Golf Channel and a group of regional sports networks.

As part of the deal Comcast would manage the new entity and merge its own cable assets into the venture. The deal is of course dependent on Vivendi giving up its 20% stake in NBC Universal which is majority owned by NBC Universal. The company is yet to decide on its plan for the stake.

Some deal players have suggested the $35 billion valuation, which originated from a J.P. Morgan analyst, is too high and that Bernstein Research's figure of between $21 billion and $23 billion might be a more accurate figure. J.P. Morgan is also the banker for GE.

The executive refused to name a potential chief of the new company, should a deal be completed, though it seems as if Comcast as managing partner would be in the driving seat of the decision making.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/356440-Comcast_GE_Discussing_Joint_NBC_Universal_Venture.php

CBS College Sports HD and NBA TV HD are in my guide as of this morning but are not live yet.

I might be moving to an area with Comcast and to keep my expenses down I plan on getting their economy internet service ($40 a month without other Comcast services) and getting my TV OTA. However, I read somewhere that if you have the Internet-only plan then basic cable is free? Can anyone vouch for this? Of course they want to keep basic cable pricing off of their website so they can push the digital services. Also, with basic cable I assume you can still get the clear QAM channels?

Basic (sometimes called Ltd. Basic) isn't free with HSI, it is just that it's approximately effectively free, in that the so-called 'discount' on HSI is about equal to the price of Basic. Here, it is actually $6.75 less to have HSI and Basic, than just HSI.

If you want to see all of their prices, get a price card from your local office. I am surprised you are aware of Economy HSI without a price card, since it is isn't listed on Comcast's site for this area, maybe it is there (or you read about it or a relative/friend has it).

Here, Comcast's site does show Basic, as an available service. Regardless, there are still omissions and mistakes on just about every area's Comcast site, so best to just get a price card.

And yes, clear-QAM is available with Basic, thus all TV subscribers get it. Although, supposedly, in many (or all) areas, they can't block out Basic (Analog or Digital HD/SD), so that is why they effectively charge for Basic (more or less), whether one's orders it or not.

Basic (sometimes called Ltd. Basic) isn't free with HSI, it is just that it's approximately effectively free, in that the so-called 'discount' on HSI is about equal to the price of Basic. Here, it is actually $6.75 less to have HSI and Basic, than just HSI.

If you want to see all of their prices, get a price card from your local office. Good advice, but read it carefully - things are changing.

My latest rate card shows a stark difference between 'Limited Cable' and 'Basic Cable'. The former is $14 and is just a few dozen channels - the local channels and a few others (shopping and public service). The latter is $52 and has 100+ channels - eventually, 'Basic' is going away and will be replaced by a tier called 'Digital Starter'.

In my area, there is a $10 price premium for just HSI - but 'Limited Cable' is $14. So, if you get TV along with the least expensive HSI, the package is $4 more than just HSI.

Any channel above 30 is typically digital (QAM). This is a tough one because currently they are 'Clear QAM' (unencrypted with no STB required) but Comcast has announced that they will be encrypted by the end of the year.

Search around here and you will see many posts about this, so it is not worth rehashing again....

My latest rate card shows a stark difference between 'Limited Cable' and 'Basic Cable'. The former is $14 and is just a few dozen channels - the local channels and a few others (shopping and public service). The latter is $52 and has 100+ channels - eventually, 'Basic' is going away and will be replaced by a tier called 'Digital Starter'.There has been a difference between (Limited) Basic Cable and Expanded Basic Cable, here, for twenty years or more. And the law requiring that division has been on the books for a long time. It is Expanded Basic Cable that is being merged into Digital Starter. (Limited) Basic Cable remains a federal mandate.

Any channel above 30 is typically digital (QAM). This is a tough one because currently they are 'Clear QAM' (unencrypted with no STB required) but Comcast has announced that they will be encrypted by the end of the year.Perhaps where you live, but they haven't announced that everywhere. They have announced that "you will need a box" -- at least a DTA -- for certain levels of service, but they haven't indicated that they will be enabling the privacy mode on those DTAs -- yet.

Perhaps where you live, but they haven't announced that everywhere. They have announced that "you will need a box" -- at least a DTA -- for certain levels of service, but they haven't indicated that they will be enabling the privacy mode on those DTAs -- yet.I'm in Seattle which is in the midst of the digital conversion. A recent rate card shows pricing options for 'Limited Cable', 'Basic Cable', 'Digital Starter' and digital tiers named 'Classic, Preferred, Preferred Plus and Premier' this (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008480563_brier08.html) article explains the entire 'analog reclamation' and shift to digital fairly clearly. Similar changes are going on nationwide.

The issue of encryption is still hanging, but it has been announced (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009860393_brier14.html) with the local Comcast VP saying "We're still on track to encrypt, definitely, by the end of the year."

I have read here that Spokane has already been encrypted - it seems reasonable that Comcast will do this nationally.

Perhaps where you live, but they haven't announced that everywhere. They have announced that "you will need a box" -- at least a DTA -- for certain levels of service, but they haven't indicated that they will be enabling the privacy mode on those DTAs -- yet.
Announced or not, they are already doing it.

Really? We've seen privacy mode enabled on DTAs in the wild already? I hadn't seen that posted anywhere yet.

Really? We've seen privacy mode enabled on DTAs in the wild already? I hadn't seen that posted anywhere yet.If you follow the link I posted above, you will see:

"But not for long. Late last month, the FCC authorized Comcast to use the free converter devices as descramblers. That's a green light for the company to start encrypting signals, which it began doing a few weeks ago in Spokane. The rest of Washington will follow soon, meaning all expanded-basic customers will truly have to use converters soon."

I also think that someone posted from Spokane confirming that, but I can't find the post right now.

I'm not surprised that it is starting in the NW.

What is magic about the NW in this regard?

What is magic about the NW in this regard?

For the most part, they've been done with their migration for a while.

What is magic about the NW in this regard?Clearly, the NW is filled to the brim with 'consumerists' who expect their QAM tuners to be useful and Comcast must show us the error of our ways... ;)

SDV implementation here in the Twin Cities?

Comcast has previously announced that the Twin Cities is a SDV test area. Our system here is part Motorola (St. Paul system) and part Cisco/SA (Minneapolis system -- formerly TWC).

There was an announcment in Saturday's local newspaper directed to "customers in Minneapolis" that Comcast will be adding three HD channels on November 3rd (Spike, Liftime and Nickelodeon) and listed the channel numbers only for the Minneapolis system (the channel numbers in St. Paul are different).

Since SDV seems to be more stable on Cisco equipment, I am wondering if this is the first small implementation of SDV here.

I will call them today to ask them when the channels will be added to the St. Paul system.

Comcast Brings 76 New TV Networks to San Jose, Santa Rosa and Portions of the East Bay as Part of 'World of More' Programming Rollout

Comcast Now Has 99 HD Networks After Latest Phase of Bay's Digital Upgrade Mass of New Viewing Options Includes 46 New HD Networks, 14 International Channels and 13 Spanish Language Networks

...Beginning October 6th, the new programming will be available to residential homes and businesses in San Jose and Los Gatos. The new networks will be available in Alameda, Hayward, Santa Rosa and Union City on October 8th; Berkeley, El Cerrito, Fremont, Hercules, Newark, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo on October 13th; and Benicia on November 2nd. Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, Hercules and Pinole will launch an additional 12 high-definition networks (see list below), bringing their totals up to 85 new networks including 58 new HD networks.

46 NEW HIGH DEFINITION (HD) NETWORKS

Network New Channel #
------- -------------

NBA League Pass HD* 450

NHL Center Ice/MLB Extra Innings HD* 460

WGN HD 717

ESPN News HD 726

NBA TV HD 727

NHL Network HD 728

MLB Network HD 729

CBS College Sports HD 732

TV One HD 740

Style Network HD 742

Spike HD 743

G4 HD 744

Comedy Central HD 745

truTV HD* 748

Disney XD HD 763

Nickelodeon HD 767

Planet Green HD 771

Biography Channel HD 772

CNN Headline News HD* 774

The Weather Channel HD 776

BET HD 777

CMT HD 778

Fuse HD 779

VH1 HD 781

MTV HD 782

Outdoor Channel HD 784

The Tennis Channel HD* 786

MSNBC HD 787

ESPN U HD* 788

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) HD* 789

IFC (International Film Channel) HD 790

WE: Women's Entertainment HD 791

Lifetime HD 795

Lifetime Movie Network HD 796

MGM HD 797

HBO Comedy HD 805

HBO Zone HD 807

HBO Latino HD 808

Starz! Edge HD 817

Starz! Comedy HD 818

Starz! Kids & Family HD 819

Showtime Too HD 826

Action MAX HD 840

Thriller MAX HD 841

TMC The Movie Channel HD 847

PPV Events HD 870


* Also recently launched in Brentwood, Burlingame, Castro Valley,
Cupertino, Daly City, Healdsburg, Los Altos, Milpitas, Mountain View,
Novato, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, Rio Vista, Rohnert
Park, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Saratoga, South San Francisco,
Sunnyvale and Vacaville.



12 ADDITIONAL HIGH DEFINITION (HD) NETWORKS
Launching in Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, Hercules and Pinole

Network New Channel #
------- -------------

QVC HD 719

Speed HD 731

Bravo HD 733

FX HD 741

E! HD 753

Travel Channel HD 755

Fox News Channel HD 760

Fox Business Network HD 761

CNBC HD 762

Cartoon Network HD 766

Hallmark Movie Channel HD 794

Encore HD 809

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/comcast-brings-76-new-tv,988840.shtml

154535

New HD for Plainfield (over 40 new channels). Plus a rearrangement of the HD lineup.

Comcast Brings 76 New TV Networks to San Jose, Santa Rosa and Portions of the East Bay as Part of 'World of More' Programming Rollout



It's only been a few years, maybe 2(?), since Santa Rosa had only 10 HD channels, including local broadcast and premiums. Comcast has definitely been pouring it on in the SF bay area lately. :)

Does anybody have any new info for Savannah, Ga?

So much for no to SDV yes to analog reclaimation. Cypherstream said they something about privacy not working on SA DTAs and that being why the calvary have only visited Moto systems. Are the calvary are going to leave SA systems behind and use SDV?

Comcast will upgrade its cable service in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis [MD] this fall, giving a free digital converter to almost all its remaining basic cable subscribers.

...Channels with start to switch on or about Sept. 28, when the first 24 channels will go digital. Another 23 will switch around Oct. 28, and 38 new high-definition channels will launch Oct. 10, officials said.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/bus/2009/08/05-44/Comcast-expands-county-digital-service.html

The new HD channels have been added in Anne Arundel County.

So much for no to SDV yes to analog reclaimation. Cypherstream said they something about privacy not working on SA DTAs and that being why the calvary have only visited Moto systems. Are the calvary are going to leave SA systems behind and use SDV?

From what I've heard and read, i-guide version a28 is needed to deployed before SDV will work with the Motorola boxes.

Comcast Begins Work On Upgrades

11:15 a.m. EDT, October 7, 2009

MIDDLETOWN/AREAWIDE — - Comcast Cable customers in Middletown, Portland, Cromwell, East Hampton and Portland may experience temporary interruptions of cable service as Comcast begins upgrades on its fiber-optic network.

Work on upgrades began this week and are expected to last through the end of the year. When the work is occurring in their neighborhood, customers will be notified of the potential for service interruptions through the presence of door hangers at their homes between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The upgrades will result in an expanded HD lineup and increased Internet speeds with the availability of wide band service. For information, go to www.comcast.com and click on "customers" in the left hand menu or call the 24-hour hot line at 800-266-2278.

— Melissa Pionzio

http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-middletown-comcast-1008.artoct07,0,350884.story

Message posted to the local thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17313279&postcount=5774

CBS College Sports HD is up on channel 854 in Harford County, MD. Discovered by accident, as no other channel near there seems to be in use at the moment.

Comcast Misprint Sends Customers to Sex Line

Taren Reed Created: 10/9/2009 4:44:44 PM Updated: 10/9/2009 4:47:55 PM

SCRANTON, PA -- A Pennsylvania cable company has a misprint on a sales flyer... and customers are dialing up a very steamy number!

Folks couldn't believe their ears! But the 800 number printed on Comcast mailing, which is supposed to be the number to call to sign up for HBO-HD, gets this kind of answer:

"Hi, big guy..."

It's a different hotline altogether. Some were offended, others were amused.

Comcast won't say how many were mailed, but one woman says it's no big deal.

"It is what it is. And I'm sure everybody will survive."

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=146436&catid=82

Comcast Brings 76 New TV Networks to San Jose, Santa Rosa and Portions of the East Bay as Part of 'World of More' Programming Rollout

Comcast Now Has 99 HD Networks After Latest Phase of Bay's Digital Upgrade Mass of New Viewing Options Includes 46 New HD Networks, 14 International Channels and 13 Spanish Language Networks

...Beginning October 6th, the new programming will be available to residential homes and businesses in San Jose and Los Gatos. The new networks will be available in Alameda, Hayward, Santa Rosa and Union City on October 8th; Berkeley, El Cerrito, Fremont, Hercules, Newark, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo on October 13th; and Benicia on November 2nd. Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, Hercules and Pinole will launch an additional 12 high-definition networks (see list below), bringing their totals up to 85 new networks including 58 new HD networks.

46 NEW HIGH DEFINITION (HD) NETWORKS

Network New Channel #
------- -------------

NBA League Pass HD* 450

NHL Center Ice/MLB Extra Innings HD* 460

WGN HD 717

ESPN News HD 726

NBA TV HD 727

NHL Network HD 728

MLB Network HD 729

CBS College Sports HD 732

TV One HD 740

Style Network HD 742

Spike HD 743

G4 HD 744

Comedy Central HD 745

truTV HD* 748

Disney XD HD 763

Nickelodeon HD 767

Planet Green HD 771

Biography Channel HD 772

CNN Headline News HD* 774

The Weather Channel HD 776

BET HD 777

CMT HD 778

Fuse HD 779

VH1 HD 781

MTV HD 782

Outdoor Channel HD 784

The Tennis Channel HD* 786

MSNBC HD 787

ESPN U HD* 788

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) HD* 789

IFC (International Film Channel) HD 790

WE: Women's Entertainment HD 791

Lifetime HD 795

Lifetime Movie Network HD 796

MGM HD 797

HBO Comedy HD 805

HBO Zone HD 807

HBO Latino HD 808

Starz! Edge HD 817

Starz! Comedy HD 818

Starz! Kids & Family HD 819

Showtime Too HD 826

Action MAX HD 840

Thriller MAX HD 841

TMC The Movie Channel HD 847

PPV Events HD 870


* Also recently launched in Brentwood, Burlingame, Castro Valley,
Cupertino, Daly City, Healdsburg, Los Altos, Milpitas, Mountain View,
Novato, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, Rio Vista, Rohnert
Park, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Saratoga, South San Francisco,
Sunnyvale and Vacaville.



12 ADDITIONAL HIGH DEFINITION (HD) NETWORKS
Launching in Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, Hercules and Pinole

Network New Channel #
------- -------------

QVC HD 719

Speed HD 731

Bravo HD 733

FX HD 741

E! HD 753

Travel Channel HD 755

Fox News Channel HD 760

Fox Business Network HD 761

CNBC HD 762

Cartoon Network HD 766

Hallmark Movie Channel HD 794

Encore HD 809

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/comcast-brings-76-new-tv,988840.shtml

Never seen them before, but on Comcast Of Garden State, all those channels were apparently added. Not sure if the numbers are the same, but in the 800's there's at least 20 new channels. I now have Comedy Central HD, SpikeHD, BioHD and TWCHD.

I am on the garden State system and I only get
TCNHD 856 all so on 201
NFLRD 861 all so on 218
What Channels are yours on? Comedy Central HD, SpikeHD, BioHD and TWCHD.

Cableco's gone wild. This is the 3rd time(1 (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/83510)&2 (http://gizmodo.com/5144199/prank-of-the-year-comcast-tucson-airs-graphic-porn-during-super-bowl-nsfw)). I don't think they're buying NBC.

I am on the garden State system and I only get
TCNHD 856 all so on 201
NFLRD 861 all so on 218
What Channels are yours on? Comedy Central HD, SpikeHD, BioHD and TWCHD.

Then maybe I am not on the Garden State system anymore. I live in maple shade. We used to be on it when I first moved into my apartment. Now, when I went to the comcast website, it pops up as Burlington County. My channels are the same as these

154535

New HD for Plainfield (over 40 new channels). Plus a rearrangement of the HD lineup.

Does anyone get the NBA-HD channel? The Comcast lineup for our local system, Champaign-Urbana, IL says the channel is available but a CS rep says it is not available in our area. I am trying to see where, if anywhere, is receiving the NBA-HD channel.

Does anyone get the NBA-HD channel? The Comcast lineup for our local system, Champaign-Urbana, IL says the channel is available but a CS rep says it is not available in our area. I am trying to see where, if anywhere, is receiving the NBA-HD channel.

It's available here in the San Francisco market, ch 727 on the local systems.

Does anyone get the NBA-HD channel? The Comcast lineup for our local system, Champaign-Urbana, IL says the channel is available but a CS rep says it is not available in our area. I am trying to see where, if anywhere, is receiving the NBA-HD channel.



Got it here. Channel 235.

Does anyone get the NBA-HD channel? The Comcast lineup for our local system, Champaign-Urbana, IL says the channel is available but a CS rep says it is not available in our area. I am trying to see where, if anywhere, is receiving the NBA-HD channel.

Available in the Houston area since Sept 29th.

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Digital switch irks customers (http://www.ajc.com/business/digital-switch-irks-customers-159528.html)

Fairly balanced article about the switch in the ATL, noting that the main complaints are extra cost and loss of VCR and DVD recorder use.

Irk-age is understandable. I'm irked that I've lost Food Network on my kitchen television (if it wasn't for TiVo MRV). However, toward the end of the article, the patter goes from reasonable irk-age to unreasonable expectations. I think the first part of the article is very balanced, as you said, though.

I can certainly understand how taking away the ability to record from different channels unattended would be a real shock for people, though - if a better box with timers or a reminder feature costs $5.99 more, or worse yet, you end up having to rent their DVR (which is kind of ridiculous if you have an SDTV and only record a few shows a week).

If they can't at least build a simple event timer into the DTA's and make them workable by IR blaster, it'd be nice if they at least offered everyone a better box with those features as their first free one - no matter what package they have.

If it were me, I seriously would call them up and threaten to cancel if they didn't at least give me the better box free.

U-Verse isn't really any better, though, for that sort of situation. They don't have a non-DVR tuner at all that has an event timer, and even though people have bugged the heck out of them for it, they have no intention of ever adding it. And after all is said and done, they're really not that differently priced than cable.

I can certainly understand how taking away the ability to record from different channels unattended would be a real shock for people, though - if a better box with timers or a reminder feature costs $5.99 more, or worse yet, you end up having to rent their DVR (which is kind of crazy if you have an SDTV and only record a few shows a week).

If they can't at least build a simple event timer into the DTA's and make them workable by IR blaster, it'd be nice if they at least offered everyone a better box with those features as their first free one - no matter what package they have.

If it were me, I seriously would call them up and threaten to cancel if they didn't at least give me the better box free.

U-Verse isn't any better, though - so you can't use that as a bargaining chip. Their non-DVR tuner doesn't have any timer feature either, and even though people have bugged the heck out of them for it, they have no intention of ever adding it.

Most areas I have heard of are giving 1 DCT/DCH and 2 DTAs. So they would be getting at least 1 full featured box in the price.

I know that if you're "officialy" subscribing to Comcast's "Digital Starter", you get one fuller-featured, VOD-capable box.

But I thought that if they were just switching you over from "extended basic analog", they only normally offered the DTA's free (last time I looked, Comcast's Digital Starter cost 2 or 3 bucks more than Extended Basic). I think that's how some in the DVD Recorders forum here described their situation - basically the same as that woman in the article.

Maybe it's not the same with every cable company in every area. I seem to remember reading here that they didn't normally offer the better box to some, but they called them up and were able to get it with some pressure.

I know that if you're "officialy" subscribing to Comcast's "Digital Starter", you get one fuller-featured, VOD-capable box.

But I thought that if they were just switching you over from "extended basic analog", they only normally offered the DTA's free (last time I looked, Comcast's Digital Starter cost 2 or 3 bucks more than Extended Basic). I think that's how some in the DVD Recorders forum here described their situation.

Maybe it's not the same for everybody, though. I seem to remember reading here that they didn't normally offer the better box to some, but they called them up and were able to get it with some pressure.

Here in Michigan customers with expanded basic are able to get DCT/DCHs as part of the package. May not be the same everywhere.

That's probably it then. Don't even know what the situation is here, as I haven't had cable in a few years (Comcast). Suppose I'll be finding out from my BIL soon enough, though.

The company said in August that complaints from customers were few and far between.

People aren't complaining because they think the death of analog cable is part of the government-mandated digital transition.


Why is the change taking place? Comcast is moving customers to digital service to free up network space. That will allow more high-definition channels, faster Internet speeds and more offerings in its on-demand library of television shows and movies.

First, faster Internet speeds will be a premium $99+ product and can exist without analog reclamation. Second, the audience for those HD channels and VODs is smaller than that for classic analog. They could have waited until at least 2012 for analog reclamation, especially with SDV available.

Picture breaks up: Called “pixelation,” this can distort the picture or make the picture freeze into colorful squares. This can be caused by a transmission problem, Comcast said, or by problems with the cable wiring inside the house. For customers experiencing this frequently, wiring may be the problem and a service call might be the only solution. Unless a customer has a Comcast plan for such repairs, the customer may face a charge.

So the MSO gets to bill the customer for "repairs" -- even if the problem is crappy digital cable compression, which cannot be fixed by a service call.

Chutzpah!

First, faster Internet speeds will be a premium $99+ product and can exist without analog reclamation. Second, the audience for those HD channels and VODs is smaller than that for classic analog. They could have waited until at least 2012 for analog reclamation, especially with SDV available.

Faster internet speeds in many areas can not be done without some of the bandwidth being reclaimed from analog channels. The faster speeds will effect all internet users because typically the bump all the speed tiers for all customers at once.

HD and VOD are money making services that allow cable companies to compete effectively. Analog is a bandwidth hog that is costly to maintain and does not allow for premium (read: highly profitable) services.

So the MSO gets to bill the customer for "repairs" -- even if the problem is crappy digital cable compression, which cannot be fixed by a service call.

Chutzpah!

Face it - with no real competition (and I don't consider satellite real competition) the consumer gets stuck again. My away around it - OTA (for news) and N Flix (BluRay). TV is so bad - all the compression and SD programming, we'll never get to see the full potential of HD over cable and satellite. :mad: All you FiOS customers are very lucky.

Cheers

(and I don't consider satellite real competition)The US Court of Appeals just spanked the FCC for claiming that. Satellite is real competition for cable. It is.

The US Court of Appeals just spanked the FCC for claiming that. Satellite is real competition for cable. It is.

Come on bicker - You know the Courts can make mistakes. Satellite is not and never will be real competition. I have an 864 MHz bandwidth cable. And what is Ku-Band DTH satellite bandwidth? A measly 500 MHz. And on that they put lots of "local" channels the cable doesn't carry. In terms of carrying capacity there's no comparison. Oh yeah, let's not forget Ku-Band satellite transmission susceptibility to rain attenuation. Technically they are not competitors. Last thing, satellite can not offer hi-speed internet comparable with cable. I typically can download at 8 Mbps - one of the few things I like about my cable.

Let's be candid and honest in our technical assessments and avoid polemics. Hiding behind erroneous decisions from a non-technically inclined judicial system does the community a grave disservice. Oh BTW, having provided expert technical testimony in my field, I know how much weight expert witness testimony can carry in making decisions. Admit it, cable is a monopoly with no real competition except for those fortunate few who have FiOS. :D

Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of cable companies making a profit. But how much is reasonable? They should be treated as a regulated monopoly like a utility. Think back to the excesses of the telephone companies and electric companies in their early years. That behavior triggered a lot of regulation - the very thing they fought.

Cheers

? Everytime I've driven into the city lately (Chicago), every other house I see has a satellite dish on it (it's easy to see all of them because of the denseness of the buildings, and also because they often put them right on the front wall, if that's the clearest shot).

Not sure where you live - maybe a newer subdivision where you're discouraged from putting dishes where one can see them from the street?

Come on bicker - You know the Courts can make mistakes.So can consumers. And with regard to legal issues, generally if I had to choose between believing the US Court of Appeals and believing consumers, I'd say the court is more reliable.

Satellite is not and never will be real competition.Yes, it is. I know it makes defending attacks against cable companies more difficult, but that's life. If you want to attack cable companies, you need to do so on some other grounds.

<I omitted a whole bunch of endorsements of cable providers that Satcom15 posted.>

Let's be candid and honest in our technical assessments and avoid polemics. Hiding behind erroneous decisions from a non-technically inclined judicial system does the community a grave disservice.Incorrect: Hiding behind tangential equivocations does the community a grave disservice. When you are talking about what people should and should not expect from service providers, you're talking about business. People who need to understand the business side of this space need the actuality, what they will encounter in the marketplace, not what you wish was the case.

Admit it, cable is a monopoly with no real competitionAdmit it: You are simply engaging in wishful thinking, and your assertions along these lines do not reflect the way the marketplace that readers will encounter in reality is and shall be conducted.

Hey bick give him some credit, he was right about FIOS customers which was a point you didn't address! :D

FiOS is good stuff. I never said differently. However, my reply was about the erroneous assertions, not the stuff he got right. I generally don't post "ayup" replies; if I don't address something in a reply, it generally means I either agree or don't care. :peace:

If they can't at least build a simple event timer into the DTA's and make them workable by IR blaster, it'd be nice if they at least offered everyone a better box with those features as their first free one - no matter what package they have.

The DTA's are workable by IR blaster, but that doesn't help people with VCRs or DVD recorders. It also doesn't totally help people with the older TiVo Series2-DT models since they can only record from one cable box.

Newer TiVo models will work, but would require a cableCARD which would add an extra charge to the cable bill, plus an installation fee, plus a possible additional outlet fee.

Adding timers to the DTA would be a good idea, but the devices are so basic, that I don't even know if that's possible.

The DTA's are workable by IR blaster, but that doesn't help people with VCRs or DVD recorders. It also doesn't totally help people with the older TiVo Series2-DT models since they can only record from one cable box.

Newer TiVo models will work, but would require a cableCARD which would add an extra charge to the cable bill, plus an installation fee, plus a possible additional outlet fee.

Adding timers to the DTA would be a good idea, but the devices are so basic, that I don't even know if that's possible.

Cablecards are only $1.50 a month, after the first one - so get an M-Card. Skip the installation fee by insisting you can pick up and install/call yourself.

Does anybody have any new info for Savannah, Ga?

I am in Savannah, GA also. In the last Comcast bill they said a new add would be channel 465 Lifetime Movies HD. That's the only new channel I have heard about. Not sure when it will be added, I think Nov 1.

personally with the NBA season rolling around I was hoping to get NBA TV HD and maybe the ability for NBA League Pass to have an HD channel as well.

I don't think we'll get anything new until January at the earliest. :(

Comcast cable upgrade causes problems for Ann Arbor TiVo users

Posted: Today, 1 hour ago

Comcast is disputing assertions voiced by several Ann Arbor residents that today’s cable TV network upgrades would cause TiVo digital video recorders to lose some functionality.

But TiVo offers a different perspective. The company's site indicates that digital network upgrades prevent dual-tuner TiVo users from simultaneously recording shows on two digital channels.

Comcast, contacted by AnnArbor.com today after several residents expressed concern, said the digital upgrades wouldn’t affect TiVo units. That directly contradicts reports by several residents, who said their TiVo units would not work correctly with newly required Comcast digital equipment.

“TiVo DVRs are fully compatible with Comcast digital equipment and will allow you to access all of your channels,” wrote Mary Beth Halprin, vice president of public relations and community affairs, in an e-mail.

But TiVo's Web site indicates that dual-tuner users will encounter problems.

"Your TiVo DVR can record one digital channel and one analog channel or two analog channels at the same time. That does not change," TiVo's site says. "However, since your cable provider is broadcasting more of your channels in digital format, you may see more recording conflicts after you install your cable box, and some of your scheduled Season Pass recordings may be affected."

Several Ann Arbor residents confirmed that their dual-tuner TiVo units do not work correctly when connected to Comcast digital equipment. Comcast today is upgrading a portion of its analog cable transmission to digital technology. The upgrade means that cable users whose TVs don’t have digital capability need to install free Comcast equipment to ensure uninterrupted service on all channels.

Halprin said in an interview that she was previously “not aware” of incompatibility between the Comcast equipment and TiVo technology.

“I can’t speak to a specific customer’s issue. And there are a couple of different versions of TiVo out there. So there could be some issues with the way that it’s installed,” Halprin said. “But without knowing what’s happening at the customer’s television it’s difficult to give you a specific answer.”

Jane Raymond, an Ann Arbor resident and Comcast customer, said she spent time discussing the issue with TiVo and Comcast representatives. Her dual-tuner TiVo, she said, can no longer record two shows at once.

“There’s no way you can do it,” she said. “They must be getting hundreds of these phone calls, but yet they acted very surprised. They were not very helpful.”

TiVo public relations officials were not immediately available for comment.

Raymond suggested that the upgrade was a ploy by Comcast to entice cable customers to buy a Comcast DVR.

Asked for her response, Halprin said: “The project is connected to providing new services through our video service, our on-demand programming and our Internet service. The equipment that a customer chooses to have depends on their lifestyle.”

Halprin said Comcast was responding to customer concerns on a case-by-case basis. She provided this advice in an e-mail:

“TiVo Series3 DVRs (including TiVo HD and HD XL) will work without a digital cable box because they use CableCARDs to receive digital channels. Digital adapters are not needed. TiVo Series2 and Series1 DVRs require a Comcast digital cable box or a digital adapter to receive digital channels. If customers have questions about setting up their TiVo DVR with a digital cable box, they should check their TiVo owner’s manual. Depending on the TiVo equipment, there are multiple ways to connect TiVo to the Comcast service. For more information, customers can visit www.tivo.com/alldigital.”

http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/comcast-cable-upgrade-causes-problems-for-tivo-users/

AFAIK, Comcast does not have license from the manufacturers to sell DVRs. I don't know where the author of that article got that idea.

Hunterdon County NJ getting the new lineup ~50 new HD and moving all the HD to ~800-900 in the next few days.

http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Hillsborough/

think first post needs an update- BET, MLB, E!, G4 all on the list so looks like those are beyond the "signed contract' stage and being deployed

Cablecards are only $1.50 a month, after the first one - so get an M-Card. Skip the installation fee by insisting you can pick up and install/call yourself.
An M-Card would mean no CC fee, it's included in the price (in place of SD box). Two S-Cards for one Tivo would result in $1.50-$2 fee for a 'Second CC in One Device' fee.

If the M-Card is on a secondary Tivo, then it would incur an A/O fee, just like any box. In this case, two S-Cards would incur an A/O fee
and a second CC fee.

Most areas I have heard of are giving 1 DCT/DCH and 2 DTAs. So they would be getting at least 1 full featured box in the price.
SE PA is also one SD box and two DTAs included in Digital Starter.
(Some areas make the first box a customer choice of SD box or DTA.)

Some areas are one SD and one DTA; others are two DTAs, IIRC. If I am right, including DTAs only, is the problem.

The DTA's are workable by IR blaster, but that doesn't help people with VCRs or DVD recorders.I know they will work with Replay TV units (from the thread here at AVS), but the woman in that article complaining, and the majority of people using standalone recorders out there are using VCR's and HDD/DVD recorders. That's what I was talking about.

As far as I know, no one has gotten one of those types of recorders to control any of the DTA's with an IR blaster and code that comes with the recorder (not an independent type of IR blaster device).

If I'm wrong, and there are some non-Tivo/Replay recorders and codes which will work it, please let me know. There are probably a few people over in the DVD Recorder and CECB forums here who would be interested.

SE PA is also one SD box and two DTAs included in Digital Starter.They're still offering the "Expanded Basic" package in some places here (I don't know for how long, though), and for that they normally just give you the two DTA's (at least at least in the town that someone in the local Comcast thread just mentioned).

The US Court of Appeals just spanked the FCC for claiming that. Satellite is real competition for cable. It is.

DBS is competition for cable when it comes to expanded tiers, satellite-fed channels and PPV, It is not, however, in two areas:

1.) The basic community antenna service, which how cable gets access to the public right-of-way. DBS is not part of this.
2.) VOD. AFAIK, DBS is limited, if not unable, in providing this.

Also, in numerous locations, cable can provide service where DBS cannot or will not be availabke (and, in rural areas, vice versa).

HD and VOD are money making services that allow cable companies to compete effectively. Analog is a bandwidth hog that is costly to maintain and does not allow for premium (read: highly profitable) services.

Analog cable remains a cash cow for the industry, even now. Premium services reach a declining number of subscribers and churn heavily. Rank and file customers have shown time and again they don't care much about PPV entertainment or 1080i resolution. In a recessionary economy, cable could afford to wait.

Also, analog is simple. You plug it it and it just works. Cable needs to develop an equivalent system for digital. (And no, CableCard is not it.) They have the opportunity to do it with clear QAM, but that is being blown off.

DCR+ was that standard, but it was the CE industry's standard. Cable didn't want it or Cablecard, which got forced on them by the FCC. But Cablecard is what we're stuck with, even after tru2way is deployed.

Yes, it sucks, just like it sucks that satellite was not forced into the same 'standard'.

Comcast of Burlington (NJ) seems to be taking the slow and stead pace of switching to digital. As of this week there's now 11 seemly randomly selected analog channels that now show a picture of a DTA with text stating that it is needed to tune that channel. That equates to around 20% of the total number of analog channels being removed, though they haven't really been removed yet since they display that screen.

Analog cable remains a cash cow for the industry, even now. Premium services reach a declining number of subscribers and churn heavily. Rank and file customers have shown time and again they don't care much about PPV entertainment or 1080i resolution. In a recessionary economy, cable could afford to wait. You need to do more research before making statements like this, that are basically wrong.

Analog cable remains a cash cow for the industry, even now. Premium services reach a declining number of subscribers and churn heavily. Rank and file customers have shown time and again they don't care much about PPV entertainment or 1080i resolution. In a recessionary economy, cable could afford to wait.
Analog systems are expensive to maintain and are not efficient. When 60 analog channels can fit into 6 digital QAMs that are already in place because of ADS, keeping those most of those analog channels in place just is not a good use of bandwidth. While many customers don't care about premium services or PPV, getting them onto a digital service increase the chances that they will use or purchase those services.

Competition has increased despite the economy with fiber and IPTV based systems. Saying cable should wait, is like saying cable should just sit back and not even try to match the level of services that their new competitors are now able to offer.


Also, analog is simple. You plug it it and it just works. Cable needs to develop an equivalent system for digital. (And no, CableCard is not it.) They have the opportunity to do it with clear QAM, but that is being blown off.
Why? There is no reason that cable should be held to some plug and play standard that none of their competitors would be held to, especially for services above the most basic level.

DBS is competition for cable when it comes to expanded tiers, satellite-fed channels and PPV, It is not, however, in two areas:

2.) VOD. AFAIK, DBS is limited, if not unable, in providing this.



DirecTV now offers a quite nice VoD via internet, if you already have hi-speed internet of some sort with your own router. They also offer powerline networking kits to hook it up without running ethernet cables other than in the area immediately between your DirecTV DVR and the nearest wall power outlet --tho you can also provide your own networking infrastructure solution if you prefer. This has the added advantage of also providing a pass-thru ethernet on the back of your DirecTV DVR that you can use to connect your internet-enabled Blu-ray player or TV to your network as well. That latter was nice for me --I hadn't gotten around to providing a network connection for my Blu-ray player yet.

You can also get real 1080p downloads of DirecTV On Demand (not all are, but many of the PPV ones are) whereas all the Comcast HD VOD are, I believe, still 1080i.

You are using up your DVR hdd space by doing this (and the DirecTV DVR's typically have somewhere between 50% and 250% more hdd space than Comcast anyway, depending on models on both sides), as it is not pure streaming like Comcast VoD, but it seems quite useable to me in the times I've used it. You will need to allow a little buffer time as well to get it started, but I personally do not find that onerous --others might.

The list on the 1st post hasn't been updated in forever. Does anyone have an updated list of all the HD channels Comcast offers? My area (western PA) is getting 11 new channels at the end of this month, taking us up to a total of 49 (50 if you count NFL RedZone being on 6 hours a week).

We still don't have some pretty basic HD channels, like ESPNews HD or Weather HD...stuff I would have thought would have come through on this last round.

Does anyone have an updated list of all the HD channels Comcast offers?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058081

Why? There is no reason that cable should be held to some plug and play standard that none of their competitors would be held to, especially for services above the most basic level.

I guess the takeaway from the discussion of late is:

1. There is no way to truthfully compare the various services. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Is there meaningful competition? Perhaps. It seems to be in the eye of the beholder. bicker and I disagree on that point, but that's the way it is. We're all entitled to our own opinion.

2. Business decisions are not always advantageous to the consumer. Often the best technical solution is not the best business solution. And, we know $$$ and the business solution wins when that happens.

3. There is and will be a lot of turmoil in the market with no clear winner or "best" approach for everyone. We live with and choose from the options available where we live. Our choices as consumers are grounded in the best mix of technical and cost. Sometimes the two are at odds.

So, all we can do as "little guys" is monitor the technical capabilities of the various systems, the costs, regulatory changes, etc. and make the choice that best suits our need.

On another note, someone set some cars on fire in the local Comcast office parking lot the other night. A subscriber upset with the cable bill or service? I wonder. And no, it wasn't me. :D

You need to do more research before making statements like this, that are basically wrong.

Something like one-third of all cable customers were still analog-only as of last summer. A lot of bedroom TVs run without boxes.

Saying cable should wait, is like saying cable should just sit back and not even try to match the level of services that their new competitors are now able to offer.


Analog needs to be phased out, sure. Since we are moving to new technology, the next generation ought to offer better usability than the old.

Analog works, reliably. It doesn't give you "Please Wait" message. It lets you channel surf. Until analog cable started mirroring digital MPEGs, it wasn't a compressed mess, either.

Cable had the chance to make digital to make something equally useful and it dropped the ball. They have the R&D budget to do it. They've had a decade to plan this transition.

Think of it this way: If cable is just another service that ties me to a converter box, why should I subscribe to it, rather than FIOS or D*? The simplicity is part of the value that cable offered. Now cable is like RBOC standard phone service; you subscribe because you have no choice.

6,349,000 analog only customers out of 23,891,000 as of 2Q (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MTIyNzd8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlP TM=&t=1). If they all pay $60 thats only $380,940,000 out of the $4,884,000,000 they made for video. I don't think Comcast would be to upset if they all left.

Think of it this way: If cable is just another service that ties me to a converter box, why should I subscribe to it, rather than FIOS or D*?

Because after an analysis of your choices price, channel/product selection, and service is the right mix for you.

For my needs cable works for me: it provides me with the channels I want, the DVR interface is lacking but it is very functional for my needs, the ability to get the local channels with clear QAM, is a big plus for me especially when my DVR is recording two other shows. Those factors only make the television service only the right choice for me bundling it with phone and internet is just a plus.

After performing the analysis of what is important to me service such as Uverse or D* just were not right for me.

Having personally played around with Uverse service at a friends place I really was not impressed and the limitation on the number of HD streams makes it an absolute no go for me. For me friend his reasons were different and the service is a perfect fit for him and he is very happy with it.

D* or E* would be a very close match to what I want in a TV service. The lack of QAM channels, the fact the I have been with cable for years and the switching costs of now going with a new service make it unattractive to me at this time. If I was starting new service it would be much more attractive to me. If I was living in another city away from my favorite sports teams, the out of market sports packages that D* offers with the HD choices in those packages, D* would almost become a must.

Now if FIOS was available to me in my area, it seems it would best fit for what I want.

At the end of the day I feel everyone should pick the service that works the best for them after there own analysis. However, making decision based on outdated technologies such as analog transmission is just foolish in my opinion.

6,349,000 analog only customers out of 23,891,000 as of 2Q (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MTIyNzd8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlP TM=&t=1). If they all pay $60 thats only $380,940,000 out of the $4,884,000,000 they made for video. I don't think Comcast would be to upset if they all left.

Considering the fact that a good number of the analog only customers are going to be limited basic customers, the revenue impact is not even that great.

What is more telling is the number of advanced services (DVR/HD) users (8,349,000) is larger then the analog only number. It is the advanced services users who benefit the most from the results of cutting analog services.

I guess the takeaway from the discussion of late is:

1. There is no way to truthfully compare the various services. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Is there meaningful competition? Perhaps. It seems to be in the eye of the beholder. bicker and I disagree on that point, but that's the way it is. We're all entitled to our own opinion.Just to be clear, I haven't expressed my opinion, in this case, but relayed the logical implications of the decision of the US Court of Appeals. Subtle difference.

2. Business decisions are not always advantageous to the consumer. Often the best technical solution is not the best business solution. And, we know $$$ and the business solution wins when that happens. And anyone who forgets that, or refuses to acknowledge it, sets themselves up for a never-ending death spiral of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

3. There is and will be a lot of turmoil in the market with no clear winner or "best" approach for everyone. We live with and choose from the options available where we live. Our choices as consumers are grounded in the best mix of technical and cost. Sometimes the two are at odds. Until we're all clones of each other, this shall be the case.

So, all we can do as "little guys" is monitor the technical capabilities of the various systems, the costs, regulatory changes, etc. and make the choice that best suits our need.And despite what so many other posters try to make of these forums, that is the best (and perhaps only) constructive use of these discussions.

Something like one-third of all cable customers were still analog-only as of last summer. A lot of bedroom TVs run without boxes.

...and what does that have to do with your statements that "Analog cable remains a cash cow for the industry, even now." and "Premium services reach a declining number of subscribers and churn heavily. Rank and file customers have shown time and again they don't care much about PPV entertainment or 1080i resolution."

????

If you want to talk about a cash cow, then talk about PPV. It is a HUGE money maker for Comcast. Also, Comcast makes waaaaaaaaay more money off of cusomers getting premium services than they do on analog-only customers.

As Ken says, do some research.

Considering the fact that a good number of the analog only customers are going to be limited basic customers, the revenue impact is not even that great.




I'm of the opinion the regulatory environment, both national and local, has a lot more to do with how cable providers deal with the analog-only crowd than concern over them as a profit center. Not entirely, of course, as those folks do represent an opportunity to upsell the product into higher margin levels of service.

When a satco customer squeals, it is generally a tree falling in an empty forest. When cableco customers squeal, politicians start harrumphing and unpleasant consequences start getting discussed. Generally, cablecos like to avoid getting those discussions started if they can.

6,349,000 analog only customers out of 23,891,000 as of 2Q (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MTIyNzd8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlP TM=&t=1). If they all pay $60 thats only $380,940,000 out of the $4,884,000,000 they made for video. I don't think Comcast would be to upset if they all left.

That works out to 26.6%, for those keeping score at home. ;)

Considering the fact that a good number of the analog only customers are going to be limited basic customers, the revenue impact is not even that great.

Indeed, it is less than 26.6% in revenue.

What would be a 'good number' that you think only have Ltd. Basic?

My guesstimate is that it's ~20%

What is more telling is the number of advanced services (DVR/HD) users (8,349,000) is larger then the analog only number. It is the advanced services users who benefit the most from the results of cutting analog services.

Almost surely, Comcast was looking at those stats, waiting for the right time to ditch Analog Expd. Basic.

Indeed, it is less than 26.6% in revenue.

What would be a 'good number' that you think only have Ltd. Basic?

My guesstimate is that it's ~20%


I would have no guess at to what that number would be, but it should be pointed out that analog video number is higher because of internet only customers that also have limited basic to get a discount.

Just to be clear, I haven't expressed my opinion, in this case, but relayed the logical implications of the decision of the US Court of Appeals. Subtle difference.

A court decision affects the regulatory environment, sure. Yet it does not reflect market conditions. Cable is still mandated to serve entire communities. And, for many, especially apartment-dwellers, it remains the only option. In my family's case, it is the only way we can get channels at all.

When cableco customers squeal, politicians start harrumphing and unpleasant consequences start getting discussed. Generally, cablecos like to avoid getting those discussions started if they can.

Cable TV is based on serving whole communities in exchange for access to the public right-of-way. In a true free market system, cable would never have been able to buy up all the easements necessary to build local wired systems.

6,349,000 analog only customers out of 23,891,000 as of 2Q

That 6 million number only refers to Comcast, which had already killed off a lot of analog.

NCTA estimated 129 million sets still using analog cable this year.

"That's why some executives say analog is an asset, not an albatross. "One of cable's big advantages is, look, you plug this little wire from the wall into your television and, whammo, you have 80 channels," [TWC exec] Kelso says. "No set-top required, and no nonsense. That is a really useful thing."
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-06-12-cable-digital_N.htm

So? That 6 million number only refers to Comcast, which had already killed off a lot of analog.

NCTA estimated 129 million sets still using analog cable this year.

"That's why some executives say analog is an asset, not an albatross. "One of cable's big advantages is, look, you plug this little wire from the wall into your television and, whammo, you have 80 channels," [TWC exec] Kelso says. "No set-top required, and no nonsense. That is a really useful thing."
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-06-12-cable-digital_N.htm

Not anymore! You are living in the past. One of the main reasons for Comcast's expediting it's project cavalry was because they were LOSING subscribers to the all digital competitors. The analog customers had no choice but to go along with it so it was obvious where Comcast was putting it's priorities as in which direction they needed to go in.
If what you said was true, they would still be dragging their feet with the digital conversion, which they are not!

"That's why some executives say analog is an asset, not an albatross. "One of cable's big advantages is, look, you plug this little wire from the wall into your television and, whammo, you have 80 channels," [TWC exec] Kelso says. "No set-top required, and no nonsense. That is a really useful thing."
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-06-12-cable-digital_N.htm

Any other 16 month old info you'd like to have us consider?

Perhaps you should consider you're participating in an advanced forum, interested in advanced services and technology.

The analog customers had no choice but to go...

Analog customers lose the simplicity and convenience that only cable provided. With that gone, the competition becomes more attractive. So does the option of no subscription at all.

Perhaps you should consider you're participating in an advanced forum, interested in advanced services and technology.

Cable TV must serve a broad range of customers, including millions who want a simple, accessible service that just works. Early adopters are not representative of the subscription base.

Cable TV must serve a broad range of customers, including millions who want a simple, accessible service that just works.Maybe 10-20 years ago, but not today. If you look across the country, local municipalities are giving up agreements made years ago, in light of current economic and business realities. Why should a cableco provide an unprofitable service that none of its competition does?

Worse case, cable still, and will for a long time, offers a basic analog service, compatible with just about any end user equipment, which is not available from any other provider.


Early adopters are not representative of the subscription base.?

HDTV is over 10 years old. Again, you need to look at where Comcast has placed it's chips. They don't make money on basic subs. They do on advanced services.

You're living in the past, and conversing with those living in the future.

Analog customers lose the simplicity and convenience that only cable provided. With that gone, the competition becomes more attractive. So does the option of no subscription at all.

That is totally false. All the competition is already all digital. They would be going to the same boat they were leaving from ( All tv's requiring a STB ). In most cases people don't like change and would stay put with the provider they have been accustomed to instead of risking one they are unfamiliar with and especially considering they would be offering nothing more than what they previously had.

That is totally false. All the competition is already all digital. They would be going to the same boat they were leaving from ( All tv's requiring a STB ). In most cases people don't like change and would stay put with the provider they have been accustomed to instead of risking one they are unfamiliar with and especially considering they would be offering nothing more than what they previously had.I don't know what Yakuman meant by 'attractive competition', but for me, when these changes meant that a STB was needed for my 'occasional viewing' TVs in kitchen, guest room etc., I was willing to consider FIOS and satellite.

I was not inclined to do this when I could get 2-99 on ClearQAM sets, where a free DTA was an inadequate solution for a digital set.

I don't know what Yakuman meant by 'attractive competition', but for me, when these changes meant that a STB was needed for my 'occasional viewing' TVs in kitchen, guest room etc., I was willing to consider FIOS and satellite.

I was not inclined to do this when I could get 2-99 on ClearQAM sets, where a free DTA was an inadequate solution for a digital set.

What did you end up doing?

I don't know what Yakuman meant by 'attractive competition', but for me, when these changes meant that a STB was needed for my 'occasional viewing' TVs in kitchen, guest room etc., I was willing to consider FIOS and satellite.

I was not inclined to do this when I could get 2-99 on ClearQAM sets, where a free DTA was an inadequate solution for a digital set.

So who are you with now? And is it an improvement from your previous provider?

What advantages did you gain by switching?

Ken you beat me to it!

That is totally false. All the competition is already all digital. They would be going to the same boat they were leaving from ( All tv's requiring a STB ). In most cases people don't like change and would stay put with the provider they have been accustomed to instead of risking one they are unfamiliar with and especially considering they would be offering nothing more than what they previously had.

Well, if you're a ConCrap subscriber, there is one thing you would gain by switching over, even though it means trading one inconvient boat for another...
Revenge. :rolleyes:

So who are you with now? And is it an improvement from your previous provider?

What advantages did you gain by switching?Ken/Lodef,

Well... (he guiltily admits in a Comcast forum), I am now a FIOS subscriber - and I consider it an improvement.

I have been a longtime DSL user instead of DOCSIS HSI, so I had one foot in the Verizon door. The "World of More" coincided with FIOS availability, so my decision was primarily one of technology, not HD lineups. I see no significant difference in VOD.

The 'occasional' TVs are still without STBs and now get just Locals and PEG - as they would on Comcast.

Advantages are:

1. Lower cost for our subscription, even without the bundle discounts.
2. Higher internet speeds - nice for Netflix streaming.
3. Surprisingly good guide software - quite a modern UI compared to Comcast.
4. Web access to DVR.
5. HD PQ seems much improved over Comcast (using a 720 DLP on a 92" screen).
6. IMHO, superior technology. I think that eventually, most of us will end up with fiber to our houses instead of coax. It will just take a cablecos a bit longer to extend their hybrid fiber/coax further into the neighborhoods.

Disadvantages:

1. Verizon could not provide an S-Card for and early generation CableCard set in the bedroom. Had to rent a box for $5 more than Comcast was charging for a digital outlet/Cablecard.
2. I probably could have upgraded my Comcast 160G DVR for a 250G one, can't do that on Verizon right now.

Yesterday electrical power the local power company disconnected its electrical service for 3 hrs. When power was restored my Comcast Motorola HD box failed- I understand that from the power company a surge often happens which destroyed the Comcast HD box.

Comcast delivered with a technician the latest Panasonic HD box. While the video output including HD to my LG 44" DLP monitor is satisfactory, the Comcast box's audio that’s connected to my receiver through optical cable does not excite my Pioneer GR-555 graphic equalizer, nor according to the lights on my 2 Yamaha YST-SW45 subwoofers is there any low frequency output. All other inputs to the Rotel RSX-965 receiver including 2 Hi-Fi VCR's, Laser Disc player, audio tape deck, CD player and Vinyl player, and of course the receiver's on board FM tuner, still excite and show up on the Pioneer graphic Equalizer which is connected to the receiver through an audio tape loop.

The technician talked with her office and a tech who advised that with the new HD boxes, Comcast is having" audio issues."

Checked all channels, Standard and Hi-Def- no low freq. Watched a Jurassic Park being broadcast over Comcast-weird no rumbles, no low frequency sound when compared with the actual Blu Ray DVD.

What’s with these Comcast boxes that they don’t deliver low freq?

A question for the group.

Can someone cofirm that with Project Cavalry rollout Tivo's don't work. Is that true? If they encrypt does that have an impact on ability to use Tivo?

I guess the real question here is that I have a ReplayTV (I liked it a lot) DVR but it has reached end of life. In anticipation of analog recovery (Project C), what DVR options are there? A Comcast provided box? If so what? Third party box? Who?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Cheers

Ken/Lodef,

Well... (he guiltily admits in a Comcast forum), I am now a FIOS subscriber...I wouldn't feel guilty about that.

Can someone cofirm that with Project Cavalry rollout Tivo's don't work. Is that true?No, that's very false.

If they encrypt does that have an impact on ability to use Tivo?
No, not for a current model. TiVo HD uses CableCARD, which gives you all the channels you pay for, and all the functionality of TiVo, which for many users is a deal breaker not to have.

The only features lacking compared to a cable supplied box are PPV & VOD.


PS.
The only channels not encrypted are locals, public service, and a very few others.

Yesterday electrical power was disconnected for 3 hrs. When power was restored my Comcast Motorola HD box failed- I understand that from the power company a surge often happens.

Comcast delivered with a technician the latest Panasonic HD box. The box does not excite my equalizer nor according to the lights on my 2 Yamaha subwoofers is there any low frequency output.

Watched a Jurassic Park being broadcast over Comcast-weird no rumbles, now low frequency sound when compared with the actual DVD.

What’s with these Comcast boxes that they don’t deliver low freq?
Comcast STB's deliver DD5.1 as received from the channel. Assuming the channel wasn't having a problem, either your STB is bad or set up incorrectly.

You need to be specific. What model of Panasonic STB do you have?

PS. Get rid of the equalizer. They typically create more issues than it will resolve, unless you use a Real Time Analyzer.

Ken/Lodef,

Well... (he guiltily admits in a Comcast forum), I am now a FIOS subscriber - and I consider it an improvement.

So am I! And I also consider it an improvement. However , the digital transition has not hit my area yet so switching over was a no brainer in my case. If it had happened sooner, I might not have jumped ship but I have been with FIOS for almost a year now but analog customers would be in a different situation and most would be reluctant to switch even after the transition was completed and that is the point I was trying to make.

Were you a analog sub only with Comcast? If not, then my reasoning does not apply to you.

I would have no guess at to what that number would be, but it should be pointed out that analog video number is higher because of internet only customers that also have limited basic to get a discount.
True, and probably many of them don't even watch it, so they don't care what Comcast does with TV.

BTW, the 'getting a discount' is more approriately called 'not paying a premium' for HSI-only, because the price for HSI with or w/o TV had been the same for several years at $43. It was several years later that the premium was added for HSI only, effectively forcing people to pay for Ltd Basic more or less, whether they wanted it or not. Here it saves money, $4.75, to get Ltd. Basic w/ HSI. Other areas are break even or a slight cost.

No, that's very false.

No, not for a current model. TiVo HD uses CableCARD, which gives you all the channels you pay for, and all the functionality of TiVo, which for many users is a deal breaker not to have.

The only features lacking compared to a cable supplied box are PPV & VOD.


PS.
The only channels not encrypted are locals, public service, and a very few others.

Ken,
Thanks for the clarification. I do notice that TiVo has two different boxes (from their site) - one for cable (actually two - TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL) and another for satellite (TiVo Series2). And, TiVo Series2 does not support HD. Soooo I guess if one wanted a box for satellite, probably best to go with the satellite Service provider's DVR.

Cheers

Comcast STB's deliver DD5.1 as received from the channel. Assuming the channel wasn't having a problem, either your STB is bad or set up incorrectly.

You need to be specific. What model of Panasonic STB do you have?

PS. Get rid of the equalizer. They typically create more issues than it will resolve, unless you use a Real Time Analyzer.

Hi Ken, I did remove the equalizer from the loop- no change. The first replacement was a Panasonic model # forgotten, the second is a Motorola DCH 3200.

I checked with the local dealer from where I purchased the Rotel, and also discussed issue with Rotel folk in Boston. They told me how to check/troubleshoot the Rotel which I did. All inputs indicated full frequency response including the 4 5.1 inputs- 2 optical, 2 coax.

Still from the comcast STB the lack of freq response persists. I'm suspecting its a design flaw which before hasn't been an issue with Comcast as 99% of its customers are not demanding or expecting quality audio as I am. Seems most customers and buyers of Hi- Def Flat screen TV's focus on video or PQ, whereas only a few like me want both audio and video excellence.

Ken, Soooo I guess if one wanted a box for satellite, probably best to go with the satellite Service provider's DVR.

Not only best, but the only option for HD.

Hi Ken, I did remove the equalizer from the loop- no change. The first replacement was a Panasonic model # forgotten, the second is a Motorola DCH 3200.

I checked with the local dealer from where I purchased the Rotel, and also discussed issue with Rotel folk in Boston. They told me how to check/troubleshoot the Rotel which I did. All inputs indicated full frequency response including the 4 5.1 inputs- 2 optical, 2 coax.

Still from the comcast STB the lack of freq response persists. I'm suspecting its a design flaw which before hasn't been an issue with Comcast as 99% of its customers are not demanding or expecting quality audio as I am. Seems most customers and buyers of Hi- Def Flat screen TV's focus on video or PQ, whereas only a few like me want both audio and video excellence.

No, if there was a widespread issue with 5.1 out of a specific unit, it would be known here.

Like I said before, I suspect you need to properly set up the Comcast STB. Go into User Settings, and change the Audio Output to Pass Through.

You said below that you were getting 'no low frequency sound', now you're saying your Rotel processor is indicating full frequency response from the input. Which is it, or what are you trying to say?

As far as the EQ goes, I wasn't implying it was part of the problem, but that it would degrade audio performance in general. For an EQ to work properly, it needs to be set for the specific room / environment it's used in. Unless you have a way to know what effect the room has, you can't set the EQ correctly. Further, most commonly available EQ's are inexpensive and add distortion.

Hi Ken, I did remove the equalizer from the loop- no change. The first replacement was a Panasonic model # forgotten, the second is a Motorola DCH 3200.Do you have DD5.1 problems on all channels or just some?

This summer I had audio problems on some premiums and some, but not all, others. Local HD channels never had problems.

Comcast engineering blamed it on my equipment, but could not explain why it didn't happen on all channels. The problem mysteriously disappeared after the analog reclamation occurred.

Were you a analog sub only with Comcast? If not, then my reasoning does not apply to you.Nope, HD only household and all the premiums.

As I said, we used Clear QAM on the occasional sets because Comcast did not require STBs - extended basic in Clear QAM was the differentiator, now gone.

I am personally amused that cable gets blamed for reducing analogs. It's only because of cable you have any analogs at all, and they are continuing to provide them at a real cost to themselves that no one else in the system has to shoulder. The government, in its usual fashion, got rid of analogs where it inconvenienced them (broadcast), then strongarmed cable into continuing support for them for a few more years. Oh, sure, it wasn't an actual mandate, but a "voluntary agreement" --and if you voluntarily pay me a few hundred dollars a month, I'll make sure nothing happens to your bar.

And the public says "damn those cable guys!". I mean, really.

That is totally false. All the competition is already all digital. They would be going to the same boat they were leaving from ( All tv's requiring a STB ). In most cases people don't like change and would stay put with the provider they have been accustomed to instead of risking one they are unfamiliar with and especially considering they would be offering nothing more than what they previously had.
I don't understand what you're talking about. If you are an analog only sub, you might be willing to look at moving to sat because all of your TVs now require boxes. You would not have bothered with this until Comcast converted you to digital, because you didn't need boxes before. The only case you can make is that Comcast is providing two DTAs for free and additional boxes are $2/month, which is cheaper than what sat charges.

This removes one of Comcast's main advantages over sat, which is the capability to just plug your cable into the TV and get up to 70 or so channels without a box. There is no way you can say that this won't cause analog subs to at least consider switching.

Not only best, but the only option for HD.
Sorry Ken, but that's not strictly true - you can record HD from a sat box with an HTPC and the Hauppauge HD-PVR, or the Nextcom R5000-HD sat box hacks. Neither is cheap and both require use of the existing sat box, but both allow you to record HD without getting their DVR.

This removes one of Comcast's main advantages over sat, which is the capability to just plug your cable into the TV and get up to 70 or so channels without a box. There is no way you can say that this won't cause analog subs to at least consider switching.

And so, if I wanted a small flat panel TV in the kitchen mounted on the wall in the post analog, i.e. digital era, now I have to find a place to put a box, correct? Life is never easy - particularly with respect to choosing, installing, operating, and maintaining "home entertainment" systems. :D

I don't understand what you're talking about. If you are an analog only sub, you might be willing to look at moving to sat because all of your TVs now require boxes. You would not have bothered with this until Comcast converted you to digital, because you didn't need boxes before. The only case you can make is that Comcast is providing two DTAs for free and additional boxes are $2/month, which is cheaper than what sat charges.

This removes one of Comcast's main advantages over sat, which is the capability to just plug your cable into the TV and get up to 70 or so channels without a box. There is no way you can say that this won't cause analog subs to at least consider switching.

Sure, they might do that but if you read my post, most would be reluctant to leave because they don't like change and there would be NO ADVANTAGE by doing so. In fact as you pointed out, it could actually still be cheaper. I would be willing to bet that there was a higher turnover rate before ( Digital Subscribers leaving) Comcast did the analog reclamation than there was after ( analog subscribers leaving) in most areas.

Sorry Ken, but that's not strictly true - you can record HD from a sat box with an HTPC and the Hauppauge HD-PVR, or the Nextcom R5000-HD sat box hacks. Neither is cheap and both require use of the existing sat box, but both allow you to record HD without getting their DVR.I'm well aware of both and neither is even close to a DVR.

Further, the Hauppuage is analog not digital for video with mixed results of performance for many users, and the digital audio is problematic.

And the last I heard, the Nextcom is only Dish compatible for MPEG4 .

I was a Comcast customer (and its predecessors) for over 10 years and had little to complain about, but when I recently switched to FIOS I encountered a jaw-dropping moment.

I took my equipment to the local Comcast store, canceled my service and offered to pay my bill on the spot. They happily charged me a pro-rated monthly charge and sent me on my way. Before leaving, I asked if that charge was in addition to or in place of, my upcoming bill. I was told that it covered the last charges.

A week later, my automatic payment dinged my credit card for the difference!

I called the 800 number and was informed that the account was not closed and charges would continue until I was disconnected.

I asked when I would be disconnected and if I needed to be there. "Let me look" was the reply. The answer was the "There is no disconnect needed, you returned the equipment."

Since this seemed like a Catch-22, I asked how to close my account in addition to the service cancelation I had done a week earlier. The CSR said that they would do it for me right then - and that the counter folks at the store were not authorized to close accounts - you have to call billing to do that. Go figure...

So, if you leave Comcast, make sure you Cancel AND Close your account.

Possible, but I don't believe one can have an active account with no services, and no unreturned boxes. Its sounds like they indeed processed the returned boxes, and prorated and collected your next bill, but, as you found out, they couldn't close your account. Apparently, one has to call to close the account, and then return (or schedule a pick-up) of the boxes.

The only case you can make is that Comcast is providing two DTAs for free and additional boxes are $2/month, which is cheaper than what sat charges.

Here, it is one Digital box and two DTAs included.

However, nothing is free, it just isn't itemized.;) Just look at how much they raised Standard / Digital Starter last year, more than usual, to cover those 'free' boxes.:eek:

The 'services' from each provider will have different fees.

So, the jist is, always look at the total cost when comparing providers.

HDTV is over 10 years old.

Not entirely.

The dominant station in the Los Angeles market plans to launch HD "soon." Los Angeles.

Here, it is one Digital box and two DTAs included.

However, nothing is free, it just isn't itemized.;) Just look at how much they raised Standard / Digital Starter last year, more than usual, to cover those 'free' boxes.:eek:

The 'services' from each provider will have different fees.

So, the jist is, always look at the total cost when comparing providers.

you pay of you get them and you pay if you do not.

Since there is no EXTRA cost in a sense they ARE FREE

DCR+ was that standard, but it was the CE industry's standard. Cable didn't want it or Cablecard, which got forced on them by the FCC. But Cablecard is what we're stuck with, even after tru2way is deployed.

Yes, it sucks, just like it sucks that satellite was not forced into the same 'standard'.

DCR+ and CableCARD can be complementary (in fact, they are designed that way); however, deployment was left to the CEA's membership base, and deployment of both was often deliberately restricted to the higher-priced HDTVs; lower-priced models were restricted to the ClearQAM-only subset known as DCR or even restricted further to just broadcast (ATSC/NTSC) with all HD formats requiring an external box (satellite or cable). The last was VERY popular with the big-box retailers (and still is with Best Buy) largely because they have multiple reseller agreements (with cable systems and satellite providers) and they don't want to be accused of favoring one over the other (remember, DCR+ was a cable-specific standard; you would need the external box with any satellite provider).

I have one of the older DCR+/CableCARD-ready plasma TVs (Philips 42PF7320A/37A) which I bought for the specific reason that I wanted to avoid a STB altogether. I watched no VOD/PPV then, and don't today. With this particular plasma HDTV, I have three options as a Comcast cable customer:

1. I have all the remaining unscrambled analog channels.
2. I have all the ClearQAM channels (which also includes remapped formerly-analog channels, such as HSN and QVC) in their digital (new) and analog (old) positions.
3. I can add a CableCARD for all the excrypted QAM channels that normally would require a box (which I have not done).

The issue the big-box retailers faced if they carried DCR+ HDTVs is that the satellite providers (D* and E*) would accuse them of *playing favorites*; the only way for the retailer to avoid this accusation would be to level the playing field (which means that all TVs would require boxes). The same perception has been moved to the FCC (which is very much aware that there won't be a true retail STB market because the price point required for it to be workable is way too low) and has led to the current so-called *level playing field* which is in reality far from level.

The reality is that as a result of this action, churn for all non-OTA providers (satellite, cable, and telco) of television is up, and it now requires volume to be profitable (note that only VZ and AT&T are doing TV among the telcos, while the cable and satellite companies are consolidating, totally aside from anything that Comcast and TWC are doing) because you now have to compete on capacity and on price.

People aren't complaining because they think the death of analog cable is part of the government-mandated digital transition.



First, faster Internet speeds will be a premium $99+ product and can exist without analog reclamation. Second, the audience for those HD channels and VODs is smaller than that for classic analog. They could have waited until at least 2012 for analog reclamation, especially with SDV available.

SDV would require that every TV have a box, and requires additional hardware at the node/edge (neither of which is advantageous for a cable company trying to reduce expenses).

Second, it is easily provable that analog program delivery is just as inefficient over a cable plant as it is over the air (without compression, you can fit three digital/ClearQAM 4:3 channels in the 6 MHz bandwidth alloted a single NTSC/ATSC television channel; the same bandwidth constraints apply equally to cable as to OTA in that sense)

Thirdly, as opposed to making high-bandwidth Internet speeds a luxury, why not make them affordable for more folks, if not an outright commodity, in the case of speeds directly competing with consumer ADSL? (One thing DOCSIS 1.1 did was not just make DSL-type high-speed broadband available in areas where ADSL was not available at all, but, unlike most ADSL solutions, it was customer-deployable. That it also offered optional faster-than-ADSL speeds, such as Comcast's Blast, is, in fact, icing.)

I live in Prince George's County, MD, which is part of Comcast's Beltway (Washington, DC Metro) Region; the Beltway Region is unusual in that *none* of it's cable systems could be considered, in any way, legacy-Comcast. The majority of the systems in the Beltway Region were acquired in a deal with Jones Communications (formerly Jones Intercable), including not just this one, but my former home system in Charles County, MD; other former cable companies represented are ATTBI (Washington, DC), PRIME Communications (Montgomery County, MD and Arlington County, VA) and even Adelphia (parts of Faquier and Loudoun Counties in VA, and Frederick County in MD). Comcast's biggest competitor is VZ (FIOS in particular), which is deployed in over half the region's footprint now, and will be deployed in all of the footprint by 2016. The first stages of Project Cavalry haven't even touched this system; however, the immediate predecessor (ADS) was deployed here in 2004 (the immediate benefits of which were the elimination of analog converters altogether, additional high-speed Internet options, and added channel choices; none of this required additional hardware at the customer premises)

Not entirely.

The dominant station in the Los Angeles market plans to launch HD "soon." Los Angeles.?

All of the major stations in LA have been offering network HD for a decade. Local HD origination is a different matter.

Hunterdon County NJ getting the new lineup ~50 new HD and moving all the HD to ~800-900 in the next few days.

http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Hillsborough/

think first post needs an update- BET, MLB, E!, G4 all on the list so looks like those are beyond the "signed contract' stage and being deployed

No love for union?

think first post needs an update- BET, MLB, E!, G4 all on the list so looks like those are beyond the "signed contract' stage and being deployed

The first post had not been updated since 9/08, and as such was very outdated.

It now has a link to the AVS National HD Channel Lineups topic, which is current.

No love for union?

Soon, we just finished our analog repos a week or two ago.

The reality is that as a result of this action, churn for all non-OTA providers (satellite, cable, and telco) of television is up, and it now requires volume to be profitable (note that only VZ and AT&T are doing TV among the telcos, while the cable and satellite companies are consolidating, totally aside from anything that Comcast and TWC are doing) because you now have to compete on capacity and on price.Seems to me that the dark horse in this race is adding to this churn. An increasingly viable alternative to the closed networks from those providers is the 'plain old internet'. Since it is an open network, the internet lets you pick and choose the equipment and providers and not be limited to what is provided or controlled by the sat/cable/telco.

The speed at which the consumer electronics companies have provided televisions and disc players with built in support for Netflix, Amazon, Vudu and other internet content providers puts CableLabs and the NCTA to shame. How long have we been hearing about 'Open Cable' aka tru2way?

No wonder the cable internet providers want download caps - it is a crucial way to maintain revenues as viewers find other sources for content.

Seems to me that the dark horse in this race is adding to this churn. An increasingly viable alternative to the closed networks from those providers is the 'plain old internet'. Since it is an open network, the internet lets you pick and choose the equipment and providers and not be limited to what is provided or controlled by the sat/cable/telco.Quality is not even close, so for many, at least for now, it's a moot point.

The speed at which the consumer electronics companies have provided televisions and disc players with built in support for Netflix, Amazon, Vudu and other internet content providers puts CableLabs and the NCTA to shame. How long have we been hearing about 'Open Cable' aka tru2way?tru2way, a few years. It will be big in 2010.

you pay of you get them and you pay if you do not.

Since there is no EXTRA cost in a sense they ARE FREE
The technical term would either be 'included' or 'no extra fee'.;)

I know what you mean, though.:)

Quality is not even close, so for many, at least for now, it's a moot point.I respectfully disagree, Netflix streaming is not quite as good as OTA HD, but is certainly acceptable. (I've had an HD projection setup since 2001) As more people are exposed to it, it may surprise. It already is more common and easier to try out than a CableCard device. For $8.99 month, it has already replaced a fair amount of my cable viewing and would replace more if I could get my wife to wait a year for HBO/Showtime series ;)

Quality wise, mp3s are an interesting corollary, certainly not high fidelity, but their performance is 'good enough'. I suspect the same tradeoffs may come into play with video.

tru2way, a few years. It will be big in 2010.True, if you ignore OCAP roots, but my question was rhetorical - built in Netflix, Vudu etc. have happened much more quickly.

HBO HD and AMC HD randomly cut out tonight, so my Tivo recordings are blacked out.. Anyone else having sporadic channel issues in Northern Jersey?
I updated the channels with the new 800 block as of Friday. I got HBO and AMC HD this morning, but apparently Comcast decided I can't watch Mad Men or Curb Your Enthusiasm. Can't wait until FiOS is available.

HBO HD and AMC HD randomly cut out tonight, so my Tivo recordings are blacked out.. Anyone else having sporadic channel issues in Northern Jersey?
I updated the channels with the new 800 block as of Friday. I got HBO and AMC HD this morning, but apparently Comcast decided I can't watch Mad Men or Curb Your Enthusiasm. Can't wait until FiOS is available.

Local issue, check your local thread.

All of the major stations in LA have been offering network HD for a decade. Local HD origination is a different matter.

KMEX, the most-watched station in LA, and sister station KFTR have yet to broadcast anything in HDTV.
http://www.univision.net/corp/en/utg.jsp#footer12

I respectfully disagree, Netflix streaming is not HD, but is certainly acceptable.
Netflix streaming is HD if you have the right device (Xbox360, PS3, Tivo HD, Roku). It's 720p only and low bandwidth (3.8mbps max using their VC-1 encoding), but it is HD. It's not HD on a PC for some odd reason (content provider paranoia, most likely). The cheapest plan with streaming is $9/mo. + tax.

SDV would require that every TV have a box,

Only if the subscriber is paying for a channel that is using SDV.

Comcast could deploy SDV for let's say, NBA League Pass or NHL Center Ice, and force subscribers with those channels to go all-digital. This would NOT require that every TV for every subscriber have a digital box.

Netflix streaming is HD if you have the right device (Xbox360, PS3, Tivo HD, Roku). It's 720p only and low bandwidth (3.8mbps max using their VC-1 encoding), but it is HD. It's not HD on a PC for some odd reason (content provider paranoia, most likely). The cheapest plan with streaming is $9/mo. + tax.Thanks, I corrected my post.

The low bandwidth of Netflix HD (and small number of available shows) is still fairly different than OTA HD to my eye - but - things are improving constantly.

Only if the subscriber is paying for a channel that is using SDV.

Comcast could deploy SDV for let's say, NBA League Pass or NHL Center Ice, and force subscribers with those channels to go all-digital. This would NOT require that every TV for every subscriber have a digital box.

Time Warner has aggresively deployed SDV using this rationale. All of their HD channels and many digital cable channels are SDV only, since they are encrypted anyway and you need a box to view them, they made them SDV. This gave them the room for more HD, and all customers saw was more HD and they retained their old analog lineup of approx 70 channels. Areas in the Southern Tier of NY had about 17 HD channels until 2Q 2008. Once they got SDV up and running, they are now up to right around 100. I think Comcast's stradegy of deploying DTAs is more effective in the long run, but TWC saw it differently and went the SDV route. Plus I think all those areas/TWC has much more Scientific America/Cisco equipment than Motorola. SA/Cisco is much more SDV ready than Motorola. Since Comcast is the opposite and has more Motorola areas, this probably played a big part in their decision to remove analogs to gain more bandwidth, knowing that Motorola systems work better with DTAs than SA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/business/media/19views.html

What will the Dept. of Justice, which must opine on mergers say, also the FCC would need to grant approval as well...

It took forever for Sirius and XM to gain government approval for their merger, it will be interesting if there is as much dithering about Comcast / NBC. While NBC and Comcast don't "compete" per se, they do compete in a narrow sense in "delivery" of content. Comcast is mostly a service provider while NBC is mostly a content maker, but in a narrow sense, Comcast is also a content provider with several channels (Versus, etc.) while NBC is also in the "delivery" business in the sense it's local affiliates are "service providers'' in that they provide the programming over the air (Comcast does the same service, through a "piple" of coaxial cable). With the DTV changeover, some of us happily get Universal Sports free, over the air, on our NBC affiliate's digital sub-channel. I can't imagine that it is a priority for the government officials to worry about Comcast continuing to happily provide free, OTA Universal Sports, given that Comcast would own Universal Sports and wants everyone in their footprint to pay the cable fee. Further, one wonders how much continued effort they'd put into the NBC network, which, while I personally like Jay Leno, is struggling a lot. They could simply drop it or starve it of money if times got tough. And if their local affiliates don't spend money on transmission equipment, so be it. People are supposed to watch television piped into their homes on Comcast's coaxial cables.

I think that the DoJ and FCC will roll over and waive this one through. The FCC seems to have forgotten that some people still obtain television over-the-air and don't pay for cable. Note how when issues were cited with the DTV changeover (poor analog reception was a snowy picture while poor DTV reception is a blank screen; in DTV when facing the wrong way to the transmission tower, being in apartment, etc., the collective answer was, "you may not get reception and so call your local cable operator and get cable, they're are providing low-cost 12 month contracts").

It will be interesting to see what the government bureaucrats have to say on the merits of this merger. Funny it took so long on XM / Sirius, and they wait a long time on other mergers (even forcing asset sales), but this one may waltz through.

In broadband Internet, a variety of technologies compete to deliver signals including cable internet, landline dialup and DSL, WiMax, wireless 3G, and further. Few of the content companies have important websites anymore (AOL isn't that important and the rest, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, etc. aren't in the service provider business). Nice separation on the Internet of service provider and content provider for now. Wouldn't be so in programming if Comcast buys NBC Universal.

The low bandwidth of Netflix HD (and small number of available shows) is still fairly different than OTA HD to my eye - but - things are improving constantly.

Netflix streams HD at 3.8 Mbs (720p), which is a lot lower than OTA's 19.39 Mbps, but there are a few additional things you need to considering when doing a comparison:

1. Netflix streams VC1-AP, while OTA is MPEG-2. VC1-AP can provide the same video quality as MPEG2, at about half the bit rate. So you could consider the Netflix bit rate as being around 7.6 Mbps MPEG-2.

2. OTA channels tend to have one or more sub-channels. In my area (Philly) the only station that doesn't have at least one sub-channel is Fox. HD stations with sub-channels, will have a bit rate that is considerably lower than 19.39 Mbps.

3. Netflix encodes their HD at 24 or 30 fps depending on the source. Netflix also doesn't need to encode in real-time so the encoding can be optimized for quality. Many OTA station's re-compress their received feed down to the transmitted bit rate in real time, which means it isn't optimized for quality.


Taking these into account, OTA HD should still win out quality-wise, but not by all that much.

IF they get rid of Leno 24/7, I'm all for it

I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast sold the O&O affiliates. There's no long term value there for Comcast; just a lot of potential regulatory headaches.

Comcast wants a content platform. I would expect that Leno will be the first casualty if/when this goes through. Presumably Comcast will reverse GE's policy for the last 15 years of continually riding NBC to cut costs. If NBC is ever going to regain its former glory, it's going to have to start spending money on quality television again.

In all, I think the Comcast purchase will be good for NBC viewers. It will also be good for those seeking Internet delivery of the shows they like. It will also probably be good for sports fans, since Comcast will have enough strength to compete seriously with ESPN for carriage of some major sporting events.

The question is whether it will be good for TV subscribers. Comcast will own a lot of major cable networks when this is done, and will be in charge of setting the carriage rates for all of them. If it employs ESPN's business strategy (buy whatever content you want at whatever price it takes and then pass the cost on to consumers), that could mean an even faster escalation in carriage fees on a lot of channels.

Taking these into account, OTA HD should still win out quality-wise, but not by all that much.I understand the theory and the math, but my eyes don't :)

Taking VS away from D* is all the evidence I need to know they are going to screwing all their competitors over.

In the long term this move will benefit NBC Universal. They will finally have an owner that will actually pay attention to the company. I think GE didn’t care what was going on at NBC Universal as long as they were making money. So they were kind of independent from GE. With Comcast that won’t be the case. They will definitely be micromanagers.

I’m also glad that there will finally be some competition to ESPN/ABC with Comcast. I think it was one of their senior managers that mention that Comcast would pay attention to the sports area. So this is good news. We may even get the return of the NBA on NBC.

I do expect as another poster alluded to above that Comcast will sell their O&O stations, and I also think they will sell their parks. They will be focusing their attention solely on content.

Taking VS away from D* is all the evidence I need to know they are going to screwing all their competitors over.You are confused.

If the problem was all Comcast, other direct competitors like Dish, AT&T, Verizon, wouldn't have Versus either.

If the contracts all expired at the same time, who knows what would happen with Versus?

Topics merged.

...Comcast wants a content platform.

In all, I think the Comcast purchase will be good for NBC viewers. It will also be good for those seeking Internet delivery of the shows they like...

If Comcast wants a content platform, what then might AT&T's plans be? AT&T has been pushing its TV delivery platform, U-Verse, for some time now. Would AT&T ever want to get into the content origination business at some point if U-Verse gains meaningful market share in television delivery?

If Comcast buys NBC, what is it, a media company or a cable MSO? It would be a hybrid of both. Does this work? (rhetorical question--your thoughts?)

On the IPTV point, is Comcast going to be tremendously aggressive on IPTV front, given they are also a carrier of signals with their incumbent network of cable tv broadcast equipment / coaxial cable into homes? Several of the NBC networks already provide streaming IPTV, in CNBC's case, for $9.99 you can get the three independent programming feeds (USA, Europe, and Asia), which for serious financial folks is more important to get than the Comcast-provided USA-only feed, with its filler programming at night, like Howie Mandel game shows.

Here's some thoughts...there is an element that broadcast has problems with its revenue model and "something must be done". Kind of like newspapers revenue model (Craigslist and others took away the lucrative classified ads, people reading the paper for free over the internet don't pay subscription and internet ads don't make up for print ads, etc. etc.) Note how Wall St. doesn't like combining a cable MSO with content provider. But note other thoughts on how that could work, at least for a while in some ways.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_42/b4151028030706.htm

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2009/10/14/comcast-and-nbc-a-match-made-in-heaven-or.aspx

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idCNN1940072920091020?rpc=44

Comcast of Union movin along with cavalry with about 40 HD channels coming Nov 5th: http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/union/Union-HDChannelLineup.pdf

Comcast of Union movin along with cavalry with about 40 HD channels coming Nov 5th: http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/union/Union-HDChannelLineup.pdf

Still no HDNet Movies.

Still no HDNet Movies.

Ditto in Houston. We want our HDNet Movies!!

Any news on Comcast Northwest NJ getting these HD channels like the rest of Jersey is?

Comcast of Union movin along with cavalry with about 40 HD channels coming Nov 5th: http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/union/Union-HDChannelLineup.pdf

Sweet.

NFL RedZone HD added here in Jacksonville. Better week 7 than never I guess.

Ditto in Houston. We want our HDNet Movies!!

Yes. I'm surprised, and disappointed, that HDNet & HDNet Movies aren't on more Comcast systems. Especially in areas that have gone through Project Cavalry.

Both parties made such a big deal about it initially:


"We're thrilled to have a partnership that will provide Comcast's customers with top-notch HD programming. This agreement between two leading HD providers will help shape the ever-expanding world of high definition programming," said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. "This marketplace agreement makes HDNet's cutting edge, independent programming accessible to many more cable homes across the country."

"With hundreds of HD choices available to Comcast customers, we believe that partnering with HDNet further complements our offering by bringing both compelling and high quality HD programming to our customers in this increasingly competitive marketplace," said Matt Bond, executive vice president, content acquisition, Comcast. "This partnership is another example of the strides we're making on our Project Infinity commitment to deliver more HD choices than anywhere else."

The agreement enables Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, to provide the two HDNet networks to HD subscribers in many of its systems, including free On Demand programming, in addition to increasing Comcast's carriage of HDNet over the next year.It's been over a year, and to the best of my knowledge HDNet & HDNet Movies are on very few Comcast systems; I'd bet less than 20% nationally, probably less than that.

Yes. I'm surprised, and disappointed, that HDNet & HDNet Movies aren't on more Comcast systems. Especially in areas that have gone through Project Cavalry.

Both parties made such a big deal about it initially:

It's been over a year, and to the best of my knowledge HDNet & HDNet Movies are on very few Comcast systems; I'd bet less than 20% nationally, probably less than that.

Indeed, we keep asking our local VP about it here but get a non-response. Isn't that announcement almost 2 years old now?

Indeed, we keep asking our local VP about it here but get a non-response. Isn't that announcement almost 2 years old now?

Nope, just over one year.
http://www.hd.net/pressrelease.html?2008-09-04-01.html

Nope, just over one year.
http://www.hd.net/pressrelease.html?2008-09-04-01.html

Thanks, I was looking for that awhile ago and couldn't find it.

So, does the Magic Eight Ball have any contacts to find out what's happening, if anything at all, with HDNet?

I can't find a corresponding press release from Comcast on this either.

So, does the Magic Eight Ball have any contacts to find out what's happening, if anything at all, with HDNet?

Let me see.

I'm hoping this is the right place to post this question. Can anybody tell me about the new Comcast RNG110 HD cable boxes? We just had a TV upgraded to HD, and Comcast installed a RNG110 cable box, which appears to be very, very low quality in comparison to the other (older) Comcast box we have (which is the Motorola gray DCT series box). The HD quality is also very poor on the RNG110. I'm trying to figure out if the RNG110 is Comcast's latest and greatest (the installer said it was) or if they just stuck us with a low-end box (which it seems like based upon the low quality of the device and picture). The new and old ones are below:

I'm hoping this is the right place to post this question. Can anybody tell me about the new Comcast RNG110 HD cable boxes? We just had a TV upgraded to HD, and Comcast installed a RNG110 cable box, which appears to be very, very low quality in comparison to the other (older) Comcast box we have (which is the Motorola gray DCT series box). The HD quality is also very poor on the RNG110. I'm trying to figure out if the RNG110 is Comcast's latest and greatest (the installer said it was) or if they just stuck us with a low-end box (which it seems like based upon the low quality of the device and picture). The new and old ones are below:

Apparently they are one of the new OCAP boxes.

http://www.cable360.net/technology/emergingtech/18526.html

RNG110 Manual (http://www.comcast.com/MediaLibrary/1/1/Customers/Customer_Support/Digital_Cable_with_OD/Digital_Cable/13541-Pace%20110%20-%20User%20Guide.pdf)

They're OCAP compliant but for now run iGuide.

I have one of the RNG110 boxes also and the pq is quite good btw[I have it hooked up to my tv using the HDMI connection].

Apparently they are one of the new OCAP boxes.

http://www.cable360.net/technology/emergingtech/18526.html

RNG110 Manual (http://www.comcast.com/MediaLibrary/1/1/Customers/Customer_Support/Digital_Cable_with_OD/Digital_Cable/13541-Pace%20110%20-%20User%20Guide.pdf)

Thanks, this manual is very, very helpful

I have one of the RNG110 boxes also and the pq is quite good btw[I have it hooked up to my tv using the HDMI connection].

That's good to hear, maybe the RNG110 box isn't junk but just something is off in mine. The HD has a lot of small pixelation noise. This is on a 46" Sony XBR8, so given a relatively small high quality screen, it should very clean. My other system is a 106" projection with the old Motorola box and the HD picture is very clean -- no noise even though the screen is way bigger. Both are connected via HDMI -- I have the cable box set to enable 1080p, but it is seems to put out a 1080i signal.

That's good to hear, maybe the RNG110 box isn't junk but just something is off in mine. The HD has a lot of small pixelation noise. This is on a 46" Sony XBR8, so given a relatively small high quality screen, it should very clean. My other system is a 106" projection with the old Motorola box and the HD picture is very clean -- no noise even though the screen is way bigger. Both are connected via HDMI -- I have the cable box set to enable 1080p, but it is seems to put out a 1080i signal.

Try using both boxes on the same display to see if there is a difference.

Keenan - thank you for posting the link to the RNG110 manuel

The Comcast site is not easy to navigate

NHL Network

Anyone else lose NHL Network once the free preview of Center Ice ended? I noticed it on Sunday and it is still "Not Authorized" on channel 180, 259 and 737. I am in the Flint, Michigan area.

Try using both boxes on the same display to see if there is a difference.

Thanks for the suggestion -- just finished switching them and it's not the RNG110 box. I see the same noise with the old Motorola. There must be something else causing it -- maybe a setting on the TV or noise on the coax cable in. I will investigate further, but that's much easier now knowing the box isn't the cause.

NHL Network

Anyone else lose NHL Network once the free preview of Center Ice ended? I noticed it on Sunday and it is still "Not Authorized" on channel 180, 259 and 737. I am in the Flint, Michigan area.

What TV package do you have? Channel 180 is NFL network.

What TV package do you have? Channel 180 is NFL network.

I just looked at my bill online, it says "Digital Cable, Digital Classic with OnDemand". Basically I get everything other than premium channels or the sport package. I know NHL Network channel was in the sports package but that changed in September. 180 was NFL, then switched to NHL in September for the Flint area. That's the non HD version of the channel so I really don't care about it.

It could be a local issue but I was seeing if other Comcast subscribers lost the NHL Network channel once the Center Ice free preview ended.

My guess is that Comcast here in the Flint area shutdown too much on Sunday, especially since no one else has this issue. In 2 weeks Comcast will start removing analog channels here so the channel will hopefully comeback then. I also could call Comcast to complain but right now I don't feel like it since I haven't watched anything on the channel other than Coach's Corner during the first intermission this past Saturday night.

I just looked at my bill online, it says "Digital Cable, Digital Classic with OnDemand". Basically I get everything other than premium channels or the sport package. I know NHL Network channel was in the sports package but that changed in September. 180 was NFL, then switched to NHL in September for the Flint area. That's the non HD version of the channel so I really don't care about it.

It could be a local issue but I was seeing if other Comcast subscribers lost the NHL Network channel once the Center Ice free preview ended.

My guess is that Comcast here in the Flint area shutdown too much on Sunday, especially since no one else has this issue. In 2 weeks Comcast will start removing analog channels here so the channel will hopefully comeback then. I also could call Comcast to complain but right now I don't feel like it since I haven't watched anything on the channel other than Coach's Corner during the first intermission this past Saturday night.

wrong - you need digital preferred to basically get everything other than premium channels or the sport package

NHL Network

Anyone else lose NHL Network once the free preview of Center Ice ended? I noticed it on Sunday and it is still "Not Authorized" on channel 180, 259 and 737. I am in the Flint, Michigan area.

the free preview was supposed to end last Saturday, though I saw it continue through Monday. channel numbers shouldn't matter (though it's weird that you had it in 3 places). NBA League Pass free preview until next Monday.

wrong - you need digital preferred to basically get everything other than premium channels or the sport package

wrong - digital classic and digital preferred are the same thing now. Some areas might call it preferred and some might call it classic, but its the same group of channels nationwide, basically everything but the premiums and sports package channels.

wrong - digital classic and digital preferred are the same thing now. Some areas might call it preferred and some might call it classic, but its the same group of channels nationwide, basically everything but the premiums and sports package channels.


Thanks for the backup.

However, it got me thinking so I broke down and called Comcast. They said I should be getting NHL Network and tried multiple methods of sending the signal to my DVR box. All failed. They opened a ticket for this issue.

However, it got me thinking so I broke down and called Comcast. They said I should be getting NHL Network and tried multiple methods of sending the signal to my DVR box. All failed. They opened a ticket for this issue.

I've been through the same thing a couple of times. Sometimes they say I should be getting it, other times it's only on the sports pack. Same with ESPNU, NBATV and CBS College Sports HD (the SD channel is on Digital Classic here). They should all be available on Digital Classic. I ended up getting the sports pack free for a month. After that I guess I'll have to go through this crap all over again. They are violating their agreements with these channels.

Here in Anne Arundel County MD, we recently got about 40 new HD channels from Comcast. For the first day or so, I know that a lot of the new programming on MTVHD was actually showing in HD. However, in the past few weeks, two of the shows my girlfriend watches (which state HD in the program guide, and are definitely HD when you stream them from On Demand) have been showing up in SD (window-boxed and letter-boxed) despite it being the MTVHD channel. In particular, "The Hills" and the show following that seem to be showing this behavior. Wanted to know if anyone else was seeing the same, or should I contact local Comcast about this?

Thanks in advance.

the free preview was supposed to end last Saturday, though I saw it continue through Monday. channel numbers shouldn't matter (though it's weird that you had it in 3 places). NBA League Pass free preview until next Monday.

I am still getting NHL Center Ice for free as of last night (watched some of Edmonton game). Hoping to be able to watch my beloved Sabres tonight...

Here in Anne Arundel County MD, we recently got about 40 new HD channels from Comcast. For the first day or so, I know that a lot of the new programming on MTVHD was actually showing in HD. However, in the past few weeks, two of the shows my girlfriend watches (which state HD in the program guide, and are definitely HD when you stream them from On Demand) have been showing up in SD (window-boxed and letter-boxed) despite it being the MTVHD channel. In particular, "The Hills" and the show following that seem to be showing this behavior. Wanted to know if anyone else was seeing the same, or should I contact local Comcast about this?

Thanks in advance.

Are you watching these on a DVR? Sometimes the DVR will record the SD channel of a program, even though you swear you set the HD channel. I think this happens if you set the record via the search dialog, instead of going directly to the channel's program entry to set the record button. I got Leno's premier episode in SD instead of HD this way.

I am still getting NHL Center Ice for free as of last night (watched some of Edmonton game). Hoping to be able to watch my beloved Sabres tonight...

Yes, still getting NHLCI, although the Sabres home broadcast channel is just showing a "Be right back" message. Watching the Devils broadcast.

...and Sabres lead 2-0! YEAH!

Yes. I'm surprised, and disappointed, that HDNet & HDNet Movies aren't on more Comcast systems. Especially in areas that have gone through Project Cavalry.

It's been over a year, and to the best of my knowledge HDNet & HDNet Movies are on very few Comcast systems; I'd bet less than 20% nationally, probably less than that.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1190926

I cannot confirm it, but I have seen a few blogs about a dispute between Cablevision and the NHL over the league's takeover of the Rangers' website (all team sites were consolidated a couple years ago). Cablevision, which owns both the Rangers and MSG Networks, have pulled the MSG feeds from iNDemand's NHL Center Ice, so you may never get to see a Sabres feed until it's resolved.
I never saw an MSG feed on the package during the free preview either.

Let me see.

Any updates?

I would bring Comcast back if they had HDNet and HDNet Movies. I would like to get Mav basketball games.

Any updates?The word is it's rolling out and will continue to do so.

I would bring Comcast back if they had HDNet and HDNet Movies. I would like to get Mav basketball games.Unless you live in the Mav's home TV market, you won't get their games on HDNet.

Comcast has duplicated most of the HD channels in the 800s in Baltimore City, even though we haven't received word on Project Cavalry/World of More yet.

I cannot confirm it, but I have seen a few blogs about a dispute between Cablevision and the NHL over the league's takeover of the Rangers' website (all team sites were consolidated a couple years ago). Cablevision, which owns both the Rangers and MSG Networks, have pulled the MSG feeds from iNDemand's NHL Center Ice, so you may never get to see a Sabres feed until it's resolved.
I never saw an MSG feed on the package during the free preview either.

Ok, but the Devils broadcast was on something called MSG+. That isn't included in the dispute?

Are you watching these on a DVR? Sometimes the DVR will record the SD channel of a program, even though you swear you set the HD channel. I think this happens if you set the record via the search dialog, instead of going directly to the channel's program entry to set the record button. I got Leno's premier episode in SD instead of HD this way.
Once you choose a search result, the SD and HD listing are both there, it is up to you to choose the HD listing, but that might not be the problem.

The problem is probably with your local service area, in that they might be listing the call letters of both SD and HD channels exactly the same, so the DVR eventually defaults to the lower numbered channels, which is always going to be the SD channel. They need to list HD channels with the suffix 'HD' or 'D', to differentiate between HD and SD.

They have made this mistake in many areas. Here, five years ago, notably, it was ABC-HD that was incorrect for a while. Even since then, they have made the mistake several times, but were faster to correct it; though, they should know better.

Comcast has duplicated most of the HD channels in the 800s in Baltimore City, even though we haven't received word on Project Cavalry/World of More yet.


Same thing here in Richmond, VA

Ok, but the Devils broadcast was on something called MSG+. That isn't included in the dispute?

I believe the dispute affects all MSG channels, so that's the Rangers, Devils, Islanders, and Sabres. If you saw MSG+ on Center Ice, it may only affect Rangers broadcasts. Like I said, I just never personally saw an MSG game during the preview. Seems pretty silly to do this just because Cablevision wants control of the Rangers website, but I guess this is Cablevision's easiest way of getting back at the NHL. With Cablevision's recent actions against Tennis Channel and Verizon FiOS, this does not surprize me at all. It just goes to show how ruthless this company really is.

Comcast has duplicated most of the HD channels in the 800s in Baltimore City, even though we haven't received word on Project Cavalry/World of More yet.

Same in Harford County, northeast of Baltimore City.

Has anybody else noticed that NBC On Demand is now free and isn't the old $1 an episode - Heroes and Trauma are up for free!

I believe the dispute affects all MSG channels, so that's the Rangers, Devils, Islanders, and Sabres. If you saw MSG+ on Center Ice, it may only affect Rangers broadcasts. Like I said, I just never personally saw an MSG game during the preview. Seems pretty silly to do this just because Cablevision wants control of the Rangers website, but I guess this is Cablevision's easiest way of getting back at the NHL. With Cablevision's recent actions against Tennis Channel and Verizon FiOS, this does not surprize me at all. It just goes to show how ruthless this company really is.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Cablevision doesn't know how to play nicely with others. Wikipedia probably has an explanation on the MSG page.

Same in Harford County, northeast of Baltimore City.

DC too.

Once you choose a search result, the SD and HD listing are both there, it is up to you to choose the HD listing, but that might not be the problem.

The problem is probably with your local service area, in that they might be listing the call letters of both SD and HD channels exactly the same, so the DVR eventually defaults to the lower numbered channels, which is always going to be the SD channel. They need to list HD channels with the suffix 'HD' or 'D', to differentiate between HD and SD.

They have made this mistake in many areas. Here, five years ago, notably, it was ABC-HD that was incorrect for a while. Even since then, they have made the mistake several times, but were faster to correct it; though, they should know better.

Sorry for the late reply. To answer the original question, no, I'm not watching a recorded version via the DVR. This is being watched real-time on the MTVHD channel. If someone else could take a look at these shows this coming Tuesday on their MTVHD channel and let me know the outcome I'd appreciate it.

And don't forget that before ESPN bought Classic Sports, Cablevision knocked it off the air because the owners wouldn't sell to Cablevision and Classic Sports sued Cablevision. Cablevision responded by saying they removed Classic Sports because they created their own version, which never made it to their system. That suit eventually went away because of ESPN buying Classic Sports.
Also, go back twenty years ago and remember that when the Yankees went MSG, Cablevison made MSG a pay channel because they were upset at the Yankees leaving SportsChannel. That changed in '94 when MSG was bought by Cablevision, and miracle of miracles, MSG became a basic channel. Amazing how things like that happen.

Cablevision isn't the only company that pulls crap like that with the RSNs they own.

Comcast's Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is distributed to local cable systems via terrestrial microwave transmission, rather than via satellite, for the sole reason that distributing it this way allows them, under FCC rules, to withhold the channel from DirecTV and Dish Network.

So, if you want to watch local sports (other than the Eagles) in Philly, you need to have cable.

Cablevision isn't the only company that pulls crap like that with the RSNs they own.

Comcast's Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is distributed to local cable systems via terrestrial microwave transmission, rather than via satellite, for the sole reason that distributing it this way allows them, under FCC rules, to withhold the channel from DirecTV and Dish Network.

So, if you want to watch local sports (other than the Eagles) in Philly, you need to have cable.

all of that is a real case for legislation that would say that MSOs like Comcast, Cablevision, and Cox can't own television programming to avoid these conflicts of interest.

I cannot confirm it, but I have seen a few blogs about a dispute between Cablevision and the NHL over the league's takeover of the Rangers' website (all team sites were consolidated a couple years ago). Cablevision, which owns both the Rangers and MSG Networks, have pulled the MSG feeds from iNDemand's NHL Center Ice, so you may never get to see a Sabres feed until it's resolved.
I never saw an MSG feed on the package during the free preview either.

I don't know about In Demand (we subscribe to both Comcast and DirecTV and get NHL Center Ice from DirecTV), but as I understand it, the issue you describe only affects MSG HD feeds, not MSG SD. On DirecTV, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and Sabres feeds on NHL Center Ice are all SD only, even though DirecTV carries MSG HD and their NBA League Pass includes MSG HD feeds of the Knicks. The way I understand it, the NHL must negotiate contracts with each network for carriage of NHL games on Center Ice. It is then up to each cable/sat provider which of those feeds they will use (some are free, others cost extra, and there's always the issue of bandwidth). There is currently no deal for MSG HD on Center Ice, so no provider can use MSG HD feeds. There is, however, a deal for MSG SD (and has been for a long time), so SD feeds are permitted (though again it is up to each provider and it may not be free of charge to them).

Last year, DirecTV carried MSG HD on Center Ice until around midway through the season, when the feeds suddenly vanished from the package.

I don't know about In Demand (we subscribe to both Comcast and DirecTV and get NHL Center Ice from DirecTV), but as I understand it, the issue you describe only affects MSG HD feeds, not MSG SD. On DirecTV, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and Sabres feeds on NHL Center Ice are all SD only, even though DirecTV carries MSG HD and their NBA League Pass includes MSG HD feeds of the Knicks. The way I understand it, the NHL must negotiate contracts with each network for carriage of NHL games on Center Ice. It is then up to each cable/sat provider which of those feeds they will use (some are free, others cost extra, and there's always the issue of bandwidth). There is currently no deal for MSG HD on Center Ice, so no provider can use MSG HD feeds. There is, however, a deal for MSG SD (and has been for a long time), so SD feeds are permitted (though again it is up to each provider and it may not be free of charge to them).

Last year, DirecTV carried MSG HD on Center Ice until around midway through the season, when the feeds suddenly vanished from the package.

That sounds like what I've heard. MSG HD I believe is available for Rangers games to viewers in the Rangers' local market (probably a different agreement).

Cablevision isn't the only company that pulls crap like that with the RSNs they own.

Comcast's Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is distributed to local cable systems via terrestrial microwave transmission, rather than via satellite, for the sole reason that distributing it this way allows them, under FCC rules, to withhold the channel from DirecTV and Dish Network.

So, if you want to watch local sports (other than the Eagles) in Philly, you need to have cable.
The last few years, it is available to Verizon FIOs, as well. I don't think Fiber Optics is technically 'cable'; regardless, Verizon is a direct competitor to Comcast, but they had to make it available to Verizon, because Verizon linked a fiber connection to the sports complexes.

Has anybody else noticed that NBC On Demand is now free and isn't the old $1 an episode - Heroes and Trauma are up for free!

No. Still $0.99.

That sounds like what I've heard. MSG HD I believe is available for Rangers games to viewers in the Rangers' local market (probably a different agreement).

It's available if you have Cablevision, Comcast, or Time Warner. Cablevision makes the HD feed available to other cable comanies as long as it's not a competitor like Verizon. They can do this because MSG HD is only distributed terrestrially like CSN is in Philadelphia.

They can withhold it from satellite, that is all. However, as I said, two posts up, if Verizon wants it, they are allowed to have a fiber connection to the sports complexes like here in Philly, AFAIK.

That's what I used to think. Here's a letter from Cablevision defending their business practices- http://www.multichannel.com/article/316396-Terrestrial_But_No_Loophole.php?q=verizon+msg
"Big cable" would love nothing more than to keep programming, especially sports, all to themselves.

No. Still $0.99.

The older episodes are still $0.99, but the new ones that aired last week are now free.

Comcast has duplicated most of the HD channels in the 800s in Baltimore City, even though we haven't received word on Project Cavalry/World of More yet.

Those that are starting to get the HD channels in the 800 tier, did you have any channels previously in that tier? If so, where did they move to? Here in Savannah we have our Digital Music channels in that 800 tier.